Answering your questions!
Chapter 15
Guest 1: Guest 1-4 was from the same person, me. Thanks for answering my questions, I just like following the lore of the Avatar series, and how accurate fanfiction is to the original source, despite the canon deviations/divergences.
Yes, I agree The Great Divide is considered the lamest episode in the franchise by the fandom. Even the creators acknowledge this in the episode Ember Island Players.
-You are welcome ^^ Yeah, The Great Divide is really so lame, not even the Ember Island Players wanted to touch it XD
Guest 2: You thought up Daimon counterparts for each named Avatar, even Daimon Qi. But what about Szeto, the Avatar preceding Yangchen? Who's his waterbending yin? I know there's not a lot known about him, aside from being a lavabender and his involvement in the Fire Nation's political affairs.
We can ignore Avatars Gun and Salai because despite being named, their lives have not been fully explored (nor are they pictured) and will likely not be.
-You are right, I totally forgot about him because he doesn't appear in the series. I will make his Daimon in the next few days. ^^
Book 1.15: Bato of the Water Tribe
Water.
Earth.
Fire.
Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony.
Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished.
A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua.
And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they're ready to save anyone.
But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.
"Ah isn't it nice? Just us four, Momo, Appa and Jaiyi, no stupid Mask-Dude around!"
"Sokka, you are so annoying! Blue is our friend! I'm a bit worried for him."
"Katara, Blue said in his note that he had some things to do here, I'm sure he will be back."
"I hope so, Aang."
"I wonder what Blue has to do here. I mean, besides the water tribe ship from the fleet of your dad we found, here is nothing interesting."
"Well, Hua, maybe Mask-Dude has to report to his evil boss about us! Telling him how gumble we are and will lead us straight in these hands!"
Annoyed Hua, Katara and Aang looked at Sokka, who was sitting, like them, around the campfire, acting like he knew why their friend had left.
This morning as they had found clues of a battle between the watertribe warriors of the South and firebenders, Blue had been with them.
Then they had decided to camp tonight beside the ship.
That's when Blue "said" he had some stuff do to around here, however he would soon rejoin them.
Only Sokka was happy that Blue was gone.
All the others, especially Momo and Jaiyi, who Blue had always given some extra food, were sad.
Blue hadn't been long with them, yet, his quiet helpful presence was missed.
Since he could now communicate with him, they also missed his opinions and snarky responses.
Suddenly a strange noise can be heard, its source originating from somewhere in the fog around them.
All jump up, benders in their bending positions and Sokka has his boomerang ready.
"Who's there?", demands Sokka to know.
A man, hailing from the Water Tribe with white bandages wrapped around the upper left portion of his torso, stepped out of the shadows.
He is surprised to see them.
"Sokka?"
The addressed one raised an eyebrow quizzically before he recognised the warrior.
"Bato!"
"Who?", chorus Hua and Aang a bit confused.
However, no one seems to hear them as Katara also calls out the name of this Bato and she and Sokka run up in his arms.
The three watertribe members hug each other tight.
"Sokka! Katara! It is so good to see you two. You've grown so much.", tells them Bato moved.
How does he remember Hakoda children being so tiny and cute, and now? Now they were nearly adults.
Aang and Hua get a bit closer to the three, staying a respectful distance away.
Both bow in greeting.
"Hi, I'm Aang and this is Hua."
"Nice meeting you."
No one seems to listen to them, because Katara and Sokka ask where their father was and Bato tells them he and the other warriors are in Eastern Earth Kingdom now.
The Avatar and Daimon are a bit dumfound been ignored. Not even Katara or Sokka presented them to Bato.
Normally you introduce your friends to your…family? Was he their uncle?
Why wouldn't anyone explain to them anything?
A gust of wind blows, causing them all to shiver.
Bato states that this is no place for a reunion and leads the siblings away.
Thankful Bato looks back at Aang and Hua and gestures for them to follow.
Oh, well good.
For a second both thought they had to stay here.
Aang takes Hua's hand and so they follow Bato and their friends to an abbey.
Appa with Momo and Jaiyi follow of course too.
"After I was wounded, your father carried me to this abbey. The sisters have cared for me ever since.", explained Bato, before he spoke to a nun, who was the highest one. "Superior, these are Hakoda's children. They've been travelling with the Avatar and Daimon. I found them by my boat."
"Young Avatar and Young Daimon, it gives me great joy to be in your presence. Welcome to our abbey.", bows Mother Superior to them.
The two bow back and say together: "Thank you, it's truly an honour to be here."
"If there's anything-", begins Aang, but gets interrupted by Sokka: "What smells so good, Bato?"
"The sisters craft ointments and perfumes."
"Perfume? Maybe we can dump some on Appa because he stinks so much. Am I right?"
Everyone is silent, and a single person coughs.
"You have your father's wit.", deadpans Bato at Sokka.
The group moves to the hut in which Bato is staying, with a tent on the opposite side of the door being the bed chamber, a fire with cushions in the middle, and various pelts placed and hung everywhere.
"Bato, it looks like home!", exclaims Katara happy.
"Everything's here, even the pelts!", points Sokka out.
Aang who is holding Momo looks at the pelts in mild disgust.
"Yeah, nothing's cosier than dead animal skins."
"Aang!", hisses Hua, flicking the back of his head. "This is part of watertribe culture, don't disrespect it."
"It was not my intention."
"Really? Then keep your mouth shut about these things."
Offended Aang looks at her, though Hua just stares him down.
Their little squabble gets interrupted as Katar and Sokka find a pot of stewed sea prunes cooking over the fire.
Bato tells them all to help themselves.
Aang sniffs it but looks away in disgust and sets it to the side, while Hua at least takes a taste.
Meh, she has eaten worse things.
And food, was food when you grew up in poverty.
So she keeps on eating, which earns her a flabbergasted look from Aang.
How can she stomach this?!
"Bato, is it true that you and dad lassoed an arctic hippo?", asked Katara, happily eating her own stewed sea prunes.
"It was your father's idea, he just dragged me along. Well, the hippo did the dragging!"
Aang wants to join the conversation, but sadly Sokka cuts him off.
"So, who was it that came up with the Great Blubber Fiasco?"
"You knew about that?", chuckles Bato.
"Everyone does!", tells Katara.
"What's that story?", asks Aang curious.
Sokka waves Aang off.
"It's a long one Aang, some other time."
This makes the Avatar pout, while the Daimon softly hits with her elbow in his side to cheer him up.
Katara and Sokka were just so happy to see an adult from their tribe, it was normal how they didn't give them any attention.
Aang gives her a little smile, then stands up to look around the room more.
Hua shrugs her shoulder and gets herself and Jaiyi another bowl.
You get used to this salty, slimy taste.
"You and Dad had so many hilarious adventures.", said Katara right now to Bato.
"Not all of which were hilarious at the time, but everything's funny in hindsight.", then Bato sees how Aang was wearing a pelt hat. "Hey, Aang! Please put that down, it's ceremonial and very fragile."
Aang does as he is told and then sits in the back of the room.
He wasn't having much fun right now. How Hua could just listen and eat these nasty stewed sea prunes was beyond him.
Well, the answer was simple.
Hua would do anything to see someone again who remembers her family and share stories with them.
Katara and Sokka deserved this space with Bato because she was so sad she would never get it.
So she ate the food and was silent observing one hilarious story after another.
A bit later Hua was playing with Jaiyi, as she heard how Bato told Katara and Sokka, how he was waiting for a message from their father and that they could see him again.
Something cold and terrible took place in her heart as she saw the excitement of Katara and Sokka.
A part of her wanted to speak up, to beg them not to leave her and Aang, yet a bigger part understood.
She understood it so well.
She would give anything to see her family alive and well again.
So she fought off her tears, but she didn't need to cry.
Katara and Sokka told Bato clearly that they would love to see their father, but Hua and Aang were more important right now.
This was the moment when Hua let out a happy cry, all the attention turning to her.
"Oh Hua.", cooed Katara and embraced her. "We won't leave you, you are family too, remember."
She just hiccuped and hugged Katara back tighter.
Even Sokka patted her head.
"Now, now, Hua, it's okay. We won't leave you."
"I love you guys.", she just told them.
Her family might be long dead, but she had a new family.
It was little.
It was a bit crazy.
But it was good.
No one noted how Aang was missing and what a decision he currently took.
The next day the kids and Bato walked back down to his ship.
"This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father.", explains the man.
"Is this the boat he took you ice dodging in?", asks Sokka.
"Yep! It's got the scar to prove it. Ha. How 'bout you Sokka? You must have some good stories from your first time ice dodging."
Suddenly Sokka looks really sad.
"He never got to go.", explained Katara. "Dad left before he was old enough."
"Oh, I forgot you were too young."
"What's ice dodging?", wonder Aang and Hua.
"It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn fourteen, your dad takes you-", Bato stops. He smiles and puts his hand on Sokka's shoulder with a new thought. "You know what, you're about to find out!"
Soon they find themselves on Bato ship, sailing along the shore.
"Ice dodging is a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery, foresight and trust.", begins Bato. "In our village, ice dodging was done by weaving a boat through a field of icebergs."
"How are we supposed to ice dodge without ice?", wonders Sokka.
"You'll be dodging those."
The watertribe man points to a group of tall, sharp, jagged rocks near the shore.
Katara, Hua and Sokka get nervous.
If they weren't careful, they would end up on the rocks, with severely broken bones.
"Sokka, you steer and call the shots, lead wisely. Katara, you secure the main sail. The winds can be brutal, so be brave. Hua, you are on the bow, look out for danger. Without your judgment, we risk getting more than hurt. Aang, you control the jib. Without your steady hand, we all go down. Your position is about trust."
Somehow this offends Aang since he babbles: "I know that. Why wouldn't I know that? I'm the Avatar; I know about trust!"
He crosses his arms and looks away, but gives Bato a second glance.
"For this is to be done right, I cannot help.", tells them Bato and sits down cross-legged. "You pass or fail on your own."
"Alright let's do this! Hua, what's your opinion?", asked Sokka.
"These rocks seem manageable, we need a steady hand, captain.", she calls over.
"I agree. Aang, ease up on the jib. Katara, steady. Aang, less sail. Katara, give him room."
The ship moves to the side and sails between some rocks.
"Captain Sokka, more rocks on the left!"
"Aang, helm to lee. Helm to lee!"
"What does that even mean?"
The waves knock Bato around. Sokka and Hua struggle while Katara and Aang close their eyes. However, the boat passes between more rocks.
"Great job!", praise Sokka.
Katara and Aang smile, as Hua calls out frantically: "Captain, a large group of rocks, is before us. We better turn around!"
"There's no way through!", agrees Katara.
"We can make it.", insists Sokka.
Bato stands up and grabs the side of the boat. "Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should-"
The water tribe boy doesn't listen and gives new commands: "Aang, I'm gonna need air in that sail. Katara and Hua, I want you guys to bend as much water as you can between us and those rocks. Now!"
Katara and Hua bend the water below the boat while Aang fires airbending blasts at the sail.
Sokka groans nervously as the boat clears the rocks.
When they reach clear water, Sokka sighs and relaxes.
The rest of the group smiles at him.
Back on land, the kids stand in line before Bato, who holds a small cup of purple paint.
"The spirits of water bear witness to these marks. For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise." Bato uses his thumb to put an arc and a small dot on Sokka's forehead. "The same mark your father earned. For Katara, the Mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us. For Hua the Mark of Foresight."
He paints a circle with a little dot on her forehead. "You are now an honorary member of the Water Tribe."
Hua has to fight the tears as she bows down in thanks.
"I'm honoured to be part of the Watertribe."
"And for Aang, the Mark of the Trusted. You are also now an honorary member of the Water Tribe."
It's like a slap in the face for him.
Aang can't accept this honour.
Not after what he did.
"I can't.", he mutters.
"Of course, you can!", disagrees Katara.
However, Aang steps a few feet away and wipes away his mark.
"No, you can't trust me."
"Aang, what are you talking about?"
He takes the crumpled map out of his sleeve.
"A messenger gave this to me for Bato."
Katara takes it from him.
"You have to understand. I was afraid you would-"
"This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time? How could you?", shouts Sokka. "I'm so sorry Hua, but I won't go to the North Pole with a liar. I'm going to find Dad."
"Now, Sokka. I think you should-", tries Bato, but gets interrupted by Sokka: "Katara, are you with me?"
The waterbender looks at the two youngest, Aang full of guilt and Hua who shakes her head, mumbling, please over and over.
"I'm with you Sokka."
Sokka, Katara, and Bato walk away and that's when Hua turns to Aang full of anger.
"What did you do?!", she screeched. "Why did you do it?! Katara and Sokka never wanted to leave us!"
"But they said yesterday-"
"If you had stayed to listen, then you would have heard how they promised to stay with us since we are also their family, but now…"
Hua lets out a loud wail and sinks down on the sand. Aang looks full of guilt and anguish at her.
"I already lost my family, I lost Monk Gyatsu and now Katara and Sokka!", she whimpered, fat tears rolling down her eyes. "Why do all the people that I love leave me? Why?!"
Aang sinks down too and embraces her tight, first Hua fights him off, she is still angry, but then she cries into his robes.
They only have each other now.
"I'm so sorry Hua.", Aang cries too. "I was stupid and hurt and desperate, I really thought Sokka and Katara would leave us because they ignored us for Bato."
"Aang, they saw a friend of their father! Of course, they wanted to catch up. I would have done the same if I met someone who remember my family! Stupid idiot."
"Yes, I deserve this."
They stay for a while like this.
Hua hurls insults and cries at Aang's robes and he agrees with her and promises to do better.
Later the groups get ready to depart.
How strange to think of them as groups and not anymore as Team Avatar-Daimon.
Hua was sitting on Appa's saddle with Jaiyi in her arms, trying to console her crying ninetails.
Jaiyi understood that Sokka and Katara would leave them and hated it.
Aang was with Momo on Appa's head, watching how Katara got ready with Bato and Sokka.
Then the watertribe girl stepped on them.
"Good luck.", she wishes them.
"Okay. You too.", answer her Aang.
Hua and Jaiyi stare at Katara with big eyes, tears glistering in them and the older girl has to fight of her own, as she joins Sokka and Bato at the abbey gate.
Mother Superior, in front of Appa, stares at Aang.
"Guess we should be moving on."
"That would be best.", then she turns to Hua and bows. "It was still an honour meeting you young Daimon."
"Thanks. Let's go Aang."
"Let's."
Appa walks out of the abbey and Aang notices three figures walk away in the distance.
"I'm really an idiot, Hua."
"Yeah, I told you this only 100000 times today."
"What should we do next?"
"Wait for Blue? He should be back soon."
"Hopeful he won't leave us either."
With this, they walk into the forest.
A few minutes later they hear someone approaching.
It's Blue!
Happy they call out his name.
Their friend is wearing clean black robes with a hood, his mask still in place, his trusty swords and a bag slung over his shoulder.
"Where you shopping?", asks Hua as she helps him up the saddle.
After he sits down he writes his answer and Hua reads it aloud so Aang hears it too: "Something similar. Where are Sokka and Katara?"
So they tell him what happened.
"That's rough, buddy. I'm sorry. I won't leave you, I promise."
"Thanks, Blue.", chorus Hua and Aang together.
Zuko can't believe his luck.
Katara and Sokka left them!
He could now under false claims steere now Aang and Hua to his ship!
Ha!
And his uncle had thought him crazy when he had been back on the ship to get his things.
How his plan could never work.
But look at it now!
Sadly the universe was against Zuko because they heard the shouts of Sokka and Katara.
They all turn around and see the water tribe siblings running up to them.
"Katara, Sokka!", yells Hua and Jaiyi yips happily. "What are you doing here?!"
"Well, what do you think? We're getting you guys to the North Pole.", smiles Katara.
"Yeah, we've lost too much time as it is.", agrees Sokka.
Stupified Aang and Hua look at them, while Zuko inside cries out in anger.
He was so close!
"Don't you want to see your father?", wonder Aang and Hua.
"Of course we do, Aang and Hua. But, you're our family, too. And right now, you need us more.", reminds them Sokka.
"And we need you, guys.", adds Katara.
No one can watch this fast as Hua jumps down from the saddle and hugs ugly crying Katara and Sokka.
"Never leave us again! I can't lose another family."
Katara hugs her back just as tight, giving her cheek kisses and Sokka pats her head.
"There, there Hua."
That's when he notes Blue on the saddle.
"Oh awesome, Mask-Dude is back?!", he groans.
In his head, Zuko isn't thrilled either seeing them again, but he waves in the hope that it seems welcome and friendly.
After Hua calms down enough, all go back on the saddle and they fly in the direction of the North Pole.