Post by SS94 on Apr 11, 2013 1:06:17 GMT -5
"Wait 'till you see it, Aya! The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world!"
Aya was known for several things in the Southern Water Tribe. Being strict, her lack of patience with her brother, being the tribe's only waterbender, her zealous hatred of the Fire Nation, her lack of humor, her utter determination-
"It is also a completely unnecessary stop, is unproductive, and takes time off our quest to destroy the Fire Nation."
-and her incredible understanding and patience.
"Why'd you have to be like that, Aya?" Aang asked as he frowned. "Maybe you'll like it when you see it," he began, his smile starting to come back. "It might be a great change of scenery, you know?"
"I'd much rather we get to the North Pole, begin our training, and set you on the path of destroying the Fire Nation," she sighed. "But there's really no way to convince you otherwise, is there? Aang, it's been a hundred years-"
"That's why I'm so excited!"
Aya groaned as she buried her face in her hand. "Aang, that's not what I mean! For all we know there might not even BE an Air Temple anymore. We have no idea what to expect..."
"I know," Aang said, his expression falling a bit as Aya's cynicism started taking a toll on his enthusiasm. "But I need to see it for myself," Aya was ready to say something else in a desperate last attempt to talk Aang out of what she thought was a massive waste of time before the Avatar went on to bother Sokka. "Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple here we come!"
"Uggh... Sleep now. Temple later," Sokka moaned as he rolled in bed.
Aya was ready to jump off of Appa, go to the nearby lake, and throw some water in her brother's face, but Aang seemed to have a better idea. She rose an eyebrow as he grabbed a stick.
/Is he really...?/ "What are yo-"
"Sokka, wake up!" Aang began to rub his sleeping bag with the stick, having to hold back his laughter. "There's a prickle snake inside your sleeping bag!"
"Huh? AHHHH!" Sokka bolted upright as he hopped around, still in his sleeping bag. "Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!" he yelled until he fell flat on his face, earning Aang's laughter and a chuckle from Aya.
"Ooof course," he said, grumbling as he picked himself up. "I tell a joke and you tell me to grow up, but I fall flat on my face and then you laugh!"
Aya just closed her eyes as she shook her head, still grinning. "Maybe if you told good jokes I might actually laugh."
Sokka groaned.
...
Only a man with Zuko's luck could have found the Avatar, received a battle with a child instead of a hundred year old old man, suffer an absolute defeat, and have his ship severely damaged.
"I need the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing *his* trail," Zuko told Iroh, hoping they'd be leaving the dock within a day to resume their hunt.
"You mean the Avatar?"
'For the love of-' "Uncle!" he exclaimed as he moved up close to Iroh. "Once word gets out that he's alive, every firebender will be out looking for him, and I don't want anyone getting in the way!" The less competition to capture the Avatar and reclaim his owner, the better.
"Don't let who get in the way of what?"
'That's... oh, dammit,' "... Captain Zhao," Zuko said, folding his arms, trying to hide just how displeased he was with the older man appearing. It wasn't working.
"It's *commander* now, Prince Zuko," Zhao boasted, looking over to Iroh. "General Iroh. Great hero of our nation," he said, showing the elderly man respect.
"*Retired* general," Iroh said with a smile, returning the younger man's bow.
"The Royal Family are welcome guests at my harbor any time," Zhao said, emphasizing the 'family' as he turned his attention to Zuko, earning a slight glare. "What brings you here?"
"Our ship is-"
"My ship needs repairs, that's all there is to it," Zuko said as he cut off his uncle, glaring at the Commander.
'Hit a weak spot, did I?' Zhao thought to himself, smiling and nodding. "Well, it'd be nice to know why it needs repairs, Prince Zuko. This is my harbor, I'd like to know if there's anything in the waters I should be concerned about."
"I-"
"It's important, after all. Now, what do you say, Zuko?"
"... We crashed."
Not the most elegant lie he ever told.
"... Into what, Prince Zuko?"
"Yes, well... there was, um... an Earth Kingdom ship!"
"Really? You went head on into an Earth Kingdom ship?" Zhao asked, amused.
"N-no, it crashed into us," Zuko responded, hoping in vain the Commander would be satisfied.
"I see," Zhao responded, taking a few steps toward Zuko and leaning towards him. "You *must* tell me all the thrilling details," he went on, fighting back a chuckle. He already had a pretty good idea of what happened, but it never hurt to double check.
"Sorry, but I'm busy."
"Prince Zuko! Show your respect to Commander Zhao..." Iroh said. He went on to talk about tea, but by then Zuko had stopped listening, his thoughts coming back to the Royal Family. Ozai. Ursa.
'I know you'll come back safe. And when you do, know Fire Lord Ozai and I will be here waiting for you.'
Azara.
...
"Hey, stomach: be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food."
"Hey, brother: be quiet, all right? I'm trying to fight the urge to through you over... bison."
Aya rubbed her temples as her older brother tried finding his beloved jerky. 'These two are impossible,' she though to herself. 'The Avatar, savior of the world, is more interested in acting like a child than doing his job. And Sokka is.... Sokka,' she went on. Was she the only one who was able to remember the fact Aang was the world's only hope against the Fire Nation? Apparently, since apparently floating ruins (even if there were Air Nomads left, after all, what else could Aang gain from this experience?) and food were higher priorities. At least in Omashu there might have been somebody to teach him earthbending. 'Just accept the facts, Aya,' she thought to herself. 'Avatar Aang will fulfill his destiny... eventually.'
"... The mountain rage! We're almost there!"
Aya thought about what to say for a second, staying quiet for a moment as she thought it over. "Aang. We need to have a discussion."
"Aya, I know you want to get to the North Pole badly, but-"
"That's not what this is about. Although it is more productive than this," she started. "It's about the airbenders."
"What about them?"
"You should prepare for the worst. The Fire Nation's savagery knows no limits. They murdered my mother," she went on, "And personally, I have little doubt the airbenders faired better."
Aang seemed rather disturb, before starting to cheer himself up. "Just because nobody has seen an airbender doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all..."
"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself, Avatar?" Aya asked, now irritated.
"Come on, Aya, don't be like that," Sokka scolded, frowning. "You know nobody likes it when you get like that."
"I'm just stating potential facts, Sokka."
"You've done this since mom died," he said, now glaring as well. "You've scared the kids with this, Aya!"
"Umm..." the Avatar started. "I'm just saying, the only way to get to the Temple is with a flying bison, and I don't think the Fire Nation has any flying bis-"
"Don't. You. DARE. Start this with me, big brother," she said with a glare. "You know if I didn't have to practice my 'freak' waterbending, I'd be the one teaching the children how to fight the Fire Nation!"
"And you-"
"We're here! Yip-yip!"
The brother and sister were caught off guard as Appa began ascending, much to Aang's relief. Relief which turned to pure happiness as the sight of the temple.
"... Impressive," even Aya had to admit. Of course, if a bit wasteful when compared to all the comforts a simple igloo could provide.
Not that it still wasn't impressive, of course...
"We're home, buddy."
...
"... And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom Capital will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."
Zuko was less than impressed with Zhao's claim, not even bothering to look at his map.
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool," he said, unafraid of insulting his father's memory. Rather than horror and anger, Zhao seemed rather amused by it.
"Then Princess Azara is also a fool, then?" he asked, earning half a glare from Zuko. "I see the two years you've spent in exile has done little to temper your tongue," he told him, shaking his head. "Princess Azara would be horrified."
"Leave my sister out of it."
"Right, right, I suppose that was a bit too personal," Zhao replied, feigning regret. "So, tell me, how has your hunt for the Avatar gone?" Zhao's look of amusement was finally washed off his face at the heard of his weapons clanging.
"My fault entirely..." Iroh said, backing up.
"... We haven't found him yet," Zuko lied, looking away. If Zhao found out about the Avatar's existence...
"Did you really expect to? He died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the airbenders..." then, his smirk returned. "... unless you've found evidence the Avatar is alive..."
"No, nothing."
"Prince Zuko. The Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have any shroud of loyalty to your country, you will tell me if you know anything," he informed her. "Like I know your sister would?"
"Why do you keep bringing her up?" Zuko demanded, rising from his chair.
Zhao didn't respond, but that damn smirk was more than enough for Zuko.
"Come on Uncle, we're leaving," he started, making his way out before being stopped by the commander's men.
"Commander Zhao, we have interrogated the crew as you have instructed. They've confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in his custody, but let him escape."
Perfect.
"Now then, please tell me again about how your ship was damaged..."
...
Before, Aya had just been annoyed with Sokka. Now though, this was getting ridiculous.
"So, where do I get something to eat?"
"Sokka," Aya started, trying to ignore the upcoming migraine. "I am as unhappy as you are," she made sure to whisper this to him as to not upset Aang again, just wanting this to be over-with quickly. "But if you go on about food one more time, you best pray Aang can save you once I personally throw you off this temple. Even I'll at least... try to appreciate it."
"Well, I'm just a simple guy with simple needs. And food is a very, very simple needs."
"So that's where my friends and I would used to play airball!" Aang exclaimed. "And over there would be where the bison would sleep, and..."
Aya just observed Aang for a second, as did Sokka. "... I can't believe so much has changed."
"So, uh, this airball game! How do you play?" Sokka asked, impressing Aya. Even if it was only to cheer up Aang, even trying to get involved with this culture wasn't anything she was expecting. Meanwhile, she just tried imagining home. What if she had been gone for years, only to find no igloos or tribal members...? 'At least it wouldn't be so... dirty,' she tried comforting herself as she took a look around.
"Oh, let me show you!"
'Well, how bad can it be?' Sokka wondered to himself.
He received his answer when he was literally shoved through through the goal with the ball. Roughly, he wanted to add.
"Making him feel better is putting me in a world of hurt..." Sokka grumbled as he picked himself up, eyes widening when he noticed just one little thing.
A Fire Nation helmet.
"Aya... check this out."
"... The Fire Nation," Aya responded. So, she was right... "Aang!"
"Hm?"
"There's something you must see."
"OK!"
'It's not like I didn't warn him,' she thought bitterly. 'I told him, again and again, to expect the worst. But no. He still comes like everything is absolutely OK,' she thought, clenching her hands. '... Maybe this is good for him.'
Aang was almost there.
'He's not some normal boy. He's the Avatar. It's his destiny to fix this.'
Just a little bit more.
'... But like this? No, it only confirms they were here... this isn't the shock he needs. He needs more.'
Aya closed her eyes. This wasn't a battle, it was a war. Everyone had to do their part to win it. And sometimes, it meant being unethical.
She rose her arms and brought down the snow at Sokka and the helmet.
"Hey!"
"What is it, Aya?"
"Oh, just a waterbending skill I learned," she responded. "I thought you might like it."
"Nice one!" he said, happy Aya was finally starting to lighten up- even if only to show off. "But enough practicing, we got a whole temple to see!" he said, running off.
"... Aya, whaaaat are you doing?" Sokka asked.
Aya was silent.
"Aya," he went up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I really, really wish I could say you did that to protect him, but I really doubt you did."
"... Mother."
"... Aya?"
"when she died, something woke up inside of me," she started. "And something in you too, brother. It's why we're coming so far from home just to fight these people," she said, using her bending to shove some snow away to reveal the helmet. "... Maybe there was a point to coming here after all."
"Aya-"
"Maybe something needs to either wake up or die inside the Aang for him to advance onwards."
Aya was known for several things in the Southern Water Tribe. Being strict, her lack of patience with her brother, being the tribe's only waterbender, her zealous hatred of the Fire Nation, her lack of humor, her utter determination-
"It is also a completely unnecessary stop, is unproductive, and takes time off our quest to destroy the Fire Nation."
-and her incredible understanding and patience.
"Why'd you have to be like that, Aya?" Aang asked as he frowned. "Maybe you'll like it when you see it," he began, his smile starting to come back. "It might be a great change of scenery, you know?"
"I'd much rather we get to the North Pole, begin our training, and set you on the path of destroying the Fire Nation," she sighed. "But there's really no way to convince you otherwise, is there? Aang, it's been a hundred years-"
"That's why I'm so excited!"
Aya groaned as she buried her face in her hand. "Aang, that's not what I mean! For all we know there might not even BE an Air Temple anymore. We have no idea what to expect..."
"I know," Aang said, his expression falling a bit as Aya's cynicism started taking a toll on his enthusiasm. "But I need to see it for myself," Aya was ready to say something else in a desperate last attempt to talk Aang out of what she thought was a massive waste of time before the Avatar went on to bother Sokka. "Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple here we come!"
"Uggh... Sleep now. Temple later," Sokka moaned as he rolled in bed.
Aya was ready to jump off of Appa, go to the nearby lake, and throw some water in her brother's face, but Aang seemed to have a better idea. She rose an eyebrow as he grabbed a stick.
/Is he really...?/ "What are yo-"
"Sokka, wake up!" Aang began to rub his sleeping bag with the stick, having to hold back his laughter. "There's a prickle snake inside your sleeping bag!"
"Huh? AHHHH!" Sokka bolted upright as he hopped around, still in his sleeping bag. "Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!" he yelled until he fell flat on his face, earning Aang's laughter and a chuckle from Aya.
"Ooof course," he said, grumbling as he picked himself up. "I tell a joke and you tell me to grow up, but I fall flat on my face and then you laugh!"
Aya just closed her eyes as she shook her head, still grinning. "Maybe if you told good jokes I might actually laugh."
Sokka groaned.
...
Only a man with Zuko's luck could have found the Avatar, received a battle with a child instead of a hundred year old old man, suffer an absolute defeat, and have his ship severely damaged.
"I need the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing *his* trail," Zuko told Iroh, hoping they'd be leaving the dock within a day to resume their hunt.
"You mean the Avatar?"
'For the love of-' "Uncle!" he exclaimed as he moved up close to Iroh. "Once word gets out that he's alive, every firebender will be out looking for him, and I don't want anyone getting in the way!" The less competition to capture the Avatar and reclaim his owner, the better.
"Don't let who get in the way of what?"
'That's... oh, dammit,' "... Captain Zhao," Zuko said, folding his arms, trying to hide just how displeased he was with the older man appearing. It wasn't working.
"It's *commander* now, Prince Zuko," Zhao boasted, looking over to Iroh. "General Iroh. Great hero of our nation," he said, showing the elderly man respect.
"*Retired* general," Iroh said with a smile, returning the younger man's bow.
"The Royal Family are welcome guests at my harbor any time," Zhao said, emphasizing the 'family' as he turned his attention to Zuko, earning a slight glare. "What brings you here?"
"Our ship is-"
"My ship needs repairs, that's all there is to it," Zuko said as he cut off his uncle, glaring at the Commander.
'Hit a weak spot, did I?' Zhao thought to himself, smiling and nodding. "Well, it'd be nice to know why it needs repairs, Prince Zuko. This is my harbor, I'd like to know if there's anything in the waters I should be concerned about."
"I-"
"It's important, after all. Now, what do you say, Zuko?"
"... We crashed."
Not the most elegant lie he ever told.
"... Into what, Prince Zuko?"
"Yes, well... there was, um... an Earth Kingdom ship!"
"Really? You went head on into an Earth Kingdom ship?" Zhao asked, amused.
"N-no, it crashed into us," Zuko responded, hoping in vain the Commander would be satisfied.
"I see," Zhao responded, taking a few steps toward Zuko and leaning towards him. "You *must* tell me all the thrilling details," he went on, fighting back a chuckle. He already had a pretty good idea of what happened, but it never hurt to double check.
"Sorry, but I'm busy."
"Prince Zuko! Show your respect to Commander Zhao..." Iroh said. He went on to talk about tea, but by then Zuko had stopped listening, his thoughts coming back to the Royal Family. Ozai. Ursa.
'I know you'll come back safe. And when you do, know Fire Lord Ozai and I will be here waiting for you.'
Azara.
...
"Hey, stomach: be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food."
"Hey, brother: be quiet, all right? I'm trying to fight the urge to through you over... bison."
Aya rubbed her temples as her older brother tried finding his beloved jerky. 'These two are impossible,' she though to herself. 'The Avatar, savior of the world, is more interested in acting like a child than doing his job. And Sokka is.... Sokka,' she went on. Was she the only one who was able to remember the fact Aang was the world's only hope against the Fire Nation? Apparently, since apparently floating ruins (even if there were Air Nomads left, after all, what else could Aang gain from this experience?) and food were higher priorities. At least in Omashu there might have been somebody to teach him earthbending. 'Just accept the facts, Aya,' she thought to herself. 'Avatar Aang will fulfill his destiny... eventually.'
"... The mountain rage! We're almost there!"
Aya thought about what to say for a second, staying quiet for a moment as she thought it over. "Aang. We need to have a discussion."
"Aya, I know you want to get to the North Pole badly, but-"
"That's not what this is about. Although it is more productive than this," she started. "It's about the airbenders."
"What about them?"
"You should prepare for the worst. The Fire Nation's savagery knows no limits. They murdered my mother," she went on, "And personally, I have little doubt the airbenders faired better."
Aang seemed rather disturb, before starting to cheer himself up. "Just because nobody has seen an airbender doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all..."
"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself, Avatar?" Aya asked, now irritated.
"Come on, Aya, don't be like that," Sokka scolded, frowning. "You know nobody likes it when you get like that."
"I'm just stating potential facts, Sokka."
"You've done this since mom died," he said, now glaring as well. "You've scared the kids with this, Aya!"
"Umm..." the Avatar started. "I'm just saying, the only way to get to the Temple is with a flying bison, and I don't think the Fire Nation has any flying bis-"
"Don't. You. DARE. Start this with me, big brother," she said with a glare. "You know if I didn't have to practice my 'freak' waterbending, I'd be the one teaching the children how to fight the Fire Nation!"
"And you-"
"We're here! Yip-yip!"
The brother and sister were caught off guard as Appa began ascending, much to Aang's relief. Relief which turned to pure happiness as the sight of the temple.
"... Impressive," even Aya had to admit. Of course, if a bit wasteful when compared to all the comforts a simple igloo could provide.
Not that it still wasn't impressive, of course...
"We're home, buddy."
...
"... And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom Capital will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."
Zuko was less than impressed with Zhao's claim, not even bothering to look at his map.
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool," he said, unafraid of insulting his father's memory. Rather than horror and anger, Zhao seemed rather amused by it.
"Then Princess Azara is also a fool, then?" he asked, earning half a glare from Zuko. "I see the two years you've spent in exile has done little to temper your tongue," he told him, shaking his head. "Princess Azara would be horrified."
"Leave my sister out of it."
"Right, right, I suppose that was a bit too personal," Zhao replied, feigning regret. "So, tell me, how has your hunt for the Avatar gone?" Zhao's look of amusement was finally washed off his face at the heard of his weapons clanging.
"My fault entirely..." Iroh said, backing up.
"... We haven't found him yet," Zuko lied, looking away. If Zhao found out about the Avatar's existence...
"Did you really expect to? He died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the airbenders..." then, his smirk returned. "... unless you've found evidence the Avatar is alive..."
"No, nothing."
"Prince Zuko. The Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have any shroud of loyalty to your country, you will tell me if you know anything," he informed her. "Like I know your sister would?"
"Why do you keep bringing her up?" Zuko demanded, rising from his chair.
Zhao didn't respond, but that damn smirk was more than enough for Zuko.
"Come on Uncle, we're leaving," he started, making his way out before being stopped by the commander's men.
"Commander Zhao, we have interrogated the crew as you have instructed. They've confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in his custody, but let him escape."
Perfect.
"Now then, please tell me again about how your ship was damaged..."
...
Before, Aya had just been annoyed with Sokka. Now though, this was getting ridiculous.
"So, where do I get something to eat?"
"Sokka," Aya started, trying to ignore the upcoming migraine. "I am as unhappy as you are," she made sure to whisper this to him as to not upset Aang again, just wanting this to be over-with quickly. "But if you go on about food one more time, you best pray Aang can save you once I personally throw you off this temple. Even I'll at least... try to appreciate it."
"Well, I'm just a simple guy with simple needs. And food is a very, very simple needs."
"So that's where my friends and I would used to play airball!" Aang exclaimed. "And over there would be where the bison would sleep, and..."
Aya just observed Aang for a second, as did Sokka. "... I can't believe so much has changed."
"So, uh, this airball game! How do you play?" Sokka asked, impressing Aya. Even if it was only to cheer up Aang, even trying to get involved with this culture wasn't anything she was expecting. Meanwhile, she just tried imagining home. What if she had been gone for years, only to find no igloos or tribal members...? 'At least it wouldn't be so... dirty,' she tried comforting herself as she took a look around.
"Oh, let me show you!"
'Well, how bad can it be?' Sokka wondered to himself.
He received his answer when he was literally shoved through through the goal with the ball. Roughly, he wanted to add.
"Making him feel better is putting me in a world of hurt..." Sokka grumbled as he picked himself up, eyes widening when he noticed just one little thing.
A Fire Nation helmet.
"Aya... check this out."
"... The Fire Nation," Aya responded. So, she was right... "Aang!"
"Hm?"
"There's something you must see."
"OK!"
'It's not like I didn't warn him,' she thought bitterly. 'I told him, again and again, to expect the worst. But no. He still comes like everything is absolutely OK,' she thought, clenching her hands. '... Maybe this is good for him.'
Aang was almost there.
'He's not some normal boy. He's the Avatar. It's his destiny to fix this.'
Just a little bit more.
'... But like this? No, it only confirms they were here... this isn't the shock he needs. He needs more.'
Aya closed her eyes. This wasn't a battle, it was a war. Everyone had to do their part to win it. And sometimes, it meant being unethical.
She rose her arms and brought down the snow at Sokka and the helmet.
"Hey!"
"What is it, Aya?"
"Oh, just a waterbending skill I learned," she responded. "I thought you might like it."
"Nice one!" he said, happy Aya was finally starting to lighten up- even if only to show off. "But enough practicing, we got a whole temple to see!" he said, running off.
"... Aya, whaaaat are you doing?" Sokka asked.
Aya was silent.
"Aya," he went up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I really, really wish I could say you did that to protect him, but I really doubt you did."
"... Mother."
"... Aya?"
"when she died, something woke up inside of me," she started. "And something in you too, brother. It's why we're coming so far from home just to fight these people," she said, using her bending to shove some snow away to reveal the helmet. "... Maybe there was a point to coming here after all."
"Aya-"
"Maybe something needs to either wake up or die inside the Aang for him to advance onwards."