Hello, people of fanfiction! I'm baaack!
Sorry for taking so very long to post this chapter, but I've been incredibly busy these past couple of months, I'm sorry for that.
Here's Chapter 50 of our story, it's called "Earthly Attachments"
I hope you enjoy it.
Aang
There's a time for fun and games, and there's a time for practicing to save the world, The Avatar decided it was time for the latter.
When the young airbender arrived at the southern air temple, he was greeted by none other than Master Tenzin, although the greeting itself seemed odd to him for two reasons.
One, he never thought that Master Tenzin would give him a greeting this warm, apparently the old master has decided to let bygones be bygones and focus on making amends for what they did to Avatar Aang, whether it's because of a change of heart or a certain King of Omashu talked him into it, Aang decided that he was more than willing to accept Master Tenzin's apology and try to be a great friend of the temple, that he would try to remedy for his lost time and spend some time with the monks.
The second reason however is, which really bothered him and also the reason he decided to make amends for his lost time and spend more time with the monks, is that he never thought in a million years that he would be greeted at the temple as a guest, it really hurt him that the monks including Master Tenzin greeted him back like they would a stranger, it made him realize how lost he was, and that he shouldn't have treated them the way he did no matter what they did to him.
This or that, Aang decided to push the thoughts to another time as it wasn't actually Aang's greatest concern at the moment, his greatest concern however was meeting with the guru and actually getting out of this place with a good result.
Aang longed to meet with Guru Pathik again, it's been months in the making but finally the time has come.
The Avatar was waiting in a courtyard, it looked very peaceful with statues of great airbenders filling the place, he was so lost in thought that he never realized Guru Pathik actually arrived in front of him, and he took his lotus position.
"Good morning, Young Avatar." Pathik greeted.
Aang was startled by the voice that suddenly appeared in front of him, but he greeted back nonetheless, "Good Morning, Guru Pathik. it's been a long time." Aang said.
"Indeed. Five years to be precise."
"So, how have you been?"
"I've seen better days. You?"
Aang waited for a second, "You probably know the answer just by looking at my face." The Avatar said, his facial expressions looking grim.
Pathik sympathized with the young avatar, "That's true. but remember what I told you before, there's no shame in falling, Aang. The real shame is if you possess the ability to stand up again, yet you're too weak-minded to do so."
The young avatar sighed, "I understand. I've learned it the hard way. it's just… it hurts so much knowing that every bad thing that's happened, and every bad thing that's going to happen is of your own fault, innocent people suffered and I'm the one to blame." Aang said, as he was on the verge of tears.
"It's not entirely true, Aang. But even if what you said is true, you want to make amends for your past mistakes, and that's what you should be focusing on." Pathik advised.
Aang took a deep breath as he blinked the tears away and looked at Pathik with determination, "I will try." He spoke.
Pathik smiled, "That's more than enough for me."
Aang smiled back, "Shall we begin?" The Avatar asked.
The Guru closed his eyes and started to meditate, "Way ahead of you."
Aang found the determination again, he closed his eyes as well and started to meditate, he's not leaving the temple until he regains his avatar state... and Raava.
Petu
The battle in the northern watertribe was over, Humanity lost… and the same happened in the southern watertribe, humanity lost its first two battles, and with it, the north and south poles have fallen to the enemy, none however, has felt more despaired than Petu.
Although the warrior of light was more than grateful for the lives of the civilians they had saved, but he felt this fight more on a personal level, as he had his own quarrel with Vaatu and Voccak, he felt like he failed Avatar Aang and the world, he failed Raava, his creator.
He decided to keep it at the back of his mind at the moment as he and Tolan were having a mission of their own that could prove beneficial to humanity.
Petu, Tolan and the rest of the group ran away to safety in the earth kingdom where the army of Vaatu cannot reach, they are unable to leave the poles as thankfully, they are unable to maintain their spiritual energy far from the portal, which gives the world a chance to regroup before Vaatu and Voccak figure out a way to make their army travel through the water and take the rest of the world.
The death of the blind bandit, Toph Beifong was a shocking blow not just to Prince Zuko, but to the entirety of humanity, she was a force to be reckoned with, someone that humanity could depend on to defend the earth kingdom, not to mention, a great friend.
Now, she's dead, and Prince Zuko is taking her home right at this very moment, to deliver her body to her family.
Petu and Tolan decided to leave the northern watertribe people in the hands of Fung, the white lotus member, to guide them through the earth kingdom, find them homes to shelter them, make them feel at home for the time being until the next war arrives.
Meanwhile, Petu and Tolan decided to make a trip to Omashu, to warn King Bumi of the upcoming threat and seek his help, he's someone that's saved them before, someone that's willing to fight for the side of humanity no matter the personal cost, Petu and Tolan could never forget the moment King Bumi and his army saved their lives at the battle of Yu Dao, they were this close to the fire burning their skins, but the arrival of King Bumi changed that completely.
It's been a three days journey, but they finally made it to Omashu in one piece.
They entered the city and made way to King Bumi's office.
They were standing in front of King Bumi as Petu said the whole story to the king, who was just looking at them in shock, he couldn't believe what they were saying,
"Did you just say an army of former avatars?" Bumi asked.
Petu and Tolan nodded simultaneously, answering the king.
Bumi put a hand on his forehead, "I can't..." he merely uttered.
Petu raised an eyebrow and Tolan decided to ask, "What?"
Bumi closed his eyes and put a hand on his face, "You don't understand the burden of carrying an entire nation on your back. I fear for my people. This isn't just a maniac from the firenation trying to seize control over an earth kingdom colony. it's the former avatars, it's the people that are supposed to save us, now they are against us, and not just one of them… all of them. I'm not sure that we could survive this. Even with Avatar Aang in our side."
"They aren't as powerful as they used to be, they don't have the power of the avatar state." Petu informed.
"Yes, but Vaatu is still on their side." Bumi said.
"Aang, Miki and I will make sure that Vaatu doesn't have any power to possess, we just need your strength with us, King Bumi… We are the warriors of light, we fight for Raava, and Raava fights for us, with you and the rest of the world by our side, we'll figure this out… I promise." Petu said, his face filled with powerful emotions.
Bumi was inspired, but wasn't thoroughly convinced, "I'm not sure…"
Tolan stepped in, "C'mon, old man… Do you really want the people that Ba Sing Se helped in the war to save the world and you didn't?"
Bumi snapped at this, "What did you just say?"
Tolan found an opportunity, "We've always been the better city, the better people, the stronger warriors, it's only ordinary for us to fight in the war that you're too afraid to join, after all, it's only Ba Sing Se that fights for the earth kingdom, your nation mostly cowers behind your walls."
Bumi stood up, he was very tall for an old man, he came in front of Tolan whose shiver Petu could clearly feel, "You're right… I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that a failure of a nation like Ba Sing Se defended me and the rest of the earth kingdom… we'll fight in this war as we did the rest… and once again, we'll do your job for you… we'll defend the earth kingdom and its people from foreign invaders."
Tolan's mouth formed a wide smile, "Thank you, your majesty."
Bumi returned his smile, "It's a tough opponent we're facing, but one I'm used to face in my nightmares… let's see if he's as tough as the one in my nightmares." Bumi said, sealing his words with one of his mad laughs.
It was a successful journey for Petu and Tolan, let's see if it proves effective in the long run.
Aang
"Opening your chakras isn't going to be as easy as the first time, back then, you didn't have something to care about, now, you do. Do you wish to continue?" The guru started by asking.
Aang took a deep breath, he knew exactly what The Guru was talking about, his relationship with his friends, especially Katara, the bond he currently shares with her is very strong, he doesn't know whether he would be able to unlock the seventh which is the thought chakra, it deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachments, he has to unlock this one too for him to reconnect with the avatar state and Raava, the world depended on it.
After a couple of minutes of thought, he made up his mind, "Let's do this."
The safety of the world is more important than his personal attachments, his sense of duty as the avatar is now stronger than ever, he tried being nonchalant before, and it led the world to the dark place it's in today, he won't do the same mistake again.
The guru smiled at him, "Let us begin." He said.
They spent some time to reopen the chakras, just the same as they did the first time, he reopened his chakras one after another, starting with the earth chakra, it deals with survival and is blocked by fear, with the help of the guru, he was able to reopen that one, what made the guru intrigued though wasn't The Avatar's fear of Vattu, it's his fear of the outcome of his battle with Vattu.
"Why are you so afraid of what's come after you defeat Vattu?"
Aang sighed, "Defeating Vattu wouldn't end the spiritual issue, he would return again someday and bring havoc and destruction along with him, I don't want any Avatar to face that again. So, I met with Avatar Wan and together we found the alternative that was found by former Avatar Salai. I'll close the divide that separated the plain of spirits from the material world, therefore driving away all the spirits, including Raava and Vattu."
Pathik was stunned by this, but he knew that wasn't what disturbed Aang, "but that's not all, right?"
Aang sighed again, this heavy burden is already taking its toll on his already vulnerable mind, "No, that's not all. Driving away the spirits… would also mean driving away the source of pure cosmic energy that allows us to bend… it would mean that bending… will cease to exist."
Pathik was silent, Aang's plan seriously stunned him into silence, he couldn't speak because he didn't have an argument for that, it's a cruel plan, yes. But it's also the only plan that would actually work.
"We'll think of something, my boy. Just don't give up hope."
"What do you think I've been contemplating ever since I met Wan? I've been trying to think of an alternative, but until now, it just seems like this is the only option."
"I know. All I'm asking is… don't give up hope, and remember, Vattu and Voccak still have plenty of time before they think of a way to move their army across the ocean… until then, I'm sure we would think of something together. Just try to keep up until then, my boy." Pathik said.
"I'll try." Aang merely said.
"Alright, that's the spirit… moving on." Pathik said, as they continued reopening his chakras.
Aang never believed that he would find an alternative, but his trust in Pathik was so strong, with just a few words, he made him reconsider, he knows it'll be for naught, but at least he'll try.
Luna
*Flashback*
"It won't bend until you look closely, try to find the fine pieces of earth within the metal." Toph said.
"I'm trying." Luna responded, still holding the piece of meteorite.
As Toph was teaching her metal-bending, at first it was very difficult, but Toph knew how to start as she brought a piece of meteorite which is the easiest piece of metal to bend.
Luna concentrated, training with Toph wasn't the best of experiences, but she knew she had to learn it, it's a newly found art, her sister Toph invented it herself, and she had to pass it down so it might prove useful for the earth benders.
So, Toph decided to make use of the time they are spending in their home without a job or anything to do to train Luna, and they were definitely making progress as the piece of metal was starting to move.
"Concentrate, Luna… that's it."
"Would you stop talking?!" Luna snapped at her.
"Oh, you frickin' ingrate. I should have kept the art to myself."
"Maybe, you should have." Luna responded, still trying to figure it out.
Toph noticed something, every time Luna got angry, it had its effect on the metal, a smile formed on her lips, this gave her an idea.
"I was trying to help… but Maybe I chose the wrong person after all."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Luna said.
"I don't know… maybe the art should have been passed down to a better earthbender."
Luna stopped what she was doing and looked at Toph, "Tell me I didn't just hear you say that."
Toph's smirk got even wider, "What're you gonna do about it?"
Luna's face got very red, she was very angry, "I'll show you."
Luna held the meteorite and with all her might she snapped it in half.
Toph was very astonished at that, in her first time bending the metal, she merely brought the prison bars apart, but snapping a piece of metal in half, that's something.
Toph's smirk turned into a proud smile, "Congratulations, Luna… You're the second metalbender in history."
Luna herself was surprised by this, "I can't believe it.", when the surprise wore off, she had the biggest smile on her face, "I can't believe it! I'm a metal bender! Yes!"
The two sisters hugged each other, both very happy by Luna's accomplishment.
They broke the hug and suddenly Luna's wide smile turned into an evil smirk.
Toph got very confused by this, "What?"
She realized what happened too late, as in a flash, Luna turned the piece of meteorite into metal handcuffs and she quickly cuffed Toph's hands behind her back, and threw her on the ground.
"That's for teasing me." Luna said, and she ran away laughing.
Toph got off the ground, she used metalbending to get the handcuffs off,
"You little bitch! I'm gonna get you for this." She said, as she ran after her sister.
*End of flashback*
Luna cherished moments like these, with her sister around, she felt safe and happy, without her, it's like the house of Beifong is filled with nothing but despair.
She remembered this very moment specifically, but a knock on the door broke her train of thought.
She ran to the door to open it, only to find Prince Zuko at the door, with a wooden cart behind him.
"Prince Zuko! Welcome ba-" Luna stopped mid-sentence, as she noticed something that made her heart sink.
The wooden cart had something like a blanket that covered something underneath, and that something really looked like a person.
Also, the palace guards were crying right beside the cart, something isn't right.
"What's going on, Prince Zuko?"
But Prince Zuko remained silent, looking at the ground in despair.
Luna spared another look at the cart, and then looked at Zuko,
"What's wrong, Zuko? What's in the cart?"
Zuko finally decided to look at her in the eyes, the look on his face said everything.
Luna couldn't feel her body anymore, she couldn't feel anything anymore, not even the single tear that trickled down her face.
"What's in the cart?" she started to tremble as she spoke.
Zuko just kept looking at her, he put his hands on his head and started to sob, tears were falling freely from his face.
"Zuko… What's in… What's in- "she couldn't continue her sentence, she just fell to her knees, and sobbed along with Zuko, "it c-can't be… No…"
At this very moment, the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
Her sister is dead.
Katara
Katara stood outside of the temple, fearing the worst for Senge and the rest of the airbenders, she shouldn't have set them up for such a dangerous task, but after all, she's a sister and a daughter, she feared for her brother and father, she had to save them somehow, even if it means the lives of others.
She put a hand on her face and sighed, she just hoped for a sign, anything that could make her at ease, anything to keep that sense of guilt she's been stomaching all week at bay, anything to make her believe they were okay… and indeed the sign came.
Not just the sign, the physical embodiment of it.
A herd of sky bison appeared from the sky, heading in her direction, they are here.
Katara ran to their location, and a sense of relief came over her as she saw Senge, along with her brother and father.
"DAD! SOKKA!" she shouted as she ran to their side and brought them both into a hug.
Sokka and Hakoda couldn't help but smile, "Hello, Katara." Hakoda said.
"I'm glad you're both okay."
"Yeah, barely." Sokka responded, returning her hug all the same.
Katara broke the hug and looked at them with tears filling her eyes, "Don't you dare scare me like that again."
Hakoda smiled warmly at his daughter and cupped her cheek with his hands, "I'm sorry, Katara, for everything I've done to you and to our family, I've been a terrible father. But I promise, that I would never think of myself anymore, I'll always put our family's interest first. I promise that I'll be a good father to you and Sokka, and I'll never abandon you again for anything."
Katara returned his smile and brought him in for another hug, "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, my daughter." Hakoda responded.
Suddenly their beautiful reunion was cut short by non-other than the warrior of light herself,
"Yeah, Yeah… We have no time for this, Chief Hakoda… we have to inform the avatar of what happened." Miki said, walking straight towards the air temple.
Katara stopped her, "Who are you? Where do you think you are going?" She said, standing in front of Miki.
Miki's face turned to that of anger, "Out of my way, girl."
Katara got even angrier than her, "How dare you call me that?!"
Sokka and Kai had to step in, "Woah Woah! Easy now, Miki." Kai said as he stood in front of her.
"Katara, stop, she's with us." Sokka said to his sister, as he was facing her.
Miki snapped at this, "Katara? You're master Katara?" Miki asked.
"Yeah. And who are you?"
Miki looked at her, "I've always wanted to meet you. But now that I see you in person, you're not that intriguing to be honest. You look like a housewife."
Katara was about to speak, but Sokka stepped in, "Now that's out of line, Miki. How dare you call her that? My sister is one of the best waterbenders in the world. You've changed, Miki. I can't believe the sweet little girl turned into that." Sokka said angrily, pointing at her.
Miki looked at the ground, that must have struck a nerve, "I don't care. Where's the avatar?"
Master Tenzin came into the room as he heard the commotion, "What's going on here?"
Hakoda greeted him, "Hello, Master Tenzin. Long time, no see."
Tenzin smiled at him, "Hello, Chief Hakoda. indeed, it's been a long while. How is the south pole?"
Hakoda's facial expression turned grim, "It belongs to the dark spirits now."
Tenzin was silent for a while until he spoke up, "I'm so sorry. I assume the southern air temple is going to be next…" He stopped for a while, fear overtaking him for just a couple of seconds, before gathering himself and speaking again, "we'll figure it out, I promise. We're currently working on a solution that could turn the winds to our favor. The guru is in the temple with Avatar Aang, and they are both working on recovering the avatar state."
Hakoda's face got a little hopeful, "That's good. That's very good."
"So, the avatar is with the guru right now? We can't speak to him?" Miki asked.
"I'm afraid not, young lady. We'll have to wait until they finish."
Miki sighed, "Alright." She said, she then turned to look at Katara with disgust, before heading out of the room.
Kai went out with her.
Katara turned to Sokka who appeared to be in a contemplating state, "What's with her attitude?"
Sokka snapped out of his daze, "What? Oh, yeah. She's still in mourning."
"Mourning who?"
"Master Pakku. He was a good friend of hers, and her master as well."
Katara's face turned to that of sadness, "I didn't know that. Pakku was very dear to me as well, when your messenger hawk arrived with the ill news of his death, I was very depressed, but then I realized that that's what he wanted all along. giving his life for the people of the southern watertribe. I'm happy for him, he got what he's always wanted."
"Yeah, we all loved our dear Pakku." Sokka said, still looking to be in a daze.
Katara snapped her fingers in front of him, "Hey, snap out of it! What're you thinking of anyways?"
Sokka broke out of his daze once more and decided to share with his sister, "Nothing… It's just… back in the southern watertribe, during the fight. Miki got severely injured. and now... she just magically healed."
Aang
"The seventh in the chain is The Thought Chakra, located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment. Meditate on what attaches you to this world. And then let all of those attachments go."
At this, Aang saw images of Katara, his attachment to her was so strong, it made him think of her as his only earthly attachment, Aang sees an image of him letting Katara go, and a bridge that will lead him to Avatar State mastery. His image looks down, smiles at the bridge, and walks up to the Avatar Spirit, which is an enlarged image of himself in the Avatar State. The Avatar Spirit is holding a ball of energy, and Aang walks directly inside of it. As he does so, his tattoos glow, and he closes his eyes. Right before he is able to completely open the final chakra and master the Avatar State, he saw images of his other earthly attachments as well, such as Appa and Momo, Zuko and Toph…
Toph?
What he saw made him stunned.
What he saw made him shriek…
What he saw agonized him.
What he saw brought him out of his meditation, and he cried out loud.
"Oh No... No, No, No, Nooo!" he was brought to his knees. He started to cry. No, he started to sob loudly.
"What's wrong, Aang?" The shocked Guru asked.
"She's dead… Why her?! Why?!"
At this point, Aang didn't care for the safety of the world, or for him regaining the avatar state, he just wanted to be alone, crying until his eyes are out of tears.
"It's all my fault… THIS IS ALL MY FAULT!" He shouted again.
The guru couldn't help him at this point, so he just left him to let out his pain, and so Aang just continued sobbing with no one to hear but the guru.
Azula
The Firelord sat alone in her chamber, she just finished a meeting with Shinu and the rest of the council that ended up well, she was left alone to her thoughts though.
Letting Mai and Ty Lee off the hook took a toll on her, she wanted to punish them, but she just couldn't' do that to her friends, it's like there are two people fighting inside of her, one that just wants peace, the other wants war.
She was combing her hair when she heard a voice in the distance.
"Looking good today, Firelord Azula."
She turned around abruptly, only to find someone that made her stunned.
Just the vision of a dark spirit in the distance, she stood up and took a fighting stance.
"Am I going crazy?" Azula asked the first thing that came to her mind, she wouldn't doubt it at this point.
"No, you are not."
"Then who are you?" She asked.
"My name is Vattu."
Azula's eyes widened, "As in, the dark spirit Vattu?"
"Indeed." The dark spirit answered.
The Firelord brought blue fire out of her fingertips, "How did you get in here? What do you want?"
Vattu just laughed, "Your fire won't hurt me here, Firelord."
Azula took offense to that but she smirked all the same as she said, "Try me."
Vattu couldn't help but laugh once again, "I'm not actually here, this is just a vision of me so you can't hurt me. You didn't think I would start with your nation, did you? I'm not even sure that I have to come here. This place is already filled with darkness, it doesn't require my presence."
Azula nodded to his sound argument which made her extinguish her fire, "Fair point. Now back to the main topic, What do you want?"
"I'm just here to warn you, Firelord. The Avatar is taking a dangerous route. One that will make you end up miserable."
"Avatar Aang?" Azula asked.
"Yes. The noble Avatar who's trying to defeat me. He's currently attempting to reconnect with Raava and once he does, he'll use her power to defeat me once and for all, he will also drive all the spirits out of this world."
Azula found herself being proud of Aang, "That's pretty cool actually. Good for him."
Vattu's frown could be seen from his featureless face, "Don't you understand? The spiritual energy is the reason you are able to bend in the first place. Driving away the spirits would also mean the extinction of bending." The dark spirit informed.
Azula's face couldn't have been more shocked, "You're joking."
"I'm not. Save your world… before the avatar changes it forever." The dark spirit said, and then he disappeared without any further arguments.
Azula was stunned by this, she couldn't believe Aang would do such a thing to her and to the world, her bending is the reason she still lives and thrives, she would lose everything if he takes it away from her.
She dropped to her knees, holding her head.
Could Vattu be lying to me? What reason does he have to lie to me of all people? Maybe, because he knows about the quarrel I have with Aang? That's not enough reason for him to come all this way to inform me of Aang's plan. Well, one way to find out. Why do you keep trying to take everything from me, Aang? You bastard! I'm not going to let you go on with this. She thought.
"Guard!" She shouted.
A Firenation guard stormed into the room right away, "At your service, Firelord."
"Gather all the councilors, along with head councilor Shinu in the war room. tell them to get to her immediately by order of the firelord, we're having an urgent meeting. Go! Now!" Azula said.
The guard was frightened by Azula's attitude, but he was able to voice out an answer anyways, "Of course, your majesty. Right away." The guard said and then he ran out.
Azula started preparing herself again, wearing her royal attire.
You won't get away with it this time, Aang. You won't get away with it this time, my love. Azula thought as she finished dressing and headed to the war room to meet with the generals.
Don't forget to review, Please and have a good day :)
