𝑾𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑺 || 𝑨𝒂𝒏𝒈 (𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 1) *Revamping

Avatar Roku*

100 years ago, Fire Lord Sozin sought to expand the Fire Nation into a worldwide empire. This began the Great War, long before Jade was even born. But her dad, a huge history nerd, made sure she knew as many details as she could know without losing her childhood innocence.

Jade knew how it started with the genocide of the Air Nomads, and how the Water Tribes were raided in attempt to rid them of their benders, and how the Fire Nation slowly began to spread control over the Earth Kingdom, too.

Things were bad enough with Ozai's soldiers occupying territory here. So, to Jade, going into actual Fire Nation territory seemed absolutely insane. And she normally tried to keep an open mind.

"Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy!"

But Aang was adamant. He knew it was dangerous, but he was willing to go anyway. He was so determined, in fact, that he was trying to get his ten ton flying bison moving with nothing but his own physical strength. If that wasn't a metaphor for his determination, Jade didn't know what was.

Of course, Appa didn't still budge. It seemed that Aang's determination was no match for Appa's stubbornness. He growled in protest, which Jade could only assume meant "I don't wanna go."

"Look, I'm sorry, but Jade, Katara, and Sokka aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us. If they got hurt, I'd never forgive myself." He glared at his bison, going back to pulling as hard as he could. "So get your big butt off the ground and let's go!"

His attempt only ended in another failure. He even fell to the ground this time.

Sokka spoke up. "I think his big butt is trying to tell you something."

Only then did Aang turn to see them all standing there, with some of the villagers watching, too. They had been, for a while.

Katara clasped her hands together. "Please don't go, Aang. The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation."

Hugging Momo to her chest, Jade nodded. "And we're your friends. We can't lose you either." She looked down. "I know I can't."

Aang glanced away for a moment, hesitating. Then he stood back up. "But I have to talk to Avatar Roku to find out what my vision means! I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the Solstice! That's today!"

He leaped up onto Appa's head. He glanced back at his friends for only a moment before tugging the reins. This time, Appa got moving. But when he started walking toward the the village gates, Aang's friends ran up to block his path.

"We're not letting you go into the Fire Nation, Aang."

Sokka crossed his arms. "At least, not without your friends. We got your back."

Momo flew out of Jade's arms to perch on Aang's shoulder. Aang grinned. Appa seemed pretty pleased too, considering he gave Sokka an affectionate lick that coated him in slobber.

"Ew!"

Jade giggled, following her friends into Appa's saddle. The village chief approached Aang with a wrapped bundle of supplies. "It's a long journey to the Crescent Island. You'll have to fly fast to have any chance of making it before sundown. Good luck."

Aang smiled at him. "Thank you for your --"

"Go!"

As the flew off, Jade waved. "Bye!"

~㊌~

They flew all night. Despite her discomfort in the air, Jade (who was allergic to staying up all night) dozed off at the back of the saddle. When she woke up, they were still flying, the sun was rising, and her friends were all awake.