"Let me say a few words to my nephew before this happens. Please."

The Crier looked up at the sun, and decided there was time for a little talk. Zuko walked up to his uncle. Bree and Ronan were still there hanging on to him, crying silently.

"Bree, Ronan...you have to go now." Iroh gave them the best hug he could, and looked at Lorcan, Jarlith, and Kyna. "Please…take them from here. I don't want them to see this." Kyna, with tears in her eyes, nodded. She gently pulled Ronan from Iroh and took his hand, while Lorcan took Bree. Unable to speak, they took one last look at their beloved friend and walked away. Iroh looked at his nephew.

"Uncle," Zuko started. "I will get you out of here. Don't just give up…"

"No, my Zuko. I've been in this world too long, anyway. It's time for me to let go."

"Time," the Crier said from behind the prince.

"No," Zuko whispered. "No…no…" Iroh gave him the same awkward hug he'd given the children. The guards pulled the prince off of Iroh. His body went into a numb shock, so he didn't fight. He felt as though he were seeing everything in a different universe. His uncle walked over to the stool, stood on it, and a soldier placed the noose over his head. The Crier cried his crimes and rites. Zuko couldn't take his eyes off his uncle. This isn't happening…this isn't happening…this isn't happening. Time slowed. He suddenly became aware of the wind, the soil under his feet, the slight glow from his uncle….

Uncle's glowing? Zuko snapped out of his stupor. He looked around, and some other people noticed as well, but the soldiers seemed not to care.

"…may the spirits have mercy on your soul." The Crier finished. The soldier next to Iroh moved to kick the stool out from under him. Zuko felt his world slipping, but out of the corner of his eye he saw a white flash. But then, the stool snapped from under his uncle.

"NO!" Zuko screemed as Iroh body went limp, but before he could get anything else out a strong wind lifted him off his feet and onto the back of Appa.

"I've got them!" Aang yelled from next to Zuko. Across from him in the saddle, layed his uncle.

"Yip Yip!" Sokka urged Appa upwards. Zuko awkwardly moved over to his uncle's limp body.

"Uncle!" Please…let him live! Zuko prayed to the spirits. I've never begged for anything!

Sokka flew Appa to a nearby, but dense, forest and landed him. Zuko whipped around to Aang.

"You!"

Aang was cautious. He didn't know what Zuko was accusing him of. "Me?"

"You! You are the bridge to the spirit world! Take me there! NOW!"

"Zuko…I…I'm not good enough. I can't just…jump there."

Zuko got on his knees. "Please," he begged. "Please, try. I need him."

Humbled by the prince, Aang nodded his head. "Take my hand."

Sokka instructed Appa to fly around with their bodies until they returned, and then joined the circle in the saddle. Aang closed his eyes. Nothing happened.

"Aang…" Sokka whispered after a while.

"Sokka…please, I'm trying…"

"No, open your eyes and look!"

Behind them, Iroh's body had started to glow again. Aang nodded his head. "Zuko, take Sokka's hand so I can touch Iroh."

They readjusted and Aang closed his eyes again. This time, there was a light, and they were gone.

Katara couldn't tell what was happening, but knew there was something going on. Her guards were nervous, and she could see out her window that there was a commotion in the central square. She was about to ask her guards to explain when she saw Aang and Sokka swoop down on Appa, pick up two people, and take off again.

That's not in the plan!

She ran to her door. "Guards!" They opened the door instantly.

"What is it, Princess?" She wasn't used to them calling her that.

"The square…the people. What is happening?"

"General Iroh was charged with organizing a rebellion and was to be hung from the neck until dead, but the Avatar abducted his body and the Prince."

Katara's eyes widened. "The General…did he die?"

The soldier shrugged. "The doctors didn't check him before the Avatar took him."

Katara turned her back on the guards and said with her best royalty voice. "Pray that he didn't, guard. For if he did…may the spirits protect you."