Hidden Connections

-Maya's Point of View-

"Where are you taking me? The tests are over it's about time I join my friends!" I shouted at Balu who was still walking while dragging me.

"Not yet, the Avatar still needs to remember my grandfather's name. Until he does, you're sticking with me." Balu answered.

"Where are we going then?"

"The throne room. We'll listen in on them," he replied.

"Okay I get it, I get it. But why are you walking fast? Can't you slow down? I can't keep up!" I said while trying to catch up to his pace. He didn't say anything and he just continued walking.

"Balu! Wait up-ugh!" I shouted as I tripped on a stone.

"Maya! I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Balu asked as he knelt to help me sit.

I gave him a whack on the head as I shouted, "THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Can you stand up?" he asked again while helping me stand up. I tried standing up but my left ankle hurts so much!

Balu looked at it and then he said, "You've sprained your ankle."

"You don't say," I said sarcastically, and I tried standing up once more but I can't really step on my left foot because of my ankle.

Balu suddenly carried me in his arms.

"Hey, what are you doing? Put me down!" I shouted.

"It's much easier this way, besides, you're not that heavy," Balu said.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and then I just didn't argue back. We went silent the whole walk back to the throne room.

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-Aang's Point of View-

"I solved the question the same way I solved the challenges," I said to the King. "As you said a long time ago, I had to open my brain to the possibilities," I continued and then he laughed.

"Bumi, you're a mad genius," I said, and then I ran to hug him.

"Aww... Aang, it's good to see you. You haven't changed a bit, literally!" Bumi said.

Sokka and Katara walked towards us with the creeping rock encasing their bodies.

"Ugh- over here?!" Katara shouted.

"Little help!" Sokka shouted as well.

Bumi then crushed the Jennamite using earth bending and then the pieces flew through the air.

Bumi catches one of the pieces and said, "Jennamite is made of rock candy," and then he bit it. "Delicious!" he exclaimed.

"So this crazy king is your old friend Bumi?" Katara asked.

"Who you calling old? Okay, I'm old..." Bumi argued but then he admitted it. Haha! Yeah! He's really old looking.

"Why did you do all this instead of telling Aang who you were?" Sokka asked. Yeah, I was wondering about that as well.

"First of all, it's pretty fun messing with people," Bumi answered and then he laughed. That's Bumi alright. He hasn't changed. "But I do have a reason." Bumi suddenly said seriously as he faced me.

"Aang, you have a difficult task ahead. The world has changed in the hundred years you've been gone. It's the duty of the Avatar to restore balance to the world by defeating Fire Lord Ozai. You have much to learn. You must master the four elements and confront the Fire Lord, and when you do, I hope you would think like a mad genius." Bumi explained and then he smiled at me.

I smiled back at him and then I bowed down.

"And it looks like you're in good hands. You'll need your friends to help you defeat the fire nation," he continued and then Momo suddenly jumped on top of my head.

"And you'll need Momo too!" Bumi added.

"Speaking of friends. You haven't really set all of my friends free. Where is Maya?" I asked Bumi.

"Ah, she's been here for a while now! Listening to our conversation!" Bumi answered.

I looked around but I don't see Maya anywhere.

"Come on out Balu!" Bumi shouted and then from our right, a hole was made in the wall and two people came out of it. It was Maya and another teenager who was carrying her.

Why is she being carried? Is she hurt?

"Maya!" Sokka and Katara shouted as they ran toward her. The boy sets Maya down and he carefully made her stand up.

"What happened?" Katara asked.

"Oh, nothing! It's just a little sprain." Maya answered with a smile on her face

Why is she with this guy? Have they been together all this time? For some reason, I didn't like him carrying Maya in his arms. I feel irritated by it.

"We'll take it from here bud," Sokka said and she took Maya away from the boy and made her lean on his shoulder. They walked back to where Bumi and I were.

The boy then walked towards Bumi and he bowed in front of him.

"Aang, Sokka, Katara, I want you to meet my grandson Balu. He is next in line to the throne." Bumi said.

Balu bowed down in front of us and then he said, "It's a pleasure to meet the Avatar and his friends."

"It's a pleasure as well," I said.

When I felt Maya was behind me, I looked back at her and I asked, "Maya, are you alright? Where have you been?"

"I didn't let her join you guys because she figured out about my name. I told her who I was by accident," Bumi suddenly said.

"You already knew who Bumi was?" I asked once more.

"Yeah, we were talking this morning and he told me his name," Maya answered.

They were talking? About what?

"Sorry about that Maya, but was my grandson a good company?" Bumi asked. I looked at Maya and I saw her glance at Balu and she smiled sweetly.

"Yeah... I had a good time. Except for the fact that he tripped me, that's why I had a sprain." Maya said while looking annoyed.

"Ah... haha... My fault sorry." Balu awkwardly said. I looked at Maya and I saw her smiling again.

Did something happen between them? They seem like they're close...

"Alright then, it seems like you're done here Aang. You guys should get going before night falls. You're heading to the North Pole aren't ya?" Bumi asked. How did he know? Did Maya tell him?

"Thank you for your wisdom Bumi, but before we leave, I have a challenge for you," I said to him.

"And what could it be?" he asked.

"Why don't you go slide with me? Just like old times." I asked.

"No problem! Let's go!" Bumi shouted and then he removed his crown and gave it to Balu.

Bumi placed his arms on my shoulder and we headed out of the palace.

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-Maya's Point of View-

Aang and King Bumi left the throne room, leaving Sokka, Katara, Balu, and me in there.

"So... What now?" I asked.

"It's already lunchtime, why don't you guys have lunch in here before you leave Omashu? I'll have Master Feng prepare us food." Balu suggested.

"Well, I guess it wouldn't be bad. We can't really travel with Maya like this." Katara said.

"I'll tell Feng to call in the royal aids. They'll help Maya. Come now." Balu said.

We followed behind him and we went back to the dining hall.

After a few hours, the food came in and the aids were already done bandaging my sprained ankle.

Aang and Bumi took a while in their bonding time so the four of us went ahead to eat.

"So Maya... What did you and King Bumi talk about?" Sokka suddenly asked. I stopped eating and then I looked at Balu.

No, there's no way I can say it. He doesn't know I'm from the fire nation. I need to be careful with my words. I don't want him to think of me as an enemy.

"It's about my mother," I answered Sokka.

"Aunt Anika?" Katara asked.

"Yeah... Apparently, Mom is friends with the King." I answered and then I saw Balu looking at me.

"King Bumi is friends with someone from the-" Sokka was about to say something when Katara stopped her.

"Someone— from the southern water tribe?" Katara continued.

"Right! Water tribe! Yes, I was just about to say that." Sokka agreed. You better not say anything any more Sokka or I'll punch you.

"It's alright, you don't have to hide it from us." Suddenly King Bumi's advisor said as he sat down beside Balu.

"I know Maya... You're from the fire nation." Balu suddenly said. He... HE KNOWS?

"King Bumi and his friends from the other nations have been looking for your mom for years now. We have been receiving letters." Feng said.

"Yeah, I've read them as well," Balu agrees.

"Mom has friends from all the other nations?" I asked.

"Yes, actually your mom is quite well known. Although, there was never really news about her bearing a child," Feng answered.

"Where is your mom Maya?" Balu suddenly asked.

I looked sadly at him as I answered, "She's gone," and then everyone went silent. "I already talked about this with King Bumi," I told them.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Balu said sadly.

"It's fine," I answered, and then I felt Katara's hand on my back. I smiled at her.

"Your mother, Master Anika. She is one of the greatest fire benders in the fire nation." Feng suddenly said.

"Master?" Sokka asked.

"Yes, she earned the title master bender when she first demonstrated a sub-skill of fire bending that was before known as merely a folklore," Feng answered.

"Sub-skill?" I asked.

"Lightning Generation," he answered. "For generations, people thought that the Lighting Generation skill has been buried dead in the fire nation's history, but your mother brought it back to life. That's just how great her fire bending was." Feng explained.

"Woah. Aunt Anika is a master bender?" Katara said in amusement.

"Lightning Generation is a very rare skill, even if a firebender tried to learn it, one is most likely bound to fail. Many said that only those from the royal family were able to master them, yet still, not all of them can." Feng continued.

"So, my mom... She's from the royal family? She's related to the fire lord?" I asked.

"That... I don't know... But I do remember the fire nation people calling her Princess Anika." Feng answered.

Woah... Is this for real? Do you mean to tell me that my mother may be related to the royal family? But then, what happened to her firebending skills? If she was gifted with waterbending abilities, does that mean she gave up her firebending?

"Hey! What're you guys eating?" We suddenly heard Aang ask. He and Bumi have come inside the dining hall.

Feng stood up and assisted Bumi while Aang sat beside me.

"Enjoy your meal Avatar. I will ask my guards to escort your bison here in Omashu." Feng said and then he started walking out.

"Oh! I'll join you! Appa will not know you guys and he might attack." Sokka said as he stood up. Feng nodded and both of them left the room.

"How's your ankle Maya?" Aang asked.

"Better. It still hurts a little but it will be fine soon." I said.

"Oh! Egg custard tart! I love egg custard tarts!" Aang exclaimed. And then he started stuffing himself.

Lunch went great. Everyone had fun and we all enjoyed our stay in Omashu.

When Lunch was over, Sokka and Feng arrived back in the city with Appa. Feng had ordered men to feed Appa before we travel and King Bumi had given us some food, money, and other supplies for the trip.

When Appa was done being fed, and the supplies were secured on the saddle, it was time to leave.

Aang stood in front of Bumi as he bid farewell and I stood in front of Balu to talk with him.

"I guess I'll see you around..." I said.

He looked at me and he answered, "It was nice meeting you, Maya. All the things you have said to me back then on the balcony. I'll always keep them in mind,"

"About your question..." I sheepishly tried to relive our conversation on the balcony.

"Don't answer it." Balu interrupted. I looked at him and then he continued, "I'll be waiting for your response once we meet again. This way you'll have a reason to come back and visit."

And then he gave me the most heartwarming smile I have ever seen in my entire life. Yeah... I'll definitely come back for you Balu. You better wait for me.

I smiled at him and then I said, "Okay... I'll be back." and then I hugged him.

"Maya! Come on! Let's go!" I heard Aang shout.

"Yeah! I'm coming!" I answered.

"Bye Balu. It was nice meeting you." I said and then I ran towards Appa.

I climbed up on the saddle and bid farewell to everyone before Appa went soaring through the sky.

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-Balu's Point of View-

"You seemed to have developed feelings for Master Anika's daughter." Feng suddenly said.

I didn't reply to him and just continued walking back inside the palace.

"Prince Balu..." he said once more.

"I know... It's impossible. I'm already tied to someone else." I said to him as I look back.

"I'm just happy that I was able to meet her before settling down." I continued.

I looked at Feng who was staring at me filled with concern.

"Don't worry Feng. I'm fine! I won't let feelings like these get the best of me." I said and I turned around to enter the palace's halls.

That's right... I'll be fine... Although it would've been best if she stayed...

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-Bumi's Point of View-

It's been hours since Aang and his gang left Omashu, I am now in my study room, looking at the letters Iroh had sent, and the letter that I wrote for him.

This is a serious matter. Anika is dead. Should I report it to Iroh? I don't know... but this information should definitely not reach the fire nation, or else...

"Your Highness, you called?" Feng asked as he walked inside my room.

"Yes, do you still have the messenger bird that Iroh sent along with the letter?" I asked him.

"Yes Your Highness, I kept it inside a cage, out of sight from other people," he answered.

"Good. Take this letter and send it to Iroh using that messenger bird." I ordered.

"Is this a report about Master Anika?" Feng asked as he took the letter.

"Yes..." I timidly replied.

"You're only telling General Iroh?" he asked once more.

"For now... I will tell it to the others when the time is right. This information is not to be scattered to the fire nation. I trust Iroh that he won't let the cat out of the bag." I answered.

"I will send this to General Iroh then," Feng said and then he left the room. I leaned on the chair and sighed deeply.

I held on to Iroh's sent letters and I walked towards the furnace where I threw the letters in the burning firewood. I sighed deeply before I return to my desk.

We just lost an ally... Anika, I hope that you were able to pass on to your daughter your ideologies.

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-Aang's Point of View-

It's been hours since we left Omashu and right now we are back on track again.

"Ah... Every place we go to seems like a friendly place! Everyone's been treating me nicely." I said as I laid down on the saddle.

"We're not really sure about that Aang. The fire nation had established colonies around the earth kingdom, we should be careful of the villages we encounter." Katara said.

"So where are we off to now? What's on your list?" Sokka asked.

"Well... we're still far from the other places I want to go to, we can just keep heading north for now," I replied.

I looked at Maya who was lost in her thoughts, so I went to her side to have a little chat with her. Maybe she needs someone to talk to.

"Hey... Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing... I just can't wait to visit Omashu again," she answered with a gentle smile.

I think I have an idea why.

"Is it because of Balu?" I asked.

"What? No! I mean... maybe?" she said and then she stared at the horizon again. "I just can't wait to see him again," she said. So something did really happen when they were together!

I don't know why but there's something inside of me that's hating it. What is this weird feeling?

I shook my head and then I looked at Maya once more. I took out her mother's necklace from my pocket and then I called out her name.

"Maya... You dropped this." I said as I held the necklace in front of me.

"Mother's necklace! Why do you have it?" she asked.

"You must've dropped it back in Omashu," I answered. "May I?" I asked and then I leaned closer to wear the necklace on her.

"There!" I said after putting it on.

"Thank you Aang, but I can't wear it," she said.

"Is it because it's a fire nation necklace?" I asked. She looked at the necklace sadly as she nodded her head.

"As much as I want to wear it because it's what mom left for me, I just couldn't risk being seen as an enemy," she said.

I looked at her and gave her a smile

"But you're not an enemy! So don't be worried and just continue wearing that necklace. Your mom gave it to you, it would be such a waste if you're not wearing it." I told her.

She smiled back at me while holding on to the necklace and then she said, "Alright... I'll just hide it under my shirt so that no one notices."

I smiled back at her and for a moment there, I felt something comforting, like I'm at ease, and that the irritation I was feeling just a while ago is now gone. Huh... This is weird.

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-Iroh's Point of View-

I didn't expect to receive a reply as soon as possible. The messenger bird that I sent to Bumi arrived just a while ago with a letter in its canister.

I was excited to know that I got a reply. I'm now finally going to see Anika! Bumi must've discovered information about her!

I read the letter— and yes, Bumi has found out about her, but not in the way I expected.

General Iroh, as soon as I received your letter, just like fate, I met Anika's daughter. She, together with the Avatar and her friends went here to Omashu.

Before you think of going here, I highly suggest that you don't. They had already left a few hours ago before I wrote this letter so you won't be meeting them here anymore.

Anyway, I had a chance to talk with her daughter. But first of all, how come you never told us Anika bore a child? Well, whatever your reason is, it must be something confidential, so I won't pry on it too much.

The girl told me her name was Maya, quite unfitting for a fire nation citizen. I asked her certain questions about Anika and I would just like to tell you...

It's not worth it anymore to look for her. I'm sorry to say this but, Anika has been dead years ago. It seems like she was killed during a fire nation raid at the South Pole. Strange isn't it? Fire Nation soldiers not recognizing a firebending master?

Either way, I know I am not in a position to assume this, but I have a guess on who Maya's father is. Although I am not quite sure, and as much as I would like to say that I hope my speculation is wrong, I just can't take it to chance. Just for safety measures, I am hoping you wouldn't tell anyone from the fire nation about Anika's death or her daughter's existence. I haven't told the others about this news yet, that is for you to decide. You are the one Anika trusted the most, so I'm trusting that you will know what to do.

Right now, Maya is traveling with the Avatar, and they are journeying to the North Pole to get him a waterbending Master. I've already told them to reach Master Pakku. It wouldn't be far from now that Pakku will meet her as well.

I know that it must've been a great pain to know about Anika's death, but right now, we must make sure that Maya is kept away as possible from the fire nation, especially from her father. The kid is curious and she's longing to know about her mother's life. It's only about time that she reaches the fire nation borders, it could be dangerous for her. I'm counting on your help, Iroh.

-BUMI

I couldn't believe what I have just read. All this time that I was waiting for Anika, she had already been dead all along?!

As much as I would like to mourn her death; Bumi is right. There's a proper time for that.

The most important thing we should do right now is that keep Anika's daughter away from the Fire Nation. My nephew has already become curious about her, this is bad. I must do my best to distance Zuko from Maya.