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In the middle of the southern air temple ambush, a young boy could be seen running for his life, eyes filled with tears as he used his old friend's trick that earned them their arrow tattoos, Aang's airscooter. “Stop him!” A fire nation soldier ordered“Cut him off this way!” Another shouted as they chased him to an eventual edge, cornering him.“End of the line, monk.” The first soldier stopped in front as the young boy became too tired to bend or run away.“Any last words?”The young airbender sniffled and shook his head before he let himself fall back first down the air temple, falling to what was supposed to be his demise.But he didn’t die. He was saved by an airbender who had escaped from the northern air temple and went to warn the south of the fire nation's plan, having arrived too late of course, only managing to save the one boy.His name was Tsering Lee.And hers was Opame.And together, they hid away their roots. Never mastering airbending it was easier to hide without their tattoos. They chose the names Kasai Lee and Saeko, hiding away in the very nation that took their homes away, and taking revenge by heartlessly rising the ranks as selfishly as possible. Together they posed as a couple, loyal to only one another. They’re only goal was to make the fire nation suffer. What better way than to become cruel nobles. Water.Earth.Fire.Air.Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked, killing all the nomads first. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the last airbender, Aang. And although he’s an airbender, he wasn’t the avatar. But with his guidance the search continued, and we found her hidden in plain sight. A girl named Ty Lee. Although her fighting skills are great, she has a lot to learn before she's ready to save anyone. But I believe Ty Lee can save the world.A hundred years have passed, and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war.Two years ago, my father and the men of my tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Fire Nation, leaving me and my brother to look after our tribe.Some people believe that the Avatar Was never reborn into the Air Nomads, and that the cycle is broken.But I haven't lost hope.I still believe that somehow the Avatar will return to save the world. “Hey! Wait up, where are you going?” Called a little girl with a long braid.“We’re gonna go see Zuko!” The girl with a brown hair bun responds with a mischievous smile, pulling a girl with jet black hair and zero expression.“Zuko? Why Zuko?”“Y’know how he likes Mei?”“Yeah?”“We’re gonna do a trick where I’m shooting an apple off Mei’s head, but he’ll freak out and try to ‘help’ but really he’ll just be freaking out!”“Oh! Okay!”“Azula I dont think this is a good idea, it’s stupid.” Mei mumbledAzula, The girl with the brown hair bun turned “What? Are you scared?”“I don't get scared.” Mei snapped back“Yeah right! You're totally scared, what do you think I’ll hit you? I’m a master, Mei I'm not gonna hit you, Jeez!”“Fine!” Mei frowned, following as the little braided girl followed along, doing cartwheels instead of walking.“Ty Lee, hurry up!” Azula shouted, and the girl stopped mid cartwheel, chasing after. Except she was walking on her hands rather than her feet, following quickly behind.“Coming!” Ty Lee smiled as she followed quickly behind the girls.And just like Azula predicted, Zuko freaked out. But she was the only one laughing. Not even Ty Lee.Later that day, It was eventually just Ty Lee, Mei, and Zuko. The Firelord's wife, Queen Ursa had taken Azula away for scolding. Leaving Mei and Zuko with towels over their heads.“Sorry…” Zuko mumbled to mei “I didn't mean to get you wet.”“Its fi-” Mei started“Hey Zuko!” Ty Lee interrupted “Why don't you use firebending? Warm you both up?”Zuko glanced up, surprised. Normally, no one suggested that he specifically firebends. “I mean, if you're okay with it, Mei?”Mei nodded, shivering.Zuko extended his hands, bending a ball of fire into them and heating the area up for the both of them.Mei eventually stopped shivering, and Ty Lee had cuddled into them, despite getting herself a little wet she wanted to be close to the two.The three of them simply sat there, each on the other side of Zuko watching the fire he held in his hands.“I wish I could do that…” Ty Lee smiled, staring at the fire.“What do you mean?” Zuko looked“Bending! I wish I could bend. I think if I could, then I could make super cool images, like a fire dragon or something!” Ty Lee dreamed, moving her hands as if she were firebending with him.“You just want to make a show” Mei smiled, rolling her eyes“Yeah!” Ty Lee nodded.Zuko snickered, “Well, I’ll have to learn how to make a dragon then, right?”“Yeah!” Ty Lee gasped, smiling wideMei blinked, watching the two interact. “A dragon would be cool.”“Yeah!” Zuko blushed, looking over at mei and nodded Ursa came back into the garden and went up to mei, “Mei, sweetie. Come with me”Mei rose, following the Queen.Ty Lee looked at Zuko with a smile, “Prince Zuko!”“Yeah?”“You like Me-“ this time Ty Lee was interrupted by Zuko slamming his hand over her mouth, toppling over her “SHH!” Zuko's face flushedTy Lee starred in surprise, eyes wide with a hint of fear.Zuko stared for a moment before guilt filled his consciousness, quickly helping Ty Lee up “I’m sorry…” he whispered, brushing her off.Ty Lee frowned, standing up and quickly running away.Zuko ran right after “wait! Ty Lee!” He chasedTy Lee looked back, fear growing as she ran from the heir. Her heart beating out of her chest as she ran away. Normally she’d of not ran, but she felt at this moment it was important too. Not just important, necessary. She had to run. She HAD to run.“Ty Lee!” Zuko repeated, worried.Ty Lee took a sudden turn into the room she had been staying in whilst staying at the castle. Sliding in and slamming the door quickly locking it, holding her braid as she went to the center of the room. Raising her hands, looking at her sweat.Her sweat began to freeze on her hands as the world around her changed to a blue tint, back and forth “what’s happening to me!!!” She screamed, crying as the tears streaming down her face froze with her sweat.“Ty Lee!” Zuko called, shaking the door handle. Zuko glared, taking a step back and holding a fighting stance. Letting out a battle cry before shattering a hole in the door, unlocking it after reaching through it.Ty Lee looked at Zuko as wind and fire began to pick up around her, sobbing as she screamed to him “Make it stop!” The little girl cried.Zuko stopped, taken aback by this sight. Exhaling, he turned to the hallway “MOTHER!!!” He screamed “mother I need you!!” He screamed.Soon, Ursa made her way to him hearing her baby’s fearful cries. “Zuko!” She called, stopping at the sight of Ty Lee and gasping“Your majesty! Please help me!” Ty Lee cried.Ursa ran into the room with no hesitation, allowing herself to be hit by the wind, moving eloquently past the fire. She was a noble, she knew how to move. “Ty Lee!” Ursa knelt to the little girl, hugging her tight and shielding her with her robes “breathe, just breathe with me!” Ursa held the little girl close.Eventually the fire and wind stopped, and the ice melted away off of Ty Lee. “Your majesty!” Ty Lee's voice cracked. “What’s happening to me?”Ursa frowned, confused “It seems… you're the Avatar, Ty Lee…”“But im-“Soldiers rushed in “your majesty! What happened!?”Ursa looked at the group of soldiers, each wielded a weapon. “The Avatar…” she stuttered, then glanced at the child in her arms “and returned. And has attacked my son, Ty Lee, and me. Go out and search, they could still be out there!” The queen ordered.The soldiers ran out, seeing the mess of the room and easily believing the queens words Ty Lee sniffles, and Zuko sat with the two girls, holding his mothers sleeve.Ursa inhaled “Ty Lee. Zuko. You both must never EVER speak of this.”“But mom!-““Zuko, if your father or anyone loyal to him finds out they’ll kill Ty Lee. You must never let anyone find out” She whispered, shaking.Ty Lee cried, her tears no long frozen “But what about Azula-““Especially not Azula.” Ursa frowned, holding the young girls shoulders
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Here, we see two young watertribe siblings in a boat, hunting for food.“It's not getting away from me this time. Watch and learn, Katara!” The boy shouts to his little sister “This is how you catch a fish!” He added.“Sokka, look!” Katara called her brother as she began to water bend, levitating a fish out of water“Shh, Katara… You're gonna scare him away.” Dolls warned, then sighed enamoredly “Mmm. I can already smell it cooking…” “But, Sokka, I caught one!” Katar smiled as she before soaking her brother in the cold water she once held.“Hey!” Sokka shouted “Why is it that every time you play with magic water, I get soaked?”The two continued, bickering as siblings do before sokka rolled his eyes, exasperatedly sighing“Leave it to a girl to screw things up.”Katara scowled at her brother “You are the most sexist, immature, nutbrained…” she waved her arms in frustration “Ah! I'm embarrassed to be related to you!”The ice began to crack behind them.“Ever since mom died, I've been doing all the work around camp, while you've been off playing soldier!”Sokka began to grow nervous as he saw the ice. “Ah... Katara…” he looked to her“I even wash all the clothes!” She ignored him, “Have you ever smelled your dirty socks? Let me tell you. Not. pleasant!” Katara shouted“Katara! Settle down!” Sokka worried, continuing to look back and forth at the iceburg “No! That's it. I'm done helping you! From now on, you're on your own!” And with the, the ice shattered, a swirling wind surrounded the group before shooting straight up and revealing a young boy in bright clothing. “Okay. You've gone from weird to freakish, Katara.” Sokka grimacedKatara gasped “it’s an airbender!”“An airbender..? You mean…”The two were silent for a moment before noticing the boy moving.“He’s alive! We have to help him!” Katara shouted, running ahead. For once, Sokka was on the same side, having seen the wind that boy had made he was dead set on helping the avatar.Meanwhile, far off, WAY far off, a boat could be seen. And within it, the scarred prince Zuko and his uncle iroh saw the tornado-like gust of windd, it wasn’t celestial but it was some sort of bright, unhinged wind. And it could have only come from one source, Zuko knew this.“Finally. Uncle, do you realize what this means?” Zuko asked“I won't get to finish my game?” Iroh complained, holding up his lotus coin“It means my search is about to come to an end.” Zuko confirmed“Ah…”“That wind came from an incredibly powerful source. It has to be one.”“Or it's just another waterspout.. We've been down this road before, Prince Zuko. I don't want you to get too excited over nothing.” Iroh smiled, continuing to play “Please, sit. Why don't you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea?”“I don't need any calming tea! I need to get an airbender! Helmsman, head a course for the wind.” Zuko demanded.Meanwhile the group of three back by the ice played all day, and eventually they all got worn out, and Katara couldn’t stop staring at him since the sun had been setting“Hey. What are you thinking about?” Aang blushed“I guess I was wondering… You're an airbender and all… If you had any idea what happened to the Avatar? “Uh... No. I didn't know them, as far as I know they have not been born yet.” Aang sighed, he was a little tired of hearing about the avatar.“Okay. Just curious.” Katara smiled before going to bed and with her, Aang had fallen asleep by the siblings' sides. Only to awaken in an unfamiliar tentKatara shook aang “Aang. Aang, wake up!”“Ah!”“It's okay. We're in the village now. Come on, get ready. Everyone's waiting to meet you!”“Oh”As the siblings went outside the tent, they introduced him. “Aang, this is the entire village! Entire village, Aang.”Aang looked around uncomfortably “Uh... Why are they all looking at me like that? Did Appa sneeze on me?”“Well, no one has seen an airbender in a hundred years.”“We thought they were extinct.”“Until my granddaughter and grandson found you.”“Extinct?” Aang looked, shockedKatara nodded “Aang, this is my grandmother.”“Call me Gran Gran.” The woman smiled kindly“What is this, a weapon?” Sokka inspected the closed glider “You can't stab anything with this.”Aang laughed, “It's not for stabbing. It's for airbending!”In the watertribe, the group of three and the entire tribe had played about their shenanigans before Sokka got fed up and demanded Aang to explain what was happening to everyone.“Come on man! Stop playing around! You're the avatar aren’t you!?”“What? No!” Aang shook his head frantically“What!?” Nearly the entire watertribe gasped“I’m not the avat—“The group stopped for a minute as they saw the fire nation ship in the distanceKatara's heart sank “EVERYONE! Run! Hide!” She screamed. She was quick to help children to their mothers as the boat came closer and closer.Sokka on the other hand was quick to soldier up and paint his face in preparation for battle.And when the boat stopped, and Zuko emerged everyone was stunned by his actions…Zuko went straight for the obvious airbender, throwing Sokka to the side with ease and looking over the twelve year old “you're not an old man..”“Uh… what? No I’m not… Hello?” Aang was uncomfortable“You. You’re just a child… are you… an airbender?” “Well you're just a teenager. And.. yeah”“Come with me.” Zuko held his hand out“Like he’d go with you, you fire nation scum!” Sokka tried fighting again but was thrown once again“Sokka that’s not nice, the fire nation isn’t bad.” Aang scoldedKatara glared, remembering her mother’s demise.Zuko continued “You shouldn’t be here… how old are you?”“Twelve..?”“…do you… hm…” Zuko grew more confused and concerned. “Just come with me. I need you.”“Uh, su-““Don’t trust him aang! Their murderers!” Katara warned“What!?” Aang worriedZuko inhaled, frustrated “JUST COME! You're an air bender, and you’ve got those tattoos. That means you're also a master. I need a master airbender!”“Why!?” Sokka shouted“JUST-“ Zuko a nostrils flared up with rage as he grabbed aang, who immediately blew him away and backed up,“Nephew, breathe. Allow me” Iroh intervened, leading by example as he approached the children “we have been looking for you for years, someone who knows air bending well, someone to teach the avatar.” Iroh whispered so that the guards on their ship couldn’t hear.Aang froze, the avatar? They had the avatar? “The avatar? Where?” Aang took the hint, whispering also.Iroh’s face contorted with guilt, turning his head away. “She’s on the ship but…” he sighed “If you talk to her, we need your patience and empathy…”“Is she... okay?”“…Sometimes. But she is alive and healthy!” Iroh confirmed “I promise you, on my honor, that me and especially my nephew have no bad intentions.” Zuko crossed his arms, frustrated.Aang nodded “okay, I’d be honored to meet her.”“She’s on the ship, this way young man” Iroh smiled, leading him onto the ship“Wait!” Sokka chases after “I’m coming too. Like I’d leave the last airbender alone!”Aang laughed “Jeez Sokka, you’ve been living under a rock huh?”Iroh nodded “I don’t see why not, nephew please lead the way!”Zuko nodded, and began walking, his path straight and every step intended.Katara followed closely behind, frowning as she held Aang’s hand. Eventually they made it to the bottom of the chambers, sealed in the dungeons. “I know this looks bad, but she wanted to be as far from people as possible… she’s..” Zuko sighed, knocking on the cell door “Ty Lee…”No response.“I’m coming in…” Zuko opened the unlocked door and a boobeytrap came right at him, a bag of flour blinding him before the young teenage girl with the heaviest eye bags aang had ever seen hopped out of nowhere and lifted him with her legs, holding him hostage, then “Your majesty.” Ty Lee glared, ripping off his helmet “how many times to I have to tell you today to leave me alone.” She scowled“Ty Lee.” Zuko stared, “That was yesterday.”“Was it?” “Yeah.”“My mistake.” Ty Lee flipped back, summersalting onto her hands. Then continuing to walk on them, moving away before going back to standing on her feet in front of the door with her arms crossed.Ty Lee, a short girl with brown braided hair and gray eyes. So this was the avatar?Aang bowed his head regardless, performing the normal fire nation greeting “it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ty Lee scowled. Waving her hand before retreating to her room, slamming the door.The group was silent.“… She’s been through a lot.” Zuko mumbled, extremely annoyed as he led the group to the meeting room on top of the host rather than Ty Lee's dungeon.“Sit, we will explain more.” Iroh smiled, pulling chairs for the three newcomers , taking a seat with them“So what’s up with Miss circus? Why’s she so angry?”Iroh glanced at Zuko.Zuko nodded, and started sharing immediately Back, way back. Back in the fire nation's war room with Ozai and his generals, going towards the door was a young Zuko, followed by Ty Lee who climbed the ceilings nooks quiet as air, moving with caution.Zuko yelled, angry “Let me in!”“Prince Zuko, what's wrong?” Iroh approached with a smile “I want to go into the war chamber, but the guard won't let me pass!”“You're not missing anything. Trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring”“If I'm going to rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can?”“Very well, but you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know?”“Thank you, uncle!” Zuko smiled, following him in.Now, they both sat in the chamber, as Ozai and his generals spoke.“The Earth Kingdom defenses are concentrated here, a dangerous battalion of their strongest earthbenders, and fiercest warriors.”“So, I am recommending the 41st division.”“But the 41st is entirely new recruits.”“How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?”“I don't. They'll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait than fresh meat?”Zuko protested “You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation. How can you betray them?!”They all knew he was right. But, it wasn’t his place to speak out, was it…?Aang interrupted, “wait so, you both were banished for speaking out of turn?”“No!” Zuko yelled “I obviously wasn’t done yet!” He scolded“Zuko.” Iroh squinted Zuko exhaled “I’m sorry… it’s just….” He glared“It’s okay, finish your story!” Aang assured, and Zuko continued.After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Fire Lord became very angry with him.He said that Prince Zuko's challenge of the general was an act of complete disrespect.And there was only one way to resolve this.Agni Kai. A fire duel.Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted, and declared that he was not afraid.But Zuko misunderstood.When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the general.Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Fire Lord's war chambers, it was the Fire Lord whom he had disrespected.Zuko would have to duel his own father. And when Prince Zuko saw that it was his father who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy.“Please, father, I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!” Zuko begged“You will fight for your honor.” Ozai scolded“I meant you no disrespect! I am your loyal son.”The fire lord ordered him, “Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!”Zuko disobeyed “I won't fight you!”“You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.” Ozai scolded before fire bending, aiming straight at the boyThis time it was Iroh who interrupted the story. “I looked away…” he spoke, filled with guilt. Zuko placed his hand on his uncles shoulder comfortingly“And when my father tried to finish me off, it was Ty Lee who saved me. Having eventually climbed through the vents to spy on the meeting…. She had come out all of a sudden and took that second hit that would’ve killed me. Shielding me with her back and attacking my father, paralyzing him and blocking his chi. But when all the generals tried to kill her for that, uncle intervened and reasoned with them.” Zuko explained “After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to fight, I had shown shameful weakness. As punishment, I was banished, and sent to capture the Avatar. But of course, it was the Avatar who had saved me.”Ty Lee appeared from the vents, like she did so long ago and rolled down, sit “Things will never return to normal, but the important thing is, this search gave us both hope.” Ty Lee leaned into his chair“And about her being the avatar?” Sokka remarked,“I learned this long before our injuries.”Ty Lee nodded “His mother made me promise never to bend in front of those loyal to the fire lord before disappearing not long after.”Aang exhaled with sadness and Katara held her hand close to her heart, sympathetic.“Yikes…” Sokka exhaled “Wait so why are we here?”“I’ve been searching since our banishment for someone knowledgeable on the air nomads, and their bending skills to teach Ty Lee.” Zuko explained, crossing his arms.“Okay but that means you're intentionally trying to have her defeat your dad!” Sokka gestures “don’t tell me you want to become the fire lord that badly.”“No.” Zuko shook his head “I don’t care about defeating him.”“But I do.” Ty Lee stood, “that man ruined my life. He hurt me and Zuko. Banished his mother, my auntie. He separated me from my best friends. He embarrassed my family’s name. And then some.” Ty Lee crossed her arms “I need to stop him, if he can hurt children, let alone his own. He cannot stay on the throne.”The group paused, unsure“So, you’re just helping her kill your dad because you're loyal to her?” Sokka judged Zuko“I don’t need to explain my feelings to you!” Zuko yelled, receiving a light pinch from Ty Lee. “Relax, he’ll understand soon enough.” Ty Lee assuredZuko huffed, glaring at Sokka who glared back uncomfortably.“We were actually going to go looking for a water bending teacher for Katara! Maybe this person can teach you waterbending too!” Aang got in between the boys, smiling at the exhausted Ty Lee.“Sounds good to me, I don’t care.” She rolled her eyes “I’m going.” She stood, leaving the room“Wait! I still have so many questions!” Aang followed enthusiastically.“Like what?”“What’s chi bending? How did you stay under control for so long? Why did you save prince zuko?”Ty Lee squinted at the child, “chi is a metaphysical energy that flows throughout the human body. It’s the concept that serves as the root of bending and an array of other skills. It’s a non bender way around chi, like how waterbenders heal, or fire benders use lightning etc etc.” Ty Lee eventually began taking quick twists and turns to avoid Aang. “I just avoided people until me and zuko were banished. And me saving zuko is my business.”“That’s awesome! Do you plan on mastering the subtypes of the elements too? Air bending also has sound bending!” Aang followed behind her, like a teenage girl and their favorite pop star in a Walmart.“Probably. I was raised a non bender, we tend to use every single part of the tree from the leaves to the roots.”“That's really cool! I can't wait to ask Gyatso if he knows this stuff!” Aang smiled“Who’s Gyatso?”“He’s a monk at the southern air temple!” Aang smiled“Aang.”“Yeah?”“What year do you think it is?”“Uh… xxxx?”“Wrong. Aang it’s been 100 years since xxxx.”Aang frowned, not believing her “what’s with you guys saying that..”Ty Lee looked, then simply shook her head and left him standing thereAang frowned, going back to the room with Zuko and Iroh. “I’ll help you guys, but I have a few conditions.”Zuko looked over, staring dead straight at Aang “Anything.”“We bring Appa everywhere possible, so if the ship permits it’s a must.”“I can do that.”“Next, I want to go to the southern air temple.”“The southern air temple? Are you sure…” Zuko frowned, hesitant “Yes, why wouldn’t I be? I’ve been gone for a while.”Katara sighed “Aang, I feel like we should talk about this more…”“Huh?” Aang looked over“Yeah we do!” Sokka intervened “there’s no way we’re sailing around with a bunch of fire benders!!”Aang exhaled “may we have a moment alone?” He looked to the two men“Of course.” Zuko nodded before he and Iroh left.Aang turned to the two blue siblings who paused for a moment.“There's no way we’re sailing around with a bunch of fire benders!!” Sokka repeated.“I hate to admit it but Sokka's right. We aren’t safe here. That’s PRINCE Zuko! As in the son of the fire lord?”Sokka exhaled, nodding with his sister“Well, if you feel the need. You guys can stay on appa, he’ll protect you. But I think we should trust these people.” Aang explained “it’s easier than making Appa work so much to get to all these places, he deserves to rest.”Sokka groaned, and the arguing continued.Iroh stood, standing atop the ship with the helmsmen drinking newly brewed tea. “General, you always make the best tea!” A soldier congratulated “Thankyou, much appreciated” Iroh smiled, nodding.“General!” Aang peaked his head out “one quick question!”Iroh made his way over “yes? Young man?”Aang whispered “do any of these soldiers know about Ty Lee?”“Ah, No once we are ready to separate from the ship, then we begin her training. But of course we’d have to separate first.”“Alright that’s all!” Aang smiled before going back to talking to his friends.Iroh nodded, then went back to drinking tea with the crew.Meanwhile, the halls of the ship Prince Zuko roamed.“Ty Lee!” He called out, annoyed “come out!”No response “I know you're in the vents!”Ty Lee came out of a ground vent before Zuko, crossing her arms staring at him. “I don’t think they’re gonna agree.”“You're the avatar, he’s the last airbender left in the world, they have to agree. It’s destiny.”“And what’s your Destiny?”Zuko frowned, “Don’t ask me questions you already know the answer to.”Ty Lee let out an exhausted sigh, shaking her head “You shouldn’t have brought me along.”Zuko glanced “you’d have died otherwise.”“Yeah, that’s the point.”“Stop talking like that, Ty Lee. I don’t like it.” Zuko frownedTy Lee walked away leaving Zuko.Zuko sighed“Ouch.” Sokka mumbled from behind him“How long were you there?”“Long enough, surprised you didn’t hear me.”“I was distracted.” Zuko grit his teeth“Not very princely if you ask me.” Sokka teasedZuko glared, then stormed away.“Wait!” Katara chased after, and Zuko immediately stopped. “We've decided to travel with you.”“That’s good news.” Zuko nodded “I appreciate your willingness to help the Avatar.”“I’m more interested in how she’s the avatar and not Aang.”“We all are.”Katara sighed. “But Aang wants to go to the southern air temple…”“I don’t think the fire nation cleaned up after themselves so he’s bound to see the aftermath.” Zuko tensedThe group of three were silent Turning to face the two siblings he continued “It’s a good thing my uncle’s here.”“What do you mean?”“He’s a good influence.” The awkward teenage boy mumbles Katara cringed. Sokka glared with distrustful childish eyes. “Yeah right. The fire nation is incapable of good.”Katara was silent for a moment, then nodded.Zuko frowned, then stormed away.Zuko stormed upstairs “Helmsman! Set a course to the Southern Airtemple!” He orders a group to run off and leave Iroh.Iroh glanced then smiled at Zuko “let’s have tea, nephew.”Zuko hesitated and nodded, taking a cup and sitting on the cold metal floor with him. Uncomfortably shifting in his armor.“So they've decided to come! That’s good news.”“Yes…”“You don’t sound happy, why don’t you share your feelings?”“Those two siblings insulted you… when I said you’d be able to handle then outburst Aang would have when he sees the temple…”“Mm, and what did they say?”“They said the fire nation can do no good…” Zuko growled, upset.“Ah, well. Don’t hold it against them, Nephew. The fire nation has done many bad things to their people. Not to mention the things I myself have done as a general.” Iroh explained “they have been hurt, the wounds they carry affect their judgment so that they’re not hurt the same way ever again.”“But we don’t want to hurt them…”“But we used to, Prince Zuko. It’s to be expected that they hold a grudge.”Zuko frowned, nodding“And what did you do?”“What do you mean uncle?”“What did you say when they said that?” Iroh looked over“… I didn’t say anything.”
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“You said nothing?” Iroh looked over, his face unreadable.“No…” Zuko responded, shaking his head.“That’s good, Prince Zuko. I’m very proud of you.”“What? But I should’ve defended you more! All of us!”“Zuko, watch this.” Iroh explained, gesturing to the tea set in front of the two men.Iroh picked up two tea cups “Look as the steam… slowly rises above the cup. The water is flat, and hard to drink because it is still hot.”“I don’t understand this metaphor, uncle.”“But when I actively fuel the heat on the tea,” Iroh began to heat up the tea in the palm of his left hand, leaving the right alone. “You can see the water is closing to boil all over again. And eventually it will overflow, in the process causing there to be less to drink within.”“Go on…”“And when I leave the other cup be, it still steams but when I don’t fuel it… it will cool. And it will have the same amount of tea as there was before.”Zuko cautiously nodded before speaking “So… what you're saying is I did good by not speaking out of anger.” He questionedIroh nodded, patting Zuko's shoulder. “You are becoming so wise, my nephew.” He gave Zuko the cooled cup of teaZuko smiled, looking down at the cup, inhaling the scent and taking a sip “Thank you uncle.”Iroh would nod, gently nudging him with a smile.By the stairs, The water tribe siblings stood. Guilt filled them, eavesdropping on the uncle and his nephew.Katara sighed “I feel bad…” she whispered“I don’t, they probably saw us and staged that.” Sokka denied his feelingsKatara rolled her eyes “You sound ridiculous.”And without warning, Zuko suddenly was in front of them “you both need to pack right? And wish your friends and parents well?”Sokka glared “No we DON'T. Our mom is dead and our dad is at sea fighting YOUR people.”Zuko blinked awkwardly “uh… okay then we’ll just go.”Katara punched Sokka “what about gram gram!? And our stuff!!” The younger scoldedSokka rubbed his arm “Ow!” He glared directly at her“… We’ll just leave tomorrow. That will give you all time.” Zuko slowly left the two, returning to Iroh's sideKatara watched the old man and prince, a frown growing heavy on her face. She felt guilty, but there was no way she’d ever forgive the fire nation for what they’ve done.Her dark thoughts were interrupted when her hand was suddenly grabbed.Katara glanced at her hand, seeing it in Sokkas. The two stood, idle as the remembrance of their mothers demise gripped onto them.“Did we do something bad…” Sokka questionsHesitating, the younger sister closed her eyes. “No.” Katara answered. “I don’t think so.”The siblings both left the ship, preparing to pack and say their goodbyes.Meanwhile Aang sat on the top of the ship, watching the small tribe live. “I see...” he mumbled “maybe I should leave without them…”“You're just gonna leave your friends behind?” Ty Lee scowled before taking a moment to cough as she crawled out of the smoke vent, covered in charcoal.Aang gasped “You shouldn’t be in there!!! Doesn’t that lead directly to the ship's engine!?”“Yeah so what?”“So you’ll get sick!”Ty Lee hopped up, sitting beside Aang “if you try leaving your friends, I’m not gonna bother learning airbending from you.” She glared“Well. I don’t see anyone else around at the moment. Besides, Gyatso’s gonna be a better teacher than me!”Ty Lee glared “Shut up about him! He’s DEAD Aang!!” She shouted before going right back down the engine vent and disappearingAang frowned, his heart beating with anxiety. “Her and her vents…”“Aang!” Zuko called up, and Aang hopped down with ease, floating like a feather.“Me and my uncle are going to sleep early so we can get on with the day tomorrow with ease, we have a room that you and the watertribe boy-““Sokka” Aang corrected“Right, that you and Sokka can share. Then we have a room for katara. Since uh… ladies need their privacy.”“That’s very thoughtful of you, but I think she’s gonna make us all sleep in one room!” Aang jokesZuko pat Aang's bald head “whatever you three need.”“Gee, thanks Zuko!” Aang smiled, content before going off to look for his comrades, stopping before turning “oh by the way! Ty Lee seems to like taking the engine room vents, Makes me a bit worried about her.”Irritation welled up inside Zuko,glaring he nodded “thanks. I’ve been trying to get her to stop. She’s not to keen on taking others advice”The two finally went their separate ways, Zuko heading to bed early, Iroh doing the same.When the next morning came, Zuko made his way to the ships deck and found the watertribe siblings, who seemed a lot more unsure now. and their air temple friend all packed and ready to roll.The ramp that led from the ship to land was pulled in. And soon, they’d set sail.“Is everyone ready?” Iroh walked out, wearing nothing but his pajamas despite the cold.“Yes…'' Katara avoided eye contact, holding Sokka's hand.Sokka nodded, “Yeah, we need to go quickly.”“Are you two alright?” Iroh frowned, worried about the young kids“We’re fine, we just need to go quickly now!” Sokka smiled, his lip twitching.“Alright,” Zuko intercepted, “HELMSMEN! Set sail!”“No!!!” A strained voice screamed from off the ship, slowly shrinking as it set sail“What was that?” Zuko walked to the edge of the ship, spotting a little old woman hurriedly waddling after the ship“Come back!” She cried “don’t take them!!”“Shoot!” Sokka exhaled, his face filled with guilt as he ran to the edge “Gram gram! I’m sorry!!”Katara sniffles, holding back tears “we have to go!” She calls out beside her brother, leaned over the edge of the ship with him.“What’s going on?” Zuko frowned, staring at the old lady.“That’s our Gram Gram, we need to go.” Katara frownedZuko looked over “Did you not say goodbye?”“You think she’d approve of us going with you when your people killed our mother!?” Sokka shouted.Zuko hesitated before frowning, “I understand.” He nodded before walking away.Iroh walked up to the edge, going to change the subject. It was too late to suddenly go back and say goodbye, So “how about I show the two of you to your rooms? One for the boys, and one for you” he smiled at katara “and once you're settled, we can have some tea together if you’d like.” He’d look upon the icey village with a frown, simply closing his eyes and hoping that the old woman he saw crying would forgive him.“Just the rooms for now.” Katara mumbled“Alright, well. Prince Zuko made sure that your rooms will be in close proximity to each other, they’re right across the hall from one another!”“Why does he need us all so close by zone another…?” Sokka squinted“Oh- well” Iroh realized his wording “I mean, he wanted you to know you had control here too.”Eventually the group made it to the rooms“Where’s Aang?” Katara looked aroundSokka placed a hand in his boomerang “I don’t know…”“Hmmm…” Iroh walked up to a vent, yelling into it “Ty Lee! Do you see Aang anywhere?“ he called“With Zuko!” A voice called backBoth the siblings frowned“What are they doing?” Iroh questioned, seeing the nervousness of the siblings“I dunno, Aangs teasing Zuko.”“I see, is Zuko ok?”“He's not mad yet, just annoyed.”“Thank you, Ty Lee!” Iroh walked back to the water tribe siblings and opened the doors “now, you both can lock the doors from the inside!”“You really want us to be comfortable…” Katara mentioned“As comfortable as we can be together,” Iroh began “My nephew is a dense boy, he doesn’t know when to let things be and when to intervene. Like most, he’s almost…. Always worrying that he’ll make the wrong choice.” Iroh shrugged“I see…” Sokka whisperedAang rushed beside Katara and Sokka “hey! I just heard me and Sokka are rooming together!” Aang smiledSokka cringed, and immediately left the conversation and went back to the dock.Sokka sighed watching his home shrink as distance grew between him and it.“Homesick already?” Zuko walked to Sokka's side.“Just worried about what all those women are gonna do without me…”“They’ll be fine, if they’re anything like your sister they will be. they’re tough.“Yeah well, our REAL soldiers should try to get home soon. We need more men rather than the little boys they’ve got now.”“The women can defend themselves, Sokka, take Ty Lee. She may not be able to do much bending just yet, but she could still beat you and me in a fight.” Zuko declared“Ha! I doubt that!” Sokka shook his head, “She doesn't even know any bending!”Zuko stared for a moment “She knows Chi bending,” He responded.“What's Chi bending?” Sokka crossed his arms and rose a browZuko stares silently for just a moment. “Ty Lee will show you if you keep talking like that.”Sokka simply rolled his eyes, and Zuko went back to his quarters, followed by a nosy little bald kid with a shaved head. And two siblings who thought it wouldn't be safe for this kid to go alone.Zuko, having decided he didn't mind them in his room, didn't say anything. They entered the room, looking around and seeing Zukos’ room. It had some sort of chimney, a table, his bed, red and yellow tapestry and a bunch of oddly shaped pottery.The gang looked around, Aang was walking around and snooping. “You’ve got some pretty cool stuff Zuko!” He smiled, looking at a crudely made clay jar “heh! Look at this thing, you need to get your money back!” Aang teased“I like it.” Zuko confirmed “it’s my favorite artist, I have almost all her works. Most of them are stored under the ship for safe keeping but my favorites are here and glued down.”Sokka interjected with a snarky remark “Well personally, I think people need to stop the abstract stuff, I mean that jar looks like a melted— well… Jar!”“Shut up! It’s amazing!” Zuko scowled at Sokka.Ty lee leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder, and closing her eyes to better “ignore” Sokka.Zuko inhaled with a snarl, smoke exuding from his nostrils as he exhaledIroh laughed “it’s good to see you all this rambunctious so soon into meeting each other!” Iroh exclaimedKatara exhaled with a smile as Sokka continued complaining“Hey… Katara was it…? Do you know any bending moves that you could maybe teach?” Ty Lee sat up, looking over to the waterbender“Uh- no sorry. I’m only able to make little movements here and there. Nothing big.”“Show me?” Ty Lee went over, tea in hand.“Well-“ Katara tried to refute, but gave in easily “okay.” She sighed before setting her own tea down, showing exactly how she moved her hand to bend.Ty Lee watched closely, moving her hand the same way.Ty lee stayed still, and Kataras moved slight in reaction to her attempts at bendingJealousy shrouded Ty Lee. But she understood why she couldn’t do it just yet.She needed to work harder, it was just difficult to get motivated enough for such things.Days would go by as they soared, all of them talking with each other. Zuko teaching Katara some self defense moves, Aang teaching Ty-Lee airbending styles, Iroh trying to teach Sokka Pai Sho and eventually integrating into a single group of 6 rather than two groups of three.The newest day begins with a beautiful sunrise that just peeks above some cliffs. The beams of the morning sun reflect on the water, bathing the whole scene in yellow light. The camera pans to the left, where the group has made camp on the shore. Appa is seen chewing on some grass while the smoke of the nearby campfire rises to the sky. Sokka is lying in a blue sleeping bag next to the fire. The camera zooms in on Aang and Katara atop Appa. Aang sits on the bison's head and is checking the knots that tie the reins to Appa's horns. Katara is sitting on the saddle, fiddling with their luggage. Ty Lee had always enjoyed sleeping outside if it was a warmer climate, and the gaang joined her, and in turn so did Zuko and Iroh. Meanwhile the ship was just right there, the helmsman all still on the ship. Aang shouts with excitement “Wait 'til you see it, Katara! The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world!!”Meanwhile Katara stifles her frown, turning to face him. “Aang, I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home.”Shaking his head, Aang laughs “Why do you guys keep saying that…”Ty Lee walks over, kneeling to where Aang had been sitting. He was a good kid, and having spent these days with him she felt she needed to be gentle. She spoke with caution “It's just that ... a lot can change in all that time.”“You guys are being weird!” Aang jumps off Appa, landing softly due to his airbending. A side-view shows him as he walks over to a snoring Sokka, who is lying in his sleeping bag. The moment caused him to wake up and look at the approaching airbender.“Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple, here we come!” Aang shouted cheerily.Sokka groans, face twisting in annoyance “Uggh! Sleep now. Temple later.”Zuko, having packed up his tent early in the morning walks over, lifting Sokka as if he were waitless and tossing him over his shoulder, walking to the ship.Katara shouts with laughter, as do Aang and Ty-Lee.Sokka shouts, spasming and causing himself to be dropped “I can walk on my own!!!”Zuko stares, stifling a grin before glancing at Ty Lee who was covering her mouth chuckling.Eventually, everyone gets all packed up and ready, All on either Appa or the ship.Appa, who is flying above the clouds in the Patola Mountain range. Aang and Katara sitting atop Appa's head, and Sokka is back in the saddle with Ty Lee who was sitting up, letting the wind play with her hair. Sokka sits there clutching his stomach as it growls. with a look of dismay all over it.“Hey, stomach? Be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food!” Sokka scolds, Ty Lee handing him a bag of snackable seeds from… Where?Sokka stares at the bag in his hand before looking up with concern “Why are they so warm…”Ty Lee looks back, staring silently.Sokka stares back silently as well, slowly and without breaking eye contact, opening the bag and devouring a handful of seeds. Laughter arose from Ty Lee, who scooted up to Sokka “Youre funny!” She’d flirt,Sokka flinched “Aren't you… dating Zuko?”“What–?” Ty Lee sits up again “No– he’s dating Mai!” She informs Sokka raised a brow, unconvinced “But you two are so touchy…”“Well that's not– It's not like that at all ok! We’re just close.” Ty Lee frowns, “We’ve been through a lot together. We thought it was love and dated for a short while but after–” She stops, “We figured out it was platonic.”Sokka raised a brow in suspicion, wondering what could have possibly happened between these two. “Riiight…”And below the saddle they rose on; Appa races past and ascends up to some mountains.“The Patola Mountain range! We're almost there!!!” Aang points, looking back at his crew. “Lets stop and get Zuko and Iroh on board so we can just fly up.” He spoke as Appa lowered onto the ship.Katara was uneasy. “Aang, before we get to the temple, I want to talk to you about the airbenders”Aang, feeling absolutely giddy, responded “What about 'em, Katara?”“Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless…” She then spoke sadly “They killed my mother, and they could have done the same to your people…”Aang was silent, none of the 3 people in the saddle could see his expression; “Just because no one has seen an airbender, doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all. They probably escaped!” He spoke as Katara placed one hand on Aang's shoulder. "I know it's hard to accept." She whispered.Zuko soon climbs onto the saddle, helping Iroh up as well.Shaking his head, Aang spoke “You don't understand, Katara. The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison, and I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison!” He caresses Appa's head. “Right, Appa?”Appa grunts as he flies past to begin a last ascent up the side of a mountain as yang shouts “Yip Yip!” Appa's flies up the mountain and through the clouds and turns out of sight behind the flank of a mountain.Appa begins emerging from behind that flank and turns further upward. Aang holds onto the reins tightly as Appa rapidly ascends while Katara, whose eyes are closed, and Sokka hold on tight to Appa's fur and saddle respectively whilst Ty Lee holds onto Sokka, lying on his back purposely pressed against him. Iroh leaned back hanging onto the saddle as did Zuko. Aang looks back for a moment to his passengers as he has Appa fly over the rocks and into the sky again. He flies over a last ridge that is covered with trees and reveals a large temple as Appa floats toward it.With a satisfied smirk, Aang says “There it is. The Southern Air Temple.”Katara rushed up in front next to Aang “Aang, it's amazing!!”Aang is visibly excited as a close-up shows how his eyes widen upon the sight of the temple. “We're home, buddy! We're home!” He rubs Appas head as they land, Making their way up the mountain trail, Ty Lee and Sokka last to get off Appa. The group of 6 had many breaks thanks to Iroh needing to sit. He really hadn't worked out in so long.Once on top of the mountain, Aang runs at the front, excitedly looking back at the other five. As the six emerge from behind a corner, Aang runs off the screen.“So where do I get something to eat?” Sokka interrupts everyone's train of thought.Katara scolds “You're lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to ever visit an airbender temple, and all you can think about is food?!”Zuko interrupts the bickering “We have to follow Aang.” He spoke before rushing after him,Ty Lee quickly left Sokka’s personal space, running after Zuko. the last 3; Katara, Sokka, and Iroh chasing after.And eventually there stood Aang, who was waiting for them at the next corner.“I'm just a simple guy, with simple needs.” Sokka starts up the conversation again.Aang points at something in front of him as Ty-Lee, Iron, Zuko, Katara and Sokka approach.He began explaining, About the air ball stadium, where the bisons slept, tons of things before his face dropped.Zuko spoke “Whats wrong?” He asked,Aang hesitated, A bit saddened. “This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds.”His eyes squint with sadness as he stands on the ledge; his clothes flutter in the wind, a dead tree at each side of him. In a sad tone. “I can't believe how much things have changed…”The five behind aang would all give each other a look of sympathy. They quickly approach Aang, pulling beside him as Sokka spoke “How do you play this Airball game!”Katara smiles at her brother and Aang's face clears up. He smiles too, as he looks at Sokka from the corners of his eyes.Moments later, Sokka is looking concentrated while standing on a pole and guarding the goal of the air ball court. However, back to the other side of the court, Aang also stands on one of the tall poles, Ty Lee and Zuko also on their spots, Ty Lee on Sokka’s team and Zuko on Aangs.Suspending a hollow ball in the air with airbending. Aang lets the ball roll over his shoulders, tosses it from side to side and lazily tosses it up in the air. He looks and smiles innocently at Sokka with his hands behind his back. Switch to Sokka, who looks surprised at the upward movement of the ball before cutting back to Aang who opens one eye as the ball comes down again.The airbender jumps up and kicks the ball away with a powerful air swipe. It rapidly shoots across the poles, changing direction as it crashes into several poles, but steadily moving closer toward Sokka's goal. Ty Lee Jumps, She couldn't airbend, but she moved like she was, Kicking the ball straight back across the court, Zuko; who had taken off his armor swings and punched the ball right back to Sokka, swishing past Ty Lee’s weak spot.Sokka's face drains as the ball races quickly toward him and opens his mouth in shock. He grunts as the ball hits him right in the stomach. The force of impact sends Sokka and the ball flying backward, right through the rotating door of the goal behind him further back.Sokka crashed into the snow behind the goal. Aang laughs as he jumps up in joy and Zuko smirks, standing straight.Aang as he holds a hand above his eyes to make out where Sokka landed.Meanwhile Katara and Iroh were sitting on some rocks drinking tea Iroh had smuggled along, relaxing in the warm beam of the sun above.Smiling broadly, Aang stretches out his arms above his head. “Aang and Zuko, seven!!”Zuko nods “Seven!”Ty Lee huffs, crossing her arms as Aang points to her “Sokka and Ty lee, Four!”Zuko nods “Four.”Iroh claps “Well done nephew!!”Ty Lee groans, sliding down the pole and helping Sokka out of the snow pile “This is so unfair! You have an airbender on your team!”“Yeah but you're the avatar,” Sokka scolds. “This is why i didnt wanna be paired up with a girl!” he shouts at Zuko.Ty Lee gasped in offense before suddenly hitting a pressure point in the back of Sokka’s ankles, his entire body flopping helplessly onto the ground paralyzed.Katara gasped “Oh my god–!!!” she shouts, “is he alive?”“He’ll be fine in 3 minutes,” Zuko shouts back so she could hear him, sliding down the pole as well as aang just floated down.Sokka mumbled to get Ty Lee’s attention, droolingTy Lee kneels “yes?”Sokka looks over into the snow as a fire nation helmet from 100 years ago.Ty Lee stood with a frown, eyes wide as she was presented with a choice, sighing as she called out “Aang!” she called.“Coming!” Aang called back as he was speaking with Iroh, turning around to make his way over.A choice she didn't get to make as Katara suddenly waterbended the snow onto the helmet and successfully hid it.The two girls look at one another in shock and disagreement. “You can't hide it from him…” Ty Lee whispered“Yes i can,” Katara whispers back scoldingly,Aang runs up happily “What is it?” He asked with a smile.“Nothing, just learned another waterbending move!” Katara intervenes before Ty Lee tells him.Sokka, finally able to move again, sits up, and brushes the last of the snow from his head and shoulders. “You know, you can't protect him forever.”Ty Lee nods “he’s going to find out eventually.”Katara sadly slants her eyes and walks after Aang. The scene switches to a full view of one of the temple's many towers and quickly pans down to reveal that the group of six has made it to a courtyard with a fountain in the middle. The water is frozen. Sokka and Katara are standing at the entrance of the courtyard, while Aang runs up ahead excitedly.Ty Lee walks after her. Arms crossed; stern. “Katara, firebenders were here. You can't pretend they weren't.”“Yeah!” Sokka agrees, the two posing and nodding with each other in sync.“I can for Aang's sake. If he finds out that the Fire Nation invaded his home, he'll be devastated.” She responds“Maybe Katara’s right. It doesn't feel like now’s a good time.. He’s having such a great time right now we shouldn't ruin that.”Iroh sides with Ty Lee And Sokka “The longer you wait the bigger the damage will be.”Aang calls over “Hey guys!” The five look up and see Aang standing in front of a statue of a monk, turning around and pointing toward it. “I want you to meet somebody!”“Ooh, Who is that?” Iroh approached.Aang grins “Monk Gyatso! The greatest airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know!” He announced before bows to the statue of an elderly man with a mustache and a distinct round necklace sitting in lotus with his fists bumped to each other in front of him.Iroh and Zuko approach, bowing their heads in respect with him.Ty Lee approached, following Zuko she bows as well.And the siblings, copying the rest of them, also bow.After a while, Ty Lee says “You must miss him…”“Yeah…” Aang responds with sorrow, as he turns walking away“Where are you going?” Katara asked“The air temple sanctuary, Gyatso once said that when the avatar is found, he’ll meet them there.”Ty Lee stops following, frowning“Ty lee?” Aang looks“I'm scared.” Ty Lee admits instantlyZuko approached, “Let's go together,” He requested, holding her hand much to Sokka’s suspicion.Aang enters the hallway leading Zuko and Ty Lee.Iroh follows behind them all as Katara looks questioningly at Sokka, who just shrugs. They both start walking after Aang. There was a round symbol of intertwined air currents, the national symbol of the Air Nomads is largely embedded in the floor, surrounded by two square shapes that form some sort of sun together. The camera pans up to reveal that the trio has reached the entrance of the air temple sanctuary. The door supports a combination of metal colored pipes and three, blue, rolled up, pipes that are similar looking and arranged like the symbol for airbending. The large wooden door is framed by the branches of an old tree standing on the left of it and the hallway is illuminated by sunlight that falls through little, round windows.Katara frowns “But Aang, no one could have survived in there for a hundred years…”Ty lee nods “Its impossible”“I survived in the iceberg for that long!” Aang refutes.Pausing, the two girls nod “Good point.” Katara shrugs.“Katara, whoever's in there might help figure out this Avatar thing!” Ty Lee adds,“Right!” Katara agrees, regaining hope."And whoever's in there might have... a medley of delicious cured meats!" Full of anticipation and longing, Sokka charges at the door, but it will not budge and he simply smacks into it, head first. He quickly turns around and puts his back to it, trying to push the giant door open. When the door does not move, he sighs, slides down to the floor, disappointed, and rests against the door. “I don't suppose you have a key?” Sokka looks at AangAang speaks from behind Sokka “The key, Sokka, is airbending.”Aang takes a deep breath. He spreads his arms and thrusts them forward, sending an air current into both of the tubes on the door. The camera follows the path of the right air current as it travels through the pipe. The wind makes one of the blue curled tubes turn around. When it does, the tube changes colors to purple and the wind blows out like a horn. The process is repeated for the other two blue tubes as well. When the three blue tubes have turned and become purple, the camera moves back to show that Aang has unlocked the door and it slowly starts to open. Switch to a shot from inside the sanctuary, as the door cracks open and light penetrates the dark room. The doors sway open and Aang is seen standing there with Katara and Sokka in the background, the door cracks open entirely.Venturing further down into the sanctuary. The only light comes from the open door behind them and illuminates the scene with bluish light. They stop, and Sokka holds a hand to his brow to look up ahead. Switch to an overview shot of the trio as they stand in the light that comes in through the door. Their shadows are cast over the floor. The camera moves back and pans more to the right to reveal a large amount of statues of people, lined up in a circular pattern. Switch to a side-view from among the statues as the trio walks through them, curiously looking around.Sokka halts before one of them speaks as if offended “Statues? That's it? Where's the meat?!”Ty Lee and Zuko walk, looking at the statues, she slowly lets go of him, walking ahead without him as he stops and lets her go.“Who are all these people?” Katara asked.Aang was pensive “I dont know…” stopping to point at the statue of a man with airbending master tattoos in front of him. “That one's an airbender…” he spoke“Here's a fire bender.” Zuko announced as Iroh stood next to him.Ty Lee then spoke up, “I feel… like i know these people…” She walks,Katara calls over “And this one's a waterbender!” She looks to the right and back to the left. “They're lined up in a pattern!” She points at the respective statues. ”Air, water, earth and fire.”“That's the Avatar Cycle.” Aang announced“Of course. They're Avatars. All these people are your past lives, Ty Lee!!” Katara said almost congratulatory as Aang spoke “Wow! There are so many!!”“Past lives? You really believe in that stuff Katara?” Sokka judged“Why not?” Zuko defends her “It IS the avatar after all.”Iroh nods “When the Avatar dies, he's reincarnated into the next nation in the cycle.”They all then look at Ty Lee who is still mesmerized by the statue. Katara appears behind her, grabs her shoulder and shakes nudges her a bit. “Snap out of it!”“Huh?” Ty Lee looks“Who is that?” Zuko asked as he took the spot next to her, not noticing Sokka had been going to move thereAlmost automatically, Ty Lee said, “That's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me.”Katara looks at the base of the statue. “There's no writing. How do you know his name?”Pausing, Ty Lee spoke “I'm not sure. I just know it somehow… I feel it.” She adds.That's when all of a sudden, there was a noise; a low shuffling sound. And before anyone could react a lemur flies overhead.“Lemur!” Aang and Ty Lee shouted in unison,“DINNER!” Sokka points, practically drooling.“NO!” The rest of the group shouted at sokka before Ty Lee and Aang began making chase.Sokka, Aang, and Ty Lee began running after the lemur.Ty Lee moved easily, hitting Sokka and paralyzing his legs with fluid, complicated movements as she practically flew through the air;It was Ty Lee and Aang head to head, each going the same speed despite Aang using airbending, Ty lee was just that much more athletic and nimbleSomewhere inside the temple where the lemur lands on the ground. The animal erects his ears as Aang touches down on the ground behind him as well and launches forward. The lemur jumps out of the way. The camera pans to the left to follow the animal's escape as he runs through some ripped drapes, which once formed a tent. Ty Lee runs up behind him, shoving past and running into the tent.Aand laughs as he was shoved, “Hey! Come back!” he pushes the decaying curtain of drapes out of the way and happily looks around. “Come on out, little lemur! That hungry guy won't bother you anymore!” He see’s Ty Lee’s fresh footprints along with the little lemur’s.Aang walks up to another curtain of drapes, smiling brightly, a smile which was quickly cut off as he parts the second set of curtains. He looks in the room, suddenly taking a sharp breath in shock.Infront of him stood Ty Lee, back facing him as she held the Lemur. Her face unseen as she stared at the several skeletons dressed in Fire Nation uniforms lying scattered over the floor, all of which surrounded a single airbender’s skeleton lying in the snow, surrounded by many more skeletons of Fire Nation soldiersSputtering out, Aang whispered. “Firebenders? They were here?...” He said, eyes drawn to the air nomad’s skeleton which was adorned with a round necklace that supports the symbol of airbending; One he knew very well.Devastated, Aang’s voice saddened, cracking slightly. “Gyatso…” He murmurs, eyes wide with stifled tearsAnd that was what broke her.Ty Lee lets the Lemur fly off, inhaling and clutching her hair she screams out loudly, her eyes suddenly beaming with a bright light as her back arches as she drops to her knees. The carnage was known, but directly feeling Aang's devastation in his aura was enough to send her into another wave of panic. The weight of the world on her shoulders as she hunched over now, sobbing loudly as air flew around her in circles.Close by, the rest of the group were surrounding Sokka when Zuko heard this cry and instantly ditched him. He ran into the room, finding Ty Lee in the avatar state; he instantly ran through the wind, only to be pelted upside the head by a random flying rock from the wind.Soon, a still half numb Sokka came in supported by Katara and Iroh entered, instantly realizing.Katara immediately went to the side of Aang, who was a crying mess himself.