I don't own Avatar the last airbender just my Oc.
Chapter 9
"Let's go, Appa! Come on boy!" Aang pleaded, tugging on Appa's reins, Appa didn't move a single muscle as he roared and Aang looked down sadly, "Look, I'm sorry but Lils, Katara and Sokka aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us. If they got hurt, I'd never forgive myself."
"So get your big butt off the ground and let's go!" Aang shouted and yanked on the reins again only to fall backwards onto his own behind.
"I think his big butt is trying to tell you something." Sokka said Aang turn to Katara and Sokka, Liling walked towards Aang with a slight pout.
"Please don't go Aang." Katara begged desperately, "The world can't afford to lose you to Fire Nation. Neither can I."
"Aang, you can't do this alone."Liling said crossing her arms over her chest. "If you try to leave I'll just hunt you down like a certain fire nation boy does and trust me you don't want me hunting you. It'll be a lot worse."
Aang gulped knowing that once Liling has something in her mind she always does it, he glanced away from her but an image of the comet appeared in his mind and he jumped to his feet.
"But I have to talk to Avatar Roku to find out what my vision means! I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice!"
He Airbended himself on to the top of Appa's large head.
"That's today!" Aang pulled the reins to get Appa to fly but was blocked by Liling,Katara and Sokka.
"We're not letting you go into the Fire Nation, Aang." Katara stated firmly.
"At least, not without your friends. We got your back." Sokka said with a grin as Momo perched on Aang's shoulder then Appa licked Sokka, causing him to cringe, "EW!"
"It's a long journey to the Crescent Island." The village leader said, stepping towards Aang, handing the bundle of supplies to him, "You'll have to fly fast to have any chance of making it before sundown. Good luck."
Aang look at the village leader while Sokka, Liling and Katara crawled into the saddle.
"Thank you for your—"
"Go!" The village leader cut Aang off, pointing towards the ocean and Aang snapped Appa's reins.
"Appa, yip-yip!" Aang shouted and with a rumbling growl Appa leaps into the air.
"If we head in this direction and at this speed we can make it."Liling said sitting next to Aang.
The village leader sighed quietly and pressed a finger to his temple as he left one of the intact buildings in his village only to gasp when he saw Zuko standing in front of him.
"Having trouble sleeping?" Zuko asked rhetorically and shoved the leader back into the house, knocking down the door then approached his fallen form, "Seen the Avatar lately?"
"We've got a long way to go, boy!" Aang urged the sky bison from his position on his head, snapping the reins gently to encourage Appa to fly faster.
"Fly fast Appa! There's a bushel of Apples in it for you!" Liling encourage the bison.
Liling, Katara and Sokka watched the ocean below them fearfully, keeping an eye out for any Fire Nation ships. Aang peered back at them then turned forward again and urged Appa to go a bit faster.
'Home...we'll be there soon...'Liling thought
"Sailing into Fire Nation waters…" Iroh grumbled behind his nephew, "Of all the foolish things you've done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish!"
"I have no choice, Uncle." Zuko replied looking into the telescope.
"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you!?" Iroh demanded angrily before his tone turned fearful, "What if you are caught?"
"I'm chasing the Avatar!" Zuko snarled whirling away from the telescope to look at his uncle. "My father will understand why I am returning home!"
"You give him too much credit." Iroh observed, crossing his arms over his chest, "My brother is not the understanding type."
Zuko scowled slightly and turned back to the telescope, catching sight of the Avatar's sky bison in mid-flight, "There they are. Helmsman! Full steam ahead!"
Katara's eyes widened when she saw the familiar Fire Nation warship.
"Uh, Aang" She called him. "We've got trouble."
"Yeah!" Sokka said looking over his sister's shoulder in panic, "And it's gaining Fast!"
Liling quickly moved towards the very back to know what was the trouble.
"Ah Seriously?! This is the worst possible time!" Liling groaned glaring at the warship, she took out a mini telescope from her robes sleeve getting a better look on who is after them."Appa go faster! Aang! Keep on the reins! It's the scar boy that's after us! He doesn't give up!"
Zuko watched as the catapult was raised onto the deck and the nasty oil was poured over the projectile, one of his men holding a sword in preparing to launch the steaming ball on Zuko's orders.
"Ugh, really Prince Zuko, couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?" Iroh complained, taking a fan out of his robes sleeve and waving it at his face.
Zuko ignored his uncle and lit the stinking ball with a fire blast, "On my mark!"
He waited a moment then waved his hand down, "Fire!"
The soldier cut the rope and the flaming projectile was catapulted towards Appa.
"Fireball!" Katara screamed, looking back at Aang.
"I'm on it!" Aang called back, steering Appa to the side to avoid the ball of fire.
"I really want to punch that guy! One of these days, Zuko just one of these days!" Liling snapped pinching her nose along with her three friends as the stench of the passing fireball made her gag. "Ah, That really stinks!"
"We have to get out of his range, before Zuko shoots another hot stinker at us!" Katara shouted, covering her nose with her hand.
"Can't you make Appa go any faster?" Sokka demanded and gagged at the smell.
"He could..."Liling said
"Yeah," Aang said then cringed slightly, "There's just one little problem…"
Liling looked up ahead and her eyes widen."Holy smokes..…" Liling mumbled, staring wide-eyed at what was in front of them.
Zuko's good eye became wide seeing the scene in front of him. "A blockade…"
"Technically you are still in Earth Kingdom waters." Iroh stated, wincing slightly when he noticed the two rows of Fire Nation ships began to ready their catapults, "Turn back now and they cannot arrest you!"
"If we fly north, we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade." Aang called back to the three sitting fearfully in the saddle, "It's the only way!"
"There's no time!" Katara protested, crawling to lean against the front of the saddle.
"Katara's right! There's not enough time!" Liling agreed.
"This is exactly why didn't want you guys to come!" Aang snapped, looking over his shoulder at his friends, "It's too dangerous!"
"And that's exactly why we're here." Katara snapped back sternly.
"I'm not letting my friend get captured by the soldiers!"Liling snapped.
"Let's run this blockade!" Sokka cheered boldly as he, Katara and Liling grinned at Aang confidently.
"Lets show these guys who's boss!" Liling cheered raising her fist up in the air."Like Sokka said Let's run the blockade and go to the island."
Aang's expression became determined and he turned to face the blockade. "Appa, yip-yip!"
Appa roared and slapped his tail, picking up speed as he sailed through the air rapidly.
"He's not turning around!" Zuko exclaimed in surprise as he watched Appa soar even faster towards the blockade.
"Please, Prince Zuko!" Iroh begged his nephew, "If the Fire Nation captures you, there's nothing I can do! Do not follow the Avatar."
"I'm sorry, Uncle." Zuko whispered softly and bowed his head before turning to face his men, pointing to the blockade, "Run the blockade!"
"The Avatar…" Commander Zhao mused then lowered the telescope to the small ship. "And the banished prince. This must be my lucky day."
"Commander Zhao, what are your orders?" A soldier asked
"Shoot the bison down, captain."
"But there's a Fire Nation ship out there, sir!" the captain exclaimed in surprise, "One of our own! What if it's hit?"
"So be it." Zhao stated coolly "It belongs to a traitor."
"Ignite." Zhao ordered and the projectiles were lit on fire, "Launch!"
"AH!" Aang, Liling, Katara and Sokka screamed as the fireballs flew towards them, Appa dodged trying to avoid being hit, some of the fireballs exploding as they passed.
Liling yelped as Appa flew directly through one of the fireball that exploded, Appa's fur darkening with soot.
She leaned out of the saddle to slap out the embers that were on Appa's fur along with Katara, Sokka and Momo.
"Appa, are you okay?" Aang questioned worriedly and Appa roared in answer, Aang saying that he's okay so Aang pulled the reins and they soar higher into the sky.
The fireballs rain down around Zuko's ship, narrowly missing the ship and sending a large stream of ocean water crashing over the deck, the crew members running for safety to avoid being pulled into the ocean.
"Prince Zuko!" One of the engineers cried out to the prince after a fireball hit the left side of the ship, "The engines are damaged! We need to stop and make repairs!"
Zuko spun away from the man and glared towards the blockade, ordering over his shoulder, "Do not stop this ship."
"Launch!" Zhao commands and the catapults launch their flaming missiles towards Appa flying high overhead.
The four teens scream as more fireballs burst from the clouds, heading straight toward them and Aang jerked Appa's reins to the left in an attempt to dodge the fire balls. Sokka, Katara and Liling clutch the sides of the saddle tightly and close their eyes against the smoke around them.
Appa dodged as many of the fireballs as possible until two collide in front of him, the smoke stinging his eyes causing him roar and jerk back, accidently throwing Sokka from the saddle. Katara screamed and reached for her brother. Liling leaned forward and tried to grab Sokka's hand, she reached successfully until she was offbalance causing her to go overboard along with him. Sokka and Liling screamed loudly as they fell through the clouds.
"Liling! Sokka!" Aang cried out desperately then jerked Appa's reins down so that the sky bison dove speedily towards the two teens.
Sokka screamed and clutched Liling tightly while Liling who was also screaming, Their screams were loud getting closer and closer to the ocean.
"I'm gonna try something! Don't let go!" Liling screamed as she thought that she could bend the water to make a soft landing for them and hopefully not die from this. But thank the spirits Appa appeared underneath them, where Katara was reaching her hand out.
Sokka grasped Katara's hand, keeping Liling wrapped around tightly in his arm.
Both of them got into the saddle safely. Sokka didn't let her go, Liling was afraid to let go as well not wanting to let anyone fall of the saddle.
Appa roared loudly as his feet skim the ocean before he rises slightly above it while Katara, Liling and Sokka clutch the front of the saddle tightly.
A fish jumped out of nowhere and smacked Sokka in the face, knocking him onto his back, then Momo jumped up and caught the fish before it could dive back into the water. The three clutched the front of the saddle again as Aang flew Appa closer and closer to the Fire Nation blockade, fireballs striking the water all around them.
"Ready…" Zhao called out to his soldiers, holding his hand up and waiting to give the signal.
Aang flew closer to the blockade with a look of determination on his face while Sokka, Liling and Katara clutched the saddle rim tightly, their heads ducked down.
Zhao's eyes narrowed then he slashed his hand downward, "Fire!"
The catapult behind him launched the fireball directly at Appa.
Aang closed his eyes then snapped it open, unafraid as he leapt from Appa's head and Airbended himself towards the fireball. Aang spun himself around to gather momentum then kicked his foot out, sending a power blast of air towards the flaming projectile causing it to explode in a large smoky blast.
Sokka and Katara held Aang when he flew back into Appa's head with a grunt then he grabbed the reins Liling watched using her mini telescope surveying the enemy, Appa safely flew over the stunned Fire Nation soldiers as they watched from their ships.
"We made it!" Aang exclaimed ecstatically, punching his fist in the air.
"Yeah! Now onto the fire nation island!" Liling gave a cheer and the Water Tribe siblings grimaced in terror. "Just keep the momentum Appa! Aang head north."
"We got into the Fire Nation." Sokka stated meekly, "Great."
"Yeah it is!" Liling said she turn but realized something noticing her hair was now long and loose."Aw man! I must've lost it!"
"Lost what?" Sokka asked
"The white bun holder you doofus! "Liling panicked looking around the saddle."I must've lost it when we were falling..."
"You're upset about losing some girly thing!" Sokka said in disbelief.
"It's not a girly thing Sokka!" Liling snapped "My mom made that for me..." her eyes downcast slumping her shoulders. Katara placed her hand on Liling's shoulder. Liling looked up at Katara.
"It'll be okay Liling."Katara said softly.
"You're right it's better than being barbecued..."Liling sighed. She ran her hand through her long hair. "It's just...she made it just for me...it took her three days to get the materials to make it.."
"Where do you think the Avatar is headed, sir?" the captain asked Zhao curiously.
"I'm not sure." Zhao replied and turned to look at Zuko's smoking ship, "But I bet a certain banished prince will know."
"We're on a collision course!" Iroh exclaimed as he watched two large Fire Nation ships sail towards each other, about to cut off Zuko's ship's path.
"We can make it." Zuko stated confidently as he watched the gap between the two ships grow smaller.
Zhao's captain stood in front of a small squad of Firebenders behind Commander Zhao.
"The boarding party is ready to apprehend Prince Zuko, sir." The captain reported calmly.
"Wait!" Zhao ordered quickly, holding his hand up to stop the men, "Cut the engines and let them pass."
"Sir?" the captain questioned in confusion.
Zuko watched through narrowed eyes as each ship in the blockade grinds to halt, allowing his ship to pass untouched. Zuko glared up at Zhao from the top deck of his ship.
Iroh stroked his beard curiously as he and his nephew look behind them at the Fire Nation ships in silence as they sail safely through.
Liling played with her hair silently moping at her lost item, she went in her bag to pull out a ribbon to tie her hair in a low ponytail.
As the day passed and the sun reached its highest point Sokka shifted to the back of the saddle where he slumped forward while Katara leaned her arms over the front of the saddle, Liling lied on the other side, while Aang lounged against the sky bison's neck with his hands behind his head.
"How long do we get there?" Sokka asked
Liling looked over with her mini telescope looking ahead.
"What's that?" Sokka pointed at the mini cylindrical tube.
"It's a mini telescope, my father gave it to me for my 15th birthday." Liling said "It works like a normal size telescope and its easy to carry around. A friend of his was always making random inventions. Some villagers called him crazy but my dad thought he was a genius."
Sokka nodded and held the tube, he stuck his eye in it and freaked out when momo scared him since the telescope made him look like he was very close, tossing the tube in the air, Liling quickly caught it and glared at them. She turn and looked ahead.
"I think maybe a few more minutes until we reach the island, once we land we have to be careful since the temple is near the volcano."Liling said focusing her gaze ahead, earning a curious look from Sokka and Katara. "And once we enter there, we might bump into some Fire Sages they guard the temple or if we're lucky it might be abandoned."
"And how do you know all of that?"Sokka asked
"I used to go there when I was small."Liling said "My dad took me there a few times so that I could see Roku's statue and he would tell me stories about Roku."
"Again, why would he even take you there? For a history lesson?"Sokka added.
"Yeah, he wanted me to learn about the culture, spirits and stuff."Liling answered "Maybe He just thought it might come in handy."
"It's kinda suspicious that your father would even take you to the firenation."Sokka said
"Well a hundred years ago things were different." Liling said she turn her head to him.
"I still don't like it, I think your dad wasn't thinking straight, firebenders are nothing but Savages not respecting anything or anyone that's -" Sokka was cut off.
"What if I was a firebender? What if I showed you a spark of fire in my hand right now? What would you do?"Liling snapped clearly irritated at what the water tribe boy was saying, she was even thinking of telling them why she knew the temple but again Sokka talking badly about the firenation, Liling still didn't tell them that she is from a mixed family of watertribe and firenation.
"Oh let me guess you'd swing your boomerang at me! Then you'd jump to conclusions thinking that I'll roast your flat behind! Before you'd even give me a chance to talk!" Liling continued.
"Why are you even getting so worked up?!" Sokka snapped "You don't firebend! I don't get you!"
Liling tighten her fist. "You know what Elephant ears! Just forget it!" Liling snapped walking up front sitting on top of Appa's head, petting the large bison's fluffy head.
Liling bit her bottom lip seeing the sun slowly going down. She took out her mini telescope and looked ahead, a small smile etched in her face seeing the island.
'We're getting close...'Liling thought thinking back of her first visit to the temple.
'Daddy, why are we here?' Seven year old Liling asked walking to the fire temple.
'We are here because I want to show you something.' Her father said 'I want you to see Avatar Roku's statue.'
'Why?' Liling asked
'Because I want you to know all of our history even the past Avatar of what he did.' He said 'It's a shame he died, ever since he died I felt an uneasiness I hope it's just my imagination. Once they find the next Avatar I'm sure he'll do a fine job.'
Both of them made their way to a very large temple.
'This is the temple.' He said 'Time for your next lesson.'
"There it is!" Aang cried out making Liling snap out of her thoughts. He lifted his head and his three friends looked over behind his shoulder. "The island where Roku's dragon took me."
"Wow…..it looks the way..as if I never left." Liling mumbled looking at the large, crescent shaped island and the smoking volcano in the center as Appa landed.
"You did it buddy!" Aang said happily as he hugged Appa's face after they had landed at the stone bridge that lead up the side of the mountain and ended at the five story Temple. "Nice flying."
Appa rolled onto his side, waving three of his legs into the air lazily as his tongue lolled out, clearly tired of all the flying.
"Ah, you must be exhausted." Katara cooed rubbing the sky bison's belly affectionately.
"Your such a good boy!" Liling cooed taking out an apple from her sleeve. "Here's a treat just for you."
"No thanks Lils! I'm good!" Sokka called out happily as he stretched behind the two girls, "I'm feeling Refreshed and ready to fight some Firebenders!"
"We were talking to Appa." Katara stated drily, looking at her brother with a hand on her hip.
"Yeah, he did all of the work." Liling stated.
Sokka paused in his stretching then gestured to Momo who was hanging on a tree branch. "Well… I was talking to Momo."
"Yeah you were..." Liling said dryly she turned back to rub Appa's belly and fed Appa the apple she held.
"I don't see any guards." Sokka observed as the foursome plus Momo peered over a small wall below the steps leading into the temple.
"The Fire Nation must have abandoned the temple when Avatar Roku died."Katara concluded.
"I did say it could happen." Liling said "My dad took me to the temple a few times so I should know which way we should go."
"It's almost sundown." Aang pointed out quietly as he leapt to his feet. "We better hurry!" Aang rushed up the steps and towards the front door with Liling, Katara and Sokka with Momo.
The four tip-toe through the enormous entrance.
"Okay, if we go to the-"
"Wait." Sokka whispered as Liling paused, "I think I heard something."
The four turn around and froze when they saw firebenders dressed in red and wearing tall hats standing in the hallway.
"We are the Fire Sages." The old man in front of the five others stated, "Guardians of the temple of the Avatar."
"Great!" Aang exclaimed happily as he walked forward, "I am the Avatar!"
"We know." The lead Fire Sage said then inhaled briskly and punched a blast of fire at the four teens.
"Watch out!" Liling yelped. Reacting fast bending some water from her canteen to create a water shield, fire and water colliding as it vaporized cancelling each other out.
Aang leapt up deflected the other fire blasts the Sages sent at them using Airbending, "I'll hold them off. Run!"
"But!" Liling started until Aang looked at her nodding his head, Liling nodded back as if they knew what they were going to do. "Guys! Follow me!" Liling ran in front with the water tribe siblings behind her. The trio raced down the hallway in front of them, leaving Aang to deal with the Fire Sages.
Once he saw his friends disappear down the hallway, Aang leapt forward and crouched, spun his leg across the ground, sending a blast of air at the Fire Sages legs causing them to fall to the ground with surprised gasps. Aang quickly jumped to his feet and raced after his friends.
"If the Avatar contacts Roku, there's no telling how powerful the boy will become!" The head Fire Sage snapped as he and the other Sages got to their feet, "Split up and find him!"
Liling, Katara and Sokka raced through the hallways, pausing when Aang suddenly ran in front of them and darted in the direction the three teens had been originally heading in.
"Follow me!" Aang shouted over his shoulder.
"Do you know where you're going?!" Sokka demanded as he, Liling and Katara raced after Aang.
"I do!" Liling chimed in.
"Nope!" Aang shouted back, turning a corner only to turn and run back down the hallway, "Wrong way!"
"How do you...gah!" Liling gasped and turned around when she saw one of Fire Sages appeared around the corner.
"Come back!" the Fire Sage called out to them before running after them.
The four turn another corner and charge down the hallway, with Aang leading the other three only to stop at a dead end. The four spun around to face the Fire Sage. Liling cautiously looked at the fire sage.
"I don't want to fight you!" The Fire Sage said softly, holding out his hands, "I am a friend."
"Firebenders aren't our friends!" Sokka snapped as Aang got in a defensive position.
Liling looked at the Sage, there was something that made her think that he is telling the truth so she took a few steps dropping her guard looking closely at the fire sage.
"I think he's telling the truth." Liling said softly not breaking eye contact at the Sage.
The Fire Sage smiled softly at her.
"Liling! He's a firebender! He's not our friend!" Sokka snapped.
"Sokka! Will you just shut your big mouth for a second and trust me!" Liling snapped glaring at Sokka. "Unlike you, I'm trusting my instincts!"
"You have a kind heart." The Sage said placing his hand on her shoulder. The others took a defensive stance, Aang raised his staff at the Sage not knowing what he would do.
The Fire Sage took a few steps towards Aang, but Aang hesitated in attacking when the man dropped to his knees and pressed his hands to the floor.
"See? I told you he was telling the truth." Liling stated in the slight mist of confusion as her friends looked down at the Sage.
"I know why you're here, Avatar." The man stated, still on the floor.
"You do?" Aang questioned in surprise as he straightened from his defensive position.
"Yes," the man replied then got to his feet, "You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take you to him."
"What's your name?"Liling asked
"I am Shyu." Shyu, said.
The four watched as he slid back a lamplight on the wall then placed his palm on the spot the lamp used to be, focusing his firebending in that area which caused a secret passage to open, "This way will lead you to Avatar Roku."
The four hesitate a moment until the lead Fire Sage's voice echoed down the hall.
"Time is running out!" Shyu insisted as he looked down the hall then gestured to the secret passageway, "Quickly!"
Aang glanced at Liling and she nodded the four teens went inside with Shyu entering last and closing the secret door behind them.
Meanwhile...
"What's he up to Uncle?" Zuko asked gripping the railing beside his telescope tightly until his knuckles turned almost white as smoke rose behind his ship, "Why didn't Commander Zhao arrest me?"
"Because he wants to follow you." Iroh stated wisely, "He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after, the Avatar."
"If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do." Zuko growled quietly as an idea began to form in his mind.
Back with Aang and the gang
"Avatar Roku once called this temple his home." Shyu explained as lead the group down a set of stairs, "He formed these secret passages out of the magma."
"Did you know Avatar Roku?" Aang asked
"No." Shyu replied with a shake of his head, "But my grandfather knew him. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this Fire Temple long before me. We have a strong spiritual connection to this place."
Liling looked at the Sage. "He wasn't Kaja by any chance?" Liling asked
"Yes, how did you know?" Shyu asked glancing at the girl.
"You may not believe it but I was trapped in the iceberg with Aang for a hundred years...my father took me to the fire temple that's how I met Kaja, he tried to give me a lesson in patience. Since I used to have a short fuse." Liling explained
"Used too?" Sokka said in disbelief. "You still do."
"Shut up Sokka." Katara whispered
"Is that how you knew I was coming?" Aang asked
"A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred." Shyu explained as they began walking up a set of stairs, "The statue of Avatar Roku, its eyes began to glow!"
"That's when we were at the Air Temple." Katara commented, "Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there too!"
"At that moment, we knew you had returned to the world." Shyu said
"If this is the Avatar's temple, why did the sages attack me?" Aang questioned.
"They always help the Avatar." Liling said
"Things have changed." Shyu stated regretfully, "In the past, the sages were loyal only to the Avatar. When Roku died, the sages eagerly awaited for the next Avatar to return. But he never came."
Aang stopped walking and looked down guiltily, "They were waiting for me."
"Hey don't feel bad." Sokka said, putting a hand on Aang's shoulder, "You're only a hundred years late."
Aang scowled heavily at the older boy, Liling glared at Sokka as she continued to follow the Fire Sage.
"They lost hope the Avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozin began the War, my grandfather and the other sages were forced to follow him." Shyu continued then shook his head sadly, "I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I would betray the other Sages."
"Thank you for helping me." Aang said sincerely and Shyu smiled at him happily before they continued to walk.
"At least we know that there's still a few good firebenders to help us." Liling said giving him a soft smile. 'There's still hope.' She thought
They reached a set of stairs that spiral high above their heads, "We'll follow these stairs to the sanctuary."
The group walked in silence as they continued up the flight of stairs that seemed to never end until Shyu began speaking again as they neared the top.
"Once you're inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him."
The group watched as Shyu slid back a secret tile and looked around then climbed out and into a large room, right in front of the large room was an immense door with five dragons. The four teens plus Momo follow the Fire Sage and the man gasped.
"No!"
"Shyu, what's wrong?" Aang asked as he approached the closed door.
"The sanctuary doors, they are closed!"
Aang tugged at the doors but they didn't budge and Katara looked at Shyu.
"Can't you just open them with Firebending? Like you opened that other door?" Katara asked
"No." Shyu replied "Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, the Sages must open this door together with five simultaneous fire blasts."
'Five blast...' Liling thought looking at her hands. 'With me and Shyu we can make two blasts...but...' she tighten her fist. 'This is not the way I want to tell them...'
"Five fire blasts, huh?" Sokka stated ponderously as he tapped his chin in thought then the lamplight above his head flickered on and he grinned, "I think I can help you out."
"Huh?" Liling said raising an eyebrow at him.
"Uncle, keep heading north." Zuko ordered as the small boat is lowered from his warship with him on it, "Zhao will follow the smoke trail, while I use it as a cover."
Iroh grunted in doubtful agreement and stroked his chin thoughtfully as he watched Zuko's small boat be lowered onto the water's surface and disappeared into the smoke.
Zhao glared through his telescope at the smoke billowing from behind Zuko's ship. He lowered the telescope and stared in that direction.
Sokka poured oil from the lamplights into a bag.
"This is a little trick I picked up from my father." He explained as he tied the bag shut, "I seal the lamp oil inside an animal skin casing, Shyu lights the oil soaked twine and ta-da! Fake Firebending."
"You've really outdone yourself this time, Sokka." Katara stated, actually impressed.
"He sure did, I take back a few things I said about you." Liling said
"A few things?" Sokka mumbled.
"This might actually work." Shyu murmured with a slight smile.
"The Sages will hear the explosion." Shyu said to Aang as he watched Sokka fit the last bag into the dragon's mouth. "So as soon as they go off, you rush in!"
Katara hid behind one of the columns in front of the large door with Momo, she glanced over to where Aang was hiding behind the column, Liling hid next to Aang.
"It's almost sunset. Are you ready?" Katara asked as Sokka rushed over to stand beside her, his fingers in his ears.
"Definitely." Aang stated confidently with a nod of his head then he and Liling ducked behind the pillar as Shyu sent a small stream of fire from his finger, catching the oil soaked twine on fire then the Sage rushed over to hide behind the pillar with The two teens.
A loud explosion was heard echoing the room, Aang rushed into the smoke towards the doors and tried to yank them open, only for it to remain closed.
"They're still locked!" He called over his shoulder in surprise as the smoke cleared.
Shyu sighed sadly as Sokka rose to his feet from behind Katara, Liling ran over to Aang.
"It didn't work." Shyu stated sadly and Aang fell to his knees. Liling stared at the door.
"Why. Won't. It. Open?!" Aang shouted as he furiously beating against the door with powerful gusts of wind.
"Aang! Stop!" Katara ordered, grabbing Aang's arm when he went to throw another blast of air at the door. "There's nothing else we can do…"
"I'm sorry I put you through all this for nothing." Aang apologized glumly as he hung his head.
"I don't get it." Sokka stated in confusion as he stood in front of the locked door and ran a finger through the black soot, "That blast looked as strong as any Firebending I've seen."
"Sokka, you're a genius!" Katara exclaimed when an idea hit her.
"Wait." Aang said, looking at Katara in confusion, "How is Sokka a genius? His plan didn't even work."
"Come on, Aang." Sokka quipped happily, "Let her dream."
Katara shook her head and began explaining, "You're right. Sokka's plan didn't work, but it looks like it did."
Liling blinked a few times until she let it sink in, a small smile etched on her face, she immediately hugged the water tribe boy.
"Sokka! Your the best!" Liling exclaimed giving a peck on his cheek.
"I guess I am." Sokka said a light blush appeared in his cheeks.
Katara grinned but Aang continued to look confused.
"Did the definition of genius change over the last hundred years?"Aang questioned
Katara smiled slyly at Aang while Liling tied her hair ribbon tightly as if awaiting for the action to begin.
"Come quickly!" Shyu shouted when he saw the other Fire Sages and he gestured towards the soot covered door, "The Avatar has entered the sanctuary!"
"How did he get in?" The lead Fire Sage demanded and Shyu shrugged.
"I don't know!" Shyu proclaimed then gestured towards the scorch marks on the floor, "But look at the scorch marks! And down there!"
The other Fire Sages looked down and gasped when they saw the shadow visible at the bottom of the door.
"He's inside!" the oldest Fire Sage exclaimed, "Open the doors immediately! Before he contacts Avatar Roku!"
Aang slid into position behind pillar. Liling kept watch at the five Sages as they all took deep breathes then send five streams of fire into the open mouths of the dragons on the door, causing the locks to open.
The five Sages stay in a Firebending position, ready to attack as soon as the door is opened only to pause when they see a soot covered Momo in the dark room.
"It's the Avatar's lemur!" The head Fire Sage cried out, "He must have crawled through the pipes. We've been tricked!"
At that moment, Momo leapt onto the head Fire Sage's head and clung to his hat just while Katara rushed forward from behind a pillar and yanked the tunic over one of the Sage's head effectively blinding him. Sokka rush forward at the same time and grab the lower skirt of a nearby Sage's outfit to pull it completely over his body to cover his face. Liling then blasted some water from her canteen and used her ice breath to freeze one of the Sages into a pillar completely immobilizing him.
"Now, Aang!" Shyu shouted as he grabbed the last free Sage and pinned him , but Aang didn't appear.
"Aang! Now's your chance!" Katara shouted as Katara and Sokka pinned the two Sages they had attacked to the ground. Liling stood in a defensive stance wondering why isn't Aang running inside? She turn and her eyes widen. Zuko appeared from behind the pillar, pinning Aang's arms behind his back.
"Aw come on! Not cool!" Liling snapped "This is the worst possible time that you'd be here!"
"The Avatar is coming with me!" Zuko snapped as he pushed Aang towards the secret tile in the floor while the Sages gained the upper hand and pinned Sokka, Katara, Liling and Shyu while Momo flew away with the Sage's hat.
"Close the doors! Quickly!" Zuko ordered harshly as he forced Aang to walk towards the open tile.
"Aang!" Liling shouted
Aang glanced over his shoulder and tensed when he saw the Sages chaining Sokka, Katara, and Shyu to a column. While Liling was chained in a separate one, Aang twisted his arms free from Zuko's grasp then spun around him and kicked him down the stairs with an Airbending blast.
Aang ran towards his friends. Katara quickly shook her head.
"No, Aang!" Katara shouted at him and turned her head to the closing door, "Go!"
"We'll be fine!" Liling shouted
Aang ran in the other direction and raced towards the closing door without hesitation, leaping into the air to avoid the fire blast the Great Fire Sage sent at him. He flipped himself over, bouncing first off the Great Sage's head then another sage's head and flew through door just as it closed behind him.
"He made it!" Katara said happily, obviously pleased as the door sealed shut with a blinding flash of white light.
"It's going to start soon." Liling whispered "A few more minutes and He'll talk to Roku."
Liling, Katara, Sokka, and Shyu watched the four Fire Sages and Zuko launched blasts of fire into the door's locks but nothing happened.
"Why isn't it working, it's sealed shut?" Zuko demanded, frustrated at not being able to get into the room.
"It must have been the light." The Great Sage commented, "Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside."
"Then why don't you be good boys and let Roku talk to him." Liling added.
"Shut up!" Zuko roared as he whirled to face Liling.
"Bite me Fireboy!" Liling snapped glaring at him.
Zuko scowled darkly at her, Looking at her he realized that there was something different on her appearance, mostly in her eyes but quickly shrugged it off.
"Why did you help the Avatar?" Zuko questioned Shyu He was tied up, looking at Zuko.
"Because it was once the Sages' duty." Shyu said sadly but with pride. "It is still our duty."
Sudden clapping interrupts the interrogation and the Sages looked behind Zuko, staring as Commander Zhao and six Firebender guards approached.
"What a moving and heartfelt performance." Zhao mocked, "I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand, when you explain why you betrayed him."
The head Fire Sage stepped forward and placed his palms together, bowing over them, "Commander Zhao."
"And Prince Zuko," Zhao stated, ignoring the Fire Sage as one of his Firebenders came up behind Zuko, "It was a noble effort, but your little smokescreen didn't work. Two traitors in one day, the Fire Lord will be please."
Zuko scowled darkly at the older man and jerked forward when one of Zhao's Firebenders grabbed his arms, pinning them behind his back.
"You're too late, Zhao!" Zuko snapped as he strained against his captor, "The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed."
"No matter." Zhao replied confidently as he cast a sidelong glance at the sealed doors, "Sooner or later, he has to come out."
"When he does get out, your gonna get your butt handed to you." Liling snapped glaring at the older man.
Liling's whole body tensed, she stared intently the door while Katara and Sokka shared an apprehensive glance.
Liling struggled against the chains glaring at her chain mate. 'Why did they chain him next to me?' She thought. 'As long as Aang is inside he should be okay...right? No! I can't start doubting!' tighten her fist staring at the door.
Zuko slightly glanced at Liling getting a better look at her. She was simple, it was the only thing he could think of. She had her hair long tied back in a ribbon usually he'd seen her hair in a bun she just looked different, her nose small and delicate, her cheeks are soft and slightly rosy that she wouldn't need any rouge on them or pinch her cheeks to get the light rosy color. But there was something that made him curious about her was the necklace she was wearing a crimson red with an amber stone on it. Those colors aren't from the water tribe yet it had a certain aspect on it, as if someone tried to emulate the tribe, why? He saw the look in her eyes again, something he can't explain it.
Liling watched the Sages, Zhao and his Firebenders circle around the door waiting patiently for the door to open to strike.
"When those doors open," Zhao began then rose his voice to a shout, "Unleash all of your firepower!"
"How's Aang gonna make it out of this?" Katara asked worriedly as she looked at the Firebenders.
"How are we gonna make it out of this?" Sokka panicked
'Aang...we need a miracle here!' Liling thought staring at the door praying to the spirits that they'll be okay and make it out alive.
The door began to glow brightly and smoke began to pour out from under it as the doors unlocked itself and began to open. A bright while light forcing everyone in the room to look away as the door opened fully. Liling took a deep breath with worried eyes staring at the door.
"Ready…" Zhao stated as the light faded and revealed a pair of glowing white eyes in the pitch black darkness of the room.
"Aang! Get out of there!" Liling shouted
"No!" Katara screamed "Aang!"
"Fire!" Zhao ordered as he and his soldiers send a blast of fire at the target.
Liling stared awe as a wall of fire began to circle around the person, revealing to be Avatar Roku, eyes glowing behind the wall of flames, he was completely untouched.
"Is that..." Liling started
"Avatar Roku…" Shyu breathed quietly finishing what Liling was about to say as he stared in awe at Roku.
They all watch as Avatar Roku drew the fire together, then launched it forward in one powerful wave all around the room and blasted his attackers off their feet. Liling couldn't believe it, Roku's attack was so precise that the chains that tied Katara, Sokka, Shyu, Liling and Zuko to their pillars melted without hurting them.
Zuko took that chance to rush out the room and out of the temple.
Avatar Roku turned his furious gaze onto the Fire Sages who cowered in fear and in a panic, fled from the room.
"Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple!" Shyu exclaimed, "We have to get out of here!
"Not without Aang!" Katara yelled
"I'm not leaving here until we've got him!" Liling yelled
Liling, Katara, Sokka and Shyu hid behind the pillar while Roku destroyed his temple.
Roku waved his hand, causing the lava below connected to the temple to bubble then rise and erupt soaring through the temple and tearing it apart from the inside.
Liling, Katara and Sokka huddle behind the pillar with Sokka kneeling over both girls in a attempt to shield them and the destruction stopped as Avatar Roku lowered his hands and exhaled loudly.
Liling watched as Roku drew all the smoke in the room, his form disappearing in the haze and leaving Aang behind.
"Aang!" Liling shouted as she raced out from behind the pillar as he fell to his knees.
"We got your back." Sokka stated as he and Katara walked over, Sokka wrapping Aang's arm over his shoulder.
"Thanks." Aang murmurs weakly "Where's Shyu?"
"I don't know." Katara replied, walking in front of them as she led them towards the stairwell to leave the temple.
"I hope he's okay..." Liling said
The four stared in horror at the stairwell filled with lava, gasping when a pillar fell down near them before running towards the only available exit, the giant hole in the wall. They stare in dismay when they realize they can't go that way because they are on the top floor of the temple. Suddenly Appa and Momo appeared soaring the sky.
The small gang ran towards the hole and jumped out, landing in Appa's saddle as he flew past the hole. Aang, Liling, Katara and Sokka all look back at the island as Appa flew away, frowning slightly as they watched the temple fall.
Suddenly, Momo popped up from beside Aang, The Fire Sage's hat on his head. Liling stared at the erupting island with sad eyes. She clasped her hands together and prayed silently. She felt a hand on her shoulder she glanced up at the water tribe boy.
"Liling...I...well...I'm sorry what I said earlier."Sokka apologized rubbing his arm awkwardly. "I guess there's some firebenders that are good, like Shyu."
"Thanks Sokka, I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier." Liling said giving him a soft smile. "It's just...well..." she couldn't find the right words.
"I know it's complicated and stuff."Sokka replied
"Yeah..."Liling mumbled.
Zhao glared darkly as he watched the Aang's sky bison fly away from him then he whirled around to face the Fire Sages surrounded by his guards.
"No Prince, no Avatar." Zhao snarled as he glared at the five men, "Apparently the only thing I do have is five traitors!"
"But Commander!" the Head Fire Sage protested, "Only Shyu helped the Avatar."
"Save your stories for the Fire Lord. As far as I'm concerned, you're all guilty!" Zhao snapped harshly "Take them to the prison hold!"
Zuko looked through his telescope at the Aang's flying bison as it soared away from the burning island behind him, he turned to sail his boat back to his warship to continue his chase.
It was now nighttime and the moon was full not a single cloud in the night sky Katara, Liling and Sokka slowly get up from their seats in Appa's saddle and sit beside Aang, he hung his head.
Katara wrapped her arms around him in a sincere embrace while Sokka put his hand on Aang's shoulder, Liling took his hand in a gentle squeeze, Liling glanced back at the fire nation. Appa continuing to fly out of the Fire Nation.
'I'll come back someday after we stop this war...' Liling thought she pressed two fingers on her necklace with a determined look on her face, watching the island slowly getting smaller.
There you guys have it! Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think! Any ideas or suggestions feel free to Pm me!
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