CHANGES: BOOK ONE!
*'Water. Earth. Fire. Air…
My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days: a time of peace when the Avatar kept a balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads.
But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
Only the Avatar mastered all four elements; only he could stop the ruthless firebenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years have passed, and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. Two years ago, my father and the men of my tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Fire Nation, leaving my brother, my sister, and I to look after our tribe.
Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the cycle is broken, but I haven't lost hope. I still believe that, somehow, the Avatar will return to save the world…'*
*Somewhere around the icy sea, many icebergs surround it where snow-covered areas have the untouched blanket of snow broken by three tracks of footprints. And those footprints led into the sea, the blue water contrasted by the paleness of the sky beyond as a small canoe slowly floats above it, with its motion through the water indicated by the wake left behind it. On each side of the canoe, walls of ice rise upon either side of the vessel, showing three people accompanying it. A boy and two girls that look related are seated in the small boat where that same boy holds a spear, ready to catch a fish that comes his way while both girls sit on the other side of the boat, staring deeply into the water. Soon, close to the surface right in front of the boy, a fish swims by, making him focus closely on its every movement.*
(?): *Smugs* It's not getting away from me this time…
*The boy's blue eyes glance over his shoulder to meet his two sisters behind him.*
(?): Watch and learn, Katara. This is how you catch a fish. You, too, Enola.
*Both girls glance at one another at their brother's overconfidence before the girl owning a long braid and hair loopies known to be Katara has her bright blue orbs finding themselves indifferent to the boy's claim and turns back to the side of their boat beside her sister. Enola is the second eldest and first-born daughter of their father, Chief Hakoda of their beloved tribe, her face is a mixture of not just the man, but their mother, Kya. And like their parents, Enola also took inspiration from combining hairstyles - she had her hair in two loops from the back (which also formed a braid going down), leaving the rest down and loose. Now, back to the fishing subject, Katara's expression changes to surprise as she looks down into the water over her shoulder, finding a fish swimming by them. She taps Enola's shoulder, wanting her attention just to get a nod, knowing that this would be the perfect time to practice. So, she shoots a quick glance toward her brother, removes a glove from her left hand, and passes it to Enola before taking a deep breath while possessing a look of concentration and apprehension as she starts making a wavy motion with her wrist, then moves it up and down.*
Enola: You can do it, sis!
*Once her encouragement is given by her beloved sibling, their brother has his eyes still focused wholly on the fish in front of him, completely unaware of what is happening behind his back. As Katara continues to move her hand, the water in front of the two girls begins to ripple suddenly, and a bubble of water rises up from the ocean containing the newly, quickly trapped fish.*
Katara: *Happily surprised* Sokka, look!
Sokka: *Whispers* Sshh! Katara, you're going to scare it away. *Licks his lips* Mmm… I can already smell it cookin'.
Katara: *Struggles with the water* But, Sokka! I caught one! Mind giving me a hand, Enola?
*Without hesitation, Enola removed one glove from her hands, and gave Katara a little assistance by keeping the fish stable in its little water bubble.*
Enola: *Also struggles* Uh, Sokka, do you mind paying attention to us for one second?
*The bubble containing their fish slowly drifts around them to hang over Sokka, who is still oblivious. But just as the bubble hovers over his head, Sokka raises his spear to strike the fish he was following to only burst the bubble of water with the blunt end of his weapon, causing both girls to lose control of the water, making it rain down on their brother, soaking him.*
Katara: *Exclaims indignantly* Hey!
*Sokka let out a gasp of discomfort as the fish tumbles through the air where Enola follows its arc with her eyes in awe at the sight of catching a fish with her little sister even better than their brother while watching it fly over their heads and splash back into the sea. Still soaking wet, Sokka looks towards his sisters and places his spear perpendicular to the rim of the boat as he begins to yell irate.*
Sokka: Why is it that every time you guys play with magic water, I get soaked?
*He clenched his fists and a few drops of water fell from the soaked gloves.*
Katara: *Sighs in slight annoyance* It's not 'magic', it's waterbending! And it's-
Sokka: Yeah, yeah, 'An ancient art unique to our culture' - blah, blah, blah… *Grabs his warrior's wolf tail and wrings water out of it* Look, I'm just saying that if I had weird powers, I'd keep my weirdness to myself. *Glares sternly at Enola* And I can't believe you, Enola. You broke our promise!
Enola: *Sighs in annoyance as well* For the last time, just because we're twins, that doesn't mean I have to be exactly like you! Especially when it comes to giving up waterbending since you don't have any. And besides, you're never successful when it comes to catching fish anyway.
Sokka: *Owns a deadpan expression* Ouch…
Katara: *Raises her eyebrows skeptically with arms crossed* Oh, come on, you're calling us weird? At least we're not the ones who make muscles for ourselves every time we see our reflections in the water!
*After exposing this openly, Katara has a smug across her face as well as Enola where their brother is doing it just as she said it, all while grinning confidently. But his happy look vanishes upon hearing his sister's remark and turns around slowly, meaning to face them. However, before Sokka could say anything, the canoe suddenly shuddered. As the three siblings try to keep it from falling over, Sokka whirls around toward his side of the canoe while owning a frantic look on his face.*
Enola: Uh, oh…
*The boat is caught in a rapid current, which is pulling it swiftly toward a jumble of large icebergs which block the end of the narrow passage formed by the towering walls of ice. Sokka then paddles the boat in an attempt to stay clear of any floating chunks of ice. He manages to gain just enough speed to keep the boat from being crushed by two icebergs that slam together behind the small boat. With Sokka rowing furiously, small chunks of ice are slowly pinning the canoe.*
Katara: Watch out! Go left! Go left!
*The ice floes move closer together in front of the boat, narrowing their path. Enola had an arm around Katara's shoulder in hopes of not wanting her sister to panic while their brother tried his best to stay off the icy grid. But it veers to the right with the current and becomes pinned by three large chunks of ice. As the canoe is completely crushed by the ice, Katara, Enola, and Sokka throw themselves from the canoe and onto one of the flows of ice where Katara nearly slides off the other side into the water, but she comes to a halt at the floe's very edge with the help of Enola's tight grip around her waist. Katara raised her head and looked around, finding that all three siblings were floating on one floe of ice among dozens. She shuffles her hands and knees, then moves away from the rim toward the middle of the floe, and sits in between her older siblings where Sokka's spear is embedded point-first in the ice just behind him.*
Katara: *A touch of bitterness in her voice* You call that left?
Enola: *Pulls her knees to her chest* Yeah, some captain you are…
Sokka: You guys don't like my steering? Well, *Mocks their waterbending* maybe one of you should've waterbended us all out of the ice.
Enola: *Glares at her twin* Oh, come on, you can't possibly blame us, can you?
Sokka: Well, you could've stopped Katara from waterbending, because she doesn't have any idea what she's doing, but of course, you had to join her!
Katara: *Indignantly* So it's my fault?
Sokka: *Annoyed* I knew I should've left you two home! Leave it to the girls to screw things up!
*Once his calming rant ends, Enola quickly stands up and goes to stand beside her sister while becoming irritated by their brother's behavior when it comes to all the women of their beloved Tribe. And it's known to be - sexism - where men fully believe that prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, are typically against women, on the basis of their gender. Meaning they aren't capable of anything; and that includes waterbending.*
Katara: *Face is filled with fury and angrily begins to shout* You are the most sexist, immature, nut-brained…
*She raised her hands behind her head and started swinging them back in rage, which began to make the floe bobble slightly up and down, creating a larger wave, - all while being a brief loss for words that entered her mind seeing as it came from her eldest sibling's mouth.*
Katara: I'm embarrassed - we're embarrassed… *Gestures to Enola as well before throwing a hand upward, and a short jet of water shoots upward as well* …to be related to you!
*Not even realizing what was happening behind them, Katara continues swinging both her hands back forcefully once again as the unconscious waterbending hurls a wave directly into the towering iceberg behind her and Enola; with a loud, splitting - crack - a hooklike fissure arcs up its surface and out its side, leaving a spray of ice where it ends. Until, Sokka, who wears a somewhat disinterested expression, glances briefly in his sister's direction and sees the iceberg; after a short moment, he does a double-take, his expression morphing into one of terror. During her rant, verbal outburst, and aggressive arm movements, little chunks of ice from the iceberg splash into the water, unheard and unnoticed by both his sisters.*
Katara: Ever since Mom died, Enola and I have been doing all the work around camp, leaving us to do everything after all these years while you've been off playing soldier!
*She emphasizes the last words with a strong swing of her hand, waterbending and deepening the crack in the iceberg; Sokka's terror deepens.*
Sokka: *In fear, he points to the iceberg, his voice subdued by fright* Uh… Enola…
Enola: No, Katara's right! It's not fair for us to be the only ones having all the responsibilities! You say you're protecting the camp when there hasn't been any trouble since Dad and the others left!
*He called for Enola because he knew that if anyone could (sometimes) control their little sister's temper, it would be her, but seeing as she was aggravated by his choice of words, she decided to let it slide because he very much deserves to be terrified. Except now, with her waterbending skills, the older girl sent a swing from behind and caused a newly large crack to engrave upon the ice.*
Katara: *Points a stern finger at Sokka's face* We even wash all the clothes. Have you ever smelled your dirty socks? Let me tell you, not pleasant!
Enola: Yeah, and all your shirts are covered by every single strain of 'warrior's' face paint - three words: use an apron!
*As they both yell those last parts, they unconsciously waterbend once again, causing a few more new splits in the chunk of ice.*
Sokka: *In a screeching voice with eyes widen with fear* Guys, settle down!
Enola: No! We should've left you to fend for ourselves when we had the chance, but since Dad told you to watch out for us, we have no choice but to stick with you!
*Still not even paying attention, another swing is back into the iceberg, causing the crack to slowly start to break, meaning if it's struck one last time; they'd possibly become goners.*
Katara: And that's it! Because we're done helping you! From now on, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN!
*And that's what Katara wanted to prove, but with one last movement being her most agitated, creating a huge wave as it impacts the iceberg and sends a number of fissures to snake their way up the iceberg. One of them reaches the top of the iceberg, splitting it completely in half. Petrified, Sokka gasps for air, and it is only now that both Katara and Enola turn to look behind them. They gasp at the sight as the two halves of the iceberg begin to fall away from each other where all three siblings can be seen through the widening space between them. The moment those two halves collapse into the water; a wave larger than any Katara or Enola ever cast has radiated outward toward them, causing the trio to be thrown onto the ice as it pushes their floe backward. As the waves subside, their heads are slightly over the edge of the ice. Sokka and Enola move to put Katara in between them, and hold a protective arm over her (which Sokka does with both of his sisters), before turning his head towards them.*
Sokka: *Releases them* Okay, you two have gone from 'weird' to 'freakish' with waterbending.
Enola: *Astonished* There's no way…
Katara: *Also astonished* You mean, we did that?
Sokka: *Sarcastically, glancing at the two while smirking* Yep. *Nudges Katara with his elbow* Congratulations.
*Soon, several small bubbles appear on the surface of the water directly in front of them and a small spot of water begins to glow with a bright bluish hue. They spread a brilliant glow and many more bubbles, causing the three siblings to scramble back in terror from the edge, just as a large roughly spherical iceberg breaks the surface of the water. Once the iceberg rises above the surface, revealing its massive form to be the source of the glow. The crashing waves generated by the iceberg's rising push the floe backward as the berg itself rocks to one side, before coming to rest with its rounded dome exposed above the water. Mesmerized by the iceberg, Katara strays closer and stares at the iceberg; behind her, Sokka halfheartedly stretches out his hand, as if to hold her back. She stares at the iceberg which is revealing a human shape below a larger mass. The human figure, perched a lotus, has glowing arrows on its head and hands. Katara raises an eyebrow in confusion, but when she takes a closer look at the figure in the ice, its features are accentuated by reflected light, revealing it to be a boy. Suddenly, the boy opens his eyes, the same brilliant light emanating from them, shocked gasps from all three siblings.*
Katara: He's alive! We have to help!
Enola: Right behind you!
*But before Sokka can grab it, Katara grabs his club out of its sheath on his back and pulls her hood over her head, heading in the direction of the strange boy sealed in the iceberg, followed by Enola (who had also put her hood over her head as well). He again reaches out his hand in an attempt to hold both Katara and Enola back, though the two girls have already run across the ice.*
Sokka: Katara, Enola, get back here! We don't know what that thing is!
*And so, he grabs his spear from the ice and runs after his sisters who are already at the ice's edge. Soon, once both Katara and Enola hop across the short distance between the floe and the iceberg on five tiny chinks of ice with Sokka following close behind them. Reaching the iceberg first, Katara repeatedly strikes the iceberg with Sokka's club.*
Enola: Be careful with that thing, Katara!
*On her fifth strike, the club breaks through the surface and a great gust of wind escapes from within the iceberg, which throws herself, and her siblings back from the side of the dome. Fissures quickly snake their way over the whole iceberg and, in a massive outward explosion, the entire orb of ice destroys itself. A beam of light bursts from the core of the iceberg and rockets into the sky as it comes from the shallow sea bottom and emits ripples of light, causing a group of tiger seals from somewhere around the distance to growl at the distant beam of light. Finally, the gale begins to settle, allowing Sokka to protectively clutch Katara and Enola together, but then releases them as he looks around. Light still encircles the remains of the former mountain of ice, now reduced to a hollowed-out crater. He looks at his sisters and they all get on their feet while Katara holds onto both her older siblings. Soon, the non-bender points his spear at the crater, ready to defend them, though lowers it in shock as a figure emerges slowly from the depression in the iceberg.*
Sokka: *Brandishing his spear in defense once again* Stop!
*Now standing atop the crater, the figure slowly erects himself and looks down at them, and the three Water Tribe siblings stare back in wonder and fear. All until, the circle of the light finally dissipates as the boy stops glowing. And soon, the figure is revealed to be nothing more than a young boy, who gives a moan of exhaustion and suddenly faints, causing Katara to gasp as she runs forward and catches him before he hits the ground whereas Sokka begins to poke at the boy's head with the blunt end of his spear.*
Enola: *Waves the spear away in annoyance* Knock it off, Sokka!
*Katara places the boy gently against the base of the crater to see that he slowly opens his eyes, revealing it to be a beautiful shade of gray. He gasps in awe as he beholds the Southern Water Tribe girl, who stares at him, in relief, with deep blue eyes while her hair loopies flows within the wind.*
(?): *In a weak voice* I need to ask you something…
Katara: What?
(?): Please… come closer…
Katara: *Curiously leans forward a bit* What is it?
(?): *In a sudden clear, happy, hopeful tone* Will you go penguin sledding with me?!
Katara: *Awkwardly* Uh, sure… I-I guess.
*The boy elegantly rises to his feet in one swift motion, surprising the other two. Katara looks at him in awe while Sokka and Enola back away in shock, aiming as he aims his spear at him again, making their sister glance at him in disbelief.*
(?): *Looks around in confusion and rubs his head* What's going on here?
Sokka: *Aggressively* You tell us! *Points at the top of the crater* How did you get in the ice? And why aren't you frozen?
*As the older figure starts to poke the boy in his side with his spear and throw questions, Enola roughly nudges her twin's shoulder with her arm.*
Enola: Let him wake up a little at least!
(?): *Lazily pushes the spear away* I'm… not sure…
*Suddenly, a low, gruff noise fills the air, coming from within the crater of the iceberg. Quickly, the boy scrambles up the ridge of ice and happily jumps on the head of a large, furry creature that has the same arrow-shaped marking on his forehead as the boy.*
(?): *Exclaims happily* Appa! Are you alright? *He hangs down the side of the beast to look at its eyes, which are still closed* Wake up, buddy.
*He opens an eyelid that immediately closes again once it is released. He jumps down to the front of the bison and tries to lift its enormous head. Soon, Sokka and Katara appear around the corner as Appa finally starts to react to the boy by opening his mouth and licking him with his giant tongue, causing Sokka's jaw to drop upon seeing the large beast.*
(?): *Laughing cheerfully* Haha! You're okay!
*He hugs and pets the creature's nose, happy to know that he is alright and well after being trapped in the ice.*
Sokka: What is that thing?
(?): This is Appa, my flying bison!
Sokka: *Sarcastically* Right, and this is Katara and Enola, my flying sisters.
As both girls give him an odd look while the boy looks questioningly at Sokka for a moment, but his attention is diverted back toward his bison when Appa starts to inhale deeply. And realizing what is about to happen, he ducks before Appa lets out a large sneeze, sending a large blast of green flying directly onto Sokka, who becomes completely covered in it. He squeals in disgust and begins to frantically try to clean it off, rubbing his face in the snow under the amused gaze of his little sister while the other looks disgusted.*
(?): *Cheerfully* Don't worry, it'll wash out.
*Green slime is hanging from Sokka's face to his glove, dripping down as he retracts his hand, causing both Katara and Enola to cover their mouths in disgust.*
(?): So do you guys live around here?
Sokka: *Pointing his spear accusingly again at the boy who is surprised to see the thing* Don't answer that! Did you see that crazy bolt of light?! He was probably trying to signal the Fire Navy!
Enola: *Raises an eyebrow at this accusation* Really?
Katara: *Pushes Sokka's spear away again and addresses him sarcastically* Oh, yeah, I'm sure he's a spy for the Fire Navy. You can tell by that evil look in his eye…
*As she said this, the boy shoots the three an earnest, goofy grin.*
Katara: The paranoid one is our brother, Sokka. You never told us your name.
(?): I'm A… a-a-a-Ah… CHOO!
*Just when the boy can introduce himself, he sneezes, creating an air blast that sends him soaring into the air. Enola stared in shock and confusion as to how someone could fly that high into the air.*
(?): *Lands on the ground, unharmed* I'm Aang. *Sniffles a bit*
Sokka: *Total disbelief* You just sneezed… *Points to the sky* and flew ten feet in the air!
Aang: *Looks questioningly toward the sky* Really? It felt higher than that.
Enola: *Places a hand on her chin and thinks* Hmm, the only ones possessive of that kind of ability have to be an-
*And just when Enola could piece this together, it hit not just the older girl, but Katara who seemed to have figured it out as well.*
Katara: *Gasps for air in comprehension* You're an airbender!
Aang: Sure am!
Sokka: Giant light beams, flying bisons, Airbenders… *Walks away* I think I got midnight sun madness. I'm going home to where stuff makes sense…
*Unfortunately, he couldn't, due to realizing that all three Water Tribe siblings (plus, the arbender and pet) are stranded in the middle of the ocean with no way home.*
Aang: Well, if you guys are stuck, Appa and I can give you a lift.
*After offering this, he airbends himself onto Appa's head.*
Enola: Oh, yes, please!
Katara: Yeah, we'd love a ride. Thanks!
*When Enola moves to the side of the bison, she struggles to climb up on him until luckily, Aang uses his airbending to gently hoist her up onto the saddle.*
Enola: Thank you.
Sokka: Oh, no! I'm not getting on that fluffy snot monster!
*Katara looks at her brother while climbing Appa with the help of Enola and Aang.*
Enola: Oh, come on, Sokka! It'll be fun!
Katara: Yeah, or are you hoping some other kind of monster will come along and give you a ride home? You know, before you freeze to death?
*And just when Sokka opens his mouth in defiance and points at Katara, ready to retaliate, he cannot think of anything, but sighs, then bows his head in consent and defeat. Now that all three siblings are sitting upon Appa's saddle, Sokka has his arms crossed in front of him with a sulking expression on his face while Katara holds onto Enola's arm as both of their faces are filled with excitement and anticipation.*
Aang: Okay, first-time flyers, hold on tight! Appa, yip-yip!
He whips the reins and Appa growls in response before moving his tail up and down and takes a huge jump into the air, soaring through it for mere a few seconds, appearing as if he would begin to fly, but unfortunately, the bison then belly-flops into the water with a splash. Appa started trudging through the water slowly, allowing Katara to crawl towards the front of the saddle while Aang tried to get the creature flying by whipping the reins again.*
Aang: Come on, Appa. Yip-yip!
Sokka: *Sarcastically* Woww… that was truly amazing…
Enola: *Punches his arm* Don't be rude!
Aang: Appa's just a little tired. A little rest and he'll be soaring through the sky. You'll see.
*Katara smiles at Aang, who returns this gesture. Then when she wants to move back, she realizes that he is still smiling at her.*
Katara: *Uncomfortably* Why are you smiling at me like that?
Aang: Oh, I was smiling?
*She smiles again as Sokka throws his head back and sticks his tongue out in disgust, groaning loudly, causing both Katara and Enola to each throw glares at him while Appa continues to make his way through the icy sea, flapping his tail in the water.*
*Nightfall has almost set upon them and time has been running off track due to Appa the so-called 'flying bison' still swimming in the water. Enola does believe that the furry creature could possibly fly, but like Aang said, he was simply too exhausted from spending most of their time (possible days) stuck inside the iceberg. Laying in the back of the saddle, Sokka had fallen asleep while Enola was beside Katara who had been nuzzled into her older sister's side until something occurred to the youngest sibling's mind. So, Katara crawls to the front of the saddle and finds Aang lying lazily on his back, his arms tucked under his head. She took a better look at the boy and leaned against the front of the saddle, resting her head against her arm.*
Katara: Hey.
Aang: Hey. What'cha thinkin' about?
Katara: I guess I was wondering, you're an Airbender and all, if you had any idea what happened to the Avatar?
Aang: Oh, no. I didn't know him. I mean, I knew people that knew him, but I didn't. *Smiles weakly at her* Sorry.
Katara: Okay. Just curious. *Becomes a bit disappointed* Good night.
Aang: Sleep tight.
*Once Katara crawled back and moved to lay against Enola's side, Aang's uncomfortable look of guilt crossed his face, obviously something was off between the boy with airbending tattoos, and it wasn't satisfactory.*
author speaks!
hello to the avatar: the last airbender community!! i have arrived with a fanfiction about this beauty of a show. and of course, as y'all can tell, my oc will be paired with our beloved prince, zuko! i thought about creating a sokka fic, but who knowsss, maybe one day! but until then, i hope y'all enjoy this book, i know i will!! love you all!