Wow, this and Road Trip are my most famous fanfics! Anyway, to those of you who asked what the Gaang's reaction will be when Zuko joins up, you'll see in this chapter!

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Chapter 3: Surprising Visits

Zuko took a deep breath as he steered the ho5t air balloon towards the Western Air Temple. He was almost certain Ang and his friends are going to attack him on the spot after what he did to them.

Zuko went over his plan one more time. He was going to apologize, then explain. If that didn't work, he would plead his worth.

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Aang and Toph were walking around the cliffs.

"So, what do you think of my neck of the woods, Toph?" Aang asked as he spread his arms wide.

"It's okay." Toph replied. "I found a shit load of skeletons and Fire Nation armor in one area, though."

Aang felt uneasy. "Great…"

Katara and Sokka found the duo. "Aang, is there any meat at all around here?"

"Sokka, you're in Air Nomad territory." Aang explained. "There is no meat, as we're vegetarians."

"But meat is good for you!" Sokka protested.

Katara looked out into the horizon. Somet5ihng was approaching the temple. The waterbender's eyes widened as she realized what she saw. "Oh, great spirits."

"What?" The boys and Toph asked.

Aang gasped as he followed Katara's gaze. "Oh, crap! How did they find us?"

"It looks like there's only one person in that balloon." Sokka observed. He squinted for a better look. "It's Zuko!"

"What?!" Katara exclaimed. She stumbled forward and lost her footing. Sokka and Aang caught her before she fell.

"Is Zuko the angry jerk you've been talking about?" Toph asked.

"Oh yeah." Sokka answered.

Zuko landed. As soon as he stepped out of the balloon, Toph trapped him in an earth cocoon.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Katara demanded.

"I came to apologize for my behavior." Zuko responded. "If you would just let me explain-"

Sokka interrupted him. "You stalk us all over the world, you threaten me, my sister, and our tribe; you almost kill Aang- the avatar- you kidnap both my sister and Aang, you almost burn down two villages, you almost burn our heads off because Katara offered to help your uncle when he was shot down by Azula, you lie to Katara saying you've changed, you help Azula take control of Ba Sing Se; and you expect us to listen to you and trust you?!"

…Wow, that sounded a lot worse when he said it. Zuko thought.

"I know I caused a lot of hell. And I'm sorry." Zuko said sincerely. For what it's worth, I realize now that what I've been doing for the past seven months was wrong and a waste of time."

Toph turned to her friends. "He's telling the truth, guys."

Katara sighed. "Fine. I reserve final judgment. But if you do anything to Aang…I don't care if Toph can tell you're telling the truth. I'll never trust you again!"

"I understand." Zuko replied.

"It's getting late." Aang noted. He looked at Zuko. "I'll give you a room to sleep in. Don't think this conversation is over, though."

"Fair enough."

Toph let Zuko go. Aang led the prince to the extra bedroom.

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In the Fire Nation, some of its' terrain are made of woodlands. Of course, you guys already knew this from watching the Puppetmaster and The Beach, but I'll just continue. The woods are a perfect place for fugitives to hide out in, which is exactly why Iroh chose to stay hidden there.

'Back to the good times.' Iroh thought, remembering himself and Zuko being on the run in the Earth Kingdom.

Iroh made camp and poured himself a cup of tea. He then heard someone walking through the woods and stood up.

"Who's there?" He asked, cautiously. Iroh's eyes widened as he recognized the figure. "Ursa?"

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Aang lay awake in his bed staring at the ceiling. So much has happened today: the failed invasion, the rushed retreat, Zuko showing up at the Air temple…he wondered what would happen next.

Clang…clang…clang…

Aang sat up, gasping. 'That's not Combustion Man, is it?' He thought horribly.

The door slammed open, and a big shadowy figure stood in the doorway. Aang stared and froze in shock and fear as Combustion Man slowly advanced toward him with a knife in his human hand.

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AAHHH! COMBUSTION MAN RETUUUUUURNNS! O.o XD

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…Please?