Katara: The Next Avatar
Chapter Three
An Old Friend
It was midnight by the time the Water Tribe family made it to the Southern Temples. With some rest, Katara kept them moving at a steady pace, cutting through the waves as quick as a shark, but not so fast she'd tire out. She took frequent breaks as well, letting Hakoda and Sokka paddle to keep her strength in case they needed a quick escape. Other than the occasional blubbered seal or penguin, the trip was largely uneventful.
She gave one final push to land, beaching the canoe as Sokka jumped out to tie them down. Hakoda helped her as she stepped onto solid ground. The sand and dirt were…strange. Quite different from the usual snow and ice she walked on. Far more steady. She shed her fluffy overcoat a while back for freedom of movement but put it back on as she explored their new surroundings. These islands were mountainous, large formations of rock reached high into the sky and were surrounded by vegetation.
"Ok…the Southern Air Temples." Katara thought aloud. "You think I'd learn anything about airbending if we could reach them?" she asked.
"Maybe," Hakoda confirmed. "but the only way up would be to airbend like those old monks. Remember, we're just setting up camp for the night." He took a spear from the canoe, passing it to Sokka. "In the morning, go hunt. We'll need all the food we can carry until we can find work. For now, help me with the tent alright?"
"Got it," Sokka replied.
"Katara, go find some firewood. Just tinder and logs for now."
"On it!" She set off into the woods, collecting fallen branches and twigs. She found a pond too, with clear, clean water! However, as she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched…
xXx
"Again."
Zuko faced two of his soldiers in a 2 on 1 spar, sending blasts and arcs of fire towards his opponents. With the ship badly damaged, their best course of action was to stop for repairs at a nearby outpost. For now, the only thing to do was train. His movements were good, but his uncles sighed as he stood up.
"No Zuko!" he critiqued. "Power from firebending comes from the breath! Not the muscles!"
"Grr, I know that uncle!" Zuko growled, firing another stream of flame. Uncle shook his head, stepping up to correct his form.
"Your breath becomes energy in the body. That energy extends past your limbs and becomes fire!" Iroh emphasized his point with a practiced flare from his fist. "You're wasting your energy with your yelling."
"Enough." Zuko snapped. "Just give me the next set. I'm more than ready."
"No," Iroh refused. "you are just impatient. The basics of firebending are the root of all advanced forms. With poor roots, you will bear no fruit." He sat back down, pulling out a dish of food. "Drill it again!"
"GrrRAAAH!" Zuko screamed, overwhelming his opponent with a huge blast of flame! "Did that look weak to you?" He yelled, panting tiredly. Iroh shook his head, halting the spar. "Go take a break gentlemen." He stood again, facing the young prince as the others took a breather. "Prince Zuko. No one said you were weak."
Zuko looked away, taking deep shaky breaths. "…you're right. Sorry, uncle."
"The truth is, my nephew," Iroh smiled good-naturedly. "is that you do have innate strength in your firebending. Which is why you should take care of your ability. Bad form makes bad habits. Even the most advanced firebenders fail with poor basics." He instructed. Despite Zuko's hotheadedness, he took in every word his uncle said, trying to apply it to his bending. It was just hard, and he wanted results quickly.
"You have great potential, Prince Zuko." Iroh clapped the boy's shoulder. "Don't stunt your own growth in your haste."
"…thank you, uncle. I'll work harder."
"Good. Now, let's go over your breathing again…"
xXx
The next day…
Sokka was up early this morning.
Using a rock he found, he busied himself with sharpening his club for his hunt. He and his father set traps out last night as well, catching some squirrels and the like, but it still wasn't much. Not to mention how dull his weapon got in yesterday's fight. Fire Nation steel was no joke.
He shouldered the weapon as Katara arose as well, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "G'morning, Sokka." She greeted. He waved back as he pulled out his boomerang for sharpening as well. Feeling thirsty, Katara found her way to that pond she found. Maybe she'd collect some water for breakfast as well…
As she carried a small bowl to the pond, she thought about yesterday's events. She had hoped for so long that this day would come! Now here she was, on her Avatar journey! With Sokka and Dad at her side, she may just have a chance at mastering the elements and ending the war!
But that will take time. Time, patience, and training.
Rustle…
Jerking her head up, her train of thought was interrupted by a strange sound. When she saw the source, she promptly dropped her bowl.
Crash!
"Rrrmm?"
An enormous beast looked to where is heard the sound, mildly startled. After a moment of gazing, it sniffed the air and continued eating, foraging for fresh grass and leaves.
It didn't see the young girl hiding behind a small rock formation, who covered her own mouth to conceal her breathing.
What is that? She thought wildly. Before she could take another look, she saw her brother coming down their direction! She desperately waved him down.
"Sokka!" She mouthed. "Stay back!" But her brother didn't notice! Thinking quickly, she bent the morning dew from the grass around her and flung it at Sokka!
Splash!
"Gah! What the hell..." Sokka looked around, finally noticing Katara. And the large white animal. He immediately crouched down, making his way to Katara's hiding spot. The creature paid no heed, continuing to graze near the pond before lapping up some water. Sokka held a finger to his mouth, pulling out his boomerang.
Katara's eyes widened in realization! "No! Don't!" she whispered. But Sokka didn't listen. Aiming carefully, he flung the weapon into the air! The boomerang struck true, right on the beast's head!
"RrrOOOAAAARRR!" It bellowed, more annoyed than anything. It spotted the glinting weapon as it made its way back to the young warrior. Sokka soon realized his mistake as the beast charged, horns ready!
"GET AWAY!" Katara shouted, bending the pond to her will! The beast was doused, halting in surprise, but no less annoyed. The got a much better look at it now.
The animal was mainly white, with brown fur lining from its head to its tail and running down all six of its legs, with tough digits at the paws. The markings ended in a large arrow on the bison's forehead. Its tail resembled a beaver's, disturbing the vegetation in its wake. Sharp horns adorned the head as it pawed the ground to charge again! This time, Katara erected and ice wall between it and them, confusing the bison.
"Why did you attack it?" Katara yelled. "It hadn't noticed us yet!"
"Hey, who knows what it would've done!" Sokka argued. "For all we know, it would've gored you on…sight…LOOK OUT!" he yelled, pushing Katara out of the way. The beast crashed right through the ice and soared through the air! It was flying!
"GAH! It can FLY?" Sokka screamed. Hakoda heard the commotion and rushed outside, finding a very strange sight indeed. The angry bison snarled at the siblings, turning to wave its tail at them! They were then hit with a huge blast of air, taking them off their feet and into the woods!
"Sokka! Katara!" Hakoda shouted, gaining the beast's attention. The bison landed, pacing back and forth defensively as it kept its snarl. Hakoda leveled his spear, not taking his eyes off the raging animal. But before either one made a move, Katara, branches in her hair, ran right in front of the creature!
"Katara! Get back, it's dangerous!" Hakoda yelled. But the beast didn't charge. It kept growling, inspecting the stranger who had the audacity to sneak up on it! Katara was terrified, but her legs moved on their own, placing her right in front of the beast.
"It's ok…we're not going to hurt you." She said soothingly. The bison snorted, edging away from Katara in distrust. Katara waved at Sokka, signaling to stand down. She stepped closer, causing the beast to snarl again.
"Shh…shhh…it's ok now…" What am I doing? She wondered. She stepped a bit closer, extending her hand. The beast narrowed his eyes, cautiously sniffing the hand. This girl was…familiar somehow. As for Katara, only one word came to mind:
"Appa."
Upon hearing its name, the beast was thrown! Appa sniffed again, smelling something awfully familiar about this human. He reached out his feelings…
Then it hit him!
A huge, slimy tongue took Katara off her feet as the beast lowed in excitement. It moved closer, nuzzling the young Avatar with all the love in the world. It plopped right down on its belly as Katara giggled in amusement and astonishment at the change in behavior.
"Wait…wha…what's happening right now?" Sokka asked no one. Hakoda was just as confused. One moment this thing is trying to kill them, now it's rolling over like a long-lost pet? He and Sokka approached cautiously, causing Appa to growl again.
"Wait, it's ok!" Katara stopped the beast. "They're friends! They're my family! See?" Appa narrowed his eyes at the strangers, but they did smell like his friend. He'd keep a sharp eye on that flying weapon though.
"Katara, do you…know this thing?" Sokka asked. Katara shook her head no.
"I'm not really sure…but he sure knows me I guess!" she shrugged. Hakoda walked alongside to take a closer look. Now that he was close, Appa was wearing an extremely worn saddle, made of fabric and carefully carved wood. With no straps, it seemed like the structure was woven onto the bison's back.
"He's domesticated, or at least he was at one point…you said his name was Appa?" Hakoda asked as Katara played with her new friend. He reached up to touch the saddle. It was old, splintering to the touch from exposure to the elements. "Whoever had him last, they're definitely long gone" he commented. Appa shifted, standing back up to shake the man off. The beast huffed a bit, walking back to the pond for a drink, exposing his matted and dirty fur. Katara frowned at the sight. How long has Appa been on his own?
And how did she know his name?
"Well, it doesn't matter now." Katara decided. "You saw how Appa flew before! Maybe we won't need the canoe anymore!"
"Hold on, Katara!" Hakoda held her back for a moment. "He may be friendly now, but we don't know anything about…whatever he is." Katara brushed his hand off.
"I have a feeling Dad. I know he can help us; he just needs some love is all!" Katara ran back to the boat, grabbing her old brush. The tool might not survive this, but she can get a new one later. She ran back to the pond, approaching Appa from the front.
"Hey buddy," she greeted. "I'm gonna brush you out, ok? Get those mats out of your coat…" Appa took notice of the brush and laid down, accepting the move. Sokka and Hakoda watched as Katara got to work, slowly brushing and rinsing the once-bright fur.
"Well," Hakoda cracked his knuckles. "can't expect her to do all the work, right Sokka?" Sokka took one look at the beast and wrinkled his nose.
"I dunno Dad, Katara's got this, let's just…"
"C'mon, son. If 'Appa' here can carry us north, then let's get him ready for the journey." Hakoda reasoned, jogging towards the bison. Sokka gave a long-suffering groan but followed with a bowl to rinse.
xXx
"I want the repairs done as quickly as possible." Zuko ordered as he and Iroh stepped onto the dock. "We can't risk losing their trail."
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asked, to which Zuko snapped.
"Don't say that name around these docks!" He gestured to the other Fire Nation ships around them. "And you told the crew to stay quiet about her, right?" Iroh nodded. "Good. Once they know she's alive, the entire Fire Nation will be after her. I can't have them getting in the way!"
"Getting in the way of what," a middle-aged man said. "Prince Zuko." The approaching man was one they knew well. Much to the prince's displeasure.
"Captain Zhao." Zuko said with mock respect.
"It's Commander now." Zhao boasted. "To what do I owe the pleasure for our favorite banished prince and former General Iroh?"
Zuko held his tongue, feeling his temper rising. Zhao was intentionally taking stabs at them. Bait, nothing more. Zuko pursed his lips, letting uncle do the talking for now. "Our ship is being repaired at the moment." Iroh waved to their warship, which was easily dwarfed by the other cruisers. The entire front of their craft was crumpled like discarded paper. They had clearly limped their way back to the outpost.
"That's…quite a bit of damage." Zhao commented.
"Yes," Zuko agreed. "You wouldn't believe what happened!"
…
…
"Uncle?"
"Hmm?"
"Tell Commander Zhao what happened." Zuko passed the buck.
"Ah, yes! I will do that…" Iroh muttered. "Why it was incredible! It was an… avalanche, wasn't it?"
"Y-Yes!" Zuko confirmed. "Freak avalanche just south of here. Global warming, right?" Zhao crossed his arms.
"Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details." He said with a smirk. "Fancy a drink? The repairs should take a while."
"Sorry, but I'd rather oversee the reparations." Zuko declined. But Iroh stopped him.
"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." He admonished. "I'm sure the crew will do fine. We would be honored to join you." Iroh accepted, walking with the Commander. "Do you have Ginseng tea? It's my favorite."
Zuko growled to himself, letting some flames out in anger. Uncle's being political, trying to keep things cool so they don't seem suspicious. Zuko followed them, venting his frustration as he went.
Didn't mean he had to like it.
xXx
"How about that, feeling better?" Katara asked. Appa gave her a small lick in response. Appa was now fully brushed and clean, his pale white fur watching the snow around them. Hakoda had also removed the old saddle and started repairing it. The fine woodwork crumbled to the touch, but the hidden wooden frame was still intact. He replaced the woven fabrics with animal skins and sinews to bind it together, and with Katara's help, wove the saddle back onto the bison's back. The also broke down the canoe, using the scrapped wood to reinforce the structure and add padding. With a long rope affixed to the long horns, Appa was ready to go!
Except for one thing.
"Up?" Sokka guessed. "Fly! Uh…soar?"
No matter how much they coaxed the beast, Appa just wouldn't fly on command. Hakoda suggested that he may have a trained password, something only the previous owner would know.
And so, the guessing game began.
"Elevate!" Sokka called from the back of the saddle. "Ascend!" Katara shook her head, seated on Appa's neck. "C'mon Appa! Don't you want to fly? What's the signal?"
Appa just grunted, waiting patiently for the key word. Hakoda was losing patience fast. They destroyed their only boat for this, loaded everything they had onto their new ride, so they had to figure this out.
"Katara," he asked. "You knew Appa's name somehow, right?" Katara nodded, not too sure herself how she knew. "If you concentrate, maybe you'll figure out the word. Just try, ok?"
Katara looked down at the reins, breathing deeply. What are the words?
Wait a minute. Words. Words plural.
She raised the reigns, gave them a whip and yelled loud and clear!
"Hup-hup!"
…
Nothing.
She tried again. "Yee-haw!"
Still nothing. Sokka groaned behind her while Hakoda shook his head. Was this a waste of time after all?
"C'mon Appa! Ya-Ya!" Appa perked up a bit. "Closer? Ok, ya-ha! Wa-hoo!" Still nothing.
"Yip-yip!"
Appa's eyes flicked open! He raised his powerful tail and…
WOOOOOOOSSSHHH!
"WOOOOAAAAAH!" Katara yelled as her brother and father held on for dear life. Appa rose from the ground to over 60 feet in the air in mere seconds! With a pull of the reigns, Katara guided Appa to where they wanted to go, flying higher and higher!
"WOOO-HOOOOO!" The Avatar whooped, basking in the strong winds. They were actually flying!
"YEEAAH!" Sokka yelled as they soared towards the temples. Hakoda could barely contain himself either, grinning at the almost magical display. They pushed through the clouds, bobbing through the mountain peaks as they approached the Air Temples. If they were amazed then, the water tribesmen were astounded by now. The Eastern Air Temples reached high into the clouds, with spiral architecture being the main theme as they soared past.
Nonetheless, they had a mission, and a destination. Katara pulled the reigns north to continue their journey but looked back at the ancient temples. Something about them…called to her.
Instead, they turned back, heading down towards the ruins of the Air Nation.
"Uh, Katara?" Sokka called. "Why are we going down? We need to get going!"
"Just hang on a moment!" Katara yelled back over the wind. "There's something I need to see!"
"What is it Katara?" Hakoda asked, climbing up next to her. "We don't have much time here!"
"I know, but the Avatar before me was an airbender right?" she asked. "If I can learn something about who he was, maybe we can find out why he…why I disappeared for so long!" They dove down, soaring through the ancient ruins. "And besides, it's not like I can learn airbending any old place! The more I can find out, the better." The came to a stop, Appa landing right into a large courtyard with an air symbol in the center. Katara slid off, looking around for anything familiar with her family in tow.
"C'mon, there has to be something worth learning here!" she figured.
They wandered around for a while, coming across various rooms and old tools. Even a wooden staff that unfolded into a glider, which Hakoda threw into the saddle for later. Eventually, Katara stopped ahead of an old statue, snow and moss covering the top of the head and shoulders.
It was a monk. An old monk with arrow tattoos adorning his head, not unlike Appa for that matter. Katara gazed at the aged stone, the ghosts of memories coming to mind…
"Katara?" Hakoda shook her shoulder worriedly, snapping her out of it. "You ok?"
"…this place." She whispered. She looked all around the area. In her mind's eye, she saw bald kids running and playing near a flight of stairs. Up on the balcony, she saw a young couple embracing in the sunshine. And when she looked at the statue, an old man came to life in her mind. Like a dream forgotten.
"Dad…I lived here." She spoke. "I can't explain it, but I remember this place…and this man, I feel like I know him!"
"Ok…" Hakoda breathed, brushing the moss off the statue. "Like how you knew Appa?"
"More or less…" she muttered. She looked behind the statue, where a large chamber laid ahead. "I think I'm supposed to meet somebody here."
"Hold on, back up!" Sokka interrupted. "How are you supposed to remember someplace you've never been?" he asked the obvious question. "And who would even meet here? No one's lived here for a whole century!"
"I don't know, alright!" Katara snapped. "I just…I can just feel it."
Hakoda patted the statue, now partially cleaned off. "Let's keep going. If there's something you need to see as the Avatar, then it'll be important later."
And so they continued, entering the chamber. They walked for a while, a gentle breeze floating in and out of the open area. Anywhere they went in the temple, it was always open air or well ventilated.
Except for this room.
They reached the end of the hallway, finding a large wooden door with pipes surrounding the front. Hakoda felt the pipes, feeling out the mechanism. "It's a lock. The whole door is locked with these pipes." Sokka looked into one of the two holes on one side.
"You think that you need airbending to get through?" he asked. Katara crossed her arms, staring the door down. Somewhere in her gut, she knew that what she was looking for was behind this door. And if it took airbending to open…
"Stand back, guys." She warned, prompting them to back away. From her water pouch, she drew two streams of water and sent them into the pipes. At first, nothing happened.
"Try moving the locks with the water." Hakoda suggested. "It's made for air, so you'll likely need to be gentle." Katara nodded, drawing the water out, then back in. This time, she manipulated the streams to unlock the first lock, but lost control before the second. She huffed as the water leaked out of the door.
"Gah! This isn't working…" she panted. Sokka tapped his chin in thought. "Wait…I got it!" He pulled out some skins. "Katara, send the water back in, but just the main pipes."
Bewildered, Katara obliged. She held the water in place as Sokka covered the entry holes with thin skins. "Dad, hold the other in place!"
"What's the plan, Sokka?" Hakoda asked.
"Katara," Sokka looked to her. "You can turn water into steam, right?" Katara's eyes lit up in understanding.
"And steam is basically air!" Katara finished.
"Yes! Hot, expanding air!" Sokka corrected, holding his animal skin to the door. "Turn the water to steam while we block it from escaping!"
"Got it! Ready?" The two men nodded. She thrust forward!
The door started to shake! And get hot!
OOOOOOOOOOoooohhhhh
Steam billowed out from one lock, making a sound like a woodwind…
OOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooohhhhh
Then the second!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHhhhhhh
The three locks sang in tandem as the door cluncked open, slowing opening for the first time in decades. Hakoda ruffled his son's hair. "You really outdid yourself, Sokka" he said with a grin.
"Alright," Katara stretched her arm out. "Hello? Anyone in here!" She called a couple more times but was answered only with echoes.
"The three of them headed in, disappearing into the darkness.
xXx
Zuko's knuckles were chalk white the entire time Zhao was talking. The Commander just kept boasting about how far the Fire Nation has gotten to winning the war, thanks to his new leadership of the Southern Navy. Zuko would scoff if he knew he'd be unheard. Zhao was far too arrogant to lead anything. Even before his banishment, Zuko had heard about how wasteful Zhao was with his resources. Sending entire platoons of soldiers to dominate a single town. Chasing down enemy ships with a dozen battleships. The man's entire strategy in war was to overwhelm his opponent with numbers and superior firepower. Effective, but there was rarely enough firepower to go around, giving other enemy fleets and troop time to regroup and plan when Zhao was on a warpath.
Nevertheless, here he was, promoted to Commander thanks to his overkill battle style. It made Zuko sick.
"…and the Earth Kingdom will have no choice but to surrender in due time." Zhao continued, smirking as he sat back down. "What say you, Prince Zuko?"
"If my father truly thinks the Earth Kingdom will surrender, then he is a fool!" Zuko declared challengingly. Zhao tisked at his attitude.
"Seems two years at sea have failed to temper your tongue." He muttered. That wasn't strictly true. Two years ago, Zuko would've thrown a fit as soon as Zhao started his stupid monologue, but Zuko stayed in control for the most part.
"So then," Zhao turned his attention to the young prince. "How's your search for the Avatar going?"
CRASH! Both turned to see Iroh, having accidentally knocked over a weapons rack.
"Er, my fault entirely." Uncle admitted with a smile.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko lied.
Zhao chuckled a bit. "Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a long time ago. Along with the rest of the airbenders." Zuko looked down a bit but looked back up. He was no liar, not like his sister at all. And Zhao picked up on that.
"Unless" the commander smirked "you've found some evidence the Avatar is alive?"
"No!" Zuko denied. "Nothing…"
"Prince Zuko," Zhao pressed. "The Avatar is the only being in existence who could possibly stop us from winning the war!" He leaned into Zuko's space. "If you have any loyalty left, you'll tell me what you know!"
Zuko nearly responded, trying to rack his brain for the right thing to say. But he remembered. His sister once tried to teach Zuko to lie when they were kids. Granted, she just wanted him to take the fall for her but remember he did.
"Your problem is your straight up denial. If you wrap your lie with a sliver a truth," she said "they'll take it like a disguised poison. Trust me Zuzu, now go lie your ass off!"
He hated taking any advice from his demon of a sister, but if anyone knew how to lie, she did.
"Actually," Zuko said slowly. "We did find something…"
xXx
"Statues?" Sokka asked. "That's it?"
That was it, but it wasn't any less majestic. Tall statues lined the walls in every direction, even climbing the wall in their spiral pattern. The continued the pattern on the floor, circling to the center.
"Who are all these people?" Hakoda wondered.
"I'm not sure," Katara answered. "But they're familiar too! Look, this one's a waterbender, see?" She pointed to a statue wearing traditional water tribe robes.
"And this one's got the air tattoos, like that other one." Hakoda pointed out. "An airbender?"
"Looks like it" she agreed. "They're all lined up in a pattern!" She pointed to each statue, respectively. "Water, Earth, Fire, Air! Avatars! They're past Avatars!" she figured out.
"I see," Hakoda understood. "These are all your past lives, then!" Sokka scoffed behind them.
"C'mon Dad, is there really such thing as past lives?" he asked.
Hakoda shrugged. "With the Avatar, anything could be possible, right Kata-" he looked around. Katara had walked off, heading for the center. "Katara?"
She made her way to the center, following the statues until the end. She found an Earth Kingdom woman holding strange fans. Then a tall Fire Nation man with a small headpiece on his topknot.
Then an airbender, who seemed…younger than all the rest. She stopped at the last one, staring into his eyes…
"Katara." She shook her head, coming back to reality. Hakoda and Sokka were with her. "Who's this?"
"Avatar Aang" she said without thinking. "The Avatar before me!"
"But there's no writing." Sokka noted. "You know his name how?"
"Don't know," Katara replied. "I just do." Sokka groaned again.
"You get weirder by the day." He complained. Hakoda smirked at his antics. "Well, at least we have a name to a face. What about the others?"
"That's Avatar Roku." She pointed to the firebender. "And that's Avatar…Kyoshi? I think? I'm not sure about the others though" she admitted.
"They must be the most recent Avatars, then" Hakoda guessed. "I suppose Avatar memory powers have their limits. You find out what you needed yet?"
"I don't know." Katara admitted. "I just had a weird feeling."
"We don't have time for weird feelings, Katara!" Sokka said, frustrated. "You're the one who wants to master waterbending here!"
"Sokka's got a point, Katara." Hakoda agreed. "But maybe there's something here that can help you learn airbending. You kids stay here while I check out the library. There's gotta be something there."
With that, the Chief headed out to search while Katara examined more of the staues. Sokka, getting bored, sat down to eat. He pulled out his snack bag but found it empty!
"Gah! Where's all my blubbered seal jerky?" Katara gave him a deadpan look.
"You probably ate it all, wise guy" she quipped. Sokka groaned, looking back at the entrance. There he saw a small shadow. With spikes!
"Katara, get down!" He pulled out his boomerang as Katara startled up!
Successfully scaring the small lemur that had walked.
"Hey, come back!" Sokka bounded after the flying mammal. "I want to eat you!" Katara shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Thinking only with his stomach…" she grumbled. Now alone, she walked up next to Aang's statue, sizing herself up against the imposing figures. She slumped forward after a moment.
"How am I going to measure up?" she wondered aloud. All the stories she had heard about the Avatar were nothing short of legendary. Defeating thousand-man armies, splitting continents, maintaining balance and peace. Sure, she was a decent waterbender, but could she really compare to these legends?
It seemed impossible.
CLUNK!
She whipped around to the door. It had slammed shut!
"Guys?" she called in the dark. "Sokka? Dad!" She ran from the statues to the door. It was locked tight! "Dad! Sokka! Anybody?" she called again. She was looking for the mechanism but found only wood on this side of the door. She felt for her water pouch, but she used it up when she opened the chamber.
"What now?" she yelled.
Whoooooosssshhhh…
A strong breeze passed through the chamber, whipping her hair around. She looked for a window but saw only the confines of the chamber. "Where's that coming from?" She walked back to the center, making her way past the statues to the center. Her eyes may have been tricking her, the eyes of the statues seemed to glow as she passed. She passed Kyoshi…then Roku…then Aang. His eyes were definitely glowing now, along with the other countless Avatars before him. She stared into the ethereal eyes as they seemed to stare back at her.
Before she knew it, her own eyes began to glow too. The room around her disappeared as visions filled her mind.
"Maybe the monks made a mistake, Gyatso. I can't be…" a young voice said. An elderly voice replied, "The only mistake they made was telling you before you turned sixteen. But we cannot concern ourselves with what was, but rather, what is!" The vision opened further, revealing monks, lemurs, and bison living in the air temples. A young couple embraced in a nearby window as children sped along in the courtyard, using the wind to quicken their steps in their play. Bison lowed peacefully, floating through the sky without a care in the world. And on the balcony, and old man cared for his fruit pies as a boy sat on the edge, deep in thought.
"But Gyasto," Aang continued. "I don't know where to start. I've mastered airbending, but the monks say I have more to learn. They say I'm the Avatar, but I don't know what that really means! Am I really ready?"
"No, actually you're not." Gyasto said, using airbending to shape the last pie. "But that's what a journey is about. And you won't be alone either, you will meet someone you will guide you on your journey."
"Really? Who?"
"When you are ready," the elder answered cryptically, "he will reveal himself to you." That earned a groan from the young Avatar. "Now, are you going to help me with these pies? Or not?"
Aang laughed, standing up. "Alright." The two stood behind the four fruit pies, taking their stances.
"One…two…three!" Gyasto counted. Using spheres of air, they launched the pies into the sky! At the edge of their vision, the pies struck true, splattering against the other meditating elders. Master and student laughed uncontrollably for a moment.
"Your aim has improved, young man!" Gyasto congratulated.
The vision changed, the cover of night surrounding the once happy atmosphere.
Monks ran to their bison, taking to the sky in fear of the invading force. Fire rushed in, killing everything in its path, plants, creatures, and nomads alike. Agonizing screams filled the air but were drowned out by the roar of the flames.
Above it all, a bright comet pierced the sky. An omen of death.
The inferno was so bright, it could be seen for miles and miles. Even from the bison on which Aang sat. Tears streamed down from the Avatar's eyes as they flew away, alive but traumatized.
The sight changed again. Aang, now 20 years old, fought against the invading army with all his might, using airbending and waterbending in tandem to defend the southern water tribe. Forgetting his vow of non-violence, dozens upon dozens of firebenders fell at his hand, either frozen or sliced to bits by his power. Fire spewed from his maw as his tattoos glowed, channeling his rage through the endless enemies.
But no matter how hard he fought, there was no turning back time. No bringing Gyatso back…
The battle ended hours later, the blood of hundreds on the monk's hands. Anguished, he took to the sky with Appa, his only friend in the world now.
The vision shifted once more. A storm, a terrible dark storm that struck the Avatar to the southern sea. He tried with all his might to stay above water but was weakened by the battle and succumbed to the darkness.
His tattoos glowed; his eyes focused with energy. The Avatar State took over, forming an iceberg around him and his bison. The air froze all around him. A lest-ditch effort to survive.
The vision changed one last time. Aang, too weak to move, reached helplessly to a fleet of ships. His blue-tipped hand shaking as life left his body…
Then…darkness.
xXx
"Ugh…disgusting." Zhao grimaced at the sight. Sure enough, Zuko did find something near the south pole. Due to the higher temperatures, the Avatar's corpse had begun to rot away, attracting flies and other…residents. The crew had salted the body upon recovery to slow the decay. But decay it did.
Zuko wrinkled his nose as he closed the makeshift tomb aboard his ship. "Satisfied, Commander?" he asked, brimming with sarcasm. They left the room, fanning themselves of the smell. Iroh in particular was deeply disturbed by his nephew's actions, though he knew what he was trying to do. By showing what he had found, Zuko had made a red herring, throwing Zhao off the trail. Quite clever, even if it meant defiling a corpse.
"Well now," Zhao coughed. "That's quite the discovery you have there."
"Yes, we believe he may have been the Avatar" Zuko explained as he led Zhao out of the repaired warship. "But due to the decay, it's too hard to tell now. If nothing else, I will present his head to my father."
"Oh please," Zhao scoffed. "Nothing short of the Avatar in chains could ever hope to be enough. You're a bigger fool than I thought." Zuko's story may have been fake, but his barely restrained growl was quite real. But Zhao was fooled. For now.
"Now that our little interview is over, my crew and I should be going." Zuko beckoned his crew, who began to load up for their search. This was far from over, of course. But Zhao started to laugh.
"Over? Please." Zhao chuckled. "With confirmation that the airbender is dead, we can now begin the search anew in the water tribes. If what your uncle says is true, then the Avatar could have mastered all the elements by now. We need to find him." A vein popped on Zuko's forehead.
"We? Or you?" he said lowly. Zhao smirked.
"What do you think?" he asked sarcastically.
"Commander Zhao!" Zuko yelled. "I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-"
"And you've failed!" Zhao snapped, expelling fire for emphasis. "Capturing a fully fledged Avatar is far to important for a teenager's hands. He mine now."
Zuko's fists shook at the declaration, despite his success. Iroh put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a knowing look. He bought it. It's time to go.
"Then," Zuko growled, with all the self-control he could muster. "We shall leave you to it. C'mon Uncle…" he started back to his ship but was blocked by guards!
"Ah, ah, ah…" Zhao said. "You and your uncle will be sticking around, Prince Zuko. At least, until my ship is ready."
"Why's that?" Zuko asked. "Are you worried I'll beat you to the Avatar?" At that Zhao really did laugh, putting his belly into it.
"You? Stop me? Impossible." Zuko started to him, being held back by his uncle.
"Don't underestimate me Zhao! I will capture the Avatar before you!"
"Zuko!" Iroh said gruffly. "That's enough!"
"You can't be serious," Zhao mocked. "I have hundreds of battleships at my command, and you?" He waved at Zuko. "You're just a banished prince! No home, no allies, your own father doesn't even want you!"
"That's not true!" Zuko snapped. "Once I capture the Avatar, he will welcome me home with honor! And restore my rightful place on the throne."
"If your father really wanted you home," Zhao drove the point home. "He would've let you return by now. Avatar, or no Avatar. But in his eyes, you are a failure, and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
"That's not true!" Zuko argued.
"You have the scar to prove it." That did it. Zuko broke from his uncle's grip, stepping right to Zhao's face.
"Maybe you'd like one to match!" he yelled.
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao scoffed.
"Agni Kai!" Zuko confirmed. "At sunset." A moment passed between the two, staring each other down.
"…very well." Zhao accepted. "It's a shame your father won't be here to see me humiliate you. I suppose your uncle will do…" he shot back as he sauntered away.
Zuko took deep shaky breaths, taking in what he just did. But he wouldn't back down now. His honor depended on it.
"Prince Zuko," Uncle reasoned. "Did you forget what happened last time you dueled a master?"
"…I will never forget" he half whispered back.
xXx
"What's happened!?" Hakoda demanded, sprinting towards the chamber door. Sokka was there, trying to force it open with no avail.
"The door's sealed shut! And it sounds like a windstorm in there!" he replied. "Help me get it open!" The two pulled at the door, but it as if the wood had welded to the doorframe. Then all of a sudden…
BWOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHH! The door blasted open with the air pressure! The two of them were knocked back but hopped back up immediately. "Katara! Are you alright? Katara!" Hakoda ran in, wind still whipping around the room, but fading. As they reached the center, they found the young girl, unconscious on the floor.
"Is she ok?" Sokka asked. Hakoda lifted her up, checking her breath and pulse. He gave a sound of relief.
"She's alright…just sleeping." He looked up at Aang's statue. The eyes were glowing for a moment but faded away. "Any idea what happened?" he asked his son.
"Well, I had stepped out to chase an animal that had wandered in, but when I got back, the doors were shut!" Sokka explained. Now that Hakoda was calm, he noticed a lemur sitting in his son's hood.
"Was…was it a lemur by chance?" he asked. Sokka nodded.
"Yeah, but I don't where it went. Probably escaped." The lemur in question was munching on a peach, silent as could be. "Why? Does it matter?" Hakoda held back a laugh.
"No, I suppose not. C'mon, help me." With some help from Sokka, their father lifted Katara onto his shoulder. "We should get going. Who knows when the Fire Nation will search here next?"
"Can the Fire Nation even get here? We're pretty high up" Sokka asked, prompting a dark look from Hakoda.
"They can and have" he said. "The library was burnt to a crisp. They destroyed everything having to do with learning airbending and then some." He gestured to the bag on his waist. "This was all I could find, but it's not much. Let's find Appa and go. We've gotten all we could."
With that, they found their way back to Appa, laying Katara down in the saddle as Sokka got into the driver's seat.
"What was it…oh yeah. Yip-yip!" he called. Appa responded, lifting into the air his earnest. The lemur poked his head out of Sokka's hood to look around, eyeing the Avatar in the back. With a stir, Katara sat up, dizzy.
"Dad? Sokka? What happened…" she murmured. Hakoda handed her a waterskin. "Drink up, seems like you had another Avatar episode." Shaking her head, she looked back at the temple, shrinking into the distance. She remembered her vision, seeing flames engulf the very same temple only for a moment.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked. Katara looked grim, staring out at the once great temple.
"I did…it's not good, Dad."
Hakoda frowned, helping her sit up. "Tell me."
xXx
Sunset.
Two firebenders faced away from each other, kneeling. In front of one, Iroh coached his nephew and student.
"Remember your basics, Prince Zuko" he reminded "they are your greatest weapons."
"I refuse to let him win." He stood up, turning to his opponent. Zhao did the same, the ceremonial vests slipping off them.
"This should be over quickly."
Above them, a bell rang. They took their respective stances, staring each other down. Starting the duel, Zuko collected flames around his arms, sending a firebolt to Zhao! Feel out your opponents' power, then strike decisively. He sent another bolt of fire, then another. Zhao dodged all three, pridefully stepping out of the way of each blast. Zuko sent one more, which he chose to block with both arms, smirking as he did so.
Zuko took a quick breath, then sent an arc of fire with his foot! Zhao continued blocking, manipulating the waves of fire being sent his way. Deciding to counter, he blasted the ground, sending a torrent of flame towards Zuko, who rolled out of the way. Zhao was moving in now, closing the distance!
"Basics, Zuko!" Iroh coached from the sidelines. "Break his root!" Zuko heeded the advice, letting Zhao approached. He blocked a blast, then another, then another! Zhao overwhelmed him with flames, pushing him to the ground.
"HRRAAAAH!" Zhao yelled, bounding forward. He landed, preparing the finishing blow!
Zuko, letting instinct take over, stood on his hands and kicked upside down! Zhao was taken right off his feet as Zuko landed, upright!
Zhao tried to recover, but evaded Zuko's ground strikes, tripping as Zuko sent his from his feet like he was kicking sand! Now unbalanced, Zuko kicked a fireblast which Zhao barely blocked! He repeated the move, sending an even bigger blast! Zhao hit the dirt, rolling as he went down. Zuko was on him in an instant, aiming towards Zhao' face. He's won!
He hesitated, holding back the finishing blow.
"Do it!" Zhao yelled from the ground. Zuko roared, firing down…
…into the ground next to Zhao.
"That's it?" Zhao demanded. "Your father raised a coward!"
"Next time you get in my way, I promise," Zuko said, victorious, "I won't hold back." His piece said, he walked away. Time to finally resume his search. Zhao stood up behind him, furious.
"HRA!" Zhao kicked! Fire shot towards Zuko!
But was blocked by a single hand. Iroh flicked Zhao away, his kick making his unstable. Zuko started towards Zhao again, but was stopped. "No, Prince Zuko! Do not taint your victory!" Iroh turned to the downed Commander. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat?" he asked. He shook his head at the man. "Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you." Zuko looked to his uncle, surprised by his words. "Thanks again for the tea." Iroh said as he turned his nephew away. "It was delicious."
Zhao could only growl as the two left, making for their ship. As they walked, Zuko was compelled to ask.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?"
"Well of course!" Iroh replied. "I told you Ginseng tea is favorite."
xXx
"That's…disturbing." Hakoda said as Katara finished her story.
To the best of her ability, she recounted what she saw, seemingly through Aang's eyes. Him living in the temples. The genocide. His battle in the south. His fall. Even his awakening just a few years ago.
Fourteen years as a matter of fact.
"If I had known…" Hakoda murmured to himself. The Avatar was alive, just near their boats the day he lost his arm. They should've stopped! They could have…
No, he thought. Nothing could have been done. He was out for the count and Bato was focused on ensuring the tribe's survival. Even if they had seen the Avatar, they may not have had time to rescue the young airbender.
Even still, he mourned the loss of the previous Avatar.
"So, what now?" Sokka asked. "You think Aang wanted you see all that?"
"I'm sure of it" Katara answered. "But I don't know why. Why would he want to show me all that…all that death?" She was clearly shaken by her vision, shivering in the cold air as they flew through the clouds. Hakoda draped a blanket over the young Avatar.
"I'm sure it will make sense one day," Hakoda reasoned. "But for right now, get some rest. Both of you. I'll drive, make sure Appa stays on course." They both nodded, getting comfortable as their dad stepped up front to Appa's head. Sokka was snoring within minutes, but Katara lied awake, pondering her vision.
Aang, she thought. What are you trying to tell me?
xXx
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