AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am sooooo sorry I didn't upload anything last week! Me and my flawless beta, LadyFaePhillips, were both super busy and we just didn't have the time to get stuff done. But, to make up for it, I'm uploading SIX chapters for all of you lovely readers! Thank you so much for reading!

Master Piandao looked up as the hawk settled itself on the windowsill, a silver silk string trailing from the pouch on its broad back. It was a letter from Iroh. He scratched the hawk's head affectionately as he took the letter from it. Piandao carried the letter to where the others were assembled in Iroh's sizable kitchen having tea.

"Iroh has sent word. Let's see how things are going," Piandao said without preamble. He broke the seal and opened the letter. "It reads, 'Grandmasters, I have begun to set things in motion. Zuko and Katara have departed the Fire Nation in search of the Conduit. I have informed the Avatar that he also has a role to play in this prophecy but I have yet to tell him what it is. My apprentice is prepared to help the Avatar along in his journey as well as face her own destiny. I will be escorting the two of them back to my home in Ba Sing Se as soon as I settle arrangements here for Princess Ursa. We will arrive within two weeks; it appears we will be traveling by sky bison. It is time for the rest of you to go where you will be needed the most. I trust you will know where that is. Stay ever vigilant. Iroh.'"

"It is well that things are moving forward smoothly so far," Pakku said, stroking his mustache. "Although I think he gives his nephew and my granddaughter too much credit."

"Why do you say that?" Jeong Jeong asked.

"Because he sent them off on a wild tiger goose chase akin to the Fire Lord's hunt for the Avatar," Pakku said bluntly. "They have no leads, no information, regarding the Conduit's location. He is just hoping that they will be able to find them."

"I trust Iroh's judgement, and you would be wise to do the same," Piandao remarked firmly. "We know he has alternate reasons for sending them off, which are pertinent to the prophecy all the same, and it is important we let him do as he sees fit regarding this matter."

"Besides, not even we know of the Conduit's location, so what use would we have been for them?" Jeong Jeong shot back coolly. "Iroh is making the right call."

"I have known Zuko since he was a boy. He was a student of mine. He is smarter than most people give him credit for, and wise beyond his years. Even as a child he had an incredible sense of perception and impressive deduction skills," Piandao said. "I believe that between him and Princess Katara, they will be able to find the Conduit before it is too late."

"I certainly hope so. I don't care for leaving the fate of the world in such young hands no matter how capable they may be," Pakku muttered unhappily. He sipped his tea.

King Bumi rapped his gnarled fingers across the wooden tabletop, his many rings shimmering in the light. "The world's salvation is blue and gold!"

"What are you prattling on about now, you kook?" Pakku demanded in exasperation.

King Bumi's wild eyes roved over their faces. "You will see! They will see. Trust the Dragon of the West, why don't you? Or have you not been paying attention to the prophecy, Master Pakku? Ha ha hah!"

The Dragon of the West found his former sister-in-law on the private balcony outside of the Fire Lord's study. "The arrangements are in place, Princess Ursa. You are the official regent of the Fire Nation until the Fire Lord returns," Iroh said. "I have spoken personally to Zuko's closest advisors and informed them of the change."

Ursa glanced over at him, her expression stoic. She wasn't happy about the regime change, but she trusted Iroh. "And what did you tell them regarding my son's absence from the court?"

"I did not divulge details and you would be wise to do the same," Iroh warned her. "I simply said that he went on a much-needed vacation and would be back in due time, and that he had left you in charge. It would not be well for them to find out the truth of his absence."

"I agree with you, Iroh, and I'm glad you didn't share that with them either," Ursa said. She frowned. "Though I hate to imagine what sort of gossip will spread once word gets out that the Water Tribe Princess mysteriously left when he did."

"They are old friends. What is there to presume?" Iroh shrugged, but he was no fool. He knew that rumors were going to spread like wildfire. But it paled in comparison to the importance of their quest.

"A Fire Lord and a Princess going off together? I can only imagine what will be presumed, as if my son does not have enough issues as it is.." Ursa sighed unhappily. She knew it couldn't be helped. She folded her hands into the wide sleeves of her robes. "Tell me, how much does our beloved Zuko share with his uncle of his troubles?"

Iroh's eyes saddened. "Not enough, I believe. I know he wants me to live my retirement in peace, but he needs to understand that I will never turn him away when he needs me."

"Zuko feels like he must do things on his own." Ursa's expression darkened. "He is still trying to prove something. I just don't know if it's to his court, to himself, or to his father."

"I suspect it is all of those things," Iroh remarked. "That is why Katara is the perfect companion for him. She is a helper, and she will force it on him whether he wants it or not. But she also will not allow Zuko to get lost within himself."

Ursa smiled. "My son is fortunate to have such friends."

"He is, indeed," Iroh agreed. "Now, I have also requested that the young Water Tribe warrior remain here until Zuko and Katara return. I know the Kyoshi Warriors are more than capable, but something tells me he should be here too."

Ursa nodded. "I appreciate that, Iroh." She looked out toward the Gates of Azulon and the open sea beyond. "But you could not have picked a worse time to send him away."

"What hasn't my nephew been telling me, Ursa?"

Ursa sighed heavily. "His hold is tenuous. His court still watches him, waiting for him to falter in his rule. I cannot say if it's because they want to return Ozai to the throne, if they want it for themselves, or if they simply want the satisfaction of watching him fail. But I fear a prolonged absence will bolden them."

"Do you think they will stage a coup?" Iroh inquired, concerned. He tugged his beard thoughtfully.

"I don't know," she said quietly.

Iroh considered that for a moment before he spoke. "We must hope, for Zuko's sake as well as that of our nation, that they do not. There was no avoiding this, Ursa. Whatever consequences or rumors that might come from his absence are inconsequential compared to what would have happened if he didn't go. I only hope that Zuko and Katara are able to complete their journey on time."

"Do you truly believe the Conduit is out there? And why now, after so many years in hiding, would they become a threat?" Ursa inquired.

"I do not attempt to understand what the Spirits do not want me to. But I believe there is a reason," Iroh answered ominously. "The Spirits move in mysterious ways."

Ursa smiled softly. "Yes, they do."

He frowned. "Where is your husband keeping himself these days, Ursa?"

"He is in the Earth Kingdom on business. He is a liaison for Zuko there. He can deal with General How and King Kuei better than Zuko does." She frowned. "I wonder if I should send word to him."

"It may be a wise idea, although perhaps he should continue to the Earth Kingdom," Iroh replied. "Zuko and Katara might need an ally at some point in the near future. I must return to Ba Sing Se with the Avatar, but I will be in touch. Keep your eyes and ears open. Let me know if there is any sign of insurrection."

Ursa nodded. "I will do so then, Iroh. I'll send all messages through my personal hawk to ensure my letters are not intercepted."

"That would be best," Iroh said. "The Order will protect Zuko's throne at all cost. It is his destiny to rule our nation and we cannot let anything get in the way of that."

Ursa's eyes were fiery amber. "Trust me, Iroh, I will not."

Hakoda burst into the room where Aang had been staying with Katara. The Avatar, Suki, Sokka, and Toph were all present while Aang packed his belongings. A hushed silence had befallen the friends as they considered the weight of their new responsibility and hoped that Zuko and Katara were alright.

"Hey Dad," Sokka said with a nervous chuckle. "What's going on?"

"Where is your sister?" Hakoda demanded to know.

"Iroh sent them off on a journey to save the world," Sokka replied flippantly. "Apparently the balance is in danger again."

Hakoda pinched the bridge of his nose as he processed that. "What?"

"Grandmaster Iroh says they have to find the Conduit, and I have to stop them," Aang explained dismally. He wasn't in the mood for lengthy talks.

Hakoda looked back and forth between his son and the Avatar. His daughter? An unplanned journey with the Fire Lord? What was going on? "Where is Grandmaster Iroh? I need to speak with him immediately!"

"I am right here, Chief Hakoda." The Water Tribe ruler spun around and saw that the Dragon of the West had appeared behind him. "You are correct. We need to talk, you and I. Please, come with me."

Hakoda followed the retired General out onto a private balcony not far from the apartments for visiting nationals. Iroh tucked his hands into his sleeves and faced the early morning sun.

"I apologize for not coming to you sooner, Chief Hakoda, but I have been quite busy."

"I would just like to know why you sent my daughter off with Fire Lord Zuko in the middle of the night," Hakoda said tersely. "And why I wasn't told about it!"

"And I will explain as much as I can," Iroh said placatingly. "But you must understand that there are some things I cannot tell you, for their safety as well as yours."

Hakoda didn't like the sound of that. He rubbed his chin worriedly. "What's going on?"

"Dark times are coming. Darker times than when the world was at war. Long ago, my order was given a sacred prophecy by an Oracle of Destiny." Iroh looked at him. "I have reason to believe that my nephew and your daughter are a pivotal piece of that prophecy, which is why I sent them away together."

Hakoda frowned disapprovingly. "What makes you say that?"

"The prophecy has some compelling points. It is best not to question it," Iroh said vaguely. "We both know how strong and capable both Zuko and Katara are. I assure you that they will be fine. If necessary, they can find help along the way with the Order."

Hakoda mulled it over. "When word gets out, I hate to think of the rumors that could spread about the two of them."

"I understand your concern, but frankly, what others may or may not say is not important right now," Iroh said bluntly. "Their sacred mission is far more important than what any mere mortal may think of the two of them going off together alone."

"And what exactly did this Oracle foresee, and what does it have to do with Katara?"

Iroh paused, considering how much he should divulge. "Have you ever heard of the Conduit, Chief Hakoda?"

His eyes widened. "Actually, my mother used to tell the children in the village a story about the Conduit, as a means to scare them into good behavior," he answered. "She said that the Conduit was evil. A boogeyman of sorts. I thought she made it up."

"I will assure you that the Conduit is quite real. I have sent Zuko and Katara to find them."

"What?"

"It is their destiny. It was written in the stars long before our time," Iroh said soothingly. "But trust that my nephew will keep her safe, as he did in their fight against Azula."

"Even so, Katara doesn't need his protection," Hakoda said grimly. "She's more than capable of handling herself."

Iroh smiled knowingly. "I think you will find that they need each other."

Hakoda didn't know what to say to that. He gripped the balcony's ledge with white-knuckled hands. "So what do we do now? Do I return to my tribe before winter comes? Or do I wait for them to get back?"

Iroh considered that. "I believe it's best if you speak with Princess Ursa regarding that matter, Chief Hakoda. She has been elected regent in Zuko's absence, and as such, the matter of visiting foreigners is now her responsibility. I apologize that we do not have more time to discuss the matter, but I must be getting ready to journey home to Ba Sing Se."

"You're going to leave in the middle of a crisis?" Hakoda asked in disbelief.

The Grandmaster nodded. "There is more going on than what anyone else sees. The journey Zuko and Katara are on is just one part of many. In this case, it is my duty as Grandmaster to help protect the world. That means that I must help the Avatar in his duty," Iroh said. "Do not fret, Chief Hakoda. The spirits are watching over us all."

Ursa found it odd to be sitting behind the desk in the Fire Lord's study. Her responsibility as regent had started immediately. Already a dozen of Zuko's advisors and council leaders had come to visit her. Each one filled her in on the current state of things and to drop off legislation and reports to review.

She suspected they were also hoping to learn the reason behind the Fire Lord's unexplained absence, but she revealed nothing to them. Ursa had never wanted this duty, but she would not turn away from her son when he needed her.

"Mum, where did Zuzu go?"

Ursa looked up from the financial statement she had been reviewing. Kiyi stood in the doorway of the study, surprised to find her mother there. She clutched her doll in her hands and she was frowning deeply, a look all too serious for a child (and one that reminded Ursa of Zuko).

"He went away for a little while, sweet one, but he will return soon," Ursa said gently. "Where is Kayo? Did you steal away during a game of hide-and-explode again?"

"It's not really hide-and-explode. Me and Kayo aren't firebenders." Kiyi shuffled deeper into the room. "He didn't tell me he was going away. Where did he go?"

"Do you remember Princess Katara?"

Her small face lit up in a bright smile. "Yes. She's nice. Way nicer than those other girls who were at the tea party. Those girls were mean." Kiyi wrinkled her nose. "And she's really pretty. Even prettier than Suki!"

Ursa smiled lovingly at her daughter. "Yes, I think so too, Kiyi. Your brother went away with her. They have something very important to do for Uncle Iroh. But I promise he will be home soon. In the meantime, we have to be very brave and help him with his duties. Do you think we can do that?"

She beamed happily. "I'd love to!" Kiyi considered the parchment in front of her mother. "Zuzu lets me stamp the papers sometimes. I like helping him do that. Can I do that now?"

"Of course, little one." Ursa brought her daughter into her lap, although at nearly ten, she was almost too big for it. And for pet names, but it was hard to let one's children grow up. "Here, I'm done with this one. Will you put my seal on it?"

Ursa poured a small amount of dark red wax onto the bottom of the financial statement. Kiyi grabbed the stamp in her hand and dipped it in the melted wax. When she pulled the stamp away, Ursa's seal, a turtleduck backed by the symbol of the Fire Nation, was left behind.

"Perfect, my sweet," Ursa said. She kissed Kiyi's head affectionately.

Kiyi craned her neck to look at her mother's face. "Mum, is Zuzu going to die?"

Ursa gasped and pulled back from her daughter. For a moment she had been reminded of Azula. A chill went through her. "Kiyi! Why would you say something like that?"

Kiyi frowned. "Because I had a bad dream. A nightmare." She wrapped her arms tightly around her middle. "It was scary. It felt so real."

Ursa struggled to regain her composure. "What happened in your dream?"

"Zuzu was fighting a bad lady. She had purple eyes and a sword, and a cat. But it's not a normal cat. He's a bad cat. There's something wrong with him." A tremble rose in the young girl's voice. "I think she wanted to hurt him, Mum."

Ursa pulled her daughter close, feeling cold. "Don't worry about your brother, sweet one. He's very strong and he's a Master firebender. He's going to be fine. It's just a dream."

But she wasn't sure who she was trying to convince: her daughter or herself.

"We're all ready to go," Aang said, petting Appa affectionately. "I can't believe we're going to Ba Sing Se. Katara and I…" His heart ached painfully at the mention of her name. "...haven't been in forever." He was still hurt, no matter how hard he tried to put aside his feelings to focus on the task at hand.

"Don't get so excited, Twinkle Toes. It's not a vacation." Toph tossed her bag deftly into the sky bison's saddle. She still managed to impress Aang with how well she could see despite being blind. "And from what Iroh has told us, what we're facing isn't going to be easy either."

Aang sighed in resignation. "I know. Do you think we'll be able to stop whatever is going to happen because of the prophecy?"

"Of course we are. You're the Avatar and I'm still the best earthbender who ever lived. Between the two of us, we're unstoppable." She gave a broad grin as she climbed into the saddle. "Where's Iroh?"

"He'll be here. We can't exactly leave without him." Aang flew up to Appa's head and settled himself comfortably. He frowned bleakly. "Hey Toph...do you think Zuko and Katara—"

"Look, Aang, I have no interest getting involved in that hot mess." Toph cut him off with a flippant wave of her hand. "Whatever is going on between you, Sparky, and Sugar Queen is none of my business."

Color rose in Aang's cheeks. "That's not what I was going to ask. I was gonna ask if you thought they'd be able to find the Conduit."

Toph could tell he was lying even without his vibrations but she decided not to call him out on it. She knew that there was more going on there than anyone was willing to admit, but she most definitely did not want to get involved. She had her own relationship problems. "Of course they will. 'Cause if they don't, I'm gonna kick their butts."

"I see we are all ready to go," Iroh called up to them. He approached the sky bison and stroked his broad cheek affectionately. "My apologies, old friend. I hope you don't mind carrying a heavier load than normal. Your help in our mission is greatly appreciated." The bison grunted in understanding, and then Iroh walked up Appa's tail and joined Toph in the saddle. "I have gotten everything taken care of here. My apologies if I kept you two waiting. I must say, I am excited to fly. I have always wondered what Ba Sing Se looks like from the sky!"

"Trust me when I say it's not all it's made out to be," Toph muttered grumpily.

Iroh chuckled at his apprentice, knowing how much she disliked being off the ground where she could see.

Aang tugged on the reins. "Appa, yip yip!"

Appa took off, pulling high into the sky. The mid-morning sun was already hot overhead. Aang guided Appa toward the east and the distant shores of the Earth Kingdom. Idly he wondered if they would beat Earth King Kuei's procession back to the capital city. That would be funny.

It was smooth flying all day. Aang pushed Appa hard, wanting to reach the coastal village of Jang Hui before nightfall. They would stop there for the night and proceed to the Earth Kingdom at dawn. From there, it would be a week of hard flying before they reached the great walled city. It was a good thing Appa was used to long trips.

Behind him in the saddle, Iroh and Toph delved into a conversation discussing Pai Sho. The game of patience and strategy had never been Aang's strong suit so he soon tuned them out, and turned into his own thoughts.

Katara's words had been haunting him, and because of that he had spent much of his time reflecting on the past five years they had spent together. Aang had been so caught up with the Air Acolytes that somehow he had missed something big. Her accusatory words cut him deeply. She doesn't understand. I'm the last airbender. It's my duty to my people to keep their culture alive. If it bothered her that much, why didn't she find a way to be more involved so we could spend more time together with the Acolytes?

And Zuko...well, he wasn't sure he wanted to go there. Fire Lord or not, friend or not, it wasn't right for Zuko to insert himself in his and Katara's problems. What was his deal, anyway? What had he been thinking, asking Katara to dance? Aang had watched the two of them and had grown angrier by the second. He'd never seen Zuko look so happy. Not even on the day of his own coronation! What was up with that? Aang wasn't sure, but it left a bad taste in his mouth.

They made camp that night in the foothills above the small fishing village of Jang Hui. Aang looked down at it from where he was, remembering when he and Katara had taken out a Fire Nation factory that had been polluting the river. Katara had been so fierce and brave, defying both the Fire Nation army and her brother, who had insisted they couldn't help. Their duty was to get to the rendezvous point before the Day of Black Sun. I will never turn my back on people who need me, she had said, a fierce, determined look in her eye. Moments like that had made the young Avatar admire the beautiful water tribe girl even more.

Momo jumped onto his shoulder, purring softly. Aang scratched his ears affectionately. "What have I done, Momo? I've pushed her away."

The lemur chirped in response.

"I was too caught up in what I was doing to consider her feelings." Tears stung his eyes and he blinked them away angrily. "And I didn't even get to tell her I was sorry."

Dejected, he headed back to the camp, settling himself before the fire. Iroh had brewed tea, and he offered Aang a steaming mug. Aang took it even though he didn't care much for tea.

"Now that we are away from the others, I would like to talk to you both a bit more about what lies ahead," Iroh said.

"Yeah, you've been really unclear," Toph said. She picked at a clump of grass.

"I have my reasons for that, I assure you," Iroh said. He looked at Aang. "As you know, the world depends on balance. Not just the balance, the one between the nations, but smaller balances as well. It all makes up the grand scheme of things. As the Avatar, it is your destiny to keep the balance in check, while it is the Conduit's destiny to destroy it. In that sense, you are opposites, and that is balance as well. The prophecy foresees that. But it has also prophesied another part of the balance: one of opposing elements coming together."

"Like Zuko and Katara," Aang said quietly. Fire and water were natural opposites.

"And earth and air."

Aang looked over at Toph, surprise coloring his features. Earth was his element's opposite. "So Toph and I have a role to play in this, too?"

"Yes, which is why I brought you both with me. There are some things you must both learn before you are ready to face your destinies."

"Like what?" Aang asked.

Iroh looked at him with an unreadable expression in his eyes. "I know you have severed ties with Avatar Roku, so you do not have his wisdom to guide you through this, Aang. What no one has told you before though, is that Avatars were once prepared to face the Conduit, in case that time ever arose. Until now, it never did. The people in charge of that duty were once known as the Warriors Guild."

"The Warriors Guild?" Aang prompted curiously. "I've never heard of that before."

"That's because they went extinct over a hundred years ago, hunted down by followers of the Conduit. I'm telling you this because you need to learn their teachings before you face the Conduit."

"I thought Zuko and Katara were supposed to bring them back so I didn't have to face them," Aang said, confused.

"You misunderstood, then. They are to find the Conduit before someone more nefarious does, and uses their power to wreak havoc on the world," Iroh said. "It is your duty to stop that from happening."

"How am I supposed to learn how to fight the Conduit if the only people who knew are dead?" Aang questioned.

Toph spoke up from the other side of the fire, where she had been listening intently and picking at her toes. "Isn't it obvious, Twinkle Toes? You have to go into the Spirit World."

The meeting took place in a dark alley between two restaurants that were closed for the night. Once again he had been pulled from the comfort of the palace. He arrived early so he could see his co-conspirator arrive.

He did not trust her. She was wily, conniving, and oh so alluring. Her figure was unmistakable when she turned down the alley, blending into the shadows with ease. It was no surprise she had been able to get so close to the Fire Lord. She was enticing. She stood beside him in the dark.

"So I hear the Fire Lord is gone, as is the Water Tribe Princess," she murmured quietly.

"Yes, this is true. Princess Ursa herself confirmed it," he replied.

She chuckled; the sound was low and malicious. "Ah, what impeccable timing he has, isn't it? He has put the noose around his own neck for us."

Mal-Chin considered this. "It changes the plans, though, doesn't it?"

"I have been made aware of a new plan," she said. "This one will ensure our victory much quicker. As it turns out, the Fire Lord going off with the princess was in our best interests. This new plan leaves little room for error."

"And what is the plan?" he inquired.

"We will let you know when it becomes relevant for you to know," said the woman.

"What shall I do about the noble girls now that Zuko is gone?" Mal-Chin asked.

The woman pursed her full lips. "Keep them on standby for the time being. You never know when they could prove useful."

"As you wish," Mal-Chin said. "And what shall I do in the meantime? Princess Ursa is keeping this quite hush-hush, even from her son's most loyal advisor."

The girl chuckled. "How do you feel about some espionage? You're in the optimal position to gather some intel."

"I can try, but it's really not my specialty…"

"Just see what you can do for now. I'll see what I can do about getting someone who specializes in stealth." Her eyes glittered viciously in the dark. "And then we will wait. Soon, the Fire Lord will fall, and the glory of the Fire Nation will be restored."

With that, she sashayed away, a cruel laugh echoing on the night air.

I know, I know...there's no Zuko and Katara in this chapter. They will be back, I swear! But since there's a few storylines going on, expect there to be chapters without them or very little without them.