...I had to.
I had to make this.
It'll be chaptered, but I just want to be clear...I'm still trying to plan and work this idea out. So I haven't gotten anything going except this first chapter. So, once you read the whole first chapter, that's all you'll be seeing for a good while. I NEED to focus on my other stories! But in the meantime, I wanted to get this out of my system.
So this idea was basically more, "What if Majora's Mask was an eldritch-god-like entity in the ATLA world?", along with "What if the Happy Mask Salesman is a god-like entity and visited the ATLA world while he was trying to sell his masks?". Well, I combined these two concepts, and here we have a story! XP For the "Majora's Mask being an eldritch evil" idea, I made some creative liberties on how Majora's Mask operates. You'll see how when it comes to that time.
Also, cause these will always be my go-to, but the ships for this are Taang, Zutara, and Sukka. :)
Now, I got that out of the way, the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: ATLA is owned by Nick and Zelda is owned by Nintendo! This writing piece is just for fun. :D
Your face...I wonder...is that your true face?
- WE ALL HAVE MASKS FOR FACES -
It has been a day since the One-Hundred-Year War ended.
Avatar Aang and his friends all succeeded in stopping Phoenix King Ozai and his mad reign, as well as stopping Princess Azula from ascending to the throne as Fire Lord.
Although, some things are left unanswered. And the future Fire Lord, Zuko, asks what is of his mother from his father, the former Fire Lord Ozai.
He said that he had banished her from the Fire Nation, preferably to the Earth Kingdom.
So Zuko, along with Avatar Aang and their friends, Katara, Toph, Sokka, and Suki, all prepared to look for his mother, the former Fire Lady Ursa, as they all will ride on Appa around parts of the Earth Kingdom. They had a day to prepare for their trip. Iroh was to remain as a temporary leader for the Fire Nation.
It was going to be a stressful, taxing, and long journey. There were somewhat leads to Zuko's mother, but it led to dead ends. They still traveled to find her, either way. However, not only Zuko has some unresolved issues regarding his mother, there were other issues plaguing the other members of the team.
Some are romantic feelings, some are things that need to be addressed, and some are problems that need to be faced head-on.
Two days passed and they've been resting in the southern forest areas of the Earth Kingdom.
While one is finding a beloved family member, while one finds the courage to confess her love, while one finds his way to move forward, and while one finds the bravery to face the problem, there is something stirring in their world...
Something that shouldn't be there at all.
It was the third day of searching. The morning sun rises...
Team Avatar was getting their things ready after waking up from their rest. Sokka and Suki were packing all of their stuff onto Appa, while Aang and Toph were doing a little earthbending sparring. Katara was gathering their food supplies while Momo was sitting on her shoulder.
Zuko, meanwhile, sits on a boulder as he does breathing exercises to keep his firebending in check. But the sting on his chest sometimes makes it hard...
As he sat there, Zuko relayed the events that happened while he visited his father...
Where is my mother!?
...
…Answer me, Father! Where, is, Mother!?
...
...Where did you banish her?
...You should know that the Earth Kingdom is big enough to hide in...
So the Earth Kingdom then? Where?
Boy, if I knew that, I wouldn't tell you...in fact, I really don't know myself. She could be anywhere. Just know that she's not in the Fire Nation. Her shame wouldn't allow it.
For poisoning Grandfather?
Yes, indeed. She committed treason. All because of you...I wonder if she regretted that decision.
...
Ah, yes...I see it in your eyes, Boy. The feeling of doubt. That feeling where you think everything you'd done was all for nothing...we're kind of in the same boat, aren't we? I guess we have that in common.
...
Oh, don't give me that look, Boy. I only wanted to continue my grandfather's and my father's legacy...my old man should've picked me. Then this whole ugly scenario wouldn't have happened to you.
...
Although, I guess it worked out in the end for you. You're the Fire Lord now, and you get to rule the Fire Nation. How does that feel? It's what you wanted, right?
...Believe it or not, the Fire Lord is just a title to me now. The only thing that is important to me, is the people that I care about. My mother, my uncle, my friends, and my people. I, along with the Avatar, will also put everything back together from the tyranny you, my grandfather, and my great-grandfather have caused.
...Interesting. And what about your sister?
...
She's family, too. You may not view me as a father anymore, but you're not heartless enough to forget about your sister, are you?
...She's receiving help.
Oh, that's wonderful! Agni knows she needs the therapy after all that she went through.
...You're a disgrace.
Oh, my son has the gall to say that to me! Well, let me tell you something, kiddo, the apple doesn't fall further away from the tree. Your Avatar friend made me into a disgrace by taking away my firebending! And I suppose Azula is a disgrace too, seeing that she didn't finish you off and lets a waterbender take her down, from what I heard!
...That waterbender is my friend. I owe everything to her. So you will not speak any ill will towards her.
...You really became absolutely soft, haven't you, Boy?
No. I became strong. Stronger than you, and stronger than anything you would ever throw at me. And for the record, I am not like you. Uncle taught me about humility and honor, a real honor that I never lost in the first place. I, as well as my friends, will help the Four Nations live in peace after so many years of torment you, Azulon, and Sozin have caused.
...What about your sister? She caused more harm than good.
...You know...I don't care what you say. My sister did do a lot of things that were horrible. But you're mostly to blame. I remember a time Azula and I used to play when we were kids, chasing each other in the garden while Mother looked after us...but ever since she got her firebending, it all changed, and you took away my sister...indoctrinated her...call it foolish thinking, and again, I really don't care what you think or even say, but I know that somewhere deep down in my mind, I have hope that Azula, with the right treatment, can break away from your grip. So as for your question about if I really care for my sister, I do. I care about her immensely...no matter what she did to me and everyone else that she hurt, I know she can change...as I did. And that, right there, makes me strong. Strong enough to withstand my trials and any tribulations that kept me down. I, as well as the Avatar and my friends, want to change this world into something hopeful and prosperous. It will have true harmony and peace. And you will experience all of it in your sad and miserable life.
...
...I'm going to find my mother, and I will bring the Avatar and my friends with me. Uncle will temporarily take the throne that you desperately tried to take.
...
...Goodbye, Father.
...What makes you think your mother is alive? Or even if she wants to go back?
...What?
It's been six years. Who knows if she moved on? Away from me, away from Iroh, away from Azula...away from you.
...
She could already have a great life ahead of her...or not. She could be dead for all I know. But if she is alive, she surely can't return back to her own Nation. Not after what she did.
...You tricked her.
...Still...time can be a demanding and cruel concept. You never know what changes will happen during that timespan...she could already find someone else...and forget all about me...forget about Iroh, Azula...even you...
...I'll repeat again: Goodbye, Father.
"Zuko?" a female's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Zuko opened his eyes, pausing his breathing exercises. Turning around where he sat on the boulder, he sees it was Katara, with Momo on her shoulder. She still had her hair down after all they'd been through, the look seemingly growing on her. Still wearing her long blue tunic and having a water canteen strapped around her waist, the fifteen-year-old young woman approached the older teenage male firebender, careful not to disturb him.
"Oh, uh, yeah, Katara?" Zuko asked her.
"Hey," Katara said with a soft smile, "We're almost packed up and ready to go...you, uh, okay?"
"Oh, yeah, just...thinking about stuff...along with doing breathing exercises for my firebending."
Katara nodded and hummed in understanding, "Hmm..." she shifted in her stance and glanced around where she stood, almost looking a little...unsure.
Zuko noticed this, raising an eyebrow. "Is...something the matter?"
Katara's eyes quickly focused on the young soon-to-be Fire Lord. "Oh, um, well...I just...well, it's been two days now since we started looking for your mother, and...I just...want to know if you're alright?"
"Oh..." Zuko turned his attention back to the forest, the trees all spread out and the precipitation mist flowing below them, giving out a picturesque feel to it. "...I'm...doing okay."
Frowning at that answer, Katara asked again, "Are you sure? I mean...y-you know, the burnt mark on your chest and...well, I-I tried to heal the injury, but it's...still there...a-are you sure you're okay? It...It was a pretty bad hit."
Zuko knows what she was trying to do, and couldn't help but turned around in his seat and give her a reassuring smile. "Hey, no worries. Sure, if I breathe deeply, it stings a bit, but that's why I'm doing my breathing exercises. And...you really healed me...you saved me that day," he nodded, still smiling at her warmly.
Katara smiled back, "Yeah...just like you saved me."
Turning in his seat to fully look at her, Zuko said, "Yeah..." he looked down at the ground from where he sat for a second until he looked back up at Katara, "I would do it again, you know?"
Katara's eyes widened, a blush forming on her face, "Uh...I...I would also do the same thing for you too, as well."
Now Zuko's eyes widened as he blinked. Even Momo looked at her curiously on her shoulder.
Grimacing, Katara retracted what she said, "I mean, healing you! I-I mean, I-uh, I'm not saying that I wouldn't take a lightning bolt for you! No, wait, I mean, I-I would! I-I would take a lightning bolt for you! W-Well, if the opportunity arises! I mean, I'm not trying to, like, kill myself from doing that, I was just...u-uh, you know what? I'll...just...yeah, I'll just continue packing things up!"
She turned around and walked off in embarrassment, until Momo jumped off of Katara's shoulder, startling her.
"M-Momo! Where are you...?" Katara called out to him and saw he was flying up to Zuko's shoulder.
Zuko blinked at the lemur-bat, looking at the animal warily as he looked at him for a moment...until he wrapped his whole body on his shoulders like a cat.
"...Uh, does...he always do stuff like this?" Zuko asked Katara in confusion.
Katara looked at the animal resting on Zuko's shoulders, a little baffled until she just smiled and chuckled. "Only to those that he likes, I would think."
Zuko glanced at Momo to his left where the animal's top half is, and the critter looked at him...and licked his nose.
Blinking at that, Zuko hesitantly smiled at Momo.
Katara giggled, using her hand to cover the laughter coming out of her mouth. She gazed at Zuko for a moment and said in determination, "Don't worry, Zuko. We'll find your mother."
The older teen diverts his attention away from Momo and onto Katara, his expression almost blank, but soon he smiled, face filled with hope as he nodded.
"Thank you, Katara."
The waterbender warmly smiled back. "Anytime, Zuko."
Meanwhile, with Aang and Toph...
Aang looked over at Katara as she was walking over to Zuko.
He heard about the lightning bolt that Zuko took from Katara...how he has the wound on his chest...
Katara healed his wound, thus bringing him back to life...
Ever since then, Katara made sure to check up on Zuko's wound every chance she can...
He can't help but feel...a little jealous at this newfound closeness between Katara and Zuko...
It made him feel...inadequate...unimportant...an afterthought...
I've beaten Ozai, I saved the world...so...why isn't Katara...I mean, what-
Then, his feet shifted as the ground under him moved, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"ACK!" Aang exclaimed.
"Focus, Twinkletoes!" called out Toph with her hands on her hips as she retracted her foot back to her standing stance.
"Oh, uh...s-sorry, Toph," Aang apologized as he regained his footing.
Toph just stood there with a blank face until she sighed, "Something is bothering you, Twinkles. Spill. What's up?"
Aang was about to deny anything was wrong, but stopped on the count of two things; Toph would know he was lying and honestly, he needed someone to talk to about this.
"...Do you ever feel like you've accomplished something, but the reward is too far away?" Aang asked her.
"..." Toph raised an eyebrow. "Is this about Katara?"
Aang's posture straightened in surprise. "Wh-What?"
Toph rolled her sightless eyes. "Yep. It is."
"H-Hold on! It-It couldn't be!"
"Oh really? Then what, dare I say, were you going to explain further on your problem?"
"..." Aang sighed, "How...How did you know it was about Katara?"
"You're really asking me that? Come on, Twinkletoes, I hear heartbeats go everywhere whenever someone kisses somebody, even when they're near the person they like."
"...Right..." Aang frowned, "It's just...I don't get it."
"What is it you don't get?" Toph asked him.
"I mean...I...thought Katara and I were..." Aang looked behind him to see Katara talking to Zuko ways ahead of them. He turned back to Toph, "I thought we were a thing."
"You thought you and Sugarqueen were a 'thing'?" Toph raised her eyebrow again.
"Well, yeah! I mean, on the Day of Black Sun, I kissed her, and I thought that sealed the relationship we have. I don't know if I was coming back, so-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up. You kissed Sugarqueen?" Toph asked in shock, her eyes blinking.
"Uh...yeah. What, doesn't everyone know?" Aang asked her in confusion.
"Um...no, Twinkletoes. No one knows. Because you and Katara didn't say anything about it."
Now blinking in stupefaction and confusion, Aang tilted his head, "Really? I mean, I thought at least Katara would talk about it...I mean, I didn't say anything, because...you know, I thought I was going to...die...fighting..."
...Aang realized the things wrong with that statement. And with that, Aang felt a little...dumb...
"Well, you're not dead now. And Katara didn't mention it..." Toph glanced down for a moment, "...So that's why she was acting all antsy around you."
"What?" Aang asked in surprise.
"...Did you tell her you liked her before you kissed her?" Toph asked him.
"Uh...n-no...I...I didn't...I just thought she, well, she knew..."
Toph lifted her head up to 'look' at him, "...So you basically kissed her without her consent?" she asked him, a little stunned to hear that.
"Huh? I mean, well, I thought she...she liked me?" Aang said with an unsure look and tone.
"So you kissed her anyways?" Toph 'looked' at Aang in disbelief.
"O-Okay, okay, maybe-maybe that wasn't the smartest thing-"
"Maybe!? That's the dumbest thing you could do to a girl! She might not even reciprocate back!"
"Um...I-I..."
Okay, now Aang felt...well, pretty stupid...
"No wonder Katara has been kind of avoiding you! That alone would scare her away!" Toph said to him, shaking her head at Aang.
And it was then Aang realized...
...Oh man...I also kissed her twice without her consent at Ember Island! Making that three times...oh...crap...
...He was definitely not going to tell Toph about those two moments.
Toph sighed, "Twinkletoes, what possessed you to think you two were together?"
"...I...I don't know..." Aang slumped his shoulders dejectedly, "I always thought the Hero gets the girl, like those old stories that I used to read at the Southern Air Temple."
"Well, Twinkles, I hate to say it, but sometimes stories don't end like that. At least not some of the stories I hear from my...mom..." Toph shook her head to rid herself of the depressing thoughts of her mom and dad, "Also, this is real life. Stories don't have to portray real life at times."
"A-At times!" Aang stated, "You said it yourself! Which means stories can portray real life at times!"
"Twinkletoes. You need to differentiate between fiction and reality. Stories are depicted as stories, fictional tales that people use around in whatever settings they live in and actually have an imagination. A real-life story is a true story, and while these stories are true to an extent, some of those true stories bend the truth a bit to make them exciting. Either way, stories are to inspire people. Fictional stories are just an escape from everyday life because sometimes people's lives can be boring. And this story we're living in is reality, right now."
"...But..." Aang looked down at the ground, his whole face falling, "...Man, I...I really feel so...so stupid."
Thankfully, Toph didn't say anything to that.
"...I really thought Katara and I were-well, at least I thought we were, going to be together..." Aang looked crestfallen.
"...Want to know something?"
"Huh?" Aang looked back up at Toph.
"...I used to like Sokka," Toph admitted.
"...Whaaat?" Aang blinked in surprise, absolutely shocked by this bombshell.
Toph snorted and muttered, "Man, you are as observant as Snoozles," she continued, "Yeah, I liked him. In due time, I thought he was cool. Sounds kind of handsome too...but, Suki came along, and...well, she and Snoozles can't keep their hands off each other."
"...What...did you do?" Aang asked her cautiously.
"...I decided to let Suki have him."
Aang blinked in confusion about that. "You...let Suki have Sokka?"
"I mean, look, I'm a lot younger than him, and chances are, it's probably just a girly little crush I have on him, so it's not like I'm really super in love with him or anything. Besides, I think he just sees me as another little sister, which you know...I'm fine with that."
"You're...fine with that?" Aang wanted to make sure he heard that right.
"Yeah. I'm fine with it." Toph shrugged nonchalantly.
"...But...how can you be sure he isn't...the one?" Aang asked her.
Toph snickered, "Sheesh, Twinkles, what else did you read, romance stories? Look, there is no 'the one' when it comes to real-life relationships. You either like someone and if he or she returns your feelings, then that person is your partner in life..." She frowned though, "Although, I don't like the concept of marriage."
"You don't? Why's that?" Aang asked curiously.
"Well, you have to be bound by your partner. I mean, at least what I heard from women, is that they have to do what their husband says, like cook for them, take care of the kids, take care of the household...I mean, look at me, I'm blind!"
"That...never stopped you before," Aang said cautiously.
"Twinkletoes, I can only sense and do one thing at a time. Either way, I just...want to be free, ya know? Do my own thing. Go on an adventure. Not going by any rules..." Toph stood there as she thought about it.
Aang was also thinking about what she said...looking down, he had a thoughtful expression...until saying, "Well, hey, we can go on adventures and do our own things."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Toph blinked, "W-What?"
"I-I mean, not as, you know...partners in life," Aang said as he rubbed the back of his bald head and blushed, "But...you know, if you ever want to escape all of that, then you got me, Appa, and Momo! I got Appa as a transport, and Momo likes you, as well as I-uh, I-I mean...I mean, yeah, actually, I do! I mean, I like hanging around with you!"
Toph stood there...a small blush emerged from her face, "Um...wow, okay..." she went quiet for a moment...until she smiled at Aang, "You know what? I'll take that offer."
Aang smiled as well, "Awesome! I'll be sure in keeping that promise!"
Chuckling, Toph went up to him and playfully punched Aang on the arm, with Aang chuckling as well.
They stood there for a while...until Toph said, "Don't worry, Twinkletoes. You'll find the girl that you really like someday."
Blinking at that, Aang looked at Toph and felt...different...
"...Y-Yeah...yeah..." Aang smiled gratefully, "Thanks Sifu Toph."
Giving out a small grin, Toph said, "No prob!"
"Okay! Mine and Suki's stuff are loaded up! Time to go!" called out Sokka's voice.
Katara, Zuko, and Momo, along with Aang and Toph, got their things gathered, putting them all on the large air bison, Appa.
Oh, man...I was a stuttering mess back there. Katara thought as she got her stuff up on Appa. I hope Zuko didn't think I was being weird...I really hope he's okay, though. On top of trying to heal Azula mentally, he has to worry about his missing mother...I get why Zuko wants to help Azula regain her sanity back, she's his sister, but...is it worth the trouble? Does Zuko really think Azula can change?
This search will not be for naught. I have my friends... When Zuko put up his stuff on Appa, he slightly grazed the spot on his chest. ...Great friends… He looked at Katara who was standing next to him. ...I really need to repay her.
Toph brought up her clothes bag to Suki. The petite earthbender contemplated one problem in her mind as she stood there in thought. ...I haven't even reconciled with my parents...after this quest, I'm...I'm gonna go talk to them. However...I wouldn't trade this for anything. I got friends now...thanks to Aang...
With Aang getting his stuff up on Appa, he thought of one issue he had to clear out in the future. He glanced at Katara, who was next to Zuko. ...We may not be together, but...I...I got to be strong. For myself. This is part of growing up...I think I remember an Air Nomad proverb somewhere here. Either way, I need to apologize to Katara for what I did...for pushing myself onto her three times...for putting pressure on her...man, I acted really stupid back there. He glanced at Toph, who he was next to...he gave out a small smile. Thanks, Toph, for setting me straight again.
Then, Toph shot up in her stance.
Aang blinked in confusion at this reaction.
...Did...Toph hear my thoughts?
"Hold on a second," Toph said, getting everyone's attention. Sokka and Suki were on Appa and glanced down, while Zuko, Katara, Aang, and even Momo all looked at her.
"What's the matter, Toph?" Katara asked her.
"..." Toph stomped her foot to her right. "...Someone is coming this way."
"Someone's here?" Zuko asked her, a little surprised.
"Really? Who is it?" Aang asked.
"If I knew that, I tell ya. But the posture and steps this person is making feels...like it's a male...maybe."
"Maybe?" Suki wondered.
"Well, which one is it, Toph? Male or female?" Sokka asked her.
Toph stomped her foot on the ground once more.
"...This person...has a hunched posture...he's carrying something...I think it is a male," Toph explained.
"Hunched over? Carrying something? Like the stuff he's carrying is on his back?" Aang said as he squinted in the distance, trying to find the person through the mist of the precipitation.
Sokka got a telescope out and used it with his right eye. He tries to see in the distance...until he said, "Hey, I think I see the guy!"
"Let me see," Suki offered.
"Sure, Babe," Sokka gave the telescope to her.
Suki looked through the telescope and saw...an outline of a hunched-over person. "Hey, I see him too!"
Aang went a little closer next to Toph's right side as he tried to look harder. Then, he too can see the outline of someone in the mist. "Oh! Hey, I see him also!"
Katara frowned, "I wonder who it is?"
"Whoever it may be, we have to be careful. Who knows if it's a bandit or a rogue Fire Nation soldier," Zuko warned.
As the figure's outline made itself known through the mist, it got closer...
...and closer...
...until the person stopped.
The Gaang all felt tense.
"...Uh, hello?" Aang called out to the person.
"Are you lost?" Katara called out to the mystery person as well.
"Hey, come on here a little closer!" Toph called out, "We won't bite, if that's what you're thinking!"
"Uh," Sokka slid down off Appa and whispered over to Toph, "Toph, is it really wise to invite a stranger over here?"
"Don't worry, Snoozles. I think from the way he walks, his body is a little on the thin side," Toph explained.
Suki also slid down and walked over next to her Sokka, "Well, either way, it's just one guy and the six of us. I would consider that as some good odds."
The figure still stood there...until he continued his way over to them.
Aang called out once more, "What's your name?"
The person came closer...until he made himself known.
The person was indeed, a man. However, he was wearing a purplish attire, with a purple jumpsuit and purple shoes, along with a purple jacket with a hoodie. He had a golden piece accessory that was around his neck and on his shoulders, with the hoodie being over his head, covering mostly his facial features. He also had a big sack on his back, with multiple masks on them.
The Gaang all stood there cautiously, ready for whether this man would attack or not.
The man came closer… and stopped in front of Team Avatar.
It was then, the man looked up at the kids.
"Oh! Why hello!" he said, revealing his face. His skin was a strange pale yellow, almost like Fire Nation, and his eyes were squinted-looking. But the most unusual thing was that he was giving off a big grin.
A grin that looked...cryptic...almost mysterious...
Team Avatar glanced at each other (except Toph, who just looked baffled), until Aang said, "Uh...hi?"
The man chuckled, the laughter almost sounding...odd.
"My, I haven't come across any travelers for quite some time! May I ask what your names are?"
The kids blinked at that.
"Uh...you don't recognize us?" Sokka asked him.
"Hmm?" the man tilted his head with the same grin on his face.
"Sokka, the news wouldn't be spreading like wildfire just yet," Katara corrected him.
"I mean, hey, having a one-hundred-year-old war ending has to at least caught up by now," Sokka shrugged.
"Um, I'm Zuko. This is Katara, Aang, Toph, Sokka, and Suki," Zuko introduced everyone.
Momo chattered at Zuko on his shoulders.
"Oh, uh...this is also Momo," Zuko said, pointing at the animal.
"And this is Appa!" Aang said with a grin as he gestured to the air bison.
The man then gave out his odd laugh, "Well, greetings then, everyone! I am but a mere salesman that sells peculiar items of novelty!"
"Items of novelty?" Katara asked curiously, "What do you sell?"
"Why, I sell masks!" he answered.
"Masks?" Aang raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yes! I sell the finest to the most common! I search for any kind of mask also, from the rarest to the most unique, even to the oldest and most ancient!" the man told them.
"Masks, huh?" Toph said, a little unimpressed, "Can't say I wore one before since I'm blind."
Chuckling, the salesman continued saying, "Well, it doesn't hurt to feel a mask and its design, is it now, little Toph?"
Toph pouted at the term 'little'.
"Uh, what kind of masks do you have?" Aang asked when he saw his friend Toph not looking pleased with the nickname.
The salesman looked at Aang with an even bigger grin, "Oh? You want to buy some of my masks?"
"Uh...I-I guess so?" Aang said with a shrug.
Zuko, however, said, "Aang, we don't have time to buy anything. We got to go to the next town over."
"Actually, what kind of masks do you have, if I may ask?" Sokka asked the man.
"Sokka, Zuko said we don't have time for this," Katara argued with her brother.
"Hey, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get an authentic old mask!" Sokka told his sister, "Besides, what if there is a Kyoshi mask? I want to give it to Suki!"
"Aww, Sokka!" Suki said with a sweet smile at her boyfriend.
Chuckling, the salesman offered, "How about I let you all look at my wares? Just a quick look and I'll be going!"
The Gaang glanced at each other, until looking at Zuko and Katara. The two felt cornered, and they sighed in exasperation.
"Okay, fine," Zuko said.
"Alright then. But just a quick look, and we're going!" Katara reminded everyone.
Aang looked at the masks on the salesman's sack, "You know, those are some mighty interesting-looking masks you got there."
"Why thank you! I got all of these masks during my travels! Now, excuse me, I will be setting up the merchandise," the salesman said.
Once he unhooked his luggage off his back, it let out a big and loud plop onto the ground.
Sokka raised a brow and whispered to Suki, "How does he even carry all that?"
The salesman got a rolled-up sack and unhooked it to let it roll outward in front of him, a display futon for the masks. He got the other large sack that had hanging masks on them and rummaged through it.
"I have quite the selection of masks for all of you to look at. Some are very interesting finds!"
He turned to Team Avatar with the same unnatural grin on his face.
"Would you all like to see what they are?"
And that's the chapter! Okay, again, I'm going to let this story wait for a while. Until then, tell me what you think! Leave a follow, fave, and a review! :D
Thank you all for reading! Keep on rocking everybody! :)
-TSP
