Avenging Avatar: Book 1- Water Chapter Twelve: The Storm, an Avatar: Last Airbender + Avengers Crossover fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Avatar the Last Airbender or the Avengers (MCU), only the story. Avatar the Last Airbender and its characters belongs to Nickelodeon and Avengers belongs to Marvel. I must inform you readers that after this episode I will be taking a short break from Avenging Avatar, but don't worry. I will be back with it. I have a few fans wanting me to get a move on with Dragon Ball Super GT. I apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.

Katara: Water, Soldier, Mechanist, God, Earth, Fire, Spy, Archer, Monster, Air

(One by one, eight figures do something to show off their skills: the waterbender weaves a stream of water from the ground, around him and then thrusts it towards the side, the soldier blocks an attack with his shield before throwing it, the mechanist has armor envelope him and then uses the repulsor on his hand to blast something on the side, the god holds a powerful hammer high to summon a bolt of lightning, the earthbender kicks the ground bringing up a large rock before he kicks it away, the firebender twists around as she summons fire from her foot before doing a high kick to the ground and makes the flames spread, the spy drops down from above and displays a few moves, the archer rolls across the ground and fires a few arrows, and finally the monster comes down from a jump and smashes his huge fists on the ground, the airbender drops down and then with a circle of his arms he creates a blast of wind.)

Katara: Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.

(Docked on a shore, five Fire Nation ships with the Hydra insignia released their soldiers. With a jump forward and a palm thrust, the firebenders released a wave of fire as the Hydra soldiers used their advanced technology.)

Katara: Only the Avatar, master of all four elements could stop them. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.

(The Avatar, a man with a crown on his head and dressed in robes stands on a pillar of stone as he bent the four elements of water, earth, fire and air to show his skill in the arts of bending. After releasing a powerful disk of wind, he disappears from existence.)

Katara: A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar: an Airbender named Aang and met the team called the Avengers.

(The water tribe siblings find a young Airbender frozen in block of ice. After freeing him, they are then joined by heroes called Captain America, Ironman, Thor, Hulk, Clint, and Natasha.)

Katara: And although with the teams help and his airbending skills are great, hehas a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone.

(At an Air Nomad path, Aang creates an air scooter and starts to have fun with it. But when he expands his circle a little bit, he runs right into a statue. He rolls over onto his back as all six of the Avengers then poke their heads from behind the statue to check on him.)

Katara: But I believe the Avengers and Aang can save the world.

(Aang, Steve, Katara, Tony, Thor, Bruce, Sokka, Clint and Natasha stand side by side, looking down at the world on a mountain's peak for a moment as the reader's view is turned upwards to the sun.)

Nickelodeon and Marvel

The Avenging Avatar

Avatar Roku: Previously, on Avenging Avatar…

Katara and Sokka watch in awe as a glowing iceberg bobs on the surface of the water…

Aang was confused when the villagers were afraid of him. Gran-Gran came and said, "No one has seen an Airbender in over a hundred years. We thought they were extinct."

"Extinct?" Aang questioned with a slightly shocked look…

Aboard the abandoned Fire Nation ship, Katara asked Aang, "Aang, how long were you in that iceberg?"

"I don't know, a few days maybe." Aang guessed. Katara pieced it together and said, "I think it was more like a hundred years."

Aang looked at her with wide eyes as she said, "The only reason you don't know about it, because you were frozen for that long."

"Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?" Katara asked in confusion. Aang looked at them, then reluctantly said, "Because, because I never wanted to be."

"You're just a banished prince." Commander Zhao said before adding insult to injury, "No home, no allies, your own father doesn't even want you."

"I really am the last Airbender." Aang sadly said after calming down from discovering what happened to his people.

Chapter Twelve: The Storm

While he slept, Aang dreamt that it was a sunny day while smiling as he flew through the air. He gave a small whip of the reins while Appa growled as he flew with his legs sticking out. On his left, Sokka wobbled while flying on his glider. The Water Tribe teen offered the Airbender a smile in which Aang returned it with one of his own. Then looking to his left while still smiling, Katara rose while she rode on a giant Momo's head. The giant lemur chittered as he flew by the bison while Katara waved at him. When he looked up, Aang's grin grew wider when he saw both Steve and Natasha riding on Cap's shield while a small calm whirlwind kept them from falling.

"We need you, Aang." Katara said as the six of them flew through the sky. Aang knew what she meant and said with a friendly smirk, "I need you, too."

But his smiling face changed when he looked ahead and saw rumbling storm clouds coming, changing the nice bright day into one for misery. Feeling fearful of it, Aang warned his friends, "Be careful, guys."

When they didn't answer, he looked around for them and asked, "Guys?"

Aang found himself and Appa flying alone in the dark and cloudy sky. He was surprised when a familiar face in a lotus position lowered himself in front of Aang and floated while the boy questioned, "Gyatso?"

"Why did you disappear?" His mentor/father figure asked as if he did not truly understand. Aang looked sorrowful when he said, "I didn't mean to."

Aang tried to touch the floating Airbender, but Gyatso dissolved into black dust. Aang covered his face as the dust blew onto him. When he looked up he, he was shocked to see that the storm clouds had gotten closer. As Appa flew closer to the clouds, a soft eerie voice said, "We need you, Aang."

When Appa entered the storm clouds, he started screaming as the winds became rough while it started to rain. The bison and the Avatar was knocked into the ocean. He started to lose his grip on the reins when a mixture of Gyatso and Katara's voices kept repeating, "We need you, Aang. We need you. We need you, Aang. We need you."

Then a flash of lightning and the darkened figure of Fire Lord Ozai appeared.

Aang woke up with a startled gasp that sent a chittering Momo running across Katara, Steve, Natasha and Sokka, waking them up with a startle as well before the lemur jumped into Appa's saddle. Sokka was the last one to shoot up while clutching both his boomerang and knife while groggily asking while he looked around, "Uh, what's going on? Did we get captured again?"

Aang was quick to make them relax by saying, "It's nothing. I just had a bad dream. Go back to sleep."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Sokka said as he laid back down. While Aang laid down and curled up, Steve, Katara and Natasha all noticed how reluctant Aang was being about the nightmare. Steve then asked while keeping his voice down, "You sure you're okay, kid?"

"You know we get worried about you, right?" Natasha added, doing the same. Katara added her two cents into the mix and asked with a whisper, "Are you all right, Aang?"

"I'm okay." Aang said as he laid there thinking. None of the three really believed him as Katara said, "You seem to be having a lot of nightmares lately. You want to tell me about it?"

"I think I just need some rest." Aang said before closing his eyes. Katara, Steve and Natasha all looked at each other before letting it go. They were about to lay back down when Sokka shot up and said with a smile, "You guys want to hear about my dream?"

All three of them gave him deadpanned looks before Natasha said, "Just go back to sleep, Sokka."

"That's okay." Sokka said as he was both annoyed and bummed to not being able to tell it. He shrugged it off while saying as he laid back down, "I didn't want to talk about it anyway."

The other three followed suit to get some rest.

The next morning as the sun rose and waves crashed against the shore, Appa gave a rumbling yawn as he prepared for another day of flying. Katara and Steve walked over with supplies in their arms. Katara bent down to pick up a few things that were lying around as Steve tossed what he had up to Nat. When Appa lowered his head and looked like he was praying, Aang looked along the sky and happily said, "Look at those clear skies, buddy." Then standing up he watched as a flock of geese in v-formation flew south as he said, "Should be some smooth flying."

While the others continued packing and Momo chased a bug to eat, Katara looked into their sack of food and found it empty. Then she said while walking up Appa's tail, "Well, we better smoothly fly ourselves to a market, 'cause we're out of food."

The bison lifted the appendage as she made her way to the saddle. When she stepped in, Sokka looked in shock as he remembered something and warned to the others as Momo flew up next to him, "Guys, wait. This was in my dream. We shouldn't go to the market."

"What happened in your dream?" Katara asked while kneeling down to a pack of supplies. Steve came up beside the bison and asked with a skeptical look, "Do we really want to know?"

"I think we're about to find out." Natasha commented as all four people looked the teen. Sokka had an ominous look on his face before he eerily said, "Food eats people."

All four of them gave him deadpanned looks while Katara shook her head and Steve commented, "I knew and called it."

"Also," Sokka quickly added while pointing to the lemur as he scratched his ear, "Momo could talk." Momo looked at the teen when Sokka gave him an irritated look with crossed arms as he said, "You said some very unkind things."

The lemur's ears drooped because of this. Momo chittered as if to say he was sorry. Natasha walked over to the lemur and picked him up to start stroking his ears. Then she said to make him feel better, "There, there, Momo. He's just upset that he couldn't take those words like a man."

This only made Sokka scowl at her while she smirked and carried Momo to the other side of the saddle.

Prince Zuko's ship

The same flock of geese honked as they flew over the ship of Prince Zuko as it sailed. The prince, while looking through a telescope, General Iroh and the Winter all stood on the deck of the ship. Iroh took a deep breath before saying, "There is a storm coming, a big one."

Both Prince Zuko, putting the telescope away, and the Winter Soldier look to him before the latter asks, "How do you know this?"

"I have smelled it on the wind." Iroh explained. But Prince Zuko was skeptical when he said, "You're out of your mind, Uncle." The prince walked to his uncle and pointed out, "The weather's perfect. There's not a cloud in sight."

"A storm is approaching from the north." Iroh said, sticking with what he feels. Then he turned to Zuko and suggested, "I suggest we alter our course and head southwest."

But Zuko wouldn't have it as he said, "We know the Avatar is traveling northward, so we will do the same."

"Hey," The Winter Soldier interjected. Both men looked to him as he said to Prince Zuko, "it may not be any of my business, but I think it would be wise to heed your uncle's advice."

General Iroh smiled in appreciation before he became serious as he said to Zuko, "Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew."

"The safety of the crew doesn't matter." Prince Zuko shouted. The Winter Soldier looked surprised at the prince's outburst. All three of them turned to see the lieutenant walking up the steps. When he turned to them he gave them questionable look. Then Prince Zuko glared and walked over while saying, "Finding the Avatar is far more important than any individual's safety."

The lieutenant glared as the prince walked away. Both General Iroh and the Winter Soldier walked over and watched with the lieutenant as Prince Zuko walk into the ship and close the door behind him. Iroh tried to reassure the crewman by saying, "He doesn't mean that; he's just all worked up."

"I mean no offense, general," The Winter Soldier said, "but he's letting this chase with the Avatar cloud his judgement."

General Iroh sighed as he knew that the Winter Soldier was right.

Dockside Market

Back with Aang and the others, Appa was currently floating in the water at the docks with the other boats. The group was currently in the middle of purchasing food for the trip. However, Katara wasn't entirely convinced of a melon she held in her hands. The saleswoman assured her that it was fine, "Ah, it's good. It's perfect, I'm telling you!"

Katara tested it by shaking it up and down to listen to the insides of the melon. It made her unsure as she lightly commented, "I don't know if I like the sound of that swishing."

"Come on, Katara. Just buy the melon." Natasha complained. The saleswoman seemed to be in agreement as she came around and said, "Swishing means it's ripe. It's the ripe juices swishing around, huh!"

"I think it's true, Katara." Aang said in agreement with the saleswoman as Sokka started to walk by, "Swishing means it's ripe."

"I'd listen to your friend, little missy." A man with a small moustache and orange tinted glasses as he walked by. Aang, Natasha, Sokka, Steve, Katara and the saleswoman gave him slight questioning look as he walked away.

"However," Steve warned. Katara knew what he meant and told the saleswoman while putting the melon back, "I just realized we're out of money anyway."

The saleswoman's fell before she let out an irritated groan, "Ugh!" Before swiping the basket out of Sokka's hand. When he walked by, she gave the Water Tribe teen a good kick in the rear.

The six of them stood out on the docks as Sokka rubbed his sore backside and complained, "Out of food and out of money. Now what are we supposed to do?"

"You could get a job, smart guy." Katara rhetorically said with her hands on her hips. Natasha sighed and sarcastically said, "Let's keep a lookout for any WANTED posters."

The three kids gave her questionable looks when Steve corrected her meaning, "What she meant to say was that we should keep a lookout for someone who is looking for workers."

"Oh." They all said in realization. Their attention was then stolen by a couple when the woman told her husband, "We shouldn't go out there. Please, the fish can wait. There's going to be a terrible storm."

Her last few words surprised Aang. But the fisherman wouldn't have it as he pointed out to her while she rubbed her hands, "Ah, you're crazy- it's a nice day. No clouds, no wind, no nothing." Then he jabbed a stubborn finger at her, "So quit your nagging, woman."

"Maybe we should find some shelter." Aang suggested, feeling that the woman was right. But Sokka was skeptic as every when he questioned, "Are you kidding? Shelter from what?"

"My joints say there's going to be a storm, a bad one." The woman warned her husband while crossing his arms. But the fisherman remained stubborn and said, "Well, it's your joints against my brain."

Seeing that he wouldn't listen she said, "Then I hope your brain can find someone else to haul that fish, 'cause I ain't coming."

"Then I'll find a new fish hauler or two and pay them double what you get." The fisherman shot back. He smirked as he asked, "How you like that?"

Sokka ran up and said, "I'll go."

"You're hired." The fisherman said as he pointed at Sokka. He then noticed the troubled looks his friends gave him and then turned to question, "What? You said get a job." He smirked as he said, "And he's paying double."

"Double?" The fisherman questioned. He gave Sokka a glance as he asked, "Who told you that nonsense?"

Natasha sighed and then said to the others, "I'll go with him to make sure he doesn't get into any trouble." Then she walked over to Sokka and the fisherman and said, "Mind if I tag-a-long?"

The fisherman looked Nat up and down before saying, "You do seem like a strong woman." Then he shrugged and asked no one in particular, "Why not?"

Prince Zuko's ship

Prince Zuko's ship soon came upon rolling storm clouds as it sailed. The Winter Soldier and most of Prince Zuko's crew stood out on the deck and saw the storm clouds roll in. The lieutenant turned to see Prince Zuko walking along the deck and said, "Ah, looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all."

Iroh walked in between them and smiled when he said, "Lucky guess."

"Lieutenant," Prince Zuko said as he turned to the man. Walking over he warned him, "you'd better learn some respect…" He lightly jabbed the lieutenant with two fingers as he said, "or I will teach it to you."

"What do you know about respect?" The lieutenant questioned as Prince Zuko walked away. Iroh tried to stop him with a motion of his hand and a wide grimace. Prince Zuko stopped a few feet from the older man before the lieutenant continued, "The way you talk to everyone around here, from you hardworking crew to your esteemed uncle, shows you know nothing about respect."

Iroh shuddered and feared for them man before placing an agitated hand on his forehead. Prince Zuko, on the other hand, took what the lieutenant said differently as he started to glare at the man's words. The lieutenant then said, "You don't care about anyone but yourself." Then he added an insult, "Then again, what should I expect from a spoiled prince?"

Prince Zuko's glare deepened before he turned to the lieutenant and assumed a Firebender's stance to challenge the older man to an Agni Kai. The lieutenant followed suit and copied the prince's form while Iroh tried to ease the tension, "Easy now."

Their wrist guards sounded like clashing blades when they crossed their outstretched arms. Prince Zuko's hand started to smoke and tremble from anger. But before either Firebender could do anything else, Iroh came between them and separated them with a push and a shout, "Enough!" Then looking between the two he pointed out, "We're all a bit tired from being at sea so long." Then placing his hands inside his sleeves, he suggested to the on edge Firebenders with a smile, "I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better."

Both the lieutenant and Prince Zuko stared at each other glaring before they turned away from each other. As the lieutenant and the others of the crew walked away, Zuko harshly told his uncle, "I don't need your help keeping order on my ship."

Iroh walked over to his nephew and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. But Prince Zuko shrugged it off before walking away, leaving a saddened Iroh and a slightly concerned Winter Soldier. Prince Zuko walked to where he was far enough on deck to view out to sea.

Docks

The storm clouds were starting to roll in over the marketplace as Sokka, Nat and the old man started to load the fishing boat. Aang took a good look up at the sky and strongly advised as Sokka carried a pack to the hole on deck, "Sokka, Natasha, maybe this isn't such a good idea. Look at the sky."

"I said I was going to do this job." Sokka said with conviction. He tried to sound brave as he tried to make a point, "I can't back out just because of some bad weather."

"Plus," Natasha said while walking up to Aang with a confident smile, "I'll be there to watch out for him."

"And the same from me to you." Sokka said before disappearing below deck. Natasha looked up and said, "Hmm." Then she shrugged it off before saying, "No, more so than you."

"Nat," Steve said and walked over to ask, "are you sure, you and Sokka should be doing this?"

"Yeah," Aang said in agreement. Then he pointed to the storm and said, "Something bad could happen out there."

"The boy with the tattoos has some sense." The old woman yelled at her husband. Then walking off she said, "You should listen to him."

"Boy with tattoos?" The fisherman questioned. Then he turned and looked Aang before saying, "Airbender tattoos.

"Well, I'll be a hog monkey's uncle." The fisherman said as he stepped off the boat and scared Aang a little. The fisherman asked, "You're the Avatar, ain't ya?"

"That's right?" Katara said with a smirk as Aang and Steve smiled as well. Natasha smiled for a moment before realizing his tone. It was proven that the old man wasn't smiling as angrily said, "Well, don't be so smiley about it."

The three's faces dropped as Steve and Katara gave him questionable looks. The old fisherman sounded angry when he said, "The Avatar disappeared for a hundred years!" He got closer and poked a finger to Aang's chest as he accused, "You turned your back on the world."

"Hey," Steve said as he got in between Aang and the fisherman, "that's enough."

Katara was in full agreement as she defended Aang, "Don't yell at him. Aang would never turn his back on anyone."

"Oh, he wouldn't, huh?" The fisherman sarcastically asked. Then he pointed out as if to make Aang feel guilty, "Then I guess I must've imagined the last hundred years of war and suffering."

The words really got to Aang, and Natasha noticed this from her spot from behind the fisherman. Steve and Katara continued to defend their friend with the latter moving in front of him and saying, "Aang is the bravest person I know. He has done nothing but help people and save lives since I met him." Neither her nor Steve noticed that Aang was slowly backing away, but Natasha looked to Steve and Katara as the Waterbender said with her arms crossed, "It's not his fault he disappeared." Then she looked back to her friend and asked, "Right, Aang?" When she and Steve looked back, they noticed the saddened look on his face as she asked, "Aang, what's wrong?"

"Kid?" Steve asks while reaching a hand out. But Aang turned and quickly took off on his glider. The young Airbender flew high over the marketplace and into the mountains. The old man walked up to the friends and shouted after Aang, 'That's right, keep flying!"

"You're a horrible old man." Katara shouted at him. The old man only scoffed at her as she and Steve ran by to Appa. Quickly climbing onto the bison's head, Steve held on as Katara took the reins and shouted, "Appa! Yip, yip!"

"Keep an out for Sokka. And stay safe, alright." Steve told Nat before they took off. Appa took off and caused a huge splash that drenched the old fisherman. Sokka had just started coming up the steps and commented to Natasha, "Hey, they left without saying good-bye to us."

"Your friends ain't too polite, are they?" The fisherman rhetorically asked after wiping off the water. Sokka felt he knew what he meant when he said, "I know!" Then he started to tell a story, "This one time, I was…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." The fisherman said as he wasn't really interested. He picked up a crate and handed it to Sokka and said, "Get below deck."

Then the old man walked off. Natasha stepped over and said to the Water Tribe Teen, "By the way, you wouldn't really be saying that if you knew why they left."

Sokka watched her as she picked up her own crate and carried it below deck.

Mountain Range

The rain started to pour as Appa flew along the mountains. Appa growled from getting soaked while Steve and Katara searched for any signs of their friend. As they rounded the side of a mountain, both the Avenger and Waterbender noticed a small cave with a path attached to the ledge. They looked to each other and then looked to the cave before seeing a figure sitting on the cave floor. They landed Appa near the ledge and Katara took a look into cave. She turned to Steve and nodded that it was him. When they came into the cave, they wiped the water off before looking to the Avatar. He knew that they were there as he sorrowfully said, "I'm sorry for running away."

"It's okay." Katara told him. Then she added, "That fisherman was way out of line."

"Actually, he wasn't." Aang said, not turning around. This confused both of his friends as Katara asked, "What do you mean?"

Aang looked back and said, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Talking about your troubles is actually the quickest way to put them to rest." Steve said as he and Katara walked in front of Aang. Katara knelt down and asked, "It has to do with your dream, doesn't it?" Placing a hand on his shoulder she said, "Talk to us."

"Well, it's kind of a long story." Aang admitted. The sound of Appa growling and a running while chittering Momo scared them a little. All three smiled as the bison lightly touched his nose to the back of Aang's head. Aang smiled up at the soggy bison while Katara stood up and said, "I'm going to try and get a little fire going."

"I'll help." Steve offered and stood up too while Aang stroked Appa's chin.

Thirty minutes later…

After getting the fire going, Katara stoked it with a small twig. Steve sat on the side with Katara, while Appa laid off to the side, and Aang sat with Momo in his lap. The room grew brighter from the fire as Aang began his story, "I'll never forget the day the monks told me I was the Avatar."

(Flashback, 100 years ago)

It was a bright and sunny day over the Southern Air Temple. Birds chirped in the trees on the mountains that surrounded the temple. In one of the areas of the temple, a few youngsters were having fun while a sky bison flew across the sky. Two boys were playing Rock, Paper, Scissors while Aang and a few others stood next to a staircase.

Aang: "I was playing with some other kids, just outside the south wall. I was trying to teach them how to do the Air Scooter."

"First, you form the ball." Aang told them as he weaved his hands to create the ball of air. Then he said while maneuvering it on the ground, "Then, you got to get on quick."

Then jumping onto his Air Scooter, Aang laughed as he kicked up dust while going in a circle. He moved it to rush past the other Airbenders and went upside down on the arch of the bridge, before running up alongside a wall. When he landed he kept himself and the Air Scooter balanced on the railing of the bridge before riding down the stair railing and shouting, "Oh, yeah!"

"Okay, here goes." A kid taller than Aang said before forming the scooter in his hands. Then placing the Air Scooter on the ground, the kid jumped on. But something went wrong as he landed on his rear and was spun around really fast while shouting, "Whoa… whoa… whoa…!

"Ugh!" Was the noise he made when he fell off. Aang jumped off his Air Scooter and it disappeared as he checked on his friend. He offered a piece of advice with an encouraging smile, "You kind of have to balance on it like it's a top."

"Man, that's hard." The kid admitted sitting up and placing a hand on the side of his head. Another kid came up to Aang and tugged on his sleeve before asking, "Where'd you learn that trick, Aang?"

"I made it up." The young Airbender said with a shrug and a smile. The smaller boy was impressed as he spun and shouted, "Wow!"

"Aang," Monk Gyatso said, making all the young ones look to him and the other four elders. Then Aang's mentor said, "come with us. We need to speak with you."

Aang looked to his friends before willingly coming. He felt as if he were in some sort of trouble.

Southern Air Temple inner chamber

"How do you know it's me?" Aang asked when they told him the news. Aang sat in the floor while Monk Gyatso and the other masters sat in chairs. Dour Monk explained, "We have known you were the Avatar for some time." Then removing something from his sleeve he asked, "Do you remember these?"

Then tossing it up into the air, the Dour Monk gave a light push with his airbending. The rolled up item fell before Aang and unrolled to reveal four item; toys. Each item was a different toy: a small plush turtle, a pull string copter, a wooden hog monkey and a little drum with an orange and yellow swirl with two beads attached by string. Aang looked in happiness as he said, "Those were some of my favorite toys when I was little!"

While he picked the pull string copter, the Dour Monk said, "You chose them from among thousands of toys, Aang."

Aang gave the monk a confused look as he said, "The toys you picked were the four Avatar relics. These items belonged to Avatar's past- your own past lives."

"I just chose them because they seemed fun." Aang admitted before pulling the string. It whizzed by and was watched by Monk Gyatso as Dour monk said, "You chose them because they were familiar."

"Normally, we would have told you of your identity when you turned sixteen," Monk Gyatso said. But he sounded distressed when he said, "but there are troubling signs. Storm clouds are gathering."

Aang gave a questioning look before the Senior Monk said, "I fear that war may be upon us, young Avatar."

"We need you, Aang." Monk Gyatso said. This caused Aang to really think.

(End of flashback one)

Prince Zuko's ship

Prince Zuko's ship was caught in the downpour of the storm as it continued to sail. Down in a section of the ship, the lieutenant took a drink of tea before complaining, "I'm sick of taking his orders. I'm tired of chasing his Avatar!" Then the lieutenant questioned about the prince's attitude to a few other crewman, "I mean, who does Zuko think he is?"

"Do you really want to know?" Iroh's voice spoke up from the railing at a higher level. The general moved within view with the Winter Soldier right behind him. The lieutenant was quick to stand up and tried to explain himself, "General Iroh, we were just…"

General Iroh quickly raised a hand to stop him and said, "It's okay." Then he asked, "May we join you?"

The lieutenant had no ill will about the general joining him, but he looked at the Winter Soldier and had his doubts. But the lieutenant said, "Of course, sir."

Both men walked down the steps and sat down around the fire. The Winter Soldier removed his mouth guard and placed it on the floor next to his seat. Stroking his small beard, Iroh told them, "Try to understand, my nephew is a complicated young man." The crew and the Winter Soldier looked to him as he said, "He has been through much."

(Flashback, two years ago)

In the Fire Lord's place, walking through the halls, a younger and not scarred Prince Zuko came down a path that led to the war room. But when he moved to go inside, a masked Firebender stepped in his way. Prince Zuko found this outrageous and demanded, "Let me in!"

A younger General Iroh came up behind him and placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder and asked, "Prince Zuko, what's wrong?"

"I want to go into the war chamber," Prince Zuko said. Then gesturing to the guard he said, "but the guard won't let me pass!"

General Iroh led his nephew away from the war chamber while saying, "You're not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring."

"If I'm going to rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can?" Prince Zuko pointed out. General Iroh knew that his nephew had a point and said, "Very well." But then he warned, "But you must promise not to speak." He sort of had a grimace as he said, "These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know."

"Thank you, Uncle." Prince Zuko said with a bow. Iroh placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder as the two of them walked in together.

Ten minutes into the war meeting…

The Fire Lord remained unseen as he sat on his thrown surrounded by flames. Everyone in the meeting listened closely as a general reported, "The Earth Kingdom defenses are concentrated here," He pointed to spot on the map, "a dangerous battalion, their strongest Earthbenders and fiercest warriors." Then he told them of his plan, "So, I am recommending the Forty-first division." Then he slide the Fire Nation pawn towards three Earth Kingdom pawns.

"But the forty-first is entirely new recruits." Another member of the meeting questioned, "How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?"

"I don't." The general revealed. He sounded sinister as he said, "They'll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait than fresh meat?"

"You can't sacrifice an entire division like that!" Prince Zuko angrily said standing up. He tried to speak to their hearts by saying, "Those soldiers love and defend our nation." Then he glared as he questioned, "How can you betray them?!"

Mostly everyone in the war room looked to the prince with silent looks.

(End of flashback One)

All five men looked to the general as he said, "Zuko was right, you see, but it was not his place to speak out, and there were dire consequences."

He hung his head as he remembered what happened.

Storytelling Cave

Katara was a little confused when she asked, "So you were upset that you the Avatar?"

"I guess some positions are more easy to accept than others." Steve said, thinking about Thor's place in Asgard. Katara poked the fire before asking, "Why wouldn't you be excited about it?"

"Well…" Aang stared to say. Then he honestly admitted while hanging his head, "I didn't know how to feel about it." Then he looked up and said, "All I knew is that after I found out, everything began changing."

(Flashback)

Air Temple courtyard

The other young Airbenders were laughing as they mastered how to do the Air Scooters. Aang walked in on them and saw how well they were doing. He complimented them, "Hey, not bad! You guys have been practicing."

"Not only that," Another young Airbender shouted as he went around Aang. He informed him, "we made up a game you can play with the Air Scooters!"

"Great!" Aang shouted in excitement before creating his own Air Scooter. But everyone else released their Air Scooters before Aang could play. Aang was confused by this and asked, "What's going on?"

"Now that you're the Avatar," the tall kid from earlier reluctantly said, "it's kind of an unfair advantage for whichever team you're on."

"But I'm still the same; nothing's changed." Aang tried to reassure them with a smile. But it faded when he asked, "So, what, I can't play?"

"That's the only fair way." The tall kid said. Aang dropped the Air Scooter before saying in disappointment, "Oh. Okay."

"Sorry, Aang." All the Airbender kids watched him go. Then the tall kid turns and asks with a pointing thumb, "Okay, now who wants to have Jinju on their team?"

Standing next to the wall was an Airbender coated in dust. The kid placed a hand on his chest with an awkward laugh and felt honored as he nodded in wanting to play.

Later that day…

In a room somewhere in the dorms, Aang and his mentor Monk Gyatso were playing Pai Cho. Aang was still glum as he pushed a tile from one side of the board to a spot next to a lotus tile. Monk Gyatso looked at it and said, "Very interesting move young one."

"What do you mean?" Aang asked in confusion. Placing a hand behind his bac, Gyatso secretly airbended a silent spiral of air that arch over their heads and threw Aang's shawl over his surprised head. Then while Aang was distracted, Gyatso quickly moved the tiles. When Aang lifted the clothing, he noticed what Gyatso did and said with a smirk, "Hey…"

The both of them started laughing, forgetting their troubles. That was until Dour Monk from earlier opened the door. Then he questioned Gyatso, "You're playing games with him?" He then said, "The Avatar should be training."

"Aang has already trained enough for today." Monk Gyatso said, taking his role as a mentor seriously. But the Dour Monk acted like he knew what was best and said, "Time is short." Then gesturing Aang to follow he said, "Come with me, I must test you on some high-level techniques."

Aang stood up to follow the Dour Monk, but Monk Gyatso knew what Aang needed most and said, "No." This surprised Dour Monk as Gyatso explained as a teacher, "As long as I am his guardian, I will decides when he trains…" And then he threw in a fatherly note by saying, "and when he gets his butt kicked at Pai Cho."

"Hmph!" Dour Monk said before walking away. Aang looked to his mentor with a smile.

(End of Flashback two)

This left the three of them sitting in front of the fire thinking.

Prince Zuko's Ship

"After Zuko's outburst in the meeting," General Iroh continued the tale, " the Fire Lord became very angry with him."

(Flashback)

In the throne room, Prince Zuko looked to his father as the Fire Lord made the flames rise higher.

(End of Flashback)

Iroh said as he stared into the fire, "He said that Prince Zuko's challenge of the general was an act of complete disrespect," But he became ashamed when he said, "and there was only one way to resolve this."

"Agni Kai: A fire duel." The lieutenant said in realization. General Iroh said, "That's right." But then told the rest of the tale, "Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted and declared that he was not afraid."

(Flashback, Agni Kai arena)

"But Zuko misunderstood." Iroh said as he remembered that day.

Both Prince Zuko and his opponent knelt on one knee as they mentally went over their training.

"When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the general." Iroh told him of how the Agni Kai went.

Prince Zuko turned and assumed his firebending stance as he readied himself. But it fell when he saw his opponent. His cloth slowly fell to the ground as he stared in shock at his opponent.

"Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Fire Lord's war room," Iroh explained about who was insulted, "it was the Fire Lord whom he had disrespected.

"Zuko would have to duel his own father." Iroh gravely said. Prince Zuko's eyes turned from surprise into fear.

(End of Flashback three)

Storytelling cave

"Then, just when I was starting to feel better, something worse happened." Aang said as he remembered what happened next.

(Flashback)

Monk Gyatso and Dour Monk had come before the Elder Monk to discuss Aang and his training.

"Aang needs to have freedom and fun." Monk Gyatso argued for Aang's sake. He was looking out for him as he said, "He needs to grow up as a normal boy."

"Hmm." Dour Monk said before turning to his fellow monk and said, "You cannot keep protecting him from his destiny."

"Gyatso, I know you mean well," The Elder Monk said. But then he said, "but you are letting your affection for the boy cloud your judgment."

"All I want is what is best for him." Monk Gyatso said for Aang. But the Elder Monk knew this but felt that Aang's destiny would get nowhere, "But what we need is what's best for the world." Then he made an uneasy decision, "You and Aang must be separated. The Avatar will be sent away to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training."

The declaration shocked Monk Gyatso, but it was more shocking and depressing to Aang as he listened in through a hole in the ceiling with wide eyes.

(End of Flashback)

The rain still poured heavily outside while the warm fire burned. Katara and Steve felt for the heartbroken Airbender as the former said, "That's awful, Aang." She tried to place a comforting hand while she said, "I don't know what to say."

But Aang moved away before she could and angrily said, "How could they do that to me? They wanted to take away everything I knew and everyone I loved."

He briefly glowed for a moment as he sent an air sphere outwards. It caused the fire to move towards the two as Katara shouted, "Whoa! Hot cinders."

Steve looked over to Aang as the boy cooled down. The Airbender looked back and regretfully said, "I'm sorry I got so mad."

"It's okay, Aang." Steve said as Aang walked back over. Katara was in agreement when she said, "You have a right to be angry, after the monks sent you away like that."

"Well, that's not exactly what happened." Aang admitted. Steve placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "We can stop if you want."

"No, I think it would be best if I told you guys." Aang said as he kept going.

(Flashback)

Some boys were laughing as they rode on Air Scooter while Aang watched from his room with a sad expression as he continued thinking about what was about to happen.

Aang: I was afraid, confused. I didn't know what to do.

Aang walked away from the window and to his bed were the toys lay. He laid down with his head in his pillow.

Later that evening…

Monk Gyatso walked up to Aang's door and gently knocked on the wood. But the knock opened the door with a squeak. Gyatso asked to see if he was there, "Aang?" Then opening the door he stuck his head in and reassured him, "I'm not going to let them take you away from me." He didn't see Aang anywhere as he opened the door and asked, "Aang?"

He found the room completely empty, save for the toys on the shelf and a tied scroll on Aang's bed. Picking up the scroll, he read it to see what was on it. He gasped in shock and horror that it said that Aang ran away before looking outside as ran fell and thunder crashed in the distance.

Aang: I never saw Gyatso again.

Aang rode on Appa as they flew through the storm. A flash of lightning crashed and Aang screamed as he and Appa were thrown about by the storm. Both boy and bison were sent crashing into the ocean. They came up to the surface where Appa growled as he fought against the waves. But a huge wave sent both of them back under. Aang lost his grip on the reins before using his Avatar powers with a powerful clash of his fists to create the iceberg around both him and Appa. Another flash of lightning and Aang fast forwards to the day he met them.

Aang: Next thing I knew, I was waking up in your arms after you found me in the iceberg. Then meeting Steve after he fell out of the sky.

He looked up to see Katara smiling down at him.

(End of flashback)

"You ran away." Katara sadly said. Aang hugged his knees as he told them what they already knew, "And then the Fire Nation attacked our temple." He felt guilty as said, "My people needed me, and I wasn't there to help."

"You don't know what would've…" Katara tried to say. But Aang then added more weight to the guilt he was feeling by exclaiming, "The world needed me and I wasn't there to help."

"Aang…" Katara said. Aang then said, "The fisherman was right." He looked away as he practically scolded himself, "I did turn my back on the world."

"Come on, kid." Steve said. He looked to Aang and gave the only piece of advice he had on his mind, "You need to look on the bright side."

"You're being too hard on yourself." Katara said to comfort him. Then she tried to comfortingly add, "Even if you did run away, I think it was meant to be."

He gave her a questionable look before she explained, "If you had stayed, you would've been killed along with all the other Airbenders."

"You don't know that." Aang said, not looking at his friends. Steve huffed and said, "Maybe not." Both kids looked up to him as he walked over to Aang, sat down and said, "But none of really know what might have happened, and we won't ever really." Then placing a hand on Aang's shoulder he said, "But I'll let you in on a little secret. I've basically let my world down while I was gone."

Both the Air and Waterbender looked to him in shock as Aang asked, 'How did you let your world down?"

"Remember how I told you that I too had been frozen in ice?" Steve asked to see if they remember. They nodded as they remembered. Then Steve told them, "Well, you see, while I was under, the organization known as Hydra had been secretly growing, even after their defeat." Then looking between the two he said, "So you see things happened that I couldn't control or do anything about for a long time. But we can always make up for it."

"And I know it's meant to be this way." Katara said in confidence. She sounded encouraging as she said, "The world needs you now. You give people hope."

Aang smiled to their words and Momo chittered as he ran over to Aang. Aang patted the lemur on the back.

Prince Zuko's ship

"When Prince Zuko saw that it was his father who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy." Iroh said as he held a cup.

(Flashback, Agni Kai arena)

In the Fire Nation royal arena Fire Lord Ozai slowly walked over to his son to begin the duel. Prince Zuko was wide eyed as he tried to beg for mercy, "Please, Father. I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn."

"You will fight for your honor." Fire Lord Ozai demanded as he came closer. Prince Zuko didn't want to fight his father as he bowed and kept trying to make amends, "I meant you no disrespect." He looked up to his approaching father and said, "I am your loyal son."

"Rise and fight, Prince Zuko." The Fire Lord demanded. Prince Zuko remained determined to not fight as he said, "I won't fight you."

"You will learn respect." Fire Lord Ozai said as he looked down on his only son. And the father sounded harsh as a crying Zuko looked up into his father's eyes when he said, "And suffering will be your teacher."

While most of those in the stands watched with grim stares, a younger Zhao and a girl smirked as they watched. Even a man with a hood watched the scene unfold. Iroh however could only look in horror before turning away.

General Iroh: I looked away.

Prince Zuko yelled in pain as he was blasted in the face by a wave of fire from his father.

(End of flashback)

General Iroh had closed his eyes as he remembered what happened. The lieutenant was shocked as he said, "I always thought that Prince Zuko was in a training accident."

"It was no accident." Iroh assured him of that much. Then he continued, "After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to fight," He looked to each of the crewman who as he said, "Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As punishment he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then could he return with his honor."

"So that's why he's so obsessed." The lieutenant said as he thought about it. Then he deduced, "Capturing the Avatar is the only chance he has of things returning to normal."

"Things will never return to normal." General Iroh told them. But then he gave a bit of a silver lining as he said, "But the important thing is, the Avatar gives Zuko hope."

The Winter Soldier stood up and walked out of the room. All five men watched as the Hydra assassin ascended the stares.

When he came to his quarters, he closed the door behind him as the blue portal opened again after a long time. The Red Skull stepped back into the inside of Prince Zuko's ship and ordered as the portal closed, "Report, assassin."

"Still chasing the Avatar and his friends, I'm afraid. Though we did have them a few times, they were able to get away." The Winter Soldier said. Johann Schmidt sighed and said to him, "Perhaps we have put too much faith in the prince."

"I think we should put more faith in the kid." The Winter Soldier objected. The Red Skull raised an eyebrow to this and questioned, "How so?"

"I believe that it will be his drive to capture the Avatar is what will help us capture the Avengers." The Winter Soldier said with confidence. The leader of Hydra took a moment to ponder this before saying, "Never the less, Professor Zola has just gotten the machine ready to teleport soldiers from our world to here. And I will be placing those soldiers with the main army." Then he said, "To double the efforts of both us and the Fire Nation's success in the war."

Then raising a hand away from the Winter Soldier, he opened the portal again. Before he stepped through, he turned to the assassin and warned, "Should I find out that you helped in any escape of Captain America or his friends, I will have you placed back in the deep freeze. Understand?"

The Winter Soldier nodded in confirmation, and then the Red Skull to his leave. Once Johan Schmidt crossed over the portal closed behind him. When he knew that he was all alone, the Winter Soldier's thoughts went to the prince.

Prince Zuko's quarters

In his bedroom, Prince Zuko sat in front of the table with his candles lit. The prince was in deep thought as he remembered his past. He remembered screaming with joy as he and another child played on a hillside. Then he remembered looking over a horizon with his uncle's hand on his back. Prince Zuko thought about when he was much happier, before he became what he was today. The sound of crashing thunder broke him from his thoughts.

On the outside of the ship, lightning crashed against the side of the ship.

Cave

Back at the cave, all three's attention turned to the entrance when a woman shouted, "Help! Oh, please help!"

"It's the fisherman's wife." Steve realized. Katara ran to the entrance and led her inside while saying, "It's okay. You're safe."

"But my husband isn't." The fisherman's wife told her. Katara became concerned as she asked, "What do you mean? Where are Sokka and Natasha?"

"None of them have returned. They should have been back by now." The woman informed them. She sounded even more worried when she said, "And this storm is becoming a typhoon. They're caught out at sea."

"I'm going to find them." Aang said as he stood up. Katara and Steve gave him a determined look as Katara said, "We're going with you."

"I'm staying here." The fisherman's wife said and sat down. Aang, Steve, Katara and Appa soon stood at the entrance of the cave. Aang looked to the fisherman's wife and said, "We'll be back soon, I promise."

"And we'll have all three with us." Steve said confidently.

Appa growled as all three boarded and took off into the storm.

Prince Zuko's Ship

The ship struggled to keep itself afloat as it sailed through the storm. Mostly everyone was on deck, searching for wherever the lightning struck. As the ship bobbed up and down, Prince Zuko shouted to the lieutenant, "Where were we hit?"

"I don't know." The older man said. General Iroh came up to them and pointed to the top of the ship, "Look!"

Zuko, the lieutenant and the Winter Soldier looked up to see a man hanging for life on the railing. Prince Zuko shouted in fear, "The helmsman."

The metal creaked as the ship went through the raging storm. Prince Zuko and the lieutenant quickly climbed up the rungs to reach the helmsman. The ship continued to creak and groan as it swayed on the water. Iroh looked about until he had a certain feeling. Then as a bolt of lightning crashed towards the deck, he stuck two fingers in the air. The Winter Soldier watched in awe as Iroh's fingers caught the lightning and the older man redirected it away from the ship. The natural electricity crashed into the raging water. The Winter Soldier walked up to a comically singed Iroh and gently placed a mechanical finger to his frizzled hair.

The ship rose with a wave and caused the helmsman to lose his grip. He yelled as he fell, but a hand quickly stopped the man from falling. Prince Zuko gently lowered the helmsman to the lieutenant. The lieutenant gives a grateful smile to the prince who gave one back. Thunder continued to rumble as the storm raged.

Waves slapped the surface of the ocean as Appa flew through the storm. All three of them looked for any signs of the ship. Katara questioned when she couldn't see anything, "Where are they?"

They soon watched in shock as a giant wave came barreling towards them. Aang lifted the reins and shouted, "Come on, Appa."

The bison growled as he tried to climb higher above the waves. All three were in shock when it seemed that the wave would hit them. But Aang's face became serious as they tried to climb. Then picking up his staff, Aang twirled it fast to where he could drill through the water. They came out the other side as they climbed higher into the air. Aang soon saw the ship as it was rocked by the aggressive sea and shouted, 'The boat!" Then he pointed, "There!"

Unbeknownst to the group, they passed directly over Prince Zuko's ship. The prince and his crew stared in surprise as Zuko shouted, "The Avatar!"

"What do you want to do, sir?" The lieutenant asked. Prince Zuko wanted to go after the Avatar, but he knew what was important at the moment. Turning his head to the lieutenant he ordered, "Let him go. We need to get this ship to safety."

"Then we must head directly into the eye of the storm." Iroh said with a smirk. The ship then turned towards its new destination.

The fisherman's boat was violently thrown over the waves as it tried to stay afloat. Sokka, Natasha and the fisherman held on to some mooring ropes. The Water Tribe teen was truly scared as he said, "I'm too young to die."

"I'm not, but I still don't want to." The fisherman said in agreement. Then jabbing a finger to Nat he added, "And she's way too pretty to die."

"Thanks, I guess." Natasha said as she found it a little awkward.

Appa growled as he flew to the ship. The bison circled around and Aang quickly jumped off before running to them. A flash of lightning struck the mast causing it to fall over. Aang gasped before acting quickly by throwing his arms up to raise three water spouts. The water cut through the wood and made it divide right before it landed on the three. Both Sokka and the fisherman clung to Natasha when both sides hit the deck. As Aang came up to the three, Sokka quickly tied it around his, Nat's and the fisherman's waist. Aang then told them, "Hang on to the rope."

Then taking one end, he ran to where he was under Appa and then jumped back onto the bison. Aang held the end of the rope to Steve and they along with Katara held on tight as Appa pulled the three to safety. All three yelled as they flew through the air and landed in the saddle. They landed with a grunt on their backsides. Sokka and Natasha both had smiles to be alive while the fisherman spit out a stream of water before joining their smiles. But those smiles faded when they looked behind them to see a wave carrying the boat rise high over the bison. Appa tried to outfly the wave, but he and all his passengers were caught in it. All seven of them sank below the waves. As he lost his grip, Aang looked to see the same scene happening again, only this time more than him and Appa were on the line. He stared to see Steve, Sokka, Natasha, the fisherman and Katara all trying to hang on. Not wanting them to die, Aang quickly grabbed onto the reins as his Airbender tattoos glowed again. Then doing what he once did one hundred years ago, he slammed his fists against each other and formed a giant air sphere around them. When it completely surrounded them everyone else fell into the saddle as Appa made a U-turn towards the surface.

Prince Zuko's ship had just reached the eye of the storm, a spot in the rain and rough spots that were much calmer than anywhere else. As the rain lightened around the ship, Prince Zuko bowed his head and humbly said to Iroh, "Uncle, I'm sorry."

"Your apology is accepted." Iroh graciously said as he placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder. Then he turned to take his leave, then Prince Zuko found himself in the presence of the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier gave him a nod of approval. Then something tremendous happened on the port side of the ship as the Avatar's bison burst out of the water. Aang looked down to see Prince Zuko looking up at him. Steve also looked to the Fire Nation ship and saw Bucky standing next to the prince.

But neither side did anything to one or the other as Appa flew up and away through the eye.

When the group had returned to the cave, the fisherman's wife was happy to see her husband. Appa stood outside the cave as she ran up to him and happily said, "Oh, you're alive!"

They embraced as they were happy to see each other. Then she became serious and told her husband by pointing at Aang, "You owe this boy an apology."

"He doesn't have to apologize." Aang said, trying to be humble about it. The fisherman then offered, "Well, what if instead of an apology, I give him a free fish, and we call it even?"

"Actually, I don't eat meat." Aang politely declined. This confused the fisherman as he said, "Fish ain't meat."

Sokka walked up to the fisherman and asked, "Seriously, you're still going to pay us, right?"

He closed his eyes and held out his hand. His payment was rewarded with a fish put into his hand. He blushed when he felt something wet and scaly in his hand. When he looked at it he screamed in fright. While his wife scolded her and Sokka tried to not feel sick by the fish, Aang walked over to Katara and the Avenger and said, "Katara, Steve, I think you were both right before. I'm done dwelling on the past."

"Really?" Katara asked as Sokka slumped his shoulders. Aang was sure as he looked down and said, "I can't make guesses about how things would've turned out if I hadn't run away." Then he looked to his friends and said, "I'm here now, and I'm going to make the most of it."

"I don't think you're going to have those nightmares anymore." Katara said with a confident smile. Steve had one as well as he added in support, "And remember that we're here for you when you need help."

"If you weren't here now," The fisherman said as he came up and placed a hand on Aang's shoulder as he thought about, "well, I guess I wouldn't be, either." Then he gratefully said, "Thank you for saving my life, Avatar."

Aang looked down as he felt good about doing something for someone else. Sokka walked near the entrance and said, "Do you hear that?" He had a smile as he looked to everyone and said, "It stopped raining."

The birds started to sing as the sun began to shine through the clouds. The kids, the Avengers, Appa and the fisherman and woman all came out to enjoy the beauty. But the moment was ruined when Appa growled and shook the water off of him and onto them, making them huddle up and groan and Aang shouted, "Appa!"

"Not cool, Appa!" Natasha said with a slight glare.

Fire Nation palace

In the hallway before the Fire Lord's throne room, the blue portal opened up and Johann Schmidt stepped through for it to close behind him. Two masked Firebenders were posted in front of the flaps into the throne room. When the Winter Soldier stepped up to them, one Firebender stopped him with a hand and said, "Please, state your business."

"I am here to discuss important matters with Fire Lord Ozai." The Red Skull answered. But before either Firebender could say anything, a voice from inside the throne room said, "Let him pass."

Both Firebenders didn't hesitate and stood aside for Johann Schmidt. The leader of Hydra nodded to them before stepping through the flaps. He kept a calm face as he walked towards the throne. He stopped when he was a good seven feet away from the blazing throne and the shadowy figure behind the flames. The Fire Lord then said, "Johann Schmidt, what a surprise. I assume you have news to report?"

"I do, actually." Johann Schmidt said as he stared up at the Fire Lord. Then he reported, "My top scientist has fixed the machine well enough to where it can send the soldiers of Hydra. From there, they can become integrated with the soldiers of the Fire Nation and help fight on the frontlines."

"And how long will it take for your weapons to come through?" The Fire Lord questioned. Johann kept himself calm before answering, "Not as soon as we were hoping, but they will arrive by the summer, I assure you."

The Fire Lord sighed before saying, "Very well, I will be patient as I honor the agreement between you and my father."

"Thank you, your majesty." The Red Skull said with a bow. Then turning on his heel he left the throne room. But before he could go through the flaps, the Fire Lord called after him, "And Johann."

Schmidt turned around and said, "Yes, Fire Lord Ozai."

"Send your first few coming soldiers to a man that I plan on promoting." The Fire Lord said. Johann Schmidt nodded and then asked, "And who is this man that I must seek."

The Fire Lord Ozai spoke two words of the name, "Commander Zhao."

"Commander Zhao." The Red Skull said to himself to remember the name. Then he looked to the Fire Lord and said, "It shall be done."

Then without another word, Hydra's most infamous leader walked out of the throne room to handle the task.

This story's dedication to:

Stan Lee: 1922 – 2018

Author's Note: And now I have added a more serious threat to the Bending world. Hydra is coming to aid the Fire Nation in the war. I must tell you that after this chapter I will be taking a break from Avenging Avatar, but don't worry I will be back. I just have a few other fanfics that I want to get done, like Dragon Ball Super GT and others like I said at the beginning of the chapter here. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you next time.