Thyra ran at Katara's panicked calling, leaping off a wall and sliding down in the snow towards her, skidding to a halt. "What? What is it?" She asked her, setting a firm hand on her shoulder as Katara looked with wild eyes at Thyra.
"It's Aang! He's gone to battle the Fire Ships himself!" Instantly a cold dread washed over Thyra as if she had plunged myself into the ocean. Nodding her head once she ran forwards, Katara following after her as she raced up to the wall where there were guards gathering, watching as Aang took on the Fire Ships alone, with only Appa for company.
"Be careful." Thyra whispered, lifting her hand to reach out to him then exhaled a deep breath, drawing back her hand then lowered her head and began to pray, hands knuckled together as her inner voice called to the spirits, praying for them to give Aang strength.
Thyra listened to the explosions, still in prayer and the rush of wind swallowed her up, raging in her ears as a gust of it slammed into her, whipping back her hair. Beside her Thyra sensed the Water Tribe guardsmen stumble back from the force but Thyra accepted it, letting it wash around her so she didn't even flinch from the force.
Continuing her intense prayer Thyra took deep, even breaths, focusing on her spirit to lift it higher. Time seemed to spiral away, Aang continuing to battle and Thyra listened as metal crunched and waves crashed, signalling his success in bringing one, two, three or more ships down into the ocean, the frightened cries of men as they leaped for safety.
"He's coming back!" Katara yelled and Thyra opened her eyes, looking up in the sky to see Appa flying back, Aang, slumped in the saddle from exhaustion.
"Hurry, we need to meet him." She said calmly, turning and taking Katara's hand. Together they ran, going to the plaza at the base of the citadel where Appa then collapsed from exhaustion, groaning softly as Aang slipped off then he to slumped to the ground, gasping for breath as Thyra skidded on her knees to rest before him, feeling his sweaty brow to make sure he hadn't worked up an illness.
"I can't…I can't do it." He gasped so she pulled him into her warm embrace, letting him cling to her as he trembled. This was why he needed her, his sister. Sure, Aang was the Avatar, but he was first and foremost her little brother and still a child, which meant he could still feel fear and needed comfort as much as the next.
"What happened? You were doing great Aang!" Katara said to him as she and Yue caught up with them. Aang looked up at them as Thyra helped him to stand, though he leaned dependently on his staff as Thyra began to see to Appa, rubbing his face and legs to make sure he was alright.
"I must have taken out a dozen Fire Navy ships, but there's too many of them. I can't fight them all."
"But you have to. You're the Avatar!" Yue argued, fear evident in her voice and eyes but Aang just looked away.
"I'm just one kid." Thyra placed her hands on his shoulders and he turned to look up at her, tears glistening in his eyes. "I'm just a kid." Nodding her head in agreement Thyra smiled to him, knowing that by being calm and confident herself will inspire him to be the same.
"Yes, Aang. You're just a kid." Thyra answered then chuckled, pulling him into her then knuckled his head. "But you're a great one all the same. Look at the silver side, not the darker shades. You took out a dozen Fire Navy ships, that's a lot less offence on their part and although it may not have seemed to have made a difference, it has certainly dented their pride. Their spirits will be low, which will affect their ability to fight." Aang slowly drew himself up, looking at her with a soft blink. "So you see? No action is without consequence, not even great fetes like what you have just accomplished. Now you need rest, Aang, to let yourself recover." But he shook his head.
"No, I'm okay." He assured us then turned to Appa. "I need to see to Appa, he's exhausted." Appa lifted his head and groaned in agreement, however he slowly managed to lift himself up, standing on his own six legs and Thyra rubbed his fur gently.
"Good boy." She murmured, praising him then led him to the barn where he had been sleeping at nights, tucked safely with all the hay he could possibly want. Aang settled Appa down, making sure he wasn't hurt. There were a few grazes from where the fireballs had singed his fur but other than that, he was okay.
"Yue and Katara have gone up her quarters for protection. The princess has invited that we join her." Thyra said to her brother quietly as she returned to fetch Aang, who was sitting on Appa's back, frowning deep in thought. "Don't worry Aang, everything will be alright in the end."
He jumped down with a puff of wind, rising up then landed directly in front of her. "What if I'm not strong enough to send them back alone? What if I just can't do anything to help these people?" He glared darkly and looked at the ground. "I'd be failing them like I failed our people."
"You did not fail anyone, Aang, don't ever think like that." Thyra rebuked quickly, taking his shoulder and turning him to face her sternly. "You only fail if you don't try. You have always done your best at everything, more often than not you succeed and this is nothing different than one of Monk Gyatso's training exercises. They may seem tough and impossible but once you've figured out the logic, then everything becomes easier."
Turning she gestured with her head and walked with Aang, keeping a brooding silence after that. She knew Aang felt pretty disheartened but she didn't have anything to say that could truly comfort him. When they joined Katara and Yue in her room, they all looked up to the bright, full moon which gleamed down at them radiantly, pulling the waves forwards and backwards.
"The legends say the moon was the first waterbender." Yue spoke up softly, eyes still turned upwards. "Our ancestors saw how it pushed and pulled the waves and learned how to do it themselves." Katara smiled softly.
"I've always noticed my waterbending is stronger at night." She murmured and Yue nodded her head, turning to look at the young protégé.
"Our strength comes from the Spirit of the Moon, our life comes from the Spirit of the Ocean. They work together to keep balance." Suddenly Aang gasped, smiling brightly as his eyes widened.
"The Spirits!" He cried and everyone looked at him with a frown. "Maybe I can find them and ask for help!"
"How can you do that?" Yue asked in confusion but Katara merely smiled.
"The Avatar is the bridge between our world and the Spirit world. Aang can talk to them!" Thyra nodded her head in agreement, resting her hand on Aang's shoulder as Yue smiled hopefully.
"Maybe they'll give you the wisdom to win this battle!" Aang leaped backwards and spread his hands wide, throwing them up in a towering stance with an excited grin on his face.
"Or, maybe they'll unleash a crazy amazing spirit attack on the Fire Nation!" They all gave him a blank look, pointedly arching their eyebrows as Aang put his arms down then grinned bashfully. "Or wisdom. That's good too."
"The only problem is, last time you got to the Spirit World by accident. How are you going to get there this time?" Katara answered wisely and Thyra then turned to Yue, who thought for a moment before gasping with realisation.
"I have an idea. Follow me." She lifted her skirts and elegantly led the way, Thyra nodding to Aang who bounced after the princess. She led them out of the citadel and into the courtyard towards a small wooden door which stood at half her height.
"So…this is the way to the Spirit World?" Aang questioned and Yue laughed as she opened the door.
"No, you'll have to get there on your own. But, I can take you to the most spiritual place in all of the North Pole." Aang looked to the open gap then stepped inside, Momo happily following inside as Katara entered next. Thyra waited for the princess then went in last, carefully pausing to glance around behind her to check the surroundings before going inside.
There was a large pool of water, glistening brightly as water tumbled down from the tall glacier above. There were two bridges which allowed us to cross to the centre island, where there was another pool and a paifang gate standing tall and proud.
"I never thought I'd miss grass so much!" He exclaimed, landing on the ground and rolling in the soft grass as Thyra and the other girls followed.
"It's so warm in here! How is it possible?" Katara asked as she took off her overcoat. Yue chuckled softly and smiled.
"It's the centre of all spiritual energy in our land." Thyra walked over to the pond to see the two fish, one black and the other white, circling one another in constant fluid motion, never ending. Ying and Yang, push and pull…she could feel the energy here as powerfully as if she were meditating back at the Air Temple.
"You're right Yue, I can feel…something. It's so tranquil." Aang agreed then sat down before the pond, crossing his legs then pressed his knuckles together, closing his eyes and took a deep breath before going into meditation.
Thyra walked forwards and sat beside him, adopting a similar pose then also slipped into a meditational state, feeling her spirit enhance at the energy that swam effortlessly around them. Behind them Aang listened to Katara and Yue as they whispered, irritated at their continued interruption.
"Why are they sitting like that?" Yue whispered questioningly to Katara who answered as quietly as she could.
"They're meditating. Aang is trying to cross into the Spirit World, it takes all of his concentration."
"Is there any way we can help?" Yue fussed softly and Aang slumped with a glaring look at them.
"How about some quiet?! I can hear every word you're saying." They instantly clamped their mouths shut so he turned back, looking to the water. Thyra opened her eye slightly, looking to her brother as he focused on the fish swimming before them. Suddenly his eyes and tattoos glowed bright blue and, with a proud and tiny smile, Thyra closed her eyes again also, letting her spirit connect with the energy around her, reawakening the senses she had let sleep for a hundred years.
"Is he okay?" Yue gasped, seeing Aang glowing strangely.
"He's crossing into the Spirit World. He'll be fine as long as we don't move his body. That's his way back to the physical world." Katara answered, watching Aang and Thyra as they sat without even moving an inch, never even twitching as together they connected to the spirits. Yue began to move away.
"Maybe we should get some help?"
"No, he's my friend. I'm perfectly capable of protecting him." Katara assured her and Thyra only vaguely was aware of what happened next.
"Well, aren't you a big girl now?" That voice, it was not a friendly one. Thyra frowned inwardly, turning away from the spirit energy and slowly began to resurface.
"No!" Katara gasped, turning to face Zuko as he stood on the bridge.
"Yes! Now hand him over and I won't have to hurt you." In answer Thyra heard Katara growl and stomp the ground. From then, it was a full out battle. Thyra spiralled back to her body, seeking it out but because of the water and firebending, her spirit struggled to locate the correct energy which was her own. There was so much power in this room it was overwhelming and her spirit was now confused. What was going on?
"I see you've learnt a new trick. But I didn't come this far to lose to you." Zuko said darkly and Thyra used this pause to sink closer to her body, opening her inner eye to see her surroundings. Katara was putting up an impressive fight, deflecting Zuko's attacks and even sent him flying backwards to hit the glacier wall. The water swirled and spiralled, surrounding him in a ball until it froze in place, Katara smirking with satisfaction as Zuko lay trapped inside. "You little peasant. You've found a master, haven't you?"
The ground suddenly shook and without warning, the ice burst open with a powerful burst of flames opened Zuko's path and the fight continued. Thyra's spirit now focused on her body, she descended to link once more with her physical form.
Katara put up a tough fight, even managing to seal Zuko to the wall with a large stream of ice. Thyra took a deeper breath, now reunited with her physical body and her mind slowly rose back to function, sensing that Katara was now in danger with the rising sun.
Zuko lifted his head, watching Katara as she retreated away from him, her back turned. She will learn never to turn her back on an enemy the hard way, it seems. As the first rays of light rose over the horizon, he felt strength flood back through him, renewing his energy and fuelling his fire source deep within him.
Exhaling a deep breath of steam, he melted the ice and slowly slid down, freeing himself. Once unstuck, he charged Katara. Hearing his approach Katara whirled around, summoning water to protect and shield her from the blast of Zuko's fire strike but the force flung her backwards.
Katara struck a column of the gate, crying out in pain before slumping, knocked out from the blow. Thyra inhaled a deep breath though remained still, not letting Zuko know she was awake. Listening carefully as he approached, Thyra bided her time to strike.
As he reached out to grab Aang by the back of his robes, Thyra's eyes flew open and her hand shot out, grabbing his wrist then in one, fluid movement, stood and flung him over her head in an expert throw. "You dare touch my brother and I shall hurt you more than you could ever imagine to be bearable." She threatened darkly, flicking out her wrist and the gold chain slipped out, chiming softly as it glint in the morning light.
"You fool, you are no match against me. I am a prince and firebender. You are just a powerless peasant!" Zuko growled as he lifted himself up, glaring with fire burning in his golden eyes but Thyra felt no fear, rising to the challenge with pride as she struck a defence stance.
"And yet, you are the one kneeling." She answered easily. With a loud yell Zuko clapped his hands and began to punch, sending bursts of flame at Thyra who leaped back and twisted, elegantly avoiding each strike as she moved around to circle Zuko, ensuring that attention was kept on her.
Her heart beat strongly in her chest though did not quicken, remaining steady as Thyra then ran at Zuko. Her chain whipped out and caught his arm, which clung to him as she flipped over his head, pointing her toes downwards as she forced Zuko's arm to twist awkwardly and he cried out in pain.
He struck backwards with his elbow but Thyra blocked it expertly, wrapping the other end of the chain around his spare wrist to trap it then slammed her knee into his back, however Zuko twisted to avoid the hit then wrenched his arms away from Thyra, turning his hands to face the palms outwards and fire glowed around his fingers, melting the chain completely.
"No!" Thyra gasped, watching as her chain dissolved from sight. Instantly her chest burned with anger. "You will pay for that."
"No, I don't think so." Zuko answered darkly, narrowing his eyes at her as they faced one another, battle stances ready. After a pregnant pause, they sprang at one another. Thyra instantly ducked, swinging herself under Zuko's high strike with his leg and landed two blows with her hands, doubling him over but then he leaped up and twisted, shooting a burst of fire at her and Thyra had to leap out the way to avoid it. "Just give up now and I won't hurt you." Zuko offered but Thyra merely leaped back at him, exchanging blows.
"I will protect my brother with my life." She answered dutifully, eyes burning with love as she glanced to Aang. He remained still, never once flinching even though their intense battle brought them dangerously close to his vulnerable body.
Thyra managed to catch his face, landing a blow which ripped back his head but then Zuko ducked, missing another strike then gripped her leg, using his foot to kick out her other to lift her off her feet. Thyra fell to the ground with a grunt, feeling the wind being knocked from her lungs but then circled her legs, ripping them free and took the balance from Zuko also.
They quickly sprung to their feet however Zuko only rose half way. Before Thyra had even got to her feet, he kicked out with both of his and let a large boom of flames shoot out, flying towards Thyra who turned to face them with a gasp, the light burning bright in her eyes before the force knocked into her.
She sailed through the air, tumbling and turning before striking the water and from there, she went perfectly still, face down. Zuko blinked then leaped up, running over to her and grabbed her arms, lifting her up out of the water then dragged her to land before she could drown, turning her on her back to make sure she was breathing.
He pressed two fingers to her neck, checking for a pulse then hovered his ear over her mouth before pulling back, satisfied she was alright. Glaring down at her, Zuko looked over her features. Defined jaw, high arching eyebrows, plump lips set in a firm line, she looked stern almost all the time when awake, yet now everything was softened. Sighing softly Zuko reached down and pulled a wet lock of hair from her face, setting it aside as he knelt beside her. "I have to do this, otherwise I will never regain my honour."