Not long after the sun had risen, Aang, Zuko, and Chiara began packing for their journey to search for the Sun Warrior ruins.

"Chiara can stay here," said Katara to Zuko as he was putting his bag in Appa's saddle.

He jumped down off of Appa. "I want her with me."

She was glaring at him. "She's not your slave that has to be serving you every second."

"No, but she's my wife, and I don't want anything to happen to her again."

"You have no idea what's going to happen to you where you're going," she argued. "You may be taking her into a dangerous situation."

"But we'll be together," he said determined to win the argument.

"Chiara, you can stay here," said Katara when she walked up with the food they would be bringing. "You don't have to go with them."

"Yes, she does," insisted Zuko as he took the supplies from her.

"It's okay, Lady Katara. I've always wanted to see the ruins of the Sun Warriors. And apparently, a young Prince Iroh had quite an adventure on the island," she smiled. "Maybe it'll be a new family tradition."

Zuko was smiling at her idea. He took her hand and helped her up on Appa, and after Aang climbed on they left.

Zuko had been staring out at nothing but water for hours. Anxiety over finding some way to fix his firebending left him feeling bored as there was no land in sight.

"We've been riding for hours. I don't know why, but I thought this thing would be a lot faster."

Appa growled.

"Appa's right, Zuko," started Aang, "in our group typically we start our missions with a more upbeat attitude."

"I can't believe this," said Zuko softly.

He lay back and closed his eyes feeling even more frustrated by Aang's cheerfulness.

"Don't worry," said Aang. "You'll get the hang of it."

Chiara had been spending the hours staring out at the water reminiscing her days on Zuko's ship.

"I think it's relaxing," she said.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. "You can barely sit still when you're injured. How can you not be bored now?"

She giggled at his observation as she moved to sit next to him, and she tenderly ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes enjoying her touch.

"It feels good," she said. "It's like being on the ship again."

He should have known she would find something comforting in this.

"This is nothing like the ship."

She lightly caressed his forehead and cheek. "With your eyes closed, the gentle movement of Appa's flying and the wind blowing through your hair doesn't feel like we're standing on the deck sailing the ocean?"

He was struggling to find an argument. "The ship was bigger," he said finding that counteracting her positive attitude was relieving some of his boredom.

"But you have to admit, this is a lot better than being stranded on a raft for two weeks."

He sighed pretending to be annoyed by her optimism. "Okay, I admit that. But it's still not better than the ship."

"At least we're together now," she added. "I missed you the last time I was on Appa."

He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "You win." He put his arm around her and pulled her close until she lay against him resting her head on his shoulder.

With his cheek against her soft hair, he was no longer bored as he held her close lightly running his fingers over her forearm as it lay on his chest.

"Hey, guys, I see land ahead," called Aang.

"So soon?" asked Zuko, now sounding annoyed. "We just left the air temple."

Chiara gently giggled.

"But you were just complaining about...," started Aang as he looked back at him with a puzzled expression. "Oh."

Reluctantly sitting up, they looked over the front of the saddle and watched the island in the distance growing larger. As they approached the island, Aang guided Appa inland where they flew over a massive forest that covered most of the land. Soon they could see large stone buildings breaking through the sea of green vegetation, and as more buildings appeared they all surrounded a large pyramid in the center.

"Whoa...," they said simultaneously, in awe over the sight of the ruins of the ancient city of the Sun Warriors.

Landing Appa in a clearing, they left him to graze as they chose a path and started their journey through the ruins towards the large pyramid in the center of the city.

"Even though these buildings are ancient, there's something eerily familiar about them," said Zuko.

"They remind me of the Fire Sages' temples," said Chiara.

"Yeah. You can tell they're somehow descended from these."

"Okay," said Aang. "We've learned something about architecture. Hopefully, we'll learn something about firebending too. The past can be a great teacher."

Suddenly, Aang's foot caught a tripwire, and as the ground in front of them dropped, spikes appeared. Zuko pulled Chiara back, and as Aang began to fall he blew some air which propelled him up and he flipped to the other side.

"Zuko, I think the past is trying to kill me," he said.

Zuko knelt down. "I can't believe it," he said as he lifted the tripwire to look more closely at it. "This booby trap must be centuries old and it still works."

"There's probably a lot more," said Aang. "Maybe this means we shouldn't be here."

Zuko and Chiara looked at each other. They stepped back, and they ran towards opposite walls, running along the walls until they arrived on the other side.

"Where's that upbeat attitude you were talking about?" Zuko asked Aang. "Besides, people don't make traps unless they've got something worth protecting."

They continued walking towards the central pyramid. Ascending steps that led to a terrace, they approached an enormous carving of a warrior surrounded by two dragons breathing a ring of fire around him with the sun in the background.

"Look. This seems promising," said Aang as they reached the top of the stairs.

They studied the carving.

"Though I'm not sure what this tells us about the original source of firebending," he said.

"They look pretty angry to me," said Zuko.

"I thought the dragons were friends with the Sun Warriors," said Aang.

"Well, they had a funny way of showing it," said Zuko.

"They don't look angry to me," said Chiara. "The fire connects them all." She traced her fingers in the air following the fire of the dragons as it encircled the warrior. "The sun, the warrior, the dragons."

Zuko was amazed by her interpretation, but he looked down and turned away.

"Zuko," said Aang, "something happened to the dragons in the last hundred years—something you're not telling me."

"My great-grandfather Sozin happened." They left the carving and resumed their journey through the ruins. "He started the tradition of hunting dragons for glory," he continued as they were crossing a bridge. "They were the ultimate firebenders, and if you could conquer one, your firebending talents would become legendary, and you'd earn the honorary title, Dragon." They stopped before two large stone dragons flanking stairs that led to another terrace at the base of the large step pyramid. The head of one of the statues lay broken on the ground. "The last great dragon was conquered long before I was born..." He touched the eye of the broken statue. "...by my uncle."

"But I thought your uncle was...I don't know...good?" asked Aang.

"He had a complicated past," said Zuko. "Family tradition, I guess." Chiara tenderly placed her hand on his arm. "Let's just move on," he said.

They ascended the steps reaching a pillar with a sunstone near the top, and beyond that was a large round door. Aang ran up to it and struggled to open it, but it would not move.

"It's locked up," said Aang.

Zuko and Chiara looked around.

"Look," said Chiara pointing to the ground. "A celestial calendar."

"You're right," said Zuko. "Just like the Fire Sages have in their temples." He studied the markings and then looked up at the pillar behind them. "I bet that sunstone opens the door, but only when sunlight hits at just the right angle on the solstice."

"Monkeyfeathers!" said Aang, feeling frustrated. "The solstice again? We can't wait here that long."

"No, we can't," said Zuko as he unsheathed a sword. "But we might be able to speed time up." Using his sword, he caught the light shining through the sunstone and guided it to the stone above the door. "Let's see if we can outsmart the sunstone."

"Nothing's happening," said Aang.

"Come on," said Zuko holding the reflection on the stone.

Chiara was holding her breath as she watched the stone above the door glowing. Suddenly, the ground rumbled beneath them and the door opened.

"You know, Zuko," started Aang as he picked up his staff, "I don't care what everyone else says about you. You're pretty smart."

Zuko smiled, but then he realized what Aang had said. Chiara smiled at him and rubbed his arm. As Aang walked through the doors, he gasped when he saw an angry looking face.

"Relax," said Zuko as they followed him inside. "They're just statues."

Aang examined one of the statues. "It says this is something called the Dancing Dragon."

He stood behind it, and as he imitated its stance, he depressed a stone on the floor. He looked at the statues, and then he ran over to Zuko and grabbed his arm pulling on him.

"Zuko, get over here. I want you to dance with me."

"What?" asked Zuko pulling back.

"Just do it."

They both stood behind the statues, and Chiara stood behind Aang.

"Let's follow the steps of the statues," said Aang.

All three began imitating the statues, and each move by Zuko and Aang triggered the stones on the floor.

"Don't you see?" said Aang. "These aren't dance moves. These statues are giving us a lesson. I think this is some kind of Sun Warrior firebending form."

"This better teach us some really good firebending" said Zuko.

As they moved around the room, the final move left them with their arms bent towards each other and caused the floor in the center of the room to open. They turned to see a column rise from the ground with a glowing egg shaped gem atop it.

"Hurray!" said Aang excitedly. "Wait, what exactly is that?"

Zuko and Chiara approached the golden egg.

"It's some kind of mystical gemstone," he said.

"Well, don't touch it," said Aang as he saw Zuko reach for it.

"Why not?" asked Zuko.

"Remember what happened out there with those spikes?" said Aang. "I'm just very suspicious of giant glowing gems sitting on pedestals."

"I'm with the Avatar on this one," said Chiara looking up at Zuko. "I don't think we should touch it."

Zuko looked at it, and unable to resist, he picked it up. Chiara was standing against him with her hand on his arm as she looked closely at the stone. It was not what he was expecting as he held the gem in his hands.

"It feels...almost alive."

Chiara was tempted to reach out and touch it to see what he meant, but she held back. He moved to set it back on the pedestal, but before he even set it down a viscous slime gushed forth and pushed the two of them towards the ceiling where they were stuck to a grate.

"Oh no, it's another trap!" said Aang as he watched the doors close.

He moved around trying to avoid the slime.

"Ugh, I can't pull free," said Zuko. "It's like some kind of glue."

"I'm stuck too," said Chiara.

Aang ran towards his glider and continued jumping around trying to avoid it. When the slime engulfed his glider, he leaped up to the grate and was stuck next to Chiara.

"I can't move," he said as he struggled. "Zuko, do something!"

"Me? I can't move either."

Eventually the slime filled the room pushing the three of them against the grate.

"It stopped," said Aang.

"At least we have air," said Zuko. "Maybe if we stay calm we can figure a way out of this."

Time went on and the sun went down.

"You had to pick up the glowing egg, didn't you?" said Aang.

"At least I made something happen," snapped Zuko. "If it were up to you, we'd never have made it past the courtyard."

"Help!" yelled Aang.

"Who are you yelling to?" asked Zuko. "Nobody's lived here for centuries."

"Well, what do you think we should do?"

Zuko hesitated as he thought about an answer. "Think about our place in the universe?" he said calmly.

Aang just sighed.

"Katara was right," said Zuko softly. "I should've left you there with them."

"I'd rather be here with you no matter what happens," said Chiara. "Where you are is home to me."

"Even if...if this is...where it ends?" he asked her.

"Especially if this is where it ends," she said to his surprise.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you, my Prince."

Aang was amazed at their love for each other, and he began thinking about Katara, though he was not sure if he wanted her to be stuck next to him at that moment. He preferred to be with her safe at the air temple instead.

"Who is down there?!" came a voice.

Any feeling of relief they might have felt at being rescued immediately turned to worry as they stared at the fierce warrior looking down on them.

"Get them out," he ordered.

With the aid of aardvark sloths, the Sun Warriors detached the three from the grate and slime. Setting them before the doors they entered earlier the warriors guarded them as the aardvark sloths continued cleaning the slime from their skin, clothes, and hair. Chiara began petting her aardvark sloth as it cleaned her skin and clothes, and then she held her braid up to allow it to run its long tongue over it to remove the sticky substance.

The Sun Warrior chief approached them. "For trying to take our sunstone, you must be severely punished."

"We didn't come here to take your sunstone," said Zuko. "We came here to find the ancient origin of all firebending."

Another warrior stepped towards them. "Yeah, right," said Ham Ghao. "They are obviously thieves here to steal Sun Warrior treasures."

"Please, I don't normally play this card," started Aang, "but...I'm the Avatar." Ham Ghao looked at the Sun Warrior chief and then back at Aang as he stood up. "Just hear us out."

Zuko stood up too helping Chiara to her feet.

"My name is Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation...or at least, I used to be. This is my wife, Lady Chiara. I know my people have distorted the ways of firebending to be fueled by anger and rage. But now I want to learn the true way, the original way. When we came here, I never imagined the Sun Warrior's civilization was secretly alive. I am truly humbled to be in your presence." All three bowed their heads. "Please teach the Avatar and me."

"If you wish to learn the ways of the Sun, you must learn them from the masters, Ran and Shaw," said the Sun Warrior chief.

"Ran and Shaw?" asked Aang. "There are two of them?"

The chief stepped up to Aang and looked down on him. "When you present yourself to them, they will examine you," he said. He looked at Zuko. "They'll read your hearts, your souls, and your ancestry." The young prince felt intimidated by his words, and even more so as the chief took a step towards him, towering over him. "If they deem you worthy, they'll teach you. If they don't, you'll be destroyed on the spot."

Chiara held on to Zuko's arm as she knew he was worried. The chief looked at one of his warriors and nodded. The warrior walked over to them.

"This way," he said.

He led them to a stone hut.

"You will remain here for the night," said the warrior as he walked inside.

He instantly lit a fire in the fire pit in the center of the room.

"You will meet the masters in the morning."

He turned and left while two guards were stationed outside. Zuko started pacing while Aang sat down on one of the mats on the ground. Chiara stood watching Zuko with worry.

A short time later a warrior entered the hut with some food and tea and set it down before leaving. Chiara knelt down and poured tea into the cups handing one to Aang.

"Thanks, Chiara," he said softly.

She stood up to take a cup to Zuko.

"Here," she said as she stopped him from pacing. "Please sit."

He took the cup and sat down on a mat as she sat next to him and fixed a plate of food for him.

"I-I don't really feel hungry," he said as he took it from her and looked at it.

"You can't face the masters on an empty stomach," she said.

"I may not have a choice in that," he said worriedly.

She fixed a vegetarian plate for Aang and handed it to him.

"What about you?" Zuko asked her. "You need to eat."

"I will." She began fixing a small plate for herself.

After eating, Chiara poured Zuko more tea.

"Aang, more tea?" she asked him.

"Yes, please."

She poured it for him.

"I don't know what's going to happen to me, Chiara," said Zuko softly as he stared down at his tea.

"You'll do fine," she assured him.

"I've made so many mistakes," he said.

"And you learned from them and chose the right path."

He was touched by her faith in him and wished he felt the same way. "But if something happens...if they..." The chief's words echoed in his head: you'll be destroyed on the spot. "...if they destroy me...I want you to find a way to the Northern Water Tribe..."

"Prince Zuko, your heart is worthy."

"But my ancestry?"

"Think hard about your family," she said as she looked in his eyes. "Not everyone chose the path of war."

He knew she was referring specifically to Avatar Roku, and he appreciated her words and did not continue his arguments. Even Aang was amazed by her words of support and it made him miss Katara.

"Are you doing okay, Aang?" she asked. "You've been kind of quiet."

"I...I'm feeling a little nervous."

"You'll do fine too," she said. "I know I haven't known you long, but you're doing your duty as the Avatar. I'd say that makes you worthy."

He now felt comforted by her words as if it was Katara speaking them.

Before going to bed, Chiara suspected that Zuko would have trouble sleeping. She ran her fingers through his hair.

"Lie down," she said.

"I'm not really tired."

"You will be." She held up some water.

He smiled at her and did as she directed. She took some water and began doing the relaxing healing technique. Zuko's mind started clearing as his body relaxed, but a part of him did not want to stop worrying. He felt guilty for some of the choices he had made in his past and for the sins of his ancestors, and he felt as though he did not deserve the relaxing feeling Chiara was providing, so his mind started resisting her treatment.

"Stop fighting me," she said as she felt him tense up.

He opened his eyes. "Y-you can tell?"

"Yes. Whatever's bothering you, let it go for now."

He forced himself to clear his mind, and as the sense of calm took over his body, he fell asleep. Aang watched Chiara as she worked over Zuko, and he was curious about it.

"Is that the technique...uh, waterbending technique you were talking about?" he asked her.

"Yes," she said softly. "Would you like to experience it?"

"Zuko won't get mad?" he whispered.

She smiled and shook her head. "No, he won't get mad."

He nodded. "Thanks, Chiara."

When she finished with Zuko who was now sound asleep to Aang's surprise, she moved next to Aang.

"Lie down," she directed.

After he was lying on his mat, she knelt down above his head and started the technique. Aang was amazed by the relaxing feeling that took over his body, and soon he was sound asleep too. After they were taken care of, Chiara settled down next to Zuko and fell asleep.

The next morning, Chiara was up early, and she made sure Zuko and Aang were awake before they were called to meet the masters. The warrior who brought them to their hut the previous night was the same one who led them up the steps of the large step pyramid. At the top they stood before the Sun Warrior chief who stood facing a large fire burning before him.

"If you're going to see the masters," he said, "you must bring them a piece of the Eternal Flame. This fire is the very first one." He turned towards them. "It was given to man by the dragons. We have kept it going for thousands of years."

"I don't believe it," said Zuko surprised.

Chiara was thrilled to learn this and her eyes were wide as she looked at the fire. "That's incredible," she said.

"You will each take a piece of it to the masters to show your commitment to the sacred art of firebending."

"Umm, Mister Sun Chief, Sir...," started Aang nervously, "yeah, I'm not a firebender yet. Couldn't my friend here carry my fire for me?" he asked, referring to Zuko.

"No," said the chief. He turned and drew out flame from the larger fire. "This ritual illustrates the essence of Sun Warrior philosophy." Spinning around, he split the flame into two. "You must maintain a constant heat. The flame will go out if you make it too small. Make it too big, and you might lose control." He held them out to Zuko and Aang.

Zuko took his flame and looked at Aang who hesitated.

"I'm sorry," said Aang. "I'm just a little nervous."

Aang reached out hesitantly taking the flame, but he relaxed as it rested in his hands.

"It's like a little heartbeat."

"Fire is life," said the chief, "not just destruction. You will take your flames up there," he said pointing to the mountain on their left. "The cave of the masters is beneath that rock."

They began their journey towards the cave. Ascending the mountain, Aang began falling behind as he worried more about his flame rather than keeping up with Zuko's long strides.

"You should slow down," whispered Chiara. "Aang's falling behind.

They stopped walking and looked back at him.

"Hurry up," said Zuko.

"I can't. If I walk too fast, my flame will go out."

"Your flame's going to go out because it's too small. You're too timid; give it more juice."

"But what if I can't control it?"

"You can do it," said Zuko. "I know you can. You're a talented kid."

Aang smiled and continued climbing towards them.

"May I feel the flame?" Chiara asked Zuko.

He looked at her. "Why would you want to?"

"A piece of the Eternal Flame?" she asked as if it was obvious.

He smiled and held it out to her. "Don't burn yourself."

She moved her hand close to it to feel the heat, and then she slowly moved her hand over it allowing the flame to touch her hand.

"I wish I could feel it the way you can," she said softly.

Holding the flame with one hand, he used his other hand to gently lift her chin and he placed a tender kiss upon her lips.

"How did that make you feel?" he asked her.

"Like my heart skipped several beats," she said softly.

He smiled at her. "Nothing beats that feeling. Not even this," he said holding the flame between them.

Aang had caught up to them.

"You know if Sokka were here he'd tell you guys to get a room."

Chiara laughed.

"We would if we could," said Zuko.

They continued their long trek up the mountain.

Making their way to the summit, they found the Sun Warriors waiting for them, and behind the warriors was a large staircase leading to a bridge that joined the two peaks. The chief and two other warriors approached them.

"Facing the judgment of the firebending masters will be very dangerous for you," said the chief. He looked at Zuko. "Your ancestors are directly responsible for the dragons' disappearance. The masters might not be so happy to see you."

Chiara placed a comforting hand on Zuko's arm.

"I know I wouldn't be," said Ham Ghao.

"But once they find out I'm the Avatar...," started Aang.

"Have you forgotten that you vanished, allowing the Fire Nation to wreak havoc on the world?" said the chief. "The decline of the dragons is your burden too."

Suddenly, the tranquil feeling of Chiara's relaxing technique was forgotten, and her reassuring words from the night before no longer provided comfort as they both felt nervous again.

The chief stuck his staff into the ground, and stepping forward he took a part of each of their flames, passing them to the warriors on each side of him. The warriors continued passing the flames around as they stood in a large circle around the courtyard. The chief looked at Chiara.

"You come with me," he said.

She looked up at Zuko and tenderly caressed his arm before letting him go and following the chief. Aang turned to Zuko.

"We could turn back now," he said in a low voice. "We've already learned more about fire than we'd hoped."

"No," said Zuko. "We're seeing this through to the end. We're going to 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," he said touching his sword. "I think we could take these guys in a fight, whoever they are."

Aang nodded. Chiara was now standing to the left side of the steps behind the chief who stood facing Aang and Zuko.

Zuko turned towards him. "Bring 'em out," he said.

"Chanters!" said the chief.

The warriors began beating their drums and chanting as Zuko and Aang approached the steps where the chief stepped aside to allow them to ascend. Zuko looked at Chiara who gently nodded at him, and then he looked at Aang. They each took a deep breath before climbing the steps.

Reaching the bridge at the top they looked around at the two caves on each side of them.

"Those who wish to meet the masters, Ran and Shaw, will now present their fire," announced one of the warriors.

Aang and Zuko turned towards the caves and they each bowed while presenting their flames before them.

"Sound the call!" commanded the Sun Warrior chief.

As soon as one of the warriors blew through a large horn, the caves suddenly rumbled. Chiara, still standing at the base of the steps, watched anxiously. Aang, feeling nervous at the shaking ground, dropped his hands which extinguished his flame. He looked back at Zuko who was still bowed down holding out his flame.

"What's happening?" asked Aang.

When he turned back towards the cave, he realized his flame went out, so he turned towards Zuko again.

"Zuko, my fire went out," he whispered.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Give me some of yours," he said as he tried to grab Zuko's flame.

"No," said Zuko pushing him back. "Just make your own."

"I can't."

"Get some from those warriors. Hurry." Aang continued reaching for Zuko's flame, and Zuko continued trying to push him away. "Stop cheating off me!"

"Quit being stingy," said Aang.

As they kept arguing, Aang pushed Zuko's arms down causing his flame to go out. They looked at each other. The ground began to shake. Chiara felt tense as she strained to see what was going on.

"Uh oh," said Aang.

Suddenly, a red dragon came soaring out of the cave and began flying around the bridge. Chiara stood up on her toes against the edge of the staircase as she felt excitement upon seeing the dragon. From the other cave came a blue dragon which also began flying around the bridge.

"These are the masters," said Zuko.

"Still think we can take 'em?" said Aang.

"Shh...I never said that."

All the warriors bowed down, but Chiara could not take her eyes off the dragons.

"Oh, here it comes," said Ham Ghao chuckling. "Any moment now. Dinner for the masters."

"Quiet, Ham Ghao," said the chief as he looked up at Chiara.

She had not heard him as her attention was completely caught up in what was going on above them.

"What?" said Ham Ghao. "Everyone's thinking it."

The dragons kept flying around the bridge as Zuko and Aang stood nervously wondering what was going to happen to them.

"Zuko," said Aang, "I think we're supposed to do the Dragon Dance with them."

"What? What about this situation makes you think they want us to dance?"

"Well, I think they want us to do something. Let's just try it."

"Fine," said Zuko giving in.

They began the movements of the Dancing Dragon as Ran and Shaw soared around them. When they ended with the last move, the dragons stopped on each side of the bridge and Zuko and Aang stood face to face with them.

"Judgment time," said the chief.

Aang was trembling, and then suddenly both dragons blew fire at them. Zuko and Aang covered their faces and yelled. Chiara, not feeling nervous or anxious, stared in wonder at the beautiful colors that surrounded them. Inside the flames, Zuko and Aang now looked up completely mesmerized.

"I understand," said Zuko softly as he stared up at the colors.

The fire dissipated and then the dragons flew up and into their caves. Zuko and Aang, still in awe, stood staring at them as they disappeared. They finally turned and began descending the stairs, and as they approached the bottom, Chiara ran up a few steps and threw herself onto Zuko who wrapped his arms around her waist and held her.

"That was incredible," she said. "I'm so proud of you."

"Their fire was beautiful," he said.

She let him go, but he kept his arm around her waist as they continued down towards the courtyard.

"I saw so many colors," he said. "Colors I've never imagined."

"Like firebending harmony," said Aang.

"Yes," said the chief. "They judged you and gave you visions of the meaning of firebending."

"I can't believe there are still living dragons," said Zuko as they stood before him. "My uncle Iroh said he faced the last dragon and killed it."

"So your uncle lied," said Aang.

"Actually, it wasn't a total lie," said the chief. "Iroh was the last outsider to face the masters. They deemed him worthy and passed the secret onto him as well."

"He must have lied to protect them, so no one else would hunt them," said Zuko.

Chiara smiled as she thought about the tales of Iroh's visit to the island of the Sun Warriors.

"All this time, I thought firebending was destruction," said Aang. "Since I hurt Katara, I've been too afraid and hesitant. But now I know what it really is...it's energy and life."

"Yeah," said Zuko. "It's like the sun, but inside of you," he said excitedly. "Do you guys realize this?"

"Well, our civilization is called the Sun Warriors," said the chief. "So...yeah."

"That's why my firebending was so weak before," said Zuko. "Because for so many years, hunting you was my drive," he said to Aang. "It was my purpose. So when I joined you, I lost sight of my inner fire. But now I have a new drive. I have to help you defeat my father and restore balance to the world."

Chiara took a step back as Zuko stepped away and sent a powerful flame into the air, and then he turned and shot another blast of fire. Aang, too, shot a powerful blast of fire smiling as he watched it. The chief walked up to them.

"Now that you have learned the secrets, and you know about our tribe's existence, we have no choice but to imprison you here forever."

They looked shocked, and Zuko pulled Chiara behind him protectively, but the chief smiled.

"Just kidding," he said. "But seriously, don't tell anyone."

As the sun started to set, there was a great feast back at the Sun Warrior village during which several warriors performed impressive displays of firebending which awed Zuko, Aang, and Chiara. Deciding to return to the air temple in the morning, that evening after the feast, they were taken to the stone hut to sleep for the night, but Zuko and Aang were too excited as they told Chiara all the details of their meeting the masters.

"...and then Aang made me lose my piece of the eternal flame," Zuko told Chiara.

Her eyes grew wide. "What?! So you didn't have an offering for the dragons?"

"No..."

"If Zuko would've just shared part of his flame...," started Aang.

"You could've gotten another flame from the other warriors," he argued.

"So what did you do?" she asked.

"Mentally prepared to be eaten alive," said Zuko.

Aang laughed. "We did the dragon dance."

"And then they showed us the true meaning of firebending," said Zuko. "The colors were incredible...and it was all so clear."

Chiara wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm so proud of you."

"I can't believe Uncle was here," he said.

She sat back. "You know, for all the stories I heard of his disappearance on this island, no one ever mentioned the Sun Warriors existed."

"Now we know why," he said. "Did Uncle ever tell you anything?"

"No. He just laughed whenever I brought up a story I heard and said something like, That was quite an adventure," she said, imitating Iroh.

The next morning they started flying back to the Western Air Temple. Zuko's thoughts were filled with his experience with the dragons making the return trip seem much shorter.

When they returned to the temple they never said a word about the Sun Warriors' civilization, but they showed off their new skills they learned from the dragons.

"With this technique the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable," said Aang as they performed the Dancing Dragon.

When they finished everyone but Sokka clapped.

"Yeah, that's a great dance you two learned there," said Sokka.

"It's not a dance," said Zuko taking offense. "It's a firebending form."

"We'll just tap dance our way to victory over the Fire Lord," said Sokka condescendingly.

"It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old!" said Zuko as he walked over to them.

"Oh, yeah?" said Katara. "What's your little form called?"

"The Dancing Dragon," said Zuko unenthusiastically as the others started laughing.

Zuko found Chiara brewing tea for everyone.

"Are you okay?" she asked noticing he looked down.

"They think the Dancing Dragon form is a joke."

"You don't really expect non-firebenders to appreciate it, do you?" she said as set the cups on a tray.

"You do."

She was pouring the tea. "That's because two of my favorite people are firebenders."

That put a small smile on his face.

"And as much as I admire Master Jeong Jeong, I never saw firebending as a curse," she said. "It's as much a gift as waterbending, and now that you've learned from the masters, your firebending will be amazing."

Her words helped restore his inner peace, and taking the tray of cups for her they went out to serve the gang.