Chapter Two ~ Southern Air Temple

"Wait 'til you see it, Katara! The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world!" The young avatar beamed enthusiastically, as he looked up at his new friend. With a sigh, Katara forced a smile at the boy. "Aang, I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home.." she stated, staring at him with kind eyes. "That's why I'm so excited!"

"It's just that ... a lot can change in all that time.."

"I know, but I need to see it for myself!"

Aang hopped off of his furry companion, and excitedly made his way over to the sleeping water tribe boy. "Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple, here we come!" He shouted, causing Sokka to groan in annoyance. "Ugh..Sleep now..temple later.." he murmured out groggily before falling back asleep. Aang blinked and huffed softly before grinning mischievously at an idea that popped into his head. He grabbed a small branch and began lightly trailing it over his friend's sleeping bag. "Sokka! Wake up! There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!"

Sokka flinched and immediately shot awake with a terrified scream. "Get it off! Get it off!" He cried out before falling down on his stomach. He let out a grunt, his face morphing into an angered one as he realized it was only a trick. "Great! You're awake! Let's go!"

~

"Aang, before we get to the temple, I want to talk to you about the airbenders..."

"What about them?" He chirped, continuing to fly to the temple. "Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless. They killed my mother and they could have done the same to your people.." She explained with a saddened tone. Aang stayed quiet for a moment before opening his mouth. "Just because no one has seen an airbender, doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all. They probably escaped!" He beamed with hope as the girl sighed. "I know it's hard to accept.."

"You don't understand, Katara. The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison, and I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison! Right, Appa?" He giggled softly causing the animal to grunt in response. "Yip! Yip!"

"There it is! The Southern Air Temple!"

"Aang..it's amazing..!"

"We're home, buddy! We're home.." Aang muttered, a soft smile on his features. The group explored for a bit, having played a quick Airball game and now found themselves in front of a statue. "Who's that?" Sokka asked curiously. "Monk Gyatso! The greatest airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know!" The young boy explained with a proud grin. "You must miss him.." Katara mumbled, placing a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder. "Yeah.." He sighed, walking off to a large gate. "Where are you going?"

"The air temple sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet."

~

"Come on out, little lemur! That hungry guy won't bother you anymore." Aang said, looking around curiously for the small creature. He then pushed aside a few rotted drapes and webs, entering another section of the Temple. He looked up and froze in his tracks as his smile fell. Just ahead was the skeleton of his parental figure, Gyatso. "Fire Benders..they were here..?" He muttered, his voice shaky. His eyes widened in horror as he stared intently at the corpse. "Gyatso.." he whimpered. "Hey, Aang! You find my dinner yet?" Sokka casually questioned before abruptly stopping. He looked up only to find his dear friend on his knees and burying his face in his hands. "Aang, I wasn't really going to eat the lemur, okay?" Sokka chuckled. His eyes then widened at seeing the skeletal figures. "Oh man..Come on, Aang. Everything will be alright. Let's get out of here.." The oldest boy reassured, walking closer as he tried to encourage the Avatar to leave. Aang's eyes darkened as his arrows then began to glow. Sokka gasped, retracting his hand back as he slowly backed away. "A..Aang?" He stammered out. The wind was now picking up as it surrounded the glowing Airbender, causing him to float upward a bit.

~

Katara had still been walking around the sanctuary, iring all the statues. However, she was soon interrupted by the stone structures' glowing eyes. "Aang.." she muttered in realization, turning on her heel and bolting out the doors and towards where her brother and friend were.

"Aang, c'mon! Snap out of it!" Sokka exclaimed before he was sent flying back by the wind. The storm created by the small boy's anger had caused the roof to explode which as well caused debris to be catapulted high into the air. Sokka had been sent straight into a wall.

Katara finally came running in, desperate to see what all the commotion was about. She lifted her arms to protect her face from the flying rubble as she made her way to her brother. "What happened??"

"He found out Fire Benders killed Gyatso!"

"Oh no..it's his Avatar spirit! He must have triggered it, I'm going to try and calm him down!" She shouted back, beginning to trudge through the harsh winds and towards the Airbender boy. "Well, do it! Before he blows us off the mountain!"

"Aang! I know you're upset and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my mom.." Katara stated, growing closer. "Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone..but you still have a family. Sokka and I! We're your family-" Though she was interrupted by Aang snapping his head in her direction. "Family...family!? I lost my entire race!"

Soon a gust of wind was sent straight for Katara, Aang having sent it purposely. She yelped and was catapulted back towards her brother. "It didn't work?? Are you okay??" Sokka panicked, checking to see if there were any serious injuries on his sister. She shook her head, her face pale with horror as she grabbed onto Sokka. "We need to leave ..!"

"Where's Appa-"

"There's no time, we need to hide! Now, Katara!" Sokka whisper-yelled, gripping Katara's arm and crawling off, back out the way they came in through. The girl glanced back one last time, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she looked straight ahead once again.

"I'm sorry, Aang.."