Adara was walking with Aang and Sokka through a forest when Aang suddenly picked up a whale tooth scimitar. He announced, "Hey, look! A sword made out of a whale's tooth." Adara climbed down the slope after Sokka and went over to Aang to look at what it was. Sokka grabbed the weapon from Aang and said, "Let me see that." He examined the weapon closely and Adara began to wonder if it was a water tribe weapon.

        "This is a Water Tribe weapon. See if you can find anything else." Sokka informed them. They went to look for anything else that would possibly help point out more clues. Out of the corner of her eye, Adara saw Katara coming towards them and she asked, "Did someone lose something."

        "No, we found something!" Aang told her cheerfully. Adara looked over and spotted a spearhead, but Sokka got to it first. While Adara was a Yuyan Archer, tracking wasn't really her strong suit , so it was interesting to watch Sokka.

        "It's burned. There was a battle! Water Tribe warriors ambushed a group of firebenders. The firebenders fought back, but the warriors drove them down this hill." Sokka said. He raced down the hill and leaped over a few large rocks in and continued forward. They reached a beach and Adara asked Sokka, "So, then what happened?"

        "I don't know. The trail ends here." Sokka admitted.

        "Wait, look!" Katara shouted.

        "It's one of our boats!" Sokka exclaimed.

        "Is this dad's boat?" Katara asked as the siblings ran towards the boat with Aang and Adara closely behind.

        "No, but it's from his fleet. Dad was here." Sokka said turning toward Katara. Adara didn't know much about Katara and Sokka's father, but it didn't take a genius to figure out that he's off fighting in this war right now. While they began to set up camp for the night, Adara thought about what it must like be like for Sokka and Katara. To feel so close to him and yet not being able to see him. Adara would do anything too be able to see her parents again. She missed them so much. Adara sat up practically giving up sleep because she was thinking too much. She looked around and saw that Sokka was still awake.

        She walked over too him and sat next to him. She asked, "What's on your mind?"

        "I'm just thinking about when when our dad went off to fight in the war. I wanted so badly to go with, but I was too young. My father told me that I had to stay back and protect Katara." Sokka said.

        "I remember when my father went off to fight in the Battle of Ba Sing Se when I was eight. I was heartbroken to see him leave. Like your father, he told me that I needed to take care of my grandfather. My mother died fours years before this due to sickness. He told me that he loved me. It was the last time I ever saw him. Then, my grandfather died a year later. That's how I ended up in the Pohuai Stronghold. The colonel there was an old friend of my father's." Adara told Sokka. She felt tears prickling at her eyes and she did her best to hold them back. To her surprise, she felt Sokka put his hand on her shoulder.

        "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Adara. I guess I've been treating you too harshly. Let's start over. I'm Sokka, from the Southern Water Tribe." Sokka said with a goofy grin on his face and holding out his hand.

        Adara chuckled and shook it and said, "I'm Adara from the Fire Nation, except now I'm considered a traitor there." Sokka and Adara chuckled, then stopped when they heard a strange noise. They both stood up and Adara grasped her bow, notching an arrow in it, and aimed in the darkness.

        "Who's there?" Sokka questioned. A man who wore Water Tribe clothing came out and he had bandages wrapped around his arms. He seemed shocked to see them.

        "Sokka?" The man questioned.

        "Bato?" Sokka wondered. 

        "Who the what now?" Aang asked while waking up.

        "Bato!" Katara exclaimed. Sokka and Katara ran over to him and hugged him while Adara and Aang stayed closely behind. Adara smiled at the sight. She was happy that Sokka and Katara were able to find someone that they knew. She wondered what it must be like for the two siblings. To be so far away far away from the South Pole. They must miss home.

        "Sokka! Katara! It is so good to see you two. You've grown so much!" Bato exclaimed.

        "Hi, I'm Aang and this is Adara." Aang said introducing them.

        "Where's Dad?" Sokka questioned.

        "Is he here?" Katara questioned. Excitement shown clearly through their eyes.

        "No, he and the other warriors should be in the Eastern Earth Kingdom by now." Bato said. A gust of wind blew and Adara covered her arms to try and warm herself. She looked over and saw that Katara and Sokka were crestfallen that their father wasn't there. Bato continued, "This is no place for a reunion. Let's get inside." He slung his arms over Sokka and Katara and lead them away. He gestured towards Aang and Adara to follow them. Before she followed, Adara picked up her bows and arrow and her bag. Just in case something happens, then followed them. Eventually, a building with a courtyard came into view and Adara saw that there were some nuns walking around.

        While they approached the building, Bato explained, "After I was wounded, your father carried me to this abbey. The sisters have cared for me ever since. Superior, these are Hakoda's children. They've been traveling with the Avatar and their other friend, Adara. I found them by my boat."

        "Young Avatar, it gives me great joy to be in your presence. Welcome to our abbey. We welcome you as well, young Adara." Mother Superior said.

        "Thank you, it's truly an honor to be here. If there's anything-" Aang started, but he was interrupted by Sokka, "What smells so good, Bato?" Adara smelled the air. It almost smelled like perfume and Bato confirmed, "The sisters craft ointments and perfumes."

        "Perfume? Maybe we can dump some on Appa, because he stinks so much. Am I right?" Sokka joked. No one laughed and Adara heard someone cough.

        "You have your father's wit." Bato stated. Adara had to hide her laugh. They followed Bato into a tent and when they entered it was cozy and warm. On one side of the tent, was the bed chamber with a fire being in the middle, and various pelts everywhere. Adara marveled at the sight. She had read that people in the South Pole lived in these conditions and she thought that it was incredibly neat to see this in person.

        "Bato, it looks like home!" Katara proclaimed.

        "Everything's here, even the pelts!" Sokka exclaimed.

        "Yeah, nothing's cozier than dead animal skins." Aang said. Adara looked at him for a moment. Adara knew from what Katara told her that he has been to the South Pole. That was they met. She also sometimes forgets that Aang is a vegetarian, so this must be strange for him. He didn't seem to understand their culture. She would have to do her best to explain to Aang later. Adara saw Momo leap from Aang and hit the head of a bear pelt. The bear's mouth closed and Momo alarmed ran back to Aang. Adara slightly chuckled at that. She noticed Katara open the lid of a pot cooking over the fire.

        ""No way! Stewed sea prunes!" Katara exclaimed.

        "Help yourself!" Bato said.

        "Dad could eat a whole barrel of these things!" Sokka said. Adara smiled while he said that. She smelled the aroma of the food and her stomach growled. She was hungry. She was about to ask for a bowl, when Bato turned towards her and asked, "I couldn't help, but notice the emblem on your bow, Adara. Tell me, why is someone from Fire Nation traveling with the Avatar and his friends?"

        "It's a long story." Adara said. She was about to explain further, but Sokka interrupted her.

        "She helped free Aang from Pohuai Stronghold. She's was a Yuyan Archer there. She joined us because she wants peace for the world. She's on our side." Sokka promised.

        "It's true! She's not our enemy." Katara exclaimed.

        "I give you my word that she is with us." Aang promised. Adara was touched by the way they stood up to her and she knew that this was the start for lasting friendship.

        "I believe you. I was just curious about her story and how she ended up traveling with you two and the Avatar. It is good to know that there are people in the Fire Nation that do not support the Firelord's view. I will inform Hakoda when I see him again." Bato said.

        "Thank-you for trusting me, Bato. It means a lot." Adara said. Bato nodded and he handed her the soup. She took the bowl in her hands and the heat from soup warmed them up. She started to eat, then stopped. They were actually really good. She ate the whole thing and noticed out of the corner of her eye, Aang sitting by himself. He didn't seem to like the soup much and he seemed a bit lonely.

        She sat down next to Aang and whispered, "Not a fan of the stewed sea prunes?", while the others were talking. Aang looked up to her and answered, "Not really." Adara saw Momo try the sea prunes and spit it out. Really? Even you, Momo?

        Then, Aang piped up saying, "Hey, I ride animals, too! There was this one time when I rode a giant eel and I-" Adara wasn't sure what she missed because she was distracted, but he was interrupted by Sokka, "So, who was it that came up with the Great Blubber Fiasco?"

        "You knew about that?" Bato chuckled.

        "Everyone does!" Katara exclaimed.

        "What's that story?" Aang wondered.

        "Yeah. I would like to hear it as well." Adara concurred.

        "It's a long one Aang and Adara, some other time." Sokka said waving them off. Adara understood that Katara and Sokka were simply excited to see someone they know, so she let that one slide. She was feeling slightly ignored and she knew that Aang was feeling the same thing.

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

        "Not all of which were hilarious at the time, but everything's funny in hindsight." Bato chuckled. Adara noticed Aang picking up a fur pelt and was about to say something , but Bato beat her too it, "Hey, Aang! Please put that down. It's ceremonial and very fragile." Adara took off her bag and her bow and arrows and set them to the side. Adara was truly happy for them and she wished more than anything that she had someone to talk to that wouldn't be hostile towards her, but that wasn't the case. Everyone she considers her a traitor to her nation.

        "Was it you or Dad that put an octopus on your head and convinced Gran-Gran you were a water spirit?" Sokka questioned.

        "Your dad wore the octopus," Bato lowered his voice, "but I did the spooky voice." They talked on through the night and Adara's mind drifted towards Zuko. He was the closest friend and the only friend close to her age that she ever really had. Now, they're on different sides of the battlefield. She was dreading coming across him again. Will she be strong enough to face him?

        "There's something I should tell you kids. I'm expecting a message from your father." Bato informed them.

        "Really?" Katara wondered.

        "When?" Sokka questioned.

        "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." Bato explained. Adara saw that Aang was worried. She asked, "Are you okay?"

        "Yeah. I'm fine." Aang said. Adara wasn't really sure she believed him.

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

        "I do really miss him, it would be great to see Dad." Katara said. Adara wanted to step outside for a moment and she could see that Aang was doing the same thing. She grabbed her bow and arrows and followed him out. When they got outside, Adara put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Are you sure you're alright, Aang?"

        "Of course I am! I'm just going to take a walk. I'll be back soon." Aang said. Adara wanted to follow him, but perhaps a walk is really just what he needed. It really can help clear your head. She decided a different way to clear the thoughts that were going through her head while she decided to wait outside till Aang gets back. She decided to do some more practice.

        While she was practicing, she thought a lot about her family. She missed them so much. She couldn't help, but slightly envy Katara and Sokka. They were just given the opportunity to see their father after two years of him being gone. She wished so much that she could that have opportunity, but they were gone. Her grandparents, her mother, and her father. She saw Aang coming back. That was a quick walk.

        "Hi, Aang! Are you feeling better?" Adara questioned.

        "Yep! Sure am!" Aang exclaimed with a nervous laugh. He and Adara went into the tent and Aang announced, "Hey everyone! Sorry I was gone so long."

        "Hey, Aang, I didn't notice you left." Katara said.

        "Yup, but now I'm back. Sure could go for some delicious sea prunes!" Aang said. He grabbed a bowl and began eating them. Adara was a little suspicious because he just told her that he wasn't a big fan, but she didn't press on it. She was glad that she wasn't the only one who didn't notice. The others were also looking at him strangely. It wasn't long after that that they decided to turn in for the night.

        The next day, they walked towards Bato's ship while Bato said, "This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father."

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

        "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." Bato said. Adara looked over at Sokka and noticed that he was sad.

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

        "Oh, I forgot you were too young." Bato said.

        "What's ice dodging?" Aang questioned. Adara was wondering about that as well.

        "It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn fourteen, your dad takes you-" Then, he stopped and put his hand Sokka's shoulder saying, "You know what, you're about to find out!" Bato was going to take all of them ice-dodging.

        Ice dodging is a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery, trust, and vigilance. 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?"

        "You'll be dodging those." He said and pointed towards a group of tall, sharp, and jagged rocks near the shore. He continued, "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 about trust."        

        "I know that. Why wouldn't I know that? I'm the Avatar; I know about trust." He said.

        "Adara, you stand near the head of the ship. Your job is to warn the others of danger ahead. You will need to be vigilant. For this is to be done right, I cannot help." Bato explained and sat down. He continued, "You pass or fail on your own."

        "Aang, ease up on the jib. Katara, steady. Aang, less sail. Katara, give him room. Adara keep watch. Make sure to warn us of unknown dangers." Sokka said. The ship shifted to the said and began to said between some rocks. Sokka shouted, "Aang, helm to lee. Helm to lee!"        

        "What does that even mean?" Aang questioned. Adara kept her eyes on the road ahead and held on to the side of the ship. Sokka was struggling and Katara and Aang had closed their eyes. They were along through and Adara shouted, "We're almost through!" Then, things began to calm down as they passed between more rocks.

        "Great job!" Sokka exclaimed. Then, Adara spotted something ahead, "Sokka! There's more bundles of larges rocks ahead!" They looked to where she was pointing and Katara exclaimed, "There's no way through!"

        "We can make it." Sokka stated. Adara wasn't so sure that they could, but they made it this far, so she decided to trust Sokka in this.

        "Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should-" Bato began, but he was interrupted by Sokka, "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. Adara make sure to warn me of any other dangers. Now!" Katara began to bend the water below the boat while Aang fired airbending blasts at the sail. Adara was nervous, but she had to trust Sokka's judgement. There weren't any other surprise obstacles that she could see. Soon enough, the boat cleared the rocks and Adara sighed with relief when they reached the clear waters. Adara and the others smiled at Sokka.

        They reached the shores and Bato came towards them with a small cup of purple paint and proclaimed, "The spirits of water bear witness to these marks. For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise. The same mark your father earned. For Katara, the Mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us. For Aang, the Mark of the Trusted. And for Adara, the mark of the Vigilant. You are now an honorary member of the Water Tribe." Adara wasn't sure what to feel. She felt incredibly honored, but she had self-doubt as well. She just met these people not long ago and now they were already accepting her as a part of their tribe... their family.

        "I can't." Aang said. Adara looked at him. What did he mean by that?

        "Of course you can!" Katara encouraged.

        "No, you can't trust me." Aang said.

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

        Aang took out a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to them while explaining, "A messenger gave this to me for Bato. You have to understand. I was afraid you would-" Then, Sokka interrupted him, "This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time? How could you? Well, you can go to the North Pole on your own. I'm going to find Dad."

        "Wait. Sokka, you should at least hear-" Adara began, but she was cut off.

        "Katara, are you with me?" Sokka questioned.

        "I'm with you Sokka." Katara said. Sokka turned to Adara, "Adara, you are welcome to join us." Adara looked between them. This took a horrible turn so quickly. She looked between them. Neither side was correct. Sokka and Katara were acting irrationally and Aang had kept something very important to them. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath , then answered, "No. I'm not. I'm not with you nor am I with Aang."

       "Have it your way." Sokka said. They all walked back to the abbey. Adara's head was spinning. She couldn't believe that this just happened. She felt heartbroken and lost. She watched as the others began packing and she looked at her stuff. What was she going to do now? She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see the Mother Superior. She said, "You are welcome to stay here until you know what to do, young Adara of the Yuyan Archers." Adara's eyes widened and she said, "You know who I am?"

        "Not everything. Bato told me when I began to suspect that you're Fire Nation. Regardless of where you're from, you are still welcome to stay. We will always help those who are in need." Mother Superior explained.

        "Thank-you." Adara said. She looked at the others who looked like they were about ready to go. She asked, "I don't know what to do about them."

        "Give them time. I'm sure that they'll come around." Mother Superior said. Adara watched as Katara walked up to Aang and wished him luck while Sokka went over to her and asked, "Where will you go?"

        "I'll be staying here for a while." Adara answered. It was quiet, then Adara said, "Good luck in finding your father." Sokka gave her a slight smile then left with Katara and Bato. Adara watched as Aang left as well. Adara just couldn't believe that this was truly happening. Adara went inside until she heard commotion. She looked out the window and saw the last person she would expect to see. Zuko. He was on top of a large beast with General Iroh and another woman. The woman said something about getting close and before Adara could do anything, they left. What were they getting close too? Then, Adara's eyes widened. They were going in the direction of Katara and Sokka. She had to warn them.

        She went out of the building and the Mother Superior ran up to her saying, "We must warn the Avatar."

        "You do that. They were heading in the direction where Sokka and Katara are. I have to go warn them." Adara said. Mother Superior nodded and they went in the opposite directions. Adara ran faster than she ever did in her entire life hoping that she wasn't too late. She heard commotion up ahead and saw that she had caught up with them and she heard Sokka shout, "Run!" She saw them running, but the creature used it's tongue and paralyzed them.

        "What are we supposed to do now?" Zuko questioned.

        "How about deal with me next?" Adara suggested. She aimed her bow and fired. The bow found it's target by catching the sleeve of Zuko's shirt and the force of it pinned him to the tree. She ran out of the forest and stepped in front of Sokka and Katara. She said, "If you want them, you'll have to go through me."

        "Adara!" Sokka and Katara exclaimed.

        Zuko pulled the arrow out and Adara dodged the strikes from the creature's tongue. From behind her, she noticed Zuko charging her and she side-stepped out of the way. He fumbled a bit, then faced her. Both of them aimed at each other, but Adara wasn't aiming with her bow. She was going to use her firebending and she knew that Zuko understood that. He glared at her and said, "You don't have what it takes Adara. You've barely used your firebending in the past five years. I think that you'll harm yourself and others around you before you can take me down." This made Adara doubt herself. He was right  She would do more harm than good.

        "Adara, don't listen to him!" Katara exclained. Suddenly, Zuko had tripped her and she felt the lash of the creature's tongue and her body went numb. She couldn't move anything.

        "It's seeking a different scent. Perhaps something that the Avatar held." The creature knocked the map off of Sokka's pack and smelled it. The creature began walking around in circles.

        "What's it doing? It's just going in a circle." Zuko wondered. Then, Adara saw Aang flying down. The creature began to try and paralyze him, but Aang was too quick and too high for the creature to reach.

        "Aang!" Katara exclaimed.

        "Up!" The woman commanded. She whipped the creature and it got up. They charged at Aang, but Appa knocks down the woman and the creature. In the midst of this fighting, the nuns took Sokka, Katara, and Adara to the side of the abbey to keep them safe. Adara watched as Zuko fire blast at Aang, but Aang stopped it by waving his glider. Aang sent a blast at Zuko, but Zuko side-stepped it and attempted to blast Aang who just spun his staff to stop it. The cycle kept repeating itself and Adara just felt completely helpless watching. Then, Adara noticed that the woman had awoken along with the creature. She yelled, "Come on! Get up!"

        The creature got up and they ran across the abbey. Appa stood his ground as the creature lashed his tongue at him. Appa was momentarily paralyzed but got back up to his feet. They charge each other and the woman seemed to no longer have control of the creature. The collision of the two sent the woman flying back. Adara glanced up back at Aang who was still dodging Zuko's strikes. He was doing well, but how much longer will he be able to hold off. She hoped that she would be able to get feeling back soon.

        I'm ... starting to get some feeling back!" Sokka exclaimed. Then, rubble fell on top of him, "Ow." What great timing. The fight kept continuing and Adara was getting anxious. How long does this stupid paralysis last? She saw the nuns come up to them, open a perfume bottle, and they smelled the contents. Then, they gained feeling.

        "Finally! Come on! We've got to help!" Adara exclaimed, but she was stopped by Sokka.

        "Wait, Adara." He turned to the Mother Superior. "That thing sees with its nose. Let's give him something to look at."

        "The perfume?" Mother Superior questioned. Sokka nodded and Adara began to catch on to what he was planning. They went to five pots of perfume and Sokka, the nuns, and her pushed them to the ground while Katara waterbended them and poured it on the creature. The lady got paralyzed because the creature got so confused.

        "June, no!" Iroh shouted. He caught this June lady and fell to the ground. Not in anyway paralyzed or hurt which confused Adara, but still glad that he was unharmed. Katara, Sokka, and Adara went over and stood next Aang and smiled at him. Not long after, they left the abbey and went on their way.

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

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

        "Yeah, we've lost too much time as it is." Sokka pointed out.

        "Don't you want to see your father?" Aang questioned. Adara was wondering about that too.

        "Of course we do, Aang. But, you're our family, too. Also, Adara... we might not have known you for long, but we consider you apart of our family now. Both of you need us." Sokka said.

        "And we need you." Katara added. Adara's eyes widened and she smiled. She has a new family. She hugged Sokka, Katara, and Aang and said, "Thank-you. This means so much to me." It was silent for a moment until Aang spoke up,

        "I wish I could give you a little piece of home, Katara. Something to remind you ..."

        "I'll be okay." Katara assured him. What was he going on about?

        "Still, just a little trinket. Maybe something like ..." Aang held out a blue necklace that had intricate wave-like carvings. "this?" That must be Katara's mother's necklace. Katara described it to her when they shared stories when they were visiting the fortune teller.

        "Aang, how'd you get that?" Katara questioned.

        "Zuko asked me to be sure I got it to you." Aang said. Adara chuckled lightly and she was just glad that Zuko wasn't going to be able to track them anymore with it.

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

        "Sure." Aang said. Katara gave him a kiss on the cheek and Adara noticed him blushing. She sighed and leaned back against the saddle thankful that her new life was back to normal.