The sun peaked over the wooded area the young group had picked to rest for the night.
The rays of the sun soon stretched far enough the light moved over Katara's expose face. She frowned as the light disrupted her, turning over and rubbing her eyes. Katara pushed herself up, rubbing her eyes a little longer.
She glanced around the campsite… Sokka was sleeping in, Appa was chewing on some grass. Katara put her hand to her mouth and let out a yawn, she looked over to see Aang meditating, not that she cared.
Katara looked over to see Ai sitting near the fire, stirring a pot of food. Katara stood up and walked over, sitting back down once she was next to Ai.
"What you cooking?" asked Katara
"Mountain Stew" said Ai
Aang opened an eye, Ai taking notice pointed to a small pot next to the fire.
"Vegetarian right there" said Ai
Aang put his hands down and flipped around, uncrossing his legs. He landed on his feet and walked up over to the fire, he bent over and opened the pot. The delightful smell of vegetable filled his nose, his mouth water.
He quickly sat down and pulled out a spoon, quickly eating his breakfast. He looked up as Ai and Katara began to eat there's, at a calm pace.
"I can't wait for you all to see the temple, it's really something" said Aang with a smile
Ai set her bowl down for a moment.
"Aang… you should be prepared for the worse, as Granny Kanna said… the airbenders have been missing since the time of the war" said Ai
Aang tilted his head back, finishing off his bowl.
"Just because no one's seen them, doesn't mean they're dead" said Aang
"But it doesn't mean there alive either" said Ai "Be reasonable. 100 years is a long time for an entire… tribe? Is that what you'd call it?"
"Were monks, so monastery is more fitting" said Aang
"Right. For a monastery to be in hiding" said Ai
"Ai has a point Aang" said Katara "The fire nation is cruel… they don't care who they have to hurt" Katara held her arm "or kill… to get what they want"
Aang looked down, his eyes saddened slightly… he closed his eyes and sighed.
"I… ok" said Aang ""You guys might have a point" he looked up "But… i-it doesn't hurt to be hopeful, right?"
"As long as it's realistic hope" said Ai "If you set your hopes too high, it will only hurt more when they don't come true" she held out her hand "I'm not saying to give up hope, i'm just stating the fact giveing… they've been gone for 100 year, there passives, and the fire nation is cruel."
Aang nodded his head again, he looked up once more.
"So… i guess we're just waiting for Sokka to wake up" said Aang
"Yeah… but that might be a while" said Katara "He's a hard sleeper"
"I can get him up" said Ai
Katara let out a laugh
"Yeah right" said Katara
"Wanna bet on it?" asked Ai
"Your on" said Katara "What's your prize"
"I get to sleep with you" said Ai, she noticing both Katara and Aang blushing "Next to you… cuddle. I like to cuddle before i sleep… i use to cuddle with my mommy"
"Oh, oh that's… that's much different from… Hmm, y-yeah. Ok" said Katara
"So… what's your prize?" asked Ai, her cheek a little red
"You teach me how to use jutsus" said Katara
Ai rubbed her chin, Katara narrowed her eyes.
"What don't want to make that bet?" said Katara, slightly angered
"No… it's not that." said Ai, looking up "It's just… i'm not sure if you can learn them. Chakra doesn't seem to be as strong as it use to be back in my day. I can still show you water jutsus… it might help you with your waterbending"
"Deal" said Katara, offering her hand
"Deal" said Ai, shaking it
"So… how many attempts?" asked Aang, reffing for them
"Just one" said Ai, cracking her hands "Sokka, time to eat"
"Hmmm" came Sokka's voice, he sat up rubbing his eyes.
He let out a long wide yawn and smacked his lips.
"What we having" said Sokka, looking around… slightly surprised by his surrounding. "Oh… so that wasn't a dream"
Katara's jaw dropped, she watched as Sokka crawled over to the fire and got a bowl. He sat up and happily started to eat the meat filled stew.
"I can't believe it" said Katara "I bet on a sure thing… and lost"
"Hmmm?" said Sokka, pushing a spoonful into his mouth "What i miss?"
"Not much… Ai and Katara made a bet, Ai won by waking you up" said Aang
"Oh… what she win?" asked Sokka
"She gets to sleep with Katara" said Aang
Sokka choked on soup, spraying it out.
"What?" said Sokka, looking over
"Not like that Sokka" said Katara, rolling her eyes "She's only 9, for spirits sake… she only wants to cuddle"
'You thought the same thing' thought Ai
=== Fire Nation Ship ===
Zuko trust his fist forward over and over, flames shooting from them at the practice dummy.
Twice he was able to encounter the Avatar, and twice she beat him, but the 2nd time was by far the most humiliating. Zuko launched forward, slamming his fist into the dummy hard, it bending back tapping the floor.
Zuko smirked, it sprang back towards him with a vengeance, only for him to slam it back again. Iroh watched as Zuko continued to assault the dummy, sipping on his tea.
"Zuko, don't push yourself too hard just yet… your wound might reopen" said Iroh
"I don't care" snapped Zuko "If I'm to capture the avatar, i'm going to have to be ready"
"You think just a few workouts will close the gap? She is a master Zuko, she's at least a 100 years on you" said Iroh, be threw his arms out "And you had a handicap, she was clearly sick during the second encounter."
Zuko hit the dummy once more, it leaned back… he turned to his uncle.
"Then what do you" started Zuko
WHAPP
The dummy sprang back and slammed into Zuko's back, getting him to stumbled forward and face plant on the metal flooring of the ship. Zuko just let out a groin, a small pool of blood started to form due to his broken nose.
"For starters, don't turn your back to the opponent" said Iroh
=== The Gang ===
Appa gained more altitude as he flew towards his old home. Aang was happily humming to himself as he held the reins. Sokka looked over the edge, and soon regret it as all he saw was white clouds.
"I can't see the ground" said Sokka weakly, sinking to his back "Ok, i'm officially scare now"
"Oh come on, we're not that high up" said Aang
"2000 meters" said Ai, who was looking over the edge
"Huh?" said Aang "How do you know that?"
"That's the lowest clouds form" said Ai "were at least 2000 meters in the air… or 1.2 miles" She looked over "Also, start slowing your climb… let Katara and Sokka get use to the oxygen levels"
"Huh?" said Aang, looking back
Both Sokka and Katara were laying on their backs, both were breathing in and out rather quickly. Katara grunted, she threw her head over the edge of the saddle and vomited.
"Gruuu" grunted Appa
"Sorry" said Katara "Won't happen"
More vomit came out of her mouth, this time Katara tilted her head slightly to throw it out further. Sokka whipped the sweat from his head, looking over at Ai weakly.
"Why… aint you… sick" asked Sokka
Ai thumbed her chest.
"As i said, I was trained at an early age for war. Once i was out of the academy and in the higher rank i trained my body for most fighting conditions. Low Oxygen was low ter"
"Well, thankfully we don't have to go any higher… the mountain range is right there" said Aang, pointing at the mountain
Ai looked forward, the mountain peak poked from the clouds.
"Not long till we reach my home" said Aang
"Just remember what we talked about" said Ai
"I've been thinking about that" said Aang "The only way to get up here is by flying bison"
"Aang" said Ai in a warning tone
"Nothing happened to them, they're fine" said Aang
Ai held her head, sighed and shrugged.
"I tried" said Ai
=== Zuko's Ship ===
Zuko grit his teeth, glaring down the man who was on his ship, grant it he was docked at his harbor… but he was hoping he wasn't here.
"Prince Zuko, General Iroh" said the man
"Retired" said Iroh clearing his throat "How are you Captain Zhao"
"Its commander now" said Zhao "and quite well. What brings you to my harbor"
"Just needed to pick up some supplies" said Iroh
"I see" said Zhao looking over at Zuko "Would you two care to join me for a drink, we have so much catching up to do"
"Rather die" mutter Zuko
"Zuko, show Commander Zhao respect" said Iroh, he bowed "We'd be honored"
"No i won't, Uncle i hate this man, i will never respect him" said Zuko
Zhao scowled and stepped forward, Iroh held up his hand.
"Zuko, i said respect him… i never said you had to enjoy being around him" said Iroh
Zuko scoffed and turned his head with his arms crossed, glancing back only to huff.
"It would… be an honor" said Zuko thought his teeth
"Smart boy" said Zhao, turning away.
Iroh followed behind Zhao, letting his nethw have a moment to cool off. Zuko grit his teeth, his eye twitched, his blood boiled… how could this day get any worse. Zuko looked to the sky, seeing some clouds part… then got a face full of vomit.
"MOTHER FUCKER" screamed Zuko
=== The Gang ===
"And that's where we'd play airball" said Aang, he pointed to the right "and that's where the bisons would sleep"
Aang's head lower, his eyes narrowed
"This place use to be full of monks, bison and lemurs. Now there just a bunch of weeds" said Aang "It's so… different"
The trio behind Aang looked at each other, Ai tilted her head back and let out a silent groin. She put on a fake smile and walked forward, putting her hand on Aang's shoulder.
"So… Airball?" said Ai "Sounds fun"
A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Katara and Sokka sat in the small stands to watch the game between Ai and Aang. Surrounding them was an army of Ai clones, many of which had shaven head to support Aang.
"GO WHITE BISONS" yelled the Ai's for Aang
"GO BLACK ANGELS" yelled the Ai's for herself
"Folks, today is a great day for Airball" came Ai's voice, acting as the announcer "For those unfamiliar with the game it's simple… it's usually played with a team, but can be played one on one. The players are to kick the ball through the maze of post using airbending, while staying on the single post in front of the goal. The object of the game is to get the ball thought the goal behind the opponent to score a point, the first to 10 points win." Ai turned to Appa "Tell me, are you ready for a game of Airball"
"GRUUUUUUUOOOOOOOO" howled Appa
Ai readied herself as Aang held the ball, being the home team he got to serve the ball first. Aang suspends the hollow ball in the air with airbending. He lets the ball roll over his shoulders, tosses it from side to side and lazily tosses it up in the air.
A glim shined in his eye, Aang jumps up and kicks the ball away with a powerful air swipe. It rapidly shoots across the poles, changing direction as it crashes into several poles, but steadily moving closer toward Ai.
Ai studied how the ball pinballed between the pole, it flew up towards her. With a quick hike of her foot the ball shot to the air, Ai jumped up to follow it, twisting to gather wind. Her hands blurred through hand signs, she thrust her fist forward.
"Wind Style: Great Down Current" said Ai
The blast of air sent the ball down towards the field of pole where it started to bounce between them over and over again till it reached Aang. Aang quickly swung his leg, but missed. The ball hit the rotating door of the goal, it spinning wildly.
"GROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA" hollowed Appa, marching in place
"Who's team are you on" said Aang
Appa just blinked, he looked over at Ai and let out another cheer
"Traitor" said Aang
=== Zuko's Ship ===
Iroh sipped his tea, he glanced over at his nephew who had just finished cleaning his face. Zhao was hiding a smirk behind his hand, the only thing that could have been better would have been if he had seen it happen.
"So, how goes the hunt?" asked Zhao
"What hunt?" growled Zuko
"Why, for the Avatar" asked Zhao
Zuko flinched slightly, he looked over
"We haven't found her yet" said Zuko
"Did you think you would, the avatar was wiped out with the airbenders 100 years ago, your grandfather saw to that" said Zhao "Unless, you truly have found something… have you?"
"Not a thing" said Zuko
Zhao placed his hand on the table, leaning forward.
"Zuko, if you have any loyalty to the fire nation, you will tell me everything… this is your last chance" said Zhao "The avatar is the only thing standing in the way of the war"
"There nothing to tell you" said Zuko "Like you said, she was most likely kill long ago"
"I see" said Zhao, his eyes glanced up as his guard came in
"Sir, we did as you order and interrogated Zuko's soldiers… he in fact encounter the Avatar twice, and failed to apprehend her" said the guard
Zuko just slammed his head on the table, Zhao grinned, and Iroh sipped his tea again.
"So… would this be a bad time to asked for a refill?" asked Iroh, gesturing with his cup
Zuko shot up and grabbed the tea cup from his uncle, he hurled it to the side and hits a weapon rack, shattering the cup and bringing the weapon rack down. Weapons hit the ground with a very loud crash, many of the weapon bent or broken from the crash.
"I'll take that as a maybe" said Iroh
=== Airbender Temple ===
"GROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA" hollowed Appa, marching in place
"Welcome back folk, or if you're just tuning in welcome… the score is Black Angel's 22, White Bison's 2. This is looking like a real one sided match" said Ai
Sokka leaned over to his sister.
"Seriously, who is she talking too… were the only ones here" said Sokka
Katara leaned back
"Just let her have her fun, she's happy, Aang is happy, and it's an entertaining game" said Katara, then smile "Besides, I think its cute"
"I think that's game" said Ai, "I win… deal with it"
Aang, dripping with sweet, using his staff to help hold him up nodded.
"Y-Yeah, sorry… got caught up in the moment" said Aang with a grin "Now there someone i want you to met"
Ai turned and jumped off the post, Aang noticed the goal was open and free. Aang throw the ball as hard as he could at the goal, only for Ai to flash in front of it and kick the ball… off the mountain.
"Nice try cheater" said Ai
A Moment Later
"Uh, Aang… this is a statue. Not a person" said Sokka
Katara palmed her head, Ai just groaned.
"Sokka… you're an imbecile" said Ai
"And you're a festizio" said Sokka
Ai glanced over at Sokka with a dull look
"See, i can make up words too" said Sokka
Katara palmed her head again, Ai took in a breath and sighed.
"Festizio, adjective, definition, someone lower than a degenerate" said Ai
Sokka just blinked
"Sorry" said Sokka
"It's ok" said Ai
Katara looked to the side, to see Aang walking away.
"Were you going?" asked Katara
"To the inner sanctum" said Aang "Before i… well, ran away… i was told someone would help me"
"That was over a hundred years ago, whomever was in there then, would be dead" said Ai
"It's not impossible, I survived 100 years in ice… and you even longer than that" said Aang
"Yeah, in ice. It frozen us in place, it preserved us." said Ai "I highly doubt anyone could survive"
Aang lower his head, she might be right, monk were known for their long life span… but 100 years was pushing it. Ai walked up to the door, placing her hand on it… she moved it across slowly.
"How do you open it?" asked Ai, looking back, shaking the dust off her hand
Aang looked back up, a smile once more on his face… something the Ai was starting to enjoy about him.
'Just like my dad' thought Ai
"Airbending" said Aang
=== Zuko's Ship ===
"Let me get this straight… you and your men were bested not once, but twice… by a 9 year old girl" said Zhao
"She was 10" said Zuko
Zhao slammed his hands on the table as he stood.
"That doesn't make it any less embarrassing" said Zhao
"Do you think you could do better?" asked Iroh "This girl is the avatar, and from what i saw she has already master water and fire."
"She's a little girl" said Zhao
"Who is the avatar, as you lectured my nephew earlier, she is the only one that can stop the war" said Iroh "Yet you have the gall to lecture Zuko for not being able to apprehend her"
"I am fully aware of how i've said thing… yes she is the avatar, and yes she is 10" said Zhao "But the thing that made it embarrassing… was the fact that she was sick upon your 2nd attempt to get her"
Zuko held his face
"Just because she was ill doesn't mean she was any less weaker" said Iroh, he place his hand on the table "Besides… this avatar, is different from any other i've read about"
"And just how is that?" asked Zhao
"The way she used her ice and lightning… she created some type of beast out of ice." said Iroh, recalling the events of the fight "She held the lightning in her hands, much longer than any other bender would." Iroh rubbed his chin "And then… there was that trick she used"
"Trick?" asked Zhao
"She was able to create… well, other hers out of the ice as well" said Iroh "Never have i heard of any such form, or teaching"
Zhao closed his eyes
"Yes Zuko failed to capture her… but he was up against an unknown" said Iroh, he put his hands together "And… she showed that she isn't above killing a threat, much like our last avatar"
Zhao hid a grin, he opened his eyes
"Nothing you're telling me is changing the fact that Zuko failed" said Zhao
Iroh let out a sigh, he looked at his nephew.
"Seeing how our commander refuse to understand… i think an example of her power is needed" said Iroh
Zuko growled slightly at remembering, but stood. He opened up his robes, revealing the massive scar from Ai's lightning, and the puncher hole that was burned close. Zhao's eyes widened, he even arched back a bit.
"That was the wound the Avatar delt my nephew… after kicking him into the air, striking him multiple times with her lightning cloaked hands creating a trail of it, and then slamming her hand through his stomach, cutting the trail she created" said Iroh, he looked at his nephew "But if you think the front is bad"
Zuko turned around, Zhao's eyes widened more if they could… most, if not all of Zuko's back was burnt, this time mostly from Ai's lightning.
"If you still think, you have the right to belittle Zuko for not being able to stop a 10 year old, after seeing what she was able to do. Then i have to say, when 'you' capture her, do send us a message of your triumph"
Zhao snapped out of his stupor
"Are you mocking me?" asked Zhao
"I would never do that" said Iroh, taking a sip of his tea "Now, if you'll excuse us… we have to go."
Iroh stood up, giving a bow, Zuko followed after closing up his robe.
"Thank you for the tea" said Iroh
=== Sanctuary ===
"Statues? That's it?" said Sokka
"Who are these people?" asked Ai
"I'm… not sure, but… at the same time, i do" said Aang
"That doesn't make since, you either do or don't" said Sokka
"I know, but that's how it is" said Aang, walking up to the statues "That one's an airbender, she's wearing the same type for robes as me"
"Wow" said Katara, looking it up and down
"Hey, it's that guys from the water tribe" said Sokka, pointing to the statue next to the airbender
"You're right" said Katara, moving down the line "There in a pattern, Air, Water, Earth, and Fire"
"Does that have any meaning?" asked Ai
"It's the avatar cycle, it's all of Aang's past lives" said Katara
"Oh" said Ai
"Past lives, please. You honestly believe that" said Sokka
"It's true Sokka" said Katara
Ai looked over to see Aang, staring intensely at a statue. She walked up beside him and looked at it, seeing a rather old man. She looks back over to him, his eyes glued to the statue. Ai waved her hand in front of his face, no reaction.
"Aang" said Ai
Aang flinched hard, he looked over at Ai.
"H-Huh?" said Aang
"You kinda spaced out there, you ok?" asked Ai
"Y-Yeah… just looking at Avatar Roku" said Aang
Ai blinked
"How do you know know his name" said Ai, looking down "There's no writing"
"I just do" said Aang
"Brrrurgera" came a sound
The group jolted at the sudden noise, they looked over to see a shadow looming in the other room. The shadow moves closer to the doorway, making many weird noises as it approached. Everyone hid behind a statue, Ai and Sokka taking lead peeked out.
Ai reached into her weapon pouch, tossing a kunai up in a twirl. She grabbed it with a quick snap of her wrist, she leaned out a bit more.
"Brrr raa, graa" came a sound
Ai closed her eyes, taking in what she heard.
"Chrraaa, brrraa" came the sound
"It's an animal" said Ai "judging from the sound of it, a small one"
"How can you be sure, what if its a firebender" said Sokka
True as Ai's words were, the small animal came from the opening. The small lemur tilted its head, then started to lick itself. The group relaxed a bit, Sokka felt his stomach growl, he looked over at the creature, drooling slightly.
"Braa, Braa" cried the Lemur
"Hey there little buddy, where did you come from" said Aang, approaching the lemur
"FOOD" yelled Sokka, charging
The lemur arched back and took off the way it came, Aang and Sokka giving chase.
"Hey, i'm not gonna hurt you" yelled Aang
"Hey, come back Lunch" said Sokka
Ai and Katara just blinked, Katara held her head as Ai pinched her nose.
"Men" groaned both Girl
Ai and Katara looked at each other, then giggled. Ai looked up at the large circle of statues, she scanned around.
"There's so many of them" said Ai
"Yeah" said Katara
"Makes me wonder… when did 'this' start" said Ai "Then did bending come to be, these creatures, everything. It's… just so different."
Katara looked back at Ai. Katara walked up to Ai, and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her softly.
"If you need to cry, let it out" said Katara
"I'm fine" said Ai "I've already accepted, and mourned the loss of my friends and family"
Katara's breath hitched, she just stared at Ai.
'I don't know if that's good... or sad' thought Katara, her eyes saddened, she closed them 'She's just a little girl'
'How long is she planning to hug me?' thought Ai
Ai turned her head slightly, facing Katara… right when Katara decided to pull her in closer. Being about a good foot taller than her, Ai's face was pushed right into her chest, getting the young girl to blush. While Ai didn't mean to, she inhaled slightly… taking note of sweet scent.
Ai's head started to swim, not knowing what to do. Ai hesitated, but she moved her hands up, gently gripped Katara's cloths. Ai pushed into Katara slightly, getting the older girl to jump, apparently taking notice of where Ai's head was.
Katara looked down, it was her turn to blush. Katara couldn't push her away, she's the one that pulled Ai in. Ai turned her head slightly, resting the side on Katara.
"Thank you" said Ai
"Your welcome" said Katara
The eyes of the statue started to glow, the energy alerted Ai. She pulled away quickly, her kunai drawn… she started to look around.
"The hell's going on?" said Ai, looking around
"The statues, there eyes… there glowing" said Katara
Sokka came whipping around the corner, sweet dripping from his head. His cloths were ripped, and a few cuts adorning his face.
"Sokka, what's happening?" asked Katara
"Aang, he huh… He found his old mentor" said Sokka, a grim look on his face "I… don't think it ended to well for the guy"
"What do you" started Katara
Ai rushed away from Katara, she whipped around Sokka and flew down the hall. The sudden gust blasted Katara back slightly, and knocked Sokka over. Sokka shot back up with a welt on his head, he looked around, then looked at Katara.
"Seriously, this is why i hate your magic… jutsu… bending stuff" yelled Sokka
=== Ai ===
Ai tracked Aang's energy with easy, she pushed through the wind and reached the hut. Aang was floating in the air, his tattoo's were glowing brightly as an orb of wind surrounded him. Things were flung around from the wind, being ripped to pieces as it grew more violent.
Ai pulled her hand back, she flew forward and gave a quick chop to Aang's neck. Aang's body went limp, the wind stopped and his eyes went blank. Aang dropped to the ground, but Ai was quick to catch him.
Ai heaved him over her shoulder and made her way back to Katara and Sokka. As she walked down the hall, the lemur from earlier landed on her head, letting out its chatter sounds, then bit into a peach.
Ai glanced up at the lemur, it paying her little mind as it snacked away.
"You just had to lead him there, didn't you" said Ai
The lemur tilted its head, it moved to Ai's free shoulder and chattered, offering her the slightly eaten peach. Ai reached up and took it, taking a bite.
"I think… i'll name you, Momo" said Ai
x