You are Fire: Book Two

by beachbrat2204

Hello, Felicity Here! So things have been pretty crazy in my new Life! I'm now stuck in the Avatar-verse with my sister, but we are both on different sides of the story. I'm with Zuko and She is with the Gaang. We have made it to the Earth Kingdom but that when things are going to get really rocky, sorry I had to! With Zuko, Iroh, and myself on the run I don't know what to expect!

7. Chapter 7: Roar

HELLO MY LOVELIES!

I just noticed that that fanfic site didn't use the sarcasm font I had picked…the smelly faces. Oh well, I guess you guys will be able to understand. Anyways this chapter is going to be the continuation of the Swamp Episode. I'm pretty excited about it because I have been planning it and everything after it for a while now. I think things will run a bit smoother after this chapter because I have a lot of it written down. And, of course we can't forget who joins the gAang not too long after the Swamp…. MELON LORD! (If you don't get it you need to re-watch Avatar before reading any farther ha-ha)

After watching 'The Swamp,' to make sure I got things right, I noticed that how many episodes are left in book 2, and I'm SOOO excited to get to them. So without further ado,

Happy Reading!

ALICE'S POV- Flashback

I paced back and forth in my room as Katara sat on the bed watching me.

"Why don't you just go see him again?" She asked.

I growled at myself for a moment, "Because, I've gone to see him so much."

"What's wrong with that?" Katara continued to watch me, "It's obvious you want to go see Chan again."

"No I don't," I protested while I paced.

Katara stood up and made me face her, "Ally, you're restless, and if you keep pacing like that you'll wear a hole into the floor."

"I…I can't, Katara." I shook my head.

Her hands fell away from me, "Why not?"

"Because," I turned away and looked out the window over the icy city.

"Because?" She pressed.

I squeezed one of my hands with the other, "Because I'm starting to…you know…?"

Katara waited, "No, no I don't."

"Because of that stupid bone," I zipped around with a blush, "and I'm starting to like him."

She gave me a sly grin, "I thought you said he had the personality of an empty box with a pretty face stamped on the front."

"He does…He did," I corrected myself.

Katara grinned at me again, "Did?"

"Yes, he did, but now Chan is really starting to come into his own. He's kind and sometimes overly romantic, almost like he's faking it, but he really is being sincere." I turned back to the window, and even though I was looking out I didn't see anything. I was lost in a daydream. "He's really hard on himself and has a lot of pride. A people pleaser, but that is from having very strict parents, and he can be very grouchy in the morning if he hasn't had anything to eat." I laughed to myself.

"So you two are really getting to know each other," I could tell by her tone she was smiling at me.

"I didn't think I would get to know him like this," I turned and look at her. "He seemed so perfect, no flaws it was wired, but now I can see that all that perfect is just his mask. And now…."

I was interrupted by the sounds of an uproar outside, and when Katara and I looked out the window we were shocked at what we saw. Banners, red banners. Red and gold, Fire Nation banners.

Katara almost looked angry, "Do you think it's another attack?"

"No. They are being escorted, see?" I pointed out at the Water Tribe Warriors on each side of the company. There were about eight people that I could see, maybe more, dressed in Fire Nation red.

"Why would Water Tribe warriors be escorting Fire Nation nobles?" Katara asked aloud.

I shook my head because I honestly had no idea, "How do you know that they are nobles?" I scanned over the crowd, but they all looked like any other every other Fire Nation citizen I had seen.

"See all the gold trim on their clothes?" She pointed out, "soldiers and regular people don't have that much gold trim."

Thinking back on it that made a lot of sense, and I remembered Felicity telling me something along those lines too.

"Alice," Katara's gripped my hand pulled me out of my thoughts, "They are heading to the prison."

Chan! I ran out of the room completely ignoring Katara calling me to wait. If they were going to the prison and they were nobles, maybe they were going to get him released. If that was the case I wanted to be there to at least say goodbye or something.

They were already inside when I reached the prison, and just as I thought the nobleman was standing in front of Chan's cell. There were no bars between them. I don't know who this guy was, but the Water Tribe warriors had actually opened up Chan's prison cell for him. Chan, however, was sitting on his knees with his head bowed to the man.

"Chan?" I called just loud enough for him to hear me. I saw his head jerk in my direction, then he shook his head quickly.

The man standing in front of him looked down on him with cold, stoic eyes. I couldn't really get a good look at him, but knowing what I did about Chan's family I was willing to bet they were related. The man didn't even take the time to look over at me when I said Chan's name. He was too good for that, I guess.

"Shameful," The man grimmest, "I don't even want to look at you. When we received word you were taken prisoner we had been disappointed, but when we were informed you willingly surrendered…. Disgusting!"

Chan clenched his fists on his knees, "I'm sorry for causing our family shame…."

"Silence!" The man yelled, "Just be glad I came to retrieve you. Your mother refused to see you like this, and she is very cross with me for coming. She thinks you deserve your fate."

Wait? So this man is Chan's father? Then how important was he that the Water Tribe would escort him in? Chan had told me his family was strict, but I didn't think they would just allow him to simply rot in prison. What kind of a family was this?

"I was simply doing as I was ordered, Father," Chan spoke but would not look his father in the eyes. A submissive trait, Chan was afraid of this man.

"Ordered by who?" Chan's father hissed, "Who would dare order my son to surrender?"

His son, strict as he was, Chan's father was quick to claim Chan as his son. The man might have been angry, but I could tell by his words that he cared for his son.

"While serving Prince Zuko I was charged with protecting his advisor, Lady Felicity. She told me to take her sister Alice, who was badly wounded to safety, and not to let anything happen to Lady Alice or it would be my head." Chan nodded towards me, but kept his head bowed as his father scowled over him.

"I don't know who this Lady Felicity is, nor do I care. You were sent to protect the Prince," His father scolded, "My only comfort is that you're not sharing in his shame."

Chan looked up, "What do you mean?"

"He is being hunted down," Chan's father informed him, "And soon he will be joining you in a prison cell."

"You're not here to take me home?" Chan asked, very confused.

His father didn't answer. That was when I finally snapped, "What is wrong with you?"

"Excuse me?" the man turned to me.

"He is your son," I walked over to the cell, "He was following orders. He surrendered because he was surrounded by his enemy."

"Then he should have died fighting, rather that honor than being a war prisoner," His father turned up his nose at me.

"You're disgusting," I shook my head, "You don't deserve to call him son. Why are you even here? If you don't want to help him then just leave. He will be happier here then he has ever been with you."

"How dare you, you little…." He raised his hand to strike me.

I didn't move, but closed my eyes. If I could take a beating from Zhao then I could handle this guy no problem. The strike however, I heard it land, but I didn't feel it. When I opened my eyes again, Chan was standing in front of me, arms spread, shielding me from his father.

"Chan?" I didn't even hear him move in front of me.

His father was also shocked, "What are you doing, son?"

"I'm sorry, Father, but I was ordered to protect Lady Alice," Chan's back straightened as he looked up to meet his father's eyes. "I will not let you, or anyone else harm her."

His father's gaze changed from confused to angry, "I am your father, and you would choose that girl over me?"

"Yes," He didn't hesitate in answering, "You can hit me all you want. I know I've disappointed you, but if you lay a hand on her, you will answer to me."

Before Chan's father could lift a finger, the Water Tribe warriors that had escorted him in stepped between them, "Ambassador Kitahama, you will have to leave now. Chief Arnook is waiting to hear your terms of release." He turned away from us without another word.

Chan let out a sigh when his father was finally gone, then turned to me. "I don't know if that was brave or stupid." He grinned.

"Stupid, defiantly stupid," I nodded. Chan's cheek was bright red from where his father's strike hit him, "Does that hurt? I can heal it if you want."

He shook his head, "Only the part that was hit by his ring."

"Why did you do that," I punched him on the shoulder, "You're not under orders anymore, and I can take care of myself."

"Really now?" Chan laughed as he rubbed his arm, "Then why is it that you always seem to be in danger?"

I huffed but only because I knew he was right, "Still you didn't have to do that."

"Yes… I did," Chan looked down at me with a serious tone as the guards ushered him back to his cell.

"Thank you," I smiled lightly. I still didn't know how to really read him since we were both learning his personality.

As I turned to leave I felt him catch my hand and tug me back, "Don't go yet. Can't you stay just a little longer?" He shook his head once.

"I really shouldn't…." I started to say but stopped when he squeezed my hand. Stop it, Alice, it doesn't matter how cute he is. Aunt Wue said you would marry an earthbender. So, just stop it!

Just when I thought Chan was going to let go he flexed his jaw, "On second thought, I will take you up on that healing, as a matter of fact, I think I've hurt my back… oh and my ankle as well." He fought back that sly grin of his.

I turned my head to the side, "Oh, really?"

He raised his eyebrows with a quick nodded.

Cheeky joker, "Fine," I turned to the guard, "Could you bring me some clean, freezing, ice water…" I looked over at Chan, who looked not too pleased, "Please?" Two can play at that game.

ALICE'S POV – Present Time

It felt like we had been flying forever. I laid down in the saddle, staring up at the sky, day dreaming while Sokka was sharpening his machete and Katara studied one of the scrolls. It wasn't until Sokka said something that I jumped out of my trance.

"Hey, you taking us down for a reason?" Sokka questioned Aang, but Aang did not reply. "Aang!" Sokka shouted again, "Why are we going down?"

Aang replied, rather confused, "What? I didn't even notice."

"Are you noticing now?" Sokka asked.

I leaned up and thought to myself, 'Why does that sound familiar?'

Katara made her way up to the front of the saddle, "Is something wrong?"

I quickly looked down over the edge of the saddle to see the massive green swamp below us. I remember a little bit of that episode. They fall into the swamp, they all see someone important to them, swamp waterbenders that want to eat Appa and Momo, the guy that bends the water in the vine, and the screaming bird.

"I know this is going to sound weird, but I think the swamp is calling to me," Aang stared down at the large body of trees as if in a daze.

Sokka held his stomach, "Is it telling you where we can get something to eat?" I couldn't help but laugh at him, and when he jerked around to give me a playful push, my stomach grumbled as well. Sokka had a good point. I was hungry too, and when I'm hungry people start smelling like food.

"No, I … I think it wants us to land there." Aang answered still in his trance.

Sokka looked down at the swamp for a moment, struggling to find a large enough clearing to land, "No offense to the swamp, but I don't see any land there to land on."

"I don't know, Bumi said to learn earthbending I would have to wait and listen, and now I'm actually hearing the earth. Do you want me to ignore it?" Aang made a good case.

I wasn't going to argue with Aang because I knew we were going to end up there no matter what anyone else said. And then it hit me… We are going to fall…out of the sky, and into the swamp. Falling…. Out of the sky. GREAT!

"Yes," Sokka answered quickly.

Katara added, "I don't know. There's something ominous about this place. What do you think, Alice?"

Sokka and Katara turned to me, "I think that, yes, it is very important for Aang to go there. I don't want to go there, but we might not have a choice."

"But you don't want to go there?" Sokka asked again.

Before I could tell him not to twist my words around; Momo jump over in my lap and hid under his ears and Appa groaned.

"See, even Appa and Momo don't like it here." Sokka pointed out.

Aang finally gave in to the voting of the group. This two against four, he and I had lost, "Okay, since everyone feels so strongly about this," he looked down at the swamp one last time, "Bye swamp." He shook Appa's reins, "Yip, Yip!"

'And here we go,' I thought as Appa began to fly higher. The winds began to pick up behind us. I could hear them whistle past my ears along with the snapping of trees.

I wasn't going to look it would only freak me out, but Sokka turned to the noise and quickly panicked, "You better throw in an extra "yip"! We gotta move!"

Appa started to fly faster, trying as hard as he could to avoid the massive tornado. However, he just wasn't fast enough to escape it. Momo jumped into my bag that I had wrap over my shoulder and waist. As the tornado began to move closer and closer to Appa, the lighting fast winds pulled Sokka off the saddle. Katara and I managed to each grab an arm. It took every bit of strength we had to keep the winds from pulling him into the tornado's vortex.

Aang jumped up onto Appa's saddle, and airbended a shield around Appa; just like he had done when he fell into the freezing waters one hundred years ago. The shield stabilized the air, and allowed Sokka to fall back into the saddle. The downside to all of this was that now that Appa was stuck inside the shield he couldn't fly us away from the tornado, and thus we were all pulled inside.

Once the air was normal I told Sokka to grab his machete, and Katara to get her water pouch. She handed me mine as soon as she had hers. I took a small piece of rope from Sokka's bag and tied it around Momo's little waist, "Hold on tight, okay, buddy." He wrapped his little paws around the rope as I tied the other end to one of the holes in Appa's saddle. "Stay with Appa. He will need you."

Aang struggled to maintain the air shield around us, but as the rapid winds whipped all around the shield it began to shrink. It shrank so much that one of Appa's legs slipped out of the protective air breaking the last of the shield. When it broke we were all pulled off Appa's back, and thrown towards the swamp. Luckily none of us were injured as we fell through the trees. I grabbed the first piece of vine I saw to slow my descent. Other than a little rope, well vine, burn I was fine. I even managed to catch Katara's arm, so she slowed down a bit too. Aang used his airbending to lightly land it the muddy water, Katara and I landed a little harder but we were fine. Sokka on the other hand landed hard, face down in the water.

Appa and Momo were nowhere to be seen, but I knew they were okay. Aang, however, didn't know and looked all around for them then turning to us, "Where's Appa and Momo?" He jumped up the trees for a better view.

Katara, Sokka, and I did our best to brush ourselves off. Katara looked herself over for injuries and leeches, and I did the same before looking over at Sokka.

I pouted as Katara pointed to her brother's arm, "Sokka, you've got an elbow leech."

Sokka panicked and spun around, "Where? Where?"

"Where do you think?" Katara said sarcastically as she crossed her arms and shook her head at him.

He ripped the leech off his elbow and threw it back behind Katara then angrily shouted, "Why do things keep attaching to me?!"

Katara noticed my pouting, "What's wrong, Ally, are you okay?"

I held up my arm and looked at my elbow, "I wanna elbow leech."

"What? Why?" Sokka asked as he walked over to us rubbing his elbow.

"So I could say, 'Suck my wenis,' and it would." I laughed to myself for a moment then noticed they weren't laughing at all. In fact, they looked really confused. That's normal I guess. "Man, where's Fili when I need her? She would think it was funny."

"I really don't understand you sometimes," Sokka gave me a weird look. "First the pentapus, now elbow leeches? At least the pentapus was cute."

"Don't even start… I still haven't forgiven you for tearing Squishy and I apart," I stuck my tongue out at him and crossed my arms.

"Really, Alice…." Sokka started, but was interrupted when Aang appeared between us.

Katara looked over to him worried, "You couldn't find them?"

"No," Aang answered in a sad tone. "And the tornado… it just disappeared."

"Don't worry, Aang, we will find them. They are okay, I promise," I put my hand on his shoulder and he smiled up at me. We turned to the swamp as Sokka led the way in search of them.

FELICITY'S POV

"Thank you so much! You are all too kind!" I bowed again for my crowd. They seemed to be getting larger and larger with each town, and I don't know if the towns were just getting bigger or if I was. It was all very exciting, I never pictured myself being a singer other than in school plays, in the car, or alone at home.

Zuko refused to take part anymore, except for staying close by and mean mugging every shady or suspicious looking person in the crowd. I don't know if he realized it, but it was almost like he was the bodyguard of my little show. Uncle Iroh handled all of the money, as far as gathering it. Afterwards he gave it all to me stating that, "You earned it so it is yours." Later that night I would divide it up and put some in each of our bags, but saving a fourth of what we earned in a secret pouch for emergencies. We didn't always get very much, but it was enough for food for us and the bird-horse.

As for my little show, I would sing three songs with ten minute breaks between the songs to get some water or just talk to people and rest my voice. Everyone was so nice, but the kids were my favorite. They asked the best questions like: How did you learn to sing? Why is my hair so light? Do you wash it with sunshine? And so on.

After my last song a little girl and her mother walked up to me. She was adorable. Tiny, with big brown eyes, her hair was in two low pigtails, and she was pretending to be shy like all kids do when they meet new people.

"Hello, Miss, sorry to bother you," The mother smiled and nodded.

I shook my head as I drank a bit of water, "No, not at all. How are you? Hello," I looked down at the girl. "What's your name?"

"This is Lin," The mother answered, "She wanted to meet you."

"I'm so glad," I smiled as I bent down on my knees, "Cause I wanted to meet her too."

"Really?" Lin finally spoke. "I like your singing. I sing too, sometimes."

"Oh, I bet you have the most beautiful voice ever," I nodded.

"Miss?" The mother asked, "Lin was hoping you could tell her your name, if it's not too much trouble?"

"Of course not," I stood up and brushed myself off. I hold out my hand to shake Lin's little one, "You can call me Jia. Pleased to meet you, Lin!"

I could feel Zuko's glare burning the back of my head as I finished talking to the girl and her mother. I knew what he was thinking when she'd asked my name, but I made sure to listen into her head to make sure it was safe. I wasn't a total fool.

After Lin and her mother left and the rest of the crowd was gone and I helped them gather our things.

"How many times are you going to sing in this one town?" Zuko asked with a snarky tone.

I just rolled my eyes at him, "Calm down, Fussy Pants, two times won't kill you or any of us, and I can promised that right about now Azula isn't quite as worried about us. So relax, enjoy the sunshine."

As we walked around the market with some of the earnings, gathering food for dinner tonight we ran into the broadsword guy again.

"So, you were able to beg enough for your dinner, aye Fat man?" The jerk's comment was pointed at Uncle Iroh.

"Thank you again for your help, we are very grateful," Uncle bowed with a smile.

"Ha, what do you say to another dance for another gold piece?" He smirked down at Uncle like he was better than him.

Zuko was steaming, I held him by the arm to try and hold him back. I could feel the heat rising from him. If something wasn't done fast our cover would be blown and so would this jerk.

"Thank you for your offer," I pulled Zuko behind me as I pushed my way forward, "but we could not ask that much of you. Besides we have already earned enough to last us at least a week."

"Earned?" He raised an eyebrow at me, "Since when is begging earning?"

I think Zuko's temper is contagious because I felt a muscle in my jaw snap, "I believe it was shortly after your crude and quite distasteful example of helping those in need."

He didn't look very pleased to be talked back to, "I gave you that gold piece out of the goodness of my heart. All I wanted in return was a little entertainment."

I nodded slightly as I reached in my pouch and pulled out a gold piece, "Forgive me, sir, but please have it back." I smiled as sweetly and sincere as I could, "Because, clearly, you need all the "goodness" you can get." I dropped the piece at his feet then turned to Uncle and Zuko.

I pulled them along with me as the man yelled at our backs.

"What has gotten into you?" Zuko hissed jerking me by the arm to face him.

I snatched my arm away from him, "Don't jerk me around, you know how I feel about it. It was better for me to cause a scene than for you to burn the guy to a crisp. You are always nagging me about my singing, but you can over heat in the middle of the market?"

Uncle stepped between us and forced us apart, "Both of you stop this. I know things are harder now, and the two of you haven't been the same since the North Pole, but you have to learn to work together again for the good of all of us."

Uncle turned to Zuko, "I know you don't like the path we are currently on, but we have to make the most of it and take opportunities as they come."

Zuko nodded to Uncle as a thought popped into his head. He kept it to himself, or at least he thought he had.

After scolding Zuko, Uncle Iroh turned to me, "That was a very reckless thing to do. I know you are strong willed, and I don't normally stand in the way of your plans. However, unlike you, we don't know what lies on the road ahead. I won't ask you to tell us everything, but knowing doesn't mean you can afford to be careless with your actions."

I nodded as well, he was right, of course. I was trying to keep Zuko from over reacting, but I just ended up over reacting myself.

"Now, the both of you, we need to find somewhere to stay." Uncle informed us as he looked up at the sky. "I believe it is going to rain tonight. So let's hurry."

We found a cave not too far away from town. Zuko and I didn't really talk much. Zuko was watching me carefully as he made his plans to "meet up" with the broadsword jerk later tonight. We had our dinner in silence as we sat awkwardly across from each other. I knew that he knew I could hear him. It was times like this that reminded me of the rift that was between us, and to think I was starting to forget about it.

ALICE'S POV

I really didn't like this swamp. I mean really, how could I? After screaming, murder birds, bright as the sun fireflies, and "I'm going to eat you" eyes staring at us the whole time what was there to like? It literally took me fifty forevers to fall asleep, and what happens to me when I do? Swamp vines silently wrap around my legs and start pulling me Bilbo knows where, and I've watched enough hentai to know what's going to happen next. I mean, I am an anime girl, of course I know what's going to happen!

Just as soon as I managed to water slice the vines and myself free, more and more of them started to show up. "Look I'm sure you are very nice vines and would make some vinettes very happy, but you're coming on a little too strong for me."

I sliced and froze almost a dozen of them before I completely lost count, "Back, back you savages." I couldn't take much more of this. I already couldn't see well enough to fight all of them off. So, in hopes of escape I froze some of the swamp water and pushed myself down the creek out of the vines reach.

Luckily it wasn't much longer before the sun came out, and other than a bit of fog I could see much better.

"Aang!" I yelled. I knew it might be pointless but it was the only thing I could do. "Sokka?" All I heard was my own echo, "Katara? Anyone?!"

Alright, no big deal, I knew we would find each other. I just had to keep moving forward, "Besides," I reassured myself, "This isn't so bad, right? It's just trees and vines, and AHHH!" I screamed, "Oh, that's my foot."

Ok, I did that on purpose. Man, its moments like this I really miss Fili. She would have got that, and she would have laughed.

Out of nowhere I heard someone crying. Not just someone, a girl… I heard a girl crying, "Katara?! Katara? Where are you? Can you hear me?" I pushed my way through the knee high water, "I'm coming stay right there!" A wall of vines hung between me and whomever was crying. I just hoped it was Katara.

With two quick slashes the vines were out of my path. Normally I would just run through the vines, but I didn't trust these vines anymore. They have a mind of their own; not really, I know they're being controlled by the pant-less, enlightened guy. I ran into the clearing, ready to fight if I had to but, strange enough, no one was there.

"Hello?" I spun around looking for signs of whoever was just here. When I heard a voice again.

"Leave me alone!"

I turned towards the voice. Behind me was a young girl kneeling down with her arms over her head, "Are you okay?"

"Look at her, what is she doing? She's so weird." I heard one, no, two more voices. "Yeah, she never talks to anyone, just keeps her nose in a book." They were guys' voices, and they were voices I knew, "She's kinda cute though." The voices suddenly became solid forms that pulled the girl to her feet.

"Get away…" I whispered, this all seemed very familiar.

"Get away from me," the girl pushed one away, but the other grabbed her arm.

"Aww, what's wrong, Alice? Don't wanna play with us?"

I remembered this. One night at a football game freshman year, I went to the parking lot to get my wallet, and those two cornered me. They had been messing with me for weeks. Felicity even slammed one of them into a locker after he grabbed my butt.

"No, I don't," my younger self hissed and kneed the one in front in the jewels.

When he got up he hit me, or her really, "I told you, not to let me catch you alone in the dark, didn't I? Now we're going to play…"

"Why don't you play with me instead?" I heard I angry voice coming out of the dark. It was Felicity. She jerked him around, and slammed her fist into his nose. "Let her go, now!" She demanded.

The boy on the ground grabbed Fili's ankle, but she hit him again, "You think you're the only one that can make threats. I told you never to touch my sister again, didn't I?" She looked back at the other boy, "I said let her go! Take your friend and never let me see you near her again!"

"Felicity!" I reached out for her but before I could touch her all of the figures were gone.

"Why did you do that?"

I heard my voice in the air above me.

"Why do you think? You're my sister, Ally, and as long as I'm around you don't have to worry." Felicity's voice was so warm and strong.

"What if you're not around?" I asked up at the sky.

Suddenly, Felicity was standing in front of me again, "Then you will have to be the strong, amazing person I know you really are. You don't need me to be strong, Ally-Cat. I'm strong because I have you. Be strong, Alice. Don't be just Felicity's sister anymore."

"Felicity," I reached out for her, tears burning my eyes. She smiled at me as she turned to walk away. I hurried after her, "I will be… I will…." I wiped my eyes and when I looked again she was gone.

Before I could finish looking for her Aang, Katara, and Sokka rolled down out of nowhere and slammed into me. We continued to roll through the trees until we reached the bottom of a huge root.

Sokka stood up and put away his machete, "What do you guys think you're doing!? I've been looking all over for you!"

I stood up, "I'm more upset that you were holding that sharp, pointy thing while we rolled through the swamp. You could have poked someone's eye out, or their spleen. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to roll around a swamp with pointy things?"

"No," Sokka snapped, "The subject never came up."

"Well…." I eye-balled him, "It should have!"

Katara stared up at us, "Good come back Alice, and on another note. I've been wandering around looking for all of you!"

I looked from Katara to Sokka, "Notice, she doesn't have a pointy thing."

He huffed and held up his finger.

"Don't you hold your finger up at me in that tone of voice, young man," I snapped, "I will bite it."

"I didn't say anything," Sokka protested.

"Irrelevant!" I had to force myself not to laugh even though both Aang and Katara chuckled quietly.

I turned to Aang and asked sweetly, "What were you up to, Aang?"

Aang stood up and started looking around, "I was chasing some girl."

"What girl," Katara asked.

"I don't know. I heard laughing and I saw some girl in a fancy dress." Aang shrugged his shoulders as he turned back to us and helped Katara to her feet.

Sokka clapped his hands together and added with a sarcastic tone, "Well, there must be a tea party here and we just didn't get our invitations!"

"That's so mean," I pouted, "I wanna go to a tea party. Katara, I wanna go to a tea party."

Katara, being the understanding, motherly one nodded and patted my head, "Okay, Alice, as soon as we get out of the swamp we will all have a tea party."

"Great, we can all get fancy dresses, right?" I smiled as Katara nodded. Sokka on the other hand was shaking his head behind her. So, I turned to him, "Don't worry, Sokka, you can have a pretty dress too." We all laughed again, except Sokka, of course.

They all explained what they saw, I however, didn't share. That was one of the scariest moments of my life, and I really didn't want to bring it up again. However, I realized something. I haven't talked to Felicity since the Oasis. Even though I have said over and over how much I wished she was here, and I've told everyone I'm not angry with her anymore, I still haven't spoken to her. It wasn't until now that I realized why.

Felicity has always been my protector, ever since I was born. It wasn't until the Oasis that I realized just how weak I was, and I blamed her for it. I never had to fight or speak up. Whenever someone asked me a question, Felicity would answer it for me. I never realized how much it bothered me that I wasn't Alice, I was Felicity's little sister. I had been telling Chan the whole time in the North Pole, "Be yourself! Don't let other people speak and choose for you," but that was exactly what I had been doing my whole life.

Well, not anymore! I'm Alice! I'm scared of almost everything, but honestly its being smart staying away from things that can kill you. However, I think things that should be scary are also very cute, like a t-rex or Crowley's hellhounds. I'm witty, intelligent, and have a weird sense of humor. I'm a pretty good waterbender, but a wonderful water healer. I'm sarcastic and lazy and some of my best friends are animals, but I'm Alice! I'm Felicity's sister and so much more.

Wow, this swamp is good for enlightenment!

LATER THAT NIGHT

"How do you think that thing is cute?" Sokka asked as I scratched the top of the Catgator Slim's head. "I mean, look at him. I'm surprised he hasn't eaten you."

"Don't listen to him, Slim, he's just jealous of your rugged good looks." I smiled giving him a fish.

Everyone was sitting around the campfire talking about waterbending, weather, and Avatar magic stuff so I snuck over to Appa.

"Hey, buddy," I rubbed the side of his head, "Had a crazy day today, didn't you? Mind if I climb up?"

He made an approving roar, and I proceeded to claim up to the saddle. Once there I opened my bag and took a deep breath as I stared down into it. Once I finally reached in I pulled out my phone.

I turned it on and waited. After a moment it started to buzz over and over and over again. Text message after text message poured into the inbox. Weeks' worth of messages and all of them from Fili. Fifty-eight, fifty-nine, over sixty texts and counting. I started to tear up watching the number grow. She knew I wasn't replying, but she kept sending them to ask me how I was doing. Have I met Toph yet? Or just to say I have a smelly face.

I read all of them, every single one. Most of them were good. Just telling me what she was up to or random things she thought about that she knew would make me laugh, but then I saw the long messages.

She and Zuko had a fight, a big one. He wanted her to leave, and she was going to and come find me. The very next message said that she stayed, and Zuko finally cut off his stupid ponytail. I laughed to myself because I could just imagine her doing her little happy dance.

When I finally finished all of the messages it was pretty late. Aang and the others were already asleep. I didn't have the energy to call, because I knew if I did we would stay up for hours talking. So I sent her a long overdue reply. It was just one word, but I knew she would know what it meant.

"Goodnight, Fili," I smiled at the phone before putting it back in my bag. "I'll call you tomorrow, promise."

FELICITY'S POV

I guess Zuko didn't notice I was still awake when he left, but then again I was pretending to be asleep. After meeting the broadsword guy today I remembered what was coming soon.

Zuko was going to take the guy's swords, and the Blue Spirit would return. I set up and leaned back against the cave wall. I closed my eyes and let my mind relax. I hadn't done this in weeks so it was harder to get it started. Plus opening up like this again hurt a lot. I had been putting so much focus into keeping the circle small and limited to only a handful of voices, and now that I was pushing the circle out I thought my head would burst. Luckily we were in the middle of the woods so there weren't all that many voices to hear, and Zuko hadn't gotten that far yet.

I felt my fingernail cut into my palm as I fought to stay alongside him, but honestly being so rusty I wasn't sure I would be able to keep it up. I managed to stick with him long enough to see him find the broadsword jerk, but after that I had to pull back. They were a good ways into town and too many voices were pouring into my head.

Once they are there it's a lot harder to push them out. Think happy thoughts, Fili. I told myself. Unlike Peter Pan, I hadn't had too many happy thoughts lately. Just fighting and awkward moments with Zuko, and the lack of sleep didn't help.

I reached up and touched my ear when I felt it pop, "Merlin's beard, make it stop…" I bit my lip to stay quiet, I didn't want to wake Uncle. When I lowered my hand I saw my fingertips were wet with blood, "Great, not this again. What I wouldn't give for some migraine medicine right now."

I tried to slow my breathing. I tried to think of something that would help. Something happy that would take my mind away from the voices, but I was at a loss. Why did I have to try and see if he was okay? I knew he would be. I knew it would hurt, but I wanted to do it anyway. I think that officially makes me a masochist.

"Felicity?" I jumped when I heard Zuko's voice enter the cave.

"Hey," I winced, "Ah… hey, fussy pants. I see you…. Ah dang it!" I hit the floor of the cave with my fist, "I see you got your swords."

"What are you doing?" he asked as he walked over to me.

He was thinking so loud, it made things worse. My breathing sped up as the pressure built.

'She never minds her own business… Now I'll be able to do something about our state of living… How could I have sunk to this…' And on and on his thoughts ran out of his head right into mine.

"Zuko, please…" I could feel my hands shake as I squeezed them tighter, "You're thinking so loudly."

"I'll get Uncle to…"

"No!" I grabbed his hand as he started to move away, "Don't wake Uncle, then I'll just have his thoughts in my head too." I couldn't stop Zuko from thinking. In his mind he told himself I was right, and when he did I felt it like a wave. I squeezed his hand hard to push it back.

"Then, if you don't want me to wake Uncle, I'll make that tea that helps," Zuko patted my hand and I let his go. "It won't be as good as Uncle's though."

I half laughed, "Its fine, thank you."

Zuko picked up the spark rocks and clicked them against each other, but after six clicks there was still no fire.

"Zuko, its fine. There isn't anyone around, you can light it your way." I nodded as my breathing sped up again.

"Are you sure?" He asked. I gave him my 'really' face and he nodded. With a quick flick on his fist there was an amazing burst of light and the cave began to fill up with warmth from the fire. He turned back towards me, and I saw him jump, "Felicity?" He moved over to me quickly and lifted my head in his hands.

"What's wrong?" I was starting to feel dizzy.

"Your nose," Zuko reached into my bag and pulled out a cloth. When he did my bag fell over and half of its contents spilled out.

Before he could press the cloth to my nose I reach up and rubbed my nose with the back of my hand… blood, "Oh, great… first my ears now my nose."

"Your ears?" Zuko brushed my hair away to see what I meant, "You haven't had one this bad since…."

"I know," I tried to nod but he was holding my head still. "It's been a while."

"Why haven't you made it stop?" There was concern in his voice.

"No happy thoughts," I tried to smile, "I tried, but I don't have anymore."

"You have happy thoughts," He meant to sound reassuring as he cleaned the blood away from my ears.

I leaned my head against the cave wall, "Old ones maybe, but they aren't enough anymore. Not for this one at least." I closed my eyes as another wave came. I reached up to his hand that was still holding my head. I pressed it harder against my face, at least it was warm.

I could hear Zuko scrambling for something, "What about your music?"

I opened my eyes. He was holding my phone, "It's a bit late, I'm going to have to just wait it out, and it might make it worse with my ears like…." I stopped when I saw the screen light up. One New Message, was written across the screen. "Let me see that…"

Zuko slid his finger across the bottom of the screen and unlocked it for me, "What now?"

"The green box with the talk cloud, tap it." I instructed him. "Then tap the name in bold letters. Do you see it?"

"Yes," he nodded, "It's from Alice."

I jumped and grabbed the phone from him. After weeks and weeks of waiting she's finally messaged back. I stared down at the screen and forced my vision to clear. Zuko had taken his hand away from my face and was just holding my free hand. I could squeeze his when I needed to fight back the pain. Alice only wrote one word, and when I saw what it was I felt my eyes fill to the brim with tears.

Zuko tried to catch them as they slid down my cheek, "What is it? What did she say?"

I couldn't stop myself so I just let the tears go. Poor, Zuko, he seemed so worried. I squeezed his hand again and smiled, "Roar…" I laughed, "She said 'Roar!'" I shook my head and laughed quietly.

"Roar? What is that supposed to mean?" Zuko took the phone and looked at it for a moment. His shoulders relaxed when he saw the smile on my face. "Felicity, what does it mean?"

"Well, Zuko, as you know my sister and I are quite weird." I said that one little word in my head over and over.

He nodded, "Oh, yes, I do know that."

I felt the pressure start to ease, "Well, we have our own meanings for some words. It's random and really just matters based on context like, 'Hey, you're smelly.' It's not good or bad it just depends on how you say it."

"That makes no since," Zuko gave me a confused look. "So, what does 'Roar!' mean in this context?"

I laughed again, "Roar only means one thing, ever… No matter how you say it, it only has one meaning to us."

"And that is?" He was getting impatient.

I took a deep breath as the waves became more and more muted. The circle started to slide closed, and the pain faded away. Just in time, Ally gave me a happy thought, "I love you," I laughed again. "It means, I love you."

How's that for your feels! I know it got me in mine, and I wrote the darn thing. So I'm pretty proud of this chapter. I wanted to cover a lot of things that you guys have been bringing to my attention about Alice needed to be stronger, and Felicity's needed to be weaker. It took some time but these girls are on a road of self-discovery. Learning who you are doesn't happen in a day. You have to go there the good, the bad, and the ugly to figure it out.

I also wanted to remind myself as well as you guys that Felicity and Zuko haven't made up yet. It doesn't mean they hate each other, they are just trying to find their footing around each other again. It's like the ex you stay friends with after the break-up. You can't just go back to being friends. There are too many left over feelings, but you don't always get along either. So I wanted to show that a little better.

Side note… There are 2 parts to the 'You are Fire: Lost Adventures' out now. It's different, but I think they are turning out okay. So if you are interested in that there is some of those to read while you wait for new chapters.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and remember I'm taking requests for Lost Adventure ideas.

Until Next Time….. Happy Reading!

P.S. Oh, and Ray-Be if you're reading this….Roar!