"So. Here we are."
King Asgore looked around the table. Captain Undyne, Alphys, Papyrus, his brother, and of course the Avatar all had a seat.
The table was set outside in the sun in the ruins of the old temple. Not something they dared to do often. But this was a special occasion.
"After a century of war, here we are. A chance to give our youth a life. A life we never could get. A life my son could never get."
Everyone grew tense and uncomfortable. Except Asgore, whose face showed rage. Aang knew better than to press him on that. However much he wanted to. Finally the king spoke again.
"For that to take place however, we need allies. We must rally those that have sat on the sidelines for too long. I have already begun such preparations. And for that, we need you and your brother Papyrus."
"Me?" Papyrus sat up.
"Since you helped bring the avatar home and proved yourselves in lands outside our control, I think you two are the perfect candidates to represent us to general Fong. I've been in contact with him. He has a plan to move us into some of the colonies. From that, we can begin to push the ash makers back on multiple fronts and deny them fronts of power."
"Wow. I have no idea what you said. But rest assured, I will not fail!"
"Your highness," Undyne spoke up. "Are you sure about this?"
"relax undyne," Sans intervened. "with me there, nothing bad's gonna happen."
Undyne nodded though not showing signs that she fully believed him.
"And the Avatar must go to the capitol of Ba Sing Se. We've heard no contact from the city for some time. But if the Avatar himself shows up. Well, that's a different case."
Aang chuckled.
"An Avatar who can bend only air and fire. That'll give them confidence"
"You haven't mastered Earth or water?"
"Nope. Don't know teachers for either."
The King folded his arms and thought for a moment.
"You lived a hundred years ago correct? Did you ever know someone called king Bumi?"
Aang's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
….
"Admiral Zhao? It's been a long time!"
"Indeed it has. And for good reason. The Earth Kingdom has become even more chaotic. Rebel groups have begun to spring up."
"Yes, we've heard. Had to deal with some yourself correct?"
"That's right. A particularly dangerous group. One so dangerous, I couldn't trust just anyone to deliver them. I had to be here in person to ensure their leader is put where he belongs."
"Must be some leader to get this kind of treatment."
"You have no idea. Just take a look."
An elderly man bound in iron was brought forward. One look at him caused the soldiers to drop their jaws.
"It can't be. General Jeong Jeong?"
"Yes. The first to defect. He went into hiding in the Earth Kingdom and took over charge of a group of youngsters. It was a tough battle Lost a lot of good men. But we got the bastard."
"Yes. We can see that. It's understandable that you would want to see this carried out in person. It's quite the catch."
"Indeed. And I intend to see him put in the Boiling Rock where he belongs. If you'll just let me through."
"Yes of course Admiral. Congratulations on your success. And on your promotion!"
As soon as they were through the blockade and the ships were out of sight, the true power balance asserted itself. The guards removed the irons from Jeong Jeong's hands and placed them on Zhao's hands.
"Impressive acting skills, my old student. I am glad you developed at least one talent. Or are you always so arrogant?"
"I have a right to be arrogant old man. I devoted my life to the advancement of an entire nation. And from that the betterment of the world! Meanwhile, you ran off and hid in the jungle!"
"Yeah. And now we're bringing the jungle to the Fire Nation, sideburns."
Zhao looked Jet's way. He seemed awfully pleased with that "roast."
"Nice. Real nice. I'm shaking in my boots from that. Future terror of the Fire Nation here."
"Silence. Both of you. We have reached the ocean. We have passed beyond the limits of the river and the fish within. We have glimpsed the impossible. That which they never could. And now we must bring that knowledge, that perspective and deliver it to the victims of fire. Trapped in a cloud of propaganda-filled smoke!"
Everyone stared at Jeong Jeong with the same expression. WTF?
….
"This way sir. Please lay your hand down."
"No, please! There's no need to remove my arm! I'm fine!"
"I'm not removing your arm sir. I'm healing it. Just let me see it please."
The man seemed hesitant but laid his arm down.
Katara manipulated a drop of water and placed it upon the man's wound. He twitched but loosened up as the wound closed.
The man looked over the healed arm astonished.
"I… Thank you. Are you like…. A spirit or something?"
"No. Just a kid trying to do the right thing."
"You're not just a kid. You're clearly more. Much more. Thank you."
"Another satisfied customer," Haru grinned from the corner at Katara's handiwork. "What would we have done without you?"
"You'd be screwed. That's what."
He laughed. "We'd certainly have a way harder time. A lot more irreplaceable body parts." His smile faded.
"Truth be told I uh… I reckon you're probably more vital than me. They could do with the loss of one mediocre Earthbender. But a powerful waterbender and healer? Not a chance."
Katara hit him on the shoulder.
"Don't ever sell yourself short like that. We'd never make it this far without your commitment. You risked your life to get your father out of jail. None of this would be possible without you."
"Oh please. You both have done amazing. You and your bending."
Sokka sat in the corner as well with his hands folded. He'd been acting in a strange mood since they parted ways. And Katara knew exactly why.
"You're upset that you can't bend? Why? Because you think that means you're not useful?"
Sokka didn't respond. He just continued to give the glare. Haru responded first.
"Nonsense! Don't ever think that! You're the idea guy! We couldn't do it without you and your plans!"
"Hmph. Yeah. But that's all I've got. And until recently. There was one other who I felt got that."
"Suki," Katara responded. "Have you spoken to her yet?"
"No! How am I supposed to? How do you ask her what it's like being an airbender? I mean there's like no other in the world!"
"Except the Avatar," Haru said.
"Yeah, and where is he? Somewhere in the Fire Nation according to Zhao. He can't help her."
"No. But we can. You can."
Sokka stared at Katara.
"Please explain how exactly I can possibly help her with this?"
"By being yourself."
"Seriously?"
"Well… Ok. Maybe no. But you can be nice. Listen to her. She'll appreciate it."
"I don't know what you kids are talking about. But before you do whatever it is you want to do, maybe you can lend me your ears a moment?"
"Father," Haru exclaimed excitedly. "How are they holding up."
"Quite well. That's another tribe restored. In no small part thanks to you and your friends."
"Just doing the right thing for the world," Katara rubbed the back of her head.
"Nonsense. You've done more than that. You've devoted your lives to our cause. You've done so much for us. And that's why I think it's time we did something for you. Although to be frank, it helps us as well so to claim it's purely selfless would be a lie."
The children tilted their heads in confusion. That was quite a mouthful. Sokka asked the question on their minds.
"Sorry. Not sure we understand. What are you talking about."
"Apologies. Rantings of an old man and all that. I'm saying we've found the location of your father. Hakoda of the Water Tribe. He's been captured by a Fire Nation force two day's sail from here."
Both Water Tribe siblings stared at each other. In lives such as theirs, good news was shocking indeed.
….
"So. The prince of Fire. And the Dragon of the West. Even here, we've heard of you."
Asgore's face showed genuine anger. Not something Aang figured he showed often. But this was a special occasion.
The old man (The Dragon of the West) bowed respectfully. The boy continued scowled. It wouldn't have been very intimidating coming from a teenager if that teenager didn't have a huge scar on his face. After his time with Azula, Aang was pretty sure how he'd gotten it.
"So the rumors were true. A colony of airbenders right under our noses. It's a pleasure to meet you err… Your highness? Is that how they- "
"Shut your mouth sir."
The dragon seemed genuinely surprised. The prince took this chance to intervene.
"You dare talk that way to the Fire royal family? You'll die for this!"
"Zuko! Be quiet!"
Asgore's hand shot out and grabbed the boy around the throat.
"Woah," Aang exclaimed. "I did not see that coming! Your highness, wait!"
"I died a long time ago boy. Thanks to you and that bastard on the throne. We will have justice for that. I will have justice for that."
"Your highness, please be reasonable. He didn't mean it. He's just a boy," Iroh pleaded.
"So was mine," Asgore growled.
Just when they thought the boy would suffocate, Asgore let him loose.
The dragon looked Zuko over and stared up at the king.
"Thank you. I can't imagine that's easy for you."
"Don't mistake this for mercy general Iroh. We've simply been convinced by one of our own that you'd be more useful alive. When the time comes, you will help us to conquer your nation. Whether you want to or not."
Asgore turned around.
"I… I haven't felt like that since…. Well, never mind. I don't want to think about it. Don't spend too long here with them."
And just like that the king left the Avatar alone with Azula's brother and uncle. Awkward.
"So. The Fire Lord's greatest threat. Just a kid."
"Doesn't matter," coughed Zuko. "I'm bringing you in. Just like the rest of your people. Just like that girl. I will restore my honor."
"What girl?"
"Don't give me that! All airbenders know each other don't they? The girl with the green armor and the face paint?"
Aang tilted his head.
"Huh. I'll have to keep that in mind." Aang got a little closer.
"So you're the prince? Princess Azula's brother?"
Zuko's face turned white.
"I'm the heir to the throne. That's how you address me. Not Azula's brother!"
"Zuko. Zuko. Kindness. So, you know his sister."
Aang remained silent for a moment.
"No. I don't think I'll ever know her."
Zuko actually smiled at that.
"You and me both. So you met her? How's the bitch doing?"
Aang bit her lip.
"That bad eh," Zuko chuckled. "I'll bet! She had you in her clutches and you gave her the slip! After all that talk about her being born lucky…"
"She's not lucky. She's miserable. Angry. Scared. She misses you."
Zuko stared.
"Nonsense. She doesn't miss me. She smiled when I got this." He pointed to his face.
"Did…. Did she give you that?"
Zuko didn't answer so Iroh did.
"His father."
Aang let out a slight breath. He'd hoped for that in truth. If Azula had done that, she really might have been too far gone too…. Well he didn't want to believe that about anyone.
"And she loved it. She loved watching my pain. All I went through. My father said she was born lucky and that I was lucky to be born. Guess you proved her wrong." He grinned.
"And yet you failed too. And we're going to take back what you stole. The temples will rise again. This war will end."
"I hope you're right," Iroh said sadly. "I think we've all had enough of blood. I wish the same could be said for your people."
"Excuse me?"
"I had heard that the air nomads were against violence of any kind. Clearly, that rule has been abandoned."
Aang felt his temperature rise. Don't let him get to you. Keep it together. Use the air. Breathe.
"You're one to talk about killing. Don't try and compare our two nations."
"We're doing it to save you morons! You- "
"Zuko. Hush. I apologize Avatar. I do not wish to condone our own actions."
"You shouldn't. After all if it weren't for you, they wouldn't have been reduced to this. Forced to use these methods. We'd still be free. Everyone I knew. Alive. My life. Still worth living."
He'd had enough. He turned to leave. Iroh had one last thing to say.
"Stay true to yourself young Avatar. Many uphold their beliefs until it inconvenient to do so. If you want to change this world for the better, uphold them even when it is difficult."
Aang stared for a moment. Then nodded and left. HE heard Zuko curse behind him.
"This isn't over. You hear me? This is not over! I'll find you! And I'll show you to that bitch! Then we'll see who's lucky! Then we'll see!
….
"So the boy from the forest comes to the land of fire. With a blade in each hand and driven by ire."
Jet stared out the window. It wouldn't be long now. Soon the assault upon the Fire Nation would being. Justice would be his.
"A peace of flesh filled with fear. You follow the general who all revere."
"Hey Jet! Here you are! What are you doing down here? Come up and feel the air!"
"Boy or girl? None can tell. So you follow the one everyone calls swell."
Smellerbee did not notice the boy with the doll in his hand. Nor did she question the way he held his hand over his face. She and Longshot were staring at Jet.
"I can't. I feel like… I dunno. I need to get used to this. Being inside a ship and everything."
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
"I figure it's gonna be like this for a while. No more trees to hide in. We need to keep our heads down."
"But we're here to fight! Not cower!"
"Of course not. But until we're strong enough to take them out ourselves, we need to play ball. Help this crazed general.
"A friend of the general of fire. Come to end your reign of tire."
The kids stared at each other. Smellerbee spoke first since Longshot spoke… Well, never.
"But we gonna give him the same send off?"
Jet smiled.
"Of course. He's more fire loving scum. Can't trust him. He'll keep us around until he secures the throne and then…" He made a slitting motion across his throat.
"We have to take him out before that. Maybe him and the Fire Lord at the same time."
The three nodded. Jet placed his hands on both their shoulders.
"Stay true my friends. All our struggles, losses, and victories have led up to this moment. We're going to save the world. This is our destiny."
"The leader of freedom in the jungles he lived. On the currents of air you swore through tree after tree. In the prison of fire, you will encounter the air. For the sake of the world, you must set her free."
The boy walked out past them all. The kids stared at one another.
"What the hell just happened?"
"You felt that too?"
"Yeah. What the hell?"
….
She kept her eyes closed. Her armor lay in a pile by her side. Her face paint had been wiped off. She wasn't a Kyoshi Warrior at the moment. Just Suki.
She reached out and found the air currents. The sole scroll she had found about airbending had told her to be like the leaf.
Be like the leaf? What does that mean? She was still pondering that for a time.
But she'd eventually picked up on the air all around. Not intentionally at first. The first time she realized she could actually gain some control over it was when she had used it to get back at her local bully. It wasn't her fault. Really. She didn't know what had happened. She'd just gotten angry and next thing she knew the girl had seemingly gotten pushed off the bridge by an invisible force. She'd never told anyone. Never would.
"Psst. Hey. Quit fighting."
She turned to a boy with an exceptionally large head. An ugly head!
"What do you mean quit fighting?"
"I mean be like the leaf."
She stared. Resisting the urge to turn away from the hideous face.
"Where did you hear that?"
"You're an airbender right? Go with the wind. Let the air guide you. Don't fight it."
"I really don't understand what you're saying. How do I not fight it?"
The boy pulled out a leaf and let it rise from his hand. The leaf floated about making circles in the air and floating away.
"Hey. See that? You see that? I'm not directing the leaf. Not really. The wind's going that way and so I'm just letting it go that way. You see?"
Suki Followed his hand as he pointed out towards the sea. The direction the leaf had gone.
"The air is blowing that way. So when you make your moves, go with the wind not against it."
Suki raised an eyebrow. But she took a leaf and used the air to lift it into the sky.
"Yeah. Yeah, that's it. Now just let the wind carry it. All you've got to do is give it a little push. Work with it. Not against it."
She did that. Or at least she thought she did. But she bent the air in the direction it was meant to go. Not the other way. And it worked! The leaf went where she wanted!
"Yeah. Not bad. Good job. You can probably od the job. But hey listen. Don't tell anyone where you got that ok?"
"Who are you?"
"Hey Suki! We're moving out!"
To her shock, Sokka ran past the boy. Like he didn't even notice him.
"It's our dad! We know where he is! We're going to go help him!"
Suki stared at the boy. He smiled back.
"Hey. Maybe don't tell anyone about me ok? Don't want them thinking you're crazy right?"
"Suki. Is something wrong?"
Suki stared back at Sokka. She tried to look calm.
"No more wrong than normal. Guess that's the best you can do in this world."
….
"I uh… I just want to say avatar. Uh… That it's an honor to be traveling with you."
Aang smiled at Alphys' nervousness.
"We haven't even begun traveling yet. Don't put me on a pedestal!"
"No of course not! It's just that… Well I never thought I'd be doing this."
"None of us did," Papyrus exclaimed as he entered the room followed by his brother. He'd never seemed so excited. "I thought the most I'd do in life would be leading the guard! And now look at me! I found the Avatar and now I'm about to lead an all-out assault on the ash makers themselves!"
"And what's so wrong with leading the guard?"
"Oh Undyne! You know I meant nothing bad by it! I simply thought leading it would be the extent of my achievements! But before that, I get to do this!"
"Yes. I suppose you do." Undyne placed her hand on Papyrus' shoulder.
"Remember your training. And you, lazy. Look after your brother, ok?"
"do you really need to ask? i'm lazy. not immoral."
Undyne nodded and paused as if thinking it over. Then she hugged them both.
"I'll admit. I didn't really think you'd come back. You proved me wrong. Now prove me wrong again."
"We will," said Papyrus. "Don't you worry."
"I can't help it. I have to worry. Guess that's why they made me captain." She pulled away and looked towards the Avatar and Alphys.
"We're putting all our hopes on you Avatar. Make the most of it."
"Heh. No pressure." Aang rubbed the back of his head.
Sans patted him on the back of the head.
"aw, don't sweat it kid. you can do it. you just gotta have a little faith in yourself. and make sure your head ain't full of air."
Aang groaned.
"That wasn't funny the first 20 or so times you said that you know."
"fine! excuse me for caring!"
"Yes. Thank you for caring. And good luck."
That made Sans grin again. Undyne took that moment to speak.
"Once you've acquired your friend from Omashu and formed an alliance with the Earth King, send a message back and let us know. We'll join you for war."
"Right war. Yay."
"That's the spirit I suppose."
That voice came from a boy with a cross on his chest. He looked sad.
"They all seem so hopeful. You give them that hope. Don't lose it."
Aang blinked and the kid was gone. He stared at the others. It didn't appear that they'd seen anything.
"I'm uh… I need some fresh air. I'll see you at dinner."
Aang walked outside the temple and looking out over the horizon. His mind was all over the place. Concentrated on so many different things. Like he was a kid again.
"Pardon? Are you the avatar?"
He turned around to a woman with a man and a young girl in between them. The adults looked somewhat wary of the boy. While the girl stared in fascination.
"Apparently. Yes, I know. I can't believe it either."
"Oh no! We didn't mean that! Only that- "
"How can you be the avatar? You're a kid like me!"
Aang smiled at the girl.
"That's the same thing I thought. Guess it isn't something you get to choose."
"Are you going to kill the Fire Lord?"
The man hushed her while the woman looked away from the Avatar.
"What? He has to right? Isn't that his job?"
"I'd rather not."
They stared. The woman broke the silence first.
"I admit I find that hard to believe. Didn't he imprison and try to kill you?"
"Yes. He did." Aang breathed in deep.
"But the monks told me to rise above all that. To be better than or instincts would make us. Whatever he's done, he's still a human being. He still deserves life."
The three of them stared. This was clearly not a sentiment they were used to hearing.
"Wow," the man said. "They really brainwashed you back then huh?"
"Brainwashed?"
"Love." The woman shook her head at the man and turned back to the Avatar.
"I apologize for that. We simply find it amazing that you can still hold on to those beliefs after all you've seen."
"Too true," the man acknowledged. "I just hope the world doesn't beat that out of you."
"You and me both sir."
"So you aren't gonna kill him? Then how are you gonna stop him," the girl asked.
"Uh… Still working on that."
"And what about his daughter," the woman asked.
Aang's eyes widened.
"His daughter?"
"You met her, didn't you? She's still there in the Fire Nation isn't she? How was she? Is she doing all right?"
Aang couldn't hide his confusion. Why did this woman on the other side of the world give a hoot about the daughter of the enemy? The man thought so to and interrupted.
"We only ask out of curiosity. We've heard many horror stories about the Fire Nation Royal Family. We wanted to know it was true."
"Well, you've got two members of that family right here below us. Why don't you ask them?"
"Zuko…" The Man corrected himself. "The prince may be biased in his assessment."
Aang didn't miss that. Somehow, these people knew the prince personally. Not that they'd admit it he reckoned.
"It's true. What you hear. The Fire Lord is a tyrant. And from what I've seen of his children, a terrible father."
The woman began shaking. She couldn't hide the tears anymore.
"I… I see. Thank you avatar. I… If you mean what you say about the Fire Lord deserving life, does that include his daughter too?"
"Yes. For all her faults, I believe she does."
He could swear he heard Azula laughing at his naivety. The woman smiled, however.
"With someone like you, maybe there is hope for them after all."
The woman ran off with tears in her eyes. The man apologized for her inexplicable behavior.
"We're sorry for all you've suffered because of us. Truly we are."
"Us?"
"Sorry. The Fire Nation. We're sorry for all you've suffered because of them. I wish you the best of luck in your adventures."
He dragged the girl away, despite her insistence that she stay.
"But I wanna play with the Avatar!"
"He's not a toy. Give him some space."
He was alone again. With his thoughts and that women's words.
"With someone like you, maybe there is hope for them after all."
With someone like him, how could there be hope for anyone?
….
"So, this is where you lived."
"Princess?"
"Not you Li."
"Oh. Apologies. It's getting late princess. Perhaps we should return to the ship."
"No. I'm going to sleep here. Get some perspective. Appreciation for what I have."
"Are you sure? We haven't explored the entire ruins."
"It'll be good training then. You may leave Li."
The old woman wanted to argue again, but her sister Lo shook her head. They bowed and walked to the ship.
Azula stared at the statues of the avatars. Well more precisely, the most recent incarnation. Avatar Roku.
"Thank you for your failure."
She walked out and followed the trails of ash to the bodies. Or more specifically, the skeletons of fire nation soldiers lying before the corpse of an air nomad.
She looked over the skeleton and then took notice of her surroundings.
It appeared that the destruction of the building was more recent. It looked like wind damage. Heavy wind damage.
She grinned. The Avatar. He'd been here. He'd seen the corpse. He reacted.
"Don't worry Kuzon. You'll join them soon enough."