Wow 7 Reviews. As always I only own one hamster who is wanting to get out of his cage. As of Sunday hopefully a Christmas tree, and not ATLA just the Idea. Enjoy the chapter you'll find out who the voice belonged to, oh wait if you've seen the movie then you already know, if not then SURPRISE!

Chapter4: I Stand Alone

A young man got up and did his usual morning routine which consisted of walking down to the shore to bathe, and getting dressed. He wore a brown shirt with tan pants and light brown shoes, he put on his tan wrist guards and his light robe which was a dark brown. Fastened his sword around his wait, went back to the cabin and grabbed his bag to gather some food. It was nearing sunset by the time he got back he had gathered fruit, and did a small amount of hunting. He was about to do his fishing when he heard footsteps and a large splash, he was a bit curious as to who was there but he went for the defense just to be on the safe side. He heard the sound of water moving, he walked until he was ankle deep, and called out, "Whoever's there I warn you I can not only firebend but I have Dual Dao, that are two swords that are very strong."

When he received no response he went to leave until he heard more splashing, then he heard voices talking about a girl and returning her to the boss. He was confused but he heard some movement close to him and a voice, " I'll handle them." It sounded feminine was more than willing to let her handle them had some of the men moved towards him. He smiled and said, "I would let you, but I'm involved now. See if you can lead some of them towards the deep end that way you're out of range of my firebending."

"Good idea."

Katara did as the stranger asked and she had slight trouble but managed to send them back up the ridge and a few feet past it. She turned and watched the stranger in amazement as he moved. When the arrows came he would send a fireball and the arrows turned them to ashes. They too joined their friends fate flying just past the ridge and they began to look for away to get down and retrieve the girl. Katara began to braid her hair again while the man waded over to her.

"You OK?"

"Yeah they must have been chasing me all night."

"Well if you're sure you don't need anything then I'll just head back.", he turned and began to head for the cabin nearby that he lived in, but stopped when he heard, "Wait what's your name?"

"Zuko, just Zuko none of that mister stuff."

"Oh my name's Katara, and thank you again for helping me."

"Don't mention it now if you'll excuse me I some errands I have to do today.", he said trying to have an excuse to get away from her, but he was unsuccessful as she would not leave him alone.

"Zuko what's wrong with your eyes?"

He turned and looked in her direction and simply said, "I think you know what's wrong with them, I won't mention the scar on my face."

"I'm sorry I, I, I didn't mean for that to sound rude or offend you it's just I didn't know, you're the first blind person I've met. And that came out wrong didn't it?", She was honest and he could tell by the tone of her voice and her heart rate, so he decided to make her less guiltful towards herself when he said, "No I knew what you meant, I'm sorry if what I said sounded rude, that's still a sore topic for me."

Neither of them however had noticed someone was following them. She didn't go rushing in like the others did. Instead she followed from above until she noticed a ledge and jumped from the ridge to the ledge then the ground and followed them as silently as possible.

Momo began chattering nonstop as though something was wrong. Zuko tried to get her to be quiet but he finally gave in, "What is it Momo?, What is so important that it can't wait?", Momo than chattered for a minute and even though Zuko couldn't actually understand, he was able to pick up that whatever it was, was important.

"What was he saying?"

"Actually Momo's a girl, and all I know is it had something to do with Ba Sing Se, other than that just chattering about nonsense."

"The only thing that would have anything to with Ba Sing Se is Bashkim."

"What else is new the sword's in the Earth Kingdom capital. Why are you mentioning this Momo?"

"No it's not. It's somewhere in Thieves Passage I was on my to find it when those goons were chasing me. Things aren't so good at my home. Ozai had the sword stolen but somehow it got lost, and he's holding my mother captive to get to Ba Sing Se and do something horrible there. I have to find Bashkim return it to Haru, and warn him of what Ozai's planning, and all before Ozai reaches Ba Sing Se or it and my mother are doomed."

"Is that true Momo?"

Momo chattered a yes and Zuko nodded, "Alright then let's go! "

"Good idea we can take some of your food as supplies. "

"Uh I meant just Momo and myself. It's easier that way. "

"Oh well let's say you get injured and don't have a healer to heal your injury would be slowed down by that wound, and thus letting someone else get the sword, and the person who finds it might not be a good person it could be a thief and they would sell the sword just for the money to buy themselves something."

Knowing she made a point Zuko nodded his head after sighing in slight annoyance. Zuko was still a bit irritated with Katara but did his best not to act rude but failed every once in awhile. He asked what made her an expert at healing and said very confidently that she was a master waterbender and also had the ability to heal people. They made a quick stop at his cabin took get a waterskin so she could hold water to bend when she needed it. Zuko unfortunately didn't have any riding animals to they had to go on foot. They made camp around sunset Zuko gathered the firewood and some fallen leaves to use for the fire and lit the fire, while Katara cooked the dinner. After awhile he asked her, "Why couldn't you dad do anything when your mom was captured?"

"Easy he's not around.", she said meaning that he was dead and Zuko took it as he just up and left, but made no comments other than to say he would take first watch and he would wake her for the next watch. She agreed and went to sleep silently saying goodnight to her mom and a thank you to her dad she went to sleep hoping to find the sword and return it warn Haru and see her mom again within the next few days. Meanwhile the Yu Yan Archers and the Rough Rhinos managed to catch up to Ty Lee and she gave them their jobs to do to set up camp for the night while she made her way to randevu with Ozai luckily she knew where he was. Ozai meanwhile was getting angry with Azula, as she could not remember where she dropped the sword.

"You imbecile where were you when the sword was lost?"

"Father I was in the air when I lost it looking for it down here is making it difficult to remember where I was. If there was away for me to duplicate what I did that might help."

"Yes, but no one can reverse time and we have little time as we speak."

He heard a sound from behind him, as he turned he saw his most trusted, and deadly assassin Ty Lee appear from the shadows. She gave a curtsy and reported, "Master, my comrades were a bit enthusiastic and charged in and were bested by the girl and a blind man who heard from a flying lemur that Bashkim was in Thieves Canyon."

"Good work Ty Lee now go back to your comrades and Azula and I will meet up with you to morrow morning and we will follow them. Those fools will lead us right to the sword. Oh and Ty Lee tell your comrades that if they continue to fail me then I have no use for them."

"Yes Master."

When the randevu was finished Ty Lee returned to her group and repeated Ozai's message, needless to say that the men where scared enough that they made sure to not mess up again especially since Ozai himself was joining them. Meanwhile back in Ba Sing Se, things were getting better not many people were injured in the attack it was mostly buildings that were either fully destroyed or mostly in ruins. Many earthbenders bended either new walls or temporary housing until the repairs were finished, even the Royal Earthbenders and King Haru himself were helping. Although he hadn't fully regained his strength, as he was using up what he did gain to help his people. He had originally wanted to join the Dai Lee in finding Bashkim but Bumi as usual talked some sense into him.

~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~

"Bumi what's the damage for Ba Sing Se, have any of the people been hurt?" Haru asked as Bumi changed his bandages, Bumi simply smiled as he was proud that Haru was worried about his people. Haru had come along way since he was made king, the people had chosen well.

"There have been very few injuries reported sire, and thankfully no deaths. The only casualty were the buildings as the cities earthbenders fought against her, she unfortunately attacked the city as she came and was leaving."

"And Bashkim, has it been found?"

"So far no, it has not been found."

"Then I'll find it myself."

"Then you would be falling right into the trap the thief has planned. Do you want to end up like Sokka! He died to protect so that you might live and carry on like you were meant to. If you die at the hands of the thief or worse Ozai before your old age allows you, then Sokka will have died in vain. You yourself said he was your closest friend, failing to keep his memory and Ba Sing Se safe would not be what he would want a friend to do."

"Why tell me this to make me remember how much it hurt watching him die in front of me? How I wish it was me dead instead of him? He had a family for spirits sake!"

"Yes he did, but he was willing to sacrifice that life so that you could remember what the true meaning of courage, and loyalty really are."

"And what would they be?"

"You will know when the time comes until that time, a wise, beautiful, and old spirit told me to leave it to us mortals, I however am telling you to leave it to your people. If they posses the courage and loyalty they will find the sword and bring it home. For if you cannot trust your own people how can you call yourself a king?"

~~~~~~~~~~End Flashback~~~~~~~~~~

Haru smiled as he remembered how much Bumi reminded him of his own father. He made a promise to visit his father's grave later that day, and also to hold a ceremony for the town so that they'd remember the good times, and to forget their troubles even if it was temporary he had to remind them that there was hope and peace. There would always be peace they just needed time for it to settle in.

I know a lousy way to end the chapter but then I would've had chapters four, and five combined and then it would be too long. In next the Chapter we may see the 'dragons' by the way I know Momo's a boy but there is a reason I made him a girl. Please read and review.