Ikari tilted his head, surprised that there were still people in the world who didn't know about him. "You guys really are isolated out here, huh? Let me introduce myself again, then. I'm Ikari, the last airbender... at least, as far as I know." He lowered his head in a humble bow, the gesture a stark contrast to the weight of his words.
***
"Ohhh…"
"Wow…"
"A miracle…"
"By the spirits!"
"How?" Katara asked, unable to contain her excitement—not just because of the revelation, but because of the possibilities it opened up before her. 'He's a bender! Maybe he can teach me to control water!—No, more importantly! Maybe he knows what happened to the Avatar or... he might be the Avatar himself!'
Ikari seemed to read her thoughts, raising his hand. "Ah, I know what all of you are thinking. And no, I am not the Avatar." He spoke quickly, used to this kind of conversation by now. "Here's the short version of how I ended up here: my dear great‑grandfather, in his rebellious teenage years, chose to leave the Air Nomads. Two generations later, I was born. End of story. And no, I also don't know what happened to the Avatar."
Katara felt a pang of disappointment—but the thrill of facing an airbender eclipsed everything else.
Sokka, on the other hand, retrieved his spear from the snow, straightening up with the air of someone determined not to be impressed. "Okay, so you're an... airbender. Whatever that means. But you still haven't explained why my dad trusts you."
'That's enough!' Katara lost her patience with her brother and stepped forward, ready to knock some sense into him — but Ikari was faster.
"I imagine that since we've been fighting side by side these past few weeks against the Fire Nation, he came to like me enough."
Sokka's mouth formed a comic 'O.' "Y‑you fought in the war?"
Ikari cocked his head. "Doesn't it seem like it?"
"No way! You're super scrawny, you look about my age, and you don't carry a sword or a spear, just those… tiny little knives!"
Ikari laughed and gestured to the blades at his waist. "Those are daggers, not knives—and they're perfect for my style of combat."
"Your style of combat?"
"Yes, quick and agile."
"I still can't believe- Ow!" Sokka yelped as his ear was yanked.
"Hehe, sorry my brother's being such a pest. He hit his head when he was born," Katara said with an awkward smile to Ikari, before tugging Sokka away.
"Katara, that hurts!" Sokka complained, wriggling away from his sister's grip. "Let go! I haven't even finished interrogating him yet."
Katara ignored him and hauled him away from the fire, only releasing his ear once they'd put enough distance between themselves and the others. "What's your problem, huh? Why are you acting like such an idiot? Don't you get it was thanks to him that we know Dad is okay?"
"I know that," Sokka muttered, rubbing his ear with a look of pain. "It's just… I can't explain it. Every time I look at him, I feel this cold in my gut. Maybe my… instincts are warning me he's dangerous."
"Your instincts?" Katara arched an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sokka, your instincts are about as reliable as your fishing skills."
"I'm serious, Katara. That guy is dangerous."
"Dad trusted him!" Katara shot back, her voice rising.
"He might have been tricked!"
"Argh! Even you don't believe that!" Katara threw her hands up, exasperated. "You're just jealous because he's... I don't know, he knows how to do things you don't!"
"Jealous? Me? Ha!" Sokka scoffed, but the blush creeping onto his cheeks betrayed him. "I'm just trying to protect us, Katara. Someone around here has to think straight."
She sighed, her expression softening. "Look, Sokka.... I get why you're doing this. But don't you think that, just for today, we could... let go of all our worries? We got news from Dad after months. Let's enjoy this moment." Katara turned her eyes to the fire and gestured with her hand. "Look, does he look dangerous to you?"
Sokka frowned but looked—and saw everyone gathered around Ikari as he made the snow swirl in spirals in his palm... using the air.
"Well?" Katara pressed, raising an eyebrow.
Sokka hesitated. "I... fine," he muttered, defeated, his shoulders slumping. "But I'm keeping an eye on him. If he does anything weird, my spear will be ready."
Katara rolled her eyes, figuring that was probably the best she could get out of him.
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.