Burn My Dread Complete

By Iain R. Lewis

Disclaimer: Characters and concepts belong to Nickelodeon, some of the concepts are similarly inspired by Persona 3 and Persona 4, property of ATLUS games.

"I'm afraid of what to come, at the same time afraid of what I become."

-- Burn My Dread -Last Battle- Reincarnation

Month 5: The Emperor

Burn My Dread

Aang was inconsolable.

He looked at the hospital bed before him, and he tightened his fist. "She's not waking up. Do you think that means she'll never wake up?"

"Isn't it weird?" Sokka asked, quietly, "We're acting like this even though she tried to kill us not even twenty-four hours ago." Katara silently agreed, and looked at the assembled group that had come to see Azula this morning.

She was asleep, that was all they knew for certain. They thought it might be a case of Apathy Syndrome, or so the doctor told Zuko. Zuko just grunted, and denied that as any possibility. "The cases are on the rise," the doctor warned, "The numbers are quite unlike anything we'd seen before."

"Must be the moon," Zuko grunted. Not that it wasn't. The moon was almost full. Tomorrow night, there'd be another full moon, and in the back of his mind, he just couldn't shake the feeling that something was not right.

"Aang," he said, calling the boy over. The boy gave a single glance back at Azula and walked over. "We need to be ready for tomorrow."

"What? Why?"

"Dad's gone, but, I still can't shake the feeling we're forgetting something. It's important we don't let our guard down, not so close to the Unification."

"Yeah," he answered, slowly. "Your Dad's gone. Aren't you mad at me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because everything my old man touched turned to dust," Zuko said. "Look at her, Azula was a normal child. I could have saved her, Aang, if she just held on. But something my Dad said or did made her too proud to accept it."

He sighed, "I feel powerless, like I can't do anything to save anyone. She'll never laugh again, never cry, never get angry, she's gone and there's nothing we can do."

Aang frowned. "Ozai's gone, too."

"Yeah," Zuko said, "But I still can't find it in me to forgive him yet."

Aang fumbled, he stuttered, and finally said, "But your father must have been a baby once, too, so he couldn't have started like that, could he?"

"No," Zuko said, "But he made his bed."

"I guess," Aang murmured, his voice fading into quiet. The world was moving on without Azula, who slept in her hospital bed. Ty Lee was in a state, and Mai was her only support. That was just like them. Mai was a realist, she knew there was nothing lost there, but Ty Lee, forever optimistic, mourned her friend.

Toph even seemed grudgingly upset. Though, perhaps, Aang thought, it was just that she wouldn't have the chance to get back at her now.

And Katara, strangely, seemed the most introspective of the events around her. She didn't even notice when Aang returned and placed a hand on her seat. She jumped when he spoke, and turned to him, "Hey," she said, weakly. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think."

"She was our friend once," Aang said, "That's all."

"Yeah," Katara said, "But I can't forgive her completely. She's done so many horrible things, she can't just go back to being a good person because she's in this state. We should get going. School's going to start soon."

"Yeah," Aang said.

"Did you sign up to help out at the school festival yet? We should try and coordinate so we can visit each other at our booths."

"School festival?" Aang asked. She smiled, and shrugged.

"You were out when the assignments were made. It's about time for our school festival. Each class gets together and does a booth. It's going to be the weekend before the Summer Solstice. Toph, what did your class decide to do?"

"Huh?" Toph asked, looking up. Katara gathered her things, and stood up.

"The school festival, what are you doing for it?"

"Don't remember. Think it was some kind of a portrait booth. You know, those funny pictures I can't see because I'm completely blind. I wasn't really paying attention."

"Lucky," Katara said. "My class had the brilliant idea to do a maid cafe. You know those creepy places where guys going to get waited on hand and foot by waitresses dressed like maids?"

"Not in the slightest," Sokka said, joining them as they walked out the front foyer. "Never been. Nope, not ever."

"I can totally tell when you're lying, remember," Toph said.

"Well, what's your class doing, Sokka?" Katara asked, hotly. "I'm sure it can't be worse than forcing us to wear uniforms for your amusement."

"Oh it's much worse. Some joker -- not me -- decided it'd be funny to volunteer a speed dating booth. I don't know where they got the idea."

"If it wasn't you then --" Zuko's eyes widened in a sudden realization. "Tenchi."

"That little rat," Sokka said. "He stole my idea -- I mean, how dare he!"

"Hey, Sweetness, you should totally do that," Toph said, grinning. "Come on, it'd be fun. I'll totally back you up, too."

"Why don't I believe you," Katara said.

"I guess that sounds fun," Aang said, "But I'm not really in a festival mood right now. I'll catch up with you guys later. I think I need some alone time." He started off the road ahead of them, and Zuko sighed.

"Man," Sokka said, "He's really taking that hard."

"It was something else. You should have been there," Katara said. "The tower basically kicked us out. It's changed, a lot."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed, "It's definitely something more sinister, now."

"I wonder," Sokka started, before letting his voice fade on the wind.


Aang looked up at the clouds in the sky and sighed. He didn't know what to make of this. He'd faced down a god and lived, and yet, things didn't seem to be improving. There was the mystery of the tower, reopened, and the nagging fear of the full moon.

He didn't mind when his friends talked about school things, usually, but right now, he didn't seem to be in much of a mood for it. He wanted a moment's solitude from the worries of being a student and the Avatar, both.

The wind blows, undeterred.

"Aang, hello."

Aang looked up, and he saw Tenchi standing across from him. The boy was facing away, looking over his shoulder. His hair blowed in the wind. "Oh, it's you. How are you feeling?"

"Not so well, I'm afraid. I thought a breath of fresh air might be what the doctor ordered," he said, "Unfortunately, everywhere I go, I'm still in the same situation."

"I know the feeling," Aang said, weakly. The wind seemed to be stilled by their meeting, and the crowds passed by them without even a second glance. Aang felt like he'd taken a step outside of time, and the two of them were the only ones experiencing reality.

"You don't look so well," Tenchi added, "Maybe you should take the day off from school. Maybe tomorrow as well. It's going to be a full moon, you know."

Aang paused, "Yes, I know."

"Funny, isn't it? The full moon is said to induce madness. It's really dated, honestly. The moon just reflects light from the sun, and the planet casts a shadow. That's what the scientists tell us. There's no reason for any lunacy."

"Oh, yeah," Aang said weakly, "But yeah, tomorrow's the full moon."

"I don't know whether to be excited or afraid," he told Aang. "I don't know why I should be either, but a part of my feels anxious and the other feels apprehensive. The full moon, you can't hide your face from it, even if you try."

Aang hesitated, suddenly gripped by some unnamed fear. "Tenchi, I should get to school. Are you coming?"

"No," Tenchi said, "Not today. Not tomorrow either. I'm surprised to see you today. It seems everyone's started to ignore me."

"You haven't been in school."

"I know. I can't go back there, though," Tenchi said. "Good luck, Aang."

"Good luck to you, too, Tenchi."

He stopped suddenly, "Please, Aang. I don't want any luck. Tomorrow night, just -- don't be around at night. It's dangerous, on a full moon. That's my intuition."


The school day passed, and the afternoon was laid out before the residents of the Phoenix Group's special dorm. Aang was met by Sokka shortly after class had finished, "So, partner, what's the good word."

"Huh?"

"What do you want to do today? I think we should all go out and just relax."

"Aang needs to practice," Zuko butted in, crossing his arms and looking at Sokka angrily. "His Firebending is in desperate need of improvement, remember."

"Oh, right," Aang murmured, "I don't really feel like it, Zuko. Sorry. We've got plenty of time, right?"

"You sure about that?" he asked, angrily, "Fine. Then come get me when you intend to be serious about this."

Aang paused, "I'm sorry, Zuko. I didn't mean it like that. I am serious about this. But I'm really worried about something."

"Huh? Worried?" Sokka asked, leaning in close, "Did you get a zit?"

"No, I'm serious," Aang said, "Something feels wrong. I saw Tenchi this morning."

"He wasn't in class," Zuko said, "I thought he was still sick."

"He said he's not coming back to class, and he told me not to be out tomorrow night," Aang explained. He tried to convey the strangeness of the conversation, and the stillness of the air as they spoke. "But, it's really the strangest thing."

"Man, that is odd," Sokka said, rubbing the back of his head. "Maybe we should go check up on Tenchi, and see if he's feeling better. You want to come, Zuko?"

"Why not," Zuko grunted.

"Knew you'd want in," Sokka said. "Come on, I know the way." Zuko withheld a groan, and the boys started out the way to the boy's dorm. "Suki told me he was at that boy's dorm on Foom Way."

"No kidding?" Zuko asked.

"Yeah, it's really odd," Sokka said. "I was sure there wasn't a single place there. Maybe it was just a story to let Zhao get us special kids into his dorm."

"Could be, Zhao was good at manipulating the facts."

Aang shrugged. He didn't have much to add. He felt apprehensive about all of this, especially with the full moon fast approaching. The barrier that separated the Mortal and Spirit Worlds had been weakened by that experiment, he was sure of it, and tomorrow night --

He didn't want to contemplate it being the end.

"Here we are!" Sokka suddenly announced. It wasn't a very interesting building. Four stories tall, and made of the same material as much of the rest of the city. There was a sign that denoted it belonged to the Phoenix School, and on the front door, there was a sign to ring the bell.

Sokka pulled the string and the bell began to ring inside.

"Hello?" a boy asked, lazily. He looked at Zuko and Sokka. "Oh, hey, it's you. Long time no see, Sokka. Sorry, we still are totally full up."

"Not here about space, pal," Sokka said, "One of my friends lives here. Named Tenchi Murakumo, I think?"

"Murakumo? Never heard of him," the boy said. "Would have, for sure. Wait, he's a third year, right? Sounds vaguely familiar. He definitely doesn't live here, though. Sorry."

"He told us he had a single here."

"We don't have singles here, you know that," the boy laughed. "What? He's just yanking your chain. Probably heard you tried to get in and was making fun of you."

"I don't know, man," Sokka said, "You sure?"

"Positive. Sorry."

The door closed, and the three boys looked at each other.

"Okay," Aang said, first, "That was weird."

"So you tried to get in here before you got let into Azula's dorm?" Zuko asked. "Why?" He pointed down the road.

"Take that street up and take a left, and where do you end up?"

Zuko traced the path, and frowned, "The dorm."

"Wanted to keep an eye on my sis, and seemed like the best way. Didn't trust Azula further than I could throw her."

"So, the place was booked up?"

"Not that i mattered, but yeah, Aang, it was. Couldn't afford it even if it wasn't, though," Sokka answered. "The big question is, why would Tenchi lie about where he lived to Suki?"

"I don't know," Aang said, "But I get a bad feeling about all of this."

"Yeah, me too," Sokka said. "But there's nothing we can do about it. Maybe we should go home. You guys cool with that?"

"Yeah," Aang said. "Maybe, Zuko, you'd be okay with a lesson?"

Zuko nodded. "Good to see you finally showing some initiative."


"Despite the fire, no one was hurt in what some are calling a miracle. The Laogai facility is, as many recall, the site of a bit of controversy a few months back when their administrator, Zhao, disappeared."

"Why are you watching the news, sis?" Sokka asked, flopping down on the sofa.

"Didn't you hear about the fire?"

"What fire?"

"At Laogai!" she said, "It pretty much destroyed the facility."

"Miss Joo Dee has since been maintaining the facility as acting Administrator, however, she denied comment. President Ozai Houou was called, however, his secretary said he was on a sudden and unplanned sabbatical."

"That's really strange, isn't it, Sie."

"It certainly is, Duo," the newswoman answered. "In other news, the Apathy Syndrome outbreak has reached a new high, with victims suffering from it or related diseases hitting the triple digits. The latest victim? Azula Houou, a local celebrity at the prestigious Phoenix Center school."

"Oh man, they're going to give a whole spiel about how great she was, aren't they?" Sokka said, slapping his head.

"Probably," Katara said, shutting off the TV. "I don't know, the fire sure seems strange. Do you think maybe a spirit attacked it?"

"It's possible. They were up to some shady stuff," Sokka said. "Maybe Zuko'd know more."

"How's he and Aang doing?' she asked, secretively.

"Aang's finally gotten breathing down. You should have seen Zuko, he was red in the face. Hey, I mean, they can practice their jerkbending wherever they want, but I reserve the right to watch, you know?"

"Just don't put too much pressure on Aang. He doesn't respond well to it."

"I know that," Sokka said, "He's a big softy."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Zuko seems patient enough. Weird, huh?" Sokka smirked. "Zuko being patient."

Katara laughed, "He had to deal with Azula growing up. I think he learned a thing or two about being patient with her around. That's how I learned to be patient, anyway. Having you as a brother, I mean."

"Well, that's true but -- Hey! That wasn't very nice."

"Sorry."

"You're a very mean person, Katara."


"That's enough for now," Zuko said, putting his jacket back on. "It's getting late. You can see the moon's almost full, too. Tomorrow, it's going to be another ordeal."

"Yeah," Aang said, weakly, "I don't know what to expect. After yesterday."

"There's no reason for you to beat yourself over it. They made their decisions. You need to act decisively, or else you'll never win, Aang." Zuko frowned, "You have to be master and not let anyone affect your decisions."

"I don't know, Zuko, it just seems like I left Ozai there to die."

"There wasn't any other choice." He frowned, "I don't know what lies in store in the future. I wish I did. But after tomorrow, we'll continue your training. You have a grasp of the basics, but you seem cautious."

"I do?"

"You usually have a bit of excess, I don't know what, you just act like you're some kind of showman when you're bending Air, it's throwing me off to see yo being really kind of nervous."

"I don't know how to handle fire yet," he answered, lamely.

"You did fine," Zuko answered.

"Yeah, thanks."

There was a piercing sound in the night sky, and Aang looked over to see the flash of lights from sirens blaring in the distance, headed somewhere in the city. They stopped at the side of the street as a large fire truck passed. "Wonder what's going on," Zuko muttered before crossing. Aang hesitated, and followed.

Across the city, a building burned to the ground, the flames seemed unquenchable, no matter how many gallons of water were thrown onto them. And down the alleyway, and through the streets, a boy walked, unsettled and disoriented, looking at his hands.


The next day, there was gossip on the lips of everyone walking to school. Aang couldn't help but overhear two students talking excitedly about the news from last night. "I heard that one of the dorms totally caught fire. No one was inside, but, man, it was something else."

"Really?"

"It was that boy's dorm, you know, the haunted one."

"On Foom Way? Yeah, but I didn't know it was haunted."

"They say there was a ghost who lived there. People say he may be the spirit of the founder's son. Wouldn't that be spooky?"

"Yeah, but when did you hear about that ghost thing?"

"Today. Someone told me that he set the place on fire."

Aang paused, confused. After a while, he started, stumbling, towards school, and passed by Toph, who was at the front gate, waiting for him. "Finally!" she said, "You know how long I've been here? Did you forget to set your alarm?"

"Sorry, yeah," Aang said, scratching the back of his head, "Zuko really tired me out with his training. I don't know if I can do breathing exercises for two hours."

"Yeah, sure, great, whatever," Toph said, "Tonight's the night, right?"

"Yeah."

"Do you have any idea what we'll be dealing with?"

"I wish," Aang answered. "We have to be ready for anything."

"Those fires we had the past few days may have something to do with it," Toph said. "I heard rumors that a spirit did it. I don't know if I buy what people are saying around town, but hey, it's all I've heard."

"I heard that too. Maybe Zuko knows a little more about it. The founder's son, that'd be --"

"Well, the founder's probably Iroh Houou, since he founded the school, remember? So it'd be his cousin. Did he have a cousin?"

"I think so," Aang said, "But he died."

"That'd be our ghost, then, wouldn't it?" Toph said. "We'll ask him about it."

"Okay, but be tactful. I bet these rumors are going to get him in a mood."

"When am I not tactful?" Toph answered, grinning.

Aang felt really bad for Teo, when he arrived. It was about time for the bell to arrive, and sitting on his desk was a rather irate looking Delinquent Prince. He was looking at Toph as if she'd grown a second head. "You think what?"

"We can't really talk about it now," Toph said, "But those rumors, what do you think?"

"I think they're a load," Zuko answered. "I already had to beat up one kid. It's disrespectful. My cousin died in an accident a long time ago. I don't know why they'd think his ghost would go around burning up Phoenix Group facilities."

"Uh, hello, sir," Teo said, "You're, uh, on my desk, you know."

Zuko glared over at Teo, who wheeled himself back just slightly. "Oh."

"If you could get off, that'd be great, but, no rush or anything. Take your time, actually," he seemed to wither as Zuko continued to glare at him. "I'll just be over here until you're done, no trouble whatsoever."

"Oh," Zuko said, jumping to his feet, "Sorry. I got to get to class, Aang. We'll meet right after school and get us all organized."

"Yeah, got it."

Aang sighed. Bumi went on and on through class, but Aang couldn't focus on that. More than ever, he wished he could hide under a rock until everything blew over. "Now, don't forget your assignments for the festival. I may or may not have made a bet with Pakku and Piandao that my class would get more visits than their classes. So I may or may not be counting on you, but defniitely not for a five-hundred en bill."

"That's Bumi for you," Teo moaned. "Hey, Aang, you okay?"

"You look kinda out of it, Aang. You should go down to the nurse's office." Toph frowned, "You know we need you in top shape tonight."

"Yeah, I know."

"What's tonight?" Teo asked.

"Never you mind," Toph said, "Don't be so nosy!"

"I'm just curious," Teo said weakly. "Is it a club thing?"

"Yeah, sure," Toph said. "We're doing a club activity tonight, that's it."

"But wasn't that Azula's club?" he asked, "Isn't she --"

"Shut up!" Toph said, grabbing Teo forcefully by the neck. "Aang's kind of broken up about it still. He has this crazy idea that we can all just be friends, so why don't you lay off?"

"Don't worry, Toph," Aang said weakly. "I'm going down to the nurse's. Sorry, guys -- maybe I should take tonight off."

At the back of his head, he remembered Tenchi's strange statements, and he wondered if perhaps they were getting to him. But all the same, he couldn't shake this feeling that something was incredibly wrong.

"Come in, come in!" the nurse said, amicably, "It's just about time for lunch, isn't that right, sweetie?" she pet the cat lovingly, "Now siddown and I'll make you up something that'll get you feeling right as rain."

"I'm okay, I think I just need to rest," Aang said. The nurse eyed him, dangerously, then pointed to a crowded bed that was being used to put a bunch of more traditional medical supplies down while she rearranged a shelf.

He awkwardly placed them on the floor and hopped onto the bed, laying down and closing his eyes.

"Avatar Aang."

His eyes shot open. He was sitting up, across from Avatar Roku, who smiled at him in a pleasant, but distant way. "It's good to see you, Avatar Roku."

"You seem frightened, Aang."

"It's tonight, I don't know what we're going to face."

"Tonight's ordeal will, I fear, bring a lot to the surface that you will not want to face, yes. You are right to be fearful," Roku's smile faded, and he looked away, "Tonight, you will face a foe whose power is unmatched, but do not be afraid."

"Unmatched? But how will we beat it?"

"There are more ways to confront a foe than with bending and fighting, Avatar Aang, but I fear there is more. This opponent will not be alone. Even now, a dark presence in the Spirit World grows ever more restless. I fear your victory has been short-lived."

"I don't understand, what does that mean?"

"Tonight, it shall become clear," he said, "Moving forward, Aang, there is one thing you must not forget. You must accept your destiny."

"Please, Roku, don't be cryptic, not now. Who is this foe you speak of?"

Roku sighed, "I suppose you should know, tonight, you will face that fear that has hidden inside you for ten years. Be strong, Aang, and be prepared, for your enemies take on all manners of appearances."

"No, you can't be telling me we'll be facing Agni --"

But he received no answer. He was rustled from his slumber, and he looked around the nurse's station. The nurse was nowhere to be seen, but there was a loud ruckus outside the door. He walked out, and he saw students lining up at the windows watching the fire trucks pass down the street.

"I heard the gym caught fire, man, that building is cursed," one student whispered.

"No way, man, it wasn't the school, it was the administration building. I heard the teacher's talking about it. They're going to be sending everyone home early thanks to it."

"These fires are scary, do you think it's the ghost?"

"Nah, it's got to be someone with a grudge against the school," the other student said, dismissively, "But these aren't freak accidents, that's for sure."

Aang blinked. The fires were somewhat conveniently timed with the full moon. He wondered to himself, just what was causing them, and if it could possibly be Agni. Knowing the enemy did not make him feel any less anxious about tonight.

Katara was there by the stairs when he passed. "Oh, hey," she said, "You ready to go home?"

"Yeah," Aang said, "What's this about a fire at the administration building?"

"It's really strange. They say a student came down there, and a few minutes later, the entire place caught fire. The details are really, really scarce right now, though. You think it has something to do with the other fires?"

"I think so, but I don't know what it means," Aang said. "We need to all talk about this tonight."

The walk home was completely silent, with Katara's weak attempts to start a conversation dying on her lips when she saw Aang's concentrated expression. He seemed lost in thought to her, but inside, he wasn't thinking, desperately trying not to think.

The others were waiting when they arrived.

"So we got out an hour early, that's good, I guess," Sokka said. "Hey Aang. Heard you weren't feeling well."

"Yeah," Aang said, "I feel a bit better now."

"Good," Zuko said, "We're trying to figure out how to split up. We don't know where and how tonight's attack is going to come. We just got to play it by ear."

"Aang said he had something to say," Katara added, "So maybe we should listen to him first."

"No, it's a good idea to split up," Aang said, "I spoke to the Avatar Spirit while I rested. He told me a lot about tonight. I know who we'll be facing, and he won't be alone."

"Great! We got something to work with now," Sokka said. "Come on, lay it on me. I'll come up with a battle plan, then it's just a matter of executing it."

Aang hesitated, looking at everyone staring at him in anticipation. He almost wanted to lie, but he had to tell them, to watch the hope slip from their eyes and replace it with dread. "He said we would be facing --"

"Come on, out with it, Twinkle-Toes!" Toph said, "You're starting to get Snoozles nervous."

"Hey, you're the one who's nervous, not me," Sokka said.

"Aang, tell us," Katara said, "Even if you tell us it's Agni itself, we'll be ready."

Aang smiled weakly, "Funny you should say that."

The group grew suddenly very quiet, and looked at him. "You're serious?" Sokka asked, "It's Agni? Then that means --"

"It doesn't mean anything," Zuko said. He bit his lip and clenched his fist, but remained resolute, "All it means is we have a chance to stop this here and now, before things get to that point. This is what we've been waiting for.":

"Yeah," Toph said, at first uncertain, but then, she repeated herself, with full bravado, "Yeah! We can do this!"

"It's going to take a heck of a plan," Sokka said, "But I think I can do it."

"We'll be ready, Aang," Katara said, "We're with you, you'll be all right. If we defeated Ozai, we can defeat this Agni, no problem. Right?"

"Right," Aang said, uncertain. Aang watched hsi friends begin to talk and to scheme, and he seemed more an outside observer in that moment than a member of the team. Sokka called out to him once or twice, and with a detached answer, Sokka nodded and continued to plan.

"Aang?"

Aang looked over at Katara, who sat down besides him, "What? Do you guys need me for something?"

"Well, yes, but," Katara said, hesitantly, "It's not that. We're worried about you. You seem kind of spaced out and it's just not like you."

"Oh, yeah," he said, "I guess that's right."

"Well, is everyhting okay?"

"No," he said, "No it's not. I don't want to face Agni. I don't think I can."

"You're not facing him alone, Aang," she said, "You're facing him with all of us."

He looked at the others, who were around the dining room rable, talking, and he couldn't hear what, but he saw them so intently working on ideas as the hours ticked closer and closer to that time.

And he looked to Katara. "Thanks, I guess," he said. And he did something he regreted almost immediately. He kissed her. It was a clumsy kiss, and she did not reciprocate, too shocked to react at all. "I gotta get ready," he said, weakly, and he hurried upstairs, leaving Katara alone and confused.


The moon was full and heavy over the city, and there was storm clouds in the distance, threatening to cloud it out. But still, regardless, it was tonight, and tonight was a cruel night. People hurried inside, and the sound of thunder rolled on in the distance.

To the Benders, it seemed an insult on top of an already dire night.

"Man, where's Aang? You see him, Katara?" Sokka asked, stretching. They'd spent hours discussing and planning. "We need him to split us up into two teams. Aang's going to need to take our best to face Agni, while the rest of us will deal with whatever else he can dish up."

"Aang's -- Aang's not really, you know, he's scared," Katara began, "He really doesn't want to fight Agni. Maybe we should, you know, give him time to get ready for it."

"We don't have time," Toph said, "He needs to get over it."

"It's not that easy," Zuko said, "I hope by the end of the night you'll see why. Agni isn't like the Spirits we've fought before. My Uncle was a fool for thinking he could contain him. Tui, La, Oma, even Hei Bai, they were nothing compared to Agni."

"Sounds heavy," Sokka said, "But we're not defenseless this time, Zuko."

"I know. I didn't say it was hopeless, but we need to be ready for anything. When you see him, like Aang I have seen him, you'll know dread like you've never known it before."

"But this is our chance," Katara said, "We can stop the Unification, and your Uncle and our mother's sacrifices won't be in vain, Zuko."

"I know that," he said. "I'm hoping for a miracle."

There was a knock at the door, and Sokka went over to it, "Who is it?" he asked, and when he heard the answer, he threw the door open, "Yue! It's good to see you!"

"Thank you, Sokka," she said, politely, "Why does everyone look so somber?"

"Because," Toph muttered.

"It's Agni, he's coming, tonight."

Yue faltered, and nodded, just quietly. "I see," she whispered. "How is Aang taking it?"

"Not well," Sokka began, but before he could say more, Aang came down the stairs, he had his staff at the ready, and his face was stony and expressionless. Sokka leaned close to Yue, and whispered, "But I think you can see that."

"We're ready, Aang," Zuko said, "We just need you to split up the teams."

Aang looked everyone over. "Zuko, and Yue, you'll come with me, and we'll track down Agni. Sokka, I'm trusting you to lead the others and be prepared for anything."

"Okay, man," he said, "You sure you don't want Katara with you? She's got that whole waterbending healing thing going for her. Which is nice."

"I can manage it, too," he said, "It makes more sense for me to go with Zuko, since he knows what we're dealing with."

"Okay, sure," Sokka said, "Sounds fine. We were discussing it. Agni's a powerful fire elemental spirit, right? Maybe you should try and lead him to a body of water, like Laogai, or the school swimming pool. Something to give you that water elemental advantage."

"I'll keep that in mind," Aang said, coldly.

"Good luck, Aang," Katara said, avoiding his eyes.

"Thanks," he answered, not looking in her direction. Toph grumbled to herself, and interposed herself between the two of them.

"Okay, enough of this depressing stuff. We're in this to win it, right? Well, let's win!"

"Yeah," Sokka said, "We're going to beat Agni, and we're going to save the world. Are you guys ready?"

"Ready," Zuko grunted. The others nodded, warily, and Sokka opened up the door and stepped out into the overcast night.

"Then let's save the world."


It took them hours, but despite Yue's best efforts, there was nothing. The Spirit World seemed content to lay, and not act It was getting on eleven, when finally, she shot upright and looked around. There was a light drizzle coming down upon them, and the night sky was dark and bleak, but in the horizon, there seemed to be a light.

"Something," she said, "I can sense something, but it's very strange. It's horrifically powerful --"

"Agni?" Zuko looked over.

"No," she said, "I remember when I sensed his memory. It was very distinct, very unique. This feels nothing like that, it feels more human than spirit, but yes, it is a spirit."

"Then this is that other enemy we were expecting," Aang said. The light burned brighter in the sky, and Aang's eyes followed it down to the horizon, "Is that a fire?"

"It seems like it," Zuko said. "This is a bad night for that arsonist to be around town making a mockery of my cousin."

"That's no fire," Yue said, "That's the spirit." She pointed at the light. It seemed to be moving, across the night sky, searing a path across the clouds, sparks descending to the earth and being extinguished by the rain.

Aang gripped his staff. "It's flying --"

"Is that --" Zuko's eyes widened. "That's a phoenix. They're a myth--"

"This is a Spirit that looks like a phoenix," Yue corrected. "But I've never seen one like this. But there's something about it that seems so familiar --"

Aang's eyes were wide, and his mouth hung slack. Zuko looked to him, and knitted his brow, "What is it, Aang?" he asked.

"It can't be!" Aang said, "Yue, can that be --?"

Yue's mouth formed an 'o' as Aang's thought suddenly became apparent to her. "I think you're right, Aang. That's why it's so familiar, but this is highly unusual."

"What is it?" Zuko demanded, angrily, "What is this secret you two are keeping?"

"Remember how I said I beat Ozai?" Aang said, weakly.

"That's my dad up there?" Zuko shouted. "How did that happen?"

"We were too late to stop him," Yue said, hurriedly, "But Aang managed to trick him into absorbing the corruption and the tower began to shake and shudder so horribly by then that we had no choice but to run."

"So he turned into this monster?" Zuko asked. He clenched his fists, and shouted unintelligbly. He took a deep breath, and turned back to Aang, "Forget Agni, there's no way the others can reach him. You've got to bring him down. I'll call the others."

Aang's head raced for an answer, but the thoughts of Azula, lying in that hospital bed, comatose and vegetative, flickered through his head at that moment. It clouded his senses, and there was only one person he could blame.

"Gladly." Aang leapt into the air. He landed on a rooftop and continued to climb, higher and higher, across the streets. He could see the light Ozai left in the distance, and he hurried after it, ascending to the sky bit by bit.


Sokka and his group were at a loss. "I really, really wish they'd give us a call, let us know what's what," Sokka murmured. "You know, an hour ago, I was nervous, now I'm just a little ticked off. What's with the past lives thing giving Aang bad info?"

"I don't think Aang would lie," Katara said, "But I don't know. It seems really strange."

"What's more strange is how you two are acting. Trouble in paradise, Sweetness?" Toph asked. She was a little more irritable about it than she expected. "You know what, I don't want to know. Your heart's racing a mile a minute."

"Oh," Katara weakly protested.

"Guys," Sokka said, pointing to the horizon, "That's about where the Royal City is, isn't it? Think that ghost burnt up another house?"

"That's just a rumor," Katara said, "But no, It looks more like a shooting star."

"That's a bright shooting star," Sokka said, "And it's so overcast --" His eyes flashed as he realized what it meant. "A Spirit. That's what we've been waiting for.":

A moment later, his phone rang. He picked it up, and seeing that Zuko was calling, answered, "What's up?" His expression darkened. "Right, change the plan, then. We'll keep an eye open for any signs of Agni. Good luck, Zuko."

"What?" Toph asked, "What's going on?"

The light passed by overhead, and Katara's eyes widened in wonder at it. The Phoenix King still seemed majestic, at that distance the strangely assymetrical wingspan seemed so difficult to make out, and it just seemed magnificent. Flames made up the feathers, and they sparked and flared and died down in a strangely relaxing pulse. The heat, on this cold night, seemed so welcome, and the tailfeathers -- the magnificent spread of the tailfeathers as he flew were filled with different color flames, blues and greens mixed with reds and whites.

It looked like a rainbow.

"Why did it get so hot?" Toph asked, looking around. "Guys?"

"It's beautiful," Katara breathed.

"It's Ozai," Sokka said, coldly. She snapped her attention over to Sokka. "That's the Phoenix King's godhood right there. The corruption made him lose control, but no one expected him to do this."

"I don't get it," Toph said.

"He looked like a phoenix," Katara said. "Like, a very large bird, but made of fire."

"I don't see how that could be beautiful," Toph muttered.

"Sorry, Toph," Katara answered. "I can try and knock it down. Maybe if I could freeze its wings, even for a second --"

"Aang's going to handle it," Sokka said, "Right now, Aang wants us to keep an eye out for Agni. if we see him, we probably shouldn't engage."

"So, let's split up," Toph said. "We'll cover more ground and all that junk."

"All right," Katara said. "I'll see what I can find."

"Me too. Keep in touch." The group spread out across the city. Toph headed towards the center of town. The streets weren't empty, but there was still a sense that people were only rushing from place to place. No one paid any mind to the light in the sky, they couldn't even see it. The only thing they felt was a brief sensation of heat whenever it passed overhead.

Katara wondered what it was looking for, but continued towards the lower ring.

Sokka couldn't help but feel envious of the people he passed, they could go home, and they didn't have to fear that looming presence in the sky. Agni, however, seemed to be more of a distant after-thought now.

He scoured the skyline for Aang's shape. He wasn't sure if he could find it.

Toph, however, seemed focused entirely on her task. She never felt like she'd been robbed of something being born blind, not to say she didn't envy people when they spoke about things like colors and shapes, but still, she had an idea of what those were probably like. The Spirit World gave her a glimpse of color, and she could take it or leave it.

Strange, though, that she walked through an empty street in the Upper Ring. The rain was heavier now, and most people had gone inside, but still, she passed a lot of people on the way here.

Now, the only signs of life were in the alleyway, the Spiritless.

They seemed restless, agitated. The full moon did strange things to them. But tonight, they were silent, just sitting, waiting, anticipating something. She felt sick just thinking about it. The battle overhead passed her by.

But on the ground, nothing escaped her sight.

Someone was here.

And there was the smell of incense, something burning and something beautiful all at once. There was someone in the middle of the heat, and she couldn't quite make out who. He stood perfectly still, his head craned upwards, mystified by some sight in the sky.

The Spiritless kept their distance, but she could tell they were focused entirely on him.

Who was he?

"You there!" she called out.

"Toph?" the voice was painfully familiar, and she paused. "What are you doing out here tonight? It's miserable --"

"What am I doing? What are you doing, Tenchi?"

Tenchi paused, and then frowned, "I don't know the answer to that. I felt like I had to be here, tonight. I don't know what's going on, anymore, Toph. You were right. I am dangerous. You should get away before I do it again --"

"Again? Wait, do what again?"

"The fire --"

"You've been the one who's been lighting those buildings on fire?"

"I didn't mean to!"

"Like I believe that!" she shifted her feet, she could feel the earth tremble in anticipating of her command, and she liked that. "Why are you burning down those buildings? How are you doing it?"

"I'm not, I don't know," he said, "It's like there's something else inside me doing it." She twisted her foot, and the road began to sink into the earth below. Tenchi gasped, and backed away. "How did you do that?" he asked.

"The same way you're burning down those buildings. Whose side are you on!" she demanded. "I know you're a bender!"

"I'm a bender?" Tenchi asked, "I'd say, 'What's that?' but I think I already know. You're a bender, right?"

He shuddered.

"I'm not like you," he said, "I remember now."

But Toph wasn't listening as she charged in.


Aang stood atop the Phoenix Group building in downtown Ba Sing Se, catching his breath. He didn't expect it to be so difficult to climb this high, but looking down on the city that looked like a model from this high, he felt exhilirated.

But he couldn't be distracted. Out there, in the sky, was the Phoenix King.

He circled the city, his fiery plumage lighting up the night sky for miles around him. And Aang waited for him. He readied his glider, and when the Phoenix King passed, he leapt into the night sky. The thrill of keeping afloat through this glider was unmatched.

He was falling behind the Phoenix King, and he descended on another tall building, jumping back up into the air with forward momentum pushing him along. The Phoenix King's neck craned, and its beak seemed to smile.

Aang moved closer, and he caught a glimpse of the face.

Ozai's face was being malformed by the corruption into a bird-like shape, but still, pieces of him remained, his cold eyes, and half his smile. "Avatar!" he screeched. "I finally found you!"

He flapped his wings, and there was a fiery gale steadying him, slowing him down. Aang bended the wind around, to turn himself and he moved in to strike. "Ozai!" he cried, "You monster!" he struck with a blast of wind he blew from his mouth.

The force of which knocked him flying backwards, while Ozai remained motionless in the sky, his wings flapping to keep afloat. The wind seemed to break into nothing. "Pathetic," the voice cawed. There was very little humanity left in that voice. It was a pale imitation of the old Ozai Houou.

Aang brought himself down on a rooftop, and he stared up at the Phoenix King. The blackness of the corruption slithered down his spine, and his tail seemed to ignite the air. The winds from his flapping wings were hot and dry, and the crown of flames above his head was like a halo, shimmering and white.

"Ozai is no more, boy," the Phoenix KIng said, "I've become as powerful as a god. I am the Phoenix King!"

"I don't care," Aang shouted. He readied himself for an attack, and Ozai's massive form descended lower, towards him. Flames surrounded his wings, and then, with a sudden, powerful flap, they shot down, like meteors, leaving flaming craters in their wake. Aang barely dodged around one, and nearly landed in the flames from another.

Aang grit his teeth. "You should have finished me when you had the chance, boy," Ozai taunted, "But now you'll face the power of a true god."

"You're right, I should have," Aang said. He leapt into the air and spun a slicing blast of air at Ozai. The Phoenix King dodged around and dived at Aang, knocking him into the wall of a building. Aang recovered himself quickly and jumped back up.

The Phoenix King moved through the air like a fish through water, and Aang's strikes seemed to miss him as he weaved through the air.

The path he left was full of sparkling embers that fell slowly to the earth, doused by the rain. Aang looked at them, and the rainfall suddenly, and grinned. As he launched himself on his glider, he put out a hand, collecting the water on his fingertips. Small, at first, but growing larger as he sailed through the sky, the water collected in a large whip, and he struck at Ozai.


Below, Aang's friends could only watch. "I feel useless," Sokka muttered, "I can't even hit him with my boomerang from down here."

Katara, from the lower ring, felt the same, sifting through the thinning crowds, eyes drawn skyward. But she had an idea. She just needed an empty street, or secluded alleyway.

She texted Sokka and told him to meet her in front of the Phoenix Group building.

When they arrived, Zuko was there, as well, Yue with him. Both stared skyward at the battle that was taking place. "Why are you guys here?" he asked, when he saw them approach.

"Good question," Sokka said, "Ask Katara."

"Aang needs us," she said, "He can't fight that thing alone."

"How are we going to get up there, then?" Zuko asked. "I hope you thought about that."

"I did!" Katara said. She grabbed some water out of the air, plucking drop by drop, and moving them together, into one long icy slab that dropped to the ground and shattered.

"Okay," Sokka said, "We need another plan."

"That was an example!" Katara said, "In practice, it'll be less shattered."

"We'll see," Zuko said, "We need to get to the top of the building."

"Right," Sokka said, "Let's go!"


The water struck the flaming feathers, and Ozai was surrounded by a cloud of steam and he darted upwards to get out of it. It was not much, but he seemed flustered and the feathers slowly reignited once he was high above.

The rain seemed to be slowing him down, Aang thought, "So, Ozai," he said, tauntingly, "How was that?"

He landed on a rooftop, and waved at Ozai. The Phoenix King scoffed and dived at Aang, stopping just above him and a wave of feathers launched down upon him. Aang threw his staff up to block, and whipped the wind around it, knocking the feathers harmlessly to the side.

"Not talkative anymore, I see."

"You are insignificant, beneath my notice," Ozai snarled.

"You sure are spending a long time noticing me, then," Aang answered.

Ozai snarled, again, a strange sound coming from a beak, and surrounded himself in a ring of fire. The fires spread down upon the rooftops, and Aang noticed that they were beginning to catch. He turned to blow out the flames.

Ozai grinned and began to launch himself at the Avatar once again. He was knocked, however, off his trajectory, crashing into the rooftop nastily, by a sudden splash of water to his wings. He turned his gaze to his right as he climbed to his massive talons, and saw them.

The Avatar's companions stood ready, his own son among them. "So, all the traitors are working together."

"Guys?" Aang said, bewildered, "How'd you get up here?"

Sokka, sitting down to steady himself, said, "Ice bridge, the less said, the better."

"Sorry,' Katara said, "But we couldn't let you fight him alone. He's way too powerful." She was about to say more when the Phoenix King lifted up into the air. The force from his sudden ascent knocked them down, and the heat was intense.

They stared at the inferno in the sky, and the Phoenix King dived down upon them, fiery bolts descending to the earth as he came. Zuko pushed Katara aside and struck at them with his own bursts of fire.

The two forces met in mid air, causing an explosion that knocked everyone back down, and Ozai reeled in midair.

"Keep him distracted," Aang said. "I've got an idea."

"Right, distract the angry phoenix guy, sure," Sokka murmured, "How do we do that?"

"Use your head," Katara said.

"Use your mouth," Zuko suggested simutaneously.

"That's not a bad idea," Sokka said. "Hey, Ozai! Your underwear is showing!"

The Phoenix King shook himself, and propelled himself back into the air. "My what?" he hissed. "Your petty insults do not harm me any."

"Yeah, okay, that's what your mom said."

"What does my mother have anything to do with this?" Ozai howled.

"I don't know, did she dress you this morning? The chicken costume is so last Autumn Equinox." Ozai loomed overhead, his wings blasting them with heated air and flames licked at the edge of the rooftop.

"You will pay for this disrespect."

"Great, he's distracted," Sokka said, "Now who wants to stop him from incinerating us?"

"Oh, I was hoping Aang was going to do that," Katara said, weakly, "Because I've got nothing. Zuko?"

"Don't look at me."

"Yue?"

"I'm at a loss."

Sokka peered over the Phoenix King's wings, and blinked, "Isn't that Aang now?" he said, quietly. The Phoenix King craned his neck, but it was too late, Aang descended on him, water dousing the flames on his back.

The Phoenix King rocketed up into the air, but Aang placed his glider around his neck, and held on tight. "You can't hold on forever," Ozai taunted. "You'll be a spot on the pavement before ten minutes pass."

"We'll see," Aang said, coldly.

The force as Ozai climbed was intense, but Aang carried through, fighting back the feeling of sleepiness that came upon him. The Phoenix King suddenly stopped, his flames beginning to flicker out,and then he dived.

The flames trailed long behind them, and Aang fought back the feeling of the heat and the pressure of the force that buffetted him around. He tightened the grip the staff had around Ozai's throat, and he could hear the beast suffer to breathe.

"You -- you insact -- get off!"

"No," Aang answered.

"What is worth dying for," Ozai said, "I won't stop until you fall!"

"Revenge," Aang answered.

"You're mad," Ozai coughed, "What vengeance?"

"For Zuko, for everything he did to try and win your favor," he said tightening his hold, "For Katara and Sokka. You used their mother's memory to make them do your dirty work. And for what? You became a monster, not a god."

"Nothing -- nothing they did -- I made them do," he said.

"And for Azula, who you turned into a monster in your own image," he said, finally, tightening it as hard as he could. Ozai sputtered, weakly, and no words came out, He began to fall from the sky, and Katara called out to Aang.

"He's not going to make it," she said.

"He's fine," Sokka said, "Ozai's not diving -- he's falling!"

"We need to get down there," Zuko said. "Katara!"

"On it!"

"Oh no, not another ice bridge," Sokka moaned.

"Don't be such a baby, it's an ice slide this time."

"Oh, like that makes it all the better, Katara."

The only ones who witnessed the giant phoenix land in the middle of Ba Sing Se were the Spiritless. Everyone else was inside to avoid the downpour. Everyone, except for Avatar and his companions.

Aang stumbled off of the Phoenix King, and he looked at him. "So now it ends," he said.

"No," the Phoenix King coughed, "I rise from the ashes, a thousand times, if I must."

Aang hesitated. "I don't believe you."

"You know I wouldn't lie about that. Ask your blind friend," he cughed, rising to his talons, and folding his wings. From underneath one, a human-shaped arm emerged and wild fire blazed the streets.

Aang coughed, and launched his own attack, winds slicing at the fiery wings. Ozai snarled in pain, and moved forward. "I am a God!"

The others tried to approach, but the fires were so strong, they could barely face them, yet they did not spread, they simply grew stronger. "No, you're not," Aang said. He brought himself upright.

"So, Avatar, what do you do now?" he asked.

Aang didn't have an answer.

Zuko cursed as he tried to bend the fire, and failed, "It's too strong," he complained, "I can't break it."

"We need to do something," Katara urged. "Where's Toph, maybe she could make a tunnel under it."

"I don't know,"

"I'll try calling her," Katara volunteered, and she began dialing her number. "Come on, Toph, pick up -- ah! Toph! We need you to -- you're not Toph."

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Is she all right?" Katara breathed, "No, you shouldn't come to us -- just, take her to the dorm, okay?"

She paused, then nodded, "Thank you, Tenchi. I don't know what we'd have done -- huh."

"What was that?" Zuko asked.

"Toph got hurt pretty bad," she began, "But Tenchi found her and was taking her home when we called. I don't know why, but," she shrugged, "I think he wasn't telling me everything. What could have happened?"

"I don't know," Zuko said, "But we can't worry about it right now."

Aang was facing a God-King, alone, and though grounded, Ozai fought fiercely, flames just seemed to appear wherever he glanced, and Aang could barely keep up. "You're pathetic, simply pathetic. Where are your taunts, your little tricks now, boy?"

Aang coughed, the smoke from the flames were beginning to affect his lungs. He paused, remembering his training with Zuko, and controlled his breath. "I'll," he stopped to cough, "I'll let you know when I think of some, okay?"

"Impudent to the last. Your friends can't help you, boy," he said, "You'd best make your peace."

Zuko felt like he was banging his head against a brick wall, but it was all he could do. He struck again and again, and yet, no progress was being made. "Give it up, Zuko," Sokka said, weakly, "I'm stumped."

"My water's just evaporating," Katara said, weakly. "I don't know what to do."

"We're finished," Sokka moaned.

"That's quitter talk," Zuko grinned, "Did you think we were finished when the girls were looking for us?"

"No, but --"

"When was that?" Katara asked, but no one noticed her.

"We'll beat this. We just need to think outside the box." Zuko pointed to the tips of the flames. "Over, not under."

"Over? But my ice will melt before then."

"I can do this," Zuko said. "I think."

"What?" Sokka asked.

"Ever see a rocket?" Zuko said mysteriously, "Give me some space." The siblings took several steps back, and then, Zuko thrust his hands down. Thee fires that came out suddenly gave him enough force to propel him upwards, and it wasn't graceful, it wasn't elegant --

But he landed, just over the flames, and rolled.

The flames were circling Aang, and these ones parted with his strike, "Ready, Aang?" he asked. "We're going to put an end to this."

"You're a disappointment, Zuko," Ozai said, "You were half what your sister was worth." He struck at Zuko, "Now you interfere with my victory?"

"Yeah, I do that, don't I?" Zuko grunted. "Come on, Aang."

"I'm trying," Aang said, "But nothing seems to work."

"Let's fight fire with fire," Zuko said, "You can do it. Just remember the basics."

Aang nodded, and resumed his breathing. "I'm ready," he said, hesitantly, and Zuko nodded.

"On three. One, two," and he brought his fist back, "Three!"

Fire washed upon the Phoenix King, knocking him back into a wall. The force was so great, so unexpected, that he lost his balance, landing on his belly. "Now!" Zuko said, "This is your chance!"

Aang readied himself, but hesitated, "I don't know -- I don't know --"

"What?"

"I can't -- he's still a person."

"He's not, Aang," Zuko pleaded. "He's not a person anymore."

"Zuko, your friends are weak," Ozai said, crawling back upright, "Just like you."

"Aang, now, before it's too late," Zuko pleaded. "We won't have another shot at this!"

"I know," Aang said, "But I can't -- even if I do, will it stop him?"

And that was when he arrived.


He stood at the edge of the flames, Toph on his back. The girl was covered in soot, and her feet were covered in burns. He looked sympathetically at Katara, and deposited the blind girl at her feet.

"Tenchi, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry," he said, "I know you told me not to, but I had to come. We cannot escape our destiny, after all."

"Destiny?" Sokka looked at Tenchi, and cocked his head to the side, "Who are you?"

"Is that really the question?" Tenchi asked, and he placed his hands to the flames. They went through, unfazed, and then he pulled them aside. He stepped through. Sokka picked up Toph, and he and Katara followed right behind him, as the flames slowly began to smolder.

The Phoenix King lurched forward, trying to strike down Aang and Zuko, and he stopped upon noticing the strange boy who approached. And for a moment, his eyes fogged over. "No, this is impossible, you can't be -- how the years have passed."

"I'm sorry to see you like this," Tenchi said.

"What?" Sokka sputtered, "You know Ozai."

Tenchi didn't answer. He approached the Phoenix King and stood at ready. "Any time, Ozai, any time."

This snapped Ozai from the haze, and he struck down with a fiery wing. The flames seared through Tenchi, but when they fizzled, he looked untouched. Ozai looked mortified, and tried again, but Tenchi grabbed the wing, and the flames suddenly began to die.

"How dare you. I am the God here, not you. I'm the one who worked so hard, so long, how dare you continue to surpass me."

"I'm sorry," Tenchi said, "But I can't go easy on you this time."

"You were always the favorite," he gasped, "Always. Now look at you, young and powerful again. How? How did you?"

"This?" Tenchi said, "Time's an illusion, Ozai, and so is this."

Ozai lurched back, and fell to the ground. He stopped moving, his eyes closed, and the flames began to flow towards Tenchi, who looked back at the others, with a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry you had to witness this," he said, as Ozai's body seemed to whither and shift back to the way he was before.

And then the flames consumed him. Tenchi closed his eyes tightly. "There was no saving him, I'm sorry."

"Tenchi," Sokka said, and he began to look nervous, "The way Ozai was talking there. It sort of sounded like you were, I don't know, his brother."

Tenchi looked at Sokka, and burst into laughter.

Sokka nervously joined in, "Ridiculous, I know."

Tenchi, through his laughter, managed to say, "But I am."

The laughter stopped, and Sokka backed away. "You're Iroh Houou? But that's impossible."

"Uncle?" Zuko murmured, eyes wide.

"Yes, Zuko," Tenchi said, "I had forgotten who I was for so long."

"You're alive!" he said, "You're really alive!"

"No," Tenchi said, "Don't be so happy to see me." He smiled weakly. And he looked to Toph. Katara was tending to the burns on her feet, and Aang looked at Tenchi. Something didn't feel right.

Toph stirred, and murmured, "He's not human," she said, at the start, "He's a Spirit."

"That's not entirely accurate," Tenchi said. "But we can discuss this elsewhere. It's quite rainy out, and you're going to catch a death of cold out here."

Zuko watched mystified as Tenchi moved past him, "But you're Uncle Iroh, right?"

"A piece of him," Tenchi answered, slowly, "Yes, that is probably the best way to put it. Come along, let's go back to your dorm. We have much to discuss."

"No," Yue said, suddenly. "I won't let you do this."

Tenchi looked at her, and smiled, "You're a very pretty spirit girl," he said, "If I was as young as I looked, I'd be very taken with you."

"I know you don't mean to, but," she said, "We cannot trust him."

"Yue?" Zuko began, "This is my Uncle --"

"No, he's not," Yue said, "Don't hide yourself behind this trickery, I see through you. I know who you are."

Tenchi sighed, heavily, "Oh, I see. You're gifted with the wisdom of the moon above, my dear girl, but there's a lot you don't understand, about what happened ten years ago, and what you're about to face."

"I know enough," she said, firmly, "And I promised to protect my friends. I won't let you do this." Aang looked up to Yue, and put a hand on her arm. She looked at him, and said, "I won't let you have to face this again, Aang."

"Aang," Tenchi said, "The Avatar himself. It's been a long, long time, how you've grown. I doubt you remember me."

"I remember. You saved me from that monster," he said. "Thank you." He bowed.

"No, the Moon Spirit is right, do not thank me. I am not all I appear to be," he said, "Too long you've been in the middle of this storm, without seeing fully what you face. Avatar Aang, I am Iroh, the man who caused the accident ten years ago, but that is not all I am."

He held out a hand, and the flame that burned in his palm was wild, and it seemed to burn the flesh of his hand.

"I am also Agni, the God who will end the world."

To be continued.