AUTHOR'S NOTES—This chapter took a while to think out, especially since I decided that it was still a Fire Temple that the gang went to. So when you find a door that requires firebending to enter… is the answer simply to use explosive forces? Also, Suki returns, and Zuko takes up snowboarding (well, iceboarding). Also, I apologize for the huge delay in posting this chapter. That is all.

AVATAR: THE LAST FIREBENDER

BOOK 1: WATER

CHAPTER 8-1: WINTER SOLSTICE 2—AVATAR ROKU, PART 1

The skies, midday

"So," Toph remarked once they were back in the skies, "are we done trying to help every kitten out of a tree and helping every little old lady cross a busy street? I mean, don't you have a world to save from the big bads over at the Air Temples?"

"Is that all you do, Toph," Aang snapped, "snark and complain about everything that doesn't go your way? If you don't like what we do, then why are you following us?"

"If you don't want me following, just drop me off at that Fire Temple and I'll figure out what to do with myself from there. Honestly, I didn't know you were all so stuck-up about this."

"I hardly think it's us that are the stuck-up ones, Toph." Zuko argued, "You know me well enough though to know that I'll take a neutral stance in this argument. If you don't like the duties of the Avatar, then perhaps it is best if we part ways."

Toph and Zuko both glanced at Sokka.

"Hey," he shrugged, "don't look at me. I just met you all. To me, Aang is the one that has to be the hero, Zuko just goes with the flow, and Toph seems to just piss everyone else off."

"Lovely way of describing me," Toph remarked in a deadpan tone. "Like I said, if you want me gone I'll leave. Either go ahead and push me off of Appa, or let me off at the fire temple."

Aang, Sokka, and Zuko debated this relatively silently for a few moments before deciding that they would let her off at the Fire Temple, per her request. Sokka was the only one that wanted to push her off, and he was only suggesting it in a joking manner. Momo seemed to understand that Toph was leaving, and seemed torn between her and Appa. None of the others noticed this, however.

The seas between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation, midday

Zhao and Azula returned to the docks, where they received a surprising amount of information from the locals, including information on the Avatar, and the Last Firebender. The two appeared to be different people entirely, as it was becoming common knowledge that the Avatart was currently only a master airbender, and was still learning waterbending.

Neither Azula nor Zhao seemed interested in killing the elusive firebender, but they did wish to find her. However, these statements were only rumors, and so for the time, they decided to pursue the Avatar, whose location was backed by facts.

Thus, they continued their journey in pursuit of Aang, their fleets of ships and airships flanking them. They had an idea where he was going and continued in that direction. On the way, they ran into a small fleet of Southern Water Tribe ships, and a war started. The Air Warriors were swift and powerful in outnumbering the small fleet, and soon they were at the mercy of Zhao and the Air Warriors. Incidentally, Zhao had not been out fighting during this, and Azula seemed indifferent of Zhao's actions (or lack thereof).

Among the survivors was none other than Chief Iroh, who was brought to Azula and Zhao.

"Chief," Iroh frowned at Zhao, "I would like an explanation in regards to why my people were attacked by a fellow group of waterbenders."

"There are no waterbenders here save myself," Zhao explained, "and I was not part of the fighting."

"Then why do you condone Azula's methods?"

"I do it for the sake of the Water Tribes," Zhao answered, "if I can keep the Air Warriors on my side, I do not have to worry about myself, my tribe, or my people facing attack by them."

"so why do you do it, Azula?" Iroh snapped his head towards Azula.

"'tis a matter of control, Uncle." Azula smiled, "someone needs to show the world who is in charge. However, there is an obvious reason as to why we kept you alive, and why I personally have no desire to kill you. You must understand that I would have ideally wanted my Air Warriors to assimilate your waterbenders and warriors instead of attacking them, but there was no way I could have relayed the message so swiftly."

Iroh simply crossed his arms and frowned, giving off an indication that he clearly did not approve of the situation. However, he was not known for fighting dirty, and so it was unlikely that he would try to attack them. Right now he wanted information.

"I wish to know of your motives," Iroh nodded, "and what you wish to accomplish."

"Commander," an Air Warrior alerted Azula, "there is a naval and airship blockade up ahead. Our scouts indicate that it is being controlled by the Kyoshi Warriors."

"Well damn," Azula chuckled, "their influence is greater than even I suspected."

She turned to Iroh.

"Actually, I have a different motive, and a request I hope you will assist me in."

"I have no reason to help my enemies," Iroh crossed his arms, "until I learn that they are not truly my enemies."

Azula nodded and lowered her voice so that only Iroh and Zhao could hear.

"that is exactly what we are doing," Azula nodded, "there are different reasons as to why we want the Avatar, and I will assure you that is has nothing to do with supporting Ursa, Azulon, or Ilah."

"so if your plan does not involve eliminating the Avatar," Iroh noted, "what does it involve?"

"It involves keeping him alive." Zhao replied, "Also, chief—we have rumors about the last firebender."

This grabbed Iroh's attention.

"Help us get through this blockade and I assure you that our end of the bargain will be kept."

Iroh has always had a specific interest in the Fire Nation in his younger years, and ever since they were all but eradicated, he always hoped to find that some firebenders had escaped the grasp of the Air Warriors. His purposes were nothing malicious, or even selfish.

"You know what will happen if you fail to keep your part of the deal," Iroh warned shaking Azula's hand, and then Zhao's. "Until then, you have my support."

The seas, later on in the day

It was not long before Aang, Sokka, Zuko, and Toph noticed that they were being followed by a small fleet of ships. Toph was the one to point it out.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news yet again," she commented, "but we might want to pick up the pace, or we'll be deep fried by some airbenders."

Aang swore under his breath while Sokka and Zuko watched from behind alongside Toph.

"Uh, guys," Aang warned, "it's about to get a lot worse."

He indicated the blockade of ships, which immediately began firing at them with full intent of sending them straight to the ocean floor. Luckily for the gang, Appa was fast enough to avoid most of the shots, even without Aang's help. Aang deflected a few with airbending, and Zuko blocked some with his waterbending. Sokka and Toph simply laid low, not being able to do much else.

Appa dove towards the water, getting low enough as to wave between the ships. Ideally, it would make it harder for the ships to fire at them in fear of hitting their own, but the downside was that it would also make them an easier target.

Aang's reflexes and Appa's swift flying, however, proved superior, and they were able to cut through the blockade that the Kyoshi Warriors were controlling. As they passed, Toph's eyes met with those of a woman standing on the ship they had just barely avoided hitting. The moment almost seemed to go in slow motion, as Toph and Suki's eyes locked onto each other for that fleeting moment.

"it's Suki!" she exclaimed to the others a moment later. "she's built an army!"

"Suki's behind this!" Zuko gawked, "damn. That just makes things suck a lot more for us."

"Why's that?" Sokka raised an eyebrow, "I thought the only one she hated was Toph."

"Aang's the Avatar," Zuko noted, "Suki probably wants in on the glory."

They continued dodging the attacks from the blockade until they were nearly hit. The bomb hit the water just below Appa, jolting them enough to send Toph flying overboard and into the water. Zuko wasted no time in going after her. Rival or not, she was still not an enemy, and so she deserved to be rescued from this type of fate.

Zuko froze the water that he jumped off of Appa and onto, and froze himself a path towards Toph. Before he even hit the ice, he used a cutting movement with his foot to freeze himself a board of ice. He used this to glide upon his other ice, and zipped by Toph, snatching her right out of the water. It almost seemed like Zuko was showing off with how skilled he was on the ice. Nevertheless, he simply used his bending to launch himself and Toph off of an ice ramp and back onto Appa's saddle.

"that… was pretty impressive." Sokka noted. Toph sputtered a little and shook her hair to get some of the water out.

"Thanks, I guess," she nodded in Zuko's direction.

"Didn't we vote against pushing you off into the water?" Zuko joked. This made Toph smile.

"thanks, Zuko," Aang nodded, "sorry if I was sounding like a jerk earlier, Toph."

"I understand it. I suppose I'll explain it after we get out of here…"

"sounds reasonable enough, Sokka shrugged, "but after all of that dodging, I'm beat."

The others rolled their eyes, since Sokka had done little, and had not been stranded in the ocean. They chuckled, and for the moment, resumed their peaceful flying.