A/N Hey, guys! so, I have some good news. I will be posting chapters on a weekly basis again. so, you can all look forward to reading some new chapters more often.

Anyway, enough talk. On with the story!

Disclaimer: I do Not own Avatar the last Air-bender or its associated properties.

After the Gaang left Gaoling they along with their new member were trying to find a good place for Aang to start his Earth-bending training.

Sadly, after a day of searching they still couldn't find a place so as the sun was setting, they decided to land and make camp.

As they unpacked Appa, Toph climbed down off of the Sky Bison and her eyes brightened up after feeling the ground with her feet and she said "Hey, you guys picked a great campsite. The grass is so soft." Toph wiggled her toes not realizing that the soft grass was in fact Appa's fur.

Sokka seeing where Toph was standing spoke up saying "That's not grass. Appa's shedding."

After hearing that Katara noticed Appa's fur was covering her clothes and said "Oh, gross."

Aang just smiled and said "That's not gross. It's just a part of spring. You know, rebirth, flowers blooming, and Appa gets a new coat."

Said Sky Bison was currently chewing his loose fur off of one of his legs while Katara sarcastically said "Ahh. The beauty of spring."

Just then some of Appa's fur got into his nose making him reel his head back and let out a huge sneeze which also made a huge cloud of fur erupt from the Bison covering the group in his hair.

Appa started to shake himself like a dog while Katara who was right next to Appa kept spitting out fur and saying "Stop. Appa, stop!" she then started to cough trying to get the fur out of her mouth.

While Katara was trying to get the fur off herself Sokka was crouched on the ground with his back to her saying "It's not so bad, Katara." Sokka turned around showing he had made a fake hairpiece with Appa's fur as he said "It makes a great wig."

Aang jumped down with a beard and mustache made out of fur saying "And it makes a terrific beard."

Next, Dijin came walking up to the group saying "Anyone have some hot wax? Because my legs are getting a little hairy." Dijin then pulled his pants legs up showing he had stuffed them with fur.

The trio of boys started to laugh while Katara gave them a deadpan stare and said "I'm just glad we finally have another girl in the group, because you three are annoying."

Just then Toph walked up to the trio of boys saying "Hey do any of you guys have a razor? Because I've got some hairy pits." Toph then raised her arms showing she had fur stuffed in the sleeves of her shirt making the boys and her laugh.

Despite everything Katara couldn't help but chuckle at the scene as well before she and the others went back to unpacking.

Once everything was unpacked the Gaang got busy setting up their camp and while everyone did a certain Job Katara noticed Toph was just laying down off to the side with her legs crossed and a wheat stalk in her mouth.

Katara thinking Toph wasn't aware that everyone pitched in to set up camp walked over to her and said "So, Toph, usually when setting up camp, we try to divide up the work."

Toph just tapped her foot while she said "Hey, don't worry about me. I'm good to go."

Katara thinking Toph didn't understand what she meant said "Well, actually, what I'm trying to say is some of us might fetch water while someone else might set up the fire pit or put up the tent." Momo chose then to fly next to Katara and placed some nuts he found into her hands as she said "Even Momo does his fair share."

Toph just had an uncaring look as she said "Katara, I'm fine. I can carry my own weight. I don't need a fire. I've already collected my own food. And look." Toph then thrusted her hands down creating an Earth-tent saying "My tents all set up."

Katara a little upset at the other girl's attitude said "Well, that's fine for you, but we still need to finish-"

Toph cut Katara off by irritably saying "I don't understand. What's the problem here?"

Katara who didn't want to fight with the girl just turned around saying "Never mind." while Toph just laid back in her tent.

A couple hours later the Gaang were finishing up setting up camp and Katara had just got done fetching some water before she noticed Toph still hanging out by her tent.

Katara gained a regretful expression as she remembered her earlier talk with the blind Earth-bender so she went over to clear the air.

Toph was just snacking on some food she had packed when Katara approached her saying "Hey, Toph, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I think we're all just a little tired and getting on each other's nerves."

Toph just swallowed her food before saying "Yeah. You do seem pretty tired."

Katara frowned and slightly glared at the girl for her comment before saying "I meant all of us."

Toph just finished her meal and tossed her trash to the side saying "Well, goodnight." before she crawled into her tent and laid down to go to sleep.

Katara realizing she wasn't going to get anywhere with the girl just sighed and said "Goodnight." as she went to her own sleeping bag for the night.

A little while later everyone was sleeping soundly until Toph's eyes suddenly snapped open and she quickly sat up before placing her hand on the ground. Toph's eyes widened at what she "saw" and quickly ran out of her tent shouting "There's something coming toward us!"

Dijin came out of his own tent while the others woke up with him saying "What is it? Can you tell what it is?"

Toph knelt on the ground and placed her hand down saying "It feels like an avalanche, but also not an avalanche."

Sokka who was grumpy from being woken up sarcastically said "Your powers of perception are frightening."

Katara looked at the group and asked "Should we leave."

Dijin replied "Better safe than sorry and honestly if Toph says something's coming than I'm sure something is definitely after us."

The others nodded their heads in agreement before going to pack their things while Toph smiled at Dijin's vote of confidence as she went to pack her own stuff up as well.

Once the group had everything packed, they quickly took to the sky and as they left, they saw a huge dust cloud being made by some sort of machine.

The group stared at the oncoming machine in morbid curiosity while Katara said "What is that thing?"

Down below on the ground following the Gaang was one of the newest war-machines the Fire Nation had developed.

The machine had a coal powered front car that was pointed like a trident with a tall, steel, chimney stack, the entire vehicle was covered in heavy metal armor, instead of normal wheels it had metal tread with large round wheels inside, and behind the front car was smaller car that looked like it held coal and other items for whoever was inside needed.

On the surface of the front car a periscope appeared and focused on the Gaang's location in the sky.

Inside the car, Princess Azula smirked at witnessing the Avatar and his friends run away before she said to herself "Run all you like, Avatar. Unlike my brother I will always find you." she then put away the periscope as she and her comrades pursued the group.

xxLine Breakxx

The Gaang had been flying for a few hours now and their lack of sleep was starting to show with bags beginning to form under the group's eyes.

Finally, as soon as Aang thought they had gotten enough distance from whatever was following them he had Appa land in a small clearing.

Once Appa touched down Toph quickly jumped out of the saddle and plopped face first in the dirt saying "Land, sweet land." she then quickly stood up saying "See you guys in the morning."

Katara who had climbed down next held her hand out towards Toph saying "Actually, can you help us unload?"

Toph turned towards the group's direction with a disbelieving look as she said "Really? You need me to help you unload Sokka's funky smelling sleeping bag?"

Just then Dijin threw said sleeping bag at Sokka's face which made him take a big whiff of the material causing the Water Tribe warrior to stiffen up and fall over unconscious from the smell.

Katara ignored her passed out brother and stepped over him as she approached Toph from the side saying "Well, yeah. That and everything else. You're part of our team now and-"

Toph cut Katara off by Pointing in her direction while staring straight ahead and saying "Look, I didn't ask you to help unload my stuff. I'm carrying my own weight." Toph then turned her back towards Katara as she got ready to make her tent for the night.

Katara glared at the blind girl and placed her hands on her hips saying "That's not the point." Katara marched up to the older girl and said "Ever since you joined us, you've been nothing but selfish and unhelpful."

Toph quickly turned her body so her ear was facing Katara and said "What?" She then pointed at the younger girl saying "Look here, sugar queen. I gave up everything I had so I could teach Aang Earth-bending. So, don't you talk to me about being selfish!" with that said Toph plopped down on the ground cross-legged before she thrusted her hands down creating an Earth-tent around herself.

Katara glared at the girl before leaning forward inside Toph's tent and angrily saying "Sugar Queen?!" but she suddenly had to reel her head back less it get crushed by the stone door Toph created to keep Katara out.

Katara looked at the door disbelievingly before she bared her teeth and said "D-Did you just slam the door in my face?" Katara started to uselessly punch and kick the stone tent while shouting "How can you be so infuriating!?"

Over with the boy's Sokka was still passed out while Aang and Dijin watched the exchange with raised eyebrows.

Aang looked at Dijin saying "Should we do something?"

Dijin just held his hands up in the surrender motion saying "Hey, if I learned one thing from King Bumi, it's that you never get between two women who are fighting. Especially when those two women are Master Benders."

Aang just looked unsure before he looked back at the girls saying "Well, either way we shouldn't be fighting each other. I'll go see if I can calm things down."

Aang then went to talk with Katara and Toph while Dijin watched him walk away and thought to himself "Oh, this should be good." Dijin just crossed his arms after that and watched the scene unfold in front of him.

Aang walked until he was behind Katara and once he was close enough, he said "Ok, ok. You both need to calm down."

However, instead of calming down Katara got even madder in fact she got so mad that Dijin swore he could hear her whole-body creak with suppressed rage.

Next, she got right into Aang's face and shouted at him with wide bloodshot eyes saying "Both?! I'M COMPLETELY CALM!"

Katara started to breathe heavy after her outburst while Aang just held his hands up in surrender saying "I can see that." as he quickly moved back to where he was standing with Dijin.

Once Aang was next to him Dijin just smirked and said "Was I right or was I right?"

Aang just glared at him and said "Shut up, Dijin."

The amused Lava-bender just chuckled before trying to wake up Sokka so they could unpack.

It wasn't until about an hour later did everyone calm down and got ready for bed.

Aang, Dijin, and Sokka were trying to fall asleep while Katara was glaring at Toph's tent before she looked at the sky and smirked while saying loudly "The stars sure are beautiful tonight. Too bad you can't see them, Toph."

Toph reply was to let out a grunt as she Earth-bent a stream of earth at Katara which launched her into the air and on top of her brother.

Sokka shoved his sister off of himself before shouting "How is a guy supposed to sleep with all this yelling and Earthquaking?"

Before Sokka could complain further Toph came out of her tent with her hand on the ground saying "That thing is back."

Sokka just groaned before saying "Well, how far is it? Maybe we can close our eyes just for a few minutes."

Sokka tried to lay down again but Dijin yanked him upwards and forced his head in the direction behind them revealing the cloud of smoke from the machine that has been following them.

Dijin hardened his gaze as he said "I don't think so, Sokka. We gotta move."

After quickly packing up the Gaang took to sky again and while they flew away the group was able to get a good look at the machine and the design was definitely intimidating.

As they stared at the armored land vehicle Katara once again said "Seriously, what is that thing?"

Toph who was upset at both Katara and being woken up twice irritably said "And how does the damn thing keep finding us?"

Dijin looked at the vehicle chasing them and said "Whoever is inside that thing is definitely persistent."

Aang looked at the vehicle as well before saying "I don't know what it is or who is driving it, but this time, I'm gonna make sure we lose them."

Aang cracked Appa's reigns making him go faster as the group flew as far away as they could.

xxLine Breakxx

After flying for another few hours Aang had Appa land on cliffside in a mountain range and as soon the Sky Bison touched down the tired animal plopped over on his side and started to snore lightly.

Everyone who was riding the bison just tiredly moved themselves to their own spot to sleep as Sokka said "Ok, forget about making camp. I'm finding the softest pile of dirt and going to sleep."

Katara just glared angrily up at the sky as she curled up in her sleeping bag saying "That's good, because Toph wasn't going to help anyway."

Toph just stared blankly at the sky as she used her bag as a pillow while saying "Oh, I didn't realize baby still needed someone to tuck her in bed."

Aang just tiredly said "Come on, guys. There's something after us, and we don't even know who or what it is."

Katara just gained a thoughtful expression before saying "It could be Zuko. We haven't seen him since the North Pole."

Toph raised an eyebrow at the unknown name and asked "Who's Zuko?"

Dijin replied from his own spot saying "He's the Fire Lords son and he's been trying to capture Aang for a while now."

Sokka spoke up from his own spot as well saying "Yeah, not to mention he's tracked us all over the world and he has a stupid ponytail too."

Katara smirked at her brother and said "What's wrong with ponytails, ponytail?"

Sokka just buried his head in his sleeping bag while pointing at his hair saying "This is a warriors wolf-tail. Big difference."

Katara just laughed lightly before saying "Well, it certainly tells all the other warriors that your fun and perky."

Sokka just ignored his sister while Dijin spoke up again saying "Anyway, I don't think it's Zuko. he wouldn't be able to plan something like this."

Sokka looked over at the Lava-bender and asked "What do you mean?"

Dijin just looked at the sky saying "Well first, whoever is chasing us took into account that it's night so it's the perfect time to ambush us. Next, they keep finding us and keeping us awake so we get less and less alert and more tired. While finally, they are chasing us is some kind of new war-machine that seems to be as deadly as it looks."

The group all looked at each other now realizing that whoever was inside that machine was definitely someone not to be trifled with.

Sokka just had one last thing to say and said "Well, whoever it is they couldn't have followed us here so let's get some sleep."

Momo chose then to hop on Sokka chest trying to get his attention but Sokka just waved his hand at the Lemur-bat saying "No, Momo. Shh. Sleepy time."

But the Lemur was insistent pawing at Sokka before growling and hopping over to the edge of the cliff while pointing outwards towards the direction where they came from.

The group followed where the lemur-bat was pointing and Sokka groaned while saying "Oh, don't tell me."

Aang stood up saying "That's Impossible. There's no way they could have tracked us."

Toph stood up and felt the ground saying "I can feel it with my own two feet."

Aang and Dijin quickly ran to the ledge of the cliff they were on and sure enough the armored monstrosity was climbing up the mountain towards them.

The others joined them with Katara saying "Let's get out of here."

Aang replied with "Maybe we should face them and find out who they are. Who knows? Maybe they're friendly."

Dijin looked at Aang with a raised eyebrow before saying "How can you be so optimistic?"

Aang didn't get a chance to reply due to the armored vehicle coming to stop at the base of the mountain with the rear car opening up revealing their pursuers.

The Gaang's eyes widened in shock due to the fact that the people chasing them were Azula and her two friends.

The three girls were each mounted on giant brown and yellow Basilisk Lizards and Azula quickly cracked her mounts reigns sending the beast towards the Gaang with her comrades close behind.

Dijin growled before saying "It's Azula and her two goons!"

Toph sensing that there were only three opponents just got into a fighting stance and smirked saying "We can take them—we got them outnumbered, four on three."

Sokka who had his boomerang out looked at Toph awkwardly saying "Actually, Toph, there's five of us."

Toph let out a chuckle before saying "Oh, sorry. I didn't count you. You know, no bending and all."

Sokka got instantly pissed at the jab and pointed at himself with both hands before shouting with bloodshot eyes "I can still fight!"

Dijin shouted over the two saying "Guy's, Focus!"

Toph chuckled again before saying "Ok, four on three plus Sokka."

Sokka just growled in frustration at the blind girl while Toph and Dijin stepped forward side by side. They then clenched their fists and shook them rapidly multiple times before splaying their fingers creating a river of large Earth-pillars that Azula and her friends were forced to dodge and maneuver around.

As the three Fire Nation girls avoided the Earth-benders attack Sokka spoke up saying "Well, we wanted to find out who they were, and we found out. Now, let's get out of here."

Sokka and the others went to get on Appa while Dijin and Toph stayed behind a second to buy everyone some time.

Toph started by stomping her right foot as she rotated her forearms in a circle and then raised her hands upwards. Next, a giant ten-foot Earth-wall the length of the cliff erupted blocking the oncoming pursuers.

Dijin made his move next as he had Toph stand back a few feet as he made a long chopping motion sending a stream of lava the length of the cliff. He then placed the back of his hands together before he slowly pulled them apart. At the same time the lava got wider and wider before finally a Lava-moat was formed right behind Toph's wall.

As soon as Dijin was finished, the wall Toph had made was suddenly blown apart by a bolt of lightning in the center.

Azula then came charging through the gap but in her rush, she didn't notice the magma and her mount started to sink into the molten earth causing her to jump back and frown.

Ty Lee and Mai saw this and had their mounts perch themselves on the wall before Mai attacked the two Earth-benders sending a multitude of arrows from her wrist launcher.

Dijin knowing Toph couldn't see the oncoming projectiles quickly rotated his forearms in a circle before he raised both his fists creating a boulder out of the Earth he and Toph were standing on, which launched them in the air and blocked Mai's attack.

The two Earth-benders heard Katara shout from above them saying "Jump you guys!"

Dijin looked up seeing Aang and the others had gotten Appa in the air while he and Toph were just a few feet below them.

Dijin realizing Toph also couldn't see to make the jump just walked up to her and said "Sorry about this, Toph."

Toph raised an eyebrow at the statement before she said "Sorry for wh-" she didn't get to finish due to Dijin picking her up bridal style and quickly jumping upwards towards Appa.

As Dijin was in the air Toph screamed "You fucking dick!" before they landed in Appa's saddle in a heap.

Aang quickly had Appa fly away while Toph socked Dijin in the shoulder saying "Don't ever freak me out like that again!"

Dijin just rubbed his shoulder as he said "I said sorry before I jumped."

Toph just glared at his direction for second before sighing and saying "Well, you did save my ass from being a pin cushion so we'll call it even."

Dijin smiled at the girl while Katara said "I can't believe those girls followed us all the way from Omashu."

Toph just glared at the landscape as she held onto Appa's saddle with Dijin saying "I still think we could have taken them."

Katara looked at Toph like she was crazy saying "Are you kidding me? The blue Fire-bending and the flying daggers are bad enough, but that girl in pink, I found out her name's Ty Lee and she has a dangerous ability."

Dijin looked at Katara and asked "What did she do that has you so spooked?"

Katara just nervously replied "She did something that took my bending away. I couldn't even do anything to fight back. It was scary."

Dijin nodded in understanding before he suddenly had to squint his eyes as the sun started to peak over the landscape.

Sokka saw the sun as well before he groaned and said "Oh, no. The sun is rising. We've been up all night with no sleep."

Dijin just spoke up from his spot in the saddle saying "Calm down Sokka, we'll be ok."

Sokka just threw his hands in the air dramatically before grabbing his head and saying "Are you sure? I've never not slept before. What if I fall asleep and something happens? And something always happens!"

Dijin just replied "You're not gonna pass out from one night of no sleep. What we need to be worried about is Azula and how she keeps finding us."

Katara spoke up next saying "Every time we land, those three are there. So, we'll just have to keep flying."

Aang tiredly replied "We can't keep flying forever."

xxLine Breakxx

After that, the Gaang kept flying well into the early afternoon and now as Appa drifted through the sky Aang let out a yawn and said "So, what's our plan?"

Dijin spoke up from next to Toph as the two had their eyes closed while they tiredly held onto Appa's saddle before he said "Don't know. Escape now, plan later."

Toph spoke up next saying "Yeah, whatever Hot Rocks said. I'm too tired to think."

Katara replied with "I'm sure we'll come up with something after a short nap."

Suddenly however, the Sky Bison they were riding stopped flying forward and began to plummet towards the earth so fast that the Gaang started to float upwards.

Dijin and Toph quickly tightened their grips on the saddle as their bodies started to flail upwards while Dijin shouted "Aang! What in the spirit's is going on!?"

Aang was grabbing the reigns for dear life as his eyes widened and he shouted "Appa fell asleep!"

While everyone held onto something Aang quickly crawled his way towards Appa's face and shouted "WAKE UP, BUDDY!"

The Gaang screamed in terror as they plummeted towards the ground, and just before they were about to fall into the forest below Appa snapped himself awake and quickly tried to adjust himself as he crashed into the tree tops.

The Gaang continued to scream as they were pelted with branches and leaves before Appa broke through the tree line and came to skidding halt on the ground below where he passed out from exhaustion.

Aang slid down off of Appa and rubbed his sleeping friend's forehead while saying "Appa's exhausted."

Toph and Dijin chose to plop themselves down on the ground face first happy to done flying while Sokka and Katara started to slowly walk away from the Bison with Sokka saying "Ok, we've put a lot of distance between us and them. The plan right now is to follow Appa's lead and get some sleep."

Katara glared slightly at Toph and said "Of course, we could have gotten some sleep earlier if Toph didn't have such issues."

Toph who was smiling at the feeling of earth under her suddenly sat up and clenched her fists into the ground causing spider-web cracks to appear as she shouted "WHAT!?"

Dijin also looked at Katara like she was nuts and he was surprised that Katara of all people was blaming Toph for their situation.

Aang not wanting another fight to break out shouted "Alright, all right! Everyone's exhausted. Let's just get some rest."

Toph however, stood up and turned towards Katara's direction saying "No. I want to hear what Katara has to say. You think I have issues?"

Katara just turned her nose at Toph and said "I'm just saying, maybe if you helped out earlier, we could have set up camp faster and gotten some sleep." Katara then glared at the other girl and shouted saying "And maybe we wouldn't be in this situation!"

Dijin stood up at that point as well and was about to speak until Toph beat him to it saying "You're blaming me for this?" Toph made to march over to Katara while the Water-bender through her stuff on the ground and motioned her hands in the bring it gesture.

Aang again not wanting a fight to break out stood in between the two and spoke to Toph saying "No. No! She's not blaming you."

Katara just frowned and refuted Aang's statement saying "No, I'm blaming her."

Toph just growled and said "Hey!" she quickly grabbed Aang's shoulder and threw the Air-bender to the side making him grunt in pain as he landed in a heap.

Toph marched up to Katara and got in her face saying "I never asked you for shit! I carry my own weight. Besides, if there's anyone to blame, it's sheddy over here." Toph then pointed at the sleeping Sky Bison.

Aang instantly got offended at Toph for accusing his best friend and said angrily "What? You're blaming Appa?"

Toph just walked up to Appa and said "Yeah. You want to know how they keep finding us?" Toph grabbed a handful of Appa's fur and it instantly came loose from his body and blew away as she said "He's leaving a trail everywhere we go."

Dijin's eyes widened as he looked back in the direction they came from and sure enough he saw a trail of white fur down the path.

Aang however, just got more offended and shouted "How dare you blame Appa! He saved your life three times today." Aang quickly marched up to Toph and glared at her saying "If there's anyone to blame, it's you. You're always talking about how you carry your own weight, but you're not. He is. Appa's carrying your weight. He never had a problem flying when it was just the four of us!"

Toph just frowned and after hearing everyone blame her for something that wasn't her fault, she just kicked her right heel making an Earth-pillar launch her bag into her hand as she caught it and said "I'm out of here." she then started to stomp away down a nearby path.

Dijin quickly made to follow Toph shouting "Toph, wait!" but before he followed her, he turned towards Katara and Aang saying "Nice going you two. Good job of being a Bitch and a Dick all in one."

Dijin turned back towards the direction Toph headed and ran off to catch up to her while Katara and Aang started to realize the consequences of what they just did.

xxLine Breakxx

After running for a few minutes Dijin was able to catch up to Toph and he found the girl slowly making her way down the road.

Dijin quickly sped up his pace as he shouted after her saying "Toph! Hold on a second!"

Toph stopped walking and turned towards Dijin as she felt him approach and once he was close enough, she spoke up saying "You're wasting your time coming after me. I'm not going back to a bunch of assholes who blame me for their problems."

Dijin just shook his head and said "I didn't follow you to force you back. I just wanted to talk to you for a second."

Toph just scoffed and said "I doubt anything you have to say will change my mind but go ahead."

Dijin nodded his head before saying "Look, both Aang and Katara were completely out of line and blaming you was not the answer to the situation."

Toph just raised an eyebrow at Dijin's words before he continued saying "But at the same time, we are all stressed out and tired from being chased by three crazy girls who have it out for us. So, tensions are high right now."

Toph just glared at him and said "That still doesn't make up for what those dicks said to me!"

Dijin just nodded his head saying "I agree but Toph..." Dijin took a breath before saying "Aang, Katara, Sokka, and I aren't your enemies. We are trying to be your friends, and when you're friends with each other, that means you deal with things together be they good or bad."

Toph frowned and was about to say something until Dijin said "Even when those same friends are being complete Assholes."

Toph just laughed at Dijin's statement before she adjusted the strap of her bag as she said "Be that as it may, I'm still not going back with you."

Dijin replied to her saying "And again, I didn't come here to force you back."

Toph again raised her eyebrow and asked "Then why did you come?"

Dijin just smirked and said "I figured you could use a good sparring match to let off a little steam and we could go from there."

Toph's was surprised by the suggestion before she smirked and set her bag down while saying "Fine with me, I'd be more than happy to kick your ass again."

Dijin smiled wide before getting into a stance and saying "I don't think so. Last time you had an unfair advantage, now I know what to watch out for."

Toph just cracked her knuckles and said "That's still not gonna help you win."

The two smiled at one another and began to face off until they each heard a twig snap to their left. The two acted simultaneously with them moving in sync as they stomped their feet on the ground and thrusted their arms forward sending a stream of earth towards a boulder where the sound came from.

The two quickly heard someone grunt in pain as their attack connected and they jumped into position with Toph and Dijin standing on either side of the boulder in a ready stance.

Dijin's eyes widened however, as he recognized the person they just attacked before saying "Master Iroh?"

The now identified Dragon of the West just rubbed his backside from his position on the ground as he said "Spirit's, that really hurt my tailbone."

Dijin looked at his old teacher and noticed he was different from when he last saw him at the North Pole.

Iroh had cut-off his Top knot leaving the top of his head bald while his hair was loose around his shoulders, he had let his beard grow out all across his face and to the top of his chest, he wore a brown traveling robe that split at his thighs with black accents, he wore a grey long sleeve shirt under his robe, he had on grey loose pants, and for shoes he wore a pair of simple traveling boots

Dijin quickly moved to help his old teacher up while Toph asked "Wait, so you know this guy?"

Iroh just brushed himself off while Dijin smiled and said "Toph, I'd like to introduce you to my spirituality teacher. Master Iroh."

Iroh just smiled at his old student and said "Your no longer my student Dijin, just Iroh is fine."

Toph gave the two a confused look before Iroh noticed her confusion so he said "Let us have some tea and perhaps things can be explained a little better."

After that the trio made a small fire pit and as Iroh brewed the tea he explained his relationship with Dijin to the blind girl.

Once he was finished, he poured Toph a cup and handed it to her saying "Here is your tea."

Toph accepted the cup before saying "So, let me get this straight. About three years ago Dijin's Earth-bending teacher contacted you and asked you to teach him about the spirit world and anything you knew about the Avatar. And this was all because Dijin's Master wanted you to prepare him for the Avatar's return?"

Dijin took a sip of tea before replying for Iroh saying "Well, there are some minor details missing but that is basically the truth of it."

Toph just took a sip of her tea before saying "Huh, small world."

Dijin let out a content sigh as he drank his tea and said "Ah. I missed your tea, Iroh."

Iroh smiled and took a sip of his own tea before he looked at the blind girl and said "Forgive an old man for prying, but why are you traveling alone out here with Dijin?"

Toph just scoffed and said "Avoiding some idiots." she kept her gaze forward and said "Besides aren't you a little old to be traveling all on your own. hmm?"

Iroh simply let out a joyful laugh saying "Perhaps I am."

Toph took another sip of tea as she said "I know what your gonna say next. I look like I can't handle myself. That I needed Hot Rocks here to come with me so I didn't get into trouble."

Iroh just looked put off by the idea and said "I wasn't thinking that at all."

Toph finally turned towards his direction and held her tea cup up saying "You wouldn't let me pour my own cup of tea."

Iroh shook his head and waved his hand dismissively saying "I poured your tea simply because I wanted to and for no other reason."

Dijin just watched the two's exchange silently with a small smirk already noticing Iroh beginning to pass off his wisdom to his blind companion.

Toph "Looked" away from Iroh and said "People see me and think I'm weak. They want to take care of me." Toph's gaze hardened as she turned towards the two and said "But I can take care of myself by myself!"

Dijin just set his tea down and said "I've never once doubted you can take care of yourself Toph, if anything I'm more worried about Aang and Sokka than I am about you." Dijin let out an amused chuckle while Toph giggled a little at Dijin's joke.

Iroh watch the two with a smile and thought to himself "Well, well. It seems Dijin may have found himself a pretty girl to get along with."

Iroh turned his attention back to Toph as he said "You know, you sound like my nephew, always thinking you need to do things on your own without anyone's support. There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you." Iroh quickly waved his hands dismissively after that comment saying "Not that I love you. Well, I just met you."

Toph just laughed at Iroh's comment before saying "So, where is your nephew?"

Dijin looked at Iroh while drinking some more tea curious about his answer while the former General said "I've been tracking him actually."

Toph asked "Is he lost?"

Iroh looked away sadly and said "Yes, a little bit. His life has recently changed, and he's going through some very difficult times. He's trying to figure out who he is, and he went away."

Toph starting to understand what Iroh was saying said "So now you're following him."

Iroh just smiled and said "I know he doesn't want me around right now, but if he needs me, I'll be there."

Toph smiled at the sentiment and turned her head towards Dijin's direction realizing he did something similar for her.

She turned towards Iroh and said "Your Nephew is very lucky, even if he doesn't know it." Toph put her cup down and grabbed her bag while standing up.

Dijin seeing this followed suit while the blind girl spoke saying "Thank you for the tea and the advice. It helped me."

Iroh just smiled at her and said "My pleasure. Sharing tea and passing on a little wisdom with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights."

Toph and Dijin were about to leave until Toph turned back towards Iroh and said "Oh, and about your nephew, maybe you should tell him that you need him, too."

Iroh smiled at the girl and said "I'll be sure to do that."

The three's conversation was suddenly interrupted however, by a giant explosion going off in the distance.

The three benders looked off into the distance and saw an abandoned village about a mile away with black smoke rising from it.

Dijin glared at the smoke and said "I have a bad feeling about this." he turned towards Toph and said "Toph, you with me?"

Toph just smirked and cracked her knuckles saying "You kidding Hot Rocks? We never got to fight earlier so I'm itching for some action."

Dijin nodded his head and was about to take off with her until Iroh said "Wait! I'm going with you."

The two Earth-benders looked at him strangely before Dijin asked "Not that I'm complaining but why?"

Iroh just glared at the smoke and said "I know that amount of destruction anywhere and you two will need all the help you can get."

Dijin getting the idea said "Right. Let's do it, Toph."

Toph nodded her head and the two moved in sync stomping their left and right feet respectively as they thrusted their arms upwards creating an earth-slab for all three of them to ride on.

Toph and Dijin then stood on the back of the slab and set one of their feet on the ground while the other was on the slab before they stomped on the earth creating Earth-waves that propelled them forward toward the village.

xxLine Breakxx

After Toph and Dijin left the group, the Gaang realized Toph had been right about Appa's fur so they cleaned the Sky Bison up and then separated.

Sokka and Katara stayed with Appa and tried to look for the two Earth-benders while Aang took some loose fur and tried to lead Azula and her friends on a false trail.

In the end, Aang wound up in abandoned village and decided he would confront the Fire Nation princess then and there to finally end the chase.

However, Aang didn't count on Zuko showing up and having to deal with both him and his crazy sister.

So, that is what led to Aang's current position as he was trapped under some rubble surrounded by fire while Azula closed in on him.

But just when Azula was about to do the finishing blow Katara showed up behind her. She quickly snapped her wrist forward creating a Water-whip that sent the water at Azula's waist as it wrapped around her and sent the girl flying.

Katara snapped her wrist again this time the water went towards the wood trapping Aang freeing him as he shouted "Katara!"

Katara didn't get to respond due to an irritated Azula shooting a steady stream of blue fire at the Water-bender from her two front fingers.

Katara dodged the attack before running from the building they were in as Azula chased her.

However, Katara quickly darted to the right and Azula went to follow her but was stopped by Sokka who came out of a random building wielding his Knife and Boomerang club.

Sokka took precise swings at her but she was able to expertly dodge his attacks as Aang, Katara, and Sokka started to back her into a corner.

Meanwhile, Zuko had been knocked unconscious by his sister and it was then that Iroh chose to show up kneeling next to his nephew as he slapped him awake.

Zuko groaned in pain before opening his eyes and seeing his uncle kneeling next to him which made him say "Uncle? Is that really you?"

Iroh just looked at his nephew with a hard gaze and said "Get up. We have work to do."

Zuko stood up and saw the Avatar and his friends were starting to get the upper hand on Azula. Realizing what his uncle meant he nodded his head and the two leapt into action.

Aang, Katara, and Sokka were attacking the Fire bending prodigy in a triangle formation with each of them either dodging or attacking with their respective element or weapon.

Aang would dodge Azula's fire while using his staff to launch Air-currents at her, Katara would snap her wrists creating multiple Water-whips, and Sokka would throw his boomerang to try and throw the girl off balance.

However, despite everything, Azula was proving why she was the most dangerous soldier in her father's army as she would simply dodge their attacks while also countering with her own.

When Aang would attack she would nimbly dodge the Air-currents almost as if she were an Air Nomad herself before thrusting her pointer fingers launching blue flames at the Avatar.

Then when Sokka and Katara attacked she would repeat the process even sometimes going as far as to attack the siblings at the same time by launching multiple Fire-balls from her hands.

Azula quickly cartwheeled away from another one of Aang's attacks and stood upright in front of an alleyway while smirking.

However, her smirk quickly left her face and replaced with a look of surprise as her feet sunk into the earth before a large slab of Earth was thrown at her from behind launching her a few feet.

Aang and the others looked towards the alley way and smiled seeing Toph and Dijin there in battle stances.

Dijin was glaring at the Fire Nation Princess and growled out "That's for Omashu, Bitch!"

Toph just smirked and said "We thought you guys could use a little help."

Everyone just smiled before getting serious as they noticed Azula starting to get up again.

However, once she was upright, she saw how the odds were getting less in her favor so she tried to fall back by launching a wave of blue flames from her hands before taking off down a random alleyway.

But her escape was cut short due to her uncle showing up and knocking her back into a wall while the Gaang plus Zuko showed up.

Everyone surrounded Azula against the wall wielding their weapon of choice. Zuko and Iroh had Fire in their hands, Katara had some water coiled around her arm, Aang had his staff at the ready, Toph had an Earth-slab at the ready, Dijin had created some Lava next to him and was ready to send it at the girl, and Sokka had his boomerang aimed at her head.

Azula noticed that her opponents had left her no room for escape as she looked left and right before letting out an annoyed sigh.

Azula frowned at them before saying "Well, well. look at this, enemies and traitors all working together." Azula then raised her hands saying "I'm done. I know when I'm beaten. A princess surrenders with honor."

Everyone lowered their guard slightly after hearing that and that was all the chance Azula needed.

Azula quickly gained an evil smirk as she generated a bolt of lightning and thrusted her index and middle fingers at Iroh, the lightning hitting him straight in the chest near his heart.

Iroh roared in pain saying "ARRRRRRRGGGH."

Both Zuko and Dijin had wide eyes of disbelief as they each shouted in concern with Dijin saying "Iroh!" while Zuko shouted "Uncle!"

Then The Gaang and Zuko attacked Azula all at once the combined elemental attack causing a massive explosion while also creating a large dust cloud.

Dijin quickly pushed his arms down clearing the dust away revealing that Azula had disappeared and Iroh was on the ground unmoving with Zuko at his side.

Dijin looked at the exiled prince and noticed he also looked different from when he last saw him.

He had cut-off his top knot as well and he started to let his hair grow out with it being short and unkempt, like Iroh he wore a brown traveling robe that split at his waist, he had on a grey long sleeve shirt, he wore a pair of brown loose pants, and for shoes he had on a pair of brown boots.

Zuko quickly checked his uncle for a pulse before he buried his face in his hands and yelled in frustration after realizing he couldn't do anything.

Katara not one to let someone die walked up to Zuko saying "Zuko, stand back. I can help."

Zuko just turned and glared at her screaming "Get away from us!"

Katara not wanting to leave Iroh in his condition persisted saying "Please, I can heal him."

Zuko being stubborn swung his arm to the side creating a wave of fire as he shouted "Leave!"

Dijin just frowned and walked right up to Zuko and grabbed him by his robe collar and said angrily "Zuko! Calm the fuck down or I swear by the spirits I'll knock you out myself!"

Zuko's response was to grab Dijin by his inner shirt and ignited his hands on fire to try and make Dijin let go as he said "I said leave us alone! If anyone is going to help uncle it's going to be me!"

Dijin just glared at Zuko and said Coldly "Do not be mistaken in thinking you're the only one who cares about Iroh." Dijin then grabbed Zuko's hands and despite the flames he squeezed Zuko's hands until he let go and put out his flames.

Dijin continued to glare at Zuko as he said "Now, let Katara heal him and I'll explain our relationship to you like I promised."

Zuko's eyes widened as he remembered what Dijin promised him at the North Pole so with some reluctance he nodded his head and stepped aside so Katara could work.

However, she went over to Dijin first to try and heal his burns but he waved her off and sent her over to Iroh instead.

As Katara worked on Iroh Dijin started to explain his relationship with the Dragon of the West.

He started by saying "When I was fifteen, I had just been given my own squad of soldiers to command and I got most of them killed. After that I was pretty lost and I didn't believe in anything anymore so, my teacher King Bumi sent word to an old friend of his to try and cheer me up. While also preparing me for whatever the war might bring."

Dijin smiled as he remembered his first meeting with Iroh as he said "Iroh started to teach me about the spirits and what they mean to us and the world. Then when he felt I learned enough about the spirits he started to teach me about the Avatar as well."

Zuko's eyes widened as he looked at his uncle and said "Uncle, knows about the Avatar?"

Dijin just shrugged his shoulders saying "he knows some things but not enough to make him an expert."

Aang looked at Dijin with wide eyes as he said "That's how you knew about the Avatar State! Iroh taught you about it."

Dijin looked at Aang and said "Yes, and I'm sorry I never told any of you. I didn't know how to explain to you guys that my old teacher was the Dragon of the West."

Aang and the others just nodded their heads in understanding knowing they probably would have done the same thing if they were in Dijin's shoes.

Dijin got back to his story saying "Anyway, he would visit me every two weeks out of every month until last year. that's when I'm guessing he dedicated all his time into helping you."

Zuko looked at Dijin with a raised eyebrow before saying "Two weeks out of every month?" Zuko's eyes widened as he remembered his uncle would leave his ship every two weeks for a supposed Pai Sho game with an old friend. Zuko looked at Dijin and realized that his uncle's old friend must have been him the whole time.

Dijin finished his story by saying "In the end, that is how I know about you, that's how I know about your stupid pointless vendetta to capture Aang, and it's also why I care about Iroh just as much if not more than you."

Just then Katara spoke up saying "Ok, he's stable. He just needs some rest and he should be fine."

Katara stood up and made her way over to Dijin saying "Now, let me see those burns." Katara quickly got to work healing Dijin as Zuko hefted his uncles' arm around his shoulder and went over to where he left his Ostrich-Horse.

However, before Zuko left he turned towards them and said "I owe you for saving my uncle but make no mistake, I still intend to capture the Avatar."

Dijin just frowned and said "And I'll be there to knock you to the ground."

Katara just glared at Zuko and said "We all will." the whole Gaang hardened their gazes at the exiled prince who took it with a grain of salt as he made his way back to his mount.

xxLine Breakxx

After Zuko left and Katara healed Dijin the Gaang took off on Appa and found a secluded place to land.

After everything the group had been through, they all quickly fell asleep together in Appa's saddle.

Aang was sleeping with a smile on Appa's head, Sokka and Katara were cuddled up in a sibling's embrace, and Dijin was passed out on his back while Toph unconsciously used his arm as a pillow since she was next to him.

The Gaang just continued to dream away enjoying what little peace they could get before their next adventure happened.