A short story/script focusing mostly on Uncle Iroh and slightly referring the episode 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' .(the title is a play on the episode 'The Crossroads of Destiny')

(Iroh's tea shop in Ba Sing Se)

(Iroh is sitting on his couch, drinking tea and holding a crossword puzzle in his hand)

Iroh: Ah! Now that the war is over I can finally sit down, drink my Jasmine tea and partake in the most rewarding activity known to man: a Crossword puzzle!

(He is about to start the puzzle when he hears a knock at the door)

(He opens it and sees Aang)

Iroh: Avatar Aang?! What are you doing in Ba Sing Se?

Aang: Nice to see you again Iroh! Me and the others are visiting Ba Sing Se again. We wanted to see what it's like when it isn't governed by a power-hungry liar.

Iroh: Good for you. (Pause) So why are you here?

Aang: No reason. Just wanted to tell you that we'll be staying at the palace for two days if you want to see any of us.

Iroh: That's very kind of you. I better be getting back to my, ah, taxes.

Aang: See you later Iroh!

(Iroh closes the door, sighs and goes back to his crossword puzzle)

Iroh: What is a six-letter word meaning master of all the elements? Easy! Avatar. Next.

(Knock on door)

Iroh: What now?!

(He goes to the door and sees Sokka)

Sokka:Hey Iroh! I was just wondering if I could get your opinion on these haikus? The girls of the Five-Seven-Five society are letting me go back for one meeting tonight and I don't want to mess it up again.

Iroh: Why do you want my opinion?

Sokka: I already asked for the others' opinions but Toph and Katara criticize all my haikus, Aang is too nice about them and Zuko always tries to pass on his "constructive criticism".

Iroh: How about this? Read your haikus with your back to the door and then I'll tell you my opinion.

Sokka: Great. But why do I have to turn around?

Iroh: Uh... so you don't see my facial expressions.

Sokka: Ok I guess.

(Sokka turns around with his back to the door and starts reading his haikus)

(Iroh closes the door softly)

(Sokka turns back around and sees the door closed)

Sokka: Was it really that bad? People don't appreciate poetry anymore.

(He leaves)

(Iroh goes back to his crossword)

Iroh: Now where was I?

(Another knock at the door)

(Iroh looks at the door, then looks back at his crossword deciding not to open it)

Toph (from outside): I can feel you with earthbending Iroh! I know you're there!

Iroh: (sigh) Coming!

(He opens the door and sees Toph)

Iroh: How can I help you Toph?

Toph: I need you to hide me.

Iroh: Hide you?

Toph:Katara keeps insisting that we go to this spa we went to the last time we were in Ba Sing Se but I really don't want to.

(She walks in the room and sits on the couch, then grabs the crossword puzzle)

Iroh:While you're here, what do you think the answer to number 8 is?

Toph:Hello? I'm blind, people. When are you going to get that into your heads.

Iroh:Sorry Toph. That's just a crossword puzzle I've been working on.

Toph:A crossword puzzle? Really? The Great Dragon of the West finds a crossword puzzle challenging?

Iroh:Well, I...

(A knock on the door)

(He goes to open it and sees Katara)

Katara:Hello Iroh. Where's Toph?

Toph (from Inside):Katara I already told you that I don't want to go to your stupid spa.

Katara:You owe me after you accidentally dropped a rock on my leg.

Toph:Who said I did that accidentally?!

(Katara starts to bend her water when Iroh goes between them)

Iroh:Girls calm down. Toph, what do youwant to do?

Toph:I'd rather spend the day scamming or pranking these stuck-up city people.

Iroh:Why not go to this spa andprank the people in the spa? It's a compromise.

Katara:I can work with that.

Toph:Me too.

Iroh:Great. Now can you both leave my house?

Toph Katara:Thanks, Iroh.

(They leave)

Iroh: I think that's the last of them.

(He sits down and continues working on the crossword puzzle)

(A few minutes later, there's another knock on the door)

Iroh:Ugh.

(He goes to open the door and sees Zuko)

Zuko:Hello Uncle. I was wondering if I could spend the day with you.

Iroh:Why not? My door's always open for you, my nephew.

(Zuko enters)

Iroh:Let me make you some tea.

(Iroh goes to the tea counter and Zuko sits on the sofa and grabs the crossword puzzle)

Zuko:Can I try this crossword puzzle?

Iroh:Of course Zuko. We can do it together.

(Zuko starts working on the puzzle)

Zuko:Number 5. Oh, that's easy! Number 8. A little less easy. Now for the other side. Number 12. But that doesn't fit with number 5!? But I'm sure Number 5 is right! Are you mocking me puzzle?!?! You're making me think I don't know my vocabulary?

Iroh:Be careful Zuko, you're Azula is showing.

Zuko: How can you say that?!

(He sets the crossword puzzle on fire)

Iroh: My puzzle!!!!!

Zuko:I'm sorry Uncle. Are you mad?

Iroh:I'm not mad Zuko, I'm just sad you lost your way.