Sorry for the long wait. Chapter 35 is in the works currently.
"AANG!" Katara cried out as Aang took the force of the lightning from the tip of his finger. His eyes darted around the dark room as he looked to where to redirect it.
"G-get back Katara!" the air bender warned her. He looked to Aizo who crumbled down to his knees and hands. Redirecting the lightning back to him was tempting but it was squashed without a second thought. With the lightning coursing through him, Aang had no choice but to redirect it to the earth. With a subtle movement of his limbs, he redirected the lightning's trajectory away from him, guiding it into the earth.
BOOM!
With a final push, Toph created an entranceway revealing a dirty cell occupied by a group of Earth citizens.
"Have no fear everyone! The greatest earth bender in the world is here to save you," Toph declared.
"With us as well", Sokka muttered.
"Oh thank the spirits!"
"We're saved!"
The prisoners cried in relief seeing their saviors. Suki and Sokka led them through the entrance they arrived in while Toph and Kano busted through the other cells, freeing the rest of the kidnapped villagers. As Toph metal-bent the last cell open a voice called out.
"Kano?!"
The water bender turned around to see the source of the voice. Her eyes widened as she recognized her ex-girlfriend. She wore a green blouse and brown skit, both dirty. The length of her hair flowed down to her lower back. The young woman looked tired, but her eyes sparkled at the sight of Kano.
"INO!" Kano embraced her, "I got so worried when I heard you went missing."
"I've been so scared", Ino responded as she returned the embrace, "Those monsters held us here for so long! How did you find me? I didn't think anyone would find us."
"A bounty hunter and her Shirshu led us here. I came with Avatar Aang and his friends", Kano explained.
Ino pulled back, "The Avatar is here? Thank the spirits!"
"Thank the spirits later!" Toph hollered, "Hate to ruin your little moment but we gotta go. Let's get everyone out here!"
Kano nodded and grabbed hold of Ino's hand, "She's right, come on Ino!"
The group led the freed prisoners through the route they arrived in. They all began to scramble as they felt the earth violently shake. Sokka and Suki urged everyone to run faster. Toph bent away any falling debris from hitting anyone until they all managed to exit through the tree, they had initially arrived in. June and Toph were the last to make it through before the tree began sinking into the ground.
"What happened?" June wondered. No one could provide an answer to her question.
"Is everyone okay?" Suki asked the former prisoners. They had all managed to get through with minor injuries.
"Hold up", Sokka looked around, "Where's Katara and Aang?"
They all turned back to the rubble where the entrance used to be. The tree no longer stood there as it was swallowed completely. Sokka panicked as he ran towards the rumble.
"No no no no!" He crumbled to his knees and Suki jumped to his side.
She glanced back at Toph, "Toph can you sense where Katara and Aang are?"
The earth bender took her place next to Sokka and placed her hand on the earth. Her eyes squinted as she searched for any movement until she felt a rumbling.
"Somethings coming! Get back!"
Three hundred feet from where the three of them stood, a bright light shot out from the ground and shined into the evening sky. From the light, Aang rose as he held Katara in his arms with his eyes and tattoos glowing. He descended from the air and landed in front of everyone. He finally let go of the avatar state as he addressed everyone.
"Are you all okay?"
"We should be asking you that", Suki replied.
"We're okay", Katara answered, holding onto Aang.
"So, what happened?" June asked.
"Aizo tried to strike us with lightning, but Aang redirected it", Katara stated.
"Issue was that I had nowhere to deflect it and I wasn't going to kill him, so I shot it to the ground. It's my fault that the cave was crumbling", Aang continued. He felt frustrated with himself for not making sure to check if Aizo was conscious or not.
"It's okay Aang. We're all okay…that is all that matters", Katara smiled at him. Her words eased his feeling of frustration.
"By the way Aang", Sokka spoke up, "how long are you going to carry my sister?"
Both Katara and Aang glanced at one another, realizing that they were still holding on to one another. With their faces flushed, Aang let the water bender down gently. The two avoided looking at the smirking faces of their friends. However, Kano watched with narrowed eyes at the two while Ino watched her quizzically.
Appa carried the elderly back to Renu village while the team walked the villagers back. Aang originally thought to stay and search for Aizo until Sokka told him it was pointless.
"Aizo is likely dead anyways Aang. No one could have survived in the rumble besides you and Katara."
Uncertainty gnawed at Aang. A part of him needed to be sure of the man's whereabouts, but he heeded his friend's words. No one would have been able to survive the cave collapsing on them.
The sun had begun to set as they all reached the village. The freed villagers ran to their loved ones and cried tears of joy. Their nightmare was finally over, and they all thanked Aang and his friends profusely. With their joy came a newfound energy among the villagers hence they decided to celebrate that very night. Josu, the village leader, informed both Aang and Sokka of the party plans while the girls freshened themselves at the village bathhouse.
"Is it a good idea? I'm not one to turn down a party but shouldn't the people we've freed have time to recuperate after being kidnapped?" Aang asked.
"Believe me when I tell you that the best way to recuperate is through a dance party! Tonight's theme is Bhangra night", Josu replied with a giddy tone.
"Come on Aang it won't hurt for everyone to have fun. Maybe you can show these villagers how an air bender gets down", Sokka insisted.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt", Aang shrugged.
"Perfect!" Josu said, "If you would follow me then I'd like to get your measurements."
"Measurements for what?" Sokka inquired.
"For your Kurtas of course!" Josu answered, "Come with me and I will get you dressed in Kurtas with air nomad and water tribe colors. The girls should have their measurements done by now."
Within the hour, both Sokka and Aang had their measurements taken and their specially-made kurtas ready. With a joyous smile, Aang slipped into a long sleeve orange and yellow kurta. The loose-fitting garment draped gracefully around his form, allowing him freedom of movement while excluding an air of elegance. He marveled at the orange and yellow hues that enhanced his already lively and carefree spirit. Sokka grinned as he donned his blue and white kurta. He was pleasantly surprised by its comfortable fit and how it accentuated his strong, warrior physique. The blue and white hues seemed to compliment his blue eyes, enhancing his natural charm.
"Do we look good or what", Sokka said after they left their cottage.
"I'll say", Aang replied, "I love how loose they feel. No different than from my usual robes."
"Well don't you two look handsome", Suki commented from behind.
The boys turned around to see her donning a striking green and black salwar suit that perfectly captured her essence, at least in Sokka's eyes. The kameez, the long tunic of the outfit, was a rich shade of green, reminiscent of the lush forests and vibrant landscapes in Kyoshi Island. It was embellished with intricate black embroidery, which showcased her eye for detail and precision as a warrior. The tunic hugged Suki's figure gracefully. The black salwar pant complemented the green kameez, providing a comfortable yet elegant contrast. Over her shoulder, the Kyoshi warrior draped a matching green and black dupatta, the flowing scarf adding a touch of sophistication to her ensemble. The dupatta featured delicate patterns and tassels, a testament to her attention to both functionality and aesthetics.
Sokka's jaw dropped at the sight of her. His reaction made her giggle as she pushed Sokka's jaw close.
"Y-you look…amazing", Sokka stammered.
"Snoozles sure has a way with words doesn't he Suki?" Toph said as she walked to them. She wore a green and white salwar suit. The tunic of the outfit was a deep shade of green, adorned with a delicate white pattern. The tunic draped comfortably over Toph's compact form, providing her with a sense of freedom and ease, unlike the dresses her mother would force her to wear. The salwar pant, in a matching shade of green, allowed her to move with agility. Over her shoulder, she carried a white dupatta, the soft fabric contrasting beautifully with the green of her salwar suit.
"You don't look so bad yourself Toph", Aang complimented.
"It's me we're talking about", Toph grinned smugly, "I always look good."
"Are all of you wearing salwar suits?" Aang asked.
"Just me, Toph, and Katara", Suki answered, "Kano is wearing an Anarkali suit I think. They got their suits last and are getting ready now. Katara said to go ahead to the village center, and they'll meet us eventually."
They agreed to wait for the girls at the Renu village center. The village had come alive with a vibrant festive mood as the villagers gathered to celebrate. The square was adorned with colorful banners and decorative lanterns hanging from the trees, adding a warm glow to the evening sky. Excitement and anticipation filled the air, as villagers of all ages donned their traditional attires similar to what team Avatar wore.
At the heart of the square stood a stage, elaborately decorated with flowers and intricate patterns. Local musicians took their places on the stage, turning their instruments, and soon the air filled with the enchanting melodies of dhol drums, flutes, and stringed instruments. The lively music invited the villagers to join in the dancing, setting the stage for a night of celebration and unity.
Suki, Aang, and Sokka awed at the colorful decorations while Toph made a quick dash to the food table, taking one of every cuisine that she could.
"And here I thought I was the food guy in the group", Sokka stated.
"Nah just the meat and unfunny guy", Toph responded.
"Unfunny?!" Sokka gasped. Suki and Aang laughed at his expression. They went around the center and ate. Villagers came up to them and thanked them all for rescuing their loved ones. As time went on, the men of the village pulled Aang over while Sokka and the girls left for more food for their plates.
"Avatar have a drink with us", a man who introduced himself as Sandeep encouraged, "You like chai?"
"I love it!" Aang replied enthusiastically.
"Then you'll love this", Sandeep passed him a cup, "chai cream liqueur! I made it myself."
"Liqueur? Like alcohol?" Aang inquired.
"But of course! Please have a shot with me. I want to tell my future children that I shared drinks with the great Avatar Aang."
The air bender couldn't find it in himself to reject the request. He took a sniff of the chai and fought the urge to wince at the strong aroma. He thought of how drunk his friends had been since that night in Ba Sing Se. Second-guessing himself on whether or not he should do it. However, he did not want to hurt Sandeep's feelings since he only just met him.
'Maybe one won't hurt' He thought.
With a small nod, Aang brought the small cup to his lips. The liqueur touched his tongue, and he was instantly captivated by the flavors that danced across his taste buds. The richness of the crème blended well with the familiar chai spices, creating a delightful and sophisticated balance of sweetness and spice. As the chai crème liqueur went smoothly, Aang felt a gentle warmth spreading through his body, reminiscent of a comforting hug from a loved one. The unique blend of flavors brought a sense of relaxation and contentment, making him feel at peace at the moment.
"Whoa", Aang sighed and smiled, "Sandeep…you are on to something with this!"
The men cheered at the compliment their friend received from the Avatar.
"Hi boys." A flirtatious voice came from behind. They all turned around to Kano standing behind them with her hands on her hips. Their eyes widened at the sight of the southern water bender wearing a resplendent blue and silver Anarkali suit. The suit's captivating shades of royal blue and shimmering silver harmonized like the sky meeting the moon on a tranquil night. Finely crafted embroidery and delicate sequins adorned the bodice and hem.
Kano made her way through the group of men, straight to Aang. The high neckline and long sleeves added a touch of regality, while the flowing, flared skirt brought a sense of fluidity and charm to her movements. Her matching silver dupatta draped gracefully over her shoulders, its translucent fabric catching the light like stars twinkling in the night sky.
She wrapped an arm around the air bender's arm and smiled.
"How do I look Aang?"
"Oh! Um…You look…awesome", Aang tried to find the right words and hoped he didn't sound as nervous as he felt.
"Well don't you have a way with words", Kano giggled and turned to Sandeep, "Got any more of that liqueur to share?"
"The more the merrier I say", Sandeep nodded and poured her a cup, "Care for another drink Avatar?" He asked as he passed the drink to Kano.
"Just call me Aang", Aang insisted, "I don't know if I should. Not sure if I want to overdo the drinking. I don't really drink alcohol like this…or any."
Kano nudged his shoulder, "Have another drink. In fact, have multiple! It's a party Aang, no reason not to let loose and have some fun."
Sandeep and the others echoed her sentiments. Not wanting to be a downer, he decided to go along with the flow.
'Wouldn't hurt I suppose?' He shrugged.
Meanwhile, Sokka, Suki, and Toph watched the development from a distance.
"Should we interject?" Suki wondered.
"We probably should", Sokka responded.
"Or…hear me out" Toph spoke up, "we see where this goes."
"You can't be serious Toph" Suki crossed her arms.
"Hold up", Sokka put his hand up, "she might be on to something."
"Think of it honey" Toph urged, "Twinkle-Toes, as much as I hate to admit it, is the most powerful being on the planet. How often does anyone get to see the Avatar get drunk? After a hundred years especially. Also", Toph pulled out a bottle of Monkey's fit, "we can join in on the fun and have a grand time."
"Where did you get that?!" Sokka exclaimed.
"I have my ways", Toph grinned smugly, "We doing this or what?"
"Oh no you don't!" The bottle was taken out of Toph's hands by Katara, "Need I remind you how things went the last time we all drank?"
"OH COME ON!" Toph groaned, "Life is too short to be hung up on the past."
"It hasn't even been a week Toph", Suki stated.
"You don't want to drink Suki?" Toph asked.
"I didn't say that", Suki pouted, "Just pointing out a fact."
"Drinking matter aside", Sokka said, "Just gotta say sis, you look great!"
The water bender wore a blue and white salwar suit. The tunic, a beautiful shade of deep blue, reflected the tranquility of the calm ocean wave. The salwar pants, in a pristine white, provided a striking contrast to the blue tunic. Completing her ensemble, a flowing white dupatta draped gracefully around her shoulders. Katara graced her wrists with silver band bracelets. Each bracelet shimmered like moonlight on water.
"Bet you can't wait until Aang sees you" Suki teased.
"If he isn't too drunk by now", Toph murmured.
Katara raised an eyebrow, "Drunk? Where is he?"
In response, they pointed in the direction of the air bender. He and Kano had just gotten through their fifth liqueur shot. Katara's eyes widened at the sight.
"Spirits, they are hammering through those shots. I'm actually impressed with Aang's drinking ability", Sokka commented.
"He is so getting wasted tonight", Suki chuckled.
"Is he drinking alcohol?" Katara asked, bewildered. She had never thought Aang would be the kind of person that would partake in drinking any kind of alcohol.
"Yeah", Toph sneered and swiped the bottle back from Katara, "if he's going to drink then so am I."
Before Katara could make her way towards Aang, lively beats of the dhol drum filled the air. A sense of excitement and joy swept through the villagers as they danced to the infectious rhythm of the bhangra music playing. The young men pulled Aang to the dance area. With his arrival on the dance floor, the music picked up the pace. Groups formed circles, swaying in sync with the rhythmic beats of the dhol. Laughter and cheers resonated as the villagers encouraged Aang with shouts of "balle balle" and "hoi hoi".
The effects of the chai cream liqueur filled Aang with glee as he danced with an infectious smile.
"Don't just stand there like a couple of wallflowers", a tipsy Kano said as she pulled Suki and Katara over to the dance area and into another dancing circle with the other girls from the village. Even if they were not familiar with the music, they couldn't resist its allure. They happily joined in, clapping their hands and moving to the rhythm, becoming a part of the pulsating energy that enveloped the entire gathering.
After drinking some of the 'Monkey's Fist', Sokka joined in on the dance floor and danced with Aang. Toph sat at a table and enjoyed her drinks as she relaxed and bopped her head to the rhythm.
Aang and Sokka danced shoulder-to-shoulder together, both happily drunk as they kept on dancing. In the center of the girl's circle, Ino and Suki clasped their hands together and swayed, stepping in sync with the music. Kano and Katara clasped their hands together and did the same.
As the music continued, the circles would expand and contract with one another. The boys' and girls' circles mixed. Aang, in a drunken stupor, took a step back and accidentally bumped into someone. He glanced back to apologize and saw it was Katara he had bumped into. She turned around and smiled. Suddenly the two were in their own world together.
"Hi", Katara greeted him, wiping her forehead. Her skin glistened with sweat from the dancing. Aang's eyes glazed over her from head to toe. He couldn't help but be captivated by her presence.
"Hey", he breathed out. His mind was completely vacant of words. The sight of Katara in her salwar suit rendered him speechless.
"The kurta they gave you fits you well. Who would have thought Renu village was so fashionable."
"No kidding", Aang agreed as he formed a small smile.
Katara darted her eyes away, her nerves crawling up her spine under his watchful gaze. She began twirling at her hair with her finger, "You think I look good in this outfit? I've never worn anything like it. I like it bu—."
"You're stunning Katara", Aang spoke without thinking, "as always."
She felt her face heat up at the words the air bender spoke clearly. Aang had spoken his mind without thinking. At the moment it didn't matter. It didn't cross his mind what he had said to her. He smiled at her with drunk half-lid eyes and smiled.
"T-thanks", she stuttered with a dry mouth. The heat of the dance floor crept up on her and suddenly they were back with the others in the real world. "I feel thirsty. I'm going to grab some water."
Before Aang could say anything, Katara began making her way out of the dance area until she felt her dupatta tug her back. Startled, she turned to see what had caused the unexpected interruption. As her eyes met Aang's storm-grey eyes, an apologetic smile graced his face. His kurta sleeve had unknowingly captured her dupatta. A small thread stuck out from the end of the dupatta and clung to the button at the end of his sleeves. Aang carefully freed the dupatta from his sleeve button.
Back at the table, Suki watched the two and gave Toph the rundown of what was happening. The Kyoshi warrior gleefully stomped her feet and squealed at the moment Katara and Aang had. She grabbed hold of the blind earth bender's shoulder, shaking her.
"Suki, I'm just as glad as you but I am too drunk for you to shake me like this", Toph groaned.
"Just look at them Toph! It was so cute", Suki squealed.
"Would if I could", Toph muttered. She lost count of how many times her friends forgot that she was blind.
As the night went on, the elders of the village grew tired and went home while the young still danced merrily. Sokka slumped on his chair after losing a shot contest to Jun who outdrank not only him but most of the men. Katara provided water to both Suki and Toph despite their constant teasing towards her.
"You two sure talk a lot of smack for a couple of drunkards who just puked in the latrine", Katara bit back at them.
Toph stood up irate, "and I can back it up to-…", she fell back down on her chair and groaned, "Ohhhhhh…got up way too quick."
Katara shook her head. She only wondered where Aang was and looked around. It had been nearly an hour since she had last seen him. He had taken a break from dancing to have more drinks with Sokka.
Where was he?
Aang was following a butterfly. After having a couple more drinks, Aang noticed a delicate butterfly with wings that shimmered like moonlit jewels. In his tipsy state, he couldn't resist the allure of the creature. Its beauty captivated him like a rare treasure waiting to be discovered.
With a hazy sense of wonder, he began to follow the butterfly away from the town center and into the moonlit forest. Each step was unsteady, and he laughed at the way his feet seemed to have a mind of their own. The forest around him seemed to come alive with every flutter of the butterfly's wings as if it was leading him somewhere.
Aang's eyes fixated on the butterfly, and he felt a connection with the creature. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting a silvery glow on the forest. The air was filled with the soft sounds of nocturnal creatures and the occasional rustling of leaves. But Aang only had eyes for the butterfly, as if the rest of the world had faded into the background.
He reached out to touch the butterfly, his fingertips almost brushing against its delicate wings. But the butterfly eluded him, dancing just out of reach, teasing him with its fleeting presence. Aang giggled at the playful game they seemed to be playing, finding delight in the pursuit.
As the butterfly led him deeper into the forest, Aang felt a sense of exhilaration. The world around him seemed to swirl with colors and magic, and he laughed out loud at the sheer joy of the moment. His heart felt light, and all worries and responsibilities were forgotten amid this enchanting adventure.
Until he came across something that left him with existential dread.
Within the moonlit forest lay a series of ancient gravestones adorned with the symbols of the Air Nomads. His heart sank at the sight.
His eyes filled with tears as he read the names etched onto the weathered stones, each representing an air bender who had once lived, laughed, loved, and despaired as they faced their deaths. The weight of their absence pressed heavily on his soul, and he could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
Aang's fingers traced the engravings tenderly as if trying to connect with the spirits of his fallen kin. The memories of his childhood, the carefree days spent with fellow air benders, and the wisdom of his mentor, Gyatso, flooded his mind. He felt an ache deep within him, mourning the loss of his people, his heritage, and the way of life that had once been so vibrant.
As he knelt before the gravestones, tears streamed down his cheeks, his heart crying out in pain. Then anger as he remembered Aizo. The man who dared to have pride over what his ancestors had done. He thought of the men, women, and children being wiped out by men like Aizo.
And here he was, the last of his people. It felt unfair to him as if the universe had conspired against him.
Aang wasn't sure how long he stayed there but he knew he could not stay. He had to leave. He needed to move on from there.
Aang walked back to the village in the same direction he arrived from only with a heavy heart now. He had gone from happily tipsy following a butterfly to despair over his fallen people. The moon's soft glow cast haunting shadows on the forest floor, matching the somber mood that engulfed him. As he walked, he had given up on wiping his tears since they would not stop flowing as a profound sadness washed over him, and he could not escape its grasp.
The forest now felt like a labyrinth of darkness, reflecting the turmoil within Aang's soul. The rustling of leaves and the hooting of distant owls seemed to echo the heaviness he carried. After reaching the village, he found someone waiting for him.
Katara.
She had been searching for him. Sandeep had pointed her in the direction he had last seen the air bender.
Katara saw the tears that streamed down his cheeks. She wondered what made him go from a happy drunk to lonely despair. However, it didn't matter to her at that moment.
Without saying a word, she rushed forward, closing the distance between them in swift strides. When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace. The touch of her gentle hands against his back felt like a lifeline, grounding him in the present moment.
The message was clear.
I am here.
I'm not going anywhere.
Aang's emotions overwhelmed him, and he found himself leaning into the hug, seeking comfort in her arms. Her presence was a balm to his wounded soul, and he felt a deep sense of gratitude for having her by his side.
He clung to the water bender desperately, grateful for her unwavering support and the love she bestowed upon him.
At that moment, Katara's hug felt like a promise – that no matter how heavy the weight of being the last air bender was, she would never let him bear it alone.
As they stood there, entwined in each other's arms, Aang's sadness didn't disappear entirely, but it felt a little lighter.
Meanwhile, from the village Kano watched them. Specifically, Katara with narrowed eyes once again.
Thanks for reading. Chapter 35 will be posted soon.