> The Four Elements > by Shining Star > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Avatar: The Last Airbender > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Water Earth Fire Air My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace when the Avatar kept peace between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked The Avatar, master of all Four Elements, only he could stop the ruthless fire benders. But when the world needed him most. He vanished. A hundred years have passed and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. Some people believe the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and the cycle is broken. But I believed the Avatar would return, and he did. My brother and I found the Avatar, an airbender named Aang and though his airbending is great he still has a lot to learn before's he's ready to save anybody. But I believe Aang can save the world. > Chapter One: Ba Sing Se > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Twi? Are ya sure we should be here?” Twilight Sparkle stood tall and proud surrounded by the mirrors in this special room in the Crystal Palace. “Of course. I learnt so much about the humans where I was staying and there could be so many other worlds out there we could learn from! It’s just so exciting!” Twilight jumped around on the spot from excitement. Pinkie Pie bounced around the mirrors. She was giggling and pausing at each one looking at it quizzically before bouncing on. “So which one are we gunna choose Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked hovering above everybody else. She looked down at her friends. Everyone was here now. Fluttershy, Rarity, AJ, Twilight and Pinkie Pie. Rarity moved off from the group and looked up at a mirror. “Why not this one? Its décor is just charming and it looks so chic!” Rarity said with a squeal. Twilight moved up to her friend and looked up at the beautiful mirror. The mirror was carved unlike many of the mirrors here with little symbols and signs. Most were repeated squiggles were others looked like a type of rune that Twilight had never seen. “Oooh! It looks so pretty! Can we go here Twilight? Can we, can we, can we?!” Pinkie nearly screamed with excitement. The ponies gathered around the giant mirror. Twilight nodded with a small smile. “I guess we have to start somewhere right?” “Right!” the other five ponies said in unison. “Well than let’s go! Is everyone ready for an adventure?” “Um… Twilight?” Fluttershy’s timid voice spoke up. “Yes Fluttershy?” Twilight asked looking over her shoulder. “Are you sure this is a good idea… what if we can’t get back?” Rarity stepped in front of Fluttershy with sympathy on her face. “Fluttershy, I promise you, as long as we are together we shall be fine. We are on an educational trip into these new worlds to see what we can learn. We will all be fine.” The yellow Pegasus mare still looked unsure. After a few moments of her eyes shifting from the confident look on her friends faces she nodded. Rarity smiled at her friend. “Good. I am happy you feel safe, now let’s get a move on. We don’t want to miss anything going on at the other side.” “Who should go through first?” Rainbow Dash asked finally landing and staring at the mirror. Everypony looked at one another expectantly before finally one of the mares stepped forward. Twilight faced the mirror bravely. “I guess I should go first seeing how I have travelled to another world before. Everypony can go into the mirror straight after one another. Does everypony understand?” Nods were given to the Alicorn all round. “Okay, I guess on the count of three.” “One, Two, THREE!” Twilight jumped into the portal feeling the coolness surround her again as she felt her body contorted and pulled as colours and images flashed by in spiral motions around her. Five different screams soon followed her own as the six mares were tugged to the only Celestia knows where. I bright light filled her eyes as Twilight made contact with hard earth below face planting into the ground. Five similar thumps and crashes followed her as the others landed in where ever they were. Instinctively Twilight tried to stand on her hooves. Only to find they weren’t there. “Aaaggghhh!” Twilight screamed looking at the pale colour of her human hands. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no! I can’t be a human again! I just can’t!” She looked at her body and saw her usual furry lavender coat was replaced by flesh coloured skin and her figure again looking like a humans. She reached up to try and find her faithful horn but to no avail. That would mean her magic and wings were gone too! But where were the others. Twilight looked behind her to see five humans much like her all scattered in front of an old archway. She could barely recognize any of them. In the human world she had visited once before her skin was the same as her pony coat colour. Why was this world so different? She took a closer look at her friends and saw how much they had changed. Each pony was still recognisable in her own way but their hair colour… They weren’t the same either! Everyone had changed so much. Rarity, her hair was still in its elegant curls just it was a deep rich beautiful brown colour that shone. It was tied too though, in a beautiful bun with loose curls and blue beading. Pinkie Pie, her hair was now a bright and vibrant red, almost shading into pink! It was left in its messy uncontrollable puff ball atop her head. Fluttershy, her hair was flowing free, a soft strawberry blonde colour leaving that hint of pink within the highlights. Poor Rainbow Dash, her hair was blonde and in a high ponytail ruffled and full of multi-coloured ribbon attached to the base of the ponytail and flowing and twining with her hair. Applejack’s hair was its usual blonde long and tied back with short string at the bottom except she was missing one thing… “Mah hat?! Where’s ma hat!” she shouted frantically. Rarity lifted her head groggily looking about. “My, my. Where are we?” She tried to stand up much like Twilight had except to find fingered hands instead of her usual hooves. “AAAAHHHH! Where are my hooves! Where are my hooves!?” Twilight ran over and tried to calm the fashionista. “Rarity! Calm down! Please you’ll draw to much attention and we don’t need attention. We all became humans like I did except we don’t look like the humans did in the other world I visited. Please calm down.” Rarity had her mouth gaping open staring at the ‘human’ Twilight Sparkle above her. “Twi… Twilight… Your hair. It’s… black…” Only Rarity would talk about hair before anything else. Instinctively Twilight reached to her hair at her side to find it missing. She felt atop her head and felt the usual texture of hair their just tied up in a bun. She also felt a new accessory. It felt like a small crown or tiara. She could find out later, but right now she needed to see if her friends were all okay. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were slowly waking up and Rarity was explaining everything to AJ. Fluttershy shot up from her place on the ground and instantly stood up on her human legs and began pacing. Twilight stood with her mouth wide open staring at the mare, uh, girl. “Fluttershy, how did you do that so?” “What do you mean- Ahhh!” She screamed more loudly than any living thing had ever heard leave her mouth. Fluttershy lifted up her hands and fingers looking at the new appendages. “How-“ “MY WINGS!” Rainbow Dash cut off Fluttershy trying to reach her back. “No! I can’t fly! I can’t be Rainbow Dash without my wings!” The girl frantically started to panic walking all along the empty street they were in. Twilight shook her head at the chaos around her. Taking a deep breath she entered the chaos of her friends. “Guys please calm down. This isn’t the time to panic, we need a plan.” Everyone heard the authority in Twilight’s voice and knew to take her advice (no matter how “un-calm” she had gotten in the past) and took deep breaths. “There, better. Now is anyone hurt?” Everyone shook their heads confirming they were fine. “Before you continue darling, may I ask were our new attire came from?” Rarity asked holding her long skirts out. Twilight noticed the outfits everyone was wearing now. Rainbow Dash had tight white pants and a baggy flowing light orange pirate shirt on accompanied by a wooden necklace with a pendant with three spirals in the middle. Fluttershy had the same necklace on as Rainbow but was instead wearing an orange dress that was cut above knee height in the front but flowed to a full length train at the back. A silver belt with a pouch sat on her hip. But both former pegasi were without shoes. Again Pinkie Pie and Applejack had clothing similarly coloured. Pinkie had a short light green tunic with gold trimming along the edges and dark green tights covering her legs and a pair of brown gladiator sandals. Applejack wore a green so dark it was almost black as a long sleeved undershirt with a light green belly top over the top. Brown pants and black boots tied the outfit together. Twilight would have thought seeing the two other pony races of her friends in similar colours, Rarity and her would be the same, but she was proven wrong as she looked at her clothing then to Rarity’s. Unlike her, Rarity wore a full gown of a sea blue with long sleeves trimmed with white fur at the edges balancing the colours. A dark blue belt sat on her waist with three white feathers attached to the side. A hood was attached to the dress. But Twilight was surprised at her outfit. A ruby red sleeveless belly top adorned her top half with only a simple tie around skirt trimmed with hanging gold pieces and golden stitched patterns all over it with black leggings hugged her legs tightly. Two gold bangles with rubies inside sat high on her arm. Her feet were left bare as she walked to her friends. Pinkie Pie was the first to speak up out of the six. “Wow! We all look so pretty! And so different!” Rarity looked at each outfit accusingly. “I must say out of all the outfits here Twilight’s would be the most regal. She almost looks like a Princess of sorts with that jewelled red crown and necklace of hers. But I wonder why Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash wear the colour orange and those necklaces while Pinkie Pie and Applejack wear the colour green, all matching pairs according to your tribe species and though I and Twilight technically were both unicorns are two different colours?” “Maybe ‘cause Celestia turned her into a Alicorn it makes some sorta difference.” Applejack tried answering. Rainbow Dash snorted. “It doesn’t matter why we do or don’t have the same colours, what matters is finding a way home!” Twilight smiled. “It’s easy we just go back through the por…tal?” Turning around Twilight Sparkle saw the archway the exited through was gone. “No! Where is it?! It was right here!” Twilight searched the entire wall looking for a place the archway might be hiding but to no avail. They were stuck here until they figured out some way to get home. Twilight kicked a stone down the street in anger for it only to hit someone. “Ow!” a painful cry came from the end of the street. “Sorry!” Twilight called out sympathetically. She was not off to a good start “exploring” this new world when all she did was hurt others. A boy with an angry face came round the corner and stomped over to them. He was extremely weird looking with the sides of his hair shaven off leaving only a triangle with a ponytail in sitting high in the middle. He wore a tunic and pants similar in colour to Rarity’s dress and carried a green bag with what looked like a long eared cat inside. “What’s the big idea?! Hitting me in the head with a rock while I’m out looking for a flying bison! I mean how else are we going to find Appa if we don’t-” he yelled his voice getting higher as he screamed at the six girls. Suddenly a large rock crashed from the ground underneath the boy sending him high into the sky stopping him from finishing his sentence. His arms went flailing as he started to plummet towards the ground. “Sorry about ponytail boy, he’s just got issues.” Said a voice coming around the corner. A small girl with thick black hair and a green tunic and pants walked around the corner. She stomped her foot on the ground again sending the strange boy flying and landing in front of her. “Sokka be nice. Apologize to these people. Though I have to say to whoever kicked that rock, it was an epic shot! Hit him straight in the middle of his head! Priceless! The name’s Toph by the way and mister ponytail here is Sokka. You guys aren’t from around here are you?” “Uh, no.” Twilight said slightly apprehensive. “We aren’t from around here. It’s nice to meet you though Toph and Sokka. My name is Twilight Sparkle and these are my best friends, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy.” She motioned to each of her friends. Toph snorted. “Well it was nice seeing you all.” She cracked up with laughter and even Sokka lying on the ground cracked up laughing at some joke. “What’s so funny?” Rainbow Dash asked dreading on the tone of threatening, taking offense at the laughing. Toph managed to get her giggles under control. “Well, ya see. I’m blind! Hahaha!” She continued laughing at her own jokes as she pulled a funny face revealing her glazed over pupils and irises showing she was indeed blind. “Oh I’m so sorry to hear that darling!” Rarity exclaimed shocked at the poor girls eyes. Toph waved her hand dismissively. “Meh. Don’t worry I can see perfectly fine with these babies!” she waved her feet in the air wiggling her toes. Fluttershy stepped forward intrigued. “You see with your feet? How?” “I’m an Earth bender see, so I use the earth to ‘see’ my surroundings. Pretty neat huh?” “What in the hay, is earth bending?” Applejack asked exasperated. Toph looked, well not literally, at the friends confused. “You’ve never heard of Element bending? Where have you been since forever?! A lot of people can bend these days. Mainly fire nation’s soldiers but, ya know, what can you do?” Sokka finally stood up straight and pointed at Toph accusingly. “Not cool Toph. Not cool.” His attention turned to the friends though but his eyes narrowed down on Twilight. “You. You are a… a… FIRE NATION!” “I’m a what?” Twilight asked confused. “What’s a ‘fire nation’?” Toph grabbed Sokka by the ear. “SHE IS NOT FIRE NATION DODO!” she screamed into his ear. “Yes she is! Look at her clothing! RED! It’s all red! She’s fire nation. Though I didn’t expect Fire Nation to be this stupid waltzing around Ba Sing Se in their national clothing. Hey look! She’s a Water Tribe!” He exclaimed pointing at Rarity. Rarity looked alarmed and cleared her throat. “Hem hem. I’m Rarity not this… Water Tribe or whatever you called it. I am a lady.” But Sokka took no notice of her speech and instead moved onto the Earth ponies. “Look these guys are Earth Kingdom! But these two…” he said looking at the pegasi. “I don’t know what you are. What nation are you from?” The two girls looked startled when Sokka came and grabbed their necklaces. “Hey I’ve seen these before…” You could see the gears in Sokka’s head click. “We need to go see Aang. Now.” Toph looked confused. “Wait, why? And what happened to the accusations at the Fire Nation girl? I was enjoying listening to your rant.” Sokka looked dead serious as he grabbed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s arms and dragged them away. “Because they're Air Benders.” > Chapter Two: Lake Laogai > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- !PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END! Fluttershy squeaked as Sokka continued to pull the former pegasi down the street, where as Rainbow Dash was struggling against the boy's strong grip. "Hey! What's the big idea! Let me go!" she yelled in Sokka's ears. He winced but kept pulling them down the road at a snail pace. Before he even reached the half-way point a large wall of rock shot up from the ground. Toph tapped her foot on the ground. "Sokka let them go! I can feel them struggling in your grip so let go." Sokka let them go pulling back his bitten and scratched hand, thanks to Rainbow fighting back, and nursing it painfully. "Toph those two are wearing Air Nomad clothing and their wearing air bender master necklaces! They could be air benders… or they could be Fire Nation spies... Either way Aang would want to see them." Toph sighed over dramatically slamming another rock column into Sokka's rear. "Sorry 'bout that you guys. Pea brain here, ("Hey!") thinks your air nomads. I mean come on. I didn't realize he could get any stupider. The only other Air bender is Aang and he's the very last." Twilight stepped forward going over to the fuming Rainbow Dash and pale Fluttershy. "Um, Toph. What's this 'air bending' and 'Fire Nation'?" Toph tilted her head. "How could you not know what the Fire Nation is? Everyone knows them! They are the brutal, savage and deceiving army ruled by the devious Fire Lord Ozai. The Fire Nation started the hundred year-" Sokka slammed a hand over her mouth. "Sssshhh. Remember what Long Fegn said, the Dai Li are everywhere..." Sokka said his eyes scanning the surrounding buildings with nervous eyes. Toph pushed him away with her hand. "Whatever. I hate this city and its stupid rules..." Applejack shifted on her feet. "Okay, Ah'm confused 'bout this whole thing. Where in the hay are we?" The six friends looked expectantly at the two strange humans. Sokka looked as confused as they did at the strange question. "You’re in Ba Sing Se the last safe city in the whole world; you're not from around here are you?" "Nope." They all said in sync. Both Toph and Sokka sighed. "So what elemental nation are you from?" "Uuh... what do you mean, "Elemental nation"? Rainbow Dash asked moving the annoying hair bangs out of her eyes. "Water tribe, Earth kingdom or, ugh, Fire nation. So what one are you from?" Sokka asked. "Like we said we're not from here. But why is it such a big deal if Fluttershy and I are these air benders you keep talking 'bout?" Rainbow Dash asked crossing her arms across her chest. "Air benders are almost extinct, that's why it's so important if you are Air Benders, which they aren't Sokka!" "How could an entire species be destroyed?" Fluttershy asked shocked. Toph huffed. "The Fire Nation happened. They went to all the Air Temples and BAM, they wiped them all out except for Aang who was... away at the time. They killed them because the next Avatar, the only one standing in their way, was a little Air Bender boy." Fluttershy looked shocked at the prospect of them just being killed because one person was special. Using her long hair she covered her face, much like she would back in Ponyville, before stepping forward to speak more forwardly. "Where... where is Aang now? He isn't hurt is he?" Sokka spoke up suddenly . "Physically? He's fine. The attack on the Air Nomads was over a hundred years ago. But... I guess you could say he is hurting a bit right now. In his heart." "So what is it about the Avatar that is so powerful that a Nation would wipe out so many people?" Twilight asked intrigued. She had been soaking in all this knowledge and facts, doing exactly what she had come here for. Gaining knowledge. But know she wanted to meet this person, this Aang person. This world was hurting so much, there was no care, it was only people getting hurt and killed and she knew she could help. So she would. But she needed to meet this 'almighty' Avatar first. "The Avatar is the only person in the world who can control the four elements. He could wipe out a fleet of Fire Navy ships in minutes if he chose too. That's why the Fire Nation wouldn't take any chances with taking out the Air Nomads." Sokka said. "Aang disappeared for a hundred years and my sister and I found him and started helping him in his quest to master the four elements. We're here in Ba Sing Se to help end the war and find our bison Appa. Hey wait..." Sokka eyed Twilight up and down making her feel extremely uncomfortable. "You're... YOU'RE FIRE NATION! Why am I even talking to you?! I'm so stupid, I just gave you all this information on Aang and everything. YOU COULD BE WORKING FOR ZUKO OR HIS CRAZY SISTER!" "I didn't even know what the Avatar was until you told me!" Twilight yelled. "BUT LOOK AT YOU! Black hair, red clothes though those purple eyes are new for a Fire Nation." "Wait. Purple?" Twilight gasped. Finally! Something here was the same as home! "Sokka she's too nice to be Fire Nation. You’re getting paranoid these days, I mean geez, we're in Ba Sing Se, and if we were under attack we would know." Toph said moving towards the six Elements of Harmony. "I can tell you're not lying when you say that, and I can always tell if someone is speaking the truth. I'll show you the way to Twinkle Toes, you look like you could use some help." She waved them on to follow her down the streets away from where they had first came and through the streets of Ba Sing Se. A deep rumbling came from a block away, like the sound of a Tsunami crashing to the ground. "Did anyone else hear that?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I felt it and its powerful water bending. Katara's in trouble!" Toph yelled running in the direction of the noise. Sokka ran at full pelt taking over Toph in her pursuit of the noise. Not wanting to lose their only guides the six Elements ran after the two. The sound of metal clashing with solid objects filled the small courtyard they all entered. On the other side a small boy with a large blue arrow on his head was running towards an alley way. “There’s Aang!” Sokka yelled running after the boy. The large group rounded the corner to see a teen pinned up to a wall with icicles and two swords in front of him. “Katara what is it?” Sokka yelled out trying for the girl in the alley’s attention. Katara glared daggers at the boy pinned to the wall. “Jet’s back.” The boy, Jet, stared back at the group of teens and unfamiliar girls. Katara’s hands scrunched up in rage. “We can’t trust anything Jet says.” Sokka looked at the two confused. “But we don’t even know why he’s here?” “I don’t care why he’s here, whatever the reason it can’t be good.” “I’m here to help you find Appa.” Jet said strongly from his place on the wall. He unrolled a scroll from his hand revealing the lost posters Sokka and Toph were pasting earlier. Everyone looked at Katara strangely and expectantly, while she crossed her arms in defiance. The small boy with the arrow spoke up and talked to her. “Katara we have to give him a chance.” He said calmly. “I swear, I’ve changed. I was a troubled person and I let my anger get out of control, but I don’t even have the gang now! I’ve put all that behind me.” Katara looked pitiful at Jet before her face hardened. “You’re lying!” Toph shrugged past her and placed a hand on the wall. “He’s not lying,” she said slowly. “How can you tell?” Sokka asked. “I can feel his breathing and heartbeat. When people lie there’s a physical reaction. He’s telling the truth.” Toph stepped back and faced her friends. “Katara we don’t have any leads.” Aang pleaded. “If Jet says he can take us to Appa, we have to check it out.” Katara looked away from Aang before giving her answer. “Alright.” She quickly looked back at Jet and pointed to him threateningly. “But we’re not letting you out of our sight!” “Thank you Katara.” Aang said with a grin on his face. A silence fell over the group as Katara continued to kill Jet with her eyes. Sokka scratched his head before he remembered. “Ooh! Guys, I want ya to meet our new friends.” He said waving at the six girls behind him, who had patiently been waiting out the tense argument. Aang waved nicely at the group. “Hi nice to meet you guys!” “Hey! Why don’t you have any hair? Are you the Avatar thingy that Twilight and Sokka were talking about earlier?! Why do you have a cutie mark on your head? What does that staff do?!” Pinkie squealed as she went into friend making mode. She circled Aang shooting questions left, right and centre at the boy. “Um… wait what?” Aang looked at Pinkie Pie confused. Applejack walked over and covered Pinkie’s mouth that was still going a million miles a minute. “Ah’m sorry ‘bout that partner. Pinkie can be a bit eccentric.” “Uh… no… problem?” Confused at what had just happened Aang shrugged it off. Sokka cleared his throat. “Aang, Katara, these are some travelers who could use a lot of help at the moment. They didn’t even know what the elemental tribes are! Any way go ahead and introduce yourselves guys.” He waved them forward. Twilight was the first to step forward, but Aang and Katara instantly got into fighting positions. “Sokka! Why did you bring a Fire Nation here?!” Katara screamed. Twilight held her hands in front of her in a sign of peace stepping back. “Please, I mean no harm. My friends and I are lost and happened to meet Sokka and Toph only a few streets away.” “How can we trust you when you wear clothing of the Fire Nation? You even have a flame jewel in your hair!” Aang yelled readying to attack. “Twinkle Toes pay attention! She is not lying. Like I said I can tell a liar and her and her friends aren’t. We found them lost and confused only a few minutes ago. I don’t know if they hit their heads or are extremely stupid but they know nothing!” Toph hissed the last sentence privately to the Avatar. “But Aang, I thought you may want to see these two.” Sokka said excitedly. He pushed both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy forward. Aang stood with his mouth wide open staring at the two girls. “How- but-but… wha’?!” He rubbed his eyes and squinted at the pair. “Where did you get these clothes?!” He yelled pointing his staff at them. Fluttershy began to cry with the pointy stick in her face and the unfamiliar human yelling at her. Rainbow Dash stood in front of her friend protecting her and glared at the boy. “HOW DARE YOU MAKE FLUTTERSHY CRY! NO ONE MESSES WITH MY FRIENDS! IF YOU WEREN’T THIS AVATAR DUDE NO ONE SHUTS UP ABOUT, THEN I WOULD MAKE YOU CRY TEN FOLD!” A huge blast came from a hand flung out to swat away the staff pointing in her face. The huge blast of air flung the strange boy into the wall next to him, leaving him to fall to the ground. “How… what just happened?” Rainbow Dash asked. Katara rushed to help Aang off the ground while Sokka jumped in the air with joy. “Yes! I was right! In your face Toph. I was right! They ARE air benders!” Sokka started doing a strange victory dance while everyone shot him looks of confusion. Twilight shook her head letting his strange antics pass. She focused on Katara and Aang who was being helped up from his landing place in the dirt. “I promise you, we mean no harm to any of you. We all woke up in the middle of the street in these clothes and we have no idea where we are. Our only way home is lost, and if what Sokka and Toph say is true and you are as powerful as they say, you could be our only way home. Please, hear us out if only for a moment.” She pleaded trying her best to put the most friendly and sincere look on her face. Aang dusted himself off and quickly looked to Toph to seek assurance that what Twilight said was true. Toph nodded showing she believed Twilight. Aang looked back at the six girls. “Okay, I’ll help you in any way I can but I need to ask, how can you air bend?” He directed the question at Rainbow Dash who still looked confused and surprised at what had just happened. “I… I don’t know. I was angry that you made Fluttershy cry and tried to move that stick out of my face then, poof, I felt the air around me become part of me and then you crashed into the wall. Which I’m totally sorry about!” “It’s okay I just can’t believe I found another air bender! This is so cool! I can teach you everything I know.” Aang said excitedly. His gaze moved to Fluttershy. “I’m sorry about making you cry. I just thought you might have stolen the clothing from an air temple, especially with the air necklaces. I didn’t realize you would react like that. ” Fluttershy let her gaze fall down to the ground shuffling her new feet. “It’s okay…” she whispered, barely reaching a decibel. ‘Oookkkaaayyy. Well can I ask if you can air bend too? Please it would mean so much to me if you could at least try.” Aang begged Fluttershy, going as far to fall to his knees. Fluttershy nodded her head slowly. She stepped forward and faced the sky, taking some deep breaths she pushed her hand into the sky making a large blast of air go high into the sky. “You are an air bender! You both are! I’m not the last one anymore; I’m not the last air bender anymore!” Aang singed happily jumping for joy. A large globe of spinning air appeared beneath him, allowing him to zoom around on his ball. Dash stared at the sight awestruck. “That. Was. AWESOME! You gotta show me how to do that!” “Sure, any time!” Katara cleared her throat. She stood straight and smiled at all the girls. “I’m sorry, lost track of my manners. Let me introduce you to all of our friends. I’m Katara and this is my brother Sokka who you already meet. This is Aang and he’s the last air bender and the Avatar, we’ve been traveling with him since we found him a few months ago in the South Pole. Lastly this is Toph, Aang’s earth bending teacher and the newest companion to our group.” She motioned to each individual in order. All the girls greeted each person with a wave before Twilight stepped forward. “It’s nice to meet you all. My name is Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. We found ourselves here in Ba Sing Se on the pavement when Sokka and Toph found us, we… don’t know how we ended up here in this exact location.” Twilight glanced at Toph seeing if she sensed her almost white lie, trying to remember to keep calm. The girl didn’t seem to notice anything so Twilight continued. “You may have noticed that we have no knowledge of this place or how it works nor do any of us know about this bending stuff you all seem capable of.” “Well, nearly all of us. It’s us three plus Sokka.” Toph said. “Would you quit it already!” Sokka yelled at her. Aang smiled brightly. “Hey I just had an idea! If you two can bend air and you’re wearing air nomad clothes, maybe the rest of you can bend too! You two seem to be wearing earth kingdom garb, you could both be earth benders!” Aang said with a huge smile to Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie jumped up and down with excitement. “Would we be doing what Toph did?! That would be awesome! I can’t wait to try.” Applejack scratched her head. “Ah don’t know ‘bout this. Ah’m nothing special, just a farmer, how could Ah do something as amazing as tha’?” “You don’t have to be “special” to do bending, you can just do it or you can’t. Simple as that. Bending isn’t about what family you come from, how much money you have or what authority you have, it’s about your soul.” Toph said. “Now get on with it and try, feel the earth around you. Imagine being one with the rock and imagine moving it with your own body. Try standing like this.” Demonstrating a squatting stance to Applejack Toph lifted a rock from the ground with her hand and punched it forward. Applejack slowly followed the movement that Toph showed her. She twisted her foot and punched out feeling the power surge through her. A small boulder erupted from the earth with a crack and flew through the air into a river opposite the group. Applejack’s eyes widened with surprise as she looked at what she had done. Cheers and congratulations came from all her friends as the rock flew through the air. Applejack smiled at her friends. “Ah can do it! Ah can do earth bending!” Pinkie Pie bounced around her feet. “Now me, now me!” She got into the same position that Applejack had been but instead kicked into the air with her foot sending it into the same river. “Yay! I can earth bend too! Oooh this is so exciting!” Pinkie continued to kick small stones around. Sokka turned to Aang. "Ya know, she sorta reminds of that chick, Ty Lee, who was attackingus along with the goth and crazy Azula." "I know right. It's actually sorta scary." he whispered back. Katara turned to Rarity with a smile on her face. “You’re wearing traditional noble water tribe coats, you could be a water bender! That would be amazing, I could show all my moves! You have to try.” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “I am not sure about this. What exactly does it involve, hopefully nothing to do with dirt.” “No, you can manipulate water to do as you please, come on give it a try I’ll demonstrate. “ Katara stood strong and turned to a puddle she had created from earlier, lifting her two hands with fluid and soft movements she created a small bubble of water. “See, it’s a basic move, you should be able to get it easily enough. Just recreate the movement I did.” Rarity bit her bottom lip questioningly before shrugging. “Alright darling, I shall try but do not have your hopes up.” Rarity stationed herself much like Katara had earlier and allowed her arms and hands to go in fluid circles. She focused her new found power on the puddle in front of her and slowly a little bubble of water started to rise. The water floated in the air steadily as a bright smile found its way onto Rarity’s face. “I never thought I could do something so majestic, so stunning and beautiful.” Rarity gasped at the glassy orb floating above her. “You know, this is great and all, finding out you are all benders but you may want to hurry if you’re going to find Appa.” Jet said from his hanging place on the wall. Katara turned her icy gaze to him. “Fine. Let’s move and you better be telling the truth or so help you.” Katara melted the icicles pinning the teen to the wall before stomping out of the alleyway. "What about you Twilight? Do you think you can do anything?" Fluttersy asked quietly. Twilight smiled warmly at her friend. "I guess we can wait and see. Obviously they don't have the time to help so I can just wait, it doesn't really matter. But we'll need to keep up with them all if we're gong to help them." "And why are we helping them? Shouldn't we be finding a way home?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You saw how much hurt they all shared, it's because of that war Toph mentioned. Equestria's never faced war, but I've heard of wars the Griffons started with other nations around our world. They never end well. I knwo we have the power to help here so why shouldn't we?" "Twilight is right. It is our duty to help others in their time of need as the Elements of Harmony. Now we must hurry if we are to keep pace." Rarity said quickening her walk. “So where are we headed anyway Jet?” Aang asked curiously. Jet smiled down at the boy starting his walk down the streets of Ba Sing Se. “It’s a warehouse near where I work. Heard these old guys talking ‘bout a beast and figured it might be Appa.” The large group meandered their way through the buildings of Ba Sing Se with the new six companions fell a few paces behind while they pointed and gazed at the sights of the wonderful city. Rarity was stopping at every jewel and dress shop she passed by to gaze at its ware before having to jog to catch up with her friends. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were complaining about their lack of strength and durability in their new forms to one another, whereas Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were listening to Twilight talking about humans and different things she had learnt while in Canterlot High about humans very quietly so as none of the other people around them could hear their discussion. After fifteen minutes of walking Jet finally stopped everyone. They stood in front of a large wooden and stone warehouse. Jet opened the door and walked in with the others following behind. “This is the place I heard about.” He said stopping in the building. Everyone else filed in looking around. “There’s nothing here.” Aang said seriously while his voice tried to hide his immense sadness. Katara swiveled to face Jet, reaching for her fighting water skin slung across her back. "This better not be a trap Jet!" Jet stared her down. “I told you, I work nearby. Two guys were talking about some giant furry creature they had, I figured it must be Appa.” “He was here!” Toph called out. Aang ran over to her throwing his staff to the floor, and was soon followed by the others. Toph handed Aang a large clump of white fur, one he stroked softly. Aang’s face formed a large frown as his brow’s creased. “We missed him…” An old man suddenly started sweeping towards them from the corner. “They took that thing yesterday.” Aang’s face brightened up in surprise at this new revelation. “Shipped him out to some island, ‘bout time. I’ve been cleaning up fur and various uh… leavings all day.” “What island?!” Aang rushed to follow the man. “Where’s Appa?!” “Foreman said some rich royal type on Whale Tail island bought him.” He said wearily turn his head to the teens. “Guess for a zoo or such, though could be the meat’d be good.” “We need to get to Whale Tail Island!” Aang said with panic ringing in his voice. He suddenly looked confused. “Where’s Whale Tail Island?” “Far… very far.” Sokka said gloomily showing a map to his friends. “Here it is.” He pointed to a tiny island. “Hey! It looks just like a whale’s tail! Wonder-“Pinkie began before Twilight covered her mouth. “Not a good time Pinkie.” Twilight hissed quietly. The party girl nodded under her hand before looking back to everyone else. “It’s near the South Pole, nearly all the way back home.” They kneeled next to the map as Sokka showed the Island's location. Katara face showed growing concern as she turned to the Avatar. “Aang it’ll take us weeks just to get to the tip of the Earth Kingdom and then we’ll need to find a boat to get to the island.” “I don’t care. We have a chance to find Appa, we have to try.” “Must be nice to go to an island.” The old sweeper started sweeping behind Aang again. “I haven’t had a vacation for years.” Katara stood up with hands on her hips. “Don’t you have some more hair to clean up?” “Shuffle on, I get ya. No more need for ol’ sweepy…” “You’re right Aang; right now our first concern has to be finding Appa. We can come back when we have him.” Sokka stood up rolling his map up. “Alright, let’s get moving.” Everyone started making their way out before Jet called out. “I’ll come with you.” He said kindly smiling at everyone. Katara stomped her foot glaring at Jet. “We don’t need your help.” “Why won’t you trust me? You trusted them perfectly fine!” he said pointing at the six girls walking behind Sokka. The six girls turned at the mention of themselves. He turned away and continued to leave the building. “Gee, I wonder. Maybe because they didn’t go backstabbing us a day after we meet them!” Katara screamed at him. “Was this guy your boyfriend or something?” Toph asked. “What?! NO!” “I can tell you’re lying.” Katara ran out in frustration leaving Toph and the girls behind. Rarity seemed amused at the antics of the two. “Was she truly lying just then?” “In a way yeah, but I was mainly just trying to push her buttons.” Toph said with a laugh. Everyone laughed as they followed the boys and Katara out of the warehouse and down the street. They passed more houses walking in silence before Sokka pulled a map and out then swiftly put it away. “We can take the train out to the wall but then we’ll have to walk.” “Don’t worry on the way back we’ll be flying!” Aang said optimistically. “We’re finally leaving Ba Sing Se. Worst city ever!” Toph said happily throwing her hands in the air sarcastically. “Jet!” Everyone turned around to see a small girl, or was it a boy, and a tall teen with black hair running out of an alleyway towards them. Katara yet again faced Jet in her defensive manner. “I thought you said you didn’t have the gang anymore?” Jet turned around only to be tackle hugged by the young girl. “I don’t!” he said with confusion looking down at the clinging body. She looked up at him with concern. “We were so worried! How did you get away from the Dai li?” “The Dai Li?!” Katara yelled with shock. “I don’t know what she’s talking about?!” “You got arrested by the Dai Li a couple a weeks ago. We saw them drag you away.” “Why would I be arrested?” Jet asked her. “I’ve been living peacefully in the city.” Toph reached down to the ground sensing their bodies. “This doesn’t make any sense. They’re both telling the truth.” “That’s impossible.” Katara said. “No. It’s not. Toph can’t tell who’s lying cause they’re both think they’re telling the truth. Jet’s been brainwashed!” Sokka accused pointing at Jet. “That’s crazy! It can’t be.” His eyes shifted nervously to and from each person. “STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Everyone closed around Jet as he struggled to get away. He tried escaping through any gap he could, squirming around people’s arms and between bodies. Applejack grabbed his arms and twisted it around his body to fold behind his back. “Quick, Ah got ‘im. Tie him up ‘fore he gets lose again!” Pinkie Pie ripped off the bottom of her tunic to create a long rope to keep his hands together. She quickly wrapped the cloth around his hands keeping him contained from moving. “Let me go! I’m not brainwashed let me go! Come on, Longshot, Smellerbee, help me out here! Please!” Jet screamed at his fellow freedom fighters. Smellerbee looked way turning her gaze from his frantic eyes. “Sorry Jet but it’s for your own good.” She quickly elbowed him between his shoulder blades rendering him unconscious. “There that should hold him. I have an apartment nearby, we can keep him there. Jet’ll wake up in an hour or two so we need to hurry.” Smellerbee lead the way down the winding streets of Ba Sing Se. **************************************** “Hey, Ah think he’s waking up ya’ll.” Applejack said pointing to the limp figure of Jet strapped to the chair. The people in the room crowded around Jet’s body as his eyes slowly began to flutter open. “Huh… where… am I?” he asked groggily. “In our apartment.” Smellerbee answered. Katara tapped her foot on the floor crossing her arms in frustration. “The Dai Li must have sent Jet to mislead us and that Janitor was probably part of their plot too.” “I bet they have Appa here in the city. Maybe he’s in the same place they took Jet!” Aang tried. “Where would they hide a giant flying bison, wouldn't he be a bit obvious to find?” Rainbow Dash questioned. Aang pondered on her statement. “True… where did they take you?” he asked Jet. “No where! I… I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Jet said lifting his head. “We need to find a way to jog his real memories.” Sokka smirked as he crossed his arms. “Maybe Katara should kiss him? That should bring something back.” Katara clenched her fists at her brother putting them on her hips. “Maybe you should kiss him Sokka.” “Hey, just an idea.” Sokka said raising his hand’s in false defense. “A bad one…” Aang muttered under his breath. Sokka stood pondering with his hand holding is chin. “Oh! Wait, I got it!” Sokka reached into the bed mattress next to him pulling a piece of hay out. He stuck it in Jet’s mouth and stood waiting. “I don’t fhink it’s working.” Jet said around the hay in his mouth before spitting it out. “Try thinking of something from your past that triggers your emotions.” Twilight suggested. “The Fire Nation, remember what they did to your family.” Smellerbee said firmly. “Close your eyes, picture it.” Jet closed his eyes as he strained to remember. Within seconds beads of sweat rolled won his face as his breathing became shallow and frantic, like a person having a bad dream. His face scrunched up in pain as his head thrashed about before finally snapping forward allowing his breathing to return to normal. “No. It’s too painful…” Katara walked behind Jet popping the lid from her water skin and letting the water cover he hands like gloves. “Maybe this will help.” She applied her hands to Jet’s temples while the water slowly began to glow blue. Jet’s eyes began to droop as his memories came back to him. His calm and peaceful face slowly twisted in different emotions ranging from shock, confusion and pain. Jet finally snapped from his trance managing to stutter a few words. “They took me to a headquarters under the water, like a lake.” “Wait,” Sokka cut him off. “Remember what Ju Dee said. She said she went on vacation to Lake Laogai.” “That’s it! Lake Laogai.” > Chapter Three: Legends > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So where's this secret headquarters?" Sokka asked Jet. The large group of teens had arrived at the lake only moments ago and had found no trace of the Dai Li around the Lake. The girls had been fully updated to what was happening at the moment. They had been properly introduced to Jet and his friends and Katara and Sokka explained what had happened over the last few months to their group from finding Aang at the South Pole, to the siege at the North Pole, to finding Toph and up to the present. Laughs had been shared at Sokka's and Katara's different views of the cactus juice incident in the desert but the girls had all agreed to help in any way they could to help Aang find Appa and had been walking with them since. Though a few arguments had started between Sokka and Aang over whether Twilight was a bender or not and if she was should they get her to try firebending and what the consequences of letting her fire bend would be. In the end Twilight had settled the argument saying that if she could bend she would only do so if needed and if she couldn't then the problem would be resolved. Though everyone agreed that until they could find some normal clothing for Twilight it would be best if she wore a long green cloak to hide her red clothing. But they had arrived shortly after and all emotions had subsided at the amazing sight of the lake. Now they would just have to find the Dai Li. "Under the water I think." Jet said scratching his head. "There's a tunnel right there by the shore." Toph said pointing to her right. She walked towards the water whistling absently. She reached the side of the lake and stood dead straight before jumping in the air and landing in a crouching position with a thud. Rocks raised from the water as Toph stretched her arms out pointing into the lake making a straight path with a circular landing pad at the end with a rock cork. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Twilight all stood gobsmacked at the awe striking power and had to hurry to catch up with everyone else as they made their way down the smooth path. Toph moved the large rock cork revealing a long and dark passage way deep into the ground and far under the lake that everyone stared at with fear making its way onto a few faces. Momo flew away as he soared into the sky flying away from the tunnel. Fluttershy began to tremble in fright as the darkness seemed to go on forever. "It's... it's so dark... do we really have to go down there?" Aang stared down with determination gleaming in his eyes. "Yes we do if we have any chance of saving Appa. Now let's go." "Sugarcube, how 'bout you and me stay up here and be a sorta look out for the others? That way they have extra protection, less people to worry about and you don' have to go down there. That alright with you guys?" Applejack asked. Nods came from everyone as Aang started to make his way down the tunnel. "Alright then, anyone else wanna stay up here with us?" Rarity stood back up and backed away from the tunnel. "I may as well join this little group here darlings. It's far too dark down there for my liking, and I still fear tunnels after that incident with the Diamond Dogs." Twilight nodded as she stepped onto the rickety ladder that lead to the Dai Li. "Okay but keep safe you guys and if need be, run back to the city. You'll find help there." Rainbow, Pinkie Pie and Twilight made their way down the ladder following the others as the stalked down the staircase. The darkness engulfed them as they continued there descent under the lake. After what felt like an eternity to all the stairs ended and a large hall started. Jet stopped everyone as he checked for any Dai Li agents. He waved everyone forward as they walked into the hall. Large archways lined the walls leading to other rooms with dim green lights brightening their path. "It's... all starting to come back to me..." Jet whispered. A door was open as they walked past revealing a large room filled with women in rich clothing and makeup. A man in long dark robes stood in front of them with a wide brimmed hat. "I'm Ju Dee, welcome to Ba Sing Se." he said to the women. "I'm Ju Dee, welcome to Ba Sing Se." they all repeated in monotone voices. "We are so lucky to have our walls to create order." Again all the women repeated the man in their one tone voices. They continued on their way down the hall before Jet turned to the left. "I think there may be a cell big enough to hold Appa up ahead." Jet said pointing to large door. He stood outside as the rest caught up with him. "I think it's through here." Jet slid the door open to reveal an almost pitch black room. Pinkie Pie slowed her walk down till she was almost not moving at all. "Guys... guys... my knee is getting all pinchy and... and hair is sorta twitching." Pinkie gasped as she started to back away. "It's a human version of my Pinkie Sense! Something scary's about to fall!" "Would you keep it down back there?!" Sokka hissed over his shoulder. Pinkie turned away and was running to the door when it slammed close in front of her face. A bright light filled the room as everyone looked up. Dozens of Dai Li agents hung upside down from long chains in the ceiling. "Now that's something different." Sokka remarked as the stared at the Dai Li. A figure stepped out of the shadows revealing a man with a long thin beard and plait in formal robes, flanked on both sides by Dai Li. "You have made yourselves enemies of the state. Take them into custody." Longshot readied his arrow and Katara reached for her water skin. The Dai Li hanging from the ceiling jumped down and landed in a wide circle around them. The Dai Li shot their fists out sending their rock gloves towards everyone at high speeds. Toph shot her own hands out destroying ten pairs of gloves while Pinkie Pie flung another pair back to their owner unintentionally, flying into his face and breaking his nose with a loud crunch "Oppsie! Sorry mister!" she called out to the Dai Li lying on the floor. Toph bended two large rocks into diagonal columns sending different agents flying through the air. She turned and blocked more oncoming rock gloves from hitting Jet who in turn, swivelled around to face the agents and scooped their legs out from under their feet with his hooked blades. He helped cover Aang as he set a blast of air into two more agents. Rainbow Dash was fighting alongside Katara and Sokka as they fought the Dai Li with Katara using her skilful water bending to slice through rocks and earth while Rainbow used her fists or in Sokkas case, a boomerang. Three fists caught them off surprise grabbing their shirts and pulling them through the air towards Long Feng. Toph reacted quickly bringing a wall of rock in front of them stopping the rock gloves. Toph quickly turned on the offensive with Rainbow, Katara and Sokka still on the ground dazed. Two Dai Li sent a row of rocks to her which she quickly evaded with a large slab of rock lifting her into the air. Four Dai Li chased her, two coming from below and two coming from the side walls with rocks. Toph diverted all the rocks back sending the Dai Li flying. A silent rock glove flew through the air and grabbed Toph from behind and pulling her to the ground. Before she could react, Jet soared threw the air on a chain saving her from breaking on the ground. Twilight and Pinkie Pie fought more agents near the door holding them off from harming the others in anyway. Twilight's cloak kept getting caught on her feet making it extremely hard to fight the Dai Li off. Pinkie had somehow figured out how to use her new found earthbending powers to stop the flying rock gloves the Dai Li shot at them and turned them to dust at her feet. Twilight stood back to back with Pinkie kicking the gloves away while trying to dodge the more aggressive attacks. Out of the corner of her eye Twilight saw Long Feng making a dash to the door. "Hey! Get back here you coward!" she yelled running after him. She dodged and weaved her way around the fight running into the hallway Long Feng ran into. "Long Feng is escaping!" She heard Aang yell from the large room. Two pairs of footsteps were behind her as she chased the heel of Long Feng. He dashed into another room as Twilight was right on his heel. She followed him into the enormous room with drainage pipes lining the walls spilling water into a deep moat along the sides of the room. She stopped in the middle searching for Long Feng to see he had disappeared. Aang and Jet ran into the room and looked around before finding her. "Twilight? What are you doing here?!"The yelled at the same time. Before Twilight could answer a wall blocked the door and their only exit and Long Feng jumped down revealing himself at last. "Alright Avatar, you've caused me enough problems. This is your last chance... if you want your bison back." Long Feng threatened. Aang face scrunched up in a mix of pain and anger. "You do have Appa! TELL ME WHERE HE IS!" "Agree to exit the city now and I'll wave all charges against you and allow you to leave with your lost pet..." Jet raised his swords in defence. "You're in no position to bargain." he said to Long Feng. "Am I not?" "You're definitely not!" Twilight yelled reading herself to fight. She may not agree with all this violence, but she was only doing it in self-defence. If she and her friends were captured by the Dai Li and brainwashed, they may never return home. And she needed to find the portal that would lead to home or who knows how long they could be stuck here for. Long Feng just smirked at the teen girl. "Jet, the Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai." Jet's arms went limp as his eyes seemed to glaze over. "I am an honoured to accept his invitation..." Jet's swords swung around towards Twilight and Aang, both just escaping being beheaded. Aang used airbending to sweep himself away while Twilight rolled towards where Long Feng stood. With some quick thinking Twilight swept Long Feng's feet out from underneath him sending him crashing to the ground. Twilight pushed herself to her feet and ran over to help Aang who only had his airbending staff to protect him. Aang started dodging Jet’s sword slices moving from side to side. Twilight came over and kicked Jet out of the way before standing next to Aang. She was one of the few ponies who weren’t a guard who knew how to fight. Looks like Shining Armour was right about how fighting skills might come in handy one day. Jet stumbled back to his feet stumbling around trying to attack the pair. Aang and Twilight both continued to dodge his attacks. “Jet! It’s us, Aang and Twilight!” Aang pleaded to Jet. But his pleas fell on deaf ears as Jet continued his attack. “You don’t have to do this!” “I’m afraid he no longer has a choice.” Long Feng told the pair. Jet faced Aang and Twilight panting from exhaustion. He stared them down before swinging his two swords in between them, separating the two. Twilight could see how his body was failing him now; he was stopping for breaths more regularly. Jet tried to hook his sword’s end around Aang’s neck but missed when Twilight kicked it out of the way. Jet lost his balance at her surprise attack allowing Aang to gain the upper hand by using air to blast Jet away. “Jet, I’m your friend. Look inside your heart.” Aang pleaded to Jet. Twilight stepped up to Aang and joined into his pleas. “Jet come on! You don’t have to do this! You’re a good person don’t let them ruin who you are!” “Do your duty Jet.” Long Feng ordered the teen. Jet slouched towards his friends slowly raising his swords to attack again. His pale face was covered in sweat and his hair stuck to his face. His shoulders rose and fell in rapid breaths. Aang begged Jet placing his only weapon down. “He can’t make you do this! You’re a freedom fighter.” Jet’s head snapped up at Aang’s words and his eyes became their normal brown again. He stopped panting as he stared at Aang and Twilight. “Do it! DO IT NOW!” Long Feng yelled at Jet. Jet screamed in frustration and turned to face the villain. He threw one of his swords at Long Feng who stepped to the side barely missing being skewered against the wall. Long Feng stomped on the ground sending a dust cloud floating into the air. Aang bended the air around them to clear the dust and revealed the ghastly sight in front of them. A large rock protruded from the ground at an angle with an unconscious Jet lying on the ground. Aang gasped as he ran forward to help. Twilight stared at the limp body of her newly found friend. Anger seeped into her at the sight and she could feel a burning deep in her stomach. She screamed in frustration sending two flying fists out at Long Feng. Four different balls of fire shot straight at the head of the Dai Li leader who quickly used the earth to rise to a large sewer pipe and escape down. “You foolish children! You have chosen your own demise. And you girl, revealing yourself to be a firebender, you will suffer to no end when you return to Ba Sing Se!” With those final words he blended into the darkness. Twilight ran to Aang who was kneeling next to Jet. Jet was now awake but his breathing was shallow. “I’m sorry… Aang… Twilight…” “Don’t be…” Aang replied sorrowfully. Twilight sat next to Jet as well moving some hair out of his face tenderly. “It wasn’t your fault Jet, You couldn’t control yourself, no one blames you for anything.” Rocks sliding and shifting came from the wall behind them and Aang and Twilight looked up to see their friends standing their shocked. Upon seeing Jet they all rushed over to him. Katara instantly removed the water from her water skin and knelt down to try to heal him. She rubbed her blue glowing water over his chest repeatedly trying to find the injury he received and heal it. Her hands stopped glowing and she looked to her friends. “This isn’t good.” she said seriously. “You guys go and find Appa; we’ll take care of Jet.” Smellerbee said to them. “We’re not going to leave you.” Katara said to Smellerbee. “There’s no time.” Longshot said. Everyone looked to him with wide eyes, finally hearing his voice for the first time. “Just go. We’ll take care of him, he’s our leader.” Instead of making a move the group stood there staring at Longshot and his sudden voicing of opinion. “Don’t worry Katara.” Jet said weakly from the ground. “I’ll be fine.” He smiled at her as she slowly stood up. She turned away walking towards the door. Aang, Toph, Sokka, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Twilight all followed her slowly not looking back at his weak figure. Toph had her head hung low as she spoke to Sokka. “He’s lying…” she whispered. Smellerbee’s weak sobs and sniffles could be heard as they walked through the empty halls. Sokka was cradling a crying Katara as they walked through the halls and even Pinkie Pie’s hair seemed to become straighter as they continued walking. Aang caught up to Twilight and started matching her pace. They both walked in silence for a moment before Aang cleared his throat awkwardly. “So, Twilight… I uh saw you… firebending in there. Can I ask how you did it?” he asked Twilight quietly. He looked up at her with hopeful eyes. Twilight shook her head in confusion. “Sorry, I didn’t even realize what I was doing until the fireballs were slamming into the earth wall. I just felt a deep rage in my core that Long Feng had hurt Jet and it needed to be released… and it was. I can’t explain it any other way, sorry Aang.” “It’s okay… I just wanted to know. I've never been able to firebend properly and when I did, I hurt the people around me that I love the most. I swore on that day never to Firebend again..." Aang shook his head. "Well, it doesn't matter. You can't really fight fire with fire. But it’s sorta strange isn’t it? You all show up in the middle of Ba Sing Se, not knowing how you got there and you can each bend a different element, it’s incredible that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy can bend air. I don’t have to be the last airbender in our world.” “What do you mean “our world”? Do you know of other worlds or planets that have airbenders?” Twilight asked. Aang shook his head with a small laugh. “Oh no. I’m just thinking of a story the monks used to tell us about another world where there was an entire species that could bend air with their wings and use them to fly. I never really believed them though, seemed kinda silly. But they also told how the Sun and the Moon Goddess had moved to this other world long ago to protect it from it's evils and safe guard the land and help keep balance. It was a legend in our world over three hundred years ago that they were sisters who kept harmony in the world. The moon spirit came back to our world over one thousand years ago after being plagued with darkness and found refuge and healing in the North Pole where she regained her right mind and again helped keep balance. Chief Arnook said that after an attempt was made on the spirits life during the siege at the North Pole last year, both the moon and the ocean spirit went back to the spirit world. Just the way you all sorta popped up and they could airbend had me thinking about the old legends again. Silly, huh? How could there be an entire different world that we didn’t know about, am I right?” Aang smiled at Twilight. Twilight laughed nervously. “Yeah… it is sort of silly…” Twilght cringed under his trusting gaze. A guilty voice whispered in her head, If only he knew.. > Chapter Four: I missed you... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Read Author's Note* “Long Feng beat us here!” Aang cried as he searched the large chamber. Large metal cuffs were lying on the floor with huge scratch marks along the sides. Aang knelt onto the ground and held a piece of white fur in his hands staring down at it. “Come on, we can still beat him if we get to the surface in time. Let’s go!” Toph said as she ran past the large group of people who quickly followed her down the hallway. Everyone ran down the corridors with quite a few stumbles from Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie as they struggled to adjust to their new feet and legs, whereas Twilight had quite a bit of practice with her adventures at High School. They retraced their path to the stone staircase they had come down only a half-hour ago. Before the staircase came into view Toph and Aang suddenly stopped almost causing an accident with Sokka nearly crashing into them. “What the heck?! They’ve completely destroyed the staircase and platform up there!” Toph yelled angrily. Aang paced in a circle. “They knew we would come after them this way!” Pinkie Pie gasped. “Guys! What about Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy?! We told them to wait up there for us! What if they got hurt? What if they got kidnapped?! What if they-“ Rainbow Dash slammed a hand over her mouth. “Pinkie keep your voice down!” she hissed at the red headed girl. “I’m sure their fine Pinkie, but we need to focus on getting out of here.” Pinkie Pie nodded under Rainbow Dash’s grip and stood quietly waiting till they reached the surface. Toph cracked her knuckles and stretched her arms as she explained her plan to the others. “Okay, everyone gather ‘round me. I’m going to earthbend us up to the surface. Aang I’m gonna need you on this one. Now hop to it!” Katara grumbled as she stood behind Toph and Aang along with Sokka and the new Team Avatar recruits. A large crack in the shape of a circle formed around everyone and lifted into the air. “Hold it here Twinkle Toes! I’m gonna crack open the roof and land us near the bank of the lake.” Toph put her hands in the air and put them together in knuckles. Her fingers opened and looked like they were gripping the earth itself as she moved her hands apart slowly making a large crack which slowly became a dark void. “There we go. Now Aang help me push us up like a sort of lifter.” Aang nodded and started moving his hands like he was rowing a boat. Toph started to do the same movements. The earth beneath us moved at a quick pace bringing us further up the narrow tunnel Toph made. Everyone could feel Sokka freaking out on the side. “It’s so dark in here!” he whispered to us all. “I know I can’t see anything at all!” Rainbow Dash huffed most likely with a pout on her face. “Oh no, how horrible! You can’t see!” Toph cried sarcastically. Rainbow Dash muttered an apology to the darkness. The ground continued to rise until the movement stopped. Toph pushed everyone back with a quick apology saying to keep out of the way. She cracked her knuckles and kicked the ground above pushing it like a cork out of a bottle. Everyone scrambled to get out of the darkness and see the sun again. Twilight, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash instantly started searching for their other three friends. But Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy were nowhere to be seen on the beach of the lake. Rainbow Dash started running up along the beach. “We need to find them guys! What if they all got hurt? We should never have let them stay here, we should have told Fluttershy to get a grip!” The airbender started to shake with frustration. “How are we going to find them?” Pinkie Pie said softly her normally poufy hair starting to deflate, a sure sign to her two present friends that she was slipping from her normally happy personality. Aang gave Pinkie Pie a small smile. “Don’t worry, we can find them. We were down there for a while, maybe they went back to the city.” He suggested to everyone. “Well what are we waiting for?! Let’s go!” Rainbow Dash yelled waving them all to follow her. She started running towards the gentle slope on the other side of the beach when a giant rock wall grew from the ground with Dai Lie agents lining the walls. The others all yelled at the agents running over to Rainbow Dash only for another wall of earth to box them in to the cliff side and deep lake. From deep within the Cliffside an arch door opened wide and four familiar faces came forth. Tears streamed down Fluttershy’s face and sobs escaped from her gagged mouth, while Rarity and Applejack fought for their lives against the ropes binding their bodies and gags. Long Feng stood in front of the trio, a smirk on his lips. The other half of the six friends instantly went to help their friends but the words Long Feng spoke next stopped them in their tracks. “Don’t move any closer or you’ll never see these pathetic excuses for benders again.” When the girls stopped their advance Long Feng’s smirk became a wide grin. “In exchange for your friends I’m going to make you a deal. I’ll hand over these young girls if the firebender comes with me.” Twilight’s eyes widened as she stared at the monster in front of her. Aang stood in front of Twilight protecting her from the Dai Li while the others looked at Twilight with confusion and shock. Sokka stepped forward slowly almost expecting her to bite. “You can firebend?” Twilight didn’t answer him instead staring at her three captured friends. Fluttershy had stopped crying and Rarity and Applejack stopped struggling against the Dai Li. Each of their eyes was filled with tears begging her to not do it. Without hesitation Twilight stepped forward and nodded her head. “I’ll give myself up if you let them go.” She said using the strong clear voice she used in diplomatic issues back home. She held her head high as she walked forward. Her three friends were still being held by the Dai Li but Aang held her shoulder. “What are you doing?!” he hissed. “You don’t need to do this; we could fight back and save them.” Twilight looked down at the young monk. “But at what cost? If the Dai Li become enraged they could easily take them back into the mountain side and we will never see them again. Our home can handle one element being missing, but certainly not three.” She walked towards her friends and their captors her head held high and keeping her composure. “Hands behind your back scum.” A Dai Li officer said. Twilight complied too his orders smiling kindly as she faced her friends who still stood on the bank shocked. The grip of two cool rock gloves surrounded her wrists as she was officially captured. Her three friends were shoved towards the others, still bound by ropes and gags in their mouths. Katara, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie all rushed forward and helped the girls. Fluttershy collapsed in Katara’s arms and sobbed her poor heart out. Twilights was gruffly pulled backwards and was being backed into the tunnel the Dai Li and entered the box from. Suddenly Momo flew down from the sky and landed on Aang’s shoulder chittering to the monk. The lemur took off again with the agents ignoring the creature and continuing their retreat, but Twilight kept her eyes on Momo taking off into the sun’s glare. Squinting her eyes she managed to make out a large shape bobbing in front of the sun. A deep roar filled the air as a giant furry creature, the size of a house, landed next to Aang with a swoop of air that sent dozens of Dai Li agents into the walls and lake. The cowards ran into the tunnel and Twilight’s captor released her ropes and made a dash to keep his life intact. Long Feng made a snatch for Twilight but she was too quick and evaded his hand by rolling towards her friends. Her duck sent her all the way across the beach and into the arms of her friends. Rarity quickly set to work on the ropes binding Twilight’s hands and body together while Sokka, Aang, Rainbow Dash, Toph, Pinkie Pie and Katara all started to fend off any stray agents. Aang fought alongside the new fuzzy animal and quickly took care of all the Dai Li and faced their leader. Long Feng was red with rage as he stared down the beast. “I can take you myself!” he yelled readying his bending powers. Appa payed no attention to him and bit down on his thin leg and flung him into the lake with a snort. All her Equestrian friends surrounded her in a hug as Twilight composed herself again. “Don’t ever do that again Twilight.” Rarity whispered to them all. Twilight nodded to her friend just glad everyone was okay. She lifted her head to see Katara looking at the girls with a faint smile on her face. She could see Aang clinging to the new addition to their group and heard his small whisper… “I missed you buddy…”