I honestly don't know how in the name of God this turned into a 10K chapter.
In one sense I am proud, in another, I am pissed. Hopefully, this chapter is well received and you all will leave a comment/review down below.
Enjoy
A few days had passed, and the beams of the morning sun reflected on the water. It bathed the whole scene in yellow as the day was about to begin for these new travelers.
Naruto was filling his flask from the stream of clean water on the shore where their camp was. He wasn't alone as Kurama was drinking directly from the water next to the blond. Both were also taking a moment to discuss matters in private.
"So, what's the plan?"
"What plan?"
"Our plan for going with the Avatar, brat," Kurama asked after drinking from the stream. "With our stunts against the Fire Nation, it is only a matter of time before they start chasing after us."
Naruto decided to drink some of the water from his flask with some of it spilling down to his neck. He stopped and wiped his mouth clean before responding to his nine-tailed friend's reasonable point.
"I understand what you are saying, but my duty is to escort the Avatar to the Northern Water Tribe."
"Your job is to protect the Avatar, not to escort him," Kurama stated, intending to clear up the situation. "The boy can get to the North Pole with that flying Bison, yes, but we must ensure that there aren't too many obstacles for the kid to come across while he is making the journey. It even took a local garrison to realize his only chance to learn waterbending is to go north."
"Yes, once they know he's alive. For now, I feel that Zuko's pride is helping us delay that."
Speaking of Zuko, they both knew of the prince's mission to seek out and capture the Avatar. It was essentially a lifelong exile by the Fire Lord to keep his son out of his sight as the Avatar had not been sighted in a century.
Until the incursion in the South Pole, and by understanding Zuko, both knew he would try to keep the news back as long as possible. Once word got out about the Avatar, his chances of capturing Aang would be minimized.
"That fool has been searching for several miserable years now. He honestly cannot be blamed for trying."
"Trying, but not succeeding because I cannot allow him to."
"Even when you two were friends?"
"Guys! Come on!"
The two turned around to see Aang who called out to them. He readied the saddle's knots to keep it in place on Appa while Katara sat atop the saddle. Sokka was still in his sleeping bag on the ground.
Naruto walked towards them as Kurama climbed up to his shoulder. He overheard the two talking, especially Aang, who had planned to visit his old home.
The Southern Air Temple.
"Wait 'til you see it, Katara! The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world!" Aang exclaimed while he finished readying the saddle. He didn't realize the more cautious atmosphere that existed around him.
Katara was delicate when addressing him. "Aang, I know you're excited," she turned around to face him, "but it's been a hundred years since you've been home."
"That's why I'm so excited!" Aang responded with excitement.
"It's just that ... a lot can change in all that time."
"I know, but I need to see it for myself."
Aang then jumped off from Appa to wake up Sokka. Katara's face turned somber with concern at the young monk from a century ago.
"Worried?"
Katara turned around to see Naruto climb up the saddle with Kurama following behind. The little fox was watching Aang trying to wake up Sokka.
Kurama saw Aang excitedly grab a stick for assistance after failing to rouse the slumbering Water Tribe teenager awake.
"Of course I am. Aang isn't prepared for what he is about to see. How… the Fire Nation has destroyed his people…"
"I know, but let's keep an eye on him for now until we find the right moment to explain it to him."
"Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple, here we come!"
The trio on Appa watched Aang continue to attempt to wake Sokka, only to get angry noises in response.
"Sleep now, temple later."
Katara paid no further attention and turned back to her blond friend. "Between you and me, have you been there?"
"To where? The Southern Air Temple?"
Katara confirmed her question by nodding, "What do you say?"
"Sokka, wake up! There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!"
Before an answer could be given, Aang's mischievous plan to use a stick to make Sokka feel like there was a snake in his bag was all it took for Sokka to wake up screaming in fear. He fell back down on the floor fully awake with Aang and Kurama laughing at his expense.
"Great! You're awake! Let's go!"
Ketu Harbor
Ketu Harbor, a military station of the Fire Nation that lay in the Southwestern part of the Earth Kingdom occupied for several decades, was one of the main ports of its occupational navy.
Alongside numerous large mastodon metal ships that were lined next to one another, Prince Zuko and his uncle Iroh came out from one smaller damaged ship. They walked down to the end of the pathway with the intention of not staying for too long.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible," Zuko said. "I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail."
Iroh sounded disinterested, "You mean the Avatar-"
"Don't mention his name on these docks!" Zuko sharply turned around, warning 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…"
Iroh and Zuko turned and were shocked at the source of the voice. They spotted someone whom they both knew and did not like in general.
It was Captain Zhao, an ill-tempered soldier with large sideburns, who approached the two with a frown on his face from seeing the exiled prince.
"Prince Zuko?"
Zuko greeted the man with disdain, "Captain Zhao."
"It's commander now," Zhao corrected the prince. Zhao courteously greeted Iroh instead by bowing his head to add more disrespect to the prince. "General Iroh. Great hero of our nation."
"Retired general," Iroh bowed back.
"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests anytime," Zhao formally responded. "What brings you to my harbor?"
"Our ship is being repaired," Iroh gestured to the ship in question. The extensive damage on its front and sides was something that took Zhao's interest.
"That's quite a bit of damage. Is this the result of the traitor Uzumaki?"
"Yes, yes he was responsible," Zuko quickly responded. "Why, what is it to you?"
"Because I also had an encounter with him just a few days ago - at the South Pole."
This revelation was not something that surprised Zuko and Iroh, both of whom looked at one another before turning to Zhao, who just smiled.
"Perhaps it would be wise to speak about this matter in my tent given the utmost importance of the matter."
"Well, I-"
"Perhaps that is for the better," Iroh interjected and accepted the offer. He began to follow the commander. "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite."
Zuko grunted in anger upon hearing Iroh's tea comment. He angrily growled and bent a small arc out of the fire in annoyance as he turned to walk after them, fully intending not to speak about the Avatar nor mention his return.
Iroh on the other hand had a different priority, knowing that the discussion around Naruto was going to be something he needed to listen to.
Once arriving at the tent, Zhao opened it up for them to enter, and the Dragon of the West saw something he did not expect.
A girl lay on her bare knees on the floor with her head bowed and her face hidden by her loose dark brown hair. She was fully clothed, but her skin showed scars and burn marks. She had bruises and marks all over her arms, legs, and face. She was clothed in a garment of loose brown clothing that was common among imprisoned Earth Benders in occupied territory.
The captive looked up and made the unfortunate move of making eye contact with Iroh who saw the blue eyes she possessed.
She was no Earth Kingdom girl but from the Water Tribes.
"My apologies, General Iroh." Zhao formally apologized while entering his tent, "I just happened to finish interrogating this Water Tribe spy."
Meanwhile
Appa was flying over the Patola Mountain range with Katara sitting next to Aang. This left Naruto and Sokka to be seated beside each other, with the latter noticing Naruto had a serious disposition.
His face was stern with visible anger and a clear frown with his arms firmly crossed.
"Uhm, Naruto, are you alright?"
"Hmm?"
"You look angry…something wrong?"
"I… don't know how to explain it, but it is like a gut feeling."
Sokka's eyebrow raised in response before he felt his stomach growl as if an unintended third party was speaking.
"Hey, stomach? Be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food." Sokka said to himself as he grabbed onto the bag that he had stashed across the saddle.
This left Naruto and Kurama to their thoughts, the latter having been napping next to the blond. Kurama had questions of his own that were better asked in a more private matter.
"You sensed something, didn't you?"
"Yes…but I don't know what it is."
Appa then happened to go up higher, flying over several mountains while Sokka and Aang were speaking with each other. It was something about the food. Meanwhile, Katara had tried to explain something to Aang.
"I don't know how to say it, but I feel like someone's in pain. Intense pain."
"As in?"
"Like someone's getting tortured…"
"Hmm, perhaps meditate on it later," Kurama advised him. "We are too far away now from living civilization to do something about it. Besides, we've arrived."
Flying over the final mountain tops, the scenery before everyone was one that not many would be able to experience as the large buildings home to Aang's people came into view.
"There it is. The Southern Air Temple." Aang said.
Stunned by the sight, Katara could only say, "Aang, it's amazing!"
"We're home, buddy! We're home." Aang said to Appa with glee in his voice...
Back in the saddle, Naruto and Kurama watched as they were getting closer to the temple.
"It's been a while since we've been here."
"Yeah, I know."
"Hold on," Sokka overheard them. "You two were here?"
"Yeah, when it was nice and warm. This was our last stop before we came to the South Pole." Kurama replied, "It was damn silent and creepy."
"That is kinda expected. It is abandoned after all…"
If Aang had paid closer attention to what was spoken about in the back, he might've been mentally prepared for the inevitable heartbreak he would experience. The whole gang was preparing themselves to explore the Air Temple as Appa began descending.
Zhao's tent
With hot tea being poured in, the warmth of it alone could've cut the tension that was inside that small room. Iroh found it difficult to try and enjoy his cup. It was much harder to do so when something in the tent was bothering him.
*Sniff*
He couldn't bear the view of the Water Tribe girl who was still crying with her hands cuffed behind her back. She was forced on her knees in the middle of the tent while Zhao was informing Zuko about the military plans of the Fire Nation for the future.
"And by the year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule," Zhao said, turning back around to his guests. "Of course, the last two years of constant counterattacks from the Earth Kingdom armies and its allies gave us major setbacks on our plans to take Ba Sing Se."
Zuko asked, "Setbacks like?"
"Convoys of supplies getting attacked and our outposts being targeted," Zhao explained while pointing his finger at some areas that were occupied. "Earth Kingdom Partisans who have been causing acts of sabotage across these territories that we've recently captured, especially last year. But I can assure you, Prince Zuko, the Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool," Zuko responded with some criticism of his own. "And even if you have forced these Earth Kingdom troops back, you still haven't figured out how to tear down the walls of Ba Sing Se."
"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue-"
"Commander Zhao."
Before tensions between the prince and the commander could heat up, it was the retired general who spoke up. His tone was hard as he put his full cup of tea back on the small table.
Zuko noticed, however, that the cup had a visible crack.
"Uncle?"
"Not now, Zuko," Iroh said calmly. He then turned with a frown to the military officer. "Zhao, explain."
Zhao raised an eyebrow at him, "Pardon me?"
"About her."
Iroh pointed directly to the captive Water Tribe girl, who was now on the brink of exhaustion and had her head lying on the carpet floor.
"The spy?"
"Explain," Iroh asked in a demanding tone, frowning at the commander. "Detail by detail."
The tent then turned fully silent for a moment. The guards standing at the entrance looked on with closed mouths while watching their commander get scolded by the respectable general and brother of the Fire Lord. This kind of demeanor from him had not been seen for a while.
Zuko, for once, played peacemaker and asked a more nuanced question to the commander.
"What my uncle meant is what evidence do you have to prove this girl is a spy, Commander Zhao?"
The sideburned commander looked back from the Prince to the Firelord's brother, who he saw was frowning at him.
"I suppose an explanation cannot hurt," Zhao began. "If you would please calm down, General Iroh, I will explain it to you in detail."
"…Good." Iroh complied as he sat down on his chair and gestured his hand. "Explain."
"To start, this girl here is not the only one in my captivity," Zhao started. "I have her sister in a cell somewhere close, if you want to know."
"Why?"
"Because they are connected to Naruto Uzumaki."
Iroh and Zuko were stunned by this, briefly looking at one another before turning back to Zhao who was making his way to the girl.
"AH!"
Grabbing her by the hair, Zhao raised her head and showed her exhausted face to them.
"For you see, this girl and her sibling are both migrant workers from the Southern Water Tribe who moved to the Earth Kingdom to try to find work to provide for their families back home."
Zhao kept a strong grip on the girl's hair as he continued.
"They both ended up working in a refinery that belongs to an Earth Kingdom noble who is working with the Fire Nation."
Zuko this time questioned, "How does this relate to Naruto, if I may ask?"
"Of course. It's simple," Zhao responded. "You see. Before his reported location at the South Pole, he was spotted at that same refinery where these girls worked. I checked every detail I could find and pinpointed the spy's location from a package they received. It was a large amount of wheat that was sent during the fall last year."
Iroh asked, "And how is that relevant?"
"Because why would the Water Tribe girl need such an unusually large amount of it?" Zhao stated. "Unless it was for someone who would use it to cook a certain someone's favorite dish."
Zuko then realized the significance. "It was for ramen…"
"The favorite dish of the person I've been hunting for several years…Naruto Uzumaki."
The theory would be considered worthless firsthand if it wasn't for the reaction of the Water Tribe girl's reaction - looking down with an expression of fear and shock that were mixed with her watery eyes.
Meaning it was true. Naruto was hiding in the South Pole, and he had help.
"You were this close…yet Naruto managed to slip through your hands once again, Commander Zhao." Iroh responded to this, with a warning nonetheless, "But I advise you to be cautious now, because what you are doing to these two Water Tribe girls…"
Not needing to explain further, everyone inside the tent, including Zuko himself, knew what kind of retaliatory expectations were to come if Naruto got wind of the situation of those who helped him…something that they'd witnessed.
In Yu Dao, years ago.
Zhao closed his eyes for a brief while, then waved for his guards to bring the prisoner back to her cell. Leaving the commander with the royal family as a result.
"I am fully prepared for whatever action Uzumaki will use against me, General Iroh. I can assure you that."
"That I hope…for your sake," Iroh responded before he then grabbed his cup of tea again, "Proceed."
"Let's talk about something different perhaps," Zhao spoke, beginning to mention, "Like the search of the Avatar perhaps?"
The topic being brought up just happened when one of Zhao's officers entered the tent, observing from the sidelines. Zuko was the first to respond to the commander, with him intending not to give too much information about his findings.
"We haven't found him yet."
"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago. Along with the rest of the airbenders." Zhao mentioned with a glare he didn't shy away from giving to the prince, "Unless you have found some evidence that the Avatar is alive?"
Zuko gave no budge and replied with a glare in return.
"No. Nothing."
Zhao was not convinced by this answer.
"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, you'll tell me what you found."
Like he was being interrogated, under normal circumstances a Royal would not tolerate this kind of tone and questioning as if he was being disloyal to the Fire Nation. Being talked down by a mere Commander like that - an absurdity.
However, Zuko reminded he was a banished prince, who due to his actions was merely looked down on by even the most junior officers who witnessed him, including someone like Zhao.
"I haven't found anything," He answered less aggressively, "It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago."
Once answering that question, Zuko stood up and wished to go now.
"Come on, Uncle, we're going."
With Iroh standing up, both were about to exit the tent - until two guards crossed their spears in front of them, preventing them from leaving as then the officer who had just entered started to walk up to Zhao.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape."
Once that was revealed, a smile of satisfaction grew on the Commander's face, but his officer was not finished.
"Also, there is something else…"
Southern Air Temple
With Appa left behind to wait, the four travelers went up through a mountain trail that led them upwards to the temple, with Aang eagerly taking the lead while the remaining three were following him, with Sokka being the least excited with his mind on something else.
"So where do I 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 irritated,
Clutching his stomach and giving that annoying look with bags under his eyes, Sokka responded, "I'm just a simple guy, with simple needs."
"Kinda your fault, Sokka," Naruto said to him, "Should've kept your food stash closer."
"How would I know that kid would use it for fire?" Sokka argued, "Who mistakes meat for campfire material?"
"Well, given Aang is an Air Nomad, and that they were known to be vegetarians, that was to be expected."
Sokka looked confused. "Vegetarians?"
"People who do not eat meat, dumbass." Kurama answered, his head popping out of Naruto's coat, "Not even fish, only fruits and vegetables I think."
Sokka's frown turned even more soar, "Oh great…"
The conversation went to a halt the moment they approached where Aang stood, who was pointing out at something down under.
There laid a giant playground where numerous wooden poles were standing upright with two goalposts at each end, and next to it was the resting place of the Sky Bisons with visible nests that were large enough for them to enter.
"So that's where my friends and I would play airball, and over there is where the bison would sleep, and …"
Aang's excitement ended once he realized the deserted state his home was…
"What's wrong?" Katara asked
"This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds." Aang said, sounding now very saddened by what he saw, "I can't believe how much things have changed."
The wind only flew into Aang's traditional Air Nomad clothing, with his mind going through something that all three older teens could understand, with them all three walking up closer to the Avatar.
"Guess what? I'll go check around the Sky Bison caves, alright?" Naruto mentioned, turning to Sokka, "Meanwhile, Sokka looks interested in this Airball game."
Katara smiled at the initiative Naruto was taking and turned to her brother who played along.
"Oh yes," Sokka said, asking Aang, "So uh, this airball game. How do you play?"
Aang's bright smile returned, and that smile was just needed.
…
"Ahhh!"
Landing in the snow, Sokka was yet again defeated by Aang in the third round of Airball, resulting in the hungry Water Tribe teenager being knocked out of his goalpost, all in plain view of Katara who stood by and watched.
But also Naruto who stood by the entrance of one of the Bison caves watched on with a smile at seeing Sokka's efforts to cheer up the young Avatar even on an empty stomach and little sleep.
"Naruto."
Naruto turned around to see it was Kurama who called him by his name, seen walking on his four soft paws to the blond member of the White Lotus, having just explored the cave on his own.
"Kurama?"
"You better come check this." Kurama nudges his head to the tunnel, "Come on, it's cold out there."
Doing so Naruto followed the small fox into the cave, not knowing the Airball game ended with Katara and Sokka making a discovery.
As the two made their way into the cave, the dark and cold environment inside was preferable then that outside, with them also being a good ear distance away from the others so that they could discuss some things that they hadn't had the chance to do earlier.
"So now we got Zuko going after us and that Zhao guy too, who else do you think will be coming after us?"
Naruto sighed and answered, "I don't want to even think about it."
"Think those two will work together?"
"No, they hate each other." Naruto replied, knowing that one of them was more obsessed than the other, "Zuko might be focused on Aang, but Zhao is dead focused on making his name memorable."
"What if she enters comes in?"
"Then not even the Great Walls of Ba Sing Se will be able to hold her back, but we got more pressing issues to discuss." Naruto changed topics while continuing to follow his friend, "We're not that far off from the Earth Kingdom, Omashu in particular."
"Visiting King Bumi for some funds?"
"We might have to, trip to the North Pole is going to be costly, and we need to inform others of the Order."
"All while Zhao himself is dead centered on exposing it." Kurama mentioned before he then spots something, "There."
On the ground lay something for Naruto to spot, with him kneeling he began to reach out and felt it was, and once he took a handful of it…
"Looks like they've passed through."
"Still in herds?"
"Still in herds - Aang will love this."
Meanwhile
On the large ship that had Princess Azula on it, she was sitting and listening - hearing out her two advisors Lo and Li who were beside her as they watched the large battleship making its way to the shores of the Earth Kingdom, the occupied region to be exact.
"With Uzumaki on the loose, he is best not to be confronted alone." Lo began.
"So we must advise you to use mobility and not use a big force at all." Li finished.
"I know precisely what kind of person we are dealing with here, ladies. Don't worry about that," Azula responded as she looked into her options, "My ship carries some of the most elite Firebenders, but they are useless against an adversary like Naruto, predictable and dead weight - so I know what I'll have to do."
Lo and Li already knew the plan of the cunning Princess, so they asked,
"Shall we set sail for Yu Dao first?"
"No, that I will not do - I plan on something else first."
The ship happened to reach a port that was home to a large quantity of Fire Nation Navy ships, Ketu Harbor.
A smile appeared on Azula's face.
Southern Air Temple
Katara and Sokka were in the courtyard with a fountain in the middle. The water is frozen. The siblings were standing with Aang who had just finished explaining about Monk Gyatso
Reminiscing about the memory of the old man, Aang was saddened at knowing he was long gone at this point, and it was Katara who came up to try to comfort him.
"You must miss him."
"Yeah…"
Footsteps caused Sokka to turn around to see it was Naruto who was back with them, with Kurama walking alongside the blond.
"Oh, there you are. Was afraid you guys were lost," Sokka said turning around, "Place is big."
"You tell me, and fricking cold."
It was then that Aang began walking inside the temple, prompting Katara to ask.
"Where are you going?"
Aang kept walking up some stairs that led to a corridor behind the statue.
"The air temple sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet."
Left in confusion the Water Tribe siblings continued to follow Aang, while Naruto and Kurama went up to the statue of Monk Gyatso, staring at it before the two exchanged a few words.
"Old man hasn't changed a bit."
"Agreed," Naruto spoke, nudging, "Let's go."
Following the others, the group went inside the temple - not knowing what to find there.
…
Walking through the corridor, the group found themselves with the walls and floor painted with the colors and culture of the Air Nomads, the symbols were drawn uniquely and memorable to the naked eye.
"Here."
Stopping there, the group arrived at the Sanctuary where a large door blocked them from entering, the door supports a combination of metal-colored pipes and three, blue, rolled-up, pipes that are similar looking and arranged like the symbol for air bending. The large wooden door is framed by the branches of an old tree standing on the left of it.
"Fancy door."
"But Aang, no one could have survived in there for a hundred years."
"It's not impossible," Aang replied, arguing the fact, "I survived in the iceberg for that long."
"Good point."
Katara gave a small glare at the fox before Aang continued.
"Katara," Aang addressed staring at the door, sounding hopeful, "whoever's in there might help figure out this Avatar thing!"
"And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious cured meats!" Sokka argued with his stomach speaking and his mouth drooling, he began walking to the door and without even using his head for a moment-
*SMACK!*
He simply smacks into it, head first. He quickly turns around and puts his back on it, trying to push the giant door open. When the door does not move, he sighs, and slides down to the floor, having just done something so ridiculous that it even surprised Kurama.
"I don't even know what to say…"
"Guess hunger does play tricks on your mind," Naruto said looking at the solid closed door, asking the Airbender, "How do we open it?"
"Airbending, of course," Aang answered, preparing himself to do so, "Step aside, everyone."
After everyone took a moment to take some distance away from the door, Aang began to take a deep breath, before he then went into action by spreading his arms and thrusting them forward:
Launching an enormous amount of air into the door, right into the tubes. The wind makes one of the blue curled tubes turn around. When it does, the tube changes colors to purple and the wind blows out like a horn. The process is repeated for the other two blue tubes as well.
When the three blue tubes turned and became purple - the door began to open.
Slowly the Sanctuary door opened with the five watching it continue to open entirely, with Aang being the closest to the door, he proceeded to enter first.
"Hello?" Aang called out with his hand, entering the room, "Anyone home?"
Sokka and Katara joined in to follow Aang, with Naruto and Kurama coming last - everyone disappeared into the darkness of the room, not knowing what to find in there with only the wind being heard.
But what they found was astonishing….
Statues, many statues, as a matter of fact, an uncountable amount of people who were lined up in a circular pattern and all standing up, but it did not answer questions for some.
"Statues? That's it?" Sokka asked for one, disappointed for the wrong reasons, "Where's the meat?"
"Who are all these people?" Katara asked, standing next to Aang, who also was confused.
"I'm not sure. But it feels like I know them somehow." Aang said before spotting one statue he recognized, "Look! That one's an airbender."
Indeed one statue of a bald man with Air Nomad tattoos was something Aang identified on the spot.
"And this one's a waterbender." Katara pointed to the statue next to it, figuring out, "They're lined up in a pattern," She pointed out at each statue next to each other. "air, water, earth and fire."
"That's the Avatar Cycle."
Katara now understood what they were, "Of course. They're Avatars. All these people are your past lives, Aang."
"Wow! There are so many!" Aang said. Amazed by what he just found, the young teenager began wandering around and followed the pattern of what was impressing his mind.
"Past lives?" Sokka crossed his arms and turned to Naruto, "You guys believe in that stuff?"
"It not much a matter of a belief than its a fact, Sokka," Naruto said, answering in the place of Katara while inspecting the statues, "All the statues in here represent those who were Avatars, who if they die in combat or of old age, would reincarnate to the next nation in that cycle."
"Hey, the kid's staring at something."
Kurama's mentioning caused the group to turn to Aang, who was indeed focused on the statue of an elderly man with a beard. Who was incidentally the last one of the pattern…
Watching as Aang was mesmerized by the statue, swearing he could see a glimpse of light in its eyes, it took someone to get him out of that state.
"Aang! Snap out of it!"
Aang was shaken by the shoulder by Katara and felt Kurama sit on his bald head.
"Yeah kid, it is not good for you." Kurama helped out and then turned to the statue, "Know this guy?"
"Huh?" Aang reacted dazed, looking again at the statue with a clearer mind. "That's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me."
"You were a firebender? No wonder I didn't trust you when we first met." Sokka commented, joining the group by observing the statue.
Naruto walked up and saw which statue they were looking at, knowing exactly who this man was. Hearing them out from a distance.
"There's no writing. How do you know his name?"
"I'm not sure. I just know it somehow."
"You just couldn't get any weirder."
"That's what Avatar business is perhaps."
Hearing them talk got Naruto to notice a shadow appear on the floor descending from the light outside the sanctuary, and turning up, he noticed it had large ears.
"We got company, guys."
Turning around, Sokka was about to reach for his weapon-
"Relax, it's no threat…look."
Revealing to the group was a curious flying Lemur, who lowered himself and his ears, blinking its green eyes at the group.
Aang exceedingly said, "Lemur!"
"Dinner." Sokka sounded with drool coming from his mouth.
The Lemur pricks his ears and slightly tilts his head, with Aang trying to reassure it.
"Don't listen to him. You're going to be my new pet."
"Not if I get him first!" Sokka shouted as he ran up to try to catch the Lemur.
It flinched and arched its back, ears, tail, and hair standing erect at the guys' grasping fingers. It looks surprised, spins around, and runs for it. Sokka stumbles after narrowly avoiding the animal. By using Sokka's head as a stepping stone, Aang deftly avoids tripping as well.
"Wait! Come back!"
"I want to eat you!"
Both Sokka and Aang chased after the flying Lemur, leaving Naruto and Katara alone, with Kurama commenting.
"Ugh, I pity you, Katara. I often really do."
Ketu Harbor
For now, it was downhill for Zuko who was forced to stay in the commander's tent now that the truth had come out about what happened on his ship at the South Pole, of the Avatar escaping his captivity, alongside Naruto. Zhao had taken it upon to start organizing the search party for the Avatar and also sent word to the higher-ups of the information he 'required' from the prince.
Speaking of Zhao who just entered the tent again, his men had been keeping an eye on the prince and were here to inform him of his intentions.
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea," Zhao spoke to Zuko and the silent Iroh who was enjoying the tea that was prepared for him, after Zuko had thrown the last tray in anger, he addressed both, "My guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."
Zuko's eyes turned angrily to Zhao, "Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"
Zhao laughed at this in response, amused by this.
"You? Stop me? Impossible."
Enraged, Zuko stood up, "Don't underestimate me, Zhao! I will capture the Avatar before you!"
"Prince Zuko, that's enough," Iroh told him.
Confidently, Zhao responded, "You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command and you? You're just a banished prince. No home, no allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."
"You're wrong! Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor, and restore my rightful place on the throne!" Zuko angrily responded with the same confidence.
Zhao went in to say, with truth but arrogance, "If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes, you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
Zuko growled in boiled anger. "That's not true."
"You have the scar to prove it."
With a cry of frustration, Zuko jolts up out of his chair and into Zhao's face. With visible anger, he reached his boiling point.
"Maybe you'd like one to match!"
"Is that a challenge?"
"An Agni Kai," Zuko confirmed, "At sunset…"
…
Zhao accepted, "Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you."
"I'll be the judge of that."
Hearing that got everybody inside that tent to widen their eyes collectively, turning to the entrance to see who had entered, and it was none other than the second heir to the throne, Princess Azula.
"Azula…"
"Princess…"
"My niece…"
The reactions that were given were enough for Azula to smile, she loved it. "It's nice seeing you all. Especially you Uncle Iroh, I see you haven't changed a bit."
Iroh knew it was sarcasm, given he didn't have the greatest relationship with his niece. Instead, he turned his attention to his nephew, who was surprised to see her.
"Azula, why are you here?"
"Oh, no 'how nice to see you again' to your younger sister, Zuzu?" Azula spoke in a lighter tone as she was prepared a seat by one of the soldiers, sitting there with her legs crossed, "I don't blame you, I expected your manners to be abandoned in the last few years after your misshappening."
"Why you-"
"Prince Zuko, don't raise your voice to your sister." Iroh sternly said to his nephew.
Standing there for a moment, Zuko took his uncle's advice and sat back down, glaring at his sister who just smiled back at him.
Zhao couldn't help but smirk as he turned to the Princess to greet her.
"Princess Azula-"
"Don't, Commander Zhao, don't even think you're getting off easy." Azula stated, sounding more harshly to the commander than to her brother, "I've been well informed about your unauthorized incursion to the South Pole."
"unauthorized incursion?"
"Yes, commander. Word is that you disobeyed direct orders from the capital by going after Naruto Uzumaki in the South Pole," Azula informed the man with a serious face, "Something you've been ordered not to - yet you did."
Hearing this caused both Iroh and Zuko to look confused at each other before turning back to Zhao, who was looking disturbed by what he was just told by the princess who had him in a position of embarrassment.
"Your Highness, I can explain," Zhao tried to explain calmly, "I had tracked down and-"
"Yes, tracked down Naruto with those methods by extracting information from those prisoners. Which in normal circumstances would be justifiable," Azula said while looking at her nails briefly, then turning again to Zhao with a glare, "However, this is an exception."
Zhao asked, "An exception? For a traitor?"
"Not just a traitor, Commander Zhao, he's far more than that." Azula said standing up and facing the man, "He's someone who would not hesitate to take someone out if it is necessary. And what you did to those prisoners who are acquainted with him - puts you as a target for him to put down."
The cold tone Azula had when saying that got the tent to turn silent, with even Zhao finding himself unable to speak in his tent.
Sitting back down, Azula continued to sense the aura in the room and made the final decision.
"For the hunt of the Avatar, I've heard the word, and I will not hold anyone back from trying, his return is something that poses a threat to the Fire Nation, that I don't doubt." Azula made it clear, "But when it comes to Naruto Uzumaki - there will be no interference."
"How so?" Zuko asked, curious, "Sister?"
"Simple - He's my priority from now on,"
Azula revealed, telling everyone in the tent, but mostly to Commander Zhao whom she addressed directly.
"On Orders of Fire Lord Ozai. You are to disengage on your hunt for Naruto. As for now, I am responsible for hunting him down while prioritizing hunting down either the Avatar or focusing on the war effort. Because we are on the brink of victory, Commander. Fallacies like these will not be tolerated. Understood?"
Forced to face the Princess, Zhao knew he had to comply…and he did so by bowing his head.
"As you wish…"
"Good, now you may leave."
Hearing this caused Zhao to turn around and leave the tent with his men. Even those guarding Zuko, allowed the three Royals to be left alone in the room, a family reunion of some sort that was unplanned.
"So, this Agni Kai…"
Southern Air Temple
While the race had ended between Aang and Sokka for the Lemur, the chase was still ongoing as Aang was racing downwards to catch the little animal.
Stopping briefly at the ground, the Lemur then jumped into a large ripped drape curtain, just when Aang landed, he began following the Lemur inside.
"Hey! Come back!" Aang called for it as he went through the tent and tried convincing it, "Come on out, little lemur! That hungry guy won't bother you anymore."
However, the moment he pushed aside some more old drapes, he found something that quickly got his smile to fad away…and caused a sharp breath in shock.
The room he found himself in was littered with the skeleton remains of Fire Nation warriors and their armor, in perhaps the hundreds it covered every inch and corner that it was impossible not to unsee to the naked eye of the young teenager.
"Firebenders? They were here?"
Forced to walk through the piles of bones, Aang spotted something in the corner where a skeleton in the snow lay. It was adorned with a round necklace that supported the symbol of airbending.
The robes and the wooden necklace were all it took to figure out who it was for the now saddened Aang.
"Gyatso…"
Muttering the name of his mentor alone got Aang to sink to his knees, the emotions struck him and left him devastated.
"Hey, Aang! You find my dinner yet?"
Just then it was Sokka who entered the room, having found the young monk after finally reaching the bottom. Not knowing that he'd witness something was building up in the grieving boy.
"I wasn't really going to eat the lemur, okay?..." Sokka said until he then noticed the skeleton…
Gyatso's skeleton, Aang had found out the truth the hard way…
"Oh, man…" Sokka's own smile faded away as he then turned to Aang and tried, to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, Aang. Everything will be all right. Let's get out of here…."
But at this point, Aang's tattoos glowed, and from there Sokka was on his own…when Aang's tattoos began to glow along with his eyes.
…
Back in the Sanctuary, both Naruto and Katara were observing the statue of Avatar Roku, with something they were discussing that came out of nowhere.
"That Aang's previous life used to be a Firebender still rattles me," Katara said, crossing her arms, "It was over a hundred years ago…"
"True, but he's also the reason why the Fire Nation did not go fully to war." Naruto replied, "Well, not fully until his death."
Katara asked, "What do you mean?"
"From what I have learned, Avatar Roku once confronted Fire Lord Sozin's expansion into the Earth Kingdom when he came across the first Fire Nation colonies - defeating him early on and telling Sozin to cease his expansionist plans, to which he only stalled until his death that was cruel."
"Cruel?"
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment before he explained further, "Roku's home island was home to a volcano that was active at the time, and it burst out destroying everything in its path, Roku managed to hold make sure all islanders were evacuated while he stalled the lava to reach the shores - but in the process died of smoke inhalation from what I was able to find."
Kurama sat on top of the statue of Roku and listened along, even remarking on it.
"Much of his death is unknown, but what was known is that the Fire Nation held back for the most part because of him. But the moment he died, Sozin took his chances and unleashed the war that's now plagued this world for over a century."
"And thus why it is up to us to make sure Aang finishes what Roku should've." Naruto said turning to Katara, "Taking out the Fire Lord and finishing this damn war. With the secrecy of Aang's existence now, we only have some time on our side."
Katara nodded but then asked. "How much time?"
"Hey, what's that light?"
The two turned to face Kurama, who leaped from the head of Roku, which was emanating a powerful blue light from the statue and was, yes, glowing. As the dazzling light extended to the other statues, one by one, their eyes began to glow, and soon there were more. In a little while, the entire sanctuary's statues became radiant, reaching the ceiling.
"...Aang!"
"Not much time left, we need to find him!" Naruto turned to the door, "Let's go!"
The three left the room, running as fast as they could to find Aang who was by no doubt connected to this occurrence.
Not knowing that across the world, holy places would experience the same thing - signaling the return of the Avatar.
…
decaying building Aang is in at the Southern Air Temple. Aang's rage was met with that of thousands who were met only by that of Sokka who tried to reason.
"Aang! Come on! Snap out of it!"
Sokka's attempt only got him nearly sent off flying, alongside the destruction of the entire structure, he clung onto a piece of debris that was stuck in the ground, and he found himself joined by Naruto, Katara, and Kurama who found him.
"What happened?!"
"He found out firebenders killed Gyatso!" Sokka shouted.
"Oh no! It's his Avatar Spirit!" Katara realized, raising her hand to protect herself against the strong surge of wind that was coming from Aang and the flying debris, "He must have triggered it! I'm going to try and calm him down!"
"Well, do it! Before he blows us off the mountain!" Sokka yelled, trying to hold onto something with the wind becoming more powerful by the second.
"I'll come with you!" Naruto shouted, joining Katara in reaching Aang, with Kurama on his back.
By then the sphere of wind Aang was in began to rise as was he, slowly going up the air in his Avatar State , he stood above everyone with the only thing not moving was Gyatso's remains.
"That boy needs to snap out of it - or he'll make us join that monk!"
Ketsu Harbor
In a calmer part of the world now, some tension was going to be released as the sunset had finally arrived, and two Firebenders were about to face each other in a traditional Fire Nation duel: an Agni Kai.
Both squatting on opposite sides of the arena, Zhao was facing his military staff while Zuko was in a familiar position, talking to his Uncle. With both barefoot and had their chests exposed, they wore the same cape that was tradition to wear before such a fight.
And on the sidelines was Azula, in her thrown and accompanied by a few of the Royal Guards of her entourage, she was watching with interest, giving the sign.
"You shall begin."
When given, Iroh gave one final bit of advice to his nephew.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons."
"I refuse to let him win," Zuko responded, determined to make this true, he stood up and turned around with the cape falling off his body. Being the first to be ready.
Zhao then did the same, with his cape falling off, he faced Zuko with the same promise.
"This will be over quickly."
A Fire Nation soldier standing on higher ground sees that the duo has readied themselves for battle, making him ring the giant gong - starting the fight officially.
Zuko and Zhao standing in the middle of the arena, both taking on a firebending stance. With both having their hands stretched out in front of them. Glares were exchanged with one another - signaling that they were not going to hold back.
Waiting for the first move to be made - both were determined to make sure to end it on their terms.
"RAH!" Zuko made the first move as he started to lower his arms, leaving a trail of fire behind before launching it at the commander.
The blast that was directed at Zhao was easily avoided by him stepping aside to the left, before moving back to the right to avoid another blast from the prince.
Zuko took the offensive by firing several blasts of fire from his fists, moving too so he wouldn't be a stationary target.
His blasts however were not impressive to the commander, who simply blocked them by crossing his arms in front of him and taking the blasts head-on. He moves one arm up and the other down, dissipating the flames, finishing with an assuring smirk.
From the sidelines, the only audience was Azula couldn't help but chuckle as she turned to face her brother
Zuko was seen panting heavily with his arm still stretched out from his last attack. He angrily grinds his teeth and performs a roundhouse kick, spraying flames at Zhao.
Countering it Zhao created his flames to stop Zuko's attacks, twice with success just sweeping it to the sides.
Squinting his eyes, Zuko throws another powerful flame kick in Zhao's direction. Who in return just then holds his fire ready. He launches forward. Shot of his feet, showing his strong stance as he swings his arms over the ground, severing Zuko's next attack in two with minimal effort.
This exhausted Zuko, deeply breathing while suffering from fatigue from it.
"Basics, Zuko!" Iroh shouted, "Break his root!"
Not giving a chance for another row of attacks, Zhao was this time going on the offensive, firing ferociously attacks on Zuko with several strong blasts fire launched from his fists that forced the prince to divert those flames to the sides, all while being thrown back a few feet by its intensity.
Step by step, Zhao did this until he had Zuko where he wanted, firmly planting his foot down, he held both wrists together and fired another strong blast - this time breaking through. Zuko's defense faltered and he was thrown back upon impact, sliding back several meters over the ground.
Trying to raise his head up, Zuko was in pain from that last attack-
However, the discomfort soon subsided when he saw Zhao standing in front of him, sprung to his feet, and flying through the skies in his direction. He lands at Zuko's feet with a loud yell, straightens up, and swings his fist forward to deal the finishing blow.
The close proximity of those flames close to Zuko's face, his reflexes kicked in!
"RAAH!"
Zuko lets out a yell of rage, rolls aside, and kicks his feet around. Additionally, in the last second, kicked Zhao's legs in, throwing the commander off-balance and allowing him to land back on his feet!
Zuko grinned slightly after getting to his feet and launched another assault.
Zhao retreats as flames slide across his feet. Zhao staggers back after losing his equilibrium.
Zuko keeps doing this, aiming his blows toward Zhao's feet to try and knock him off balance.
Once more, Zuko kicks, and this time he manages to topple the commander. After falling and rolling across the floor, Zhao finds himself on his back as Zuko approaches him and extends an arm, threatening to strike him with the last blow. Zhao raises his head to observe Zuko.
Now in a position of power, Zuko had the initiative to do what was done to him - to his eye, and Zhao looked at him with a look, that challenged him.
"Do it!"
Zuko grunts and thrusts his fist forward ending it….
The result? The blast landed next to Zhao's face, with a blackened spot left on the floor, Zuko's last move was intentional to hurt it where it matters most: Zhao's pride.
"That's it?" Zhao responded, angrily now with no words spared to insult, "Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won't hold back," Zuko responded, turning his back to Zhao as he began walking away.
Observing this Agni Kai ending, Azula watched how her brother walked back to Uncle Iroh while just now commander Zhao was standing up, also with his back turned to his opponent before he did the most dishonorable…
By attacking Zuko from behind with a blast of fire from his feet that the prince noticed, the flames came closer to the unaware winner…Until Iroh intervened on the spot by grabbing Zhao's feet.
Snuffing the flames out, Iroh just threw the commander back with minimal effort to the ground, forcing him to lie back on the ground in defeat, this time in a more dishonorable way.
Zuko wanted to charge Zhao in anger, but Iroh stopped him before he could.
"No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." Iroh told him, then he turned to Zhao with a condescending tone and an underlying disgust for the man, "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful."
Zhao was forced to listen to this by the Dragon of the West, who was not finished talking.
"Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you." Zhao reminded him, thanking him with a smirk of his own, "Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."
Both uncle and nephew were then leaving, with them going through the gates of the arena, Zhao turned to the throne where he saw Princess Azula having already left with her guards, adding more injury to his pride.
Once the two left the arena, Zuko asked his uncle about what he just said back there.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?"
Smiling slyly, Iroh responded to his nephew, "Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite."
Smiling at that reply, both Zuko and his uncle made their way back to the ship, ready to leave Ketsu Harbor. With a victory of their own.
…
Walking back to her own ship, Azula told her commander.
"Prepare for the next coordinates, we are assembling a small elite team."
Southern Air Temple
Still in the sphere of air, Aang in the Avatar State was still enacting strong winds that were flying stones around and nearly sending Katara, Sokka, Naruto, and Kurama off from whatever they were holding.
"Aang! I know you're upset and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my mom." Katara tried to talk him out of it, bringing up her painful recollections, "Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone, but you still have a family. Sokka, Kurama, Naruto, and I - We're your family now!"
And like that, something caused Aang's angered state to calm as he was slowly descending back to the ground, with the wind calming down, he began to touch his feet back to the ground.
With even the tattoos and eyes glowing, Sokka's words were just as helpful as his sister's when they came to his side.
"Katara and I aren't going to let anything happen to you. Promise."
And like that, the glow disappeared, and the eyes of Aang turned normal, with a saddened expression before he collapsed from exhaustion, with it being Naruto who caught him.
"Easy…easy…"
"I'm sorry…"
"No need to apologize, we understand you," Naruto said, trying to help him. "It's a painful thing to experience."
"But Katara was right. And if the firebenders found this temple, that means they found the other ones too," Aang said, making a painful realization, "I really am the last airbender."
To comfort him, Katara hugged him while Naruto patted his head, with Sokka held onto Aang's shoulder. All three tried their best to help the youngest of the group with what he just experienced.
Kurama who stood on the sidelines, could only shake his small head.
"I've seen this too many times."
…
With the night coming for the Southern Air Temple, the gang decided to take its leave as soon as possible, they were back at the sanctuary for a brief moment. Aang back staring at the statue of Avatar Roku, his predecessor.
"Everything's packed. You ready to go?" Katara pulled up next to Aang, asking him.
"How is Roku supposed to help me if I can't talk to him?" Aang asked, something he wondered.
"Maybe you'll find a way." Katara guessed.
They glance at each other when they hear something behind them. They turn around and see the flying lemur standing on its back legs in the middle of the doorway. Holding whatever it had in its small hands, gave it to Sokka who noticed it was fruit.
To which Sokka did not hesitate to dive in and calm his hunger with whatever he could prop in his mouth.
"Looks like you made a new friend Sokka!"
Sokka's mouth was full but still responded, "Can't talk, must eat." Continuing to abuse his mouth with the fruit he continued to bite out.
The flying lemur climbs onto Aang and hides behind his head, his tail curled around Aang's neck, with Aang not minding it.
"Hey, little guy!" Aang welcomed the lemur, before saying, "Let's go to Appa and Naruto, they must be waiting."
…
From a good distance away from the temple, the group was now looking at the Southern Air Temple with Aang, the flying lemur, and Appa overlooking their former home, with the monk having a few words to say to them.
"You, me, and Appa." Aang said to the bison and lemur, "We're all that's left of this place. We have to stick together."
Meanwhile, Naruto and Kurama watched from the back and briefly nodded to each other before looking at Katara and Sokka who were eating.
"Katara, Sokka, Naruto, Kurama."
They all turned to Aang who held the lemur on his arm, "Say hello to the newest member of our family."
Kurama asked, "Got a name for the little guy?"
The moment Sokka tried to eat the peach, the lemur was fast enough to snatch it and get back on Aang's arm, before nibbling on it.
"Momo."
Leaving Sokka surprised, it made the others laugh as Sokka was left with his mouth open before finally realizing what just happened.
…
Then it was time to leave, with Appa finally flying again, it was Aang and Momo who were in the back of the saddle, Aang was staring back at it with a mournful expression. As they soar beyond the shrine, Momo chatters softly. They can't see the temple because of the steadily moving dark clouds in front of it.
Leaving the Southern Air Temple.
"Hey, Aang."
Aang turned around to see it was Naruto who was coming up to him and pulled out something he then showed to him, something that caused his eyes to widen.
"Wait…"
"This was found in the caves." Naruto said, showing some white fur that resemble Appa's, "It's a sign, Aang. they might be alive."
"You mean…"
"Perhaps in herds moving around, who knows - but I doubt the big guy flying us is the last Sky Bison in the entire world."
The news was something that genuinely brought tears into Aang's eyes as he kept staring at the small evidence before he embraced Naruto in a hug, who in return hugged him back to comfort him again.
Watching this from the front, Katara, Kurama, and Sokka who was steering Appa, all smiled as they took up into the clouds - continuing their journey.
Hope you all have a nice evening, a good Ramadan, or just a nice dinner.
Peace