Macai, Spengi, and Rosh walk towards the Fire Nation Palace. It is a crowded evening, with several people traveling through the streets. As they get closer to the palace, Macai says, "Follow me, we are going to take a brief detour across the left entrance." As the boys get closer to the left gate, they notice a young girl in a pink fire nation uniform with a brown ponytail, brown eyes, a small nose, small lips, fair skin, and a vibrant smile.

She looks at the young men, "Hey boys, which one of you is Macai?"

Macai steps forward and puts his hand on the center of his chest and proclaims,"I am."

The girl smiles, "And who are your friends?"

Rosh steps forward and smiles, "I'm Rosh."

Spengi steps beside Rosh and announces, "And I'm Spengi."Rosh and Spengi both smile at her and she giggles.

Macai smirks, "What's your name?"

The girl answers, "Ty Lee. I'm Azula's best friend. I will lead you guys to her."

Ty Lee uses a beckoning call to summon the boys. Macai follows behind her but Rosh briefly hesitates and locks eyes with Spengi. Rosh: "What do you think of her?"

Spengi: "I like her. I guess Azula can't be so bad after all."

Rosh: "Or maybe she's too good for Azula. Either way, stay out of the way. She's mine." Rosh pokes Spengi in the chest while saying this.

Spengi chuckles and whispers, "No Rosh. I don't see a ring on her finger and as far as I know, she is single. So she is not yours. We'll see who she likes more."

Rosh laughs, "Oh, challenge accepted."

The two are suddenly interrupted by Macai who asks: "Rosh, Spengi, will you guys come on? What are you two doing? Please stop playing around, I don't have all day." Spengi and Rosh rush behind him and they follow Ty Lee into the palace. The palace is full of many rich black, gold, and red decorations.

Ty Lee gives them a tour around the palace and explains several of the paintings within the palace halls. Ty Lee shows them the palace sauna, kitchen, and sparring quarters. Macai finally asks: "Where is Azula?"

Ty Lee responds, "I knew you were going to ask that, don't worry we will get to her next. But it is a surprise."

Spengi exclaims, "I love surprises!"

Ty Lee cheerfully replies, "Me too." Rosh glances at Spengi with resentment. Ty Lee finally takes them to the garden. The garden is filled with beautiful light green grass, plush bushes, and small trees. They notice Azula and another girl chatting in a garden. The other girl seems a bit older than Azula, has pale skin, dark hair, has a very thin frame, dark brown eyes, and is a bit taller than Azula and Ty Lee.

Ty Lee exclaims, "I brought the boys! Macai and his friends."

Azula smiles, "Hi Macai, it's good to see you. Who are your friends?"

Ty Lee points, "This is Spengi and Rosh."

Rosh lightly grunts and thinks, Oh gosh, she said Spengi's name first. I hope he is not making a better impression than me. If so, he is going to rub this in my face for a while.

Azula barks, "Ty Lee, I didn't ask YOU to tell me who they are. They could have done it themselves."

Ty Lee puts her head down and murmurs, "Sorry."

Rosh interrupts, "Don't be, you did nothing wrong."

Ty Lee's eyes widen in surprise and Azula glares at Rosh with disdain. Rosh smiles when he notices Azula's reaction. Azula responds, "Rosh, is it? You are a bold one. You might want to check that habit when you are around me."

Rosh responds, "I'm not Zuko, you CAN'T order me around."

Azula raises her eyebrows then looks at Macai. Azula: "Macai, please check your friend. He is being unruly."

Macai says, "Come on Rosh, cut it out." Rosh shrugs his shoulders.

Ty Lee interrupts, "I made some cookies. Coconut oatmeal flavor."

Azula retorts, "I hate them."

Rosh responds, "I'll try one." Rosh takes a bite of one of the cookies and asks, "I like it, what's the secret ingredient?"

Ty Lee: "Happiness."

Rosh: "Why did you tell me? How is it supposed to be a secret if you tell me so easily?"

Ty Lee giggles, "Well, that's not the real secret."

Azula yawns, "Isn't this just a hoot."

An uncomfortable Spengi looks at Macai with his eyebrows raised. Macai looks at Mai, "You haven't said much."

Mai: "Yeah, I don't have anything to say. Just watching the fireworks."

Azula looks at Macai, "Macai, come with me. I want to talk and I have a game for us to play."

Rosh follows behind Macai and Azula, "No, I just want to play with Macai. We will rejoin you guys later." Rosh sighs. Macai and Azula exit the garden.

Ty Lee: "Don't worry, you guys can still talk to us. Maybe we'll make our own fun game."

Rosh smiles, locks eyes with her, and responds, "That is fine with me. We'll make a BETTER game than whatever they're doing."

Ty Lee chuckles, "Yeah."

The three converse for about ten minutes. Ty Lee: "I'll be right back, I have an idea for the game."

Rosh asks, "Can I come with you?"

Ty Lee smiles, "Sure?"

Spengi: "Can I come too?"

Ty Lee: "You should stay with Mai, keep her company."

Spengi scratches his head and replies, "Ok."

Ty Lee and Rosh depart. Spengi looks at Mai, "Well, it's just us. Any ideas?"

Mai: "Not really."

Spengi: "Are you looking forward to anything?"

Mai: "Nope, you?"

Spengi: "There is a city parade coming up next weekend, I'm looking forward to that."

Mai: "I hate parades."

Spengi: "Why?"

Mai: "Well, all you do is walk around and look at a bunch of men in costumes. But at least there are some decent snacks."

Spengi: "What about the music?"

Mai: "It's not great. Just boring parade music?"

Spengi: "What about the people?"

Mai: "Meh."

Spengi wonders, Wow, this girl is a real downer. I don't know what to say. Spengi stands awkwardly for a few seconds then asks, "So you mean to tell me there is nothing you are looking forward to?"

Mai: "Honestly, I have already seen it all before. There is nothing to really offer that I haven't seen before."

Spengi: "I have already played with my chess set, but it's always fun to do it again. When I get the chance."

Mai: "Different strokes for different folks. But honestly, I wish Zuko were here."

Spengi: "Why isn't he?"

Mai: "Beats me, I'm not his mom. He said he had something else to do."

Spengi ponders, Wow, these Royal girls are a REAL drag. Accept Ty Lee, but looks like Rosh has her for now. Oh well, I'm sure there will be plenty of others at the parade.

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Rosh follows Ty Lee and asks, "What are we looking for?"

Ty Lee: "It's a surprise. You said you like those. So, at least you have something to look forward to."

Rosh chuckles, "Yeah, good point."

Ty Lee enters the kitchen and grabs a sack of apples. Rosh: "You're hungry?"

Ty Lee: "You'll see, it's a surprise remember?"

Rosh: "Oh yeah, I love surprises."

Ty Lee: "You surprised me with the way you challenged Azula. You are brave. You stood up for me, thanks." Ty Lee hugs him.

Rosh blushes, "Of course, no worries. That's who I am."

Ty Lee: "Be careful. She can be feisty."

Rosh: "I'm not worried about her."

Ty Lee: "Ok."

Rosh chuckles, but Ty Lee does not find the moment amusing. Rosh contemplates, 'Wow Azula really has a lot of people under some sort of spell. She's just a girl, how tough can she be?' Ty Lee and Rosh re-enter the garden.

Rosh: "Macai and Azula are still gone?"

Mai: "What do you think, genius?"

Rosh: "Ouch."

Mai yawns. "Sorry I hurt your feelings."

Ty Lee: "Don't mind Mai, she is just like that."

Rosh sighs and murmurs, "I hate that excuse."

Spengi: "What's in the bag?"

Ty Lee: "Apples."

Spengi: "Apples?"

Rosh grins, "It's a surprise, buddy."

Ty Lee smiles, "That's right, we are going to play a game."

Mai sarcastically says, "Oh great."

Spengi: "What are the rules?"

Ty Lee improvises, making up the rules as she goes along. Ty Lee: "Ok, so before we play the game, first we will have a juggling contest. Let's see how many apples each person can juggle."

Spengi: "Um"

Ty Lee: "Think fast!" Ty Lee swiftly tosses an apple to Mai. Mai catches it and tosses the apple into a tree trunk. It breaks into several pieces.

Mai: "I don't juggle. But I'll watch and throw them if you want."

Ty Lee: "Rosh!" She tosses an apple to Rosh, who barely catches it and starts to flip it around. Ty Lee: "Spengi!" She passes another apple to Spengi who starts juggling it. Ty Lee tosses another at Rosh, who suddenly drops one of his apples and stumbles into the dirt. Ty Lee tosses a second apple to Spengi who catches it and continues to juggle.

Spengi laughs, "Ha ha ha, I am kinda good at this." Ty Lee chuckles and tosses a third apple at Spengi. The third apple hits him in the face and he falls over.

Mai laughs heavily, "You know what? I like this game."

Ty Lee: "My turn!" Ty Lee takes five apples and juggles them all at once with ease. Suddenly Azula and Macai return. Ty Lee shouts: "Macai!" She suddenly tosses an apple at him (while still juggling four apples) and Macai ducks and it flies over his head. Ty Lee: "You're out."

Azula: "What?"

Ty Lee: "Azula! Your turn." Ty Lee tosses an apple to Azula (while still juggling three) and Azula immediately extends her right hand and fires a precise orange burst of fire through two of her fingers, frying the apple. Black fragments of it fall into the grass. Rosh and Spengi look in shock with their eyes wide.

Azula: "That's some game, Ty Lee."

Ty Lee: "Yeah, I won. What did you guys do?"

Azula: "We played a game."

Ty Lee: "What game?"

Azula: "It doesn't matter."

Macai suddenly asks, "Do you think your mom will be upset if she sees us here? I remember what she said about boys and girls at our age playing together. Especially if it is people she is not very familiar with."

Azula: "Don't sweat it. She won't do anything."

Spengi looks at Macai, "The real question is what will Eyre think? He wants to know about all the things you are doing. I am not sure what he would think about this."

Azula: "Macai is his own, man. He is strong, he doesn't need his father's approval to see me."

Rosh chuckles, "Well, ok. Funny how you never met the man, but you know EXACTLY what Macai should do. I can't wait to see how this plays out."

Azula points at Rosh, "I did not ask for your comment."

Rosh: "Look your highness, I am not a peasant that you can boss around."

Azula: "You really are running on thin ice that I am going to melt."

Rosh smiles, "You really practiced that one didn't you. Do I look worried?"

Azula: "A fool doesn't know when he should be worried. That's your problem, not mine."

Ty Lee attempts to break the tension, "Oh Azula, PLEASE tell us what you and Macai were doing. We are all DYING to know."

Azula: "Well, since you desperately ask... We went to the weapons room."

Spengi: "You have access to that room?"

Mai: "No, it's off limits. As if that EVER stops Azula."

Azula: "She is right. One thing you will learn about me, is that I have no limits."

Rosh: "Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Everyone has limits."

Azula gets red with frustration and clinches both of her fists. Azula: "Ok, that's it. Lets go!"

Macai pats Azula on her back, "Azula please, not now. I have sunset training soon. We should be heading back soon."

Azula responds, "Ok, Macai. Allow us one more moment alone. Just for a few minutes."

Mai: "Oh, here we go again." Spengi laughs.

Rosh looks at Ty Lee, "Well, maybe that isn't so bad."

Macai and Azula step aside in a nearby hallway. Macai looks at Azula, "I had a good time, you are so full of surprises."

Azula: "Thanks, Macai. You are too. I love how daring you are. Never backing down from an adventure. Unlike your friend..."

Macai: "Oh Rosh, he's a good guy. He just needs to warm up to you."

Azula: "I think he's jealous. He fears I am taking his place." Macai does not know what to say. Azula puts her right hand on Macai's left shoulder. Azula: "But, I had a great time. We need to do it again next week."

Macai smiles, "Well, you know I'm down. I would do it every day if I could. You are the smartest and most charismatic girl I've ever seen. Heck, the smartest kid I've ever seen, other than me of course."

Azula: "You were right up to the part that you said 'other than me'". Azula leans in as she says this.

Macai: "That's debatable." Macai looks Azula in her eyes.

Azula: "No, it's not." Azula and Macai briefly kiss then Azula backs off and looks behind Macai with a bit of fear. Macai immediately wonders, Is her mom here? Macai turns around and notices a man with long black hair, golden eyes, a long nose, a goatee, and a sharp face.

Macai feels a heavy chill on his back as he locks eyes with the man. However, the man does not frown or yell instead, he smiles. The man has a powerful voice, "Well, what do we have here? A couple of children up to something they have no business doing."

Macai steps one foot backward but tries his best to conceal any fear within him. The man says, "Don't worry, I don't bite. But I do burn." Ozai chuckles.

Azula: "Dad, I didn't know you were going to be here this early."

Ozai: "You never know when I'll be around." Ozai then locks eyes with Macai, "Boy, come to me." Macai slowly walks towards Ozai. Ozai: "Do you know who I am?"

Macai: "Yes, you are Ozai. The second heir to the throne, after Iroh."

Ozai: "I am MUCH MORE than that. But I like you, many boys would have run in my presence. You have some fight in you I can tell. I hope you had a good time at the palace. I was once young and rebellious myself. How can I despise your behavior? I would just consider what your father may think about such a situation. That is, if he catches you."

Macai: "Perhaps, you could tell him it's ok."

Ozai: "Oh no, I don't do that. I don't interfere with family rules. Whatever a father says is bond. But you would face his wrath, not mine, that is assuming he has an issue with this. But you are a good boy Macai, from what I've heard."

Macai: "You know-"

Ozai: "Who you are, of course I do. I know more than you could possibly imagine. Now run along. It sounded like you have sunset training." Ozai smiles. Ozai: "You can say your final goodbye for the day Azula. Macai, you are welcome to return or not. I don't care either way. I also won't tell your father, it's not my job. My wife, on the other hand, might respond differently. I look forward to seeing how it plays out."

Macai and Azula quickly head back to the garden. Macai looks at Azula and Azula says, "My dad is such a character isn't he."

Macai: "I'll say."

Azula: "Well, this was fun. We should do it again sometime. You must hurry back, sunset is near. It seems you have been rushing a lot recently."

Macai: "Totally worth it."

Azula: "Isn't it? Nothing beats that rush."

Azula and Macai notice Mai and Spinge but not Ty Lee and Rosh. Azula: "Where are the other two?"

Mai: "Beats me. They snuck off while we were talking."

Azula: "Well, Macai has sunset training, so we will not wait for them." Macai has never left Rosh before, but she does have a point.

Macai responds, "Let's go Spinge, your father won't want you out too late. Neither will Rosh's but his parents are a bit more lenient than ours."