The Seconded Waterbender(Avatar FF)

Book One: Water [The Southern Air Temple]

After escaping Zuko, we traveled to the Southern Air Temple. Aang had picked us up off the cliff we were on and Nala had curled up in a big ball of white fur towards the back to avoid taking up way too much space, and now as we were reloading Appa after sleeping on the shores nearby, Nala stood in front of him wanting to play, the giant Bison humored her with little gusts of air while she ran in and out of the water splashing him in the face, I thought it was adorable. "Wait till you see it Katara, the air temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world." Aang said as he adjusted Appa's reins.

"Aang, we know your excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home." Katara explained but he wasn't understanding, "That's why I'm so excited." he said with a big smile, "It's just that, a lot can change in all that time." Aang nodded, "I know, but I need to see it for myself." Aang said after jumping down from Appa and then walked over to Sokka, "Wake up Sokka, Air Temple here we come." Aang said leaning on his knees over Sokka. Groaning Sokka whined, "Sleep now, Temple later." then rolled over putting his back to Aang and then falling asleep. Aang moved his hands to use his bending but I stopped him.

"It's okay Aang. Marius has this." Katara said softly to avoid letting Sokka know what I planned to do. Walking over to the sleeping boy I grabbed his feet and tossed them over my shoulder before walking over to the water and holding him by his ankles, it took about three minutes for the blood to start rushing to his head and when he opened his eyes to see everything upside down and his head dangling over water, he started to panic, "Okay! okay! we'll go! we'll go!" he shouted smiling I threw him and he landed on Appa's back still wrapped in his sleeping bag.

***

Nala, now sleeping on Appa's back with me leaning on her, I had my eyes closed as we enjoyed the warm air, that was until Sokka's stomach rumbled or more like growled, "Hey, stomach be quiet alright, I'm trying to find us some food." I smirked at Sokka's idiocy there were a few moments where I guess Sokka was rustling around in his pack for food and when he probably found I didn't hear him making eating noises, opening one of my eyes I looked at him, as he shook an empty bag. "Hey, who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?" Sokka asked looking between me and the two up front.

"What? oh that was food? I used it to start the campfire last night." Aang said apologetically. "You what?! Awww, no wonder the flames smelled so good." Sokka said whining. "Hey look! the Patola mountain range, we're here." Aang said and I could feel the wind get colder. Flying up steeply, I had to hold onto Nala and Sokka to keep them from falling off, and when we leveled out the temple came into view, it was magnificent. A mix of white, blues pale grey and tan, coloured the buildings and rooftops. Making it look like the whole place was built out of the sky.

Walking ahead of Katara and Sokka, Aang ran ahead to try and show us as much as possible but I was paranoid something was going to happen and I'll be damned if I let anything hurt the two siblings. Coming to an edge Aang pointed out to a bamboo lined field and said it was used for a game, and then to a section with alcoves saying that it was the Bison sleeping quarters, and finished with a sigh, "What's wrong Aang?" Katara asked, "This place used to be filled with Monks and Bison and lemurs, now it's just a bunch of weeds." I patted his shoulder as he looked depressingly at the areas bellow us.

"I can't believe how much has changed." Looking to Sokka and Katara I motioned for them to cheer Aang up, nodding the stepped forward, "So this air ball game...how does it work?" Sokka asked, I had a funny feeling Sokka was going to regret this. And I was right when he was shot out the net and into a pile of snow and weeds, jumping up to the net I faced off with the kid, he smirked and shot the ball, kicking it back it hit ten poles before throwing Aang through his net and into some snow. "Hey, Marius! your good at this for a Waterbender." I chuckled and leapt down only to see a fire nation helmet, quickly using the water in the snow I bent it over the mountain where it fell to god know where.

After Sokka and Katara argued with me for having done that Aang came back and told us there was more to see, getting up we followed him, showing us a statue of a monk he seemed to retreat into his mind, I took this time to roam around and look for anything else fire nation to see if I could find out more of what had happened. I must have looked around for almost an hour before something furry with large ears and big green eyes landed on my shoulder, looking at it after calming down from it startling me, I smiled "Hey there fella." I said scratching it behind the ear.

"Your actually kinda cute." I added as I startled to look for the others, finding the temple sanctuary that Aang had spoken about I walked in but I didn't see any of them, but I could hear whispering, "That firebender won't know what hit him." Rolling my eyes I waited for Sokka and Aang to come out when they did, they froze and looked at me. "I didn't realize I was a Firebender Sokka." he chuckled nervously before noticing the little lemur on my shoulders. "Wow, a new pet!" Aang said while Sokka started to drool, "Dinner." was all he could say before they both argued about what to do, and when they argued about whom would get to the creature first I stopped them both.

But because they both scared the little thing he jumped off my shoulders and ran, and both boys gave chase. I sighed in annoyance and just followed after them slowly to avoid wasting energy, I had just reached the balcony when a monstrous wind picked up. Rushing to where everyone way, it had seemed that because the wind was so strong it slowed my movements making it harder for me to get to everyone and when I finally got there the wind was gone and Katara sat with Aang in her arms. Joining them I patted the kids head and he looked up at me, smiling I said, "looks like I have a new little sibling to look after." smiling up at me he closed his eyes and relaxed against Katara.

***

Standing with Appa and Nala, Aang introduced the new member of the team, 'Momo' after he had stolen a peach from Sokka who was just about to take a bite. With everyone on board I sat on Appa's head and lead the way, while Aang and the others rested. The feeling of sadness still lingered with Aang but I knew he'd be okay.