Dawn of a New Prince (Star Wars/Avatar Crossover)

"Um, yes and no," said Toph. "I mean, I slept for a while, and I felt better when I woke up. So I just came out here to stretch my muscles, get some training in." She smiled and patted her arm. "I have a few things to get used to, right? What about you?"

"I slept like a baby up until I had a little airbending baby calling me 'Uncle Sok'," Sokka noted wryly, nodding a little at what she said about her training. He grinned, "You're still the best earthbender I've ever scene, even better than the crazy old guy that trapped me and Katara in rock candy..."

"King Bumi, right?" Toph had heard the story. She beamed at the praise, blushing. "Thanks. That's... that's saying a lot."

Sokka felt his own face heat up, remembering that he and Toph were 'together'. He smiled nervously and looked over towards where the Sun was rising, "Well, it's true. I mean, you move differently from other earthbenders. They move stiffly and clunkily, but you're so gracefully it's kind of like you're dancing."

He blushed even more, "Don't tell Katara I complimented you on bending. She and Aang wouldn't stop playing with water otherwise."

She laughed. "Are they looking for your approval now?" she said. "Face it, Sokka. They'll play in the water forever, if they have any say about it." She patted his arm. "Just be grateful Aang is a monk and not one of those kinds of guys. He'll treat your sister right."

"Yeah, I guess I'm grateful for that, at least. He's a lot better than Jet and a little better than Haru... He could have been using that nice guy-victim act to slip past her defenses..." Sokka noted suspiciously. He grinned a little, "And I think he's a lot more traumatized from last night than I was."

*

Pathik sat at the westernmost point of the Temple, meditating and reflecting at what had happened the day and night before. He hadn't had such eventful days in decades, especially since he went into hiding when the Fire Nation's War started. He had a feeling that Zarael would be back soon from whatever business he had in Ba Sing Se. Perhaps he would have good news.

She laughed again. "Poor Twinkle Toes..." she said. "Well, I guess it's his own fault for never finding out about the birds and the bees, and all that stuff." Her stomach growled. "Hey, wanna go find some breakfast?"

Sokka grinned, his stomach growling at the thought of eating for the first time since around breakfast yesterday. With all that chakra training, they had all forgotten about eating. He stood up, "You read my mind. Come on."

With a grin, he took her hand and headed for the room where they stored their packs.

She was a little surprised that he so easily took her hand. Sure, Toph knew things had changed between them last night. But she had not known how much, or how far. She had almost been afraid to bring it up, or act a bit more affectionate than usual, because of her insecurity.

Not that she was going to complain about this.

Only Sokka reserved the right the hold her hand and guide her.

Sokka grinned when they reached their packs, finally noticing he was holding Toph's hand. He blushed a little and let go. Their new relationship was going to get some getting used to, but he found it rather nice.

He grimaced as he searched through the packs, "Damn. Zarael took my bag of platypus-bear jerky. All we have is fruit, berries, and Katara's vegetables. He better get back soon."

"I'll say," said Toph. "I mean, I like having meat with my meals." She tapped a dusty foot against the pack. "I guess this is fine, though, for breakfast. Unless you feel like going out hunting or something."

"Eh. I'm hungry now," Sokka told her with a shrug as he took out a pear and bit into it, "Besides. When we came here, I think I saw the Guru meditating with birds all over him. I'm thinking he's another 'no hunting' wackjob."

Zareal/Iroh

"We've arrived," Zareal told his two companions as they reached the Eastern Airtemple. With a roar, Appa flew down into a clear area and landed. "The eastern air temple. Zuko came here to look for the Avatar after he was banished," Iroh said, seeming more like he was talking to himself than anyone else.

Toph winced. "Why do we have to run into those kinds of guys? Twinkle Toes is bad enough."

She sat down beside Sokka to share the light meal they did have. She had nothing against fruit... She just liked meat.

She hesitated for a few moments, her thoughts running rampant. Finally she sighed.

"Sokka... We're okay, right?"

Azula

Azula looked out towards the Eastern Air Temple, a calm anger burning underneath her skin as she realized that the Avatar was waiting there. And instead of arriving there to capture the young brat, she was there to work with him.

Zuko, along with Mai and Ty lee, would pay for forcing Azula to stoop so low. That thought was the only thing that kept Azula going at this point, pathetic as it was.

"It's no surprise my Grandfather had no trouble wiping out the Airbenders. This temple's defenses are pathetic." Azula stated to no one in particular.
------------------------
Anwar

Anwar stood in shock as he stared at the now burnt down apartment buildings that just the day before, he and Iroh had been sleeping in. It was perfect, in a sick sense, if Anwar thought about it.

His Brother's death, the Avatar getting away with it, Anwar eventually meeting up and bonding with one of the Fire Nation's (former) elite generals, the out he was given by Jet, the fact that he rejected and got Jet arrested under some hope of a new life, and now, that new life was gone. All over the matter of six months.

"Wow...." Was all Anwar could manage to say as tears welled up in the Warrior's eyes. It was time to leave, before the Dai Lee caught him.

(I'm back on for awhile. At at a friend's house)

Sokka chuckled a little at the comment about Aang, but almost choked on his fruit when she brought them up. Damn. He should have seen this coming.
t
"Well," he blushed a bit, "You're still my best friend and, well, our feelings are out in the open. Unless they've changed?"

He scratched the back of his head. Was liking a girl that was once just a friend always this awkward?

"Mine haven't changed," said Toph. "It depends on how you feel, Sokka." She sat up straight. "I think Appa just came back."

"Well, I really do like you. You're the best friend I've ever had and you're," he blushed, "Very pretty."

He looked away and nodded at what she said, "Good. I guess we should see Zarael?"

"If you want to," she said.

Toph was blushing after he had called her pretty. She really didn't care, but being complimented by the guy she liked meant a great deal to her.

Aang

Aang sighed with relief once he saw Zareal land Appa. The Avatar went over to greet the Jedi and his bison, though paused upon seeing the two new companions Zareal had brought with him. An older, nice looking gentleman (who looked oddly familiar...) was one of them, while the other was a girl near Katara's age, who had a scar on her face like Zuko did. That was...interesting.

"Who are they?" Aang inquired of the Jedi, gesturing toward Iroh and Azula.

Zareal/Iroh

Zareal hopped down off of Appa, landing gently thanks to years of physical training, and rubbed Appa's side in thanks for his service. "Aang, I've brought some allies with me who will help us fight Vader. This is Master Iroh," he said, gesturing to the older man as he climbed down Appa, "and Princess Azula," gesturing to her as he said her name.

Sokka nodded at Toph and walked over towards Appa. They were safe and they were talking. That was good. Whatever was between them, and he knew there was something, they'd just have to find out.

When he saw the people with Zarael, however, Sokka felt his eyes practically pop out of their sockets, "Zarael, are you insane?! That old guy travels with Zuko! He'd turn us over to him in a snap!"

((If memory serves correctly, I don't think...wait...yeah, I don't think the Gaang ever had a run in with Azula. And if they did, it was brief. Sokka shouldn't really remember her if they ever did meet, especially since Azula has that scar now. And just because she's royalty, does not mean she is Fire Nation royalty. Yue was a princess, I think. For all Sokka knows, she's a princess from some important EK kingdom-city.

However, Sokka would be more realistically worried about Iroh. He should remember him as that old guy that was with Zuko every time in season 1. Remembering that Iroh was once a companion of Zuko, Sokka would be justified in being suspicious of the old man.))

(Ah. I'm sorry, Magus. I'll edit. Oh, and I'm back. )

Zareal/Iroh

"Zuko has not traveled with me since we parted ways," Iroh said. "Vader found him after and he became what he is now. The metal man has taken my nephew from me and poses a threat greater than I've ever seen before to the world. I would never help them."

"I know this is difficult to accept, but you all share this planet as your home, and Vader wants to take it from you. Will you squabble and divide yourselves further, while Vader unites your foes with fear and hatred," Zareal asked.