Bato of the Water Tribe

Aang picked up what appeared to be a sword made from a animal.

"Hey look. A sword made from a whale's tooth." Aang said as Sokka slid down behind him.

"Let me see that." Sokka swiped the sword from the Airbender and examined it thoughtfully.

*Flashback*

*The men of the Southern Water Tribe were loading supplies onto the boats as they prepared to fight in the war. The wind was whipping across the tundra while Sokka held his club and watched as the men walked to and from the ships.*

*End flashback*

"This is a Water Tribe weapon. Let's see if we can find anything else." Sokka informed Aang as the two split up to keep searching.

The others soon joined them and saw what they were doing.

"Did somebody lose something?" Lucy asked.

"No, but we found something." Aang excitedly said.

Sokka moved a little further downhill and found a spearhead under a small pile of leaves. He picked up the projectile and started inspecting it. He found ash covering it.

"It's burned." He said.

"Must've been some fight." Gray added.

"Yeah. Water Tribe warriors ambushed a group of Firebenders." Sokka deduced. He then looked at the ground.

"The Firebenders fought back, but the warriors drove them down this hill." Sokka continued.

He took off running down the hill as the rest followed him.

"So then what happened?" Erza asked.

"I don't know. The trail ends here." Sokka said with slumped shoulders. Steve looked along the beach in front of Sokka before saying, "The winds and tide must have erased any evidence of the battle here." He looked to Sokka and added, "I'm sorry we weren't able to find out more."

"Hey look!" Katara looked to the right and spotted something before pointing.

"A boat!" Wendy exclaimed.

"Yeah. One of our boats!" Sokka said as they moved towards the boat."

"Huh." Nat said with a confused look. "From what Steve told me, you mainly use canoes for boats."

"That's more for fishing." Sokka said as he and Katara moved towards the boat.

"Is this Dad's boat?" Katara asked her brother.

"No, but it's from his fleet. Dad was here." Sokka excitedly said.

"But where is he?" Natsu asked.

"I don't know." Sokka admitted.

Meanwhile on Zuko's ship he, Iroh, Flannery and Aiko were sitting at a table as Iroh took a sip of tea. Flannery also took a sip of tea.

"See, Prince Zuko, a moment of quiet is good for your mental well-being." Iroh said.

Zuko took his cup for a drink but then the ship jolted and the tea splashed into his face. Zuko groaned as he wiped the tea off and pushed his hair back.

"Just when Zuko was about to relax." Flannery muttered.

"What idiot would interrupt our quiet time?" Aiko asked as she followed Zuko.

On the deck of the ship, five Firebenders stood at the ready as a giant creature with a woman riding it climbed aboard.

"Watch out!" One of the soldiers shouted as it came onto the ship.

"What do you and your ugly monster think you're doing on our ship?" Aiko asked.

"Nyla and I are after a stowaway." The woman told them.

"There are no stowaways on my ship." Zuko said as Iroh and Flannery enter the scene.

Nyla tore the metal of the ship and ripped a chunk of it off. Then it threw the metal in the direction of Zuko, Iroh, Flannery and Aiko as well as the crew.

Nyla then stuck it's head down the hole, growling and snorting. The beast used it's powerful sense of smell to follow a light green trail in the cargo hold of the ship. It followed the scent trail to some barrels to some crates and finally to a barrel covered in a scent. The barrel tipped over to reveal an Earth Kingdom runaway. The man climbed out of the hole and started to make a break for it. The creature roared before racing after the man. Then lashing out it's tongue, it struck the man in the back. The man's body clenched as he fell forward and slid to a stop on his side.

"He's paralyzed." Flannery said.

"Only temporarily. The toxins will wear off in about an hour." The woman said. She then slung the man over her shoulder.

"By then, he'll be in jail and I'll have my money." The woman added happily.

"How did you find him on my ship?" Zuko asked, curious.

"My Shirshu can smell a rat a continent away." The woman said as she climbed on the Shirshu with the stowaway in tow.

"Well, I'm impressed." Iroh said. The woman then cracked her whip to the animal's side, making it groan in pain before it leaped off the ship. "Very impressed."

Zuko and Aiko narrowed their eyes in irritation while Flannery looked surprised.

Night had fallen as the group camped out near the Water Tribe boat. While most of them slept, Sokka kept watch, poking a stick into a fire to keep it going.

*Flashback*

*A younger Sokka walked towards the ships with a large bundle in his arms. His face was decorated the same way he had it when he would battle against Prince Zuko two yeaes later. The wind howled as men continued to load the boats. His father handed a sack to a man on deck before looking back to see the younger Sokka coming.*

*"Sokka." His father stopped him.*

*"I'm coming with you." Sokka told him.*

*"You're not old enough to go to war, Sokka. You know that." His father said.*

*"But I'm strong, I'm brave, I can fight. Dad, please." Sokka tried to point out. His father placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder.*

*"Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most. For you right now is here, looking after your sister." He said.*

*"I don't understand." Sokka said.*

*"Someday you will." His father told him.*

*Sokka dropped the bundle before embracing his father.*

*"I'm gonna miss you so much." His father said.*

*End flashback*

Sokka continued to stare at the fire as he remembered that day. Then a strange noise was heard.

"Who's there?" Sokka shouted as he took out his boomerang.

A man stepped into the light and was wearing half of a Water Tribe outfit while his left arm and the left side of his chest were covered in bandages. The man took a good look at the teen.

"Sokka?" He said.

"Bato?" Sokka recognized the man and asked.

This woke the rest of the group up.

"Who the what now?" Aang asked.

"Bato!" Katara said with joy.

"Sokka, Katara, it's good to see you. You've both grown so much." Bato said.

"Hi I'm Aang and these are..." Sokka cut him off.

"Where's dad?" He asked.

"Is he here?" Katara asked.

"He isn't. Last I heard, Hakoda and his men were heading towards the Eastern Earth Kingdom." Ray said out of nowhere. Katara looked to a sullen Sokka as he stared down at his feet. A gust of wind howled as it brushed past the group and made them gasp with a shiver.

"This is no place for a reunion. Let's get inside." Bato said as he led Katara and Sokka away, before turning to Aang, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Ray and Wendy then gesturing them to follow him.

A little while later...

Everyone was led to a abbey where a few nuns were hard at work.

"After I was wounded, your father carried me to this abbey. The sisters have cared for me ever since." Bato told them as they walked towards a group of women.

"Superior, these two are Hakoda's children. They've been traveling with the Avatar and the Celestial Mage." Bato said.

"Young Avatar. Young Celestial Mage. It gives me great joy to be in both of your presence. Welcome to our abbey." The woman said.

"Thank you. It's a honor to meet you." Lucy said, bowing.

"If there's anything me and my friends can..." Aang was cut off by Sokka.

"What smells so good here Bato?" Sokka asked the man.

"The sisters craft ointments and perfumes." Bato said, pointing over to a few pots.

"Perfume, huh? Maybe we should dump some on Appa and Happy because they both stink so much. Am I right?" Sokka asked, but everyone remained silent. Lucy, Gray, Natsu had annoyed expressions on their faces.

"You have your father's wit." Bato commented.

"I didn't think he had any." Gray muttered, angering Sokka.

"I don't smell so bad." Happy said before he smelled himself and gained a disgusted expression.

"That indicates you do stink." Carla remarked.

Everyone then entered a hut with a tent on the opposite side of the door being a bed chamber, a fire in the middle, and various pelts on the floor.

"Bato, this looks like home!" Katara said.

"Everything's here, even the pelts." Sokka said with a smile.

"Yeah, nothing's cozier than dead animal skins." Aang said sarcastically.

"Maybe we should go outside if you're uncomfortable." Natsu suggested.

"No, it's okay." Aang said as Momo leaps at a bear pelt and started hitting it making it's mouth close scaring Momo before running back to Aang.

"It's just a dead bear, Momo." Happy said.

Katara removed a lid from a pot over the fire and looked inside.

"No way! Stewed sea prunes!" Katara said, gasping.

"Help yourself." Bato offered.

"Dad can eat a whole barrel of these things." Sokka said, scoffing.

"Just like how Cana can drink a whole barrel of alcohol." Gray added.

Aang looked at the bowl with a questionable expression and sniffed it. He then held it away.

"Ugh!" He groaned.

"Hate it?" Lucy asked.

"Pretty much." Aang said.

"Bato, is it true that you and Dad lassoed an Arctic hippo?" Katara asked, curiously.

"It was your father's idea and he dragged me along. Actually, the hippo did all the dragging." Bato said with a smile. Momo began to eat the stewed sea prunes Aang set aside but quickly spit it out. Happy tried it as well, but quickly spit it out as well.

"I wish I had fish." Happy complained.

"Hey, I ride animals too. Appa's a good example. Lucy rode a animal once too. This one time, he rode a giant eel and..." Sokka cut him off again.

"So who was it that came up with the Great Blubber Fiasco?" Sokka asked.

"You knew about that?" Bato questioned.

"Everyone does." Katara said with a knowing smile.

"Not us." Erza replied.

"Yeah. What's the story?" Aang asked.

"A long one, Aang. Some other time." Sokka said, waving him off. This caused Lucy to become irritated.

"I'm out of here." Lucy stood up and exited the tent.

"Wait up Luce." Natsu followed her with Happy in tow.

"I'm out too. Not that anyone cares right now." Gray also got up and walked out of the tent.

"It would be a good idea to try and get some supplies for our journey." Ray reasoned.

"Best that I leave as well." Erza said, getting up.

"Are you coming Wendy?" She asked.

"Yes." Wendy nodded before standing up. She left alongside Erza with Carla in tow. No one but Aang noticed this.

"You and Dad had so many hilarious adventures." Katara recalled.

"Not all of which were hilarious at the time but everything's funny in hindsight." Bato said chuckling.

"So was it you or Dad that put an octopus on your head and convinced Gran Gran you were a Water Spirit?" Sokka asked.

"Your father wore the octopus. I did the spooky voice." Bato said with a mischievous grin on his face.

Inside a tavern in another part of the Earth Kingdom, a man was thrown out of a second story window.

The bounty hunter was arm-wrestling a man wearing a white Gi and red headband. Four individuals then entered the tavern.

"Out of my way! Step aside, filth." Zuko said.

"He means no offense. I'm sure you bathe regularly." Iroh added as he walked through.

Zuko approached the bounty hunter.

"I need to talk to you!" He said.

"Well, if it isn't my new friends: Angry Boy, Insult Queen, Lazy Uncle and Soft Girl." The woman sarcastically said. Iroh chuckled while Aiko tried to lunge at June, but was held back by Flannery. The man she was arm wrestling grunted as he was trying to beat her. She quickly ended the match by slamming his hand down on the table.

"Your monster trashed my cousin's ship. You HAVE to pay him back!" Aiko demanded.

"Well, I'd love to help you out, but I'm a little short on money." June said as she gathered up some copper pieces.

"Drinks on me!" She yelled. The crowd cheered.

She was about to take a sip from her drink when Zuko grabbed her wrist.

"Money isn't what we had in mind." Zuko said.

A moment later, everyone was standing outside. Zuko lifted up Katara's necklace.

"I need you to find someone." He said.

"What happened? Your girlfriend run off on you?" June asked.

"It's not the Water Tribe girl I'm after. It's the bald monk and the yellow-haired girl she's traveling with." Zuko elaborated.

"Whatever you say." June told them.

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

"Forget it." June said.

"Plus, we'll pay your weight in gold." Iroh added. This got June's attention.

"Make it YOUR weight, and we have a deal." June said, poking Iroh's stomach.

"You got it." Iroh said.

June swiped Katara's necklace from Zuko and walked up to her Shirshu. Everyone then got on and Nyla followed Katara's scent.

Back at the abbey nearly everyone had turned in for the night. Inside his room, Bato told Sokka and Katara something.

"There's something you kids should know." He said.

Aang and Momo rested in the corner while the others listened.

"I'm expecting a message from your father." Bato added.

"Really?" Katara asked, excited.

"When?" Sokka asked, equally excited.

"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 two can come with me and see your father again." Bato promised.

"It's been over two years since we've seen Dad. That would be so incredible!" Sokka exclaimed.

"I really do miss him. It would be great to see Dad." Katara admitted as Aang looked away.

"It's been far too long, hasn't it? I'm not sure when word will arrive, but when it does..." As Bato continued to talk Aang quietly walked to the door.

He went to find Lucy and the others while Katara and Sokka spoke to Bato.

"It would be great, but we can't. We have to take Aang and Lucy to the North Pole first." Sokka told Bato.

"Even if we do have 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 added.

"I'm sure your father would understand. He'd be proud knowing that his children were helping the Avatar and the Celestial Mage." Bato said.

Meanwhile, on a different section of the beach...

Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza and Wendy walked along the shore.

"A good walk on the beach is just what I need to get away from those two right now." Lucy said.

"Should we head back?" Wendy asked.

"I don't think they'd even know we left. They're probably still catching up with their dad's friend." Gray commented.

"Yeah, but we should still see if..." Natsu cut himself off after noticing the boat hadn't left.

"That boat is still there." Erza said.

"Yeah." Lucy nodded before walking towards the ship. As she did, she spotted a figure sitting on the bow of the boat.

"Aang?" She asked.

Aang turned to see Lucy and the others.

"What's the matter? Why are you sitting here by yourself? Why do you look sad?" Natsu asked.

"Oh hey, guys." Aang said.

Just then Ray approached the group.

"What's Aang doing on his lonesome?" He asked.

"Well, I heard that Bato said something about a message sent by Katara and Sokka's father. Bato offered to let them go with him to see their father." Aang explained.

"Are you worried they'd leave you?" Gray asked. Aang said nothing.

Just then a Earth Kingdom soldier rode up on a ostrich-horse.

"I'm looking for Bato of the Water Tribe." The man said.

"Uh...I know Bato." Aang said with a smile.

"Make sure he gets this." The man handed him a parchment.

"Is that the message you mentioned?" Erza asked as Aang opened the scroll which turned out to be a map.

"It's the map to Katara and Sokka's dad." Aang said as he got frustrated and crumpled the map up, before stuffing into his over shirt.

"Aang." Lucy said.

"Are you gonna show them that?" Happy asked.

"I don't know." Aang admitted.

"You'll have to show them that, Aang." Erza said. Aang doesn't respond.

Ray observed Aang stuff the map into his shirt, not too happy with his old friend.

A little while later they returned to the abbey and entered Bato's hut.

"Hey, everyone! Sorry we were gone for so long." Aang said.

"Oh hey. I didn't notice you guys left." Katara said as she looked at her friends.

"Obviously not." Lucy mumbled.

"Yep, but now we're back. Sure could go for some delicious sea prunes." Aang said down and shoveled some of it down even though he hated the taste. Bato, Katara and Sokka gave him strange looks.

"This is just...wow." Gray said.

"Wonder if they're gonna find out." Natsu said.

"He's going to eventually admit what he's done." Ray told the Dragon Slayer.

The next morning, Nyla arrived at the herbalist's home. Nyla growled as she ran up to the herbalist. Miyuki hissed at the approaching group. The herbalist turned to see June, Zuko, Iroh, Aiko and Flannery.

"Out for a little fresh air, are we?" The herbalist asked.

"We're looking for someone." Zuko told the herbalist.

"I hope it's not Miyuki. Miyuki, did you get in trouble with the Fire Nation again?" The herbalist asked as the cat meowed in protest.

"The Avatar has been through here. Let's keep moving." June said as she flicked her whip and Nyla growled before taking off.

Back at the abbey Aang bent a small pile of hay over to Appa but as he calmed his airbending stance, the crumpled up map fell out of his over shirt.

"Aha, I caught you." A voice called out. The superior of the abbey picked up the crumpled piece of paper and scolded Aang. "You should be ashamed of yourself. Littering in the courtyard."

"I'm sorry. I'll take care of this." Aang apologized taking the waddled up paper in his hands. The mother superior then walked away.

"That was close, huh?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah." Aang said as he stuffed the paper back into his over shirt.

Later on the gang walked with Bato towards his boat.

"This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father." He explained it's history.

Aang then sees footprints belonging to the messenger's ostrich horse and sent a small blast of wind to cover the tracks up with sand. Then he whistles nonchalantly causing Erza to shake her head.

"Is this the boat he took you ice dodging in?" Sokka asked Bato.

"Yep. It has the scar to prove it. How bout you, Sokka? You must have some good stories from your first time ice dodging." Bato said as his face fell.

"He never got to go. Dad left before he was old enough." Katara said.

"Oh right. I forgot you were too young." Bato recalled.

"What's ice dodging?" Gray asked.

"It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn fourteen, your dad takes..." Bato stopped talking for a minute and placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"You know what, you're about to find out." Bato said making Sokka smile.

"Have fun." Lucy said, walking away.

"Wait for me, Luce." Natsu ran after her with Gray, Erza and Wendy following him.

Meanwhile Nyla arrives at Makapu Village and the townspeople flee in terror. It then stopped in front of Aunt Wu, who was calmly standing still.

"Why are we stopping?" Zuko questioned.

"The girl must have spent a lot of time here." June said.

"We don't have time for this!" Zuko said annoyed. He got off the Shirshu and held the necklace in front of it. Zuko then ducked as the Shirshu lashed it's tongue at him.

"Hey, watch it!" He snapped.

"Oh look, he likes you." June said.

"I still hate that beast." Aiko mumbled. Aunt Wu approached Iroh.

"Care to hear your fortune, handsome?" She asked.

"At my age, there is really only one big surprise left and I'd just as soon leave it a mystery." Iroh said, looking down at her.

Nyla then set off to continue following the scent.

Back on Bato's boat, it was floating out to sea. Katara and Sokka stood at the mast while Aang stood at the side. Bato controlled the rudders. The group stood on the deck.

"Ice dodging is a ceremonial test of bravery, wisdom and trust. In our village, ice dodging was done by weaving a boat through a field of icebergs." Bato explained.

"How are we supposed to ice dodge without ice?" Sokka asked as he looked at Bato.

"You'll be dodging those." Bato said as he pointed at a group of tall, jagged, sharp rocks near the shore. Katara and Sokka looked at each other with worried expressions.

"Sokka, you steer and call the shots. Lead wisely. Katara, you secure the main sail. The winds can be brutal so be brave. Aang, you control the jib. Without your steady hand, we all go down. Your position is all about trust." Bato said.

"I know that. Why wouldn't I know that? I'm the Avatar. I know about trust." Aang said as he crossed his arms and looked away.

"For this to be done right, I cannot help. You either pass or fail on your own." Bato said as he sat down. Sokka studied the rocks.

"Aang, ease up on the jib. Katara, steady." Katara looked at the shore with concern.

"Aang, less sail. Katara, give him room." Sokka grunted before shouting as the ship sharply turned to the right.

"Aang, helm to lee, helm to lee!" Sokka ordered.

"What does that even mean?" Aang asked.

The waves knock Bato around but he remains seated. Sokka struggled while Katara and Aang close their eyes as the ship passes more rocks.

"Great job guys!" Sokka congratulated them. Aang and Katara smiled but then looked to see the path blocked by a lot of jutting rocks.

"There's no way through!" Katara told her brother.

"We can make it." Sokka said.

"Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should..." Bato was cut off.

"Aang, I'm gonna need air in that sail. Katara, I want you to bend as much water as you can between us and those rocks. Now!" Sokka said with a stern gaze.

Aang blasted air into the sails while Katara waved her arms up and down as she bent the water around them. A wave formed underneath them as they came closer to the rocks. Sokka groaned nervously as the boat was carried over the rocks and came out on the other side without a scratch. When they reach clear water Sokka let out a sigh of relief and the others smirk at him.

A few minutes later Bato's ship was tied to the shore and later on Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Wendy, Ray and Erza rejoined the group. Bato stood before the nine with a bowl of paint in his hand before dipping two fingers into it.

"The spirits of water bear witness to these marks. For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise. It's the same mark your father earner. For Katara, the mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us. And for Aang, the Mark of the Trusted. You are now an honorary member of the Water Tribe." Bato said as he places the right symbols on each of their foreheads.

"I can't." Aang said, feeling downcast.

"Of course you can." Katara said.

"What's wrong with being a member?" Lucy asked.

"You can't trust me." Aang said as he wiped his forehead.

"Aang, what are you talking about?" Katara asked.

"This has gone on long enough. Take it out of your shirt, now." Ray ordered.

Aang removed the crumpled up piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Katara and Sokka.

"A messenger gave this to me for Bato." He said. "You have to understand. I was afraid you would..." Sokka cut him off.

"This is the map to our father! How could you?" Sokka angrily shouted.

"Well, you can go to the North Pole on your own." He said.

"He's not going on his own. WE'RE going with him!" Lucy said addressing herself, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Ray and Wendy.

"You two can look for your dad for all I care." She added.

"Fine by me!" Sokka snapped as he walked away.

"Now Sokka, I think you should..." Bato was cut off.

"Katara, are you with me?" Sokka asked as she looked at Aang.

"Go find your dad." Gray said. Katara closed her eyes and nodded before walking off with Sokka and Bato leaving Aang downcast.

Back at the abbey, both groups were preparing to leave. Bato helped Katara secure her pack while Sokka put his on. Aang sat on Appa while Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Ray and Wendy get ready to leave when Katara walked over.

"Good luck." She said.

"Yeah. You too." Aang replied. Katara then walked to the gate to catch up to Sokka and Bato as they waited for her. When she joined them, all three Water Tribesmen walked into the woods.

The mother superior approached the seven.

"We're about to move on." Lucy told her.

"That would be best." The mother superior said.

Aang gave the reins a tug and Appa grunted before he moved to the gate too. The bison walked out the gate and stopped at the crossroads. Aang saw Bato, Katara and Sokka walking in the distance.

"I'm an idiot, you guys." Aang said.

"No you're not. You were just worried they'd leave you." Natsu reassured him.

"Aye." Happy nodded.

"We're better off on our own. Let's go." Erza said before Aang tugged the reins again.

The nuns were making more perfume when a galloping startled them. They looked to the gate as Nyla entered the abbey with June, Iroh, Zuko, Aiko and Flannery still riding it. Nyla's scent sense showed the trail with a hiss.

"We're getting close." June said as she cracked her whip again and Nyla took off running into the woods.

Meanwhile Bato, Katara and Sokka walked through the woods. As they climbed a hill, a wolf howled in the distance.

"That wolf sounds sad." Katara said.

"It's probably wounded." Sokka guessed.

"No. It's separated from the pack. I understand that pain. It's how I felt when the Water Tribe warriors had to leave me behind. They were my family, and being apart from them is more painful than my wounds." Bato said, causing Sokka to think about when he was younger and watched the eight ships sail away.

"Sokka?" Katara asked, worried.

"We need to go back. I want to see dad, but helping Aang and Lucy is where we're needed the most." Sokka made a decision.

"You're right." Katara agreed with a smile.

"Your father would understand. I know he's proud of you both." Bato said.

"Thanks Bato." Sokka said.

"I know where to go from here. Take this in case you want to find us. I'll leave a message at the rendezvous point." Bato promised, giving them a map.

Meanwhile Aang, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Ray and Wendy were getting ready to leave.

"Looks like we're going alone." Aang said.

"With the seven of us, we're never alone." Lucy added.

"Avatar! Celestial Mage! You both must leave!" The mother superior said, looking frightened.

"Okay, we get it. Everybody wants Aang and Lucy gone." Gray said, annoyed.

"A group of people came to the abbey looking for you two." The mother superior said.

"Who?" Wendy asked.

"A fierce looking woman with a horrible monster and a young man with a scar." The mother superior described.

"Zuko." Ray grumbled.

"The beast was using the scent of a necklace to follow you both." She then said.

"A necklace?" Natsu asked confused. Then Lucy and Aang's eyes widen as they realize.

"Katara!" They said at the same time.

On their way back to the abbey, Katara and Sokka were calmly walking down the path. Then they heard galloping footsteps nearby. They jumped back as a giant creature jumped onto the path behind them with a snarl. Sokka then stood protectively in front of his sister.

"So this is your girlfriend? No wonder she left. She's way too pretty for you." June said with a smirk.

"She's not our friend." Aiko replied as Zuko jumped off.

"Where are they? Where are the Avatar and the Celestial Mage?" Zuko asked.

"We split up. They're long gone." Sokka said.

"How stupid do you think I am?" Zuko asked.

"Pretty stupid. Run." Sokka grabbed his sister's arm and the two ran off. They were struck from behind by Nyla's tongue.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Zuko asked as Nyla walked towards Katara and Sokka.

"It's seeking a different scene. Perhaps something the Avatar held." June explained.

Nyla caused a scroll to roll out of Sokka's backpack. He then moved his nose up and sniffed it. A blue scent came out of the map and led them back to the abbey. When they returned the nuns shriek and run.

"What's it doing? It's just going in a circle." Zuko questioned.

Nyla kept sniffing the ground, but then saw the blue scent in the sky as Aang and Lucy dive down towards him.

Nyla stood on it's hind legs, but Lucy kicked it in the face. It was knocked down and the riders fell off as well.

"Aang! Lucy!" Katara happily said.

"Up!" June commanded as she cracked her whip. She then jumped on Nyla's back.

"That beast doesn't scare us. I'll show you." Lucy took out a Gate Key.

"Open, Gate of the Ox! Chou!" Lucy called.

"I'm guessing you want me to bash these two?" Chou asked.

"Yes please! Let's take them!" Lucy shouted.

"Got it!" Chou exclaimed.

Nyla charged at the two, but ShineGreymon slammed into him and they crashed into the wall. Erza, Natsu, Gray and Wendy then get off Appa and prepare for battle.

While they face June and Nyla, Aang and Zuko stared each other down.

All six stood at the ready.

Two nuns pulled a paralyzed Katara and Sokka out of the way.

Zuko started the fight by twisting his arms around before throwing a fire ball in Aang's direction. Aang quickly twirled his staff around to disperse the flames and then shot hia hand forward to release an air ball. Prince Zuko then sent another fire ball while Aang used his staff to send a vertical airstrike.

Lucy swung her whip out, but Zuko side steps it and sent another fire ball at her. This time Natsu sucked it into his mouth.

"Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu gathered flames in his mouth and released them. Zuko bent the fire away allowing Aang to send another air blast at him.

"Sky Dragon Roar!" Wendy quickly gathered and released a large quantity of air from her mouth in the form of a tornado-like blast. Zuko was knocked down, but recovered and sent a horizontal wave of fire at the two.

"Ice-Make: Cannon!" Gray creates a small cannon made of ice. It used nearby rubble as ammuntion which was fired at Zuko. Natsu then sent several fireballs at him as well.

Zuko moved closer and came in with a diagonal high kick. Lucy counters with her own kicks and Chou delivers a very powerful punch. He dodged both attacks though and sent a wave of fire at Lucy's feet.

This time, Erza swung her sword at Zuko attempting to slash the prince. It was successfully, and then she kicked at him. Aiko sent a wave of white fire at Erza who blocks it.

"Requip!" Erza was now in her Flame Empress Armor. She swung a flaming sword while Natsu slammed a flame covered fist in her direction. Aiko dodged both attacks and sent a white fire blast at the two. Natsu sucked up the white fire and then sent a stream of fire back towards her. Aiko bends the fire away.

At the same time Aang and Zuko sent their own element blasts at each other while dodging the other. Lucy runs forward, punching and kicking Zuko while Chou spin around and punches him as well. Zuko continued to send blasts of fire at Aang who sent air blasts back. The two then blasted a wave of fire and air at the other. This resulted in a large explosion that sent them flying through the air. The two landed on opposite roofs.

"Aang!" Lucy cried out. A tongue almost struck her, but she dodged it.

The source was Nyla with June on his back.

"Whatever you guys do, stay away from it's tongue." Lucy instructed.

"Got it." Gray nodded.

"Okay." Wendy said.

"Get them!" June cracked her whip at Nyla causing him to lash his tongue out at the group.

"Ice-Make: Hammer!" Gray creates a large hammer out of ice and it floated above Nyla before he dropped it with great force.

Nyla dodged it and lashed his tongue out at Wendy.

Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer magic blew June off Nyla. Nyla lashed his tongue at Wendy, but Chou grabbed her giving Gray a chance to fire ice at the Shirshu.

Lucy leaped up off the ground and delivered a drill kick at Nyla knocking it down.

She then ran towards June with a arm extended backward to punch her. It's followed by a spin kick that June dodges. The bounty hunter launches her own kick.

Chou charges her with his horns lowered knocking her down. June then strikes the spirit with her whip, causing Lucy to retaliate with her own whip.

June dodges this attacks and flips up into the air before descending with her leg aimed at Lucy. Wendy's kick then connects forcing her back.

Gray joins the attack with his ice sword. June avoided this and tries to hit Gray with her whip. Lucy countered and while the two were locked in a stalemate, Nyla got up and extended his tongue towards the young woman. Chou lifted Nyla off the ground and threw him down before throwing a powerful punch at June which knocked her out.

Aiko bent white fire at Natsu and Erza, but the latter sucked it into his mouth.

"Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu released a stream of fire from his mouth.

Erza released a flaming slash but Aiko bent their fire away and throws a punch and kick at the pair of wizards. Erza grabs Aiko's wrist and Erza throws Aiko to the ground but Aiko quickly recovers and bends a ring of fire but Natsu jumps through the fire and fire kicks at Aiko but Aiko grabs Natsu's leg and slams him to the ground but Natsu gets up by spin fire kicking at Aiko who bends the flames away from her allowing Erza to deliver three punches followed by a sword attack but Aiko backs off and bends a white fireball but Erza dodges and elbows Aiko in her face knocking her down.

Iroh quickly runs to June and he places his hand on her face making June wake up and she stands up.

"Up!" June said whipping Nyla to make it get up and Nyla runs across the abbey while Iroh smiles.

"Disgusting." Flannery said.

Nyla charges at Gray and Wendy but Appa attacks Nyla with his tail but Nyla lashes its tongue at the bison paw making him fall and land paralyzed but Appa gets back up and he growls and Nyla growls back and with Chou at Appa's side the two charge at Nyla while Nyla also charges because of June's whip and when Appa and Chou make a collision with Nyla June gets knocked off of Nyla but she whips Appa's back and lands on the ground but Appa tries to stomp on June but she quickly rolls away and Chou tries to slam his fists to the ground but June backs off but Gray tries to slash at June with his ice sword while Wendy uses her Sky Magic at June but she dodges and tries to whip them but Erza delivers a powerful punch at June knocking her back she recovers and attempts to kick Erza but Lucy bends an air blast at June while Gray shoots ice at her and Natsu shoots three fireballs but June dodges the attacks.

Aang is still on the roof and he lifts his head and groans but then gasps as he sees Zuko running across the roof and bends a fire blast at the Airbender but Aang jumps into the air while Zuko sends another fire blast at Aang's feet but Aang made it into the air just in time and bends an air blast at Zuko but as Aang landed Zuko bends another fire blast but Aang bends an air shield to block the fire attack and then bends a stream of air at Zuko sending him to a corner tower of the abbey and Aang bends another air blast but Zuko jumps off the roof and Nyla jumps on making Aang run away but Chou gets on the roof and delivers a powerful punch at Nyla while Lucy drill kicks but Nyla is about to lash its tongue again but Appa slams his tail to send an air blast at the roof while Sokka and Katara are still sitting by a wall.

"I think I'm starting to get some feeling back." Sokka said but then rubble from the roof fall on him. "Ow." Sokka said.

"That oughta hurt." Natsu said.

Aang is jumping into the abbey stream courtyard stream and Nyla follows and when June and Nyla are on the roof an explosion occurs making the two run to the side and the explosion was caused by Appa and Chou and Chou charges at Nyla again and gets it while Lucy bends air at it and June but Nyla lashes its tongue again but Gray tries to attack with his ice hammer while Erza tries to slash with her sword and while this is happening Iroh is examining some perfume bottles and he sniffs one of them and sneaks one into his sleeve.

"Father." Flannery said.

"Even I need some perfume, daughter." Iroh said.

"You'd better save some for me." Aiko said.

Aang is now standing on a well and Zuko bends three fire blasts at the Airbender but Lucy bends air blasts at Zuko but he dodges and bends more fire blasts but Aang jumps to different sides of the well dodging them and Zuko bends another fire blast but Aang ducks and he and Lucy see that Zuko has Katara's necklace.

"You have something I want." Aang said

"And you're gonna give it to us." Lucy said as Aang jumps between four beams of the well.

Aang dodges Zuko fire blasts by moving on all sides of the well and Zuko breaks two of the well's beams and sends off the wooden structure away and Zuko jumps on the well's circular stone and starts bending two fire blasts at Aang who dodges them by stepping around the well and Aang sends two air blasts and Lucy does the same thing making Katara's necklace fly off of Zuko and Aang tries to grab it but misses and Zuko lunges at Aang who jumps onto his back and he's flying through the air and manages to grab Katara's necklace with his foot and lands in the well and Zuko bends a fire blast down the well but then water rises out of the well and sends Zuko flying while Aang jumps out of the water which rains a little while Zuko falls down but gets back up and goes for Aang but Lucy kicks Zuko while Chou delivers two powerful punches but Zuko recovers from their attacks and goes for them but Appa growls and walks toward the prince but then Nyla lashes its tongue at the bison and June whips Nyla to make it lash its tongue again and Appa falls to the ground and Chou tries to attack but Nyla lashes its tongue at Chou multiple times until Chou is paralyzed.

"Chou!" Lucy said.

"Forgive me, Lucy. I tried." Chou said.

"It's not your fault. Go back and rest." Lucy said and Chou nods and disappears.

As Nyla looks toward Lucy the mother superior makes Katara and Sokka smell a vial of perfume making them get their movement back.

"That thing sees with its nose. Let's give it something to look at." Lucy said.

"The perfume?" The mother superior asked and Lucy nods.

Three nuns and Sokka push four pots of perfume and while this is happening Aang is cornered by Zuko, Aiko, June, and Nyla and they attack the Airbender and he dodges their attacks but the nuns and Sokka pour the perfume pots onto the ground allowing Lucy and Katara to bend the perfume into the air and they pour it on Nyla causing its vision to be clouded and it starts going crazy and lashes out its tongue at Zuko paralyzing him and then lashes it tongue at June and Iroh notices.

"June! No!" Iroh said as the tongue hits June and she falls into Iroh's arms.

Nyla is still going crazy since its vision is clouded and it's running around in circles until it climbs up the abbey wall and runs off and everyone runs to Aang to see if he's alright and they smile at him and he smiles back and Aiko and Flannery are sitting next to Zuko, Iroh, and June who are on the ground.

"At least you guys have until about an hour to recover." Flannery said.

"Yeah, but I didn't see Uncle getting hit by the tongue." Zuko said but Iroh shushes him as he goes back into position smiling making June angry upon learning this.

"Disgusting." Aiko said shaking her head and face palming.

Meanwhile Appa who has recovered from Nyla's tongue is flying through the sky and the gang are on the saddle while Aang drives Appa.

"So...where do we go?" Aang asked.

"We're getting you and Lucy to the North Pole." Katara said.

"Really?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah. We've lost too much time as it is." Sokka said.

"I thought you guys wanted to see your father." Lucy said.

"We do, but you guys are our family too. Right now, you two need us more." Sokka said.

"And we need to you two." Katara added.

"Thanks. I wish I could give you a little piece of home, Katara. Something to remind you..." Aang was cut off by Katara.

"I'll be okay." Katara said.

"Still, just a little trinket. Maybe something like...this?" Aang asked showing Katara her necklace and she's surprised.

"Aang, how did you get that?" Katara asked as she puts on her necklace.

"Zuko asked me to make sure I gave it to you." Aang said.

"Aw, that's so sweet of Zuko. Could you give him a kiss for me when you see him?" Katara asked.

"Sure." Aang said and Katara kisses Aang on the cheek making him blush.

"So we still a team or what?" Gray asked.

"Of course we are. We'll have to be sure not to abandon each other no matter what." Katara said.

"That's good to hear." Erza said.

"Yeah." Lucy said and Appa is still flying through the air toward the horizon.