The blisters on Elyrie's feet were nearly bursting. With her teeth clenched together, she continued to take step after step.

She wasn't the only one who was at her physical and mental breaking point – but it wasn't a comforting thought. Katara's shoulders were slumped forward, Toph's mouth was a hard line and Sokka's forehead was coated in sweat. They all were still wearing the heavy uniforms, and Elyrie felt her back stick to the red fabric of her tunic.

I would kill for a decent bath, she sighed inwardly. Behind her, Appa groaned as well. Over her shoulder, she glanced at the airbison. Even he was still wearing his armour.

"This is humiliating." Katara said, her brow furrowed in frustration

Sokka glanced up at her, adjusting the weight of his bag. "You mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?"

Katara barely spared him a glance before answering. "Both."

A few steps behind, Aang reached up to pat Appa's massive side, offering a sheepish smile. "Sorry, guys, but Appa gets tired carrying all these people."

The group trudged forward, Toph leading the way, her bare feet feeling the vibrations of the earth. The air was thick with exhaustion and disappointment, their recent defeat hanging over them like a storm cloud.

Teo broke the silence. "I wonder how the rest of the troops are."

"They're probably on their way to a prison," Haru said, his voice heavy with frustration. "Seems like my dad just got out and now he's going back in."

Elyrie heard the words, but she pushed them away. She didn't have the mental space for it, and she refused to burst into tears. Even though she felt like she was on the edge of crying her eyes out, she pushed it away. Keep your thoughts small.

The Duke walked beside Sokka, kicking at a loose stone. "I miss Pipsqueak."

Sokka let out a dramatic sigh. "I miss not having blisters on my feet."

The path was rough, uneven, but Toph moved forward with confidence. Then, she stopped abruptly, stamping her foot down. A grin spread across her face. "Hey, we're here! I can feel it!"

The group came to a halt and Elyrie lifted her eyes to the scene before them. A jagged cliff stretched out ahead, and beyond it, only open sky.

It was a lot of.. nothing.

Katara squinted, hands on her hips. "Ehm, I think your feet need their eyes checked."

"No, she's right." Aang stepped forward, eyes scanning the horizon. "We are here."

Sokka looked around, then shrugged. "If you say so."

"It's beneath the cliff!" Elyrie said suddenly. Through the thick mist in her head, a memory crept through as she remembered the drawings from her books.

The group climbed on Appa, letting themselves descend down the cliff. It appeared out of the mist like something out of legend.

Elyrie peaked over the edge. There was at least a three thousand foot drop between the temple and the ground below. Comforting, she thought as Appa landed and they climbed off the enormous animal.

Toph let out a low whistle. "Wow, it's amazing."

Elyrie could only agree as she saw the pictures from her book come to life. The temple was built on the underside of a cliff, causing all of the buildings to appear to hang upside down. There were steps built into the side of the cliff to allow for movement between tiers of the temple and different buildings. The stones were covered in green vegetation, but you could see that they once had been a beautiful white and golden colour. The Air Nomad-architecture was found in every corner, along with enormous statues of female Airbenders.

Of course, Elyrie realised as she strained her neck to look up, this was built by female airbenders for female airbenders.

Teo's voice was filled with the same awe she experienced. "It's so different from the Northern Air Temple. I wonder if there are any secret rooms." He turned his wheelchair around in a swift motion in the direction of the chambers.

Haru didn't hesitate, already jogging ahead. "Let's go check it out!"

"Duke, I'll race you!" Teo challenged, speeding off.

"I told you, it's The Duke!" the younger boy called after him, running to catch up.

Aang moved to follow, but Katara stepped in front of him. "You guys go. We need to talk about some things."

The trio disappeared inside the Temple, and Aang frowned. "Why can't I go?"

Katara sighed. "We need to decide what we're going do now, and since you're the Avatar, maybe you should be a part of this."

Aang slumped onto a nearby bench. "Fair enough. So, what's the new plan?"

Sokka took a seat across from him, arms crossed. "Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan! You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes."

Aang rolled his eyes. "Oh, yeah. That's great. No problem. I'll just do that."

Katara sat beside him. "Aang, no one said it's going to be easy."

"It's not even gonna be possible!" Aang shot back. "Where am I supposed to get a firebending teacher?"

"I could start learning you the basics," Elyrie said, her eyebrows knitted together as she repressed the feeling of frustration. Why is he so opposed to learning firebending?

"And after that?" Aang asked with an uninterested look in his grey eyes.

If only Kun or Uncle had been with them, they could have taught him. Elyrie felt the pang in her chest again, and the tears pricked behind her eyes. She didn't have the energy to reply, so she remained silent.

Aang sighed, stretching out on the bench. "Oh well, guess we can't come up with anybody. Why don't we just take a nice tour around the temple?"

He leapt into the air, his glider catching the wind as he and Momo soared off.

Sokka watched him go, arms still crossed. "There's gotta be someone who can teach him firebending."

Katara and Toph exchanged a glance, their expressions grim. Elyrie didn't say anything as she turned her ring around her finger again and again.

"I'm going to look around too." She announced as she stood up, "I need to be alone for a moment."

Exploring the grounds, she walked around the bathrooms, beautiful chambers and the special prayer rooms.

She vocalised a note, hearing it echo of the walls. She tried another note. The sounds travelled upwards, almost as if it wanted to escape to the outside of the place.

Far below, in the shadows of the temple, Zuko descended from a rope, his form swinging twice before he landed. His boots hit the stone, and as his feet met the ground, a memory surged through him—five years ago, just after his banishment.

He had stood at the edge of a this very cliff, Uncle beside him, the wind biting at their robes.

"What a stunning view," Iroh had said, his voice gentle.

Zuko had barely spared it a glance. "The only view I'm interested in seeing is the Avatar in chains."

Iroh sighed. "You know, the Avatar hasn't been seen for one hundred years. The chances of finding him here are very slim."

Zuko's young face had been set in stubborn determination. "First, we'll check each of the air temples. Then we'll scour the world, searching even the most remote locations until we find him."

Iroh had placed a hand on his shoulder. "Prince Zuko, it's only been a week since your banishment. You should take some time to heal and rest."

Zuko had shrugged him off. "What else would I expect to hear from the laziest man in the Fire Nation?"

The memory faded, leaving Zuko standing alone once more, his present self filled with regret. Nearby, the familiar sound of voices drew his attention. He looked up just in time to see Appa flying overhead. Instinct took over—he had to hide.

He darted into the shadows, his mind racing. He wasn't ready. Not yet.

He walked down the dark corridor in the Temple, lighting up his palm as he silently stepped down the enormous site. Not that it mattered how lightly his tread was. Every sound was amplified by the acoustic that seemed the very foundation of this place.

Risking it all, only to fall

Back where I started

The sound echoed off the wall, pulling him forward without a second thought. It came from deep within the Temple, traveling past the walls and curves.

It was the very sound that had haunted his dreams all those long months.

Back near the shore

Back to before you took my hand

A small light was visible at the end of the corridor. She was so close.

They don't strand you brokenhearted.

What did I give to go where you are?

Where do I go with nowhere to turn to?

The sound died away and the light extinguished. She disappeared just as quickly, just like the dreams he had. He had woken up night after night, holding nothing but the empty air.

It was hard to believe this had been real. Elyrie was here, and her voice could send him to the heavens once more. If she forgave him.

And with that realisation, Zuko's heart shattered in a thousand pieces.

Later that day, having retreated in the nearby forest, Zuko sat beside his tent, staring into the flickering fire. He took a deep breath and spoke to the empty air. "Hello... Zuko here." He said out loud, hesitating before rubbing the back of his head. "But I guess you probably already know me. Sort of."

He groaned, running a hand down his face. "Ugh, what am I doing?"

A badgerfrog croaked beside him, staring. Zuko looked at it expectantly. "Well, what's your answer?"

The badgerfrog hopped onto his head, then away.

"Yeah... that's what I'd say, too," Zuko muttered. He sighed, staring at the fire. "How am I supposed to convince these people that I'm on their side? How am I going to convince her?"

If only Uncle were here. He would offer him some wisdom. But he wasn't, so Zuko settled for his second best option. He straightened, mimicking Iroh's voice out loud again. "Zuko, you have to look within yourself to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self reveal itself."

He frowned. "Even when I'm talking for him, I can't figure out what he means."

Maybe a different approach? This time he tweaked his vocal cords to mimick Azula's voice. He pushed out one hip, and tried: "Listen, Avatar. I can join your group, or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice."

His shoulders slumped. "I guess I'm just not that good at impersonations."

The badgerfrog next to him blinked his large eyes and croaked again.

Zuko buried his face in his hands. "I'm doomed."

The wind roared past Elyrie's ears as she sat on Appa's back. Aang was a ahead them, soaring through the sky on his glider and laughing as he looped through the air.

"Aang, can we talk about you learning firebending now?" Katara called up to him, shading her eyes against the bright sun.

"What?" Aang cupped a hand to his ear dramatically. "The wind is too loud in my ears! Check out this loop!" He twirled in the air once more before landing lightly on the temple's ancient stone surface. Appa landed next to him, and the group got off the giant saddle.

Sokka sighed, arms crossed. "Aang, I think we should be making some plans about our future!"

"Sure! We can totally do that while I show you the giant Pai Sho table!" Aang beamed. "Oh, and you're gonna love the all-day echo chamber!"

"I think that'll have to wait." Toph said. Her tone was serious—enough to make the group fall silent. She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder, and as Appa shifted, the shadow of a lone figure stretched across the stone. Elyrie followed her direction, eyes narrowing.

Then, the figure came into view.

Zuko.

"Hello," he said, raising a hand in greeting, "Zuko here."

For a second, everyone was stunned into silence, only to be shattered as the group instinctively prepared to attack. Sokka whipped out his boomerang, Katara her waterskin, Aang his staff and Toph flexed her fingers. Only Elyrie didn't move a muscle.

Zuko held up his hands quickly. "Hey, I heard you guys flying around, just thought I'd wait for you here," he said. Appa let out a low growl but then, to everyone's surprise, leaned in and gave Zuko two big, wet licks.

In the corner of her eye, Elyrie saw Aang lower his staff slightly as Momo let out a startled squeak.

Zuko exhaled. "I know you must be surprised to see me."

Sokka snorted. "Not really, since you've followed us all over the world."

"Right. Well, uh…" Zuko rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyway, what I wanted to say is—I've changed. I'm good now. And I think I should join your group. Oh, and I can teach firebending to you." He turned to Aang, "See, I-uhh.."

The air seemed to shift as he unloaded all the information in one breath.

Elyrie only stared at him and instinctively knew all the others had their faces frozen in disbelief as well. Still, his words didn't reach her.

"You want to what now?" Toph asked finally, brows raised.

"You can't possibly think any of us would trust you," Katara snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "I mean, how stupid do you think we are?"

"Yeah," Sokka added. "All you've ever done is hunt us down and try to capture Aang!"

Zuko's eyes darted between them. "I've done some good things! I mean, I could've stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That's something!"

Appa, as if confirming the statement, licked him again.

"Appa does seem to like him," Toph pointed out.

Sokka rolled his eyes. "He probably just covered himself in honey or something so that Appa would lick him. I'm not buying it."

Zuko let out a breath, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I can understand why you wouldn't trust me, and I know I've made some mistakes in the past.—"

"Mistakes?" Sokka cut him off. "Like when you attacked our village?"

"Or stole my mother's necklace and used it to track us down?" Katara added, crossing her arms tightly.

Zuko's face tensed. "Look, I admit I've some awful things. I was wrong to try to capture you, and I'm sorry that I attacked the Water Tribe. And I never should have sent that Fire Nation assassin after you. I'm going to try and stop-."

Toph and Sokka's heads snapped up. "Wait," Sokka growled, reaching for his boomerang. "You sent Combustion Man after us?"

"Well, that's not his name—" Zuko began. "Ohhh, sorry," Sokka interrupted, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Didn't mean to insult your friend!"

Zuko's own anger flared. "He's not my friend!"

"That guy locked me and Katara in jail, almost strangled Elyrie and tried to blow us all up!" Toph shot back.

Zuko turned to Aang, desperation in his gaze. "You once said you thought we could be friends," he said quietly, "Do you mean it?"

Aang hesitated, but when he looked at his friends, Sokka gave a firm shake of his head.

"There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done," Aang finally said, voice firm. "We'll never let you join us."

Zuko's eyes finally turned to the one person he had avoided to look in the eye this entire time. Blue eyes met golden ones, but there was no warmth to be found in the sapphire depths. Only a blank stare.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" he asked softly, feeling the rest of the group disappear for a moment, "You know I have good in me."

Her eyes didn't change, she didn't even seem to acknowledge his presence. Katara's glare darkened as she stepped towards Elyrie, putting a protective arm around her shoulders. "You need to leave. Now." Her voice was icy and calm as she spoke to Zuko.

Zuko clenched his fists. "I'm trying to explain—I'm not that person anymore!"

Sokka took a step forward. "Either you leave, or we attack."

Zuko's jaw tightened, but then, slowly, he let out a breath. "If you won't accept me as a friend, then maybe you'll take me as a prisoner."

Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, head bowed, arms raised in surrender.

With that motion of humility, Elyrie finally felt the catatonic state of shock break through in genuine surprise.

Katara's expression didn't waver. Instead, with a quick motion of her hands, she sent a blast of water crashing into him. "Get out of here," she snapped. "And don't come back! If we ever see you again—well, we'd better not see you again!"

Zuko lay there for a moment, soaked and shivering, before pushing himself up. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Later, at Zuko's makeshift camp, he paced angrily, kicking at the dirt.

"Ugh! I can't believe how stupid I am!" He groaned, raking a hand through his hair. "Telling them I sent an assassin after them? For the second time? Why didn't I just say Azula did it? They would've believed that! Stupid!"

A badgerfrog croaked nearby.

Zuko glared at it. "Oh, shut up."

Back at the temple, the group sat in tense silence around the fountain.

"Why would he try to fool us like that?" Katara asked finally, gently rubbing Elyrie's back. She still hadn't said anything since Zuko had appeared in front of them. It was the same feeling she experienced in her home in the Capital. No sadness, no wrath – simply nothing.

"Obviously, he wants to lead us into some kind of trap," Sokka said.

Katara scoffed. "This is just like when we were in prison together at Ba Sing Se. He starts talking about his mother and makes it seem like he's an actual human being with feelings, and then—"

Elyrie's eyes went to the waterbender, feeling something prick through the icy layer in her chest at the mention of Ursa.

"He wants you to trust him," Sokka agreed. "So you let your guard down, and then—bam!"

"The thing is, it worked." Katara admitted quietly, "I did feel sorry for him. I felt like he was really confused and hurt, but obviously, when the time came, he made his choice, and we paid the price. We can't trust him."

Confused and hurt. The words echoed in Elyrie's mind as she started turning her ring around her finger.

Aang shifted uncomfortably. "I kind have a confession to make."

Katara and Sokka turned toward him. Toph kept staring forward and Elyrie didn't break her compulsive twisting around her finger.

"Remember when you two were sick, and I got captured by Zhao?" Aang asked, "Elyrie, it was the first time we met each other."

"You mean when you made us suck on frozen frogs?" Sokka wrinkled his nose in disgust before Elyrie could react. "How could I forget?! I had a wart on the flap that hangs down from the back of my throat for a month!"

He opened his mouth to point at the back of his throat.

"Sokka," Katara sighed, "I looked at it, and I told you, there was nothing there!

"I could feel it! It's my throatal flap!"

Aang pressed forward. " Anyway, when Zhao had me chained up, it was Zuko who came in and got me out. He risked his life to save me."

Katara's lips thinned. "No way! I'm sure he only did it so he could capture you himself."

"Yeah," Sokka agreed. "Face it, Aang. You're just a big prize to him."

Aang sighed. "You're probably right."

"And what was all that about setting Appa free?" Katara scoffed. "What a liar."

Toph, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Actually, he wasn't lying."

Sokka threw his hands up. "Oh, hooray! In a lifetime of evil, at least he didn't add animal cruelty to the list!"

Toph folded her arms. "I'm just saying, considering his messed-up family, he could've turned out a lot worse."

"Oh, right, Toph!" Katara threw up her hands. "Let's go find him and give him a medal! The "not as much of a jerk as you could have been" award!"

"All I know," Toph said firmly, "is that while he was talking to us, he was sincere. Maybe you're all letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly."

Katara bristled. "Easy for you to say! You weren't there when he had us attacked by pirates."

"Or when he burned down Kyoshi Island!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Or when he tried to capture me at the Fire Temple." Aang added.

"Elyrie!" Toph said, interrupting them, "What do you think of all this?"

Elyrie finally lifted her head and saw that everyone was looking at her with expectation. "I think I am not the right person to have an opinion on this."

"You? Not having an opinion?" Sokka gaped at her.

Elyrie only shrugged her shoulders. Katara pushed a lock of auburn hair back into the her bun in a motherly motion. "You don't have to if you don't want to." She said, her voice gentle.

"I can't trust him to do something good," Elyrie shook her head, "Not after betraying the Invasion plan to his sister." Because of him, all of their troops were now being escorted away to Fire Nation prisons. Kun, Panuk, all of their loved ones. No, she could not forgive him for that.

"He didn't do that." Toph answered.

Elyrie's eyes shot up. "What?" she asked, "How do you know?"

"Azula told us during the eclipse that she had known about the invasion for months," Toph elaborated, "And she wasn't lying. Zuko couldn't have told her only the day before."

Elyrie's eyes went to Sokka, who sheepishly smiled at her. "That's true," he acknowledged, "The Invasion plan wasn't betrayed by Zuko – we were already at a disadvantage."

A gleam returned to Elyrie's eyes. The blue started to shimmer as she straightened her back.

"The pirated he send after you?" she turned to Katara, "The very same made an attempt on his life by blowing up his ship. That's why he was severely injured on the North Pole."

Before Katara could reply, she turned to Sokka: "The burning of Kyoshi Island is partly my fault. Zhao had calculated your position and I slipped it to Zuko to give him an advantage."

"You did.." Sokka began, but Elyrie raised her hand and settled her gaze on Aang, "And in the Fire Temple, he didn't capture you because he chose to save me. I was injured and he carried me to safety."

"What are you trying to say?" Aang asked with a frown, "That we should trust him because he also was hurt in the process of hunting us?"

"I'm not, but I am offering you a glimpse of the other side." Elyrie answered, "I was there too, and I also played a part."

"But you proved your loyalty to the good cause the moment you warned the North Pole of Zhao's plan," Sokka argued, "He hasn't."

"Why would you even try to defend him?" Katara frowned with her hands balled into fists.

Toph stomped a foot, and the ground rumbled. "Because, Elyrie and I are seeing one crucial fact: Aang needs a firebending teacher!" she snapped. " We can't think of a single person in the world to do the job! Now one shows up on a silver platter, and you won't even think about it?"

Aang shook his head. "I'm not having Zuko as my teacher."

"You're darn right you're not, buddy." Sokka muttered.

Katara crossed her arms. "Well, I guess that settles that."

Toph exhaled sharply, then turned on her heel. "Ergh! I'm beginning to wonder who's really the blind one around here!" She stormed off, leaving the group in silence.

"You gave Zuko our location?!" Sokka turned to Elyrie with a frown, "You sent him to Kyoshi Island?"

"In my defence," Elyrie held up her hands, "I hadn't met any of you, and Zuko is far more merciful than Zhao ever was."

"I'm starting to agree with Katara: we can't give a medal for the 'not as big a jerk as you could have been'."Sokka only shook his head.

Night had fallen over Zuko's secluded campsite, the dim glow of embers casting flickering shadows against the trees. He lay asleep, his breathing even, when a sudden rustle in the darkness snapped him awake. Instinct took over.

"Who's there? Stay back!" Zuko shouted, his body tensed as he lashed out with a sudden whip of fire.

A figure barely had time to react. "It's me!" Toph's voice rang out as she hastily threw up an earth shield. But it was too late. The flames licked at her bare feet, and she stumbled back, wincing in pain. "Ow! You burned my feet!"

Zuko's eyes widened in horror. "I'm sorry, it was a mistake!" He took a step toward her, but she immediately recoiled, beginning to crawl away.

"Get away from me!" Toph snarled, her hands clutching the ground beneath her. With a swift motion, she flung a chunk of earth at him.

Zuko dodged. "Let me help you!" He barely had time to react before another rock came hurtling toward him. "I'm sorry!" he pleaded, reaching out to steady her.

"Get off me, get off me!" Toph shouted, her panic raw. She slammed her fists into the earth, sending a shockwave that hurled Zuko backward. He hit the ground hard, groaning.

Dazed, he watched helplessly as Toph disappeared into the night. "I didn't know it was you! Ugh, come back!"

He clenched his fists in frustration. "Why am I so bad at being good?!"

Morning came at the Western Air Temple, golden light filtering through the ancient ruins. The aroma of breakfast filled the air as Katara moved from person to person, handing out bowls of food.

She stopped beside The Duke. "Has anyone seen Toph?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Sokka looked up, stretching. "I haven't seen her since she stormed off yesterday."

Haru chimed in, "Maybe she's just exploring the air temple. There are some pretty fun spots to practice earthbending."

Katara frowned. "I think we should go look for her."

Sokka waved a hand dismissively as he sat back down. "Let her have fun with her rocks. I'm in no rush to have her yelling at us again."

"We can go check for her!" The Duke piped up eagerly.

Teo grinned. "Yeah! I want to ride that tunnel down to the Hall of Statues again. It'll work a lot better now that I fixed my brakes."

Haru, The Duke, and Teo went into the Temple, setting off to search. They hadn't so much as left the parameter and suddenly, a loud rumble echoed through the temple. The group turned in time to see Toph tumbling down a pile of displaced rock, groaning as she landed at the bottom.

"Toph! What happened?" Katara asked, worry etched on her face as she rushed forward.

Toph grimaced. "My feet got burned!"

Katara knelt beside her. "Oh no, what happened?"

"I just told you, my feet got burned!"

Katara sighed. "I meant, how."

Toph hesitated before muttering, "Well, I kind of went to see Zuko last night."

"You what?" Aang asked, eyes wide.

"Zuko?" Elyrie voice was sharp, grabbing Sokka's arm as she saw his expression contorted into one of barely contained panic.

Toph crossed her arms. "I thought he could be helpful to us. And if I talked to him, maybe we could work something out."

"And you never thought it was a good idea to consult me?" Elyrie asked, "In case of this?!" she motioned to the blistered skin on Toph soles.

Sokka narrowed his eyes. "So he attacked you?"

Toph shifted uncomfortably. "Well, he did, and he didn't. It was sort of an accident."

Aang frowned. "But he did firebend at you?"

A long sigh escaped Toph's lips. "Yes."

Sokka threw his hands up. "See? You trusted Zuko, and you got burned. Literally!" He motioned to Elyrie, "She still got a scar on her arm as well of his actions."

Katara gently placed her hands over Toph's feet, channeling healing water over the burns. "It's gonna take a while for your feet to get better," she murmured. "I wish I could have worked on them sooner."

Toph winced but nodded. "Yeah, me too."

Sokka stood, his jaw set. "Zuko's clearly too dangerous to be left alone. We're gonna have to go after him."

Aang exhaled, his face troubled. "I hate to go looking for a fight, but you're right. After what he did to Toph, I don't think we have a choice."

Sokka cracked his knuckles. "He's crafty, but we'll find a way to capture him."

Toph sighed and leaned back. "Maybe just invite him back here. He's already offered himself up as a prisoner once."

Sokka's eyes gleamed with an idea. "Yeah, get him to come back and say he'll be our prisoner. Then we'll jump him and really make him our prisoner. He'll never suspect it!"

Aang and Sokka bent down, lifting Toph carefully. As they carried her away, Elyrie trailed behind, shaking her head.

"You are a master of surprise, Sokka." she muttered sarcastically.

Katara sat beside Toph at the fountain, dipping her feet into the cool water. Toph let out a relieved sigh.

"Ahhh, that's the stuff. Now I know how the rest of you guys feel. Not being able to see with your feet stinks."

Katara placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering a small smile. "We'll figure this out, Toph. Together."

Elyrie sat down at the fountain next to Toph and let her thoughts wander to Zuko. It was true what Sokka had said: he had burned Toph and her. But hers had been an accident, and so it seemed was Toph's.

Fire is very dangerous when it was not carefully controlled, just like Uncle had taught them. And she knew Zuko would never hurt someone on purpose. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, but she felt the warmth flow through her veins again once she had realised he hadn't betrayed her. But it all was so confusing. She had never seen him bow down willingly to anyone. And here he was, offering himself as a prisoner.

The only antidote to shame is true humility. Uncle had told him that. Was he really ashamed of everything that he had done? Was that why he was here?

"Stop!" a familiar voice echoed off the wall, startling her as she snapped her gaze upward. Atop the cliff, just beside the temple, she could make out two shadow figures. One of a larger man, and one of a slimmer one.

"Get down!" Elyrie shouted to the groups as she realised who was standing up there. The assassin, and Zuko apparently.

Zuko lunged, slamming into Combustion Man and knocking his aim off just as a concussive explosion erupted. The blast went wide, striking the mountainside and sending a shockwave through the temple ruins.

The group skidded to a halt, heads snapping toward the sudden commotion.

"Stop!" Zuko called out again, standing firm between them and Combustion Man, his arms spread wide. "I don't want you hunting the Avatar anymore! The mission is off. I'm ordering you to stop."

For a fleeting moment, there was silence. Then Combustion Man shoved Zuko aside with a powerful metal arm and prepared another attack. Zuko scrambled to his feet, eyes narrowing.

"If you keep attacking, I won't pay you!" he shouted, throwing a burst of fire toward the assassin. But before his flames could land, Combustion Man caught him by the collar, lifting him with ease.

Zuko gritted his teeth. "All right, I'll pay you double to stop!"

In response, the assassin tightened his grip. Desperate, Zuko kicked out just as the third eye flared again, disrupting the shot. The blast struck nearby rock instead, sending a cascade of rubble down the cliffside. Combustion Man turned his fury on Zuko, unleashing another deadly attack. Zuko barely had time to raise a firewall before the explosion sent him flying off the ledge.

"Zuko!" Elyrie yelled, racing to the edge before Sokka pulled her back as the assassin, unfazed, turned back toward them.

"Go!" Katara shouted as Aang spun, wind gathering beneath him as he leapt into the air. He kicked up a swirling tornado, launching it toward their foe. Combustion Man leapt high above the gale, twisting mid-air to unleash another blast downward. Aang barely avoided the explosion, flipping back to land beside Katara and Sokka.

From his new perch, the assassin continued his assault. Katara shielded herself as a blast hit the fountain, sending water splashing around them. With a swift motion, she bent the fountainwater into a towering wave. As she descended from her jump, she swung her arms down, and the wave froze into a cascade of deadly icicles.

The projectiles shot toward Combustion Man, but he merely raised his metal limb, deflecting the ice with a dull clang. Shaking off the shards, he scanned the battlefield, searching for his quarry.

Elyrie stepped in, creating with a swift motion the ring of fire around her as she struck again and again, precise strikes whipping toward him. The assassin dodged effortlessly, countering with an explosive shot that barely missed.

With one last throw of fire to cover herself, Elyrie dodged and hid behind the wall along with the others. Combustion Man continued, each strike sent tremors through the already fragile temple structures.

"He's going to blast this whole place right off the cliffside!" Toph warned as another explosion rocked the ruins.

Katara peered out from behind their crumbling cover. "I can't get a good angle to attack him from here!"

Sokka, eyes darting around, suddenly grinned. "I know how to get an angle on him." He pulled out his trusted boomerang. Timing his throw between the assassin's attacks, he calculated the shot. "All right, buddy, don't fail me now." He whispered as he threw this trusty weapon.

The boomerang spun through the air, striking the assassin squarely on his third-eye tattoo. The force of the impact sent Combustion Man staggering, his balance faltering. As the weapon returned to Sokka's waiting hand, his triumph was short-lived.

"Yeah, boomerang!" he cheered, only to falter as the assassin groggily rose. "Awww, boomerang..."

Combustion Man growled, preparing another blast—but something was off. His movements were sluggish, his focus wavering. As he attempted to fire, his aim wavered.

Elyrie frowned, and then realised he was temporarily blinded. "Take cover!" she shouted, just as the energy backfired, detonating in an explosive shockwave around him. The resulting blast sent debris cascading down the cliffside, the structure beneath him crumbling into oblivion.

His metal arm was the last thing to disappear into the abyss.

They all stood frozen in stunned silence as the dust settled. Haru, Teo, and The Duke peeked out from behind a pillar, their faces mirroring the same shock.

"No," Elyrie whispered as she ran towards the edge from where she saw Zuko fall down. As she reached the crumbling debris, she saw a shadow appear.

Zuko, having climbed back up the vine, emerged from the haze, panting but alive.

Elyrie clasped her hand in front of her mouth to keep herself from crying out his name in relief. Instead, she walked back to the group as her mind eased.

In only a few moments, Zuko had reached them. Aang was the first who spoke up. He turned to him, hesitation flickering in his expression before he finally spoke. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but - thanks, Zuko."

"Hey, what about me?" Sokka interjected, crossing his arms. "I did the boomerang thing!"

Zuko exhaled, his golden eyes serious as he addressed them. "Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday. I've been through a lot in the last few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing now that I had to go through all of those things to learn the truth. I thought I had lost my honour and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honour." He clenched his fists, his voice steady and sincere. "It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right. All I want to do now is play my part in ending this war. I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world."

He turned to Toph, bowing. "I'm sorry for what I did to you. It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild, and as a firebender, I need to be more careful. I don't want to hurt people unintentionally."

Aang watched him, his expression unreadable. He thought for a moment, then finally spoke. "I think you're supposed to be my firebending teacher."

Zuko's eyes widened as Aang continued, "When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara. After that, I never wanted to firebend again. But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love. I'd like you to teach me." With that, he bowed deeply before Zuko.

Zuko bowed in return. "Thank you. I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group."

Aang straightened. "Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it's okay with them." He turned to Toph. "Toph, you're the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?"

Toph smirked and pounded her fist into her palm. "Go ahead and let him join. Gives me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet."

Aang turned to Sokka. "Sokka?"

Sokka shrugged. "Hey, all I want is to defeat the Fire Lord. If you think this is the way to do it, then I'm all for it."

Aang approached Katara. "Katara?"

Katara glared at Zuko for a long moment. A bead of sweat formed at his temple. Finally, with some reluctance, she said, "I'll go along with whatever you think is right."

"And Elyrie?" Aang finally turned to the blue-eyed firebender. Zuko's eyes went to her, feeling his stomach sink.

Elyrie lifted her chin, taking her time to answer Aang's question. Zuko looked at her in the daylight as she stood there, proud and tall. There was no trace left of the confusion and speechlessness of yesterday. He felt his insides squirm as his thoughts raced over everything he had put her through. She had been hurt, left alone and wounded – all by him. He hadn't forgotten the anger and hurt in those sapphire eyes.

His cheeks were heating up, but then he saw a corner of her mouth tug upward.

"Good to see you, Zuko."

As per my New Year's resolution: one update a month! :)