Chapter 3: "Echoes of the Elements"

Tanya walked through the cobblestone streets of the village, the soft rustle of her green Earth Kingdom dress accompanying her every step. The garment, fashioned from silk, hugged her slender frame gracefully. Its vibrant hue, reminiscent of the verdant fields that surrounded the village, contrasted beautifully with her golden locks, framing her delicate features like a halo.

As she strolled, Tanya's mind buzzed with the knowledge she had acquired over the past week. Her parents had revealed to her the existence of different nations or races of people that inhabited their world. There was the Fire Nation, known for their fiery temperament and mastery of firebending; the Water Tribes, with their connection to the element of water and their skilled waterbenders; and her own homeland, the Earth Kingdom, a vast expanse of diverse landscapes where powerful earthbenders roamed.

But it was the mention of the extinct Air Nomads that piqued Tanya's curiosity. Her parents had told her stories of these peaceful people, who were said to possess the ability to bend the air around them. Though their civilization had long since vanished from the world, ruthlessly destroyed by the Fire Nation. A lingering feeling of an unknown emotion swirled in her chest at this knowledge. Almost like anger, contempt and disgust mixed together. A memory floating in her mind. The words "waste of resources" seem to constantly pop up for whatever reason.

Lost in thought, Tanya couldn't help but let out a chuckle as a humorous notion crossed her mind. Benders... bending genders? The idea struck her as utterly absurd, and she couldn't suppress a giggle at the mental image of people contorting themselves into different genders at will.

But beneath the laughter, a nagging sense of déjà vu lingered in the back of Tanya's mind. It was as if she had encountered something similar before, something that tugged at the edges of her memory like a half-forgotten dream.

Shaking her head to dispel the lingering thoughts, Tanya continued her stroll through the village, her eyes taking in the sights and sounds of her surroundings. The village bustled with activity, its narrow streets lined with colorful buildings crafted from locally sourced stone and timber. Vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze, each one adorned with intricate patterns and symbols that spoke of the village's rich cultural heritage.

As Tanya made her way towards the outskirts of the village, she couldn't help but marvel at the skill and craftsmanship on display. Merchants peddled their wares in bustling market stalls, their voices mingling with the cheerful chatter of children playing in the cobblestone streets. Artisans worked diligently at their craft, their hands deftly shaping clay and wood into works of art that would adorn the village for generations to come.

But it was the sight that greeted Tanya as she reached the edge of the village that truly took her breath away. Before her stood a middle aged man, his muscles rippling with power as he moved with a grace and precision that seemed almost otherworldly. With a stomp of his feet and a flick of his wrist, he sent a column of earth soaring into the air, shaping it with effortless ease into what seems like the foundation of a house.

Tanya's eyes widened in awe as she watched the earthbender at work, her surprise mingling with a sense of wonder at the sheer power and skill on display. She had heard about earthbending from her parents, of course, but to witness it firsthand was a truly remarkable experience. As the earthbender continued to shape the earth with practiced precision, Tanya couldn't tear her gaze away.

Lost in the spectacle before her, Tanya's mind began to wander, a faint whisper of doubt creeping into her thoughts. Could she do the same? The idea lingered, stirring something deep within her memory. It was a fleeting sensation, like a distant echo from the past.

Tanya murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper, "I wonder if I could ever bend like that. It seems so... powerful."

As if in response to her words, a memory surged to the forefront of Tanya's mind. She found herself standing once again on a battlefield, surrounded by chaos and destruction. The deafening roar of gunfire filled the air, mingling with the shouts of soldiers and the acrid smell of smoke.

In that moment, Tanya felt danger lurking around every corner, a sense of urgency driving her forward. She remembered the adrenaline coursing through her veins, the desperate need to be powerful, to be safe.

A shiver ran down Tanya's spine as the memory faded, leaving her with a lingering sense of unease. The desire to harness her own power burned bright within her heart, igniting a newfound determination.

With a resolute expression, Tanya turned away from the earthbender and started her way home. She may not remember her past, but she knew that she had to possess whatever strength she could including earthbending.


As Tanya reached home, she was greeted by her mother, Mei, who smiled warmly at her as she entered the door.

"Welcome home, Tanya," Mei said, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "How was your walk?"

Tanya returned her mother's smile, though her thoughts still lingered on the memory that had resurfaced earlier. "It was good, Mother," she replied, though her tone was somewhat distracted. "I saw an earthbender working on a house foundation. It was incredible."

Mei's smile widened at Tanya's enthusiasm. "Ah, yes, earthbending is quite a sight to behold," she said, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Did it remind you of anything?"

Tanya hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. "Actually, yes," she admitted, her voice quiet. "It reminded me of something from before... a memory, I think."

Mei's expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on Tanya's shoulder. "It's okay, dear," she said gently. "You've been through a lot, and it's natural for memories to resurface over time."

Tanya's mother paused for a bit. "Before the incident, you were a very smart and quiet girl," she began, her voice tinged with sadness. "But you were prone to bouts of fantasies, like flying. And sometimes, you would act like a middle-aged person, always talking about efficiency and other strange things which worried your father and me."

Tanya's eyes widened in surprise at her mother's words, the pieces of her memory slotting into place like a puzzle. "Flying?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "But that's... that's impossible."

Mei nodded solemnly. "Yes, dear, I know," she said gently. "But it's what you believed at the time. And your father and I were always there to support you, no matter what."

Tanya's mind whirled with this new information, her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of it all. "I don't understand," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mei reached out and took Tanya's hand in hers, offering her daughter a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay not to understand everything right away," she said softly. "Just know that your father and I love you, no matter what. And we're here to help you through this, every step of the way."


Authors notes:-

That's three chapters done. It's a slow burn I know. I'll slowly progress the story to where Tanya meets Sokka and get herself involve in trying to save the world. She's slowly getting her memories back but we'll see how that changes her and her actions. I'm not an expert in avatar lore so bear with me. :3