It took a while but it's finally done.

Chapter 6

Closing in on the North Pole

"Can we rest?" Sokka asked drowsily, "We've been flying for three days straight."

Aang looked back at his companions. Sokka sat with his arms woven in front of his chest with Momo asleep in his lap. Katara and Ellen were sleeping soundly, snuggled into their parkas to protect themselves from the chilly wind. Aang faced forward once again,

"We've got to be getting close." He squinted and scanned the horizon; all he could see were icebergs.

A pillar of ice shot up from below. Aang steered Appa sharply to the right, causing his friends to nearly tumble in to the icy water below. Now wide-awake everyone held on tight as Appa swerved to avoid the ice rocketing up at them. A tower of ice caught Appa's hide foot and sent his spiraling down in to the ocean. Before Appa could recover and take to the skies again he was frozen to the spot and surrounded by a small fleet of ships.

"They're waterbenders!" Katara shouted with excitement, "We've found the Northern Water Tribe."

They came to a halt in front of a tall ice wall with the water symbol carved into it. There were several waterbenders standing on it and with one smooth motion, a section of the wall slide down. Aang steered Appa down the waterway until they came to another wall. With some help from the benders, the water began to rise and they could continue down the path. They looked around in amazement. The waterways were like roads with tall ice buildings on both sides of it. Aang and his friends waved at the people on the sidewalks below and the bridges overhead. As they rounded to corner they met another boat. On the boat sat a young woman with long white hair and bright blue eyes. Sokka slide down Appa's tail and gawked at her.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Katara asked, continuing to gaze at the buildings.

"Yeah…She is." Sokka said, still staring at the girl they passed.

Prince Zuko's ship during music night

Zuko laid on his bed, his arms crossed on his chest and scowled at the ceiling. There was a light tap on the door and someone entered.

"I'm not going to play the sungi horn." Zuko stated, not even looking at the door.

"There has been a change in plans, Prince Zuko." It was Iroh. Zuko sat and look at him with a puzzled expression. Iroh was aside by another man.

"Zhao." Zuko sneered. "I'm taking your crew. I have recruited them for a little expedition." Zhao said, smirking as he walked across the room.

"It's true. He's taking everyone. Even the cook!" Iroh pouted.

Zhao took hold of a sword on the wall and looked it over closely. He recognized that sword. It was the same sword that the Blue Spirit used. Zhao once had the Avatar in his grasp. But the Blue Spirit broke into the fort and set him free. Now Zhao knew who was responsible and could get his revenge.

He smirked, "I didn't know you were skilled with swords, Prince Zuko."

"I'm not. They're antiques." Zuko replied.

Zhao turned and waved the sword, "Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh."

"I have heard of him but I don't think he is real." Iroh said calmly.

"Oh, he's real alright." Zhao held out the sword to Iroh, "And he's an enemy of the Fire Nation." Zhao moved to the door, "But I have a feeling justice will catch up with him soon enough. The offer to join my mission still stands if you change your mind." Zhao slammed the iron door behind him.

The Northern Water Tribe

"May the great spirits of the ocean and moon watch over us during these troubled times." said Princess Yue, after he father announced that she had turned 16 years old and was of marrying age. As some waterbenders began putting on a show, she walked over and sat next to Sokka.

He leaned closer to her, "So, you're a princess. You know, I'm kina like a prince in my tribe." "Whatever!" Katara interjected.

Sokka scowled, "Do you mind? I'm trying to have a conversation." "My apologizes, Prince Sokka," Katara bowed.

Aang approached an older man with long white hair. Though he looked to be very old his waterbending performance proved that he was still in excellent shape. "Are you Master Pakku?" Aang asked politely.

"I am." he responded.

"I'm Aang, your new student. My friends and I can't wait to get started."

"How many friends will you be bringing?" Master Pakku asked.

"Only two." replied. Pakku scowled slightly, "Very well. I shall see the three of you at sunrise." Aang bowed gratefully.

Fire Nation Harbor

Zhao sat at the table smirking and stared across at his guests. "Gentlemen," Zhao finally started, "I've heard some very terrible things about you and I must say… I'm impressed. You men are all highly qualified for the mission I have in mind. If you're up for it that is."

He slid a small chest across the table. The captain of the pirates pulled it closer and opened it, finding it to be filled with gold coins. One of the other men took one of the coins and began to chew on it. The captain snatched it and threw it back in the chest.

"What exactly to you have in mind?" he asked, leaning on the table. His pet reptilian parrot squawked at Zhao.

Zhao chuckled and smirked, "I'm sure you are familiar with Prince Zuko."