Earth Kingdom Forest; Reylea
3rd person POV...
On their way towards the rocky outcropping that Qui-Gon told them about, Sokka decided to share his experience with the others. They were bursting with questions, and Aang was really hopeful and excited based on what he was hearing.
"So you're saying that he used airbending?!" Aang asks excitedly.
"I said it looked like he was airbending," Sokka corrects.
"What do you mean looked?" Katara asks in confusion.
"That's what he said," he replies with a shrug. "I thought it was airbending to, but he insisted it wasn't."
"Well whatever it was, I can't wait to talk to him! He reminds me so much of the monks!" Aang says with a grin. "What's his name?"
Sokka falters sheepishly, realizing something. "Uhh... well, I actually still don't know."
"What?" Aang asks incredulously.
"You spent all that time with him, and not once did you bother to ask his name?" Katara asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey in my defense, we had much more important things to worry about!" he retorts.
Katara rolls her eyes back at him, and Sokka looks forwards with a pout. They continue flying for about another minutes when Aang leans out of the saddle, pointing down at the range of rocky hills below them, having identified the outcropping.
"There it is Sokka!" he calls out.
Sokka pulls the reins to direct Appa in the direction of the outcropping, and the bison happily complies with a low growl. As they get closer however, they suddenly spot something on the outcropping that leaves them all confused, and slowly become bewildered.
"Woah..." Aang murmurs.
"What is that thing?!" Sokka asks incredulously.
"It, looks like a... metal house?" Katara offers.
"How did he get here so quickly?!" Aang points out in surprise.
Sure enough, the could just barely make out Qui-Gon's figure on the ground next to the strange metal house, apparently in some sort of kneeling position.
Qui-Gon POV...
I arrived on this outcropping a couple minutes ago, and now sat on the empty rock in light meditation, kneeling in the proper stance. Through my meditation I can sense the swirling energy of this planet once again, as well as the approach of Aang, Katara and Sokka, as well as their animal companions. I can also sense their surprise and curiosity at the sight of my ship, not realizing what it is. I allow myself a small smile of amusement as they touch down on the ground across from me, and open my eyes to look at them.
"Hello," I greet them.
"Hi!" Aang replies joyfully, jumping off of Appa.
The other two climb down more slowly, and I stand up from my position on the ground to face them.
"How did you get here so fast?" Katara asks.
"Yeah, and what is this thing?" Sokka adds in bewilderment. "Looks like something the Fire Nation would make."
"Sokka-" Katara starts in disapproval.
"Hey, I'm not judging!" he quickly replies defensively. "I'm just saying, maybe he stole it or something. Did you steal it?"
"No, it is mine," I answer.
"Oh," he replies dumbly.
"You know, you know who we are, but we never bothered to ask for your name," Aang points out curiously.
"Oh yes, of course," I realize as well. "I am Qui-Gon Jinn."
"Nice to meet you Qui-Gon," he replies, bowing formally.
I smile at him and bow my head respectfully as well, looking up to face them. "Well, I can imagine you have many questions. And considering I'm in no hurry, you're free to ask away."
The trio shares a few quick glances, grouping together and whispering for a few moments before separating, and Katara looks up.
"Um, who are you exactly? I mean, what do you do? Are you a traveler?" she asks curiously. "Some kind of monk?"
"I am a bit of both," I admit. "I am traveling, and I suppose to others you can definitely say I am some sort of monk, or spiritual teacher."
"A spirit teacher?" Aang asks excitedly.
"Not exactly a teacher by your standards, but I am familiar with the practice. In a certain way," I explain.
"Well, maybe you could help me!" he says eagerly. "As the Avatar I'm supposed to also be the bridge to the spirit world, but I don't know how to do any of that. Or how to contact my past lives."
"I thought you figured that out at the Temple," Katara says with a frown.
"That was just on the solstice. He said I'd be able to contact him whenever, but I don't know how," Aang replies helplessly.
"Well, how is he supposed to help you then?" Sokka asks bluntly, gesturing over at me. He then widens his eyes apologetically. "No offense."
"None taken," I reassure him.
"Do you think you could help me get into the spirit world? Maybe even talk to my past lives?" Aang asks hopefully.
"I've never attempted to enter the spirit world before, and as for your past lives, that is up to you to figure out," I tell him, and he looks down glumly. "But I do think I can provide some help if you so need it."
He perks up again and nods in content. "Ok, I'll take it."
"Alright, I got another question," Sokka states with narrowed eyes. "How did you blow away Pipsqueak and Smellerbee? You said it wasn't airbending, but I'm still suspicious."
"I was wondering when that would come up," I remark. "But this answer will require a lot of explaining, so I suggest sitting down."
The three kids look around, and Aang scratches his head sheepishly. "Well, if I knew how to earthbend, I could make us some seats."
"That's fine, I can handle it," I reassure him with a smile.
They look at me quizzically, but pay them no mind, Glancing over, I spot two small boulders nearby, one which could fit perfectly as a seat for me, and the other which could serve as a bench for them. Raising a hand casually, I use the Force to bring the two rocks over, and they all gape in surprise at the sight. Once they're in position, I sit down in my chair, while they continues staring at me and their bench in bewilderment.
"I suppose that's a more direct answer," I remark with a chuckle.
"How did you do that?" Katara asks.
"I'll explain it in a moment. Please sit," I ask politely, gesturing towards the bench.
They do so, and Aang glances at the others for a moment. "Qui-Gon's right though, that wasn't airbending. He wasn't using any airbending currents with that."
"So, are you an earthbender?" Katara theorizes.
"No, he can't be. He blew away Pipsqueak and Smellerbee without touching them, or using any earth," Sokka frowns in disagreement.
"What was that?" Aang asks with intrigue.
"What you just witnessed my friends, was the Force," I tell them.
"And what's the Force?" Katara asks.
"The Force is many things," I admit. "But in a simple sense, the Force is what gives me, and many others like me, their power. It's an energy field that is created by all living creatures and plant life, and it binds everything together."
"That's the simple explanation?" Sokka asks dryly.
"I... think I get it," Aang slowly says, before noticing something. "Wait, you said others?"
"There are many others like me, yes," I confirm with a nod.
"But, I've never heard of the Force before," Katara says in confusion.
"The Force isn't something that can be seen, but it is there," I say firmly.
"If that's true then why does nobody else ever use it- actually, why has no one even heard of it?" Sokka asks doubtfully.
I take a moment to contemplate my response. "Now this, is where it gets more difficult to explain... Would any of you believe me if I were to tell yuou that I'm actually not from your world?"
They all blink in bewilderment and confusion, and Sokka snickers in disbelief. Aang furrows his brow thoughtfully.
"You mean... you're a spirit?" he asks with a wide eyes.
"No, I'm not a spirit either. When I say another world, I mean literally," I state, pointing a finger up at the sky.
"Ok, that's just stupid. There aren't other planets with people on them. How would you even travel up there anyways?" Sokka replies disbelievingly. "It's all a bunch of nonsense."
I shake my head with a small smile of amusement, and glance at Aang. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my Lotus tile and toss it to Aang, who quickly catches it with a startled yelp.
"Tell me young Avatar, what do you see on that tile?" I ask him.
"What has that got to do with anything?" Sokka asks incredulously.
However Aang still looks at it for a moment, frowning in confusion and glancing back up at me. "Uh... a White Lotus tile?"
"Flip it over."
He does so, and narrows his eyes curiously at the Jedi Order symbol. "Huh... I think I recognize this symbol."
"What is it?" Katara asks.
"It's just from an old kids story Monk Gyatso used to tell me," Aang says with a fond smile. "The story goes that there's some guy who also helps watch over the world with the Avatar, called the Watcher. Supposedly he or she is, from another world themselves. That's basically it."
"So he has a token showing the symbol of a children's story, that's great," Sokka deadpans sarcastically.
"Except it isn't a simple children's story," I correct him. "The Watcher is in fact, very real."
"Really?!" Aang asks with wide eyes.
"What do you mean the Watcher is real?" Katara asks.
"You're kidding, right?" Sokka asks with a raised eyebrow.
"No Sokka, I am not kidding," I reply with a smile.
"If the Watcher is real... then do you know him? Is that what you're saying?" Aang asks curiously.
"Well of course I know him Aang," I state with a grin, gesturing to myself. "He's me!"
Aang, Katara and Sokka all stare at me in bewilderment, and then Sokka lets off a fake yawn. "Alright. I respect you a big deal for the stuff you've done Qui-Gon, so trust me when I say I mean no offense when I think you're speaking total monkey-feathers."
"Sokka!" Katara scolds.
"What? Aren't you hearing him too?" he asks incredulously.
"If you're really the Watcher... does that mean you really are from another world?" Aang asks.
I smile at him in response, gesturing towards my ship. "Why do you think this is here?"
"Uhh... a metal house? Rolling machine?" Sokka suggests.
"No, it is not either of those. It is actually a ship. One which lets me fly up into space and cross the stars," I tell them.
"Woah..." Aang breathes out in awe.
"Really? Well how does it do that?" Katara asks incredulously.
"A metal machine can't fly!" Sokka protests. "It doesn't make sense!"
"Yet your bison Appa can fly," I point out.
"He does have a good point Sokka," Aang admits.
"Wh- that- that's completely different!" he argues. "You're expecting me to believe that this hunk of metal can fly through the air? Not to mention space?"
"Where I come from, technology is thousands of years ahead of yours, which makes space travel a common thing," I explain.
"How advanced? I wanna see some proof!" Sokka challenges.
"If you insist," I reply with an amused smile.
Reaching into my cloak, I pull out my lightsaber and then hold it up, activating the familiar green blade. Once again they all stare in surprise and awe at the sight, even Sokka admittedly fascinated.
"What is that?" Katara asks in amazement.
"This my dear, is a lightsaber. It is the standard weapon of a Jedi Knight," I tell her.
"Jedi Knight?" Aang asks.
"It is what I am. Those who use the Force, and are trained to its potential are called Jedi. There are different ranks, but most are known as Knights. I'm above that, at the rank of Jedi Master," I explain, putting my lightsaber away.
"I thought you were saying you were the Watcher," Sokka recalls suspiciously.
"I am that too," I confirm with a nod. "There is only one Watcher at a time, but the only ones who know of the role are the Grand Master, the leader of the Jedi Order, and the Watcher's themselves."
"Why's that?" Katara asks. "Why wouldn't the rest know about you being the Watcher?"
"Most of the galaxy doesn't know that this planet exists. And it is best that it remains this way," I inform them. "Having lived here all your lives you may not realize it, but this planet is unusually strong in the Force. And if people with bad intentions were to discover this place... or its protector..."
At this statement, I give Aang a pointed look, and he widens his eyes in realization. The others all realize the implication as well, and look a little worried.
"...then the consequences would be severe," I finish.
"So, your purpose as the Watcher is to protect Aang from outsiders that might try and hurt him?" Katara asks slowly.
"That's one part of it, yes," I confirm with a nod.
"If these 'Watcher's' are supposed to protect him, then why have we never heard about them before?" Sokka asks with a frown.
"We only intervene if it is necessary. We protect the Avatar from threats not of this planet, but from beyond. The fate of the planet itself is left to the Avatar to protect," I explain.
"That's... kind of a scary when you think about it," Aang admits.
"I wouldn't worry Aang. The lack of a presence from the Watcher means there are no outside threats," I reassure him.
"So... why are you here now?" Katara asks nervously.
The others share the same worried expression, coming to the conclusion that it must mean there is an outsider here to harm Aang. I let out a quiet sigh, and go to explain why.
"It has not gone unnoticed that these last hundred years have been nothing but war between the nations," I tell them. "My predecessor is fading in life, yet he did not fail to miss one of the most stunning revelations of all: the return of the Avatar."
They all widen their eyes, and the two siblings glance at Aang for a moment before returning heir attention to me.
"When you triggered the Avatar State, your return lit up like a beacon to us. We knew then that you had returned," I say.
"That's just like what Shyu said!" Aang exclaims. "One of the Fire Sages. He said that the eyes of Avatar Roku's statue began to glow!"
"Any artifact connected to the Avatar gives a sign when you enter the Avatar State," I explain. "This is most predominant in statues."
"So you came here because Aang returned?" Katara asks.
"Yes. My predecessor felt that it was also time for the Watcher to reveal themself fully to the Avatar," I add firmly. "For far too long your world has been shaken through a century of war. As such, I am hoping to help you on your quest to restore balance to the world."
Aang, Katara and Sokka all look at each other, eyes wide as they consider what I'm saying. They then turn back to face me with serious gazes.
"If you're offering help, then as the Avatar I'd be happy to accept it, Master Jinn," he says formally, clasping his hands together and inclining his head in a shirt, formal bow. I return it with an incline of my head as well.
"I'm still finding it a little hard to believe that you are what you say you are..." Sokka admits with a thoughtful frown. "But at this point I've seen enough weirdness to go along with it."
"Weirdness?" Katara asks with a raised eyebrow.
He gestures furiously at me, my ship, Appa, and even Aang with a few shrill grunts to emphasize his point. I chuckle in amusement at his reaction, while Katara just rolls his eyes.
"So if you came here to help us, then how did you get mixed up with Zuko?" Katara asks.
"Oh yeah. That was weird..." Sokka says with narrowed eyes.
"It wasn't exactly him I was seeking to talk to, but actually his uncle," I admit.
"His uncle?" Katara replies in confusion.
"Indeed," I confirm. "Iron and I... we share common interests over the game of Pai Sho."
"Seriously?" Sokka deadpans.
"Yup," I state with an amused smile. "We met, and he helped me to know my way around a little bit. Also had some heartfelt conversations with him. He's a good man."
"If he's so good then why is he hanging around Prince Hothead?" Sokka asks doubtfully.
"In his defense, Iroh does seem like a nice guy," Aang admits.
"Yeah, he never really bothers to attack us or do much, he just accompanies Zuko really," Katara points out.
Sokka opens his mouth to argue, and then closes it with a thoughtful look before shrugging in agreement. "Yeah, I see where you're coming from."
"I know it may be hard to believe but, Iroh and Zuko - Zuko especially - have had difficult lives, and I think that when it comes to it, they can distinguish right from wrong," I tell them.
"I get his uncle, but are you sure that's the case with Zuko? That's probably the most farfetched thing of all," Sokka says doubtfully.
"I don't expect you to agree, that's just my own analysis of their situation," I reply. Sokka and Katara still seem doubtfully and don't believe my reasoning, but Aang is considering the idea. At least a little bit.
"I do have another question, which I'm really interest in," Aang says curiously. "Who exactly are the Jedi?"
"Well as you know, as Jedi we possess the Force. At a young age we go to be trained by the Order, and serve the galaxy as peacekeepers. We make sure that conflicts do not arise, and follow a set of standards in our code to keep that peace," I explain.
"That sounds kind of like my job as the Avatar!" Aang remarks with interest.
"Definitely. It is similar in a way, although being a Jedi is not an easy lifestyle. We have to give up many things that others have or take for granted," I admit.
"Like what?" Sokka asks.
"Well for starters, we aren't allowed to get married, or make attachments with each other," I state.
"You can't have attachments?!" Katara asks incredulously. "Why not?"
"As Jedi, our focus is on the greater good of the galaxy, not our own well-being. We don't have many personal belongings either, living simple lives," I tell her.
"Some of the monks were like that too," Aang comments.
"I can imagine so," I reply in agreement.
"If you're going to be helping our group, then you're flying with us too, right?" Katara asks.
"Unfortunately, I cannot," I reply. "While I am the current Watcher, I still have other duties to attend to as a Jedi, namely the training of my own padawan. Every two weeks I must return back to the Jedi Temple and continue his training, or do other assignments given to me by the Jedi Council."
"I can understand where you're coming from. Responsibility," Aang admits with a sigh.
"Something that nobody can avoid, despite how much we may wish to," I say in agreement.
"How often do you think we'll be seeing you?" Katara asks.
"That, cannot be determined I'm afraid," I admit. "But I will show up whenever possible."
"Makes you sound like some sort of, 'Guardian Angel,'" Sokka says sarcastically, emphasizing it with air quotes.
"More or less," I reply with an amused shrug.
"Wow. That's not freaky at all," he retorts dryly.
Little bit longer to update, but I hope it was enjoyable nonetheless! Really dialogue heavy chapter here! Also couldn't really find a proper way to end the conversation so I just... ended it with a joke. :P