Appa had been flying over the endless ocean for what seemed to be forever now. Aang conducting Appa. Zuko sat in the back leaning against the edge of the saddle wanting to create as much distance with the Sun Spirit who had been struggling to meditate for the past couple of hours.
"We've been riding for hours." Zuko groaned as Appa flew towards the Sun Warriors' island, "I don't know why, but I thought this thing would be a lot faster."
Appa growled loudly and Aang glanced over his shoulder at the older teen cheerfully. "Appa's right, Zuko. In our group, typically we start our missions with a more upbeat attitude."
"Are you going to complain the entire way?" The girl glared at him opening an eye. "I'm trying to meditate. Shh!" she hissed, the edge of her eye twitching with annoyance. Truth was just being around him set him on edge. She couldn't believe how much of a diva Zuko could be about these things. 'Spoiled royal brat…'
"You've been demanding peace and quiet since we left the Air Temple. Give it a rest. You don't even know what you're doing." He scoffed rudely turning to glare back at her.
"Aren't you a little too young to be suffering from fire bendingdisfunction?" She poked where she knew it would hurt him.
Zuko's face had turned red in both anger and embarrassment he was about to retort a snide comment when Aang interrupted.
"Quit it you two!" Aang called over his shoulder scolding the two teenagers that were acting more like children. They had been glaring and making snide comments at each other the whole way through. "If you two are going to fight the whole way to the temple I'm turning Appa around!"
The arguing teens in the back both lowered their shoulders in defeat and glared at each other sparks flying when their gazes crossed.
"I can't believe this!" Zuko grumbled under his breath and he rested his head on the saddle rim with a sigh.
Aang cringed slightly as he guided Appa through the sky. He wondered just what had happened to those two over the night. They had gone from holding hands to not speaking to full-blown tension and fighting in less than twenty-four hours.
"Don't worry," Aang quipped with a grin as he guided Appa through the sky. "You'll get the hang of it," he said optimistically regarding Zuko's firebending. "And hopefully we'll learn something about the Sun Spirit!"
Zuko rolled his eyes and remained silent, crossing his arms over his chest. He stared up at passing clouds overhead. He couldn't bear the sight of her. It was much too painful…
Appa suddenly growled loudly and Zuko sat up. The sky bison sped up and broke through a low hanging cloud. The three gasped in awe at the sight below.
"Whoa!"
Scattered ruins littered a golden island below. The striking architecture and pyramids standing as a testament to the ages. Aang flicked the reins and directed Appa towards the edge of the ruins, the sky bison landing with a low grunt. Aang retrieved his staff from the saddle as Zuko and Tsai jumped to the ground, looking at the ancient ruins before them in awe.
Moments later they were exploring.
"Even though these buildings are ancient, there's something eerily familiar about them." Zuko commented as he looked around. "I can tell the Fire Sages' temples are somehow descended from these."
"Okay, we learned something about architecture." Aang quipped and he looked over his shoulder at the older boy, "Hopefully, we'll learn something about firebending and the sun. The past can be a great teacher."
"Do you feel any different Tsai?" He asked. She was about to respond when his foot suddenly caught on something and he tripped forward with a surprised yelp. His yelp turned into a yell of fear when the ground in front of him vanished, revealing a bed of sharp black spikes. It was a trap! Aang quickly exhaled a huge gust of air, preventing himself from falling into the pit trap while propelling himself safely across to the other side.
He landed shakily on the other side in a crouch, flailing his arms slightly to keep his balance. He panted in surprise and turned towards the Fire Nationers across, his eyes wide. "I think the past is trying to kill me!"
"I can't believe it." Zuko muttered in amazement as he kneeled down and inspected the trip wire. "This booby trap must be centuries old, and it still works."
"There's probably a lot more." Tsai looked around the ruins with suspicion. Aang straightened and clutched his staff nervously, glancing around with wary eyes. "Maybe this means we shouldn't be here."
"Maybe this means we should be here." The redhead challenged as the eyed the bed of spikes thinking of a way to cross them. "People don't make traps unless they've got something worth protecting," she observed.
Zuko glanced across the spike bed briefly then took a several steps back. Taking a deep breath, he ran towards the wall, running across it to the other side of the trap. He landed beside Aang and brushed himself off casually, a smirk tugging at his lips as he looked over at the younger teen.
"Where's that upbeat attitude you were talking about?" He smiled at Aang disbelieving look then he looked towards the largest temple in the center of the ruins.
"Show off," the girl muttered under her breath and crossed her arms over her chest before kneeling down and analyzing the rope that had triggered the trap.
"Need some help?" Zuko challenged from across the spike bed his body language mimicking hers as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Over her dead body she was asking him for any help. Her pride was already hurt enough as it was.
She looked at both of them standing on the other side of the courtyard and frowned. There was no way she was fast enough to walk on the wall like Zuko or that she could blow her way across like Aang. She looked at both of them slightly frustrated at her lack of skills. She would find a way across, but it would take her some time.
"I-I'll catch up…" She responded smugly turning away. Being unable to shed her pride.
"Tsai are you sure? I can-" Aang began but was interrupted by Zuko who turned his shoulder away. "She can handle it." He said crass and they began to walk away leaving the girl alone in the courtyard.
She glowered at him fists clenched at her sides. He had really been getting on her nerves today. Bummed she kicked a nearby rock on the ground fuming.
She looked at the bed with spikes maybe- she could just walk across it carefully? Slow and steady wins the race? She got the rope and looked up to a branch ready to toss it over and use it to swing cross.
By now Aang and Zuko had probably found a rare treasure or the true origins of firebending! She had to hurry.
"Who goes there?" A rough voice suddenly said. She felt something sharp poke her back and turned in fearful shock to see a tan man wearing tribal gear. A native man of the Sun Warrior islands! The warrior wore a menacing expression on his face and pointed a sharp spear at her chest.
Xxx
Sometime later on a separate part of the island Aang and Zuko ran into some trouble.
The Avatar grunted and yanked at the metal bars, trying to get them to budge and his hands stuck to the goo already on the bars. He struggled to pull them off, but they remained stuck. "I can't move. Zuko, do something!"
"Me?" Zuko squawked indignantly, "What do you expect me to do?! I can't move either!"
Aang glanced over his shoulder and his eyes widened when he saw the goo was nearing the ceiling. He turned back around and renewed his struggle to move the metals bars, but any attempt at trying to budge them was cut short when the goo finally reached them. Zuko and Aang both groaned in discomfort as the goo pressed them tightly against the grating until it suddenly stopped.
"It stopped." Aang muttered in relief.
Zuko sighed and stared up at the sky, "At least we have air. Maybe if we stay calm, we can figure a way out of this."
"Tsai's probably lost looking for us!" Aang said after a while. "TSAIIIIII!" He shouted at the top of his lungs hoping the girl wherever she was would hear them and come to their aid. Zuko slightly cringed at the volume ringing eight next to his eardrums.
Hours passed and the girl never showed.
"Something is not right," Zuko said, his eyes narrowed in worry as he gazed up at the night sky.
"Tsai should've been here by now…" He struggled against the tight grip of the goo that was holding them in place.
Aang stared up at the sky, which had long since grown dark, and sighed. He had long given up on shouting for the girl's help. He glanced over at Zuko from the corner of his eye, "You hadto pick up the glowing egg, didn't you? You just hadto tell Tsai to stay in the courtyard!"
"At least I made something happen." Zuko retorted defensively, glaring as best he could at the younger boy, "If it were up to you, we'd never have made it past the courtyard."
Aang ignored him and, opening his mouth wide, shouted as loudly as he could, "HELP!"
"Who are you yelling to?" Zuko demanded in exasperation, "Tsai probably went back to the Air Temple and nobody's lived here for centuries."
"She wouldn't do that! She wouldn't abandon us! She's probably out there looking for us… Maybe she got lost? Maybe-"
"I know she can take care of herself." The prince spoke abruptly almost defensively. For the sake of the spirits she broke the Fire Lord's nose with one blow. "But I-…" He let out a frustrated grunt.
"You're worried," Aang acknowledged slightly surprised. Who would've guessed Zuko was such a big softie?
His silence confirmed Aang's suspicion.
"I don't know how to act around her anymore. It's… hard." He sighed sounding emotionally drained.
"Just be yourself," Aang advised. "She's obviously angry at you but it'll pass."
'Easier said than done,' the scarred prince thought to himself.
"Well, what do you think we should do?" Aang asked after a moment.
Zuko looked off the side for a moment then muttered, "Think about our place in the universe?"
Aang groaned and closed his eyes.
"Who is down there?" A gruff voice called.
Aang and Zuko's eyes went wide as a tan man wearing warpaint on his face, a headdress, and a tribal outfit stepped into view.
"No way..." Aang muttered quietly as he stared up at the man.
xxx
After being freed from the grate by several men and women wearing face-paint and dressed similarly to the man in the headdress, Aang and Zuko sat in front of the chamber's closed door, still trapped in the sticky goo. Two aardvark-sloths sat on either side of them, happily licking the slime off of them while the men and women stood in a loose circle around them.
The man, who was obviously the chief, walked towards the two boys, "For trying to take our sunstone, you must be severely punished!"
"We didn't come here to take your sunstone." Zuko stated firmly, ignoring the aardvark-sloth licking his face, "We came here to find the ancient origin of all firebending."
"Yeah, right." A skinny man snapped as he stepped out of the loose circle and came to a stop beside the chief, cradling the golden gem in his arms, "They are obviously thieves, here to steal Sun Warrior treasures."
"Please," Aang begged, looking up at the chief with imploring eyes as he placed a newly freed hand on his chest, "I don't normally play this card, but...I'm the Avatar." The skinny man looked towards the chief with a puzzled expression. The chief just stared at Aang intently and, seeing his chance, Aang struggled to his feet and gave a weak smile, "Just hear us out."
Zuko, now also clean off the slime, stood up as well. "My name is Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation." He paused and looked down at the ground, "Or at least, I used to be." He sighed and looked up at the chief earnestly, "I know my people have distorted the ways of firebending to be fueled by rage and hate. But now I want to learn the true way," He paused and stared back at the ground remorsefully, "The original way. When we came here, I never imagined the Sun Warrior civilization was secretly alive."
"I am truly humbled to be in your presence. Please, teach us." Zuko said and he bowed respectfully along with Aang.
The Sun Warrior chief looked at them critically then spoke, "If you wish to learn the ways of the Sun, you must learn them from the masters Ran and Shao."
"Ran and Shao? There are two of them?" Aang questioned in surprise, Aang was yanked out of his thoughts when the Chief stepped in front of him and Zuko. The older man looked down at both of them sternly.
"Your judgement will depend on Taiyo Shin."
Aang and Zuko exchanged a confused look.
The tribespeople banged their staffs against the ground and all cried "Taiyo Shin" in unison.
Aggressive drumming began beating in the background. Firebenders began shooting flames up in the night sky. "Taiyo Shin," They chanted repeatedly. "Taiyo Shin."
"What's a Taiyo Shin?" Aang whispered to his friend nervously inching towards him. Zuko had no clue.
It was then that a paladin made out of gold appeared. It was lifted up the stairs by several tribesmen that hummed deeply as they approached the front of the pyramid. Two at the front fanned whatever was being carried hiding it from view.
Until it stopped before the Chief and the two 'thieves.'
Suddenly they all dropped to their knees in adoration.
"Taiyo Shin" They worshiped as they bowed before the paladin. "Taiyo Shin," their foreign words echoed the landscape.
The feathered fans were lowered, and the fire roared as Taiyo Shin revealed itself before them. Sitting on the paladin on a golden chair with one leg crossed over the other sat a woman being adored, revered, worshiped by an ancient civilization.
"Taiyo Shin!"
She rose from her chair. A smug smile on her vainglorious face which had been painted from the nose up with a crimson red and a white streak. She wore a crown made out of gold and sunstones and had changed into tribal gear. She raised a hand and the Sun Warriors immediately silenced.
Aang couldn't believe his eyes. Zuko's jaw dropped.
"How angry did you say Tsai was at you?"Aang squeaked nervously.
She came down and stood before them looking at them with mock judgement.
"I deem you two…" Her eyes zeroed in on them both. There was a chilling silence.
"Unworthy," the edge of her lips curved up maliciously.
"What?!" Aang snapped.
"What are you doing?!" Zuko exclaimed.
"Tsai you know us- you that we are more than worthy!" Aang protested.
"Are you?" She said darkly almost in a menacing tone.
The tribesmen seized the 'thieves.'Aang and Zuko tried to fight them off. Both of their expressions white with fear. Neither of the boys could believe this is how it would end.
She raised up both of her arms dramatically "Halt!". The world stopped moving when she commanded. She couldn't hold it in any longer. Tsai bowed down holding her stomach hard and falling crown as she laughed obnoxiously.
"Ah! You should've seen your faces!" She wiped a stray tear before walking back to her pagoda still laughing and plopping down on the chair.
"That's what you two get for leaving me behind," she said with a teasing grin.
Aang felt nauseous at the prank. Zuko had an annoyed expression on his face. It was almost comical.
"I deem thee worthyof Masters Ran and Shao."
The tribespeople cheered wildly. The Sun Warrior Chief clapped, and Tsai was carried to the highest level of the temple.
And the Sun Warrior stepped forward. "The Sun has spoken." He nodded.
"When you present yourselves to them, they will examine you. They'll read your hearts, your souls, and your ancestry." He took a step towards Zuko and towered over him, "If they deem you worthy, they will teach you. If they don't..." He paused and narrowed his eyes dangerously, "You'll be destroyed on the spot."
The chief stepped back and Zuko swallowed, exchanging a nervous glance with Aang.
The sun was beginning to rise when the Sun Warrior Chief and his people had led Zuko and Aang towards the main structure in the center of the ruins. The chief stood before a blazing fire, and in that fire undisturbed sat the Sun Spirit with her legs crossed under her body. She remained calm and collected. Her hair lightly swaying with the embers. Aang and Zuko starred in awe at the vision before them.
The chief turned towards the two boys, "If you're going to see the Masters, you must bring them a piece of the eternal flame." He gestured towards the fire blazing fiercely behind him, Zuko and Aang staring at it in astonishment. The Sun Warrior Chief raised his arms proudly and turned back to the boys, "This fire is the very first one. It was given to Man by the dragons and given to the dragons by the Sun. The Priestesses and Priests of our tribe have kept it going for thousands of years."
"I don't believe it." Zuko whispered in bewilderment and awe.
"You will each take a piece of it to the Masters, to show your commitment to the sacred art of firebending."
"Um..." Aang hesitated and looked at the chief unsurely, "Mister Sun Chief, sir? Yeah, I'm not a Firebender yet." He gestured towards Zuko weakly, "Couldn't my friend here carry my fire for me."
"Taiyo Shin?"The Sun Warrior Chief questioned turning to look at the girl that sat inside the inferno.
"No. You have to carry your own Aang," she responded sternly while squinting an eye open from her disturbed meditation. "That was the whole point of coming here in the first place remember?" She opened both eyes and narrowed them at the young boy.
"Taiyo Shinhas spoken," The Sun Warrior Chief said dramatically before returning to the fire. Aang watching uneasily as he reached into the flames and pulled some of the fire into his palm.
"This ritual illustrates the essence of Sun Warrior philosophy."
The Sun Warrior Chief turned in a full circle and split the fire equally in two, holding a flame in each hand. "You must maintain a constant heat. The flame will go out if you make it too small." He held the fire out to Aang. The chief turned towards Zuko and held one of the flames out to him, "Make it too big, and you might lose control."
Zuko stared at the flame coolly as he took it from the chief, cradling it carefully in his hands. He looked over at Aang, who was staring at the fire the chief was holding out to him warily.
"I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous." Aang apologized with a wince. He took a deep breath and, closing his eyes, gathered the fire into his hands. The fire flared for a second then settled and Aang opened his eyes slowly.
"It's OK Aang. You're not going to hurt anyone," the girl in flames spoke with a small smile. Both of her eyes closed once again as she attempted her best to focus on her meditation. He stared at the flickering flame in his hand, his expression relieved and awed. "It's like a little heartbeat."
"Fire is life, not just destruction." The Sun Warrior Chief explained patiently, "You will take your flames up there." He pointed to a rocky mountain nearby, the boys turning to look in that direction. The Sun Chief continued, "The cave of the Masters is beneath that rock."
Aang and Zuko looked at each then turned and headed down the temple's stairs, beginning the trek towards the mountain.
"In regard to you…" The Sun Warrior Chief turned to face Tsai with his arms crossed over his chest. She instantly deflated the moment the two boys were out of sigh losing her cool. Her heavy sunstones crown almost falling over as she slouched.
"OK," she began. "I've told you almost a thousand times. I have no idea what I'm doing!" She confessed rising to her feet. "I don't know how to be the Sun Spirit. I'm not good at it. I've been doing nothing but meditating for the past twenty-four hours and have accomplished nothing!" She said taking off the feathery large crown.
"Your problem is that you think sun meditation comes from a blank state of mind, from an empty soul's slate when it does not. It does not come from rage or anger either." He explained sagely. "You need to be true to yourself. Embrace your emotions. Do not fear them."
"But how am I supposed to do that?" She said stepping out of the eternal flames.
"Fire gets its power from the sun. From you. And this power is not only destruction it is also life." He rephrased what he had previously said to Aang and Zuko.
She looked down at her feet feeling the stress already knotting up her back. "If you want to help the Avatar and your boyfriend take down the Fire Nation, you have to master this quickly."
"He's notmy boyfriend!" She roared angrily.
Seriously what had even given him that idea? They barely even made eye contact when he was here.
"Think. You've already manifested some of the proficiencies of a Sun Spirit. You have walked through fire, you've healed people and firebenders seek you out," he explained.
"Healed people?" She asked confused. "Firebenders? What are you talking about?"
"You've healed yourself before- and from what you told me yesterday that older man that was struck by lightning in the Earth Kingdom too."
She processed her words. How on Earth had she managed to do something she didn't know she could do?
"Have you noticed that firebenders are naturally magnetized to you?"
She paused for a moment to think. Her brother had always been good to her, so had Iroh and Zuko and then there was- She thought of how Ozai had been 'merciful' towards her and of Azula's most peculiar behavior towards her.
'Uh-Oh…'
Well, thatmade sense now.
"They seek you out because your energy attracts them. Afterall you are the source of their power."
"What did all of these circumstances have in common?" He pressed.
"I-I don't know," She shifted in her feet awkwardly. "They were all just things thatIhad to do. If not, someone could've died. Hell, Icould've died." She explained at the realization.
"There," the Sun Warrior Chief pointed at her chest precisely at her heart. "You had to do them. You felt something in you. That emotion. That state of mind. I want you to seize it!" He said determinedly closing a fist in the air. "Empower yourself!" He roared.
She nodded. Weakly at first then in a more determined way.
"Alright," she said feeling more pumped up. High in spirits.
"Let's do this. Let's get into the Sun Spirit state!" She cheered thrusting an optimistic fist up in the air and returning to the eternal fire where she assumed her former position.
'Embrace your emotions…'she repeated to herself through measured breaths. 'Embrace your emotions…'
She focused her thoughts on one memory in particular. That day that Iroh had been hurt. She hadn't even realized but she had somehow healed him in the spur of moment. She tried to focus on the fear she felt at the moment. The horrific scene.
"I already told you!" The Sun Warrior Chief scolded when he saw the way her eyebrows burrowed in concern. "Fire does not come from fear. It roots from passion and courage which gives us strength."
She sighed beyond annoyed and once again focused on her meditation. She focused on the care she had towards the older man, the love she felt for him. How every part of her will wanted him to survive that attack.
"I think…" she said suddenly feel a strange source of energy course through her veins. "I think I'm doing it…" She focused in embracing the warm feeling. "I think I'm doing it!" She opened her eyes. "I think I'm-" She felt a gentle breeze and open her eyes to see that she was no longer sitting in the eternal fire.
"AHHHH!" She panicked. As did the chief and other Sun Warrior who all shouted in panicked and ran towards the diminutive flame that became almost nonexistent.
All of their eyes zeroed in on her with fury. Their faces red with anger.
This… was not good.
"Taiyo Shin?" She uttered nervously.
Xxx
There was no more palanquin when she was sloppily carried down the stairs of the pyramid with her hands tied behind her back.
"I am the Sun God! Taiyo Shin!" She protested. In an attempt to once again be worshiped by the tribespeople.
"You almost singlehandedly extinguished the Eternal Flame!" The Sun Warrior Chief raged. "Because of this Masters Ran and Shao will determine your judgement."
She scoffed a little at this. Big deal what were two ancient firebenders going to do to her?
"I didn't ask for this!" She said as they carried her up a mountain. "I didn't ask to be this person. I question my place in the universe now more than ever."
"All answers will be revealed to you if you are deemed worthy of this knowledge by the masters."
xxx
It was dusk by the time the two boys weary from the trek made it to the top of the mountain where the Sun Warriors were already waiting for them, poised in an alternating standing and sitting position around the area. Aang looked at the bridge between the two mountain peaks in amazement while Zuko looked at the Sun Chief and two tribesmen approaching them. Where was their precious Sun God? Both Aang and Zuko looked around but found no sign of her.
"Facing the judgment of the firebending Masters will be very dangerous for you." The chief stated impassively as he regarded the two boys. He looked at Zuko sternly, "Your ancestors are directly responsible for the dragons' disappearances." The chief continued as Zuko looked to the side in shame. "The Masters might not be so happy to see you."
Another tribesmen put his hand on his hips and smirked at Zuko, "I know I wouldn't be."
"But," Aang protested quietly as he looked between Zuko and the Sun Chief, "Once they find out I'm the Avatar-"
"Have you forgotten that you vanished allowing the Fire Nation to wreak havoc on the world?" The Sun Chief demanded, interrupting the young Airbender. He stared Aang down, "The decline of the dragons is your burden too."
Aang bit his lip and looked away. The Sun Warrior Chief stared at the two boys stonily before driving his staff into the ground, the two tribesmen taking a bending stance on either side of it, mirroring each other. The Sun Chief then stepped forward, bending a section from each of the two boys' flames and placing them onto the waiting Sun Warriors' open palms.
The two tribesmen moved towards the other Sun Warriors waiting in a ring, while the chief removed his staff from the ground. In perfect synchronization, the two tribesmen carrying the flame passed it to another tribesman, who bended it into a circle a few times before the next Sun Warrior who is standing bends a small part of the fiery circle towards her and repeats the process.
Aang glanced around nervously then looked up at Zuko as the Sun Warrior Chief walked towards the staircase that led to the bridge, "We could turn back now. We've already learned more about fire than we hoped." He held up the little flame cupped in his hands and smiled weakly.
"No, we're seeing this through to the end." Zuko replied determinedly. "We're gonna meet these masters and find out what's so great about them."
"What if they judge us and attack us?"
"Well, we're the Fire Prince and the Avatar." Zuko stated, unsheathing his dao swords slightly for emphasis with a confident smile, "I think we can take these guys in a fight, whoever they are."
Aang bit his lip uneasily but nodded in agreement. Zuko took a deep breath then turned and stepped forward confidently, "Bring 'em out."
The Sun Chief threw his arms out to the side and called out, "Chanters!"
Several Sun Warriors, who are sitting down, began beating the drums in their laps in synchronization, the Sun Warriors who are standing or are without drums, chanting easily in time with the beat.
Aang and Zuko turned simultaneously and made their way towards the staircase where the Sun Warrior Chief was waiting for them, they're steps in time with one another. When they reached the stairs, the chief and the two warriors on either side of him stepped aside, letting Aang and Zuko pass.
The two boys looked at each other quickly, each taking a deep breath before climbing up the stairs. Aang glanced back as he walked after Zuko, hesitating a moment before swallowing and pushing forward. At the bottom of the staircase, the Sun Warrior Chief watched them with an unreadable expression.
The chanting and drumming stopped as soon as Zuko and Aang reached the top of the stairs and stepped out onto the bridge, the setting sun shining brightly before them. Before them sat a golden throne with Taiyo Shintied against it.
"Oh! I am so relieved to see you!" Tsai said as she struggled in the chair.
"Tsai! What happened?" Aang asked.
"I almost put out the Eternal Flame, so the Sun Warriors went nuts and tied me up here for judgement before the Masters."
"You did what?!" Zuko's eyes went wide.
Both boys looked warily at the two caves on either side of the bridge. Holding their fires cautiously.
"Not purposely! I was meditating and then it just happened!"
"Those who wish the meet the masters, Ran and Shao, will now present their fire." The Chief bellowed from below.
"So, they tied me up here," she sighed. "Big deal, now all I have is a headache. What are two old geezers going to do to me? Firebend at me until they're dead?" She let out what sounded like a humorous huff.
"Shhh!" Zuko whispered nervously throwing her a side glare. Maybe she would survive the flames but he and Aang would be roasted and well-done for.
Aang and Zuko turned towards the caves simultaneously almost robotically and bowed with their hands outstretched towards the caves, presenting their fire.
In the courtyard, the Sun Chief looked over at one of the tribesmen, "Sound the call!"
The Sun Warrior took a deep breath and brought the horn he held in his hand to his lips, blowing hard; the sound sending a flock of birds roosting nearby scattering into the air.
Suddenly, the cave Aang was facing began to rumble, several rocks becoming dislodged, and he trembled fearfully, accidentally dropping his hands to his sides and extinguishing his fire.
"What's happening?" He asked worriedly, turning to look over at Zuko's cave which remained unchanged.
The Sun Spirit felt her stomach sink with unease no longer feeling too brave about facing two firebenders. No normal human could make a cave cry and tremble that way.
"I have a feeling there's more to these two masters than what they've let on…"
Zuko turned slightly and gave both of them a puzzled look. Aang cringed, quickly returning to his bowed position, with his hands outstretched. A second later his eyes widened, gasping in dismay when he realized his flame was gone, and he quickly turned back towards Zuko.
"Zuko," Aang whispered desperately, "My fire went out."
"What do you want meto do?" Zuko whispered back sarcastically, glancing over his shoulder at the younger boy.
"Give him some of yours!" The girl said in panic from her chair.
"Give me some of yours." They both said in unison. Aang reaching over Zuko's shoulder for the fire.
"No," Zuko hissed as he gently pushed Aang aback, "Just make your own. Isn't that the whole point of why we came here?" He turned to look at Tsai who was looking at both of them with an irritated expression.
Aang reached for Zuko's fire again, "I can't!'
"Get some from one of those warriors. Hurry." Zuko snapped, losing patience as he kept Aang from taking some of his fire. His voice rose slightly in annoyance, "Stop cheating off me!"
Down at the bottom of the stairs, the Sun Warrior Chief exchanged bemused and exasperated glances with another warrior, the two boys' argument easily heard.
"Quit being stingy!" Aang demanded irritably back on the bridge, continuing to reach for Zuko's flame, but was unable to reach it because of their height difference. Zuko grunted and lifted his arm higher so that the flame remained out of the younger boy's reach.
Aang growled slightly as he attempted to grab the fire by sticking it close to Zuko's back, flailing his arms from under Zuko's armpits. The two continued to struggle for the flame for a few more minutes until Aang accidentally caused Zuko to drop his hands, extinguishing the flame. The two boys froze for a second then jumped apart, looking at each other unsurely and then both turned to face the Sun Spirit who looked beyond irritated at their antics.
"Any chance you could make a fire?" Zuko asked bleakly.
"No," She rolled her eyes. Ironic wasn't it? "Good news is, that now that both of you have your hands free you can untie me."
"I don't know if we are supposed to…" Aang trailed off uneasily.
"Just do it!" The girl barked beyond irritated.
Zuko looked at Aang and nodded both of them quickly attempting to undo the knots and loosen the ropes that kept her tied to a chair.
The cave on Zuko's side suddenly began to rumble, shaking the bridge, and the boys looked at it unsurely. The other cave began to rumble and shake the bridge and the trio looked at each other with troubled expressions.
There was no time for accusations or to point fingers at each other.
"Uh-oh." They muttered.
Suddenly, a pair of yellow eyes glowed in the darkness of the cave and a red dragon shot out of it with a thunderous roar. It circled around the bridge and the three of them, the overwhelmingly powerful winds caused by the dragon's wings causing them to stagger slightly. Tsai remained sitting in her throne both of her hands clutching the chair's arms tightly.
Zuko lowered his arms, which he'd raised to protect his face, and stared in shock at the dragon, turning to follow its path. He sucked in a sharp breath as a blue dragon erupted from the other cave, joining its red counterpart in circling around each other, the bridge, and the boys.
"These are the Masters." Zuko whispered reverently, watching the dragons fly around each other in awe.
"I can't believe it." The girl let out a ghostly breath.
Aang leaned towards Zuko and whispered, "Still think we can take 'em?"
"Shh!" Zuko hissed and he looked at the dragons nervously, "I neversaid that!"
As the dragons continued circling, the Sun Warriors bowed down in the courtyard.
"Oh, here it comes." A tribesman whispered eagerly as he looked up slightly at the boys with a grin, "Any moment now...dinner for the Masters."
The Sun Warrior Chief turned towards the other man and barked lowly, "Quiet!
"What?" The other warrior sulked, turning his head away, "Everyone's thinking it."
Up on the bridge, Aang studied the dragons, who were still flying in an elaborate formation of twists, turns, and curves. His eyes widening in realization, he whispered to Zuko without looking away from the dragons, "Zuko, I think we're supposed to do The Dragon Dance with them."
"What?" Zuko demanded in bewilderment. "What about this situation makes you think they want us to dance?"
Tsai was in such shock she wasn't even paying attention to whatever Aang and Zuko were saying or doing. Her eyes following the dragons as she stared in awe.
"Well, I think they want us to do something." Aang explained and he looked at Zuko imploringly, "Let's just try it."
"Fine." Zuko grunted and, back to back, they shifted into the first position of The Dancing Dragon, the two dragons shooting upward at the same time, then they shifted into the next position and the dragons followed them.
Moving fluidly, Aang turned to the side and spread his arms out, the blue dragon flying beside him, following the shape of his arms as he shifted into each position. He then thrust his arms down and to the side, the dragon turning sharply at the same time.
Exactly parallel to Aang and the blue dragon, Zuko and the red dragon did the same, keeping in perfect sync with their counterparts. Zuko moved just as seamlessly as Aang, pushing one hand up while angling the other underneath that arm; the red dragon flying beside him angling upwards as well. Zuko ducked down into a crouch with one leg extended and the dragon dove down, following the movement of his outstretched leg.
Slowly, the boys moved in a circle, heading towards each other with each fluid movement, the dragons complimenting their movements effortlessly. Finally, Aang and Zuko shifted into the final form of The Dancing Dragon, their bodies bent to the side and their arms outstretched towards the other, fists touching. They held the position for several seconds before glancing at the two dragons, who had stopped circling and were now hovering on either side of the bridge.
"Judgement time." The Sun Warrior Chief whispered.
Tsai shifted uneasily in her chair watching anxiously unsure if she should say or do anything. If there was a perfect time to go into the Sun Spirit State it would be now.
She looked at both Aang and Zuko who looked terrified. Odds are she would survive a fire breathing attack from the dragons but them? She looked at her friends and worry clung to her heart. She had to do something. Something. Anything.
Trembling slightly, Aang stood with his back against Zuko's, his eyes riveted to the red dragon staring straight at him. The blue dragon, facing Zuko, snarled lowly and he stared at it, mouth agape. The two dragons held their position for a long moment then dropped down, anchoring their lower legs to the bottom of the stone staircase while gripping the top with their front legs.
It was then that a gleaming golden light caught the attention of the two boys who turned and were stunned to find their friend glowing. Her hair was lightly whipped to the sides. Crown of sunstones reflecting the brilliant light. The ends of her hair had turned shades of white and yellow like embers and her eyes remained tightly shut.
Zuko instinctively reached for her. Aang held him back his eyes darting to the two dragons that surrounded them.
The dragons opened their mouths simultaneously and fire spilled forth, heading straight towards the boys. Aang and Zuko yelled fearfully, covering their faces with their arms as they were engulfed in a rising spiral of multi-colored flame. When they didn't feel the burning heat of being roasted alive, Zuko slowly lowered his arms and stared, completely shell-shocked by what he saw. He and Aang were standing in the eye of the fiery, swirling vortex, the flames an array of every color imaginable. Aang stared at the fire in wonder, the flames reflecting off his pupils, and he gasped in amazement.
"I understand." Zuko whispered in realization as he stared at the fire and the message that the dragons were conveying.
Slowly, the flames dissipated, and the dragons curled their bodies tightly then spring up and circle each other one final time this time flying directly towards Aang and Zuko. Both fell on their backs at the sudden strike through and marveled when the two creatures bowed before the Sun.
Tsai opened her eyes which presently resembled two bright rubies. Her expression was calm as she rose from her throne and starred into the yellow eyes of the red and blue dragons that bowed before her. She felt a strange familiarity when she stretched out her arms and lay a hand on each of their scaly snouts.
They closed their eyes for a moment providing visions and answers to many unasked questions.
With that the dancing dragons roared and spun in the air before each retreated to their individual caves.
The Avatar and the Prince both stood dazzled by the creature before them. Marveling at what they had just witnessed both of their eyes glued on the spirit that seemed to glow before their eyes. It only lasted for a moment before she stumbled forward, her head ducking, crown almost falling as her light dimmed, hair returning to its original shade of red. Both of the boys reached for her catching her by the arms.
The prince was about to inquired if she was OK. She beat him to it and in response she wrapped her arms around their necks and pulled them in close for a tight group hug.
"I finally know who I am!" She said beaming filled with glee. The edges of her eyes prickling with tears of joy.
Aang and Zuko smiled back at her and the three embraced.
The three made their way down the stairs, Tsai leading the way a confident smile on her face.
"There fire was beautiful." Zuko said softly as they got closer to the bottom of the stairs. "I saw so many colors, colors I've never imagined."
"Like firebending harmony." Aang whispered in awe.
"Taiyo Shin!" They chanted before dropping to their knees in reverence as all movement ceased.
"Yes." The Sun Chief commented with a soft smile as the trio reached the courtyard.
"It seems like Our Sun has risen," The Chief spoke wisely bowing before the Spirit. "You were judged and granted visions of the true meaning of firebending."
"I can't believe there are still living dragons." Tsai stated in disbelief, "Yeah, my Uncle Iroh said he faced the last dragon and killed it." Zuko added.
Aang frowned slightly, "So your Uncle lied."
"Actually," The Sun Chief cut in with a smile, "It wasn't a total lie. Iroh was the last outsider to face the Masters. They deemed him worthy and passed the secret onto him as well."
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise and realization, "He must have lied to protect them, so no one else would hunt them."
"The Spirit of the Sun originally embodied the form of a Dragon. Strong, red, vibrant." the Chief began to explain. "The real reason why dragons were hunted was not for game. Sozin wanted to capture this spirit and seize its power for his own malicious purposes… In the wrong hands it could've compromised his own military agenda. Because of this the Sun Spirit decided to become incarnate in human flesh and hide in plain sight… That was of course a hundred years ago and somehow that spirit lives in you now." The Chief lightly bowed to her.
Who was looking at him uneasily.
"The Masters revealed a lot to me," she said averting her eyes. "But there's still a lot I don't understand. Whyme?" She shrugged feeling perhaps a little unworthy of bearing such significant power.
"I do not have all the answers child," The man said, and she looked down at the ground sadly. She felt a supportive hand on her shoulder and turned to see Zuko looking at her his eyes seemed to say that everything was going to be okay. She sighed and gave his hand a small squeeze before dropping it.
"Don't worry Tsai, I know we'll figure it out soon." Aang said optimistically. He then turned to face the Chief.
"All this time, I thought firebending was destruction." Aang shook his head and looked down at the ground, "Ever since I hurt Katara, I've been too afraid and hesitant. But now I know what it really is...it's energy, and life." He smiled at the Sun Warrior Chief, who inclined his head.
"Yeah, it's like the sun, but inside of you." Zuko agreed and he curled his hand into a fist, staring at it a moment before looking at the chief and gesturing with his arms, "Do you guys realize this?"
The red head smiled a little at this.
"Well, our civilization is called the Sun Warriors..." The chief replied with an amusement shrug, "So yeah."
"That's why my firebending was so weak before." He turned towards Aang as he spoke, "Because for so many years, hunting you was my drive...it was my purpose. So, when I joined you, I lost sight of my inner fire." Zuko narrowed his eyes in determination, "But now, I have a new drive. I have to help you defeat my father and restore balance to the world."
Zuko lunged forward and thrust his fist out, firebending a rather large sized flame before twisting around and doing it again. Both Aang and Tsai grinned. Aang excitedly and mimicked the other boy, a large jet of flame shooting from his fist. The two boys straightened and walked back to each other, happy with their shared accomplishment.
Once they three were standing before the Sun Warrior Chief again he turned to happily address them, "Now that you have learned the secrets, and you know about our tribe's existence," His expression suddenly became deadly serious and he stared the two boys down, "We have no choice but to imprison you here forever."
Aang and Zuko gaped at him, mouths open in shock. Tsai let out a raspberry blow. She had gotten to know the Chief well. The man had a strange sense of humor.
The chief snorted and grinned at them, "Just kidding. But seriously, don't tell anyone."
The two boys glanced at each other and then nodded at the Chief in agreement.
"Hey," The Sun Spirit stepped forward. "Can I keep the crown?" She said with a sly grin.
The Sun Warrior Chief laughed heartily, "No." He deadpanned.
Xxx
"I still can't believe he wouldn't let me keep the crown!" She grumbled in disbelief as she attempted to remove the red and white tribal paint off her face with her bare hands. "Technically it ismine."
"I can't believe you're still with that." Zuko said sitting next to her on Appa's saddle as they soared back to the Western Air Temple. "Where would you have even put it?"
"I would've worn it all day!" She stated laughing a little as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He shook his head at the ridiculous statement.
"Hey," She said when something dawned upon her. "I'm.. I'm sorry if I was mean." She apologized sincerely. "It was uncalled for." She averted her eyes from him ashamed of how childish she had acted earlier in the day.
She felt something on her face and turned to feel him helping her wipe some of the tribal paint off her face with a small rag. She took that as his silent acceptance of her apology.
Aang smiled to himself as he eavesdropped and guided Appa through the skies. He let out a content breath. It seemed like once again there was some peace and balance between the two Fire Nationers.
"DID YOU LICK THIS?" His eardrums stung a little at the loud shouts behind him. Even Appa let out a low groan.
"I am trying to help you get the paint off!" The other protested back.
"Gross!" She screeched. "I don't want your saliva on my face!"
"You've never seemed to mind before!"
Again, Zuko's social skills or lack of them were always astounding. Aang's shoulders slumped a little as the bickering continued. Just like that his five seconds of peace came and went.
Xxx
It was morning by the time that Aang, Tsai and Zuko returned to the Western Air Temple.
"With this technique the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable." Aang explained as they shifted through the stances fluidly, firebending with each step. When they reached the final stance, the group applauded.
"Yeah, that's a great dance you two learned." Sokka quipped with a grin.
"It's not a dance." Zuko snapped defensively as he straightened from the last stance and turned to glare at the other teen, "It's a firebending form."
Sokka wiggled his fingers in a dancing motion, "Great. We'll just tap-dance our way to victory over the Fire Lord."
"It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old!" Zuko stomped towards Sokka.
"Oh yeah?" Katara piped up with a sarcastic smirk, "What's your little form called?"
Zuko hesitated then sighed, hanging his head in embarrassment as he answered, "The Dancing Dragon."
The group erupted in a laughter. Zuko's eyebrow twitched and he closed his eyes, gritting his teeth in order to keep his temper in check.
"Yeah!" The group's optimist trusted a fist up in the air standing up. "The Fire Lord isn't going to stand a chance! We've got this in the bag!" She cheered.
Sokka looked at her an raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what did you learn? Don't tell me non-firebending is a thing now," he teased.
"No," She huffed hands on her hips. "I learned how to enter the Sun Spirit state." Tsai said triumphantly proud of her accomplishment. "And- what does that do?" Toph asked blankly reflecting the odd expressions everybody else shared.
"I… I'm not sure." She dead panned.
Again, the group laughed in unison.
"It's a learning process! It's very hard! But I'll get the hang of it." The edge of her eye twitched as she folded her arms behind her head.
She let out an exhausted sigh. She still had a lot to learn…
xxx
AN: Taiyo Shin means "Sun God" in Japanese