Ryu seemed to be sleeping peacefully without much of a care in the world. That was until a certain bald monk shook him.

Aang: WAKE UP RYU!!

The annoyed dual bender opened an eye.

Ryu: *Sigh* Morning Aang.

Aang: Come on, it's the morning! It's time to head to the Southern Air Temple!

Ryu: Ugh, alright just gimme a sec.

He hit the ground as he rose up to his feet.

Katara: That was impressive.

Ryu: Yeah.

Aang: You too Sokka!

Sokka was still in his sleeping bag unwilling to get up.

Sokka: Ughh. Sleep now, Temple-

Before he could even finished Ryu stomped on the ground sending Sokka into the air.

Sokka: GAAAAAAAH!!!!

He landed on Appa as Katara and Aang laughed.

Ryu: If I get up for this, you do too.

TIME SKIP!!

The group was flying on Appa with Aang seeming even more happy than usual. Ryu of course being the smart one addressed the obvious question as bluntly as he could.

Ryu: So Aang, could the Airbender's really have survived all this time?

Katara punched him on the shoulder and actually hurt her own hand.

Katara: Ow...

Ryu: What? That was a legitimate question.

Aang: Definitely! The temple is all the way up in the air, and the only way to get there is by Flying Bison!

Ryu: *Sigh* I know your trying to be positive but, it's been 100 Years.

Katara: We just want you to be prepared for what you-

Sokka: Hey I think I see something.

They looked ahead and saw a large temple in the mountains.

Aang: There it is: The Southern Air Temple.

Katara: Aang it's amazing!

Ryu: 'Nope, not buying for a second they're alive. Someone's gotta be prepared to be Aang's rock.'

They landed as Aang seemed excited as they got off Appa and went up the temple.

Sokka: So, where do I get something to eat?

Ryu: Think about your stomach later.

Sokka: Hey, you ate half of my Blubbered Seal Jerky! This is partially your fault!

Katara: Your lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to visit an Airbender Temple, and all you can think about is food?!

Sokka: I'm just a simple guy with simple needs.

Aang: That's we're my friends and I would play Airball! And over there is where the Bison would sleep, and... *Sigh*

Katara: What's wrong?

Aang: This place used to be filled with Monks and Lemur's and Bison, now there's just a bunch of weeds. I can't believe how much has changed.

The three saw how down Aang was as Ryu and Sokka nodded to each other.

Ryu: So, how do you play Airball?

Aang's mood slightly raised. After a moment they were all at the Airball goals with Aang and Ryu on the footholds. Aang spun the ball which seemed to work with Airbending. He threw it up into the air with Ryu not taking his eyes off Aang. Soon he whipped the ball forward with Airbending to Ryu, the latter whom barely kept his balance catching the ball.

Ryu: Phew.

Aang: Nice goalie skills Ryu!

Ryu: Thanks, but I'm guessing you can only use Airbending for the game?

Aang: Yup! But your an Earthbender and a Firebender so there's an exception to the rule!

Ryu: Yeah cool.

Katara: Aang, there's something you guys need to see.

Ryu turned jumping down before seeing a Fire Nation helmet.

Ryu: Oh...

Katara looked at the helmet before bending the snow down and onto Sokka.

Aang: What is it?

Katara: Uhh, just a new Waterbending move I learned.

Aang: Nice one, but enough practicing. We have a whole temple to see!

He started walking off with Ryu folding his arms looking at Katara.

Ryu: Katara, you realize that'll make things worse right?

Sokka: Yeah, you can't protect him forever.

She said nothing as they walked off following Aang.

Sokka: Katara Firebender's were here, you can't pretend they weren't.

Katara: I can for Aang's sake. If he finds out the Fire Nation invaded his home, he'll be devastated.

Ryu: What use is avoiding the inevitable?

Aang: Hey guys, I want you to meet somebody!

They turned seeing a statue of a bald monk.

Ryu: Who's that?

Aang: Monk Gyatso, the greatest Airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know.

Ryu: Greatness coming from the Avatar? I'm impressed.

He bowed for a little while before looking up with a somber look.

Katara: You must miss him.

Aang: Yeah...

He walked up to the confusion of everyone.

Katara: Where are you going?

Aang: To the Air Temple Sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet.

TIME SKIP!!

Katara: Aang, no one could've survived in there for 100 Years.

Aang: It's not impossible. I survived in the iceberg for that long.

Ryu: Ah Ah Ah, you were in suspended animation. None of that bull Iceberg boy.

Aang: Guys, whoever's in there might help me figure out this Avatar thing.

Ryu: Unless it's the Avatar before you I doubt it.

Sokka: And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious, CURED meats!

He tried busting through the door but ended up stopping.

Sokka: I don't suppose you have a key.

Aang: The key Sokka, is Airbending.

He took in a deep breath before blasting air into the tubes in the door. After three symbols unlocked in it the door opened.

Aang: Hello? Anyone home?

Ryu hearing that grew increasingly worried.

Ryu: 'Aang you might be twelve but you're smart.'

They all followed as it was dark in the room. Soon they saw statues.

Sokka: Statues? That's it?! Where's the meat?!

Ryu: You realize Airbender's are vegetarians right?

Sokka: WHAT?!!

Katara: Who are these people?

Ryu: This one is Avatar Kiyoshi.

Aang: Yeah, that's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me. All of these are my past lives.

Katara: Wait, how can you tell? There aren't any names on them.

Ryu: It's spiritual mumbo jumbo, you wouldn't get it.

Sokka: You were a firebender in your past life! No wonder I didn't like you before!

Ryu: Really? Firebender right here.

Sokka: Oh yeah... sorry.

Ryu rolled his eyes and saw a shadow in a peculiar shape. Sokka noticed as well as he grabbed Aang as Ryu grabbed Katara.

Ryu: *Whisper* Over there.

He pointed to the shadow.

Sokka: *Whisper* Don't make a sound.

Katara: *Whisper* But you two are making a-

Ryu/Aang/Sokka: SHH!!

Ryu lit a flame in his hand as the Shadow got closer. When it got into sight though it showed not to be a firebender but in actuality a Lemur.

Ryu: Huh. False alarm I guess.

Aang: LEMUR!!!

Sokka: Dinner!

Aang: Don't listen to him. I'm gonna make you my pet!

Sokka: NOT IF I GET HIM FIRST!! YAAAAH!!!!

They both ran after the Lemur as it flew out of the room.

Katara: That was alarming.

She turned to Ryu who had his arms crossed.

Ryu: Katara he's gotta know.

Katara: Come on, you've gotta think how this will affect him!

Ryu: Katara I am thinking a-

Katara: No!! Aang is still just 12! He may have been in the iceberg for 100 years but he didn't age!!

Ryu: Katara listen-

Katara: I thought you would be able to get that! That you were the one Firebender that would be able to not force something like this! I know how hard it is to lose family like Aang but you-

Ryu: KATARA!!

His eyes went slitted as she stopped.

Ryu: Why do you think I want him to know? Aang deserves to know something so important. Not knowing someone has died, believing they were alive until your were told, that's the worse kind of pain.

She looked at the look in his eyes as her own eyes widened.

Katara: Ryu, did you-

Ryu: When I was nine I found out I was an Earthbender. My mother was Firebender and my dad is where I got my earth side so naturally I shouldn't have exactly been alive.

Katara: ...I'm really sorry. I didn't even stop to think about your view on this.

His eyes went back to normal as he looked to Katara.

Ryu: We all make mistakes. Let's just make sure we don't make a big one by waiting for Aang to-

They saw the statue eyes start to glow.

Katara: What's happening?

Ryu: Wait... The past lives, Aang, power unleashed, forced from pain and need-

This eyes widened.

Katara: Ryu?

Ryu: Aang found out!!

He grabbed Katara by the arm and ran.

Katara: Woah!! Slow down!!

Ryu: Can't!! If those eyes are glowing than Aang must have triggered his avatar spirit.

Katara: But how?!

Ryu: The only way he could've! He must've found out about the Airbender's!!

They ran out feeling a strong wind. They got closer and saw the source was Aang in a dome of air.

Katara: WHAT HAPPENED?!

Sokka: HE FOUND OUT FIREBENDER'S KILLED GYATSO!!

Ryu created cover for the two as he started going forward.

Katara: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

Ryu: Trying to save my friend!!

He powered forward through the battle intense winds and grabbed Aang's wrist.

Ryu: Aang I know how angry you are right now. I know what it's like to lose the people you love. Sokka and Katara do too!

Katara: He's right, Monk Gyatso and the other Airbender's might be gone, but you still have a family. Ryu Sokka and I, we're your family!

The wind began to subside as he landed on the ground as Ryu finally let go of his wrist.

Sokka: The three of us aren't gonna let anything happen to you, promise.

Katara held his hand before Aang slowly dropped from exhaustion as she caught him.

Aang: Sorry...

Katara: It's ok, it wasn't your fault.

Aang: But you were right. And if Firebender's found this temple, the probably found the other ones too. I really am the Last Airbender.

Ryu put his hand on the Monk's head with a small smile.

Ryu: Well Aang, I'm probably the only person of Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation heritage so it's kinda like we're in the same boat. We'll pull through this together.

CHAPTER END!!