Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Water, earth, fire, air... Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the fire nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years passed and the new Avatar, an air bender named Aang, was discovered. Now travelling by his side are Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, and Ashlynn... An ex-member of the Fire nation, and Prince Zuko's lifelong companion...
"An air bender?"
"How?!"
"You lied!"
"This can't possibly be real!"
Ashlynn stared at her own two hands as she tried to figure out what was happening. She could hear her companions around her, shouting at her. They, too, were trying to make sense of it. "I didn't lie," she said as she looked up at Sokka, who'd accused her of being unfaithful several times already.
"You knew all along! How come you never helped us when we needed the extra bending?" he spat angrily.
"Sokka, it's wrong to accuse her of lying. If she knew she were an air bender she wouldn't have stuck around in the fire nation," Katara argued bitterly. "She only stayed because she had the hots for Zuko," Sokka retorted furiously.
"That's completely ridiculous, Sokka. She had no idea! You're being dumb and you're jumping to conclusions," Katara shouted back.
"Guys, stop it!!!" Aang burst, interrupting Sokka before he could make another hasty and unneeded comment. "You're acting like she's a fire bender who has been a spy for the fire nation all along. She's an AIR bender, and they're supposed to be extinct... save for me. You both should be rejoicing! It's a miracle that I'm not the only one!" Aang told Sokka and Katara, and gave them both frowns of disappointment.
"I'm just angry because she lied!" Sokka responded, and clenched his fists. "No, Sokka, she didn't. She had no idea! You're acting like she personally wronged you, when she didn't do anything!" Aang said, finally shutting him up.
"Guys, can we deal with this later? We're so close to the Northern Water Tribe, that this is far too pointless to be having at this moment," Ashlynn finally spoke up. Everyone looked at her for a moment, and Aang gave her one simple not of agreement.
"I don't even see the point anymore. We've been hovering above this ocean for hours and we haven't even found a single trace of water nation anything!" Sokka groaned. Ashlynn cast him an annoyed glance, but he didn't notice.
As soon as he spoke, thick ice rose up from the ocean right in Appa's direction. Aang cried in surprise, and veered Appa in another direction to narrowly avoid the sudden attack. Yet, the attackers were much quicker to respond, and cast another chain of ice at the group. This time, it froze up around Appa's leg, and he fell from the sky right into the ocean.
He floated for a moment, and right as he tried flying upwards again, ice was cast around the entire group, locking them in place. At first, everyone was going to panic, until they realized that it was water benders who had assaulted them. "We found them! We found the Northern Water Tribe!" Katara exclaimed excitedly.
As she said this, several canoes filled with people swam up to them.
"Avatar," one of the men upon the canoe spoke. "We've been expecting you. Follow us, please," he followed, and together the water benders released Appa from his icy hold. Then, the canoes swam off in another direction, and Aang guided Appa to slowly follow them.
For roughly fifteen minutes they swam in silence, but then Aang shouted excitedly as the Water Tribe's home came into full view. "There it is!" he exclaimed, and Katara gasped in awe.
Ashlynn couldn't help but smile. She knew Katara and Sokka were the most amazed of the group, for the Southern Tribe was more or less the size of one building from within the Northern. Even the entrance was massive, built entirely of thickened ice. The water benders on the canoes lowered the icy wall for a moment, granting the guests passage. Once they passed through, the frozen wall was repaired quickly.
Inside there were more gigantic ice walls, with more water benders standing atop them. Together, they worked to melt portions of the wall, making the water level rise. In doing this, the canoes and Appa were able to swim to shore. As Ashlynn watched this, she fully understood why a siege had never been cast upon the Northern Water Tribe. Not only was it fire's complete opposite, but it was heavily defended.
"Wow! There are so many water benders here!" Katara grinned, still in awe. "We'll find a teacher without any problem," Aang laughed, also thoroughly surprised.
The boats guided Appa through separate water channels towards a massive palace at the back of the homeland. All above them there were people rushing from their homes, dressed for fulltime winter. They peered out over bridges and from ledges down at the waters below them to get a decent look at the Avatar.
Finally, the boats docked at the foot of the grand palace. Appa stumbled on top of the icy ground. Since water still clung to his feet and fur, he was forced to slip and slide with Aang and his companions as they walked forward to greet the Chief of the Water Tribe.
"It's a pleasure, Avatar," the Chief Arnook said, and bowed before Aang. "I'm so glad to finally be here, and to be in your presence," Aang responded respectfully, and gave him a proper bow in returned. "I've brought some friends with me. This is Sokka and Katara, from the Southern Water Tribe," Aang said with a smile, and motioned towards Sokka and Katara.
"It's an honor to have members from our sister tribe here. We have not seen one another in many years," the chief said, and gave them a graceful nod.
"And this is Ashlynn, a prisoner of the Fire Nation, set free by our hand. We've recently discovered she's an air bender, like I," Aang explained, choosing his words carefully so as not to give the King and his subjects the idea that she was Fire Nation. "Is that so? An air bender? That is rather intriguing. Nonetheless, you are more than welcome here, "Chief Arnook said. "Thank you, your honor," Ashlynn said, and curtsied.
"We've had an entire banquet prepared for you. Please, join us for dinner. I will introduce you to all my advisers and most loyal companions, and make it known that you are, indeed, among us," the King requested. Aang smiled, and nodded in agreement. He followed the Chief into the palace, and so did the rest of the group, including Appa.
Inside was a great hall, built entirely of ice, like the rest of the city. There was a higher seating, designed for those highest in power. The chief sat there, and motioned to a long table in the center of the room, where Aang and his group could sit and eat heartily.
Aang, Ashlynn, Katara, and Sokka each sat down alongside the table. Ashlynn was careful to sit herself between Aang and Katara, so as to not be caught sitting next to Sokka, who was still annoyed with her. As they sat, more people filed into the room, and sat atop the stone steps on either side of the hall. Then,Chief Arnookrose to speak before the meal would begin to be consumed.
"Tonight we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe. They have also brought with them someone very special, someone who was believed to have disappeared from the world... Until now. They have brought with them... The Avatar!" he exclaimed to the audience about him. Everyone cheered happily, and Ashlynn was filled with relief as she realized how much spirit and hope was contained within the room.
"We also celebrate the birth of my daughter. Today, she turns sixteen years old. Princess Yue is now of marrying age," he followed, and gazed over at a young woman who was entering the room. Her hair was snow white, like the rest of the ice surrounding them. She had striking blue eyes, like the ocean, and had the complete look of royalty.
"Thank you, Father. May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us in these troubled times!" Princess Yue spoke to the audience about her. Chief Arnook nodded proudly to his daughter, and then turned to motion his hand towards an elderly man and two men that stood on either side of him. "Now, Master Paku and his students will perform for us," he spoke loudly and finally seated himself.
Ashlynn turned to watch the water bending master as he put on a water-bending show for Aang and his friends. "They called him MASTER Paku! He's probably going to be your teacher!" Ashlynn exclaimed to Aang, and he grinned as he realized it. Ashlynn was suddenly aware of the Princess Yue seating herself beside Sokka, and she instantly regretted placing herself between Aang and Katara. She attempted to wash aware the small sting of envy as she applauded for Master Paku.
Aang got up when the show was over to introduce himself to the Master. Ashlynn sighed as she stared down at her plate of foreign foods. She'd always grown up with meat, and foods that were hot and spicy... Not cold fish and different kinds of sea stews. She twitched angrily as she heard Sokka suggesting he and Yue get together sometime. She immediately stuffed her face angrily, and ignored the displeasure in taste.
Aang seated himself beside her moments later, and peered around her at Katara. "He agreed to train us! We start in the morning!" Aang grinned. Katara clapped her hands together and smiled excitedly. "Then, let's eat and rest up! We got a lot to do!" she grinned, and began eating her plate of sea food.
"Ashlynn, I was thinking that while we're here I could train you some in air bending. It'd be a lot of fun! I've never had a pupil before," Aang said happily. "Sure, I'd love that!" Ashlynn grinned, instantly cheering up. "I teach you some moves after dinner, if you like," he suggested hesitantly. "Well, I'm already done," Ashlynn said, and slowly pushed her half eaten plate away. Aang looked down at his, and nodded. "I'm not a fan of water tribe food either," he laughed.
Together, they stood up, bowed to the King, the Master, and the Princess, and excused themselves from the room, and walked to the outside of the palace. It was already well into the evening, but Ashlynn wasn't very tired.
"I'm guessing you probably don't know a whole lot about air benders, since I'm the only one you've ever been around," Aang said as she stopped at the foot of a snow mound. "You guess correctly," Ashlynn said, halting a few paces behind him.
"Every element is different, driven by the same thing. Fire consists of intensity, and ferocity. The benders use strong arm and leg movements. Water is benevolence, and adaptively. It's how Katara is so resourceful with water bending. She, and others, focus mainly on alignment, body structure, breath, and visualization," he explained as he drew the corresponding nation symbols in the snow mound with his glider.
Ashlynn nodded as she listened intently, and watched as he drew. "Earth is solid strength. The monks never taught me much about them... As far as I could tell they never got along with Earth Benders. But, Air... Air is peace and harmony. We use erratic and consistent circular motions. Air isn't really an element that can kill, it's an element that defends. Since we can't kill without using weapons or the resources around us, we're trained to be agile, and have fast reflexes so we can maintain health and protection if we're being attacked," he said as he drew the remaining air symbol.
"Guess I'll need a glider," Ashlynn giggled. Aang smiled, turned to face her, and nodded. "When you air bend, you want to always keep in mind that it isn't your job to harm. That's what the monks taught me. All we can do is halt our attackers, or become evasive, which generally annoys them. That's why we're associated with peace and harmony... Because, naturally- we don't have it in us to kill."
Ashlynn nodded, more than ready to try something out. "Air is about the flow of energy circulating through your body. We're strongest when we have the most energy. It's about energy, and breath intakes. When Jeong-Jeong was teaching me, all I wanted was to bend fire. I didn't listen to him and what he was trying to tell me. I didn't get to become a decent fire bender. I don't want you to act the same. I want you to get into an air bender shape. So, before I teach you moves, I want to design a daily work out for our stay here," Aang said as he glanced around the area.
Ashlynn sighed, but only protested in her mind. She didn't want to upset Aang, so she internally promised to do whatever he asked. "To learn to increase energy, you need to do something that will make you exhausted, and increase the amount you do it each day. While we're here, I'd suggest you start... Jogging or something- Maybe swimming. Swimming or jogging, or both, will get your learning how to conserve your bodies energy, as well as your breathing."
Ashlynn nodded again and said, "Should I do that now or...?"
"No. I'm thinking maybe I should teach you how to create a small wind, and you can practice that while you're completing a work out," Aang pondered aloud. "Sure, I can do that," Ashlynn said flatly.
"Alright, well, just inhale deeply, and place your hands out like this," he said, and demonstrated. Ashlynn thrust her arms straight out before her like he did, and bent her middle knuckles as well. She put her wrists together, like Aang did, and began to copy his arm thrusting movement. She could feel herself involuntarily inhaling each time she curled her arms into her chest, and then exhaling when she thrust them forward.
"It's good to see you've already got natural breath circulation. Now, on the next thrust forward, focus on sending the air in your body out through your palms, rather than your mouth or nose," he said, and then demonstrated as he shot a gust of wind out through his open palms before him. Ashlynn nodded, and then thrust her arms forward and created a wind slightly smaller than his. She gasped as she tried catching her breath.
"See, it uses up the breath in your body, which is why you need to practice conserving oxygen and taking in more of it. When you think you're in shape enough, I'd suggest meditating and focusing on slowly inhaling then exhaling," Aang said. Ashlynn nodded as her chest slowly began to stop heaving.
"Well, believe it or not, it's pretty late. Master Paku is expecting Katara and I in the morning. I think we'd better turn in," Aang said. Ashlynn nodded, and watched as Sokka and Katara came into view from outside the palace doors. Ashlynn frowned at Sokka, and looked back at Aang. "Chief Arnook said we each get our own rooms nearby," Aang explained to them when they were a full group again. Katara and Sokka nodded, and together they and Ashlynn followed Aang to a nearby building where new bedrooms had been designed for each of them.
Ashlynn moved into her room silently and shut the useable door behind her. She looked down at the bed on the floor, and shivered as she finally realized how cold it was. She tugged off her outer clothing, and quickly crawled into the bed. She sighed as she realized the blankets had heat preserved in them. She snuggled beneath them, and quickly fell asleep.
----------------------------------------------------
It was still darker than usual when Ashlynn awoke in the morning. She assumed sun didn't hit the northern pole often, or else the whole area would melt. She stepped outside after dressing herself up, and was informed by a nearby guard that the rest of her friends had already left. She nodded him with thanks, and quickly paced back towards the palace.
As Ashlynn neared the cold steps she saw Katara marching down them. "What's up Katara- Something wrong?" Ashlynn asked worriedly. "Yeah... Master Paku won't teach me because I'm a girl," Katara growled. "Oh... That's.. Unfortunate," Ashlynn said and mentally smacked herself for not thinking of anything better to say. "He said I should just go learn to heal... But I want to fight," she said, suddenly stopping in her tracks.
"So do I, but... Last night Aang told me Air Benders don't fight, generelly, we just defend. Guess you and I are stuck in the same boat," Ashlynn sighed. "Well, I'm learning to fight one way or another. I'll figure something out," she said, and marched off without another word. Ashlynn frowned, and gazed down at the water below her. "Guess I'd better start getting in shape..." she said. She removed her thick outer clothing so it wouldn't drag her down. Then, she took a deep breath and dove head first into the water.
Instantly her skin tightened as goose bumps formed from the intensely icy water. She quickly ignored the cold, and continued to hold her breath as she blindly swam through the waters. She made a mental note to try and have her eyes adjust to being under the water, too. After a minute of not breathing, she floated to the surface for a deep breath. Then, she dove back under.
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Later that night, she, Aang, Katara, and Sokka met up in a heated hut to discuss the events of the day. Katara explained how she went to the healing lesson, and found out the teacher knew her Grandma Kanna, who used to live in the Northern Water Tribe, and left because she was being forced to marry.
"How's warrior training?" Katara asked Sokka as she frustratedly laid down with them. He groaned in response as he threw on his most smug look and began a pouting session. "That bad, huh?" Aang joked. "It's Princess Yue. One minute she wants to go out with me and the next she's telling me to get lost," Sokka frowned. Ashlynn frowned too as the sting of jealousy hit her again for a moment.
"How about Water Bending Training?" Sokka asked, still ignoring Ashlynn entirely. Katara groaned as she laid down beside her brother. "Master Paku won't teach her because she's a girl," Aang explained. Sokka paused for a moment, and then said "Why don't you just teach her Aang?"
"Why didn't I think of that!" Katara said, cheering up suddenly. "Yeah, I can train during the day and I can teach you at night!" Aang grinned. Ashlynn sighed disappointedly as she felt, once again, cast to the side. With Aang training during the day, and teaching Katara at night, there'd be no room for him to teach her more Air Bending moves.
"Sounds perfect! Come on Aang," Katara said, and she and Aang left the small building. Ashlynn felt the heat rush to her head as she realized she was stuck in an awkward spot with Sokka. "So," Ashlynn said bitterly.
"So," Sokka replied shortly.
Ashlynn frowned. "You and the Princess, huh?"
"Yep. I'm pretty much a Prince myself so it all works out," he responded bitterly. "Well I'm so happy things worked out for you two," Ashlynn spat. "So am I! She's the best person I've ever met!" he shouted back. "Good for you," Ashlynn frowned. "And you're the worst thing to ever happen to us. You're a liar, and a spy for the Fire Nation," Sokka glared over at her.
"Know what, I think you're just angry. I think you're angry, and you're trying to make me jealous by being around another girl. Well I don't care, and it won't work," Ashlynn said. Sokka laughed in response, making it clear he thought Ashlynn's accusations were completely preposterous.
"By the way," Ashlynn said as she made way to leave the little hut, "Before you go about accusing me of things that aren't even true, you should at least have facts to back up your opinions. Yours are just angry accusations." With that as the final word, she made way back to her designated room, where she fell into an angered and uncomfortable slumber.
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"Ashlynn wake up!"
Ashlynn groaned to the sound of Aang's shouting. "What is it? It's too early..." she sighed as she stretched. "Katara just challenged Master Paku! Come on," he groaned, and pried at her body so she'd roll back over and fully wake up. "Fine, fine... I'm going I'm going..." she sighed, and got up from bed. She sleepily followed Aang as he guided her back to the palace.
She rubbed her eyes and shivered as the cold air chilled her body. She hadn't even had the chance to throw on her warmer clothes, so she was stuck shivering in her thin sleeping garments. She gasped as she saw Master Paku and Katara locked in a heated clash of water versus water.
"Katara is amazing!" Aang exclaimed as he studied Katara's every move. True, Katara was good, despite how little teaching she'd had, but Master Paku was still better. Ashlynn frowned as she eyed Sokka near Chief Arnook and Princess Yue. Her heart sank as she recalled their heated argument the night before.
Master Paku finally dominated over Katara as he locked her in a cage of icicles. She struggled to be free, but he disallowed it as he stepped closer to her. Then, something caught his eye, and he stopped in his tracks. He picked it up, and Ashlynn saw it was Katara's necklace, which had fallen off during the battle. "This... Is my necklace," Master Paku murmured sadly. "No, it's mine! Give it back!" Katara shouted angrily as she began to melt the icicles around her.
"I made this necklace for the love of my life... For Kanna..." he said, even more sadly. "My Gran-Gran was supposed to marry you?" Katara asked, almost in a whisper.
"I carved this for her when we got engaged... I thought we'd have a long, happy life together. I loved her..."
Ashlynn's eyes began to fill with tears as she suddenly felt the reality that was hitting Paku, and everyone around them. Paku's eyes began to tear up as well.
"She didn't love you though, did she? It was an arranged marriage. She didn't want your customs to run her life, so she left. It must've taken a lot of courage," Katara said as she slowly walked to Paku's side to comfort him. Ashlynn rolled her eyes in annoyance as Princess Yue began to cry, and ran off. Ashlynn frowned and narrowed her eyes irritably as Sokka chased after her.
"I'm sorry, Katara. You're right. From here on out, women in this tribe will be permitted to learn Water Bending for fighting or for healing... Whichever they prefer. And, I personally, will take you on as my pupil," Master Paku said, and handed Katara her necklace. She grinned up at him, then flung herself at him and embraced him in a warm and thankful hug. He hesitated a moment, and then hugged her back.
The crowd around them cheered, especially the women. Aang and Ashlynn clapped excitedly for Katara's success.
"So, Ashlynn, you been practicing?" Aang asked her. "I did yesterday, I swam till I almost passed out," she responded. "And the wind technique?" he questioned further. "That too; I can already create a larger wind without running so out of breath," she grinned. "That's great! Just keep that up. Come on, while Master Paku and Katara talk things over, I'll teach you some more techniques," he said. Ashlynn grinned, and nodded.
Then, together, the two of them walked off away from the happy scene, more than ready to help one another learn and practice.