The next morning Aang, Katara, and Sokka prepared to leave. "We are sorry for the last couple of days, we hope this hasn't damaged the way you look upon us?" asked the elder.

"No need to apologize, it wasn't your fault all this happened." Aang told him.

"Here," Aldaris said handing them a small sack, "This should help you part way through your journey, we wish you the best of luck."

Katara looked around, but saw no sign of Tem Li.

"What's wrong?" Sokka asked her.

She looked at him for a second then said, "Oh, nothing…let's just go."

Just as they were about to take off they heard somebody shouting, "HEY, WAIT FOR ME! HEY, HOY, HEY…DON'T FORGET ME!"

Katara looked back to see Tem running for them, his traveling purse slung over his shoulder along with his quiver w/ arrows.

"Tem what do you think you're doing!" asked Aldaris sternly.

Appa started to land again as Tem approached, Tem waited to catch his breath then said, "Aang…I know as the Avatar you are to master the four elements, last night Katara informed me that you haven't learned Fire-Bending yet."

Aldaris looked a little worried, but Rain (the elder in case you've forgotten) looked at Tem with a kind smile.

Tem continued, "And knowing that no one in the Fire Nation may be willing to teach you, I came to the decision that I shall be your mentor…if you'll allow me to come along, that is?"

"NO, NO, NO…OUT OF THE QUESTION!" Blasted the voice of Aldaris, Tem turned around and looked at Aldaris. "Tem, I can't let you do this…if the Fire Nation learned you were alive, if they delivered you to Fire Lord Ozai…I'd—." Aldaris started to tear up as he tried to complete his sentence.

"Tem, do you feel this is something you have to do?" Fenix asked.

"Yeah, I mean…the Last Fire Nation Emperor traveling with the Avatar, that'd be too good of a target for Ozai to pass up." Rita told him.

"Elder if I may speak." Tem requested.

"You may Tem." Rain said gently.

"I know Aldaris that out of all the people in our village, you've been like an older brother to me, if not a father…" Tem then made a heavy sigh, "but I am who I am…and I am the last of the Li Imperial line, and if I'm to reclaim my family's throne from that serpent Ozai. I feel traveling with the Avatar will be the only way to do it."

The elder nodded while Aldaris said, "Yes, that's all true…but still—!"

"Aldaris…let him go." Rain said to Aldaris, "the boy is right, he has a destiny to fulfill…and with the Avatar's help, he just might."

Aldaris then looked at Tem and said, "Well then, I give you my fondest farewell Tem…where ever you may fare."

Fenix put his hand on Tem's shoulder and said, "You showed a lot of courage when we protected the village, and you'll need that when you face Ozai…and Diablo. May the Tomaì be your guiding light."

Rita hugged him and said, "You take care of yourself." Then she looked up at Aang, Katara, and Sokka and said, "You make sure to protect him as if he was your brother, because if he dies…I'll kill you."

The elder was the last to speak to Tem, "Tem…now is the time I should tell you this, the test's you went under when you were a child, were not the true Tests of the Tomaì…but just training for the true tests."

Tem looked at the elder with confusion, Rain continued. "There's a gorge in the Earth Kingdom, where it is said that prelate Aiur crossed and when he came back, his Dark Fire-Bending was augmented. This gorge is known as The Forge, for it is where Aiur made his new-found power. Little is known about what he had to face while in there. But I feel that when you see it, you'll have to cross it."

"Why…why me?" Tem asked.

"You'll find out, in time." Rain told him.

With that Tem got on Appa with Aang and the others and they took off.

Meanwhile Diablo sensed Tem's departure with the Avatar, just as a couple of Fire Nation soldiers grabbed him from behind and dragged him towards Zuko.

"Well, you're information was helpful in locating the Avatar…but it was useless in helping us capture him, for there I see no more use for you."

"I wouldn't say that." Diablo thought to himself.

"Throw him over-board!" Zuko ordered.

Suddenly Diablo snapped back to reality, "WHA—WAIT, NO…I-I-I, I CAN'T SWIM!" Diablo pleaded.

"Not my problem." Zuko grumbled to himself.

Diablo had to think of something fast, he suddednly blurted out the one thing that could save his rear from the could waters' that were below him, "TEM LI LEFT WITH THE AVATAR!"

Zuko turned back around, "What did you say?"

Diablo repeated it, "Tem has left the village, he now travels with the Avatar."

"And you know this how?" Zuko asked.

Diablo chuckled at Zuko's question and said, "Have you forgotten so quickly, Templar Li and I are Dark Fire-Benders…brethren of the Tomaì."

"Yes we've learned that by now." Zuko said, rather angrily.

Diablo shot a deviously sly glance and said, "Yes, but here's something you may not know…all followers of the Tomaì are connected to a certain power grid, it is how we can sense certain disturbances in this power grid, my defecting to your services would be a great example."

"So why should I keep you aboard this ship, let alone alive?" Zuko asked, lighting his finger under Diablo's chin.

"Because you now have a genuine Avatar compass, Tem went with the Avatar…so, are you certain you still want to get rid of me?" Diablo asked.

Zuko looked him over, "You can track the Avatar?" he asked.

"Well…Tem Li actually, but as long as he's traveling with the Avatar…then yes, yes I can." Diablo replied.

Zuko then said, "Let him go and clear out one of the storage rooms on the lower levels, put a cot, blankets, a table, and a map in that room."

"Along with some candles…scented preferable." Diablo told them.

"Why candles?" Zuko asked.

"Because in order for me to find him, I have to be in a meditative state," Diablo told him, "and the candles—."

"Will help you achieve this, very well…bring him his candles as well." Zuko told them.

"Thank you Prince Zuko," Diablo said happily while hugging him, "I promise you…you won't regret this!"

"GET OFF ME!" Zuko shouted, trying to force Diablo off him.

So with that Tem and Diablo found there rightful places, both blissfully unaware of what was to happen. For Tem, a darkness had now been awoken from deep within his heart, and for Diablo…well, nothing real surprising really.

Next Part: The Prince of Darkness