One hundred-forty years have passed since Avatar Aang defeated Firelord Ozai and restored balance, and sixteen years since he died of natural causes

Author’s note: This is my attempt at an Avatar story. It’s going to be mostly a crappy attempt at a love story, with enough action and adventure to keep me interested. Please also note that the toy thing is an Air Nomad thing, but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what the Water Tribes would use to determine the identity of the new Avatar, so I just figured that they would do something similar. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, and please remember that I have three other stories to write at the moment; 2 Star Wars fanfics and one original story on . And I update those infrequently. So, be patient, and enjoy!

One hundred-forty years have passed since Avatar Aang defeated Firelord Ozai and restored balance, and sixteen years since he died of natural causes. The next Avatar was born into the next nation in the cycle; the Water Tribes. Only the members of the high council of the Northern Water Tribe, where the new Avatar had been born, knew who it was, awaiting the day when they could reveal it to him.

Mako Katsuro rushed through the city toward the city council building. It was rare for a 16 year old boy to be called there, but when they called, you didn’t dally. He ran so quickly that he didn’t notice Satomi Hideyoshi, his best friend since childhood, had hailed him until he passed her.

“Where’s the fire, Mako?” Satomi said, as Mako slid to a stop. She grinned slightly as Mako turned around, slightly out of breath.

“The high council called for me.” Mako said, slowly catching his breath. “For what reason, I have no idea.”

Satomi stood there for a moment, crossing her hands across her chest, trying to puzzle out why the high council was interested in Mako, until the most likely reason hit her. “Maybe they’re finally going to let you teach new Waterbenders. I mean, you’re already a Waterbending Master…”

“Maybe. Listen, I really need to get going. I’ll come by your house later and let you know what happened, okay?”

“All right, I’ll see you then.” Satomi said. She stood there as Mako ran off, and sighed. Another missed opportunity to admit how she feels about him. At least I get the chance this evening. She thought as she walked off.

Mako entered the council chamber, and saw only three people sitting there; Mistress Puka, his combat Waterbending teacher to the left, the healing teacher Kintaro to the right, and the ruler of the Northern Water Tribe, Chief Jamilla, in the middle. “Mako, you got here quickly.” Chief Jamilla said. “Please have a seat.”

Mako knelt down, placing his knees on the ground, and sat on his feet. “So what’s this about? Why was it so important to have me rush here?” He said, adjusting himself to sit more comfortably.

Chief Jamilla nodded to Master Kintaro. Kintaro got up and placed a small box in front of Mako. “You recognize these, do you not?” He said, opening the box for Mako.

“Of course I do.” Mako said, picking up one of the objects. “These were some of my favorite toys when I was a kid.” Mako looked up at the council, and saw that Master Kintaro had retaken his place next to Chief Jamilla. “Why, what’s so important about them?”

“Mako, you chose these toys out of thousands available to you when you were a child.” Mistress Puka said.

“I chose them because I thought they’d be fun to play with.” Mako said, placing the toy back in the box.

“You chose them because they were familiar to you.” Master Kintaro said.

“Familiar to me? What are you talking about?” Mako said, visibly confused.

“Mako Katsuro, you are the Avatar, master of the four elements and defender of balance in this world.” Chief Jamilla said.

Mako’s eyes got a wide as dinner plates. “I’m…the Avatar? How can you be sure of that? How do you know you make some kind of mistake? There could be over a dozen children that chose toys like these!”

“These toys were merely the first sign, Mako.” Mistress Puka said, getting up from her spot next to Chief Jamilla and walking over to Mako. “There have been many signs that you ARE the Avatar. Your quick mastery of Waterbending, your preference of the Spirit Oasis as a place to clear your head, your affinity with animals, the fact that you were born a week to the day of the death of Avatar Aang…the signs are numerous, Mako. Those toys were merely the first.”

“I’m the…Avatar…” Mako mused to himself. After a few seconds, he looked up to his Waterbending teacher. “But why wait until now to tell me? Why not let me know when I was a kid?”

“One of the rules for us is to wait until the Avatar is 16 to tell him.” Chief Jamilla said. “That rule is in place to make sure your development is unspoiled. This gave you a chance form connection to those you are supposed to protect, and give you the chance to live as a normal person, at least for a little while.”

“I…see,” Mako said, trying to absorb the magnitude of what he had been told. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to have some time alone.”

Puka grinned slightly, knowing where her best student was going; to the Spirit Oasis. “No problem, Mako. Take as much time as you need.” She said, placing her hand on Mako’s shoulder. “All that we ask is that you please inform us when you are ready.”

“Thank you, Puka.” Mako said, as he stood up. “I will take my leave then.” Then he turned around, and headed out the door. As soon as Mako was out of sight, Kintaro spoke up.

“How long do you think it will take him to deal with this?” Kintaro said.

“No more than a day. Finding out that you are the Avatar is a huge revelation, but Mako can handle it, and not just because he has to.” Puka said, still grinning from how well she knew her student.

“That’s good, because he still has a lot to learn before he can begin his journey to learn the other three bending disciplines.” Chief Jamilla said.

Mako sat in the spirit oasis for several hours, gathering his thoughts. He was so engrossed in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Satomi come up behind him and forcefully put her hands on his shoulders. Mako jumped, and turned around, ready to fight, until he realized who was behind him.

“Satomi! Oh, jeez, I’m sorry; I was supposed to come to your house when I was finished with the council!” Mako said, his cheeks getting red.

“It’s okay, Mako. I forgive you.” She said with a smile. “I figured you’d be here when you didn’t show up. So what’d the council tell you that has you so freaked out?”

Mako sighed; this was hard for him to admit to himself, and now he had to tell another person. At least it’s my best friend that I’m telling. Mako thought. “That I’m the Avatar.”

Satomi’s eyes shone with surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah, it’s a lot to take in. Everything I know, everything I think I am is a lie.” Mako said.

“That isn’t true, Mako.” Satomi said to the boy she cared about the most. “Just because you are the Avatar doesn’t mean that your whole life is a lie. You are still Mako Katsuro of the Water Tribe. You are still the boy who loves penguin sledding. You still did your ice dodging last year. You still made those friends you’ve had for years. You…” Satomi hesitated. She knew this wasn’t the best time, but this could be the last time she would get the chance to reveal how she felt to Mako. “you’re still the boy who captured my heart.”

Mako was surprised at what Satomi said, but it was a pleasant surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I...” Satomi said, trying to compose herself. “I was afraid you didn’t feel the same way. I didn’t think I could handle it if you didn’t feel the same way about me.”

“How long have you felt this way?” Mako said, suddenly forgetting his problems in favor of Satomi.

“For a while. Few months, maybe a year. The important thing is that I don’t want you feel like you have to change just because you’re the Avatar!” Satomi said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Mako immediately jumped up and wrapped his arms around Satomi. “I don’t want to change either, Satomi.” He said, and felt tears streak down his cheeks. “But I don’t even know if I can have you, now that I’m the Avatar. I don’t know anything about being the Avatar, and I have no one to ask!”

A slight wave of relief overtook Satomi, content to finally know that Mako felt the same way about her. She was finally able to start thinking clearly. She lifted her head, which had been buried in Mako’s chest, and looked him right in the eyes. “Why not ask Avatar Aang? He can help you with the things that your bending teachers can’t.”

“How am I supposed to talk to a dead man?” Mako said, visibly confused.

“Through meditation, stupid!” Satomi said with a smile as she wriggled out of Mako’s arms. “I really don’t think the Avatar Spirit would an Avatar make his way without some way to teach them.”

“Well, you do have a point.” Mako said, sitting back down and crossing his legs. “And this spirit oasis is the best place to do it. Thanks Satomi.” He said with a smile.

“I’ll watch over your body while you visit Avatar Aang.” Satomi said, sitting across the pond where the Ocean and Moon spirits rested. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

Mako nodded, and them immediately closed his eyes and started his meditation. A few moments into it, Satomi noticed Mako open his eyes wide, and start glowing white.

Mako, however, was experiencing something very different. He felt himself flying upward, away from his body, toward the clouds. He keeps ascending, finally coming to rest in a cloud. It was then that he saw him; an old man, with a shaven head with a blue arrow tattoo, and was wearing an orange robe with a yellow collar. He had a full goatee, and the symbol of the Air Nomads was worn as a necklace. “It’s good to meet you, Mako. I’m sure you already know who I am.” The old man said.

“Avatar Aang…” was all Mako was able to get out, as he looked on at his predecessor. After staring at Aang for a minute, he was finally able to compose himself to actually carry on a conversation. “So, I guess this proves it. I AM the Avatar.”

Avatar Aang smiled. “You’re taking this far better than I did when I found out I was the Avatar. Of course, I was quite a bit younger than you when I was told that I was the Avatar.”

“Younger? How old were you?” Mako asked.

“I was twelve. Though, the monks could feel something bad was going to happen, so I was told early. Unfortunately, something bad DID happen. The Fire Nation began their war of conquest.” Avatar Aang said, his face drooping slightly.

“I read about that. Fire Lord Sozin used what has become known as Sozin’s Comet to start the Fire Nation’s century long war of conquest. They had almost completely took the Earth Kingdom when you returned and defeated Fire Lord Ozai, thus restoring balance.” Mako said.

“My greatest achievement, and my greatest failure.” Avatar Aang said, with a neutral look on his face.

“Your greatest failure? How?” Mako asked.

“It was my greatest achievement because I restored balance. It was my greatest failure, however, because I should never have run away when I was twelve.” Avatar Aang said.

“I read about that as well. You would have been killed during the Fire Nation raid of the Southern Air Temple.” Mako said.

“I might have. Or, I might have been able to use the Avatar State to defeat the Fire Nation.” Avatar Aang said, with melancholy in his voice. He then grinned slightly. “But, though I regret that my absence allowed the Fire Nation to cause so much pain and suffering, I do not regret my actual decision to run away. Because that led me to meet my wife, Katara.”

“You were married?” Mako said, with surprise in his voice.

“Most of your past lives have been married, Mako.” Avatar Aang said with a smile. “Avatar Roku’s granddaughter was the mother of my friend and rival, Fire Lord Zuko. And the previous Water Tribe Avatar, Kuruk married a woman named Ummi on the very spot you are sitting, before her face was stolen by Koh the face stealer.”

“Wow. I never knew realized…” Mako said, but was cut off by Aang.

“that the Avatar has a right to be human too? We may be the most powerful bender in the world, we may be the connection between the physical world and the spirit world, we may be the physical manifestation of the planet’s spirit, but we are human beings first and foremost.” Avatar Aang said, grinning slight the whole time.

“But…Why isn’t the Avatar some all powerful spirit? Why does it need to inhabit a human form?” Mako asked.

“The purpose behind why the Avatar is born human, is simple, young Mako.” Avatar Aang said, remembering his conversation with Avatar Yangchen. “The Avatar must be compassionate to all people, and the only way of doing so is living among them.”

“What?” Mako said, confused by Avatar Aang’s statement.

“Think about this for moment, Mako. If, like you suggested, that the Avatar was some all-powerful spirit living at the top of a mountain, he wouldn't have anything in common with ordinary people.” Aang said. “The Avatar must experience human life and all of its wonder and pain. The Avatar MUST learn how precious human life is, so he will see why he must do anything to protect it. And with every incarnation, the Avatar Spirit comes closer to fully comprehending what it truly means to be human.”

“I see.” Mako said, a great weight lifted off his shoulders. “You are very wise, Avatar Aang.”

Avatar Aang chuckled. “My wisdom is merely from a lifetime of mistakes, Mako. You will gain much wisdom yourself, one day.” Aang said. “Now, don’t you have someone waiting for you in the Spirit Oasis? And I’m sure she’ll be very happy with what you have to tell her.”

“Yeah, she will be.” Mako said. Almost as an afterthought, Mako decided to ask the important question; “How will I contact you again?”

Avatar Aang smiled. “When the time is right, I will contact you. Now go, return to your body, and begin your journey as the Avatar!”

Moments later, Mako’s spirit landed hard inside his body. His eyes stopped glowing, and his body slumped to the ground.

“Mako!” Satomi shouted, running toward him and scooping his head into her arms. “Mako! Are you all right?”

Mako slowly opened his eyes, and smiled when he saw Satomi’s face. “Hey,” he said.

“You scared the crap out of me, Mako!” Satomi said, forcefully dropping Mako’s head. “What happened to you?”

“That hurt,” Mako said, as he sat up, rubbing the back of his head. “I spoke to Avatar Aang, like you suggested. He told me many things, and that helped put a lot of things in perspective.”

“Like what?” Satomi said. She started holding her breath unintentionally, in anticipation of what Mako would have to tell her.

“Like why the Avatar is continually born as a human being.” Mako said. “The Avatar is supposed to have compassion for all life, and the only way it to do that is to live among humans. Which each lifetime it lives as a human, the Avatar Spirit more of what it means to be human.” Mako then smiles. “I also learned that several Avatars had been married in their lifetimes.”

Satomi released her breath quickly when she heard that. “You mean…”

Mako nodded. “Yes, we can be together. I may be the Avatar, but like you said, I am Mako Katsuro first.”

That was Satomi decided to embrace Mako, wrapping her arms around him as she cried tears of joy. “This is wonderful, Mako!”

Mako wrapped his arms around Satomi, contemplating on how to phrase this. He eventually decided to just say it in the manner he thought of it. “Yes, it is. But it also raises a question.”

Satomi looked up at Mako. “Which is?”

“Well, I’m going to be leaving eventually to begin my journey to learn to control the other elements. I’m going to request that I am trained to master the Avatar State first, but that will only give me so much time before I have to leave the Northern Water Tribe.” Mako said. He cleared his throat, stalling slightly, trying to figure out exactly how to say it. “So, what are you going to do? Are you going to stay here, and wait for years for me? Or…do you want to come with me on my journey?”

Satomi’s eyes lit up at that moment. “Of course I want to come with you! We just got together, and I’ll be damned if I let us be torn apart that quickly!” She said. “And besides, I’ve always wondered what the rest of the world is like.”

“Well, the Avatar’s journey is always dangerous, for me and for anyone around me. So you’re going to need to learn how to fight. I cannot have you defenseless if you’re going to travel with me.” Mako said.

“I understand. I’ll begin training in the combat Waterbending arts tomorrow, if Mistress Puka will let me.” Satomi said.

“I’m sure she’ll let you, Satomi. Especially since you’ve decided come with me on my journey.” Mako said. “I’m going to have to talk to the council now that I’ve come to terms with being the Avatar, and we’ll inform them of your decision then.”

“Good.” Satomi said, and then she rested her head on Mako’s chest. “But can we just spend the rest of the day without worrying all this Avatar stuff. One night with just you and me, together, with no thoughts of the future, just what’s going on right now…”

“Of course. The council told me inform them when I was ready, but they didn’t say exactly when that moment had to be.” Mako said, grinning slightly.

Satomi smiled, and she moved her head in toward Mako’s. They shared their first kiss, as the sun set.