The outfit Aang is wearing in this chapter is the one he wore in the North and South comic book. I love that outfit.

Bato rushed to the palace, the cold air stinging his face.

As soon as he had heard of the attack he had rushed out of his house and started running at the palace, as fast as he could.

Normally he would be at the council as Hakoda's right hand man but the Chief had ordered Bato to sit this one out since he injured his knee on their last hunting trip.

Bato grit his teeth as he picked up his pace. He should've insisted more on going with the man, if anything happened to Hakoda he would never forgive himself.

His heart dropped as the palace came into his view. The building was almost completely destroyed, he barged in through the double doors and made his way to the destroyed council room.

He froze once he got inside the room. Dead bodies were everywhere. He hardly recognized some of the lifeless bodies.

As his eyes darted around the room a cold chill ran down his spine.

Hakoda. Sokka. Katara.

He was scared of seeing one of their bodies in a similar condition. He kept looking around for blue clothing, his limbs trembling.

There! He spotted a large frame, It had to be Hakoda. He let out a sigh of relief when he didn't see any blood around him, quickly running to his friend he knelt down and checked Hakoda's pulse just to be sure. Once he found a pulse he relaxed a little, only to tense up again when he heard someone's footsteps behind him.

Turning around, muscles tensed, he took out his spear, ready to fight.

"Bato!"

Bato let out a sigh of relief once he noticed it was one of the soldiers. "Naloq! Go get some of the healers quick. We need to save as many as we can!" He ordered the Water Tribe soldier.

However, Naloq kept staring at the dead bodies in horror, looking ghastly.

Bato turned back around when he didn't hear footsteps. "Hey! What are you waiting for?! Go NOW!" He roared, making the other man straighten up and nod before hurriedly leaving the room.

Bato paced around the hallway, outside the hospital room, waiting for the healers to update him on Hakoda and everyone else.

His head whipped up when he heard the door to the room open. A healer walked out.

Bato immediately stood up, looking at the doctor. "Is he okay?"

She nodded. "Yes, he's fine. He had no serious injuries, he was just knocked out." She explained, smiling kindly.

"Thank you." Bato bowed, smiling back. "So is he free to leave?"

She nodded, moving out of the way. "Yes."

Bato nodded thankfully, before walking inside.

"Hakoda?" He asked, frowning when he saw the man lying down on the bed, frozen, and face white as the sheet he was lying on.

Hakoda sat up, looking up at his friend, not even bothering to wipe away the tear rolling down his cheek.

"I-It's Katara and Sokka." He began, mouth dry. "They're gone."

Bato gasped in shock. "What do you mean gone?!"

Hakoda buried his face into his hands. "The bastard took them, I saw it with my own two eyes, right before I lost consciousness." His voice cracked as he spoke. "I was lying there helplessly as my kids were carried away."

A cold chill ran down Bato's spine, his tongue felt heavy. "Y-You saw the person?"

"Yes. It was a tall man wearing a red cloak, he looked powerful as he effortlessly moved and dodged everyone's attacks." Hakoda explained, staring at the hospital walls blankly. "Room full of powerful benders and the man didn't even struggle."

Hakoda sighed, rubbing his temples."I didn't even see his face, it was covered by a hood."

"What about Suki?" Bato questioned, afraid of the answer.

"She's fine, I think she was just knocked out like I was."

Bato dropped to the floor, back against the wall. Dread crawled up his spine, as all the information Hakoda gave him fullly sank in. "I-I- What do we do now?" He stuttered.

Hakoda raised his head, shoulders squared as his face twisted in anger. "What do you think? We fight back."

As Aang neared the Southern Water tribe, the first thing he noticed was the half destroyed palace. He looked down in horror.

"Spirits... what happened here?" Aang spoke out loud, gulping, as he was looking around. He saw a large group of soldiers gathered around next to the palace. He steered Appa toward the group.

"No! We have to think of our next course of action carefully, Bato." Hakoda objected. "We can't just rush at the enemy with no intel."

Bato's nostrils flared. "We don't have time for that! Sokka and Katara could be in danger as we speak, Hakoda!"

"I know that, dammit!" Hakoda yelled sharply, making Bato snap his mouth shut in shock. He calmed himself when he saw Bato's apologetic face. "Don't you think I know that?" He whispered, feeling a pang of pain in his chest.

Hakoda shook his head, before speaking again, voice stronger.

"We have to be cautious or we'll just end up losing more of our people. The person we're up against managed to defeat the entire council, including Katara and Sokka. We are dealing with someone very dangerous here."

"I believe Katara and Sokka are still alive, they won't go down that easily, they are strong. If we really want to save them we need to think smartly before we act."

Bato nodded in understanding and spoke up. "What do you have in mind-" he was interrupted by a loud roar coming from afar.

Everyone tensed up, looking up at the clear sky and to their great surprise a Sky bison was soaring toward the tribe.

They were all staring at the approaching bison in awe, except for Hakoda, who had frozen, eyes glued to the Bison in disbelief.

"No way..." he heard someone whisper but paid it no mind.

He watched as Avatar Aang jumped down from the bison gracefully using his airbending.

Hakoda couldn't believe his eyes. After so long, The Avatar was finally here, and the timing could not be better.

Aang started running toward Hakoda, the snow crunching beneath his boots. "Chief Hakoda sir!"

The older man was still staring at the teen in disbelief. His mouth opened and closed multiple times before he managed to actually speak.

"Avatar Aang?" His eyes were wide. "Is that really you?"

Aang rubbed the back of his neck and smiled warmly. "Yes sir, I know it's been a long time since we last met, but I'm here now."

Hakoda smiled back for a moment, staring at the boy. He had grown a lot. The Avatar was no longer a pre-teen. In front of him stood a tall, strong young man. And he had hair now.

Aang looked like The Avatar now more than ever. Everyone was staring at the teenager in awe.

Hakoda, too, was impressed. And although he'd never say it outloud, he was very relieved to see him.

Suddenly, the smile disappeared from Hakoda's face, as the weight that had momentarily lifted from his shoulders came back down. A frown replaced his features.

Aang looked around at everyone, before his eyes settled on Hakoda again, a realization washing over him. "I see." he gripped his staff tigher. "I'm too late, aren't I?" He asked, voice heavy, knowing the answer already as he saw the looks on everybody's face's.

Hakoda let out a pained sigh before looking up at the teen. "Aang, It's very good to see you, it really is." He paused for a second, pressing his lips together. "But we don't have time for idle chit-chat. I'm assuming you already know what's going on based on the look on your face?"

Aang nodded.

"I'm sorry for putting this burden on your shoulders, I know you and my kids aren't close anymore but I have to ask anyway, would you please help us save them?"

Aang looked at the man, almost offended. Why did Hakoda hesitate, Katara and Sokka were like family to him. There was no way he would just sit by and not help, even if he was ordered to.

"Of course sir, you know I would do anything to protect my friends." He smiled.

Bato who was standing right behind Hakoda, stepped up to them and scoffed. "Friends? What kind of friend are you? Abandoning them without a word!" The man raged, making Aang's eyes widen, before the shock turned into shame and he looked down at his feet.

Hakoda was left stunned by his friend's harsh words.

The cold wind whipped against their faces, as everyone around them stood in silence watching Hakoda's friend continue.

"You have no right to call them your friends, Avatar!" He spat out the word like it was poison. "If you hadn't left them this wouldn't be happening. If you hadn't disappeared from the world again and actually had done your job like you were meant to, the world leaders wouldn't be lying down lifelessly soaked in their own blood!" He roared, drawing out his spear and pointing it at the teen.

Aang closed his eyes tightly, head lowered. A gust of wind blowing his hair. The man was right, if he hadn't left, none of this would've happened.

How many times are you going to let them down?

You're pathetic!

He grit his teeth, trying to block out the dark thoughts from his head.

"Enough Bato!" Hakoda ordered, when he saw the boy's distress. He clasped the other man's spear and shoved it away.

Aang let out a sharp breath and looked up at the two. "You're right. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you guys."

Bato stared at him, eyebrows raised. Aang stepped back and looked at all of the soldiers and civilians that had gathered around them during the commotion.

His eyes were filled with determination as he addressed everyone. "I promise, I will make things right!" He looked at Bato and Hakoda. "I will bring them back safe and sound, and I will defeat whoever is behind this!" His strong voice reached everyone.

Aang raised his fist, his red cape blowing in the wind behind him. "That is an Avatar's promise!"

The civilians started clapping and cheering, the soldiers looked at the Avatar with newfound awe and respect but didn't make a sound, they were waiting for their leader to speak.

Bato was dumbfounded. This wasn't the same irresponsible immature kid he had met a long time ago. The Avatar's aura was strongly felt, his presence reassured everyone around him, and his words were soothing them.

"Pfft." Bato scoffed, turning his head to hide the growing smile on his face and Hakoda smirked at the teen. "I know you will, Aang."

"Then leave it to me, I'll bring them back in no time!" The Avatar exclaimed, bowing in respect and turned around, ready to leave. The sooner he left the better.

"Wait!" He stopped in his tracks when he heard a sharp yell.

Turning around in confusion, he saw a girl with short red hair pushing past everyone in the crowd and rushing toward him. His eyes widened in shock once he realized who it was.

"Suk- oof" He was cut off by her body slamming into his.

"Aang!" She cried, tightening her arms around him and burying her face into his chest.

"Suki..." Aang whispered, stunned, as the girl sobbed on his chest.

Suki pulled back from the hug after a moment and looked up at the taller boy. "Please you have to-" Her voice cracked. "S-Sokka and Katara, you have to save them." She pleaded.

Aang put a comforting hand on her shoulder, lips stretching into a grin. "Don't worry Suki, I'll bring them back before you know it."

Suki looked up at him, eyes filling up with hope when she saw the sincerity in his eyes. "You will?"

Truth to be told, Aang didn't feel as confident as he made it sound but he wasn't about to tell her that.

He didn't even know where to start looking, but it didn't matter, he was going to save them no matter what. Katara needed his help and there was no way he was going to let her down anymore than he already has.

Aang cracked a smile. "Hey c'mon, I'm the Avatar, there's nothing I can't do." he joked.

Suki let out a watery laugh and nodded. "Okay, but I'm coming with you."

Aang's mouth dropped open in shock, he spluttered. "What? No you're not."

"Yes. I am."

"No. You're not."

Suki stared at him defiantly. "Yes. I am'"

Aang looked at her in disbelief. "You aren't gonna listen to me no matter what I say, are you?"

"Nooope." Suki sang, as she made her way to Appa. She was already planning to leave on her own to look for Sokka even before Aang had showed up but now that she had Aang's help she felt a lot more confident and her mood lifted considerably.

Aang smacked his forehead and looked up at Hakoda, eyes pleading for help but the Chief just laughed, looking at Suki who was stroking Appa's fur and talking to the bison like they were old buddies. "Sorry Aang, can't help you there."

Aang groaned. Part of him felt happy to have some company, but a bigger part of him wanted to do this alone. He didn't want anyone else to get hurt.

He sighed in defeat and started making his way to Appa when he once again was stopped by a voice.

"Wait Aang." Aang turned back around, head cocked, as he looked at Hakoda.

"Wear this cloak for now, just in case. It's best if you cover your bright clothing so you don't get noticed easily by others as you move around." He threw it at the Avatar. "Suki should have one packed as well."

Aang caught it, looking down at the cloak, feeling the texture with his fingers before looking up, smiling. "Thank you sir."

Hakoda smiled and waved as the teen jumped on Appa and the two took off.

"I'm counting on you Avatar Aang, Suki." He whispered, closing his eyes as images of his son and daughter appeared in his head.

I've gained motivation to write Avatar again so expect a new chapter very soon.