III/ Into the unknown again!

After Aang had buried the bones of the man whose name was Gyatso, the group moved back to the temple. Aang went back to the Avatar sanctuary which turned out to be the room full of statues where Elsa awoke. Aang asked both his friends and her to leave him a bit of time alone. Elsa merely nodded, sensing it was something the boy wanted to do, even though she was a bit wary of letting a young boy like him on his own. She then followed Katara and Sokka through the temple.

After some moments of walking and descending a pass leading outside of the place, they entered an open area where awaited a creature like nothing else. Elsa's eyes widened in astonishment at seeing it. It was a long and big animal looking like a gigantic bison with white fur, but bigger than an elephant and having six feet and a big flat tail. The young queen stayed still, stupefied, and unable to grasp what she was seeing. The suspicion she was in a very different place grew stronger.

Katara noticed Elsa's reaction and smiled, understanding the bewilderment. "This, Elsa, is Appa."

Elsa blinked, still trying to comprehend the sight before her. "This is Appa?"

Sokka, remembering his first encounter with the sky bison, commented with a smirk, "Yeah, the first time I saw him, I thought I was hallucinating."

The young queen was still grasping what she was seeing, having imagined that a sky bison was a specific race of bison, not a gigantic one with a strange anatomy.

Katara nodded with a smile before her glance turned sad, "He is Aang's companion. And the last of his kind."

Elsa felt a twinge of sadness for Appa, realizing the significance of such a situation. She also thought of Aang's words and couldn't imagine what it must feel for them.

Hesitating a bit, she asked with a cautious and sympathetic tone, "What happened to the others?"

Sokka interjected in an angry voice, "The Fire Nation happened. They wiped out the sky bison, just like the airbenders."

Katara shot her brother a disapproving look. "Sokka, not now."

Elsa, her mind racing with the new information, couldn't help but think back to Aang's words about being the last of his kind.

"The Fire Nation... What kind of people could do such a thing?" She asked concerned and grave.

Katara, sensing Elsa's turmoil, placed a comforting hand on her arm. "It's a dark story. I'll tell you later if you want."

Elsa nodded, understanding well some questions could await. With luck, she would know where to find Arendelle and to go back. She kindly smiled at Katara appreciating the support and comfort, sensing the maturity of the young girl. A part of her however wondered how it had occurred.

Katara gestured towards Appa, inviting Elsa to approach. "Come, Elsa. Appa's friendly."

The young queen hesitated for a moment before relenting. As they approached, Appa lifted his massive head, his eyes fixed on Elsa. He sniffed the air, and Elsa couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation. She noticed the same arrow symbol as Aang on the head of the sky bison and wondered its meaning.

Katara observed Appa's reaction. "Looks like he's curious about you, Elsa."

Elsa, still processing the encounter, managed a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Appa."

The sky bison responded with a soft growl, and Elsa took a step back, surprised. Katara laughed, "Don't worry, that's just his way of saying hello."

Elsa couldn't help but find the interaction both strange and endearing. She was surrounded by creatures and people with abilities and customs she had never imagined.

Katara addressed Appa, "Alright, Appa, Elsa needs our help to find her way back home."

The sky bison grunted in acknowledgment as if understanding the conversation. Elsa couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the creature.

Katara turned to her brother, "Hey, Sokka, find your map. We need it to help Elsa."

Sokka retorted with a smirk, "Always the guy with the map, aren't I?" He strolled towards his scattered belongings, searching for the map.

Katara watched him, a smile playing on her lips. "He can never resist a chance to show off his skills."

Elsa chuckled at her words and noticed the amused fondness of Katara for her brother. Very different and yet similar to some extent to her relationship with Anna. She felt a pang in her chest and tried to shake it off, thinking of how soon she would have her answer or not.

As Sokka retrieved the map and made his way back to his sister and Elsa, he unfolded it with a theatrical flair. "Behold, the masterpiece of navigational excellence," he declared with a grin.

Elsa offered a polite and amused smile, entertained by the antics of the young boy. "Thank you, Sokka."

As she glanced at the map, her expression shifted from gratitude to confusion. The world depicted on the map was nothing like her own. The shape of the lands and the continents had nothing to do with her own world. The suspicion that was growing in her mind since her awakening was now concrete but the young queen struggled to admit it.

Katara noticed Elsa's perplexed look and asked, "Something wrong, Elsa?"

Elsa hesitated before responding, "I... I'm not from around here."

Sokka answered nonchalantly, "We already know that."

Elsa shook her head. "No. That's not what I meant. This world... It's nothing like mine."

Katara, concerned, asked, "What do you mean, Elsa?"

Sokka scratched his head. "Uh, are you telling us you are not from around here, are you?"

Elsa bit her lip, feeling a sense of disarray. She hesitated to answer but took a breath. "No, I'm not. I come from a different world altogether."

The two siblings exchanged puzzled glances. Katara spoke up, "A different world? You mean the spirit world?"

Confused by what the young Water tribe girl had just said but also intrigued as it reminded her of the elemental spirits of the Enchanted Forest, Elsa looked at the two siblings with baffled eye, "No. Another world," she said in a cautious voice, uncertain how they would take it.

Sokka looked at her with bewildered and sceptical eyes, "Are you sure you're alright? You're speaking nonsense, woman."

"Sokka," Katara interjected with a warning look, even though she was also very dazed and intrigued.

While she was pursing her lips in irritation in hearing Sokka's words and feeling a mix of frustration and uncertainty, decided to show them. Drawing inspiration, she extended her hand, and a shimmering, icy map of Europe materialized before them. She focused hard on giving a fair depiction of the geography of Europe. It was not as difficult as creating the sextant for the daughter of the librarian, but it was nevertheless exhausting.

Sokka, eyes wide, exclaimed, "That's... that's some advanced map-making!"

Katara stared in awe and disbelief at seeing Elsa creating from thin air the map. She asked in a stunned and frenzy voice, "How did you manage that? Creating the ice wall was impressive, but this… It is something I do not know if any waterbender master had achieved."

She took a moment to catch her breath, the strain of using her powers evident on her face. She looked at Katara and Sokka, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.

"What is waterbending? I have never heard anything of this sort in my world," she told the two siblings.

Katara and Sokka exchanged bewildered glances. Sokka, always the skeptic, broke the silence with a raised eyebrow, "You've never heard of waterbending? What kind of world are you from?"

Elsa shook her head, her ice-blue eyes reflecting sincerity. "I come from a place where people don't have these elemental powers. The laws of nature are different in my world."

Katara, sensing Elsa's honesty, approached her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "So, no bending at all? How do you handle yourselves?"

Elsa sighed, "We have found different ways. The idea of manipulating elements with one's will is entirely foreign to my people. I'm the exception."

The two water tribe siblings were stunned hearing those words. Sokka, still stunned by what he was seeing, couldn't contain his curiosity. "So, what are you, some kind of ice wizard?"

Elsa chuckled, finding Sokka's description amusing. "Not exactly. It's more complicated than that."

Katara took a deep breath, understanding that she needed to clarify the concept of bending for Elsa. "Well, bending is the ability to manipulate one of the four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. I'm a waterbender, which means I can control and manipulate water."

She extended her hand towards her water skin, pulling water from it and creating a small, swirling sphere. "Watch closely," she said, her focus intense. With fluid motions, Katara made moving the swirling sphere before making it move like an eel in the air. Elsa noticed that Katara struggled a bit and guessed it was due to her age. A part of her wondered if someone among her people had helped her or not.

"As waterbenders, we can control water in various ways. We can bend it to our will, shaping it for offense or defense. We can also freeze water into ice and even heal using water as a medium," the young girl explained.

Elsa observed Katara's bending with a mix of fascination and realization. The icy map she had created seemed like a distant relative to Katara's water manipulation. But the movements the young girl was doing and the fact she needed a source of water indicated her that it worked differently from how she created ice and snow.

Katara continued as she sent back water into her water skin, "There are earthbenders, who control earth and rock. The Fire Nation... The Fire Nation is the land of the firebenders, who command flames. And Aang is an airbender. He can manipulate the air around him. All of these bending abilities are tied to our world and its natural elements."

Elsa, absorbing the information, nodded thoughtfully. She noticed how Katara put a hand on her necklace when mentioning the firebenders and the tone used. Once again, she wondered how people could be cruel or abuse powers that should be a gift. Chasing away the thought, she asked, "So, in your world, people are born with these abilities and can control elements?"

Katara nodded, "Yes, it's a part of who we are. Bending is a skill that's passed down through generations. But it's not something everyone possesses. It's a unique gift."

Elsa glanced at her hands, deep in thought. The differences between their worlds were becoming more apparent, and Elsa couldn't help but wonder how her powers fit into this bending framework.

She looked at Sokka, "Are a waterbender like your sister?"

Sokka shook his head, "No, I'm not a bender. I'm just the boomerang guy." He held up his trusty weapon with a grin. "But don't underestimate the power of a well-thrown boomerang!"

Elsa smiled at Sokka's enthusiasm while also pondering the fact that Sokka was in a similar position as her sister, considering they were both without this power to manipulate an element. and then turned her attention back to Katara. "So, bending is something you're born with, but what about training? How do people learn to control their abilities?"

Katara explained her eyes furrowed in concentration as she was trying to remember everything she knew, "Bending abilities are usually discovered at a young age, and those who show potential are trained by masters in their respective bending arts. They learn through practice, discipline, and studying the techniques passed down through generations."

Elsa titled her head, taking in the information. "It sounds like a deep connection between people and the elements in your world. I've never encountered anything like that in my own. It's just so different from what I know."

Katara looked at Elsa with empathy, before asking "If it's not bending, what are your abilities?"

Elsa pondered on the question before answering, "My powers are… magical. I can manipulate ice and snow, and create things out of thin air with ice and snow. It's a power I've had since I was born."

Katara and Sokka exchanged glances, trying to process this new information. Sokka, always quick with a quip, managed to find his voice first. "So, you're like a snowbender? Is that a thing in your world?"

Elsa chuckled lightly at the term. "You could say that, even if I have the feeling my powers are distinct to bending and are... unique to me."

Katara and Sokka nodded in understanding. Sokka then looked at the map and said, "Your map is very pretty, but is it Arendelle or is it a place on this map?"

Elsa chuckled a bit before pointing to the Norwegian coast on the map she had created. "This is where I come from. Arendelle is here."

Katara and Sokka leaned in to get a closer look at the map, their curiosity piqued. Sokka's eyes widened as he studied the area Elsa pointed to.

"Wow, so you're really from a whole different place," Sokka exclaimed.

Katara placed a hand on Elsa's arm. "It must be quite a shock for you to find yourself in a completely different world."

Elsa nodded with a confused and resigned sigh, though she was grateful for the compassion of the young girl. "It is. And I do not know how I can go back there."

Katara, sensing Elsa's distress, reassured her, "Why don't you come with us? Aang wouldn't mind, and I'm sure he can help you to find your way back home. As the Avatar, I'm sure he will find a way to contact the spirits to help you."

Elsa appreciated the young girl's support but was also confused and wondering about how Aang would help her. A part of her wondered if he had other powers that could help her in such an unexpected, peculiar, and desperate endeavor.

"Thank you, Katara. Your kindness means a lot to me." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But I can't help but wonder, what exactly is this Avatar you mentioned? How could Aang possibly help me get back to my world?"

Katara exchanged a thoughtful glance with Sokka before turning back to Elsa, ready to explain. "Aang is the Avatar, the bridge between the physical and spirit worlds. He can bend all four elements. Not only that but he's deeply connected to the spirits and has a unique connection to the Avatar State, a powerful form that draws on the wisdom and energy of all past Avatars. He might find out how you were sent here and how you can be sent back."

Elsa listened intently, absorbing the information about the Avatar and his connection to the spirit world. The way Katara depicted it reminded her a bit of how Honeymaren depicted the four elements and the bridge between Nature and the human world, the fifth element. The idea Aang was in a position akin to her was so strange and yet so full of possibilities. A part of her wondered if he could offer her perspective of his own on the matter, even though she wasn't certain due to his age. It was a lot to take in, but she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. If anyone could help her find a way back home, it seemed like Aang could be the one. She was however a bit concerned that a child like him had to bear such burden.

"I see," Elsa replied, her voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. "It sounds like Aang possesses incredible powers and knowledge. If he can tap into the spirit world and connect with past Avatars, perhaps he can uncover the reason behind my arrival here and help me return."

Katara nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "Exactly. I believe he can help you, Elsa."

Elsa appreciated the supporting and optimistic demeanor of Katara, partly reminding her of Anna. Ignoring the pang in her chest, she knew she could trust these children, even though the situation was strange and unfamiliar. "Thank you. I'm grateful for your kindness."

Katara smiled in response. Sokka chimed in with his trademark sarcasm, "Oh great, another task for Aang to deal with. Because ending a hundred-year war and mastering all the elements wasn't challenging enough. Now he gets to add 'relocating an ice queen' to his to-do list. Lucky him."

Sokka's sarcastic comment hung in the air as Elsa processed the revelation of an ongoing war. Her blue eyes widened, reflecting a mix of shock and concern. "A war?" she repeated, her voice carrying a tone of disbelief and concern, thinking of the incident her grandfather created when he killed the Northuldra leader. But it was more a skirmish than a war and she remembered that the last conflict her neighbors experienced was the Napoleonic Wars.

Katara, sensing Elsa's confusion, approached her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's a long story. A war that has lasted a hundred years, and Aang, as the Avatar, has the responsibility to bring it to an end."

"Aang?" Elsa asked with a mix of confusion and dread.

Katara nodded, explaining, "Yes. You see, the Avatar is the one that can maintain peace and balance in the world."

Elsa absorbed this information and was overwhelmed. She couldn't imagine how the people were handling the situation if entire generations had known war and suffering of any kind. And considering how Sokka spoke of the Fire Nation, she suspected they were behind the conflict. Her thoughts involuntarily flashed back to her own journey through the Well of Ahtohallan, the revelation of being the bridge between the elements. She found a strange connection with Aang. But at the same time... this was a different kind of destiny. And the fact he was supposed to end a war bothered her and made her concerned and uneasy. Perhaps the previous Avatars could do it if they were adults.

"But he's just a child," she expressed her concern.

Sokka, always quick with his wit, chimed in, "Well, he got stuck in an iceberg for most of those years. Woke up a century later, and now he's dealing with this whole 'save the world' thing. Lucky him."

Katara shot a stern look at Sokka, who was quick to add, "Hey, I'm just stating facts. No one said it was fair."

Elsa's expression shifted to a mix of sympathy and disbelief. She couldn't imagine how it felt for someone to be frozen a hundred years in ice. She had experienced the sensation for perhaps hours and it was painful and uncomfortable. She also wondered how Aang survived so long and if his Avatar powers didn't protect him. She also thought of how hard it must be for the young boy to find out that everything he knew was now gone or dead. Looking at Katara and Sokka, she thought he had a chance to have them as friends. But a part of her was troubled because they were children trying to tackle a war that no one had experienced it. She wondered where were the leaders and adults who should solve this conflict. A sense of justice and protectiveness grew within her. Even if she wanted to find a way back home, she couldn't allow those children to be left on their own with such danger and challenges.

Katara, realizing Elsa's struggle to grasp the situation, added, "I know it's a lot to take in, Elsa, but I believe in Aang. And he's not alone. We're here to help him, and now, we're here to help you too. We'll figure this out together."

Elsa appreciated the reassurance, grateful for the newfound friends who, despite the strange circumstances, offered their support. She nodded, a hint of determination in her eyes, "Thank you, Katara. I just... I need some time to process all of this."

Katara gave the young woman a reassuring smile, "Of course. We'll explain everything as we travel. Right now, let's pack our belongings and get going."

Elsa, still grappling with the enormity of the situation, nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's go."

The trio gathered the belongings and put them on Appa. Once it was packed, they moved back to the temple and joined the sanctuary. During the walk, Elsa pondered if she shouldn't help the three children. She disliked the idea of a child having to end a war, even more, a big one if it was true. Her protective side was urging her to commit herself to their journey, both to protect them and to help them in any manner she could. A part of her reminded her that if Aang could contact the spirits, she might be home quickly.

As they joined back the Avatar sanctuary, Elsa noticed that Aang was looking at a specific statue of an old wisened man standing in a regal manner and bearing his hair in a peculiar knot held by a specific hairdresser. The young queen wondered who this figure represented for the bald boy, but sensed there was something a bit akin to what she had felt when seeing and interacting for the first time with the young airbender.

Katara approached Aang and pulled up next to him, "Everything's packed. You ready to go?"

Aang nodded to her before turning his glance back at the statue, softly asking, "How is Roku supposed to help me if I can't talk to him?"

Elsa furrowed her brows at hearing those words, wondering what the bald boy meant. Was this Roku unavailable? Dead? Seeing Aang so vulnerable in the instant made her resolve to help him far stronger.

Katara and Aang glanced at each other and Elsa felt a bond between them. Suddenly, she heard something behind her. Turning around, she saw the flying little animal that Sokka and Aang chased. Lemur if she remembered how Aang called it. It looked like a primitive ape with big ears and with wings like a bat, albeit retractable ones. Elsa was amused by the little creature, finding it cute. The little animal moved towards Sokka and reached his feet as he dropped a variety of food. It dashed away as Sokka suddenly sat down and started to stuff his face with the food, taking big bites of two different pieces of fruit. Elsa was turned apart between amusement and disgust with how Sokka lacked manners when eating.

"Looks like you made a new friend Sokka!", Aang said with a smile.

"Can't talk! Must eat," Sokka retorted as he was pushing the food in his mouth with his two hands and looking with an exhilarated look upon his face.

Elsa shook her head at such a sight, wondering how someone like Sokka could eat in such a way. Even Anna wasn't so stuffing when eating chocolate. Suddenly heard her stomach growling. She realized she hadn't eaten anything since she had left the Northuldra village and for how long she had found herself in this new place.

Katara, Aang, and Sokka all turned to look at Elsa upon hearing her stomach's protest. Aang grinned, "Hungry, Elsa?"

She chuckled, "Seems like it. I forgot how long it's been since I've had a decent meal."

The little flying lemur, now done with Sokka's impromptu feast, fluttered over and landed on Aang's shoulder, peeking out from behind his head. Its tail curled around Aang's neck, creating an adorable sight.

"Hey, little guy!" Aang greeted the lemur with a warm smile.

Elsa couldn't help but smile at the scene before picking up one of the fruits from the ground. She took a bite, savoring the sweetness and freshness. As she chewed, she felt a strange connection to the group, a sense of camaraderie forming in this unexpected journey.

Aang turned to Katara, "Did you figure out where Elsa's home is?"

Katara sighed, her expression turning serious, "It's more complicated than that, Aang."

Confusion flickered across Aang's face, "What do you mean?"

Elsa, in between bites, decided to step in. "I'm not from this world. I come from another place altogether."

Aang's eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and surprise. "Another world? Like the Spirit World?"

Elsa shook her head. "No, it's different. A world like yours, but with different continents, cultures, and no bending."

Sokka chimed in, "Yeah. She created a whole map to show us where she lived."

Aang processed this information, looking genuinely intrigued. "Wow, another world. And no bending. Strange. But amazing!"

Elsa smiled, appreciating Aang's childlike wonder. "Yes, it is. But I have no idea how I got here. Katara told me you were the Avatar."

Aang's glance sombered a bit, "I am," he said softly. "But how can I help you?"

Elsa looked at him with concern and sympathy, sensing how burdened he seemed. "Well, maybe you could help me contact the spirits or figure out how this happened," she explained with a reserved voice, not wanting to get her hopes up.

Aang's expression shifted to uncertainty. "Well, about that... I don't really know how to contact the spirits."

While a bit disappointed by the fact she couldn't get home soon, Elsa reassured the airbender with a comforting smile. "It's okay, Aang. You're just a child, after all."

Aang, determined, straightened up. "But I want to help. If you're here, it must be for a reason. Just like I have a responsibility to end the war, maybe I can help you find your way back home."

Katara and Elsa exchanged glances, and Elsa couldn't help but admire his resilience and optimism. She nodded, "Thank you, Aang. In return, I want to help you. No child should bear such a burden alone."

Aang's eyes widened in surprise and appreciation. He straightened up, a spark of hope igniting Katara's expression softened, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "That's very kind of you, Elsa. But are you sure you want to involve yourself in this?"

Elsa met Katara's gaze with determination. "I'm sure. This might not be my world, but I can't stand by and do nothing."

Sokka raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You think you can just jump into our fight and make a difference? This isn't some ice-skating contest, princess. It's serious business."

Elsa's gaze hardened slightly, not appreciating the dismissive way the young boy was presenting it, and noticed Katara was also frowning at her brother. The young queen maintained her composure as she looked straight forward at Sokka. "I understand that well. But if my abilities can be of any help, then I'll gladly offer them."

Taken aback by her tone and gaze, Sokka relented with a gulp, "Alright, alright! No need to get high on your high polar dog, ice queen."

Elsa inwardly shook her head at the antics of the boy. Aang, his eyes shining with hope, placed a hand on her arm. "Thank you, Elsa."

Elsa turned her eyes on the young boy and smiled warmly at his gesture, feeling a sense of camaraderie growing between them. Katara's expression softened further at the sight. "Well, if you're willing to stand with us, then we'll gladly welcome your assistance, Elsa. We could use all the help we can get."

Elsa nodded gratefully, a sense of relief washing over her. "Thank you, Katara. I won't let you down."

Aang beamed, his optimism shining through. "Great! With all of us working together, I'm sure we'll find a way to bring peace to the world."

Sokka couldn't resist commenting. "Well, at least now we'll have someone to cool off the Fire Nation, right?"

Katara rolled her eyes at her brother's pun, but couldn't help but chuckle. Elsa smirked, a playful glint in her eyes, less annoyed by his demeanour. "Just wait until you see the extent of my powers, Sokka," she however said in a determined but playful voice.

Sokka looked at her uncertain, sceptic and confused. But before he could react, Aang gestured towards the door. "Let's join Appa. We have a lot to do, but together, I know we can do it."

As they exited the Avatar Sanctuary, the little flying lemur fluttered from Aang's shoulder, soaring gracefully over their heads. Elsa, Katara, and Sokka followed Aang, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their determination to bring peace to the world. Elsa was feeling apprehensive but determined to help those children and to protect them.