Greetings, avid readers!
I'd like to start with thanking all the reads, favs and follows in this story. Even if silent, your support means a lot. As for the ones that took their time to write a review, thank you as well!
Been a while, huh? Therapist said I should pRiOrItIzE mY wElLbEiNg and sToP hAvInG sUcH nEgAtIvE sElF tAlK. Idk what that means, but I do know that I get specially funny when I'm like this so wooohooo! Currently rereading series, also trying to finish other stories before I start posting them. My next big hit will be Fairy Tail, if you like it, stick around and give me a follow or something idk. I sound obnoxious asf, please ignore me.
My weekly obsession is... none. Just want it to be over. Fuck it.
Brain Fart, because I can. Hehe.
Dommie, you had to throw in a Harry Potter reference. And you just want to punish me because you're kinky. And I came back! Took like an hour. But I did! And I love you too.
This is my first try at a Avatar fanfiction. Go easy on me. Reviews and flames are always welcomed, for they keep my cat and I warm at night.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar nor any of the characters. Such credit should go to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. I do own a... certain amount of characters that will be recognized further into the story.
Thank you, and enjoy the chapter!
Chapter XXIII: The Last Straw
X—X
The day was beautiful, the sun shining in the sky. There was an energy in the people, and Aang assumed it was due to the leaders of the nations being among them. He could see Sokka playing around with a few kids, Suki laughing every time they tricked them with airbending. He had seen Katara go to the clinic earlier that day, and he was sure she was having the time of her life.
Zuko sat among the elders, benders, and non-benders, as they sat at the park. He could see them talking quietly, and the Fire Lord was sure to be receiving and giving advice to the men and women. Old Mako was not among them, however. Toph was somewhere, he could not pinpoint exactly where, but he could feel her energy.
The Avatar adjusted his seating on the rooftop he was on. He had a view of the whole Air Dome. Children playing, on their noon break from school, mothers hurrying along to make use of the warm sun, and fathers walking around doing the necessary tasks of everyday life. He watched them all, wondering if he would ever have a chance to see the exact same view but high in the sky, at the top of the Southern Air Temple.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He trusted the hearts of the air nomads, his people, and he knew they would come forth with reason. He knew he would come out victorious. All he had to do was wait. Wait patiently, wait for the bird to come feed off his hand, wait for his heart to return to his chest, wait for that head of curls to come back to him.
"Aang."
His head snapped to the side as he noticed Toph looking up to the skies, undeniably looking for him. He nodded to himself and jumped, allowing the winds to carry him back to the ground. Once he landed next to Toph, he lightly touched her shoulder. The earthbender nodded and turned to the front, frowning. A loud crack, like a clap of thunder, was heard, and slowly but surely, everyone started walking to the square.
"Come, Avatar Aang, Master Toph!" Tenna appeared next to him and took his hand. "The Elders are to speak!"
Aang smiled softly and allowed himself to be guided by the little one to the square, Toph trailing not far behind him. When they got there, Tenna left them to find her parents, and the two pierced through the crowd to meet Suki, Sokka, and Zuko at the front line. Katara ran up to them and smiled at Zuko, who took her hand.
The six Elders stepped out of the tower, Li Mei following close behind them. When they found themselves in line, Li Mei fell back into the crowd. Elder Shiro stepped forward and raised his arms, in an attempt to quiet down the rumors of the people. They eventually grew quiet, or at least quiet enough for the men to be heard over them.
"Greetings, people of the Air Community. I am aware that when the Elders come down to speak to all of you, most of the time the news is not so good. This time, I plea for your patience, for we have several announcements to make."
He smiled when the crowd went silent and carried on. "As most of you know, we have been living in this community for a hundred years now. Generations grew and withered between these walls, walls brought up by our ancestors, the most powerful airbending masters to keep us safe; from the war and from the world that sought our demise."
Elder Bao stepped forward. "Yesterday, as many of you are aware, five strangers came through the barrier. Those strangers, for those who do not know, are the leaders of the Nations of this world."
"I'm not the leader, King Bumi is." Toph frowned.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Chieftain of the South Water Tribe Sokka, Ambassador Katara, Master Toph, and Leader of the Kyoshi Warriors Suki." Elder Bao introduced, and the crowd cheered. "They came accompanied by our Master Avatar, Aang. As you may remember, two months ago, Master Aang arrived for the first time in our community. He made a promise to the Council, a promise that he kept: to bring with him the leaders of all the nations to prove that the war was over."
"Members of our proud community, after hearing their testimonies, and their tales, and what change is happening on the other side of our walls..." Elder Shiro smiled. "It is my pleasure as a member of this Council of Elders to declare that the war... is officially over."
The crowd erupted in cheers, and Aang saw some of his companions join the cries of happiness and joy. He grinned brightly, even letting Toph land her congratulatory punch on his arm. He saw Zuko hug Katara, Tenna screaming with joy, and even Min celebrate with his companions. He saw Ahria step up to Suki with a big smile and tears in her eyes.
When his eyes found hers, nothing else mattered. He saw Momo, perched on her shoulder with his tail wrapped around her upper arm. He saw her one-sleeved kimono, pulled closer to her chest, leaving only a peek of the blue corset. He saw her hands, holding the second peach Momo had not gotten to eat yet. And finally her eyes, with tears of joy, stared back into his. Aang smiled brightly, but she only nodded in gratitude.
"Please, silence."
Aang frowned when Boqin's voice echoed. He saw the joy disappear from Ahria's face and he turned back to look at the man.
If there was one thing his time as the Avatar had taught him, was to observe and recognize small breaches in the human posture and expression, even when they are trying their hardest to conceal it. And Elder Boqin was doing his best to hold in a mixture of rage and smugness. The combination was downright odd for the young man, but he decided to listen to what he had to say.
"As Elder Bao and Elder Shiro so masterfully said, the Council as a whole has made the decision to officially announce within these walls that the war is over. However, some things need to be said." he declared.
"Why do I get the feeling this guy is about to rain on everyone's day?" Toph whispered.
"Parade, Toph. Rain on everyone's parade." Aang explained. "And he's the type to."
"The fuck is a parade?"
"Shush!"
"Those of you who wish to remain in the Air Community are welcome to. Those who want to leave will need to present themselves by the end of today. You will be granted entry and exit passes for our barrier, as some of our merchants have."
Aang saw Nian Zhen bow his head in recognition.
"Your entries and exits will be monitored, but you will have passes to come and visit the family you leave here. It is my knowledge that the Avatar is preparing the Air Temples to be livable once more, so those of you who wish to leave are free to stay grounded or go with him."
The crowd erupted in cheers once more, and Aang felt his heart soar. His people wanted to follow him, his people yearned for their true homes. Katara stood beside him and squeezed his hand. He granted her a bright smile as her eyes filled with happy tears. Everything was going to turn out okay, he would lead his people home once more.
"Silence, please!" one of the Elders asked, and Aang turned to see that Boqin still stood in the same manner, but now the smugness had surpassed the rage.
"Thank you. While we are all happy that the war is finally over, there is one more subject that must be spoken of." he declared. "It was a happy outcome, yes, but an act of betrayal still happened."
Everyone froze, but that did not stop the Elder. "The Air Community, our pride and heart was betrayed by one person. That person threatened our lifestyle, that person put every single one of our lives in danger. That person is a menace to our society." a loud gasp echoed through the crowd.
"That person willingly put us all in danger by allowing none other than foreigners to follow them back to the hidden and secure location of the Air Community. While yes, it all went well, and we received some wonderful news, had it not been the case, who knows of the danger we could have all been in. And that... is a crime we cannot let go unpunished."
The square was drowned in silence, even the animals and plants seemed to hold their breath to learn the sentence.
"So, the Elders of this esteemed Air Community declare Ahria an outlaw and hereby exile her from our community, to never return." Another gasp cut through the silence. "And those who dare have contact with her, if discovered, they will suffer the same treatment of the traitor."
The gaang is shocked still, but the people seem to follow the exact opposite route. Cries began to be heard, rising louder than the rumors, and soon the crowd was revolting against the decision of the elders. Cries of freedom, righteousness, justice, and integrity were heard, and Aang eyes immediately found her.
"That's not fair!"
"You can't do this!"
"She brought us the Avatar!"
"Rea is blessed!"
"She is good!"
But Ahria simply lowered her head. He looked at Li Mei, who shook her head with tears in her eyes, the most emotion he had ever seen her show. He saw many people, trying to guard Ahria, offering her a hand on the shoulder, or a word of rebellion. And Elder Boqin called for quiet, while the smug look in his eyes glowed brighter.
"Silence, please!"
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone froze as the authoritarian cry echoed through the Air Dome, stilling everyone to their places. Ahria raised her head and walked to the front of the crowd, pushing past Toph, who patted her shoulder. She cocked her head to the side, glaring at Elder Boqin, who watched her with a dry look. She scoffed and licked her lips.
"You never wanted me."
"Quiet, child." the elder warned.
"No. I'm done being quiet. You just exiled me, so you have no authority over what I say or what I do." she smirked. "And I'm done keeping quiet."
"Ahria-!"
"You never wanted me. You indulged my mother and then hated me when she died. And when I didn't reach your goals, you cast me out like I was nothing!" she exclaimed. "The second my mother died I became a goal! I was an object; I was an expectation I could never meet! And because I didn't become a master airbender by the age of 13, you kicked me out of the academy!"
Aang heard Toph choke beside him, Katara gasped and everyone held their breaths, but there was a fire consuming him. His right-hand arrow began to glow white, and he tightened it in a fist.
"Tell them the truth!" she pointed behind her. "I am the biggest stain in your pristine reputation! I am the dirt you have been trying to sweep under the rug for all of my life! You were glad I disappeared for a year, and very much disappointed when I returned! And don't try to deny it, for I know it to be true! Should I tell everyone what exactly you are to me?! Who exactly did you just exile?!"
"Quiet, Ahria!" Elder Boqin exclaimed, but she smirked.
"You hold on to your reputation like it's iron, but you are a casket of glass. One deft touch and you break." she leaned back. "But I suppose I have no more reason to keep silent, to keep your dirty secret, now that you exiled me from the place I've called a home."
"Ahria..."
"Isn't that right... father?"
Time seemed to stop now that Aang had the confirmation to his suspicions. He heard his friends curse beneath their breaths, he felt fury similar to what he felt towards Ozai, but he felt an iron grip on his arm. He looked down to see a pale hand grabbing onto him, keeping him from throwing himself at the man who dared call himself her father.
"This is her fight, Twinkle Toes," she whispered. "Not yours."
"I know you say to everyone that I am weak. I know you managed to convince the entire Council that I am nothing. I know you claim that I am no good of an Airbender, that I cannot master more than the basic techniques. Well... the entire Air Dome knows that to be untrue. And since you found it proper to take away my house and home... I will shatter your glass roof."
She stepped to the side, and everyone's eyes followed her.
"I'll show you what a real master airbender is made of."
A/N: Can't wait for you to see what happens. I got to the point of no return where I can't drop the story... but still. Keep in mind, I'll keep this story up or drop it depending on your feedback.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to review if you want, or if you don't, I hope you liked it!
First to review gets a cookie!
Lots of love from this weirdo,
LoneeWolf :)