"You said this would work!" Hina cried, clenching her hands into fists. "You said I only had to help you find this boy and then you would release Shen!"

Shūrin's gaze barely flickered to her. "Do not worry. I may have miscalculated the strength of Prince Zuko's willpower, but anything can be broken if you push hard enough."

Zuko swallowed, his heart jumping for his throat.

"You see, this one is not like his sister," Shūrin said with no emotion in her voice. "He cannot watch someone be in pain and do nothing."

Dread coiled around his heart. Of course it would be that. She needed his body unharmed, but hurting someone else wouldn't damage him physically. His gaze darted to Ty Lee, only to find her staring back at him. She raised her finger to her lips. Shūrin's back was to her, and Hina wasn't paying attention to her at all.

No need for a signal.

Zuko shot off a few quick fireballs. Hina and Shūrin moved into action as he knew they would, forcing him to duck and twist and put up a hasty fire shield, but then Ty Lee also moved like an unexpected gust. A rapid series of jabs, a gasp, and Shūrin collapsed in a limp heap on the floor. The face the ancient princess had stolen twisted into a mixture of shock and anger; it was the most emotion he'd seen from her.

"You," Shūrin choked out. "You dare …"

Hina rounded on Ty Lee, only to get knocked back by Zuko's blast of fire. Her head hit the wall with a thud. She groaned and struggled for balance. Ty Lee was on her in seconds and striking with precision, shutting her limbs down until Hina slumped over like a wilting flower. It all happened so fast, so chaotically. Then the colour vanished from Ty Lee's cheeks and she swayed.

"Got you," Zuko said, catching her.

Ty Lee met his eyes with pure exhaustion straining her features. "You … you need to get out of here."

He slipped his arm under her legs and picked her up. "Not without you."

"But—"

"No time. Hold on!"

Shūrin tried to get up, though she ended slumping back against the floor. "You won't escape. I will find you again, little prince. I will always find you."

Zuko looked back at her over his shoulder, heart thudding and adrenaline pumping through his veins. There was a tense pause as they stared at each other. His gaze snagged Hina's, and in her eyes, he saw desperation, anger, but also resignation.

Tearing his gaze away, he yanked open the door and ran from the room, still carrying Ty Lee. There was no time to waste. They had to get to the emergency boat.

oOo

"You shouldn't have brought me with you."

Zuko fumbled with the oars, shooting a frown at her. She sat opposite him with her arms wrapped tight around her legs. "I wasn't going to leave you there."

"That person who took over Shen has a bond with me. He can find you through me."

Zuko kept rowing.

"And what if he takes control of me again? What if he forces me to—"

"I told you I won't let that happen."

Her eyes sought his. "But how can you stop it? How is anyone supposed to stop something like that?"

He released the oars and moved to sit next to her. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then don't worry. I'll figure something out."

"But—"

"Look, I wouldn't have been able to escape if it weren't for you." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "You saved me. You got us both out of there thanks to your quick thinking. So let me save you this time, okay?"

Her eyes widened, then softened into a smile. "Okay." She slipped her arms around him in a hug. "I trust you."

He patted her awkwardly on the back.

Ty Lee pulled away and said she could try airbending to help them move faster. (For all his rowing, they were still too close to Shūrin's ship for either of their liking.) Zuko didn't like the suggestion since he knew she was on her last dregs of energy, but that also gave him an idea. He could give some of his chi to her.

"It'll weaken you, right?" she said, brow creasing.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

She bit her lip, but the need to escape Shūrin and Hina made her soon agree. Zuko held her hands and focussed his chi, letting it slip through him until he brushed against a whisper of spring breezes and spiritual power. The latter was a surprise—the kind he expected to sense from Aang or maybe someone like Guru Pathik—but then he guessed Ty Lee was an airbender and she'd always chattered about auras. Maybe she really could see things that others couldn't.

He shook off his distraction and continued to let his energy flow into her, filling the chasm where chi had been depleted. Colour returned to her cheeks and her eyes began to look a little brighter. Once he was satisfied he had restored as much of her strength as he could, he broke the connection and released her hands.

Ty Lee stared at her palms in wonder. "That was amazing. So much different to what I felt with Shen—I mean, uh … what is that person's name?"

"Shūrin." He pulled the oars into the boat so they wouldn't create unneeded resistance. "Do you think you can airbend now? I'm going to try get in contact with the others."

She nodded and stood up, hands shifting into a graceful stance. Wind swirled, stirring the water, and the boat shot off as if pushed by an invisible hand. Zuko knew he didn't have much time before Shūrin recovered from the chi block and used her bond with Ty Lee to resume control. He had no illusions about what would happen then. Still, he had to believe there was a way to break the control for good. If there was one thing Shūrin had taught him, it was that nothing was impossible.

He closed his eyes and focussed his energy. No room for distractions now. Azula was the easiest to communicate with since she understood how the process worked, so he searched out her door of energy and opened himself to her. The usual rush of cold fire surrounded him, along with the peculiar imbalance that lingered in his sister. Rippling flames spread like curtains to give shape to what he'd privately nicknamed the bond space. Azula materialised as if from smoke and made a motion as if to move towards him, stopping at the last second.

"What happened?" she asked.

"No time to explain. Ty Lee and I managed to escape, but I don't think we're going to make it on our own—not if she gets controlled again. Are you still with the others?"

She nodded.

"Did Appa make it? Is he well enough to fly?"

"The bison?" She folded her arms across her chest. "I'm not sure. They've been keeping me locked in the hold."

Zuko bit back his frustration. He understood why the others would have been reluctant to trust his sister, but it also made getting a rescue organised more difficult. "Fine. Just get help. Aang would be a good choice. Use the bond to get our location—I have no idea where we are at this point. If Appa isn't well enough, maybe Katara can help with waterbending. I don't know. Just make it clear that Ty Lee and I need help now."

Azula's mouth tightened a fraction. Perhaps she didn't like the fact he was basically giving her orders, perhaps it was just his assumption that she would help at all. He didn't know or care. The fact was that right now he didn't have a choice but to put his faith in her.

"Will you do it?" he asked.

A tense pause, then she nodded.

"Thanks. I'm going to break the connection now."

She lowered her arms to her sides and watched him until he and the rippling flames vanished.

oOo

The deck bustled with activity. It had been a surprise when Azula had suddenly demanded an audience and passed on Zuko's message. Still, Katara, Aang and Iroh had all felt the warning through the bond. No had one wanted to risk the chance of ignoring his plea for help. That was how Katara, Yuzo and Atsuo had all ended up joining their healing abilities to help Appa heal faster. It had been the plan anyway, but since Atsuo had almost drained himself trying to heal Shizue, and Yuzo had already expended a lot of energy helping Atsuo, the three had been forced to wait. Now they did their best.

Appa rumbled softly as they worked on him. Aang lingered near with Momo, practically bouncing on his feet with impatience.

"I think that's it," Yuzo said, removing his hands from Appa.

Atsuo and Katara both stepped back as well.

"Buddy, do you think you can fly now?" Aang asked, rushing to his friend and petting his furry face.

Appa made more soft rumbles.

"I think he'll be okay," Aang said, smiling at them. "Thanks!"

Katara grabbed Aang's wrist before he could settle on his perch on Appa's head. "I'm coming with you."

His eyebrows inched higher at the intensity of her voice, but then he nodded. "Okay."

Atsuo's hands moved to shape words.

"What about Azula?" Yuzo translated. "She's the one who can sense him, right?"

Aang looked down at his feet. "Iroh didn't think it would be a good idea to take her with us. Said she isn't stable." He brightened again. "But she told me how to do it. My bond with Zuko is super close, so it's actually not hard for me to find him. I sort of feel his location like he's a point on a compass. We'll have him and Ty Lee here in no time!"

This seemed to satisfy Atsuo, who had grown quite fond of Ty Lee. He wished them both luck. A quick goodbye to the others who had gathered on deck, and then Aang, Momo and Katara were flying on Appa towards the wide expanse of ocean. There was no time to waste.

oOo

"You really don't trust me, do you, Uncle?" Azula observed, sitting on her cushion, left arm limp at her side. No one had bothered to cuff her again after the blind girl had broken the old ones, which was a relief.

Iroh sat on the small stool and frowned at her. "I don't always trust your motivations."

"Because I'm not like Zuko?"

"Because you are too much like your father."

She blinked, then settled into a more relaxed position. "I take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn't."

He sounded weary and a bit resigned. That set her teeth on edge.

They sat in silence for a moment until an itch began to crawl along her skin, spreading from her fingers and all over her body. Stupid, fat old man. What did he even want?

"If you're just going to stare at me, you can leave," she snapped.

Iroh leaned forward, meeting her gaze. Her imperious tone hadn't even fazed him. "Will you answer me one thing, my niece?"

Again with the "my niece" thing. Did he think that was going to endear him to her? Unlikely. Yet even then her brow creased, for her curiosity was piqued as well. "What?"

"Do you feel any remorse for the things you have done?"

She wanted to laugh and tell him that of course she didn't feel remorse. She had just been doing what her father wanted, what was expected of a loyal princess. Bringing her uncle and Zuko back in chains, capturing the Avatar, taking over Ba Sing Se—those were all things her father would have approved of. There had been a few casualties along the way, but that was just life. The strong survived and the weak died. Traitors were punished, and those who hindered her path had to be removed.

Except … except sometimes, at least when she was on her own and there was nothing else to distract her thoughts, she found herself thinking about what she actually wanted. She found herself wondering if certain things had been worth it in the end.

Jet.

Becoming more and more alone.

Was that what people called remorse? Or was it just displeasure because she had failed.

"Azula?" Iroh said gently.

The soft tone surprised her. She wondered what he saw in her face. He didn't look so weary now. He didn't give her that expression that whispered "monster" either.

"I only regret that I didn't beat you when I had the chance. Maybe then you'd be my prisoner." She held his gaze, cool and precise. Just like Father.

A sigh escaped him and he stood up. "I'll let you know if your mother's condition changes. In the meantime, we'll be waiting for Aang and Katara to bring back Zuko and young Ty Lee."

She said nothing and watched him leave.

oOo

"There!" Aang cried, pointing to the rowboat in the distance.

Katara's heart skipped and fluttered. Finally.

Appa swooped down to hover close to the boat. She moved to jump off the saddle, only to pause when she spotted Zuko straddling Ty Lee and pinning her wrists down. All the flutters fell apart like torn wings. What the heck?

"Fight it, Ty Lee!" Zuko urged. "The others will be here soon, so just—"

Of course. Shen must have taken control of her.

"We're here." Katara landed on the boat.

"Katara! Aang!"

Zuko looked so pleased to see them. It made her warm all the way to her toes. Still, she quickly pulled herself together, summoning water to her hands before placing it on Ty Lee's head and inducing her into a healing sleep. Ty Lee went limp, eyes closing. Zuko got off her with a sigh of relief. The lopsided smile he gave Katara had her crashing against his chest in a sudden hug.

"I was so worried," she breathed into his tunic.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, pressing his face into her hair. After a moment that felt far too short, he pulled away and accepted Aang's tackle hug. Momo chittered excitedly around their heads in his own lemur way of greeting.

"We should hurry," Zuko said, shifting his hands to Aang's shoulders to hold him back. "It's not safe here."

Katara glanced behind them to where a bigger ship loomed. That had to be Shen and Hina.

"Then let's load up and go!" Aang said.

They carried Ty Lee onto the saddle, then sped off on Appa. In the distance, the other ship soon faded from view. A little breath escaped Katara. They were all safe for now, yet she still found herself shifting closer to Zuko, her thigh and arm brushing his slightly. He didn't pull back. Momo, meanwhile, had settled on his shoulder and now chittered as if telling him about all the things that had happened while they'd been separated. A soft smile touched Zuko's lips as he pretended to listen and scratched Momo behind the ears.

"Momo seems to have missed you," she observed.

"He just missed the free snacks."

She laughed and couldn't resist leaning into him. He'd been in Shen's hands for over a day. That had been over a day of constant stress and worry. She needed all these little touches, all these little reassurances that he was unharmed and back with her.

"So, how did you guys escape?" Aang asked from where he sat holding the reins.

Zuko explained everything that had happened and what he had discovered about Shen. Katara and Aang were very vocal with their surprise and horror. To think that Princess Shūrin had survived for so long and now wanted to make Zuko her new vessel. It sounded like something from the stories that had got told around bonfires back in the Southern Water Tribe.

"I don't know if I made the right choice," Zuko admitted in a low voice.

"What do you mean?" Katara asked.

"After Ty Lee chi blocked Shūrin and Hina, I had a chance. I could have stopped Shūrin right then and there …"

Aang twisted around on his perch. "You mean kill her?"

"Yeah." Zuko's hands balled into fists and he kept his gaze lowered. "I thought about it. She was defenceless. It would have been easy. But when she tried to take over my body, when I pushed back against her, I felt something …"

"What?"

"Shen. I think he's still in there." He shook his head in a helpless gesture. "I couldn't do it. Not after that."

Katara placed her hand on his knee. "Shen is likely innocent in all this. I think you did the right thing."

Aang agreed. He said something about life being sacred, but he also pointed out that there was no way to know if killing Shen would have actually stopped Shūrin anyway.

"But she is dangerous and has to be stopped," Zuko said grimly. "Ty Lee and I got lucky this time, but I don't think she'll lower her guard like that again. I need to find a way to break the bond Shūrin has with Ty Lee as well. She'll never be free otherwise, and I don't like the idea of Shūrin being able to use her to track us."

Katara frowned. "Maybe talk to Atsuo. He managed to break his bond with Yuzo, and Shūrin broke her bond with him. Perhaps he'll have some ideas."

"Can't hurt to try."

They left the matter there. Zuko asked about his mother and Shizue. He looked troubled when he learned Ursa had not woken, but he was glad to hear that Shizue had survived and was on the mend.

"I'm just glad you're back with us," Katara said, pulling him into another hug. "Especially now that we know what Shūrin wants. You are not allowed to surrender to her again."

"Don't worry. I don't plan on it."

oOo

They were welcomed back to the ship warmly. Zuko had expected hugs from his uncle and Sokka, but Hakoda's hug took him off guard and left him a bit hot around the cheeks. Even Suki hugged him and said she was glad he was safe. Toph, of course, punched his arm while Mai only offered him a flatly delivered quip. He supposed it was as much a hug as either girl was willing to give.

There were others who came to greet him as well—Tomoki, Jee, Cheng, many of the Water Tribe warriors, and there was Yuzo and Atsuo. It made Zuko feel warm. Warmer than he'd felt in a long time. All these people had been worried for him. All of them had wanted him to come back safely. It was amazing to Zuko, who had spent so many years feeling like he was worthless and did not deserve love or friendship from anyone. Now he had a whole ship of people caring about his wellbeing.

Still, this could not be the easy, happy reunion everyone wanted.

"Yuzo, Atsuo, we need to talk," he said.

The three boys found a quiet space for themselves below deck. Zuko knew Katara and Aang would catch everyone else up with what was going on.

"What's this about?" Yuzo asked.

So Zuko explained—about Shen, about Shūrin, about what he'd sensed when she'd tried to overwhelm his energy.

Yuzo had never looked so pale. He stared at nothing, his hand covering his mouth as if to hold back vomit. "Shen … you mean he never actually … he's still …"

Atsuo wrapped his arm around him.

"Hina seemed to believe he'd be freed if Shūrin took over my body instead." Zuko frowned at his hands. "For all that Shūrin is a monster, I don't think she's a liar. Shen must still be in there."

Yuzo hid his face against his palms. "All these years. She's been possessing him all these years, and I"—he trembled a little—"I didn't even realise. Hina must have seen it, but I, his own blood, his own brother, I didn't even …"

Atsuo removed Yuzo's hands from his face and then signed something. The two had a small conversation in their silent language, which Zuko didn't interrupt. He knew this had to be a lot to process. Yuzo had not been subtle in his hate for Shen.

Eventually, Yuzo straightened and let out a deep breath. "How can we save him?"

"I think all we have to do is force Shūrin out of him."

"Easier said than done."

Zuko couldn't argue with that, but that also didn't mean he was willing to give up. There had to be a way to free Shen without having to become a new vessel himself. He just had to learn more about manipulating energy. If Shūrin could do it, he didn't see why he couldn't.

That brought him to the second issue they had to tackle: Ty Lee's bond with Shūrin and how to sever it so she couldn't be controlled again or used to track them.

Atsuo explained how it was desperation that had driven him to break his bond with Yuzo. All he'd wanted was to keep Yuzo away from Shen. Bonds, as he signed, were not stagnant. They could be weakened or strengthened. Emotion, willpower, the simple energy that connected them all and which existed within them—it all came together to form the bonds. He'd willed his bond with Yuzo to be cut. He'd poured everything he had into that single desire, and only then had it broken.

"He doesn't know if that means you can break another's bond in the same way," Yuzo translated. "Especially not if you're up against Shūrin. She has centuries of knowledge up her sleeve." A few creases formed on his brow. "I'm pretty sure she's using other people's chi to strengthen her bending as well. When I was trying to save Atsuo from being controlled, it was hard but I still felt like I had a chance at first, but then she just crushed me. I couldn't do a thing."

Zuko nodded. It would explain the shadowy figures he'd seen connected to her. It would also explain how fighting her on the island had felt like going up against multiple people instead of one.

Atsuo frowned and signed what looked like a question. Yuzo's brow furrowed even more and his hands quickly moved into a response. Not for the first time did Zuko wish he had learned more than just a few basic words in sign language.

"What is it?" Zuko asked. "Something I should know?"

"He thinks you should try the same: boost your bending with others' chi and then see if you can break Ty Lee's bond. If what Shūrin said about you is true, you're probably the only one who can take on that much power without your body suffering for it."

"But that would drain them. I can't—I don't want to—"

Atsuo asked if Zuko had a better idea, pointing out that Shūrin wasn't the type to miss an opportunity. Zuko's stomach twisted and knotted.

"Even if you don't like it, this could be the only way," Yuzo translated as Atsuo's hands continued to weave words. "Ty Lee needs you. I just got lucky; Shūrin decided I wasn't important anymore and she let me go. But she won't do that for Ty Lee. We all know that."

"This … this isn't a decision I can make on my own."

"Then talk to those bonded to you," Yuzo translated. "But, Zuko, coming from someone who has been under Shūrin's control, I think you should at least try. Don't make Ty Lee suffer like I did."

Atsuo stared at Zuko grimly.

Unease worked its way into his heart, but he just swallowed and nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

oOo

The meeting was far from pleasant. Though Iroh, Aang and Katara agreed that it was worth a shot, Zuko still didn't like the fact he was asking to drain their energy just to power up. It felt wrong. It was something Shūrin would do, but not him.

"Don't worry about us," Katara said, touching his arm. "We want to help."

"I don't think your dad likes the fact you're helping."

Hakoda had been frowning a lot ever since news of the plan had got out. That just made Zuko even guiltier, especially since he'd got such a warm welcome from him earlier.

"I make my own choices. Dad knows that." She reached for his cheek, guiding his face towards her. "Besides, I trust you."

His fingers brushed hers as he held her hand to his cheek, meeting her gaze. "I don't want to do this," he admitted. "I hate it. I hate that it's come to this."

"I know, but I think Atsuo is right. We need to try. Ty Lee will only be a danger to herself and us otherwise."

He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. It was true, and of course he knew that. It was why he'd still asked everyone if they would be willing to assist him. Sometimes, risks had to be taken and sacrifices had to be made.

"Should we start?" Iroh asked.

Zuko pulled away from Katara and stood up. "No. I haven't asked Azula yet."

A frown crossed Iroh's face. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"Ty Lee is her friend. She deserves to be given the option."

Iroh continued to frown, but he simply nodded in acquiescence.

Zuko muttered that he'd be back soon, then headed for the hold. He hadn't had a chance to see his sister properly yet—not even his mum—but it couldn't be helped with everything going on.

He inhaled a small breath before entering. She sat on a cushion and seemed to be idly playing with a bit of thread she must have tugged loose from her tunic.

"Hello, Brother," she greeted, not looking up at him. "Nice of you to finally stop in."

"Thanks for helping earlier."

Her fingers stilled for a moment before she went back to twisting the thread round and round. The silence dragged on.

Zuko cleared his throat and explained what was going on and what they were planning to do to break Ty Lee's bond with Shūrin. This time, Azula actually looked up at him.

"You expect me to sacrifice my energy for her?"

"I think she'd do it for you."

Azula's jaw tightened.

"Look, you don't have to help," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "I just thought … I mean, she's always been your friend and—"

"I don't have friends."

Zuko raised his eyebrow. "Is that what you think? You really think Ty Lee isn't your friend?"

"She only followed me because she was scared of me, no matter what she says. And I only kept her around because she came in use sometimes."

"I think we both know that's a lie."

Her gaze became ice.

"Forget it." He sighed and shook his head. "There isn't time for this. Are you willing to help or not?"

"Of course not."

He frowned at his sister, but she had lost interest in him and now set the string on fire, letting it slowly get consumed by her blue flames until there was nothing left. It hit him then how she'd often done things like this when they were children—things to intimidate, things to remind that she could hurt him just as easily. It had worked as well. She'd always put him on edge and made him feel weaker than her.

Zuko turned to the door, facing his back to her. "You know," he said softly, "maybe you don't know Ty Lee as well as you think you do. She really cares about you, just like a friend would. That much I realised while being a prisoner with her."

He waited to see if Azula would respond, but she stayed silent. With another tiny sigh, he left the hold.

oOo

"Ready?" Iroh asked.

Ty Lee was now bound with metal, courtesy of Toph, and sat on the deck with everyone who would be part of the bond-breaking attempt around her. Zuko had given them all strict warnings to let him know if the drain got too much. He'd never done this before and had no idea how it would go. To be on the safe side, it was agreed he would link to people one by one as needed.

He approached Ty Lee and pressed his thumb to her forehead and his other hand on her heart. Mind and heart. Mind and soul. The stance Shūrin always used made sense now, especially when he considered what it had felt like when she'd tried to make him her vessel. She had gone deeper than just fighting his willpower. It was like she had touched the very core of his being, seeking to shatter him.

"I'm ready," Ty Lee said, meeting his gaze.

He nodded and closed his eyes. It was easy to make the connection. Better yet, he already knew what Shūrin's energy signature felt like. All he had to do was seek out the thread that hummed with blazing power, brighter and more intense than any other, like the sacred flames of a pyre. This was the bond. This was where Shūrin's influence was rooted.

Zuko wrapped his own energy around the thread and willed it to be broken. He put every ounce of his being into the thought. Like a beast disturbed, Shūrin reached through to him in turn. She slashed and pushed back with fiery claws. He could almost see her with her black hair streaming all around her, determined even as her expression remained one of deadened calm.

"Foolish child, you think you can stop me like this? You are a mere baby learning to crawl."

The whisper slipped into him through the energy that hummed and tried to force him back. He held his ground, refusing to be intimidated. He had stopped her from making him a vessel. He could stop her now.

Her power swelled like something unearthly, yet even then it was different from when she'd tried to take over his body. That had been invasive and overwhelming. This was more like she wanted to force him out, to make him let go or be crushed. He realised this had to be what Yuzo had meant. It also meant Shūrin had started calling upon those trapped in bonds to her.

Zuko allowed his uncle's door to open. Energy surged, warm and comforting like a campfire.

Still not enough.

Aang's came next in a gust of air. The gold threads of Zuko's own energy burned brighter, stronger, but whatever was blocking Aang's Avatar powers maintained its seal here as well. All the masses and masses of spiritual power remained out of reach.

"I see you do want to play."

Shūrin's voice seeped into him yet again, and her power grew even more crushing. Zuko gritted his teeth. There was no door to Katara's energy, but he grasped hold of their bond and she didn't resist. Her chi flowed into him in a caress of water and soothing coolness. Power hummed through him, growing and growing. It was exhilarating. It was terrifying. He burned so bright, so fiercely.

He was a sun coming to life.

Shūrin's energy faltered, stuttering and struggling like flames about to be snuffed. His heart leapt. Then she surged forth once more, now stronger than ever.

No.

No, no, no.

She was so strong. He couldn't stop her like this, not even with the four of them combined.

Suddenly, a new energy flooded him. Flames that somehow burned hot yet cold. A clawing, grasping thing that had eaten away at itself for years, that was in such desperate need of healing, but it was still strong. So very, very strong.

"Azula," he whispered.

His sun flared in intense gold. This time he was able to slam Shūrin down, forcing all trace of her back into the thread, even as she threatened him with hissing whispers. A final, desperate tug was all it took.

The thread snapped.

Zuko exhaled and opened his eyes. Power thrummed through his body, but it was just a lingering side-effect; he'd already put the barriers back up to stop the flow of energy. Katara, Iroh and Aang were all on their knees, trying to catch their breath. Ty Lee, however, just stared at him with tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Thank you," she said softly.