Book I: Water

Chapter VI: The Southern Air Temple

The four of them had been flying for a while now.

Sokka then brought up the idea that had been swimming around his head. He rested against the saddle and spoke in an inquisitive tone. "So where are we headed, Team Avatar?"

Aang was the first to reply. "I want to go back to the Southern Temple. I need to see my mentor one last time.."

Kuzon eyed his longtime compatriot with a wary look in his eyes. "Aang why do you want to go back? The temple is probably long abandoned by now. You saw what happened to Gyatso. What reason would you have to go back?"

Aang sighed and shot his friend a serious look. "The first reason is that well...I need closure. I need to give Gyatso a proper burial. He deserves that much. I also thought that maybe you would appreciate a chance to say your final goodbyes to your grandfather and father. The second reason is that you need to reconnect with your past lives. There is only one way I know how to do that."

Kuzon gave the airbender a thoughtful nod. "I would like that. The Fire Lord's grandfather probably didn't even bother to set their bones aflame. In this way, I can at least give my family the sendoff they deserved." He then stared at him confused. "What do you mean by reconnecting with my past lives?"

Aang then spoke again. "The second reason is that you need to visit the Hall of Avatars." All of them looked at him with surprised looks on their faces. Kuzon spoke. "What is the Hall of Avatars?" Aang then spoke with an excitable tone in his voice. "It is a spiritual place where the next reincarnation of the Avatar is meant to go in order to reconnect with his past lives and begin to find his true power." Kuzon merely shrugged. "If it helps me beat the Fire Nation, I will take all the help I can get. Let's not waste time." Aang grinned at him. "That's the Avatar I know! Let's get a move on!" He moved the reins again. "Appa we need to go faster! Yip yip!" The air bison groaned in response and sped up his flying.

Southern Air Temple

19 AG

A few hours later

Kuzon and the gang quickly came upon the ruins of the Southern Temple. The once glorious temple now stood charred and burned. There was no sign of either airbenders or air bison anywhere. The place looked abandoned.

Katara looked on in horror. To think that the Fire Nation did all this to such peaceful people. They truly are monsters. She looked back towards Aang and Kuzon. Both the airbender and waterbender had unreadable expressions on their faces. I can't possibly imagine what either of them are feeling right now.

Aang then set the bison down on the grounds. He then saw the corpse of his beloved mentor and father figure. The skeleton of the monk was still dressed in his Air Nation robes. The memories then started flashing in his mind again. His whole body was trembling all over. "So you are still here Gyatso. They didn't even bother to spread your ashes in the wind." He turned towards Kuzon. The firebender was staring blankly at the long dead skeletons of his father and grandfather. He let out a dark chuckle and shook his head. "They didn't even bother to bury them. Why am I not surprised?"

Aang then turned his eyes back on Gyatso's skeleton. A flurry of emotions was flowing through him. Anger. Hate. Confusion. Remorse. He let out the deep breath he had been holding in and knelt down. He remembered his late mentor's last words to him. Listen to me Aang. You must guide the Avatar away from darkness no matter the cost. He is destined to maintain the balance between the dark and the light. Remind him of his Nomad roots. He then stood back up on his feet. I remember it all now. I need to forget revenge. I won't hesitate to defend my friends. But if I fall into a desire for revenge, I will be going against everything the Monks taught me. I will be betraying the ideals of my people. Aang managed to regain control of his senses. "I have to rededicate myself. Just breathe."

Kuzon stared blankly at the remains of his father and grandfather. Emotion was building up within the firebender. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to wipe the tears away. The boy was seething with anger and self-loathing. "I'm sorry Father. I'm sorry Grandfather. I failed you both. I may not be able to bring you back but I can at least make your sacrifice worth it. I swear on my name I'll do better."

Katara felt like her heart was going to break into pieces. Seeing both of them like this reminded her of when she had seen her mother's corpse as a young girl. She then walked up to both of them. "Come on. You both need a hug."

Aang smiled at her through the tears in his eyes. "Thank you." He then embraced the waterbender in a tight hug.

Katara nodded sadly. "Of course." They then separated. She then walked up to Kuzon and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. Come on."

Kuzon averted her worried gaze. He was breathing heavily and tears were coming out of his eyes. "I..don't…"

Katara then wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hey look at me. It's okay…You don't need to hide the pain. You can trust me. Let it out."

Kuzon then sighed. The wall of emotions he had tried to keep barricaded in finally broke. He hugged her as tightly as he could and started sobbing.

Katara began to gently rub his back. "Shh. It's alright. I'm here. I've got you." She then hugged him back. A small smile of relief came to her face. She felt herself relax in his arms. I feel so comfortable here. So safe. She was worried he'd fall back into his shell and never let her in again.

Kuzon, once he had let all the emotion out, quickly broke the hug. He then cleared his throat, blushed and averted the girl's eyes. "Um…thanks."

Katara chuckled and caressed his face with a hand. "Anytime."

Aang couldn't help but snicker a bit. Man oh man. He is head over heels in love with Katara yet so in denial. That's okay though. He can't deny it forever. He then glanced at Kuzon. "Kuzon you know what we have to do."

Kuzon gave the airbender a nod. "That I do."

He let out a sigh and glanced at Katara and Sokka. "Will you help us?"

Sokka gave him a shrug. "Sure what is it you need?"

Kuzon then let out an exasperated sigh. "Aang and I need your help laying our loved ones to final rest."

Katara and Sokka exchanged looks of agreement.

Katara smiled warmly at the airbender and firebender. "We'd be honored to help Kuzu. It's the least we could do in return for you two saving our village."

Kuzon then gave her a traditional Fire Nation bow. "Thank you."

Temple Grounds, Southern Air Temple

Kuzon and the gang first started by grinding Monk Gyatso's bones into fine ashes.

Aang used his airbending to break down the bones into a brittle state.

Kuzon, Katara and Sokka then used small rocks and firebending to turn it into ashes. They then gathered it all into a small wooden bowl.

Aang picked up the bowl.

Sokka raised an eyebrow at him. I wonder how this is supposed to be to work. In the Southern Water Tribe, we usually just laid our dead in the waters and let them float out to sea. "What do we do now?"

Aang then picked up the bowl and tossed the ashes up in the air. "We release his spirit into the air."

Sokka looked at him with a confused look in his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

Aang turned back to the warrior with a smile on his face. "I'm not sure how burials are done in the Southern Water Tribe, but here in the Air Nation, we spread the ashes of our loved ones in the skies. We believe that the spirits of our dead deserve to be free and among the skies. It is a testament of the freedom we endeavor to enjoy as airbenders. They become free from the physical and spiritual chains that bind them to this world."

Sokka just shook his head. "That makes no sense."

Katara gazed at the airbender in wonderment. "That sounds so strange yet so beautiful at the same time. Is that what airbending is based around? Freedom?"

Aang smiled at her and nodded. "Yes. Like I said before, the Air Nomads were freedom-loving people who just wanted to live in harmony with the world. Our devotion to harmony is what strengthens our bending."

Katara tapped her chin in thought. "Fascinating." She then turned towards Kuzon. "What about the Fire Nation?"

Kuzon let out a sigh. "According to what my family taught me, we would lay their bones in place under a fire pit and burn them to ashes. It was believed that doing so would return their souls to the dragon spirits and let them finally rest in peace. The dragon spirits gave the first people of the Fire Nation firebending many centuries ago."

Sokka gave the firebender a wide grin. "That is a cool idea! So badass!"

Katara gave him a nod. "That is interesting. It is somber in origin yet beautiful."

Kuzon crossed his arms and shrugged. "I owe it to three of them. They gave me everything. I don't like my heritage. I know the Fire Nation is the one who started the war. I feel guilty because I feel I had a part to play in that. I will always be Fire Nation whether I like it or not." He said that last part with a hint of regret in his tone. He stared longingly up at the sky with a faraway look in his eyes. Aang smiled warmly at his firebending brother and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Come on Kuzon. We've talked about this. I don't hold you responsible for what happened a century ago. It was the Fire Lord who burned this temple down. If anyone is responsible for this war, it is him. Plus don't forget that this was your family's home too. You grew up here just like I did."

Kuzon looked at his longtime friend with a surprised look in his eyes. "But I was different from all of you Aang. I wasn't an Air Nomad. I tried everything to be like you and your people, but I could never seem to fully understand the ways of the Air Nomads. I couldn't even airbend."

Aang shook his head at him smiling. "The point I am trying to make is that you tried your best Kuzon. Your efforts to fit into our peoples' way of life was the most touching gesture you could ever give our people. I feel that way and I know Monk Gyatso and the rest of the Elders felt that way." His face then turned into a melancholy smile. "I am sure Taira felt the same way.

Kuzon just nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks Aang." Kuzon wasn't sure if that made him feel better or worse.

Temple Grounds, Southern Air Temple

A few hours later

Aang and Katara used their airbending and waterbending to gather enough wood. Sokka and Kuzon, meanwhile, gathered up the bones of Kuzon's late father and grandfather. Once all of the materials were gathered, they set the bones underneath the stack of wood.

Sokka spoke, "Okay so what's the next step?" Everyone stared at Kuzon.

The boy let out a sigh. "I need to set the bones aflame in order to set their souls free. Stand back."

All of them complied with his request.

Kuzon gazed upon the bones of his fallen family members. Thank you for everything Father and Grandfather. I will never forget you both. "May your spirits be freed into the arms of the dragons and may your eternal flame grow strong even in death!" He then gave them a traditional Fire Nation bow and then sent a massive stream of flame towards the bones. The bones immediately went alight with flame and the resulting smoke went up in the air. The bones immediately started cracking and popping. He then averted his eyes from the resulting flame. "It's done." Everyone nodded at him.

Katara then gazed at him with a small smile and invitingly spread out her arms "Would you like a group hug?"

Kuzon looked at her with sadness in his eyes and merely gave her a nod.

The girl then walked up towards him and hugged him with all her might. Aang wiped a tear from his eye and joined in the hug.

Katara then glanced at Sokka with a pleading look in her eyes. "Sokka!" Sokka mumbled. "Fine." He then warily hugged the three of them.

Southern Air Temple

An hour later

After paying their respects to Kuzon's family, Katara and the gang then decided to explore the ruined temple. The first place that they went to was the little home the Sho family had once lived in. They then managed to gain some firewood and Kuzon started up a small fire. Sokka took a good look around the inside of the home. "So your family lived separately from the Nomads?"

Kuzon turned his eyes on him and nodded. "It was a measure put in to keep our family safe. We were supposed to be hidden in secret." Sokka nodded. "I see."

Katara pointed out in a chirpy tone. "It's a quaint home. It sounded like you and your family lived in peace here." Kuzon glanced at her and let out a beleaguered sigh. "We did." Kuzon continued. "Those were some of the happiest times of my life." He then spotted something in the corner of the room. It was his father's sword from his days as a soldier in the Fire Army. Father must have left this behind when we had to escape. He wasn't the only one whose attention was drawn to the sword.

Sokka eyed it with an excited expression on his face. "Oooh what kind of sword is that! It looks so well made!"

Kuzon answered him. "That is my father's sword. He earned it when he trained under Master Piandao many years ago. He was a quartermaster then."

Sokka looked up at him with an overly eager look in his eyes. "Can I touch it?"

Kuzon let out a sigh and rubbed at his temple. Who knew he was so into swords? He better not break it. "You can touch it, Sokka. Just don't break it!"

Sokka then gingerly picked up the blade and pulled it out of its scabbard. The shiny silver finish on the blade shone in light of the fire. His brow furrowed. "This isn't made out of any material I know of."

Kuzon let out a sigh and facepalmed at the warrior's ignorance. "That is because it is made of Fire Nation steel."

Sokka then grinned at him. "That makes sense. We don't have anything like that in the Tribe. We warriors of the tribe usually made do with hardened ice."

Kuzon merely nodded. "Aang and Katara, I need you both to come with me. It has come to my attention that none of us have eaten since leaving the village. I need your help to find food and water."

Aang smiled at him. "You got it hotman."

Katara flashed him a flirtatious smile. "I'd be glad to help." She blushed a bit. The three of them then left the room.

Sokka meanwhile, was still eyeing Lin's sword in awe. "This gives me some ideas."

Sho Household, Southern Air Temple

Two hours later

It didn't take long for Kuzon, Katara and Aang to gather the materials they needed. Aang had managed to find some ingredients in order to make dumplings.

Katara had managed to find an abandoned basket and filled it up with water.

Kuzon was leading the two of them with a couple of plants in his hand. "There's a big pot in the house somewhere." He then turned to Aang. "You will be in charge of making the dumplings since you know all the recipes."

Aang nodded. "You got it!"

Kuzon nodded. "I will make my father's special blend of spices." He then turned his eyes toward Katara. "I'll need your help adding in the water." She winked at him. "Leave it to me." Kuzon gave her a nod.

Sho Household, Southern Air Temple

Three hours later

The gang were all sitting around the fire munching on dumplings steamed in a vegetable broth Aang had cooked up.

Sokka eyed the bowl of dumplings in his hand with a look of utter disgust. "What are these things?"

Kuzon let out a sigh and answered the warrior. "These are called dumplings Sokka. They are a staple of Air Nation cuisine.

Sokka prodded at a dumpling with his chopsticks. "How are these edible though? There is not a bit of meat in any of them."

Aang let out a small chuckle "That is because my people were vegetarian Sokka. We believed that the life of every being was sacred. We didn't believe in taking the life of any creature, even if the purpose was for nourishment."

Sokka locked eyes with the airbender before mumbling to himself. "Yeah that makes a lot of sense."

Aang merely shrugged. This finally drew Katara's ire. How dare he! We are standing on the ground where Aang lost his entire culture and Sokka has the nerve to be a jerk. I'll show him manners! She sent him a glare. "Sokka! That is enough! Aang was gracious enough to share his culture with us! Apologize now!"

Aang looked at her with a nonchalant look on his face. "It's alright Katara. I understand that you and Sokka have spent his entire life eating meat in order to survive. I should have known there would have been some culture shock on his part."

Katara merely nodded with a worried expression on her face. "Are you sure Aang? I could put my dear brother on ice for the night. I really don't mind." There was a bit of urgency and sweetness in her tone.

Aang then let out a nervous bit of laughter. "I-I'm sure. I don't want anyone getting hurt over such a small understanding." Katara gave him an understanding nod. "Okay then."

Sokka merely looked on and shrugged his shoulders. Whatever.

Kuzon then finally broke the long silence by tossing Sokka a bag of his special spices. "Here. Try these. And I'm warning you now. You hurt Aang like that again. I'll light your ponytail on fire."

The death glare he was sending the warrior sent a chill down Sokka's spine. "I got your point hothead." He then gazed at Aang with sorrowful eyes. "I-I'm sorry Aang."

Aang smiled warmly at the warrior. "Your apology is accepted Sokka."

Avatar Chambers, Southern Air Temple

A day and some hours later

The next morning

Aang and the rest of the gang came around to the Avatar Chambers.

Two large wooden doors were led ajar in front of them. Kuzon stared at the room with a sense of wonderment in his eyes. I suddenly feel like something is...drawing me to this place. He then walked in.

Katara looked around with a look of awe in her eyes. Stone statues of all of Kuzon's previous lives lined the Hall of Avatars. "This is amazing! These must be all your past lives Kuzu!"

Aang then noticed one that had airbending marks on it. "Look there is Avatar Yangchen!" Katara then pointed at another one. He was clad in Water Tribe clothing and had the marking of a moon symbol on his forehead. "There is Avatar Kuruk!"

Sokka just looked around with an uninterested look in his eyes. Yeah. Whatever.

Kuzon, however, felt himself drawn to a certain statue. It was of a female waterbender with long hair and piercing blue eyes. A voice called out to him. Finally. You have returned. I have been awaiting your return, young Kuzon. Suddenly, the eyes of all the statues began glowing up. The wind whipped around everyone.

Sokka gasped. "What's happening?" The entire temple then started to rumble. A blue light then shot down from the air. The winds then dissipated as soon as they appeared. Floating in front of the group was the spirit of a young woman. She was clad in traditional Water Tribe garb and had long, flowing white hair. She had piercing blue eyes and a warm smile on her face. "Kuzon Lin Sho of the Fire Nation. I am relieved to see you again."

Kuzon stammered out. "W-Who are you?" The previous Avatar then giggled to herself. "My name is Avatar Suzin. I was the previous incarnation of the Avatar before you. A century ago, I tried to stop the Fire Lord from starting his conquests on the world. I failed. Now I appear to you in order to help guide you to do what I could not."

Kuzon stuttered out, "I have past lives?"

Avatar Suzin smiled at him. "Yes. Over the generations, the Avatar has defended the balance of the world. That burden has fallen onto you. You must stop the Fire Nation at all costs."

Kuzon then gave the spirit a bow. "I promise you I will." Suzin then smiled at him and placed a hand on his forehead. Kuzon's eyes immediately turned white and he was lifted off the ground by a whirlwind. Katara looked on in amazement. "Wow she is amazing!" Then Suzin removed her hand and he fell back, struggling to stay on his feet. "I-I feel powerful."

Suzin gave him a smiling nod. "Your abilities as the Avatar and connections with your past lives have been awakened. You are now ready to head towards Daqqaq Village in the Southern Water Tribe."

Kuzon glanced at her with a shocked expression on his face. "I have to go back to the Southern Water Tribe? Why?"

Avatar Suzin smiled warmly at him. "You will need the assistance of Chief Hakoda and his Southern Army in order to defeat the Fire Nation invasion fleet. They are headed to the Northern Tribe in order to annihilate it."

Katara and Sokka exchanged looks of anguish and shock at one another. "That's our Dad! We have to go back!"

Kuzon then gave the waterbending spirit a respectful bow. "I understand. We will be there as soon as we can."

Avatar Suzin smiled warmly at him. "Good. I must go now. But just meditate and I will always be a thought away." Her spirit form then began to rise up into the skies.

Kuzon then turned to Katara and Sokka with a serious expression in his eyes. "Do either of you know how to get to Daqqaq Village?"

Katara smiled warmly at him. "Of course! Just get us closer to the Southern Water Tribe and Sokka and I can guide you there!"

Kuzon gave her a grateful nod. "Thank you." As the four of them started to walk out, a noise caught their attention.

Aang looked back for a moment. "Did you see that Kuzon?"

Kuzon glanced at the airbender with an inquisitive look in his eyes. "Sounded like a flying lemur."

Sokka interrupted. "I'm sorry. A flying what?" Kuzon replied in an annoyed tone. "A flying lemur. They were a native flying bat species that once lived in the mountains. We kept them as pets a century ago." He then glanced at Aang. "Put out a bit of that moonpie you were munching on. We can use it as bait."

Aang complied and set down part of the moon pie he had in his hand. As quickly as he set it down, the hiding lemur popped out of his hiding spot and snatched it from the young airbender. He then began voraciously munching on it.

Aang's eyes widened with glee. "It is a flying lemur! I can't believe they are still around!" He then pulled out another moon pie and reached out the lemur. "C'mon little guy. It's safe. I won't hurt you." The flying lemur was initially cautious at first, but then timidly began approaching Aang. He then leaped into the airbender's arms and began munching on the moon pie in his hand.

Aang then gently pet the flying lemur on the head. "Haha. He's adorable. I think I'll name him Momo." He then glanced at Kuzon with a pleading look in his eyes. "Can we keep him?"

Kuzon just shrugged. "I don't see why not. He's safer with us than just on his own."

Aang gave him a thankful nod. "Thank you brother."

Momo then began nuzzling his face against Aang's hand. Katara couldn't help but swoon at the display. "Momo! I love that name!" She then walked up and smiled at the lemur. She then brushed a finger against the lemur's cheek. "Hi Momo! My name is Katara! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Momo purred in response and jumped into her hands. He immediately began nuzzling his face against her cheek.

Aang let out a small chuckle. "I think he likes you Katara."

Katara smiled back at him. "I'd have to agree Aang."

The four of them including Momo then headed out towards the entrance to the temple.