Brawl 1 Water: Chapter 15; Water Tribe Reunion

As everyone was looking for food, Miguel said to everyone. "Hey guys look at what I found." Everyone, but Katara and Saida went to see what Miguel found. And what Miguel found was a battlefield. "Hey, look! A sword made out of a whale's tooth!" Aang said, picking up one of the weapons from the battlefield. Sokka then took the sword from Aang and could tell that it was a Water Tribe weapon. As Sokka was looking around, Katara and Saida joined them and Saida said to them. "What happened here?"

"Water Tribe Warriors ambushed a group of Firebenders. The Firebenders fought back, but the warriors drove them down this hill." Sokka said before going down the hill to a beach. Everyone followed Sokka and then Aang said to Sokka. "So then what happened?"

"I don't know. The trail ends here." Sokka said before Katara said. "Wait! Look!" Katara pointed to a Water Tribe boat. Everyone went to the boat, and as everyone checked inside, Katara said to Sokka. "Is this Dad's boat?"

"No, but it's from his fleet. Dad was here." Sokka said before Hoshi said. "If this is a ship from your dad's fleet, why is it here?" They all started to wonder that too, and chose to camp close to the boat, hoping someone would come along and tell them about why the boat was here.

A very long distance away from Aang and the gang, Iroh was serving Zuko and Alex tea. "See, my students. A moment of quiet is good for your mental well-being." Iroh said to them and just before they could drink the tea, something rocked the ship, causing the tea to slash on their faces. "And the moments passed." Alex said before they went to the source of the disturbance. The source was a bounty hunter looking woman riding a giant orange badger-like animal with no eyes and had the nose of a mole. "Get back! We're after a stowaway." The woman said to everyone, and then Zuko said as he appeared with Iroh, Alex, and Ryerazu, who was in his normal size form. "There are no stowaways on my ship." Then the animal ripped open a hole leading to the cargo hold. It threw the piece at them and Alex said. "Ok, that's it. Ryerazu! Get her and that animal off the ship!"

"On it." Ryerazu said before he attacked the pair. The woman ordered her beast to attack Ryerazu. The beast fired its tongue at Ryerazu like a whip. It did hit Ryerazu, and Alex thought that attack wasn't enough to bring Ryerazu down. But Alex was wrong. After that attack Ryerazu returned to ball form and Alex said catching Ryerazu. "Did she just one-shot Ryerazu?" Back with the beast, it was following the scent of a stowaway, an Earth Kingdom guy. The guy then climbed out of the cargo hold and tried to run, but the beast used its tongue again and the man fell to the floor. Zuko then said looking at the guy and Ryerazu. "You paralyzed them."

"Only temporarily. The toxins will wear off in about an hour, but by then he'll be in jail and I'll have my money." The woman said as she picked up the guy. Alex then said to her. "Who are you?"

"Jun." The woman said before she got back on her animal. Zuko then said to her. "But how did you find him on my ship?"

"My Xierxu can smell a rat a continent away." Jun said before leaving, and Iroh was very impressed.

Back Aang and the others, everyone, but Sokka were getting some sleep. As for Sokka, he was thinking about the last time he saw his dad. It was about two years ago, Sokka, who was wearing the same gear and face paint he was wearing when Zuko invaded their village, was going up to the fleet ready to join them and fight the Fire Nation. His dad, a tall guy with the same hairstyle as Sokka and a small piece of bread named Kota, saw Sokka coming. Kota stopped him and said. "Sokka."

"I'm coming with you."

"You're not old enough to go to wat, Sokka. You know that."

"I'm strong. I'm brave. I can fight! Please, Dad?"

"Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most, and for you right now, that's here protecting your sister."

"I don't understand."

"Someday you will." Kota said before Sokka dropped his stuff and gave his dad a hug. "I'm gonna miss you so much." Kota said, returning the hug. Sokka then watched his dad and his fleet leave them. Back at the present, Sokka heard someone coming and said. "Who's there?" That woke everyone up, and then they all saw a man from the Water Tribe, who also had bandas covering his left arm and shoulder. The man looked at Sokka and said. "Sokka?"

"Bato?" Sokka said, looking at the man. "Who the what now?" Aang said before Katara said. "Bato!"

"A friend of yours?" Hoshi said to Sokka and Katara. Sokka and Katara ran up to Bato and gave him a hug. He returned the hug and said. "Sokka! Katara! It is so good to see you two. Oh. You've grown so much."

"Hi. I'm Aang. This is Phaedrus, Hoshi, Centipod, Saida, Pyravian, Miguel, and Eenoch." Aang said introducing everyone. "Where's Dad?" Sokka said to Bato, and then Katara said to Bato. "Is he here?"

"No. He and the other warriors should be in the Eastern Earth Kingdom by now." Bato said before the fall winds blew through the area and everyone started to feel cooled. "This is no place for a reunion. Let's get inside." Bato said, leading them to some shelter. After they quickly cleaned the camp site, Bato took them to an abbey. As they walked inside, Hoshi said to Bato. "Where are we?"

"After I was wounded, Sokka and Katara's father carried me to this abbey. The sisters have cared for me ever since." Bato said to everyone, and they saw that everyone in the abbey was female and they were wearing white robes. Bato then said to the leader of the abbey. "Superior, these are Kota's children. They've been traveling with the Avatar. I found them by my boat."

"Young Avatar, it gives me great joy to be in your presence. Welcome to our abbey." The Superior said to Aang and Aang said to the Superior. "Thank you. It's truly an honor to be here. If there's any–"

"What smells so good, Bato?" Sokka said to Bato and Bato said to them. The sisters craft ointments and perfumes."

"Perfume? Maybe we can dump some on Appa, because he stinks so much. Am I right?" Sokka said and everyone went silent. "You have your father's wit." Bato said before taking them to his room. And Bato's room looked like a Water Tribe home. Sokka and Katara were happy to see it, and while the others were ok in the room, Aang wasn't happy with all the animal pelts. Bato was also cooking some food, a stew, and Katara looked at it and said. "No way! Stewed Sea Prunes?"

"Help yourself." Bato said and as Katara started to serve the stew, Sokka said out loud. "Dad could eat a whole barrel of these things." The others then tried the stew, but only Hoshi liked it. Katara then said to Bato. "Bato, is it true you and Dad lassoed an Arctic Hippo?"

"It was your father's idea. He just dragged me along. Well, the Hippo did the dragging." Bato said and then Aang said. "Hey, I ride animals, too! One time, there was this giant eel, and I–"

"So, who was it that came up with The Great Blubber Fiasco?" Sokka said and after Bato laughed, he said to Sokka and Katara. "You knew about that?"

"Everyone does." Katara said and Hoshi said. "The Great Blubber Fiasco? What's that?"

"It's a long one. Some other time." Sokka said before Katara said to Bato. "You and Dad had so many hilarious adventures."

"Not all of which were hilarious at the time, but everything's funny with hindsight." As Sokka and Katara asked Bato about stories with him and their father, and the others kind of faded into the background.

Elsewhere, Zuko, Alex and Iroh found Jun inside a seedy Earth Kingdom tavern. Inside the tavern, Jun was having an arm wrestle match with a big guy who looked like he was from a fighting game, and she was winning. "Out of my way! Step aside, filth." Zuko said pushing threw the crowd of people. Iroh then said to the people. "He means no offense. I'm certain you bathe regularly.

"I don't think so." Alex said before pinching his nose and he passed a guy with stink lines coming off him. Zuko then said to Jun. "I need to talk to you."

"Well, if it isn't my new friends, Angry Boy, Hex Guy, and Uncle Lazy." Jun said to them and only Iroh laughed. Jun then won the match and was getting money. Zuko then said to Jun as she collected the money. "You beast trashed my ship. You have to pay me back."

"Well, I'd love to help you out, but I'm a little short on money. Drinks on me!"

"Money isn't what I had in mind." Zuko said, grabbing Jun. Before a fight broke out, Alex was able to get all of them out and Zuko let go of Jun and said to her after he pulled out Katara's necklace. "I need you to find someone."

"What happened? Your girlfriend ran off on you?"

"It's not the girl I'm after. It's the bald monk she's traveling with."

"Whatever you say."

"If you find them, I'll consider the damage to my ship paid for."

"Ha! Forget it."

"Plus we'll pay your weight in gold." Iroh said and that caught Jun's attention. "Make it your weight, and we got a deal." Jun said and then Iroh said after he laughed. "You got it!"

"Get on!" Jun said, taking the necklace and put it in front of her Xierxu noise. Jun's Xierxu was able to get Katara scent and after everyone got on, the hunt was on.

Back with Aang and the others, everyone, but Bato, Sokka and Katara were trying to get sleep. However, Aang and Hoshi weren't totally asleep yet, so they heard Bato say to Sokka and Katara. "There's something I should tell you kids. I'm expecting a message from your father."

"Really?" Katara said before Sokka said. "When?"

"Any day now. Your father said he sent a message when they found the rendezvous point. If you wait here until the message arrives, you can come with me and see your father again."

"It's been over two years since we've seen Dad. That would be so incredible. Katara!" Sokka said and then Katara said. "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 you can see your father again." Bato said before Aang got up and left the room. Hoshi saw that and chose to follow Aang, who was going to the boat. However they didn't hear what Sokka said. "It would be great, but we can't. We have to take Aang to the North Pole first."

"Even if we had time to wait for the message, who knows how far we'd have to travel? We don't have time for a long detour." Katara said and then Bato said. "I'm sure your father would understand and be proud that his children are helping the Avatar." Back at the boat, Aang was sitting at the campsite and had started a fire. "Aang, what's wrong?" Hoshi said as he finally caught up to Aang and walked over to them. As Hoshi took a seat, Aang said to Hoshi. "It's nothing."

"Nothing? Then why did you leave the abbey?" Hoshi said and Aang didn't say anything. Hoshi got the idea and said. "You think Katara and Sokka are going to leave us, don't you?"

"I just can't believe they would leave me."

"Aang. I don't think they'll leave you."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Nothing. But still staying or leaving is up to them." Hoshi said before a male Earth Kingdom soldier on a mount came up to them. The soldier said to Aang and Hoshi. "I'm looking for Bato of the Water Tribe."

"I know Bato." Hoshi said, walking up to the soldier. The soldier gave Hoshi a rolled up piece of paper and said. "Make sure he gets this." The soldier left and Hoshi opened the paper, which was a map. "Is that the map to Sokka and Katara's dad?" Aang said and then Hoshi said, rolling it back up. "Yes it is." Aang then tried to take it from Hoshi, but Hoshi didn't let go. Hoshi then said to Aang. "What are you doing?"

"I don't want them to leave." Aang said, trying to pull it away from Hoshi. Hoshi pulled it back and as they started a tug of war with the map, Hoshi said to Aang. "Aang, it is their choice. You can't make it for them."

"Yes, I can."

"Aang making that choice for them is going to be like a betrayal, and that will cause them to leave and never see us again." Hoshi said and then Aang let go of the map. Aang then took a seat and Hoshi said after a sigh. "Look I understand, it hurts to say goodbye, more so with close friends."

"You do?"

"Yeah." Hoshi said before taking a seat. Hoshi then started to talk again. "And it does hurt to see them go, but if you don't want to lose them, then we need to give them this map and let them choice where to go from here." Hoshi then gave Aang the map. Aang took it and they returned to everyone. Once they entered, everyone but Bato was asleep and Hoshi whispered to Aang. "Give the map to Bato, I'm going to bed." Aang then walked up to Bato and whispered to Bato. "Here you go Bato."

"What's this?" Bato whispers before taking it. Bato then opened it and after seeing what it was, whispered to Aang. "Thank you Aang. Now get some sleep." Aang then went to sleep, but worried that this was the last night with Katara and Sokka.

The next day, Zuko and his team were at the spot Aang and the others used for shelter after the storm and when Zuko and Alex saved Aang and Phaedrus from Zhao. There the herbalist said to them as she and her cat were getting plants. "Out for a bit of fresh air, are we?"

"We're looking for someone." Zuko said before the herbalist said. "I hope it's not Miyuki." The herbalist then said to her cat. "Miyuki, did you get in trouble with the Fire Nation again?"

"We aren't here for your cat, ma'am." Alex said to the herbalist and then Jun said to the others. "The Avatar's been through here. Let's keep moving." They then left the area.

Back with Aang and the others, Aang was feeding Appa and Phaedrus knew something was wrong and said. "What's wrong, Aang?"

"Oh, I'm just worried about today."

"Why?" Phaedrus said before Bato, with everyone appearing and Bato said to him. "Aang can you come with me?" Aang nodded yes and everyone followed Bato to his boat. At the boat, Bato said to everyone. "This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father."

"Is this the boat he took you Ice Dodging in?" Sokka said to Bato and Bato said to Sokka. "Yep, and it's got the scar to prove it."

"Excuse me, but what is Ice Dodging?" Miguel said and Bato said. "It's a Rite of Passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn 14, your dad takes you and you drive a boat like this through ice."

"Ok, I have two questions? One, why put yourself at risk like that, and two, why does the dad come along." Saida said and then Bato said. "It's to see if you're ready to face whatever comes your way in life. And the dad is there to save you if something goes wrong or the kid can handle it. And as you get older they can become good stories. I'm sure Sokka has told you about his first time Ice Dodging."

"He never got to go. Dad left before he was old enough." Katara said and then Bato said. "Oh, I forgot. You were too young. …You know what? You're about to find out."

Back with Zuko and his team, the next location was Aunt Wu Village. As everyone got out of the way of Jun's Xierxu. As it reached Aunt Wu's place with Aunt Wu outside and stopped. "Why are we stopping?" Zuko said and then Jun said. "Because the girl must have spent a lot of time here."

"We have no time for this. Hex gives it the scent again." Zuko said to Alex and Alex said getting off. "Fine." Alex then put the necklace to the nose. That caused the Xierxu to shoot its tongue at Alex. Alex dodged it, but it hit Ryerazu with the tongue, again. As Ryerazu fell off Alex's shoulder and rolled over to Aunt Wu. "Not again."

"Oh, look. She likes you." Jun said before Aunt Wu picked up Ryerazu. "Can I have him back please." Alex said to Aunt Wu. Aunt Wu gave Ryerazu back to Alex, but read his palm. She then said to Alex. "Hmm… I see. You will meet two people on your journey, one that will heal that broken heart of yours, another that will fill it with must love."

"Oh great, a fortune teller. Let's get out of this stupid place." Alex said, pulling his hand back and as he was getting on, Aunt Wu said to Iroh. "Care to hear your fortune, handsome?"

"At my age, there's really only one big surprise left, and I'd just as soon leave it a mystery." Iroh said before they left the village.

Back with the others, Bato with everyone on it had taken the boat out and Bato said to them. "Ice Dodging is a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery, and trust. In our village it was done by weaving a boat through a field of icebergs."

"How are we supposed to Ice Dodge without ice?" Sokka said and then Bato said. "You'll be dodging… those." Bato pointed to some rocks. Bato then gave everyone their positions. "Sokka, you steer and call the shots. Lead wisely. Katara, Saida, Miguel, you three secure the mainsail. The winds can be brutal. So be brave. Aang, Hoshi, you two control the jib. Without your steady hand, we all go down. Your position is about trust."

"You got it." Hoshi said as he and Aang went to the jib. The Bakugan joined Bato as he walked to the front of the boat and said taking a seat. "For this to be done right, the Bakugan and I cannot help. You pass or fail on your own."

"Oh great." Saida said and soon they started the test. It wasn't easy, and it took a lot of quick movement, but they made it through the first level of rocks, but the second level didn't have a way through. "There's no way through!" Katara said and Bato stood up. "We can make it!" Sokka said before Bato said. "Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should—"

"Saida! Take the jib and keep it steady. Migual keep the mainsail steady. Aang! I'm gonna need air in that sail! Katara, Hoshi, I want you to bend as much water as you two can between us and those rocks." Sokka said before Hoshi said. "You heard the man. Move! Move! Move!" They then did their task, and thanks to all of that they were able to go over the rocks and landed safely on the other side. Everyone took a sigh of relief and took the boat back to shore. On the shore, Bato said after getting some face paint. "The spirits of water bear witness to these marks. For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise. The same mark your father earned." Sokka's mark was an arc over a dot. "For Katara, Saida, and Miguel, the Mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us." Katara, Saida, Miguel's mark was a crescent moon. "And for Aang and Hoshi, the Mark of the Trusted. You are now an honorary member of the Water Tribe."

"Thank you Bato." Hoshi said as they got a single arc on their heads. Bato then put away the paint and said pulling out the map. "Is that?" Sokka said before Bato said. "Yes, it is the map to the rendezvous point. It came last night." Bato then gave the map to Sokka. "I know where to go. Take this in case you want to find us. I'll leave a message at the rendezvous point."

"You're not going with him?" Hoshi said to Sokka and Katara. And then Sokka said to Hoshi. "We talked about it last night. As much as we want to see Dad, we don't have the time to waste on such a detour."

"Don't you want to see your father?" Aang said to Katara and Sokka. Sokka then said to Aang. "Of course, Aang, but helping you is where we're needed the most."

"Feeling better now?" Hoshi said to Aang and Aang nodded yes. Bato then said to them. "Your father will understand, and I know he's proud of you."

"Thanks, Bato. And I wish we could hear more stories of Dad."

"Well, why not walk with me for a little bit."

"That would be ok." Katara said and then Bato said to everyone else. "As for the rest of you, can you take my boat to a dock the abbey has. The sisters said they will keep an eye on it until I am able to retrieve it."

"No problem." Hoshi said as everyone got on the boat again. As Sokka and Katara were walking with Bato, and the others put the boat away, Zuko and his team invaded the abbey by breaking down its doors. Jun's Xierxu then made a noise and let Jun know that they were getting close to Katara. After Aang and the others placed the boat on the dock the abbey had, and it was just then the Superior appeared to them and said. "Avatar! You must leave."

"What? Why?" Aang said and then the Superior said. "A group of people came to the abbey looking for you."

"Can you tell us about these people?" Hoshi said and then the Superior said. "A fierce-looking woman with a horrible monster, an old man, and two young men, one of whom had a scar."

"Zuko." Aang said and then Hoshi said. "He must be using that woman's beast to track us. Wait? What was he using to track us?"

"The beast was using the scent of the necklace to follow you." The Superior said before Miguel said. "But Aang doesn't have a necklace."

"No, but Katara did, and Zuko found it after the prison break." Hoshi said remembering the time Zuko had him and Katara tied to a tree during the incident with the pirates. They all then realized that Katara and Sokka were in trouble.

Back with Katara and Sokka, Bato had finished his story and they had said goodbye to Bato, hoping to see him and their dad one day. But as they were returning to the abbey, Zuko's team ambushed them. "So this is your girlfriend. No wonder she left. She's way too pretty for you." Jun said to Zuko as he got off Jun's Xierxu. Zuko then walked up to them and said. "Where is he? Where is the Avatar?"

"We split up. He's long gone." Sokka said getting in front of Katara. Zuko then said to Sokka. "How stupid do you think I am?"

"Pretty stupid. Run!" Sokka said before grabbing Katara and they tried to run away, but Jun's Xierxu hit them with its tongue and paralyzed them. Alex then said to Zuko. "So what do we do now?" Then Jun's Xierxu moved closer to Katara and Sokka. Zuko then said to Jun. "What's it doing?"

"It's seeking a different scent, perhaps something that the Avatar held." Jun said before her Xierxu pulled the necklace Aang made for Katara before they went to Aunt Wu Village out of her pocket. The scent Jun's Xierxu was smelling was Aang scent, so now they were following the Avatar scent. That scent led them back to the abbey. After putting Katara and Sokka on Jun's Xierxu they returned to the abbey, and there it was going around in a circle. "What's it doing?" Zuko said before Alex looked up and saw Aang and Phaedrus. "Ambuse!" Alex yelled before Phaedrus attacked Jun's Xierxu. Phaedrus knocked them all down and after the other Bakugan appeared, Hoshi said to Zuko's team. "Alright Zuko, this can go two ways. You can walked away after give us our friends and give back Katara's necklace. Or we can beat you all up and then take back our friends and Katara's necklace."

"He really doesn't know you, Zuko." Alex said to Zuko as they got up. Jun then ordered her Xierxu to attack the Bakugan. The tongue hit all the Bakugan and they returned to ball form. "I did not see that coming." Hoshi said before Alex attacked him with his firebending. Hoshi used his waterbending on the perfume to counter Alex's attack. As Zuko attacked Aang, Jun got on her Xierxu and tried to attack Saida and Miguel, but Appa appeared and headbutted them into a wall. Saida then said to Appa as she and Miguel grabbed Sokka and Katara. "Thank's Appa."

"You are the best Appa." Miguel said as they dragged Katara and Sokka away from the battle.

For Aang and Zuko's battle, Zuzo tried to hit Aang with his firebending, but Aang dodged them and fought back. But the moment their attacks hit one another, both of them were sent flying to the top of the walls. Zuko recovered first and attacked. Aang recovered just in time and dodged Zuko's attack. Aang then used his airbending to push Zuko into a tower and then was going to attack Zuko. Zuko jumped off the roof, dodging Aang's attack. Aang then followed Zuko to the abbey's well. They dodged around the well and Aang saw Katara's necklace. Aang tried to grab it, but Zuko just kept attacking Aang, even destroying the roof for the well. Aang kept trying to grab it, and when he did, Aang dived into the well. Then Zuko fired a fireball into the well, but Aang countered that and hit Zuko with a geyser-like waterbending attack. After that Zuko got up and attacked Aang again, but with a lot more fury.

For Hoshi and Alex's battle, Hoshi waterbended the perfume out of the big jars and attacked Alex. Alex fired fire at those attacks, creating steam. Hoshi then used that steam to cause ice to wrapped around Alex's hand. That didn't stop Alex. Alex then started to to firebended using his legs. That caught Hoshi off guard and he started to fall back, more so after Alex freed his hands at kept using combo attacks on Hoshi.

And for Appa and Jun's battle, Appa was getting hit with the tongue, but he wasn't going down. Jun then tried to attack Appa with her whip, but that didn't work. Appa was a lot stronger than them. So Jun keeped attacking Appa, hoping that would take Appa down sooner or later.

As for the others, the Superior was able to cure the Sokka and Katara of the Xierxu paralysis effect with a special perfume. Sokka then had an idea and said. "That thing sees with its nose. Let's give him something to look at."

"The perfume?" The Superior said and Sokka nodded yes. Then everyone poured the jars of perfumes and Katara waterbended all of that on Jun's Xierxu. Jun's Xierxu then went out of control, and in this state it hit Zuko, Alex, and Jun with its tongue. Iron did catch Jun and pretended to get hit by the tongue too. Jun's Xierxu than left the abbey and shortly after that so did Aang and the others. In the air, as Hoshi was holding the Appa's rains, Aang gave Katara back her necklace and Katara said taking her necklace back. "Aang! How'd you get that?"

"Zuko asked me to be sure I got it to you."

"Oh, that's so sweet of Zuko. Would you give him a kiss for me when you see him?"

"Sure." Aang said before Katara gave Aang a kiss on the check. Aang was happy and Hoshi laughed as they continued on their journey.