So chap 4 and its Bato... And maybe a little backstory with Thea- In the flashback italics are Thea telling the story and the normal writing is her past thoughts and speech. In reply to the guest review all I want to say is that I'm doing this for fun and to just feel creative rather than for the actual writing. Ive never been good at writing but I'm good at creating stories ( so i have been told) You read this to enjoy it. So enjoy. You guys know I don't own it so here goes...


Bato of the Water Tribe.

"Hey look!" I heard Aang shout from a distance. We had landed on a beach to walk around a while and to give Appa a rest. Katara and myself ran over to Aang and Sokka, who were inspecting a sword. It must be Water Tribe because over the years I have seen plenty of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom swords to know that is not one.
"Did we loose something?" Katara asked.
"No we found something." Sokka replied. He went one explaining the epic battle that went down here. But I froze at the scorch marks. I made scorch marks like these, long ago. I would need to tell them, at least a little bit about me, or we will bump into someone who will tell them everything. It would be better if I told them. Sokka started running off talking for the great battle.
"So then what?" Aang asked when Sokka stopped.
"I don't know the trail ends here."
"Look" Katara spotted a ship nearby. It was a Water Tribe boat. Both siblings grew excited and ran towards it, me and Aang in pursuit.
"Is it dad's boat?" Katara asked hopefully.
"No, but it's from his fleet." Sokka's eyes contained excitement and hope. "Dad was here." Neither sibling notice the cold picking up, nor the sun going down.
"We should make camp here, set out tomorrow." I say, not to anyone in particular see as though everyone seemed occupied by the boat. At least Momo look liked he agreed with me, to be honest it was hard to tell.

In no time at all we were all sat around a campfire, Sokka's mood had decreased noticeably. He seemed to be remembering times gone by.
"Those scorch marks though, they seemed fresh." Aang commented. He and Katara we discussing how long ago the fight was.
"They weren't fresh." I said. "I used to make scorch marks like those, fresh ones would feel warm, those did not."
"What do you mean, you've made scorch marks like those?" asked Katara. Her tone told me that she was not happy, maybe she thought I did this. Death by angry water bender. Actually not a bad way to go.
"I told you I had a past I want to forget. Well in that past, I used fire-bending for bad. And water-bending and earth bending. I was forbidden to use air bending."
"So you were a bandit or a thug." Katara asked.
"No Katara, I was much, much worse."

~Flashback~

I'll start from the beginning, my story is a long one. My father, as I have said, is the Spirit Rang. The Shepherd Spirit that used to lead lost travellers back to the path. He entered the physical world and fell in love with my mother, a poor farmers girl with no bending at all. He brought her back to the Spirit world which was forbidden and soon there was news that she was pregnant, which was also forbidden. The other Spirits knew this was wrong and the child would not survive. There has never been a half-spirit in existence, because it was so forbidden and because the child has never survived. Anyway instead of me not surviving, my mother didn't survive. The Spirits had no idea what to do with me. An evil Spirit, Magtus a Spirit of fire, stole me. He figured since I was half human I should be able to live on the physical world just as well as I live in the Spirit World. So he gave me to a family to raise. Katara before you say that's not so bad just let me finish. You see the family was Fire Nation, and I was raised to be a weapon. Fire bender masters taught me everything they knew. Then Water bender masters and Earth bender masters were made to teach me.

"Who was the family Thea?"

I was raised by Fire Lord Azulon, and after he died Fire Lord Ozai. Azulon, as bitter and as cruel as he was didn't want me to be a weapon as such, just a solider in his army. When he was alive I was a Fire Nation citizen. But when he died, I became meat, the Fire Lords property. I was forced to fight, forced to become a monster. Everyone feared me apart from Ozai, his daughter and later Zhao. I lived off the fear. I went all over the world to bring the Fire Nation success. My last mission however will be forever imprinted in my head.

A rustle stopped my story. I whipped my hood up and looked towards the noise. All three of my friends didn't seem to hate me too much, but really I hadn't started my story at all. And I hadn't mentioned Theo. I'll have to to carry on.
"Who's there?" Sokka shouted, his mood not really improving.
"Sokka?" The unfamiliar voice sounded surprised, and older. A figure approached us in Water Tribe clothes. His left torso and left arm was bandaged up and his eyes seemed tired.
"Bato?"
"Who?" Aang and I asked. The siblings weren't listening.
"Bato!" They seemed very happy to see this Bato. He seemed very happy to see them. Their reunion was so happy, I never had a family this happy ever. The siblings were sad to hear their dad wasn't here, but we followed Bato to an abby.
"After I was injured your father carried me here and the sisters have looked after me since. Superior these are Hakodas children and they have been traveling with the Avatar." The Mother Superior seemed very interested in the Avatar.
"Young Avatar, it gives me great joy to be in your presence. Welcome to our abby."
"It is truly an honour to be here. If there is anything..."
"What smells so good Bato." Aang was really polite but Sokka completely cut him off. It was like Aang wasn't there. Well they completely forgot to introduce me but I'm used to it. And I suppose the siblings haven't seen this guy... whoever he is, for a while. And the way they were talking to each other it seemed they were close, or at least had a bit of catching up to do. I noticed Aang leave and it was obvious I wasn't going to be in this conversation or understand half of it so I left myself.

I journeyed for a while, to where I do not know. It was sort of nice to be alone again even though I hated it when I was younger. It was always me and Theo. When Azulon was alive we would play pranks on his soldiers, funny things no one ever got hurt. Even in his foulest moods he always laughed at our pranks. Or a small smile at least. Ozai was less pleased about our pranks. In fact all fun we used to have was taken from us. But we still had each other. We always had each other. It's funny, when I look back, anyone from the Fire Nation was jealous of Theo and me. Living in the palace, being with the royal family, being powerful. If only they knew the struggle we went through daily. Many moments in that life, I thought I was going to die. Old habits die hard, I still constantly think I'll die.
"Thea!" I turned surprised to see Aang. "What are you doing out here?"
"The three of them seemed content talking, I wouldn't really understand what they were talking about, nor did I feel that I should be there."
"Oh."
"Why did you leave?" I already really knew the answer just thought the boy needed someone to talk to.
"I miss my family." He was talking about the monks. The Air Nomads. "Tell me more, about your life."
"You want to know more? Aang it's not a nice story and you know what you need to know. I was born a Spirit, raised by two fire lords, I went on missions to destroy the Earth Kingdom, my last mission went wrong, I ran into Magtus who took away my bending, Roku told me to find you and I have."
"I feel like there is something you're not telling me" He said, he was right I hadn't mentioned Theo. I hadn't mentioned a few things.
"You're right of course, I could go into detail about my life. Go on about about what happened. But I won't, at least not now. The thing I'm really holding back I should tell with all of you. Come on they'll be wondering where we are." I say.
"No they won't" he says stubbornly. I turn back towards the abby. The wind picked up slightly. Something told me that something was about to happen, soon.

Aang walked straight into the tent the Water Tribe people were in. I held back, not wanting to miss the beautiful stars above me.
"Redemption will not be this easy Murderer." It was the Superior. She was angry, I swear if she wasn't a nun I'd be dead. Maybe she will kill me anyway I wonder what death by nun is like.
"I know" I say looking in her eyes. "How did you know?"
"A glimpse of your hair. You hide it well with the hood, but it is too long to hide when you will attack."
"What are saying?"
"Follow me." and me being possibly a little too careless with my life followed her. She led me into the abby and into what looked like her room. "Sit" such a simple command. She returned with a knife. My heart started pumping. Yep I was going to die by an angry nun, great way to go. "Let your hair out." I pulled my hood down, seriously though I felt like I should be running rather than following her instructions. My hair was as white as snow, and as messy as a birds nest. Three years of not looking after it has consequences. Boy it was long. It came to my hips standing up. After what felt like years of waiting for this 'peaceful' woman to stab me, I felt a weight being removed. Then I felt something undoing the knots on top of my head. I ran my hand through my now unknotted hair to find it stopped just before my neck. It wasn't neatly done either, some bits were long than others. I looked to the floor to find a sheep's wool in a pile expect that there wasn't a sheep in this world as white as that. Superior pointed at it with the knife. "That gave you away." I could tell what she meant. The thing could not be any less noticeable.
"Thank you." I was grateful to her, the hood hid the hair much better. I got up to leave.
"You aren't planning to kill the Avatar are you?" she asked.
"No, I'm planning to change. For the world. I'm no longer ruled by a Fire Lord. I follow the Avatar. Plus I'm powerless." I show her the wrist chains that tattoo my body. "I can't even if I wanted to." She didn't seem satisfied with this statement, but waved me off anyway. It seems I will be saying that a lot to people. It takes a lot to change peoples mind about yourself. I returned to the tent to find the people inside all asleep.

The morning came and we followed Bato to his ship.
"This ship was built by my father." he said kind of all of a sudden.
"Did he take you ice dodging in it?" Sokka asked.
"Sure did!" Bato said giving us a toothy grin. "Hey I bet your ice dodging story is a good one Sokka." Sokka turned sad. The older man looked taken aback. "Ah I forgot you were too young."
"What's ice dodging?" asked Aang. I want to know as well, it seemed painful. And look on Bato's face made me feel like we were about to do something we could die from. Death because of a dare-crazy Water Tribe man. I'd rather the nun

Half an hour later and we ended up on his boat dodging rocks. Sokka was leading and being wise, Katara was on the sails and being brave, and Aang was on the jib and being trustworthy. I ended up being a passenger, not because I didn't want to join in no. Who wouldn't want to die because of Water Tribe rite of passage to manhood? I didn't join in because I had no clue how to work on a Water Tribe boat. And really there wasn't anywhere else I could go. I have to admit Sokka leads excellently. We, or rather they, had finished the 'course' but there was one last bundle of rocks. And we weren't going to make it. Does that make this death by rocks, gee I hope not I still prefer the nun.
"We aren't going to make it!" Katara yells
"We will make it."
"Sokka are you crazy we can't make that!" I yelled.
"Aang air bend into the sails, Katara bend the water between us and the rocks, Thea..."
"Me?" I was shocked and I hoped I wouldn't be asked to compete in this madness.
"Yes you, grab the jib, hold her steady." I grabbed what Aang was perviously holding not having a clue what to do. So I just held it and tried to keep it in place. Boy was it hard, the currents pushed and pulled the boat this way and that way. Or maybe that was Katara's water bending. We made it to calm waters and no longer did I feel any pulling on the jib. And we didn't die.

I stood behind Bato as he gave Sokka the mark of a leader, Katara the mark of courage and Aang the mark of trust.
"I can't" Aang said after his mark was put on. "You can't trust me."
"What are you talking about Aang?"
"A messenger gave this to me for Bato." Sokka took it and read it quickly getting less confused and more angry. "You have to understand, I was afraid you would.."
"This is the map leading us to our father. You had it all this time, how could you?" Sokka was yelling scaring Aang. Aang only shrugged, but it was sad. "Well you could go to the North Pole on your own. I'm going to find Dad."
"Sokka wait maybe if we talked this out.." I start to talk to resolve things but Sokka cuts me off.
"Katara are you with me?"
"I'm with you." She replies, sad about her decision but she wants to see her dad. If I had that kind of bond with my dad and someone prevented me from seeing him I would be upset to. But I'm lucky to know my dads name. The siblings started towards Appa to pack and leave.
"Thea?" Aang seemed surprised that I was staying.
"Look. He's their dad and I was told to find you not them so I am staying with you." He gave quick nod and then followed the siblings.
"I know who you are." Bato looked at me.
"Don't ask me if I'm going to kill the Avatar, because I'm not and I would have done it already. I'm trying to change."
"You disappeared for three years after serving the Fire Nation for thirteen. And now you are traveling with the Avatar and my best friends children. Many people are going to ask you if you plan to kill the Avatar." He paused "It is said you have great power, one to rival the Avatars."
"I had that power and it was taken from me by the same Spirit who sent me to Azulon. I don't have it anymore."
"I have heard that if a Spirt looses their power, they loose their Spirit mark. Tell me if you have lost your power, why is your hair still white?" He then followed the other three. Is there really a possibility that I could get it all back. No, no there isn't. Bato could have heard wrong. I mean I lost the power, but I didn't loose the fact that my father is a Spirit. No it was taken and there is no way to get it back.

I see Aang and Katara hugging so I hang back next to Appa. It's a shame we have to split up but Aang has to get to the North Pole and they want to find their dad. It's understandable.
"I think it's time you should leave" The Mother Superior said. She was eyeing me more than Aang, but Aang took it like it was directed at him. He didn't even answer her, just walked off with Momo to the beach. I stayed at the abby, Appa had wondered off to Aang. I caught sight of another white berry bush and decided to stock up, just in case we ran out. There were no black berries, but I had a few to keep me going anyway. The sight of Appa stopped me from picking the white berries and I joined Aang to get going. Mother Superior came rushing towards us as we were just about to leave
"Avatar, you must leave!" cried the Superior
"Okay I get it no body wants me around." Aang was fed up. This is going to be a great trip unless his mood lifts.
"A fierce looking woman with a horrible monster, and a young man with a scar were looking for you." Aang gasped saying something I couldn't quite catch
"How did they find us?" I should know that before I died by two crazy people and their pet.
"The beast was using the scent of a necklace to follow you."
"Katara." Aang was worried, almost like he hd a crush on her... and by look on his face he did have a crush on her.

Silently we floated on Appa above the abby, waiting for the people to return with Katara and Sokka. Aang didn't trust me that we should wait, but I know a Shirshu when I hear about one. This one will smell Aang on Katara and lead them right here. All we had to do was wait. True to my word, the creature appeared, with the woman, the young man, an older, familiar man (all of which clothed in Fire Nation clothing) Katara and Sokka. The creature circled us while we watched from above.
"What's it doing? It's just going round in a circle." No shit genius. The young man has an attitude on him that's for sure. But where have I seen the older man from?
"Aang, Thea!" Oh here we go. Appa dives at the Shirshu and saves me and Aang from being paralysed by his tough. Aang faces the younger man while I face the woman. Well I would have if Appa didn't interfere. I turn to see were I could help. Instead I come face to face with the familiar guy.
"Thea?"
"Iroh?" The old man chuckled. Yes it was Iroh, wow he's let himself go.
"My dear. I couldn't recognise you, you've grow so much, you hair is shorter."
"Iroh you've not changed one bit." He chuckled again. "I thought you were staying with Ozai? At least with Zuko." Iroh's expression changed. "What happened?" He looked up to the young man fighting Aang, the young man with a burn mark covering his face, who had grow so much since I last saw him. His face had the same moody scowl, but had lost the puppy fat. He was taller, will be taller than me now. Hair still as black as midnight. No longer was he cute, he was attractive. Shut up Thea he is fighting Aang.
"You switched sides?" Iroh asked.
"I did."
"Theo..?"
"Gone." I said simply, "Along with the power your brother was so found of, all gone to never return." His eyes were full of sympathy. "Iroh I choose good over you, and I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have picked it any other way."
"You choose good over Zuko too." he says. I blushed slightly, but hid it from the wise man next to me. Iroh leaned over to my ear and whispered so quietly even I strained to here him. "I hope we both will join you, soon." Iroh had hope that Zuko would do what I did three years ago. I didn't share his hope. One nod bid my old friend and mentor a farewell and I went to Aang and Zuko. To the Avatar and the Avatar's enemy. Both of which are my friends. Gee this will be a great conversation.

Aang had lost his footing when I stood in front of Zuko, Zuko who didn't recognise me as much as I didn't recognise him. But now I look into those golden eyes of his, I knew it was him. I was right, he was now taller than me. I pull my hood down, not caring who will see. My pure white hair and dull grey eyes always contrasted Zuko's own features. White to black, dull to gold. When we sparred and I used water bending, we were as different as can be. Many people thought we were playing as children pretending to be in a heated battle fire against water. They would make up tales of our characters. In truth we were just sparring, helping Zuko with his fire bending. But the stories people told and the pictures some painted of 'The two warriors' were a welcome distraction from my life. Now Zuko and I really are on opposite sides, and I no longer would be able to defeat him
"You're alive?" Yes it was him. No one in the world had his voice.
"I didn't know I died."
"Father said you died."
"From the rumours I've heard he hunted me for a long time, looked for me."
"Where were you? You just left, leaving me alone like she did." His mother. She left Zuko and no more than a year later so did I. He had every right to be hurt.
"You knew about the mission. It went sour we had trouble. Theo and I were split from the others. We ran into the Spirit who sent us here, Magtus. Roku appeared too. He convinced us to change sides. Theo changed first. I hesitated, I still believe what we did was right, what we were doing was right. Magtus didn't wait for me to make my mind up. He cast Theo away, took my bending and left me alone and defenceless. There was no hesitation, I had to change so I looked for the Avatar."
"Three years Thea, You could have said something." Even though I am older, Zuko had grown up these past years.
"You were in the Fire Lords palace. You are the crowned Prince. I was on the run, I didn't and still don't trust anyone in the place. Well what you what happened to you?" And he explained. His father, his banishment and his search for the Avatar. I wanted to hug him, like I did three years ago. I was his friend and I left him to this. But now we are enemies, on opposite sides.
"Whose Theo?" We both turned to see that the fighting had stopped, all eyes were on us. Aang had asked the question. So I gave him my answer.
"Theo is... was my brother, my twin. A half-Spirit like me. Magtus killed him, or took him away. He's gone."

At the word gone a powerful sent filled the abby, the Shirshu went crazy blinded by the scent. It paralysed Zuko then its owner. We left on Appa. I looked to Zuko and our opposite eyes met. I felt bad leaving him again, but we were on opposite sides now. I hoped soon, we would on the same side
"So ... where do we go?" asked Aang
"We're getting you to the North Pole." Katara answered.
"Yeah, we've lost too much time as it is." Sokka added. Me thinks the Gaang is getting back together.
"Don't you want to see your father?" Asked Aang
"Of course we do, Aang. But, you're our family, too. And right now, you need us more."
"And we need you."
"And I need to beat Sokka at a fishing contest." I said grinning
"I wish I could give you a little piece of home, Katara. Something to remind you ... "
"I'll be okay Aang"
"Still, just a little trinket. Maybe something like this?" he held up a blue necklace, in Kataras eyes I believe it was her most prised possession.
"My mothers necklace." Oh of course, she told me about her mothers death and how she looks after her necklace."Aang, how'd you get that?"
"Zuko asked me to be sure I got it to you." So that's how they were able to track us.
"Aw, that's so sweet of Zuko. Could you give him a kiss for me when you see him?"
"Sure" Aang replied. We all laughed, it was nice that we did't split.

I awoke from a dream. It was more of a memory, a rare night when Theo Zuko and I spent the evening, just talking. Laughing being children. Not the crowned prince nor the weapons at the Fire Lords hands. Just kids, children. We were thirteen all three of us. Zuko had just turned a week ago,where as Theo and I had been for a month. I remember it was our last night, before the mission. I remembering leaving, promising that we would do this again after we came home. A promise that was broken, for we never returned. Then a year or so passed and Zuko was banished. One on the run, one banished and one dead, probably. My thoughts took me to the sky again. A falling star shot passed, like it did every year for this day when the mission went wrong. The star symboled those who had died that day and marked my fourth year without Theo. Oh Theo... Everyday I regret my hesitation. Maybe none of this would have happened. And you would still be here with me. We would be here together, like we should be.


And the is the longest chapter I have ever written. phew. I'd like to thank for the followers and the favourite and well see you in the next one.