A/N: This story is based on a single change in the canon: in the final few episodes of Book Two, Zuko followed his conscience along a more radically good path; this choice began a chain reaction, leading to an entirely different Book Three. The first few chapters will be fairly close to canon; but it will quickly deviate after that, spiraling into a new story. I hope you all enjoy it!

Hopefully, I will be able to update every week. I decided to make sure I write a lot of chapters before I even post the first one, so you can be assured that the updates will come regularly. At least, for the first ten chapters or so!

Thanks be to those who have helped me on this journey, especially the lovely ladies LuckyStarWrites and flawsmadebeautiful!

I look forward to your reviews!

Zuko awoke. He blinked, the light seeming too bright for a moment. He yawned and stretched his arms. He felt lighter. Better. Happier. He looked around the small apartment in Ba Sing Se. No nightmarish visions greeted him, as they had for days past. He smiled. This was a new day.

His Uncle Iroh stood cooking breakfast at the counter. When he saw his nephew rise, his brow furrowed, looking concerned. "How are you feeling, Prince Zuko?"

"Excellent!" Zuko laughed. At this, his uncle raised his eyebrows. This was not normal. He expected a grouchy Zuko to mutter "fine" and slouch away. But instead, Zuko rose and eagerly tasted his uncle's porridge. "This is great, Uncle!"

Definitely not normal.

But a smile broke across Iroh's face as he watched his nephew look out the window across the sweeping cityscape of Ba Sing Se, contently smiling and sipping tea Iroh had prepared. Perhaps this was better than normal ever was.

"What do you want to do, Prince Zuko?"

"What do you mean, Uncle?"

"The Avatar is here. In Ba Sing Se."

Zuko laughed and waved the unspoken thought away. "Let him be. We have tea to serve!"

At this, Iroh settled back contently. His nephew's metamorphosis really seemed to change him! Finally, Zuko was at peace. Finally, he could find his true destiny and follow it wherever it took him.

They walked downstairs to the tea shop, slipping into their aprons as they prepared for the shop to open. The atmosphere improved a hundredfold with post-transformation Zuko: as guests would enter, he would smile at them and greet them enthusiastically. Iroh, for one of the first times since the Prince's banishment, heard Zuko laughing, purely and contently. His golden/amber eyes, instead of being dark and brooding, became inviting and alive.

What touched Iroh's heart the most, however, was a conversation between Zuko and a little old lady who frequented the café. When she entered, Zuko gave her a profound bow, welcoming their "most beloved and regular customer" back for tea, and escorted her to her seat. She was overwhelmed! "Young man, what came over you? You're gone for a week and now you're bright as rain!"

Zuko didn't really understand how someone can be 'as bright as rain,' but he smiled jovially. "My uncle," he said, glancing towards the kitchen where his uncle was brewing a new pot of jasmine tea. "He helped me let go of something that was holding me back."

"Well, hon," she said, placing a hand on his arm gently with a warm smile, "you're starting to remind me of him when I see you." It was a compliment of rare order; Iroh had the reputation of being a joyful and peaceful man by the customers; Zuko's reputation had been quite worse.

Zuko laughed. "Have I eaten that much?!" As he and the little lady shared a laugh at Iroh's expense, Iroh smiled, wiping his eyes lest a tear show its face. He never expected his nephew to become like him; to be honest, he wasn't sure what he had expected when he left the Fire Nation to mentor the exiled Prince Zuko.

But he was sure glad that it ended up this way.

Elsewhere in the city, Aang and Co. stood on the steps of the Earth King's palace. Well, what remained of them. A mere twenty hours ago, they stormed the front gates, demolishing any sort of infrastructure that stood between them and King Kuei. Which happened to be all the infrastructure, since the defenders were Earthbenders.

Aang, Sokka and Katara embraced Toph, whose eyes were more watery than usual. Momo chirped on Aang's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Toph. It won't be long, I'm sure." Aang said with a smile. "We just need to split up for a bit."

She sighed dramatically. "I knoooow."

"And we get to see Dad!" Sokka cried out, literally jumping for joy. Katara had a massive smile across her face as well. "It's been far too long."

"And I need to meet a mysterious guru. He's alright, isn't he, Appa?"

Appa gave a small roar as Momo squawked.

"You weren't there, Momo! You don't have a say in the matter." Aang pointed accusingly at the flying lemur. Momo gave a sad chirp and landed on the crown of Aang's head, laying down.

Toph laughed and punched Aang in the arm, who toppled over with a loud "OW!" Momo was displeased that his bed had fallen, and took flight. "Well, you three better get going. Make sure you practice, Twinkletoes! You better not fall next time I punch you!"

Aang rubbed his shoulder and grimaced before leaping up onto Appa's back. "Alright…Appa, yip yip!"

The flying bison took to the air, soaring away in the sky. Toph shook her head, willing her eyes to stop bleeding water. Solid. Unmoved. All-enduring. Yet, as she walked back to their house, she couldn't deny that she had grown really attached to the three of them. Her first true friends. (Besides badger moles, of course. They're the best.)

Iroh's week had only gotten better from the day of Zuko's awakening (physically and spiritually). Only two days later, a businessman entered the building, charisma rolling off his person.

"You there–Mushi! I hear you're the mastermind behind this incredible tea!"

"Tea is its own master; I am just a humble brewer." Iroh replied with a calm smile. He poured a cup of jasmine and offered it to the businessman. He took the cup, smelling it for a sweet moment before sipping.

"Well, would you like to brew under your own roof?" The man winked at him. "I can offer you your own tea shop in the Upper Ring!"

The store owner's jaw dropped. "You aren't trying to steal my prized employee, are you?!" He accused with a threatening jab of his finger.

The other man laughed heartily. "Oh no! Of course not! When does your contract run out, Mushi?"

"I don't have a contract!" He happily exclaimed, as the owner face-palmed. "My own shop, you say?"

"Indeed! Your own decorations, your own tea (of course), a hefty share in the weekly profits, your own name for the shop…"

"I can name it?!" Now it was Iroh's jaw that dropped. Zuko, after delivering a dainty, flower-covered pot of tea to a group of soldiers, slapped a hand on one of Iroh's shoulders. "Uncle! This is great news!"

The shop owner lamely attempted to regain his employees' interests. "I can give you a raise! And a new title! And…more vacation time!"

Iroh shook the businessman's hand, a grin wider than an ash banana covering his face. The shop owner sighed and slunked away, as Zuko smiled and returned to serving tea.

"What'll you name her, Mushi?" The business man asked, whipping out some parchment to write on.

"The Jasmine Dragon!"

Aang frowned as Katara and Sokka walked him towards Appa on the edge of the shore. "You aren't coming with us, Sokka?"

"Nah. I'll be back after a little fun with the Fire Nation navy." He grinned, rubbing his hands together.

Katara laughed. "Just don't do anything crazy, alright? Aang won't be gone too long. I hope." She glanced at Aang, who looked a little downcast.

"I don't know…" He said, rubbing his neck. Honestly, Aang was a bit scared. The Avatar state was something very overwhelming; he wasn't sure that he'd like whatever he learned. "But at least we'll be better prepared!" He ended with a beaming smile.

"The invasion plan should be ready by the time everyone returns to Ba Sing Se." Katara stated. "We'll be ready to end this. Once and for all."

"Speaking of ending…you two should get going." Sokka motioned towards Appa.

"Yeah." Aang sighed. Katara hugged Sokka and Hakota tenderly, and the duo leaped onto Appa's back. Sokka and Hakota waved as the bison flew off.

Azula internally snickered. Here she sat, in front of the Earth King, with her two best operatives in his fullest confidence. Free reign of the city and, more importantly, full control of the Dai Li. Her plan came together perfectly (as always, she thought): after meeting Long Feng, the Dai Li responded well to her commands. She had the whole capital at her fingertips.

Only a few problems remained: the Avatar and her traitorous brother and uncle.

The Earth King casually remarked to Ty Lee (who had become his favorite of the fake Kyoshi Warriors; she was so bubbly!), "I heard there's this fantastic new tea shop in the Upper Ring!"

Ugh, tea. Reminds me of Uncle… Azula thought, frowning. She never liked Uncle for a rather simple reason: he always seemed to like her. She had no power over their relationship; every attempt to make him angry either: a) worked, and got her punished in a way that she couldn't escape (and, occasionally, learned something from, which just made her angrier); or b) made him laugh, like he could see right through her.

Lost in thought, she missed the last half of what the Earth King said.

Ty Lee remarked excitedly, "Oooh! That's a great idea! I heard the server is quite dreamy." Mai sighed. Ironic, considering who it was. "When are they serving you tea?"

"Oh, I haven't invited them yet. It'd be nice to get someone's opinion before I go." He said, motioning to the pseudo-Kyoshi warriors, hinting that they should go try it first.

"I'd love to!" Ty Lee backflipped over King Kuei's bear in sheer joy.

Azula bit back a cruel refusal; she had to play her part, which meant being diplomatic. "I don't know…we are quite busy…"

Ty Lee sighed, almost frowning. Almost. But she brightened up soon enough. "Come here, Bosco!" She flipped onto the bear's back, who yawned. Azula turned away from their shenanigans, focusing her thoughts once more on the coup.

Only a few days before the Avatar returned. Then, if Azula had her way, there wouldn't be any more days with the Avatar.

"Nephew!" Iroh cried out, standing in the back of the tea shop. Zuko sprinted from the front parlor, spilling a bit of jasmine on his apron, worried that his uncle might be in trouble. Instead, he found him smelling a cup of his new brew of tea, harvested from several local plants that didn't grow in the Fire Nation. "This new tea is excellent! You must try some. Though it isn't nearly as good as my jasmine brew." He chuckled.

Zuko was excited for his uncle. He really was. He had full confidence in Iroh's brewing abilities and even enjoyed a cup or two for himself–though he used to hate tea. But when Zuko failed to react in his (now) characteristic joy, instead adopting the grouchy face that most people knew him by, Iroh became worried.

"What's wrong, Lee?" He whispered when he was close to Zuko, careful to use their codenames around the guests.

"Nothing." He muttered.

Iroh slowly nodded. They'd talk about this later.

The day progressed as usual; but as evening dawned, and the shop was closed, Zuko collapsed near one of the Pai Sho tables in the back, leaning as far back as he was able. He gave a weary, long moan. Uncle chuckled and drew up one of the chairs.

"A lotus for your thoughts?" He flicked a White Lotus tile at Zuko. It flipped onto his forehead; he leaned up, grabbing it before it slipped onto the floor.

"Uncle…" Zuko seemed to be having trouble finding the right words to speak. "When you were attacking Ba Sing Se…"

Iroh sighed slightly. "I was a different man then, Zuko."

"That's why I'm asking, actually." He coughed, looking at the White Lotus tile in his hands. "If…well…" There was a pause. "When you changed to be good–not that you weren't good before, of course, but-"

Iroh laughed quietly. "It's alright, Zuko. What's your question?"

He fidgeted some more. "Were you ever reconciled with the people of the Earth Kingdom? The generals whom you attacked?"

Iroh breathed in deeply. "Yes and no. It is a very complicated story, nephew, and not one I can speak of currently. In fact," he chuckled, "the story continues even now! But I am curious why you are asking me this." He paused. "Especially when the Avatar returns to Ba Sing Se in a few days, and only then for a short window of time."

Zuko smiled faintly. "Not much gets past you, Uncle." He drew himself erect, taking a deep breath. "IfeellikeIshouldapologizetotheAvatarwhenhereturns." He rushed out, words spilling together.

Iroh simply raised an eyebrow.

Zuko took another deep breath and spoke less quickly, but with a noticeable tremble in his voice. "I feel like I should apologize to the Avatar when he returns."

Iroh closed his eyes and leaned back, taking in a deep breath.

"I mean, I chased him around the world! I tried to ruin his life so many times, all for something that I don't even care about now!" Zuko exclaimed, raising his hands in emphasis. "My inner Iroh voice-"

At this, Iroh choked. "Your what?"

"My inner…conscience?" Zuko said sheepishly.

"No, no. Repeat what you said." Iroh grinned.

"My inner…" He sighed. "Iroh voice."

"So your conscience sounds like me nagging you?" Iroh burst out laughing. Zuko flushed red in embarrassment. "Don't worry, nephew; I understand. And I take it as a compliment, actually, that you view me as a moral guide!" Iroh clapped him on the shoulder as a signal to go ahead.

"My…conscience–" Zuko said, with a minor glare at Iroh, who smiled, "spoke to me all day this week, saying that I cannot claim to be a good person if I don't apologize for what I did out of selfish pride." He looked down at the White Lotus tile again. "But I'm scared."

"You should be!"

Zuko looked at Iroh with surprise and a hint of anger. "I thought you were going to encourage me, Uncle!"

Iroh laughed. "I am encouraging you, Zuko! But I am also stating the truth." He grew serious. "The Avatar is powerful, and grows more so by the day. He has surpassed you already; in just a few years, he will be the clear victor against any firebender–even your father. He may not be as forgiving as you would hope, Zuko. He will likely still see you as a threat, and may decide to end this–then and there!"

Zuko listened with a deeper and deeper frown.

"But that must not stop you." Iroh pointed to the White Lotus tile. "Do you know why that was chosen as the symbol of our Order?"

"Order?" Zuko raised an eyebrow.

Iroh face-palmed. And I thought I was forgetful. "Do you remember the meeting I had in the desert?"

After a moment's thought, Zuko nodded. "Yes. With the Pai Sho table. And this tile."

"Indeed." Iroh nodded and left the rest of the deduction unsaid. Hopefully Zuko could figure it out from there. "The White Lotus is among the rarest of flowers; it blooms only under extreme conditions, which are also liable to kill it. Because of this, the White Lotus flower is seen as weak and too much of an effort to grow. But they are looking at it from the wrong perspective. The flower must undergo much tribulation and trial, but when it blooms…" He outlined the tile's face. "It is beautiful beyond measure."

Zuko waited. He knew there was a lesson coming.

"When you face a hard trial and choose to be good anyway, you are declaring that you love goodness more than whatever it was that held you back. The harder the trial, Prince Zuko, the greater the sacrifice; and the greater the sacrifice, the greater the love you have." Iroh spoke passionately. "The right way is worth everything, nephew. Trust me, if not your own heart that tells you this."

Zuko took a deep breath, and looked down at his White Lotus tile. He had a lot of thinking to do tonight.

Katara laughed as Momo chattered atop the head of one of the Council of Five. The General frowned at her, ignoring Momo. "Miss Katara," he motioned brusquely, Earthbending a slab of earth carrying parchment to her, "these are the plans for the invasion. They simply need the seal of the Earth King to be enacted."

She turned serious and, taking the parchment, nodded. "I'll go immediately." She bowed and they reciprocated.

However, there wasn't much of a rush, to be honest; there was plenty of time for a cup of tea. In fact, she had heard of a new tea shop in the Upper Ring that was supposed to be incredible. Spotting it from a distance, she grinned. I could definitely use a good cup of tea!

As she entered and took a seat, a cute waitress smiled at her and took her order.

At this moment, many things changed. Zuko had left only a few minutes prior to go to the Avatar's house and see whether he was home and, if not, when he would return (he would soon learn that Aang was due to return in only a few days); because of this, Katara never saw Zuko at the tea shop. In fact, she never saw Iroh either, as Iroh was brewing the tea in the back and the new servers he had hired were working the front of the shop.

So, instead of an anxious Katara running for her life to the Palace, there was a peaceful Katara enjoying an excellent cup of tea for an hour longer than she would have otherwise.

After this hour delay, Katara returned to the Palace. The pseudo-Kyoshi warriors had been holding the Court in the Earth King's absence until he returned; the Earth King had taken a lunch break around the same time as Katara and, having finished along the same time frame, was now holding court. The Kyoshi warriors were sitting beside him. Azula's eyes widened when she saw Katara enter. The Water tribe girl is here? But the Avatar is gone for a few days more…

Azula nodded to her two fellow warriors; the trio bowed to the Earth King and took their leave before Katara was close enough to recognize them.

Katara approached the Earth King, who smiled at her.

"Your Highness, I have the plan from the Council of Five for the invasion of the Fire Nation."

The Earth King pursed his lips. "Frankly, I do not know much about our military; I trust the Council to know what is best. I will stamp it with my approval."

He held out his hand for the parchment; Katara handed it to him. But he furrowed his eyebrows on reading it. "Is this…tea?"

Katara flushed red. Looking at the document, she was mortified: there was a slight tea stain near the edge. Thankfully, it didn't obscure anything in the document. "I–I'm so sorry," she stuttered, horrified at her mistake. "I can't believe–how–"

The Earth King cut her off with a wave of his hand and a gentle smile. "I'm more interested in the quality of the tea. I've heard rumors of a new shop in town…"

Katara grinned. "That's actually where I went before I came here! The tea is incredible, Your Highness."

He stroked his chin. "It is settled!" He clapped his hands for one of his attendants. "We'll have the owner over for tea!"

Azula, listening in to the conversation from the shadows, inwardly groaned. Please tell me I won't have to go…

"And make sure to invite the Kyoshi warriors, as well!" He smiled. "And the Avatar with his companions, of course, if they return in time."

Katara graciously accepted his offer and, bowing, left the throne room with the sealed plans for the attack. Everything was looking up, she thought. Except her.

If Katara had been looking up after she left the throne room, she would have seen two Dai Li agents preparing to kidnap her.

But she didn't. In a swift strike, their stone hands swept down and secured Katara's hands and feet. She was swiftly gagged and brought to an underground crystal complex as a makeshift prison.

Katara had been captured.

Aang sat cross-legged with the hermit on the highest point they could find; the heavens opened up above them, and Aang could feel the presence of Something Greater.

"Open yourself to the great Cosmic Energy. Let it flow through you."

Aang closed his eyes as the hermit guided him. "Think of all of your attachments to this world…"

Immediately, Katara–her sparkling blue eyes; her gorgeous, flowing hair; her gentle smile and loving touch; her soft embrace; her beauty in every way; her incredible personhood–sprung to Aang's mind. He smiled contently.

"…and let them flow down the river…"

Aang's eyes snapped open. "What?!" Aang shouted. The image of Katara remained firm in his mind. "But you said love was a good thing just a few chakras ago!"

"Aang," the hermit replied sternly. "You cannot allow any attachment to grow greater than your openness to the Cosmic Energy. If anything will distract you from where it flows, you will be lost."

"But I love her! I don't want to let her go!"

"Aang, if you are to master the Avatar state, you must let her go," the hermit stressed.

In that instant, Aang received a vision: Katara, lying on the ground in a strange cave, wounded and tired; and he got the sense that this was going to happen–that it may be occurring at that very moment!

"I gotta go! Katara's in trouble!" He began to stand.

The hermit stretched his hand out after him. "Aang! If you leave now, you will lock the seventh chakra. You won't be able to enter the Avatar state at all!"

Aang's eyes opened wide. In his heart, he felt those two desires battle: let go of his attachment to Katara and master the Avatar state? Or go save her, but lock away the Avatars?

He chose the latter. He stood and could feel the sudden pressure and burden settle on his heart.

"You have chosen," the hermit sighed, as Aang fled to Appa, readying himself for the journey to Ba Sing Se.