Plotline:

Does a man who set out to destroy an entire nation redeem himself? Can a nation become misunderstood through the transitions of time? When a young man burns a bridge, should he do it? Will a girl who hardly believes in anything find her destiny?

How can a pure heart turn evil?

The days of Sotzen's Comet are fast approaching. While Ba Sing Se falls to its knees, only one force can give the power Aang needs to defeat King Ozai…and himself.

The White Moth

Chapter One: Basko and Sokka Find A Way

For a man who had never set foot outside the palace, the King was doing quite well for himself. He was a fast learner for sure, and before long he was setting up tents, knowing where to look for food, and keeping the fire going. The team had thought he would be domestically challenged after all those years cooped in this royal palace, but actually it was quite the opposite.

"I don't miss the palace at all actually," his Highness confessed to Katara while washing clothes one day. "I was getting quite bored of it doing the same thing day in and day out. Up until now…Basko was my only friend." Upon hearing his name Basko looked up and nuzzled his master. Katara smiled, thinking of Aang and Appa at Lake Laogi. Had that really only been a week ago? She thought to herself.

So much had happened…so much had changed. Aang was weak, and his hope was even weaker. Now that Ba Sing Se had been conquered, could they still defeat the Fire Nation? How could they when there was little, if any, chance of finding a fire master?

Don't think about it, Katara scolded herself. We'll make it through this. But how much longer could she ignore the blaring truth?

A voice jolted her sense. "Katara, are you alright?"

She looked up. The king was kneeling beside her, worried. Without realizing tears had welled up and fallen down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry your majesty…" Katara began.

"Please," the king insisted. "Call me Dian."

"Dian," The water bender repeated, and then burst into tears. The king hugged her tightly, and stoked her hair.

"Aang will live," he assured. "We'll be ok."

"Aang must not live," Azula seared. It was raining in Ba Sing Se—it had been for days now. The steady downpour refused to relinquish adding to the Princess's fury.

"Have you checked the woods? The sky? It's a bison—How can you miss a bison?"

The Dai Li agent, whose name was Surya, glared. He was one of the few people who could remain calm during Azula's tantrums.

"I told you," he said, with a tone one might use to a bratty toddler, "with the rain as it is we highly doubt the Avatar will be traveling in the sky. The forecast in Chidi region is clear—we have reason to suspect he's there. Our best agents are looking for him now."

"Looking isn't good enough," Azula said quietly. "I want him found! And I want this rain gone!"

Surya bowed. "Yes, your highness." He turned to leave and then stopped. Smiling he said, "Even those who have been touched by the Blue Demon cannot stop the rain." Azula made no reply.

The agent's smile became more cynical, and he was so wrapped up in his devious pleasure, he nearly ran into Zuko. It was Lord Zuko these days. After all, he did own part of the city. However, he did not gain the same respect from the Dai Li as Azula, so when Surya passed him he received a glare, not a bow. This did not faze Zuko.

He had matters to discuss with his sister. Dauntless, he entered her chambers.

"What could you possibly want?" She hissed.

Zuko cleared his throat. "It's about Uncle."

"Make it quick."

"I will," Zuko promised. "I think Uncle should be removed the cell. He should be given a better room than the prisoner's quarters."

"Then do it," Azula snapped. Zuko bowed and left the room.

All according to plan.

Sokka lied in the sleeping bag watching the stars. Was it any coincidence that the moon was so bright tonight? He thought of Yue looking down at him, and decided no, it wasn't. In times of hardship she was there for him—like right now. She was beautiful up there in the sky, shining a beacon of hope for those who traveled at night.

"Do you ever think she gets lonely?" he once asked Aang.

"Are you kidding?" Aang said. "Look at all those stars around her!"

He'd been right. Multitudes of stars surrounded Yue. Sokka only wished he could be one of them.

The bushes rustled. The young warrior shot up and stared at the wood.

"Who's there?" He demanded, raising his boomerang.

There was a large crash and then, with no surprise to Sokka, Basko came bumbling out, fruit in hand.

"Hey!" Sokka shouted. "Where'd you get that? Wait…that's my fruit!" In a heartbeat Sokka sprang up and went after the bear. They ran into the woods, but just when Sokka thought he had Basko, he tripped over an arched root and fell on his face.

"Oh you must think this is hilarious, don't you?" Sokka muttered wiping the dirt off his face. Basko looked at him sideways as if to wonder why this human was lying on the ground.

"You must think you're a piece of work you…" his sentenced was never finished. All at once Katara, Toph, and Dian raced towards Sokka.

"What's wrong?" Toph asked immediately. "I heard shouting."

Sokka said nothing. Instead he bent over, picked up a fan, and lifted it up.

It was Suki's.

A special thanks to everyone who read this—thank you all!