Azara woke up to Momo jumping onto her head, curling up in her hair. "Uh . . . Momo," Azara groaned, trying to roll over in her hammock before she sat up suddenly. "How did I get back here?" she wondered to herself, staring down at the hammock with confusion. The last thing she remembered was Sokka rattling on about how Katara always insisted that one star was the North Star when it wasn't.

"Good, you're awake. We're nearing the drop off point," Katara called, walking into the room.

"Right," Azara shook her head, sliding out of the hammock and getting ready for the day. Katara grabbed her bag before walking out of the holding, leaving Azara alone to wonder how she ended up back in her hammock. As she started to braid her hair, Sokka walked into the room, gathering his belongings. "Hey, Sokka?"

"Yeah?"

"This is going to sound like a weird question, but, uh, do you know how I got back into my hammock last night? I didn't sleepwalk, did I?"

"No, I, uh . . . I carried you back. You fell asleep up on deck," Sokka explained, his cheeks tinting red as he kept his back to her to hide the blush. Azara's eyes widened as a similar dusting of red coated her cheeks at his admission. "I hope that's alright," Sokka stuttered out as Azara whirled around.

"Yeah, of course it is! Why wouldn't it be?" Azara replied extremely fast, her voice cracking slightly. She smiled awkwardly as Sokka stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Uh, good."

"Yeah."

"So, I'll, uh, see you up there?" Sokka asked quietly as Azara nodded, her forced smile starting to hurt her cheeks.

"Yeah, I'll be up in a minute," she nodded as Sokka smiled at her before walking upstairs. As the sound of his footsteps faded, Azara groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Why are you so awkward, Azara?" she questioned herself. "You literally could not have been more obvious." Hurrying to finish packing, Azara slung her bag over her shoulder and walked up the stairs to the deck.

The Northern Water Tribe had been nice enough to drop them off near the Earth Kingdom for Aang to begin his search for an earthbending master, his old friend King Bumi. Azara walked across the deck of the small Water Tribe vessel, moving to stand in between Sokka and Aang. Master Pakku approached, carrying a bag.

"Katara, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has magical properties. Don't lose it," Pakku stated before handing Katara a small, cone-shaped, blue flask on a string. Katara smiled as she accepted the amulet.

"Thank you, Master Pakku," Katara smiled, moving forwards to hug Master Pakku. The waterbending master hugged her back before moving on to Aang.

"Aang, these scrolls will help you master waterbending. But remember, they're no substitute for a real master," Master Pakku explained as Aang's gaze trailed over to Katara, who was sitting on Appa. As Aang walked away, Master Pakku turned to Azara.

"Azara, for your sacrifice, on behalf of the Northern Water Tribe, I would like to present you with this pendant. You are forever welcome at the North Pole," Master Pakku spoke, handing the hair pin to Azara. She stared at the hair pin in surprise, marveling at the craftsmanship.

"This is amazing, Master Pakku. Thank you very much," Azara gasped, tracing over the design of the Water Tribe symbol with her finger.

"Princess Yue requested it specifically for you. And Kesuk carved it himself," Master Pakku revealed as Azara nodded in thanks.

"That's so kind of them. Please send them my regards," Azara commented, before walking to climb up onto Appa. Sokka stepped forwards, expecting a gift himself.

"Sokka . . . take care, son," Master Pakku stated, patting his shoulder as Sokka deflated. He trudged over to Appa as Azara stared down at the hair pin. "Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here. General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe to begin your earthbending training with King Bumi."

"Appa, yip yip!" Aang directed, flicking his reigns. As Appa took off from the ship, Katara turned back and waved.

"Say hi to Gran Gran for me!" Katara called as Master Pakku nodded and waved back. Azara and Katara fell into a conversation about the hair pin Master Pakku had given her. "Wow, he must have spent a lot of time on this."

"I know, it's beautiful," Azara grinned, running her finger over the delicate carving.

"What ever happened with you guys?" Katara asked, as Azara shrugged, tucking the hair pin into her bag for safekeeping.

"We're good friends, I don't think it's anything more," Azara replied, sitting cross-legged, and resting her head on her hand.

"You mean to tell me you walked around for days just the two of you and he makes you this hair pin and you guys are just friends?" Katara teased, causing Azara to blush and stare at her lap.

"Well . . . I kissed him on the cheek," Azara revealed, causing Katara nearly tackle her.

"And you didn't tell me!"

"Katara, shh!" Azara hissed, glancing worriedly at Sokka and Aang, who were caught up in their own conversation. "It wasn't that big of a deal."

"How was it not that big of a deal?"

"Because I don't like him like that," Azara replied, causing Katara's excitement to vanish.

"You what?"

"I just . . . I don't know. He was nice . . . but I just don't think it was the right time," Azara shrugged as Katara scooched next to her.

"You want to talk about it?" Katara asked, calmer in her tone.

"It was just . . . I don't know. Can you really like someone that much after only a few days?" Azara questioned, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Maybe. I wouldn't know," Katara shrugged, glancing up as Aang laughed at something Sokka said. Azara looked between Katara and Aang but kept her comments to herself. Staring over at Sokka, her thoughts drifted to the North Pole again.

"You think Sokka and Yue ever became a thing?" she inquired; her gaze still fixed on the back of Sokka's head.

"Not from the sound of it," Katara informed, glancing between Sokka and Azara with sudden realization. "Why do you ask?" Azara shrugged, turning back to Katara.

"I don't know. They seemed cute together. Yue was really nice," Azara supplied, their conversation ending as Sokka yelled out that they had arrived at the base.

Aang landed Appa in the center of the Earth Kingdom base, General Fong and his soldiers surrounding them. "Welcome, Avatar Aang!" General Fong greeted, holding his hands up in the air. Azara slid down from Appa's back, moving to stand next to Katara as General Fong approached. "I am General Fong, and welcome, to all of you great heroes! Appa, Momo, brave Sokka, the mighty Katara," General Fong listed, purposefully skipping over Azara.

The former Fire Nation princess raised an eyebrow at the omission but didn't say anything as Fong led them towards the base. "Why do I feel like I'm not going to enjoy it here?" Azara sighed to herself as Fong continued to speak loudly, gesturing grandly as he did so.

"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you singlehandedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole. I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility," Fong continued, stroking his beard.

"I try not to think about it too much," Aang replied, his voice small.

"Avatar, you're ready to face the Fire Lord now," Fong stated suddenly, turning around.

"He is definitely not!" Azara retorted as Aang voiced a similar opinion.

"Aang still needs to master all four elements," Katara added, stepping forwards.

"Why? With the kind of power that he possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of minutes, he could defeat the Fire Lord now!" Fong boomed, causing Azara to shake her head.

"Aang is nowhere ready to face the Fire Lord. He hasn't even mastered waterbending. The North Pole situation was almost all luck," Azara spoke, crossing her arms over her chest.

"And I'm supposed to believe the Fire Nation princess on that?" Fong snapped, causing Azara's eyes to widen. Her fists clenched, but she didn't move to retaliate.

"What Azara is trying to say," Sokka interjected, stepping slightly in front of her, "is that Aang can only do those things when he's in the Avatar State."

"See, it's a special state where—" Aang began to explain, but Fong interrupted him.

"—I'm well aware! Your eyes and tattoos glow and you're able to summon unbelievable power. Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we even reach their shores," Fong huffed, moving towards a large map in the center of the room. "But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we could cut a swath right through the heart of the Fire Nation."

"Right, but I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, much less what to do when I'm there," Aang remarked, looking doubtful of General Fong's plan.

"No, nothing's decided. We already have a plan. Aang's pursuing his destiny his way," Katara snapped, causing Fong to narrow his eyes at her.

"Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the war goes on. May I show you something?" Fong asked, turning mostly to Aang, but gesturing for the group to follow him to the window. "That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones. They came back. Every day, the Fire Nation takes lives." At his statement, he turns to look at Azara, who didn't return his stare. "People are dying, Aang! You could end it, now. Think about it."

Fong moved to leave the room, turning to look at Azara once more. She was standing further back from the group, the rest looking closely out the window at the injured soldiers. He walked until he was directly behind her, but Azara maintained her calm exterior as he spoke.

"I should remind you, Princess, that your change of allegiance does not impact how you are viewed here. One misstep and you're leaving in chains." Azara tensed but kept staring ahead as Fong walked out of the room, his cloak whipping behind him.

Azara nearly jumped when someone placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, you look a little tense?" Sokka questioned, causing Azara to shake her head.

"I'm fine. Just . . . zoned out for a minute. Don't worry about it," Azara replied as a solider walked through the door.

"If you'll follow me, honored guests, I will show you to your quarters," the soldier announced, breaking the group out of their stupor. Azara laid on her bunk, staring at the wall as everyone else settled. Fong's threat was still ringing in her ears.

"I told the general I'd help him, by going into the Avatar State," Aang commented, returning to the room, and sitting on his bed.

"Aang, no! This is not the right way!" Katara argued, standing up from her bed.

"Why not? Remember when he took out the Fire Navy? He was incredible!" Sokka interjected as Azara rolled over to send him a look.

"There is a right way and a wrong way to everything. And the right way in this situation is practice, studying, and, above all, discipline," Azara spoke, sitting up. "Aang doesn't have control in the Avatar State. Sure, he could take out the Fire Lord no problem, but at what cost?"

"Or just glow it up and stop the Fire Lord!" Sokka replied, causing Azara to sigh and shake her head. Katara was similarly unamused.

"If you two meat heads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine, go ahead and glow it up!" Katara yelled, before storming out of the room. Azara watched her leave, debating if she should follow her out. Turning back to Aang, Azara softened her tone.

"Aang, don't let General Fong guilt trip you into something you don't want to do. Remember the old fisherman? I don't think they, of all people, know your destiny better than you do. You are the Avatar. The only person who decides your destiny is you," Azara expressed quietly, before turning over and trying to fall asleep. Aang looked down at his lap at her words, thinking them over.