Hey everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read my story! It's really appreciated! Sorry for the long wait, I was on vacation and was doing a few other things! If you wouldn't mind, I would really appreciate comments about the stories, whether they be suggestions, polite critiquing, ect. Thanks a bunch! Sam

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Aang landed next to the castle doors and ran inside. "Marie! The forest's going down! It's on fire! Where are-" Aang stopped short. Marie was dressed similar to her pink dress only this one was light green and was tied with a forest green sash and she standing in a doorway.

"Aang." She fluttered her eyelashes. "I was wondering how long it would be until you visited me again. Has the forest burned down yet?"

"No it still-wait, how'd you know the forest was on fire?"

"I was the one who ordered it to be burned down. All part of my plan, but unfortunately, it didn't work out the way I wanted it too." Aang watched as she slowly started walking toward him.

"What are you talking about? Where's Sokka and Armin?"

"Oh, they're already here. Don't worry they're fine Aangy." She fluttered her eyelashes again and Aang rolled his eyes.

"Zuko!" Katara glared at him as she got up from the ground. "What are you doing here?"

"That's Prince Zuko to you! Now where is he?" Zuko scowled at her.

"Aang? I don't know." She folded her arms in a kind of I-don't-care-what-you-think kind of attitude.

"Well, he should find you soon." Zuko smiled and that was never good.

"Oh, what this time? Take me captive? Remind me again how that turned out last time you tried that?" Katara rolled her eyes as she leaned against the wall opposite of him.

"Oh, I'm not going to take you captive. But your friend the Avatar is." Zuko lifted his hand in a swift, stiff movement. Katara's eyes widened and she gasped as seven Fire Nation guards marched out from behind him and grabbed her by upper arms. She grunted a little as she tried to wiggle from their grip but it was no use. They had her with a firm grip and were not intent on letting go. Zuko grinned and laughed softly as he watched her struggle. "Silly girl," he murmured. "She should have known I'd win in the end. I always win."

"What do you mean for the moment being?" Aang asked her.

"Oh, nothing, nothing, but I must say, that girl you came with is quite a handful."

"That girl is one of my best friends, Marie, and what do you mean quite a handful?"

"Ignore that little comment for just a moment, and please, as a courtesy of our village please accept this ring." She snapped her fingers and almost at once a servant came hurrying out and kneeled before Aang with her head bowed down respectfully and holding a pillow on which lay a golden band with the Earth Kingdom's symbol embedded on it delicately in green. The servant looked no older than nine and had long wavy light brown hair and was dressed in a simple green and gold tunic much like Katara's.

"Where is she?" Aang's voice made him sound on the verge of tears. He breathed heavily as he watched Marie smile again.

"First things first, take the ring."

"Not until I see Katara and Sokka."

"Take it and you will see them." Aang could tell Marie's voice was forced calm and her smile was fake. "Take…it."

"Fine!" Aang grabbed the ring and thrust it on his ring finger. "There! Now where are they?"

Marie pulled out a small replica of the and put it on her same ring finger. "Thank you Aang. You've now completed Step Two."

"Where are-what?" Aang's eyes widened. "Step Two?"

"Thank you my sweet, I'll be planning our wedding if you need me."