Did anyone else see the news? About Avatar coming to Netflix? Anyone else excited?

By the way, I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. It is the property of Nickelodeon, and the creation of Michael Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko.

Enjoy!

Aang enjoyed his time with Sokka and Katara. Penguin sliding with Katara had been especially fun. And not just because of the sliding.

But it was almost the afternoon, and it was time to get back. He needed to get back to the temple before the elders found out another reason to yell at him. And luckily, he had his glider with him. He got to the small cave in no time.

Once he was inside the cave, it was only a matter of finding the right tunnels. Within minutes, he was at the temple.

It was an enormous structure, made entirely of ice. Its construction was only possible thanks to the waterbenders who had helped forge it. Its continued secrecy was thanks to the Southern Tribe refusing to reveal its location.

With his glider in hand, Aang slides into his room. Making sure to hide it quickly (no one was supposed to use their staff unless for defense. And only if necessary), Aang sat on his bed. He smiled as he thought back to the day.

And he almost jumped when a knock came from the door.

"Aang? May I come in?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. Come in."

The door opened, and an air monk stepped into the room. He wore orange robes and beads around his neck. He had a large white mustache and wore a grin on his face.

"Good afternoon Aang. I was wondering if you would like to play a game of Pai Sho."

"Oh. Sure, Monk Gyatso. Let me set it up."

"Please. Allow me" Gyatso said. With a small flick of his hands, the board and table floated to the center of the room.

The two set up the game, with Aang trying to remain inconspicuous the entire time. While Gyatso only smiles.

"Tell me Aang. How was your date with Katara?"

Aang nearly falls over. "Wh-what are you talking about Monk Gyatso? I haven't left today."

"Is that so?" Gyatso says with a raised brow. Then he shrugs. "My mistake. I thought you had left the temple, potentially risking our discovery to the outside world. All just to play with the girl you like."

Aang could only look down in shame. He never could fool Gyatso.

But then monk grinned. "So tell me. Did you look for tiger-seal pups, or go penguin sliding?"

...

"Penguin sliding."

"I see. Have you made any progress with your feelings?"

Aang face flushed red. "I- well, the thing is..."

Gyatso could only laugh. "Oh, Aang. To think you have reached the skills of a master at such a young age. And yet, you still do not know how to talk to girls."

"I-I know how to talk to Katara. It's just that... well..."

"Aang, I do not understand why you complicate your situation so much. You are an airbender. Be like the wind. Let your feelings be free. If she does not return your affections, which I doubt, you are capable of moving on."

"I guess" Aang solemnly relented. Anyone could tell he wasn't truly convinced. "I guess I'm not acting like a true master, am I?"

"No, you are not acting as a master. You are acting as you are, a child Aang" Gyatso said. "It does make me glad. I often worry you may have to grow up too soon."

Aang smiled at that. Ever since he had received his tattoos (the youngest in history to do so, apparently) he had been afraid that the monks would take him away from Gyatso to begin his spiritual training. But thankfully, that hasn't happened yet.

Just as Aang was about to make another move, the door burst open. A short, hairless monk stood in the hall.

"You two are playing games? The ceremony is about to begin."

"That's today?" Aang frowned. The ceremony was his least favorite time of the year. Everyone, even himself, usually ended up depressed.

"We will arrive shortly, Master Phali. I simply must explain something to my pupil first."

"Make it snappy," Monk Phali said as he walked away.

When he left, Gyatso walked up to Aang.

"Aang, I spoke to the masters. I convinced them that while you have earned your tattoos, you still need more time to master airbending techniques. They decided to wait until you are thirteen before beginning your spiritual training."

"I get three more years?" Aang asked with a smile.

"Yes. Now come. I know that no one likes this day, but the ceremony is important. It is meant to remind us of what we've lost. And what we've survived."

Silently, the two monks followed the rest of the temple into a cavern hidden below. Every monk and nun had hoods on their heads, all of them looking forlorn towards the ground. Everyone walked inside a larger room, where a statue of a young boy was in the center of the room.

Avatar Tenzin. A young boy who had not even gained his airbender tattoos yet. A young boy who, like many other Air Nomads, was killed by firebenders enhanced by Sozin's Comet.

"Come Aang. Sit here." Gyatso and Aang took seats in their designated mats. Once everyone was seated, the elder masters stood up by the statue.

Grandmaster Dolkar, an old man with an impressively bushy mustache, began to speak.

"Today, we gather to remember the tragedy from ninety-seven years ago. The day the Fire Nation attacked all of our temples, and tried to burn all of our people."

The mood of the entire temple, usually as calm and friendly as a gentle breeze, dropped significantly at the reminder.

"One that day, a young, inexperienced boy was killed. In desperation, he unlocked the power of the Avatar, in the hopes of surviving the wrath of the Fire Lord. Unfortunately, his enemy was too powerful. And on that day, the Avatar was destroyed. And the Avatar Cycle died with him."

There were scattered, silent sobs that could be heard. No one liked to remember that day. But Master Dolkar knew he needed to remain composed.

"With the Avatar gone, hope is scarce. But we cannot afford to lose it. I know I am not the most rousing of individuals. That is why I would like to ask one of my fellow masters to speak. Gyatso, would you please. "

Smiling softly, Gyatso rose from his seat and walked next to the statue, taking Dolkar's place. He pulled back his hood before he began to speak.

"Thank you, Master Dolkar. Like many of my fellow masters, I was alive when the temples were attacked. Though I was merely a toddler, still new to the world. The only recollection of the attack I have is the room I once had burning to cinders. I remember seeing the temple as my guardian rushed to take me safety. The home I had known became nothing more than a distant glow."

Holding back a sigh, Gyatso continued.

"For years after that, I struggled to find peace. I was forced to live in a frozen land, far from the temples of our ancestors. I could not leave and enjoy the freedom the air, the freedom of nomads past, for the warriors of the Fire Nation would kill me on sight. For years, I struggled with my hatred for firebenders."

Holding his head up higher, Gyatso resolved his conviction.

"But through my struggle, I remained with my guardian. And when I went to him and explained my hatred, he told me a story. He told me a story about Avatar Roku."

Every monk and nun in the room listened with rapt attention. Even those that knew the story valued its lesson. And those who had not heard it, like Aang, were about to learn.

"Before his death, Avatar Roku paid a visit to the Southern Air Temple, bringing his sons with him. Out of respect or our traditions, he had also arranged for his wife and daughters to visit the Western Air Temple. The reason he did so, was because he wanted his family to learn and appreciate a different culture. To see people who were different from them."

Aang was enthralled. He had never heard Gyatso tell this story before.

"From this story, I learned an important lesson. Yes, the Fire Nation has committed terrible acts, but not all of them are monsters. Roku and his family were very much people of the Fire Nation. But they chose to befriend us, and learn about us. The people of Agni are our enemies, that is true. But it is still possible, for them to become our friends."

While many monks and nuns doubted the possibility, they still smiled at the thought.

"The world seems bleak, but we cannot afford to lose ourselves. We must remember, that even the mightiest storm will calm itself. The day will come when we can travel the four winds once again. The day will come when this war ends. Even if the Avatar is gone, I am certain that we will find a way to thrive once more. And peace will return."

Aang, even as he felt sadness at what had occurred so long, agreed. Call it childishness or naivete, but he felt that the world would one day know peace again.

He was certain that something good would happen. Soon.

"Zuko!"

Zuko had to catch himself to recover his balance. He was demonstrating one of the katas he had seen Azula use. One where she performed a sideways flip while shooting fire from her fists. It had always worked for her, and he thought he could make it work. But if his uncle's shout and frown were of any indication, it didn't work.

"Uncle?"

"Why would you perform such a move Zuko? It leaves you short on breath, which will only weaken your flames."

"I- I had seen Azula doing these moves. I thought-"

"No! Do not focus on what Azula does" Iroh said sternly. "We are here to focus on your training, not hers. And the biggest issue I am seeing is your breath control."

"My breath?"

"Yes. Stop for a moment allow me to demonstrate."

Zuko stepped aside, allowing Iroh to stand in the center of the plaza.

"Look at the flame, and look at my breathing," Iroh said. Iroh took in a breath, but it was a small one. He held his mouth closed, clearly not having enough oxygen. He struck out a fist, and a pathetically small wisp of flame came out.

"That is a poor breath. I had too little air in my lungs, and I had no control. That is why the flame was weak."

Zuko took in the information. He needed to learn what he could.

"Now. This is proper breath control."

This time, Iroh took in a deep, slow, and full breath. When he released it, a torrent of flame shot from his palm. It resembled a cloud more than a simple blast, and it stayed in the air much longer.

"Now it is your turn Zuko," Iroh said as he dusted himself. "Remember, do not be afraid to fail. I intend to train you from where you stand. To do that, I must know your current limit."

Taking his uncle's words to heart, Zuko readied himself. He stood in his stance, both feet squarely on the ground. He let his lungs fill with air. Fuel for his flames. He clenched his right into a fist, and held it back. He primed himself, calling upon his chi.

He shot his fist.

And small flicks of heat shot out.

Zuko could only stare at his hands, eyes wide in shock. His teeth suddenly crunched as his brow fell, and he grabbed his head and shouted in frustration.

"What was that?! Even on my worst days, I can do better than that!"

"Prince Zuko, you must relax."

"Relax?! How can I relax when my firebending has actually gotten weaker?!"

"That is not the case, my nephew. Your bending has not weakened."

"Then how do you explain this?" Zuko shot another fist, only to have nothing but smoke come out.

"The problem is not your technique nephew. The issue is your inner fire. It is confused."

"Confused? What are you talking about uncle?"

"Zuko. From the moment you started firebending, you have always had a goal. Have you not?"

"Yeah. I guess."

"No. No guessing. The first time you threw a flame, why did you do it?"

Zuko had to think back to then. Many people had thought he wouldn't be able to firebend back then. "I did it to prove that I could."

"And what of after? When your father bought all of those tutors for you. Why did you continue to push yourself?"

"To prove that I could improve. I did so Azula wouldn't always be ahead of me."

"And now? What is your goal now?"

Zuko opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. He didn't have a response.

Iroh sighed. "I was afraid of this. When we arrived, you had the clear goal of searching for airbenders. But after your- incident, in the spirit world, things have become more complicated."

Iroh looked at his nephew. "You do not know what your goal is."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement of fact. Zuko's life had changed too much too quickly. Between his banishment and his subsequent transformation into a new Avatar, there was too much to process.

Zuko couldn't be a Prince anymore. And he was not really the Avatar. He didn't know his place in the world anymore.

"What am I supposed to do now Uncle?"

Iroh could only close his eyes solemnly. "I cannot answer that nephew. Only you can."

"What? But- how am I supposed to answer that uncle? I- I just need a way to make this work. Maybe If I get angrier? If I can build up more rage...?"

"Nephew. I do not believe Sozin's style will work for you any longer. If it ever has."

Zuko could only muster a confused look. "But uncle. There are no other styles. The Fire Lord has decreed it."

"Officially, that is true," Iroh said. "But there are other forms of firebending. Forms that the Fire Nation has not practiced in over a century."

Zuko's eyes lit up at this. "Then there's a way? I could learn to firebend differently?"

"It... is possible," Iroh said while stroking his beard. A troubled look was on his face. "We will continue tomorrow. I will give you an answer tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? But uncle, I..."

"Use today to meditate, and to try and find some clarity within your mind. I need time to think."

Iroh walked back to his bedroll, leaving Zuko alone.

"Why won't he tell me about the other forms? I'm willing to learn. If it means getting more firebending skills, I'd do anything."

But Zuko knew better to try and convince his uncle once his mind had been made up. He was a man who only stopped his six-hundred-day siege on Ba Sing Se because of Lu Ten's death. if he said he wouldn't teach Zuko anything today, then that was final.

All he could do was try and meditate until nightfall came. After a small meal, Zuko went to sleep. He hoped he wouldn't have any more weird dreams.

"Good. You are asleep once more. We can continue our discussion."

"Vaatu" Zuko greeted neutrally. He wasn't upset to see the spirit in his dream again, just a little irritated. He had been hoping to get some sleep after today's disaster.

"Why the sudden gloom? Does it have to do with your lack of success today?"

Zuko's eyes shot up. "You know about that?"

"Of course I do. We are bonded on a spiritual level. There is nothing you experience that I will not know of."

Zuko could only groan at this. "Great. Now even the spirit of chaos can bear witness to the failure that is my life."

"Yes. I can" Vaatu said without missing a beat. "Don't take it too hard. Failure is but a step towards success. You will learn in time."

Zuko brow raised. "What makes you so sure?"

"If I found you to be an unworthy vessel, I would have already attempted to break this bond. I have not."

Zuko had no idea how should react to that. "Uh, thanks?"

"Think nothing of it. What I want us to focus on are your goals."

"My goals?"

"Yes. Your plans for when you have mastered the four elements. What will you do then?"

Zuko had to pause before answering. He couldn't go home and take the throne. He lost that option the moment he and Vaatu fused. He couldn't hunt down and kill the airbenders anymore. Well, he would hunt them, but only so he could find one to teach him airbending. He would have to let at least one live for that. So what was his plan?

"I- I guess I can try to stop the war after that. You said you wanted it over."

"Yes, I did state that to be my desire. But that was not the question. What is your desire?"

"I... I don't know."

"Hm" was Vaatu's only response for a moment. "I suppose that is to be expected. With all the power that will be at your disposal, it will doubtless be difficult to choose one path. Will all the elements mastered, you could do anything."

Zuko listened with rapt attention. What was Vaatu getting at?

"You could bring about world peace. Or steal all the riches your heart desires. You could even, perhaps, kill the family that has tormented you for years."

Zuko wanted to lash out, tell him he was wrong. Tell the spirit that no amount of temptation could turn him against his family.

But no words came out.

Vaatu seemed ready to say something else when the world seemed to be breaking apart again.

"Out of time, it seems" Vaatu mused. "Oh well. In any case Prince Zuko, I suggest you find out what your goal is soon. That is, if you want your firebending to return."

"Wait. What?"

Zuko wouldn't get an answer, as a white light soon enveloped the world.

"Zuko. Wake up."

Zuko opened his eyes to see his uncle dressed to leave. Behind him, the war ballon was active. The balloon was full and ready to fly.

"I have decided to teach you a new form of firebending. An ancient one, one that you cannot learn here."

"Why not uncle?"

"It is- complicated, to say the least. I need you to trust me, nephew. I only wish to help, but you need to come with me."

"I do trust you uncle."

It wasn't even a debate. Uncle Iroh had stuck with him since the beginning of his banishment and was choosing to stick with him even now. Even after everything.

Zuko wordlessly got up and joined his uncle. Together, they set to travel to a place unknown.

So a few reviews for the last chapter were asking about the pairing for this story, so I figured I should set the record straight.

I have no idea what to do about that.

Scratch that, I have some ideas, but I haven't decided on anything. Right now, I'm considering between Mai or Yue. I really like Mai's character, and I did enjoy her relationship with Zuko in canon. At the same time, I think there are some interesting ideas that could be explored with Yue. But just to be clear, I'm not focusing on romance, so I'll just see which one works out in the end. I'm willing to hear ideas, but I'll make a choice at some point.

(And no harems. I won't write any.)

As for this chapter, I mostly just focused on Iroh training Zuko, and the surviving Airbenders dealing with their circumstances. Also, it should be clear that I messed with canon since Aang was never the Avatar. I mostly did that to justify his existing in the later stage of the war.

Also, I should warn you all that I won't be showing Aang or the South Pole again for a while. I'm going to focus more on Zuko and Iroh's adventure. But don't worry, they'll all come back in time.

As for the next chapter, I think you can already guess who will feature.

Until then, please leave reviews, and I will see you all next time.

Bye!