Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters. Please don't sue, I have no money.

Summary: Koh threatens to return and finish what he started centuries ago. New alliances will be made, friendships will be tested, and characters will be challenged like never before.

Providence

Chapter Three: Revelations

- - - - -

The Fire Nation had retreated from the frozen fortress of the North Pole, but not before leaving behind damage from the battle. However, the Water Tribe was an indomitable people and they were already starting to rebuild their great city.

Master Pakku, along with several other waterbenders were packing up the last of their things for the long journey to the South Pole. Katara approached her teacher for a final farewell, "Will you be leaving soon?"

"At dusk," he replied. "We'll use the darkness as a cover, in case any more Fire Nation ships are lingering nearby."

Katara lowered her gaze to the ground feeling a bit uncomfortable with what she was about to say. "Master Pakku, I just wanted to…thank you," she spitted out, "for teaching me…and to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"I'm sorry if I insulted your traditions. It was rude of me to come and pass judgment on a culture that's survived for thousands of years after visiting it for only a few days. But I'm very thankful you made an exception for me."

The master waterbender placed a hand on his pupil's shoulder. "Katara, you may have been impertinent, but you are young woman full of hopes and ideals. The young can be little else. You stood up for what you believed in with tremendous courage and you should never apologize for that."

Katara flushed under his praise, then moved in for the kill, "So are you going to teach other women?"

Damn, he walked right into that one. "In time," he eventually replied.

She smiled. "Master Pakku, when you reach the South Pole please give Gran-Gran my love for me."

The old master looked slightly taken aback at the mention of his ex-fiancé, but finally nodded. He studied the face of the young woman with a pensive look, "I don't know why I didn't see it before. You're just as lovely as your grandmother was at this age."

Katara was shocked. Twice now he had praised her! Maybe he wasn't the sour old man she thought he was.

"Of course your grandmother had a full figure."

Spoke too soon.

Katara was trying to think of an adequate response when another pupil came running towards them, "Master Pakku!"

"What now?"

The young man paused to catch his breath, "It's the shrine. The ceremonial cup is gone!" He hurried them both towards the direction of the shrine. A fireball had crashed into the side of the sanctuary during the siege, reducing its outer wall into a pile of rubble. A group of people were trying diligently to repair the building. "We've been searching everywhere, thinking maybe it was trapped under the debris, but there's no trace of it."

"Ceremonial cup?" Katara asked.

"It's a wooden cup with a sapphire-like jewel impressed on the surface," Master Pakku explained. "It's used during our tribe's marriage ceremony, husband and wife both drink from it. It is supposed to call upon the spirits to bless them." He looked out at the setting sun, "Where could it have gone?"

- - - - -

Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Lei sat in a circle and tried to assess the situation before preparing a plan of action. A lot of things were learned and a lot of things were yet to be known. Aang retold the story of his meeting with the spirit, leaving out no details, and succeeded in creeping out the Water Tribe siblings again. The facts revealed by Lei did nothing to soften the anxiety either.

"Aang," Sokka addressed the monk, "when you met with Koh he warned you that someone was going to try and kill the moon spirit. That must mean that even though he can't come here he can still observe what's going on."

Aang nodded, "But if Koh can see everything, then why did he have to wait until now to try and make a bridge?"

They turned to Lei for the answer, "It's true that Koh can see into the natural world. But to protect herself, Nu-gua created a barrier around Idzumo. The four Houshu are also shielded from Koh's view by placing them with the wood from the ancient tree."

"Like the ceremonial cup," Katara mused. "The wooden cup was made of bark from Nu-gua. And the Houshu, they're jewels aren't they?

Lei confirmed her suspicions, "That's right. You're peoples Houshu resembles a sapphire, the Earth Kingdom's an emerald, the Fire Nation's a ruby, and…" She stood to her feet and brought out a flute, "…the Air Nomad's a diamond." Implanted in the wooden instrument was a diamond-like jewel. She handed it to the Avatar.

Aang took hold of his people's sacred object, "It feels…I feel like I did when I was in the oasis at the North Pole."

"The Houshu were created by the spirits before the Avatar was born. They were given to the people of every nation as a way for them to communicate with the spirits. When all four are gathered together for a ritual a bridge to the spirit world can be formed. But after the Avatar was created to serve as the peacekeeper and the bridge, the Houshu were reduced to simple ceremonial items used for worship and prayer."

"But they can still create a bridge?"

"Yes."

"Wait a minute," Sokka said suspiciously. "Why do you have the Air Nomad's and not the Earth Kingdom's jewel thingy?"

"The purpose of a Houshu is to bring us closer to the spirits. The Earth Kingdom's was in Ba-Sing-Sei where it can be used by the people, instead of being hidden away here." For the first time her expression changed from its set expression to a look of sorrow. "During the Fire Nation's massacre of the Air Nomads it was brought here by a few surviving monks for protection."

Aang paled at the mention of his people. Suddenly feeling nostalgic he placed his lips to the mouthpiece of the flute and blew, the air creating music. Or noise in Sokka's opinion.

"Hey!" He covered his ears. "Knock if off!"

Aang blushed faintly from embarrassment at his musical inability. "I remember Gyatso telling me that the Eastern Air Temple played a ritual song on a flute to call upon the spirits to give them wisdom and guidance."

"Talent wouldn't hurt either," Sokka added.

The Avatar ignored the warrior's snide remark, "So what do we do to stop this from happening?"

- - - - -

The pirate ship sailed skillfully in the rough waters of the ocean. The crew consisted of experienced sailors and some waterbenders, making the ships journey an easy one. They could sail through the most dangerous waters with amazing speed, sneaking up on any ship for a surprise attack.

Iroh was taken to the captain's quarters for interrogation, but no malice awaited him. Chen invited the man to sit and make himself comfortable. After all, he was going to be here for awhile.

"Where is Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked with a calm demeanor that defied his inner turmoil.

"Your nephew is in the prison hold, but you have no need to worry. I've instructed my men to tend to his injuries. We can't have him dieing on us can we?" Chen gingerly touched his bandaged arm. It still burned like hell.

"Yes," he agreed. "You would lose your only bargaining chip if he were to die prematurely."

Chen frowned ruefully. The old man was much smarter and far more dangerous than the kindly, old uncle facade he showed. "You understand your position well."

Iroh grabbed a bottle and helped himself to a glass of wine. He took a slow, testing sip, "Ahh, this is much better."

"General Iroh," Chen was becoming irritated. "You know what I want from you."

The ex-general locked gazes with the pirate, "Why do you wish to find my nation's Houshu? It has no value."

"Alone, it may be a trinket. But when I possess all four my goal will be within reach."

"Your goal?"

"Don't feign ignorance General Iroh, it's very unflattering," Chen's voice was as cold as ice. "I've heard that you've traveled to the spirit world, meaning you must know the location of all four."

Iroh stroked his beard, "Few know about the power of the Houshu. I am a bit curious as to how you came upon this information."

The pirate leader considered whether or not to satisfy the old man's curiosity. He was being incredibly brazen for a prisoner, but it didn't matter. Iroh would do as he was told and Chen was a patient man. Once he found what he was looking for he would have all the time in the world. "Several months ago I came across an ancient book that told a very fascinating story about a tree whose fruit could bestow immortality to anyone who ate it. You are aware of the story of Nu-gua, aren't you?"

"Immortality? That's why you desire the Houshu? You have no idea what you're talking about."

Chen slammed a fist to the table with his good arm, splashing some of the wine from Iroh's glass. "I know exactly what I'm talking about!"

The swordsman took a deep breath and tried to bring his anger under control. He needed the old man alive. "For years I have ruled these seas without opposition. I have power. I have wealth. I can do and steal whatever I please and for what? So that I can spend eternity in an expensive grave? Surely you can understand, General Iroh. You were the most powerful and feared General of the Fire Nation, the Dragon of the West who was victorious in every mission." He paused to catch his breath. "Until you were defeated at Ba-Sing-Sei. Now look at you, you're nothing but a decrepit old man."

Iroh didn't seem the least bit offended. "I may have lost some of my physical strength, but I have gained wisdom."

"Immortality," Chen continued as though he didn't hear him, "will keep me from suffering the same fate as you. I have already reached my peak. My power can only go downhill from here, but once I eat from Nu-gu the world will be in the palm of my hand!"

- - - - -

Appa gave a lazy yawn as he carried his friends through the cloudy sky. After a full night of flying, the bison was enjoying a well-deserved nap until they returned from the temple and directed him back into the air. And if that wasn't enough, they were arguing again! Sometimes a flying bison just needed a break.

"I'm just saying that we shouldn't blindly trust that woman! I mean how the hell does she know so much?"

"I don't know, Sokka," his sister replied. "But what other options do we have?"

Sokka looked annoyed, but stayed silent.

"We can trust her," Aang confirmed. "I just know it."

"Like you 'just knew' how to get there?" The warrior's face was turning redder by the minute. "Come on Aang, normal people can't send visions and put spells on mountains! For all we know she may be working with Koh and using us to find the Houshu!"

Katara eyed him suspiciously, "You don't really believe that do you?"

Sokka sighed. "No, but you have to admit there's more to that woman than meets the eye. We need to be careful." To that no one could argue. "We don't even know who's collecting those jewels."

"But we do know that they have stolen two so far," the Avatar spoke up. "With one safely hidden in the temple that just leaves one more."

"The Fire Nation's jewel," Katara said gravely. "That's another thing I've been wondering about. The location Lei told us to look for the Houshu is in the Earth Kingdom. Why would it be here and not in the nation where it belongs?"

"I told you there's something strange about her!" Sokka insisted. "I bet she's sending us right into a trap!"

Two frustrated glares met his stubborn one.

"Come on, Sokka," Katara tried to appease her brother. "Let's try and be serious."

"Fine!" He shot back. "If you don't want my help then just say so!"

Aang visibly flinched at the sheer resentment in Sokka's voice. He had never seen the warrior so uncontrollably angry.

The waterbender, however, had also reached a breaking point. She got to her feet and pointed back down at her brother. "That's it! Your attitude is way out of line! I know you're grieving, Sokka. We're all grieving over Yue, but this has to stop! First you lie around like a zombie and now every little thing pushes you over the edge. Every time I try and talk to you about it you push me away." Tears began to form in her blue eyes and her tone softened. "Talk to me, Sokka. Aang and I are your family, you can tell us anything."

The young man couldn't look his sister or the Avatar in the eye, "You wouldn't understand."

"What wouldn't I understand?" She demanded. "Yue may be gone, but she's still with us…"

"It's not just Yue!" Sokka got to his feet and finally faced Katara. He opened his mouth to say more, but stopped himself at the last second. He settled on a snort, but it lacked its usual bite.

"Please Sokka," Aang jumped in and pleaded with him. "Just tell us what's wrong."

Even Momo looked concerned.

With a heavy sigh Sokka sat back down along with his sister, "I couldn't do anything to help her."

"Sokka…"

"No! You don't understand Katara! You go to the North Pole and almost master waterbending in a few weeks. Aang's already a powerful bender who's only going to grow more powerful and I'm just the guy with the boomerang. I couldn't protect Yue. I couldn't do anything!" His voice cracked, but he would rather jump off Appa and hurdle towards the ground hundreds of feet below them than cry. "I couldn't protect Mom and I wasn't strong enough to go with Dad. All this time I've just been a useless comic relief. I can't help anyone…"

Smack!

Sokka was stunned. His sister had certainly hit him before, but she had never slapped him across the face with such a stinging blow.

"How can you say that?" The tears where flowing freely down her face now. "You're my brother Sokka, I need you! We need you!"

An uncomfortable silence followed. Katara took a deep breath and started again, "You are not useless, Sokka. Who saved that village from Jet when Aang and I couldn't? Who helped build that war balloon and fended off the Fire Nation from the Northern Air Temple? We need you. You're the only family we have." She flew forward and embraced him. "You're not useless…even if you are a comic relief."

He smiled in spite of himself and slowly lifted his arms to join in the hug.

- - - - -

Pain.

That was the first thing Zuko's mind registered as he stirred back into consciousness. His head was throbbing and every breath he took sent his chest on fire, telling him he had at least a few broken ribs. His vision started to clear through the haze of pain and darkness. He was in a cell…a cold, filthy cell on a pirate ship.

He tried to move and immediately wished he hadn't. His hands and feet were tightly bound with metal chains and a burning pain shot through his abdomen and shoulder. Blood stained his clothing, but he was surprised to see that his wounds were bandaged. A merciful act from the enemy? Zuko highly doubted that. He looked around as best he could, but Iroh was nowhere to be found. "Uncle?"

"Not quite," a voice echoed from the other side of the bars where the light of a lantern illuminated.

The prince fought against the pain and turned to see the face of the man who spoke. Sitting crossed legged on the floor outside his cell sat a young man, no older than himself. His humble clothing was worn from years of use and his dark brown hair was pulled into a low, short ponytail. His green eyes hinted to a mischievous personality and a teasing sense of humor.

"Who are you?" Zuko sputtered as he still lay on the ground.

"Easy there," the man said. "All my hard work will be ruined if you tear open your stitches."

The prince threw him a hard stare, but it didn't seem to faze him.

The pirate grinned, "You were hurt pretty badly, although I must admit I've never seen anyone come so close to defeating Chen. He's unmatched in his swordsmanship, but you put up a pretty decent fight. That trick you used to melt his sword was rather clever and yet I can't help wondering why you wasted it on the weapon. You could have killed him right then and there."

Zuko wasn't sure what to make of his guard, if that indeed was what he was. "Where is my uncle?"

"With Captain Chen," he admitted, "probably sitting around telling stories and eating fancy food while we get stuck with the crumbs. I mean you I understand, you are a prisoner. But I'm a part of the crew for crying out loud! Sure, I've only been here for three months, but you think they'd treat one of their own a little better. I'm not asking for much! Maybe just some…"

"Enough," Zuko interrupted. "Tell me who you are!"

"Temper, temper," the young man waved a finger. "I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Shing."

Zuko painfully pulled himself into a sitting position, propping up against the wall, "Let me out of here."

Shing let out loud, good-hearted laugh, "Pompous, aren't you? Right now the focus of your attention should be on recovering."

The prince didn't respond to this. His mind was spinning with the possibilities of escaping.

Shing grabbed the lantern and stood to his feet. Before walking away he turned back to look at Zuko one last time, "You and I are more alike then you think. Take care of yourself and you just might live to see the light of day."

And with that final message Zuko was left alone in the dark.

- - - - -

Author's Notes: Alright, so after the last action-packed chapter the next few are going to be noticeably calmer. Well…sort of.

I just couldn't help but fit Master Pakku in somehow. He's an ass, but we still love him.

Hopefully, the Sokka and Katara scene wasn't too corny. I just wanted a little more insight into Sokka's current state of mind. Don't get me wrong, I loved the season finale, but I feel like Sokka was a little left out. While Aang and Katara got all the action, Sokka is just sort of there for dramatic purposes. Like I said, I need him to be like this for what's in store for him at the end.

Next chapter will again be mostly plot focused as Iroh and Chen's conversation reveals some juicy details of the past and present.