"More ferocious!" Zuko barked as he observed Aang practicing his Firebending technique just outside the beach house. "Imagine striking through your opponent's heart!"

"I'm trying!" Aang growled.

"Then let me hear you roar like a tiger-dillo!"

Aang spun in a half circle while roaring (rather pathetically) and sending small wisps of flames in either direction.

"That sounded pathetic!" Zuko exclaimed. "I said ROAR!"

Aang repeated the movement with a little more enthusiasm and succeeded in unleashing a large torrent of flames. Zuko nodded in approval.

"Who wants a nice cool glass of watermelon juice?" Katara called from her position on the house's steps. Aang's ears twitched as he heard this.

"Ooh!" he exclaimed in excitement. "Me! Me! Me!" He rushed towards the tanned girl, only to be grabbed by the back of his shirt by Zuko.

"Hey!" the prince exclaimed. "Your lesson's not over yet! Get back here!"

"Oh, come on, Zuko," Suki said lazily as the rest of the GAang lounged around with their beverages. "Just take a break. What's the big deal?"

"Fine," Zuko let out a sigh and released Aang, who promptly sped towards Katara. "If you wanna lounged around like a bunch of snail-sloths all day, then go ahead!" With that he stormed off.

"Maybe Zuko's right," Sokka admitted. "Sitting around the house has made us pretty lazy. But I know just the thing to change that..." He suddenly stood up and ripped his clothing off, leaving him wearing a pair of lavender undergarments. "Beach party!"

With that, he raced off, the others following eagerly. Xhäs and Larxene shared a glance before following at a more sedate pace. "I've never actually been to the beach before," Xhäs commented.

"I haven't been there in quite a while," Larxene nodded. "I think the last time was when I was still human, actually. We don't really have the chance to just lounge around in the sand all day anymore, do we?"

"Pfft, not with the elf working us to death all day, every day," Xhäs replied.

"So when do you think we should be getting back?" the blonde questioned.

"Honestly, I'd rather drag this out as long as possible," Xhäs said. "The longer I don't have to see Saïx's ugly mug, the better."

"So we intend to help them defeat the Firelord?" Larxene asked. Xhäs turned to look at her.

"Well, I do," he replied. "You don't have to do anything. You could go back now if you wanted, I won't stop you but I intend to see this through."

Larxene sighed. "You know my answer."

Xhäs smiled. "Thanks, Xene,"

The blonde waved him off. "If we're going to the beach, we're gonna have to ditch the cloaks,"

Xhäs looked down at their attire. "Yeah, they aren't exactly beach-friendly." The two off them snapped their fingers and their cloaks began fading away into the shadows, leaving them in their 'casual' clothes.

Larxene's outfit consisted of a white dress shirt that fit snuggly around her curves with a few buttons undone to reveal her navel. She wore a black tie and baggy beige cargo pants with black and white plaid Polo shoes.

The whole ensemble was thrown out the window when she began unbuttoning her shirt. Xhäs did the thing most guys in his place would. Panic.

"L-Larxene, w-what are you d-doing?" he squeaked. She looked at him in confusion.

"Getting ready for the beach," she replied. Xhäs felt like smacking himself. Of course they weren't swimming while fully clothed.

"Right..." the raven-haired Nobody replied as he too began undressing.

Five minutes later, Xhäs was left wearing a pair of plain black boxers while Larxene wore a yellow bikini-bra with black hot pants. Emblazoned across the back were the words 'can't touch this!'

"Nice," Xhäs snickered, much to Larxene's embarrassment. The two Nobodies left the privacy of the bushes and made their way onto the beach. Katara was surfing using a board made of ice while Suki lounged on a blanket. Aang was putting the finishing touches on a sand sculpture of Appa.

"What do you think?" the Avatar called to his friends.

"Not bad, baldy," Toph commented. "But I've been working on my Sandbending. You're gonna love this!"

With that she stomped on the ground, creating a crater in the sand. Inside the crater, an intricate replica of a city.

"Whoa!" Aang exclaimed as he examined the art. "You even made a tiny Earth King and Basco!"

The two preteens went to see what Sokka had made. "Try and top that, Sokka!" Toph taunted.

Sokka stepped away from his masterpiece. "Tada!" The two stared at the 'sculpture', which was actually a giant blob of sand with seaweed hair.

"Is that a... giant blubbering... blob monster?" Aang asked uncertainly.

"No!" Sokka exclaimed, offended. "It's Suki!"

Aang's eyes widened before he and Toph burst out laughing.

"Nice to see how you view your girlfriend, jerky boy," a voice called out to them. The three of them turned to the voice, only for the boys' jaws to drop. Larxene was approaching them with Xhäs at her side.

Toph raised an eyebrow. Unlike the boys, she couldn't actually see them, but she could tell the change in weight. "Whoa, you two go commando or something?"

The two reached them and Larxene noticed the boys' stares. "Got something to say?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aang shook his head frantically. "No ma'am!"

But apparently, Sokka very much enjoyed the taste of his feet. He shook out of his daze and exclaimed, "So you are a girl!"

Larxene cracked her knuckles. "I'm gonna enjoy this," she muttered as she shoved her clothes into Xhäs's arms and took off after a shrieking Sokka. Xhäs chuckled and set his and Larxene's cloths down on Suki's blanket.

"Suki, we understand if you break up with him over that," he said laughingly, nodding his head towards Sokka's 'sculpture'.

The Kyoshi Warrior giggled. "I think it's sweet,"

Sokka dashed by, giving Suki a quick kiss on the cheek for her comment before taking off again, Larxene at his heels.

"But it doesn't even look lik-" Aang's statement was cut off as the sculpture was struck by a fireball, sending sand flying everywhere. The group looked up in shock to see Zuko leaping down towards them, sending fireballs in Aang's direction.

The Avatar retreated behind the Appa sculpture. "What are you doing?" he cried.

"Teaching you a lesson!" the prince shouted as he sent a blast of fire in Aang's direction, destroying the sculpture. Aang leapt away and used Airbending to climb the cliffs back towards the house. Zuko wasted no time in going after him.

Katara rode her board back to the group. "What happened?" she asked, seeing their shocked looks.

"Zuko's gone crazy!" Sokka exclaimed as he began trying to repair the damage to the sculpture. "I made a sand sculpture of Suki and he destroyed it!"

"Let's focus on the important parts here, Sokka," Xhäs said. Sokka glared.

"I am!"

Larxene rolled her eyes. "The emo boy attacked Twinkletoes. They're headed towards the house right now."

With that explained, the group dashed back towards the house. They arrived just in time to see Zuko get blasted outside by a powerful gust of wind.

"What's wrong with you?" Katara shouted as Aang jumped down to them. "You could have hurt Aang!"

"What's wrong with me?" Zuko demanded. "What's wrong with all of you? How can you all sit around having beach parties when Sozin's Comet is only three days away? ...Why are you all looking at me like I'm crazy?"

"It's got nothing to do with the fact that you just attacked Twinkletoes randomly like that," Larxene muttered sarcastically.

"About Sozin's Comet," Aang sighed. "I was actually going to wait to fight the Fire Lord until after it came."

"After?" Zuko repeated in shock.

"I'm not ready," Aang explained. "I need more time to master Firebending."

"And frankly," Toph chimed in. "Your Earthbending could still use some work too."

"So... you all knew Aang was gonna wait?" Zuko asked.

"Honestly, if Aang tries to fight the Firelord right now, he's gonna lose," Sokka said. "No offense." he added upon seeing the look on Aang's face.

"Yeah, and why attack the king of the Fire Nation on the day ALL Firebenders get super-charged?" Xhäs asked. "Sounds pretty stupid to me."

"The whole point of fighting the Firelord before the Comet was the stop the Fire Nation from winning the war," Katara explained. "But they pretty much won the war when they took Ba Sing Se. Things can't get any worse."

"You're wrong..." Zuko said grimly, causing all of them to glance at him sharply. "It's about to get worse than you can even imagine. The day before the eclipse, my father asked me to attend an important war meeting. It's what I dreamed about and wanted for so many years. My father had finally accepted me back.

Flashback

"Prince Zuko, we have been waiting," Firelord Ozai nodded as his son entered the room. Zuko bowed to his father before sitting on his right side. Azula sat on her father's left side. The Firelord turned to his generals. "General Shinu, your report."

The recently promoted general stood and began speaking. "Thank you, sir. Ba Sing Se is still under our control, however, Earthbender rebellions have prevented us from achieving total victory in the Earth Kingdom."

"What is your recommendation?" Ozai asked.

"Our army is spread too thin, but once the eclipse is over and the invasion defeated we should transfer more domestic forces into the Earth Kingdom." Shinu suggested. The Firelord considered this. He turned to his son.

"Prince Zuko," he addressed. "You've been among the Earth Kingdom commoners. Do you think adding more troops will stop these rebellions?"

Zuko glanced at his father. "The people of the Earth Kingdom are proud and strong," he said. "They can endure anything so long as they have hope."

"Yes," Ozai mused. "You're right. We need to destroy their hope."

Zuko glanced up sharply. "That's not exactly what I-"

"I think," Azula interjected. "You should take their hope - and the rest of their land - and burn it all to the ground."

"Yes..." the Firelord murmured."Yes, you're right Azula." He stood and made his way to the map in which the generals sat around. "Sozin's Comet is almost upon us and on that day it will endow us with the strength of a hundred suns. No bender will stand a chance against us."

"What are you suggesting, sir?" Shinu asked.

"When the Comet last came, my grandfather, Sozin used it to wipe out the Air Nomads," Ozai explained. "Now I will use its power to end the Earth Kingdom. Permanently. From our airships we will rain fire on their lands. Fire that will destroy everything and from the ashes a new world will be born. A world in which all the lands are Fire Nation and I am the supreme ruler of EVERYTHING!"

The generals all burst into applause as Zuko ground his teeth.

End Flashback

"I wanted to speak out against this horrifying plan," Zuko said softly. "But I'm ashamed to say I didn't. My whole life I struggled to gain my father's love and acceptance. But once I had it, I realized I lost myself getting there. I'd forgotten who I was."

"I can't believe it..." Katara whispered.

"I always knew the Firelord was a bad guy, but," Sokka muttered. "His plan is just pure evil!"

"What am I gonna do?" Aang asked.

"I know you're scared," Zuko said. "And I know you're not ready to save the world but if you don't defeat the Firelord before the Comet comes, there won't be a world to save anymore."

"Why didn't you tell me about your dad's crazy plan sooner?" Aang demanded.

"I didn't think I had to!" Zuko defended himself. "I assumed you were still gonna fight the Firelord before the Comet. No one told me you decided to wait!"

"This is bad..." Aang muttered as he fell to his knees. "This is really, really bad."

"Aang," Katara said. "You don't have to do this alone."

"Yeah," Toph agreed. "If we all take on the Firelord together, we've got a shot at taking him down."

"Alright!" Sokka cheered. "Team Avatar is back!" He pointed at Aang. "Air!" Katara. "Water!" Toph. "Earth!" Zuko. "Fire!" He then gestured towards Suki, himself, Xhäs and Larxene. "Fan, sword, key and knives!"

"Fighting the Firelord is gonna be the hardest thing we've ever done together," Aang said. "But I wouldn't wanna do it any other way."

The GAang laughed as they all got into a group hug. Zuko, Xhäs and Larxene stood back awkwardly. "Get over here, guys," Katara urged. "Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs."

Zuko sighed and went to join them. Xhäs chuckled and dragged a reluctant Larxene with him.

"We'll do this together," Xhäs said. "Because together we can do anything."

"Right!"

"There's one technique you need to know before facing my father," Zuko said as he and Aang stood in the courtyard. Katara, Xhäs and Larxene sat watching. "How to redirect lightning. If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it. You turn your opponent's energy against them."

"That's like Waterbending!" Aang exclaimed.

"Exactly," Zuko nodded. "My uncle invented this technique himself by studying Waterbenders."

"So have you ever redirected lightning before?" Aang asked.

"Once," Zuko nodded. "Against my father."

"What did it feel like?" Aang asked eagerly.

"Exhilarating," Zuko answered. "But terrifying as well. You feel so powerful holding that much energy in your body, but you know that if you make one wrong move... its over."

"Well not over, over, right?" Aang said uneasily. "I mean, there's always Katara and a little Spirit Water action, am I right?"

Katara raised an eyebrow. "Actually I used it all up after Azula shot you,"

"Oh," Aang muttered.

Larxene turned to Xhäs. "I don't see what the big deal is," she remarked. "It's not that hard..."

"I'd like to see you redirect lightning!" Zuko exclaimed, offended.

Xhäs turned to the blonde. "Not everyone has your control over electricity," he whispered. He smirked. "Why don't you give 'em a few pointers?"

Larxene smirked. "Alright, Hothead," she said standing. "Let's see this great technique of yours."

"Are you kidding?" Katara exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

"Our... 'Bending' works a bit differently than yours," Xhäs provided. "We can control how powerful our attacks are."

"Even so," Zuko countered. "I'm not able to generate lightning and I highly doubt either of you ca-" He was cut off as Larxene snapped her fingers. A spark of electricity appeared in her hand and she began tossing it up and down.

"You were saying?" she asked far too sweetly.

"Like I said," Xhäs re-illiterated. "Our abilities are different than yours. While we can't control fire, air or water like you guys can, Larxene has control over electricity, just as I have control over light."

To add emphasis, Xhäs created a beam of light to shine down on Aang.

"Other than blinding people, how would that help in a conflict?" the Avatar asked. Xhäs's eyes narrowed as the beam of light was replaced by a spear of pure light, pointed straight at Aang. "O-Okay, I get the point!"

"That's amazing!" Katara exclaimed.

"Alright, alright," Larxene said impatiently. "Are you gonna show us this technique or what? A demonstration might help Twinkletoes understand the concept."

Zuko glared at her. "Fine," he growled. He took a deep breath and got into a stance. The Savage Nymph smirked as she suddenly lashed out, sending a stream of lightning at the prince. Zuko stuck two fingers forward and absorbed the energy he twisted around and pointed his other hand to the sky and unleashed the deadly energy.

Aang, Katara and Xhäs applauded. "Not bad, Hothead," Larxene admitted. "You wanna give it a shot, Baldy?"

"M-Me?" Aang asked.

"You are the only bald guy here," the blonde smirked.

"B-But what if something goes wrong?" he asked. "What if I mess up?"

"Relax," Xhäs said easily. "With Xene you've got nothing to worry about. The worst it could do is knock you out for a couple minutes."

"Or it could kill you instantly or even worse, kill you slowly," Larxene commented. Aang gulped. "Just saying."

"I-I'd rather not," Aang said uneasily.

"This is something you need to learn, Aang," Zuko said a bit impatiently. "And when the Firelord is throwing lightning bolts at you, he won't be aiming to knock you out."

"I-" Aang sighed. "Listen, can we just take a break?"

Zuko stepped in his face. "You'll have to take the Firelord's life before he takes yours," with that he stormed off.

Aang watched him leave. "Yeah..." he said uncertainly."I'll just do that..."

"Gather 'round, Team Avatar," Sokka called as he finished setting up a target dummy. He re-adjusted the dummy's melon head before turning towards them. "In order to take out the Firelord - or in this case, the Melon-lord - our timing has to be perfect. First, Suki and I will draw his fire, then Katara and Zuko charge in with some liquid-y-hot offense and while the Melon-lord's distracted, Aang swoops in and BAM!" He said as he drew the 'battle plan' in the sand. "He delivers the final blow."

"And what about us?" Toph asked, indicating herself, Larxene and Xhäs.

"For now, you're the Melon-lord's forces." Sokka replied.

"So we get to chuck flaming rocks at you?" Larxene asked with a grin. Sokka looked uneasy.

"Whatever makes it seem more realistic," he said warily. "But try not to hurt us too badly."

"Sweetness," Toph smiled.

The team began getting into place. Toph created stone soldiers that each had a torch in their hands. "Let's try and keep this to fire," Xhäs said.

"But that's no fun," Larxene complained.

"We're going for realistic, not fun," Xhäs replied.

They watched as Sokka and Suki came charging forward. Toph created more soldiers and sent them barreling towards them. Xhäs and Larxene simultaneously cast Fire at them, which either became friendly fire or was dodged by the two teens.

The two continued on their way towards them when suddenly a huge flaming boulder came crashing down in front of them. Suki deftly flipped over the rock and continued on. Sokka just barely managed to avoid getting crushed.

"Watch it, Toph!" he shouted.

"I am not Toph!" the young girl shouted back. "I am Melon-lord! Mwahahahaha!"

Katara and Zuko took this as their cue to go. Toph created a huge boulder, which Xhäs promptly lit on fire and sent it flying towards them. The two teen split up to avoid the flaming projectile. They quickly regrouped, only to be surrounded by more soldiers. The two skilled benders took them down without a second's pause.

"Now, Aang!" Sokka shouted.

From the cliff above them, Aang leapt down, staff in hand. However, just before he was about to strike the Melon-lord, he stopped.

"What are you waiting for?" Zuko shouted. "Take him out!"

"I can't..." the Avatar muttered.

"Aang, if this had been real, you would be dead right now," Xhäs said pointedly.

"I'm sorry," he replied softly. "It just didn't feel right. I didn't feel like myself."

Without warning, five knives embedded themselves in the Melon-lord's face. A sixth sliced the head clean off the body. They turned to see Larxene scowling. "There," she barked. "That's how it's done."

Aang could only stare at the melon-head in shock and horror.

At dinner, Aang sat apart from the others. They all ate their meal in silence until Katara came bounding up to them.

"I have a surprise for everyone!" the Waterbender exclaimed.

"I knew it!" Toph exclaimed. "You did have a secret thing with Haru!"

The others just stared at her random statement before turning back to Katara.

"Uh, no," Katara said, looking at her strangely. "I was looking for cooking pots in the attic and I found this!" She unfolded the scroll she was holding to reveal a baby sporting a pony tail. "Look at baby Zuko! Isn't he cute?" Everyone shared at chuckle at Zuko's expense. The prince scowled, causing Katara to roll her eyes. "Oh lighten up, I'm just teasing."

"That's not me," he stated, much to everyone's surprise. "It's my father."

Everyone just stared at him in shock. Katara nearly dropped the scroll as she rolled it back up. "But he looks so sweet and innocent," Suki argued weakly.

"Well that sweet little kid grew up to be a monster," Zuko replied coolly. "And the worst father in the history of fathers."

"But he's still a human being," Aang said from his position away from the group.

"You're going to defend him?" Zuko asked incredulously.

"No, I agree with you," Aang replied as he stood up. "Firelord Ozai is a horrible person and the world would probably be better off without him, but there's gotta be another way."

"Like what?" Xhäs asked.

"I don't know," Aang muttered. "Maybe we can find some big pots of glue so I can use Gluebending to stick his arms and legs together so he can't bend anymore!"

"Yeah, then you can show him his baby pictures so all his happy memories will make him good again!" Zuko said in sarcastic eagerness, causing the others to laugh.

"Do you really think that would work?" Aang asked excitedly.

"No!" the prince shouted.

Aang sighed in frustration. "This goes against everything I learned from the monks," he told them as he began pacing. "I can't just go around wiping out people I don't like!"

"Sure you can!" Sokka said. "You're the Avatar. If it's in the name of keeping balance I'm pretty sure the universe will forgive you."

"THIS ISN'T A JOKE, SOKKA!" Aang exploded. "None of you understand the position I'm in!"

"Aang," Katara exclaimed. "We do understand, it's just-"

"Just what, Katara?" Aang demanded. "What?"

"We're trying to help!" she shouted.

"Well when you find a way to defeat the Firelord without taking his life, I'd love to hear it!" Aang growled in return. He spun around and stomped away.

"Aang, don't run away from this!" Katara shouted. She made to follow him, but a hand stopped her. She looked back at Zuko.

"Let him go," he muttered. "He needs time to sort it out by himself."

Xhäs turned to Larxene. "I hope he'll be alright..."

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Larxene said offhandedly, though Xhäs could tell she was concerned as well. "He just needs to think about what he has to do."

Xhäs looked to where Aang had just left. "I hope you're right."

Aang sat on a balcony, meditating in the candle light. He opened his eyes as Momo, his pet flying-lemur landed in his lap.

"Hey, Momo," he said, petting the small animal. "I don't suppose you know what I should do?" The lemur cocked his head at him. "I didn't think so..."

With that, Aang returned to his meditation as Momo fell asleep next to him.

Momo was awoken by movement next to him. He looked up to see his master, Aang climbing down the balcony. He quickly followed the young Airbender as he moved in an almost zombie-like state. The two finally reached the beach, where Momo noticed a strange new island had appeared out of nowhere.

Aang stepped into the water and began swimming to the island, his eyes glazed as though in a trance. Momo glanced back at the house before flying after him.

Sokka grunted as he placed the final pack on Appa's back. He wiped his forehead as he glared at the morning sun. "Well, that's everything."

"No it's not," Toph interjected. "Where's Aang?"

The group glanced at each other before splitting up to search for him. Zuko and Xhäs went to Aang's room to find its occupant missing. They exited to room to see Toph and Larxene walking towards them. Their expressions told them that they hadn't found the Airbender either.

Sokka, Katara and Suki stepped onto the balcony that overlooked the sea to see a familiar weapon leaning against the railing.

"He left his staff," Sokka muttered. "That's so strange."

"Aang's not in the house," Zuko informed them as they stepped onto the balcony as well. "Let's check the beach."

The group made their way down to the beach, where they were met with a surprise.

"Look, there are his footprints!" Xhäs exclaimed.

"The trail ends at the water..." Larxene observed.

"So, he went for a midnight swim and never came back?" Suki asked weakly.

"Maybe he was captured?" Katara suggested worriedly.

"I don't think so," Sokka said as he examined the tracks. "There's no sign of a struggle."

"I bet he ran away again," Toph sighed.

"Nuh-uh," Sokka shook his head. "He left behind his glider and Appa."

"Then just what do you think happened to him, oh sleuth-y one?"

"It's pretty obvious," Sokka chuckled. "Aang disappears before an important battle? He's definitely on a Spirit World journey!"

"Wouldn't his body still be here?" Zuko asked. Sokka visibly wilted.

"Oh, yeah," he muttered dejectedly. "Forgot about that."

"Then he's gotta be somewhere on Ember Island," Katara said firmly. "Let's split up and look for them."

Toph suddenly grabbed Xhäs and Zuko's arms. "I call these two!" Everyone stared at her. "What? Everyone else went on a life changing field trip with them, now it's my turn!"

Xhäs coughed awkwardly. "Er, sure..."

"Whatever," Zuko said. "Let's go."