The Mother Of Fire(AANGXOC)

Sokka's Master

"Ooo" Sokka walks to the sword, closely examining it and feeling the scabbard "That's what Sokka's talking about."

"You have a good eye." everyone gathers around the sword "That's an original from Piandao, the greatest sword master and sword maker in Fire Nation history. He lives in the big castle up the road from here" the Shopkeeper says

"That's it. That's what you needed all along, Sokka."

"A sword?"

"Not the sword...a master." Sokka pulls the sword off the rack "We've all had masters to help us get better. You should see if you can study with Piandao."

"That's a great idea. I could've never gotten to where I am without Master Pakku. Everyone needs a teacher."

"I learned from badger moles. They don't talk, but they're still good teachers."

"It would be nice to be a master sword fighter. All right, I'll talk to him."

☯

Aang, Katzumi, Toph, and Katara lie on their backs in a circle. Momo runs up to them and lies down next to Katzumi. Appa is sleeping under the makeshift roof.

"What should we do today?" Aang asks

"I'm tapped out. I already picked my toes, twice."

"Twice?"

"The first time was for cleaning, but the second time's just for the sweet picking sensation." Toph explains

"Sokka's been in charge of the schedule. I'm not sure what we should be doing." Katara says

"Plus, it's so hot today." Katzumi said snuggling close to her boyfriend

"How hot is it?"Aang asks

"I don't know. Real hot?" Katzumi said

"It's so hot, it's so hot... Momo is shedding like Appa." Katara pets Momo and flicks tufts of fur from her fingers "Huh, huh?"

Aang scratches his head and Katara's joke receives no laughs.

"I guess the jokes don't run in the family."

"Oh, everyone's a critic."

Appa grunts in response.

☯

Aang, Katzumi, and Katara sit around a map of the Fire Nation.

"So where are we going next? We're starting from here." Katara points to the amap

"No, we're over on this island." Kazumi says before swatting away her hair

"You noodle-brains don't know what you're doing. I miss Sokka."

"Ooh, I got one. If you miss him so much, why don't you marry him?" Katara grins at her joke. Toph rolls over on her side, away from Katara. A winged insect buzzes in front of Aang, who simply blows it away with a quick blast of wind from his breath.

☯

Aang, Katzumi, Katara, Toph and Appa all asleep and sitting around the map as they were before. Toph suddenly sits up.

"Sokka's coming!" Toph yells

Aang, Katzumi, and Katara wake up, gasping and smiling excitedly.

"Hey, guys. What are you doing?"He asks

Aang, Katzumi, Katara, and Toph all jump at Sokka and give him a group hug.

"Sokka!" Katzumi yells

"You're back."

"We missed you so much."

"Say something funny." Aang says

"Funny how?" Sokka asks

Aang, Katzumi, and Katara both laugh heartily.

"What's their deal?" Sokka asks Toph

"I don't know. They missed you or something. I didn't care." Toph turns away, blushing and smiling

"Thanks. That warms my heart. Anyway, I need some help."

The gang runs over to the edge of the crater created the night before.

☯

Sokka, Katzumi, Aang, and Katara push the meteorite up the slope to Piandao's castle. Toph is behind the meteorite, pushing it forward with her earthbending.

Sokka runs to the doors and bangs both knockers frantically. Piandao opens one of the doors almost immediately and steps out.

"Who's this?" Piandao asks

"Oh, these are my friends. Just another good Fire Nation folks." Piandao bows to them "Do you think we can make a sword out of a meteorite?"Sokka asks

Piandao lays a hand on the meteorite and examines it.

"We'll make a sword unlike any other in the world."

☯

Sokka is seated in front of Piandao. Aang, Katzumi, Katara, and Toph sit behind Sokka while Fat stands behind Piandao, holding Sokka's sword.

"Sokka, when you first arrived, you were so unsure. You even seemed down on yourself. But I saw something in you right away. I saw a heart as strong as a lion turtle, and twice as big. And as we trained, it wasn't your skills that impressed me. No, it certainly wasn't your skills. You showed something beyond that. Creativity, versatility, intelligence... these are the traits that define a great swordsman. And these are the traits that define you. You told me you didn't know if you were worthy, but I believe that you are more worthy than any man I have ever trained." Piandao gives the sword to Sokka

Sokka lowers his head in shame.

"I'm sorry, Master. You're wrong. I am not worthy. I'm not who you think I am. I'm not from the Fire Nation. I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. I lied so that I could learn swordsmanship from you. I'm sorry." Sokka explains. The group looks in shock and surprise

Sokka holds his sword up for Piandao to take. Piandao frowns and turns away.

"I'm sorry, too."

Piandao quickly turns back around and swings his sword at Sokka. Sokka stands and avoids the attack, using his sheathed sword to block a thrust from Piandao. Aang, Katzumi, Katara, and Toph get up and go to help Sokka, but he raises his hand to stop them.

"No, this is my fight, alone."

☯

The group leaving Piandao's castle through the front gate

Fat is runs up to them from behind.

"Wait." everyone turns to him "The Master wanted you to have this, as something to remember him by."

Fat gives a small, brown bag to Sokka. They all bow as a farewell and Fat walks back to the castle.

Sokka opens the bag and pulls out a white lotus Pai Sho tile.

"It's a Pai Sho tile."

"The white lotus. Hm."

"What does it mean?" Katzumi asks

"I have no idea. Ooh, that reminds me. Toph, I thought you might like this since you've probably never had a chance to bend space earth before."

Sokka pulls from his pocket a chunk of the meteorite used to make his sword.

"Sweet. Check this out." She shapes it into a swirl, a star, and then a splatter

"You know, I don't think there's such a thing as "space earth." If it's from space, then it's not really earth. "

"Must you ruin everything?" Sokka asks

"I can't believe I missed you."