Aang was the first to wake at camp. He shivered in the morning chill. He was depressed not to feel Appa's fur. Aang had exclusively slept on Appa's body since he had awoken in this new time. The young monk had become accustomed to the bison's warmth. He felt cold and alone traveling with Azula.

Azula herself arose not too long after the rise of the sun. Aang remembered an old saying "waterbenders rise with the moon, firebenders rise with the sun." What did that mean for earthbenders and airbenders? Aang had always wondered about that.

They didn't speak too much over breakfast. Azula was probably still trying to keep a tight lip after Aang had prodded her yesterday over the "Darkest Secret" of the Fire Nation. Aang could keep bugging the young royal, but the fun died out after she set a bush on fire yesterday. She had her secrets and a temper: Aang had learned to stop playing with fire.

As they continued their walk, Aang couldn't help but muse on the girl in front of him. The only thing she seemed to have in common with her brother was her temper. He had considered writing it off as a trait of her people, but Aang remembered how the monks had taught him not to think so small. Besides, Aang's Fire Nation companion from his own time, Kuzon, was a level-headed and serious man. The fire siblings were just quick to anger.

Perhaps they were most like their element. At least one aspect of it. They burned brightly and strong when ignited. When Aang had last traveled to the Fire Nation, it was before he knew he was the Avatar. He was just a nomadic monk amongst their people. He listened to cursory lectures on their ways, but he did not pry deeply. He knew little of the Fire Nation and its bending arts. And yet the pair were seeking a Firebending Master, breaking the cycle of the elements for the Avatar.

Aang knew little of fire outside of the obvious. It seemed on the surface that Azula used the art with careful precision. Aang had trouble understanding that need for control on a fundamental level. Air was about freedom. One had to put effort in to hurt someone with air. You could safely bend air with reckless abandon. Fire, however, was dangerous in any state. Aang had a pit in his stomach ever since Azula said they were going to seek out a firebending master first.

The monk had led himself to believe he was afraid of losing control of the element. Last night, however, he felt the fear could come from somewhere else. In the loneliness of the Fire Island sky, the Avatar felt this journey made everything real. Even if he went to hide among the airbenders, even if he abandoned his quest, he was going to learn another element and cement himself as the Avatar.

Yet still, there was a youthful part of Aang that craved the knowledge. It would be a chance to grow his skills, expand his horizons, and, above all else, find some fun. With the Water Confederation running amok, he had to accept being the Avatar, regardless. He had to restore balance to this world. It was his duty.

The monk did find himself pausing in these thoughts, however. Was the Water Confederation that bad? They attacked him, sure. They were going to kill Appa, which was unforgivable. But, could Aang reasonably say that they did anything he didn't expect the Fire Navy or the Earth Army to do in their position? Perhaps the Water Confederation wasn't so bad. Azula was nice, but she just wanted to return to power. Would it be so bad if Aang just ran away to Boiling Rock and lived in peace with his people?

Azula's words cut Aang from his chain of thought. "The river has run dry," she gestured to the arroyo to her left.

Aang shrugged. "It's the summer. Maybe this place dries up during those months."

The royal placed her hands to her chin, "Perhaps." After a short pause, she continued, "But if Jeong Jeong lives here, he would have known about that by now. He wouldn't have come here to go fishing."

The monk readied his staff, realizing the implications of Azula's words. "Do you think they're here?"

Azula bent down. When she arose, she turned to show Aang a dried fire lily. "They were definitely here at some point."

"What does the flower have to do with it?," Aang raised his brow.

"Father once told me about a waterbending tactic. It was for inland fighting." Azula gestured to the dried grass and dehydrated flowers. "If they're separated from their water supply, they drain what they can from plants, trees, and other flora. Their war with the Earth Kingdoms would have ended long ago without this trick."

Aang took a closer look at the grass. In the temple, all the monks were required to help tend to the gardens. The boy could tell these plants had died some time ago. Whenever this battle took place, it was at least three days ago.

"They are probably long gone," Aang said with a bit of pep, "no reason to get worried." Aang punctuated his words with a smile.

Azula rolled her eyes, "I wasn't worried, airhead." She turned back to the road. Playing with her nails, she continued. "If anything, I was looking forward to something to end my boredom."


Shu Jing Village was a sleepy town, like many island villages. The central piece was always Piandao's looming castle. Though, there were a myriad of shops and houses in the city center. Despite the large river to their south, water confederates rarely traveled down it. The rock wall put them at a disadvantage.

For such a sleepy town, it was accustomed to tourists. Master Piandao attracted swordsmen from across the Islands to their tiny village. However, the people of Shu Jing had little love for these tourists. They tended to be haughty high-born brats. Inevitably, these nobles would throw fits in town after being rejected by the master, treating wait staff and merchants horribly before leaving in a huff.

It would say a lot about the young noblewoman, then, that Ty Lee had become beloved by the local villagers overnight.

The young girl greeted all the villagers who wished her a good morning. Her last night was spent with Appa in the fields. She and Zuko had set up camp just outside of town. Yesterday, she came to town to stock up on supplies. Now, she was a familiar face to the people.

Earlier, Master Piandao had asked her to get something good for herself. The swordsman had felt that the two travelers deserved something better than miso, rice, and beans.

"Get yourselves something nice," Master Piandao had slipped the young girl some coins when Zuko was busy, "this will be our secret." The master had offered his student some money earlier, but his student was too proud to accept it. Zuko was convinced the master was doing it because Zuko was royalty. The student did not recognize the gesture of charity for what it was, a gift between friends.

"I heard that Ms. Wu makes a delicious red bean cake," the swordsman had whispered to the girl.

Ty Lee had winked at the swordsman before she had headed into town. The thought of a delicious red bean cake causing her stomach to growl.

As she frollicked in town, the town was abuzz with concern. A group of confederates had entered the town earlier in the day. Their ship was resting upstream in the harbor. The town called the guards at first sight of them. However, a young man among them managed to broker safe entry. They wished only for food and supplies, not a battle.

Sokka was that young man. Their naval battle with the Earth Kingdom happened in the waters near Shu Jing village. After retreating, Sokka ordered his men to disembark on the nearest island for some rest. Even with his renewed passion, the young prince knew his men would need some time to recharge.

"Alright," Sokka started, "go out, have some drinks, party, and be back in the boat by tonight."

As his men shuffled out into the streets, Sokka could hear his stomach. "Come on, Bato, let's get something to eat. I'm thinking of Hippo Cow Tonkatsu."

Ty Lee had noticed the soldiers milling about, but ignored it. Azula and Aang would be out for a few more days. No one was looking for her and Zuko. To the bubbly girl, this was just an odd sideshow on her way to cake.


Sokka was accustomed to the odd looks of the islanders. He had spent the last two years traveling these lands. The people of the islands didn't trust confederates. Sokka couldn't blame them. After all, they were at war.

It didn't matter either way to the prince. Water Confederation money was always accepted in the islands. The exchange rate, last the prince heard, was pretty favorable to the numerous currencies of the fire islands. The islanders usually made out like bandits when they served confederates.

Sokka hadn't eaten anything substantial in a few days. The Dai Li had fed him nothing but bread and water during his imprisonment. The tonkatsu was delicious. Sokka loved fried food. The Islanders even fried their rice, which Sokka was lovingly gulping down. Water Confederation food is mostly grilled or boiled. There wasn't much in the ways of trees or plants to make the oils needed for frying in the north and south pole. First order of business as nukilik: a fire nation cookbook in every house and a free bottle of oil every month.

Bato, however, was always slower to eat. He preferred the simple dishes that reminded him of home. Sashimi in particular was a favorite of the commander. Simple, raw fish meat was one of his favorite dishes back home and it was one of his favorite dishes in the islands. The commander savored his meals. He remembered how bad nights could be when hunts went nowhere, back before he met Hakoda. Food needed to be savored when you had it. Saved, if you can. He just wished the Islanders didn't always serve rice with their meals; Bato found it a bland side-dish.

"How are you feeling?," Sokka spoke through full cheeks, "I think gyutan would be good. Or maybe gyu kushi."

"I'm good with the fish," Bato shrugged.

"Suit yourself," Sokka exclaimed, as he ordered another meal. After the waiter left, he turned back to Bato. "So, we need to talk about our next steps."

Sokka pulled a scroll out of his pack. Unfurled on the table, the scroll was a map of the islands. "Roku Island is here and we are here," Sokka pointed to two islands on the map. "The warlord in Ishigaki mentioned the royal family was supposed to be on Roku Island."

"The problem is that Roku Island is in the center of the Island chain." Sokka said between strips of the recently served gyu tan, "They could be anywhere by now."

"We could call in a search from the Water Confederation Colony." Bato sipped his tea, "But why the sudden interest in the Royal Family? Weren't we searching for the Avatar?"

"Don't you see?" Sokka stuffed his mouth with the remaining Gyu Tan, "There were only two boats that left Roku Island: ours and the shobo-shi warship. The only other thing that left was the Avatar's skybison."

Bato gripped his chin, "Good work. The royal family must be traveling with the Avatar."

"Exactly," Sokka put up a finger, "One moment, let me order some shabu-shabu."

After another conversation with the waiter, Sokka returned to Bato. "From what you told me, the Avatar had two people with him. Did either of them wear this crown?" Sokka pulled out another scroll. Setting it on the table, it showed a headdress in the shape of a flame: Azula's crown.

"Yes, I remember that crown. I didn't get a good look at the girl but I remember the crown reflecting the sunlight. It was the woman who shot a fireball at me. Impulsive and violent, if I recall," Bato sipped his tea.

"Then that's the princess!", Sokka fingered the scroll. "We just have to find her."

"It won't be easy, but that crown is a dead give-away," Bato leaned back, "But wouldn't she know to hide the crown?"

Sokka grabbed his chin. "Possibly, but it's easier than looking for an airbender. Islanders know not to tell confederates where airbenders are hiding. We can probably sell that the headdress belongs to a criminal. After all, how many people are going to know what the princess' crown looks like? Royalty is all but dead in these islands."

"Or we could just skip all that and grab her right now," Bato got stern. Sokka laughed at Bato's apparent joke.

"No," Bato got up and pointed over the balcony to a girl in the street. A girl in pink wearing the same crown from the scroll: Ty Lee.

Sokka's jaw dropped. When he recomposed himself, the young prince wore a determined grin, "Cancel that order of shabu-shabu and get the men: we are going hunting tonight!"


The pair stopped in their tracks when they saw the village ahead of them. There was no doubt in either of their minds that something was wrong. A dock stood in the middle of a dry lake bed. Standing on pillars, the village stood suspended in the air. A ladder draping off the side to the bottom of the dry bed.

It was obvious a lake was once here and the village was built on top of it. The real question on both their minds is what could have happened to remove all the water. Could the Water Confederation really do this?

Aang had his doubts. Were they capable of doing something like this? Were they strong enough to move so much water? Were they willing to starve this village of water? To what end?

Azula, on the contrary, had no doubts. "Savages," she burst out, "all of them: savages."

"We don't know they did this," Aang interjected, "Even if they did, it doesn't mean all of them are willing to do something like this."

"Oh really?" Azula's angier turned into a scornful mocking, "And when did you become an expert on the water savages? You abandoned us to them for 100 years!"

"Stop calling them savages," Aang stood against Azula's words, "I knew people all across the world in my time. I had friends in the Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Water Confederation. I met good and bad people everywhere I went."

Azula leaned into Aang's face, "I don't know if I exactly need advice from someone who was going to hand himself over to them a week ago. You know they were going to kill you, right? They want their next Avatar, Aang, and they're 'savage' enough to do it!"

Aang leaned into Azula, almost bumping noises with the girl. "Maybe part of the problem between your people is you never treated them with respect. In my time, everyone in the temple knew the tribes only united because the rest of the world turned their back on them."

Azula huffed, "I can't believe you right now. You haven't seen what they are capable of!"

"It's my job to be a citizen of every nation, Azula." Aang stood up straight. "That's what balance means."

"Balance?," Azula turned with a huff. "What balance would there be if there were no airbenders?"

Aang pointed forward, "What are you trying to say?"

"When I said that they were hunting you," Azula's voice had cooled into a callous, torturous tone, "what did you think they were doing with all the airbenders they caught who weren't you? Putting them in jail? Keeping an eye on them in case they were the Avatar?"

Aang's stomach turned at the implication of her words.

When Azula realized he wouldn't respond, she raised her voice. "They ended them, Aang! Your people only remain in a few cities around the globe! All that's left of the once glorious Air Nation!"

Aang looked like he had eaten something sour. Without a word, he walked past Azula, heading towards the ladder. Azula stood with a triumphant smile for a moment. Her smugness soon gave way to the spectre of regret. Whatever she regretted, however, she didn't voice.


The town was deserted when Aang and Azula finally made it up the ladder. The few citizens out of their homes seemed sick. Most likely, their families laid them outside to get them fresh air. Assuming the sick villagers had families.

"They're dehydrated," Aang mumbled.

"Of course," Azula lectured, "it's not like anyone is bringing them any supplies. Why would the Akatatsu governor help a remote place like this? They have too much on their hands with the war."

"That's heartless," Aang locked eyes with a sick woman. She was laying on her patio. Her adolescent son was doing his best to tend to her.

"It's pragmatic," Azula was callous, "If it weren't for General Jeong Jeong being here, we'd have no reason to visit. I doubt the Akatatsu see things differently."

"They're still people," Aang mumbled.

"Yes, they are," Azula narrowed her eyes as she let out a sigh.

That's when something surprised the visitors. There was the sound of bells. People began to perk up and rush to the city center. Aang and Azula followed suit, intrigued by the sudden change in mood.

At the center of town was a young man. He was clearly of fire islander descent, but he wore the colors of the Water Confederation. He had set up a stall in the center of town. People were lining up to get small jugs of water and a fish.

"Ko here!", the man was shouting, "Get your rations here! All courtesy of the Water Confederation!"

Azula was taken aback with surprise. She turned her eyes to Aang, who shot her a satisfied look.

"Don't say anything," Azula mumbled.

"I wasn't going to say a thing," Aang lied.

Azula gestured to the stall, "Let's ask around. It'll be easier to find General Jeong Jeong with everyone here." Azula seemed quick to want to change the subject.

The answers weren't promising:

"Who?"

"Never heard of him."

"Jeong Jeong? Like that fish cookie? I think Ko has some in his stand."

After asking the entire village, the pair regrouped in front of the stall in defeat. No one had seen General Jeong Jeong in the village.

"It's like he never made it to the village," Aang sighed.

"This was pointless," Azula punched a pillar, "The Water Confederation must have gotten him on his way here. We wasted our time!"

"Hey now," an old man cried out, "You didn't just insult the Water Confederation, did you?"

Azula turned to see an old man in a dockworker's clothes. What did this fool want, she grumbled in her head. "Oh, did I upset you?"

"Azula," Aang scolded her before turning to the old man, "Excuse her, she has some issues with the Water Confederation."

"Why I don't see why she would," the old man rubbed his chin, "Why, they have been a godsend for the village. When the Painted Lady took our water away, the Water Confederation was quick to send supplies."

Both Aang and Azula perked up at this information. "Painted Lady?", Aang questioned.

"Why, yes, the Painted Lady," the old man seemed reflective, "Though it's really my brother Bushi who knows more about them. Let me get him for you."

The old man walked off behind a nearby house and reappeared in a rice paddy hat, "Hey, I heard you two wanted to ask about the Painted Lady."

Aang and Azula looked at each other. No words needed to be said.

"Why, the Painted Lady used to be the guardian of this village. We would honor her every year and she would keep the river clean and pure."

Azula snorted, "Sounds like she renegotiated the deal."

"Something we did certainly angered her. First, the river dried up. Then, anyone who looked into it went missing."

"Well, that's all rather tragic," Azula dismissed the man, "but we are looking for someone."

"If you can't find them, then the Painted Lady probably got them." The old man lectured. "I would give it up. Only the Avatar can deal with problems like this, but the Avatar doesn't exist anymore."

Aang stepped back as Azula gave the young Avatar a sidelong look. "Thank you, Bushi. We'll take your words under advisement."

"Bushi, you're thinking of my brother. I'm Xu."

Azula rolled her eyes as she took Aang to the side.

Before the fierce princess uttered a word, Aang let out a weak "I don't know, Azula."

"Sorry?", she mocked, "Who was just going about how it's their duty to bring balance to the world ten minutes ago? Or does that only apply when you are being holier than thou?"

Aang could feel tension in his head. She got him. "I never met a spirit before," he mumbled.

"Tough," Azula was not giving an inch, "Most people never meet one. You're the one who's supposed to know how to deal with them." Azula gestured to Aang's head. "You joke about being my great-grandfather. Just ask him how to do it. I know he must have dealt with spirits in his time."

"I never spoke with my past lives before," the monk whined.

"Isn't that the whole point of being the Avatar? That and the four elements?", Azula couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"It's more complicated than that," Aang continued his excuses. He paused. "I assume it's more complicated than that."

Azula groaned. "Do you want to learn firebending or not? Jeong Jeong is gone and this spirit is our best lead so far."

Aang wasn't sure how to answer that question. Here he was: the Avatar. Learning new elements. Dealing with spirits. Could he really do this? Could he handle this pressure? Azula's eyes were bearing down on him. He felt her gaze burning a hole in his head.

What to say? What to do? He was just a monk. Why not just hide in the Boiling Rock? Were the Water Confederates that bad? They killed many of his people, though, and started this war.

Aang froze.

"I don't know." he finally whimpered out.

Azula lost her steam. Standing back, she looked disappointed. "That's it, then. You were only defending the Water Confederation because then you wouldn't have to fight them. You don't want to deal with the spirit because you don't know how to handle it. I bet you even ran away when you found out you were the Avatar."

Her last words cut through Aang.

"What? Does it take an army at your doorstep and a volcano for you to be brave? When everyone is seconds from the end? When it's quiet, when it's easy to forget, you just slink away ; putting it in the back of your mind?," she wouldn't let up.

"You're afraid," she continued, "Worse than afraid: a coward."

Aang said nothing.

"Fine, go back to Shu Jing village with your bison. Run off to the Boiling Rock with the rest of your coward people." Azula didn't let up, "I can work around you in my plans. I don't need you!"

"Azula..." Aang barely got the words out.

"Leave!," fell from her lips like cold fire.

Azula turned her back. Aang moved to talk, but said nothing. Without a word, he left Jang Hui village.


Azula didn't look back at Aang. She could hear his staff pop open, turning into a glider. When the sounds of his flight faded, she let out a sigh.

What was she going to do? Why did she explode like that? She worked so hard to save him on Umbie. He helped her with Ty Lee. He gets cold feet and she scares him off? He's only twelve years old; of course he's scared!

She can't rework her plans. You can't just replace the Avatar. How was she going to get Jeong Jeong? What did it matter if Aang is gone?

She gripped her forehead. All these thoughts rushed through her mind.

With a sigh, she narrowed her eyes. She didn't know what else to do except keep going forward. Get General Jeong Jeong back and reorganize after that.

She walked into the village square. With a shot of flame, she caught everyone's attention.

"Everyone, listen: I will handle this spirit problem."

Everyone stared at the woman in awe and disbelief. Though her claims were unbelievable, they needed hope and there she was.

"Now, tell me where it is!", she commanded the town's people.


Aang sat on a log in the lake bed. He had given up on his trip back to Shu Jing shortly after gliding off the village's edge. Aang knew that Azula was right. He was running away again. Just like back then. Just like with the Western Air Temple.

Aang was born in the Southern Air Temple. He spent most of his early days as an eager young airbender. The boys in the temple were raised together in the east. The women were raised in the west. Aang grew up not thinking of his birth parents as anything special. It was not a secret, but it was not important. His family were the people of the air temples and his parents were his elders.

Of his elders, one monk in particular was like a father to Aang: Monk wise old man took special interest in Aang at a young age. The two would spend a lot of time playing pranks, testing each other at Pai Sho, and discussing life and its many wonders.

Aang remembered the day when everything changed. When the monks approached him and told him who he was: the Avatar. Four toys from his childhood were the evidence. The Air Temple tested children by letting them pick from four toys that belonged to the previous air bender avatars. If they picked all four, they could have only done so because they were familiar: because they were the Avatar.

Aang tried to disbelieve it. He tried to reason with them. He didn't want everyone to treat him differently. He didn't want to be taken away from his father.

And yet, it all happened. He was trapped in the Western Air Temple. Trained for a role he never wished for. Missing his dear father.

So, he ran away one night. He took Appa and he ran. He left everyone behind and he ran. He let the people of the world handle their own problems without an Avatar and he ran.

That's when he fell into the volcano. That's when he ended up here.

Everything. Everything was his fault. It was always his fault.

For the first time in weeks, the lake bed was wet. Tears fell from the eyes of the monk like rain drops, fruitlessly nourishing the dead lake bed.


Ty Lee was returning to Piandao's castle. Ms. Wu was such a nice lady, Ty Lee mused. Ty Lee had come a few hours before for the cake. When she arrived, Ms. Wu's children were playing Hana Ichi Monme. The kids were annoyed that the teams were uneven.

"That's unfair," the youngest brother cried. He felt cheated by being on the smaller team.

Ty Lee felt bad for the little boy. "Hey," she chimed in, "If you don't mind me jumping in, I could even the teams."

Ty Lee and the kids played while she waited for the cakes to be made. decided to throw in a few extra cakes for free.

"Consider it a babysitting fee," Ms. Wu joked.

Ty Lee was dancing a bit on her way back to the castle. Singing the kids' song to herself.

"We're so happy we won, the flower is one coin," she sang, "We're so upset we lost, the flower is one coin."

"We want that kid," she twirled on her walk, "We don't know which kid you mean."

"Let's talk about it," she started.

"Yes, lets," Sokka finished.

Ty Lee stopped at the sound of the prince's voice. All too quickly, Ty Lee realized that the townsfolk had cleared out. The confederates surrounded her.

Did they know? How? Ty Lee took a deep breath. What would Azula do?

Try to play it off. Be ready to strike when needed.

"Hello~!", she greeted the soldiers, "Are you here for Ms. Wu's cakes too? I just got a bundle."

No response.

"I'm sure she can make more," she began to sweat, "I could even share… if you… want." She paused as reality set in.

"We don't need to make this difficult.", Sokka let the words hang in the air.

There were too many to fight. She would need to even the odds. Perhaps it was best to stop now and wait for her chance to escape later.

"Okay~!", Ty Lee put her hands forward, ready for handcuffs.

"I'm glad you can see reason, princess.", Sokka joked.

"Princess?", Ty Lee perked up.

"Don't play dumb," Sokka was haughty, "We have extensive records on the Royal Family from the days of the tsunami. We know all about your secrets. We know that is the princess' crown."

She was confused. Why were they calling her princess? Crown? Azula's Crown, it dawned on her. They thought she was Azula!

Ty Lee knew she could use this to her advantage.

"Men, restrain her." Sokka gestured to two soldiers.

"Oh, please." Ty Lee's voice was a mockery of Azula's; however, it was pretty far off, being squeaky and over-acted, "Is that how you treat a princess among your people?"

"I mean, sending guards to handle me.", Ty Lee looked at her nails like Azula often did, "A real prince would imprison me himself: royalty to royalty."

Sokka made a fake laugh, "You expect me to fall for that?"

"Oh no. You are just too smart to fall for my tricks.", Ty Lee pouted, "It's too bad, too. You are pretty cute for a water confederate. To think I was thinking of merging the royal lines." Ty Lee winked to punctuate her statement.

Sokka blushed.

"Too bad you're not prince enough to capture me yourself.", Ty Lee covered her mouth and giggled at the blushing noble.

Sokka couldn't find his words.

"Your highness, please don't tell me you're falling for this." Bato already knew the answer.

"Men," Sokka's voice cracked, "I will handle this myself."

As Sokka approached, Bato smacked himself in the forehead. It was obvious this girl was playing the prince.

"I-I'm sorry for this.", Sokka tripped over his words, "Maybe you and I could have dinner on the shi-"

Ty Lee made her move.

Her family had trained her and her siblings in an ancient Fire Nation nonbending martial art: chi-blocking. There had always been a divide between bender and non-bender. However, fire is passion and life. The nonbenders of the Fire Nation did not plan to remain weaker than their bending counterparts. They made iron weapons. They designed iron armor.

And they made martial arts to counter benders.

By focusing on pressure points, one could disrupt the flow of chi, or life force, in a body. This would disable the related muscle groups for upwards of ten minutes. Without the ability to move one's muscles, one couldn't bend. That was the disciplines' primary purpose.

Of course, anyone losing control of a muscle group is rendered pretty helpless. Something Sokka had learned the hard way. He could not move his right arm. Then his left leg. Then his right leg. With an open palm strike to the chest, the prince was on his back. He couldn't even roll onto this side and try to get up.

Bato didn't wait for the order. "Men, enclose her! Take her by force!"

Chi Blocking was a secretive style. Benders feared its power, and benders made up the Royal Family. Nobles were permitted to master the art in secret, but commoners were expected to make do with other forms of martial arts. Many nonbenders still succeeded without the style,, such as the Rough Rhinos and the famed Yuan Archers.

However, as mighty as it was, it couldn't defeat this many soldiers. Luckily, Ty Lee planned for that as well.

"Stop.", she commanded, "Or I will burn the prince's face."

The soldiers ceased their advance.

Ty Lee was nervous. She wasn't in her element. It wasn't as if she couldn't hold her own in a fight. Sokka's pathetic state was proof she wasn't anyone to mess with. However, she wasn't a barroom brawler. She didn't know how to fight so many people. Nor was she one to seek out a fight. Or perform tricks. This was just stuff she remembered from hanging out with Azula!

She had to play it cool. If they really knew so much about the royal family, they would think she was a bender.

"I-I'll do it too.", Ty Lee bluffed, "With my firebending! It's hot and dangerous! You don't want to get hit with this, hotman! Flame-o!"

"She's bluffing!", Sokka exclaimed while he impotently tried to get off his back.

"N-no!", Ty Lee sweated, "I-I'm really going to do it!" She threw her first into the air and made a "ptoo" noise. "See that flame? I'll hit the prince with one just like that!"

"I didn't see a flame.", one soldier murmured.

"I don't know," another replied, "I'm pretty sure I heard a 'ptoo' of the flame going off."

"Flames go 'ptoo?", another one asked.

"Some do, I think.", another one chimed in.

Bato felt surrounded by idiots.

Sokka removed the boomerang from his belt and threw it at Ty Lee with his one good arm. Ty Lee dodged it. She flashed her would-be assailant a playful grin. The grin faded when she noticed all the other soldiers were smiling. Why? She placed a hand to her mouth while she thought.

Then everything went black.


Bato helped Sokka to his feet, giving the prince support with his shoulder.

"Not a word.", Sokka moaned, letting his men know not to comment on how easily the woman took him hostage.

"No need to worry about that.", Bato looked down at the unconscious Ty Lee, "You came out on top in the end."

"I don't know what magic she used on me," Sokka picked up the boomerang lying on the back of Ty Lee's head, "but boomerang is the great equalizer of the world."