Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar…but I own the plot…I think
(If anyone had any questions/ideas for the story feel free to ask/give. I'm open for almost anything. And it really stinks when you don't understand something for that may ruin part of the story…so ask.)
The Avatar landed at his house in the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. Seeing Aang was always at the Earth Kingdom Capital to help the Earth King rebuild his Kingdom; he bought a house here. Actually, the Earth King gave it too him, but what's the difference? A decent house just like the living space Katara, Sokka, Toph, and he lived in when they first arrived at Ba Sing Se all those years ago.
The free Airbender did not want a huge house to himself. So instead of a larger mansion he had rather big backyard for training and a place for Appa with their stays here.
Aang stepped into the house immediately getting pounced on by Momo. Momo wished to stay here usually, still afraid of the Fire Nation.
"Hey Momo, I'm back." Aang greeted his flying-lemur while scratching behind his ears.
The lemur relaxed and lounged across the Avatar's shoulders like he usually did. Aang smiled at least he still had two of his friends. The young Avatar walked towards his room to change his clothes. Fire Nation clothes were good in the Fire Nation. Nevertheless, people still held hatred for the Fire Nation. So the Avatar wearing their colors still brought up resentment of the firebenders who destroyed many lives.
Aang instead wore his usual airbending attire which he had first received on the first Invasion. Alterations had to be made since he has grown, but that was only elongating the material so it actually fit him.
Now he was ready to the see the Earth King. Glancing out the window Aang saw Appa peacefully lying down to relax after the long flight here. It had taken a few days and Appa was tired from flying a long distance. With seeing Appa exhausted Aang decided to walk to the palace alone…or at least with Momo. Momo loved to see the Earth King, especially Bosco.
Yet, before leaving he brought out his black cloak. Like Zuko said fangirls did swarm him when he walked around publicly. And frankly, they were scary. Some of them even looked rabid. Coving his arrows with a cloak was a perfect disguise.
It was at times like these did the Avatar feel like a normal person. Never having a normal life because of the war it was nice to walk the streets without the constant whispers and looks.
No one even spared him a second glance and to Aang this was heaven. Just blending in is all he ever wanted. And he finally had it in these moments.
There are times he wished he could just disappear and wonder the world in secrecy. No one bothering him. Might even be able to head to the Southern Water Tribe…but he didn't have that blessing.
The world still needed him and he still couldn't rest.
Walking through the city was just automatic. Aang had walked the streets hundreds of times. It wasn't unusual he would already be at the palace with not even thinking about it.
He reached the door. The guards halted him, looking over him skeptically. At the moment he removed his hood the guards bowed in reverence and apologized for not knowing it was him.
Aang hated these moments. People acting like he was the most important person ever in the history of the world. But he wasn't…at least he didn't think so.
He told them to stand and said it was okay. Quickly the bumbling guards opened the doors and the Avatar walked in leaving the sounds frantic apologies and mumblings of forgiveness.
Stepping into the King's Audience chamber, Aang never felt so relieved. Unlike the guards at the door, probably new trainees, the veteran guards, who guarded the King, grew accustomed to the Avatar's visits and gave a curt nod as a hello.
"Hello Avatar Aang. I'm glad you could make it so soon. I wasn't expecting you for a few days." The Earth King stood and walked over to Aang.
"It is nice to see you again your Majesty. I left as soon as I heard. I'm sorry for leaving; if I knew you needed me this soon I would have stayed." Aang bowed to the Earth King. Momo suddenly jumped off Aang and approached Bosco and started jabbering away.
The Earth King glanced over at Bosco and Momo. After smiling at the duo, he pulled Aang by his shoulder. Making Aang fall into his normal posture the Earth King spoke, "No, this is my fault. I didn't expect the people I asked for to come this quickly."
"People?" Aang looked up in confusion.
"Yes, you know the warriors that would assist you in helping the broken down small villages?" The Earth King turned around walking back to his thrown.
"They are already here? We had that meeting a few days ago."
"Yes, we did. But I thought you would agree regardless, so I sent a message to them about a month ago and they agreed, too." The Earth King sat down and clapped his hands. "Send them in."
Aang turned around at the sound of the main entrance opening. He immediately recognized the person in front of the group. It was…Toph. She was easy to recognize for he had just seen her a few weeks ago for her 17th birthday. Seeing she was now a main component in rebuilding the Earth Kingdom and a very important noble and earthbending master. Toph was usually present at the Earth King's meetings voice her opinion and advice at every turn.
"Hey Twinkle Toes, good to see you again." Toph walked up and gave Aang a nice hard punch on the arm as a greeting.
Aang flinched and started to rub his arm, "Nice to see you, too, Toph."
Toph had grown up much since the days of their travels. Much taller and thinner for one. Now, instead of her round tomboyish face, she looked more mature and with a thinner face she looked more girlish. Her hair still in the same fashion as their childhood. Now she had a longer robe, but the same look as her old one. Liking her Fire Nation shoes, she wore Earth Kingdom shoes to cover her feet, but no soles.
The next person wasn't familiar, but was familiar. Confusing right? This time it was a man towering at 6'5. Muscular with dark tan skin. Must be a warrior from the way he held himself. The man had a goatee and shaggy hair that went a little below the chin. Most of it was hanging. But it was pulled back into a ponytail.
'What was the thing Sokka called his ponytail? A warrior's wolf tail? Wait is that-'
"Sokka?" Aang asked to the man.
The once serious looking man broke into a large smile. Giving a quick hug and then giving Aang a noogie. "Nice to see you again buddy. Grew your hair out I see and you're not short anymore! Congrats!"
Aang shook his head, "Nice to see you too. Still have your ponytail."
"This is a warrior's wolf tail." Sokka scolded Aang.
"I was just kidding!"
Sokka now was suited in the clothes of his father's. Probably following in the Water Tribe Chief's footsteps. His sword was on his back along with his boomerang with his club on his side.
Last to enter was a woman. Aang took one look at her and thought she was gorgeous. He could hear Toph chuckle to the side of him. After that Sokka cuffed him on the back of his head for staring.
He knew who this woman was. Only one person made him feel this way. Katara. She looked beautiful. Older and definitely more mature looking even if she was around 18 or 19. She was exactly like when they were in the Invasion. Same hairstyle same clothes, but only once pouch. Katara had gained some curves. Tell you this; she would have every guy who looked at her after her.
Sokka probably had to scare them away or beat them away.
She smiled at him and his heart beat wildly. Toph laughed even louder and Sokka grew angry with the Earthbender for laughing.
"Hi Aang." Katara said.
"Hi Katara." The tension and unsaid words hung in the air.
After minutes of staring simply at each other the silence was broken.
"I'm glad you all have got reacquainted. Now down to business." Each of the warriors turned their attention towards the King.
"You all, as a group, will be traveling north of the kingdom into the mountains. Even though this area is plagued with rigorous mountain ranges, firebenders still hit the area hard." The Earth King motioned for a map. A servant came racing over with a map. The King set down the map on the table. The Gaang gathered around. "Usually I wouldn't have the Avatar and his friends do this job, but problems have arisen."
"Rebels?" The Earth King nodded deeply.
"Correct Avatar." Aang wrinkled his nose.
"Call me Aang please."
"Of course…as weird as it sounds earthbenders are not able to break through. Meaning they cannot break through the blockades. Thus supplies being sent to the villages have been cut off. It also seems diseases from the harsh winter have affected certain villages. No medicine can be brought to them in a critical time."
"But what can we do?" Katara had a serious look on her face.
"You all can travel up on Appa. Maybe you can break the blockades. Or if you need some time to prepare an assault you could deliver supplies. If I remember correctly, waterbenders have healing abilities. Katara you may be able to cure the plague that has struck."
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, "So then it is decided. You leave in two days. Seeing you all have traveled long distances to arrive here. It is only fit you have a day of relaxation." The Earth King looked up at Aang, "You do have enough room at your house to host your friends?"
Aang nodded, "Yes, I have plenty of room."
"Great! I'll see you in two days. Enjoy your time in Ba Sing Se." The King turned towards Bosco, "Come on Bosco it is your lunch time." Momo chirped a goodbye before scurrying off to Aang.
As the Earth King left Aang directed his attention towards his friends, "Well guys…welcome to Ba Sing Se."