I do not own Avatar. It is the property of Nickelodeon. The creators and owners are Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.

Enjoy!

"How long have we been walking Druk?"

The dragon, who has his head on Zuko's shoulder while the rest of his body holds on to his human, responds only in a grumble.

"That long, huh? And no luck."

It was true. They had been walking for what felt like over an hour now. There was still no sign of Uncle, Toph, or even that weird guy and his pet Cat-Gator. It was just mud, vines, and the occasional giant bug. Zuko was thankful for Druk. He kept breathing fire at any bugs that came close. So Zuko didn't have to deal with any.

But he was still alone in a swamp, his only company being his dragon.

"Ugh! How am I supposed to find them?"

"Perhaps knowing how to look will help."

"Zuko quickly turned to find the speaker. His eyes widened when he saw him.

It had been years since he saw him last, but Zuko would always recognize him. The same tan skin, the same topknot, the same uniform. He even had the same easy grin on his face.

"Lu Ten?"

The ghost smiled. "It's been a while, Zuko.

"Ugh. I think that hurt my tailbone."

Iroh rubbed his back as he lifted himself from the muddy floor. He was now sitting in the mud. And he was completely alone from the look of it.

"So this is what has become of the Dragon of the West."

Iroh quickly turned around to be faced with a sight had not seen since he first left for Ba Sing Se all those years ago.

His father.

"Fire Lord Azulon."

"It is traditional for me to be greeted by my title." The aging face of the Fire Nation's previous ruler remained impassive as he spoke. "But why remain formal in this- place?" He spat out the word in disgust.

"I have never known you to break from protocol, father."

"You mean when Ozai became Fire Lord instead of you? Do you honestly believe that to be the case?" Azulon's face broke from its neutrality. It betrayed true anger. "You were meant to be the Fire Lord Iroh. Ozai is petulant, impatient, and not at all fit to lead the nation."

Azulon's frown deepened.

"Perhaps you are not worthy of the throne either."

Iroh said nothing.

"Ozai takes your birthright, and you do nothing? You simply allow it?"

"The throne was not my destiny. I have no right to it," Iroh said flatly. "I led a life of purposeful ignorance and needless battle."

"And you think Ozai will be any better?" Azulon said with a humorless chuckle. "Do not make excuses Iroh. The loss of Lu Ten broke you with grief. You were too lost in yourself to acknowledge the rest of the world. You did not care that a monster took the throne."

"Ozai is your son."

"And he is your brother. And Azula is your niece. I do not see you defending her," Azulon retorted. "Do not hide your weakness Iroh. I know that your goal was to have Zuko take the throne. You would not take it yourself. You would rather see a child bring our nation down."

Iroh's fists began to tighten. "What is your point father? Are you simply here to belittle me?"

Azulon chuckled. "I see that your inner flame has not completely gone out. And to answer your question, no. I am not here just to berate you for your failures. I do have a question, while I have the time."

"What is the question?" Iroh asked calmly.

"What in Agni's name is your plan?"

"Lu Ten? How- are you here?"

The spirit of his dead cousin smiled at Zuko.

"I cannot answer that question completely Zuko. It involves many powers of the spirits. I don't even understand all of it myself."

"Spirits? Wait, is it the swamp that allows you to be here?"

Lu Ten smirked. "You caught on that fast Zuko."

"I've had a spirit living inside me for years. I recognize the feeling."

"I see. I have heard about Vaatu."

Zuko frowned. "How did you know that?"

"The entire Spirit World is aware. The fact that the spirit of chaos ahs escaped the eternal tree was not unnoticed."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Zuko said. "But that doesn't explain why you are here."

Lu Ten shrugged. "In all honesty, I don't know why I am here either."

Zuko's eyes widened. "Really? Are you sure?"

"There's nothing I can think of," Lu Ten said sheepishly. "I don't think I have any wisdom to share. I don't know of any threats to your life, so I can't warn you about any. No, I really don't know why I showed up here."

"That's weird. I thought interactions with spirits were supposed to be... important, I guess?"

"I thought so as well. And I'm actually a spirit now," Lu Ten said.

The two boys, one dead and the other awkward, just stayed in silence for a few moments. Neither of them knew what they should be saying. Without any major revelations to make, there really seemed to be no purpose to this meeting.

"I really don't know what to tell you Zuko. Except that it is nice to see you again."

"Yeah. Same here." It was true. Zuko had always enjoyed Lu Ten's company. The boy was older and usually busy, but he was much better company than Azula. They often practiced together (Lu Ten often had to help Zuko), or just talked about things that didn't involve politics.

In fact, Lu Ten had been the one to suggest that Zuko train with Piandao.

"If Azula keeps beating you, try learning something that she doesn't know. You'll have an advantage over her for a change."

Zuko could never thank him enough for the change.

"I should ask before I go. How is my father?"

"I think he's doing alright," Zuko said as he thought back across the past few years. "Though, he has been dealing with me for more than two years now."

"Tragic." Lu Ten grinned.

Zuko frowned. "He took me to see the dragons. It's how I learned to be a better Firebender."

"It's where you gained your companion, correct?"

"Yeah. This is Druk," Zuko said as he pointed at the reptile on his shoulder. The growing dragon just stared at Lu Ten's ghost. After not doing anything for a few moments, he licked his lips and settled his head back down.

"I think he likes you. I honestly don't know what that was," Zuko informed Lu Ten.

"I'll take it," Lu Ten said. "Our family has not been kind to his species for the past century. I honestly expected him to spit fire at me."

"Right." Zuko rubbed the back of his head. He felt that something more important was supposed to happen.

That's when he noticed the lights around Lu Ten. His body was becoming less visible. Like he was breaking apart.

"Lu Ten?"

"It seems my time is about to run out," Lu Ten sighed. He seemed honestly upset to leave. "Zuko, please do one thing for me."

"What it is?"

"Tell my father that I don't blame him. And he shouldn't blame himself for what happened."

Zuko nodded. "I'll tell him."

Lu Ten smiled. "Thank you."

His smile remained even as his body dematerialized. His body broke into countless shards of light, almost like flower petals moving in the wind. All that was left was a pile of dead vines that had always been there.

"I'll tell him."

Zuko remained in his spot for a few moments. The last respect to his cousin.

He then walked away. He had an uncle to find.

"Zuko can no longer take the throne. That already destroys your original plan Iroh. Unless you plan to have an Avatar lead the Fire Nation," Azulon sneered. "It would be poetic. My father betrayed an Avatar to begin his war. Generations later, an Avatar takes his throne."

"I have no such intentions," Iroh stated firmly. "An Avatar is destined to serve the world. They must master the elements. And that requires them to understand and immerse themselves in the other nations. They cannot be tied down to one land."

"So you will finally take your birthright? Only after exhausting every other option?" Azulon shook his head. "You disappoint me Iroh. You were once the light of the Fire Nation. The one destined to be our glorious leader."

"There is no glory in leading a war machine. It took the loss of my son for me to realize that."

"The was is meant to spread the greatness of the Fire Nation."

"It is the final and greatest mistake of a man whose ego could not end with just a throne," Iroh spat back. "I could not take the throne, because I could change nothing."

Azulon did not respond. Iroh continued.

"I spent all of my life seeking the same glory as all the royals after Sozin. I thought ending this war with a victory would cement my name in history. My legacy would be timeless."

Iroh's head fell.

"But then I lost my true legacy. My son. And then I realized. This conflict would not end. The suffering and battles would continue until the world destroys itself."

"Not if we win," Azulon argued. " A world united under the Fire Nation will survive."

"Survive. But will it truly live?" Iroh asked rhetorically. "Balance cannot be maintained with simply one element. The attack on the Air Nomads was a mistake that could have destroyed the world."

"It was the beginning of Sozin's path to glory. The comet enabled him to..."

"Nearly throw the world out of balance," Iroh interrupted, no longer caring for decorum in the presence of his father. "The balance of the world requires the balance of the four elements. Destroying air, the people of Fall, would break the world beyond repair. We are fortunate that Airbenders are nomads, and many escaped."

"Fortunate? You would praise the enemies of the Fire Nation?"

"They should never have been our enemies. The Air Nomads would often visit Fire Nation lands. Our sages would have been happy to share their wisdom with them. And our people had no strife against one another."

"No strife? Any true Fire Nation person would be insulted by an Air Nomad. They are lazy, directionless, and undisciplined hitchhikers."

"They are people who strive for freedom. Just as the Water Tribes strive to adapt. Just as the Earth Kingdom strives for stability. And just as all the people of the Fire Nation seek to empower themselves. We are all people who simply wish to fulfill our own lives. We should not kill each other over this."

"Even if our nation demands it?"

Iroh shot fire from his nose.

"Our nation did not demand this war. One man whose delusions of power overcame his reason chose to attempt to commit genocide. He failed, but he succeeded in killing the keeper of balance in this world. Now Ozai wishes to worsen his mistakes. This cannot stand."

"And you think Zuko is the answer? That talentless boy?"

"Zuko is more than capable. He may struggle, but he never surrenders. He does not allow setbacks to deter him. His goal is set, and he will see it through."

"That brings an interesting question. The previous Avatar sought to create order in the world. But Vaatu is a spirit of chaos. Are you sure your goals align?"

"Even if my desires do not match those of the great spirit, it is Zuko who must make the choice. And I trust my nephew. More than anyone else in our family."

Azulon said nothing in repose to Iroh's mission. He merely sighed.

"You will not waver? You will walk this course?"

"I will do whatever is necessary, father. The world has been broken by the war Sozin started a century ago. The suffering must end."

"You are convinced of this?"

"I know this, Azulon. I was there, at the front lines of Ba Sing Se. I journeyed into the spirit world. I saw firsthand the devastation our nation has bought to the world. It must end. Continuing will only bring about mutual destruction."

Azulon sighed. "I cannot stop you?"

Iroh, for the first time, met Azulon's eyes. Their convictions matched.

"Then it seems that your mind is now clear. A privilege I never had in my life."

Azulon chuckled mirthfully, which surprised Iroh. How much had death changed his father?

I wish you luck my son."

At that moment, the body of Fire Lord Azulon dematerialized. It scattered, like petals in the wind. All that was left was the tree trunk that had always been there.

"Goodbye, father."

Iroh turned around and resumed his walk. He had a nephew to find. And to guide.

"Uncle!"

Iron quickly turned around.

"Zuko."

Zuko was about to walk towards his uncle when Iroh surprised him by running straight towards him, tackling him into a hug.

"Uncle?"

"You're alright nephew. You are alright."

Zuko was happy to see that his uncle cared, but he still frowned in confusion. Iroh knew that Zuko was never totally comfortable with physical affection. Not after the last example his father had shown him. So Iroh to disregard that meant that something had happened.

"Uncle, who did you see?"

"Nephew?"

"The Swamp... I think it shows visions. I saw someone too. Who did you see?"

Iroh let go. He sighed as he prepared to speak.

"I saw your grandfather."

Zuko's eyes widened. "Azulon? You saw him here?"

"Yes. It... was not a pleasant reunion."

"What happened?"

"It was mostly just insulting. Your grandfather berated me for abandoning the throne, and for allowing Ozai to keep it."

Zuko frowned. "Why would he be upset about that? Ozai is keeping the war going, isn't that what he wanted?"

"Azulon wanted the war won, yes. But he was also a traditionalist. He wanted me on the throne, as I am the firstborn. Ozai being Fire Lord is insulting to him."

"Oh," Zuko rubbed his head. "I'm guessing they didn't along?"

"Not particularly, no. Azulon never did think much of Ozai, his secondborn. And Ozai cared more about power than he does about family. That is not a stable foundation for a loving family."

Iroh shook his head.

"I would prefer not to continue discussing my family issues. You said that you saw someone?"

"Yeah. I, uh, I did." Zuko cleared his throat. He would need to be careful about this. "I saw... Lu Ten."

Iroh's eyes expanded like a balloon. "Lu Ten? You..." Iroh choked on his words. He was having trouble figuring out what to say.

"You saw my son?"

"Yeah. I saw him. We didn't talk much. But he wanted me to give you a message."

"A message?" Iroh's eyes were filled with what Zuko thought was both hope and fear.

"He doesn't blame you. For Ba Sing Se. For... what happened to him. He said you shouldn't blame yourself."

For several moments, Iroh did nothing at Zuko's message. He didn't react.

That's when the tears started to slip from his eyes.

"Uncle? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Zuko. You- you shouldn't worry about me," Iroh said as he rubbed his eyes dry. "Now- now is not the time for sentiment. we can discuss this at greater length once we have found Toph."

Zuko wasn't sure. He did think they should find Toph and move on from the swamp. But Iroh seemed like he needed more time to deal with what he had just heard.

Zuko wasn't sure how he would feel if he suddenly found his mom again. He couldn't imagine what his uncle felt.

But Iroh had already made a decision. And Zuko decided that it would be better to listen to him.

"We should keep moving then."

"Yeah. We should find Toph and... whoever that guy with her was."

"I'm sure they can't be far."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed silently. He scratched the back of his head. "Uncle?"

"Yes."

"We both saw people here, right? Aside from Sozin. We both saw..."

"People we lost. Yes," Iroh said as he held his head low.

"About that. Do you want to..?"

Zuko was interrupted by a giant splash.

Out of the swamp water, a faint monster made of vines suddenly popped up. It had a face made of wood, and its massive tendril arms swung wildly in the air.

"We can discuss this later," Iroh said."

"Agreed."

Both Zuko and Iroh took fighting stances. Druk took flight, his chest taking in air. He was ready to fight as well.

The monster charged at the three dragons. It was met in kind.

Weren't expecting those meetings now were you?

Whether Iroh likes it or not, Azulon is his father. He had just as many chances of meeting him as any other family member. Including the one he desperately wanted to see. As for the confrontation itself, it's mostly for Iroh to reinforce himself. He has made mistakes, as other people in the fandom have pointed. Who better to strengthen his conviction than his father?

But don't worry, he isn't leaving the Swamp yet. There's still time and a chance for that reunion.

As for Zuko's encounter, I just saw it as a nice meeting between cousins. A friendly little moment.

Finally, one last statement. Druk is the best bug repellant. If any get too close, he can just breathe and disintegrate them.

Anyway, please leave reviews, let me know what you think, and I will see you all next time.

Bye!