Chapter Text
Cedrella sat in her study, flipping through a novel. Life had become quiet on Air Temple Island since her youngest child had become independent years ago. Save for the occasional crisis on the mainland, she was left to her own devices.
Her (favorite) cousin, Marius, entered the room. A pained look was written across his face. “Ella? Cedrella, come quickly. It’s Septimus.”
Cedrella stiffened. She knew what that meant. She’d been expecting it for weeks. It was no secret her husband was growing weak. “You mean…?”
“Not yet. He’s on the way out.”
Cedrella stood abruptly, knocking her chair over in the process. “My… My children. Do they know?” They had come days ago to visit, when news of Septimus’ sickly state reached them.
“Our friends are gathering them. Come on, Ella,” Marius urged softly. Cedrella allowed him to lead her to her shared bedroom, where her husband was resting. Where he had been resting for moons.
She approached his bedside, practically falling to her knees. Cedrella knew she should be comforting her children. Their children. But the world around her melted away as she watched her lover’s labored breathing.
“Septimus,” she whispered. There wasn’t a response. “Sep,” Cedrella tried again in vain.
She was vaguely aware of her surroundings. A hand on her shoulder. Muted cries. The healer explaining why Cedrella’s everything couldn’t reply. She paid no mind to any of it.
She simply laid her head on her lover’s chest. Listening to his heartbeat, feeling his lungs inflated and deflate…
She stayed there for a long time. Eventually, Septimus’ breathing began to slow. Cedrella wasn’t quite sure when it stopped, and she didn’t move. However, a gasp from one of the watchers finally drew her attention. Cedrella glanced up in time to see a small golden light exit her husband’s mouth.
His time in this world had come to an end. And thus, the Avatar Cycle began anew.
…
A snowstorm tore through the Southern Water Tribe. It was far from the worst they’d experienced, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant.
Three men walked together through the village, stopping at a small hut. The youngest of the group scoffed sardonically at the sight. “So this is it, huh? Attempt number… Eighteen?”
“Nineteen,” another corrected.
“Now, now,” their leader scolded. “Don’t allow yourselves to be discouraged. We’re running low on age-appropriate kids to check. We’ll find them eventually. Perhaps this is the one.”
“Sorry, Albus. But it’s hard not to get frustrated. You’ve been using the same line for the last dozen attempts.”
“That’s because it’s true. Do you care to knock, or would you rather stand out here in the blizzard and chat?”
The youngest sighed, raising his fist to pound on the heavy wooden door. A few moments later, a woman cracked it open. “Dumbledore! It’s an honor to have the Order of the Phoenix pay my family a visit.”
“Please, Euphemia, the pleasure is all mine. And call me Albus.”
“Of course, Albus. Come inside. It’s freezing out there,” Euphemia encouraged. She widened the gap, stepping aside for the men to enter.
In the center of the room stood a man, busy tidying the cozy space. “This is my husband, Fleamont,” Euphemia informed the guests.
Fleamont stopped what he was doing, pivoting on his heel to face them. “Ah, welcome! We can’t thank the Order enough for coming. I know the trip from the North is tedious.”
“Yes, quite… We have many claims to investigate, both here and in the Northern Tribe. Unfortunately, all so far have turned out to be false.”
“Then you’ll be happy to know your search is over,” Fleamont assured.
“How are you certain your son is the one?”
The couple shared a look. “How about we just show you?” Fleamont suggested. Albus tilted his head, prompting him to follow through on the offer.
“James? Jamie, darling! There are people here to see you!” Euphemia called.
A block of earth was hurled past the visitor’s faces. A boy entered through the freshly carved hole in the wall. He relished in the awed expressions each of the visitor’s faces wore as they turned to face him. “Behold! I am the avatar!”
What followed was a series of clumsy punches and kicks, each releasing a sputter of flame. The Order members backed up to avoid the fire. They were forced to retreat farther when the boy shifted the earth beneath their feet.
He lifted a tiny stream of water into the air, swirling around the onlookers. After dropping it, he moved the chunk of earth he stole from the wall back into place.
In a final display of power, James punched a fiery streak towards the three Order members. It lit the tip of the closet man’s lengthy beard on fire. He calmly reached his fingers up to extinguish it.
Everyone sat in stunned silence for a moment. Dumbledore, the bearded one, then let out a hearty laugh. The old man’s eyes gleamed as he stared down at the boy. “Well, I suppose you make quite the compelling case.”
…
“Waterbending is made up of calm, flowing movements. It is the element of change and adaptability,” Cedrella instructed. She slowly lifted her stream into the air, controlling it through her fluid motions.
James put both his palms out, feeling past them to the snow on the ground. He jerked his fists to the side, taking the snow with them. Unfortunately for Cedrella, she was in the way. She went down under the wave of ice with a small oomph.
“Oops!” James exclaimed as his parents rushed over. Fleamont grabbed James while Euphemia went to Cedrella.
“Shoot, I’m sorry, Ella. I don’t think he realizes his own strength.”
“It’s alright, Effie. I’ve dealt with a great number of benders more powerful than him,” Cedrella huffed with amusement. She accepted Euphemia’s outstretched hand, allowing herself to be helped up.
“Still,” Euphemia murmured. “He needs to learn to be more careful.”
“You worry too much, Effie. The boy’s so young. It’s only natural that he’s so overzealous. With enough training, he’ll learn self-discipline.”
“Speaking of,” Fleamont interjected, “it looks like a storm’s brewing. Training might have to be cut short today. Cedrella should get back to her hut.”
“You’re probably right. In that case, I’ll see you all tomorrow. James, maybe practice some meditation?” Cedrella suggested. She accepted her small pack from Euphemia, turning to leave.
“Awww,” James protested. “Is it because I hit her?”
“No, James, it’s for her safety. She shouldn’t be out in the middle of a blizzard... But you definitely need to be more careful with Master Cedrella. You could’ve hurt her,” Fleamont explained.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“I know, and I’m certain she does too. I’m just telling you to practice some restraint.”
James nodded his approval before veering towards the retreating form of his teacher. “Bye Master Ella! Sorry for beating you up!”
Cedrella laughed, clearly getting a kick out of the whole situation. “That’s alright. Just remember to practice.”
The Potters pulled James back into their hut once Cedrella was no longer visible. The sounds of wind grew louder, punctuated by an eerie howling.
“Must be the polar bear dogs,” Fleamont mused.
Euphemia hummed in agreement. “Sounds like a whole pack.”
“Really? Can I go play with them?” James asked.
Fleamont sighed. James was never short on energy. “No, kiddo, they’re not domesticated animals.”
“Domesti-what-huhs?”
“Domesticated… It means they’re wild animals. They’re not usually fond of humans.”
“But what if—”
“Your father said no,” Euphemia interrupted, “and I do too. It could be dangerous. Not to mention, a storm is on the way.”
That just wouldn’t slide. James was used to getting what he wanted, and rejection never boded well with him. “Fine,” he huffed, heading for bed. His father chuckled faintly at the sight of James pouting.
He waited under the covers more patiently than anyone would expect from James. He bided his time, until both his parents were fast asleep.
This wasn’t the first time James had snuck out, and he wasn’t planning on it being the last.
Ever since those strange men had shown up at his house, he’d been getting poked and prodded and monitored. James hated restrictions, and all they did was try to control him. He was sick of it. So them and their million rules could shove it.
James grabbed his fur coat, bundling up in the soft material. Next, he swiped his bag from its hook, slinging over his shoulder. He pushed the front door open as quietly as he could manage, slipping through the gap once it was wide enough.
Trudging through the snow, James was lured farther into the icy wilderness by the baying of the pack. He called back to them, trying to mimic their yowls.
Eventually, the sounds grew closer. James ran up a mound of snow to discover a little white beast. It was entirely alone, which was odd—polar bear dogs always traveled in packs. And it was tiny, compared to how his parents described them.
“Wait,” James started excitedly, “you must be a pup! Why are you here all alone? Where’s your pack? Oh no, are you lost?”
The creature growled when James approached, causing him to pause momentarily. An idea popped into the boy’s head, and he began digging through his pocket. “It’s okay, I’m a friend. I won’t hurt you… You like fish, right?”
James pulled a strip of fish jerky from his jacket, holding it out to the pup. It stepped forward hesitantly to sniff the object. When James remained where he was, it grabbed the meat with its teeth and backed away. It tore into the jerky, devouring it in seconds.
“Gee, you sure were hungry. Do you want to play now?” Seeing the animal remain unresponsive, James tried a different approach. He dropped down onto all fours, leaping around.
The creature titled its head, silently observing the boy. It didn’t join in, but it wasn’t attacking James. It seemed more curious than anything.
James took it as a sign, flopping onto the snow beside his new friend. “See! I knew my parents were wrong. You’re not dangerous at all! We should go show them that—you’re—... Wait, which way is home?”
James swiveled his head, staring hard at the horizon in every direction. All he could see was the endless expanse of white. It didn’t help that the storm was picking up, the ice and snow blown into the air creating a thick grey haze.
“I think I’m lost too,” the boy admitted to his companion. “But… It’s fine! You’re in good hands. I’m a waterbender.” James tried to cheer himself up.
He stood and planted his feet. Then, steadied his hands, palms facing away from himself. “Not just any waterbender, either… I’m the avatar!” James raised his arms, commanding the snow in front of him to move.
The structure didn’t form precisely how James had intended it to. It was more like a hollow, lumpy mound than anything. But it would do for now. “Ta-da! Igloo!”
James crawled through the small opening in the shelter. The polar bear dog followed. Inside, they were safe from the harsh winds, but it was still freezing.
Another idea entered his mind. “I bet I can warm us up,” James assured. He thrust his arm out, and a plume of fire much larger than he had intended shot from his palm. Both he and the dog stumbled back, startled.
“Shoot,” he mumbled when he regained his bearings. “I’m sorry. I haven’t had any firebending training yet. I’m self-taught, at least until I get the hang of waterbending. Master Cedrella—she’s my waterbending teacher—says I can’t move on to other elements until I’m finished with it. There’s a lot of rules like that. Actually, there’s a lot of rules in general. I thought being the avatar would be fun, but it’s just all rules! I wish I could just go back and—”
James was cut off by the dog rubbing its head against his side. After gaining James’ attention, it flopped onto its back, exposing its belly.
“Oh! Do you want belly rubs?” James teased, reaching a hand down to ruffle the soft fur. Surprisingly, his new friend allowed it. It even appeared to enjoy the loving. “What a good dog! Such a sweetie…”
A while later, once James had lavished the animal with (what he deemed) the appropriate amount of affection, his attention was drawn to its outstretched legs. He immediately noticed the little black pads located on the underside of the paws.
“Can you get any cuter?” James marvelled, squeezing the beans. The dog permitted it yet again. They were small and squishy, much to James’ delight.
James continued to pester the creature as the tempest raged on outside—not that it seemed to mind. At some point, with the help of a warm body, they drifted off to sleep.
James woke the next morning to the sound of frantic chatter. He groaned, burying his face into the nearby fur.
His slumber was rudely cut short when the packed snow above him was lifted away. The midmorning sun was too bright, forcing James into a fully conscious state. He was upset for all of five seconds before he realized where he was.
Bolting upright, James discovered himself face-to-face with his parents and waterbending teacher. “Mom! Dad! You found me!”
The couple breathed a sigh of relief, pulling the boy into their arms. “James, you worried us sick!”
“Sorry,” James mumbled into his father’s thick coat.
“You spent the whole night alone in the storm?”
“I wasn’t alone!” James exclaimed, moving back towards the pup. He patted its head in demonstration. “I was with my new friend, Padfoot! Can it come home with us? Pleaseee?”
Euphemia, taken aback, tries to reason with the boy. “What!? James, that’s—it’s—”
Cedrella stepped in, pulling the couple away from the younglings. “Every Avatar before James has had an animal companion. Perhaps this is his,” she suggested warmly. When they remained uncertain, she approached things from a different angle. “... And, perhaps it will give him a method to exhaust that unlimited stamina he seems to possess?”
The couple shared another knowing glance before Euphemia turned to her son. “James… You have to be the one to take care of it. Feeding and walking every—”
“THANK YOU! Thank you, mom! Did you hear that, Pads!? You can stay!” Padfoot yipped excitedly, encouraged by James’ energy.
The pair darted off in the direction of the village, tackling and tumbling as they went. Fleamont and Euphemia started after them, not trusting the kids to be left unattended.
The scene brought Cedrella a bittersweet sort of nostalgia. For a fleeting moment, she felt fourteen again. “Idiot,” she mumbled under her breath, fighting a smile. “You never change, do you?”