Chapter 39

Episode 7, The Runaway

As we continued our way according to Sokkii's great schedule, Katara just decided to play hero and wasted three precious days.

She lied to us about Appa being sick only so she could help these villagers by healing the sick and getting them food.

Everyone thought it was the Painted Lady who had helped them but it was just Katara. And in the end, she also destroyed the factory that polluted the river the village was located in.

The days went by and we were attacked by some weird metal man that was after Aang. Luckily, we were able to shake him off.

Another few days passed, and when we saved a village from getting burnt, Sokka had the biggest existential crisis ever.

We were having breakfast when it all started.

I felt very bad for him because he thought that he was the least amazing and talented of our group.But that's not true.

I stood up from our table and joined Sokka who was sitting on the ground at the edge of the terrace.

The others tried to cheer him up by telling him that his jokes were good and that he was the only one who could read a map correctly.

I slightly nudged his side with my elbow. He still didn't look up from his lap.

"It's not bending that makes you talented or amazing," I whispered and looked up to get a view of the village. He still didn't react.

"Besides, you are an amazing person just the way you are. I wouldn't and couldn't ask for any better big brother." I smiled and glanced at him.

"You are courageous. I don't think that I would've been able to attack the Zuko all on my own when he attacked our village." I slighlty shook my head when I thought about what had happened.

"And you are very smart. I'm pretty sure no one of our group would have thought about getting some information about the Fire Nation in that old library. You also thought of the invasion on your own."

He glanced at me and I shot him a warm smile. "Most importantly, you are very caring. You never left my side once when I needed you and you have always taken care of me even when I was just a little child."

"You are my older brother and my best friend. And don't you dare say again that you're just regular because we are not accepting any lies here," I said and raised my index finger in the air to empasise the last part.

Sokka had a little smile on his face. "That's what I like to see," I said with a grin, "Now, how about we go shopping?"

His face lit up and he jumped up from the ground.

And that's how we lost Sokka after going weapon shopping. Well, more or less. He found himself a sword master and wanted to be taught by him.

With that, it was the most boring two days ever. But in the end, Sokka mastered sword fighting. His master even gave my brother the white lotus tile of Pai Sho to remember him. What's with old people and the white lotus, seriously?!

The days went by and Aang found out that Avatar Roku an Fire Lord Sozin were actully best friends. It's crazy how best friends can turn to enemies.

Speaking of that, Katara and Toph have been arguing more and more in the last days.

Since we've been at another city somewhere in the Fire Nation, Toph and the others have been cheating on cheaters. Basically, Toph used earthbending to cheat on these games on the street and get a lot of money.

At first, I thought it was cool because these people also cheat on others and that way we could get all the money.

But after three days it escalated when Katara found a wanted poster of 'the runaway' who was Toph.

They had a huge argument and stopped talking to each other. And after Sokka's try to get them to talk again failed, I decided to talk with Toph.

"Hey, can we talk?" I slowly asked her, looking at her back. She huffed out but nodded. We walked to the cliff to have some privacy.

Sitting down, our feet dangled down and Toph let out a sigh. "Do you want to tell me that your sister isn't so bossy and annoying as I make her out to be even after how mean she is to you?"

I only shook my head, "No."

"Why would you even try to defend her?! You're way too kind, you always ignore and overlook the hostile looks and comments she gives you," Toph exclaimed and threw her hands in the air.

"I had some time to think about it and honestly, I kinda understand Katara and I'm not angry at her anymore," I told Toph who only furrowed her brow.

"I would have reacted the same if it was Katara who was together with Zuko. But Katara only cares and looks out for us because that's what she's been doing almost her whole life."

Toph looked at me and I let out sigh as I lowered my head and watched the lake below us.

"You know I was pretty much an asshole to my twin and left her alone when she needed me the most. I tend to shut people out when I'm hurt and when my mom died that was pretty much the case. Katara was the one who stayed strong and kept up our family on her own."

I sniffed and wiped my eyes before letting out a dry chuckle. "My sister and my brother always looked out for me and I did nothing for them. Katara always played the motherly role in my life and she was very good at that as well. I don't know what would have happened if she didn't take that resposibility and stayed strong. I am such a coward and weak in comparison to her. I actually owe her everything in my life so far."

"Yeah," Sokkii's voice spoke up from behind us.

I slightly jumped and turned around to look at him. He sat down between Toph and me and let out a sigh.

"Even though, she's bossy, annoying and pretty much in your business, I kinda rely on it in a way," he told us and I wiped my eyes.

"Our family was a mess after our mother died and Katara helped to fill that void."

We were silent for a few moments. Everything we just talked about needed to sink in first.

"I'm gonna tell you something crazy. I've never told this anyone before," Sokka said and it went completely silent. All my attention was on my older brother now.

"But honestly, I'm not sure I can remember what my mother looked like," Sokka admitted and I bit my lip.

"It really seems like, my whole life, Katara's been the one looking out for me. She's always been the one that's there."

There was a slight pause. "And now, when I try to remember my mom, Katara's is the only face I can picture."

A tear escaped my eye and I sniffed. He was completely right. I felt the same.

"The truth is, sometimes Katara does act motherly, but that's not always a bad thing. She's compassionate and kind, and she actually cares about me," Toph slowly admitted as her eyes watered, "You know, the real me. That's more than my own mom."

Toph wiped her eyes and I let out a breath. "Wow, that was some emotional deep talk," I joked and let out a small chuckle.

"Nobody will know about that just so we're clear," I added, my face and voice getting serious

Toph nodded quickly and punched Sokka's shoulder, "Don't ever tell her I said any of this."

Sokka hissed and grimaced as he rubbed his shoulder. "Hey, my lips are sealed."

I let out a laugh and we made our way back to the camp.

I saw Katara approching us and lowered my head before quickly walking past her. I just wanted to avoid her at that moment.

I could feel her looking after me but I simply ignored it. She turned to Toph probably to apologise.

My jaw dropped and I looked over my shoulder when she suggested doing one last ultimate scam. Who would have thought Katara would do such a thing.

So they planned to take the reward which would be given to anyone who would snitch on Toph. Katara would give her over to the police and take the cash while Toph would simply metalbend herself out of jail.

I had my doubts but I didn't say anything. And the next day, Katara and Toph left to do their scam. But they took way longer than they should.

"I feel like something else happened," I told my brother and Aang while Momo was playing with my hair.

"I was just thinking the same thing," Sokka nodded. I bit the inside of my cheek and put Momo from my head on my lap and stroke his head.

"We should check that out," Aang said and I nodded as we all stood up.

We left Momo, Hawkie, Sokka's new messenger bird, and Appa behind before going to the city.

Literally no one was left in the city. "Where do you think they could be?" Sokka asked as we were looking around.

"Where do you think everone is?" Aang asked when we walked into the centre of the city.

I turned around in a flash when I heard heavy footsteps behind us.

"That's not good," I said when I saw the metal man standing on one of the roofs. He was glaring at Aang with his third eye that was painted on his forehead between his two eyes.

That man was way too overpowered. He was tall and very mucular. One arm and one leg were out of metal and he could blow stuff up with his mind only.

He deeply inhaled before shooting out some kind of fire.

"Watch out!" Aang shouted and grabbed our arms as he dragged us behind the huge metal statue in the middle of the plaza.

"It's sparky sparky boom man!" Aang exclaimed as he looked out from behind the statue.

Sokka rubbed his head, "You know, I'm starting to think that name doesn't quite fit."

"That doesn't matter now, Sokka," I said with panic in my voice as the man jumped down from the roof and narrowed his eyes at the statue.

The statue exploded and we started to run away, into an alleyway.

The three of us hid behind a wooded wagon. My heart beat fast and my breathing was heavy from all the running.

"This guy is too good. He shoots fire from his brain!" Sokka exclaimed and poked his forehead a few times.

"We need to split up," Aang said, looking between us, "He can't chase all of us."

I nodded and we three sprinted off in different directions. A few moments later, I heard Aang scream as he was flying towards the huge metal statue.

"Oh no," I mumbled and quickly ran in Aang's direction as he fell on the ground.

"Are you okay?" I asked and stretched out my hand. He took it and stood up from the ground with a small groan.

"Euhh..." he said and looked behind me. That's when I suddenly felt a presence behind me.

I turned around quickly and stood in front of Aang protectively. I actually expected sparky sparky boom man to shoot fire my way, but he only stepped to the side, trying to attack Aang from the other side.

But I stepped to the side as well, always stepping between Aang and the man. He was getting angry but he still didn't attack me.

What was wrong with this guy and why wasn't he doing anything against me?

Then, suddenly, his head was hit with water before it was being frozen. He grunted and stumbled.

"Let's get outta here!" Toph said and we all sprinted out of the city while the man crushed the ice around his head.

"Now I know a better name for this guy," Sokka said as we were running, "Combustion man."

The man shot his brain fire our way but Toph stopped it with her earthbending. Without looking back again, we ran away and quickly made our way back to the camp.

We packed our stuff on Appa and got away from there as quickly as possible.

Who in the Avatar's name was combustion man? I was really wondering who sent him and why they sent him.

Poor Aang. The Fire Nation was finally not after Aang for once but now there was this weird man.

I just hope combustion man won't find us that quickly again.