Author Notes: I know, I know. "Another crossover?," you say. "Don't you already have enough on your plate and FIVE stories you could be working on instead of starting ANOTHER new story?" You would be correct and that isn't counting the 4 unpublished rough drafts I have of different stories. But this idea wouldn't leave me alone. I love the end music of each episode of The Last Airbender. I always drum along with the drums. . .. or at least I think they are drums. . . . It is silly, but fun. I'm going to say this now. This story wasn't inspired by Avatar the Last Airbender, but actually by The Legend of Korra. The idea I have is mostly focused in that time line, but to do it properly, I need to have the background of the first story involved. I'm not explaining very well, but I don't want to give anything away. I will admit, at first I was hesitant to watch the Korra series, but when I did . . . I LOVED it. I think I like her more than Aang. That doesn't mean I don't like Aang. Hell, I think my favorite Avatar is Kyoshi. She is just so cool. Anyways . . . expect this story to run long and EVENTUALLY connect between the two series. But that won't happen for a LONG time. Also this starts around the episode Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku. Another thing. Thanks to all those who replied to my message and helped me with an issue I was having with this story.

The Avatar's Phantom Chapter 1: The Box

High up in the snowy mountaintops of the lands once call home to the Air Nomads, nearest to the Fire Nation, flew a heavily wounded and bleeding white dragon. Her body was long and serpentine like that of the common breed of dragon in the world. There were other body types, but they were rarer to see.

A long while ago, she had been red in coloration. That was back when she lived in the land of fire with her mate. He was black in color and was unique in that his body wasn't the typical dragon shape. His wings were attached to his front legs. He was stockier and heavily muscled. His body was covered in spikes and his tail ended in a vicious bone blade. While typical dragons were elegant, he was brutish looking.

But once the humans who could bend fire started hunting dragons for sport, the mates knew they would have to leave for their protection and that of the egg the female was carrying inside her body.

Before they could both escape the land of fire, a group of fire benders surrounded the pair. Tanin (the male) looked back at his beloved Mangkr (the female) with pain and sadness in his eyes. He knew that these hunters wouldn't leave them alone until he, his mate, and the unborn offspring were killed and mounted as trophies. So deciding to act quickly, the male dragon flared his wings, roared at humans and attacked with a large fire blast. While getting the hunters' attentions solely focused on him, Tanin shout "GET OUT OF HERE MANGKR." He then quickly swiped his tail across the ground, creating an opening for her to take.

Knowing that he was going to sacrifice himself for her and their egg, Mangkr didn't question him. She wanted to stay, fight, yell at him, or anything besides just leaving . . . . . but the male had already set things into motion and Mangkr didn't want his sacrifice to be in vain. "I love you," she sadly whispered before spreading her wings and taking off, knowing that their child would never get to see him. She never looked back. Not even when she heard Tanin's terrifying screech of pain, signifying the end of his life.

With tears in her eyes, the pregnant dragon continued on to safety.

After traveling for a long time, Mangkr eventually found a cave that she was sure that she could lay her egg and raise the child in safety. The cave was located high in the snowy mountains. The cold snowy environment and the sadness of loosing her mate caused her red color to slowly change to white over time. If it wasn't for her blue eyes, she would have looked like an albino.

Though that safety lasted for several months, long enough for Mangkr to lay her egg, the peace was about to come to a violent end.

Earlier in the day, Mangkr had left her egg to search for food. It had been so long since she had something to eat. Usually while one dragon sat on and protected the egg, their mate would go out and get them food. But since Mangkr's mate was gone, she left to fend for herself. Heating a bunch of rocks with her fire to keep her egg warm, the dragon exited the cave since if she starved and died, then the egg's life would end along side her's.

Mangkr was just about to take down a fox antelope, when she was attacked by a group of fire benders. They were able to greatly wound Mangkr with their fire and bladed weapons before the dragon was able to make her escape. So heavily wounded, she could barely fly back and drag herself into her nest. Using the last of her strength, Mangkr curled her long body around her egg, determined to protect it, the last surviving piece of Tanin she had. The egg was a symbol of their love and she would protect it until her last breath.

"Time Out."

Everything froze as Mangkr felt something placed around her long neck. Slowly and painfully looking downward, she saw that a gear shaped medallion with a "CW" had been placed around her neck. How it was place there and without her knowledge . . . Mangkr had no idea and that fact scared her.

Looking up when she felt a strong presence, the dragon saw a very powerful spirit standing a respectful distance away from her. He look like a man in the prime of his life. . . . though the tail instead of legs and the floating in air definitely proved he wasn't human. His skin was blue and he was wearing a purple cloak. The ghost was holding a staff with a clock on the end of it. She didn't try to attack because she could sense how powerful this spirit was and how pointless it would have been. And that wasn't counting the condition her body was in. Even if she wasn't greatly wounded, Mangkr would never have been able to take this spirit in a fight.

"I am Clockwork, ghostly master of time." As if to emphasize this point, his form changed into that of a young child as if time had been reversed on him. "And I am here concerning an important matter." His tone was neutral, but held an unspoken strength to it.

"I . ." Mangkr coughed up a small bit of blood. "I am in no shape or condition to help anyone." "Not even my own egg." Sadly, the dragon knew that she and her egg were most likely going to die today. "At least we will be together with Tanin in the afterlife." She closed her eyes at that sad yet slightly comforting thought.

"I have come to save your egg."

That caused the dragon's eyes to shoot open and to look at the ghost with hope shinning in her eyes.

"Though regrettably, that doesn't include you." As if to show how much this weighed on his soul, Clockwork changed into a hunched over old man with a long white beard. "Saving you would effect the time-line too strongly. You are going to die when I leave and unpause time." His tone was flat and his face neutral as he delivered this devastating news. Normally, he wouldn't tell anyone of their time of death, but he felt she at least deserved to know. Plus he knew it would help her to make the tough decision he was giving her. A sad smile came to his neutral face. "But I can assure you that your egg will grow up to be a strong and healthy dragon. I can even show you." Before she could reply, since the ghost already knew what she would say, Clockwork moved forward and gently tapped Mangkr's forehead with his staff.

Flashes and glimpses of the future passed through the dragon's mind. Mangkr smiled at the image of her child all grown up and the one who would be with her hatching. "That child will take care of my baby." It wasn't a question. She had seen it in her visions.

"Yes he will," Clockwork stated. "That child will be in the same boat and in need of someone to always be there for them." A small sad look came to the ghost's face. "Bringing these two together is all I can do for them. . . . I wish there was more I could do for them to ease the pain that will be in their hearts."

Mangkr nodded her head. The dragon knew Clockwork was talking more about the child who would receive her egg. "What that child will go through in his life . . ." She shook her head in sadness. "He deserves something to give him some happiness." Uncurling, the dragon looked at her egg. "If giving this spirit my egg will ease some of that child's pain and save my offspring . . . Then I will do it." Moving her tail, Mangkr gently picked up her egg and held it out towards Clockwork.

"You will not regret this," the ghost of time said as he carefully took the egg from the dragon. He held it like the precious thing it was. "I promise you that."

"I better not!," growled the dragon with a threatening glimpse of her deadly teeth, even though Mangkr already knew that she wouldn't.

Clockwork wasn't fazed at all by her unspoken threat, knowing that it was coming beforehand and that there was not risk to himself. Knowing everything that would or could happen did have its advantages. He also knew the true reason behind the threat. Deep down beneath her brave front, the dragon was scared and upset. She would never get to see her baby grow up in person and knew that her death was soon to happen.

"I must go now," Clockwork regrettably said as his body change into his young man form. He then gently petted the side of Mangkr's head and the dragon leaned into his hand. Even though she hadn't know the spirit, he had already earned himself a special place in her heart. After all, he was saving her child when she couldn't do it herself. That meant a lot to the mother.

After a long moment, the ghost backed away. Clockwork was holding the egg gently to his chest. Raising his staff with his free hand, he tapped the bottom against the ground.

"Time In."

Mangkr felt the medallion around her neck disappear as time unfroze. She laid her head down, since she knew what was about to happen and there was nothing she could do to change her fate. The only consoling fact was that her egg would survive and grow up. "She will grow up into a beautiful and strong dragon." That thought caused a smile to come to her face as she closed her eyes. She wouldn't be opening them again.

Mangkr didn't move an inch or even open her eyes when she hear the footsteps of several humans quickly enter her cave. She knew it was the group of fire benders who had attacked her before. They were here to finish the job they started. Even when they circled her, with flames and weapons pointed at the dragon, Mangkr didn't stir. They didn't hesitate before throwing their fire at the downed dragon.

As the flames head towards her body, the dragon was content with her death since her baby was safe. A tear ran down her cheek as the flames engulfed her body. Her last thought among the living was "I hope Danny and Luna are happy together."

==================About 50 Years Later at Crescent Island, Fire Nation==================

Roku had just finish telling Aang about Sozin's Comet and how he had to defeat the Fire Lord before it's arrival or else the world was doomed. That was a lot to lay on the shoulders of a 12 year old. So understandably, Aang was freaking out about mastering all the elements and everything else. Roku reassured him that he could do it since the Avatar had done it several times before in past lives. They smiled at each other.

"Now Aang," Roku said. "There is one more thing we must do before we go our separate ways for the time being."

"What's that?," questioned the young air bender. His tone was curious, even though he was still worried about mastering all the elements in such a short time when it usually took YEARS for the Avatar to master them all.

From out of the long and baggy sleeves of his rob, Roku pulled out a simple box. He held it out in his palms for Aang to take. But from the way Roku looked at the box, showed the child just how how important it was.

Turning his attention towards the item, Aang observed the wooden box and realized it wasn't so simple as he first thought. It was a rectangle about 6 inches long, 4 inches wide, and an inch thick. There was an intricate design on the top of the box with a small border framing it. In each corner was the symbol of each nation in a circle. Water was on the top left. Earth was on the top right. Air (Aang felt pain looking at his nation's symbol since he was the last air nomad) was on the bottom right. And Fire (a small bit of anger flared in the young Avatar because THEY were the reason his people were gone) was on the bottom left. Aang became confused at the symbol that was at the center of the picture. He didn't know what it was since Aang had never seen letters like these before. No one currently ALIVE had ever seen it or spoken the language it was connected to for a very long time. But if someone who was familiar with the language saw it, they would have realized that it looked like a "D" wrapped around a "P". These five symbols were all connected by gears that were in the rough shape of all the nations. The surface of the design and the rest of the box were smooth. It didn't look like it was carved by human hand, it was too perfect. Instead, it almost seemed like the box had been grown into having the design and shape it currently had.

Aang thought that the box was very pretty even though the mystery symbol in the center confused him.

But just looking at the box, caused a warm feeling in the center of Aang's chest. He felt like he could understand why the box was so important, even without knowing anything about it or what was held inside. This was caused by a feeling in his gut.

The two Avatars just stood there, looking at the box. Any one else would have wondered what was so interesting about the thing. Yes, the design on the top was breath taking, but that was it. The box didn't seem as amazing as the two Avatars were making it out to be. A person entering the room would find the fact that two Avatars were talking to each other was so much more amazing than a simple wooden box.

After a few moments, Aang finally (though incredibly slowly) took the box from Roku. Once in his hands, Aang held the thing gently, but with a steady hand. He treated the box as if it was made of glass and would shatter if it fall or was even held wrong. Not knowing why, Aang just felt like he HAD to act this way. It was like the box was connected to his heart. So if it broke, his heart would be shattered along with it.

The small monk stared at the box as he asked "What is it?" After a moment, he was able to tear his eyes away from the box and look at Roku. "And what is inside?"

"I do not know what is inside the box Aang." That was in fact a huge lie. But you couldn't tell that from Roku's face or voice. It did pain the past Avatar not to tell Aang. All the past avatars knew that information. It was sort of an unwritten rule that the living Avatar could not be told what was inside the box. They could only be told by Raava and the previous Avatar incarnation once they passed on. A lot of them had cried when they found out what the box held. Some reacted violently. Others didn't talk to anyone for a long time as they came to terms with what they were told. Though all their reactions were different, they all felt great sadness at learning the information. Once they were told what the contains were, it was like a piece of them that they didn't know about was awoken.

None of them knew why it was this way and it pained them. Though since it was Raava's rule, they didn't fight her. She didn't explain or want to talk about it to anyone except for Wan, but they knew the situation greatly pained the great spirit.

That was part of the reason why Aang felt so connected to the box. The feelings of the past Avatars were bleeding through and into Aang. The other cause was Raava and how she was connected to and felt towards the contains of that little box.

Though Aang wouldn't know any of this until after his time on earth was over.

Though that information would have been very useful in avoiding ALOT of awkward situations in the future for Aang.

"But what I do know is that this box is very important and you must protect it . . . Just as the Avatars before you have." Roku's voice, while still kind, held a serious tone that told Aang something bad would happen if something happened to this box. "Under no circumstance is ANYONE to open the box." He intensely stared into Aang's eyes. "Do you understand?"

Shocked at Roku's fierceness, Aang nodded his head. Calming himself down, he asked "Since this is so important, why don't I leave it here?" He didn't explain his reasoning since Roku would already know why he suggested that. Aang didn't really have a place to put something as important as this. He and his friends were traveling around the world (heading towards the north pole with many pit stops), visiting different places and trying to stay away from the Fire Nation troops . . . though failing almost every time and stumbled right into a huge mess. They also had a fire bending exiled prince hunting them that was determined to capture the Avatar at any price.

"After today, I believe the box will no long be safe here from the Fire Sages," answered Roku. It pained him since they were of HIS sages. That wasn't the only thing. He was pained since it was his nation that threw the whole world into chaos with the war they started. And it was all his fault. If he had handled things differently, the war might never have been or become Aang's problem to deal with.

"Now." Roku's tone caused Aang to look up at him. It seemed that the monk's eyes had gone back to the box, without him noticing. "We are almost out of time." He smiled. "Let me help you save your friends and show those threatening them what the Avatar can do. . . . But only if you are ready."

Aang smiled as he tucked the box into his shirt, where it would be safe. . . . and coincidentally close to his heart.

The air monk closed his eyes as Roku faded away. Suddenly, Aang opened his eyes as he had entered the Avatar state. He then spoke, but it was his and Roku's voices that came out of his mouth. "I'm ready."

=================================Time Skip=================================

The next day, Sokka, Katara, Aang and Momo were flying along on Appa. Sokka and Katara were worried about Aang. Sitting with his knees to his chest, the monk had been staring at a box all day. He wasn't so absorbed in the box that he wouldn't talk to them, but even as he spoke and replied to them, Aang continued to look at the thing. He wouldn't even take a break to play with Momo and the lemur was clearly dieing for the monk's attention. It was weirding Sokka out and making Katara very concerned.

Before Katara could move over and gently ask the monk about the box, Sokka brought the topic up in his typical way.

"So Aang," the young water tribe warrior said from his spot on Appa head, where he was steering the beast. He looked over his shoulder at the monk. "What's up with that stupid hunk of wood?"

"Sokka!" Katara said in a scolding and scandalous tone. She too was wondering the same thing, but unlike her brother, the water bender in training had decided to try to get the info with kindness. "It is easier to catch spiderflies with honey than with vinegar."

"This is an important item that Avatar Roku gave me," Aang said defensively. He even went as far as to hold the box protectively to his chest as he shot a glare at Sokka. "It is the Avatar's," he gestured at himself with one hand, "to keep this box," his hold on the box tightened, pressing it tighter to his chest, "safe."

Seeing the monk's reaction, Sokka held up his hands in surrender, releasing Appa's reins. Not that it affected their flight pattern. The sky bison was well trained and would fly straight until directed otherwise . . or something caused him to change course.

Katara moved over and placed a hand on Aang's shoulder, getting him to stop glaring at her brother and to look at her. "It's okay Aang. I know how important that box is." She really didn't, but Katara assumed the box was since he got it during his visit with Roku. She looked at the box and said "It's beautiful."

"I know," Aang said. He was greatly calmed by her touch. "But not as pretty as you are." He wished he could say that, but the monk was too nervous and shy to do that. He wasn't really used to talking to girls.

"Why don't you tell us about it, so that thick headed and jerky Sokka," that got an indignant shout from her brother, "can understand." "And so I can too."

"Well," Aang said as he relaxed his hold on the box and turned his eyes back towards it. He held it out so Katara could get a good look at it. "Roku said that the past Avatars have kept this safe since it is so important."

Sokka and Katara waited for him to continue and give them more information. But when Aang didn't, they became confused.

"Why?," asked Sokka bluntly. He got up from Appa's head and moved towards the others, so he too could look at the box. Sokka didn't admit, since it wasn't a manly thing to say, but he too thought it was a very pretty box.

Suddenly and without warning, Sokka reached out and pluck the box out of Aang's hands. "What's so important about this thing?" It wasn't clear if Sokka was asking Aang or just thinking out loud. He turned it over and around in his hands, getting a good look at it from all sides. Looking closely (almost to the point that his eye was touching the wood) at the line that separated the lid from the rest of the box, Sokka asked "What's inside of this thing?"

"HEY!" Aang shot up and moved towards the older boy. "Give that back." Aang tried to get his hands on the box, but since Sokka was bigger and taller, it wasn't so easy. The monk could have easily used his bending to get it, but he didn't want to hurt his friend or risk damaging the box.

"Only when you answer me," teased the older boy. Sokka was only teasing in the normal way boys poke fun at each other. The problem being that Sokka was oblivious to how much Aang was getting upset over this.

Calming himself before air bender did something he might regret, Aang figured he would simply answer Sokka since that was the quickest and easiest way to get the box back without a fight. It was the air bender way of doing things. "I don't actually know. Roku didn't say what was inside."

"You don't know?," Sokka asked with an opened mouth and a shocked tone. When Aang nodded his head, Sokka looked back at the box in his hands. "Lets open it." He then tried to do just that, straining his muscles as hard as he could, but the lid wouldn't budge an inch.

"No." Aang desperately tried to get the box back, but Sokka was determined and dodged his grabbing hands. "Roku said the box is not to be opened by anyone." The Water Tribe boy was keeping the monk away with one hand on his chest while Aang tried to push himself forward, pass Sokka's hand. Aangs arms were stretched out as far as they could go, but it wasn't enough to reach the box.

Sokka just looked at Aang for a moment before going back to trying to open it. He grunted and groaned with his effort of trying to open the box and blocking Aang, but the lid still wouldn't come off. "What is it going to take to get this thing open."

Giving a big push, Sokka put a bit of distance between himself and Aang. He then pulled out his dagger, a weapon made from the jawbone of arctic wolf. It had four of the wolf's teen remain on it, proving it was from a real animal bone. Sokka eyed the box for a moment before shoving the tip of the blade into the line that separated the lid from the rest of the box. But since the box was so tightly closed, the blade damaged the the wood a bit, though not enough to open the thing.

Aang was shocked frozen in place, just watching as Sokka twisted the blade back and forth, further damaging the box . . .though still not opening it much to the warrior's growing frustration. The monk felt a bad thump in his heart the moment the blade hit the box. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Seeing Aang's reaction, Katara moved to her brother and grabbed onto the box. But Sokka wouldn't let go. The siblings began a tag-a-war over the thing.

"Give that back to Aang. It's important to him." Grunting, Katara pulled the box towards her, trying to get it from Sokka.

"No." Sokka pulled it toward himself, but his sister wouldn't let go. "There could be a . .," he whined as he twisted the box, ". . . secret super powerful avatar weapon thingy in here that could help us."

"Really?," Katara asked exasperated at her brother's childishness and obsession over weapons. "If whatever is in there . .," she groaned at a partially violent pull from her brother, ". . it probably isn't a weapon . ." She jerked the box, unsuccessfully trying to get it out of Sokka's hands. "The Avatar is all about peace and balance so why would he have a "secret-super-powerful-avatar-weapon-thingy" in a box." She had used a mocking tone when throwing Sokka's own words back at him. "Plus Avatar Roku said NOT," she gave a vicious tuck, almost making both of them fall, "to open the box and we should listen to him."

Though each Water Tribe sibling tried, they couldn't get the other to release the box. Their fighting eventually got more intense, to the point that Aang feared that they would fall off Appa in their focus on the box. Deciding to act, Aang air bended a small gust of wind at the box. He was hoping to surprise his friends, making their grips loosen enough that his small little wind twister could relieve them of the box and return it to him.

But Aang didn't take into account just how determined Sokka was to get inside the box and find out what mysterious thing was held inside. The result was, Katara released the box (since she WAS surprised) and Sokka quickly pulling it towards himself. The boy used too much force, causing his body to stumble backwards.

"Sokka, watch out!"

But the warning was delivered too late. Sokka tripped on the edge of Appa's saddle and fell off the bison. As he was going over, the box was sent flying out of his hands and through the air, going over the opposite edge that Sokka did.

"SOKKA!," Katara screamed as, to her eyes, her brother fell in slow motion. A single tear left her eye since, from their height, there would be no surviving a collision with the ground.

Aang acted quickly and, with staff in hand, jumped over the edge right after his friend and the box. He didn't open his glider right away since he had to gain speed to catch up with them.

But there was a problem.

The air monk wouldn't be able to get both the box and Sokka before they hit the ground. The distance between them had grown too great to cover before the quickly approaching ground painfully caught them.

"AANG!" screamed Sokka, seeing the monk looking between him and the box. He KNEW (or at least told himself) that his friend would choose him over the box, but it was disconcerting that Aang was even stopping to consider it and hadn't helped him yet. "I don't mean to hurry you, but . . . THE GROUND IS GOING TO BE HERE ANY MOMENT NOW." Sokka gestured towards the ground, before just starting to wave his arms around crazily in his worry and fear. "AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO MAKE CLOSE FRIENDS WITH THE GROUND. I LIKE THE WAY MY BODY IS RIGHT NOW AND DONT WANT THAT TO CHANGE."

Reaching his decision, Aang quickly grabbed his hysterically screaming friend. The monk then opened his staff before helping Sokka to get a hold of his glider. They both watched silently as the box headed for the ground before disappearing in the tree tops, where it and whatever it held inside would surely smash to pieces.

"Just another thing I failed to do as the Avatar," Aang thought depressingly.

"Well, on the bright side," Sokka said cheerfully, getting the monk's attention, "when the box breaks we will find out what was inside."

Shooting a glare at him, Aang dryly said "I can still drop you, you know." His tone told Sokka he wasn't happy.

"And I can't really tell if he is joking or not," thought the Southern Water Tribe boy.

Deciding to get a little more pay back, Aang said "And your dagger was still connected to the box when it went over." The monk knew it was petty, but he couldn't help it. Even though he was a monk, Aang was still a child and that box was important to him. The box wasn't even in his possession for more than 24 hours and it was already destroyed.

A stunned look came to Sokka's face. He had forgotten about his dagger in his fear over the close embrace with death. That dagger was made with his dad from a wolf they had hunted together. So it was important to him.

Katara flew Appa to them and the two boys climbed on to his saddle. "I'm so glad you guys are alright." She rushed forward and gave Sokka a quick hug, before giving Aang one too.

The monk didn't reply to her words or hug, causing Katara to release him.

Aang just stood there for a moment, staring downward. "Lets go find the remains of the box." Katara didn't need to ask what happened since from his sad tone and slumped shoulders, she could figure things out. He switched spots with Katara since he had seen where the box was headed and would be able to get them near to where it might have landed.

"And more importantly my dagger," Sokka said.

Katara just looked at her brother for a moment, not believing how uncaring and insensitive he could be. "But I CAN believe it." She moved over to him and slapped her brother upside the head, HARD.

"Ow," whined Sokka as he rubbed his head. "That hurt. What was that for?"

"Good! I'm glad it hurt," Katara strongly said, making Sokka cower away from his scary little sister. Though she was an angle most of the time, Katara could be a demon when she was angry. "And it was for being your unthoughtful, uncaring, and insensitive self."

Katara walked off before Sokka could say anything. Climbing back onto Appa's head, she sat herself next to the sad monk. Placing a gentle hand on Aang's shoulder, Katara said "It's okay. I'm sure Roku will understand what happened."

After a few moments of silence, Aang said "I'm not sure of that Katara. . . . ." The monk looked sadly towards the grown. "Roku was very serious about protecting that box." A sad sign escaped him. "I just . . . feel like I failed." "Again." He couldn't help thinking about how he ran away from his responsibility as the Avatar. "If I hadn't, maybe this war would never had started in the first place."

"You didn't," Katara said gentle as she gave the monk a hug. "If anything, Sokka did." Pulling back, she saw that this time her hug helped him to feel better. "Sometimes things just happen Aang and you can't stop them from happening . . . . You can't live in the past. You have to deal with the here and now. . . . . And if Roku is that upset about this," she gained a serious tone, "he is just going to have to deal with it." Her voice then gained a joking tone. "If that doesn't work, we can always sacrifice Sokka to appease Roku's anger."

Aang smiled and released a small laugh at that.

"Hey, you can't do that," Sokka said with a huff as he crossed his arms. "Besides . . . sacrifices are always girls."

"Well," Aang said with a thinking tone as he tapped his chin. Just from his tone, one could tell his mood was lightening up. "We could always dress you up as one. You did look pretty girly in that Kyoshi Warrior outfit."

"Hey." A blush came to Sokka's face. "We all swore never to speak about that again."

Aang and Katara look at each other and start giggling.

"We never agree to that," said Katara, looking back over at Sokka. There was a particularly evil and unmerciful look in her eyes. "I think it is a great idea Aang . . ." A smile that sent chills down Sokka's spine came to her face. " . . . I have always wanted a big sister." That got Sokka REALLY blushing and he covered his face in embarrassment, causing the other two to burst out laughing.

Looking back at Aang, Katara said "I'm glad to see you happy again."

"Yeah," said Aang. his positive attitude was back in full force. "And who knows. Maybe we will find the box intact and undamaged." He pulled on Appa's reins. "Appa. Yip yip."

Katara didn't have the heart to burst his happy bubble by telling him that the box was most likely in a million pieces right now.

What none of them knew was that what they were going to find would be very shocking, nothing any of them were expecting, and would change the course of their journey in unexpected ways.