"Woah, d-did I really just do that?" Muttered the boy in shock and disbelief as he gazed up at the sky before looking at his fist, only to grin while shifting his focus to the dumbfounded vendor.
"Hehe, a promise is a promise!" Said the boy with a massive grin as he eyed the vendor while outstretching his hand, causing him to sigh and slowly nod.
"Haa, a deal's… a deal. Here you go, kid. Just do me a favor and leave me alone." Remarked the vendor in defeat as he handed the boy the map, causing him to jump for joy while carefully snatching the map from his hand.
"Hehe, thanks!" Stated the boy happily as he waved at the vendor before running down the street.
Watching the boy leave the area, I glanced at the vendor, who seemed both happy and depressed, before quickly following the kid; I was rather curious if that map would truly lead to a dragon's nest. Though I mainly did this since, from what I remember, dragons were basically extinct in the show, and with my existence, for all I know, they may truly become extinct; before that happened, I wanted to meet one.
'I mean, who wouldn't wish to meet a dragon? Such interesting creatures.' Thought Aang lightly as he focused on the boy he was following, only for him to suddenly turn down a small alley, prompting him to do the same.
Turning down the same alley, I had half-expected him to be waiting for me as if he had somehow known I was following behind him the entire time, yet I was merely thinking too much, and it seemed like he was simply using this alley as a shortcut. Figuring it was better to announce my presence sooner than later, I leaped into the air with the help of a small vortex, flying right over the boy's head just as he turned around.
"Eh, is someone there?" Asked the boy suspiciously as he hid the map in his pocket while intently eyeing behind him.
"Hmm, must've just been the wind." Muttered the boy quietly as he shook his head and turned back around, only for him to suddenly fall onto his butt while the map landed on the ground.
"Sorry about that; the names, Aang." Said Aang softly as he clasped his hands and slightly bowed before picking up the map.
"So, shall we get going? I, too, am interested in meeting some dragons." Added Aang curiously as he approached the boy while outstretching his hand, causing him to grab it after some hesitation.
"Umm, d-do I know you? No, there is no way we've ever met before; I'm confident I would've remembered some as unique as you." Remarked the boy as he dusted his clothes off while eyeing Aang, observing his unique outfit and tattoo.
"No, today is my first day within the Fire Nation's territory. I'm an Air Nomad of the Southern Air Temple. I simply overheard you and that vendor and grew interested in possibly meeting a dragon; I hope you don't mind me tagging along." Replied Aang lightly as he shook his head while handing the map back to the boy, causing him to nod with slightly widened eyes.
"Thanks, and yeah, sure, I don't mind you tagging along. Eh, spirits above, did you just say an Air Nomad?" Said the boy in surprise as he looked at Aang, only to slowly nod in understanding.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, that makes total sense; I've never seen someone quite like you before." Muttered the boy with a nod as he rubbed his head while observing Aang, only to suddenly smile while outstretching his hand towards him.
"Welp, I'm never one to refuse a possible friend. Besides, this little adventure could be a little dangerous, so it would be better if I had some help. Kuzon." Added Kuzon with a friendly smile as he attempted to shake hands with Aang, who clasped his hands together, causing him to awkwardly chuckle.
"So then, Kuzon, shall we get moving?" Asked Aang lightly as he stepped to the side, allowing Kuzon to continue down the alleyway.
With a nod, Kuzon began walking once more, prompting me to follow right beside him, conversing with each other as he started asking questions regarding Air Nomads and Air Temples, which was understandable; this continued for a few minutes until we reached the entrance to the city, prompting him to come to a halt while I did the same.
"Greese berries! I just remembered children aren't allowed out of the city without the supervision of an adult, you know, safety reasons." Said Kuzon in annoyance as he glanced at the entrance before sighing, only for Aang to suddenly tap his shoulder.
"I think I may have an idea; follow me." Remarked Aang lightly as he glanced at Kuzon before approaching the wall to the city, causing him to quickly follow.
"Eh, you've got an idea already? Well, glad you happened to overhear me; this would've been much harder by myself." Said Kuzon with a faint smile as he looked at Aang, who suddenly stopped before the city wall.
The city walls weren't anything like Ba Sing Se and were only a couple of meters tall, which was still too high for anyone to normally climb without some sort of ladder, but I had something that would work just as well.
"Try not to move so much." Advised Aang as he waved his hands in a specific pattern, creating a vortex that surrounded both him and Kuzon, lifting them into the air.
"W-What the flying frog! I-I'm flying?" Remarked Kuzon in shock as he looked at the ground while struggling to maintain his balance.
Once Kuzon and I were high enough, I moved us over the wall, exiting the city, before safely lowering us to the ground, though he happened to land on his butt, given his poor balance.
"W-Woah, t-that was freaking awesome!" Stated Kuzon loudly with an enthusiastic smile as he quickly stood up while looking at Aang, who gently nodded before pointing towards the map.
"Now that we're out of the city, where do we go next, Kuzon?" Asked Aang curiously as he glanced at Kuzon, who calmed down before analyzing the map.
"Umm, let's see… Hmm, so I think we've got to go that way, toward those mountains over there." Remarked Kuzon as he lifted his head and pointed left of Aang, who narrowed his eyes before nodding.
"They're quite a distance, so I suggest we get a move on." Said Aang lightly as he glanced at the mountains before walking forward, heading towards the mountains while Kuzon quickly caught up.
The walk towards the mountains wasn't too eventful; we mostly talked, though we did happen to encounter a few beasts; thankfully, they were easily dealt with; just create a vortex underneath them and lift them into the air, and it causes most animals to panic, allowing us to easily avoid conflict.
"So, I never did ask, but why did you want to meet a dragon?" Asked Kuzon curiously as he glanced at Aang while snacking on an apple.
"I'm simply interested in meeting such a unique creature; I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to meet one. What about you?" Replied Aang lightly as he tilted his head and glanced at Kuzon, who smirked.
"Heh, it's always been a dream of mine to ride a dragon. Once I achieve that, I can die happy; well, maybe not happy, but I'll be satisfied." Declared Kuzon solemnly as he clenched his fist, causing Aang to nod as he gazed upwards at the mountain.
"Well, this may be your chance to do so, but I'd advise you not to get your hopes up; dragons are highly intelligent creatures. You must either befriend a dragon or get it to submit to you if you wish to ride atop a dragon, and given your fire-bending display from earlier, making one submit to you seems wholly impossible." Stated Aang truthfully, his words causing Kuzon's expression to twitch.
"Hmph, well, we'll see!" Said Kuzon passionately as he began climbing the mountain while Aang followed.
___
___
Climbing the fourth mountaintop of the day, I sat down on a nearby rock to take a breather. I wasn't exhausted, but climbing a mountain wasn't by any means an easy feat, especially since it was our fourth one.
'I'm going to be sleeping good tonight.' Mused Aang lightly as he kept his body at a lower temperature than usual, greatly helping him cool off.
"F-Finally!" Yelled Kuzon loudly as he plopped on the ground beside Aang while breathing heavily and profusely sweating.
Reaching down, I grabbed the map from Kuzon's hand while also handing him my waterskin, which he guzzled down without any remorse.
"Hmm, if this map is correct, the dragon's nest should be nearby." Muttered Aang lightly as he looked at the map, while Kuzon was too busy drinking to listen.
Since it looked like we should be nearby, I kept my guard up just in case while Kuzon and I used this chance to rest, which he quite desperately needed. However, about fifteen minutes into our rest, we suddenly heard a loud roar filled with fury and anger, causing both of us to immediately spring to our feet as we carefully eyed our surroundings.
"Spirits above! W-Was that a dragon!?" Exclaimed Kuzon in shock as he observed his surroundings, only for a shadow to suddenly block the sun.
"Yes." Muttered Aang with a nod as he glanced up, eyeing a giant green dragon flying overhead.