Chapter 12
The Avatar and his Gang
Flying high in the sky was a white and brown bison creature with multiple legs, horns, and a saddle on his back. It had a long tail that hang behind him loosely while waving from time to time to help keep them flying. The creature in particular was known as a Sky Bison, once a prominent creature that flew through the skies all over the nation but due to the fall of the Airbenders they became harder to find. But this one happened to be carrying the most interesting passengers.
The first was a young man about 17; dark brown skin, hair tied up in a pony-tail, wearing a blue tunic and brown pants with a boomerang strapped to his back. This man had dark brown eyes and a pair of sandals on his feet.
Next to him was a girl that was about 16 and she is wearing a blue dress tunic, covering her legs minus a slit in the middle allowing her free movement. She had her hair tied up in braids with her brown hair coming all the way around her hair with blue ornaments hanging in her hair. She had brown eyes like her male friend and seemed to admire the sites around her as they flew through the air.
The last one was a 15 year old boy; he was bald. He had blue arrow tattoos over his body, wearing a orange and red monk's outfit. He had a staff next to him and was holding onto the reigns of the creature. He was dressed as one would as a monk and had a white fur creature at his side that was a spider lemur (Race check). The creature was sitting next to his owner and just staring ahead.
"Hey," the girl looked down at the ground below. "There is someone down there and I think they are trying to wave us down."
Aang, the bald child, looked over the side of the bison confirming what Katara, the girl, was seeing.
"I see. Maybe they are trying to tell us something important." Aang quickly took his reigns and steered his bison down, "Appa yip,yip!"
The creature groaned before changing directions to the ground below. The beast in question flew steadily down to the ground.
Once landing Aang hopped off his friend and stood there with his staff in hand.
"Greetings." The man dressed in a green uniform, "It is an honor to meet you Avatar Aang."
"Greetings." Aang gave his goofy smile while Katara walked up to him with Sokka pulling up the rear.
"Also good to see you as well the mighty Katara."
Katara gained a smug smile, "The mighty Katara? I could get use to that."
Sokka rolled his eyes at his friend and his sister.
But he narrowed his eyes staring at the group of men before them talking to Aang about meeting a man named General Fong. Hearing this he was concerned what this could mean. Ever since they left the North Pole, Sokka knew that word was going to get around about the Avatar and his traveling bison. More he knew that people were going to try and use Aang for their own selfish desires and wishes. While he understood people had their reasons he knew that not everyone was looking for what was best for Aang.
Sokka knew Aang was gullible and was easy to sway to someone's side. Plus, he was more than willing to do things to better everyone else's lives while not caring for his own. Sometimes that selfless attitude was nice but he did think that sometimes was too trusting. Like he was with Jet, he had suspicions about what he was really up to but his sister and Aang were just too trusting of the man. Thinking that he couldn't do anything wrong and that he was a victim.
While true he was, it was not at the hands of the villagers below but at the hands of the Fire Nation soldiers that attack long ago. Sokka could hate the idea of the Fire Nation but he knew not everyone from the place deserved to be punished for the ideals of their leader. It was one of the reasons he was always so paranoid and concerned, because he almost always had to do double the work for everyone around him. Especially when it came to his sister being all too eager to do things her way. Not caring who got hurt in the process or that sometimes her decisions were very naïve.
But he would hold his tongue for now and see what is going to happen.
The troops lead the group into a meeting with a long bearded man wearing an Earth Bender's general outfit.
"Greetings Avatar Aang and company. I'm glad that you could all arrive here safely. We have gotten reports about what happened in the North Pole."
Aang nodded.
"Yes the encounter was-"
The man stood up, "Aang I think you are ready to face the Fire Lord."
Sokka's eyes widened and right there, he knew what he was after.
Katara was quick to jump to her feet,
"Your crazy! Aang is nowhere near ready to face the Fire Lord!"
"Yeah besides, the only reason that I was successful in the Northern Water Tribe was-,"
"Yes your Avatar State, when you do all that glowing." He waved his hands around, "With that power you could easily defeat the Fire Lord and bring an end to the war!"
Sokka looked and saw that his sister was angry and upset while Aaang was conflicted.
"Aang you can't be seriously considering this, I mean he is basically saying we should just rush straight to the Fire Nation and fight them head on! We don't even have a plan, right Sokka?"
He nodded.
The general frowned.
"I understand your hesitance and if this is not the path you want to follow I understand but I want to show you something." He motioned them to follow him.
Walking through the barracks they arrived at a door, where he opened it, revealing it to be a giant infirmary.
Many of the soldiers were injured, scarred, or unconscious from the pain they were dealing with. Doctors were rushing from patient to patient, trying their best to help alleviate their symptoms.
"This is the result of a Fire Nation attack. Many of my men are heavily injured and can't afford to move out any time soon. The longer this war drags on the worse it is going to become."
Aang frowned at the sight and soon was left to his own devices.
Katara and Sokka joined him in another room where they had time to talk.
"Aang as bad as it is we need to keep moving."
"Katara I know, but you saw them."
"Yes I did but come on! Can you honestly say that this is the right path to victory!" She waved her hands around, "You just learned how to master water bending, you don't even know how to use the other two elements!"
"But with the Avatar State maybe I could defeat the Fire Lord and end the war sooner."
Katara turned to her brother who was staring outside the window watching the troops train below.
"Sokka aren't you going to say anything!?"
"Aang and the general aren't wrong but-"
Katara scoffed, "Whatever. If you idiots want to rush into something stupid feel free to do so. Just don't ask me to help." Katara watched as Aang turned on his heels,
"I have to do something Katara." He walked out of the room and Katara growled in annoyance. This always happened; whenever he sees people heavily injured due to war, he seems to just gravitate to being their problem solver.
"Why didn't you stop him?" She turned to her brother, "You know that this is reckless."
Sokka turned to her, "I know. Which is why I was about to say that while I agree that Aang and the General are right, we have to face facts. Aang was just lucky in the North Pole. If he didn't have some kind of spirit guide through that whole mess, who knows what could have happened." He frowned, "Plus, even with the return of the spirits for the moon, we still don't know the full extent of the Avatar state. Hell, Aang doesn't remember anything from his time in that state and doesn't seem to be in control. Which means for all we know he could end up killing us in the crossfire."
Katara sighed, "At least you see reason. But why didn't you-,"
"Because you cut me off." Sokka glared at her making her sheepish. "But at the end of the day, it is Aang's decision." He rubbed his chin, "Also, I guess a stop for a few days would be a good thing, give us time to find out what is going on in the Earth Kingdom since we were last here. Plus, we can restock on any supplies we might need and gather info of any major changes."
Katara sighed, she knew her brother was thinking for the group but sometimes she wished he would just help her. He wanted Aang to go through this whole process? But why? What good would come from it other than making him more frustrated that he can't use it?
She figured she just watch from the distance for now.
Walking out of the room she left Sokka alone but he was looking back at the troops and noticed how few there were for such a huge fortress. He had to wonder; what happened to most of the army?
Heading out of the room he decided to get started on gathering information and gathering resources for the road ahead.
Time Skip
They had been at the fortress for at least three days. Aang had agreed with the general's plan of activating the Avatar State, but nothing they did worked. They tried all kind of weird methods and expected methods to use its power. But Aang couldn't summon the power no matter how hard he tried and even tried recreating the feeling he had while using it. Sadly, nothing worked and he was left feeling depressed. He needed this power if he hoped to defeat the Fire Lord and bring peace to the realm.
But how can he do that when the power he needs is out of his reach?
Walking through the hall he saw Sokka sitting against the wall with a frown on his face.
"What?" Aang glared, "Are you here to criticize me?"
Sokka shook his head, "No, I'm just here to talk that's all. I got a message from the northern water tribe."
"Huh? How did they know we were here?"
Sokka shrugged,
"My guess is that they knew this would be one of the locations we would have to reach but another reason is that there was a falcon of some kind that found us. My guess is that they used some means of tracking us with the bird to pull this off." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Anyway, the letter was interesting. Apparently they were sending someone to us; a group from what I gathered. They apparently were hired to protect us during this journey to assist you on the trip through the nations making sure you can do your job."
Aang frowned.
"Where are they from?"
"Don't know; I just know they are supposedly really dependable and they are on their way. They should be here soon."
Aang sighed,
"Great more things to think about."
"Aang, you need to relax, master the Avatar State was never going to be easy."
"Sokka I need to master it now!" He waved his hands around, "You saw those soldiers and you have seen what the Fire Nation has done! If unlocking this power is what it takes we have to pursue it!"
"You mean it is the quickest solution you can come up with?" Sokka stared at the angry bald teen. "Aang sit down." Motioning to the stool in front of him.
"I don't-"
"You have time now sit."
Aang frowned before taking a seat.
"Look," Sokka sighed before putting his hands on his knees, "I talked to some of the soldiers here and I learned some interesting things. Like have you noticed as big as this place is, there is not enough troops to occupy this place?"
"Yeah but he said he was losing it to the Fire Nation."
Sokka shook his head, "Aang; they have been attacking caravans for the Fire Nation colonies."
"WHAT!"
"Yeah, one of the soldiers told us that the general ordered an attack a month ago. Sending out a large group of troops to destroy and capture anyone and anything from a Fire Nation caravan heading to the colonies. At first I thought it was more about troops and movement but I found out that they were just civilians coming back from a trade deal with a nearby town."
Aang frowned. He didn't know that, why would the General neglect to inform him of this?
"I learned that when they attacked there was three people guarding the caravan other than some off duty soldiers. The three boys slaughtered most of the troops one even doing it with nothing more than chi-blocking movements." He shivered, "From the 2000 soldiers they sent, only 100 returned."
Aang paled.
"They killed that many?"
"Yeah apparently, it was quite the massacre. So much so, he had to rebuild his troops and hide what he did. But the soldiers still talk about it when he is not listening." He sighed, "Which is one of the reasons I think he is trying to use you and the Avatar State. With you by his side he can save face at the expense of the massacre."
"I-I-I get it. But still, I have to do something Sokka the war has been going on for hundreds of years I need to end it."
"Aang, what if you did have the Avatar State, how are you sure that will be enough? I mean, think about it this way; you know I love my boomerang right?" He held his weapon out, "Imagine I threw it and it didn't come back to me. I would be defenseless, no way to protect myself from any of my enemies. That could be the same scenario for you; if you don't know how to stop yourself when your in that state what good are you on the front lines?"
"What?"
"Aang the last time you used that form you were in a berserk state of mind. You were lucky there were spirits around to help keep down your temperament or it could have been worse with you accidently killing innocent people."
Aaang bit his lip. As much as he wanted to counter the point he knew Sokka was right.
"Do you think; that maybe I should go back to learning the other elements first?"
Sokka smiled, "It is what the others did. There must be something to that method that we are not seeing yet. If we do this; I think we will find the answer to how to control the Avatar State."
Aang smiled,
"Okay I'll inform the General tomorrow we are leaving."
"Good. I think our guard will be here tomorrow so we should be able to leave then."
Sokka watched as Aang went off to find Katara to inform her of his decision and he sighed happy that they were going to get moving again.
But he did have to worry; would the General let them leave that easily? The man was determined to use Aang as a weapon of mass destruction. Thinking if he was in the Avatar State he was unstoppable. But Sokka knew from just his gut and what he learned of spirits during his short time traveling with Aang there was more to it than just a power boost. There had to be.
He knew Katara was more worried about Aang's well-being and his desire to help people that sometimes gets them into trouble.
Sokka was more worried about just how they were going to leave without a fight breaking out.
Next Day
Sokka and his sister were waiting by Appa where they saw the General talking to Aang. But they saw the man was getting agitated and started yelling at Aang about something. But Aang was standing his ground as best as he could before, he turned from the man and walked their way.
However the minute he did the man bent some earth and knocked him over.
"Aang!" Katara quickly unleashed some water in her bottle and sent it at the general. The man blocked the attack with some earth he bent into a wall.
Katara quickly gathered the water back up and started attacking the man.
Sokka was about to rush in and help but he saw the troopers in his way. He frowned and reached for his weapon, only for some earth to hit him in the stomach knocking him to the ground.
"Stay down water triber."
One trooper put his boot on the back of his head.
"Stop!" Aang was reaching out for Sokka but then heard Katara grunt before seeing her sink into the earth.
"Please stop it!"
"I don't see any glowing." He slowly sunk her further into the earth.
"You don't have to do this!"
The general frowned before moving his hand again and making her sink completely below the earth.
"Apparently I do."
Aang saw Katara disappear; his mind went blank and soon he started glowing. His body was floating in the air and his eyes were white.
"Yes!" The general smiled brightly, "It worked, this is how you can activate this power!" He quickly bent the earth releasing Katara from her prison. "You see, the pain of losing your loved ones is the key!"
The man went stiff and fell to the ground.
"How revolting that you would resort to such cruel methods." Out from his shadow emerged a young girl wearing a heavy coat and purple pants and sandals with lavender eyes. "You are the worst kind of person."
"Seriously? What do we do?" Kiba frowned, his dog was whimpering, "The kid is glowing and I don't think he is seeing anyone friendly right now."
Shino, in his heavy overcoat nodded, "Yes this is a concern and my bugs can't get close to him."
Kurenai frowned. "We have no choice, we have to find a way to reach him."
Kurenai went through some subtle hand signs and quickly casted a genjutsu on him hoping that if he sees more pleasant images maybe he will calm down.
Hinata got in position behind him with her eyes activated.
'All the power is flowing through his back into his neck, if I hit it just right.' She quickly prepped herself while taking a deep breath.
In a blur she appeared behind Aang and touched the back of his neck.
His body went stiff and soon he collapsed to the ground, luckily Akamaru caught him before he hit the ground.
"Okay looks like he is okay." Kiba frowned, "But he is still glowing is that a good thing?"
"Halt!"
The three turned to see the Earth Kingdom soldiers taking stances, "How dare you interfere in our goal of ending this war!"
Kurenai shook her head, "By exploiting him? Triggering an emotional reaction out of him? Trying to force a power out that you can't control or he can't control? That is reckless and you know it." She started subtly making hand signs.
"You don't get to judge us you filthy outsiders!" One soldier took a step forward but soon found himself in a daze.
Genjutsu: Passionate Viewing
Kurenai sighed. This technique would keep the troops busy while they load up and leave.
"We have to go now."
Her team nodded and quickly gathered the others and loaded onto Appa which Sokka took control and quickly made them fly off into the sky. Katara rested Aang's head on her lap, looking on confused and concerned as the glowing had stopped but he was out.
"Thank you." She turned to the group, "You saved us but who are you?"
Kurenai smiled, "We were hired by the Northern Water Tribe to protect you."
"Protect us?"
"Yes, I'll start from the beginning."
Aang on the other hand, was having his own spirit journey. He met the last avatar Roku who explained everything to him. What the Avatar State was, the importance it held and the danger that lurked if you died in this state. He even explained the vague history of the war before sending Aang off.
"Leave it to Roku to leave out one important detail."
Aang looked behind and saw a being dressed in a dark cloak. Their face was covered where he couldn't see who he was. Not even his eyes. The man was imposing; the figure was muscular and seemed to radiate power.
"Who are you?"
The man rubbed his chin, his hands covered in black and blue wraps, "That is a hard question to answer. Considering you don't need to know WHO I am I guess you could call me, Yang."
"Um, okay."
"Now then, I wanted to pass on a little advice to you Aang; beware who you trust. Because even someone's memories can lie."
"What do you mean?"
The been waved, "You'll see in time until next time."
"Wait!"
Aang soon awoke on Katara's lap and them flying through the air.
He wondered; who was that?
Chapter End