Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.

Rewrite of "Sokka's Master" written by Tim Hedrick.

"Previously, on Avatar, Aang, Toph, Sokka, Katara, and Zuko have been traveling through the Fire Nation disguised," said Avatar Roku.

The gang watched a meteor shower and saved a nearby village from a meteorite, while Sokka stood by and watched. Momo comforted him.

The next day, the group went out to eat.

"What's wrong?" Katara asked Sokka.

"Nothing," Sokka sighed. "It's just... all of you can do this awesome bending stuff like putting out fires and flying around and making other stuff fly around. I can't fly around okay. I can't do anything."

"That's not true, who does most of the fishing? And reading a map?" Katara responded.

"I can't read at all," said Toph.

"Yeah, and who keeps us laughing with sarcastic comments all the time? I mean, look at Katara's hair right," Aang grabbed a lock of Katara's hair and gestured. "What's up with that?"

Katara was embarrassed. "What? What's wrong with my hair?" Katara looked at her hair.

"Nothing is wrong with your hair. Aang was attempting sarcasm," said Zuko. "Sokka you planned the invasion, that's something."

"That is true," Sokka said as he perked up a bit. Then in a negative tone he continued, "There's no guarantee that we will be successful. I appreciate the effort, but the fact is each of you is so amazing and special, and I am not. I'm just a regular guy."

"When I was in Ba Sing Se, I pretended to be a regular guy, but it made me unhappy. I told my uncle, and he said that there is nothing wrong with that kind of life. I told him I wanted my destiny. He said that it was up to me to decide that. I am the master of my own destiny. And you are the master of yours," said Zuko.

"That's nice, but that doesn't really make me feel any better," said Sokka.

Katara sat down next to Sokka. "I'm sorry you're feeling so down, but I hope you know none of us see you that way," she paused and put her hand on Sokka's shoulder. "I know what will cheer you up."

The group went shopping, much to Zuko's dissatisfaction. But Zuko did hope it would cheer Sokka up, since he knew what feeling inferior was like.

Sokka tested a bunch of different weapons, but none really worked for him. Then he spotted a sword.

"Oooo..." Sokka walked toward the sword and examined it closely, and felt the scabbard. "That's what Sokka's talking about."

"You have a good eye," said the shop keeper.

Everyone gathered around the sword.

"That's an original from Master Piandao," said Zuko.

"Who?" Toph asked.

"The greatest sword master and sword maker in Fire Nation history," said Zuko.

"That's right. He lives on a big castle down the road," said the shop keeper, and then he walked away.

"That's what you needed all along," said Aang.

"A sword?" Sokka asked confused.

"Not the sword...a master. We've all had masters to help us get better. You should see if you can study with Piandao," Aang suggested.

"That's a great idea. I never could have gotten to where I am without Master Pakku. Everyone needs a teacher," said Katara.

"I learned from badgermoles. They don't talk, but they're still good teachers," said Toph.

"Master Piandao was my teacher when I was younger," said Zuko. Everyone looked at Zuko. "I think you'll be able to learn from him, but he will test you."

Sokka pulled out the sword and said, "It would be nice to be a master sword fighter." Sokka thought it over and then said, "All right, I'll talk to him."

Sokka met Fat and Piandao and got his first lesson, while the others are bored without him, and Katara attempted humor.

The second lesson, Sokka learned that the stroke of the brush is similar to the stroke of the sword and cannot be taken back.

The third lesson, Sokka memorized a scene and painted it because in battle he would only have an instant to take it in.

The next lesson, Sokka manipulated his surroundings and created a comfortable lounge area in the rock garden, much to Fat's displeasure.

During this time, Zuko has isolated himself from the group to practice firebending, while Katara and Aang attempted to read a map and Toph admitted she missed Sokka.

Finally, Sokka got to make his space sword.

"I saw a heart as strong as a lion turtle and twice as big. And as we trained, it wasn't your skills that impressed me. You showed me something beyond that. " He unsheathed the sword, "Creativity, versatility, intelligence...these are the traits that define a great swordsman. And these are the traits that define you." He sheathed the sword and held it out for Sokka to take. "You told me you didn't know if you were worthy, but I believe you are more worthy than any man I have ever trained."

"I'm sorry Master. You're wrong. I am not worthy. I am not who you think I am. I'm not from the Fire Nation. I'm from the Southern Water Tribe," said Sokka.

Aang, Katara, and Toph gawked. Zuko heard at a distance and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Sokka fought Piandao in a sword fight.

"I think I'm a little to old to be fighting the Avatar," said Piandao.

"How did you know?" Aang asked.

"Oh, I've been around a while. You pick up things," said Piandao as he wiped off dirt. "Of course I knew from the beginning Sokka was Water Tribe. You might want to think of a better Fire Nation cover name. Try 'Lee.' There are a million Lees."

"But why would you agree to train someone from the Water Tribe?" Katara asked.

"The way of the sword doesn't belong to any one nation. Knowledge of the arts belongs to us all," said Piandao as he pulled Sokka's sword from the ground and gave it Sokka. "Sokka you must continue training on your own. If you stay on this path, I know one day you will become an even greater master than I am."

Zuko had waited outside the castle doors. Before went outside the doors, Fat gave Sokka a small brown bag, then walked back to the castle.

"Master Piandao's speech reminded me of my uncle," said Zuko.

"How?" Aang asked.

"If we only draw our knowledge from one source, it becomes stale and rigid. It's important to draw wisdom from multiple places," said Zuko.

"That's good advice," said Aang.

"So, what did he give you?" Toph asked Sokka.

Sokka opened the bag and pulled out a White Lotus Pai Sho tile. "It's a Pai Sho tile."

"What does that mean?" Katara asked.

Zuko furrowed his brows and said, "The Order of the White Lotus."

"Huh?" Sokka asked.

"It's a secret society that transcends nations. My uncle's a member. I wonder..."

"Oh, that reminds me, here Toph," said Sokka as he gave Toph what was left of the meteorite.

To Be Continued...