HI guys! Sorry it took so long! I ve been busy so heres a chapter and enjoy!

Chapter 27

"I'm not one to complain," Sokka started to whine as Appa soared over the ocean passing a few large ice peaks, "But can't Appa fly any higher?"

Aang turned his head to glare over his shoulder at Sokka, "I have an idea! Why don't we all get on your back and you could fly us to the North Pole!"

"I'd love to." Sokka retorted sarcastically and began shaking his rear at Aang, causing Katara to sigh in exasperation while Liling just giggled, "Climb on everyone, Sokka's ready for takeoff."

Momo jumped onto his back and chittered.

"Look," Katara started, trying to keep the peace between them, "We're all just a little tired and cranky because we've been flying for two days straight."

"And for what?" Sokka demanded as he gestured with one arm as Momo hopped into his lap, "We can't even find the Northern Water Tribe. There's nothing up here!"

"We will." Liling said looking at the giant jagged ice. "We're getting close."

"How would you know?!" Sokka demanded

Before Liling could answer the sound of water splashing drew the four teen's attention and Aang turned around just into to see a large ice spike appear in front of Appa.

"AHHH!" Aang screamed as he jerked Appa's reins to the side and Appa growled as he began to swerve sharply around more ice spikes.

Katara, Sokka and Liling all screamed and clung to the rim of Appa's saddle as the bison nearly turned completely on his side while flying in the air. Appa tried to fly higher into the air to avoid another spike but the ice seemed to move of its own and grabbed onto one of his paws, causing him to spin out of control with Aang clinging desperately to the reins as he swung off Appa's head.

The large bison grumbled as he hit the water on his side, the others shifted so he was on his belly. He roared loudly as the water around him suddenly froze, keeping him in place.

"They're Waterbenders!" Katara shouted excitedly when she saw the four boats begin to surround them, "We found the Water Tribe."

"They found us." Liling said looking at the number of warriors and boats. 'I'm home..i wonder how much they changed.' She consciously reached up to touch her necklace only to realize that she no longer have it.

"He's heading north, the Northern Water Tribe." Zhao explained coolly as he turned away from the map of the world to look at his advisers with his hands clasped behind his back, "The Avatar needs to master Waterbending. He's looking for a teacher."

"Then what are we waiting for?" One of his advisers asked impatiently, "Let's go get him!"

"Patience, Captain Li." Zhao chided condescendingly, "This isn't some little Earth village we can just march into. The Water Tribe is a great nation. There's a reason they've survived a hundred years of war. The frozen tundra is treacherous, the landscape itself is an icy fortress. We'll need a massive invasion force."

Zhao had started walking around the other side of the table his advisers were sitting around as he spoke and stopped at the head of the table, looking at each of his advisers coldly.

"There it is!" Aang exclaimed excitedly as he pointed towards the magnificent wall of thick ice that surrounded the Northern Water Tribe's city. "Isn't it great Lils?!"

"I see that hasn't changed!" Liling exclaimed

Liling leaned forward against the front of the saddle beside Katara.

"The Northern Water…" Katara said in a awe whisper as she held one hand to her chest in amazement.

"We're finally here." Sokka added, his own voice sounding surprised as he gazed at the wall.

The four watch as a couple of Waterbenders in one of the boats Waterbended a portion of the wall. One of the Waterbender's smiled as the four teens looked over at him and he held his hands out, gesturing for them to enter the tunnel that had been made in the wall. Aang grinned and snapped Appa's reins, urging the sky bison forward.

"Whoa…" Liling muttered in awe as Appa stopped in the middle of a large square area in front of another wall and Waterbenders standing atop of the walls used Waterbending to simultaneously lower the wall in front of them and add more water into the square area, raising the water level.

"I can't believe how many Waterbenders live up here!" Katara commented as she looked around, the water around them rising steadily.

"We'll find a master to teach us, no problem." Aang agreed, grinning over his shoulder at the girls.

"Our master will have to be one with a lot of experience." Liling said

The water stopped rising and the wall in front of them lowered completely, allowing Appa to swim into the channels of the city. Liling saw how different the tribe changed, the structures are beautiful, the home large and village full of prosper.

Aang grinned as he let Appa follow the boat in front of them.

Liling glanced to the side and quirked a brow when she saw small canoe with a white-haired girl sitting regally at the front while a Waterbender sailed it through the water past them.

Liling noticed Sokka's eyes go wide and a blush form on his face.

"This place is beautiful." Katara commented as she looked around.

"Yeah…" Sokka said dreamily as he looked at the white-haired girl. "She is…"

Katara looked in the direction her brother was staring then she looked at Liling, who grinned at her and the two girls began to giggle quietly at Sokka's love struck expression.

'Aw...he's like a lovestruck pandapuppy.' Liling thought she looked around the scenery taking it all in. 'There's some things that hasn't changed.'

"Winter, Spring… Summer and Fall…" Iroh sang as Lieutenant Jee played a lute and two other crew members played their own instruments while two of the engineers danced around the small fire on the main deck, "Winter, Spring…Summer and Fall…four seasons…four loves…four seasons…four loves…"

Lieutenant Jee accidently played a high-pitched note when he caught sight of the two soldiers along with Admiral Zhao board the ship and the other crew members turned to look at the smirking man, they froze in their spots. Iroh paused in his song and glanced behind him at Zhao, his expression calm and collected.

Liling took a seat glancing at the long table between Aang and Katara with Sokka, Liling listened to the drums being played occasionally humming along. The Northern Water Tribe's chief, stood up and the drums stopped playing.

"Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe, and of welcoming back one of our own, And they brought with them someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now…The Avatar!" Arnook said grandly, gesturing first to Katara,Sokka, Liling and finally to Aang as four men lowered a giant crab into a pool of boiling water and the crowd cheered and applauded, "We also celebrate my daughter's sixteenth birthday. Princess Yue is now of marrying age!"

The white-haired girl Sokka had been staring all lovey dovey early stepped forward with two older women walking on either side and slightly behind her. Princess Yue smiled and briefly bowed her head demurely towards her father.

"Thank you, Father." She said graciously then addressed the crowd, "May the great Ocean and Moon spirits watch over us during these troubled times!"

"Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!" Arnook exclaimed, gesturing with one arm towards the three men standing on a raised platform across from the head table.

The older man, Master Pakku and the two younger men began Waterbending to large bubbles of water from three large jugs in front of the raised platform, completely captivating Katara, Liling and Aang as they applauded.

'This is amazing!' Liling thought completely engulfed in the master's stances and his pupils following along.

Liling noticed Princess Yue walk over and sit down at the end of the table beside Sokka, who was busy shoveling food in his mouth.

Sokka swallowed his mouthful then brush his hands off and lean one elbow against the table, looking at the princess nonchalantly.

"Hi, there." Sokka greeted in an attempt at coolness "Sokka, Southern Water Tribe."

"Very nice to meet you." Yue replied with an inclination of her head, then the two looked away from each other awkwardly.

"So…uhhh…you're a princess, huh?" Sokka stuttered nervously then cleared his throat, trying to sound confident, "You know, back in my tribe, I'm kinda like a prince, myself."

"Ha, prince of what?" Katara quipped with a snicker as she leaned over her brother's shoulder slightly.

"A lot of things!" Sokka said defensively, "Do you mind? I'm trying to have a conversation here."

"My apologies, Prince Sokka." Katara drawled sarcastically then turned to giggle quietly with Liling, who had witnessed the whole thing.

Sokka glared at the two girls for a moment then turned back to Yue, "So, it looks like I'm going to be in town for a while. I'm thinking…maybe we could…do an activity, together?"

"Do an activity?" Yue asked, slightly confused as she laughed quietly.

Sokka blushed in embarrassment and shoved some food in his mouth to cover it up.

Aang glanced over at Liling and Katara as they ate and teased Sokka then he followed Arnook when the older man motioned for him to. Arnook leads him over to where Master Pakku was still standing on the raised platform and stood the side as the two benders faced each other.

"Master Pakku, meet your newest student, the Avatar." Arnook introduced with a smile as he indicated the young Avatar, who bowed to Pakku respectfully.

Pakku looked over the boy standing in front of him critically with his hands folded inside his robe sleeves, "Just because you're destined to save the world, don't expect any special treatment."

"My friends and I can't wait to start training with you!" Aang replied after giving the man a confused look, "After we relax for a few days."

"If you want to relax then I suggest visiting a tropical island." Pakku stated drily as he looked around in disinterest, "If not, I'll see you and your friends at sunrise. Good night."

Aang watched in surprise as the Waterbending master walked away.

After the party Aang and the others were shown to their temporary home. Liling couldn't sleep she glanced around seeing the others fast asleep, she slowly slipped out of bed going outside staring at the moon.

"It won't be long now." Liling whispered looking up at the moon. "I'll finish my training with my new master…i'm excited..and nervous."

Liling hugged herself her hand went up but stopped knowing she doesn't have her necklace. "Mom...Dad...i miss you so much."

Iroh open the metal door to his nephew's cabin and poked his head inside, instantly noticing Zuko leaning against the wall with his hands tightly holding a familiar necklace.

"For the last time. I'm not playing the tsungi horn!" He said

"No, it's about our plans." Iroh said worriedly as he looked at his nephew carefully and stepped further into the dimly lit room, "There's a bit of a problem."

Zhao stepped into the room then, standing slightly behind Iroh as he stared at the banished prince coldly.

"I'm taking your crew." The Admiral stated matter-of-factly.

"What?!" Zuko demanded, pushing himself a way from the wall and moving to stand a foot or so away from the older man.

"I'm taking them for a little expedition to the North Pole." Zhao said with a smirk as he walked around Iroh and stood in front of the sneering prince.

"Uncle, is that true?" Zuko asked in disbelief as he looked over Zhao's shoulder at his uncle.

"I'm afraid so. He's taking everyone." Iroh confirmed then covered his eyes with his arm in sadness, "Even the cook!"

"Sorry you won't be there to watch me capture the Avatar." Zhao sneered down at the prince, "But I can't have you getting in my way again."

Zuko growled and charged towards Zhao with fire burning his eyes only for Iroh to move forward and stop him by putting his hands on his chest.

"No!" Iroh gasped, keeping his hands raised slightly as he and Zuko watched Zhao walk towards to crossed broadswords hanging on the wall of Zuko's cabin.

"I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko." Zhao stated with feigned interested as he picked up one of the swords, remembering how the Blue Spirit had used the same kind of swords back at the Stronghold to rescue the Avatar.

"I'm not." Zuko replied and looked off to the side, "They're antiques, just decorative."

Zhao scrutinized the prince skeptically then began examining the broadsword in his hand as he addressed Iroh, "Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?"

"Just rumors." Iroh answered flippantly, "I don't think he's real."

"He's real alright. He's a criminal and an enemy of the Fire Nation." Zhao stated as he walked towards the other two then twisted the sword so the blade was facing down as he held it out to Iroh, who took the broadsword from the Admiral's hand.

"But I have a feeling justice will catch up with him soon." Zhao continued as he walked towards the door to the cabin and paused in the doorway with one hand on the door, "General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands…if you change your mind."

Zuko's jaw clenched as he and his uncle watched the other man leave the room, closing the metal door behind him.

"I've waited for this day my whole life!" Katara said excitedly as she, Liling and Aang walked up to the palace, "I finally get to learn from a real Waterbending master! What if i mess up?"

Liling chuckled and skipped forwards a few steps. "You'll do fine." Liling said reassuring her. "You're a fast learner."

The trio reached the place where the feast had been held the night before, where Master Pakku was currently bending a stream of water with his back to the three teens.

"Good morning, Master Pakku!" Aang greeted loudly with his arm raised in a wave, his loud greeting causing Master Pakku to drop the water.

"No, please, barge right in." Pakku stated drily in an annoyed tone as he lowered his arms, "I'm not concentrating or anything."

Liling giggled softly at the obvious grouchiness of the old Waterbending Master, she stopped seeing Pakku stare at the trio.

"Uh…" Aang replied unsurely then grinned and gestured towards Katara and Liling standing beside him. "This is my friend, Katara. The one I told you about? And this is Liling she's here to finish her training too."

Katara bowed slightly in respect, her hands clasped behind her back as she tried to keep her eagerness in check while Liling gave her own brief bow of respect her Master. Pakku looked from Aang towards the two girls then turned away, Waterbending a block of ice to use as a seat.

"I'm sorry, I think there's been a misunderstanding." Pakku stated, not sounding even remotely apologetic as he basically dismissed both girls, "You didn't tell me your friends are girls. In our tribe, it is forbidden for women to learn Waterbending."

"Wait, what?" Liling asked in confusion.

"What do you mean you won't teach us?" The dark haired girl demanded angrily at the same time as she stalked towards Pakku, "I didn't travel across the entire world so you could tell me no!"

"No." Pakku said coolly as he looked at the dark-haired girl dispassionately.

"But there must be other female Waterbenders in your tribe!" Katara protested, still upset as she put her hands on her hips and glared at the older man.

"There has to be someone." Liling said crossing her arms over her chest. "Why can't women learn how to fight?!"

"Here, the women learn from Yugoda to use their Waterbending to heal." Pakku replied matter-of-factly, "I'm sure she would be happy to take you as her students, despite your bad attitudes."

Liling's eyebrows rose and she stared at Pakku in disbelief.

"You can't be serious?" Liling muttered "He can't be serious!"

"I think he is." Aang answered just as quietly, his eyes never straying from the fuming Katara.

"It wasn't like this a hundred years ago! At that time there were plenty of women that can fight!" Liling snapped.

"Our tribe decided it was better this way." Pakku cooly replied. "You two can go to Yugoda, her class starts soon."

"I've learned how to heal from my mother now...i want to finish my training, i want to fight!" Liling exclaimed feeling frustrated.

"I don't want to heal either!" Katara shouted furiously, throwing her arms out to express her agitation, "I want to fight!"

"I can see that." Pakku commented drily as he looked at Katara with superiority, "But our tribe has customs, rules."

"Well, your rules stink!" Katara retorted with a huff.

"Yeah, they're not fair!" Aang agreed as he moved to stand beside the girls, glaring at Pakku, "If you won't teach Katara and Liling, then-"

"Then what?" Pakku asked impassively as he stood and stared Aang down.

"Then I won't learn from you!" Aang shouted and turned, leaving Liling and Katara to stare after him in surprise.

"Well, have fun teaching yourself!" Pakku scoffed as he watched Aang walked away, "I'm sure you'll do a great job."

"Wait! Aang didn't mean that!" Katara said quickly to Pakku then rushed after Aang, leaving Liling standing near Pakku.

Liling looked over at the older man, her arms folded over her chest, "It wasn't like this...my mother told me stories of her tribe." She said "I never thought i'd see it with this type of sexist attitude."

Pakku's eye twitched slightly and he glared down at the female bender.

"Little girl, you should run along now." The Waterbending Master said waving his hand in a condescending shooing gesturing, "Go now."

"As if that'll stop me from my training." Liling muttered under her breath running towards Katara and Aang.

Katara reached Aang and put her hand on Aang's shoulder, turning him to face her.

"You can't risk your training for us." Katara said to the younger Airbender urgently, "You have to learn from Master Pakku, even if he is a big jerk."

Aang hesitated a moment he glanced at Liling catching up to them.

"Katara is right...it's important for you to have a master, don't lose this opportunity." Liling said "We'll learn some other way."

Aang looked at the two girls then nodded his head in agreement. Katara smiled a little sadly and patted his shoulder gently in assurance, Liling smiled.

"Why don't you go to Yugoda? I'll do some exploring and meet you back at the hut." Liling said heading towards the stairs.

Aang watched the two girls leave sadly, his staff loosely held in his hand.

"Why don't we get started, then?" Pakku asked he then smirked as he blasted Aang with a stream of water when the boy turned to look at him, nearly causing Aang to fall down.

Liling let out a angry sigh, her mother never said a word about this, she knew about the customs but never thought they'd change so much to make a bunch of sexist rules!

"There has to be a way! I mean thats a stupid rule! A woman forbidden to learn to defend herself?" Liling said under her breath. "This is unfair!"

"I'm very impressed." Zhao said as he rested his elbows on his desk and steepled his fingers beneath his chin, looking up at the group of men standing in front of him, "You all seem highly qualified for the mission I have in mind."

The pirate captain smirked as Zhao pulled the small chest sitting on the desk towards him then opened it. The pirate barker picked up a piece of the gold and bit down on it curiously.

"That's some tasty gold." He commented with a grin only to pout slightly when his captain snatched the gold piece from his hand and put it back in the chest.

"What do you need us to do?" The pirate captain asked Zhao after closing the small chest and pushing it slightly to the side with one arm resting atop it.

Zhao smirked at the man, "I believe you're acquainted with prince Zuko."

Liling explored her surroundings seeing the beautiful structure. She pulled her parka that she borrowed from Katara crossing the bridge going up the stairs getting a better view at the ocean.

"These rules stink.." Liling muttered her hands gripped the snowbridge. "Women are just as capable as men to fight." She stared at the waves watching it push and pull.

That's it for the chapter! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!