Change the World

Ripples in the Pond

Chapter 3

Ripples in the Pond

"Hi... Aang," Sokka grumbled at the twelve year old. Zuko pulled himself back to his feet this time clearly sick of the games. Luckily Aang didn't fool around. He stood, his staff upright at his side.

"Looking for me?"

"You're the airbender?" Zuko asked incredulous, "You're the Avatar?"

I stared at Aang and Zuko as the two moved slowly. Circling each other. Zuko seemed disgusted that this child, dressed in an apprentice monk's garb, armed with only a wooden staff was the one he had spent years looking for. Aang on his part remained focused and solemn.

        "I've worked years, meditating, studying, training for this. You're just a little kid!" He spat. Aang paused, cocking his head in confusion.

        "Well you're just a teenager." The two began circling again, like boxers in a ring, looking for the right moment to strike.

Zuko's fist shot out, sending a stream of fire at Aang. The young airbender spun it away with his staff. More fire, once again Aang protected himself. I could all but feel the tribe slowly backing away until the only ones were Aang, Zuko and I. Another wave of fire, this one much larger, flew towards Aang. He once again spun his staff. This flame wasn't fully dispersed. Remnants of the fire flew over the population of the tribe. I heard several people scream. Suddenly the fire was gone and Aang was standing erect, staff by his side.

        "If I go with you will you leave everybody alone?" Zuko made no reply but a single nod. He pointed his soldiers at Aang. I watched as Aang was restrained and marched up the metal plank. Katara refused to just stay in place. She rushed towards the plank, stopping a good foot away from the bottom.

        "Aang!"

        "It's okay Katara, take care of Appa for me while I'm gone." Aang smiled causally as though this was nothing to be worried about. The plank rose until I could no longer see him. The boat slowly pulled out of the ice and vanished around an iceberg.

Everything was silent for a long time.

        "Aang was the avatar?" Katara murmured softly. I looked at my friends for a moment before walking away.

I had a bison to find.

In the end it was Appa who found me. The two ton behemoth lowed when he saw me and hurried over. I helped close the gap by approaching the giant animal. Appa sniffed me, his breath washing over me, warm and musty. He lowed again as if asking 'where is Aang?' I petted his nose before looking around and trying to figure how I'd get on. Appa, to my surprise dropped to the ground before looking at me expectantly.

        "Thanks Appa. I owe you a treat." Appa grunted in reply. I laughed before using his legs to clamber up to his back. Ignoring the saddle completely, I carefully stepped onto his head and grabbed the reigns between his horns.

        "Okay boy," I said, "Aang needs our help. Yip-yip!" To my delight Appa responded to my plea by slowly ambling across the plain. I didn't ask him to fly, my mind preoccupied by what had occurred. Had I done anything to change the course of events and if I had would it help or harm? The possible future of this world could be decided by my choices. I could not, would not sit idly by and watch my life pass by me. Besides I had made an oath. I pulled myself from my thoughts. I was over thinking this. If I paid to much attention on what was supposed to happen I would become to scared to act at all. I leaned back on Appa's head. The sky glowed yellow turning the snow into a plain of molten gold. It was beautiful.

        "Appa!" I looked up. Katara was running at us, waving. A huge smile almost split her face. Sokka stood next to the crack in the ice, a canoe filled with items for a long trip beside him.