Book I : Reincarnation

Episode 4: More Questions

"so..."

Sokka says, squinting his eyes at Aang.

"Are you really the avatar?"

Aang sighs

"I am the avatar, at least according to the monks."

Sokka and Katara look at the boy skeptically. Sokka speaks up first.

"Then how was he Able to bend Fire and Water?"

Aang shakes his head.

"How would i know?"

Sokka shakes his head and thinks for a moment before speaking.

"so what have you been doing for the last hundred years!?"

"I was fro-"

Aang starts to speak but is interrupted by katara.

"it doesn't matter! We have to go after that ship, Sokka. He saved our lives, now we have to save him."

"Katara, we don't-"

Sokka tries to speak but is also cut off by his sister.

"It won't even be that hard, if this kid really is the avatar!"

"Katara, i-"

Katara waves her arms frantically, cutting him off again.

" If we don't help him, no one will. I know we don't really know him, but we owe him and -"

"Katara!"

Sokka cuts her off with an irritated tone.

"You gonna keep yappin, or are we doing this thing."

Katara immediately grins and gasps in happiness. She runs up to her brother and hugs him.

"Sokka! You're awesome!"

They both look to Aang.

"w-what?"

The boy asks. Both siblings look at each other then at him irritably.

"What do you mean, what? you're coming to help him, too."

Aang gets a worried look on his face and rubs the back of his neck nervously.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know!"

Sokka shouts. Aang frowns and says,

"look I didn't ask for any of this!"

Katara walks up and pokes his chest.

"Look here Mr Avatar, that guy just got himself captured to save you!"

Aang pushes her hand away angrily.

"You think I don't know that!"

Tears well up in the young man's eyes and Katara's mood softens.

"Look Aang, if you really are the Avatar, then it's your duty to save him."

Aang hangs his head and clenches his fist.

"is it?"

He mumbles before suddenly remembering something. A memory of a recent conversation.

"But the monks told me that it was my destiny to bring balance and peace. That I alone could save the world!"

Aang hangs his head, he then feels the other man's hand on his shoulder.

"Look, Aang you do have the power to do just that, but the choices we make are what determines the road ahead and not some predetermined path chosen by old guys. We forge our own destiny's... Besides we're not gonna beat the firelord because it's your destiny, but because he deserves it and it's the right thing to do."

Aang clenches his fist as he hears James' words in his head.

"Because it's the right thing to do."

He mumbles and looks to the water tribe siblings, determination written all over his face.

"Yes, I'll come with you to save him...Because that's what's right."

"and, just what is right??"

They are all given a small heart attack as another voice comes from behind them.

-With James-

Zuko, Iroh, and some of Zuko's men are standing on deck as I come to. My hands are now bound behind my back, with thick iron chains, while Zuko stands over me with a smug grin plastered on his face.

"Oh The vagabond is awake."

The prince mocks me.

"Yes your royal highness, I am."

Zuko smiles slyly at me.

"so, you know who I am?"

My turn to give a devious smile.

"Of course I know you... Zuko the disgraced prince...Nice gift your father gave you."

Zuko growls at me, like some kind of feral animal.

"you wouldn't understand. You know nothing about fathers being raised by monks!"

I laugh.

"I'm sorry did I piss you off?"

The prince gets his rage under control and smirks.

"No."

He pauses and looks at me strangely.

"Your hair, It's a very peculiar color, and aren't the monks usually bald? Also, you're markings don't match any of the depictions I've seen."

I smile, lean my head down, and take a good look at my hair.

"what do you mean?"

Once I see the color I'm struck frozen for a moment.

'why is my hair silver!?'

I try to continue as if I never missed a beat, putting that thought on hold for now.

"Yeah I wasn't allowed to have hair before, so I started growing it the minute I was free to do so. What about it?"

I try to direct the conversation to stay on the topic of my hair. Zuko scoffs.

"you are aware It's a matted mess and makes you look like a street urchin, right?"

My smile fades.

"And are you aware you look like a failure?...zuzu."

Zuko's eyes dilate before he violently grabs me by the hair.

"what did you just call me? Don't you dare call me that Name!!!"

Iroh reacts quickly and pulls Zuko off me, but not before he clocks me right in the face. I bite my tongue hard and blood begins to fill my mouth. I spit on the floor in front of Zuko, look him in the eye, and give him a bloody smile.

"What's wrong, prince? why are you so mad? All I did was call you...zuzu."

Zuko tries to lunge at me once again but is stopped by Iroh. They exchange looks before Iroh says,

"Prince Zuko, calm yourself. He is trying to goad you into attacking him. Do not fall victim to it."

Zuko huffs and puffs for a few seconds before inhaling deep, then breathing a small flame out in a huff.

"Now go to your quarters and relax for a while. I will have the men take the Avatar to the prison hold."

Zuko stares me down the whole time, as Iroh looks to one of the men.

"ehhhh, you."

the firebender points to himself.

"me?"

Iroh nods.

"Yes young man, you. Would you and your friend here take the avatar to the holding area?"

The firebender salutes and says,

"yes sir!"

With that Iroh takes his leave. I'm picked up and pushed forward by two of the soldiers. I grunt in pain as they roughly shove me ahead. We begin descending a staircase leading to a compartment beneath the deck. The outside world disappears as we descend. I walk down the corridor, one soldier before me, one following after me.

'Why did you goad Zuko like that?'

Spirit Aang's voice startles me. I spit more blood, that had pooled in my mouth, onto the floor.

'because, he disrespected me.'

I think back.

'that, and I really couldn't think of good lies to answer his questions.'

The spirit sighs deeply.

'Well look, here is what I need you to do.'

As the spirit explains what I should do, we walk down a long corridor, until the party stops and i observe the soldier in front of me preparing to unlock a door.

'ok, I got it Aang.'

The spirit sighs, but gives an okay, before another voice rings out.

'Hey, James you remember what Zuko just did? I want you to take a big breath.'

I want to ask Haru several questions but don't have time as the guard in front of me begins to open a cell. I inhale deeply.

'now blow it out and think...hot thoughts.'

I breathe out and unleash a powerful blast of flame, that only lasts a second or two, making both of the soldiers recoil from the heat. I kick the firebender before me before he can recover, and he slams into the door, knocked out from the impact.

'Again, but more power, and jump back!'

I follow the spirits instructions and get sent several feet back, by a massive jet of flame, slamming into the guard behind me. We both fly back even further, where we crash into the stairs. The soldier is knocked out by the impact. I kick up to my feet and look around. Scorch marks stain the metallic walls.

'Well damn. Haru your flames are strong as hell.'

I think as I pant heavily and frantically run through the corridors, looking for a specific room.

"The Avatar has escaped!!"

I hear a soldier shout right before the alarm is raised. I stop in my tracks when i encounter three soldiers standing with swords drawn in the middle of a random corridor.

"Don't suppose you gents can help me find the way to the shitter?"

The three men prepare to attack me, but before they can make a move, I charge straight at them and slide under and around all their legs. I awkwardly, but quickly, rise to my feet on the other side of them.

"Sorry guys but I have a date to get to."

I continue running down the corridors looking for a specific door. The three soldiers chase after me, racing through the hallways. Another soldier pops up in front of me and fires a blast of fire at me. I dodge the fireball, jump and flip over the man, kicking his helmet covered head with my heel in the process. The soldier falls over and i proceed down the hall.

"this is not easy when my hands are chained together behind my back!"

I race through the interior of the ship, kicking open two doors leading to various compartments. Upon opening the third door, i find Iroh sleeping blissfully, snoring.

"Bingo."

I close and lock the door behind me, very awkwardly, and look at the lump in the bed.

"Hey! You can stop pretending old man."

no reaction, just more snoring. I'm about to speak when there's a loud thump on the door.

"General! The avatar has escaped. Are you okay in there?"

Iroh sighs deeply.

"Yes, captain. I'm fine."

"okay sir, but please open the door."

Iroh sighs again and gets up, moves to the door, pushes me behind it, and opens it up.

"I'm sorry to bother you gener-oh my lord!"

I can't see it but I assume the soldier covered his eyes in horror, cause I know I am. Iroh stands in the doorway buck ass naked.

"S-sir why are you naked!"

The old man chuckles.

"Well, I was asleep."

I hear the soldier's armor clank as he fidgets.

"I apologize for disturbing you, i-I'll be taking my leave now."

The sound of the soldiers feet rapidly retreating fills my ears. Iroh closes the door and looks directly at me.

"why are you naked?"

I say with a confused look. Iroh smiles and starts walking towards his bed.

"I was sleeping and it is much more comfortable to sleep this way. Besides, I suspect you have something to say, seeing as you didn't take the hint, and I am interested. But you have to answer my question first."

I nod and say,

"Ask away."

Iroh puts his clothes on then sits on his bed.

"The avatar disappeared over a hundred years ago, so how is it you're so young?"

I smile and tap my nose with my index finger.

"Sorry can't tell you that...at least not yet."

The old man sighs.

"Fine, be that way, now you may speak your peace. You have about 2 minutes before my nephew comes.

I nod.

"I'll make this quick then."

I hold up three fingers.

"Three things general. First off, I need you to pass a message to the rest of the lotus."

Iroh's eyes bulge and he looks at me quizzically.

"Don't worry how I know, just know that I know."

Iroh looks unsatisfied but just nods.

"what is your message."

The old man says in a serious tone.

"Tell them the avatar is alive and that he and the firelord will clash before the year is over. Tell them sozin's comet is going to return and the firelord must be defeated before then."

Iroh raises an eyebrow to me.

"He? So you are not the avatar?"

I smile and tilt my head slightly.

"nope. But you already knew that, huh? Thats why you asked me that question, you just wanted to confirm."

The old man taps his nose and says,

"I will pass your message. But what does this have to do with the lotus?"

I put down my middle finger.

"That's two. When the time comes, I need the lotus to stand with us against the fire nation."

The old man seems to ponder for a moment before speaking.

"That depends. Young man the fire nation is powerful and not just because we shoot fire out of our hands."

He rubs his chin and continues.

"The fire nation has a substantial military, factories that create war machines, and near infinite resources, on top of the firebenders. Do you have an army that can stand against that might?"

I shake my head.

"No. At least not yet. But if all my plans go accordingly, then in ten months, not only will we have an army, but the Avatar will be more than ready to lead the charge."

The old man gives me a skeptical look but doesn't say anything.

"Besides, that's a ways away so I don't need an answer right now, cause I assumed you would be hesitant. So, in exactly ten months time, I want you to meet me on ember island, and then give me an answer."

Iroh looks at me for a long second and then nods.

"And three is that i need zuko to keep believing im the avatar."

The old man nods, then sighs and stands.

"Now my nephew is about to come through that door and I must keep up my appearances, so..."

Without another word Iroh launches a fireball right at my head. As I hit the floor and roll to my right, Zuko bursts through the door.

"uncle the Avatar has esca-"

He stops as he sees Iroh launch another fireball at me. I dodge the ball of fire by rolling back to my left and onto my feet again. Without word Zuko takes a fighting stance and launches a kick at me. I sloppily roll out of the way, landing on my back.

"ow."

I say flatly and look up at the two men standing over me. Both stand in their fighting poses, fists pointing my way. I nervously laugh and ask,

"Don't suppose we could talk this out?"

The two firebenders look at each other, smile, then look back at me. Both jump forward and simultaneously launch fire at my face.

-southern water tribe-

The group turns and sees the entire village standing behind them, proceeded by a gray haired woman.

"oh! Gran-gran you scared us."

Katara says and runs to hug the woman. She backs up after the hug and points at Aang.

"Aang this is our grandmother, Gran-gran this is Aang. We found him frozen in an iceberg. He says he's the avatar."

The whole village gasps in unison. Aang checks his clothing while the elderly woman steps forward. She looks at the boy with a critical eye.

"Uh, why are you all looking at me like that?"

Aang says feeling uncomfortable.

"Well, no one has seen an airbender in a hundred years. We thought they were extinct, until my granddaughter and grandson found you."

Aang hangs his head and grits his teeth.

"yeah I've heard."

The old woman nods sadly.

"I'm sorry... But is it true that you are the avatar young man?"

Aang stands up straight and nods.

"Yes, i am."

Before anyone could realize what was happening the woman delivers a slap to the boy's face. Aang steps back, cupping his cheek, and looks at the woman confused.

"wh-what was that for!"

The woman looks the boy in his eyes.

"You're the avatar, and yet, you didn't help sokka and that boy defend us. Then you let that poor boy be captured in your place. And do you understand the pain people have had to endure in your hundred year absence?"

Aang opens his mouth to defend himself but can't seem to find the words.

"Gran-gran didn't you see what that guy could do? He was a waterbender-"

Katara grabs onto her grandmother, trying to redirect her grandmother's attention, as Sokka interrupts.

"And a firebender, don't forget the firebending."

Katara shoots her brother a dirty look.

"Anyway, they would have captured him anyway! But now that the avatar is back we can change things!"

Katara looks at her grandmother with puppy dog eyes.

"With the avatar and another waterbender i could finally learn actual waterbending. We could help end this nightmare and stop the fire nation!"

The old woman sighs as her granddaughter looks at her.

"Katara, try not to put all your hopes in these boys."

Katara clenches her fist in anger.

"But they're special! I can tell!"

The old woman gives her a sad look.

"Katara-"

Aang steps forward, interrupting her, and looks at the old woman with determination.

"Ma'am, I know i have neglected my duties as the avatar for far too long. When the monks told me i was the avatar, instead of accepting it, i ran."

The young man shifts his feet and turns his head towards the ground for a moment before looking back up.

"And now the world is in disarray. But im here now, and i will fix it."

The ederly woman looks at the avatar with a critical eye.

"And how do you plan on doing that, hmm?"

Aang thinks for a moment before speaking.

"I'm not sure, but i know it starts with saving that man from the fire nation. But I can't do that alone, i need your grandchildren's help. So please allow them to accompany me."

Aang bows to the elderly woman, giving her the traditional airbender sign of respect. Katara chooses to speak up again at this moment.

"Please, Gran-gran this could change everything!"

Sokka, for once, backs his sister up and steps forward.

"For once i agree. If he truly is the avatar, then we can end this war... and dad can finally come home!"

The woman smiles and nods.

"Avatar, Aang was it?"

The boy nods.

"I am choosing to put my faith in you, for now. If you truly are the avatar, and i pray to the spirits you are, make sure you keep them safe."

Aang lifts his head

"I promise ma'am."

The elderly woman waves her hand in front of her face.

"please, call me kanna."

Aang nods.

"Well, kanna, I promise that I'll keep them safe."

-with james-

The walls of the room press in around me, leaving little room for retreat or maneuver. Both Iroh and Zuko stand shoulder to shoulder, sizing me up. I had just dodged thier combined attack, and now they stood between me and the door.

'Im going to free your hands, just need a few seconds.'

Haru's voice fills my head.

"Nowhere to run, avatar. Surrender now and-"

zuko starts but i cut him off.

"Look here, scarface, i dont wanna hear it."

'pull your hands apart!'

I do as the spirit says and the chains, that Haru had super heated, snapped. I swing my hands forward and spread my feet, as i slide into a spider-man like pose. The hot fragments fly to the ground around me.

"so who's first?"

Zuko scoffs. I launch myself at the duo with all the speed i can muster. I feint a right at zuko, only to spin out of it at the last second, landing with my back to zuko's right side. Now in between the two men, I grab Iroh's sleeve and pull his arm toward me, tripping him while he is off balance, and give him a light push into his nephew. As I suspected, Iroh plays it up and crashes into Zuko with much more force than what I threw him with.

"Uncle watch out!"

Zuko says as they both crash to the floor.

"Ow, my old bones."

Iroh complains. Zuko gives him an irritated look before they both look up at me.

"Well, gotta blast!"

I say as i sprint out the door.

"Get off me! He's getting away, Uncle!"

I hear Zuko shout as i zoom down the hallway. Only to slide to a halt after seeing three fire nation soldiers blocking my path. I turn to start running the opposite direction, and almost run into two more soldiers.

"awww, come on man!"

The five soldiers bear down on me all at once. I prepare myself for a fight, setting my feet firmly. As soon as the first soldier gets within striking distance, the ship rocks violently, putting all of us off balance.

"what was that?!"

One soldier shouts. The ship rocks in the opposite direction and sends us all sprawling.

"what the hell is going on!"

-outside the ship-

"Wow, that was...insane."

Katara says, having witnessed Aang unleash a massive tornado to rock the war ship.

"Yeah, i don't doubt him being the avatar anymore."

Sokka receives a nod from his sister for his comment.

-inside-

The soldier begins to pick himself up. I take this chance to move as quickly as i can towards the exit. I scramble to my feet and full sprint down the hallway, kicking the guy who tried to get up on my way past.

"ack! Friggin asshole!"

I hear the soldier shout. I turn the corner laughing and continue back the way i had come before. As i run toward the exit, i cant help but notice the lack of soldiers, and the ship continues to rock violently.

'Aang and the others have come to save you.'

I hear spirit Aang say.

'Ok, well I wasn't expecting that.'

I continue running, knowing the exit wasn't too far now. As i get closer to the exit, i can hear shouting and wepons clashing.

'I was...but how did you think we we're going to get out of here?'

Spirit Aang asks me.

'i just figured we'd waterbend outta here.'

Aang sighs in irritation. I laugh as i finally reach the exit. The dim light of the setting sun graces my skin as i come out on the deck. The scene before me can only be described as, well, chaos. Aang was on the deck, airbending and twirling his staff, knocking the firenation soldiers around. Katara was sloppily freezing people with her waterbending. And sokka was flying appa around the ship, throwing his boomerang every now and then.

"Well, aint this a big ol' fuster cluck."

I say before i begin to hear zuko and Iroh coming the way i had just come from.

"Hurry uncle!"

"im coming, im coming."

I start to sprint toward the side of the ship appa is flying on.

"Aang, katara! Lets go!"

The pair look up from their respective fights. Aang's eyes widen before he nods at me, spins his staff, and blows the remaining soldiers on thier asses. Katara smiles at me and starts heading in the same direction i am. We meet at the railing and i grab Aang.

" Listen, Aang grab Katara, but you cant be seen airbending."

I look at the sprawled out soldiers around us.

"Anymore, can't be seen anymore."

I step up onto the railing.

'Haru i need your fire!'

I watch as Aang twirls his staff, popping out his gliders wings and grabbing katara, before quickly jumping off the edge. Zuko and his uncle exit onto the deck at that very moment. I take a deep breath and jump off. I fall through the air for a brief moment before putting both my fists behind me.

"Please work!"

I scream and focus on my hands. Flame sputters weakly out of my fists as I continue to drop.

"Harrrruuuu!"

I try to push all i have into my hands, desperately trying to save myself. The flame sputters a final time before it kicks into overdrive, launching me towards the flying bison a bit faster than i had anticipated. I can feel the burning sensation all through my left arm.

"ohh shiiiit!"

Just as i am about to reach the bison, a fire ball wizzes by my right ear. The heat throwing me off balance as i reflexively flinch.

"what the-"

I begin careening to the left, away from appa, and into a massive iceberg. I hear zuko's voice, but can't quite make out what he is saying. I can't see it, but i can somehow feel another fireball heading straight for me. Suddenly i hear a whoosh as I try to stop myself by putting my hands in front of me. The flames suddenly stop.

'Haru, why'd the fire stop?'

The spirit laughs nervously.

'i-I'm not sure.'

I sigh.

"This is gonna hurt."

I try to ball myself right before i smack into the ice. I feel myself hit the icy wall. I wait for the pain to come, but it never does. I hear loud cracking and then splashing sounds, followed by metal shrieking. I had closed my eyes in anticipation of the hit, and now that i have opened then again, i see that i sit in a pool of luke warm water. I look at my reflection in the water and my brow furrows.

'what the hell! Raava lied! I'm not 26, i'm more like 18 tops.'

Aangs spirit sighs.

'Does that even matter?'

i sigh.

'No, but what about my hair?'

No answer.

"Fuckin great."

I look all around me, seeing nothing but ice, and see that I melted a hole in the giant body of ice upon impact.

"W-what happened?"

'When your markings glow, you seem to emit a huge amount of heat. Must be a side effect of me being sealed inside you.'

"Well, at least im not a pancake... Wait did you say sealed?"

'yes... i thought you knew that.'

I stand up, shake my head, and walk to the entrance of the cave i had created to peer below me. The fire nation ship now sits in the water stuck, having been buried by the falling ice.

"look, there he is!"

I hear Katara's voice and look up to see the trio sitting atop appa. They quickly fly up to the hole.

'we'll talk about this later'

I think to haru.

"Get on!"

Aang yells at me. I don't hesitate jumping from my crater, and onto the flying creature's back. Once im seated, Aang flicks the reins, and we fly off leaving a smoking warship behind. I look at the deck of the ship and lock eyes with the banished prince. Neither of us break the eye lock as we get further away from each other.

Zuko stands on the deck of his buried ship, eyes locked on the spot where his captive had just fled, seething with anger.

"Good news for the Fire Lord. The Fire Nation's greatest threat is just a young man."

Zuko lifts his head and rises while his uncle is speaking.

"That "young man", Uncle, just did this."

Zuko motions to the buried ship.

"He launched himself into the side of a mountain of ice, burying our ship, and came out unscathed. I won't underestimate him again."

Zuko turns to his soldiers.

"Dig the ship out and follow them!"

He then notices the three Fire Nation soldiers using their firebending to melt the icy encasings coating the three soldiers who were Katara's victims.

"As soon as you're done with that."

He turns back to look at the sky once more, rage and honor the only things on his mind.

"How did you do that? With the fire, I mean? Cause we clearly saw you bend water earlier, and now fire."

Katara say, beaming with awe. I sigh. I knew this was coming, but honestly, i have no idea what to say to them.

"I'll tell you but not right now, I'm exhausted."

Katara crosses her arms over her chest.

"Regardles, both those displays were amazing. But i still have one question."

I sigh again and say,

"I just said i was tired."

Katara looks to Aang then back at me.

"He is the avatar, right?"

I smile and give a small laugh.

"Yes, Aang is the avatar."

Katara and Sokka both give me strange looks before the former continues.

"Well regardless, we have a lot to talk about."

i put my left hand over my eyes and lean back.

"Yes, we do."

i say but don't move a muscle. Silence hangs awkwardly in the air for several seconds. Sokka, fed up with my shit no doubt, finally breaks the silence.

"So talk! We just risked our lives to save you, the least you could do is answer our questions."

He's got a point. I sit back up and remove my hand from my face.

"Okay, you're right. So please, ask away."

I get bombarded with questions at, what seems like, super speed.

"Who are you?"

"where'd you come from?"

"Why can you bend water and fire?"

I put my hand up to stop the three of them.

"Alright, but first tell me about the past. The avatar, the nations, i need to at least know the basics."

I look Katara in the eyes.

"And then i'll tell you everything... Starting at the beginning."

AN:No excuses will be given... that is all.

-Sage