I.
He couldn't sleep as the small boat made its way across the ocean. For some reason, he actually felt a little excitement. He had been reading the letters and journals for weeks, and felt closer to his mother than he ever had. Now he was coming to the place she had grown up, the place she had called home for so many years. He knew Ba Sing Se was his main priority, but he had to come here. He wondered for so many years about what his parents were like. Now he had the chance to try and know who his mother once was.
As the sun began to rise in the east, turning the ocean and sky into a mixture of colors and beauty, Bruce saw something. It was a silhouette at first, just a dark shape on the horizon. But as the sun rose to take its place in the sky, he could see more of the shape being revealed. An island covered in green, with part of it naturally curving inward to an alcove with a beautiful beach. He reached into his satchel, looking for one of the old journals of his mothers. He found the one he was looking for and found the entry that had a crude drawing his mother had made as she left. It wasn't one of the best or most detailed, but it was enough. He was here.
"Kyoshi Island." Bruce whispered to himself.
"This is as far as I go." The boat's owner said.
"Why only this far?" Bruce asked him.
"There are rumor's of a giant sea creature that swims near that beach. I don't believe it myself, but I'm not going to risk my boat to find out if it's true or not." The old man said.
"Then how do I get to shore?" Bruce asked him.
"I've got a smaller boat in the back. I can let you use it to row to shore. I'll be back in a week to pick you up" the man said.
"My thanks." Bruce said as he followed the old man to the back of the boat.
His arms and shoulders were only partially sore as he finally made it to the beach. He tossed his bag onto the dry sand, and then pulled to boat onto the shore. He knew the tide might change, so he brought the small boat almost to the tree line. Bruce looked at the island he was on, and let out a deep breath. He knew the Kyoshi warriors might not believe his story, so that's why he needed all of his mother's journals. He was hoping that someone here might remember his mother. He grabbed the bag, took another look at the ocean and then looked back at the rest of the island. With one deep breath, he set off deeper into the island.
He didn't know where he was going. He was hoping he was going the right way. The journals said about a small path that lead from the Kyoshi village to the shore, but all he was some trampled plants. Maybe it was a path. He walked onwards for a little bit until he stopped. Bruce scanned the area around him for a little bit, then looked back forward. Someone was watching him. He heard a twig snap, and could have sworn he had seen something move through the brush.
He started moving forward again. The best thing to do for the moment was to not let them know he was aware of them. As Bruce walked, he made sure he kept listening to his surroundings. He could tell he was being followed. He would hear a bush rustle, or hear a brief whisper. Whoever was tracking him was good, but they had a small problem. He was better.
That's when he heard something sailing through the air, and it was heading toward him. Faster than his attacker could see, Bruce hurled shuriken in the direction he heard the noise and saw sparks fly from the impact. His shuriken embedded itself in a tree while saw a gold fan dig itself into the ground. That's when three women with painted faces moved out from the bushes and trees, all except one had two fans ready for a fight. Bruce raised his hands in the air as he observed them.
"I come in peace." Bruce said.
"Then why are you armed?" one of them asked him.
"For self defense. I haven't been here before, and I did not know what dangers were here." Bruce said.
"How do we know he isn't part of the Fire Nation?" one of the warriors asked.
"I have no love for those butchers. Check my bag if you wish. I only came here to in search of information." Bruce said.
One of the warriors took his bag while two others closed their distance.
"We'll take him to the village for the elders to decide." Another said as they maneuvered him further down the path.
II.
Bruce was actually surprised at the simplicity of the village as they entered it. Bruce glanced around and saw the large statue of the Kyoshi warrior that he only guessed was Avatar Kyoshi. She had separated the island from the rest of the mainland, and founded this village. Out of respect and homage to her, the women tried to emulate her fighting style. Even though they did not have Earth bending abilities, they're technique was to turn their opponents strength against him or her. They also took on her name and became the Kyoshi Warriors.
As they passed the statue, Bruce as able to get a better look at Avatar Kyoshi's face. As he did, a small chill traveled down his back. He knew the statue was carved of her while she wore her face paint, but he could almost swear that she looked like his mother.
"Wait here." One of the warriors said, making Bruce bring his mind back to the here and now.
She soon returned with an old man who kept his eyes on Bruce at all times as he walked toward him. When he stopped in front of Bruce, he seemed to be in deep thought. Every glance and turn of his head seemed to be judging him. Bruce could tell that they weren't fond of outsiders.
"What brings you to this island?" he asked Bruce.
"I have come to seek knowledge of someone." Bruce said.
"Of someone? You will have to be more specific about this someone. As you can see, this village is made of many people. And I will decide whether or not we through you back into the ocean and see if you will be able to ride the giant coy fish." The man said, not breaking his neutral look.
"I have to come to ask about one your Kyoshi warriors." Bruce said.
"You have? I thought it was only that boy from the water tribe that had strong feelings for Suki." The man muttered.
"No sir, this warrior no longer lives. Her name was Marta." Bruce told him.
That's when the man's stone appearance seemed to break a little bit.
"Marta? How do you know of Marta, young man? In fact, why do you want to know about her?" the man asked him.
Bruce slowly reached into an inner pocket of his shirt, and pulled out a symbol. He handed it to the man for him to examine. The symbol was actually the Wen family crest.
"Marta was my mother." Bruce said.
The old man's eyes had widened in surprise, as did most of the other villagers, when the heard the words come out of Bruce's mouth. Whispering could be heard all of a sudden among them as they looked at Bruce.
"Marta was your – Bruce? For so many years, I had wondered what had become of you boy." The man said as a smile appeared on his face.
"You know of me? Then you knew my mother?" Bruce asked him.
"Everyone did. Come with me, young man. Please." The man said as he placed a gentle hand on his shoulders and began to walk through the village.
Everyone seemed to be happier at learning this information. Some went back to their normal duties while a few others kept looking at Bruce as he walked with the old man.
"I'm saddens me to tell you this, but your mother was orphaned when she was still young. Her mother died while bringing her into this world, and her father's boat had crashed during a storm." The old man began.
"So my grandparents have passed on as well?" Bruce asked, feeling part of his heart sink.
"I'm afraid so. Your mother never got a chance to know them, but the whole village raised her as if she was everyone's own flesh and blood. It filled all of us with pride when she became one of the warriors. Even more so when she became their leader." The old man said.
"Wait a moment. My mother was the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors?" Bruce asked with amazement. All the memories he had of his mother were of a kind and gentle woman, not a fierce warrior that could lead others into combat.
"She was one of the best fighters next to the Avatar, but she had the heart that you could only find in a poet. She couldn't stand to see others in pain, even her enemies. That's why after many of her battles, she spent time inside the shrine to Avatar Kyoshi. She would always ask for forgiveness for what she had done. It was like she had the highest respect for her, even when she was a child." The man told Bruce as he led him to the old temple.
"You speak as if she were your own." Bruce said.
"She almost was. I had a helping hand in raising her. She grew up with the rest of my children and the other children in this village. It was a sad day when we heard of her fate." The man said as Bruce heard the sadness in his voice.
"I came to learn more about her. All I have of her are my memories, and they aren't much." Bruce said to him.
"My boy, we will help in your journey in any way we can. You might not have been born here, but you will always be a son of Kyoshi to us. You have your mother's eyes and her spirit. This much I can already tell." The man said.
"My thanks." Bruce said.
III.
He had spent the past four days engulfed in learning about his mother's life among the warriors and other people of the island. He was so astounded to find out he and his mother had so many things in common. Well, the few things that interested Bruce besides his training. He had also learned that the other warriors were giving relief to some of the refuges that were heading to Ba Sing Se. He had also heard of the story of Sokka training with the warriors. He would have to ask Sokka about that if he ever saw them again.
He had also learned of why his mother had left the island. Apparently, a rather bad hurricane had struck the island. It was almost as bad as the one that had killed his grandfather. When it had cleared, his mother and the others were checking to see how bad the damage to the island was when she had found a young man washed up onto the beach. He was barley alive, and had suffered many wounds from some of the coral reefs near the island. His mother took him to the village and nursed him back to health. When he was strong enough, he helped her in caring for his wounds and revealed that he was a healer.
He had been searching for certain fish and water life to create healing potions when the storm hit, and almost didn't keep afloat. As time passed, the young man and his mother fell in love with each other and enjoyed their time together. When a ship finally came to the island, he had chosen to go back to his home. But he didn't want to go alone. He asked his mother to come with him, and she agreed. They were married on the beach of Kyoshi Island, and left for Ba Sing Se. Almost exactly five years later, Bruce was born. Apparently, his mother kept close contact with her friends here. It was hard for him when he read the last letter she sent, which was dated the day before they were killed.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been stupid enough to look in that house, or not wanted to stay at the market that long, they'd still be alive." Bruce said to himself. No matter what anyone told him, he still believed that his parent's death was his fault. He couldn't help it. He had just stood there and did nothing. What kind of son was he? Maybe some fresh air would clear his head.
He walked out into the cool night air and felt as the cold in the air being inhaled into his lungs. He looked up into the stars and thought about how many times his mother did this when she couldn't sleep. He looked back at the small village and saw the temple that was now the shrine to Avatar Kyoshi. He thought about what he had been told about his mother when she was alive; about how she went to the shrine and asked for forgiveness. He let out a deep sigh and made his way toward the shrine.
As he entered, he felt the warmth from the many candles that had been lit to give everything light. He was amazed at everything he saw that was in the room. It had everything of the Avatar's. From her warrior's robes to the gold metal fans that she had used as her weapons. He couldn't explain what it was, but it was almost like he felt at peace here. Was it because his mother had been here so much? Who knew? Bruce looked at the full uniform Kyoshi had worn during her lifetime, and sat in front of it. He had no idea how his mother did this, but here goes nothing.
Bruce took a deep breath and looked at the clothes, and then focused on the gold crown like tiara.
"Avatar Kyoshi, I know you aren't God. But my mother came to you whenever she had done something she felt was wrong. I come to you now to ask your forgiveness. In their moment of need, I failed to help them. I stood there and watched them as they were killed by a Fire Nation soldier. I failed them in the worst imaginable way possible. I beg of you, please forgive me for my act of cowardly actions. On their grave, and in front of you Avatar Kyoshi, I swear to rid Ba Sing Se of the evil that took their lives. I will do my best and fight to my dying breath to make sure that no one will have to suffer as I have." Bruce said with determination in his voice.
That's when he felt a strong wind blowing through the room. He looked up to see the uniform rustling as the breeze grew stronger. Something in his gut told him something wasn't right.
Resting on the Serpent's Pass, only a day away from Ba Sing Se, Aang was tossing and turning in his sleep. Something was bothering him as he slept, making him moan in his sleep. If any of the others were awake, they would have thought he was having a nightmare. He turned onto his back, squinting like he was seeing something horrible. As his fists tightened, he bolted upright in his sleep and opened his eyes. They were glowing a pale blue light as his arrow tattoos were lit like the stars at night. He gazed up, and a bolt of light shot from his sitting form and into the night sky.
Bruce was about to stand to see if he could find out what was causing the wind, when something else caught his eye. The tiara looked different. As Bruce looked at it, he noticed there was a pale blue dot in the middle of it. It was growing larger when Bruce realized he was looking at a reflection. Before he could move, a beam of blue light hit the tiara, and then hit Bruce. Bruce was bathed in blue light as he struggled against the energy that was surrounding him. His eyes were closed, and he slowly felt like he was drifting into a deep sleep. His movements paused as he slipped into unconsciousness. When he opened his eyes, they were glowing a pale blue light.
When Bruce forced himself awake, he saw that he wasn't in the shrine. Everywhere he looked was surrounded by fog that was the same color of autumn leaves. Where was he? He examined himself as he stood to his feet and saw that he was surrounded in a blue light. What was going on here?
"Young Bruce Wen." A voice said behind him. Bruce spun around to see and old man wearing elaborate red robes and was also surrounded in the same pale blue light. "I was wondering if we would ever meet." He said to Bruce.
Bruce recognized this man from his studies with the League of Shadows and his travels. What Bruce couldn't figure out was how he was actually talking to a man that had been dead for over two hundred years.
"Avatar Ruko?" Bruce asked, stunned.
IV.
"I don't understand. How can I be talking to one the spirits of the Avatar?" Bruce asked him.
"It is a complicated answer, young Bruce. I hope that we will be able to answer it." Ruko said.
"We?" Bruce asked him.
As part of the fog cleared, Bruce saw what had to be hundreds, if not thousands, of people that were surrounded in the same pale blue light. They were of every tribe. Air Benders, Earth Benders, Water Benders, and Fire Benders. All of them were gathered and looking at Bruce as he stood there in awe.
"We are all spirits of the Avatar. We all assumed the role protector in our life, and to be reborn to take up the cause again." Ruko said.
"I'm – I'm honored and speechless you want to talk to me. But why?" Bruce asked Ruko.
"To help you answer some of the questions that are on your mind. For one, we all know how that fire was truly started when you were with Aang and his friends." Ruko said.
"You know that,"
"Yes, Bruce. Beside the ability to bend Air and Earth, we know that you also have the ability to bend Fire. The same element that was used to take your parents away from you." Ruko said.
"Not even the oldest warriors at The League of Shadows could bend three elements. They didn't even have a theory on why I could." Bruce said to him.
"We know, Bruce. The answer to why is complicated yet simple. You are an Avatar." Ruko said.
"What? But Aang is the Avatar. It's impossible, how can that be possible? Unless,"
"Unless the abilities of the Avatar could be passed to their children." Ruko finished.
"But as far as I know, all the Avatars didn't have children." Bruce said to him.
"I think the rest of your questions should be answered by her." Ruko said and stepped aside.
Out of the fog, he could see the form of a woman walking toward him. Bruce couldn't see her well, though. Bruce put a hand over his eyes to try and focus his vision on her. Soon, she was close enough for him to see her. She was tall, and wearing flowing green robes. She wore a gold tiara that could almost look like a large crown that had flowing black hair cascading around her face. Her face was painted, but Bruce let out a small gasp when he saw her. He could make out her face through the make up and was taken back by what he saw. He merely looked at the woman when she stopped in front of him with a small smile.
"M-mother?" he asked in a quivering voice.
"Sadly no, Bruce. I am Avatar Kyoshi." She told him.
"B-but you look so much like her." Bruce said.
"Often grandchildren can be a mirror image their grandparents." Kyoshi said.
"Grand-?" Bruce couldn't even finish asking the question at what he had heard.
"Yes, Bruce. While I lived, I had given birth to a child. A son. To keep him safe from harm and the horrible dictator that ruled the Earth Kingdom, I separated Kyoshi from the rest of the nations. To keep him safe, I implored the village to help me raise him. I never told him that I was his mother. The village kept the secret for me, and have kept it to this day." She said to Bruce.
"Not even my mother knew?" Bruce asked her.
"No, she didn't Bruce. You see, we did not know if the abilities of the Avatar could be passed on from one generation to the next. We feared what would happen to the balance if two Avatars were to walk the Earth." Kyoshi said to him.
"So from the Spirit World, we have been watching them. Always keeping an eye open for the possibility that one of Kyoshi's descendants might have the same abilities as us." Ruko said to Bruce.
"So this is why I can bend three elements? I'm another Avatar?" Bruce asked them.
"Yes and no, Bruce." Kyoshi told him.
"Like Aang, apart of you keeps from mastering all the elements." Ruko said.
"As you've noticed, different emotions help mastering certain elements. With Earth Bending, it's determination or frustration. With fire, anger. Wind, reaming calm and focused. And with water, it is being at peace with yourself. You learned to bend fire almost immediately because of the anger you have kept walled inside yourself. You have not been able to bend water because you blame yourself for what happened to your parents. Until you finally come to terms with the war within yourself, you won't truly be an Avatar." Kyoshi said.
Bruce looked up at her, letting her words sink in. Before he even realized what he was doing, he embraced Kyoshi in a strong hug that she gladly returned.
"Don't loose faith, Bruce. You are my descendant, and also come from a long line of strong Avatars. I have faith in you, Bruce. I know that you will become what fate has set for you." Kyoshi told them as the broke apart.
Bruce looked at her again, and saw a strange symbol that glowing behind her. All the Avatars turned to see the symbol glowing as bright as a sun.
"What is that?" Bruce asked them.
"That is the symbol for the Avatar. It takes form in one manner or another. But it is not your symbol Bruce." Ruko told him.
"You are a new Avatar. The first in your line. When the time is right, you will find your symbol and show the world who and what you are." Kyoshi said.
"Thank you." Bruce said to her.
"You are welcome, Bruce. Now I have one gift for you. We know of what The League of Shadows is planning, and your intentions to stop it. Your knowledge of machines and using their techniques alone will not stop them. They have taught themselves, and you, to conquer their fears. Now you must make them fear something they can not conquer. To help you on your journey, I give you this." Kyoshi said and touched his forehead.
Bruce had to squint hard as he felt a brief burning sensation. That's when his head felt like it was buzzing from the inside. All of a sudden, he knew how to fight, how to turn and opponent's strength against them. When she stopped touching his forehead, Bruce fell to his knees, breathing deeply.
"To you, my descendant, I give to you all my knowledge of fighting and abilities to bend the elements. You have nothing to be forgiven for, Bruce. Now go and embrace your destiny." Kyoshi said as her eyes, and the eyes of the others, began to glow blue. Then there was nothing but blinding light.
Bruce opened his eyes and inhaled deeply. He blinked a few times, and saw he was back in the shrine. He looked out the door and saw that it was already morning. He rose to his feet, and felt a little dizzy as looked at the clothes again. There were new things that he seemed to know by heart. Blocks, fighting stances, counter attacks, all of it was somehow so familiar too him. His head was swimming with the knowledge Kyoshi had given him. That meant it hadn't been a dream after all, he had really talked to her. He looked at the clothes one last time as he took a graceful bow.
"Thank you, Kyoshi. I will not forget your gift, and I will keep my promise that I made to you and my parents." Bruce said to the shrine and walked out a different man.
V.
Uncle Iroh and Zuko were working hard at their jobs inside the tea shop late that evening. Zuko was still trying to get used to life inside the giant Earth Kingdom while his uncle seemed to be enjoying being around so much tea. He wondered if there was some sort of alcohol in it to make his uncle like it so much. It wouldn't be too much longer until he could leave.
"Zuko, we have one more customer." Iroh told Zuko.
"This late?" Zuko asked him.
"Zuko, we are still open. Go see what kind of tea he wants." Iroh said.
"One cup of Jasmine Tea." The old man said as Zuko approached him. He had been in this tea shop a few times before. Ever since they hired new employees, people had been exclaiming about the tea being served here. He had to admit, they were right. Right now though, the old man felt didn't feel too well. It had been months since he had received word from his old friend about Bruce. He didn't know if anything was wrong or not. Why did he let him take Bruce with him? His parents had left him in charge of raising him and not a friend he hadn't seen in years. What an old fool he was.
"Is there anything wrong?" a gruff voice asked him.
The old man looked up and saw a man drinking a hot cup of tea beside him. He was wearing a dark green cloak with a hood over his head. Right now, he didn't feel like talking to strangers.
"Forgive my manners sir, but I do not like talking tonight." He said to the stranger.
"Sometimes, I'm told, talking helps. You look like you have the weight of the world balanced on the top of your head." The stranger said.
"I'm only troubled is all." He replied.
"Isn't everyone? But what could be so bad to make you look older than what you are?" the man asked him.
"If you must know, I'm worried about a young man. He was left in my care, but wondered off somewhere, claiming he was trying to find his place in the world. That was years ago, and I haven't heard any word about him for months." He replied curtly, not wanting to get into any kind of conversation.
"Well, what if he found out his place was right here? In Ba Sing Se?" the stranger asked as he sat down in front of the man.
"Sir, would you mind?" Mako asked, but stopped when he glanced up.
The man in front of him had the hood of his cloak pulled over his head enough to only show the lower half of his face. He looked young and was smiling underneath it. The stranger reached up and pulled the hood back, revealing a familiar face that was older, and unruly black hair.
"How are you doing, old friend?" he asked him.
"Bruce? My word, where have you been?" Mako asked as he saw the son of his old friends in front of him.
"Answering questions. Mako, I'm sorry to have to say this. But Ducard wasn't everything he was making himself out to be. Neither was the League of Shadows." Bruce told him.
"What do you mean, Bruce?" Mako asked him.
"They're going to attack Ba Sing Se. I can't let that happen, Mako. There's too many innocent people here. I've come back to save my home." Bruce told him.
"Bruce, the league is made of many members. Most likely too many to count. How are you going to stop them, Bruce?" Mako asked them.
"As a man, I can be killed. I would be regarded as nothing. But as a symbol, I can become unstoppable and something they fear." Bruce said to him.
"Bruce, you sound like the old man that makes the tea here. What do you mean?" Mako asked him.
"I'll explain everything once we get home." Bruce said as he stood to his feet and put a few coins on the table to pay for the tea.
Bruce took a deep breath as they walked down the street that would lead them to the upper ring of the city. With all the years he had been gone, he never realized how much he had miss this city. It had been a while since he had seen the city, but a lot of it seemed to have remained the same. Almost like it had been frozen in time.
"How have things been, Mako?" Bruce asked him.
"The same, Bruce. The Dai Li is still in control of the city, I'm afraid. Their agents are all over the city, trying to make sure no one says anything about the war outside. I swear it's like they think if they ignore it that it'll just go away." Mako said.
"Then maybe I should look into them. It's possible they could be agents for the League of – shadows." Bruce said as he came to a stop.
"Bruce, what is it?" Mako asked him.
Bruce walked down a small alley like he was in a trance. Mako followed him and saw why Bruce was acting strangely. In front of them was the old collapsed house that Bruce had found when he was younger. Mako remembered that day. Someone had recognized him when they found him crying as he was curled into a small ball in front of the house, and came directly to the Wen home. Mako didn't know how Bruce was going to act. He knew Bruce had been afraid of bats ever since then, but he didn't know how he would react now. So many bad memories must be resurfacing right now.
"Bruce?" Mako asked, but was astounded when Bruce walked straight toward the old building.
Bruce checked the ground and saw that there was fresh guano on the ground near the building. That meant the bats hadn't left. Bruce stood again and walked closer to the building. Bruce was close to it now, to where he could almost touch it. Bruce looked and let out a loud and long whistle.
The sound was small at first, but was becoming increasingly louder. Soon, like black smoke, a massive swarm of bats flew out from the building and into the sky. Mako ducked and covered his head out of fear from the creatures. He soon peeked back and saw that Bruce just stood there with his eyes close and let the bats fly around and past him. Bruce opened his eyes, and found that he wasn't scared of them anymore. He turned around and saw how Mako was scared of them. That's when he thought of Avatar Kyoshi's words to him. He will find his own symbol, and let the world know it. A symbol that will make not just the League of Shadows afraid, but the rest of the evil in Ba Sing Se terrified.
"Mako, I think I've just found the answer to your question." Bruce said.