"My Lord, we've received information from squad D" informed a Fire Nation sentry as he approached the Fire Lord in the echoing chamber that was the throne room.

"Well, what is it?" snapped Fire Lord Ozai as her glared down upon this useless citizen. His voice reverberated through the room as his children of fire flickered in their iron candlesticks.

"General Soku of squad D has captured mister Iroh, and has received word from one of his spies that the Avatar is hiding out in the Western Air Temple. Soku requests permission to invade the temple, and personally bring you the Avatar." Replied the guard as Ozai's face contorted into a wicked smile. The Fire Lord was quiet for a moment, calculating exactly what he would do to the Avatar once General Soku brought the little cretin to his palace. Another fiendish grin split across his face as he told the guard to send his approval of Soku's proposal.

"Make sure to tell him to bring the Avatar and his little posse here alive; I have plans for the Avatar that are much, much worse than death. Oh, and tell the general to dispose of Iroh; it's about time that old barnacle was out of the picture" Demanded Ozai. The sentry bowed, and scurried out of the chamber to fulfill his master's orders.

Ozai's cold, humorless laugh echoed throughout the room as he though of his plans for the Avatar.

"You've dodged a lot of bullets, Airbender. It's only a matter of time before one hits its mark."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At the Western Air Temple

"Firebending is in the breath; breathe in, breath out, and feel the heat in your lungs. When you step, be the fire; indulge in it, but do not let the flames consume you. Fire is wild, but tamable." Finished Zuko as he taught Aang his firebending lesson for the day. Aang listened intently, and copied Zuko's movements as flames protruded from the center of his palms. Zuko corrected his form as Katara prepared their evening meal. Toph was in her Earth-tent taking a nap, and Sokka was aimlessly throwing his boomerang around.

Sokka had been very moody lately, and wouldn't explain his behavior. Katara knew he was putting on a tough demeanor, while on the inside he was bottling up his feelings. Sokka always did this when he was feeling very emotional, so Katara didn't press him. She knew he would share what was wrong sooner or later, and she would be there to comfort and support him. She sighed and went back to preparing their food.

Once Aang was done with his lesson, he went and sat next to Katara. He smiled goofily as he showed off by performing simple, yet enchanting tricks as he combined his firebeding skills with his airbending expertise. Katara laughed lazily as she watched his performance.

Zuko gazed around their little campsite in the ancient Air Temple, sinking into his thoughts. He looked at each and every one of his new comrades; no, they were more than comrades, they were his…..friends. The word felt strange to him, but it was a positive sensation. After all, he'd never had friends before these four individuals.

He looked at Sokka, who although was a bit of an idiot sometimes, was a genuinely nice guy. Zuko hoped that the two of them could grow closer. Zuko glanced at Toph, who was as tough as she was kind. It was her that had convinced the rest of the group to accept him into the gang (or gaang, as Sokka liked to call it). She was an awesome person to be around, and Zuko would always thank her for giving him the benefit of the doubt. He looked at Aang next, remembering all the time he wasted chasing after him. The kid was actually pretty cool, was a fast learner, and definitely a powerful bender. Zuko was going to do anything it took to help the Avatar defeat his father, Ozai, and his sister, Azula. Zuko then peaked at Katara, who had yet to trust him. He knew that he really didn't deserve any of their trust, but Katara was different.

When they were trapped together in Ba Sing Se, Zuko admitted to her about his mother, and his horrible past. She shared her past with him too, and she actually started trusting him then and there. But when Zuko sided with Azula, it was a betrayal that was unforgivable in her eyes. He hoped that someday he could make it up to her, but how he was going to execute that action was still unknown to him. He also needed to make it up to his uncle, whom he hadn't seen since Ba Sing Se when Zuko betrayed him.

God, he'd been such a moron. Once Aang completely mastered firebending, Zuko was going to suggest going out to find his uncle Iroh. All Zuko could hope for was that his uncle could find it in his heart to forgive him. He'd hurt a lot of people, and now it was time to make it up to those individuals.

Zuko was still staring at Katara when she caught his eye, and glared into his soul. Her eyes were as cold and hard as diamonds, but just as beautiful. There was no hint of betrayal in her pupils; only that of emotionless hatred.

Zuko flinched under her gaze, but kept the eye contact for reasons unknown to himself. They stared at each other in locked concentration for who knows how long. In the end, it was Katara who broke the connection as an explosion rocked the very foundation they were standing on. She looked up in fear, getting out her flask of water at the ready, preparing for whatever danger was awaiting them. Toph jumped up from her nap surprised, but hurriedly got into her offensive stance, glaring in concentration at the Earth as she felt their invaders movements.

Smoke clogged the air until Aang cleared it away using airbending. Once clarity returned to the scene, they saw a Fire Nation general standing before them with a small armada behind him.

He smiled at the five of them as he lifted up his arm, signaling for his army to charge.