It was the year 100 AG, not that the spirits cared, when Shu noticed the changes to the spiritual plane and Oma's interest in the new moon spirit. He wasn't concerned about it and he found his lover's efforts to reach out to Yue sweet. They knew just how difficult it could be to adjust to spirithood and poor Yue only had the great spirits to aid her. They didn't know a thing about leaving life as a human behind. She needed guidance from spirits like Oma and Shu.

But Oma didn't come to Shu for help and that was alright. One day maybe but for now, Shu felt Oma had Yue handled. He'd only step in if Oma came to him. And, not long after they sensed the Avatar leaving the Foggy Swamp, she did.

"Zuko's entering Gaoling," Oma told him, practically vibrating with excitement. With his extrasomatic senses, Shu could actually see it brimming within her, threatening to bubble to the surface and affect her chosen form. Heavens above, she was cute when she got like this. It'd been some time since Oma had something to be excited about. That went double for Shu.

The word Gaoling felt familiar. It wasn't too long ago that it was of importance, was it? Time was strange now that Shu wasn't alive. Why did that word sound familiar? Oh, that was right. Twelve years ago, a certain someone there had caught Oma and Shu's attention. It was the home of his favorite human. "Do you think it's time they meet?"

Oma nodded. "I sent Zuko a sign when he was in the Foggy Swamp but I thought it should be you who points Toph in the right direction. You were always better at this sort of thing."

"Thanks, love," Shu said, a ghost of amusement in his voice. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss onto her forehead, before sinking down into the haze below. "I'll be right back. Shouldn't take long."

"Good luck!" Oma called as Shu slipped into the material world. It'd been sometime before he projected himself outside the heavens. He rarely even visited the spiritual world these days. Shu knew exactly how to find Toph though. She was his little girl, even if she wasn't quite so little anymore. He'd always be able to find her, no matter where she was.

Shu drifted into the Beifong property where Toph was playing her helpless little girl act. Oh, how he wished she would just give that up and show her true self. The Beifongs and all the staff knew of Toph was spirit touched, most of the older staff at least. Shu didn't think Toph's earthbending prowess was much of a leap from there. But, Toph knew the ways of humans better than he did at this point. He trusted her judgment.

Toph was alone at the moment and Shu didn't quite know why. She was expected to be doing something now, surely. A naptime perhaps? No, she was too old. Getting dressed? No, there would be staff here to help her with that if that were the case. But it didn't matter. Toph would have no trouble sneaking out right now and that was all Shu needed.

Coming in close, Shu drew upon the part of her spirit that held part of his own. Toph didn't react. Shu frowned. Maybe he didn't pull hard enough. Trying again, Shu made sure he had a stronger grip of the edges of her incorporeal aura and tugged a bit harder, hoping to draw on enough of it to link to Zuko. Only, he pulled a little too hard a little too fast. "Oops."

Oops was right, Shu realized, as pain suddenly seized Toph's body and scales began to appear on her skin. Within a few seconds, her human form was gone and her body was expanding. A massive serpent head broke through the roof and Toph drew up to her full height, serpentine body coiled on the ground to give her a strong base and head reaching high into the sky.

Below, the outdoor staff screamed.

"The earthworm is back!"

"It's not even the full moon!"

"Someone get Mr. Beifong!"

"Run!"

Toph parted her maw and let out a deep, reverberating roar. Her tongue flickered, taking note of the humans running around below, before she lunged downward, breaking through the ground and plunging deep into the earth. It took some time before her whole body was sucked down too but Toph was a quick thing, despite her size. Within a few moments, there was no sign of her, save the destruction she left in her wake. The human side of Shu felt a bit guilty but he knew the Beifongs didn't have to worry about paying for damages. Toph was more important at the moment anyway. She'd never transformed outside of the full moon, let alone during the day. Shu had to make sure she found Zuko. That was what mattered here.

Shu tried grabbing her again but Toph was too fixated on her burrowing to pay him much mind. Frustrated, he abandoned his efforts and surfaced to search for Zuko. He'd never seen the boy himself before but if he felt anything like Toph, he'd be able to pinpoint him nearly just as easily. Except fiery? Shu had only run into Agni a handful of times and he felt nothing like Oma or himself. That should make Zuko easier to find, right?

Shu surged high into the air. As a spirit as powerful as himself, he felt a bit silly that he needed a vantage point. Any other spirit would be able to track down whatever they wanted like a grizzly bear dog to a feeding frenzy. Shu was out of practice though, or maybe all this time in isolation from no one but Oma weakened his senses. Whatever. It wasn't like anyone was here to see him. Spreading his senses far and thin, Shu enveloped Gaoling, hoping to get a spiritual ping, but it seemed Toph knew what she was doing better than he did.

Shu heard a series of surprised screams as Toph surfaced in the middle of a pool of spiritual energy. Now more than ever, Shu was embarrassed his spiritual abilities were so unfocused. There was so much spiritual power here that even Toph in her crazed state had been able to find Zuko. The boy was brimming with Agni, the Wolf, and the Blue Spirit's power. And if that wasn't enough, he was right by the Avatar and- oh. Shu wasn't the only spirit here, it seemed.

Zuko, the Avatar, and their Water Tribe companions scattered as Toph shot out of the ground and reared her massive, serpentine head into the sky. Gentle, glowing hands invisible to the human eye reached for Zuko, trying to pull him to safety as the boy dove out of Toph's path. "Zuko! You need to transform!"

Slowing his haste, Shu drifted close and reached out to pull Yue's hand away. "Their spirits are tied by the Wolf's gift, Yue. Zuko knows what to do without us interfering."

Oma was so much better at this, Shu thought, as Yue yanked herself away from him, whipping around with fury blazing in her eyes. "No! Zuko's mine! I know what he needs!"

Yue darted out again, planting a hand firmly on Zuko's turned back. The boy stopped in his path suddenly, efforts to flee ceasing abruptly, and Shu heard a sickening crack as Zuko's bones shifted, transformation overtaking him. Yue was forcing him into his dragon form. Could she do that? Sure, Shu had triggered Toph's transformation mere moments ago but that'd been accidental. Yue was clearly doing this intentionally.

It made sense, Shu supposed. She was a great spirit. She had tremendous power. Of course she could do what Shu had done, and her sheer power allowed her to do it when she chose. Shu couldn't find it in himself to be awed though. Zuko was on his knees, clawing at his skin as scales spread across it and wild screams escaped his throat. Toph never looked like this when she transformed. The transformation was never easy but it was never painful, not like this.

"Zuko!" one of the boy's companions cried, the Water Tribe girl. She reached for him, healing water pooling around her palm. For a heartbeat, Shu felt relieved. This girl could stop Zuko's suffering. But then Yue pulsed her power into him again and transformation sped up. His bones jutted out of his back sharply. Fingerlike bones spread and leathery skin stretched over them. The scream transitioned into a roar and Zuko beat his wings hard like he wanted to take off right then and there. The tip clipped the Water Tribe girl, knocking her back, and the rest of Zuko's body swelled into what Shu assumed was his usual beast-like appearance. Meaty hind legs crouched and suddenly Zuko was in the air.

Yue moved as if to rocket after him but, no matter how powerful she was, Shu was the more experienced spirit here. He maneuvered in front of her, blocking her path, and placed two human-shaped hands firmly on her shoulders. Locking eyes with her, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Zuko needs my help! Let me go." Yue pulled back a bit and tried to go around him but Shu cut her off again. "Let me go!"

"You hurt him," Shu told her firmly. He drew himself up a bit, making himself look a bit bigger. Maybe the human part of her mind would be intimidated enough that she wouldn't realize she could just toss him aside like a wet rag. "I don't think Zuko needs any more of your idea of help."

"That snake attacked him. His fire is still weakened. He can't fight her alone!"

"Toph's another spirit-touched, like you and Zuko. She's disoriented right now. Zuko is all she needs to calm down and Zuko knows how to help her. Let them have this moment. It's time they bonded," Shu told her firmly. Yue's expression didn't even falter. "...You knew what I was planning to do, weren't you?"

Was that why his attempt to guide Toph to Zuko failed? And why he had such a hard time finding Zuko? No, that was crazy. Or was it? Even if Shu wasn't a water spirit, that didn't necessarily mean Yue didn't hold some power over him. Tui could probably control him if she wanted to but it wouldn't be easy. Yue didn't have that kind of control, did she? Shu shook himself. It was something to ponder over with Oma later. Right now, he needed to focus on Toph and Zuko.

The light flickered behind him. Zuko was fire breathing, it seemed. Shu knew it wouldn't hurt Toph so he didn't let himself be distracted. Blinking slowly, he asked, "Why don't you want Zuko and Toph to know about each other?"

Now, Yue faltered. Shu could practically see the cracks in her facade. "I…"

"Are you jealous?"

"No!"

She was no longer fighting him. Shu could smell his upcoming victory. Or maybe that was just Zuko burning Gaoling to the ground. He couldn't afford to spare the warring dragons a glance, not with Yue finally talking to him.

"Toph won't replace you. Here in the Earth Kingdom, we don't know much about water or fire spirits but even I know what you two had was special. Nothing can replicate that," Shu told her almost softly. "That doesn't change the fact Toph needs to be with someone like herself."

"She can find someone else." Yue's words were bold but the fight was gone from her voice. Shu could tell she understood. She just didn't want to. "Zuko and I did."

"Zuko isn't yours. Not anymore. Maybe not ever. He's always been his own person, Yue."

"I know," she replied quietly. "It… It's just so hard to leave him behind. I- I don't want him to forget."

A heavy thud sounded behind them. They were out of Gaoling. Shu hadn't even noticed Zuko and Toph dragging them along. Toph was no longer raging, her massive head resting peacefully on the earth. Zuko was beside her, dwarfed by her massive size but doing his best to comfort her. He let out a long breath and shrank and shrank until the dragon was gone and only a human remained.

Toph's head lifted up, showing her surprise, and then she too took a long breath and began shrinking. In mere moments, dragon and serpent were replaced by boy and girl. "You're like me."

Zuko visibly balked. "Wh- Yo- I-"

Toph rolled her eyes at his spluttering. "What my luck. The only other person who understands me and he's a dork."

Zuko stared for a moment. "I'm… sorry?"

Toph boxed him in the arm and laughed loudly. "I'm just messin with ya. We're going to get along great!"

Zuko rubbed his arm and blinked a few times, the sheer disbelief on his face making Shu snort in amusement. Smiling, he elbowed Yue. "See? You're different."

"I- I suppose."

"Zuko won't replace you, Yue. He can't," Shu told her firmly, turning a bit to watch Toph continue to rib Zuko. "He also can't spend the rest of his life clinging to a memory of you. Humans are social creatures. Dragons too. Zuko will benefit from having Toph in his life. Maybe she will help him finally move on. I know it hurts but you want him to be happy, right Yue? Yue?"

Shu looked back to where Yue had been and realized she was gone. Somehow, he still knew she'd heard his words and taken them to heart. If nothing else, Shu knew he could rely on her love for Zuko. She'd see what Shu meant sooner or later. Hopefully sooner than later but Shu knew Yue needed to grieve at her own pace. She'd get there, even if it took Zuko's whole lifetime.

"Zuko!" Footsteps thundered against the earth. Toph reacted quickly, stomping her own foot down and sending a shower of dirt around the newcomers' feet, effectively trapping them. The Water Tribe siblings made noises of surprise and immediately began struggling. The Avatar, on the other hand, looked absolutely delighted. "You're an earthbender! Will you train me?"

"What?"

"They're friends," Zuko told her, smiling like it was a joy to be able to utter those words.

"Well, any friend of Sparky's a friend of mine," Toph said and grinned at the Avatar. "I'm Toph and I'm the world's greatest earthbender."

The Avatar's eyes widened in fascination. Shu smiled softly and began drifting away. At the moment, he just wanted to get back to Oma and tell her about Yue. The humans could handle themselves from here on out. For now at least. He'd be back, more to see if the Avatar survived Toph's training than anything else. His little earthworm could be rather intense when she wanted to be.


The more and more Shu watched Toph, the more and more he understood why the Beifongs kept her locked up in the manor. He still didn't agree it but he understood it. The world had changed so much since Shu was alive but some things stayed the same. The world was so unpredictable, plus she was traveling with the Avatar. That made the least secure place she could be.

But most of her troubles weren't actual danger. She was safe in the air atop Appa's back and safe on the ground thanks to her seismic senses. It was the social realm that posed the greatest threat. Or, well, at least until the train arrived. Shu started to feel a bit silly worrying over Toph and Katara fighting. This was real danger.

If Shu wasn't already dead, he'd say he could feel his heart pounding against his chest the moment the group decided to take a stand. It felt like it'd leapt up to his throat when three mounted figures emerged from the train. "Hello, brother."

Zuko, already pasty from exhaustion, somehow paled even more. "Azula."

"Wait, brother?" the Water Tribe boy cried, glancing between the pair. Azula ignored him.

"I heard rumor that you'd resurfaced," she drawled, moving forward ever so slightly. "I hadn't believed it yet here you are. Are you ready to come home, brother?"

Something shifted over Zuko's face, a ghost of an emotion Shu couldn't identify. Toph, however, apparently could. Hearts were more honest than faces. "Zuko's no brother of yours and he's not going anywhere."

She slammed a foot on the ground, knocking over the mongoose lizards Azula and her friends were riding, and the fight was on.

Oma and Shu had watched Toph's brawls. Not all of them but some of them. A lot of them. Of course they had. They'd watched her grow into the confident fighter she was today. Shu was never afraid when Toph was in the ring, at least not since she took down her first fighter. He was afraid now. Fighting an angry firebender was very different from fighting a friendly earthbender. And that wasn't even accounting for her friends. Chi blocking and knives were equally scary for someone who relied so heavily on earthbending.

The Avatar's team managed to divy up well: the Avatar fought the firebender, the boomerang user and the waterbender fought the hand to hand combatant, and Zuko fought the knife wielder. Only Azula wasn't interested in the benders. Her focus was all on Zuko.

"Look out!" Toph slammed a foot down, a pillar of earth appearing between Zuko and a blast of flame. Azula cursed and the waterbender took advantage of the opening. Zuko, similarly, made a grab for one of the girl's knives but with Toph raining down her fury, he probably didn't need it.

It was a long fight. Everyone, the Avatar team and the Fire Nation squad, ended up all over the forest and Shu wasn't quite sure how the fight was resolved but the Fire Nation girls were gone and Zuko's companions got to settle down for the night so Shu wasn't complaining. Watching the Water Tribe boy snuggle up in the bison's fur was a sweet sight to see.

Toph and Zuko weren't settled though. Shu wasn't concerned. The Avatar was awake as well, far too hopped up on adrenaline to lie down for the night. But when he saw the flicker of spiritual presence in the corner of his eye, he knew this was a moment worth watching. It had to be if Oma and Yue were here.

"I thought you were a firebender."

"What?"

"You feel like one. You've got fire inside you but you didn't bend during the fight. I thought it might just be a Fire Nation thing," Toph explained, "but Mai and Ty Lee are Fire Nation too and they don't have it."

Zuko shifted, looking down at the ground. "I am a firebender. Or, I was."

"Was?"

"I… I think I lost it," Zuko admitted.

"Because of, uh, the whole dragon thing?"

Zuko shook his head. "Did you see when the moon died?"

Toph waved a hand in front of her face. Shu heard someone laugh. He wasn't sure if it was a spirit or if one of Zuko's companions was eavesdropping. Maybe it was even himself and he was just too focused on Zuko to notice.

"Right. Sorry. Um, so a few weeks ago a Fire Nation admiral killed the moon spirit. She's kind of responsible for our transformations, or at least I think. I'm not really sure but Yue's father seemed to think so."

"Yue?"

Zuko looked up at the sky. "The new moon spirit."

"Oh. Oh."

"Yeah."

"That… That's rough, buddy." Toph patted Zuko's shoulder awkwardly, earning an amused snort from him.

"It's fine."

Shu resisted the urge to look over his shoulder at Yue. He desperately wanted to know what she thought of all this. He could feel how much Zuko was hurting. He needed for her to feel that too. Maybe then she'd understand. He wasn't saying it but they all knew it was there. Zuko missed her in a way no one but the spirits could understand.

"You literally can't firebend. If that isn't a sign something's wrong, I don't know what is."

Zuko shrugged. "I'm working through my feelings but I don't know if that's enough to get my bending back. I wasn't born a strong bender. All this spirit stuff's probably the only reason I can bend at all. I don't know how to get started again."

"Why not relearn how to bend?"

"I can't just… How would I even do that? I don't have a master and I'd never be able to find one with the war going on."

"Not every bender's part of a nation. I didn't have a teacher either, not really, so I found one. The badger moles were the original earthbenders and look how I turned out. Who were the original firebenders?"

"Dragons. Who are extinct," Zuko told her, a defeated sigh on his breath. Toph rolled her pale eyes and flicked his knee. "I don't count, Toph."

"Yeah, but you're a sign that dragons aren't totally gone. Maybe there's more out there."

"Maybe," Zuko responded but he didn't sound too optimistic. Abruptly, he asked, "What did you mean when you said I'm not Azula's brother?"

"What do you mean?"

"Zuko's no brother of yours and he's not going anywhere," Zuko quoted, lowering his voice in an awful impression of Toph. She laughed loudly, slapping her knee, and Zuko cracked a small smile before his expression sobered once more. "I am her brother. We're both Fire Nation royalty. In the Northern Water Tribe, I was able to escape it but here…"

"You're nothing like her. You're more like me," Toph declared adamantly. "Who cares about all that royal stuff? We can both turn into giant scaly monsters! If anyone deserves to call you her brother, it's me."

Zuko let out a noise abruptly. Shu couldn't tell if it was one of amusement or surprise. "Wait, are you serious?"

Toph's outwardly confidence dwindled ever so slightly, her demeanor becoming something almost shy. "I mean, if that's okay. I've never had any siblings and I don't exactly want my parents going around making me any. Our souls being linked by the moon spirit or whatever sounds like the best I could hope for."

Elation took over Zuko's face. "I'd-"

"Oh for Tui's sake!" the Water Tribe boy interrupted loudly, peering over the edge of the bison's saddle to glare at the pair. "Toph's lonely, Zuko's sad over his girlfriend, you both turn into dragons, you're basically destined to be friends. Now go to sleep! It's been a long night and we can't afford to sleep in tomorrow!"

Appa bellowed in complaint and the group delved into bickering, giving the spirits a good opportunity to step back from the scene. Finally turning, Shu gently began pulling Yue and Oma away from the material plane. "Do you see now?"

Hesitantly, Yue nodded. "Zuko and Toph's relationship is… different in nature than ours."

"You're not being replaced," Shu confirmed, "but Zuko needs to move on. He's filling his life with new people."

"I understand that," Yue insisted. "It's just-"

"You loved him," Oma jumped in. Yue's eyes widened but Oma continued before she could interrupt. "You didn't have the time to figure out what kind of love you shared but you were all each other had for years. It was love, and it hurts when the one you love is torn from you. Zuko cannot spend the rest of his life bleeding from that wound though. Find closure knowing he's found people to help patch it up."

Yue's gaze flickered, first down at her hands and then back at the material plane where Sokka was trying to wrestle Zuko onto Appa's saddle. "You're right. I- It still hurts. But you're right. It helps being able to see Zuko like this. I'm happy he's learning how to be happy without me."