Zuko gave Aang and the newlyweds a room where they could all be undisturbed. They joined hands and before they knew it...

"Wow," Masanori whispered, taking in the surroundings. "This place is beautiful."

"It can be dangerous, too," Aang cautioned. "Bending doesn't work here."

"We can handle ourselves," Azula said dismissively.

"Aang? What's that up there?"

"Oh, here's our ride. I'll think you'll be especially interested in meeting this person, Azula."

"Let me guess: my mother's grandfather?"

"Umm...yeah, actually." Some of the wind went out of Aang's sails. "What's it like to see everything?"

"It's a gift...and a curse." Like so many things in my life was the clear implication.

Fang the dragon set down on the ground near the three. Sure enough, Avatar Roku had come to meet them. "Welcome back, Aang." He smiled warmly.

Masanori bowed before the former Avatar. "It's an honor, Roku."

"So, Zuko finally found a use for that old crown of mine." Roku turned to Azula. "We meet at last, child."

"Yes." Azula was on her guard.

"There's no need to be afraid, Azula," Roku said.

"Who's afraid of anything?" she retorted defensively.

"You may set you mind at rest, child. I meant what I told Aang: I'm proud to see you come so far."

Azula relaxed, but was no less alert. "Do you know why we're here?"

"Yes," the former Avatar averred, nodding his bearded head. "You have opened you spirit to me, Masanori. Please, come with me."

They all climbed on Fang and he flew them to a clearing with a torii gate. Seated tailor-style between the support posts was a broad-shouldered man with a short black beard, playing a pipa. Masanori jumped off even before Fang had landed. "Dad?"

The man looked up, his face fearful and hopeful. "Masa? Son?"

"Yeah, Dad." Masanori ran to embrace his father. They stood silently, never wanting to let go.

Finally, Keone Sun spoke. "I've tried to look out for you, my boy. Looks like I did something right."

"There's so much that's happened."

"I know. Roku's told me. I'm so happy you're here, son." That made Masanori start crying. "It's okay, son. I'm always with you here."

"Dad? Is it true? Did you...were you a...coward?"

Keone held his son by the shoulders. He willed himself to look his son-now a man-in the eye. "Is that what they call a man who's tired of fighting?"

"Was that it, Dad? You just had enough?"

Keone sighed with weariness, something he remembered from his life. "It was awful, son. The cold, the loneliness...Zhao would have sacrificed every last one of us to get what he wanted. I thought of how the Navy had taken me away from you and your mother. How could Zhao or the Fire Lord possibly need me more than you did? Suddenly, the whole siege became utterly meaningless to me. It wasn't my war. I didn't ask to fight it, but I did. Because they gave me no choice."

Azula dropped her head in shame.

"And for what? So they could say I was a coward? That I'd lost my stomach for fighting? I was a fool, and I died a fool's death. When I saw that...monster coming...I panicked."

"I'm sorry," Aang whispered.

"But I never gave up on my nation, son. I knew that some day someone would ignite a flame and burn away the darkness. I would have fought for that person. But I didn't die fighting, like you might have thought."

"Masa," Aang called out, "sometimes it takes more courage to stop a fight and to say 'this is wrong.' That's what he did. Zuko knows about that. So does Iroh."

"I understand now," Masanori averred. "I'm proud of you, Dad."

"And I'm so proud of you, son." Keone raised his head. "Princess Azula. Come here." His voice carried weight and gravity. It did not occur to Azula to refuse. She stepped beside her husband. But instead of a strike or condemnation, she received a hug. "You take care of my boy. If anyone can, I know it's you. Do this for me and for him and his mother. Okay, pretty lady?"

"Yes, sir," she said very heavily.

"And take care of that baby."

"I will."

"I know you will, pretty lady."

"I see how Masa learned to be such a gentleman."

"Dad, please forgive me. I should never have doubted you."

Keone patted his son's head. "There are different kinds of courage, son. There's heroics and bravado...and there's courage of conscience. I'm glad you came, son. I love you."

"I love you, Dad." Masanori couldn't help crying.

"Your mother too. Please tell her for me."

"I will."

"And Masa, always remember: tomorrow..."

"It gets better."

"Never doubt that I'm with you, Masanori. My boy."

When the three travelers returned to the material world, Masanori was so overwhelmed with emotions he collapsed, sobbing. But Azula was there beside him. She placed his head in her lap and rubbed behind his ear. "It's all right, Little Boy. It's all right." As he had often comforted her, she now did for him. She had no magic words. She felt awkward as all get out. But it worked.

"Remember your chakras, Masa," Aang said. "Don't let grief block love."

The young firebender fought up to a seated position. "I'm...I'm okay." He wiped away his tears. "Thank you. Both of you."

"You finally got a chance to say goodbye, Masa," Aang said. "I'm glad I could help."

Suri Sun was waiting outside the room. "Mom," Masanori said playfully, "were you listening?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were all right. Oh, look who I found. Or who found me." Suri gave Amaya a gentle ruffle of the hair.

"Hi, Sister Dragon. Hi, Masa." Amaya was polite but more subdued than usual.

"Where have you been, kid?" Azula inquired. "I haven't seen you at all today."

"Mommy and Daddy took me on a picnic."

"You could have done that at our house."

Amaya fidgeted. "Um, there aren't any other children at your house, Sister Dragon."

Masanori and Aang couldn't help laughing, despite Azula's glare. "There will be pretty soon, Amaya."

"Does someone with the mind of a child count?" the princess retorted. Aang tried not to laugh, but he couldn't make it.

"Do we train now, Sister Dragon?"

"I am here. No sense in wasting time."

"I'll come too," Aang said. "Maybe I'll pick up some new techniques."

"If you think you can keep up with a pregnant lady and a small child, be my guest." Aang realized that was probably the nicest offer he'd get, so he went along. Azula and company turned to leave for the courtyard, then she turned back. "Coming, Little Boy?"

"You guys start without me," he said glancing to his mother. They got the idea and went on their way. "Mom, I did it."

"You saw him?" Suri asked excitedly. "You saw your father?"

"Yes." He embraced Suri. "He loves you more that life. He wasn't a coward. I can only hope to be as brave..." Masanori was getting overwhelmed again. Suri was already there. All they could do was share the moment.