Prologue: The Awakenings

Legend

Italics shows character thoughts

Word shows Date, time, and location

-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing

N/A: Welcome to my fic! I hope you all enjoy this. This is something that kind if hit me a while back, will it take? I don't know, a lot of stories that are really good don't make it…we'll have to see. I'll judge whether or not to continue this based on reviews and such. This is a kind of what-if scenario, with a larger plot to it, that I thought of, following the events of Aang's temporary death, and the consequences of the Avatar's death, if only momentary. (No, Aang does not die.)

Enjoy, and Please Review!

NOTE: A review made me realize that I had not given enough thought to the names of my three OC's. I have changed their names to reflect a more asian background. Kane is now Sheng, which means Truimph, Tia is now Hye, which means Graceful. Toran's name stays the same, as I thought of it from the word 'Torrent', which is a good meaning for his person. I have the names changed in the story, so this is more for those that have already read this. Give me a thought on the new names.

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Location: Earth Kingdom, Ba Sing Se

I'm sorry Katara.

Those were his thoughts, his last real thoughts, before everything became fuzzy. He had incase himself in crystal and given up his love for the girl that made his heart sing. He gave up his love to protect her. He gave up his love for power.

The crystals glowed and out of the rock formation Aang rose in the Avatar State, in all the glory of a future master of all the Elements. His mind flooded with knowledge: of fire, water, earth, and wind. He became a master in an instant, and even further beyond he became a master of one and all. He was the avatar and such was his destiny, his power, and his curse.

He rose into the air, his eyes and tattoos glowing with power. He focused his glare on Azula and Zuko, princess and prince of the Fire Nation, his enemy, and the enemy of the entire world. Fire Lord Ozai was going to take over the entire world if Aang could not stop him. Stopping his two children would be a fine start.

The Avatar poised to strike when lighting struck, literally. So focused on completing the transformation into the Avatar State he could do nothing to defend himself. The blue streaks crashed into his body and ran through him like a virus, infecting every part of his body.

The glow faded and he fell to the ground. As Aang's eyes closed and as he began to feel himself drifting he felt something; a breaking. Something was occurring…something that had once been intact was now shattered…something was unleashed.

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Location: Eastern Air Temple

Guru Pathik sat in deep meditation. He worried that something would happen to Aang, he feared that without the Avatar state he would not have the strength needed to save the Earth Kingdom. He sat in the center of Eastern Air Temple before a large statue of a robust man, strong and young. He was the first Avatar, an Airbender.

Deep in his mediation he could feel it, the rumble. His eyes flashed open and his sight was met with the First Avatars statue shaking. The hands, arms, legs, head, and chest cracked and pieces of the rock fell to the ground. Something had disturbed its peace, its slumber.

"A bad omen.."

Guru Pathik's eyes grew wider as something more fantastic began to occur. Between the horse stance statue's feet a golden symbol appeared, an image of five rock crystals arranged in peacock fashion, with a sixth striking downward. Between the hands of the statue, which were close together as if holding a pot, a blue image of three circular ripples showed itself. The next symbol appeared at the Statues chest, a red and fiery mask of flames flared into existence, as if to taunt the Guru for something he could not forsee. Lastly, at the head of the statue, three gray gusts of wind spiraling into each other. The symbols grew so bright that the entire chamber was lit up as if a festival was occuring at this very moment.

The Guru's face showed something short of panic. His stood slowly an approached the statue; the lights faded and Pathik fell to his knees. Silence filled the room save one noise…the sound of Avatar's statue crumbling into a pile of rock and dust. A singular thought ran through the Guru's head, a story, a myth, that he had thought, had hoped, to be false.

"The pact is broken…does that mean….Aang, what is going on?"

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Location: Fire Nation

"Stand boy!"

He tried, he really did, but he had no strength left in him. He was beaten, broken, and could no longer carry on this duel, the Agni Kai (Fire Dual). Oh, if only he had the strength to stand! If only he could fight longer…he could feel his honor slipping from his grasp by the seconds.

The man, his challenger, took a deep breath, he may have won but his victory was hard earned. He was far older then his opponent and he lacked the same endurance that he once had, but experience and sheer power overcame the stamina of this fool, this Sheng.

Sheng was a young fire nation child, serving in one of the many Fire Nation academies and he had broken the number one law; he tried to leave the academy. His family, as he had described, was poor and their father had fallen sick. His mother was too old to work and his older sister had little to offer, and that it was his duty to return to support them however he could. But the warden, the older man, had stated that his duty was to his nation and not to his family, to his Fire Lord and only to him.

Thus, the Agni Kai was issued. The boy had no choice but to accept, the prize was too great; a victory would mean financial aid to his family and a doctor sent to his father immediately. Failure to win would mean his continued stay at the academy…while his family suffered.

Sheng, fourteen years of age, ground his fingers into the ground. Tears swelled into his eyes, he could see them! His father declining health, his mothers worry, his sisters struggle to keep the family afloat. He could see it all so clearly! If only he had more power, if only he was a genius firebender, if only!

I can't save them…

"One last chance, stand up and fight, or accept defeat." The academy's warden stated.

I'm sorry…I can't. Father, forgive me. Mother, I tried. Sister...I'm sorry I cannot help you.

Sheng closed his eyes and tried once more, one last time to will his body to move and then…

He felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

He couldn't describe it, a feeling of intense heat. His whole body felt as if it were aflame this very instant, as if he were standing in the heart of a great furnace. He could feel his body lighten, but they were not healing, rather it felt as if his body was suddenly stronger then before, vastly stronger then before.

You call yourself a child of fire? Stand! Regain your honor, regain your pride! Stand, stand and fight!

Sheng obeyed instinctively, without thought,. The voice was in his head, it's voice boomed, commanding. Had he gone mad? No, this was something else, something greater. He could feel the source of the heat pulsating from his chest, where his lungs resided. He turned towards the warden and took his stance. The throbbing in his chest clouded his thoughts, the same way a headache made it hard to think.

"Oh, ready to fight are you?" He too took his stance.

My name is Fire, and you are lucky to have my blessing. Accept me, wholly, and I shall grant you power to save your family, to punish all those that endanger those that you love. I ask only one thing.

One thing? Sheng began to wonder if he really had gone mad, he was talking to a voice in his head. It was deep and strong, like a man into is years…but somehow it held a sagely tone, as if he knew so much more then what one could perceive.

Loyalty, to the Fire Nation. Not to the Lord of Fire, but to the people. Loyalty, to the Nation of Fire. Choose; honor and power or disgrace and despair

"Well, well. He stands to fight again. " The warden taunted.

"I…" Sheng muttered.

"Hmm? You, what?"

"I choose loyalty." Sheng leap forward, his right fist lashing out.

The flame that burst forth from his closed fist lit up the entire ring, engulfing the narrow dueling arena in a raging wildfire. Both warriors were lost from sight, to all who had been spectators. A roar rang out from the depths of the inferno and, as if by command, the flames died instantly, dying out of existence.

The Warden lay on the ground, smoldering. Sheng stood the winner, his prize? A dazzling new fire in his golden eyes.

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Location: North Pole

"Steady," He whispered softly, "steady." He raised his hand, a closed fist.

They were a small group of Northern Waterbenders hiding behind a small glacier as a passing Fire Navy ship was nearing their range of attack. The ship would be caught in a ring of ice and then would be boarded. The young group of men, newly allowed into the realm of combat, eagerly awaited their chance to defend their homeland.

Toran, the eldest of the group, sixteen years of age, was the leader of this group of headstrong men. It was custom for new leaders to be given a small group to command, to grow as a commander and as a fighter. But Toran knew he was no fighter, he could lead men, he could inspire the older ones with his righteous calm and silent hate for the Fire Nation, but he was far from the best fighter in this group. And he knew it. Besides, these men were young and full of energy, and Toran had always been a quiet child. It had been a heavy strain to get them to listen at times.

The Fire Nation ship passed into attack range and he waved his men forward. The group created paths of ice on the water which they used to slide towards the ship. Toran took the lead, directing his group to surround the ship before the fire benders could assemble.

"Now!" Toran roared. All of his fellow tribesmen raised pillars of ice from the ocean roof, stopping he Navy ship in its tracks. With it stationary the Northern Tribesmen raised themselves unto the ship by riding waves which deposited them unto the ship while washing away any unsuspecting Fire bender into the sea.

The water benders splashed unto the deck of the ship and found it completely empty, or abandoned so to speak. The group, minus Toran, descended into the belly of the ship to uncover any ambushes that might be waiting.

Suddenly the floor began to rumble and at several places, on the deck, the floorboards were moved aside and Fire Nation soldiers began to pour out of the holes, two or three to a hole. Toran sighed loudly, agitated by how easily they had been fooled.

So it was an ambush…and now they've got my guys down there while they can wait up here.

Toran grimaced at how causally he summarized the difficult position of his men, and himself. He took up a fighting stance in a rather large puddle of water that was left from their wet boarding of the ship. He spread out his feet to take a front stance with his hands stretched out slightly to his sides.

Waste of time. All at once the fire benders attacked, spraying fire at Toran, who was not a capable water bender like others. He raised a wall of water around him in a general defense but two blasts of fire were powerful enough to break through, and both were lucky enough to strike Toran's arms, disabling them. As if luck was unfavorable enough the floor beneath Toran opened and he dropped through a hole that sent him straight through the lower desks and out the bottom of the ship.

Sinking, Toran thought. Perfect. His arms were shot and he couldn't bend the water without them. Toran closed his eyes, attempting to block out the thoughts that his comrades were going to be capture and sold as prisoners. First mission; failure.

Giving up so easily?

What?

Those boys were entrusted to you because you were calm, more mature, yet you just gave up without so much as a fight?

There was nothing I could do…I'm no fighter. Toran stopped. Why was he talking to himself? Was it fear of death? That must be it, he was scared because of his inability to save his friends. He was going mad because he lacked the power to save them.

And what if you could obtain power? If you could be given such strength.

Was that his voice or someone else? It was offering strength, but one couldn't just give that to someone, you had to earn it, gain it, or be born with it. But, what if he could be given it?

Then I'd fight. I'd fight to the last man.

Is power that important?

It protects…power is needed to fight power.

Then listen well, Toran, son of Water. I will give you such strength if you take an oath to protect the two Tribes of Water, the Tribes of the South and North. Swear the Oath and strength will be the least of your worries.

Toran remained silent for several minutes, he could feel that he was slowly running out of breath and his lungs were beginning to burn. He wasn't the best person in the world, he knew that, he was passive, quiet, and obedient. But there were precious people in his life. People that he loved, people that he wanted to see them through their lives.

People worth protecting.

I accept, I swear to this oath.

Then welcome, Toran, to a new world. I am Water, and you are my chosen. Rise.

Toran's body began to glow.

On the surface the Fire Nation soldiers were transporting their prisoners. They were abandoned their other ship, being too damaged by the icicles that had stropped the transport in the first place. As they began to board a massive wave rocked the ship intensely, one single sharp wave. When the ocean calmed all eyes turned to the transport where a giant icicle had split it in two. All watched as the great navy ship sunk into the cold sea.

One of the senior soldiers stepped forward, "My god…I haven't seen anything like that since." The soldier removed his helmet, "Since the siege of the north when the Avatar destroyed an entire fleet."

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Location: Northern Air Temple

Once they had been free of the Fire Nation. Once the refugees had fled to this temple and had freedom, peace, and order. A man had made flying machines on which the could ride the wind.

But no more, the Fire Nation had taken this temple after the Avatar left. The War Balloon that had been used to defend it was used against them and they no longer had air superiority. Today they were prisoners of the Fire Nation, forced to give the Fire Nation weapons in return for a small measure of freedom. It was the best they could do, they couldn't fight like the Avatar could, they had no powers. They had to obey.

Hye, twelve, sat on the balcony that had once been used as a flight deck when they flew into the skies on gliders. When they could play all day and not worry about work or an angry fire bender telling them to stop that and get inside. But she couldn't help herself,she didn't understand why things were happening this way, and she feared the firebenders, men who could spit fire from their hands. They terrified her.

"Hey, you girl! What are you doing?"

Hye stood up abruptly and stood at attention, regarding the Fire Nation soldier as she was told, with the utmost respect. They said she wouldn't get in trouble that way. The soldier stepped towards her, she stepped backwards, he stepped again, she stepped back again. Though told to be good she feared these men. They came with fire and steel and took over her home. She feared them more then anything else in the world.

"Hey, stop! Be careful!" He reached out and ran towards Hye, who's foot had slipped off the ledge of the old flight deck. The first sensation was a gradual pull and then the image of fast moving brick and rock, she was plummeting.

She was too shocked to scream, to scared to move, and too numb to do anything but fall. And fall she did, in silence, until she felt an unpleasant feeling erupt in her head, a kind of headache that throbbed, softly at first, but grew in intensity until it just stopped.

It stopped.

Fear, child. You fear so much. You are a child of Air, you should fear nothing, want nothing, and have everything.

"..Wh…who…"

I am Air and all that it embodies and you are my chosen. Accept me into your heart, cast away your fears, and I shall give you freedom. You need only do one thing for me.

"One thing?"

Save your friends, family, and loved ones. Give them their freedom back and then give this freedom to others. You are the last of your kind, it rests with you to bring back a dying race, and I will help you.

Hye didn't understand, how could she? But she knew one thing, she wanted freedom again. She wanted to fly in the sky again. She wanted everything this voice offered,and she was only twelve, and at her age one loved to believe in fairy tales. She accepted, with all her heart.

Hye never hit the ground.

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Location: Ba Sing Se

Her eyes were closed and she listened, not that it mattered if her eyes were closed, it was so dark that you couldn't see anyway. She paced, waiting, they were late and she was starting to get worried. She'd never say so out loud though, it was beneath her. She could feel that something had occurred, that something had gone wrong. She felt it in her gut. But she also felt it in her body, everywhere. Something big had happened. She stopped her steps, a voice? She could have swore she heard something.

It is time, daughter of Earth. You are chosen by me to restore the Earth Kingdom to its former glory.

She stopped, that was definitely a voice. Who are you? And what do you want? She stopped, this was stupid, talking to a voice in her head. Her nerves must have been really getting to her!

I AM Earth and I want you to do what you do best, fight. Too long has the nation of Fire encroached on our lands, too long have fires ravaged our cities and harmed our brothers and sisters. Too long indeed, and you will stop them.

You asking me to save the world? That's the Avatar's job, not mine.

The Avatar has failed, the pact is broken. It is time for ones such as you to take the mantle of hero. Accept me, and you shall become greater then you are now.

I'm already the best, I don't need your help. Besides, the Avatar hasn't failed, not yet.

Humph! Foolish girl, you see but you don't know why. You see because of ME! I give you your power, out of pity for your own inabilities, and I can take it away.

Impossible, she thought, no one could take her earth bending away from her. Could they? But she thought about it, her gift, it was….unnatural. She had never heard of anyone else that could do what she could do. The voice could be lying, it had to…. it…

The young female earth bender swerved in place, nothing! She couldn't feel through the earth anymore! She was blind, completely and wholly. Dead to the ground below her.

I give you one last chance. Accept me and gain greater power, you need only serve the Earth Kingdom and save it from the Fire Nation.

Her fists tightened. What choice did she have? Without her bending she had nothing left, nothing to make her….her. It took only a moment to make a decision. She accepted.

Good. You shall regain your sight and so much more. Rejoice, Toph, you are now truly the greatest Earthbender in the world. Not even the Avatar could move the earth as you now can.

When the words were finished everything flashed back into her senses, she could feel the earth under her feet. But, it was stronger. So much stronger, she no longer needed to move her feet to send out a signal, she could constantly feel the earth around her, below her, above her, everywhere near her.

"Toph, lets go!" Sokka's voice rang out as he latched unto Toph's arm and dragged her somewhere. Minutes later they were on Aang's flying bison, sailing away from the Earth Kingdom.

Sokka and Katara were looking over Aang, who had just been healed from a fatal wound, though Toph wasn't paying much attention to them. There was something far more spectacular, far more majestic. Toph used to fear flying because she could not see, but no more; for even here, in the sky, she could see feel the earth as if she was standing on it.

She didn't know what the voice had been talking about, or what or who it was, but it had given her something she had always wanted . Security.

Toph would no longer feel lost. The earth would always be with her.

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Author's Notes (A/N): Okay. So, just to get rid of one fear, this fic will NOT, I repeat, will NOT focus on the OC's for the entire fic. There are only three and only three, and they will only be in support to my main plot. This story will mainly follow Aang and the group, though the OC's will have some large parts as well.

I hope everyone will give my story a look at, I know that OC's are not popular but they were needed for this storyline. So give it the benefit of the doubt and look at it, please? The OC's will be properly described when they are next introduced, incase someone was wondering. Everything else will be explained in the next chapter, should there be one.

Also, I will continue this story on the basis of my reviews. If it doesn't do well I will stop, no point in continuing a story if no one reads it. So review if you like it! (You should review to all stories you like anyways, Author's love reviews.)

So, read, enjoy, and review!

-Arc.

PS: Sorry for typos, I'm horrible at finding my own typos. Terribly sorry, I do my best.