After being attacked by the Sages, Ryu took it upon himself to defend the ground, sending a powerful blast of flames that made the sages turn back long enough for them to escape.

Ryu: I ASK FOR ONE THING!!! AND THAT'S FOR US TO NOT RUN INTO ANY FIREBENDERS IN THIS DAMN PLACE!!!!

Sokka: OKAY, MAYBE THIS WAS A BAD IDEA!!!!

As they were about to turn the hall, they saw another Sage. Ryu came to a completely stop, before turning and running to the other path

Ryu: OTHER WAY, OTHER WAY!!!!

The rest followed, with the Sage doing so as well.

Sage2: COME BACK!!

As they turned corners, the found that they reached a dead end.

Sage2: I don't want to fight you! I am a friend.

Sokka: Firebenders aren't our friends!

Ryu: -_- Do I just need to make a list of the amount of times you're gonna screw that up?

Sokka: Uh... You know what I meant.

The sage bowed down to Aang.

Sage2: I am Shyu. I know why you are here, Avatar.

Aang: You do?

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

Aang: How?

He turned one of the lights on the wall, before firebending in a hole, revealing a secret passage.

Shyu: This way.

Ryu: O_O Are there more like that?

???: Find him!

Shyu: *Whisper* Time is running out, quickly!

The group nodded in unison, before walking through the passage.

Shyu: Avatar Roku once called this place home. He formed these secret passages out of the Magma.

Ryu: Woah woah woah, formed it out of the magma? You're telling me that he could LAVABEND?!

Shyu: Indeed.

Aang: Did you know Avatar Roku?

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

While going up, Ryu looked at the calmly flowing magma, holding a hand out, before seemly focusing.

Shyu: A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku. It's eyes began to glow.

Ryu: So Aang's accidental Avatar State alerted you of his revival.

Shyu: Yes.

Ryu focused harder, still holding a hand over the lava, although nothing happened.

Aang: If this is the Avatar's temple, why did the Sages attack me?

Shyu: 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 did.

Aang: They we're waiting for me.

Sokka: Hey don't feel bad, you were only 100 years late.

Hearing this, Ryu stomped his foot on the ground, with a stone pillar flying up, and connecting right to Sokka's groin, causing his to cough and fall over.

Ryu: I don't care, I'm counting that as a point.

Ryu Points: 5

Shyu: They lost hope the Avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozin began the war, my grandfather and the other sages were forced to follow him. I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I would have to betray the other sages.

Aang: Thank you for helping me.

Ryu: It always makes me feel a little better when I find a friendly firebender.

Katara: Ryu, what are you doing?

She saw Ryu still looking at the magma, before he finally relented.

Ryu: -_- Don't worry about it.

They finally arrived at the staircase.

Shyu: 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.

As they climbed the stairs, they were finally able to go through another passage way, seeing that on another floor was a locked door.

Shyu: No!

Aang: Shyu, what's wrong?

Shyu: The Sanctuary doors, they're closed!

Ryu: Ohhhh no.

Katara: Can't you just open them with Firebending like you opened that other door?

Aang desperately tried to push the door open, to no avail.

Shyu: No. Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, the Sages must open the doors together, with five simultaneous fire blast.

Ryu: So you're basically saying we're locked out? Just great.

Katara: Wait! We might not have a fully realized Avatar, but we have the next best thing in you Ryu!

Ryu: ME?!!

Aang: Yeah, we've all seen you pull of some crazy strong firebending! I've never seen a genius like you, even 100 years ago!

Ryu: Look, I admit that I'm stronger than most Firebenders, but there's no way I could do that by myself!! Talent or no talent!!

Katara: We won't know until we try. Please, you're the only hope we've got!

Ryu: ... Alright, but I can't promise anything.

Ryu stepped in front of the door, closing his eyes. He took in a deep breath, feeling all the heat around them.

Ryu: 'If 5 Sages are needed, then it looks like that's how much power I have to replicate.'

His tattoos began to glow under his wrappings, much to Shyu's surprise. Ryu opened his eyes, showing that they had become purple and slitted, as he stepped forward, before letting out a beastly roar, with a stream of flames coming from both his fist, and his mouth as well. It connected to the gates, the top dragon head lock began to turn, with the rest of the locks following. Ryu soon stopped, as the door began to open.

Aang: IT WORKED!!!!

Ryu: Argh... G-Go...

Hearing this, Aang didn't hesitate, running through the door. Unable to say another word, Ryu dropped to the ground, unconscious.

Sokka: RYU!!!

Sokka and Katara ran to the Rogue, as Shyu closed the gates, with a blinding light coming from under once it was. Once Sokka tried to touch Ryu, he immediately pulled his hand back.

Sokka: OUCH!!! He's burning up!!

Shyu: Don't worry, he should be fine. I'm sure it's just exhaustion from opening the gate.

Katara: M-Maybe we could have had you help. He's never passed out like this before.

Shyu: The Rogue is more powerful than I ever thought possible. To think he could accomplish a feat no single bender could accomplish in over 100 years. In terms of firebending, he could possibly surpass even the Avatar when he's older.

Katara: The strongest firebender ever...

Ryu opened his eyes again, starting to cool off.

Ryu: Ow...

He sat up, slowly recovering.

Ryu: That was the second time my fire has actually knocked me out...

Sokka: Second?

Ryu: Don't ask...

Ryu saw the burned bandages on his arms, revealing his tattoos once again.

Ryu: -_- I'm gonna run out of these things. But anyway, we have time before the light hits the statue, so in any case we should-

???: NO!!!!

The fire sages entered the room, much to the shock of the others.

Ryu: AH COME ON!!!

Sokka: How did you find us so fast?!!

Sage: That roar could be heard from off the island, how could we not?!

Ryu: Well screw you jackasses, Aang is already locked in there!!

Ryu although somewhat tired was still ready to fight, taking out his machetes.

Ryu: I'm not afraid to use these.

???: Damnit!!

The others turned to the side, seeing Zuko there.

Ryu: You idiot! You shouldn't have followed us here!!

Zuko: It's my destiny to capture the Avatar, and you along with him!

Ryu pointed his blades to the right and left, still unwilling to back down.

Sage: Shyu, why did you help the Avatar?!

Shyu: Because it was once the sages duty. It is still our duty.

Ryu: At least someone among us knows the meaning of loyalty.

They heard clapping, seeing Fire nation soldiers walking in, with Ryu somewhat recognizing one.

???: What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand, while you explain why you betrayed him.

Ryu: Captain Zhao?

Zhao: It's an honor that you still remember me Rogue. However it's commander now. And Prince Zuko. It was a noble effort, but your little smoke screen didn't work. Three traitors in one day. The Fire Lord will be pleased.

Now surrounded at all sides, Ryu began to sweat.

Ryu: 'Opening that gate still took a lot out of me. There's no way we can stand up to everyone at once.'

Still silent, Ryu sighed, before sheathing his machetes, and putting his hands up.

Katara: Ryu, what are you-

Ryu: Keeping your asses safe. Get used to it.

Zhao: Ahhh, a smart decision.

They were all chained to the pillars, as the fire nation soldiers all stood in front of the gate, poised and ready.

Sokka: *Whisper* What makes you want to give up NOW of all times?!

Ryu: *Whisper* We're lacking in options. Once Aang is out of there, we hope he can avoid that crazy fire, I melt this chains, and we get the hell out of here on Appa.

BEHIND THE DOOR

Aang was in front of Avatar Roku.

Aang: What if I can't master all the Elements in time?!! What if I fail?!!

Roku: I know you can do it Aang. For you have done it before. And, you have what no Avatar before has had. The Rogue.

Aang: Ryu is strong, but will it be the same if he helps me fight that battle to bring balance?

Roku: Weather or not it is the same, the fact is that he will be there, weather you desire it or not. And as the one with the Spirit of Strength, he will no doubt be able to help you to the path.

Aang: Spirit of Strength? What does that mean?!

Roku: In time you will know. The Solstice is ending. We must go our separate ways... For now.

Aang: But I won't be able to come back to the temple! What if I have questions?! How will I talk to you?

Roku: I am apart of you. When you need to talk to me again, you will find a way. 'A great danger awaits you at the temple. I can help you.'

Both Avatar's closed their eyes.

Roku: 'I can help you face the threat, but only if you are ready.'

Aang opened his eyes, as they glowed white with his tattoos doing so as well.

Aang: I'm ready.

OUTSIDE THE DOOR

The door began to open, as right on cue Ryu began to melt the chains around them.

Zhao: READY...

Katara: NO!!! AANG!!!!

Zhao: FIRE!!!!

Ryu was the only one to see the glowing, as he broke through the chains.

Ryu: KATARA, SOKKA, RUN!!!!

The fire was shot, as it swirled around the doors. The one who was revealed wasn't Aang, but Avatar Roku.

Shyu: Avatar Roku...

The fire was blasted back at the soldiers, while Zuko was freed as well, with a hole being blasted through the temple.

Ryu: MOVE!!! HE'S GONNA DESTROY THE TEMPLE!!!!

Katara: WE CAN'T LEAVE AANG!!!

Ryu: I'LL GRAB HIM, JUST FUCKING GO!!!!!

Roku slammed a hand into the ground, cutting it with flames. When he brought his hand back up, Ryu's eyes went wide, as lava shot up into the air. While Sokka and Katara left, Roku let out a breath, before fog around them swirled around the man. When it cleared, Aang was back, falling to the ground. Before he could drop completely, Ryu caught him.

Ryu: You're worth way more trouble than you are dude!!

He hauled the Airbender over his shoulder, before jumping out of the hole in the temple. Ryu then created jets of fire under his feet, flying away, seeing Appa and Momo flying in the air. Seeing the others on the ground, Ryu threw Aang on Appa's back, before grabbing his reins and leading him down.

Sokka: APPA TO THE RESCUE!!

Katara and Sokka both hopped on.

Ryu: YIP YIP!!!!

Appa flew back into the air, as Aang woke up.

Ryu: -_-

Katara: We appreciate you Ryu.

Ryu: ... Yeah yeah.

CHAPTER END!!