Happy 2020, benders, nonbenders, and spirits alike! New year, new greeting (even though it's February now). Been wanting to make that more specific to what fic I'm writing for a little bit and thought the new year would be the best time to start. But along with that means a return to updates! So I decided to return with (what is my favorite fic to write) Avatar. I'll let you all get to it. I don't own anything, Avatar the Last Airbender belongs to Nick. Enjoy!

The Puppetmaster

The Gaang sat around the fire. Where they had landed to camp provided them a sort of creepy atmosphere surrounded by gnarled and twisted trees, highlighted by the waxing moon. So the group decided to take turns telling scary stories. Toph had started it off with a tale about a man with a sword for a hand that everyone enjoyed. And then Sokka stepped up to tell his own story which wasn't holding up as well.

"Suddenly, they heard something down the hall, in the dark. Oooh… It came into the torchlight. And they knew the blade of Wing - Fun was haunted!"

He dramatically pulled out his sword and wailed in an attempt to be scary. An attempt that wasn't impressive to the rest of the group.

"I think I liked 'the man with a sword for a hand' better," Aang said.

"Water Tribe slumber parties must stink," Toph commented.

"We lean more on other means of entertainment than ghost stories," Celina told her.

"No, wait, I've got one. And this is a true Southern Water Tribe story," Katara said.

"Is this one of those 'a friend of my cousin knew some guy that this happened to' stories?" Sokka questioned.

"No, it happened to Mom."

The group quieted and focused their attention on Katara.

"One winter, when Mom was a girl, a snowstorm buried the whole village for weeks. A month later, Mom realized she hadn't seen her friend Nini since the storm. So mom and some others went to check on Nini's family. When they got there, no one was home, just a fire flickering in the fireplace. While the men went out to search, Mom stayed in the house. When she was alone, she heard a voice.

'It's so cold and I can't get warm.'

"Mom turned and saw Nini standing by the fire. She was blue, like she was frozen. Mom ran outside for help, but… when everyone came back, Nini was gone."

"Where'd she go?" Sokka asked.

"No one knows. Nini's house stands empty to this day. But sometimes, people see smoke something up from the chimney, like little Nini is still trying to get warm."

Katara's story rattled the group. Aang had Momo's ears wrapped around his head while Sokka chose to hide behind a tree. Katara was lost in her own tale while Celina was lost in her memories.

She had seen the smoke and Nini herself when she was younger just around the time she was learning to keep quiet about her "imaginary friends". Sokka and Katara were sick at the time so their parents sent Celina out to play. She had stumbled around the abandoned house just by chance and was surprised to see a little girl inside it. Celina remembered how the girl, Nini, said she was cold and how Celina immediately began to hug her hoping to warm the girl up. She continued to do so until her mom came looking for her. Kya's face paled seeing the scene and dragged her daughter back home.

It was clear now that Nini was just a pained soul who hadn't been able to cross over. When and if she returned to the South Pole Celina would have to go back to that house and see if she could help Nini finally find peace.

The eerie silence was broken as Toph gasped and placed a hand on the ground. "Wait. Guys, did you hear that? I hear people under the mountain, and they're screaming." The rest of the Gaang clung to each other in fear before Sokka regained composure.

"Pft, nice try."

"No, I'm serious, I hear something."

"You're probably just jumpy from the ghost stories," Katara logiced, the group hug having broken off.

"It just stopped." Just like the screams, Toph said she had heard, the group fell silent.

"All right, now I'm getting scared," Aang admitted.

"Hello, children."

Everyone besides Toph screamed and gathered together to get a better look at who scared them. As the person stepped into the firelight the group saw that it was an old woman who approached them.

"Sorry to frighten you, my name is Hama. You children shouldn't be out in the forest by yourself at night. I have an inn nearby, why don't you come back there for some spiced tea and warm beds?"

After everyone had a moment to recover Celina broke away from the group and approached Hama. "That sounds lovely, thank you." Hama smiled and waited for them to gather their items.

It didn't take long for Hama to lead them back to her inn. It was an old looking house situated on the top of a steep slope of houses. Inside though it was much cozier. Hama gathered them all into the main sitting area and poured them each a cup of lychee tea. Celina couldn't help but hide a smile behind her cup after the first sip.

"Thanks for letting us stay here tonight. You have a lovely inn," Katara complimented.

"Aren't you sweet? You know, you should be careful. People have been disappearing in those woods you were camping in."

"What do you mean, disappearing?" Sokka questioned.

"When the moon turns full, people walk in, and they don't come out." And the cozy mood was killed. "Who wants more tea?" One look at the uncomfortable looking group clued Hama into the change in atmosphere. "Don't worry, you'll all be completely safe here. Why don't I show you to your rooms, and you can get a good night's rest."

o

The next morning Hama gently woke everyone up to take them shopping in town. Sokka was still a bit on edge but quietly helped carry groceries as they shopped. Celina and Katara stuck close to Hama as they shopped, having had the most experience purchasing food supplies. As Hama handed a merchant three coins to pay for some meat the man made sure to brush his hand against hers. The waterbending siblings shot each other a knowing smirk as they headed off.

"That Mr. Yao seems to have a thing for you. Maybe we should go back and see if he'll give us some free komodo sausages," Katara suggested.

"You would have me use my feminine charms to take advantage of that poor man?"

"It's worked for us in the past," Celina said.

"I think the three of us are going to get along swimmingly."

As they were walking away the group overheard two men talking about how the full moon was happening tomorrow and how it would be dangerous for anyone to travel during that time. It brought the Gaang's attention back to what Hama had mentioned about the disappearances.

"People disappearing in the woods, weird stuff during full moons… this just reeks of spirit world shenanigans," Sokka whispered to Aang.

"I bet if we take a little walk around town, we'll find out what these people did to the environment to make the spirits mad."

"And then you and Celina can sew up this little mystery, lickety-split."

"Helping people… that's what we do."

Just as their whisperings ended Hama stopped and turned to address the group.

"Why don't you all take those back to the inn? I just have to run a couple more errands. I'll be back in a little while."

"This is a mysterious little town you have here," Sokka commented.

"Mysterious town for mysterious children."

And with that Hama walked away, leaving the others with a bit of unease. Katara was the first to break out of it and lead them back to the inn. Heading into the kitchen the five of them started to pick the groceries away.

"That Hama seems a little strange. Like she knows something, or she's hiding something," Sokka said.

"That's ridiculous. She's a nice woman who took us in and gave us a place to stay. She kind of reminds me of Gran-Gran," Katara replied.

"Though that mysterious children comment was a bit weird," Celina commented herself.

"Yeah, what did she even mean by that comment," Sokka jumped on it.

"Gee, I don't know. Maybe because she found five strange kids, camping in the woods at night? Isn't that a little mysterious?" Katara replied sarcastically.

"I'm gonna take a look around." Before any of them could protest Sokka left the kitchen to go investigate. He made it all the way upstairs by the time that the rest of the Gaang caught up to them.

"Sokka! Sokka, what are you doing? You can't just snoop around someone's house," Katara protested.

"It'll be fine."

"She could be home any minute," Aang said.

"Sokka, you're gonna get us all in trouble, and this is just plain rude."

He stopped right in front of a cabinet after checking a few open rooms. This one different, as the doors were stuck. After a few good yanks, the doors opened, causing several marionettes to fall, each of them suspended by their strings. The group jumped and yelped in surprise. Sokka even drew his sword in fright, falling back into the wall behind him and slid to the floor.

"Ok, that's pretty creepy," Aang agreed.

Celina took the moment to go close the cabinet doors. There was no reason to keep them open any longer.

"So… she's got a hobby. There's nothing weird about that. Sokka, you've looked enough. Hama will be back soon."

Sokka still didn't bother listening to his little sister and continued up into the attack. Up there was a door that upon examination was locked.

"Just an ordinary, puppet-loving innkeeper, huh? Then why does she have a locked door up here?"

"Probably to keep people like you from snooping through her stuff."

"People are allowed to have secrets, Sokka," Celina said. She did agree with her brother to a degree about Hama's weird statement. But she was siding with Katara on this one.

"We'll see." Sokka peered through the keyhole, trying to see if there was anything of interest. "It's empty except for a little chest."

"Maybe it's treasure," Toph piped in excited.

Celina, Katara, and Aang frowned at the idea of treasure but Sokka smiled. Drawing his sword yet again he began to try and pick the lock.

"Sokka, what are you doing? You're breaking into a private room."

"I have to see what's in there."

A small click signaled that he succeeded. Sokka rushed in while the others were a bit more apprehensive entering. Reaching down he picked up the chest and tried to open it to discover that like the door it was locked.

"Maybe there's a key here somewhere."

"Oh, hand it over," Toph sighed.

Handing the chest off Toph took her armband made of the meteorite from Sokka and bended it into the shape of a key. Toph took the key and put it in the lock, trying to turn it and make slight changes to the shape as she went.

"Come on, come on!"

"This isn't as easy as it looks."

"Guys, I don't know about this."

"This is crazy, I'm leaving."

Katara began to walk away but upon hearing a click shot right back to the group to see what was in the chest. Sokka, Katara, and Aang were so interested to see that they pushed Toph away. Celina caught Toph before she fell and chose to stay back, not wanting to get smushed like the other three. Just as they were about to open the lid the five froze upon hearing a voice behind them.

"I'll tell you what's in the box."

Sokka, Katara, and Aang yelled in fear and quickly jumped around. Celina and Toph were more slow to turn around and face Hama who had just entered the room. Sokka tried to hide the chest behind his back at first but handed it over once she approached, a look of guilt on his face. Hama gently opened the chest and lifted up the object that was inside. A simple blue comb. Celina let out a quiet gasp realizing what it was.

"An old comb?" Sokka questioned.

"Not just an old comb. A whalebone comb," Celina recognized.

"It's my greatest treasure. It's the last thing I owned from growing up in the Southern Water Tribe."

Sokka and Katara finally held the same wave of shock as their sister as they stared at the old woman.

"You're from the Southern Water Tribe?" Katara asked in disbelief.

"Just like you."

"How did you know?"

"I heard you talking around your campfire."

"But why didn't you tell us?" Sokka asked.

"I wanted to surprise you. I bought all this food today so I could fix you a big Water Tribe dinner. Of course, I can't get all the ingredients I need here, but ocean kumquats are a lot like sea prunes if you stew them long enough."

Aang grimace remembering the taste of stewed sea prunes while Celina hid her disgust thanks to years of experience.

"I knew I felt a bond with you right away," Katara smiled.

"And I knew you were keeping a secret, so I guess we're both right." A quick punch in the arm from Katara changed his tune. "But I'm sorry we were sneaking around."

"Apology accepted. Now let's get cooking."

o

The Water Tribe siblings were quick to fall into step with Hama in preparing the meals that they grew up with. Though it was more so Celina and Katara who helped with the cooking, Sokka more so sat around talking with them. He and Katara were more so the ones leading the conversation while Celina kept to herself while she worked. Finding out that Hama was part of the Southern Water Tribe brought back bad memories. She'd give short answers to questions Hama asked about favorite Water Tribe dishes and cooking, something the older Water Tribe woman picked up on.

But soon dinner was ready and all of them gathered around Hama's table, filled with food. Celina relaxed a little bit as she took in all the smells. While she didn't enjoy all Water Tribe food, the smell did remind her of times of celebrations and family gatherings. Hama stood at the head of the table, ready to pass around the dishes.

"Who wants five-flavor soup?"

Everyone practically raised their hand and proceeded to watch as Hama bended the soup into all the bowls much to everyone's amazement.

"You're a waterbender!" Katara gasped.

"Katara and I thought we were the only ones left from our tribe."

"That's because the Fire Nation wiped us all out. I was the last one."

"So how did you end up out here?" Sokka asked.

"I was stolen from my home. It was over sixty years ago when the raids started. They came again and again, each time, rounding up more of our waterbenders, and taking them captive. We did our best to hold them off, but our numbers dwindled as the raids continued. Finally, I too was captured. I was led away in chains. The last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe." Moved by her story Katara got up and put her hands on Hama's shoulders, trying to console the old woman. "They put us in terrible prisons here in the Fire Nation. I was the only one who managed to escape."

"How did you get away? And why did you stay in the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked.

"I'm sorry. It's too painful to talk about anymore."

"We understand. We lost our mom in a raid," Celina said.

"Oh, you poor things." Hama pat Celina's hand while Sokka and Aang hung their heads in solemn.

"I can't tell you what it means to meet you. It's an honor, you're a hero," Katara told her.

"I never thought I'd meet another Southern waterbender. Let alone two. I'd like to teach the two of you what I know, so you can carry on the Southern tradition when I'm gone," Hama offered.

"Yes, yes of course! To learn about my heritage, it would mean everything to me," Katara jumped in excitement.

Celina still had some hesitations but knowing that Hama was a waterbender made things a bit better. "It would be an honor to learn from another master."

"Wonderful! We'll start tomorrow, but until then let's eat."

With things set up, the group settled into dinner. Celina helped Toph steer clear of the modified stewed sea prunes but otherwise, everything else was delicious. After dinner when everyone else was heading to bed Hama stopped Celina and pulled her into a sitting room.

"I couldn't help but notice that you became a bit tense while we were cooking dinner." Celina couldn't help but wince, hearing that Hama picked up on her discomfort. "Did I do something to upset you?"

"No! No. Sorry, it's not you. You've been absolutely lovely. It's just… meeting you has brought up some unpleasant memories of home. I wasn't exactly the most liked person in the Southern Water Tribe. Being odd doesn't exactly fit with some of the community, even if you are the Chief's daughter."

"I can relate."

"You can?"

"I have my own hobbies that even the Southern Water Tribe found odd. Ever since I was a little girl I was in love with puppets and putting on shows for all my friends. Once I reached marrying age however it was looked down on. People expected me to settle down and leave that passion behind. But us strong willed women don't leave our passions behind so easily do we?"

"No, we don't," Celina lightly chuckled.

"So I continued with my love of puppets. Sure, I lost some friends but in doing so found a friend that meant the most. My friend, Kana. I've missed her terribly. She was always so supportive about designing your own path"

"Kana? That's my grandmother!"

"By I live and breathe. The spirits must have blessed me. Not only to discover two more benders from the Southern Water Tribe but that they're the grandchildren of my most cherished friend." Hama got up from her seat and moved to Celina, pulling her into a tight hug. "Our meeting has lifted my heart to the highest of places it's been in a while. Thank you."

Celina patted Hama's back as she indulged in the hug. A woman who could understand her feelings about her Tribe. She never imagined she would meet someone like that, someone she could relate to. Perhaps the spirits were in favor of them meeting. Celina sent a silent prayer of thanks to whoever arranged their paths to cross.

o

Zuko was surprised when he arrived in the spirit connection to find that Celina altered the space so that it reflected one of the poles. After dinner and her conversation with Hama, Celina was feeling nostalgic for the most pleasant memories of the South Pole. She didn't bother conjuring anything relating to the village and instead put them in the middle of the snowy fields. Seeing Zuko arrive Celina smiled warmly.

"I know you're a firebender and all but I think you're gonna need something a bit warmer," she said, already wearing her old coat.

Once she said that Zuko felt the cold chill of the pole. Concentrating he switched over to a coat similar to Celina's but kept to Fire Nation colors. Upon the change he instantly felt warmer.

"I wasn't expecting you to take us to the Poles. Which one are we at? Or is it an amalgamation of the two?"

"The South."

"Even more surprising."

"Yeah, well, not everything about my home was horrible. And I've been craving those wonderful parts. Care to share them with me?"

Zuko couldn't help but smile as Celina shyly offered her hand. He answered by gentling placing his hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. Celina's eyes brightened before pulling him along towards what looked like a waddle of penguins.

"So we're gonna need a ride to get to my most favorite place in the South Pole. Normally to wrangle a penguin you'd need some fish for bribery. But since I'm an animal whisper - and that this place does whatever we wish - that's not needed. Just follow my lead."

"Aren't I already doing that?"

"With the penguins, Mr. Funny Man."

Once they were close to the waddle of penguins Celina let go of Zuko's hand and walked over to one of the penguins on the outskirts. The penguin was curious about her as she leaned down in front of it and gently lifted a hand for the penguin to smell. Finding Celina not to be a threat the penguin nuzzled into her palm. Seeing that she was accepted Celina began to scratch its head before moving into more affectionate pets. The penguin cooed happily as it enjoyed the attention. Celina looked over to Zuko, and nodded to a nearby penguin for him to try.

Zuko was a bit nervous when he approached but trusted Celina. Besides if it didn't work out they could just conjure a penguin to do whatever Celina wanted. Luckily it didn't come to that. The penguin was hesitant at first when Zuko presented his hand to smell but after a couple of sniffs, nuzzled into his palm.

The two petted the penguins for a bit until the penguins walked out of their hands and headed behind them. With their heads the penguins nudged Celina and Zuko up towards a hill. Zuko looked towards Celina to make sure this was what was supposed to happen and saw an excited smile on her face. At the top of the hill the penguins stopped pushing them and headed towards the edge, laying on their stomachs.

"So what now?"

"Now we get on."

Celina quickly situated herself on her penguins back and waited for Zuko to do the same. The firebender found it awkward getting onto his own penguin, not wanting to accidentally hurt it. But he got himself situated and then with a sharp whistle from Celina the penguins were off.

The two sped down the snowy hills, the penguins taking sharp twists and turns. Zuko felt his stomach jump into his throat as the penguins launched into the air off a snowbank that was more of a ramp. There was a moment that seemed like they hung in the air before landing back on the ground. The giddiness of adrenaline kicked in. Zuko let out a short whoop of excitement as the penguins continued on.

Eventually though the penguins came to a stop close to an icy cave. Celina and Zuko got up and thanked the penguins for the ride before the animals waddled away.

"Did you typically travel by penguin?" Zuko teased.

"No, but it's the fun way in my opinion."

"I'd have to agree. Now, where did you take us?"

From the outside there was nothing special looking about the icy cave in front of them. "It's better if I show you." Taking Zuko's hand the two of them journeyed into the cave.

They walked hand in hand for a while before the small tunnel opened up into a cavernous labyrinth of clear icy walls. Walls so clear that they acted as mirrors. Zuko stared wide mouthed at the bright spectacle, wondering how far light traveled to brighten the space. Celina watched as he broke off to walk closer to the icy walls, running his hand over the smooth surface.

"What is this place?" His voice echoing throughout the labyrinth.

"I call it the Cavern of Mirrors. It's my favorite place in the South Pole to just get lost in." She spoke gently so that her voice wouldn't echo. "But the best part is when the aurora australis is going on."

Zuko knew about the Southern Lights. He had experienced them himself during his search for the Avatar. It was a beautiful natural phenomenon that left him in awe every time he saw it. He'd stay out on the deck of his ship for hours just watching them.

Not leaving it to the imagination, Celina altered the space. The cavern darkened, Celina and Zuko's reflection fading as the walls were aglow with the wave of bright colors. A moment of silent appreciation as the two of them just took in the beautiful moment, staring at the glowing walls in awe.

It was interrupted as a ball of yellow light appeared before sprinting off through the labyrinth. Celina shot Zuko a quick look before running after it. Zuko chuckled before following after her. Dulled reflections ran across the walls, heading deeper into the Cavern of Mirrors. Adrenaline up, Celina began giggling which morphed into laughter and as if it was contagious Zuko began to laugh as well. Echoing laughter bouncing off the walls seemed to encourage the small ball of light to run faster.

The two tried their best to keep up with it but in trying to up his speed Zuko ended up tripping right into Celina. Midfall Zuko grabbed hold of Celina and twisted around so that he hit the ground first. Laughter was replaced by grunts before the labyrinth grew silent. The small ball of yellow light didn't wait for them to get up and instead continued speeding away, leaving them behind.

Celina went to get off Zuko but his hold on her tightened so instead she rolled around so that she faced him. Feeling that he was tense Celina placed a gentle kiss on his jaw before nuzzling her nose against his. Soon she felt his hold on her loosen as Zuko relaxed. Stopping her motions the two of them just stared at each other, the light of the aurora australis shining on their faces. Seeing the lights make Celina's gentle eyes sparkle, Zuko felt himself falling deeper for the waterbender. Taking advantage of the moment he reached up and kissed her. A pleasant surprise that Celina happily indulged in.

o

Hama took the two girls out the next day after breakfast while Sokka, Aang, and Toph headed into town. The three of them walked for a while out of the village as Hama led them to a large field. Still, as they walked the older woman started her teachings.

"Growing up at the South Pole, waterbenders are totally at home surrounded by snow and ice and seas. But, as you probably noticed on your travels, that isn't the case wherever you go."

"I know. When we were stranded in the desert I felt like there was almost nothing I could do," Katara admitted.

"That's why you have to learn to control water wherever it exists."

"I've even used my own sweat for waterbending."

"That's very resourceful. You're thinking like a true master. But did you know you can even pull water out of thin air?" Hama threw her hand out and created a circle over her head, collecting the moisture in the air. "You've got to keep an open mind. There's water in places you never think about."

Hama turned the water on her fingers to ice and threw them into a nearby tree, lodging them into the trunk. Katara looked on happily while Celina's mind took her somewhere else for a brief moment before shaking it off.

Continuing on they finally reached the field. Hama mentioned that she wanted to take them to an open place but failed to mention just how beautiful the place would be. The field was covered with fire lilies.

"Wow, these flowers are beautiful."

"They're called fire lilies. They only bloom a few weeks a year, but they're one of my favorite things about living here. And like all plants, and all living things, they're filled with water."

"We met a waterbender who lived in a swamp and could control the vines by bending the water inside them. It took me a little bit but I've taught myself how to plantbend myself thanks to the experience," Celina said.

"You can take it even further."

With a wave of her hand, Hama drew out the water from the fire lilies within a large circle leaving them dry, black, and shriveled. Using the water Hama focused it on a tall rock, slicing the top off into four pieces. Hearing something crispy near her ears Celina reached up and pulled the fire lily out of her hair. It appeared that Hama had taken the water out of that one as well.

"That was incredible. It's a shame about the lilies, though," Katara said.

"They're just flowers. When you're a waterbender in a strange land, you do what you must to survive. Tonight, I'll teach you two the ultimate technique of waterbending. It can only be done during the full moon when your bending is at its peak."

"But isn't it dangerous?" Celina asked.

"I thought people have been disappearing around here during the full moon."

"Oh, girls. Three master waterbenders beneath a full moon? I don't think we have anything to worry about."

Hama began to lead them into the forest. Katara stalled to look over the dried flowers for a moment before following after her while Celina paused to pick out a fresh flower for her hair.

They continued walking for a bit before Hama stopped them to take a break. The older woman pulled out packages of food from her skirt pockets and handed one to each of the girls. Taking time for a break the women dug into their food and enjoyed some conversation between themselves.

"I don't believe I asked how the two of you learned the art. How did that happen with no other waterbenders in the South Pole?"

"A lot of it was us just seeing what we could do in the beginning," Celina started.

"Celina figured out a lot more than I did. After we started traveling she began to teach me what she knew."

"Then we made it to the North Pole where we beat back the patriarchy while also studying healing techniques."

"Beat back the patriarchy?"

"The North wasn't exactly open to women becoming fighters."

"But we changed that. I challenged the master to a battle and convinced him to train me. After Celina battled the master though we discovered that she was on a higher level and was deemed a master herself."

"Deemed a master without any proper training. That's quite an accomplishment."

Neither Celina or Katara bothered to tell Hama that Celina did in fact receive training, she just didn't realize it at the time. While the girls were happy to have found another waterbender from the South they still agreed to keep Celina's connection to the spirits a secret. The fewer people who knew about it before the final battle the better.

"Thanks. But Katara's story is impressive as well. She's probably one of the youngest waterbending masters in history."

Hama beamed at the young waterbenders. "Such powerful young women. The South Pole should be honored to have you a part of their culture."

Celina smiled shyly at the compliment while Katara's eyes brightened. The three of them continued eating, Celina and Katara telling Hama a few stories about their travels, before cleaning things up and continuing farther into the forest.

o

Day turned to night as Hama took the girls father into the forest. Celina and Katara were a little nervous at first seeing as people were disappearing during the full moon, but upon feeling the moon's power they relaxed. Hama was right. They were three master waterbenders with the strength of the full moon. Nothing would be able to stop them. Which brought Hama to the technique she wanted to teach them.

"What I'm about to show you, I discovered in that wretched, Fire Nation prison. The guards were always careful to keep any water away from us. They piped in dry air and had us suspended away from the ground. Before giving us any water, they would bind our hands and feet so we couldn't bend. Any sign of trouble was met with cruel retribution. And yet each month, I felt the full moon enriching me with its energy. There had to be something I could do to escape. Then I realized that where there is life, there is water."

Celina straightened, flashing back to her encounter of Zhao at the North Pole. She had a feeling she knew where Hama's story was going.

"The rats that scurried across the floor of my cage, were nothing more than skins filled with liquid. And I passed years developing the skills that would lead to my escape. Bloodbending. Controlling the water in another body. Enforcing your own will over theirs. Once I had mastered the rats, I was ready for the men. And during the next full moon, I walked free for the first time in decades. My cell unlocked by the very guards assigned to keep me in. Once you perfect this technique, you can control anything or anyone."

"But, to reach inside someone and control them? I don't know if I want that kind of power," Katara shrunk back, looking at Hama in horror.

"The choice is not yours."

"If she's uncomfortable with the technique then she doesn't have to learn it," Celina said, coming to her sister's defense.

"But the power exists and it's your duty to use the gifts you've been given to win this war. Katara, they tried to wipe us out, our entire culture… your mother!"

"I know."

"Then you should understand what I'm talking about. We're the last waterbenders of the Southern Tribe. We have to fight these people whenever we can. Wherever they are, with any means necessary!"

And with that something clicked in place. "You're the one who's making people disappear during the full moons," Celina figured out.

"They threw me in prison to rot, along with my brothers and sisters. They deserve the same. You two must carry on my work."

"These are innocent people you're hurting, not soldiers fighting in the war. I understand your pain but what you're doing is wrong," Celina said, trying to talk her down before things got heated.

If only Katara caught onto that. "I won't! I won't use bloodbending, and I won't allow you to keep terrorizing this town. Neither of us will!"

A grunt passed Celina's lips as she felt her body being taken over, forcing her down onto her knees. She performed bloodbending before but this was the first time she'd been on the receiving end. It was quite a shock to her system. Hama was much harsher to Katara however. Celina watched in horror as Hama clumsily flung Katara around with her bloodbending before forcing her onto her hands and knees.

"You should have learned the technique before you turned against me."

Looking over and seeing her sister with tears streaming down her face heated Celina's core of passion. A passion that leaned more towards War's rage. The chance she had given Hama was gone. Finding a strength that came from either the full moon, her spirit abilities, or both Celina fought back Hama's bloodbending and stood up. Hama stared at her in shock which only increased as Celina grabbed hold of Hama with her own bloodbending.

"You should have asked if one of us knew the technique," Celina mocked.

Feeling Hama try to use the moons power to try and break free as she had, Celina strengthened her grasp. The old woman let out a gasp as she was lifted off the ground and held in the air.

"Just a harmless old woman? Such a kind old woman who smiles at her neighbors and waves as she goes by? All just a big farce as you wait in the shadows for a moment to torture them. Torture them for all that you went through with Fire Nation soldiers and hey, maybe for a bit of how you were treated in the South Pole. Or was that just another of your lies too? Just something you told me to get me to trust you? To bring me onto your side so that I can continue your dirty work? Well, let me end your reign of terror right now."

What she did to Zhao would look merciful compared to what kinds of bloodbending she was about to perform. She severed Hama's vocal cords and swelled her tongue. The old woman tried to let out silent shrieks of pain. Celina began ripping tendons one by one while shutting down organs as she moved up Hama's body, slow enough to still keep the old woman alive. Not even halfway there Celina noticed how close Hama was to passing out from all the pain. So as a final move before the pain took her, Celina moved up to Hama's brain and snapped the brain stem, killing the old woman.

Celina removed her hold on Hama, causing her dead body to fall to the ground. With Hama taken care of the passionate rage in Celina subsided. Calmed down she was finally able to notice an attempt of bloodbending on herself. Turning around she saw Sokka, Katara, and Aang looking at her with horror. Katara dropped her attempt at bloodbending her sister and proceeded to look down at her hands which began to shake.

The older girl's face paled. She didn't know when Sokka and Aang arrived but what the three of them witnessed was one of brutality. And that was even without them knowing what Celina had done inside. But her concern sat with Katara. Ever since discovering what bloodbending was she prayed that Katara would never have to learn about the dark technique. Now she did, and her only examples of those who had the ability were Hama who used it to torture people and Celina who just used it to kill someone.

"Katara, I…. It's not all evil…. I can teach you how -"

The young waterbender backed away from her sister in tears before running towards a nearby tree where she vomited. Aang rushed to comfort her as she broke out in harsh sobs. Celina took a step towards Katara but stopped and turned away in shame, not for killing Hama but for scaring her family. She hugged herself and stared at Hama's dead body.

Toph and the people that Hama captured arrived upon the scene. There was a mixture of shock and relief once they noticed Hama's dead body.

"What happened here?" one of the prisoners asked.

It was Sokka who stepped up to answer. "We were in the middle of confronting her when she collapsed. Her heart must have gave out."

The people were satisfied with his answer, just happy to be free from Hama's tyranny. Toph, however, was able to pick up on Sokka's lie but hearing Katara's sobs and feeling Celina's discomfort decided she didn't want to find out the truth for now. Everyone was just ready for the night to end.

o

After the excitement and fun of the previous night Zuko was looking forward to Celina arriving. He planned an exciting night and molded the scenery to a beautiful mosaic patio that he'd been daydreaming about all day. One with sheer red drapes strung on poles and paper lanterns hung about between them which blew slightly in the wind. Wind that carried petals of the cherry blossom trees.

All of Zuko's plans disappeared however when Celina did arrive, tears in her eyes. "What happened?" Celina just shook her head before letting a few of the tears fall. He was quick to move to her and wrap Celina in his arms. The girl sobbed into his shoulder, holding onto Zuko for dear life.

Morphing the scenery to one of comfort to Celina, Zuko transported them to her parent's garden, complete with the bench he'd so often seen. Instead of sitting on the bench, however, the two fell to the ground in front of it. And there they stayed for the night, Zuko doing his best to comfort Celina who cried silently for her sister.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to leave me a review and a crazy "So Tell Me About Yourself" answer.

"So Tell Me About Yourself" is an inside joke between me and my friends which started from my one friend's hatred for the typical getting-to-know-you question "So tell me about yourself". She, being so annoyed with the phrase, gave a silly answer that she murdered people in their sleep. When she brought it back to me and my other friend we both gave a silly answer. That is where the idea for my account name came from.