Chapter XIII
Missing, but not forgotten (Part 1 of 4)
Written by TheHiddenWriter
Based of ATLA, owned by Nick and Viacom
For my fans
"So… let me get this straight… you're a spy, who was spying on us for a top secret government from a hidden city underwater, and now your in a civil with a demon from far underground, who wants to steal your princess." Asked Sokka.
"What? That didn't even have to do with anything I just explained!" Said Shen.
"Oh. Then can you explain it again?" Asked Sokka.
Everyone was on top of a giant mountain in the spirit world. Kuruk had left with his wife, to make sure that all the other spirits were ok. He had left with Hai Bei. The rest of the gang was sitting on the mountain, curious as to whom Shen was.
"Ok, fine. I'll explain it all one last time. Ok?" Asked Shen.
"Thanks." Said Sokka.
"Ok, I'm from a land far away from the four elemental nations. A small, mysterious cavern connects my four nations to yours. We don't have benders in that land, or at least, we didn't until after the tragic day." Said Shen.
"So, it's like with the spirit world and our world?" Asked Haru.
"Sort of. Only our lands weren't supposed to come in contact with each other." Said Shen.
"So then, how did you and those guys get here?" Asked Suki.
"And why are they attacking us?" Asked Toph.
"Well, you see, my land has been in a constant conflict since the first civilization. Our first government was made up of people chosen by our citizens." Said Shen.
"So… you don't have a king?" Asked Toph.
"The person ruling isn't from a royal line?" Asked Zuko.
"Nope." Said Shen.
"Wow, that's one weird place…" Said Toph.
"But sadly, over time, people attempted to seize power, and become un-stoppable dictators. For hundreds of years, citizens attempted to escape the corrupted nations and form a new one, but they kept getting taken over by a corrupted ruler who thought he was worthy of ruling all." Said Shen.
"Just like my father…" Said Zuko.
"Eventually, the four and final nation in my land decided to rise up against this corruption. They took back the three corrupted nations, and exiled the corrupted leaders. After that, everything should have stopped, but a few generations later, a group of people whose ancestors were the old corrupted leaders came together and formed an army. They called their army the shadow nation, because they were hiding in the shadows all this time." Said Shen.
"Wow, one nation trying to take over the others. Where have I heard that one before?" Asked Sokka.
"But the four nations were smart. At the first sign of trouble, they came together and combined their armies to take out the shadow nation. They then decided that the only way to make sure that the shadow nation never rose again was to execute the leaders." Said Shen.
"Let me guess, something went horribly wrong?" Asked Toph.
"No, they killed all the leaders, but apparently, based off information I got from Yuan, the main leader had a son before he was executed. The son lived on and tried to build a new army. Generations later, Yuan was born, and now he's running the Shadow Nation. But it was different this time…" Said Shen.
"How different?" Asked Haru.
"They had new technology this time, and it's powerful. They have created horrible weapons of destruction." Said Shen.
"How strong?" Asked Zuko.
"About 20 times stronger than what the Fire Nation made under Ozai's rule." Said Shen.
"Great…" Toph said sarcastically.
"So why is Yuan after you?" Asked Suki.
"He attacked my town first, the original capital of the nation that freed my lands from the corruption. He killed everyone in the town, including someone I cared about deeply." Said Shen.
"Her name was Kya, right?" Asked Katara.
"Yes." Shen replied sadly.
"Like our mother…" Sokka said sadly.
"Apparently because I lost everything close to me, I became the missing link of my land. When I began to retreat from my town, I fell into a cavern which allowed me to come to these lands." Said Shen.
"Who's the missing link of our lands?" Asked Teo.
"Aang." Said Shen.
"It's because I lost my people, like Shen. We both have suffered the same fate." Said Aang.
"But that still doesn't explain how those guys are here, or why you're spying on us." Said Sokka.
"I wasn't spying on you guys. The spirits of this land wanted me to follow you guys so that they could have records of your travels. They want to keep records of everything that the avatar does." Said Shen.
"But how did Yuan get to our lands?" Asked Mai.
"Because it seems whoever has a close connection with the missing links are the only ones who can travel between the two lands. The only way that changes is if I die in battle, then Yuan can bring his army in to take over these lands." Said Shen.
"So then, don't leave. Then we don't have to worry about the army." Said Toph.
"Toph, what about his fiancée?" Said Katara.
"Oh, I'm just kidding." Said Toph.
"So, these attacks form Yuan won't stop until we beat him and his minions once and for all?" Asked Hakoda.
"Yes." Said Shen.
"Well, I believe we have a big enough army right here to take him on." Said Piando.
"I couldn't ask you all to risk your lives for a conflict like this. You guys still have to rebuild these lands." Said Shen.
"Reconstruction is actually ahead of schedule, we have allies everywhere watching over the reconstruction, we'll be fine." Said Zuko.
"There's one other thing…" Said Shen.
"What?" Asked Aang.
"It seems my land's timeline goes slower than your land." Said Shen.
"What does that mean?" Asked Sokka.
"It means, Sokka, that time will go faster in our land, than it will in his land." Said Hakoda.
"How fast?" Asked Zuko.
"100 years in this land… is equivalent to 2 years in my land." Said Shen.
"Who knows how long we'll all be gone for…" Said Teo.
Aang stood up. "I'll still help you."
Katara stood up as well. "Me too."
"Well, looks like we're going off on another life changing adventure…" Said Sokka.
Meanwhile, Ozai and Yuan were walking out of the prison. Guards were on the ground, dead, all around them. When they were about a mile away from the prision, Yuan stopped him.
"You know, I don't have the ability to give you your bending back." Said Yuan.
"Then what can you do?" Asked Ozai.
Yuan smiled darkly. "I can give you more…"
Tao appeared with two metal gloves, and two metal shoes. Ozai looked at Yuan questionably.
"What is that?" Ozai asked.
"Our nation is years ahead in terms of technology. We have discovered a way to create an artificial bender." Said Yuan.
"So… using this machine… I can firebend again?" Asked Ozai.
"Oh, you can do much more than that…"
Yuan put the gloves onto Ozai. He then whispered darkly to him.
"We can literally make you an artificial avatar."
Ozai smiled darkly. With a machine, there would be no limitations to when he could bend. He could fight anything… or anyone.
"But remember this…" Said Yuan.
He started darkly at Ozai, causing a chill to go up Ozai's spine.
"We have a way to make the machine stop in an instant if you try to use it on us, leaving you weak and allowing me to kill you. So let me be clear, treachery is not an option…"
Ozai nodded.
"Now, go. You have a daughter to get vengeance for…"
Ozai smiled darkly and got onto a small near by boat. He started it up and headed towards the southern water tribe. Tao walked up to Yuan.
"Do you really think he'll be able to kill them?" Asked Tao.
Yuan laughed.
"It doesn't matter. He'll cause enough destruction here so we can head back to our lands and secure them. No matter where Shen and his allies are, chaos will spread."
Tao nodded.
"So, shall we head back to our lands then?"
Yuan nodded.
"Yes, and we must hurry. I have a feeling Shen will be following us soon enough."
Yuan and Tao started to walk away from the area, grinning darkly, knowing their plan was about to go into full effect.
Using the Spirit World portals, each member of the gang went to tell their families and friends of the situation, and that they may be gone for a long time. They then packed as much supplies as they needed, and put them on Appa.
"But how are we going to fit all these supplies, and 12 people on Appa?" Asked Toph.
"Because we won't need to fly to get to my lands. Plus, when we get there, we should be able to figure out something." Said Shen.
"What about Appa's fear of caves?" Asked Aang.
"Leave that to me…" Said Shen.
A few days later, they exited out of the spirit world at the Southern Air Temple. As they were leaving, Yue started to follow them. Sokka was curious as to why.
"Well, you guys are going to need some help, I figure I can do something to help you guys." Said Yue.
"But, don't you have to be here… you know, and be the moon…" Said Sokka.
"Hey, as long as I exist, the moon will still be there in the spirit world." Said Yue.
"But, how exactly will you be of help to us?" Suki said, smirking.
"Hey, there's a moon in Shen's land. I'm a moon spirit, I can help some how." Said Yue.
Suki was about to comment when Shen walked up to Yue.
"Spirits don't need food, and they can fly, right?"
Yue nodded.
"This land won't be in chaos if you leave?"
Yue nodded again.
"She stays with us." Shen said.
As he walked away, Suki stared at Yue angrily. Sokka, however, was oblivious to this.
"Looks like we have a stronger team!" Said Sokka.
Shen walked towards the temple, then stopped and spoke loudly for everyone to hear.
"We'll need to rest here for the night. I need to make sure the cavern is open, and Appa needs rest to carry the supplies. It's going to be a long walk tomorrow."
Everyone nodded and walked into the Southern Air Temple. For the first time in 100 years, the temple was full of life and laughter. People were talking about the journey ahead. Shen was missing for most of the night, but he had told everyone he was just double-checking where the passage first begins. That night, Aang was lying on his bed in his old room. He looked out the window at the grounds. He wished the air nomads were still alive. He missed many of his friends from long ago. He heard his door open, and Katara walked into his room. She shut the door lightly and walked over to him. Aang sat up on the bed, as Katara sat down next to him.
"We haven't gotten any alone time since Ba Sing Se…" Said Katara.
Aang nodded.
"I just can't believe it, I thought the war was over when I beat the firelord. But now I know that the fighting may never stop." Said Aang.
Katara took his hand lightly.
"No matter how long the fighting goes on… you'll always have me."
Aang smiled. The couple hugged for a moment, happy that the other was alive. They had almost lost each other in the last battle. But Shen was right; their love was strong enough to survive anything.
Meanwhile, in the South Pole, most of the reconstruction of the city was complete. The citizens were happy, and enjoying their new surroundings. The southern water tribe's village had now turned into a large city. Outside the walls of the city, a small boat appeared. Two guards near the wall approached the boat, curious as to who was in it. Suddenly, ice surrounded their bodies, except for their heads. They could move whatsoever. Out of the boat, Ozai appeared, smiling evilly.
"Maybe one of you gentlemen would be willing to answer my question."
He grabbed the head of one of the guards and made him look at his face.
"Where is the waterbender known as Katara?"
To Be Continued…
She was in chains… in a dark, shadowed room. The air was thin, and it was hard to breathe. She woke up as she usually did, with tearstains down her cheek.
"Shen… I'll stay alive… f-for you…"
Ok, this is where the chapter really stops. Hope you liked it! Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed! Chapter 14 is on the way. This is going to be awesome...