Hey, make sure to read my first Avatar fic first, or this won't make much sense. Enjoy!

Air and Water and Earth look at Fire, beaten and tired and sad. They all to scream at Fire, because Fire is the reason the world suffers, the reason the world needs to rebuild, but the aching sadness in Fire's core pushes all those thoughts away.

Fire could not help it, they realize.

Air could fly to the heights, far away from any benders reach. Water could fall to the depths of the ocean, where no one could find them. Earth could disappear inot the core of the planet, could earthquake their anger away.

Fire could not leave. Fire had to stay, to watch each Avatar, close to the original or completely different, because the life of man needs Fire, no matter the bender or non-bender, because Fire is life and warmth, the same way Water is life and healing.
Fire had to stay, aching and hurting, until they became bitter, and their desires became twisted and wrong, and they attacked every fire bender with the desire to destroy, to kill the Avatar because they couldn't stand to see another mockery of their child.

"Fire!" Their child had called, in the years before there are numbers for them, bringing forth the spirit and hugging them. "I missed you! Where have you been?"

"Everywhere," Fire replied. Their child hugged them tighter.

"Well, don't leave for that long, okay?"

"Of course, my child."

But their child was dead, dead because the elements could not control themselves. Now, each Avatar could live long, because the spirits of each reincarnation soothed the elements whn they became restless.

Fire could not stand it.

It wasn't fair.

So, Fire corrupted the members of the royal family, made them as twisted as they were, and brought the division between elements.

Then, Aang appeared, and Fire's anger vanished.

But, they could not undo what they had done.

I'm sorry, my child, I'm so sorry please forgive me I've hurt you so much-

Fire reached out to those left, those few who still believed in peace and still had hope.

Zuko!
Do not let your father hurt you this way!
You are your own person!

With each of their calls, the good in fire benders, the protective spirit, the kind warmth, the beautiful light, grew, and Fire almost believed it would be okay.

Then, Aang was falling, because Azula-one Fire could not save, no matter how hard they tried-shot him, and the cycle was going to end.

This wasn't what I wanted I didn't mean to I'm so sorry.

Water saved the day, moon spirit guiding the boy's spirit back to his body, and Fire waited, ashamed.

And, finally, the war was over, and Fire was alone.

The elements stared down on Fire, piercing gazes, and Fire waited for punishment.

Suddenly, Fire was swept up into a hug.

"It is alright, old friend," Earth rumbled, and Air nodded, wind whipping Fire's flames gently.

"Yeah! You were just hurting! And it turned out okay in the end!" Water approached as Air spoke, and Fire watched them apprehensively. Water had never liked them, it was in their nature, especially since fire benders had hurt so much of Water's land. So what would they do?

Water formed a hand and patted Fire , and though steam rose between them, Fire understood.

"I fear you like to pretend you are fine until you are unable to," Water spoke, their gentle voice washing over Fire like calming waves.

And finally, finally, Fire's flames brighten, and they hope, and they believe, just once more, that everything would be okay.

And in that moment, everything is.

"Fire?"

"Yes, Aang?"

"The first Avatar is asking me where you have been."

"Everywhere, Aang," There is a chuckle, and it sounds happy and sad at the same time.

"Everywhere."