Hope's Revival

by Shawn45

Aang failed to defeat Ozai, eventually leading to the destruction of the Earth Kingdom. After over a decade of running, he and his small group of friends found a way to fix their past. In order to fix their past, they must relive their past once more. Discontinued

2. Chapter 1

Chapter one

Sokka jumped out of his bed the moment he gained consciousness, shaking his head to both sides to get the sleep out of himself right away. He looked around the tent he's in and spotted Katara sleeping not too far away from him. Without hesitating for even a moment he ran over to her bed and shook her away. Like Sokka, when her eyes opened, she instantly was fully alert and sat straight up in her bed looking around.

"We're… home?" She asked, sounding fairly confused.

"Yes." Sokka confirmed, "But look around! Notice anything?"

She took his advice and looked around some more, and then felt her body, "Sokka… Is this a dream?"

"No."

"So, we actually can change our mistakes…"

"We've never made them."

Katara looked over at Sokka, and really realized the implication. He was a teenager again; fifteen – before they even met the Avatar, and went on the adventure that changed their lives forever. She couldn't help but grin wide at her brother, and let out a happy laugh, "We're children again!"

"That's all you can think about?" Sokka said, but the smile never left his face, "We can change the past! Hell, it's not even the past anymore! It's just a terrible nightmare!"

The two of them continued to do a little celebration in the tent and hugged each other tightly, unable to contain their joy. Sokka got up and changed into his clothes, and then put his coat right back on. He left the tent so Katara could do it as well with him not there with her, but right before he exited he made sure to grab his boomerang and club. He walked out into the middle of their village, and he felt himself breathing harder and blinking his eyes rapidly. He raised his hand up to wipe his eyes, and continued to smile as he went walked around the small village.

It didn't take long for Katara to come rushing out as well, and she too stopped in her footsteps to look around. Like Sokka, she had to suppress the emotions rising out of her.

"It's not destroyed." Sokka turned to her, "I can't believe it…"

"Aang really did it…"

"Yeah, he did."

"We need to go free him again." Katara muttered, "How are we going to find him this time?"

"I know we found him in an iceberg, right?" Sokka asked as he turned to her.

"Yeah, I accidentally used my Waterbending and destroyed an iceberg to make it appear."

"Right, so all we need to do is find the iceberg."

"You make it sound like an easy task."

"Well, considering that we've been running for our lives for the past, I dunno? Fifteen years? This is like getting an early birthday present."

Katara stayed silent as he said that, but she nodded, "Yeah, I guess you're right." The two of them went over to the edge of the ice and boarded the boat that the two of them always went spear fishing on, and took off.

The sun was just beginning to rise off in the distance, and it reflected off all the ice, making a very glaring effect. However, this didn't seem to affect either of them, for they continued to row further out. Both of them were very silent, since all the excitement was over, they now were thinking about how they can change things for the better. After a little while however, Sokka stopped and looked around.

"Ok, I think we're far enough from the village. Can you check to see if you can still Waterbend?" Sokka asked, sounding eager to see if she could in fact do it.

Katara nodded, and stood up on the boat. She planted her feet firmly on the boat, began to make the motions for Waterbending she knew by heart. Within seconds she had gotten water out of the ocean, and formed a ball of water in her hands. She turned around to show Sokka the ball. He sighed in relief. Even though it was one of the most basic moves a Waterbender could do, she did it as if it was as easy as breathing to her.

"I am so thankful that you didn't forget how to Waterbend. This will make planning out our moves a lot easier, knowing we won't have to go to the North Pole this time around to learn water bending."

"I have been thinking though," Katara asked nervously, "What if we're the only two that remember everything? What if everyone else forgot?"

"Even if that is the case, which I don't think it is, we have a huge advantage now. You're a Waterbending master now, and no one knows that, and we both know what is going to happen in the future."

Katara again agreed with Sokka, "You're right, I am just being too negative about this." She shook her head, "Are we out far enough? Is Aang out here?"

"I don't know." Sokka answered truthfully, "It has been so long since that day that I completely forgot where I went. I only went this way because I do remember always going this way because I always thought there were more fish out here."

"Well, might as well begin to look then." Katara threw out the water still in her hands back to the ocean, and looked around at all the icebergs formed around them. It didn't take them long to decide upon one which they thought may be big enough to contain the huge orb that Aang was in when they first met him. Sokka rowed a little closer, but made sure that the distance was far enough to where it wouldn't damage to the boat. Katara then began to cut at the iceberg, making the cracks appear in it until it collapsed into multiple pieces, and crashed into the water.

The boat rocked a bit, but it was in no danger. Upon seeing that Aang wasn't in that one, they moved on to the next one they thought could contain him.

Soon, the sun was high in the clear blue sky, shining down on both siblings as they continue their duty. Sokka was leaning back in the boat, appearing very bored, and Katara was on the opposite end, breathing heavily from doing so much Waterbending.

"My body's not used to working like this for so long." She said between deep breaths.

"It's good training," Sokka said seriously, "We'll need it for what we're going to be doing."

Katara nodded, "Still, I don't think over-exhausting me right now is the best of ideas."

"That's true. You should take a little break." Sokka sighed and leaned on the edge of the boat, "I wish we weren't in such a hurry to go out here, we forgot to bring fresh water."

Katara rolled her eyes and reached her hand out for a block of ice floating in the water. She lifted it over of the boat and made sure to get all the salt water off of it, and then she made the ice into a liquid and floated it in the air in front of her. She took a sip of it, and then glided it over to Sokka, who thanked her as he bit into it several times and swallowed.

"Katara?"

"What?"

"I couldn't help but notice that you have your hair down, and not braided with your hair loopies. Why is that?"

"Why? Should I braid it?"

"I dunno." Sokka shrugged, "It's just that we're in a… relatively peaceful area, and we have no threat from the Fire Nation… Kind of, and you didn't do your hair how you used to. I figured when you came here you'd want to change and savor the feeling of actually being clean. It's why I tied my hair up." He pointed out.

"I didn't think of it." She said after a small silence, "I am so used to just getting up and running in the morning and not really grooming myself that it became habit."

"Are you gonna braid it again then?"

"I don't know." She answered.

Sokka nodded and turned away from her, ending their brief conversation.

After ten minutes, Katara stood back up and began to break icebergs once again, not even taking into account their size anymore. She swung her arm in a downward motion, slashing an iceberg into two, and to her surprise, the water began to rise up like a tidal wave, Katara pushed both of her hands downward to stop the water from rising higher, and calmed the water down, however when she looked up, she saw the orb of ice, and inside of it she saw a figure.

"You found him!" Sokka exclaimed and grabbed his club. He rowed his boat over to it, while Katara just ran towards it, ice forming at her feet so she had a hard surface to run on. Once Sokka reached it, he climbed onto the large mass of ice and began to smash the orb with his club, vaguely recalling Katara had done something similar.

Cracks covered the surface of the orb, before it suddenly exploded, sending a huge white energy into the sky. Sokka glanced upwards at it, but Katara paid no heed to it, and rushed into the orb of ice.

"Aang! Aang, wake up!" She rushed to his side, and put his head into her lap. The boy moaned silently, and slowly his eyes fluttered open.

"K- Katara?" He asked weakly.

"Yeah, it's me."

"You look so… young." He noted.

"Speak for yourself!" Sokka said coming over. He knelt down next to Katara and looked at Aang. "So Katara and I figured out how exactly that ritual we all did worked. By fixing our mistakes, it meant sending us to the past."

"The past?" Aang asked, beginning to sit up.

"Yep, this is technically our first time meeting you, and we technically don't know each other, and we technically don't have a Waterbending master, and an almost fully realized Avatar with us!"

"Ok Sokka, we get it." Katara sighed, then looking down at Aang she added, "I'm glad to see that you still remember everything."

"Well, we all should." Aang said, "All six of us."

"Well, half of it is true so far, the other three are unconfirmed…" Sokka sounded nervous saying that, something suddenly entering his mind.

"Don't worry Sokka, I am sure Suki remembers." Katara said, smiling at her brother, "Why wouldn't she?"

"You never know…"

"I am the Avatar Sokka; you can trust my word for it." Sokka glanced at Aang, and then seem to visibly relax.

"You guys are right, I'm worried over nothing."

Aang finally began to stand, but stumbled around for a little bit. Thankfully Katara grabbed a firm hold of his shoulder. "I guess I technically have been stuck in an iceberg for the past hundred years now, huh?"

"Please Aang, don't get started." Katara sighed.

He grinned, and it widened when he saw Appa. "Do you remember anything boy?" He asked, wondering if the ritual worked with animals. A short roar later confirmed his suspicions, and Aang hugged the beast, "It's so good to see you too!" It didn't take long for the three children to get on top of Appa, and for Aang to yelled out, "Yip Yip!"

Appa jumped off the ice, and stayed in the air for a couple seconds, before falling straight down onto his belly, splashing water everywhere.

"Some things never change, do they?" Katara asked Aang, who laughed with her.

Sokka meanwhile, was sitting on the back of the saddle, still deep in thought. His mood to seem to take a complete one eighty degree turn, and unlike in the morning, his happy mood switched to a very serious one. He glanced up at the two making jokes and spoke his opinion.

"I know that it's nice to be back, and I do love the fact that we are back, shouldn't we be making plans? I mean, the Fire Nation isn't going to defeat itself. We have to start planning now, or else this chance will be a complete waste of time."

"We're not going to let the Fire Nation win this time." Aang said with determination, "We have the advantage now."

"We have to make one thing clear now." Sokka said, "Are we going to reveal to our allies our situation?"

"The fact that we're from a timeline in which the future is an endless veil of darkness that even the Avatar himself couldn't stop?" Aang asked, "I have been wondering that myself to be honest."

"I think we shouldn't tell anyone. For every person we tell, the greater the chances the Fire Nation learning of it are. Plus, we don't want to exactly change events too much, or else we won't have the advantage of knowing what happens on our side."

"I agree with Sokka about not telling people." Katara spoke up, "But if we don't change things, then there was no point in coming back. We could save so many people with what we know; we can't just sit back and let things play out the same way!"

"I am not saying that we'll let things go the same way! I mean, we can make minor changes to save people, but we can't do major things to change the course of history forever, or we won't retain knowledge of the future anymore, because it will be too different than ours!"

Aang nodded, "That makes sense."

Katara gave Aang a betrayed look, "You don't think we should try to change anything significant? Sokka is suggesting that we only change small things!"

"Small things that won't change the future in an unrecognizable way!" Sokka said, raising his voice.

"Guys, please." Aang sighed, rubbing his forehead, "The last thing we need to do is fight with one another."

Both of them glanced at Aang and muttered their apologies.

"Ok Katara… If the situation calls for it, we might possibly change something big, only if it is completely necessary. Is that all right?" Sokka muttered.

She considered it for a moment before saying, "That's fine."

The trio continued on their way back to the village without saying much, too busy within their thoughts now to say anything to one another. Within ten minutes they could see a village in the distance, with several people all about it walking around. Before long, the people saw the giant creature floating towards them, and noticed the people on top of it.

"I'm kind of nervous." Aang admitted as he watched the people waiting for them.

"Why? You were a natural the first time this happened." Sokka said.

"Yeah, but that was because I wasn't acting. Now I know so much, and I am supposed to act like none of it happened, and be a kid again?" Aang shook his head, "It won't be easy."

"Just try to get in touch with your inner child." Katara said, trying to be helpful, "You're only twelve now, so I think they'll believe anything you do as genuine."

He sighed and quickly nodded, "I'll try."

Finally Appa got close enough to where the three kids could jump off. Upon jumping off, Appa climbed out of the water, and their small group was suddenly swarmed by several children all looking at Aang, asking him various questions.

"Aren't you cold?"

"Who are you?"

"Why are you wearing that?"

"What's your name?"

Aang smiled at the group of children, and looked back at Sokka and Katara, hiding his face from the rest. He mouthed the words 'help me' to his friends, who both inwardly sighed and went over and calmed the children down, explaining the situation to them.

After the children, came the elderly people, one in particular had something to say however…

"Katara! Sokka! Where did you two go! You didn't tell me anything this morning!"

Both children looked over at their Gran-Gran, who gave them a very disapproving look. For that moment, both of them felt very ashamed.

I forgot we're kids again… Sokka thought to himself, but he couldn't get angry at the woman in front of him. He looked at her for only a second before looking away, clenching his teeth and keeping his eyes closed, "Sorry, G- Gran-Gran…" His voice cracked a little bit pronouncing her name.

Katara was fairing only a little better than Sokka, but that was because she was busy tending to the children who all were still asking questions about Aang.

"It's ok." She finally said after a moment of silence, and looked over to Aang, "I am curious as to who you are however."

Aang glanced up at the woman, "I'm Aang, I am…" Both Katara and Sokka both glanced at him, curious as to what he was going to say, "I am the Avatar."

Silence befell the entire encampment. Sokka had an unreadable look on his face, but Katara was unable to hide her surprise that Aang revealed that. Her eyebrows were about to fly off her head and her eyes widened quite a bit, but that was nothing compared to the rest of the camp. The children looked at him with their mouths agape, unable to process the information, and the elders were all far more shocked than Katara was.

"The Avatar?" Gran-Gran spoke up, "You seem pretty young to be the Avatar."

Aang bowed a little bit to her, "I have made stupid mistakes in my life. I am actually supposed to be one hundred and twelve now."

"And yet you're only a child."

"It's a long story."

"I suppose you could show us proof that you're the Avatar then?"

"Sure." Aang decided to do something rather simple, he made a ball of air, and quickly jumped on top of it, flying it around, and as he neared the water, he reached his hands out and bended some to circle around him. He bended the two elements with ease, and finally he decided to blow a little fire out of his mouth. He did all of this in a minute, and when he was done; he had a huge smile of relief plastered on his face.

"My sincerest apologies, Avatar." She said, kneeling down, "I shouldn't have doubted your abilities."

"Please, stand up." Aang said, "I don't like being treated like a king."

"Hm, a humble person you are." She said, "My name is Kanna."

"Nice to meet you Kanna…" Again. He added in his head.

"If you need anything, please just ask us. We'll aid you in any way we can."

"No thanks." Aang laughed, "I think I'll just go, eh, explore around here for a while."

Aang began to walk away, not giving Kanna a chance to even insist. Katara didn't even have to think before she stood up and ran after him as well. Sokka also ran to intercept Katara.

"Katara," Sokka began as he ran by her side, "We need to let Zuko know exactly where we are."

"Ok." Katara noted, "Are you staying here?"

"Yeah, I am staying here. I am going to make sure that I am prepared to leave, pack clothes and such this time so we don't have to go around buying supplies so early."

"Good thinking." Katara muttered, "Don't let them figure out what's going on though."

"Don't worry, I'll make an excuse if they do find out that I am packing."

"Ok. We'll see you back here in a little while."

"Don't take too long." Sokka said, and stopped in his tracks. He waved and turned back towards the village. Katara continued to run along, and finally reached Aang's side.

"We need to signal Zuko."

"I know." Aang said, "Do you remember where the Shipwreck is?"

"Of course." She said, "How could I forget?"

"It's been a while." Aang simply said.

The two of them began to walk over to the Shipwreck, allowing silence to fill the air between them. Finally Katara decided to talk.

"I wasn't aware that bringing together all the reagents was going to send us back to the past." She said, "I knew we were going to be able to fix our mistakes, but I thought it meant giving us some spirit powers or something… not this."

"Would you have rather had spirit powers?" Aang asked, sounding amused.

"Well, no. This is far better. Everyone we know is not dead. Seeing Gran-Gran for the first time in years since she died hiding us though is very tough to swallow though. It's like seeing a ghost…"

"Seeing everyone again is what you wanted, remember?" Aang said, a memory filling his mind.

Aang and Katara sat next to a small fire at the ruins of the Southern Air Temple. A twenty-seven year old Katara sat next to Aang, who had just turned twenty-five. Both of them were leaning against one another, both exhausted, and both of them had bags under their eyes, and they just stared out into the distance.

"The last hour of daylight is almost here," Aang muttered, "It's almost time for us to change everything."

Katara acknowledged him with a small shake of her head.

"I hope it works. That scroll we found wasn't easy to come by, and I'd hate to think it's a hoax."

"I don't think it is, Wan Shi Tong wouldn't have kept it in his library if it was a fake." She sighed, "At least, I hope he wouldn't."

Again silence came upon them, both of them simply looking into the crackling fire. All the light was all that was keeping light where they were.

"We should probably go help them set it up." Katara finally said, "It's not fair that we get to sleep while they set up the ritual."

"I agree." Aang said, relieved that she said something. He stood up first, and offered her his hand, which she took without hesitating. Aang had grown to be almost a head taller than Katara, and from their constant skirmishes with the Fire Nation, he wasn't a scrawny man at all.

Katara too had grown to be a very beautiful woman, and was one of the last remaining Master Waterbenders on their planet. She didn't take pride in this fact though, because she has seen so many others of her kind be slaughtered, especially during the second siege of the North campaign the Fire Nation held…

They stood next to one another, staring deep into each other's eyes, Aang's grays straight into her ocean blue. Both then hugged each other tightly, sharing their anxieties with each other, and then shared a small kiss before breaking apart and walking towards the group.

"If it does work, I wonder how it will affect the world." Aang wondered aloud, "I just hope it doesn't end up doing something bad."

"I hope it will revive everyone… so we can fight the Fire Nation on equal footing… And so I can see everyone again."

Aang was silent for a moment, "Yeah… I want that to happen too."

Silence again reigned over them, but being in each other's presence didn't require words.

"It feels like it was so long ago." Aang reflected, "You know… In a way, your wish for what would happen came true."

"Yeah, I guess it did." She said, remembering the conversation as well.

"So…" Aang muttered recalling another thing from the conversation they had, "I am just beginning to go through puberty now, but I am wondering, do you still want to… eh…" He tugged at his collar, suddenly feeling his body's age, "Would you… like to still… uh, be in a… heh… A relationship with me?" He squeaked out.

Before Aang could do anything else, Katara leaned down and kissed him on the lips, and the two of them stood there, feeling as though his feet were glued to the spot. When she parted with his lips, he felt dazed.

"I take that as a yes." Aang said, still dazed.

"Why wouldn't I?" She sighed, "You're silly to think otherwise."

"I guess so."

Katara chuckled at his antics, and began to walk off towards the Shipwreck again, "Come on Aang, it's just a short distance away." True to her word, they arrived at the base of the entrapped ship within a minute. Aang looked up at it, and let out a low whistle.

"It still impresses me that a small group of Waterbenders could do this." Aang muttered, looking at the ship.

"Yeah, it is impressive." Katara reflected. After a short pause she asked Aang, "Ready to go in?"

"I am." He answered; they both went over and entered the ship from the half of the ship that was lower, using Airbending to get in when necessary. Once they entered the ship, they walked quickly through the ship, not wanting to waste any more time than they all ready had.

"Which door was it?" Katara asked.

"Does it really matter?" Aang wondered, looking at her.

"I don't know… Maybe it does?"

"Let's try this door then." Aang said pointing towards the door near him. He walked over to it, his shadow covering the door. He shook a little as he gripped the handle to the door, and laughed a little, "I feel like it might explode if I open it."

Katara rolled her eyes, "Aang, I really doubt they'd waste their time doing that."

"You're probably right." He then opened the door, and took a step forward. Both held their breath, but… Nothing happened.

"Well, that was suspenseful." Katara muttered, "What's in here anyway?"

They both entered the room and explored for a little bit, finding it to be a small armory. It had outdated Fire Nation armor, and several weapons from half a century ago. Aang continued to look around; until he found something that he knew Sokka would love.

"Hey, Katara, look at this!" He pulled up a sword off a rack he was examining, but suddenly felt the weight of it and nearly dropped it to the floor. He managed to hold onto it though, and put it back on the rack before he hurt himself, "That thing is heavy!" He gasped, "I wonder if Sokka could even use it?"

"I don't know." Katara came over and examined it as well, "It doesn't look too bad, and I bet he'd like it."

"Only hard part is carrying it with us." Aang sighed, "It's a lot heavier than it looks."

"I'll take your word for it." She said glancing at the sword, "Should we leave it and come back for it later?"

"That sounds like a good idea," Aang agreed, and both of them left the room to continue their search to set off the flare. The two of them walked a little bit longer, and finally came to the door that they believe might be it.

"Ready?" Aang asked, with his hand again on the handle. When Katara nodded, he opened it, and saw that he was on the bridge of the ship, "Bingo!"

Within seconds of both of them wandering into the room, the door slammed shut and locked itself, and all the windows in the room instantly shut. Seconds after that a flare shot into the sky above the ship, reflecting out in the distance.

"Our work here is done!" Aang said excitedly, "Let's get out of here!" Without giving Katara much time to prepare herself, he grabbed her and Airbended out of the ship, bursting from the top, and slowly progressing further and further down the ship, until he reached the ground.

"Warn me next time you do that!" Katara exclaimed.

"Sorry, I was just eager to get out."

Katara sighed and decided to drop the subject, "Ready to head back to the village?"

"Do you think I should bother going?"

"Why not?"

"Because last time I remember I was banished from the village because I let the flare off. I am sure they saw it again this time."

"Last time they didn't know you were the Avatar." She countered.

"Did they really not know?"

"I am sure of it."

"It has been so long since this happened that I kinda forgot when I told them." He admitted.

"Come on Aang, be a man." She grabbed his hand and began to pull him towards the village. Aang shrugged and soon was walking side by side with her, not releasing her hand.

"But last time you told me to try being a kid!" He muttered. Katara made a point however to ignore him.

Back at the village, Sokka watched the flare go up. Finally, could they have waited any longer? He turned to Kanna, who looked on with wide eyes, "Gran-Gran, they went into the shipwreck." He stated matter-of-factly.

"I know." She sighed, "I am at a loss of what to do."

"If there's any Fire Nation ships around they've no doubt seen it, and we do have the Avatar with us now…"

"We have to banish him."

"Wha- Really?" Sokka asked, completely taken aback, I thought her knowing that he was the Avatar would change her decision, thankfully it hasn't. Though he didn't show it, Sokka was so relieved to hear that, Things are still progressing how they did before… We still have the advantage.

"Yes. It would be unwise for us to keep him here where they could take him away. We're defenseless when it comes to the Fire Nation."

Sokka scoffed, "Come on, I could take on a few of them."

"Almost defenseless." Kanna corrected herself.

Sokka put his hand up to his face to hide a grin, If only she knew what Katara and I are capable of now… "Do you want me to go on ahead and tell them?"

"No, we'll wait for them here."

Sokka nodded, and watched as the village gathered around the two of them. All of the older members had large frowns covering their faces, their eyes downcast. While the children were asking them what was wrong. It didn't take Aang and Katara much longer to reach them.

Aang is doing a great job looking guilty. Sokka noted, Then again, I wouldn't put it pass him to actually be feeling guilty. He let out a low sigh so no one could hear him. When Aang came within distance, Sokka put up his act, "Avatar! Look what you've done! You put all of us at risk!"

Aang looked shocked at Sokka's outburst, and Sokka almost lost his composure, Aang doesn't think I am serious does he?

"I am Sorry." Aang finally said, "Katara and I just wanted to explore a ship. It was all my idea. Forgive me."

"For your own protection young Avatar, I suggest you leave."

"Gran-Gran!" Katara exclaimed, "You can't do that! He's our last chance in the world, and you're telling him to go away?" Even though Aang and Sokka were both acting, Katara was serious; Gran-Gran would send away Aang knowing he's the Avatar? I thought she was braver than that!

"Katara! Stop being selfish, I know you want him to teach you how to Waterbend, but he has other duties to attend to!"

Katara widened her eyes in shock, "You- You think I am that selfish?" She shouted, but suddenly calmed down, would I have been like this if I had known he was the Avatar the first time around? She stopped her outburst, but still looked angrily upon Kanna.

"Katara, please," Aang looked over at Katara, narrowing his eyes at her. Whenever he looked at her like that it meant that he was serious, and it always calmed her down, because it assured her that Aang knew what he was doing.

"Ok, Aang," She sighed.

"I am sorry for causing you so much trouble." He turned around to leave, but Katara grabbed his shoulder and quickly hugged him.

"Stay close." She whispered into his ear.

"I know." He whispered back to her.

They parted, and Katara stood there, watching Aang walk away. Turning back, she walked over to Kanna, who gave her a suspicious look. Sokka watched the two, not sure what to do about it. The tension however, was broken when suddenly a young boy ran up to the group and claimed that a ship was coming towards their village. A collective gasp was heard, though Katara and Sokka both locked eyes with one another.

"We need to be prepared." Sokka said at last, "Gran-Gran," He turned to her, "Make sure everyone else is safe. I'll protect us!"

"Sokka, please, don't do anything that will risk your life." Kanna said, looking at him with concern.

"Please." Sokka bowed to her, "Let me fight."

At that moment, Kanna couldn't say no. He reminded her of her own son so much at the moment, that she shook her head, "Be careful."

"Will do!" Sokka said, running towards the village and spied out the ship. It's Zuko on there, we'll be fine.

From a distance, Aang watched Zuko's ship come closer and closer to the village. Appa grunted near him, but Aang just waved at him and told him to be quiet. Within ten minutes the ship was just about to hit the village.

Sokka was completely prepared, though he figured he didn't truly have to be. He knew Zuko was on the ship, and knew that Zuko must have come back in time with the rest of them as well; At least, I hope he did. To make sure though, Sokka had his club and a machete ready at a moment's notice. Unlike last time, he didn't bother putting on the war paint.

The ship crashed into the ice, and plowed right up to the wall, which a ramp from the ship suddenly came down upon, crushing it. Sokka stood in front of the entire group of villagers, while Katara watched from among the villagers as well. Several soldiers marched out of the ship, and then came the one Sokka had been waiting for.

Zuko walked down the ramp, dressed in his Fire Nation armor, his hair pulled up into a long ponytail. He glared at all the members present, his eyes then lingering on Sokka for a moment. In that moment, Sokka gave a very subtle nod, which only Zuko noticed. Zuko returned it back with a nod of his own, before continuing down the ramp.

"Where is the Avatar?" He demanded, "I know he's here!"

"We don't know who you're talking about!" Kanna called out.

"Don't play games with me old woman."

"Shut up Z-, eh, Fire Nation scum!" Sokka yelled, almost slipping.

Katara felt her chest constrict very tightly when Sokka was about to say Zuko's name, but she was able to breathe easier when Sokka caught himself, though she was nearly scared half to death.

"Be quiet peasant. When I ask you a question, then you may speak."

"Who are you to tell me that?"

"You are insignificant compared to me. I am Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation. You do not stand a chance against me, so I would suggest you stop playing with your toys and hand the Avatar over."

This caused Sokka to charge at Zuko with his club drawn, but Zuko side-stepped his charge and easily pushed him down into the snow. Sokka spit out the snow that got in his mouth and growled, and tried to hit Zuko again, only to be pushed back.

Zuko then slammed his palm right into Sokka's abdomen, causing Sokka to let out a gasp of shock, and clutch himself in pain. He glared up at Zuko, who showed no sign of meaning it was an accident.

Sokka slowly got up, breathing heavily, because that blow was very painful. Damn you Zuko! Did you have to hit so hard? Sokka coughed a little bit, but shakily stood up, and picked up his weapons again. Don't show off Sokka… It's all an act. Sokka charged Zuko again, allowing some of his reflexes to come into play this time.

Zuko tried another quick hit to Sokka chest, which Sokka quickly countered, twisting Zuko's arm, and kicking him bad towards the ship. Sokka grinned at Zuko, who didn't look very pleased. Zuko stretched both of his hands out as far as they could, and summoned fire to both hands.

"You want to play rough peasant? Then I'll show you how we do things in the Fire Nation!" Zuko shot several fire balls at Sokka, who ran from it was fast as he could, not wanting to get burned.

What is he doing? Sokka screamed in his mind, but he still managed to dodge the flames with relative ease. He drew his machete, ready to get serious, when suddenly Aang came in on his glider, getting between the two fighters.

"Stop!" He shouted, realizing Sokka was just about to fight Zuko with all his strength, "You wanted the Avatar." Aang said, "Here I am."

"You're too young." Zuko pointed out, "Do you think I am stupid?"

Zuko looked over to Kanna, who was staring at Aang with shock, satisfied with that as evidence; Zuko looked at Aang once more. "Men, take him away." Aang willingly gave up his staff, and allowed two other Fire Nation soldiers to hold his hands behind his back; he looked back at the village, and gave a small smile before he left.

"You're lucky." Zuko simply said to Sokka, before turning around and following the rest of his men onto his ship. Once on the ship, Zuko ordered the men to put Aang in his own room. Though the men looked somewhat confused, they complied with him, and dumped the boy in the room. Zuko then ordered them to leave, saying he could handle a harmless child by himself. Satisfied, both guards left Zuko alone with Aang in the room, throwing Aang's staff against the wall.

"Zuko? You did come back, right?" Aang asked when Zuko locked the door behind him.

"I did." He confirmed, Aang noticed that Zuko's voice switched from being angry outside, to a calm and quiet tone, similar to how he always talked with his friends, "I wasn't expecting to come back in time, of all things."

Aang nodded, "It does make sense though, if you think about it."

"Why's that?"

"Because how can we fix a past mistake if it has all ready happened? What better way to fix it than do it over again?"

"I guess you're right." Zuko shrugged.

"So how have you been handling seeing...-"

"Uncle Iroh?" Zuko finished his sentence, "It's difficult. It's like seeing a ghost."

Aang chuckled a little bit, but when Zuko gave him an odd look he quickly explained, "Sorry, Katara said the same exact thing about Kanna."

"Oh." Zuko muttered, "It felt weird to invade the village where we stayed for several months hiding out."

"Try just staying there, even for just a couple hours." Aang sighed, "This is a lot harder than I thought it would be."

"Tell me about it. I can't look my uncle in the face. Even this far back he's always been kind to me and giving me words of wisdom, and I never listened to it. I was such an ungrateful brat…"

"He loved you all the same." Aang stated the fact, "This time he won't die." Zuko seem to visibly react to the word die by looking downward, "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that word."

"No. It doesn't matter. I just still haven't gotten over it."

A very uncomfortable silence fell over the two of them, Zuko just looking down at the floor, while Aang was sitting on Zuko's cot. Finally Aang coughed, catching Zuko's attention.

"Have you told anyone about our secret?"

"I haven't."

"Good. We all decided that we shouldn't tell anyone, because it could cause someone to leak it out, and our advantage would be done with."

"I see." Zuko was quiet for a little longer before he walked over to a chair near his desk and sat down, "I don't know if I can keep it from Iroh, I know he could possibly help us."

"I was wondering if you should tell him too. I was also wondering if I should go tell Bumi the same thing."

"They could get the White Lotus Society to act earlier." Zuko explained, "It would be a huge help if they act as soon as possible."

"Ok." Aang agreed, "Don't tell Iroh right away though, there has to be a perfect time for it, and I doubt right now is."

Zuko nodded, "I suppose so."

"Don't worry Zuko, it'll be soon enough."

Zuko nodded, and looked as though he was struggling to say something. Finally, he spoke up, "I am going to stay as part of the Fire Nation for now, so I can give you details on their plans to capture you, or anything else I think may interest you all."

"That's a good idea." Aang agreed.

"You're not going to disagree?"

"Nope."

"I figured you'd want me to travel with you on your bison as soon as possible."

"If I was a kid again, yes, I would want that, and I still do want it, but I know what's important. You being here right now is for the best of everyone. My selfish needs don't matter."

Zuko nodded and looked out the window, "Tell Sokka I am sorry I hit him so hard. My troops have seen me fight, and would have known if I was holding back."

"I am sure Sokka will understand." Aang said, waving it down, "I think they should be here pretty soon actually."

"I plan on sailing straight to Kyoshi Island. Do not damage my ship here, I recall meeting Zhao at some Fire Nation docks a little bit from here, and he learned of you there. I don't intend to meet him at all if I can help it."

"What are you going to do at Kyoshi Island?"

"You're going there as well, right?"

"After I take a short trip to the Southern Air Temple."

"Then I will meet you all on the island. I know Suki is there, and with five of us, we can make plans for our next moves."

"Sounds good." Aang said, "Just as long as your men don't destroy the Island like last time."

"I don't intend to. Just make a quick escape, and I can lie to them saying you weren't on the island at all."

Aang relaxed on the bed letting out a small content sigh, "I could get used to this." Zuko just rolled his eyes at Aang, but couldn't help but have a subtle smile on his face.

Everything is going just right for once… Zuko thought to himself as he closed his eyes and began to relax for the first time in years.

Sokka ran over to Appa, putting all of their supplies on him, while Katara was busy talking with Kanna. All the children were quiet as they watched Sokka run back and forth between his tent, taking out all of his things he'll be needing, and throwing them on Appa's back, while the older people were offering help when needed, knowing that Sokka and Katara were soon to be gone.

"So, it seems you two have finally grown up." Kanna sadly stated, looking at Katara, who also had a frown on her face.

Though she wanted to go, leaving behind Kanna after having lost her for many years, was a heartbreaking experience.

"Y- Yeah." Katara said weakly, "I am so sorry Gran-Gran."

"Don't be, you're doing what your heart is telling you to do."

She nodded, barely able to hold in her tears. Kanna saw that Katara's eyes were beginning to get moist, and reached out to hug her grandchild. Katara did not decline the offer, holding her tightly.

"We'll come back soon." Katara whispered, "I promise."

Kanna only shook her head, and continued to hold Katara. Before long Sokka ran up, panting.

"We're all packed," He eyed Kanna, and looked away, "We'll be gone for a long time." He said truthfully, "I am sorry."

Kanna shook her head, "You're doing what you must."

Sokka went over and hugged her one last time with Katara, and then they all parted. Sokka said bye, and ran back to Appa, while Katara took a little longer to get moving. She took one more glance at Kanna, before rushing towards Appa as well.

"Good luck to the both of you!" Kanna shouted after them, and stood with the rest of the villagers as the two got on top of Appa.

Sokka got on Appa's back, and gripped the reins. "Ready Appa?" He asked, patting the bison's head. Katara was in the back, checking the supplies one last time. "Here we go then! Yip Yip!" He shouted, and Appa let out a roar and took several long strides before jumping into the air, flying above the villagers.

The children were all in awe as they watched it go over head, and soon it was gone. With all the excitement still pumping through them, everyone couldn't stop talking about the events that happened that day, but one thing was within them all that hasn't been there for years, and that was hope.

On the bison, Sokka glanced back at Katara, "You ok?"

"Y- Yeah." She said, wiping her eyes.

"Its tough saying goodbye right when we saw her again, isn't it? I was about to cry when I saw you begin to break down."

She nodded, "Let's just drop it for now, is that all right?"

"Ok." He said, and looked back forward, "We'll be arriving on Zuko's ship in a little bit." Then he added, "Remember to not show off your bending powers too much. You're just a peasant girl from the Southern Water Tribe to them still."

"I'll hold back like you did with Zuko."

Sokka sighed, "I still can't believe he hit me that hard, I mean, that bruised!"

Katara shook her head and looked out at the water as they flew by it, not wanting to talk. Sokka took the hint and focused solely on the ship that was coming closer and closer. It didn't take long for the men on the ship to see the two approaching, and they began to frantically run around, preparing for it.

Inside the ship a soldier ran towards Zuko's room, and knocked on his door as hard as he could, "There's something flying right at us sir!"

Zuko looked at Aang, "Ok, when I open the door, you need to launch yourself out, knocking me down in the process."

"Got it." Zuko nodded, and turned to open the door, while Aang gripped his staff.

"I am on my w-" Before he could even finish his sentence, Aang shot him with an air blast, sending him forward and slamming him into the wall in front of him, he fell to the ground, gasping for breath. The soldier just barely avoided getting hit by the same blast.

"Sorry!" Aang shouted as he used Airbending to run out of the room and begin to escape the ship.

The guard knelt down to help up Zuko, but Zuko shook the help off, "Don't bother with me! Get the Avatar!"

The guard looked momentarily confused, before jumping to his feet, and yelling out, "The Avatar is escaping! Capture him now!" Those people who were relaxing, unaware of the danger, heard the announcement, and stood up instantly.

In another room, Iroh was drinking with one of the people on the ship when the announcement was heard. The soldier drinking stood up instantly, but Iroh decided to speak then, "Are you sure you don't want to finish your tea first?"

"We have to go, you are required to too."

Iroh laughed, "Do not worry; I'll head out as soon as I am finished drinking this."

After a little consideration, the man sat back down to finish his tea.

Appa let out a roar as he landed on the ship, and both passengers on him jumped off. Sokka glared at the small group of four men who ran and surrounded the both of them, and he grabbed his club and boomerang, ready to fight. Katara, tried her best to not show off her bending prowess, and decided not to bend water to herself in fear of giving herself away.

"No killing." She whispered to her brother.

Sokka was silent, but a second later she saw a small nod. Within seconds the men surrounding them punched forth, ready to Firebend at them, but Katara shot her hand up and got some of the water around the deck, forming a small wipe and tripping them before they could finish the move off.

Sokka gave her a stern look, she replied, "Look, it was an accident!" She waved her arms in front of her. Sokka sighed and finally ran forth.

Sokka ran towards the small group Katara tripped, and thwacked one in the gut as hard as he could with his club before the man even had a chance to fight. He heard the guy lose all his breathe, and fall down, knowing for certain he wouldn't be getting up for a while. He turned to the other three who were all up and had their arms in front of them.

If I had my strength and a sword, I could handle them all… He thought, and stayed on the defensive, knowing that they held the advantage. The three formed a small line, the one in the middle preparing to Firebend, while the other two held position and watched. Sokka knew that if he even attempted to stop the guy from performing the move, he would be stopped by the other two, so he did the only logical thing he could do. All this went through his mind within a second, and he quickly jumped to the side to avoid the blast of fire.

Katara watched her brother attempt to take out the remaining three, but couldn't help him, because more people began to rush out of the ship. How can I beat them? I can't show my Waterbending yet, or else they'd report that the Avatar has a master Waterbender with him… She didn't have to worry long, because out from the door Aang came running.

"Hey guys!" He yelled, "Let's get out of here!"

"What about Zuko?" Katara asked, with a small smile was on her face, showing her relief.

Aang gave a quick shake of his head, a sign the group used that they learned from the future, meaning they'd take about it later. With that, he jumped on Appa, "Come on, we need to get out of here!"

Katara didn't take long to get on, having not been fighting anyone. She pointed out Sokka running from the men shooting the fireballs, and Aang grabbed his staff like a baseball bat, and swung as hard as he could, sending a small wave of air, knocking the remaining three guys off their feet and hitting the against the side of the ship, knocking them out.

"Thanks!" Sokka shouted as he ran onto Appa.

Right when the three of them were on top of him, Zuko came rushing out of the ship with a little less than a dozen men following him. Seeing that his other men on the deck were knocked out, he ordered his men to fire at Aang before he got away. Unfortunately for Zuko, Aang was all ready in the air before he gave the order, and quickly getting away.

At that moment Iroh came walking out, "Zuko, what is going on?"

"Uncle! Help me!" Zuko shouted. Upon seeing Zuko and several other soldiers beginning to make a large fireball to launch, he ran to join the group and help them. Within seconds, they launched it into the air. Zuko however, made sure that it missed Aang, by a very small margin, not wanting to harm the Avatar.

He tried two more times before Aang flew too far away. "He got away." Zuko muttered. When his uncle put his hand on his shoulder he shook it off, "Follow the Avatar! Go full speed, NOW!"

The men on the deck nodded, and got right to work on his order.

In the air, Aang looked back at the shrinking ship, and let out a relieved sigh. Upon seeing Katara's questioning glance at him, he turned back towards them and began to explain the situation, "Zuko is going to be working with the Fire Nation for now, and he'll give us information on the inside workings as often as he can. He told us that he'd meet us at Kyoshi Island, saying that we can plan our next move there with Suki." Hearing her name, Sokka sat up.

"When are we going there?"

"Pretty soon actually, I just need to make a small trip to the Southern Air Temple."

"Why do we need to go there?"

"Two reasons," Aang held up his hand with two fingers up, "To get Momo again." Katara let out a small laugh, "And to get Monk Gyatso's heirloom."

Katara decided to speak, "Why do you need to get that? You don't plan on going back in time again do you?"

"We're never sure. I don't want to spend seven years gathering all these items again if we do screw up. It's better to get them now when the Fire Nation doesn't control the planet than to do it while they do."

"I guess that makes sense." Katara said.

At that moment Aang looked forward; and turned Appa off the course he wanted him to go for a little bit to make a small detour. When he began to fly low, the other two began to notice that something was going on.

"What are you doing Aang?" Sokka asked, looking over the side of Appa.

"You're a master swordsman, so it's better if you have a weapon you can use perfectly, than to continue to use the ones you have right now."

Katara's eyes lit with realization, "I forgot!" She said, "Sokka, we found a sword while we were in the shipwreck that we thought you could use!"

Upon hearing this, Sokka formed the biggest smile, and his eyes opened wide, and he hugged the person nearest to him, who was his sister. "Thank you thank you thank you!"

"Sokka!" Katara shouted, and gently shoved him off herself, "It's the least we could do, since we don't need anything to be a master in our abilities."

"Besides Water." Aang pointed out.

Katara rolled her eyes, "Yes, besides water."

Within minutes Appa had landed at the base of the Shipwreck, and they got out and into the ship. It didn't take Aang long to find the room that he found the weapon in. Upon seeing the sword, Sokka went over to examine it. After a minute or so, with both Aang and Katara just watching him from behind, he slowly lifted it off the rack.

He then weighed it in his hand. "It's a little heavy, but I think I could get used to it." He spun it around himself slowly, getting used to the weight.

"Do you like it?" Katara asked.

"Well, it's not as good as my space sword, but other than that, this is a great weapon, still sharp after all these years in here too."

"That's good." Aang sighed, "I was afraid it would be too heavy. I could barely lift it up for a minute without dropping it."

Sokka shrugged, and looked around for a sheath. He ended up finding it near the weapon rack. "Ok, I am ready." The sheath had a strap around it, so Sokka was able to tie it around his back.

With that out of the way, the three of them went out of the ship and to Appa, and within minutes they were on their way to their first stop to try and save the world once more.

Chapter one - End