Chapter Summaries

Azula and Zuko argued over whether he should join the group, but Kahn got them to make peace and led everyone to Zuko's home to play. After Kahn teased Zuko about Mai and outperformed the others at somersaults, Azula picked on Ty Lee, then stopped after Kahn called her out.

• Azula told Zuko to stop following her and Kahn, and Kahn suggested that the siblings apologize to each other.
• Kahn put an arm around Azula and Zuko and pushed them along, startling Azula and leaving Mai and Ty Lee amazed by her reaction.
• The group went to Zuko's courtyard and chose Ty Lee's somersault game instead of Azula's plan to sneak into the Imperial Study.
• Kahn performed so many backflips that Azula kicked him and banned him from competing, then he questioned Zuko about whether he liked Mai.
• Azula repeatedly interfered with Ty Lee's somersaults until Kahn criticized her, and she threw a fireball at him before easing off her tricks.

Kahn spent time with Zuko, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee before Ozai’s unexpected visit ended their gathering. After Ozai left, Kahn went home and dreamed that Ozai killed his family and tortured him, waking in a cold sweat.

• Kahn and Zuko discussed Iroh teaching Kahn firebending and the move “Scum Gale” that Kahn had promised to teach Zuko.
• Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee joined Kahn and Zuko, and the five listened as Kahn continued telling the story of Sun Wukong.
• Ozai arrived in the courtyard, greeted Azula, and scrutinized Kahn while privately thinking about what Iroh might do if Kahn died.
• Ozai left after reminding Azula of a few things, and the children ended their gathering on an uneasy note.
• Kahn dreamed that Ozai killed Azula, Iroh, and Zuko before torturing him, then woke in a cold sweat and cursed Ozai.

Kahn and Azula fought to a fragile standstill as Zuko watched and found new motivation to train. Their friends gradually turned Kahn’s home into a lively gathering place, where Iroh also planned to make a tearoom.

• Kahn and Azula traded increasingly varied Firebending attacks, each disrupting the other’s rhythm and keeping their match even.
• Zuko doubted his talent after watching them, but Iroh reassured him and urged him to work hard; Zuko resolved to improve.
• Azula began climbing over the wall to visit Kahn openly, while Iroh welcomed her and Zuko eventually accepted her visits.
• Azula, Iroh, Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee cleaned and rearranged Kahn’s home, treating it as their secret base.
• Kahn welcomed the newfound warmth and activity in his home, while Iroh planned to turn one room into a tearoom.

Kahn finished music class and was heading to the library with Ty Lee and Mai when he noticed three boys confronting his classmates. He stepped in to ask why they were blocking the girls, and one of them recognized him as Kahn.

• Kahn attended music class, practiced the transverse flute, and planned to go to the library after school.
• Ty Lee and Mai joined Kahn on his walk, and the three chatted about their plans.
• Kahn noticed three boys surrounding Kori and another girl near the school wall.
• Kahn approached the boys and asked why they were blocking his classmates, while Kori's companion called out his name.

Kahn stopped a group of boys from bullying Kori, then discovered she was an Earthbender despite being a Fire Nation citizen. They arranged a friendly spar at Kori’s home, where Kahn met her mother and learned the family had left Jade Island because of the worsening war.

• Kahn frightened the boy leading the bullies by warning him that questioning Jade Island’s place in the Fire Nation could bring severe punishment, and the boys fled.
• Kori introduced herself and demonstrated Earthbending by raising a stone pillar, explaining that she had inherited the ability from her Earthbender mother.
• Kahn asked Kori to spar with him, and they agreed to meet at her home over the weekend.
• Kahn visited Kori’s home, met her mother, and learned that Kori’s father was the prefect of Jade Island.
• Kori’s mother told Kahn that the family had moved away temporarily to keep Kori safe as war spread around Jade Island.

Kahn sparred with Kori and learned about Jade Island, where generations of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom residents had built a shared home. Kori's mother explained why she considered herself a Fire Nation citizen, leaving Kahn to set aside his thoughts about the island's history for now.

• Kahn sparred with Kori, easily avoiding her attacks and suggesting she learn more earthbending techniques.
• Kori's mother restored the damaged training ground with earthbending, then shared food and stories about Jade Island with Kahn and Kori.
• Kahn asked Kori's mother why Jade Island's earthbenders did not want to return to the Earth Kingdom.
• Kori's mother explained that later generations identified with the Fire Nation because they grew up with its traditions and helped build Jade Island.
• Kori's mother invited Kahn to visit Jade Island, and he accepted before deciding he was not yet qualified to dwell on the questions its history raised.

Kahn read about exotic beasts and hoped to travel the world and keep one as a pet. When he guessed that war was about to resume, Iroh confirmed it and questioned whether the Fire Nation should seek peace through balance among the Four Nations instead of unifying the world.

• Kahn read Guide to Rare and Exotic Beasts and picked out possible future pets based on their appearance and abilities.
• Iroh arrived late for Kahn’s Firebending lesson and acted distracted, then claimed he had an upset stomach.
• Kahn guessed that the Fire Nation was going back to war, and Iroh confirmed that Ozai had rejected his efforts to stop it.
• Kahn said he hoped the emperor would unify the world so the nearly century-long conflict would end.
• Iroh asked why the Fire Nation had to invade other countries and suggested that peace could come from a balance among the Four Nations.

Kahn told Iroh that the Fire Nation seemed certain to win the war, leaving Iroh troubled by the suffering and his own role in it. Meanwhile, Ozai plotted to remove Iroh’s former allies through battlefield losses and asked Azula about Kahn’s firebending talent.

• Kahn argued that the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe could not overcome the Fire Nation’s technological advantage, and Iroh silently struggled with the truth of his words.
• Iroh reflected on Kahn’s innocence and unusual outlook, then rubbed his head until Kahn slapped his hand away.
• Ozai reviewed his plans to conquer the world and gradually send Iroh’s former supporters to die in battle while replacing them with loyal commanders.
• Ozai considered his lack of powerful fighters and decided that Azula was the only person he could currently rely on.
• Ozai asked Azula whether she knew that Kahn was a talented firebender and Iroh’s disciple.

Ozai asked Azula to bring Kahn over to his side, and Azula agreed while privately deciding Kahn belonged on her side. She told Kahn about Ozai’s interest, and their argument over who had informed Ozai ended in a fight.

• Ozai praised Azula and asked whether Kahn would fit in with him rather than Iroh; Azula said Kahn seemed to enjoy her company more.
• Ozai left it to Azula to keep Kahn from Iroh’s influence and bring him to their side, and Azula agreed.
• Azula told Kahn that Ozai had noticed his talent, and Kahn worried about attracting the emperor’s attention.
• Kahn guessed that his Firebending School teacher had told Ozai about him, while Azula suggested Mai or Ty Lee might also have shared information.
• Kahn joked that Azula herself was the prime suspect, so Azula attacked him with Firebending and they fought.

After Ozai’s interest in Kahn left him feeling genuinely threatened, Kahn trained harder while Iroh moved in to help protect him. As war began, Ozai turned his attention elsewhere, and Iroh grew increasingly concerned about the conflict.

• Kahn felt real danger from Ozai and immersed himself in Firebending training.
• Iroh decided to live with Kahn, and Kahn readily agreed.
• Zuko wished he could stay with Kahn, while Azula asked for a guest room so she could visit overnight.
• Kahn continued his routine and spent time with Azula, Zuko, Ty Lee, and Mai as they formed a close group.
• War began, leaving Ozai occupied, while Iroh frequently visited the Council Chamber and returned troubled.

During the Fire Nation’s three-day founding holiday, Azula took Kahn on a covert search of Yin Shu’s former residence for clues to her mother’s disappearance. They entered the guarded bedchamber and found a letter, whose contents left Azula visibly upset.

• Kahn spent the holiday practicing firebending while Iroh, Zuko, and Azula attended the Fire Nation’s commemorative ceremony.
• After the holiday, Kahn observed Iroh silently attending Council Chamber meetings and Zuko struggling with his studies and Ozai’s scolding.
• Azula surprised Kahn by insisting they begin searching for clues about her mother’s disappearance, and he agreed to help.
• Azula guided Kahn past the palace guards to Yin Shu’s guarded courtyard, using the patrol schedule and shift changes she had memorized.
• Kahn and Azula knocked out the two guards and searched Yin Shu’s bedchamber, where Kahn found a letter beneath the desk.
• Azula examined the letter with Kahn and became visibly upset.

Kahn stopped Azula from believing a forged letter that claimed Yin Shu feared and hated her, and they suspected Ozai had planted it to drive her toward madness. Later, Ozai comforted Azula after questioning her, while she hid her contempt for him.

• Azula nearly lost control after reading a letter that called her a monster, but Kahn pointed out its suspicious details and reminded her that Yin Shu had called her a good child.
• Azula burned the letter and concluded that Ozai had forged it to manipulate her; she thanked Kahn before snapping at him for teasing her.
• Kahn and Azula gave up investigating Yin Shu's disappearance for the time being, and Kahn reflected that Ozai's cruelty seemed to run in the family.
• Ozai questioned Azula about breaking into Yin Shu's room, then comforted her and called her the child he was proudest of.
• Azula embraced Ozai and answered obediently, while privately sneering at him and viewing his affection with disdain.

Kahn began learning Chi-Blocking from Ty Lee and helped her imagine new uses for her acupoint techniques. When Azula teased him about Zuko and Mai, Kahn used Chi-Blocking to knock her down, and their ensuing fight threw everyone into chaos.

• Ty Lee taught Kahn how to locate the points used to block chi, and Kahn eagerly became her pupil.
• Kahn suggested that Ty Lee search for acupoints with other effects, inspiring her to investigate further.
• Kahn noticed that Ty Lee was a skilled close-range fighter and Mai was an expert with concealed weapons.
• Azula complained that Kahn and Ty Lee were ignoring her, then teased Kahn by calling Zuko and Mai over to play.
• Kahn struck Azula's thigh with Chi-Blocking, and the two erupted into a fiery fight that sent everyone else fleeing.

Kahn finished telling Journey to the West, and his friends debated its characters and ending before supporting his plan to publish it as a book. After Iroh explained the different principles behind Firebending and Earthbending, Kahn began wondering whether Firebending could have other or better methods.

• Kahn finished Journey to the West, and Azula criticized its ending while Zuko, Ty Lee, and Mai discussed their favorite characters.
• Kahn proposed writing Journey to the West down and publishing it, and everyone supported the idea; Iroh agreed as long as Kahn kept up his Firebending training.
• After trying and failing to use Earthbending moves to bend fire, Kahn asked Iroh how the two forms of Bending differed.
• Iroh explained that Firebending drew on breath while Earthbending relied on contact with the ground, and that their forms followed different principles.
• Kahn realized that Firebending forms were only one way to control flames and began considering alternative methods.

Kahn learned that Zuko was grieving Yin Shu’s birthday and discovered that Zuko hoped to earn Ozai’s approval before searching for his missing mother. Worried about Ozai’s influence and Zuko’s safety, Kahn considered bringing him into the effort to find Yin Shu.

• Kahn set aside his plans to experiment with advanced firebending and continued focusing on his training and other responsibilities.
• Kahn asked Zuko why he had seemed downcast, and Zuko said he missed Yin Shu on her birthday.
• Zuko told Kahn that Ozai had refused to reveal Yin Shu’s whereabouts and that he planned to ask again when he was older, or search for her himself.
• Kahn worried that Zuko was vulnerable to Ozai’s abuse and considered bringing him into the alliance seeking Yin Shu.

Kahn and Azula planned another search for clues about Yin Shu’s disappearance, and Kahn convinced Azula to consider bringing Zuko along. After Kahn told Zuko the truth, Zuko agreed to join, but first he would have to meet Azula’s requirements.

• Azula planned a palace adventure with Mai and Ty Lee to look for things Ozai might have kept from Yin Shu’s room.
• Kahn suggested inviting Zuko, but Azula objected and said she did not trust him.
• Kahn explained Zuko’s interest in finding Yin Shu and argued that involving him could help their search.
• Azula reconsidered and said Zuko could join if he met her requirements.
• Kahn told Zuko about the secret search, and Zuko agreed to take part despite the risk of defying Ozai.
• Kahn warned Zuko that he would have to meet Azula’s requirements before joining.

Iroh learned that Zuko had been punished for helping Azula prank their History Teacher, while Azula escaped blame. After Zuko’s confinement delayed her plan, Azula brought Kahn, Mai, and Ty Lee into the palace through a secret passage to visit him.

• Iroh told Kahn that Zuko had been confined for a month after a prank, and Kahn hid how much he already knew.
• Iroh warned Kahn not to take things too far, and Kahn reassured him.
• Azula told Kahn that Zuko had been nervous during the prank and had taken all the blame, while she carried out most of it.
• Azula grew frustrated that Zuko’s confinement delayed her plan, then arrived with Mai and Ty Lee to visit him.
• Azula revealed a secret passage leading to Zuko’s room and welcomed Kahn into the Royal Girls’ Exploration Club.

While confined in the Royal Palace, Zuko joined Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, and Kahn in exploring its secret passages as part of Azula and Kahn’s search for a hidden room containing Yin Shu’s belongings. The group found no useful clues, but Zuko returned to his room feeling less alone and more at ease.

• Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, and Kahn emerged from a secret passage to visit Zuko in his confinement room.
• Kahn explained their plan to search the palace for a hidden room, and Zuko agreed to join them despite worrying about being caught.
• Azula revealed she had learned the palace maids’ meal schedule so they could return before anyone discovered Zuko was gone.
• The group explored palace passages and searched for hidden rooms but found no useful clues.
• Azula decided they would continue exploring daily, and the group separated before Zuko’s meal arrived.
• Zuko returned to confinement and felt more at ease because he had companions.

Kahn discovered that Kori’s Earthbending could help locate hidden objects and offered her abilities to Azula as a possible aid in their search. Azula approved, but Kahn insisted Kori’s safety came first, leaving him uneasy about how far he had gone to protect their secret operation.

• Kori demonstrated that she could sense objects through a desk and offered to help Kahn find what he and his friends were seeking.
• Kahn told Kori that he needed to discuss involving her with his unusual friend, and Kori agreed to help if he needed her.
• Azula visited Kahn after another fruitless search, and Kahn explained how Kori’s Earthbending could help their operation.
• Kahn warned Azula that Kori was not strong and that he would not let her get drawn too deeply into danger.
• Azula agreed to keep Kori’s involvement limited and promised to keep her safe, while privately considering her a risk to their secrecy.
• After Azula left, Kahn wondered whether he had gone bad.

Kahn and Azula recruited Kori under the guise of a secret royal commission to help search the Royal Palace for hidden rooms. Her Earthbending uncovered three rooms in one afternoon, and a week later the group finally found a clue.

• Kahn introduced Kori to Azula, who showed her a sealed Decree and had her sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
• Kori used Earthbending to reveal a secret passage and demonstrated that she could locate and open hidden rooms.
• Kori helped Azula and Kahn find three secret rooms, but none held clues about Yin Shu.
• Azula praised Kori and asked Kahn how long they had been friends before teasing turned into a threat to beat him.
• A week later, Azula, Kahn, and Kori discovered a clue.