THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 3)

(IV) Earth

"This is humiliating," Katara admits, as we walk under the burning sun on our way to a safe place.

"You mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?" Sokka asks her.

"Sorry guys, but Appa gets tired carrying all these people," Aang says, patting the bison's head gently.

"I wonder how the rest of the troops are," Teo says, and honestly, I don't even want to think about that in particular.

"They're probably on their way to a prison. Seems like my dad just got out and now he's going back in," Haru sighs, clearly worried about his dad.

"I miss Pipsqueak," The Duke comments.

"I miss not having blisters on my feet," Sokka retorts sarcastically.

Toph suddenly stops and grins. "Hey, we're here! I can feel it!"

"Uhhh... I think your feet need their eyes checked," Katara retorts, probably because she doesn't see anything other than the vast canyon before us.

"No, Toph's right. We're here," I tell her, taking a step toward the edge.

"Wow... it's amazing!" Toph says with a broad smile.

"I just wished I had my glider with me so that I could see it," I sigh heavily, before Aang walks up to me and hands me a long staff. "What is this?"

"Teo's dad made the both of us new gliders. Sure, they're different from our old ones, but they have a snack compartment!" Aang suggests with a smile.

I want to laugh, but it just doesn't come out. I accept the glider and nod in response. "Thanks. See you guys there."

I then take a deep breath before allowing myself to jump off the edge and free-fall. It takes me a few seconds to get the hang of it once again, but I manage to bend the currents in my direction so that I'm swiftly gliding through the air, all the way until I'm able to land on one of the hidden upside-down temples.

The others join me soon after.

"It's so different from the Northern Air Temple. I wonder if there are any secret rooms," Teo says, probably referring to the Air Temple he calls home.

"Let's go check it out!" Haru says, as he joins Teo and The Duke on the exploration of the Temple.

"You guys go. I think we need to talk about some things," Katara tells them, and they soon run off into the temple. When it's just her, Aang and I, she finally continues. "We need to decide what we're gonna do now, and since you're the Avatar, maybe you should be a part of this."

"Why am I here too, then?"

"Well... Because you're a part of our team, right?" Katara offers, and I simply sigh in response.

"Fair enough. So, what's the new plan?" Aang asks, as Sokka and Toph join us as well and we all sit down in a circle.

"Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan! You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes," Sokka replies.

"Oh, yeah. That's great, no problem. I'll just do that," Aang replies sarcastically.

"Well, that's what Avatar Roku told you to do initially. There are no shortcuts to being the Avatar," I scoff, making him raise an eyebrow.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you have to learn all the elements eventually. Cheating the order of things won't do any of us any good. We should know that very well by now," I retort, earning surprised looks from all of them.