Chapter 5
The Gaang flew over the landscape, relaxing. Aang was chewing on some wheat, Sokka was carving some wood, Zuko was giving Momo a brushing, much to the lemur's enjoyment, and Katara was staring at the passing clouds.
"Those clouds look so soft," Katara said dreamily. "Don't they? Like you could just jump down and you'd land in a big, soft, cottony heap?"
"Maybe you should give it a try," Sokka smiled mockingly at her.
"You're hilarious," she said sarcastically, looking at him in annoyance
"I'll try it!" Aang exclaimed, before jumping off Appa's head, staff in hand. The other three leaned over to see Aang vanish in the clouds. After a minute, landed back in the saddle behind him, dripping wet. "Turns out, clouds are made of water," Aang said before drying himself off with airbending. It caused Momo's fur to fluff up, much to Zuko's annoyance.
"Aang!" Zuko complained. "I literally just finished brushing his fur"
"Oops. Sorry, Zuko," Aang apologised. Zuko simply snorted some steam from his nose before turning to help Momo with his fur again.
"Hey, what is that?" Katara asked, turning their attention over the saddle to where in the middle of a green forest, was large, dark patch of burned land.
"It's like a scar…" Sokka said, before realising what he had said, looking at Zuko, who wasn't paying attention. He was instead looking down at the brunt land in sadness. They soon landed in the middle of the scorched forest.
"Listen," Sokka said, looking around. "It's so quiet. There's no life anywhere"
"Aang?" Katara noticed his hunched shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Why would anyone do this?" Aang asked as he kneel on the ground. "How could I let this happen?"
"Aang, you didn't let this happen," Zuko tried to assure him. "It has nothing to do with you"
"Yes, it does," Aang sadly argued. "It's the Avatar's job to protect nature. But I don't know how to do my job"
"That's why we're going to the North Pole," Katara smiled softly at him. "To find you a teacher"
"Yeah. A waterbending teacher," Aang pointed out. "But there's no one who can teach me how to be the Avatar. Monk Gyatso said that Avatar Roku would help me"
"The Avatar before you? He died over a hundred years ago; how are you supposed to talk to him?" Sokka asked
"I don't know," Aang said as he started patting Momo, who had crawled into his lap
A while later, after looking around Zuko walked over to Aang and asked, "Hey, Aang. You ready to be cheered up?"
"Yes!" Katara exclaimed while Aang sadly said, "No"
He motioned them to follow him over a patch of the burnt ground. He summoned his dragon tail and gave the ground a couple sweeps with it. Under the ash was brand new grass and tree shoots.
"See," Zuko said, his tail disappearing. "This is proof that the forest will grow back." He picked up an acorn that was near his foot and placed it in Aang's hand. "Every one of these acorns will be a tall oak tree someday, and all the birds and animals that lived here will come back."
"Thanks, Zuko," Aang smiled at him and placed the acorn in his tunic and gave Zuko a hug in thanks.
"You're welcome," Zuko hugged back. They looked over when they spotted an old man approaching
"Hey, who are you?" Sokka asked.
"When I saw the flying bison, I thought it was impossible!" The man said, approaching Aang and Zuko. "But, those markings and scar… are you the Avatar and the Fire Prince, children?" Zuko and Aang exchange looks before nodding. "Please, my name is Kayfon, and my village desperately needs your help!"
They followed the man to a village named Senlin, where they saw that some of the buildings had been destroyed. They were led to the main building, where the old man introduced them. "These young people are the Avatar, the Fire Prince and their companions!"
"So, the rumors are true!" the village leader said, bowing to the two. "It is the greatest honor of a lifetime to be in your presence"
"Nice to meet you too!" Aang said as he and Zuko bowed back. "So… is there something we can help you with?"
"I'm not sure…" the leader was hesitant
"Our village is in crises, he's our only hope!" Kayfon said before turning to Aang to explain. "For the last few days at sunset, a spirit monster comes and attacks our village. He is Hei Bai, the black and white spirit"
"Why is it attacking you?" Sokka asked
"We do not know," the leader replied. "But each of the last three nights, he has abducted one of our own. We are especially fearful because the winter solstice draws near"
"What happens then?" Katara asked
"I can answer that," Zuko answered for the leader. "Whenever there's a solstice happens, the natural world and the Spirit world grow closer and closer until the line between them is blurred completely. It was how that chaos spirit was able to curse me, because it was on the summer solstice"
"Yes, that is correct" the leader nodded. "And Hei Bai is already causing devastation and destruction. Once the solstice is here, there's no telling what will happen"
"So, what do you want me to do, exactly?" Aang asked
"Who better to resolve a crisis between our world and the spirit world than the Avatar himself?" Kayfon pointed out. "You are the great bridge between man and spirits"
"Right…" Aang said nervously. "That's me"
"Hey, great bridge guy, could I talk to you over here for a second?" Katara led him over to a window. "Aang, you seem a little unsure about all of this"
"Yeah," Aang agreed. "That might be because I don't know anything at all about the Spirit World? It's not like there's someone to teach me this stuff!" Zuko gave a cough. "I know you know some stuff Zuko, but probably not enough for the Avatar sort of stuff"
"Fair enough," Zuko conceded
"So…" Katara got Aang's attention again. "Can you help these people?"
"I have to try, don't I?" Aang shrugged. "Maybe whatever I have to do will just… come to me"
"I think you can do it, Aang," She gave him an assuring smile
"Yeah," Sokka started before ruining the moment. "We're all going to get eaten by a spirit monster." Zuko cuff him over the head
Later saw Aang standing in the middle of the village, waiting for Hei Bai. "Hello, Spirit?" Aang called out. "Can you hear me? This is the Avatar speaking. I'm here to try to help stuff"
Over in the main building, Sokka and Katara were watching from the doorway, where they sat on dragon Zuko's back.
"This isn't right," Sokka commented. "We can't sit here and cower while Aang waits for some monster to show up"
"If anyone can save us, he can," Kayfon said
"He still shouldn't have to face this alone," Sokka argued, before Zuko's head went up, ears perked. "Whoa, you okay Zuko?"
"I don't know if you heard, but animals are more in tune with spiritual energy and spirits in general, including dragons," Zuko explained, sniffing the air a little. "And I'm currently a dragon, and I'm picking up on a mass of spiritual energy heading towards this village"
"It must be Hei Bai," the village leader said, after overhearing the prince's explanation.
"The sun has set. Where are you, Hei Bai?" Aang asked looking around, having completely missed the conversation. "Well… spirit… uhhh… I hereby ask you to please leave this village in peace." Spinning and sticking down his staff in an authorial move. When nothing happened, he started walking towards the main building. "Okay… well… I guess that's settled, then."
Zuko however spotted Hei Bai manifesting into a solid form behind Aang. "Aang! Behind you!" He roared
Aang turned around to see Hei Bai standing over him. "You must be the Hei Bai spirit. My name is…" The spirit however did not listen by blasting a burst of energy at him, before moving past him. "My name's Aang! I'm the Avatar and I would like to help. Hey, wait up!" He tried again as the spirit started destroying more of the village
"The Avatar's methods are… unusual," the leader commented
"It doesn't seem too interested in what he's saying. Maybe we should go help him," Sokka suggested
"No," Kayfon advised. "Only the Avatar stands a chance against the Hei Bai"
"Aang will figure out the right thing to do, Sokka," Katara agreed with Kayfon
They continued to watch as Hei Bai started smashing buildings, ignoring Aang. "That's it," Sokka said, after seeing the spirit hitting Aang into one of the nearby buildings. "He needs help," Sokka jumped off Zuko and ran out of the building
"Sokka, wait!" Both Zuko and Katara started to follow him only to be stopped by the leader. "It's not safe!"
Zuko and Katara watched helplessly as Sokka tried to fight the spirit only to be taken by it as it fled the village with Aang following it
"Sokka! Aang!" Katara shouted in fear, riding Zuko to the village entrance only for it to be too late. They sat at the entrance for the rest of the night, Zuko's reptilian body keeping Katara warm. As the dawn began to break, Kayfon approached them.
"I'm sure they'll be back," He assured them
"I know," Katara said, as she stroked Zuko's snout as his head laid on her lap, comforting her
"You should get some rest," Kayfon suggested
"Everything's going to be okay," Katara tried to convince herself as she leaned back into Zuko's side, continuing her stroking while Zuko purred in response
"Your brother is in good hands," Kayfon tried again. "I would be shocked if the Avatar returned without him."
Unnoticed by the humans, Zuko's ear flicked in the direction of the village entrance as he heard light footsteps approaching. He opened his eyes to see Aang coming towards them. He noticed the slight spiritual glow around Aang, something the younger boy hadn't noticed yet.
"Katara?" Aang said sadly, still not noticing his form. "Katara, I lost him"
"The sun is rising," Kayfon commented as the sun rose. "Perhaps he will return soon"
"What?" Aang said shocked. "No, I'm right here!"
"Um," Zuko piped up, gaining everyone's attention. "Aang, you are currently in the spirit world"
"Wait, Aang is here?!" Katara exclaimed looking around for the airbender
"I'm what?!" Aang exclaimed at the same time. "But how can you see me then?"
"Yes, Aang is here," Zuko answered Katara first. "But only his spirit, because he has somehow managed to enter the spirit world." He then turned to Aang. "As for how I can see you, as I told the others last night, I'm a dragon and like all other animals, I'm more in tune with spiritual things"
"Oh," They both said. Aang and Zuko then spotted a light shining from the forest. It soon revealed to be a dragon spirit.
Zuko watched amused as Aang tried to fly away, only to land face first on the ground. "Yeah. Aang, you can't bend in the spirit world," Zuko said after telling Katara what had happened, much to her amusement. "And don't worry, it's just Fang, Avatar Roku's spirit guide. He's probably here to help you"
"Oh, thanks Zuko," Aang said nodding to him. He turned to the dragon that had landed near him. "Are you here to help me find my friend Sokka? Is there a way for me to talk to Roku?" The dragon leaned down so Aang could climb on. He turned to Zuko and Katara. "I'll be back"
"Don't worry, we'll be fine, go," Zuko said
"Good luck, Aang," Katara encouraged after Zuko relayed what was happening
"Take me to Roku!" Aang told the dragon and took off
Zuko transformed back into a human as they headed back to the main building. As they entered the building, they heard a shout. "Prince Zuko!" They turned and saw one of Zuko's crewmen riding a Komodo Rhino fast towards them from the village entrance.
"Lee?" Zuko asked as the man stopped in front of them. "What are you doing here?"
"Sir, it's your uncle," Lee said jumping off the rhino. "We gave him 15 minutes to get out of the hot spring he was sitting in nearby. When we went to get him after those 15 minutes, we found signs of earthbending, and your uncle gone"
"Meaning he's been taken by earthbenders," Zuko concluded. "Most likely Earth Kingdom soldiers"
"Yes sir," Lee agreed
Zuko looked at Katara. "I'm going have to go help my uncle," Zuko told her. "Will you be fine by yourself?"
"Yes, go help Uncle Iroh," Katara said.
"Do you need a lift?" Zuko asked Lee.
"No sir, I'll be fine to walk back," Lee declined. "You go help the general"
Zuko transformed into his dragon form and took off. For the next half hour, he flew, looking down at the earth with his keen eyes. He then spotted something on one of the roads. He landed near what looked like a sandal. Leaning close, he sniffed it, pulling back at the pungent but familiar smell. "Yep, that's Uncle Iroh," he said, picking up on the scent and following it. He finally found Iroh and the soldiers. He growled loudly as he flew at them when he spotted them about to crush his uncle's hands.
The soldiers looked up in shock at the dragon coming at them. They watched as the beast landed near Iroh and used its tail to whip away the boulder the soldier was still holding up. The dragon stood with Iroh in a perfect firebending stand after snapping the middle chain in half
"Excellent form, Prince Zuko," Iroh said, surprising the soldiers at the meaning. The dragon was the Fire Lord's son.
"You taught me well," Zuko commented, a bit of smoke coming out of his mouth as he readied his fire.
The soldiers finally overcame their shock and got in position around the two. "Surrender yourselves." The captain ordered. "It's five against two. You're clearly outnumbered"
"Yes, that's true," Iroh said, wrapping the chains around his wrists. "But you are clearly outmatched"
Iroh starts swing the chains, using them to destroy the rocks being fired at him. At the same time, Zuko breathed fire, taking out two of the soldiers. As his back was turned, a rock was fired at him, but Iroh caught it and threw it at the rest of the soldiers, knowing them out.
The captain started to throw three rocks at Zuko, who easily smashed them with his tail. The captain dodged at the last second as Zuko shot a fireball at him. Zuko growled as he watched the captain earthbend a large mass of rock. Before the captain could do anything with the rock mass, Iroh threw his chains around his ankles, knocking him over and causing the rocks to fall on top of him and his men.
Zuko could heard them all groaning under the rocks as he turned to smiled at his uncle, only to notice his state of dress, or lack of. "I'm glad you're okay, Uncle. Now, how about we get you back to the ship and into some clothes?"
After dropping Iroh off at the ship and checking in with the rest of the crew, Zuko flew back towards the village. He arrived just in time to watch Aang calm down the Hei Bai spirit and the spirit releasing Sokka and the villagers that it took. He gave a loud laugh as he landed after hearing Sokka saying he needed the bathroom.
"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed, running over to hug him. "I was worried. Is Uncle Iroh okay? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Zuko answered as Sokka and Aang also walked up to them. "And Uncle's fine. He's now safely back at the ship."
"That good to hear," Aang smiled at the drake.
They looked up as the Village Leader walked up to them. "Thank you, Avatar. If only there were a way to repay you for what you've done"
"You could give us some supplies," Sokka suggested. "And some money"
"Sokka!" Katara scolded him
"What?" Sokka shrugged. "We need stuff and we're running out of the money Iroh gave us"
"It would be an honor to help you prepare for your journey," the leader bowed to them before heading off to collect the supplies
"I'm so proud of you Aang," Katara hugged him. "You figured out what to do, all on your own"
"Actually," Aang countered sheepishly. "I did have a little help from Fang and there's something else"
"What is it?" Sokka asked, he'll ask about this 'Fang' character later
"I need to talk to Roku," Aang explained. "And I think I found a way to contact his spirit"
"That's great!" Katara smiled.
"Creepy," Sokka said. "But great"
"There's a temple on a crescent-shaped island," Aang explained. "And if I go there on the solstice, I'll be able to speak with him"
"But the solstice is tomorrow!" Katara exclaimed
"Not to mention that there's a problem," Zuko got their attention. "I recognise the description of Roku's temple on Crescent Island. Which is in the Fire Nation." The water siblings grew fearful at that
(Line break)
It was early morning when Aang tried to sneak away before everyone else woke up. He was currently trying to get Appa to move but the bison was refusing.
"Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy!" Aang said in a strained voice. "Look I'm sorry, but Katara, Sokka and Zuko aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us. If they got hurt, I'd never forgive myself. So, get your big butt off the ground and let's go." But Appa continued to refuse by sitting spread-legged on the ground.
"I think his big butt is trying to tell ya something," Sokka's voice came from behind Aang, surprising him. He turned to see Sokka and Katara sitting on dragon Zuko's back, with a small collection of villagers behind them.
"Please don't go Aang," Katara said desperately jumping off Zuko. "The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation. And neither can I"
"And don't forget Aang," Zuko got his attention. "I've already told you that the vision of yours was of Sozin's comet, which comes at the end of the summer coming up"
"But I still have to talk to Avatar Roku to confirm that!" Aang tried to reason. "I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice. That's today!" Aang got on top of Appa's head, only for the others to stand in front, stopping the bison from leaving.
"We're not letting you go into the Fire Nation, Aang," Katara said stubbornly.
"At least, not without your friends," Sokka continued as Momo flew over to perch on Aang's shoulder. "We got your back. Ew!" Sokka finished as Appa lick him and Zuko. Sokka tried rubbing the saliva off while Zuko simply shook it off and responded with a low friendly growl, which Appa gave back in kind
"It's a long journey to the Crescent Island," The village leader said as he walked up to the group and handed Aang a small bundle. "You'll have to fly fast to have any chance of making it before sundown. Good luck"
"Thank you for your…" Aang started, only for the leader to point towards the ocean, shouting, "Go!"
Soon, they were flying over the ocean, while keeping an eye out for fire nation ships that weren't the Wani. Zuko had decided to remain as a dragon just in case they needed the fire power, literally.
"Come on boy, we've got a long way to go. Faster!" Aang shouted, urging Appa to fly faster.
Zuko, who flew ahead to spot anything, suddenly flew back around, and levelled off next to Appa. "Guys, we've got a problem!" He shouted over the air currents.
"What problem?" Aang asked.
"That problem," Zuko pointed a claw down towards the ocean when two lines of ships were moving. "A blockade. Once we pass it, we'll be in Fire Nation waters"
"Um, I just remembered," Sokka said, turning to the dragon. "Aren't you still banished from the Fire Nation"
"Yes," Zuko replied as they got closer to the blockade. "Once I'm in Fire Nation territory, they can arrest me." He smirked at Sokka. "Of course, they would have to catch me"
"That is true," Sokka nodded
"If we fly north, we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade!" Aang suggested. "It's the only way"
"There's no time!" Katara shouted at him
"This is exactly why I didn't want you to come!" Aang shouted back
"And that's exactly why we're here," Katara countered
"Let's run this blockade!" Sokka called boldly. Appa and Zuko both roaring in agreement before flying quicker.
As they got closer, they were being watched through a telescope by Zhao, who was on one of the blockade ships. "The Avatar," he said, before focusing on the dragon with a scar on it's face. "And it seems the rumours about the banished prince's beastly form are true. This must be my lucky day"
"Commander Zhao," the ship's captain got Zhao's attention. "What are your orders?"
"Shoot the bison and dragon down, captain," Zhao ordered.
"Yes sir!" the captain said before ordering his men to prep the catapults.
"Ignite," Zhao shouted as the crew aimed the catapults. "Launch!"
Both Appa and Zuko started dodging the flying fireballs. Zuko blasted one in front of them with his own fireball, cause Appa to be covered with soot with some embers sticking to his fur. Katara, Sokka and Momo started slapping out the embers.
"Appa, are you ok?" Aang asked, with Appa roaring in reply
"Sorry, Appa," Zuko apologized, flying back to the bison. "I didn't realise how close that one was."
Appa roared in forgiveness, before they flew higher into the clouds. A minute later, as they were flying over a cloud, more fireballs came flying through it, causing them to start dodging again. Two fireballs collided with each other and explode in front of them. The shockwave caused Sokka to go flying from the saddle and down towards the ocean
"Sokka!" Aang cried desperately. Zuko and Appa both dived towards the falling boy. Zuko was faster, flying under Sokka and catching him on his back before skimming the ocean surface. His tail managed to hit the water surface, causing a fish to go flying over to Appa's saddle, with Momo catching it.
"Well, there's dinner," Zuko tried to joke, in an attempt to calm Sokka, which somewhat worked with Sokka giving a nervous laugh, as he gripped Zuko's mane. They all then realised that they were now on the same level as the blockade, which they were now flying towards.
"Fire!" They heard Zhao shouted and watched as a single fireball was catapulted towards them. Zuko breathed a fireball at the same time Aang performed a powerful airbending kick, the two elements merging together into a massive fireball, destroying with the other fireball, before it continued into one of the ships next to Zhao's. As the soldiers started to abandon the now sinking ship, the bison and dragon soared safely over the blockade
"We made it!" Aang shouted, ecstatic.
"We got into the Fire Nation," Sokka said meekly, as he continued to hold tightly to Zuko's mane. "Great"
They continued to fly for hours. Halfway there, Zuko decided to give his wings a rest, so he flew over to the saddle and transformed back to human. It was getting close to sunset when they finally arrived at Crescent Island.
"You did it buddy," Aang said, rubbing Appa's head. "Nice flying"
Appa bellow in satisfaction before rubbing against Zuko, who was looking paler than normal, letting out a soft rumble that only Zuko could understand. "Are you sure Appa?" Zuko asked, listening as Appa rumbled again. "Ok," Zuko smiled gratefully at the bison, before walking to one his front legs as his canine teeth lengthen into fangs, and he bit into the furred, moaning in delight as the crimson liquid touched his tongue.
Aang and Sokka looked away, still not keen about this part of Zuko's curse. Katara on the other hand was not bother by it and simply walked pass the now healthier looking Zuko to give Appa's belly a rub. "Aww, that was sweet of you, Appa. And even when you must be tired"
"Yes, thank you, Appa," Zuko said, after drinking his fill, licking the bite wound, allowing it to heal, and wiping the excess blood off his mouth.
They started walking along a stone bridge leading to the multi-story Fire Temple. "I don't see any guards," Sokka observed, as they walked into the Temple
"There has never been guards in the Fire Temple," Zuko explained. "There has only ever been the Fire Sages. They are the Guardians of the Fire Temple. They are supposed to serve the Avatar, but for some reason they only serve the Fire Lord and the Royal family now. I can only guess it has something to do with my great grandfather Sozin"
"It's almost sundown," Aang pointed out of the open door. "We better hurry!"
"Wait," Sokka held up a hand. "I think I heard something."
They turned to see five men dressed in red with tall hats standing in the nearby hallway. "We are the Fire Sages. Guardians of the temple of the Avatar," the old man in the middle announced
"Great!" Aang exclaimed. "I am the Avatar!"
"We know," the old man along with the others punched fire in their direction
Aang deflected the fireballs with his airbending. "I'll hold them off. Run!" he shouted to the others, sending a low air blade at the Sages, knocking them over, before fleeing after his friends. "Follow me!" he skidded in front of the others as they continued running through the maze of hallways
"Do you know where you're going?" Sokka asked as they followed him
"Nope!" Aang answered before disappearing around a corner, a second later he ran back around past them. "Wrong way!"
As they ran after him, Zuko slightly turned his head to see a younger familiar looking Sage running around the corner after them, shouting, "Come back!" The managed to corner them in a dead-end hallway. "I don't want to fight you! I am a friend"
Before the others could say anything, Zuko held his hand up for silence. He took a moment to look closely at the Sage and took a quick sniff. "Shyu, is that you?" Zuko asked the man in front of him
"Yes, my Prince," Shyu bowed to the cursed royal
"Don't worry guys," Zuko turned to his friends. "He's good. He used to be one of my tutors." He looked at Shyu. "I see you finally got to follow in your grandfather's footsteps. Becoming a Fire Sage"
"Yes, Prince Zuko," Shyu smiled, before bowing low to the others. "I did. And it's an honour to serve and help you and the Avatar." He turned to the nearby wall, sliding a lamplight to the side to reveal a small hole. Placing a hand over the hole, he released a burst of firebending, causing a part of the wall to slide open, revealing a secret passageway. "Quickly. This way," he motioned them to go through the door, as shouts from the other Sages could be heard in the distance
As they walked through the passage, Aang couldn't help but ask, "How did you know we were coming?"
"A few weeks ago," Shyu explained as they walked up a set of stairs that were right next to a river of magma. "An amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku; its eyes began to glow!"
"That's when we were at the Air Temple," Katara realised. "Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there, too!"
"At that moment, we knew you had returned to the world," Shyu finished explaining.
"Hey, Shyu," Zuko got the older man's attention. "You wouldn't happen to know why the Sages now serve only the royal family"
"Yes," Shyu nodded. "When Roku died, the Sages waited for the next Avatar to return, but he never came"
"They were waiting for me," Aang looked down guiltily
"Hey, don't feel bad," Sokka tried to cheer him up. "You're only a hundred years late! Ow!" Sokka rubbed the back of his head, scowling at Zuko, who kept his dragon tail out after using it to hit Sokka's head
"They lost hope the Avatar would ever return," Shyu continued to explain. "When Fire Lord Sozin began the War, my grandfather and the other sages were forced to follow him." Shyu shook his head sadly. "I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I would have to betray the other sages"
"Thank you for helping us, Shyu," Zuko said, causing Shyu to smile at him
They finally reached the top of the stairs and walked through another secret doorway. They walked over to a massive door locked by a device holding five open-mouthed dragons
"Once you're inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him," Shyu looked closer at the door. "No!"
"Shyu, what's wrong?" Aang asked
"The sanctuary doors, they're closed!" Shyu exclaimed
"Can't you just open them with firebending?" Katara asked as Aang tugged at the door uselessly. "Like you opened that other door?"
"No," Shyu answered, shaking his head. "Only a fully realised Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, the sages must open this door together, with five simultaneous fire blasts"
"Hmm," Zuko thought for a second before turning to Shyu. "What about dragon fire from an Avatar descendent?"
"You're an Avatar descendent my prince?" Shyu asked the dragon boy, not asking about the dragon fire, having heard the story of the curse.
"Yes," Zuko nodded in answer. "I'm a descendent of Avatar Roku on my mother's side"
"Hmm," Shyu thought for a moment before nodding. "It could work. Let's try it"
Zuko shifted into his dragon form before taking a deep breath, and then sending a massive stream of rainbow fire at the door. Once the last of the flames had dissipated, the door looked to be still locked. A moment later, a metal against metal sound was heard as the locks on the door began to unlock.
Once the door had finished unlocking and opening, Zuko turned to Aang, "Go, Aang! Now's your chance! We'll keep watch." Aang nodded as he ran into the sanctuary, the doors closed behind him. The doors finished locking with a bright glow, just as the sages came up the nearby stairs
"No!" the eldest sage shouted. "The Avatar has entered the sanctuary!"
"How did he get in?" another one asked
"He got in because of me," Zuko growled, startling the sages, who looked at the dragon in fear.
"A talking dragon!" The old man shouted
"Wait!" the man next to him exclaimed. "That scar. That's Prince Zuko!"
"Don't be ridiculous," the old man said. "That's impossible"
"But we did see him with the Avatar, I don't see him now and the dragon is the only thing with a scar. A scar that is right where the prince's is," the younger man said
"He is, of course, correct," Zuko smirked at the older men, showing off his fangs and smoke coming from his nostrils. "I am Prince Zuko"
Trying to gain control of the situation, trembling, the old man turned to Shyu, who was standing calmly next to the beastly prince, "Why did you help the Avatar?"
"Because it was once the sages' duty," Shyu said sadly but proudly. "It is still our duty"
They turned when they heard clapping, they watched as Zhao walked up the stairs. "What a moving and heartfelt performance," Zhao smirked at them. "I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him"
"Commander Zhao," the sages bowed to him
"And Prince Zuko," Zhao turned to the growling dragon glaring down at him. "So, the rumours of your beastly form are true. And you're helping the Avatar. The Fire Lord will be pleased to have your head on platter."
"You're too late, Zhao!" Zuko growled. No one noticed the soldiers sneaking behind the dragon. "The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed"
"No matter. Sooner or later, he must come out. Until then," Zhao clicked his fingers. Zuko's eyes widened when he was suddenly on the ground with a heavy metal net wrapped around him. He turned to breath fire at his attackers, only for his mouth and nose to be covered with something.
"Having a little trouble there, Prince Zuko," Zhao smirked as his men captured and tied up the water tribe siblings and Shyu with chains. "You see, after I learnt about your dragon form, I did some research and finally found something that the dragon hunters used to use in capturing the beasts." Zhao watched in glee as Zuko struggled against his bindings. "As you can tell, the Dragon Net and Dragon Muzzle are very effective." Laughing as he walked up to the prince and tightened the muzzle, ignoring the promise of revenge in Zuko's eyes
Katara, Sokka, Shyu and Zuko watched as Zhao, his men and the remaining sages took up firebending stances around the door, waiting patiently
"When those doors open!" Zhao shouted. "Unleash all your firepower!"
"How's Aang gonna make it out of this?" Katara worried, looking at the closed doors
"How are we gonna make it out of this?" Sokka questioned, sending a worried look to Zuko, who was still struggling against the net and muzzle.
They turned when they heard the door unlock itself, sending streams of smoke out into the room. A pair of glowing eyes could be seen in the darkness.
"Ready!" Zhao ordered.
"No! Aang!" Katara shouted, terrified as Sokka joined Zuko in struggling against their chains.
"Fire!" Zhao and the other firebenders sent a blast of fire at the eyes. The wall of fire amasses, circling to reveal not Aang but Avatar Roku, completely untouched. Zhao and the others stepped back in shock and horror
"Avatar Roku…" Shyu, however was in awe
Roku drew the fire together in one motion. He then sent it forward in one powerful wave that sears the room, blasting Zhao and his men off their feet. It also melted the chains and muzzle, releasing Katara, Sokka, Shyu and Zuko, until finally destroying one of the out walls. Roku then turned his glare to the offending sages, who turned to run from his wrath
"Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple!" Shyu implored before he was picked up and placed on Zuko's back. "We have to get out of here!"
"Not without Aang!" Katara shouted back, as Roku caused lava to soar through the temple, tearing it apart. Zhao, his men and the fire sages ran from the temple. The remain four watched as the smoke in the room surrounded Roku and disappeared, leaving a weary and weakened Aang.
Sokka and Katara helped him to his feet, "We got your back"
"Thanks," Aang smiled weakly at them before asking. "Where's Shyu?"
"Right here, Avatar Aang," Shyu answered from atop of Zuko. "We must leave before the temple collapses into the volcano"
They ran over to the hole Roku created, as that seemed to be the only escape remaining. Zuko sent out a loud roar which was answered by a similar roar. They looked up to see Appa and Momo swiftly flying towards them. Katara, Aang and Sokka all jumped into Appa's saddle, flying away from the temple, Zuko and Shyu not too far behind.
They flew passed the blockade once more, without too many fireballs being sent their way. On the way, Aang explained what Roku had confirmed about the comet and how he had until the end of summer to master the elements
After a while they finally found the Wani. They dropped Shyu off with Iroh, who promised to find a place for Shyu to stay under a different name until the end of the war. Zuko promised Shyu that after the war, whether him or his uncle was on the throne, he would look into making Shyu the lead Fire Sage, as an award for his loyalty to the Avatar and fire sage true duties. They soon were flying off, on to the North Pole and their next adventure