Avatar Day

It was a warm spring morning as the sun had yet to rise over the horizon. The group had left the swamp two days ago and had enjoyed a night of peaceful rest. While Aang was resting on Appa's foreleg, Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy and Wendy were lying comfortably on tree stumps. The only ones awake at the moment were Ray and Momo. The lemur crawled over to the sleeping Sokka. The Water Tribesman had his head hanging from the swamp and was snoring away. Momo looked into the teen's mouth and saw that a spider had made a web in Sokka's mouth during the night and the teen hadn't noticed.

Momo watched as a fly flew into the web and the spider moved towards it. Momo used the opportunity to make a grab for the spider, but his hand ended up going into Sokka's mouth. Sokka gasped from the furry hand in his mouth and sat up, throwing the lemur onto his stomach. The teen then spat the web and hair out of his tongue.

"What are you doing in my mouth?" Sokka questioned.

But Momo only chittered as he started eating the spider.

"Momo, you need to be a little more sensitive to my boundaries." Sokka said.

Momo started chittering in alarm when he sensed something coming.

Grace also sensed something coming and barked loudly. It caused Lucy, Katara, Erza, Natsu, Happy, Wendy and Carla to wake up.

"Grace, what's wrong?" Lucy asked. Grace continued to bark.

Gray and Aang were sound asleep when rumbling came from all around. Then four Komodo Rhinos emerge from the forest. Each rider of the Komodo Rhinos was different in armor and had different weapons. A fifth Komodo Rhino and it's rider appeared on a large rock behind the group.

"Give up! You're completely surrounded!" He glared down at the group and shouted.

"We'll see about that fools." Erza said as she assumed a stance.

The archer of the group raised his bow and prepared a flaming arrow. He let loose a few arrows at Sokka who was inching like a worm.

"Ice-Make: Shield!" Gray created a icy shield with his magic that blocked the arrows. Erza then knocked the rider off his komodo rhino.

"Come on!" Sokka shouted.

"I'd hate to run away from a fight, but I do think we need to find a safe place." Natsu said.

"Then let's go." Katara said. She stopped for a moment as she forgot something. She turned around and said, "My scrolls!"

She quickly made a run for them. Aang noticed that he nearly left something behind as well, "My staff."

Aang hopped off Appa's head and made a run for it.

Lucy also saw that something was not in her possession, "My whip!"

She jumped off Appa to run towards it.

Gray looked down and to his shock wasn't wearing anything but his boxers, "My pants!"

He sprinted to the bag with their supplies.

Katara was a few steps away from recollecting her scrolls when the leader's Komodo Rhino leapt from the rock and he shot a few fireballs at her. Katara quickly bended a stream of water to act as her shield and the fire attacks created steam. Then bringing the water back to her, Katara then sent it again at the ground right as the Komodo rhino landed as she and Gray froze the ground. The man cried out as his mount slipped at the frozen surface. Katara and Gray then quickly grabbed her scrolls and his pants before running back.

A chain was swung around which knocked over a dead tree. This got in Lucy and Aang's way.

They jumped over the knocked down tree and landed on the other side. But as they landed on the other side, the masked man unclipped a small explosive from his belt before lighting the fuse. He threw it over at Aang and Lucy as he had just grabbed some of their things. The explosive landed by his feet and Aang glared down at it before spinning his staff while turning himself. Then with a flick of his staff, Aang sent the small explosive away. It landed next to a tree as Aang and Lucy jumped back over the fallen tree.

Aang and Lucy landed on Appa's head and Aang commanded, "Yip yip!"

The five riders watched as the group was able to get away. The leader launched a fireball at them which was sucked into Natsu's mouth.

Sokka then noticed that he left something behind and crawled to the back of the saddle, "Wait! My boomerang!"

"There's no time!" Katara said as they flew fast from the campsite.

"Oh I see. There's time to get your scrolls, Lucy's whip, Aang's staff, and even Gray's pants but no time for my boomerang?" Sokka questioned.

"That's correct." Lucy said cheerfully.

The teen hung his head and said, "Oh."

The group continued to fly. The five riders just watched with scowls from their bounty getting away from them.

The sun had well risen into the day when the group had landed.

Wendy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and said, "Sorry you lost your boomerang Sokka."

"It feels like I lost part of my identity." Sokka said as he was lost in sad thoughts. Then getting up he became a little hysterical as he pointed out. "What if you lost your blue hair or if Aang lost his arrow. Or if Natsu lost his scarf or if Lucy lost her side ponytail or if Erza lost her armor or if Gray lost his entire clothes of if Katara lost her...hair loopies."

The sullen teen then walked up to the shop and Katara hugged her brother. When she let go he seemed to be cheered up a little. The shopkeeper brought their supplies and said, "Here's your produce, ponytail guy."

Everyone sighed as Sokka became sad again and turned to take the basket. He turned away with the basket in hand and said, "I used to be boomerang guy."

Katara gave the merchant some money.

"Hey. Water Tribe money." The merchant observed, surprised.

"I hope that's okay." Katara replied.

"Just as long as it's money." The merchant accepted before closing up shop and walked away.

"Happy Avatar Day!" The merchant said.

"Avatar Day?" Lucy and Aang asked at the same time.

"You guys are going to the festival, right?" The merchant asked, turning around.

"Ya know what? I'd like to go there." Natsu said.

"Aye." Happy nodded.

"What do you think, Aang?" Gray asked.

"Let's go check it out." Aang answered.

"Before we do, let's make one thing perfectly clear." Ray looked to Aang. "We're not having a repeat of the Kyoshi Island incident."

Aang and Sokka remembered what he was talking about.

The group had entered the village in disguise and entered the crowd.

"I didn't realize there was a holiday for the Avatar." Lucy said.

"Me neither." Aang replied.

"Wonder how they celebrate it?" Erza asked as a huge statue of Avatar Kyoshi rolled down the road.

"Look! They made a giant Kyoshi float." Katara said. The group all moved to where they could get a better look at the parade.

"There's Avatar Roku!" Wendy pointed.

"Having a huge festival in your honor is great, but frankly it's just nice to be appreciated." Aang said with a shrug.

A cheered up Sokka lifted up a pastry and said, "Well, I'm appreciating their deep-fried festival food."

Lucy then noticed something coming and said, "Aang, look!"

"That's the biggest me I've ever seen." Aang said as they watched a large float shaped like him roll down the street.

"Imagine a float of you in that Ocean Spirit." Gray remarked. The float's shadow passed over them as it made it's way to the middle of town. Soon it stood among the Roku and Kyoshi floats. The floats were lined up like the Avatar Cycle with it going from Kyoshi to Aang.

The group then looked back down the street and saw a guy holding a torch in his hands.

"Hey, a torch. That's a nice prop." Natsu commented as he ate his deep-fried food.

"Yeah. It's bright, dangerous and smells manly." Sokka said.

"Please don't be like Elfman." Gray begged.

"What's this guy doing?" Ray asked.

The man quickly ran at the Kyoshi float. He yelled and leapt through the float. He tore through the float as the torch set it ablaze.

The crowd then chanted, "Down with the Avatar!"

The group all watched in horror as the flames completely engulfed the Kyoshi float while the man with the torch brought the torch close to the Roku float's foot. The fire quickly caught before spreading over it as well.

Meanwhile, in another town built onto a hill, things were a little calmer. The streets were mostly quiet save for a few villagers here and there. A couple was walking past a few stands with their bought goods on either their head or shoulders. The two were unaware as a shadow ran past them on the roof. The two kept walking when the Blue Spirit dropped down and unsheated his swords. Slicing through the pole that held the basket, the man then backed away as the Blue Spirit walked up and used his blades to pick it up before letting them slide onto his shoulders. Then running up, he jumped while grabbing the jug from the woman. The two released their embrace as they looked for the Blue Spirit, but were grateful that they weren't hurt.

A fly buzzed around before a lizard's tongue caught it. Underneath the lizard, the Blue Spirit walked through the woods. He stopped by a tree before taking off his mask and placing it in the hollow near the bottom. Zuko then took his stolen goods further into the forest. But before he took another step forward, he looked around the trunk of a tree and saw that his uncle was still where he had left him. In a cave with a few possessions. Iroh looked up to see Zuko set the things down and was surprised to see that Zuko had them at all.

"Where did you get these?" Iroh asked.

"What does it matter where they came from?" Zuko asked as he walked off. Iroh found that Zuko's odd but usual behavior, coupled with the stolen goods to be suspicious. He gave a low growl of suspicions as he took one of the buns.

"Hmm." Aiko said.

"Mmmmm!" Iroh exclaimed in delight as he ate a bun.

The group continued to watch as the Kyoshi and Roku floats continued to burn. The crowd continued to chant over and over again, "Down with the Avatar!"

"We need to end this before someone gets hurt." Ray looked to the group. "Ready."

The ten then looked to see a man in fancy robes and hat turn to the man with the torch who was now on the roof of a building. The man then motioned for the man and the man nodded. Then moving his hand with the torch back, the torch barer flung it at the Aang float. It hit the float right in the right eye and it caused a few in the group to wince. The crowd around them cheered for the burning of the floats.

They ran forward and began extinguishing the fires that had been started.

"Those party poopers are ruining Avatar Day!" One of the villagers said angrily.

"Those party poopers are my friends!" Aang shouted.

"It's the Avatar himself." The mayor fearfully said.

"He's going to kill us with his awesome Avatar powers!" Another villager said in equal fear.

"No, I'm not. I-" Aang tried to alleviate their fears.

"I suggest you all leave. You're not welcome here Avatar." The mayor said.

"Why is he not allowed here? Aang helps people!" Erza asked.

"It's true. I'm on your side." Aang said as he took a step closer.

"I find that a bit hard to swallow." The mayor said as he clasped his hands together. Then he said, "Especially considering what you did to us in a past life." Pointing to the Kyoshi statue he continued, "It was Avatar Kyoshi who did it. She murdered our previous leader, Chin the Great."

"You mean Chin the Conqueror. The man who tried to overthrow the 46th Earth King in 270 BG." Ray recalled.

"You really think that Aang murdered someone?" Lucy asked in disbelief.

"We used to be a great society before you killed our leader." A voice said from the right. Everyone looked to see an old man with a disfigured face. Then pointing to hisself he said, "Now look at us."

"Ugh!" Natsu and Gray said at the same time both frightened and disgusted.

"But Aang would never do anything like that." Wendy vouched.

"No Avatar would." Katara added with a shake of her head.

"It's not fair for you to question his honor!" Lucy pointed to them and said.

"Let's tell her what we think of the Avatar's 'honor'." The villager from earlier said. Then jumping around he pointed his butt at them and made a farting noise, from who knows where is beyond anyone's guess. This caused the crowd to agree with the guy. Lucy became angrier with this display but Erza placed a hand on her shoulder to calm Lucy down.

"Please give me a chance to clear my name." Aang asked them.

"The only way to prove your innocence is to stand trial." The mayor said.

"He'll gladly stand trial!" Natsu agreed.

"You'll have to follow our rules. And that includes paying bail." The mayor said.

"No problem." Aang said, feeling it wouldn't be one.

Ten minutes later...

Metal bars clinked together as the Avatar soon found himself in jail and wearing a stock over his head and hands. He looked to his friends outside of a large jail cell, who were either facepalming or looking to the Airbender with questioning looks and he asked, "How was I supposed to know they wouldn't take Water Tribe money?"

Lucy looked down to the ground in shame with her hands on her hips. Katara holds her hands before her eyes. Natsu crossed his arms. Gray leaned against the wall shaking his head at Aang. Erza stared at the Airbender with an annoyed expression. Wendy looked at Aang with a apologetic and sympathetic look. Sokka shook his head in annoyance.

"So some people don't like you. Big deal. There are a whole lot of Firebenders in the Fire Nation who hate you." Natsu said prompting Lucy to smack him.

"That's not helpful." Lucy admonished Natsu.

"Let's just bust him out of here before that mayor sees us." Gray said in a serious tone.

"I can't." Aang said as he hung his head.

"Sure you can! Just a little swish-swish-swish! Airbending slice! And we're on our way!" Sokka said as he made airbending motions with his hands annoying Lucy, Katara, Erza and Gray.

"What 'Master Swish' is trying to say is that you're supposed to be saving the world with me." Lucy spoke up.

"You can't do it while you're locked up here." Katara added.

"But I can't do that with people thinking I'm a murderer either. I need you guys to prove my innocence." Aang said.

"But we don't know how. That crime happened three hundred years ago. So where do we start?" Sokka then asked.

"Okay, Sokka. I always thought you were an expert detective." Aang said.

"Hmm. I guess I can be classified as such." Sokka commented.

"YOU? Since when?" Gray asked amused.

"Back home, he was famous for solving the mystery of the missing seal jerky." Katara pointed out.

"Everyone in the village wanted to blame it on a polar leopard..." Sokka started to describe what happened. Everyone was slightly bored with it as he continued, "But I figured out that it was Old Man Jarko wearing polar leopard boots."

"Okay, I guess that I am pretty good." Sokka admitted with a grin. Katara, Lucy, Natsu and Gray tried to hold in their laughter. Erza simply shook her head.

"So you'll help me?" A hopeful Aang asked.

"Fine, but I'll need some new props." Sokka said.

Five minutes later

Sokka was back before them wearing a ridiculous looking hat. The whole group was a little surprised by the hat and found it a little funny. Sokka slid a monocle attached to the hat around as he said, "I'm ready."

Most of the group started to snicker from Sokka's new look and it made the detective extend the monocle and he questioned, "What?"

"Nothing, 'detective guy'." Happy said.

Elsewhere in the Earth Kingdom, a nobleman's cart was being pulled by an armored ostrich-horse as it brayed. Two guards steered the ostrich-horse while the nobleman sat inside. The nobleman had a large greedy smile as he played with a large amount of coins in a small chest. The coins clacked together when he lifted some and let them fall back into the pile and did it all over again.

A large bump caused the man to fall forward. The man heard a commotion outside as he heard the guard outside fighting someone and losing. The man quickly locked the box before holding it close as the sounds of battle continued outside. Sweat ran down his head and the man breathed heavily as he waited for the sounds to stop. When it sounded like they did, the nobleman gave a sigh of relief.

But it wasn't over when a blade sliced through the roof of his cart and he screamed in fear. Another slice followed through before a fist came crashing into the cart. The nobleman looked up in fear as the Blue Spirit stood menacingly above him and moved his combined sword together. The nobleman held the chest up to the Blue Spirit who swiped it out of the man's hands. When the nobleman looked up again, he saw that the Blue Spirit was gone. His guards were lying beside the road and the ostrich-horse had run off.

Mayor Tong had completed his task at the office and now led the eight through the town. They came to a cliff with a amphitheatre overlooking a statue and a small temple before looking out to the ocean and the horizon. Mayor Tong then said, "This here is the crime scene."

The eight began to look about while Sokka took a close look at the temple. He walked up the steps and looked at the archway of the door. Mayor Tong had walked to the edge of the cliff and gestured to something at his feet, "This is the footprint of the killer, Kyoshi."

All eight walked over and looked down to see a small footprint. Sokka kneeled down and looked at the footprint. The monocle inadvertently dropped down into the footprint. The mayor then described the fateful day, "It was at sunset. Three hundred and seventy years ago today, when she emerged from this here temple and struck down Chin the Great."

They all looked around the temple to the statue of the hero as it had a fist raised. Mayor Tong sounded mournful as he said, "After that tragic day, we built this statue to immortalize our great leader." Mayor Tong looked to them, "Feel free to look about."

With that said, the mayor began to walk off back into the village. Sokka then said, "Okay, gang. Let's look for clues."

Sokka then walked up to the statue. He looked over it, noticing everything about it. Then he ran over to the temple before examining it as well.

"This temple and this statue were cut from the same stone. And we all know the statue was built *after* Chin died." Sokka said.

"So, if they were built at the same time, that means..." Lucy started to say.

"Quiet! I want to solve it!" Sokka rudely said.

"Then do it, three year old!" Lucy replied.

"That means Kyoshi never set foot in this temple!" Sokka continued.

"Not bad, Sherlock Moron." Gray said.

"This is a big hole in the mayor's story, but that's not enough to prove Aang's innocence." Katara pointed out.

"We'll need more evidence than that." Erza said.

"You're right. We need to go to Kyoshi Island." Sokka agreed.

"Where'd you get that?" Natsu asked as he looked at the dragon pipe.

Back at the prison, Aang was waiting patiently for the others to come back.

"You got a bald head and some nice tattoos." A voice from the shadows said.

Aang looked to the back of the cell to where some of the other inmates were concealed by the shadows. The owner of the voice walked out and was revealed to be a bald man with a green snake tattoo running all over his body. With a growl, the man lunged forward at Aang. But the prisoner had a chain wrapped around his neck and it stopped him from getting real close. Looking down at Aang he said, "You're going to fit in real well around here, kid."

Aang gave a nervous smile as the man clenched his fist. But the man relaxed and then said, "But you don't have to worry much about us. We're not so bad once you get to know us."

"Huh?" Aang said, confused.

The group had been flying on Appa for a few hours and soon saw the island of Kyoshi underneath them. When they started flying real low to land, the people of the island saw the bison and someone rang the bell. Everyone became excited to see the group again and ran to meet them at the village entrance.

Appa, ShineGreymon and Omnimon passed over the statue of Avatar Kyoshi before landing right in front of it. The whole town had gathered to see the team. Cheers rang out and a familiar face ran to the front of the crowd. He became lost for words as he looked to some folks. They were startled when he gave nonsensical mutters as he looked between them. Then raising his hands into the air he began shouting with joy and started foaming at the mouth. Then the man slowly fell to the ground and passed out.

The rest of the team waved to the islanders. Another familiar face, Koko, saw that one person in particular wasn't among them. Stamping her foot, she questioned, "Where's Aangy?"

"You're still calling him that?" Gray asked.

"Aang couldn't be here Koko, sorry." Lucy told the little girl. This caused a few dejected cries from the crowd. The foaming fan rose to his feet and looked about to see the sad looks on everyone's faces. Then wiping his mouth, the man raised his shirt over his head like a hood before walking off.

"I wanted to see Aangy, but at least you're here Miss Lucy." Koko said and the crowd cheered in agreement.

"Thanks." Lucy smiled.

"We're here because Aang has been arrested." Ray explained. "Chin's mayor told us he murdered their village leader in a past life."

"What?!" Oyaji asked, shocked.

"They say it was Kyoshi." Natsu said.

"That's crazy talk! I'll take you to her shrine. Maybe something there can help you clear Aang's name." Oyaji stated.

They all started walking together to get to the shrine.

"So...uh, what's Suki up to? Is she around?" Sokka asked Oyaji.

"Yeah and how's Skyla?" Lucy questioned.

"Those two and the other warriors left to go fight in the war. You kids had such a big impact on those two. They said you inspired them and they wanted to change the world." Oyaji explained.

"Oh...well...that's great." Sokka said, disappointed.

"Well, I'm glad Skyla's doing great. She's a great fighter." Lucy commented.

They soon came to a spot where a small temple sat behind a gate. Oyaji then told them, "This temple was converted into a shrine to honor Kyoshi."

The group walked into the shrine. When the nine walked into the room, they looked about as Oyaji said, "The clerics tell us that these very relics are still connected to her spirit."

Wendy walked up to Kyoshi's outfit and boots. Oyaji told her, "That's her kimono."

"She had exquisite taste." Wendy said when she looked to him while touching the kimono.

"Please don't touch." Oyaji said seriously.

"Sorry." Wendy apologized.

"Her fans were her weapons correct?" Erza asked as she looked at a fan.

"Correct. Please refrain from touching them as well." Oyaji added.

"These were her boots?" Lucy asked, surprised.

"Her feet must have been enormous." Katara said.

"The biggest of any Avatar." Oyaji said proudly.

That got Lucy and Katara thinking about the crime scene.

"Wait...big feet." Lucy said as she remembered the small footprint.

"Little footprint?" Katara asked.

"As we figured. There's no way." Erza was interrupted by Sokka.

"Hey. Special outfit? Hat and pipe? These things mean anything to any of you?" Sokka asked.

"No. Not really." Lucy answered with a smirk.

"Fine. Go ahead, Sherlock Idiot." Gray said.

"Aha! There's no way Kyoshi could have made that footprint and therefore, there is nothing linking her to the crime scene." Sokka said.

"Brilliant, Sokka." Katara said with a eye roll.

"I think I'd make a better detective than him." Lucy commented.

"You said it." Natsu agreed with her.

The sun was starting to set as Aang still sat with the group of prisoners. Aang had told them about his feelings for Katara. The man with the snake tattoo reassured the Airbender, "This girl you're talking about. She'll come around." With a nod he added, "You just got to hang in there."

"You think so?" Aang asked as he was able to pull his head out of the stock. They all nodded in agreement, "Sure. Yeah. You're a catch."

"I don't know." Aang said as he still felt unsure. But the prisoners were on Aang's side as the man with the snake tattoos then said, "Hey, don't be like that. Remember, you're smart, handsome, funny. Not to mention that you're the Avatar."

"You guys are great. Thanks." Aang said as he took their words to heart. The man with the scar over his eye cried as he let his feelings out, "Don't be afraid to tell her how you feel about her."

Oyaji led the group to a shrine and said, "And here is what was painted on the day the island was founded. The piece is called *"The Birth of Kyoshi"."*

Then he added, "It was painted at sunrise on the day this island was founded. Why, it was today in fact, three hundred and seventy years ago."

"Wait. Three hundred and seventy years ago? Are you sure it was today?" Sokka questioned.

"Seeing as how it's Kyoshi Day, yes. I'm sure." Oyaji said.

"This ceremony didn't take place at sunrise. It took place at sunset." Sokka said as he got a knowing smirk.

"I see the shadows." Erza pointed at the painting.

"They point east so the sun must have been in the west." Lucy deduced.

"So what?" Oyaji asked.

"If Kyoshi was in the ceremony at sunset, she couldn't have been in Chin commiting the crime. She has an alibi!" Sokka declared. Lucy and Erza snatched the dragon pipe before bashing it against his head.

"Nice conclusion, 'Detective'." Gray said sarcastically.

They had returned to the prison in Chin long after the sun had set. They had asked for Mayor Tong to meet with them. The group stood on one side of the grate while Mayor Tong stood on the other side.

"Honorable Avatar, we've prepared a solid defense for the Avatar. We did an investigation and found some strong evidence." Katara said.

"Evidence? That's not how the court system works." The mayor scoffed.

"That's stupid!" Natsu yelled.

"Aye!" Happy also yelled.

"How can Aang prove his innocence?" Wendy asked.

"Simple. I say what happened, then'll he say what happened, then I'll decide who's right." Mayor Tong said, pointing to himself and Aang.

This caused the entire group to gasp in shock to this. With a shrug the mayor then said, "That's why we call us 'justice'. Cause it's 'just us'."

Then turning to the doors he cackled at his words.

"I'll bring you justice when I'm done with you!" Lucy yelled.

The next morning the crowd had gathered at the amphitheatre and Aang, still in the stock, and Mayor Tong stood before the temple. The team sat among the villagers as they waited for the trial to start. Mayor Tong looked to Avatar Aang and said, "Good luck."

"Uh thanks." Aang said as the man stepped forth. He cleared his throat to quiet the crowds and then began, "Everyone loved Chin the Great because he was so great. Then the Avatar showed up and killed him. That's how it happened." Mayor Tong said and then walked off towards the seats, a smile on his face.

*'Please, I know the true circumstances of Chin's death all those centuries ago.'* Ray said in his head. *'He got himself killed after refusing to surrender to Kyoshi.'*

"The accused will now present his argument." The balliff announced.

"You can do this Aang." Natsu placed a hand on his mouth and said to his friend.

"Just remember the evidence." Carla added.

"Right...evidence. Ladies and gentlemen...I'm about to tell you what happened. And I will prove it with facts. Fact number one..." Aang tried to remember.

"The footprint!" Lucy reminded him.

"Oh, yeah. You see I have large feet. Furthermore, your temple matches your statue, but...I was in a painting at sunset. So there you have it. I'm not guilty." Aang sounded joyous as he jumped.

The crowd slightly glared while his friends gave him encouraging smiles, even though they were all thinking the same thing as Sokka said to the others, "He's dead."

"Shut up." Erza demanded.

"Yes ma'am." Sokka complied.

Back at their cave, Iroh walked into the cave as more and more stuff had been brought in.

"Looks like you went and did some very serious shopping, but where did you get the money to buy this stuff?" Aiko picked it up and asked.

"Uncle, do you like your new teapot?" Zuko asked, dancing around the subject.

"To be honest with you, nephew, the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup." Iroh told him. Rising from his spot, the elder man walked up to his young nephew and said, "I know that we've had some difficult times lately. We've lost our home, good friends and now we're fugitives." He turned it around by saying, "And though we've struggled just to get by, it's not something to be ashamed of."

"There's a simple honor in poverty." Iroh said with a nod.

"There's no honor for me without the Celestial Mage or the Avatar." Zuko shook his head.

"Zuko, even if you did capture the Celestial Mage and the Avatar, I'm sure it wouldn't solve our problems. Not now, anyway." Aiko reminded him.

"Then there is no hope at all." Zuko said, feeling like the world was completely against them.

"No, Zuko. Do not give into despair. If you allow yourself to slip down that road, you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest of times, hope is something that you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength." Iroh said.

Zuko turned to look his uncle in the eye as Iroh let him go. Without so much as a word, Zuko rose to his feet and walked out of the cave. Iroh watched him go before hanging his head and closing his eyes, hoping for his nephew to find his light.

It was an hour before sunset and the group had successfully returned with Kyoshi's stuff.

"Mayor Tong, I'd like for the court to hear one last testimony." Lucy said.

"I've already told you, it's just me and the accused. You can't call any witnesses." Mayor Tong reminded her.

"This isn't just any witness. We're going to call...Avatar Kyoshi herself!" Katara exclaimed.

The crowd started talking among themselves as Aang walked out of the temple wearing all of Avatar Kyoshi's things. He wore her head dress, kimono, boots, her fans were placed in the waist band and his face had been painted. All that Aang was really missing was hair like Kyoshi's. The nine took a seat on the bench and Gray asked, "What are you guys doing?"

"Well, she is Aang's past life. Maybe wearing her outfit will trigger something." Lucy said with a shrug.

"I do believe in the power of stuff." Sokka nodded as he thought about it.

"This is a mockery of Chin law!" Mayor Tong protested.

"Please! If you could just wait one more minute, I'm sure Kyoshi will be here." Katara pleaded with him.

"Hi, everybody. Avatar Kyoshi here." Aang said.

"This is ridiculous! For the murder of Chin the Great, this court finds the Avatar..."

But before he could even cast the verdict, a gust of wind came over the cliff as a tornado completely covered up Aang. Everyone held onto something as the tornado continued to spin. The sky seemed to darken as an unearthly shadow was spread out over the area. When the tornado ended, standing in the place of Aang was Avatar Kyoshi herself. She raised her head, opened her eyes and her voice echoed when she said, "I killed Chin the Conqueror."

The group looked in awe and shock at the news. Kyoshi then recounted of what went on during that time.

(Flashback)

"A horrible tyrant." *Kyoshi described him from what she saw of his deeds. She remembered him earthbending innocent people away when he was upset. The man himself then looked to the horizon as he had plans.* "Chin was expanding his army to all corners of the continent."

*Chin's takeover expanded from a small island to the rest of the Earth Kingdom after some time of conquest. They lastly came to the peninsula where Kyoshi's home was.* "When they came to the neck of the peninsula where we lived, he demanded our immediate surrender."

*Chin, with his army behind him, stopped just before the could invade the land. Kyoshi met them to stop them from going any further. Chin stamped his foot to make his point. But when Kyoshi met with Chin, it turns out that their sizes were greatly different.* "I warned him that I would not sit passively by while he took our home.

"But he did not back down." *Chin assumed his stance and prepared to fight against Kyoshi. His foot stomped into the ground and left a familiar shape in the ground. Kyoshi removed one of her fans before opening it up and unleashing a blast of air at Chin and his army. The winds were strong enough to leave Chin in nothing but his hat, shoes and underwear. The army behind him gasped at this. Kyoshi then closed her eyes as she prepared herself.* "On that day, we split from the mainland."

*She opened her eyes and entered the Avatar State to be able to split her home from the rest of the Earth Kingdom. When her eyes stopped glowing, Kyoshi took out her other fan and opened them up before jumping and extended her right arm to the land on her left. A large fissure ran through the earth before connecting to the ocean. Then Kyoshi repeated the action with her left arm to the land on her right. The fissure grew longer by spreading to the other side. A large dust cloud had been raised from the earthbending as Kyoshi stood straight and closed her fans. Then jumping up, she plunged her closed fans into the earth to spread the fissure downward. Chin and his army watched as the fissure opened up between the two sides. Kyoshi then raised her fans and waved them around in circular motions before raising her arms up and causing a large wall of magma to rise out of the fissure. The wall of magma rose high into the air before falling back down into the fissure. Kyoshi then spun around before blasting a powerful gust of air. Chin covered his ears while some of the army was blown back. Seeing as they were no match against Kyoshi, the army started to flee for their lives. Kyoshi's continuous blast of air caused the new island to start moving away from the mainland. A large cloud of magma burned underneath the ocean on both sides and in the fissure as the new island continued to move away.*

*When the air no longer blew against him, Chin looked to see the island moving away very fast. He walked up to the edge of the cliff as it disappeared on the horizon. Chin then let out a frustrated scream that his conquest would never be completed. But as he kept screaming, the cliff underneath him gave way and fell into the sea. His fate was sealed when he splashed down into the water. And the rest was pretty much history.*

(End of flashback)

Back in the present, Kyoshi finished up by saying, "I created Kyoshi Island so my people could be safe from invaders."

With her testimony done, Kyoshi closed her eyes, hung her head and the tornado formed around her once again, meaning that she was done. Everyone watched as the darkness receded back to the tornado. When it ended Aang, still wearing Kyoshi's clothing, was standing there again. Aang weakly groaned as he started to sway. Katara and Lucy ran forward and stopped him from falling over.

"What just happened?" Aang asked.

"Uh...you kind of confessed." Katara answered.

"Sorry." Lucy said.

"And I find you guilty! Bring out the Wheel of Punishment!" Mayor Tong shouted.

The crowd started to cheer.

"This is not good." Happy said.

"You think?" Carla sarcastically asked while Momo covered his eyes with his tail and Grace covers her eyes with her paws.

Back at the cave, Iroh and Aiko were putting some stuff into a box when Zuko came back in. After a while of being alone with his thoughts, Zuko came to an uneasy conclusion. He took a deep breath before saying, "Uncle."

The older man looked back to see his nephew standing there and Zuko said, "I've thought a lot about what you said earlier."

"You did?" Iroh asked, feeling a little better. Turning his head away he nodded, "Good, good."

"It's helped me realize something. We no longer have anything to gain by traveling together." Zuko said.

Iroh closed his eyes and Aiko was shocked.

"What?" Aiko exclaimed.

"I need to find my own way." Zuko said.

A surprised Iroh didn't look back as he nodded. Looking down for a moment, Zuko wanted to say something to his uncle, but couldn't find the right words. Zuko then grabbed a pack and started to walk away from his uncle and their hideout. Though a little heartbroken by Zuko leaving, Iroh still wanted to look out for his nephew. He walked forward to give Zuko something to help him on his journey.

Zuko hadn't walked but a few steps when he heard his uncle shout, "Wait!"

Looking back, Zuko saw Iroh walking up with the ostrich-horse. It brayed as Iroh handed Zuko the reins. A grateful Zuko took them before jumping onto the ostrich-horse's back.

"Be careful out there." Aiko advised.

"I will." Zuko said as he cat one last glance at the two before riding off.

The sun was starting to set over the town of Chin as they got ready for the sentence. Back at the amphitheatre of Chin, the citizens had brought down a large wheel and placed it next to Aang.

"The accused will now spin the wheel of punishment to determine his sentence." The balliff explained.

Aang cast one glance to his friends and said, "I did say I would face justice. So I will."

He walked up to the wheel. Aang grabbed a side of the wheel before spinning it with all his might. The wheel spun really fast and a lot of options passed underneath the deciding arrow on top and. Behind the group in the seats, the team could hear some of the citizens shout, "Come on, torture machine! Eaten by bears! Razor pit!"

"Community service!" Lucy shouted.

"Please land on community service!" Katara also shouted.

Soon the wheel began to slow down and everyone watched to see where it would land. It was stopping on the one where one would be boiled alive.

"Looks like it's boiled in oil." The balliff read out.

Another roar of wild cheers erupted from the crowd at the punishment. Aang's eye twitched at the sound of his sentence while the rest of the team had horrified expressions on their faces.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Erza shouted.

Unbeknownst to them, a small explosive landed beside the temple before exploding.

"What was that?" Natsu asked.

"Look!" Lucy exclaimed. The komodo rhino riders from the day before were able to get into the town.

"Not him again." Gray said.

"We have come to claim this village for the Fire Lord!" The leader shouted down at them.

Then he demanded, "Now, show me your leader so we may..."

The man with the curved spear rode down to Chin's statue before slicing through it. The blade was able to cleanly cut through it and the pieces fell to the ground. The leader then smirked and added, "Dethrone him."

A villager turned and pointed at Mayor Tong, "That's him over there!"

Mayor Tong quickly hid behind the Wheel of Punishment in fear.

Mayor Tong then said, "Avatar Aang! Please do something!"

"Last time I checked, he was supposed to be boiled in oil." Ray reminded the mayor. Mayor Tong moved the wheel so it stopped on community service.

"There! Community service. Now serve our community and get rid of those rhinos!" Mayor Tong commanded.

"That's all you had to say." The group prepared for battle. Aang dashed forward before jumping up and out of Kyoshi's kimono and kicked off her boots. Then rushing towards the man with the curved spear who rushed forward to attack.

ShineGreymon lifted one of the rhinos off the ground by it's head and threw it far away from the village causing it's rider to fall from the saddle.

"Rrrah!" He released a war cry.

"You owe us loser." Lucy told the mayor as she went to assist Aang.

"Rough Rhinos! To the town!" The leader ordered.

The archer shoots his fire arrows at the town setting fire to the roof of a building. The fires that were started quickly spread from either arrows or firebenders. The man with the explosives rode through the town and took a few out before igniting them and tossing them to the side. They landed in a cart of hay before detonating. The man with the ball and chain was able to snag a few posts before bringing the awnings down.

He let loose a scream as he spun his weapon above his head. But he stopped when Katara and Wendy ran in front of him before throwing his weapon. Katara created a barrier of ice in front of her and deflected the weapon. The weapon wrapped itself around him and he struggled to get out before looking at them with a worried expression.

"Sky Dragon Wing Attack!" Wendy generated a large whirlwind from each of her arms, which twists and rotates knocking the rider off the saddle. Katara then used a water whip to make the komodo rhino rush off.

Sokka, Natsu and Gray had come down one street and turned to see that they had the guy with explosives on one side and the archer on the other. The archer was about to take another shot. Acting fast, Sokka whipped out his dragon pipe and threw it at the archer. The pipe landed mouth first on the burning flame and doused it, surprising the archer. Erza snuck up behind him in her Flame Empress armor and with Natsu's help knocked him out. With him knocked out, Katara ran up and cut through the straps of the saddle. The archer's unconscious form fell to the ground, but his foot was caught in the saddle. Another water whip made the mount run off and drag the unconscious archer along.

Elsewhere, Lucy and Aang ran down another street and came face to face with the leader of the Rough Rhinos. The Rough Rhino leader made a circular motion with his arms and brought a flame over his fingers.

He then charged forward with flames raised. Aang and Lucy charged forward as well. The Rough Rhino maneuvered to where the flames on his hands were behind him and he prepared to strike. Aang and Lucy jumped over him and onto a wall before rebounding towards him. The leader raised both fists into the air while Aang used a blast of air to shield himself from the fire. The Avatar landed behind the leader as the fans and headdress fell to the ground. The Rough Rhino leader turned to him. Aang then twisted his body before forming an Air Scooter underneath him and charging forward. Lucy mounted Chou and they charge at the leader. The Firebender fired a few shots at them. They were able to dodge and Aang slid underneath the rhino. Chou then rammed into it but the leader got it back on it's feet. The two charged at the leader once again and he shot powerful fire blasts at the pair that consumed the alley but Aang jumped up and used his Airbending as a shield to go right through the fire. Chou ran through it unscathed. Aang and Lucy landed a kick that knocked the Rough Rhino leader off his mount. It knocked the man into a few crates.

Later that evening fireworks went off in the village.

"From now on, we'll celebrate a new Avatar Day and also start a new Celestial Mage day as well in honor of the day Avatar Aang and Celestial Mage Lucy saved us from the Rough Rhino invasion." Tong said. Sokka and Natsu look at their bowls.

"Uh, what's this?" Natsu asked referring to the content of the bowls.

"That's our new festival food! Unfried dough. May we eat it and be reminded of how this day the Avatar was not boiled in oil." Tong said.

Another round of cheering came from the crowd while the team had looked into their bowls. They all looked uncertain as they looked to each other and picked up the dough.

Katara then put on a smile and said, "Happy Avatar and Celestial Mage Day, everyone."

They all started eating.

"This isn't that bad right?" Wendy asked.

"This is by far the worst town we've been to." Gray nodded.

"Agreed." Sokka nodded.

"I can't believe there's a new Celestial Mage holiday now. You're getting famous now, Lucy." Happy said.

"This is a bit much for me though." Lucy admitted out loud.