Disclaimer: The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Why wouldn't I say it? I mean, I can say I own the rights to Avatar: the Last Airbender too, but you wouldn't believe that either, would you? Good, cause I don't.

--

Rated M: Mature Content. Blood. Guts. Sex. Drugs. All the good stuff.

--

Arnook: Finally, we are going home.

Hakoda: To your home, maybe. But I haven't had a chance to visit the North Pole so I am rather looking forward to it.

Katara: It's great dad. It's an entire city built of ice, with waterways and bridges.

Sokka: Not to mention the spirit oasis. Now that's a really nice place to visit.

Toph: I just hope we aren't there long.

Katara: Why is that, Toph?

Toph: Let's just say… I won't see it coming.

Katara: Okay…

Suki: Don't worry Toph. Everything will be fine; you'll see.

Author: And see we shall. On to the story!

--

Chapter 10: Rough Waters

Clear skies as far as the eye could see stretch on in the distance. Aang stood against the railing, enjoying the gentle roll of the waves and slight sea spray on his face. It had been a long time since he had been free like this without having to worry about his destiny. Even with this new business, Aang didn't feel worried. Nothing could possibly be as bad as what he had already gone through. The scar on his back still gave him grief now and then. Lately, it had gotten worse. Aang knew Katara could make him feel better for a time with her healing, but Aang didn't think going to her for something like that was a good idea at the moment.

He had finally told her he loved her. Lord knows he took his sweet time doing so. A full year had gone by and he had numerous opportunities, but with the war and all the other things going on, it just hadn't felt right. Now, everything felt right. Katara had her father back and hope for the future. Aang was no longer scared of the Fire Nation or his greatest foe, Ozai. Yes… it was definitely the right time. Still, she hadn't said it back. Aang was pretty sure Katara cared for him as more than just a friend. She had returned his kiss after all. He knew he was right to say he didn't expect her to say she loved him until she was ready, but still…

Footsteps behind him brought him back to reality. "Copper for your thoughts?" It was Suki. Aang smiled at her and moved over so Suki could lean on the rail too.

"I was just thinking about everything that happened in the last year." Aang said, still trying to shake his reverie from his mind.

"You look down. You're not happy the war is over?" Suki asked teasingly.

"It's not that. It's just… everything is different now." Aang tried to explain.

"Ah. I was going to say; you're not quite yourself lately." Suki said.

"I'm not? What do you mean?" Aang asked curiously.

"When I first met you, you were enjoying the attention of being the Avatar and trying to ride large animals with not a care in the world. When we met again in the earth kingdom, you had matured a bit and insisted we see those folks safely to Ba Sing Se. Then, right before the war ended, you seemed almost resolute. There doesn't seem to be much left of the boy in the iceberg that Katara found. You're a whole new person. "Suki tried to explain.

Aang thought about it a moment. He hadn't thought of riding an animal in ages. He thought back to how the little girls on Kyoshi Island ad worshipped him and how he tried to ride the Elephant Koi only to tangle instead with that huge serpent the Unagi. "I guess I see your point. I have had a lot to deal with since then."

"It's okay that you've grown up, you know. You're still the life of the party, but now you have a serious side to you that makes you that much more complete as a person." She told him. "Maybe that's why Katara likes you so much; you make her laugh, but you're always there for her."

"Maybe…" Aang said uncertainly.

"What? You don't think that Katara likes you? I could have sworn I saw you two kissing the other day." She said, obviously prying.

"You saw us?" Aang asked incredulously, blushing furiously.

"It's no big deal Aang. You like Katara; she likes you. It's a normal part of life and nothing to be ashamed of. I just can't figure out why you're so down when you have such a wonderful girl who likes you. You defeated the Fire Lord, you're not being hunted anymore… what more can you ask for?" Suki said as she threw a rock that had somehow gotten on deck into the churning waves.

Aang wasn't sure Suki would understand, but had no one else to confide in at this point. He needed to talk to somebody. "Well, I sort of told Katara I love her…" he started.

"Really? That's great Aang! I am sure you'll be happy together!" Suki said happily, grabbing his hands in hers.

Aang took his hands back quickly and continued, "But she didn't say she loves me back yet."

"Oh. I see." Suki said sadly. "I guess you aren't so different from me then." She added.

"Huh? What do you mean Suki?" Aang asked her.

Suki told Aang what she had overheard. Aang had already been approached by Sokka of course, so knew about his plan to try and speak to Yue; he hadn't considered Suki's feelings either. Aang had told Sokka he would try to help when they got there and that was all. Now that Aang was talking to her, it made sense. If she knew what Sokka was planning… "I'm sorry Suki; I didn't think it through. Sokka is going to be talking to a girl he loved and never even told you." Aang said, sympathy in his voice.

"It isn't even so much that he didn't tell me, Aang. Everyone has their own private secrets and things they don't want to share. I just can't stand the thought of him talking to her again. What if he still loves her and decides he doesn't want to be with me? I love him, even if he is a bit goofy most of the time. I can't bare the thought of losing him to another girl, even if she is gone." Suki explained calmly.

Aang sighed, "So we both have someone we love more than anything, and neither one realizes how we feel." He observed.

"It must run in the family." Suki joked.

Aang took a second to realize what she meant; Sokka and Katara being siblings and all. Then he too started to laugh. "What a mess we are." Aang laughed.

Suki sobered up rather quickly. "There's nothing to do about it really. I guess this is what they mean when they say love hurts."

"Perhaps," Aang said as he stopped his laughing, "But that may not be the case. At least you could talk to Sokka about things."

Suki frowned. "It's not that simple, Aang. But don't worry, I will be fine. As for you, Katara just needs time. I know it's hard, but you have waited this long to tell her how you feel; what's a bit longer?"

Aang thought about it a moment. "Your right; thanks Suki. I feel better already." Aang said.

--

Katara was below deck in her little bedroom aboard her father's ship. Unlike the Water Tribe ships, this metal flagship Zuko had given them was quite a different experience. Everything felt different. The walls, ceiling and floor were all made of metal and were soundproof. It was too quiet being cut off from voices and the sounds of weather and waves. Still, it gave her time to think. She had decided to sit herself down and search through her feelings about Aang.

She found herself reminiscing about their adventures over the past year, smiling at some of the memories and frowning at others. She recalled when she first found him and how clueless she had really been back then, barely a bender. Aang had learned to waterbend with her, and she had surpassed him and become his teacher. She recalled Aang keeping the note from Hakoda from her and Sokka when they had found Bato, but how he had done it out of love for them and not out of spite; the time she lost her necklace and Zuko found it, using it to track them down; Aang had made her a new one to cheer her up and had risked his life to get it back.

It was hard to figure out how she felt about Aang, especially after everything that happened. Katara knew she cared about Aang, that wasn't up for debate; but did she love him? Admittedly, sometimes he was quite imposing and impressive, though most of the time he still acted very childish. She wasn't one to talk, though; technically, they were still kids. Still… he did have a boyish charm about him. Something about him always seemed to draw her eyes and attention. She had found herself daydreaming now and then and when she snapped out of it found herself focusing on Aang. She once again felt that strange pull and knew exactly where Aang was on the ship at this very moment. Something about him…

--

The ships made good time and crossed into the northern waters much faster than anticipated. The weather held fair and there were no incidents. Hakoda was sitting with Arnook and Bato in Arnook's large cabin, smoking pipes and talking of their people and their plans.

"So Hakoda, once we arrive in the city I will circulate messengers to gather the populace at the palace for an evening banquet to welcome you and your men. We will announce our intentions then and see how the tribe takes the news. If they appear amenable, we will begin dividing the people to live at both poles." Arnook said.

"It sounds like a good plan to me, Arnook. I am glad we are able to solve each other's problems." Hakoda replied.

"All's well that ends well. At least the men will be happy." Bato said between puffs.

"Why Bato, aren't you going to woo a lady or two once we arrive? I heard you were quite the ladies man. Besides, you're the best friend of your Chief and his highest officer. You'd make quite a catch." Arnook said slyly.

Bato began choking on his smoke, as the chief's both shared a good laugh. Catching his breath after he stopped sputtering Bato said, "I appreciate your view, Arnook, but I am a ladies' man for a reason. I will never give my heart to anyone but my wife. I would never betray her love or her memory in that way. Enjoying time with the ladies she could forgive, but that is as far as it goes."

"Strange morals he has, don't you think?" Arnook addressed Hakoda.

"I agree. I feel the same way, but I am not a ladies' man. Besides, I am the Chief; I have a reputation to maintain." Hakoda answered.

"I understand your position, Hakoda, but isn't there still a yearning in your heart for love?" Arnook asked.

"Yes, I believe there is." Hakoda replied, and then continued, "My heart is frozen, Arnook, and I don't ever think it will thaw. Kya was my first and only love and as Bato said, I would not dream of betraying her memory."

"And what of your needs and the needs of your people, Hakoda?" Arnook asked.

"Of course men have urges, but I simply keep my mind on my work and the people who count on me and ignore them." Hakoda said simply. I already have two wonderful children and an heir among them. There is no need for me to find a companion." Hakoda insisted.

"Sad, isn't it?" Bato said to Arnook, his mouth covered with the back of his hand as if telling a secret. "I can't even get him to admit he's human." The Bato laughed.

"Just because I don't entertain the ladies doesn't mean that I'm not human." Hakoda defended himself.

"Could have fooled me." Bato said, laughing.

"Perhaps you will meet the woman who will thaw your heart at the North Pole." Arnook said. It was obvious he was hiding something, but Hakoda was too busy denying things and Bato too busy laughing to notice.

--

Sokka was in the galley having his second lunch of the day talking with Jet and Toph. Jet remained with Toph even on the boat. Somehow, she truly had become his unofficial caretaker. There was no earth here to bend, and Jet was no more dangerous than any other normal warrior, but Toph could metalbend. Of course, Jet didn't know that. She was keeping her gaze on him at all times. Frankly, she almost started to see him as a friend instead of an enemy; almost.

"Sokka, are you ever full?" Toph asked him. "I swear you must eat at least a full animal a day."

"Hey, I work out a lot. I need to replenish my strength." Sokka retorted.

Toph spoke to jet, "Did you ever notice how he always has a different excuse about why he eats?" she asked Jet, obviously making fun.

"Yeah, I think I noticed that." Jet said sourly. He hadn't been in a good mood since getting on the boat. It almost seemed like he was leaving his home. That was crazy though; he was Earth Kingdom and hated the Fire Nation on principal. Why would he feel this strange tug to turn around and go back?

"Jet, are you okay?" Sokka asked before he bit into another haunch of meat.

"What? Oh, yeah Sokka I'm fine. I just need some time to think." He told Sokka, and then turned to Toph. "If you want to babysit me, I will be in my room." Jet told her, getting up from the bench.

"Oh, don't worry. I will have my eyes on you even in there." Toph told him smugly.

Jet just shrugged and did in fact go to his room. He needed to get away from everyone so he could have a chance to think. Sitting on his bed, he tried his best to remember everything that happened to him in detail. Suddenly, Jet found himself outside of himself and in another place. He was watching from outside himself as he fought Aang in the Dai Li headquarters under Lake Laogai. Aang was telling him that he had a choice. Tears came to his eyes as he heard the words again. The real Jet turned and through his weapon at Long Feng but it was deflected and countered by a shot of his own, crushing Jet's chest with stone.

He saw as Katara tried to heal him and the tears his friends all shed. He once again remembered just how much they all meant to him. He saw himself sending the Avatar's group away as his group remained. He stood there, helpless, watching the Dai Li attack his friends as they carried him out, and then as the rocks fell. Jet remained there as he saw himself die, buried under the rubble.

Suddenly he was in a world of absolute beauty. Everything was so vivid, with vibrant colors and beautiful structure. He was in some sort of shrine or temple, a few other people milling around until standing in a line leading to the exit. Jet got in line, not quite sure why he did so. Waiting patiently and totally at peace, he arrived at the main gate, where a man in uniform checked his clipboard and began talking to him. "Jet, you have proven in the end that your heart is good. You are to be granted access to the infinite city. Please take the door on the left." The man said. Jet did as instructed and passed the strangest creature he had ever seen guarding the door. Shrugging it off without a second glance, Jet stepped through the left door.

Before him stood a city that would put Ba Sing Se to shame. It went on as far as the eye could see and beyond, an infinite city with infinite beauty. Everywhere he looked, Jet saw the spirits of the dead visiting friends, enjoying the grounds, taking care of homes… it was very much like the world of the living. Children and their parents were hand in hand as they shopped in the market. The sky was a perfect blue with not a chance of interruption. Everyone seemed happy and content as they went about their business. Jet couldn't believe his luck in being here. It was what the world of the living would be if it were perfect.

Jet lived there in the infinite city, finally at peace with himself. In the spirit world, he seemed to forget about anything that would bother him. Memories of his life came as fond reminiscence and didn't worry him in the least. There was nothing but bliss and happiness there. Then one day, an emissary came to him from the King of Spirits and asked that he come and attend the king. Of course, Jet was honored and travelled for what seemed only moments to reach the palace of the Spirit King.

The palace of the king was indescribable; majestic and beautiful in a way the living could never comprehend. It appeared to be made out of all materials and none, with each stretch more beautiful than the last. The emissary showed him to the throne room and then bowed out, leaving him alone in the room. The throne room was immense and contained massive amounts of art in various forms; paintings and statues, trinkets and vases, ornaments and figurines gave the room the appearance of an art gallery. Large white marble columns lined the hall at even intervals, giving one the feeling that when approaching the far ends that they were travelling a white road. White did seem to be the main theme of the room, only broken up by the colors in the artistry and the velvet red carpet.

Jet walked down this carpet for what seemed ages until finally coming to a grand throne formed of what appeared to be solid gold. Sitting atop that throne was a man dressed in regal garb; black and red being the dominant colors. It appeared almost like armor but was obviously for show. He almost appeared Fire Nation what with his pony-tail hair style and side burns, but one couldn't be sure in the spirit world; many people looked like they could be from anywhere. The man was unfamiliar to Jet, but he assumed this must be the Spirit King. If Jet had to guess his age, he would say somewhere in his late twenties or thirties.

"Greetings, Jet." The man said. "I am his majesty's advisor. He has given me the task of speaking with you today."

The man gave Jet a shiver down his spine; something he was unfamiliar with now that he was dead. So this wasn't the King after all. "I am happy to meet you, sir." Jet replied formally. The politeness and formality of this world seemed to affect him whether he wanted it to or not.

"I have asked you here because the King requires a favor, and I believed you to be the best candidate for the job. Would you be interested in hearing our request, Jet?" the man asked him.

"Of course," Jet replied, bowing his head. "How may I serve his majesty?"

"We are in need of your help, my boy. There is much to be done to serve the Spirit King. You are only recently in our world I believe. Do you recall what was happening in the world of the living prior to your coming here?" the man asked casually, almost whimsically.

"I think so, sir." Jet replied, trying hard to remember through the haze on his mind.

"Good, good. Let me show you what has been happening since you left that world." The man said, snapping his fingers. A servant came out of nowhere and placed a basin on the floor in front of the man. It was high up, resting on its tripod-like legs. Ornately crafted, the basin also appeared to be made of gold. It appeared to have liquid sitting inside it. The man beckoned Jet over to him as he stood before the basin, so Jet approached. The servant had already disappeared.

"Gaze into the basin, Jet. Let the water take your gaze and show you the events of the living world." The man said seductively, trying to keep Jet focused on the pool of water before him. Jet stood there for a long time, watching as his friends escaped the Dai Li and assaulted the palace. He watched as they fought with Azula and nearly lost Aang to a bolt of lightning. He watched their adventures in the Fire Nation leading to the day of black sun, and how they had failed in their mission. He saw the confrontation between Ozai and his son, who left him to join the Avatar and help save the world. The son looked familiar, but Jet couldn't quite place him; the boy was named Zuko, but for some reason Jet wanted to call the boy Lee. He watched as the comet arrived and his friends defeated Ozai once and for all, saving the world and ending the war that had lasted a hundred years.

Once it was over, Jet finally managed to pull his gaze from the water. After seeing everything he had missed, the fog seemed to lift from his brain and he remembered everything he'd forgotten since being here.

"Awake now, are you? Good." The man said sadistically. "I wouldn't enjoy this nearly as much if you didn't actually know what was going on."

Jet, now fully himself again, recognized what was going on. "You're not the King's advisor, are you?" Jet accused him.

"How observant of you, boy. Actually, I'm his partner, but you can still address me as the advisor. He has his part to play in our plans, and I have mine. Now, where was I?" he said. "Oh yes, the little favor we needed you for." He said. He snapped his fingers and suddenly there were many people surrounding him.

Jet was unarmed, and they quickly managed to hold him fast. Trying to pull free, Jet realized it was no use and turned his attention back to his captor. "Just who are you and why are you doing this?!" Jet demanded.

"Who I am is no concern of yours, boy. As for why I am doing this; well, let me explain." The advisor said, obviously enjoying himself immensely. He signaled his guards, and they tied Jet up and bound him tight, then disappeared again.

"I owe your friends quite a bit of revenge, and when I found out that a friend of theirs had passed on, I felt… obligated to invite you here and include you in my plans. You see, you will be my instrument, sent to carry out my vengeance." The advisor explained.

Jet had to stifle a laugh. "You're kidding right? You think I would actually help you with anything? As if I even could. I'm dead, remember?" Jet said spitefully.

"Ah but that's just it, boy. Your being dead is quite irrelevant, as is your willingness to participate. I have plenty of power at my disposal. I will send you back to the realm of the living dressed in a way that will put fear and insecurity in my enemy's heart. They will question each other and possibly even turn on each other. If not, it doesn't matter. You will have two missions; to slay the Avatar and his friends, and to free the Fire Lord and his daughter so they may continue their war." The advisor continued.

"Yeah, right; you're insane if you think I would ever do that for you." Jet said fiercely. "I don't care if you're the King of Spirits himself, you don't stand a chance." Jet exclaimed.

"Oh really?" the advisor asked, snapping his fingers and once more surrounding Jet with his servants. "Take this boy to the Star Fire Gate and set him up for a trip the living world by order of the king. Once he is set up, make sure some selenium solution is provided. He will be getting programmed for his mission to prevent mistakes." He addressed his servants.

Jet was roughly grabbed and dragged from the room, all the while listening to the advisor laugh at his misfortune. He came out of his reverie with a whole new outlook on things. He now knew why he was here and what he had done. All the memories came flooding back as he sat there, head in his hands and cringing with the memories. He couldn't remember what they did to him or how he got to the capital of the Fire Nation, but at least he knew what had happened to him when he died and what he had done once he had gotten back to the living world. Jet headed up to the deck to search for his friends, to tell them how much trouble they were really in.

--

Over the course of the day, the weather had gotten steadily worse. The ships were all beginning protocol for riding out a storm when it suddenly hit full force. Arnook, Hakoda and Bato had raced to the deck and started barking orders and sending messages to the other ships in the fleet as the storm clouds raged and the torrential downpour began.

"This is going to get worse!" Hakoda yelled over the wind to Bato. "Lock everything down and get everyone anchored! Arnook, tell the fleet to do the same. Put all waterbenders on high alert!" he shouted.

Arnook nodded and did as he was told. He may be the Northern Water Tribe Chief, but he wasn't the sailor Hakoda was and he knew it. Arnook began sending signals to his fleet as the wind picked up and began to cause waves to crash into the ship. A large wave slammed over the deck, pulling Bato's feet from under him. He slid across the deck and sailed over the rail. As he tried to grab the rail, the ship lurched out of reach. Giving up hope, Bato began his descent into the dark water below when suddenly he felt a grasp on his wrist. Hakoda had jumped across the deck and reached his outstretched arm over the rail, barely catching Bato. Bato sighed a breath of relief as Hakoda pulled him back on board.

"Watch your footing! I could never find the time to break in a new best friend!" Hakoda shouted to Bato over the wind and rain.

Bato smiled and nodded as he got back to work. Arnook came over and said, "I sent the message across the fleet. I have never seen a storm this bad at sea come up so fast!" Arnook shouted.

"Agreed!" Hakoda replied. "This isn't a natural storm, of that I am certain." He shouted.

--

Katara felt the waves crashing into the ship and finally came back to reality. She had spent hours trying to come to a decision about Aang and had fallen asleep. Jumping out of bed, Katara raced to the top deck and came out into the storm that raged about the fleet. Suddenly drenched, Katara took her bearing and noticed that a large wave was about to crash over the deck. Quickly taking action, she performed the bending technique necessary to break up the wave and push it back.

"Katara!" Hakoda shouted over the wind, "Try and keep those waves off the deck! We nearly lost Bato; let's not risk anyone else!"

"Dad, where did this storm come from!?" Katara shouted back an inquiry.

"We don't know!" Hakoda replied. "The wind picked up all of a sudden and we were suddenly covered in clouds. I have never seen a storm roll in this fast. We were caught totally off guard."

Aang was on the other side of the deck helping the one other waterbender keep the ship upright in the huge waves. Katara couldn't help but admire his technique. Aang looked quite the dashing hero as he went about his work. Turning to her own side, she noticed a huge wave, much larger than the rest approaching the fleet. There was no way she would be able to break that up.

"Aang!" she called over the wind.

Aang looked over to her, then past her as he saw the crest of the tidal wave form. Noting Katara's look, he realized what he had to do and blasted air behind him, launching himself to Katara's side.

"You know what to do?" Aang asked her quickly.

Katara nodded, remembering what Master Pakku had taught them about such a situation; not that tidal waves came up in training, but regarding bending large amounts of water by using its own force against it, collapsing it from inside.

Aang felt himself detach from his surroundings as his tattoo's and vision began to glow. No longer feeling the wind or rain against his drenched skin, Aang began to rise off the ship, surrounded by a sudden sphere of air. Aang began his bending, first using a large air blast to try to push back the wave. The air collided with the water but didn't seem to slow it at all. In the avatar state, Aang had much more power than even his superior bending ability could muster, and he put that power to use now. It felt different, consciously using his power like this. He had normally triggered the avatar state by accident, never calling on the power purposely, not even facing off against Ozai at the end of the war at the pillars.

Aang could almost feel the elements themselves flowing through him, crisscrossing in lines of power. He looked at each line, noticing the differences and seeing how they seemed to connect to their element. Preparing to waterbend on a massive scale, Aang looked to Katara to make sure she was ready. He noticed how one of the lines of energy seemed to bend and pass through her as well. Shrugging this revelation off for now, he began to bend the water all along the edge of the fleet up into a wall of water. Knowing that the wave would crash through his wall with ease, Aang used his enhanced power to push his newly created tidal wave back towards the other. The two waves seemed to hang there for eternity before finally crashing together in a titanic explosion.

The collision rocked the fleet more than the storm already was, and the waterbenders were at their max trying to keep the fleet from capsizing. Aang created another wall of water, this time to protect the fleet from the splash and residual waves. Looking into the sky, Aang felt or sensed more than saw the lines feeding into the clouds. Once the ocean calmed down, or calmed down to the point where no more tidal waves threatened, Aang lowered himself to the deck and came out of the avatar state.

The storm continued to rage as Katara greeted Aang's return to his normal state.

"This isn't a normal storm!" Aang told her. "It feels off."

"My dad said the same thing. He said the storm formed in no time at all and caught us off guard. We're Water Tribe; storms never catch us off guard." Katara affirmed.

"I think something mystical may be causing this disaster. I need to check out the spirit world. Can you manage things here?" Aang asked her. Katara nodded, and Aang raced into the bowels of the ship and found a secluded spot. Trying his best to meditate with all the rocking and crashing going on, Aang found he was suddenly in the spirit world. The terrain around him was very swamp like, similar to the time he had searched out the face stealer almost a year before. There was nothing really strange going on around him as he took his baring on a rock formation and searched the area.

Suddenly noticing some strange lights off in the distance, Aang headed there to investigate. A strange money-like creature with 6 arms and wielding some sort of war hammers in each fist was banging on a strange rainbow colored ball. The monkey-man was stood over six feet tall and had a rhythm going in his work. Aang approached the monkey-man and it turned to face him. The thing had a monkey snout and snow white fur. It looked mad, its ape eyes glowing a fierce red. Seeing Aang, the creature stopped what it was doing and turned to attack Aang, all 6 war hammers raised.

"Calm down, fellah; I won't hurt you." Aang said calmingly as he took a closer look at the light behind the creature. It was a mishmash of color tangled together in some sort of ball or… knots. It was almost like a knot of elemental energy. The creature had been knotting elements together and banging on them. For some reason, this told Aang that he had found the source of the storm. The monkey attacked, weapons flailing. Aang tried to jump out of the way, but didn't get far. The hammers came down barely missing him. Aang slapped his forehead reminiscent of Sokka; he forgot he couldn't bend here.

Aang turned and ran away, the creature hot on his heels. He didn't even think to climb a tree since the creature would most likely out-race him there. Aang came out into a clearing and noted a cliff ahead of him. He slowed his pace, letting the ape-man catch up. Just as the creature caught him and attempted to remove Aang's head from his shoulders, he dived out of the way and the creature flew over the edge. Aang looked over the cliff and saw the creature falling into the white mist below, hammers falling all around it.

Returning to the ball of colors, Aang reached out and actually touched the colors; surprised to feel them in his hands. Aang untangled the knot and watched as the colors became distinct, defined. As he held them, he could feel the elemental energy in his hands. He tried to airbend and blasted air out into the swamp. While holding the line, he could bend here. Saving that information for later, Aang returned to his body. When he opened his eyes, he was looking into the smiling faces of his friends.

"Aang you did it!" Katara exclaimed jumping into him and wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. Sokka smiled and put his hand on Aang's shoulder, while Toph and the rest were grinning at him. Aang hugged Katara back, but kept his hands in plain sight. He didn't want to give her the wrong idea, and when she let go, Aang stood.

"So the storm is gone?" Aang asked.

"Totally vanished is more like it." Ty-Lee said.

"The storm faded out completely a few minutes ago. It's as if it never happened." Zuko told him. "I have never seen anything like it."

"Dad's out making sure the rest of the fleet is okay, but it looks like we made it through without any casualties, though there were a few close calls." Sokka added.

"Good." Aang said, suddenly passing out from exhaustion.

--

Jet never made it to the deck. His revelations undisclosed, he had frozen in place before he even got out of his room. Unbeknownst to the rest of the group, a strange spirit was trying to gain control of his artificial body; not that Jet understood what was happening. Jet found himself in the spirit world fighting hand to hand with some strange fighter. The stranger was dressed as a ninja and wore a blue mask. As they fought, Jet realized he was losing. His opponent was wearing him down, and it was only a matter of time before he lost. Recognizing this, Jet tried with all his might for a final blow to defeat his opponent. The Blue Spirit avoided the blow and countered with his own, knocking Jet unconscious. The last thing Jet thought of as he faded to darkness was the laugh of the advisor, mocking him.

--

Author: Wow, poor Jet. He was just getting into things too…

Katara: So, what does this mean, that the blue spirit is actually real?

Author: Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't want to spoil anything for you.

Aang: I wonder who the advisor is. I didn't think I did anything to anyone like that.

Katara: It's probably someone looking to hold a grudge over something. It may not even be your fault.

Sokka: Who cares? It makes for a good story anyways.

Suki: So, when do we find out what happens to Azula?

Author: You'll find out eventually, believe me.

--

Author's Corner:

Once again, another chapter is done. So far, people seem to like my waterbending creation. I am glad to hear it. Nothing is keeping the spirits from being the original benders by the way, and I don't plan to change it. But then, I am sure the true original fire, earthbenders and airbenders were the spirits too, and the animals just learned it. The Unagi was able to shoot water from its mouth in the Kyoshi Island episode already; just saying.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading my story. I am only a few hits shy of 1000 as I post this, which as far as I am concerned means progress. Not that I take hits too seriously mind you, but it does reflect that at least a few people like what they read.

Thank you to those who continue to review chapter by chapter. I look forward to the reviews so much that while I am at work I check every half hour or so just to see if anyone's left one. It's like getting a treat in the mail and makes you happy to know that someone cares about what you're doing.

I hope everyone is enjoying the story. It's going to start getting better as it goes on, trust me. If you have any questions about anything already in the story, feel free to ask me. If you're curious about anything not yet written, feel free to guess and speculate, but I will be vague if I answer at all since I will NOT spoiler anything.

And as always, review Review REVIEW!