Chapter XV - Imbalance Pt. 1

She watched as Appa with the team on it landed closely to her motel. She had sent a letter to Aang as well, explaining everything. Of course, she didn't mention about Karel. Aang, Katara and Toph didn't know about it and Iris wanted to keep it that way. For the time being at least.

Sokka, Aang, Toph and Katara ran towards her, once the bison landed, and suffocated her with hugs.

"Don't ever scare us like that again, drama-queen," Toph said complainingly.

"Seriously, Iris, you could have at least told us," Katara said.

"You could have at least told me," Aang said, "I'm the Avatar and your brother, goddammit!"

Iris placed a hand on his shoulder "I know, I know, kiddo, but I had to do this alone. You guys wouldn't let me,"

"Of course, we wouldn't," Sokka said and he gave her another last hug, but thank goodness, it was a brief one "Okay, everybody hop on, Suki's waiting,"

They all got on Appa and started flying away.

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"Are we there yet?"

Sokka asked for the hundredth time, and Iris swore under her breath and sent her fist straight to Sokka's cheek, before Toph blocked the punch.

"Nope, dramaqueen, let me do it," Toph said but Katara wrapped her hand stopping her before saying.

"Sokka, you're perfectly aware how far it is between the Southern Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom. You know we aren't there yet," Katara said shooting her brother a deadly look.

Sokka groaned boringly "Why does it feel like this trip is taking so much longer than normal? Is Appa getting slower?"

"No Appa isn't getting slower, you're getting stupider," Iris said as she sharpened one of her daggers. Damn, being alone was awesome.

Sokka shot her a look and just ignored her turning back at Aang "Hey how about getting Appa some upgrades?? Maybe some kind of propellant system? Speed him up a bit?"

"I don't think Appa is interested in upgrades, he's fine the way he is," Aang said.

"Can't blame a guy for trying to modernize our air travel," Sokka mumbled and frowned as if he were a five year old.

"Good thing dramaqueen was here to warn about Cranefish town. I did want to check on my father's Earthen Fire Industries," Toph said.

Sokka groaned "Nooooo Suki's waiting for us in Yu Dao!!"

Everybody ignored him "I gotta warn you guys, Cranefish Town has changed a lot since the last time you saw it," Toph said.

"Indeed, don't freak out," Iris added.

"By the way the name 'Cranefish' sucks," Sokka said.

"I know right!" Iris said and high-fived Sokka "I mean, I can think of a better one!"

Sokka smirked "Well you could try thinking of a better one... but it won't be as awesome as the one I'd give... how about... 'Forklift' Town?"

"That one sucks, man," Iris said.

"No it doesn't!" Sokka exclaimed frustratingly "Well what about you, oh wise Defender?!"

"Ummm... how about they just keep the 'Yangchen' town? I mean, they did destroy our people's sacred place, the least they can do is naming it after Avatar Yangchen," Iris said shrugging.

"Totally agree, sis," Aang said.

"Yeah, but it ain't creative at all," Sokka said and Iris rolled her eyes.

They found a spot in the big town and landed Appa. Everybody was shocked to see a huge town, most of all Aang.

Once they set foot on the ground, Iris placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. He seemed a bit off all day. She could bet he was still holding grudge against her for suddenly disappearing all these months.

"Hey, you okay, bro?" She asked and he turned and looked at her.

He sighed "You can't just... disappear with no... no trails, no notes, no warnings. I know all the others act as if nothing happened cuz they missed you and are in no mood of fighting with you right now, but... you could have at least warned us," Aang said.

Iris sighed "I... I didn't just leave to face our father... I left because..." she blinked a tear away "...after my... mine and Zuko's child's death, I just... I just needed some time to myself. It was too much, Aang, I... I needed a break," she stuttered while she wiped a tear away.

Aang smiled at her and placed a hand on her shoulder "I understand,"

Iris smiled back at him "Glad you do, lil bro,"

"No Team Avatar welcoming committee?! I'm kinda disappointed," They heard Sokka saying as he jumped off Appa.

"There doesn't need to be a fanfare everywhere we go, Sokka," Toph said.

"Yeah but I like the fanfare,"

"You like the food," Iris said crossing her hands and looked at Sokka.

Sokka laughed "It's free,"

The people around them turned and stared at them for a moment.

"Hello people of Cranefish Town," Aang said giving them all a smile but they didn't seem excited at all.

"Aang, do the thing," Sokka whispered at Aang from behing.

"What thing?"

"You know... the bending thing that makes people foam at the mouth and accept us as one of their own?" Sokka said.

"Nooooo that's humiliating," Iris whispered at Sokka smacking his shoulder.

"What are you talking about? It's awesome," Sokka said "Works every time!"

"No it doesn't!" Iris insisted.

"Wait and see," Aang said and he took out the marbles and started air bending them in a circle.

No one seemed even a bit excited. Of course, they AREN'T! Iris thought and rolled her eyes.

"Avatar Aang! Defender Iris! Welcome to Cranefish Town," A familiar voice came from the crowd and everyone turned around and saw Toph's dad.

"Hi, dad," Toph said.

"Toph, thank you for bringing the Avatar here in our time of need," Lao said.

"But I thought you wanted to see me for executive partner reasons," Toph said confused.

"I'm always glad to see you, Toph, but now Cranefish Town needs the wisdom and guidance of Avatar Aang, and Defender Iris," Lao said and he walked towards the team.

"As you can see, the town has gone through incredible growth, now there are dozens of factories around here, and since Cranefish Town has no official government, so some local business owners and I have formed a committee to help oversee the City's growth. We call it the Business Council," Lao explained.

"What's with the names around here," Iris said rolling her eyes.

"I know right! Nobody seems to care about the ancient art of picking out an amazing name for their stuff," Sokka said.

"We're having a council meeting this afternoon. If you two come with me, you can hear for yourself the problems we're facing," Lao said.

"I believe we're happy to attend the meeting and see how can we help," Iris said.

"Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem to spend the afternoon at Cranefish Town before heading to Yu Dao," Aang added.

"Thank you, Avatar,"

And then it was firebending citizens and earthbenders ready to attack each other and start a big fight.

"This is getting out of hand," Iris said at her brother.

"Yeah we should do something," Aang said.

Aang and Iris got between the two parties. When the firebenders saw Iris, their eyes widened and they turned the flames in their hands off immediately.

"It's the Fire Lady," She heard some of them whispering.

"And the Defender," She added "...so just please, fall back so that nobody gets hurt," Iris said getting in her stance.

"What's happening here? Why are you all fighting?" Aang shouted at the earth benders.

"It's pretty obvious, my friends were minding their own business when this earthbender attacked us,"

"Heyy! You attacked us!"

"Don't tell lies so that the Avatar and the Defender join your side!"

"Okay, ENOUGH!" Iris shouted at them. She touched her fingers at the right temple and entered all people's minds who were causing the fight "Get back to minding your own business, and forget about butchering each other," she ordered them, and they all returned back to their tasks as if they were puppets and she was pulling the strings.

She exited their minds and shook her head. Idiots. Some people can never learn.

"Iris!" Aang groaned complainingly "We should just explain them why they don't have to fight! Not just make them do stuff!"

"Oh c'mon, Aang, that was awesome," Toph said.

"I know right!!! Hey, Iris, can you make that guy start punching himself?!" Sokka said giggling like a five year old as he pointed his finger at some random guy around the market.

"No," Iris said rolling her eyes.

"Oh c'monnnn!!! Pretty pleaseeeeee,"

"Sokka, you're not a five year old, grow up," Katara said smacking his shoulder.

"Ugh, okay," Sokka said, rubbing his shoulder and frowning like a baby.

Iris elbowed him in a friendly manner and smiled at Sokka "Good to have you around, spilling your bullshit,"

They both laughed "Good to have YOU around!" Sokka said and pulled her in a hug after making sure the others were too distracted talking to the citizens.

Iris smiled and hugged him back, burying her face in his neck "Missed you," she whispered and she was sure Sokka was smiling.

"I missed you too," He pulled back and slipped his hands over her shoulders "...you went to Nadilva Tribe... did you see..." he gulped "...her?"

Iris stared back in his cerulean eyes "Yes, she's okay,"

"I don't trust your father,"

"I do. He's very cooperative,"

"It didn't seem like it when we went there,"

"He's just trying to keep his people alive,"

"By killing benders," Sokka said and Iris sighed "...which reminds be, I have theory about her-"

"What are you two talking about?" Katara said.

Sokka's eyes widened "Errrr-''

"My time alone," Iris answered. Even though Katara didn't seem quite satisfied with the answer, she said.

"Okay," she turned at Aang "I'll take Appa and go with Toph to the factory. You, Iris and Sokka go to the meeting, and we'll meet after,"

"Okay!"

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So guys here it issssss!!! Please vote and comment if you liked itttt!!!

~Sandy