Melodies On The Breeze

by ArchangelArrow

"Since Beginning-less time darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light. To find balance outside, we must have balance within. Air is the element of freedom. This teaches us acceptance. Let your emotions flow, like Air." When two Water Tribe Siblings Sokka and Katara found the Avatar frozen in ice, he wasn't alone. Aang isn't the last Airbender after all.

8. The King Of Omashu

Book one:

Water

Chapter Five:

The King Of Omashu

I was excited. More than excited. I was hyper-excited. I couldn't keep still no matter how hard I tried. It had been a long time since Aang and I had been to the city of Omashu.

We crested over the hill, and Aang got there first. He lifted up his hands, ever the dramatic and presented with pride "The Earth Kingdom city of Omashu."

I gazed up and smiled. It still looked the same, even though it had been a hundred years since I had last laid eyes on the place. It was still steadily atop the mountain, and it was divided into four little mountains inside. Three at the front, the one in the middle was smaller. And the largest mound at the back was taller than the rest.

"Mina and I used to always come here to visit our friend Bumi," Aang said, grinning.

Katara gasped "Wow. We don't have cities like this in the South Pole."

Her older brother nodded in agreement to her words "They have buildings here that don't melt."

I giggled at that "Country b-boy." I teased, and Sokka scowled a little.

It seemed even after all the adventures we'd had so far; Sokka was still a Southern Water Tribe country boy at heart.

Aang turned to us all "Well let's go, slowpokes, the real fun is inside the city." he jumped up, to float down a little down the hill

"Wait, Aang!" Katara called out "It could be dangerous if people find out you're the Avatar."

Sokka stepped forward, and gave a knowing expression "You'll need a disguise."

Aang frowned, halting his eager sliding down the slightly snow sprinkled hill, and raised a sceptical eyebrow "Sooo, what am I supposed to do? Grow a moustache?"

I noticed the look on Sokka's face and sighed in resignation and amusement. I had a feeling I knew where this was going.

0o0

A few mere minutes later and Aang was ready in his disguise. I covered my mouth to hold back and hide my giggling. The twelve-year-old looked ridiculous. He was covered in Appa's white fur.

Some on his head to hide his tattoo and baldness, and some from his nose to his chin to give him a moustache and make him look older. Aang twitched his nose, and I had to hold back laughter at the sight of the fur on his face twitching as well.

"Urg, it's so itchy," he said scratching at his head, under the make-shift wig "How do you live in this stuff?" Aang asked Appa, who blew air at him in return.

Katara stood smiling in satisfaction with her arms folded, and Sokka was perched waiting on a rock "Great, now you look just like my grandfather."

Katara turned to her older brother and said knowingly "Technically Aang is 112 years old."

Aang scooped his staff up with a foot, twirled it around, and then started to use it as a cane, bending hunched over it "Let's get to skipping young whippersnappers," he said, faking an elderly voice "The big city awaits."

Sokka hopped off the rock, and then turned to me as I let out a giggle "Wait," Aang stopped "What about Mina?"

I frowned, and folded my arms "What a-about me?"

Katara came forward, and understanding flashed across her face and in her dark sapphire eyes. I was confused.

Sokka sighed "You need a disguise too," I frowned some more, and Sokka pointed to my forehead "Your arrow. It's very noticeable. And anyone who sees it will know who you are and will know that you travel with the Avatar."

I stepped back, shocked. He wanted me to cover up my arrow?! Was he nuts? I had worked hard for years to gain my master tattoos at the age that I had. I had worked really hard.

I had not only passed all 36 tiers of Airbending;

Meditation: Advanced

Hypersensitivity: Advanced

Immersion (Understanding) Air: Advanced

Heightened Hearing: Advanced

Passive Dodging: Advanced

Active Physical Dodging: Advanced

Physical Movements: Advanced

Physical Agility: Advanced

Physical Endurance: Advanced

Physical Speed Manipulation: Advanced

Physical Air Strength: Advanced

Physical Balance Control: Advanced

Air Resistance Manipulation: Advanced

Internal Temperature Manipulation: Advanced

External Temperature Manipulation: Advanced

Breath Manipulation: Advanced

Nature Manipulation: Advanced (Tornadoes, Hurricanes

Aerial Manoeuvres: Advanced

Air Blast: Basic

Air Punch/Kick: Basic

Air Ball: Basic

Air Bomb: Basic

Air Cushion: Advanced

Air Shield: Advanced

Air Swipe: Advanced

Air Blades: Advanced

Air Cocoon: Advanced

Air Spout: Advanced

Air Funnel: Advanced

Air Vortex: Advanced

Air Wake: Advanced

Levitation: Advanced

Glider Control: Advanced

Mental Focus: Advanced

Emotional Control: Advanced

Spiritual Projection: Advanced.

*Creation: Basic (Creating a new form or technique)

Not only did I master all those tiers of Airbending Mastery but I also completed the extra tier, that some Airbenders used to gain their Mastery without completely the 36th and final tier. I created a way to use the air currents to heighten my hearing and to carry my voice across great distances. I could hear things and say things from miles away.

I had earned my Mastery and my tattoos. I had worked so very hard for them. I was the youngest girl in history to earn my mastery at 12 years old.

And now Sokka wanted me to cover it up? The one thing I truly had left of my people and Monk Gyatso and my old way of life?

Katara saw my expression and patted my shoulder "I understand how you feel, but we could get found out, and Aang could get caught. I know it's awful, but it's for the best."

I swallowed. Katara was a year younger than me at 14 years old, and she sounded so much older at this moment. I bit my lip, looked at Aang, in his funny disguise, and came to a decision.

My shoulders slumped, defeated and I nodded. Sokka reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of dark blue cloth. I frowned at it, and he gestured for me to tie it around my head, like a headband.

I sighed, and spent just a moment stalling, studying the piece of fabric in my hand. It was a scarf, dark sapphire blue in colour, soft and light, and on the corner, it had a design. A symbol.

Three spirals, over three wavy lines, inside a circle. I had seen that symbol before. I looked at Katara and realised it was the same design on the necklace she wore. Sokka sighed, "It belonged to our mother."

I swallowed, and knew I couldn't stall any longer, and began to tie it around my head. I treated it gently, reverently. I knew how much this must mean to Sokka and Katara, it had belonged to their lost mother.

Once I was finished, I arranged some of my front locks of hair to frame my face, and then turned to them all "O-OK?"

For a moment, Sokka stared open-mouthed at me, while Katara and Aang nodded and spoke their agreement and praise at my good disguise. Sokka cleared his throat, and said "Y-Yeah, great- I mean you l-look o-ok."

I blushed, and then fiddled with my hands. I didn't need to cover up the backs of my hands, where my other light blue arrow tattoos where, because I was wearing, as I always did, my warm brown fingerless gloves.

"All right then, let's get going," Aang said I followed right behind them all.

I reached up, and pulled one of the scarf's ends from around my back, and let it trail down my shoulder instead. I rubbed the blue softness of the scarf end between my thumb and forefinger finger.

Strangely I took comfort from the simple piece of fabric.

0o0

"You guys are gonna love Omashu. The people here are the friendliest in the world." Aang explained as we climbed up the rocky path towards the gate entrance into the city.

"Rotten cabbages?!" We all turned to face the gate at the gruff voice "What kind of slum do you think this is?"

I watched as the earthbending guard squashed the cabbage in his hands, then turned and caused an earth pillar to shoot the cart of vegetables into the air. The cart went soaring down off the path, and we all leaned over the side and watched as it crashed to pieces below.

"Oh, my cabbages!" I heard the merchant say in anguish

"Just keep smiling," Aang advised under his breath, plastering a fake big smile on his face.

I gulped and found myself sliding closer to Sokka. For some strange reason, I always felt safe with him. He noticed as we walked towards the three guards and the gate, that I was fiddling with the scarf end, with trembling fingers.

I felt him take my left hand, the non-fiddling one, and pull me closer until I was pretty much up against his side. I would have blushed but I was too nervous of the guards to do so.

Sokka leaned down and said under his breath "It'll be ok." I nodded but kept a hold of his right hand in mine.

Aang hobbled up to the guards, the leader lifted a large boulder over his head. I squeaked, and Sokka squeezed my hand, to calm me down. Strangely, his reassurance worked.

"State your business." the guard demanded

Aang shot forward using his bending, which made my heart almost stop in fear at the vagrant display, and got right up in the guard's face "My business is my business young man and none of yours!" he poked the man in the chest and the boulder crashed back to earth "I've got half a mind to bend you over my knee and paddle your backside!"

I groaned under my breath. That was it, we were doomed "Settle down old timer, and just tell me who you are."

The guard didn't send us over the cliff, so I unleashed my tight grip on Sokka's hand a little "Names Bonzo, Pippinpaddleopsicopolis. The third," he gestured to me and Katara "And these are my granddaughters."

Katara came forward, playing along with the charade "Hi, June Pippinpaddleopsicopolis, nice to meet you, and that's my little sister May."

I gave a little wave and smiled, but stayed right where I was with Sokka. I didn't say a word at how Katara said I was younger. With my short size, I was always seen as younger than my actual age. The guard then noticed Aang hadn't introduced Sokka, and raised a suspicious eyebrow "And who's the boy?"

Before any of us could say a word, Aang interjected; still using his elderly voice "That's my little May's fiancé." I could see how Aang came up with the idea. I was clinging to Sokka's hand rather obviously.

I blushed. And not just a normal pink blush on the cheeks. I blushed from top to toe, bright red. I probably resembled a bright red cherry blossom in spring. Sokka spluttered and stammered. I knew the guards might get suspicious if they heard him, so I stepped on his foot.

He hissed in pain, but got the message, and shut up. The guards stroked his small beard, and pointed to Katara, and then me "You two seem like responsible young ladies, see that your grandfather stays out of trouble," he gestured behind "Enjoy Omashu."

"We will," Katara assured him, as she and Aang walked forward.

Just as Sokka and I passed by the head guard, he frowned and said "Wait a minute," we froze like cat deer caught in a hunter's gaze "You're a strong young boy," he turned Sokka around by his shoulder "Show some respect for the elderly and carry your grandfather's bag."

Aang grinned, slipped the strap on the simple bag he was carrying off his shoulder and threw it "Good idea." it hit Sokka's face.

Finally, the tall thick walls in front of us split in half, and slid back to the sides, opening the way into the city for us. Both Katara and Sokka were wide-eyed, as Aang and I smiled.

The Water Tribe siblings entered first, with me and Aang just behind them. I was still holding Sokka's hand in mine, and let him pull me further in, as the walls slowly closed shut behind us.

Everywhere, there were people on the neat and ordered streets. Women, taking a moment during their shopping to chat and gossip with one another. Men, talking and joking. Children running by, laughing and most likely causing mischief.

They were also earth ramps and shoots all over the place. I could see carts filled with all different sorts of things go racing down the shoots, flying past snow-capped green tiled roofs and gardens.

"This is the Omashu Delivery system," Aang said, explaining the use of the ramps and shoots "Miles and miles of tubes and shoots," down below earthbenders were using their bending to send certain carts to higher levels "Earth bending brings the packages up, gravity brings them down."

Sokka rolled his eyes, and gestured with both hands- I had let go of his right hand just seconds before "Great so they get their mail on time."

Aang's dark grey eyes twinkled as he turned to watch more carts race down the shoots "They do get their mail on time," Aang smiled, and I watched as he got lost in memory "But our friend Bumi found a better use for these shoots."

I grinned and nodded. I remembered exactly what use Bumi had given the Delivery ramps.

"Come on Mimi, climb in." I bit my lip and fiddled with my braid.

Bumi had invited me to come to have some fun with him, and knowing Bumi I had known it would be crazy. I had been right. Now I was stood at the edge of a wall, watching as Bumi climbed into one of the delivery carts.

"Bumi I don't know. It doesn't seem, safe and-" he snorted

"Come on, don't be an opossum-chicken! It's perfectly safe; I've done this a thousand times! Open your mind to the possibilities" his eyes went wide and begged "Come on, please. I promise it'll be fun."

I stepped closer, and asked unsure "Promise?"

He snorted again "Cross my heart." Finally, I allowed him to help me into the cart beside him.

He sat behind me and used his bending to give us a push to get us started. As I saw the sudden drop below me, I squeaked "Bumi, I've changed my mind-"

He snorted, and shouted "Too late now!" then he sent us flying down the ramp.

Once we got to the bottom, I was laughing. I'd had fun, just like Bumi promised. I hugged him, and said, "Bumi you're a completely mad genius!"

He gave me that snorting laugh in return, eyes sparkling with mirth.

I smiled "Bumi was c-crazy, but he knew how t-to have fun."

Aang nodded in agreement. I saw the look in his eyes as he studied the shoots and ramp, and instantly knew what he was planning.

I found I was looking forward to it.

0o0

I was excited, I almost couldn't hold still in my joyful excitement. Sokka had his hands gripping my shoulders; whether to hold me still or because he needed to something to hold onto I don't know.

Aang had convinced the two Water Tribe siblings to climb into a delivery cart, and I could tell that Aang and I were the only two excited out of the four of us. Katara was apprehensive, but I swear I saw a small sparkle of excitement too. Sokka was just plain nervous.

"One ride, then we're off to the North Pole, Airbender's honour," Aang promised, as the cart teetered on the edge.

Katara didn't look convinced in the slightest "It sounded like fun at first, but now that I'm here I'm starting to have second-" we started to teeter further out "THOUGHTS!" at Katara's last screamed word, we went flying down the chute.

Up in the front, I could hear Aang whooping over the sound of the whooshing of the passing by air in my ears. I laughed at my loudest, something I hadn't truly done since waking up from the ice; I even went so far as to lift my arms into the air.

Naturally, Katara and Sokka were neither pleased nor amused with this. Sokka's hands tightened their already tight grip, but I barely noticed until he said into my ear "Mina! Mina put your hands down and hold on!"

I didn't listen to his worrying, I only continued to laugh, as I looked over my shoulder at him, and grinning I shouted back "Come on Snowflake, where's your sense of fun?!"

He glared, dark sapphire eyes narrowed, at the very mention of the fact that I found this ride fun, where it was very clear that he found it terrifying. We came up next to another shoot, and there was another cart, carrying very sharp knives.

The two parallel tubes came together, and the knife block was suddenly behind us. And getting closer and closer. I felt Sokka lean right forward, pushing me down in the process. I very suddenly very aware of how close he was, and barely heard Aang call out "I'm on it."

Aang swung from side to side, and eventually, we were sent falling off and out the tube, and into the city below us. I even screamed at that, not expecting the sudden drop. We skipped and slid across roofs and verandas. We even nearly hit some Omashu soldiers.

"Aang!" we came back into another tube "Aang for the spirit's sake do something!" I called out, shouting over the wind "We need to use our airbending!"

"Yeah, good idea!" I felt relieved at that "That'll make us go even faster!" and the relief vanished again.

I gripped the sides of the cart, and shouted over Katara's head "Aang that's not what I had in mind-!"

Too late. Aang had lifted his hands up and pushed them out, and the air blast sent us rocketing forward at an even greater speed than before. We went down another sudden drop, pushing me back into Sokka- he held tight to my shoulders again, to keep me or himself steady, or maybe it was both.

I saw an earthbender was right in our way, and coming up fast was another earthen cart.

We all screamed out...the cart vanished, the earthbender having pushed it away onto another track of the delivery system. I sighed in relief...and screamed louder than ever when another cart appeared and we full on crashed right into it.

We came flying out our cart, tumbling and falling through the air. Aang twirled and used an air sphere to right the cart, and himself and Katara. I used my own bending to right myself and Sokka, and thankfully we all landed into our make-shift ride again, before we slid sideways down another roof.

We crashed through a window, and Aang called out an apology to the poor man we had surprised. We sailed through more houses, and rooms, and slid down more roofs and across pathways until...we crashed into a wall, and we were falling again.

The next thing I knew, we crash-landed into a stall and we all tumbled to the ground in a tangled heap. I heard running footsteps, and knew without having to look, that Omashu soldiers and guards were coming to most likely arrest us.

"My cabbages!"

I didn't pay attention to the distraught voice that called out in despair over a vegetable. Aang sat up, and I felt Katara slip off the top. I blinked open my eyes- which I hadn't realised until that moment I had closed- and looked right into sapphire orbs.

"Hey, you ok?" I swallowed and found enough sense in my sudden daze to nod, as Sokka helped me sit up.

"Two cabbages please?" I heard Aang asked, sheepish and using that tone he used when he had gotten into trouble when he was younger and he knew he was in trouble.

I looked all around us at the spears, and deep frowns pointed down at the four of us on the ground. The soldiers and the merchant did not look very happy. They then said as I knew they would, that we under arrest, and in big trouble.

I sighed deeply, and said under my breath "I h-hate it when I'm right."

0o0

To say that my excitement had worn off was an understatement. It had completely vanished, and not an inkling could I recall when the guards had led us away, and escorted us into the palace of Omashu.

They said that since it was the king's city and property we had destroyed, it was the king that would deal out our punishment.

We were forcefully shuffled down hallway after hallway, until we were finally led inside a grand wide and tall chamber, lit eerily with green lights. In front of us, sitting regally on a tall chair that was obviously a throne, was the man I figured to be the king.

I bowed my head, in both respect, and shame at my childish actions and for allowing Aang to go through with it, and fiddled furiously with my fingers. The cells, that's where we're going now, straight into a jail cell, I thought as I continued to fiddle.

We were made to kneel on the floor, on top of green carpet that stretched from the door to the throne. One of the guards spoke, "Your Majesty, these juveniles, were arrested for vandalism, travelling under false pretences and malicious destruction of cabbages."

The cabbage merchant we had unknowingly made an enemy off, jumped from foot to foot, fist raised in the air as he interrupted "Off with their heads! One for each head of cabbage!"

The guard, naturally, was not pleased, and silenced the merchant "Silence! Only the king can pass down judgement. What is your judgement sire?"

The king's face stayed grim and serious, gazing at all four of us as we knelt. I bit my lip and then started to nervously fiddle with my hair, and the scarf end that somehow had managed to stay on my head during our little impromptu slide ride.

Sokka began to hum and mumble nonsense under his breath, Katara I noticed was gazing with wide innocent eyes and a smile, and Aang only raised a dubious eyebrow, and then began to whistle.

"Throw them-" I winced, knowing that my earlier thought about being led to a jail cell was coming true "-A feast." I whipped my gaze up astonished.

The head guard gasped, the cabbage merchant groaned with his head in his hands, and we all just knelt there dumbstruck and confused.

0o0

The feast was set, and soon we were sitting in four chairs on side of the rectangular table. Before all of us were all sorts of different dishes, from rice to chicken, to pastries to buns.

Naturally, I stayed well away from the meat and ignored the chicken leg on my plate. The King chuckled and I found him standing right behind us "People in my city have gotten fat from too many feasts, so I hope you like your chicken with no skin."

Aang seemed to almost shrug and said apologetically to our host "Thanks, but I don't eat meat."

The king then turned to Sokka instead "How about you? I bet you like meat." then shoved the skinless chicken leg into Sokka's mouth.

As Sokka continued to eat beside me on my right, I heard Katara say in a low voice "Is it just me or is this guy's crown a little crooked?"

I had to hold back a laugh at that comment. It was true, and that's why the Water Tribe girl's words were funny. The king sat in his own taller chair at the other end of the table and said

"So tell me young bald one, where are you from?"

I felt panic rise. Where did we come from? How could we answer that?! We couldn't exactly say we were from the Southern Air Temple, because the same thing that had happened at Kyoshi Island would happen here. The word would get out there were airbenders in Omashu, and then prince Zuko would be on our heels.

I crossed my fingers under the table, and prayed, begged and hoped that someone, anyone would come up with a plausible and reasonable answer "Uh, I'm from, Kangaroo Island."

I oh so wanted to smack myself in the head at that. Kangaroo Island? No one, not even the dumbest blindest person in the world would believe that, simply because there was no such place in the entire world.

"Oh Kangaroo Island eh, I hear that place is really hopping."

I frowned at the joke the king made about Aang supposed homeland. That tone of voice, the type of humour the king used...it sounded very familiar to me. It was almost as if I had met this mad king before.

I found myself blocking out the conversation just as I heard Sokka laugh at the joke, and instead turned my attention to study the old man in front of me. He looked so familiar- I jumped about a foot in the air before my thoughts could go any further as the king threw a chicken leg at me and Aang.

On instinct, without meaning too, we both used our airbending, to create air spheres around the thrown make-shift dart, and held it in place before us. I heard gasps and exclamations of shock all around the room and dropped the floating chicken onto the table.

"There are airbenders in our presence and not just any airbenders. A Master and the Avatar!" The King had gotten to his feet at some point, but now he sat back down "Now, what do have to say for yourself, Mr Pippinpaddleopsicopolis?"

Dead. That's the only word I could come with, we were dead. Word was going to spread; Prince Zuko would be hunting us down again. Perfect just perfect.

I heard Aang stand to his feet "Ok you caught me, I'm the Avatar, doing my Avatar thing, keeping the world safe," Aang then bent to peek under the table "Everything checks out, no firebenders here."

I placed my head in my hands. Aang wasn't helping the situation; in fact, he was making it that much worse, the more he went on. "Good work everybody, respect all life-" here I felt a hand pull me to my feet and away from the table "- and don't run with your spears. We'll see you next time."

We were stopped by the crossed spears of the guards at our backs. I hadn't even noticed we were at the door until that point; I was too busy glancing at Aang with disbelief "You can't keep us here," Katara said, "Let us leave."

Naturally, the king ignored her, and only said "Lettuce leaf?" then he bit into the leafy vegetable he had picked up.

"We're in serious trouble," Sokka said in aside to us "This guy is nuts." I could only agree with him.

"Tomorrow the Avatar will face three deadly challenges," I felt my breath hitch in at that "But for now, the guards will show you to your chamber."

One of the guards, who was standing near the king's chair, leaned in and asked "My Liege, do you mean the good chamber or the bad chamber?"

There was a good and bad chamber? I thought, this just keeps getting better.

"The newly refurbished chamber." the king replied to his guard as if the answer to the previous question should be obvious.

"Wait, which one are we talking about?"

"The one that used to be the bad chamber, until the recent refurbishing that is, of course, we've been calling it the new chamber but we really should number them," he cleared his throat "Take them to the refurbished chamber that was once bad."

Then, we were led away.

0o0

We were shoved into a room, and the door that had been opened up in the wall by the guard's earthbending slammed closed behind us. After shooting an annoyed glance behind me where the guard had stood, I took a glance around our new accommodations.

To be honest, I was very much surprised. It was clean, looked quite cosy, and was lit up with glowing green crystals that tinted the whole place a light green. There was four beds, the heads facing the outer walls, with a small table in between. Up above were green and yellow patterned curtains that hung down.

Really, it wasn't what I was expecting for a jail cell, or- as the king had called it- the 'bad chamber'.

"This is a prison cell? But it's so nice." Katara stated, speaking my thoughts exactly.

"He did say it was newly refurbished," Aang stated, as Momo hopped on top of one of the bed.

"Nice or not we're prisoners," Sokka said, clearly unamused with the whole turn of events.

"Sokka's r-right Aang," their attention then turned to me "It looks n-nice and comfortable, yes, but that d-doesn't make it any less a jail cell, or us any l-less prisoners. The fact of the matter is, we're l-locked in here until the king wishes otherwise."

There was silence for a few moments then, the other three taking in my words. It was true, what I had said. We were completely at this crazy king's will, and until he found some sense- which was unlikely- we were stuck here.

"I wonder what these challenges are gonna be?" Aang asked, looking unsure.

I squeezed his shoulder reassuringly as Katara said "We're not sticking around to find out. There's gotta be some way out of here."

I shook my head. I had studied every inch of this room from the second we entered it. The air vents were too small for any of us to crawl through, and the only way to open a door, and lower the walls was with earthbending, which none of us possessed.

"The air vents!" Aang exclaimed, suddenly hopefully excited

"If you think we're gonna fit through there you're crazier than that king," Sokka replied back, incredulous and most definitely exasperated.

"We can't, but Momo and Raiu can," Before any of us say a word- for I knew Momo wouldn't fit seeing as the lemur had been feasting on an apple- Aang was already talking to the lemur "Momo, I need you and Raiu to find Appa and bust us out of here."

Raiu just hissed, and twirled himself around my neck, in a definitive gesture that clearly stated that he would do no such thing. Momo merely blinked at his owner. Sokka lounged on his chosen bed, as Aang tried to stuff Momo into a vent "Go on boy, get Appa."

I shook my head, and proceeded to release poor Momo from the vent "Eh, how was Appa supposed to save us anyway?" Sokka asked

Aang huffed out a little breath "Appa is a ten-ton flying bison, I'm sure he could figure something out."

I shook my head and eventually managed to get Momo free. The lemur almost seemed to glare at Aang for his rough treatment- for it was as close to a glare as I had ever seen a lemur get- and licked my cheek before climbing onto one of the beds, and curled up.

"Well, no point arguing about it now. Get some rest Aang. Looks like you'll need it for tomorrow." Then Katara herself climbed under her own covers and closed her eyes to go to sleep.

Aang simply fell onto the bed, looking rather nervous "Aang," he looked up as I came over "Stop w-worrying. It'll be fine." then I smiled and turned away.

I pulled back my own covers, and lifted them to my chin, and turned over onto my right side, and found my gaze locked onto a certain Water Tribe boy. Sokka was settling down for sleep. His hands were behind his head, with one leg bent.

I remembered how nervous I had been of him the first moment we met, just a few short weeks ago. I had stopped stuttering so badly now, that I could talk quite normally around the two Water Tribe siblings without trouble.

It was nice; being able to just talk and not feel so uncomfortable and unsure of myself. Being the only female, in a temple full of boys and men had been difficult, and was really unconducive to making lots of friends.

Aang had been my only true friend, and the whole time I was growing up in the Southern Air Temple, he was the only friend I needed. Monk Gyatso was like my father, and Aang like a brother, and I was content, happy.

But now, I was glad that I had more than Aang as a friend. I was glad I had Katara, another girl to talk to, about other girly things I had never been able to discuss with Aang. And I was glad I had Sokka too, for he was my own age, and it was nice to share the same maturity level with someone- although sometimes Sokka could be a little immature.

I smiled at the very thought. Sokka must have felt my gaze, for he turned, and looked back at me. He smiled and said goodnight. I replied "Good night." and smiled back.

I felt my eyes flutter closed. The last thing I saw was sapphire eyes and a smirk.

0o0

It seemed like only a few seconds later I was jolted awake, by a hand covering my mouth, stopping my yelp of surprise, and then hands that pulled me to my feet. I was confused, still half asleep.

I was led down a hallway after hallway. I asked where I was being taken too, and my escort replied: "The king wishes to speak with you."

I frowned. Then I noticed, that while I had most definitely heard Katara and Sokka getting the same treatment- although I hadn't heard a peep from Aang- the Water Tribe siblings were nowhere to be found.

I sighed. Perfect, just perfect. I have to face the mad king alone- I tripped and the guard pulled my upright before forcing me on.

I was led through a door, barely paying any attention now to where I was being taken. Then, before I had time to do more than blink once, I was stood before the King of Omashu.

Once more I studied his lined and aged face. Yes, yes it was most definitely familiar to me. But from where? I had been frozen in ice for a hundred years, so I couldn't know the old man before me, yet I was sure I recognised him.

"Well now, Master Airbender. I hope you had a good night's sleep," he smirked almost "Your friend is to face three deadly challenges today," He smiled, a full smile with teeth, but I wasn't reassured, "Yes, three very deadly challenges."

"Y-Yes, but why am I here?"

The king's smile grew even more "You are here because I have a feeling the Avatar will need some persuasion."

I bit my lip and felt a thrill of fear at the ominous words.

0o0

When Aang woke up next, it was to the sound of rumbling earth being moved. He lifted his head from his pillow, and gasped, feeling his eyes go wide "Sokka? Katara?" he turned to speak to the guard "Where are my friends?" then he noticed another thing "And where's Mina?"

"The king will free them if you complete your challenges." the guard replied

Aang raised an eyebrow "Aaaand if I fail?"

"He didn't say. Your staff please?" Aang frowned but complied with the order and handed over his staff.

Then he was taken away.

0o0

"First Avatar, what do you think of my new outfit? I want your honest opinion."

Aang simply stared face blank and didn't say a word. What could he say? He was an honest person, as he had been raised to be, but he was sure if he told the king he thought the robes looked horrible he would get his friends into bigger trouble.

"I'm waiting." the king said

Aang scratched the side of his head, and gave an honest answer "I guess it's fine."

"Excellent, you've passed the first test."

"Really?" Aang exclaimed, surprised completely.

The king seemed to shrug "Well, not one of the deadly tests. The real challenges are much more, challenging."

Aang huffed and lost his temper. He whooshed forward using his airbending, creating a blast of wind throughout the room "I don't have time for your crazy games. Give me my friends back, we're leaving."

"Oh, I thought you might refuse, so I will give your friends some special souvenirs," the wall opened up, and there were Katara and Sokka "Those delightful rings are made of pure genemite, also known as creeping crystal. Its crystal that grows remarkably fast. By nightfall, your friends will be completely covered in it. Terrible fate really, I can stop it, but only if you cooperate."

The purple ring of crystal on Sokka's right pointer finger stretched downwards to his knuckle, and he gasped "It's already creeping!"

Aang frowned, then asked "And what about Mina? Where is she?"

The king looked thoughtful for a moment, then hummed "Ah, yes, the other Airbender. Well, she's a little tied up at the moment. Not sure where."

Aang bit his lip and debated for a moment. Then, he sighed, knowing there was nothing else to do "I'll do what you want."

The king smiled crookedly in return.

0o0

They were in a deep and large cavern. There were stalagmites and stalactites all over, from top to bottom even growing on the sides on the cavern walls. In the middle was a waterfall.

In the waterfall, was a rock, and attached and going up into the funnel of water was a ladder. Hanging from one of the rock formations, by a long silver chain, was a simple small key.

The king was stood on the balcony overlooking everything, as Aang himself stood below on a flat rock face "It seems I have lost my lunch box key and I'm hungry," he pointed to the waterfall "Ooh there it is, would you mind fetching it for me?"

Mind? Of course, Aang minded. He didn't want to be doing this, but he didn't have a choice really. He took in a breath, then set off.

He hopped and flipped and jumped from one rock to another. He then dived straight for the waterfall, using his bending to create an air bubble so he could breathe. He managed to grab onto the bottom rung of the ladder before his air bubble vanished.

"Ooh, climbing the ladder. No one's thought of that before." the king mused.

Aang, meanwhile, couldn't hold his breath or his grip on the ladder anymore and went soaring backwards heading straight for the sharp rocks below him. Luckily he managed not to impale himself and letting out a quick sigh of relief he was off again.

Shortly he was hanging from the cavern roof, an idea in mind. He dived straight for the key and...Was spat back out again the force of the water too strong. He smacked right into a stalagmite for his trouble.

"That's right, keep diving head in, I'm sure it'll work eventually." the king called out.

Aang sighed, at a loss. Then, a light suddenly went off in his head.

He broke off the top of the stalagmite and threw it as hard as he could. He used his airbending to give it more force and...It worked. The stalagmite went slicing through the waterfall and embedded itself on the doorway roof just above the king's head.

And hanging from the stalagmite, having been caught by the chain, was the key.

"There enjoy your lunch. I want my friends back now!" Aang called up to him.

"Uh, not yet, I need help with another matter," the king said, causing Katara to look on in disbelief and Sokka with a glare "It seems I've lost my pet Flopsy."

0o0

A short while later, Aang was hopping down into a rocky pit, and coming to a stop before a very long-eared rabbit "Ok, found him"

"Bring him to me," the king ordered, before opening his arms and speaking in a tone that was mostly used on babies "Daddy wants a kiss from Flopsy."

Aang tiptoed closer to the rabbit "Come here Flopsy." he didn't get very far, for he turned at the sound of a large thud from behind him.

Standing there, ten times taller than himself was an adult gorilla-goat, and it looked very mad. It swung its hands at him, and Aang jumped out of the way in time to stop himself from getting crushed.

The rabbit bounded away, and calling after it, Aang gave chase. With the gorilla-goat following on his heels. They zig-zagged all-round the earthen pen. Aang dived for the rabbit and came up short, as it disappeared into a hole.

Then, he paused. Something wasn't quite right "Wait a minute. Flopsy?" he got to his feet, and as the gorilla-goat got close he lifted his hands to protect his face and body.

After a moment Aang looked up and found the animal stood before him, still and no longer angry. It picked him up, and licked him, to which he laughed "Flopsy." he patted the animal on the head.

The king whistled, and the gorilla-goat raced off to its master, flopping onto its back as the king rubbed its stomach "Aww, that's a good boy, yes who has a soft belly." and like a dog, the gorilla-goat's back leg started to twitch.

Aang jumped up onto the edge of railing there, and asked "Guys, are you ok?"

Katara smiled, and shrugged "Other than the crystal slowly encasing my entire body? Doing great."

And she was correct. The crystal had slowly grown over the last hour or so, and Katara was covered from her ankles to her neck with the green stuff. Sokka was no better, and in the same way, and as another piece grew, it unbalanced him and he fell over.

The king was busy petting and playing with his pet, and he looked up as Aang came to stop before him, hands on hips "Come on, I'm ready for the next challenge."

The king merely laughed.

0o0

"Your final test is a duel,"

This time, they had been taken to an arena in the palace. At one end, were three balconies from which people could watch what was going on. On the right-hand smaller one, were Katara, Sokka and the guards watching them.

In the middle, and larger one stood the king and Aang "And as a special treat, you may choose your opponent." the king offered.

Suddenly two others stepped out into view. One was smaller than the other, but covered in armour with spikes and carried an array of swords and knives, and across his pale sharp face were two scars.

The second man was taller, bigger, and a lot more muscled, and the only thing he carried was a sharp axe-like spear. He looked slightly more intimidating for his face was covered, and he had next to no armour on.

"Point and choose." the king asked

Aang looked down for a second, gathering his thoughts "So you're saying whoever I point to, that's the person who I get to fight?"

The king frowned, and said, very seriously "Choose wisely."

Aang nodded "I...choose...You!" he pointed to neither of the fighters. He pointed to the king.

The king smiled "Wrong, choice."

Suddenly the king stopped looking so elderly. He straightened, the hunch leaving his back, his knuckles cracked, and he seemed to stand taller. He threw off the purple robes and stood in simple green pants with lighter green wrap around, and studded brown arm bracers and brown belt.

Underneath the shoddy robe was not the fragile body of the old man he seemed to be. The king was muscled, toned, and there was not an ounce of fat or a flabby bit to be seen anywhere on his body.

Aang gasped, and as did Katara and Sokka. They certainly weren't expecting this.

The king stomped his foot the ground, and Aang was sent flying backwards into the arena. The king hopped down, and came to an earth cracking halt before him, laughing crazily.

Aang could only look up with fear and dread.

0o0

"You thought I was a frail old man, but I'm the most powerful earthbender you'll ever see." the king said

Aang slowly got to feet, and pointed back to the balcony "Can I fight the guy with the axe instead?"

"There are no take-backsies in my kingdom," then the king laughed again "Oh, and I thought I might make this duel a little more interesting. Every hero needs a damsel in distress."

The king waved his right hand into the air. The earth rumbled and shook, and a platform of earth rose up out of the holes that had appeared. On the platform was a pillar of earth, and tied to it, gagged and bound was a familiar dark-haired girl with a blue arrow on her forehead.

"Mina!" Aang called out.

The girl struggled and fought but it was obvious whatever was holding her to the pillar was something too strong for her to break or loosen.

The king gestured again, this time to the balcony behind him and said "Oh, and you might need this." and a guard through Aang's staff down to him.

And then the fight began.

0o0

The king was insane. He was absolutely out of his mind. He had ordered his guard to bring me to Aang's third and final challenge, and now here I was, tied up to a rock pillar on a high earth platform, gagged and bound with no escape.

I struggled and fiddled with the ropes encasing my hands around the earth pillar, but it was useless. The ropes were tied too securely around my wrists and seeing as I couldn't move much or see there wasn't much of a chance of me escaping by myself.

I looked across to my right, and found, to my relief, the two Water Tribe Siblings unharmed and all right. Or as all right, as they could be, with all that crystal encasing their bodies.

A serious of thuds drew my attention, and I watched as Aang dodged the boulders being thrown at him "Typical Airbender tactic, avoid and evade. I'd hoped the Avatar would be less predictable," I frowned, as another boulder was sent Aang's way "Don't you have any surprises for me? Sooner or later you'll have to strike back."

Aang was hovering above the king, who threw another piece of earth up at him, hitting the room, and knocking Aang to the ground.

Despite not liking this mad king, he was right to a point. Aang couldn't keep dodging and avoiding the fight for much longer. Sooner or later he would have to strike back, otherwise, he'd lose.

The fight continued, the earth being thrown and pillars shooting up from the ground, and Aang continued to evade it all.

"You'll have to be a little more creative than that." the king taunted.

Aang came down off the pillar and shot across the arena floor on an air scooter, flying and zipping around the room, dodging the attacks thrown his way. Then, to my amazement, he struck back.

He used his airbending and sent a powerful airblast the king's way. Which was deflected. The king peeked out from behind his earth shield and tauntingly said "Did someone leave the windows open, it's a little drafty in here. Are you hoping I'll catch a cold?"

Once again, the fight went on, with nothing coming of it. I cried out as a stray rock came my way. I heard Sokka call my name, but luckily the rock just skimmed past me. I glared in the king's direction before continuing to struggle, and try to find some way of getting free.

"How are you going to get me from way over there?" I heard the king tease Aang.

I looked up to see Aang get trapped in quicksand the king had made and gasped against the gag. Two very large rocks shot across the floor, as Aang struggled to pull himself free. The rocks came together with a bang and left only dust in their wake.

I froze, unable to move or to breath. Aang didn't show himself, and I was sure he had been crushed. Then, I sighed in relief as he came soaring over the rock and blasted the king backwards into a wall.

Then, with what seemed to be little effort, the king lifted away, the entire middle balcony from its place and held it aloft above his head. I heard Aang gasp, and then he started to sprint in a circle, gaining speed.

Doing this, Aang was creating a miniature tornado inside, and it was very strong. I felt myself being lifted off my feet, and would have been pulled in and sent flying if I hadn't been tied to the rock pillar behind me.

The king threw the rock, and it soared around Aang's tornado and was sent right back. The king created a split in between the rock and the two split sides crashed to the ground.

In that second of distraction, the king didn't notice Aang until he was before him with his staff pointed at his throat. The king smiled and looked up, and that was when Aang noticed the rock above their heads.

As the tornado dissipated and vanished I came back down onto my feet and struggled against the ropes binding me.

"Well done Avatar you fight with much fire in your heart." then I watched as the king dropped the rock with a thud.

Suddenly I felt the rock beneath my feet tremble, and I screamed- which was muffled by the gag- as the earth lifted into the air, and set itself down on the right balcony. I was still tied to the pillar, but now I was stood next to Sokka.

"You've passed all my tests. Now, you must answer one question."

Naturally, as I felt he had a right to be, Aang grew annoyed at that "That's not fair, you said you'd release my friends if I finished your tests."

The king simply gave Aang a superior look "Aww but what's the point in tests if you don't learn anything"

I heard Sokka groan "Oh come on."

"Answer this one question and I will set your friends free. What, is my name?" then after having given Aang the question he needed to answer, he looked to Katara and Sokka "And from the looks of your friends I'd say you only have a few minutes." then he walked off.

I gaped after the old man. He couldn't be serious. Surely he couldn't be. He was absolute, without a doubt a complete madman. All this was either madness or brilliance, or more than likely both.

I froze. Madness and brilliance. Those two words started to ring a bell in my mind. But surely the mad king couldn't be...couldn't he?

"How I am supposed to know his name?" I heard Aang ask

"Think about the challenges, maybe it's some kind of riddle." Katara offered.

"I got it. He's an earth bender, right? Rocky. You know because of all the rocks." I gave the Water Tribe boy a look for that. Rocky? Honesty?

"We're gonna keep trying but that is a good back up," Katara replied, clearly at a loss.

"Ok so back to the challenges, I got a key from a waterfall, I saved his pet, and I had a duel."

"And what did you learn?" Katara asked him

Aang was indecisive for a moment. I fiddled with the ropes again, with no luck.

"Well, everything was different than I expected," he replied

"Aaand?" Katara urged desperately, and I watched as the green crystal started to grow to cover the left side of her face.

Aang put a hand to his chin, as he thought, and I wished I could speak and encourage him to hurry up with figuring it out because the crystal encasing the two siblings next to me was growing faster.

"Well, they weren't straight forward. To solve each test I had to think differently than I usually would."

At Aang words, that bell in my mind rang louder than before. There was no possible other explanation. The reason the mad king of Omashu looked familiar, was because he was familiar.

I spoke up, telling Aang the answer to the question, telling Aang the king's name. Which was, of course, muffled and completely lost against the rough fabric of the gag in and covering my mouth.

"I know his name." Aang suddenly said, clicking his fingers.

I breathed in relief.

0o0

"I solved the question the same way I solved the challenges. As you said a long time ago, I had to open my brain to the possibilities," the king snorted and laughed "Bumi, you're a mad genius."

I watched as Aang raced forward, and hugged our old friend.

"Aww, Aang it's good to see you. You haven't changed a bit. Literally."

It was then Katara and Sokka walked- or rather waddled- over. The crystal encasing them was almost covering their entire bodies now. I could only see Sokka's mouth "Uh over here!" Katara called

"A little help." Sokka supplied

Then Bumi, using his bending, shattered the crystal into pieces freeing mine and Aang's friends from the stuff "Genemite is made of rock candy," the king said taking a bite "Delicious."

I was distracted not a second later when I felt gentle work-rough hands pulling and tugging at the ropes around my wrists. I was no longer tied to the rock pillar, thankfully, but the guard had brought me to the throne room still bound and gagged.

I sighed in relief as the ropes loosened and fell away, and those same gentle hands took off the gag around my mouth and held me steady. "Mina, are you ok?"

I straightened and looked up to see familiar sapphire blue eyes staring down at me. Sokka was frowning, which wasn't unusual, but the look of concern and worry in his eyes was.

"Your wrists. You're hurt." I looked down and noticed that the skin around my wrists, was red from being rubbed raw when I had been struggling against the ropes.

I nodded and said, "I'm f-fine, its n-nothing."

Then I heard that snorting laugh again and turned away from the Water Tribe boy before me. I stepped forward, and without thinking, rushed forward myself and hugged the man who had once been my friend when he was a boy.

"Bumi," I said into his green robes "It is you."

He hugged back "It's good to see you again too, Mimi. It's been too long."

Vaguely, I heard Sokka question his sister in a low confused- and what I was sure was annoyed- tone "Mimi?"

I ignored the others for the moment, and just enjoyed the fact that I was seeing one of my best friends again. I hugged Bumi for a little longer and said "I missed you." then I pulled back.

"So this crazy king, is your old friend Bumi?" Katara asked.

"Who you calling old?" Bumi asked, "Ok, I'm old." I giggled at that.

"Why did you do all of this, instead of just telling Aang, and Mina, who you were?" Sokka question my old friend, and I looked to Bumi, curious myself.

"First of all, it's pretty fun messing with people," I shook my head, and smilingly rolled my eyes, as Bumi snorted "But I do have a reason." he then turned to Aang

"Aang you have a difficult task ahead. The world has changed in the 100 years you've been gone. It's the duty of the Avatar the restore balance to the world, by defeating Fire Lord Ozai. You have much to learn. You must master the four elements and confront the Fire Lord, and when you do-" here Bumi grinned "-I hope you will think like a mad genius."

Aang smiled and bowed before Bumi continued "And it looks like you're in good hands. You'll need your friends to help you defeat the Fire Nation," He then turned to me

"Mina, Aang and the world will need you now more than ever. The airbenders are gone, and the world needs someone to have patience, kindness and to give guidance in these troubled times. It will be difficult, but I know you can do it," here Bumi smiled "Show them all the true power of Air, Master Airbender."

I smiled, and just like Aang, I bowed in respect.

It was then, as Raiu curled up around my neck, and Momo hopped onto Aang's shoulder, Bumi continued "And you'll need Momo and Raiu too."

"Thank you for your wisdom," Aang said, "But before we leave, I have a challenge for you."

And just from the mischievous look on Aang's face, I laughed, knowing what was coming.

0o0

"Yeah, whooo!" Aang called out as Bumi laughed crazily behind him.

They were both riding in a delivery cart, zooming down the tubes, laughing and crying out with glee and enjoyment as they did so.

Sokka, Katara and I, were on the top levels and watching them have their fun from where we stood. Katara was smiling, and waving to encourage to the two on. I heard Sokka huff out a breath and watched as he rolled his eyes.

Aang and Bumi came to a sudden stop, with a BANG, creating a dust cloud to go floating into the air, as they crashed.

"My cabbages!" I heard a familiar despaired voice of a man cry out.

All I could do was laugh.

0o0