Azula caught her breath as the sky bison lifted into the air at Aang's words. This was amazing! They were flying! How did the sky bison even fly? He must use air bending otherwise the laws of physics wouldn't allow for a beast of this size to successfully leave the ground. She looked down at the wide expanse of the ocean. It was so blue and big. It stretched every way only interrupted by the few land masses and a bunch of large and small ice bergs.

The water tribe village looked even more sad from the aerial view. It was smaller than she expected, and the snow caves were small and patchy, which made sense because they were built by human hands, not water bending. She looked up. She was sitting in a large brown saddle that covered Appa's whole back with Sokka and Katara. Aang was still sitting just behind Appa's head. Driving she guessed. The village and icebergs gradually disappeared as the group flew onward.

"Uh, sooo, what is it like living in the Southern Water tribe?"

Katara looked her dead in the eye. "A little different without any water benders."

Sokka said, "Katara!" And gave her a solid punch in the arm. Katara turned her head away and frowned. "Sorry about Katara," Sokka continued, "She's a little mad at the fire nation because well, they killed our mother first off and um, she's the last water bender of our tribe and has never had anyone to train her."

Azula cringed. This was going to be an awkward couple of months. "Oh, I am sorry about that, I didn't know."

Katara sighed, "It's okay, its not like you were the one who did it. It was your crazy dad."

Azula tensed up, wanting to defend her dad. But she couldn't think of anything to say. She couldn't even say, at least he is a good dad. He wasn't a good dad. He banished her for goodness sakes! Azula nodded. "I couldn't agree more. That's why we need to teach him a lesson."

Sokka looked at her, "So what's your plan of action then? You were the heir, but weren't you banished? What's going to happen after the Aang defeats the Firelord?"

Azula shrugged. "I'm not sure I never even thought of that. I assume I would have to challenge whoever is at the throne after my father. That way when he is forced to step down, I can take out the next person in line. To be approved for the challenge you just need to be of royal blood. I qualify. The problem is if the people will approve the challenge. We can't even fight if the people say no. So hopefully they will say yes," Azula said thinking aloud.

"Who do you think you will have to challenge?" Sokka asked.

Azula frowned. "Probably my brother. Even if that annoyance could beat me in a fight, he is not fit to rule the Fire Nation."

"Can you beat him?"

Azula grinned, "I don't know, we have never been allowed to fight before. I sure would like to."

Sokka narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were a master and you are saying your younger brother can beat you?"

"Well, he is a master too. He has always been a natural at the art of fire bending. He became a master at the same time as me. So, we should be evenly matched. But we will see."

Sokka nodded. "I hope you win. You seem like you would be a good leader."

Azula smiled. "Thanks, Sokka. I hope so. I don't want to let my people down."

Sokka smiled back. Then he put both hands behind his head and leaned back on the edge of the saddle. Azula appreciated the comforting words from Sokka and his toned biceps that were suddenly much more visible in the position he had laid in. She wondered if he did that on purpose. She smirked. Fine by her. What's wrong with a little flirting?

On that note Aang flipped back into the saddle to join them all. He sat close to Azula. "Hey guys, I heard you talking about the Fire Lord?"

Azula grimaced. "Yep we have been talking about him and what's going to happen after you defeat him! I am probably going to have to take down my brother to get the crown."

Aang smiled kindly at her. "Oh, I'm sorry you have to fight a family member."

"It's okay, I've been waiting a long time to teach that spoiled, entitled brat a lesson." She made a face as she thought about her annoying little brother who always seemed a little evil to her.

Aang looked surprised then threw his head back and laughed. His laugh was so infectious that soon everyone in the saddle was laughing. Sokka wiped a tear from his eye. "Who do we think we are?" He laughed, "We are a bunch of kids thinking we can take on the fire nation." That brought on a whole new onslaught of laughter. Why were they laughing about this? Azula wondered when she could finally breathe again. Probably because the prospect of death makes people a little crazy.

Sokka kept going, "And our Avatar hasn't even mastered two elements!" He fell back laughing, but everyone else fell silent. Azula and Katara glanced at Aang. They noticed that his head was now drooping a little. Azula jumped to his rescue. "Hey Aang," she said lightly touching his shoulder, "It's all right I only know one element too."

"And I don't know any." Katara piped in.

"And I can't bend at all!" Sokka added.

Aang looked at Sokka chuckled then sighed. "It's okay guys. It's just a lot of pressure. I didn't ask to be like this. I enjoyed being normal. Everyone treated me different when they found out I was the Avatar. I don't know if I'm ready."

Azula dropped her hand from his shoulder. Boy did she know that feeling. She definitely wasn't ready to leave her family. It was as they said, Ignorance is bliss. Before Azula could say anything Katara had stood up and walked over by Aang putting her arm around him. She seemed to be whispering something that eased Aang's conscience.

Azula looked down, her eyes narrowing. It's okay that Katara is comforting him, right? They are all friends after all. She was probably better at it. Azula was known for fighting first and talking later, so communication wasn't really her forte.

Azula looked up. Was that green she saw in the dwindling sunlight? "Guys!" She jumped to her feet trying to get a better look. "Is that land?"

Aang and Katara lifted their heads. Aang jumped to his feet as well. Azula glanced at Katara. She looked a little annoyed that her moment had been interrupted. "Yes, it is!" Aang jumped for joy. "The timing couldn't be more perfect," he said looking around at the group of unlikely friends.

Everyone crowded together for a group hug. "Hey guys," Sokka said, "I think we need a team name! How about Sokka and the benders?"

Everyone laughed. "So, is that a yes?" Sokka asked. Katara mimicked vomiting. Azula shook her head, then socked Aang in the arm before he could nod.

"Try something else? Anything else?" Azula asked. Katara laughed. Appa landed on the beach of the island they saw, and the girls hopped out stretching. Azula heard Aang and Sokka whispering on the bison. "I didn't think it was that bad Sokka!" Aang was saying.

Azula turned and chuckled. It was good to be with people her own age.