The Lost Waterbender (Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfiction)

The Heist

After my training, I fell into a routine with Piandao.

He allowed me to drop out of school. We both knew I wasn't learning anything I needed to know in...my line of work, you could say. Instead I became his assistant. We'd spar with each other in the morning, (he usually won) then we'd eat breakfast. I would help him in the forges for a while or do whatever needed to be done to get all the tasks finished. Once that was done, I'd go off by myself. I liked going to the place Piandao took me to paint during my training and swim in the water hole. I'd play around and practice my waterbending. Then I would return home for dinner and talk with Piandao, then go to bed. I liked it. It was peaceful and fun.

After about a month of this, I received a letter from Raiko.

Hey Badger!
So it's been a while since we've seen each other, as you know. Anyway I was wondering when you were coming back to the hideout. We all miss you over here. Don't feel rushed to get better, but we hope it happens soon. I guess I'll see you when I see you, and be ready for a hackey sack tournament!
Raiko

I smiled and re-read the note. As of right now, I had two options. I could stay with Piandao, or I could go back. I didn't want to give up either.

I found Piandao eating lunch. Normally I was gone during lunch, so he seemed surprised when I walked up.

"Hello, Badger," he greeted me. "Care to join me?"

"Yeah, sure." I sat down with him and Ryu brought me a bowl of noodles covered in a spicy peanut sauce."So, Raiko sent me a letter."

"Is he growing impatient for your arrival?"

"Exactly," I said. "And I want to go back-I'm ready to. But I really love it here with you. Training and working with you has been amazing."

"You're welcome to stay," he said. "But I think you should do what you desire."

I ate my noodles as I thought about it. "What if I alternated? I could spend a month with you and a month at the City of Outcasts."

Piandao nodded his head in agreement. "I think that's a good idea. I want you to be happy, but it's clear that you can't be completely if you have to give up one of these places."

"Thank you for understanding," I said. "So, it's been a month since Raiko left..."

"When will you be leaving?"

"Soon," I replied. "I can make the journey myself, now that I can defend myself perfectly well."

Piandao raise his cup in acknowledgment. "I don't doubt that."

So, two days later, I had sent my response to Raiko, telling him to be in the lookout for me. I was about to leave, and was waiting for Piandao to say goodbye. Suddenly he appeared, bringing with him a creature I'd never seen. It looked essentially like a giant greyhound wearing a lizard costume.

"This is Lily," Piandao said, handing me the reins. "She's to be your new companion on these journeys you take each month."

My mouth gaped open. "She's for me?"

He nodded. "She's a giant eel-hound. Great for swimming and running. Nothing moves faster."

I shook my head. "I can't accept this..."

He smiled. "Yes you can. I'll only be missing her for a month. Besides, she guarantees the safest passage."

"I don't know if she'll fit in the hideout," I said.

"That's the beauty of an eel-hound," Piandao assured me. "They don't need constant care. If you give her a space in the woods, she can take care of herself, but will always stay near to her owner."