Wandering Firebender

Fourty Five: The Concept Of Destiny

Elio took in a deep breath. The time had finally come for him to start his journey to the North Pole, and he was already beginning to feel the pressure. He was traveling again, but this time he was traveling with a grander purpose.

He really had no idea how he was gonna make it to the North Pole once he got to the beach. He had no idea what he was gonna do when he got to the North Pole. He really didn't have any sort of plan beyond getting there and trying to help out.

Hopefully he would figure it out along the way.

"Elio. Are you ready to go? We have prepared an animal for your journey." Iroh called to him through the tent. Elio lifted his head and slung his pack over his shoulder.

"Yeah! I got everything!" He answered before coming out of the tent. Iroh smiled at him and patted him on the back.

"May your journey go well, Elio. I believe that you will succeed." He said encouragingly. Elio nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you, sir...am I really going to the North Pole alone? Not one of you can come with me?" Elio asked. Iroh shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. Unfortunately, the Fire Nation will focus their most formidable attack here on the Earth Kingdom. It will take all of us here to fight back." He answered.

"I understand...but what if I'm not enough?"

"You won't be alone, Elio. Once you have earned the trust of the Water Tribe, you will fight alongside them. They are a powerful, close unit. You'll be alright." Iroh reassured him with a smile.

"I hope so...thank you for everything. I would still be in prison if it weren't for you." Elio expressed his appreciation with a formal bow. Iroh chuckled and gave him a hug.

"May we meet again on the other side of this war." He said. Elio hugged him back quickly then let go.

"I sure hope so...take care of yourself, sir."

"And you too, Elio. Master Pakku has your eel-hound. He should be...ah! He's right over there." Iroh pointed Pakku out. He was just a few tents away, walking towards them and holding the reins of a large four-legged lizard creature.

"Well, let me go greet him then...bye." Elio said slowly, waving to him. Iroh nodded and waved back, resting his hands in his sleeves and watching him go.

"This eel-hound should speed up your journey to the North Pole," Pakku said as Elio approached him. "We gave you some food, money, and a map. That should be everything you need." He listed. Elio nodded.

"Thank you very much." Elio managed a polite smile.

"I do have to ask: what made you so determined to help out the Northern Water Tribe, my home?" Pakku asked. Elio glanced up at him in momentary surprise before answering his question.

"Ah, well...the truth is there's someone I know there. A girl named Cindra. After everything we've been through, I owe it to her to try and help out." He explained. Pakku's eyes widened.

"You know Cindra?"

"Yeah, she's a really good friend. We traveled together for awhile. How do you know her?!" Elio asked.

"She was my student. Funny, she mentioned traveling with a friend after she fled to the Earth Kingdom. I suppose it's no coincidence it turned out to be you." Pakku chuckled ironically.

"Yeah...you were her teacher? You wouldn't happen to be the same guy who told her she could never learn to waterbend, would you?" Elio inquired.

"Well, I told her she could never fight," Pakku clarified. "I simply wanted to uphold my home's cultures. But times have changed, and we needed to change too. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that she progressed very well and very quickly.