"Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy." Aang pulled on Appa's rein to get the Bison to follow him, but the creature refused to move. Aang wanted to sneak out early in the morning so his friends wouldn't try and stop him.

"Look, I'm sorry, but Katara, Sokka, and [Y/n] aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us." Aang said, "If they got hurt, I'd never forgive myself. So get your big butt off the ground and let's go!" He tried to pull again, but it was no use.

"I think his big butt is trying to tell you something." Sokka said. He, [Y/n], and Katara stood behind Appa.

"Please, don't go, Aang. The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation. Neither can I." Katara pleaded.

"But I have to talk to Avatar Roku to find out what my vision means. I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice, that's today." Aang said and jumped on Appa.

Katara, [Y/n], and Sokka ran in front of the Flying Bison. "We are not allowing you to go into the Fire Nation, Aang." [Y/n] said.

"At least not without your friends. We got your back." Sokka said, and Momo landed on Aang's shoulder.

Appa snuggled against [Y/n], and she giggled. "Good boy." She cooed and climbed into the saddle with Katara and Sokka.

"It's a long journey to the crescent island." The mayor said and handed Aang some supplies, "You'll have to fly fast to have any chance of making it before sundown. Good luck."

"Thank you for your--"

"Go!"

Appa went flying into the air. Later that night, the mayor was visited by the banished prince, Zuko. "Having trouble sleeping?" Zuko asked and pushed the mayor back inside of his house, "Seen the Avatar lately?"

~~

Soon, the sun began to rise over the horizon. "Come on, boy. We've got a long way to go. Faster!" Aang said to Appa, causing the Flying Bison to fly faster.

Zuko's warship went sailing after the bison at top speed. "Sailing into Fire Nation waters. Of all the foolish things you've done in your 16 years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish." Iroh scolded.

"I have no choice, Uncle." Iroh said.

"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you? What if you're caught?" Iroh questioned.

"I'm chasing the Avatar. My father will understand why I'm returning home." Zuko said.

"You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type." Iroh retorted.

Zuko looked through the telescope and spotted the Flying Bison. "Helmsman, full steam ahead." Zuko ordered.

"Aang, we got trouble!" Katara said, and [Y/n] looked out to see Zuko's ship chasing after them.

"Yeah, and it's gaining fast!" Sokka said. [Y/n]'s eyes saddened.

Suddenly, a fireball was launched from Zuko's ship. "Fire ball!" Katara announced. "I'm on it!" Aang said and pulled on Appa's rein to dodge the fireball, but it left a disgusting scent.

"We have to get out of Zuko's range before he shoots another hot stinker at us." Katara said as she covered her nose.

"Can't you make Appa go any faster?" Sokka asked.

"Yeah, but there's just one problem." Aang said and looked out ahead.

"A blockade." [Y/n] said and glared, "It's Zhao's warships."

"If we go north, we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade. It's the only way." Aang said.

"You'll run out of time if you do that." [Y/n] said.

"This is exactly why I didn't want you to come! It's too dangerous!" Aang said.

"And that's exactly why we're here." Katara said.

"Let's run this blockade." Sokka said.

"Appa, yip, yip!" Aang said, and Appa flew faster. [Y/n] looked worryingly at Zuko's ship. 'Zuko...turn around...' [Y/n] thought.

"He's not turning around." Zuko said.

"Please, Prince Zuko, if the Fire Nation captures you, there is nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar." Iroh said.

"I'm sorry, Uncle. Run the blockade!" Zuko announced.

"Zuko..." [Y/n] muttered, "Stop being stubborn. Turn around!"

"Ahh!" [Y/n] heard her friends scream. There were dozens of fireballs that were launched at them. [Y/n] stood up and used her waterbending skills to extinguish a few of them as Appa dodged them. "Fly into the clouds, Appa!" [Y/n] commanded, and the Bison listened.

There were still fireballs being shot at them. [Y/n] used the water in the clouds the extinguished the ones that were coming towards Appa. As Appa continued to dodge the rubble, Sokka was thrown out of the saddle. "Sokka!"

"No!" [Y/n] yelled and jumped out after him. [Y/n] grabbed onto Sokka's hand. "Are you insane?!" Sokka yelled.

"Well, I am from the Fire Nation, so just a bit." [Y/n] said, holding Sokka close, and she whistled. Appa came flying down as he could. "[Y/n]! Sokka!" Katara called out to them with her hand outstretched. [Y/n] grabbed Katara's hand, and Katara pulled them into the saddle.

[Y/n] began using her water-bending once again, creating a huge wave, protecting Appa from more fireballs. Once they close enough, [Y/n] used the water to push their way through the blockade. [Y/n] sighed after they were in the clear. "That was awesome, [Y/n]!" Aang praised, and [Y/n] smiled.

"Thanks, [Y/n]." Sokka said.

"You're waterbending skills are amazing!" Katara said. Then, Appa grunted as if saying thank you.

"I will do whatever it takes to protect you all." [Y/n] said with a small smile, "You're my friends, after all."

~~~

[Y/n] sat under a shady tree with a book and a few snacks for her while turtle ducks gathered around her as usual. [Y/n] was so well investing in her story that she didn't notice Zuko come to sit with her. He waved his hand in front of [Y/n]'s face. [Y/n] blinked a couple of times and looked a Zuko.

"Oh, hello, Zuzu." [Y/n] said, sweetly, "When did you get here?"

"I've been here for the past ten minutes. I even stole your tangerine." Zuko said and showed the peeled and half-eaten fruit, "What are you reading, anyway?"

[Y/n] blushed a bit. "It's a fantasy novel about an arrogant prince who was cursed, turning him into a terrifying beast, and to break the spell he has to fall in love." She explained, "The girl has to love him as well."

Prince Zuko looked at the girl's opened book then looked back at her vibrant expression. Her [e/c] eyes twinkling in excitement.

"Do... Do you believe in true love?" Zuko muttered while his cheeks turned a little red and averted his eyes.

[Y/n] hummed and put her book down. "Of course, I do. My mama and papa are in love though my mama is sick." [Y/n] said as she leaned closer to Zuko, causing him to blush more. This is the closest the two ten-year-olds ever been, "I love to think that there is someone out there for everyone. Love can change a person. Sometimes good or bad, but when you love someone, you protect them to matter what. That's what Papa does with my mama."

Zuko looked in awe. "And..." [Y/n] smiled, innocently, "I think I love you, Zuko." Zuko's eyes widened even more at what the long-haired girl said. He was actually happy about that for some reason. [Y/n] picked up her book again and placed it between them. They began to read the book together.

~~

[Y/n] blinked a couple of times, realizing that she was daydreaming about Zuko, again. She was still worried about the banished prince. "There it is-- the island where Roku's dragon took me." Aang said, catching everyone's attention. Appa landed in a small clearing. "You did it, Buddy. Nice flying." Aang praised Appa, and the Bison rolled on his back.

"Oh, you must be exhausted." [Y/n] said as she rubbed Appa's tummy.

"No, I'm good. Refreshed and ready to fight some Firebenders." Sokka said as he stretched.

Katara giggled. "She was talking to Appa." Katara said.

"Would you like me to rub your belly as well, Sokka?" [Y/n] teased, and Sokka blushed. "No! I was talking to Momo." Sokka said.

The team made their way to the Fire Temple. "I don't see any guards." Sokka said while hiding.

"The temple has been mostly uninhabited since Avatar Roku died. I believe only the Fire Sages are here." [Y/n] informed.

"It's almost sundown. We'd better hurry." Aang said and rushed towards the entrance with his friends following him.

"Wait. I think I heard something." Sokka said, once they entered the temple.

They turned to see a group of elderly men. "We are the Fire Sages, guardians of the temple of the Avatar." One of them said.

"Great. I am the Avatar." Aang said.

"We know." The Fire Sages shot fire at them. Aang used his air to extinguish them.

"I'll hold them off. Run!" Aang said.

"But-" Sokka grabbed [Y/n]'s hand and pulled him along. Somehow, Aang appeared in front of them. "Follow me!" Aang said and continued to run.

"Do you know where you're going?" Sokka asked.

"Nope." Aang said as he ran down the hall then he came back, "Wrong way!" He ran the other way.

"Come back!" A Fire Sage said, and they went running. Soon they came to a dead-end and the Fire Sage caught up to them. "I don't want to fight you. I am a friend." He said.

"The only Firebender we're friends with is [Y/n]." Sokka said as he and Aang got into a fighting stance. The Fire Sage got on his hands and knees. "I know why you're here, Avatar." He said.

"You do?"

"Yes. You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take you to him."

"How?" Aang questioned.

The Fire Sage moved a lantern, revealing a hole in the wall when he blew fire into it, a door opened to show a staircase. "This way."

"Find them!"

"Time is running out! Quickly!" The Fire Sage said, and [Y/n] nodded at her friends then led the way.

"Avatar Roku once called this temple home." The Fire Sage said as he led the way through the passageway, "He formed these secret passages out of magma."

"Did you know Avatar Roku?" Aang asked.

"No, but my grandfather knew him. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a strong spiritual connection to this place."

"Is that how you know I was coming?" Aang asked.

"A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku-- Its eyes began to glow."

"That's when we were at the Air Temple. Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there, too." Katara said.

"At that moment, we knew you had returned to the world." The Fire Sage said.

"If this is the Avatar's Temple, why did the Sages attack me?" Aang asked.

"Things have changed. In the past, the Sages were loyal only to the Avatar. When Roku died, the Sages eagerly awaited for the next Avatar to return, but he never came." The Fire Sage said.

Aang stopped walking. "They were waiting for me." He said, and Sokka placed his hand on Aang's shoulder. "Hey, don't feel bad. You're only 100 years late." Sokka said.

"They lost hope that the Avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozin began the war, my grandfather and the other Sages were followed to follow him." The Fire Sage said, "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 me." Aang said, and the Fire Sage smiled at the young boy.

"We'll follow these stairs to the sanctuary. Once you're inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him."

Soon, they made it to the sanctuary, the Fire Sage gasped. "No!" He said.

"Shyu, what's wrong?" Aang asked.

"The sanctuary doors-- they're closed."

"Can't you just open them with Firebending, like you opened that other door." Katara asked.

"No. Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, the Sages must open the doors together with 5 simultaneous fire blasts." Shyu explained.

Aang, Sokka, and Katara looked at [Y/n]. "I couldn't possibly..." [Y/n] said.

"[Y/n], you're our only hope." Katara said, and Sokka placed his hand on her shoulder. "You even said it yourself. You mastered Firebending, and you're a goddess." He said and took off [Y/n]'s right-hand glove, showing her sun mark.

"Please, [Y/n]." Aang begged.

[Y/n] took a deep breath then nodded. Shyu, Aang, Sokka, and Katara stood behind [Y/n] as she tucked her shoulder-length [h/c] hair behind her ears.

[Y/n] closed her eyes for a moment then took a deep breath. As she sighed, a flicker of her flames came out of her mouth. When she opened her eyes, they began to glow a golden color as well as the sun mark on her hand. An identical sun mark appeared on [Y/n]'s forehead as she took in another deep breath.

'Firebending is all about your breathing...' [Y/n] remembered what her father would tell her at her training.

With a step forward and a loud grunt, [Y/n] shot big blasts of flames of both hands into the holes of the door. The bystanders' eyes widened at the color...well, colors of her flames. It was like looking into a rainbow swirl.

The gears began to move, and the doors slowly opened. [Y/n] sighed, and her eyes went back to normal. The mark on her forehead disappeared. "Go..." [Y/n] said with a tone full of exhaustion as Sokka caught her from stumbling.

"Thank you, [Y/n]." Aang said as he ran inside before the door closed.

"Are you okay, [Y/n]?" Katara asked.

"Yes..." [Y/n] said as Sokka helped her stand, "It has been a few years since I've used my firebending. I am a bit exhausted."

"Where is he?!" Zuko came running with the other Fire Sages. [Y/n]'s eyes widened. "Zuko..." She muttered.

Sokka let go of [Y/n] and stood of her protectively. Zuko glared at Sokka and signaled the Fire Sages to chain them up.

After tying them up, Zuko and the other Fire Sages tried to open the door, but it didn't work. "Why isn't it working? It's sealed shut." Zuko said.

"It must have been the light. Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside."

The other Fire Sages looked at Shyu and tied him up as well. "Why did you help the Avatar?" Zuko asked.

"Because it was once the Sage's duty. It is still our duty." Shyu said.

"We would have found the sanctuary without Shyu's help. I was responsible for opening the door, so leave the man alone." [Y/n] said.

Zhao came in slowing clapping. "What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him, Sun Goddess." Zhao said while smirking at [Y/n]. She glared at him.

"Zhao--"

"And, Prince Zuko, it was a noble effort, but your little smokescreen didn't work. Three traitors in one day. The Fire Lord will be pleased." Zhao said, and one of his soldiers unchained Sokka, [Y/n], and Katara.

"[Y/n]!" Sokka and Katara called as she was taken away from them.

"I'll be all right." [Y/n] tried reassuring them.

"You're too late, Zhao." Zuko said, "The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed."

"No matter. Sooner or later, he has to come out." Zhao said.

The soldiers and Zhao stood in front of the door, ready for Aang to come out. "When those doors open, unleash all your firepower." Zhao said to his men.

"How's Aang gonna make it out of this?" Katara asked.

"How are we going to make it out of this?" Sokka questioned.

[Y/n], who was now chained up next to Zuko, sighed. "[Y/n]-"

"You're a fool, Zuko, sailing into Fire Nation waters." [Y/n] muttered, interrupting him. She couldn't even look at him.

Zuko looked down. "I know. Uncle said the same thing." He said.

"He's a wise man." [Y/n] said.

Soon, the door began to shine. [Y/n] squinted her eyes at the bright light. "Fire!" Zhao commanded, and his soldier blasted fire at them.

The flames swirled around, revealing Avatar Roku. He pushed the fire back at the soldiers and melted the chains.

"Go, Zuko." [Y/n] said while pushing him, lightly. Zuko began to run. The temple began to rumble. "Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple. We have to get out of here." Shyu said as [Y/n] ran over to them.

"Not without Aang!" Katara said.

Magma came shooting from the floor as it was split in half. Sokka, Katara, and [Y/n] bundle together behind a pillar. Once the light of the solstice passed, Roku turned into Aang. [Y/n], Katara, Sokka rushed over to him. "We got your back." Sokka said.

"Thanks. Where's Shyu?" Aang asked as [Y/n] and Sokka helped Aang up.

"I don't know." Katara said. They walked over to the hole in the wall, and [Y/n] whistled. Momo came flying in with Appa. The team jumped in the saddle, and the temple began to sink.

"Good boy." [Y/n] said while petting Appa. Momo landed on [Y/n]'s shoulder. She smiled and pet Momo. "To you as well, Momo." She said. She could see that Zuko's boat got away. [Y/n] was relieved, but she was still pretty mad the Zuko do something so dumb.

{A/n: More chapters coming later; today!}