BEFORE READING: (For those who have not read the Foreword) This take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, Book Four: Air, will be set up as closely to the actual TV series as possible (thus, all the shipping is canon). Each new chapter will be an "episode" and there will be about 20 episodes total. The story will be written in third-person limited POV and, depending on the episode, whose mind we're focusing on will be different. Today's episode will be focused on Aang. Anyway, please enjoy the story – I appreciate comments/critiques before favoriting – anything at all helps me grow as a writer!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise – it belongs solely to its creators, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Nickelodeon and its affiliates.
Episode 1
Hawks and Messages
It was hot in Ba Sing Se.
Not as hot as in the Fire Nation – nothing could compare to the way the sun seemed to kiss the Earth itself, bringing forth hot volcanoes and a thick, tropical humidity that, when combined, seemed to cook you from the inside out. The only place worse was the Si Wong Desert. The desert was not only haunted by a dry, mesmerizing air but by memories that were better left alone. In fact, as far as Aang was concerned, if he never visited that arid place again, it would be too soon.
But it was summer and the aftermath of a victory and a war a century too long. Already a month after Ozai's fall at Wulong Forest and the festivities at the Earth Kingdom's capital had not subsided. Suki and Ty Lee had returned to Kyoshi Island (to Sokka's disappointment) to organize their own activities and to make sure that the city had fared well at the end of the war. But Aang was sure that whatever Kyoshi was doing, it was not as crazy as in Ba Sing Se. Green and gold banners with the insignia of the Earth Kingdom were hung from every home window. Other, more fearless families draped flags along their balconies with a symbol uniting the four nations. Despite everything that had happened, Aang still saw many people, both young and old, vandalizing the flags – drawing giant "X's" over the Fire Nation insignia or, as Aang watched once in passing, a kid around the same age as himself doodling a giant, angry, cartoon face of Ozai. Aang had mixed feelings about it all – twice he stopped himself from yelling at people, "It's different now!" when he caught them in the act. At first, he wasn't sure why – until he saw the three swirls indicating the Air Nomads in the bottom right corner and realized that, even for him, time was the only way to heal the wounds of the past.
Aang knew Zuko noticed the way many people still regarded the Fire Nation, but, if it affected him at all, he didn't show it. Aang suspected that Zuko knew as well as him that years of violence and war from the Fire Nation made trusting them difficult for most people. But Zuko's years of banishment had made him uncannily patient and calm, something that many had not expected from the new Fire Lord. The thought made Aang beam – proud to call his once arch-enemy a friend.
Today was no different from any other that month. It was hot, made sweltering from the crowds of people in the street. Merchants shouted from under overhangs, offering fried dough, tofu-curd puffs, mangos, papayas, moon peaches, and bite sized-pieces of Creeping Crystal… which the merchants kept having to destroy by Earthbending if they became too large. Kids laughed in the streets as they played with streamers and tiny toys of Aang that made him blush whenever he saw them. Other children played hide-and-seek between abandoned Fire Nation tanks while musicians played songs of battle, reunion, and loss on the tsungi horn for spare coins amid the distant crashes of the inner walls of Ba Sing Se. The walls, once marking the districts off within the city, were being collapsed by a team of Earthbenders in order to unite Ba Sing Se once and for all.
The whole commotion was nice – for the first two days. Now, it was just too much. Aang disliked the putrid air of the too-large city, the walls surrounding him, and the group of people who seemed to appear behind him and follow him every time he stepped outside. Every day that he spent in the Earth Capital solidified Aang's awareness of the differences between Earth and his birth element, Air. As much as the Earth Kingdom liked permanence, enclosure, and steadfastness, the Air Nomads liked freedom, open spaces, and clever thinking. Already Aang missed the days flying on Appa and the nights sleeping on the grass amid his friends. So much had happened in such as short time and now his entire world had changed – again. And although he knew that he needed to think about his future, he pushed such tedious thoughts away until absolutely necessary; instead, forcing himself to enjoy the respite he had with his friends for as long as possible.
So, as much as Aang disliked the heat and activity of Ba Sing Se, he hated staying indoors all day more. After convincing the gang, plus Zuko's girlfriend Mai, to join him for a stroll outside of Iroh's teashop, the group wandered down the rows of merchants and artisans, examining their trinkets and tools of the trade.
"Hey Toph, look at this!" said Aang, holding a miniature-sized Toph up for her to examine.
"What is wrong with you guys?" Toph accused. "I'm blind." She waved her hands in front of her face to accentuate her point. "Why does everyone seem to think I can see and respond to phrases like 'Look at this!' and 'Did you see that?'?"
Aang turned red in the face – again, taking for granted his friend's gift of seeing through Earthbending. Toph was amazing in every way possible, making it easy for everyone to forget that she couldn't see.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. Well, it's an action-figure of you and you're all buff and tall. And you're sort-of leaning forward with your arms outstretched, like you're going to move a giant rock!"
"No way!" Toph said, her face alight.
Sokka leaned over Aang to get a closer look. "Hey, what does this do?"
A small brown lever protruded from the back of the Toph figurine which Sokka reached over to push. Just then, the figurine-Toph's mouth opened to emit a loud shrieking noise.
"Ahhhh!" Aang and Sokka screamed as Aang dropped the figurine and grabbed onto Sokka just as Sokka was grabbing onto him.
"It's my sonic-wave voice!" Toph proclaimed excitedly, taking the fallen figurine from the ground and examining it eagerly with her fingers. Reaching into her pocket, Toph slammed down a couple of coins on the merchant's ledge, next to other figurines of Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph. "I'll take one!"
The group continued down the street, Sokka and Toph running from booth to booth to examine their wares.
"Katara – I need more money," Sokka said sometime later, striding to her side.
"What happened to the last stash I gave you?" Katara replied, indignant. "Please don't tell me you spent in all on another Sokka-doll!"
Sokka quit scrutinizing the figurine of himself in his hands, one with warrior wolf's paint on and a boomerang held at the ready, to look at Katara. Smiling sweetly, he stuffed the doll inside his shirt with about four others.
"Ah – no, course I didn't!" Sokka said.
Katara rolled her eyes, exasperated. "I can't believe you! We don't have an endless supply you know! No more money for you, that's it!"
Sokka's eyes got big and watery as he begged. "But doesn't the Earth King –"
"Despite what you think, the Earth King is not going to keep giving us money just because we're his 'friends', especially if we're spending it on ridiculous things. Go find other ways to spend the last of what you have."
Defeated, Sokka walked away with heavy steps.
They continued throughout the marketplace, Katara purchasing a new blue skirt and items for the apartment, Toph a pair of metal dice, which she grew accustomed to throwing in the air and catching, Aang a straw kasa hat for the heat, Zuko a leather strap for sharpening swords, and Mai a silver choker carved with the design of an intricate eye, while Sokka decided it was wise to spend the last of his share on food. But soon, the heat became too much as it simmered in the air and caused the sweat to pour from their foreheads.
Sokka walked forward slouching and covering his distended stomach. "If I eat another lemon curd-puff I'm going to explode."
Katara grinned. "Maybe, but afterwards, you'll feel better and you'll just want to eat again."
"Ugh, it's so hot! Katara, can't you use your Waterbending-powers to create like a giant maelstrom of water that just continues for days on end?"
Katara didn't answer, just stared at him, eyebrows furrowed. Sokka frowned and grabbed Aang by the shoulder.
"Aang – what about you? Why don't you go all Avatar-state and swoosh the air around creating a giant breeze that drops the temperature like 20 degrees lower?"
"Like this?"
Aang leaned forward and outstretched his hand, creating a whirlwind of air that sent Sokka flying backwards – right into the group of people following the gang that day. Several yards away, his hair windblown and eyes huge, Sokka groaned.
Katara and Toph burst out laughing, while Zuko and Mai just smirked. Aang rushed to Sokka and offered him a hand.
"Oh, sorry – I didn't mean to blow you that far."
"No – no, don't be sorry," Sokka exclaimed, half-dazed. "That's the first time I've felt cool all day! Maybe I should draw another schematic for Teo's dad using Airbenders to create some sort-of air-cooling device! It'll be just like the submarines we made!"
"Yeah Sokka," Aang said, while helping Sokka to his feet. "Only problem is, there's no Airbenders left, except me."
"Oh yeah, well, I was just thinking aloud and… sorry Aang," Sokka mumbled, rubbing his head.
"It's okay Sokka. It doesn't bother me too much anymore." Aang glanced at Katara, who was already smiling at him, and felt blood rush up all the way to his ears. Avatar Roku said that girls would get easier with age, but even though Aang was a year older than when he first met Katara, and even though Katara was finally acknowledging that they had a sort-of relationship, he still couldn't make sense of the jumbled emotions in his heart. He suddenly felt compulsions to give her flowers, to play the tsungi horn for her, to lean over and hold her hand… but he didn't know which to do first or in what order or whether she would find it appropriate for him to do it at all. Plus, what would Sokka think? Aang keep sneaking looks over at Zuko and Mai, hoping to get some tips – but their relationship seemed to be less about words and action, and more about physics. Little was said between the two of them, but they were very open about their feelings – considering the way they moved around each other, like they were magnetic – and also because they were sucking face about every five minutes. Nobody said anything about it – Aang preferred to look away or at his feet when this happened. In fact, he had studied his feet so thoroughly, that he noticed that one big toe was slightly bigger than the other. Or, maybe it only looked that way because he was squinting, he couldn't tell. But in any case, he couldn't ask Zuko for help. Instead, he just settled for Katara's occasional soft kisses on the cheek or the forehead, or those rare kisses on the lips that felt as if his heart would leap out of his chest.
"Well, what are we going to do now? I barely have any money left, and this heat is killing me," Sokka complained.
"Why not forget about the heat?" Aang suggested.
"Although you can separate yourself from the physical world, Twinkle Toes, we're not so lucky," Toph said, frowning. "If the ground get's any hotter, my feet are going to burn."
"That's not what I meant. Why not play a game of airball, but without the air. Just our feet and hands so that it's fair. That'll get our minds off the heat!"
"That'll just make it wor-," Sokka began, but Toph interrupted. "Sounds great! Can't wait to beat you pansies!"
Aang turned toward Zuko and Mai. "Is that okay with you guys?"
Zuko nodded. "Sure."
Mai shrugged. "Whatever."
Ten minutes later, they six of them were walking into a wide, rectangular courtyard not far from Iroh's tea shop. Houses surrounded the arena, creating little traffic and a quiet atmosphere. Toph marched to one end while Aang did the other, and together they made identical goal posts out of earth.
"Rules are simple," Aang said. "Whoever gets the ball through the goalpost gets a point. The team who reaches ten points first wins. Also, you can't hold the ball for more than ten seconds, or that's a penalty and the other team gets the ball. Lastly, there's a goalie for each goalpost. Um, I think that's it. Any questions?"
"Yeah," Sokka said, pointing over his shoulder. "What about those guys?"
"I'll take care of it," Zuko said, turning and walking to the group of kids, adults, and one old man with a walking cane in the shape of an upraised badger mole, that had been following them all day.
He stared at them for one long minute, giving favor to the scarred, left side of his face. The group stared back, at first excited, and then nervous as Zuko continued to say nothing. Then he hunched over, eyes blazing, and said, "Leave."
"But, can I -," one girl with soft green eyes started, but Zuko interrupted.
"Now!" he yelled.
They scattered like fox antelopes being chased by a saber-tooth moose-lion. The old man limped after them with his cane saying, "Wait for me!"
"Impressive," Mai said, when Zuko returned.
"Now, we just need a ball!" Aang said as he formed a swirling ball of air with one hand and layered it with dirt with the other.
"Toph, could you harden this?" Aang asked, extending his hand with the dirt-covered air-ball.
"Um, okay." Toph lifted her hand and the Earth solidified around the air.
Aang smiled and turned to Katara. "And could you freeze this please?"
She gave him a look, but, using some water from the bottle tied to her waist, she froze the earth together.
"Zuko, some fire?" Aang handed him the mud-ball.
"What for? It's just going to melt."
"Yeah… but the freezing made it more solid-like and the fire will make it flexible! I think that it'll only work if we use all four elements … unless you want me to do it."
Zuko shook his head and outstretched his hand, the tips of his fingers alight. Aang moved the ball evenly around the fire until he was satisfied. Then he threw it to the ground. It hit, but it bounced back and did not break.
"Sweet," Toph approved. "Now time to pick teams!"
Aang sashayed over to Katara and began, "Hey, Katara, can I be on –" before Sokka interrupted.
"Girls versus boys!" he shouted.
"That's not fair!" Katara accused. "You guys will be totally outmatched!"
"No – we have the Avatar and the Fire Lord! What's better than that?"
"A metal-bender, the Fire Lord's girlfriend, and the Southern Water Tribe's only Waterbender. Beat that!"
"Besides," Mai added, walking over to Katara, "Zuko gets all skittish when he fights girls. He's not much of a match."
"I do not!" Zuko yelled. "I've never possum chickened out of a fight before!"
"Um, guys, this is not a fight…" Aang noted in a small voice.
"Oh, really? Then hit me!" Mai challenged, ignoring Aang entirely.
"What? I'm not going to hit you!" Zuko said stunned.
"See. You're a possum chicken."
"Just because I don't want to hit you doesn't make me a possum chicken! And I'll prove I have nothing against fighting girls when we take all of you down in the match of your life!"
"You're on!"
"You're going doooooowwwwwn!" Sokka exclaimed, grabbing Aang by the shoulder.
"But, Sokka, wait, I want to…" Aang started, but stopped as Sokka began dragging him to the opposite side of the courtyard.
"Group huddle!" Sokka yelled massing the three of them together in a circle next to the goal post.
"Okay, here's the strategy – Mai and Katara are the more agile ones' and Katara's technique is good. Toph's strong, but since she can't see, we're going to want to keep the ball in the air whenever she's around or she'll smack it out of our hands whenever we're near her. She'll predict our moves. But we got speed and strength on our side," Sokka smacked Zuko and Aang's shoulders in a gesture of comradeship and then popped his head up to look across the arena to the girl's team. "Looks like Mai's going to be goalie."
Aang stuck his head up and turned to see Toph and Katara placing themselves at staggered positions behind the midline.
"What are you doing? Don't let them see you!" Sokka hissed and pushed Aang's head back down.
"Hey, I was just peeking!" Aang mumbled, irritated. Sokka had peeked.
"Like I was saying, we have speed and strength – I'll be goalie –"
"Why you?" Zuko asked. "Maybe Aang should do it – if he's fast enough, he can deflect every shot coming our way."
"No – we need Aang on the field. He'll be able to get through Katara and Toph's defenses better than you or I could. And you'll come in for the final kick. If strong enough, Mai would have difficulty stopping it. It's perfect!"
"'Kay, I'm in," Aang agreed.
"Doesn't sound foolproof to me, but we'll try it," Zuko said, shaking his head.
"Great, break!"
The three of them shifted into position. Aang blew his bison whistle and two minutes later, Appa and Momo landed in a side street, taking up the whole space. Aang ran to them.
"Hey buddy," he said, rubbing Appa's head. "We need a referee – could you and Momo do the job?"
"You've got to be kidding me," Zuko said, mouth open.
"Momo, can you release the ball?" Aang said, giving Momo the mud-ball. Momo chattered back at him and grabbed the ball, looking at it closely.
"That's right," Aang nodded, racing back to his position, Momo on his heels. Aang rolled his pants and his shirt-sleeves up and threw aside his hat, saying, "Let's do this."
Momo chittered something that sounded official, and threw the ball up into the air in the middle of the two teams. And the game began.
Aang ran to the ball, sidestepping a tackle from Toph that seemingly came out of nowhere. He jumped, his fingertips millimeters from the ball, when another hand reached there first.
"Too short," Katara jeered, twisting around Aang before he had time to recover from what just happened.
"Outta my way Twinkle Toes!"
Toph pushed Aang aside like he was nothing but a twig. Indignant, Aang rose to his feet and practically flew to the other side of the field after Zuko, who was hot on Katara's heels.
"Katara! Katara! Over here!" Toph shouted near the goalpost.
As soon as she heard Toph, Katara dropped the ball to her feet, and began kicking it back and forth as Zuko ran on ahead between her and Toph.
"Toph, move over more that way, would you, a little more, good," Katara said, dribbling the ball between her feet and pointing with her fingers. "Good! Stay right there!"
Confused, Zuko moved over to where Katara was indicating Toph to move and peeked over his shoulder. He realized his mistake as soon as Katara kicked the ball to where Toph was standing the entire time.
"Every time!" Toph yelled, exasperated as she caught the ball between her feet and turned towards Zuko. "I'm BLIND."
"Hey – that's cheating!" Zuko accused, whirling towards Toph.
"Better luck next time, O Fire Lord," Toph said, smacking the ball toward the goalpost.
Soon, Sokka was running towards the flying ball, yelling at the top of his lungs, "WATER TRIBE!"
But Aang was already there. He caught the ball in a leaping bound, spinning in the air and then landing lightly on his feet. Sokka fell on his face.
"Aaaaaaang! I had it!" he complained.
"Sorry Sokka," Aang said, turning and dashing towards a dazed Katara.
"Soon I'll be taller than you!" he said defiantly as he danced around her and then sprinted to a lounging Mai across the field. He could hear Toph asking, "What was that about?" and almost feel Sokka shrugging and then saying, "Playful banter?"
Aang slowed when he was halfway across, to allow Zuko to catch up. He heard his heavy footsteps behind him. Peeking over his shoulder, he noticed Zuko flanked by both Katara and Toph, trying to throw him off balance. Kicking the ball ahead of him, Aang turned and sprinted towards Toph.
"Watch out!" Aang yelled.
"Wait, wh-," Toph began, trying to move around Aang but, misjudging the distance, tripped over herself instead.
"YES! WOOOO!" Sokka screamed across the field, waving his arms in a dizzying manner above his head.
"Wooo," Mai said, twirling a finger in the air.
Free of Toph on his left, Zuko spun away from Katara and bolted for the ball ahead. Katara tried to dash after him, but Aang cut her off. Grimacing, Katara moved as if to twirl around him, but Aang predicted it and blocked her way. Before he knew it, Katara and he were dancing – Katara, trying every way possible to slip past him, and Aang parrying every move.
"Hurry up Zuko!" Sokka shouted across the field.
Aang snuck a glance behind him to see Zuko and Mai locked in an eternal staring contest. Zuko dribbled the ball between his feet and Mai held herself at the ready.
Just then, several things happened simultaneously. Zuko tilted sideways and smacked the ball towards the goal, just as Toph smashed into him from the side and together they flew to the ground. Katara had taken advantage of Aang's brief distraction to dive under one of his arms. And just as the ball was going to make it into the goal, Mai dove and hit the ball back, which Katara caught on the rebound.
"Awww!" Sokka and Aang moaned in unison.
The game continued as the sun dipped below the western horizon of Ba Sing Se. Long shadows from the surrounding buildings darkened the girl's side of the field, leaving the boy's side bright and Sokka squinting into the falling sun. The air began to cool and the calming sound of cricket lizards began to fill the air. Appa could be heard yawning from the side of the field. Momo sat on one of Appa's enormous paws, his head flicking back and forth as each team continued to steal the ball from the other, the score still zero to zero.
"Stop!" Toph screamed, panting.
Everyone froze, Aang in mid-run with the ball raised above his head, Zuko ahead of him, waiting for the pass, and Katara reaching over to trip him.
"At this rate, nobody will be able to make ten points. I'm tired, and my feet can't take much more of this. Let's just say, first one to make a point wins, okay? Plus, I'm starving."
"Sounds good to me," Aang agreed, and, as if those were the magic words, he unfroze and threw the ball into Zuko's outstretched arms. Katara unfroze, but lost her balance and fell. Toph began jogging over towards Zuko, but Aang began making his way over to block her.
"Don't even," she snarled and pushed him away.
Zuko made another try at the goal, but Mai deflected again, yawning. "You're going to have to do better than that Zu-Zu," she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Ugh! Don't call me that!" he yelled, sprinting to the backfired ball.
But Toph was there first, grabbing the ball from the ground and rolling under Zuko's lunge.
"See ya!" she said, saluting, and running after Katara, who was already halfway down the field.
Zuko struggled back to his feet, but Aang was already there, moving like wind down the field. But it wasn't going to be enough – Katara and Toph were already three-fourths of the way there. It was up to Sokka… who was not paying attention. With one hand shading his eyes, Sokka was staring up at the sky with his mouth slightly agape.
Katara dropped the ball and kicked it to Toph, who was running up behind her, ready to hit the ball with full force.
"SOKKA!" Aang and Zuko shouted together.
Toph smacked the ball with a sound like thunder. The ball leaped from the ground and sailed so fast through the air that it whistled.
Time seemed to slow as Sokka woke from his momentary daze and turned. His eyes widened as the ball whizzed centimeters from his nose and continued on through the goalpost and down the street behind it.
"YES!" Katara cheered and ran to Toph, who was punching the air in victory, to give her a high-five. Mai was smirking at the other end of the courtyard.
"Ugh!" Aang moaned, slouching forward.
Zuko smacked his forehead in aggravation. "Sokka! What were you doing? It was right there!"
Sokka didn't seem ashamed of defeat however. He was squinting up at the sky eagerly and pointing.
"Hawky!" he shouted. "It's Hawky – he came back! I knew you'd come back Hawky, just like boomerang!"
Everyone turned to look. Sure enough, a bird with dark red wings was soaring above the horizon and approaching their group from the west.
"Wait," Toph said uncomfortably, "If that's Hawky, that means…"
"Sokka, you can't be sure that's Hawky – it could be any bird," Katara pointed out.
"It's Hawky all right, I just know it!" Sokka said, reaching out his arms. "Come on Hawky, come back to daddy!"
Just then four more messenger hawks appeared in the sky. Their wings spread wide, their brown and red feathers flapping, they glided swiftly towards the gang in the courtyard.
"Hawky?" Sokka said softly, doubt in his voice.
"I told you," Katara muttered.
"That's a lot of birds," said Zuko. "What would they want with us?"
Aang shrugged, eyebrows furrowed. "I guess we'll find out."
The gang watched as the birds descended into the playing field and spread into different directions.
"Hawky, it's you!" Sokka rejoiced, holding out his arm for the bird flying toward him to land on.
"That's not Hawky. He's brown and his feather-moustache-thing is shorter," Katara stated, approaching Sokka to observe the bird more closely. "But it looks like this bird has a message for you."
"I think they have messages for all of us," Zuko said as a different bird landed on his arm.
"Eeek! This feels weird, get it off, get it off!" Toph screamed waving her arms, as a red hawk landed on her shoulder and started nipping at her ear. "I can't see flying things!"
"I'll get it Toph."
As Aang and Mai received their own birds, Katara walked over to Toph and extended her arm to the bird, which hopped on and then bent down for her to retrieve the message strapped to the pouch on its back.
Aang examined his own bird, a young, soft brown one with orange eyes. It also bent forward for Aang, offering him the message inside. But, for some reason, Aang was hesitating. Something told him that he was not going to like what the message had to say. Dread filled his heart. He did not have enough time – only a few weeks to himself, some of the best weeks of his life, and already it was time for him to return to reality.
"Hey guys," Aang said, his voice cracking somewhat.
Everyone looked up at him. Katara was handing Toph her message, Zuko had broken the seal on his note and had started reading it, Mai was fiddling with the pouch on her bird, and Sokka was holding his letter in his hand.
"What is it Aang?" Katara asked.
"Um, why don't we all read our letters back at your Uncle's tea shop Zuko? That way, we can all share what they have to say and get something to eat," Aang suggested.
Zuko shrugged. "Fine by me."
Mai had finally opened the pouch on her bird, saying, "Yeah, sure." She grabbed the message and shooed the bird away. As if that were the cue, Zuko's and Sokka's birds took off into the sky in the directions that they had just come from.
"Hawky! Come back!" Sokka cried as his bird flew higher into the sky.
There was a caw from the bird on Katara's arm. He turned his head toward Sokka, flew over to him, and then settled on Sokka's shoulder. He pecked gently on Sokka's ear.
"Hawky? It is you!" Sokka smiled, stroking Hawky's back. Hawky rubbed his head against Sokka's cheek.
"If I'm not mistaken, I don't think I remember you guys ever having a messenger hawk in your group," Zuko noted, frowning.
"He was only in the group for a couple of days, until Toph and I used him to send a message to her family. In fact, Toph, that letter is from your family," Katara said.
"Oh," Toph murmured, her face contorted into something between confusion and apprehension.
"Let's go back to the tea shop," Aang said, finally summoning the will to withdraw the letter from his bird and releasing him into the air. Then he stuffed the note into his pants pocket.
The group made their way back to Iroh's, Appa and Momo preferring to make the journey by air. Just as the sun made its final descent into the horizon, the birds split into five different directions, disappearing into the edges of last light.
The Jasmine Dragon was closed for the day, its doors locked and its tables and dishes scrubbed clean. Oil lamps lit the interior, offering a soft, warm glow as Iroh placed a hot pot of oolong tea in the middle of the long table they had made by pushing two smaller ones together. Appa had been forced to sit outside, but Aang had given him several mangos and papayas to soothe his insatiable stomach. Now, Aang and Momo sat at the table, Momo devouring one pastry after another set in the middle of the table, and Aang having trouble finishing just one. It sat in the middle of his plate, picked at it until it was nothing but bits of bread and jelly.
"So it seems that you each got a letter," Iroh said, as he squeezed into the table between Zuko and Mai. Mai gave Zuko an annoyed look, but Zuko narrowed his eyes and shook his head slightly. Aang knew why – the guilt he felt for betraying his Uncle was still clear on his face. Even something as simple as asking his Uncle to move a seat he could not do.
"Yes we did," Katara said. "Aang wanted us to read them here."
"Very wise of you, Aang. Who doesn't want a good cup of tea while they're reading?" Iroh said warmly as he sniffed his tea and took a sip.
"I'll go first!" Sokka said as Hawky jumped off his shoulder and picked at a pastry. Momo started to chitter aggressively, eyeing the messenger hawk with his beady green eyes.
Sokka broke the seal on the letter and scanned through it, his face brightening.
"It's for you and me, Katara! It's from Tribal Chief Arnook himself!"
"Really? Let me see!" Katara said, extending her hand across the table towards him.
"Un-uh!" Sokka replied, holding the letter above him and wagging a finger at Katara, who was frowning at him. "I'm not finished! It says that some of Arnook's people are leaving the North Pole and traveling to the South Pole to rebuild the city 'to its former glory'!"
"No way!" Katara exclaimed.
"Still not finished," Sokka huffed. "Also, it says that dad and Pakku have already made it to the South Pole and are leading the reconstruction effort, but that they could use another leader who knows the 'Southern ways' and 'the last Southern Waterbender' to assist with the efforts! That's us Katara! That's us! They want us to lead the re-building of our people!"
Aang felt his stomach squirm as he watched Katara's face shift into an ecstatic smile like Sokka's. He looked down as his plate, planning to smush the pieces of leftover pastry with his thumb, only to find Momo there with his face smeared with purple jelly.
"Lastly," Sokka said, "And this is the best part! In fact, I'm just going to read it to you: 'For your father Hakoda's outstanding courage leading our people against the fire nation and for your assistance in helping the Avatar and in the Siege of the North, I have named Hakoda Tribal Leader of the South and you, his children, as his tribal ambassadors. I expect that the two of you will succeed and uphold the values of the Water Tribe and bring in an era of peace that this Earth has not seen in a century. Good luck, and may fortune follow you.'"
It was silent for a time, everyone struck dumb by this revelation. Eventually, the silence was broken when Momo tilted over a bowl of fruit and Hawky pooped on the edge of Sokka's plate.
"Wait," Toph said. "If your dad's the Tribe Leader, does that make you two like, prince and princess or something – like Sokka's old girlfriend?"
"No," Katara shook her head. "Sokka and I are Tribe Ambassadors. They're very different."
No they're not, Aang thought bitterly. They both mean one thing…
"Congratulations," Zuko said. "You guys will make a great pair."
"We appreciate your blessings, Fire Lord," Sokka said, smirking.
Zuko rolled his eyes.
"Aang, are you okay?"
Aang snapped his head up from contemplating the swirling design on his plate. Katara was looking at him with concern painted in her ocean eyes, and for a second Aang lost himself in the depth of them before shaking his head and forcing a smile. "I'm great – yep, never better. I mean, what could be better than the two of you being ambassadors? I mean, that's pretty cool – and Ozai's defeated and everything so a lot has to be done and you guys would definitely be the two to help and stuff and –"
"Aang, you're rambling."
Aang stopped and gave another nervous smile, "Haha – yeah, guess I was. I just meant to say 'Congrats'."
After a brief pause, everyone returned their eyes back to Sokka and Katara.
"Sokka, when does it say we have to leave?" Katara asked.
"As soon as we can."
Iroh nodded pensively. "The Northern Water Tribe has been caught up in tradition for centuries. Having the two of your representing the Southern Water Tribe will be a change for the better I think." Iroh turned to Zuko. "What about you, nephew? What does your message say?"
Zuko sighed and reached into his sleeve to pull out a scroll, the royal seal of the Fire Nation already broken.
"I started reading it… I'm not sure if I want to go on," Zuko said, thumbing the parchment.
"Sometimes the truth is hard, but it is always more rewarding to walk in the light of truth than to be shadowed and lost in lies."
Zuko grimaced, but opened the letter and began reading it to himself. When he was done, he rolled the scroll back up and jumped somewhat when he noticed everyone staring at him.
"Well, what did it say?" Iroh asked, his eyes wide and curious and his face about two inches from Zuko's.
"That I am to return to the palace. My father grows restless in his cell and Azula is worse than ever. Apparently, she keeps asking for me. At any rate, my 'coronation vacation' is over."
Something flashed in Zuko's eyes that Aang didn't quite understand, but Iroh seemed to. He placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder and nodded.
"What about you Mai?" Zuko asked.
She looked sideways toward him, and then around at the rest of the group. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your 'ceremony', but I already read my letter. It was short and boring, so you didn't miss much."
"Well, what did it say?" Zuko prodded.
"That my father is now governor of Capital City and that he is hosting a celebratory feast and would like his only daughter to join him," said Mai bluntly. "It's just more political idiocy that I don't very much care for."
"But if you were to go with a positive attitude, it might not be as bad as you make it out to be. It's all about perspective," Iroh said, sipping his tea and leaning back in his chair.
Mai rolled her eyes, grabbed a pastry from her plate, and took a savage bite.
"Um, Katara, could you read my letter for me?" Toph asked, extending the letter to Katara sitting next to her.
"Sure Toph," Katara said, smiling and unfurling the note. "Are you sure you want me to read it aloud?"
Toph shook her head, but said, "Just read it."
"Okay." Katara coughed before reading, "'Dearest Toph,
We received your letter a few weeks ago but it wasn't until the defeat of Ozai that your father and I finally knew what to say to you. Your letter arrived as a shock, but we were so happy to hear that you were safe and well. We love you so much and are so sorry for our delay in responding back.
Now the war is over, in part because of you. You have no idea how proud we are of you and your accomplishments. You have redefined what it means to be a Bei Fong – someone tough, determined, and loyal. In the past Toph, we know we have wronged. We never thought you would be more than our little baby girl, blind and in need of protection. And when we discovered your Earthbending prowess, it only reaffirmed our stance that you needed to be kept under control. We sent Master Yu and Xin Fu to return you to us and it was we who said that the Avatar kidnapped you. Your father and I are ashamed for what we have done to you and your friends. We're so sorry Toph. Please know that what we did we did out of love for you and to protect you, but now we know that you were ready to take the world by the horns, even though we couldn't see it. Toph, we were the ones that were blind, not you.
If you find it in your heart to forgive us, we have something planned for you. Your father and I are going to announce you to the community as our daughter and close friend of the Avatar. No longer will you hide away as you've done before, but be honored for your feats as a member of the Bei Fong Family. A feast will be held in your honor as soon as you arrive home and take your rightful place here, at home with us.
We miss you very much Toph and we wait eagerly for your return home.
Sincerely,
Lao and Poppy Bei Fong
P.S: Your messenger hawk is very friendly and we've been keeping him at our estate and in good care. We've named him Shan Yuan.'"
"Shan Yuan? That's not his name – it's Hawky!" Sokka exclaimed as soon as Katara finished. "Right Hawky?"
Hawky stared at him for a moment and Sokka said, "Just because you like it doesn't mean I have to!"
"Toph, are you okay?" Katara asked, concerned.
Aang watched as Toph quickly wiped a single tear from her face and say, "Yeah. It really sounds like my parents have changed. Well, I hope they have – I don't want it to turn out like last time."
"Last time it was a fake letter Toph – a trap," Aang said. "It's always better to give people a second chance and the benefit of the doubt – right Zuko?"
"Yeah – but you could all stop rubbing it in my face," he said, grimacing as the rest of the gang grinned.
"I think – well, I think I'll go then," Toph said. "Just for a little while, I mean… then I'll…" her voice trailed off uncertainly. Aang knew exactly how she felt. After that, what then? Would they all ever be together again? Flying on Appa, practicing bending and swordsmanship, throwing beach parties, camping under the stars, speaking in terms of inside jokes that only the five of them could understand? What would happen to all of that? The bonds made with these people couldn't have merely been a coincidence or out of convenience for the purpose of defeating Ozai… It couldn't have been – right? They'd be together again – crossing the landscape in search of new and exotic places just like old times – right? Or, was this the end of "Team Avatar" forever?
Aang found himself staring absently at his empty plate again, which Momo had fallen asleep on, and had not realized how silent it had become until Iroh burped and broke him out of his reverie. He looked up and saw that everyone's attention had been moved to him.
"Oh, heh-heh," Aang said sheepishly, reaching into his pocket. "Guess it's my turn then."
It was heavy. The material felt like leather, soft as the inside of a worn shoe, but tough enough that even the tusks of a hog monkey couldn't tear it apart. Aang weighed it thoughtfully while sniffing the outside… like fresh sown Earth and also something else… ash?
There was a loud crushing noise as a rock smacked under Aang's chair and sent his face flying forward into his plate were Momo slept. Momo woke with a startled screech and ran across the table up Katara's arm. Toph was crossing her arms and frowning impatiently.
"Alright, alright – I'm opening it!" Aang said quickly.
"Thank you," said Toph.
Aang snapped the seal, a series of circles interlaying each other, which he did not recognize, and carefully rolled the scroll open on the table. Inside, the flowing calligraphy of the script made Aang pause to admire it before asking, "Should I read it aloud?"
"It's up to you Aang," Katara responded.
With a deep breath, Aang began to read:
"'To Avatar Aang,
From the leaders of the city of Asa Aki:
General Ida of the Fire Nation
Captain Kitan of the Southern Water Tribe –'"
Sokka interrupted quickly. "Hey! It's Kitan! Man, the stuff we used to do together…"
Katara smacked him in the head. "Shut up Sokka. Continue Aang."
Aang did as he was told, "'and Governor Mingli of the Earth Kingdom
Avatar Aang,
The citizens of Asa Aki are abuzz with news of the defeat of former Fire Lord Ozai and the wisdom and power you possess. After accomplishing so much in a single year, Asa Aki now calls you to its aide in solving a particular crisis. Only you can resolve the matter and cause little bloodshed in its wake.
Asa Aki has been a peaceful, rural city for many years in the Northwestern part of the Earth Kingdom before the Fire Nation attacked and took the city as a colony at the beginning of the war. For a hundred years, the Fire Nation had ruled the city, until a few months ago when blue-sailed ships reached our shores. Warriors from the Water Tribe recaptured the city from the Fire Nation and changed the city into a War Port. But now that the war is over, the ruler of our city is now in question.
Citizens from every nation reside within our humble city's borders. Tensions are high and they bicker amongst themselves as to who should be the rightful leader. Quarrels occur in our chambers everyday and if this mess is not settled soon, our city will be divided forevermore.
Avatar Aang, we ask for your assistance immediately – only you can help us.
Sincerely,
The Leaders of Asa Aki'."
Everyone was silent for a time as they processed the words of the letter. Aang was grateful for this – his mind was a jumble of words and phrases that he could not seem to put in the correct order. What was it that they were asking him to do? Who was the note from again? After rereading it about four more times was he finally able to make sense of the clutter in his mind.
"Your first test as the Avatar," Iroh said eventually, when Aang thought the silence would stretch on into infinity.
"I thought my first test was defeating Ozai," said Aang.
"No – that was inevitable for any Avatar. This is your first test as Avatar Aang – the first test to distinguish what kind of Avatar you are, because, whatever you decide to do with that city, will change it forever," Iroh said, stroking his beard.
Aang started to sweat and his heart was racing like a rabbit frog. Then Iroh broke into a huge smile and shrugged. "Of course, what do I know? I'm not the Avatar."
Aang smiled tentatively and nodded. "Yeah – this shouldn't be too bad – definitely not like having to beat Ozai. I can do this. All they need is a little Avatar wisdom to settle their differences and then things will be back to normal!" He winked, suddenly feeling more confident.
"Well," Katara said stiffly. "I guess this means we'll all be splitting up – again."
"Did you think it was going to be all happy-go-lucky forever? Sooner or later we were all going to have to return to our real lives," Zuko said, crossing his arms and looking sideways at the floor. "Even if," he added quietly, "you don't want to."
"Hey, come on guys," Sokka said. "We'll all see each other again."
"He's right," Iroh nodded. "Each of you has been given a task that only you alone can do. But it is not the end. No, it is only the beginning of a new adventure."
"I feel like I'm watching an extremely dramatic play," Mai said, yawning. "Look, it's not a big deal. You'll all go away for awhile, get wrapped up in your new lives, and, with time, you'll forget why leaving each other was so traumatic. It's just part of life – know that you'll all feel better in no time."
Everyone turned to her in disbelief.
"Mai!" Zuko hissed. He turned to her, eyeing her sharply, before shaking his head and rising to his feet. "Look, we're all tired. We'll talk about the rest in the morning and then prepare to leave when we have too. Uncle, Mai and I are going to go back to the apartment."
Iroh gave a huge yawn. "Oh yes, a good night sleep is what we all need. Plus, I have to open shop first thing in the morning." He got to his feet and stretched, joints cracking. Then he collected the plates scattered on the table and put them in the back room.
"I guess we should go back to our apartment too," Sokka said, rising from his seat as well, Hawky on his shoulder.
The rest of them stood, flexing before sharing their goodnights with Zuko, Mai, and Iroh. Then the seven of them exited the shop, Iroh turning and locking the door on his way out. With final waves, they parted for their two different apartments.
Sweat drenched his face as he ran. Heat swelled and pulsated like a living animal. Where the heat was coming from, he did not know, nor did he want to find out. The darkness around him concealed the truth.
"Aang!"
He turned. It was Sokka, his wolf's tail done up and his warrior paint on. He held his club in one hand and his boomerang in the other, but despite his advances on the shadowed foe in front of him, he couldn't hold out much longer. Something about his tired face and this limp on his left leg signaled that he didn't have much time.
"Sokka!"
He ran to him, but it was as if time were slowing. His legs felt like bricks and every step he did make only furthered the distance between him and Sokka.
The shadowed figure hit Sokka in the leg with one deft move from a dark sword. Sokka screamed, and fell backwards, disappearing into darkness.
"No! Sokka!"
He continued to run forward, despite how heavy his legs felt, until a light appeared out of the corner of his eye. Twisting around, he saw Toph inside a small wooden cage. She was clutching a bar with one hand and banging on another with her other hand.
"Help! Aang, get me out of here!"
"I'm coming Toph!"
He switched directions, moving his arms ahead of him, trying to send tunnels of air currents her way, but nothing happened. It was like there was no air at all.
"Ahhhh!" Toph shrieked.
He watched in horror as the prison shrinked around her, coming ever closer until she scrunched herself up into nothing but a little ball. And then she, too, disappeared to darkness.
"Aang, over here!"
Shaking, he turned again.
Zuko was battling another foe, more sinister than Sokka's. The black foe dodged and slid effortlessly past Zuko's raging fire blasts and streams. Zuko moved out of the way as the foe counterattacked with blue fire. Irritated, the foe started to move its arms in giant flowing circles, an electric light passing between its fingertips. Zuko planted his feet on the ground, ready to deal with the attack when it came. The foe paused, then shot the electric energy from its fingertips with deadly accuracy at Zuko.
"Zuko – watch out!"
Zuko caught the lightning, entering through his two fingertips, but he could not release it. And before he knew it, Zuko was on the ground, smoke and sparks rising from his body. The darkness overtook him.
"Zuko!"
He ran forward, but stopped when he noticed a new figure in the shadowed foe's path. His breath caught in the middle of his throat.
"Aang!"
Katara stood, her arms outstretched at the ready and a determined expression on her face. The shadow foe flipped its hair back, before propelling forward on a jet of neon fire. Katara whipped her arms around as invisible sources of water sprang forth from her fingertips and slammed into the enemy. But it didn't stop. Then, she conjured a giant wave, her arms circling up and behind her, and sent it after the enemy. But it didn't stop. Desperate, Katara froze water about her fingertips and sent flying ice daggers at the enemy. But it didn't stop. And then it was upon her.
The shadow took hold of Katara's hands and bonded them behind her. Then slowly, the shadow walked behind Katara, and raised two fingers, which ignited with that same blue fire, to her neck. A small light seemed to shine from below and the shadow's face was revealed.
"Give it up, Avatar, there's no hope for you here," said Azula with a malicious smile.
"Let her go!" Aang shouted back, attempting to kick the earth up beneath her, but nothing happened.
"Give up!" Azula shouted, louder this time and an almost maniacal look to her. She pressed the fire closer to Katara's neck and shmane screamed, tears pouring from her blue eyes, like little waterfalls.
Aang fell to his knees, shaking uncontrollably, tears filling his own eyes.
"Yes, yes!" he cried. "I give up – please, please just let her go! I'll do anything!"
Azula grinned. "See, Avatar, you are nothing without your friends."
And she pressed the blue torch to Katara's neck…
And darkness engulfed the world.
Light and a dank smell to the air. Aang blinked his eyes, still wet and streaming from before, and got to his feet. Something slushed beneath him and he looked down to see himself ankle deep in swamp water. Insects fluttered across the reeking pool and unidentifiable animals called throughout the forest of vines and fog.
He recognized it immediately – the Foggy Swamp where he saw Toph in a vision for the first time. But, why was he here now?
Someone laughed behind him.
Aang jumped out of the swamp and landed on the bog-like shore, inspecting his surroundings. But he could see nothing in the mist.
Another laugh. Aang whirled again and saw a boy, perhaps a year or two younger than him with his back turned. His brown hair was ruffled and laid back slightly with a green bandanna across his forehead. He was in a pair of brown shorts and an unkempt light green tunic-like shirt with holes and tears in the sleeves. His feet were bare.
He laughed again and then began to run.
"Wait!" Aang called after him, taking off in his direction.
If wind could run, it would be like him – swift, fluid, and fast. Aang had trouble keeping track of him. He ran up trees, swung from vine to vine, and danced and twisted from branch to branch, laughing in delight the whole way. He twisted and spun in the air like he was floating, weightless. He extended his arms behind him and took off from each ledge to the next with a spirited sort of fearlessness that brought a smile to Aang's lips. Aang knew the feeling, and he laughed along with the boy as he twisted too in midair, completing aerial feats that no one could ever compete with.
What seemed like hours later, the boy slowed and stopped on a high branch dangling with moss and lichen. Aang stopped close behind him.
The boy laughed again and said, "You're the only one to ever catch me."
Aang reached his hand forward, intending to turn the boy around so that he could see his face, but his field of vision seemed to fade at the corners. And just as the boy was about to face him, the world disappeared out of existence.
Aang was sitting upright in his bed, his arm outstretched before him. Sweat drenched his forehead and he was panting hard. Dropping his arm, Aang fell backwards into his bed, squishing his eyes shut and curling into a ball. But the images were still there, imprinted on the back of his eyelids like a painting... Sokka falling, Toph in her cage, Zuko sizzling on the ground, Katara's burned neck, Azula's manic smile, and the boy's flying acrobatics. Aang rubbed his eyes and sat back up in bed. Sighing, he looked out at the night sky from his window, the moon a nice crescent shape and the stars twinkling. The night was serene and smelled like moonflower blossoms. Jumping out of bed, Aang threw on his clothes and went out to the porch in the front of the apartment.
Cricket flies buzzed and the moonflower patches around the porch lifted their petals toward the crescent in the sky. Appa was lying with his legs spread out and snoring in the middle of the front yard. Aang looked up into the navy sky once before sitting on the ground cross-legged to meditate.
An hour passed before he felt the vibrations in the ground. Toph had taught him much about using his Earthbending to sense the world around him without seeing. He was getting better and could now distinguish between his friend's footsteps. He knew who was coming. Rising to his feet, he laid his head on the porch railing and waited.
"I couldn't sleep," he mumbled into his folded arms on the railing as the door opened and her fluid footsteps made her way to him.
"I couldn't either," Katara said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Even through the fabric, Aang felt that same weird tingle whenever Katara put her hand on him.
"I thought we had more time," Aang said. "More time to think about our futures, I mean. But, I guess I always knew we didn't." He turned to face her. Her hair was loose and her eyes bright in the waning moon. "You know, I didn't even unpack – I mean, everything I own is in one bag, like I knew this was all temporary."
"Aang –"
"And I had this messed up dream where everyone was dying and I couldn't save them because we were all split up… And if that actually happened I don't know what I'd do because –"
"Aang, stop," Katara murmured, putting a finger up to his lips to silence him. "You're starting to act like you did before the day of the Eclipse. You're imagining things – those were just dreams, not real life. And stop holding your breath, your face is turning red."
Aang released the air in his mouth in a burst that blew Katara's hair behind her in a wild mess.
"Oh, sorry!" Aang said, his face turning red again.
Katara smiled somewhat and raked her hair back into place with her fingers. "It's okay Aang, now just take a deep breath and relax."
Aang did so, watching as Katara leaned forward on the porch railing, draped her arms over, and looked up at the moon.
"I also woke up from a nightmare, Aang, but I think it was quite different from yours."
She looked down at the moonflowers below, her own blush rising to her cheeks. Aang was suddenly curious.
"Maybe talking it out will help you feel better," he suggested.
She blinked and nodded. "Do you remember when Azula hit you with the lightning bolt?"
"Yeah – that's, um, kind of hard to forget."
Katara smiled awkwardly, but continued. "That was one of the scariest moments of my life… because I-I thought I lost you. And for days after, I didn't even know if the spirit water worked – but I still healed you anyway because I didn't want to… I didn't want you to…" She bit her lip and looked away.
Aang smiled and reached out to take her hand. "Katara, it's because of you I'm alive and here now. And for that, I'm grateful."
She choked out a laugh and patted his hand. "Yeah, well, my nightmare was pretty much about that."
"Mine wasn't that different," Aang said. "Except Azula was trying to burn you in mine."
Katara gave out another choked laugh. "She really was pretty crazy wasn't she?"
"Yep."
There was a long pause as they both stared out at the night sky, until Katara said, "This won't last forever, you know. I thought about it when I woke up from my dream. We'll see each other. In fact, as soon as you're done solving the problems at Asa Aki, you can come see Sokka and me. As ambassadors, I could only imagine we'll be traveling a lot. We could pick up Toph along the way and always stop by the Fire Nation once in awhile to see Zuko."
"Yeah," Aang said, feeling a little better. "Plus, I think I'm supposed to do something important in Asa Aki. After my nightmare, I had a vision of running through Foggy Swamp after this little boy. Maybe it's another person I'm supposed to meet, like Toph was."
Katara grinned. "Maybe."
Aang gazed at the patch of moonflowers below him and reached down to pick one.
"They're no use in delaying," he said then, gazing at the delicate white petals of the flower. "I think I'm going to leave this morning. The sooner I leave and get everything sorted out, the sooner I'll be back… but, um, I, well, wanted to give you something before I left. Like a goodbye-present."
He extended his arm with the flower towards her. "Katara, you're one of the smartest, fun-est, prettiest, most powerful girls I've ever met. And I wanted to let you know that I love –"
Before he could finish, Katara had her arms around him and her lips pressed against his. Aang wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, his heart soaring higher than it ever did while flying on Appa. Seconds later, they pulled apart, both breathing heavy and flushing. Grinning, Aang looked down at the flower in his hand, the stem now slightly bent from where Katara had crashed into him. Struck by a bout of inspiration, he leaned in and kissed Katara lightly on the cheek. Then, he pulled her hair back on the left side and slid the flower behind her ear.
She smiled shyly. "Thanks Aang."
"I'm going to miss you Katara."
"I'll miss you too Aang."
And together, they leaned in to hug, just as the front door burst open. The two of them jumped back quickly.
"What are you two doing out here?" Toph asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Nothing!" Aang said, shaking his hands in front of him, his heart hammering in his chest.
"We couldn't sleep Toph," Katara said. "So we came out here."
Toph sniffed. "Well, that makes three of us."
"You couldn't sleep either?" Aang asked.
"No, I kept thinking about… weird stuff," she said, her voice trailing.
"About your parents?" asked Katara.
Toph's eyebrows furrowed and her lips trembled. "Should I go? I don't know if I want to leave and –"
Toph turned abruptly just as Sokka, Momo, and a flying Hawky banged through the door. Sokka squinted and shook his head. "Heeey, what are you all doing here?"
"Couldn't sleep," said Aang. "Wait, you couldn't either?"
"No, I slept fine until somebody ate all my meat!" Sokka said, turning an accusing finger on Momo. Momo blinked up at him. Hawky gave an angry squawk.
"You were huge!" Sokka exclaimed. "And you were stuffing your face like it was nobody's business!"
"Sokka, Momo doesn't eat meat," Aang said. "You were probably dreaming it."
Sokka turned back to Momo and sniffed. "I'm watching you."
Momo cocked his head to the side and blinked.
Aang turned and saw the first rays of dawn over in the distance and knew that his time to leave was fast approaching.
"Guys, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be leaving soon so –" Aang began.
"What?" Toph said. "You're leaving today? Why?"
"Well, the sooner I leave, the sooner I'll be able to come back."
"But we haven't even said goodbye yet," Sokka said, mouth agape.
"What do you think now is?" Toph said, frowning. "Look Twinkle Toes, don't get caught up in any shenanigans without us there to get you out of them."
"I won't Toph," Aang said.
"And remember to practice the forms I taught you, especially the 'rising column', you're still putting too much thought into it. And don't fly too long on Appa, because I'm sure even he likes to come down from the air once in awhile. Oh, and –"
Aang walked over and swept Toph into a hug. "I'll miss you too Toph."
And then Katara was hugging them.
And soon Sokka was too.
Momo climbed up on Sokka's shoulder and bounced into the middle of the group. Hawky perched on his head. Appa made a grunting sound in the yard and then his nose was pushed into the middle of them all.
"You guys are the bestest friends I've ever had," Sokka said, sniffing and wiping a tear from his eye, as they all withdrew.
"Yeah," Toph said. "Actually, you guys are the only friends I've ever had."
"It won't be forever guys," Katara said. "We'll see each other again."
Aang looked down at his feet and took a deep breath. "I'll be right back."
A few moments later, Aang returned with his knapsack, glider staff, and a bag of food and water. Jumping up on Appa, Aang tied his bags to his saddle and then slid down to the reins on Appa's head.
"I guess this is it guys," Aang said.
Momo chittered softly and then bounded up to Appa, climbed on his back, and then settled on Aang's shoulder.
"You can come with me if you want Momo," Aang laughed, scratching one of his ears.
"Don't forget us, you hear?" Sokka shouted. Hawky made an accompanying caw to amplify Sokka's point.
"Yeah, or you'll get it from us when you come back!" Toph yelled.
"Goodbye Aang," said Katara, waving.
"I won't forget guys," Aang said, trying to keep himself from crying. "Bye," he said, smiling and waving at them. Then, he whipped the reins once on Appa, saying, "Yip yip!"
Appa groaned and smacked the ground once with his tail before taking off into the air. Aang watched as his friends shrank until they became nothing but little ants in a toy house.
"Okay Appa, we have one more stop to make before we leave," Aang said, patting Appa's head.
Appa grunted and turned.
Zuko was on the porch to his Uncle's apartment when Appa landed with a thud right in front. One of Appa's paws smushed an azalea bush as Aang slipped down from his head. Momo stayed in the saddle, watching the scene with large eyes.
Zuko had his back to the wall when Aang walked up the porch to see him.
"Aang? What are you doing here? What's wrong?" Zuko asked, seeming to recover from his momentary shock, and looking about him.
"Nothing's wrong Zuko," Aang said.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"I'm leaving now Zuko. I already said goodbye to everyone else, but I didn't want to forget you too."
"You're leaving now? Why?" Zuko asked, frowning.
Aang looked at the ground. "It'll be easier this way. If I stay any longer, it'll just be harder to leave you all. But, hey, um, listen Zuko – you really pulled through for us in the end. And you were a great Firebending teacher. So, I just wanted to say 'Thanks' for everything."
Aang extended his hand, which Zuko took. Before Aang knew it, the two ended the shake and were hugging. After a few short seconds, Aang withdrew and looked up at Zuko, who looked concerned.
"Aang, you gave me purpose in life when I had none… and not just the whole capturing you thing. My banishment and meeting you guys was the best thing to have ever happened to me. Anyway, don't forget your training while you're out in the world. You're already a great Avatar…" Zuko paused, sighing. "And, I guess I'll miss you too."
Aang smiled. "Thanks Zuko. That means a lot."
Appa leaned his head in through the porch and licked Zuko from head to toe. Zuko grimaced and wiped the saliva from his face. "But I might not miss that so much."
Appa moaned and Zuko relented. "Okay, fine, I'll miss you too." He patted Appa's head.
Aang laughed. "Please tell your Uncle and Mai 'bye' from me too. You're Uncle makes the best tea!"
"Yeah, okay," Zuko said. "See you some other time you little-wise-kid."
"Bye once-obsessed-with-honor-kid," Aang said as he jumped on Appa. "Okay Appa! Yip yip!"
In one giant leap, Appa rushed up into the air. The sun was completely above the horizon then and the sky was a kaleidoscope of oranges, pinks, yellows, and blues. The air was thick with morning mist and it tickled Aang's face as they rose above the clouds and headed to the west. Once they were high enough, Aang leaned back on Appa and stared up into the endless sky above him – the final stars of night winking out of existence. But then it wasn't the sky after all, but his friends, all smiling and waving after him.
"We're so proud of you Aang," Katara said.
"You can do this," said Sokka.
Aang smiled, closing his eyes and wiping a tear from his eye. When he opened them again, the image was gone and Momo was staring at him.
He laughed and rubbed Momo's ears.
"I know I can," he whispered.
Author's Note: Wow, so if you can't tell by now, I'm a pretty verbose writer. -cue sweatdrop- My sister is gifted with brevity, and I ramble on making scenes much longer than they probably have to be. For example, that whole making the ball out of air, earth, water, and fire probably didn't have to happen (nor do I think it's physically possible to make a soccer-like ball in such a way… ._. But hey, I figure it's Avatar – ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE!) – in fact, I was planning for some random village kid to let them borrow a real ball, but for some reason, I thought it was more "Aang" to whip out his own creation, uniting all the elements together. YAY FOR SYMBOLISM. Also, the "airball" game ended up being much longer than necessary as well as the good-bye scenes. Heck, I guess it was hard for me to let go of them myself – I sort of had these big tear-filled eyes on while I wrote these elaborate goodbyes and this pretty cheesy ending… and then when I wrote the part about the group hug, I smiled like a goofball. YES REVEL IN THE WARM GOOEY CHEESE. But, in the end, their separation was going to have to happen sometime – they couldn't always be together forever, no matter how much they (-cough- I –cough-) want them to. Mostly, this chapter was a lot of encouraging fluff… but I swear that it will get better.
Now, a few comments on names – I SUCK at them. I have this uncanny ability to imagine my complete character from head to toe, their personality and quirks, everything, but can never pick the right name. In fact, I usually call my sister to my aide because she's pretty good at them. Now, for all my original characters (which we have yet to meet yet, but I mentioned them), their names presented an especially difficult challenge, considering that Avatar is based in a world of Asian-influenced names, mostly Chinese. Unfortunately, I have not taken a Chinese class in my life, so I had to google some common names for my Earth Kingdom guy. But, I have taken Japanese, so most of my Asian influences in this fanfic will be based off of their culture (i.e. the kasa that Aang bought at the market). The city of Asa Aki is Japanese that roughly translates to "Autumn Morning" or "Morning of the Autumn". My Japanese training also gives me trouble with spelling, making me inclined to spell "Sokka" as "Sakka" and "Mai" as "Mei", but hey, I will stick with the originals.
I hope that I've stayed in character as much as possible… this is supposed to be my rendition of the next season, if there were to be one. Critiques are open and welcome – anything helps me become a better writer! [Except, don't complain about the shipping – I'm sticking to the ones in the series.] Thank you guys and hope you enjoyed. =]