#play dead! run downhill and then zig-zag!

[keydekyie]

"Don't run. Never run. No matter how frightened you are."

"But, then... what can you do? How can one fight... that?"

"Stand your ground. Look them dead in the eye."

"That will stop them?"

"No. But they'll have to live with themselves, and perhaps the next one will be luckier."

[justsomewritingblog]

Avatar:TLA (Part 6)

Request:  None

Requested By:  Nobody

Pairing:  Zuko x reader

Summary:  The Fortune Teller

Warnings:  none?

A/N:  Buckle up boys and girls.  This series is gonna be a long one.

Word Count:  5K+  (someone help)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You had landed on a beach, giving Appa a rest.  You had set up a tent and a campfire.  A big green fish was splashing in and out of the water in the distance.

“Look!”  Katara said, pointing at it.  The fish continued jumping.

“He’s taunting us.”  Sokka declared.  “You are so going to be dinner!”  He ran over to the tent, grabbed something and began swinging at the water.  “Hey, where’s the fishing line?”

“Oh.  I didn’t think you would need it, Sokka.”  Aang said, holding up an object.  Sokka observed it.

“Aw, it’s all tangled.”  He complained.

“Not tangled, woven.”  Aang explained.  He turned.  “I made you a necklace, Katara.  I thought since you lost your other one.”  He held it up and grinned.  Your heart melted where you stood.  You couldn’t keep the goofy grin off your own face.

“Thanks, Aang.”  Katara said, walking up and taking the necklace from his outstretched hands.  “I love it.”

“Great, Aang.  Maybe instead of saving the world, you can go into the jewelry making business.”  Sokka complained.

“I don’t see why I can’t do both.”  Aang replied with a shrug.  Sokka heard a splash and he looked to the water, the fish still jumping around.  He threw the fishing pole, the sharp end landing in the water.  The fish jumped over it seconds later.

“Stop taunting me!”  He complained, drawing his knife and wandering into the water.  You and Aang watched the desperate boy.

“So?  How do I look?”

You both turned.  Aang blushed upon seeing Katara.  You casted the airbender a side glance and smirked.

“You mean all of you?  Or just your neck?”  He asked, tugging on the collar of his shirt.  “I mean, both look great.”

Sokka emerged from the water, holding the fish.  It was as big as his torso.  “Smoochy, smoochy.  Someone’s in loooveee.”  He mocked, pretending to kiss the fish, which slapped him in the face with its tail.  Sokka dropped it in response and fell backwards into the water.

“I…..well…..”  Aang started.

“Stop teasing him, Sokka.  Aang’s just a good friend.”  She said, walking forward and patting his head.  “A sweet little guy.  Just like Momo.”  She said, petting the lemur’s head as well.  You visibly winced.

I bet that hurt, you thought.  You knew this was true when Aang let out a very mopey, “thanks.”  You frowned and walked forward, picking the kid up in a bone-crushing hug.  This only lifted the curve of his frown slightly.  You placed him back down just as Sokka walked forward.  You looked him over.

“You’re soaked to the bone.”  You commented.

“I don’t wanna talk about.”  He replied glumly.  Then a loud growl was heard.  Aang airbended to the top of a large rock to get a better look.

“Someone’s being attacked by a platypus-bear!”  He yelled before leaping down to help.

“Oh, hello, there.  Nice day, isn’t it?”  The man asked calmly.  You jumped down as well.  Aang, however, didn’t seem at all calm.

“Make noise!  He’ll run off!”  He advised.  Sokka and Katara rushed down.

“No!  Play dead!  He’ll lose interest!”  Sokka countered.  The man ducked under another blow.

“Woah!  Close one!”  He noted.  Your eyes widened.

“Run downhill!  Then climb a tree!”  Katara instructed.

“No!  Punch him in the bill!”  Sokka shouted.

“Then run in zig-zags!”  Aang added.  You rolled your eyes.  This was getting you nowhere.

“No need.  It’s going to be fine.”  The man assured.  The creature roared again, swinging madly.  He took a rather large chunk of bark off a tree.  Aang leaped between it and the man.  He held out his hands, ready for a fight.

“Woah, there!”

The creature roared again, and rose taller, when it heard a roar behind him.  Appa.  The platypus-bear laid an egg and crept away.  Sokka ran over and picked up the egg, clutching it against his chest.

“Lunch!”  He turned to the man.  “Lucky for you, we came along.”

“Thanks.  But everything was already under control.”  The man assured.  “Not to worry.  Aunt Wu predicted I’d have a safe journey.”

“Aunt who?”  Aang asked.

“No.  Aunt Wu.  She’s the fortuneteller from my village.  Awful nice: knowing your future.”

“Wow.  It must be.  That explains why you were so calm.”  Katara noted.

“But the fortuneteller was wrong.  You didn’t have a safe journey, you were almost killed!”  Sokka butted in.

“But I wasn’t.  All right.  Have a good one.”  The man said, bowing and beginning to walk away.  He stopped and turned.  “Oh.  Aunt Wu said that if I met any travelers, to give them this.”  He said, handing Aang a package.  He turned and left.

“Maybe we should go see Aunt Wu and learn our fortunes.  It could be fun.”  Katara offered.

“Oh, come on.  Fortunetelling is nonsense.”  Sokka said as Aang ripped open the package.

“What do you know?  An umbrella!”  Aang exclaimed, enthusiastic as he opened it and held it above his head.  Just then, a rumble of thunder was heard.  It started to rain.  Katara rushed under the umbrella with Aang.

“That proves it.”  She said.

“No it doesn’t.”  You and Sokka said simultaneously.

“You can’t really tell the future.”  Sokka said, holding the egg above his head in a pitiful attempt to keep him dry.  You bended water over your head to make a shield.

“I guess you’re not really getting wet, then.”

“Katara, it could have just been a precaution.  Some people get sick when there’s a storm coming.  Maybe that’s how she could tell.”

Sokka somehow slipped and the egg in his hands flew in the air and cracked on his head, the eggshell acting as a hat.  You all began walking when Sokka spoke up again.

“Of course she predicted it was going to rain.  The sky’s been gray all day.”  He said.

“Just admit you might be wrong, and you can come under the umbrella.”  Katara offered.

“Look, I’m going to predict the future now.  It’s going to keep drizzling.”  He said in a mocking tone before crossing his arms.  “See?”

Just then, the rain stopped.  Everyone looked up at the clear sky.  “Man, the universe hates you.”  You muttered.  Sokka’s shoulders drooped.

“Tell me about it.”  He grumbled.

“Not everyone has the gift, Sokka.”  Aang commented.

Sokka stopped walking and sighed.  Aang, Katara and Appa walked on ahead, Appa shaking himself off, spraying Sokka.  You turned around and walked over to him, putting your arm around his shoulder and walking.

~~~~~~~~~

When you entered the village, there was a gate with some ducks quacking noisily.  You walked through until you came up to a man by a building.  He bowed, gesturing at the door.

“Aunt Wu is expecting you.”  He informed.

“Really?”  Katara asked, excited.  She and Aang walked in with smiles on their faces, while you followed Sokka in.  Sokka had a frown on his face, and you held a curious expression.  When you entered and the door shut behind you, a girl wearing pink came out.  She had her dark hair divided and pulled up into pigtails, though they were in the air, not drooping like normal.

“I’m Meng.  I’m Aunt Wu’s assistant.”  She spoke.  She caught glimpse of Aang and her facial expression changed.  “Well, hello there.”  She said, her tone flirtatious.  You rolled your eyes so far, they almost disappeared in the back of your head.

“Hello.”  Aang replied dismissively.

“Can I get you some tea?  Or some of Aunt Wu’s special bean-curd puffs?”

You made a face.

“I’ll try a curd puff.”  Sokka announced as you all sat down on pillows on the floor.  Meng held her hand out to silence Sokka.

“Just a second.”  She told him, before leaning down to Aang’s sitting height.  “So what’s your name?”

“Aang.”  He replied simply.  She gasped.

“That rhymes with Meng!”

You groaned and fell backward, rubbing your hands up and down your face.  “This is so cringy.”  You muttered to yourself.  She, however, continued.

“And you’ve got some pretty big ears, don’t you?”

You sat up.  “That’s a rude thing to say.”  They ignored you.

“I….guess.”  Aang replied.

“Don’t be modest.  They’re huge!”  Sokka interjected.  You elbowed him hard in the ribs, earning a yelp.  Aang covered his ears, feeling insecure.

“Well, Aang.  It’s very nice to meet you.  Very nice.”

“Likewise.”

She left, casting the Avatar one last glance.  You shuddered, uncomfortable.

“I can’t believe we’re in here in the house of nonsense.”  Sokka commented.

“Try to keep an open mind, Sokka.”  Katara replied, tired of his attitude.  “There are things in this world that just can’t be explained.”

“Like why the world hates us?  Why its goal is to make us uncomfortable, and push us down?”  You asked.  They all stared at you in shock.  Katara shook her head, recovering.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to get some insight into your future?”  She asked.

“Sure.”  You replied.  “As long as it’s true, and not a scam.”  You said, crossing your arms over your chest.  Sokka nodded and copied your action.

“Exactly.”

You heard a voice.

“That’s so romantic.  I wonder if my true love will give me a flower.”  Meng said, glancing at Aang.  She was talking to another helper.  Aang must have heard the conversation, because he spoke up.

“Good luck with that.”

The other helped said something else, before Meng shoved her away and walked toward Aang, carrying a platter.  She tripped and Aang steadied the dish, his hands atop hers.  She blushed and you almost gagged.

“Enjoy your snack.”  She said hurriedly, standing up and leaving.  Sokka grabbed the platter and shoveled food in his face as fast as he could.

“Welcome, young travelers.”  A voice spoke.  You all looked up and saw an older woman, wearing yellow robes.  Resting on her head was a moon shape, on its side so it looked like a smile, and a circle figure was over it.  “Now who’s next?”  Getting no response, she added, “don’t be shy.”

Everyone turned to look at Katara.  “I guess that’s me.”  She said, standing and following the woman around the corner.  Sokka had continued to stuff his face.

“Not bad.  Not bad.”  He complimented.  Seeing the strange look the Avatar was sending him, he offered him the platter, making a noise.  Aang pushed them gently back into his hands.

“I’m good on puffs.”  He admitted.  Sokka offered you some, and you denied the offer as well.  Sokka shrugged and continued eating.

“So…what do you think they’re talking about back there?”  Aang asked, rubbing his head.  You shrugged.  Sokka swallowed hard.

“Boring stuff, I’m sure.  Love.”  He started.  You held your hand over your mouth to contain the sudden laughter that wanted to burst from your lungs.  He continued.  “Who she’s gonna marry.  How many babies she’s gonna have.”  He sipped his tea, as you watched the color drain from Aang’s face.

“Yeah…..dumb stuff like that.”  He spoke, non-convincingly.  “Well, I gotta find a bathroom.”  He said, before running out of the room.  Sokka laid down on the unused pillows.  You smiled softly and shook your head.

Aang came back a few minutes later, a rather large grin on his face.

“Looks like someone had a pretty good bathroom break.”  Sokka noted.  You smirked and quirked an eyebrow.  Aang looked like he’d been trapped.

“Yeah, when I was in there-”

“I don’t even wanna know.”  Sokka cut him off, raising his hand.  Aunt Wu came around the corner with Katara.

“Okay.  Who’s next?”  She asked.  Sokka stood and stretched.

“Okay.  Let’s get this over with.”

“Your future is full of struggle and anguish.”  She told him.  “Most of it, self-inflicted.”

“But.  You didn’t even read my palms or anything!”

“I don’t need to.  It’s written all over your face.”  She replied.  You turned to Sokka and noticed that, yes, he didn’t look very cheerful.  Aunt Wu gestured at Aang.  “You, then.  Come with me.”

She led Aang out of the room and Katara walked over to you, a big smile on her face.  You raised an eyebrow.  “You must have heard something you liked.”  You commented.

“She said I was-” She cut herself off, looking to her brother.  She dropped her voice into a whisper.  “She said I was going to marry a great bender.”

Your mind immediately went to the young Avatar.  “Really?  Interesting.”  You commented.  “So, you….believe her then?”

“Of course.  Don’t you?”

You furrowed your eyebrows.  “I’m not sure.  Things can be coincidences.  For all we know, she could be making the stuff up.  And by the time we figure it out, she’ll be way out of our reach.  Besides, the future is changing all the time.  You can’t rely on it.”

Just then, Aunt Wu came in, Aang following.  “It would seem you are the only one left.”  Aunt Wu told you.  You sighed, following her around back.  She sat you down.  “I’m going to read your palm.”  She informed.  You rolled your eyes slightly, reaching out your hand.  She studied it for a moment.

“You will fall in love.”  She declared.

“It’s not really a surprise.”  You muttered.  “Most people do.”

“He will also be a great bender.  Very talented.  Much power.  A bit of hot-head.”

You crossed your free arm over your chest in disbelief.  “Awfully vague.”  You noted.  But, she continued.

“You will have felt many things towards him.  Hate, anger, disgust.  But then, as you grow, pity, understanding, affection, and love.”

Your eyebrows shot up to your hairline in surprise at the detail.  You instinctively pulled your hand away.  “That’s enough.  Thank you.”  You said, wandering out to your friends.

“Y/n?  Are you alright?  You look a little pale.”  Sokka commented.

“I’m fine.”  You replied dismissively.  “Let’s get out of here.”

“You read my mind.”

You wandered outside as Sokka started talking again.  “Well, now you got to see for yourselves: fortunetelling is just a big hoax.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re going to make yourself unhappy your whole life.”  Katara told him, crossing her arms.

“That woman is crazy!  My life will be calm, and happy, and joyful!”  He kicked a rock.  It went sailing into a sign, bouncing off of it and hitting him in the head.  He fell.  “That doesn’t prove anything.”  He commented, pulling himself to his feet.

“Well, I liked my predictions.  Certain things are going to turn out very well.”  Katara informed, folding her hands together.

“They sure are.”  Aang replied, grinning.

“Why?  What did she tell you?”  Katara asked, curious.

“Some stuff.  You’ll find out.”  He answered.  Your eyes widened as your eyebrows shot up.

“What was that supposed to mean?”  You asked, a teasing tone in your voice.

“Nothing.  What did she tell you?”  He asked, trying to change the subject.  You flushed pink.

“I-uh.  It was nothing important.”  You informed, crossing your arms protectively over your chest.  Katara raised an eyebrow while Aang and Sokka shrugged it off and walked away.  Katara turned to you.

“Really?”  She asked.  “Nothing important?”

“Well.  It wasn’t exactly uncommon.”

“What did she say!?”  She asked, a gleam in her eyes.  You raised an eyebrow.

“Just something about I’ll fall in love with a great bender, and I’ll hate him at first, but grow to love him.”  You murmured quickly.

“Y/n!  That’s totally important!”

“It is?”

“Yes!  It’s life changing!  Aw!  You’re going to fall in love!”

You rolled your eyes.  “Most people do.”

“With someone you used to hate?  With a great bender?”  She suddenly gasped.  “We’re both supposed to fall in love with great benders!”  She exclaimed, excited.  You huffed.

“Let’s go catch up with the others.”  You muttered, walking away.

~~~~~~~~~

When you found them, there was a crowd of people.  The entire town, or so it appeared.  Everyone was looking up.

“What’s with the sky?”  Katara asked.

The same man that was attacked earlier answered her.  “We’re waiting for Aunt Wu to come and read the clouds.  To predict the fate of the whole village.”

Aang pointed upwards.  “That cloud kind of looks like a fluffy bunny.”

‘You’d better hope that’s not a bunny.  The fluffy bunny forecasts doom and destruction.”  The man informed.  You gave him a look.

“Do you even hear yourself?”  Sokka asked him.  You smiled and nodded in agreement.

“The cloud reading will tell us if mount Makapu will remain dormant for another year, or if it will erupt.”  A woman said.

“We used to have a tradition of once a year, going up the mountain and checking the volcano ourselves.  But, ever since Aunt Wu moved to the village, twenty years ago, we have a tradition of not doing that.”  He explained happily.

“This guy’s nuts.”  You muttered.

“I can’t believe you would trust your lives to that crazy old woman’s superstition.”  Sokka told him.  Katara put her hand on her brother’s shoulder.

“Shh.  She’s coming.”

You turned, and sure enough, she walked up the steps, followed by the man that was standing outside her building.  Everyone cheered as she walked by, save for you and Sokka.

“Hey, Aang.”  Meng started.  “Don’t you think that cloud looks like a flower?”  You rolled your eyes, remembering the comment she had made before Aunt Wu read everyone’s ‘predictions’.

“Sure.  I guess.”  Aang replied.  He pushed her aside.  “Hey, Katara.  Don’t you think that cloud looks like a flower?”

“Shh!”  She shushed him.  You raised an eyebrow.  Aunt Wu spoke.

“Bending arrow cloud.”  You immediately thought of Aang.  She looked down at a book.  “Good crops this year!  Nice, big harvest.”

“Darn good news!”  An old man said, hugging his wife.

“Wavy moon shape cloud.  Let’s see.”  She looked down at the book again.  “Going to be a great year for twins.”

Two children cheered and high-fived in the distance.

“Why is that a prediction?”  You asked quietly, gesturing at the book.  “What on earth does that mean?  And why is it important?”

“I know!”  Sokka agreed.  “This is nonsense!”

Your comments were ignored, as Aunt Wu continued.

“Cumulous cloud, with a nub coming off the end of it.”  She paused.  “The village will not be destroyed by the volcano this year!”  She informed.  The town cheered.  Through all the yelling, you could still pick out your friends voice.

“Since I got you here, there’s something I want to tell you.”  Aang started telling Katara, rubbing the back of his head.  Momo sat atop his shoulder.  “I like you, more than normal.”  He confessed.  Katara, having not heard him, ran forward.

“Nevermind.”  Aang spoke softly.  Your heart shattered into a million pieces.  The poor boy.  You wrapped him up in a hug, placing your chin on his tattooed head.  You rubbed comforting circles on his back.

“She just didn’t hear you.”  You told him.

“You know!?”  He asked, pulling away slightly.

“Aang, I’m not blind.  I’m not deaf, either.  She’ll come around, based on what she’s told me.”

“What did she tell you?!”  The boy questioned, a mix of fear and joy on his face.

“I can’t tell you that.  Might mess with time…..or…something.”  You said, quirking your eyebrow.

“I can’t believe these saps.  Someone really needs to scream some sense into them.”  Sokka complained, walking by you and Aang.  You shared a look, and jogged to catch up with the aggravated teen.

“They seem happy, Sokka.”  Aang observed.

“Not for long.  I’m going to prove Aunt Wu’s predictions are nonsense.”  He informed.  Your eyes widened.

“Sokka, are you sure that’s such a good idea?  I mean you’re right, of course, but I don’t think-”

“They need to learn.”  He stopped abruptly, and turned, grabbing a man by his collar.  “Hey, you.  I bet Aunt Wu told you to rear those red shoes, didn’t she?”

“Yeah.  She said I’d be wearing red shoes when I met my true love.”  He spoke dreamily, clasping his hands together on his chest.  Sokka hummed.

“And how many times have you worn those shoes since you got that fortune?”

“Everyday.”

“Then of course it’s going to come true!!”  Sokka shouted.  You nodded, glad that maybe the predictions weren’t true, after all.  Or at least, they could be affected.  You weren’t quite sure why you didn’t want her predictions to be true.  Maybe because you felt like you didn’t have the time or the energy for this?  You weren’t sure.

“Really?  You think so?!  I’m so excited!”  The man said, pulling you out of your thoughts.  He walked away, more enthusiastic than ever.  You raised an eyebrow, and smirked slightly.  Sokka kicked another rock, and it went sailing, a honk being heard.  You watched as a duck flew over, landed on Sokka, and started attacking him with its beak.  You winced, watching him crawl away in pain.

Sokka continued wandering around, questioning people and their trust in the fortuneteller.  He was now shouting at a man.

“I don’t care what Aunt Wu told you!  You have to take a bath sometime!!”  Sokka shouted.  The dusty man simply smiled before turning and walking away.  Sokka face-palmed.

“Hey, Sokka.  You know some stuff about ladies, right?”  Aang asked.

“Some stuff?  You’ve come to the right place.”  Sokka informed, placing an arm around Aang’s shoulder.  Now it was your turn to face-palm.  You groaned, but turned around, seeing as this was none of your business and they weren’t talking to you, and hoped that Aang wouldn’t listen to Sokka.

In trying to not listen to their private conversation, you looked at the volcano as your mind drifted back to what Aunt Wu said.  You ran your hand through your hair.  Her words echoed in your mind.  ‘Great bender.  Powerful.  Hot-head.  Hate, anger, pity, understanding, love.  LOVE.’

You, annoyed, decided to let off some steam and began pacing, bending the water that sloshed around in your canteen.  You never got to practice at the North Pole, other than healing.  Aunt Wu’s words bounced around in your head some more, breaking your concentration.  The water landed on the ground with a splash, spraying your ankles.  You sighed, turning around and seeing Aang walk away from Meng and Sokka.

“Wow.  That kid is good.”  Sokka noted.  You placed a hand on his shoulder.  He jumped a small bit before turning to you.  “Oh, Y/n.  It’s just you.”

“Yeah, just me.  Look, what did you tell Aang?”  You asked quickly.

“I told him to be aloof.  To not act interested.”  He answered.  You thought of Katara, and her personality.

“Oh, boy.”  You muttered.  “This can’t end well.”

“Excuse me!?”

“Well, Sokka, I think you may have misunder-”

“Me?”  He placed a hand on his chest.  “Misunderstand?”

“Maybe jumped to conclusion-”

“I would do no such thing.”

“Sokka-”

“No, Y/n.  He came to me.  I have this all under control.”

You sat in silence for a moment, a glare on your face.  “You infuriate me sometimes, you know that?”

“Undoubtedly.”

You rolled your eyes.

~~~~~~~~~

You watched as Aang drug Sokka up the side of the volcano.  Something about a flower….or something.  You sat cross-legged on the ground, pulling at some dirt, watching them until the specks became too small to see.  You sighed and looked at the ground again.  It had gotten dark, and you heard shouting.  You looked up and saw Aang fly in on his glider, Sokka holding on for dear life.

You quickly stood and ran over to them.  “What’s wrong?”  You asked.

“The volcano’s about to erupt.”  Sokka voiced.  “I told you Aunt Wu was wrong.  Fortunetelling is nonsense.”

“Yeah.  Nonsense.”  You said, trying to push her predictions out of your mind.

“Where’s Katara?”  Aang asked.  You sighed.

“Still trying to get predictions from Aunt Wu.  She’s become obsessed.”  You answered.  Aang ran off to find her.  You and Sokka shared a look.  Sokka shrugged before you both ran after him.

As expected, Katara was standing outside the fortuneteller’s house.

“Hi, Katara.”  Aang greeted, a sad tone in his voice.

“Can you believe she won’t let me in?”  Katara asked, sounding cross.  You crossed your arms.

“Yes.”

“After all the business I’ve given her?!”  Katara exclaimed, in a state of disbelief.

“But she doesn’t even charge.”  Aang observed.

“I know, but still.”

“We have other things to worry about.”  Sokka noted.  “Aunt Wu was wrong about the volcano.”

“Sokka, you’ve tried to convince me Aunt Wu was wrong before.  It’s going to take an awful lot to change my mi-” She was cut off by the ground shaking.

“Why does everyone build towns on volcanos?”  You muttered.  Smoke was coming out of the top of it.

“Oh, no.”  Katara whispered.  You all ran into the middle of town, where everyone else had congregated.

“Everyone, that volcano is going to blow any second!”  Sokka alerted.  “Aunt Wu was wrong!”

“Yeah, yeah.  We know you don’t believe in her, mister science and reason lover.”  A woman spoke.  You stepped forward.

“They, saw, it!”

“Maybe you’ll listen to me.”  Katara started, stepping forward as well.  “I want to believe Aunt Wu and her predictions as much as you do!  But like Y/n said, my brother and Aang saw the lava with their own eyes!”

“Well, I heard Aunt Wu’s prediction with my own ears.”  The man from before stated.

“Why are you all so willing to put your fate, your lives, in someone else’s hands!?”  You shouted, confused.  Aang floated to the roof of a building.

“Please listen to us!  You’re all in danger!”  He warned.  “We have to get out of here!  You can’t rely on Aunt Wu’s predictions!  You have to take fate into your own hands!”  Just then, the ground shook again, jostling everyone back and forth.

“Look!  Can your fortunetelling explain that?!”  Sokka questioned, pointing to the rising smoke.  One of the men laughed.

“Can your science explain why it rains?”

“Yes!!  Yes it can!!”  Sokka shouted at him.  You chuckled at his reaction, even though you knew he was right.  Everyone walked away calmly, ignoring the danger hanging over their heads.

“This is ridiculous.”  You noted.

“They just won’t listen to reason.”  Katara observed.

“But they will listen to Aunt Wu.”  Aang stated.

“I know, that’s the problem.”  Sokka said.

“Well, it’s about to become the solution.”  Aang informed.  “We’re taking fate into our own hands.  First I need to borrow Aunt Wu’s cloud-reading book.”

“Oh, boy.”  You muttered.

~~~~~~~~

As expected, you and the siblings were standing watch, trying to look as nonchalant as possible, while Aang crept inside.  He emerged minutes later, with the book in his hands.  He and Katara got on Appa as they went to the sky to bend the clouds, while Sokka ran inside to get the fortuneteller.

“Aunt Wu, look!”  He exclaimed, dragging her out and pointing at the sky.  “Something’s happening in the clouds!”

“That’s very strange, it shouldn’t-” She cut herself off as she gasped in horror, but you were too busy trying not to laugh at Sokka’s facial expression.  “Oh my!”  She said, her face turned into one of horror, as did Sokka’s upon looking up.  You looked up as well, and saw the clouds in the shape of a skull.  The clouds were dark, adding to the affect.

“What a sign.”  You muttered, though you weren’t scared.  You knew this was Aang and Katara’s doing.  They ran out into the middle of town, coming from behind a building.  You suspected Appa landed there.

“We can still save the village if we act fast!”  Aang assured.  “Sokka has a plan!”

“Lava is going to flow downhill to this spot.”  Sokka started.  “If we dig a deep enough trench, we can we can channel all the lava away from the village to the river.”  He informed.  You smiled at his leadership.

“If any of you are earthbenders, come with me!”  Aang instructed.  One of the twins from before raised his hand.

“I’m an earthbender!”

“I’m not!”  His twin announced, raising his own hand.  You shook your head, though a small smile took place there.

“Everybody else, grab a shovel!”  Sokka ordered, holding one above his head.  The ground shook again, this time harder.  “Come on!  We’ve got to hurry!”

Everyone ran off, grabbing shovels, or going with Aang.  You jogged up to Sokka as he handed you a shovel.  You all dug for what seemed like forever.  The earthbenders were a great help, though it was still dark, and you were still sweaty.  There was another shake, and a few rocks started flying out, lava beginning to seep over the edge.

“Dig faster!  Dig faster!”  Sokka shouted, digging at double speed.  The earthbending twin finished the path just as Aang floated down.

“Everyone needs to evacuate!”  He warned.  “We’ll come for you when it’s safe!”

Everyone scrambled out of the ditch, running to safety.  You, Katara, Sokka and Aang all stood atop the ditch on the other side, waiting to see if Sokka’s idea would work.  Lava had begun to pour down the sides quickly.  It had reached the ditch before you knew it.

“It’s too much!  It’s going to overflow!”  Katara observed.  You watched as the lava poured in, the levels rising at an alarming rate.  The ground shook again, and you almost fell in, but Sokka grabbed your shirt at the last second, and pulled you back up to your feet.  You thanked him, panting, before watching as lava spewed out the top of the volcano.  You, Sokka and Katara made ran off a little, putting some distance between you guys, and the flowing lava.  A large boulder flew off, and landed in the lava right in front of Aang, sending it sky-high.  Aang rushed forward, and leapt into the air, he gathered up air and landed, sending the rising lava back a little.  He inhaled deeply through his mouth, and blew, the lava stopping, freezing in place.  You watched with wide eyes.

“Man, sometimes I forget what a powerful bender that kid is.”  Sokka muttered, drawing your attention towards him.

“Wait; what did you just say?”  Katara asked, turning to her brother.  You raised an eyebrow and smirked, knowing what she was getting at.

“Nothing.”  He answered.  “Just that Aang is one powerful bender.”

“I suppose he his.”  Katara whispered.  You heard it though, and had to contain yourself, should you jump for joy.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was day, and everyone had gathered as you were about to leave.  “By the way, we kind of…..borrowed…your book.”  Aang confessed, handing it over.  The fortuneteller took it.

“So you messed with the clouds, did you?”  Aunt Wu asked, sounding aggravated.  Sokka pointed to Aang and Katara.  You elbowed him in the ribs.  She laughed.  “Very clever.”

“No offence, but I hope this has taught everyone a lesson about not relying too much on fortunetelling.”  Sokka said loudly.

“But Aunt Wu predicted the village wouldn’t be destroyed, and it wasn’t.”  The man who had been attacked voiced.  “She was right, after all.”

Sokka stood inches from him, glaring him down.  “I hate you.”  You nodded in agreement.

“It’s okay, Sokka.  Everything’s going to be alright.”  Katara said, placing her hands on her brother’s shoulders and leading him away.

“Can I ask you something?”  Aang questioned Aunt Wu.

“Of course, honey.”

“You didn’t really see love in my fortune, did you?  You just told me what I wanted to hear.”

“I’ll tell you a little secret, young airbender.”  She started, and you took this as your moment to leave.  You climbed atop Appa, while Katara sat on his read, reigns in hand.

“Goodbye everyone!  It was so nice to meet you!”  She shouted.  “Take care, Meng.”

“Take care!”

Katara turned Appa and flew away.  As you sat in the saddle, you wondered about Aunt Wu.  Her predictions were never wrong, after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/n:  Repost!