The Southern Air Temple

One morning, Appa and the group are on the lakeshore packing up for the day, well almost everyone. One of the members is apparently asleep in a Water Tribe sleeping bag on the ground and a certain hothead turtle. Appa is standing, grazing slowly, while a small fire casts a plume of smoke. Aang and Cara were fixing up Appa for flight as Katara was up in the passenger section doing some kind of work and the turtles were cleaning up. Aang was adjusting Appa's reins. "Wait 'til you see it, you guys. The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world."

Cara said, "You won't get a view like it anywhere else."

Leo said cautious, "Aang, Cara, I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home."

Aang said, "That's why we're so excited!"

Donnie said, "It's just that a lot can change in all that time. And we know from experience."

Cara said, "I know, but I need to see it for myself."

Aang floats down from Appa's back and walks over to Sokka and Raph, who is snoring peacefully in his sleeping bag on the ground. "Wake up, Sokka! Raph! Air Temple here we come!"

Sokka awakens, making groggy noises. "Sleep now... temple later..."

Raph pulled the blanket over his head. "Leave me the shell alone."

Sokka rolls over and begins to snore again. Then Aang and Mikey got an idea. Aang picks up 2 sticks, gave one to Mikey as Katara, Leo, and Cara watches from atop Appa's back. "Guys! Wake up!" He and Mikey begins to run the stick up and down Sokka's sleeping bag and up and down Raph's shell. "There's prickle snakes in your sleeping bag and on your shell!"

Sokka woke up and yelled, "Aaahhh! Get it off! Get it off! Aaahhh!" Sokka hops around in his sleeping bag until he loses his balance and falls flat on his face. Raph got up yelling but unlike Sokka, he landed on top of his shell and couldn't get back up. Katara and Leo laughed at them. Sokka and Raph looked very irritated.

Mikey said, "Great! You're awake. Let's go."

Meanwhile at a Fire Nation naval yard, tents and buildings line the right side of the screen, ships line the left and what looks like a railroad line runs down the middle. Eventually Zuko's damaged ship arrived. It is much smaller than the other Fire Nation ships. The prow of Zuko's ship has been opened, its spout lying on the floor of the navy yard. Two figures have walked down the spout and are entering the naval yard itself. It was Zuko and Iroh as they walk into the yard. Zuko said, "Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing their trail."

Iroh asked, "You mean the 6?"

Zuko turned on his uncle angrily. "Don't mention them on these docks! Once word gets out that they're alive every firebender will be out looking for them and I don't want anyone getting in the way."

Then they heard a voice. "Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" Zuko and Iroh turn to face the person and got surprised expressions. It was Zhao as he approaches them.

Zuko with distaste said, "Captain Zhao."

Zhao said, "It's Commander now. And General Iroh—" He bows to Iroh. "-great hero of our nation."

Iroh said, "Retired general."

Zhao said, "The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time. What brings you to my harbor?"

Iroh said, "Our ship is being repaired. "

Iroh gestures at the heavily damaged bow of Zuko's ship. Zhao said, "That's quite a bit of damage."

Zuko tried to cover. "Yes... you wouldn't believe what happened." He gives his uncle a sideways glance and immediately passes the buck. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."

Iroh's eyes go wide as he tried to explain. "Yes, I will do that. It was incredible." Leans over and whispers to Zuko. "What... did we crash or something?"

Zuko was getting uncomfortable. "Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship."

Zhao asked, "Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details." He smiles and puts his face right up to Zuko's in an obvious challenge. "Join me for a drink?"

Zuko said, "Sorry, but we have to go."

Zuko turns to leave, but Iroh places a hand on his shoulder and stops him. "Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." Turning to Zhao. "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite." Zuko growls in frustration and releases fire from his fists angrily as he turns to follow Zhao and Iroh down the dock.

Back to the gang, they were on Appa's back, Aang and Katara up front, Cara and the turtles on saddle, and Sokka in the passenger saddle. Sokka's stomach started to growl. Sokka said, "Hey, stomach, be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food."

Raph said, "I think we still have a pack." He handed Sokka a back from the supplies and gave it to him.

Sokka searches the food bag and dumps it out onto his glove. Only a few crumbs come out. "Hey! Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?"

Aang asked, "Oh, that was food? I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry."

Sokka was incredulous. "You WHAT?"

Raph groans. "Awww, no wonder the flames smelled so good."

Cara face palmed. "Aang next time hand it to me so I can see if it's food or not."

Mikey said, "We sure can use some pizza right now."

Soon Appa was swooping towards the now much closer mountains Aang yelled, "The Batola mountain range! We're almost there!"

Donnie was uneasy. "Aang? Cara? Before we get to the temple, I want to talk to you about the airbenders."

Aang asked, "What about 'em?"

Katara said, "Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless. They killed my mother and they could have done the same to your people."

Cara said, "Just because no one has seen an airbender doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all. They probably escaped."

Leo stepped in. "I know it's hard to accept."

Aang said, "You don't understand, guys. The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison, and I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison. Right, Appa?"

Cara said, "And even if they get one, they're not easily tamed. I'm older then Aang and I still don't have one."

Appa grunts an affirmative. "Yip yip!" said Aang.

The turtles gathered together. Mikey whispered, "This is going to end badly."

Raph said, "And I have a feeling that Cara has more of a temper then I."

Appa flies them up higher, turning tightly around a mountain face. Katara, Sokka, Cara, and the turtles are straining against the wind sheer the faster they move. Appa flies up and over a rocky outcropping and treetops to reveal the tall spires of the Southern Air Temple behind it. "There it is... the Southern Air Temple." said Aang.

Everyone was surprised. Katara yelled, "Aang, it's amazing!"

Cara said, "We're home, guys. We're home."

Meanwhile, back at the Fire Nation navy yard, wooden stockade and many Fire Nation tents rest behind the ships. One is particularly large, with a prominent Fire Nation symbol on it. Two guards, flanked by large standing firepots, stand at the ready in front of this tent. Inside the large tent where Commander Zhao stands inspecting a large map of the world upon the wall.

Zhao said, "And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule." Iroh is inspecting a stand of weapons on the left and Zuko sits in one of two chairs in front of Zhao. Zhao turns to Zuko. "The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."

Zuko muttered, "If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool."

Zhao sits in the chair next to Zuko. "Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue." Then he paused. "So, how is your search for the Avatar, the Guardian, and the Warriors going?"

Iroh tips over the stand of weapons he has been examining in the background. The commotion brings the conversation to a halt. Iroh cringes at the mess he has just made. "My fault entirely."

Zuko said, "We haven't found them yet."

Zhao asked, "Did you really expect to? The Avatar and Guardian died a hundred years ago-along with the rest of the airbenders. As for those Warriors, they never existed in the first place. Just a stupid legend that started with some kid's painting." Zuko averts his eyes guiltily. "Unless you found some evidence that the 6 are alive."

Zuko still looked away. "No. Nothing."

Zhao rises from his chair. "Prince Zuko, the 6 are the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce—" He leans his face into Zuko's. "-of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."

Zuko said, "I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar and the Guardian probably died a long time ago as well as the myth just being a myth. Come on, Uncle, we're going."

Zuko gets up and tries to exit, but the guards blocked him as they cross their spears in front of him. Another guard approaches Zhao to deliver his report. "Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar and the Guardian in custody, but let him escape. They also reported the 4 turtles who are the newest 4 Warriors."

Zhao smirked. "Now, remind me..." Zuko was still blocked by the guards. Zhao comes up behind him. "…how exactly was your ship damaged?" Zuko looks down in defeat.

Back to the temple, Appa was standing on what looks like a landing platform with a path leading up. Hundreds of feet winding path curving back and forth across the rock face of the temple's mountain nearly destroying it. The 8 were walking up toward the temple. 2 of them were racing ahead of the others. Sokka asked, "So where do I get something to eat?" Sokka has a very cross look on his face and he's clutching his stomach to illustrate his hunger.

Donnie asked, "You're lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to ever visit an airbender temple and all you can think about is food?"

Sokka said, "I'm just a simple guy with simple needs."

Mikey said, "And if you haven't noticed but I don't see any pizza around here."

Aang and Cara arrived at the edge of the path where they have stopped to let the others catch up. Aang said, "So that's where my friends and I would play airball!" Aang gestures at a small parapet cut into the rock face below the path. It is populated with a thicket of densely packed sticks of varying heights that have been stuck in the ground. A goal with a backboard occupies either end of the field.

Cara pointed somewhere else. "And…over there would be where the bison would sleep... and…"

Katara asked, "What's wrong?"

Aang said, "This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds."

Cara said, "I can't believe how much things have changed."

The other 6 look at each, then Sokka and Leo change the subject. Hurrying up to him Sokka asked, "So, uh, this airball game? How do you play?" Aang and Cara smiled.

Sokka and Leo with a backboard behind them, looked ready for action. Aang and Cara were at the opposite side. Aang is bending air around a rapidly spinning ball to keep it floating above his outstretched right hand. Suddenly, Aang starts manipulating the ball like a Harlem Globetrotter. Then, he throws it up in the air over his head. The other 2 follows it with his eyes. Aang puts his hands behind his back, closes his eyes and smiles, waiting for the ball to come back down. Cara cracks one eye open and bends the air at the precise moment to send the ball bouncing through the field of sticks like a pinball in an arcade game. Sokka and Leo watched the ball ricochet toward them at amazing speed. The ball hits them in the stomach and they are propelled backward through a rotating door in the backboard behind him. Sokka hits the ground nearby with Leo on top of him. Aang and Cara cheered. "Hahaha! Air seven, Water zero! "

Leo said, "Making them feel better is putting us in a world of hurt."

Sokka said, "Get off of me Leo." Leo got up releasing pressure off of Sokka's back. Sokka sees something that makes him stop and move forward. It is a Fire soldier helmet lying on the ground. Sokka crawls over to it. Leo saw it too and walks to it. "Guys, check this out."

The other walked up to Sokka and Leo and saw the helmet. "Fire Nation." said Katara

Raph said, "We should tell them."

Mikey turned to call Cara and Aang. "Guys, there's something you need to see."

Aang and Cara approaching happily with the ball. "Okay!"

Katara looks back and forth between the helmet and the happy 2 rapidly approaching, unsure whether to show them the horrible discovery. Making her choice, she waterbends the snow on the nearby bank down onto both the helmet and Sokka and Leo. Aang asked, "What is it?"

Katara was acting uncertainly. "Uh... just a new waterbending move I learned."

Cara. "Nice one. But enough practicing. We have a whole temple to see!"

Sokka and Leo got up getting their snow off of them. Donnie said, "You know, you can't protect them forever."

Later at entrance gate of the Air Temple itself Aang and Cara runs in alone, leaving the others a moment to speak alone. Leo said, "Katara, firebenders were here. You can't pretend they weren't."

Katara walks away from him. "I can for Aang's and Cara's sake."

Sokka said, "But it'll be more damaging if they find out the hard way."

Katara said, "If they finds out that the Fire Nation invaded their home, they'll be devastated."

Then they heard Aang. "Hey guys!" Cara and Aang were in front of a statue of an airbender monk. "We want you to meet somebody."

Donnie asked, "Who's that?"

Aang answered, "Just like you turtles have Master Splinter, so does me and Cara. Monk Gyatso, the greatest airbender in the world. He taught us everything we know." Both Aang and Cara bow to the statue.

Then they started to remember a time after the fact that Cara and Aang heard the news. Gyatso said, "But the true secret..." He appears to have just pulled out the cake from the mouth of the large oven in the background. He airbends the colorful filling into a swirl pile in the middle of it. "…is in the gooey center!"

But Aang was sitting on the wall of the parapet. He's not paying attention and Cara had her head in her hands next to him, as she wasn't paying attention either. "Hmm…"

Gyatso said, "My ancient cake making technique isn't the only thing on your mind, is it, you 2?"

Aang said, "This whole Avatar thing... maybe the monks made a mistake. I mean Cara has been training for it."

Cara glared and said, "Would love to give them air-wedgies for lying to me all these years."

Gyatso said, "The only mistake they made was telling you before you turned sixteen and yes the lie was a bit much. But we can't concern ourselves with what was. We must act on what is." Gyatso gestures ceremoniously to the world around them. It shows the air around the temple full of flying bison and other inhabitants. The beautiful, dreamlike surroundings are full of life.

Aang asked, "But Gyatso, how do we know if we're ready for this?"

Gyatso said, "Your questions will be answered when you are old enough to enter the Air Temple sanctuary. Inside you will meet someone who will guide you on your journey."

Cara asked, "Who is it?"

Gyatso said, "When you are ready they will reveal themselves to you." The two sighs heavily in frustration. "Now, are you going to help me with these cakes, or not?"

Aang smiled. "All right."

"I'm defiantly in." said Cara.

The 3 assume airbending stances, with the six cakes sitting on the wall. They cock back, creating balls of wind with their airbending skill as Gyatso counts. "One... two... three!"

They release their airballs on the count of three, propelling the cakes high into the air. They make a distinctive whizzing noise as they come down. Six meditating monks were soon wearing one of the 6 cakes on their heads. Then winged lemurs that begin feasting on the cakes soon surround the monks. All 3 laughed. "Hahaha!"

The 3 bowed to each other respectfully. Gyatso pats his young students' head affectionately. "Your aim has improved greatly my young pupils."

The flashback ends, with Aang and Cara bowing to the statue of Gyatso. Katara come forward and placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. "You must miss him."

Aang said, "Yeah. We both do." They started to move forward to go into the Temple.

Mikey asked, "Where are you 2 going?"

Cara answered, "The Air Temple Sanctuary. There's someone we're ready to meet."

The group looked at each other and shrugs. Soon everyone approach the entrance to the Air Temple Sanctuary. It is a huge wooden door that is dominated by an enormous woodcut comprised of three air symbols protruding from its surface. They are arranged in a triangular pattern. The symbols are attached to tubes that end in two horns near the bottom of the woodcut. Katara said, "But... no one could have survived in there for a hundred years."

Aang said, "It's not impossible. We survived in the iceberg for that long."

Raph said, "He's got a good point."

Cara said, "Katara, whoever's in there, might help us figure out this Avatar and Guardian thing! Even my knowledge is limited."

Sokka pops out from behind Aang eagerly. "And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious, cured meats!" Sokka rubs his hands together in fevered anticipation of the food that might await him. He rushes forward and runs straight into the door with a 'thunk.' He strains against the big door to no avail and slides down to the floor in defeat. "I don't suppose you have a key?"

Aang said, "The key, Sokka, is airbending." Aang and Cara composed themselves and draws in breath. They raise their arms perpendicular to their bodies, and then suddenly push forward with their arms and steps forward. They airbend jets of air, one from each arm, into the horns at the bottom of the woodcut. The air runs through the tubes and one by one flips the air symbols from the blue sides, which had been showing to the maroon sides, which had been facing the interior of the temple. As each turns, it flips another mechanism on the outside of the door unlock it. The two leaves of the door open to reveal the dark, cavernous interior of the Air Temple Sanctuary. Aang called out in here. "Hello? Anyone home?" Then everyone walked inside.

Back with the firenation docks, Zuko and Iroh were somewhat held hostage. Zhao crosses in front of a seated and clearly unhappy Prince Zuko. A pair of guards stands behind the young prince. "So, a twelve-year-old boy, a sixteen-year-old girl, and 4 mutant turtles bested you and your firebenders?" Iroh was also seated nearby. "You're more pathetic than I thought."

Zuko said, "I underestimated them once, but it will not happen again."

Zhao said, "No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance."

Zuko was alarmed. "Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the 6 for two years and I..."

Zhao turns on him angrily, flames erupting from his hand as he sweeps it in an arc from left to right. "And you failed! " He towers over Zuko. "Capturing the Avatar, the Guardian, and the Warriors are too important to leave in a teenager's hands. They're mine now." Zuko launches himself at Zhao in frustration and anger, but the two guards standing behind his chair restrain him. Zhao turns to leave. "Keep them here."

Zuko in a further act of frustration kicks over a small table that had been sitting near Iroh. It breaks into pieces. Iroh watches the scene calmly. "More tea please?"

Back at the group, they walked into the sanctuary to reveal many statues arrayed in a pattern. The pattern is tied to a swirl pattern on the floor-a bluish version of the Yellow Brick Road-with the statues, 2 figures standing next to each other, arrayed along it. The group walks among the statues, heading to the center of the room. Raph asked, "Statues?!"

Mikey asked, "That's it?"

Sokka asked, "Where's the meat?"

Donnie asked, "Who are all these people?"

Aang was uncertain. "I'm not sure, but it feels like I know them somehow."

Cara called out to them. "Look!" She points to a statue "These two an airbender!"

Leo walked up to them. "And these 2 are waterbenders. They're lined up in a pattern. Air, water, earth and fire."

Aang said, "That's the Avatar and the Guardian cycle. Each ones are siblings. Brother/sister, sister/sister, brother/brother, and some are even twins or a few years apart."

Mikey said, "Explains the mix up Cara was talking about."

Katara said, "Of course! They're Avatars/Guardians. All these people are your past lives, Aang and Cara."

Aang was in awe. "Wow! There's so many!"

Cara and Aang walked around while Sokka was skeptical. "Past lives? Katara, you really believe in that stuff?"

Donnie said, "It's true. Master Splinter told us that when the Avatar and/or Guardian dies they're reincarnated into the next nation in the cycle."

Raph said, "Makes me wonder who were the first 2."

Mikey said, "There must be thousands of generations going up."

Aang and Cara have stopped in front of a statue of a firebender duo. As the 2 stare at the statue, light passes over its eyes, marking its importance. Katara appears behind Aang and shakes him by the shoulders and Leo shaking Cara's. "Aang, snap out of it!" The 2 woke up from their daze.

Leo asked, "Who is that?"

Aang replied, "That's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me."

Cara said, "And his sister Guardian Nolin, the Guardian before me." She pointed to the necklaces on the statues. "See the necklaces?"

Mikey saw them. "They're turtle shells."

Donnie said, "Which means a different group of turtles was with them. Wonder which one."

Sokka asked, "You two were a firebenders? No wonder I didn't trust you when we first met."

Raph said, "There's no writing. How do you know their names?"

Aang replied, "I'm not sure..."

Then Cara said, "We just know it somehow."

Sokka growls in frustration. "You just couldn't get any weirder!" The group senses the presence of another being and turn to look at the entrance. A long-eared shadow advances toward them. The screen pans back up, but the group was nowhere to be seen. When the view comes to rest again, we can see them huddled behind a couple of the statues. The shadow advances between the two statues. "Firebender. Nobody make a sound."

Katara said, "You're making a sound!"

Leo covered her mouth. "Shhhh!"

The shadow still advances. Sokka got his weapon ready. "That firebender won't know what hit 'em."

The long eared shadow is now right on top of them. The view pans up to reveal the black outline of a small animal in the doorway that is simply casting a lengthy shadow due to the angle of the sun outside. Sokka jumps out from the statue, weapon at the ready. The others also come around to look. Turns out it was a winged lemur looking at them with wide eyes. His long ears flop down on his back as he sees the people staring at him. He blinks his eyes to the same sounds effects. "Lemur!"

Sokka was drooling. "Dinner..."

Cara groans and face palmed. "Oh boy."

Aang said, "Don't listen to him! You're going to be my new pet."

Sokka yelled, "Not if I get him first!"

Both lunge at the small animal. He bristles like a cat and dashes away from them, screaming. Cara chased after the 2 but mostly her brother. "Wait! Come back!"

Sokka yelled, "I wanna eat you!"

The 3 run back down the hallway from the Temple Sanctuary, chasing after the lemur. They take turns leading the other. Sokka takes a swipe at Aang's legs with his weapon, but Aang, uses his airbending skills in a Matrix-style move to run along the wall beside Sokka and pass him, laughing as he does. Once far enough ahead, Aang stops, turns, and launches an airball spinning back toward Sokka. It hits him in the stomach and knocks him off his feet, like a bowling ball hitting one lone pin. Cara did the same and followed after Aang. Sokka falls flat on his face, his hood falling over his head. At the hallway ends at a balcony, looking back into the temple. The lemur jumps up onto the guardrail of the balcony, looks back as Aang approaches, and then jumps off the guardrail almost into the camera. Aang jumps off after him, with the view expanding as he jumps off to provide a clear look at the long fall beneath him. Cara jumps after him flying like before. Aang laughs as he falls, bouncing off the rocks beneath him as he continues to chase the lemur. The scene cuts to Sokka, who finally reaches the balcony, leaning over to watch Aang and Cara fall. "Hey! No Fair!"

Back at the firenation docks, Zhao approaches the exterior of the large tent, opens the flaps and enters. Two guards standing ready inside the entrance draw their spears back. "My search party is ready." Iroh and Zuko, sitting in chairs facing each other. "Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."

Zuko asked, "Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"

Zhao was laughing. "You? Stop me? Impossible."

Zuko stands in defiance. "Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the 6 before you."

Iroh was standing also. "Prince Zuko, that's enough!"

Zhao said, "You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you... you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."

Zuko said, "You're wrong. Once I deliver the 6 to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne."

Zhao said, "If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."

Zuko said, "That's not true."

Zhao said, "You have the scar to prove it."

Zuko with a cry of indignation launches himself to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao's. "Maybe you'd like one to match!"

Zhao asked, "Is that a challenge?"

Zuko said, "An agni kai. At sunset."

Zhao said, "Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do." Zhao turns and walks back out of the tent.

Iroh asked, "Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"

Zuko said, "I will never forget."

Back at the temple atop the mountain, the lemur that Aang has been chasing lands on the ground. Aang pounces him and misses. The lemur runs through a curtain made of decaying tent material or drapery. "Hey! Come back!" Aang follows the lemur to the other side of the curtain. "Come on out, little lemur. That hungry guy won't bother you anymore." Cara caught up with Aang as they approach another drape, parts it, and walks through. They draw a sharp breath, startled at what they see. It was heaps of firebender uniforms and skeletons covering the floor of a decaying building. "Firebenders? They were here?"

At the back of the grotto lie the skeletal remains of an airbender monk, bathed in sunlight coming from above who had apparently fallen in combat fighting against great odds. The camera zooms in on the airbender's necklace as a means of identification. "Gyatso..." said Cara.

Both of them call to their knees devastated. Sokka arrived and pulled back the curtain. "Hey Aang, you find my dinner yet?" He sees Aang and Cara crying. "Guys, I wasn't really going to eat the lemur, okay?" He sees the skeleton and does a double take. "Oh, man... come on, everything will be all right. Let's get out of here." Sokka puts his hand on Aang's shoulder as the arrow on Aang's head begins to glow incandescent blue and Cara's eyes started to glow including her tattoos and 3 new ones appeared, blue circles around her wrist, brown swirls on her chest feet and right arm, and a red dragon on her left arm. Both had an angry expression as they lift their heads. Sokka gasps as he looks on in alarm.

Meanwhile Katara and the turtles were walking among the statues in the Temple Sanctuary. Katara stops in front of Roku, whose eyes light up with the same incandescent blue light as Aang's. The eyes of all the other statues light up in order around the room. Soon all the statues' eyes light up in succession. Raph yelled, "Cara!"

Katara yelled, "Aang!"

They raced from the room to find them. All the earth, water, and fire temples scattered across the globe, where lights flash in response to the awakening of Aang's avatar spirit and Cara's Guardian spirit. In the fire temple, an old fire sage leans out to say something to another sage outside of the room where the signal is emanating from. "Send word to the Fire Lord immediately. The Avatar and Guardian has returned! Which mean the Warriors are here!" Recipient fire sage's face becomes frightened.

Back at the base of the temple where Aang and Cara mourns Gyatso's body, their feet, where a whirlwind begins to form, air swirling fast around the bones lying on the ground. They crouched, hands balled into fists and eyes and arrow glowing, the wind picking up terrible speed around them. "Guys! Come on, snap out of it!" A light blue sphere of energy surrounds them and begins to expand, knocking Sokka back out of the building. "Aaahhh!"

The energy sphere expands to the point where it blows most of the building apart, sending smoke and debris high into the air. Sokka lands outside the building. Aang and Cara, now partially obscured by the energy sphere and the maelstrom. The others join Sokka behind some rubble, both shielding their faces from the wind. Katara asked, "What happened?"

Sokka replied, "They found out firebenders killed Gyatso."

Donnie said, "Oh no, it's the avatar and guardian spirit! They must have triggered it!"

Katara said, "I'm gonna try and calm them down.

Mikey got Sokka to hang onto the rubble, trying not to get blown away. "Well, do it before they blows us off the mountain!" Katara slowly approaches the 2, struggling against the wind, as Aang and Cara's energy sphere slowly rise into the air. Katara got blown back but Leo got her just in time.

Back at the Fire Nation arena, a simple four-walled structure with watch fires on the four towers at each corner. There is one large open gate. The sunset is a glorious mixture of Fire Nation hues: red, orange, and yellow. The view shifts to inside the arena where Zhao and Zuko kneel, preparing for battle, Zhao with four of his men in attendance, Zuko with his uncle. Iroh said, "Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons."

Zuko stood. "I refuse to let him win." His shoulder wrap falls to the ground ceremoniously.

Zhao stands and turns, his shoulder wrap falling to the ground, as well. "This will be over quickly."

Atop the gate a gong sounds. Both men face each other and assume firebending stances. Prince Zuko fires the first shot which passes harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fires again; this time it passes without effect to Zhao's right. Zuko fires several more, the last of which Zhao blocks, satisfaction evident on his face. Frustrated and losing control of his breath, Zuko moves towards his opponent, unleashing more fire from both his hands and feet. Zhao dodges or blocks them all. Zhao then crouches forward and shoots flame at a point on the ground close in front of him. Iroh yelled, "Basics, Zuko! Break his root!"

Zhao fires many volleys of flame, alternating between his fists. Zuko blocks each, but is slowly forced back. On the last volley Zhao uses both hands, knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards in the dirt. Zhao takes a flying jump at him. Zhao lands as Zuko tries to get up, but he isn't fast enough. Zhao fires right at him. Zuko rolls out of the way just in time, and as he is getting up sweeps Zhao's feet out from under him. Zuko lands on his feet. Zuko is advancing towards Zhao, using his feet to produce small waves of flame that rush toward his opponent. Zhao is caught off balance and wobbles slowly backward Iroh, fists clenched in an expression of hope, a smile beginning to spread over his face. Zuko, who finally lays Zhao out flat on the ground with a blast of fire. Zuko rushes up to him, prepared to deal the final blow. Zhao yelled, "Do it!" Zuko releases a blast. He stands erect, dropping his fighting stance. As a result a smoking hole in the ground, and Zhao, clearly very much unharmed, next to the hole. "That's it? Your father raised a coward."

Zuko said, "Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back."

Zuko turns his back and begins to walk away. Zhao gets up and, with a howl of anger, unleashes a whip of flame at Zuko. The flame itself as it rushes toward Zuko's back. His outstretched foot, wreathed in the fire it has just released. The flame is extinguished, however, as a hand closes over the foot. Turns out, Iroh has moved between them to stop the dishonorable attack. They remain frozen for a moment before Iroh hurls Zhao back into the dirt with little effort. Zuko rushes to avenge the insult, but is stopped by his uncle. "No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." Iroh turns to face Zhao, a look of condescension on his face. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful." Zhao said nothing. "Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you." Zuko looks at his uncle in surprise at this comment. "Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."

Iroh moves to leave and Zuko follows close behind. With subdued anger, Zhao watches them exit the gate of the arena. Outside, Zuko and Iroh talk. Zuko asked, "Did you really mean that, Uncle?"

Iroh replied slyly. "Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite."

Back at the temple, Cara and Aang, still suspended in mid-air inside his ball of raw energy. The contained storm continues to rage as Katara and Sokka cling desperately to the rocks and the turtles over them to prevent them from flying. Katara yelled out to them. "Aang! Cara! I know you're upset..." The 6 tried to hold on. "…and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my mom. Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone, but you still have a family. Sokka, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and I we're your family now."

Cara and Aang begin to descend when Katara is finished. Their feet gently alight on the ground. The wind dies away. Their eyes and tattoos were still glowing as the gang comes up on either side. Sokka said, "We're not going to let anything happen to you. Promise."

Mikey said, "We made a promise to help and we're sticking to it dude."

Katara takes one of Aang's hands in her own and Leo took one of Cara's. The glow instantly fades. Grief-stricken and exhausted, they collapse as they kneel on the ground. "I'm sorry." said Aang.

Katara said, "It's okay. It wasn't your fault."

Cara said, "But you all were right. And if firebenders found this temple that means they found the other ones, too. We really are the last airbenders."

Leo said, "But you 2 were at least safe for a hundred years. If not…"

Raph hits him on the head. "Not helping fearless leader."

Back in the Temple Sanctuary, where Aang stands once again in front of the statue of Avatar Roku. Katara comes up behind him. "Everything's packed. You ready to go?"

Aang was still looking at the statue. "How is Roku and Nolin supposed to help us if we can't talk to them?"

Katara said, "Maybe you'll find a way. Where are your sister and the turtles?"

Aang said, "She's getting some things before we leave and she's giving the turtles the dime tour."

And true to word, Cara was showing the turtles their home. First stop was Aang and Cara's old house. "Here's where we used to live." she said.

They walked inside and saw it had seen better days. Mikey said, "And I thought the old farm house was a wreck."

Leo asked, "Why are we here first?"

Cara got one of Raph's sais and went to a floor board. "Because a 100 years ago, stupid me left something behind." She manages to get the floorboard up and out of the way and got out a violin case. "Here we go." She opened it and it revealed a white violin undamaged.

Donnie asked, "How is it preserve so well for so long?"

Cara said, "One of my mange secrets." She tested it out. "Still good and still on tune." She got a bag and put it in here.

Next stop was Gyasto's statue. Raph asked, "Why here again?"

Cara then punch a weird combination on the statue necklace and then it opened to reveal a lotus necklace. "This was Monk Gyasto's necklace. He was planning on giving it to me when I turn 18." She put it on. "Thank goodness they never found it." The turtles didn't say anything.

Then Cara took them to the head monk's house. She moved the tattered bed and on the floor was a manhole cover. Leo said, "It's the same as New York's back home."

Cara then tried very hard to remove it. "Feels like it too." Once it was out of the way, she pulled out 4 amulets and put them in the bag. "Donnie, can you destroy this?"

Donnie asked, "Why's that?"

Cara said, "Just in case…" She looked at him serious. Donnie nodded and used his earthbending to destroy the manhole and the cover. "Now let's head back."

Back at the temple sanctuary, Aang and Katara turn around to see a familiar furry creature in the doorway of the temple. The lemur has returned. The lemur runs to Sokka and deposits a bunch of fruits and nuts at his feet. Sokka begins to eat hungrily as the lemur dashes away. "Looks like you made a new friend, Sokka." said Aang.

Sokka had his mouth full. "Can't talk. Must eat."

The lemur scurries up his chest to perch on his head. "Hey little guy." said Aang.

"We're back!" Everyone saw Cara with a bag and the turtles. "Sorry it took a while."

Katara asked, "What did you get?"

"My violin in great condition, Monk Gyatso's necklace," She finally pulled out the 4 amulets. "And something for our ninja friends." She handed them each an amulet. "The turtles before you wear these to hide their true identities. Supposedly the first Donnie made them. I think there's a button to make them into watches or something."

The turtles put them on. The amulets were gold turtle shells with one green scale in the middle. When the 4 touched the green, they started to glow and the amulets did turn into watches but it also gave the turtles human form. For Leo: his eyes were black, had white skin, and brown hair. For Raph: his eyes were brownish black, tan skin and had black hair with red highlights. For Donnie: His eyes were brown, white skin like Leo's and brown hair. For Mikey: Light brown hair, tan skin like Raph's, and green eyes. All of their hair was neck length, and as for their clothes, they were basic clothes but only had hints of the nations colors. The turtles were digging their new look. Leo said, "Whoa. This is wicked."

Raph said, "Love the new clothes."

Donnie said, "So this is what we looked like as humans."

Mikey asked, "Why so basic?"

Cara asked, "Do you want to stick out like a sore thumb? Cause the turtle look was work so well so far."

Aang said, "I like the look. It can help you hiding from the firenation."

Katara said, "Yeah I think it will work. But other then bending how can we tell who is who?"

Sokka was still eating. "Got an idea. Let me have that sack." Cara gave it to him. "Dad taught me this when making war paint." He got 4 small bowls squish different berries to somewhat match the 4 old colors. Then he cut the sack in 4 arm wraps and dyed them. "It's not the exact color you used to have but once these dry you can tie them on your arm so we know who is who until we're used to your new forms."

Mikey smiled. "Nice idea dude."

Later one outside of the Temple, Appa, Aang, Cara, and the lemur looking out at the abandoned temple. "You, me, Cara, and Appa. We're all that's left of this place. We have to stick together. Guys..." Sokka, still eating, Katara, and the turtles, human and with the arm wraps, turn to Aang. "…say hello to the newest member of our family."

Raph asked, "What are you going to name him?"

The lemur jumps off and returns a second later with a fruit. "Momo." Sokka poised to bite a fruit that is no longer in his hand. The others begin to laugh. As Appa flies them away, Aang and Cara looks back with sadness as the clouds finally obscure their childhood home from view.