Book il: Earth

Chapter I: The Arrival of the Airbenders

Part III: The Secrets of the Nomads

Somewhere near the entrance, Hidden Air Temples, Earth Kingdom

Kuzon was busy meditating trying to connect with his predecessors.

The spirit of Yangchen then appeared before the firebender.

Kuzon just bowed in respect. "Avatar Yangchen. Thank you for responding to my call for help so quickly. "

The airbender smiled at him and bowed her head. "Avatar Kuzon. A pleasure to see you again. What is the honor of this summoning?"

Kuzon bowed his head in respect. "The Air Nomads have joined me in my fight against the Fire Nation. I need to know if there are any places where the airbenders kept any scrolls on offensive maneuvers."

Avatar Yangchen nodded. "I see. I do know of one place underneath the Northern Air Temple. Bring your friends here and I will transport you all."

Kuzon got up off one knee. "At once."

A moment later in Kuzon's tent

Kuzon cleared his throat. "So I have news. I spoke to Avatar Yangchen and she told me something you all need to hear."

Sokka crossed his arms and nodded. "Alright flamehead. Lay it on us."

Kuzon nodded. "She says that we may find what we need at the Northern Air Temple."

Aang nodded. "Kuzon..how are we supposed to get everyone here to the Northern Air Temple. Appa can't carry that much weight."

Kuzon just nodded. "I got that covered. Avatar Yangchen is going to transport all of us there."

Sokka scoffed. "Through what? Spirit magic?"

Kuzon nodded. "Pretty much. She is going to transport us through a spirit portal."

Sokka burst out laughing. "You are joking right? Some ancestor of yours is going to transport us through some portal. What's next? I suppose we are going to fly."

Kuzon shook his head. "Sokka. Will you take this seriously?"

Katara snickered. The banter between both her boyfriend and older brother was becoming quite the entertainment for her.

Kuzon shook his head. "Look..just follow my lead everyone."

Katara followed close behind. "I'm right behind you sweetie."

Somewhere near the entrance, Hidden Air Temples, Earth Kingdom

Everyone gathered around the spot.

Avatar Yangchen smiled. "Good you are all here." She then raised her hands and activated the circle.

Northern Air Temple

A moment later

The portal then opened near the Northern Air Temple. The temple was remarkably well preserved compared to the Southern one. It was abandoned but generally in good condition.

Kuzon took a look around. "This temple..is remarkably well-preserved. I'm surprised. I didn't think the Fire Nation wouldn't be so lenient. Restraint is not usually a trait I associate with my people."

Aang nodded. "I am surprised as well." Avatar Yangchen's spirit then appeared. "The Nomads here actually fought back against the invading firebenders. That is why you see less damage here than at the Southern Temple."

Kuzon gave her a nod. "Fascinating."

Teo and the others then approached Team Avatar with suspicious looks in their eyes. "State your business here."

Aang then stepped forward with a confused look in his eyes "My name is Aang. I am one of the last airbenders who was alive before the Genocide. My people and I have come seeking knowledge of secret scrolls to help us fight the Fire Nation. Who are you? What are you doing in our temple?"

Teo narrowed his eyes on the other boy. "The Air Nomads have been extinct for over a hundred years now. How do I know you are telling the truth?"

Aang sighed annoyingly and showed off the arrows on his arms. "Can you not see the tattoos on my arms? I'm the real deal. We don't have time for petty arguments. Either explain why you are on my people's land or leave."

Teo then rolled forward. "Make me."

The Machinist, also known as Tora, then stepped forward and put a hand on Teo's shoulder. "Teo please. Let us not antagonize anyone."

Tora then smiled at the airbender. "It is a pleasure to meet you Aang of the Air Nomads. I..apologize for the frosty reception. My son and I are part of a group of wandering refugees from the Earth Kingdom. We all had to leave our home village after it was devastated by a flood. We happened across this old temple and have been calling it home ever since."

Aang managed to calm himself down. "It's..alright. No harm done. I do apologize as well. I have been a bit on edge." He then gestured to Kuzon. "Allow me to introduce my friends. This is Kuzon. Avatar Kuzon. You may have heard of him."

The Machinist gasped withir surprise in his voice. "Have I ever? I do believe I have heard of the Avatar." He then turned to Kuzon and offered a hand. "It is an honor to meet you Avatar Kuzon."

Kuzon shook the man's hand. "A pleasure." He then bowed.

Aang smiled and gestured to Katara. "This is Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

Katara offered a hand. "Charmed to meet you."

Tora then shook the girl's hand. "Charmed to meet you as well young lady."

Katara then playfully nudged her older brother in the side. "This blockhead is my older brother Sokka. He is also from the Southern Water Tribe."

Sokka grinned at the man. "Charmed."

Aang then gestured to the airbenders behind him. "And these are the last descendants of the Nomads. We found them in a Fire Nation prison."

Lhasang and Rigsang then walked up and bowed. "Aang and the others saved us all from captivity. We owe all of them our lives."

The Machinist then chuckled. "I see. Allow us to show you around the place. We've made some adjustments since you all have been gone."

A moment later

Katara was looking around in awe. "Wow, they have really modernized the place."

There were pipes all over the place to facilitate the hot air and some of the rooms were furnished with various bits of clothing made from nearby animals. Aang scowled but nodded. It hurt him to see the Earth Kingdom refugees living such a different lifestyle from the Nomads. He understood that they were different but that didn't mean he had to agree with their lifestyle. "The refugees certainly live differently."

Lhasang just shrugged. "Things have changed."

Avatar Yangchen then smiled. "Follow me. I will lead you all to where the scrolls are." The gang then followed Yangchen into a nearby building. As the four of them came to the door, they realized that there was a special lock on it shaped like the old Nomad symbol.

Sokka scratched his head. "Um how are we supposed to get that door open."

Aang turned to him and smiled. "That is an ancient airbending lock. The only way to open it is with airbending."

Yangchen then looked down at Kuzon. "Kuzon..may I possess your body for a moment? It will take more than one airbender to open the lock."

Kuzon just shrugged. "Do what you have to Yangchen. I have no issue with that."

Lhasang and the other airbenders then stepped up. "We will help too."

Yangchen's spirit then possessed Kuzon's body. The boy felt a cold sensation overcome his body. The boy's eyes glowed pure white and off.

Aang then called out. "If you can't airbend..please step back. This is going to get wild."

Katara and the other non-airbenders stepped back.

Yangchen, speaking through Kuzon's body, then began moving his arms in a traditional circular motion. After building up enough air, she then released it at the large giant lock. The other airbenders followed her lead. The lock made a hissing sound as the air entered it. It then started to turn on its side revealing the reddish brown side of it. The door then opened slowly. Yangchen immediately withdrew herself from Kuzon's body. Kuzon felt a little bit off balance and began to fall backwards.

Luckily, Katara caught him in her arms. There was a worried tone to her voice. "Are you alright?"

Kuzon managed to steady himself. "Yeah..I'm fine." As they filled the room, they noticed all the weapons.

Aang walked up and grabbed what looked to be a wooden mace of some kind. "What is this?"

Yangchen sighed. "That is an air mace. Long ago in the days before the Nomads..the first airbenders used weapons like these to fight one another over territory."

Aang just nodded. "This looks like it hasn't been used in years."

Kuzon glanced over at him. "It probably hasn't." He then spotted some old scrolls poking out of a bag. "I think I've found something." He then grabbed the bag and motioned for the others to come over." Kuzon grabbed one of the scrolls and gently unrolled it. "This looks like some sort of offensive move. Look." He then showed it off to the others.

Aang nodded. "Well there is a start. Let's see what else we have here." The gang then started looking through all the scrolls.

The Palace City, Fire Nation

A few days later

Zuko was pacing around back and forth waiting for permission to depart for the Earth Kingdom. He was fearful that the Avatar was already out of the Earth Kingdom. There wasn't time to waste.

Azula then walked up with both Mai and Ty Lee not too far behind her. The younger sibling gave her brother a warm smile. "Sorry for the long wait Zuzu. Father says we are free to go."

Zuko just gave his sister a nod. "And about Uncle?"

Azula sighed in frustration. Ever since they had gotten back to the Palace City to dock, Zuko had been almost insistent on knowing his uncle's whereabouts. Azula loved her brother dearly but the constant questioning was getting quite grating on her nerves. She forced a smile. "Zuzu..like I told you before…Uncle is safe and secure in the Boiling Rock."

Zuko just nodded with a conflicted look on his face. "Alright then." The royal prince then walked off to his bunk. Uncle. I am sorry. I am so sorry. He started wiping the tears from his eyes.

Azula muttered to herself. He seriously needs to cheer up. What's done is done. Uncle was weak. He couldn't see the bigger picture. I didn't want things to end up the way they did…but Zuzu and I weren't given a chance. We had to do what we had to in order to ensure our victory in this war. Nothing can stand in the way of that vision. Not even family. Azula then turned over to Mai. "Mai? Maybe you could go speak with him? You two have always held a special rapport."

Mai just shrugged in her own nonchalant way. "I can try." The master knifethrower then followed Zuko to his room.

Azula then turned to Ty Lee and waved her over. "Ty Lee…you are with me. I have an appointment with my hairdresser this morning and I need a second opinion."

Ty Lee smiled brightly. "Of course Azula. Whatever you need."

The former acrobat and royal princess then walked off.

Zuko's Bunk, The Redeemer

Zuko was busy angsting in his room. He was in conflict with himself. Part of him agreed that keeping Uncle in the Boiling Rock was the best solution..for both of them. That way..the old man wouldn't get in the way of Zuko's destiny and Iroh wouldn't get hurt. Azula was ruthless but even she wouldn't kill her uncle. The man had at least tried to be a more positive influence on her life. She felt that he deserved at least a bit of mercy even if he outed himself as both a foolish pacifist and a traitor to his homeland. Zuko felt the same way but there was more guilt on his part. He wasn't sure if he had done the right thing by aligning himself with his sister. The boy sat himself on his and rested a hand over his burnt eye.

Mai then walked in with a curved smile on her face, leaning against the wall. "So..are you done moping around like a baby?"

Zuko's eyes widened for a moment. "Mai..what are you doing here?"

The girl playfully rolled her eyes. "Azula sent me in here to cheer you up. I think all your moping is starting to annoy her."

Zuko just nodded silently.

Mai let out a sigh. "Oh Zuko." The girl then wrapped an arm around the boy's waist and pulled him in close. She then laid her head on his shoulder.

Zuko felt himself relax in her arms. "I..know. I don't want to be buzzkill about everything. I'm just wondering…"

Mai finished his words as if she knew what he was going to say. "You are wondering if agreeing to imprison your uncle was the right decision to make."

Zuko just nodded.

Mai smiled softly at the boy she had adored since they were kids. She then turned his face to meet hers with a rare playful smile on her face. "I want you to do something for me Zuko."

Zuko, who was now blushing madly, stuttered out. "W..What is it?"

Mai's expression remained warm. "Remember that the throne is your birthright. Your father burned you and tossed you in the trash as if you were lower than dirt. He deserves to pay for that. Don't let him win. You must remain committed to one goal. That goal is to overthrow the Fire Lord. Everything else..does not matter. Don't let yourself get caught up in sentimental crap." The girl then playfully smirked. "Well..almost everything. I wouldn't want you to forget about me. If you ever did that…I'd have to run a knife through your heart." She then brought him in until their lips met. The kiss was passionate yet short.

Zuko, now empowered by the love of his life, glanced at Mai with a serious look in his eyes. "You are right Mai. I need to stay focused on the task at hand. That task is my goal to capture the Avatar." In a rare gesture of trust, the firebender kissed the knifethrower back. The two lovers held onto one another for dear life. Zuko sighed happily. "I don't know what I would do without you around. You really are the light of my life Mai. It seems that you and Azula are the only ones who have had my back."

Mai smirked and caressed his cheek with a hand. "Anytime." The two then cuddled underneath the sheets.

Northern Air Temples

Two days later

Kuzon was busy watching Teo play with the younger airbenders.

Teo was racing them in his wheelchair. The young boys were racing him on air scooters. A small smirk graced the firebenders' face. Look at those kids. That reminds me of me and Aang long ago. Of the days before I knew who I really was. It is actually kind of bittersweet. I'm not that much older than Teo myself but here I am leading an entire revolution against an empire with an advanced military. The firebender shook his head grinning and spoke bitterly. "What a hell of a life this is."

Katara then came up beside him. "Hey sweetie. What are you up to?"

Kuzon turned to her and shrugged. "I was just watching Teo play with the little airbenders. It brought back some...old memories.

Katara just nodded smiling. "Good memories?" Kuzon just nodded. "Yeah..good ones. It kind of makes me think."

Katara eyed him curiously. "Think about what exactly?"

Kuzon sighed. "I wish we didn't have to fight this war. We are all just kids. I keep thinking back to that lieutenant. I mean…seventeen? That is just crazy. I can't imagine being forcefully drafted into a war at that age and basically spending the rest of your life on a battlefield. We should be enjoying our youth. We should be spending it going to school or working to make a good living. We should be spending it at peace with our families." He then took Katara's hand in his. "Do you ever think about that?"

Katara's eyes widened as she began to understand his meaning. She crossed her arms and sighed wistfully. "Yeah..sometimes. There are times where I just want to go back home and try to live in relative peace." The waterbender then caressed the firebender's face with a hand. "But then I think about how the people I care about would still be in the Fire Nation's crosshairs…I think about how guilty or angry I would feel if I lost another person important to my heart."

Kuzon just nodded. "So do I. Believe me." The waterbender felt herself blush. She then relaxed and let herself fall into his arms, hugging him. She was taking note of the sound of his heartbeat.

The two didn't say much after that but they didn't need to. The couple then heard a loud yell. "Okay! Okay! Break it up you two! There will be no cuddling on my watch!"

Katara and Kuzon then turned to see Sokka marching up to him with a less than amused expression on his face.

Katara smirked at her older brother. "Or what Sokka? You going to send me to my room?"

Sokka grit his teeth in irritation. "I would if it would do any good." He then facepalmed. "Anyway I wanted to let you both know about the progress the airheads are making on those offensive move scrolls we found."

Kuzon perked an eyebrow in interest. "And?"

Sokka continued. "They are progressing fast and learning quickly. If we ever decide to take it to the Fire Nation tomorrow..I feel secure in saying we have a proper Air Nomad army at our side."

Kuzon tapped his chin in thought. "That..is good news indeed. I should go see for myself. It wouldn't hurt to learn the basics of airbending combat."