Change to Avatar: The Last Airbender

Chapter 11

Once Miko was well enough to travel the moved on. As they traveled, Aang continued to teach Miko air bending, each day becoming more skilled. They worked well together, and Miko enjoyed the time they spent together. It helped her focus on the future, instead of the past. But like most things in life, it didn't last. Appa was stolen in the desert by sand benders, and sold. After losing Appa, Aang's whole focus was getting him back, and Miko was alone again, figuring out what she could from what she learned on her own. They traveled to Ba Sing Se in search of him.

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After arriving in Ba Sing Se, Miko had plenty of time to herself, where she could safely and freely walk the streets of the upper ring, exploring the many shops and stalls. But today was different. Today she wasn't interested in exploring, she just wanted to sit right where she was, right under the large lychee tree near the river. It was the anniversary of her brothers death. She thought a lot about him these days.

Being in the city reminded her of all the times he'd take her into the city close to their small fishing town. The hustle and bustle would scare her then, when she was small. But Chen would always wrap his big arm around her shoulder and tell he not to worry, "I'm your big brother, and I'll never let anything happen to you, ok? I'll always protect you. I promise.", he'd say. And he always managed to keep that promise somehow. 

On one of those trip they had gotten separated, Chen was talking to a weapons dealer and she had spotted a vendor selling deer dog puppies. She made her way over and when she turned around, she couldn't find Chen any where. She somehow found herself down one of the alley ways, with a couple rather large men blocking her way. 

"well what do we have here?" one said.

"A little mouse, it seems." The other said.

"I need to be going now." Miko said , shyly.

"You're not going anywhere until we say you can go." the first one said. 

"Please, I need to get home." she answered back, as she tried to push her way past. The second man grabbed her roughly and held.

"What do you think we could get for a little rat like her?"

"Ehh, not much. We might get more as platypus bear food." He he laughed and smelled of grease. Miko was terrified, and she couldn't get away. Then suddenly Chen was there and the man who was laughing was cradling the side of his face with his plump fingers and the other man released his grip on Miko and ran. The fist man soon followed suit. 

"Miko!" he exclaimed, kneeling down to her level, holding her at arms length. "where did you go! don't leave me like that again, you scared me to death. I don't want to think about what those guys wanted with a girl like you." He took a deep sigh. "Miko, I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you." Miko tried to keep the beard from falling but they came anyways, and she reached for a hug from her big brother. He pulled her into his embrace and squeezed. "You're ok no, alright? I'm right here. I promised that I'd never let anything happen to you and I meant it."

He kept that same promise, always. He taught her how to defend herself, and bought her her first pair of broadswords. He taught her how to use them and how to take care of herself. After the first time Fire nation soldiers came to the town and raided it, he joined the Earth Kingdom army. The day  he left he told her the same thing. "I promised that I'd protect you, and I will, no matter what. Thats why I have to go away to protect you and make sure that your safe." They hugged, and then he left. That was the last time she had ever seen her big brother alive. She hadn't really understood then what he had meant and why he had to go. But now, now she did.  And she was proud to call him her brother.