The Guardian

Chapter 4: Aang, the First Charge

(A/N: Hey guys, sorry this update was a bit slow. If you follow me as an author and read my other stories, you'll know that I've recently begun a Harry Potter story called "Sweet Juliet", and I've really been concentrating on that. However, I'm not abandoning my other stories! Sorry if this chapter is a bit on the short side, but I'm kind of in a rush today! In December, my beta for this story will return, and the writing and storyline will be of a bit better quality. Enjoy and review! Thanks!)

I kept silent, staring at Aang. He looked exactly the same as the image of him which I had seen when I picked up the Soul Stone. The only difference was that he was truly there this time. The image, though very close, was still overbearingly not real.

I just wanted to sit there and look at him like that forever, watch him meditate. It was nice to watch the way his body remained perfectly relaxed, and how his breaths came slow and even. I closed my eyes for a moment, reveling in his presence. The feeling of being near the boy with whom my soul had connected was one of the most blissful things I had ever felt. Now I knew why Guardians were so eager to protect. It was amazing to know that a human's very soul was in your hands.

Just then I realized that Aang was the first human I had ever truly laid eyes on. The way he was built, how he sat and breathed, wasn't so different from me. I finally understood what Leo meant when he said that Guardians-both in physical appearance and from an emotion standpoint-closely resembled humans.

I breathed in deeply. I couldn't stand here simply staring any longer.

"Aang," I said quietly. I heard a sharp intake of breath as my voice pulled him out of his meditative state. He turned around, looking confused when he saw me. Aang stood, taking in hand a staff that had been resting on the floor beside him.

"Who are you?" he asked, more out of curiosity than rudeness.

"My name is Delaine," I said, raising my hands. "I mean you no harm. I wish only the best for you."

Aang looked confused. "I never thought you were going to hurt me. I, uh, I don't mean any offense, Delaine, but you're dressed awfully weird."

I smiled. My long, wavy golden-brown hair fell untamed to my waist and in front of my gray-green eyes. I wore a simple gray shirt with long sleeves that exposed my stomach, upon which my mark was inked. My brown shorts were held up by a piece of black rope, and I was barefooted.

"I apologize if you are not satisfied with my appearance, Aang," I said, inclining my head.

Aang shook his head vigorously. "I didn't mean that, sorry. It just…surprised me, that's all. I like the way you look. Delaine…who are you, anyway?"

"I am what they call a Guardian. You are the Avatar, a very powerful mortal soul. I was created to protect you."

"Created by who? And specifically to protect me? How do you know I'm the Avatar? I thought no one outside of this temple knew. What's going on?" Aang looked like he was about to panic.

I held up a hand. "Peace, Aang. I will explain everything." And so I did. I told him about the Council, how and why Guardians were created, the Upper World, our obligation to maintain neutrality in the Everlasting War, and, last of all, my obligation to him.

Aang listened intently to my whole speech. When I was done, he stood there for a moment, trying to take it all in. I fell silent, wondering absently how I was doing. Would the Council be pleased with my performance? It reminded me of the way humans would sometimes act in something called a play, taking on the role of a different human, and a "panel of critics" would evaluate how believable they were. I grinned at the thought.

My mind drifted to Leo. How was Prince Bumi receiving him? I hoped he did well. Leo was the best friend I could have asked for. He deserved to be a successful Guardian.

"Delaine," Aang said finally, "I'm still confused. How is a Guardian chosen? How is it that you became the one to protect me?"

I sighed. "A Guardian and their charge have a connection from the very moment the Guardian is created, or the very moment the charge is born. When the time feels right to the Council, a Guardian is taken to the Soul Stone. Once this stone is touched, it intensifies the initial connection between protector and charge. As for why I was chosen to protect you, I have no idea."

Aang looked away a moment. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"The relationship between you and I needs to be based upon trust, Aang, just like any other relationship. It is my job to counsel you to make decisions that will keep you safe, and it is your job to trust me. In other words, I can't force you to believe me, but if you are ever to trust me, you should begin to do so now."

"I suppose you're right," he said, and then sighed. "I had no idea being the Avatar would come with so many complications…What can you do, anyway? I mean, how are you supposed to protect me?"

"This mark you see on my stomach isn't simply for decoration. It is the mark of a Guardian, and it endows us with the power to communicate telepathically with our charges, and also be able to transport ourselves to them at any time. On top of that…well, I'm told that in times of great need a Guardian can summon some echo of any kind of power their charge may possess. Thus, a Guardian of a fire bender may be able to manipulate fire as well to some extent, in some sort of dire situation."

"So," said Aang, "since I'm the Avatar…You might be able to control all of the elements as well if we desperately needed you to…"

I nodded. "Mind, though, that this is just a rumor I have heard from other Guardians. Perhaps it is specific to one Guardian. I do not know. I have never heard it expressly stated by the Council and thus do not put too much stock in it."

I chose not to tell Aang about the Ability of Influence.

Aang sat down on the floor with a thud. "This is a lot to process."

"I understand," I said gently. "I'll leave for the time being, to allow you to sort out your thoughts. If you need me, our minds are connected. Simply envision yourself talking to me, and I will be able to hear you."

He nodded once, staring blankly at the wall opposite him. I small smile graced my lips as I returned to the Upper World with the blink of an eye. It seemed that Aang and I had the potential to become great friends, just like Leo and I.

Regardless, this would definitely be interesting.