Here is Chapter 2 for you eager folks. Would've been out sooner but my computer crashed and then the internet in my area got sick.
Alvera you have to read more to find out who's who! Keeping you guessing makes you read more. :P Mmmm...cookie...
Disclaimer: In my dreams I own Avatar. Does that count? No? Well phooey...
Chapter 2: Picking Paths
"One's mind has a way of making itself up in the background, and it suddenly becomes clear what one means to do."
A. C. Benson
Aang was awake by the time they reached the Eastern Air Temple. Though he was still weak and leaned heavily on his staff he insisted on walking himself. Katara however still hovered over him like a mother hen and that was slowly driving him crazy.
Guru Pathik was there to greet them. He smiled a bit at Aang as the boy used Appa's tail as a ramp instead of his normal jump off and airbending landing. His boundless energy seemed to have waned quite a bit. "I see you managed to unlock that finally chakra, only to get shot in the back." Pathik said as if it was all some great cosmic joke. "Unfortunately you can not rest too long here."
"What do you mean? We just got here." Toph said sounding irritated.
"The Fire Nation is about 2 days behind you. You can rest easy tonight but you should be gone tomorrow." Pathik informed them. "Otherwise the blue dragon will find you."
"Blue dragon?" Katara asked dropping her sleeping bag. She almost started looking around for the dragon from her dream. She quickly snapped the bag back up looking embarassed and mumbling something about butter fingers. Everyone seemed to take her explanation as truth.
"This is just great." Sokka stated. "We're right back to square one now! GRAH!" He kicked his sleeping bag wishing it was a fire soldier's head in frustration. "Just when things were looking up for us!"
"What happened to that positive attitude you were talking about not to long ago?" Toph asked.
Sokka glared at the blind girl and was close to screaming at her when the Earth King spoke up. "We can talk about our situation later Sokka. Why not just take things one step at a time till dinner?"
Sokka simply growled and stormed off yelling that he was going to find fire wood.
The Earth King sighed. He wasn't use to such...conflicts. He had never even heard a voice raised in anger until he'd met these...children didn't seem the right word. Although young none of them were children anymore. Katara came over and touched the Earth King's arm in quiet thanks. She'd been breaking up fights between Sokka and Toph during most of their trip and was close to snapping at the pair of them herself. Sokka's reaction to everything was to yell while Toph's was to make nasty comments, the two didn't mix well right that moment.
No one said much of anything as they worked on their camp site. Pathik walked off saying he'd be back to help them discuss their options, Aang curled up on Appa's tail napping, Sokka came back with the fire wood and started cleaning and sharpening his weapons even though they were already in pristine shape. The Earth King sat in brooding silence petting his beloved Bosco, and Toph sat in a completely enclosed earth tent after making a stone ring for the fire pit. It was quite clear she didn't wish to talk to anyone.
Katara started a pot of stew from their meager food stores and what she managed to find. It wouldn't be much but it would be something. Having used the last of their water supply she gathered up their water skins and walked off to find a good source.
It didn't take her long. There was a stream not far from their camp. Pathik sat nearby, his eyes closed and bird were perched on him. Katara wondered for a moment if the old guru had fallen asleep while meditating. She shrugged it off and creeped to the stream quietly. She filled up all the skins and had intended to sneak away just as quietly so as not to disturb Pathik.
"You've seen the blue dragon."
Katara startled a bit at the sudden statement. It wasn't a question merely a statement of fact.
Pathik still hadn't moved and did moved as he continued talking. "You've seen pieces of what might be. Sagaku much like you."
Katara blinked in confusion. "Who's Sagaku?"
Pathik blinked back as if he hadn't been expecting that question. "Sagaku is the spirit of balance. While it may take any form it pleases people often portray it as female. She's said to guard the passage of time and walk the land of dreams."
"So...what does she have to do with me?" Katara asked still confused.
"While Sagaku is always fair she has never been able to stay impatial. They say for every great event in history, Sagaku was lurking somewhere in it directing it all. People believe that the spirit is female because of that. She sees us all as her children and acts like a mother to us all."
Katara sighed in mild annoyance. Pathik still hadn't explained anything.
"Another title for her is Mother of the Bridge."
Something clicked in Katara's mind. "Wait...so she's..."
Pathik nodded. "Yes, supposedly she's the one who created the very first Avatar."
"This still doesn't explain why she'd be interested in me." Katara stated.
"Sagaku has been known to show people futures by giving them visions and dreams. Although she has to hide their exact meanings from us because she knows we have to figure things out ourselves." Pathik gave Katara a look. "What did she show you young waterbender?"
Katara frowned a moment before telling Pathik about the odd dream. She hadn't had it again since that night but it seemed to stick with her.
"Most interesting." Pathik said in a shrewd tone. "I had a dream myself that same night."
"What was your dream about?" Katara asked.
"I will tell all of you together." Pathik stated. "I believe that it's your next stop." With that Pathik stood up and the two walked back to the camp. Pathik with an almost cheerful step while Katara followed more slowly, thinking of the strange happens.
After the stew was served and eaten everyone started discussing their situation.
"The Earth Army may be scattered but surely we can inform them all of the plan before the eclipse." the Earth King said.
"It's too spread out." Toph stated, being ever the pessimist. "Even with Appa I don't think we'd be able to gather them all up and get ready for an attack on the Fire Nation."
"We could get the warriors and our dad to help out." Sokka said. "I'm sure once they hear what happened we could all spread out and get them all together."
"What about the Water Tribes at the poles?" Katara asked. "If we can get messages to them they can joins us and we'd have an even better shot at it all."
"How would we get to both tribes though?" Aang asked. "There's only one Appa and it would still take more time then we have to gather both tribes and the army."
All five sat debating and throwing about ideas for a few minute until Pathik spoke up.
"Your all forgetting something."
Everyone turned and stared at the old guru a moment trying to think of what they had forgotten.
"You still need to master firebending Aang." Pathik stated.
Everyone but the guru and the king groaned.
"Why don't we just walked up and hand ourselves over to the Fire Nation." Sokka said with a biting tone.
"Sokka's right." Katara added. "Aside from Jeong Jeong there aren't any firebending masters who'd be willing to teach Aang."
I bet the Dragon of the West would've taught Aang. Toph thought sadly. None of them had any illusions about where Iroh was though.
"I had a dream a few nights ago," Pathik stated giving Katara a look. "There was a great dragon to the west. It was hiding in some forests from a fire. The most interesting thing, was the dragon was made out of air."
"Air?" Aang said sounding surprised.
Pathik nodded. "Dragons are often associated with powerful benders from the Fire Nation. The fact that it was made of wind makes me think whoever this fire bender is will either teach you or take you to someone who will."
"Great, so our only lead is the dreams of an old man hopped up on onion and banana juice." Sokka said, summing everything up neatly.
"Better then it being you leading and being hopped up on cactus juice." Toph sneered.
"What about the solar eclipse?" Katara asked quickly to avoid another fight between Sokka and Toph. "We can't just pass this chance up."
"I'm sure I can find and talk to the armies..." the Eart King started.
"You can't go by yourself!" Sokka said. "You said it yourself, you've never even been outside your palace!"
"Not to mention that you can't reach everyone on your own." Toph added.
"But Aang needs to find a teacher and a safe place to learn firebending. He's almost done with water but I bet he's still got alot of earth to master too." Katara stated. On seeing Aang's downtrodded face she quickly added, "I'm sure your learning as fast as you can Aang. I'm simply stating what you need to finish before the comet..."
"I KNOW ALREADY!" Aang yelled as he jumped up. "DON'T YOU THINK I HAVE ENOUGH REMINDERS!" The arrow on his head glowed for a moment as all the frustration, anger, and despair collided in him. Aang watched everyone but Katara backed away from him slightly which only made him feel worse. He felt like he was going to break into a thousand pieces but even relaxing the slightest bit wasn't allowed. If he'd had any hair right then he would've been pulling it out. So Aang decided to try the next best thing and flew away on his glider.
Katara got up intendig to go after him when Pathik grabbed her arm. "I would recommend giving him a bit." Pathik said simply. "Although he is the Avatar, he is still only a young boy."
Aang didn't fly far. He wasn't healed enough to go much further then the top of the temple. Then he simply laid down in the grass staring up at the sky keeping his mind empty until he dozed off.
It's hard being the Avatar...isn't it?
Aang looked over at the woman. Steel colored hair in contrast to the young appearance of the rest of her. Her eyes looked truely ancient...
Yeah. Specially this time around.
Don't worry. You'll master them all in time.
I don't have a teacher. There's too much to learn.
The woman smiled at him. But your not alone... Then the woman looked sad . And yet...you are.
I don't wanna be alone.
Your the Avatar. To be an Avatar...is to be alone Aang.
The old eyes vanished into young ones.
"Aang?"
He blinked up at a pair of blue eyes staring down at him. "Hey Katara."
"Are you feeling any better?" She asked.
Aang sat up, he didn't feel any better then he had earlier but he was calmer. "I'm ok. I'm sorry I yelled."
"It's ok Aang. I'm sure your just feeling overwelmed right about now." Katara said giving the little monk a hug. "We'll get through this."
The pair walked back to camp in silence. Aang remember the odd conversation he'd been having in his dream, or was it a dream at all...
I don't wanna be alone.
Your the Avatar. To be an Avatar...is to be alone.
"Katara," Aang said in an uncertain tone. "You'll always be with me won't you?"
"Of course I will Aang." Katara answered looking over her shoulder. "I'll always be here."
"That's not what I mean. Katara, I..."
"Katara! Katara did you find him?" Sokka called from somewhere.
"We're over here!" Katara called back making Aang cringe. He really wished in that moment that he had it in him to knock Sokka out but he just hadn't been raised that way.
"Well come on you two!" Sokka called again. "We think we have the makings of a good plan going here and we want your input!"
The plan was probably as fool proof as any the team had ever come up with. Which was to say there was a small chance of success amd a high possiblity of getting caught.
Pathik had offered to go with the Earth King to gather the armies and Hakoda's warriors, first getting said warriors to help them spread the word along with some people Pathik knew. "I have a few old Pai Sho friends that might be able to help us greatly." He stated with an enigmatic smile.
"I still don't know if my dad will go with you guys though." Sokka said. "I'm not sure I would if you two came along." He was however torn. He needed to go with the other's to protect his sister...
Katara remembered how Sokka had acted to Aang when they had first met. Sokka was very much like their father according to everyone and he would likely think the King and Pathik a pair of spies, granted he wouldn't teach them horribly until he found out for sure but that would take time they didn't have.
"Maybe you can write your dad a note?" Aang said in an attempt to be helpful.
"I don't know Twinkle Toes. I got a fake letter from my mother, who's to say someone couldn't force Sokka or Katara to write a note?" Toph stated.
"Maybe if we give you guys something he'll know, something that'll tell him it's really from us." Sokka snatched his bag and started searching their gear for something they could send. His boomerang? No he'd need it in the fights to come, along with the rest of his weapons. He could hardly send his clothes...
Katara watched Sokka root through their supplies and watched him pick up and discard things while grumbling. She knew they hadn't taken alot of personal items with them when they left home. They would just have to settle with making a confincing note, maybe if they mentioned their mother or something...
"I got it!" Katara said reaching behind her and untying her necklace. "Dad will recognize this."
Aang frowned, "But Katara that's your mother's necklace...you never wanted to part from it."
Katara stared at the necklace for a moment. She did want to keep it with her and never let it go again. Specially after she had lost it the last time only to have it used against her twice later. "This is more important." She sighed.
Sokka got started writing a letter and attempting to draw a crude map with directions until Katara took over that part. Toph and Aang proceeded to pack up supplies they would need and could find while Pathik and the King got ready for their trip. There was no time to spare and everyone would be leaving at dawn.
As she drew Katara couldn't help but think that her only link to her mother was going so far away from her. She almost told them all to forget it.
One has to let go of the past to move forward into the future.
Katara looked about for the sudden speaker. "Did someone say something?"
Everyone shook their heads at her and Katara blinked in confusion for a moment before deciding it must have been the wind.
Pathik and the King stayed long enough to see them off on Appa with a new saddle Pathik had found in the temple. The morning was bright and clear which everyone hoped was a good sign.
As the bison disappear the Earth King looked at Pathik with a worried expression. "Are you sure you understood your dream correctly?" He asked.
Pathik thought for a moment. He hadn't quite told them everything. He was sure the last tidbit didn't mean anything though. The dragon's eyes had been a storm colored grey, which wasn't an unheard of eye color in the fire nation. It was simply a rare color for the children of fire to have. It had been a much more popular eyes color amoung the now dead children of air.
"Yes, I believe I got it right." Pathik stated.
"The look out reported seeing the bison flying north west your highness." A guard reported
Azula stared at the map in front of her intently. Where are you little rats going?
Zuko wondered this as well. He had figured that the group would flee for one of the poles. He'd guessed the South Pole because it was closer.
"Why would the Avatar be going into territory occupied by the Fire Nation?" Mai asked from her chair while she twirled one of her thrown weapons.
"He needs a firebending teacher." Azula stated then turned to a nearby guard. "I want a message sent out to every post. If there are any firebenders not under our command they are to be captured and put in jail until otherwise ordered."
The guard saluted and left to do her bidding as Zuko frowned.
"You really think you'll be able to collect every firebender who's ever deserted?" Ty Lee asked from her spot where she was stretching.
"I don't care if we have to burn down every tree in this world until it's all flat and there's no where to hide. I will not allow the Avatar to get a firebending teacher." Azula said in a matter of fact tone.
Zuko ignored the conversation as best he could. He didn't agree with Azula's tactic at all but he wasn't in the position to argue with her.
"Speaking of teachers." Azula said in a tone that mentally made Zuko cringe. "You'll be happy to hear that Uncle is now on a ship to the Fire Nation Zuko."
Zuko ground his teeth together for a moment. She knew quite well he wouldn't be happy to hear about that. Just breathe...
"I wonder what Father will do to him." Azula said. "Probably have his head removed and then all of it thrown to the crows to pick over. A perfect death for a traitor."
She was surprised when Zuko simply continued to stand there quietly. Normally he would've been yelling and probably throwing fireballs everywhere. He's changed more then I thought...
"If your finished with me Azula, I'll take my leave." Zuko said in a flat neutral tone.
She debated prodding him more to see when he'd snap but decided against it. While fun there was more pressing matters then toying with Zuko.
"You know Azula. One of these days Zuko is going to bite back at you." Mai said after the door closed behind the very teen she was talking about.
"You just think that cause of your past history." Ty Lee said with a slight grin from her handstand. Mai simply let the smallest grin grace her face at the comment.
"Zuko is a weakling." Azula said. "If he ever actually managed to think to bite back I'd kill him in a second."
Mai's face remained completely impassive to this declaration while Ty Lee shivered. She never wanted to be on Azula's bad side.
As soon as he got to his room and the door closed behind him Zuko drove a flaming fist into the wall. He did it twice more before telling himself to breathe again.
He didn't want to breathe though. He wanted nothing more then to punch the wall until there was a hole. Hopefully a hole big enough to sink the ship and drown his oh-so-precious sister.
But that wouldn't help Iroh.
He couldn't leave his uncle to rot. He couldn't just let his uncle go on to get executed.
I need to sit and think. Just breathe. There's gotta be something I can do. Zuko sat in front of his candles and breathed as his mind race.
Nothing was coming to him though. He couldn't very well go and get his uncle himself. Aside from the fact that he had no tranportation to get to him, Azula would know in a minute and alert the boat, or come after him herself and kill him. Even if he did manage to get to his uncle himself he wasn't sure with how things stood if his uncle would escape with him. He shrugged the guilt he felt from having contributed to his uncle's situation. He couldn't dwell on that right now.
Zuko growled in frustration. He was getting nowhere.
I don't understand why Uncle didn't just free himself. He's not an invalid or stupid. He the Dragon of the West. He's taken on more people at once then I care to think about. He a great firebending master! He taught me everything I know...
He blinked as a thought occured to him. Uncle's a firebending master and taught me everything I know...
The thought ran around his head in circles slowly starting to become a plan.
This has got to be the stupidest plan I've ever come up with. It's never gonna work. If it does work I seriously will be a traitor...
Uncle would be safe though...he's done so much for me, I can't just leave him.
Zuko sighed and took a breath.
I need to think this out. Uncle was saying I never think things through.
Zuko scowled. The odds are stacked entirely against this...
Then again...I've always liked those odds...