~~~~~~~~~~~~~*`~~: Chapter Twenty Six: ~~`*~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ally smiled at Aang, they'd finally reached the North Pole. They had received a less then warm welcome by the tribe's warriors but that quickly changed when they realized who they were. News spread fast.
Ally had never been to the North Pole before, only the south. But the place was absolutely beautiful with its sparkling houses, walls, fountains and rivers. Aang and Katara will find a water master no problem.
Right now the whole tribe were having a feast, but enough on that, 'shhhhh, the chief talking'. "Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe, and they have brought with them someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now. The Avatar," Everyone cheered loudly, "and accompanying him is the leader of the last Air Nomads, Ally." Ally smiled and waved as they clapped and whispered to each other, staring. "We also celebrate my daughter's 16th birthday." He continued, "Princess Yue is now of marrying age." He stepped aside and Ally smiled at the white haired girl, she was very beautiful; she could see why Sokka was drooling at her feet – or that could just be at the food… either way, he had noticed the girl right away and was staring at her beauty.
Ally felt a jolt of kindred spirit as the girl spoke; she was touched by a spirit… the moon? Ally shook off the feeling and paid the respect of listening to the princess, "Thank you, father. May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times."
Ally bowed to the Princess as she sat in-between her and Sokka. "It's nice to meet you Yue and happy birthday."
"You as well Ally, and thank you," Yue smiled, "how do you like the Northern Water tribe?"
"It's my first visit to the northern tribe, every ones so nice. And the buildings are so beautiful." Ally said.
"I hope some day I could visit an Air Temple."
Ally grinned, "I'd be happy to show you the temples. After the war of course." She added.
"You believe the war will end? When?" Yue asked.
"Hopefully before summer; hopefully," Ally sighed, "There's this comet, Fire Lord Sozin used it to attack the air temples and start the war. It's coming back, and the fire benders will use its power to win the war. We need to stop them before that happens." Yue inclined her head looking quite worried. "Which we will," Ally said firmly, reassuring Yue, "I have no desire to fight fire benders during that comet."
Thankfully Sokka engaged Yue in a conversation, Ally tried to tune out Sokka's awkward attempt to get a date, 'activity' was hardly the word she would use if she wanted to date someone; Katara wasn't helping all that much either.
Ally chuckled and engaged a conversation with Aang; they talked mostly about the water bending performance earlier by master Pakku and his students. Ally couldn't help but notice that the performance was only done by boys, she pointed it out to Aang and he frowned, before waving it off saying he was sure it was nothing, perhaps the girls had something going on.
Ally nodded, that seemed reasonable but she couldn't shake off this nagging feeling.
Next morning, before dawn, Ally offered to Katara to plat her hair which she accepted, bouncing up and down in her seat in her excitement. "I've waited for this day my whole life!" Katara babbled, while Ally wove her hair into a tight plat, "I finally get to learn from a real water bending master!"
"You'll be a master you're self in no time." Ally grinned before poking the still sleeping Aang, "wake up sleepy head! Rise and shine it's a brand new day!" Aang slept on, Ally grinned and winked at Katara. "Aang!" Ally shouted, "You have hair!"
Aang bolted upright and was at a mirror quicker then Ally could blink. He looked back at Ally who was laughing hard on the ground; Katara was trying to stop her self laughing and managed to reduce them into giggles.
"Funny Ally, very funny," Aang said throwing her a slight glare. Ally smiled innocently then looked at him suspiciously as he grinned that scary, 'I got an idea' grin. Ally was tempted to run for the hills then and there. Or if this was a hundred years ago, she would have run and hid behind Monk Gyasto.
He knew how to get revenge, but he was going to get her when she was least prepared for it. Ally made a mental note to look out for Aang over the next few days. Right now though, Ally had an excuse not to be a prank victim, "Almost sunrise," she said to Katara who beamed and forced Aang to get ready then dragged him out of their temporary dwelling.
Sokka's snores interrupted Ally's trail of thought and she laid down on her bed, a little rest wouldn't hurt. But Ally's plan for a little sleep in was interrupted by Neo and Nyx jumping up and down on her chest, each were carrying a scroll of air bending. Ally groaned and sat up, "No guys, that's Aang and Katara doing the training today."
Like that would stop them. Ally grumbled as she heard Sokka snigger, "Do you want me to talk to Yue about you? One word; Katara," Ally asked.
That shut him up.
Ally left the tent with a small smile, Nyx and Neo on her shoulders. "Hi there." Someone said behind her as she passed a small shop of water tribe clothing.
Ally turned around and smiled at the boy upon Buffalo Yak, he was around eighteen, his eyes an icy but innocent blue, he had dark brown hair that was up in a 'warriors wolf tail' as Sokka put it.
"Hello." She said bowing in greeting, she put her hand up and stroked the Buffalo Yak, it groaned in friendliness.
"Nomi likes you; normally she wouldn't let anyone come near." The boy said, slipping off Nomi's back. "I'm Nakku." He held up a hand which Ally took.
"It's nice to meet you Nakku, I'm Ally, and I have a way with animals." Ally said grinning.
"I can tell, so you're like the leader of the Air Nomads, right?" Nakku asked curiously as he showed Ally the sights. "That must have been hard; there are stories about a hundred years old on a group of rebellious last air benders. One was the leader of the group, the stories called her the 'leading light' I guess that's you."
Ally nodded, "Possibly, is that why people are staring at me?" she looked around the sparkling ice market place, quite a few people, especially the younger ones were staring at her. Ally shifted uncomfortably.
Nakku laughed and nodded, "We thought you were a myth, a bed time story that was meant to bring hope in these times of war. The scrolls that follow you're journey have a picture of you, you're famous among the Northern Water tribe."
Ally stared at him in bewilderment, "Ummm..." what was there to say?
Nakku smiled at her, "I guess you didn't know. I'll give you a copy of the story, if you want?"
Ally nodded with a dazed smile, "Thanks. It's my first visit to the Northern tribe." Ally explained, "Add to the fact that I have been frozen in suspended animation for a hundred years by the air spirit... I'm not really up to date with the happenings. I hope I'm not known every where."
"That makes a lot of sense." Nakku nodded. Nakku stopped at a clothing shop and picked up a few coats and pants along with a blue ribbon. "A betrothal necklace; for my girl friend," he said smiling, "I'm planning on proposing to her tomorrow when the moon is full, next to the fountain in the main courtyard, – but I'm not that good at carving." He admitted.
"I'll be happy to teach you," Ally offered, "I learnt carving from Sister Iio, along with sewing and other things like herbs and animal care."
Nakku smiled, "thanks Ally, I'd appreciate that."
"Thanks for showing me around." Ally grinned, and then she frowned, "Shouldn't you be at the water bending training with master Pakku?" she asked.
"I've already mastered my training." Nakku said, grinning at his success. "Master Pakku was hard on everyone but in the end his great teacher."
"So his strict?" Ally asked grimacing a little, remembering the strict Nuns and Monks at the air temples.
"That and he loves to do a bit sarcastic insulting – but I think he does that to make us try harder."
"Okay…." Ally said, reminded of Monk Kwan from the Eastern Air Temple, he was funny when he insulted people but you had to feel sorry for his students.
"Nakku!" an eighteen year old girl called coming up to him, she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. She had large blue eyes with black shimmering hair; she had a kind innocent look to her.
"Ally this is Sukama, my girlfriend," Nakku said grinning, "Sukama, this is Ally. The 'leading light' from the stories"
Ally bowed to Sukama, "It's an honour to meet you Sukama."
"The honour is mine Ally; I've heard fantastic stories about you're courage and leader ship." Sukama smiled she turned to Nakku, "My father wishes to talk to you."
Nakku looked a little nervous, "Ha, he didn't say anything to you, did he?" he asked.
Sukama frowned, "He was acting strange; like he knew something I didn't."
"Right… I'll leave you girls to talk while I talk to your father." Nakku raced off with Nomi following.
"Is that his normal behaviour?" Ally asked Sukama, she shook her head.
"No, my mother is acting strangely too. And my little sister is acting smug about it." Sukama shook her head at the strange behaviour. "Speaking about my little sister," Sukama smiled, "She would love to meet you; you're like a role model to her. She keeps going on about wanting to fight but because of our customs… It is forbidden for women to learn water bending."
"What! Hang on," Ally interrupted, feeling the shock on her face, "Every bender must master his or her element. What do the women do?"
"Here the women learn from Yugoda to use their water bending to heal." Sukama said a touch of anger and sadness in her voice. "I mastered healing long ago, but I wish to fight!" she said angrily, but in hushed tones said, "I want to be able to protect myself and those around me if the fire nation attacks. But all no, it's the men who protect us."
Ally nodded, "Katara isn't gonna stand for that," she smiled suddenly, "I believe things are about to change."
Sukama shook her head, "Our customs haven't changed in over a million years, even the previous Avatar's haven't changed our ways. I doubt our tribe will change just because a southern tribe female stands up to the customs; It will take the men to try and stand up to the customs; Nakku has tried of course," she smiled affectionately. "But he isn't that high up in the society. So instead he suggested that I do dancing." Ally cocked an eyebrow. "That's what I thought too," Sukama laughed, "But he said that dancing while water bending is almost as affective in a fight, but I wish to really know how to fight, not just incorporate water bending while dancing."
"Dancing?" Ally mused, that sounded fun. "Does your sister know this?"
Sukama laughed, "It's like her morning and afternoon ritual."
She stopped in front of a two story igloo with a water insignia on it with large Koi fish sculptures on either side of the entrance. "This is our house." Sukama explained, before looking up and shouted, "Yueka! I brought some one to see you!"
"Who?" a ten year old asked, looking over the balcony of their house, she was an miniature replica of Sukama, but her silky black hair was cropped short and curly. She saw Ally and her bright blue eyes widened to the size of plates. She disappeared and a second later came through the door, "Hi! I'm Yueka; I am so glade to meet you! Is it true that you took out fifteen soldiers on your own? Did you really get possessed by the air spirit?"
A little taken a back, Ally nodded in bewilderment, "Yeah, I err, was possessed by the air spirit." She mumbled a little embarrassed by such attention. She was aware of Sukama sniggering in the back round.
"That is so cool," she beamed, staring. Then noticing she might have been staring a little too long she looked away. A bark came from inside and a white polar wolf bear came out, looking at the girls with a tilted head, "Oh, this is Ginna," Yueka said, patting the wolf bear that was two times larger then her.
"She's adorable." Ally smiled rubbing the dog's ears.
"Yueka, isn't it time for the healing lesson?" Sukama said.
Yueka groaned, and then beamed at Ally, "Do you want to come with me?"
Ally smiled, "Sure Yueka, then perhaps after you can show me your dance moves."
"And you can show me air bending?" She asked.
"Sure." Ally nodded grinning.
When Ally walked inside the healing hut and found Katara there, "Hi Katara," Ally greeted.
"Hi." Katara said sullenly, Ally sat down next to Katara while Yueka sat down next to Ally. Ally looked at the room, it was simple; a man sized dummy laid flat on a ice bed in the middle of room. The dummy has pathways or channels etched all over its surface, and hovering over it was an old lady Ally supposed was Yugoda.
"Yeah, a lot of girls here feel the same." Ally nodded, "I was thinking revolution." She was aware of Yueka hanging on her every word.
Katara shook her head, "That would get us in trouble and result in Aang needing to find another teacher; you should have seen it!" she hissed, "Pakku is a bitter old sexist pig!"
"I gathered as much from various conversations," Ally sighed as the lesson began, "I hope Aang doesn't blow his top off at him; though if he did I'm sure Pakku would have deserved it."
It was then that Yugoda noticed Ally, "Are you here for the healing lesson or are you here to disturb my class?"
Ally bowed her head, "I apologies Master Yugoda."
Yugoda called her up, "Now tell me child, (Ally clenched her fist at that) Do you have any healing skills?"
"Yes." Ally said stiffly, though tried to sound respectful.
"Would you like to demonstrate your ability?" she asked sceptical.
"I'd rather not." Ally said flatly, she wasn't about to get unnecessary injuries.
"Ally's healing abilities are unique," Katara cut in, "Instead of healing the wound from the victim she takes the wound and it's replaced on her body."
The children around them began to murmur. Yugoda's expression was rather abashed, "In that case just watch."
Ally nodded; her expression stony.
"I'm sure she was just curios, I mean it's not like she would have known what air benders healing abilities were capable of." Katara said after the lesson, Yueka was with a group of friends outside. Most of the class were surrounding Yugoda.
Ally and Katara continued to talk; they didn't notice Yugoda was now child free and listening. "Perhaps Katara," Ally growled, "But that doesn't excuse the fact that she was rude."
"Then I apologies," Yugoda said walking up to them. "I thought that you would let the attention, I'm sure everyone is giving you, go to you're head, you are well known in the northern tribe."
"Hu?" Katara asked looking at Ally.
"Bed time stories," Ally growled, still feeling pretty pissed off, "About me trying to keep my fellow air benders alive. And no," she said to Yugoda in a harder tone, "I am not a child, and I am certainly not an attention seeker."
Yugoda grimaced, a look of regret in her eyes.
Ally bowed stiffly to her before saying, "Thank you for the lesson, please forgive me for saying that I will not revisit." With that, Ally walked out, and stood outside the entrance to wait for Katara
"She didn't mean that," she heard Katara say, "I'm sure she's just had a rough day."
She heard Katara approaching her, "Hey!" Katara said, placing a hand on Ally's shoulder and turning her around, "She said she was sorry!" she said, "Did you have to be so rude?"
"Probably not," Ally said trying to calm herself; she could feel the guilt churning her stomach already. "I guess I was still pretty pissed at how she treated me, the child comment didn't help either." She concluded in her defence. "I'm so use to after gaining the respect of people, after everything I've been through, treating me like an adult… that the child comment hit a nerve."
Katara's stern expression melted into a nothing but a frown of understanding but that didn't mean she agreed.
A scream came from the children and Katara and Ally raced over, "What's going on?" Ally asked quickly.
A young girl was crying in the centre of the group, holding her ankle. Ally saw the cause; An Arctic Spider-wasp sting, Ally knew it wasn't fatal to adults and teens but to young children it was deathly dangerous. "You can't heal that with water!" Sukama said her eyes widening with alarm as she recognized the sting.
Ally cussed under her breath.
Yugoda bustled over, "Get me some Narnli herbs!" she snapped, "Quickly! Everyone else move away."
The girl began to vomit and gasp, "No time!" Ally said, and placed her hand over the small girl's ankle. Her hand glowed blue and she hissed as a sharp flash of pulsing pain shot through her ankle and her stomach churned.
She was going to be in for a rough ride, she hoped this wasn't going to upset her chi, the last thing she needed was another mutation. Controlled visions and this stupid transfer healing? Need she say more? Ally groaned and held back the vile that crawled up her throat.
The icy buildings and snow ground spun around her and she fell on her hands and knees, someone was patting her back and holding her stomach, Ally coughed and released the vile, she forced the hands away shivering.
Meditate, Ally told her self, pulling up into a cross legged sitting position and joined her knuckles together, think about something else, forget the sting, forget what your bodies going though, focus… Ally felt her stomach bubble and her ankle beginning to swell. Focus! She thought, focus on a sound, Ally zeroed in on the waterfalls rushing water nearby, the sound was soothing but not distracting enough…
Ally let her awareness travel elsewhere and found Aang controlling water; he suddenly let out a growl of frustration and slammed the water to the icy ground. Ally bit her lip and listened to her frantic heart beating… Not good, Ally groaned as her body awareness came back full force, if her heart was going that quickly then that meant hallucinations were coming next… Ally's eyes rolled back into her head and she collapsed twitching.
She was surrounded by fire and Sozin stood over her, baring down on her, he swang his hand out and punched a fiery inferno at her.
Hiriwa screamed and fire consumed the small two year old while Ally tried to move but couldn't, her feet was stuck to the ground.
She saw Sophie, tears rolling down her cheeks, blood coursing down her wounds, Ally was trapped and tried to reach out. She broke free and fire rushed towards her little cousin, she jumped in front of Sophie and the flames consumed both of them.
Monk Afiko was standing before her and taking the air from her lungs, suffocating her.
Fire Lord Ozai was chasing Aang and shot lighting and fire at him, the comet high in the sky, staining the land and sky with its blood red glow.
Ally was racing through the forest, trying to out run the lashing flames as the inched closer to her… Foxy swooped in from the high branches and slid her sword into her chest and into her heart.
Then she was sitting in the clouds, Monk Gyasto and Sister Iio appeared before her then behind them every air bender she ever knew appeared as well, "Why do you fight so violently, Ally?" Monk Gyasto asked.
"You killed a fellow Nomad." Sister Iio said sadly.
"I, I didn't mean too." Ally tried to reply but no sound came.
"You promised me you'd stay, but… would you keep that promise? You left the surviving Air Benders after all." Aang said next to Gyasto.
"You left me and the other master Air Benders to die." Monk Gyasto said.
"You told me to protect the children who weren't masters yet," Ally tried to say, "I –"
Flames engulfed everyone like a hungry monster; then it reared up and snatched Ally up in its fury.
The Blue Spirit punched fire at her with his swords, then turned to Aang.
Then Commander Lee's voice came, "I lied, I haven't changed, I never will."
Ally screamed and shot upright, shivering like a leaf in a strong wind, she was chanting, "It's not real, its not real," again and again. Aang, Sokka and Katara were looking down at her, "Ally? Are you alright?" Aang asked.
"How are you feeling?" Katara asked.
"Yeah, you… – you haven't lost your sanity, have you?" Sokka said, he got wacked over the head from Katara for that one.
Ally looked up at them and noticed Chief Arnook, Princess Yue and Master Pakku and Yugoda standing in the back round. There was also a little girl looking at her with wide eyes, she was held in the arms of a woman, the mother, Ally supposed.
She blinked when she realized Sokka's statement. "Why would I have lost my sanity?" she questioned, a little shaken by the hallucinations.
Sokka looked uncomfortable.
Yugoda stepped up, "A Spider-wasp sting makes the victim have hallucinations about there greatest fears. Considering whom you are and what you have been through. It should have been a mental torture."
Monk Gyasto's and Sister Iio's harsh words rang in her ears. Ally shook her head, "I've been through worst," Ally lied.
Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, "Oh yes I'm sure you've been through worst," Pakku said sarcastically, breaking the awkward silence. "With all that screaming you did and how pale you look I wouldn't have believed at all that you had worst."
"That wouldn't explain why my throat feels like it's been ripped to shreds, would it?" Ally said with equal sarcasm. She looked at Katara, "speaking about my throat can I have some water please?"
Katara made an ice cup and filled it with water, "Here," Ally took it gratefully and swallowed it down quickly.
"Thanks," Ally sighed, sitting up against the bed, "So what happed when I was reviewing past memories and greatest fears?" Aang's eyes widened and he bit his lip out of the corner of Ally's eye; Ally grimaced as she remembered how she told Aang about her fear of him fighting the fire lord during the comet.
"Nothing much, you were out for two hours." Chief Arnook explained. "This is Kimika the one you saved, and this is her mother, Tikkia."
Ally smiled at the two, then the women burst out in hysterical tears and rushed forward to embrace Ally in a bone crushing hug. "– You, thank you," she babbled, "you saved her, my daughter, the stories about you do no justice! How can I repay you?"
Ally was being crushed, heck her bones might have already been crushed, "No need," Ally mumbled, "It's fine."
The mother let go and shook her head, "No I insist, there must be a way to repay you, you saved my daughter!"
"There is no debt." Ally said firmly, unconsciously going into a leader voice that gave no room for argument.
"How about I cook you and your friend's dinner tonight," She offered.
"Sounds good," Sokka said.
"Excellent," The women beamed while the child in her arms cheered, "I'll go and get started." She left the tent after giving Ally another bone crushing hug.
Silence settled down over the room, Ally took off the bed sheets and inspected her swollen foot, she frowned, "I'm gonna need mango peach juice to reduce this swelling, maybe some ice as well, and maybe some disinfectant," She looked at Aang.
"No need dear," Yugoda smiled walking up with a water covered hand and placed it over the ankle, it glowed white and the ankle and foot reduced in size, eventually the swelling was gone and left her foot with a slight tingling.
"Thanks," Ally said smiling, "And I'm sorry for how I acted."
Yugoda bowed which Ally returned.
"You wouldn't happen to know where Nakku is; Sukama's boyfriend?" Ally said to Chief Arnook, "I promised to help him with something."
"He should be in the training ring," He said, "Now before you run off I want to thank you Ally. That was a noble thing you did for a stranger."
"I did what any other person might have done." Ally said, instinctively waving it off.
"No," Chief Arnook said, "What you did was special thing Ally, the honour you showed was nothing short of remarkable; enduring someone else's pain is certainly not what anyone else would have done."
"His right Ally," Katara said placing a hand on her shoulder.
Not entirely convinced and just wanted to be alone for a while, Ally nodded slowly and stood up, "I need time to sort out my thoughts." Ally murmured.
"Of course," Chief Arnook nodded.
"I'm glade you're alright Ally," Yue smiled.
Ally bowed to them both and gave a smile to her friends, Yugoda and Pakku. She limped out of the chamber and outside; she was immediately bombarded by applause and cheering, Aang walked out to see what was happening and the cheering got louder.
"Alright," Chief Arnook said above the crowd's noise, "That's enough; please leave our guests alone for a while, it's been an eventful morning."
Ally and Aang grimaced at each other, it was agreed that eventful was an understatement; Chaotic was the term they would use, disastrous was good too.
"Come along," Master Pakku said to Aang, "Just because you're friend is better doesn't mean you skip the lesson."
Ally sighed, she was actually hoping to talk and hang around her best friend for a while, Ally decided to visit Snow-fire and Appa; the next best thing.
"Hi guys," Ally murmured as she petted them, "It's been a rough morning, hu?" she said. Snow-fire growled and cocked her head slightly, confused. Ally smiled sadly, "Just a nightmare, it wasn't real." She said firmly, trying to convince herself. Snow-fire wined and rubbed her large head against her, Ally laughed, "Yeah I think I've finally cracked too," Appa snorted in disagreement, "Really? That's new." Ally asked thoughtfully.
Suddenly Nyx and Neo dropped in on her and chattered in her ears, Ally laughed. "I'm fine guys. No, I will not be doing training today." Ally blinked reminded of the promises she made this morning. She groaned, "I've got to go guys, I'll be back in the afternoon."
Watching Yueka dancing and looping the water around was a nice change, she applauded the enthusiastic ten year old. Of course they had to do this in a secluded place; the customs against women doing water bending would get the ten year old in trouble.
Of course Ally couldn't let Yueka have all the fun and was soon copying the dance, utilizing it to do air bending, tying in that she promised to do an air bending display. Ally couldn't help but notice that while she danced and bended the air a certain way the air would make a certain tune, however faint it was, she doubted Yueka could hear it; air benders hearing was the best out of the four nations.
She'd have to look up on dance bending… it might have been the key to the long lost art of sound bending, she felt a bubble of excitement, she couldn't wait to tell Aang her theory.
Soon the fun needed to come to an end and she flew Yueka back to her house on her glider to get back in half the time. "Will you come back tomorrow Ally?" Yueka asked excitedly.
Ally smiled, "I think I'll be busy tomorrow Yueka, I've got to practise air bending and help my friends sort out a few of their problems. Plus I need to help your sister's boyfriend with something; I think I'll do it this afternoon."
Yueka instantly had a smug look, "That Nakku is going to propose to her?" she whispered conspiracy.
Ally winked, "He wants help with the betrothal necklace." She whispered, playing along.
Yueka giggled, "Bye Ally! I hope to see you soon."
"I'll come by before I have to leave." Ally promised as she opened her glider then took off; unaware that Yueka's parents were watching her progress into the air with smiles.
Nakku was grateful to see her, "Thanks for coming Ally, are you okay? The whole tribe have been talking about the incident this morning."
"I'll be fine," Ally waved off, "Now lets get that betrothal necklace done, do you have the design?"
"Ah yeah, yeah I do, here." He said searching around in various pockets until he brought out a folded sheet of parchment. Ally took it with a smile and looked at the design. It had a crescent shaped moon with three rolling waves, the pendent the shape of a Luna Flower.
Ally nodded thoughtfully, "Alright, my student," she smiled, "Let me teach you in the art of jewellery carving."
Nakku bowed, grinning he replied. "Okay Master Ally, where do we start?"
Ally had never been so tiered; she should have stopped when the carving was done. But Nakku wasn't the finest artist in the world and Ally helped him paint the pendent a stunning light blue. Luckily Nakku knew how to clip the pendent onto the ribbon he had bought earlier because Ally had no idea, not having been that interested in jewellery when she was learning from Sister Iio.
Getting to the residence that she, Aang, Katara and Sokka were in, she flopped down on her bed and almost groaned when she remembered she was a guest for dinner, she laid down on her back and looked at the icy ceiling.
"Ally? Common, we can't be late, I have a date with Yue later." Sokka said through the door way, his stomach growled.
Ally chuckled weakly and got up and looked in the mirror, her stormy gray eyes seemed to echo her muscles exhaustion, but putting up a brave front by placing a smile on her face she exited the building and walked with her friends to the dinner they were invited to.
Ally was uncomfortable with all the praise and affection she was receiving; time just couldn't seem to hurry up, she'd take on Sozin flamed up by the comet glory any day, all this praise just didn't feel right, they treated Ally like the 'Ally' in the stories, not who she was as a person. Now she truly knew how Aang felt.
The food was good though and she also received a copy of the stories about her when she said that she never read what people in the northern tribe knew about her. The picture of her was very accurate she had to say, though the stories made her out to be invincible; not the thirteen year old she was; though all accounts that she and her fellow air benders had been though when and after the comet struck were accurate.
She was glade that Sokka was a comedian (no matter how lame his jokes could be); he pulled most of the unwanted attention from Ally and onto the past events from his tribe, especially his dads and Bato's adventures. Ally would have to thank him later for his considerate deed.
Things died down and Ally thanked the family for their generosity in which they replied it was the least they could do and that it was an honour to have both the Avatar and head of council of the last air benders to dine with them.
Sokka went his own way to meet Yue while Aang and Katara went another. Ally just went home and flopped onto her bed, she was snoring before her head touched the pillow.
"This is so not good! This is bad this really, really bad!" Aang's voice came and awoke her.
"I am so sorry Aang, this is my entire fault," Katara said.
"No Katara it isn't."
"What's tha' matter?" Ally mumbled, rubbing her tiered eyes.
"Sorry Ally, we didn't know you were asleep." Katara said guiltily.
"Meh," Ally waved off sluggishly then sat up and crawled onto a rug near the fire place, "What's going on?" she asked as she hit two stones together to light it, the fire sprang to life and she patted the rug on either side of her, inviting her friends to sit down, they did and were about to tell her what happened when Sokka came in looking sourly depressed, "How's warrior training?" Ally asked; referring to this morning.
Sokka hit a bag in his anger and flopped down beside Aang, "Warrior trainings great."
"The date didn't go so well, hu?" Ally asked feeling even more exhausted.
"Princess Yue," Sokka said shaking his head with confusion, "I just don't get it. One minute she wants to go out with me and the next she's telling me to get lost!" he groaned and took off his gloves and placed them near the fire, getting them warm. "So, how was your day, after the whole sting incident?"
"I almost tripped into the canal in my exhaustion on the way here, after so many promises I made I couldn't back down on them." Ally said dryly, she turned to Katara and Aang. "How was your sneaky water training?"
"Horrible," Katara said, "Pakku found us; he just refused to teach Aang."
"What?" Ally said in shock, "He can't do that, it's not fair!" she said in anger.
"Apparently he can." Aang said sourly. Then he began to do an impression of Pakku, "'you have disrespected me, my teachings, and my entire culture; you are no longer welcome as my student.' That's the words he used."
Ally groaned, "There has to be a way for us to get him to take you back?" she said, "Maybe go to Chief Arnook and make that old monkey face teach Aang again?"
Aang snorted at the 'old monkey face' comment, Katara nodded, "I hope that will work."
Ally turned to Sokka, "After we talk to Chief Arnook, I'll talk to Yue and find out what's going on; there has to be a good reason for her doing this."
Sokka nodded, "Thanks Ally."
"Now, can we please go to sleep?" Ally asked before slumping on Aang's shoulder and began to snore again.
"Wow, she must have really been exhausted." Aang said, "Sokka, Katara could you help me put Ally in her sleeping bag, she's actually kind of heavy."
"Are you saying she's fat? – okay, she's heavy." Katara said pulling Ally to her bed.
"All freakin' muscle," Sokka said in surprise.
"Not surprising." Aang said sadly.