Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar or Bionicle. They belong to their respective owners.

Sokka groaned after waking up for the umpteenth time. Sleeping on a swimming bison had been difficult enough. Doing so without Vakama and Kopaka's unnaturally long legs didn't make things easier. Add that to the sudden rush from another dash with death, also known as Tahu, more than a day ago. As for the other reason–

"Gah!" Sokka cried, throwing off the soaked coat which he used as a blanket. "Katara, did you have to do that?"

Sokka clamped his mouth after seeing Katara's scowl against the morning sky. He no longer saw it after her watery trail splashed into the ocean and she silently went towards Appa's head. Across the spot where Katara once sat, Vakama wiped the drops from his bandaged legs. "I don't know if her dedication is admirable or worrisome. I have lost track after her sixth attempt," he said. His voice was warm like those eyes faintly glowing beneath the wrappings. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Just peachy," Sokka muttered, his expression more twisted than the coat in his hands. "How are you holding up, Kopaka?"

"Hmm," came from Sokka's other side.

"I see. Good talk."

"Actually, he is more of a listener," Vakama said, "but he can talk as long as you find the right words."

Sokka's snort stopped, remembering the red hand now hidden in the coat. When he stared at his sister out of concern and annoyance, the rest of Vakama scooted over to his side. "Speaking of talking, you should go to her."

"I know," Sokka muttered the words so dryly, he wished that alone could remove the water from his coat.

"If you don't do something now, it could get in the way of–"

"I know." Quietly, Sokka said, "Look, I get you're trying to help, but I know my sister. Right now, she needs some space."

"I don't know…" Vakama said, joined by another of Kopaka's grunts.

"I suppose you have a better idea?" Sokka deadpanned, more so after Vakama gestured to talk to Katara. "How? She hasn't listened before. Heck, we got in that situation because of her! How am I supposed to know she's even paying attention–?"

"You know I can hear you," said Katara.

Now knowing, Sokka shared a look with Vakama and Kopaka flanking him, dropped his coat, and walked over. His guilt and uncertainty over his words grew under the stares of his two companions. He cleared his throat and said, "So, yeah, you heard… Look, I know this isn't easy, but you gotta cut me some slack."

Katara's silence added to Sokka's frustration. Getting the cold shoulder from Kopaka was one thing, but this was, well, asinine.

Sokka frowned. "Look, I get you're mad–"

"Oh, did I give it away? Like you did with Aang?"

"Katara, you know I had no choice. We could've been caught or worse! We've been barely surviving as is."

"But he was right there! We could've gone back, but you… I… Argh!" Katara said, swinging her hands down.

Sokka backed away from the water waving against Appa and turned to say, "There, you see. She feels much better."

The stares from Vakama and especially Kopaka said otherwise.

Groaning, Sokka turned back to his sister. "Alright, I'm sorry for doing what I could and making sure we got out alive. Does that help?"

"It's not…" Katara stopped and looked out at the ocean's horizon. Regret replaced the anger in her voice and expression. "... it's not that. Sokka, I was with him. He's the Avatar, but he's also the last of his kind. He's just… just a kid without anyone to help him."

'Without a parent or family,' is what Sokka heard. He understood it very well. If what Aang said had been true, then he would be in for a surprise about the Fire Nation's deeds. "He won't be alone for long," Sokka said, "but we gotta be smart about getting him out."

"But how?" Katara asked.

"By being smart. Didn't you hear me?" Sokka avoided Katara's deadpan stare while reaching into his shirt. Yanking out the letter, he flipped over the map's wrinkled contents. "So, we're heading towards a Fire Nation port, so can't just waltz in like before. Kopaka's mask… how far you'd think it can see?"

"Well, pretty far, I think. Back home, he first saw that ship from the tribe. And Appa from far away."

"More than that," said Vakama. "He can even see through solid objects."

Sokka thinned his lips in thought. How Vakama knew would be a question for another time. "Guess we'll test that," he said. "We'll also need clouds. Lots and lots of them."

"That might be a problem," Katara said, pointing at the sparse clouds above.

Vakama must've said something–Sokka swore he heard a word–because a chilly mist from Kopaka's sword answered that problem. "Well, we got that covered there," said Sokka. "There. Does that help?"

Accepting Katara's silent yet tiny smile, Sokka stuffed the paper back into his shirt. He went over to Vakama, who whispered, "See? Everything is alright."

"Sure," Sokka whispered back and sat next to the bandaged man. That is if Vakama was a man. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I did when you were asleep, but she wasn't listening to me. I thought you would fare better." Vakama chuckled. "Believe me, I have had my fair share of arguments."

Kopaka's grunt cut in, as did the words, "Ship. More."

Vakama said something to Kopaka, but Sokka put it aside to join his sister up front. "Alright, get ready for take-off!" he said. "Katara, would you do the honors?"

Despite his enthusiasm, Sokka lowered his gaze on the faint line on the horizon as the bison flew up and up and up.

It must have been the cell, or the extra rope tying his arms to his torso, but Aang really, really missed the skies. So much so, he rapped his feet on the wall as he laid back and stared up at the ceiling.

Tap-tap-tap-tap…

He missed staring at the open and wide expanse as it changed through different colors.

…tap-tap-tap-tap-tap…

He missed flying through the clouds without a care in the world and the breeze uplift him from the earth.

…tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap…

Instead, he was in a tiny room with one locked door and many guards behind it.

And it was driving him crazy.

Aang stopped tapping and rolled his bald head on the cold floor. "Ugh, come on! Can't you just open the door?" he asked. "I promise I won't try to escape."

Tahu silently stood in front of the door, his glare glowing in the dim cell.

Aang went on. "Doesn't this cell bother you?It's so cramped… Can I at least know where we are? I can tell we're not sailing anymore. Is there a place to eat? I'd like to have something other than ship food. What about bathrooms? I could need one, and I might not–"

"You used that excuse last night," Tahu said. His annoyance piped to the sound of voices and footsteps from beyond the cell. "You might get your fresh air, though."

Aang only had time to sit up, hearing the guards' feet shuffling outside. Tahu moved aside, and of the figures stepping through the door, Aang recognized Zuko and Iroh. A glance at the unknown man in front told Aang everything he needed to know. The red and dark armored outfit. The tall stature. Oh, and the pointed sideburns.

"This is the Avatar?" the man said, his brow wrinkled. "I can't say I'm impressed."

"I think you have the wrong guy. I'm just your ordinary airbender," Aang said, shrugging.

"Hmm, really." His response deadpan and sarcastic enough to make Aang's smile falter, the man turned to his right. "From what I heard, Prince Zuko, I expected something a bit more… fearsome. And older."

"Uh, I'm right here, you know."

None noticed Aang, least of all the scowling Zuko who said, "Don't underestimate him, Zhao. Those ropes are on him for a reason."

The smirk from this Zhao said he thought otherwise. "Perhaps… but it would be easier if you used all your men to their fullest capabilities." Unlike everyone else, Aang didn't get it until the older man's amber eyes fell on Tahu. "Hello again, Tahu," Zhao said with a smirk. "I almost didn't see you there. The cloak suits you."

"Save the pleasantries, Zhao," Tahu said. "If you're here to take him, then you're sorely mistaken."

The smirk turned into a grin that sent shivers down Aang's spine. "Oh, I wouldn't dare. After all, I'm not convinced this is him," Zhao said, glancing back at Zuko. "It wouldn't take much for someone to dress a random boy up in airbender robes to please the Fire Lord. Especially for you, oh banished prince."

Aang backed to the wall, seeing smoke and tiny sparks from Zuko's nostrils and hands. "Prince Zuko!" Iroh said, holding back the teenager and his premature flames before addressing Zhao. "We should take this conversation elsewhere, commander."

The grin didn't lessen and neither did Aang's unease. "Yes, I quite agree. If you will excuse me, gentlemen. Tahu."

The minute Zhao stepped out, the trio of Zuko, Iroh, and Tahu blocked Aang's only exit. There were questions like "How could Zhao have known?" and "Has he been watching us this entire time?" before more soldiers in the same armor intruded through the trio's conversation. "H-Hey!" Aang told the two soldiers grabbing him.

Zuko demanded, "What are you doing? He's not–!"

Zhao, whom Aang saw outside the cell, said, "Why prince, I am securing your prize. Avatar or not, I can't have him running around unchecked. He will be under my care while you are here at my harbor. Unless you have a problem with that."

"No, there is no problem," Iroh said, stepping in front of Tahu and Zuko.

"Excellent, we can meet at my tent. Oh, and Tahu? My offer still stands... Men, take him."

Zhao's words led Aang outside, lifting him off his feet. Within the soldiers' grips, he could only glance at everyone else still in the cell. "Uncle, he can't–!"

"Patience, Prince Zuko."

Hearing Iroh, Aang called over his shoulder, "W-Wait! Can't you lend a hand? If this is about the tea, I'm still very sorry!"

Tea or not, Aang knew he had to make another escape plan. He had few options. If it wasn't his binds, then it was the soldiers marching in front and behind to ensure he didn't escape. It happened all while they took him through the same way he slipped out of the ship. Outside was a different story…

Aang squeezed his lids shut from the noon sun's glare, the pain sharp and sudden. A few blinks later, he squinted, then his eyes went wide. The sounds of hundreds of men working echoed beyond Zuko's ship. Carried across its deck and down the ramp, Aang saw another larger ship, big enough to cast its shadow over the airbender.

It wasn't the only one. Dozens more lined up against the shipping docks. More rested on the waters beyond, hazing the sky with black smoke. The land which Aang touched on was dry and bare of anything aside from red tents. In and out of those tents were dozens of men in the same dark armor, their eyes falling on Aang. Behind them were even more tents, and behind them were mountain peaks just as many.

Zhao's voice cut in. "Guards him at all times, and inform me when the sages arrive."

Sages? Maybe that could help later on. Right now, all Aang could do was nothing. His escorts did the work, and the possible hundreds of stares didn't help much.

Well, at least he had some fresh air.

AN: Just a little bit I had written for my Bionicle/Avatar crossover, Bending the Legend. Still, a little stuck on how to proceed with the story so it will be a long time before I start updating again. Until I do, I hope you enjoy this. Thanks and take care.

Raika out.