Zuko yawned as he walked out of his room and into the main room of the new apartment he shared with Xiaodan and his uncle. He caught sight of Xiaodan sitting at the small table near the window, sipping quietly from a bowl while she looked out the window with a small smile on her tattooed face.

"What's the smell?" Zuko asked curiously, rubbing at his eyes as he walked over to his uncle, who was standing in front of the stove and stirring a pot of pasty, white liquid.

Iroh glanced over at his nephew as he stirred the thick white liquid, "It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it."

The former Fire Nation general took a step to the side when Zuko moved to stand in front of the stove, sniffing deeply.

"Actually, it smells delicious." Zuko complimented as he straightened and grabbed one of the bowls from the counter and he held it up, "I'd love a bowl, Uncle."

Iroh stared at him strangely for a moment then ladled a spoonful of the jook into Zuko's bowl, "Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow."

"It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new teashop." Zuko replied with uncharacteristic optimism as he walked over to the table, pressing an affectionate kiss to Xiaodan's cheek before he sat down beside her.

The white-haired jerked her head around to stare at the smiling prince with wide orange eyes, the surprise kiss on the cheek having effectively snapped her out her daydreaming. She eyed him curiously as he smiled at her then he looked out the window, placing his hand on hers on top of the table.

"Things are looking up, Uncle." Zuko said lightly and he took a sip of the rice porridge in his bowl, Xiaodan's hand still clasped gently in his.

Xiaodan glanced at Iroh with a quirked brow, but the older man just shrugged one shoulder and smiled softly at his nephew before turning back to the pot on the stove. The white-haired girl looked at Zuko again, blushing slightly when he caught her eye and smiled at her. She coughed quietly and ducked her head, hiding her small smile behind her bowl of rice porridge.

Xiaodan quirked a brow and looked up at Zuko curiously when he took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together as they followed Iroh out of their apartment and towards Iroh's new teashop.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright, Firebug?" She asked with a wry smile of bemusement.

Zuko smiled down at her briefly before looking forward again, "I'm fine, Xia. Why do you ask?"

The white-haired Airbender held up their joined hands and quirked a brow at him, "You're...more affectionate, I suppose..."

"Is that a bad thing?" The scarred teen asked, his own brow quirking upward as smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Well, no, not necessarily. I mean, it's fine, a little strange, but fine. I don't mind if you want to hold hands or do other coupley thin-"

Zuko got her off mid-ramble with a soft, chaste kiss, his hands coming up to cup her face. Xiaodan blinked in surprise for a moment then her eyes drifted shut and she kissed him back warmly, lifting her hands up to rest on his shoulders. Zuko pulled away first and gave her a half smile as he watched her eyes flutter open, the orange orbs looking slightly dazed. He gently brushed a stray strand of her white hair out of her face, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before taking her hand back in his and leading her through the street after his uncle, who had stopped a few feet ahead of them.

Iroh quickly turned around and began whistling innocently when the two teens approached, his hands clasped behind his back as he continued walking towards his new teashop, winking slyly at the female Airbender.

Xiaodan coughed and ducked her head to hide the blush that heated up her cheeks, an almost shy smile spreading across her face. Zuko glanced down at the white-haired girl from the corner of his eye and he smiled faintly before looking ahead of him again, her hand remaining clasped with his as they walked.

Xiaodan glanced up at Zuko briefly then looked back at the ground, her smile slowly disappearing as her thoughts drifted to her brother. Guilt filled her mind and made her heart heavy as she wondered where he was and how he was doing and if he missed her as much as she was missing him. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind, trusting Zuko to lead her through the morning crowd as she temporarily retreated deep into the recesses of her mind, searching for the link that kept her and Aang connected and allowed her to find him when they were younger when they had been separated. The connection was faint, signaling to her that Aang was a great distance away from her and probably no longer in Ba Sing Se.

The female Airbender exhaled quietly and slowly opened her eyes as her thoughts drifted to where her brother could possibly be and how she was going to be able to reunite with him without hurting Zuko and Iroh in the process. She was pulled from her conflicting thoughts when Zuko stopped and she nearly ran into him, his quick reflexes keeping them both from tumbling to the ground in an undignified heap.

"Careful." Zuko chided her in an almost playful tone, taking a step back when she righted herself.

"Thanks." Xiaodan said with sheepish smile as she straightened her tunic, "I was miles away..."

Zuko gave her an amused half-smile then nodded towards the elegant building they had stopped in front of, "We're here."

Xiaodan looked up at the building and smiled then she turned to look at Iroh, who was staring at the building with starry eyes.

"Welcome to your new teashop, Iroh."

Aang and Sokka looked over at the Water Tribe camp where Sokka's father, Hakoda was supposed to be as Appa flew towards it. Aang landed the sky bison on a ledge protruding from a cliff that led to the beach where the camp was set up.

"You haven't seen you in over two years." Aang commented as he smiled over at Sokka, "You must be so excited!"

"I know I should be, but, I just feel sick to my stomach." Sokka replied weakly and he clutched at his stomach with a small groan.

"Don't be nervous. He's going to be so happy to see you!" Aang said and he put his hand on Sokka's shoulder, smiling at him reassuringly.

Sokka smiled weakly back, "So what about you? Are you nervous to meet this guru?"

"Not at all. I'm ready to master the Avatar State. I'll do whatever it takes." Aang responded confidently with a determined expression then he smiled again when Sokka jumped off Appa's head, "See you in a week. Yip-yip!"

Appa rumbled lowly and jumped into the air, leaving Sokka on the ledge. Sokka watched as the two disappeared then he took a deep breath and began to trek towards the camp.

He arrived at the camp after several minutes and he rubbed at his arm nervously as he walked through the camp, the other warriors staring at him in surprise. A man suddenly stepped out in front of him and Sokka jerked to a stop, blinking up at the man in surprise. The man lifted his arm and Sokka grinned as he grabbed the man's forearm in greeting, the man laughing heartily as he clasped Sokka's forearm in return.

"Sokka, good to see you." Another warrior called out as he came up behind Sokka and roughly rubbed his head, pushing him down slightly.

Sokka huffed and quickly straightened, grinning proudly when the man jokingly began comparing their height. The young Water Tribe warrior smiled at the men then looked towards the larger tent at the end of the camp. The older warriors smiled as they moved to the side to allow him to walk towards the tent, watching him proudly.

Sokka stopped just outside the tent and took a deep breath then he reached out and pulled on of the tent flaps aside, revealing his father bent over a map with Bato sitting beside him and several other warriors sitting throughout the tent. Bato glanced up and smiled then he nudged Hakoda with his scarred arm, prompting his friend too look up curiously just as Sokka stepped fully into the tent, the flap closing behind him.

Hakoda looked over at his son and smiled happily, "Sokka."

"Hi, Dad." Sokka replied with a small smile.

Hakoda stood and strode over to his son, embracing him warmly. Sokka smiled and hugged his father back tightly, wishing Katara was with them as well.

"Look Bosco!" King Kuei exclaimed with a smile as he rubbed his bear's face, the three girls he believed to be Kyoshi Warriors kneeling in front of the dais his throne rested on, "The Kyoshi Warriors are here to protect us! Aren't you excited?"

The bear yawned, resting his head on the arm of the throne and King Kuei smiled as he turned to look at the three girls.

"It's been a difficult week for me." The king said with a small apologetic smile, "My most trusted advisor, Long Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me."

"It's terrible when you can't trust the people who are closest to you." Azula, still disguised as the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors commented lightly.

"But there is good news." King Kuei replied as he petted Bosco's head, "As we speak, the Council of Fire is meeting to plan an invasion of the Fire Nation this summer, on the day of a solar eclipse."

Azula's eyes widened in shock and worry for a moment, but she quickly masked her expression and smirked slightly.

"Really?" She asked slowly, the disguised Mai and Ty Lee exchanging glances behind her, "Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan."

"General Fong's base will serve as the launching point for the attack." General How explained to Katara as he and the other five generals sat in the meeting room, a large map with several stone pieces on it in front of them, "In exactly two months, the army and navy will invade the Fire Nation on the Day of Black Sun."

The leader of the Council of Five Earthbended several green stone pieces with the Earth Kingdom symbol on top of them over to the Fire Nation continent, where a red stone piece with the Fire Nation insignia on top of it. Momo suddenly leapt off Katara's shoulder and onto the map and he began to knock over the pieces, hissing and chittering at them.

"Or we could send in Momo to do some damage. 'Cause, the..." Katara joked with a chuckle then she trailed off and looked off to the side sheepishly at the blank looks on the generals' faces, "Sorry."

General How Earthbended the pieces back up, scaring Momo and causing the lemur to hiss and fly back over to Katara's shoulder.

"All we need is the Earth King's seal in order to execute the plan." General How stated then he Earthbended a cube of rock that had the scroll on it over to Katara.

"I'll get these scrolls to him right away." Katara said as she stood and grabbed the scroll then she bowed to General How, "Thank you, General How."

Aang looked around the misty mountains of the Eastern Air Temple with a slight sadness, unable to prevent himself from remembering the last time he and Xiaodan had been there when they were younger. He sighed quietly then furrowed his brows when he saw a man meditating on a stone platform that was connected to the main pagoda of the temple by a bridge. Aang landed Appa on the mountain the platform was on and looked up at the meditating man curiously.

"Uhhh...Hello? You're Guru Pathik, right?" Aang questioned as he walked up the steps to the top of the platform and approached the man, "The person who attached the note to Appa's horn?"

"Indeed." Pathik confirmed calmly as he opened his eyes and regarded the young boy standing in front of him, "I was a spiritual brother of your people, and a personal friend of Monk Gyatso."

Aang gave him a surprised look then sat down cross-legged in front of the guru, "In your note, you said you could teach me how to gain control of the Avatar State. How?"

"You must gain balance within yourself, before you can bring balance to the world. And the first step to gaining balance begins with this." Pathik said and he handed Aang a wooden bowl of yellowish liquid, "Drink up!"

Aang looked at him with a quirked brow then he looked down at the liquid before taking a sip. A moment later, Aang gagged and spat the liquid out, looking at the bowl in disgust as the yellow concoction covered his mouth.

"Uggh! It takes likes onion and banana juice!"

"That's because it is!" Pathik quipped and he downed his own bowl of the juice then he held the empty bowl over his head with a smile, "Yum, yum!"

Aang stared at the guru dumbly and he blinked slowly, briefly wondering how Xia would have reacted to the strange guru. He imagined she would have laughed uproariously.

"I believe we need to go right!" Master Yu exclaimed and he gestured towards the right with his arm as Xin Fu steered the ostrich-horse drawn cart that was holding the metal box they had trapped Toph inside.

"What are you talking about?" Xin Fu demanded angrily and he pointed at the road in front of them, "The Beifong Estate's this way!"

Toph began banging on the metal box loudly, "Hey! Can you two old ladies quit your bickering for a second? I got to go the bathroom!"

"Oooh..." Master Yu mumbled uncomfortably, "Uh, okay, but make it quick!"

He stood up with the key in hand, but Xin Fu suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him back into his seat.

"What's wrong with you?" The burly Earthbender snapped in annoyance.

Yu gave him a confused look before realization dawned on him and he waved the key at the metal box, "Ooh, very sneaky Toph! Nice try, but you can't trick me!"

Toph snarled and banged on the metal walls of the box, "Let me out of here so I can kick both your butts!"

"Quit your banging!" Xin Fu shouted in annoyance and he hit the metal box roughly before turning back around and snapping the reins, "You may think you're the greatest Earthbender in the whole world, but even you can't bend metal!"

Toph scowled darkly before her expression became sand and she placed her hand flat against the side of the metal box, her head bowed.

Ty Lee hummed quietly as she sat in front of the large mirror in the house she, Mai, and Azula had been given when they arrived in Ba Sing Se, removing the makeup from her face while Mai did the same thing beside her.

"We have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity, girls." Azula stated with smirk as she walked towards the large window, her face already clean of makeup and her hands clasped primly behind her back.

"Mai finally gets to wear makeup that's not totally depressing?" Ty Lee quipped, giggling when Mai turned to glare at her, black makeup dripping down her eyes.

"Ha, ha." Mai retorted sarcastically and she turned back to finish wiping the makeup off.

"I'm talking about conquering the whole Earth Kingdom." Azula snapped back drily as she came to a stop in front of the window, her gold eyes sinister as she looked out at the city of Ba Sing Se, "For one hundred years, the Fire Nation has hammered away at Ba Sing Se from the outside. But now we're on the inside, and we can take it by ourselves."

Ty Lee and Mai stared at her in surprise then Ty Lee smiled.

"Gosh, you're so confident." Ty Lee commented cheerfully, "I really admire that about you."

"From the inside, we're in perfect position to organize a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key is the Dai Li." Azula stated with a smirk and she turned around to face her two friends again, "Whoever controls the Dai Li controls Ba Sing Se."

Pathik led Aang to a creek that was located between two of the three mountains the pagodas of the Eastern Air Temple resided on, the moon easily visible in the space between the mountains behind them.

"In order to master the Avatar State, you must open all the chakras." Pathik explained and he turned to look at Aang with a small smile, "Aang, tell me everything you know about chakras."

Aang rubbed his eyes tiredly, "What are chakras?"

Pathik gave him a deadpanned expression and he sighed.

"Oh, I see. I guess we'll start with the basics." Pathik stated and he kneeled beside one of the pools that formed the creek, pointing at the moss within the pool with a stick as he explained, "The water flows through this creek, much like energy flows through your body. As you see, there are several pools where the water swirls around before flowing on. These pools are like our chakras."

"So...Chakras are pools of spiraling energy in our bodies?" Aang asked slowly as he came to stand beside the guru, looking at the moss-filled pool curiously.

"Exactly." Pathik praised with a nod and smile, "If nothing else were around, this creek would flow pure and clear. However, life is messy, and things tend to fall in the creek. And then what happens?"

"The creek can't flow?"

"Yes. But if we open the ponds between the pools." Pathik trailed off as he removed the clump of moss blocking the exit for the water.

"The energy flows!" Aang exclaimed eagerly and Pathik nodded at him with a smile before leading him to a different part of the temple.

"There are seven chakras that go up the body. Each pool of energy has a purpose, and can be blocked by a specific kind of emotional muck." Pathik explained sagely as he sat across from Aang on a flat rock in a cavern deep within one of the mountains and he gave Aang a serious look, "Be warned, opening the chakras is an intense experience, and once you begin the process, you cannot stop until all seven are open. Are you ready?"

Aang looked down at his lap for a moment then looked up at the guru with a determined expression, "I'll do whatever it takes."

"First we will open the Earth Chakra, located at the base of the spine. It deals with survival, and is blocked by fear. What are you most afraid of?"

Aang closed his eyes and immediately his mind was assaulted by what he was afraid of most.

'The Blue Spirit charged him, his swords flashing dangerously in the fire light. The cold blades pressing against his neck. Katara and Xiaodan disappearing beneath the ground at General Fong's outpost and he wasn't able to save them in time, triggering the Avatar State.

"Let your fears become clear to you..."

The silhouette of the Fire Lord flashed briefly across his mind before being replaced by Sozin's Comet. The comet disappeared and was replaced by an image of himself in the Avatar State again then an image of him when he was in the Avatar State and he had merged with La at the North Pole, destroying the Fire Nation ships. Another flash of the Fire Lord's silhouette followed by Sozin's Comet and Aang gritted his teeth, his brow furrowing in concentration.

Aang opened his eyes and screamed in fear, recoiling from the silhouette of the Fire Lord as he stood on the outside of the ring of flames that surrounded Aang.

"Ahh!" Aang screamed again and he closed his eyes tightly.

"Aang, your vision is not real. You are concerned for your survival, but you must surrender those fears. Let your fears flow down the creek."

Guru Pathik's voice sounded far away as he spoke calmly, but Aang could hear him easily...'

Aang straightened and took a deep breath, opening his eyes slowly and almost immediately the image of the Fire Lord disappeared, being replaced by Pathik.

"You have opened your Earth Chakra!"

Aang exhaled in relief and wiped the sweat from his brow, then he grinned at the guru. Pathik smiled and stood up, leading Aang to part of the cavern that opened up behind a large waterfall, the sky gray with the predawn.

"Next is the..."

"Water Chakra?" Aang asked as he glanced over at the surging waterfall to the left of the flat rock he and the guru were sitting cross-legged on.

"Brilliant! Maybe one day you will be a guru too!" Pathik exclaimed teasingly with a smile before he continued his teachings, "This chakra deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt. Now look at all the guilt that burdens you so. What do you blame yourself for?"

Aang closed his eyes, the memory of him and Xia running away from the Southern Air Temple flashing across his mind.

"I ran away." He said quietly and his brow furrowed as he remembered the destruction he caused at General Fong's base when he was in the Avatar State, "I hurt all those people."

"Accept the reality that these things happened, but do not let them cloud and poison your energy." Pathik said calmly, "If you are to be a positive influence on the world, you need to forgive yourself."

Aang inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly as he worked on doing what Pathik told him to.

"This bay leads directly to the outskirts of Ba Sing Se." Hakoda explained as he kneeled beside a large bamboo and animal skin mine while Bato poured a thick sludge into it, "We've been using these tangle minds to stop the Fire Nation ships from getting through."

"Your father invented tangles mines himself." Bato stated as he finished filling the mine and moved onto fill another one.

"Destructive. Buoyant. And..." Sokka paused to sniff at the opening of the mine, recoiling instantly at the foul smell, "Aggh, eehh! Terrible smelling!"

"Very perceptive." Hakoda quipped in amusement as he put the cork in the mine, using his machete to clean the excess sludge that had seeped out, "The mines are filled with skunk-fish and seaweed. When a ship detonates the mine, the seaweed tangles up the propeller and the foul smell forces people to abandon ship. I call it the 'stink and sink.'"

Sokka laughed loudly, "Good one, Dad!"

Bato rolled his eyes with an unamused expression as he filled another mine and he muttered to himself, "You're definitely your father's son."

"Hakoda!" One of the warriors called out as he ran towards the Tribe's leader, "Our scouts have spotted four Fire Nation ships!"

"Bato, get these mines loaded up!" Hakoda ordered as he got to his feet, "The rest of you men, prepare for battle!"

Sokka watched with a despondent expression as the other warriors raced off to do as Hakoda ordered then he looked up at his father.

"Uh...What should I do, Dad?"

"Aren't you listening?" Hakoda asked sternly, "I said, 'The rest of you men, get ready for battle.'"

Sokka smiled and quickly jumped to his feet, racing after the older warriors. Hakoda smiled faintly as he watched his son, then he looked towards the ocean with narrow blue eyes.

Iroh smiled proudly as he stood at the back of his teashop with Zuko and Xiaodan on either side of him, observing the chattering customers happily.

"Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I'd end up owning my own teashop?" Iroh stated with a contented sigh, "Follow you passion Zuko, Xia, and life will reward you."

Xiaodan smiled and huffed the older man, pressing a kiss to his cheek lined cheek, "Congratulation, Iroh."

"Yes," Zuko agreed with a smile, "Congratulation, Uncle."

Xiaodan stepped back from Iroh and clasped her hands in front of her as she turned to look at the front of the shop again.

"I am very thankful." Iroh stated as he closed his eyes, a small smile on his face.

"You deserve it." Zuko commented as he looked at his uncle with his own smile, "The Jasmine Dragon will be the best teashop in the city."

"No." Iroh replied with a small shake of his head, "I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know."

Xiaodan smiled when Zuko embraced his uncle warmly and she slipped past the two, heading to the tea-making room at the back of the shop.

"Now, let's make these people some tea!" Zuko suggested with an almost unusual amount of excitement and he followed Xiaodan to the back.

"Yes," Iroh agreed with an excited smile and he hurried after the two teens, "Let's make some tea!"

Xiaodan laughed lightly at the two and shook her head good-naturedly, though her thoughts on Aang were still swirling through her mind, she did her best to focus on the present.

"Third is the Fire Chakra," Pathik stated as he sat cross-legged on a ledge with Aang as the sun began to rise in front of them, "Located in the stomach."

Aang held his stomach and grimaced, "My Fire Chakra would like to eat something other than onion-banana juice."

"Good one!" Pathik chuckled then he turned serious again, "Moving on. This chakra deals with willpower, and is blocked by shame. What are you ashamed of?"

Aang closed his eyes and winced when the memory of the first time he attempted to Firebend appeared in his mind. He remembered burning Katara's hands and the terrified look on Xiaodan's face as she stared up at him from where she had fallen on the ground.

"What are your biggest disappointments in yourself?"

Aang furrowed his brow, "I'm never going to Firebend again. I can't."

"You will never find balance if you deny this part of your life." Pathik stated wisely as he glanced over at the young Airbender, "You are the Avatar and therefore, you are a Firebender."

Aang took a deep breath then exhaled slowly and Pathik stared at him in mild surprise.

"Hmm...That chakra opened less like flowing creek, and more like a...burping bison."

Aang suddenly belched loudly then he smacked his lips, "Tastes like onions and bananas, but strangely something else. Pickles?"

Pathik looked at him then shrugged one shoulder in reply.

Two Dai Li agents stealthily scaled down two pillars outside of the Earth King's palace, both of them spying on two of the girls dressed as Kyoshi warriors.

"I'm tired of wearing this girly disguise." Mai sighed in annoyance, tugging on the skirt of the dress she was wearing as she lounged on the palace stairs, "I don't know how anyone could fight in this."

"Maybe that's why it was so easy to beat the Kyoshi Warriors and take their clothes." Ty Lee commented lightly as she practiced her chi-blocking moves and acrobatics near Mai.

"How much longer do we have to serve the Earth King?" Mai faintly whine and she grimaced, "If I have to clean up one more pile of bear poop, I'm going to throw up."

"Princess Azula promised we would go back to the Fire Nation as soon as we captured the Avatar." Ty Lee replied thoughtlessly as she shifted into a backbend and she stared up at the now upside down Mai, "We just have to be patient."

Mai got to her feet and gave Ty Lee a stern look, "Shush up! Do you want the whole palace to know we're Fire Nation?"

Ty Lee instantly straightened and gave the other girl a sheepish look, "Sorry."

The two Dai Li agents smiled and climbed back up the pillars to report to Long Feng. A moment later, Azula stepped out behind the pillar behind the ones the agents had been clinging to and she walked up to her two friends.

"Good work, girls." The Fire Nation princess praised with a smirk, "I'm sure the Dai Li will deliver the message."

"The fourth chakra is located in the heart." Pathik explained after he had led Aang to large, crumbling stone pagoda on one of the mountains that had statues of other Airbenders on either side of it, "It deals with love and is blocked by grief."

Aang smiled faintly as he looked up at one of the statues of a female Airbender before he looked away sadly.

"Lay all your grief out in front of you."

Aang closed his eyes, touching his fingers to his, and immediately the image of the other monks and nuns filled his mind, including Yangchen and Gyatso. He smiled when he saw them then his expression became dismayed as they began to vanish into smoke.

"You have indeed felt great loss." The guru commented quietly and the image in Aang's mind changed, showing the other Airbenders floating in the clouds, this time with Xiaodan standing beside monk Gyatso, a serene smile on her face and he stretched his hand out to them desperately.

"But love is a form of energy, and it swirls around us."

Aang saw himself being lifted into the air in his mind's eye and he saw Xiaodan and the other Air Nomads floating in the smoky clouds. He watched as Xiaodan floated to him with her hand outstretched and Aang's mental image of himself reached out, grasping her tattooed hand in his.

"The Air Nomads' love for you has not left this world. Just as the young Xiaodan's love will always be with you, even when she is not." Guru Pathik said, his voice faint to Aang's ears as he focused on the image in his mind, "It is still inside of your heart, and is reborn in the form of new love."

Aang smiled slightly as the Xiaodan in his mind touched his cheek gently before disappearing into a cloud of smoke with the rest of the Air Nomads, the smoke forming a face then showing the first thing he saw upon waking up from the iceberg. His smile widened as he remembered Katara's face and tears of joy started trailing down his cheeks.

"Let the pain flow away." Pathik instructed and Aang opened his eyes, wiping the tears from his face with a small smile, "Very good."

Aang sniffled and gave the guru a watery smile, "Can I have some more onion-banana juice, please?"

Pathik smiled at him.

Xiaodan bit her lip slightly as she prepared the tea in the back of the Jasmine Dragon beside Zuko, while Iroh busily served the customer.

"Hey, Firebug?"

"Hmm?"

The white-haired Airbender glanced over at him then looked down at the water she was currently boiling, "What exactly is this?"

Zuko turned his head towards and gave her a confused look, "It's pot of water..."

"I know what that is, you annoying little glowbug." Xiaodan muttered without venom as she rolled her eyes then she turned to face him and gestured between them, "I mean what is this, between you and me?"

The scarred teen turned and leaned his hip against the counter beside the stove where the water was boiling, his arms crossing over his chest as he stared at her with a thoughtful frown.

"Well, you care about me, right?" He asked slowly, quirking a brow at her.

"Uh, yeah." Xiaodan replied and she rubbed the back of her head as she blushed faintly, "I thought that was pretty obvious when I kissed you the first time..."

Zuko smiled and he took her hands in his, turning them over and observing the differences. Hers were slightly smaller and her skin darker than his own, but of their hands were calloused, his from using swords and hers from her staff. Xiaodan bit her lip slightly and glanced up at him shyly then looked down at their hands again. Neither noticed the way the fire under the water briefly flared up and turned white before returning to normal a moment later.

"And I care about you." The former Fire Nation prince continued quietly as he glanced up at her carefully, ignoring the blush he could feel heating his cheeks, "I guess that could make me your boyfriend and you mine girlfriend...If that's what you want."

Xiaodan stared at their hands for several moments quiet then she licked her dry lips and peered up at him from under her bangs again.

"I..." She paused then cleared her throat, her voice stronger but still quiet, "I'd like that."

Zuko smiled and ducked his head, pecking her quickly on the lips then moving around her to take the boiling water off the stove just as his uncle entered the backroom. Xiaodan flushed brightly at the knowing look the former Fire Nation general gave her and she spun on her heel, taking the tray of finished tea and tilted her chin up in an almost defiant manner as she walked past Iroh and into the main room.

Iroh chuckled lowly and patted his nephew on the shoulder, "I am happy for you, my nephew. Xiaodan is a great young lady."

Zuko cleared his throat awkwardly, but there was a smile tugging at his lips, "Yeah, she really is, Uncle."

Iroh chuckled again as he watched his nephew leave the backroom and he sighed happily, "Ah, young love..."

"The fifth in the chain is the Sound Chakra, located in the throat." Pathik stated after he had led Aang to large, destroyed chamber with a massive stone statue of one of the previous Avatar, Yangchen, sitting in the lotus position with her fists pressed together, "It deals with truth and is blocked by lies. The ones we tell ourselves."

Aang's mind flashed back to when he, Xiaodan, Katara and Sokka had begun their journey to the North Pole so many months ago.

"Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?" Katara asked gently as she looked at Aang.

"Because I never wanted to be." Aang stated quietly, repeating the words he had said that day.

"You cannot lie about your own nature." Pathik said wisely, "You must accept that you are the Avatar."

Aang inhaled deeply and suddenly he pictured himself standing on a cliff looking down at the ground with his staff held behind him then he exhaled, accepting his nature. He opened his eyes slowly and Pathik smiled at him.

"Very good, Aang." The guru praised him, "You have opened the chakra of truth."

Pathik lead him outside of the chamber and they sat on the stone steps, facing the midday sun as it shown brightly in the sky.

"The sixth pool of energy is the light chakra, located in the center of the forehead. It deals with insight and is blocked by illusion." Pathik said slowly and he looked over at Aang with a serious expression, "The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one in the same."

"Like the four nations."

"Yes." Pathik agreed with a nod, "We are all open people, but we live as if divided."

Aang slowly opened his eyes and smiled slightly, "We're all connected. Everything is connected."

"That's right!" Pathik exclaimed happily, "Even the separation of the elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one. Four parts of the same whole. Even metal is just a part of earth which has been purified and refined."

Toph breathed deeply as she slammed her feet and her hands against her metal cage, feeling around with her seismic sense. She exhaled and stomped her foot and slammed her hands against the metal in front of her, smiling slowly when she felt the tiny particles of earth. The blind girl took another deep breath then exhaled as she began to push against the metal.

"Come on, metal. Budge!" She gritted out and she punched the metal wall, leaving a huge dent then she pulled her shook her hand in slight pain, "Whoo! Toph, you rule!"

Toph smirked and she punched the metal wall again.

Katara smiled slightly as she walked to the new teashop that had just opened in the Upper Ring, Momo on her shoulder and the scroll held loosely in her hand.

"What do you say, Momo? A cup of tea before we get back to the king?" Katara asked the lemur playfully as she walked up the steps to the entrance of the teashop and she looked at the hostess, "Table for two, please."

The hostess bowed and gestured for Katara to follow her.

"Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green, and one leechi!"

"I'm brewing as fast as I can!"

Katara jerked her head around and stared wide-eyed at Zuko standing in front of a counter at the back of the teashop, his uncle in the back brewing the tea. All of the air in her lungs escaped her in a gasp and she whirled around, running away from teashop just before a familiar white-haired girl stepped appeared from around a patron.

Xiaodan glanced up as she came to the front, her eyes widening when she saw a flash of blue disappear from the entrance of the shop. Her brow furrowed and she quickly moved to the open entrance, a soft gasp leaving her when she saw Katara racing down the street away from the teashop with Momo on her shoulder.

"Katara?" Xiaodan whispered in shock and she went to take a step forward, but a warm hand touched her shoulder and she turned around, looking up into Zuko's concerned gold eyes.

"Are you alright, Xia?"

"I-" Xiaodan muttered as she glanced back down the street, but Katara was no longer in sight then she shook her head and smiled weakly at Zuko, "It's nothing, I just thought I saw something. It must have been my imagination."

Zuko looked at her skeptically, but Xiaodan kissed his cheek and walked back into the teashop before he could say anything.

"Really, it was nothing." She repeated over her shoulder with another smile and Zuko nodded slowly.

He watched her as she walked over to customer then he glance outside, his brow furrowing slightly.

"This is the last chakra isn't it?" Aang asked as he and Pathik sat across from each other at the top of the temple that night, the moon partially obscured by the clouds.

"Yes." Pathik confirmed serenely, "Once you open this chakra, you will be able to go in and out of the Avatar State at will and when you are in the Avatar State, you will have complete control and awareness of all your actions."

Aang stared determined at the guru, "Let's do this."

"The Thought Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment." Pathik explained as he closed his eyes, "Meditate on what attaches you to this world."

Aang closed his eyes and almost immediately an image of Xiaodan appeared in his mind before being replaced by images of Katara.

"Now," Pathik continued, his voice slightly faint, "Let all those attachments go. Let them flow down the river, forgotten."

"What? Why?" Aang asked, snapping out of his meditation almost immediately as he stared at the guru incredulously, "Why would I let go of Katara? I...I love her!"

Pathik opened his eyes and regarded Aang passively, "Learn to let her go, or you cannot let the pure cosmic energy flow in from the universe."

"Why would I choose cosmic energy over Katara?" Aang demanded and he threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, "How could it be a bad thing that I feel an attachment to her? Three chakras ago that was a good thing!"

"You must learn to let go."

Katara panted as she ran into the throne room of the Earth King's palace, Momo flying off her shoulder to cling to a pillar near the door.

"Thank goodness you're here, Suki!" Katara exclaimed when she saw, who she was thought was Suki and two other Kyoshi warriors sitting before the empty throne, "Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city, I just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle! We have to tell the Earth King right away!"

"Oh, don't you worry, I'll be sure to let him know." The girl Katara thought was Suki, said as she stood and walked closer.

Katara gasped when she saw the girl in front of her had gold eyes and she brought her arm up to Waterbend the water from her canteen when she realized the three 'Kyoshi Warriors' were actually Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee.

Ty Lee suddenly jumped forward and slammed her hand down on a pressure point between Katara's neck and shoulder, blocking her ability to bend and causing her to fall to the ground.

Azula smirked as she and her friends gathered around the fallen Katara, "So, Zuzu's in the city too? I think it's time for a family reunion."

Unnoticed, Momo flew out of the chamber as fast as he could, the lemur heading straight for the place where he had caught a familiar scent.

"I'm sorry," Aang apologized quietly, "But I can't let go of Katara."

"Aang, to master the Avatar State, you must open all the chakras." Pathik said as he gestured with his hands slightly, "Surrender yourself."

Aang took a deep breath and exhaled slowly then he closed his eyes, "Okay, I'll try."

Pathik nodded, "Now think of your attachments and let them go. Let the pure cosmic energy flow."

Aang pictured himself letting Katara go, watching as she disappeared into a sky of falling stars. Suddenly, he saw himself floating above the world and a bridge appeared beneath him.

'Aang smiled slightly as he looked down at the iridescent bridge then he looked up, his mouth falling open slightly as he saw a giant version of himself in the Avatar State floating at the end of the bridge. He took another deep breath then began walking along the bridge until he came to the manifestation of his Avatar State mastery. His arrows began to glow and Aang looked down at the arrow tattoo on his arm with a smile then he looked up as the manifestation of his Avatar State lowered itself in front of him, a ball of pure cosmic energy floating between its hands. The manifestation lowered the ball until it was surrounded Aang, and he closed his eyes.

Suddenly a shriek filled the air and Aang snapped his eyes open, jerking his head to the side where he saw a vision of Katara in chains. Aang looked at the image then looked down before jumping away from the manifestation, dispersing the cosmic energy sphere and causing the arrows of manifestation to slowly stop glowing as he ran towards the other end of the bridge.

Suddenly the bridge disappeared and he screamed as he fell to the world below him..'

"Katara's in danger!" Aang gasped as he returned to reality and he jumped to his feet, "I have to go!"

"No, Aang!" Pathik cried out in protest, stopping Aang just as he was about to jump off the top of the temple, "By choosing attachment, you have locked the chakra! If you leave now, you won't be able to go into the Avatar State at all!"

Aang hesitated but jumped from the top of the temple, then he left the Eastern Air Temple entirely with Appa, leaving Pathik to stare after him in concern.

Xin Fu and Yu were still on their way to return Toph to her family when they suddenly heard a loud noise come from the metal cage behind them. Xin Fu quickly jerked the ostrich-horse to a stop then he and Yu leapt from the front of the cart, walking around to the back.

"It's another one of her tricks!" Yu exclaimed as they stared at the giant hole in the empty cage.

"There's a giant hole in the box!" Xin Fu snarled in reply as he turned to glare at the skinnier man, "How is that a trick?!"

"It's not!" Toph suddenly shouted from behind them and they whirled around to face her, "It's the real deal."

Before either man can react, Toph slammed the two men together with two slabs of rock then she Earthbended them into the metal cage. She leapt onto the metal cage and grabbed the sides, Metalbending the cage shut on the two men then she jumped on top of the cage.

"I am the greatest Earthbender in the world!" Toph shouted proudly and she stomped on the top of the box, "And don't you two dunderheads forget it!"

The blind girl leapt off the box and began earth surfing away from them, heading back to Ba Sing Se.

"I'm going to be stuck in here forever with you, aren't I?" Xin Fu asked rhetorically from inside the metal box.

Yu hesitated a moment then spoke quietly, "I have to go to the bathroom."

Xin Fu groaned and slammed his head against the box angrily.

Hakoda smiled as he approached his son, "Ready to go knock some Fire Nation heads?"

"You don't know how much this means to me, Dad." Sokka said as he looked up at his dad with a serious expression on his face, "I'll make you proud and I'll finally prove to you what a great warrior I am."

"Sokka," Hakoda replied gently as he put his hand on his son's shoulder, "You don't have to prove anything to me. I'm already proud of you and I've always known you're a great warrior."

"Really?"

Hakoda smirked at him, "Why do you think I trusted you to look after our tribe when I left?"

Sokka grinned and Hakoda led him towards his ship. Sokka was just about to board the ship after his father when Appa suddenly landed behind him, Aang looking at him with a concerned and worried expression.

"This can't be good news." Sokka remarked in dismay as he looked at the young boy.

Sokka glanced at his father, who nodded in understanding, then Sokka ran towards Aang, climbing onto Appa's head. Aang snapped the reins and Appa jumped into the air, Sokka turning around to look at his father, who looked back at him with a proud grin.

Azula scowled at the two Dai Li agents that were leading her down a metal corridor before they led her into a cell.

"What is this about?" She demanded angrily as she looked at the man sitting calmly in front of her, "You're agents show up in the middle of the night and drag me down here? You will not treat a Kyoshi Warrior this way!"

"But you're not a Kyoshi Warrior," Long Feng commented slyly as he stood, "Are you, Prince Azula of the Fire Nation?"

Azula narrowed her eyes and stared at Long Feng suspiciously, "What do you want?"

"I want to make a deal." Long Feng replied with a smirk, "It's time that I regain control of Ba Sing Se and you have something I need."

"Oh?"

"The Earth King's trust."

"Why should I help you?" Azula demanded sharply, her brow raised challengingly at him.

"Because I can get you the Avatar." Long Feng replied matter-of-factly.

Azula smirked faintly, "I'm listening..."

Long Feng smiled back, his eyes gleaming with treachery.

Xiaodan looked up from where she was wiping down the tables as a royal messenger entered the teashop.

"A message from the Royal Palace." The messenger said and he handed Iroh a scroll then left.

Iroh opened the scroll curiously, his eyes widening with shock before he smiled widely, "I...I can't believe it!"

"What is it, Uncle?" Zuko asked as stopped sweeping and gave his uncle a curious look while Xiaodan moved to stand beside him.

"Great news!" Iroh exclaimed excitedly in reply, "We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!"

Xiaodan and Zuko exchanged amused looks when the older man ran to the back of the shop, most like to make a list of what teas he should prepare for the king. Zuko pressed a quick kiss to Xiaodan's lips before continuing to sweep while she went back to wiping down the tables, both of them smiling slightly.

Azula smirked maliciously as the two Dai Li agents led her out of the prison, her plans falling perfectly into place.