Zuko stood up.

"My name is Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation," He faltered slightly, "Or at least I used to be. I know my people have distorted the ways of firebending, to be fueled by anger and rage. But now I want to learn the true way, the original way. When we came here, I never imagined the Sun Warrior's civilisation was secretly alive. I am truly humbled to be in your presence,"

The three bowed their heads respectfully,

"Please teach us"

"If you wish to learn the ways of the sun, you must learn them from the masters, Ran and Shaw" The Chief replied.

"Ran and Shaw?" Aang asked, "There are two of them?"

"When you present yourself to them, they will examine you. They'll read your hearts, your souls, your ancestry," He took a step toward Zuko who stared back nervously, "If they deem you worthy, they'll teach you. If they don't, you'll be destroyed on the spot"

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

"You will each take a piece of it to the masters, to show your commitment to the sacred art of firebending" The Sun Warrior Chief explained.

Meiluna thought this was a good time to speak up.

"Um, if I may," She looked up anxiously at the Chief who towered over her, "I'm actually not a firebender," She let out a nervous laugh, "I'm the Princess of the North Pole"

The Chief stared at her before signalling two other Sun Warriors. They walked over restraining Meiluna's arms, holding her in place.

"Let's hope your friends make it back to you then" He spoke in a low voice.

Meiluna gulped nervously looking over to Aang and Zuko who watched her with concern.

"Mister Sun Chief Sir," Aang awkwardly rubbed the side of his neck, "Yeah, I'm not a firebender yet," He pointed to Zuko, "Couldn't my friend here carry my fire for me?"

"No," The chief remained emotionless, "The ritual illustrates the essence of Sun Warrior philosophy. You must remain at a constant heat. The flame will go out if you make it too small. Make it too big and you might lose control"

Zuko brought his arm forward, taking the flame as Aang did the same.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous," He looked relieved as he managed to capture the flame,

"It's like a little heartbeat"

"Fire is life, not just destruction. You will take your flames up there" The Chief pointed to the top of a mountain,

"The cave of the masters is beneath that rock"

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

Zuko and Aang descended from the mountain as the Sun Warriors released Meiluna from their hold, allowing her to run up to the Aang wrapping her arms him, placing a soft kiss on top of his forehead,

"You did it!"

Aang grinned as he returned the hug while Zuko stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

She smiled as she released him, turning to look at Zuko, catching his gaze on her. He quickly stepped forward to avoid the awkward situation, turning to address the Chief.

"Their fire was beautiful. I saw so many colours, colours I've never imagined" Zuko recounted in awe.

"Like firebending harmony" Aang added.

"Yes, they judged you and gave you visions of the meaning of firebending" The Chief explained.

"I can't believe there are still living dragons. My uncle Iroh said he faced the last dragon and killed it" Zuko spoke, looking to the Sun Warriors.

"Actually, it wasn't a total lie," A small smile appeared on the Chief's face, "Iroh was the last outsider to face the masters. They deemed him worthy and passed the secret into him as well"

"He must've lied to protect them, so no one else would hunt them" Zuko realised.

"All this time, I thought firebending was destruction. Since I hurt Katara, I've been too afraid and hesitant. But now I know what it really is," Aang said with a smile, "It's energy and life"

"Yeah, it's like the Sun, but inside of you. Do you guys realise that?" Zuko asked the warriors.

"Well, our civilisation is called the Sun Warriors, so yeah" The Chief replied sarcastically.

"That's why my firebending was so weak before. Because for so many years, hunting you," Zuko looked at Aang, "Was my drive, it was my purpose. So when I joined you, I lost sight of my inner fire. But now, I have a new drive. I have to help you defeat my father and restore balance to the world"

"Now that you have learned the secrets, and you know about our tribes existence, we have no choice but to imprison you forever"

Meiluna felt her heart stop for a moment, staring at the Chief.

"Just kidding, but seriously don't tell anyone!"

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

Meiluna settled comfortably on Appa's back while Aang held tightly on to his reins, guiding the bison back to their campsite. Zuko silently sat beside Meiluna, who instantly leaned her body away from his, staring intently at the clouds littering the sky. Zuko wasn't sure how to apologise without making things even more awkward between himself and the Princess.

He was aware that he needed to gain trust and forgiveness from all five members of Team Avatar eventually, but there was just something about the cold treatment he was receiving from Meiluna that pained him so much more, he could practically feel it tearing into his heart.

Meiluna noticed Zuko take deep breaths and open his mouth as if he were about to say something, only for him to shut it once more before mumbling under his breath.

"I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you" Zuko started quietly.

He glanced at Meiluna to see her expression remaining unchanged as she continued to view the blue expanse surrounding them.

"I was awful to you and your friends. I thought if my father accepted me then I could do the same, but I was wrong. I let myself be blinded by my need for approval and love from him" He continued, looking down at his fingers,

"I didn't realise I hurt the people who really did care for me"

Zuko thought of how horribly he treated his uncle and the Princess, who had only wanted the best for him.

"But I want to make things right, even if it takes the rest of my life, I will spend every moment making it up to you"

"What if you hurt me again?"

Zuko turned his head, catching Meiluna with a tense expression. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed as her eyes expressed concern. He noticed her bottom lip tremble slightly as she asked the question.

"I won't" Zuko told her firmly.

Meiluna sighed softly, shifting her position to face the Prince, looking directly into his own eyes.

"I don't believe you"

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

"With the technique the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable" Aang explained as he and Zuko demonstrated.

Everyone gave them a round of applause as they reached their final stance.

"Yeah, that's a great dance you two learned there" Sokka laughed.

"It's not a dance, it's a firebending form" Zuko scowled.

"We'll just tap-dance our way to victory over the Fire Lord" Sokka continued as Meiluna laughed.

"It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old!" Zuko informed.

"Oh yeah?" Katara rose an eyebrow, "What's your little form called?"

Zuko felt a blush creep on to his cheeks as he mumbled the answer,

"The Dancing Dragon"

☆☆☆