Average (TOH/ATLA Crossover/AU)

by NotToDie

Summary:

The Owl House, but what if it was set in the ATLA universe? Luz is an ordinary girl, she is one of the many people in this world who isn't a bender. When Luz starts to get this strange, prophetic dream, she begins to wonder, is she truly what she thinks she is?
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I took major creative liberty with both franchises, of course a lot of things will not be canon accurate to either! No, the avatar characters will not be part of this series, this is mainly taking the avatar setting/world building. There will be some parallels though! Feel free to leave suggestions! Some things are still up in the air (lol).

Notes:

Hi everyone! I forgot i had this account! I hope this is an interesting crossover, i thought it might be fun to create a TOH story in the atla world! If you have any suggestions for what benders (if they are benders) the other characters would be, let me know! I have most of them figured out, but you guys might be smarter then me and give me the most earth shattering, compelling reason why someone should be this sort of bender. Honestly if you have suggestions in general, let me know! This is for fun and I want you guys to enjoy it too!

Chapter 1: Volcano

Whispers echoed in Luz’s ears, ones she could not recognize. She had been having these strange dreams for months now, stood at the edge of an active volcano, a strange aching at the bridge between her eyes, and her mouth increasingly dry. When the dreams first began, they were distorted, draped in a layer of uncertainty. She had been afraid of the whispers and the silhouettes spinning around her, but now she could clearly see the ground she stood upon. The open mouth of the volcano, the earth shifting under her feet, the heavy winds whirring in her ears, and the distant river. As she stared into the mouth, she could feel hands rest upon her shoulders, before pushing her forward.

Luz jolted awake just as her hands reached out to the flaming liquid below. She had fallen backward in her chair, landing with a harsh thud onto the classroom floor, causing her to briefly be stunned. The eruption of laughter was what truly woke her up to reality, she had to blink away the sleep in her eyes before she remembered where she had fallen asleep. Right in the middle of a history lesson. Her face lit up red in embarrassment, a nervous smile spreading across her face as she laughed, slowly moving to sit up and fix her chair. “Whoops.. My bad guys.”

The classmates kept on with their quiet giggling even at the dismay of the teacher, who hushed them as she walked over to Luz. “This is the third time this week, Luz. Is everything okay?” She whispered.

Luz played with her fingers, “Yeah.. it’s all fine! I just haven’t been sleeping very good, but I’m fine. I’m good.” Luz stumbled, still trying to recover from the strange dream.

“Why don’t you go ahead and take a walk to the nurse’s office? Go get some rest, you learn better that way.” The teacher smiled gently, but it failed to make Luz feel any better. How many times had she been to the nurse by now? Not to mention, her classmates continued to stare at her as she gathered her stuff, like she had purple skin or something. She felt like she should be used to it by now.. But clearly she wasn’t.

Luz moved fairly slowly, staring at the wall art on the school walls. Different benders were depicted on the walls, famous ones from history, generals, artists, even the avatars themselves. Despite most of the population being made up of non-benders, it always seemed like the benders were given the spotlight. It made sense, in some ways, they were closely connected to the spirit world, and it took years of discipline to be as amazing as the benders depicted on the walls. The avatars especially. There was only one in the world at a time, currently it was Avatar Belos, or Emperor Belos as he preferred to be called. Normally Avatars weren’t the rulers of nations, they were meant to keep balance, but the rules and traditions had changed over time.

No one seemed to mind too much, at least not that Luz was aware of. He seemed like a fine Emperor of the bending nations. They were not so split up anymore, most places blended into a mixing pot, much like the city of Gravesfield. She imagined ruling over all the nations made sense to keep the balance. Then again, what would she know? She certainly wasn’t the avatar, she wasn’t even a bender. 

Luz arrived in the nurses office, sighing as she approached the school nurse. She narrowed her eyes at Luz. “Again?”

“Yup.. I fell asleep in class. Mrs. Ruth sent me down to take a nap.” Luz smiled a bit.

“Goodness girl, you’re killing me.” The nurse shook her head, “This is the third time, is there something going on at home?” She whispered the last part.

Luz’s heart dropped, before she laughed and shook her head, waving her hands around. “No! No nothing like that! I just haven’t been sleeping very well.”

“If you say so, but you know you can always talk to a counselor if you need to.” The nurse reminded.

“I know. I’m fine though.”

“I do have to call your mom. Go have a seat.” The nurse shooed her off.

Luz frowned, “Do you have to call my mom? I won’t be very long! She’s got a busy schedule at work and stuff..”

The nurse raised a brow, before shaking her head. “I have to tell her, Luz. Now please go have a seat.”

Luz sighed, walking toward one of the beds. She hopped up onto it, leaning back, her eyes falling onto the nurse’s helper. She had met her a couple of times, Emira, she thinks her name was. With long green hair and striking yellow eyes, she was a bender herself, as she mentioned once, but Luz wasn’t sure what type of bender. It didn’t matter, Emira was far more than that. She was older than Luz, a Junior, which made the freshman feel pretty cool when she got to speak to her like a friend.  “Hey Emira!” Luz grinned, waving. “Whatcha doin?”

“Hiya Luz! Homework.” Emira smirked, “Dumb math homework. You don’t happen to be good at square roots, right?” She snickered.

“Sorrryy, no. I’m awful at math.” Luz laughed.

“Darn. I’ll ask my sister then.” Emira tucked the homework to the side, turning her full attention to Luz. “Did you miss me so much that you came back to see me for the third time? What’s going on with you?”

Luz frowned, getting real tired of having to explain herself, but then again, she was just tired in general. She groaned, “I don’t know.. I just keep having this weird dream. I mean it’s just been the same one again and again, and it doesn’t make any sense!” Luz sighed in defeat.

“What happens in the dream?” Emira furrowed her brows, putting her cheek in her hand.

“Not much really. I’m standing at the edge of a volcano, looking down into it.. But it isn’t just a volcano. It’s also a cliff with trees, with a flowing river in the back, and the wind is blowing real hard.. Like the four elements! There is someone whispering to me too, but I can’t figure out who, or what they’re saying. Before I can do anything though, my shoulders are grabbed and I’m pushed into the volcano. That’s it. It’s so simple, but I can’t stop waking up!” Luz covered her face.

Emira scrunched her nose, tapping her cheek. “Sounds like someone is trying to tell you something, Luz.”

“Who?” Luz grumbled, “Why?”

“I think that’s for you to find out.” Emira laughed a bit, “I’m no fortune teller, or prophecy giver, but I know someone who is!”

“Who?”

“Well.. I lied, she’s not exactly either of those things, but she has connections to the spirit world. If you keep getting the same dream again and again, it may be some kind of spirit trying to talk to you. Her name is Edalyn, and she runs a shop down at the market. I can’t think of what her shop is called.. But she’s super recognizable! Lemme draw you a picture.” Emira pulled out some paper and colored pencils from her bag, beginning to doodle.

Luz furrowed her brows in confusion. “Woah- wait so she has connections to the spirit world, how?”

“I’m not 100% sure.” Emira shrugged, “She’ll probably explain it to you.”

Luz crossed her arms, “How do you know she has access to the spirit world?”

Emira laughed nervously, “Oh uh.. Rumors.” She held out the paper, with a really crude drawing of an old lady. From what Luz could tell, she had big white hair and a sharp, gold snaggle tooth. Emira was right, there was no possible way she could miss this woman if she found her, even with the horrible drawing. “But hey! Some rumors have reality to them! If she’s just some crazy old lady, oh well, but it doesn’t hurt to try, right?”

“Right!” Luz nods, tucking the paper into her pocket. “You really think my dream has some connection to the spirit world?”

“No idea!” Emira giggled before the nurse walked over, Emira quickly looked down at the table.

“Emira, you need to let Luz sleep.” The nurse scolded, sighing toward Luz. “Go to sleep.” She opened up a flask of water, beginning to bend it around her hands. It began to glow a soft white, before the fingers were laid upon her temples. A cold, soothing feeling rushed through Luz’s head, as she began to feel a sense of calm. She found water benders so amazing.. Her friend Willow was a water bender. She didn’t focus on the healing aspects like the nurse did, but rather how to move the water inside plants. Willow was an amazing herbalist, and equally as amazing with her ‘plant bending’ as she affectionately called it. It’s what Luz saw to be so great about bending, everyone did it differently. The fundamentals were the same, and a lot of benders shared the same drive as their home nation, but everyone harnessed it differently.

Luz craved to be a part of that, to have that sense of community while also getting to express her creativity through her whole body. She wondered what kind of bender she could’ve been if she was born different. Neither of her parents were benders, as well as none of her extended family as far as she was aware, so it never would have been possible, but it was nice to think about.

Before Luz had even realized it, she was back to sleep, having a couple minutes of dark, peaceful rest before the smell of cinders. Luz stared down at the volcano once again, it seemed more active, the bubbles popping and the lava rising. She wanted to focus on it again, but she remembered that there was someone waiting for her. She turned around, her heels touching the edge as a figure began to make its way up the rock. She recognized him, the avatar. Avatar Belos often wore a deer-like mask to hide his face, rumors of an accident that he was greatly ashamed of. He had his fists clenched, the four elements buzzing around him. He was angry, and it was terrifying. Luz felt her heart pound outside of her chest, her brain filled with fear and curiosity. He was the one pushing her into the volcano? What could she have done to warrant the avatar’s wrath? She breathed in shakily, before standing her ground, locking her feet against the ground.

“I’m not going to let you push me again!” Luz screamed over the whirring of the wind.

He said nothing in response, his hands merely reached out and grabbed her shoulders. They were face to face, Luz could see his eyes under his mask, his pupils dilated with hate. She just didn’t understand why, but she knew Emira’s theory about this being connected to the spirit world was making far more sense. Why else would the avatar’s image be here? Why else would she be so lucid? It did not change the fact that he did not respond, nor gave any distinct answer. He pushed on her shoulders, causing Luz’s feet to skid across the ground.

Luz held on for dear life, her converse digging into the hard rock as she reached up, trying to push Belos’ by his arms. He was like an unmovable rock. “Could you talk to me? What did I do?” Luz begged, giving him a nervous smile, trying to ease his tension.

It did nothing, he kept pushing until Luz was dangling on the edge. She held onto his wrists for dear life, because even though she knew she couldn’t die here, it was still utterly terrifying to be dangled over a pit of lava. Belos’ arms began to heat up with flames, using fire bending to make his wrist cuffs so unbearably hot that Luz practically had to let go. Her fingers slipped, and she was pummeling back down into the lava again.

Luz jumped up again, breathing hard and glancing around at her surroundings. She was still in the nurses office, but Emira was gone. The nurse quickly rushed over, “What happened? Luz? Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah. I’m all good.” She gave a nervous little thumbs up, “I think I feel better! I’m ready to go back to class!”

The nurse furrowed her brows, not buying Luz’s insistence that she was feeling better, but she could agree that Luz needed to go back to class. “Lunch period just began, so go out to the courtyard, and get something to eat. Sometimes not eating enough will cause drowsiness too!” The nurse lectured, “I don’t want to see you in here again, Luz.”

Luz smiled, getting off the bed, adjusting to putting weight on her feet for a moment before giving two thumbs up and a big grin. “Gotcha! I’m never gonna come back!”

“Good. I’ll see you around school though.” The nurse smiled, ruffling Luz’s hair before turning to get back to work. Luz gathered up her belongings, quickly walking outside to the courtyard, looking to find Gus and Willow. She still felt heavy, like she needed to sleep for three days straight, but she hoped that would all end when she talked to this Eda lady. She was dwelling on what she saw though. Why would the avatar be showing up in her dreams? Much less try to kill her each time. Luz had never met the man, most hadn’t, seeing as he handled most affairs from his throne room.

Luz was interrupted by the sight of Willow and Gus, with the familiar clique standing over them. Boscha, Skara, and worst of all, Amity. She knew whatever was going on, it wasn’t good. She rushed over, standing between Willow and Amity. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing for you to be concerned over.” Amity spat, a scowl draped over her face. 

Willow sighed, “It’s alright Luz.” She gave a soft smile, holding one of her Venus Fly Traps in her lap, cradling it while Gus slightly hovered above it, seemingly protecting it.

“Yup! It’s perfectly alright! I was just giving Willow a few tips on how to improve her bending.” Amity smirked, “That little plant is pretty pathetic, after all.”

“It’s an adorable little plant!” Luz defended, “What would you know about water bending, Amity?”

“More than you.” She spat, “My mentor actually showed me a couple water bending techniques!” Amity bragged, putting a hand on her chest as she stuck it out. “I’d be happy to teach you, Willow! You definitely need it.. Seeing the way you bend at practice..” She laughed, the other two girls joining in on the giggling.

Luz watched as Willow’s face fell, her eyes drifting down toward the Venus Fly Trap. Gus was doing his best to comfort her, softly rubbing her back. Luz crouched down beside her too, beginning to rub her shoulder, glaring as the three girls walked off. She looked back at Willow. “Hey.. Don’t listen to her. You’re an awesome bender.”

“No.. she’s right. My forms are sloppy, I mess up and splash myself all the time. I just wish I could get it like she does!” Willow softly touched the top part of the Venus Fly Trap, as if petting it.

“Awh come on! Amity isn’t even a water bender! What would she know? She could learn some fancy techniques or whatever she said, but that doesn’t change that you’re a real water bender, and she isn’t.” Gus urged, a little smile on his face as he shook Willow’s arm. 

“Yeah! I bet she can’t move plants either, you take care of these little guys so well. I mean look at this little fly trap! He’s so green!” Luz grinned, rubbing the stem as if she were petting the cute plant.

Willow couldn’t help but smile and giggle, “Aww.. I love you guys.” Willow looked down at her plant. “Thank you, that makes me feel a little bit better.”

“We love you too!” Gus made a little heart with his hands, a big grin on his face. 

“What’s this guy’s name?” Luz asked, pointing at the plant.

“Philbert.” Willow giggled, “He’s my project for my after school water bending teacher! I’m supposed to show her unique ways to use bending.. So I decided to show my tricks with Philbert!” Willow began to show a demonstration, setting the plant down before getting up.

Luz watched in wonderment as Willow began to bend, amazed by her gentle, river-like movements. It looked almost like she was the water for a moment, calm, focused, as she began to move the leaves of Philbert, making his stem shift, and his mouth open and close. Luz grinned, it took everything in her to not get up and try to do the same dance, wanting to know how it felt to be a water bender. Willow then stumbled just slightly over her feet, and Philbert drooped over. “Ugh..” She grumbled in frustration.

“That was good!” Luz quickly complimented, a smile on her face before Willow sat down, carefully using her hands to raise him back up.

“Until I messed it up again.” Willow sighed.

“You’ll get it. You’re a great water bender.” Luz assured, before looking between her and Gus. “Hey.. could I ask you guys something?”

The two looked at her with confusion, and a bit of concern. “Yeah, what’s up?” Gus frowned.

“Oh it’s nothing bad!” Luz quickly clarified, shaking her hands, a nervous laugh coming up. “Just- do you think it’s possible for spirits to mess with people’s dreams?”

“Why would spirits mess with people’s dreams? Doesn’t seem like something spirits would care about.” Gus sat back in thought.

“Is this about your recurring dreams?” Willow asked.

“I’m not sure, and yes! Emira, that girl in the nurse’s office made a good point, that if I’m getting the same dream over and over again, it could be that the spirits are trying to tell me something!” Luz leaned forward, hands resting on her knees. “Not to mention.. I saw Avatar Belos.”

“You saw Avatar Belos?” Gus’ eyes widened, “What was he doing?”

Luz laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her neck, “Uhh.. pushing me into the volcano.”

“Did he say anything?” Willow grasped the flowerpot.

“No. He didn’t say anything, he just looked angry.” Luz sighed.

Gus tapped his chin, trapped in thought for a moment, “That could definitely mean something, but Luz, you’re not a bender. You have no connection to the spirit world!”

Luz frowned, looking down, “Right. I didn’t even think about that.” Just when Luz was starting to feel special, worth something, she was painfully reminded that she was just.. Average. 

Willow noticed her shift in emotion, quickly remedying the situation. “Anything can happen though, right? It doesn’t hurt to look more into this spirit world possibility! What’s your plan, Luz?”

Luz looked at Willow with soft eyes, before a smile spread across her face. “Emira told me to find this old lady that runs an antique shop in the market square. Apparently it’s rumored she has connections to the spirit world!” She pulled up the crude drawing to them. Both of the kids grimaced at it, unsure what to make of the drawing itself. “Do you want to come with me?”

“I’m totally in.” Gus grinned, “It would be awesome to know more about the spirit world! If this lady is the real deal.”

Willow smiled, “Count me in too, I’m happy to help you figure this out, Luz!”

“You guys are the best!” Luz wrapped them up in a tight hug. “We’ll go to the market after school then!”

Chapter 2: Scrolls

Notes:

Oh eda, you crazy freak of a woman. Comments and kudos appreciated, i eat them things up

The Gravesfield market square was one of the biggest in the world, it was filled with a mixing pot of different cultures, benders or no. It was normally pretty fun to run through the stalls, looking at all the new and exciting items, or try the different food, but seeing as the gang were looking for one specific person, it was getting a little frustrating. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, a huge, giant haystack with confusing turns and people pushing past the three kids as if they weren’t even there.

“Are you sure Emira wasn’t making this whole thing up? Her drawing didn’t even look real.” Gus pointed out, huffing as he was shoulder checked, causing him to stumble into Willow, who grabbed him before he could fully fall.

“So she isn’t a great artist!” Luz laughed a bit, “Still worth checking out! Who knows! Maybe this crazy looking lady is real!”

Willow and Gus both gave each other a look, their brows furrowed and their lips pursed. Willow put a hand on Luz’s back, giving her a gentle smile. “Let’s hope so, and let’s remember never to come to the market on a Friday.”

The three continued on their search, asking around about an older woman with a gold tooth. Most people either ignored them or shook their heads. It was beginning to look bleak, with the three being there until the sun began to set over the horizon, most people were beginning to pack up their stands for tomorrow. 

“Sorry Luz, maybe we can look tomorrow? I have to get home.” Willow frowned.

“Me too.” Gus added, “My dad is making stirfry tonight, I don’t want to miss that.”

Luz sighed, she didn’t want to go home at the moment, nor did she want to just give up and have another sleepless night. Luz glanced around the market, watching the vendors walk away with their belongings and goods, or lock them up for the night. It was fairly empty now, but it made her smile. “It’s okay if you guys have to go home, I’m going to stay a bit longer though!”

“Are you sure?” Willow frowned, “I don’t want you stuck out here by yourself, especially at night.”

Luz nodded at her, keeping her big smile before turning on her heels, walking off toward the back of the market, moving quickly. Willow and Gus sighed. “We should probably follow her.” Gus laughed, running to catch up with Luz, Willow trailing behind. The three quickly made their way through the empty market, before one of the vendors stood out to the three.

Her hair was like a big, white and grey lion’s mane. Honestly everything about her seemed beastly, her sharp nails, long fingers that gripped her strange wooden staff, her red clothes that were ripped at the hems, and when she turned around, her gold snaggle tooth and piercing eyes had made Gus and Willow take a step back. Luz took a step closer, looking up at this woman with furrowed brows. Something about her called to her, but she couldn’t say what or why. “Are you Edalyn?”

“Oh please, kid. No need to be so formal.” The woman gripped her staff a bit tighter, “You’re not one of them.. Emperor’s Guards by chance, are ya?”

Luz took a confused glance back at her friends, before her focus was brought back to Eda. It seemed like an obvious answer, “No?”

“Good! Yup. I’m Eda. Eda the Owl Lady, as I’m so lovingly called by all my adoring fans.” She smirked, taking a quick bow. Luz had taken notice of that wooden staff, an owl carved atop it. “Anyway though. Whatever ya gotta tell me has to wait, mama’s gotta get herself some apple blood.” She pushed past the three.

Willow and Gus looked at each other with a grimace. “Ehh.. Are you sure this is a good idea, Luz? This woman seems kinda-” 

Willow was interrupted by Luz, “-Crazy? Definitely.” Luz grinned, eagerly following behind the Owl Lady. She skipped up until she ended up beside her. “I only need a second of your time! My friend told me that you might have an answer to my problem.”

“I ain’t no problem solver, kid.” Eda groaned, attempting to walk a little faster. “Hows your friend even know about me anyway?!”

“I don’t think she knows that much, but she said that you know something about the spirit world.” Luz explained quickly, “Please, Ms. Owl Lady! I really need your help! You’re the only lead I got.”

Eda paused at her words, sighing and leaning on her staff. “What could you possibly need to know?” She looked down at the three.

Luz clasped her hands together, “I need to know what my recurring dream means! It keeps happening over and over and I’m losing sleep over it! No one has been able to help me, not the sleep meds, or melatonin, I keep getting the same.. Strange dream.”

Eda sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, “I’m not some.. Dream reader! You can go find some air bender guru to do that for ya!”

“Please, Ms. Eda, it’s not just any dream.” Willow jumped in.

“Yeah! It keeps getting more specific! Luz! Tell her about how you saw the avatar in it!” Gus urged. The mention of the avatar made Eda’s eyes go wide, before they narrowed once more.

“I’m seeing all four elements in it.. An active volcano, a flowing river, strong winds, and a sprawling cliff side! Then I turn around and I see Avatar Belos. He pushes me into the volcano every time I have that dream. It’s gotten more clear each time I’ve had it.. But it doesn’t last very long.” Luz breathed in, having rambled so hard she forgot to breathe. “Do you know what it could mean? If the Spirit World is trying to contact me?”

Eda glanced away, going quiet for a long moment out of thought, before speaking again. “What did you say your name was?”

“I never- Luz. And this is Gus and Willow.” Luz introduced, leaning forward in eagerness, waiting for Eda’s answer.

Eda leaned on her staff, “You aren’t a bender, are you?”

Luz frowned, sighing out at her question, her eyes glancing off to the side. Another quick reminder. “No. I’m not.”

Eda nods, “Guess I should’ve known this day would come..” She mumbled, before groaning, “Ughh.. Alright kid! I’m obligated to help you.”

“Woah what day? Why are you-”

“Shhhh shh..” Eda put a finger to Luz’s lips. “No more questions. Look. I’ll help you with this dream problem of yours, but not now, and not here.” Eda said quickly, “Don’t talk about this dream with anyone else, no one! You already blabbed to your friends, which is fine, but don’t say anything to your peers, parents, teachers, whatever! I live in a small house by the coast, walk through the forest, just let it guide you, when you get to my house, you’ll know.” Eda glanced around once again, “Tomorrow. Come by in the afternoon, ya don’t got school right?”

The three shook their heads.

“Good!” Eda grinned, “Then that’s the plan.”

Luz grinned, “Alright!”

“Woah Luz! Stranger danger, remember?” Gus whispered loudly, his face full of concern.

“Oh. Right! How can we trust you?” Luz crossed her arms, “You’re making this sound all secretive and.. Well, just secretive.”

“You’re just gonna have to trust me, kiddos.” Eda sighed, “Nothin’ else I can tell ya. I know I can help ya through it, but you just gotta trust me.”

Luz glanced back to Gus and Willow, both of them having a look of uncertainty. Willow gave Luz a soft shrug. “I don’t think it would hurt.. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Luz looked at Gus, who narrowed his eyes at Willow. “We get kidnapped?! Has that occurred to you guys?”

“I could’ve kidnapped you kids and been across the nation by now.” Eda smirked, spinning her staff, “I ain’t gonna kidnap you kids, I may put you three to work though! It’s related.”

Luz sighed, a smile spreading across her face, “I trust you, Eda! I want to know what this means, and get some better sleep.” She held out her hand for a handshake, which Eda returned. Luz noted how hot her hand was, it felt like she was shaking hands with fire.. And getting her wrist scraped by talons of a bird. She quickly pulled her hand back, hissing and shaking it to get the pain out. “Hot!”

Eda cackled, “Whoops! Shoulda warned ya!”

“Are you okay, Luz?” Willow frowned, taking her hand to check on it, there wasn’t any obvious wound. She still ran her fingers over it.

Luz nods, going to say something else to Eda, but just like that, she had made her way into the bar. The three stood in the empty market, alone. The street lights were the only visible light around, besides various lights that came from house windows. Luz turned to the other two, seeing their looks of confusion and concern.

“Luz, are you sure about this?” Gus frowned, “Look! I know you want to find out what this dream means and all that, but we just agreed to go to some old lady’s house.. In the woods!”

Willow sighed, “Gus has a point.. I know I said it couldn’t hurt, but still, something feels odd. Maybe there's another option?”

Luz frowned, hugging herself, “I’m not sure either, but I really don’t think there is another option! It sounded like it was urgent. Besides.. She said that she’s obligated to help me, and that she knew this was going to happen.. That has to mean something.”

“She could be tricking you, Luz.” Gus sighed.

“How so?” Luz became defensive, “What if she’s really got the answer?” She groaned, holding her head, “I know it’s super fishy, there's a lot of red flags.. But guys, I haven’t slept well in three.. Four days! As far as I’m aware, there’s going to be no end to these nightmares! Not unless I do something about it! If she tells me she has an answer, then I’m going to trust her.”

Willow sighed, shaking her head before placing her hand on Luz’s shoulder. “I trust you, Luz. I just want you to be safe, we both do.” She motioned to Gus.

“Yeah. I mean.. If all three of us go.. I’m sure it will be fine.” Gus clearly wasn’t that sure, his foot anxiously tapping on the pavement.

“Thanks guys.. I promise, if Eda shows even one sign of betraying us, we’ll get out of there.” Luz grinned, hugging them both again, “You guys are the best.”

“We know!” Willow giggled, hugging right back, before she looked up at the night sky. “Oh! We need to get home!”

“Oh fart!” Luz gasped, “Ohh.. Mama is gonna be so mad at me.. I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” Luz waved them off, and the three booked it in opposite directions, quick to get back home.

Luz just hoped her mom was working late, she was sure she was already upset about getting a third call from the school nurse, being late home would- well Luz wasn’t sure. She just knew her mom wouldn’t be happy about it. Luz ran fast, booking it across crosswalks without waiting for signals. She made it into the old town, the houses were smaller and much more crowded than the main parts where she went to school. Most of the street lamps were broken out here, making it hard for Luz to see exactly where she was going, but she managed to find her house. She hopped the gate, rushing through the front door. 

Her eyes fell onto her mother, sitting quietly at the kitchen table, dinner in front of her. As soon as that door had opened, Camila turned to her. “Luz!” She had a brief look of relief, before anger took over her features, “Where have you been?!”

Luz frowned, setting down her school bag and kicking off her shoes. She slowly sauntered over to the kitchen table, taking a seat with a sigh of defeat. “I got distracted at the market, sorry.”

“Ah. I see. So you’re sooo exhausted at school, but then you can go run around with your little friends at the market.” Camila crossed her arms, pausing as if waiting for a response, Luz did not provide one, she stared down at her cold dinner. “I was worried sick! Do you know what I think when you don’t come home?!”

“.. No.” Luz rested her forehead in her palm.

“I think something happened to you! You cannot run off like that without telling me, you need to stop assuming you can go anywhere you want.” Camila begged, holding her head, “You have a phone for a reason, I got you that so you can tell me these things.”

Luz simply nods, shutting her eyes as Camila continues. “I also need you to focus in class! I pay so much money to have you at that school! You can’t spend all your time in the nurse’s office or sleeping in class!”

“I’m just tired.” Luz whispered.

“Tired of what?!” Camila groaned, “My love, I work 12 hour shifts almost everyday to provide for you and me. Almost all of my money goes toward bills or you. I should be the one who’s tired! What is going on with you?”

Luz’s lip trembled at the question, the issue was, she didn’t have an answer. It was some stupid dream that was keeping her awake, one she promised she wouldn’t talk about. She didn’t think that Camila was asking about her lack of sleep though, it was deeper than that. She just shrugged her shoulders.

Camila sighed, shaking her head. “Luz. I cannot help you if you do not let me in. I cannot read your mind.”

“I don’t need help, I’m fine. I just.. Can’t sleep. That’s it. So I’m tired.”

“But why? Is there something bothering you? Is something going on at school? There has to be a reason.” Camila frowned, “Luz.”

“No.. no nothing like that. I just- I don’t know.” Luz clenched her fists, she couldn’t tell her what her dream was, but even then, would it matter? “I don’t know what’s going on with me.”

“Is it.. Your father?” Camila asked softly.

Luz’s eyes narrowed on the table. “No.”

“Because I saw the firebending scrolls that he gave you. You got them out again, the one about Princess Azura.”

“It’s not that!” Luz snapped, “Can you just leave me alone?! I don’t want to talk about it!”

Camila immediately got defensive, “You do not yell at your mother like that! I am trying to help you!”

“Well you’re doing a horrible job!” Luz slammed her fists on the table, rattling the plates. She felt an outstanding feeling of anger at the mention of her father, dread bubbling through her core.

“What is wrong with you?!” Camila snapped right back, “Go up to your room! Stay there! You’re grounded! Don’t bother taking your dinner there either!”

“I don’t want your cold dinner anyway!” Luz stood, beginning to storm up the stairs toward her room. Camila slumped back down in her seat, watching her go up the stairs before putting her head back in her hands.

Luz slammed her door behind her, storming over to her bed and flopping down into it. She pressed her face into the pillow, beginning to scream into it. Her mother frustrated her to no end. They had fought like this for weeks.. Even before the sleepless nights. It was grades, or why she kept getting called into the office, or long talks about the perceptions others had. Luz just felt like a freak around her, like she was always doing something wrong. By the end of the argument, she always brought up her father. Every time.

Luz turned, looking at her desks, where the old firebending scrolls lay. They all had stories on them, as well as firebending techniques drawn out over the paper. Her father loved to study old history, it was a side hobby he had gotten Luz interested in too. She was always interested in his stories of the great Fire Nation princess, Azura. She had brought the Fire Nation out of a long war and famine, effectively saving it from devastation. It had taken a lot of courage, and she had come up with a few of her own firebending techniques, long lost to time. The scrolls were rare antiques, and very important to her and her father. Now she had them, but she could do nothing with them. She wasn’t a fire bender, neither was he, but he treasured them. Luz just had them sitting in her desk drawer to rot away. 

Luz sighed, longing to be as important as Princess Azura, to bring peace.. To be worth something. That would show her mom for sure. She wasn’t some fuck up. Luz fell asleep with that on her mind, the scrolls, and her meeting with Eda tomorrow.

Chapter 3: The Pile

Notes:

Luz has no sense of stranger danger clearly. Sorry for taking so long with this chapter, i've been fighting for my life at work and everyone and their mom wants me. Enjoy! Comments and Kudos appreciated!

Being grounded had never stopped Luz before. With her mother working twelve hour shifts, it was easy for Luz to sneak off. Luz listened to her mother’s loud footsteps from the kitchen, she was mumbling to herself, but Luz could not hear it. She didn’t care anyway, it was probably about work, or her. Luz shut her eyes, curling deeper into her bed as Camila opened her door, the light pouring into her dark bedroom, making Luz tighten her eyes.

“I’m off to work, mija.” Camila said quietly.

“Okay.” Luz muttered.

“I left you some breakfast in the fridge.”

“Okay.”

Camila frowned, glancing to the side, before looking back at her. “I’m trying, Luz. I really am. I just wish you would help me out a little, and tell me what’s bothering you.”

Luz hugged her pillow tighter, burying her face into it, she said nothing. Camila sighed, and just like that, the door shut, putting Luz back in the dark.

Luz sighed as well, listening to her mom pad off, the front door opening and closing. She was alone again, not a single sound besides the buzzing of the AC and the house settling. The house used to be much more lively, even when her father was sick, he would sit on the couch and playfully tease Camila, or he would cook them breakfast and pretend the sausages were his guts. He was so loud, Luz could never sleep in, and that used to annoy her. Now he was gone, and she still couldn’t sleep in. She couldn’t sleep at all. 

Luz laid in bed till noon, she didn’t really do anything that entire time, just stared at the top bunk and thought about what Eda could have in store for her. She was snapped out of her day dreams by a knock at her door. Luz shot out of bed, checking her phone. “Oh shoot..” Luz ran off to the door, opening it to Willow. “Willow!”

“Hi Luz.” Willow smiled, “I thought we should walk together! I don’t want to go through the forest alone.”

“Me neither. I’m glad you came.” Luz grinned, “Give me a sec to get ready, I sorta lost track of time.” Luz left the door open for Willow to come in, sauntering off to her room. Willow followed till they reached the door. She stood beside it as Luz went in to change. “Where’s Gus?”

“His house is on the way to the woods, so I thought we could pick him up on the way over.” Willow leaned on the wall, “I wanted to talk to you about something too.”

Luz frowned, walking out of the room. “What’s up?”

Willow looked at Luz with soft eyes before smiling, trying to ease Luz’s worries. “Oh.. It’s just Amity. You know she’s been picking on me and stuff.. I’ve gotten used to it by now.”

Luz crossed her arms, “What did she do?”

Willow sighed, “She took Philbert.”

“She took your plant?!” Luz grumbled, “Ugh.. I’ll get him back for you, Willow, promise! I just don’t understand why she would do that.. I want to believe she has a heart underneath all of that rock.”

Willow glanced off to the side, “Maybe. Anyway, it’s fine for right now! Let’s go talk to The Owl Lady, there will be time to get Philbert back!”

“I just don’t understand. Why would she take Philbert? What does she have to gain from that?” Luz followed Willow out the door, walking toward the woods and subsequently Gus’ house.

“I’m not sure.” Willow shook her head, “I don’t want to talk about it anymore, Luz, sorry. Let’s just focus on you today, I’m sure Eda has a lot to tell you.”

“I hope so. I’m kinda nervous. Is that weird?” Luz normally wasn’t so anxious. She tended to do things with little thought, then get anxious about how she came off to others afterwards. It felt strange to be so anxious over the future.

“No Luz, that’s not weird. I’m nervous too! Nothing the three of us can’t handle though. I mean.. She’s just an old lady.” Willow shrugged.

“True! If she turns out to be some creep, we can just show her who she decided to mess with! Two waterbenders, and.. Me.” Luz laughed, although it trailed off.

“Don’t sell yourself short.” Willow frowned, “You have plenty of talent. It may not be bending, but you’re a good writer, and a good artist!”

“Psh.. none of those help in a fight though, Willow.”

“You never know.”

The two gathered Gus and traveled through the woods. It wasn’t a very long walk, as they did what Eda said, they let the forest guide them. Luz didn’t know what it meant, not until an owl began to hoot. It stepped along a branch, staring down at them. Luz stared back, only to follow as it flew through the woods. The three cautiously stepped off the path, and traveled deep through the woods, only to step through to the other side of the forest, a clearing, and a large house with an owl on the front. The three stood at the edge of the forest and the clearing.

Luz felt an odd feeling, something she couldn’t quite place. She ignored that feeling, stepping over that imaginary line, approaching Eda, who sat in a lawn chair outside. She had been sun bathing from the looks of it, only removing her sunglasses when she saw the kids approach. “There you are! Took ya three long enough, makes me think you aren’t serious about this.” Eda chuckled.

Luz shook her head, “No! We’re definitely serious about this, Ms. Owl Lady! Now please, tell me what’s going on with me!”

“Patience.” Eda grumbled, “I haven’t finished my tan, besides, my information doesn’t come free! Go on, move that trash over there into my shed.” She pointed off to a large pile of random junk as she pulled her sunglasses back down.

“You want us to do your chores?” Gus groaned.

“I told ya yesterday I was going to put you to work! Do you want my knowledge or what? Go put the junk in the shed!” Eda demanded.

Luz looked at the two, both Willow and Gus had a look of annoyance on their features. Luz gave them a reassuring smile, “It’s fine! I’ll do it, I mean this whole thing is for me, right?” Luz sauntered off toward the pile, it couldn’t be that hard! As Luz stared at the tower, she felt a sense of dread, things stacked upon things, it did make her wonder how any of it was supposed to sit in the tiny shed. “Uh.. Could I throw some stuff away?”

“Throw the stuff away and I throw you in the boiling sea.” Eda said nonchalantly, chewing on some fire flakes.

Willow and Gus approached from behind Luz. “Let us help. It’ll be faster.” Willow smiled, pulling out a couple of water bottles from her backpack

“Yeah. I think you would be at this for a year if you did this by yourself.” Gus chuckled, eyeing over the pile.

“Thanks guys.” Luz beamed, before trying to assess the situation. She began to circle the pile, tapping her chin before grinning, grabbing an old red wagon. She pulled it back to the front, setting it against the pile. “With this, our time should be cut in half!”

“Half a year is still 6 months, Luz.” Gus teased.

“It wasn’t going to take a year.” Willow gently nudged him, to which he returned playfully.

“I’m thinking, the pile is too high and too unstable right now for me to climb up there.. so with both of you doing a little waterbending, I’m thinking we could grab from the top and put in the wagon.” Luz decided, “Do you think that will work?”

“With both me and Gus working together to get the stuff down, definitely! We’ll just have to be careful of any loose electronics in there.” Willow warned.

“I don’t see any electronics up there.. Only old blankets. Alright! Let’s do this!”

The three began their plan. Gus and Willow carefully waterbent the items down into the wagon, while Luz made multiple trips down to the small shed, carefully tucking the items into every nook and cranny. They repeated this process till about 3 pm, the pile finally gone and tucked away. All three of them were sweating with the heat of the boiling sea so close to them, Willow carefully washed their heads with her water, before they walked back to Eda, who was fiddling with some old cards. Luz stood in front. “We’re done.”

“Great.” Eda smirked, “Now you guys can clean up my kitchen!”

The three looked at her with disbelief, Gus and Willow groaning as Luz’s brows furrowed. “That took us three hours! My mom will be home soon and I have to get back, I don’t have time for more meaningless chores!” Luz argued.

“Then I guess you don’t want answers.” Eda narrowed her eyes.

Willow and Gus looked at Luz with concern, however Luz kept her narrowed eyes and clenched fists. “I guess I don’t. You’re just using us for free labor, I’ll go find an air guru or whatever you said. Come on guys, I’m sorry for wasting your Saturday.” Luz turned, beginning to walk off.

“Wait.”

Luz turned around again, Eda had a big smile on her face, standing up. “Good on you for standing your ground! You’re willing to put in the work, but you ain’t a pushover.” She stepped closer to Luz, hovering over her. “Us fire benders have to stick together.” She ruffled her hair.

Luz sighed in some relief, she really didn’t want to scour the world to figure out this stupid dream, and it made her heart full to hear the compliment from the older woman. She did furrow her brows in some confusion at her words. “But I’m not a fire bender!”

Eda crossed her arms, tilting her head. “Sure you are. I smell it all over ya.”

Luz tried not to be grossed out, nor question how she could smell it. “I’m not. None of my family are fire benders, or any benders at all. We’re just.. Plain ‘ol people.” Luz frowned, Willow gently rested her hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle look of reassurance.

“Well there isn’t anything wrong with that.. But you’re definitely a bender. How old are you, kid?” Eda smiled.

“I’m fourteen.” Luz wasn’t understanding at all, beginning to chalk it up to crazy ramblings from an old woman, if she were a bender, she would have known by now, surely.

“Ah.” Eda nods, not explaining why she cared. “Well kiddo, your dream is definitely connected to the spirit world, it’s giving you a warning.” Eda sighed, sitting down. “The dreams will go away with time, you just need to decipher what it is telling you first.”

“So what is it telling me?” Luz leaned in, putting her hands on the chair.

Eda frowned, letting out another sigh, “I don’t know how to explain it to you, cause I’m not so sure myself, but something is telling me that you have something the avatar wants.”

“What could I possibly have that he doesn’t? He’s the avatar and the Emperor!” Luz grumbled, “I’m a kid with no bending ability, I’m just.. Normal.”

“But you aren’t, you can’t. The spirit world can’t contact non-benders, hell! They can’t even contact benders without the bender reaching spiritual enlightenment! Don’t you think it’s strange that you just got there in your sleep? Kid.. I don’t mean to just upheave your whole world view, but the avatar, the emperor, isn’t a good guy. You are a threat to him somehow.” Eda frowned, “I got some of those strange dreams myself, I know I’m supposed to help you somehow.”

“But..” Luz glanced back to Willow and Gus, who looked just as confused and uncertain as she was. “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I. But we’ll figure this out. We’ll find out why the spirits are warning you about the avatar, and we’ll figure out your place.” Eda smiled, “Why dontcha stay overnight? I can help you get in a more lucid state for ya dream, and we can practice some firebending.”

“I’m not-” Luz was just conflicted, she kept getting told she was a bender, when she wasn’t, and she was beginning to get confused. She just hoped it made more sense as she figured this out, she just wanted the dreams to stop. “I actually have to-” Luz then looked at her phone. She should be going home, she can’t be staying over at some lady’s house in the woods. However, she didn’t want to go home. She didn’t want to see her mother, she didn’t want to deal with being grounded. She was already in trouble anyway, and it wasn’t like her mom could ever understand the complexities of what she was going through. “Okay! That sounds good. Maybe you can explain things a bit better.”

“I can try.” Eda laughed, “Trust me, kiddo, I’m confused too.” She turned to Gus and Willow. “See ya kids, get home safe.”

“Thank you.” Willow smiled, “Be safe Luz, you can call us if you need us.”

“Yeah! We’ll come running down.” Gus assured.

“Thanks guys! I’ll see you on Monday!” Luz waved before walking in. “So can you tell me more about why you think the Avatar is a bad guy?”

“Definitely. Let’s make some dinner first though.”