The Blue Spirit

-Maya's Point of View-

"Here, maybe this will take both of your fevers down," I said as I laid a damp cloth on both of Katara and Sokka's foreheads. Both of them have been coughing violently since the storm and now they've both gone down with a fever.

We were only able to fly for a day straight before both of them fell ill and then I suggested to Aang that we all camp out for the meantime while the siblings recuperate from their sickness.

We landed in some kind of ancient ruins and we stayed inside one of the temples for the meantime. I tried my best to make the siblings feel better by wrapping them up inside their sleeping bags and laying them on top of Appa, but they just keep on getting worse.

Aang is currently on the search for some ginger root plants. I suggested that we make ginger tea for them since it's also a way of our herbal remedy back in the south pole, but he hasn't come back yet. I hope he'll be able to find something.

"You know what I like about Appa? His sense of humor..." Sokka said subconsciously. "That's nice. I'll tell him," I answered. Appa then growled at Sokka, making the sick delusional guy giggle.

"How are they doing?" Aang suddenly asked. "Not so good... Being out on that storm really did a number on them." We both looked at the shivering sickly deranged Sokka & Katara.

"I couldn't find any ginger root for the tea, but I found a map. There's an herbalist institute on the top of that mountain. They could probably find a cure for them there," Aang said as he laid out a map on the ground and pointed at the mountain just ahead of us.

"Aang, they are in no condition to travel. I think we should just give it some time and let them rest. I'm sure they'll be better by tomorrow," I told him and then I suddenly felt an itch in my throat making me cough up. "Not you too!" Aang said in a concerned manner.

"Relax! It was just a little cough! I'm completely fi— *cough* *cough* Ugh...." I tried to not make him worry but then the itch became worse and I coughed even harder. "That's how both Sokka and Katara started yesterday! Now look at them; Sokka thinks he's an earth bender and Katara's going around crying out to her mom!" Aang exclaimed.

"Take that you rock!" Sokka shouted.

"Mom! Sokka's stinky sock is on the loose!" Katara shouted as well.

"A few more hours and you'll be talking nonsense too! I'm going to find some medicine," Aang said as he rolled the map and grabbed his glider. "You're going to go alone? But Aang, we're in fire nation territory. It's not safe for you to be alone right now! What if they see you? What if you get caught?!" I tried to stop him but he was persistent in looking for a cure.

"Don't worry Maya, I got this. If ever anything happens to me, I want you to grab everyone and fly away on Appa. You guys are sick and I can't just leave it be..." Aang consoled. "I'll be fine. Make sure to take care of yourself too. Rest up a bit just like Sokka and Katara; I'll be back in no time,"

He opened his glider, but then a lightning stroke down from the clouds followed by a crashing thunder.

"On second thought, maybe it's safer if I go on foot," and then he placed his glider down and jumped off from the temple we were in.

"Be safe!!!" I shouted as he fade into the distance.

"Mom... Water..." I heard Katara say in a faint voice. "I'm here Katara, I'll go get it for you," I said as I caressed her forehead. "Momo, make sure to keep an eye on these two, I'll just go out and find some more clean water to drink. It'll be quick."

I went down to search for some potable water deeper into the ruins. I can't believe this place used to be a great city, but now it's just an abandoned dead land.

What did Aang call this place was? Taku?

As I was venturing into the ruins, I saw a water fountain and it looked clean. It looks like the water is coming from the springs up in the mountains.

I'll just grab a bag full and then I'll hurry back to where Sokka and Katara are, they're probably getting worse as time passes by.

I looked around the area trying to imagine how this place looked like before it was abandoned and trying to figure out why it was abandoned in the first place.

From the looks of it, seems like this place used to be a marketplace. There are a lot of trading boxes and many aged goods from all four nations.

My eyes were just roaming around until I stumbled upon a glistening emblem. I didn't even know how it captured my eyes and glistened; there were no sun rays present because of the storm clouds.

I grabbed the bag of water and went to the glistening item that I saw. For some reason, it feels like it's calling out to me.

Turns out the glistening item was an emblem that resembles the fire nation symbol, but it's different; and unlike the usual red fire symbol of the fire nation, this was engraved in white.

I turned to its backside and there I saw a writing that was covered in dust, I wiped it off and it read, 'From the benders of white fire - The Fintan Tribe.'

As soon as I read those lines, a blinding flash of lightning and a loud thunder echoed from the sky. I suddenly remembered Sokka and Katara, and the— water.

"The water! I need to hurry back!" I placed the emblem on my pocket and then I hurriedly ran back towards the ruins we were staying at.

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-Zuko's Point of View-

It's been a while since we've last spotted the Avatar in the eye of the storm and we are still clueless about his whereabouts. I'm currently inside this ship's bridge discussing with the ship captain their intel about the Avatar.

"We haven't been able to pick up the Avatar's trail since the storm, but if we continue heading northeast—" the captain was cut off when a large fire navy ship appeared at our side.

"What do they want?" I irritatingly asked. "Perhaps a sporting game of Pai Sho." Uncle said while eagerly focusing on his current game. I rolled my eyes at him and told one of the guards to let them aboard the ship.

Minutes later, a ship captain with his two lackeys went inside my ship's bridge with a scroll in hand. He opened the scroll in front of all of us while declaring, "The hunt for the Avatar has been given prime importance. All information regarding the Avatar must be reported directly to Admiral Zhao."

"Zhao has been promoted? Well, good for him!" Uncle exclaimed still invested in his game of Pai Sho with the ship crew. "I've got nothing to report to Zhao. Now get off my ship and let us pass!" I commanded the captain.

"Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area," he sternly answered. "OFF MY SHIP!" I yelled and then without a word they all left. I stayed inside the ship's bridge; overlooking the sea.

The large fire navy ship left and they let us pass anyway.

"Your Highness... After some negotiations, they enabled us to pass through the area, but they are ordering us to report anything we will find about the Avatar," the captain of my ship said as he went inside the bridge. I didn't give him a reply and just stared at the water.

"What will be your orders, sir?" the ship captain asked. "Just keep heading northeast," I said as I placed a hand on my forehead while walking outside of the ship's bridge. There are a lot of things that are going on inside my mind. There are a lot of things to think about and just like the sky my brain's getting clouded too.

I need to be alone for a moment, I can't think straight. I went to my quarters and took off my armor. Afterward, I went to the ship's deck to do some firebending stretches. After a while of being alone, I suddenly heard someone join me on the deck.

"Is everything okay?"

I didn't have to look back to know that it was my uncle.

"It's been almost an hour, and you haven't given the men an order," he said in worry. "I don't care what they do!" I shouted back. "Don't give up hope yet. You can still find the avatar before Zhao."

"How uncle?! With Zhao's resources, it's just a matter of time before he captures the Avatar!" I yelled at him. He didn't answer me back and he just gave me a concerned look.

I hate that look! I never want to see that look on anyone's face whenever they look at me! I turned my back at him and then I faced the sea.

"My honor, my throne, my country... I'm about to lose them all." I said to him. "Zuko..." I felt my uncle's hand on my shoulder. I shoved him away and then I walked away.

"Tell the men to make a pit stop by nightfall. Give everyone time to rest." I said while heading towards my quarters. As soon as I got inside my room, I lay down on the bed.

I wanted to sleep but my thoughts won't let me. I don't want Zhao to get to the Avatar first! But now that he's admiral he will be using anyone to work for him. His scope is now bigger than before and I have no match for him.

What can I do?

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-Maya's Point of View-

"Water..." I heard Sokka say in a weak voice. "I'm back with some water. I'm sorry it took a while, I almost got lost within the ruins." I said to them.

One by one I helped them both to drink water and once that was done, I used the remaining water to wet a cloth and I placed them on their foreheads to keep them cool.

"This will help lower your temperature in the meantime..." I said as I finished laying out the cloth on their foreheads. Slowly the two of them fell asleep. I rested for a bit on Appa's tail after taking care of the sick siblings.

"What is taking Aang so long?" I asked myself. Could he probably be in danger? What if firebenders saw him and caught him? Maybe I should go after him?

I looked out at the raging winds from the storm, anytime soon the rain might fall. It would be dangerous to go after Aang, I might just get lost in the forest as well, but I'm not at ease, I have a feeling that something happened.

I turned to my side to stop myself from worrying when I suddenly heard a metal thing fall to the ground. I suddenly remembered the emblem that I picked up from the fountain a few minutes ago. I sat up to pick it and once again I stared at the emblem. It's as if time hasn't passed it by. It's still so shiny and clean.

Also, what is the Fintan Tribe? I've never heard of it from Mom. Could it be an old civilization that lived within these ruins? Also, what does this emblem do? Is this just a display? A necklace? What use does it have?

I lifted it in the air trying to figure out if there is something special about this emblem. As I was staring at it, I suddenly see a pattern on the wall behind it that resembles the symbol on the emblem. I quickly stood up to compare the two identical patterns and then I slowly went closer to the wall. I examined the wall and there I saw writings that said, 'the symbol of the white fire'.

White fire? Is there such a thing?

As I glide my fingers through it, I noticed a small hole at the center of the pattern that fits the emblem perfectly. Unknowingly, I placed the emblem on the hole, and slowly an entryway opened on the wall. Turns out the emblem was key.

I don't know what could be inside that secret chamber, and I bet it might be dangerous but, there's something that's pulling me to go in. I want to know what's inside.

I looked back at Sokka and Katara who were sleeping peacefully and whispered, "I'll be back quickly."

After that, I went inside the secret chamber.

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-Zuko's Point of View-

It's already nightfall and just as I have told Uncle, the crew did make a stop in the middle of the sea just near the forest. I was in the middle of putting myself to sleep when I suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's is I your majesty, the ship's captain," he said and then he opened the door. "What do you want?" I asked.

"There was some news that reached our crew, one of them who visited his friend that was stationed in the nearby fortress said that Zhao has already had the Avatar in custody. They are keeping him locked up inside the Pahui Stronghold," the captain reported. Just as I expected, they have already caught him.

"What will be your order sir?" the captain asked. "I have no orders. You may now leave," I answered. He stood there for a good few seconds as if there was something he wanted to say but then he hesitated and left.

I sat up and sat on the edge of the bed. Thinking of what I should do. Is this really over? Am I never really getting a chance to go back home? The Avatar is my only ticket back home and now that Zhao has captured him, I have nothing left.

As I raised my eyes I saw the mask and sword displayed on the wall of my room, and then an idea came into my mind. There is no way, I will let anyone catch the Avatar before me. If I can't catch the Avatar, no one else can.

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-Aang's Point of View-

After I found the herbalist institute, the old lady told me that the cure for my friends' fever was the frozen frogs in the swamp near the foot of the mountain. As soon as I left the institute, I was ambushed by a group of archers and they chased me down to the swamp where they had me cornered and pinned to a tree branch.

When one of them approached me, I saw the fire nation symbol in their clothes. How did they even know I was here?!

They brought me inside a fortress just a few miles away and then they locked me inside a metal room with both my hands and feet chained to two metal posts. Maya was right, this is fire nation territory and it is not safe for me to be alone. If I get back too late, Maya might try to go and search for me. This is bad, I have to get out of here before sundown, or else Maya and the rest will be in danger.

"So this is the great Avatar— Master of all the elements?" An old man walked inside the room while looking down at me. He was with a fire nation general. "I don't know how you've managed to elude the fire nation for a hundred years... but your little game of hide and seek is over." he taunted.

"I've never hidden from you! Untie me and I'll fight you right now!" I shouted back. "Uh... No," he replied. "Tell me, how does it feel to be the only airbender left?" he suddenly asked.

"Do you miss your people?" he said with a smirk on his face. I wasn't able to answer him. Flashbacks of Gyatso's remains creeped inside my head and the only thing I could was be sad and feel regret.

"Oh don't worry... You won't be killed like they were. See if you die, you'll just be reborn and the fire nation will have to begin its search for the Avatar all over again. So I'll keep you alive... but just barely," he said mockingly.

How dare he say those words. How dare the fire nation kill all of my people! I couldn't contain my anger anymore and I just want to punch this old hag so badly. I used my mouth to blow a great strong wind in his direction and it sent him flying right to the wall near the door.

"Admiral Zhao!" the general shouted. "Blow all the wind you want! Your situation is futile! There is no escape in this fortress, and no one is coming to rescue you," he said as he stood up. After that, he exited the room and I was left there alone...

What am I going to do now... I don't know what I could do! Is this the end? I'm worried for Maya's safety, and Katara and Sokka's condition. What if their fever gets worse? There must be a way out of here. Think Aang! Think!

I tried forcing my way out of the chains and tried to break them with brute strength but I just wasn't strong enough. And they were thick chains of metal.

"C'mon, chains! Break!" I shouted while trying to pull on it.

Suddenly I felt the frogs that I'd put inside my clothes start moving and one by one all of them jumped out.

"No! Don't leave frogs! My friends are sick and they need you! Please go back to being frozen!" I tried to get away from the chains to catch the frogs but it was no use. They are just really too strong to break.

I was in the middle of struggling to break the chains when I suddenly heard thudding noises from outside of the room. The door slowly opened and from there a man dressed in black with a blue mask entered. He drew out his double swords and then ran towards me.

I yelled out of fear thinking that he was sent to go and kill me, but fortunately, the one he slashed his swords at was the chains that were bounding me.

"Who are you? What's going on? Are you here to rescue me?" The masked man didn't answer me and he just went to open the door and signaled me to follow him. "I'll take that as a yes..." I followed him into the hallway and I saw that he had tied up all the guards that were securing the prison room.

Wow, he fought against five benders in just a matter of minutes? Who is this guy?