I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender just my Oc. I'd like to thank Gemilger he's my beta reader in this story only.
Chapter 4
"Wait till you see it, Katara." Aang said excitedly "The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world."
'I wanna see it for myself how much it changed...Mom...Dad...I feel so bad leaving you guys...'Lilling thought
"Aang, I know you're excited but it's been a hundred years since you have been home." Katara said gently
"That's why I'm so excited!" Aang said eagerly, looking up at Katara with wide excited eyes.
"It's just that a lot can change in all that time." Katara stated.
"I know." Aang agreed "But I need to see it for myself. You do too, right Lilling?"
Liling smiled up at him "Yeah, I wanna see what it looks like now."
Aang grinned at her and jumped off Appa's head then walked over to a Sokka, who was still wrapped up in his sleeping bag and snoring happily.
"Wake up, Sokka!" Aang said happily as he stood over the sleeping boy, "Air temple here we come!"
"Sleep now, temple later." Sokka groaned, rolling over so his back was to Aang and started snoring again.
Liling smiled and walked over to Aang whispering in his ear as a mischievous grin spread across Aang's face. Liling and Katara watched as the bald boy picked up a stick and stood next to Sokka's sleeping form again.
"Sokka, wake up," Aang said urgently, running the tip of the stick up and down Sokka's sleeping bag, "There's a prickle-snake in your sleeping bag!"
"AH!" Sokka screamed, jerking up to his feet then hopping a forward a few times before falling on his face, "Get it off, get it off!"
Liling and Katara laughed loudly at the older boy.
"Great, you're awake," Aang said with an innocent smile on his face, "Let's go!"
Sokka growled lowly while The girls giggled at his expense. Aang smiled cheekily and hopped up onto Appa's head and the three waited for Sokka to gather his stuff and climb into Appa's saddle, grumbling the whole time.
Meanwhile With Zuko
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible." Zuko said to the older man walking behind him as they left his ship, "I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail."
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asked
"Don't mention his name on these docks!" Zuko snapped, turning around to give Iroh an irritated look, "Once word gets out that he's alive, every Firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way."
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?"
Zuko and Iroh turned towards the new voice with surprised expressions on their faces, watching as a dark-haired man in his early-mid thirties, in Fire Nation military uniform walk towards them.
"Captain Zhao." Zuko stated coldly folding his arm over his chest.
"It's commander now." Zhao said with an air of smug condescension as he looked at the teen before turning to Iroh and bowing his head slightly, "General Iroh, great hero of our Nation."
"Retired general." Iroh corrected him
"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests anytime." Zhao said, "What brings you to my harbor?"
"Our ship is being repaired." Iroh responded, gesturing towards the small, banged up ship.
Zhao's eyebrows rose slightly before his face took on an expression of concern and curiosity, "That's quite a bit of damage."
"Yes, you wouldn't believe what happened." Zuko agreed quickly, "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."
Iroh's eyes widened for a moment and he cleared his throat, "Yes, I will do that."
"It was incredible." The older man said, then leaned over to whisper to Zuko, "What did we crash or something?"
Zuko looked up then down at his uncle as he quickly thought of something , "Yes, right into an Earth Kingdom ship."
"Really? Zhao asked, unbelieving before continuing with veiled sarcasm, "You must regale me with all the thrilling details." The commander leaned down so he was looking Zuko "Join me for a drink?"
"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko growled slightly, turned and moving to walk around Zhao but was stopped by Iroh's hand on his shoulder.
"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." Iroh said calmly then turned to the commander, "We would be honored to join you. Do you have an ginseng tea? It's my favorite."
Zuko growled and fire shot from his fists as he threw them to his sides, following after his uncle and the commander reluctantly.
Back with Aang and the others
Liling got a bit bored so she just played with the water that she bended moving it around a lot while Katara watched her move it so freely and easily. A loud rumbling was heard Liling glanced and she looked over at Sokka who was grumbling and he held his stomach.
"Hey, stomach be quiet? I'm trying to find us some food." Sokka said to his stomach.
Liling watched as Sokka rummaged around in his bag and pulled out a tan bag. She continued to watch as he put his hand in the bag then dumped the contents in his hand, but only crumbs came out.
"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed, looking towards Lilinh, Aang, and Katara, "Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?"
"Oh..." Aang spoke up, sounding sheepish, "That was food? I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry."
"You what?!" Sokka demanded, looking irritated then despondent, "No wonder the flames smelled so good."
Liling lightly giggled, she guessed that was all he had for food, so hopefully when they land they could forage for food to pack up on the food supply.
"The Patola mountain range!" Aang cried out happily, "We're almost there!"
Liling smiled softly but it slowly disappeared when she thought of her parents, it's been a century since she saw them and they're gone it felt like it was yesterday that she was with them when they visited Aang on that day that he found out he's the Avatar and that they left.
'Mom...Dad... I miss you guys so much...I feel like I'm a terrible daughter for leaving you guys like that...'Liling thought sadly her heart ache.
"Aang," Katara said quietly, looking over at Aang "Before we get to the temple, I want to talk to you about the Airbenders."
"What about 'em?" Aang asked, glancing at her curiously for a moment then looking forward again.
"Well," Katara started to explain quietly, "I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless. They killed my mother and they could have done the same to your people."
'All fire nations aren't that bad, after all I lived there too...but I don't think this is the time to tell them...' Liling thought
Liling silently prayed that they might be at least a survivor she didn't want to believe that the fire nation could be that ruthless after all her father wasn't like that at all her father was a kind,gentle being sure sometimes he'd have a bit of a temper but he said its normal for a few of his people he admitted that most of them are hot heads. Liling smiled softly at remembering her father and mother.
"Just because people haven't seen an Airbender doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all." Aang stated optimistically, glancing back at her friend hopefully, "They probably escaped maybe your parents got out alive Liling."
"I know it's hard to accept," Katara said softly, placing her hand on Aang's shoulder and he smiled slightly at her.
"You don't understand Katara," Aang explained "The only way to get to an Air Temple is on a flying bison. And I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison. Right, Appa?"
"That does sound like it, I remember sending you a message saying we'd be visiting you and you come and get us."Liling said
"Exactly."Aang said
The small group got closer to the Southern Air Temple was located in the mountain range.
"There is it," Aang said happily as the Southern Air Temple appeared beyond the mountain, "The Southern Air Temple."
"It's amazing!" Katara said excitedly as she leaned forward slightly and Aang smiled at the sight of his home.
"We're here..."Liling said
Back With Zuko
"The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao said explaining the plan to them.
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willing then he is a fool." Zuko stated coldly, glancing over when Zhao took the seat next to him.
"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue." Zhao said mockingly.
Zuko glanced away from the smug commander and looked back at the table in front of him.
"So," Zhao started tone still mocking, "How is your search for the Avatar going?"
A crash pulled the man's attention towards Iroh, who was standing beside the rack of weapons he had just knocked over with a surprised expression on his face.
"My fault entirely." Iroh stated, backing away from the weapons with his hands folded in his robes' long sleeves.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko answered Zhao's question, looking at the older man out of the corner of his good eye.
"Did you really expect too?" Zhao asked "The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the Airbenders."
Zuko looked away as Zhao looked at Zuko with a slight smirk.
"Unless you've found some evidence that the Avatar is alive." Zhao said
Zuko turned his head to Zhao with a glare, his fists clenched tightly on the armrests of the chair he was sitting in.
"No," Zuko denied looking away "Nothing."
"Prince Zuko," Zhao began, rising from his own seat and moving to stand in front of Zuko with his hands behind his back, "The Avatar is the only that can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."
"I haven't found anything." Zuko said firmly "It's like you said, the Avatar probably died a long time ago."
Zhao looked down at him, Zuko rose to his feet, fist clenched at his sides as he walked past Zhao, "Come on, Uncle, we're going."
Two guards stopped Zuko from leaving by crossing their spears while another guard stepped forward.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed." The guard reported "They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar and his friend in custody but let them escape."
Zuko glared darkly at the tent flap in front of him as the guard finished his report.
"Now remind me," Zhao started "How exactly was your ship damaged."
Zuko's expression turned murderous and he bowed his head slightly, his gold eyes narrowed as he refused to look at the man leaning over his shoulder.
Back with Aang and the others
As soon as They landed Liling looked around at the temple she then looked up at Aang, Katara, and Sokka who were still sitting on Appa.
"Race you to the temple!" Aang cried out as he darted up the path that lead towards the main temple, "Last one there is a rotten platypus-bear egg!"
"No fair!" Liling exclaimed as she followed Aang.
"So where do I get something to eat?" Sokka asked, clutching at his stomach.
"You're lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to ever visit an Airbender temple and all you can think about is food?" Katara asked drily, with a sarcastically amused look on her face.
"I'm just a simple guy with simple needs." Sokka retorted as they finally caught up with Aang and Liling.
"So that's were me and my friends used to play airball." Aang said, pointing to the airball court then pointing to another part of the mountain the Southern Temple "And over there is where the sky bison used to sleep. Oh and over there is when Me and Liling plan a few pranks on some of our other friends and monks."
Aang sighed.
"What's wrong?" Katara asked curiously and Xiaodan glanced over at her.
"This place used to be filled with monks, lemurs, and bison." Aang said, looking around "Now there's just a bunch of weeds. I can't believe how much things have changed."
"Yeah...I can't believe it." Liling said
Katara and Sokka exchanged looks behind the two benders.
"So, uh, this airball game." Sokka said, coming up to stand beside Aang while Katara stood on Aang's other side, "How do you play?"
Aang grinned at Sokka and Katara with equally while Liling had a smile on her face.
Liling laughed as she watched Aang try and teach Sokka how to play airball. She laughed harder when Aang sent the ball at Sokka, hitting the older boy in the stomach and sending him through the goal.
"Aang, seven and Sokka, zero!" Aang cheered with a laugh and Lilling smiled and decided to walk around a bit.
"Aang, there's something you need to see." Katara called out
"Okay." Aang said as he used his airbending to toss the ball.
"What is it?" Liling asked as they came to a stop in front of Katara and a snow covered Sokka, "What happened to Sokka?"
"Uh, just a new waterbending move I learned." Katara explained, clasping her hands behind her back.
"Nice one." Aang said "But enough practicing, we have a whole temple to explore."
Liling followed Aang towards the main part of the temple. She smiled when she saw him standing in front of a statue of a familiar monk. She knew who that was Monk Gyatso.
"Hey guys, I want you to meet somebody." Aang called out to the siblings.
"Who's that?" Sokka asked, looking at the statue curiously.
"This is Monk Gyatso." Liling said
"The greatest Airbender in the world." Aang added, "He taught me everything i know."
Liling smiled, Aang bowed to the statue, she could tell he was remembering something. As she walked up the steps that lead into the Air Temple.
"You must miss him." Katara murmured touching Aang's shoulder.
"Yeah." Aang muttered moving around the statue and walking up the steps.
"Where are you going?" Katara asked as she and Sokka moved to follow him.
"The Air Temple Sanctuary." Aang explained,"There's someone I'm ready to meet."
They stopped in front of the large wooden door with the intricate lock in the middle.
"But Aang, Liling, no one could have survived in there for a hundred years." Katara said
"Katara could be right, It's not impossible." Liling said, looking up at the door.
"But Liling and I survived inside the iceberg for that long." Aang added with a grin as he stared at the door.
"Good point." Katara said with amusement.
"Katara," Aang said to the other girl with excitement, "Whoever's in there could help me figure out this Avatar thing."
"And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious cured meat." Sokka piped in, running towards the door only to slam into it.
Aang, Liling and Katara watched in amusement as Sokka tried to open the door.
"You're not gonna be able to open the door." Liling Said she lightly giggled at Sokka.
"I don't suppose you have a key?" Sokka asked, sliding down the door to sit on the ground.
"The key, Sokka, is airbending." Aang said
Aang lunged forward and shoved his hands towards the horns that made up the start of the lock. Two gusts of air spiraled from his palms into the opening of the lock, sending air through the twisted pipes and flipping the three blue spirals that made up the Airbending symbol so that they were now dark purple. The door unlocked then opened slowly. The four stared into the darkness of the room that the now opened doors revealed.
"Hello?" Aang called out, cupping his hand around his mouth as his voice echoed through the large room as he walked forward, "Anyone home?"
"Hey! Anyone there?!" Liling called out
Liling followed after Aang, looking around curiously as the Water Tribe siblings followed after the two benders.
Back with Zuko
"So a twelve year old boy and his little girlfriend bested you and your Firebenders." Zhao stated, pacing in front of Zuko.
Zhao sighed and stopped in his pacing, clasping his hands behind his back, "You're more pathetic than I thought."
"I underestimated them once," Zuko snapped looking at Zhao briefly then back to the floor, "but it will not happen again."
"No it will not." Zhao agreed, his tone stern and his back still turned to the prince and his uncle, "Because you won't have a second chance."
Zuko started to protest, "Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-"
Zhao spun around, a crescent of fire coming from his palm as he faced Zuko. "And you failed! Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands."
Zhao looked down at Zuko, his expression hard and unmoving, "He's mine now."
Zuko's fists clenched the armrests for a moment before he lunged at Zhao, the guards grabbing him by the elbows and pulling him back before he could get too close to the commander.
"Keep them here." Zhao stated to the guards as he turned away and left the tent.
Zuko growled and kicked over the small table with the tea cups and teapot on it, his face still twisted into an angry snarl.
"More tea please." Iroh said as he held up his small teacup.
Back with Aang and the others
"Wow, I was expecting something different not this...it's amazing..." Liling murmured, looking at the hundreds of statues that were inside the room as they slowly made their way in.
"Statues?" Sokka said, stopping in front of one of the statues, "That's it? Where's the meat?"
"Who are all these people?" Katara asked, looking up at one of the statues.
"I'm not sure." Aang answered, "But it feels like I know them somehow. Look that one's an Airbender."
"And that one's a Waterbender." Katara said, pointing the statue in front of her, "They're lined up in a pattern. Air, water, earth, and fire."
"That's the Avatar cycle." Aang stated helpfully.
"I think...these are all the past Avatars since you said you feel like you know them somehow." Liling said quietly looking around at all the statues.
"Of course, she's right." Katara said, looking around in awe, "They're all your past lives..."
"Wow, there are so many!" Aang gaped, starting to around the room again.
"Past lives?" Sokka asked skeptically, looking at his sister with his arms crossed, "Katara, you really believe in that stuff?"
"It's true." Katara said defensively, "When the Avatar dies, he's reincarnated into the next nation in the cycle."
Lilinh glanced over at Aang, who was staring at one of the Avatar statues. She looked up at the statue as well, seeing that this Avatar was a Firebender.
"Aang, snap out of it." Katara said suddenly, grabbing Aang's shoulders and giving him a slight shake.
"Huh?" Aang muttered, blinking and looking up at the statue while Katara and Liling shared a concerned look.
"Who is that?" Katara asked, looking up at the statue as well.
"That's Avatar Roku." Aang explained, "The Avatar before me."
"By the Looks of it he's a firebender." Liling said
"You were a Firebender?" He asked, "No wonder I didn't trust you when we first met."
"Hey, Don't judge a book by its cover."Liling said
"There's no writing." Katara said, looking at the bottom of the statue, "How do you know his name?"
"I'm not sure." Aang said, "I just know it somehow.
"You just couldn't get any weirder." Sokka said
"I think he is aware of all of his past lives but at the same time he doesn't."Liling said
"Really?" Katara asked
All of a sudden a noise had them all tensing and turning to look at the still open door. Sokka and Lilinh hid behind one statue while Aang and Katara hid behind the one next to them.
"Firebender." Sokka whispered, "Nobody make a sound."
"You're making a sound." Katara hissed and was shushed by Sokka, Aang and Liling.
Sokka grabbed his club from his back while Liling pressed closer to the back of the statue they were hiding behind she reached in her pocket taking a hold of a weapon that she had hidden away.
"That Firebender won't know what hit him." Sokka muttered, holding his club at the ready as he stood and the sound of footsteps got closer to where they were hiding.
Sokka poked his head around his statue first, club raised but paused when he saw what was standing in there. Aang, Katara and Liling peeked around their statues as well, their eyes widden when they saw their 'attacker'.
"Lemur!" Aang and Liling exclaimed excitedly.
"Dinner." Sokka groaned at the same time, beginning to drool as he looked at the lemur.
"Don't listen to him." Aang said, smiling at the lemur happily, "You're going to be my new pet."
"He's so cute! Oh I wish I had a pet like him!"Liling exclaimed
"Not if I get him first!" Sokka yelled, lunging towards the lemur at the same time Aang did.
Liling and Katara moved out from behind the two statues and stared at the boys who were now chasing the fleeing lemur. The two girls exchanged exasperated looks.
"Boys." They said with a sigh
"I'll go get them." Liling said as she followed after the boys, "Wait here?"
"Be careful." Katara said as she turned back looking at the statues.
"I will." Liling said smiled she darted down the hallway after the two boys.
Back with Zuko
Zuko didn't look up when Commander Zhao reentered the tent.
"My search party is ready." Zhao stated as he came to a stop beside the two chairs that Zuko and Iroh had moved to face each other, "Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."
"Why?" Zuko asked, jerking his head around to glare up at Zhao, "Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"
Zhao laughed mockingly at the younger man.
"You? Stop me?" Zhao questioned scornfully after his chuckles slowly disappeared, "Impossible."
Zuko lurched to his feet, eyes narrowed and fists clenched as he turned to face the commander fully, "Don't underestimate me, Zhao! I will capture the Avatar before you."
"Prince Zuko," Iroh snapped warningly as he stood as well, "That's enough."
But Zhao wasn't finished talking.
"You can't compete with me." He said coolly, "I have hundreds of warships under my command and you, you're just a banished prince. No home, no allies, your own father doesn't even want you."
"You're wrong." Zuko growled through clenched teeth, "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor and restore me to my rightful place on the throne."
"If your father really wanted you home," the commander taunted coldly, "He would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
"That's not true."
"You have the scar to prove it."
Zuko growled and moved forward so his and Zhao's faces were only inches apart, "Maybe you'd like one to match!"
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao asked with a scoff.
"An Agni Kai," Zuko snarled, standing in front of Zhao, "at sunset."
"Very well." Zhao agreed, straighten and taking a small step away from the scarred teen, "It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do."
Zuko scowled as Zhao turned away from him and left the tent again.
"Prince Zuko," Iroh chided gently from his spot behind his nephew, "Have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"
"I will never forget." Zuko stated, his gold eyes narrowing slightly.
Back with Liling
'Everything looks so empty...it's sad...'Liling thought she looked around the area. 'I wonder if what I buried is around here...and the small hut that I used to live when I visit Aang is there too...'
Liling looked around and walked the opposite path that the boys ran, she noticed a beat up Looking hut that she used to live there for a few days until her and her parents went back home, there was a big hole where the roof used to be and shreds of fabric from the windows. She walked closer to it and saw that it was abandoned Long ago. The moment she step foot inside of it a few memories went by her mind.
'Liling, this is the second time that's happened.' Her mother said sternly 'How can you and your friend play that prank on the other monks throwing pies at them?!'
'But mom!' Liling said 'I was only doing it because he needed help with it!'
'Help? You call that help? If the monks said he's the avatar then he needs to be responsible and not act so childish.'
'They're just kids.' Her father spoke up. 'Let them have their fun, besides we'll be leaving soon.'
'But I can't just leave Aang! He's my friend! Ever since the monks told him that he's the avatar our other friends started to treat him differently! Just like when they first met me with my bending!'
'Liling, there's nothing you can do about that. It takes time for them to get used to him being the Avatar.' She said
'She's right my little jasmine flower, I'm sure things will be normal again and they'll play with him like normal.' He said
Liling pouted for a minute and Looked at her parents. 'What if they don't? he's only twelve I don't want him to do anything too crazy to get attention.' Liling said
'Liling, you're his friend you haven't changed when he told you that he's the avatar.' She said smiling at her daughter. 'If he's ever lost I know that you'll be there to help him.'
Her parents smiled at their daughter, she smiled lightly at them and hugged them both.
'You're still grounded for doing that though.' Her mom said sternly
'Aw man!' Liling groaned while her parents lightly smiled.
Liling snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a sudden change in the air. She started to run back to see where the boys where at.
"What happened?" Katara asked, as she and the other girl stood next to Sokka.
"He found out Firebenders killed Gyatso." Sokka explained, holding onto the rubble in front of him as he glanced over at his sister.
"What? They did what?!" Liling gasped "Aang!" She ran towards the young Airbender.
"Liling!" The Water Tribe siblings shouted together as Liling got closer to the tornado around Aang's body.
"Katara!" Liling shouted, looking over her shoulder at the other girl, "We gotta calm him down!"
"Hurry before he blows us off the mountain!" Sokka shouted at the two girls.
"That's some real motivation!"Liling snapped
Back with Zuko
"Remember your Firebending basic, Prince Zuko." Iroh advised his nephew quietly from his spot in front of Zuko's kneeling position," They are you're greatest weapons."
"I refuse to let him win." Zuko stated determinedly, his eyes closed as he rose from his kneeling position and turning to face Zhao.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao said confidently as he faced the younger man as they assumed their stances.
One of the guards hit the gong, the ringing sound signaling the fighters to begin. Zuko made the first move, shooting a fireball from his fist that Zhao easily dodged by side-stepping. The young prince sent another fireball at the older man, but Zhao simply dispersed the flame with his arms.
Panting slightly, Zuko growled and used a new tactic, kicking streams of fire at Zhao but the commander effortlessly nullify the blasts. Zuko paused to catch his breath, panting slightly while Zhao merely smirked smugly at the prince.
"Basics, Zuko." Iroh called out from the sidelines encouraging, "Break his route!"
Zhao started to send out his own fire blasts from his fist. Zuko manages to block each blast, but is slowly forced backwards each time he does. Finally, Zhao launches a powerful blast with both his fists at the Zuko which knocks Zuko onto his back. Pressing his advantage, the commander leaps into the air and lands in front of the downed teenager, aiming his neck fireball at Zuko's face.
Zuko's eyes widened as the fireball heads straight for his head but before it can connect, he rolls out of the way, kicking his legs up then bringing them down and swiping Zhao's feet out from under him before landing on his own feet. With a smirk, the banished prince begins send streams of fire out of the side of his feet, causing Zhao to retreat away from the blast.
With a fierce growl, Zuko kicks his leg up and sends a powerful fire blast at Zhao, knocking the older man to the ground. Quickly, the scarred teen moves in front of Zhao, his fist pointed at the commander's face, ready to finish the older man off.
"Do it!" Zhao snarls
Zuko launches a fireball past Zhao's face, hitting right above the man's shoulder.
"That's it?" Zhao demanded, "Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko promised, his tone dark and firm as he turned away from Zhao.
Growling furiously, Zhao rose to his feet then spun around and shooting a fire blast at Zuko's turned back only for his foot to be caught by Iroh. The old man shoved the commander away, then caught his nephew by the shoulders when the young prince lunged forward to attack Zhao.
"No Prince Zuko, do not taint your victory." Iroh said calmly as Zuko straightened, still scowling in Zhao's direction.
Iroh turned to look at Zhao "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful." The old man sniffed in disdain, "Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea, it was delicious."
Iroh turned away from Zhao and began walking away, Zuko followed after him.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?" Zuko asked his uncle quietly as they left the arena and headed towards his ship.
"Of course." Iroh said, a smug look on his face "I told you ginseng tea is my favorite."
A small smile appeared on Zuko's face and he looked away from his uncle and towards the harbor where their ship was waiting.
Back with Aang and the others
"Aang!" Katara called the bald boy's name, "Aang, I know you're upset and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my mom."
"Monk Gyatso and the other Airbenders may be gone but you still have a family!" Katara called out"Liling, Sokka, and I, we're your family now!"
"Please, Aang! I know it hurts! I'm hurting too...my mom and dad...they're gone! I can't lose you too, just like Katara said were your family!" Liling said
The three teens watched as the sphere of air surrounding Aang began to lower to the ground. The sphere disappeared as soon as Aang's feet touched the ground and Liling rushed over to him. Sokka and Katara hurried after her.
"Aang..." She whispered, hugging him from behind
"Katara and I won't let anything happen to you or Liling." Sokka said firmly with a small smile as he and katara stood on either side of the two benders, "I promise."
Katara smiled softly and took Aang's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Liling hugged Aang tighter as his arrows and eyes stopped glowing, his gray-blue eyes filled with tears as he collapsed and Liling lowered him to the ground carefully, still holding him tightly to her.
"I'm sorry." Aang whispered sadly to Liling, she didn't know why he was apologizing it was no ones fault that it happened.
Katara crouched down beside them and Liling wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer so that Aang was leaning against both girls.
"You were right." Aang whispered, "And if Firebenders found this temple, that means they found the other ones too."
Liling bit her lip and blinked a few times trying not to cry.
"I really am the last Airbender." He whispered brokenly as his eyes closed and a single tear slid down his cheek. Liling hugged him tightly as a few tears went down her cheeks.
Liling pulled Aang and Katara closer to her just as Katara tightened her own arms around Aang and her. Sokka stood beside them, placing his hand on Aang's shoulder to comfort him.
"Everything's packed." Katara said as she and Liling walked into the Air Temple Sanctuary where Aang was standing in front of the statue of Roku.
"You ready to go?" Liling asked as the two girls came to stand beside him, both of them looking up at the statue.
"How is Roku supposed to help me if I can't talk to him?" Aang questioned
"Maybe you'll find away." Katara said
"Yeah, I'm sure there's a way." Liling said
A familiar noise had the three turning towards the door where the lemur was standing. Liling Katara, and Aang watched as the lemur hopped over to where Sokka was standing a few feet away from the open door then dropped the armful of fruits it was holding in front of the Water Tribe boy then hopped away as Sokka began to devour the fruits.
"Aww...look at the little cute lemur" Liling said
"Looks like you made a new friend, Sokka." Aang said with a happy smile.
"Can't talk." Sokka muttered with a mouthful of food, "Must eat."
Liling and Katara giggled when the lemur leapt onto Aang's shoulder, its tail curling around his neck as he looked at Sokka over Aang's head.
"Hey, little guy." Aang said, smiling slightly at the lemur on his shoulder.
"You, me, Appa," Aang said as he stood beside Appa's head with the lemur perched on his shoulder "We're all that's left of this place. We have to stick together."
Liling smiled over as she came back holding a few items that she found at the hut they she stood there she saw where Katara and Sokka at. They were snacking on some of the fruit they had found at the temple,
"Guys say hello to the newest member of our family." Aang said
"What are you going to call him?" Katara asked as aang walked over to her and Sokka, the lemur perched on Aang's arm.
Liling giggled when the lemur leapt off Aang's arm and snatched the fruit from Sokka's hand then leapt back to Aang.
"Momo." Aang answered with a grin as he looked at the lemur who was happily eating the fruit.
Katara, Aang, and Liling laughed at the irritated look on Sokka's face as he looked at his empty hand.
"Alright, come on you guys," Liling said "Let's get going, yeah?"
"What's that you got there Liling?"Katara asked giving her a curious look.
"Somehow the things that I buried in a Secret spot somehow survived." Liling said "And a few things in that hut were still intact...even my parents bedroom..."
A sad expression formed in the dark haired girl. The trio hugged her for comfort.
"What did you find?"Aang asked
"I found this my mother's necklace she always took it off and place it in the second drawer in the nightstand." Liling said showing the group a necklace almost similar to katara's necklace only instead of blue it was a crimson red and with a small ember stone in it.
"That's beautiful, it was your moms? She had good taste."Katara said
"Yeah she did, my dad gave it to her when he proposed to her."Liling said "It's a tradition in her tribe to do that."
"That's romantic."Katara said
"Yeah, so let's get going."Liling said
The other three nodded and Sokka grabbed the bags of fruits and nuts that they collected then they all climbed up onto Appa, Sokka taking the reins while Aang, Liling and Katara sat in the saddle.
Liling looked over her shoulder to see Aang doing the same thing at the back of the saddle, Momo on his shoulder.
'You guys are my family now so now I'll do anything to protect you guys.'Liling thought looking at the sky. 'Mom...Dad...watch over me and my friends in this journey.'
There you have it guys! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!