In the Southern Water Tribe, instead of the merry barking of seals waking up the inhabitants, it was the scream of Chiharu Aoi.

"What's the matter, mom?" Valt asks, rubbing his eyes sleepily, staring at his mom, and grandmother.

"They're- they're gone!" Chiharu gasps, seeing the empty room where a bluenette and pinkette were supposed to be sleeping in.

"Huh? Who?" Valt questions.

"Your sibling's young man, who else lives here?" Grandmother Hanako chids.

"They couldn't have gone that far mom, I'll go look for them." Valt replies, running to his room to grab his coat and clothes, before running out.

"Valt, what's going on? Your mom's screams woke up the entire village." Shu groans, rubbing his eyes.

"Toko and Nika, they're gone!" Valt says.

"Gone? What do you mean, gone?" Shu asks. "Fubuki!"

Fubuki yawned, rubbing his eyes, and stumbling out of the Kurenai family's tent. "Yeah, Shu?"

"Fubuki, do you know where Toko and Nika are?" Shu asks his younger brother, both hands on the blonde's shoulder.

"No. I remember we saw a few travelers though, but they came back with us, and they left before we came back. Or was it the other way around?" Fubuki says, shaking his head. "I don't remember! It's early, cold, and I'm tired!"

Shu sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay, okay. You go back inside, while we handle this."

"Man I wish Dad was here." Valt sighs. "Would be nice. But all the eligible men have gone off to war."

"We are eligible now. I just don't think they'll make a pit stop to get us." Shu replies. "C'mon, let's go look for them."

Quickly, the village made a combined effort to find the missing Aoi twins, but was unsuccessful, until Mrs. Aoi uncovered a note sat under the bowl of seal jerky.

Dear mom or Valt or grandmother, or whoever found this note first.

I and Nika have left on a trip, to find Nika a water-bending master. We'll be back soon, so don't worry about us.

Love Toko

and Nika

PS: don't worry we're completely safe

"V-Valt! Come quick, I found a note!" Chiharu exclaims, and Valt immediately ran to their igloo.

"Huh? Whaddaya mean?" Valt was handed the note, and his brown eyes quickly scanned over the paper, his eyes widening. "Oh."

Chiharu sat on the ground, breathing heavily. "It's dangerous out there! And how did they get away? This just doesn't make any sense at all!"

"I think I have the answer," Rantaro replies sternly, as Suoh, Fubuki, Ranjiro, and Aiger were brought into the tent.

"Oh, this sounds dangerous." Hanako chuckles, helping her daughter-in-law up.

* * * *

"So what you're saying is that Toko and Nika found 3 travelers, and you think they possibly stowed away with them?" Mrs. Aoi says.

"Yeah..." Ranjiro says. "But we didn't know!"

"Indeed, we thought they were just helping them." Suoh nods.

"And did they mention where they found these travelers?" Kana Akabane asks.

"No." Aiger looks down at his feet.

"We're sorry!" Fubuki says. "We just didn't know that they'd actually go with them."

"No one blames you 4. I'll send out a messenger hawk to our troops." Hanako replies, walking out of the tent.

"D'you think that Nika's actually going to be a master Water-bender?" Fubuki questions.

"Not sure. Gah! This is so infuriating! Toko and Nika get to go on an adventure, while we're stuck here!" Aiger groans.

"Perhaps they are going to come back soon. I surely hope so." Suoh replies.

"C'mon guys, let's go to my watchtower, and see if we could spot them!" Ranjiro says.

A murmur of agreement was heard and they walked out of the tent, amidst hushed whispers.

* * * *

Xavier, Toko, Nika, Kit, Honey, and Shasa stared at the open blue waters, as Knight paddled through lazily.

Xavier shivered, as Shasa and Honey warmed themselves up with some Fire-bending, while Toko and Nika had on their Water Tribe clothes. Kit stayed in his Air Nomad clothes, unbothered by the coldness, and more interested in the water.

"Man, how frequently do you go penguin sledding?" Kit asks.

"Not that frequently. Penguin sledding is more of an activity we do in our spare time." Toko replies.

"It's so cold!" Xavier chatters, arms frantically moving up and down.

"This is a good way to practice your Fire-bending." Shasa informs. "Focus on the warmth of the sun, and let it fuel you. Fire-benders get their power from the sun, whereas Water-benders get them from the moon."

Xavier squints at the sun, before breathing in and out and closing his eyes. He sighed in pleasure, as the warmth engulfed his body.

"Man, that must feel good." Kit comments.

"You do not know." Xavier smiles.

Suddenly, a large iceberg shot out of nowhere, as Kit pulled on the reins, Knight flying up. The passengers started screaming, as iceberg out of iceberg flew out of nowhere, attacking team Avatar and sending Knight careening to the ground. Ice surrounds them, as boats of Water-benders come towards them.

"It's the Water Tribe! We found them!" Nika gasps happily, on the edge of the saddle.

"Smashing!" Xavier cheers.

"Who are you!" An important-looking person questions. "State your business."

"I'm Toko Aoi and this is my sister Nika Aoi of the Southern Water Tribe," Toko says, and the people's eyes widen. "This is Kit Lopez, of the Eastern Air Temple. Shasa and Honey Guten of the Fire Nation, and pivotal in our mission to stop the Fire Nation, and finally, Xavier Bogard, the Avatar."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Xavier bows.

"Send a message to King Zac." The person orders. "My name is Shin Komazaki, General, and right-hand man to King Zac. Welcome to the Northern Water Tribe, my brother, sister, and welcome, friends. Follow us."

They travel to the city walls, and team Avatar stares in awe of the towering walls, as ice door after ice door was opened.

"We're finally here." Shasa gasps. "After all this time."

"Yeah. Pirates, Admiral Django Del Toro and his Fire Nation group, Fire Lord Ashtem/Theodore's lackeys, the Eyes, and his youngest kid Boa, who literally chased us half-away across the world, our near-death experiences, can't forget the Uncle of Boa, Norman Tarver or Gold Eye." Kit sighs, summarizing team Avatar's adventures. "Thank the Avatar that Django dude was stopped."

"Yeah, thank the Avatar." Toko sighs.

"But I didn't do anything." Xavier points out.

"It's an expression." Shasa explains, being the mother of these 5 young children.

"It's beautiful!" Honey sighs, staring at the magnificent buildings.

"Man, there are so many Water-benders here!" Nika exclaims.

"We'll find a master quickly, Nika." Xavier declares.

- - - -

Team Avatar is being honored with a feast, hosted by the tribe's Chief/King. Men play drums and a giant crab is set in a pool of water.

"Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe. And they have brought with them, someone very special, the Avatar, along with their friends, and pivotal to the defeat of the Fire Nation!" Zac declares, as the crowd applauds and cheers. "May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times!"

Everyone claps, cheering happily, as at the top table, the groups sit down.

"Now, Master Shinoda and his students will perform!" Shinoda and two students bend significant blobs of water, captivating Xavier and Nika. They merge the three blobs into one stream, bending them around each other.

The very next morning, Xavier and Nika walk up to Shinoda's training grounds.

"I've waited for this day my whole life. I finally get to learn from a real Water-bending master!" Nika smiles widely, her canines showing.

Shinoda is bending a stream of water as they walk up the ice stairs.

"Good morning, Master Shinoda!" Xavier greets.

Shinoda drops the water, sighing in annoyance. "No, please, march right in. I'm not concentrating or anything."

"Sorry. This is my friend, Nika. The one I told you about?" Xavier says.

"I'm sorry, I think there's been a misunderstanding. You didn't tell me your friend was a girl. In our tribe, it is forbidden for women to learn Water-bending." Shinoda informs.

"What do you mean you won't teach me? I didn't travel across the entire world so you could tell me no!" Nika yells angrily.

"No." Shinoda creates an ice block for him to sit on.

"But there must be other female Water-benders in your tribe!" Nika says.

"Here, the women learn from Momoko to use their Water-bending to heal. I'm sure she would be happy to take you as her student, despite your bad attitude." Shinoda says, through narrowed eyes.

"I don't want to heal, I want to fight!" Nika replies.

"I can see that. But our tribe has customs, rules." Shinoda. says.

Nika furiously glares at the Master. "Well, your rules stink!"

"Yeah, they're not fair! If you won't teach Nika, then..." Xavier says, furiously grinding his teeth.

"Then what?" Shinoda questions.

"Then I won't learn from you!" Xavier declares.

"Well, have fun teaching yourself! I'm sure you'll do a great job." Naoki replies, from behind Shinoda.

"Ah. This is Naoki, the student-teacher. Even though he still lacks the abilities to fight a sea slug." Shinoda says, glaring at the teal-haired male, who frowned.

"Wait! Xavier didn't mean that!" Nika says. "You can't risk your training for me. You have to learn from Master Shinoda, even if he is a big jerk."

Xavier nods. Nika sadly exits the training grounds.

"Why don't we get started, then?"

Xavier gets hit with a water blast from him.

Nika walks to a young woman at the base of the stairs.

"Excuse me."

The young woman turns, smiling. "How may I help you?"

"Do you know where Momoko's healing hut is?" Nika asks, shuffling her feet around.

"Oh! I can take you there! I'm Naya, what's your name?" Naya asks, her hair loopies swaying with her smile.

"Nika." Nika mumbles.

"Oh! You're from the Southern Water Tribe! Tell me more, please?" Naya questions, walking down a path to the left.

Nika followed her, shuffling around the snow. "It's not as magnificent as the Northern Water Tribe."

"Really? Huh. Makes sense, I guess, it really was destroyed by the Fire Nation." Naya nods.

They walk in silence until reaching the healing tent.

"Here it is. It was fun talking to you." Naya says.

"Likewise." Nika sighs and walks into the tent. "Uhhh ... Hi. Are you Momoko?"

An elderly woman, with hair the color of plums looks up. "Are you here for the healing lesson?"

Nika looks at all the young girls and speaks in a disappointed tone. "I guess I am."

"Welcome ... welcome!" Momoko smiles warmly, beckoning her to sit down.

* * * *

Once the lesson is finished, Nika goes to talk with Momoko

"Thanks for the lesson," Nika says, honestly. She learned a lot, truly, and Momoko had praised her a lot, calling her a "Master Healer".

"No problem! You are one of the best students I've had in a long time. So, who's the lucky boy?" Momoko smiles, pointing at Nika's Water-Tribe necklace on top of her guardian spirit necklace.

An image of Honey flashes before Nika's eyes before she shook her head. "Huh?"

"Your betrothal necklace. You're getting married, right?" Momoko questions.

"Ah ... No. I don't think I'm ready for that yet. My grandmother... she gave my mother this necklace and my mother passed it down to... me." Nika stutters. And I don't think I'm into guys. Girls are just... magical. Especially Honey. She's beautiful.

"I recognize this carving! I don't know why I didn't realize sooner; you're the spitting image of Hanako!" Momoko gasps.

"Wait, how do you know my Grandmother's name?" Nika asks.

"When I was about your age, I was friends with Hanako. She was born here in the Northern Tribe." Momoko says.

"She never told me," Nika says, thinking of her

"Your grandmother had an arranged marriage with a young Water-bender. He carved that necklace for her." Momoko explains.

"If Grandmother was engaged, why did she leave?" Nika asks.

"I don't know. That's always been a mystery to me. She left without saying goodbye." Momoko says sadly.

Nika walks back to Team Avatar's place of stay.

"How's warrior training going?" Nika asks.

Toko doesn't answer, he's completely knocked out and on his sleeping bag, snoring away.

"Look at him! He's so pretty!" Kit smiles.

"Kit, stop simping for Toko." Honey sighs.

"Like you aren't a simp for- Mmmph!" Kit starts, but his mouth is quickly covered by Honey.

"So, how's Water-bending training?" Shasa asks.

"Master Shinoda won't teach her because she's a girl," Xavier grumbles.

"Why don't you just teach her, Xavier?" Kit questions.

"Why didn't I think of that? At night, you can teach me whatever moves you learn from Master Shinoda! That way, you have someone to practice with, and I get to learn Water-bending! Everyone's happy!" Nika cheers.

"Smashing! Come on, let us take our leave, Nika." Xavier cheers, as they walk outside, and Xavier starts bending up some water. "Master Shinoda said this move is all about sinking and floating." He sends the water to her.

Nika starts bending the water. "I got it!" She cheers, but the water suddenly shoots upward.

"That was amazing!" Xavier claps his hands together.

"That wasn't me," Nika says, looking up.

Master Shinoda has caught them. He takes the water, freezes it, and sticks the ice crystals into the ground.

"I was just showing Nika a few moves..." Xavier starts.

"You have disrespected me, my teachings, and my entire culture," Shinoda says.

"I'm sorry, I..." Xavier starts.

"You are no longer welcome as my student." Shinoda declares.

The next morning, the three meet with King Zac, Master Shinoda, and Zac's family members.

"What do you want me to do? Force Master Shinoad to take Xavier back as his student?" Zac questions.

"Yes ... please!" Nika nods.

"I suspect he might change his mind if you swallow your pride and apologize to him." Zac answers.

"Fine." Nika sighs.

"I'm waiting, little girl." Shinoda raises an eyebrow.

"No." Nika begins inadvertently cracking the ice. "No way am I apologizing to a sour old man like you!" Two pots shatter.

"Uhhh ...Nika?" Honey starts.

"I'll be outside if you're man enough to fight me." Nika angrily walks out.

"I'm sure she didn't mean that." Kit says.

"Yeah, I think she did," Toko replies

The team head outside, looking for Shinoda.

"Are you crazy, Nika? You're not going to win this fight!" Shasa scolds.

Nika takes off her coat, throwing it into Toko's arms. "I know! I don't care."

"You don't have to do this for me. I can find another teacher." Xavier says.

"I'm not doing it for you! Someone needs to slap some sense into that guy!" Nika says, as Shinoda comes down. "So, you decided to show up?" Shinoda pays her no mind, walking away. "Aren't you going to fight?"

"Go back to the healing huts with the other women where you belong." Shinoda quips.

Nika tightens her fist, taking the water from a small pile of snow, and turns it into a whip, hitting Shinoda, halting him.

"Fine. You want to learn to fight so bad? Study closely!" Shinoda bends two streams of water from nearby pools and sends them both at a charging Nika, who falls back. He joins the two streams together, encircling both Katara and himself in a forceful ring of water. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you!"

Nika edges away from the ring, turning her body, and redirects the water away. The resulting blast accidentally hits Toko, sending him away. Shinoda builds an ice wall in defense, which Nika slides up and lands onto a nearby post.

Shinoda melts the ice and directs the full blast at her. However, Nika turns her feet, and freezes them, creating a stable footing and is able to direct the blast away.

"You can't knock me down!" Nika declares proudly.

Some of the crowd cheers.

"Go, Nika!" Honey cheers.

Nika charges at Shinoda, who draws up a wall of ice, which she quickly liquefies. She attempts to land quick punches on him, but Shinoda ducks them all. He whips water and throws her into a pool, earning the approval of other members of the crowd.

Nika emerges from pool, shakes out her hair, and summons a small pillar of ice, with a quick upstroke with her hands, where she proceeds to send a series of ice discs at her opponent by flicking her hands. Shinoda breaks up most of them using his wrists, although one gets extremely close to hitting him, as he looks at her in irritation.

Nika, now back on the ground, attacks by sending a stream of water at him. However, Shinoda generates it into a larger stream of water and sends it full force at her. Nika is sent back several feet, pushing her on her knees, breathing heavily.

I'm extremely exhausted. I can't move forward. But I have to. I've started this, and now I'm ending it. Nika rises suddenly and sends two snow pillars down at him which Shinoda turns to a dusty mist of snow. The mist clears.

"Well, I'm impressed. You are an excellent Water-bender." Shinoda compliments.

"But you still won't teach me, will you?" Nika questions.

"No," Shinoda replies, narrowing his eyes.

Nika bends over sharply, sending a wave of ice at Shinoda, who merely raises himself onto an ice pillar. He proceeds to liquefy the pillar, charging straight at Nika, who sends a powerful stream of water his way. Shinoda avoids the attack, instead managing to freeze Nika's stream of water which he slides across. He surges past her and strikes her down, knocking her Water Tribe necklace off in the process.

Nika falls roughly to the ground as SHinoda lands onto the rim of a pool, bending a tower of water and manipulates the stream overhead his opponent. He deftly freezes the water into several ice shards, which he sends down at Nika. She becomes trapped in the flurry of frozen daggers and appears still for a moment.

The crowd gasps in horror. One child looks away in fear. Nika lifts her head and begins to struggle, attempting to break free as Shinoda casually strolls away.

"This fight is over."

"Come back here. I'm not finished yet!" Nika yells, struggling deftly.

"Yes, you are." Shinoda replies firmly, before noticing the necklace. "This is my necklace..."

"No, it's not. It's mine! Give it back!" Nika snaps.

"I made this sixty years ago for the love of my life... for Hanako." Shinoda actually looks sad and forlorn, as Nika unfreezes the ice, surprised.

"My Grandmother was supposed to marry you?" Nika asks, quietly.

"I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged. I thought we would have a long, happy life together. I loved her." Shinoda quietly says, holding the necklace.

"But she didn't love you, did she? It was an arranged marriage. Grandmother wouldn't let your tribe's stupid customs run her life. That's why she left." Nika says. "It must have taken a lot of courage."

"Wait, you mean this man!" Toko points at Shinoda, who hands back the necklace to Nika. "Was supposed to be our grandfather?"

"A non-bender?" Shinoda questions, looking at Toko.

"Everyone, bar Nika isn't a bender. The Fire Nation took all of ours." Toko says.

Shinoda stares out at the sky, as Zac walks out.

"Shinoda, may Naoki send out a message to my brother, Count Nightfell?" Zac asks.

"Uh, yes. Of course. Naoki?" Shinoda nods.

Naoki nods, walking towards Shinoda.

"Well, I guess we'll take our leave now." Shasa says, taking Kit, Honey, Xavier, Toko, and Nika away.

"Wait!" Shinoda says, stopping the group. "I will teach Xavier and Nika."

"Wait. Really?" Nika gasps.

"Yes." Shinoda nods.

The next morning, at Shinoda's class.

Xavier turns a blob of water into a stream and awkwardly sends it off.

"Not bad, not bad." Shinoda laughs. "Keep practicing and maybe you'll get it by the time you're my age."

Xavier turns around, annoyed, but quickly smiles when he notices Nika coming up. "Nika! Finally, a familiar face!"

"What do you think you're doing?" Shinoda pauses as Nika looks up. "It's past sunrise. You're late." He adopts a softer tone, looking at Nika.

"Good to see you here." Xavier smiles.

"You, too." Nika nods.

A few weeks later, Xavier and Nika have definitely shown quick signs of improvement, as on their very last day at the Northern Water Tribe, Shinoda decides to have Nika spar against his students.

Nika is set to spar with Naoki. She eyes her opponent with a look of determination while Naoki looks at her with a calculating glance. He summons a globule of water, freezes it into an iceball, and fires it at her. Nika, however, is quick to melt the iceball and, turning around swiftly, bending a wave of water at him, which she proceeds to freeze, thus suspending Naoki in an icy trap.

"Nice try, Naoki." Shinoda says, displeased. "A couple of more years and you might be ready to fight a sea sponge."

Naoki unfreezes the ice, glaring profusely at Nika

"Would anyone care for a rematch with Nika?" Shinoda asks.

Shinoda looks at several students sitting by the sidelines, but all of them are tired or unamused.

"May I have another go?" Xavier asks.

"Go ahead, Pupil Xavier." Shinoda nods.

Nika and Xavier raise their hands, slowly circling each other. Xavier quickly throws a quick stream of water at Nika, who deflects it, using that water to encase her arms. She quickly shoots the water arms at Xavier, grabbing him and raising him up in the air, before dropping him.

Xavier quickly turns some water on his shoes into ice boots, which he uses to safely land on the dojo's rooftop and skiing down safely, before kicking some water at Nika, who redirects it and shoots a big ice spear at Xavier, who dodges it quickly.

Nika raises up a water-like octopus stance, the water dancing around her like seaweed in an ocean, while Xavier twists water around him like two rings, the water traveling in circles around each other. They study their movements closely, before Nika quickly sends all of her controlled water at Xavier, trapping him in a pillar of ice. The water around Xavier drops, creating puddles.

"Guess you beat me again, Nika." Xavier smiles warmly, as he melts the ice.

Nika, Xavier, you've advanced more quickly than any student I've ever trained. Nika, you have proven that with fierce determination, passion, and hard work, you can accomplish anything." Shinoda smiles warmly. "Everyone, you are dismissed. Naoki will teach you tomorrow."

"Wait, why?" Nika questions.

"I've decided to go to the South Pole. Some other benders and healers want to join me. It's time we helped rebuild our sister tribe." Shinoda replies.

"What about Xavier? He still needs to learn more Water-bending." Nika says.

Shinoda nods. "Well, then he better get used to calling you, Master Nika."

"Wait, you mean." Nika starts, as the students stop and look at Nika in admiration, and jealously.

"Of course. You have raw talent and fierce determination. You have proved to me, without a doubt, that you are much more capable than almost anyone here in the North." Shinoda nods.

"Man, you are one lucky girl Nika. Not everyone gets to be a Master that quickly." Xavier says, swinging an arm around her.

"I. Wow. Uh. Thank you so much." Nika bows.

"We leave at daybreak if you want any directions to the Earth Kingdom," Shinoda says, leaving.

The next day, Team Avatar flies above a Water Tribe ship, as Shinoda motions to them. They land, and

Shinoda holds up a flask of water. "Nika, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it."

Nika accepts the amulet and hugs Shinoda. "Thank you, Master Shinoda."

Shinoda then hands Xavier a box of scrolls. "Xavier, these scrolls will help you master Water-bending. But remember, they're no substitute for a real master. Everyone else... take care. We will see you soon, I hope. Call us if you need any help."

"We will don't worry." Shasa nods.

Let's go, Knight!" Kit yells, as Knight flies up and away.

"Say hi to everyone for us!" Nika and Toko yell, waving.

Next up... The chronicles of Ba Sing Se!

Summary: In the great Ba Sing Se, team Avatar finds out about the Day of the Black Sun, where a solar eclipse happens, where Fire-benders are powerless, on August 10th in the library of Ba Sing Se. They try to get an audience with the Earth King, but the Dai Li aren't what they seem. There is no war in Ba Sing Se, right?