Book One:
Water
Chapter Twelve:
The Storm
"One day you will understand."
I was sat, in a meditative pose inside a large hollow, in what seemed to be an ancient red-barked tree. Power swirled all around me, but it wasn't frightening. It was as comforting as being wrapped in my abba's arms after a nightmare.
The voice was female, young but not too young, with a soothing quality that gave way to images of sweet honey, and rich tea drunk in winter. I didn't know who the voice belonged to, but it felt...familiar.
"Who's there?"
"One day you will understand, little one."
"Understand what? Who are you? Where are you?"
A breeze made a gentle caress over my hair, soft and fond. Warmth spread through my entire body, and I wondered if this is what it felt like to be wrapped in a mother's embrace. It had been so long, that I could scarcely remember what my mother had sounded like, let alone this feeling I was experiencing now.
"I am here with you, little one. As I am always, and will always be here with you for all of your lifetimes. One day you will understand."
I strangely felt tears sting my eyes and an ache appear in my throat. I pushed up to rest on my folded knees. I felt...loved. Loved but sad.
"I don't understand. Who are you? What are you?"
The female voice hummed gently before that warmth began to become centrally located on my upper face; a forehead kiss perhaps? Like a mother would reassure her child before putting out their night light.
"I am your guide, your protector, and the one that watches over you. You are as much mine as my other childe is. You are mine, mine to me, and you always will be."
Tears fell, dropping onto the ground. My eyes had closed, for I did not need sight to see. "Protect me from what amma?" The last word felt strange to say, but also right in a way.
The image was clear but blinding.
It was a woman, in her late twenties, early thirties. Her skin was the rough shade of cream, and her facial structure just as delicate, but underneath was a fiery strength, like steel under silk. Her eyes were a piercing icy blue, and while they shone sharply with intelligence, they were none the less kind or warm. Her hair was as white as starlight, and on top on it sat a blue headdress, with blue tassels that fell to hang and frame her face.
She knelt before me, and reached out to tuck an errant curl behind my ear, and smiled.
"The Time will be gone, but The Life is unchanged, and the eyes you first met you will meet again. For the Air will leave you but Water will keep you, Earth shall hold you, but Fire will heal you. The day will come, you can only pick only one, choose the life that you need or the life that you want."
It was a riddle and a cryptic confusing one at that.
"I don't know what that means, what does it mean?!"
The woman cupped my face, and the dark ocean stared back at me.
"You must choose. The life you want or the life you need."
"But I don't-"
Her grip held tighter, pulling me in "You must choose. What you want or what you need!"
"I don't...don't know...know what you mean."
Thunder rolled overhead, crackling and booming. I jumped right out of my skin. The woman pulled me to my feet, and spun me around, holding onto my hands. Her lips thinned, her blue robes sparked all over with blinding energy.
Behind her appeared two misty orbs. One was a dark ocean, the other of a day at dusk. The orbs swirled then, expanding out to form floating mirrors.
They flickered to life, and inside each mirror was an image.
The dark ocean orb held the image of Aang and me along with four others.
Katara's arm was threaded through Aang's as they shared loving looks. I stood in the middle of Sokka and a boy with shaggy black hair I didn't know. Both boys each leant their closest arm on my shoulders, Sokka smirking over the top of my head on my right, making the other boy roll his eyes fondly with a half-smile as I laughed. A younger girl stood just in front of the unknown boy, and pulled a lock of my hair, grinning impishly up at me.
The indigo mirror showed a completely different image.
All the people in this mirror were strangers to me.
The tanned girl was sat on the floor grinning up at the beauty who was trying not to smile as she read through the book in her hand. A young green-eyed boy was chattering happily on the floor, as he turned to look up at us. I was sat with my back against the arm of the couch, my legs were thrown over an older boy's lap. The older boy had one arm thrown over the back of the couch, and the other rested across my knees. The younger boy and I were talking animatedly, causing the other boy to shake his head in resignation as he smiled at the two of us affectionately.
These people in the indigo vision were strangers to me, but yet they were not.
"You must choose." the older women before me stated softly.
I looked between the two mirrors "Choose? Do you...do you mean...?" I wasn't sure what she meant.
Thunder rolled again. My heart pounded, pulse raced.
"You must choose. The day will come when you will understand little one, and then you must choose."
I looked so happy in both images, as did the people I was with. Yet I didn't understand what I was supposed to be choosing or why.
The woman gave a small sad smile, understanding seeping from her every pour, as she pulled away, leaving me feeling cold and alone and lost, and so, so sad. The blinding aura she emitted grew brighter and brighter.
"Wait! Please, don't go!" I reached out for her "Don't leave!"
That warmth spread through me again, soothing me down to my very soul. "You are mine, mine to me, and I will never leave you. As long as you need me, I am here."
The light exploded, thunder boomed overhead. And I heard Monk Gyasto's voice.
"Aang is gone."
Suddenly I was surrounded by Aang, Sokka, Katara, the boy with shaggy black hair, and the young girl, along with the strangers from the second mirror, and Monk Gyasto and the Airbenders I had known.
"You must choose" the women's voice sounded again.
Then all those surrounding me from all sides began to repeat the words, over and over and over again.
"You must choose Mina."
"You must choose Mimi."
"You must choose, child."
You must choose. You must choose. You must choose
0o0
I jolted awake, tears in my eyes and an ache in my throat.
I had had a nightmare, or at least I think I had a nightmare, going by how my heart seemed to be trying to escape its confines. And I wasn't the only one it seemed. Aang had had a nightmare too.
Katara was asking him if he wanted to talk about it, and he said he just needed rest. Sokka popped up and asked them if they wanted to hear about his dream, but no one was listening.
I lay back down, the dream I had already starting to fade away.
0o0
We were packing up camp the next morning when I got an ominous shiver.
The sky was completely clear, devoid of any clouds. It gave me a bad feeling. No clouds there may be, but there was a painful electric feeling in the air, the kind that came before a big storm.
I shivered. I hated storms.
"Look at those clear skies buddy. Should be some smooth flying."
Appa let out a groan and covered his eyes with his feet. The bison didn't look happy; in fact, I would go so far as to say the bison was as scared and nervous about being in the sky as I was. Appa could sense the storm coming as well as I could.
"Well, we better smoothly fly ourselves to a market, cause we're out of food." Katara quipped as she walked up Appa's lifting tail.
I sat in the saddle, rhythmically stroking Raiu's fur, the softness of it soothing my anxiety. There was going to be a storm, I could feel it in the air, practically taste it. How was it that none of the others could sense it?
Sokka said something about how we shouldn't go to market, because in his dream food eats people, before scolding Momo for saying unkind things. I watched the sky with narrowed eyes.
I dared the sky to open up, to bring a storm, hoping it wouldn't rise to the challenge.
0o0
"There is a storm coming," General Iroh said, after sniffing the air from on deck "A big one."
Zuko wasn't impressed, his booted feet stomping over "You're out of your mind uncle. The weather's perfect, there's not a cloud in sight."
"A storm is approaching from the north," the older man swivelled on his feet, tunic fluttering in the wind "I suggest we alter our course and head south-west."
Zuko pointed forward, shifting on his heels "We know the Avatar is heading north, we shall do the same."
Iroh shook his head "Prince Zuko consider the safety of the crew." he admonished.
Amber eyes narrowed, body tense, and with a tone that growled impatiently "The safety of the crew doesn't matter!"
Lieutenant Jee was not impressed as he crossed the deck and raised his eyebrow at his captain. Zuko strode forward, tone unwavering as he stopped before the older bearded man.
"Finding the Avatar, is far more important than any individual's safety." he stalked off into the ship, heading towards his room.
General Iroh tried to save the situation, but it was a fool's hope that he could soften the blow of Zuko's words "He doesn't mean that. He's just all worked up."
Lieutenant Jee's frown stated he did not believe the General's words.
0o0
I shifted from foot to foot, biting on the skin of my thumb.
I really didn't like this, being so out in the open. A storm was coming, and coming fast, we should have been hunkering down somewhere, one of the caves higher up on the mountain perhaps? Not out here in the open.
Katara was having a debate with the market stall women about the ripeness of a melon, and all I could do was watch the skies like a hawk, hoping that no storm clouds would appear.
"Out of food and out of money. Now, what are we supposed to do?!" Sokka lamented
Katara stood with her hands on her hips "You could get a job smart guy."
'We shouldn't go out there, please. The fish can wait, there's going to be a terrible storm."
The voice of an old woman pleading with a man who had to be her husband gained my attention, especially the bit about there being a terrible storm. I gulped, and took a step back, clutching at Sokka's sleeve.
He looked confused, but the fisherman spoke up then "Ahh you're crazy, it's a nice day. No clouds no nothing, so quit your nagging woman!"
Aang looked as nervous then as I felt "Maybe we should find some shelter."
I nodded along, wrapped my arms around myself "Yes p-please lets."
"Are you kidding? Shelter from what?"
I turned to Katara "Katara p-please."
"My joints say there's gonna be a storm, a bad one." the old women crossed her arms.
The man pointed at her, backing away as he spoke: "Well it's your joints against my brain."
The women huffed "Then I hope your brain can find someone else to haul that fish cause I ain't coming!"
The fisherman scowled, leaning forwards "Then I'll find a new fish haulier and pay him double what you get, how do ya like that?"
Sokka stepped forward, pulling free from my grip "I'll go." and he was hired. He noticed our looks "What? You said to get a job, and he's paying double."
The fisherman asked "Double, who told you that nonsense?"
I whimpered a little under my breath.
"Oh, it can't get any worse c-can it?"
0o0
Dark obsidian clouds loomed on the near horizon, and some of the crew stood and watched as they drew nearer.
Lieutenant Jee thought now was a good time to turn to his prince and say "Well looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all."
Iroh chuckled nervously, trying to defuse the tension before it escalated "Lucky guess."
Zuko frowned and stalked forward so he could jab his two fingers at Jee's armour plated chest "Lieutenant, you'd better learn some respect or I'll teach it to you."
Warning thoroughly conveyed, Zuko brushed past the older man, intent on eyeing the worryingly close storm clouds hovering above.
"What do you know about respect?" Jee jabbed, not noticing Iroh making a cutting motion at his neck, agitatedly signalling the Lieutenant to stop talking "The way you talk to everyone around here to your hard-working crew to your esteemed uncle shows you know nothing about respect."
Iroh let out a sigh of defeat, one hand covering his left eye, fingers at his temple as if to stave off an impending headache. This wasn't going to end.
"You don't care about anyone but yourself," Jee levelled his hands at his hips, jabbing at Zuko further, "Then again what should I expect from a spoiled prince."
Zuko turned hands up in the ready position, gold orbs narrowed. Jee did the same and the two clashed their raised forearms together, causing smoke from the friction to occur.
"Easy now," Iroh cautioned, before stepping in and separating them "Enough! We are all a bit tired from being at sea so long," He slipped his hands peacefully into his sleeves "I'm sure after a bowl of noodles everyone will feel much better."
Jee listened to the wisdom of the older man, and walked away, the few other members of the crew joining him below deck. Zuko turned to the ocean, a heavy frown furrowed.
"I don't need your help keeping order on my ship." Iroh put a hand upon his shoulder, but Zuko shrugged him off.
And the clouds drew ever nearer and nearer.
0o0
I felt trapped, cornered with no escape.
Those smoky heavy clouds now loomed overhead, bringing dread and anxiety in their wake. The storm was here, and I wanted nothing more than to be far, far away from here at all costs.
"Sokka maybe this isn't such a good idea, "Aang said, joining my side noticing how I was combing the skies "Look at the sky."
Sokka wasn't listening, as he shuffled past with rolled netting onto the fisherman's boat "I said I was gonna do this job, I can't back out just because of some bad weather."
I was desperately tempted to smack him. Yes, he very well could back out, but his manly pride wouldn't let him.
"Sokka p-please, this storm is going to be a bad one. We s-shouldn't tempt fate, and go c-charging out into it." I was ignored by the Water Tribe boy, and it rankled me.
"The boy and girl with the tattoos have some sense. You should listen to them." the fisherman's wife scoffed, before taking leave of her mad husband.
I noticed the look in the older man's eyes as he looked at me and Aang. There was the flash of recognition upon the sight of our mastery tattoos, but instead of the usual awe or relief or happiness at seeing Aang- AKA the Avatar- the fisherman's eyes filled with dislike and derision.
"Boy with tattoos? Airbender tattoos. Well, I'll be a hog monkey's uncle! You're the Avatar ain't ya?"
Katara smiled, proud as she replied: "That's right."
Aang's shy smile disappeared as the fisherman scowled at him, and sneered "Well don't be so smiley about it. The Avatar disappeared for a hundred years! You turned your back on the world!" he jabbed at my brother's shoulder.
I felt protective fury rise up, and my anxiety over the oncoming storm burned away, as I glared fiery death at the fisherman berating and insulting my surrogate little brother. Katara wasn't pleased either.
"Don't yell at him!"
I strode forward and growled, "And keep your hands off my brother or I'll remove them for you." I didn't stutter, and my tone wasn't soft or kind anymore.
Katara stepped beside me, backing me up in protecting Aang "Aang would never abandon anyone!"
"Oh, he wouldn't huh? Then I guess I must have imagined the last hundred years of war and suffering."
I saw Aang's shame-faced guilty upset expression and felt righteous fury blaze in my veins. How dare this complete stranger judge Aang's life or mine, when he knew nothing about us.
Then the fisherman turned to me, narrowed eyes trying to bear down on me from where I stood before him with clenched fists "And you? You're an Airbender, where were you huh? Hiding like a coward I bet. You should've died with the rest of your kind, girl!"
I flinched backwards then, at the image of the Southern Air Temple on fire, and the screams of my people filled the air. I blocked it out, but it was too late, the man's words had gotten into my head, and now that image of the burning temple, my home, was branded there.
Katara looked like a tempest about to rain horror down on the fisherman "Aang is the bravest person I know, and Mina is the kindest girl I've ever met! He has done nothing but help people and save lives since I met him, and Mina has too. It's not Aang or Mina's fault they disappeared, right guys?"
Aang was backing away, scared and upset. I could do nothing to stop him because I was shaking so hard I feared moving might just shatter me to pieces.
Katara turned when we both said nothing "Aang? What's wrong?"
Aang took off on his glider, leaving me frozen stiff behind him.
"That's right keep flying!"
Katara spun around to snap at him "You're a horrible old man!" she took me gently by the arm, and led me away "Come on Mina," She helped me up onto Appa's head, before snapping the reins "Appa Yip Yip!"
We flew off after Aang, ignoring Sokka's whining about leaving without a goodbye.
I was shaking harder than a leaf, barely hearing Katara telling Appa to find Aang. All I could see was that horrifying image of my people, my home.
Smoke covering the sky, and the towers of the Southern Air Temple burning, cracking under the intense heat of the flames. Screams of the monks and novices echoed throughout the walls and turrets, but none were there that cared. Everything was burning, everything.
It was all I could see.
"Mina? Mina, what's wrong?"
Katara's voice jolted me out of the mental image. I looked up at her, her ocean eyes dark with concern and worry. It was that look of genuine care on her face that set me off.
I began to cry.
She frowned but said not a word as she drew me in, and wrapped her arms around me. I felt grateful to have Katara suddenly. She was like the bossy little sister I had always wanted. She may be younger, but right now I needed the mature and caring aura more than I needed the innocent, naive one.
She stroked my hair and whispered nonsense soothing words in my ear. It only made me cry all the harder, for her comfort reminded me of the fact that it was her there, and not who I secretly desperately wanted.
I wanted my abba.
I wanted him so badly it hurt.
Monk Gyatso was first my mentor, then my friend, and then he became a surrogate father. I loved him and looked up to him and was more frightened of disappointing him than angering him as any daughter, by blood or not, would be.
I could barely recall what my blood father looked like now, just a vague blurry image of a kind but a firm man with light eyes, blue I think. Now when I try to conjure an image of my father, Gyatso is the only one I can bring to mind, his grey eyes that sparkled with mischievousness as if he were decades younger, with laugh lines that crinkled his eyes and brow.
I wanted him here right now, I wanted him to be the one holding me tight and soothing my hurt and wiping away my tears. I just wanted him.
But he was gone, had been gone for a long time. I had not forgotten that fact, or the fact that I hadn't really mourned, or grieved, it was just I had become so focused on the fights, and adventures, and being chased by Prince Zuko it had distracted me until now.
Now, that fisherman's spiteful words had brought the grief to the forefront of my mind, and there was no pushing it away.
I wanted my abba, I so desperately wanted him, and the more Katara caringly hugged me and tried to calm me down, the harder I sobbed and I just wanted him all the more. I was a Master Airbender, and an independent, free-thinking person used to taking care of myself.
But now I had turned back into that little frightened four-year-old girl who cried for her abba when she had been terribly sick and had a nightmare.
That's all this was a bad nightmare. And it wasn't going away.
"I want to go home," I choked out.
Katara pulled back, still hugging me close, but now she looked into my eyes, alarmed at the tears, and what was probably the most helpless and hopeless expression I had ever worn in front of her on my face.
"What? Mina, talk to me, tell me what's wrong?" she curled her legs to the side, to get closer.
I sniffed "Everything. Everything's wrong. I'm one hundred years out of my own t-time, everyone I ever l-loved or knew is gone, or...or killed, and I have to be strong for Aang, because he needs me to be, I'm the oldest I have to…have to watch out for him, but I'm so tired, and I feel so lost and I don't know what…know what to…what to do, and all I want is to go…to go home and tell abba that I love him and I …I'm sorry I disappointed him, that I failed him, and...And I just want to g-go home!"
I wailed out the last word, and buried my face in Katara's tunic, sobbing into her arms. She shushed me, rocking us back and forth, her hands rubbing my back, as I sobbed. I was crying that hysterical choked crying that only little children do when they've seriously hurt themselves or are seriously upset or terrified.
I was all three. I was hurt, I was upset, and I was terrified.
"I want to go home, I want abba." it was such a weak little plea, childish, but I meant it with all my heart and soul.
Katara hushed me once more "I know, I know, I'm sorry, I know." I sniffed and whimpered "I'm here, it's ok, I'm here. You're safe."
She repeated those words, over and over and over; that she knew I wanted abba, that I wanted to go home, and that she was sorry, sorry for not being able to give me what I desperately wanted, and that I was safe, and she was there.
She was there, and I was safe.
I started to calm a little, as Katara hummed a familiar tune under her breath. The choking hysterics slowed to sobs, which slowed to hiccupping cries, which eventually turned into the odd silent tear and a few sniffles.
She gave me a handkerchief, and I blew my nose as daintily as I could, before wiping my eyes.
I was so mentally and emotionally exhausted, all I could do was lean against my friend, and let her prop me up. I wanted to sleep, but I was frightened about what I'd see in my dreams if I did.
I shuffled in closer and sniffed "Don't… Don't leave. Don't let go." it was both a plea and a question.
She stroked my hair "I promise."
We continued to look for my little brother, the two of us. One, a girl of the last of her people's waterbenders, and the other, a girl out of time and place.
It started to rain.
0o0
We found him in a cave in the mountains.
Aang knelt on the ground, back to us, as Katara pulled me in after her. She looked relieved to see him, and so was I, but I was drained from my crying earlier, and could barely muster the energy to do more than stand there.
"I'm sorry for running away." I knew he wasn't just talking about earlier today.
"It's ok, that fisherman was way outta line." Katara smiled.
I sniffed. I knew now that there was no going back. Katara had to know the truth, and now, she would get to hear the full story.
"Actually, he wasn't," Katara asked what he meant "I don't wanna talk about it." he sounded close to tears himself now.
Katara knelt by Aang's side, and I followed her. "It has to do with your dream, doesn't it? Talk to me."
I brought my knees to my chest, curled my arms around them, trying to make myself as small as possible. I buried my face in my knees so that all I could see was darkness. I didn't want to see Katara's face, the expression she would wear when she heard the full story.
"Well, it's kind of a long story."
Momo came bounding in, chirping as he did so, Raiu settled in his usual spot around my neck, though I didn't so much as flinch. Appa nudged Aang with his nose sensing, like my own animal companion, the distress his master felt.
Soon Katara had a fire going, and I could see the flickering light behind my closed eyelids, turning my black vision, mixed reds and oranges.
Aang began the story "I'll never forget the day the monks first told me I was the Avatar. I was playing with some other kids, just outside the south wall. I was trying to teach them how to do the air scooter."
I hugged my knees closer, as the memory began to play behind my eyes.
0o0
I sat on the sloping railing watching the goings-on below me.
Aang was below in the south courtyard, trying to teach his play-mates how to perform the air scooter, an airbending form he had created himself.
It wasn't going very well, and I had to hold back laughter.
Aang swirled his arms, creating an air ball in his hands, "First you form the ball, then you gotta get on quick." he laughed as he zoomed around on his scooter.
I dodged as he went zipping past me, blowing my hair in my eyes. I called out his name in a mock scolding tome that was ruined by my chuckles. Choden tried to do it and ended up landing on his behind in the dust.
I hopped off the railing, and helped the boy up, as Aang encouraged "You kinda have to balance on it like it's a top."
Choden huffed "Man, that's hard."
Sonam, one of the younger novices pulled at Aang's sleeve "Where'd you learn that trick Aang?"
I wrapped an arm around my brother, and stated proudly "He m-made it up." Aang flushed embarrassed but didn't deny it.
Sonam was awed, as were a few others, and I giggled at the nine-year old's antics.
"Aang, Mina," At our mentor's voice we turned to the stairs where he and the other head monks were stood "We need to speak to you both."
I winced, sure we were in trouble.
0o0
We knelt in the private monk pavilion, and I was not as stunned as I probably should be.
"How do you know it's me?"
Monk Tashi spoke up, from where he sat on his elevated cushion "We have known you were the Avatar for some time," The monk used his bending to unroll a wrapped fabric parcel "Do you remember these?"
Four simple toys lay before us. I picked one up, smiling at the fond memory of Aang's toddler years that passed over my mind.
Aang beamed, and picked up the spinning flying toy he had favoured.
"Those were some of my favourite toys when I was little," he said grabbing one.
"You chose them from among thousands of toys Aang. The toys you picked were the four Avatar relics. These items belonged to Avatars passed, your own past lives."
Aang grinned "I chose them because they seemed fun." he pulled the string, and the little flying toy went zipping into the air, over the monks' heads.
"You chose them because they were familiar." Monk Tashi corrected.
Monk Gyatso spoke up "Normally we would have told you of your identity when you turned sixteen, but there are troubling signs. Storm clouds are gathering."
Monk Pasang, the elder monk added gravely "I fear that war may be upon us young Avatar."
Gyasto sighed "We need you Aang."
I exchanged a dread-filled sad look with my mentor. I knew everything was about to change.
0o0
I sighed, just as heavy and burdened as Monk Gyasto's had sounded all those years ago.
There was absolute silence in our little sheltered cave, and I didn't have the heart to break it, not even for a second.
The memory that had led to all of this was too sad.
0o0
"I'm sick of taking his orders, and I'm tired of chasing his Avatar! I mean who does Zuko think he is?"
A rough low voice interrupted what Lieutenant Jee was going to say.
"Do you really want to know?" the four crewmen stood to their feet, Jee started to apologize with a cautious tone before Iroh stopped him "It's ok. May I join you?"
"Of course sir."
The retired General made his way down the steps, to join the men in their little circle. He sat, and stroked his beard in thought.
"Try to understand. My nephew is a complicated young man He has been through much."
A memory began to play before his eyes, as he began the tale.
0o0
"Prince Zuko what's wrong?"
The young prince let his uncle lead him away; answering his question "I want to go into the War Chamber but the guard won't let me past."
Iroh smiled knowingly and replied with a placating tone "You're not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring."
Zuko smiled, eyes filled with determined resolve "If I'm gonna rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can."
Iroh couldn't argue with that, but he gave a warning to his thirteen-year-old nephew "Very well, but you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive you know."
Zuko beamed, as his uncle put a hand on his shoulder leading him inside "Thank you, uncle."
Zuko sat, quiet and silent as his uncle bade him, as the older men talked of the war and their battle plans around him.
"The Earth Kingdom defences are concentrated here," the man speaking stated pointing out a position on the map in front of them all "A dangerous battalion of their strongest earthbenders and fiercest warriors. So I am recommending the 41st division."
Another spoke, tone worried and protesting "But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?"
The first General smirked with vicious glee "I don't. They'll be acting as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait than fresh meat."
Zuko stood to his feet, fury in defence of his nation's soldiers blazing in his eyes "You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation, how can you betray them?"
The young prince was given glares and disapproving looks.
0o0
"Prince Zuko was right you see, but it was not his place to speak out. And there were dire consequences."
The crewmen were riveted on the retired General's words.
0o0
"So you were upset that you were the Avatar?" Katara's tone was filled with surprise.
I knew why the younger girl was surprised. The Avatar was the most revered person in the world.
The Avatar was highly respected everywhere in the world, everyone knew about the Avatar, and it was a position that came with many perks, such as a wide selection of tutors and teachers from all over the world.
The Avatar had powerful bending, and not just in one bending form, but all four of them. To be the Avatar was seen as a blessing to most.
But to those who were the 'lucky chosen?' it seemed more like a curse.
"Why wouldn't you be excited about it?" The fire flared as the Water Tribe girl poked at it with a stick.
Excited. That was not a word that neither Aang nor I had ever used to describe what Aang felt over being the Avatar. It wasn't exciting, or fun, or even remotely wondrous in the slightest. It was a heavy burden, of responsibility and sacrifice.
So much to ask from a 12-year-old kid. Too much.
And it was also too much to ask a 15-year-old girl to protect and guard and serve that 12-year-old kid, a role with just as much responsibility and sacrifice as being the Avatar.
Neither of us had ever spoken aloud of what our true feelings were on the roles we had been burdened with, but I knew Aang had the same opinion as me about it.
It wasn't fair.
"Well, I didn't know how to feel about it. All I knew was that after I found out, everything began changing."
Aang's voice was filled with upset, and I opened my eyes then, to see that feeling reflected in his expression, and the way he held his knees to his chest. He looked so small like he was that little 1-year-old baby I had once held.
I knew he was remembering the first time we noticed the change among the novice Airbenders, just as I was.
0o0
Aang had gone on ahead to the courtyard to go and play with the others, leaving me to follow.
I had a bad feeling about it. Aang was now known as the Avatar to the other kids, and I was now known as his shield, his guide. His Protector. Two roles that were revered the world over in all nations. Everyone knew what and who the Avatar and the Protector were.
Things weren't the same now, that Aang and I had been told of our roles, our 'Destiny', and I knew things would never be the same again.
The Monks were starting to become harder on us, sterner, filling our days with lessons on our histories as the Avatar and Protector, teachings on what that means and how we should behave, act, talk, think and speak.
If the monks who had raised us, who knew us, could start to treat us differently, why not the people we called our friends? Why wouldn't they start to treat us differently too?
"Hey not bad. You guys have been practising."
Aang's voice drew me out of my sad and morbid thoughts.
I shook my head and came to sit upon the railing of the courtyard staircase, throwing the thoughts out of my head. Surely things wouldn't be so different? Playing and having fun with our friends wouldn't change?
It couldn't.
Could it?
"Not only that, we made up a game you can play with the air scooters," Sonam told Aang, as he zipped past the older boy, on an air scooter, grin wide.
I smiled. Maybe things wouldn't be different after all.
We were still Aang and Mina. The same two kids who played pranks on the monks and never backed down from childish dares, and got into mischief. We were still us. Avatar and Protector or not, we were still us.
"Great." Aang hopped up onto an air scooter of his own and I went to join him.
The other boys stopped zipping around on their scooters and came to a still. It confused Aang, but not me. I knew exactly what this was, why the other kids had stopped playing. I knew.
"Now that you're the Avatar, it's kind of an unfair advantage for whatever team you're on."
I floated down to the courtyard floor off the railing and came to stand beside Aang "Then I'll p-play too. I'm equal to Aang in airbending, so I'll just be on the opposite t-team and that way it'll be f-fair, right?"
Aang grinned at me. I was glad I had found a way to keep things from upset and to wipe away that sad confused look on Aang's face.
Choden sighed, then looked to Kunga, who had joined us.
Kunga was a boy my own age.
He was only a year or two away from gaining his mastery tattoos, for he was more advanced in airbending over the others of our age, and even those novices who were years older, and that more than anything made us close.
The others our age shunned him and pushed him out of games and talks and such because he was more ahead of them all, and they did the same to me, because I was even more advanced than Kunga- not that he let it bother him- and I was also a girl; the first to be allowed to live and train at the Southern Air Temple which was one of two temples that exclusively houses males along with the Northern Air Temple. The Eastern and Western Air temples house females, it was the Eastern Temple that I was meant to go to when my airbending was discovered.
Kunga smiled apologetically at me and Aang, then said to me "I'm sorry Mina, but that wouldn't be fair either. As the Protector, you'd unconsciously take Aang's side, and that would be another unfair advantage."
Kunga and I were friends.
I'd even go so far as to say we were best friends, though Aang held the top spot for that. Kunga and I had bonded over our isolation from the other kids our age and spent our days sparring or meditating together.
I was only 15 years old, not nearly old enough to know what romantic love was, no matter how many scrolls and stories I read, but I was sure that I might have a little crush on Kunga. The other girls I had spoken to during the Yangchen festival had giggled and agreed with me when they had caught me out because of my blushing while looking at him.
Kunga was tall, had a strong jawline and arched cheekbones. He was muscled but it was more of an agile build he had, rather than broad. He had sparkling grey eyes, like silver, and he had soft honey auburn hair; he was growing it out a little in preparing for his tattoos.
Kunga was compassionate, kind, funny, and always had a cheeky grin at the ready; It also didn't hurt that he was cute, so yes I had a small crush on him.
But I felt that crush start to slowly wither a little at his words.
"I'm sorry Mina, I really am." He replied, about to take a step forward, but my harsh hurt gaze stilled him.
"It wouldn't be fair if either you or Aang played Mina," Choden spoke up
Aang tried to smile, still as confused as before but now hurt too "But I'm still the same, nothing's changed," none of them spoke "So, what? I can't play?"
"That's the only fair way," Choden replied, shrugging.
Aang hopped off his scooter and began to walk away "Oh. Ok."
"Sorry, Aang," Sonam said to Aang's back as he walked away.
I looked to my friend, frowning up at him "Kunga?" I questioned him.
He sighed "Mina…."
He didn't say any more, and I straightened my shoulders, spun on my heel and went after my little brother.
"Fine," I uttered softly, hurt and confused and feeling angry.
"Mina?" Kunga called, but I ignored him and kept on walking.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't.
But then when was life ever fair?
I caught up to Aang, and seeing the sad hurt look in his eyes and on his face, I shoved my own feelings aside and worked on a way to make him feel better.
I gave a smile, knocking his shoulder with mine, and then said with a cheeky grin "You're it Aang. Come and get me!"
"Hey!" Aang called as I ran away. "No fair, you had a head start!"
I took off, smiling as Aang's laughter echoed behind me.
It was a distraction, this game of chase. But it would do for now.
0o0
The game of chase between us only lasted for so long, and then the hurt returned.
Aang was now knelt before the game table, playing Pai-Sho with our mentor, while I watched from the sidelines and sat staring unfocused and distracted out the window. Our confusion and hurt and sadness radiated from us in clear auras.
Aang made a move, cheek cradled in his right hand, not paying attention to anything he was doing so lost in his thoughts.
Gyasto noticed. Of course, he did. He knew us better than anyone, he had been there from the very start. He could sense when we were upset, he had always been able to.
Our mentor hummed, gaze fixed on the Pai-Sho board "Very interesting move young one."
Aang straightened "What do you mean?"
I turned back just in time, to see Monk Gyasto spinning his fingers behind his back, causing an air stream to sneak up over his head, over to Aang, then under the younger monk's shirt, causing it to lift and cover his face.
Gyasto switched the tiles, before Aang lowered the back of his shirt off his face, and noticed the change of pieces.
He then pointed with a smile and "Hey." In a mock affronted tone at the move.
I shook my head with an amused grin "Such blatant cheating abba."
All three of us laughed at the silly childishness of it all, and the worries and hurt from before were forgotten.
The door opened, and our worries and sadness returned as Monk Tashi stepped into the room.
"You're playing games with him? The Avatar should be training," then the elder monk looked to me "As should the Protector."
"Aang has already trained enough for today, as has Mina."
Monk Tashi didn't like that answer, and I placed my feet from where they had been curled underneath me on the bed, onto the floor, straightening up with tension. This wasn't going to go well, I could feel it.
"Time is short," the elder monk gestured out into the corridor "Come with me, I must test you on some high-level techniques Avatar. Protector, we need to review on your advanced spiritual meditation."
Aang and I shared looks, before we got to our feet, to follow the elder monk out the door. I gazed back sadly at my mentor, and he met my eyes with his grey ones.
My mentor's eyes narrowed, and he held out a hand "No." he said causing the other monk to still and me and Aang to stop "As long as I am Mina and Aang's guardian I will decide when they train. And when Aang gets his butt kicked at Pai-Sho."
I giggled but choked it back upon seeing Monk Tashi's disgruntled face. I lowered my head in submission as the monk walked off, and Aang turned smiling to Monk Gyasto.
I looked up, and Gyasto's eyes were twinkling with mischief and mirth. It was nice to know where Aang and I picked up those two traits from.
I smiled too.
0o0
Returning to the present, all there was to hear was the crackling of the small fire.
None of us spoke. None of us moved. It was hard to hear all this for Katara I could tell by her wide blue eyes, the firm line of her lips, and how she sat stiffly but slumped in place.
It was hard for her to hear the story, the truth. Just as hard as it was for Aang to tell it, and for me to remember it.
I knew once Aang told Katara his side of the story, I would have to tell mine, and I wasn't looking forward to it at all. My side was filled with less innocent tales and was more burdensome horror.
I knew once I told my side of the story, there would be no turning back.
Did I have a choice?
No. None.
0o0
"After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Fire Lord became very angry with him," Iroh explained.
The four members, including Lieutenant Jee, all leaned forward in their seats eager to learn of what had happened, and why General Iroh had such a hard look on his face and in his eyes.
"He said Zuko's challenge of the General was an act of complete disrespect. And there was only one way to resolve this." Iroh looked away, expression filled with pained sadness and remembrance.
The fire before them cast shadows across the old man's face, making him seem older, more haggard and even sadder than before.
"Agni Kai. A Fire Dual." Jee spoke out, voicing all the men's thoughts.
"That's right," Iroh replied in kind "Zuko looked upon the old General he had insulted and declared he was not afraid. But Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the General. Zuko had spoken out against the General's plan, but by doing so in the Fire Lord's war room it was the Fire Lord whom he had disrespected."
General Iroh's eyes hardened, and a flash of something that was almost like anger appeared in his fiery eyes.
"Zuko would have to dual his own father."
0o0
"Then, just when I was starting to feel better, something worse happened."
Aang's tone was soft, his eyes hooded with past painful sadness and betrayal. I knew why he sounded that way, and I felt ashamed of myself that I hadn't yet told him the truth and felt the guilt of keeping my side of things to myself.
I sighed.
I would have to tell them. I would have to tell him. I would have to tell Aang what really happened the night he disappeared.
0o0
"Aang needs to have freedom and fun. He needs to grow up as a normal boy."
I nodded from I stood, agreeing with my mentor completely.
Monk Gyasto and I had been summoned to a meeting in the temples main pavilion, where Monk Tashi and Head Monk Pasang were waiting for us. Monk Tashi had told of my mentor's refusal to allow the excessive training for Aang, and for me, and had brought the matter to the Head Monk of the temple.
The two monks and I stood before Pasang, while the Head Monk sat before us, weighing each side of the discussion but with a deep frown settled upon his face.
Monk Tashi huffed "You cannot keep protecting him from his destiny."
"Gyasto," Pasang spoke up, tone firm and unrelenting "I know you mean well, but you are letting your affection for the boy cloud your judgement."
I took a step back in shock, and outrage. I had to stop myself from speaking and interrupting the Head Monk, clenching my fists behind my back in the effort.
My mentor loved Aang, it was true, but he never let his emotions and attachments distract or get in the way of his teaching and guiding us in our learning. Gyasto had been born here and had lived in the Southern Air Temple all his life, he had long ago earned his mastery tattoos, and he knew when the right time was to follow his head, and when to follow his heart.
The fact that the other two monks were accusing my mentor of not acting like the true Master that he was, was outrageous and offensive.
I stepped forward, bowing to my elder.
"Master Pasang, the Avatar n-needs to not only master the elements but also himself. He c-can't help the four nations, if he doesn't understand t-them or be able to feel compassion for them, to do his duty as the Avatar. Locking him away, and m-making him constantly t-train will only dis…disconnect him from the world that is…that is his destiny to s-save and p-protect."
These words were my subtle way of saying that my mentor was right. Aang needed to have as much of a normal life as possible. For how could he save people, or more importantly want to save them, if he didn't, couldn't empathise or understand them?
Monk Tashi glared at me, shooting clear disapproval at what he thought to be disrespect. Gyasto nodded slightly to me, a twinkle in his eyes, allowing me to know he was proud of me for speaking.
"All I want is what's best for him. For both of my pupils" Gyatso said, firmer but none the less kindly.
"But what we need, is what's best for the world." The Head Monk paused for a moment, then spoke his tone filled with firm determination that his next words be heeded "You and Aang must be separated. The Avatar will be sent away to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training."
Monk Gyatso looked shocked, eyes wide and mouth a little slack. I gasped, then stepped forward to bow again.
"Head Monk I-"
"The Protector also cannot stay. She also will be sent away, to the Western Air Temple to advance further in her master studies." Pasang cut me off, speaking words so heavily they crushed me.
I stepped back swiftly like the elder monk had hit me.
"P-Please Master Pasang, p-please don't-"
Monk Tashi grabbed my arm "Silence child! You will speak when spoken to."
Pasang gazed at us both with hard unrelenting eyes. He would be heeded, his orders would be followed.
"The three of you must be separated, and you will be. That is the end of the matter."
My mentor drew me away, after bowing in submission. I was too shocked and hurt to bow myself, and by the time I came back from the daze I was in, we were outside the pavilion, in the meditation gardens.
I turned desperately to my mentor with watery eyes about to brim over with tears.
"Abba, please. Please, I don't want to go. I don't want to be sent away!"
He pulled me close and held me tightly "Hush now. Hush little one, hush, it's all right, don't cry."
I didn't even realize I was crying, but now Gyasto had pointed it out I felt the wetness of my cheeks and the hitching of my breathing from the sobs.
We stood there like that for a while.
Neither one of us knew, that Aang had heard the whole thing.
0o0
It was Katara's voice that brought me out the harsh memory.
"That's awful Aang," she reached out for my little brother before Aang jerked away "I don't know what to say."
Aang was on his feet now, angry, upset.
"How could they do that to me? They wanted to take away everything I knew and everyone I loved!"
The fire blazed higher, as Aang lost control of his airbending and sent sparks flying into the air; his tattoos were glowing at the loss of composure and control.
Katara and I reeled back away out of range of the suddenly blazing fire "Whoa hot cinders!" Katara exclaimed as I bent them away with a swipe.
"I'm sorry I got so mad." He came back to sit by the fire again, now calmer.
I, on the other hand, started to feel angry myself. I knew Aang had felt betrayed and hurt by Monk Pasang's orders back then, but so did I, and so had our mentor. Both of us hadn't wanted to be separated, and both of us had felt angry about it, me more so than Gyasto.
I was upset too. It wasn't just Aang who had been hurt by what happened.
I forced myself to calm down, with slow steady breaths. Getting mad now wouldn't help anything. It wouldn't turn back time, and stop Aang from overhearing the meeting, or stop him from running away.
It wouldn't fix it, to be mad.
"You have a right to be angry after the monks sent you away like that." She crossed her arms, as put out and angry with the monks as I had been back then.
Aang hesitated for a moment, and I knew why.
"Well, that's not exactly what happened."
I sighed.
"I was afraid and confused. I didn't know what to do." Silence for a moment "I never saw Gyatso again." He shrugged "The next thing I knew, I was waking up in your arms after you found me in the iceberg."
Katara now understood what Aang had done "You ran away."
Aang nodded, face grim as he hugged his knees to his chest "And then the Fire Nation attacked our temple. My people needed me and I wasn't there to help."
I sighed again. I didn't want to think it, but in a way what Aang said had some truth to it. He wasn't there when he was needed when the Fire Nation attacked. It was a harsh horrible thing to think of Aang, but a small part of me, the young, hurt, the frightened grieving part couldn't help it.
Maybe if we both had been there, things would be different.
"You don't know what would've-"
Aang interrupted the Water Tribe girl "The world needed me and I wasn't there to help." Katara said his name in an attempt to comfort but he wasn't having it "The fisherman was right. I did turn my back on the world."
I got to my feet, and wrapped an arm around the young boy "No, you didn't. You were frightened and confused. I w-was too."
Katara nodded "You're being too hard on yourself. Even if you did run away, I think it was meant to be. If you had stayed you would've been killed with all the other Airbenders."
I drew back with a silent hiss, at those last few words.
"You don't know that," Aang uttered, despondent.
"I know it's meant to be this way." The younger girl stated, firm in her belief "The world needs you now. You give people hope."
Aang looked up, a small thankful smile on his lips.
I looked away.
0o0
"When Prince Zuko saw it was his father that had come to duel him, he begged for mercy."
Iroh sighed, the memory as fresh and alive as if it were happening again.
"Please father. I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn."
"You will fight for your honour."
Zuko dropped to his knees "I meant you no disrespect, I am your loyal son."
"Rise and fight Prince Zuko."
Zuko refused "I won't fight you."
"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher."
There were tears rolling down the young boy's face.
"I looked away."
There was a whoosh of thrown flames, and then… a loud drawn-out scream of agony.
There was a moment of silence as the echo of the memory faded away.
Lieutenant Jee wore a grimace, and there was a flash of guilt in his eyes as well as pity "I always thought Prince Zuko was in a training accident."
Iroh glared and spat out "It was no accident! After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As punishment, he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then, could he return with his honour."
"So that's why he's so obsessed," Jee said, finally able to understand "Capturing the Avatar is the only chance he has of things returning to normal."
Iroh shook his head, straightening from the slight slump his shoulders had gone into "Things will never return to normal. But the important thing is, the Avatar gives Zuko hope."
As General Iroh spoke, Prince Zuko was meditating in his quarters.
He was remembering a time when things were different when he wasn't scarred. The crack of lightning and the bang as it hit the ship jolted him out the trance.
Things just got worse.
0o0
I was on my feet now, hugging my arms close in an attempt to keep myself together.
"They didn't just attack," I uttered softly, almost without thought. What Katara had said, over the crack of lightning, had jolted something I had repressed from my memories.
I felt the two turn to me and stiffened.
"What do you mean?" Katara asked.
"Mina?" Aang spoke up, and it was that, his confused tone that broke my composure.
I spun around, the sting of tears in my eyes, fists clenched at my sides.
"The Fire Nation didn't just attack us, they slaughtered us! They destroyed everything and everyone!" the air swirled around my body as I lost control for a moment.
I was breathing heavily, panting as everything I had tried to forget came rushing back to the surface. I collapsed to my knees, shaking like a leaf.
"They slaughtered everyone."
"Mina, what do you mean?" Katara asked again.
The tears came free then. I looked up from the ground, guilt and grief and fright and anger warring in my heart for control.
"They came just after Aang ran away."
The memory took hold, and I was no longer there in that cave.
0o0
I followed after my mentor up to Aang's room.
Gyatso had spent a while calming me and wiping away my tears. It had taken some time for me to stop crying so badly, but my mentor had done so by telling me that there was no power on this earth that he would allow to separate us. He said he would follow us if he had to and leave the Southern Air Temple.
It was as the novices were coming inside for a light lunch that Sonam came up to us and told us Aang had gone looking for us during the meeting and had been pointed in the direction of the pavilion. Gyasto and I knew right away that Aang had heard everything.
We hastened to Aang's room.
Monk Gyatso knocked on the door "Aang." The door creaked open "I'm not going to let them take you away from me."
There was no answer.
"Aang?" I asked, confused as to why he hadn't answered.
The room was empty.
Empty of anything, except a rolled up scroll on Aang's deserted bed.
Monk Gyatso strode into the room, with me following on his heels. I read over my mentor's shoulder as he looked over the few words written there.
Gyasto gasped, then turned to the open window.
I stood frozen.
"No."
Aang was gone.
0o0
"When we learnt you were gone, we didn't know what to do." Silence from the other two.
But what could they say? There was nothing to say really. I sighed again.
"We didn't know what to do. And then the Fire Nation came."
0o0
We had looked everywhere for Aang. The meditating room, the eating hall, the towers where the novices had their lessons, the gardens, the secluded little pavilions that were hidden all over the temple for quiet meditation, the airball field, and the bison stable.
Aang was nowhere to be found. The only clue we had was that Appa was gone from his stall.
"What do we do Abba?" I asked, teary, and worried beyond belief.
Monk Gyatso gave a frown "I do not know young one."
I bit my bottom lip, thinking. It was a crazy idea that suddenly came to my mind. It was mad, absolutely mad, to even think of doing what I was thinking of…but I had to do it, I had to. I couldn't leave Aang alone out there.
I was his Protector. I was his older sister. My brother, my responsibility.
"I'm going after him." I didn't stutter.
Gyasto blinked, then frowned "I am not sure if that is a good idea young one. Aang will already be far from the temple by now."
I frowned and stared at my mentor with all the determination I could muster "I have to Abba. He's my brother. My brother, my responsibility. I made a promise, I have to go after him."
It was then the sky turned a dark red. We gazed at the sky, utterly confused as to what was happening.
BANG!
The sudden noise caused us to startle. What on earth was that? We raced outside the stables and what we saw, caused horror to fill our veins like ice.
"By Anil." Monk Gyatso gasped.
The temple was under attack.
Fire, flames, blazing everywhere. Everything was burning, going up in an inferno. Screams of the children echoed all around. Yelling and shouting of the monks. And the sound of rough voices ordering more destruction, more chaos, more of the devastation.
"I'm going to find the others," I uttered.
I had to muster the other children, find them all, and get them to safety. If I could collect the kids and get them here during all the chaos, then we could fly out on the bison and get away from…whoever was evil enough to attack a peaceful temple filled with monks and kids.
Monk Gyatso nodded, then pulled me close "Go, and be careful young one."
I nodded and hugged him back "You too abba. You too."
Then I raced off.
0o0
"It took some time but I managed to find the other children. Monk Tashi had sealed them in the sanctuary vault, he told me as he fought off some of the soldiers when I ran past him. I got them out and snuck them into the bison stable. They got away. I saw them get away."
The fire crackled, in response.
Katara looked sad, oh so sad. Somehow the younger girl could tell that this story wouldn't be a happy one. Aang looked surprised. I had never told him of this, I had never mentioned it all the time we had been awake after being frozen in the iceberg.
"They got away. I told them to make for the Western Air Temple. The Fire Nation would never think to look for airbenders in a place located in mountains just north of their home. They got away."
I sighed, then looked to the fire before me "But…the rest of the temple didn't."
0o0
The soldiers were merciless.
They attacked and shot fire at any monk or those that were seen airbending. I had to dodge and duck and weave around the flames every step I took in looking for my mentor. I had to find him, I couldn't leave without him.
Aang and I needed him.
"Abba?! Abba!"
I was by the back of the bison stable when hands grabbed me and pulled me into a hidden alcove. It was Monk Gyatso. He was covered in soot and ash, and a part of his robes was burned. He looked like he had been in the middle of all the fighting.
He took my face in his hands "You must get away from here, little one. You must go."
I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes "No. No not without you abba not without you!"
He shook his head, in return, before ducking to shield me as a blast of fire went past. We took a moment, just to catch our breath, then my mentor was dragging me into the stables, where there was more cover.
I was terrified, and so confused. How were the soldiers so powerful? I had seen firebending before, and it was never as fierce or as powerful as the soldiers were showing now.
"You must go, little one. It's not safe here." I tried to protest "No, you must go. Go and find Aang little one, find him."
I opened my mouth to protest some more when there was shouting from nearby. The soldiers had found us. Monk Gyatso turned and sent a blast of air at those that came around the corner, looking for us.
We fought together, dodging and ducking fire, and sending out air blasts and air swipes.
"Go little one, I'll hold them back!"
"No! Not without you!"
Another soldier was sent flying. Another shot of fire came our way. Monk Gyatso used the air to dissipate it.
"Go little one! Go!"
I shook my head, tears falling now "Abba no."
"GO!" He shouted.
I didn't get a chance to protest further. A stray fireball came hurtling in my direction. It was only then I realised Monk Gyatso and I had been backed onto the Prayer Fields, just some distance from the main Meditation Pavillion.
I jumped back, the fire missing me by inches.
"Abba!" I cried out, unable to help it.
Monk Gyatso turned, fending off another soldier, coming to my side.
We stood side by side, ready to fight the firebending soldiers as best we could.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The earth quaked under my feet, from the strength of the fire shots thrown from the level below us.
The ground beneath my feet crumbled away.
I was falling. Falling off the weakened, now broken edge.
Monk Gyatso reached out, lunging for my hand. I let out a frightened scream as my fingers slipped from my mentor's.
I fell backwards through the air, twisting to grab at my glider.
I snapped the wings out before I smacked into an outcropping, just in time.
I swept back up to the Prayer Fields. I spotted my mentor being herded into the Meditation Pavillion.
"Abba!" I called out, frightened as flames landed at his feet.
"Go! Go, Mina, go now!"
I tried to land but had to swerve as a stream of fire was shot my way. I tried again, and again, but there was no opening. I knew then, I knew there was no way for me to get to my mentor, without dying in the process.
I knew then, that I would have to leave Gyatso behind.
Gyatso looked back once, with a kind loving smile. He knew too.
I tried to smile back through my tears, though it was a poor effort. "I love you abba," I uttered.
He smiled again, before shouting "Go!"
I inhaled, exhaled, then I was flying away. The last I saw of my mentor, my father in all but blood, he was fighting off the soldiers and winning.
I flew over the temple, and I sobbed.
My childhood home, was ruined. Everything was being destroyed. The temple walls were cracked and splintered from the heat. The gardens were in flames, the plants and flowers dying. The bison-including my own Bison Anzen- were escaping as were the lemurs.
It was all gone.
The screams and cries of the monks were the last things I heard, and the sight of the temple under attack was the last I saw.
Then I turned and soared away from my home.
0o0
"I still don't know how I managed to find you Aang. Especially during the storm. I was so relieved to see you, I didn't have the time to tell you about abba or what had happened because we fell into the ocean and then once we woke…I didn't- couldn't, wouldn't- remember. Not until today, not until the storm, brought it all back."
I looked up at my little brother, and sobbed chokingly "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Aang."
Aang got to his feet, then he knelt beside me. Then he hugged me tightly, as I cried on his shoulder still uttering how sorry I was. Katara knelt on my other side and soothed a gentle hand over my hair.
"I'm sorry Aang, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"It's ok Mina, it's ok."
We sat like that for a while, me crying my heart out, and my brother and my new friend comforting me with tears of their own.
0o0
"Help! Oh please help!"
The voice jolted us out of our silent moment, sometime later. Katara got up and rushed to the entrance to the cave. Stood there was the old fisherman's wife. Katara brought her inside, reassuring her that she was safe.
"But my husband isn't."
"What do you mean? Where's Sokka?" Katara questioned her worriedly.
"They haven't returned, they should have been back by now, and this storm is becoming a typhoon. They're caught out at sea."
Both Aang and I stood to our feet. We were on the same page on this. We had both decided on a course of action. We knew what we needed to do, no matter how scared we were.
"I'm going to find them." Aang declared.
"As I am." I followed with, no stutter to be heard.
Katara stood to her feet, and with ocean blue eyes determined she exclaimed too "I'm going with you both."
The old women crossed her arms, and sat swiftly down by the fire "I'm staying here!" she said with a scowl.
We hopped up on Appa, and after Aang promised the fisherman's wife that we would return as soon as possible, we took off right into the storm.
I grasped at the saddle with white-knuckles. I was beyond terrified. But I knew we couldn't leave Sokka out in the storm, to quite possibly drown if the boat was tipped by the sea's turbulent waves.
I bit my lower lip. I just hoped we would find them in time.
0o0
Prince Zuko's ship was on fire.
The lightning had hit the upper deck and, more importantly, the bridge. The damage was severe, as Zuko noticed when he came tearing out onto the deck and took a look around.
"Where were we hit?" the prince questioned, not quite where the initial blow had struck.
"I don't know." Lieutenant Jee answered as they tried to find balance on the soaking wet deck.
As the ship rocked furiously with the raging waves, soldiers slid back and forth across the steel deck, trying to find purchase or something to hold onto to keep them from slipping or falling. It was General Iroh who then caught his nephew's attention by pointing at the bridge.
"The Helmsman!" Zuko exclaimed, upon seeing the said man, dangling with one hand onto the steel ladder that went up to the bridge from the outside.
Zuko began to climb the outer ladder, with Lieutenant Jee right behind him. It was difficult to climb up a cold steel ladder slicked wet with hard falling rain and the spray of vicious ocean waves. It was a hazard waiting to happen.
Lightning came down, heading straight towards the ship. General Iroh, in a motion reminiscent of waterbenders, sent the lightning strike in a different direction, to hit an incoming wave. It left him smoking and with his clothes a little burnt.
The sudden jolting over another tumorous wave made the helmsman lose his grip on the broken ladder step, and he fell.
Zuko managed to catch him just in time and was able to lower him gently down to Jee who was waiting. The lieutenant sent a grateful smile up at his Prince.
Prince Zuko smiled slightly back.
0o0
It was so much worse out in the storm than in the cave.
Katara, Aang and I were soaked through with the rain, drenched completely as we searched for any sign for the fisherman's ship and its two passengers. The waves crashed and rolled violently, making it hard to see through the spray and the rain that fell unrelenting.
"Where are they?"
We squinted through the falling water, and then horror struck. There was a giant crest heading straight for us, and it was huge.
"Aang!" I called.
"Come on Appa." The young boy ordered snapping the bison's reins.
I used my staff to create a gap in the top of the cresting wave, allowing us to get through without being pulled down into the ocean.
I let out a breath of relief.
"The boat! There!"
The boat was lit up into sight by the lightning that cracked across the dark smoky sky. We headed for it, as fast as possible. The quicker we got out of this, the quicker we'd be far from danger and dry.
I held on tight to the saddle, praying to Anil and every other spirit I knew, that we'd make it out of this.
0o0
"The Avatar!"
The flying bison was noticed by the prince of the Fire Nation, as more lightning lit up the sky, causing the world to be as bright as daylight for a moment.
"What do you want to do sir?" Jee asked.
There was a moment where Prince Zuko paused. What did he want to do?
"Let him go." Was the order given "We need to get this ship to safety."
General Iroh smiled grimly "Then we must head directly into the eye of the storm." He suggested.
The Prince nodded.
The entirety of the ship's crew looked out across the water, as the storm raged on.
0o0
"I'm too young to die!" that was Sokka's voice.
"I'm not but I still don't wanna!" and that voice belonged to the old man.
We were flying close enough now for me to hear them, even over the roar of thunder, the crack of lightning and the crashing of the wild ocean waves.
I took Appa's reins off of Aang and directed the bison to hover just over the ship. I kept Appa steady as Aang jumped down onto the ship's deck. I nearly had a heart attack as the mast came down after a stroke of lightning hit it, but Aang managed to use his bending to cut it up the middle, before it could hit either him, Sokka or the old man.
"Aang! Hurry!" I screamed over the thunder.
Sokka and the fisherman tied themselves securely with a length of rope, which Aang took hold of and jumped with it, high up onto Appa's saddle, as I signalled the bison to move in the air. The pull of the rope caused the two males to come flying upwards, to then land at the back of the saddle.
Sokka and the old fisherman grinned in relief at each other. I nearly did the same.
Until I saw the giant wave cresting right over us, taking the fisherman's boat with it.
"By Yangchen." I cursed "Aang!" I shouted at the younger Airbender.
Katara and Aang gasped at the size of it.
Aang then took the reins, in an effort to get us clear of it.
The wave caught up to us, and we all went under.
0o0
It was cold. It was dark. And I couldn't breathe.
We had gone under the water, taken by the cresting wave the height of a mountain. I clung to the saddle, with as tight a grip as possible. Sokka, Katara and the fisherman were holding on for dear life.
The further Appa sunk, the harder it was to hold on.
My grip suddenly slipped, and I panicked. I opened my eyes, not sure when I closed them and saw Aang starting to float away. I reached out for him, eyes wide. I mouthed his name, bubbles escaping my open mouth.
I screamed Aang's name, inhaling water. My vision started to grow dark.
A flash of light jolted me back to life. Aang's tattoos were glowing.
The young Avatar grabbed the reins and swung himself back into position on Appa's head. I knew what he was about to do for he had done it once before. Using the Avatar State, a sphere of air came up around us, pushing the four of us left floating, clinging to Appa, back into the saddle.
We were heading for the surface.
0o0
"Uncle. I'm sorry." Zuko apologized.
"Your apology is accepted." Iroh placed a gentle hand upon his nephew's right shoulder.
The storm had abated, now that the Fire Nation ship was sailing in the eye of the storm. All of the crew were thankful that it was over, and the Prince of the Fire Nation was among them.
A glowing white light appeared from the ocean and a mass of something large erupted up from the ocean's surface. It was a flying bison, and as it flew up and past the ship, the Prince locked eyes with its rider.
The grey eyes of a young Airbender boy with blue tattoos caught the gold eyes of a teenaged firebender.
The bison flew up into the clouds.
The last thing Prince Zuko saw was the wide surprised eyes of an air nomad girl.
0o0
"Oh, you're alive!" the fisherman's wife gasped, running into her husband's arms. She backed off with a scowl a moment later and scolded "You owe this boy, and the girl, an apology."
Aang shrugged "He doesn't have to apologize."
I wanted to agree with my brother, and a large part of me did. We didn't fly out into the storm for reward or thanks, we did it because it was the right thing to do. We couldn't leave Sokka or an innocent man- no matter how awful- to a horrible storm like the one just past.
I shared a shaky but warm smile with Aang, as the fisherman hummed in thought at his wife's stern words.
"How about instead of an apology I gave em' a free fish and we call it even."
"Actually we don't eat meat." Aang supplied kindly and honestly.
The fisherman frowned, confused "Fish ain't meat."
I snorted, and then covered it with a hand and backed up a step or two. It wasn't as funny as it seemed, but I figured the shock and stress that the storm inflicted had caused me to lose my normal maturity level for a moment.
Sokka stepped forward, right hand held out "Seriously you're, still gonna pay me right?"
A fish was slapped into his hand. I spent a second wondering where in Kyoshi's name the fisherman had gotten and kept that. Sokka looked disappointed, and I almost laughed again at his expression.
Katara smiled, proud and glad before us. As Aang drew closer to her, I stayed back a little. The following conversation seemed like it should be between them only.
"Katara I think you were right before, I'm done dwelling on the past."
"Really?" the Water Tribe girl questioned, relief clear in her tone.
Aang nodded, as he looked down in thought as he admitted softly "I can't make guesses on how things would've turned out if I hadn't run away. I'm here now and I'm going to make the most of it."
Katara beamed at him "I don't think you're gonna have those nightmares anymore."
I smiled at the sight of the pair, and feeling as light and comforted at the shared words as my little brother looked.
The fisherman came forward, to place a hand upon the younger airbender's left shoulder.
"Eh, if you weren't here now, then I guess I wouldn't be either. Thank you for saving my life Avatar." Then the old man turned to me "And thank you, young lady, for helping to save my life. You're no coward, but a brave young girl."
Aang looked shyly pleased with the thanks, and I felt the same way. Despite not needing or wanting to be thanked for just doing the right thing and saving an innocent life, it felt nice to be thanked anyway.
Sokka jogged forward outside of the little cave we had found sheltered in, smile bright "Do you hear that? It's stopped raining."
And so it had.
We all went outside to admire the rain-free world, there were even some rays of clear sun shining through the grey clouds. The world felt so peaceful, so still, so calm. Birds chirped nearby, and the shushing sound the now tranquil ocean made was soothing.
A sudden groan and a shock of cold water sprayed at us, as Appa shook out his wet fur.
We all backed away out of range, with groans and moans of disgust and shuddering exhausted exasperation.
"Appa." Aang tiredly scolded.
I whipped my hands down towards the ground trying to shake the water and small tufts of bison air on my clothes and skin off of me, "You k-know that doesn't wash…wash out well."
Despite the smell of wet bison fur, and the drenched state of my clothes I was glad.
I felt lighter and freer than I had in a long time; 100 years if we were being exact. I told Aang my side of the story, the truth of it, all of it. Unburdening myself of the heavy secret, of being there when the temple was attacked, took off so much stress and guilt and regret, and even a lot of grief, I didn't realize I was still carrying.
I would always mourn my people's loss, and the burning and attack on my home would haunt me for, well, all my life I was sure. But I felt better about it slightly, about the horrible event for having shared it.
Katara hadn't judged me, she hadn't scorned me, for essentially running away in a sense as Aang had done. She had comforted me, had smiled at me, and reassured me that I did what I had to do and that it was ok.
Aang hadn't been angry or furious with me, he hadn't declared sudden hatred for me either. No, he hugged me close and held the broken pieces of me together as I fell apart, taking comfort in me as I took more than enough comfort from him.
I may be older than Katara and Aang, but it was nice to be comforted and looked after, just a little.
Monk Gyatso was gone, as were my friends, and age mates, and teachers, and all of my people.
But my family? My family wasn't gone, not really. I had a new family now, and while they could never take my old family's place, they had forged a new place all their own in my heart and I cherished and cared for them just as much.
I smiled.
A new family wouldn't be the same as the old one. But that was ok. I had a feeling, that my new family would be just right. After all, my family may be little, and broken, but it was still good.
And that…well, that was a wonderfully hopeful thing.
I smiled as the sun shone on me, and on my family.
0o0
Name meanings
Mina (Aged 15) - Faithful Sky
Aang (Aged 12) - Peaceful Soaring
Katara (Aged 14) - To pull and push
Sokka (Aged 15) - Inquire and block
Momo- Peach
Appa- the Last character of the written name means cypress.
Zuko (Aged 16)- Awaken rank/ vertical high
Iroh- A type of Chinese flower
Anzen- Safety
Raiu- Thunder
Choden- Devout
Sonam- Fortunate
Kunga- Achieving grace
Gyasto- Ocean of wisdom
Pasang- Born on Friday
Tashi- Prosperity
Yangchen- Melodious
Kuruk- Bear
Kyoshi- Empty child
Roku- Six
Anil- God of wind. (Another name for Vayu, Hindu God of wind/air.)
Agni- Sacred Fire
Ilesh- Lord of Earth
Tui- Push
La- Pull