[ EU ] In honor of 12 years ... `` Aang believes he has discovered how to give people bending , aside from just taking it away , and asks Sokka if he would like to become a bender . ''

*'' I've thought about it. I mean, a lot. `` * 
 
 A trio of grey squirrelgulls twisted in lazy spirals overhead, swishing their forked black-tipped tails. The coastal wind turned and caught up with the pair as they walked along the docks of the budding Republic City. 
 
 `` Not, like, *a lot* a lot!'' Sokka clarified sheepishly. `` Just, y'know. A'lot.''' Like that was supposed to explain it. `` I thought about what it would be like. Or, really, I think about what it *would* have been like. I think of how I could've fought differently against Firelord Ozai. I think of the lives it could've saved—*I* could've saved—if I was a waterbender. Or even an earthbender. If you would've asked me on the night before we attacked the Firelord, there would've been no question, no hesitation. 
 
 ``... But now I'm not so sure.'' The pair paused in their stroll to look out at what would become the statue of Aang, framed by bamboo scaffolding, beginning to take shape on a little island out in the bay. `` Y'know what made me reconsider?'' 
 
 Aang canted his head just slightly to the side. Momo scrambled up from his waist and perched on his right shoulder, eyes to the sun as it began its final stretch towards the evening horizon. There were times to speak and times to listen, and while those latter times were seldom with Sokka, that scarcity made such moments all the more important to be aware of. 
 
 `` Suki,'' Sokka said simply. `` You take someone like her—no bending, just raw practice and skill and dedication and...'' He took a deep breath in through his nose. `` I never did tell you about how we escaped from Boiling Rock, did I?'' 
 
 `` No, Sokka. You never did.'' 
 
 `` Well it's a good story!'' Sokka blurted out, posing with grand flourish: `` With action! Drama! *Suspense! * Betrayal! And a *fight* like you. Would n't. *BELIEVE! *'' 
 
 Sokka's poise melted, and he leaned on the dock railing, turning somber as he looked to the west. `` That was when I learned what strength really is. 
 
 `` See, I used to think strength was being able to change something you did n't like. It's really easy to see that with bending—do n't like that rock? Then move that rock!'' Sokka pointed angrily at a nearby pebble at the edge of the path, shouting, *'' Move, rock, move! `` * Momo chattered in protest at the outburst, curling his tail around Aang's opposite shoulder. The rock turned out to be a juvenile snakesnail, which, perturbed by all the noise, poked its crimson head out of its rough grey shell, tasting the air with a forked tongue before beginning the slow and arduous trek towards the tall grass. 
 
 Sokka settled back on the railing. `` And then, when I trained with Master Piandao, I thought strength was one's ability to move with the world around them. It was n't until Suki... that I think I first began to understand what strength *actually* is.'' 
 
 Momo spread his wings and took to the air to play with the squirrelgulls. Sokka turned to look Aang square in the eye. `` Strength has to come from within, right? It's not about moving rocks or even slicing boulders with space swords. Strength is n't something you measure against other people, or even the elements. Strength begins inside the self. 
 
 `` Strength is waking up every morning not just *deciding* to be a better person... but *doing* something about it. It's walking one step farther, building one brick higher than you did the day before.'' Sokka looked past Aang, towards the half-finished buildings of the Republic City Central Plaza shining white and resplendent before a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. `` I've seen people use bending to make big giant buildings out of stones, or ice. Toph and her students can even make them out of metal! But strength is what makes a bunch of buildings a *city*. Strength is when you *actively* work to bridge the gap between a vision and reality. When I think of strength, I do n't think of rocks or ice, or even metal. I think of people. I think of... I think of Suki.'' 
 
 The warrior let out a sigh. `` I guess what I'm trying to say is... bending wo n't make me a better person. Only I can do that.'' 
 
 `` You already are strong, Sokka,'' Aang reaffirmed. 
 
 `` Well, I dunno about *all that*,'' Sokka managed to crack a grin. `` Not quite like punching rocks *out of the air*. Or leading my own warrior brigade. Or building a city! But I guess I turned out pretty all right, doncha think?'' 
 
 `` I would say so.'' Aang mirrored his smile. 
 
 `` And you, big guy—you turned out okay, too, I guess,'' Sokka chided, bumping the avatar's arm with his fist. Momo returned from his games with the squirrelgulls and perched again on Aang's shoulder, chittering and chirping. `` Yeah, you too, Momo.'' And then, without warning, Sokka's smile began to falter. 
 
 Aang took a step closer to his old friend. 
 
 Sokka's shoulders sank. `` Man, I really... *really* miss her,'' he groaned, bowing his head to hide his eyes. 
 
 `` I know,'' replied Aang, placing his hand on Sokka's shoulder.
