June kicks a chair and sits down and begins drinking again.
"Hey, I remember her. She helped you attack us." Sokka said
"Yes we covered that already." I said
Zuko starts to walk forward, but makes sure I am in within arm distance.
"Back in the good old days." Zuko said
We all walk up to June.
"Oh great. It's Prince Pouty. Where's your creepy grandpa?" June asked
Toph and I laugh at the Prince Pouty line. Zuko glares at us.
"He's my Uncle. And he's not here." Zuko said
"I see you worked things out with your girlfriend or is it girlfriends?" June asked
Zuko grabs ahold of me.
"Girlfriend. One singular." Zuko said
"So what do you want?" June asked
"I need your help finding the Avatar." Zuko said
"Hm. Doesn't sound too fun." June said
"Does the end of the world sound like more fun?" Zuko asked
June still doesn't want to do it. I moved out of Zuko's grasp and sit down across from her.
"How about we make a deal. If everything goes as planned. Prince Pouty here will become Fire Lord Pouty. Which means if he has an issue and needs a person found he have you do the finding. He will also spread your name around. So does that sound good. You get a ton of business and all you have to do is help us." I said
June leans forward.
"You got yourself a deal." June said
We got up and headed outside. Appa and Nyla are growling at each other. Appa licks Nyla, and they lay down. They both stand up as we approach. June takes out a piece of meat for Nyla. She shakes it.
"Nyla." June said
She throws the meat to Nyla. Who catches it in his mouth, and starts chewing it before swallowing it. June walks up to him and starts petting him.
"Who's my little Snuffy-Wuffy?" June asked
Nyla sticks his toxins-coated tongue out and she dodges it and forces his mouth closed.
"Whoa! Careful there! Okay. So who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?" June asked
Katara who was standing on Appa's saddle pulls put Aang's glider.
"I have Aang's staff." Katara said
Katara tosses it down. June catches it and holds it in front of Nyla. He sniffs it. Nyla begins to walk around in circles, trying to sniff the scent out somewhere else. Nyla lies back down and covers his nose.
"Well, what does that mean?" Zuko asked
"Means your friend's gone." June said
"We know he's gone. That's why we're trying to find him." Toph said
"No, I mean he's gone gone. He doesn't exist." June said
We all look either worried or confusion.
"What do you mean Aang doesn't exist? Do you mean he's…you know, dead?" Sokka asked
"Nope. We could find him if he were dead. Wow, it's a real head-scratcher. See ya." June said
She starts to climb on top of Nyla.
"Wait. I have another idea. There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord. I'll be right back with a smell sample." Zuko said
Zuko leaves and comes back with a sandal. He holds it up, we all could smell it. I know that smell and that sandal.
"You saved Iroh's sandal. Ew." I said
June on top of Nyla jumps forward. Nyla smells the sandal.
"Let's do this." June said
She and Nyla run off. We all quickly climb onto Appa.
"Hey! Wait up." Zuko said
Appa hits his tail on the ground and he takes off in the same direction. Nyla runs up a hill as Appa flies behind him.
…
Nyla jumps over a cliff edge, we fly closely behind.
…
We fly for a little while longer before we arrive to the destroyed Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se. Nyla stops on some of the wreckage and starts digging we land.
"We're going to Ba Sing Se?" Zuko asked
"Your uncle's somewhere beyond the wall. Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far. Good luck." June said
With that Nyla and June take off back towards where we came.
"It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn." Zuko said
"Let's not set up camp and just sleep on Appa." I said
"Sounds good." Sokka said
We all move to pick a place to sleep, but Zuko stops me.
"What?" I asked
Zuko didn't say anything, he pulled me into a kiss. I pushed him back.
"No." I said
"Kida. What do you want me to say? That I shouldn't have treated Aang like a weapon. That I should have seen from his point of view. I don't care about what I said because all I care about is you and our child." Zuko said
"I don't want you to say anything Zuko. I just want you to be you." I said
"I am being me." Zuko said
"Then why are we looking for your Uncle. You will be the next Fire Lord not Iroh. You and Aang are going to be the ones to fix the world. Yet here we are looking for Iroh. Why?" I asked
"Because I don't know what to do. Because I want to make up with Uncle. Because I need his help." Zuko said
"That's what I wanted you to say. You used tell me everything and you still need to. I understand that there will be things that you won't tell me and I get that. But we are having a baby, you will need to trust me. You asked me back at the Air Temple if I could forgive you if could love you again I didn't answer you then but I can now. I forgave you a few days after it happened, and I never stopped loving you." I said
…
We are waken up by the earth shaking, I look around to see that we are surrounded in a ring of fire. I spin around and see Piandao, Jeong Jeong, Pakku and Bumi.
"Well, look who's here." Bumi said
He starts to laughing and snorting. Katara, Sokka, and I look excited but the others are just confused. The fire comes down once the realize who we are.
"What's going on? We're surrounded by old people." Toph said
"Not just any old people." Katara said
She walks up to Master Pakku.
"These are the great masters and friends of ours." Katara said
Katara bows to Pakku.
"Pakku." Katara said
He bows back.
"It is respectful to bow to an old master, but how about a hug for your new grandfather?" Pakku asked
Katara and I are both surprised and overjoyed, we hug him.
"I'm so happy for you and Gran-Gran." I said
"You and Gran-Gran must be so happy to have found each other again." Katara said
"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything." Pakku said
Sokka runs up and hugs Pakku.
"Welcome to the family, Gramp-Gramp." Sokka said
Pakku pushes Sokka away, slightly annoyed.
"You can still call me Pakku." Pakku said
"He really is family." I said
"How about Grand-Pakku?" Sokka asked
"No." Pakku said
I walk over to Jeong-Jeong and Have Zuko come over to us.
"Zuko this was Aang's first firebending teacher." Katara said
Jeong-Jeong bows and introduces himself to Zuko, who bows back. I see Sokka and Piandao bow to each other
"So wait. How do you all know each other?" Suki asked
"All old people know each other. Don't you know that?" Bumi asked
"Maybe Kida can explain it." Piandao said
Everyone turns to me.
"They are all part of the same ancient secret society." I said
"A group that transcends the divisions of the four nations." Piandao
It takes a moment before Zuko figures it out.
"The Order of the White Lotus." Zuko said
"That's the one." Bumi said
"The White Lotus has always been about philosophy and beauty and truth. But about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important." Jeong Jeong said
Pakku turns and looks at Zuko.
"It came from a Grand Lotus: your Uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation." Pakku said
"Well, that's who we're looking for." Toph said
"Then we'll take you to him." Piandao said
Bumi suddenly pushes Piandao and Jeong Jeong away.
"Wait! Someone's missing from your group. Someone very important. Where's Momo?" Bumi asked
"He's gone. And so is Aang." Sokka said
"Oh well. So long as they have each other, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Let's go." Bumi said
…
We all arrive at their camp.
"So, Bumi…how did you end up escaping your imprisonment in Omashu?" Sokka asked
"Escape? I didn't escape. Everybody else escaped. There I was back in Omashu, waiting for just the right moment. I didn't know what or when, but I knew I'd know it when I knew. I said, 'an eclipse. That'll do it.'" Bumi said
He then goes on to tell us about how he took back his city.
"Wow! You took back your whole city all by yourself." Suki said
"So what about you guys?; did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?" Bumi asked
"Nah." Zuko said
"Nope." I said
"No, not really." Sokka said
…
Bumi brings down one of the rocks walls that are up protecting the camp.
"Well, here we are. Welcome to Old People Camp." Bumi said
I look over at Zuko. Jeong Jeong and Pakku walk away.
"Where…where is he?" Zuko asked
Piandao points to a tent on the other side of the camp.
"Your Uncle's in there, Prince Zuko." Piandao said
The rest of the team disrupts. I can see the worry and shame pass across Zuko's face.
"Zuko you can do this." I said
"Will you wait for me outside the tent?" Zuko asked
"Of course." I said
We walked towards the tent. We stopped outside the tent.
"Why aren't you going in?" I asked
"Because my Uncle hates me, I know it. He loved and supported me in every way he could, and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?" Zuko asked
"Are you sorry for what you did?" I asked
"More sorry than I've been about anything in my entire life." Zuko said
"Then tell him that. And he will forgive you." I said
I kiss check.
"Now man up and go see your Uncle." I said
Zuko smiled, took a deep breath and entered the tent. I stayed outside.
"Uncle?" Zuko asked
I hear snoring and I know that Iroh is asleep. I sit down outside the tent and wait just like I told him I would. I don't know how long we waited but I heard Zuko start talking again.
"Uncle, I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know, I am so, so, sorry, Uncle. I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did. I don't know how I can ever make it up to you. But I'll -" Zuko stomp
I heard something move inside the tent.
"How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me." Zuko said
I smiled, glad Zuko and Iroh are back to normal.
"I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way." Iroh said
"I did lose my way." Zuko said
"But you found it again. And you did it by yourself. And I am so happy you found your way here." Iroh said
"It wasn't that hard, Uncle. You have a pretty strong scent." Zuko said
I laughed from my space outside.
"Kida." Iroh said
I moved to the door of the tent and stepped inside..
"Hello Iroh." I said
"Hello, little one." Iroh said
I walked farther into the tent and gave Iroh a hug.
"It's good to see you again Iroh." I said
"You as well Kida." Iroh said
We talked a little while longer. Zuko and I looked at each other.
"Uncle there is something you should know." Zuko said
"If it is about Kida here being pregnant I know." Iroh said
"How do you know." I asked
"Because she is bigger than last time so she is either getting fat or pregnant. So…" Iroh trailed off
"Are you mad?" I asked
"No of course not. I'm happy for you two." Iroh said
"I'm glad. I was afraid you would be mad or disappointed with us." I said
"No I would never be mad or disappointed in you little one. Well I guess I can't call you little one anymore." Iroh said
…
We were all outside, in a circle.
"Uncle, you're the only person other than the Avatar who can possibly defeat the Father Lord." Zuko said
"You mean the Fire Lord." Toph said
"That's what I just said." Zuko said
"Hmmm…" Iroh said
"We need you to come with us." Zuko said
"No, Zuko, it won't turn out well." Iroh said
"You can beat him. And we'll be there to help." Zuko said
"Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don't know that I could, it would be the wrong way to end the war. History would see it as just more senseless violence, a brother killing brother to grab power. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord." Iroh said
"And then…then you would come and take your rightful place on the throne?" Zuko asked
"Zuko we've talked about this. You would become the Fire Lord." I said
"Kida is right. Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko." Iroh said
"Unquestionable honor? But I've made so many mistakes." Zuko said
"Yes, you have. You've struggled, you've suffered, but you have always followed your own path. You restored your own honor, and only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation." Iroh said
Zuko looks deep in thought.
"I'll try, Uncle." Zuko said
"Well, what if Aang doesn't come back?" Toph asked
"I'm the only one with enough power to face Ozai." I said
"No way." Katara said
"Not going to happen. You are not going anywhere near my father. You are not fighting in any of these battles to come." Zuko said
"Sozin's Comet is arriving, and our destinies are upon us. Aang will face the Fire Lord. When I was a boy, I had a vision that I would one day take Ba Sing Se. Only now do I see that my destiny is to take it back from the Fire Nation, so the Earth Kingdom can be free again." Iroh said
"That's why you gathered the members of the White Lotus." Suki said
"Yes. Zuko, you must return to the Fire Nation, so that when the Fire Lord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But Azula will be there, waiting for you." Iroh said
"I can handle Azula." Zuko said
"Not alone! You'll need help." Iroh said
"You're right. Katara, Kida how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?" Zuko asked
"It would be my pleasure." Katara said
"Why am I coming. Didn't you just say wasn't going to fight in this battle." I said
"Because you are not leaving my sight. Plus the safest place for you is with the person who can heal people." Zuko said
"What about the rest of us? What is our destiny?" Sokka asked
"What do you think it is?" Iroh asked
"I think that, even though we don't know where Aang is, we need to do everything we can to stop the airship fleet." Sokka said
"And that means when Aang does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there if he needs us." Toph said
…
Toph and Suki are on one eel hound. Sokka is talking with Piandao.
"Nothing runs faster over land or swims quicker than a giant eel hound. The air ship base is on a small island just off the Earth Kingdom shore. You should be able to intercept the fleet within a day's journey." Piandao said
"Thank you, Master." Sokka said
Katara and I are sitting on Appa waiting for Zuko who is talking to Iroh.
"So if I'm going to be Fire Lord after the war is over, what are you going to do?" Zuko asked
"After I re-conquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to re-conquer my tea shop, and I'm going to play Pai Sho every day." Iroh said
"Of course you will." I said
I see Sokka, Toph, and Suki on an eel hound. Zuko is now on Appa.
"Goodbye, everyone. Today, destiny is our friend. I know it." Iroh said
The eel hound sets off followed soon after by Appa. We head towards the Fire Nation.
