1. Fire

Aang pushed through the double doors of the royal study. The sounds and smells of the banquet lingered, and it was impossible not to share in the general good mood.

"You wanted to see me, Zuko? Congratulations on the coronation, by the way. I have a feeling things will finally start getting better."

The new Fire Lord stood facing the window.

"Zuko?"

He turned abruptly, flame spewing from his fingers. Aang barely dodged, and the fire hit the curtains.

"What's wrong with you? You'll burn the whole palace!"

Zuko pressed the attack; Aang fought defensively. When a burning beam collapsed between them, Aang assumed a lotus position and began to glow. "I don't want to hurt you."

Aang started to rise, but was struck by a searing pain and collapsed on the floor. Guards could be heard approaching.

Iroh burst into the study in time to see Zuko disappear out the window. Zuko! He ran to the sill and saw him heading to the war balloons. "Hold your fire, men, it's the Firelord!"

He was about to follow when he noticed the body on the floor. With a last look at the window, he began to drag Aang away. Others rushed in from the hallway.

"Aang!" Katara kneeled beside him.

"He is breathing," said Iroh, "I fear the palace may need you more, waterbender."

"And Zuko?" asked Mai.

Iroh suddenly looked very tired. "He… ran away."

"He what?" Mai reached the window as the zeppelin took off. The other vessels were burning.

In the room, Iroh drew heat from the flames; Katara bent a snowy foam; the others used buckets. In time the study was ruined, but the palace saved.

#

Aang was carried to his room and surrounded by the others. Katara worked her healing water.

"He's had closer calls than this," she repeated, this time out loud.

"I knew it!" said Sokka. "All this 'nice Zuko' was an elaborate plan to capture Aang and…"

"And?" asked Suki.

"I'm getting there, give me a minute."

"That was awfully strange for Zuzu," said Ty Lee.

"Maybe crazy runs in the family," said Toph. "Have you guys considered changing dynasties?"

Mai shot her a look. "I need your bison."

"I know how you feel, Mai," said Katara. "But there's nothing to track. We need to take care of Aang."

On cue, Aang let out a small groan.

"Aang!" cried Katara.

"There was someone else in the room," he said weakly. "A grey robe, with a golden spiral design."

Sokka made a quick sketch on his pad. "Like… this?"

"Yeah, only more like a real person and less like a stick figure. You got the spiral right, though." Sokka beamed.

Iroh glanced at the drawing. "Sorry, the symbol means nothing to me."

"I know someone who might know," said Aang, sitting up in bed.

Katara held his arm."You need to rest."

Aang pulled away. "I need to find Zuko. Either he needs our help or…" Mai looked away.

He sat cross-legged and concentrated.

"His aura doesn't look very pink," whispered Ty Lee. "Is it… working?"

Aang opened his eyes. "No, it isn't." He tried again. "Something's wrong. I can't cross over."

"Maybe it will wear off after you've rested," said Katara.

Aang lay back and looked at the ceiling. "What if it doesn't?"

"Lightening!" cried Sokka. "Like in Ba Sing Se. Zuko is leading a firebender rebellion!"

"Against himself?" asked Suki.

"Zuko can't bend lightening," said Ty Lee.

"What about Azula?" he replied.

"Azula and Lord Ozai are still in their cells," said Suki.

"And there is no wound," said Katara, "not like last time. Just some minor burns. Maybe guru Pathik can help."

"Finding Zuko is the priority," Aang replied.

"Young Avatar," said Iroh, "you must regain your strength if you are to find my nephew. I will act as regent until you bring him back – one way or the other."

"The Kyoshi warriors can stay with Lord Iroh," said Katara. "The rest of us will travel to the Eastern Air Temple. Mai?"

"Yes."

"Aang?"

He looked into her eyes. "Yes."

"Excellent!" said Iroh. "Who would like some tea?"

#

Katara emerged from the tent, savoring the dew around her. The sky was the same gray it had been in the ocean crossing. "Looks like another cloudy day."

"I sympathize," said Mai.

A dirt wall was lowered. "Something's coming," said Toph.

"I don't see…"

"I feel it too," said Aang, sliding off Appa's side. Sokka sat up half-awake. The wind picked up.

"We should pack," said Toph.

"There's no time." Katara pointed to the approaching cloud of dust and debris, a dark funnel within. "It's going to hit the village!"

"You're pointing to a tornado, aren't you?"

"We need to help them evacuate," said Sokka, finally getting up.

Aang opened his glider. "I'll buy you time."

"Aang," Katara held him back. "be careful." They kissed.

Aang took off as the others made their way to the village. Landing on the path of the tornado, he sat in a lotus position and concentrated. I can't fail again.

The last villagers were leaving. Katara watched the small figure facing the maelstrom. Why isn't anything happening?

The storm engulfed the figure. "Aang!" She started forward but a hand held her shoulder.

"You can't help him by getting hurt," said Mai. "He's in his element, we're not." Casting a final look, they retreated.

The tornado ripped through the village. When it passed, the party split up to search the wreckage.

"Found him!" cried Sokka.

Aang sat in tattered robes, staring at the uprooted trees. Katara ran to hold him.

"I failed."

"You're alive."

"I can't enter the Avatar state."

#

The journey across the southern Earth Kingdom was less eventful. Arid plains gave way to mountains, open sea, and finally the island.

Appa broke the cloud cover as the sun was setting, and the Temple spires gleamed before them. They landed on the courtyard.

"Guru!" Aang jumped to the ground.

"The Avatar and his friends," said Pathik. "I am honored."

"I'm afraid this isn't a courtesy visit. I was attacked. I can't reach the spirit world – or the Avatar state."

"Again? You really should take better care of your toys. Very well, lie down face-down."

Aang did as he was told. The others sat around him.

Pathik ran his fingers along Aang's spine. "Yes… I see a pending love interest has finally been resolved. Well done." Katara blushed. "Aha, there's your problem."

"Can you fix it?"

"Wait, Aang," said Sokka, "shouldn't we get other quotes first?" The others didn't laugh.

"Your sixth chakra is blocked by illusion," Pathik went on. "Only you can unblock it through insight. Something troubles you."

"What insight? That vague guidance isn't much help?"

"Snippyness will not help much either, young Avatar."

"Sorry. Lots of things trouble me. I am trying to find a friend – at least I hope he's still a friend. And my failures put other friends in danger."

"This is our sketch of the attacker," offered Sokka.

"Poor fellow," said Pathik, "seems thinner than I am." Toph laughed.

"It's a sketch! Do you recognize the symbol?"

"This is very old, even older than I am. No one alive can help you."

"Then who?" asked Mai.

"Wa Shin Tong's library."

"Yeah, about that," said Toph. "We kind of pissed him off and made him bury it deeper into the sand, maybe all the way to the spirit world."

"It is all I have."

They got up to leave. Pathik turned to Mai. "I am sorry for your loss."

"Not as much as he'll be."