The Story of Aya: Book 2~Earth

Anti-Avatar Day

The ground shaking under me woke me from my deep sleep. On instinct, I rolled over and jumped to my feet in a stance. 

Not even a second later, four komodo dragons burst out of the underbrush, immediately surrounding us. 

"Give up. You're completely surrounded." One of the riders called out. I glanced at my friends, gauging what to do. We all made a beeline to Appa, it would be a tough fight since they surprised us. 

Sokka's sleeping bag was pinned down by flaming arrows as he escaped it and started climbing onto Appa. I reached out my hand to him, helping pull him up as Aang sat at the reins. Katara was about to climb up, but suddenly gasped and turned around.

"My scrolls!"

I quickly looked around the saddle, realizing my staff wasn't here.

"My staff!" Aang and I shouted at the same time. 

I jumped out, running towards my staff that was leaning against a tree trunk. A prickly sensation on the back of my neck made me duck, just as a flaming arrow went over my head. 

I grabbed the staff, not even stopping as I ran back to Appa. We all convened in the saddle, sans Aang who immediately made Appa take off with a 'yip yip!' as he jumped onto the bison's head. I glanced over the side, only to see a stream of fire racing up towards us. I yelped and grabbed the sibling's shoulders and forced them flat into the saddle as the fire flew just barely over our heads. 

"Wait, my boomerang!" Sokka screeched as he just about threw himself over the side. Katara and I grabbed his shoulder, keeping him from jumping after it as we flew higher and higher.

"There's no time!" Katara explained and Sokka shoved us off.

"Oh I see. So there's time to get your scrolls, and time to get both of your staffs, but no time for my boomerang?!" Sokka asked furiously. 

"That's correct!" Katara cheerfully smiled at him, and I looked at her strangely. Are siblings always this mean to each other?

"I'm sorry, Sokka. Maybe it'll come back?" I tried to offer comfort but he shook his head. 

"This might be the one time boomerang won't come back to me," Sokka said gloomily and laid back on Appa. 

The komodo rhinos faded out of view, and I took a spot for myself against the supplies in Appa's saddle, using one of the bags as a pillow as sleep took me again. 

~~~

"Aya, hey Aya," a voice whispered in my ear. I lazily swatted them away, wanting them to stop interrupting my sleep.

"Aya we're going to a nearby town for Avatar Day. We'll be back soon, or you can join us later."

"I'm not sure she can even hear you, Aang."

"Sure she can. We're connected, airbender to airbender." I gave a small thumbs up. "See?"

"She must be sooooo tired after not helping me get my boomerang." There was a small thwack and a yelp.

"Shush, Sokka."

"Sleep well, Aya. See you soon." 

~~~

I woke up on Appa alone. and my friends were nowhere to be found. 

I had a vague sense of being told something. Something about an Avatar day? I might as well check it out.

I slid off of Appa, staff in hand, and he let out a soft roar. 

"I'll be back soon, Appa." I petted his head fur gently before stepping away and walking away from the small shady area we were in.