Disclaimer: I don't own none of the characters from the show, but I wish I could. The only people that I own is my OCs.
Enjoy :)
Katara: Water, Earth, Fire, Air. Along time ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed, and my cousin and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Aang can save the world.
Jessie: Air, Water, Earth, Fire. These are the element of the cycle of the second avatar. The second avatar was reincarnated among the family bloodlines. The last avatar was an earth bender from the earth Kingdom but she was kill during the one hundred war. I hope we find the second avatar to help save the world.
The Southern Air Temple
It was a beautiful morning because the sun was so bright and reflect from the water. On the shore, lays a camp that was made by the gang. Appa was eating some grass, Katara was setting up some of their stuff, Jessie went to get some food for them to eat for breakfast, Aang was helping Jessie with picking berries, while Sokka was asleep still. Jessie and Aang came back from their trip which Jessie gave some of her berries to Katara. Aang was getting excited to see his home once again because he was frozen over the years.
"Well, I can't wait for you to see the Temple, Katara. The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world." Aang said, with excitement.
"Aang, I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home." Katara told.
"That's why I'm so excited!" Aang said.
"It's just that a lot can change in all that time." Katara told him.
"I know, but I need to see it for myself." Aang said.
Jessie was fixing her hair and she looked at her cousin to see that he was still asleep and she just sigh to see that he was lazy. She ate her berries and she went to get some water for them to drink during their travel. Aang floated down from appa's back and walked over to a sleeping Sokka. Jessie got up and help her cousin with the packing up camp and she handed Katara some water to drink.
"Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple here we come!" Aang said.
"Sleep now... temple later..." Sokka groggible.
Sokka roll over and begins to snore again which Aang blink his eyes and he was not happy about wait. Then in a instant, he switch from angry to a grin. He had gotten himself an idea and he picked up a stick as both Katara and Jessie watched from Appa's back.
"Sokka! Wake up! There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!" Aang said.
He use the stick to run up and down Sokka's sleeping bag like a snake. Then Sokka's eyes shot open and he started screaming like a little girl.
"Aaahhh! Get it off! Get it off! Aaahhh!" Sokka screamed.
He hops around in his sleeping bag until he loses his balance and falls flat on his face. Both Katara and Jessie started laughing at him which he was very irritated that he was force to get up.
"Great, you're awake. Let's go." Aang said.
=== Zuko, Iroh and Zaku ===
Zaku was looking at the clouds and he could tell that it was a beautiful day and he looked down at the ocean and he saw a couple of fish jumped out of the water. He just smile at the sight of them and Zuko was looking at him. He walked up to his best friend, but he try to keep a smile on his face. He knew that the ship needs some repairs from the fight with Aang and his friends. Zuko dislike going to the one man that he truly hate in the world is Zhao. He knew that he needed to get his ship repair and continue the search for Aang. The ship had pulled into docks and the anchor dropped. Zuko, Iroh, and Zaku started to leave the ship to see if they could talk to anyone but Zhao.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail." Zuko said.
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asked.
Zuko turn on his uncle angrily.
"Don't mention his name on theses docks! Once word gets out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way." Zuko said.
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" Zhao said.
Zuko turned around to see that Zhao was walking up to them. Zaku bow to him with respect. Zhao bowed to him and Iroh for a moment and he was looking at Zaku for a moment.
"Ah I see, that young master Zaku have arrive. I believe that your sister in her tent and she has be anxious to see you." Zhao told him.
Zaku was looking at both Zuko and Iroh because he was trying to get their permission to see his family members. Iroh nodded his head and Zaku left to see his sister. Iroh knew that has been a long time since Zaku seen his family, but he has been sending them letters about their travels. Zhao called one of his guards to him and the nonbender guard walked up to him.
"See to that young master Zaku is escorted to his older sister, major Luna as soon as possible." Zhao ordered.
The guard nodded his head and Zaku started walking with him to find his sister. Zhao looked at Zuko's ships to see that there were a lot damage to it which he looked at Zuko for some explanation on that. Zaku was being lead through the corridors to find his sister. Luna was standing and she felt a presence that she thought she would guess. She turned around and she smile to see her little brother.
"It's great to see you, Zaku. How are you? Are you eating well?" Luna asked.
"I am doing fine, big sister." Zaku signed.
She just smile at him and she sended the guard away because she wanted to spend some time with her younger brother. She was looking at the guards and she knew that something was not right. She grabbed her brother and she took to a place where there no eyes or ears to hear their conversation. Zaku was looking at her because he was confuse on the matter that is happening. Once they got to a safe place.
=== Aang, Sokka, Jessie, and Katara ===
Appa was flying in the air because they were heading towards Aang's home. Katara was seating next Aang in the front and she was looking at Jessie who was stretching in the back with Sokka. Sokka was hungry because of his stomach and Jessie was looking at him.
"Hey, stomach, be quiet all right? I'm trying to find us some food." Sokka said to his stomach.
He searches the food bag and dumps it out onto his glove. Only a few crumbs came out of the bag. He looked at the three of them.
"Hey! Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?" Sokka asked.
He looked at Jessie with pure anger.
"Don't look at me. I don't like them." Jessie said.
"Oh, that was food? I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry." Aang told him.
"Aang, I told you to ask people before going into their stuff." Jessie said,
"You WHAT? Awww, no wonder the flames smelled so good." Sokka complained.
"Stop whining. Here I manage to keep some extras." Jessie said.
Jessie reach into her bag and pulled out two blubbered seal jerky and she toss them to Sokka. Sokka was looking at the two jerky and he looked sad.
"This is not enough. I am a growing boy." Sokka whined
"Well, growing boy then you better make them last." Jessie said.
Sokka groan in defeat because of his cousin was right. Appa flew high in the sky which Jessie and Katara was in awe at the sight of the Southern Air Temple. Aang was looking at his home and he was happy to see it.
=== Zaku and Zuko ===
Zaku was looking at Suna for a moment and he was confuse for a little bit. Suna was looking at him and she have a smile on her face. She was looking at the guards had left and she knew that they both have a moment to themselves. She had made him some food and he started to eat with his heart content. Zhao was going over plans to take over the Earth Kingdom, but Zuko was trying his best not to listen his plans.
"And by year's end, The Earth Kingdom would be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao said.
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Zuko said.
Zhao was looking at him and he was a little annoyed about his statement about the Fire lord. He started to sit down next to him and Zuko was averting his eyes from Zhao's.
"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue...So, how is your search for the Avatars going?" Zhao said.
Then Iroh tip over the weapons that was standing up that he was examining.
"My fault entirely." Iroh said.
Zhao turned his attention back to Zuko.
"We haven't found them yet." Zuko answered.
"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago along with the rest of the airbenders. As for the second Avtatar, he has been avoiding the fire nation for far too long. If he or she had been born in the Fire Nation, then the family would have brought him or her to the Fire Lord to face excution." Zhao said.
Zuko averted his eyes from him.
"Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive." Zhao prided
Zuko was still looking away, but he a little bit of guilt
"No. Nothing." Zuko said.
Zhao got up from his chair
"Prince Zuko, the Avatars are the only ones who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found." Zhao said.
"I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago and the second Avatar is skillful in avoiding the Fire Nation. Come on, Uncle, we're going. We need to grabbed Zaku on the way out." Zuko said.
He was about to leave, but his exit was block by the guards with their spears. Then another guard started to enter the room and he was lean into Zhao's ear to give his deliver his report.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape."
"Now, remind me...how exactly was your ship damaged?" Zhao asked.
=== Zaku ===
Zaku was telling Luna that he had seen a lot of the country during his travel with Zuko for the Avatar but the way that he was explaining was through sign languages. Luna was smiling at the story that he was telling in his language. She couldn't help but laugh at him which he sat down and he looked at her with a smirk.
"I sorry. I am surprise to see that you had so much fun on your travel. Did Iroh resume your firebending basics?" Luna asked.
Zaku nodded.
"That's great that you are keeping up in your training." Luna said.
Then suddenly a group of the guards that had their weapons and they surround both Luna and Zaku. One of the guards walked up to the both of them. Luna knew that it was not good.
"I am sorry, major. We are here to take Zaku to Commander Zhao."
"What does was Zhao wants with my younger brother?" Luna asked.
"I am sorry, Mayor. We are under strict orders to not tell you."
Zaku was looking at his sister which he knew that something was not right and he was worry.
=== Aang, Jessie, Katara and Sokka ===
Appa touched down and they all started to climb down from Appa's saddle. Aang started to show all three of them around the hollow grounds of the air temple. Sokka was getting hungry because he didn't make the blabber jerky last like Jessie told him.
"So where do I get something to eat?" Sokka asked.
Katara just sigh.
"You're lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to ever visit an airbender temple and all you can think about is food?" Katara said.
"If Jessie gave me more food, I wouldn't be acting like this." Sokka said.
"I told you to make them last." Jessie told him.
Both Katara and Jessie left Sokka to pout and groan in defeat. They started to catch up with Aang.
"This is where we used to play airball... and... over there is where all the bison used to sleep and..." Aang said.
Aang had a sad look on his face and he was looking around for his airbender brethren. Katara was looking at him for a moment because she notice that he had a sad look on his face. Jessie and Sokka walked up to the both of them and they both could tell that Aang was sad but they know that the fire nation would probably hit the temple while he was away.
"What's wrong, Aang?" Katara asked.
"This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds. I can't believe how much things have changed." Aang said.
Aang looked at the empty Air Temple and he had sad look on his face. Sokka, Jessie, and Katara looked at each because they knew how he was feeling.
"So, uh, this airball game? How do you play?" Sokka said,
Both Aang and Sokka were standing on poles and they were playing several rounds. He is bending air around a rapidly spinning ball to keep it floating above his outstretched right hand. Suddenly, Aang starts manipulating the ball like a Harlem Globetrotter. Then, he throws it up in the air over his head. Sokka follows it with his eyes. Aang puts his hands behind his back, closes his eyes and smiles, waiting for the ball to come back down. He cracks one eye open and bends the air at the precise moment to send the ball bouncing through the field of sticks like a pinball in an arcade game. Sokka watch as the ball ricochet toward him at amazing speed. The ball hits him in the stomach and he is propelled backward through a rotating door in the backboard behind him. He hits the ground nearby which both Katara and Jessie was laughing at him.
"Hahaha! Aang seven, Sokka zero!" Aang said.
Sokka popped his head out of the snow.
"Making him feel better is putting me in a world of hurt." Sokka muttered.
Sokka sees something that makes him stop and move forward. It is a Fire soldier helmet lying on the ground. Sokka crawls over to it.
"Jessie, Katara, check this out." Sokka said.
Both Katara and Jessie came to Sokka and they both gasp at the helmet.
"Fire nation." Jessie and Katara.
"We should tell him." Sokka suggested.
Jessie nodded while Katara was thinking on the idea.
"Aang, there's something you should see." Jessie called him.
"Okay." Aang said,
He was heading towards them with a smile on his face. Katara looks back and forth between the helmet and the happy boy rapidly approaching, unsure whether to show him the horrible discovery. Making her choice, she waterbends the snow on the nearby bank down onto the helmet and both Sokka and Jessie.
"What is it?" Aang asked.
"Uh... just the new waterbanding move I learned." Katara lied.
"Nice one. But enough practicing. We have a whole temple to see!" Aang said.
Aang walked off while Jessie dug herself out of the snow and she waterbend a snowball which she threw at the back of Katara's head. Katara just glared at her cousin which she knew that she deserve it. Sokka dug himself out of the snow as well and Katara shook the snow out of her hair.
"You know, you can't protect him forever." Sokka mentioned.
Katara just looked at the direction that Aang took.
"Katara, firebenders were here. You can't pretend they weren't." Sokka told her.
"I agree with Sokka, Katara. He deserve to know what had happened here." Jessie said.
"I can for Aang's sake. If he finds out that the Fire Nation invaded his home, he'll be devastated." Katara said.
"He'll be even more devastated if we keep this from him." Jessie mentioned.
"Hey guys! I want you to meet somebody." Aang said.
Aang took Sokka, Katara, and Jessie to the center of the temple and they saw a monk statue.
"Who's that?" Sokka asked.
"Monk Gyatso, the greatest airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know." Aang said.
=== Flashback ===
Gyatso was baking some sweets and he was giving a lesson to Aang.
"But the true secret...is in the gooey center." Gyatso said.
Aang sighed.
"My ancient cake making technique isn't the only thing on your mind, is it, Aang?" Gyatso asked.
"This whole Avatar thing... maybe the monks made a mistake." Aang said.
"The only mistake they made was telling you before you turned sixteen. But we can't concern ourselves with what was. We must act on what is." Gyatso said.
They both looked out from the balcony at the air temple that was filled with Airbenders that was flying bison. The view show other inhabitants around the mountain side.
"But Gyatso, how do I know if I'm ready for this?" Aang asked.
"Your questions will be answered when you are old enough to enter the Air Temple sanctuary. Inside you will meet someone who will guide you on your journey." Gyatso said.
"Who is it?" Aang asked.
"When you are ready, he will reveal himself to you." Gyatso said.
Aang sigh heavily in frustration.
"Now, are you going to help me with these cakes, or not?" Gyatso asked.
Aang turned his master and he smile.
"Alright." Aang said.
Aang and Gyatso assume airbending stances, with the four cakes sitting on the wall. They both cock back, creating balls of wind with their airbending skill as Gyatso counts.
"One...two...three." Gyatso said.
Both release their airballs on the count of three, propelling the cakes high into the air. They make a distinctive whizzing noise as they come down. There were four meditating monks, who are soon each wearing one of the four cakes. The monks are soon surrounded by winged lemurs who begin feasting on the cakes. Both Aang and Gyatso started laughing at their pranks. They both bow to each other respectfully and Gyatso patted Aang on the head.
"Your aim has improved greatly my young pupil." Gyatso said.
=== Flashback ends ===
Aang was still bowing to the statue of monk Gyatso. Jessie was looking at the statue and she knew that Monk Gyatso was a good mentor and a father figure to Aang.
"You must missed him." Jessie said.
"Yeah." Aang said.
He started walking inside of the temple. Jessie, Katara, and Sokka was looking at each other for a moment and back at Aang's back.
"Where are you going?" Katara asked.
"The Air Temple Sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet." Aang said,
Both Katara and Jessie looks at Sokka, who shrugs. The four of them approach the entrance to the Air Temple Sanctuary. It is a huge wooden door that is dominated by an enormous woodcut comprised of three air symbols protruding from its surface. They are arranged in a triangular pattern. The symbols are attached to tubes that end in two horns near the bottom of the woodcut.
"But Aang... no one could have survived in there for a hundred years." Katara said.
"It's not impossible. I survived in the iceberg for that long." Aang told her.
"He does have a point, Katara." Jessie said.
Katara was looking at Jessie and she knew that Jessie would never agree with someone that she doesn't like.
"And beside Katara, whoever's in there might help me figure out this Avatar thing!" Aang added.
"And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious, cured meats!" Sokka said,
Jessie palmed her forehead because of Sokka's stomach and complaining for food. Sokka rubs his hands together in fevered anticipation of the food that might await him. He rushes forward and runs straight into the door with a 'thunk.' He strains against the big door to no avail and slides down to the floor in defeat.
"I don't suppose you have a key?" Sokka asked.
Aang laugh while both Jessie and Katara groan at him.
"The key, Sokka, is airbending." Aang said,
He composes himself and draws in his breath. He raises both his arms perpendicular to his body, then suddenly pushes forward with his arms and steps forward with his right leg. He airbends two jets of air, one from each arm, into the horns at the bottom of the woodcut. The air runs through the tubes and one by one flips the air symbols from the blue sides which had been showing to the maroon sides, which had been facing the interior of the temple. As each turns, it flips another mechanism on the outside of the door unlock it. The two leaves of the door open to reveal the dark, cavernous interior of the Air Temple Sanctuary.
"Hello, anyone home?" Aang asked.
=== Zaku, Iroh, and Zuko ===
Zaku was being escorted to Zhao, Zuko and Iroh and he sit down. He looked at Zhao who was furious and he looked at both Zuko and Iroh. Luna walked around the camp to see if she could listen to the conversation and she knew that she was going to get the answers that she seek.
"So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders? You're more pathetic than I thought." Zhao said.
Zaku looked at Iroh to see if he told Zhao about avatar which Iroh shook his head. Luna cover her mouth to contain a gasp when she heard that the Avatar was alive.
"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again." Zuko said.
Zaku was looking at around to see that Guards was looking at the three of them. Zhao knew that this was too important to let both Zuko and Zaku to handle and rose from his seat. Luna was trying to listen the best way that she could from outside of the tent and she felt something was crawling on her. It was little mouse which she was about to scream but she cover her mouth
"No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance." Zhao said.
Zuko was shocked to hear that Zhao was going to search for the avatar.
"Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I... " Zuko said.
Zhao turns on him angrily, flames erupting from his hand as he sweeps it in an arc form.
"And you failed! Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenagers' hands. He's mine now." Zhao said.
Zaku was looking up at Zhao for a moment which Zhao rubbed his chin. He thought about Luna's feeling for her younger brother and Zaku was first hand experience on meeting the Avatar.
"And Zaku will be aiding me in the search for the Avatar. Since the mark on his back bounds him to follow orders from anyone in the Fire Nation." Zhao said.
Zuko launches himself at Zhao in frustration and anger, but he is restrained by the two guards that was standing behind his chair. Zaku avoided his eyes from Zhao's because he had brought up some unsettling memories. Zhao turned to the guards as he was about to leave.
"Keep them here." Zhao ordered.
Zuko kicks over the small table that had been sitting near iroh. It breaks into pieces and Zaku just shook his head because of Zuko anger. Iroh just watch calmly and he look at the guards for a moment and he was hold his cup.
"More tea please?" Iroh said.
=== Jessie, Aang, Sokka, and Katara ===
Aang, Sokka, Jessie, and Katara walk into the Sanctuary. There was so many statues arrayed in a pattern. Each statues had two statues standing next to each like a pair. The four of them walk among the statues, heading to the center of the room.
"Who are all these people?" Katara asked.
Aang looked at the statues for a moment because he feel uncertain about all of them.
"I'm not sure, but it feels like I know them some how." Aang said.
He look for a moment and he noticed one of the statues.
"Look!" Aang said, pointed to a statue. "That one's an Airbender."
"And look next to the Airbender statue, it's a Firebender next to it." Jessie said.
She was looking at the firebender statue standing in between the Airbender statue and Waterbender statue. Jessie was trying to figure out the pattern on the reason there was another firebender in the middle of the pattern.
"And this one's a waterbender. They're lined up in a pattern. Air, Water, Earth, and Fire." Katara said.
"That's the Avatar cycle." Aang mentioned.
Then it hit Jessie.
"Of course! They're avatars. All these people are your past lives Aang." Katara said.
"Wow! There's so many." Aang said.
"Then this must be the second Avatar cycle as well." Jessie said.
"Yeah, I heard from the monks about the second Avatar was heading towards the Air Temple because she was in search for me. That's must be someone that I suppose to meet here." Aang said.
Sokka was looking around for some food and he was hungry. Aang looking at every Avatar that had came before him.
"Past lives? Katara, you really believe in the stuff?" Sokka asked.
"It's true. When the Avatar dies he's reincarnated into the next nation in the cycle." Katara said.
"I believe her." Jessie said.
Aang has stopped in front of a statue of a Firebender and Earthbender Avatars. He was looking at the two statues for a moment which he was in a dazed.
"Aang, snap out of it!" Katara said.
She shook him for a moment and he was knocked out his dazed.
"Huh?" Aang said.
"Who are they?" Katara asked.
"that's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me. And this Avatar is Yuri, I don't know more about her." Aang said.
Katara was looking at the statue for a moment because she was curious about how Aang knew their names without a label.
"How did you know. There is no name label on them." Katara said.
Jessie examine the statues to see that Katara was right.
"I'm not sure. I just know it somehow." Aang told her.
"You just couldn't get any weirder." Sokka stated.
Both Katara and Jessie glared to the side which they both ignoring him. Then the four of them turned around at the noise behind them. They all dove behind statues o hide. Sokka had a weapon out already to attack and he peeked around his statue hiding spot.
"Firebender. Nobody make a sound." Sokka whispered,
"You're maing a sound!" Katara hissed.
Then Jessie, Aang and Sokka shushed her as the shadow of an intruder started to get bigger. Sokka was ready and he raise his club.
"That firebender won't know what hit him." Sokka said.
The shadow extended past the statues. Katara prayed that he would be okay against the firebender. He lungd around the statue and froze with a dumbstruck look on his face. The three benders peeked out from behind their statues to see it was just a cute little lemur. Jessie started laughing for a moment because Sokka was wrong about it being a firebender.
"LEMUR!" Aang yelled out.
"Dinner." Sokka said.
"Don't listen to him. You're gonna be my new pet." Aang said.
"Not if i get him first." Sokka said.
They both lunged at the poor animal at the same time only to toppled each other. Jessie just palm her forehead and she went after them before someone gets hurt. Katara just at her family members and Aang acting silly.
"Wait! Come back!" Aang called out.
Sokka got up and chased after him while Jessie was right behind him.
"I wanna eat you!" Sokka yell out.
"Sokka, leave it alone." Jessie said.
As they went chasing after their prize,Katara sighed to herself and turned back to the statues. Jessie was trying to stopped without her cousin's help. They ran back down the hallway from the temple Sanctuary, chasing after the lemur. Both Aang and Sokka was taking turns leading the other. Sokka take a swipe at Aang's leg with his club, but Aang use his airbending skills to do a Matrix-style move to run along the wall beside Sokka which he passed him. Once he was far enough, he launched an airball spinning back at Sokka and knocking him to the ground.
The lemur made it to the balcony and it looked back at the temple. The lemur jumped onto the guardrail of the balcony, looks back as Aang approaches, and then jumps off the guardrail. Aang jumps off after it and he laughed as he falls, bouncing off the rocks beneath him as he continues to chase the lemur. Sokka finally reach the balcony, and he watch as Aang free fall.
"Hey! No Fair!" Sokka said.
=== Zuko, Iroh, and Zaku ===
Zhao returned to the tent and he open the was looking at the trio before him in their their chair.
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go." Zhao said.
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko asked.
Zhao just laughed at Zuko.
"You? Stop me? Impossible. Come along, Zaku. You had out live your service to this sorry excuse of a prince." Zhao said.
Zaku looked at both Iroh and Zuko with a sad look on his face. Then Zuko stood up defiance and he knew that his need Zaku because he knew that they both had been friends for a long time. Zaku rose from his seat and he stood next to Zhao because the mark on his back bid him to obey
"Don't underestimate me, Zhao. i will capture the Avatar before you." Zuko said.
"Prince Zuko, that's enough!" Iroh said.
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, Zaku, and one of the Dragon sisters and you... your're just a a banished prince. No home. No allies. You own father doesn't even want you." Zhao said.
"You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne." Zuko said.
Zaku nodded his head in agreement with Zuko. Zhao just looked at him for a moment and he just stroke his chin.
"If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation." Zhao told him.
"That's not true." Zuko snapped at him.
"You have the scar to prove it." Zhao mentioned.
Zuko let out a cry of indignation, launched himself to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao's.
"Maybe you'd like a match!" Zuko said.
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao asked.
Zaku was shocked for a moment because he knew that Zuko was going to suggestion the one and only style of Combat that give him that scar on his left eye.
"An Agni Kai at Sunset. I win, I take Zaku back as my shipmate." Zuko said.
"That is not gong to happened because..." Zhao said.
"The Shrine Maiden candidate isn't present." Luna said.
Luna walked into Zhao's tent which the guards fail to stop her.
"Major Luna, you don't need to be part of this." Zhao said.
"I heard enough." Luna said.
Zhao glared at her.
"With all do respect, Major Luna; but your family's status is declare forgotten by Fire Lord Sozin." Zhao said.
"You seem to have forgotten who decree that mark on my brother's back, Zhao." Luna mentioned.
"Fire Lord Ozai." Zhao said.
"That's right. As acting Shrine Maiden, I hereby accept Zuko's terms but only if he wins the match." Luna said.
Zuko nodded his head and blow to Luna. Luna turned to the guards and they release Zaku. Then they both started to leave Zhao's tent because she didn't like that her brother was going to be use as a trophy. Iroh was looking at his nephew for a moment because he kenw what happened the last time that Zuko done an agni kai.
"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?" Iroh asked.
"I will never forget. I am not going to Zhao take my friend." Zuko said.
=== Aang, Jessie, Katara, and Sokka ===
Aang was still chase after the lemur and the lemur land on the ground. Aang pounces him, but miss the lemur and run through a curtain made of decaying tent material. Aang follows the lemur to the other side of the curtain.
"Hey! Come back! Come on out, little lemur. That hungry guy won't bother you anymore." Aang said.
He was looking at high and low for the lemur. He approaches another drape parts it, and walks through. he draws a sharp breath, because he was startled at what he saw. There was firebender uniforms and skeletons covering the floor of the a decaying building.
"Firebenders? They were here?" Aang asked.
He look at the skeleton that resemble of airbender monk and it bathed in the sunlight coming from above. Aang looked to see who it was. The skeleton was none other than monk Gyatso.
"Gyatso..." Aang said.
He fell to his knees because he was disappointed to see that his mentor who taught him. Sokka pulled back the curtain because he manage to find Aang on his knees.
"Hey Aang, you find my dinner yet?" Sokka asked.
He saw Aang, head in his hands, crying. He was looking at him with concern on his face. He walked up to Aang because he knew that lemur was important to him.
"Aang, I wasn't really going to eat the lemur, okay?' Sokka said.
He wasn't crying over the lemur and Sooka saw the skeleton of Aang's master.
"Oh man... come on, Aang, everything will be all right. Let's get out of here." Sokka said.
Sokka puts his hand on Aang's shoulder as the arrow on Aang's head begins to glow incandescent blue. His eyes were glowing brighter with an angry expression as he lifts his head, Sokka gasps as he looks on in alarm. Katara was walking around the Temple Sanctuary. She was looking at all of the statues but she stopped in front of Roku. She looked at it carefully which the eyes light up with the same incandescent blue light. The eyes of all the other statues light up in order around the room.
"Aang!" Katara said.
Katara ran from the room to find Aang. The light of the Air Temple had awaken the other Temple's Statues in the Earth Kingdom, the Northern Water Tribe, and The Fire Nation Temple. One of the members of the Fire Sages came running out of the chamber to guard.
"Send word to the Fire Lord immediately. The Avatar has returned!"
Aang mourns Gyatso's body and at feet a whirlwind begins to form. Then air swirling fast around the bones lying on the ground. Aang's hands balled into fists and his eyes and arrow glowing, the wind picking up terrible speed around him.
"Aang! Come on, snap out of it!" Sokka called out.
A light blue sphere of energy surrounds Aang and begins to expand, knocking Sokka back out the building. Sokka screamed and fell backward. The energy sphere expands to the point where it blows most of the building apart, sending smoke and debris high into the sky. Sokka lands outside the building and Aang was obscured by the energy sphere and the maelstrom. Both Jessie and Katara joins Sokka behind some of the rubble, they were shielding their faces from the wind.
"What happened?" Jessie asked.
"He found out that Fire benders killed Gyatso." Sokka told them.
"Oh no, it's his avatar spirit! He must have triggered it! I'm gonna try and calm him down." Katara said.
Both Jessie and Sokka hang onto the rubble, trying not to get blown away.
"Well, do it before he blows us off the mountain." Sokka said.
Katara slowly approaches Aang, struggling against the wind, as Aang and his energy sphere slowly rise into the air. Jessie was worry for both Katara and Aang.
=== Zuko, Iroh and Zaku ===
In the Fire Nation arena, Zuko and Zhao was getting ready for their duel. Zaku was sitting next to Luna and watch the match. Iroh was standing in front of Zuko.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh told him.
Zuko stand up and face his opponent. His shoulder wrap falls to the ground ceremoniously.
"I refuse to let him win. In order for my friend's freedom." Zuko said.
Zhao stood up and turned to face Zuko. His shoulder wrap fell to the ground as well. Luna stood up from her seat and look at the fighters in front of her and brother.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao stated.
Luna looked at the person at the gong and signal to begin the match. The sound of the gong was loud and both men face each other which assume firebending stances. Zuko fire the first shot which passes harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fires again; but this time if passes without effect to Zhao's right. Zuko fires several more, the last of which Zhao block with ease.
Zaku raise out of his seat because he had bad feeling about Zuko's anger getting the best of him. Zhao was using this as an advantage because Zuko was losing control of his breathing. Zuko moves towards his opponent, unleashing more fire from both of his hands and feet. Zhao just dodges and blocks them all. Then Zhao crouched forwards and shoots flame at the ground. Iroh watch anxiously at what Zhao was trying to do.
"Basics, Zuko! Break his root!" Iroh said.
Zhao fires many volleys of flames, alternating between his fists. Zuko block each, but he was being slowly forces back. On the last volley, Zhao uses both of his hands which knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards to the ground. Zhao takes a flying jump at him. Zuko tries to get back up, but he wasn't fast enough. Zhao fires right at him, but Zuko rolls out of the way just in time. He sweep Zhao's feet out from under him. Zuko lands on his feet which both Zaku and Luna was looking at him with pure shock.
Zuko advance towards Zhao, using his feet to producing small waves of fire. Zhao was caught off balance and wobbles slowly backward. Iroh has a smile on his face and looking up at Zaku to see that he was smiling as well. Zuko manage to knock Zhao flat out on his back. Zuko rushes up to him and prepared to deal the final blow.
"Do it!" Zhao yelled.
Zuko released a fire blast but he missed on purpose. He spared Zhao's life and Zaku smile because he knew that Zuko would show mercy. Luna stood up which she signal for Zaku to follow her. Zhao's open his eyes to see that Zuko had missed.
"That's it? Your father raise a coward." Zhao said.
"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko warned him.
Zuko turn his back and begins to walk away. Zhao got up and with a howl of anger, unleashes a whip of flame at Zuko. The flames was heading towards Zuko's back, but the flames were extinguished by Iroh's hand grabbed Zhao's foot. They remain frozen for a moment before Iroh hurls Zhao back to the ground. Zuko rush to avenge the insult, but he was stopped by Zaku.
"No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." Iroh told him.
Iroh turns to face Zhao.
"So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful. Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." Iroh said.
Iroh started to leave and Zuko follows close behind him with subdue anger. Zhao watch them exit the gate of the arena. Zaku bow to his older sister and gave her a hug before chasing after Iroh and Zuko. Luna hugged him as tight as she could because she was going to miss him deeply.
"Safe travels, Zaku. Find the Avatar." Luna said.
Zaku nodded his head.
"Did you really mean that, uncle?" Zuko asked.
"Of cours. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh said.
Zaku place his hand on Zuko's shoulder. He knew what did Iroh meant and he knew that it was the truth.
=== Air Temple Ruin ===
Aang still suspended in mid air inside of his ball of raw energy. The storm continues to rage as Katara, Jessie, and Sokka cling desperately to the rocks for dear life.
"Aang, 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 aunt. Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone, but you still have a family. Jessie, Sokka, and I, we're your family now." Katara said.
Aang begins to decend when she is told him that. His feet gently alight on the ground. The wind went away and Aang's eyes and arrow still glowing. Katara, Jessie, and Sokka came up to him.
"Katara, Jessie, and I aren't going to let anything happen to you. Promise." Sokka said.
"Yeah, family needs to stick together." Jessie said.
Katara take one of Aang hands in her own. The glow instantly fade away from his eyes and arrow markings. He collapses into Katara's arms and she holds him around his shoulders as they kneel on the ground.
"I'm sorry.
"It's okay. It's wasn't your fault.
"But you were right. And if the firebenders found this temple, that means they found the other Temples too. I really am the last airbender." Aang mentioned.
Katara holds him tighter and both Sokka and Jessie place their hands on Aang's shoulders. After they let Aang mourn the lost of his people, they headed back to the Sanctuary and Aang stands once again in front of the Statue of Avatar Roku. Katara came up behind him.
"Everything's packed. You ready to go?" Katara said
Aang was still looking at the statue.
"How is Roku supposed to help if I can't talk to him?"
"Maybe you'll find a way." Katara told him
They both turn around to see a familiar furry creature in the doorway of the temple. The lemur has returned and Jessie was looking at it. The lemur ran over to Sokka and deposits a bunch of fruits and nuts at his feet. Sokka begins to eat hungrily as the lemur dashes away.
"Looks like you made a new friend, Sokka." Aang said.
"Can't take. Must eat." Sokka said, mouth full of food.
"Wouldn't be Sokka when it comes to food." Jessie stated.
The lemur scurries up Aang's chest to perch on his head.
"Hey little guy." Aang greeted.
They started to head out of the temple and Appa was looking at a new friend. The three of them was looking at the abandoned Temple.
"You, me, and Appa. We're all that's left of this place. We have to stick together. Katara, Jessie, Sokka... say hello to the newest member of our family." Aang said.
"What are you going to name him?" Katara asked.
The lemur jumped off of Aang and stolen Sokka's fruit.
"Momo." Aang said.
"Momo. I like it." Jessie said.
They all got up Appa and Sokka took the riles. Aang was sitting at the back of the saddle. He was looking at the abandon Air Temple because he wasn't going to be returning anything time soon.
xxx
Next time: The Warriors of Kyoshi
Please Review :)