The Guru

The avatar gang was sitting on Appa with the Earth King, having just watched the Earth Kingdom be overpowered by the Fire Nation. The Earth King looked back miserably at what used to be the proud city of Ba Sing Se. But one thought struck him, if the city was destroyed, then where was he going to live? And why were they landing?

"Not to be rude, Avatar, but where are we?"

"Where we can find a wise guru that helped me master the avatar state. I think he might know what we should do now."

Aang saw the guru that had helped him just a few days ago, and jumped off Appa. The guru was sitting on the ground with his head in his hands. And was he…crying? Aang sat down next to the guru, and waited for him to speak.

"Avatar, I had a vision of the Earth Kingdom capitol being overtaken. And your face unfortunately tells me my vision is correct."

"I came here to ask you for help. Since you already know what happened at the Earth Kingdom, what do you think we should do now?"

"The Fire Nation gained control of the Earth Kingdom by rooting an elite team inside Ba Sing Se. They were undercover, and gained important secrets during their stay. They destroyed the Earth Kingdom from the inside-out. You must do the same."

"Are you trying to tell me that we need to go undercover into the Fire Nation capitol?"

"Yes, young Avatar. There is a large hotel in the heart of the Fire Nation called The Golden Flame. The most important officials of the Fire Nation meet there to discuss battle plans. Make friends with them and infiltrate the Fire Nation's plans of battle. Report the information to the Earth King, who will be staying with me, to remain safe."

"That sounds like a very good plan. Thank you wise guru," said Katara.

"There is one slight problem, however. The hotel offers rooms to married couples only. Aang, it must appear as though your loyalty is pledged to this young lady," the guru said, pointing to Toph.

"WHAT?" Katara, Aang, and Toph yelled. Sokka looked at the guru as though he had suggested they eat elbow-leeches.

"Yes, I'm afraid that you must pretend to be wed to the earth-bender, and Katara must pretend to be married to her brother. There are too many complications in other couplings. It will be harder to control the avatar state if you were further connected to the water-bender," the guru stated simply. Katara looked down at her hands. She had never imagined that her friendship with Aang would be a problem. Toph also bowed her head. She had rather hoped to spend more time with Sokka. But Aang was her friend, at least she didn't have to share a tent with Katara, like she did the previous night.

"Is this the only way to infiltrate the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked, seeing the looks on his friend's faces.

"No, you could simply charge head-first into the Fire Nation. However, that could be very dangerous, and very painful."

So it was agreed, they would go to this hotel and infiltrate the Fire Nation, that being the least potentially dangerous way to take down the Fire Nation.