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Chapter Text

Noatak and Tarrlok were busy running errands around the village, once they finished one their father gave them another. The errands were slowly becoming more and more useless as time went on.

Usually they’d be at home this late in the evening but right now, their mother was fighting to give birth to their new baby sibling.

Screams belonging to Nya could be heard in the small village as the labour went on. Healers and mid wives making sure the birthing went as smoothly as possible , despite the baby being born 2 weeks early.

Tarrlok was most excited at having another sibling, whether it would be a boy or girl, he would also get to have a sibling that would look up to him like how he looked up to Noatak. A beloved sibling to guide and protect. Noatak was only excited at the idea of possibly having a little sister, after having a little brother already another brother could be a bit boring.

Nya too also wanted a girl. Similarly to Noataks reasonings; after having 2 boys ( who were recently spending more time with their father than her so they could hone their new found bending abilities ) she couldn’t help but crave to have her own little girl to bond with.

Tuluq was unsure of what he would’ve preferred ( due to laws of the northern water tribe if it was a girl she wouldn’t legally be able to learn waterbending for combat ) a boy would’ve ment a waterbender to possibly train, a girl would mean someone with useless abilities and would be left to be focussed on by Nya. He did also consider the fact that the baby would be a non-bender altogether like his wife. ( he refused to address himself as a non-bender in his thoughts, his mind set was that if you were born a bender you should stay a bender, but then again avatar Aang had challenged that mindset all those years ago )

Eventually, the hours of labour came to a pause, the screams of Nya being overthrown by the screams of an infant.

~ ( MEANWHILE WITH AANG NOT TOO LONG AGO ) ~

Aangs health had begun to deplet for the past 3 years now, none of the healers of the water tribe or doctors of the republic city knew what he had, his symptoms ranging from common colds to terminal illnesses.
It was became increasingly clear that Aang body would’ve long failed him if it wasn’t for Katara strengthening her healing abilities in hopes of saving him, however it was also clear no amount of healing could save the avatar in the long run, it only gave the title of being one of the best healers there are.

Aang had little regrets, the demise of the air nation was of course one of them, but another subject lingered in his mind for the past 7 years. Yakone. No one knows where he went, it’s like he escaped that prison from thin air. The failure of keeping Yakone captured haunted him, he didn’t have his bending but he was still a criminal, a criminal that was free.

Despite technically being 147 years old, he was physically and mentally 47, since he was stuck in an iceberg for a hundred years. Maybe those hundred years he missed out on was finally capturing up to him.

Aang took one big breath, inhaling, as his health worsened so did his sleeping schedule. He looked over at the sleeping Katara, a gentle smile appearing onto his face, accepting that all of those efforts to keep him living were now officially in vain, he took one final exhale.
His eyes following the spirit that left his body, the spirit that had been with him since the first life, now joining him in the next one. His eyes went rolling as his body went limp, before shutting as he fell to eternal sleep.

~ ( BACK TO PRESSNT ) ~

As soon as the boys had realised it was the cries of their new sibling echoing across the village. Almost immediately they boys could hear their fathers faint yelling, even though the newborns screams were much louder.

Noatak and Tarrlok immediately paused what they were doing, rushing over to their hut to greet their new member of the family into the world.

When Tarrlok was born, Noatak had just turned 3 ( there was only a month difference in the brothers birthdays ) despite being young, he still somewhat remembered the night Tarrlok was born, and there were stark differences in Tarrloks, and their little siblings birth.

On the morning Tarrlok was born it was shockingly sunny for the northern tundra weather ( even if you considered the fact it was spring at the time) Tuluq looking after him outside, and Tarrloks birth went by much quicker. While their new siblings decided to make their grand entrance in the middle of the night, 2 weeks ahead of schedule, in the ripe summer ( although it was still somewhat chilly, regardless of the season both water tribes were always cold ). Then proceeding to take hours to be born.

Tuluq was standing in the entrance of the hut, waiting for his sons to come and meet their newfound sibling. Guiding them over to where their mother was with the baby. “It’s a girl” he told them as he picked Tarrlok up, tiny 4 year old Tarrlok.

Nya was resting on her and her husbands shared bed, her newborn baby girl bundled up in furs to shield her fragile body from the night elements, still screeching from her early eviction notice from her mothers womb.

Noatak immediately rushed over to her mothers side, for a split second forgetting his mother and the newborn were both in fragile states. However a short scolding that came in a yell from his father reminded him to be gentle.

Tarrlok was squirming to get out of his fathers hold, but it was clear Tuluq wasn’t very trusting of the 4 year old to be ‘gentle’ with his newborn child, even if Tarrlok too was his blood. Even a blind man could see Noatak was Tuluqs star child, the favourited son, and Tarrlok was left to be comforted by his mother in Noataks great shadow. Regardless of the favouritism the brothers still had a strong bond, a bond not even the strongest benders could even leave a mark on.

“Girl?” Noatak double checked, climbing up onto the bed. Nya nodded “her names Maia, after your grandmother” Nya told her son, gently handing Maia to him. She looked over to her husband, keeping their now middle child restrainted

Noatak hadn’t really seen a lot of infants in his life, but it was clear Maia was small for newborn due to her being premature. The comparison of her size and her older brothers size just added to the illusion of her being even more puny. Her face was all red and eyes were shut as she wailed and wailed. For a minitature sized human, she had mighty lungs that allowed her to unleash the mightiest screams, a trait she most definitely developed from her father.

“He can hold her to Tuluq” she reassured her husband, noting how he was keeping their middle child away from the newborn. Yakone despised that name in a way, yes he created a new identity under the name ‘Tuluq’ to start fresh from his criminal life after breaking out of jail.

But he never got used to that name, a name he chose to go by himself when forming the identity shortly after receiving plastic surgery. Perhaps his sons getting bending despite his being snatched away was what fueled the hatred for it.

Now that he was feeding into the temptations of maybe one day training his sons to be cold, heartless bloodbenders to avenge him, the hatred of his name just intensified. He was Yakone, a fearless bloodbender. Not measly ‘Tuluq, a benderless family man that is in a village in the middle of nowhere ’

At first he saw his newly born daughter as a but useless, but maybe the fact she couldn’t be trained as a weapon ( at least not legally ) removed the subconscious block that made him view his children as weapons in view of her. Maybe he could be family with his daughter and wife, and then plot revenge with his sons in secret.

Yakone let his son down, Tarrlok immediately stumbling over to the baby. “Hello second Maia!” He smiled as he squashed next to Noatak to get a good look at his sister. Nya chuckled, ruffling Tarrloks hair.

“Just call her ‘Maia’ it’s less of a mouth full for you” she smiled, watching as Tarrlok gently booped the stick shrieking newborns nose.

Maia’s sobs were paused, opening her eyes to see two new strangers staring adoringly at her, thr infant had inherited her purple coloured eyes from her mother it seemed. Noatak taking her tiny little hand on 3 of his fingers, the action causing a giggle from the newborn.

“Aw, she likes you” Nya smiled as her husband sat beside her. She turned to look over at him, whispering “I think that’s the first time she opened her eyes” exitedly as she realised her sons might have been the first thing her daughter saw.

Chapter Text

“A hunting trip?” Nya repeated the words her husband proposed. Tuluq nodded, “it’ll be a great life skill for them!” He declared with a smug grin, wrapping his arm around his wife’s waist.

“It’ll teach them how to be real men” he joked, pumping his fist on his chest to add to the comedy in a way. “Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt for them to try” Nya nodded.

Tuluqd grin widened, sometimes it was handy to have a young wife, Yakone did truly love Nya but her nature was making it easier for him to put his plan into action. Meanwhile, their 3 children were playing outside.

Maia was on Noataks back, using her oldest brother as a cheat code to try and win tag. It was clear Noatak was the fastest of the 3 by a long shot, any game that involved running he won, but that fact never discouraged either of his younger siblings to try and team against him in the hopes of winning. Although, today Maia and Noatak were teaming rather than Tarrlok and Maia teaming.

“Boys!” Tuluq interrupted the children’s games, standing with his arms crossed before gesturing for his sons to come over and follow him. “We’ll be right back Maia, Kay?” Noatak promised as he kissed his little sister in her forehead.

“Bye bye” she gave a little wave as Tarrlok gave her one back, before both boys jogged over to follow their father, who was now waiting over by a empty, large, sled.

Maia waddled on over to where she assumed her mother was, inside. Her steps were unbalanced since she was still young and uncoordinated, the few feet of snow that her feet sunk into whenever she took a step outside only added to the challenge.

Maia stumbled over inside at her maximum speed, exploring every inch of the hut in search of her momma. “Momma!” She called out, stretching her arms to its highest length to reach over to her mother who was busy prepping dinner.

Nya chuckled as she was busy chopping up seasonings, pausing her cooking to turn and look over to her daughter, crouching down down as Maia made her way to her. Swiftly picking Maia up and giving Maia a small spin in the air before setting Maia down on a empty counter space.

“Do you wanna help momma make dinner?” Nya asked, Maia giving a enthusiastic nod in response. “Yes! Yes!” She squeaked, grabbing a wooden spoon beside her. Maia’s idea of ‘helping’ when it came to cooking was just stirring aggressively, classical 3-year-old fun.

Nya lifted her child up, taking her over to where the soup was brewed, the soup was already done, the fire even had been out, so letting Maia stir it wouldn’t cause any harm. It was tentacle soup, with obvious seasonings to make the taste more savouring.

Since Yakone insisted taking both of her sons hunting after dinner Nya figured she might as well cook foods that were warm and rich, meaty foods that would keep their bellies content and full before the journey deeper into the snow barren tundra.

Maia immediately went on her tippy toes to reach the pot properly, sloppily splashing the liquid around since she was using only 1 hand, causing her to have more of a lack of control of the spoon than if she had used 2.

“Sweetie, do you wanna make a surprise for Tarrlok and Noatak?” Nya asked, stroking Maia on the top of her head. Maia immediately forgot about her stirring, bouncing up and and down with enthusiasm.

Nya chuckled. “Let me go get the seaweed, you just keep stirring for now” she told her youngest born, Maia gave a thumbs up, going back over to stir the soup, now with 2 hands.

~

“You’re all messy Maia!” Tarrlok exclaimed as he watched his baby sister eat using strictly her hands. Noatak laughed at the display, grabbing a napkin and trying to get Maia to be still as he tried to wipe all the sauce off her face and hands.

“If you’re too messy momma and daddy will send you to live with the wolves” Noatak teased, looking over at his parents for back up on his made-up story. “It’s true Maia” Nya cooed, before turning her attention back on the meal.

Nya cooked many portions of food, but the sizes were smaller than average, so often everyone would leave the table stuffed at just the right amount.

Tuluq was too busy in his thoughts to pay attention to the family dinner, thinking of the perfect way to properly explain to his sons of the family’s lineage. How they are the family to the greatest bloodbenders the world has ever known.
How they had that skill of bloodbending flowing in their genes, that it was their duty to master it, that their only purpose in life was to master it and then avenge their father by taking over republic city. How they would be the most powerful benders to be known in the history books.

“Pass!” Tuluqs thoughts were paused as he heard his youngest demand something from him, seeing her tiny limbs trying to reach over to the bowl of rice that was closet to him.

“Here you go princess” he answered, handing her the bowl, before going back to his previous thoughts.

“Are you boys exited to go hunting?” Nya asked as she served Tarrlok anther helping of the roasted artic-hen. “Yeah! I’m gonna catch a whole yak” Noatak smiled, arms crossed in a victorious manner as if he had already caught to animal.

”well I’m gonna catch the most!” Tarrlok interrupted Noataks moment of pretend glory. “I beg to differ” Noatak said, poking at Tarrlok to slightly aggregate his little brother. “Nuh uh!” The 7-year-old argued “yuh-huh!” The 10-year-old protested.

~

Nya knelt down to her son’s heights, giving them kisses on their foreheads before they went off on their very first hunting trip. BothNoatak and Tarrlok were exited in a way, they had played hunting games numerous times before but how they got to do it for real, not just chucking icicles they made at each other.

“Mom” Noatak whined as he rubbed the area where he had been kissed, like most kids, he was going through a ‘I’m too old for that’ phase.

Maia waddled up to Tarrlok, tugging at the end of his coat. “Yeah Maia?” He acknowledged, looking over go here pausing his stride.

“Surprise!” Maia cheered as she handed Tarrlok some seaweed cookies, packed in leather containers that would make it easier to carry on the trip. One container for each brother

Both boys eyes widened as they saw the tasty treat. “You made this?” Noatak asked as he weighed the containers, seeing which one was heavier. “Mhm!” Maia responded, a little boost in her confidence as she saw how pleased her brothers were with her.

“Thanks Maia” the brothers said in unison before Yakone loudly cleared his throat, waiting a few metres ahead, arms crossed in a annoyed manner. The younger and older brother both exchanged a glance before hurrying to catch-up with their impatient father.

Nya went over to Maia, picking her up before waving goodbye, Maia following her mothers example. Nya’s brows couldn’t help but furrow as she saw Yakone was making their sons drag the sled, rather than him doing it, or atleast helping, but it seemed Yakone was fine forcing his sons to do the labour as he expected them to follow as he walked with a determination in his steps.

Nya kept staring over as she watched the father of her children, and her first and second born walk deeper into the distance, a light blizzard beginning to take form. “Brr” Maia shivered, putting her hoodie on and stuffing her hands into her sleeves as a gust of air passed.

Nya chuckled, holding Maia closer to her as they went back inside. “Bed time” she said, helping her daughter take off her coat, revealing her pajamas from underneath. Maia pouted, about to protest or throw a fit.

“Since daddy’s gone you can sleep in the big bed with me” Nya assured Maia. Maia immediately turned her frown upside down, running off to one of the tents connecting to the hut.

~

“Momma!” Maia squealed as she saw the 3 figures, tugging at the end of her mothers dress, pointing at the returning man and boys of the household. Nya paused what she was doing, walking forward a few steps with her hand held high in the air with a smile on her face.

Neither Tarrlok or Noatak shared the enthusiasm, both felt sick to their stomach. Their father was a runaway criminal, a criminal that exploited his gifted abilities so much to the point the Avatar had to take it from him. That their family had a lineage of great bloodbenders, that the only reason they were put on this world was to conquer the republic city, that their only purpose was to be their fathers little revenge puppets.

Tuluq put a hand on each of his son’s shoulder. “You boys better not think of telling your mother or sister…” he left the threat unfinished, but a loud ‘or else’ was booming in their minds.

Tarrlok lifted his head from looking at the ground, a small smile replacing the glum look on his face as he saw his mother and baby sister waving enthusiastically at them, returning a wave back.

Noatak had to force himself to not practically drag his feet across the snow ridden ground, forcing a smile on his face to hide the distress he was currently feeling from the night before…

Tuluq didn’t have to force a smile, he was feeling too pleased with himself, his plans he had for his sons since they received their bending abilities. He was so amused in-fact he was the one pulling the sled, rather than his 2 boys doing it by themselves. The sled was much heavier since it had a turtle-seal carcass added to other things it was.

Tuluq said he was taking the boys hunting, so he figured to actually kill something so the sorry would be believable, it wasn’t too hard since he did have some knowledge of hunting to begin with.

“My babies!” Nya exclaimed, greeting them with open arms as she wrapped them in a bear hug, giving them motherly smooches on their foreheads. Tarrloks grip tighter than average, Noatak not returning the hug but nuzzling into her embrace instead.

Noatak suddenly felt something small gripping both of his legs tightly. “Noa!” Maia giggled as she looked up. Noatak looked down over to her, giving her a gentle pat on her head “I missed you both sooo much” Maia exaggerated as she went over to give Tarrlok a cuddle as well.

Tarrlok returned the cuddle, picking her up gently. “We were gone for a night” Noatak teased Maia, booping her in the cheek. Maia just stuck her tounge out at him in response, Noatak stuck his out as well before simply resting his hand on Maia’s head.

“Honey! You caught a turtle-seal, my favourite!” Nya could be heard exclaiming in a short distance from the children. Tuluqs arms were on his hips “exactly why I caught it” he said in a cocky manner. “Noatak, help your father unpack the sled please” Nya requested.

“I’m gonna run you a nice warm bath” Nya told Tarrlok as she guided her youngest son and only daughter inside the hut, Tarrlok still holding Maia off her feet.

~ DREAM POV ~

Maia tilited her head, she was her, but not her. She wasn’t in her body but the body felt vaguely familiar, she was taller, felt no hair on her head but rather on her chin, and she couldn’t control her body either, more like it was controlling itself.

“What are you doing here Aang?” Maia felt confused, that sounded like a boys name, and her name wasn’t even Aang. “I told you I have this under control.” A seemingly middle aged woman with a hand on her hip was…scolding her?

“Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t get involved” If Maia was actually in control of her body she would’ve jumped, her mouth was moving on its own, and her voice sounded deep, like a man’s voice. “But if what those victims said is true, we’re not dealing with a normal criminal.”

Maia felt like she wanted to scream, why was she in another persons body? And why did it feel so familiar, as if she was that body not so long ago. “Fine, follow me twinkle toes” the woman told her, walking to the direction of a restaurant.
“Toph, I’m forty years old, you think you could stop with the nicknames?” Aangs body asked, Toph just kept walking before responding smugly “ ‘fraid not”

Maia looked at the décor of the restaurant, it looked much fancier than what she had ever seen before, this was a proper building, not a igloo, hut or tent like at home.

“It’s over, you’re under arrest Yakone!” Toph declared, pointing a finger at some man trying to eat his meal, 2 bodygaurds at each side of the table. “What is republic city coming to?”

This was what republic city like? Maia had heard stories of the place from her father back when he lived there before he moved back to the northern tribe, but she didn’t think it would be like this.

“Used to be a man could enjoy his lunch in peace” Yakone finished his statement, before Toph shot something at him, presumably using her bending, to cuff his hands, the table being knocked over in the process.

“What’s the big idea?” Yakone questioned as a officer contained him. “We have dozens of witnesses Yakone” Aangs body told Yakone. “We know what you are”

“Take him away” Toph ordered the officers, the 2 officers in response leading Yakone to the exit of the restaurant. “I’ve beaten every trumped-up charge you ya-hoos have brought up against me!” Yakone yelled, before a smile lingered on his face.

That smile…it looked so familiar to her daddy’s smile, and thinking about it…Yakone just had a more scratchy version of her daddy’s voice, but Yakone looked older. Her daddy wasn’t grey yet and didn’t have nearly as much wrinkles as this man did.

~ END OF DREAM ~

Maia shot up, she panted a bit before looking around. “Just a bad dream” she reminded herself as she saw her sleeping brothers in the room with her, she was about to rest her head back on the pillow before…

“Maia? Everything alright?” Noatak asked, rubbing his eyes to properly see if his baby sister was fine. “Uh-huh, just a bad dream” Maia assured him, but the look on her face showed she was still shaken up.

“Come closer” Noatak scooped her in him arms, making sure not to disturb the sleeping Tarrlok on the other side, before pulling the blanket made of animal fur to their chins.

“It wasn’t real” Noatak cooed as Maia hid under the blankets. “I know” Maia replied, making herself comfortable in Noataks embrace. “You’ll forgot it in the morning” Noatak told her, a yawn escaping him before he laid himself properly.

“Night” he mumbled as he felt himself fading to slumber. “Good night” Maia muttered back, still wide awake from that dream…

‘Noataks right’ she thought ‘I’ll forgot it in the morning’ she tried to convince herself, shutting her eyes as tight as she could and curling into a little ball.

Chapter Text

Everyone knew that the 2 main factors of someone becoming a bender the first factor being genetics, if you came from a family with numerous benders in it, your chances of being a bender was high ( genetics also had a huge factor on how naturally skilled you were in bending ) The second being, the season you were born in.

However, the seasons effects in your bending also depend on what certain type of bending was most common in your family. If you were born in a mainly waterbending family and you were also born in winter, it was almost like a definite guarantee that you would be a powerful waterbender.

It was common knowledge. firebenders that were born in summer had higher chances of getting their bending ( possibly getting it early as well ) the same went for, earthbender born in autumn, and waterbenders were born in winter.

Noatak was born in the prime winter, born on a starless night with a blizzard raging on as he wailed his way into the freezing world. So, it wasn’t a surprise when Noatak got his bending at the young age of 4.

However, Nya and Tuluq were a-bit shocked when Tarrlok had been revealed to be a waterbender. He was born in early spring, winter just recently ending in-fact, so their hopes weren’t as high that their second son would be a bender like their first. And even though Tarrlok did get his bending, at first he did have a weaker bending power compared to the other kids his age

Maia on the other hand however…was born in summer.

Yes the summer was still cold compared to other nations summer, the water tribes had season that affected the temperature but regardless it still had harsh weather conditions. So of course, Maia had the misfortune of being born in the summer

It seemed the universe frowned upon her, she was born in mid summer, some even daring to say the hottest summer the northern water tribe had since the 100 year war. That and the fact both parents were non-benders, the family had long accepted that her fate of being a non-bender was set in stone.

At first Maia was sour at that idea, but as she grew, she was much more aware that maybe being a non-bender wouldn’t be so bad. She saw how her brothers would spend hours in the cold honing their waterbending, coming back tired and on the verge of frostbite, getting yelled at by their harsh father. While she stayed home with their caring mother, being encouraged on learning how to sew. Although deep down she would have preferred her chances of gaining bending to be higher, but she was 7 now, and most benders got their bending at 4-5. Sometimes 3 ( most that got their bending at that age were priodgys ) or 6 if they were late bloomers.

~

Maia was busy playing outside, well technically drawing outside, her mother hanging laundry by the hut, making sure to keep a view of where Maia was incase the child needed something.

Maia was forming shapes in the snow using her fingers, putting all of her focus on the doodles she was creating. Yet she couldn’t stop making errors in her artwork

Maia’s brows furrowed, slamming her firsts down on the snow, shards of ice flying around. Maia gasped, freezing before crawling backwards as she saw a shard of ice about to land on her.

Her eyes had a twinkle in them, a ear to ear grin forming as smashed the snow again, shards of ice appearing again. Maia began to squeal as she got up, jumping up and down as she realised she too had waterbending abilities.

“Hmmm…” Maia thought back to the few times she had seen her brothers using proper waterbending stances, the type you’d find in scrolls.

~ FLASHBACK ~

Maia was watching from afar, she was supposed to be taking the laundry down, but she couldn’t help but gawk over where her father were training her older brothers. Tarrlok was, as per usual, sturggling to learn a new form of waterbending

She saw how as Noatak moved his arms in a back-and-forth motion, so did the water, Tarrlok attempting to do the same but in a sloppier manner. It was clear he was confused on how the stance was supposed to be. Ultimately, he ended up messing up the form.

“Tarrlok! Focus!” Maia overheard their father yelling “how can you messing up the form! It’s simple” Yakone scolded at a booming volume. Tarrloks volume pained in comparison, his voice barely audible for Maia to hear, the only reason she could tell he was talking was cause of his mouth moving.

Unfortunately for Maia, she had little to no skill with lip readings and she had no interest in listening to a lecture from her father that wasn’t even directed towards her. So Maia simply went back to the dull task of hanging the laundry, having to use a stack of boxes due to her short stature cause of her age.

“That’s not an excuse! Noatak is doing it perfectly” Tuluq barked, pausing as Tarrlok protested once more. Whatever Tarrlok had just said to defend himself, it made Tuluq even more pissed. Tuluq grabbed Tarrlok by the ear, aggressively shaking his hand while it still had a grip on Tarrloks ear.

“Ow! Ow! Owwww!” Tarrlok howled. “Are those ears useless?! I just told you being younger isn’t a excuse!” Tuluq hissed, finally letting go of Tarrloks ear and giving him a slight shove. “Again!” Tuluq huffed, glancing over at the hut. “I’m telling your mother that you both are staying out here longer, if you can’t get it by dinner then you’re both going hungry” Tuluq told them as he stomped off.

“D-don’t punish Noatak because of me!” Tarrlok protested, but Tuluq ignored Tarrloks cries of defence for Noatak. Tarrlok looked back over to Noatak, tears threatening to spill out like a faulty faucet. While Noataks eyes seemed completely apathetic to what had just been displayed in front of him, Noatak payed his attention back onto the order their father gave him.

Maia noticed from the corner of her eye, the view of her father walking over inside the hut gave her a sign she could go back to watching her brothers waterbending, her attention back onto studying the way they made the water flow. Unable to hear what her brothers were discussing.

“Sorry” Tarrlok mumbled, lips quivering as he to continued with the command of trying to master the new form. Tarrlok looked back over to his older brother, it was rare for Noatak to even engage in a proper conversation now a days, even responding to their in parents in gestures or grunts, but never actual words…

Tarrlok was scanning Noataks expression, searching for the gleam in Noataks eyes that had been long lost, Noatak giving a quick glance before looking away, Tarrlok let out a quiet sniffle before proceeding to, once again, try and learn the new bending form.

Maia was still watching from the distance, before she suddenly heard the sound of fingers snapping right by her ear. “Princess, I thought momma told you to help her with the chores” Tuluq teased as he ruffled Maia’s hair.

“But daddyyy’ Maia whined, a pout in her face. “But Maia” Yakone copied, chuckling to himself before walking back over to his sons

~ END OF FLASHBACK ~

Maia decided that the bending form she had seen her brothers do before would be the easiest thing to start with before confirming she truly could bend. Going into the same stance before motioning her arms in a back-and-forth way.

As she did, the snow melted into the liquid form, the now water, swaying back and forth following Maia’s hands. Maia squealed, rushing over to her mother.

“Momma! Momma!” She began to shriek as she aggressively tugged at her mother’s coat. “Yes Maia?” Nya responded, aggressively scrubbing the family’s bundle of washing. “Im a waterbender!” Maia shrieked, jumping and and down in triumph.

Nya paused the chore she was doing, her eyes widened as she look up over to her daughter, a wide smile making its way on her face. “Show me sweetie!” She said with joy for her daughter.

Maia immediately began to liquify the water, doing the swaying technique she did before, the results being the same as before, Anaya immediately began to clap for her daughter. “You go show daddy, momma just needs to quickly finish the laundry” Nya assured Maia, a bounce in the girls step as she sprinted to locate her father.

“Daddyyyy!” Maia shouted out, bashing into Tuluq from behind and wrapping her arms around him like a snake. Tuluq was obviously taken slightly aback as he saw he daughter rush to him, bursting to the brim with adrenaline.

“Yes princess?” He asked, allowing her to guide him over outside. “I wanna show you I wanna show you something!!!” She exclaimed, walking up to the barrel her mother was using to clean the laundry. Tuluq raised a brow, confused why he was being taken over to where his wife was now hanging the laundry.

Maia giggled, covering her mouth with her hand before straightening her posture. Going into the same stance she had done previously, using her abilities to make the once still water now flow like a river.

“Ah” Tuluq smiled, kneeling over to his daughter’s stature “that’s wonderful princess” he praised. Giving her a pat on the back, his reaction was more underwhelming than what Nya and Maia was hoping. “You’ll be a wonderful bender.” He assured her, his smile smug… “maybe even a great hunter” he chuckled.

he did show ecstasy, but he was much more thrilled at his sons receiving of bending, mainly because of uncertainty. He wasn’t at all against raising another bloodbenders, infact he was hopeful of it and ready to convince his wife to train and take Maia on the trips. Usually his wife was very docile to his suggestions, at best needed some words of encouragement, but she was very stubborn on the traditions of the tribe…

“Come on Tuluq” Nya sighed “don’t you think she’d be a great healer?” Giving her husband a look as he mentioned her hunting. Nya looked over to her daughter and smiled, letting Tuluq take hold of Maia. “Maia, why don’t you go show your brothers? They should be in their bedroom” Nya encouraged, Yakone putting Maia down with gentleness. “We’ll talk later” Tuluq suggested in a hushed volume to his wife.

Maia didn’t have to be told twice, dashing over to the room her and her brothers shared. Tarrlok was busy unpacking his large bag he took on hunting trips, the man of the house and the boys of the house had just recently returned from another hunting trip.
Noatak wasn’t doing the same, sitting with his knees up to his chin, arms wrapping around his legs, staring off into space. It just seemed that the older Noatak got, the more isolated he made himself from others…

“Noa! Pass that bottle!” Noatak gave her a quick glance, throwing her the thin, circular water bottle. As the hunting trips began to occur increasingly more, along with them now starting to last for days, their mother had now begun to pack water bottles for the 3 to keep them hydrated.

Maia unscrewed the lid off the bottle, using her newfound abilities to bend the water out of the container. Noataks eyes widened at the sight, his legs now laying flat and his arms on his lap. Tarrlok seemed distraught, eyes wide.

The brothers had always been silently grateful that their sister had such a low chance of being a bender, it meant she’d be untouched from their fathers plans of taking over the republic city, that she could have a chance of having a proper childhood.

That her innocence wouldn’t be taken from her to learn a twisted bending style…but now that hope for her was gone. “That’s very nice Maia, looks like you were just a late bloomer” Noatak congratulated, before giving Tarrlok a stern glance.

“Y-yeah Maia! We’re really happy that you were just a bit late with getting it” Tarrlok forced a awkward smile. Maia felt a bit cocky, hands on her hips in a victorious fashion.

~

“I don’t mind you taking the boys, but we have to send Maia to that nursing school in the next door town!” Nya insisted, bickering for the first time in a while with her husband. “Sweetie, laws have changed, it won’t be illegal to train her, and it was never illegal to take girls on hunting trips!” Tuluq insisted.

”But it’s against tradition! Our people have values and expectations, taking a girl on a hunting trip is completely taboo and against those traditions!” Nya tried to explain. “Could you imagine the gossip that would happen if Maia went with you and the boys” She pointed out, that made Yakone stop and think.

he knew it would be taboo to take Maia, but he didn’t include the possibility of taking her would cause lots of unwanted attention, gossip and news spread like wildfire in this town and he needed those trips to go as secret as possible to avoid suspicion. “You’re right” Tuluq told her. Nya let out a amused huff as she maid beside her husband in. 

~

Noatak watched as Tarrlok rushed over to tend to Maia, ever since she was 3 she had been getting this scary dreams where she was experiencing someone else’s life. Apparently this dream had a spirit that changed its face a lot, and had a insect like body that was getting too close for comfort. while Noatak would act the same regardless of how much sleep he had gotten the previous night, he was a light sleeper, sometimes pulling all nighters so Maia’s little sniffles from her dreams weren’t too aggregating.

Maia was busy letting out small sniffles, Tarrlok soothing her back to sleep, rubbing her back. The dreams aslways revolved around this mysterious ‘Aang’ man, originally Noatak would be the one to comfort her, but slowly it became more normalised for Tarrlok to.

Thankfully, despite the occurring dreams she had always been the type to fall asleep quickly, unlike her brothers, the oldest one having to stare into space for almost hours at a time before he could rest. The middle one tossing and turning millions of times before he could sleep comfortably.

“Noatak…you don’t think dad will” a lump formed in Tarrloks throat, he couldn’t finish his sentence, he was too petrified of the idea that his father will take advantage of Maia’s innocence and trust.

Noatak shrugged in response “Hard to say, but she’ll probably just learn how to heal” Noatak assured. “Why so sure?” Tarrlok asked, he knew of the traditions their tribe had but was sure that their father would exploit Maia’s bending like he did with his sons. “Culture, don’t you think people would be suspicious at him bring Maia along on the ‘trips’?” Noatak remined.

“I guess you’re right” Tarrlok admitted, going back to his bed. “Night Noa” he mumbled as wrapped himself in the sheets. The older brother didn’t reply back.

Chapter Text

“School?!” Maia, Tarrlok and Noatak repeated their parents words, but each sibling delivered the word so differently.

Noatak said it in skepticism, unsure whether their mothers suggestion to send Maia to school was a part of his fathers sick plans or not. Tarrlok repeated it in confusion, their parents ( mainly Tuluq ) had always denied the boys to go to school, so it was shocking to hear Maia was gonna go, despite her not even once asking to attend. Maia in excitement. She knew girls in the village who was attending the school in the other village nearby to practice their waterbending abilities for healing, and now she’d go to.

“Really?!” Maia giggled with glee, bouncing in her bed. Nya nodded “daddy and I figured that we shouldn’t let those abilities of yours go to waste” Nya chuckled, ruffing her daughter’s hair.

“Night sweetie” Nya cooed, giving Maia a kiss on the cheek, tucking her in. Going over to do the same with Tarrlok. “Night darling” she whispered to Tarrlok, kissing him on the cheek and tucking him in as well.

However she didn’t so the same for Noatak, while it made her heart ache to see her eldest sons new persona he had adopted, she didn’t want to smother him when she saw he wasn’t very comfortable when she did. “Night Noa” she smiled as she turned the gas light in the room off.

Despite it being late, both Tarrlok and Maia had a habit of chatting with each other for hours at a time with hushed volumes. At first it was to distract Maia from the odd dreams that gave her visits in her sleep, but now it was a fun way for the both of them to bond.

“You’re gonna go to the school in the neighbouring village right?” Tarrlok asked as Maia scampered over to his side. Maia nodded “I can’t wait to learn all sorts of tricks!” Maia piped, Noatak began to drizzle on her parade.

“The school only teaches healing, atleast only the girls are taught healing” Noatak chimed, not wanting Maia to be discouraged on her first day, Tarrlok gave her a gentle warning of what to expect. Maia’s mood however didn’t seem discouraged at all… “I’m fine with that” Maia shrugged. “That’s of girls I know always talk about how healings really hard to learn.”

“So now you think you’re gonna be a better waterbender than us?” Tarrlok teased, poking at her cheek. “I’m not saying that, I’m just saying healing sounds harder than whipping some water around” Maia quipped. Maia was born with a heart of gold, like their mother, but she had her moments where hers fathers sass and anger erupted in her.

Tarrlok faked a pout, putting his hands in his chest. “It’s a lot more than splashing water around!” He protested, tickling her sides. Maia let out a fit of laughter, grabbing Tarrloks hands to stop his tickle ambush. “Ive tried one of the bending styles you learnt last year, it was easy!” She defended her statement.

“You need to get back to bed missy” Tarrlok shooed her off, back to her side. Maia couldn’t help but frown, ever since she has been getting those odd dreams she couldn’t help but start to dread sleep. Unlike her eldest brother.

~

As tarrlok rose from bed, he was about to go over and check on Maia, but she was absent…it was very uncommon for the girl to wake up this early in the morning. He looked over to see Noatak still sleeping, Tarrloks brows furrowed as he got up, putting his Uggs on to keep his feet shielded from the cold floor.

Tarrlok made sure to walk delicately, trying to keep the sound of his steps minimal. He entered into the main part of the hut, his father staring a fire in the fireplace. “Where’s Maia?” He asked timidly, fidgeting with one of his ponytails.

“Your mother and her are on their way to the school.” Tuluq told him. “W-why so early?” Tarrlok questioned, his volume low. He was always skittish around his father, walking on eggshells due to him not wanting to accidentally anger his erratic father.

“The village may be the closet one to ours, but it’s still a long walk” Tuluq huffed, growing impatient with each question. Tarrlok looked over to the kitchen area, his stomach growling. Though Tarrlok was unsure of how to prepare proper meals…

~

“Are we there yet?” Maia repeadly asked, clutching her mothers sleeve with a usually tight grip. Nya took a large breath, trying to collect herself, as much as she adored her youngest at times the 7 year old could be very testing when it came to the mother’s patience.

“Sweetie, like momma has told you before…I’ll let you know” Nya reminded her daughter. Although the questions were irratating, she’d much rather listen to her daughter ask on then have nothing but the sounds of snow crunching as they walked.

Nya eyes widened, patting onto Maia’s shoulder before pointing over into the distance. The little town of igloos and small ice made buildings with a large tent in the middle, many mothers dropping off their daughters near the tents entrance.

Maia immediately increased her speed, dragging her mother along with her. There was a woman standing over by the entrance of the tent, greeting and welcoming the girls that were attending to get healing lessons. Similarly to Nya she had 2 braided hair loops, but instead of it ending at a bun, it intertwined into one long braid.

“Ah! I take it she’s coming for lessons?” The lady asked as she saw Maia and Nya approach. Nya nodded “just got her bending a few days ago” she replied. “Well, better late than never” the teacher joked. “My names Sura” the teacher cooed to Maia as she told the girl her names. “My names Maia” Maia greeted back.

“Ill give her some extra attention, children who get their bending late can be a but unpredictable with their abilities” Sura promised Nya as Maia waltzed into the school. “Bye Maia!” Nya called out, Maia giving her a little wave.

 There were girls of many ages in the tent, mostly 5-12. Some were as young as 3, some as old as 15, but none were 16. Not a single girl that age in the school. Maia was unsure where to sit, all of the girls gathered in a circle surrounding a training dummy, before Sura patted over next to her.

“Girls!” Sura spoke out, twining the attention of the chattering girls. “This is Maia” she introduced her newest student to the group, a hand in the girls shoulder. “Now, group up with your partners and continue on the lesson from yesterday.”

“Maia, you stay with me” she muttered over as she guided Maia over to the dummy. Another girl came towards the dummy as well. She seemed around Maia’s age, though she did have common water tribe features, she could be mistaken for someone that came from a different nation.

She still had a tan, but it was more pale than what was common, and her hair was most definitely darker. A more pitch black than a dark brunette, but she still had the striking blue eyes.

“Maia, this is Amka. Amka also has only just received her bending a few days ago like you.” Sura informed Maia. “I’m going to show you girls some examples, and you both try to mimic it as best you can, okay?” Sura told the girls.

“Yes miss Sura!” Both squeaked. “Now, for more serious injuries you’d need the body fully submerged in water…but for small ones you just need a small amount of water to heal them.” She said, using the water from the large barrel to show how the process of healing would work for minor injuries.

Maia was practically bouncing with anticipation for her turn to try the sun-bending. “Who wants to try first?” “Me!” Maia immediately squealed, already using her bending to fetch a small amount of water to copy what she had just saw.

“Now Maia, don’t expect to get it right a-“ Suras sentence was cut short as Maia performed the example to a tea. For a beginner of the art, and had only just recently gotten her new abilities a few days ago, she seemed quite gifted…

“Huh… Saraki!” Sura called one of the older girls. “Yes miss?” Saraki responded, walking over towards the teacher “could you and Kirimi show Amka some more demonstrations whilst I focus on Maia for a bit?” She tasked the 14 year old.

Saraki gave a polite nod, taking Amka hand as she brought the 7 year old over to where her and Kirimi were practicing.

“Maia…are there any other benders in your family?” Sura quizzed Maia, curios to see if the girl had any genetics that could explain her obvious gifts. “My older brothers Tarrlok and Noatak.” Maia clarified.

~

Tarrlok had eagerly been eyeing the position of the sun, repeatedly checking the times in the pocket watches in the house. Impatient for when it was time for Maia to come home. He was used to being the one to travel away from their home, he wasn’t used to being the one waiting patiently at home. Biting his nails or fiddling with his hair as he tried to soothe his impatience.

Usually he’d be eagerly helping his mother with errands around, it was a sort of coping mechanism with the more unfortunate aspects of his life, playing with his sister or helping his mother was a sort of quiet away from the intense training and expectations their father forced onto them. But waiting for Maia made him less focused on whatever task he volunteered to help with

“Noatak, could you go fetch Maia?” Nya asked. “Can I come with to fetch her!?” Tarrlok chimed in his wish. Both had been to the near by town before, so Nya didn’t have a intense fear of her sons getting lost. Noatak was a teenager now, a young man, and had babysat his baby siblings countless times so Nya had a sort of trust in him when to help protect her only daughter and youngest son.

Noatak and Tarrlok set off to fetch their sister, walking along the route in silence, the occasional animal being heard the steps of 2 being the main source of sound filling their ears.

Now and then Tarrlok would try to slither his hand around his brothers mitten, only for Noatak to just quicken his pace the moment he felt the slightest touch, running from his brothers attempts at affection.

As they grew closer to the town ahead of them, the chatter of girls began to echo as the school day ended. Maia waiting patiently at the entrance of the tent, her teacher Sura right by her side.

“Tarry! Noa!” Maia called out, running over and being greeted by a warm embrace from Tarrlok. “You’re her brother, yes?” Sura asked as she only spoke to Tarrlok, “yes” Noatak nodded. Sura gave a suspicious look, giving Maia a slight pull towards her. “You’re sister is extremely talented!” Sura gushed to Tarrlok, Maia having a delighted look on her face.

It was common for people to be suspicious of Noatak saying he was his siblings brother. Maia and Tarrlok had their mother’s soft features, her round and gentle eyes. While Noatak…he didn’t look much like any of his parents, he had sharper features, baby blue eyes that stared into your soul. The only similarities they shared were their sun kissed skin tones, their dark brunette hair. Both brothers had their fathers eye colour, while Maia had their mothers pastel purple eyes.

“Hear that Mais? You’re just like Noatak” Tarrlok forced a smile to creep onto his face, not wanting to spoil Maia’s moment of pride. “Gifted benders run in your family?” Sura inquired. “We need to get home” Noatak ignored the subject, taking Maia from Tarrloks grasp, adjusting her into his back.

“Oh…” Sura muttered, watching as the 3 children wandered back to their village. “What’s school like?” Tarrlok asked Maia, walking not too far behind. “Miss Sura really cool! She kept telling me that I’m a gifted girl” Maia’s lips surged upwards, pulling the hair tie off Noataks hair, beginning to play and style it to entertain her as she was carried home.

”there were lots of girls my age there to! One of them was called Amka and she was super nice! I think she’s a foreigner though…” Maia began to ramble on about her first day, Noatak tuning her out while Tarrlk listen intently to what Maia has to say.

As the ‘hunting trips’ grew more constant, Tarrlok began to take a comfort when spending time with his mother and sister. He was always the first to volunteer to help his mother with chores, and would help entertain and play with Maia for hours if she so wanted. With blood bending slowly becoming more and more apart of his life, he took time to cherish the few moments of light he got with his gentle mother and energetic sister…

”miss Sura says that water is the element of change, and that us waterbenders can adapt to many things!” Maia repeated the words of her teacher, beggining to braid Noataks hair. Suras words were a contrast Yakones words, he taught his son that bending was about power, that the strongest benders were the greatest one to exit. But Sura was telling Maia how waterbending was all about change.

~

Maia was busy playing with her wooden dolls, alone in the children’s bedroom, left unattended. The blizzard that had begun to form shortly after she returned home from school was roaring with might.

Maia scooted over to where the gas light was, brows collapsing. She had heard the power firebenders had, how they could just generate fire from nothing, while waterbenders needed a direct source in order to bend.

Her head tilted, perhaps she could also bend from nothing. She looked down over at her hands, starting a repeating clicking motion. If one type of bender could, surely the other benders could to if they tried hard enough…

A bright orange glow illuminated the girls face as the flame flickered in her palm.

Chapter Text

Whenever the men in the family went off on a hunting trip, Maia would be pouty and whining, complaining that they had only just got back from the previous trip and need to stay longer. She wasn’t wrong either, they’d stay for a few days, then be gone for double the amount.

However today she seemed unusually pleased, she wasn’t begging Noatak to let her play with his hair, wasn’t pleading with Tarrlok to play multiple games before they inevitably left, neither was she taking chances by saying cheeky things towards her father.

Noatak noticed it, but wasn’t all too bothered it, deciding not to even comment about it. Tarrlok was a bit saddened that she wasn’t demanding he play games with her, or that she wasn’t even affected that they were leaving, but assumed that perhaps she was simply getting use to the schedule Tuluq forced his sons to follow when it came to the ‘hunting trips.’ Yakone didn’t notice in the slightest.

Nya also noticed the shift in Maia’s demeanour whenever her brothers went off, in-fact she also noticed the shift in her sons personas as the hunting trips progressed…Noatak over the years became more and more like a shell of the charming 10 year old he once was. She saw how Tarrlok always seemed so distressed whenever the left for a trip, and retuned from one.

Nya would’ve acted years ago if not for Tuluqs manipulation. ‘Tarrlok just needs to learn how to be a man, he’ll get used to it soon enough.’ ‘Noataks just going through on of those moody teenager phases, it’s nothing serious to worry about.’

“Maia seems…too happy” Nya mumbled as she was preparing a warm breakfast, cracking a platypus-duck egg. “She seems normal to me” Yakone passed off, preparing a fire for Nya to use while cooking. “She’s usually sad whenever you and the boys are ready to go off on another hunting trip.” Nya pointed out to her husband.

“She’s probably used to us going on the trips by now, bout time to” Tuluq grumbled the last bit…

“Maia, wanna play a quick game before we go?” Tarrlok asked, sitting beside Maia who was busy playing with wooden dolls Noatak carved for her long ago, the toys were some of her most prized possessions. “No thanks, you and Noatak can focus on packing your stuff.”

Tarrlok would have never thought a 7 year old not wanting to play with him would sting, but here he was. “Ah, okay…” Tarrlok muttered as he got up, ruffling Maia’s hair before he went off to pack.

~

“Bye bye!” Maia waved as she watched her brothers and father set off on another hunting trip. Tarrlok giving a slightly panicked look back over to his mother and sister, before Yakone placed a firm grip his shoulder, a threat of sort.

Nya headed off inside, stacking the dirty dishes and rinsing them in a barrel of fresh water Tarrlok had collected for her, Maia waiting patiently for Nya to be somewhat done with the chore to show her her new trick.

“Momma! I have something reallyyyy special to show you” Maia informed her mother, tugging at her mothers sleeve with great force. “Okay, okay” Nya chuckled, lifting her arms up in defeat as she paused washing the dishes.

“Look closely!” Maia ordered of Nya, gesturing her to lean a bit closer “I learned this yesterday” she giggled as a small flame sparked out from her finger. “Oh, oh my, oh my spirits!”

Nyas face ranged from different emotions, bewilderment, utter joy, amazement. “Oh Maia…you, you very special girl!” She announced as she scooped her daughter up into the air, spinning her.

“Oh your father will be so happy for you, I just know it!” Nya smiled, giving Maia a bear hug. “Do you know what this means sweetie?” She asked Maia, cupping her child’s cheek gently. “I’m special?” Maia answered, though it was clear it was more of a guess.

“Maia, you know the stories I’ve told you about the avatar?” Nya tried to hint at what her daughter was,  Maia only gave a oblivious nod. “Sweetheart, only the avatar can bend more than one element” Nya reminded.

“I know momma” Maia gave a blissfully ignorant smile. Nya let out a chuckle of her daughters unawareness. “You just firebent, and you can also waterbend.” Nya told her, a light shot up in Maia’s eyes.

“I’m the avatar…I’m the avatar!” Maia realised, filled with joy as she realised her title. She had heard many stories of the avatar ‘the avatar with the might of a mountain, the speed of the wind, the power of a raging flame, the flexibility of a flowing river.’

“Yes you are sweetie, me and daddy’s little avatar” Nya gave a doting beam, squishing her cheek in a motherly fashion. “Can you do anything else?” Nya asked Maia, rubbing her cheek in a relaxing manner. “I haven’t tried anything else…” Maia admitted, her face heating up from slight embarrassment. “Why don’t you try some new tricks while I finish with the dishes?” Nya suggested.

“Okie dokie” Maia agreed, going off to the children’s room to practice, Nya doing the household task with a beaming smile.

~

Tuluq had one of the smuggest grins yet, this ‘hunting trip’ was the most successful yet. Noatak, his oldest son only aged 14, mastered psychic bloodbending. The form of bloodbending that took Yakone almost a full decade to learn, while Noatak mastered it in just 4 years.

“Daddy!!!” Maia shirked, sprinting over to her father, a gleeful look on her face, Nya making her way towards the returning man and boys but in a more steady pace. Yakone chuckled as snatched Maia up into the air, gently throwing her up and down it the air, Maia having her arms positioned as if she were soaring.

Tarrlok watched the display with a odd sense of melancholy, thinking back to the careless days before he gained his bending. The good old days before his father suddenly became so strict and erratic.

Noatak giving a quick glance, before being attacked alongside Tarrlok with a bear hug from their mother, Nya giving her middle child a quick kiss on the cheek before releasing them. “Maia, is there anything you wanna show to your father and brothers?” Nya hinted as Maia was let down.

“Mhm!” Maia agreed, clearly flooding with anticipation to show off the surprise. Tuluq couldn’t help but be intrigued, letting out another snicker, resting his hand on Noataks shoulder.

“Come on then princess, what’s the surprise?” He asked, waiting to be entertained. A small flickering apeared before a large, blazing flame danced from Maia’s fist. For a moment, there was quiet.

Tarrlok letting out a audible shriek at first, Noatak himself even displaying a astonished expression, Yakone stunned for a few seconds as well.

The silence was soon followed by laughter, the display of joy forming from Tuluq. “You special girl!!!” He announced as he swooped down and pulled Maia up by her arms, spinning her around in an action of sudden joy. Maia’s giggles and Nyas chuckles filling the family’s ears.

Tuluq had always despised the avatar, Aang taking his bending away only giving fuel to the rage, a small candle of annoyance was transformed into a bonfire of hatred that day. But now it was different, the avatar was a young, naïve, and vulnerable child. His child.

At first he thought the next avatar would be a pest but, it was the complete opposite, the avatar was right in front of him. She was on his side, the most powerful being in the world was he to exploit and manipulate, his daughter had limitless potential. And he would be the one to help her harness it.

Both parents were fawning over at Maia, the brothers however, were experiencing more conflicting emotions. Tarrlok was devastated, Maia was so sweet and innocent, she was 7 for goodness sake. She couldn’t even tie the laces on her boots, and now she was at so much risks of being used by others.

Tarrlok began to mess with his 2 ponytails, combing his fingers through his hair in a repeating manner. He was her big brother, he was supposed to protect her from the dangers of the world the way, Noatak had done for him before bloodbening began to poison their lives. His mind was racing through the possible threats she’d face as the avatar, unlocking a whole new level of overthinking that was becoming far too overwhelming for a 11 year old.

Noatak being deep in thought as well, for the majority of his life he had associated the avatar with so many things. Power, strength, extraordinary abilities beyond imagination, someone with the supreme judgment of choosing who could keep their bending and who would have it taken from them. The most powerful human in the world.

This was the most powerful human in the world? His baby sister who still had baby fat on her cheeks for old lady’s to pinch whenever she greeted them, the annoying 7 year old who’d whine at him when she was bored, the little girl that wailed in the dead of night because of a bad dream?

Chapter Text

“Run away?” Tarrlok’s voice went high, gripping onto the blanket, the brothers kept their conversation volume low to ensure no one would hear them. The white lotus had visited the family hut, they had come to see if Maia was truly the avatar. Noatak had overheard their parent’s conversation with the 4 members.

“Theres a compound more west to here, we believe it be best to take Maia there. There have been rumours of a group planning to abduct the next avatar, it’s certainly not safe for her to be unprotected in the middle of one of the many villages in the northern water tribes villages.” that damned bearded member said

Noatak had been debating on running away since he was 11. But his siblings and mother had held him back, but now he had made up his mind. If they stayed, Maia would be taken away, or worse, Yakone would exploit her. Probably even more than how Yakone had exploited Tarrook and his bending abilities.

“They’ll take her away, the men that visited earlier.” Noatak tried to use that as a reason to run away for the millionth time. “Mom and Dad wouldn’t let them…” Tarrloks lips were quivering. 3 years never felt such a large age gap. 7 years felt even bigger than before. 14 was a teenager, a young man as the elders would say, annoyingly. 11 was still a child, technically a pre-teen, but it felt like Tarrlok was still that 5-year-old crying about practising his bending late at night sometimes. And sweet little Maia, Noatak rarely showed it but he still doted on her like he did when she was a small infant.

“But she’s not safe here, not with Dad”  a muffled sob left Noatak. When was the last time he cried? He hated what Yakone turned him into. He hated Yakone. He hated how Yakone would degrade Tarrkoks abilities, how he’d compare them, how he made Tarrloo cry so many times. He missed Tuluq. He missed dad, he missed the father that would ruffle his hair when Noatak ‘showed off’, he missed when his dad would lift him into the air and spin him around. He missed when ‘hunting trips’ was just his dad getting the family some food.

“You’re crying” Tarrlok frowned, tears threatening to spill “I forgot…I forgot you also needed to cry sometimes” Tarrlok shifted himself closer and gave him a hug.  “Lets run away” Tarrlok agreed. Noatak didn’t return the hug, but he gave Tarrlok a few pats on the back.

Persuading Tarrlok was done. But the harder part was Maia. Bending didn’t ruin her like it did with her brothers. Yakone was still Tuluq to her, she didn’t even know what bloodbening was. And she just discovered she was the avatar. She was still happy, what 7 year old in her position would run away?

…

She was still naïve… 7-year-olds can be easy to lie to.

~

It had been 2 nights, and Tarrlok and Noatak had packed everything they figured they’d need. Clothes, blankets, 3 bottles for water etc etc. “Maia” Noatak gently cooed, Tarrlok was in the main section of the hut, waiting for Noatak and Maia. “Noa?” Maia said in a drowsy manner, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. “Whuz wong?” She asked with half-opened eyes. Noatak put on a smile “We’re going on a trip” he told her “Tarrlok and I have packed everything, come on we’re leaving now” he guided her onto her feet “Go put your coats and boots on, I’ll tie up your hair when you do”

“Does mommy and daddy know?” Maia asked, putting her boots on, waiting expectantly for Noatsk to tie them for her. Like he always does. “Mhm” Noatak hummed “Arms up” he instructed as he slipped her coat on for her. “Can you button them for yourself?” He asked, usually she did but he wasn’t sure since she had just woken up so late at night. “Of course” she poured “I’m not 3 anymore, the avatar can button her own coat” she huffed.

“Come on, don’t wanna keep Tarrlok waiting?” Noatak took her hand. Tarrlok was sitting over by the dining table, 1 large bag and a small 1 on the floor beside it, his eyes seemed a little puffy and his cheeks seemed damp, hard to tell in the dark. Maia was busy yawning, barely dragging her feet to walk alongside her oldest brother. “Mowning Tawwy” Maia mumbled, already mid-drifting back to sleep. “It’s still night, silly” Tarrlok gave her a kunik.

 ( basically an Eskimo kiss, but I didn’t wanna say that since many Inuit people don’t like the term and some even consider it a slur towards them. So I did some research to see if they’re a real thing and the accurate term is ‘kunik.’ Instead of 2 people rubbing their noses together, one presses their nose into the other person’s cheek or forehead. It’s a gesture down with a lot of affection, between family members and loved ones. )

“I’ll carry Maia and the smaller backpack” Noatak informed his younger brother, putting Maia onto his back. “Where are we gonna go?” Tarrlok questioned, that was the part of the plan Noatsk had gatekeeped. “The market” Noatak revealed, taking out a small pouch filled with water tribe currency

~

The 3, technically the 2, Maia kept going on and off Noatak’s back, made their way to the village where Maia had once gone to receive healing lessons. Noatak wants to get a map, they couldn’t just wander the tundra aimlessly, they’d probably die that way. Their village — their childhood village — did have a market, but only one that offered national goods, the next-door village offered a little bit of everything. Waterbending scrolls, firebending antiques, earthbending toys, and sometimes even airbending relics.

He also had the idea of buying scrolls of different bendings for Maia, not a waterbending one, he and Tarrlok can teach her. They’re not masters but they have experience, though they certainly can’t teach her fire and airbending. Maybe they could teach her earthbending if they bent ice. But her learning the elements was uiltimitly in the backseat, once they found a safe refuge, then she could learn.

“It’s crowded…” Noatak exmanined, debating if he should bring Maia and Tarrlok with him into the market, or leave them alone just outside the town. “Stay here” he told his siblings, gently putting Maia down, setting the backpack he’d been carrying down. “Wait!” Tarrlok reached out for Noataks sleeve. “You can’t go alone” he tried to protest “Watch Maia” Noatak simply said, heading into the noise of sellers yelling advertisements for their goods.

Noatak made his way through the stalls selling freshly hunted meat and such, looking to see if any of these stalls were selling what he needed. Then he spotted it, the stall seemed…dodgy, looked like some pirate or a travelling thief was selling some of his crew’s stolen goods to make some extra bucks before going back onto sea. But the man was selling everything he needed. A map and several bending-style scrolls on display.

The man seemed foreign, of fire nation descent, but only an idiot would be selling in a nation he couldn’t speak the language of. “How much for the map?” Noatak asked, getting ready to take out the money he packed. “Watertribe map is for 2 blue coins, globe map is for 5” the merchant — pirate? Raider? Captain? He gave off the vibes of being in charge of a crew — told Noatak.

Noatak had 30 blue coins. “And the scrolls?” Noatak questioned, the captain smirked. “Water one is for —” “I don’t need that one” Noatak butted in “Straight forward, I like that in people” the seller commented.

“Firebending one is for 3, earhtbending one is for 7, and this beauty”  he pointed at the airbending scroll “is for 15.” 2, 3, 7 and 15 equalled 27 blue coins, damn it. That’s more than 2 thirds of all he had. He could easily buy scrolls in other places, but it’d be more expensive. Noatak begrudgingly took out his money “I’ll buy them.” He said.

Noatak held the map and scrolls to his chest, swerving his way through the many people in the market. Tarrlok was sitting on the snow, Maia on his lap. “Noatak!” Maia smiled, “did you find anything?” Tarrlok asked, watching his brother head to the smaller bag. “Mhm, a map and…” Noatak ruffled Maias hair “some scrolls depicting fire, earth and airbending styles, you could practice from them” Noatak told his younger siblings.

“Yay!” Maia cheered, getting up from her spot and holding out her hands to see them “I wanna practice now!” she exclaimed “what we need to do now…” Noarak gently folded the scrolls and put them in the backpacks front pocket. “Is keep moving” he told her “lets go” he instructed his younger siblings, taking 1 large bag. “Maia, you think you can walk yourself for a little while?” Noatak asked as Tarrlok took the smaller bag. “Uh” Maia thought for a moment before nodding.

Chapter Text

“Try starting a fire, Maia?” Tarrlok asked his little sister, the brothers and sister were shivering in some cave they took refuge in, a blizzard going on outside. “We should sleep here” Noatak said, taking a large blanket. “We’ve been walking for…a while” “I’m hungry!” Maia chimed in a complaint, she held out a hand and a flame began to illuminate from it, Tarrlok instinctively came closer to her. Like a moth to a flame.

“I’ll hunt something when the blizzard dies down, have some salmon jerky so long” Noatak offered. “You don’t have a spear…or an arrow, it’ll be hard won’t it?” Maia pointed out, tilting her head, she doubted either of those could fit into the backpacks. “Don’t worry about it, okay?” Noatak assured, wrapping a blanket around his brother and sister.

“Let’s just go sleep” Noatak huffed laying down, Tarrlok and Maia following along. They all huddled up, for comfort and warmth. Shockingly, Noatak was the first to fall asleep, and Tarrlok soon after. For once, Maia was the last to sleep, and she didn’t quite like it. She had to deal with being kicked by Tarrlok, forced to listen to Noataks light snoring. She had enough of this!

She wriggled her way out of the blankets, standing up in the middle of the cave. She looked over at her brothers, Noatak was still as an animal carcass, sleeping on his side and taking up the least amount of space. Tarrlok? On his back, legs spread out, one hand on his chest and his right arm on top of poor Noatak, drool coming out of his mouth.

Maia looked out at the blizzard, the wind still howling but she could see further through it than before. She turned around, the cave seemed to go deep. She grinned and a flame roared out of her hand, casting light and emitting warmth. She just wanted a private place, a place to practice bending without disturbing her brothers.

Maia ventured further

Meow!

Maia pauses, eyes widening, her mind rushed through the possible animals that mew came from. Panda-cat? Lepaord-deer? Polar Cheetah-fox? Artic ferret-lion? Maia giggled, she loved animals! “Come here kitty kitty!” she called out, taking out the unfinished salmon jerky from her pocket she had stored.

There it was, Maia couldn’t believe her eyes. An arctic Sabor-leopard, just a mere cub, separated from its parents. “Hey there” Maia cooed, walking over with a cautionary manner in each step. “Are you alone?” She asked, tilting her head as she knelt down.

The cub hissed, curling up against the end of the cave. “I won’t hurt you” Maia assured, raising her one free arm. “You want some food?” Maia offered the jerky, and the animal — with hesitation — went over to Mais and began to gently nibble on the jerky.

“You like that don’t you.” Maia giggled, scratching the top of its head. “Where’s your parents?” Maka asked gently, letting the creature lick her fingers, Maia was grateful its teeth were still small, for a sabor-leopard at least…

“My parents aren’t here either” Maia frowned, sitting down properly, a moment of negativity festering. “But I’m not alone” she smiled to herself, reminding herself of the bright side. “My brothers and I are on a trip!” she giggled before embracing the cub into her arms, and to her joy, the animal nuzzled into her, purring. “And I have you…Salmon?” Maia came up with a name. “You seem to like it”

“MAIA!?” a girly shriek was heard “Tarrlok must be awake” Maia commented, stroking the frightened Salmon to soothe her.

~

“Where were you?!” Noatak sighed as  Tarrlok wrapped her in a tight hug. “I almost went out into the blizzard to look for you” he frowned, arms crossed in a stern manner. “I was—” “You can’t just go running off Maia, you could get lost…or hurt” Noatak lectured “I just wanted to go practice my bending” Maia pouted, lowering her head. Tarrlok gave a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Oh there’s nothing wrong with that” Tarrlok said timidly, wiping the few tears that had spilled.

“Tarrlok and I were worried!” Noatak huffed “You need to stay close by” he told her, grabbing an arm “I was close” Maia pointed out, and Noatak in response grumbled. “Where we can see you and know where we are” he elaborated.

Meow!

Both brothers squinted over to where the noise had come from, this whole time, Salmon had patiently waited behind Maia. “Ahhh!” Tarrlok screamed clutching into Maia tighter and almost shielding her, hiding her and himself behind their older brother “It’s a sabor-leopard!” he cried. He was petrified of the large cat, he heard many takes of how viscous they were to humans.

“Salmons friendly!” Maia defended, escaping her brother’s clutches and going over to pick up Salmon. “Salmon? You named it” Noatakraised a brow, a protective grip on Tarrloks sleeve as they watched their sister coddle a dangerous animal. So far it hadn’t attacked her. That was a good sign?

“I found her, she’s really friendly” Maia commented “I fed her some salmon jerky and she really liked it so…” Noatak and Tarrlok couldn’t believe that their sister had tamed one of the most dangerous and exotic animals of both the water tribes, with salmon jerky.

“Shes all alone, please can we keep her?” Maia pleaded “no!” Noatak frowned “Maia that is a wild animal!” Noatak pointed out “can I keep her?” Maia exaggerated the I. “We can’t go around travelling with…that!” Tarrlok’s blue eyes were wide, staring at Salmon as if one moment of her not being watched she’d pounce.

“All the other avatars got to have animal friends!” Maia protested, giving polar bear puppy eyes. Noatak sighed “fine…but if I even think for one moment that she’s gonna hurt one of us—” “YAY!!! Thank you Noatak, you’re the best big brother in the whole world!” Maia gushed as she ran over to hug Noatak.

“Hey!” Tarrlok frowned, a glimmer of hurt in his eyes. “Noataks the best oldest brother” Maia corrected herself “you’re the best older brother” she assured, which brought out a smile from Tarrlok.