Avatar: Legend of Kai

by HerondaleSalvatoreGirl22

We all know Aang as the last airbender and being the Avatar. But what if it wasn't like this? What if he wasn't the last airbender, let alone the Avatar? Kai used to be one of Aang's best friends, an airbender from the Eastern Air Temple. Having a brother named Kyo in the Southern Air Temple, Kai visited almost every week being allowed to visit. This is where our story begins

4. 3 - The Southern Air Temple

A/N:

Somehow I feel like this note is needed. In this episode, while it was Aang centered about his past with Gyatso (which it will appear), it will also show Kyo (Kai's brother) for the first time. At first, I know he will act bad and some may think Kai shouldn't care that much about him after all (you'd understand when reading the chapter) But, there's a reason why Kai cares and loves him too much.

This chapter could be slightly annoying for people as I'm technically changing everything with Kai being the Avatar but I needed a way for her to enter the Avatar State. While it may have no sense. I have a reason to do it as well by having Aang there and not being the Avatar.

Hope you like it.

~8~

We had stopped to camp. And now we were getting ready to leave. We were closer to the Southern Air Temple than the Eastern Temple; my home. But I wasn't discouraged, the Southern Temple was were my brother lived and it became my home a long time ago as well.

I had found a place near the others to mediate while they got ready to leave. I was excited that I had trouble in clearing my mind to mediate. I breathed in and out, my eyes closed as I began to disconect from the earth, relaxing my muscles, becoming light as air as I focused on the gently breeze, how the sound was carried through the wind, the leaves gently moving and each breathing the earth and sky gave along my own.

However, Aang disrupted the peace, excitedly telling Katara about the Southern Temple. I could hear them from where I was since I had been mediating and concentrating in the sound waves the air carried.

I opened my eyes when I briefly heard Katara tell Aang that much could change in one hundred years. I looked down sadly, my concentration completely breaking and reconnecting with the earth as I sighed. She was right in that. But I needed to see it for myself too. Maybe it changed, yes. But, our friends, my brother even if being older, they could be there!

Even if he was one hundred and fourteen, I still wanted to see my brother.

~8~

We were flying atop Appa above the clouds near the Patola Mountain range.

I was sitting in Appa's head holding the reins. Aang and Katara sitting close to the rim of the saddle at the front and Sokka back in the saddle.

I could hear Sokka from the back complaining in hunger making me giggle.

"Hey!" Sokka yelled accusingly. Without moving from the front, I turned my body to face him as well as Aang and Katara. "Who ate all of my blubbered seal jerky?!"

"Oh. That was food?" Aang asked surprised before smiling. "I used it to start the campfire last night" I let out a small giggle, looking back to the front "Sorry"

"You what?!" Sokka exclaimed in shock, groaning "No wonder the flames smelled so good"

Appa raced pass and ascended up to some mountains.

Aang jumped to my side, pointing in excitement. "The Patola Mountain range! We're almost there!"

I clapped excitedly

"Aang. Kai" I looked at Katara who looked uneasy "Before we get to the temple, I want to talk to you about the airbenders"

I blinked at her, "What about 'em?"

Katara paused, "Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless" She looked down sadly. "They killed my mother, and they could have done the same to your people"

I pondered over her words, worry settling in my stomach as I looked at Aang. He had a hopeful glint in his eyes.

The same hope that I did.

"Just because no one has seen an airbender, doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all" Aang told her

I nodded in agreement "They probably escaped!"

Katara sighed softly, "I know it's hard to accept"

"You don't understand Katara" I told her, trying to remain cheerful. "The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison"

"And I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison!" Aang pointed out, caressing Appa's body. "Right, Appa?" Appa grunted. We exchanged a hopeful smile as Appa began a last ascent up the side of a mountain "Yip yip!"

We flew up the mountain and through the clouds, flying through and up the mountains until we reached the Temple.

"There it is" Aang told us "The Southern Air Temple"

"It's amazing!" Katara told us.

I smiled at the view.

Aang looked visibly excited, "We're home, buddy! We're home"

~8~

Appa landed at the base of snow covered stairs at the Temple.

Aang and I were happy to return home, running up the mountain trail to the familiar grounds. Aang looked toward the siblings excitedly. "Come on!"

"They'll catch up!" I told him, using airbending speed toward a rock. "Come on! A little chase and when we return they probably haven't arrived"

Aang accepted my challenge, grinning mischievously as we began running down the temple, not actually looking the place. We returned back to the starting point at the same time, landing with soft thuds. I brushed my bangs away from my forehead as we breathed heavily, smiling

"Good run" Aang told me smiling

Katara and Sokka walked closer.

"Told you so" I grinned at Aang.

Aang chuckled, waiting for them before pointing at the stadium consisting of many tall poles "So that's where my friends and I would play airball" He told them excitedly. I was looking at the deserted place, dropping my shoulders in sadness. Aang pointed somewhere else, "And over there is where the bison would sleep, and ..." Aang sighed sadly

"What's wrong?" Katara asked

"This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison" Aamg answered sadly. "Now there's just a bunch of weeds. I can't believe how much things have changed"

I looked at Aang sadly "The Eastern Temple wasn't so different from here. But there were only girls in there. The reason why I could be here was because my brother Kyo was here. Even if he was two years older than me, he was my first best friend before Aang. That's why I was allowed to visit"

Aang smiled sadly

Katara and Sokka pulled us closer in sympathy

"So uh" Sokka began cheerfully "This airball game. How do you play?"

I gave him a mischievous smile. Oh he did not ask that.

~8~

I cheered as Sokka landed painfully on the ground after Aang soared his airball straight at him from an air swipe that rapidly shot across the poles, changing direction as it crashed into several poles, but still moved steadily toward Sokka. It had crashed against his stomach sending him and the ball flying backward, right through the rotating door of the goal behind him.

"You still have it!" I cheered, high fiving Aang as Sokka stayed in the dirt "Aang, Seven! Sokka, zero!"

Aang cheered, making a victory dance "Yes!"

We heard Katara calling for us "Aang, Kai! There's something you need to see"

We turned to where she was near Sokka. Aang airbended a hollow ball flying toward them. I bended an air scooter. We flew toward them, smiling cheerfully as we landed in front of them

Sokka looked around as if searching for something

"What is it?" I asked, still smiling

Katara held her hands behind her back, nodding to a small patch of snow. "Uh ... Just a new waterbending move I learned"

I blinked in boredom, "Oh. Nice! But enough practice" I turned around, starting to walk away "Aang and I have a whole Temple to show you!"

Aang nodded in agreement, falling in pace with me.

We entered to one of the temple's towers, the one where I actually met Aang. It had a courtyard with a fountain in the middle. The water was frozen.

Aang and I ran ahead, looking around in melancholy, stopping in front of a statue of Monk Gyatso.

"Wow" I murmured, bowing in respect at it

"Hey guys!" Aang called out happily, pointing at the statue "I want you to meet somebody!"

"Who's that?" Sokka asked

"Monk Gyatso!" Aang answered "The greatest airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know"

I smiled "And whenever I came here, he treated me as one of his own students. He was my brother's favorite Monk. When I was told I was the Avatar... He helped me cope through the process"

I closed my eyes remembering the kind elderly Monk with a mustache and a distinct round necklace.

~8~

It was another day I was allowed to visit the Southern Temple. It had been almost three weeks since I last saw my brother.

Sister Ina was the nun from the Eastern Temple who always accompanied me. As soon as we landed, I jumped down from Bea, my Flying Bison, running with enhanced airbending speed toward where I knew my brother would be

"Pupil Kai! Do not run!" I laughed at Sister Ina's shouting as I reached the courtyard, spotting several bald heads. I quickly looked around, not letting anyone see me, being good at playing hide and seek. I hid behind the pillars, jumping around the courtyard until a small current of air swept me off my feet, throwing me to one hallway down. I bended the air under my feet to land in a soft crouch.

I slowly looked up, a busted smile playing on my lips as I saw a Monk was the one who caught me. However, my smile grew when I realized which Monk this was

"Monk Gyatso!" I beamed, respectfully bowing.

Monk Gyatso let out a small laugh, "Young Kai. What a delightful surprise"

"Ki?" A bald head peeked from behind Gyatso and I beamed, meting those familiar grey eyes

"Ko!" I exclaimed, running to hug my brother. Kyo, as a fourteen year old, he was taller than my twelve year old short size.

Even if Kyo and I lived in different temples, we still loved each other.

Kyo laughed "You grew up since the last time I saw you"

It was then when I realized Monk Gyatso left, giving us privacy. Every time I visited my brother, my happiness grew, I even befriended another kid, who was most advanced than everyone like I was at the Eastern Temple. We both, at the age of twelve already had our master marks. I easily befriended Aang. The three of us became inseparable.

I smiled at the memory, however not everything with my brother was just as sweet. Or that I thought until I was told I was the Avatar.

I was sitting in a window, looking down at the courtyard blankly. For the first time in years, this visit to the Southern Temple wasn't one I enjoyed. Even if Monk Gyatso and Sister Ina weren't bad company.

Monk Gyatso sat next to me, letting his legs dangle from the window like I was "A few weeks ago you wouldn't be closed up in this room" his voice was soft, calm and understanding. I could tell why Aang loved this man as a father figure "Your brother's avoidance to you isn't the only thing in your mind, is it, Kai?"

I didn't answer for a few seconds. My eyes locking on my brother playing with his air scooter among the others young monks. "This whole Avatar thing, m-maybe the sisters made a mistake. It can't be me. I'm not-not... Aang or even my brother could do better than me"

Monk Gyatso sighed softly "The only mistake the sisters made was telling you before you turned sixteen" he placed an arm in my shoulder. "But we can't concern ourselves with what was. We must act on what is"

"I won't be a good Avatar" I mumbled staring at my hands

"You say so because you're thinking with your head" Monk Gyatso told me patiently "As soon as you start thinking with your heart and with your entire being, you'll realize why it is you who is destined to be the Avatar"

Monk Gyatso, Aang and I were sitting on a courtyard. Since being told I was the Avatar, my brother had started avoiding me and I didnt know why. The only ones who didn't were Aang and Monk Gyatso. This was the third time visiting the temple since I became the Avatar a month ago.

"I'm not ready for this" I told them, placing my cheeks in my hands. "How do I know I'm ready? Or that the spirits made the right choice?"

Aang looked at me sympathetically

"Your questions will be answered when you're old enough to enter the air temple sanctuary" Monk Gyatso told me patiently "Inside, you will meet someone who will guide you on your journey"

My face lit up. "Really?" I used airbending to propel myself from the ground, jumping in excitement. Aang laughed happily seeing me in a good mood. "Who is it?"

Monk Gyatso smiled slightly "When you are ready, he will reveal himself to you"

I groaned annoyed, looking up to the sky, cupping my face and hiding it under my hands

Aang chuckled, "That's not vague at all, isn't it Kai?" he patted my shoulder

Monk Gyatso continued on a bright, happy tone. "Now. Why don't you help me and Aang with these cakes?" I peered up at them through my fingers, seeing Aang smiling lovingly at his father figure. I sighed, dropping my hands "All help is welcome"

"Including mine?" A shy voice cut our peace. I looked up to see my brother, slightly looking at the ground. I looked at Aang and Monk Gyatso. They shrugged, smiling reassuringly. I nodded at Kyo. "Thank you, sister"

8~

I was practicing my airbending. Aang was standing close by as his teacher taught me new techniques I haven't yet learned from the sisters. The reason why. Because they weren't as fun as Monk Gyatso.

The three of us took upon an airbending stance, bringing our hands back. Monk Gyatso began to count, "One" We conjured each a small air ball. "Two. Three!"

We shifted our weight to the front, launching our air balls. The balls sent six fruit pies flying high in the air, disappearing in the clouds. Suddenly we heard someone crying out. We ran to the nearest balcony, looking down to see the cakes had fallen in top of some Monks. There were lemurs flying around them, jumping to their bodies and trying to eat the cakes. The three of us bursted out laughing at the scene. Aang was clutching his stomach, I was wiping my laughter tears while Monk Gyatso leaned on the railing of the balcony. The three of us moved back from the railing when we were done laughing. We bowed at each other.

Gyatso looked at Aang with full admiration and love. "Your aim has improved greatly" He caressed Aang's head. "My young pupil"

I smiled at them softly

Gyatso looked at me, proudly "You have as well, young Avatar. You've come from a great path since this destiny was put on your shoulders" I looked down. Gyatso placed a finger in my chin, slowly lifting my head so I could see him "You're not only the Avatar but a child as well. One who sees the world with innocent and fresh eyes. You'd learn soon why it is meant to br you. But in the meantime, you have found a way to balance your duties and your free time. Serious work is never only what should be in our heads. You have done it. I couldn't be more proud to be one of your masters, young Kai"

My eyes filled with tears, looking at the only person besides Aang who ever believed in me. Not only as the Avatar, but me. Kai.

I shared a sad smile with Aang. We both missed dearly our friend. But I'm sure Aang missed even more his father figure.

We bowed to Monk Gyatso respectfully like we always used to do.

Katara placed an a hand in each of our shoulders understandly "You must miss him"

Aang nodded slowly, downcast. "Yeah"

Aang walked away

"I do too" I said softly "But the one I miss the most is my brother"

I followed behind Aang, slowly and more reluctant than ever as we walked up some stairs that lead to the air Temple sanctuary.

"Where are you going?" Katara asked curiously

I gulped nervously, turning to face her "The air temple sanctuary. There's someone I-I'm ready to meet"

Aang looked at me proudly "I know you are"

Aang squeezed my hand comfortingly as we walked down the corridor that was behind Monk Gyatso's statue. In the floor of the corridor was embedded the round symbol of intertwined air currents and the national symbol of the Air Nomads surrounded by two square shapes that formed some sort of sun together.

We reached the entrance of the air temple sanctuary. The door supported a combination of metal colored pipes and three, blue, rolled up, pipes that were similar looking and arranged like the symbol for airbending. The large wooden door was framed by the branches of an old tree standing on the left of it and the hallway was illuminated by sunlight that fell through little, round windows.

"But guys, no one could have survived in there for a hundred years" Katara told us

I looked up at the door, hopefully. For some reason I was told one day I'll come here to meet someone to explain me the Avatar thing. Back in the day when I was told that I didn't believe it. I didn't feel it. Maybe because it wasn't my time yet. It wasn't meant to be, but since we woke up from the iceberg, I've been having those sensations, those feelings. As if something or someone wanted to talk to me. When I was told I was the Avatar I never experienced that. Which is why I doubted I could be the Avatar. I still did. But, this time I was willing to hear with my heart and my entire being than just my head.

"It's not impossible" I replied, spreading my arms, "Aang and I survived in the iceberg for that long"

Katara touched her chin with a finger. "Good point"

I jumped excitedly, looking at the door before at them hopefully "Guys. Whoever's in there might help figure out this Avatar thing!" Aang smiled proudly "Or at least tell me why am I even the Avatar in the first place when there could be other better options for the job"

I could see by the corner of my eyes that Aang's smile faltered a bit at my own lack of belief in myself. He and Katara exchanged a concerned look.

Sokka leaned over my shoulder, peering up at the door eagerly "And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious cured meats!" He exclaimed in determined anticipation, running his hands together.

"We dont eat meat" I told him, laughing slightly stepping aside as Sokka charged at the door with full anticipation and longing for it to be opened that he smacked into the door, head first. The door didn't even bulge a bit. I stared at my nails in boredom as he tried again, trying to push the door as it didn't move. He slid down on the floor, sighing in disappointment, resting his head against the door. I looked up from my hands, smiling in amusement "Are you done?"

Sokka frowned "I don't suppose you have a key?"

Aang beamed from where was examining the door "The key, Sokka, is airbending"

I grinned at Aang as he took a deep breath, spreading his arms, thrusting them forward, sending an air current into both of the tubes on the door. We watched one of the blue pipes turn around. He repeated the process until all the tubes were turned, the wind sounded like a horn as every pipe turned and the door became unlocked.

"Excellent demonstration of airbending, Aang" I grinned at him, helping him push the door open, walking inside. As we opened the door, the light penetrated the dark room.

Aang brought his hand beside his mouth as we entered the sanctuary "Hello?"

"Anyone home?" I called out looking around at the sanctuary that seemed very dark, the only light coming from the door behind us. Sokka and Katara were behind us as we ventured further down into the sanctuary.

I stopped as Sokka groaned disappointed, "Statues? That's it? Where's the meat?"

I looked at where he was pointing finally noticing the large amount of statues of people, lined up in a circular pattern. We walked through them, curiously looking around. Sokka stopped before one of them.

Aang, Katara and I stopped in front of a statue, looking up at it.

The more I looked at each one, the more I felt familiar with their faces

"Who are all these people?" Katara asked

"I'm not sure" I answered pensively, looking up at the statues "But it feels like I know them somehow"

Aang stared at a statute, "Look!" He called to us, pointing at it. Katara and I walked closer seeing it was a man with airbending mastery tattoos in front of him. "That one's an airbender"

Katara looked to the statute near the airbender, pointing at it. It was of a male dressed in Water Tribe clothes "And this one's a waterbender" She looked to the right and back to the left. "They're lined up in a pattern" She pointed at the respective statues. "Air, water, earth and fire"

The words triggered something. I gasped in realization, staring at the statues in a new light "That's the Avatar Cycle"

Aang smiled in understanding "They're all Avatars. All these people are your past lives, Kai"

We looked around in awe.

"Wow" I whispered nervously, "There are so many"

Aang nodded reassuringly "The Avatars behind you can help you understand this, don't you think?" Aang and I began to walk down the circular pattern curiously

"You seem more wise than me Aang" I told him softly, anxious "Why aren't you the Avatar?"

Aang blinked in surprise, "You think I should be the Avatar?" I nodded. Aang placed his hands on my shoulders. "Well, you are, Ki. And you're gonna be a great Avatar. I believe in you, even if you don't believe in yourself"

Aang smiled reassuringly one more time as we stopped in front of a statue of a Firebender Avatar, an elderly man with a beard. I looked up at him, starting to wonder myself. The longer I stared at the statue the more relaxed I felt, getting into a familiarity I hadn't felt before. I could have sworn the statue's eyes gleamed for a second. I couldn't help but continue staring at the statue, mesmerized.

Suddenly someone shook my shoulders, "Kai! Snap out of it!"

I blinked in a daze, smiling at the statue. I looked back at Katara and Aang who stared at me in concern, "Huh?"

Katara followed my gaze up to the statue, curiously "Who is that?"

"That's Avatar Roku" I answered immediately "The Avatar before me"

Aang looked at Avatar Roku's statur as if in recogntion. It seemed like he knew the Avatar as well

Sokka walked closer, "You were a firebender? No wonder I didn't trust you when we first met"

I smiled sheepishly

While Katara looked concerned that I knew that, Aang seemed happy.

Katara looked at the base of the statue, "There's no writing. How do you know his name?"

"I'm not sure" I answered absentmindedly "I just know it somehow"

Sokka growled irritably, crossing his arms. "You just couldn't get any weirder"

I gave him an apologetic look.

Suddenly we heard a noise, getting startled as we looked at the door in front of us wide eyed. We hide behind the statues.

I hid behind an Earthbender Avatar, while Aang and Katara hid behind Roku and Sokka behind a waterbender Avatar statue. We peeked our heads slightly to see who came. Everyone seemed tense as we waited in the silence

"Firebender" Sokka whispered at us. My heart pounded loudly in my chest but I tried to remain calm, breathing in and out silently, starting to count to one hundred. "Nobody make a sound"

Katara snapped irritably, whispering back "You're making a sound!"

Aang and Sokka put their fingers before their mouths, "Shhhh!"

I watched as Sokka raised his club, slowly stalking forward from around the statue, whispering "That firebender won't know what hit him"

When Sokka breathed in relief, Aang, Katara and I looked from behind our statues at the sound of chittering.

I squinted my eyes, realizing it was no Fire Nation but..."Lemur!" Aang and I screeched in happiness, startling the poor creature.

Sokka drooled "Dinner!"

The lemur looked up, pricked his ears, slowly tilting its head.

Aang and I slowly walked closer, looking at the lemur friendly and reassuring

"Don't listen to him" I cooed reassuringly

"You're going to be my new pet" Aang cooed friendly

We glared at Sokka as he neared the lemur, "Not if I get him first!" He stretched his hand while he excitedly lunged himself at the animal from behind the statue. Aang and I ran up at the lemur as well.

The poor lemur arched his back in fright, his ears, hair and tail standing upright as we got closer to grabbing him. The lemur startled, quickly turned around, making a break for it. Sokka barely missed the animal, falling down. Aang nimbly avoided tripping as well by using Sokka's head as a stepping stone.

I stopped, whining and stomping my feet creating a low current of air that made Sokka fall backwards before he could stand up, "Not fair, Aang!"

I ran after Aang, grinning as I got an idea, bending the air in my feet as I jumped up to a wall out of the sanctuary, starting running on the side of the wall and the rock ceiling, easily finding the shortcuts me and Kyo found once and used almost all the time.

I ran all the way of the temple, stopping just outside the courtyard, looking around for any signs of either Aang or the lemur. I beamed once I saw the two entering the temple from another balcony. I ran along the ledge, using my bending to balance myself and not fall as I reached the balcony they entered.

I jumped behind Aang before he could enter some kind of ripped and old tent, touching his shoulder with a finger. "Stop right there"

Aang stopped, shoulders dropping in defeat "You caught me" he turned around pouting. I grinned. "Shall we then?"

The two of us slowly entered the tent, Aang pushing the decaying curtain of drapes out of the way. We looked around "Come on out little lemur! That hungry guy won't bother you anymore"

I giggled as Aang parted another curtains of drapes in the hope to finally put an end to our lemur chase.

However before we could take another step, an awful, terrible sight appeared in front of us behind those curtais making us take a sharp breath in shock. There were several skeletons dressed in Fire Nation uniforms lying scattered over the floor. There were two another skeletons lying in the snow, surrounded by many more skeletons of Fire Nation soldiers.

"Firebenders?" Aang whispered in shock "They were here?"

"But..." I trailed off in shock. "How d-did they get up here?"

Neither of us had an answer as we ventured further, looking around sadly. We walked closer to the both skeletons in the snow, the only ones who didn't look Fire Nation. In fact they had yellow monk robes. One of the skeletons had a round necklace that supported the symbol of airbending. I gasped in recognition, my eyes filling with tears

"Gyatso" Aang murmured devastated.

I covered my mouth with my hand, my hand shaking as I looked at the other skeleton. It was a much smaller one. I leaned forward, pushing Aang's hand away as he tried to stop me, as his own hands and lips shook with sadness. I looked at the second skeleton to with a pang of pain in my chest, recognizing a wooden flowered necklace.

"Kyo..." My voice broke in despair, recognizing the one necklace Sister Ina helped me carve (well, more like she actually carved it completely) for my brother in his fourteen birthday. Months before I was told I was the Avatar.

Aang and I fell in our knees, clutching each other in sadness, mourning for our loved ones.

I started to cry, clutching Aang's robes as tears fell down my cheeks. His father figure. My brother. They were gone... A deep anger started to swell inside of me. The Fire Nation did this. They took them away from us!

I briefly heard Sokka entering the tent and talking to us but his voice felt far, far away. As if I was under water, the only thing I could think about was how the Fire Nation took my family away. Took my best friend's family. They took away our happiness...

They had to pay.

~8~

Aang's POV

This... It was something painful. My heart felt like it broke in thousand of pieces. My mentor, my guide. My father. He was gone. Fire Nation took him away from me. They took one of my best friends, my best friend's brother.

If this felt painful for me. I could imagine how Kai felt. My chin trembled as tears fell down my cheeks, my hands clutching Kai's robes and it took me a second to realize I could no longer feel the tight grip she had on my robes as well. I peered down at her, her eyes were tightly closed and her cheeks wet from her tears and her head slightly bent but she was no longer crying. I wasn't crying anymore.

We were strong.

But looking back at Gyatso and Kyo's remains made a new set of tear fill my eyes. I heard Sokka entering the tent, "Hey! Aang! You find my dinner yet? Oh, Kai? How did she got here that fast?" Neither Kai and I answered. Sokka walked further into the room, reassuringly "Guys, I wasn't really going to eat the lemur, okay?" He approached the two of us with a smile and that's when I looked up, my eyes red probably from crying. Sokka's smile faded as he looked around "Oh, man" Sokka stood in front of us, hiding us from the view of the skeletons. He placed a hand in my and Kai's shoulders. "Come on, guys. Everything will be all right. Let's get out of here"

I nodded slowly, standing up but a sudden light made me wince and a slight pound in my head made me hiss in pain and I looked down at Kai. Her arrow tattoos had began to glow a bluish white.

Kai lifted her head, her eyes glowing in the same color.

Sokka retracted his hand, gasping in fear. We backed away from Kai. She seemed angry, sad and downright furious as she glared at a Fire Nation skeleton as she slowly began to bend the air around her, a whirlwind beginning to form under her feet. The wind around Kai formed a sphere around her; her eyes and tattoos still glowing brightly. Her clothes fluttered heavily in the wind.

"Kai!" Sokka shouted alarmed, holding his arms up to protect himself against the raging wind "Kai! Come on! Snap out of it!"

Suddenly, the air sphere around Kai expanded, sending Sokka flying backward. I bended the air around me, clenching my teeth together, straining myself from not being send flying backwards like Sokka. My feet were slowly starting to get dragged backwards, my hands firmly crossed over in front of my head as Kai the Avatar made her sphere of air expand to a tornado with her in the middle. With each passing second, Avatar Kai made the sphere raise even higher on the air.

"Kai!" I shouted, hoping she could hear me as my arms were getting tired quickly, besides that the pouding in my head was growing with each passing second. "Please! Wake up! Stop!"

I heard Katara and Sokka talking from behind me and Katara walking closer, trying to reach Kai from inside the Avatar's state. "Kai!" Katara shouted through the raging winds. My feet were still getting dragged backwards every few seconds. I was worried for my best friend "I know you're upset and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my mom" Kai bended a storm that made even stronger winds "Your Brother Kyo, Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone, but you still have a family. Aang! He's your family. He hasn't left your side in one hundred years. And there's Sokka and I! We're your family now! Yours and Aang's!" I looked at Kai who looked over her shoulder at Katara. The wind slowly lowered its intensity but it was still raging "Aang. Talk to her! Kai reacted when I said your name"

I looked at my best friend, at my sister, who briefly moved her head toward my direction "I know that pain you're feeling, Ki" I began softly, tears in my eyes, gulping "And I don't think it'll never go away. But I'm not leaving your side at all. I didn't when they told you who you were and I won't now even after witnessing what you can do. I'm not afraid of you, you hear me? You're my sister. We're family and we don't abandon each other. Whenever you need me. I'll be here for you. You're not alone, okay?"

Kai slowly began to descend, her face still emotionless but a flash of sadness and grief passed through her face as the wind started to die slowly.

I dropped my hands, no longer needing to bend the air to stop it from flying me backwards. The sphere of air that surrounded her disappeared. I sighed in relief once she touched the ground.

Katara, Sokka and I walked closer to her, seeing her eyes and tattoos were glowing. I knelt in front of her, grabbing her hands not caring if the tattoos in there were glowing. "I'll be with you always, Kai"

Katara knelt next to me and Sokka at the other side of Kai.

"Katara, Aang and I aren't going to let anything happen to you" Sokka told her gently "Promise"

I wrapped my arms around Kai. Slowly her eyes and tattoos stopped glowing making me hug her tightly in relief as she hid her face in the crock of my neck, starting to sob, collapsing in my arms from exhaustion. Oddly, the pouding in my head faded as well. Katara and Sokka joined our embrace.

"I'm sorry" I heard Kai mumble. I shook my head. It wasn't her fault. She had all right to react that way. I hid my face in her hair, letting a few tears slip as well, crying for our lost.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault" Katara and I told her as we pulled away.

Kai looked at us sadly, "But you were right. And if the firebenders found this temple, that means they found the other ones, too" She looked at me, her grey eyes bright with sad tears, "We really are the last airbenders"

I closed my eyes tightly, pursing my trembling lips as to not cry

We were the only ones out of an entire Nation. How cruel was the Fire Nation to wipe an entire population?

Katara pulled us close, hugging us tightly. Sokka placed a hand in my shoulder.

I closed my eyes. At least we now had a new family

~8~

Kai's POV

Entering the Avatar state (as Katara explained to me) was tiring. I was still sad for losing my brother and Monk Gyatso but I wasn't entering the Avatar state again which was a good signal.

I briefly remember Aang telling me that that pain will never go away and I believed him. I just hoped one day it became bearable.

I was standing in front of Avatar Roku's statue as we got ready to leave. Somehow I felt connected more to him than the others. Could it because he was the last Avatar? Either way, I knew somehow he was who I was supposed to talk about the Avatar thing. How? I didn't know.

But I was going to find out.

"Everything's packed" Aang told me, standing next to me. "You ready to go?"

I nodded slowly, looking up at Avatar Roku's statute "How is Roku supposed to help me if I can't talk to him?"

"I'm sure you'll find a way" Aang smiled reassuringly "And we're gonna help you do that"

We heard something, turning to see the lemur standing on its back legs in the middle of the doorway. He jumped away. Aang and I exchanged a look, following after the lemur closing the sanctuary again. We saw the lemur jump toward Sokka. The animal reached his feet, droppimg the load he was carrying: a variety of fruits.

The lemur quickly dashed away as Sokka sat down, starting to stuff his face with the fruit, taking large bites of two different pieces of fruit.

"Looks like you made a new friend Sokka!" Aang chirped happily

Sokka looked up, pushing the food in his mouth with his two hands, an expression of utterly content, talking with a full mouth "Can't talk! Must eat!"

The flying lemur climbed onto Aang and hid behind his head, his tail curled around Aang's neck.

I cooed

Aang looked at the lemur from the corners of his eye. "Hey, little guy!"

~8~

We were now leaving the Southern Air Temple behind. Aang and I were next to Appa

The lemur was perched in my shoulder. I scratched his head "You, Aang and Appa are all that's left of this place. I shouldn't include myself as I'm from the Eastern Temple. But, we're still from the same Nation"

Aang smiled softly, "We are family, though. We have to stick together" he agreed. The lemur jumped to Aang's head as we walked closer to Sokka and Katara who were fiddling with her luggage. "Katara, Sokka, say hello to the newest member of our family"

Katara approached us "What are you going to name him?"

Aang and I looked at each as the lemur jumped toward Sokka grabbing the peach he was going to eat, starting to nibble on it.

I blinked at Aang "He chose you" I smiled "You name him"

Aang beamed "Momo"

We smiled, starting to laugh at Sokka's expression once we realized he had no more peach.

This felt right.

Even if I lost my brother, I didn't lose my family. Aang was and now Sokka and Katara were too.

They were now my family and I would do anything it takes to keep them safe and by my side.

I glanced sadly at one of the two places I called home. A dull pain in my chest but I knew I could handle it.

I was strong.