Last of Our Kind
Water Tribe double-feature! You people don't know how lucky you are that you are reading something written by someone who updates so often. Don't roll your eyes at me! I update far more frequently than most of the writers on this site, especially considering I'm in college and have a ton of work to get done.
This chapter sees a certain divergence from canon and also explains the origin of Waterbending.
Anyway, I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or the following quote.
"As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love."
―Pythagoras
The Time Has Come
"I can't believe I lost him," Katara said sadly.
"You did everything you could," Sokka reassured her. "And now we need to do everything we can to get him back."
"He's right," Wenona added. "Zuko can't have gotten far. We're gonna find them and Aang will be fine."
"Okay," Katara said as she stood up to join the others on Appa.
"Keng, are you coming?" asked Wenona when her brother didn't get on.
"I'll just be a hindrance," Keng said. "You guys go find Aang. I'm going to stay here and help the other Healers." He gave them all a short bow. "May Setna watch over you." Momo hopped onto his shoulder and gave a chirp.
"You stay here, Momo," said Katara. "In case Aang comes back."
"Yip-yip," Sokka declared and they set off into the sky.
As they flew on, it became clear that a blizzard was starting from how hard and fast the snow blew down in the freezing wind. The Water Tribe kids all wondered why anyone would be stupid enough to go out into this; but the three siblings all remembered that this was Zuko they were dealing with, not always the foe most likely to plan ahead in situations like this.
Aang's eyes snapped open and he realized he wasn't in the oasis anymore; he was in a dense, swampy area filled with mists and fog, tinted with an autumnal light that made this strange place seem even more mysterious. He looked around, trying to find someone to help him, when he heard the faint sound of someone chanting in meditation. He saw a baboon in orange robes sitting beneath an old ruin that was overrun with vines.
"Hello," Aang said to the baboon spirit. "I'm sorry to disturb you; I just really need to find the Moon and the Ocean Spirits."
"Go away," the baboon said simply. He then opened his eyes. "You're still here?"
"Yes, I need…"
"Ohmmmm," the baboon chanted, trying to ignore Aang. Suddenly, a little ball of light appeared and zoomed around them. "Perhaps that thing will help you. Chase it." When Aang left in pursuit of the ball of light, the baboon spirit opened one eye to check that he was gone and shook his head. "Heh, finally."
Aang chased the little ball of light through the swamp, finally catching it right before the tree limb he landed on disappeared. Aang fell with a splash into the water below and the ball of light escaped him. He looked down into the water and was surprised to see not his reflection but Avatar Roku.
"Hello, Aang," Roku said in a misty voice.
"Roku," Aang gasped. "Roku, the Water Tribe is under attack. I need to find the Ocean and the Moon Spirits."
Roku rose out of the water to stand before Aang.
"The Ocean and the Moon are ancient spirits," he explained. "They crossed over from the Spirit World to the mortal world very near the beginning. There is only one spirit I know of who is old enough to remember."
"Who?"
"The spirit's name is Koh. But he is very dangerous. They call him…the Face-Stealer. When you speak with him, you must be very careful to show no emotion at all, not the slightest expression, or he will steal your face."
Aang grimaced before donning a stoic expression and nodding silently.
Unbeknownst to Aang, his body had been moved to a cave out on the tundra by a certain Fire Nation prince. It hadn't been easy getting there, what with the storm and a harrowing experience with a plain of ice that had broken beneath his feet as he walked.
"I finally have you," Zuko thought aloud as he tried to warm his hands in the freezing cold. "But I can't get you home because of this blizzard. There's always something." He stood up to look out at the storm. "Not that you would understand. You're like my sister. Everything always came easy to her. She's a Firebending prodigy and everyone adores her. My father says she was born lucky, he says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though, I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong, it's made me who I am."
Zuko paused and looked over at the unconscious Avatar, wondering what was going on with the boy. For some reason Zuko felt as though there was something he had forgotten, memories locked away and unattainable. It was as though he had been in a situation like this before but he just couldn't remember.
The Water Tribe was not doing well against the approaching Fire Nation forces who had managed to get past the outer defenses. Zhao watched from his ship, basking in his anticipated victory.
"I don't need to remind you we have a time limit," said Iroh from beside him. "If we don't defeat the Water Tribe before the full moon rises, they will be undefeatable."
"I assure you, I have everything under control," Zhao said smugly. "I intend to remove the moon as a factor."
"Remove the moon? How?"
At that moment, the door burst open behind them.
"Admiral Choy!" a voice called out. It was Hahn. He removed his helmet and readied his spear for attack. "Prepare to meet your fate!" Hahn charged at the man, only to end up being knocked off the front of the ship and plunged into the icy waters below.
"As I was saying," Zhao continued casually, as though he had not just killed a would-be assassin. "Years ago I stumbled upon a great and powerful secret; the identity of the Moon Spirit's mortal form."
"What?" Iroh gasped.
"I was a young lieutenant serving under General Shu in the Earth Kingdom. I discovered a hidden library; underground, in fact. I tore through scroll after scroll. One of them contained a detailed illustration and the words 'Moon' and 'Ocean.' I knew then that these spirits could be found…and killed, and that it was my destiny to do so."
"Zhao, the spirits are not to be trifled with," Iroh protested hotly.
"Yes, yes, I know you fear the spirits, Iroh. I've heard rumors about your journey to the Spirit World. But the Ocean and Moon gave up their immortality to become a part of our world; and now they will face the consequences."
Back in the Spirit World, Aang hastily made his way up to an old, gnarled tree. He paused at the deep hole underneath it and was suddenly started by an odd noise nearby; he gasped and turned, only to see that it was an animal.
"Whew, you're just a curly-tailed blue nose," said Aang, only to falter when the creature turned to reveal that it had no face. Aang took a steadying breath and schooled his features. "Show no fear. Show no emotion at all." He then continued deep under the tree.
It was unsettling down there in the dark and Aang was finding it difficult not to show his worry when he thought he heard voices whispering around him in the shadows. Something made him feel safe, though; like there was a protective fire nearby and a friend looking after him while he made this dangerous journey.
"Hello? I'm looking for a spirit named 'Koh,'" Aand said softly.
Aang started to hear movement around him and glanced around to find the source of the noise, being careful not to let his mask slip. Aang felt like there was something watching him; like the eyes of an eerie being were upon him. Suddenly, there was a fast scuttling sound and Aang was confronted by a large, centipede-like creature with a pale face, red lips, and dark circles around its beady eyes.
"Welcome," the being said in a gravelly tone.
Aang simply blinked and made a respectful bow.
"Thank you," said the young Avatar.
"My old friend the Avatar," the being, who was undoubtedly Koh, continued, "It's been a long time."
"You know me?"
"How could I forget you?" Koh switched his face to that of a bearded man. "One of your previous incarnations tried to slay me, about eight or nine hundred years ago."
"I didn't know that. Why did he…er, I try to kill you?"
Koh's face changed to that of a beautiful woman.
"Oh, it was something about stealing the face of someone you loved," he said.
Aang stared at the woman's face, feeling a deep sense of familiarity before the face donned a wicked smirk and shifted to the face of a monkey as Koh began to laugh.
"Of course that's all behind us," Koh continued, circling around Aang. "Why should I hold a grudge against you for something in a past-life? After all, you're a different person now. You've come to me with a new face."
Aang took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Don't worry," Yue said as the team flew through the storm, "Prince Zuko can't be getting too far in this weather."
"I'm not worried they'll get away in the blizzard," said Katara. "I'm worried that they won't."
"They're not gonna die in this blizzard," said Sokka. "If we know anything, it's that Zuko never gives up."
"Annoying in regular situations," Wenona added. "However, just this once, I guess it's a good thing."
"They'll survive," Sokka added. "And we'll find them."
Wenona couldn't help but feel like they were getting close. And yet, at the same time, she didn't like being out on this tundra. There was something about the place that screamed of bad memories. She supposed this was her past-lives speaking to her; something terrible had happened out here, something to do with loved ones dying. All she knew for certain was that she wouldn't let anything bad happen to Aang. Then, there was a niggling feeling at the back of her mind; it was like two voices calling out for help, shouting that they were in danger. The voices were familiar, like two old friends she had long-since forgotten.
Wenona desperately hoped they found Aang soon.
"It's been a long time since I've added a child's face to my collection," Koh said, now wearing an owl's face. "So, how may I help you?"
"I need to find the Moon and the Ocean," Aang said calmly.
"Their spirit names are Tui and La. Push and Pull. And that has been the nature of their relationship for all time."
"Please. Help me find them. An entire culture could be destroyed if I don't get their help."
"Oh, you think you need their help," Koh said, now wearing an old man's face. "Actually, it's quite the other way around." Koh charged right up at Aang, now wearing a blue, demonic face that greatly resembled the Blue Spirit's mask. "Someone is going to kill them!"
"What do you mean? How can I find them and protect them?"
Koh's face reverted back to its original form.
"You've already met them, actually. Tui and La, your Moon and Ocean, have always circled each other in an eternal dance. They balance each other. Push and Pull, Life and Death, Good and Evil, Yin and Yang."
A sudden burst of realization hit Aang as he thought back to the pool of water at the oasis.
"The koi fish!" he exclaimed. Koh darted forward, again wearing the blue demon face, but Aang had managed to compose himself in time. "I must be going now."
"We'll meet again," said Koh, his face changing to that of a young man, before disappearing into the shadows.
Aang hurried out of the cave and looked down into a nearby pool of water and saw Roku.
"The spirits are in trouble," he said. "I need to get back to the physical world."
"A friend is here to guide you back," Roku's image said before vanishing, only to be replaced by the reflection of a large panda.
"Hei Bai!" Aang proclaimed happily.
The panda spirit leaned down so that Aang could get onto his back and the two were off.
Back in the Northern Water Tribe, the Fire Nation had progressed into the city causing untold mayhem. However, their attacks met a powerful resistance in the form of the Waterbenders, empowered by the energy of the full moon. The Waterbenders were fighting bravely, especially the young women who had finally been able to learn their art.
"Sahna, look out on your right," shouted one female student.
The girl, Sahna, sent a blast of ice at a soldier who'd nearly gotten her.
The female Waterbenders fought with more skill than many of the older men, mostly because of their youth and raw talent but also because of how much harder they had trained over the past month than most men train in their entire Waterbending careers.
With all the strength, skill, and power of the Waterbenders, it looked as though the Fire Nation would be doomed to defeat. However, a certain admiral and his personal troops had other plans.
"We'll be following this map to a very special location," said Zhao. "And when we get there…we're going fishing." He grinned maliciously.
Aang and Hei Bai arrived at the gateway Aang had entered the Spirit World through. Aang dismounted and walked over to it.
"This is where I came in, but how do I get back?"
Hei Bai stood up and sent out a strange burst of energy towards Aang who was suddenly engulfed by light. As he faded back to the material world, Aang heard Roku's voice in his head.
"Do not forget, Aang, the power to win lies within you. Trust in the strength of the Avatar Spirit and you cannot fail."
Once Aang had vanished, the baboon spirit from before looked over.
"Good riddance," he said.
Hei Bai, however, did not take kindly to his friend being insulted and charged over to the offending spirit in his full angry-spirit form and blasted the baboon with another burst of energy, frightening him away.
Aang reentered the physical world and looked around at the oasis.
"Momo," he said happily, reaching down to pet his lemur friend. "Momo?" Aang froze when he saw that his hands were still glowing. "Oh no, where's my body?" Aang suddenly felt himself swept up in a ball of energy and sent rocketing towards where Zuko had his body tied up.
The comet-like stream of energy managed to get the attention of Aang's friends, however, and allowed them to determine where he was.
Aang awoke and discovered that he was bound. He struggled against the ropes but couldn't budge them and leaned up to see who his captor was.
"Welcome back," said Zuko.
"Good to be back," Aang replied coldly. He sucked in a breath of air and blasted himself out of the cave, knocking Zuko away from him. Aang tried to inch away while still bound, but Zuko rushed out and grabbed him.
"That won't be enough to escape," Zuko growled.
"Appa!" Aang shouted, catching sight of his bison coming into view.
Katara was the first one off and Zuko got into a defensive stance.
"Here for a rematch?" he said.
"Trust me, Zuko, it's not gonna be much of a match," Katara replied, catching his fire-blast in a ball of water. She then sent a rush of energy though the snow, creating a pillar of ice beneath her opponent before crashing it down, knocking Zuko unconscious.
Sokka and Wenona hurried over and cut the ropes holding Aang.
"Hey, this is some quality rope," said Sokka.
"We need to get to the oasis," Aang said desperately. "The spirits are in trouble."
As they hurried back to Appa, Wenona stood still and stared back at the Fire Nation prince. Something began to speak to her, something that said she couldn't leave him to die; Wenona wasn't sure if it was a compulsion by her past-lives or if she was actually starting to feel compassion for her enemies. Whatever it was, she had to speak up.
"We can't leave him here," she said.
"Sure we can," said Sokka. "Let's go."
"No, we can't. If we leave him, he'll die."
"Nona's right, Sokka," said Aang, leaping down to help. "We can't just let that happen."
The Waterbender and Avatar pulled the Fire Nation prince out of the snow and hefted him up into Appa's saddle where Sokka tied him up with the same ropes Zuko had used to hold Aang captive.
"Yeah, this makes a lot of sense," said Sokka sarcastically. "Let's bring the guy who's constantly trying to kill us."
Katara, too, felt a surge of sympathy for the Firebender when she noticed the cuts and bruises on his face. Those couldn't have been made by me, she thought. She pulled out her water pouch and Bent some water onto her hand and started to heal the worst of the injuries.
"Why are you wasting your energy on him?" Sokka asked her quietly. "He's done nothing to deserve it."
"A Healer helps anyone who needs help," she replied. "Regardless of who they are."
Sokka grumbled but didn't protest any further. He took his seat beside Yue, who put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The team was getting closer to the city when, suddenly, the moon and everything around them turned red as blood. Aang, Yue, and Wenona winced in pain as they sensed something was terribly, horribly wrong.
"Are you okay?" Sokka said to Yue.
"I feel faint," she replied.
"I feel it, too," said Aang.
"Me too," added Wenona. "The Moon Spirit. It's in trouble."
"I owe the Moon Spirit my life," said Yue.
"What do you mean?" asked Sokka.
"When I was born, I was very sick and very weak," Yue explained. "Most babies cry when they're born, but I was born as if I were asleep, my eyes closed. Our Healers did everything they could. They told my father and mother I was going to die. My father pleaded with the spirits to save me. That night, beneath the full moon, he brought me to the oasis and placed me in the pond. My dark hair turned white, I opened my eyes and began to cry, and they knew I would live. That's why my mother named me Yue, for the moon."
"That's incredible," said Katara. "Our tribe always had reverence for the moon and ocean, but we never knew they had that kind of power."
"There's something about them," said Wenona. "I'm not sure what it is, but I feel like my energy is connected to them as the Water Source. That's why Aang and I can feel their pain like you. A part of those spirits resides in us."
One hundred thousand years ago…
Three girls were trapped on the ice floe and not one of them thought they would survive. Ama, the eldest of the three, was the most observant and saw the way the moon pushed and pulled the ocean. She stood up and began to mimic the movements of the water, pulling in energy from the moon and pushing it out into the water. The other two, Doli and Migina, followed her lead and soon the three were controlling the water, compelling it to take them back to shore.
For several days, the women tried to repeat what they had done but were met with failure. Then, one evening, as the sun set and the full moon rose, the three girls felt drawn to a nearby cliff. Ama could hear something telling her to jump down into the water below. Doli and Migina told her not to, but Ama ran straight off and plummeted into the icy depths. The pain and cold filled her and she could feel the air escaping her lungs. That's when two shapes, one light and one dark, began to swirl around her in a circle.
From above, Doli and Migina saw the water illuminated with light and cast their fears aside, following their friend into the ocean. The figures encompassed them and passed through them, filling them with an energy and power they had never known before.
When the girls emerged from the ocean on pillars of water they controlled, they knew that they had been chosen by the spirits to begin the practice of Waterbending. Ama the Builder, Doli the Warrior, and Migina the Healer became the mothers of the Waterbenders and the first living incarnations of the power of the Moon and Ocean.
When all was said and done and the three were reaching the end of their lives, they felt pulled to a space just outside the city they had built. When their feet touched the ground, the ice melted away to reveal a lush oasis. At the center of the oasis was a pool. A flash of light appeared and entered the water and two figures were faintly visible. The male figure was dark except for his glowing white eyes and a white circle on his forehead; the female was white except for her black eyes and a black circle on her forehead. They had no mouths or noses or any other visible mark on their faces.
The beings introduced themselves as Tui and La, the Moon and Ocean, and commended the three women for their work. The spirits asked only that they be allowed to live peacefully in the oasis and to be guarded from those who would do them harm.
From that day on, Tui and La lived protected in the oasis. Ama, Doli, and Migina passed away on the same night at the same hour and their energies passed into a newborn boy of the tribe.
This boy was the first Water Source.
"I am…a legend now," Zhao said as he held up the bag containing the Moon Spirit. "The Fire Nation will, for generations, tell stories about the great Zhao who darkened the moon. They will call me Zhao the Conqueror. Zhao the Moon-Slayer. Zhao the Invincible!" At that moment, a certain lemur jumped down from his hiding place and started tugging on Zhao's hair. "AHH! Get it off! Get it off!"
Momo leapt off of Zhao's face and flew over to land on Aang's shoulder as he and the others appeared on the other side of the koi pond. The Gaang and Zhao's guards both got into battle-stances.
"Don't bother," Zhao said. He held up the bag and prepared to blast it.
"Zhao, don't," said Aang, dropping his stance.
"It's my destiny…to destroy the moon and the Water Tribe."
"Destroying the moon won't hurt just the Water Tribe. It will hurt everyone, including you. Without the moon, everything would fall out of balance. You have no idea what kind of chaos that would unleash on the world."
"He is right, Zhao," said a voice nearby. Everyone turned to see General Iroh standing there.
"General Iroh. Why am I not surprised to discover your treachery?" said Zhao.
"I'm no traitor, Zhao," said Iroh firmly. "The Fire Nation needs the moon, too. We all depend on the balance." Zhao didn't budge. "Whatever you do to that spirit, I'll unleash on you ten-fold! Let it go now!"
Zhao paused for a moment, but then knelt down and opened the bag, releasing the Moon Spirit back into the pool. The light of the moon came back and everything seemed to return to how it should be. That's when Wenona saw the glint in Zhao's eye.
Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Zhao let out a yell as he prepared to send a blast of fire at the spirit. Then, in that split-second, a rush of water surged up from the pool and knocked him back. Wenona stood right at the edge of the other side, her eyes glowing faintly and her hands by her sides; she had Bent the water without moving a muscle.
Iroh followed through on his warning and started attacking Zhao, only to be held off by his guards while Zhao escaped. The Gaang jumped in to help and the troops either fled or were rendered unconscious. No one realized that the Fire Nation prince had awoken and escaped.
"What are we going to do now?" said Yue. "The Moon Spirit is safe but the Fire Nation still has its fleet. We won't stand a chance."
"Aang, what should we – Aang?" said Katara.
Aang and Wenona stood by the pool, looking down at the Moon and Ocean circling each other. They both stared into the eyes of the spirits and felt something overpowering them.
Let us take charge, a male voice echoed in their heads.
We owe you everything, a female one added.
The Avatar and Waterbender entered the pool of water side-by-side. Then, in a rush, they vanished beneath the surface. Something was bubbling under the water and then streams of blue lights covered every inch of water all around the terrified on-lookers. Then, from out of the water, a giant koi fish emerged; at its center was a ball of light containing the two humans who worked as one to move the spirit creature onward to confront the Fire Nation.
The being swept through the city like an all-powerful god of wrath, wiping out the Fire Nation soldiers who tried to attack it and sparing the Water Tribe people who kowtowed before it. It made its way to the harbor where it eradicated several of the Fire Nation ships and drove the others away with a huge wave. Its work done, the being deposited the Avatar and the Water Source on the ruins of the outer wall and sank into the water to go in search of the one who had tried to destroy the moon.
Zhao was running for his life, unaware of the giant spirit koi on its rampage. He was in the final stretch of his escape when a blast of fire struck a short totem in front of him. He looked up, expecting to see General Iroh, only to stare in shock when he saw Zuko instead.
"You're alive?" he gasped.
"You tried to have me killed!" Zuko shouted, striking at him.
Zhao dodged the blast.
"Yes, I did," he replied contemptuously. "You're the Blue Spirit, an enemy of the Fire Nation. You freed the Avatar."
"I had no choice." Zuko sent more blasts at Zhao, who deflected them.
"You should've chosen to accept your failure, your disgrace. Then, at least, you could've lived!"
The two were exchanging blows, Zhao had the more powerful strikes but Zuko was far more agile and managed to knock Zhao off the wall. Zhao landed with a thump on the bridge below and Zuko jumped down after him. The two resumed their fight and Zuko managed to knock Zhao down. That's when a strange rumbling sound came from underneath the bridge and an ethereal, glowing hand reached up and grabbed Zhao.
Zuko saw his enemy about to be dragged to his death and it gave him pause. The Avatar and his friends spared me even when they could've left me to die, does Zhao deserve the same mercy? He ran forward and held out his hand.
"Take my hand."
Zhao at first moved to reach for it, but changed his mind. He would rather die than owe his life to that disgrace of a Fire Nation prince. Within moments, Zhao was dragged beneath the surface of the water, vanishing without a trace. Zuko stared down at the water thoughtfully.
It was over. Aang and Wenona trudged back up to the oasis where they found the others waiting for them. They stared expectantly until Aang and Wenona smiled and nodded. They all broke into cheers and Yue was so overcome that she threw her arms around Sokka and pulled him into a kiss. The two lovebirds realized what they just did and drew back, blushing furiously.
"Wait, where's Keng?" Wenona spoke up.
It took a while but they managed to find out that Keng was in a Healing Hut with Yugoda. The boy's siblings gasped when they saw how bruised their little brother was.
"Keng, are you alright?" Katara asked, hugging the boy who winced slightly.
"I'm…fine, Katara," he said. "Yugoda fixed up the worst of it."
"What happened?" Sokka demanded.
"It seems this boy doesn't know to stay out of a war-zone," said Yugoda with a sad smile. "He was running around tending to anyone who got injured. When some of those troops destroyed a number of houses, a lot of civilians got hurt and he and a few of my other students went and took care of them and got them to safety."
"Unfortunately, the Fire Nation troops didn't take too kindly to our efforts," said Keng. "They also made the mistake of thinking it was a good idea to shove me and you know I don't like being shoved. Oh, Sokka, here's your knife back." He handed Sokka the whale-tooth dagger; it had a bit of dried blood on it. "I only injured him, guys. But I think he got the message."
Sokka, Katara, and Wenona chuckled and hugged their brother. While Wenona and Katara helped Yugoda take care of Keng and Aang retold what happened, Sokka rejoined Yue outside.
"So…" he said awkwardly. "What now?"
"I don't know, Sokka," she replied. "I really do like you. I'm not sure if I could go back to life before you came here."
"Then don't. Why don't you come with us?"
"Sokka, I…you know I would love to, but…I have to take care of my people."
"Your people will be fine. The Fire Nation is gone and I doubt they'll be back anytime soon." He out his hands on her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. "Yue, you don't have to sacrifice your happiness for some perceived sense of what is right for your tribe. You deserve to be happy. What would have happened if Nona hadn't stopped Zhao and he killed the Moon Spirit?"
"I…I would have given my life back to the spirit. It gave me life and I could have given it back."
"Not exactly the answer I was expecting, but it serves to prove my point. Yue, listen, you can wait around for people to make decisions for you your whole life or you can take your fate into your own hands. Just…just think about it and let me know what you decide, okay?"
He smiled and went back in to see his friend and siblings.
Yue watched him go and felt that she never wanted to see him leave her again. She wasn't sure she could bear life without him in it. True he had his faults, as all people do, but he was the one person who made her want to think for herself, to be free of anyone's expectations. She turned and walked back to the palace; it was time to have a few words with her father.
Once Keng had gotten patched up, the Gaang was greeted by another familiar face. Master Pakku was standing there, looking at his students with a deep sense of pride. He asked for a quick word with them and they followed him out.
"I've decided to go to the South Pole," he said. "Some other Benders and Healers want to join me. It's time we helped rebuild our sister tribe."
"What about Aang?" asked Wenona as she and Katara glanced at the young Avatar, who was currently playing in the snow. "He still needs to learn Waterbending."
"Well, then he better get used to calling you two Master Wenona and Master Katara," Pakku said with a smile.
"Really?" they gasped.
"You have both earned it. I've never seen two students more talented in all my years."
"But, we still have a lot to learn," said Katara.
"Of course you do. Just because you are a master it doesn't mean you stop learning. Heh, even I haven't learned everything." He gave a wistful look out at the ocean.
"You miss her, don't you?" Katara said, realizing who he was thinking of.
"Every day since she left." He looked forlornly at the ground. "She's probably forgotten all about me, though."
"If she had, do you think she would have kept your necklace?" Katara said, pointing to the pendant on her throat.
Wenona left, she wasn't good with situations that required a lot of human sympathy; that was more Katara's area of expertise. Instead she walked over to where Sokka was staring out at the sunrise.
"Waiting for somebody, stranger?" she said.
Sokka gave a sigh.
"Do you think it's right for me to ask Yue to join us?" he said. "She's worried about her tribe and she still has that engagement to that jerk Hahn. Oh, man, I hate that guy."
"I wouldn't go spreading that around," said someone behind them. It was Keng. He limped over to them and looked at Sokka seriously. "You guys weren't here when it happened but the warriors from the mission came back one member short. Seems that Hahn thought it was a good idea to charge down Zhao with a spear after making a loud declaration that he was going to attack."
"Wait, so…Hahn is…?"
"Dead. Not really a surprise since he was thrown off the ship, got knocked on the head as he fell from such a high place, and drowned."
Sokka began to feel guilty for some of the awful things he'd been thinking about Hahn. He hadn't wanted the jerk to die; he just wanted him to not be engaged to Yue anymore. And yet, despite his guilt, Sokka couldn't help the slight feeling of happiness that Yue's engagement was obviously not an issue anymore, and it gave the Water Tribe boy doubts about whether or not he was a good person for thinking that way.
Meanwhile, out on the water, a small raft carrying two Fire Nation royals drifted along with the tide.
"I'm surprised, Prince Zuko," Iroh said, "Surprised that you are not, at this moment, trying to capture the Avatar."
"I'm tired," Zuko said calmly. Iroh put a hand on his shoulder.
"Then you should rest. A man needs his rest."
Zuko lay down and stared up at the sky. He drifted off into a haze of sleep.
Above him he saw a face. A kind face full of concern. A pair of blue eyes looked down at him.
"You should be more careful," the voice said, it was that of a young man. "I can't always be here to look after you."
"I don't ask you to," he replied in a voice not his own. "In fact, I tell you to let my doctors tend to my injuries."
"I'm not going to let some fools who think that dumping leaches on a person or jabbing them with needles is medicine take care of you. If I didn't know better, I'd think you didn't want help."
"I can look after myself."
"Suuuure you can."
"I can!"
"Whatever you need to tell yourself."
The Gaang stared out at the horizon. They had no idea what was waiting out there for them only that they would be ready to take on whatever came their way. Not wind, not rain, not a thousand bloodthirsty Fire Nation troops would stop them. They had a mission to see this war through to the end come what may and they wouldn't stop their journey until the war was well and truly over.
In the throne room of the Fire Lord, a figure knelt before a figure who sat behind a wall of flames.
"Iroh is a traitor and your brother Zuko is a failure," said the man on the throne. "I have a task for you."
The kneeling figure looked up to reveal the face of a beautiful but clearly dangerous young woman.