Family Reunion
The next morning it didn't take very long to notice the most important person in the world was missing. Aang was nowhere to be found and also neither was Momo. A quick search of the house and finding his tracks leading to the ocean showed he had vanished.
While the others were going on about the Spirit World and starting to a search of the island for him Akiko quickly cut them off.
"Neither of those will be necessary. Trust me. Aang is not on Ember Island and he's definitely not in the Spirit World. You'd be wasting a lot of time looking around Ember Island trying to find him when he's not either and he's not in the Spirit World either, Sokka."
"And how do you know that Miss Lady of Fire?" demanded the 15-year-old Water Tribe boy.
Akiko sighed as it was always annoying when people didn't get was obvious and asked a very stupid question which they should already know the answer too.
Reaching up she petted Zuka on her shoulder and whispered to her, "You're about to get a lesson in about using your common sense, Zuka. Never forget it, alright?" and beautiful baby dragon trilled.
Look at the group at large she informed them what they should've been able to figure out in a very obvious fashion. 'Hello, Sokka, in case all of you have sawdust for brains I do have spiritual powers, remember?
And I've only been telling you all ever since Zuky and I joined the group that they've been growing exponentially since my last birthday! And did all of you forget I can track people by the spiritual energy?
Ever since my birthday and us creating the Avatar Star I've been able to sense everyone in the group's position by their spiritual energy within a six-mile radius.
Also for your guy's information, I've since I was two years old always known when spirits or people have been coming and going from the Spirit World. I can feel the doorway open and close.
And I can tell you for a 100% Aang's spirit is not on Ember Island and he's not within the six-mile radius, nor did he go into the Spirit World.
And Kai and Ting-Ting would've told me if I was mistaken because the Spirit World be jumping like jittery jumping junebugs on today of all days if the most powerful spirit was there!" she informed all of them in an exasperated and annoyed tone.
"And don't doubt Akiko's power on this one. It's because of this ability we were able to track Azula down and save Aang during that duel back in the ghost town where you first met Akiko.
So she ain't playing you on how accurate her powers are. Nor how well she can pin someone down with this ability is. I've grown up and seen for myself firsthand her secret powers develop. So trust me if she says Aang not here then he's not here." Zuko backed up his fire lily.
"Then if he's not on Ember Island or Spirit World then where in the world is he?! And to a lesser question is Momo?" Katara demanded to the two lovers who shook their heads.
"We've got no clue on that. All we can tell you he's not here and most likely Momo is with him," Akiko replied back.
"Well then you two are just gonna have to find them!" shot back Katara and now everyone was looking at the lovers who looked confused and stunned.
"US?! WHY US?!"
"Because Zuko no-one else has better experience hunting Aang then you. And Akiko has these special powers as well that can help. And you've made it clear that you two can only function as one due to being symbiotic.
So do whatever it is you gotta do and find Aang!" Katara explained her reasoning to them and the two hated to be put on the spot but nodded.
They turned to each other and talked quietly for a few minutes on the best course of action before turning to the group and shouted. "Get on Appa and no questions! We don't have the time for them!"
And soon they're flying towards the Earth Kingdom coast in a big hurry. Zuko was doing the driving and Akiko seemed to be meditating. After a while, the others asked where they're going and what was Akiko doing?
"Trust us! I'm taking us to find someone who will help us find Aang. Akiko is attempting to project her spirit back at the Capital to see what Death and the Demon are doing so we really know what's going on. Don't disturb her!"
Akiko was pushing her spirit powers to the limit but finally was able to project her soul-self unseen to see something that was most troubling going on.
She could perceive rather easily that Azula was descending rapidly further into madness and Ozai in his own psychotic state of mind had renounced the title of Fire Lord and given himself the title of Phoenix King!
This epidemic of insanity was spreading like wildfire and very before long the plague of hellfire would be descending down on the world granting it a fiery death if they didn't prevent it!
Akiko woke up with a start just as they're landing and took a big inhale and exclaimed. "Hell be upon this earth!"
"What?!"
"Death is no longer the Fire Lord he's assumed the mantle of the Phoenix King! He's named the Demon his successor as Fire Lord but she's losing her grip on reality as quickly as the walls fell at Ba Sing Se!
Curse of both insanity and fire is coming! And it's coming fast! We must work quickly! And it's not just to save the world of Man if this world is forever out of balance the Spirit World will be too!"
"Then it's a good thing we've come to the one place with the one person who has a shot of finding Aang."
"What a seedy tavern? Who gonna find the Avatar in here?" asked Suki confused.
Zuko opened the door and they saw a beautiful woman in leather with tattoos having a bar fight and he answered by simply saying. "June."
"Oh yeah, the person with the giant mole. I remember her!" cried Sokka.
"Mole? Her skin is flawless!" Suki pointed out.
"No, it's this thing she rides and can find anything by its scent and he used it to track us once."
"Well I don't know this June but I like here."
"We don't have time to reminiscence about the past or for us to argue about how stupid I was some months back!"
"Yes, let's just get her to help us!" as the group approached the bounty hunter who looked at them mildly interested.
"Oh, it isn't Prince Pouty Pants. See you made up with your girlfriend."
"I" M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!" Katara yelled.
"FOR THE RECORD I'M HIS GIRLFRIEND AND IF ONE MORE PERSON DOESN'T GET THAT THROUGH THEIR HEAD I SWEAR BY THE DRAGONS THEY ARE GONNA SUFFER IN WAYS THEY CAN'T IMAGINE!" screamed Akiko who was quite fed up with everyone seemingly thinking Zuko and Katara were an item.
"Okay! Sorry didn't know he was spoken for! Geez, lighten up and take a joke! So what can I do you for you all?"
"What we need is for you to find the Avatar! And we need to do before the world perishes in hellfire!" snapped Akiko getting in her face glaring her jade green eyes at the girl.
"Okay, that old assignment. What is with you and your boyfriend interest in the Avatar? But okay. Let's get this over with," as they walked outside and she had a steak in her hand for her shirshu Nyla.
"Come here my little snuffy wuffly" and then clamped down on her mouth when the paralyzing tongue came out. "Down girl!" calming down her animal she then turned to the group.
"Okay, who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?" and Katara threw down his glider.
Nyla sniffed and tried to follow it but it soon became obvious there was a problem.
"What's the problem?" inquired Akiko and June looked at her. "Your friend is gone as in he doesn't exist. And I mean it's like he was never born. He's not dead either he just doesn't exist."
"Mmm, maybe I can help. Maybe he did disappear into the Spirit World and that's throwing off the scent. Let me see if this helps."
"Okay, give a shot. I mean it's worth a shot to see if we can find him that way."
Taking the staff it glowed in her hands as she infused it with some of Aang's spiritual energy that she was able to tap. "Try again. It's now got some of his spiritual energy on it."
Again the shirshu sniffed and again she couldn't find him. "Like I said he doesn't exist and he's not in the Spirit World. It's a real head-scratcher there. Sorry, I can't be of more help."
"Wait, there another person who might be able to help. I'll get a sample," Zuko called out and Akiko quickly correct. "What you mean, Zuky is there two people who might be able to help. I'll get the other sample," as they both climbed back up into Appa's saddle.
While they're busy for a few moments Zuka was naturally curious about the new animal but it was Katara and Suki that had to save her from being paralyzed when she accidentally annoyed Nyla.
Then everyone got two very potent scents filling their noses. One was very stinky and sweat and the other was sweet and fragrant. Zuko was holding up a sweaty sandal and Akiko had a ruby red flower.
"What the heck are those?!" demanded Sokka as he pinched his nose.
"During the Winter Solstice Uncle got captured by Earthbenders and I saved him. He left this behind so I could find him." Zuko explained.
"And this is a fire flower. Xiaoying always wore them in her hair. She left one behind the Day of Black Sun. If anyone can help us now it will be mine and Zuko's true father and our godmother." Akiko explained and Toph just smiled.
"I think their both very sweet," while everyone else was gagging.
The shirshu got the two scents and took off and soon they're all heading off rapidly to where the scents were taking them. They kept going till they came to a broken section of the wall outside of Ba Sing Se.
"What are we doing here?" everyone asked confused.
"The scents stop here. You Uncle and godmother lie beyond the wall. My work is done. Good luck," and with that June and Nyla disappeared into the night.
"Well, we might as well as sleep and continue on in the morning. Goodnight," Katara said as everyone drifted off to sleep.
However, they only slept an hour before they got the wake-up call of a lifetime. First, a large cloud of colorful perfumed smoke surround them and then they could make out a ring of fire as well.
When the smoke cleared and the fire died everyone looked up and saw four men and a woman standing in white and indigo robes and then Bumi said: "Well looky who we got here!"
It was then everyone was shocked to recognize their old masters. Everyone was a master bender or in Master Piandao's case master swordsman. Though none of Team Avatar knew who the beautiful woman was.
Though they knew she had to be Fire Nation given how she styled her hair and coloring. She had white lotus accessories, her earrings, the flowers in her hair and hairpiece on her topknot were all white lotus.
"Why are we surrounded by old people?" asked Toph.
"Not just any old people these are great masters!" cried Katara.
"And for the record, I'm not that old. I'm still very young, my friend," the woman said as her eyes were shimmering with tears as they fell on Zuko and Akiko.
"Xiaoying!" they cried and she opened her arms wide as they ran to her and she embraced her godchildren.
"Oh, how I've missed you both. My precious and beloved godchildren," she whispered with tears in her eyes as she kissed both their heads gently.
There were other reunions and other news going on as everyone found out what was going on.
That this was an ancient secret society that transcends the four nations. The Order of the White Lotus. That was dedicated to beauty, truth, philosophy, and enlightenment. And it was also revealed that every member had a special pet bird called a White Lotus Dove that was only known to members and could find another member no matter where on Earth they were. Very loyal and faithful and extremely good pets.
There was other joyful news. As Master Pakku who had been Katara's teacher at the North Pole had now married her and Sokka's grandmother and was now part of the family. Though he still didn't seem to like Sokka that much.
But that wasn't the only news on the martial front. Xiaoying took Zuko and Akiko aside where they were met up again with Piandao. He wasn't just Sokka's sword master he had also trained them.
Xiaoying finally was able to tell her godchildren that she and Piandao had been actually romantically involved for years and now were engaged. And it would greatly honor them if both of them would be their best man and maid of honor to which they gladly accepted.
But that wasn't the only bombshell Xiaoying had to drop. She informed all the children of what unique position she held within the Order. She said she was the Grand Yon. Yons were special secret agents who were assigned to protect either people or locations of great importance.
And as Grand Yon which was a position her family had held for the last 100 years she was Second in Command of the White Lotus with Grand Lotus who was in charge was Iroh!
"So was all those games and funny talk you did when we're children you actually talking about things to do with the Order?" inquired Akiko to which Xiaoying nodded. "Yes, don't be upset, Akiko.
I'm sorry neither your father or I could tell you or Zuko. Believe me, we really wanted too. But neither of you were ready and no way could we let Death or the Demon catch wind of this."
"Well, why didn't you tell me you at a boyfriend at least?!"
"Again that had to do with Order business! Sorry!"
"Okay, well did either of my mothers know?"
"I hinted to them I had a lover but nothing more than that!"
"Ugh!"
"So who else is a Yon, Xiaoying? The people you command?" Zuko wanted to know as he jogged up after hearing how Bumi took back his city on the day of the eclipse.
"You'll meet all the rest of the Order. But I'll let you know about the Yons and who here and who isn't and who still on Guard duty."
When the got to the camp there was certainly a lot of bustling and hustling and someone came up to Xiaoying with a list.
"Okay, let's see what did the Doves on the latest up to date on the Yons. "Well," turning to the Water Tribe siblings, " I know to find out your new grandfather and old waterbending master an member of this secret club is a shock.
But this will shock you too to find out your Gran-Gran is a Yon."
"What?! Gran-Gran is part of this club?!" they asked in shock and Xiaoying nodded.
" It was part of the reason Gran-Gran was extra protective of you Katara. When she made it to the South someone was needed to make sure that Southern style of waterbending didn't die out. And also to protect the last waterbender down there.
She, of course, isn't here but she at least did an excellent job in her undercover job."
The next few undercover agents you all met in order of your journey who were protecting spiritual locations were the Leader of Kyoshi Island, then the Village by the Hai-bai Forest.
Also, Fire Sage Shyu and Auntie Wu are Yons. Fire Sage Shyu became one after Avatar Roku made his prophecy and Auntie Wu for her special talents.
Princess Yue became one when she became the Moon Spirit and helps in the Spirit World where we need agents as well.
The next Yons you met on your journey as you went through the Earth Kingdom to find Aang's Earthbending teacher and to Ba Sing Se will surprise you some.
They included those crazy nomads, the Foggy Swamp Tribe and the Swamp itself as its sentient, the leader of the Sandbenders whose son stole Appa is one and finally Guru Pathik is another one.
Furthermore, of the Sun Warriors, the Dragon Guardians and the Sisterhood of the Dawn are all our allies as well."
"But any of them here?" the others wanted to know.
"The almost everyone is either still protecting their assigned location from the coming onslaught or in prison. But there are a few people here that are here to help."
And four young women appeared with one in the lead nodding. "Hello, Prince Zuko. Lady Akiko. It's an honor to see you too again," Healer Yang bowed respectfully.
"Healer Yang! What are you doing here?!" they asked in wonder.
"While a majority of the Sisterhood is preparing to help the citizens of the Fire Nation who are in just as much danger from Sozin's Comet as is the rest of the world the four of us are here to treat the causality on the battlefront and have been also kept busy performing cleansing to cleanse everyone spirit so they'll truly be ready to fight." Healer Yang replied.
"It's great to see you again and we wish you could have helped us a few weeks ago when I got sick," Akiko started to say when Healer Yang held up a hand. "You did a fair enough job healing yourself and the world has seen the miracle you all did on your own every night since in the sky, have we not?" looking at the sky where the Avatar Star was burning brightly.
"I guess that's a good point," Akiko admitted.
"Well, we have got a few more cleansing to perform and prepare for the mass casualties to come. We shall talk again really soon. See you later." and with that Yang, Saura, Rei, and Kishi all went to get the Order prepared.
"Xiaoying? Where is he?" they both asked quietly.
"Come with me," as they all walked to a large tent in the center of camp that was a little grander than the rest.
"Your father is inside," she told them and they took two steps forward and stopped. Katara walked up to the lovers and gently asked, "What's wrong?"
"We can't face him. Not after all we did. How can we face our father?" Akiko whispered.
"We betrayed him, broke the Promise of the Fire Lily and failed each other and I helped take down Ba Sing Se. We both failed as a son and a daughter. We made so many stupid mistakes and all he ever did was love us. And we failed him and betrayed him!"
"He'll never forgive us! Especially not just for the betrayal but also breaking the sacred Promise of the Fire Lily!"
"Look at me, please?" and they looked at her. "Now you're both sorry for everything that went down at Ba Sing Se. And everything else you ever did wrong right?"
"Yes."
"And you two still have been true to each other and you joined us and have gotten this far have you not?"
"Yes."
"Then you have nothing to be ashamed of. He'll still love and forgive you no matter what you have done or think is unforgivable. He's your father and nothing you've done is so big that is greater the love power to fix it."
"Thank you, Katara," sighing holding hands they whispered, "Here we go." as they walked in and said, "Uncle?" and found him asleep and snoring.
"He looks so peaceful when he's sleeping."
"Let's wait till he wakes up."
"Yes." and they both said down and waited patiently for him to wake up.
All night they hardly breathed as they watched silently as their father slept. It wasn't till the sun was inching its way over the horizon did he stir again due to the fact they're all firebenders.
He woke up stretching and glanced at them without saying anything. Both of them tried to speak and keep their voices steady but it was impossible as their voices broke and their gold and jade eyes had an outpour of tears.
"Uncle, we know you must have very mixed feelings about seeing the both of us," Zuko began slowly.
"And with a lot of good reasons that we can't blame you for either," Akiko added shamefully.
"But we are so sorry and ashamed of what we did. I'm ashamed of what I did in Ba Sing Se."
"I'm ashamed of staying in a coma for as long as I did because I was too scared to come back to this world and fight."
They both gulped and both cried. "And we are both sorry and ashamed for the greatest dishonors we committed! We failed in the Promise of the Fire Lily and have dishonored you! The one who loved and believed in us and was always there for us no matter what!
We don't know what we can do to make up for such shameful mistakes but..." they didn't get another word out because Iroh had grabbed them both and was hugging them to death and crying with a proud smile on his aged face.
"How can you forgive us so easily? We thought you be furious with us!" they asked in confusion.
"I was never angry with either of you. Just sad because I was afraid both of you had lost your way."
"We did," they admitted.
"But you both found it again and you both did it on your own. And I couldn't be more proud of you. I'm so happy you found your way here."
"It's not like it was that hard, Uncle. You have a very strong scent." Zuko told him with a chuckle.
Uncle laughed and then he looked at them with a smile. They could tell he had something that he'd been holding back for a long time. "It's time I told you both how much you both mean to me. For today could be the last day of our lives and I might never get another chance to tell you both how I feel.
Your friend Toph told me when we met that I should tell you both the truth before it was too late. Sing to you both my heart's song for both of you. And it's time I sang to both of you the truth I've kept inside of me for so long."
"What truth?" they asked confused.
"The truth of a father's love for his son and daughter and how much I truly love you both. And in my own words what you both mean to me."
Then turning to his second son he looked at Zuko proudly and began to sing the song of his heart of how much he loved his second son and what he truly meant to him.
"I'm down on my knees again tonight,
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right.
See, there is a boy that needs the Spirit's help.
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired,
I'm sure the Spirits can understand.
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand,
And she tries
Not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes.
Can the Spirits hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can the Spirits see him?
Can the Spirits make him feel all right?
If the Spirits can hear me
Let me take his place somehow.
See, he's not just anyone, he's my son.
Sometimes late at night, I watch him sleep,
I dream of the boy he'd like to be.
I try to be strong and see him through,
But Great Spirits who he needs right now is all of you.
Let him grow old,
Live life without this fear.
What would I be
Living without him here?
He's so tired,
And he's scared
Let him know that you are all there.
Can any of you hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can any of you see him?
Can any of you make him feel all right?
If any of you can hear me
Let me take his place somehow.
See, he's not just anyone, he's my son.
Can any of you hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can any of you see him?
Can any of you make him feel all right?
If any of you can hear me
Let me take his place somehow.
See, he's not just anyone.
Can any of you hear me?
Can any of you see him?
Please don't leave him,
He's my son."
Zuko was stunned and full of so many different overwhelming emotions to know just how much Iroh loved him. And then Iroh turned to his daughter to sing the song of his heart to her. Taking a deep breath he began.
"In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle the Spirits gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find a reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eye."
Now Akiko was the one awash with emotions and both of them fell back into Uncle embrace and just crying in broken voices said. "We love you too, Father."
"Well, am I not gonna get any love too? Or do I have to sing my own song first before I can join the family reunion?" called a voice as someone else enters the tent. Looking up it was Xiaoying who was also crying.
"I've my own song for my beautiful and precious godchildren and what I've waited so many years to say. And if none of us live past today I better sing it too you both too," as she got very close to them.
Then in the voice of a goddess she sang what she'd wanted to sing for years to her goddaughter and godson.
"I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find Spirits grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big!"
The four of them all hugged and cried for awhile. That was until Zuka finally crawled out her carrier wondering what the heck was going on and Akiko and Zuko had to introduce her to their father and godmother.
Who thought she was the most beautiful creature they'd ever seen and thought her name was perfect.
Finally, everyone went outside to talk about a plan what to do over some food. The Order was going to take Ba Sing Se back in the name of the Earth King. Sokka, Suki, and Toph were going to stop the airships.
But when it came to what Iroh told Zuko and Akiko what they had to do they're honestly a little scared.
He told them it was time for them to become the leaders of the Fire Nation by becoming Fire Lord and Fire Lady. He was too old and after everything, they'd been through and following their own path they were truly the best ones to lead the Fire Nation out of darkness into the light.
"You really think we could be good leaders, Father?" Akiko asked and her father nodded.
"Despite all the hardships you've been through you both have the purity of hearts, unquestionable honor, and the ideas and open-mindedness needed to lead a new era."
"It's just it never really seemed like it would actually happen, to be honest, Father. Not even after Akiko and I got betrothed or after renouncing Ozai as my father and all the crap we went through." Zuko admitted.
"I know this will be your hardest challenge ever facing Azula for both your right at the throne. But you both have the right to it. Despite everything else, you're still betrothed to one another and are still Prince and Lady of the Fire Nation and even if Ozai or Azula never considered it real when I claimed you as my daughter that did make you part of the family blood or not."
"So we are the rightful heirs to the throne. Both because we are betrothed and Zuko is first born and I'm your daughter I have got a legal claim too as I'm your child."
"But claiming it won't be easy. To take down the Demon you'll both need help."
"Katara do you wish to help us claim our rightful inheritance?" they asked her and she nodded.
"You betcha I would! It's time someone put that demon in her place!"
"Well, before we all take off to go our separate ways to save the day there is one thing left to say or should I say sing. To remind us what we are fighting for and what today will mean if it ends in victory," Xiaoying said as she came forward once more to sing about what today would mean if they won today after a 100 years of war.
"This ain't comin' from no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see
The way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand
When the last child cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies for just words that he said
When there's shelter over the poorest head
We shall be free
When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
When we're free to love anyone we choose
When this world's big enough for all different views
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out
'Cause we shall be free
And when money talks for the very last time
And nobody walks a step behind
When there's only one race and that's mankind
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out
We shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, have a little faith
We shall be free!"
"Yes! Today is the day of destiny and by the end of it we shall be free!" everyone declared as they got ready to head out to finish the war and save the world.
Akiko and Zuko hung back for a few moments to talk privately with Uncle and Xiaoying for a little longer.
Zuko wanted to know what Uncle was gonna do if he wasn't gonna be Fire Lord and he laughed and said he was gonna reconquer his tea shop and play Pai Sho every day which made Akiko and Zuko laugh.
At least satisfied that Uncle was gonna be happy they asked Xiaoying what she planned to do besides getting married. She said she and Piandao were going to reopen her shop in the capital with a small school in the back for sword training and plan to have a child as well.
Happy for their godmother as well there was really only one final request to make of both of them. That was to ask Xiaoying to make their wedding outfits and that Iroh still does his duty of giving Akiko away. To which both replied they'd been waiting to do those honors since the very day they had met on Ember Island all those years ago.
Hugging them tightly and saying I love you one more time they left to go take down the Demon.
"Farewell, my son, my daughter. Good luck." Iroh called after them. He looked worried and Xiaoying looked at her old friend and said. "Don't worry about them. They haven't come this far to fail now. And they've got the power of true love by their side. They won't fail."
"I hope your right. I already lost Lu Ten. I don't want to lose my other two children."
"I don't want to lose them either. But it's the day of the return of Sozin's Comet. Nothing is a guarantee today. We just got to pray for the best. And believe in the powers of faith, friendship, family, hope, and love."
"Yes. Let's hope it will be enough."
"Yes let's hope it will be enough for all of the mankind sake."