Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

A/N: I'm really missing those reviews… Sorry for the really slow update, I've been pretty busy for weeks now. Hope you like, and enjoy. And this is an EXTRA long chapter and an important one as well.

They were still talking by the turtle duck pond.

"So he took me out with his friends, right." Arianna was sharing some of her old stories back when she was a waiter. "And I had dressed up and everything, but my mini skirt was too big for me."

"What happened then?" Aang asked from the edge of his seat. He always enjoyed hearing stories, whether horror or comedy, he didn't care.

"Well," She hesitated. "The moment I walked in, my skirt fell down to my ankles." A hot blush of embarrassment covered her cheeks from the memory.

"Spirits!" Aang laughed as he slapped his thigh. "What did you do?" His goofy grin became contagious and Arianna started laughing a little as well.

"I ran out of there as fast as I could. They still never let me live it down." She replied as she threw a piece of bread at the mother duck.

"Wow!" Aang wiped a stray tear off his eye as he finished his share of laughing. "Must have been a sight to see."

"Hey!" Arianna joked as she slapped him on the back. "But all the guys were completely shocked. I swear, their jaws hit the ground the moment it fell. I was so embarrassed!"

The sound of crunching leaves resonated behind the two laughing friends. They didn't notice the presence of the two people behind them; too busy sharing their embarrassing early teenage stories.

"Aang, can we talk with you for a sec." Sokka glared at the boy jealously, obviously concerned if his best friend was stealing his girl behind his back. Aang looked back at the older teenager and nodded.

"Sorry, Arianna. Maybe we can continue later?" Aang grinned at the Fire Nation girl, who was still sitting on the ground, trying to ignore Sokka.

"Sure Aang." She stood up and hugged him lightly. The feeling of Sokka and Toph's prickly gaze stung at the back of her neck as she walked inside the palace.

"What's up guys?" The monk acknowledged the two friends in front of him. He looked at Sokka as he spoke, but couldn't help but steal a few stares at the beautiful girl beside him.

"The stolen Dragon Egg." Sokka answered, noticing that Toph wasn't going to speak.

"Oh yeah. Zuko told me about it." He nodded. "What about it?"

"Well," Toph started bluntly, "Unless you don't want any more Sugar Queen in your life, we better find it."

"Wait, what?" Sokka frowned in confusion, "What does Katara have to do with anything?"

"Forget about it, Sokka." Aang waved off, confident that he'll confess his feelings to Toph later. "Is this about Arianna's necklace? The Spirit of Destiny told me about it a while ago. It has to do with a special dragon called the Golden Dragon."

"Wait!" Sokka interrupted as his blue eyes sparkled with confusion, "You know about the Prestigious Four and all that stuff?"

"Yeah, the Spirit of Destiny told me. How'd you guys find out?" He repeated obviously baffled.

"Toph did." Sokka answered. "Some guy called Gyatso talked to her. Isn't that your airbending master?" He remembered that statue Aang showed him back when they first visited Southern Air Temple.

"You met Gyatso? But how? Only the Avatar can travel between the worlds!" He pointed a finger at Toph, "What did he say? Did he talk about me? How is he? It's been so long!" He clasped his fingers in wonder and happiness at the memory of his father figure.

"Can you shut up?" Toph hissed more rude than usual. Aang quickly stopped his ranting and nodded solemnly. "He said he missed you. And that damned rock that Iroh gave me somehow let me travel to the Spirit World. I have no idea why they would tell me when they already told you."

"The rock?" Aang questioned and suddenly pointed his finger to the sky in his 'light-bulb' moment. "It's not a rock. It's a special marble, granite or something. The monks used it-,"

"I'm aware." Toph interrupted.

"Anyway, we can't destroy Katara's wedding by making them all worried about this. Knowing Katara and Zuko, they're probably going to go berserk at the news." Sokka pondered at the thought, horrified.

"So what now?"

"We're thinking of finding the egg ourselves." Toph answered, keeping her distance from the monk. "So Sparky can have a normal wedding. Knowing our gaang, that's going to be tough."

"Where do we start looking?" Aang ignored her comment.

"Well, what else does Zuko know? Other than the stolen dragon egg?" Sokka fished for any main points.

"He mentioned something about a growing rebel group called the Black Agni. We could start looking there!" The airbender proposed.

"Where do you think they are?" Toph asked.

"Last I heard, they have a base somewhere off the coast of the Fire Nation; one of the islands."

"Then… to the coast!" Sokka comically pointed his index finger in the air.

*O*O*O*O*O*O*

Memories raced through her head as she flopped into the nook beside her window. The sunshine flooded into the room casting its light all over its contents. Talking with Aang reminded her so much of her deceased family. He was compassionate, like her mother, and sweet as well as innocent, like her little brother. But mostly, he reminded her of her father. Despite being Fire Nation, her father was perfect and the most honorable man she knew.

Her fingers traced the emblem on her pale neck. True, she was against the Fire Nation's actions, but she still felt that her Nation is innocent. It wasn't her people who were evil. It was their leaders. The greed for power destroyed the Royal Family for centuries and their wrath had put the balance of the world in jeopardy.

Going back to the Avatar, Arianna could feel the power and justice emanating off him. He would always be her role model (similar to how she felt to her father) but would always be in her heart like her younger brother. Toph's lucky to have Aang. Truly, the Spirits have blessed the blind earthbender.

Too bad the Spirits didn't bless me. She thought to herself. She quickly erased all doubts from her mind, scolding herself for even thinking that. Stop it! Of course they blessed you! They have given you a new family; a wonderful one that cares about you as much as your old one.

Pictures of her mother flashed in her eyes, only to be replaced by a memory of Katara sipping tea and talking happily as the sun rose behind her tan frame. Her new father would be Zuko, protective to her and as honorable as her father despite the struggles both of them went through. Aang would be her younger brother while Toph's her younger sister. Sokka… she had no idea what he would be, truthfully.

Hopefully, he'll stop doubting his heart and see what he's missing. A sense of optimism clicked in her mind, washing all her pessimistic ways out the door.

Her red lips curled in a renewing smile, one that represented a new, calmed, and balanced soul. She knew her place in the world now. She wasn't the old, orphaned, and devoid of hope Arianna. She was the new, strong, firebender who will love and fight for her new family with her life, if it comes to that.

She walked out of her humble room with more confidence in each stride. Even the servants around noticed the transformation.

"I see you have gained some insight." Her Uncle came walking around the corner, smiling at his niece.

"Yes, Uncle." Arianna hugged the old man tightly. "I feel wonderful!" She let go and twirled around in the middle of the hallway.

"I'm glad." He chuckled heartily. "A young woman as happy and beautiful as you should find someone special soon. No doubt."

"Whatever you say, Uncle." Arianna smirked inwards, thinking of Sokka. "Do you know where Aang, Toph and Sokka went? Last I saw them, they were talking about something serious."

Iroh placed his finger on his chin in thought. "I saw them leaving on the Avatar's bison not long ago."

"Oh." The smile on her face dropped. She had really wanted to apologize to the Water Tribe boy for her behavior the past few days. "That's fine. So, I hear you're a master at Pai Sho."

A smirk appeared on the man's face, "So they say. You up for a game?" He asked slyly as he flipped a tile from his sleeve.

"Bring it on, old man!"

*O*O*O*O*O*O*

The to-be Fire Lady was now resting on a cushioned chair with her husband-to-be cowering over her.

"It's wonderful." Zuko whispered as he rubbed her slightly swollen stomach. "How a woman can bring life."

Katara smiled as she rubbed her own stomach. Of course, the baby was too small to be showing any signs of movement, but it still felt quite weird and exciting having a life in her own belly.

"Uncle always worshiped woman for that." Zuko smiled at the memories.

"He should." Katara smirked, bringing her 'girl-power' side back.

"Yes." Zuko smiled as he kissed her tan belly. "Sleep. It's time for another meeting."

"I'm not weak!" She whined.

"No, but you're carrying our child." Zuko replied calmly, knowing how feisty his fiancée could get. "Be reasonable, Kat."

"Hmph." She huffed and turned around.

"Bye sweetie." He kissed her shoulder and closed the door behind him.

Katara lied on her bed, absentmindedly rubbing her own child. She didn't even know the baby yet, but she still loved it to death. She loved her child with her whole heart and wouldn't let anything happen to him or her. She kissed her palm and placed it on her stomach.

"I love you." She moved her fingers around, searching for anything, a heartbeat or even a kick, but in vain. She slowly fell asleep, against what she argued with her fiancée.

*O*O*O*O*O*O*

The wind from high above always aggravated her nausea.

"You okay, Toph?" Aang grew worried from Appa's head as he noticed her cheeks growing a little green.

"I'm fine." She answered stubbornly, not accepting the fact that the strongest earthbender in the world was being defeated by a little nausea.

"We can stop if you want." Sokka patted her back, accidently setting her stomach on fire. In one swift motion, her neck turned and all the contents in her belly was sent flying on Appa's fur.

"Aw, man." Sokka pointed at it with disgust. "Poor Appa." He sympathized for the huge furry beast.

"We're stopping soon. Hang on, Toph!" Aang screamed over the roaring wind.

"Kay." She answered weakly. In a few minutes, Appa landed. Ironically, the island was named Angel Island despite how desolate the island was. It was covered with black volcanic rock and a humongous, active volcano acted as a halo, right in the middle. Volcanic soil provided much fertility, so forests dotted the island.

After washing the crusty vomit off her face, Toph noticed how special the island was. "Guys, I can feel something." She whispered as she stomped her foot deeper in the rock.

"What is it?" The two boys towered over her.

"There's a huge cavern under the volcano, at the base. I can feel at least a hundred people there." She answered. "There are small tunnels to get there. I can feel an opening right there." She pointed off into the distance.

"Lead us there." Sokka commanded. "We can infiltrate the tunnels and find some disguises. Maybe we can get more info and check out if they have the Egg." The other two nodded in agreement. After five minutes of walking through the thickly wooded jungle of plants, Toph finally stopped in her tracks. Her feet spread into a memorized stance while her arms pushed through the air. A decent-sized hole opened up.

"Follow me." She ordered as she jumped into the tunnel.

"But it's dark!" Sokka whined.

"Oh, the horror!" Toph answered dryly. "You'll live. Just follow my voice."

The non bender slowly made his way into the hole, wary of his surroundings and his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"You can open your eyes now." Toph smirked as the others walked up behind her.

"Wow." Aang gasped as he saw the scene in front of him. He was expecting tight, dirty earth tunnels, but found something completely different. The walls were carved intricately and each tunnel made way into another. It was truly a maze, easy to get lost in if you didn't have a blind earthbender to guide you.

"It kinda looks Dai Li to me." Sokka pondered as he studied the carvings. "The walls are just like the ones back in Ba-," He was slammed into the wall by Toph. So was Aang.

"Guards." She hissed into their ears and let go of their mouths. The two nodded and stayed quiet. Two guards, one female holding a torch and another male, walked from a doorway, coming towards the three invaders.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" She whispered into Aang's ear. With the help of her feet, she could feel him nod.

"Now!" He commanded as the two advanced benders swiftly and quietly knocked the guards out of consciousness with a punch to the head.

"Dai Li." Sokka acknowledged. "There are only two guard uniforms."

"I'll take one. I can help find the center of the place and spy on them." Toph replied as she ripped the robe of one of them and placed it over her shoulders. "This'll come in handy." She smiled as she wore the earth gloves.

"I'll take the other one." Aang answered, to Toph's dismay. Damn, he's coming. She thought to herself.

"Kay. I'll find another guard and go the other way." Sokka picked up the bodies and hid it. "Meet back here in an hour. If something goes wrong, improvise." He ordered and ran away.

"Let's go." Aang whispered huskily as he flew through the corridor, his robe falling behind him and the hat covering his arrows.

"You're not the boss of me." Toph scowled as she walked a little faster than him, bumping him in the shoulder on the way.

"What's wrong with you?" Aang frowned at her. "You've been giving me the hardest time ever!"

"So you don't know?" Toph frowned back. "Why don't you ask your Katara? Oh wait! She's busy getting it on with Zuko, but you don't mind!"

"That's not true." Aang huffed. "I don't like Katara that way anymore."

"Uh huh." She replied sarcastically. "Sure. Whatever. You can't lie to me!" She couldn't feel him lying, truthfully, but her anger made her biased.

"Why can't you just admit that you like me?" He answered angrily, trying to keep quiet in the echoing hallways.

"Me like you? HA! In your dreams!" Her pride burst through her mouth. "Why'd I have to get stuck with you? Out of all people!"

Aang pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to calm his anger. The monks always told him that anger will do nothing good. In this kind of situation, a calm and level-headed mind is needed. "Let's just find out if the Egg's here and you can leave me, okay?"

"Perfect." She haughtily answered and walked through the corner, accidentally hitting Aang in his weakest spot below…

"Toph!" He winced as he held onto his private.

"An accident." She answered, smirking. "Come on, Airhead, we got to go." He muttered a few incoherent words under his breath and followed the crazy earthbender in front of him.

"What's that?" She asked about his mumbling.

"Nothing."

They kept walking through tunnels, but found no trace of Sokka or any other guards for that matter, until now.

"Guards on the right." Toph whispered as she felt their footsteps.

"How many?"

"A lot. They might see that we're not real guards!" She worried.

"It's okay. I have an idea." He whispered behind her neck.

"What?" She shivered from his cool breath.

"I'm sorry." He answered and smashed her into the wall before she could answer. Since he was at least a head and a half taller than her, he had to bend down to reach her face. She groaned from the feel of his hot lips on hers, but he shushed her by pushing deeper in. His right hand scoured her back, each finger sending shocks through her body. His other hand caressed her breast in a way only a lover could.

"You there." A gruff voice came behind the kissing couple. "Come with us. The Princess is calling everyone."

"Yes, sir." Aang released his grip on Toph and followed behind the group of guards, pulling the younger girl with him.

"Speak of this and I will kill you." She hissed, her voice much lower and almost deadly.

"I thought you liked it." Aang smirked under the dark green robes, remembering the beautiful sensation.

"You're a great kisser. I'll give you that." She mumbled and ignored the blush on her cheeks and the rapid heartbeat of his.