Aang's POV

"Ugh what happened?" I sit up. Big mistake. My head pounds as my vision goes in and out. I turn my head as my vision focuses only to find, to my horror, a fire nation flag. "Oh no!" I get up as quickly as I can, soon finding out that my legs can't support me as I reach for the wall. I grab my staff, using it as a cane, and rush out the door. I'm about to turn a corner when I see two fire nation soldiers. Crap!

"Did you hear something?"

I don't have time to think about this. I have to get out of here! I start running towards my only exit when they see me.

"He's awake!" I try to blow them away, but it's no use. "Stop, wait!"

I make it up the stairs but trip on the last step falling to the ground. When the shock of falling exits my body, I'm face to face with Momo. "Momo?"

"Twinkle-Toes, that's gotta be you!"

"Aang, you're awake!"

Toph and Katara ran up to me practically squeezing the life out of me.

"Are you sure? Where's Sokka and Jay?" Katara and Toph exchanged looks.

"Aang, good to see you back with the living, buddy."

"Sokka?" A guy in a fire nation uniform walked towards me. I kinda feel...

"Uh-oh! Somebody catch him, he's gonna..."

"Uuuh" I passed out.

Jay POV

We're on a ship heading towards the Fire Nation capital. This is just great! I'm going to have to act like a servant in front of the Fire Lord! These past few weeks haven't been a walk in the park either. Seeing everyone getting enslaved put my teeth on edge. It took every fiber in my being not to-

"Why'd you do it?" I was pulled out of my thoughts by Zuko.

"Because I made a promise, Zuko. But I suppose you don't much care what I do. Why didn't you rat me out? Although, I suppose it's never too late."

"No, I'm not going to."

"How kind." Sarcasm evident in my voice.

"Why are you mad at me? I'm putting everything back to normal. Everything's going to be alright again!"

"I know you want to believe that, but there's no going back from what happened. Becoming a prince again isn't going to change anything."

"Then why are you here?!"

"I don't have to explain myself to you. I don't owe you one! If anything, you owe one to me."

"I'm a prince! You're just some dumb girl! I shouldn't have to explain anything to you!" Ouch.

"Well, maybe you should take this back then." I hand him the red necklace he gave me for my birthday. "I mean, I'm just some 'dumb girl' right? It's too bad really. You used to mean so much more to me." I walk away calmly, heading inside when Mai comes out. I stop to bow then keep walking.

Third Person POV

Zuko lets out a frustrated sigh as he places the necklace in his tunic.

Mai walks up and leans against the railing next to Zuko. "Aren't you cold?"

"I don't know. I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed."

*Sighs* " I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for you're whole life story." She hugs him. "Stop worrying." Zuko and Mai looked at each other longingly and shared a small kiss before Mai walked back inside.

Jay POV

We arrived at the Fire Nation Palace. A grand entrance was placed for them as some old twins announced their arrival.

"Your Princess Azula, clever and beautiful, disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth Kingdom's Capital. In Ba Sing Se, she found her brother Zuko, and together they faced the Avatar."

"And the Avatar fell! And the Earth Kingdom fell!"

"Azula's agents quickly overtook the entire city. They went to Ba Sing Se's great walls."

"And brought them down!"

I stopped listening then. I couldn't take hearing anymore of how they invaded the lives of the Earth Kingdom people... My people... When did my urge for restoration become such a distant memory? I suppose around the time I fell in love with him... But it doesn't matter now. He's lost himself and let his own Uncle, who always took care of him, become imprisoned. Iroh... What am I going to do?

After their grand arrival was finished, I followed Zuko to the Palace garden. I recognized the tree from when I was little. Where I first met him. I decided to sit on the branch I nearly fell from all those years ago and watch Zuko feed the turtleducks.

"Why are you following me?"

"It's my job Zuko. Remember? I'm your personal bodyguard." I don't have the energy to try to ignore him.

"You could've escaped by now."

"What would be the point? I have no where to go. No place, no one to call home. Though I guess I haven't had one in a while. I'm still getting used to that after Ba Sing Se ya know."

"I had no choice, Jay."

"Of course you did, Zuko. I'm not going to argue with you about this because I know I'd be wasting my breath. Why would you listen to me anyways?" I lay back against the trunk of the tree letting my feet dangle. "It's not like I was ever more than a dumb peasant girl to you. I mean you have all the girls in the world at your disposal. Why would I be special?"

"Jay you were..." Before he could finish Azula came walking along.

"Hello Jay." I stand up, balancing on the branch, and bow.

"Princess Azula."

"Aren't you supposed to be watching after my brother?"

"I am your highness. I'm making sure I can see as much as possible, so no one can surprise me."

"Good tactic."

"Thank you, Princess." With that she turned to Zuko who went on feeding the turtleducks.

"You seem so downcast. Has Mai gotten to you already? Though actually, Mai has been in a strangely good mood lately."

"I haven't seen Dad yet. I haven't seen him in three years, since I was banished." Wow. What a shocker.

"So what?"

"So, I didn't capture the Avatar."

"Who cares? The Avatar is dead... unless you think he somehow miraculously survived."

It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. There's no denying that he's alive. Though he did die, he was restored. I felt it. In the air. I just know it.

"No, there's no way he survived." They glared at each other for a while. Azula then turned me again.

"What do think, Jay?"

"What do I think about what, Princess?"

"Do you believe the Avatar is alive?"

"No, Princess. After all, Zuko killed him correct?" I know she did, but I kept my composure unbreakable.

"Yes, he did. See Zuko? You have nothing to worry about." With that she took her leave.

A few minutes later a guard came to tell Zuko that the Fire Lord requested his presence. Oh great. Now I have to bow to the man who killed both my parents and burned my entire village to a crisp without blowing my cover. We approached the throne room, and I bowed my head before entering the room. I couldn't look at him. I'm a coward. Zuko kneeled, and I followed his lead a few steps behind him.

"You've been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels has changed you. You have redeemed yourself, my son. Welcome home."

A few minutes pass and I'm beginning to lose myself. I can't just sit here. He's right in front of me. No. No. I can't. Remember the promise. I took a breath calming my rapid heartbeat.

"I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud because you and your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested by your treacherous uncle, you did the right thing and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment: you slayed the Avatar."

Azula lied? This isn't good.

"What did you hear?"

"Azula told me everything. She said she was amazed and impressed at your power and ferocity at the moment of truth. By the way, who's this lovely girl you've brought with you?" Oh Shit!

"She's nobody father. Just my servant."

The moment we exited the throne room, I breathed a sigh of relief. Great Koh that could've been the end of me. I don't understand why he's covering for me, but, whatever his reasons, he must want something. We stop in front Azula's room, and Zuko enters without knocking.

"Why'd you do it?"

"You're going to have to be a little more specific."

"Why did you tell Father that I was the one who killed the Avatar?"

"Can't this wait until the morning?"

"It. Can't."

"Fine. You seemed so worried about how Father would treat you because you hadn't captured the Avatar. I figured if I gave you the credit, you'd have nothing to worry about."

"But why?"

"Call it a generous gesture. I wanted to thank you for your help and I was happy to share the glory."

"You're lying."

"If you say so ..."

"You have another motive for doing this, I just haven't figured out what it is."

"Please Zuko, what ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for defeating the Avatar? Unless, somehow, the Avatar was actually alive. All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness. But you said it yourself, that was impossible. Sleep well, Zuzu."

We both turn to leave. Well I can't say I'm surprised. But Zuko better figure out a plan if he doesn't want to get caught. Devils don't play nice.