Aang was hardly the first Avatar to struggle with firebending. And Zuko, not the first to have lost his.

"This ritual illustrates the essence of the sun warrior philosophy." The Sun Warrior Chief said, holding a ball of fire in each hand. "You must maintain a constant heat."

Aang gulped, looking at the fire in those hands, remembering Katara's face as he burned her. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous." He regarded the fire with something akin to surprise and wonder. "It's like a little heartbeat."

"Fire is life, not just destruction."

"But what if I can't control it?"
"You can."

"I think we could take these guys in a fight, whoever they are." Aang nodded, still feeling unsure, glancing once at the chief and then the mountain. "Okay."

"Zuko, my fire went out!" Aang bit his nails nervously, reaching for Zuko's fire desperately. "Give me some of yours."

Zuko pushed his away with his arm, the eternal fire still in his other. "Make some on your own." He said half-turning away.

"I can't!" Aang insisted, once again reaching for his fire. The sun warriors watched with barely veiled exasperation.

A great crashing was heard from the mountains surrounding the the squabbling boys. They froze, looking around to the sounds.

They watched with awe as a blue and red dragon circled them, growling with terrifying intelligence. "Still think we can take them?" Aang said breathlessly. Zuko rolled his eyes. "I thi-" He cut off as an echoing whisper rose from the air.

"Your family is the one responsible from our species demise." The dragons spoke in unison, looking directly at Zuko as they circled ever faster. "And you, Avatar, you are in some way also responsible. You could have prevented it if you had had the strength to fight your friend when you knew he posed a threat to the natural order." They looked at Aang as they intoned their proclamation. "But." The circling grew even quicker, as a slow tornado formed with colours beyond imagining.

"We will show you the secret of the flames, not because of your heritages, nor your past lives, but because of your hearts. And to help you on your journey, we see fit to give you a gift. Know this, Zuko, heir to the Throne of Firelord Ozai, your honour has never stronger. Know this, Aang the Avatar, bridge between our world and yours, your lives hing on your strength." The circles grew faster and faster as Zuko and Aang looked onto the growing fire, colours spinning and flaring. "I think I would like to learn fire-bending now." Aang said, his voice barely a whisper. Zuko laughed breathlessly. "Yeah."

"This journey is a gift, and if you should make a mistake, this gift may be withdrawn. You will have one week in each destination. Both trips are compulsory. We believe you may learn from this." A great crack was heard in the middle of the blinding wind and then, to the Sun Warriors astonishment, both disappeared.