Chapter 1

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The return of the Avatar spread like a fire throughout the Nations. To mere citizens it seemed a miracle; the world being saved by the Avatar now that he was back--but for the more upper-class people, specifically for the Fire Nation, he was more of a threat. Eventually, Avatar Aang was known throughout the nations alongside his team, Sokka, Katara and Toph, and now with a new addition, Zuko. The exiled Fire Prince, who was known to go after the Avatar in attempts to capture him, was now part of the team. Well--trying to be part of it and to earn their trust.

As always, Zuko was wearing a black jacket over a dark red hoodie, black jeans with holes in the knees, and white sneakers; Sokka, a blue jean jacket with thin black fingerless gloves, plain black cargo pants, and brown boots, his boomerang slung over his shoulder with a brown strap; Aang, a dark blue slicker jacket over an orange hoodie, blue jeans, and orange tennis shoes; Toph, brown long-sleeved sweats; and Katara, a white sports bra under a long-sleeved blue crop top with matching sweatpants.

In the Fire Nation capital, it was evening, and Team Avatar were walking around in their disguises trying to look for a specific person. "So, you were saying she is a good fire bender, but that's only what you heard? Which means you might be wrong," Sokka said, hand on his chin, thinking as they all walked through the crowd.

"And you think we're going to find her in this crowd." Toph responded.

"Let's not lose our hope!" Aang said, trying to think positively.

The night was fairly warm, as it always seemed to be in the Fire Nation, regardless of the time of year; even the winters were warmer here. "Yes. She's got green-blue eyes and black hair," Zuko insisted. "We'll notice that, at least. Nobody here's got blue eyes but--" He glanced at Katara and her older brother. He glared at Toph. "I don't think you'll find her anywhere," he said, half-joking.

Katara cleared her throat angrily. She took a breath when up ahead, some shouting broke out. "What's going on?" she asked, trying to see. Then a specific word caught her ear. "There's a thief! We have to help!"

Aang looked over and his smile grew big on his face. "Guys! Let's go. Time to capture a thief," he said, confident, as he took off first.

"Wait about our mission on--Oh you know what, whatever," Sokka said as he followed after the Avatar.

Toph sighed. "I love this team," she said; sarcasm was evident in her tone. The team started to follow after the girl, whoever she was.

"There!" Sokka pointed at a black haired girl, pushing past everyone, trying to get away.

"Let's go!" Aang said as he moved.

"Come on, Toph," Katara replied to her subtle complaint as she ran after Aang. The girl they were chasing was lean, and she had the strength in her movements that a bender might. It was easy to sit on a phone or in a car all day, but benders were given gifts that they fell in love with. Zuko followed Sokka's finger just as the girl looked over her shoulder. He caught her icy blue eyes and surged forward, shouting to Aang. "That's her! That's the girl we're looking for!" He was closer to Aang now, and better able to speak to him. "Aang, we can't return whatever she has. We have to keep her on our side!"

Katara looked between Zuko and Aang. If Zuko was speaking the truth, then maybe they shouldn't try to catch her. She clapped her hand down on Aang's shoulder, dragging him to a stop. "Aang, he's right," she pointed out. "Even if he isn't speaking the truth"--she gave Zuko a mistrustful look out of the corner of her eye, and he inhaled sharply--"we should just pay the shop keeper ourselves. She's already gotten away. Then we can go find her." Though they could've caught up to her if they tried, only Zuko could use his bending safely in the Fire Nation.

Sokka and Aang. Aang frowned at Katara. "But if we let her get away, we won't find her. Another day wasted," he said.

Katara snorted, her hand still on Aang's shoulder. "Really? Is there anyone that can get past us? Name one person we've tried to find, and then failed to do so." She cocked a hip and put her right hand on it, smirking. "We'll find her. We'll just have to do it after we pay the shop owner."

Sokka was glancing around, his eyes scanning the place left and right. Both left and right were two no-exit alleyways. "I don't think she got away," he said. Sure, he was dumb at times, but Sokka was smart when he wanted to be--or when he tried, that is.

Toph sighed. "There are too many people, I can't feel anything," she stated.

"Wait how do y--Oh, right..." Sokka said, remembering. Aang awkwardly smiled as he now faced Zuko, blinking a few times. "Can we check the alleyways? You never know!" Sokka said, tempted.

Katara turned to Sokka when he spoke. Indeed, though he was silly and came off as stupid, he was smart at anything he put his mind to. She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Toph is still blind. How about you all go split into two and check the alleys, and I'll go pay the shop owner?" She jingled the small cross-body bag she held; it was embossed with a red elephant and gold stitching.

"And what if she isn't there?" Toph asked.

"Doesn't hurt to try, and after that we can go back to the shop owner!" Aang said now with a nod. He looked at Katara. "Please," he said, his eyes now big. A pleading, puppy-eyes face.

"You'll have to get her out of here. Nobody likes a thief." Katara turned to Toph. "Will you come with me? I think the boys might be able to handle this."

Zuko scoffed. "We're not boys. Of course we can handle this! We'll meet you later somewhere." He turned to Aang. "Right? We could bring her to camp."

Sokka showed his bicep. "We're men!" Zuko rolled his eyes.

Katara's eyes reflected her stress. "If she agrees," she pointed out.

Sokka looked at his sister. "Aww, look at you taking the lead," he teased with a chuckle.

Once Katara addressed Toph, the two girls took off to find the shop owner and pay him for whatever was stolen. Hopefully it was not too expensive and over-the-top.

Sokka looked around. "I'll go on the right," he said and began walking.

"Me too! Zuko, I think you can handle her. Two fire benders" Aang said as he followed the water tribe boy.

Zuko nodded at the brisk instructions and snuck into the alley cautiously. He gave it a brief glance, standing there for a moment. He took a couple steps forward, barely beginning to look before he heard her call out: "Stop where you are! Who are you and why are you after me?"

***

A/N i'm so excited to be writing this! we're adding in two OCs, and i think they fit in really well with the plot. sure, there's bound to be some hiccups since they're not canon, but i think this story is really fun! you guys will love it!

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