Sketch By Me! If you want more of my Ayaan Study, I plan to put all of that on my Patreon. Also, how would one do art commissions? I'm thinking about trying this, but I have... no clue what to do. I feel very stupid. hELP.

...Anyways~ On to the story!

There were smiles everywhere, the atmosphere on the deck the lightest it had ever been. Sure, there were some with injuries, some that were a bit ill, but each and every one of them had a relieved expression on their face despite that. Why? It was quite simple.

They were free.

"Thank you, Lord Ayaan, and you, Katara, of the Water Tribe," Tyro said, his voice heavy with genuine gratitude. "My family and everyone here owe you much."

"Yeah, you guys were awesome out there!" Haru added, admiration in his voice. He turned to the slightly imposing Ayaan, having to look up at him a bit. "I knew you were holding back on us during training, Lord Ayaan, but I never thought it was that much."

"I wanted to train you, not harm you." He answered. Though he kept silent after that. Ayaan wasn't one to speak when he didn't need to.

"So, I guess you're going home now," Katara said, picking up where her brother left off. She was proud of the fact that she and her family truly had saved these people. They'd come so far since leaving home, and they'd only go further.

"Yes. To take back my village." Tyro said. He raised his fist to the air, his voice echoing throughout the rig, "To take back all of our villages! The Fire Nation will regret the day they set foot on our land!"

"RAAHHH!!!"

"TO THE EARTH KINGDOM!"

"TO HOME!!"

The earthbenders were riled up by the man's impressive bravado, earning a nod from Ayaan. Yes, this was much better than before.

"Speaking of that," Sokka said, getting Tyro's attention. "We're a bit ahead of you. I'll explain."

"Please do, Sokka of The Water Tribe." Tyro nodded. With that, Sokka began explaining everything they'd set up at his home and what was spreading through the other villages as they spoke.

"Come on, Haru!" Katara said, grabbing his hand, "Let's help the others." At this, Haru smiled, nodding his head as he let himself be pulled along.

Ayaan had the strange urge to point his spear at that smile on his face and demand she let go of his hand, but he refrained.

Currently, he was thinking deeply about everything that had transpired. While he was glad it was finally over, it was a short-lived feeling. The enemies that they were facing were becoming stronger. This battle proved that to him. While the fight had been won, that did not mean it hadn't been hard.

And on top of that, he had to worry about his family getting hurt. Katara was almost injured. He needed to train more. They needed to become stronger. If not, he feared the day his strength wouldn't be enough.

What would he do if that happened? How would he be able to live if one of them got hurt on his watch? He didn't want to think of the possibility of it happening. He didn't want to think about the fact that one day he wouldn't be enough.

He couldn't live with himself if he let that type of failure come to pass.

It couldn't happen.

'Not again.'

Meanwhile, everyone was preparing for their departure. They didn't want to stay there for even a second longer, but they needed to utilize it to its fullest. Some of the earthbenders scoured the place, looting it of any money, tools, or anything else they could find. All of this was suggested by Sokka and Ayaan.

Aang, being Aang, suggested setting up booby-traps that they could 'booby' into too. He was a prankster at heart and had plans on top of plans. But as much as Ayaan was tempted to set up a bunch of traps, they simply did not have that kind of time. So, he had to decline the airbender's suggestion.

"Awe man..." He grumbled.

"Next time, Aang. Whenever we get the chance." Ayaan said, patting his head.

"Yes!" Aang was back to being a burst of sunshine.

Yon's people gathered info they could use later, they scoured every room at impressive speeds. Among the earthbenders that joined her cause on the rig, there were others that had been with her since the beginning. Her shadows. They followed her orders to the letter.

The lavabender wrote something on a small piece of paper, filling Bella's scroll holder. The flutterbat, eager to get back to work, left as soon as Yon told her where to go. With one last rub against Ayaan's cheek, can't forget that, she flew off to who knows where.

Aang was still with the children, helping them get onto the ferries with their parents if they had any. He teamed up with Katara and Haru to make sure they were secure.

Haru gazed at Katara, a meaningful expression on his face as he said, "Come with us."

"I can't." She answered, a bit bashful under his gaze. There was something there that was... a bit different from all of the other times they'd exchanged glances. "Your mission is to take back your home. Ours is to get Aang to the North Pole."

"He's the Avatar, huh? Who would have thought..." Haru had easily become friends with Aang. He was someone that was fun to be around, something he and the other kids their age had forgotten about. While they were obviously rivals for a certain girl that was oblivious to it all.

Said boy had left to join Appa and Momo, who were chilling in the water. Some of the prisoners were patting them, which they enjoyed immensely. While Ayaan's pats were the best, these were good too.

Momo was just glad that his rival was gone, that meant he could monopolize his spot on his favorite human. He did not like to share. He didn't have to share with Appa because Appa was huge, he couldn't fit there. But Bella was different. She had experienced the glory and comfort of that spot on his human's shoulder.

He had to be more vigilant. His human was too lovable.

Not far from them, Sokka was making his way back to his brother. He'd been worried about Ayaan since he let himself be captured, and seeing him now was confirming a few things for him.

Ayaan was lost in thought, gripping tightly at the spear in his hand. His hand would clench, then relax, only to clench again as the frown on his face became more and more visible. So Sokka went over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Ayaan Bro?"

Ayaan jolted a bit at the hand on his shoulder. It only took him a second to recognize the worried gaze of his little brother. He hadn't noticed that he was clutching his spear that tightly. He didn't know how tense he was until his brother snapped him out of it.

"Yes?"

Yet another thing to add to the list of worries.

"Are you feeling okay, bro?"

Ayaan had kept repeating the same mantra in his head. Nothing had happened to them. They were fine. Everything was well. They were leaving. After taking a breath, he answered his brother, "...I'm fine."

There was a small frown on his little brother's face when he said that, though.

'Why?'

"We'll talk once we get back." Sokka was resolute. When he looked, really looked, he was able to see the truth. How hadn't he before? When he stopped looking at his brother as just his idol and as a human being, he was able to see it so clearly. The worry, the stress, and the little nuances in his form that spoke of his discomfort.

How hadn't he noticed that before?

There was no way he was going to leave him to deal with whatever he was battling with alone. What kind of brother would he be if he wasn't able to give him support when he needed it? Ayaan was able to do that so easily for them, now, it was his turn to give some of that comfort.

"Okay...?" Ayaan could do nothing but nod. The determined gaze that held his own wouldn't take any other answer.

'Gran-Gran did that too.'

"Come on. I already told Tyro about phase three." Sokka said. "They don't need us here for that, and those phantom guys are..." the young watertribe warrior shivered, "scarily good at what they do."

"Yes." Ayaan agreed. "They are very capable allies. I also explained to Hala and the other elders everything. How they implement those long-term plans will be up to them."

They've done everything they can for them. Now they had to concentrate on their own mission: getting to the North Pole.

"How in the world did you befriend people like that anyway?" Sokka asked.

A large shadow overcast his surroundings, "There is a long and short answer to that question, kid."

"AGHADFVUAD—!!!" Sokka frantically waved his boomerang around only to bashfully calm down when he realized who it was. "O-oh. I knew it was you, Yon. I knew all along."

The impressively built lady did not hide her amusement. "Sure you did, pup."

"Pup?!"

"Yep. You're like a little puppy." Sokka reminded her of a puppy trying to imitate his larger kin, but not quite big enough to do what they do yet.

"OI! I am a mighty warrior!" He exclaimed, trying to look intimidating.

"Yes." Ayaan nodded, patting his brother on his head. "You are mighty."

Sokka practically glowed with happiness.

"Pfft." Yon's amusement grew. "How adorable. A cute pup, and a deceivingly docile pup."

Ayaan tilted his head. "I am a pup, too?" He didn't dislike the nickname. He was usually associated with wolves.

Around their home, there were some Snow Wolves that often migrated there to hunt. When he was younger, some of the pups from the pack would play with him. Most of the adults stayed away, but for him, they were just large playful dogs. Their father refused when he said he wanted to raise one of them though. They were wild and had parents to take care of them.

His six-year-old self was sad, but he understood.

His nickname, The Lunar Warrior, was actually taken from a species of wolves known as the Lunar Wolves. They were said to live in the north, and be closer to spirits than normal animals. It was said that they carried out The Moon Spirit's will, but nothing was certain. Lunar Wolves hadn't been seen in many, many years.

"Yep, little one." Ayaan was sure that Yon was the only one that can call him 'little one', "A well-trained one, yes, but still a pup."

'Still a pup... still a kid...'

It was the first time he'd heard something like that. The first time in what felt like a very long time.

Sokka, however, sputtered at the nickname, screeching in indignation. "I am not cute! I am a handsome, manly man!"

"PFFT—" Yon actually had to look away, but that didn't hide her laughter at all. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that, pup."

"OI!"

Lifting her hands, she ruffled both of their hair, no longer bothering to hide her laughter at the younger's accosted expression. "That aside, you guys did wonderfully. Good job."

Our boy's eyes widened just a tad at the praise. This brought back memories, pleasant ones he rarely remembered anymore. The peaceful days he used to spend training with his dad, who would ruffle his hair and praise him just like this.

"...Thank you," Ayaan said, softer than before.

Yon was silent for a moment, before nodding her head. "Yep. It was definitely the right decision to adopt you."

"Oi! You ain't stealing my bro!"

"Sure I'm not, kid." The invisible sparks were flying once again, but Ayaan, for some reason, had the odd urge to laugh. He felt at ease. Even if this would only last for a moment, he'd savor it.

As if that thought alone summoned the universe to cut his peace short once again, all of them heard Katara's shout.

"My mother's necklace! It's gone!"

'Huh?'

Their mother's necklace, one of the few pieces left of her, was missing. Something in Ayaan's world tilted just a bit. His scar felt itchy, painfully itchy. But he pushed it down.

"Ayaan, mom's necklace, have you seen mom's necklace?! Anywhere?"

"No." He shook his head. "Let's search a bit."

And they did. Sokka, Katara, Ayaan, and Aang all spent a bit of time searching for the missing necklace. But the silo was large, and they'd been everywhere during the battle. Coal, weapons, pieces of armor, the rig was a mess.

It would take too long to search for a small necklace amongst all of that. Time which they just did not have. So, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "We don't have the time to properly search for it. We have to go."

"But Ayaan!"

"We have to go, Katara." He restated firmly. Time was of the essence, and as much as he too wanted to keep searching for it, they just didn't have that kind of time.

Katara did not answer. She boarded Appa in desolate silence, not even looking Ayaan in the eye. Ayaan sighed. He wasn't going to deal with her right now, he didn't have the patience. He left to get Aang and Yon, since they were going to drop her off.

That left Sokka, who was already on Appa, and Katara, alone.

When Katara got on, his eyes narrowed, an expression of irritation on his face. He'd seen the entire exchange, and he was far from pleased. His words made it even more clear. "It's no wonder you never understand him." He let his ire at Katara's attitude shine through, "You're not even trying to. Not really."

"What do you mean by that? I have been trying!"

"No, you haven't." Sokka rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming along. "You want him to understand you, not the other way around."

At that, she paused. When she looked back on it, she could feel the shame growing. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. How she reacted to his negative response to looking for her necklace showcased that completely.

"Stop thinking with your heart for a second and use your head. You want to keep looking for mom's necklace amongst all of that," He gestured to the now-wreaked silo, currently being ransacked for all its worth by the remaining earthbenders, "knowing there's firenation on our trail?"

"I know. I know... but..." She sighed.

"Look." Sokka began, "I know how much that necklace means to you. Heck, it means a lot to all of us. But that doesn't make it okay to take out whatever feelings you have on Ayaan." He snapped. "He's got enough to deal with just taking care of us. We have to stop adding to his workload by being difficult."

Properly reprimanded, Katara could only agree. "Yeah."

When Ayaan and the others got back, Katara gave her brother a hug. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I know we're on short time and things are hard. You matter more to me than a necklace." She said firmly. Her family would always matter more to her than a piece of jewelry, no matter how sentimental it was for her.

Ayaan returned her hug silently. He didn't say anything, but his embrace was warm, speaking for him. She'd almost forgotten how great Ayaan's hugs were.

'How long has it been since I've given him a hug?'

When she found that it was difficult to answer, she felt bitter. She was going to remedy that. Lots of hugs from now on.

"Family Hug." Was all Ayaan had to say for Sokka to join in too, delighted to receive his brother's amazing hugs. Just like his sister, he wondered how long it's been. Yep, definitely more hugs from now on.

Aang watched the scene with a somber smile before a strong hand pulled him down and into the pile. "Ah! Wh—"

"That includes you, Aang," Ayaan said simply. Aang, elated, gladly joined in on the group hug. And now, he'd gotten to experience the greatness of an Ayaan hug, too. Definitely more hugs.

If Ayaan held up a sign that said 'free hugs', there would be chaos.

Yon was just off to the side of the saddle, watching the cute display. Guess she was adopting a few more kids? But that would have to come later, she had important things to tell this group before they dropped her off. "Sorry to interrupt the beautiful moment here, but there is something you guys need to be aware of."

"Yes," Ayaan nodded. "You said that there was something you needed to tell me and Aang."

"Yes." Her demeanor flipped like a switch. "It would be dangerous for you not to be aware. Much more dangerous than firenation."

"Dangerous?" Sokka asked. It was his and Katara's first time hearing that Yon had something to tell them.

"What's more dangerous than Firenation?"

"The fire nation are not the only ones in the world hunting the Avatar. And the Avatar isn't the only one being hunted. In fact," She pointed to Ayaan, "I'm sure that these guys would want you more than him."

"What?!" Everyone was on edge, holding on to their eldest even tighter than before. Ayaan's eyes narrowed, though he didn't speak. It was his silence that prompted Yon to continue.

"Look closely at this." She pulled something from her shirt pocket. It was a small token with a special symbol on it: a golden, swirly triskelion. In the space between each of the three spirals was a jewel. One was a ruby, the next was obsidian, and the last was a white diamond.

"Whoa..." All of them stared at the beautiful token with undisguised awe. Indeed, this small piece must be worth a fortune! Such intricate designs were carved masterfully into it, "What kind of jewel is this?"

"It looks a bit like the symbol my people use with the spirals..." Aang said, "But it's all connected instead of free flowing like ours." He stared at the jewels, "and a lot more expensive looking."

"This token bears the symbol of my clan, the Asrar. The golden swirls represent our unity, while the jewels are what is unified. The obsidian signifies our connection with the earth, the ruby with our spirit, and the diamond with the spirits of others." She stated.

"You guys seem like you'd easily be a big-name in the world," Sokka accessed, "so how come no one's heard of you?"

It was a great question, as expected of the budding genius, Sokka.

Even though they had infiltrated so deep into the firenation, no one noticed more than mishaps and failed operations. Sokka could tell that this 'Asrar' clan ran deep, deeper than he could fathom, but how was it that they weren't well known in the world? They were like a whisper.

And how come they were showing themselves so openly to them, just a bunch of kids who happen to be traveling with the Avatar?

It pointed to something bigger, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Ayaan was of the same thought process, but they'd proven time and time again that they were on their side. His side. And having strong allies in this war was more than welcome.

"For one, we don't socialize much." Yon vaguely stated. "And then, there's also this... other problem we need the discreetness for."

"What problem?"

"The ones who bear this damned symbol." She spat, pulling out another token. There was another triskelion on it, but it was different. The 'swirls' were angular, rigid, rather than flowing. They were not connected at all, separated by the single gem located at the center. It resembled a pearl but gave off anything but purity. It was murky and gray, something within it that just didn't belong.

Overall, it looked very simple. Unimposing, small. But it was an ominous thing despite that, which made Ayaan and Aang both recoil.

But why? It was just a trinket.

"This was on one of the fire nation soldiers in this area. We, as the Asrar, could not let such a discovery go without investigating. This is the reason our group is here."

"Grrr..." An unconscious growl escaped Ayaan as his eyes stayed locked on the token. Aang was pale, like he'd seen something horrible. The left-out watertribe siblings weren't sure why they'd gotten like that from just seeing the small token.

"What's wrong guys?" Katara was the first to ask, Sokka gazing at them with worry.

"It's wrong," Aang answered. "It feels so... wrong." He didn't know how else to describe it.

Aang, as a monk, is more spiritually in tune than others. He, as the Avatar, was even more so. He was the type of person who wanted to see the good in everything. But that... that thing. It gave off a feeling of wrongness he couldn't ignore.

If one paid close attention, the arrow on his head seemed to faintly glow, signifying his discomfort.

Ayaan was silent, so much so that it was unsettling. "Ayaan Bro...?" Sokka called out to him, hoping to break him from whatever trance he'd entered. When his brother looked at him, he held in a gasp.

His eyes, they'd become that icy blue again.

What Ayaan was feeling wasn't a sense of wrongness.

"What is that thing." He demanded to know.

It was rage. He was enraged when he saw it. Something in the back of his mind was screaming. There was an agony deep within his being that he couldn't place. The laughing and singing that he heard faintly in the wind became silent sobs. But beneath them, something was yelling in outrage. Something that felt so close, yet so far.

Something that he always felt was missing.

Something that had to do with this damned thing before him.

'Why do I hate it so much I want to stab it thousands of times?'

"This is the symbol of the 'Asrani', the banished clan. In a time before the four nations were separate, we too were one tribe. But they went against our ways, becoming ruthless shadows seeking power and vengeance. As to why you two feel so strongly about it... It may have something to do with one of your predecessors."

"One of the previous Avatars encountered these people?"

The sun began to set beneath the horizon. The clouds were painted in a cascade of oranges and reds, gentle breezes flitting past them as they sat silently, waiting for the mysterious lady to continue.

"I wasn't born then, obviously, but during the time of the last Avatar, or maybe the one before him, something happened. It was one of the bigger fallouts between the Asrar and the Asrani." Yon revealed. "The Asrani are heretics who see everything as a way to gain power for themselves. They decimate the spirits and everything they stand for, what we stand for. Their radical views could not be condoned, and their ways resulted in something awful happening."

"What happened...?"

"The Asrani attempted to separate a blessed child from their spiritual tie, their blessing, their soul's gift." Yon said with disgust and disdain, "Do you understand what that means for them?"

"No," Sokka shook his head, "Would they become like others? Normal hair, strength, and stuff like that?"

Yon shook her head, solemn at the very thought. "After having something so connected to them ripped from their being, they die a slow, agonizing death."

The trio gasped, not expecting something so horrible. All of them were protectively holding their eldest whose expression went rigid. The thought of some mystery clan having killed, no, murdered someone like Ayaan in such a way... disturbed them. They were worried. Rightfully so, about him.

Those people, that clan, they were still out there. And... they were helping the fire nation.

"That... is very scary," Aang said. "As if dealing with learning Avatar stuff and avoiding Firenation wasn't enough already... Now there are lunatic spirit terrorists we have to look out for? Awe man..."

Ayaan could only give Aang head pats in reassurance.

"Yeah, this just keeps getting crazier." Sokka agreed. "We're still extremely far from the North, and now we gotta be extra careful."

"...Getting to the north has become more important," Ayaan said, finally breaking his silence. His thoughts were a mess. His scars ached. There was something so eerily familiar about that damn symbol. But when he surfed through his memories, there was nothing there.

'Why do I hate something I've never seen before—'

p҉l҉ē҉ค҉Ş҉ē҉,҉ ҉f҉i҉ຖ҉໓҉ ҉๓҉ē҉ ҉ค҉ງ҉ค҉i҉ຖ҉.҉.҉.҉

"Ugh..." He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the sudden headache. What was that? It wasn't the one who sang, or the one who laughed. This was a different voice, but he couldn't hear it properly. It sounded impossibly far away, distorted.

'Who are you...?'

"Are you okay, Ayaan?" Katara noticed his discomfort this time.

"Yes. I'm fine." He answered, shaking the thought away. He shouldn't dwell on what he couldn't discern.

"You have the protection of the Asrar on your side," Yon assured, bringing him from his thoughts, "Blessed children are sacred to us. What those bastards have done, what they plan to do, and their very existence is an insult wrapped in sin to the Asrar. Those disgusting weeds, asswipes, vermin, scum bitches, motherfu—"

"Ooookay. We get it. They are very, very bad guys." Sokka carefully put a hand on her shoulder. The older lady would have gone on an hour-long rant of swearing at the clan if they let her continue.

"Where was I? Oh yeah." She continued as if nothing happened, "I'll introduce myself a bit more formally. I am but a small part of a large force known as The Number Guard, a twelve-rank elite squad of highly trained individuals. Our jobs? We kick firenation ass, and we fucking obliterate any Asrani we come across. You've met a few of us already."

"Those Phantom Unit guys, right?" Sokka said. "Those dudes are incredible. Terrifyingly efficient."

"Yep. I would expect that. I trained them, after all."

"Huh?!"

Guess we know where Wǔ got his thought process from.

"What?" Yon raised an eyebrow. "I trained the painter trio, too. Surely you've met those triplets somewhere. They always go on about trying to find their 'muse'."

"Hold up," Katara massaged her head, trying to take in the information, "You're telling me those triplets that were obsessed with Ayaan back on Kyoshi were part of your group too?!"

"Ah, so you did meet them!" She confirmed. "They aren't like the marvelous me, but they got coordination out of this world. Fighting them is scary, and that's coming from me."

Katara was shocked as she turned towards Ayaan. "Brother, your fan club has powerhouses."

"His fan club is indeed unexpectedly powerful." Sokka agreed, stroking a beard that did not exist. "It's awesome we got allies this strong so early in our journey."

"Yeah, I'm certain his club grows everywhere we go." Aang added, "It's got to be an army by now."

"I still do not understand what you mean by fan club." Ayaan said, confused, "Why would people like me enough to start a club? I only met them briefly."

"Because you're you." They all said in unison.

"But what does being me have anything to do with having a fan club...?" Ayaan still did not understand.

"Child. Sweet child. Big Sis Yon will explain." She had the devil's smile on her face as she beckoned him closer. Once he was beside her, she went on her filterless rant.

"You, my dear child, are the entire package."

"Package?"

"Oooh yeah. You definitely have it." She accessed. "Most blessed children do. It's part of the blessing and natural genetics dear. Your siblings are also good-looking people. I'm sure they'll grow into gems of adults."

The siblings were flattered by that. Sokka looked smug, while Katara was bashful. Aang was just looking at Katara, nodding his head sagely at the assessment.

"But you, Ayaan, take the cake." She said firmly, "Kind, protective, helpful, tall, handsome, the list goes on."

"I, um, thank you...?" He wasn't sure what to do with the praise. She wasn't saying it as a compliment, she was stating it as facts. Pure facts she was certain of.

"And as a warrior as well versed as you, you got the body, dear. The body." She taps his chest," Grabable pecks," she taps his legs, "thick thighs," and she finishes by sliding her fingers through his now shoulder-length wolf tail. "and it's topped off with exotic looks? The entire package."

"I—that—" He felt his ears burning.

"There isn't a thing a woman would want that you don't already have, child, and you still have yet to fully mature." Yon was wiggling her eyebrows, "I am honestly surprised you haven't received marriage proposals yet with the assets you packing, kid."

Now he just wanted to evaporate and disappear into nothingness. "...There was one lady who proposed to me..." He corrected, "I declined. I didn't know her."

"See. There ya go." She sat back, resting her case. "You got the stuff, kid. The good stuff. How you aren't aware of that is beyond me."

"Um..." It was so strange for him. How is he supposed to respond to that?

"She's right, you know," Katara said. "You are like every girl's dream guy."

"That is..."

"Yep! You're amazing, Ayaan!" Aang nodded.

"Thank you, Aang..."

"A friggen blessed dreamboat," Sokka grumbled, agreeing. "Can't you share the glory, bro? Give me some of your looks for one day, Ayaan bro. Just one. I'll swoon all the ladies."

Katara whacked him in the head, earning an indignant 'ow'.

"...It's true though, just look at him."

He was smacked again.

"Sokka. You are my brother. We share looks." He tried, but his little brother was having none of it.

"Nah, bro. There is me." He gestured to himself, plain, simple, Sokka, "and then there's you." He gestured to Ayaan, hair sparkling in the setting sun, muscles filling his clothes, tall, prince-like.

Ayaan was the only one not seeing the difference. Sokka was just smaller than him for obvious reasons. "...Is it my hair?"

"No!" They all said. Ayaan tilted his head.

"So, it's literally me?" He asked, incredulous.

"Yes!" They all agreed.

"People really... like me?"

"YES!" They were vigorously nodding their heads.

"...Oh." Now he really wanted to evaporate as the understanding was starting to set in.

A few more minutes of harmless banter continued until they reached their destination. Yon hopped off of Appa with one mighty leap, landing with enough force to crack the ground. She gave the bison pats as a thank-you for the ride.

"Are you sure you can't come with us?" Aang asked, "Having you around would be amazing! And maybe you could teach me earthbending after I learn waterbending!"

"As much as I'd love that, I sadly can not. There is too much to do here still, a lot more havoc to reap." She had a maniacal smile on her face. "Catch." She flicked something to Aang, who caught it easily. When he opened his palm, he saw that it was a simple version of her clan token.

"I'm certain we'll meet again someday. Besides..." She whispered to herself, "Y'all will have little phantoms keeping you company until then."

With that, she surfed her way away on mounds of rock, disappearing into the distance.

"I hope we meet her again, she was incredible. And funny." Katara said. "And maybe you did find yourself an earthbending teacher ahead of time, Aang."

"Yeah!" Then a thought struck him, "Wait, what if her training is like Ayaan's training...?"

"Training that you still will be doing and that I have not forgotten about," Ayaan said, sending shivers down their spines. They had hoped he'd forgotten, but nay...

"Come on. Let's go." Ayaan said, pointedly ignoring how their souls were leaving their bodies at the thought of his hellish training.

This little stop turned into a lot more in a very short time. They'd gotten more allies, some startling information, and a whole new slew of questions. But Ayaan wasn't one to dwell on questions he couldn't answer himself for long. He'd put it to the side for now, opting for the more important task of their journey to the north.

So into the dusk sky they flew once again, not noticing the three tails they had following them with their own form of transportation.

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