Meanwhile, below the deck, Zuko sat alone in his cell. Of course he was thinking about Alex as well, but they were angry, spiteful thoughts. She had somehow led his sister here, he knew it.

But really, why would your sister attack her then? Do you really think it's an elaborate scheme?

'Just who's side are you on? I thought she was an evil little wench, isn't that what you thought?'

Picky, picky, picky. One is prone to change you know.

'Now what?'

That is entirely up to you. As it is you are already a traitor, what harm would it do to help her?

'Help her? Are you mad?'

Well, I am you.

The voice silenced, and Zuko cursed his own mind. Why did he have to be so convincing?

Now, to find a way out of here…

The door opened and Zuko stood violently, preparing himself to see his sister.

"Calm down if you want food, I could just give it to Watcher here."

A light was lit and Zuko saw Troy slide a tray of food through the bars. Watcher was perched on his shoulder.

"Why didn't he go with her?" Zuko demanded.

Troy looked at the bird, "Oh, Watcher? He's been Alex's forever. But he needed to stay here; he's too easy to track."

"What about—"

"Are you still talking to me?" he cut Zuko off dryly.

"Where's Alex?"

Troy froze and looked at him, "No offense, but you are one of the last people I would ever tell."

"I'm not supposed to be offended by that?"

"Oh, you're right. In that case, all offense should be taken." He said dryly, turning to leave.

"Wait!" but Troy did not stop, Zuko became angry, "I command you to stop."

Troy stopped and looked at him angrily, "Let's get something straight, I don't take orders from you, so don't try to tell me what to do."

"I need to help her; she doesn't know what Azula's planning!"

"And I suppose you do? Please, it's obvious she wants to kill Aang while he's in the avatar state".

"No, that's not all. Please, help me find her, I can help her!"

"I doubt it. If anyone can help her on this ship, it'll be me." He turned and left.

Zuko released his grip on the bars and slid to the floor. This was it, it was all over.

All right, that was noble of you. But knock it off, you tried being nice, now to get angry. You know what to do.

'But Troy—'

So be it.

"So be it," he said aloud to himself, his fist clenching tightly.


"I think we might be going in the wrong direction," Aang said carefully as they trod through yet another clump of trees.

"I know it seems like it, but trust me, I think we're supposed to go this way." She touched the necklace, which was fastened around her neck, hidden in her shirt.

"How can you be so sure?" Sokka demanded of her.

She sighed, how could she have forgotten that they had had no memory of last night's encounter?

"Just—just trust me, ok?"

They reached the top of the hill and Alex froze, looking down in surprise at the sight below.

When the others joined her, they looked at her surprised face oddly. To them, all they saw was a cave.

"Are you feeling ok?" Tina asked with concern.

Alex felt the diamond grow warm on her skin and took a step toward the entrance. Tina moved to stop her, but upon touching her skin she recoiled. She felt as if her flesh was burning from the inside.

Alex gently ran her hand along the edge of the cave's mouth. She could see inside to a—gate.

Blinking, she stepped inside, lighting her way with a small flame.

Tina followed her nervously, followed after by Aang and finally Sokka.

Alex hesitated before knocking on the gate—three short times, then one long one.

"What are you—" Sokka started. But he stopped, they all did.

A small notch in the wall opened, and Alex placed her hand inside. Taking a breath she released a small bit of her flame.

For a second nothing happened, until the gate was flung open, and everything went black.