TLF - The Last Firebender

by Carrotine Clara

When all hope is lost, Aang is ripped from a dystopian world, only to find himself in a sick, distorted reality, forced to fight his friends alongside his foe. But can he really trust them? Trust people that destroyed his life? Trust those that don't even exist in his world? Against his own instincts, he may need to put his trust in one person above all: Azula, the last firebender.

17. Episode 17: The Dancing Dragon

Fire. Earth. Water. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Water Tribes attacked...

Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.

A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his bending skills are great, he is haunted by the memories of his world...

But I believe Aang can save this one.

---

Avatar: The Last Firebender

Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro

Written by Carrotine Clara

Proofread by CowTrain

---

Book 1: Fire

Episode 17

The Dancing Dragon

---

Act I. – Princess Adithya

---

The strange animal returned in Azula's dream. It felt like hours, running through the strange, palace-like structure and hiding behind pillars in hopes of finding an escape.

The noises suddenly change from a gruesome growl to a strange scream, a pained howl that indicates a shift. Azula finally dares leaving her hideout, finding an empty palace court and a shadowy figure flying away in fear.

The figure standing in the courtyard is cloaked in shadow. Who, or what or any information at all remains hidden to Azula.

AZULA: Who are you?

As she steps forth the mysterious person moves away, eventually switching to a chase, down an endless corridor. As Azula tries to catch up to it, she can hear the screams of her brother, which ultimately wakes her up again.

She finds herself back on Appa, the familiar saddle attached to the flying bison as it is dipped in early morning sunlight.

TY LEE: Azula! Can you hold this please?!

The acrobat dangles a small pouch of whatever and Azula, still befuddled from her dream, eventually grabs it, allowing Ty Lee to use both hands to make some sort of potion mix in a wooden bowl. Her brother is twitching and grunting in pain, his arm looking swollen and sick.

AZULA: Oh boy. We need to land somewhere.

Ty Lee frantically studies the herbal medicine book that Zuko started reading after Azula's injuries. The firebender carefully crawls forward, tying her hair back to a topknot and using the heirloom headpiece to set it in place. She finally leans over to talk to Aang at the helm.

AZULA: We need to land somewhere!

AANG: Where?

His snappy answer is somewhat justified, as below them lie only rocks and dangerous waters. The urgency of the situation is not yet resolved though.

AZULA: How much longer to the Golden City?

AANG: Well, if the Air Temple is on the same spot as it is in my world, it should only be a few more hours!

Aang feels relieved to speak openly. Azula still feels concern, the agony of her brother audible in the back.

AZULA: Well, we better hurry.

And that's it for their brief conversation. Not much more words are wanted to be expressed at the moment. Azula averts her gaze from the bald boy and focuses on a cloud to their right, which greatly intrigues her. After a few more moments of closer inspection, she finally realizes why.

AZULA (tapping Aang on the shoulder): Aang?

She points at it and Aang shares her concern.

AANG: I see it.

The cloud appears to move towards them, bringing strange winds with it that start drifting Appa off-course.

AZULA: Can you get us closer?

Aang nods and does what she expects of him. Pulling Appa's reins, the bison moves closer and closer until-

A terrifyingly precise and powerful blast of blue fire shoots towards it, making Aang briefly skip a heartbeat. Before the meteorological object is hit, a red flame suddenly burst from within it, blocking the incoming blast. A bison's howl sounds through the sky. Appa's pupils dilate quickly, and he howls back. Azula's jaw drops as she sees the cloud disappear into thin air, revealing another bison, much like Appa, though with a unique fur pattern. On it sits a bald man wearing yellow and orange, holding the animal's reins. On its saddle sits another airbender, a woman, who appears to be responsible for the artificial clouding of the beast.

Finally, a girl roughly Azula's age, a bit younger perhaps, wearing a maroon-red shirt with open sleeves and a strange headdress resembling a hijab, made of blue silk. Her skin is tanned and her golden eyes stare in confusion at the sight.

THE GIRL: Who are you?

Aang feels a little too stunted to speak, being once again simply out of words from the joy of seeing a grown bison and airbenders.

AZULA: Take a guess who that is! That's the Avatar!

Zuko grunts in pain again.

AZULA: And that's my brother in the back who desperately needs medical attention! So get us to the Golden City and STOP WASTING OUR TIME!

The tirade, while definitely insulting the girl, is ultimately effective.

THE GIRL: Follow me.

---

As the bison soar in a line, Aang occasionally catches a glimpse of the strange girl, glaring back for a moment, then turning her head away again.

AZULA: Do you think we can trust them?

AANG: I mean... they're airbenders.

AZULA: Well...

She briefly looks back at an occupied Ty Lee, referring non-verbally to the Akari incident.

AANG: Sure... but this is different.

AZULA: How?

AANG: They're not taking us to the Northern Air Temple for once.

Azula is quite shocked by this.

AZULA: What?!

AANG: Yes.

Instead, the bison leading ahead is approaching a massive cauldron in a sea of spiky rocks, creating a death trap-like environment, very reminiscent of Changchun. The top of the massive mountain structure is covered in a thick lair of clouds. As they begin to close in on it, Aang starts to realize what is happening.

AZULA: Aang? Should we turn around? Aang?!

AANG: Trust me.

Words that hold very little meaning to Azula, yet she still complies, nonetheless. As the bison ahead finally reaches the wall of copper-colored clouds, it pierces right through it. Aang and Azula exchange a quick glance and the girl understands.

Smashing through the fluffy barrier, Aang and Azula simultaneously drops their jaws in awe, overseeing a massive structure, an interconnected city with mostly traditional Fire Nation architecture, houses and towers she had only seen in books. It brings tears to her eyes. Aang is quite amazed too, spotting several little nomad-inspired buildings with little airbenders running around. He can feel his stomach turning at the thought of abandoning his people in this world. He smiles at Azula, glad about having made the right choice.

She in response only lightly smirks back, wiping away her tears and pointing at the other bison landing in a courtyard.

Ty Lee, who was for the most part too focused on Zuko, finally takes a few seconds to look down at the city below, spotting a large fountain and a woman sitting on its edge.

No time for that though, for as soon as Appa places himself on solid ground, two airbenders hop on the saddle.

MEDIC: We'll take him from here.

The two men, who seem to be stronger than they appear, hoist up Zuko with airbending, gently placing him on a bamboo stretcher, then proceeding to carry him into a nearby building.

The city itself has mostly red and black, with the Air Nomad structures having very little color if any. Now they find themselves in a massive courtyard leading up to an equally impressive pagoda building, easily 600 feet tall and standing in front of a slightly taller caldera wall. The building is crested with the usual red, yet in a far broader color range, also including orange, gold, all sorts of yellow, blue - truly a mesmerizing piece of architecture to gaze upon, especially when you grew up on a tiny island.

Aang, Azula with Sabachi and Ty Lee get off Appa, petting the tired beast and thanking him for his hard work.

AANG: You did great.

He roars back tired.

AZULA: I'm... not going to translate that.

THE GIRL: You can understand him?

The girl, now standing in front of three quarters of the Dream Team, folds her hands in a quite formal manner, giving Aang a stark reminder of every royal character he has ever encountered.

Azula crosses her arms in response.

AZULA: Yeah. I don't really know why.

THE GIRL: What is his name?

She gestures towards Appa and Aang nods, allowing her to pet the very exhausted bison, who seems to like it.

AANG: His name is Appa. How do you know he's a "he"?

The girl scoffs.

THE GIRL: I grew up with flying bison. I even helped birth some of them.

She smiles at Aang with a tiny hint of sass.

THE GIRL: Let's just say experience.

Azula seems to distrust her. The girl finally turns around, doing the all-too-familiar Fire Nation gesture towards the three.

ADITHYA: I am Princess Adithya. I welcome the Avatar and his friends to Dibuang, though all of you most likely know it as The Golden City.

Azula looks around with an aura of skepticism.

AZULA: Not much gold except for the palace.

Adithya giggles in a humbled manner.

ADITHYA: It is true. Our hidden sanctuary has many names used by many people who wish to find it. It's not easy being hidden from the world for a hundred years.

AZULA: Is that why we were told the city was at the Northern Air Temple?

Adithya smiles again.

ADITHYA: Yes. It's sort of a... mystery. Most people, if they would even manage to get past the treacherous stone sea, would simply ignore the caldera and move on further south. This way we've been able to keep it safe from the Water Tribe.

Appa groans again, as if bored by the exposition.

ADITHYA: How about we put your friend in one of our finest stables?

She points at two servants to come over.

ADITHYA: That reminds me, you haven't told me your names yet.

Aang hesitates to speak up, feeling a very real disconnect between him and his, well, friends? Azula decides to step in.

AZULA: I'm Azula. The boy with the broken arm is my brother Zuko, we're from the Twins.

Adithya shakes her head slowly.

ADITHYA: The Twins... that's quite a journey away.

Azula scoffs quietly at that, pointing at Ty Lee next.

AZULA: Ty Lee over here is from...

She continues to hum that note as she... can't finish the sentence.

TY LEE: I'm an airbender, but I grew up in different travelling groups.

The princess eyes Ty Lee very closely in particular.

ADITHYA: You do look... familiar.

Ty Lee and Azula exchange confused looks, Aang feeling left out.

AZULA: Finally...

AANG: I'm Avatar Aang.

He feels strange saying those words.

ADITHYA: And...

She refers to the animal companions.

AANG: Oh, those are Appa and Sabachi.

Appa groans, Sabachi chatters, the princess smiles.

ADITHYA: Very well.

ADITHYA (to her servants): Please bring Appa to our finest stables. Keep him well fed and happy.

The servant characters gently take Appa's reins, two others take the gang's luggage off the saddle.

ADITHYA: You are invited to stay at the Pagoda Palace. There's someone I would like you to meet.

Now Azula, Ty Lee and Aang exchange looks. Before leaving to enter the massive tower the acrobat looks back longingly, curious as to who she saw at the fountain.

---

The palace's interior gives Aang some nasty flashbacks to the Fire Nation's capital palace, in his world of course. He had been there twice, once at the invasion, when it was deserted, and once again at Sozin's Comet. It was there where he and his friends fought against now Fire Lord Azula and the palace guard. It was a bloody day.

TY LEE: Are you okay?

Compassionate like always, Ty Lee immediately catches on to Aang's mental state. Feeling guilty over his betrayal, he tries dealing with it himself.

AANG: Yes. Just... long flight.

Azula of course - of course she knows he lies. What did you expect?

ADITHYA: I will gladly bring you to your quarters. But I must insist you meet my father first.

Strange words that confuse all three of the guests. Not Sabachi. She's a lemur.

After a short walk they enter what appears to be a throne room, though rather than being a dingy, shut-off chamber with fire to intimidate its subjects, it is an open courtyard, allowing the natural sunlight to always illuminate it. On the stage-like platform stands a table in the shape of a half circle, six seats upon it, only one of them empty.

Aang's heart skips a bit once again, as he spots the far more elegantly dressed Master Jeong Jeong, who appears to wear his long, white hair in a formal top knot. Aang also recognizes the old sage from Roku's temple who betrayed him, and the leader of the Sun Warriors, telling Aang that they perhaps fled from the Water Tribe as well. The only people he doesn't recognize are two old women, who appear to be twins wearing the exact same clothing and hair style.

Adithya gestures them to hold, introducing herself with a gesture and a bow, Aang and Ty Lee immediately repeating the motion and Azula doing it delayed.

ADITHYA: I stand before the Regency Government of Dibuang and present...

She gestures in a very over-the-top manner.

ADITHYA: The Avatar, Aang. His friends Azula, a firebender from the Twins, and Ty Lee, an airbender. Azula's brother and sky bison have also arrived, though are resting and seeking medical attention respectively.

The mostly old people closely inspect the kids, making Azula in particular feel very uncomfortable.

ADITHYA: Avatar and friends, I give you the Regency Government of Dibuang. They are some of the wisest and noblest of citizen, who have taken charge of the throne until I am of ruling age.

Azula finds this very amusing for some reason.

ADITHYA: Master Jeong Jeong is the most talented firebender in the city, teaching the art of fire to only a select few. I presume the Avatar and his friend would like to be taught by you as well, master.

Jeong Jeong scoffs in a pretty rude fashion.

JEONG JEONG: We'll see.

Azula is a bit insulted, Aang smiles.

ADITHYA: Kam Nam and his Sun Warriors were among the first to settle here. Their presence and knowledge of firebending has helped us greatly.

Kam Nam, the Sun Warrior Chief as Aang knew him, nods respectfully.

ADITHYA: Li and Lo are some of the most knowledgeable scholars of the old customs. They have been tasked with the preservation of our culture.

Li and Lo nod.

LI: We are very pleased to welcome a firebender from the homeland...

LO: …may your arrival bring prosperity and luck...

LI & LO: ...to us all!

The gang is too stunned to speak.

AZULA: Uh... thanks.

ADITHYA: Great Sage Zhang is the Supreme Fire Sage of the city. He is in charge of the many temples and artifacts of Dibuang.

Zhang nods.

AZULA: Why aren't you sitting up there with the others, princess?

Adithya laughs at the mere suggestion.

ADITHYA: No... that seat is reserved for my father. My mother was the Fire Lord before me, sadly she passed away when I was little.

Ty Lee frowns at the collective aura shift in the room.

ADITHYA: Speaking of - where is father?

A loud, metallic clank gives all three kids very fierce goosebumps, Aang in particular getting a very bad reaction from the approaching noise. The figure finally steps from the shadows of the back into the natural sunlight. The man is large, muscular and wearing very formal Fire Nation robes.

He is bald, has two metal limbs and a tattooed forehead, displaying an eye. Aang gulps in shock.

The man who very nearly killed him and all of his friends in his world quietly steps on the throne stage, taking his seat next to Li. He places his claw of a hand on the table and stares down Aang.

COMBUSTION MAN: Hello Avatar.

The dorky and quiet voice of this deadly foe produces a very comical reaction in Aang.

ADITHYA: Aang, this is my father, Arif.

ARIF: I'm very glad to make your acquaintance.

Aang blinks twice comically, then gets his act together.

AANG: I'm... pleased to meet you as well.

ARIF: I assume you and your friends didn't come here to simply visit, though we are just as happy if that is the case.

He nods towards Azula, who nods back with an uncomfortable expression.

AANG: Well, we are more than happy to be here, yet we came with different intentions.

He points at Azula and looks up at a skeptical Jeong Jeong.

AANG: Azula and I wish to study firebending. As you know, the Avatar has to master all the elements, and fire is first.

Azula scoffs once she realizes Aang said "master" and not "learn." Arif strokes his beard.

ARIF: And I assume you have Master Jeong Jeong in mind?

Aang chooses his next words carefully, as not to arouse any suspicion.

AANG: Your daughter did call him the best firebender in the city.

Adithya smiles. Jeong Jeong does not.

ARIF: Very well, I will discuss it with him. You may leave now.

Adithya is the one to lead the way, giving the others a way of knowing to leave now as well.

Ty Lee looks very nervously at Arif, then at Aang, then at Azula. Without exchanging a word, Azula can guess what the acrobat is thinking and nods confidently.

---

Zuko looks quite peaceful on the Fire Nation hospital bed. The healing process appears to have involved an array of medicine herbs and a combination of ancient fire bending techniques. Aang had never thought about whether or not firebending could be used this way. As soon as that thought pops in his head, he immediately worries about whether or not Azula would have to go through the same nonsensical process as Katara to be taught by Jeong Jeong. He guesses not.

Adithya appears from a different room.

ADITHYA: I was told he is recovering. A few more sessions and he can sleep in a palace bed.

Azula doesn't think much of this herbal crap, her guess being that the brace on his arm will do the job.

AZULA: Amazing. Could you leave us for a minute, please?

The princess seems confused, yet obliges, leaving the Dream Team alone in the room. Aang guesses this is where he should come forth and...

AANG: I'm sorry.

Aang expects Ty Lee to wither away and for Azula to shout at him. Yet she remains calm, only sighing.

AZULA: Right. You can probably guess that that's only a start?

Aang nods as humbly as he can.

TY LEE: We understand that you're sorry, and we get that you want to help us but...

AZULA: Let's just say we need some evidence.

The girls, even Ty Lee, look sharply at Aang. The Avatar feels a deep resentment at his own actions.

AANG: Words will never make up how I treated you, you in particular.

He meant Azula, which seems to make the girl happy.

AANG: I thought that keeping you in the dark would be the best way to protect you from danger. But really you needed protection from me.

He allows those words to sink in.

AANG: I will do everything in my power to stop the Water Tribe, protect you, and save this world. Even if it means I have to stay here.

This appears to be the tipping point, as Azula raises her eyebrows at that last part.

AZULA: Bu- what about your friends?

AANG: You're my friends too. And if getting back to them means abandoning you...

He hadn't really thought that last part through and decides to speak from the heart.

AANG: I lost so much over the years. I can't lose you too.

Surprisingly, Azula is the one to tear up at that, though she still keeps her distance.

AZULA (teary): Right. It's just... you know... the whole trust thing...

Ty Lee grabs her friend, allowing her to calm down a bit.

TY LEE: We need a little time. That's all.

Aang nods with a hint of a smile, as that's all he wanted.

AANG: Thank you. Truly.

He bows in front of them, just before Adithya enters the room again, finding a teary-eyed Azula and her somber friends.

ADITHYA: It must be very hard to see him like this...

Azula quickly wipes the tears away.

ADITHYA: ...but I assure you, we are doing everything in our power to heal him.

AZULA: Yeah, right.

The raven-haired girl clears her throat.

AZULA: Why are you here again? We told you we needed a moment alone.

ADITHYA: I'm truly sorry to disturb, however, I come with news. My father would wish to speak to you two.

She gestures at Aang and Azula, who share a quick glance, then follow the princess outside.

AZULA (to Ty Lee): See you later!

TY LEE: See you later!

And with that, they leave. The acrobat remains with Zuko for a while, before remembering that this is the perfect opportunity to finally check out that fountain.

---

Arif, who Aang knew in his world as the Sparky Sparky Boom Man, awaits him and Azula, standing next to a very stern face belonging to the man who once taught him a bit about firebending.

ARIF: Master Jeong Jeong and I discussed your request to be trained by him.

The old man's scarless face squints at Azula.

ARIF: However, only under one condition...

JEONG JEONG: You two will become my private students.

Azula shares a quick smile-

JEONG JEONG: Don't underestimate my training.

Azula flinches at his harsh interjection.

JEONG JEONG: Fire is a ruthless substance. If you're not careful, it will devour you and everyone around you.

Surprisingly, Aang can take the harsh words much better than Azula.

JEONG JEONG: What I expect more than anything is discipline. From all three of you.

Aang's brow shoots up. Azula looks around confused, only seeing Sabachi on her shoulder.

AZULA: The... uh... lemur can't bend.

Adithya finally clears her throat.

ADITHYA: Did you... mean me, master?

Azula turns around very quickly.

JEONG JEONG: Yes, princess.

Aang can't hear it, but clearly reads Azula's lips to say "Oh no".

JEONG JEONG: You have been training under Master Asanuma for many years now. We have been speaking for a while and he agreed to let me help you further to develop your skills.

The princess, completely speechless, finally manages to perform a clunky bow, showing her upmost gratitude.

ADITHYA: Thank you very much, master. I will not disappoint you.

Jeong Jeong scoffs.

JEONG JEONG: I hope the same can be said about the Avatar and his friend. I expect to see all three of you in a few hours.

He glares at Azula, before leaving back inside with Arif. Adithya scoffs loudly, a big smile growing on her face.

ADITHYA: I can't believe Master Jeong Jeong has finally accepted me. And I get to train with the Avatar nonetheless!

In stark contrast to her otherwise very formal and petite mannerism, she launches at Aang, grabbing his hands and jumping up and down. Aang feels strange about this... stranger celebrating with him, yet her overwhelming joy does manage to infect him.

AANG: I guess. Sure! It sounds fun!

Azula watches all of this with a flat expression, her arms crossed and her brow twitching.

---

Ty Lee is truly impressed by the sheer size of the Golden City, or, well, Dibuang. Crested rooftops are decorated with red and orange lanterns, occasional shades of yellow and gold run through the city streets like a gold vein does through a mountain. The city is sprawling with life, housing a whole array of people that joyfully go through their everyday lives, able to express and embrace their traditions and culture without fear of being called savage. A small patch of grass houses a small pond with turtle ducks, deeply captivating a small child wrapped in pink and burgundy. A couple of kids run down the street, engaged in some kind of race. Ty Lee gasps with joy at the sight.

Ty Lee stops at the fountain. It's empty. Whoever she saw, however she might have seen, is gone. Perhaps it was all just a specter, her imagination acting up after the stressful journey with Zuko.

Ty Lee hated to admit it, but she had dreamt of her mother more often recently. That vision that spooked her back in the Glacier Temple, the figure of a cloaked women she clearly recognized...

She wipes some of the tears from her face and intends to head back to the palace. After all, she had come here to sharpen her skills as an airbender just as much as Aang and Azula did for firebending. It would be a nice distraction.

GIRL: I really like your hair.

Ty Lee smiles at the bafflingly familiar voice. She turns around...

TY LEE: Thank you, I-

Only to freeze up in shock at the unsuspecting sight. The girl who gave her the compliment shrieks up as well.

Ty Lee looks at someone with her exact face.

---

Act II. – The Ty Sisters

---

The two reflections stare off each other for a few more seconds. The stranger is wearing an outfit very similar to Ty Lee, though she carries some green features, as well as the perfect braid hanging down her back, making the acrobat instinctively touch her own hair in response.

Eventually, the strange girl stems her hands against her hips.

GIRL: Alright, you got me good, I admit it. You can stop now, Ty Woo.

Ty Lee still hasn't closed her mouth, still eyes the girl as if she couldn't understand her. The girl seems to very much dislike this.

GIRL: Are you deaf Ty Woo? I'm talking to you!

TY LEE: Who is... Ty Woo?

Finally hearing her voice, the girl's posture immediately changes, her growing concern displayed accurately on her face.

GIRL: You're not Ty Woo...

She steps closer, Ty Lee starting to lose her hunched-over stance, the fear growing smaller and smaller. She shakes her head at the braided reflection.

GIRL: Who... are you then?

Ty Lee can barely keep her trembling voice straight.

TY LEE: I'm Ty Lee. I... I just... I just came here, I...

The girl tears up out of nowhere.

GIRL: Ty Lee?

Ty Lee nods, tearing up too.

TY LIN: My name is Ty Lin. I'm... I'm your sister.

Ty Lee finally breaks down, the two sisters catching each other in a long overdue hug, both of them crying.

TY LIN (teary): What happened? Where did you come from?

Ty Lee gasps.

TY LEE (teary): I... I came here with the Avatar.

Ty Lin gently grabs her face.

TY LIN: Oh... you must have so many questions...

Ty Lee nods, unable to verbally answer.

TY LIN: Let me take you home. You have to meet our sisters.

Now the acrobat is a little confused.

TY LEE (teary): Sisters?

---

TY LIN: Ty Lee - meet your sisters!

Immediately, the acrobat's aura lightens up again as a barrage of screeching Ty Lee clones shower the girl with love. All of them look alike, though their hair braiding is done slightly differently, and they all wear a distinct set of one color, which makes it easier to distinguish between them.

TY LEE: I can't... believe there's so many of you.

All of the sisters except one giggle. Their house is not especially large, though gives them a nice view over one of the many small parks within the city.

TY LIN: Ty Lee, these are Ty Lat, Ty Lao, Ty Liu, Ty Lum, and Ty Woo.

All of them except Ty Woo give her a cute gesture. Ty Woo appears to be the token grumpy one. What specific color each sister is wearing, I refuse to elaborate. Just picture five more Ty Lee's with different hair and one color each.

TY LEE: I... I'm absolutely speechless.

After organizing her thoughts for a moment, she finally starts picking up some questions she's had for a while, indeed, all her life.

TY LEE: But... how? How are you here? How come I was... alone?

All the Ty sisters, even Woo, seem too somber up at the serious nature of the questions. Just in time to change the topic, an older woman in her early fifties steps into the room, she of course also wears Fire Nation attire, though her braided hair has hints of grey already.

TY LIN: Aunt Mara, you won't believe who it is!

All the Tys step aside, allowing Mara to ponder the very tired-looking acrobat with big eyes.

MARA: ...Ty Lee... is it really you?

Ty Lee's lips quiver a bit.

TY LEE: Yes. Are you... my aunt?

Mara smiles.

MARA: We have a lot to discuss, honey. I'll set up some tea.

She smiles again, stepping into the kitchen and leaving Ty Lee with a lot of questions.

TY LAO: Do you want us to braid your hair?

Ty Lee inaudibly gasps at the question.

TY LIU: It would look super cute when it's short like that!

Ty Lee jumps up in excitement, creating small gusts of wind that the other sisters don't seem to notice.

TY LEE: Yes! YES - YES!

---

Zuko opens his eyes and finds himself in a strange place.

It reminds him very much of the dry grass fields on his home island. He sits up, looks around, and wonders if this is all just a dream.

Wait. He wonders if this is a dream. That... doesn't sound very much like a dream at all. It also doesn't... feel like much of a dream. Pondering his hands like someone tripping on seaweed, he finally gets up on two feet. He doesn't clearly remember what happened, though he can very much recall getting injured by Puwati and saved by Aang. I guess this means Aang is his friend again? Who knows.

He walks for a bit. The soft, dry earth beneath his heel feels comforting, familiar. He lets his mind soar through the many questions he has had to wrestle with.

He finds himself at a crossroads, standing still and starring at the fork in the road. He scratches the back of his head, wondering how to proceed.

And then Zuko finally spots it. The strange glimmer, the bright lens flare that has been quietly following him all this time. He had to turn around to see it, though as he looks behind him, he finds the fork gone and replaced by the entrance to a massive jungle, also reminding him of his home.

Turning away from the woodwork, he spots none other than Sōjōbō.

The monkey-like spirit towers above Zuko, blocking the sun (or what appears to be the sun?) and immediately intimidates the boy enough to get down on his knees.

ZUKO: Oh- Great Sōjōbō?! I- I am honored to be in your presence!

As he does his prayer, the massive being shrinks down to the size of an actual proboscis monkey, still keeping its signature features like the white fur and the geta shoes.

It chirps at the defenseless swordfighter, its curious eyes almost more intrusive than words.

Then it runs into the forest, briefly looking back to makes sure Zuko follows him. The boy hesitates. Yet, what is there to lose? After all - isn't this just a dream?

---

Aang and Azula both took a short break after lunch, using their elegant private palace quarters to rest a bit. Apparently, it's very common in the Fire Nation to have a little siesta in the afternoon, most people staying up and having dinner late at night.

The two remained alone. Separate. Both pondered multiple times if they should be the first to break the truce, walk to the other room and start a conversation. Yet neither did so. Aang had hoped that giving his friends some space would be the right decision, allowing them to recover from all the pain he caused. Azula simply didn't want to be the first one to break, as she calls it. She prefers it when people come to her. Neither of them had heard anything from Ty Lee either, so they assumed she was in her quarters resting, seeing as she stayed up all night tending to Zuko.

A knock on Azula's room door eventually forces her to get up. She does so with a smile, a smirk to be more exact, one reeking of a smug-ish sense of self-entitlement that one could smell from a mile away. Aang finally had the courage to come crawling to her. She would have the upper hand from now on, she would-

ADITHYA (from outside her door): Are you up? I hope I'm not disturbing!

Azula frowns with comical timing, firmly grasping her sliding door and allowing the princess to come inside.

AZULA (dry): Come in.

She walks back over to her bed. Adithya takes her shoes off before entering someone's personal quarters, as is custom in the Fire Nation.

ADITHYA: I hope I didn't wake you from your slumber. I had feared you and Aang would sleep through our first lesson later.

Azula snorts. Of course, their first lesson would be the same day, this Jeong Jeong that Aang clearly knows was clearly that kind of guy.

AZULA: Yeah, a real bummer, I guess.

As the raven-haired girl picks up a brush to get her already smooth hair even straighter, Adithya quietly admires her little room, with most of her possessions still inside her rucksack.

ADITHYA: You haven't started unpacking yet. Do you need any help with that?

AZULA: No.

Azula averts her eyes, at the very least trying to not come off as rude.

ADITHYA: Are you fine? You seem a little on edge.

Her tone, while not quite as somber as Ty Lee, does indeed poke Azula the wrong way and she allows her facade to break open a bit.

AZULA: It's true. It has nothing to do with you, don't worry, it's just...

She sighs. She obviously can't talk about Aang, choosing instead to go with the other thing that's on her mind.

AZULA: This Jeong Jeong guy seems odd. I don't know if I can trust him. I mean, we just came here, and he already wants to train us? Give me a break...

Adithya lets her lips shoot to the side, trying to come up with a measured response.

ADITHYA: I suppose he would say something mean to that, about how you should take a vacation instead or something...

Azula snickers a bit at that, infecting the princess. The firebender is now done combing her hair.

AZULA: Can you give me my headpiece please?

She rudely waves at one wardrobe. Adithya complies, briefly admiring the item before handing it over to her guest.

ADITHYA: It's a very beautiful piece. Did you find it on your travels?

Azula scoffs.

AZULA (while doing her hair in the mirror): No, I've had that thing for a while. Though I only started wearing it after I met Aang.

The firebender admires herself, then turning around to the princess.

AZULA: How do I look?

Adithya smiles.

ADITHYA: You look beautiful. If you don't mind, I would like to change into my training attire before we pick up Aang.

Azula immediately smirks at the phrasing "pick up Aang", though she manages to keep herself together.

AZULA: Sounds great.

The smile that follows after that is one of genuine joy though. While Azula initially disliked this princess, she has started to grow on her a bit.

---

Even though Zuko thought of the jungle as resembling the one on his home island at first, he is now beginning to find himself deeper and deeper inside the massive location. It almost appears alien to him, with the trees sometimes resembling giant fern and large tubes growing from the moist forest floor. Strange creatures and shadows fly past him lingering in the distance as if the dots of light are watching him. He has been able to keep up with the small Sōjōbō, but only because the creature occasional resides on a tree trunk or an overly long branch. Zuko starts feeling out of breath but pushes onward despite of it.

ZUKO: You know... I don't actually remember when I went to the Spirit World for the first time.

The Sōjōbō briefly looks back at Zuko as if he could understand him. Zuko smirks, thinking his guess was probably right. After climbing over a large root, he continues marching through soft, mushy dirt.

ZUKO: I'm hoping this isn't some sort of lesson from you, oh great Sōjōbō. I really have tremendous respect for the spirits...

By respect he actually meant "fear", looking around once again, terrified of the strange insect-like sounds that linger in this forest. The Sōjōbō, of course, does not answer.

ZUKO: My uncle told us many stories about this place. He said that on very rare occasions a spirit would intervene on the side of a human that he saw as needing help...

Saying those words out loud, Zuko begins to worry, thinking about his injuries.

ZUKO: Is that why I'm here? Am- am I in danger?

His voice quivers at the thought. The spirit disappears into a bush.

ZUKO: Wait! Pleases tell great Sōjōbō - am I in danger?!

He runs after him, dashing through the previously mentioned bush with ease and entering a small bamboo section, the Sōjōbō nowhere to be found.

ZUKO: Sōjōbō? Sōjōbō?! Have you trapped me in here?!

A terrifying screech, high-pitched and engulfed in a beam of light showers Zuko with color and fear. He gets down on his knees, cowering at what he thinks might be his demise.

ZUKO: Please oh great spirit - I'm sorry if I have offended you or your kind! I never meant to...

He looks up with tears in his eyes, gasping at the massive black and white creature with unusual proportions, as it quickly morphs into the shape of a panda bear, grunting in an almost friendly tone at the boy.

ZUKO: You... you are not here to hurt me?

The creature looks up, signaling Zuko to look behind him, where he spots Sōjōbō sitting on a bamboo pile, tilting its head as it sees Zuko smiling.

ZUKO: You are here to help me, aren't you?

The creature hums again, using its strange powers to grow a wall of bamboo around the human. As it dissolves, Zuko finds himself in a completely different location, once again reminded of somewhere back home. As he gets up and dares to peek behind him, he spots a set of twin volcanoes towering high into the skies.

---

Ty Lee, despite her very new and very pretty short hair braid, can't help but to be infected by Mara's sad aura. The woman quietly stirs her tea, as all of the Ty Sisters are waiting patiently in the room, all in various seating positions.

MARA: I... don't really know how to start to be honest...

The woman massages her temple as she sips her green tea. Ty Lee feels her pain.

TY LEE: It's okay if it's too much.

MARA: No-no, you deserve to know Ty Lee. I just... I don't know where to start.

None of the sisters in the room know the answer. Ty Lee eventually remembers the fountain image.

TY LEE: What about Yu Dao? We were there, weren't we?

She looks around the room, her assumption proven correctly by the shocked expressions.

MARA: Yes. We lived in Yu Dao for a while, when you were very little. Our family moved to many Earth Kingdom cities...

TY LEE: I assume all the ones with an Air Nomad village.

She looks around, apparently having made some kind of mistake, as her sisters look at her in an odd way.

MARA: What do you mean?

TY LIU: Is it because Yu Dao had one?

TY LEE: No, it's because I'm a-

She looks around the room filled with confused eyes once again, finally realizing.

TY LEE: I'm... I'm the only airbender, am I?

All the girls gasp and mumble, Mara on the other hand smirks a bit.

MARA: I knew it...

Now all eyes glue back on to their aunt.

TY WOO: You knew what?

MARA: Well, your great grandmother, for the short time that I knew her, did claim to have been with an airbender once. I didn't believe her of course, we all thought she was a little nuts.

Mara cackles at the long overdue discovery.

MARA: Guess we were wrong.

TY LIN: You're an airbender? That's incredible!

TY LUM: How did you find out?

Ty Lee scoffs quietly.

TY LEE: I found out about my powers when I was six. Back then I was with a traveling circus. I had to keep it a secret because...

Her sentence ends prematurely, as the acrobat really doesn't know the answer.

TY LEE: I- I don't know actually. Everyone I told started acting strange around me. Eventually they threw me out and I joined a dance group instead.

All the sisters sulk with compassion, Ty Lin engulfing her in a warm hug.

TY LIN: That must have been heartbreaking.

Ty Lee tears a bit up at the thought but manages to keep herself together. It would be too much of a shame to cry in front of her sisters and aunt.

TY LEE: I managed quite well. And it was pretty fun for the most part.

She remembers the night she performed for Aang, Azula, and Zuko, a bright smile forming on her mouth as a consequence.

TY LEE: I eventually befriended the Avatar.

Everyone gasps at different intervals and amplitudes.

TY LAT: The Avatar? I guess that's how you got here.

Ty Lee nods.

TY LEE: Yes. We've had some... difficult times but it's all been worth it.

She looks around the room, her aura turning even brighter and fluffier.

TY LEE: I'm so glad to finally meet you all!

The girls giggle collectively, even the otherwise stern Ty Woo shows her joyful side. Mara shakes her head with a smirk.

MARA: Amala and Lhatso would be so proud...

The previously chipper girls suddenly turn rather quiet.

TY LEE: Who is that?

Mara is unable to respond, deeply regretting having mentioned their names so early. Ty Lee can answer the question for herself.

---

ADITHYA: Here we are.

Azula and Aang stare in awe at the massive entrance leading them into the training grounds, an impressive stone structure that heavily reminds Aang of the Sun Warrior city. On that note, he wonders why the Sun Warriors had to flee and if the strange egg Zuko was gifted still exists. He lets his eyes drift over to Azula who, while similarly impressed, only briefly pops her brows at him, basically giving him the cold shoulder.

ADITHYA: Are you two excited?

The question directly interferes with the wordless convo the two were just having.

AZULA: Yeah. Sure. Let's get going.

The hallway leading them down into the dojo proper is stacked with Fire Nation memorabilia and ancient-looking artifacts. While Aang and Azula briefly admire the items, Adithya quickly takes a peek at Azula's headpiece, her left eyebrow jumping up in response.

Entering the Sun Warrior dojo, the staggering architecture, a time capsule of hundreds of years ago, still manages to impress the two newcomers. Adithya immediately bows to Master Jeong Jeong, who neither Aang nor Azula have noticed yet.

JEONG JEONG: Welcome.

Aang immediately gestures to the master, Azula following with a delay. The four stone torch pillars marking the corners of the room in a square shape suddenly ignite, supposedly at the command of the master. The roof is once again non-existent and allows the Fire Nation sun to illuminate the chamber, the torches being more of an aesthetic thing.

JEONG JEONG: Shall we begin?

He steps aside, leaving an empty spot in the middle of the square.

AZULA: Begin with what?

JEONG JEONG: As I understand, all three of you already possess firebending skills. Am I correct to assume that?

AZULA: How do you know that?

Jeong Jeong smirks.

JEONG JEONG: I don't. You just told me.

Azula pouts, having been beaten at her own game.

JEONG JEONG: I also just assumed. Few people have found this city, let alone a bunch of children.

AZULA: Teenagers.

JEONG JEONG: Don't interrupt me.

His harsh response adequately shuts the girl down and provokes her in response.

JEONG JEONG: Princess Adithya...

Adithya flinches. She seems to be the only student to earnestly be honored to be trained by the master. Aang is just going through the motion and Azula clearly doesn't like him.

JEONG JEONG: You have been tutored already.

ADITHYA: Yes. Master Asanuma and I had already started with some advanced techniques.

Based on her expression Azula is not happy to hear this. Aang finds this more than interesting.

JEONG JEONG: Show us.

The master takes a precautionary step back. Aang and Azula mimic this behavior while the princess steps in the square center. Still wearing a hijab, Adithya pops a very complex fitness outfit, allowing for maximum movement. Which is exactly what the young girl needs.

The first flame exits her fist, continuing on in a dance-like movement across the floor, in which Adithya rhythmically switches from her arms to her legs. Crouching, turning, swiping, stretching her arms with precision and force, her nostrils flaring up as she performs this complicated, well-practiced exercise. After a while Aang makes it out to be the Dancing Dragon, which he also remembers, therefore having to show something else once it's his turn. He doesn't say it or address it, but Aang takes note of Azula's crossed arms squeezing tightly together.

The performance finally ends in an impressive fire spiral. Adithya bows in front of her tiny audience. Jeong Jeong does not emote, clearly all of his attention devoted to her exact movements, as if he was Gordon Ramsey on Master Chef. He nods.

JEONG JEONG: Impressive. Needs some refining. But I'm happy for now.

He does not smile or show any of this happiness. Adithya bows again and awkwardly returns to stand next to Azula.

JEONG JEONG: Avatar!

Aang flinches just slightly. This Jeong Jeong lacks the appearance of a broken soldier and has a very clear manner of speaking and conducting himself.

AANG: Yes?

Jeong Jeong hastily waves him to the right, as if he had hoped the Avatar would step forth on his own.

JEONG JEONG: Now, how much do you know?

Aang briefly looks at Azula, whose quiet expression tells him "no." Aang tries to find a middle ground.

AANG: I... already know a lot, master. I was... visited by Avatar Lostris in a vision.

Technically not a lie. The master scoffs.

JEONG JEONG: You do? Then why are you even here?

A genuinely important question, of which the answer Azula is firmly anticipating.

AANG: I came to learn, master. But first and foremost... I promised my friends to bring them to the Golden City.

Both Jeong Jeong and Azula seem to like the answer. Adithya seems neutral, but intrigued, nonetheless.

JEONG JEONG: Very well. You have the heart of a warrior.

Aang allows himself to show a faint smirk.

JEONG JEONG: Show us if your skills match your spirit.

Now Aang shows a genuine smirk, one that Adithya takes a liking to.

Aang starts off his showcase of strength with some impressive fire blasts coming from his fists. He intentionally utilizes his strength in a matter he criticized in Azula, but actually pulls it off more than okay. He doesn't think too much about doing it right and just tries to get into it his own way. He can practice Prince Zuko's moves on his own time. For now, he simply tries to find his own rhythm, occasionally slipping into the airbender agility he's more used to.

Jeong Jeong remains quiet. Azula now appears very openly nervous, enough to get Adithya's attention.

ADITHYA (whispering): Are you alright, Azula?

AZULA (whispering): Hm? Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

Her dismissive tone tells the opposite.

Aang's final move is one in which he jumps upwards, striking down and creating flames that sweep across the stone floor. He looks up at the master, eagerly awaiting his judgement.

JEONG JEONG: Hm. Strange.

Aang can feel a bit of unnerve rising. Perhaps he should have tried to be more professional?

JEONG JEONG: You are clearly an airbender first. If you really want to master fire, you'll have to stop jumping around so much.

Aang smiles, bows down and performs the Fire Nation gesture.

AANG: Thank you.

He returns, hoping to receive a snarky comment from Azula, but instead finds the girl already walking on to the performance spot.

JEONG JEONG: I didn't call you yet, did I?

Azula is clearly not having any of this.

AZULA: Yeah? Well, I'm here now. It took us months to find this place so excuse me if I'm not very patient.

Jeong Jeong grunts, shaking his head.

JEONG JEONG: I've had many students like you. Impatient brats who just wanted power.

He steps forward. Azula clenches her elbow even harder, leading to Adithya giving Aang a concerned look.

JEONG JEONG: What makes you so special that I should overlook this?

Aang is very close to just tell Azula to drop the act. But alas, he is in her debt and so she has to make it up herself.

AZULA: You want to know what makes me special?

She turns around, takes a deep breath, and extents her fists, creating a massive blast of blue fire that shoots from her fingertips. Adithya audibly gasps and Jeong Jeong finally shows a reaction. Azula turns back around with the most arrogant smirk possible. She finally looks at Aang and he shakes his head.

JEONG JEONG: Hm. Blue fire. Impressive.

AZULA: I know. How rare-

JEONG JEONG: But you lack restraint. I cannot teach you.

Azula's world breaks apart in front of her eyes and with tears rolling down she runs out of the dojo.

AANG: Azula-

JEONG JEONG: Leave her.

He intends to chase after her but is stopped by the master's words. He gets a revolting feeling in his stomach and turns around, directing his anger at the stern face.

AANG: Why would you do this?! We went through so much - SHE went through so much! You are destroying her dream!

JEONG JEONG: Good. If she learns restraint, she can have her dream back.

He turns around, expecting Aang to calm down-

AANG: No. If she can't stay here, then neither can I.

He turns around and leaves also, surprising the master, who says nothing. Adithya however seems almost desperate to make herself heard.

---

ADITHYA: Aang, wait!

As Aang exits the impressive entry, he turns back around, confused to find the princess chasing him.

AANG: Adithya? What are you doing here?

She displays a look of shame on her face.

ADITHYA: I... I didn't think it was fair how he treated Azula. He seems pretty angry now...

She twiddles her thumbs and Aang finally walks back up the stairs.

AANG: Isn't that going to get you into trouble?

ADITHYA: Yeah... dad is not going to be happy. But we need to find Azula first.

Aang nods.

AANG: We can look together.

---

Aang and Adithya spend almost an hour but are hopelessly outmatched by the sheer size of Dibuang. That is until Aang comes up with an idea.

AANG: We should go on Appa. That way we can cover more ground.

The princess nods politely.

ADITHYA: Of course! That's brilliant, Aang!

He finds himself blushing a bit but tries to hide it.

ADITHYA: I know a shortcut through the Air Nomad village.

Aang's eyes flare up and he immediately follows.

This airbender section, unlike the one in Yu Dao, is sprawling and prosperous. Housing is simple and not very lavish, but the people he spots, mostly children and elders, seem to be full of joy. One particular pair of rascals chases each other down the street, blowing small gusts of wind at each other and shouting unintelligible child-stuff. Aang giggles at that, which Adithya seems to take comfort in.

ADITHYA: It must be nice to see your people living here in peace.

Her smile is followed by a deep sigh.

ADITHYA: I can't imagine what our people back in the Fire Nation must go through. It's horrifying to think about.

Aang tries to ease her distress.

AANG: It is, but... don't take it too personally.

She looks back at him with her sepia-colored eyes.

ADITHYA: I know. Father always says that intervention would make us vulnerable.

Aang disagrees with the attitude. One could say he despises politics.

AANG: Maybe you'll change things when you're the queen.

She giggles at that.

ADITHYA: Well, I wouldn't be a queen as much as a Fire Lord.

She says it with a pinch of sarcasm, though in a much friendlier dosage than Azula would, making Aang laugh.

ADITHYA: I honestly don't mind waiting a bit longer for it. I was raised with the purpose of becoming the Fire Lord one day, but... I never really liked that idea.

Aang answers with the first thing that comes to his mind.

AANG: Then don't. Leave the throne for someone else.

Adithya scoffs at that, though she clearly likes the sound of it.

ADITHYA: As nice as it sounds... I do have a responsibility to my people. I can't just abandon them.

AANG: I don't see how that's abandoning them.

She raises her brow in confusion.

ADITHYA: But... it's my destiny to become Fire Lord. If I refused, I would go against the will of my people.

Aang tosses his head from side to side.

AANG: Maybe. But you also have to think about what you want. If you only ever do what other people expect of you... you'll end up missing out on your own life.

She really lets those words sink in.

ADITHYA: A strange thing to come from an Avatar.

He can feel his stomach boiling with guilt. He tries to salvage it accordingly.

AANG: I never said ignore the people you love...

She briefly blushes as he said that while directly gawking in her face.

AANG: ...I mean, people who are important to you. You can't do everything you want all the time, but...

He doesn't quite know how to answer, Katara's image suddenly popping into his mind.

ADITHYA: It's about finding a balance?

She asks with the body language of a curious cat. Aang nods, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head.

AANG: Yes. That's what I meant.

She giggles, clearly humored by his clumsiness. The palace stables are now within viewing distance.

ADITHYA: Come on, we should get in the air before the sun sets.

He nods, having found a pinch of clarity in the conversation with this lovely person, once again a stranger to him and unique to this reality only.

---

The ragged path continues further up the mountain to the left, the other side consisting of a thick lair of moving clouds that obstruct any attempt at trying to make out how far down it goes.

Zuko has figured out for a while now that the path he traverses and the strange environments he's confronted with are a replica of his home, more specifically the fateful route he took so long ago, when he and his sister climbed up the Twins and discovered Aang.

Yet he marches onward, determined that whatever lies ahead will bring him back to the physical word, perhaps even something else.

After what felt like both hours and seconds, he finally reaches the top, a plateau very similar to the one he once stood on, though unlike on his home he can see nothing in the distance but another volcano.

A glimmering light catches him off guard, forcing him to his knees and increasing his heartbeat.

ZUKO: Great spirit... I... I don't know what I did to deserve being trapped in the Spirit World again but... please - I mean no harm.

The light, a bright purple, shifts apart, splitting into two separate lights, one a bright blue and the other an almost orange red.

RED SISTER: Be not afraid, Zuko.

Zuko finally dares to look up. The figures vaguely resemble the shape of two women, though their blinding brightness forbids the boy from making out any further details.

ZUKO: Zuko? Why did you say that name? You- you know my name?

BLUE SISTER: Yes. We have been watching over you and your people for a long time now.

Zuko, having picked up on the clues, finally puts two and two together.

ZUKO: You're the Twins.

BLUE SISTER: Yes, silly. I am the Blue Sister guarding the ocean.

RED SISTER: And I am the Red Sister, who protected the Avatar for a hundred years.

BLUE SISTER: Although...

Zuko's brow shoots up, though he does not dare to interrupt.

RED SISTER: He is a strange Avatar. His connection to the Avatar Spirit... artificial.

BLUE SISTER: And unfamiliar.

Zuko tries to formulate a proper-sounding response.

ZUKO: Is that why you have brought me here? To tell him?

BLUE SISTER: No. He has been informed already.

RED SISTER: We came here to bring you back into the physical world with a gift.

Zuko is flabbergasted.

ZUKO: A- a gift? I'm- truly honored.

The spirits begin to float upwards in a spiral motion, circulating each other in an almost hypnotic dance.

ZUKO: What do I have to do to deserve such a gift?

He gets no answer as the two lights spin faster and faster.

RED & BLUE SISTER: BE COURAGEOUS.

The spirits merge back together and create a fireball directly aimed at the boy's chest.

---

The fire burns across the village houses with intense fury. Any attempts to extinguish the flames are stopped by a horde of cackling waterbenders, who punish an old man for trying to do so.

MARA (voiceover): Our family has always been on the run. We fled from island to island, to the Earth Kingdom, until eventually we reached Yu Dao. We were safe there, but the threat of an invasion was always present...

A terrible battle rages in the harbor of Yu Dao, a young Fong can be seen commanding soldiers to fight off the invading force. On one of the ships a Water Tribe admiral is clenching his teeth in anger, his lieutenant, a younger Puwati, standing next to him with calculating eyes.

MARA (voiceover): We eventually heard rumors of a refuge, a city of gold that would protect the peoples of the Fire Nation.

A large convoy of refugees treks through a snowy Earth Kingdom forest. It's headed by Lhatso, a man with broad shoulders, a grey and black beard and an everlasting smile. His wife, Amala, looks very similar to Ty Lee and her sisters, though her hair is more traditionally braided, and she is of course much older. A younger Mara is also present, barely able to move. Amala stops for a moment to hand her water.

AMALA: Come on. It's still a long way to get to the shore.

MARA (voiceover): But we were not alone...

Cut to trees on fire. The presence of snow and the cold temperatures does not seem to have deterred a small battalion of Water Tribe soldiers to follow the convoy. The Ty Sisters all get placed on a wooden cart, thankfully all six of them asleep. Wait - all SIX?! Mara panics as she counts.

YOUNG MARA: Oh no. AMALA!

Some men in the convoy fight off the incoming attackers. Amala rushes over, a terrified glance lingering over her children.

AMALA: Ty Lee...

MARA (voiceover): When she told your father the two headed back to go find you. We pressed onward and eventually made it to the Golden City...

---

Ty Lee is frozen on the spot, not being able to believe the horror she's hearing.

MARA: Your parents... never came back. Neither did you.

Mara sighs in shame.

MARA: Your sisters were too young to remember, but I told them about you. Some of them believed you made it.

TY LIN: And we never lost hope.

A bittersweet smile is cast on Ty Lee's face as she hears this.

TY LEE: It's pretty late, I'll better get going before my friends worry about me.

Everyone seems mildly confused by the sudden shift.

TY LIN: Are you sure?

TY LUM: Do you not want to stay?

MARA: Are you sure you're okay, Ty Lee?

Ty Lee processes her thoughts for a moment, then simply smiles, with a hint of sadness mixed in between.

TY LEE: I always assumed my parents were dead. I also assumed that I was alone, that I had no family.

She looks around the room. Ty Woo turns her face away as to avoid being seen crying.

TY LEE: I am sad but... I've cried so much in my life. But now I know I'm not alone.

She walks over to the door.

TY LEE: I'll come again tomorrow and bring my friends. They'll love to meet you.

All of her sisters and aunt smile at her, some of them crying. As Ty Lee exits, she can feel the sorrowful aura in the room being uplifted. In the end, she leaves her family with everyone's aura having turned slightly more pink.

---

As Ty Lee intends to stroll home she can feel a certain purple around the corner, deciding to investigate. The acrobat quickly stumbles upon her friend Azula, who hides in a secluded part of the city, sitting on the edge of a small fountain, which seems to be no longer working. Ty Lee can clearly tell that her friend has been sobbing.

TY LEE: Azula?

The firebender avoids eye contact, her arms crossed, and lips pursed.

AZULA: I like your new hair.

While her aura is almost like a spiky shield, Ty Lee chooses to sit down next to her.

TY LEE: I thought you and Aang were having firebending lessons.

Azula scoffs.

AZULA: Yeah, well didn't work out so well...

Ty Lee frowns, sympathetic to Azula's pain, whatever might've caused it.

AZULA: What were you doing?

Ty Lee pulls up one of her legs and hugs it.

TY LEE: I found my family.

This causes a massive shift in Azula's body language.

AZULA: Your- your family? What, I thought...

TY LEE: My parents went missing when I was very little. But my sisters and my aunt made it here.

She smiles, thinking about the many Tys.

TY LEE: We're all twins. I apparently have six identical sisters.

Azula is quite surprised to hear this.

AZULA: Wow. That's a lot.

She tries to formulate a proper question.

AZULA: Aren't you... sad? About your parents?

TY LEE: Of course I am.

She halts for a moment.

TY LEE: My whole life I thought I had no family. That I was always going to be alone.

Ty Lee smiles at Azula.

TY LEE: But that was never true. My family made it here. And then there's of course you guys.

Tears run down the acrobat's cheeks, yet despite of that her face still manages to express joy.

TY LEE (teary): I was sad and lonely for so many years. But you guys gave me a home.

Azula feels profoundly touched, and in all honesty guilty for having cried about her issues, which now pale in comparison.

TY LEE: Now I know that I'll always have them. I'll always have my sisters. That's something no one can ever take away from me.

She wipes away her tears, gently grabbing on to Azula's hand.

TY LEE: That includes you.

Azula is speechless.

AZULA: I- I'm your sister?

Ty Lee nods quietly. Azula has already emptied her eye pouches, opting to just give her sister a hug instead.

TY LEE: But enough about me...

The two separate.

TY LEE: What happened with you?

Appa's loud growl across the sky rudely shifts the conversation focus, the girls looking up as Appa lands next to them, barely squeezing himself in between the surrounding houses.

AANG: Azula, we we're looking for you all over the city!

He jumps down, his voice reeking of concern for her wellbeing. Azula and Ty Lee briefly spot Adithya at the bison's helm

AZULA: What are you doing here? You two should be doing spit fires with Master Lame Lame.

ADITHYA: We quit.

Once again, Azula is shocked to her core.

AZULA: Both of you?

AANG: We didn't think it was fair.

ADITHYA: I'll try to talk to my father about it. In the meantime, the three of us can train together instead. I'd love to see those blue flames again.

Azula smirks.

AZULA: I like the sound of that.

She gives Aang a sheepish smile, making the boy very happy.

AANG (to Ty Lee): What were you doing in the city, by the way?

Ty Lee and her sister Azula share a brief and earnest smile.

AZULA: We have some catching up to do.

---

The sun is now beginning to set, giving the zenith a hint of orange color, as the tip of the celestial body kisses the ocean. Aang lands Appa directly in front of the palace entrance, his three girl companions getting off the bison. This is also when Sabachi shows up again, landing on Azula's shoulder and bothering her face.

AZULA: Yeah, well if you're hungry, go get some food.

Angered by her, Sabachi flies off again.

ADITHYA: Aang and I will bring Appa to the stables. You guys can come with us if you want.

KAM NAM: That won't be necessary.

The strangely dressed man is escorted by two palace guards, giving Aang a rather intimidating feeling.

KAM NAM: Guards, bring the Avatar's bison to the stables.

AZULA: What is the meaning of this?

KAN NAM: Princess Adithya, your father has requested your presence.

Quick looks of fear and confusion are exchanged, as the guards take Appa back to his comfy box.

ADITHYA: Alright. You guys wait for me.

AZULA: No. We're coming with her.

Adithya is more than glad to hear this.

---

ARIF: Princess Adithya, I am very disappointed.

As the room is dimly lit by the torches rather than the sky above, Aang, Azula and Ty Lee witness the scolding of a girl their age by her father and a bunch of old people. Jeong Jeong frowns sternly, though not much meaner than he had always expressed himself.

ARIF: It is a great honor to be trained by Master Jeong Jeong, yet you have refused that honor.

Adithya scoffs in disbelief.

ADITHYA: Yeah, but so have Azula and Aang!

ARIF: The Avatar and his friend are our guests. I can't make them do anything. But you are my daughter. You have certain responsibilities as our future Fire Lord.

Aang remembers his conversation with the princess and feels rather empathetic for her bad circumstances.

ARIF: I have spoken to Master Jeong Jeong and he has agreed to train you alone. You will start tomorrow.

With Adithya too shocked to respond, Azula quickly steps in, literally and verbally.

AZULA: You can't make her do that! And what about us? We came all this way to find your stupid city and you reject us?

Jeong Jeong scoffs dismissively.

JEONG JEONG: I was hoping that your scolding earlier would teach you respect and restraint. Cleary you have learned neither.

Jeong Jeong, scaring even Azula a bit, gets up from his chair and walks off the little stage, slowly approaching her.

JEONG JEONG: You are not entitled to be trained by me. You hold too much fury in your heart. Who knows what evil it will unleash if you are allowed to continue?

This is where Aang steps in/forth.

AANG: You can't judge her like that! You've known her for a day!

JEONG JEONG (to Aang): You of all people should know that sometimes we need to do what is right, even when others think it's wrong.

Aang is shut down by this.

AZULA: Let me tell you something...

She steps close enough to hear his breath.

AZULA: Me and Aang are going to find another firebending master in this city...

His angered eyes suddenly shift from her face to her headpiece.

AZULA: And you are going to feel sorry for it!

Genuine shock suddenly appears on his face - he grabs Azula's headpiece, removes the pin and picks it up.

JEONG JEONG: Where did you get this from?!

AZULA: Hey! Give it BACK!

She tries to grab it, but he turns around, handing it to the council.

JEONG JEONG (addressing the council): Do you know what this is?

The members of the regency council pass around the item, everyone expressing shock and disbelief. Aang and Adithya, almost simultaneously, have the same realization. Azula is just angry.

ZHANG: But... it cannot be. It's-

LI & LO: It's the crown prince's headpiece!

Azula shares a quick look with all of her friends, scared at what is happening. Arif is the last one to admire the item.

ADITHYA: No. That's impossible. It's probably another fake!

AZULA (under her breath): Yeah right...

ADITHYA: We've seen plenty of those! I've looked at the replicas myself!

JEONG JEONG: Yes, but this is no mere replica. Which begs the question - how did you get that?

He glares at Azula with an intimidating aura, one even Ty Lee fears. Aang fully prepares himself to strike should something happen.

Yet Azula breaks.

AZULA: It's a family heirloom. I just started wearing it because...

Because Aang said he liked it but that's not how she'll answer.

AZULA: Because it's more comfortable. Can I have it back now?

The answer seems deeply unsettling to everyone, especially Adithya.

ADITHYA: But... what?

JEONG JEONG: You claim that you are the heir to the Fire Nation?

Azula cannot possibly give a proper answer to that.

---

Act III. – Agni Kai

---

It takes her a while to even formulate a sentence.

AZULA: Uh- uh- no. No! Of course not! I don't want a throne!

In reality, she doesn't know if she wants one, as she has never even considered it.

She looks over to Aang, who tries to do something.

AANG: She and Zuko lived as regular people on a faraway island. They're not royal.

JEONG JEONG: They certainly lack the manners. But their bloodline is.

ZHANG: If there is an older brother then he claims the throne.

More mumbling. Aang walks over to Adithya trying to calm her, but the princess refuses in a jerky motion, staring at Azula with a mix of fear and resentment.

JEONG JEONG: Tell us, is your brother a firebender?

She crosses her arms in a sassy way, as if she had briefly forgotten the severity of the situation.

AZULA: No.

JEONG JEONG: Then you are the rightful heir.

She regrets answering like that. Adithya has one last trick up her sleeve.

ADITHYA: Even if this is the real headpiece, who says that her family didn't find it somewhere? The old capital got destroyed a hundred years ago and the royal family with it!

This casts some doubts. Jeong Jeong seems to have the right response ready.

JEONG JEONG: Answer this one question Azula and we'll let you go - was one of your great grandfathers named Sozin?

Her silence is deafening, and enough of a response to the adults.

JEONG JEONG: Then we have an answer.

---

Ty Lee finally manages to give Azula a topknot, though the hairband can only hold a part of it, most of Azula's hair hanging down as she is finally allowed to get back up and aimlessly walk up and down her room.

AZULA: This is bad... this is bad...

TY LEE: Azula, you need to calm down.

AZULA: That's really nice of you to say but seriously - how?! I didn't come here to become some princess!

She points at Aang, who obviously is in the room with them.

AZULA: And we all know from Aang that me becoming a princess is going to complicate things to say the least!

AANG: Don't say that.

He manages to keep or on the spot for a few seconds...

AANG: It's going to be fine. Even if they declare you their new princess or whatever - you'll just tell them you don't want it.

...before she starts pacing again.

AANG: And then... we'll be... fine...

TY LEE: I'm still a little confused, why does Jeong Jeong not like you?

AZULA: Because I suck!

She finally stops in the middle of her room.

AZULA: I suck, okay? Being good at firebending is all I ever had, all I ever wanted to be. But apparently, I'm not worthy.

Suddenly the thought of becoming a Fire Lord seems a bit more appealing. At least that way no one could judge her.

AANG: Azula that's stupid and you know that.

TY LEE: Yeah, your firebending is amazing! I've never even heard of blue flames being a thing.

Azula calms down a bit, her arms still crossed in discomfort.

AANG: I don't even want to know what Adithya is going through. She looked pretty shaken.

AZULA: Yeah well, she can have her dumb throne...

As she waves her hand the sliding doors open, revealing Jeong Jeong and a royal guard.

JEONG JEONG: Princess Azula...

AZULA: I am not your princess!

JEONG JEONG: That is not for you to decide.

The two firebenders exchange heated glares.

JEONG JEONG: You are expected to enter the ceremonial courtyard. Lee here will escort you.

He points to the guard.

TY LEE: What about us?

JEONG JEONG: The Avatar and Ty Lee are of course also expected to be present.

AANG: What is going to happen?

Jeong Jeong takes a tensed breath through his nostrils.

JEONG JEONG: The Regency Government has decided to resolve the issue of succession at sundown. Princess Azula will be participating in an Agni Kai.

The term strikes fear and Azula's heart, as it does to Aang. Without saying another word, the old master leaves ahead.

TY LEE: An Agni Kai? What is that?

Aang grabs the sliding door.

AANG (to Lee, the guard): Can we get two more minutes?

LEE: Uh-

He slams the door and turns to a frozen Azula.

AANG: It's a firebending duel-

AZULA: To the death.

She sinks to the ground and starts panicking.

AZULA: Oh no... he's going to kill me. Jeong Jeong is going to kill me-

AANG: No, he won't!

Both Aang and Ty Lee grab the girl by her shoulders.

AANG: He won't. And if he tries-

TY LEE: He'll regret it.

The very stern-sounding Ty Lee does give Azula the confidence to get back up.

AZULA: Alright. Let's kick his ass.

---

Leaving the Pagoda Palace, Aang immediately has flashbacks to his adventure with Zuko. A huge stone platform connects two entrances on two huge rock walls on both sides. Behind the platform a small opening shows the sunset, the celestial body halfway sinking into the ocean.

Entering the courtyard, two huge spectator stages are filled to the brim with people, one side with the elite and the other one with common folk. Apparently, it's part of the ritual to not exclude the population from finding out who their next ruler is going to be. A group of Sun Warriors bangs ritualistic drums and performs a sacred dance involving fire. One of the Sun Warriors, Ham Ghao, approaches the kids.

HAM GHAO: The princess has to come with me.

Azula nods, looks over to her friends, and then leaves with the man, who leads her into a small tunnel on the right side of the rock.

TY LEE: What are we going to do?

Lee clears his throat.

LEE: The two of you are invited to watch the spectacle with Master Jeong Jeong.

They shudder in fear.

AANG & TY LEE: What?!

---

The skinny man leads her into a tunnel lit by torches, until they eventually reach a spiral staircase. Azula can hear her heart racing, feeling trapped and helpless inside the dark rock.

HAM GHAO: This is where I have to leave you.

Azula quickly turns back around.

AZULA: What am I supposed to do?

HAM GHAO: You go up the stairs, place yourself at your end of the platform, turned around and on one knee. That's where you wait for the drums to fall silent.

AZULA: And then?

Ham Ghao scoffs quietly.

HAM GHAO: The Agni Kai starts with a loud gong.

---

Aang and Ty Lee quickly run up the grandstand, rushing towards an annoyed-looking Jeong Jeong.

JEONG JEONG: Why are you in such a hurry?

TY LEE: Why are you down here and not up there?!

Jeong Jeong raises his perfectly intact brow.

JEONG JEONG: What? Why should I?

Aang realizes what this probably means.

JEONG JEONG: I'm not fighting for my crown.

---

Azula takes deep breaths once she reaches the top. Staring across the stage, she can hardly make out who is on the other side, she can however make out that the sunset creates an ominous yellow sky and that falling off either side of the platform would have her smacking on a hard rock ground. She gulps.

The drums fall silent. Azula quickly gets down on one knee, only to immediately stand back up again.

Her opponent lets her blue coat fall down, showing off a very intricate and revealing blue fighting gear, still rocking a hijab.

Azula gasps as she sees her opponent, the princess.

AZULA (shocked): Adithya?

Adithya glares at her with a fiercely focused expression, her arms prepared to blast fire at any moment.

---

TY LEE: This is awful.

The two have finally placed themselves next to the master, though Aang made sure to bring his staff just in case. Sabachi has also found her way back, sitting quietly on Ty Lee's shoulder with her ears lowered.

AANG: Why do you make her do this? Azula doesn't want the throne!

Jeong Jeong scoffs dismissively.

JEONG JEONG: I didn't make them do anything! You have to understand...

---

Azula raises her arms too, fearing what her opponent might do next.

JEONG JEONG (to Aang and Ty Lee): Your friend might not want to be a princess, but if Adithya surrenders, if she gives up without a fight...

---

Arif clenches his fists, clearly fearing for his daughter.

---

JEONG: That would be worse than losing.

Aang and Ty Lee look anxiously up at Azula.

TY LEE: She's... not going to hurt her, is she?

AANG: Which one do you mean?

---

AZULA: Adithya, we don't have to do this.

The girls slowly step closer to each other. Adithya sighs, taking a deep breath.

ADITHYA: You may not.

A gong sounds.

ADITHYA: But I have to.

With a hint of hesitation, Adithya still goes through with her plan and blasts a wall of fire, which escapes her combined fists and quickly flies towards Azula, who immediately opts to create her own flame, blocking the incoming attack. The audience seems to be impressed by the blue fire.

Nevertheless, Adithya presses onward - combining a number of moves derived from the Dancing Dragon to create heaves of red flames, all of which are blocked or dodged by the more powerful Azula. Yet, when the girl retaliates, Adithya is quick to defuse the incoming attack. Azula tries a number of counters - including a jump and two kicks. Yet Adithya's form, her way of stopping the attacks, indicates a greater level of skill.

Now it's her time to counter - a series of very strong kicks and punches, all accompanied by grunts from Adithya, manage to seriously put Azula on edge. This is like no enemy she has ever faced. Most of her other opponents were slow waterbenders, or Zuko. Adithya's fury - the very element of fire itself is too wild, and it demands everything of her. Similarly, Adithya finds herself running out of steam, since, while her opponent has clearly not been trained by a master, she is still talented enough to effectively deal with her barrage.

She tries something else - an especially gnarly fire slash, a wave of flames that rush towards Azula at the eye level. The raven-haired girl blocks with two arms crossed yet finds her opponent charging up a devastating fire kick - a flame that is both quick and deadly can barely be stopped by Azula's own fire shield. But it costs her ground - getting pushed back she can feel the heel of her boots floating midair. The audience gasps as they see the girl attempting to hold her balance at the edge.

---

Aang grabs his glider and gets up.

JEONG JEONG: Hold it...

---

Azula can feel the anger rising inside her. She decides to use it.

Adithya, who was too hesitant to perform the finishing blow, sees her enemy blast fire backwards, regaining her balance and doing a roll that ends in fiery circle, which grows around Azula exponentially, growing big enough to force Adithya to block. The princess still stumbles backwards and Azula gets back up with a smirk.

Now having the upper hand, Azula begins her own barrage of precise projectile blasts, all directed with her fingertips and clearly too much for Adithya. While being able to block the incoming attacks, the immense power and heat from the blue flames is simply too much for her. Azula finishes it off with a complicated move, in which she jumps in the air and directs the flame from her foot towards the ground where upon landing her fist amplifies its strength and creates another massive fire wave.

With the flames disappearing, Azula finds her opponent dangling off the edge with only her elbows letting her stay on the platform.

---

Aang and Arif both get up simultaneously.

---

As Adithya can feel her grip loosening, an arm dressed in crimson and pink grabs on to her, Azula desperately trying to pull her back up.

AZULA (exhausted): Come on... I can't do this... on my own...

With combined efforts, the girls manage to pull the princess back up. In the chaos, Adithya's hijab-like hairpiece got lost, revealing a fire read mane, glistening in the sunlight. The girls sit down and take a breather for a moment.

AZULA (exhausted): I love your hair.

Adithya notices her revealed hair and blushes in shame.

ADITHYA: Thanks...

Azula scoffs. The crowd meanwhile mumbles in confusion.

ADITHYA: So, what do we do now?

Azula glares at the stages down below, her face filled with resentment, a hatred only fueled by the compassion she feels for the defeated Adithya. She gets up and addresses the crowd.

AZULA: I concede! Adithya is the winner!

The crowd continues to mumble, Kam Nam stepping forth.

KAM NAM: A winner can only be decided by a decisive defeat! This is not how these things are done!

AZULA: Oh yeah? Well, I'll tell you all about the things we had to do to get here! We had to travel half the globe and face one Water Tribe encounter after the other, just so we accidentally stumble across this snooty city!

The people in the audience are clearly offended, but Azula continues, this time in a more serious manner of speaking.

AZULA: We saw the horrors of war on a daily basis! I was almost killed so many times I've stopped counting! And all you people can do is have two fourteen-year-olds pinned against each other in a fight? And over what? A stupid throne?!

---

Arif looks down in shame. The other members of the council appear to overthink their decision.

---

Azula scoffs in disbelief, as she hasn't fully worked all these things out, from the slaves to the Blue Spirit to Puwati dangling her above the ocean...

AZULA: People have to leave their families behind in order to find safety here.

---

Ty Lee frowns appropriately.

---

AZULA: You should be sharing the prosperity of Dibuang with the rest of our people, instead of hiding it from them. I don't want to be the one to come here and tell you how to do things. But seriously, maybe you should get your priorities straight.

With that, Azula helps Adithya to get back up, and the two walk towards the cave exit, leaving the council and people of Dibuang with a lot of thoughts.

---

Aang, Azula, Ty Lee, and Sabachi wait patiently outside the hospital building. It's the next day now, with everyone looking fresh and full of energy. Except Sabachi maybe, but that's debatable.

Finally, Adithya runs towards them. This is who or what the three have been waiting for.

AZULA: Geez, took you forever.

ADITHYA (out of breath): I'm sorry...

She takes a moment to get her voice back. Today she's rocking a more casual fit, though of course her hair is covered up again.

ADITHYA: Dad insists that I regularly attend council meetings from now on. He says it's probably smarter to discuss ruling than to just have one ruler decide everything.

AZULA (admiring her nails): That's debatable...

TY LEE: Did they apologize for yesterday?

ADITHYA: Not officially? But Jeong Jeong wants us to come to the dojo later.

Aang and Azula exchange a quick look.

AANG: "Us"?

ADITHYA: Yes. All three of us.

She folds her hands behind her back and stares sheepishly into the ground with a smirk.

ADITHYA: I may have asked father to make Jeong Jeong apologize to you.

Azula crosses her arms with a smile.

AZULA: You're going to be a great Fire Lord one day.

The firebenders exchange a quick smile. Aang feels uneasy about it but manages to push his fear back down. A male nurse exits the building.

NURSE: Are you the Avatar and friends?

Azula is very barely stopped from answering with a snarky comment.

AANG: Yes. That's us.

NURSE: Good. You can come in. He woke up last night.

Everyone smiles, though Ty Lee smiles the brightest, and of course heads in first.

ADITHYA: Azula, wait.

Aang heads in second, with Azula turning around.

ADITHYA: I wanted to give you this.

She reveals the crown prince's headpiece, leaving the raven-haired girl a bit baffled.

AZULA: Oh. I thought...

ADITHYA: It's still yours, princess or not.

She nods, accepting the gift and immediately fixing her hair.

ADITHYA: Although as far as I'm concerned, you'll always be royalty to me.

Azula smirks with a bit too much confidence at that, though in all fairness she just appreciates the gesture.

---

ZUKO: I had the weirdest dream...

Inside Zuko's room, the boy is fully awake, and Ty Lee is already on her knees clinging to his side.

AZULA (mumbling to herself as she enters): Not even trying to hide it...

AANG: How are you feeling, Zuko?

It takes the bandaged boy a few seconds to respond.

ZUKO: Wow... you're all here...

His dizzy manner of speech provokes some questions.

AZULA: Is he... alright?

NURSE: Don't worry, we just gave him some strong tea to relax.

The nurse quickly stores away the pack of medical seaweed tea.

TY LEE: We missed you. For a moment I thought I might...

Azula is a bit confused at her lack of emotion regarding her family when she is now almost about to cry at that.

ZUKO: I'm fine, I'm just... tired...

ADITHYA: I've been told you're recovering very quickly. You should be up on your feet in a few days again.

ZUKO: That's cool. That's cool...

Aang and Azula share a quick look of concern.

AZULA: Right. That's good to hear.

She briefly pats her brother's leg.

AZULA: Thank you for saving me against the harpoon man, by the way. Couldn't have done it without you.

ZUKO: The what? Oh yeah...

As the girls are gathered around Zuko's bed, Adithya takes the opportunity to quietly chat with Aang.

ADITHYA: It's kind of a shame. She would have been a great Fire Lord.

Aang frowns at that.

AANG: Maybe. I never put that much trust into one leader.

ADITHYA: What else do you trust?

Aang smiles at her innocently...

AANG: In people.

...and causes her to blush. Coincidentally, that's when Aang notices a single strain of red hair peeking from under her headdress.

AANG: Your hair is very pretty, by the way.

Once again, she blushes and Aang makes the conscious choice to tone it down a bit.

AANG: I mean... I haven't seen anything like it. It makes you very unique.

ADITHYA: Thank you.

She ponders for a few seconds, eventually deciding to go ahead and tell him.

ADITHYA: There's actually a very special story behind that.

AANG: Really?

ADITHYA: Yes. When I was born, I was very sick and very weak. Most babies cry when they're born, but I was born as if I was asleep, my eyes closed...

Aang's heartbeat very suddenly rises, his pupils dilate and his face heats up. Ty Lee of courses notices...

ADITHYA: Our healers did everything they could. They told my mother and father I was going to die. My mother pleaded with the spirits to save me-

AZULA: Aang?

...before Azula does. This is when Adithya also takes note.

ADITHYA: Aang? Is it something I said?

He takes some time to deal with the stress and recollect his thoughts. No. It can't happen again. Not another invasion, not another...

AANG: I need to speak to your father. The whole council.

Azula and Ty Lee get up, already knowing that look, that expression of utter fear of what might come. Even Zuko takes note.

ADITHYA: About?

AANG: About what is going to happen.