Author: Becky L. Sly
Title: The Moon's Dragon
Genre: Romance/Adventure/Drama
Rating: T (there will be cusswords, violence and some non-explicit sexual situation that might not be appropriated for all readers)

I don't own anything. All character belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, and Nickelodeon.

Chapter 4 – From Flames To Dust

Three and a half years had passed since Zuko's coronation as Fire Lord, and now winter was approaching the Fire Nation. Zuko could sense this due to the dry air that always surrounded his country this time of the year. The summer was always rainy, but the winter - although the temperature maintained the same all the year around – was dry, almost without any rain. That was exactly what Zuko liked the most about his winter: no cold, no ice and no water.

The first months after his coronation were the toughest, which made Zuko feel lost under so much pressure. After the Peace Treaties were signed, the first act of Zuko after his returning from Ba Sing Se was to retreat his army, bringing his soldiers back home. Zuko also exonerated some officials, known to be his father's supporters. At first, it seemed that everyone was glad about having their husbands and sons back to home after a hundred years. However, when Zuko exonerated the officials, they all were indignant and revolted, some even tried to threaten Zuko's life but as quickly as the rebellions started, they were silenced, making Zuko realize how hard it was to control a whole nation.

Luckily, Zuko could often count on his Uncle's advice, as he visited Zuko often, bringing boxes full of tea leaves.

"No Fire Lord is truly a Fire Lord without drinking these teas, Zuko," said his uncle, smirking to his nephew.

For a while, Zuko also had the company of Mai, but she ended up feeling that no matter how hard she tried to comfort him or advise him, he always seemed far away. He tried to explain to her that he was busy dealing with the troubles of his country and that he couldn't give her the attention she needed.

Deep inside, Zuko felt that their relationship was destined to end the day he returned from Ba Sing Se and made things up with her.

Mai left him, but before she did, she asked Zuko to accept the Kyoshi Warriors as his personal guard, especially after the rebellious events. Although Zuko thought that he didn't need a personal guard, he noticed Mai's concern, so he accepted the Kyoshi Warriors as his bodyguards. To his surprise, Suki volunteered to be his Chief of Guard and she brought with her some of the best warriors that she had. Ty Lee had also volunteered, making Zuko wonder if that was Mai's way of keeping an eye on him.

"Fire Lord," Suki said as she walked through the Palace internal gardens towards Zuko. He was standing near the pool, watching the turtle ducks swim in the cold water. The Fire Lord turned and stared at Suki as she approached, dressed with the traditional Kyoshi Warrior's vest.

"I thought that you'd be gone by now," Zuko said with a soft smile. After all these years, she was the closest person that he had and they both thought about each other as friends.

"I'm going by the end of the week," she answered with a smile. "I'm making sure that Ty Lee will handle everything when I'm gone," she said seriously, not so comfortable with leaving her responsibilities with someone else.

"Good luck with the cold."

"I know," she said, laughing slightly. "I don't like the cold of the South Pole, but Sokka begged me to attempt the Winter Solstice Festival, so..." She shrugged. Although Zuko had no problem with that, Suki didn't want to leave, but she was struggling to maintain her long distance relationship with the Water Tribe warrior.

"Here, there's a message for you, Fire Lord." She offered him an envelope. Zuko frowned and grabbed it from her hands. It was a message from Aang; the Avatar was coming to the Fire Nation, as he promised Zuko months earlier, to talk about political matters.

"Aang should arrive tomorrow," he said to Suki, folding the envelope and putting in his pocket. Suki nodded.

"I'll let the others girls know," she muttered smiling and he smiled back. If it wasn't for her, Zuko wouldn't have news from his old friends. The last time he spoke with Aang personally was back in Ba Sing Se, at his uncle's Tea House. Zuko didn't have news from Toph either and the only news he had from Sokka came from Suki when she visits him in the South Pole, something that she used to do once in awhile. Although Zuko knew that Katara was in the South Pole, helping her brother and father to rule the Tribe, she rarely appeared in Suki's conversation, and Zuko never asked about her either.

"Maybe the Fire Sages would like to know about the Avatar, too."

"I'll let them know," muttered Suki, ready to turn back to her duties. However, she remembered something important.

"An accident happened last night," she murmured hesitantly and Zuko frowned a moment before understanding dawned upon him

"Accident?"

"That's the word they gave me." She shrugged, taking a deep breath. "Nobody was burned or hurt, but the nurses said that she was a little bit anxious."

Zuko nodded and kept silent. Suki bowed and turned her back, leaving the Fire Lord alone with his thoughts. His sister had caused an accident, again.

Azula was committed to a mental health facility; Zuko himself put her there. As much as the Imperial Counselors disagreed with that, he just couldn't leave his sister suffering in the prison, especially after the mental breakdown she had after her defeat. Seeing his sister completely lost, dirty, and crazy tightened his heart when he came back from Ba Sing Se. He put her in a place where she could be both monitored and cared for, on an island near the Capital.

The first two months, Zuko tried to visit her as often as he could, in the big beach house that hosted the health facility. He wanted to make sure that no one would get hurt in case she had one of her angry outburst. Nevertheless, his visits never ended well. Whenever Zuko visited, Azula would get angry and try to cast her fireballs towards anyone in her way. The nurses and the firebender guards always managed to control her; however, after a few events, they decided that it was better for her, and for everyone else, to use a straitjacket and that Zuko shouldn't visit her, due to the fact that she always went down in his presence. He agreed and hadn't visited since, and any and all 'accidents' ceased as a result.

He looked to the garden around him, remembering the time when they both were younger and played in it. It didn't matter that she was uncontrollable and tried to kill him several times now, she was his sister and therefore his responsibility. So, if she'd caused another "accident", then it was up to him to resolve it.

Zuko got out of the balsa. Bai Island was small, rural island situated in the middle of the Fire Nation Gulf. The mental health facility was the biggest building on the entire island, being surrounded by smaller houses that belonged to the residents or employees of the health facility.

Zuko had informed the Kyoshi's that he was going to visit his sister, and Suki refused to let him go alone. They both walked towards the door of the building and before they could ring the bell, the doors opened.

"Fire Lord Zuko." A woman dressed in a red kimono bowed in greeting. "It's an honor to welcome you here."

Zuko nodded and stepped inside the building. The nurse guided him to the hall, furnished with red armchairs and sofas, beside some plants that also decorated the place. The woman faced him again.

"How can I help you?"

"I came here to see my sister," Zuko said quietly. "I wanna know what happened last night."

The woman's expression remained stoic. "She's fine. She just got a little bit anxious late at night," The nurse said sighing. "...When we told her that we were going to give her something to help her sleep, she got...angry," the nurse paused, glancing at her feet. "She...she breathed fire, burning the nurses holding her."

"How is she now?"

"She calmed down. The firebender guards controlled her, eventually."

"Did she say what happened?" Suki asked from behind Zuko. The woman shrugged.

"Some patients don't have reasons for being anxious," she said simply. Zuko raised an eyebrow.

"I wish to see her now," he asked. The woman hesitated, clearly reluctant. Still, she nodded slightly and gestured for him to follow.

Zuko's gaze was immediately met by the sight of his sister. She sat in a wheelchair, a straitjacket tightly binding her arms to her sides. Her dark hair hung limply about her shoulders, slightly unkempt and dull.

"Just give me a minute," Zuko muttered to Suki and she nodded, stepping away from him, ready for anything that might happen. A nurse produced a chair, which Zuko took gratefully and placed in front of his sister. He sat quietly, giving her a once over. She was leaning back slightly, her eyes closed.

"I knew that you'd come, Zu-Zu," she murmured. Zuko was staring at her mindfully.

"So you found a way to get my attention?" he asked coldly and Azula's eyes snapped open, her cold glare fixing on him.

"Don't be so cocky," she said coolly. "Not everything has to be about you, Fire Lord." A cynical smile cracked her face as she taunted Zuko, attempting to get a rise from him. His expression remained blank, however.

"What happened last night?" he asked and Azula began to laugh, wriggling inside the straitjacket for a better position.

"I just had a dream," she began. "a dream where I was using the crown, while you were using my straitjacket."

Zuko sighed heavily. "Azula, it doesn't have to be like this..." Zuko started, but Azula's loud, sarcastic cackle interrupted him.

"If the Fire Lord is saying it…" she trailed off, a mad smile dominating her face. "You don't need to worry, Zu-Zu. The next time you came to visit me, I won't be wearing this straitjacket."

Zuko didn't answer. Instead, he stared quietly at Azula as she ranted and raved.

"If you don't mind, Fire Lord, I'm tired," muttered Azula and Zuko nodded, watching the nurse grab Azula's wheelchair. He stood and followed her while she wheeled Azula to her room. Suki followed closely behind. They paused just outside Azula's room, watching quietly as she was pushed out of sight. Just as she disappeared, the crazed firebender muttered something under her breath that Zuko didn't quite catch. He shared a baffled glance with Suki, before turning to the nurse as she exited Azula's room.

"What did she say? Before she entered the room."

"She wished you good luck, Fire Lord."

Everything was quiet at the Royal Palace. The sun was starting to rise in the sky and the Fire Lord was waiting for the Avatar's arrival at the Coronation Plaza. The cold breeze of the morning blew strongly, making Zuko contract himself slightly. His personal guards were also there. Suki stood behind Zuko, facing the sky, waiting to see a huge air bison. Aside from the painted warriors, some of the imperial guards were also there, as usual.

Despite his excitement to finally see the airbender again, Zuko found his mind preoccupied with last night's events; primarily his conversation with Azula.

A dream where I was using the crown, while you were using my straitjacket.

The haunting statement swirled at the back of his mind, keeping him awake all night. Zuko fervently hoped Aang's arrival would distract him from his sister's sinister threats.

Suddenly, the Fire Lord noticed a huge creature flying across the sky, heading towards them. Zuko smiled at the sight of Appa. Sitting on the head of the animal was his friend airbender, who was slightly older since they'd last seen each other.

"Zuko!" Aang yelled as he jumped down off it when Appa touched the ground. He floated gracefully to the ground and walked towards the firebender. "It's been a while!"

"I agree," Zuko muttered sincerely. "It's good to see you too, Appa," said Zuko, looking over Aang's shoulders. Appa grunted and Zuko smiled. It was then that Momo made his appearance, popping his head up over the Bison saddle and peering down below. Momo jumped off Appa and ran towards Aang, climbing his clothes and sitting on his shoulder. Zuko frowned. "Er… you brought Momo too?"

"Yeah," said Aang smirking. "He was missing Suki." The little lemur jumped off Aang's shoulder and threw himself towards the Kyoshi Warrior, landing in her open arms. Suki laughed and rubbed his belly.

"It's good to see you, Aang," Suki murmured softly. Aang grinned widely, much to the enjoyment of everyone present. Zuko saw Ty Lee shoot the Avatar a smirk, which he seemingly ignored.

"I came here for a quick visit," said Aang "Then I'm off to the South Pole."

"Are you also going to the Winter Solstice Festival?" Ty Lee asked Aang, shooting a grin to Suki as she spoke.

"Sure," he continued. "but I needed to visit the Fire Lord Zuko first," said the monk, looking at the firebender. Zuko smiled slightly and asked Aang to follow him to the Royal Palace.

Suki walked close behind them, the remaining warriors trailing after her in pairs aside from Ty Lee, who stayed behind to care for Appa.

When they reached the palace, Zuko guided Aang to the Imperial Office, the room right above the Throne Room. It was there that Zuko spent most of his time. The room had a big iron framed window, which overlooked the buildings around the Coronation Plaza. Zuko motioned for the warriors to leave, and they bowed politely before disappearing through the doorway. Once they were alone, Aang spoke.

"I can't believe it's been more than three years since I've seen you," he commented, searching for a place where he could sit. Momo lept onto Zuko's desk, curling up contentedly. "You look different. Your hair, it's longer now" he said, sitting in a red armchair in front of the table. Zuko smirked.

"Yeah, I like it this way," said the firebender, passing his fingers through his tied hair. Zuko sat in the chair behind his table. He stared at Aang, noticing how much he had changed. He didn't seem like the kid Zuko remembered. Aang had shaped up, his face less childish now and he'd grown taller as well, being as tall as Zuko. "What have you been doing these past three years?" he asked.

"It's been crazy. After you left Ba Sing Se, Katara, Sokka and I decided to go to the Kyoshi Island with Suki"

"How long did you stay there?" Zuko asked

"About six months." Aang shrugged. "But eventually you asked Suki to come with the others warriors. Sokka and Katara left to the south again, to help their father with the tribe"

"And did you join them?"

"No," muttered Aang slowly. "they needed their time with their people." His expression was downcast as he spoke.

"Where have you been, then?"

"I found some air acolytes," he chirped happily.

"What?" Zuko frowned. "You found more airbenders?"

"No" Aang shrugged, with a big smirk on his face. "They're all nonbenders, but they like and live the philosophy and the culture of the air nomads." He paused. "Actually, they were my fan club, but I turned them into air acolytes"

"You had a fan club?" Zuko asked and Aang blushed.

"Sort of," he giggled. His laughter was infectious, and soon Zuko joined in, chuckling at the thought of starry-eyed girls starting a fan club for Aang. It was a silly thought. After awhile, their laughter subsided, a silence settling between them.

"I'm not used yet to see Suki here," Aang started saying, uneasy with the silence. "After my stay in the Kyoshi Island, I rarely saw her again."

"When was the last time you saw her?" asked Zuko.

"About three months ago." Aang shrugged. "Sokka and I visit the Kyoshi Island and we met Suki there"

"She was recruiting more warrior to come to the Fire Nation with her," said Zuko and Aang nodded.

"That was what she told us."

"Only you two visited her that time?"

"Yeah. Sokka and I were traveling to Ba Sing Se when we heard news from Suki. Sokka decided to visit her before he came back to the South Pole," the airbender said, smiling. "Toph is somewhere in the Earth Kingdom teaching some earthbenders. She's constantly moving around. Katara stayed in the South Pole."

Zuko frowned and cleared his throat. "What were you and Sokka doing at Ba Sing Se?" He asked. Aang's smile faltered. He sighed deeply before continuing.

"That's exactly why I'm here. Sokka asked me to go with him there to meet the Earth Queen. He needed to transmit some information from his tribe to her"

"I heard that he's now the Southern Water Tribe ambassador," Zuko said, remembering one of Suki's comments.

"That's right," Aang said. "But, when I met the queen she talked with me about you. Zuko, Queen Hou Ting is not happy about the Fire Nation colonies. Actually, she is not happy that there are colonies"

"I know that," Zuko said coldly, feeling a headache starting to grown. "For a while now she's been sending me letters and ultimatums. She wants her lands back and also that I take all the Fire Nation citizens out of there." He gestured to the mountain of papers beside Momo on his desk; all letters from Queen Hou Ting. Aang just nodded.

"She asked me, the Avatar, to come here and talk with you."

Zuko raised an eyebrow.

"What do you expect me to do?" He asked rudely, making Aang blink a few times, surprised with his old friend behavior.

"That's why I came here," the monk said, his tone serious. "We can resolve this together."

Zuko chuckled dryly.

"Hou Ting is a spoiled woman," he said, remembering the woman two years older than him that he met in Ba Sing Se nearly four years ago. "The people in those lands have already settled down and built their homes and lives there about a hundred years ago"

"But she is still the queen," Aang said seriously. "If she's trying to forcefully remove these people, then we need to help them."

At this Zuko scoffed. "Like what? Convince them to get out of her way?" His tone was harsh, and he winced a little as Aang sighed.

"Maybe we can go there to see their situation," Aang said and Zuko stayed quiet for a moment, considering the Avatar's words. Zuko had yet to set foot in the colonies, having not visited any since long before the war ended.

Seeing that Zuko was still in silence, Aang continued to talk. "It'll be like old times again," he said excitedly. "I'm sure that Sokka would like to help. Katara too."

Zuko quivered when he heard the last name.

"Maybe this is something that I should do on my own"

"We can help you" Aang argued, but Zuko shook his head.

"I'm the Fire Lord. This is my responsibility." Zuko stood abruptly, his gaze wandering to the window. He heard Aang's chair grate against the floor and turned to see the Avatar glaring daggers at him.

"Why are you acting like this?" Aang snapped.

"Acting like what?" Zuko asked.

"You've been practically hiding from us!" Aang said, his arms waving about as he spoke. "You haven't even sent a quick note or anything!"

"I'm not," Zuko returned harshly. "I'm just doing what I must as Fire Lord!"

"You barely talk with any of us" Aang continued talking, raising his voice. He has been upset with Zuko's lack of information for a while now. "You never left the Fire Nation since your coronation."

"None of you know the responsibilities that I have." The firebender raised his voice, feeling his throat burning. Aang shook his head.

"Really? Who do you think you're talking with?" he said rudely, moving his arms and pointing to the arrow on his head. "I did things that I didn't want to do. I took someone's life. So, don't tell me that I don't understand your responsibilities. Even so, I never abandoned a friend. Not a single one." Aang stared Zuko seriously, his voice echoing inside the firebender's head.

A burning hot anger washed over him, making the firebender snap. "Yes, I remember how well you handled your responsibilities in the past," Zuko growled, his knuckles white from how tightly his fists here clenched. "Like when you ran away and hid in an iceberg for one hundred years!"

The words exploded from him before he could really think about what he was saying. A quick glance at Aang's hurt expression and Zuko knew he made a mistake.

Aang couldn't believe what he was hearing. He narrowed his eyes and continued to talk aggressively.

"But I grew up! I've learned with my mistakes!" Aang cried. "And you should do the same!" His shoulders slumped in resignation as the young Avatar pleaded with Zuko. "What I did was wrong, but that was the past. I don't run now, and I never turn my back on someone who asks for my help."

Zuko tossed his arms in the air and snorted, making the fire in the fireplace light up. This scared Momo, who ran towards Aang to hide. Zuko ignored the lemur, shaking with rage as he glared at the wall.

"Maybe I just want to be on my own," he said coldly, turning his back to Aang.

"I once knew a Fire Lord who pushed away everyone that cared about him," Aang said quietly.

Zuko laughed. "Which member of my family are you comparing me with now?" he asked ironically.

"Sozin died alone, with no friends. He even pushed the people he loved away," continued the monk. Zuko took a deep breath and turned again to face Aang. The Avatar was staring at him, still angry with the firebender.

As he looked at Aang, Zuko wondered if he knew about what happened after his fight with Azula; if Katara had told him about them. He wondered if she was with Aang right now if she had forgotten him like she seemed to back in Ba Sing Se. The firebender felt his rage growing inside him as he clenched his fist. As much as he hated it, Aang was right; he had been absent for three years. He'd thought that if he kept himself busy all the time, he wouldn't have time to think about his feelings for Katara and how much he missed the company of his old friends. He tried to kept himself away from them, just to avoid thinking about a certain someone that often crossed his mind.

For three and a half years, Zuko had tried to forget about Katara. And for three and a half years, he wondered if she'd forgotten about him too.

"You're not alone Zuko" Aang murmured softly, interrupting his thoughts. "You have friends, friends who want to be here for you."

Zuko said nothing. Aang sighed and called Momo.

"I'm going to the South Pole," said the monk as Momo clambered onto his shoulder. "If you change your mind, you know where to find us."

As Aang stepped through the doorway, Zuko cleared his throat, making the avatar pause.

"I'll... I'll think about it," he said. He motioned towards the doorway. "At least let me walk you out."

They both walked in silence towards Appa. The Kyoshi Warriors followed them, but when they got at Appa (which was being fed by Ty Lee), they stopped and gave them some space.

"I hope to see you again soon," Aang said, facing Zuko.

"I hope so too." Zuko murmured. The airbender was ready to mount his bison when a laugh froze him on the ground. He looked back to Zuko to see if was him who had laughed, but Zuko was confused as well. They both looked around, trying to find where it came from.

And there, standing a few steps away from the buildings, a man was staring at them. He had dark hair and an olive skin. He was dressed with a red armor, similar to the Fire Nation army's armor, however, in the center of it was a lotus flower printed.

"Going so soon, Avatar?" the man asked, his voice booming through the buildings. "I didn't expect you to attempt my little ceremony."

"Who are you?" Zuko asked, his question ringing out like a challenge. The atmosphere was tense. The slight shuffling from behind him told Zuko that the Kyoshi Warriors were moving into position, ready to take out the man if necessary.

The man just laughed, louder this time.

"My name, Fire Lord Zuko, is Tai Long," he said, walking slowly towards Zuko. More men appeared behind Tai Long, all adorned in the same strange armor.

"I'm just a humble servant of the true Fire Lord." Tai Long sneered.

"And who is this truly Fire Lord?" Zuko asked, his voice level. He noticed all the men behind Tai Long, also noticing that there were more behind him. He was surrounded by tens men. He started to feel his throat burning.

Tai Long just laughed and looked back. It was when Zuko saw who was standing behind that man, wearing the same red armor.

"Hello, little brother." Azula crooned. Beside her stood the nurse from the day before.

She wished you good luck, Fire Lord.

Zuko realized what that was about. Azula was there to take his place and become the Fire Lord, as she always wished to do.

A dream where I was using the crown while you were using my straitjacket

Shit. She didn't dream about it. She was just warning him about what was going to happen!

Aang looked in panic at Zuko, also realizing why Azula was there.

Suki yelled to her girls to be ready.

"Guards!" Zuko yelled. The guards were already on fighting stance, however, they didn't move. Zuko frowned. "Guards, take her!" he screamed, pointing to his sister, but none of them moved. Zuko looked straight into one of the guard's eyes and for a moment he thought to recognize him, but he didn't know from where. The guards started to walk towards Zuko, ready to attack him. Zuko looked at Azula and noticed that she was laughing.

"They're not listening to me" Zuko muttered in shock.

"Fire." It was the only word that Azula spoke. At the chilling command, the guards raised their fists and fired.

Choas erupted. Zuko dropped to the ground, barely rolling away in time. Heat blistered his skin as the flames danced dangerously close, scorching the ground where he previously stood.

It was then that the Kyoshi Warriors attacked, many using the chi blocking techniques taught by Ty Lee. Zuko grimaced as a few of Azula's men dropped to the ground uselessly, feeling slight sympathy for the firebending guards.

But only slightly.

Maniacal laughter interrupted Zuko's thoughts, and the Fire Lord whirled around to see Tai Long launch a fireball directly at him. A gust of wind parted the flames, and Aang slid to a halt beside him. Immediately, the Avatar stomped the earth and a dirt wall erected before them, giving what little protection it could. Suki appeared behind the two, keeping guard from behind.

"There's too many!" Aang shouted. As soon as the words left the airbender's mouth, the rock wall he'd created collapsed into the earth, leaving Zuko and his companions gawking. The three faced each other in panic. They looked at the chaos in front of them and then realized that earthbenders were present too.

One earthbender ran after them and then, for their total surprise, he bent lava towards them. Aang quickly snatched control of the lava, stopping the river of lava to reach them. Zuko blasted fire towards the enemy earthbender, maneuvering away from Aang and the cascade of lava. A huge rock was chucked at them, but Aang managed to block it, sparing Zuko once again. Suki was fighting as hard as she could, but she couldn't avoid noticing that her warriors, her friends, were falling on the ground.

Zuko's mind wondered as he fought off guard after guard. Why were they doing this? He quickly looked up and saw Azula staring at him. She stood there amidst the fighting, observing him as he fell. Zuko knocked the guard out, defeating him, and glanced at the madness around him. Kyoshi Warriors were falling left and right, loyal to the end. He saw his friends, Suki and Aang, being two of the last to stand and fight. He gazed returned to Azula, and he wondered if this was the end.

He never saw it coming.

"Zuko!"

Zuko jerked his attention to the Avatar, time slowing down. Aang's eyes were wide as he gazed at something behind Zuko.

"Look out!"

He turned just in time to see a boulder coming at him. The big rock collided violently against Zuko left side. He heard a noise of something breaking and in the next second, he felt a delirious pain coming from his left arm. Not supporting the pain he fell on his knees on the ground.

When he tried to get up, he looked down at his left arm and for his shock, it seemed that his shoulder was no longer there. His sight went dizzy and he tried to focus on the scene in front of him. All he could see were blots and shades of lights.

Suki gasped at the sight of Zuko's crumpled form. He groaned once and struggled to rise, only to collapse again. The sight prompted her into motion, and Suki found herself running to her fallen friend. She put his shoulder back in the place. Zuko moaned with the pain.

"Get him out of here!" Aang yelled. "I'll handle these guys!"

"But how will you escape?" Suki asked, helping Zuko to put his arm over her shoulder. Aang blocked a few attacks before answering.

"I'll meet you guys. Don't' worry about me." He pointed to Appa, who was holding his own against the enemy benders. "Take Appa and get out of here!"

Suki nodded. She needed to protect Zuko, that was her mission. She ran with him towards Appa. Aang leaped into the air and pounded into the earth, creating a dense dust cloud to give Suki and Zuko some cover. Suki watched more flashes of light erupt through the hazy cloud of dirt, but Aang managed to block them all. Suki helped Zuko to climb the bison, however, when Zuko was finally over the saddle, a boulder covered with lava came towards Appa, scaring it and making it jump. Zuko lost his balance and collapsed on the saddle, over his injured arm. The pain that he felt was so strong that he fainted.

Suki grabbed fistfuls of Appa's fur and began yanking herself up. She almost lost her balance when the bison jumped. She hauled herself to Appa's head, holding tightly his reins. Suki looked back to see if Aang was close enough to join them, but he was nowhere to be seen. She could only see an earthbender raising a rock from a pool of lava. As fast as a blink, the lavabender threw the rock with lava at them. In order to avoid being hit, Suki ordered Appa to dodge. The lavabender came closer and started to melt the ground towards the bison. Seeing the boiled lava, Appa jumped once more. Suki held tightly its ribbons and made it took off. Appa started to fly away from that chaos.

Guiding the animal, Suki gazed into the Coronation Plaza. It was swathed in dust and ashes. A clearing in the dust and rubble revealed the unsettling sight of Azula. The former princess glared at Suki, her expression cool and calculating.

She knew that Suki had Zuko with her.

It was then that Azula smiled, a terrifying and cruel smile. Suki shuddered and flicked Appa's reigns, guiding the air bison away from Azula's sight.

"Aang, where are you?" Suki muttered, feeling her heart tighten. She glanced back at Zuko's unconscious form. She needed to find someone to heal him. Zuko moaned, feeling his body very weak. Suki knew what she had to do. With tears in her eyes, she spared one last glance at the scarred plaza before tugging Appa's reins and guiding him south.

"Come on Appa," she murmured, trying to encourage the air bison to fly as fast as he could. Suki could feel the tears dripping down her cheeks as thoughts of her friends flitted through her mind.

She left them all.

She left Aang.

Suki heard another soft moan, so she looked back again to see Zuko attempting to roll. He was trying to take the weight away from his left side. She felt her throat burning, but she knew that she had to do what she did. It was her duty to protect the Fire Lord, her friend.

"Don't worry, Zuko," she murmured. "Soon you'll be safe in the South Pole."

This was the last thing Zuko heard before he fainted once more in Appa's saddle, as they flew as fast as Appa could, carry them towards the Southern Water Tribe.

N/A: I know it's been a while, but I'M BACK! Thanks to all who favorited, followed, reviewed and kept up with the fic! So many countries! I'm honored! (EDIT 06-20-2016: vixensheart beta'd this chapter! Yeah!)

Only a few quick explanations. During the events of The Promise, Mai actually asked the Kyoshi warriors to help Zuko as his royal guard. About the air acolytes, they were really part of Aang's fan club. I know that in the canon, Aang really had difficulty accepting those people as part of his own culture and people, but three and a half years have passed in my story. He eventually managed to deal with his own prejudices and now he is very happy with his new bald friends!

I'm really really really really really trying not to delay the fic!

PLEASE, let me know what you're thinking. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Review!