Okay, I miscommunicated. This isn't the saddest episode, but the one after, which I'll probably post tonight, is. So get your tissues ready. Seriously, it's that sad. But read on to a slightly happier chapter right now, and please comment! I love your guys' comments! Here we go…

Ara ran quickly to Zuko's tent. She shivered at the cold, yet in fear too. "Zuko? Are you there?" He came out, and the look on her face told him something was very wrong. He took her arms. "What is it?"

"My mom. Aang needs you." She took his hand and led him back, where Hakoda was leaning on the tent, his arms crossed. He looked up as Ara ran to him. As he hugged her, he looked at Zuko. "They've been captured. Your sister is planning to execute them in three days. Aang is in there." He motioned towards the tent. Zuko walked into the tent.

Aang's hair was now short, and he was bending some hot water around a sharpened blade. He put some soap on his face and ran the razor over his cheeks and chin. He looked at Zuko from the mirror. "Time to get out of my disguise." He put the razor down and looked at his clean shaven face, and then unlocked his trunk. He took out a parcel and unwrapped it. Zuko looked at the airbender's old robe and pants in the parcel. Aang held them up and looked at Zuko. "The Avatar is back."

As he put them on, he felt like his old self again. They were comfortable, and it seemed to Aang that they were an old friend. He straightened and looked in the mirror. He then looked at Zuko. "Can you wait with everyone else for now? I need to do something." Zuko nodded and walked out. And Aang started, like he did on the Day of Black Sun, to shave all of his hair off.

Zuko was standing and Hakoda and Ara were sitting outside as Aang stepped out. He looked like his old self, a young airbender, with his nation's colors and master's marks showing. Ara looked up at her father, and she smiled as her eyes widened. She got up. "Dad, is that you?" she walked over and touched his cheek. "It's me," he said, smiling. He looked up to Zuko. "Remember me?" he asked, a smiling twinkle in his eye.

"You look like you're supposed to look," Zuko said. He clapped Aang on the back. "Go get your supplies. I'll get Appa. Ara, come with me." he took off in the other direction.

As Aang got ready and loaded his stuff on Appa, two more bags were thrown next to his. He looked down and saw Ara and Zuko smiling. They both had cloaks on, Zuko had his broadswords, and Ara had her headband on.

"Oh no," Aang said. "You two are not coming with."

"Oh yes we are. They're our family too, Aang. You're gonna need some backup."

"You guys, it's too dangerous."

"Dad."

Aang looked at Ara. Her face was serious, but she smiled. "All three of us are masters. We watch out for each other, and we'll be fine. We are coming with you dad, and there's nothing you can do to stop us."

Aang sighed. He'd been beaten. "Thanks," he said. "get on Appa."

Ara turned. Hakoda was standing there, smiling. She ran and hugged him. "You stay safe," he whispered. "Watch out for your father. He needs you more than he knows. I love you, Ara, and I am so proud of you."

"Thanks, grandfather," she replied. "I love you too."

She got on Appa, while Aang and Zuko stood in front of Hakoda. "You two, watch each others' backs. And find them soon. Aang, your life is at risk just by going. Stay safe and smart." He turned to Zuko. "My son." At the sound of that, the young man's heart leapt. He was accepted, and at that moment, he knew he was loved by everyone around him. He didn't need the honor he had always worked for.

He smiled. Hakoda put his hand on Zuko's shoulder, and Zuko's mind flashed back to the time when his family was on Ember Island and his dad's hand was on his shoulder; before his scar.

"You take care. Protect your very life. And come home soon." Hakoda smiled.

"Thanks, Hako—dad," Zuko smiled too and they all bowed, and they turned to go. Aang was suddenly yanked from behind and his father hugged him. "Aang, please find them. I can't live without them."

"I will. Goodbye, dad." Aang said. He jumped on Appa, and Momo climbed onto his shoulder.

Zuko turned and saw Mai and Ty Lee standing there. He walked up. He hugged Ty Lee, and to Mai, he took her hand and hugged her tightly. "I hope you know I love you," he whispered. "It's been way to long. When I get back, Mai, would you marry me?"

Her eyes shone. "Oh, Zuko, yes! I will!" They kissed, he touched her cheek, and looked deeply into her eyes. "I'll be back. I love you."

"I love you," she said as he got on Appa.

Aang looked at Ara and Zuko. "Ready?"

"Go for it."

Aang took the reins. "Appa, yip yip!"

The bison flew into the air, and took off for the northwest.

As Ara saw the edge of where the ice ended, she looked at Zuko. "Once we go past this edge, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."

Zuko took her hand. "It'll be fine. You can do it."

She smiled as they went over, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She then went to where Aang sat on Appa's head. "So how long will it take to reach them?"

"On a normal Appa flying day, possibly a week."

"Dad, Azula's going to kill them in three days!"

"That's why I said 'normal Appa flying day.' He can make it." He yelled back to them. "You guys both better hold on! Appa! Come on, buddy! YIP YIP!!"

Appa flicked his tail furiously. They all flew backwards as he raced toward the Fire Nation.

They continued to fly all night. Appa was tired, but Aang kept coaxing him to go on. Ara and Zuko slept, but Aang wouldn't. He knew he'd have to stay awake for Appa. But finally, the tired bison couldn't go on. Aang led him down, where Appa plopped into the ocean. Aang froze some of the water as a platform, and Appa climbed on and fell asleep. Aang got off and patted him. "Great flyin,' buddy. Thanks."

Aang walked to the edge and stared northwest, looking into the star-filled sky and wishing Katara was with him. "Don't worry Katara, I'm coming." He leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Aang,"

He heard his voice being called, and he opened his eyes. It was morning, and Zuko stood over him. "Come on, sleepyhead. We're ready to go!" He helped Aang up and they walked to Appa. Ara was patting the bison as she looked up and saw her father. "Mornin' dad!" she said as she airbended herself onto Appa. "Let's go!"

Aang jumped on after Zuko, and he melted the ice. Appa took off and headed skyward. "What's wrong with him?" Ara asked, trying to hold on.

"We're near the Fire Nation," Aang yelled above the wind. "Appa remembers the last time we went past a blockade. We nearly didn't make it, and Appa was scared. But he's got the right idea. We'll fly in the clouds. Appa, yip yip!"

By the end of the day, they were in the Fire Nation. Aang searched for some land to land on, so they could rest, but a nagging worry made him pace on Appa's back. Ara was controlling Appa. Zuko was sharpening his swords. "Aang," he said, noticing his worried look, "Calm down? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? My wife and two best friends are to be executed tomorrow! And the Fire Nation is huge! Where are we supposed to look? Aahhhhhh!!"

Zuko grabbed Aang but the shoulders and pushed him down. "Enough! You need to calm down. I'm pretty sure I know where they're being kept. It's where my uncle used to be kept."

But isn't that next to the Royal Palace? I thought that wasn't a bad place. You're uncle's the firelord."

"Yes. But he moved the city to the North. That place was abandoned because of the war. But my father is still considered firelord to the people who have stayed loyal to him. They probably inhabited the area, and that's where Katara, Sokka, and Toph probably are."

As they reached the heart of the Fire Nation, Aang took control of Appa again and he pushed him towards the clouds.

"Zuko, look down. Do you see the prison?"

Zuko searched, and then he pointed. "Right there! That circular building built against the cliffside. That's it! But I'd bet it's now fully guarded because of our three. It's going to take us all day to get past them, and there's multiple levels, high security, and their cells must be inescapable, if Azula's still got them. Or she's done something to them."

"We'll go down tonight, and then, tomorrow, we strike!"

"Wait! Dad, Hakoda said that mom didn't write the message. Wouldn't Zuko's sister just be waiting for us?"

"Yes, but we don't have a choice. I will not let Azula kill them. Now hang on for your lives. We're going straight down! Appa, yip yip!"

Immediately the giant bison dropped like a stone out of the sky. Ara tried to keep from screaming, while Zuko clenched his teeth. As they fell faster, Appa suddenly pulled up. They all hit his back with a thud, and he swiftly brought them down into a secluded area in the forest near the prison.

As they landed, Zuko and Ara fell off, hitting the ground. "Oomf!" was heard from both of them.

Aang airbended off of Appa and earthbended a few rock walls up from the earth. "Okay, a home for all of us. Just until we get them out."

"Okay," Zuko said. "I'm going to scout and see what we'll be up against tomorrow. Save me some food." He put the hood of his cloak over his head, grabbed his swords, and disappeared.

Ara took out her water pouch and bended the water out. She went over to a fallen log and chopped the wood a few times. She bended her water back into the pouch and carried the wood to the middle of the cave. Aang firebended and the wood started to burn. He poked it with a stick a bit and sat down. He looked at Ara, who was staring at him. He smiled.

"Everything will be okay," he whispered, and got up. "If you don't mind, I'm going to talk to Avatar Roku. Is that okay?"

"Sure," Ara said. "I'll make dinner."

She watched as her father sat in the corner. He folded his legs and brought his hands together. His tattoos started to glow, and he breathed in.

Roku came towards him on his dragon. "Good to see you again, Aang."

Aang smiled. "Roku, can you take me back to the Southern Tribe 3 months after I left?"

"You want to know the whole story."

"Yes."

"Come, Aang, I will show you."

Aang's vision turned white as they went to the tribe. Snow was falling swiftly. But it was how he originally remembered it. As he looked around looking for Katara, he heard a ship's horn. People were yelling and running towards it. He looked on as the cargo was unloaded and some people walked off. A rustling was heard behind him, and he looked to see Katara come out, wrapped in blankets. He breathed out, but she looked so tired, pale, and in pain. He watched as she tried to run towards Zuko, who got off the ship. As they embraced, Aang smiled, but it turned to shock as he watched her faint in Zuko's arms. He caught her and ran her to her tent.

The vision switched to where Zuko, Sokka, and Toph were around her bed. Sokka was crying, Zuko's eyes were shut, and Toph was comforting Sokka. The vision passed to where it was only Toph, and she placed her hands on Katara's stomach. Her face broke into a smile, and the vision switched to Toph telling the three men. Aang knew his wife had been in good hands. The vision went to a few months later, when Katara and Zuko were laughing, and she stopped, took Zuko's hand, and placed it on her stomach. "The baby's kicking!" she said happily.

The vision switched to what Aang guessed was Katara's eighth month. A huge black storm was coming, and everyone was ready for war. Aang saw the ships. He saw Azula. He couldn't do anything but watch as the storm started as did the war.

"Roku, why did Azula attack?"

"She was looking for you, but instead found your family," he replied. "Her heart is nothing but fire, evil, and hate. She and her father will stop at nothing until they've conquered the world and live to see you dead. This is what the world has come to." Roku turned Aang around, where he saw Zuko and Ty Lee holding Mai's fallen body in the snow, while the princess came up to kill them. But then, Katara grabbed a hold of Azula with her water and gave Zuko and Ty Lee enough time to get away with Mai.

Aang watched as the beautiful young waterbender swung, evaded, and attacked. She knocked Azula down, but suddenly clutched her stomach. She almost fell to her knees, and Aang cried out. He ran towards her, but Roku stopped him. "No! Aang, we cannot help, and this is how it was meant to be."

Azula shot lightning at Katara, hitting her and catching her off guard. Aang's tears fell as he watched his best friend and wife fly backwards and hit the ice. He turned to look at Azula, who was smiling evilly. He saw Sokka run behind her and hit her as hard as he could over her head. He ran to his sister and tried to keep her warm. Ty Lee ran up to Sokka, and then Toph came, and they ran, carrying Katara away from the tribe. They found shelter in a crystal cave, and Aang was still surprised yet proud of Zuko when the firebender learned that he had healing abilities, and saved two lives, plus one other on the way.

Aang's vision switched to when Katara was in labor. He was so nervous, but he watched as everyone helped her through it. He was proud of Sokka not fainting, and the girls helping, and Zuko comforting Katara. For what seemed like hours, Aang's spirit sat next to his wife, just watching. Finally, Sokka yelled, "it's coming!"

Aang moved next to Sokka, when Katara pushed and the baby fell into Sokka's waiting arms. Everyone had tears of joy, and Sokka was laughing as well as crying. Aang's tears fell too. He closed his eyes as he smiled. "Aang," a voice said. He looked up. Katara's necklace was glowing, and his tattoos and necklace were, even in the Avatar state. But he looked at Katara, who had called his name. "You have a daughter."

Aang smiled and sighed as his vision turned white once more. It was just him and Roku. "Now you know, Aang. The rest is that she grew up, mastered water and air, got her tattoos, and became powerful. The rest you'll have to ask your family."

"Thank you, Roku," Aang said as he bowed. He opened his eyes, breathing out.

Ara and Zuko stared at Aang. Zuko had come back a little while before, and now, as they were looking at Aang, his tattoos stopped glowing, and he opened his eyes. He groaned as he fell backward, weak from the Avatar State, but also because he had seen so much. Ara rushed forward to catch him. He looked up. "Thanks." She hugged him and he started to sob. Ara felt him shaking. "Dad, what's wrong?"

"Aang?"

He opened his eyes. His best friend and daughter were looking at him. "I'm sorry," he started. "I had to see what you all had been through, and I had to see my daughter's birth, and how you all took such great care of each other and gave so much love."

"I'm glad you experienced that, dad."

"Me too," Zuko added.

"Zuko, I thank you again for saving Katara's and Mai's and Ara's lives. I didn't know firebenders could heal, but I'm glad you did."

"Don't mention it. But we'd all better get some sleep. I'll tell you the plan tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Aang kissed his daughter's forehead. "Get some sleep. Your first real battle is tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you too, dad. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Okay! So before I forget, I used a line from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Do any of you guys know? I'll give you a hint: Ara says it. Please email me the answer, because I also LOOOOVVVE LOTR! Any avatar fans + LOTR? Just asking. And if you don't know, just ask, and I'll tell. Thanks!

But this is the leading chapter to one of the saddest. I warn you now. Thanks for all of your guys' support, and please, READ AND REVIEW!! You guys rock! Especially Kataanglove and hsm2fangurl! Thanks guys! Kataanglove, you are my best avatar friend! Thanks for all of your support!

Get ready for the next chapter, and since some of you begged me to put two today, I will, but the next one leaves A HUGE CLIFFHANGER! So be ready to scream at your computer, NOOOOO!!

So this one is posted, and I'll post the next later today. Enjoy!

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