"Waterbending bomb!" Katara shouted, jumping into the body of water that sat at the end of a waterfall. She connected with the water, a loud gasp leaving you as the splash reached several feet high, crashing down on everyone.

Aang and Toph laughed while Sokka shook out a piece of parchment.

"Sure. Five-thousand-year old map from the Spirit library. Just splash some water on them."

"Sorry." Katara apologized, wringing out her hair, as you bended the water out of the map and returned it to the water.

Aang turned his smile to Sokka. "So, did you figure out what route we're going to take?"

Sokka sat the map down on the ground, everyone gathering around to see. "Okay, so we just got out of the desert, so we must be around here." He mused, pointing at the map. He moved his hand up. "And we need to go to Ba Sing Se, which is here. It looks like the only path that's connecting the south and the north is this sliver of land called 'the serpent's pass'."

"You're sure that's the best way to go?" Toph questioned, her arms crossed.

"It's the only way. I mean, it's not like we have Appa to fly us there."

"Shush up about Appa." Katara whispered. "Can't you at least try to be sensitive?"

Everyone turned to Aang to see how he would react.

Although his smile was gone, replaced with a frown, it wasn't the pure rage that he had shown in the desert. "Katara, it's okay. I know I was upset about losing Appa before, but I just want to focus on getting to Ba Sing Se and telling the Earth King about the solar eclipse."

Everyone started at him in shock, except Toph, before Katara spoke up again.

"Oh. Well, okay. I'm glad you're doing better."

"Then to Ba Sing Se we go!" Sokka declared, standing and rolling up the map. "No more distractions!"

As if on cue, you'd swear on your life that it was, three people emerged from out behind one of the giant rocks that surrounded you.

"Hello, fellow refugees!" A man spoke, grinning and waving.

You glanced over at Sokka as the others went to go see what was going on. "You should really just start keeping your mouth shut."

Sokka sighed, looking down at you. "I really should, shouldn't I?"

You chuckled, grabbing Sokka's arm and pulling him with you. "Come on."

"So are you guys going to Ba Sing Se, too?" Aang questioned as you approached.

"Sure are." The same man as before spoke. "We're trying to get there before my wife Ying has her baby."

"Great!" Katara exclaimed. "We can travel through the serpent's pass together."

The group reeled back, alarmed. Why did they look scared?

"The serpent's pass?" The wife- Ying, asked. "Only the truly desperate take that deadly route."

"Deadly route." Toph echoed. She punched Sokka's arm with such force that he fell over. "Great pick, Sokka."

Sokka stood, rubbing his arm as he defensively said, "well, we are desperate."

"You should come with us to Full Moon Bay." The husband offered. "Ferry's take refugees across the lake. It's the fastest way to Ba Sing Se."

You chose to ignore the fact that his last statement rhymed.

"And it's hidden, so the firenation can't find it." Ying added.

"Hmm." Katara started, her hand on her chin, feigning consideration. "Peaceful ferry ride, or deadly pass?" She wondered aloud, turning to look pointedly at Sokka.

The teen frowned.

The next thing you knew, you were at Full Moon Bay.

"I can't believe how many people's lives have been uprooted by the firenation." Katara admitted, looking at the people there.

"Believe it." You advised, tone dark.

"We're all looking for a better life." The husband informed. "Safe, behind the walls of Ba Sing Se."

You waited with Toph as Aang, Katara and Sokka tried uselessly to get some tickets for the ferry. You chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Toph asked, leaning against the wall.

"They look like they're having trouble." You informed, seeing Aang walk away, defeated.

Toph pushed herself from the wall. "I'll handle this."

You watched in amazement as Toph walked over, pulling something out from her pocket and showing the woman who was giving tickets. The expression on the woman's face was priceless.

Pretty soon, the group returned with tickets.

"Oh, yeah, we scammed that lady, good!" Sokka exclaimed. He was suddenly yanked, being spun around.

"Tickets and passports, please." A woman with short hair said. She was wearing one of the guard uniforms.

"Is there a problem?" Sokka questioned, beginning to sweat.

"Yeah. I've got a problem with you." She said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "I've seen your type before, probably sarcastic, think you're hilarious, and let me guess… you're traveling with the Avatar."

You blinked in surprise at the accurate description.

Sokka seemed just as stunned. "Do I know you?"

"You mean you don't remember?" The woman asked sternly. She gripped the front of his shirt, holding him in place. "Maybe you remember this." She moved forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.

You blanched.

"Suki!" Sokka exclaimed, coming out of his brief daze and hugging her.

"Suki?" You asked. "Who's Suki?"

They pulled away. "Sokka, it's good to see you!"

"You look so different without your makeup. And the new outfit-"

"That crabby lady makes all the security guards wear them." Suki told Katara in explanation. "And look at you, sleeveless guy. Been working out?"

Your face scrunched in disgust.

"Eh, I grab a tree branch and do a few chin-touches every now and again." Sokka bragged.

"When have you ever done that?" You asked, looking at him doubtfully.

"Plenty of times!" Sokka insisted, getting right in your face.

You raised an amused eyebrow.

"Are the other Kyoshi warriors around?" Aang questioned.

"Yeah. After you left Kyoshi, we wanted to find a way to help people. We ended up escorting some refugees and we've been here ever since." Suki answered, watching as Momo climbed up to sit on the ledge next to her. She laughed, scratching the creature's head. "Hi, Momo. Good to see you, too." She turned back to the group. "So why are you getting tickets for the ferry? Wouldn't you just fly across on Appa?"

"Appa is missing." Katara explained. "We hope to find him in Ba Sing Se."

Aang looked away.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Suki turned to Aang. "Are you doing okay?"

"I'm doing fine." He insisted, a little sharply. "Would everybody stop worrying about me?"

"Avatar Aang, you have to help us!" Ying called from the other side of the wall. "Someone took all of our belongings! Our passports, our tickets! Everything's gone!"

"I'll talk to the lady for you!" Aang offered.

Oh, this should go well, you thought to yourself.

Sure enough, Aang was back a few minutes later, declaring that he'd lead everyone through the serpent's pass.

"I can't believe we gave up our tickets and now we're going through the serpent's pass." Sokka grumbled.

"I can't believe you're still complaining about it." Toph replied, following Aang.

"Come on, Sokka." You reasoned, looking over your shoulder. "It can't be too easy. This is us we're talking about."

Sokka sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah."

"I'm coming, too!" A voice yelled.

Everyone stopped and turned, seeing a girl wearing green and heavy makeup running towards the group.

You assumed that this was Suki.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sokka questioned, turning to face the girl.

"Sokka, I thought you'd want me to come."

"I do, it's just-"

"Just what?" She challenged.

"Nothing. I'm glad you're coming."

Suki strode passed him, prompting you to look at Sokka.

He was frowning, seemingly in thought.

You waited for him to catch up to you. "Sokka? Are you alright?"

"Hmm?" He looked down at you. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

You didn't believe him, but you let the topic drop.

"This is the serpent's pass? I thought it'd be more bendy… like a serpent. Huh." Sokka noted.

"Maybe they meant that it was thin like a serpent." You offered, looking over at him.

Sokka shrugged, nodding slightly in a gesture that showed that it was possible.

"Look at this writing. How awful." Ying said, looking at some markings in the wood archway.

"What does it say?" Toph asked.

"It says 'abandon hope'." Katara read.

"How can we abandon hope?" Ying questioned, turning into her husband. "It's all we have."

"I don't know." Aang piped up. "The monks used to say that hope is just a distraction. So maybe we do need to abandon it."

"Cheerful fellows." You mumbled.

"What are you talking about?" Katara asked Aang.

"Hope isn't going to get us into Ba Sing Se, and it's not going to find Appa." Aang reasoned, turning around to face the group. "We need to focus on what we're doing right now, and that's getting across this pass."

"Okay." Katara said hesitantly. "If you say so."

"The firenation patrols the western lake." Suki informed. "Rumor has it they're working on something big on the other side, and they don't want anyone to find out what it is."

You risked a glance to the side, seeing a firenation ship.

Ying's husband, who apparently shall get no name, let out a yell.

You turned, seeing Toph do a few quick movements. A rock slab came out to catch him as he fell before shooting him back up.

"I'm okay!" He declared happily.

The piece of rock that had come out of the side to make him fall in the first place splashed into the ocean.

"They've spotted us!" Sokka shouted. "Let's go! Let's go!"

Aang leapt off of the pass, bending air to return one of their fireballs back at them. It hit the ship.

"Keep moving, people!" You instructed from your spot close to Toph.

The firenation ship shot another one, hitting above the group. Large chunks of rock began to fall.

Sokka shoved Suki out of the way, but failed to get out of the way, himself.

"Sokka!" You shouted. There's no way you could get to the back of the line in time.

Thankfully, you didn't need to.

Toph forced some rock out of the wall, making the rocks bounce off of that instead of Sokka.

Sokka rushed towards the fallen Kyoshi warrior. "Suki, are you okay!? You have to be more careful! Come on!" Sokka grabbed Suki's hand, pulling her passed you and Toph.

"'Thanks for saving my life, Toph'. Oh, no problem, Sokka." Toph said to herself, pretending to be Sokka.

You chuckled. "Come on." You beckoned, running after the rest of the group, Toph on your tail.

"Suki, you shouldn't sleep there." Sokka told her, approaching the girl as she set up her blanket close to the edge of the cliff. "Who knows how stable this ledge is? It could give at any moment." He picked up her blanket and moved it further away from the edge.

You rolled your eyes as you rearranged some of the wood in the fire, trying to keep it going.

"Sokka, I'm fine, stop worrying!"

"You're right, you're right. You're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself."

Suki moved closer to her blanket, but Sokka jumped up, standing in front of her.

"Wait! Oh, I thought I saw a spider, but you're fine." He said, patting Suki's shoulder.

Suki frowned.

Aang stood, walking away.

You and Katara watched him leave, concern on your faces.

Katara stood, following him out.

Sokka left too, but towards the other direction.

Suki waited a little bit before following him as well.

You looked to Toph. "So…" You paused, trying to think of something to say. "I never really got to say this earlier, but I'm glad you came back." You admitted, looking down at the fire. The untamable flames captured your attention. They were so pretty.

"It's good to be back." She replied, leaning back on her hands.

You smiled. "How long have you been doing earthbending?" You asked, picking up a stick and poking at the fire again.

"As long as I can remember. I ran away when I was little, and the badgermoles taught me."

"Wow. It must have been great to learn from the original earthbenders." You mused, voice filled with wonder. "I bet that's partially why you're so good at it. That, and you're the most stubborn person I know." You joked, grinning.

"I take that as a compliment." Toph insisted, though you could tell she was happy.

You chuckled. "I wouldn't have you take it as anything but."

The group suddenly came to a stop.

You peeked over their shoulders, seeing a large gap in the pass. It was full of water.

Katara stepped forward. "Everyone, single file!" She turned to you. "Can you take up the back and make sure everyone gets through alright?"

You nodded. "Sure." You mumbled.

Katara bended the water to the sides and everyone began to walk through. "Aang, I need help."

You raised an eyebrow. Really? Katara couldn't do it by herself? But considering the North Pole, I thought she was a master already, you thought.

Aang handed you his staff as he closed the orb of water, allowing everyone to breathe.

You stared at the staff incredulously as you continued walking. You'd been demoted to staff-holder.

"What is that thing?" Suki asked.

You turned, seeing a large shadow on the outside of the orb. Suddenly, something big crashed through, filling the orb with water.

Everyone screamed.

Toph lifted the section of land the group was on, bringing it out of the water.

Halfway, you thought as the creature circled around the land.

It reared up suddenly, allowing you to get a better look at it.

"Sokka, I think I found out why it's called the serpent's pass!" You shouted.

The serpent shrieked down at the group.

"Suki, you know about giant sea monsters, make it go away!" Sokka yelled in panic.

"Just because I live near the unagi doesn't mean I'm an expert!" She defended.

Sokka bent down, picking up Momo. He held him out. "Oh, great and powerful sea serpent, please accept this humble and tasty offering. Thank you."

"Sokka!" Katara scolded.

You pulled Momo out of his hands, petting the lemur in an attempt to soothe it. "Don't worry, we're not going to sacrifice you."

Aang grabbed his staff from you, sending a wind burst at the serpent as it lunged. "I'll distract it. Katara, get everyone across."

Of course, because why would anyone except Katara get everyone across, you wondered.

Katara ran forward, turning the water into ice and helping the refugees across.

Sokka and Suki ran, you shortly behind.

Katara jumped into the water, turning the water around her shoes into ice to try to help Aang as she surfed over.

You watched as Katara froze the water around the creature.

"Toph, come on! It's just ice!" Sokka shouted.

You turned, seeing Toph set a foot down on the ice, only to pull it back.

"Actually, I'm going to stay here on this little island where I can see!" She called.

The serpent hit the island right behind her as it fell.

"Ahh! Okay, I'm coming!" She shouted as she began to sidestep her way across.

"You're doing great!" Sokka encouraged. "Just follow the sound of my voice!"

"It's hard to ignore!" Toph shot back.

You would have smiled if you weren't so concerned.

"You're almost there!" Sokka hollered.

The serpent crashed down, breaking the ice.

Toph splashed around in the water. "Help! I can't swim!"

Sokka began to take his shoes off. "I'm coming, Toph!"

You were just about to bend the water underneath her, but Suki jumped in the water, swimming after her. You lost sight of Toph for a moment, but Suki pulled her back out. There was some sort of exchange, but you couldn't see.

Aang and Katara were creating a whirl pool, spinning the serpent. They stopped, the creature smashing into the side of the cliff.

Aang flew back, Katara holding on, as everyone except you and a still-in-shock Toph.

"Good job, guys." You murmured.

"Come on, we're almost there." Aang said, walking away.

You and Toph followed slowly.

"There's the wall! Now it's nothing but smooth sailing till Ba Sing Se." Sokka exclaimed after a while.

Ying gasped. "Oh no!"

"What's wrong?" Sokka questioned, looking at her warily.

"The baby's coming!"

"What!? Now!?! Can't you… hold it in or something!?" Sokka shouted, panicking.

You chuckled. "Not how it works, Sokka."

"Sokka, calm down. I've helped Gran-gran deliver lots of babies back home." Katara reminded.

"This isn't the same as delivering an arctic seal!" Sokka shouted.

You laughed in surprise.

"This is a real… human... thing!"

"Are you implying that arctic seals aren't real?" You asked, turning to him.

Toph laughed.

"It's called a baby. And I've helped her deliver plenty of those, too." She told him calmly. "Aang, get some rags, Sokka, some water, Toph, I need you to make an earth tent. A big one."

Toph brought the earth out of the ground.

"Suki, come with me."

The two disappeared inside the tent.

They were in there for a few minutes before Katara shouted, "Sokka, where's that water!?"

You waited outside for several hours after having to drag a passed-out Sokka from the tent.

"It's a girl!" Katara's voice rang.

"So, wanna go see the baby, or are you going to faint like an old lady, again?" Toph asked Sokka.

"No, no. I'm good this time." He insisted, following Toph in. He stuck his head out. "Y/n? You coming?"

You looked over at him. "Sure."

Katara walked out, trying to get Aang to come in.

"She sounds healthy." Toph noted as Aang entered.

"She's beautiful." Katara piped up.

"So… squishy looking."

You laughed as Katara elbowed her brother.

"What should we name her?" The husband asked.

"I want our daughter's name to be unique." Ying informed. "I want it to mean something."

You bit back the comment about naming her after Katara.

"I've been going through a really hard time lately." Aang admitted, taking a small step forward. "But you've made me… hopeful again."

Ying turned to her husband. "I know what I want to name our baby, now. Hope."

"That's a perfect name." He agreed. "Hope."

You, having no comment to add, left the tent.

Sokka followed you, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Hey. You okay?" He asked softly, trying not to draw any unwanted attention.

You looked over at him. Should you tell him? Should you tell him that you feel like you don't belong? That you don't make a difference? Your gaze dropped to the half of the ying-yang bracelet that peeked out of his pocket. (Since he'd gone sleeveless, he didn't want to publicize your kind gesture.) You decided that you should. Surely Sokka would understand? He at least wouldn't ridicule you. You opened your mouth to respond, but the words died in your throat as you saw Suki exit the tent and approach Sokka's back.

Sokka continued to look at you encouragingly.

"It's nothing." You insisted, gaze falling to the ground.

"Are you sure?" Sokka asked with so much sincerity you wanted to burst into tears.

"I'm fine, Sokka. Really." You lied, faking a smile to reassure him.

Sokka eyed you warily, but accepted your answer. "Come on." He took your wrist, pulling you over to Aang and Katara.

"I promise. I'll find Appa as fast as I can." You heard Aang say as you approached. "I just really need to do this."

"See you in the big city." Sokka told him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Say hi to that big old fuzzball for me." Toph instructed, hitting Aang's arm.

Aang rubbed it, wincing.

"You'll find him, Aang." Katara said.

"I know. Thank you, Katara." He opened his glider, Momo standing next to him and opening his wings. "You ready, Momo?" They leapt into the air, flying towards the wall.

You all waved.

Sighing, you began packing up your things, ready for more walking. "Hey, Sokka, do you have the-" You cut yourself off, seeing that Sokka was currently… occupied. And by occupied, I mean he was having a moment with Suki. You averted your eyes, trying to give them their privacy. Although, if they wanted it to be in private, they shouldn't be kissing in front of everybody.

You smiled to yourself.

Your question could wait.