Book Four: Air - [PG-13] - News and Updates (added 12-12-08)

[Capt BoomerAang]

Book Four:  Air - News and Updates - (Added 12-12-08) - Chapter Seven is on hold until I edit chapters 1-6 and post them on deviantART and fanfiction.net.  My sister is coming to visit me (IN JAPAN) for the holidays and I'm going to be too busy to work on new material.  Please see my deviantART journal for the latest news and please leave comments/questions over there.

Chapter Seven - On Hold.

Book Four:  Rewrites and Edits - (Updated 12-12-08) - Based on suggestions, responses, and conversations here on ASN, I am changing chapters 1-6 before posting them on dA and ff.net.  I will keep a list of what has been changed here, but I recommend everyone checks them out!  There are extended scenes, extra scenes, and some chapters will be completely transformed, though the end results of the 1-6 Arc will remain the same. 

Chapter One - Up on dA and ff.net - Edits with an added scene in the end.
Chapter Two - In progress - Additional scenes and massive rewrites.

Book Four: Fanart - I started a thread with fanart! - Book Four:  Air - Fanart

Disclaimer:  I don't own Avatar.


Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Extras

His crutch made a light tapping noise against the stone street as Sokka made his way home to Team Avatar's permanent Ba Sing Se accommodations.  After Zuko's coronation, the group had come to visit the newly liberated city.  Officially, they were there to open up political ties between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation.  Unofficially, they were there to relax and enjoy Iroh's recently reopened tea shop, the Jasmine Dragon.

Sokka didn't claim to know much about tea, but thoughts of a hot bath and a hot cup of Iroh's finest were the only things keeping him on his feet.  He stifled a yawn and caught a friendly yet totally unexpected pat on the shoulder that nearly sent him toppling, unbalanced as he was with one good leg and a single crutch.

"Sorry."  Zuko's voice was rough with apology and Sokka couldn't help but find it strange to hear something like compassion coming from his old enemy. 

"It's fine," Sokka assured him, regaining his balance.  "I'm just tired."  Tired was an understatement, but Sokka wasn't about to voice his complaints of the day.

"Me too," Zuko agreed, and something in his tone implied he knew exactly how Sokka was feeling.  A semi-awkward silence ensued as the two continued on their way.  Zuko cleared his throat.  "You did good work back there today." 

"Compliments and apologies?" Sokka teased.  "Who are you and what did you do with the old Fire Lord?" 

"Ha ha," Zuko replied dryly.

Zuko was still new to the wide worlds of sarcasm and humor and Sokka considered it his duty to educate him.  "Hey, y'know, don't be afraid to really laugh when something's funny.  That was a good joke."

Zuko eyed him skeptically.  "It was?" 

"Sure."  Sokka shifted his grip on his crutch so he could count off the finer points of comedy on his fingers.  "It had perfect timing, perfect execution, perfect inflection, and if you consider the circumstances, what with you being the NEW Fire Lord and your dad being all evil and-" His crutch struck the edge of a slightly raised block in the path and before Zuko could catch him, he face planted into the street. 

Zuko's burst of laughter was genuine but Sokka wasn't about to congratulate him on a lesson learned. 

"Stupid rock!"  Sokka kicked back at the offending stone before thinking about it and spent the next thirty seconds rolling on his back, gripping his leg and trying to keep his eyes from watering from the pain.  "Ow ow ow, stupid stupid rock.  Stupid city full of stupid rocks!"

"Well this is the Earth Kingdom," Zuko laughed.  "What do you expect?" 

"I expect a little gratitude!"  Sokka sat up slowly and held his leg to his chest protectively.  "I saved your life, rocks!"  He glowered and pointed accusingly at the stones.  "If it weren't for me you'd be ash right now." 

"I'm sure they're very grateful."  Zuko held out his hand.  "Can we go now before anyone sees a respected war hero and the Fire Lord acting like a couple of crazy kids?" 

"That probably wouldn't help our negotiations with the Peace Council," Sokka agreed reluctantly, souring at the thought of pompous nobles and ridiculous demands.  He sighed and straightened his leg, wincing as he recalled the events of the day. 

"Maybe you should have your sister take a look at it... She really helped with my wounds."

"My leg's healing fine," Sokka informed him curtly.  "I could go without the crutch right now if I wanted, but that's not what's on my mind."  He leaned back, staring up at the cloudless night sky.  The moon was a mere crescent, its light casting a soft glow over the sprawling city.  "I messed up today, didn't I?"

Zuko stared up at the moon to avoid making eye-contact, his mouth set in a thin line.
 
Sokka frowned.  "I knew it."

Zuko sighed and sat down in the street, facing him.  The moonlight gleamed against the white of his skin, contrasting starkly with the darkness of his scar.  "Not everyone was born to be a diplomat.  Maybe you should consider yourself lucky?"

"I could whip up a battle plan in five minutes, but ask me to help negotiate peace and I flop.  What does that say about me?"

"Hey, my first council meeting wasn't exactly a success."  Zuko pointed to his scar.  "It takes time."

"No... I don't think so.  My whole life I've thought about pretty much three things; food, girls and defeating the Fire Nation.  No offense."

Zuko shrugged, "How do you think I feel?  I'm answering for the crimes of my father and my father's father, and his father before him; one hundred years of cruelty and tyranny..." He stood up and pretended to address the Peace Council.  "Hello.  Fire Lord Zuko here.  Sorry about the mess."

Sokka snorted appreciatively.  "Yeah, that's rough buddy."

"No matter what I say or do, it's not enough to please everyone."

"Well at least you didn't suggest that the upper houses of the Earth Kingdom donate half their wealth to rebuilding..." 

They both cringed.

"Yeah, that did not go over well.  You might as well have suggested they give up their rights and titles and become normal citizens."

"I was going to," Sokka grumbled.  "It's not like it would be such a bad thing.  All the division between people is what started the war in the first place.  And now we sit around all day arguing about who's got it the worst, and the worst part is, the people who really got hurt by the war don't have anyone there to stand up for them."

"Not true," Zuko said.  "They've got us."

"Well, talking isn't getting us anywhere." 

Zuko smirked at the irony and held out his hand.  "C'mon."

-------

Katara and Suki didn't look up from their game of Pai Sho when Zuko and Sokka returned.  Toph was sprawled on the floor with Momo curled up on top of her, both fast asleep. 

"Welcome back," Katara said off-handedly, contemplating her next move.  Suki had her on the defensive, but she wasn't planning on going down without a fight. 

Zuko hung up their councilor robes and leaned Sokka's crutch against the wall while Sokka grunted in reply and limped past their table.  Suki watched him go by.  "No crutch, tough guy?"

Sokka went to the crude drawing he'd pinned to the wall to commemorate their happy memories of victory.  He took it down, crumpling it.  Katara tore herself from the game and gave her brother a look of dry amusement.  "Well hello there, Mr. Grumpy Pants.  Haven't seen you in a while, how you been?"

Toph stirred, upsetting Momo's position.  The flying lemur jumped on the table, scattering Suki's captured Pai Sho tiles. 

Sokka glared as he continued crumpling his drawing.  "You know that euphoria we've all been feeling since Aang defeated Ozai?"

"Yeah?"

"Mine's gone now."

"Aww."  Suki made a game winning move and then gave her undivided attention.  "Did something happen?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

Zuko came over, removing his Fire Lord clip and shaking his hair loose.  "He just made a fool of himself in front of the leaders of the free world, no biggie."

Sokka threw up his arms in disgust.  "This was all fun at first!"

Katara raised an eyebrow.  "You mean when they were holding banquets in our honor every night?"

"Well, yeah..."

Katara rolled her eyes.

Sokka made a dismissive gesture with his hands.  "Whatever.  Where's Aang?  'Cuz I'm saddling up Appa and yip yipping outta here tonight.  You with me, Momo?"  Momo jumped on his head, curling his tail around it like a fuzzy crown. 

Katara sighed, used to her brother's antics.  "Sokka, relax.  You're tired and cranky.  Everything will look better in the morning."

"I'm not cranky!"

A gust of wind heralded the arrival of the single most powerful person in the world.  An orange blur spiraled through the window and rolled to his feet, staff in hand.  Aang tossed off his ceremonial Avatar robes and blew them away with airbending, stripping down to his usual outfit. 

Toph yawned.  "Nice entrance, Twinkle Toes."

"Gah!  I'm sick of Ba Sing Se!"  If Aang had hair, he would have been pulling it in frustration.  "Really really sick of it."

Sokka couldn't help but notice Katara's look of genuine concern.  She caught Aang's robes before they hit the floor.  "What happened, Aang?" 

"It's what's NOT happening that's irritating me!" 

Sokka rounded on his sister.  "See?  Even Aang agrees with me."

"Hush Sokka, this is different.  Aang probably has good reason to feel the way he does." 

"I have good reasons," Sokka replied defensively, "just because I didn't share them."

Aang turned to face the young water tribe warrior.  "Sokka... I heard what happened today at the Peace Council."

Sokka gulped, "I can explain..."

"You don't need to.  I agree with you.  The upper houses of Ba Sing Se are being unreasonable.  There are hundreds and thousands of refugees in the city who want to go home and rebuild their old lives, but the Peace Council is more concerned with deciding who's going to pay for repairs to the Earth King's Palace.  Which is ridiculous since the Earth King is still missing and nobody can even decide who's supposed to be in charge!"  Aang finished his rant, huffing.  He took a deep calming breath and straightened up.  "We're wasting our time here."  He turned away from his friends and looked out the window, adding in a slightly softer voice, "I'M wasting my time here."

Katara went toward him but before she could think of something encouraging to say, Aang jumped in surprise and slid behind her, using her body as a shield. 

"Aang, what the...?"

The door opened before she could finish her question.  Former liaison and one time bureaucratic leader of Occupied Ba Sing Se, Joo Dee, stepped into their living quarters unannounced and uninvited.  Her smile was still the same, even though Long Feng's brainwashing had been largely undone.  "Avatar Aang," she addressed Katara, easily spotting the slightly smaller figure of the young monk.  "You left so suddenly; we had to postpone the meeting until the morning."

Aang stepped out to face the order-crazed woman.  "I'm not going back to your meetings.  In fact, we've decided to leave Ba Sing Se."  Aang glanced at Katara and when she didn't object he added, "Tomorrow, first light."

Toph sat up, fully awake.  "We're leaving?  Excellent!" 

Sokka put his arm around Suki, grinning smugly and tossing a thumbs-up to Zuko who leaned back against the wall, watching in contemplative silence.  Momo jumped from Sokka to Aang, excited.

"You mustn't!"  Joo Dee was shocked.  "We've been planning the Festival in your honor.  It would be a great disservice to the Peace Council and the Upper Houses of Ba Sing Se if you were to leave."

"I'm sure you'll think of something appropriate to say to them," Sokka joked. 

"But you don't understand.  This Festival was to commemorate not only the end of the war, but also the rise of the world's newest young leaders."

"We get it."  Toph dug in her ear, flicking away a piece of ear wax.  "You want to throw us more parties.  It's flattering, but there are better uses for our time."

Joo Dee sighed, "I was supposed to keep this a secret until the Festival, but you leave me no choice.  You see, by popular vote of the Peace Council and the Upper Houses, each of you is to be given a title more befitting your status as Heroes of the New World."

Sokka raised an eyebrow.  "Titles?  Last I checked, it was you people who keep reminding Katara and I that we're just 'water tribe peasants'."

"That's exactly the point!"  Joo Dee gained momentum and her smile broadened.  "Your father has been recognized by the Council as Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe."

Sokka shrugged, "Dad's always been the chief.  It's pretty much an honorary title."

"But don't you see?  Like the Northern Water Tribe, your tribe will be officially recognized by the other nations.  Rule of the South will be passed down your family line for all time."

"Wait," Katara shot a look at her brother, seeing her surprise mirrored on his face.  "Are you saying... Sokka and I are going to be prince and princess of the Southern Water Tribe?"

"That is correct, Princess Katara."  Joo Dee inclined her head respectfully.  Aang's jaw dropped and the rest of the group stood dumbfounded.  "Not to mention, the Bei Fong family has been granted nobility.  Your parents will arrive tomorrow for the festivities, Lady Toph."

Toph sputtered, "My parents??"

Sokka recovered from his shock enough to laugh.  "Lady Toph, that's a good one."

Toph glared in no particular direction.  "Keep laughing, Prince Sokka.  At least I had the proper upbringing to pull it off."

"Prince Sokka."  Suki squeezed his waist.  "I kinda like the sound of it." 

Sokka set his jaw.  "I don't."

Joo Dee turned to appraise him.  "You've been given a great honor."

"I've been given nothing." 

Joo Dee's smile didn't falter, but something in her expression cooled.  "Commander Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors have been assigned the position of Honor Guard for the Peace Council.  And of course, the Avatar could be given no higher honor and no higher respect than he already enjoys." 

Aang snorted.

Zuko stepped forward from his place against the wall and Joo Dee turned to him slowly.

"Thank you, Administrator.  We will remain in Ba Sing Se for one more day.  I recommend you rush the preparations for the festival if you want us to attend."  It was an obvious dismissal, but Joo Dee only smiled.  Zuko narrowed his eyes, the scar tissue pulling at the left side of his face.  "You're dismissed."

The woman bowed and backed out of the house, closing the door behind her silently.  A collective shudder ran through the group. 

"She still gives me the creeps," Sokka said, sliding his arm from around Suki's shoulders and making his way toward the Pai Sho table and the sleeping quarters beyond.  He paused, glancing at the game.  "Nice, Katara."

Katara sighed, "I know, it's the third game in a row I've lost to Suki."

"Not so."  He smirked.  "You've got her in three moves."

Suki turned her chair, straddling it and staring at the board intently.  "Not possible.  I've practically won."

"You wanna put your money where your mouth is, Commander Suki?"

Suki laughed, "You're on, your highness."

Sokka cracked his knuckles and took Katara's seat, Katara crowding close to watch the game.  Zuko glanced at Aang, who seemed lost in thought, absently scratching Momo behind the ears.  They both had more than enough on their minds, but Zuko had to add one more concern to his growing list.  Joo Dee's behavior toward him had been even colder than usual.

The game lasted all of five minutes. 

"I don't believe it."  Suki blinked in disbelief, impressed in spite of herself.  "You've been practicing with General Iroh, haven't you?"

Sokka leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head.  "And Master Piandao."  He yawned and stretched.  "Sleepy time."  He got to his feet but slipped on one of Momo's scattered tiles, barely catching himself on the edge of the table.

Suki went to his side and slid under his arm.  "Ok, see, that's why people with broken legs usually use some sort of support.  Like the perfectly good crutch by the door."

"I've got all the support I need right here."  He smiled and Suki felt her own knees go weak. 

Toph gagged.  "Get a room." 

"Great idea, Toph."  Sokka steered himself and Suki toward the sleeping quarters.   

The blind Earthbender called after them, "Preferably in a different district!"

Zuko looked at Katara.  "I think I just figured out why he doesn't want you to heal him."

[Capt BoomerAang]

Chapter One:  Part 2

-------

The sun had barely risen when Aang awoke to the sound of someone knocking on their front door.  Groggy, but not altogether surprised, he opened it to find a small army of personal attendants and the Earth King's royal outfitters. 

He rubbed at his eye.  "Can I help you?"

The attendants bowed in unison and their supervisor stepped forward.  "No, Avatar Aang, We are here to help You."  The group pushed past Aang and started setting up. 

Katara came from the sleeping quarters, dressed in her pajamas and looking half asleep.  "Aang, did I hear someone knock?"  She blinked and looked at the invasion force setting up a siege in their living room.  Their weapons included pins and scissors, bolts of expensive silk fabric, breakfast, and grooming supplies, but somehow it was no less threatening.  Katara put her hands on her hips.  "Did Sokka order room service again?"

Aang whispered across the room, "I think Joo Dee sent them."

The supervisor bowed low to Katara.  "We are here to help you prepare for the festivities, Princess Katara." 

Katara blushed and stammered, "Uh, well, um, I guess that's ok.  We can dress ourselves though." 

"The Peace Council wants you to look your best for the Festival.  Dignitaries from all over the world have come to pay their respects.  It is our honor to assist you this fine day."

"Um, thanks?"  Katara looked at Aang who shrugged.  He'd become too used to the Earth Kingdom's tendency to overdo ceremony.  One more reason he was ready to leave. 

The supervisor smiled from Aang to Katara, eerily reminiscent of Joo Dee.  There was a distinct possibility that she had been similarly brainwashed.  "Are the others still asleep?"

"Well, Zuko and Mai are at General Iroh's place," Aang began.

The woman sniffed haughtily.  "I'm sure the Fire Lord has his own retainers."  She snapped her fingers and three attendants disappeared down the hallway.  Sokka's yelp of surprise would have been funny under any other circumstance.  They dragged him out, wrapped in his blanket.  Suki came quietly, but Toph had metalbended the lock on her door and the attendant was still pounding, asking her politely to come out.

"Wuz goin' on?"  Sokka's early morning eloquence was somewhat lacking.  Before Katara could explain he noticed the tray of breakfast food, perking up instantly.  "Ooo, bacon."  Momo jumped up out of nowhere and joined him stuffing his face.

Suki ruffled his hair affectionately.  "Sometimes I'm jealous of your simplicity." 

"You gonna let her talk about you like that, Momo?"

Momo chittered away at her while Sokka resumed stuffing face.  The attendants, obviously unaccustomed to Sokka's eating rituals watched with mild looks of horror and shock. 

The supervisor turned to Katara.  "Is he planning on doing this at the banquet tonight?"

"I don't think he plans his meals that far ahead."

Aang laughed, "you'd be surprised, Katara."

She slapped her forehead comically.  "You're right.  What am I saying?"  The group shared in a laugh while the attendants' looks of horror deepened.  If they thought it couldn't get any worse, they were sadly mistaken when Toph finally made her appearance.  Hair wild and covered in dirt, she was every personal groomer's worst nightmare.

They rolled up their sleeves, putting Team Avatar on alert.  The supervisor gave her troops an encouraging nod, "Alright ladies, let's get started."

-------

Zuko was still staring in shock.  "You guys look... um..." he turned to his girlfriend for help, but Mai was holding back her thoughts.  "Good...?"

"Really?" Aang asked, looking down at his ridiculously extravagant new Avatar robes.

"He's lying," Mai replied.  "You look like a bunch of circus performers."

"I thought your best friend used to be a circus performer?" Katara asked coolly. 

"Then I guess you could consider me an expert."

Sokka threw off his not quite authentic polar bear headdress.  The Earth Kingdom had an interesting idea of what traditional Water Tribe apparel looked like, and Sokka was sweating buckets under the bulky layers of fur.  "This is getting out of hand.  I am NOT jumping through any more of their flaming hoops."

"It's a good thing," Mai said in her usual straightforward way.  "You'd probably catch fire."

Zuko was trying to come up with a way to diffuse the situation when his uncle arrived with his tea things.  Iroh's eyes widened at the sight of them, but he quickly covered his surprise.  "My, doesn't everyone look regal?  It seems the Earth Kingdom is finally taking you all seriously."

Sokka looked unconvinced.  "Is that supposed to be a joke?"

Iroh winked.  "It could be.  But at the very least, you should all make very strong impressions."

Katara's shoulders slumped.  "Or very wrong impressions."  She pointed at Sokka.  "The Southern Water Tribe doesn't wear nearly that many animal skins, and there's no way I'd survive five minutes in the South Pole dressed like this."  Katara held her hands to the side so they could all get a view of her outfit, or rather, her lack of outfit.  A few pieces of strategically placed animal hides covered her important parts, and a thin layer of silk fabric covered the rest.   

Momo peeked out from behind Aang and mewled mournfully.  Aang knew how he was feeling, but he still felt slightly torn.  "I'm going to have to agree with Momo on this one.  Maybe we can ask Joo Dee to-"

Everyone jumped as the woman in questioned seemed to materialize out of no where.  "You called?" 

"Um, we were just talking, and Katara and Sokka think their new outfits give a sort of wrong impression about the Southern Water Tribe."

Joo Dee smiled.  "The Royal Outfitters are very good at their job.  They accentuate a person's bearing and personality, reflecting your inner greatness in your outer apparel."

Sokka crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side.  "Did my inner greatness slaughter all the animals in the South Pole?"

Joo Dee didn't miss a beat.  "I'm not sure.  Maybe, yes?"

"Then I suppose I just don't HAVE any inner greatness?"  Katara commented, her voice not quite as confident as her brother's.  "Since, y'know, I don't seem to have any outer apparel."

Joo Dee merely smiled.

Katara tried a different approach.  "What we mean to say is; these outfits make us look primitive and savage."

"Your people live in igloos and tents made of animal skins, yes?"

"Well, yes."

"And you live off the land, correct?  Hunting and fishing?"

"Sure, but..."

"I'm not sure I understand the problem," Joo Dee smiled.  "The parade starts in one hour, we expect you to be at the assigned meeting place on time."  She disappeared as quickly as she came.

"There's a parade?"  Zuko asked.  "Why haven't I been informed of this?"

"I'm sure they just forgot to tell you," Aang replied.  "We did rush their preparations a lot."

Sokka picked up the imitation polar bear headdress in resignation.  "I'm so glad Dad isn't here to see this.  If I'd known this was what they'd put us through, I would have gone with him when he went home."  He sighed and plopped the headdress in place.  "Oh well, too late now."

"True," Iroh said, "but it's never too late for a cup of tea.  Who wants jasmine?"

-------

The Earth Kingdom pulled out all the stops for the parade.  As many doubts as the group had been having about their time in Ba Sing Se, none of them could ignore the intoxicating feeling of excitement in the air.  Every day in the city had been a day of celebration since the war ended, but this was the first official appearance Aang and his companions had made to the population at large. 

People cheered wildly and waved, throwing flowers and calling out to the young heroes by name; squealing with joy when one of them turned to look.

Aang's blush had become permanent and a smile, wave or display of bending prowess from the twelve year old Avatar caused women of all ages to faint and swoon.  Most of the time he rode atop Appa's head; the sky bison had been groomed and braided with lace and flowers for the occasion and small children would run forward to tuck their own contributions in his fur as they passed.  Momo zipped above their heads receiving offerings of fruits and nuts from fans on the sidelines. 

Katara rode on Appa's back, feeling like some kind of primitive queen of beauty.  Men threw white roses to her, and the saddle was nearly overflowing with them.  She waved and smiled as people cheered, "Princess Katara, Princess Katara, Princess Katara!"  Drums of water had been strapped to Appa for her bending pleasure and Katara made sure the people of Ba Sing Se recognized her for more than her scanty apparel. 

Toph might not have been able to see the crowds, but she could feel the energy, the very ground itself humming under her feet.  Stories of her metalbending had preceded her and people pushed forward, past the parade security to have her metalbend items into new shapes.  According to the cheering crowds and her own inflated ego, she was truly the greatest Earthbending Master ever. 

Mounted astride an eight hundred pound armored Polar Leopard on loan from a private collector of exotic animals, Sokka had abandoned all dignity and restraint, taking to the attention like a fish to water.  Brandishing a spear far too valuable ever to be used in actual combat, he flexed and posed for the crowd, rearing the Polar Leopard on its hind legs for added effect.  People chanted his name and warriors and soldiers in the crowd drew their weapons in salute as he passed. 

Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors flanked the small procession on either side, and stretching before and after them for a mile in both directions were street performers, acrobats, earth and waterbending performers, marching bands, floats, and every kind of portable entertainment imaginable.  Merchants sold dolls and images of the young heroes, some even claiming to have locks of hair from Appa or the girls.   

The entertainment district of the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se had been transformed for the Festival and it was here that the procession finally came to a glorious stop, the setting sun as their backdrop.  In front of a giant fountain in the middle of an enormous courtyard, Aang and the gang mounted a twenty foot stage to the deafening roar of the crowd. 

Joo Dee waited at the top, smiling with her arms wide in greeting.  It took five minutes to quiet the crowd, and ten minutes again after Sokka and Toph told the audience to "give it up for Team Avatar."

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"  Joo Dee began her speech and a hush fell over the crowd.  "Citizens of the Free World!"  People cheered and she held her hands up for silence before continuing.  "Today we celebrate the end of The One Hundred Year War!  Today we celebrate our liberation from the clutches of the Fire Tyrant!"  The cheering became hisses and boos at mention of Ozai.  "Today I give you the Earth Kingdom's newest heroes!"  She gestured behind her, and earthbenders standing in position around the fountain clenched their fists and stomped the ground in unison.  A pedestal erupted from the water and giant lifelike statues of each of them formed from the stone as Joo Dee called their names, "Avatar Aang!  Lady Toph Bei Fong of the Upper Houses!    Princess Katara and Prince Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe!  Commander Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors!"

While the audience went wild, Aang stared at the stone representations of his friends, immortalized for all time.  He wasn't sure exactly what he was supposed to be feeling, but he knew it probably wasn't the feeling of growing dread in the pit of his stomach. 

Aang turned away from the statue and faced his friends.  "Hey guys?"

Toph picked up on Aang's confusion and doubt first, quickly elbowing Sokka in the ribs to pull the young warrior back to his senses.  Katara and Suki joined them, huddling close with Aang so they could hear him over the din.

"Where's Zuko?  Shouldn't he be up here with us by now?"

Joo Dee chose that moment to signal the crowd to silence.  "And now we start a new tradition!  This evening we celebrate the unification of the elements and the great nations they represent!  Let it begin!"

A thousand lanterns were lit simultaneously as Earth Kingdom fireworks exploded in the sky.  Earthbenders and waterbenders performed amazing feats of synchronized bending while music filled the courtyard.  People danced and swayed, the colors of their clothing mingling in a sea of greens, blues, oranges, and yellows.

Joo Dee cried out in exaltation, "The First Annual Festival of Earth, Air, Water and Light!"

---------

"LIGHT!?" 

The cacophony of the revelers was so great that Aang's outburst went unnoticed by all but those on the stage.  Joo Dee seemed unaware of the precarious position she was in, but the rest of the group could tell Aang was angry enough to do something drastic. 

"Is something the matter?"  Joo Dee's smile was full of innocence and venom.

"I don't know?"  Aang yelled.  "Maybe we should ask the Light Nation?  Oh wait, I guess they aren't HERE right now!  What'd you do, lock them up in their houses!?"

"Avatar Aang, what are you talking about?"

"Zuko should be up here on this stage with us right now!  He should have a statue on that ridiculous pedestal!"

Joo Dee faked a look of confusion.  "Why would we honor the ones who started the war in a Peace Memorial?"

"Zuko didn't start it!  Without Zuko I wouldn't have been able to defeat Ozai and your precious city would be burned to the ground!"

"You can't expect us to forget what the Fire Nation did just because one member of their entire nation turned traitor to their evil ways."

"ONE!?"  The wind howled with Aang's anger.  "What about Iroh!?  What about Mai and Ty Lee!?  What about Jeong Jeong and Piandao!?  What about all the Fire Nation citizens and soldiers who were caught up in the war just like everyone else!?"

Sokka stabbed his spear into the floor and removed his headdress slowly, dropping it to the ground.  His eyes were hard and cold.  "You used us." 

"You let yourselves be used," Joo Dee retorted, smile forgotten.  "Foolish children.  You don't know how the world works.  You're better off listening to the advice of your elders and doing what you're told."

"We're done here."  Sokka turned and headed for the stairs, Toph and Suki following in his wake. 

Katara stayed behind.  "Aang, c'mon." 

Aang stood his ground, trembling with repressed rage.  There was so much they could say to Joo Dee to put her in her place, but Katara had learned enough about Earth Kingdom politics to know that it would have no effect.  Sokka was right, they had to walk away.  The celebration went on around them, the people oblivious to the power struggle happening on stage. 

"We don't want to make a spectacle," Katara reminded Aang.  "Things are bad enough already." 

"I can't leave it like this..."

"Aang, you have to." 

"No, Katara, I can't."  His eyes were still locked with Joo Dee's and it was to her that he spoke next, "I am the Avatar, and by my nature I am Air, Water, Earth, AND Fire.  This festival is a mockery, and since there aren't any other Firebenders here to stand up for themselves, I'll have to do it myself."

A single trickle of sweat betrayed Joo Dee's nervousness.  "You wouldn't dare."

Aang grinned and his eyes seemed to glow with inner fire as the wind picked up, swirling around him.  "Actually, I would."  He floated into the air, his extravagant robes shredding.  The people finally took notice.  The crowd cheered, expecting some kind of Avatar show. 

They got their wish.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"  Aang's voice cut through the noise and seemed to echo through the courtyard and beyond.  "There will be a slight change to tonight's festivities!"  He focused his energy, reaching inside himself to the source of life and heat.  "I know you're all still afraid of the Fire Nation!  I know it's hard to forgive and forget!  But the war is over, and now it's time to learn to live together in Peace and Friendship!"  He held his hands out from his body to either side, palms facing down toward the line of lanterns encircling the courtyard. 

"Light is FIRE!"  He pulled his arms in and then pushed them up into the air, calling on the flames inside each of the lanterns.  They roared to life, burning through the wood and paper, transforming themselves into raging torches.  Aang reached out, fueling the flames with his energy.  The fires burned higher, twisting and dancing around Aang as he rose into the sky.  "Fire is LIFE!"  Aang launched himself straight at the ground like a comet, slamming into the fountain and shooting a spray of water over everyone within fifty feet.  Upon impact a new statue burst forth from the pedestal.  Fire Lord Zuko, standing tall and proud, joined his friends and allies in stone-hewn immortality. 

[KeyLee]

This was good! Nice intro, and I love the ZukoxSokka bonding! Update soon

[luckychaos]

That was amazing! I can actually see them doing and saying these things in my head. Brilliant work!

[Zutara4vr]

i could see Bryke making this an episode, there is nothing to criticize about this piece it is a 10/10. You certainly have a talent for keeping the gaang in character. I can't wait until your next update.

[Prateem]

Unbelievable! I'm bookmarking this thread and will definitely be looking for updates whenever I can. As luckychaos said, I can also vividly imagine the goings-on of this chapter.

The words and actions you used for the characters flow so well together. If I didn't know any better [and I don't], I'd accuse you of being a writer for A:TLA that wants the same thing as the fandom: more!

Can't wait for the next installment!

Edit: My absolute favorite parts of this chapter:

"I've got all the support I need right here."  He smiled and Suki felt her own knees go weak.

D'awwwwww!

Zuko looked at Katara.  "I think I just figured out why he doesn't want you to heal him."

LOL

"No, Katara, I can't."  His eyes were still locked with Joo Dee's and it was to her that he spoke next, "I am the Avatar, and by my nature I am Air, Water, Earth, AND Fire.  This festival is a mockery, and since there aren't any other Firebenders here to stand up for themselves, I'll have to do it myself."

A single trickle of sweat betrayed Joo Dee's nervousness.  "You wouldn't dare."

Aang grinned and his eyes seemed to glow with inner fire as the wind picked up, swirling around him.  "Actually, I would."  He floated into the air, his extravagant robes shredding.  The people finally took notice.  The crowd cheered, expecting some kind of Avatar show.

They got their wish.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"  Aang's voice cut through the noise and seemed to echo through the courtyard and beyond.  "There will be a slight change to tonight's festivities!"  He focused his energy, reaching inside himself to the source of life and heat.  "I know you're all still afraid of the Fire Nation!  I know it's hard to forgive and forget!  But the war is over, and now it's time to learn to live together in Peace and Friendship!"  He held his hands out from his body to either side, palms facing down toward the line of lanterns encircling the courtyard.

"Light is FIRE!"  He pulled his arms in and then pushed them up into the air, calling on the flames inside each of the lanterns.  They roared to life, burning through the wood and paper, transforming themselves into raging torches.  Aang reached out, fueling the flames with his energy.  The fires burned higher, twisting and dancing around Aang as he rose into the sky.  "Fire is LIFE!"  Aang launched himself straight at the ground like a comet, slamming into the fountain and shooting a spray of water over everyone within fifty feet.  Upon impact a new statue burst forth from the pedestal.  Fire Lord Zuko, standing tall and proud, joined his friends and allies in stone-hewn immortality.

Joo Dee just got OWNED. Epic Win!

- Prateem

[Lydiagirl13]

WOW this is one amazing story you wrote.
Awsome deatils, More!More!

[Fleur du Feu]

I love it

[the-second-last-airbender]

exellent work! a very vivid depiction and very true to all the chracters. I could see everything in my head as though it were a movie. keep up the good work

[truewarrior]

Wow and bravo. Continue, please.

[AppA Driver]

Katara held her hands to the side so they could all get a view of her outfit, or rather, her lack of outfit.  A few pieces of strategically placed animal hides covered her important parts, and a thin layer of silk fabric covered the rest.   

To all fan artists, please! 

Aang,Aang...After a one hundred year war the Nations are not going to join hands and luv each other just because you say so. The Fire Nation has a lot to answer for and you have to deal with that.   

[tophsmygirl]

"No, Katara, I can't."  His eyes were still locked with Joo Dee's and it was to her that he spoke next, "I am the Avatar, and by my nature I am Air, Water, Earth, AND Fire.  This festival is a mockery, and since there aren't any other Firebenders here to stand up for themselves, I'll have to do it myself."

A single trickle of sweat betrayed Joo Dee's nervousness.  "You wouldn't dare."

Aang grinned and his eyes seemed to glow with inner fire as the wind picked up, swirling around him.  "Actually, I would."  He floated into the air, his extravagant robes shredding.  The people finally took notice.  The crowd cheered, expecting some kind of Avatar show.

They got their wish.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"  Aang's voice cut through the noise and seemed to echo through the courtyard and beyond.  "There will be a slight change to tonight's festivities!"  He focused his energy, reaching inside himself to the source of life and heat.  "I know you're all still afraid of the Fire Nation!  I know it's hard to forgive and forget!  But the war is over, and now it's time to learn to live together in Peace and Friendship!"  He held his hands out from his body to either side, palms facing down toward the line of lanterns encircling the courtyard.

"Light is FIRE!"  He pulled his arms in and then pushed them up into the air, calling on the flames inside each of the lanterns.  They roared to life, burning through the wood and paper, transforming themselves into raging torches.  Aang reached out, fueling the flames with his energy.  The fires burned higher, twisting and dancing around Aang as he rose into the sky.  "Fire is LIFE!"  Aang launched himself straight at the ground like a comet, slamming into the fountain and shooting a spray of water over everyone within fifty feet.  Upon impact a new statue burst forth from the pedestal.  Fire Lord Zuko, standing tall and proud, joined his friends and allies in stone-hewn immortality.

Joo Dee just got OWNED. Epic Win!

- Prateem

I think I could've woke up my family with the commotion I made over that one (it's 12:47 right now). How dare they leave out Zuko? I'm definitely bookmarking this. Excellent work!

[pianoajd]

Oh, My, Freakin', God! That was an amazing fanfic. I simply can't wait for Chapter 2!

(Evil Joo Dee strikes again... and is PWNED)

[Avatar Laprabi]

Oh, My, Freakin', God! That was an amazing fanfic. I simply can't wait for Chapter 2!

Neither can I.

Joo Dee is weird, though.

[pianoajd]

Oh, My, Freakin', God! That was an amazing fanfic. I simply can't wait for Chapter 2!

Neither can I.

Joo Dee is weird, though.

She's always been weird...and strange...and distrusting....you get the idea.

[Falcon]

wow, this is great! i can't wait for the next chapter!

[Megz83]

You've definitely captured my interest. I'll just settle in and wait for the next chapter...

[Fleur du Feu]

wow, this is great! i can't wait for the next chapter!

I know! me neither! this is the best fanfic I've ever read

[Liliedhe]

Wow, I'm impressed. You really got the characters spot on, and many of the scenes felt like straight from the show.

While the hypocrisy of the Earth Kingdom nobility wasn't unexpected, you portrayed it very well. It's not really clear where the story might go from here, but I'm going along for the ride for now.

[11water294]

Nice story. Very interesting. I loved the ending of the latest chapter! Awesome!

[Zuko-Fan-Girl]

*Claws at screen* I need MORE!!!!

[kataang4eva0242]

this was great cant wait for more!

[Capt BoomerAang]

Notes:  Thanks for the awesome replies to chapter one.  Hope chapter two lives up to your expectations! 

Disclaimer:  I don't own Avatar.

News - Fanart - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Extras

The whole thing had been Sokka's idea.  He spent the morning drawing up plans and making sketches, talking at length with anyone who would listen.  They all wanted to do something extra to try and smooth things over with the Fire Nation and Sokka's plan seemed like a good place to start.

As an added bonus, they knew it would really irritate the Earth Kingdom bureaucrats, Joo Dee in particular. 

Appa and Momo flew lazy circles around the courtyard as the midday sun beat down on the backs of the four companions.  Summer was over, but it seemed someone had forgotten to tell that to the Sun Spirit.

"It's too Earthy!" Sokka declared, pacing back and forth with his crutch, getting a look at the memorial from different angles.  "I mean, c'mon, Katara doesn't stand like that!"

Katara involuntarily fixed her posture.  She actually liked her statue, though there was something a little too rigid about it.  "I'm going to take that as a compliment."

"It is," he assured her. He moved his arms in a comical but fairly accurate impression of waterbending.  "It's gotta be more fluid."

Aang made some earthbending adjustments.  "Like this?"  Giant Katara now held her arms in a more relaxed position, her feet separated with one foot forward. 

"Perfect!"  Sokka hopped over to the desk they'd drug out to the worksite.  "Now, I've got Zuko's most recent portrait here, somewhere."  He dug through his pile of scrolls, parchments, and diagrams.  "You did a good job with the statue, Aang, but there's room for improvement."

He found what he was looking for and hopped back over to his friends, ignoring the look Suki was giving him.  He held up a portrait of the new Fire Lord, frowning slightly.  "Oops, this is the old one."  He turned back and started hopping for his desk again. 

"I'll get it," Suki said, putting a restraining hand on his shoulder.  "It's way too hot to be hopping around like a madman.  The statue isn't going anywhere; there's no rush."

"Well, there is a rush," he started, but another look from Suki shut him up.   

Katara glanced at Aang and he shrugged.  Sokka and Suki had been acting strange all morning, but Aang had enough trouble figuring out what was going on in his own relationship, let alone anyone else's.

Suki went to Sokka's desk and grabbed the new portrait and the chair she'd specifically brought out to the Peace Memorial.  She came back to the group and nudged the chair into the back of Sokka's legs. 

He collapsed into the seat with a grunt and a scowl.  "Please remind me never to be honest with you again."

Face paint couldn't cover Suki's indignation.  "Do you even think before you open your mouth?"

"Not generally," he admitted, nonchalantly folding his arms and leaning back in the seat.

Katara intervened.  "What's up, guys?"

Suki put her hands on her hips.  "He overdid it yesterday, with the parade and the festival and everything."

"Hey," Sokka interrupted, "we ALL overdid it yesterday.  Let's face it; it was a disaster."

"You know what I mean; stop trying to change the subject."

Katara knelt at her brother's side, reaching for her pouch of water automatically.  "How bad is it?" 

"I'm Fine, Katara."  He put his hand on her head in a slightly patronizing display of brotherly affection.  "I'm just a normal guy with normal guy aches and pains."

"I don't really know much about bones," Katara admitted, "but I could probably heal your leg if you'd just let me take a look at it.  Haven't you gotten your fill of limping around the place?"

"Normal guy bones take a while to heal.  Sorry if that makes you all uncomfortable," he joked.

A slight tremor in the ground put the conversation on hold.  Aang looked back toward the entrance of the courtyard.  "That's gotta be Toph."

"Good," Sokka replied, happy for the distraction.

The small earthbender came tearing into view, dragging two large steel vats and using the ground itself as a means of transportation.  She came to an abrupt halt in front of the group.

Sokka folded his arms.  "Hey Toph, it's about time you got back."

Katara and Aang weren't particularly surprised when she stomped her foot, launching Sokka, chair and all, ten feet into the air.

"You're sitting around while I've been running your stupid errands!?"

He hit the ground and the chair joined him a moment later.  Suki was not pleased.

"Whoa there," Katara soothed, hooking her hand around the Kyoshi Warrior's elbow before Suki could take another step toward Toph. 

"Ha!" Toph taunted, "What are you, his bodyguard?" 

"Don't make me chi-block you." 

Toph slid into a fighting stance.  "Hey, bring it on sister.  I could go for a good rumble."

Suki slid out of Katara's grasp and the waterbender turned back to Aang.  "Do something."

Aang jumped onto the edge of the fountain.  "I think everybody just needs to cool off."  He twisted around, collecting water and spraying it out over his friends.  Toph and Suki were now wet and angry, instead of just angry.  They glared at the young Avatar while Aang grinned sheepishly.  "Hey check it out."  He pointed at the fine mist hanging in the air and laughed awkwardly.  "I made a rainbow.  That's pretty cool, right?"

"I'm a big fan of rainbows," Sokka commented, still in the exact same uncomfortable position he'd hit the ground in. 

Suki's anger seemed to drain away and she went to her boyfriend, helping him up and dusting him off.  "Are you ok?"

"That was nothing," he said it and meant it.  "Occupational hazard of being around benders."

Suki shot Aang and Katara an angry glare and they could only smile guiltily.  Nobody bothered mentioning that ten feet was on the low end for one of Sokka's typical flights.

Aang tried for another distraction.  "Oh look, you brought the oil vats.  Good job, Toph."  He jumped on top of them and called out to the flying animals, "C'mon Appa!  Momo!  Time to work!"

"How's Momo going to help?" Katara asked, looking at the huge metal vats. 

"I promised him he could supervise.  I think he's really excited about it."

Momo came flying in full speed and slipped under Aang's shirt, crawling a few laps around his body before popping out the top and settling in place on Appa's head.  He started chattering at them in an authoritative way.

"Momo's got my vote," Toph laughed.  "At least he sounds like he knows what he's talking about."

Sokka took his chair from Suki.  "Fine.  Replace me with a flying lemur."  He limped toward his desk, using the chair as a crutch.  "If anybody needs me I'll be doodling." 

"Momo's not replacing you," Aang explained, walking along with him. "He's just going to supervise the air stuff."

"No, no.  He's the better man for the job."  It was hard to tell how sarcastic Sokka was being.  Aang followed him all the way back to his desk and he plopped down, shifting through stacks of parchment. 

It was the first time Aang had really looked at Sokka's desk and he wasn't surprised to see a fair amount of paintings and doodles mixed in with the real work.  One landscape caught Aang's attention and he pulled it free from the pile.  "I dunno, I think your skills actually are improving.  This one really looks like something, or somewhere."  Aang held it up, scrutinizing it.  "Why does this look familiar?  Have I been here?"

"It's nothing.  Just a side project I'm working on."  Sokka replaced the painting with a sketch of the Peace Memorial.  "Give that to His Royal Momo-ness.  He should be able to figure it out."

The drawing looked complicated and the notes in the margin were impossible to decipher.  Aang frowned.  "I dunno..."

"I'm joking," Sokka deadpanned.  "Just airlift the oil vats to the base of Zuko's statue and then I'll explain the rest."

Aang broke into a grin.  "Thanks, Sokka."  He jumped up into the air, gliding back to the statues as the sketch floated back down to its rightful place. 

Toph came over and pulled a seat out of the solid earth, lounging back against his desk and getting dirt on anything she touched.  "So... what's next?"

Sokka moved a few of the more important diagrams out of harm's way.  He knew she couldn't see it but he scowled anyway.  "Sure you don't just want to launch me in the air some more?"

"Not entirely."

He studied his plans for a moment, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.  "All that's left are the final touches.  Were you listening this morning when I briefed everybody?" 

Toph picked at her fingernails.  "Do you want an honest answer to that question?"

He sighed and reached for the final diagram.  "Ok, first..."

"Just explain it," Toph interrupted, "with words from your mouth."

"I was about to."

"Then why are you going for your drawing?"

"It helps me think."  Sokka's scowl deepened.  "Anyway, as I was about to say, after you earthbend the vats into the statue you'll need to create a path for the oil fumes, here."  He traced a line along his picture with the back of a drawing brush.

"You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

Toph's teeth could have ground rocks to dust in her frustration.  "Nothing."

Sokka gave up and put the work aside.  "What's your deal today?  You seem more irritable than usual."

Toph didn't bother denying it.  "Do I?"

"Did something happen with your parents last night?" 

His question seemed to trip her up.  Toph got to her feet.  "My parents are a non-issue.  They were happy to see me, I was happy to see them; they told me to come home, I told them I wasn't going to.  End of story."  She gave her makeshift seat a small kick, unintentionally shooting it across the courtyard. 

"Uh huh," Sokka was unconvinced.  "Well if you're not mad at your parents then I must have done something pretty serious.  I've been taking the brunt of your anger all day and lemme tell you - not so fun."

Toph turned away.  "You're imagining things."

"Fine," he replied, "but just for the record, I don't need earthbending to tell when somebody's lying."

She pivoted on her foot, pointing accusingly.  "Just stop waving around all your stupid plans!"

Sokka raised his eyebrows then slowly lowered them, knitting his brow.

"Forget it," she said.  "I think I can figure out what to do by myself."  Stomping her foot, she propelled herself toward the statues.     

---------

"Sokka, we're ready!"  Aang called over, excited.  Momo and Appa took to the skies, circling in anticipation. 

Sokka gathered up his scattered plans and limped over, taking his time.

"This is going to be great," Aang said, grinning from ear to ear.  "Zuko's going to be here any minute so we gotta finish up fast.  Let me see the water diagram again."  Sokka shuffled through the scrolls and held one out.  Aang grabbed it away, snickering as he unfurled it dramatically.  "Too bad your hair loopies don't really look like this, Katara." 

Sokka and Katara both took offense.  "Hey!"

Aang put the plans on the ground before him and turned to the benders.  "Ok, you two ready?"

Katara nodded.  "Let's do this."

Their bending synergy was precise and natural, a byproduct of their time spent working, training, and fighting side-by-side.  Aang and Katara worked on her statue first, Aang earthbending a path for the fountain water while Katara drew the water up and out, creating a system of cyclical pressure to ensure that it would continue flowing after they stopped.  Toph hollowed out the bottom of Zuko's statue and then earthbended the vats inside, sealing it up afterwards.   

"OK."  Sokka hopped forward and put his hand on Toph's shoulder.  "Now, be careful with the next part."

"I got it," Toph said, shrugging him off and taking a few steps toward the memorial.  One earthbending punch and a flick of the wrist later, Toph stood up and dusted off her hands.  "That oughta do it.  Your turn, Twinkle Toes."

"Hold on before you light it, Aang."  Sokka sorted through his armful of scrolls, accidentally dropping half of them and continuing his search on the ground. 

Toph lifted her head.  "Hey, Zuko's coming.  Better hurry."

"Right!"  Aang jumped up, catching the wind with his glider.  He landed on top of the giant Zuko statue's head.  Looking back across the courtyard, he broke out into another ridiculous grin and started waving.  "Hi everybody!" 

The Fire Lord and his small entourage entered the courtyard and Suki and Katara headed in their direction to greet them while Sokka studied his Zuko diagram.  "Hey Toph, did you make sure and bend the third path for the air vent?"

"Huh?"

Everything happened simultaneously.  Sokka jumped to his feet and called out to Aang, but the young Avatar was already halfway through his firebending motions, the flames leaping from his fingers as he yelled, "Check this out!"

The explosion was spectacular. 

Toph felt it, but only Sokka saw it coming.  Acting on instinct alone, he leapt toward the small earthbender as Toph slid her foot in preparation for defensive bending.  He slammed into her, knocking her off her feet and shielding her with his body as the blast exploded above their heads.

--------

End Part 1

[Capt BoomerAang]

Chapter 2:  Part 2

Aang reacted before his brain could have possibly registered his mistake.  He redirected the air, fire, and earth, taking everything with him into the sky.  He pulled it together, reducing the area of destruction to the barest minimum as gravity pulled him back.  He brought the water from the fountain up to meet him, cushioning the fall and dousing most of the flames. 

It was a miracle, but everyone had seen plenty of those during their time with the Avatar.

"Sokka!"  Suki was on her feet and running before the dust had settled.  Katara was right behind her, rushing for the last place she'd seen her brother and Toph.  The area around the memorial was completely devastated, and Suki and Katara searched frantically, fear rising as the seconds passed. 

"Aang!  Can you hear me?"  Katara called, coughing as she inhaled smoke and dust and fumes from the exploded oil.  Patches of ground were still on fire, making the search more difficult.

Someone else coughed and Katara spun on her heels, recognizing the sound.  "Sokka!?  Suki, over here!" 

The Kyoshi Warrior sprinted to her side and they concentrated their search.  Stone limbs from the statues covered the ground like some kind of earth giant's battlefield, and Katara tried not to think about it as she recognized bits and pieces of the memorial to her best friends. 

Sokka coughed again and Katara and Suki both ran to a giant half-buried stone head angling out of the ground.  They cleared the corner and skidded to a halt, relief and worry meeting in a head on collision. 

Sokka and Toph were pinned under the large stone.  Sokka covered the young earthbender protectively, but Katara knew there would be nothing she could do for him if he'd supported the full weight.

Before either her or Suki could react, Toph spread her fingers and slapped the ground.  A pillar of stone they hadn't noticed pushed the head to a fully upright position, freeing them both.  Toph got onto her hands and knees, easily displacing Sokka's weight.  He flopped to the ground looking dazed, but otherwise unhurt. 

"Idiot."  Toph was furious.  She stood and stomped her foot.   Sokka involuntarily shot to his feet, allowing the angry earthbender to grab him by the front of his robes and pull him down to her level.  "Were you TRYING to get us killed!?"

"Huh?"  Sokka put a hand to his ear, speaking in a too-loud voice.  "Toph, you've gone mute!"

Toph put a finger in her own ear, giving it a good cleaning.  "Are you talking, moron!?"

Katara gently pulled them apart as she explained to Suki, "They're fine, just temporarily deafened by the explosion."

Sokka and Toph both turned to her.  "Huh?" 

Katara rolled her eyes and pulled water from her pouch, covering her hands in a faint glow.  She held them up to Sokka's head as he explained loudly, "It's ok, Katara!  I think we're just temporarily deafened by the explosion!"  His  volume dropped in decibels as Katara's healing took effect. 

"Better?"

He nodded, looking slightly embarrassed.  Suki couldn't wait another moment and she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly while Katara healed Toph.  Sokka stared back over Suki's shoulder at the wreckage, barely returning the embrace and pulling away as soon as he'd had enough.  "I can't believe this."

"It's not your fault, Sokka," Katara assured him as she finished healing Toph. 

"It's not?" 

There was something in his tone and the defeated look on his face that made Katara's motherly instincts take over.  She went in for a hug of her own, but he put a hand on her shoulder, keeping her at arms length.

"Don't try and make me feel better."  His momentary vulnerability was gone, something cold and hard taking its place. 

Katara had a sudden impression of walking across a frozen lake, the ice cracking under her feet.  If life was as easy as bending, she would have smoothed the whole thing over instantly.  Instead, she could only watch as Sokka gave in to feelings that had been building for who knew how long. 

He spread his arms wide, taking in the flaming rubble and the ruined fountain.  "I work so hard.  At EVERYTHING!  Why do things always blow up in my face!?"

Katara half expected Toph to make some sort of sarcastic comment, but the young earthbender seemed oddly subdued by Sokka's darkening mood.  She glanced at Suki but the face-painted warrior stood by, watching her boyfriend with a sort of passive acceptance.  Apparently Sokka had already expressed some of his deeper frustrations to his girlfriend, and Katara couldn't help but feel a little hurt that he hadn't confided in her as well. 

That left her to try and talk him down.  "It was an accident.  Not everything explodes, Sokka."

"You're right," he said bitterly , "just everything that really matters."

Aang's sudden reappearance did little to lighten the mood.  He seemed unaware of the tension or the fact that his clothes were hanging in tatters from his body.  "Phew, that was a close one!  Am I right?"

Sokka ignored him and turned back to Katara, miserable and angry.  "Aunt Wu was right."

"Aunt Wu?"  Katara couldn't cover her surprise. 

"You know, that fortuneteller lady..."

"I know.  But I don't remember her predicting this.  I wrote most of the big stuff down in my journal."  Sokka glared at his sister and something clicked in her head.  "Oh.  Your prediction."

Aang realized that he had no idea what was going on and he looked from brother to sister questioningly, eventually turning to Suki and Toph, neither of whom wanted to interrupt the siblings to explain the situation.

Sokka quoted from memory, his voice a sarcastic imitation of the old fortuneteller's.  "Your future is full of struggle and anguish," he grimaced, "most of it self-inflicted."   He leaned back against the giant stone head that had almost crushed him and Toph, and for the first time Katara realized it was from his own statue.

She laughed awkwardly, trying to ignore the coincidence.  "Oh c'mon, I thought you proved her fortunetelling was a hoax."

Aang had finally caught on to part of the conversation and he joined in eagerly.  "Well, technically Aunt Wu WAS correct.  The town didn't get destroyed.  I mean, pretty ironic really."  Aang realized he'd said something wrong when the siblings shot him matching death glares.  He snapped his mouth shut and tried his best to fade into the background.

A half burned piece of parchment floated by on the breeze and Sokka  snagged it.  Aang caught a glimpse of the same landscape picture he'd looked at earlier but he knew it was not the time to be asking questions.   A growl of frustration built in the back of Sokka's throat and he covered his eyes with his free hand, turning away from his friends.

Katara took a hesitant step toward him.  "Sokka, let's be reasonable about all this."

"BE REASONABLE!?"  He spun back around angrily and she could see the tears in the corners of his eyes that he'd been trying to hide.  "It's logic and reason that keep backfiring on me!  Logically I should be HAPPY!  We ended the war, defeated the Fire Lord.  We saved the world!  It's everything I ever wanted..." He slumped back against the statue, losing his steam.  "So why do I feel so lost?"   

Katara didn't have an answer for him and if she was honest with herself, she too had been experiencing a lot of confusing thoughts since they'd entered Ba Sing Se.  She looked to Aang but the young Avatar stared at the ground, nudging bits of rubble with his feet.  Toph sat down on the hard ground and folded her arms over her knees while Suki stood silently.  She hadn't moved since Sokka had broken off their hug.

In moments of low morale during their journey, it was usually a quick joke from Sokka that brought things around.  Katara turned, hoping to find some sort of inspiration to lift everyone's spirits. 

It came from the unlikeliest of sources.

"Judging by the looks on your faces, I'm going to assume you really didn't invite us down here to blow up a statue of me."  Zuko and a small group of his most loyal followers stood just outside the gloomy circle of friends.  His golden eyes seemed to twinkle from the scattered firelight, and there was a genuine look of amusement on his face.  He shrugged comically.  "But I won't hold it against you guys if you did it on purpose.  I admit it, I probably deserve worse."

"Um, actually," Aang said, hesitantly glancing at Sokka, "we were trying to make the statue better."

"Looks better to me."  The faintest smile lifted the corner of Mai's mouth and Zuko pretended to be offended. 

The young Fire Lord stepped forward and cleared his throat as though he were about to give an important speech.  "Hey Sokka."  He looked mildly uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on him.  "I used to think you had a big head, but this?"  He pointed to the statue at Sokka's back.  "I mean, big doesn't cut it."

"It's huge," Mai added helpfully.

"And cute!" Ty Lee hopped out from behind her friends, dressed in her full Kyoshi Warrior garb.

Mai smirked.  "Maybe if you ask nice, he'll let you keep it."

"Are you kidding?"  Ty Lee looked shocked.  "I'd rather keep my job."  She grinned at her boss. 

Katara glanced from Suki to Aang and back to Sokka who was doing his  best to ignore everyone.  She raised an eyebrow and turned to Zuko, asking the question on all their minds.  "Are you guys trying to cheer us up?"

"No," Zuko lied.  "Why?  Is it not working?"  He turned to his uncle and whispered loudly.  "Quick, tell them some tea jokes."

Iroh stepped forward and raised a finger into the air.  "How long does it take to ship tea to the Northern Water Tribe?"

Katara took the bait.  "I don't know, how long?"

"Oolong time!"  Iroh grinned, pleased with himself.  "Get it?  Oo-long?"  He laughed from his belly and Katara couldn't keep the smile off her face. 

"That was pretty good," Aang said, perking up.  He turned back to the resident comedy expert.  "Right, Sokka?"

Sokka wasn't the slightest bit amused.  "Tell all the jokes you want.  I'm outta here."  He stalked away, too angry to limp and too stubborn to show weakness in front of their Fire Nation allies. 

"Sokka, hold up," Zuko called after him.  It was more than a polite request.   

Sokka stopped dead and turned back, throwing his hands up in the air.  "What do you people want from me?  I'm not just going to pretend that everything's fine!"

"You're frustrated.  I get it, believe me I do.  But you can't run away from your own feelings.  You need to face them."

Sokka clenched his fist, crumpling the piece of burned parchment.  "I've tried, and I'm done trying."

Zuko pulled something out of his robes and threw it.  For a moment Katara thought he was attacking her brother, but Sokka caught the sheathed dagger, his icy glare never leaving Zuko's face.  "What is this?"

"Read the inscription."  Sokka pulled it open but before he could begin, Zuko interrupted.  "The other one."

Sokka ignored the 'Made in Earth Kingdom' label and read grumpily, "Never give up without a fight."

"I know we haven't really known each other that long, but I know you.  I know why you're so confused right now." 

"Oh you do, do you?"  Sokka sheathed the dagger with a sharp click.

"You're a great strategist, Sokka.  But sitting around making plans is only part of who you are.  You're a warrior," Zuko stated, his voice smoky.  "You've changed so much from the water tribe child who failed to protect his village."  Sokka stiffened, and Zuko continued, "But now you're a warrior without a war and without your weapons.  It's the real reason you don't want your sister to heal your leg; you don't Feel whole right now.  Your injury is like a reminder of everything we went through and everything you lost to get where we are now."

Sokka didn't say anything, but something changed in his eyes and his shoulders.  He opened the dagger one more time to read the inscription and then sheathed it, preparing to toss it back to the young Fire Lord.

Zuko held up a hand.  "Keep it, you need it more than I do right now."

"I'll give it back to you," Sokka began.

"After," Zuko finished, smiling roughly.

Katara broke her grateful silence.  "After what?"

"After he gets back."  Toph answered sulkily from her place on the ground.     "He's leaving us."

Katara blinked and looked around at all her gathered friends, but nobody else seemed surprised by the news.  "You all knew about this?"

"I sort of figured it out the other day," Aang admitted.  "I mean, we all talked about leaving.  I guess we should have considered what that really meant."

"We all have our own paths to walk," Zuko explained.  "Our own destinies."

"The world still needs our help," Aang agreed. 

"The world's a big place."  Sokka smiled slowly.  "I think we could cover more ground if we split up."

Zuko put his arm around his girlfriend and smiled at his uncle.  "You all know where to find us if you need us.  We've got a lot of rebuilding to do, here and back home."

Iroh smiled proudly and winked at his nephew.  "And I've got a lot of tea to sell.  Not to mention a lifetime of Pai Sho to catch up on."

Zuko smirked.  "You need a new hobby, uncle."

Laughter echoed through the decimated courtyard, and for the first time that day, life didn't seem so bad.

--------

End Part 2

[Capt BoomerAang]

Chapter 2:  Part 3

Sokka didn't hear his visitor enter the stables until the door shut.  He knew who it was without looking.

"Hey Toph."

"Where'd you get the ostrich horses from?"

"A gift.  From Master Piandao and Grand Mast-err... from Iroh."  He stumbled through the explanation.  "It won't be like flying around on Appa, but it'll do."  He finished brushing out the animal's fur and started checking his tack.  "We're leaving tomorrow morning, bright and early."

"You and Suki," Toph stated flatly.

"Actually..."  Sokka couldn't look at the young earthbender.  "I was wondering, well, I've got three ostrich horses.  We're going after my weapons and I don't know how long it'll take, but it'd go a lot faster if we had an earthbender who could read the terrain."

She didn't reply. 

"We make a good team, Toph."   He turned around hopefully.  "So, wanna come?"

Whatever she might have said next was lost as Sokka realized that she wasn't alone.  The red messenger hawk perched on her shoulder let out a screech in greeting and Sokka's face lit up in excitement and recognition.  "Hawky!!"  He nearly hugged the bird.  "I always knew you didn't abandon me!"

Toph laughed weakly, "Yeah, sorry about borrowing him for so long.  He's been living with my parents ever since Katara and I sent them a letter.  I guess he didn't know how to find us after we moved on."

Sokka held out his arm and the hawk obediently came to him.  He tickled the bird's chin.  "Goood Hawky.  I bet you missed me."  The bird squawked contentedly.  "This is going to be great.  You're going to help me keep in touch with everyone while we're traveling!"

Toph scratched the back of her neck.  "Yeah, you might want to figure out how it works first."

Sokka turned to his ostrich horse and pet it's beak, holding his arm so the animals could see each other.  "Hawky, meet Horsie."

Toph gave a blanker expression than normal.  "Horsie?"

"What?"

She chuckled, "You really don't have any naming sense, do you?"  She reached out, comforting the unfortunate animal. 

"Hey, gimme a break.  Aang named Momo after a piece of fruit."

"True."  They both laughed. 

"So," he began eagerly, "what are you going to name your ostrich horse?"

"Sokka..."

Her tone was apologetic, but he ignored it.  "Well, that's a funny name for an ostrich horse, but I'm not judging."  He grinned at the unnamed animals.  "So which one of you lucky devils gets to have the best name ever?"

"I can't go with you."

Sokka gave up his little game, his face falling.  "Why not?"

"Because, um... Because I'm going to stay here in Ba Sing Se for a while.  The university offered me a teaching job."

Sokka frowned suspiciously.  "And you said yes?"

"Not exactly, but I'll tell them tomorrow."

"Just tell 'em no," Sokka urged.  "You hate Ba Sing Se.  Wouldn't it be more fun out in the great wide world doing whatever we want?"

"Life's not that simple," she said regretfully.  "Besides, I'm the only known metalbender ever.  The scholars and masters want to learn what I've discovered.  I'll probably revolutionize earthbending, assuming they have the skills."  She snorted the likelihood. 

"Nobody's got skills like you've got skills," Sokka agreed, and she punched him on the arm, hard and affectionate.

Feeling the need to go, she gave a little farewell salute while he rubbed his arm.  "Say hi to Boomerang and Space Sword for me, Captain." 

His hand was warm on her shoulder as he pulled her back for a goodbye hug.  Out of words, Toph could only bury her face in his tunic and hope he didn't notice the wet spots from her tears.

-------

"This better be good, Aang."  Sokka had one arm around his friend's shoulders and the other around Suki's.  The first and more obvious reason was to take the weight off his broken leg, but the second reason was the blindfold Aang had forced him and the others to wear.  It was well past everyone's bedtimes, but the young Avatar had been quite insistent.

"It IS good," Aang promised.  "Maybe it would have been better with everyone's help, but I did my best."

"I'm sure whatever it is, is great."  Katara voiced her optimism.  She squeezed Aang's hand and trusted him to lead her safely through the city.

"I still don't know why you blindfolded me."  Toph held Katara's and Zuko's hands, knowing exactly where they were headed.

"Wouldn't want you to have an unfair advantage," Aang joked and  made sure everyone was still together.  "We're almost there."

Blindfolded Appa roared his disapproval of the whole ordeal and Zuko tightened his hand on his reins.  "Please warn me if I'm about to walk the ten ton bison into a wall."

"That's Momo's job," Aang said. 

Zuko raised his head.  "You didn't blindfold the lemur?"

"Well I did," Aang explained.  "But his animal instincts should be enough."  Blindfolded Momo jumped off Zuko's shoulder and flew straight into a cabbage cart.  Aang winced.  "On second thought, I'll just keep an eye on you and Appa."

The small procession reached their destination without further incident.  Aang moved everyone into position and stood before them, grinning wildly.  "Ok, you can take 'em off."

Everyone but Toph removed their blindfolds and dropped their jaws.

"Nice work, Twinkle Toes."  Toph smiled approvingly. 

Even without her sight, Toph could tell it was breathtaking.  Aang had gone all out, cleaning and transforming the Peace Memorial courtyard into a new kind of memorial.  The torches were lit around the perimeter and small floating lanterns in the fountain illuminated the new statue Aang had earthbended to replace the epic monument they'd destroyed.

The six companions, plus Appa and Momo were locked together in one big eternal hug, circled by small fountains and torches built into the base.  It was perfect, and possibly the most adorable thing Aang had ever done.  Katara hugged him while everyone else patted him on the back and congratulated him on a job well done.

"So this is it, guys," Aang said at last.  "Tomorrow we're going to split up for who knows how long."

"Did you decide what you're going to do, Aang?"  Sokka asked.

"Yup."  He grinned at the girl at his side.  "Katara and I are going to help refugees return to their homes.  Zuko's lending us a small fleet to get everybody out who wants to go."

Sokka clapped Zuko on the shoulder and Zuko grinned wryly.  "It's the least I could do.  Besides, you guys were just getting in my way," he teased.  "Maybe now I'll be able to get some negotiations done without blowing up national monuments and causing trouble in council meetings."

The girls laughed while Sokka and Aang grinned guiltily.  The group eventually spread out to enjoy the scenery and Sokka and Suki went for a short walk, looking for somewhere a bit more secluded. 

"This is nice," Suki said, coming to a stop at one of the benches built into the side of the fountain.  Sokka slid into the seat and put his arm back over the fountain, invitingly.  She tucked in against him, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. 

"Hey," he said, hesitating.  Suki looked at his profile in the soft light from the lanterns and waited for him to speak.  "About today..."

She could tell where the conversation was going.  "You don't have to apologize." 

"I know I don't have to, but I want to.  I was a jerk today, and I'm sorry."

Suki smiled and pulled his lips to hers as if to say, "apology accepted."

They were broken up a moment later as Momo landed on Sokka's head.  He looked up at the flying lemur, glaring jokingly.  "Momo, what have I told you about respecting people's personal boundaries?"   

Aang cleared his throat and the two warriors were glad Momo had interrupted them.  "Hey guys!"

Sokka leaned back in the bench, smiling knowingly.  "Hi Aang."

"Nice night," Suki added, realizing how silly the comment sounded only after she'd spoken.

"Hey Suki," Aang asked, "can I trade you Momo for Sokka?"  He held his hands together, begging.  "Just for five minutes?"

"Momo for Sokka?"  Suki looked at her boyfriend and the lemur perched on his head.  She turned back to Aang smiling broadly.  "You can keep him as long as you like."  She stood up and Momo hopped onto her shoulder as she took a walk to give the two boys a moment alone.

Aang slipped into Suki's vacancy and Sokka immediately stretched and put his arms back into a more neutral position.  "So what's on your mind?"

"You know how Katara taught me waterbending?"

Sokka blinked and nodded.  "Uh huh."

"And how Toph taught me earthbending?  And Zuko taught me firebending?"

"Yes?"  Sokka had no idea what the young monk was getting at.

"And Monk Gyatso taught me airbending..."

"Sure Aang, but what's your point?"

"Well, there's a lot of stuff I wanted to learn... uh, from you."

Sokka went through his list of talents in his head, quickly narrowing down the possibilities.  "Well, you don't eat meat and I doubt you want to know how to throw a boomerang.  Is this about the ladies, again?"

Aang nodded enthusiastically and then blushed, looking uncomfortable.  "The only thing is, I've been worried what you'd think... it's sort of complicated."

"It's not complicated," Sokka assured him.  "She likes you, I mean, really likes you."

Aang's eyes widened.  "You know?  And you're not angry?"

"Of course I know, Aang.  The three of us spent every waking hour together for months.  I'd have to be blind not to notice," he paused a moment and corrected himself, "blind in the non-earthbendy way."

"And you're not angry?"  Aang repeated.

"Aang, Aang."  Sokka put his arm around the young Avatar.  "What she does in her private life is really none of my business.  And besides, we're already family.  I love you," he hurried past the awkward declaration, "in a brotherly and very manly way.  I knew it was just a matter of time for Katara." 

Aang threw his arm around his surrogate brother, hugging him fiercely.  "Thanks, Sokka."

"Don't mention it."  Sokka pat him on the back.  "Seriously.  Don't mention it."

"Do you two need another five minutes?"  Suki and Momo were back and she watched the hug with unveiled amusement.

"Nope, we're good."  Sokka freed himself from the young monk and held out his hand.  Suki pulled him to his feet and slid into place under his arm.  Together, the three of them plus Momo headed back to the new monument. 

Appa bellowed a greeting and Aang hopped up on his head, hugging him.  The others followed suit, and whether by chance or intent, they mirrored the statue, one big final hug before they separated to chase their own dreams and destinies. 

Aang buried his face in Appa's fur, his voice coming out muffled.  "Me and Appa and Momo are going to miss you guys."

"This isn't the end," Zuko reminded him.

"I know."  He smiled back at his friends.  "It's just the beginning."

-------

End Chapter 2