As the day flew by so did Appa, going as fast as he could so that they would reach the fire nation island in time. Thyra was enjoying the breeze cooling her skin when Katara called out with worry.
"Aang, we got trouble."
"Yeah, and its gaining fast!" Sokka added so Thyra peered over the edge, her dark brown hair flying like a flag as it caught on the wind. Down below was Zuko's ship with the prince standing on deck with what looked to be a catapult being raised up from below. When a small glow emitted from the nest, Thyra frowned. Then it was launched at them.
"Fire ball!" Katara yelled in warning so Aang called back and began to move.
"I'm on it!" With a strong tug on the reins Appa swerved, narrowly avoiding the stinking flames.
"We have to get out of Zuko's range before he shoots another hot stinker at us!" Katara yelled from behind her hand as she pinched her nose shut.
"Can't you make Appa go any faster?" Thyra wrinkled her nose in disgust then proceeded to crawl towards her bags, grabbing a blanket to then swipe at the fumes, flapping them away from Appa's nose and eyes so that he could concentrate.
"Yeah, but there's just one little problem." Thyra looked up and her eyes widened.
"A blockade!" Everyone else's jaws dropped. "No problem, Appa is the best flyer these skies have ever seen. Right buddy?" Appa growled in agreement then dived forwards.
"If we fly north we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade. It's the only way."
"There's no time." Thyra nodded in agreement with Katara.
"We would never reach the island in time. The only way is to go through them."
"This is exactly why I didn't want you to come. It's too dangerous." Aang yelled back to them over the roar of the wind.
"And that's exactly why we're here." Katara replied simply.
"Let's run this blockade." Sokka clenched a fist in determination so Thyra dived back for the saddle to keep a firm grip on Appa.
"Appa! Yip! Yip!" Soaring forwards Thyra reached over the edge and patted Appa's furry side for courage. The younger ones all screamed as fireballs where launched at them, all angled to hit them out of the sky. Thankfully these ones didn't stink. Appa expertly manoeuvred out of the way, twisting and flying out of their way with Aang diligently helping to guide his way through the labyrinth of fire. When one of the fireballs barely grazed Appa's back, everyone leaped to pat out the flames, even Momo braved the height to help Appa.
"Appa! Are you ok?" Appa growled affirmatively then bowed his head to continue through their path, lifting up into the clouds to try and hide from sight. When more fireballs shot through the air without warning, everyone cried out in terror as their smoke trails snaked from below the clouds. Aang hastened to react, weaving left and right to avoid hitting any.
However when two collided directly in their path, Appa bucked to avoid hitting them. The force from Appa's rearing threw Sokka from the saddle so that he began to fall. Katara screamed and both girls lunged for Sokka in an attempt to catch him but he slipped through their fingers before they could even reach.
"Sokka!" Aang yelled then pulled Appa around, diving down after Sokka who screamed loudly through the air. Appa pulled back up beneath Sokka and Thyra reached out, using her height to grab Sokka easily then yanked him back into the saddle, throwing one arm over Katara to pull them down and help cover them as Appa slapped the ocean, using it to propel himself back up into the air.
Thyra lifted her head as she watched the blockade line zoom closer, holding her breath as a single fireball was shot at them. Aang let go of the reins, jumping forwards whilst turning. With a powerful strike with his foot and a torrent of air, the fireball shattered and Aang was flung backwards.
"Aang!" Thyra cried and leaped forwards, abandoning Katara and Sokka to catch her brother. Together the three of them grabbed Aang and held him to Appa, keeping him steady as Appa made the final stretch to break through the blockade then soar up into the sky.
"We made it!" Aang cheered as Sokka and Katara only held expressions of shock and amazement. Thyra grabbed Aang close and hugged him tightly.
"Don't scare me like that again." She whispered softly then let him go.
"We got into the Fire Nation…great." Sokka muttered sarcastically.
"I can't believe you did it, that was amazing!" Aang turned back and looked at Katara with doe-like eyes, shining happily at her praise. It took several more hours to reach the island, in fact the sun was already setting when it came into view.
"There it is! The island Roku's dragon took me to!" Aang called with excitement. He guided Appa to land in a safe place out of sight then leaped down, twisting with his plume of air before turning to Appa and scratching his head. "You did it buddy. Nice flying." In answer Appa groaned then rolled onto his back, exhausted.
"Oh! You must be tired!" Katara cooed, reaching up to scratch Appa's belly.
"No." Sokka sighed as he stretched. "I'm good. Refreshed and ready to fight some firebenders."
"I was talking to Appa." Katara answered wryly.
"Well, I was talking to Momo." He replied simply.
"I hate to break the banter but we have to get moving. The sun is already setting." Thyra said, pointing to the glistening sun before turning, gesturing with her arm. "Hurry." They raced up the steps, constantly alert for guards and other firebenders but they were not stopped by anyone. The island looked deserted.
"I don't see any guards." Sokka frowned, scratching his head.
"The Fire Nation must have abandoned the temple when Avatar Roku died."
"Its almost sundown. We'd better hurry." Aang flew forwards, leading the way with the others following him. They entered the grand temple and Thyra instantly recognised that they were not alone, the temple was in too good a shape to be abandoned. They quietly made their way forwards, ears wide open.
"Wait...I think I heard something." Sokka whispered loudly and everyone turned to face five elderly men in robes. Thyra instantly adopted a defensive stance, angling her body and narrowing her eyes.
"We are the Fire Sages. Guardians of the temple of the Avatar." The centre man announced calmly, his hard glare never shifting away from Aang.
"Great! I am the Avatar." Aang replied optimistically.
"We know." His optimism was cut short by the blank voice. The Fire Sages all shot fireballs at Aang quickly rose up to deflect them with airbending before turning to Katara and Sokka.
"I'll hold them off. Run!" Thyra grabbed their arms and flung them around, pulling them to run down a corridor away from the fire and fighting. They all raced down the corridors, turning sharply around a corner where they collided with Aang.
"Follow me!"
"Do you know where you're going?" Sokka asked as Aang ran around a corner.
"Nope!" He briefly ran around the corner but before they others could join him, he was streaking back the way they had come. "Wrong way!"
"Come back!" The Sage called after them but the children all continued to run, taking corner after corner to try and escape the Fire Sage but they eventually ran into a dead end. Instantly Thyra turned around and took her battle position in front of the others, standing forwards to protect them but the Fire Sage lifted his hands in surrender.
"I don't want to fight you. I am a friend." Thyra arched an eyebrow.
"Firebenders aren't our friends." Sokka answered sceptically as the Sage carefully approached. Thyra allowed him closer whereby he then dropped down to his knees and bowed before Aang who blinked in surprise.
"I know why you're here, Avatar."
"You do?"
"Yes." The Fire Sage stood and took a deep breath. "You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take you to him." Sokka and Katara glanced warily to one another but Aang took a step towards the apparently friendly firebender.
"How?" In answer the Fire Sage reached up to a lantern on the wall and turned it to the side. After that he shot fire through the hole and the flames shot along the panels to reveal a doorway, which opened up to a new passage. Thyra looked inside so see the rocks glowing with ember light and the staircase leading away from the corridor they were trapped in.
"This way." No one moved at first, unsure whether or not to trust the Fire Sage but when they heard voices coming closer, he hurried them inside. "Time is running out. Quickly!" Thyra went first, holing onto Aang's wrist to pull him inside with Katara and Sokka close behind. The Fire Sage closed the door behind them then went to the front, leading the way. "Thank you for aiding us." Thyra said to the Fire Sage. "Can you tell us your name?"
"I am Fire Sage Shyu." He answered with a bow of his head. "It was my honour to be of assistance." He led them through the caverns, hot live magma pouring down the slope beside them.
"My name is Thyra. This is my brother Aang and these are our friends, Katara and Sokka." She introduced to everyone.
"You are the Avatar's sister?" Shyu asked in surprise. "I did not know…this is very rare."
"Yup, she's my big sister. We look out for one another, ever since we were little." Aang said proudly. "Anyway, what are these tunnels doing here?"
"Avatar Roku once called this temple his home. He formed these secret passages out of the magma." Shyu answered as he continued to lead the way. Thyra wiped a little sweat from her brow.
"Did you know Avatar Roku?"
"No. But my grandfather knew him. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a strong spiritual connection to this place."
"Is that how you knew I was coming?" Aang continued to ask inquisitively.
"A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku, its eyes...began to glow!" Thyra looked to Katara who's eyes widened a little, making the same connection she had.
"That's when we were at the Air Temple. Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there too!"
"At that moment, we knew you had returned to the world." Shyu looked down to Aang with a smile.
"If this is the Avatar's temple, why did the Sages attack me?" The Fire Sage sighed sadly.
"Things have changed. In the past, the Sages were loyal only to the Avatar. When Roku died, the Sages eagerly awaited for the next Avatar to return. But he never came." Aang looked down, pausing to lean against the wall as he spoke with a heart full of grief.
"They were waiting for me." Sokka slung an arm around Aang's shoulders and grinned.
"Hey, don't feel bad. You're only a hundred years late." Thyra punched Sokka in the arm as her brother glared at him. "Ow!"
"They lost hope the Avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozen began the war, my grandfather and the other Sages were forced to follow him." Thyra listened as Shyu shook his head in dismay. "I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I would have to betray the other Sages." Aang smiled and bowed his head in respect to Shyu.
"Thank you for helping me." Shyu looked down and smiled at Aang.
"We'll follow these stairs to the sanctuary. Once you're inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him." Shyu explained to Aang as he led them up the final steps of the fire temple. When they reached the sanctuary Thyra peered around the edge, keeping close to the wall before nodding to the others for the all clear.
They all ran to a large metal door with coiled dragons on the entrance. Thyra looked around at Shyu's gasp, wondering what was wrong. "No!"
"Shyu, what's wrong?" Aang questioned in confusion, going to Shyu's side.
"The sanctuary doors, they're closed."
"I can see that." Thyra mused.
"Can't you just open them with firebending? Like you opened that other door?" Katara asked calmly, glancing around the room.
"No. Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise the Sages must open the doors together with five simultaneous fire blasts." Sokka peered at the door in thought, looking to each of the five mouths of the lions on the door before scratching his chin in thought.
"Five fire blasts, huh?" Suddenly his face lit up with the brilliance of an idea. "I think I can help you out." He took a lantern off of the wall and began to fill small sacks with the oil. "This is a little trick I picked up from my father. I seal the lamp oil inside an animal skin casing, Shyu lights the oil soaked twine and tada! Fake firebending!" He proclaimed, lifting a sack to present to the others proudly.
"You've really outdone yourself this time, Sokka." Katara mused, impressed by her brother's cunning.
"This might actually work." Shyu murmured. Thyra chuckled.
"And I thought you were just a dumb grunt." She patted Sokka on the back, making him roll his eyes as he placed one sack in each mouth, pulling the twine down so that Shyu could light them. Thyra pulled Katara back behind the column of pillars to protect them against the blast, Katara cradling Momo in her arms.
"The Sages will hear the explosions, so as soon as they go off, you rush in." Shyu said as Sokka secured the last one in place.
"It's almost sunset. Are you ready?" Katara asked to Aang who nodded his head.
"Definitely." Shyu flicked out his hand and a small streak of fire shot towards the twine, lighting them. Sokka ran for cover, diving down and gripping onto Katara's skirt as the hissing grew shriller. When the explosion sounded, Thyra clutched both Aang and Katara closer to her in a reaction to protect them.
The moment the smoke cleared Aang rushed out to fly through the doors but they remained sealed shut. He tried to force them open but they refused to budge. "They're still locked!"
"It didn't work." Shyu sighed in defeat. Aang stepped back and began to hurl air blasts at the doors, trying to force them open.
"Why won't it open?! Aargh!" Before he could wear himself out Thyra grabbed both arms and pinned them to his sides.
"Enough." She commanded firmly.
"Aang, stop, there's nothing else we can do." Katara informed him softly. Once Aang was again calm Thyra let him go then placed a hand on his shoulder as he hung his head dejectedly.
"I'm sorry I put you through all this for nothing." Sokka went to the door and ran a finger over the soot, rubbing it under his thumb in confusion.
"I don't get it. That blast looked as strong as any firebending I've seen." Suddenly Katara gasped.
"Sokka! You're a genius!"
"Wait, how is Sokka genius? His plan didn't even work." Aang pointed out simply but Sokka leaned against the door with a smug look.
"Come on Aang, let her dream."
"You're right. Sokka's plan didn't work...but it looks like it did."
"Did the definition of "genius" change in the last hundred years?" Aang asked but Thyra snapped her fingers, realising the point Katara was getting at.
"If we can trick them into thinking you got inside, they'll open the doors to go in after you." She explained. "Katara, you're a genius too." She smirked then folded her arms.
"Please, I know." Becoming serious again she looked at the door.
"Momo, go inside." Thyra said to Momo as he landed on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. "Go find a way inside." Momo squeaked then flew to the door, crawling in through a lion's mouth then disappeared, his tail sliding inside as if the lion was sucking it up. "Come on, everyone hide. Shyu, make sure you're not seen already here." Thyra said, grabbing Sokka away from the door forcibly, making him yelp in surprise. Together they all found their own hiding places, keeping low and out of sight as Shyu ran off. Everyone remained perfectly quiet as they awaited the Fire Sages. Thyra heard their feet pounding the floor first, making her shrink further back into the shadows.
"Hurry! The Avatar has entered the sanctuary."
"How did he get in?"
"I don't know. But look at the scorch marks and down there!" Thyra saw him pointing to a shadow from the inside. A small smirk graced Thyra's mouth as she prepared to move.
"He's inside. Open the doors immediately before he contacts Avatar Roku." Together all five Sages took up their firebending stance then shot a thick column of flames into the mouths. The locks in the doors mechanism clinked and began to move, causing the doors to open slowly with groans of protest. The light that spilled from the inside of the sanctuary is initially blinding, brighter than a blue sun until everyone had to shield their eyes from the brightness.
When the light disappeared all that stood there was Momo, who sneezed then looked quizzically at the Fire Sages. "It's the Avatar's lemur! He must have crawled through the pipes! We've been tricked!" Momo leaped at the head Fire Sage without warning, knocking him down and his hat off. Both Katara and Sokka leaped forwards and grabbed the nearest Fire Sages, pinning them in place as Shyu took the one closest to him. Thyra was about to leap out also when she heard Aang cry out quietly in surprise, making her freeze in place.
"Now, Aang!"
"Aang! Now's your chance!" Katara cried. Unexpectedly it was Prince Zuko who stepped out from behind the pillar, holding Aang tightly by the arm which he had pinned behind his back.
"The Avatar's coming with me!" Thyra looked back to the others to see the Sages turn on their captors, pinning them down but Momo flew away out of reach into the skies. With a growl Thyra awaited her chance to free Aang, allowing Zuko to come to her as Sokka, Katara and Shyu were chained to a column.
"Close the doors! Quickly!" The moment Zuko was within her reach Thyra leaped forwards. She grabbed Zuko from behind and hit him with her fingertips into his spine, making him cry out and arch his back from the sudden pain. His grip on Aang was loosened and Aang sprung free, racing for the doors. "Get to the doors!" She yelled as they began to close, turning to face Zuko, blocking his way to Aang with her body. Without question Aang sprung forwards.
Thyra ducked under a blow from Zuko, bouncing slightly on her feet as she turned under his attack then kicked forwards, jumping up with a round house kick but Zuko rolled out of the way, sending a plume of fire at Thyra whilst she was in mid-air, unable to avoid the hit. She slammed into a pillar and cried in pain before hitting the ground face down.
Zuko got up and brushed himself off as he saw Aang disappear through the doors just a second before they closed firmly shut behind them, another burst of brilliant white light spilling from the cracks. Turning with a growl to Thyra he prodded her sharply with his foot but she was out cold. Sighing Zuko stooped down then picked Thyra up over his shoulder, carrying her over to the others where he dropped her at the pillar then chained her up too.
"Hey! Wake up!" Sokka hissed, kicking against Thyra as much as he could but she was still completely out of it. Zuko and the four other Sages firebent at the door, attempting to open it again but the doors remained sealed closed.
"Why isn't it working? It's sealed shut!" Zuko demanded hotly, clenching his fists until the pale knuckles turned even whiter.
"It must have been the light. Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside."
"Well I want to get inside! Again!" They fired at it again but still, the doors did not respond. Katara bit down on her tongue as she concentrated, wiggling her fingers to try and get free but they were completely immobile. When Thyra felt the chains moving against her as Shyu was taken away to kneel before Zuko, her head jerked up as she awoke.
"Ah good, now you can die awake." Sokka said sceptically.
"Why did you help the Avatar?" Zuko demanded of the Sage who couldn't even look Zuko in the eye.
"Because it was once the Sages' duty. It is still our duty." Zuko was about to reply when a pair of hands began to clap from behind them. Everyone turned to face the man and his guards as he approached, a sly smirk marked on his features.
"What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him."
"Commander Zhao..." The Fire Sages all bowed nervously before the commander.
"And Prince Zuko, it was a noble effort but your little smoke screen didn't work. Two traitors, in one day, the Fire Lord will be pleased." Zuko scowled at the commander, completely missing the soldier who grabbed him. Zuko struggled, growling in annoyance before turning back to Zhao.
"You're too late, Zhao. The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed."
"No matter. Sooner or later, he has to come out." Thyra tugged against her chains, narrowing her eyes at the Fire Nation commander, attempting to struggle free. "What's this? Another airbender. Even better." Zhao made to approach Thyra but the moment he got to close she lifted a foot and hit him in the knee, making him cry out in pain and leap back. He snarled at Thyra who returned the threat, clenching her fists together.
"Thyra's no airbender, leave her alone!" Katara shouted bravely but Thyra silenced her from continuing with a gentle nudge of her foot against her leg.
"When those doors open, unleash all your firebending power." Shyu was once again chained to the column and Thyra forced to stand with the others.
"How's Aang going to make it out of this?" Katara asked with worry.
"How're we going to make it out of this?" Sokka returned simply so Thyra twisted awkwardly, finding Katara's hand to hold it gently.
"Avatar Roku won't allow Aang to be hurt, he'll help him."
"How do you know?"
"There is a deep spiritual connection between Aang and all the other Avatars. They are him in past lives so he can draw from their power and they continue to exist through him. Plus I know him as my brother. He's pretty resilient."
"Wow. Imagine having that much power." Sokka frowned in thought then continued to watch the door, waiting for the inevitable. Suddenly there was another blinding flash of light from within the sanctuary as the doors crept open. Thyra closed her eyes against the light, feeling the rush of air and smoke spill from inside.
"Ready..." Zhao eased his soldiers as they all once again took up their stances. The light faded and Thyra looked to the door, expecting Aang to be standing there but all she could see were a pair of large and bright glowing eyes.
"No! Aang!"
"Fire!" All at once all the firebenders shot hot bursts of flames at Aang.
"No!" Thyra shouted, struggling against the chains that held her back. The fire gathered at the door into a massive fireball, one which radiated a powerful heat of swirling flames. They spiralled up to reveal the towering figure of Avatar Roku, his eyes alight with spiritual power before sending the wave of flames at Zhao and his men, knocking them all to the floor.
The chains around them melted and Thyra broke free instantly, grabbing Katara and Sokka close before pushing them behind the pillar away from the powerful force of fire.
"Avatar Roku's going to destroy the temple! We have to get out of here!"
"Not without my brother!" Thyra answered over the roar. She gave a simple nod of farewell to Shyu, who returned the gesture then turned away to flee.
Thyra watched as Avatar Roku broke through the floor then with the lava from below, sent it up into the sky through the roof, burning through the structure completely. Once he had finished collapsing the base structure Avatar Roku lowered his head slightly then exhaled, relaxing.
The smoke around him rushed forwards to shroud around the Avatar, shielding him from view before dispersing completely, leaving Aang in his place. "Aang!" Thyra called out with relief then flew to his side, catching him as he collapsed with exhaustion.
"We got your back." Sokka said, helping to lift him up.
"Thanks. Where's Shyu?"
"I don't know." Katara answered as Aang struggled forwards.
"Hurry!" Thyra grabbed Aang and lifted him up into her arms, running forwards with the other two to the stairs but their way was blocked by the lava. Thyra turned and headed for the gaping exit formed from the first fire blast, looking around for a way out as the lava continued to pull the temple down. A column collapsed behind them, causing them all to cry out in fear.
"Look!" Katara pointed and the three of them all turned to see Appa flying towards them as fast as he could, led by Momo.
"Yes!" Sokka punched the air, cheering with glee before sliding down the curved roof edge to leap onto Appa's back. Thyra followed last, Aang still in her arms. She landed on Appa's back then put Aang down on their pile of blankets, allowing Katara to take care of him whilst she leaped onto Appa's head and took the reins, guiding him away from the temple. "I don't know about you, but I vote we get out of Fire Nation territory." Thyra called over her shoulder.
"I couldn't agree more. Let's get out of here!" Sokka called back. Thyra lifted her head and turned Appa up into the clouds to fall out of sight of anyone below.