A/N. I am quite pleased with this chapter! I had planned a discussion between some people, but I'll do that next chapter. Than we will switch to Aang, to see what is happening with him. And after that, some chapters of the battles from Katara's and Aang's POV.

I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.

He didn't open his eyes as he woke up. The man felt his bones ache, but knew that it wasn't of old age, even though he would be sixty-one this year… Born in the thirty-ninth year after the genocide, Iroh didn't feel old… But sometimes, when camping in the dark nights, he would feel his age catching up to him, like a slow creeping leopard-sloth. But today, the day before the comet, he knew he couldn't let his body dictate his movements. There was too much to do, too much to organize…

A soft sigh.

Immediately, his whole body was alert. There was someone in the tent. But probably not someone who meant him any harm. If that was the case, the infiltrator would have had to sneak past nearly three hundred seasoned benders and masters of their craft, and Iroh seriously doubted anyone would be capable of such a feat. Sitting up, with his back to the person, he quickly glanced in the mirror standing in the corner of his tent, to see who it was without having them knew he knew.

The sight caught him by surprise.

His nephew was kneeling a few feet away, his forehead pressed against the ground, but it didn't seem he was asleep. No… Last time Iroh had seen Zuko like that was when his brother had burned the young boy… And it hurt the old firebender to think his nephew thought he needed to beg for forgiveness.

He turned around, and Zuko didn't move, but the change in breathing was enough for Iroh to know that the young man was aware of his presence.

"Uncle… I'm here to be beg forgiveness. I was wrong, and you were right. I chose wrong here in Ba Sing Se, all those months ag-"

Before Zuko could even finish, Iroh pulled him into a hug, relief flooding through his body. His beautiful, sweet boy… He had finally seen the light. And nothing, nothing this wonderful world had to offer would have made him happier than the sight of his nephew, without the angry look in his eyes, hiding the hurt, the trauma and the sense of abandonment.

"Zuko…" He murmured, smiling into his beard as he pulled the young man even closer.

"But… But… Uncle? You're… You are not angry with me?" Zuko's voice sounded so surprised. No… No. How could he be? It hadn't been Zuko who had chosen the path. No, it had been the anger and the sadness over his father's love that had made Zuko chose as he had done.

"I was never angry nephew…" He murmured, trying to control the tears pricking in the corners of his eyes, "I was just sad because I was afraid that you had lost your way."

"I did lose my way." His nephew sounded sad now. Creating some distance between them, Iroh grabbed the young man's shoulders, forcing him to look him in the eyes.

"But you found it again. And you did it by yourself! I am so happy you found your way here… To us." Zuko, in the camp of the Order of the White Lotus… The old firebender couldn't dream of a better omen. Darkness would be defeated… To bring the light.

"It wasn't that difficult Uncle… You have a pretty strong scent." Zuko's voice sounded thick, as if he was fighting back tears. Smiling at the newfound humour of his nephew, Iroh stood up.

"Tell me what happened please." He asked. As much as the order knew about things that had happened around the world, their spies in the Royal Palace had not been able to find out where Prince Zuko had disappeared to, only that Ozai had erased his name from the succession. Which had worried Iroh, because that could only mean two things. Or Zuko had betrayed his father, and fled… Or… He had died.

"You are not going to believe half of it." His nephew protested weakly, but Iroh could see in the eyes of the young man he really wanted to tell his story. The young boy who had been so eager was showing again… And it made him smile.

"Try me." The prince laughed aloud. Agni above… It was good. Some good news… finally.

"I… I realized the error of my ways… But was only able to stand up against Ozai during the Black Sun." His nephew began, but Iroh remarked the fact he had stopped calling Ozai his father. That was a good sign… But also, a sad one. No child should have to reject a parent…

"I spoke my mind, showing him how the world sees us. As conquerors, brutal criminals who plunder, rape, kill… But he laughed in my face. Told me I was worthless… Like my mother. Throw lighting at me when the sun reappeared. But I used your technique! It works!" Zuko spoke quickly, as if he wanted to get past this part of his story. And Iroh couldn't blame him, anger flaring up against his brother. How had Ozai dared insult people worth ten of him?

"Then… Well, the Avatar had been there during the invasion." The young man continued.

Seriously? Agni, if he had known, Iroh would have gone to him, teach him firebending! Now, the young airbender would probably have to face his brother without any knowledge…

"I… They went to the Air Temple. The one north of Caldara. To hide."

Wait… How had Zuko known that? Iroh had only learned it when Pakku ahd received a message from the chief of the Southern Water Tribe, Hakoda, a few days ago…

"I joined the Avatar Uncle. I… I threw myself at his feet, begging forgiveness… And he accepted me. He and I… We went to the Sun Warriors! Saw the dragons! And… And he called me his friend. After all I had done, and caused… He just forgave me and extended his hand in friendship…" The emotions in Zuko's voice broke Iroh's heart.

The boy had never had real friends. The boys at the Royal Academy had been ordered to be friends with the young prince by their parents, and Mai and Ty Lee had been Azula's companions, never Zuko's… The only real friend his nephew had had was Lu Ten…But then again, he had asked his son to look out for Zuko…

And to hear how the Avatar had just accepted Zuko made Iroh's heart swell with relief.

"The others were a whole other story… The blind girl wasn't too difficult, she didn't seem to care… But the water tribe siblings? Agni… Never again. I had to break in the Boiling Rock to get Sokka to trust me! And Katara? Seriously, I didn't fear the Avatar for a second, but her? She would have thrown me out the Air Temple if Aang had let her! But I think she tolerates me now…" His nephew spoke in a hurried voice, as if he needed to get to the point of his story as quickly as possible.

"After Azula attacked the Air Temple, we hid at Ember Island… But Aang is missing! And so… So we are here." Zuko finished. Knowing his nephew, he had probably skipped over a whole lot of the story, but that wasn't important. What was important, was that he was here now… And apparently, with the knowledge of the dragons! If he had gone to the Sun Warriors… he would have met Ran and Shaw.

And he had gone with the Avatar, meaning the young airbender at least had some knowledge, to bring the flame up the mountain…

"The airbender is missing?" That was not good. Not at all! The Avatar needed to face the Fire Lord, before the comet, or during! To stop Ozai committing yet another crime against this already burned and broken world.

"Yes, but Katara is quite sure he will resurface at the moment he is needed… They have a thing going on." Zuko said, but Iroh doubted his nephew had realized the depths of the Avatar and Master Katara's relationship.

All reports had pointed to one thing. The Avatar loved the waterbender, with all his heart. Some in the council of the order had put it to some youthful fling, but none who thought that had actually met the young man. Iroh had discussed it with Bumi and Pakku, and both had painted a pretty clear picture.

Pakku had been abrupt and clear, that the airbender had been crushing on the waterbender while the young woman had been friendly with the Avatar, best friends actually. He had also told him that often, at night, the two had been training together. The old master had trusted the water tribe woman with the Avatar's training, a rare honour for someone like Pakku.

Bumi, however, who had known the Avatar a hundred years ago, had laughed at the mention of a crush. The old king had just thrown a moonpeach at the waterbender, saying that Aang had never shown much interest in girls. So, if he did now, it meant only one thing. He was in love.

And then, there was the one time Iroh had been able to speak to the young man in a civilized manner. The airbender had asked him if he should sacrifice duty over love, and the old prince had been honest. It was always better to have loved ones, while duty was a burden he didn't wish on anyone… And the young man had seemed happy with that answer. And Iroh had seen the pure relief on both the airbender and the waterbender's faces when they had found each other again. And the terror in the blue eyes of the Water Tribe woman when the boy had been injured.

And finally, there was the knowledge of Air Nomad culture Iroh had accumulated in the years after the siege of Ba Sing Se. Airbender monks didn't just love someone. They loved one person. And if they gave their heart, it was once and only once. And knowing the reports, Iroh knew what had happened. So, if this Master Katara said the Avatar would be back, he trusted her judgement. For she probably was the only person on earth who truly knew the Avatar.

"If she is positive, we have to be too. But let's meet your newfound… friends." The last word, Iroh couldn't help but say with a grin. Agni, it was good to know Zuko finally had some friends, true friends that was… The boy deserved it.

"Now? I… I think they may still be asleep… We had a rather eventful day yesterday…" His nephew sounded shy suddenly, like a child presenting his friends to his parents for the first time... And Iroh's heart nearly broke at the sight of a man of nineteen experiencing something you were supposed to do at six.

"I doubt they closed an eye Zuko… Battle and the prospect of death doesn't make good sleeping companions." He sighed, grabbing the blue uniform of the White Lotus and pulling it over his head, "Come on, we have much to discuss.".

With that, Iroh left the tent, and was immediately met by a wall of white fur and brown eyes. The Sky Bison had placed himself right in front of the entrance of his tent, and it didn't seem too friendly. A low growl followed, but the old prince didn't let himself be intimidated. He had stared dragons in the eyes and lived. He could surely do the same with a Sky Bison.

"Shhh… It is alright friend. I know you worry for your master, but I'm sure he is alright." He spoke in the language of the Air Nomads. Even though Iroh was sure he had a horrible accent, and spoke nearly every word with great difficulty, it was the least he could do for the last of such a species…

"Aang isn't his master." A new voice spoke from next to the bison, in the same language. Raising his eyebrows, Iroh took a step sideways, to be met with the waterbender, a hand on the Sky Bison's fur and an angry look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry… I don't know much about how a bond between Air Nomad and Sky Bison works. I didn't mean any harm. Master Katara, I presume?" He answered, switching back to the common language of the Earth Kingdom.

"Yes. And would you care to explain why people here hate Aang?"

Ah… So, she had learned about that. And seeing the look in the blue eyes, Iroh had a feeling the waterbender blamed him for the inner politics of the Order of the White Lotus.

"I will… But can we eat breakfast while I do so?" It was always better to talk over food or drinks, he had learned. At least, it would give someone something to do if there was an awkward pause, or if time was needed to formulate an answer. The young woman nodded briskly, stepping aside, as did the bison.

The table next to his tent was already occupied a rather large group of people. Iroh spied the Water Tribe warrior and the blind earthbender, but also a woman he didn't recognize, around the age of his nephew. Pakku, Bumi and Hui Li were there too, but the prince was that the green eyes earthbender had placed herself as far away from the friends of the Avatar as possible. Walking towards the table, he took his seat at the head of the table, while his nephew who had followed him outside sat down at his left. The waterbender sat down on the opposite head of the table.

"First of all, welcome." He smiled as two guards of the order brought some fruits and some bread, "I gather from what my nephew has told me that you are here for the same reason as we are?" It was up to the Avatar to stop his brother before he could wreck too much havoc… But even if Ozai was defeated, there would still be a great base of support in the form of the First and Fifth armies stationed in Ba Sing Se… If they could just remove that base… There was a chance of peace. If everything went as the Spirits had foreseen… So many years ago.

"We came here to get you." The Water Tribe Warrior spoke, looking him in the eyes with a pale blue gaze.

"Ah…" That, Iroh could have guessed. Not to be too arrogant, but he knew he was one of the greatest firebenders of the age… And he also knew the question that was going to be asked of him…

"Uncle, you are the only person other than the Avatar who can even hope to beat Fath… The Fire Lord." Zuko spoke, and Iroh was grateful that his nephew didn't say the words that would have pierced his heart.

You are the only one capable of killing your brother.

"You need to come with us! And take this army with you! If we leave now, we can maybe hope to intercept him before he does too much damage!" Zuko's voice sounded pleading, and Iroh could understand that.

But he also knew that there was the bigger picture… And the dream he had been shown years ago.

The great Walled City, lit in flames, while a comet was shown above, high in the sky. And he himself, a dark shadow hiding his features, standing in front of the Royal Palace of the Earth Kingdom, hung with Fire Nation banners… The day the war finally ended.

"It won't end well Zuko…" Iroh sighed, taking a small cup from the table.

"You can beat him!" The young man objected, but the old firebender looked at the waterbender in front of him. The blue eyes were studying him, a hard look in them.

"Even if I could defeat Ozai… And I don't know if I could defeat my brother… It would be the wrong way to end the war. It would be seen as a brother killing a brother to grab power." The prince spoke softly, keeping his eyes on the waterbender, "If this war is to be resolved, it needs to be the Avatar. Only he can do it."

The hard looked softened, just slightly. It seemed to Iroh that Master Katara didn't like the airbender going into battle, but she also seemed to acknowledge that the only way to end the war as it should, was to have the Avatar do it.

"Alright… But promise me you will take the throne after that Uncle. It is yours! It should have been yours!" Zuko didn't seem to want to argue about him not fighting Ozai.

Ah… The throne.

Yes, Iroh had desired it, once. But now? Now… He didn't want it. It was selfish, and he knew it. But the Fire Nation throne was an uncomfortable seat, and it made the worst out of corruptible people. Sozin hadn't been a bad ruler, but he had still done unspeakable things. His own father had been a good administrator, but had still killed thousands, if not millions.

And he himself? Iroh was aware of his own shortcomings. He wasn't a good administrator and had no patience for court politics. His only goal in life had been to conquer Ba Sing Se, and he had poured all his talents into that desire. Sure, he was a good commander, maybe even one of the best… But after Lu Ten's death, all that fire had gone out. He had turned to philosophy and knowledge to fill the horrible gap in his life, and it had not filled it. Now, he was a different man, and he hoped to be a good man…

But no, he was not a Fire Lord.

"No… The past needs to be laid to rest. Someone new needs to take the throne… Someone with ideas, and the will to implant them… But still someone young enough to see the fruits of their labour. An idealist, pure of heart…" He smiled at his nephew, "Someone of unquestionable honour… It needs to be you, my sweet prince."

Who better?

"Un… Unquestionable honour? But… I have made so many mistakes…" Zuko tried to protest, but Iroh could see the soft gleam in his eyes. Yes. His nephew had desired the throne, but his experiences and his time among those who had suffered at his and his nation's hands made him the perfect man to make up for the crimes of the Fire Nation.

"Yes, you have. You have struggled and failed so many times. But if half of what you told me is true, you have made up for it, or at least, you have tried to do so. You have chosen your own path, and restored your own honour. Now, restore that of the Fire Nation by being the first Fire Lord of a new age." Iroh knew he spoke quite formally now, but he supposed the occasion was perfect for it. The last of the old guard acknowledging the right of the young prince to rule over them.

Grabbing his nephew's hands, Iroh looked into the ember eyes, so grateful that the angry, resentful look was gone, and the gentle gaze was back.

"You can do it. I know you can. And whenever you will need me, I will be there." He whispered, so that the others couldn't hear.

"This is all very moving, but shouldn't we focus on the big problem here? The Avatar is missing, and your brother still lives. So, before going to grant titles to anyone, we should maybe try and win this war?" Hui Li interrupted them, and, sighing, Iroh turned back to the table.

"I know my friend… Sozin's Comet is tomorrow, late in the afternoon. It will shine in the sky for the whole night. A century ago, it was used to wipe out a civilization as old as time. This time, it will be used to end the war it started… The Avatar will face the Fire Lord." With that, Iroh looked at the young waterbender, whose hard look had softened somewhat at the mention of trust in the Avatar.

"When I was a boy, I saw a vision of myself, conquering this city." He gestured to the Inner Wall, visible in the distance, "Now, I know my destiny, given by the Spirits, was to take it back from the Fire Nation. And I will."

"That is why you gathered these people…" Zuko sounded astonished, and perhaps slightly disappointed that Iroh wouldn't lead them against Ozai.

"Yes, and we will hold the city until we hear from all of you. For you have different tasks." It had been painfully obvious that the young people in front of him had been lost, not knowing what to do. And Iroh had thought about it, as fast as possible. The reports about these people had given him a pretty good idea what their different skill sets were.

"The fleet of air ships needs to be taken out as soon as possible, preferably when they are still on the ground." He spoke, turning to the Water Tribe warrior. If his information was correct, this man was responsible for organizing the only attack on the Fire Nation itself since the start of the war.

"Oh… That sounds fun." The young man grinned, but Iroh was quite surprised to see such a wicked grin on someone face. Because it was a nothing more than a suicide mission… Sending one man against comet fuelled firebenders…

But for some reason, Iroh was positive the young man could come out on top.

"Toph, Suki? What do you say? I always wanted my own airship…" The young man turned to the blind girl and the other woman, still grinning… And was met with the same kinds of smiles.

Agni, three of them…

"Meathead… It would be my pleasure." The earthbender nodded sagely, something that didn't go very well with the fact she was picking her toes, at the table.

Iroh resisted shaking his head at the silly display, turning back to his nephew.

"I wouldn't ask this if it wasn't absolutely necessary Zuko… But Azula is going to be crowned Fire Lord, Ozai is planning on proclaiming himself Phoenix King, like the legends… She needs to be stopped. She can't be crowned, do you hear me? She… If she won't surrender…" He couldn't finish the sentence. It was too horrible to even say it.

"She needs to die… She won't surrender. We both know that." Zuko said, a hard edge in his voice.

"Yes." Iroh sighed softly, hoping the other members of the White Lotus didn't hear him. Agni, how he hated this. Sending his nephew to kill Azula… But she had been corrupted, and if time was with them, they could have tried to reason with her… But it wasn't. No… If they hoped to restore peace to the world… They would need to destroy their own family.

And it tore Iroh apart…

"But don't go alone. You will need help against her." He wanted to suggest a member of the Order, someone like Hui Li or Pakku… But the waterbender spoke up.

"I will go."

Iroh didn't like the tone of that voice. And to be honest… He could understand. This woman had been hurt too many times by his niece. Azula had tried to kill the Avatar… But this shouldn't be a mission of revenge. This should be a mission to stop yet more years of suffering… But the old firebender had also seen the Master Katara fight his niece… And nearly win. And a waterbender, certainly one capable of healing… It could make a difference.

"Master Katara… I wanted to suggest that you should go to Wulong Forest. It is the most likely place my brother will begin his burning… and the place where the Avatar will fight him." Iroh objected gently.

"Aang wouldn't want me being there… As much as I would want to help him. And he needs to focus on defeating that bastard. If I can help… by not being there, so be it."

Iroh nodded at that. It was indeed perhaps better if the Avatar didn't need to worry about hurting his friends or… well, whatever this young lady was to him.

"Alright, I would suggest you all leave before midday, in just less than four hours. Zuko, stay with me, I'll give you some advice on what to do… After. The others… Prepare. Say your goodbyes… For tomorrow, Sozin's Comet is upon us, and the world won't be the same after it."

Iroh just hoped it would change for the better, in victory over evil…

Answers :

Lenoravampire1: Are they?... We'll have to see in Ashes of Autumn…