This is the last chapter that I have prewritten. Not sure when I'm updating next, but you can follow me on tumblr fireflaked to see what I'm up to!
It was Aang who spotted it first, hidden in the brush of the forest floor.
"Hey, look!" He exclaimed, picking it up and examining it. "A sword made out of a whale's tooth."
Sokka scrambled down the hill before snatching it out of Aang's hands. The others crowded around him as he looks closer. It was a bone sword, and he couldn't help but think of how he never got to make his own with his dad. Instead, he had to watch as his Dad left with all the men, leaving him behind. "This is a Water Tribe weapon," he says, ignoring the flashes of bittersweet memories bombarding his thoughts. What would a bone sword be doing out here? He turned to face the others. "See if you can find anything else."
They spread out and comb the ground. "Sokka," he turned to see Zuko crouching on the ground further down the hill. "There's something here." Sokka pushed some debris aside to reveal the broken head of a spear. He lifted it closer to his eyes and rubbed it with his finger. It was covered in ash. "It's burned." Sitting back on his heels, Sokka scanned the forest.
"There's scorch marks on the trees," said Azula, lightly touching the nearest one.
"There was a battle! Water Tribe warriors ambushed a group of firebenders." Rising quickly, Sokka spotted a burnt spot on the ground ahead of him. "The firebenders fought back, but the warriors drove them down this hill."
Heart racing, Sokka continued forward. Scorch marks, broken branches, trampled underbrush; the trail leads him to the beach. But there was nothing in front of him, not even footprints.
Aang skidded to a stop beside him. "So, then what happened?"
"I don't know. The trail ends here." He fought to keep the disappointment out of his words. But his heart leapt again once Katara spotted something along the shore.
"Is this Dad's boat?" She asked. Sokka reached out and traced the grooves of the hull. "No, but it's from his fleet." He turned to face them. Katara met his eyes, his excitement matched in her expression. "Dad was here."
"How do you know this is from his fleet?" Zuko questioned, staring at the ship doubtfully.
"There's only one fleet left." Just one fleet, setting off to fight a whole nation. They were so close. Why would they leave a boat behind? Where was Dad?
He remained lost in thought, even as the group set up camp beside the boat. He doesn't even remember what they ate for dinner. All he could think of was Dad, and what he was doing, what could have happened on this beach. Eventually, it was just him and Zuko who were left awake.
"So there's really only one fleet left in your tribe?" Zuko asked as he stared into the fire.
"There's barely even enough men to call it a fleet," Sokka replied dully. "The Fire Nation made sure of that."
He realized that this sounded accusatory, but he couldn't bring himself to care. They were so close. As nice as it was to know that Dad was still out there, Sokka wasn't sure if the devastating disappointment of finding them too late was worth it. It seemed that Dad was always going to be out of his reach.
"They all left us," he continued. "Two years ago they left to help the Earth Kingdom fight. I wasn't allowed to go."
"You wanted to?" Zuko asked, sounding surprised.
"I want to come with you!"
"You're not old enough to go to war, Sokka, you know that."
"Of course I did. I wanted to avenge our tribe, our mother. I wanted to prove that I could be a warrior. But Dad wouldn't let me."
"I don't blame him. He wanted to keep you safe."
"Being a man is knowing where you're needed most. And for you, right now, that's here, protecting your sister."
"I know," Sokka replied. "I needed to protect Katara. But a part of me still wishes I wasn't left behind. He was out there fighting for us while I sat around for two years teaching toddlers how to fight when I barely know how myself." His tone became increasingly bitter as he talked. All of these feelings he had tried to hide, tried to ignore, but they were oozing out now like pus from a wound. He glanced up at Zuko, who watched him solemnly. "You've been the Blue Spirit for a while, haven't you? It must feel nice to actually make a difference."
"It can be," Zuko said. "But I don't do it because it's fun. Our mother never wanted that for us, but-" he paused and took a shaky breath. "Azula and I became the Blue Spirit to distract ourselves, mostly. We couldn't take on the Firelord or our father by ourselves, so we did the next best thing. But at the end of the day we still are in the same position. Our mother is still gone. I would give this up in a heartbeat if it meant she could be with us again."
"But you fight for her," Sokka argued. "You're helping people and making a difference. That's more than I've ever done."
"Your dad wanted you to watch over Katara, right?" Sokka nodded. "And now you're with the Avatar, helping him stop the war. That's got to count for something."
"Easy for you to say. You're wanted by the Fire Nation for being a mysterious ninja." Sokka complained, gesturing at Zuko's swords. "You're a master swordsman and a firebender! I'm just a guy with a boomerang."
Zuko grinned. "I'll teach you to fight," he offered. "Azula can train Aang while I help you."
Sokka stared at him, stunned, before smiling back. But before he could reply, there was rustling from behind them. Eyes widening, he nodded at Zuko and they both leapt up; Sokka clutching his boomerang and Zuko unsheathing his swords.
"Who's there?" He called out.
"Sokka?" Emerging from the forest, a man with bandages covering most of his chest and arm stepped forward. Wait a minute-
"Bato?" He said incredulously. Pushing past Zuko, Sokka threw himself at his dad's right hand man. Katara joined them, and for a moment it's like they are home again.
"Sokka! Katara! It is so good to see you two. You've grown so much."
He vaguely heard Aang introduce himself, but he and Katara were two busy questioning Bato to acknowledge him.
"Where's dad?
"Is he here?"
But Dad isn't here. Bato said he's in the Eastern Earth Kingdom by now. His eyes were understanding as he met Sokkas, seeing their crestfallen faces. But soon, they were in his room at the abbey, and the smell of stewed sea prunes cheered him up.
Aang, Zuko, and Azula awkwardly sit to the side as Sokka and Katara talk with Bato. He couldn't help it- they haven't seen Bato in two years, and it was so nice to talk about Dad again. Gran Gran never gave them the dirty details that Bato did when it came to their adventures.
They passed around the sea prunes at least, but Aang and Azula immediately spit theirs out. It's definitely an acquired taste, so Sokka doesn't blame them. Zuko, he noticed, ate his whole bowl, albeit very slowly. The poor guy was too polite to turn it down.
"This is Zuko and Azula, Bato," Katara said. Sokka winced. They were so happy to see someone from their tribe that they forgot to make introductions. "They're teaching Aang firebending."
Bato's brow furrowed as Zuko and Azula nodded at him. "You're firebenders?" He asked, glancing over at Sokka. But he avoided Bato's gaze, choosing to stare down at his sea prunes instead. He knew what Bato was going to say.
"Yes," Zuko replied stiffly. Azula stayed silent and listlessly poked at her sea prunes.
"How did you come to meet the Avatar?"
"They rescued me!" Aang cut in, eager to join the conversation. "I was caught by Zhao, but Zuko and Azula broke me out. They want to help us, they're-"
"On our side," Sokka finished quickly, staring meaningfully at Aang. Bato was already suspicious enough- they didn't need to tell him what he didn't need to know. If he knew the truth, Sokka was sure that Bato would feel the need to interfere, even if he had good intentions. Despite his previous skepticism, Sokka knew that Zuko and Azula could be trusted, even if Bato didn't agree. It was better this way.
"Then I thank you," Bato nodded at them again, although the mistrust in his eyes was not entirely gone. "I will welcome anyone who the Avatar calls an ally."
Sokka lead the conversation in a different direction by encouraging Bato to regale them with how he got injured, and the tense atmosphere lifts. Bato can never turn down an opportunity for dramatic storytelling. They get lost in conversation again- Bato, Katara, and Sokka eager to talk again after so long apart.
"There's something I should tell you kids," Bato said eventually. "I'm expecting a message from your father."
"Really?" Katara bounced excitedly.
"When?"
"Any day now. Your father said he'd send a message when they found the rendezvous point. If you wait until the message arrives, you can come with me, and see your father again."
They could see Dad again. "It's been over two years since we've seen Dad. That would be so incredible! Katara!" He turned to his sister, who is beaming.
"I do really miss him, it would be great to see Dad."
"It's been far too long, hasn't it? I'm not sure when word will arrive, but when it does we can leave immediately."
It takes everything in Sokka not to leap up and set off immediately, even without the rendezvous point. But, even as Sokka imagines joining Dad and the rest of the tribe, he knew that it cannot happen. "It would be great, but we can't. We have to take Aang to the North Pole first."
He glanced behind him. Both Aang and Azula were gone. Zuko was still there, however, and he frowned at Sokka. "Are you sure?" He asked, his gaze switching between Sokka and Katara. "You haven't seen him in a long time, this could be your only chance."
Katara shook her head. "We don't have time to wait for the message, or for a long detour. And we promised Aang we would help him."
Bato smiled sadly. "I'm sure your father would understand, and be proud that his children are helping the Avatar."
Zhao snarled as he shouldered his way through the crowd. "Out of my way, filth!" He snapped, shoving the last man to the side. They were lucky he didn't arrest them for getting in his way. Or burning this filthy tavern to the ground.
He normally would never set foot in such a place, but he was here for someone.
She was in her usual spot, a large pile of winnings in front of her and a drink in her hand. Zhao stopped in front of her, and she glanced up, smirking. She has a few new tattoos, he noticed. And her business seems to be doing well. Zhao had used her services himself a few years back, and despite her crudeness he had always been impressed with her results.
"Commander Sideburns," She drawled. Zhao bristled. She knew how much he hated that disrespectful title. Despite their previous… relations, she should still show him the respect his position demanded.
"It's Admiral Zhao, now." He snapped, straightening his armor. "I could have you arrested for that slight."
"But you won't," June teased. "So why are you here?" She sat back and nursed her drink, swinging her feet on the table. "I'm sure you're not here just to tell me about your promotion. Or," she grinned, leaning forward. "Is this for personal reasons?"
Zhao shook his head. The offer was tempting, but he had a mission to complete. "I need to find someone."
"Another one of your deserters, then? You can't keep them in line yourself?"
"No!" Zhao growled. He used to enjoy bantering with her fiery temper, but today he was not in the mood. "I am tracking the Avatar."
June whistled. "Sounds like a lot of work, Admiral. And a lot of gold."
"I'm not interested in his reward. I just want the Avatar and his companions, alive. You can keep the gold."
"Then we're in business," she finished her drink and stood up. "You got something of his?"
Zhao smirked and pulled out the mask.
Azula followed Aang out of the abbey. She honestly didn't trust the kid to wander off on his own, and babysitting him seemed marginally more appealing than staying in that room where those disgusting sea prunes boiled and that old man prattled about nothing.
They find themselves back at the Water Tribe boat, Aang perched on the bow. "I can't believe they would leave me," he said quietly.
"It's a shitty thing to do," Azula agreed. "They barely make it out of the South Pole and they're already abandoning you."
"I thought we were friends," Aang put his face in his hands. "They said we were family."
Like that meant anything. "Family abandons each other all the time," Azula scoffed. "Honestly, Avatar, if they jump at their first chance to leave you then maybe you're better off without them."
He opened his mouth to reply, but a man approached them on an ostrich horse.
"I'm looking for Bato of the Water Tribe," He called.
Aang sat up. "Uhhh, I know Bato."
The man handed them a scroll. "Make sure he gets this!" Azula watched him ride away as Aang unrolled the scroll.
"It's the map to Sokka and Katara's dad!" His face twisted, and he bunched it up and shoved it in his shirt. "I can't give it to them. Maybe if they don't get the message they'll come with us."
That could work, Azula thought. Zuko wouldn't like it, she knew, but what he doesn't know can't hurt him. It's for the best- training a moping Avatar because his friends abandoned him will be dreadful work. So she said nothing as Aang hopped down from the boat. It may not be the most honorable thing to do, but Azula was not as concerned about honor and morals like her brother was. It was surprising, however, to see the Avatar do something so deceitful. Maybe there really was hope for him to defeat the Firelord. But he would need some guidance from her, of course.
Zhao cursed and clutched desperately to the saddle as the beast stopped abruptly. They were close to Pohuai, now, and atop a large mountain. An elderly woman stood before them.
"Out for some fresh air, are we?" She asked cheerfully.
"We're looking for someone," Zhao said to her. She looked down at her cat.
"I hope it's not Miyuki. Miyuki, did you get in trouble with the Fire Nation again?"
June whipped the beast around, and Zhao cursed again. He swore she was doing this on purpose. "The Avatar's been through here. Let's keep moving!"
Aang's gut twisted as Bato painted the mark of the trusted on his forehead. It felt wrong to accept such a mark after what he had done. "I can't," he choked, and wiped the mark off with his sleeve.
"Of course you can!" Katara replied. Her encouraging smile made Aang feel even more guilty.
"No, you can't trust me." He began to pull the crumpled message out of his shirt, even as Azula nudged him sharply. "A messenger gave this to me for Bato." Sokka's face twisted, and he whipped the map out of Aang's hands. "You have to understand, I was afraid you would-"
"This is the map to our father! You had it this whole time? How could you!" Sokka yelled. Even Zuko looked shocked. Aang found that all he could do was shrug his shoulders. There was no excuse, he knew that. "Well, you can go to the North Pole with Zuko and Azula," Sokka spat. "I'm going to find Dad." He turned and began to stride up the beach.
"Sokka," Bato began. "I think you should-"
"Katara, are you with me?" Aang's heart broke as Katara turned to him, her expression torn. She closed her eyes.
"I'm with you, Sokka."
Zuko stepped in front of Aang and Azula as the others leave. "Did you know about this?" He asked. Aang watches as Azula avoided her brother's accusing glare.
"I thought that if they didn't get the message, then they would stay with us," Aang mumbled. "It wasn't Azula's idea."
"But you still knew," Zuko said. "Azula, you know how much seeing their dad would mean to them-"
"That's not an excuse!" Azula snapped. "They made a promise to the Avatar, and now they're breaking it. And it doesn't matter, anyways," She added. "We'll still go to the Northern Water Tribe and find a waterbending teacher there. We don't need them."
Aang dejectedly followed Zuko and Azula back to the abbey. Azula was right, the plan was still the same. But he wanted Sokka and Katara to be there, too. This was all his fault.
"Good luck," Katara called to him as he sat on top of Appa.
"Okay," he said, almost numb with denial. "You too."
Zuko stepped forward and said something to her, but Aang was too far away to hear it. Katara smiled at him, leaned forward to give him a quick hug, and turned to follow Sokka and Bato out of the abbey.
Zuko turned to Azula and Aang as the others passed out of sight. He wasn't going to lecture them- they obviously knew what they did was wrong. All they could do was keep them moving. He would miss Sokka and Katara, even after only knowing them for a few days. But he couldn't blame them for wanting to see their dad again; Zuko would probably have done the same if it was his mother waiting for him.
He's pulled out of his thoughts as Mother Superior approaches them.
"Guess we should be moving on," Aang said to her.
"That would be best," she replied, bowing her head.
Zuko and Azula joined him on Appa. "I'm an idiot," Aang said dully, clutching the reins tightly.
"I still don't see how this is our fault," Azula sniffed. "They were going to leave anyway."
"They weren't," Zuko said sharply. "If you had stayed you would have heard- they were going to come with us." He noted with satisfaction that Azula seemed taken aback; but maybe he shouldn't have said anything, because Aang now buried his face in his hands. Oh, Agni. Katara's been gone for a few minutes and he already messed it all up. She would know exactly how to comfort Aang.
So maybe it was a good thing that at that moment a large animal burst through the gates, because now Aang was alarmed instead of upset. The nuns scattered as the gates shattered, and the beast skidded to a halt in front of Appa. A woman sat on top of it, and behind her was Zhao.
Zuko and Azula instantly leapt down as Zhao slid off of the beast.
"So these are the infamous thieves," Zhao drawled, his grin almost predatory as he moved forward. "And the Avatar," he added as Aang floated down from Appa. "They say you were whisked away by the Blue Spirit. And yet two teenagers and a child stand before me."
Not taking the bait, Zuko remained silent. The longer Zhao doesn't know their identities, the better. Azula positioned herself at his left, where she can protect his blindspot.
" You're sounding more cocky than usual, Zhao." Azula taunted, her expression nonchalant despite the tension in her stance. "We escaped Pohuai and all of your soldiers, what makes you think you'll defeat us now that you're alone?"
Zhao's eyes glittered. "But I'm not alone," he said, and stepped aside as the woman and her beast leapt forward.
Urged on by the woman's whip, the beast lashed out with its tongue, and Zuko dived out of the way. The woman laughed as he rolled again, narrowly avoiding the tongue. He and Azula were too busy fending for themselves to help Aang, who was pursued by Zhao. However, he seemed to be holding his own, and Zuko would have laughed if he wasn't so preoccupied himself. Zhao was growling with frustration as he followed Aang, who nimbly leapt from building to building avoiding Zhao's fire.
The beast lashed out again, and this time he wasn't so lucky. As soon as the tongue struck him, he lost all control of his body and slumped to the ground. Panic filled him as he realized that he couldn't move at all, completely helpless as the woman drew closer atop the beast.
But a pair of feet stepped in front of him, and Azula struck out with her blue flames, screaming with rage.
A wolf howled, long and mournful.
"That wolf sounds so sad," Katara said.
"It's probably wounded." Sokka glanced at Bato, who stopped walking and turned to face them, his bandages peeking out of his shirt.
"No, it's been separated from the pack. I understand that pain." Bato said. "It's how I felt when the Water Tribe warriors had to leave me behind. They were my family, and being apart from them was more painful than my wounds." Like the wolf, Bato's voice was sorrowful, and his face was lined with grief.
Sokka knew that pain, too. He was forced to watch as his dad sailed away, taking all of the men with him. Left behind to worry and wait. He was too young to go to war, but had to carry the burden of protecting the tribe in his father's absence. Dad left him behind, he left Bato behind, and now they were leaving Aang behind.
"Sokka?" Katara met his eyes, and he knew she understood.
"We need to go back." He turned to Bato. "I want to see Dad, but helping Aang is where we're needed the most."
Katara smiled. "You're right."
Bato stepped close and placed a hand on their shoulders, beaming with pride. "Your father will understand, and I know he's proud of you."
Sokka's eyes blurred. Bato pulled him and Katara into a hug, and suddenly he was small again, and Dad's arms were around him.
Azula's fire scorched the ground in front of her, forcing the beast back. The woman snarled as they skirted to the side, and Azula repositioned herself between them and Zuko, who lay still behind her. The tongue lashed out again, and she neatly dodged before shooting another stream of fire. But the beast was clearly used to fighting fire, and did not back away as most animals did.
She was at a disadvantage. Running would be her best option, but she was not going to leave Zuko behind, and that woman knew it. Smirking, she drove the beast forward again with a crack of her whip, and Azula braced herself for the strike.
But it never came. With a roar, Appa leapt over her and swept the beast of its feet, throwing the woman onto the ground. Azula immediately turned to Zuko as the two animals growled at each other. The lemur clutched his arm, chattering and shrieking horribly. Azula batted the lemur away before rolling her brother onto his back. Zuko's head lolled to the side, completely boneless, but he was awake.
"Zula," he said, his eyes wide, and Azula almost wept at the relief that swept through her. "I can't move, it's paralyzed me."
"It'll wear off soon," she reassured him, reaching out to push the hair out of his face. She didn't know if that was true, of course, but it would be better to keep him from panicking. Grabbing him under the armpits, she started to pull him away from the fight. Appa was still growling and blocking the woman and her beast, but he was starting to slow as the tongue lashed at him. She needed to get her brother out of the line of fire before returning to the fight.
"Ow!" Zuko hissed. "Be careful, you're pinching me."
She pinched him even harder as she dragged him.
But Appa roared behind them, which was her only warning before she was struck on her side. She fell instantly, landing heavily on Zuko. She couldn't even twitch her fingers.
"You deserved that, you fucking shithead."
"Shut up, Zuzu."
Katara and Sokka hurried down the path, drawing closer to the abbey. They started to sprint once they heard the fighting. Skidding to a halt, Katara gaped at the gate, which had been completely destroyed. Aang was flitting around, dodging blasts from Zhao. A dark haired woman climbed atop a large animal and leapt after Aang as well. In the far corner, she could see the slumped figures of Zuko and Azula. Mother Superior and a few nuns were bending over them.
"What happened?" Katara asked as they approached.
"That beast tracked the Avatar," one of the nuns replied. "It was using a mask to find them."
"Oh, ash," Azula muttered as Katara knelt beside her. "He used my mask, Zuzu."
Zuko was starting to move again, albeit very slowly and with great effort. "Sorry for saving your fucking life," he snapped. One of the nuns held a vial in front of their faces, and they were able to sit up. Katara helped him lean against the wall, and he smiled gratefully at her.
"So that thing sees with its nose?" Sokka said, staring at it thoughtfully as it chased Aang around the courtyard. "Let's give him something to look at."
Mother Superior's eyes glinted in approval. "The perfume?"
Katara met Sokka's eyes and grinned.
Aang crouched beside Zhao and pulled the mask from his limp fingers, ignoring his curses and shouting. "Azula, your mask!" He held it out to her, but she continued to stare at Zhao, her gaze cold.
"Are you going to finish him off?" She asked, her eyes glinting.
Aang gaped at her. "What?"
"Or I can do it."
"We're not killing anyone." He insisted, and he pulled her back because she had a scary look in her eyes and her daggers were out. "All life is sacred, Azula."
"Okay, then I'll only murder him a little. Just one stab."
Aang shoved the mask into her hands and pushed her to Appa.
"Should have known not to take another one of your jobs without the gold upfront."
Zhao gritted his teeth. Another humiliating defeat at the hands of literal children. And now he was stuck here.
"How long does this last?" He asked impatiently.
"Half an hour at most," she replied. "Why, you in a hurry?"
He couldn't even turn his head to frown at her. Hopefully his seething can do physical damage to her from here. Of course he was in a hurry! The Avatar will be long gone on his bison by the time he can pursue him. He didn't even see what direction they fled to.
June managed to turn her head to face him. "I think you owe me a drink," she drawled. "And maybe more than that, if you're up for it."
Zhao sighed. "I suppose I do," he conceded. "But I must continue searching for the Avatar tomorrow morning."
June laughed. "You really know how to make a girl feel special, Zhao."