Chapter 1

Two ears had passed since the day Pein had arrived in the middle of desert. Now, that same desert was renamed the Land of Rain and it's capital was Amegakure. While Pein did not oppress the people that lived within his nation he did enforce the peace in this land. His territory stretched for one-hundred miles in every direction from the center of the capitol. The rains that enshrouded the nation were not a constant as it had been once before. Now Pein would only rain the area every other day, and only for a few hours at a time. It was a clockwork. Everyone knew the timing and everyone knew when and where to be when it happened.

Pein while initially thought to be the Avatar returned, quickly dispelled that notion and was once again heralded as a god among men. His Six Paths of Pein were seen as prophets or saints by the people while the teenage boy that would ever so often make an appearance was their god. He had managed, so far, to bring and keep peace in this land, buried deep in the heart of the Earth Kingdom. Which brings us to the present...

Pein was seated, reclined on a beam jutting out over the top of a tower. This tower was erected to the same specifications as his tower in his own world. He enjoyed his moments up here in the open air. Whether one believed it or not, Pein loved the feel of the harsh former-desert's sun against his skin. After a lifetime of a sickly, disabled body, being able to experience sensations in his own flesh was an amazing thing.

As Pein was reflecting, a man entered the room, his short black hair was slightly disheveled. He was dressed in a simple set of yellow shorts and a brown sleeveless shirt with a darker shade around the neckline. "Lord Pein," he called out, his voice reverent and formal, "The Earth Kingdom sent an army to the south of Ame. They're heavily armed and demanding that we send all of our young men to fight a war with the Fire Nation!" The alarm in his voice was palpable, causing the young man to blurt the words a good deal faster than he was meaning to.

Pein turned his young face towards the man, his Rinnegan burning a hole into the man's soul. "I see. Would you like to attend the battle with me and Animal Path?" Pein asked. While he himself was no stranger to fighting, Pein refused to let his citizens become combatants. Though, it was not uncommon that Pein allowed his people to witness his battles.

The young man fell to the ground, kowtowing in complete submission. "My Lord, I would be ecstatic to accompany you!" he exclaimed, joy rolling off of him in waves. Pein smiled warmly at the man and turned towards the city, his attention focused on his people. As one, both Animal Path and Nagato spoke loudly to those around them.

"To the people living in peace within the Land of Rain, I, your Lord Pein, am granting you a display. Once again the Earth Kingdom has come to our peaceful nation in the demand that we give up all that we hold dear and sacrifice all of our children and your husbands in the futile attempt at fighting a losing battle with the Fire Nation. I shall not allow a single soldier to set foot on the soil of our great nation. To any capable and desiring of watching, this battle will take place in the southernmost town. Already there is a growing army of Earth Benders waiting to see how futile it is to fight a god."

The sounds of praise and cheering erupted into the air. The cries of people eager to live in freedom, and more than happy to raise their families without the threat of a war taking them. Pein was their savior. Pein was their god. The need for an Avatar was no longer. These people had something new to believe in.

(Elsewhere)

Sokka and Katara were on a small raft fishing. It had been at least a year since their father had left with all of the adult males. Sokka, who was only now coming of age, had already begun to shape up into a fine young warrior. His confidence was low, but he had the courage of the bravest Mouse-Lion!

Katara, even being a female in a male warrior society, was just as brave and battle-ready as her brother; though she did not have half of the confidence problem her brother did. Even now Katara was displaying a skill that many adults would be envious of, she was working the water, pulling and pushing a tide at their small fishing boat. She had a huge grin plastered on her face as she tried going just that extra step.

Sokka, who was growing a bit annoyed, turned to his sister. "Katara! Can't you practice your water magic somewhere else? I'm trying to fish here!" he demanded, though his words were harsh, his voice held no threat.

Katara gave the cheesiest grin of innocence one could ever muster as her brother glowered. As soon as his back was to her, Katara returned to playing with the water. As she began to lift a tuft of water in the air, her excitement got the better of her. "Sokka! Sokka! Look what I can do!" she called out as she began to make the water dance through the air from one side of the boat to the other.

Sokka, busy as he was, decided to humor his sister, and managed to turn around just at the perfect time to get a face full of floating water. Sokka deadpanned and wiped away his face. Katara for her part was enjoying a good laugh. "Yeah, yeah laugh it up!" Sokka retorted as he turned back to his fishing.

It was at this moment that an iceberg erupted from the water before the two. The iceberg was huge, large enough to be its own private island. Before either young teen was able to do much more than gawk, the sudden displacement of water sucked the raft towards the floating ice and literally beached the kids. Sokka tumbled end over end, finally coming to a stop as his chin kissed his knees, leaving his butt high in the air. Katara landed a little more gracefully, but not by much. The young water tribe girl landed squarely on her bum and slid right up to and against her brother.

(Southern Town, Land of Rain)

Animal path, who was assigned to remain in this region stood guard at the entrance to the land of Water. There were no soldiers on his side of the fence, yet as he stared outwardly at the ten thousand soldiers over the wall, there was not an once of trepidation. It was as though he had already won the battle.

Nagato, accompanied by five hundred citizens all singing songs of praise while marching, entered the town from the east and continued their march right through the small town, causing a large crowd to be drawn out. Even as the crowd grew, so did the singing and rejoicing. No one had any doubt that Lord pein would be victorious. There was no signs of worry, and there was no reason to feel fear so long as Pein was their leader and ruler.

"Pein! Pein! All hail Pein! Pein the bringer of peace! Pein the restorer of life!" Pein the god that raises the dead to life! Pein the great!" Pein the Divine Juror!" over and over the chants rang out, adding in verses as the citizens could think of another great feat that Pein had accomplished. Today would be the day they added defeating of an entire army single-handed.

(South Pole)

Katara and Sokka's gaze fell upon what looked to be a figure frozen solid within the ice. Without asking, Katara grabbed Sokka's sword and began beating the club-like back end against the ice to free the boy. Her waterbending might be advanced considering she had no teacher, but that didn't mean she was a master just yet, and unfreezing water takes time, practice and mastery to do.

Sokka was beside himself and shouting angry words of disapproval as the ice cracked open.

A brilliant jet of blue light erupted high into the sky, anything above water with eyes was able to see this light.

(In the Distance)

Sitting on the deck, eyes searching through the thick fog, a young man who suffered a scar across half of his face was quite surprised to spot a beacon in the distance. Here he was searching the South Pole, wasting his time and fuel in search of an Avatar that long ago vanished from existence. He'd caught a lead about a man refuting the claim of Avatar, but was said to be able to use any element at will and even raise people from the dead. If not for the brilliant spectacle before him, Zuko, banished prince of the Fire Nation, would have turned his ship around and headed for the land of Rain.

Lucky for the prince he found the first out of place happening in the Southern edge of the world in nearly a hundred years. "Helmsmen, Zuko cried out as he charged through the ship. His voice was authoritative, and demanded respect. "Set course for that blue light! Top speed."

(South Town)