The Last Firebender

By PurpleReighonHorses

Chapter V: Team Avatar Forms

Spirit World

Kuzon found himself in some kind of dream. He was sinking in the ocean. His hands were desperately clawing at the water trying to swim up to the surface. He seemed to be in some metaphysical form as well. It seemed, however, that some force was keeping him down. He looked down and saw the chains attached to his feet. The chains themselves weren't made of metal. They were made of some spiritual energy. Okay. What the hell is going on?

A loud voice then called out his name. "Avatar Kuzon, come to me!"

Koh the Face Stealer then popped out of a crevice in the ocean. The spirit flew around the young boy. "I have been waiting for you young Avatar."

Kuzon stammered out, "H-How do you know who I am?"

The dark spirit let out a small chuckle. "I became aware of your existence when you first woke up from the iceberg."

Kuzon immediately felt his body grow cold. Something isn't right here. I'm shivering all over. He was trying his best to avert the spirit's gaze.

Koh the Face Stealer then got near the firebender's face. "Come now boy. Take a good look at me. See your future as it is written."

Kuzon shook his head and kept his eyes away from the spirit. "Go away."

The spirit then felt rage overcome him. Foolish boy. His head shapeshifted into that of a hawk and he screeched in the young Avatar's face. Kuzon strained to keep his eyes closed. The spirit then closed his beak and shapeshifted back into his normal form. "Look me in the eyes Avatar. I can take it all away. The pain. The sorrow. I can make it all go away. You can see your family again. You can be reunited with the ones you loved so dearly. All you have to do is let go and open your eyes."

There were tears streaming down Kuzon's face. He screamed out. "I said go away!"

Then Avatar Suzin appeared before the two of them. I managed to make it in time. Thank the spirits. She cast a disapproving glare to Koh the Face Stealer. "Step away from him this instant."

Koh the Face Stealer glowered at the past Avatar. Damn it all. There is no way I can steal his inner chakra now. I will return later.. He fixed his glare on Kuzon. "I will come for your inner chakra one day. Expect my return young Avatar." He then ran away as quickly as his tendrils would let him. The tendrils around Kuzon's legs then disappeared. The young Avatar was shaking all over.

Avatar Suzin then wrapped him in a hug. Kuzon felt the warmth of her presence. She then spoke in a soothing voice. "It is all right now. You can open your eyes. It is time to wake up now. Your friends are calling for your return. Wake up young one!"

Slowly, Kuzon opened his eyes. As he did, he suddenly shot up in the air.

The waterbending Avatar smiled at him from below. "I will see you soon young Kuzon."

Spiritual Oasis, Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

Kuzon immediately woke up. As he scanned around, he realized he was in his tent. What the hell happened to me? How did I get here? And where did these bandages on my left arm come from?

Katara then noticed he was awake. It was evident in the redness of her eyes that she had been crying. The biggest grin then formed on her face. Tears were rolling down her face. "Kuzu! By the spirits! You're alive!" She then threw her arms around his neck and held on to him for dear life. Small sobs escaped her voice. "I was so worried!"

Kuzon had a confused look on his face. "Katara? What happened?"

Katara then cradled his face in her hands. "You were hurt badly in the fight with Zuko. I was afraid you weren't going to wake up."

Kuzon looked all around him. He then had a guilt-ridden look on his face. So I failed. That damn royal tyrant still lives. I failed again. He then gently pried her hands off his face.

Katara looked at him with worried eyes. "What's wrong?"

Kuzon let out a frustrated sigh. "So the prince still lives then."

Katara shook her head and gave him a small smile. "He did. But the village is safe now.."

Kuzon's left fist then started to smoke. "That isn't good enough. He still got away. I need to stop him permanently. He presents a danger to the world." He clutched both sides of his head in frustration. "Damn it all! I failed again!"

Katara shook her head. He risked his life for my family. He can't be serious right now. She then rested her forehead against his and smiled. "Hey don't talk like that." She then kissed him on the cheek.

Kuzon stammered out, "I-what-" His face had gone beet red.

Katara let out a light giggle. Watching him fumble his words is so adorable. She then softly whispered in his ear. " Listen to me. You haven't let anyone down today. You saved me. You saved my home from destruction today. My grandmother wouldn't be alive. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you. Taqqaq Village owes you a great debt. I do too. Thank you."

She then broke the hug and flashed him a sly smile. "Now on to the next thing we need to discuss...I want to teach you waterbending.

Kuzon glanced at him curiously. "You want to teach me waterbending? Why?"

Katara smirked, "Well I'm pretty damn good at it if I don't say so myself. You need to learn it in order to become strong enough to face the Fire Lord." She felt herself blush a bit and took his hands in hers. "Plus I like being around you. I think the two of us would make perfect bending partners. Don't you think so?"

Kuzon thought it over. Hmm. I did see how she was fighting out there. She definitely knows her stuff. I do need a teacher. Plus..as much as I hate to admit it...I do like being near her. He shook off the blush and cleared his throat. "Okay then. I don't see why not."

Katara wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm glad we could come to an agreement."

Kuzon then looked down at his Fire Nation garb. It was burned from the battle with the royal siblings. "I-I might have a problem. This outfit is kind of torn and ruined."

Katara then pulled out the parka from her pocket and threw it at him. "Here catch!"

The firebender caught it in his hands. He then stared at it in confusion. "What is this?" She let out a chuckle. "That my dear firebender is a parka. It is a type of traditional Water Tribe garb that keeps us warm in this freezing cold climate."

Kuzon then stared at the parka with an uneasy look in his eyes. I-I don't know about this outfit. It's so bulky. I don't think I can even firebend in it.

Katara was watching on with a glimmer in her eyes. "Don't be shy! Try it on!"

Kuzon let out an exasperated sigh. "Alright give me a second." He then stepped outside to get dressed. The entire ensemble felt foreign and uncomfortable in a way. However, it did keep the firebender warm. He could barely feel the barren cold winds of the Southern homeland underneath all the furs laden in the coat. He then flipped over the hood on his head and stepped back into the room.

Katara looked at him with an awed look in her eyes. She blushed profusely. Wow. Who knew he looked so handsome in a parka?" She then half-grinned at him. Wow. You look adorable in that."

Kuzon sent her a glare and huffed. A redness came over his face. "I am not adorable." He then just mumbled in protest.

Katara just giggled to herself. Oh. I love teasing him. Watching his face turn red. I could get used to this. "Sorry. You do. I can't say I'm a good liar."

Village Center, Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

A few days later

Aang let out a content sigh. He was watching as his dearest friend was sleeping soundly. Heh. He looks so peaceful like this. It's been some time since his battle with the prince. He took Kuzon's hand in his and squeezed it tightly in his. "Rest now brother. We're going to be leaving this place soon."

Aang had admitted to himself that he had enjoyed his time in the Southern Water Tribe. The villagers were friendly and treated him like family. He also loved the feeling of the cold air against his face. Sokka and Katara were the other reasons. Sokka had become like an older brother to him. The boy was always giving him advice. He even offered to teach Aang how to fight without his bending. Aang turned him down however. He was still a bit on the fence about using his bending to fight at all. Yes there was a war going on but Aang had still committed himself to the nonviolent ways of the Air Nomads. Chances are he was probably the last of his kind. If that was truly the case, then he needed to keep the traditions of his people alive. It would be tough to do in a war where he would have to pick sides but he had to do his best. That also meant that he had to commit to another task however. The task of convincing the Avatar to commit to a life of peace and mercy. Aang knew Kuzon would take a lot of convincing on his part.

The two boys may have grown up as siblings but the fact remained that he was still Fire Nation.

Aang felt that it could be done however. If anyone could convince him of the validity of the Nomad beliefs, it was his best friend.

When it came to Katara, Aang liked her. The girl seemed kind, compassionate and full of life. At the same time, however, he found that she could get very serious at times and felt she needed someone to lighten up her life a bit. The idea of adding himself into that equation but his peoples' strict beliefs to a life of non-attachment barred that from consideration. He supposed he'd find somebody one day but that day was not in the cards as of the present.

Sokka was brash, prideful and thought he was the funniest guy in the room.

Aang could tell that from the moment he met him. He also saw Sokka as a natural leader. Someone who could convince others to go to hell and back for him.

All in all, each one of them presented their own strengths and weaknesses.

Kuzon let out a groan as he began waking up. "Ugh…"

Aang looked down and smiled at him. "Good morning sleepyhead."

Kuzon just mumbled and turned over. "Mmm."

Aang chuckled. "Your hair is a mess by the way."

Kuzon opened one eye, grumbled, and gave him the finger.

Aang chuckled. "Hah. Even in a hundred years, you really haven't changed at all brother. You are still so grumpy." He then elbowed the firebender in the side with a knowing smirk on his face. "So what do you think about Katara huh? Do you like her? I think she likes you."

Kuzon eyed him suspiciously. His face reddened a bit. Now he was annoyed. "Aang what in the hell makes you say that?"

Aang laughed. "Oh come on. She was there at your side when you were healing up from the battle. The girl didn't even sleep. I see how she's looked at you. It's the same way Taira did. She admires you."

Kuzon felt himself shiver a bit. "Taira.."

Aang took one look at him and recoiled a bit. "Ah...I'm sorry. I may have said a bit too much. You know my mouth can get ahead of me sometimes."

Kuzon sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey look brother. It's no big deal."

Aang let out a sigh of relief. "Oh good."

Kuzon then sighed as if he were in thought. "Let me ask you Aang. If you were in my position...would you give it a shot?"

Aang nervously chuckled. "Ah..that is a hard question to answer Kuzon. I'm a Nomad. Attachments weren't exactly forbidden by our elders but there were some limits. Reaching spiritual enlightenment was the height of a Nomad's life. To do that...we had to separate ourselves from the world."

Kuzon nodded. "Yeah. I remember learning about that in Monk Pasang's classroom." He then put a hand on Kuzon's shoulder. "Do you still feel that way?"

Aang turned to him and shook his head. "I...don't know brother." He then stared wistfully at the sky. "We Nomads did our best to hide away from the world and all the concerns it brings. And conflict still came to our front door." The airbender tightened his fists for a moment. "My...people and mentor murdered. My home burned and scorched to rubble. A hundred years later and nothing is left. I don't even know if there are any more airbenders left."

Kuzon sighed.

Aang looked more forlorn than ever. He almost was never like this.

Kuzon nodded and put a reassuring hand on the boy's back. "They have to be out there somewhere Aang. I mean….some of the airbenders managed to escape before Sozin came. Maybe they set up shop somewhere in the Earth Kingdom or something."

Aang just nodded and laid his head on his friend's shoulder.

Kuzon continued. "They are out there Aang. I just know it. Relax a bit." Aang chuckled awkwardly. "Heh. Usually I'm the one telling you that."

Kuzon just nodded. "Things change."

Entrance, Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

Aang and Kuzon had already packed up their things and were waiting on Appa.

Katara and Sokka were busy saying goodbye to everyone.

Katara and Sokka both hugged their grandmother tightly. There were tears rolling down Katara's face. "We will miss you Gran-Gran! We will come back as soon as the war is over!" "We will bring Dad back! I promise you that!

Kanna's face slowly formed into a small smile. "I will miss you both as well! Come home safe!"

Kuzon was watching on with an envious look on his face. I'm happy that they can say goodbye to their family. He then stared down at his feet. I wish I could still say goodbye to mine.

Aang wiped a tear from his eye and smiled. I'm happy for them.

Katara then waterbent both herself and Sokka onto Appa.

The two siblings waved goodbye to the villagers.

Aang then pulled back on the reigns. "Appa yip yip!"

The air bison let out a loud groan and leaped off the ground.