savedtheworld | Book 6: When the Well is Dry [Voice/Action

[It started off as another ordinary day for Aang. After firebending with Zuko, he headed up to the other Avatar House for Airbending training with Tenzin and the kids. But he arrived to find only Jinora. There was no sign of Tenzin; his room was as bare as Suki's had been. Aang knew what that meant. He felt that there was so much he could learn from his elder son, but that time was over. At least he could take care of his family... except that Jinora was still here. Looking over the blankness of the room... his heart tightened as he went to check the other absence.

Jinora had told him that she woke up alone in the room that she shared with Ikki. He checked her bed and found only the prayer beads that he had given to her. He gripped them tightly as he exited the room and crumpled onto the floor outside the door, as he did after Suki had left, but this time he felt so much more crushed. He knew he should feel happy for her. Ikki was just a child, and she was going back to her family before this place could do something horrible to her. But he felt so much emptier without the other Airbender around. Unlike with Suki... Aang already knew that he would never meet her. Yesterday was the last time he'd see her, and he wasn't able to give her a last goodbye. There was so much he still wanted to tell Ikki and teach her.

Is this how Gyatso felt?

No, it wasn't the same. Gyatso couldn't have had any idea that Aang was alive after he ran away. But Aang knew that Ikki was still alive back home, safe and sound. Korra had saved the day. With his grip still bearing the prayer beads, he made a prayer that she had found her way home safely, and that their family would be okay. That things really were on the road to peace back home. And he reflected on their times together... first meeting at the fountain, bending her nightmares away, reading her beautiful drawings, watching her antics at Katara's birthday, getting lemonade with her from the Pokemon trainers, introducing her to Moro and cheering her on at the volleyball game... Ikki had been the first person he met from the future, the one who had first told him everything about this beautiful family. If it weren't for Jinora staying... he'd be left wondering if any of it was really real.

He took some time to try to comfort Jinora, despite how overwhelmed he felt. He was possibly accosted by any of the remaining housemates as he left, but he eventually bolted off and spent most of the day sailing aimlessly on Appa. No adventure this time, just an escape.

There was still something he knew he had to do. He thought about all of Ikki's friends, and he opened his journal with trembling fingers, before he started to record a message. He only took the foresight to filter it from Jinora, so that she would be spared any further pain.]

[Voice / Filtered from Jinora]

Ikki has gone home. A lot of you know have known her by now, so I... I thought you should all know. She wasn't here for long, but she made so many friends. Out of all the people I know she's met here, there wasn't one person who she didn't like. That's the kind of person she is.

She didn't go alone, either. Her f-father Tenzin has also gone back to take care of the family. We... we should be glad that Ikki was sent home before this place could really hurt her. I know that she has a loving family waiting back home. And a... a wise and kind father who has gone with her. It's where they belong. From what I know of the future... they're going back to a happy time. I just want to thank all of you who listened to her and gave her a chance as a friend, and to ask you to just remember her... okay? [In case I get sent home and back again and forget all this.] I didn't know her for long, a-and I may never get to meet her back home, but I know she's going to be a great Airbender, and I'm already proud of her. She earned the title of Avatar princess without even trying and I miss her already.

Her older sister Jinora is still here. The only person left... from [my] that family, and I hope that you show her the same kindness you showed Ikki.

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[That leaves Beast silent for a moment. Aang has to stay... even if he can't choose when he leaves... he says he has to stay, for the other girl.

That... that's very brave of you, Aang.

He happens to be sitting in front of the fireplace in his chair right now, where the puzzle Ikki helped him with still lays on the coffee table. He slowly rests one paw over the section the two of them worked on.]

I... I have a memory o-of her.

Y-you do?

She... sh-she helped me w-with a... puzzle.

That was very nice of her. She was really good at being nice and at puzzles.

She... sh-she was n... n-nice.

[And with her now gone, he... feels almost like he shouldn't take apart the puzzle, even after what Luke said...]

Yes. And, she still is, at home. She told me a lot about her family and how nice they are, so I know she's happy. They had a new baby boy recently. His name's Rohan. He might be an airbender, too, but they don't know yet because he's a baby.

Hm. [He still knows very little about bending, if anything, so all he can do is give a weak smile.] It... it's good th-that she's... home.

It... it is. There's... always a bright side to everything, and she knew it better than anyone. She wouldn't let this place make her sad.

[Yes... he remembers how happy she was, even when he was unsure. How did she do it? How did she do it here?]

But... b-but there is a... dark side.

There... there is that, too, yeah. [He won't live long enough to see her be born. He will most likely never have fun like this again.] Ikki wouldn't want us to think about that side.

R-right. [They have the memories. That's what's important.] Then... th-then I will keep her... piece of the puzzle.

Yeah, keep a good hold on it. She probably left a peace of her love in it. [As he says this, he grips the seashell bracelet that she had given to him.]

[He doesn't say any more after that, but as he keeps the journal open, he continues to gaze at that one piece as if lost. He will keep it... even if he barely knew her, he will keep it for Aang.]

Book 6: When the Well is Dry [Voice/Action - Dated to 08/19]

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