Chapter 2: Avatars of the Past

It began to get dark, so I directed us to the southern base I wanted Aang to go to. John, one of my main generals, was there to greet us. "Welcome, Master. I came here to meet up with Aang and Master Alex. When I saw them head back for the South Pole, I was hoping you'd end up coming with them." He said, bowing to me. "You're pretty smart, John," I said, smiling. "Thank you, sir; can I do something for you and your companions?" John asked. "Yes, see that our guests get some good rooms and a good meal. And see that Appa is well taken care of, will you? We'll leave for the North Pole in the morning." I instructed. "Yes, sir, right away, Master, I will also see that you are well-supplied for your journey tomorrow morning." He said. "Very good off you go now," I said, waving my hand. "Come with me, children," John said, leading them to their rooms. The base was a nice place. It was an open space with barracks, stables, a kitchen and dining building, some sentry towers to watch for the Fire Nation, a planning tent, and a dock. An ice and snow wall surrounded the place, even the dock. We had to waterbend an opening to enter by boat. Alex and I decided to go to the meeting tent. We sat at the table and looked at a map of the world.

"How long will it take us to get to the North Pole?" Alex asked me. "I'm not sure, bro, at least a couple of weeks. It depends on what happens on our way up there." I said. I knew that we would meet up with all kinds of trouble going all the way across the world. But I couldn't think of a better way to have Aang learn waterbending. I suppose I could have taught Katara and then have her teach him. However, I knew Katara would need someone more in tune with water to teach her, so the plan stuck. I saw a few places where we could stop for the night. I thought we would be fine. Little did I know that we were all in store for the adventures of a lifetime. Dinner was fish, chicken, fruits, and vegetables. I was really hungry myself. I knew Aang would only eat fruits and vegetables. Because Airbenders were all taught to be vegetarians, in fact, some Nature Masters were vegetarians. Which is why our kitchens always have produce. I also encourage good nutrition in the Nature Master Society. I knew that to fight well in the war, we all had to be in good shape.

I was up early the next morning. I went to the top of the wall. I looked out upon the horizon. Alex came up behind me to see me. "Ammon are you okay?" he asked. "Yeah, I just sometimes wish Dad was still around. He would have had this war over before it really got started." I said. "You don't know that Ammon. No Head Nature Master ever had to deal with a war like this. Any war we have dealt with was small and didn't last long." He said to me. "I know, but I still wish I had been better with it," I said. "Ammon, you can't change the past, you can only change the future by doing better in the present," Alex said putting his hand on my shoulder. I knew he was right. I decided to ask about Aang and the others. "They're getting ready to go now," he said. "Okay, let's go, we've got a long journey ahead of us," I said, and we left to find Aang, Katara, and Sokka. They were at the stables loading up Appa. My orders for good supplies were taken very seriously. We had money, maps, food, and water to last us a month. We had a quick breakfast, and we were off. Before we took off, I give John one last order. "John, send the word to all the Nature Masters that I've found the Avatar" I said. "Tell all our bases from here to the North Pole to keep a watch for us. We may need help." "Yes my master" John said. And off we went. We soon reached the Southern Air Temple. "We're home buddy, we're home," Aang said to Appa. I couldn't really tell Aang what happened. He would be so devastated. Bad luck for me Katara kind of brought it up. "Aang, I want you to know something," she said. "Yeah," said Aang. "The Fire Nation is ruthless; they killed my mother, and they could've done the same to your people." She said. "Just because no one has seen an Airbender doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all. They probably escaped," Aang said. "I know it's a hard thing to accept," Katara said. "Katara, the only way to reach an Air Temple is by airbison. And I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison" Aang said. "I just want you to be prepared for what you may see," Katara said. She looked over at me, expecting me to say something. I could only nod to say she was right. I couldn't say anything at that time. I began to have flashbacks of the terrible sight I saw a hundred years ago. When I got word that Firelord Sozin had attacked the Air Temples. I immediately sent troops to all the Air Temples. I personally lead the group going to the Southern Air Temple. It was horrible. There was fire everywhere. I ran the Fire Nation out and collected any surviving inhabitants. We found airbison and a few other creatures, but there were no Airbenders left alive. I had the creatures taken to safety at Ama Se. I promised at that moment not to fail again. And I would start by fighting back the Fire Nation and finding Aang.

"Ammon, Ammon, are you okay, brother," Alex said, shaking my shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine I just was huh, having some flashbacks," I said, waving my left hand, putting my right on my forehead, and closing my eyes. "The destruction of the Air Temples right," Alex said. "Yes, please don't tell Aang. I think I need to do that myself." I said. Alex nodded just as we landed. We began to walk up into the Air Temple. Aang was very happy to be home. The only thing Sokka could think about was food. "You're probably one of the first outsiders to visit an Air Temple in years, and all you can think about is food?" Katara said, shocked. "I'm just saying that I'm hungry," Sokka said. I handed him a whole sack of food. "Chow down on that and quit complaining," I said. We reached a ledge, and down it was an Air Ball Court. "That's where my friends and I used to play Air Ball," Aang said. "And that's where the airbison would sleep and…" "What is Aang?" I asked. "It's just that this place used to be filled with Monks, lemurs, and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds," Aang said. "I can't believe how everything's changed." "I know, Aang, I can't believe it either," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. "So, this Air Ball game, how do you play?" Sokka asked. Aang and I decided to show him. To play Air Ball, you kind of need-to-know airbending. Two people can face off, or there can be teams. Each team needs to cause the ball to go through the opposite goal while stopping the other team from doing it on their side. Each person stands on a pole and airbends the ball to their opponent's goal. The team that scored the most points wins. Aang was one of the best Air Ball players I'd ever seen. I was pretty good myself, though. Aang and I were soon tied at six to six. Aang had the ball and served it to me. I bounced it right back at him. Then he hit it back at me with a powerful counterattack that caught me off, guard. The ball hit me and pushed me through the goal with it. I landed in the snow next to Katara and Sokka. "Ha ha, Aang seven, Ammon six," Aang laughed. I was glad he wasn't rusty after all that time. Suddenly Sokka discovered something. "Katara, Ammon, come look at this," he said. It was an old Fire Nation helmet. "Fire Nation," Katara said. "Aang, I think you'd better come see this," she called, but as Aang started to walk up to us, she waterbended snow to cover the helmet and Sokka. "What is it?" Aang asked. "Just a new waterbending trick I learned," Katara said. "Cool, come on," he said. "Thank you, Katara," I said. Sokka popped his head out of the snow. As we followed Aang, I heard Sokka whisper to Katara. "Katara, the Fire Nation was here. You can't just pretend that they weren't" he said. "I can, for Aang's sake. If he finds out that the Fire Nation invaded his home. He'll be devastated." Katara said. "You can't protect him forever," Sokka said. "That happens to be my job Sokka," I told him.

Aang stopped in front of the statue of an old friend of ours. "Aang, who is that person?" Katara asked. "That is the greatest Airbender in the world, Monk Gyatso," Aang said. "He taught me everything that I know." "Pretty much. Gyatso was a personal friend of mine. He was also Aang's guardian and foster father." I said. I knew that Aang was having a flashback. By looking into Aang's mind, I could see it. In fact, I was in that flashback. Gyatso and I were making cakes while Aang was sitting on the edge of the balcony. "There are more than cakes on your mind, isn't there, Aang?" Gyatso asked. "This Avatar thing, maybe the Monks made a mistake," Aang said. "The only mistake they made was telling you before you turned 16," Gyatso replied. "Besides Aang, I have a powerful connection with the Avatar. I can tell who the Avatar is, where they are, and what going on with them and their minds." I said. "But I'm not sure if I'm ready," Aang said. "When you feel you're ready, go to the Air Sanctuary. There you will meet someone who can help you on your journey." Gyatso said. "Really, who is he," Aang asked excitedly. "When you are ready, he will reveal himself to you," Gyatso said. "Now, are you going to help us with these cakes or not?" "Okay," Aang said, getting to his feet. We lined up side by side, readied our air, and shot the cakes at the Monks who were sitting not too far away. They now had cakes for hats. We all had a good laugh. Gyatso and Aang turned to each other. "Your aim has improved, young Aang," Gyatso bowed to him. Aang bowed back. When the flashback was over, Aang was bowing to Gyatso's statue. When he straightened, Katara walked up and put her hand on his shoulder. "You must miss him," she said. "Yeah, I do," Aang replied. I actually missed Gyatso too. He was such a good friend to me. He even taught me a thing or two about airbending. Aang began to walk forward into the building ahead. "Where are you going?" Sokka asked. "To the Air Sanctuary, there's someone I'm ready to meet," Aang said.

The rest of us followed him in. We walked through a large hall until we reached a huge door that covered the whole passage. I knew it was the door to the Air Sanctuary. "But Aang, how could someone survive in there for a hundred years?" Katara asked. "Hey, I survived in an iceberg for a hundred years," Aang pointed out. "Okay, so let's open it," Sokka said, and he ran up to the door. He tried with all his might to open it. But it was useless. "Okay, one of you wouldn't happen to have a key, would you?" Sokka asked after he gave up trying. "The key is airbending, Sokka," Aang explained. "Indeed, Aang, would you like to do the honors?" I asked. "Thanks," Aang said. He positioned himself and blasted air from both hands into the two pipe ends on the door. The air began to rush through the pipes and unlock the door. When it was done, the door split in half, and both ends swung aside. We walked into a room filled with statues of men and women. I immediately knew who they were. It was just like the Avatar Room in the Ama Se Palace. These were the statues of all the past Avatars. "Okay, statues; that's who you were supposed to meet," Sokka said, unimpressed. "Do any of you realize who these people are?" I asked, amazed at the wonderful sight. I was very happy that other people loved to honor all the Avatars the way my people do. "Ammon, do you know who these people are?" Katara asked.

"Yes, these are the statues of all the past Avatars," I replied. "You mean these are all of Aang's past lives?" Katara asked. "Come on, Katara, you don't believe that do you?" Sokka said. "It's true when the Avatar dies, he's reincarnated into the next nation in the cycle," Katara said. "Yes and no," I said. "The thing is, the Avatar's powers and wisdom are reincarnated into the next Avatar in the cycle. The Avatars themselves have their own spirits, and they are their own person. But they are all a part of each other." I explained. "I see," Katara said. Aang walked up to the statue of Avatar Roku. "Who's that?" Katara asked. "That is Avatar Roku, Aang's predecessor, and my first Avatar," I said. "Aang was a Firebender. No wonder I didn't trust him at first," Sokka said. "Ha ha, Roku was not a regular man from the Fire Nation. He wanted to keep the nations as they were." I said. I remembered how wise Roku was. He knew that the nations were best left as they were, four or five if you will. Not everyone considered the Nature Masters as a fifth nation. Though, I really didn't care either way, personally. All that mattered to me was the role we Nature Masters play in the world. As the guide and assistant to the Avatar, that was the important thing to me.

Suddenly the shadow of something behind us was marching forward. We all quickly ducked behind the statues. "It's a Firebender" Sokka said. I wasn't sure if he was right. What I was sure of was if it was a Firebender. He'd soon be sorry that he found us here. Sokka and I readied ourselves. Suddenly we all came out from behind our statues. And Sokka and I were combat-ready. It wasn't a Firebender after all as it turned out. It was just a young flying lemur who found us. I lowered my guard to look at the cute little guy. "LEMUR" Aang shouted. "DINNER" Sokka shouted. "Don't worry, little guy, you're going to be my new pet," Aang said, walking slowly to the little guy. Sokka jumped forward to catch the lemur. The poor little guy got scared and ran off. Aang and Sokka ran right after him. I just laughed and turned to Katara. "Boys will be boys, I guess," I said. "You got that right," Katara said. She looked at the room around her. "Ammon, did you know many of these Avatars? You know, personally?" she asked. "No Katara, I didn't. Nature Masters live for a long time. But no Nature Master could live for that long. The first Avatar I ever met was Avatar Kyoshi on your left," I said, pointing to her statue. Avatar Kyoshi was the Avatar before Roku. Katara nodded and asked. "Then how did you know who these people were?" she asked. "Because there's a room like this one in the palace in Ama Se," I explained. "We called it the Avatar Room. In fact, there's a room like it for the statues of the Head Nature Masters too. Even I'm…." Suddenly I began to feel an amazing tremor in the elements. "Ammon, what is it?" Katara asked. I looked at the statues. Their eyes were all glowing blue. "Aang," I said. "Aang is in pain. He needs us." I blotted out the room. Katara ran right after me. When we found the boys, Aang was in the air in the Avatar State in an air ball. And Sokka was holding on for his life. "What's going on?" Katara shouted over the wind created by the Avatar State. "He found out Firebenders killed Gyatso," Sokka responded. "Oh no, he's in so much pain that he's triggered the Avatar State. I've got to try and calm him down" I said. I walked a little bit forward so Aang could hear me.

"Aang," I called. "Please listen to me. I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I felt the same way when I lost my father and discovered that the Airbenders had been killed. And I felt it strongest when I lost you. Please, I can't lose you again. Monk Gyatso and the other Airbenders may be gone. But I'm still here; you still have me and Alex." Alex came out of nowhere. He'd been watching Appa and the supplies when he heard an explosion above him. "And we're not the only family you have left either," I continued. "Katara and Sokka, they're part of our family now." Katara and Sokka came right up next to us. Aang lowered himself down to the ground, and the air ball vanished. We all walked right up to him. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you again," I said. "And Katara and I promise that too," Sokka said. Aang stopped glowing and came out of the Avatar State. He then fell into my arms. "I'm sorry," Aang said weakly. "It's all right. It wasn't your fault. You cannot control it," I said, clutching him close. "If the Fire Nation found this Air Temple, that means they found the other ones too. I really am the last Airbender," Aang said. "You can still airbend with me, Aang. I'll always be with you, I promise," I said. We decided that it was time to pack up and leave. Alex got Appa, and then he and Katara began to pack. I was outside on a balcony with Fax. "So, what do you think, boy? Do you think Aang can learn the rest of the elements in time" I asked him. When Fax talks, only the Head Nature Masters and their family can understand him. "Confidence, you must have confidence in him and yourself," he said. "You're right, boy. I'm just freaking out, I guess," I said. Alex and Katara walked up to us. "Everything's packed and ready, brother," Alex said. "Good, let's go tell Aang. Time to go back, Fax," I said. Fax obediently shrunk and flew into my pocket. We walked into the Air Sanctuary, where Aang looked at Roku's statue, and Sokka was sitting on the ground. "Everything's packed, Aang," Katara said. "How can Roku help me?" Aang wondered. "There's always a way for something that needs to happen, Aang," I said. "You'll find a way to speak with him." Just then, the little lemur came with a whole thing of fruit for Sokka. "Looks like you've made a new friend there, Sokka," Aang said. "Must eat, must eat" was all that Sokka could say as he ate. We all just had to laugh. When we were all at Appa ready to go, Aang had someone to introduce to us. "Guys, meet the newest member of our family," he said. "What are you going to name him?" Katara asked. "Momo," Aang said. We all got onto Appa and were ready to leave. As we rose into the air, I knew that we were in for the adventure of a lifetime.

Over the next few days, we kept going in a zigzag pattern. I was getting dizzy. The Master Guard was able to catch us, somehow. They brought their own phoenixes. What was worse, we were wasting time. At the rate, we were going. We weren't going to be at the North Pole until spring. Though we were getting to an important stop point, Kyoshi Island. It was the birthplace of Avatar Kyoshi. I felt that they could use the Avatar's return to the island. Aang wanted to go there to ride the giant Elephant Coy fish. As we were flying Katara was fixing Sokka's pants. Aang wanted to show Katara his airbending trick with marbles. Though she was too busy sowing to take notice. Sokka began to talk about how girls were better at sowing and how fighting was best left to men. Katara got mad after that. She tossed Sokka's pants at him unfinished. I just had to laugh. I knew that on Kyoshi Island, Sokka's view of the "Natural Order" would change. When we arrived, Katara and Sokka were worried we were wasting too much time. "Shouldn't we keep going?" Sokka said. "Sokka's right," Katara said. "At this rate, we wouldn't reach the North Pole until spring." "But Appa tried already, aren't you boy," Aang said. Appa just stood there. "I said, aren't you boy," Aang said again elbowing him. Appa gave him a big yawn. "See," Aang said, walking to the shore. "Okay, hard to believe, but it's hard to argue with a giant bison," Sokka said. "It's okay Sokka, I'm actually okay being here for a while," I said. "Alex, go to the village and let the people know we're here, will you?" "Sure Ammon" Alex said, and he left for the village. I then turn my attention to Aang. He was standing by the shore. Then an Elephant Coy fish jumped out of the water. "There he is, the Elephant Coy. That's why we're here" Aang said taking off his clothes.

He swam right up to it. He got on the fish's back and acted like he was windsurfing. Katara had to walk away to deal with Appa. Aang seemed disappointed. I understood then he was trying to impress Katara. I'd heard of love at first sight, but I'd not actually seen it. I kinda suspected that Katara had fallen in love with Aang when she first saw him. Katara returned in time to see something giant in the water go after Aang. "What's in the water?" she asked me. "I hope it's not what I think it could be," I said. Though it was as I feared; the giant Unagi serpent of Kyoshi Island. As soon as that thing popped his head out of the water, I ran across the water to meet him. Aang was running for the shore. I jumped and hit the serpent dead in the face with a blow from my staff. He fell backward into the water. I turned and flew back to shore. "What was that?" Katara asked, helping Aang catch his breath. "That was the Giant Unagi Sea Serpent of Kyoshi Island," I explained. "Not a monster to be taken lightly. He was probably here to eat some Elephant Coy." "That was not fun," Aang said as he put his clothes back on. "Sir, Master Alex is returning," said one of my guards. "Ammon, the town's people are happy that we've arrived" Alex began. "But they said that the Kyoshi Warriors left to deal with some Fire Nation spies." "What, you're kidding," I said. Then I felt something in the elements. We were surrounded by hidden warriors. "The Fire Nation, close ranks around the children" I ordered drawing my sword. Suddenly the hidden warrior sprung their attack. I immediately recognized them as the Kyoshi Warriors. I did an air sweep that knocked them down. "Stop it's the Kyoshi Warriors" I shouted.

The one in front of me was Suki herself. Suki was the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors. "SUKI," I said, appalled. "It's just us. What's the big idea?" "AMMON," Suki said, clearly surprised. "What are you doing here?" "I thought I'd just drop by. Evidently, you had the same idea" I said. "We thought you were Fire Nation spies after someone was messing with the Unagi," Suki explained. "I see," I said, looking over at Aang. "I'll explain that later, but for now shall we go to the village together and in peace?" "All right, Ammon," Suki said. And with that, we began to leave for the village. When we reached the village, the people were happy to see me. In fact, a few of my troops were there. "Masters, how nice to see you again," said one. "Hello, Isaac, I didn't know you were still here," I said. "Yes, Master, I was having such a good time working with the Kyoshi Warriors, you see," Isaac said. "I understand," I said. "Sir is it true what I've heard?" he asked. "What have you heard?" I wondered. "That you've recovered the Avatar," he answered. "Yes, and I have him here with me now," I said, letting everyone have a chance to see Aang. "I don't believe it, the Avatar really has returned," Isaac said amazed. "That's impossible; the last Avatar was an Airbender who disappeared 100 years ago," Suki said like she didn't want to believe it. "That's me," Aang said. "Show them, Aang" I said. Aang then launched himself into the air with a vast air blast.

"So, Ammon, why did you want to come here?" Katara asked. "Well, it's this is the home of Avatar Kyoshi," I explained. "Avatar Kyoshi," Aang asked. "Yep, that's a statue of her behind you," I said, pointing. "She was born here over 400 years ago" Aang looked behind him and nodded. "So, what can we do for you, Nature Master?" asked the mayor of the town. "We could use a place to rest for a while, then we'll be out of your hair," I said. "Of course, stay for as long as you like," he said. "Thank you," I said, bowing. Things began going well. The people started to repaint Kyoshi's statue. And they fed us very well. Aang was getting a lot of attention from young girls in the village. I occasionally went to see how the Kyoshi Warriors' training and practice were going. The Kyoshi Warriors didn't really like boy warriors that much. They never even took boys into their training, especially not outsiders. Though they had great respect for the Nature Masters due to the fact that half of the soldiers in our armies were girls. They liked how we respected women as equals. I was watching them practice when that bum Sokka walked in. The girls stopped and looked at him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your dance class," he said. "It's okay, Sokka, maybe you'd like to join us. As this is a special kind of dance called combat." I said. "What, dancing is dancing, and fighting is fighting," he said. "Sokka, fighting is a dance. It's a series of predetermined moves between two or more people." I said. "Okay, but I think I could beat a girl," Sokka said. Well, he asked for it. "Suki would mind taking him up on that?" I asked. "Not at all, Master," she said, walking up. "On the count of three, one, two, and three," I said. Sokka launched forward, and Suki had him down before he knew it. Sokka wasn't giving up that easily.

He got back up and tried again, but she took his belt and had his leg tied to his arm with it behind his back. "Had enough, Sokka?" I asked him. "Okay, I'd like to see you beat her," Sokka said as I untied him. "Okay, come at me, Suki," I said. Suki launched with her fan, and I moved to one side and knocked her down. Suki wasn't too embarrassed. She was good but not as good as her master. Suddenly Alex came in. "Ammon, I think you'd better come quickly. Aang's letting all the attention he's been getting go to his head," he said. "Oh great, excuse me, Suki," I said, bowing to her. "Alex, take care of Sokka, will you?" I went to the room. I found Aang and Katara eating some lunch. I noticed that they were at opposite ends. "Well, I hope I didn't interrupt anything," I said. "Of course not, Ammon. Come in," Katara said. I sat down in between them and got to the point. "I hear Aang's letting the attention he's getting go to his head," I said. "Yes, he is," Katara said. "I'm not," Aang said. "Whatever, Aang, so do you have anything special planned," I asked. "Yeah, I plan to ride the Unagi for the girls," Aang said. "Then, by all means, go," I said. "All right, Katara, want to come with me? It could be dangerous," Aang asked. "No, I'm fine here," she said. "Okay," "Okay," "Fine," "Fine," Katara said angrily.

"Katara, you know he may be trying to make you jealous," I said. "Jealous of what" she wondered. "Jealous that he's getting attention from the girls in the village," I explained. "Why should he want to do that?" she said. "So, you'll like him better," I said. "Oh brother, Aang is just being ridiculous," Katara said. "I know, and that's why I'm going to go to the beach and see he doesn't get hurt. Do come if you wish." I said. I got up and walked to the beach. Aang was having trouble with his plan. The Unagi wasn't showing up, and the girls were getting bored. They soon got up and walked away. Right after that, Katara showed up. "I began to think you guys weren't coming," Aang said. "Well, you did have me worried a little bit," Katara said. "Me too. Then again I always worry about you, Aang," I said. "Yeah, I'm sorry I've been a jerk, I was letting all that attention go to my head," Aang said. "Aang, you're only human," I said reassuringly. "Even the Avatar can make a mistake or two. Now come on in." But as he began to swim back, the Unagi finally showed up. "Oh brother, time to wrestle the Unagi," I said. I ran off to save Aang. Aang was hanging for dear life on the Unagi's tendrils.

I ran into the monster's head. Aang flew off into the water. "Katara, get Aang to shore I'll deal with the Unagi," I shouted to Katara. Katara ran forward and grabbed Aang. I grabbed the head lopes of the Unagi's head. I pulled hard and dropped him down into the water. I then ran for shore. Katara had an unconscious Aang in her arms. She bent the water out of his lungs. Aang coughed and opened his eyes. "Katara," he said weakly. "Don't ride the Unagi; not fun." Katara laughed and hugged him. I then wrapped my arms around both of them. Our embrace didn't last long because Alex came running up with very bad news. "Ammon," he said. I looked up at my brother. "Sorry to interrupt, but Zuko is here," he said. "What, you're kidding. How did he find us" I said. I looked over the rock behind us and looked out upon the beach. Sure enough, Zuko's ship was parked on the shore. "As I understand it, word got around that we were here," Alex said. "That is great, that is great. We might as well let Zuko and his men tag along with us. With all the breaks he's going to give us. Where's Sokka?" I said. I knew that we had to do something. The people of Kyoshi Island tried to stay out of the war as much as possible. "He's been taking lessons from Suki," Alex said. I could tell he was trying hard to laugh as he said that. "You're kidding. It looks like I was right," I said. "About what?" Katara asked. "That coming here would give Sokka a whole new option on girls," I said. "Okay, here's the plan. Alex, have the troops hide with the Kyoshi Warriors around the village. Tell them to be ready to ambush Zuko once I give the signal. Meanwhile, I'll confront Zuko face to face." "What about us, Ammon?" Katara asked. "I want you to stay hidden, ready to flee on my order," I said. "I'll call Appa," Aang said. I flew down to the village. I put on my hood, had my staff in my right hand, and Fax on my left shoulder. I walk right up to Zuko. "You can't hide from me forever, Avatar," he said as I walked up. "I began to differ with you, Zuko," I said. "Well, the Head Nature Master. That means the Avatar is close by." He said. "Or that he was here, and now he's gone. Either way, I need to deal with you now," I said. "Just how are you planning to do that?" Zuko asked. "With a little help," I said. I then snapped my fingers. My troops and the Kyoshi warriors ambushed Zuko and his men. Fax flew off my shoulder in front of me. He then grew to a large size. I hopped onto his back. He flew forward straight for Zuko. With my staff, I knocked Zuko off his Komodo rhino. As we battled, the Kyoshi Warriors were proving to be outmatched. Though with the help of my troops, they were doing fine. My soldiers were not as strong as me, but they were still well-trained in the elements. Suddenly Aang came into the fight. That was great, just as it seemed I had things clear. His good-hearted spirit caused him to go against my orders AGAIN. I understood why he kept doing it. He didn't want me to risk my life just for him. He wanted to be able to help me. I watched as Aang and Zuko dueled. Aang was a very good fighter. He eventually blasted Zuko back into a building.

I then took this opportunity to try and get Aang to leave. I ran up to him. "Well done, Aang. But you've got to get out of here. Zuko will follow. I'll deal with the village and join up with you guys later. Alex, make sure Aang leaves, will you." I said. "Right Ammon," he said. "Don't worry, I'll find Sokka," I said. I ran off to find Sokka. I found him with Suki behind a building. Sokka was actually in full Kyoshi Warrior uniform, face paint, and all. I tried hard not to laugh. I kept myself hidden so I listen in and give them some time alone. "Go, we'll hold them off" Suki said. "First, I want to apologize," Sokka said. "I treated you like a girl when I should've treated you like a warrior." "I am a warrior" Suki said. She then kissed Sokka on the cheek. "But I'm also a girl too." Sokka blushed. "Now go," Suki said. Sokka ran, and I met up with him. "Sokka find Aang and the others and leave on Appa. I'll catch up later," I said. Sokka ran for Appa. Suki showed up. "Go, Ammon, we'll hold them off," she said. "I'm not going to abandon you guys. Not until Zuko has left here." I said. Just then, Appa flew over my head. "There goes the Avatar after him, men," Zuko said. He and his men began to run for their ship. I whistled for Fax. He came, and I jumped on him. We flew up high into the air, leading my troops on their phoenixes. I gave Zuko and his men an air swipe to stall them. As we caught up to Appa, I saw Aang jump onto the Unagi. He then used the Unagi to put out the fires on the village. I was so proud of him that I overheard myself say. "Well done, Aang, and thank you." Once we reached Appa, I jumped aboard, and Fax shrunk back into my pocket. "Well done, Aang. I'm so proud of you," I said. "Thanks, Ammon," Aang said. "Well, Sokka, how do you see the 'Natural Order' now?" I asked. "You were right, Ammon. I'm sorry that I didn't listen." Sokka said. "I know you're still growing and learning, Sokka. It's all a part of life," I said. We flew into the sunset and into the night. As the others fell asleep, I took Appa's reigns. Alex and I had some time to talk things out. "You did good Ammon. Real good, Dad would be proud of you." Alex said. "You think so?" I asked. "I know so. Come on would I lie to you" he said. "No, why don't you get some sleep bro." I said. "Alright good night" Alex said and laid down.