Chapter Three: A Minor Discovery

Zuko stood at the bridge, Iroh beside him.

It had taken them a week to get this far, and they hadn't even reached the South Pole yet—although they were definitely close. The chill in the air made that much obvious.

"So," Iroh questioned, "What are we looking for?"

"The Avatar."

Iroh glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. Zuko groaned.

"Look. Something's wrong with the universe. Somehow, things got changed around. I need to find the Avatar and take him to Crescent Island, so he can find out how to fix this."

Iroh nodded. "That does explain your dreams."

"Yeah. Yeah it does."

There was a loud crash. Zuko spun around, searching for the source.

"Here we are," Lu Ten announced, walking towards them. "The South Pole."

Zuko leaned out and scanned the huge blank expanse—an search that proved futile.

"Of course," Lu Ten added, "The Southern Water Tribe got out of here when the Fire Nation first attacked. Right now, they're living at the North Pole."

Zuko bristled. "Why didn't you tell me—wait, why are you carrying a tsungi horn around?"

"Because I want to bang a Fire Nation soldier over the head with it," Lu Ten replied casually. His cousin stared for a moment.

"Where are you going to find a Fire Nation soldier out here?" Zuko asked.

Lu Ten frowned. "There is that," he admitted, and threw the instrument over his shoulder. Zuko closed his eyes, and counted to a very high number. Then he looked out at the ice again.

"There's nothing here. I thought that he would have been found already, but apparently he hasn't." He sighed. "We're going to have to find him the old-fashioned way."

Ursa, walking over to them as well, raised an eyebrow. "And do you know where to find him?"

"He's in an iceberg. I know that much."

Lu Ten took stock of his surroundings. "This should be easy. There's an iceberg there, there, there, there, there, there, the—"

He became aware of the whole group staring at him.

"Never mind."

"One thing's certain," Iroh pointed out. "When we find him, we're going to have to break him out somehow."

Lu Ten grinned. "I've got it."

"And it can't involve ramming the iceberg," Iroh amended.

"Seriously?"

"YES!" Zuko and Ursa shouted.

"Spoilsports," Lu Ten huffed. He turned around, and headed for the door. "Dad, you're in charge. I'm heading for the engine room. We're gonna get started on this whole search thing."

Everyone stared after him for a minute.

"Ursa, you should pick that tsungi horn up," Iroh pointed out. She lifted it, and walked out. As she left, she passed Azula, who was walking up to Iroh.

"Are you all right?' Ursa asked, turning toward her. Azula nodded and sniffled. Zuko looked down at her.

"You know, I kind of like this Azula better."

"What was that?" Iroh asked.

"Nothing, nothing," Zuko replied quickly.

Next time, the Avatar is found and big things commence!