So anything that's in Italics is going to be a flashback. There's probably going to be a lot of them.

Enjoy!


161 AG

He felt himself rising above everything. He could see the men in green and the girl in blue getting smaller and smaller. The crystals in the cave glowed with an eerie light. Power was surging through his veins.

Then the jolt came. It was the worst pain he ever felt in his entire life. He saw himself plummeting to the ground

He woke up panting just before his body hit the ground. He feels sweat running down his face and his hands are shaking when he heard a knock on the door "Tatkres? You okay little bro?" Amarok asked.

Tatkres nodded, but Amarok didn't seem convinced. "Do you want me to stay until you fall back asleep?"

Tatkrkes nodded again. "Will you tell me a story?"

Amarok smiled. "Of course What story do you want me to tell?"

"Tell me the story of Yadang and Qianxi." Tatkres asked.

Amarok pulled a book off a bookshelf and climed into bed as Tatkres curled up against him. He opened a page and started reading. "In the beginning, the spirit Pangu created the first man from the mud of the earth. He called the human Yadang and tasked him with naming every creature on earth. However, Pangu felt that Yadang should not be alone. So he spoke with his wife Nügua and the two came up with an idea. Pangu caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and Nügua removed one of his ribs and made a woman. She called the woman Qianxi. Many spirits came forth and brought gifts to Yadang and Qianxi. Some, such as the spirit Fuxi taught the two about hunting, cooking, and music. But, the wily spirit Vaatu arrived uninvited, bringing a golden jar encrusted with jewels and told Yadang and Qianxi to open the jar. Pangu and Nügua told the humans not to open the jar since they would die and commanded the dark spirit to leave. But one day, when Qianxi was alone, Vaatu returned. He told the woman they would not die, and what was in the jar would change everything. So she did and scattered sickness, death, sorrow, and hate into the world. As punishment, Pangu and Nügua cursed Yadang to toil the earth for food and for Qianxi to give birth to children in pain. The two spirits also cursed the humans that their breaths will cease, and they will return to the mud from which they came. And that is why there is such evil in the world."

Amarok looked over and saw Tatkres asleep against his side. He sighed, carding his fingers through Tatkres's hair and placed a kiss on his temple. "What is going on with you?" the elder brother whispered.


"Ok. Let's go again." Kanik said. Since Katara was not feeling well today, it was up to his other waterbending teacher to instruct Tatkres.

Even though Tatkres mastered all four elements, he still wanted to learn more. He recalled reading that Avatar Kuruk insisted to continue learning, and when he approached Tenzin and Katara about continuing his training, they readily agreed.

Tatkres bent the water from the jar and formed an icicle and was waiting for the command. Kanik walked over to where he was standing, shaking his head. "You're too tense. You have the stance of an earthbender, but you need to stand like a waterbender. Let me show you."

"Technically I'm both," Tatkres said, "but show me what you mean."

Kanik walked over and moved Tatkres's arms and legs into a different position. The young avatar couldn't help his pulse racing and his cheeks turning crimson, but the White Lotus member thankfully didn't notice. He also couldn't help but notice how good Kanik's arms and legs looked in the uniform. Tatkres had feelings for him since he moved into the compound.

But there was a small problem. It was not the fact that Kanik was the teacher and Tatkres was the student. Rather, he was a friend of Amarok; the two had known each other since they were four and were as thick as thieves. Tatkres did not want to interfere with their friendship. He did suspect that Kanik was not interested in women, when he overheard a conversation between him and his brother which Amarok asked him why he still never had a girlfriend, to which Kanik responded he never found the right person.

Kanik finished placing Tatkres's arms in a better position, resting his hands on the Avatar's shoulders. He saw a faint blush bloom across Kanik's face that quickly vanished.

Kanik cleared his throat. "Ok. That's better. Now launch."

Tatkres threw the ice spear at the target, with it landing it dead in the center. Kavik smiled. "Nice throw."

Tatkres's cheeks flared red again. "Well, I have a really good teacher," he said coquettishly.

The two stared at each other briefly when they heard someone clearing their throat. They turned and saw Tenzin standing in the doorway, an expectant look on his face. "Master Kanik, may I speak to Tatkres privately for a moment?"

"Of course, Master Tenzin," Kavik stammered. He gave a quick bow to both and hurriedly left.

Tenzin turned to the young Avatar. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important," the airbender said, a knowing look on his face.

Tatkres could feel his cheeks heat up. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Tenzin placed his hands up in mock surrender. "Look, Tatkres, We've talked about this. There is nothing wrong with your feelings. They're perfectly natural."

Tatkres sighed. He knew the airbender was right. When he turned thirteen, he confessed to his family that he had feelings for boys as well as girls. His parents, brothers, and sisters were all supportive, though Tonraq and Senna advised Tatkres that as the Avatar, he should keep his romantic life private.

"Anyways," Tenzin began, interrupting his thoughts, "I'm not here to ask about your love life. I have some stuff for you that might be interested in," and handed him a stack of letters.

Tatkres sorted through the mail uninterestedly. Most of it was from various people, wishing him good luck on his training, though the red envelope caught his attention. It was sealed with hot wax, with a dragon insignia in the design. The official crest of the Fire Nation Royal Family.

He quickly opened it up and read through the letter. "It's from Fire Lord Izumi! It's an invitation to stay at the Royal Palace during the Yoake Festival!" he beamed.

Tatkres always wanted to go to the Yoake Festival. It was started by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko to celebrate the end of the Hundred Year War and the dawning of a new age. There were carnival rides, games, and food booths from all the nations. People traveled from all over the world to attend the month-long festivities.

"Absolutely not." Tenzin stated.

"Oh come on." Tatkres whined. "It would be good for me to travel and actually meet with world leaders."

"Avatar Aang tasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements." Tenzin retorted.

"I understand that but keeping me hidden away in this icy bird cage will not help me become a better Avatar!" Tatkres pleaded. He had been moved into the compound soon after his avatarhood was discovered at the age of ten, and in the seven years since, he had only left the compound a handful of times, always under a close watch.

Tenzin sighed. In truth, he knew Tatkres was right. But he was afraid. He always looked at Tatkres as another son. But after what happened to him after it became known to the world that he was the Avatar, him and Tonraq agreed to keep him at the compound until his training was complete. However, it was only a matter of time before this bird would have to fly free from his cage.

"All right." Tenzin acquiesced "But, my family, some White Lotus sentries, and I will be joining you."

Tatkres squealed with delight and hugged the airbender, lifting him off the ground. "Oh thank you, Tenzin. You're the best! Now if you'll excuse me, I better stop packing. We leave in three days!" With that the young Avatar set the elder down and ran off.

Tenzin wiped a hand down his face. "What am I getting myself into?" he muttered to himself.


Before he made his way back to the dormitory, Tatkres stopped at the stable. "Kinaum," he whispered to the sleeping polar bear dog, "Wake up. I got great news!"

The polar bear dog picked up its head and stared at his master. "We got invited to the Yoake Festival! Tenzin agreed to let me go! I'm going to finally get a chance to show the world how the Avatar is doing!" Tatkres exclaimed.

Kinaum walked over and began nuzzling against Tatkres's body. "Okay," Tatkres said, "We'll go for a ride."

Tatkres hopped on Kinaum's back and the two made their way to the gate. When they reached the doors, they saw a White Lotus guard looking down at them with raised eyebrows. "Just taking Kinaum out for a stroll." Tatkres called out.

The guard didn't seem convinced. Tatkres rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Kaugun. We're not going far." It wasn't unusual that Tatkres knew the names of all the White Lotus guards. He knew them since he was moved into the compound, and they became sort of a family.

Before Tatkres could call out again, the gates rumbled and slowly opened, the afternoon sunlight illuminating his surroundings. He whipped the reins and Kinaum began to run.

"Kinaum go. That a boy. Go! Go! Go!" Tatkres smiled, relishing in the feeling of the icy wind in his face and the taste of freedom, not noticing the other two guards watching his every move. It made him remember the time he first met Kinaum. A year after he was moved into the compound, he snuck out by making a tunnel in the ground. As he wandered the frozen plains, he saw a lone polar bear dog. Tatkres approached him with some fish jerky, and the animal responded by licking his face. The two spent time playing, neither of them noticing the storm brewing around them. He quickly bent some shelter for them, and the two fell asleep, Tatkres on Kinaum's side.

The next morning, the two felt the igloo shake and a crack opened in the roof, the morning sum pouring in and Tonraq and Senna looking at the two disappointedly. Tatkres pleaded with his parents to keep him, saying that he needs a family. Both were about to say no when Katara stepped in, believing it was a good idea since most Avatars had an animal guide. The two parents agreed and as they made their way back to the compound, they saw a beautiful rainbow, and Tatkres believed that was the perfect name for his new companion.

When they returned from their stroll, he quickly put Kinaum back in his stable and made his way back to his room. For the first time in a long time, Tatkres fell asleep with a smile on his face.


*Pangu, Nügua, and Fuxi are all figures involved in Chinese mythology and play a role in the creation myth. You could probably figure out who Yadang and Qianxi are based off of.

*Kavik is the Inuit word for "frost", Kinaum is the Inuit word for "rainbow", and Kaugun is thhe Inuit word for "hammer".

*Yoake is the Japanese word for "dawn".