The Last Waterbender

Book 3 Chapter 2: the Western Air Temple: Part 1

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and all the men and women that created the A:TLA show, books, and comics. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made. The lyrics are from the song "Wake Me Up" by Avicii

Rating: General Audiences. Warning: some scenes contain dark themes and minor violence

Author's Note: I'm going to start uploading a Zutara reincarnation AU this week! Check that out if you like Zutara

Chapter 2: The Western Air Temple: Part 1

Feeling my way through the darkness

Guided by a beating heart

I can't tell where the journey will end

But I know where to start

Katara awakens suddenly. She's not sure why, but something feels different. She sits up on her elbows and looks around. They've landed in a courtyard. She can't see much in the dark, but she can see the vague outline of arched walls around them.

"We're at the Air Temple," a voice says quietly. She turns to see Aang slide down the neck of the bison and onto the saddle. "We'll be safe here for the night."

She stifles a yawn. "Thank you," she says. She looks around and sees that Suki and Sokka are still fast asleep. She turns back to Aang. "Are you going to get some sleep, too?"

He nods. "Here. Follow me."

She follows him as he slides down Appa's leg and onto the ground. Then he ducks under one of Appa's six humongous legs. "You can sleep here," he says. "It's much more comfortable. Appa has really thick and soft fur."

She looks at the spot apprehensively. "He won't crush me when he wakes up?"

Aang shakes his head. "Nope! Not even by accident. He's a really good flying bison."

Katara is too tired to argue. She curls up on another leg. Aang wasn't lying. Appa's fur is warm and soft. She's never been so comfortable in her life. She also feels safe hidden here. She hasn't felt safe in a long time. Not since she was on Zuko's ship.

She falls asleep quickly. This time her sleep is deep and she, mercifully, doesn't dream.

-

Zuko is escorted with all the other prisoners out into the courtyard. He notices immediately the different groups of prisoners. A group of men with green armbands stand apart from the others. He assumes they're Earthbenders. The prisoners with red armbands and the other prisoners mingle around a bit more together, but there are still some divisions.

Zuko sees the nobles immediately. They're standing together, not interacting with the others. They're wearing uniforms like everyone else but he can identify them by their posture. They also aren't covered in scars or tattoos and their hair is groomed a bit nicer. Zuko is glad that he has shaggy hair right now.

His cellmate, Shang, catches his eye and waves him over. He's standing with a group of other men and women with battle scars. Zuko reluctantly heads over their way.

"This is my new cellmate, Zuko," Shang tells his group. Zuko cringes at the mention of his name, but no one seems to notice. "This is Yung, Guang, Jie, and Mu. They all ended up here for treason, too."

Guang crosses her arms. "What did you do, pretty boy?"

"I helped a prisoner escape."

She shrugs and turns to Shang. "Doesn't sound that tough to me." She looks at Zuko. "I defied my Fire Nation commander. Blew up my entire ship. We had orders to destroy an Earth Kingdom village because they wouldn't let us use their port." She rolls up her sleeves, revealing burn scars up and down her arms.