Deviating their course slightly, Zuko flew Appa in the direction of the Earth Kingdom, the irony of this situation not lost on him.
Here he was, tracking the Avatar once more… with his friends. On Aang's bison.
If only Uncle could see him now.
/
They landed in a small, remote village of the Earth Kingdom, and Zuko had them head straight to a tavern.
He pointed out the woman he wanted to see, and the pieces fell into place quickly for the rest of the group as they watched her hold her own in a fight, whilst holding a steaming cup of tea.
"I don't know who this woman is, but I like her already." Toph smirked, not needing to see the action to know what was happening – the whimpering of the men around her were enough to earn that woman Toph's respect.
"The shirshu is the only animal that can track Aang, anywhere in the world." Zuko sighed, hoping this last ditch approach to finding Ang would not be in vain.
"Hang on, I remember her now! She helped you attack us!" Sokka growled.
"Yep! Back in the good old days…" Zuko teased. Suki stifled a giggle. She was grateful she hadn't been subjected to the 'good old days', but she liked the banter.
Kicking back in her chair, Jun rolled her eyes.
"Oh great, it's prince pouty. I see you worked things out with your girlfriend." Both Katara and Zuko felt their hearts leap into their throats, and they spluttered quickly a denial.
Toph mentally made a note to definitely talk about this later
"So what do you want?"
After gracefully convincing Jun to help them, they were soon shot down with the revelation that Nyla could not help them.
"What does that mean?" Zuko asked.
"Means he's gone." Jun shrugged.
"We know he's gone – that's why we're trying to find him? Sheesh lady." Toph bit back, frustrated. Jun sighed.
"No, I mean he's gone gone. He doesn't exist. If he had a body on earth, even just a body part, she'd find him. Got a plan B?"
"There's only one another person in this world who can help us face the fatherlord. I'll be right back."
/
A smelly sandal later, and the gang found themselves rapidly heading to the edge of Ba Sing Se.
"Of course Uncle would be in Ba Sing Se." Zuko sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He sat at Appa's reins, and felt slightly uneasy by what might be waiting for them on land. "I think it devastated him when we left."
"You think we should go to his tea shop?" Katara offered, her voice trailing off in the wind. Zuko's shrug indicated that he had indeed heard her, but she could also see him tense. She wished she could stop the world and talk to him, but every second had to count now.
"I wish I could see again. I could just go bam, and tell you where to find him." Toph muttered, and Katara squeezed at her shoulders.
"Wherever he is, I'm sure Aang's only gone because he's working on the bending swap." She didn't even sound convincing to herself, but Katara's words seemed to placate the frustrated earthbender.
"Hey! I think the lady's waving us down." Suki pointed down to Jun, her Shirsu almost as fast as Appa. With a swift tug at the reins, Zuko took them down. As they landed, Nyla was scratching at the outer wall of Ba Sing Se.
"I think you're uncle's beyond the wall. He's close – Nyla's getting twitchy. Good luck." And with that, she was gone.
Worridly, Zuko looked after her. What if she had lied? Had he wasted the groups valuable time?
"It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn." He offered, and he felt Katara's hand on his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.
"He'll be here, Zuko. I know it."
/
They didn't speak much that night, and they settled for bed quickly. Toph laid on the cool earth, not wanting Katara to fuss over a bed for her. Suki and Sokka laid cuddled up against one of Appa's paws, and Zuko and Katara laid on another. They sat up, his arm around her shoulders, for a time before sleep took them captive. There weren't words – they both knew how much they had riding on this mission.
Katara was the first to fall asleep, having felt the sun's rays disappear long ago. Zuko rested his head upon hers, and felt like he had barely closed his eyes when he heard Toph's yells.
"Wake up!" Was all she said, but it was all that was needed for the group to spring up and notice the ring of fire surrounding them.
Suki noticed them first.
"There!" She yelled, pointing up to the great wall of Ba Sing Se. There stood several men, cloaked in navy and white. Several… familiar… faces.
"Well! Look who is here!" A snort echoed, and Katara couldn't help but grin.
"What's going on? We're surrounded by old people." Toph snorted.
"Not just any old people! These are friends of ours! Masters! Pakku!" Grinning, Katara ran up to her old master and bowed, electricity flowing through her. She had not expected to see him again – not here, and maybe, not ever. They hadn't a chance to return to the Water Tribes – northern or southern – and had lost contact with the north on their journey. It filled her with great relief to see him safe.
"It is respectful to bow to an old master… but how about a hug for your new grandfather?" He smiled coyly, and Zuko watched as the two siblings clicked on simultaneously.
He, Toph and Suki, however, were left in the dark.
After a short reunion (and a terrible nickname courtesy of Sokka), Katara turned to Zuko apologetically.
"This was Aang's first fire bending teacher, Jeong Jeong." The two firebending masters bowed to one another, and Sokka continued down the line, bowing to Master Piandao.
"Hello, Sokka!"
"So, wait." Suki began. "How do you… all know each other?"
"All old people know each other! Don't you know that?" Bumi grinned.
"We are all a part of the same, ancient, secret organisation, one that transends the divisions of the four nations." Piando's cool voice explained simply.
"The Order of the White Lotus." Zuko smiled.
"I have a better question." Toph interrupted, her voice wavering. All heads snapped towards her, and Katara could see she was shaking. "Why didn't I notice before?" Sokka cocked his head and was about to open his mouth, when the earth from beneath him shifted, having him land squarely on his behind.
"Hey! Not in front of the masters, Toph." He groaned, embarrassed.
There was a beat of silence.
Sharing a panicked look, Katara immediately drew the water from Zuko's sides as he produced a flame in his palm.
"Aang." Katara breathed, too overwhelmed from emotion to think straight. She had a million questions – how, when, why – but she didn't trust herself to speak. Nor did Zuko. Nor did Toph.
Unfazed, the members of the White Lotus shared a glance, and continued to speak.
"About a month ago, we received a call from a Grand Lotus. Your Uncle, Prince Zuko." Pakku cleared his throat, and he did not fail to register the relief on the group's face.
"That's who we're looking for!" Toph exclaimed, beside herself.
"We'll take you to him." Smiled Piandao, before being swiftly interrupted by King Bumi.
"Wait, someone is missing! Someone important." He walked up to Sokka, and shoved his face flush against Sokka's. "Where's Momo?"
There was another beat of silence.
"He's gone. So is Aang." Sokka sighed.
"Oh well, as long as they are together I am sure we have nothing to worry about." Bumi straightened up, and pat Sokka on the shoulder.
"I think something has happened though." Katara voiced, her fingers reaching for her mother's necklace – a source of comfort. "A few weeks ago, as you probably know, everyone's bending got messed up. Aang went to see an old friend – a guru – to try to fix it, but he came back without it being fixed. Then he disappeared without a trace. Now…"
She called for the water again, encasing her hands in a familiar and very welcome sensation.
"We're back, baby!" Toph grinned, yahooing into the night air. She shifted the earth beneath Sokka once more, and once again was met with groans from the young warrior.
"Now everything is as it should be." Pakku offered, shrugging. "We need not fret about things out of our control, Katara."
"The fact that this has happened within a day of Aang's disappearance is telling of his involvement in setting the world right. Have faith, young friends." Piandao smiled, bowing to the group.
"Enough of this chit chat. Let's go!" With a mighty fist movement, Bumi sprung himself onto a column of dirt, flying up and over the wall before them.
"That I have to try."
/
His heart was ever present in his throat, a throbbing reminder of what was at stake.
Zuko knelt before his Uncle's tent, feeling more nervous than he had ever been.
"Are you okay?" Katara asked, kneeling beside him.
"No! I'm not okay." Even Zuko was surprised at how honest he was being. Katara had that influence on him. "He probably hates me now. My uncle has done nothing but love me and support me, yet… I still turned against him. How can I face him?" Katara didn't fail to notice the small crack in his voice, mustering up a smile to comfort him.
"Zuko, you're sorry for what you did, right?" Her question was simple.
"Sorrier than I've ever been." The weight of his words was not lost on either of them. Smiling again, Katara reached over to squeeze his hand.
"Then he will forgive you. I promise. He will."
With a sigh, Zuko stood up, interlacing his fingers with Katara's. She stood too, and she could feel his hesitation.
"Go to him." She whispered, and with one last squeeze she let go of his hand.
Without looking back, Zuko stepped into the tent. He was not sure if it was relief he felt when he heard his Uncle snoring, but he was grateful to see that his Uncle was safe.
Sitting before him, Zuko settled down, ready to wait for as long as it took for his Uncle to awaken.
/
When Iroh finally awoke, he was surprised to see is nephew there, and even more surprised by the tears racing down his face. Hearing his apology, Iroh reached out and pulled his nephew into a tight hug.
"I was never angry at you. I was sad, thinking you'd lost your way." He embraced his nephew, relieved to see the anger his nephew once held so close had dissipated. He knew there was much to talk about, but for now, he was content.
/
"Why do you think our bending has returned, General Iroh?" Katara asked, a bowl of warm rice still in her hands. Sunrise over Ba Sing Se was as glorious as she remembered, but this sunrise was laced with urgency.
The camp of the White Lotus was modest, but lacked very little. She and the group had been able to grasp a few hours sleep, though she knew that it was racked with restlessness and questioning. All Katara wanted to do was jump in a body of water, to realign herself with the element she had lost.
In a way, now that she had her water bending back, she started to miss her fire.
"I believe it indicates that the Avatar's journey has been successful. I know it has been a tough few weeks for you all – many members of the White Lotus felt the emptiness you have felt. However, now you have your bending back, I think it is safe to assume that much is right in the world again."
"It's just… weird. I never thought I'd miss fire bending." Katara shrugged, noticing Iroh's face blanch as he choked on his rice.
"Forgive me, my dear, for my old ears deceive me. I thought you just said you missed fire bending!" He laughed, taking a generous sip of his tea to clear his throat.
"Uncle… your ears are fine. Uh…" Zuko looked around for help, but only saw the incredulous stare of his Uncle, and the averted eyes of his friends. "It wasn't that our bending was gone, per se, but that it… swapped?"
"What Sparky is trying to say is that he could bend water, Katara could bend fire, and I had a stint as an airbender." Toph wasn't one for awkward silences. "I went with Aang to sort it out, but Guru Banana Onion had few answers, so we came back, then Aang disappeared, so we came here."
"I see…" Iroh muttered, taking another sip of tea. "It seems that we have much more to catch up on than I had originally thought, friends. No matter, now is not the time for incredible stories, though I insist I be bought up to date soon. You sought out us for a reason. Pray tell, what do you need?"
"With Aang gone, you are the only one that can help us defeat the father- fire lord. We need you to come with us." Zuko explained.
"No Zuko, it would not end well. The world would see it as more senseless violence – a brother killing a brother, to grab power. The only way this could end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the fire lord."
Biting his tongue, Zuko fought the urge to argue, to try to convince his Uncle that he was wrong. Alas, although it had merely been months since he had last seen his Uncle (albeit in a prison cell at the time), Zuko had matured tremendously, and held his tongue.
"And then… would you come back? Take your rightful place on the throne?" He wasn't sure what he was hoping for.
"No. Someone new must take the throne. An idealist, with a pure heart and unquestionable honour. It has to be you, Prince Zuko."
"Unquestionable honour? But I've made so many mistakes!"
"Yes, you have." Zuko hung his head in shame. Perhaps his Uncle hadn't forgiven him.
"But you have always followed your own path, and restored your own honour. Only you can restore the honour of the fire nation."
"I… I'll try, Uncle." His voice wavered, and everyone knew just how much weight had been put on Zuko's shoulders – not just for the impending battle, but for the lifetime they were to spend after it.
"OK, so... what happens if Aang doesn't come back? You guys had to have had contingencies for it, right?" Toph voiced, staring blankly at Sokka. Sokka's eyes widened, and was thankful when Iroh continued to speak.
"Sozin's comet is arriving, and our destinies are upon us. Aang will face the Fire Lord. My destiny is to take back Ba Sing Se, so the Earth Kingdom can be free, once again." Iroh smiled, recounting his vision as a youth of Ba Sing Se.
"That's why you gathered the members here." Suki concluded. She liked General Iroh, and though she'd not known them long, she could see parts of Iroh in Zuko now.
"Zuko, you must go back to the Fire Nation, so when Ozai falls, you can resume the throne. However, Azula will be there…"
"I can handle Azula." He snorted, his inner fire flaring up.
"Not alone!" Iroh cut him off, sensing the heat from his nephew. "You are going to need help."
He saw several things in the next few seconds. He saw his brazen nephew bite back words and swallow, considering his options. He saw resignation cross his face, followed by contemplation. Then he saw his eyes flicker up to the waterbender across from him, an unspoken emotion dancing behind his eyes.
"Katara?" That was all Zuko had to say. Katara grinned, nodding.
"It would be my pleasure."
Iroh was more than happy with his nephew's choice, but was also very curious as to how their relationship had gone from the hostility and hatred in the caves of Ba Sing Se, to this almost unspoken alliance. He supposed it was something he'd have to ask later.
"What about us?" Sokka interrupted, feeling almost ashamed for having to ask. He had a plan, and he felt it would work, but now he was sitting in front of the Dragon of the West, he began to doubt himself. "What's our destiny today?"
Iroh smiled.
"What do you think it is?" He asked, smirking over his bowl.
Suki saw the sigh of relief exit her boyfriend's lips, and released a breath she hadn't known shew as holding.
"I think, even though we don't know where Aang is, we need to stop the air fleet."
"And that means that, when Aang does arrive, we'll be right there if he needs us." Toph concluded.
Iroh felt a surge of pride for the group before him, his confidence rising.
/
Boarding Appa, Zuko once again took the reins. They said their farewells to their gang and the Order of the White Lotus, the parting words of General Iroh echoing in their minds as they took off.
Today, destiny is our friend.
/
Bulk update, hope you're enjoying. I actually feel quite anxious about finishing this story. I hope I'm doing it justice, and I'm hoping that you're enjoying it. I hope the way I've written in the bending swap has made it fun and interesting, and that whilst the past two chapters are based on existing content, that you've enjoyed the small twists, turns and deviations I've made.
Until next time.