Chapter Text
When the Avatar and his friends arrived at the Western Air Temple, they were a bit of a mess. They had just lost a great battle after all. In fact, they had been beaten before the invasion of the Fire Nation had really begun. Their enemy had known about their plans and won the fight.
The small group had lost their chance to stop the Fire Nation, to end the war, and to save their friends, family, and allies. Teo, Haru, and The Duke were all acting fine, but their defeat still weighed down their shoulders. They were exploring the tunnels of the Temple now, but their loved ones had been captured just a few hours before.
Toph felt bad that the Earth Benders she used to fight in tournaments had ended up in prison trying to help them.
Sokka and Katara’s father had been imprisoned as well, and the older of the two learned that someone close to him had been captured months ago.
Aang lost his chance to redeem both himself and Avatar Roku, and lost his chance to restore balance to the world. He felt like he had let everyone down.
They were tired, discouraged, and sad, but they knew that they still had to figure out where to go from there. The new plan was the old plan: Aang mastering the four elements before Sozin's Comet arrives during summer. However, that meant they had to find him a firebending teacher, fast.
The last thing they wanted to hear was that Toph felt someone walking towards them. They all took up fighting stances- they weren’t going to lose anyone else today. Rock and water hung in the air, Sokka’s boomerang and sword pointed outward, and Aang’s staff was at the ready. They should have known that they wouldn’t just be able to rest and plan. It made sense that they would have been followed, but the question was how they didn’t notice it before.
They didn’t expect a familiar voice as the invader stepped into the doorway with his hands tucked in his tattered sleeves.
“Please, do not attack me. I mean you no harm.”
The earthbender dropped her stance completely, the ground shaking as her chunk of rock fell downward, “Iroh?”
“What are you doing here?” Aang asked, a slight hesitation in his voice as he let his guard lower.
Before the firebender could answer, Sokka interrupted, “are you going to ask us to help save Zuko again?”
No one missed the flinch or the look on Iroh’s face before he regained his composure.
“No,” he shook his head, “rather, I’m here to return the favor.”
Katara bent her water back into the fountain, “then why are you here?”
Iroh looked directly at Aang, then bowed, “it would be my honor to teach you firebending, young Avatar.”
No one had expected that response.
“I understand if you are skeptical,” he continued, “and if you need some time to decide, that is completely fine. You do not have to say yes if you do not want to. I will wait in the hallway; take your time.”
The group simply stood there for a moment as Iroh walked into the hall. They exchanged looks, then Toph broke the silence.
“This is great! You need a firebending teacher, and boom! One shows up!”
Sokka waved his hands, “woah, woah, woah, you can’t be serious.”
“I don’t know, Sokka,” Aang said, “Iroh seems like a great guy.”
Before the warrior could object, Katara cut him off. “Aang’s right. Even when we weren’t on the same side, he still fought to protect the Moon Spirit at the North Pole.”
“Moon Spirit?” Toph raised an eyebrow.
Sokka summarized, “an evil Fire Bender called Zhao tried to kill the Moon Spirit and Iroh tried to stop him...”
“And after that, it was Iroh that recognized Yue could revive the Moon Spirit, too,” his sister finished for him, knowing it was still a very sore subject. “Also, if it weren’t for Iroh, Aang and I never would have escaped Ba Sing Se.”
Everyone else turned to look at her. It took her a few seconds to remember that Toph and Sokka hadn’t been there, and Aang had been... unconscious... during that time.
“After Azula hit Aang with lightning, there were Dai Li agents everywhere,” she explained. “I never could have fought them, Azula, and Zuko off at the same time while protecting Aang, but Iroh showed up out of nowhere and fought all of them. He bought me enough time to escape, and if he hadn’t done that... Aang wouldn’t be here.”
The realization hung heavily in the air along with a brief silence.
“I think I’m going to accept his offer,” the airbender stated. “He’s never really attacked us, even when he was with Zuko, and now he says he’s willing to teach me. What do you guys think?”
“I think that’s a great idea, Twinkle Toes!” Toph grinned.
Katara gave a small nod, “Iroh’s trustworthy, and he’s the only firebender that will teach you.”
Her brother hesitated for a moment. “... If Zuko shows up, then I told you so... but Katara’s right. You have to learn firebending.”
Aang smiled at his friends and they walked over to where Iroh was sitting. He sensed their presence and got to his feet.
The airbender bowed in the traditional Fire Nation manner, having perfected it during his time at school, “I would be honored to have you as my teacher, Iroh.”
The Avatar’s new Master bowed back, “I am very glad.”