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four. mini vacations !

𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀, searching for something - anything - that hinted at life amidst the seemingly endless golden horizon. The grasses swayed lazily in the breeze, a whispering sea of yellow under the afternoon sun, but the emptiness of the landscape felt almost overwhelming.

"What's out here?" Sokka asked, his voice cutting through the quiet. There was a note of curiosity, but also a familiar impatience lingering beneath.

Nearby, Toph knelt down, her fingers brushing against the earth. She tilted her head, closing her eyes to focus on the vibrations in the ground beneath her. Her mouth twitched, a knowing smirk forming. "A lot, actually. There's hundreds of little-"

"Shhh!" Aang interrupted, his voice soft but playful. He glanced over his shoulder at her with a mischievous spark in his eyes. "I know you can see underground, Toph, but don't ruin the surprise. Just watch."

Aang brought his flute to his lips. The first soft, haunting notes echoed across the quiet savanna, carried by the breeze. For a moment, there was nothing but the music, weaving through the grasses and reaching toward the distant horizon. Then, from one of the many burrows scattered across the landscape, a small, furry creature poked its head out cautiously.

Aang grinned, his face lighting up with boyish delight. "I'm putting an orchestra together," he declared, his eyes gleaming as more creatures began to emerge, drawn to the melody.

Sokka crossed his arms, unimpressed. "An orchestra, huh? Well, la dee da," he muttered, sarcasm dripping from every word. Aang, however, paid him no mind, his focus entirely on the growing ensemble of critters now gathering around them.

As the creatures scurried about, Momo leaped from one to another, chittering excitedly and trying - unsuccessfully - to catch them. Aang's music kept playing, filling the savanna with its lively tune.

"This is great and all," Sokka interrupted, his tone sharper now, "but don't we have more important things to worry about? We should be making plans."

"We did make plans," Hini chimed in, a rare grin tugging at her scarred face. Her usual stoic expression softened for a moment as she glanced at the others. "We're all picking mini-vacations, remember?"

"There's no time for vacations." Sokka's response came quick, almost defensive, the weight of their responsibilities heavy in his voice.

Aang, feeling the tension rising, lowered his flute and turned to face him. His expression softened, but there was determination in his voice. "I'm learning the elements as fast as I can. I practice hard with Toph and Katara. I've been training my arrow off."

"Yeah," Katara stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm as she joined the conversation. "What's wrong with having a little fun in our downtime?"

Sokka's frustration boiled over, his voice rising with every word. "Even if you do master all the elements, then what? It's not like we have a map of the Fire Nation. Should we just head west until we reach the Fire Lord's house? Knock knock! Hello Fire Lord? Anybody home?" He threw his hands up in frustration, pacing a few steps. "I don't think so. We need some intelligence if we're gonna win this war."

Aang's flute hovered in his hands, but he didn't resume playing. Katara's brows furrowed slightly as she glanced between Aang and Sokka, searching for the right words to diffuse the moment.

"Alright," she finally said, her voice steady, "we'll finish our vacations, and then we'll look for Sokka's intelligence."

There was a beat of silence, then Aang turned to her, relief softening his features. "Your turn, Katara," he said, his voice light again. He rummaged through his belongings, pulling out an old, weathered map. "Where would you like to go on your mini-vacation?"

Katara leaned in, her eyes scanning the map as her finger traced the lines of rivers and mountains, until it stopped at a small mark. "How about the Misty Palms Oasis?"

Aang's face lit up instantly. "Oh yeah, I've been there. It's a pristine natural ice spring. And I don't usually use the word 'pristine,'" he added with a grin. "It's one of nature's wonders."

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When they arrived at the Misty Palms Oasis, the group's earlier excitement dimmed, replaced by a creeping sense of unease. The scene before them was a far cry from the pristine natural beauty Aang had described. The once-lush trees were withered, the ground dry and cracked underfoot. What should have been an oasis felt more like a dusty outpost, forgotten by time.

Aang's face twisted with a mix of surprise and disappointment. His voice was lighter than his expression as he forced out a small laugh. "Must have changed ownership since I was here."

Just as they passed under the old, weather-beaten sign that read "Misty Palms Oasis," there was a loud creak, followed by a crack. The sign broke free and crashed behind them, shattering into splinters.

Despite the less-than-ideal surroundings, the group pressed forward, their initial excitement tempered but not entirely extinguished. They wandered deeper into the oasis, passing dilapidated buildings and cracked fountains that had long since dried up. The air was heavy with the smell of dust and age, and the wind kicked up little clouds of sand that swirled around their feet.

Eventually, they came across an old bar. Its weathered exterior looked like it had seen better days, but it carried a certain rugged charm - like a relic of a time long passed. On their way in, they passed a group of sandbenders, their faces mostly hidden under dusty hoods, who regarded them with wary eyes.

Inside, the bar was dimly lit, the air thick with the mingling scents of sweat, spices, and something faintly sweet. Their eyes adjusted to the low light, taking in the worn wooden furniture and the walls, which were covered in old posters and faded maps. The place was bustling, patrons murmuring in low voices, their faces shadowed by the flickering lanterns overhead.

At the counter, something caught their attention. A figure stood behind it, expertly wielding two swords in a display of fluid, practiced movements. The blades sliced through the air in a dance of silver, ending with a flourish as the barista completed the intricate preparation of a mango-flavored drink. The sweet aroma filled the air as they poured the vibrant orange beverage into a glass.

Aang's eyes lit up with admiration, and he turned to Hini, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Hini, you should definitely learn how to do that!"

Hini chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Maybe if we had more time for tricks like that," she joked back, though there was a warmth in her smile.

Sokka, eager to distract himself from their earlier disappointment, gave an exaggerated sigh. "I don't see anything wrong with having one of those fruity drinks while we plan our next move," he declared, pushing past his friends to head toward the counter.

Before Sokka could reach the bar, there was a sudden crash. Aang, in his excitement, had collided with a man who had just picked up his own drink. The bright orange liquid spilled over Aang, dripping down his clothes in sticky, sweet-smelling streaks.

Aang blinked, momentarily stunned, before breaking into a grin. "No worries," he said, shaking his head. "I clean up easy." He airbended the liquid right off his clothes, leaving him dry and perfectly clean in an instant. The sticky residue swirled in the air for a moment before being whisked away entirely.

The man stared at him in astonishment, his eyes wide with surprise. "Oh, you're a living relic!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

Aang offered a modest smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, I try."

The man's eyes lit up even further as he extended a hand toward Aang. "An Air Nomad, right here in front of me," he said, his excitement bubbling over. "Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se University." He introduced himself.

Meanwhile, Hini accepted the mango beverage from Sokka, her smile warm as she nodded her thanks. She sipped from the glass, savoring the sweet, tropical flavor as Sokka turned toward the professor.

"So, Professor, you seem like a well-traveled guy," Sokka started, his tone casual but laced with purpose. "Do you have a map? Ours seems to be a little... outdated."

Zei's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "Certainly!" he replied eagerly, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a rolled-up map. He spread it across a nearby empty table, the parchment soft and worn from years of use. The map unfolded to reveal a network of intricate lines - rivers, roads, and paths that crisscrossed the landscape in intricate detail. The group gathered around, their heads bent in concentration as they traced their fingers over the surface of the map.

Sokka leaned closer over the worn map, tracing a finger along the edges of the Earth Kingdom. "What, no Fire Nation?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief and frustration. "Doesn't anybody have a good map of that place?"

Katara glanced at the map and then back at Professor Zei, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "You've made a lot of trips into the desert," she noted, gesturing to the numerous crisscrossing paths Zei had marked.

The professor let out a sigh, nodding with a look of regret. "All in vain, I'm afraid. I've found lost civilizations all over the Earth Kingdom, but I haven't managed to find the crown jewel - Wan Shi Tong's Library."

Toph, lounging nearby with her feet propped up on the table, couldn't resist a laugh. "You've spent years walking through the desert to find some guy's library?" She sounded incredulous, like she couldn't think of a worse way to spend time.

Zei, undeterred by her skepticism, responded with a gleam in his eye. "The library is more valuable than gold, little lady. It is said to contain a vast collection of knowledge, and knowledge," he paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "is priceless. According to the legend, it was built by the great knowledge spirit, Wan Shi Tong, with the help of his foxy knowledge seekers."

Sokka raised an eyebrow, leaning in with a smirk. "Oh, so this spirit has attractive assistants, huh?"

Katara groaned, rolling her eyes. "I think he means they look like actual foxes, Sokka."

"You're both right," Zei interjected with a chuckle. "Handsome little creatures. Wan Shi Tong and his knowledge seekers collected books from all over the world, and put them on display for mankind to read, so that we might better ourselves."

As Zei spoke, he unfurled another map - a detailed drawing of the library itself. Sokka's eyes lit up, his curiosity getting the better of him. "If this place has books from all over the world, do you think they've got info on the Fire Nation?" He glanced at Zei, hope sparking in his eyes. "Maybe a map?"

Zei nodded thoughtfully, though his expression was uncertain. "I wouldn't know, but if such a thing exists, it's in Wan Shi Tong's library." Professor Zei said.

Sokka straightened, his enthusiasm renewed. "Then it's settled!" he declared, turning to Aang with a grin. "Aang, I do believe it's my turn. I'd like to spend my vacation at the library!"

Before Aang could respond, Toph raised her hand, waving it in the air as if to get his attention. "Hey! What about us? When do we get to pick?"

Sokka shot her a teasing smile. "You gotta work here a little longer before you qualify for vacation time."

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The group continued their trek across the scorching desert, the heat rising in waves as Appa glided steadily through the oppressive air. Each gust of hot wind seemed to drain their energy as they clung to the saddle, eyes scanning the vast, seemingly endless expanse of golden dunes in hopes of spotting the library.

"Ugh, does this place even exist?" Toph groaned, voicing what everyone was thinking. She leaned back, her brow furrowed in frustration.

"Some say it doesn't," Professor Zei replied, though the excitement still hadn't left his voice.

Toph shot up, her face set in a glare. "Shouldn't you have mentioned that before?" She flopped back dramatically, letting out a loud groan that mirrored her rising irritation.

Suddenly, Toph sat bolt upright again. "There it is!" she exclaimed, pointing toward the horizon.

Everyone scrambled to the side of the saddle, peering intently into the distance. But as they strained to see, the only thing that greeted them was more sand.

"That's what it'll sound like when one of you actually spots it." Toph finished, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips as she waved a hand in front of her eyes, reminding them all of her blindness.

A collective groan rose from the group, but Hini merely shook her head, a wide grin on her face. "How are you guys still falling for that?" she teased, clearly amused by the scene.

Katara sighed, refocusing on the task at hand as she squinted at the endless stretch of desert beneath them. "It shouldn't be this hard to spot a giant, ornate building from the air."

Suddenly, Sokka's eyes lit up as he pointed eagerly into the distance. "Down there! What's that?" His voice carried a mixture of hope and excitement.

Katara gave the structure a cursory glance before shaking her head. "Forget it. The building in the drawing is enormous. That's probably just another random ruin."

Before anyone could voice their disappointment, something unexpected caught their eye. A fox-like creature, sleek and shimmering copper, darted across the sands, a scroll clamped between its jaws. It climbed the walls of structure, disappearing through a high window.

Professor Zei's eyes widened in excitement, his body almost vibrating with anticipation. "That was one of the knowledge seekers!" he exclaimed, nearly bouncing in his seat. "Oh, we must be close to the library!"

"No, this is the library!" Sokka declared, holding up the drawing for comparison. He pointed to the top of the structure, where remnants of ornate carvings barely peeked above the dunes. "It's completely buried under the sand!"

The realization hit them all at once - what they sought had been right beneath their feet, hidden by the desert itself. Professor Zei fell to his knees, his hands clutching at the sand as if to mourn his lost hopes. "The library is buried!" he wailed, his voice thick with despair. "My life's ambition is now full of sand."

For a brief, solemn moment, he remained frozen in his sorrow. Then, suddenly, his mood shifted, and he whipped out a small shovel, eyes gleaming with determination. "Well, time to start excavating!"

Toph, having had enough of the dramatics, strolled over to the building's weathered wall and placed a hand against it. After a moment of quiet concentration, she spoke. "Actually, that won't be necessary. The inside seems to be completely intact - and it's huge."

"That fox thingy went in through the window. I say we climb up there and give it a look," Sokka suggested, pointing upward with his usual mix of determination and recklessness.

Toph, arms crossed and stance defiant, let out a short huff. "I say you guys go ahead without me."

Katara raised an eyebrow, her curious. "You got something against libraries?" She glanced at Toph, not quite understanding her reluctance.

Toph's mouth twisted into a smirk as she leaned back slightly, her tone casual but firm. "I've held books before, and I gotta tell you, they don't exactly do it for me."

Katara's eyes softened, her realization dawning. "Oh... right. Sorry," she murmured, feeling a pang of guilt. Toph's blindness was easy to forget sometimes - she was so strong, so fiercely independent, but moments like this reminded them all of the ways in which the world wasn't always built for her.

Toph waved it off with a casual flick of her hand. "Let me know if they've got anything I can listen to," she added, though her tone was still light, trying to brush past the moment.

Hini, standing nearby, looked over at her sister with concern etched into her features. She hesitated for a second, clearly torn. "Want me to stay with you?" Her voice was quiet, offering the solidarity Toph rarely asked for but knew was always there.

"Nah, go ahead. I know how much you love those ancient sword fighting scrolls," Toph replied, her tone carrying a teasing edge, though there was an undercurrent of sincerity. She appreciated the offer but didn't want to hold her sister back. Toph didn't need anyone to babysit her.

With a final glance and a reassuring nod, Hini turned to join the others, her heart still tugging with the desire to stay behind. But she knew better. Toph needed space more than company right now.

As the group made their way down the long tower, their hands gripping tightly to the sturdy rope that served as their guide, they couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of their surroundings.

"Oh, it's breathtaking," Professor Zei exclaimed, his voice filled with awe as he took in the architectural wonders that surrounded them. "The spirits spared no expense designing this place. Look at those beautiful buttresses!"

His words elicited a stifled snicker from both Aang and Sokka, who exchanged amused glances before quickly composing themselves. "What's funny?" The Professor inquired, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Nothing, we just like architecture."

As the group made their way down the towering structure, their eyes widened in wonder at the sprawling expanse of the library that lay before them. Each floor seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance, shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls waiting to be discovered.

Suddenly, a commotion echoed through the library, causing the group to instinctively seek cover behind nearby pillars. Their hearts pounded in anticipation as a giant owl spirit emerged from the darkness, its piercing gaze sweeping over the room.

"I know you're back there." The spirit declared.

Undeterred by the spirit's imposing presence, Professor Zei stepped forward. "Hello! I'm Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se University." He introduced himself, bowing deeply before the majestic creature.

"You should leave the way you came, unless you want to become a stuffed head of anthropology."

Sokka, undeterred by the spirit's ominous warning, stepped forward with a bold question. "Are you the spirit who brought this library to the physical world?"

"Indeed. I am Wan Shi Tong, he who knows 10 000 things. And you are obviously humans, which by the way are no longer permitted in my study."

"What do you have against humans?" Aang asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

"Humans only bother learning things to get the edge on other humans." He explained, his tone laced with disdain. "Like that firebender who came to this place a few years ago, looking to destroy his enemy. So who are you trying to destroy?"

"What, no, no, no destroying, we're not into that." Sokka lied.

"Then why have you come here?"

"Knowledge, for knowledge's sake."

"If you're going to lie to an all-knowing spirit, you should at least put some effort into it." Wan Shi Tong remarked dryly.

"I'm not lying." Sokka insisted, his voice firm despite the unease that churned within him. "I'm here with the Avatar, and he's the bridge between our worlds. He'll vouch for me." With a determined tug, Sokka pulled Aang forward, positioning him squarely in front of the imposing spirit.

"Uh, yeah, I'll vouch. We will not abuse the knowledge in your library, good spirit. You have my word."

Wan Shi Tong regarded Aang for a moment longer before nodding in acceptance. "Very well. I'll let you peruse my vast collection, on one condition. To prove your worth as scholars, you have to contribute some worthwile knowledge."

Each member of the group stepped forward to fulfill the spirit's request. Professor Zei presented a tome, Katara followed suit, offering a waterbending scroll and Hini presented a scroll on swordsmanship.

Aang hesitated for a moment before offering up his own contribution-an intricately drawn wanted poster of himself. Finally, it was Sokka's turn. With a mischievous grin, he stepped forward and presented a seemingly simple object-a special knot.

"Enjoy the library," he declared at last, before disappearing into the darkness below.

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As Hini sat amidst the pile of ancient sword fighting scrolls and books, she felt a sense of exhilaration wash over her. It was as if she had stumbled upon a treasure trove of knowledge. With practiced precision, she sifted through the collection, her keen eye discerning the most intriguing texts to stow away in her bag for later.

Her reverie was interrupted by the voice of Aang, pulling her attention. "Sokka, where are you going?"

"I want to know what happened to the Fire Nation on their darkest day. This could be promising." He explained, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency.

With a swift motion, she leaped over the pile of papers, her excitement palpable as she raced after the group. Together, they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of Wan Shi Tong's library, their footsteps echoing against the ancient stone.

"The information on the Fire Nation should be right up here." As they made their way through a doorway, anticipation bubbling within them, their hopes were dashed by a grim sight. Inside, everything lay in ruins, the once-vast collection of knowledge reduced to charred remains.

"That's so unfair!" Sokka exclaimed, his frustration evident as he sank to his knees amidst the ashes. "Just when I think I'm one step ahead of the Fire Nation, it turns out they beat us here a long time ago. I need to know what happened on the darkest day."

The fox creature, now whining behind them, drew their attention to a promising discovery. They followed the creature's lead as it guided them to a towering golden door, its surface gleaming in the dim light. When the creature let them in, it pulled a lever, revealing a ceiling adorned with intricate celestial patterns. The group's eyes widened in awe as they watched the spectacle before them.

"It's a planetarium that shows the heavens moving." Professor Zei exclaimed.

"Uh, this is beautiful, but how is it helpful?" Sokka questioned, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Maybe these dials represent dates and times. Sokka try enetering that date from the parchment you took." Katara suggested, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.

"Shhh, Katara. Not in front of the fox he's with the owl."

Sokka complied with Katara's request, inputting the date from the parchment into the intricate mechanism of the planetarium. With a pull of the lever, the celestial display sprang to life once more, its gears whirring and turning as the stars danced across the domed ceiling. When the mechanism finally came to a stop, the sun was obscured by the moon's shadow, casting the chamber into a dim twilight.

"Hey, wait, what happened to the sun?" Katara exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern.

"Great, you must've broken it." Aang said.

"It's not broken. The sun is behind the moon, it's a solar eclipse! Jt's literally the darkest day in fire nation history. Now i get it! Something awful happened on that day, I don't know what, but I do know why. Firebenders lose their bending during a solar eclipse." Sokka rambled, shaking Aang from excitement.

"That makes sense. I mean, think of what the lunar eclipse at the North Pole did to waterbenders." Katara remarked. "This is huge."

"We've got to get this information to the Earth King in Ba Sing Se. We'll wait fkr the next eclipse, then we'll invade the Fire Nation when they're totally helpless. The Fire Lord is going down!" Sokka declared.

But their triumphant moment was short-lived as Wan Shi Tong's voice echoed through the planetarium. "Mortals are so predictable. And such terrible liars." The spirit intoned, his voice resonating with disappointment. "You betrayed my trust. From the beginning, you intended to misuse this knowledge for evil purposes."

"You don't understand. If anyone's evil, it's the Fire Nation." Sokka argued, his voice tinged with frustration. "You saw what they did to your library. They're destructive and dangerous. We need this information."

"You think you're the first person to believe their war was justified? Countless others before you come here, seeking weapons or weaknesses or battle strategies."

"We had no choice. Please, we're jusf desperate to protect the people we love." Aang explained.

With a sweep of his majestic wings, Wan Shi Tong created a cacophony of noise and motion, signaling his intent to reclaim his knowledge. "And now I'm going to protect what I love." He declared. "I'm taking my knowledge back. No one will ever abuse it again."

"He's sinking the building! We've gotta get out of here!" Katara yelled, her voice filled with alarm.

"I'm afraid I can't allow that. You already know too much."

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, the group sprinted through the labyrinthine corridors of the crumbling library, their footsteps echoing against the ancient stone as they fled from the vengeful spirit.

As they reached the main chamber, they were met with a horrifying sight-the sand the library had been buried in was beginning to flood, cascading from the walls and swallowing everything in its path.

"We've gotta get back to the surface." Aang urged.

"Sokka, let's go!"

"But we still don't know when the next eclipse is gonna happen." Sokka protested, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Don't be stupid, we'll find out later."

"No we won't. If we leave this place we'll never get the information." Sokka argued. "Aang, come with me to the planetarium, I need cover. Katara and Hini, take Momo and get out of here."

Before Katara could try to stop him, the spirit unleashed a barrage of destruction, sending bookcases crashing down in their path. With a firm grip on Katara's wrist, Hini pulled her along, their hearts pounding in their chests as they ran for their lives.

They raced through the library, their breath coming in ragged gasps. Finally, they found a momentary respite behind a bookcase, their chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath.

Wan Shi Tong's voice echoed, his ominous words sending shivers down their spines. "At least I'll have one specimen to add to my collection." He declared as he lunged towards them. With a burst of adrenaline, the girls sprang into action once more, their feet pounding against the floor. They raced towards the rope that had brought them into the library.

When they turned around, they found themselves face to face with Wan Shi Tong. "Your waterbending won't do you much good here. I've studied Northern Water Style, Southern Water Style, even Foggy Swamp Style." The spirit exclaimed.

Sokka descended from Aang's glider with a swift and decisive blow, striking the spirit on the head. "That's called Sokka style. Learn it!"

Seizing the opportunity, they grasped onto the rope and began to ascend towards the safety of the surface. But as they climbed, Professor Zei made a decision to remain behind, his thirst for knowledge outweighing his desire for escape.

Just as they neared the top, the spirit regained consciousness. The sudden commotion caused them to lose their grip on the rope, sending them hurtling towards the ground below. Aang swooped down with his glider, letting them latch onto it. They soared out of the collapsing library, the ancient structure sinking into the sand below as they emerged into the open air.

"We got it. There's a solar eclipse coming. The Fire Nation is in trouble now!" Sokka exclaimed triumphantly, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and excitement.

Hini rushed to her sister's side, finding Toph sitting next to what once was the library.

"Where's Appa?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry. But Toph could only shake her head in response, as Hini enveloped her sister in a comforting embrace.

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