Okay, so Ara is born, the group is strategizing; all that's left for right now is to save the Water Tribe from Azula… dun dun DUH! I know I said that I would possibly put up this chapter, but to tell you the truth, even I couldn't wait! So here you go, and I hope you all enjoy! Read and Review Please!

As the days went by, the group planned their strategy in the caverns. Toph worked hard earthbending huge caves big enough to fir everyone, yet deep enough for the Fire Nation not to find them. Hakoda led her around, as he had come to the caves when he was a little boy, and knew the caverns and crevices well. Everything was going according to plan.

As Sokka got up one morning, he somehow knew that they had to speed up the plans. Something was wrong.

He ran to the tribe, and saw the last of the warriors being rounded up and led to the ships. "No," he whispered. He ran back and yelled. "Everyone! We need to save them! Now! They're being taken!"

They group all got up. Mai got her daggers, Ty Lee stretched, Toph put on a jacket, Katara took her water pouch, Zuko meditated, Sokka got his boomerang, and Hakoda got his weapons. He looked at the group.

"Ready?"

Katara looked at Ara. "What do we do with her?"

"We can bring her," Zuko started, "and leave her in the care of one of the last people in the tribe. That way she'll be safe."

"Okay," Katara said as she picked up the now one-week old baby. She wrapped her snugly in the blanket as Toph opened the top. Sokka and Zuko got onto Storm and she leapt into the sky, ready to lead the small attack. As they looked into the horizon, they saw that only 5 ships had remained. The rest had left. "We'll need to sneak onto the ship and free the rest," Sokka yelled back to Zuko. He nodded.

Storm flew next to the shadow of the first ship, and Zuko and Sokka jumped off onto the ship, and crept into a storage container. "You know about Fire Navy ships, Zuko. Where would they be keeping them?"

"Down in the lowest level of the ship, where the cells are," Zuko answered. "Follow me!" He swiftly turned and ran down a hallway, and Sokka followed closely behind. Zuko stopped him suddenly a few minutes later as they came to a corner. He motioned to be quiet, and went around the corner. Sokka turned as Zuko ambushed two soldiers, hit them over their heads, and flipped them onto their backs. He motioned Sokka to once again follow him and they ran to the cells.

10 guards were standing in front of the cells stuffed with nearly the whole tribe.

As they hid around the corner, they tried to figure out how to save them. Zuko turned and his eyes flew to a fire navy uniform. Sokka saw it too and smiled at Zuko, who smiled back. He grabbed the uniform and started to put it on.

Back at the tribe, the rest of the group had snuck into the tribe, dropped off Ara, and snuck up on the remaining soldiers. As they prepared to jump out and attack, Hakoda suddenly stopped them, seeing Azula.

She walked by, her head covered in a bandage from what Sokka did to her. She walked to a table and stood next to the Admiral, looking at the plans, while the 5 revolters eavesdropped.

"Princess, we are to leave this wasteland with the prisoners today. We will bring them with us, where it'll be the last of the Southern Water Tribe."

"No. No prisoners. Kill them all, and find my brother and those peasants. Now!" she said as she walked off. The group snuck into the tents and started to tell the remaining warriors of their plan.

Back on the ship, a fire nation soldier came into the prison hold, leading a water tribe warrior. They walked to the line of guards.

"Halt," one said, who looked like the leader. "Where are you taking this man?"

"I found him sneaking about the ship. I was told to take him here and lock him up."

"Very well. Hand him over."

As the disguised soldier handed Sokka over, he suddenly attacked, knocking the man over. He hit him with his bone club, as Zuko firebended a few soldiers out. Sokka fought and Zuko bended, until all of the soldiers were taken out. The water tribe people yelled happily as Zuko got out of the uniform and Sokka unlocked the cells. As the people got out, they gathered together as they waited for instructions. Zuko got on a chair and called everyone together. "Quiet, everyone. We are going to get out of here, but we need cooperation. We go silently, and quickly. If you see a soldier, yell. Sokka and I will come. Let's move!"

As everyone started to move towards the deck of the ship, Sokka caught up with Zuko. "How do we get them all off of the ship? As far as I know, we only have the ocean and one polar eagle."

"I know, I know," Zuko said, trying to concentrate. "What we need is to get the whole ship near the tribe. Do you know how to steer ships?"

"I will if you show me what's what."

The warriors continued to lead the tribe through the ship. They tried to go fast, yet quiet. Sokka stopped them right before they got onto the open deck. "Everyone, we need all able warriors and waterbenders to fight every guard on this ship with us. We then need anyone besides Zuko who knows how to steer a Fire Navy ship near to the shore. The rest of you, women and children and others, stay here for now. We'll be back," Sokka said as he turned around the corner and ran into about 2 dozen guards. He pulled out his sword and readied for the attack. They came at him, but they were no match. Even he, a non-bender, had become a master of the sword that he made with his own hands 6 years ago. So as he took them out and more came, he yelled. "Zuko! Help me out here! It'll go faster!"

Zuko took his broadswords and steel hit steel as he joined his brother in the fight.

Back on land, Katara felt back to her old self when she was 14 and 15, taking out the army by herself. She ducked and spun, feeling great. She was actually smiling when taking out the soldiers. She looked at her father, Mai, Ty Lee, and Toph all fighting. They all had become even better than 6 years ago.

As the battle ended, Katara drew in her chi and relaxed. But something made her turn around just as blue flame erupted towards her. She bended a water wall up just as the flames made contact. She threw a blade of ice at the princess, who dodged it and shot fire back at her. Katara swung her arms in a circle and shot water slice after water slice at Azula. She ducked, but made one move too late and Katara cut the firebender's cheek. Azula's eyes filled with rage and murder as she attacked Katara once more, but just as Katara had done to Zuko years before at the North Pole, she froze Azula up into a cliff, and collapsed it. The move worked. As the powder cleared, she saw that Azula was unconscious. Quickly she froze Azula's hands behind her back and encased her in ice. She bent a wave to carry the "Azulasickle" out to the ship.

On the ship, Zuko ran to the navigation room. He started to steer the ship towards the ice. Sokka came up and started to look back over his shoulder. "We've got the soldiers tied up and we're ready to—look out!!"

Zuko turned his head just as the ship hit something that made them both fly forward. The water tribe members on the deck all fell over. Zuko and Sokka got up, and they rubbed their heads and groaned. "What the heck did you do?" Sokka asked as he looked out the window. His eyes widened at the sight. Zuko got up and his eyes widened too. Sokka turned to Zuko sarcastically and clapped him on the back. "Nice job, man," he said as he smiled.

They had crashed the ship into the ice, and when the snow cleared, they saw a tiny Katara down near the ship. They had nearly run her over, and she was yelling at them.

"YOU GUYS ARE SO DEAD! YOUR ALMOST KILLED ME!! WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING!! YOU STUPID GUYS!! GET DOWN HERE!! YOU LITTLE….UGHHH!!"

They both grinned sheepishly at one another as they went out to let the ramp down.

The whole tribe got off, family members reunited, and Zuko cut the guards free. He stared them down. "We are going to let you go. You are to take your supplies and troops, and leave. We can fight you, and if you decide to come back; by the time you come back, we'll have built a fortress like the Northern Tribe. You'd better not come back. But we have mercy. Be spared."

As he let them go, they bowed and prepared to cast off. He walked down and saw Katara bending his sister up the ramp onto the ship. Azula was encased in ice! He stopped. "How…wha…oh, never mind. Follow me. We'll put her in the lowest cargo hold."

The ship turned away from them to go to back to the Fire Nation. The whole tribe shouted with joy. Katara, Sokka, and Toph held hands as they walked towards Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee. They all gathered for a group hug, and Hakoda walked up, carrying a bundle wrapped in fur. "May we join you?" he asked as he handed the bundle to Katara. "Ara!" she cooed as the baby opened her eyes and smiled at everyone. Zuko watched as mother and baby snuggled, and then he walked towards the ocean where the ships could still be seen in the distance. The wind blew through his hair and the ship got smaller on the horizon.

Sokka walked up to his friend.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yea, I'm just thinking about stuff, yet I have an idea." He turned to his brother. "Gather Hakoda and the leaders in the main tent. I have an idea for our safety."

Azula's eyes fluttered. It was dark, a low rumble was endless, and she was frozen to the bone. She felt her hands, which were tied around her back and she used a tiny blaze to melt the ice shackles. But she still couldn't move. She struggled and fought, and suddenly realized that she was frozen.

She heated herself up from the core and melted the ice, but she fell to her knees, still dizzy and her head buzzing. Then she realized that the rumble beneath her was her own ship.

"My crew will wish they'd never been born," she growled, thinking that they had mutinied. But the last thing she remembered was that peasant girl attacking and freezing her up in the air in a mound of ice, crashing, and then nothing. She got up shakily and wobbled to the control center.

The captain was talking to some crewmen, and as they saw her, they backed up and walked away, and he turned to her and bowed.

"Princess,"

"Captain, why are we heading back to my father?"

"We were outnumbered, Princess."

"And who gave you permission to retreat?"

"No one, Princess. But we were let go."

There was a hint of confusion in her eyes as she turned away from him.

"By who?"

He knew that the banished prince's name was never to be spoken of. He trembled. "Your, uh, own brother, your highness."

Azula narrowed her eyes. "So, he is weaker than I thought," she hissed as she walked away. "Very well captain. Continue your course. We'll be back for them."

Aang walked through the quiet courtyard. It was late, but he couldn't sleep. The city was always bustling, but this part of town right now was quiet. He felt calm, but the dull ache in his leg made him limp a little. He didn't care. All he wanted was peace from the war. To go home to his friends. Family. Katara.

At the thought of her, his heart leapt. He closed the pendant in his palm, and he traced the design in his fingers. He sighed and fell to his knees, exhausted. He hadn't slept much since Tahn had gotten hurt. He wished he was home, where love was. He missed the times with his friends when they were together. He missed the adventures they had traveling around the world. He held himself in his arms and he sobbed. He knew he probably looked ridiculous, a grown young man sobbing on the ground, but he didn't care. The full moon cast light down on him as he sat in the stillness. As he wished to go home, Appa came up behind him and lay down, nuzzling him. He turned and leaned onto Appa, his tears flowing as he embraced his friend. Momo crawled over and curled into Aang's lap. He smiled. "I know you guys are always with me. Thanks. With you I can keep going." He got up and walked Appa back to his stall. "Goodnight, buddy," he said as Appa closed his eyes.

Aang walked back to his room, where he finally fell asleep with Momo in his arms.

As the water tribe joined together, Sokka, Zuko, Toph, Katara (with Ara), and Hakoda joined the other leaders of the tribe. As more came in, Sokka leaned over to Zuko.

"What's this for again? What's your plan?"

"You'll see."

Hakoda stood up, motioning everyone to be quiet. "Warriors and people of the Southern Tribe. I know it is late and most of you are exhausted. But I thank you for coming to this meeting, called not me, but by Zuko." He gestured to the young man sitting next to him. "He has come up with a plan that will protect us from any further invasions. Zuko?"

He got up and started his plan. "People of the Water Tribe. Don't you agree that your number has grown, and will continue growing?" They nodded and mumbled. "6 years ago, while the men were off at war, the women and children and Sokka were here, but even that was a small number. Today the tribe stands at almost 250, where this village will not hold many more. My plan is, for future generations and protection, we build a fortress and tribe like the Northern Tribe. Think about it. Protection, we flourish and prosper; we need to rebuild the tribe to the world will know we are here and that we will survive this war."

Everyone cheered. A few raised their hands. "But sir, how will we build it? We need numerous waterbenders and sculptors to build it. We only have Katara, Master Pakku, and his students. Ten people at the max aren't enough to build a city."

"I have thought about it," Zuko said. "And all we have to do is ask for as many waterbenders as we need from the Northern Tribe to come and help us build it. And during construction, the tribe will live in the caverns until the tribe is done. Who is with me? Should we build a city?"

Everyone cheered. Later, plans were made. Letters were sent. Construction plans were drawn. Everything was ready. And it was midnight when everyone went to bed.

Zuko was one of the last ones out, and he rubbed his eyes. As he walked out, he saw Katara and Mai standing together. He walked up and they both hugged him. "We're so proud of you," Mai said as she held him tighter. He backed up. Katara smiled. "You spoke like a true Water Tribe Warrior."

His heart filled with pride. Coming from her, he knew he was accepted. He smiled at her and turned around to look at the moon. "We start building tomorrow," he said. "We will start with the waterbenders here."

The next morning, he saw Katara bending a small ball of water around Ara's face, while the baby giggled and laughed. He smiled, walked over, and sat down. Immediately the baby saw him, stopped playing with the ball, and held out her arms to him, laughing. Katara looked on as he picked Ara up, threw her in the air, and kissed her forehead. He set her back down and turned to Katara.

"I have something to tell you."

"What?"

"Ara is a bender."

"How do you know?"

"You know that message you sent to the University? The one about telling about airbenders? Well, when we were preparing for war, a messenger gave me a message to give to you from the University."

"And?"

"And, it spoke of the symptoms of the birth of an airbender. It was to be during a bad storm, strong gusts of wind, born during sunset, during the fall season, and a small breeze with sunshine following the birth of one. And all of those things happened with Ara."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Katara, I think your daughter is an airbender. Like father, like daughter. Aang's not the last one."

Katara's eyes widened. "This—isn't possible," she stammered. "And yet it is. I've been noticing her hair is always moving with the wind, even when there's no wind anywhere else. And she feels lighter sometimes, like she's floating."

"She's like her father," Zuko said, looking at Ara. "The question is, who will train her? If Aang can't come back?"

"I can tell she's already smart. She'll teach herself, and since the others and I have been around Aang so long, I bet we could teach her too."

"And I bet that since her father's a master, plus the Avatar, she will master it quickly too."

Okay, so I hope you guys liked it. And when Ara's training starts, can she master airbending without a true master? And is Aang starting to lose it from not being around the ones he loves most? Will he ever go home? Zuko's a genius! And the new adventure begins… PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! Thanks to all of you guys who do! And you'll find out why Katara's and Aang's pendants glowed… next chapter! I'll make you guys wait…hehehe…

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