BOOK 2: EARTH

CHAPTER 19: THE GURU

Zuko was under for a while but he then came out of his condition. The first thing he saw was Indra sitting beside him, eyes shut and head bowed, deep in meditation. As Zuko sat up he found that he was able to get up without struggle. He was well rested.

"Sleep well?" Indra asked.

"Yes about as well as he did." Zuko answered.

Indra nodded in satisfaction, though he still was stoic in his expression. "Very good. Your body has taken to my treatment well."

"Treatment?"

"I gave you a portion of my power why you body was recovering. At this moment you are somewhat like more that you were before and yet less than you are now."

"I gave only power."

"One?"

"Yes. Though some may not choose the power of accelerated healing it at first when offered by considering the circumstance of what was, what is and what is yet to be . . . I deemed it appropriate."

"Accelerated healing? You mean . . . I can heal my wounds quickly?"

"Near instantaneous."

"Why did you offer me that? I thought you were going to offer me many powers, not just one."

"Most people who are offered a gift are usually grateful."

Zuko rubbed his eyes. "Right, sorry, thank you."

Zuko's apology caused Indra to smile faintly. "I didn't have give you anything, You're welcome."

Zuko stood up and walked over in the washroom and looked into the mirror, he saw he still has the scar on his left side of his face eye. Zuko was about to ask why until Indra answered it. "Is that scar a mark of you disgrace or a badge of honor? The healing power you have can heal any wound that you me sustain in the future. As for past wounds . . . what is done cannot be undone. But at least you can prevent it from happening again."

"I feel great my strength has come back. Thanks." Zuko said.

"That was not me. As your uncle said whatever battle happened inside you appeared to have come out on top. I guess there is just one thing for you to do now." Indra walked over to the window sweeping his back toward it. "It's a brand new day. Enjoy it."

Zuko breathed in and out and smiled. "I will."

Once Zuko exited the room Indra looked at his right arm; his wrist and palm were turning a little pale with dark veins slowly appearing, "The countdown has begun." he sighed.

"What's that smell?" he asked his uncle

Iroh was preparing food when he nephew awaken. "It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it." he said.

Zuko sniffs the food aroma. "Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle." He holds up a bowl to him.

"Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow." Iroh commented.

"It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up, Uncle." Zuko moves to a table and sits, drinking the jook. Iroh's shocked expression changes to a smile. Zuko's optimism was a welcome change.

Aang and Sokka fly on Appa to a Water Tribe camp, where Hakoda is.

"You haven't seen your dad in over two years. You must be so excited!" Aang said.

Sokka almost thrown up to that remark, "I know I should be, but, I just feel sick to my stomach." He holds his stomach.

"Don't be nervous. He's going to be so happy to see you!" Aang puts his hand on Sokka's shoulder who smiles.

"So what about you? Are you nervous to meet this guru?" Sokka asked.

"Not at all. I'm ready to master the Avatar State. I'll do whatever it takes." Sokka gets off Appa. "See you in a week. Yip yip!"

Aang and Appa fly away. Sokka arrives at the camp, where all the warriors greet him warmly.

"Sokka, good to see you." a Water Tribe warrior said.

He looks and sees the main tent. Inside, Hakoda, Sokka's father, is looking at a map with more warriors, including Bato, now with scars on his arm. Bato nudges Hakoda and Hakoda becomes happy upon seeing Sokka.

"Sokka."

"Hi, Dad."

Father and son the embrace knowing the road was long.

Back at the Earth King's Royal Palace, the "Kyoshi Warriors", Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee in disguise, sit before King Kuei.

"Look Bosco! The Kyoshi Warriors are here to protect us! Aren't you excited?"

Bosco only yawns. "It's been a difficult week for me. My most trusted advisor, Long Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me."

"But there is good news. As we speak, the Council of Five is meeting to plan an invasion of the Fire Nation this summer, on the day of a solar eclipse."

For a second, Azula's eyes slightly widen with shock and worry upon hearing this, but she quickly hides it. "Really? Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan."

Mai and Ty Lee look at each other this was an odd time.

In the Council of Five meeting where Katara, Dante and Momo are present to help plan for the invasion.

"General Fong's base will serve as the launching point for the attack. In exactly two months, the army and navy will invade the Fire Nation on the Day of Black Sun."

Momo jumps on the map and begins knocking over the pieces.

"Or we could send in Momo to do some damage!" Katara chuckles but the Council of Five are unamused. "Cause, the ... sorry."

Uses earthbending to stand the pieces back up, scaring Momo. "All we need is the Earth King's seal in order to execute the plan." Sends the scroll across the table to Katara.

"I'll get these scrolls to him right away. Thank you, General How."

Outside in palaces gardens Asura and Indra speak to one another.

"The answer is no, brother." Asura said.

Indra sighed. "I figured you will say that."

"I don't want to become that anymore. For one hundred years we have been free. We don't need to start trouble like this again. That's what caused us Sozin to come after us."

"Sozin is dead. He descended Ozai lives. But he knows not of our existence, this is our advantage, this is our chance to regain what we lost!"

Asura walked away facing a pond with a swan in it. "Why? I'm fine living the life I have. I only wish you realize that. We don't need the past to make us strong."

"How can you stand there and say that?"

"I'm optimistic."

Indra shook his head, he has exhausted everything all and Asura would not listen to reason. Fortunately he has but one last chance – the ace in the hole.

"Asura, do you have dark veins appearing on your right arm?" Indra asked.

Asura's eyes widened, he stopped breathing as he turned around to Indra. "Yes." he said quietly.

"Show me."

Asura heisted before rolling up his arm showing there was in fact the dark veins as Indra asked. "What is this?" Asura asked in fear.

"The price . . . Our price," Indra said. "For 100 years we have been separated. Now it shows that we can no long be apart. We must heal the void that was afflicted on us by the Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku. Only then can we be free from what is to come. But we must act when the time has come. And it will be soon."

Asura look depressed as he sat on the ground curling up his knees to his chest. He began to mutter something indistinctively. He then looked up and Indra to ask a question he regret later on. "If I do decided to help you, what must we do?" he asked. Indra walked over until he was looking down at Asura, staring at him. "We the time is right. We capture the Avatar."

Aang continues his journey to the Eastern Air Temple. He spots Guru Pathik, who is meditating, and lands Appa. Aang approaches Pathik.

"Uhhh ... hello? You're Guru Pathik, right? The person who attached the note to Appa's horn?"

"Indeed. I was a spiritual brother of your people, and a personal friend of Monk Gyatso." Pathik introduces himself.

Aang looks slightly surprised to hear this and sits down. "In your note, you said you could teach me how to gain control of the Avatar State. How?"

"You must gain balance within yourself, before you can bring balance to the world. And the first step to gaining balance begins with this." Pathik hands Aang a yellow beverage in a wooden cup. "Drink up!"

Aang takes it and looks at it. Drinks it and quickly spits it out to his left in disgust. "Uggh! It tastes like onion and banana juice!"

"That's because it is!" Pathik empties another bowl and holds it over his head. "Yum yum!"

Meanwhile, Xin Fu and Master Yu are working to bring Toph back to the Beifong Estate.

"I believe we need to go right!"

"What are you talking about? The Beifong Estate's this way!"

"I'm quite certain you're mistaken."

Toph then bangs at the cell. "Hey! Can you two old ladies quit your bitching for a second? I got to go to the bathroom!"

"Oooh ... uhhh, okay, but make it quick!" Yu said and gets up with a key in hand.

Xin Fu stops him. "What's wrong with you?"

Yu realizes what she was doing and sits down. "Ooh, very sneaky Toph! Nice try, but you can't trick me!"

"Let me out of here so I can kick both your butts!" she challenged.

"Quit your banging!"Xin Fu Bangs the metal box. "You might think you're the greatest earthbender in the world, but even you can't bend metal!"

Toph looks sad as she places her hand on a side of the metal box. No Earthbender could every bend.

Back in Ba Sing Se night, and where Azula, Mai and Ty Lee are staying in a small building in the Upper Ring. Mai and Ty Lee are removing their make-up. Ty Lee smiles a she looks in a mirror wiping the last traces of her Kyoshi makeup from her face. Mai is seated next to Ty Lee, still working on her own face.

"We have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity, girls." Azula addressed her friends.

"Mai finally gets to wear make-up that's not totally depressing?" Ty Lee joked.

"Ha, ha." Mai replied sarcastically with large, dark splotches of black makeup dripping down her eyes.

"I'm talking about conquering the whole Earth Kingdom." The two girls turn with shocked looks. "For one hundred years, the Fire Nation has hammered away at Ba Sing Se from the outside." Azula walks away from the girls and smirks while looking out of a window. "But now we're on the inside, and we can take it by ourselves."

"Gosh, you're so confident. I really admire that about you." Ty Lee said admiringly. Mai just rolled her eyes.

"From the inside, we're in perfect position to organize a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key is the Dai Li. Whoever controls the Dai Li controls Ba Sing Se." Azula states proudly.

Outside on top of the roof Valen was listening with Griffon on his arm. "That sounds like a very good plan . . ." he then disappears into the darkness of the night.

Back to the Eastern Air Temple Guru Pathik and his newest pupil Aang sit at a creek the first of many spots of mediation.

Meditation is art of getting one's mind into a deeper state of relaxation and awareness. When often trying to explain one must go back to the origin proverb that spoke if it: You think of this ocean that has waves. If a sparrow went over it you couldn't see the reflection of the bird, however if the ocean was calm and still you can everything perfectly like a mirror. Those who lived lives in peace or in conflict often imported meditation into their lives. To focus sharpen their minds and heal their wounds. But there was a deep division of the two.

Mediation in the life of conflict used their emotions to reinvigorate them, to stoke the flames of their passions which burned within their souls. Whether to perfect a skill, to become the greatest in the world by climbing the mountain of their goal to the top or to protect that which is near and dear to them. Like climbing a endless ladder to become more and more powerful. But like many warriors who live in conflict, the more powerful they become, the more arrogant and foolhardy.

Mediation in the life of peace was the polar opposite of the life of conflict. But in Aang's case due to his quest he may achieve harmony in both.

"There are seven chakras that go up the body. Each pool of energy has a purpose, and can be blocked by a specific kind of emotional muck. Be warned, opening the chakras is an intense experience, and once you begin the process, you cannot stop until all seven are open. Are you ready?" Guru Pathik asked.

Aang momentarily pauses as he considers the choice, then he nods his head. "I'll do whatever it takes."

First we will open the Earth Chakra, located at the base of the spine." Pathik explains. "It deals with survival, and is blocked by fear. What are you most afraid of? Let your fears become clear to you."

Aang sees images of things that cause him great fear, including the Blue Spirit attacking him, General Fong sinking Katara into the ground, himself merging with La at the North Pole, the cloaked man with a sword that he saw in a vision Fire Lord Ozai, and Sozin's Comet, which make him scream.

"Aang, your vision is not real. You are concerned for your survival, but you must surrender those fears. Let your fears flow down the creek.

Aang concentrates and clears the image away. Pathik nods "You have opened your Earth Chakra!" Aang wipes sweat off his forehead.

Later, Pathik and Aang are seated behind a waterfall.

Pathik wanted to see if Aang is paying attention. "Next is the ..."

"Water Chakra?" Aang guessed.

"Brilliant! Maybe one day you will be a guru too!" Pathik praised. "This chakra deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt. Now, look at all the guilt with burdens you so. What do you blame yourself for?"

Aang sees the image of him leaving home, of Dante chastising him on his failure and finally himslefin the Avatar State at General Fong's base. "I ran away. I hurt all of those people."

"Accept the reality that these things happened, but do not let them cloud and poison your energy. If you are to be a positive influence on the world, you need to forgive yourself."

Aang takes a deep, focused breath, opening his Water Chakra.

Back at the Water Tribe camp, they prepare. Chief Hakoda and Bato teaches his son what they are going to do.

"This bay leads directly to the outskirts of Ba Sing Se. We've been using these tangle mines to stop the Fire Nation ships from getting through." The chief said.

Bato began filling the mine with skunk fish and seaweed before moving away. "Your father invented tangle mines himself." he said.

"Destructive? Buoyant? And ..." Sokka sniffs and immediately becomes disgusted. "Aggh, ehhh! Terrible smelling!"

Hakoda nods, "Very perceptive. The mines are filled with skunk fish and seaweed. When a ship detonates the mine, the seaweed tangles up the propeller and the foul smell forces people to abandon the ship. I call it the "stink and sink."" He says.

Sokka laughs. "Good one, dad."

Bato rolls his eyes, unamused. "You're definitely your father's son."

Just then a warrior came to them to deliver a report. "Hakoda, our scouts have spotted four Fire Nation ships!"

"Bato, get these mines loaded up! The rest of you men, prepare for battle!" Hakoda ordered.

The warriors run off to prepare as Sokka looks around before looking back to his father. "Uhhh ... what should I do, Dad?"

Hakoda turned to his son. "Aren't you listening? I said, "The rest of you men, get ready for battle"."

Sokka smiles, nods, and departs. Hakoda smiles proudly. This was going to be a day to remember.

Back in Ba Sing Se, at the Jasmine Dragon. Zuko and Iroh observe the happenings standing at the back. "Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I'd end up owning my own tea shop? Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you." Iroh stated.

Zuko smiled. "Congratulations, Uncle."

"I am very thankful." Iroh said.

"You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city."

"No. I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know."

The two embrace before Zuko walks away to the back. "Now let's make these people some tea!"

Iroh becomes overjoyed. "Yes, let's make some tea!"

Back to the Eastern Air Temple, Aang and Pathik sit on a ledge. The sun setting before them. "Third is the Fire Chakra, located in the stomach."

Aang starting holding his stomach feeling hungry. "My Fire Chakra would like to eat something other than onion-banana juice."

Pathik chuckles. "Good one! Moving on. This chakra deals with willpower, and is blocked by shame. What are you ashamed of? What are your biggest disappointments in yourself?"

Aang's vision of his first attempt at firebending, which resulted in him accidentally burning Katara's hands, "I'm never going to firebend again. I can't." he said sadly.

Pathik feels Aang pain when it came to fire. "I know how you, Aang. But you will never find balance if you deny this part of your life. You are the Avatar and therefore, you are a firebender."

Aang breathes deeply, giving a try. Pathik sensed Aang progress and it was . . . odd. "Hmmm ... that chakra opened less like a flowing creek, and more like a ... burping bison."

Aang unleashed a loud burp in response. "Tastes like onions and bananas, but strangely something else. Pickles?"

Pathik shrugs while humming an 'I don't know.'

Back at the palace, two Dai Li agents hide on two pillars and secretly spy on a conversation between Mai and Ty Lee. The former is sitting on the stairs and the latter is practicing chi blocking and acrobatics.

"I'm tired of wearing this girly disguise. I don't know how anyone could fight in this." Mai sighs.

"Maybe that's why it was so easy to beat the Kyoshi Warriors and take their clothes." Ty Lee punches the air, imitating her chi blocking strikes.

"How much longer do we have to serve the Earth King? If I have to clean up one more pile of bear shit, I'm going to throw up." Mai grumped.

"Princess Azula promised we would go back to the Fire Nation as soon as we captured the Avatar. We just have to be patient."

Mai quickly stands up. "Shush up! Do you want the whole palace to know we're Fire Nation?"

"Sorry!"

The agents smile and climb away. Azula, who was hiding behind another pillar, walks up to them. "Good work, girls. I'm sure the Dai Li will deliver the message."

Azula then heard a faint *clank* in one direction but saw no one. However, behind one pillar Valen picked up his can that he dropped on purpose to send a fainted unclear message to the imposters, he then quickly teleported away before he could be discovered.

Back at the Air Temple Aang and Pathik walk up the steps to the next area of mediation. Aang then suddenly stop causing {Pathik to turn around to if anything is wrong.

"Pathik, I have something I need to ask for it was on my mind for a while."

"You have questions? Please, please, ask away."

Aang nodded. "Well . . . I was told that only the Avatar can master all four elements is it possible that some who, let's say . . . had a mother that is an Earthbender and father that is a Airbender: is it possible that if they have a child the child can bend both?"

Pathik rubbed his chin pondering the query. "That is a very interesting question, Aang, very. I never seen or heard of that happening but it could be. So far only child of different bending parents can bend one of the elements."

"I have his friend of mine, his name is Dante, and he can bend all four elements like an Avatar. But he's not the Avatar. He can't go into the Avatar State like me and he's an immortal who has walked the earth since the time of Kyoshi, maybe even before. "

Pathik raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really?" he takes a seat on a nearby rock. "He sounds like an Annunaki."

"Ann-what?" Aang asked, not being familiar with the term.

"Annunaki are said to be a type of spirits who came down from the stars and lived among the human race. Some were peaceful as the Air nomads and Water tribes, other were confrontational as the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. But then one day they vanished. Some stories popped up here and there of people with extraordinary gifts, but like most things they were just rumors."

"Maybe he knows. But he keeps a lot to himself. I don't blame him he had a rough from what he told me. He lost many he cared about."

"Sounds like you two are destined to be friends."

Aang smiles and the two continue up the steps to the next area. They reach a massive room with giant statue of a Air nomad seated in mediation.

"The fourth chakra is located in the heart. It deals with love and is blocked by grief. Lay all your grief out in front of you." Aang smiles and looks at a Air Nomad statue nearby before looking sad.

Aang sees images of many airbenders of many colors and shapes and sizes, including Gyatso and Yangchen. He smiles upon seeing them, but becomes saddened as they start to vanish into smoke.

"You have indeed felt a great loss. But love is a form of energy, and it swirls all around us." Aang is lifted into the air and sees the Air Nomads floating in the smoke. "The Air Nomads' love for you has not left this world. It is still inside of your heart, and is reborn in the form of new love."

The smoke in front of Aang forms a face and shows the first thing he saw upon waking up from his iceberg: Katara. Back in the real world, Aang is starting to cry tears of joy. Aang wipes away his tears.

"Let the pain flow away. Very good." Pathik said.

"Can I have some onion-banana juice, please?" Aang asked in a choked up voice.

Inside another part of the temple the two sit where the wind blows creating different tunes. "The fifth in the chain is the Sound Chakra, located in the throat. It deals with truth and is blocked by lies. The ones we tell ourselves."

Aang remembers back to when he, Katara, and Sokka first began their journey to the North Pole.

Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?

Aang finds himself answering the question out loud once again. "Because I never wanted to be."

"You cannot lie about your own nature. You must accept that you are the Avatar." Aang inhales and, seeing an image of himself on a cliff looking down at the ground, exhales, and accepts his nature. "Very good, Aang. You have opened the chakra of truth."

Outside the temple interior Pathik teaches a very important lesion in the next Chakra. "The sixth pool of energy is the light chakra, located in the center of the forehead. It deals with insight and is blocked by illusion. The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one in the same."

"Like the four nations." Aang said.

Pathik nodded. "Yes. We are all one people, but we live as if divided."

"We're all connected. Everything is connected." Aang said.

"That's right! Even the separation of the four elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one. Four parts of the same whole. Even metal is just a part of earth that has been purified and refined."

Katara walks by the Jasmine Dragon and gets an idea.

"What do you say, Momo? A cup of tea before we get back to the king? They arrive at the shop. Table for two, please."

Zuko hears the order. "Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green, and one lychee!"

"I'm brewing as fast as I can!" Iroh calls back.

Katara notices Zuko and Iroh voices and sees. Stunned, she runs away from the shop. She as she did she bumps past Indra who took notice of her.

Half a world away, Aang and Pathik sit at the top of the temple at night.

"This is the last chakra, isn't it?" Aang asked.

"Yes. Once you open this chakra, you will be able to go in and out of the Avatar State at will and when you are in the Avatar State, you will have complete control and awareness of all your actions."

"Let's do this." Aang smiles with determination. His is ready . . .

"The Thought Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment. Meditate on what attaches you to this world. Now, let all of those attachments go. Let them flow down the river, forgotten."

Or so Aang thinks as he coming out of his meditation. "What? Why would I let go of Katara? I ... I love her!"

"Learn to let her go, or you cannot let the pure cosmic energy flow in from the universe." Pathik said.

"Why would I choose cosmic energy over Katara? How could it be a bad thing that I feel an attachment to her? Three chakras ago that was a good thing!" Aang protested.

"You must learn to let go."Pathik said again leaving Aang to contemplates worriedly.

Back at the palace, Katara runs to inform the Earth King. Dante was flirting with a maid when he see Katara running up the steps at top speed. Dante noted how steep the steps are to see her sprinting up which grace only means one thing . . . Something is wrong, terribly so.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where's the fire?" Dante asked.

"Here in the Ba Sing Se." Katara huffed.

"Maybe you can call the . . ."

"Dante, listen to me! Zuko and Iroh are here in Ba Sing Se!"

Dante eyes widened upon hearing that, forcing to leave the maid behind and speak to Katara to the side. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"I saw them in a tea shop called the Jasmine Dragon!"

"Iroh always like jasmine . . ."

"Dante!"

"Alright, alright, let's go."

The two entered inside only to encounter the "Kyoshi Warriors".

Thank goodness you're here, Suki. Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city, I just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle!" Azula widens her eyes in surprise and smiles slyly. "We have to tell the Earth King right away!"

"Oh, don't worry; I'll be sure to let him know."

Katara and notices "Suki" has gold eyes and is shocked upon realization that the "Kyoshi Warriors" are actually Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. They prepare to attack, but Ty Lee quickly jumps forward and like a flash of lightning blocks her chi. Katara falls hard on the floor and Dante goes over. Katara eyes looked at Dante's worried face.

While the three girls gather around Dante holding the fallen Katara "So, Zuzu's in the city, too? I think it's time for a family reunion." Azula says. "If you want, you can be there with us."

Dante look up stares into Azula's face. "Sorry, I promise to my friends." He said proudly.

Back at the temple Aang struggles with the final test. No surprise there.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let go of Katara." He said.

"Aang, to master the Avatar State, you must open all the chakras. Surrender yourself." Pathik urged.

Aang sighs giving it another shot. "Okay, I'll try."

"Now think of your attachments and let them go. Let the pure cosmic energy flow." Pathik instructed.

Aang sees an image of him letting Katara go, and a bridge that will lead him to Avatar State mastery. His image looks down, smiles at the bridge, and walks up to the Avatar Spirit, which is an enlarged image of himself in the Avatar State. The Avatar Spirit is holding a ball of energy, and Aang walks directly inside of it. As he does so, his tattoos glow, and he closes his eyes. Right before he is able to completely open the final chakra and master the Avatar State, however, he hears a shriek from Katara and sees a vision of her and Dante in chains. At this, he jumps out of the energy sphere and runs away from the Avatar Spirit. The energy bridge that lead him there slowly vanishes behind him until it catches up and falls from underneath him, causing his image to plummet toward Earth. This cuts his connection to the Avatar State, which forces him back to reality.

"Katara's in danger! I have to go!" Aang jumps up preparing to exit.

"No, Aang! By choosing attachment, you have locked the chakra! If you leave now, you won't be able to go into the Avatar State at all!" Pathik calls after him.

Aang hesitates but leaves anyway, leaving Pathik concerned and disappointed. He knows that something is wrong but he wished Aang would go prepared.

Meanwhile to Xin Fu and Yu trying to take Toph home; she feels around the metal cage with seismic sense to see if there is any way to escape this cage. Then she feels tiny particles of earth in the metal. Then she remembers that when the blacksmith back home would order chucks or ore from the mines to shape it into refined metal in the forges. She smiles, exhales deeply and begins to push against the metal.

"Come on, metal. Budge!" she struggled before punches a hole in the metal and shakes her hand in pain. "Wooo! Toph, you rule." She takes another punch then another until she is free. Xin Fu and Yu hear a loud noise and stop, they go to investigate, and notice a hole in the cage and that Toph is gone.

"It's another one her tricks!" Yu said.

"There's a giant hole in the box! How is that a trick!?" Xin Fu asked with irony.

Toph appears from behind them to deliver another irony. "It's not! It's the real deal!" She earthbends the two men together, throws them in the cage, and metalbends the cage shut. She then Jumps on top of the box. "I AM THE GREATEST EARTHBENDER IN THE WORLD! DON'T YOU TWO SHITHEADS EVER FORGET IT!" She stomps on the box and exits using earth surfing.

"I'm going to be stuck in here forever with you, aren't I?" Xin Fu asked.

"I have to go the bathroom." Yu says causing Xin Fu groans and slams his head against the box.

Back at the Water Tribe camp, Hakoda approaches Sokka. "Ready to go knock some Fire Nation heads?"

"You don't know how much this means to me, Dad." Sokka says. "I'll make you proud and I'll finally prove to you what a great warrior I am."

Hakoda placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "Sokka, you don't have to prove anything to me. I'm already proud of you and I've always known you're a great warrior."

"Really?"

"Why do you think I trusted you to look after our tribe when I left?"

Just as the two are boarding the ship, Aang and Appa appear. Aang shows a clear look of concern.

"This can't be good news." Sokka said sadly.

Aang and Sokka depart. Just as they're leaving, Sokka looks back at Hakoda, who looks back and grins. Whatever is going on everything will be alright.

Back in Ba Sing Se, Azula is led into a prison by two Dai Li agents. She is taken to Long Feng's cell.

"What is this about? Your agents show up in the middle of the night and drag me down here? You will not treat a Kyoshi Warrior this way!" Azula protested angrily.

"But you're not a Kyoshi Warrior, are you, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation?" Long Feng said as he stood up.

"What do you want?" Azula asked now that the truth is out.

"I want to make a deal. It's time that I regain control of Ba Sing Se and you have something I need."

"Oh?" Azula said wondering what it could be.

"The Earth King's trust." Long Feng said.

"Why should I help you?" Azula asked.

"Because I can get you the Avatar." Long Feng stated.

Azula smirks in satisfaction. "I'm listening ..."

Long Feng back smiles, everything seems to be going his way.

Back at the Jasmine Dragon, a royal messenger enters with a message from the Royal Palace. Iroh reads it thoroughly, becomes shocked, and smiles. "I ... I can't believe it!"

"What is it, Uncle?" Zuko asked.

"Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" Iroh runs off to prepare. Zuko smiles as he continues sweeping. Indra narrowed his eyes and left the tea shop.

The time has come.