Wishfull-star: I hated that Aang in canon was a bad dad. Made me disappointed. I didn't mean for everyone to hate him like this, but I love when I invoke strong emotions in my readers! No sequel to this one, despite the ending.

Maldea: Thank you! I'm so happy you like my stories! And mwahaha! I love making my readers cry. Means I did something right lol. Since this is the last chapter, I'll be posting a new one in a few minutes, really. A baby Luffy one, after way too long of no baby Luffy lol.


And this story has come to an end! This is the only AvatarxOP crossover I'll probably ever post. I had one but it died and I'm not interested in restarting it, so this was probably a one time thing. Anyways, thanks for reading this far! Will be posting my next story soon, look forward to that! Enjoy~


After two years passed, with visits from his brothers weekly, Ace had forgiven his spirit friends long ago, and spent time with them how he used to, only it wasn't bashing humans and their firebending anymore. He didn't bring up his human life often, though. But Marco and Thatch had been to the hot spring with him before, and met his friends more deeply.

With Ace loving them so much, they were welcome, and made good company. But Ace was more surprised one day when Ace and Marco showed up with somebody else. Tonraq was there! He was five now, and ran to Ace, remembering him and being explained about how he looked in the spirit world.

"Tonraq, what are you doing here?" Ace asked happily, wondering how on earth a child so young have meditated there. The boy gushed about missing him, and having his mommy read him his books. So he wanted to see the spirit world, too! Marco and Thatch happily escorted him, and stayed with the dragon and boy while they played.

Ace gave him a tour of the most beautiful places. Thatch said Yue hadn't come because she didn't want to draw out the pain of seeing him again. Ace understood her feelings and was not mad, even though he was sad he'd never see her again. Ace played with Tonraq for awhile before he went home.

Thatch stayed behind for a bit, and Ace was so happy to see and not have been forgotten by the little boy he'd only known a little while, though he had been clingy to Ace for almost the whole time. It was wonderful to not be completely forgotten by even a young boy.

-x-

Marco and Thatch visibly aged through the years, and it did hurt to not be able to age along with them, but he was happy they were happy in life, yet had never forgotten or stopped regularly seeing Ace. They'd dutifully visited once a week for all the years Ace was gone from them. It made him happy and so relieved, truly. His worst nightmare had been them forgetting him, but after ten years and a weekly visit for the whole time, he knew they'd never forget him, even if they didn't live together and see one another every day. This was the best they could do, and by now, it was enough for Ace to stay happy.

Tonraq also grew and continued to visit, as did his younger brother. Unalaq didn't capture Ace's heart the same was his older brother had. The younger one seemed distant and a bit cold, but was fascinated by the spirit world, and his books that he read almost religiously. They made an impact, and it was a great feeling!

Apparently, the spirit forest from both tribes were doing well with the portals tightly shut. No dark spirits came out despite Harmonic Convergence coming ever closer. It was good to hear Aang's work was successful, despite the hurt it had caused Ace. He was glad he was never approached by the Avatar, even if it was with a sincere apology.

He just didn't want to see him again, and hoped the next Avatar cared more about he spirit world than Aang had. Maybe it was unfair, but he couldn't help the sour feelings towards that one human. It just never went away, sadly. He forgave everybody else in the ordeal but for Aang. It just wasn't going anywhere, and he was done trying.

Forgiving everyone else was enough for his mental wellbeing.

-x-

"Ace… I destroyed the spirit forest," Tonraq said one day, shocking Ace, who demanded to know why, though he was confused more than angry. Tonraq knew that spirit forest was not to be messed with. He came to see Ace periodically, though not as often as Ace's older brothers. Much older looking by now. But still healthy. "There were bad guys that went there. I didn't think, and waterbended to get them out. It messed up the trees, and the portal turned the water too hot, killing more trees.

"It's all my fault, and I've been banished," he said in guilt and despair. Ace sighed, knowing he'd never do it on purpose, but he was unsurprised when he was told it had brought angry spirits out. The portal was still closed, and not ripping, but damage, severe damage, to the forest could have brought out the spirits who were closest to the portal. Ace told Tonraq that the only way to be forgiven for such a nightmare was to fix the issue himself.

"But, I don't know what to do."

"I would give you healing flames, but they can't leave with you. Try pouring spirit oasis water into the water already in the forest," Ace suggested. "Do it soon, okay?" Tonraq left immediately, and Ace paced back and forth outside of the northern spirit portal, disliking coming to this place with Vaatu's negative energy.

Most spirits stayed away from this place. He waited a long while until Tonraq came back, looking bummed. "I bended all the water out, but the forest is decimated. When I poured the water into it, nothing happened. I've destroyed it beyond repair."

"The trees will grow back eventually if left alone, but the spirits will be angry. Do you have anybody who can heal them?" Tonraq looked sour and said his brother could, but he could not. "At least somebody can do it, right?" The banished waterbender nodded, but was irritated he couldn't do it.

"I'm so sorry, Ace. You worked so hard to keep it in good shape, and here I just killed it," he said in complete shame. Ace was angry inside, but saw the devastation and guilt pretty much emanating from the man. He would stay banished, and was going to head to the Southern Water Tribe. Unalaq would stay at the Northern Water Tribe.

Ace did try to encourage Tonraq to make up for what he'd done by watching over the southern portal any way he could. The man agreed, and left to go pack and head to his new home. Hopefully he could make a good life there.

The sun spirit was disappointed of course, but saw the regret in the man's eyes and knew he truly repented. But when he approached his spirit friends, they were furious with the human's mistake. "I agree. I can't believe how he could have done such a thing while knowing full well how delicate and important the forest is," Ace said with a sigh. "And there's no way to fix it, it seems. At least, not right now.

"Aang could possibly fix it, but he might be too busy to take any care for us and our world. He thinks by closing the portals, it fixed everything up."

"Here we are again, bashing the Avatar," Aye Aye said dismissively. Ace huffed, and said he had good reason to dislike him. "You want to be in the human world again, don't you?" he asked sourly.

"I wish to live with my brothers, but I love both worlds equally. This place is safer and I can travel farther, and I have no idea what the world is like 20 years after I left. I have no idea what the human world is actually like anymore, to be honest. So I can't say anything about how wonderful it is when I have no idea what it's like," Ace explained honestly. "Marco and Thatch tell me about the new 'technology', and they do sound fascinating in their own way, but I liked the world when it was more… simple. Like here."

The spirits around him were glad he didn't want to go to the human world more than see them. Marco and Thatch came soon, and appeared at Ace, something they could do easily after coming to the spirit world so often. They were somber about what happened to the spirit forest, with good reason. They lived in the place that dark spirits were exacting revenge at.

But Marco was being taught by the much younger Unalaq how to appease them safely. "But I don't really want him as chief. He's kind of cold and empty seeming. And in a way, he bothers me about his obsession with the spirit world, yet he doesn't come visit you. It just seems like he's squandering a wonderful and reliable resource for more information and less unproven lore," Thatch said honestly.

Ace had not seen the younger brother in a very long time. Years, at least, which was strange since a few of them visited him often. But even seeing Ace, it hadn't stopped Tonraq from destroying the forest, accidental or not. He really should have known better. "Hopefully the forest will heal quickly."

"I don't know Ace, the damage is really bad," Marco said in a dark voice. "It's no wonder he's being banished. You're still well known, even if you've been gone nearly 30 years. Your presence affected a lot of people, helping them in times of need. So destroying what you worked so hard to keep safe, well, the older generations are very unhappy and want Tonraq gone." It did make sense for them to feel that way. Ace frowned, and wished things had ended up differently. The spirits hearing this were furious at the humans for doing such a thing, as it wasn't Tonraq alone that did such a thing.

"You two are good, but those humans destroyed a sacred place for us!" Aye Aye shouted, the most vocal spirit in the group. Marco and Thatch agreed that it was wrong for that to happen, and were smart enough to not argue that all humans weren't bad.

"Hopefully the spirit forest heals on its own," Ace said, but didn't believe that. If only his flames could be brought to the other side! But it just wasn't possible. And controlling the sun was dangerous. He could do nothing that way, put more sunlight on the forest, it just wasn't possible or practical.

-x-

Ace was surprised to find Marco there two weeks after his and Thatch's scheduled time. He assumed they'd been busy, being in Republic City's cultural center to speak about the spirits and all they knew of Harmonic Convergence. They had to have been busy. Marco appeared, younger looking and sad. It was confusing, since he was supposed to be in his 60's, having aged right before Ace's eyes, the decades passing quickly for him in the spirit world.

"Marco? What happened?"

"I'm here permanently, now," he said quietly. "I died." Ace's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in horror. Thatch was all alone now. "I was hit by a satmobile crossing the street," he said simply. "So, you have me here permanently, now." Ace was glad to see him, but didn't want him dead. But thank goodness he'd made it in time. "I managed to enter the spirit world seconds before my body passed."

Marco ran forward and hugged Ace tightly, crying. "You had a good life, Marco," Ace said sincerely, one big hand on his back while the new spirit hugged his thick neck. "I'm glad you made it here," he said sincerely. Some spirits came over, and recognized Marco, and could tell something was different.

Now there were two human spirits in this world. Iroh sold tea still, and enjoyed it. "I do think it was on purpose while we were speaking of Harmonic Convergence. It just seemed very planned. But I don't want to think about that. I am unable to ever return." The spirits sadly welcomed Marco permanently.

Many knew him, had met him and Thatch over the decades of visiting, so they both had a great reputation as humans. Tonraq hadn't come to visit in awhile, so Ace had a feeling it was out of guilt over the forest, which hadn't been healed as far as he knew. Aang wasn't there, and Ace assumed a new Avatar had come by now.

"Come, let's go home," Ace said, and Marco took his side. But first, they headed towards Mother. Marco was nervous to meet her. The being that created all. But her voice was not in disapproval at finally meeting someone who brought out such strong emotions in the sun spirit. "Mother, this is Marco. I'd like, for his sake, to be able to use my human body here. I won't age here in that body, so it would be okay, right?"

Marco started to say he wasn't upset with Ace being in his spirit form, but Ace put his hand up. Best not to interrupt Mother. But she sid he'd waited long enough for his other family to return, and she wished him to be happier, and allowed him to be able to change into his human body, which he hadn't seen in nearly 30 years.

He looked down at pink, fleshy hands and touched his face. Marco smiled when he saw the appearance he'd first known the longest, and hugged him. "Thank you, Mother."

"To keep your happiness, I would do much, sun." She never called him Ace, which was fine. He wasn't bothered by it. Ace took Marco's hand, and lead him to his home. It was an actual stone house with rooms in it, and a bed made of a soft substance from the cotton fields that were made just for this.

Spirits liked living in comfort, too. Not just humans. There was no kitchen since there was no form of cooking, and spirits didn't need to eat, they just enjoyed it when they could. Marco would never go hungry. "This place is nice."

"I bet it's completely different from the human world. I assume it's more changed than you told me," Ace said brightly. He then hugged Marco close, who hugged him back. "Welcome back, brother."

"Yeah," Marco said, prolonging the hug. They'd missed one another, more than just visits. But they both missed Thatch but hoped he'd not come here and lived on. Ace asked for him to tell him all about Republic City, and he heard all sorts of stories of the strange, new human world. There was so much more to see, to learn.

Ace's books had been mass printed throughout the world, which was pretty cool! "Even decades later, your influence still exists." Ace asked about Tonraq, as he hadn't come in so long, the same as Unalaq, so he had no information about the spirit forests. "Well, I'm not sure. They haven't spoken to us either."

Ace frowned, and suddenly Marco's face crumpled. "I'm dead."

"Yeah. You are. But you're not in the unknown afterlife, if there is one."

"I'm glad. I'm glad I get to see you again, forever," Marco said. Ace wondered if he had anybody else he wanted to be with. "It's not like it's promised that I'd see anyone again. And I wanted to be with you again."

"What about me?" a voice asked in the doorway. They turned around, but saw the difference from his usual appearance. "Sorry, I couldn't stand being the only one left." Marco looked so horrified. Thatch had killed himself to be with them. "Don't pity me, okay?" he said firmly. Marco and Ace hugged him tightly, all back together after 40 years. "We're all back together, and that's what matters most."

Ace nodded, and all three of them cried over different things. Marco and Thatch because of the shock of their deaths and Ace out of how he was always scared they'd die quickly and not have time to enter the spirit world, and they'd be lost forever. But things went to plan, how they were planned so long ago. A new chapter in life was beginning.

-x-

All the spirits fled to the furthest place in the spirit world they could get as harmonic convergence started, and Raava and Vaatu were to fight once again. Being close to there right now would only cause them to risk going dark. Big risks that would cause problems for the good sides.

Marco and Thatch were on Ace's dragon back as they fled. Both of them were freaked about the sheere panic by all the spirits. They fled as fast as they could, and ended up going into the deepest spot in the spirit world. A huge rip in the ground that lead to underground tunnels that many spirits called home.

Ace turned back into his smaller, human side as all of them stuffed their ways inside, pulling the slab of stone in front of the entrance. Ace used his fire to keep the place lit. The spirits were uncomfortably stuffed together, afraid of turning dark. Thatch, Marco and Iroh were the most uneasy, not knowing much about it but for the negative parts, the risk of turning dark.

"As long as we stay hidden and far away, Vaatu shouldn't reach us as long as he doesn't take over," Ace assured them. "You three might not turn into dark spirits, and you can't die here. It would just be very unpleasant for a long time."

"That doesn't really make us feel any better," Thatch mumbled. The other spirits were pacing, shuffling about as they were stuffed. Thousands of spirits were trapped in the large underground tunnel network. Even though it was large, there were tens of thousands of spirits in that are alone.

It was very, very uncomfortable, but necessary. They all stayed quiet, attempting to hear or feel anything, but they were very far, which was good. They waited for hours and hours. The spirit portals had been opened, but no spirits wanted to risk it, knowing the forests could be decimated, and therefore full of negative energy that could affect all of them.

After many hours, and a lot of shaking, they could tell things were back to normal, and cheered loudly, knowing they had another 10,000 years of peace and safety! They flooded out of the caves and up the paths to the surface, all relieved. There was a huge party with tons of Thatch's cooking of fruit pies and other foods from the spirit world, while Iroh served his best tea.

It was only after the party that they returned to the portals to see they were still completely open. "I think the Avatar forgot to close the portals," Pina said, one of the spirits Ace had known the longest that lived in the hot spring, never leaving it but for this emergency.

"Or they were left open on purpose!"

"No way!"

"Things have changed since Wan. The humans might not be violent against us, and we won't be bad against them, either!"

"I don't know… the humans can be violent, can't they?"

"But Marco and Thatch and Iroh came out and are good, right?"

Marco spoke up and said, "There are bad humans and good humans. If the portals were left open on purpose, that means we can travel between both worlds whether we like it or not." But Thatch pointed out that that also meant humans could enter the spirit world. They were truly mixed now, whether they liked it or not.

Ace replied, "Is it worth try?"

"I will continue to sell my tea. Don't worry, I'm still open for business." The charismatic old man laughed, and headed back in the direction of his precious tea house. Marco looked at his brothers, and said they could now finally travel between both worlds easily. Ace smiled. His body was not to age. Time told him that fact, he refused to let him age after how he failed the forest.

That was after Ace had stopped mourning his loss. But Marco and Thatch wouldn't age either. The three would stay their ages forever, so why not take a visit to the human world? Ace looked forward to seeing something new, seeing more humans! After… how long was it? Thirty years? Forty counting his missing decade? After that long, he missed seeing humans, even if it didn't hurt at all anymore.

A huge group of them all stood around the open spirit portals, Vaatu gone for now, not even in his tree prison. "Is everyone ready?" Ace asked. They steeled themselves, excited and scared at the same time. Ace took both of his brother's hands, just like he did the first time he'd lived with them. So long ago.

They stepped into the light, and back into the human world.

The end.


A happy ending! Even though both Thatch and Marco died, they're all together forever. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you at my next fic!