Brawl 1 Water: Chapter 16; The Flames of the Deserter

As the group was walking through Fire Nation territory. As they hit a crossroad, they found a stand with information posters around the area. "This should give us a good idea of what's around here." Katara said, looking at the stand. Sokka then said to Katara. "See if you can find a menu. I'm starving."

"You're always starving." Hoshi said as everyone took a look at the stand. Aang then said to everyone. "I bet we'll find something to eat here, The Fire Days Festival."

"Fire Days Festival?" Saida said as they all looked at a poster that had the Fire Nation emblem and building, a Chinese dragon, and mostly everything was wrapped in fire. Aang then said to everyone. "Fire Nation cultural exhibits, jugglers, benders, magicians… This would be a great place for me to study some real Firebenders."

"Aang, that is a bad idea for two reasons. One, we are brawlers, so to hide in the city we have to take that powder again and won't be able to use Centipod and the others if we get caught. And two, even with the powder covering our eyes, they are looking for you Aang." Hoshi said as he and Sokka were looking at another poster. Aang then said to Hoshi. "How do you know?"

"Look at this." Sokka said and everyone went over to see a wanted poster of Aang with other wanted posters. "Hey, a poster of me!" Aang said before Phaedrus said. "I don't think that's a good poster, partner."

"Your right Phaedrus, it's a Wanted Poster. This is bad." Sokka said as Aang took the Wanted Poster. Katara then said to everyone. "I think we better keep moving."

"I have to learn Firebending at some point, and this could be my only chance to watch some masters up close." Aang said before Katara said. "I guess we could go check it out."

"What?! You want to walk into a Fire Nation town when they're all fired up with all their, you know, fire?" Sokka said and then Miguel said. "Yeah, it doesn't seem safe."

"We'll wear disguises. And if it looks like trouble, we'll leave." Katara said as she and Aang started to walk to the Fire Nation town. "Yeah. Because we always leave before we get into trouble." Sokka said before Hoshi said. "Come on, let's go."

Then after walking until it was almost nightfall and found a town made by the Fire Nation. Before they got too close, Aang said to Appa and Momo. "You guys stay out of sight here while we go to the festival." Appa and Momo then took cover behind a small bush. Aang then said to everyone. "Ready disguises." Everyone then put on a clock and the brawlers put the powder on their eyes, but they were one clock short. So Aang just pulled up his shirt and that was his disguise. Sokka then said to Aang. "It's like you're a whole different person."

"Let's go." Aang said as they started to walk to the town. However they didn't know that someone was watching and following them. Inside the town, it was lively and everyone was having fun and mostly everyone was wearing masks. "I think we need some new disguises." Katara said before Sokka said. "Where are we gonna get masks like that?"

"Over there." Saida said, pointing to a stand that was selling genuine Fire-Festival Masks. "That was surprisingly easy." Sokka said before everyone got a mask. Katara got a mask that was like a Fire Nation woman. Hoshi, Saida, and Miguel got dragon masks, but Hoshi's was dark blue, Saida's was ghost white, and Miguel's was midnight black. The only masks that didn't really work were Sokka and Aang masks. Sokka was a sky blue mask with a big smile, and Aang was an orange with a face of someone in great sadness. Katara switched them, because under the masks, Sokka's face was like the orange one and Aang's face was like the sky blue one.

As they went through the town, trying not to look out of place. They tried Fire Nation food, which was spicy. They saw the puppet show that Fire Load was all powerful and the Earth Kingdom wasn't. "Aang, hold on. Where are we going?" Katara said as Aang was leading everyone to a big crowd of people. Aang then said to the others. "I don't know… But there's a big crowd, so it must be good."

"Knowing the Fire Nation, it's probably an execution." Sokka said and they saw that the show was for a male Firebender doing magic. The Firebender was juggling big fireballs and after compounding them, he put them out and birds appeared. "I gotta learn that trick." Aang said before the Firebender said to the audience. "Thank you! For my next trick, I need a volunteer from the audience."

"Ooh, ooh! Me! Me!" Aang said, trying to volunteer. Hoshi put Aang's hand down and Sokka said to Aang. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I want to get a closer look."

"It's better that we don't attract any attention to ourselves." Katara said before the Firebender pointed to her and said. "How about you, little lady?" Katara didn't answer and the Firebender said. "Aw, she's shy. Let's give her some encouragement, folks." The people cheered and a few kids pushed Katara to the stage. Aang then said as the Firebender helped Katara onto the stage. "Aw, that could have been me." Still unknown to them that they were being followed. "This next trick is called Taming the Dragon!" The Firebender said as he brought a chair for Katara. The Firebender then made Katara take a seat on the chair and said to her, before tying Katara to the chair. "You will be my captured princess." The Firebender then used the fire around the stage to make a stream of fire in the shape of a dragon, which was too close to Katara. The Firebender then said as he made a whip of fire. "Don't worry, young maiden! I will tame this fiery beast!" The Firebender then wrapped the whip around the dragon. Then the Firebender said, acting like he was having trouble. "It's too strong! I can't hold it!"

"We gotta help her!" Aang said as he tried to get closer to the stage. Sokka and Hoshi stopped him and Sokka said. "No, we don't want to make a scene."

"Plus, this is all an act." Hoshi said before the Firebender said. "The robe– It's breaking!" The fire rope disappeared and then the dragon was heading right for Katara. Aang was too scared for Katara's safety and jumped onto the stage. Aang then used his Airbending to stop the dragon. However the dragon turned into confady and Aang's mask flew off his face. Everyone saw Aang and after the others freed Katara, they all started to run from the soilders that were coming. After everyone removed their mask, Sokka said to everyone. "I think it's time to go."

"Follow me! I can get you out of here!" The man who was following them said before making a hole threw the back of the stage. Everyone went through the hole and then the man covered their escape with a smoke bomb. And while it did help for a little, it didn't stop them or more soldiers from chasing them. As they were running, Phaedrus said to Aang. "Aang, can't you call Appa?"

"Good idea." Aang said before using the whistle to call Appa. And just as they hit a dead end with a lot of Fire Nation soldiers coming at them, Appa appeared, which scared the soldiers away and then Appa hit them with a strong air attack, sended them flying. "Appa, you are the best." Phaedrus said before they all got onto him. As they were flying, the man used another bomb to set off a whole cart full of fireworks, which covered their escape. As the people cheered thinking the fireworks were part of the festival, Aang said to the man as they were flying away. "Nice touch setting off the fireworks."

"You seem to really know your explosives." Sokka said to the man and then the man said to them. "I'm familiar."

"Why are you familiar with explosives?" Miguel said before the man said. "During my time as soldier."

"You're a Fire Nation soldier." Sokka said before the man said. "Was. My name's Chey." Then after they landed and made camp, Chey told them about himself. "I serve a man, more than a man, really, he's a myth, but he's real, a living legend, Jeong Jeong the deserter. He was a Fire Nation general. Or wait… Was he an admiral?"

"He was very highly ranked. We get it." Sokka said and then Chey continued. "Yeah! Way up there! But he couldn't take the madness anymore. He's the first person ever to leave the army and live. I'm the second, but you don't get to be a legend for that. It's ok, though. Jeong Jeong's a Firebender genius. Some say he's mad, but he's not. He's enlightened."

"You mean there's a Firebender out here who's not with the Fire Lord?" Aang said to Chey and Chey said. "Yeah."

"We gotta go see him! He can train me!" Aang said before Sokka said. "We're not gonna go find some crazy Firebender."

"He's not crazy! He's a genius! And he's the perfect person to train the Avatar. That's why I followed you into the festival." Chey said to them and then Sokka said. "Look, thanks for the help, But we're leaving for the North Pole in the morning."

"Sokka, this could be my only chance to meet a Firebending master who would actually be willing to teach me." Aang said to Sokka before Katara said. "It can't hurt just to talk to him."

"That's what you said about going to the festival! Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?!" Sokka said before Hoshi said. "Because of the bad joke and the complaining." Everyone, but Sokka laughed a little, and just as Sokka was going to take a walk. A lot of guys wearing clothes made out of nature appeared around them and pointed their spears at them. The group of men then started to take them deep into the forest and the leader said to Chey. "Jeong Jeong told you not to look for the Avatar."

"Hold on. Yow know these guys?" Sokka said to Chey and Chey said. "Oh, yeah. Lin Ye's an old buddy. Right, Lin Ye?"

"Shut up. Keep moving." The leader, Lin Ye, said and not that much longer they had reached their camp. Lin Ye then said to Chey. "Go on. He sees you only."

"Oh, that's ok. We can chat later." Chey said before Aang said, pointing at a hut by the river. "Is that where Jeong Jeong is? I need to talk to him right away."

"No. You wait there." Lin Ye said, stopping Aang and pointing to a hut close to them. Lin Ye then made Chey go see Jeong Jeong and the others made sure Aang and his friends were taken to the other hut.

Back at the Fire Nation town. Zhao was close by and had learned that Aang was in the town. He went there personally and wasn't happy that they didn't capture Aang. "So, the Avatar was here and you let him slip away?"

"Yes, sir. But other than that, the festival went off without a hitch." The leader of the soldiers said before a pillar, which caught on fire during the escape, fell right behind the soldiers. Zhao then said to the leader. "I don't care about that! Which way did they go?"

"They headed into the forest. Up the river, I suspect."

"Ready the riverboats. We're going after the Avatar." Zhao said and his men started to get the riverboats ready for the search.

Back at the camp, Chey had left Jeong Jeong hut and walked into Aang and the others hut. In the hut, everyone but Aang and Phaedrus was trying to get some sleep. Aang was waiting for Chey and when Chey entered the hut, Aang said to him. "What happened? Can I see Jeong Jeong now?"

"He won't see you. He's very angry that I brought you here. He wants you to leave immediately." Chey said before Phaedrus said. "Sokka would love to hear that."

"Why won't he see me?" Aang said to Chey and Chey said to Aang. "He says you're not ready. Says you haven't mastered Waterbending and Earthbending yet."

"Wait, how does he know that?"

"He saw the way you walked into camp. He can tell."

"I'm going in anyway." Aang said before he and Phaedrus left the hut. On the way to Jeong Jeong hut, Phaedrus said to Aang flying in front of him. "Aang, maybe Jeong Jeong is right about you not being ready to Firebend."

"Why would you say that, Phaedrus?"

"I don't know why, but something inside of me is telling me that you need to wait before you start your Firebending training."

"We don't have time to wait." Aang said, pushing Phaedrus away and then entered Jeong Jeong hut. Phaedrus followed Aang inside and inside was an old man in worn out clothes, surrounded by candles and a tree. The old man was Jeong Jeong and while his back was turned, he knew Aang had just entered the hut. "Get out!" Jeong Jeong said and Aang did leave, even with Phaedrus pulling his clothes. Aang got closer to Jeong Jeong and said as he took a seat close to the candles. "Master. I need to learn Firebending."

"Only a fool seeks his own destruction."

"I am the Avatar. It's my destiny to–"

"Destiny? What would a boy know of destiny? If a fish lives its whole life in this river, does he know the river's destiny? No! Only that it runs on and on out of his control. He may follow where it flows, but he cannot see the end. He cannot imagine the ocean."

"Ok… But it's the Avatar's duty to master all of the bending disciplines."

"To master the bending disciplines, you must first master discipline itself. But you have no interest in this, so I have no interest in you. Now, get out."

"Please, I have to learn. This could be my only chance."

"Are you deaf?! How can I teach you if you refuse to listen?! Before learning Firebending, you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing. Earth is steady and stable. But fire… Fire is alive It breathes, it grows. Without the Bender, a rock will now throw itself. But fire will spread and destroy everything in its path if one does not have the will to control it! That is its destiny. You are not ready! You are too weak!" Jeong Jeong said after turning around to face Aang, then he made the flames on the candles become small pillars of fire. Once the pillars disappeared the lights were also gone, but the moment they came back, Jeong Jeong wasn't facing Aang, but Avatar Roku. Roku then said to Jeong Jeong. "You think I am weak?"

"Avatar Roku! No, no! I did not mean that."

"I have mastered the elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. Now, I must do it once again. You will teach the Avatar Firebending." Roku said before seating the tree next to Jeong Jeong on fire. Jeong Jeong bowed his head and said. "Yes, yes. I will teach you."

"Really? That's great!" Aang said as Jeong Jeong returned to his hut. Aang cracked a big smile and told Jeong Jeong that this would be a very very tall order for him to pull off.

The following morning, Aang told everyone that they were staying so Aang could learn Firebending. Sokka wasn't happy, but they were staying for a while. As Aang was taking this first lesson, Katara and Hoshi were practicing their Waterbending, Saida and Miguel were practicing with their weapons, They Bakugan were big and brawling away from everyone, and Sokka was fishing. "Keep your arms in. Widen your stance. Wider! Bend your knees. Now, concentrate." Jeong Jeong said to Aang, who did everything Jeong Jeong said. After Aang was in that position, Jeong Jeong said to Aang. "Good. Good!"

"Wait. What do I do now?"

"Silence! Talking is not concentrating. Look at your friends. Are they talking? Even that oaf knows to concentrate on what he's doing." Jeong Jeong said pointing at Sokka. "Hey!" Sokka said before Aang said to Jeong Jeong. "But what am I concentrating on?"

"Feel the heat of the sun. It is the greatest source of fire, yet it is in complete balance with nature."

"So, when do I get to make some fire?"

"Concentrate!" Jeong Jeong said before leaving. Aang then said once Jeong Jeong was gone. "This is stupid."

"Aang, I'm sure Jeong Jeong knows what he is doing." Phaedrus said, but Aang didn't really listen to her. For the next lesson, Jeong Jeong was taking Aang and Phaedrus to the top of a very big hill. "Are we coming up here so I don't burn anything with my fire blasts?" Aang said to Jeong Jeong before Jeong Jeong said to Aang. "No fire yet."

"What?!"

"Power in Firebending comes from the breath. That is why you must master proper breath control."

"You brought me up here to breathe?"

"Assume your stance." Jeong Jeong said, turning away from Aang. Aang did his stance and Jeong Jeong said. "Wider."

"You're not even look–"

"Wider!" Jeong Jeong said and Aang widened his stance. Jeong Jeong then said to Aang. "Now, inhale through the nose. And exhale through the mouth without talking." Aang then did what Jeong Jeong said. "Good. Keep going." Jeong Jeong said before he started to return to his hut.

After a few hours of breathing, Aang and Phaedrus returned to Jeong Jeong hut. Once they entered the hut, Jeong Jeong said to Aang. "What are you doing here? I did not tell you to stop!"

"I've been breathing for hours."

"You want to stop breathing?"

"I want you to stop wasting my time. I already know how to squat and breathe and feel the sun. I want to know how to shoot fire out of my fingertips." Aang said getting angry with Jeong Jeong. Jeong Jeong sighed and then said to Aang. "I had a pupil once who had no interest in learning discipline. He was only concerned with the power of fire. How he could use it to destroy his opponents and wipe out the obstacles in his path, but fire is a horrible burden to bear. Its nature is to consume, and without control, it destroys everything around it."

Meanwhile, up the river, Zhao and his search party, enough people to fit three boats, were getting closer. Some of Jeong Jeong's men found Zhao search party and tried to drive them away with spears, but Zhao blocked them and shot a fire blast at them. Zhao missed and no one was hurt, but the flames started a forest fire and Zhao was proud of that.

"Learn restraint, or risk destroying yourself and everything you love." Jeong Jeong said to Aang, while he was pouring a cup of tea. Aang then left with Phaedrus. A short while later, Jeong Jeong left his hut and saw Aang, alone, sitting on the rock in front of the hut. Aang was meditating and once Jeong Jeong left his hut, Aang said to Jeong Jeong. "I thought about what said. I promise I'll be more patient."

"We're going to work with fire now."

"Oh, yeah!" Aang said, getting up and sounding like he did at the start of his training. Aang realized what he did and said regain is composer. "I mean… Let us begin." Jeong Jeong then grabbed a falling leaf and used his Firebender to make a hole in the middle of the leaf. As Katara and Phaedrus returned to check on Aang, they saw Jeong Jeong give Aang the leaf and said to Aang. "Concentrate on the fire. I want you to keep this flame from reaching the edges of the leaf for as long as you can." Aang wasn't happy with this exercise. Then Lin Ye appeared and said to Jeong Jeong. "Master, there is trouble!"

"What's going on?!" Aang said as Jeong Jeong and Lin ye started to leave in a hurry. "Concentrate on your leaf." Jeong Jeong said before he disappeared with Lin Ye. Once they were gone, Aang said to Katara and Phaedrus. "This is the worst Firebending instruction ever. All he does is leave me alone for hours to concentrate or breathe."

"I'm sure there's a good reason." Katara said to Aang and then Aang said. "But I'm ready to do so much more."

"Maybe, but remember. Jeong Jeong is trying to teach your restraint." Phaedrus said, but Aang ignored her and started working on the leaf. But instead of doing what Jeong Jeong told him to do, Aang used the fire in the leaf to become a flame. Everyone was shocked and Aang said. "I did it. I made fire!"

"Aang, that's great. But you should take it slow." Katara said as she and Phaedrus got a little closer. Aang didn't listen and made the flame big. It surprised everyone and Phaedrus said to Aang. "Aang, I don't think that restraint." Aang didn't listen to Phaedrus either and started to play with the flame. After playing for a while and thinking he had complete control of the flame, Aang then remembered a move from a juggler during the festival. Aang then caused his flame to circle around him. Aang smiled, happy that he was Firebending, but that was short lived. After the flames disbursed, Aang noticed the damage he had caused. Aang's flame was so powerful and big that it was heading for Katara. Lucky for Katara, Phaedrus, who turned into a ball, pushed Katara down in time, but Phaedrus and Katara's right hand were severely burned. Both of them screamed in pain and then Aang said, jumping over to Katara and Phaedrus. "Katara! Phaedrus! I'm so sorry!"

"Katara, what's wrong?" Sokka said as he, Hoshi, and Centipod were going to talk to Jeong Jeong about all of the action in the camp, but stopped when they saw Katara weeping on the ground. Sokka then looked at Aang and said. "What did you do?"

"It was an accident! I was– uh! Katara, I'm so–" Aang said before he reached for Katara, but Sokka tackled him to the ground. "I told you we shouldn't mess around with this! Look what you did! You burned my sister!" Sokka yelled at Aang pinning him to the ground. "Let him go!" Hoshi said, pulling Sokka off and punching Sokka in the face. Sokka and Hoshi then started to fight one another, each landing a lot of good punches. Aang watched the fight, and saw Katara running away with Phaedrus. Aang finally unstoord what Jeong Jeong was walking about, but it was too late, and this moment would forever scare Aang. Jeong Jeong then returned to Aang and said. "This is what happens when you have no restraint, young Avatar." Jeong Jeong then used his Firebending to stop Sokka and Hoshi. Once they stopped, Jeong Jeong said to them. "Pack your things. You must leave immediately."

"What about Katara and Phaedrus?" Hoshi said to Jeong Jeong and Jeong Jeong said. "I'll get her, just start packing." Then everyone started to leave and Aang said to Sokka. "I'm sorry. I didn't—" Sokka didn't stop and listen to Aang, but Sokka did understand that it was an accident and felt ashamed for his actions. Hoshi also felt ashamed, but there wasn't time. They need to get everything ready for their departure and they need to do it very very fast. As for Katara, she said to Phaedrus as they went to a beach a little ways up the river. "Thanks for saving me, Phaedrus."

"You're welcome, but why are we here?"

"Water is good for fresh burns."

"But why didn't we just stay with the otehrs."

"I... I just wanted to get out of their way." Katara said as she placed her hand and Phaedrus into the water. Then a glow started to come out of Katara's hands and it spread to Phaedrus. Katara pulled her hands out and the burns on her and Phaedrus were gone. As Phaedrus returned to normal and Katara looked at her hands, Jeong Jeong walked up to them and said to Katara taking a seat next to them. "You have healing abilities. The great benders of the Water Tribes sometimes have this ability. I've always wished I were blessed like you, free from this burning curse."

"But you're a great master. You have powers I'll never know."

"Water brings healing and life. But fire brings only destruction and pain. It forces those of us burdened with its care to walk a razor's edge between humanity and savagery. Eventually we're torn apart." Jeong Jeong said before a fire blast hit the water close to them. Both Katara and Jeong Jeong got up in a flash and Jeong Jeong blocked some of the fire blasts. As Zhao's search team got closer to them, Jeong Jeong said to Katara and Phaedrus. "Go get your friends and flee! Do not come back here or you will all be destroyed! Hurry!" Katara and Phaedrus ran back to the others and Jeong Jeong created a wall of fire over the river, stopping the boats. Zhao was surprised to see Jeong Jeong, but was happy. Because now he could capture both Aang and Jeong Jeong. Zhao ordered his boats to touch down at the beach and Zhao said to his men walking through the wall of fire. "Don't worry, men. My old teacher gave up fighting A long time ago… Haven't you, Master Jeong Jeong?" Jeong Jeong then stopped the wall of fire, allowing Zhao's men to join Zhao.

Back with Katara and Phaedrus, they returned to everyone as they were getting ready to fly away. However Aang wasn't with them. And just before Katara or Phaedrus could ask about Aang, Sokka saw Katara and said to her. "Katara, are you all right?!"

"I'm fine. We've got to get out of here. Where's Aang?" Katara said and then Hoshi said, pointing to Jeong Jeong hut. "Down there." Katara and Phaedrus went to the hut and saw Aang in the center of the candles. The moment Aang saw them, he closed his eyes, turned away from them, and said. "Jeong Jeong tried to tell me that I wasn't ready. I wouldn't listen. I'm never gonna Firebend again."

"You'll have to eventually." Katara said before Aang said. "No, never again."

"Aang, to save the world you will have to Firebend, but you don't have to do it right now. We can save Firebending for last. Now let's just go to the North Pole and learn Waterbending." Phaedrus said and Aang said to Phaedrus. "How can you be fine with me?"

"Because Katara healed us." Phaedrus said and Aang saw that Katara and Phaedrus were healed for the burns Aang caused. "What? How?!" Aang said to Katara and Katara said to Aang. "I'll explain later. But, right now, we have to get out of here. Zhao and his soldiers are attacking."

"Where?!"

"By the river. They captured Jeong Jeong."

"I have to help him!" Aang said as he ran out of the hut, with Phaedrus following Aang. Back with Jeong Jeong, Zhao said to Jeong Jeong. "Look at you. You were once so great. I can't believe my former master has become nothing more than a simple savage."

"It is you who have embraced savagery, Zhao."

"It's Admiral Zhao now."

"That title will not help you against the Avatar. Do not try to fight him. You are no match."

"I think I can handle a child. And once I kill that dragon, I will be Zhao, the Slayer of the Last Dragon."

"You are even more of a fool than I thought." Jeong Jeong said, which made Zhao angry. "Jeong Jeong!" Aang said as he and Phaedrus appeared. "We'll see." Zhao said to Jeong Jeong. Zhao then said to his men. "Men, take the deserter." Zhao's men then surrounded Jeong Jeong, but Jeong Jeong created a orb of fire around himself and disappeared along with the flames. "It's a trick! He's run off into the woods. Find him!" Zhao said to his men and they left Zhao alone with Aang and Phaedrus. Zhao got ready to fight Aang and said to him. "Let's find out what my old master has taught you."

"You were Jeong Jeong student?"

"Until I got bored." Zhao said before shooting fire at them without control. Zhao was trying to make sure Aang didn't roll Phaedrus out. Aang dodged all of them and Zhao said. "I see he taught you how to duck and run like a coward, but I doubt he showed you what a Firebender is truly capable of!"

"Oh he showed us, but I think you don't get it." Phaedrus said, making Zhao even more mad. Zhao fired a much bigger fireball at them. Aang and Phaedrus dodged it and then Aang said. "Whoa! Wild shot!"

"I'll show you wild!" Zhao said shooting more fire at them, but they didn't hit them and the flames started to burn around them. Zhao didn't care and Aang remembered what Jeong Jeong said about restraint. Aang and Phaedrus looked at their boat, and got an idea. Then Zhao said to them. "Stand and fight, Avatar!"

"Oh, were we fighting? I thought you were just getting warmed up." Aang said before Zhao said. "I was." Zhao kept firing fire at Aang and Aang said. "Is that all you got? Man, they'll make anyone an Admiral these days."

"Yeah, even a guy that has zero Firebending skills." Phaedrus said, causing Zhao to get a lot more angry. Zhao then fired more fire at them, he still didn't show control even as they were getting closer to his boats. Once they were on top of the first boat, Aang said to Zhao. "Ahoy! I'm Admiral Zhao."

"Now someone got up here, I don't know how to steer a boat." Phaedrus said, causing Zhao to really get angry. Zhao jumped onto the boat and blasted them with a fire blast. It missed them, but it hit the first boat and it started to burn and sink. Zhao didn't notice, or care. He was after Aang and Phaedrus, who jumped onto the second boat. On the second boat, Aang said to Zhao. "I don't know why, but I thought you'd be better than Zuko."

"Heck, even Alex is better than you." Phaedrus said and that caused the most anger of Zhao. Because to Zhao, saying that his Firebending was not great then Zuko or even Alex was the greatest insult. Zhao fired a stream of fire at them. It missed, and the second boat started to burn and sink too. On the third and last boat, Zhao thought that he had them trapped, and said before firing a stream of fire at them. "Nowhere to run now, you little smart mouths!"

"You've lost this battle" Aang said as they jumped over Zhao, causing the last boat to burn and sink. Zhao turned to Aang and said. "Are you crazy?! You haven't thrown a single blow."

"No, but you have." Aang said, pointing at all of the boat, and Zhao finally noticed the damage he caused. "Jeong Jeong said you had no restraint." Aang said before rolling Phaedrus out. After Phaedrus got big and Aang jumped onto her, Phaedrus said to Zhao. "And only beginner level Firebenders have no restraint."

"Have a nice walk home!" Aang said before they flew away, and both of them were laughing. Zhao then screamed as the flames caused an explosion. It didn't kill Zhao, but he was now in the water and disappointed in his failure to capture the Avatar. In the air, Aang and Phaedrus rendezvous with everyone and after Aang jumped on to Appa and Phaedrus returned to Aang, Aang said to everyone. "Wait! Where's Jeong Jeong?"

"He disappeared. They all did." Sokka said as the camp was deserted, and who knows if they would ever meet Jeong Jeong again. As Miguel flew Appa north, Katara noticed the burn on Aang's left arm. "Aang, you're burned." Katara said to Aang, who then noticed the burn. Phaedrus then said to Katara. "Do you think you can help?"

"It can't hurt to try." Katara said as she was able to use her Waterbending to heal Aang. Everyone was impressed and Aang said to Katara. "Wow! That's good water."

"When did you learn how to do that?" Saida said to Katara and Katara said. "Just know, but I guess I've always known."

"Oh. Well, then, thanks for all the first aid over the years. Like, when I fell into the grease berry bramble, and that time I had two fish hooks in my thumb!" Sokka said before Aang said. "Two?"

"How did that happen?" Hoshi said as Katara started to heal the bruise from his and Sokka's fight. Katara laughed a little before saying. "He tried to get the first fish hook out with another fish hook."

"That's funny." Miguel said before Sokka kept listing all of the things that hurt him. And while meeting Jeong Jeong did leave its scar on Aang, both he and Katara have become even stronger benders, even if it was a little.