Fight04: Buried past

It was her third day of flying (propelling herself though jets of fire) after leaving Ember Island. After escaping from Zuko's ship, the Avatar and his friends had first stopped to rest at the other edge of the South Pole, went on to an Earth Kingdom island before flying back eastward to an island that had once been part of the Air Nomads' territory and now were travelling due west again to the Earth Kingdom. The Avatar certainly wanted to reach the Southern Air Temple but had no real idea of the exact direction... unless it was a strategy to lose his pursuers? Oh well. Whatever the case, they seemed good at evasion so she probably should not worry too much about them.

The young girl with red hair and amber eyes was now flying over a city that was once called North Chung-Ling but changed its name after a ridiculously huge statue powered by natural gas was built there. The hateful man was depicted his head tilted back, bare and well-toned chest, and could be seen shooting fire from his mouth to the sky and from his fists to the ground. And while she acknowledged him as a VERY powerful firebender and that everyone else in the Fire Nation revered him as Fire Lord Ozai; to her she was the man who put her through a living hell. But it was not (only) out of spite that Chenlian had decided to join the Avatar, nor to avenge those who have died because of him or all who were still suffering. It would be lying to say she had never dreamed of revenge or that she had forgiven him. But those two, almost three years of forced sleep had given her all the time in the world to think. She had gained knowledge and wisdom as well as heightened abilities that he could not fathom during the lengthy conversations she had had with the ancient spiritual being that now shared her body and mind... although the beginning of their 'relationship' had been quite hectic...

At this rate, it would have been no good. Even if she managed to kill him, nothing would have changed. No, it would have been even worse than before. Killing for revenge and not for Justice, she would have become a common murderer. If she had seized power this way, it would have just encouraged such practices and in the end, she too would have fallen victim to that cycle of hatred and revenge. She would have been unable to restore the truth, betrayed her family's expectations, her own principles. The only person who should pass Judgement on Fire Lord Ozai was the Avatar. Anyone else would only feed oil to the flames of war, and that included her too. If she wanted things to change, she could only believe in the Avatar and do whatever was in her power to help. If negative actions and feelings could affect the world, then positive actions and feelings should too.

However, all the wisdom in the world could not fill an empty stomach. But it could help obtain things that would fill it. Chenlian went down to the upland of the island. There was almost nothing but grass. She walked down to the Fire Fountain City. She had no choice if she wanted to earn money to buy clothes, food, and other young girl was wandering in the streets full of shops, eateries, and scammers, especially in the permanent Fair. She put her hand above her clothes where her purse was hidden.

Suddenly a nice smell snapped the young girl back to reality. This was not the flaming fire flakes or the fire gummies she loved but something different. Unlike most Fire Nation food that was very spicy, those were deliciously sweet and made by mixing egg whites, sugar, nut flour and cream. A bag of those normally cost four copper pieces but...

"Welcome."

"One bag, please."

"That'll be four copper pieces."

"Four?! That's expensive... I saw I could buy some for three pieces over there... I guess I'll just go back." The red head said (lied), apparently troubled.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Try one of mine. It's real tasty." The old man tried to hold his customer back with a smile.

"But... I think I'll still go for the cheaper ones." She smiled back apologetically and began to leave.

"Ah...! Alright! Alright... how about a special discount?! Three copper pieces!" The street vendor held up the thumb, index and middle finger of his left hand for more effect. The girl grinned sweetly. And some time later Chenlian was strolling again through the streets while savouring her sweets. It was then she noticed the music instruments on display. She took a pipa and admired it.

"You have very fine taste, young lady!" The merchant praised her, suddenly coming out of his shop to join her. "This is an excellent pipa made in the Earth Kingdom."

"Is it alright if I try playing it?"

"Please, by all means!"

Soon, the quick, sharp, powerful notes of the difficult piece 'give me a rose' echoed with a sense of sensuality and the few bystanders, who had become a large crowd, marvelled at her technique and the evident delight and passion with which the young girl was playing. Everyone clapped when she was finished.

"I'm astonished! Your skills are magnificent! As an honour to you, I'll give you a special discount! Five silver pieces! What do you think?" The seller offered, sure the lady was going to accept.

"I don't need it then." Chenlian replied bluntly, her eyes closed, standing up and holding the instrument at arm length. "But..."

"But...?"

"I'd buy it for one silver piece!" She grinned, her right index in the air.

"Young lady, that's so mean!"

After a few more negotiations (also called 'haggling'), the teen managed to get the pipa for only three silver pieces. And with that pipa, she was going to get much more money. She could play in the streets or perform in eateries... Whatever it was, with her skills, it was impossible for her to go hungry. Though she would need clothes too, and other hair ornaments, and she would love to spend the night in a real bed too, if possible. And just as the young girl was considering the best course of action, she heard a drum playing and a bell tinting. Curious, she looked down from the bridge she was on. There was an old table painted with red and green stripes.

"Time to play Shang-shan-san! Come on everyone, place your bets!"

On one end was a sort of large tin bowl and on the other big white dots were painted on the stripes: One on one stripe, two on the next stripe and three on the next stripe again. A fat man wearing a mask was hitting on a drum settled on his belly and attached behind his head. Another man with moustache and tight-fitting cloths was sitting behind the bowl. And at his left stood another... "well-fed" man with moustache and a receding hairline. He was smiling amiably, but upon a closer look the red-haired could detect a sharp glint in his eyes. He and the drummer were attracting customers. Sitting at the table were a pretty young woman, a granny, and a muscled middle-aged man Chenlian would swear was a factory worker. Many onlookers were there too. The gamblers called and put their money on the dotted stripes.

Shang-shan-san. The dealer spins foreign coins that have a white face. He spins a total of three coins and you have to guess how many would fall white face up. If only one does it's 'shang', if two do it's 'shan' and if the three do it's 'san', and you'd get back double your bet. But if all three of them are black then it's called the 'house takes all' and the house wins. Chenlian observed for several long minutes before frowning. That was obviously a fraud. The dealer could control the first two coins with the third. And the outcome was decided by the roundish man with the sly look. It might be a fraud but to them it was business and they felt they had no choice. And most people here enjoyed gambling. If they actually wanted to earn money, indulging in such games would be pure madness. However if those people kept playing they were going to lose all their money. The worker was certainly going to lose the next round too, the grandma was winning for now but then it would be her turn because she was going to bet more than a piece of silver. So Chenlian was going to make an example. Why them? Because they had caught her attention. That was all.

"You guys are really a foolish bunch... believing the odds are fair even when they aren't. Talk about being completely oblivious." Chenlian butted in with a smile full of self-assurance. "Don't you understand? That guy can make the coins show whichever side he wants. If you continue, you'll be the first to lose" She said to the factory worker. "Then you, granny, then you, Lady. You're just allowed to win right now. You'll lose your money in no time. It's because you can't see through something so simple that you'll always be fools." She told them in a ruthlessly blunt tone that certainly sounded arrogant and condescending to everyone else.

"Who the hell is this brat?"

"Yes, that's right. Don't speak like a know-it-all."

"Children should keep out of the adults' business."

"Go back home before your ma grounds you."

She did not heed the complaints. She was only looking at the man who smirked back at her.

"Hey, missy, you've got guts. Since you're so sure of yourself, you better be able to prove that this guy can control the coins." The balding man provoked was what she was waiting for.

"Alright, I'll prove it." She sat down on a barrel while the others stood up and backed down a few steps. The old man's searching eyes bore into hers. He frowned before her strong and unwavering gaze but nonetheless nodded toward the spinner who tossed the first coin. The young girl took her bag of sweets and put one on 'shan'. The second coin started spinning. She looked at the one who had challenged her, and put another sweet on 'san'. The dealer did not look good when he saw her move but still threw the third coin. She put four sweets on 'shang'. The dealer was surprised and looked even worse. The coins landed. One white. Shang. She had won. She took her sweets back. But the cunning man was still not satisfied.

"Wait a minute. I'll bet for the girl." The factory worker interrupted, sitting next to Chenlian. "You don't mind, right?" He asked the teen at his right.

"Of course not." She smiled back at him. The dealer spun the first coin. The girl whispered to the factory worker, and he put his money on 'shang'. When the second coin was spinning, she told him to bet on 'shan'. The master scammer narrowed his eyes at her. The dealer was flexing his fingers. Then, at Chenlian's suggestion, the worker put one gold piece on 'san.' The coins landed. Three whites. They had won. Double return. The onlookers were rejoicing for them or were amazed at her ability to predict the outcome. The rounded moustached man threw two gold pieces at the gambler and told his friend to continue. But now the young lady had decided to join. Both followed Chenlian's indications and bet when and where she told them to until she saw a coin sway. She advised them not to bet anymore: this round, they couldn't win. Indeed, the coins all fell on their black sides. The house takes all.

"It's a good thing we didn't bet in the end." The working man murmured.

"But what you bet in the beginning..."

"That's fine, don't worry about it. More importantly, tell me: how can you tell?" He asked her.

"I'd like to know too." The pretty lady said. Chenlian explained again that the dealer could control the first two coins with the third. Then she pointed at the other man.

"You can determine the outcome by looking at that man's hand when the third coin is thrown. When he grips the edge of his belt with his thumb on top, it's a 'shang', when his thumb is tucked inside his belt it's a 'shan', when his fist is against his hip it's a 'san' and when his fist his down the house takes all."

The bystanders, indignant, stopped bystanding and began railing.

"I know that to you this is just business. But everyone enjoys this game. Next time please set it up according to official rules." The red head stood up and began leaving but was stopped by the orchestrator of the scam who challenged her to a one-on-one face off. Because of her they couldn't come back here again so he wanted a contest without any tricks. He was going to throw the coins. If she won, he'd give back all the money he took. However he would give it all to her, as it was the customers' own fault for not noticing the trick and being so easily deceived. At this people lowered their heads. No matter how frustrated they were, they could not deny that part. But if he won, he would keep that hairpin she was wearing.

Only a sliver of emotion passed through her eyes before she closed them. She took her hairpin and griped it. It was made of coiled shining gold with a lotus flower. Nestled at its heart was a diamond of perfect purity, on each of the three small petals facing downward blue amber was ensconced, on the two outward petals, yellow ambers were installed, red ambers were on the two inner petals while a red diamond was set in the large middle one. Needless to say that this ornament was worth a lot more than just a pretty penny. But to Chenlian, the value of this hairpin did not lie in the money it was worth but in the memories attached to it. It was a combined gift from her swordsmanship master, Piandao, from her grandfather and firebending teacher, Jeong Jeong, as well as his long time friend Iroh, and her father, Zhong, her mother, Biyu, her grandmother, Lanya. She had received it after she had completed her swordsmanship training. It was always there to remind her of those she had loved and lost, to remind her of the happy and difficult times. It was her source of strength and comfort. She opened her eyes again and smiled. It had something of a derisive smile, or a smirk.

"To me this hairpin is worth a lot more than everything you could win in your entire life, but it's okay, I'll do it." The girl said again with confidence and determination.

"Let's go." The man threw the coins and both sat down face to face and placed their bet. He put his stacks of pieces on shang and she put her hair ornament on shan. People gathered behind the red-haired teen. But the two were intent on each other and on the coins. Soon the first two fell. One on black and one on white. The third one was still spinning. After a few long seconds, it hit a fallen one and landed too at last. Two whites, one black. Shan. It was Chenlian's victory. People rejoiced and put their arms around each other's shoulders or patted her on the back or ruffled her mahogany red hair. The middle-aged factory worker picked her up by the waist and sat her on his left shoulder like she was his all grown up little baby girl... his own daughter. They were practically strangers yet all, and especially he had accepted her in the group like it was natural. He was quite tall, and had large and well-defined muscles and a good face. But what the teen liked best about him was his open and jolly personality. Soon, they were all chatting and laughing happily. Apparently, the young girl had lost her family and was now travelling eastward to live with some friends for a while and was now at a loss of a place to stay. She would also like to work and earn a bit more. At this, the factory worker – Hongsu – offered that she stayed over at his place. He said it was as thanks for having saved his savings. His wife Shishu and their three children would be surely happy. Besides they had a friend and neighbour who owned a small restaurant... even though it was Shishu who managed everything.

And indeed, when they arrived, Chenlian understood the reason. Her new friend's wife might be small and roundish and nice, and have a very good temperament too, but SHE was obviously the head of the family. Always bustling about, her movements were sharp and precise and she had a keen eye. Below the excess weight caused by her recent pregnancy you could feel a certain underlying strength, both physical and mental. She controlled the house with firmness and flexibility, but until then, had never been able to do much about her husband's playing habits. They had three children, the eldest son, a daughter, and a tiny baby girl. The red haired teen was introduced to their friend Chunyan. She had lost her husband and brother in the war and yet did not sink into depression and managed the small restaurant with her two teen sons and Shishu's help. She had remained very bright and beautiful, for her own sake, for her friends' sake, and for her customers' sake. She was as strict as she was kind and considerate and as full of energy as her friend. Chenlian was to help serving customers during the day and play the pipa the evening. As a musician, she would be paid to the song and when she would work as a waitress she would be paid by the hour. The customers also had the right to give money if they wanted to. She was going to stay awhile longer and repay these people for their kindness. Even if she could not even tell them her real name...

It was the middle of the night. Chenlian changed and packed. It pained her to leave this family like this. She would have preferred to do things correctly and not sneak away like a thief, but it was better for everyone if she did. Otherwise, she might not have had the heart. These last days had been so much fun. She did not want to leave them: Hongsu, Shishu, the little ones, and even her boss, Chunyan. They had opened their door and their heart to her, a complete stranger, without asking for anything. They had offered her a job at their friend's place without knowing if she could be trusted or not. How long had it been since she had last been shown such trust and kindness? How would they react if they knew the truth about her? Would they sell her to the authorities as it had already happened more than once? Or would they help her out? She was too scared of the answer and did not want to ruin her memories of these people with such assumptions. Not only would it be a waste of time but also trouble for everyone. Her chest painfully tight, she wrote a letter, thanking them for their kindness and sincerely apologising for leaving like this. She would never forget them and hoped to meet them again another day. They might not feel well about accepting it but she at least wanted to leave them a token of her gratitude. And money was the only thing she could think of to repay them. She hated pretending and deceiving people. And she hated doubting people. But it was not like she had a choice. She could not afford any slip up now when she had barely left that cell. It had been really, really fun with them. But it was time to go. It was with a slightly heavy heart that after making sure she had not forgotten anything, she flew away in the darkness toward Avatar Roku's Island. No matter what she was to leave behind, she would not look back until she reached her goal.

The sun rose over a lake. On the shore, a small fire was smoking. Appa was standing and grazing, while Aang tied the reins to his horns and Katara busied herself on the saddle. Sokka was still snoring peacefully on the ground in a Water Tribe sleeping bag. The Avatar was talking up the beauty of the Air Temple. He sounded very excited. And the girl, while she did not have the heart to completely dampen his enthusiasm, still thought it wiser to try and caution him. She warned him that a lot could change in a hundred years. The airbender replied that it was why he was so excited, but that was because unlike the two Water Tribe members, he had no idea what was really waiting for him. Aang then tried to wake Sokka up but without much success. So with a mischievous grin, he thought up a more effective way. He picked up a stick and ran it up and down the sleeping bag.

"Sokka! Wake up! There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!"

"Aaahhh! Get it off! Get it off! Aaahhh!" The brave warrior screamed, startled. He hopped around in his sleeping bag until he lost his balance and fell flat on his face. Katara laughed at him, much to her brother's irritation.

"Great! You're awake. Let's go!" Aang said, poking his head out from behind him.

In a Fire Nation naval base, tents and buildings were lined up on the ground while ships lined the dock. And among them was Zuko's damaged ship. It was the smallest vessel here. The prow of Zuko's ship has been opened, its spout lying on the floor of the naval yard. Zuko and Iroh walked down and entered the yard. The prince wanted the repairs made as quickly as possible. He did not want to stay too long and risk losing his trail.

"You mean the Avatar?"

"Don't mention his name on these docks!" The teen angrily turned to his uncle. "Once word gets out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way."

"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" A male voice asked. The two turned around with somewhat surprised expressions. The man approached them, his hands authoritatively clasped behind his back. He looked in his forties, of a muscular built, with a wide forehead and strong jaws, his oval face appearing square because of the way his beard and sideburns were cut, which was kind of reminding of a monkey.

"Captain Zhao." Zuko greeted with obvious distaste and reserve, his arms crossed.

"It's Commander now." The man corrected him. "And General Iroh-" He bowed to the older man. "...Great hero of our nation."

"Retired general." Iroh rectified him.

"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time. What brings you to my harbor?"

"Our ship is being repaired." The retired general gestured at the heavily damaged bow of his nephew's ship.

"That's quite a bit of damage." The commander noted.

"Yes... you wouldn't believe what happened." Zuko said, giving his uncle a sideways glance and immediately passing the buck. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened." He ordered. Iroh's eyes widened and he blinked in response to the burden his kin had just placed on him.

"Yes, I will do that. It was... incredible." He leant over and whispered to Zuko. "What... did we crash or something?"

"Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship." The prince replied, as uncomfortable as his relative.

"Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details." Zhao smiled and put his face right up to Zuko's in an obvious challenge. He had evidently sensed they were hiding something. "Join me for a drink?" He offered in an attempt to make them stay.

"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko refused. He turned to leave, but Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." He then looked at Zhao. "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite." The plump old man walked toward the tents, soon followed by a smiling commander. Zuko who had not moved from his place growled in frustration and angrily released fire from his fists to the ground as he went after the two men.

On Appa's back, Aang and Katara were sitting up front while Sokka was in the passenger saddle digging for some food after his stomach had noisily asked for it. He searched a bag and dumped it out onto his glove. Only a few crumbs fell.

"Hey! Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?"

"Oh, that was food? I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry." Aang smiled apologetically.

"You WHAT?! Awww, no wonder the flames smelled so good."

Then, as they entered the Patola mountain range, Katara uneasily tried to warn the boy about what he might see. The Fire Nation was ruthless. They had killed her mother, they could have done the same to the airbenders. After a flash of doubt, Aang's face relaxed into hopeful optimism: Just because no one had seen an airbender didn't mean the Fire Nation had killed them all, right? They had probably escaped.

"I know it's hard to accept." The waterbender attempted again to gently wake him from his denial.

"You don't understand, Katara. The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison, and I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison. Right, Appa?" The Avatar rubbed the big animal's head. Appa agreed with a grunt. After a time, they flew over a tree-topped rocky outcropping and at last, the tall and beautiful spires of the Southern Air Temple stood before them.

"Aang, it's amazing!" Katara exclaimed, taken by the sheer beauty of the scene.

"We're home, buddy, we're home." The airbender told Appa with a nostalgic air about him.

In the same time, Chenlian landed on a new island. It was late afternoon. She had arrived in Fire Fountain City the sixth day after her escape. It was now the ninth day. She put down her luggage on the spot. It did not matter. She was the only human on the whole island. She quickly heated her buns stuffed with meat and vegetables with her firebending and ate them before savouring a slice of fruit tart and an apple. On the way she had snacked on sizzle crisps and fruits. Then the girl looked around. Like most islands in the Fire Nation, it was a volcanic island. Last time it had erupted was a hundred and twelve years ago. And if most people had been saved at that time, it was only thanks to Avatar Roku and his dragon, Fang, who had sacrificed themselves to protect them while they faced alone the fury of Mother Earth. It must have been a beautiful island for him to live there with his wife, as well as hundreds of other people, whose village was now buried forever under the black rock. Now it was just a wasteland of solidified lava... or was it? The firebender stood up, walked away, and crouched down. Just there, a tiny plant was growing. It had just a few leaves but it was definitely there, growing.

"That's right, over a hundred years has passed..."

"Time heals wounds, and life goes on..."

"As long as given the chance..."

"The new generation may do better than the last."

Then their attention focused on the top the biggest volcano.

"That is where they died."

"Then let us go too."

And they began their ascension of the fire mountain. With each step, feeling the solid black river, and imagining what was buried underneath, what had happened that fateful day a hundred and twelve years ago, when an Avatar died, his own body as well as his dragon's buried under the lava flow, and a new Avatar was born in the next nation. That was the cycle of life.

On the coast of the Southwest Earth Kingdom, in a certain Fire Navy outpost, the commander Zhao, who had invited the Fire Lord's son and older brother in his tent for tea, was explaining the Fire Nation's plan for victory.

"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Zuko voiced his doubts vehemently. Zhao sat in the chair next to him.

"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue." The man commented, referring to the reason why his interlocutor had had to undertake that foolish search in the first place. "So, how is your search for the Avatar going?" He added after a pause. Iroh who had been examining a stand of weapons tipped it over, making it fall noisily. The commotion brought the conversation to a halt. The old man cringed at the mess he had just made.

"My fault entirely." He apologised, embarrassed before sheepishly backing away under the commander's watch. As to whether it had been done purposefully or accidentally...

"We haven't found him yet." The teenager answered firmly.

"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago...along with the rest of the airbenders." The commander said. Zuko averted his eyes guiltily. Noticing it, Zhao's expression changed from serious, almost condescending, to blatantly eager. He was smirking. "Unless... you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive..."

"No. Nothing." The prince replied, still looking away. Zhao rose from his chair.

"Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left," He leant toward Zuko. "You'll tell me what you've found."

"I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on, Uncle, we're going." The young man looked at him defiantly before standing and trying to leave. However, he was blocked by the guards who crossed their spears in front of him. Another guard approached his commander to deliver his report. They had interrogated the crew as per his instructions and confirmed the Prince Zuko had had the Avatar in custody but let him escape.

"Now, remind me... how exactly was your ship damaged?" Zhao asked again, smirking with obvious delight as he came up behind Zuko and slightly leant his face toward him. The prince closed his eyes and hung his head in defeat.

Appa was left alone on a platform at the foot of the temple while Sokka and Katara walked up the long winding path leading to the edifices, Aang racing ahead of them. The Water Tribe warrior was clutching his hungry stomach, looking cross, and asking where he could get something to eat.

"You're lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to ever visit an airbender temple and all you can think about is food?" Katara asked, incredulous.

"I'm just a simple guy with simple needs." Her brother answered simply.

Farther ahead, Aang stopped at the edge of the path to let his friends catch up. Then he pointed at a natural platform below them. A roughly rectangular - approximately seventy feet long and forty feet wide - and dense thicket consisting of wooden poles of varying heights was standing there, and a goal with a backboard was occupying either end of the field. There were over one hundred and twenty unevenly spaced poles, ranging from about fifteen feet to twenty-five feet but all retaining the same width (around two feet). The boy told them that was where he and his friends used to play airball. He then pointed at another place and told them that would be where the bison would sleep. When he sighed heavily, the waterbender asked him what was wrong.

"This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds. I can't believe how much things have changed." Aang said. His back looked so sad and lonely that after a quick glance at each other, the siblings changed the subject.

"So, uh, this airball game? How do you play?" Sokka asked. Aang smiled.

A few minutes later, Sokka was standing on one of the truncated trunks, looking ready for action, with a backboard behind him. Before the opposite backboard, the airbender was rapidly spinning the ball above his hand. They appeared to be made out of hollow, lightweight wood, with the sides slotted for minimum air resistance and maximum elasticity. Players had to use their airbending to get the ball moving, making it spin in order to provide it momentum. Aang played with it a little, and then threw it up in the air over his head. Sokka followed it with his eyes. The Avatar put his hands behind his back, closed his eyes and smiled, waiting for the ball to come back down. He cracked one eye open and with a kick bended the air at the precise moment to send the ball bouncing through the field of sticks like a pinball. He was obviously showing off his dexterity... as it was the siblings' aim, knowing it would cheer him up. Sokka watched the ball ricochet toward him at amazing speed and it hit him in the stomach, propelling him backward through a rotating door in the backboard behind him. He fell in a pile of snow and branches at the foot of the embankment.

"Hahaha! Aang seven, Sokka zero!" The young boy laughed, showing the score with his hands.

"Making him feel better is putting me in a world of hurt." Sokka groaned, trying to get up, when he saw something that made him freeze for a second. It was a Fire soldier helmet lying on the ground. He crawled over to it and showed it to his sister. They called Aang who came with such a happy expression on his youthful face, but at the last moment, and after much hesitation, the girl decided against it and bended the snow to cover both her brother and the mask, saying she just wanted to show him her new waterbending move. The little one liked it, but there was a whole temple to see. They went on.

At the entrance gate of the Air Temple itself, Aang ran in alone, as usual, leaving the siblings alone for a moment. Sokka was warning his sister: she could not protect him forever and could not deny that firebenders had been here. But she replied firmly that she could for Aang's sake. If he found out the Fire Nation had invaded his home, he'd be devastated. The Avatar called them to show them the statue of an old airbender monk, and introduced him as Monk Gyatso, the greatest airbender in the world, who had taught him everything he knew. He bowed to the statue, lost in his memories.

Gyatso was using a long spatula to pull out a fruit cake from a large oven before airbending the purple fruit mince filling in the centre, teaching Aang his 'ancient cake making technique'. He was dressed in Buddhist robes and a necklace made of large beads, and a wood circle on which the three swirls, symbol of the air nomads. But the boy sitting on the wall was not paying attention, preoccupied as he was by the whole Avatar thing. He believed the monks had made a mistake.

"The only mistake they made was telling you before you turned sixteen. But we can't concern ourselves with what was. We must act on what is." The elder gestured ceremoniously to the world around them, full of flying bison and other inhabitants. The beautiful, dreamlike surroundings were full of life.

"But Gyatso, how do I know if I'm ready for this?" Aang questioned, still unsure.

"Your questions will be answered when you are old enough to enter the Air Temple sanctuary. Inside you will meet someone who will guide you on your journey."

"Who is it!?" The boy asked excitedly, turning to face the old monk.

"When you are ready he will reveal himself to you." Gyatso answered mysteriously. Aang sighed heavily in frustration. "Now, are you going to help me with these cakes, or not?"

"All right." The young one smiled mischievously. Aang and Gyatso assumed airbending stances, with the four cakes sitting on the wall. They created balls of wind with their airbending skills and released them on the count of three, propelling the cakes high into the air. They landed on four meditating monks, who were soon each wearing one of the four cakes and were instantly surrounded by winged lemurs that began feasting on the splattered cakes. The two pranksters laughed heartily before bowing respectfully to each other. Gyatso patted his young student's head affectionately.

"Your aim has improved greatly my young pupil."

Aang was still bowing to the statue of Gyatso, just as he had bowed to the real Gyatso a hundred years ago. Katara tried to comfort him but then he just moved onward.

"Where are you going?" She asked him.

"The Air Temple Sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet." The Avatar answered resolutely while climbing the steps.