Book II: Earth

Chapter I: The Arrival of the Airbenders

Part VI: Farewell to the Northern Air Temple

The Northern Air Temple

Moments later

As the group returned to the Northern Temple,

The Machinist stood there eager to greet them, along with the other refugees. His eyes brightened and he clasped his hands together. "Ah you made it back safely. Wonderful."

Katara flew into a rage when she saw the older man. She then bended some water out of her pouch, intending to attack the man. "You!"

Aang then got in front of her with his arms outstretched. "Katara wait! Don't hurt him!"

Katara then scowled. "Aang! He was the one who sold us out to Zuko! He is the reason I was tortured!"

Aang then sighed. "That is true but the only reason I was able to find you two was because he agreed to tell us where you three had been taken. The man was only trying to protect his son. I don't agree with his reasons but they threatened him with death. He didn't have much of a choice."

Katara just stood there seething with anger. As furious as she was, the waterbender couldn't find it in her heart to blame the man. He just did whatever it took to protect his son. She couldn't fault him for that. If she were in the same situation…she would have probably made a similar call if it was Kuzon, Aang or Sokka. She cared about the three of them. So much so that she would die for any of them. "Fine. I accept that." She then glanced at the Machinist with an irritated look in her eyes. "I don't condone what you did but I won't hold it against you."

The Machinist felt relaxed and smiled. "Thank you Katara. Your mercy is appreciated."

Katara just nodded. "Right." She then turned to Iroh and the other White Lotus members with a warm smile on her face. "Iroh..Master Pakku..I can't thank you enough. There is no way I could have possibly fought all of them off. You saved our lives out there."

Iroh, still conflicted about fighting his nephew, just bowed in honor. "Please Katara. Your praise is not necessary. My brothers and I merely did our duty. We are sworn to defend the Avatar."

Katara chuckled with a half grin. "Wow who knew firebenders were so humble?" She then turned to Master Pakku and bowed. "Master Pakku. A pleasure to see you again."

The old waterbending master then bowed with a smile. "A pleasure my dear student."

Aang then spoke. "I know Iroh and Piandao but I don't know the other three "

Iroh nodded and gestured to Piandao, Jeong Jeong and Bumi. "Allow me to introduce the rest of the White Lotus Society." He then pointed to Piandao. "This is Brother Piandao. A noted Fire Nation swordsman and a former Fire Army soldier. He has trained many apprentices over the last hundred years. He is one of the best swordsmen I have ever known."

The grizzled swordmaster gave Aang a bow. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Aang. It is refreshing to see the Air Nation alive and well in these dark times."

Sokka gasped with surprise in his tone. "You are a swordmaster! That is so cool! Can you train me?"

Katara silently laughed at her older brother's enthusiasm. Ah Sokka. Mention swords or weapons and you get excited. Something's never change..even during times of war.

Piandao laughed at the Southern warrior and put a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe someday. What's your name kid?"

Sokka piped up excitedly. "Sokka!"

Piandao nodded with a smile. "Find me in the Fire Nation someday. We will talk then." He then turned to Kuzon. "It is an honor to meet you young Kuzon. I hear you were taught well with a blade. Care to spar sometime?"

Kuzon half-grinned. "Sure. Sounds fun."

Jeong Jeong then stepped forward. "I am Jeong Jeong. The man had a weary look in his eyes and spoke with regret in his voice. "Long ago…I was a Fire Nation general not unlike Iroh. I craved personal glory and carved destruction in my wake. Such a lifetime wasted. I fight now for peace."

Kuzon smiled and bowed before the old firebending master. "Then it appears we have a common goal Jeong Jeong. I'm glad I am not alone."

Jeong Jeong nodded and bowed back. "Indeed. You must heal the world in the places where I have burned it."

Iroh then gestured to Bumi. "And finally we have…" The earthbender interrupted him and grinned madly at the firebending Avatar. "Bumi. King Bumi of Omashu. The strongest earthbender in the world."

The old man then gave the Avatar a knowing wink. I'm also good with the ladies." The elder earthbender then offered Kuzon a hand.

Kuzon nodded and bowed. "Honored."

A sharp bit of pain then hit his chest and he dropped to one knee.

Katara immediately rushed to his side. "Alright…I think that is enough introductions for now. He needs to be healed." She then took Kuzon's arm and draped it around her shoulder. "I've got you sweetie. Lean on me." The two then rushed off to Katara's quarters.

Iroh glanced at the two with a perplexed look in his eyes. "Are they..?"

Sokka answered him in a matter-of-fact way. "Dating? Yeah. Hence why she wanted to kill that Machinist guy. Those two are both deadly and beautiful together."

Iroh nodded with a small smile. "I see. It is as I have always believed. Perhaps the Four Nations aren't as divided as we think they are."

Katara's Room

Moments later

Katara motioned for Kuzon to sit down on one of the rugs. "Okay take your battle tunic off."

Kuzon's face reddened. He was rather embarrassed to be undressing in front of his girlfriend but he did so. "Sure." He undid the snaps on the gauntlets and pulled off the top part of the outfit. He then folded it and laid it on the floor next to him.

Katara felt her face redden and she shyly smiled. Wow. Not even the scars of battle diminish how good he looks shirtless. I really am a lucky girl. She had to avert his gaze so she could focus on the healing. "Umm...okay. I'm going to undo the bandages now." She then unwrapped the old bandages. The wound stood there unhealed and open. She then gently ran her hand from the small of his back to the wound on his chest. "How does it feel?"

Kuzon cringed in pain. "Like I got stabbed in the chest."

Katara nodded. "Let me see what I can do." She then bended some water and pressed it against the large wound. "How does that feel?"

Kuzon let out a groan of relief. "Good. It's helping."

Katara smiled. "I'm glad." She then pulled the water back. "How are you holding up? That..was a lot to handle."

Kuzon sighed and shook his head. "I'm..just angry."

Katara nodded in agreement. "The Machinist right?"

Kuzon shook his head. "No…Zuko." The boy's hands began to steam. "I can understand the Machinist's motivations for betraying my trust. He did it to save his son. I..can't fault him for that. I don't agree with it but I can't blame him."

Katara nodded with a hint of irritation in her voice. "Yeah…I see your meaning. That doesn't mean I have to agree with it though. You almost died."

Kuzon chuckled darkly. "Oh don't worry. I had half a mind to punch that man in the mouth. It just wouldn't have solved anything. I may be a fighter but I don't fight without a damn good reason to."

Katara nodded. She expertly worked her hands through the wound, drawing it back and forth. "Yeah. I agree."

Kuzon sighed and shook his head. "I saw the look in Zuko's eyes when I asked for clemency. There was nothing there but the cold stare of a pampered royal with no morals. He isn't being forced to hunt me. He is choosing his path."

Katara nodded in agreement. "That he is. What do you want to do about him?"

Kuzon sighed regretfully and rested his face in his hands. "I wanted to spare more bloodshed but it seems he has given me no choice. He has to die."

Katara nodded. "I agree with you my flameheart. His obsession with you presents too much of a danger to us."

Kuzon nodded. "I hope my parents will forgive me for that. They made me swear not to kill anyone unless I have no other option."

Katara, now a bit perplexed, spoke up, a bit irritated. "What do you mean they told you not to kill?"

Kuzon sighed and ran his hands over his face. "When I was fighting Zuko back in the North…I managed to slash both his shoulders with the sword. I was going to decapitate him. He literally looked me in the eyes and told me to do it."

Katara, now interested in the story, was now listening intently as she continued on with the healing session.. "What stopped you?"

The firebender nodded in frustration. "They came to me…in their spirit forms…and told me to let him live. They told me to let him live. To choose peace and forgiveness. They said that enough blood has been spilled in the name of our family They made me swear not to kill unless there were no other options available."

Katara raised an eyebrow. "Hmm interesting. It sure doesn't seem like the Fire Nation way of handling things. " The young waterbender then tapped her chin in thought. "Then again…you probably know your people's culture and traditions more than I ever could. I've only known your peoples' tendencies for destruction and chaos."

Kuzon turned to her and nodded. "Yeah. I thought I had finally met someone of my own kind who understood my pain. Who understood the pain of being outcasted by their own homeland. Instead…I saw the eyes of a monster who is just as much of a damn tyrant as his own father. He needs to die."

Katara nodded. "I agree with you wholeheartedly. He is a danger to the world just as his father is." She then took her hands in his. "Whatever needs to be done…you can be rest assured that I will help however I can."

Kuzon nodded. "Thank you. I'm going to need all the help I can get."

Katara then resumed the healing process. The boy let out a groan in pain and closed his eyes to try and ignore the pain in the chest. Katara felt herself sigh when she heard the small grunts in pain. " I'm sorry sweetie. These wounds will take some time to heal properly. I have only managed to stop the bleeding. I'm afraid not even a prodigy like myself can fully heal a wound this severe." She then began wrapping his new dressings in order to prevent an infection from spreading.

Kuzon just nodded. There was an intense look in the boy's eyes. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. This pain only fuels my resolve to get stronger. The next time I face Zuko…I won't be taken prisoner. That is a promise."

Katara smiled on with pride. "That is why I love you. You don't let the horrors of this war get to you. You stand strong even as the world burns around us."

Kuzon just turned to her and nodded. "What matters is the end goal. We don't have time for hesitation. There is too much at stake." Katara smiled at him and leaned on his left shoulder to kiss him on the cheek. "I agree wholeheartedly. I may despise the Fire Nation and all they stand for but you and Iroh are both exceptions to that rule. I love you Kuzon. I'm with you until the end."

Kuzon leaned on her shoulder in response and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you too Katara."

The two were then interrupted by Iroh clearing his throat. "Pardon the interruption Avatar Kuzon. I wanted to see how you were healing."

Kuzon turned to the old firebending master with shock in his eyes. "Iroh! What are you doing here?"

Katara giggled at her boyfriend. "Iroh and his friends were the ones who helped me keep you safe." She then walked up to the elder firebender and gave him a huge hug. "I can't thank you enough Iroh. If you hadn't shown up…My friends and I would be dead. I know it couldn't have been easy to fight your own nephew for Kuzon's sake but I hope you know that the people of the Water Tribes are grateful for your bravery. That is especially true for me. Thank you for helping me keep the boy I love safe!"

Iroh sighed. The girl's words did not bring him much calm. He, nonetheless, hugged her back, albeit in a more reserved manner. Guilt filled the old man's heart. He had succeeded in his mission but had to attack his beloved nephew in order to do so. The guilt was heavy in his heart. "As I said before, thanks are not necessary child. I only did as the spirits asked."

Katara pulled away from the old man with a coy smirk on her face. "Wow. Jeez. You and Kuzon really are alike you know. The two of you never know how to take a compliment."

Kuzon just shrugged. "Well we aren't exactly taught the importance of being warm with our own people in the Fire Nation sweetie. There is always a measure of what some would call…tough love. We both had rules and decorum to follow."

Iroh just gave the boy a serious nod. "You speak the truth Avatar Kuzon."

Katara, giggling at her boyfriend's blunt nature, pecked him on the cheek. "Then it is a good thing I'm here to lighten up the room. Fire and water do yin and yang one another."

Jeong Jeong then came in. "How is the Avatar's condition?"

Kuzon just spoke bluntly. "I'm still alive. I'd say that's a point in my favor."

Jeong Jeong just nodded and bowed in honor. "It is good to see you alive Avatar. Your reputation as the Flame of Redemption precedes you."

Kuzon bowed in honor. "And you are?"

Jeong Jeong spoke in a weary tone. His voice was hoarse and rough. "My name is Jeong Jeong. Long ago..I was a servant to the Fire Lord and his family just like you. I was a General at one time. I plundered land and killed many in his name. My hands and conscience grew heavy with regret over time. I deserted." He then turned to Iroh and put a hand on the old man's shoulder. "Iroh is an old friend. He helped me get connected with the White Lotus Society. He gave me a chance to redeem my honor. It was the opportunity I needed."

Kuzon nodded in agreement. "I'm glad to see I am not the only firebender rebelling against Ozai's rule."

Jeong Jeong nodded. "Indeed."

Aang then walked in with a relieved look on his face. He then embraced the firebender in a tight hug. "Ah it's good to see you alive brother. I feared the worst."

Kuzon held his friend close. "As did I. You saved my life again Aang. I owe you my life."

Aang walked back, punching him in the shoulder. "Ah we'll call it even. You did save my people after all. Are you going to be alright?"

Kuzon shrugged. "Still in pain but I'll deal with it ."

Aang nodded. "Everything is as it should be then."

Sokka was leaning against the tent. "Well well you survived. You are one stubborn son of a bitch you know that?"

Kuzon grinned at him. "Sokka!" The two then fistbumped and hugged tightly. "Hah. I knew you wouldn't die on me. You are immortal."

Kuzon chuckled. "Let us not go that far."

Iroh then cleared his throat and spoke pensively. "Now that the threat has passed Kuzon. My brothers and I must go. We must stay on the move."

Kuzon nodded and bowed before the elder firebender. "I understand. Thank you for everything Master Iroh."

Iroh bowed in response. "Be well and be safe."

Jeong Jeong bowed as well. "Be well."

The two men then walked out of the tent.

Sokka chuckled with a toothy grin on his face."Wow. That guy is a character. I like his style."

Kuzon nodded. "Indeed."

Northern Air Temple, Former Air Nation

Two days later

The gang decided to stay at the temple for two days.

Things had been relatively quiet. Kuzon was busy training Katara in sword combat. He rushed in with one strike intending to strike at her torso.

Katara blocked it and drew back, digging her heels in the ground.

The girl grunted in frustration.

Kuzon sighed. It was quickly becoming clear that his waterbending girlfriend was not destined to be a prime swordsman. One-handed swordfighting required a lot of strength to master. He was a born firebender. Firebending required strength by its very nature. Katara was good at redirecting energy and using it against her enemies in a tactical way. It was a byproduct of her training as a waterbender. Speed and quickness were her art.

The two then clashed swords again.

Katara sighed and threw her hands up in frustration.. "Wait wait."

Kuzon raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Is this too much at one time?"

Katara shook her head apologetically. "No. No. This just doesn't feel right. This sword is…" She just sighed irritatingly. "It is not my style. It is too heavy. I'm sorry. I feel like I've failed you somehow." The girl then hung her head low in shame.

Kuzon shook his head and put a hand on her shoulder. "No. It is alright. You gave it your best shot. I felt the same way when I tried waterbending for the first time. Do you remember what you told me that day?"

Katara looked up at him with her eyes full of hope. "I said that all you could hope to do was your best."

Kuzon picked up her chin with a hand and smiled. "And that is what I'm going to tell you. I don't expect anything out of you except your best. Perhaps we can find a smaller weapon…more suitable for you."

The girl nodded and sighed sadly. "Yeah…maybe."

The Machinist stepped forward with a smile on his face. "I believe I can assist with that."

The couple then noticed him.

Katara eyed the man pensively. "What do you want?"

Kuzon cringed when he heard the ice cold tone in her voice.

The Machinist didn't let her frosty demeanor affect him however. "I came to offer you a gift Katara. As a sign of thanks for all you have done to keep us safe from the Fire Nation. "

Katara glared a bit back at him. After a while, her gaze softened and she gave him a small smile. "Well you are welcome…I guess."

The Machinist just nodded, grateful for the kind words the girl had given him. He then held out the open chest in his hands. "Please take this as a token of my appreciation."

Katara then looked in the chest and saw the two knife gauntlets. "These are…gauntlets of some kind. Like the kind Kuzon made me when he made me my battle outfit."

The Machinist raised a hand. "Correct. Except these hold hidden knives. Perfect for getting up close and personal."

Katara took the gauntlets out of the chest and eyed them in awe. "I..do..like getting personal with my enemies." She then attached them to her outfit and snapped them back into place. She flexed her hand. As she did, the small blade popped out with a pop. A sly smirk came across the girls's face. "Hmm neat. I like the idea. Fast and quick." She glanced at the older man, smirked and spoke in a tone of mock-annoyance. "You know…maybe you aren't so bad after all old man. I guess I will take this as payment for saving your life."

The Machinist just bowed his head. "Your praise fills me with pride Katara." He then turned to Kuzon. "I have something for you as well Avatar."

The man then unrolled a big paper sack off his back. Kuzon eyed him curiously. "What is it?"

The man then pulled out two twin blades made out of a blackened type of metal. The hilts had a variation of Fire Nation colors and wrappings on them. They were adorned with two red and gold scabbards that had the insignia of a dragon on them.

Katara looked at them in awe. "Those look amazing sweetie."

Kuzon nodded. "That they do." He then bowed. "Thank you for the gift."

The Machinist nodded. "It was a pleasure."

Lhasang's Quarters

Later that night

Lhasang suddenly awoke when she heard the sounds of footsteps approaching her quarters. She quickly grabbed her airbending staff and leaped out of bed in defense mode. "Who's there?" She then sent a gust of wind strong enough to send Aang crashing to the ground.

Aang quickly took a few steps back with an uneasy look in his eyes. "Whoa. Hey. Take it easy. It's just me."

Lhasang gasped in shock. "Oh..Oh my spirits! Aang? What are you doing here this late?" She then put an arm under Aang and helped him to his feet. Great job Lhasang. He finally comes to see you after two days and what do you do? You blast him to kingdom come! "Here let me help you up."

Aang chuckled with a small laugh. "I was testing your reflexes." He then let out a groan in pain as he felt his bruised side with a hand. "Evidently…I would say you are well prepared for a surprise attack." He then sat on the bed.

Lhasang sighed with regret in her tone. "I'm..really sorry. I wasn't expecting company tonight." The girl then began looking around for a med-kit, bandages or anything she could possibly use to patch him up.

Aang shook his head smiling. "Please just relax. I'm fine. This is nothing,"

Lhasang, finally eased by his words, just nodded. "If you say so." She then averted his eyes blushing. "So..what brings you here?"

Aang sighed. Part of him wanted to run away. He was unsure if his confused reaction to the intimate moment the two had shared had ruined whatever chemistry they could possibly have. "I…wanted to discuss something in private with you."

Lhasang nodded. "Okay. I'm all ears."

Aang nodded. "Right. You…know…when we kissed…I felt something."

Lhasang nodded with a new eager look in her eyes. "Oh? What did you feel?" The girl's initially nervous demeanor quickly turned to one of giddiness.

Aang then ran a hand across his face. "I felt joy. I felt elated. I felt emotions that I haven't felt for a long time. I could hardly form words."

Lhasang nodded with a sly smile forming on her face. "So what does that tell you?"

Aang grinned nervously. "I..am unsure. I talked with both Kuzon and Katara about..how I felt."

Lhasang raised an eyebrow curiously. "What did they tell you?"

Aang, still blushing, spoke with a nervous stutter. "They told me that I was in love. Katara…told me to just go with it."

Lhasang smirked at him. She walked up to him and pressed a hand against his cheek. "That waterbender really is something special. I can see why she completes the Avatar so well.. I believe you have your answer then."

Aang sighed. "Yeah..I just was…nervous about…asking…you how you felt. The kiss was so sudden. It has been two days. I didn't know whether or not… "

Lhasang finished the boy's words for him. "Whether or not I still felt the same way."

Aang nodded. "This is all still so new to me. I've spent about a hundred years devoting myself to the old teachings of the Masters. I don't know how to…"

Lhasang then wrapped her arms around his neck and spoke gently. "It's alright. I don't either." She then laughed. "You forget that up until now…I was still just a peaceful forager trying to make it to my next meal. This war has changed us both."

The two then met each other's lips and dainty pulled away.

Aang nodded gravely. "It has."

The boy bit his lip. "Are you sure we should be doing this? These kinds of things are almost never certain. I can't stay here to guide you all..as much as I would love that. You know I have to leave with Kuzon eventually."

Lhasang nodded. "I'm well aware of that. That is why I'm going with you all when you leave."

Aang's eyes widened in horror. "Are you insane? I'm heading into the jaws of death itself. There is a ninety-nine percent chance I'm going to die out here fighting the Fire Lord. You could stay here and be happy. Find a man who could give you a happy home life."

Lhasang smirked at him. "Ah. Happy married life…sounds nice…not." She then pressed her lips against his cheek. "I appreciate your optimism. It is kind of cute but I think you and I both know that is bullshit. There is no safe place for either of us. We either bring the fight to them or they are going to bring it to our shores."

Aang sighed irritatingly and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Will you take this seriously? You are talking about certain death here. I'm a walking death warrant. I'm trying to save your life." Lhasang glanced at him with a hint of irritation in her voice. She grabbed on his robes and pulled him roughly towards her. "I don't need your protection Aang. I can handle myself. You know that."

Aang sighed. "I..you're right..sorry. I..just…" He then punched his fist into the table in frustration. His breaths became ragged and he started rubbing at his eyes. Tears ran down his eyes "I..could have saved them. Gyatso…the rest of our people…I could have..saved them if I had the power.."

Lhasang nodded with sympathy in her eyes. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She shook her head and wrapped her arms around his waist. "No. You couldn't have."

Aang shook his head with shame. "No..that is not true.."

Lhasang sighed. "It is. You were still held to the old ways Aang. You weren't taught to fight them." She then turned his face to meet hers and smiled pridefully. "We will be the instruments of the lost airbenders' revenge. That is a promise. I am with you all the way. Are you with me?"

Aang took her hand and squeezed it tightly. He then met her eyes and nodded dutifully. "I am."

Northern Air Temple

A day later

Kuzon and the rest of the gang were packing up supplies. He grunted as he hoisted up a large bag of supplies onto the bison's side. "That should be the last of it." He then turned back to Sokka who gave him a nod and a half-grin.

Katara then cuddled his arm and leaned in, sighing happily. "I'm really going to miss this place. It really has been peaceful." The girl snickered a bit. "Well..except the whole being captured bit. I can't say I'm a fan of being the damsel in distress." Kuzon nodded and chuckled bitterly. "Can't say I'm a fan of being an Avatar in distress myself. Thanks for the save."

Katara chuckled and kissed him on the cheek. "My pleasure."

Aang then walked up with Lhasang holding hands.

Sokka turned over to the two of them with a sly smirk on his face. "Well well…What do we have here?"

Aang blushed and averted the boy's eyes with a nervous smile on his face. "Well..this is awkward."

Lhasang squeezed his hand and kissed him on the cheek. "It's alright Aang." She then leaned on his left shoulder. "I'm coming along with you all. The Avatar isn't the only person who needs someone to watch his back."

Katara's expression went from shock to amusement. She smirked at the airbender girl playfully and crossed her arms. "I see. You think you can keep up with me? I happen to be the best waterbender in the world."

Lhasang shook her head with a sly smirk. "I guess we will have to see." There was one question Kuzon had though. "What about the rest of your people? Who is going to lead them in the meantime?"

Lhasang nodded with a sly grin. "Don't worry Kuzon. I have got that covered. Keo is going to take over for me."

Kuzon just nodded. "Got it. I'm not going to refuse more help."

Rigsang then came up and bowed in front of Kuzon. "I wanted to give you all my blessings before you left. As thanks for giving us a future."

Kuzon just bowed in return. "The thanks are appreciated Rigsang. We were glad to help."

Katara wrapped her arms around his left arm and smiled. "What he said."