Maya's Fortune

-Maya's Point of View-

"Don't be shy, sit here and join me." 

Aunt Wu signed for me to sit on the pillow cushion beside her. I closed the door behind me and entered the fortune-telling room.

"So, how does this fortune-telling thing work?" I asked her as I sat down.

"My method of fortune-telling is through bone reading. This is the most reliable method of telling your fortune—the bones never lie," she answered, pointing at the pot of bones in front of us. "Go on, pick one," she gestured.

I obediently followed her and took the first bone that caught my eye.

"Now throw it to the fire," she said and I did. I just silently followed whatever she said because all these things were new to me. "The heat makes cracks in the bones, and then I read the bone cracks to tell your destiny," she explained.

Right after she explained that the bone started making cracking noises. Aunt Wu let it sit for a few more seconds before she fished it out of the fire using a metal rod.

She placed the bone on a cloth and waited for it to cool down before reading the cracks. 

"Now, let's take a look shall we?" She prompted and then I nodded my head. "Let's see here..." she examined the bone carefully—all nook and cranny. "Hmm, it seems like you're on the wrong path..." she said. 

"Wrong path?" I asked.

"It seems like you are currently taking on a path that does not lead to your destiny. The bones say that you should not be astray any further or else, fate will take matters into its own hands and bring you back to the right track," she continued.

I don't what she's talking about and it's not making any sense but boy am I so scared right now.

"You are running away from a destiny you were called to do," she continued with her reading. "I think you should start considering going back..." she suggested.

Going back? Is this about me going back to the Fire Nation? How does she even know that?! 

"But I can't leave my friends, I promised to be with them and help them," I told her.

"You don't have to worry, it's not a permanent goodbye. You will rejoin with them someday. At the end of the path, they will be there waiting for you," she consoled.

"But did the bone say anything about my love line?" I tried to change the topic because I wasn't really comfortable talking about it with her.

"Your love line is very visible. In fact, it was the first one I noticed. I just had to build up the atmosphere before I say so," she jest.

I smiled at her with a sigh of relief. She really knows how to build tension in the atmosphere.

"I see a reliable young man—a future leader. He and you were destined to be together—bound by a spirit that transcends lifetimes. But since you both have different paths to take and destinies to fulfill, you will be separated from him for some time. It will take a while for your romance to bloom, but everything will be worth the wait," she continued.

I can't help but smile at what Aunt Wu was saying. All the while she was explaining, the first person to come to mind was Balu. He's the only one fitting Aunt Wu's predictions. I really hope to meet him again someday. I miss him.

"Thank you so much, Aunt Wu!" I exclaimed and then I clasped my hands against hers. I happily exited the room and went to the lobby where Aang and the others were waiting.

"So how did it go Maya?" Katara asked as soon as she saw me. "Looks like someone's got a good fortune..." she teased when she saw the big smile on my face.

"Let's just say that I had a pretty good love life ahead of me," I answered back. "Yeah, a love worth the wait am I right?" Aang suddenly said. 

I raised my brow on him and said, "Yeah... Definitely...". Why did it seem like he just repeated Aunt Wu's words?

"Well! You're done, you're done, and you're done— so let's get out of here," Sokka complained as he pointed at us one by one. "Allow me to escort you out," the guy in a black robe appeared. 

"Now you got to see for yourselves that fortune-telling is just a big stupid hoax," Sokka said as soon as we got out of Aunt Wu's place.

"You're just saying that 'cause you're gonna make yourself unhappy your whole life." Katara teased her brother.

"THAT WOMAN IS CRAZY! MY LIFE WILL BE CALM, AND HAPPY, AND JOYFUL!" Sokka shouted and then he kicked a rock that was in his way. That rock went right back to hit his head after it bounced off of a metal sign. "That doesn't prove anything!" he said while crouching on the ground. All three of us laughed at him.

"Well, I liked my predictions. Certain things are gonna turn out very well," Katara said. "Yeah, sorry Sokka. I'm gonna sit with Katara on this one. Aunt Wu knows her stuff," I agreed.

"Yeah... She definitely knows what she's talking about," Aang said as he crossed his arms and smiled at me cunningly. "Why? What did she tell you?" I asked. "Some stuff... You'll find out," he answered.

"Guys look. I think there's some gathering going on in the village square," Katara pointed out to the group of villagers clustered together near a small pavilion while looking at the sky.

All four of us walked towards the commotion and asked one of the townspeople about what's going on. "Why is everyone staring at the sky?" I asked. 

"We're waiting for Aunt Wu to come and read the clouds—to predict the fate of the whole village," an old man answered. 

"That cloud kinda looks like a fluffy bunny!" Aang exclaimed. "You better hope that's not a bunny! The fluffy bunny cloud forecast doom and destruction," the old man shut him down.

"Do you even hear yourself?!" Sokka questioned the old man in disbelief.

"The cloud reading will tell us if Mount Makapu will remain dormant for another year, or if it will erupt," a lady from the crowd added. 

"We used to have a tradition once a year of going up the mountain to check the volcano ourselves, but! Ever since Aunt Wu moved to the village twenty years ago, we now have a tradition of not doing that," the old man shared.

"I can't believe you would trust your lives to that crazy old woman's superstitions!" Sokka argued, but he was hushed by his sister. "Shh! She's coming!" Katara whispered and everyone settled down. The crowd was parted in two as Aunt Wu passed by.

Everyone was cheering and clapping at the sight of the old fortune-teller—even Katara. I wanted to cheer along with her, but I felt unsure about this cloud reading.

"Hey, Maya! Don't you think that cloud looks like a flower?" Aang suddenly asked. I looked at where he was pointing at, but it only looked like clouds to me. "Ugh... I don't really see it Aang," I answered. "SHH!" Katara hushed us both.

Aunt Wu walked into the small pavilion in the center of the village and bowed down. Soon after, the cloud reading started and she was aided by a book that defined the cloud's shapes. 

"Bending arrow cloud—good crops this year; nice big harvest!"

"Darn good news!" an old farmer yelled from the crowd as he hugged her wife.

"Wavy moon-shaped cloud—gonna be a great year for twins..." Aunt Wu continued.

"YES!" yelled the two young boys who looked like a reflection of the other.

"And a cumulus cloud with a twisted nub at the end of it— The village will not be destroyed by the volcano this year!" Aunt Wu exclaimed followed by a loud cheer from the crowd of townsmen.

"Maya, there's something I want to tell you!" I heard Aang screaming. "What??" I tried making sense of what he's saying but the crowd was just too loud.

"I don't know—started—but I—you!" I heard some of the words he said but it was too vague to comprehend.

"I don't quite understand you Aang!" I shouted back. He suddenly moved in a little closer and then he said, "What I mean to say is—"

"Maya! Come with me!" Katara suddenly snatched me away. I didn't even get to hear what Aang was trying to say. Where is this girl taking me anyway?

"You dragged me across town just to get another reading?" I asked Katara as we both stood in front of Aunt Wu's place.

"C'mon! Don't you want to have another reading too?" she asked. "Well, I don't know... I'm already satisfied with what I got," I answered.

"Well, I'm not!" and then she knocked on the door and called out to Aunt Wu. 

The old fortune-teller opened the door and Katara greeted her gleefully. "Hi, Aunt Wu! Sorry to bother you..."

"Anytime..." Aunt Wu replied.

"About this man, I'm supposed to marry; Is he gonna be handsome? Oh, I hope he's tall!" Katara continuously asked.

"Ahh, you want another reading?" Aunt Wu asked. "Yes please!" Katara pleaded.

"How about you young lady? Would you also like another reading?" Aunt Wu turned to me. "No, thank you. I'm just here to accompany her," I replied.

"Very well then," Aunt Wu led Katara inside her fortune-reading chamber while I waited in the lobby.

I sat down on one of the cushions and let out a deep sigh. I looked around to check if I was completely alone before I drew out from my pocket the emblem that I picked up back in Taku.

As I was staring at the piece of metal, I was suddenly reminded of the things that occurred back in the secret chamber. 

Everything still feels surreal. I can't believe I just met a legendary phoenix, and what was it again she said—restore peace unto the world and bring justice to the legacy of my people?

My people? And she also called me her Fintan Soldier. What does that mean?

"The symbol of the white fire... That's a very rare item you're holding."

The old man, Aunt Wu's assistant, suddenly said as he sat beside me. "May I?" he gestured his hand. I placed the emblem on his palm and then he examined it.

"Seems very real too. Not just a fabricated copy," he continued.

"How do you know of the white fire?" I asked. 

"My grandfather used to tell me stories about the phoenix and its eternal white flame, as well as the pitiful forsaken tribe that possesses it. I used to think they were mere legends..." he rested the coin on his palm and all of a sudden, a faint white fire emerged from his hands.

"But legends are based on figures in history," he continued. 

"You're a firebender..." I said aghast. He quickly put off the fire on his hand and then handed me back the emblem. 

"I am a Fintan Solider," he corrected. That's what the Phoenix called me! Maybe he knows what it means!

"What does it mean to be a Fintan Soldier?" I asked.

"To answer that question, I would have to tell you the whole story..." he answered. 

"No problem! I've got time!" 

He chuckled and smiled. "Very well then... Why don't you join me for a cup of tea?"

------------------------------------------------------

-Aang's Point of View-

"I DON'T CARE WHAT AUNT WU TOLD YOU! YOU HAVE TO TAKE A BATH SOMETIME!" Sokka yelled at an old man who almost smelled like rotten eggs. The old man just shrugged at him and walked away with a smile on his face.

Sokka palmed his face and shook his head.

Ever since after the cloud reading, Sokka has been going around town convincing people not to believe in Aunt Wu's predictions and I was forced to tag along with him since the two girls were nowhere to be found.

"Come on Sokka, give it a rest. There's really nothing bad about believing in Aunt Wu as long as it's not putting anyone in danger," I consoled him.

"That guy is a walking stink bomb!" he shouted followed by a deep sigh. "I just wanted to help make these people realize that predictions are not all the time accurate and true," he continued.

"Hey, if you wanna help, why not help me instead?" 

"Help you about what?" he asked.

"You know some stuff about ladies right?" I asked back. He suddenly smirked and placed his arm on my shoulder. 

"Some stuff? You've come to the right place. What can I do you for?" 

"Well, there's this girl..." I hesitated. I'm not sure if Sokka will approve of me liking their cousin. 

"I think I know who you mean," he suddenly said. "You do? And you're okay with it?" I asked.

"Of course, I am. And to tell you the truth, I've been picking up a subtle vibe that she likes you too," he answered.

"She does?!" I asked filled with excitement. Maya likes me too?! I'm not really good at reading other people's emotions but if it's from Sokka, I bet it's 100% accurate.

"Oh yeah, she's crazy about 'ya! All you have to do now is not mess it up."

"Well, how do I do that?"

"The number 1 mistake nice guys like you make? Being too nice."

"You can be too nice??" I never knew that being too nice was actually a bad thing...

"Yup! If you want to keep her interested, you have to act aloof. Like, you don't really care—one way or the other." Sokka explained and then he crossed his arms.

"Well, okay..." I replied. I guess I can try being aloof towards Maya then? I'll go and find her. "See you later," I said to Sokka and walked away.

------------------------------------------------------

-Zuko's Point of View-

"Zuko..."

"Mom?" I could swear that was Mom's voice. I looked up and saw Mom who was trying to wake me.

"Zuko, please my love, listen to me. Everything I've done, I've done to protect you," she said and then she gave me a warm hug. I closed my eyes as I felt the warmth of her embrace.

"Remember this Zuko; no matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are..." Mother continued while I smiled to feel her embrace.

Suddenly the warmth of her hug became hotter, especially on my face. I quickly opened my eyes and it was Father who was standing in front of me with fire in his hands.

"No! Father please!"

"You will learn respect, and I will teach it to you!" he shouted.

"NO!!!" I closed my eyes shut as I knelt on the ground. 

The voice of my mom echoes throughout my thoughts. "Never forget who you are..." It repeated. Then suddenly, Father's voice added to the echoes, followed by my sister's voice, and Uncle's voice, until I couldn't comprehend the voices that were running in my thoughts.

"Make it stop!" I shouted and covered my ears trying to ease the chaos inside my head. It got more and more loud until it finally ended with the voice of the Avatar.

"If we knew each other back then, do you think we could've been friends too?"

I gasped for air as I jolted up from lying on the bed. The heavy breathing continued until I was able to realize that what I experienced was only a dream.

"A very strange dream..." I mumbled under my breath. I took one last deep sigh before finally getting out of bed.

It has been a day since that incident with Zhao in the Pahuai Stronghold; a day since I have stopped giving orders in search of the avatar.

I started having bizarre dreams ever since then and for some reason, I still feel a bit of a headache because of that arrow shot in my head. It was a good thing I had a mask on, or else I would've been dead.

I put on my robe and sat down in front of the small dresser inside my room. On top of the dresser were the candles that I use all the time for meditation.

A good meditation might help ease this nerve-wracking pain in my head; plus, also need to clear my thoughts.

I took deep breaths before finally composing the thoughts inside my head. 

As of now, I honestly don't know the whereabouts of the Avatar. I've lost him since he ran away that morning. If only I didn't get hit by an arrow, I would've been able to bring him back with me to the ship.

I've decided to give up the search for my mother, for now, at least. But I still have plans on using my half-sister in order to get to the avatar. I'll just deal with all of the back stories later on, for now the important thing is we capture the Avatar and get my honor back.

Now the problem is tracking the Avatar. I have seriously no clue where he could be. 

We can just keep heading north and we are actually getting closer to the northern waters, but coming up against the Northern Water Tribe is indeed a death wish. 

Even if we prepared for battle, we wouldn't be able to win against waterbenders in their natural habitat. 

The best option is to ambush the Avatar before he can reach the North Pole. But how? I don't know where to find him, and I bet Zhao is also on the run to hunt him.

I'm already having a hard time tracking the avatar as it is and I still have to deal with competitors like Zhao! And the worst thing is, he's got an army on his side, while I've only got a crew.

I can't give up now, I need to come up with something. I have to be the one to get the Avatar! I need to get my rightful place on the throne! That is who I'm supposed to be! That is who I am!

"You're up quite early Prince Zuko..." Uncle suddenly went inside the room.

"Leave. I'm busy meditating," I said to him. He went quiet for a while until he spoke again.

"I'm just concerned for your health, especially your well-being. You haven't had anything to eat since yesterday, and you've been waking up early and sleeping late," he said.

"I'm fine..." I replied.

"You are definitely not fine," he contradicted. "If you need help I can—" 

"I SAID I'M FINE! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted. I paused for a moment before continuing, "Please..."

"Very well..." he said and then he closed the door and left.

I tried getting back to my meditation and composing my thoughts on how to capture the Avatar, but the talk with Uncle had distracted me.

I let out a loud shout as I pounded my fist on the ground.

What do I do? What should I do?

I'm tired.