Special thanks to starlightz1112,almostinsane,Cala Akina Morushiku, nonesofar,Fran, Mystic Water Bender3, frozonedude12, albr62,Tree Flower,Junkfood, Kiriko-sama,LittleYugiBoy,Gmasangel, Animeloverja, and TMW for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I still do not own Avatar the last airbender!

NOTE: In the episode the storm I assume the young woman who smiled durring Zuko's punishment was his sister. I found out I was right.Well in this chapter she appears so I looked up her name online. It gave me two names Zula and Azula. I hope no one gets upset because technically you have already met her. Anywho on with the story!


Late that night.

Aang laid in bed with his eyes open. He could hear Sokka, Momo's, and Katara's snores. Everyone was asleep. "Come on. Please let me fire bend again."Aang whispered to his hand which was palm up.He was trying to produce a flame again. He remembered the feeling of fire springing from his hand. Like something deep with in him had been awakened. A small flame appeared in Aang's hand flickering in the wind. Aang smiled. and made a fist extinguishing the flame. He had made a flame it was an improvement. He still couldn't produce a lot of fire unless mad but a flame was something. Aang closed his eyes ready for bed. He heard something on board but ignored it.


"Admiral, do we leave now?"asked one of Zhao'smen. Zhao nodded entering the row boat that would take them to Zuko's ship.Six of his men began rowing and they made their way to the bison chained to the ship. They all left the boat but one and climbed up the bison and up the chain leading to the ship. They looked at Zhao awaiting orders.

"I want you to find the Avatar and capture him."Zhao ordered. The men quietly went below deck. Admiral Zhao waited patiently on deck.

"Ah Admiral what a pleasant surprise!"said a cheerful voice. Zhao tried to prevent himself from jumping. General Iroh came out of the shadows drinking some tea. "Ginseng tea?"asked Iroh offering the Admiral a cup. Zhao looked at Iroh in disbelief.

"No, thank you."Zhao said frowning. He hadn't expected the old man to be awake at such a late hour. This would destroy his chances of getting the Avatar for himself!

"What brings you on my nephew's ship at such a late hour Admiral?"asked Iroh.

"Um...I wanted to borrow some sugar."Zhao said lamely.

"Ah than I will go get you some to sooth your late night sugar cravings."said Iroh and he went below deck. He came back a few minutes later with a bag of sugar. "Here you are Admiral now it would be best if you were on your way. My nephew would get suspicious if he knew you were here."said Iroh. Just then however five fire benders came up holding Aang.

"We captured the Avatar Admiral!"said one of the men. Zhao sighed.

"Huh wha? Am I dreaming?"Aang said.

"You fools! What are you doing?"Zhao said looking at Iroh nervously.

"Capturing the Avatar?"said the confused fire bender.

"I gave you no such orders! You will pay for this dearly! Let the boy go and lets get out of here."said Zhao. Iroh raised his eyebrows. The confused men let go of the Avatar and went to the row boat waiting for Zhao.

"I am deeply sorry for this. I have no idea what has gotten into them. They will be severely punished. Goodbye General."said Zhao bowing and he left with his crew.

"Sir?"said one of the men as they made their way back to the ship.

"There's no way we could get the Avatar under that fools nose. The Dragon of the West is to observant. Once we get back to the ship head out of here. Maybe I can convince the fire lord to keep Prince Zuko banished if I beat them there."said Zhao.


Iroh stood there quietly deep in thought. It was a good thing he got up for a midnight snack. He knew exactly what Zhao was up to. Iroh went below deck and took some hay and came back up and fed it to the giant bison. He looked out into the dark ocean listening as the waves softly slapped against the boat.

"What was that about?"Aang said. Iroh jumped. He had forgotten the boy was there.

"Zhao wanted to present you to the Fire Lord and get the credit."said Iroh.

"Oh wow...Iroh do you think Zuko is really going to take me to the Fire Lord?"Aang asked. Iroh sighed.

"Yes, I do."said Iroh.

"Oh.Well goodnight..."said Aang down hearted and he walked below deck. Tomorrow night they would escape. For tomorrow was their last day before they hit the Fire Nation. Aang couldn't fall asleep. He still hadn't mastered fire bending and he had to admit it he would miss Zuko and his uncle. They weren't really that bad. Even Sokka could admit they weren't bad and he hated fire benders. When he woke up the next morning he told Sokka and Katara that they would be escaping today.

"What about the jewel of fire? Are we just going to let the Fire Nation keep it?"asked Katara.

"Well it is rightfully there's. And I don't think it will cause much harm. It's meant to protect and keep peace. If anything it might help."said Aang.

"So when are we leaving? Can I eat first?"asked Sokka.

"Since the ship will be arriving in the Fire Nation tomorrow, we will be leaving tonight. Less chances of getting caught."Aang said. The other two agreed. They ate breakfast then went above deck. Zuko seemed nervous. He would pace once in a while and be silent staring out to sea for long periods of time.

"You alright?"Katara asked him placing her hand on his shoulder.

"I just haven't been home for so long. It feels strange. I will finally regain my honor...but I will never forget my shame."said Zuko.

"What exactly did you do to get banished?"asked Katara. Zuko looked at Katara silently for a few minutes. Sokka and Aang walked over interested.

"Yeah tell us."said Sokka. Zuko was silent. He didn't have to tell them. It was none of their business. but they are your friends. Your only friends. He thought to himself. Yeah but...there not gonna be your friends for long. Zuko argued with himself. But Zuko found himself telling the Avatar and his friends everything. About speaking out of term, about the duel, everything. They listened and were shocked.

"Oh my god...That's so horrible who would do that to a person? Let alone their own son?"asked Aang.

"So that's why you want to capture Aang. It's the only way to get your honor back. I finally understand you man."said Sokka.

"I will always bear this mark of shame."said Zuko speaking about his scar.

"Your scar isn't a mark of shame. It's a mark of bravery. You stood up for what you thought was right. It just proves how brave you are."said Katara. Zuko was silent letting Katara's words hit him. He had always thought it one way. That it was a mark of shame for dishonoring his father. He mustn't let this water bender get to him.

"I thought it was right. But I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken out of term."said Zuko.

"You were protecting innocent people...your own people. You were trying to save there lives. There is no shame in that."said Aang. Zuko smiled but didn't look to convinced. Aang walked over to the edge of the ship. Appa was doing fine.

"We will be out of here soon boy."Aang whispered quietly. Aang heard a thump behind him.

"GET IT OFF!"Zuko yelled. Aang turned sharply to see what had distressed the prince. Momo was sitting on his head and he was looking up nervously. "Get it off! Get it off!"Zuko said shooting blasts of fire at Momo. Each blast Momo dodged.

"Prince Zuko you will set fire to your hair if you keep that up."said Iroh laughing. Aang sighed.

"I'm gonna miss it here."he said to himself truthfully. The night came all to quickly. Aang sat staring at the ceiling. Once he could no longer hear anyone moving around he sat up. "Sokka, Katara it's time."Aang whispered softly.

"But daddy I am a big boy and I can fight fire benders."Sokka grumbled, turned, and snored. Aang laughed.

"Katara?"he said. Katara opened one eye, groaned, andsat up groggily rubbing her eyes.

"Sokka get up."she said shaking her brother who whined loudly. After a few minutes they finally got a grumpy Sokka up. "Come on it's time to go. Momo you have to be very quiet."Katara whispered. They crept out of their room and walked quietly upstairs. Aang gasped. There were guards all around where Appa was.

"What now genius?"asked Sokka.

"Were going to have to fight them."said Aang.

"Good. That always makes my day. Kicking some fire bending butt!"said Sokka taking out his boomerang. Aang shot air blasts at them while Sokka threw his boomerang. Katara waved her hand getting water on deck to wash over all the guards and freeze them.

"There got them all."said Katara.

"You take all the fun out of life. I was all ready for a long battle and with a wave of your hand it's over!"said Sokka picking up Momo and he clumsily walked down the chain that lead to Appa. Aang and Katara followed.

"Guys does this seem to easy to you?"Aang asked as he sat down on Appa's fuzzy back with the two. Momo blinked his yelleow eyes and curled up in a ball.

"Don't jinx us! Just get us out of here."said Sokka.

"Appa yip yip!"said Aang. The bison groaned and rose into the air and tried to fly away pulling at the chain. "Come on boy. You can break the measly chain cant you?"said Aang for the first time feeling worried.

"Please tell me he can break it!"said Sokka looking down at the guards. They were beginning to melt free.

"Come on boy..."said Aang but Appa merely groaned and floated back down into the water. "Um...heh heh...do you guys know how to break chains?"said Aang.

"There has to be some way."said Katara walking up the chain back on board the ship.

"If we can't break that chain were going to end up going to the fire nation, to the fire capital-DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THAT MEANS?"said Sokka.

"That I'm going to be locked up for the rest of my life?"said Aang hopping back on the boat behind Katara,Sokka, and Momo.

"Well yes but, were gonna kick some serious fire bending butt...right?"said Sokka.

"What is going on?"said a voice. Prince Zuko appeared on deck. He looked at his frozen men then to them. "You were trying to escape!"

"No we weren't! I just wanted to say goodbye to Appa. You will have to take good care of him while I'm gone."said Aang. The bison groaned loudly.

"Uh..."said prince Zuko looking at him.

"We were also wondering how to break those chains."said Sokka. Katara elbowed him.

"Ow! what was that for?"Sokka asked rubbing his side.

"It's useless to escape Just incase you tryagain I'll have to lock you in your room."said Zuko.

"Nice going Sokka."said Katara.

"What?"asked Sokka. Zuko melted the ice that held his men captive by putting his hands to the ice and sending out fire.Zuko's menforced Aang,Katara,Sokka, and Momo into the little room and the door was locked.

"Well I can probably get it open."said Aang walking over to the door.

"There are probably men on the other side."said Sokka.

"It's worth a try."said Katara. Aang tried to get the door open but it was no use. Sokka and Katara also tried but no luck. So they went to bed.The next morning they were let out. Zuko was found pacing on deck and Iroh had already gone through six cups of tea. It was obvious they both were nervous. Aang looked at Sokka and Katara nervously.

"Sir we have entered the Fire Nation."reported a soldier. Zuko nodded. He looked at Sokka and Katara.

"We are getting close to the Fire Capital. You can stay on the ship when we get there. That way you can return to your home."Zuko said.

"Were not abandoning Aang. Even if that means we get locked up with him."said Katara.

"Have it your way."Zuko muttered looking angry. Iroh sipped his tea.

"It isn't to late to turn back."Iroh said.

"Uncle why on earth would we want to turn back?"demanded Zuko. Iroh shrugged and drank some more tea. Aang frowned looking out into the ocean. This could be it. This could be his show down with the Fire Lord. Either that or prison for life. But he wasn't ready to fight the fire lord. He still needed to master all the three elements. He only knew a little water bending, a tiny bit of fire bending, and nothing about earth bending. The day continued. Everyone on prince Zuko's ship grew more worried. The ship was nearing land and Aang's stomach twisted into knots. Katara put her hand on Aang's shoulder.

"Whatever happens Aang, we will be right by your side."Katara said.

"You can count on us."said Sokka. Momo was sitting on his shoulder. The land had many volcanoes on it and the air was quite warm and humid. The time came to leave the ship.

"This is your last chance."said Zuko looking at Katara and Sokka.

"We go where Aang goes. He's our friend, and I thought you were to."said Katara. Zuko reddened in anger.

"You think I want this? I have no choice!"Zuko hissed.

"You can turn back right now! It's not to late!"yelled Katara.

"This is the only way to get my honor back and I'm not passing up the chance!"Zuko yelled. Katara looked away from him angrily.

"Besides I'm not your friend."said Zuko.

"Funny that's not what you told me."said Katara. Zuko glared. They left the ship. Aang's hands were tied along with Katara and Sokka. Momo was left on the ship with the crew. They were to remain there and take care of the animals until further notice. They were walking through the streets of a fire bending town. The common people didn't seem to notice them. It was like they were used to random people being marched to the castle. Used to prisoners, and maybe they were. However a few noticed prince Zuko and General Iroh. Aang could see the castle. It was ahead of them a good mile by the volcanoes. .It was in the center of a pool of lava Or at least that's what it looked like. They got to the castle and Aang looked at it in shock.

"Good I see my brother finally made a bridge."said Iroh. Aang looked up at the giant castle. It was at least four stories high on a piece of land in the middle of not a pool, but a lake of lava. There was a stone bridge leading to it above the lava. The fire sign was etched in stone above the stone doors. At the very top of the castle were four big gargoyles. They walked across the bridge and got to the door, to a giant knocker. Iroh used it.The doors opened and two guards stepped out.

"No one isallowed in the castle! There is a small problem going on come back-General Iroh? Prince Zuko?"said the guard.

"Ah it's good to see you Ryu! Your a guard now eh? Last I checked you were just a servant!"said Iroh looking at the rather young soldier. The young man had bright yellow eyes and brown hair like most fire benders but his hair was fairly lighter.

"Yeah I um...well you should come in...this is a surprise..."said the guard known as Ryu. He looked at Aang and frowned. "The Avatar?"he asked. Iroh nodded gravely. Ryu turned to the guard next to him."Go alert the Fire Lord."Ryu said.

"But he's in a meeting! He gets angry when we interrupt him!"the guard said.

"Which is why I'm asking you to do it and not doing it myself."said Ryu. The guard glared and walked off.

"Always thinking of yourself Ryu."said a woman's voice. A young girl stepped out of the shadows. She was in a blood red uniform and her ember colored eyes were lit up mischievously. She had brown hair which was in a bun. Ryuswallowed hard and kneeled. "Princess."he said. Zuko frowned.

"He didn't kneel down to me."Zuko muttered.The princess looked at Zuko.

"Well well, I was wondering when this filth would return."said the girl. Zuko made a growling noise.

"Princess Azula!"said Iroh in a stern voice.

"Uncle."she said in a cold voice. Her cold ember eyes strayed over to Aang. "Well Zuko you actually managed to capture the Avatar. I'm disappointed. I mean he's a child and it took youtwo long years to catch him? A monkey could catch him faster than two years, and by monkey I mean Admiral Zhao. Shame he didn't get the avatar first. I wasn't looking forward for you coming back. But knowing you, you will mess up soon and be out of here before you start to annoy me."said the Princess with a cold smile. Zuko gritted his teeth. There was a time when he and his sister got along. But that was long ago when they were children. Azula took after their father while Zuko was more like their mother. They had many differences.

"Your just upset because now that I'm back your not next in line for the throne.The fact that I might actually regain my honor means I will become fire lord and you wont have any power."Zuko said. Azula clenched her fists flames jetting out. But she calmed herself and a cruel smile spread over her face.

"It doesn't matter. Father hates you, you know. He's never going to let you become Fire Lord."Azula said and she turned sharply walking down the hall.

"Who was that lady? She scares me."Aang said.

"She frightens all."Zuko said with a smile but it quickly disappeared. Someone else was coming down the hallway...


Yes Ozai is coming mwahahaha. I was gonna have him enter in this chapter but i've decided to save that for the next chapter! Sorry it took SO long to update. I'm still getting used to the fact that I have school...bleh.