Sokka fiddled with a pai sho piece on the board. He was alone, playing a practice game of vagabond Pai Sho against himself. The prince had a boring couple of weeks. His entire crew had a boring couple of weeks, actually. After their eventful adventures directly after Umbie, they had lost track of their prey. They checked Shu Jing village for their escaped prisoners, but, if the villagers were hiding them, they were doing a good job.

Without a lead, finding the Avatar proved difficult.

Reports of the Avatar in Jang Hui had surfaced. He had apparently foiled an operation in the region. However, the men who went in to recon the area saw no sign of the Avatar or his allies. If they were hiding them too, they were doing a good job of it. Worse, the event led to the general public learning of the Avatar's return.

Sokka was trying to keep the Avatar's return under wraps. Every gung-ho hotshot in the armed forces was now hunting the Avatar. If someone else got Sokka's prize, the prince could kiss his crown goodbye. That wasn't even considering the rallying effect the Avatar's return would have on the Fire Alliance and Earth Kingdoms forces.

Even worse, suddenly everyone was seeing the Avatar everywhere. Sokka learned quickly to ignore leads that failed to stand up to scrutiny. His personal favorite was the old man who tried to convince Sokka's spies that the Avatar was twelve foot tall and half-platypusbear. Oh, and he could shoot lasers from his eyes. Sokka couldn't blame his men for putting that ball of yarn in their intel report. It was certainly worth a laugh.

He needed a laugh. Their earlier defeat was demoralizing for the crew. The ship was designed as a moving prison. The goal of the prince's voyage was capturing the Avatar. Not to mention any airbenders Sokka found along the way. For their first prisoner, a young girl, to not only escape but defeat their commander in one-on- one combat? After taking down their prince only one day prior? The crew was embarrassed.

At least no one knew, Sokka mused. It could have been much worse.

Sokka fell backwards with boredom. His ship was undergoing repairs at port. He had also put in for a few modifications to the holding cell.

Officially, a storm caught the ship by surprise. Bato was kind enough not to inform Hakoda of the full story. The holding cells were damaged from this fictitious storm and needed repairs and upgrades. The engineers at port didn't ask questions, a small mercy, but the upgrades were taking time.

Sokka stood back up when a knock came at the door.

One of his men entered and quickly posed himself at attention.

"Admiral Hahn is requesting the right to board the vessel. He seeks counsel with you, your highness."

Great, the last person Sokka wanted to see.

"Admiral? Wasn't he a Captain last time we met?", Sokka scratched his chin.

"He was recently promoted.", his attendant replied as formally as possible.

"Nukilik Arnook jumped him from Captain to Admiral? That's skipping three ranks!", Sokka rubbed his forehead. "Fine, send him in. I can't justify not seeing him."

In short order, a smug looking man of Sokka's age sashayed into the room. He sat across from the prince. Wasting no time, he entered a far-too-casual conversation with his royalty, "Sokka, how has your hunt gone? You catch that Avatar yet?"

"That's Prince Sokka.", Sokka corrected his all-too-forward guest on etiquette.

"Riiiiiight.", Hahn elongated his syllables in a mocking manner, "I guess you didn't hear."

The prince raised an eyebrow.

"My house made a deal with Nukilik Arnook.", Hahn shot a dirty look to Sokka, "You know how their house was cursed by bearing only a single female heir? I'm sure your house can relate to succession issues."

Sokka wanted to take the bait, but, despite his pained expression, he kept his calm.

"Well, guess who is in line to marry Princess Yue and become the crown prince of the Northern Tribe." Hahn grew a devilish smile.

"Until the marriage goes through, you aren't royalty!" Sokka snapped back, "I'm still your prince!"

"Yes, of course, Prince Sokka.", Hahn fiddled with the Pai Sho pieces, "Have they allowed you to retake your ice dodging yet?"

The prince looked like he ate something sour. He swallowed the feeling. "That's a baseless rumour. I passed it like everyone else my age."

"Of course, Prince Sokka.", Hahn leaned off the table, "I didn't mean to offend."

"Yeah, right.", Sokka thought.

"I only came to inform you of my new operation to capture the alleged Avatar." Hahn moved a Pai Sho piece forward.

The piece he moved caught Sokka's attention. While it made sense to apply pressure on a Sky Bison using a Wheel Tile, Sokka had yet to play his Fire Lily piece.

"I thought 'why waste our men chasing these ash breathers when we can get the savages to hunt themselves?'", Sokka moved his pieces into position for the trap as Hahn talked. "Money is king, after all."

"Mercenaries?", Sokka mumbled, "I considered it. They might put their guard down around another Fire Islander." Sokka observed Hahn's movements, he was falling right into Sokka's trap. He was too focused on capturing the White Lotus in a decisive victory that he didn't consider Sokka's Fire Lily tile. "My spies can't find one who they trust."

"That's a shame." Hahn seemed unaware of Sokka's trap, "I guess they don't know about him"

"Him?", Hahn caught Sokka's attention.

"An islander. Never talks. Born with a mutant form of Firebending called Combustionbending.", Hahn was like a child bragging about his new toy, "The last Ryujin warlord tried to make him into a living weapon. Rumour has it that his escape was the real cause of the warlord's end."

Sokka used his Fire Lily to play his White Dragon tile. He could now easily capture Hahn's Wheel Tile, leaving Hahn's White Lotus wide open to capture. Sokka would win in two moves. Hahn looked frustrated and turned away from the game, as if he wasn't ever playing it.

"Good luck with that," Sokka smiled, "Tell me how it goes."

Hahn rose, barely keeping his voice below a shout, "I will capture the Avatar, and when I do, you'll never be crown prince of the south."

Sokka froze up: how did he know? Hakoda's deal was a secret. Who told him?

Sokka laughed it off after his momentary pause. "Not sure what you're talking about. You better just hope Princess Yue doesn't come to her senses and marries me instead." The prince beamed a toothy grin.

Hahn smiled. "Tell Katara that I look forward to her coronation." With that, the admiral left Sokka's chambers.

Sokka waited until the footsteps faded away. The second they were gone, he kicked over his board, letting out a frustrated groan.


Aang had not spent his time idling, after the change in plans. The Airbending master was practicing his Airbending moves on his own. The comparison between his practice and Azula's practice was night and day.

Azula moved through her forms with power. Jeong Jeong chided her to hold back, but he never told her to stop all together. He wanted her to put conviction in her strikes, but not murderous intent. When she struck with lethal force, the old general would bark. Over the weeks, the master found his voice less horse at the end of the day.

Aang had no such problems. He had the opposite strikes hit with a feather weight. Lethal force was not an issue. Bludgeoning force seemed to be barely there at all. Azula had even joked that, if she hadn't seen him fight before, she would assume he had only ever practiced the art in temples.

"That's just the nature of Airbending," Aang had shrugged back at Azula. Azula took notice. Aang could spot her eyeing him during practice. He couldn't help but notice her adopting some of his movements into her own.

With the passing of the weeks, Jeong Jeong had grown pleased with his student's work.

"Princess Azula," he stopped her in the middle of her practice, "our time is at an end."

Azula was a bit surprised at the general's formality. The princess had noted the General dropped such royal graces when he accepted her as a student. It was common and expected for a teacher to do as such. How could one teach if they were punished for correcting their students? Anything less than honesty would breed weakness in Royalty. Weakness was the one thing royals were never allowed to possess.

Of course, it was also expected for students to call their Master "Sifu," even among the upper crust of society. Azula had refused to lower herself in such a manner from day one.

"You have changed much in our time. Anything further would waste both your time and the Avatar's." The teacher turned to Aang, "As Aang is doing now with his self practice, your best teacher now will be yourself and the harsh lesson of experience," General Jeong Jeong bowed to Azula, "Sifu Azula."

"I'm glad you have finally recognized my abi-" Azula could see Aang giving her a look from the side of her vision. She bowed her head and corrected her speech. "Thank you," she paused as if the words were hard to say, "Sifu Jeong Jeong."

After a short bow, the two returned to their standing position. "Now, I think it's time I put this 'fishing trip' to an end. Spirits know who may have damaged my house while I was away."

"For all you know, someone might have tried to burn it down." Aang shot playfully at Azula.

Azula could feel a flame rise in her to bite back, but she let it pass. For now. She chuckled at the monk. She'll get back at him later.

The General was simply puzzled at the exchange. His stern reply of "I rather hope not" felt out of place with the general jovial attitude.


Zuko moved through his forms with the fluidity of a river. The scarred prince was moving like a wave through his sets. When one finished, he pivoted into the next one as easy as breathing. The sword's master looked down from his perch with pride.

To his left, the master's butler was more concerned with other matters.

"Your dango, mistress.", the words fell out of the servants' mouth.

Ty Lee smiled as she gobbled up the desert. Without skipping a beat, she sent out another request. "Fat, I'm thirsty. Can you get me sweetened tea?"

Fat looked to the Master. Behind Ty Lee's back, his gestures wordless spoke "is this woman serious? I'm not HER butler!"

The Master simply rolled his eyes at his overly serious friend. While the girl had been demanding, they both knew this was only temporary. They couldn't let their new student's friend sleep out in the cold, especially after her kidnapping. "I'll have one too, if you're going to the kitchen.", was his only response.

With a defeated drop of his head, the butler left to his ceaseless duties.

"I like him.", Ty Lee chirped to the Master as the butler left, "He thinks I can't tell what he's doing behind my back." The Master felt an odd chill down his spine, despite her cheery tone.

Turning back to his pupil, the master was pleased at his panting student. He had performed the set nearly flawlessly. Perfection would be too much to expect after only a few weeks. His improvement, however, was exemplary.

"Good work, Zuko." The master rose and bowed, prompting Zuko to do the same. "Your improvement has impressed me over the last few weeks."

"Thank you, Sifu Piandao." Zuko spoke.

"Which is why I think it's time for you and your friend to leave." The Master continued.

Zuko was flustered. "What? But I'm not ready! There must be something more for you to teach."

"There is, but it's best if I'm not the one to teach it." The Master spoke matter-of-factly.

"You're the best swordsman in the Fire Alliance. Maybe the whole world! Who else could teach me better? I doubt any air nomads practice the blade better!"

The Master chuckled. "You would be surprised at what the other nations can do. That is something I hope you would have learned from all this."

Zuko felt a little shame heat up his face.

"Of course, I personally don't know any individual teacher who would be better." The Master placed his hands to his chin. "But the lesson you need to learn can't be taught by any one man. You have to learn it from the toughest teacher: life."

Zuko shook his head. "Life has already taught me enough tough truths."

"If you aren't learning, then you're dying." Master Piandao retorted.

"Besides," The Master gestured to his left. His butler was wrestling Ty Lee's tea from a thirsty bison. Ty Lee herself was asking for a different glass, as she didn't want Bison slobber in her drink. Fat himself had a blood vein set to burst in his forehead. "I'm not sure if Fat can survive a longer stay from your friends."

Zuko could feel the sweat pour from his forehead. A sigh escaped the exiled prince's lips.

Perhaps it was time to take Appa and check in on his sister.


Admiral Hahn was not an intimidating figure. Despite his garish display of Water Confederation armor and weapons on his person, the man was still a child of 17. He was a foot shorter than his soldiers. His strong chin did little to high his boyish look. He was a boy playing at being a man.

This was never more apparent than when he stood across from his new contractor. The mountain of a man stood at twice the Admiral's size. He dwarf even the tallest of his men. His chiseled features were punctuated by his cold, mechanical claw of an arm. At the center of his forehead, a tattoo of a third eye drew everyone's eyes.

Most distressingly, he was a mute. Understanding him was limited to his body language. The mystery of his real feelings heightened the fear he evoked.

Hahn, however, was unphased.

"So, you're the fire savage who took out the Ryujin Warlord?" Hahn eyed his new toy.

The man said nothing. His face was as unmoving as stone.

"Nukilik Arnook said I could pay a chieftain's ransom to capture the Avatar." Hahn prodded the beast. "Are you worth such a high fee?"

Without a word, the killer breathed in tightly. His chest expanded. The air audibly compressed in his chest. He turned his gaze to a nearby mountain overlooking the port.

Letting the tension loosen, a ball of compressed air shot from the man's forehead. Multiple pops marked its journey through the sky. With a boom, a chunk of the mountain fell into the ocean.

Admiral Hahn's men were stunned.

Not too far off, Sokka had rearranged his Vagabond Pai Sho board. He was deciding his next move in the phantom match. Then, the Earth quaked. The prince found himself covered in titles. He came to laying half consciousness under his flipped table. His spinning mind wondering who had attacked the port.

Admiral Hahn was amused. He was like a child with fireworks. "Men, set course for Jang Hui!"


Aang and Azula were busy tearing down their temporary domicile in the village. Jang Hui had been an interesting village to rest in over the last few weeks. Hiding from spies was somehow the least aggravating part of their stay.

Aang looked at the empty cabin as they left.

Azula rolled her eyes at the sight. "Please tell me you aren't sentimental for this place. The fish was grotesque, we slept on a hardwood floor, and if I have to deal with that old man's mockery of mental health issues again I'm going to explode."

"Yeah," Aang let his words hang, "But it was nice to be in one place for a little while."

Azula paused. She let out a sigh. "When you finish your job," she placed emphasis on the last word, "and the world is in balance, I'll personally see to it that you are brought back to your Air Temple."

Aang gave her a weak smile. "With a parade of Fire Nation flame dancers?"

"Of course." Azula brushed the question away with a wave of her hand. "When the war is over, I'm sure we'll find a way for Uncle to fit that into the national budget. Perhaps we'll cut it from something pointless like Air Nomad relief."

Aang laughed. Azula smiled.

General Jeong Jeong gestured for the pair to hurry. "I rather get back before sundown."

As if on cue, Aang and Azula heard a familiar growl. The rustling wind above announced the arrival of the rest of Team Avatar. Brushing off the amazed children running in from the village, Zuko and Ty Lee got off the beast.

Azula quickly approached Zuko. She got into the young prince's face. "When did you get into a fight?", she barked.

Ty Lee was surprised at Azula's deductions. The prison escape was weeks ago. How did she know? Zuko, however, was used to his sister.

"What gave it away?"

"Ty Lee has a scar that wasn't there last time I saw her!", Azula pointed at a tiny scar on Ty Lee's arm. Ty Lee hadn't even noticed it. She reasoned that her battle with that water confederate gifted her the mark. Ty Lee scratched her head. Why did Azula know so much about her body?

Her yell got a rise out of her brother. Zuko pushed back against his sister. "Some confederates kidnapped her thinking she was you." There was some fire in his voice.

Azula's eyes widened. Gears turned in her head as she realized she was the cause of it. Her gift of the crown must have caused the mistake. She turned that angier outward.

Poking at his chest, "why didn't you keep an eye on her!?"

Ty Lee burst into the conversation. "I'm not a child!"

Azula was taken aback. She reorganized herself. "Of course not, but you are unprepared for warfare. You've only ever been in the circus."

Zuko didn't let that sit. "Ty Lee is a lot more capable than you think. She practically rescued herself by the time I got to her."

Azula was surprised. Ty Lee jumped in for one last strike. "You're not the only one who had to make due since the nobility fell!"

A tension sat in the air. Aang, feeling the heat, rushed in the middle of the trio to calm things down.

"Maybe we should talk about our next destination. Azula and I discovered I actually do have to learn waterbending first. Who would have thought?" Aang forced a giggle as he scratched his head.

His attempts at lightening the mood had failed. The three simply harrumphed in response to each other.

General Jeong Jeong stayed quiet. He was just happy his teenage years were long behind him.


"It will be best if we part ways. Aang should focus on finding his waterbending teacher." General Jeong Jeong had been quick to sever himself from the hostile situation. Taking his things, he headed off back to his home.

This left Team Avatar to stew in their own situation. The three had taken Aang's advice and begun to discuss their travel goals. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say Aang pulled out a map and the others breguddenly accepted. While the kids of the village poked and prodded at the playful bison, the group of teens sat on the other side with their map.

"We're here." Aang pointed to Jang Hui village. "That's put us in Akatatsu. And if we were going to look for a Waterbending teacher, we'd probably want to get closer to the colony. Which is here." Aang pointed to the other end of the Fire Alliance. "We've already been to Ember and we didn't see any Waterbenders. Maybe we should go here." Aang pointed south of the colony. "The country of Ryujin."

"The clan of Ryujin." Zuko murmured.

Aang scratched his head while he asked for Zuko to speak up.

Azula, not turning to Zuko, answered for her brother. "What dumb-dumb said was that land belongs to the clan of Ryujin."

Zuko huffed but said nothing.

"Clans? The Fire Nation broke into clans? I thought it became separate nations."

Zuko saw his sister move to speak and intentionally beat her to it. "The Fire Nation was traditionally made up of clans. Our ancestor, Fire Lord Zoryu, tried to consolidate them." Zuko looked down before continuing. "That failed during Fire Lord Sozin's reign. The clans regained control of the Fire Nation and split it."

"But does it matter?", Aang didn't understand why the pair felt like bringing it up.

"We aren't welcomed in some parts of the Fire Alliance." Zuko mumbled.

Azula picked up the baton. "Let's just say that one of our ancestors had an illegitimate heir in that clan. They tried to make a play for the throne. Fire Lord Zoryu almost had them exterminated for their treachery. He only spared the wretches because Avatar Kyoshi threatened our ancestor." Azula shot Aang a look while she talked. Aang looked away with a forced air of innocence. "They merged with other clans over the years and have gone through a few name changes, but the wound never healed."

"We haven't been allowed into their lands since the Fire Nation broke apart." Zuko stole the closing thought from his sister.

"You act like we were the bad guys." Ty Lee mumbled under her breath.

Aang felt like he walked into a booby trap. "M-maybe they won't notice?"

"There isn't a guard captain in the Alliance who doesn't know how our entire family looks." Azula mumbled.

"Well, I am the Avatar. Maybe they won't mind if you're with me."

Zuko just sighed.

"Ty Lee is from the clan so maybe…"

Ty Lee shot up from her seat. She jumped backed onto her hands and walked away without looking at the rest of the team.

Aang just sighed.


Ships rocked as the sea beat against the vessels. The captain of the vessels tried their best to keep their control. They were not just at battle with each other but with the waters themselves.

"Who thought this was a good idea!?", Admiral Hahn cursed the air. "Whoever ordered us into these waters was an idiot!"

Out on the deck, his men struggled to get control of the ship.

"Why did Admiral Hanh order us into this storm?", one of the junior officers screamed as they tied themselves to the ship. "We've barely made it out of that Earth Kingdom port."

"When he saw the royal flag, he ordered us to change course." A senior officer screamed as he secured himself. "He said the storm would pass."

All of the ship's waterbenders were focused on keeping the ocean at bay. There was no time to fight. Men and women were told to prioritize wave reduction. The nonbenders knew any attempt at fighting in this weather was a fool's errand.

Yet fireballs flew through the air and bombarded the confederate vessel. The flames were barely able to spread before the ocean extinguished them. The crew could only assume that the other vessel was just as damaged as their own from the storm. The other ship was either more bold than their own, or under the control of someone very cruel.

"I'm paying you a lot to capture the Avatar. I'll give you 5% extra if you do something about that ship." Admiral Hahn shouted when a fireball burst against the command deck's walls.

The mercenary didn't move.

"Fine! 10%! But not a coin more!"

The mercenary walked out into the deck. Hurricane winds seemed to not phase the man. He leveled himself perfectly with the unstable rocking of the ship. With small steps, the mountain of man brought himself to the center of the ship and closed his eyes. He inhaled. He held the breath for a long time. The noise in his chest grew stronger with each passing moment.

A lighting bolt cracked.

The enemy ship was illuminated.

He shot his eyes open.

A blast rocketed forward.

An explosion echoed.

The ship sank in the distance.

Admiral Hanh looked on in awe as the enemy vessel vanished on the horizon. Blasting away a small chuck of mountain was one thing. Sinking a warship in a single shot, while fending off a tropical storm, was another. The precision, the skill, the power: this mercenary was on a different level from Hahn and his men.

Admiral Hahn turned his gaze to the mute. The killer seemed to stare back at the admiral, despite the wind and the rain that should have concealed the Admiral from his sight. What had the Admiral brought onto his ship? What monster of a man was this islander?


Aang was beside himself. He kind of understood why everyone was mad. It's not like anyone was wrong to be mad, but how was Aang supposed to get them all to be friends again?

Talking to them individually didn't help

"She's always like this! She always has to be in control of everything!", Zuko exploded. "And she's always so judgemental! I almost die trying to save her friend and all I get is a lecture!"

"Aang, Zuko will get over it in a day. Maybe a week. We're siblings. It's in our nature.", Azula coldly spoke, "What really annoys me is Ty Lee. I just was worried about her. I know she doesn't understand yet, but that doesn't mean I can stomach her throwing my concern back in my face."

"Azula is great and all, but she is not my mother.", Ty Lee practiced her acrobatics on the pillars of the pier, "She's a great friend and I like her." Aang noticed the odd emphasis on "friend" and "like." She was trying to hide something. Aang just wished the two could be honest with each other. "I just can't have someone who thinks I need a babysitter. I can take care of myself. I'm my own woman." Despite her happy tone, Aang knew there was angier behind her words.

Aang sighed.

"Another tofu ramen, Aang?", Xu, the dock water, asked.

"Hit me again, Bushi." Aang laid his head on the table.

"Oh, you got me confused with my bro-."

Aang all too quickly remembered the name he used at the fish market." Xu, please, not today."

"You're less fun than your friend.",Xu mumbled as he prepared another bowl of vegetable soup.

Wallowing in self-pity, the young Avatar didn't even notice the sound of someone sitting next to him.

"This seat isn't taken, is it?", the voice was of a male in the prime of his life. However, that prime was in its waning years.

"No one ever eats here, anway. My brother Dock is the real bread winn-"

"Please, Xu!", Aang grumbled.

Indigent, Xui argued that his game wasn't even directed at the monk this time.

"I see the locals are rather lively.", the older patron joked as he spied the menu. "I'll just have a bowl of fish soup."

As Xu focused on preparing the dish, the older patron couldn't help but take notice of the monk's troubles.

"You seem pretty down for an air nomad. All of the ones I've met are the happiest people I know. They never let earthly tethers drag them down so much."

Aang moaned. "Trust me, I'd love to enter the void like Guru Laghima. Maybe then all this drama wouldn't feel so crushing."

Suddenly, the monk spurred. "Wait, you know about Guru Laghima!?" Aang quickly began to examine the patron for tattoos similar to his own. While Aang did not see any tattoos, he did notice that the man's outfit seemed rather ornate, as if it was ceremonial.

"I would hope that the Fire Sages would know about some monk, considering how much they mingle." Xu scoffed as he served the man his soup.

"Oh right," Aang punched his open palm, "The Fire Sages are the religious leaders of the Fire Nation. I met your order once when my temple visited for the Szeto Festival."

The man laughed at the monk's words. "Something tells me you're exactly the nomad I came to see." He slurped his soup. "I suppose you're the Avatar. The one who took down the water confederation outpost in the area? The one everyone is talking about?"

"Word travels fast.", the young Avatar mused.

"It does when some have their long held faith finally rewarded.", the fire sage rose and bowed before the Avatar. "I am Shyu of the Fire Sages. My order and I are at your service."


On the shore of Crescent Island, the waves lashed at the shore. The tide came and went with a furious pace. The Fire Sages had seen storm towers on the horizon. They were thankful it had been moving farther away from their little island. Even this far off, however, its effects could be felt in the sea. Such was the power of nature, some of the cloister's members had mused.

It was during their chores that one of the sages noticed something odd at the base of the island. The small dot on the horizon looked at first to be simple debris. Perhaps flotsam from a ship that had been sunk by the storm. However, the more the monk looked, the stranger the dot appeared.

It was with a start that the monk recognized what he was seeing: it was a man clinging desperately to the shore.

Summoning his friends, the monks headed to the shore to pick-up the wounded stranger. While they did not know who he was, they were bound by sacred oaths to render aid.

As they approached the man, some noticed the distinct markings of privileged upbringing. His skin was pale, not tan like one who worked for a living. His robes were of fine silk. These robes could supply a commoner with meals for years, were they to sell it to the right buyer. The hair was the real eye-opener. The ornate hair piece was not lost on the monks.

Recognizing the man's importance, the monks set to getting the man from the shore with added haste. In his delirium he fought back. Small streams of flames shot out as he shouted at his saviors. With little time, the nearly dead survivor passed out and went limp.

Fearing the worst, the sages took him inside to rest and heal. They did not wish to incur any ill will for letting someone of his status die. Even if his brother was a forgiving sort, one could never be certain that those in such high places would take kindly to news of a loved one's death. Blame could be passed easily through claims of one's failure to provide proper aid.

Even in times such as this, with the position so weakened, the Fire Sages knew it best not to bring such ire on their heads.


The group of teens were a little surprised by their new guest. They were hoping to have a little more time to themselves, but traveling with the Avatar rarely afforded such luxuries.

"I see that you have already chosen some companions for your journey.", Shyu gestured to the group, "Though it seems you could diversify a bit. It might help with your journey to learn the elements. Unless you already mastered the art over your long absence."

Before Aang could say anything in his defense, Azula jumped forward with a simple "he hasn't."

Shyu chuckled a bit. "You do seem young to be a master of all the elements."

"I...was frozen in a gem. A lava gem." Aang knew how unbelievable his explanation sounded.

"Don't worry.", Shyu sensed the monk's fears, "Our temple foretold your revival. That's actually why I'm here."

"The Fire Temple of Crescent Island?", Zuko questioned.

Shyu picked up on the unspoken question of "how?"

"Less than a month ago, the statute of Avatar Roku burst into a bright light. It was like the Avatar Spirit had returned to Roku after all these years. Some of the sages didn't want to believe you had returned. Many had lost hope of you ever returning, but I never lost my faith."

Aang felt a bit guilty at the sage's words. "Even Sages lost hope I'd ever return?"

"Don't feel too bad. I never lost hope." Azula interjected. "Not all of us are so weak as to fall into despair."

Zuko gave his sister an odd look. She was being nice to Aang? Since when was she generally "nice?"

The confusion gave way to angier. She was nice to him but lectured her own brother?

He snorted. Azula picked up on it and gave him a look. Both knew it wasn't the time.

Shyu was ignorant of the troubles facing the group. Instead, he focused on his own wants. "I was hoping you'd follow me to Crescent Island. The solstice is fast approaching."

"Why would we waste the Solstice at an old temple?", Ty Lee scratched her chin, "There are plenty of festivals we could attend instead."

"I'm sure.", Shyu raised a finger, "But I doubt any of the others would allow Aang to speak to his past life."

"Avatar Roku.", Aang mumbled in disbelief

"Great grandfather", Zuko and Azula spoke alongside Aang.

Ty Lee was confused. "But Avatar Roku died a long time ago."

"The Monks said I'd eventually be able to talk to my past lives if I studied hard enough." Aang looked guilty. "I was going to study how to do that after I moved."

"Can anyone be taught how to talk with their past lives?", Ty Lee was quizzical. She never considered anything about her previous lives.

While Azula rolled her eyes, Shyu chuckled. "Some wise men claim to have accomplished it through meditation, but no one could ever tell if they weren't making it up."

"How do we know the Avatar isn't making it up?", Ty Lee asked like a pestering child.

Aang felt a little embarrassed by her question. Certainly took his title off his pedestal.

Shyu, however, was unphased. "It's said the Avatar can not only commune with his past lives, but relieve memories from them as well. The information they've known could not be faked."

"But couldn't they find the information out in advance to fake the whole thing?", Ty Lee didn't stop.

Azula would normally take this in good nature. The recent events had changed her feelings on her childish behavior. She didn't find her cute right now.

"I've seen quite a bit of evidence to suggest the Avatar is more than a title." Azula mocked. "Perhaps when you have more experience away from the Big Top, you'll get more familiar with these things."

Ty Lee gave Azula a sour look. The acrobat tried to drill a hole in her head with her eyes.

"If the legends are to be believed,", Shyu knew not to get involved, "the Avatar can even take the form of their past lives under special circumstances. The solstice is one such event. At the exact midday of the solstice, the spirit and material world are in perfect balance. Even a novice Avatar could commune with their past life at a spot of spiritual importance to that life, such as the statue of Roku at our temple."

Shy put his hand to his chin. "It's really fortunate I found you when I did. Any later and we'd have missed it."

Zuko was tired of this endless conversation. The game of twenty questions had worn thin. "Are we going or not!?" He barked at Aang.

Aang made a small jump back. He was startled by Zuko's sudden outburst. Azula hit her brother lightly in the arm. Zuko bit back at his sister with his words, but otherwise resolved to just rub away the pain.

"I-I guess it might help. Maybe Roku could help us figure out how to get a Waterbending master."

Aang knew it was a longshot, but he needed something to get them out of this village.


The flight over wasn't the most pleasant experience.

"Azula! Did you eat my mochi!?" Zuko accused his sister. "That was a gift from Fat!"

"Maybe you should look at the girly girl, instead of your own sister", Azula didn't look at her brother.

"I wouldn't steal his mochi!", Ty Lee squealed. "How could I even know how to steal if I don't know anything about living in "the real world?"

Azula gave a sour look. "You better be careful about eating all those sweets. Because sweets make you fat. Which isn't great for an acrobatic. Because it's hard to do those things when you're fat! Which you will be, if you keep stealing sweets!"

"That isn't even a good comeback!", Ty Lee barked.

Aang had the sense not to mention he was the one who fed that mochi to Appa. Honestly, the monk couldn't wait until they were over this fight. He felt guilty, however. He was the Avatar. He was supposed to be able to solve problems like this one. He couldn't think of a single thing to say.

Shyu, however, was having the time of his life. He spread his arms out to feel the wind. He always wondered what it'd be like to fly on the back of a sky bison.

"At least he's happy", Aang grumbled.


"Where is the Avatar!?", the young Admiral shouted into the air.

The villagers of Jang Hui were more perplexed than scared by the boy. They continued to mill about their business. Even in his regalia, he did little to intimidate the town's folk.

The boy took offense. "Why aren't you answering?" He took his spear from his holster. "I am Admiral Hahn of the Water Confederation. Future Prince of the North!"

An elderly figure barely looked up from his gondola. "Why should we be afraid of you?" He spoke in a sing-song manner. "The Avatar will protect us from cowards like you."

"Then where is he!?", the boy threw a tantrum.

"How would I know?." The man spoke firmly. The rest of the village backed his stance with their indifference to the boy.

A hissing sound went through the village. The wooden town shook from a deafening explosion. When the dust settled, their town center was in ruins.

Villagers were laid about. Dazed, but not seriously hurt. The implication of the attack hung over their confused heads: more would come unless they complied.

Behind the young Admiral, the mercenary stalked. The mountainous man took his place directly behind his employer. Admiral Hahn looked like he was just a part of the threatening statute standing behind him. The bounty hunter's message was thoroughly sent to the terrified townsfolk.

"H-he went to C-Crescent Island!", the old man cried, kowtowing in fear to the monster at their doorstep.

Admiral Hahn soaked the scene in. The destruction. The fear. The obedience. He loved it. This is what it meant to rule. With glee, he ordered his mercenary to have some fun with the village before they left.

"You earned it.", the young Admiral smirked.


The bison's flight was short. The island was not far from Jang Hui. For such a short flight, it certainly came with a rather splendid reward.

A island stood in the shape of a crescent moon. At its center stood an ornate structure. Its boxy design was common for the Fire Nation. As befitting such a small nation, they were accustomed to building upward to take advantage of their limited space. The tower seemed to stand there in defiance of the steep cliff's edge it rested near.

Arriving at the temple's entrance, the group was greeted by a group of old men. Each wore the same religious garb as their guide.

"Sage Shyu, are we to assume your voyage was successful? Is this air nomad the one we have been waiting for?", the eldest of the group spoke.

Bowing in respect, Shyu spoke in a formal manner. "Grand Elder Sage, I have indeed returned with the Avatar, as I promised at my departure."

The elder stroked his gray beard. "How can we be sure he is the Avatar? There have been others who have attempted to con my equivalent in other lands."

"Oh, well, I'm an amazing airbender.", Aang started, a bit nervous.

"I do not doubt it.", the elder eyed the boy, "But many have the right to that claim in this world. You are not the last airbender. Have you mastered water yet?"

"Well, that is a little tough." Aang scratched his head.

Azula stepped in front of Aang. She spoke in a booming, regal voice. "I, Azula of the clan Keohso, first princess of the Fire Nation, honored guest of the Shobo-shi clan of the Fire Alliance, stake her personal honor and title on the monk's claim to the title of Avatar and all associated rights and privileges."

Zuko sighed. "I, Zuko of the clan Keohso, second prince-"

The eldest sage shook his head. "I apologize, honored guests, but your grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon, once made the same claim to me in my younger years. The elder at the time accepted the Fire Lord's words and backed the alledged Avatar. He was so embarrassed when the Fire Lord's claims turned out false that he retired in disgrace." The Fire Sage looked at Aang. "I would need more than just your word."

"Would a threat suffice?", a deep, sinister voice snuck in behind the sages. Zuko and Azula felt their blood run cold. Ty Lee started to shake like a leaf.

Aang wasn't sure what could have scared them so much. All he saw was a tired old man. He looked muscular, but his posture reeked of injury and weakness. His clothes were a mess. His hair was out of place.

Then it dawned on the monk. The color of his eyes were like Azula and Zuko. His face looked like an old Zuko. And his headpiece looked almost exactly like Azula's crown.

This was their father. This was the man who loomed over both their lives. This was the man who made them who they were. This was the man who forced Azula to maim her own brother.

Fire Prince Ozai.

The sages took notice. "Fire Prince Ozai, you're awake."

"You expected me dead?", his voice was like a knife's edge.

"Of course not.", the eldest spoke first. "We hoped you'd make a speedy recovery. We are just surprised you are up so soon."

"That is the third time today that you've doubted the royal line." His eyes bore holes into the elder's forehead. "Fourth, if you count disgraces."

Zuko took a step forward. Azula put out an arm to stop her brother. When Zuko saw her face, he saw the same fear she wore the day he got his scar.

The eldest sage began to stammer. "We meant no disrespect."

Ozai cut the elder off. "No disrespect!? You claimed my father was a lier and that his shame toppled your failure of a predecessor." The prince got into the elder's face. Aang tensed. He felt like a fight would begin any moment. The monk worried he'd have to protect these sages from the prince's wrath.

Thankfully, that didn't come to pass. "We're sorry." The elder apologized. "Your children's word is proof enough of the monk's claim."

The Fire Prince backed off. "My daughter's word. My 'son' probably waste years searching for the Avatar and find nothing, if I was ever foolish enough to send him on such a quest."

"How could you say that abo-" Aang's mouth was covered by Ty Lee.

"Aang, I've seen this before. Say nothing. It's your best option." Ty Lee whispered to the Avatar.

Prince Ozai simply walked up to the monk and looked him over like a predator sizing up prey.

"Get inside, boy." Prince Ozai spat. "I'm certain these sages have something useful to teach you about stopping the Water Confederation." He turned. "It's all your good for, anyway."

As Ozai walked towards the temple, he spoke a simple command without facing its target.

"Come, Azula. And take that crown back from that Ryujin trash. I'm not sure what joke you're playing on her, but it isn't funny to me."

The Fire Princess looked panicked. Ty Lee and Zuko looked at her. Their faces told her they'd protect her. She shooed them away. She knew too well it was best to comply. Quickly, she undid Ty Lee's hairpiece and placed it back on her head.

Aang got in front of her. He tried to talk her out of it. Without even acknowledging him, she pushed right past the monk.

Following six steps behind, Azula followed her father. The prince began to speak nothing of importance.

After a quiet pause, Shyu tried to get things back on track.

"I suppose it's time I get you to the statue."

No one could think of anything to say as they followed the sage inside.