"Kuzon. You must eat. Don't you want something to eat?"
Kuzon as she referred to him did not want to eat. After he'd been beaten senseless and starved to the edge of death, he didn't want to do anything.
"Sorry. I guess Kuzon isn't your real name. But I'd rather stick with it if it's all the same to you. It sound so much better than… whatever your other name is."
No response. She bit her lip. This was not going well. Sure, he was a traitor and everything, but he'd still been a friend. And she hated to see anyone suffer.
"Listen, why don't you just answer her questions? Things would be a lot easier for you. She might…. You know… Even let you go."
He stared at her. His eyes dull and blank. He opened his mouth and she leaned in closer.
He laughed. Not a silent laugh either. A loud guffaw.
"What's so funny? I don't understand!"
"You don't Ty lee? He's laughing because what you proposed is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous."
"Azula! I…"
"Let him go? The enemy of our nation? The embodiment of everything we're fighting? The boy who betrayed us?"
"He didn't betray us! He helped us against those nasty women! If he was going to betray us…"
"It could have happened later. After he had fake proven his loyalty. He might have used that as an excuse to get close. And kill."
"Don't be silly! Why would he do that!?"
Both stared at the circus girl.
"What? Is it because he's an airbender? Surely he wouldn't- I mean- He's not like that!"
"Ty lee, I'd like you to leave. You're proving a hindrance."
"But- "
"Now."
With one more worried look at the Avatar she hurried out. Leaving him alone with his tormentor.
"I… I wasn't planning to do that."
"Do what?"
"Betray you…. That's not…. Why I… Stopped them…"
"Oh? Then why did you do it? Tell me please! I'm genuinely curious!" She leaned in closer, smiling.
"Because… I didn't want you to get hurt…"
It was Azula's turn to laugh.
"You're being serious, aren't you? I suppose I can't blame you. I am very charming. Who could resist me?"
"No… I felt… Pity…"
He instantly regretted his word choice. Her eyes lit up. She did not like that word.
"Pity? Me? What has anyone got to pity me over? Nothing, you hear me? Nothing? I am the princess of the Fire Nation! Heir to the throne! Someday the most powerful bender in the world! In history!"
"Is that how you see it? Why the anger over your father? The sadness over your mother? The frustration over your lightning? Who deserves more pity than you?"
This was not helping his case. She was not happy at all. Literal smoke came out of her nose. Her hands caught fire.
"Who deserves more pity? How about you?"
"I don't think so. I know what I'm fighting for. Who I am. What I must do."
"Do you? You didn't sound sure about that around the fire. Couldn't make up your mind whether to hate your daddy or make him proud. And your dear sister…"
"Azula… Don't go there."
She went there.
"See, for all your lies, I think you were genuine about your family. I'm a people person. I can tell. Your explanation for your sister though stood out. Did you really lose her? I find that hard to believe. I mean considering how close you were, I find it hard to believe you just lost her like that. What really happened? Did you let her die? OR maybe you killed her yourself! After all, you…"
She didn't get to finish that since Aang's eyes lit up in rage. His eyes glowed. Her eyes filled with fear.
"Aang. All life is sacred. Even life that does not acknowledge it."
"Damn it Gyatso. Damn you and your moral high ground."
His eyes returned to normal, as did hers. Her fear disappeared and her glee returned.
"Weak. That's what you are. Weak! That's why your people are dead! That's why you're here now! That's why you failed!"
Aang couldn't look at her. Not until she lifted his head to face her.
"I've beaten you Kuzon. Or whatever your name is. When they speak of you, it will be only as a part of my story. How I beat you. And made my sketch in history."
He tried to look away. Couldn't stare at those eyes. Those eyes he still found mesmerizing.
"But you have helped me. Whether you intended to or not. Let me thank you."
She reached up to undo his knots.
"No… stay… away…"
….
"Undyne! I'm so glad to see you!"
"And I you Papyrus. But maybe you could let me breathe a little bit. Please?"
"I found him! I found the Avatar! And my spaghetti is halfway decent!"
"Uh… Well done! Very well done! I'm impressed! Your training has paid off! Sans?"
"sorry pap. give the lady some room. she's having a rough time of it."
"Ok. Ok. But I'm going to make you taste my spaghetti! I guarantee you that!"
"Yeah. I can't wait. I do want to say however, good work. You did indeed find the Avatar. After all this time. But now he's been captured."
"figures he'd chose that fire princess over the world. teenagers, am i right?"
"Not now Sans. We must retrieve him. The Underground depends on it."
"and what about you girlie? you don't seem too eager to go after your friend. got something you'd like to say?"
Frisk did not. Aang may have been her friend and the Avatar. But he was clearly unprepared and unwilling to punish those who deserved punishment. Those who had taken Toriel from her! Avatar or not, that made it hard to be unbiased.
"i'll take your silence as a sign that you're with us? awesome! let's go save the world then!"
….
"How's my little Avatar doing?"
"Not now. Please."
"What better time? What better time than total despair?"
"I don't know, but not now. I can't handle it."
"Why? You can't handle the truth? That your pathetic attempts at pacifism have failed?"
"Have they? I'm still alive."
That annoyed her. Still alive. Unlike her.
"For how much longer? They won't let you live. You know that, right? No matter how kind you are."
She leaned closer. Her smile used to bring such hope to him. Not anymore.
"That's the mistake our people made. Do you know that? They didn't fight back. Not at first."
"Stop."
"They tried diplomacy. Called for an end to hostility. Anything but bloodshed. Anything! Have mercy! I beg you!"
She grinned at his despair.
"By the time they realized that wouldn't work, it was too late. Of course, some realized sooner that pacifism wouldn't work. Your teacher for instance."
"I said stop."
"Did you not see the multiple skeletons around his feet? Did you not notice their armor? Fire Nation armor wasn't it? How do you think they got there?"
"I said stop!"
"Do you suppose it was misfire? Did their own soldiers kill them? There was a lot of chaos. A lot of fire. It's not impossible. But then why so many around old Gyatso? Why so many at his feet?"
"Damn it! I told you to stop!"
"He learned the truth. There's no room for pacifism in this world. In that moment he realized the Air Nomads were wrong. That the only way to victory is over other's corpses."
"Shut up Chara!"
She wasn't grinning anymore.
"You don't get to call me that. Never again."
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
"You're sorry? Then prove it." She pointed at the tattoo on his head.
"We both know how you earned that. You only went halfway that time. This time you need to go all the way."
"Not again."
"Yes again. The Firebenders are evil. But they know the way to get what they want."
"I won't do that. Gyatso- "
"Is dead. And you will all be too. Unless they are."
"Don't make me…"
"Come partner. You tried it your way. You tried to make friends with the enemy and that didn't cut it. If you want to avenge the dead and find peace, you must kill big brother. Kill. Set your soul free."
"That's not who I am."
The girl sighed.
"Wake up."
"Wake up!"
He did wake up to Papyrus' grin in the darkness.
"Good to see you again sir! Royal guard has rescued you and is prepared for duty! Are you hungry? If so, may I interest you in some spa-"
"No!"
….
Aang worked hard not to stare at Frisk. But out of the corner of his eye, he could see her giving her a look saying I told you so. He didn't want to deal with this. Not now. He just wanted to get Appa and get out.
"You know Sans, I don't suppose it would be too much to ask if you could fight for once? Seriously, even in all the years in the underground, I don't think you've ever fought anyone."
"i figured that was a job for you captain. you know, head of the guard and all that?"
"Ignore him Undyne! See what I'm capable of! Eh? Eh?"
"Yes, very good Papyrus. You've certainly improved. I'm glad your time on the move has been good for you."
"Good? Hmm. I'm not sure that's the word I would have used. But yeah! Why not? It's been good!"
"And in all that time, I assumed you still haven't fought Sans?"
"oh, here and there. i just don't brag about fights because they're usually over in like a minute."
Aang felt a strong desire to examine that further. But they suddenly found themselves out in the light of the moon.
"We need to go. Take me to Appa and we can get away under the cover of night."
No. Frisk grabbed his arm. We finish this now. Kill the Fire Lord and his daughter.
"Uh… Can you use those fingers again?"
"she wants to kill the fire lord now kid."
"What? Now? I've only mastered air and have barely got fire down!"
"I'm with her." Undyne stepped forward and made her case known. "Here and now in his sleep? Should be easy enough."
"Wait. Hold on. This is happening too fast. I just got beaten to the edge of death and you want me to take on the head honcho like this?"
"honestly, i don't care either way."
"Sans!"
"what? the kid's right. he's in no shape to fight. "
We are. Frisk cracked her knuckles.
"check out the little mute! the psychopaths grow up so fast!"
"Psychopath? Hardly? She's 1000% right Sans! Think of the honor! The prestige! The glory! Just you wait Undyne! Wait till you see what I can do!"
"Uh, yeah. Papyrus, maybe you shouldn't…"
"your glory ain't gonna mean a damn thing if there's air where your head used to be bro. get it? air?"
"I see your sense of humor hasn't improved in exile." Undyne turned to Aang.
"I understand your concern. But you'll have us with you. Everyone important is asleep and we have the element of surprise. We could save countless lives that would otherwise be lost to war. We may not get another chance like this."
He paused. He couldn't deny the logic. But his body wouldn't listen. Until Frisk turned him towards her and broke his doubt with one word.
Gyatso.
"Ok. Let's do it. Let's end this."
….
"Careful Frisk. We don't want to leave a blood trail. Try to knock them out if possible."
The girl in question shot a nasty look back Undyne's way but complied. Despite her every instinct telling her to tear them apart.
"Looks like the inner chambers are through here. This is it. We could end this war tonight. Are you ready?"
Frisk nodded and strode forward past them all.
"think she was talking to the Avatar kid. but good to see you're so eager! why don't you take the kids ahead captain? i'll just make sure nobody comes sneaking up behind."
"Typical Sans! All right Fire Lord! Here we come!"
"Papyrus! Seriously! Keep it down! Didn't I teach you that!?"
"you ok kid?"
"No! No, I'm not! I'm not ready for this! I'm not!"
The bald jokester smiled sadly and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"aw hell. the spirits are cruel. forcing a 12-year-old boy to do this." He sighed and shook his head.
"i wish i could do more for you kid. all i can say is to focus on the end. focus on everyone you're saving by doing this. the world will forgive you. even if you can't forgive yourself."
Aang stared into the man's eyes. He saw him clearly for the first time. Underneath the jokes and the slippers was a hurt man. Aching like him. He nodded and followed his comrades deeper into the palace.
Azula's room is that way. Frisk moved off in that direction. Aang tried to stop her but was himself stopped by Undyne.
"No. We have our own job. Come along."
While Papyrus and Frisk went off after the princess, Undyne dragged Aang to the Fire Lord's bedroom. She peaked in and grimaced.
"The face of evil. It's judgement time for this bastard."
She pulled Aang into the room. They stood at the end of the bed. She nodded at Aang and made a killing motion with her fingers.
This was it. The moment of truth. He gripped his staff. Could he do it? Could he really do it again?"
"Now Avatar. It's your destiny."
"Listen to the nice lady brother. Do it for us. For you. For me. Prove your LOVE."
He closed his eyes and breathed in deep. The memories came back. The skeletons. His hands lit with flames.
"Augh!"
Papyrus' screams from a couple rooms over made the Fire Lord open his eyes. Without question, he rolled out of bed into a fighting position.
"The Avatar. A mere guard. A mere child. Is this what our nation has feared for so long?"
"For good reason! You're gonna pay for all you've done you evil bastard!"
The Fire Lord grinned cracked his knuckles.
"You know at this moment I only have one true regret. My father never thought I was worthy of the throne. If only he could see me now."
With that, he launched fireballs at the two who dodged as best they could. Both were skilled dodgers, but the Fire Lord was something else.
"Damn it! My arm!"
"Undyne! Hold on I- Crap!"
The Fire Lord backhanded him, and he collided against the wall. He heard a laugh and slowly eased his head up to stare his enemy in the eyes.
"Is that really all you had? 100 years of battle all to end with a malnourished little boy? Oh well. Victory is boring."
His hands lit up fire. But before he could deliver the final blow, a gust of air knocked him into the other wall.
"beating up on little kids? what a manly man you are. you haven't got any balls!"
Aang stared amazed. Sans was fighting? What next? Goats would fall from the sky? He got interrupted by barking.
"Momo! I almost forgot about you! Still flying silly dog!?"
The dog suddenly stopped barking and flew around behind him. Aang was confused until he turned to the doorway.
Princess Azula stood in the doorway. Each of her hands gripping the neck of Frisk and Papyrus. Her eyes were trained on the Avatar and her expression livid.
"Get her, brother. Make her know how it feels to lose everything."
He dodged her blast of fire and launched a gust of wind. She jumped over the gust and returned her own volley.
"Get back Avatar! Let me- "
"No! Get them out! She's mine!"
The captain found herself surprised by his sudden aggression but headed his command and retrieved their injured companions.
"Well look at that. Putting your "friends" before yourself again. Such a noble soul."
"I'm here for your father. Not you!"
"No. You're here for our way of life! Our mission to save the world! You want the weak to rule! The peaceful! You want everyone to live up on a mountain and waste their lives away! I won't have that! I won't have any of that!"
"So, you want to save the world? Through bloodshed? Torture? Your ancestors killed my friends! My family! How can you justify that?"
His temper got the better of that and he threw more volleys at her. She managed to dodge, albeit with some difficulty. Impressive considering, they were launched by a tired, hurt, tortured child.
"The ends justify the means. The ends being of course, power! Strength! The more you kill, the easier it becomes. When you can do that without faltering, without cracking, think of all you can accomplish! Observe!"
She moved her hands in a familiar motion. Aang tried to move but let himself grabbed from behind.
"Ty lee, let go!"
"Sorry Kuzon. Really. Forgive me."
"I'm sorry too."
He elbowed her in the chest and knocked her aside. He didn't have time now to move so he acted on instinct and launched a tornado.
He managed to hold it back. But only for so long. The lightning grazed his shoulder. At full strength, he might have been able to come back from that. But in his weakened state, he fell to the ground.
"Nice job Ty lee. Now to finish this. What a fitting accomplishment. Fire Lord Azula. Slayer of the Avatar!"
"Azula, wait!"
"Not happening Ty. I told you. He's the enemy."
"He's our friend! We can make him see…"
"I said move!"
She threw her aside and kneeled before the Avatar. She lit her fist and was then hit with an experience unlike anything she'd ever seen.
"Die! Go to hell and die you evil bitch! Die! Die! Die!"
The girl had appeared from nowhere and was struggling with her. Her hands were around her neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ty lee sitting there watching with fear.
Why won't she help me? She's useless! Everyone's useless!
She blew fire into the girls' face, but she dodged! Azula suddenly recognized the girl.
The mute? How can she have this strength!? What's going on!?
With no other options, she had to use her fists to punch her off. When she finally did, Ty lee rushed over to help. Both stared at the Avatar rising to his feet and apparently arguing with himself.
"No. No. No! What did you do? You tried to kill her! Why? Why?"
"You're crazy. A mad dog who needs to be put down…"
She raised her hand to put him down. But he reacted as if he were possessed and suddenly shot fire at her.
"Ha! You mean to use fire against me, airbender? Your own teacher? Time for your lesson schoolboy!"
She pushed back. Her own flame was blue. Stronger. Hotter. And he was tired. Weak.
"Finally! After 100 years, I did it! You see this Zuzu! I'm about to kill the last airbender!"
Airbender. He came back to his senses. He was a Firebender. And an airbender! And a master one at that! Time to show why!
In his other hand, he conjured a ball of air. After building up enough, he used it to fuel the flames.
Steadily it began to grow larger than Azula's. Her eyes grew wide with shock.
"How…"
"I'm the avatar. That's how!"
Both then lost the energy to keep their fire burning. Aang took advantage of that sudden lapse and launched himself across the room on top of her.
"Wait Kuzon! Stop!"
Ty lee grabbed his staff. The anger in his eyes turned to annoyance as he turned to her.
"This has to happen. Let go."
"No! It doesn't! You consider her a friend! And whether she admits it or not, she considers you a friend too!"
Everyone in the room paused. An awkward pause to be sure.
"Don't you remember the campfire? Don't you remember the stories you told? Don't you realize how similar you are? Don't you realize that Azula's suffered like you have? That she's doing this because she doesn't think she has any other choice? Just like you don't think you have any other choice?"
"You don't have another choice. We all know it."
"But you do have another choice! You both do! And it doesn't have to be this! It doesn't have to end this way! I'm begging you, Kuzon! I know Azula can be cruel and selfish and even totally blind! But she's worth it! Just like you're worth it!"
He stared at the princess. Lying down on the ground. His hand around her throat. She didn't look like the monster he feared. She looked like a scared child.
"Don't be fooled. She's dangerous. She'll kill you if you don't kill her."
"Aang. I believe the best in you. I believe you are good. I want you to believe that. Even if no one else does."
"Do it! Kill her! Kill the bitch! Do it now!"
No. He couldn't do it. Whether a sign of weakness or strength, he couldn't do it. He could subdue her though. He forced Ty lee aside and placed his foot on the princess' chest.
"You are under arrest. We can make you better. We… I can help you."
She stared at him silently for a moment then laughed. A genuine laugh.
"You can't help me. No one can."
He bit his lip. What to do? Fortunately, or unfortunately for him, fate decided.
"hey kid. sorry to interrupt your dilemma. but we gotta go. the whole fire nation army is coming."
"Wait, I have to- "
"if you couldn't kill her before, you're not going to kill her now. we gotta move."
He stared at her crippled body and nodded. He'd been spared the worst decision of his life. He'd take it as he could. He turned to leave.
"This isn't over dear Kuzon. I will find you. I will break you."
He stared at her. No matter how broken she appeared, she was still the princess of the Fire Nation. His mortal enemy.
"Maybe someday. But not today. Today I live. To fight another day. To show you that this world deserves better. That you deserve better."
He ran off. Leaving her alone with her friend and her doubts. And her anger. Her anger at the man who'd bested her. The only man who'd ever best her.
….
"Appa! I've missed you buddy! I'm so sorry I let her take you!"
The big beast groaned with pleasure at the feeling of his master's hand. He got even happier at the feeling of the little dog flying onto his head and burying himself in his fur.
"Momo's happy to see you too! Aren't you boy? Aren't you?"
"I hate to interrupt your reunion, but you won't get to enjoy it long if we can't find a way through this."
Scores of Firebenders lined the streets. The rooftops. The skies! Massive blimps formed an impenetrable circle around the rim of the volcano. They were totally booked in.
"Don't let them move! Especially the one with the slippers! He's a demon!"
The Fire lord walked shakily out of the palace. He looked like he'd been beaten nearly to the edge of death. He gazed at Sans with loathing and fear.
"You did that brother? I don't think I've ever seen you fight in my life!"
"well, you know. i might have dabbled from time to time. nothing major."
"That doesn't look like nothing major!"
"You get one chance to surrender Avatar! One chance to live!"
Frisk marched forward, eyes filled with fury. Aang held her back while Undyne stepped in front.
"We will not be hostages to be bartered! You can take our lives, but not our freedom!"
"Hold on. Is that a good idea?"
"You wanted to show them mercy, Avatar. This is the result of that!"
"Let them take us then! We can live to fight another day!"
"No. Let us die as martyrs. Better that than the slow painful death they would offer us."
Aang looked to Frisk for assistance. But she wanted a fight as well.
"So, this is what remains of the Air Nation? Or are there more of you? You will tell me everything you know!"
Despite his disheveled appearance, the Fire Lord managed to stride down the stairs on his own. An impressive display of his strength. He seemed fully prepared to do battle until Sans strode in front of Aang which caused him to stop with eyes full of fear.
"Just…. Get them! Put them in iron where they belong! My grandfather failed to destroy the Air Nomads. We will not! You will confess the truth and we will wipe your taint from this world once and for all!"
The airbenders crowded in together. The blimps offered no gap to fly through. And it was just the five of them against an entire army.
So, this is how it ends, thought Aang. All the struggle and loss. Just to die like this?
Fortunately for him, it was not to be this way.
A blimp flew in from out of nowhere and hit another blimp in the side. This in turn hit another. And another. Soon enough, all of them were knocked out of the sky, their metal falling from the sky and into the streets.
"Now!"
That word was enough to get all the airbenders to leap onto the bison.
"Yip yip!"
The bison roared in delight at hearing those words after so long and took into the sky.
The Fire Lord took off his shoes and fire erupted from his feet. He then took off into the sky after them.
"Crap! He can fly? How does that make sense?"
"This is incredible! Frigging incredible! I'm flying! I'm flying!"
"Papyrus stand down! You're going to fall off!"
That was the least of their problems since the Fire Lord was almost upon them. Until a blast of air came from the blimp that had caused all this. They turned to see who had shot it, and their eyes widened.
"Frisk, isn't that Toriel?"
Frisk didn't respond. She just stared at Toriel holding off the Fire Lord. She was amazing, floating there like that. But in terms of skill, she was outclassed.
"Toriel? Where have I heard that name?"
"We have to help her! I'm turning Appa around!"
"No! She's buying us time! We have to go! Go now and- Wait Frisk?"
Frisk leaped off of Appa and at the Fire Lord. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to hold him off Toriel.
"Frisk! Hang on!"
"No! I'll get her! You must go child! Go now!"
"Wait, Toriel!"
"No! You have to survive! Survive for her! For me!"
He stared at her, then at Frisk. She had her own eyes trained on him. Eyes still angry.
Despite the child around his neck, the Fire Lord managed to ready lightning and aim it at the bison.
"No! Go now!"
The bison just dodged and flew out towards the sea. Aang turned back to see the airbenders still struggling with the Fire Lord. Doing all they could to keep him from following.
"don't look back kid. look forward. for their sake. for all our sake."
With great difficulty, Aang followed Sans' advice and turned to the horizon. He'd failed Azula and now Frisk. His eyes were filled with tears.
….
"That was not a wise move. Did you two truly think you could stand against me?"
"It was not my intention to defeat you, you vile creature. It was to give the Avatar time to escape. In that regard, we succeeded."
"Yes. We. His mute friend chose you over him. Not a clever girl I'd say."
Frisk stood silent as usual. Her gaze was turned to Toriel. She appeared unaware of anything else going on.
"And now she will be your weakness. You will tell me all you know about the Air Nation. I've fought six of them today. Clearly Sozin's campaign was not entirely successful. You will tell me all you know about the survivors. Especially that one with the slippers. Or this girl will pay the price."
"No. No hurt me. She's a child!"
"All the more reason to show her pain. You're old. Set in your ways. Her mind may still be molded."
Frisk spit him in the face. He merely wiped it and backhanded her.
"Frisk! You'll pay for that you scum!"
"I highly doubt it. Prepare them for departure to the Boiling Rock. Let's see how long their spirits last in there."
"Frisk. Please just talk! They'll make it easier on you!"
Frisk just stared at Ty lee but made no comment as the guards led her away.
"Frisk, please!"
"That's enough Ty lee. She's not our friend. She's a traitor. You're dismissed."
"Azula- "
"I said dismissed!"
She wanted to continue the debate, but Azula's glare shut her up. She bowed respectfully and saw herself from the room.
"Your taste in friends is rather poor daughter. As apparently is your skill."
"My skill? Father what- "
"All those years of training and you couldn't beat a tortured boy? Maybe Zuko wasn't the failure after all."
She exploded. How dare he compare her to that weakling?
"I am nothing like Zuko! I'm not! I never have been! I'll show you! I'll find him! I'll find the Avatar! I'll find his air friends! I'll do it all! You'll see!"
She kneeled before her father. His face was impassive.
"I am your humble servant! Your greatest weapon! Use me as such and I swear I will succeed! I will bring you the Avatar! Bring you his head! I will not fail! I swear it on Agni himself!"
"Will you? That's quite a promise? Are you sure your determination is strong enough?"
"It has never been stronger!"
He smiled and nodded in approval.
"That's more like it. Yes. I think it's time to see how much you've really learned. But more than that. It's time to turn up the pressure. Show those savages out there we mean business."
"What do you have in mind father?"
"Sozin's comet is less than a year away. Before it arrives, we must assure anyone who can possibly threaten us is out of the way. They thought my father was brutal. Azulon?"
He grinned. "They don't know brutality. They will learn. We will cover the entire Earth Kingdom. Take every city. Ensure the avatar has nowhere to hide anymore. Him or his weak-willed people."
"My thoughts exactly father. How shall we begin?"
"Omashu. Home of the mad King Bumi. With him removed, Ba Sing Se will be the last stronghold in the Earth Kingdom. We must take it before the comet comes. Bring the Earth Kingdom to heel."
"And the Avatar with it."
"Don't fail me Azula. Don't be like your brother. You let the Avatar use you and manipulate you. Don't let him do that again."
"Oh, don't worry father. I'll make him pay. For everything."
Just wait my dear airbender. This will end with my boot on your neck. And that will be your future. Smashing your hopes and dreams into dust for the rest of you days.
Oh, she couldn't wait to see him again.
….
"It should take us at least a month to reach the underground at this speed. This bison is very reliable."
"Oh, wait till I land with this beauty and the Avatar! They'll all want to be my friends now!"
"Papyrus, this is about more than friendship. This is about war. When the Avatar arrives, it will likely be the call for Asgore to announce our joining the battle properly."
"I am fully aware of that! I'll show those fire bastards! We'll march right back there and throw that Fire Lord off his high and mighty throne! It's going to be glorious Undyne! I won't let you down! Oh, and my spaghetti! I've really worked on that!"
"I… Heh. Spaghetti. It's good to have you back Papyrus. I missed you. Really."
"Yeah. Me too Undyne."
On the other side of the bison Sans tried to talk with the avatar.
"you're mad huh? not that i blame you."
"No. Not mad. Sad. I failed everyone. I failed my people when I ran. I failed Azula when I couldn't free her from her father's influence. And I failed Frisk when I couldn't save her! How can I save the world with a resume like that?"
"you do what you can. i'd say you've got a good start so far. and hey! you get to meet more airbenders right? that's something to look forward to!"
"The airbenders in the awful underground? What will they say when they see me?"
"i can't say, but i think you'll be the first bit of good news in a long time."
"Me? Good news? I've never been that for anyone."
"well that's about to change kid. you've got us and the whole world on your side. except for the fire nation i suppose."
"I… I don't know if it will be enough. But I'll try."
"that's the spirit kiddo. all you can do is try."
Aang nodded and continued to handle the reigns. Momo lay curled up beside him. His sister on his other side.
"You think you've proven me wrong? Just because you held off back there? We both know that's not your nature. "
"Yes, it is. Who I used to be is not who I am now."
"Bullshit. I know better. You still have that urge. That urge to hurt. To share the pain. The nomads never really beat that out of you. No matter how hard they tried."
"I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm not going to turn out how dad wanted me. I'm going to fight for the world. Whatever it takes."
"Oh sure. Master all four elements and beat your girlfriend and her daddy before the comet comes. Do you truly think that's possible?" She laughed.
"Why not? I survived 100 years. I mastered airbending. That's what the Avatar does. Master the impossible."
"And how did you master airbending? What's the technique you came up with? Do you remember that? It certainly wasn't the air scooter!"
He breathed in deep and turned away. A hard thing to do.
"I'm sorry Chara. I'm sorry for what happened to you. But I've got a job to do. And I won't do it the way you want me to."
She kept smiling. Unfazed.
"Such sweet lies. I look forward to seeing you proven wrong."
He stared off into the horizon, thinking off the immense task that awaited him. Everything he had to do. Master the two remaining elements. Bring the Air Nation back. Defeat the Fire Lord before the comet came. Save Frisk. And Azula… he would have to face her again. And what would he do then?
"You'll do the right thing."
He turned to see another airbender. A ghost. And a woman too. Not something he saw much of even before he ran away.
"Let me guess. One of my past lives?"
"Avatar Yangchen. I wanted to meet the new avatar. You have quite the task ahead of you."
"I know. And I'm only 12! I don't think I can handle it."
"I know you can. You've done it before. You can do it again."
"How? How can I do it? How do you know that?"
"Because I'm you."
He felt the tears in his eyes again. The burden was beginning to dawn on him. It was too much. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Care to talk? You have many challenges before you. But you've already dealt with much. I can tell."
"I… You mean you'll listen? To everything I say?"
"Whatever you want to talk about. I'm happy to hear."
He wiped his eyes and nodded. Looking back, he could see the other airbenders asleep. It was just him and her.
"Ok. Let me tell you."
As he talked with his past life, he felt better. Her words of encouragement helped soothe his worries. Over time, the sorrow in his heart was replaced with something else.
His heart was filled with determination.
End of book 1! Thanks to all who read it! I don't know when I can start on the next book. Originally, I was going to make all the books separate stories on this site. But then I figured eh, might as well make it al the same thing. So, whenever I star Book 2: Earth, you don't have to look for another story. Just look for the next update to this story. Thanks again!