Fleeing Ozai

by Gd2go2

After being forced into a corner, Ursa gives Ozai what he wants- a way to take the throne from his father. But while he waited for his father to pass, Ursa takes advantage of this and flees the Palace- with her children, Zuko and Azula. On the run and in disguise they unknowingly set on a path which will shape the future of the world...

8. Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

"Those clouds look so soft, don't they?" Katara asked the gang as she gazed at the clouds as she and the others rode Appa. "Its like a giant, soft cotton heap you could just lay on."

"Maybe you should give it a try," Sokka teased her.

"Maybe they are solid, and you could lay on them," Zuko pondered as he looked at the clouds.

Feeling daring, Aang popped up and shouted, "I'll let you all know!" He leaped off of Appa with his staff and a loud cheerful yell, with Momo close behind, leaving four dumbfounded teenagers behind them.

"I swear that kid is just trying to kill himself," Azula groaned while rubbing her forehead to ease the tension of frustration forming in her mind.

"You don't think he's actually trying, do you?" Zuko asked, becoming concerned that Aang is legitimately trying to do so given his reckless behavior.

"Well he might be doing it to avoid his Avatar responsibilities," Sokka reasoned as he searched for Aang.

"Aang wouldn't do that," Katara told them. "He's too full of life to do something like that and he's just trying to enjoy what fun he can."

Before the others could say anything, Aang and Momo land back into Appa's saddle, both of them soaked to the bone. "Turns out clouds are made of water so you can't lay on them, you just go through them," he told them before airbending himself dry. Momo shook himself to shake off the water that drenched his fur, before Aang decided to airbend him dry too.

Katara sighed in mild disappointment that she would never experience what it could be like to lay on something that appeared to be soft like these clouds, though she was a bit relieved to now know better than to try. As she began to ponder the possibilities of knowing clouds are made of water, she noticed an abnormal feature among the forest below. "Hey, what's that?" she said, drawing everyone's attention.

They all took in the vast forest and large river, with black and ashy ground between them. "It's like a scar," Sokka commented in disbelief.

Self-conscious, Zuko reached up to the scars among the side of his face as he surveyed the damaged land. "I'd say so too."

After landing Appa, the gang walked around the burned ground taking in the damage. Burnt tree stumps scattered the land, along with evidence of bushes that were burnt down to a pile of ash. "Listen," Sokka said, taking in the lack of noise, "it's so quiet. There's no life here."

"The animals must've left," Zuko theorized.

"Or they were killed," Azula darkly added. She had an idea how this fire started, but did not want to admit it to anyone, even to herself.

"Aang, are you okay?" Katara asked when she saw his slumped shoulders. She began walking over to him when she did not receive an answer.

Sokka noticed several depressions in the burnt ground and investigated more closely. He noticed that they were most likely from the armored boots of Fire Nation soldiers, and he became angry. "It was the Fire Nation Army that did this! Those evil savages have no respect for-!"

"Excuse me," Azula growled at him, "but it maybe this fire was caused by a campfire that got out of control."

"Hey, you know that they're responsible for this!" Sokka shouted back.

"How?!" Azula screamed. "Maybe they just were on patrol nearby! And for all we know, they were the ones who put out the fire with their bending!"

"Would you two stop arguing?!" Katara shouted as she stood near Aang, who had collapsed to his knees and was running his hand through the burnt earth. Azula and Sokka ceased arguing, realizing that no matter how this forest burned down and who was responsible for it, Aang was the one feeling the most responsible for it, despite finding out about it after the damage was done.

"Why would anyone do this?" Aang said in distraught. "How could've I let this happen?"

"Aang," Katara said gently, "you didn't let this happen. You're not responsible for happened here."

"Yes I am," Aang replied. "It's part of the Avatar's job to protect nature."

"But you can't be everywhere at once," Zuko told him. "You may be the most powerful person on the planet, but even you can't be perfect."

"Maybe, but I have to get better at my job," Aang said, feeling more burden than ever. "But I don't even know where to start doing my job."

"That's why we're going to the North Pole," Katara reassured him, "to find you a teacher."

"Assuming you let us," Azula whispered under her breath, hoping that this will motivate Aang to take his responsibilities more seriously.

"Yeah, a waterbending teacher," Aang replied to Katara, "but there's no one who can teach me how to be the Avatar. Monk Gyatso told me that Avatar Roku will help me, especially when I need him the most."

"But Roku died over a hundred years ago," Zuko said.

"How are you supposed to talk to him when he's been gone that long?" Sokka asked.

"I'm not sure," Aang said, depressed that he was a failure of an Avatar. Momo jumped into his lap, sensing his own needs comfort.

---

"General Iroh!" Lieutenant Jee shouted in the forest, leaving a squad of soldiers back at the trail. "The ship is ready sir! It's time to depart!" When he did not receive a response he shouted, "Where are you sir? General Iroh!"

"Over here," he heard the general said in a happy tone. Jee moved toward the origin of the general's voice.

"General?" Jee asked as he noticed that Iroh was enjoying a hot bath within a pool of water being fed from a small stream. "It's time for us to depart. We're closing in on your nephew's trail and cannot afford to lose him. Or the Avatar for that matter."

"Ah, yes," Iroh replied, much eager to resume his mission. He began stretching in the pool before standing up, much to the discomfort of the lieutenant.

"Ah, I'll give you a few minutes sir," Jee politely said as he walked away. "We'll depart as soon as you board sir." He picked up his pace without his awareness, wanting to get away from the naked general.

But he had no idea how foolish that was to leave his mentor alone in unknown and potentially hostile terrain.

---

The gang was still milling about in the wasteland due to Aang being depressed at how he perceived himself as a failure. "Hey Aang," Katara said to him after she and Azula found something in the waste that would bring good fortune, "are you ready to be cheered up?"

"No," Aang replied with a depressed voice, before an acorn hit him in the side of the head, causing him to yelp in pain. "How was that supposed to cheer me up?" he said after realizing that it was Katara who threw the acorn, while Azula smiled with a hint of malice while tossing an acorn in the air.

Sokka and Zuko laughed a bit at Aang's misfortune. "Cheered us up," Sokka said, before he and Zuko received acorns to their heads, courtesy of their sisters.

"Okay, we probably deserved that," Zuko said as he rubbed his forehead.

"No, you two did deserve that," Azula reprimanded with a smirk.

"These acorns are everywhere," Katara said to Aang as she knelt beside him. "That means the forest will grow back one day, as if this fire never happened." She handed Aang an acorn. "Every one of these will be a tall oak tree someday, and all the birds and animals that lived here will come back." Momo dug furiously into the ground, emerging with handfuls of acorns. He dropped them when he noticed Azula approaching him with a slight scowl, letting him know what he was doing was wrong.

Aang smiled as he took in Katara's words, knowing she was right. "Thanks Katara," he told her, making her smile that he was cheered up and feeling hopeful about the future again.

The sound of a twigs snapping drew everyone's attention to an old man with a walking stick approaching Aang. "Hey, who are you?" Sokka asked the old man.

"When I saw the flying bison, I thought it was impossible," the old man said to Aang, "but those markings… are you the Avatar child?"

Aang turned toward Katara, who nodded to him in confidence. He stood up and said, "I am the Avatar."

The old man sighed in relief. "Please come with me. My village desperately needs your help." The gang complies and after walking till late afternoon, that approached the man's village, where much of the buildings were damaged, one of which was abandoned. The old man leads them to another man, the Village Chief. "This young man is the Avatar," the old man said to the Chief.

"So the rumors of your return are true," the Chief said before bowing. "It is the greatest honor of a lifetime to be in your presence."

Aang bows to the chief out of respect. "It's nice to meet you too." After a short pause he said, "So… is there something you need my help with?"

The Chief gained a painful expression. "I'm not sure…," he said with doubt.

"Our village is in crisis," the old man pleaded to the Chief, "he's our only hope." He turned toward Aang. "For the last few days, right at sunset, a spirit monster comes and attacks our village."

"Right," Azula said skeptically, "a spirit monster."

"What is this spirit?" Zuko asked, being more opened minded to the possibility.

"His name is Hei-Bai, the black and white spirit," the old man replied.

"If this spirit is real," Sokka began to ask with skepticism, "why is he attacking you and your village?"

"I assure you, he is real," the Chief replied, "and we do not know why he attacks us. But each of the last three nights he has abducted on of our own. We are especially fearful because the winter solstice draws near."

"How does that tie into Hei-Bai's attacks on you?" Katara asked.

"As the solstice approaches, the Physical World and the Spirit World grow closer and closer, until the line between them is blurred completely," the old man said, beginning to sound like the village's Sage.

"Hei-Bai is already causing devastation and destruction to our village," the Chief said. "Once the solstice is here, there is no telling what he can and will do to us."

"So," Aang began to ask, feeling doubtful of his ability to help, "what do you need me to do?"

"Who better to resolve a crisis between the Physical World and the Spirit World than the Avatar?" the old man stated. "You are the great bridge between man and spirit."

"Yeah…," Aang said with wanting confidence, "that's me."

"Hey, 'great bridge guy'," Katara said to Aang, "can I talk to you alone for a minute?" She led Aang to a place where they can speak privately, while the rest of the gang followed closely.

"Aang," Katara said with concern, "you seem rather unconfident about all of this."

"Yeah, that might be because I don't know anything about the Spirit World," Aang admitted. The teenagers stared at him with blank expressions, surprised that their monk friend knew nothing about what his culture was known to be experts in. "It's not like there's someone who can teach me this stuff!" Aang said in exasperation.

"But can you help these people?" Zuko asked. "They seem rather afraid of this spirit."

"Assuming there is a spirit," Azula said, still skeptical of the villagers' claims.

"Well, spirit or not, I have to help this village," Aang told them. "Maybe whatever I have to do will just… come to me." Momo jumped onto Aang's shoulders and chitters, which Aang takes as positive reinforcement.

"I believe you can do it Aang," Katara said with a smile.

"Me too buddy," Zuko added.

"Yeah," Sokka said with an unhappy smile, "we're all gonna get eaten by a spirit monster."

Azula rolled her eyes. "You're all hopeless," she told them.

---

As Iroh began to dress himself, a rustling noise caught his attention. "Who's there?" he asked aloud, finding small rodent appear on the tree branch near him. "Ah a meadow vole!" Iroh said with a smile. "I should have known better. I wish I could stay and enjoy this hot spring with you little one, but my Lieutenant is expecting me, and I must leave." The vole began jumping and chittering fanatically before running away. Iroh initially did not think much of it, but he soon would wish he did.

The ground rumbled and before Iroh can move away, his lower body was engulfed in earth, trapping him. As he struggled to break free, a half dozen Earth Kingdom soldiers emerged from the forest, expertly camouflaged and laid in wait for the general to let his guard down.

"Sergeant," one of the soldiers said as he held up Iroh's uniform, "he really is a general."

"And not just any general," the sergeant said as he eyed Iroh. "This is the Fire Lord's brother, the Dragon of the West, the once indomitable General Iroh." The sergeant smirked in satisfaction. "But now, he's our prisoner. Prepare him for transport!"

Iroh scowled slightly at his ignominious capture, embarrassed at how he, master firebender, expert strategist, career soldier, and now enlighten truth seeker, would let his guard down when he was essentially behind enemy lines. But he was more concerned about the violent and potentially fatal outcome that would happen when he found an opportunity to escape these soldiers.

Because he made a vow a long time ago that he will never take another life again.

---

As the sun began to set, the villagers took cover in the meeting hall since after the second attack. The teenagers took shelter with them while Aang stood before the village gate, anticipating Hei-Bai's appearance. "Hello?" Aang called out, unsure as to what to exactly do. "Spirit, can you hear me? This is Avatar Aang speaking. I'm here to, uhm, find a resolution you and the villagers can agree to." He stood there, feeling a bit silly to be talking out loud to something that may not be there. Yet Aang knew enough about spirits that they can be present without being present in the traditional human sense, as Monk Gyatso once told him. Not sure what his mentor at the time meant but Aang now understood it, hence why he was calling out to the spirit.

"This isn't right," Sokka said as he stood by the widow, wary of what could happen to Aang.

"It's ridiculous in fact," Azula affirmed.

"Well, whatever it is, we can't just sit here and cower while Aang waits for some monster to show up," Sokka said, tapping the hilt of his club hanging from his hip.

"Assuming there is a monster attacking this village," Azula said with a frown. "I'm thinking this village was attacked by some clandestine unit of the Fire Nation Army, and they're using spiritual myths to cover their attacks."

"I can understand your reservations young lady," the old man told her as kindly as possible. "But I assure you it is the spirit Hei-Bai. And if anyone can save us all, it is the Avatar." Azula rolled her eyes, still not believing in this monster sprit nonsense.

"All the same, Aang shouldn't have to face this alone," Sokka told him.

"Well if Aang needs us, we'll be there for him," Zuko told him as he and the other continued to watch Aang carefully.

Still standing by the gate, Aang waited till the sun was completely set before trying to gain Hei-Bai's attention. "The sun has set," Aang shouted. "Where are you, Hei-Bai? Well, spirit, uh, I hereby ask you to please leave this village in peace!" He twirled his staff around like a marching baton and planted it against the ground with a resolute expression to project himself as a figure of authority. Nothing passed and Aang concluded that he accomplished his mission. "Okay. Well, I guess that's settled then." He began to walk toward the meeting hall, but he suddenly felt there was a large presence behind him. He halted and turned to find something rather unpleasant.

Or more terrifying, as Aang took in the creature with six legs and a sinister black and white coat. It is vaguely mammalian and has razor sharp teeth. Despite his fear, Aang smiled as politely as he could. "You must be Hei-Bai. My name is…"

But Aang was cut off by the creature as it screamed, causing air and blue light to blow past Aang. He stood his ground, but his staff was blown to the dirt. Hei-Bai stood up on his hind-most legs and bellows again, releasing more energy from his mouth. He charged past Aang into the village with destructive intent. Aang rushed after Hei-Bai and shouted, "My name is Aang! I'm the Avatar and I would like to help you! Please stop and let's talk about what you need!"

But Hei-Bai ignored Aang and proceeds to destroy two houses with brute strength and the village's watchtower with his energy scream. The village chief and the rest of the gang watch in shock and concern.

"Still think this is some clandestine Fire Nation Army unit?" Zuko mocked Azula.

"Shut up Zuko," Azula told him, still not believing that this large creature somehow appeared with no indication that it was coming. To Azula, it really did materialize out of nowhere.

"The Avatar's methods are rather…," the village chief began to say as he observed Aang chasing Hei-Bai, "unusual."

"It doesn't seem too interested in what Aang is trying to say," Sokka said, eager to help his friend.

"Should we go help him?" Zuko suggested.

"No," the old man firmly said. "Only the Avatar stands a chance against Hei-Bai."

"A chance at what, pissing it off more?" Azula snapped, growing more frustrated by the absurdity of the situation.

"Aang will figure out the right thing to do," Katara faithfully said to everyone. "He has to."

In the village, Aang continued to try to reason with Hei-Bai. "Would you please stop destroying things and listen?" Hei-Bai ignored Aang, forcing the airbender to jump onto a building to overlook Hei-Bai as he smashed a building to the ground. "I'm just trying to do my job as the spirit bridge," Aang pleaded, slowly losing patience. "Excuse me, would please turn around?" When Hei-Bai ignored him again, Aang decided that enough was enough. "I command you to turn around NOW!" Aang shouted.

Hei-Bai turned around slowly, before swatting Aang off the building into the roof of another; he slid off and collapsed to the ground.

"Alright, that's it!" Sokka shouted. "He needs help!" He charged out of the meeting hall with Azula close behind.

"Enough trying to do this nicely!" she shouted as she ran with Sokka over to Aang.

"Sokka, Azula, wait!" Katara shouted to them.

"Get back here, NOW!" Zuko roared, but his best friend and sister ignored him and Katara.

"They shouldn't have left!" the old man shouted. "It's not safe!"

"Over here you monster!" Azula shouted in the courtyard before she and Sokka launched their boomerangs at Hei-Bai. They bounced harmlessly off the creature's backside and fell to the ground. They ran over to Aang, who was recovering his senses and noticed his friends near him.

"Sokka! Azula!" he shouted in shock. "Go back!"

"We'll take him together, Aang," Sokka said with a confident smile.

"He stands no chance against us," Azula said with an arrogant smirk.

"I don't want to fight him unless I – watch out!" Aang shouted as Hei-Bai rushed toward them and grabbed both Sokka and Azula. Aang recovered his glider and takes off after them while Katara and Zuko rush out of the meeting hall shouting in fear and anger.

"AANG!" Sokka shouted as he tried to break free of Hei-Bai's grip. Azula also tried to escape but her arms were pinned between her and Hei-Bai's firm grasp. "Azula! Do something! Firebend!"

"I can't!" she shouted back. "My arms are pinned down!" She considered trying to shoot fire from her mouth, but she had never attempted that, and she was facing away from Hei-Bai, making it pointless to try. "AANG! Just attack him already!"

"Just hang on guys!" Aang shouted as he got closer to them. He tried to reach out to one of Sokka's free hands, but just as they were about to grasp each other, Hei-Bai vanished into thin air.

Along with Sokka and Azula.

Feeling panicked breathing overtaking him and forcing him to lose his flight stability, Aang collapsed to the ground at the base of a stone statue of a bear.

---

Feeling that the general was taking too long, Lieutenant Jee and two of his soldiers marched back through the forest to where Jee found Iroh. "General! General, where are you?" Jee shouted, now feeling foolish for leaving the area to quickly for the older man to keep up. Jee and two of his soldiers found the improvised hot tub, along with several abnormal rock formations.

"Maybe the General took another route, sir," one of Jee's soldiers suggested.

Jee's brow furrowed in thought as he examined the ground. "Something's wrong here. Very wrong."

"It looks like there's been a landslide, sir," another soldier reported.

While Jee appreciated his soldiers' efforts loyalty, he sometimes wondered where their common sense was. But they never been in combat before and never seen what earth can look like after a battle. "Land doesn't slide uphill corporal. Earth and rock cannot move naturally like that, only by man. The general has been captured by earthbenders!" The soldiers froze, realizing that the man they admired and respected has been captured by the enemy. "Why are you two standing there?!" Jee shouted. "Get your men to start searching the area corporal! And send one man back to the ship to get more men searching!"

"Yes sir!" the soldiers shouted before jumping to their tasks. Jee ran after them to fetch his rhino, intending to search alone, dreading what could be happening to General Iroh.

Which was not much at the moment, as Iroh rode on the back of an ostrich horse, still feeling embarrassed by his capture, and being forced to wear only his undergarments did not help ease his humiliation. "Where are you taking me?" he asked the earthbender sergeant.

"We're taking you to answer for your scorched earth crimes," the sergeant replied bitterly. "That caused a lot of people to grow hungry across the western Earth Kingdom."

Iroh sighed with regret, knowing that burning the farmland around Ba Sing Se was an effective if distasteful strategy. "I assumed that I would answer for my crimes in Ba Sing Se?"

"For an old soldier, if you can be called that, you're still pretty sharp," the sergeant observed. "It seems fitting for you to be tried in the city you laid siege to for six hundred days."

"Despite the circumstances, I cannot wait to see that great city," Iroh said dreamingly.

"It was greater than you, as were me and the countless soldiers who defended the city," the sergeant replied.

"I acknowledge my defeat at Ba Sing Se, and how bravely you and your comrades fought!" Iroh said defensively. "After six hundred days of sieging, plus the countless days battling our way through the western Earth Kingdom, my soldiers were tired, and I was tired." Iroh yawned before resting his head against the back of the soldier he was riding with. "And I am still tired." Without warning, Iroh collapsed off the ostrich horse, forcing the patrol to stop and retrieve him before resuming their journey.

But Iroh smiled softly, after having dropped one of his sandals, which none of the soldiers had taken notice of it.

Knowing Lieutenant Jee, he will find the sandal and use it as an indication where Iroh is being taken.

---

Aang gasped as he shot up from the ground and look around frantically. "Sokka!" he cried out. "Azula!"

When he received the silence as a response, he realized what he did. "I failed," he said sadly. Gathering his staff, Aang began the slow walk back to the village, thinking of any way he can tell Katara and Zuko their siblings were gone.

As Aang approached the village gate, he noticed Katara sitting there, holding both Sokka's and Azula's boomerangs. Zuko paced back and forth, clearly anxious to see his sister and best friend again. Aang breathed deeply and accepted that they were going to be upset with him, but he would promise them he will figure out a way to get Sokka and Azula back. He approached Katara and Zuko. "Katara, Zuko, I lost them," he told them.

But they did not react in any way, as if they did not hear him.

"The sun is rising," the old man said as he walked over to the gate. "Perhaps the Avatar will return soon with your loved ones."

"What are you talking about?" Aang asked, confused to how the old man was acting as if Aang was not there. "I'm right here!" Aang tried to get the old man's attention by waving his hand around. As the sun rose and more light was present, Aang noticed that something was different with his hand, which glowed blue, meaning only one thing.

"I'm a spirit now?!" Aang said in shock, concerned that he somehow died and now will travel the world that way. But as he put some thought about being in his new state of existence, he could potentially enter the Spirit World and figure out a way to rescue Sokka and Azula. The thought of that being his last great act put him at ease, and he began to think of a way to accomplish this goal.

Aang sat down near Katara and Zuko, who were still clearly distress by how Sokka, Azula, and technically Aang, have not returned. Aang tried to remain positive and even if they cannot hear him, he spoke to them in reassurance. "I'll figure this out, guys, I promise. Like the old man said, I'm the bridge between the Physical World and the Spirit World, right? All I have to do is figure out what I have to do. And once I do that, no problem." Appa roared out a response while Momo chittered near Katara. "Appa, Momo!" Aang called out to no response. "I guess neither of you can see me either."

Momo crawled into Katara's lap while Appa nudged Zuko gently. "It's okay, guys," Katara said while petting the lemur. Zuko rubbed Appa's nose gently. "I'm sure they're on their way back right now. I bet they even found you two a bunch of moon peaches for a treat." Appa moaned a response while Momo chittered.

Aang sighed, knowing he needed to start figuring something out. "What am I supposed to do?" he said in despair. He looked up into the sky and shouted, "Avatar Roku, how can I talk to you?" He looked down the path that led away from the village and noticed something that made him feel elated. "Sokka? Azula?"

But as it came closer at incredible speed, Aang realized it could not be his friends. "That's definitely not them!" he shouted before trying to take off on his glider, but he fell to the ground after leaping into the air. "What? I can't airbend as a spirit!" He turned right as the creature, a dragon spirit, landed before Aang and stared down at him. While Aang was terrified of the dragon, he noticed that it was not interested in attacking him. With nothing to lose, Aang asked, "You wouldn't know where Sokka and Azula is, do you?"

In response, the dragon bent its head down and touched Aang's forehead with one of its whiskers, causing Aang to have a vision of Roku riding this very same dragon. "You're Avatar Roku's animal guide!" Aang said in elation. "Just like Appa is to me. I need to save my friends and I don't know how. Is there some way for me to talk to Roku?" The dragon bent down toward the ground, allowing Aang to jump on. He looked over at Katara and Zuko and said, "I'll be back soon." He looked up into the sky and said to the dragon, "Take me to Roku!" The dragon leapt into the air and flew at high speed to the west.

---

Still making their way to Ba Sing Se, Iroh and his captors were following a winding trail around a mountain. Nothing of note happened since Iroh dropped his sandal, but he saw something flying through the sky. He gasped when he noticed it was a dragon with a blue hue, and what appeared to be a rider.

"What is it?" the sergeant asked.

"Oh, it was nothing," Iroh said, before a thought came to mind on how to delay these soldiers. "Actually, there is a bit of a problem. My old joints are feeling sore and achy, and these shackles are too loose."

"Too loose?" the sergeant asked, baffled at how the general was complaining that his shackles uncomfortable that way.

"That's right," Iroh said as he held up the cuffs of the shackles. "The cuffs are loose, and they jangle around and bump my wrists. It would be much more comfortable for me if you would tighten them, so they won't shake around so much."

The sergeant furrowed his brow, never having a prisoner complained about shackles being too loose, much less suggest tightening them. But given the general's reputation, what harm could come if they tighten the general's cuffs?

"Alright, we'll do it," the sergeant said before ordering his soldiers to comply.

But when the private ordered to tighten the general's cuffs, Iroh breathed on them to heat them up, before forcing the soldier to touch the hot metal, causing him to scream. When Iroh let go, he launched a fire blast from his feet to launch himself into the air and to force the soldiers to scramble for cover. As the sergeant tried to regain control of his men and their mounts, Iroh leapt toward the path's edge and rolled down the hill. The sergeant and two of his men chased after Iroh, the former launching several rockslides after the general. When they reached flat ground, Iroh is practically buried.

"Fucking asshole," one of the soldiers said as he glared at the general.

"He's too dangerous, sergeant," the other soldier told his leader. "We can't just carry him to the capital. We have to do something now."

"I agree," the sergeant said with venom. "He's got to be dealt with most severely." Iroh spat out some stone that got into his mouth, before looking at his captors with disdain. He just hoped that Jee was right behind them and saw all the dust and rock being kicked up.

And his hope was well placed, as Lieutenant Jee saw the commotion on the mountain side. But he also saw something else.

"Prince Zuko," he said as he saw the bison flying through the sky. But he hesitated, wondering if he should place the safety of the general over their mission.

It would be a bad decision either way, so Jee decided to follow heart over his head.

"It's no use," Katara said sadly. "I'm not seeing them anywhere."

"We have to keep trying," Zuko urged her as he guided Appa through the sky over the forest.

"Zuko, it's going to take days for us to look through this forest," Katara told him. "Our best hope is to go back to the village and wait." Momo chittered a response that sounded agreeable, along with Appa groaning a response.

Zuko grunted before turning back, angry that there was nothing he can do.

---

Flying west, the dragon took Aang to a volcanic crescent shaped island and the beautiful Fire Temple built there. The dragon maneuvered through the halls like it was stroll through an open field.

But after entering a large room, it suddenly shot up toward the ceiling. "Hey, what are you doing?!" Aang shouted as he braced himself.

To his surprise and relief, they passed through the ceiling harmlessly. Aang looked around and noticed that only a statue of Roku was present. "I don't understand," Aang said. "This is just a statue of Roku." He looked back at the dragon for answers, who touches his forehead again with a whisker. Suddenly, Aang received a vision of a flaming comet. "Is that why Roku needs to talk to me? It's about a comet? When can I talk to him?" The dragon stepped aside to reveal a tiny window where the sun shines through into a focused light. The dragon touched Aang's forehead again to show days passing by the temple, indicating that there is a specific day Aang can speak with Roku, and it was proven when each day passes, the sun light in the room gets closer and closer to the statue of Roku.

"It's a calendar," Aang observed, "and the light will reach Roku on the solstice!" He turned back to the dragon. "So, that's when I can speak with Roku." The dragon grunts in acknowledgement. "That's great to know, but how does this help me save Sokka and Azula?"

The dragon bent down to allow Aang to mount him again and they took off flying back the way they came.

---

She did not know where she was and had no idea how to figure out where here was, much less a way out of here.

"Sokka?" Azula called out. "Sokka! Where are you, you gluttonous oaf?"

"You must ensure the reign of the Fire Nation!" a harsh voice of a man called out to her.

She took up a defensive stance. "Who are you?!" she shouted back.

"I am your legacy!" the voice called back. "Your destiny! You must see to it that our nation prospers!"

"At the expense of others?" another voice challenged, a stern but wise voice. "She is right to see two nations as her own."

"But she must remember her loyalty to her nation of birth! And see to its supremacy!" the harsh voiced shouted.

"And doing so would betray what she hold most dear. She will not do that," the wise voice replied with certainty.

"Who the hell are you?!" Azula shouted.

"We are your legacies," the voices said together, "and you must choose which to uphold."

"What are you-," Azula began to ask, before realizing what they meant.

She must choose between living up to the legacy Sozin and another legacy.

But what was this other legacy? The Water Tribe? Something from her mother's side of the family, as Sozin was from her father's?

Azula grunted, feeling resentful for her mother withholding more truths that Azula needed to know.

"What is this other legacy?" she shouted out to the wise voice. "Answer me!"

But despite her demands, she did not receive her answer.

She began screaming in anger, wanting things that are rightfully hers but being denied them again.

---

After using their bending to flatten a rock, the earthbenders sat Iroh on it, while another large boulder sat next to him.

It was an execution.

"Are you sure about this sergeant?" one of the soldiers asked. "We can be court-martialed for executing a prisoner."

"We all know what awaits him in Ba Sing Se," the sergeant said coldly. "We're just saving our superiors time. And no one needs to know what happened here." The sergeant took up a horse stance and bent the large boulder over Iroh, intending to crush the general beneath it.

Iroh closed his eyes and made peace with his failure…

But suddenly, a familiar voice grunted out, and Iroh saw Jee kick the boulder out of the way. Jee then lands and broke the chain that was holding Iroh down. Iroh stood up and smiled at his student. "Excellent form, Lieutenant Jee."

"You have taught me well, sir," Jee replied.

The sergeant snarled and shouted, "Surrender! You're outnumbered three-to-one!"

"That is true," Iroh said calmly as he prepared the chains to be used as weapons, "but you are clearly outmatched today!"

The earthbenders launch stones at the general and the lieutenant. Iroh swung his chains to break them while Jee rushed toward the nearest earthbender, hitting him square in the face before slamming his head against the ground, knocking him unconscious. As Jee turned, he saw a large rock flying toward him, too close to dodge.

But a length of chain was wrapped around it, and Iroh swung it around and crashed it into one earthbender, before releasing it to crash into two more, knocking them all unconscious. With only the sergeant and one last soldier, Iroh and Jee each took one on. Jee launched several blasts of fire at the sergeant, who bent over to use his helmet as a shield. Before Jee could attack again, the sergeant held up two large rocks with intention to crush him.

But before the sergeant could do so, chain was wrapped around his ankles and he was pulled to the ground face first, with the rocks landing on top of him and burying him. Jee looked over at Iroh, who stood with one foot on the last soldier's back as he laid unconscious on the ground. Jee walked over to the general and bowed respectfully.

"I have your uniform on my rhino, sir," Jee informed him. "Would you be so kind to put them on?"

"Um, yes I would," Iroh said as he took the key from the unconscious sergeant and released himself from the shackles. "But we should leave before these soldiers regain consciousness."

"Yes, sir," Jee said as he led Iroh back to his rhino. "I also have a sighting to report sir; I spotted the Avatar's bison."

"Ah, very good lieutenant," Iroh said as he rushed to dress. "Do you know where they are going?"

"Not precisely sir," Jee replied. "But I conducted a map reconnaissance prior to my search for you, and there's a village not too far from here. They may have stopped for supplies there."

"Then let's make haste to that village," Iroh said as he mounted the rhino with Jee. "We have wasted enough time as it is." Jee commanded his rhino to make full haste to the village, intending to find Prince Zuko and the Avatar there.

---

At full speed, the dragon flew Aang back to the burnt down forest, where a wooden statue of a bear stood, burned but intact. Aang's body sat in the lotus position atop of it, much to the owner's surprise. The dragon flew straight toward it and disappeared when he flew into it.

Aang's eyes open and he realized he was now back in his body. He leapt down to the burned ground and studied the statue, now understanding why Hei-Bai was attacking the village.

Aang took off running and picked something form the ground before opening up his glider, flying toward the village at top speed. He landed before the gate, where Katara and Zuko stood waiting. Momo flew over to Aang and licked his head in a loving manner, grateful that his owner was still alive.

"You're back!" Katara shouted as she and Zuko ran up to him.

"Where's Sokka and Azula?" Zuko asked with concern.

"I have an idea of where they could be," Aang said. "But I have to wait till nightfall for Hei-Bai to return."

"Return?" Zuko asked with dread.

"Why do you need him back here?" Katara asked in concern.

"I have an idea who he is," Aang said with certainty.

As the sun set again, Aang stood near the gate, constantly checking he had what he needed to appease Hei-Bai. Or at least he hoped it would appease him.

As day turned into night, Hei-Bai appeared, snarling in rage and intending to finally finish the village off.

But Aang stood determiningly in his way, and when Hei-Bai was close enough, Aang leapt into the air and placed his palm against Hei-Bai's forehead, and saw that he was in his enraged form, not his normal appearance of a panda bear.

"Aang, what the hell are you doing?!" Zuko shouted.

Aang ignored him and landed back on the ground. "You're the spirit of this forest," Aang said to Hei-Bai. "You are angry because your home was burned down. And I understand why you would feel that way. When I saw the forest, I was also sad that it was burned down." Aang smiled at Hei-Bai when the latter started to calm down, knowing that the Avatar was also affected by the forest being harmed. "But my friends gave me hope that it will grow back. And I promise that it will." Aang reached into his pocket and retrieved an acorn that he picked up. He placed it on the ground to allow Hei-Bai to pick it up. He examined it, knowing the Avatar was right. Calming down, Hei-Bai turned into his panda form and turned to leave the village, causing a thicket of bamboo trees to grow to man height in a few instants.

A moment later, Sokka, Azula, and the missing villagers emerged from the forest. Katara and Zuko smiled brightly to see their siblings safe.

"Sokka!" Katara shouted as she run up to him and hugged him tightly.

"What the hell happened?" he asked.

"You and Azula were trapped in the Spirit World for twenty-four hours," Katara told him. "Do you remember anything?"

"That they didn't have bathrooms!" Sokka shouted before running off to the village's outhouses.

Zuko walked up to Azula and asked, "Are you okay?"

Azula remained silent for a moment, still unsure about what she experienced in the Spirit World. She vividly remembered the two voices urging her to live up to her legacies. She knew what one was, but what was the other?

"I'm fine," she said to Zuko, believing he would not know what her, or rather their, legacy was besides Sozin's. She felt it was best she figure this out before telling anyone.

If she would tell anyone at all.

"Thank you, Avatar," the village chief said to Aang. "If there was any way we can repay you for what you've done, we'll do it."

"We would appreciate some supplies," Katara said kindly.

"Some money too," Azula said more crassly.

"Azula!" Katara reprimanded.

"We need it, and you know it," Azula replied, causing Katara to roll her eyes at the truth of their need for currency.

The chief bowed toward them. "It would be our honor to help you in any way we can," the chief said before walking away to oversee the preparations.

Aang stood nearby, anxious to leave and meet Roku for the first time. Katara walked up to him and said, "I'm so proud of you, Aang. You figured out what to do all on your own."

"Yeah buddy, great job," Zuko said with a smile.

"Thanks," Aang said before humbly saying, "I did receive some help. And there's something else, something important."

"What is it?" Sokka asked after returning from the outhouses.

"I found a way to talk to Roku, and you all know I need to talk to him," Aang said.

"That's great!" Katara said, elated that Aang was starting to figure out how to perform his Avatar duties.

"It's rather creepy," Sokka said, "but it's great."

"There's a temple on a crescent shaped island, and if I go to the temple on the solstice, I'll be able to speak with him and gain some insight on what I need to do," Aang said before tightening the grip around his staff, dreading telling his friends where he needed to go.

Azula pondered about Aang's finding what he needed to do to speak with Roku, wondering if there was a connection between what she experienced in the Spirit World and Aang's discovery. It seemed overly convenient for the two events to happened simultaneously. "The solstice is tomorrow," she told him as she recalled that detail. "Do you think we have enough time to get there so you can speak to Roku?"

"I'll have to make it work somehow, especially with the other problem about going to the temple," Aang said, more dread filling his chest.

"What could be the other problem?" Zuko asked.

Knowing there was no way to avoid telling them now, Aang swallowed the knot in his throat and said, "The island is in the Fire Nation."

The teenagers stared at him in surprise and dread as they realized that being the Avatar's companions was a lot more dangerous than they barged for.

As the gang worked with the villagers to gather supplies and funds, Aang desperately tried to get Appa to cooperate so they can leave without their friends. Aang groaned as he pulled on Appa's reins and said, "Let's go Appa! Come on, buddy, work with me!" Appa groaned in protest and refused to move. Aang sighed and told his animal guide, "Look, I'm sorry okay? But none of our friends aren't coming with us to the Fire Nation. If any of them got hurt, I'll never forgive myself. So get your big butt off the ground and let's GO!" he finished with an angry roar, though Appa remained stubbornly in place while Aang continued to pull harshly on his bison's reins.

"I think his big butt is trying to tell you something," Sokka said while hauling supplies to Appa, with Zuko close behind doing the same.

"And that something is that you will get him and yourself killed," Azula added with a bit of snark.

"But not if we go with you Aang," Zuko reassured him as the firebender tied down the supplies given to the gang.

"You're the world's last hope for peace Aang," Katara pleaded with him, "it can't afford to lose you. I can't afford to lose."

Aang was deeply touched that Katara implied that she valued him dearly, but as he thought about the vison of the comet he received, he still felt his friends need to stay here where it was safe. "It's too dangerous, and I don't have any time to waste. I need to get to that Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice, and that's today."

"Then we better get moving," Sokka said as he and Zuko finished tying down the supplies. Katara and Azula quickly boarded Appa, who groaned happily that they were coming along. Momo landed on Aang's shoulder, another indication that he was not going anywhere alone. Aang sighed in acceptance and jumped onto Appa.

The village chief approached Appa to speak to Aang. "It will be a long journey to the Crescent Island. You will need to fly fast if you want any chance of making it there before sunset." He bowed quickly and said, "Good fortunes, Avatar."

Aang smiled and began to say, "Thank you for-."

But the village chief interrupted him by pointing urgently and shouting, "GO!" This prompted Aang to usher Appa with the gang inside his saddle into the air, and they all flew west as fast as the bison can go.

---

After settling his own family down for the night, the village chief decided to take a quick walk around his village to see if there was any more spiritual phenomenon happening in the wake of the Avatar's presence.

But when he exited his home, he found two men, one elderly and in his prime, waiting outside. They wore Fire Nation uniforms and put the village chief on edge.

"Excuse me," the elderly man said gently, "but I was hoping you could provide some information."

"Wh-what kind of information?" the chief asked hesitantly, fearful that one threat to his village was exchanged for another.

"We are looking for the Fire Lord's son," the younger man said. "He goes by the name Zuko, and it has been reported he's traveling with the Avatar."

The chief's eyes widen in fear. "I have no idea what you're referring to," he said as confidently as he could. "The Avatar has been gone for a hundred years."

"That information is false," the young man said.

"Please, kind sir, reconsider answering our question," the old man said in a gentle tone, before reaching into his cuff to retrieve a Pai Sho tile. "We are on the quest to seek the truth above all else."

The village chief's eyes widen again, knowing the significance of that saying. "Is it the absolute truth you are seeking, or is it the truth you only wish to hear?"

"I am of course seeking the truth I wish to hear," the old man replied, "but I must always seek the absolute truth, even if it is painful to bear."

The chief smiled kindly at the old man. "Very well, I will tell you all that I know."

The old man, who the village chief would learn was the famed Iroh, smiled kindly at the village chief, grateful that friends can always be found, especially when you are in great need of one.

---

Aang looked at the rising sun, estimating that it was mid-morning at best, noon at worst; either way he was running out of time to meet Roku. "Come on boy!" he shouted at Appa. "We've got a long way to go and not a lot of time! Faster!" He harshly shook the reins, causing Appa to move even faster, much to his complainant groans, yet he pressed on knowing his human companion has a vital mission at hand.

"Colonel Mongke to the bridge," the after named heard over ship's intercom, "Colonel Mongke to the bridge." Mongke scowled, wondering what would be so important to need his attention. He expected it would be related to the brats, but if not, whoever made whatever misjudgment would pay dearly.

The moment Mongke entered the bridge, he shouted, "Who the hell thought they needed me up here?"

"I did sir," Kahchi told him as he held a pair of binoculars. "It appears General Iroh's ship is on a heading at all speed toward the Fire Nation."

Mongke scowled, not understanding why this was relevant to him being on the bridge. "So what? Perhaps he realized he's no longer capable chasing his brat nephew."

"That's not the only thing I saw sir," Kahchi continued. "I also saw the Avatar's bison flying west toward the Fire Nation at high speed."

Mongke smirked, knowing the brats were flying into straight into the heartland of the Fire Nation. Perhaps it was a simple reconnaissance mission, perhaps the Avatar worked up the courage to assassinate the Fire Lord. Either way, it was good news to Mongke. "Change course and follow Iroh's ship. We'll be able to overpower his and follow the Avatar's course."

"Yes sir," Kahchi said, and he directed the bridge crew to do as the colonel commanded.

Mongke continued to smirk, excited to not only fulfill his mission to the Fire Lord, but also exceed his expectations by capturing the Avatar.

And perhaps slay the disgraced Dragon of the West.

"General Iroh!" the helmsman of the aforementioned shouted. "We're being pursued!"

Iroh and Jee moved to the rearward part of the bridge's deck and saw that they were being pursued. "It looks like Mongke has deduced that we are pursuing the Avatar and my nephew," Iroh said.

"As hothead as the colonel is," Jee replied, "he's not a fool."

"Most certainly not," Iroh said. "His ship is more advanced than ours and he will overpower our ship, both in speed and firepower. Order our firebenders and the catapult crew to be ready to defend ourselves."

"I assume they are not to fire unless fired upon," Jee stated more than asked, well aware of Iroh's preference to avoid conflict, a sentiment Jee has learned to share.

"Yes, though I feel it would be a moot point," Iroh said, dreading a naval battel against a superior ship, though he knew it did not have a superior crew and more importantly, it did not have a superior commander.

"I will get our crew ready sir," Jee said. "I'll oversee those aboard the main deck."

"And I will direct the ship from the bridge," Iroh replied. "I just hope I'm a capable captain of a warship."

"I know you are sir," Jee told him with confidence. "We'll make it through this one." He took off to oversee the firebenders and the catapult crew.

Iroh made his way back into the bridge and finished his tea, attempting to calm himself to command his first naval battle.

Being so focused on flying toward the Fire Nation, and trusting his friends to watch for threats, Aang never noticed what was pursing them until Katara shouted, "Aang, we've got trouble."

"Yeah," Sokka affirmed, "and it's gaining fast!"

"You mean they're gaining fast," Azula corrected as she pulled out her monocular. "It's Mongke and his cronies."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed as he looked at the smaller warship ahead of Mongke's vessel. "But who's that other ship? Can you tell?"

"No they're too far away," Azula said. "But I do see crew on the main deck. And they have a loaded catapult, and I bet Mongke's ship does too."

"If that's the case, is this mission still worth it?" Sokka asked in protest.

"Yes, it is," Aang told him. "I have to speak with Roku, and this is the only way." He ushered Appa to speed up, pushing the bison to his limits.

"Ready catapults one and two," Mongke ordered. "Have one trained on the brats while other towards the so-called general's ship."

"Aye sir," Kahchi replied and relayed the orders. As Mongke's ship pulled alongside Iroh's, he smirked viciously.

"Fire both catapults!" he shouted. The ship rocked as both catapults launched flaming balls toward their intended targets.

"INCOMING!" Jee shouted before he and three other firebenders did what they could to defect or slow down the fire ball heading their way. They barley succeeded and sent the fire flying overhead harmlessly into the ocean.

On the bridge, Iroh wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Ugh, I wish this ordnance were something of more fragrance," he mused to himself. "Return fire immediately," he calmly ordered down to the deck. "Mongke has shown his true colors today." The catapult crew hastily complied with the general's orders, while Lieutenant Jee barked orders to have more ammunition brought onto deck. Seeing the men struggle with the weight of the ordnance forced Iroh to make drastic changes to the ship's operations. "I want all personnel not involved with critical ship operations to assist the catapult crew in reloading that weapon. Cooks, quartermasters, and signalmen on deck to assist, minimum personnel necessary for engineering and damage control. And have the ship's doctor and hospitalmen ready to tend to the wounded." The bridge crew jumped to their tasks, while Iroh breathed deeply as he watched his valiant and loyal crew, a few of which may not survive this day, trade shots with Mongke's ship.

"Fire ball!" Katara shouted hysterically as the flaming sphere flew right toward them at high speed.

"I'm on it!" Aang shouted as he pulled hard of Appa's reins to make him dive, causing the fire ball to fly over their heads. Katara covered her nose from the dreadful smell of the burning oils.

"We have to get out of Mongke's firing range," Azula shouted to Aang. "He's bound to sight us in and land a hit sooner or later."

"Can't you make Appa go any faster?" Sokka asked.

Aang let go of his nose caused by the smell of the fire ball. "Yeah I can, but there's just one little problem." Everyone looked ahead where Aang was looking and saw what he meant.

"A blockade," Zuko said in dread.

"You call that a little problem?" Sokka asked Aang.

"That's more like a major problem Air Head!" Azula shouted at Aang.

"Well, if we fly northward, we can go around the blockade and avoid their fire," Aang explained as he guided Appa to dodge an occasional fire ball launched by Mongke. "It's the safest way."

"We don't have time to do this the safest way, Aang," Katara replied. "We're running out of sunlight."

Aang growled in frustration. "This is exactly why I didn't want any of you to come with me. It's too dangerous!"

"And that's exactly why we're here," Katara confidently reassured him.

"Yeah, you're not doing this alone buddy," Zuko added.

"Then it's settled," Azula said with determination. "We are running this blockade."

"Yeah!" Sokka shouted in enthusiasm. "Let's show the Fire Nation there's no stopping us!"

Aang smiled, knowing he probably could not find a better group of friends. He shook the reins in his hands and shouted, "Appa! Yip-yip!" Appa groaned loudly and charged forward toward the blockade.

After receiving several reports that the Avatar and his companions were traveling westward, Commander Zhao suspected they were intending to overthrow the Fire Lord and place one of his children on the throne. A child that would essentially be under the Avatar's thumb, rather than report to no one as a true Fire Lord should.

Zhao smirked as he stood on the main deck of his flagship Shitsuyona when he spotted the bison flying directly toward the Home Fleet's blockade. "The Avatar…," he said aloud, before spotting two other ships trading fire with one another, while one fires toward the bison. "And an incompetent colonel and the disgraced general. It must be my lucky day."

"What are your orders commander?" the captain of Zhao's flagship asked.

"Order all ships to load their catapults," Zhao relayed, "target those ships."

"But, sir," the captain exclaimed, "those are friendly ships! Our fellow soldiers and sailors!"

"They belong to traitors, incompetents, and savages," Zhao explained. "They will not be missed, and I will report it as simple friendly fire to the Fire Lord himself." The captain bowed solemnly before relaying the commander's orders to the fleet. Each ship began loading their catapults, some three dozen in total, and stood by for the commander's order. Zhao waited till the ships were close enough to increase the likelihood of a direct hit. Even though the Avatar and the Fire Lord's children were in the line of fire, Zhao suspected that Ozai had plans to sire new heirs in case his originals were never returned. "Launch all catapults!" he shouted, before witnessing dozens of fire balls fly through the sky.

"Incoming!" Azula shouted as she and the others brace themselves within Appa's saddle. Aang tugged and pulled at the reins to guide Appa in dodging the deadly fire balls. Despite their best efforts, a few fire balls came dangerously close to Appa, causing several spots on his fur to be burned.

"Appa!" Aang shouted as he saw his friends pated the smoking fur to prevent it from spreading. "Are you okay?!" Appa growled loudly but continued onward with determination.

Mongke released several profanities after he was forced to give up his pursuit to avoid his ship from being hit.

"Sir," Kahchi began to report, "it appears it was Zhao who ordered us to be fired upon."

"That fucking bastard…," Mongke growled. "Break off the pursuit! We'll have to wait till the brats return on their journey to the North Pole!"

"Are you certain sir?" Kahchi tactfully asked. "Perhaps they are intending to dethrone the Fire Lord."

"You've seen them in action Kahchi," Mongke replied. "They're nowhere near ready to take on the Fire Lord. They're here for something else, and as much as I hate it, it's not worth continuing our chase. So break off! Now!" Kahchi nodded and began directing the helmsman onto a course that would return the ship to Fire Nation controlled territory in the Earth Kingdom.

Mongke growled and cursed his way back to his cabin, deeply resentful of Zhao and his arrogance and greater resources.

With Mongke abandoning his pursuit, it allowed Iroh to focus solely on running the blockade. With good fortune, he will be able to reunite with his nephew.

That is, until he felt his ship rock violently beneath his feet.

"General Iroh!" the bridge officer shouted. "The engine room reports a direct hit! They need to be shut down for repairs!"

Iroh sighed in resignation, but he cannot stop now. "As much as I loathe it, we cannot stop now. Continue on course at best speed!" The bridge officer gulped but acknowledge the order, relaying it to the engine room before she began coordinating damage control.

While Zhao was pleased that Mongke changed course and retreated, he was taken a bit aback that Iroh continued on course, while the Avatar was as determined to run the blockade.

"Catapult crew change target to the bison, launch on my command" Zhao ordered. The crew replied and began tracking the bison, waiting for the commander's order. Zhao patiently waited till the opportunity presented itself…

"Launch!" he ordered, to which the catapult crew followed suit, sending the fire ball soaring directly toward the bison.

Aang's eyes widen as the fire ball soared directly at him and his friends.

But instead of fear or dread, he was overcome with a sense of determination. He launched himself off of Appa and sent a powerful air burst kick into the fire ball, causing it to disintegrate, saving everyone. He shouted as he collided back into his seat while Katara and Azula grab hold of him to keep in place.

No more fire balls were launched at them, as they flew over the blockade and out of their line of fire.

"We made it!" Aang shouted as he smiled brightly, knowing they were closer to his goal.

"We got into the Fire Nation…," Sokka dreadfully said. "Great."

Azula looked over at her brother, who was just as enthused as his best friend. "One hell of a homecoming, right Zuzu?"

"Yeah," Zuko replied. "Makes me wonder what else is in store for us." Azula sighed, sharing her brother's thought.

Zhao scowled when he saw the bison fly over the blockade, though he knew he would get another chance soon to capture the Avatar and the Fire Lord's children. He turned to see Iroh's ship continue course toward the fleet as Zhao's ship and another moved into blocking position.

Jee returned to the bridge in haste. "Sir!" he shouted to gain Iroh's attention. "We're on a collision course!"

"Continue onward," Iroh calmly replied. "We will make it."

"The boarding part is ready to apprehend General Iroh and his renegade crew, sir," Zhao's captain report.

An idea came to Zhao's mind. "Cut the engines," he ordered. "Let them pass."

"Sir?" the captain asked, though he did not receive an answer and quickly relayed the order, causing the ships to halt their advance.

As Iroh's ship passed through the blockade, he stepped out onto the observation deck, just in time to see Zhao stare down at him.

Iroh did not know exactly what Zhao was planning, but he knew full well not to trust the ambitious and dangerous Fire Navy officer. Iroh began forming his own plan, one in which he hoped would fool Zhao. But he had to be ready in case that did not happen.

---

After the excitement of running the blockade, the gang settled down and tried to relax as best they could, knowing that more fighting would be in their near future. Sokka and Zuko slept lightly while Katara filled up her water pouches after asking Aang to guide Appa closer to the water, despite the bison's exhaustion from the burden of running the blockade. Azula kept a wary watch out for more Fire Navy ships. Despite seeing some cargo ships in the distance, there were no warships she could see. But she knew full well that they would still be pursued, either by the Home Fleet or Mongke or that third ship.

Home, she thought to herself. Even after growing up in the Southern Water Tribe and learning to come to see it as her home, she wondered when or if she can see the Fire Nation as a home again.

"There it is!" she heard Aang shout, drawing her out of her musing. "The island Roku's dragon took me!" The rest of the gang eyed the crescent island, seeing a large temple nested below a slumbering volcano. Appa landed as close to the temple as possible. Everyone dismounted and Appa collapsed onto his side. Aang rubbed his head gently. "You did a great job buddy," he told his best friend. "Nice flying." Appa groaned in exhaustion, causing Katara to walk over and rub Appa's fun gently.

"You must be beyond tired," Katara said.

"No, I'm good," Sokka said as he stretched and warmed up with Zuko. "Refreshed and ready to fight!"

"Me too," Zuko added, despite knowing he would be fighting his own people, but he made peace with that.

Katara gave them a wry look. "I was talking to Appa you dunderheads," she told them.

"Well, we were talking to Momo," Sokka said defensively as he gestured to the lemur, who was hanging off of a nearby tree branch, chittering and looking at Sokka quizzically. Zuko shook his head at his friend's ridiculous excuse for confusing Katara's comment before walking over to Azula, who stared at the temple with a deep in thought look.

"Do you think we would be welcomed in there?" he asked her.

"Yes, quite welcomed indeed," she replied with dry sarcasm. "I wonder what kind of reception we will receive in the temple. Perhaps they will have sweet treats for us."

"Wouldn't that be nice," Sokka told them, unaware of how skeptical Azula and Zuko were of any positive reception the Sages of the temple would show them.

"You do realize that the Sages up there would attack us on sight, right?" Azula asked him, annoyed with his optimism.

"But this is the past Avatar's home, or temple or whatever," Sokka replied. "When they find out Aang is the Avatar, they'd want to help him get in contact with Roku."

Azula and Zuko shared a skeptical look, believing that is not the case. "I doubt that," Zuko told him.

"Well I don't see any guards," Katara said as she, Aang, and Momo joined them. "The Fire Nation must have abandoned the temple when Avatar Roku died."

"Now that is a more realistic scenario Sucker," Azula said with a mild condescending tone to Sokka, who glared at her.

"Its almost sundown," Aang said as he looked at the sky. "We'd better hurry!" He took off running with the gang behind him. They enter the temple and ran from corridor to corridor, Aang desperately trying to find what could be the entrance to the room he was led to by Roku's dragon.

Sokka froze in his tracks and gestured everyone to do the same. "Wait," he whispered, "I think I heard something."

"Me too," Azula whispered as she and the others turn around to come face to face with five old men in red robes.

"We are the Fire Sages," the leader announced. "Guardians of the temple of the Fire Avatars."

"Well I may be an airbender," Aang announced, "but it's great to meet you because I am the Avatar!"

"We know," the lead Sage told him, but he assumed a firebending stance and launched a fireball at Aang. The latter froze in shock, not believing that those loyal to his predecessor would attack him.

Azula defected the fireball and launched a few of their own, much to the shock and fear of the Sages when they witness her azure flames.

"Those flames were much more powerful," the lead Sage observed after dissipating them with difficulty. "She must be the Fire Lord's daughter!"

"And I'm his son," Zuko said with scorn before launching his own fire with the aid of his twin machetes. The lead Sage dissipating those with less difficulty, though they were slightly more powerful than the typical firebender.

Aang leapt forward with a determined look and bent low to sweep his led in a wide arc to send a burst of air at the Fire Sages' feet, knocking them to the ground face first. "Run! We're running out of time!" he shouted to his friends, prompting them to take off. "Follow me!" he said as he led them from corridor to corridor at a run.

"Do you have any idea where you're going?" Sokka shouted.

"Nope!" Aang replied.

"Well that's just great!" Azula shouted in sarcasm.

Aang turned a corner to find a single Fire Sage hard on their heels. "Wrong way!" Aang shouted as he prompted his friends to turn around.

"Wait!" the Fire Sage shouted. "Come back!"

The gang continued to run, only to find themselves down a corridor that led to a dead end. They turn to find the Fire Sage running toward them. With no choice, they readied themselves to face the Fire Sage.

"Please," the Fire Sage said in a calm voice and a non-threating gesture. "I have no desire to fight you. I am a friend."

"You're one of the Fire Sages!" Sokka shouted.

"You're not our friend!" Zuko added with a snarl, angry that the Fire Sages, known to revere the Fire Avatars, would attack an Avatar, Fire Nation or not.

The Fire Sage moved carefully toward them, before dropping to his knees and bowed deeply before Aang. "I know why you're here, Avatar," he said.

Aang relaxed his posture, confused by the Sage's words. "You do?" he asked.

The Fire Sage stood up. "Yes," he said. "You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can and will take you to him."

The gang looked among each other, Sokka and Azula wearing distrusting looks while Zuko continued to glare at the Fire Sage in anger. Katara did not trust the Fire Sage, but given how he was outnumbered five to one, he had to be genuine in his willingness to help them.

Aang felt the same and decided to give the Sage the benefit of the doubt. "How would you lead us to him?"

The Sage reached for the wall next to him to light a fixture, which turned out to be a lever. A door camouflaged to be part of the wall opens to reveal a secret passage. "This way," the Sage gestured toward the secret passage.

The gang remained in place, apprehensive and distrustful. A voice called out to find them from behind the Sage. "Time is running out," the friendly Sage urgently said. "Quickly!"

With no choice, the gang moved toward the passage and enter. The Sage followed and closed the door behind them before taking the lead through the tunnel. The gang follow, still anxious if this was a trap.

But they were desperate, and desperate times called for desperate measures.

---

"I don't understand sir," Lieutenant Jee asked Iroh. "Why did Commander Zhao let us through the blockade when he made it clear he had intended to stop us?"

"The commander is a cunning and ambitious man, as you know," Iroh told him. "He knows Prince Zuko is traveling with the Avatar, both prizes to him to curry favor with the Fire Lord."

Jee nodded in understanding and agreement. "What are your orders, sir?"

Seeing the thick black smoked emerging from the rear of his ship, Iroh decided it was time to he set out alone to find his nephew. He ordered his small boat to be readied, much to the protest of Lieutenant Jee.

"Sir, I urge you to reconsider going alone," he pleaded. "I should be there with you, or at least a small team of firebenders to escort you."

"No," Iroh said firmly as he boarded his boat. "You must stay to oversee the repairs of the ship and the treatment of the wounded. You will need all hands to do that." He bowed to Jee in respect. "I appreciate your concern but will return soon with my nephew."

Jee nodded and singled the boat to be lowered in the water, where Iroh used the smoke from his damaged to cover his direction of travel, hoping that Zhao would not be the wiser.

But Zhao was the wiser, though not in the way Iroh expected.

"Make heading for the Fire Temple," he ordered his helmsman after conferring with a map of the nearby islands. "That is where the Avatar is heading."

---

As the Fire Sage led the Avatar and his friends through the tunnels, he began explaining what had transpired here over the century. "My name is Shyu, one of the Fire Sages as you realized," he began.

"Yeah, you're all a nice bunch," Sokka sarcastically replied.

Shyu ignored him and continued. "Avatar Roku once called this temple his home away from home. He formed these secret passages out of the magma."

"Did you know Avatar Roku?" Aang asked.

"Does that Sage look a hundred years old?" Azula asked him.

"He might be!" Aang replied.

Shyu chuckled. "No I am hundred years old. I never knew Avatar Roku, but my grandfather did. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a strong spiritual connection to this sacred place."

"Is that how you knew I was coming?" Aang asked. "Through that connection?"

"In a way we did," Shyu replied. "A few weeks ago, an amazing event occurred. The eyes of Avatar Roku's statue, they began to glow brightly. It was truly mystifying to witness," he finished with fondness in his voice.

"Wait," Katara said, "that was when we were at the Southern Air Temple. The statues of all the Avatars glowed there too."

"At that moment, we knew you, the Avatar, had returned to the world," Shyu continued.

"But if this is the Avatar's temple," Zuko began to ask with harsh tone, "why did the Sages attack Aang?"

Shyu sighed in disappointment. "Times had changed. In the past, the Sages pledged their loyalty only to the Avatar, whether they were from the Fire Nation or not. When Roku passed from the Physical World to the Sprit World, we waited patiently for the next Air Avatar to return. But they never came."

Guilt ran through Aang when he heard that. "All of you were waiting for me."

"Hey, don't feel bad," Sokka said as he put his arm around Aang's shoulders. "You're only a hundred years late." Aang looked at him with a furrowed brow.

"They lost hope when the Avatar had not arrived," Shyu said in disappointment. "When Fire Lord Sozin began the war, my grandfather and the other Sages were forced to pledge their loyalty to him. My grandfather secretly refused and taught my father that a Sage's duty is to serve the Avatar loyally, who in turn taught me the same. When I learned you were here, I knew I would have to betray my brother and sister Sages," he finished in dismay.

Aang smiled and bowed slightly to Shyu. "Thank you for choosing to help me," he said in gratitude. Shyu smiled and continued to lead the way.

"These stairs lead directly to the Avatar's sanctuary," he said as they climbed a flight of stairs. "Once you're inside Aang, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him."

When they reached the top of the stairs, Shyu gasped and shouted, "NO!"

"Shyu," Aang asked nervously as he eyed a large and ordained door, "what's wrong?"

"The sanctuary doors, they were closed," Shyu said in dismay.

"Can't you open them with firebending?" Katara asked. "Like you opened that secret door?"

"No," Shyu said in dismay. "Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, it takes five Sages to open the doors together with five simultaneous fire blasts."

"Well, Azula and I are firebenders," Zuko said. "Maybe we can help."

"We're still two firebenders short," Azula told him, "or did you forget to count Dum-Dum?" Zuko glared at Azula for using her insulting nickname in front of a stranger.

"It would still not be enough," Shyu told them.

"I think I have an idea to get the other two fire blasts," Sokka told them as he looked at one of the lanterns attached to a wall. He took apart two of the lanterns to gather their oils, then began to fill small sacks made from animal hide with it. "This is a little trick I picked up my dad. I seal the lamp inside an animal skin casing, then you light the soaked twine and tada!" He held out the second pouch he finished. "Fake firebending!"

"Sokka," Azula said as she understood Sokka's plan, "you've finally contributed to this team." Sokka pouted as she smirked at him.

"If we time it just right," Shyu began to say, "it just might work." Sokka places the two pouches in the mouths of two lion heads on the door while Shyu, Zuko, and Azula took up firebending stances. "The Sages will hear the explosions, so as soon as they go off, you rush in," he finished as he looked at Aang, who nodded in understand.

"It's almost sunset," Katara said as she looked out a window. "Are you ready?" she asked Aang.

"Definitely," he said with determination.

The firebenders took up their stances. Zuko and Azula each light one of the twines. They waited for what felt like an eternity to time their fire blast with the explosives. Right before the fire reached the pouches, they launched their fire blasts, timing it perfectly with the explosions, filling the room with smoke. Aang burst forward to reach the doors.

Which remained closed. Aang pulled as hard as he could, but the doors would not yield and open. "They're still locked!" he shouted.

"It didn't work," Shyu said in dismay.

"I take back what I said earlier," Azula said to Sokka, who scowled at her.

Aang launched several air blasts at the doors out of frustration. "Why won't it open!" he growled.

Katara grabbed Aang's arms to stop him. "Aang, stop!" she said, to which he complied. "There's nothing else we can do."

Aang sighed in disappointment. "I'm sorry I put all of you through this for nothing."

Sokka walked over to the door and inspected one of the lion's heads. Momo crawled over it to look at it too. "I don't get it," Sokka said. "Those blasts looked as strong as any firebending I've seen."

Katara's face lit up as an idea came to mind. "Sokka, you're a genius!"

"How is Sucker a genius?" Azula said. "His plan backfired, both literally and figuratively." Sokka groaned at how Azula kept giving him a hard time.

"You're right," Katara continued. "Sokka's plan didn't work… but it looks like it did."

"Did the definition of 'genius' change in the last hundred years?" Aang asked.

"I think she means when the other Sages get here after hearing that explosion," Zuko said, "Shyu will tell them you managed to get inside Aang."

"Exactly," Katara said. "Come on, we have to hide." The gang took cover behind some pillars while Momo crawled through the ventilation to enter the sanctuary, and they waited for the Sages to arrive.

Shyu waited just outside the sanctuary. When the other Sages came running up to him, he shouted, "Hurry! I believe the Avatar has entered the sanctuary!"

"How did he managed that?" the lead Sage asked.

"I do not know," Shyu explained. "But look at the scorch marks. And down there!" He pointed at the base of the doors, where a shadow moved back and forth.

"He is inside," the lead Sage said. "Open the doors immediately before he contacts Avatar Roku." The Sages lined up and launch their fire blasts at the lion heads simultaneously. There was a delay, but surely the doors opened, revealing the sanctuary.

And Momo, who sneezed and looked at the Sages quizzically.

"It's the Avatar's lemur!" the lead Sage shouted. "He must have crawled through the ventilation pipes! We have been tricked!" He gasped when Momo leapt at his face, distracting him while Shyu, Azula, Katara, and Sokka grabbed the remaining Fire Sages to allow Aang to enter the sanctuary.

"Now, Aang!" Shyu shouted, prompting Aang to take off running toward the sanctuary.

That is, until he saw Zuko being pulled away by an old man.

"Zuko!" Aang shouted as he stopped, causing everyone to look in his direction.

Azula's eyes widen when she saw who the old man was.

"Uncle Iroh?!" she shouted in shock.

"Uncle!" Zuko shouted as Iroh tried to take him away from his friends. "Let go of me!"

"Please, don't resist me nephew," Iroh told him as he struggled to lead Zuko away. "We have much to talk about."

"I'm not leaving my friends!" Zuko said. He noticed some of the Sages began to overpower their captors, forcing him to shove Iroh to the ground.

"Close the door!" the lead Sage shouted when he overpowered Shyu. Katara lost control of her prisoner, causing Aang to run toward her.

"No Aang!" she shouted. "Go into the sanctuary! We can handle them!"

As reluctant as he was, Aang banked toward the sanctuary just as the Sage that escaped Sokka's grip pulled a lever to close the doors. They began to swing closer together, forcing Aang to use his airbending to launch himself into the room.

He made it just as they closed. "He made it!" Katara shouted as she dealt with the Fire Sages, who surrendered after being overpowered, thanks to Azula's superior firebending.

A blast of bright light came from behind the sanctuary doors.

"No!" the lead Sage shouted.

"Is that light a good thing?" Sokka asked.

"Yes," Shyu said in relief. "It means the doors are locked."

"Good," Azula said as she grouped the Fire Sages on the ground and gestured for Katara, Sokka, and Shyu to guard them. "Because Zuko and I have some family matters to tend to." She stood between Zuko and Iroh as she glared at the latter.

"Zuko," he said calmly, "please come with me."

"So you can take us back to the Fire Lord?" he shouted back.

"I have no intentions of taking you back to Ozai," Iroh said. "You have a destiny to fulfill, and you must come with me to do that."

"Oh, what about me?" Azula asked. "Shouldn't I come along too?"

"You stay out of this young one," Iroh said sternly, earning a glare from Azula. "This only concerns Zuko. You would a negative influence on him."

Azula growled, feeling insulted that her uncle continued to hold her in a negative light. "You're not taking Zuko away from us!" Azula shouted. "We have a mission already and we need him."

"Didn't think you held me in such regard," Zuko said with a lopsided smile.

Azula rolled her eyes to hide the smile she felt coming. "Don't ruin it Zuzu."

Meanwhile, the lead Sage glared at Shyu. "Why did you help the Avatar?" he growled.

"Because it was once the Sages' sacred duty," Shyu told him. "It is still our sacred duty."

"What a moving and heartfelt performance," a voice said from the direction of the main stairway. Everyone looked to see a Fire Navy officer emerge with a squad of firebenders. "I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him."

"Commander Zhao," Iroh said with a scowl.

"General Iroh," Zhao said. "I suspected you would use the smoke as a screen to get to this island, but I knew this temple was the reason the Avatar was coming here." He smiled arrogantly. "It's a fortunate day for me; two traitors, the Avatar, and the Fire Lords missing children. He will be very pleased."

"You're too late Commander Zhao," Azula told him, making sure to remember his name and rank. "The Avatar is inside, and doors are sealed."

"It is no matter Princess Azula," Zhao said, reminding Azula of her title. "Sooner or later, he has to come out. And then he, you, your brother, and these traitors will be taken back to the Fire Lord."

Azula scowled at the idea of being taken away from her friends. But she also felt tempted to return to the Fire Nation to see what she missed.

And then she realized that feeling stemmed from the idea that her father may still love her.

Inside the sanctuary, Aang stared at the Roku's statue as the sunlight began to settle on it. "Okay, the light hits the statue and I talk to Roku," he said out loud. "So, why isn't anything happening?" The light moved past Roku's chest, yet nothing happened. Aang groaned and shouted, "I don't know what I'm doing! All I know is airbending! Please Avatar Roku, talk to me!"

As the sunlight settled on Roku's face, his eyes lit up brightly. The sanctuary is filled with white smoke and when it cleared, Roku stood before Aang on top of a mountain range.

"It's good to finally meet you Aang," Roku said kindly. "I was beginning to worry you would not make." Aang was initially shocked and amazed to finally come face to face with his past life. He smiled and bowed in respect.

"I have something of vital importance to tell you, Aang," Roku began. "Several things in fact. That is why, when you were in the Spirit World, I sent my dragon Fang to find you."

"Is it about that vision Fang showed me?" Aang asked. "That one with the comet?"

"Exactly," Roku said with a grim face.

"What does it mean?" Aang asked, dreading to hear the explanation.

The light on the mountain range shifted to a starry night sky. The comet passed in the background as Roku began explaining its significance. "One hundred years ago, right after you disappeared, Fire Lord Sozin used that comet to begin the war. He and the Fire Nation military he built up harnessed its incredible power and dealt a deadly first strike against the other nations."

Aang caught onto the idea that the comet made firebenders stronger. "They used that comet to power themselves up to attack my people, because of me being the Avatar." Horrible pain began to take root in Aang's chest.

"Do not blame yourself Aang," Roku said to reassure him. "It is not your fault that it happened. I am not angry you fled. If anything I am relieved you did because you have the chance to save the world. But I fear it will be a daunting task."

"What does the comet have to do with the war now?" Aang asked.

"Because that comet was known as the Returning Star, as it passes our planet every one hundred years," Roku explained, "and it will return at summer's end. There is no doubt that Fire Lord Ozai will use the comet against the Earth Kingdom and the Northern Water Tribe to finally win the war. If that were to happen, even the Avatar will not be able to restore balance to the world." Roku closed his eyes as he regrets putting this vast burden on Aang, a burden he could have, should have, avoid giving had he been more decisive in his lifetime as the Avatar. He opened his eyes and told his successor, "Aang, you must defeat the Fire Lord before the comet arrives."

Aang's eyes widen as he realized how difficult it will be for him. "How am I supposed to do that? I haven't even started learning waterbending, much less earth and firebending."

"Mastering the elements takes many years of discipline and practice," Roku said in sympathy. "But if the world is to survive, you must do it by summer's end."

Serious doubt crept into Aang's mind. "But what if I can't master all the elements in time? What if I fail?"

"You can do it Aang, because you have done it before," Roku said with a confident smile. "Me, and all of your past lives have done it, some during trying times. And we will all be there fore you." He sensed the light from the sun fading away. "The solstice is ending. We must go our separate ways for now."

"But I won't be able to come back to this temple, and I don't know if I can find other ones or make time to go to the ones I know of," Aang pleaded. "What if I have questions? How will be able to talk to you? Or any of our past lives?"

"We are each a part of you," Roku told him. "When you need to talk with us, you will find a way." He smiled in reassurance to Aang, who smiled back feeling that Roku was right. Roku closed his eyes as vague visions come to him and Aang about the dangers he and his friends will face in just a few moments. "A great danger awaits you and your friends at the temple," Roku said. "I can help you face this threat. But only if you are ready."

"I'm ready," Aang said as he felt power surge through him.

"Oh, and one last thing Aang," Roku said as he charged his power.

"Yes Roku?" Aang asked, wondering what else was important for him to know.

"Tell Zuko and Azula, their great-great-grandfather said 'hello'" Roku said fondly.

"What?!" Aang said in shock.

But he would not get another answer from Roku as his focus was forced to change to confront the threat facing him.

The room stood still as everyone remained in place, unsure who will make the first move.

"Take them," Zhao said to his soldiers, who promptly moved to apprehend their intended prisoners. The Fire Sages took advantage of this and fought back, forcing Sokka and Katara to move away. Zhao and a team of firebenders focused on the door, readying themselves to capture the Avatar.

"We need to get our of here!" Azula said as she launched a fire blast at Zhao's soldiers. Zuko did the same as Sokka and Katara rushed to them.

"Please Zuko!" Iroh pleaded. "You must come with me! Now!"

"I'm sorry uncle," Zuko said before launching a fire ball at his uncle's feet. Iroh jumped back, shocked that his beloved nephew would attack him. But Iroh had no time to muse on that thought, as a few of Zhao's soldiers attempt to capture him.

"What is taking Aang so long?!" Sokka shouted as he launched his boomerang at a soldier, striking him on the shoulder.

"I don't know!" Katara shouted back as she bent water at another. "But we can't leave without him!"

Right on cue, the doors opened to the sanctuary opened. Everyone expected it to be Avatar Aang, the Avatar who had a long way to go before reaching the pinnacle of his power.

Instead, it was Avatar Roku.

Everyone stared in shock as Roku launched a fire ball at Zhao, his soldiers, and the traitor Fire Sages, knocking them all to the ground. The Fire Sages run for their lives while Iroh decided that Zuko would not listen to him, and this is not the time or place to convince him of his destiny. He quickly makes his retreat, remorseful that he does not have his nephew at his side.

But Zhao and his soldiers remained stubbornly in place. Roku raised a hand and brought it down to split the floor, causing magma to rise up to the surface. He lift it up and launched it toward the soldiers, striking two in what could be presumed to be painful deaths.

"Sir, we need to retreat!" one of Zhao's soldiers shouted. He growled and began to run back the way he came, knowing that there will be another day to capture his prizes.

The gang took cover as Roku continued his effort to bring more magma up from the volcano. "He's trying to destroy the temple!" Azula shouted.

"We have to get the hell out of here!" Sokka shouted.

"Not without Aang!" Katara shouted to them.

Satisfied that the temple was going to be destroyed, but still allow Aang and his friends to escape, Roku breathed out to calm himself and to let Aang take control of his physical form as the solstice ended and used the smoke he created to mask the exchange. Aang stood there for a moment, his eyes glowing but he closed his eyes and collapsed to the ground. The gang rushed to him and stood him up.

"We got your back, buddy," Sokka said.

"Thanks," Aang said before realizing they were missing friends. "Where's Shyu? Or Momo?"

"One of Zhao's soldiers caught Shyu and ran off with him," Katara said, remorseful that happened.

"And I think Momo flew off to get Appa," Zuko said.

"We need to get moving," Azula said urgently. "The temple won't hold together much longer." The gang began running down the corridors, hoping that they can escape before the temple is consumed by magma. They stepped out onto a balcony and witnessed that the volcano was erupting and rapidly consuming the temple. They looked for a way they could escape, but gasped when it presented itself when Momo came flying down with Appa close behind.

The gang made it aboard Appa just as the balcony they were one broke apart.

---

"No prince, no princess, no Avatar," Zhao shouted angrily. "Apparently, the only thing I have is a half dozen traitors."

"But Commander," the lead Fire Sage began to plead, "only Shyu assisted the Avatar."

"Save your pleas for the Fire Lord," Zhao snapped back. "As far as I'm concerned, you are all guilty! Take them to the brig!" His soldier complied promptly as Zhao marched to his personal cabin to begin planning his next move to capture his targets.

---

From his boat, Iroh watched the Avatar's bison fly away with human figures aboard. He could not make out the figures, but he can presume that Zuko was among them much to his relief.

He pondered why Zuko would choose to remain with his sister. Azula often tormented her brother, with pranks that could be considered rather dangerous. But given how they were raised in the Southern Water Tribe, as evident that two of their companions were from there, Iroh can assume that they were raised by loving and humble people from the land of snow and ice.

But all the same, Iroh could not bring himself to believe that Azula would have turned out better than he remembered.

He decided that for Zuko's sake, he must be separated from Azula.

---

Aang was silent as they sore into the night sky. Everyone can sense that whatever Roku told them, it was not good.