Fight 69: The Order of the White Lotus

June kicked an empty seat into a comfortable position before sitting down and taking a sip from her cup. Sokka suddenly remembered she had been the one who had helped Zuko attack them and slightly glared at the prince.

"Yup, back in the good old days." Zuko awkwardly averted his eyes and walked towards the female bounty hunter.

"Oh great, it's Prince Pouty." She rolled her eyes, making her displeasure rather obvious. "Where's your creepy grandpa?"

"He's my uncle, and he's not here."

"I see you worked things out with your girlfriend." She smirked at Chenlian and Zuko.

"Hmm, did he now? I'm not sure..." Chenlian tilted her head to the side, a hand on her cheek in a 'deary-me-what-a-quandary' pose, and moving away.

"Chenlian." The ruffled prince admonished her, pulling her back to him and placing an arm around her waist.

"Sheesh, can't you take a little teasing?"

"ANYWAY, I need your help finding the Avatar." Zuko blatantly changed (returned to the) subject, looking at June.

"Hmph. Doesn't sound too fun." She was very much ignoring him.

"Does the end of the World sound like more fun ?!" Annoyed by her carelessness, he got into her face, fists raised, making her pause and look at him.

Outside, the shirshu and sky bison were growling aggressively at each other. Suddenly, Appa licked the shirshu's face and both quieted down. Their 'communication' was interrupted by humans coming.

"Nyla..." June cajoled, throwing a large piece of meat her furry partner caught and gulped down. "Who's my little snuffly wuffly..." She petted the animal that suddenly shot out her tongue. "Whoa!" The woman quickly sidestepped and gently pressed down on Nyla's head to close her mouth. "Careful there." Then she asked for something with the Avatar's scent on it. Katara brought his staff. The shirshu sniffed it and started circling around them, trying to pick up the scent. However, she soon lowered herself on the ground, placing her paws on her snout. Although the others were puzzled, it was clearly a gesture of capitulation.

"It means your friend's gone."

"We know he's gone, that's why we're trying to find him." Toph shot back.

"No, I mean he's gone gone. He doesn't exist." Her words perplexed and worried the teens even more.

In another forest, Momo was chasing a squirrel while being careful not to stray too far from Aang who was walking below, wondering where they were. He thought of the Spirit World but Momo could see him... could they BOTH be in the Spirit World? Since he was able to airbend, that wasn't the case either. He climbed to the top of the island to try and figure out where they were.

"What do you mean Aang doesn't exist?! Do you mean he's... you know, dead?" Sokka questioned.

"Nope, we could find him if he were dead. Ah, it's a real head scratcher. See ya." Since Nyla couldn't sniff out the scent, it was out of her hands. It wasn't her job to think about it and she had nothing to do with this anymore. So she mounted her beast, ready to go. Toph sarcastically commented about how helpful she had been but June paid her no mind. Chenlian simply thought that something must be masking Aang's scent but had no idea what it could be so she didn't mention it. Even if she did say something, that wouldn't change the fact that they had no means or ideas to find Aang anymore, not the slightest clue.

"Wait, I have another idea. There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord." Zuko stopped the bounty hunter and soon returned with a smell sample... that was Iroh's old sandal that he had dropped as a clue to help his nephew find him when he had been kidnapped by earthbenders during his bath in the hot springs. Most of his friends pinched their noses, flinching from the stench. Sokka could hardly believe he had actually kept his uncle's sweaty sandal all this time but Toph actually found it kind of sweet. The prince brought the footwear to the shirshu's muzzle. The beast picked up a trail and followed it. The party quickly mounted on the bison that took off.

To everyone's surprise, they arrived at Ba Sing Se, or more exactly, a breach in its outer wall, the very one made by Iroh and his army during Zuko's childhood, when the old man was still an esteemed general of the Fire Nation acclaimed as the Dragon of the West. As Nyla started scratching the rubble, June told the prince his uncle was somewhere beyond that wall.

"Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far. Good luck." And like this the two just up and left... Did they have any idea how vast Ba Sing Se was? Even just the agrarian zone between the outer and inner wall? But there was no use complaining now or trying to bring them back.

"It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn." Zuko decided. He was a bit annoyed that their guide had abandoned them just like this but it was already night, and they HAD spent a long day of traveling.

Aang reached the top of the island and saw a large hexagonal hole in the earth. The floor of that hole appeared to be made of stone, with a flower motif in the middle and what looked like growth rings extending outwards. He jumped down and walked to the motif in the middle. He touched the ground and tried to bend it, but found himself unable to as it wasn't rock or earth.

"This is so strange." He sat down with his hands on his head in despair. "I wish I had some help right now. I wish I had Roku... I DO have Roku!" He suddenly realized, his head snapping up. He began meditating. Momo scurried away to give him space and time. Then, as if he had divided himself in two, an astral projection separated from him and took on Roku's shape, sitting in the same position as him, like they were mirroring each other.

"You're right, Aang. All the past Avatars, all their experience and wisdom, is available to you if you look deep inside yourself." The former Avatar smiled. Aang asked where he was, what was this place. "I... don't know, Aang." The puzzled Roku looked around before once more focusing on the child in front of him. "But I see that you are lost in more ways than one right now."

"I am. I need to figure out what to do once I face the Fire Lord."

Suki, Sokka and Katara were sleeping on each of Appa's three left legs, while Zuko and Chenlian (in each other's arms) were on the bison's tail. Toph was snoring in her earth tent when she suddenly woke up and groped the ground. She bended the slabs back down right as a ring of fire encircled them, starting and ending at the pile of rubble. Appa groaned fearfully. The youths all stood up on high alert, ready to face whatever attack might be coming at them. Then they saw four men in white and dark blue uniform-like robes appearing atop the wreckage. Piandao, Jeong Jeong, Pakku and Bumi...

"Well, look who's here." The King of Omashu snorted and cackled. Chenlian, Sokka and Katara smiled, relieved and happy. Toph and Suki though were much more perplexed since they didn't know who all those old people were, nor just how encouraging they could be. Zuko did recognize Piandao, his swordsmanship teacher, and Jeong Jeong, Chenlian's grandfather... but was still more puzzled than relieved by their presence here.

"Everyone expects me to take the Fire Lord's life but I just don't know if I can do that." Aang explained.

"In my life, I tried to be disciplined and show restraint. But it backfired when Fire Lord Sozin took advantage of my restraint and mercy. If I had been more decisive and acted sooner, I could have stopped Sozin and stop the war before it started. I offer you this wisdom, Aang. You must be decisive." Roku vanished. Aang who hung his head. That was not the answer he had wanted to hear.

At the outer wall of Ba Sing Se, Toph, confused as to why all those old people were surrounding them, was also demanding answers. Chenlian had quenched the fire and the elderly had come down and lined up before them. Katara said they were not just any old people but great masters and friends of theirs. She walked forward and bowed to Pakku, greeting him. Her waterbending teacher bowed in turn.

"It is respectful to bow to an old master but how about a hug for your new grandfather?" He opened his arms. The siblings were equally dumbfounded for a time but the bender was first to recover, and rejoice.

"That's so exciting! You and Gran Gran must be so happy to have found each other again!" As requested, she embraced her new grandfather but quickly withdrew.

"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything."

"Welcome to the family Great Gramp!" Just as Pakku was proudly narrating how he had reclaimed his old love, Sokka all-too-tightly and familiarly wrapped his arms around his neck.

"You can still just call me Pakku." The gray waterbender pushed him away. The boy tried calling him Grand Pakku but was denied again in a deadpan manner, causing him to get all depressed. Jeong Jeong fixed Pakku with an exceedingly envious look before glaring expectantly at his blood-related granddaughter who flinched a little. If only she wasn't the center of attention now, she could have casually done something later! It was so embarrassing behaving intimately now after all this time with everyone watching her with teasing smirks! He had certainly complained about her lack of familiarity to those who would listen! That was unnecessary!

"... Yes, yes, yes, I'm sorry for all those times I kept a respectful distance from you. I love you too, grandfather. I've learned that I should treasure what I have more." Chenlian gave up and hugged her relative and firebending teacher who tightly hugged her back with a satisfied nod and expression and petted her head. "But please do trim your hair a bit."

"You say one thing too many!" His remark prompted a laughter. "Prince Zuko, I'll need to have a good conversation with you later." His sharp tone caused Zuko to straighten up on instinct. Then the three sword users greeted Master Piandao. Suki was surprised to see they all seemed to know each other.

"All old people know each other, don't you know that ?" Bumi cackled again. Piandao informed them they were all part of the same ancient secret society. A group that transcended the divisions of the four nations.

"The Order of the White Lotus." Zuko and Chenlian smiled. Jeong Jeong added the White Lotus had always been about philosophy, and beauty and truth. About a month ago, a call went out that they were needed for something important. Pakku specified it came from the Grand Lotus, Iroh of the Fire Nation... Zuko's uncle. Toph said that was who they were looking for. But just as Piandao was about to lead the children to Iroh, Bumi stopped them.

"Wait, someone's missing from your group. Someone very important." He looked around warily. "Where's Momo?" He pressed his face against Sokka's. The boy was leaning back under the weight and pressure.

"He's gone. And so is Aang."

"Oh well, so long as they have each other I'm sure we have nothing to worry about." The old king stepped back and patted his shoulder. Sokka flailed about to regain his balance. "Let's go." Bumi earthbended a tall column of earth that propelled him over the gap in the outer wall, laughing maniacally at the same time.

Aang called on Avatar Kyoshi who spoke from her own experience. In her time, Chin the Conqueror had threatened to throw the World out of balance. She stopped him and the World entered a great era of peace. Aang countered she hadn't really killed Chin with her own hands. He had just fallen to his doom because he had been too stubborn to get out of the way. But Kyoshi personally didn't see the difference and assured him that she would have done whatever it took to stop Chin. Only Justice would bring Peace. That was the wisdom she imparted on Aang, much to his annoyance.

As the group was walking down a path through a rocky landscape, Sokka asked Bumi how he had escaped imprisonment in Omashu. But he wasn't the one who escaped... everybody else had escaped (from him...). He had been there, waiting for just the right moment. He didn't know what or when but he knew he'd know it when he knew it. Then the eclipse happened, and he thought that would do it. He bended tiles and pieces of rooftop towards him that broke the door of the coffin on contact. Upon landing, he was instantly threatened by Fire Nation soldiers... who found themselves unable to firebend, to their shock. Bumi was also surprised at first but soon smirked in realization. And so he started taking his city back.

The Fire Nation had turned a number of buildings into factories. He severed the pipes with earth pillars before moving the very foundations of those factories, sliding them down the cone-shaped mountain. He then went on to hurl some other buildings. Before the power of a man who could single-handedly move whole houses without breaking a sweat, the large majority of the helpless soldiers fled out of the city. Eight brave men tried to retaliate but Bumi barely gave them any attention. He earthbended eight columns of earth from the ground, knocking the soldiers off their feet. He then sent the columns flying into the air into the giant statue of Ozai that was dominating the mountain. Two pierced his eyes, two pierced the nostrils, and the remaining blocks lined the mouth in a smile. Satisfied, he went on to get rid of the statue itself. He bended the rock under the base on one side, lifting it. With much effort, he managed to tilt and tip it over. It slid down the slope and fell into the chasm after breaking the bridge that was the sole known entrance to Omashu.

Suki voiced her amazement that he could reclaim his whole city all by himself. Bumi asked if they had done anything interesting on the day of the eclipse. Sokka and Zuko looked at each other, before looking at the front again with a casual "Nah, not really."

Next, Aang contacted the Water Tribe-born Avatar Kuruk who told him his story. When he was young, he was always a 'go-with-the-flow' kind of Avatar. People seemed to work out their own problems and there was peace and good times in the World, allowing him spend his time doing what he liked (surfing) and being with his lover, Ummi. But then, he lost the woman he loved to Koh, the Face Stealer. It was his fault, if he had been more attentive and more active, he could have saved her. The expression of the former Avatar screamed of his pain and regrets before turning hard, and grim.

"Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the World." Kuruk advised before disappearing. Full of despair, Aang held his head in his hands.

The teenagers and old masters reached the campsite of the Order of the White Lotus, a distance from the inner wall of Ba Sing Se. Bumi welcomed them to old people camp. They all entered but a moment later, Zuko stopped and looked around.

"Where... where is he ?" He inquired, timidly and worriedly.

"Your Uncle's in there, Prince Zuko." Piandao pointed at a big tent at the end of the campsite. The young man stared with disbelief and awkwardness. He walked over there but stopped outside and sat down.

"What are you hesitating about now? You hardly look the same man who showed so much spirit and passion when trying to win me back." Chenlian teased, sitting next to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. He gripped her hand in both of his.

"... Whenever I'd think back on what I did to you, I would hesitate and be overcome with fear and shame. I wanted to bury myself in a hole... and I still do. But whenever you were in front of me, I knew I'd be a goner the moment I cowered from you. I had to face you head-on. And I felt that you were deliberately heading into the darkness, trying to get lost. That threw me into an even greater panic. I also felt that as the one who had thrown you in there, I had to be the one to bring you back, that it couldn't be anyone but me... and I acted before I knew what I was going. That was desperation. But now..." He tightly shut his eyes, lowered his head, and brought her hand to his forehead, as if praying to be graced with some of her fortitude.

"You still don't know how your uncle really is, do you?" Chenlian sighed. "It's impossible for him to truly hate anyone or become unable to forgive them. Stop taking him for an idiot. The moment he sees you and you apologize, he will understand everything... the fact you even came here is proof, and with Aang and me at that. There's no doubt whatsoever that he will forgive you... no, if it's him, I'm sure he forgave you long ago... if he was truly angry at all to begin with... but, he was certainly worried sick about you. So you should go and reassure him. Okay?" She smiled confidently, comfortingly. Right, Iroh was different from her. He had a much, much bigger and stronger heart than she did. The prince tightly embraced her. Thus strengthened and encouraged, he let go after a moment, stood up, and walked to the tent. He paused at the entrance, took a deep breath, and went in.

"Uncle." He started, and stopped after being greeted by a loud snoring. The prince smiled affectionately and sat down on the mat beside Iroh's sleeping mat, waiting for him to wake up.

"All these past Avatars, they keep telling me I'm gonna have to do it. They don't get it." Aang grumbled. Momo stood on his lap and chattered. "You're right, maybe an air nomad Avatar would understand where I'm coming from." He proceeding like he was having an actual conversation with the animal, but that just made the lemur tilt his head quizzically and jump on the boy's other side. "I know you can't really talk. Pretending you can just helps me think." The monk explained himself and returned to his meditation. "Avatar Yangchen, the monks always taught me that all life is sacred. Even the life of the tiniest spider-fly caught in its own web." He began. The female airbender nodded, reluctantly agreeing with him. "I'm even a vegetarian. I've always tried to solve my problems by being quick or clever and I've only had to use violence for necessary defense and I've certainly never used it to take a life."

"Avatar Aang, I know that you're a gentle spirit and the monks have taught you well. But this isn't about you. This is about the World." Her words caused Aang's head to shot up in disbelief.

"But the monks taught me that I had to detach myself from the World so my spirit could be free."

"Many great and wise air nomads have detached themselves and achieved spiritual enlightenment. But the Avatar can never do it because your sole duty is to the World. Here is my wisdom for you, selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes to protect the World." And finally, Avatar Yangchen vanished as well, eerily echoing Chenlian's words.

"...I guess I don't have a choice, Momo. I have to kill the Fire Lord."

The following morning, Iroh finally stopped snoring and started to get up, yawning and stretching. He turned his head slightly and noticed Zuko (who had not moved at all from the moment he arrived) but turned his head back and remained quiet, keeping his back to him and resolutely ignoring him; albeit with a sad expression, just like he had in that cell of the Fire Nation capital prison. Upon noticing his reaction, Zuko shut his eyes and gritted his teeth, struggling to control his emotions, his pain, fear, disappointment, and distress. Finally, he worked up the courage to face him again and start talking despite the initial rejection.

"Uncle, I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want..." His voice cracked, "...I want you to know, I'm so so sorry, Uncle. I'm so sorry and ashamed of what I did." The tears that had been brimming flowed down his cheeks. He closed his eyes and shook his head. More so than his words, his voice was conveying all his feelings and earnestness. "I don't know how I can ever make it up to you but I'll-" However, before he could finish his sentence Iroh turned to him and pulled him into a comforting hug. The old man was smiling in sheer relief.

"How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me."

"I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way."

"I did lose my way. But the day I thought I lost Chenlian too, I... I..."

"You found it again." Iroh pulled back and placed his big warm hands on his nephew's shoulders. Zuko raised his head to look at his kindly smiling uncle. "And you found HER again and brought her back, didn't you?"

"...Yeah."

"And you did it by yourself. And I am so so happy you found your way here, together." The elderly brought him into another hug.

"It wasn't that hard, Uncle. You have a pretty strong scent." The boy hugged him back.

The Avatar had fallen asleep right where he was and woke up when the sun was getting high. When he sat up, he was shocked to see land through the trees that hadn't been there before. What more, it felt like those mountains were growing bigger?! He jumped and landed on top of the tallest tree with Momo. He then understood it was the island he was on that was getting closer to the land from the churning currents beyond one side of the island. The whole island was moving! He descended from the mountain to the very edge and dived into the sea. He swam underwater and as he observed the underside, he was almost hit by a giant reptilian paw that was paddling away. The child resurfaced and breathed in some air. The flying lemur landed nearby.

"It's amazing, Momo! The biggest animal in the World! I've got to swim around and find its face." He declared and excitedly swam towards the front of the island.

Katara was helping some lower members of the White Lotus to prepare breakfast. Chenlian had volunteered too but her friend had told her to spend more time with her grandfather, so Chenlian and Jeong Jeong were discussing over tea. Zuko was watching a game of pai sho between his uncle and Pakku. Sokka, Suki and Bumi were sitting on a mat outside. The Kyoshi Warrior talked about how she still couldn't believe he had reclaimed Omashu from the Fire Nation all by himself. He must be the greatest earthbender of all time. Bumi confirmed this right as Toph was passing behind him, yawning, which made her pause in an unamused way.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear you talking. Did you say this old guy is the best earthbender EVER?"

"Actually, I think she said 'the greatest earthbender of all time'." The elderly smugly corrected her. Toph let out a booming laugh.

"No offense pops, but just because you're as old as dirt doesn't mean you know how to bend it!"

"Little girl, I have toenails that can earthbend better than you!" Bumi mocked her too, showing said toenails. Sokka declared that just words were not enough, there was only one sure way to find out who was the best earthbender... an EARTHBENDING RUMBLE!

The four headed to a canyon not far behind the camp. The two participants faced each other. Sokka introduced the contestant. In the east corner, they had Toph, aka the Blind Bandit, aka the Runaway. In the west corner, they had King Bumi, aka the Mad Earthbending Genius, aka the Over-the-hill Hitter!

"I want a nice, messy, rock-filled fight! Okay, benders, we'll start at the gong!" He hit a mini gong with a mini resonant mallet. But although he had signaled the start of the duel, nobody moved.

"Young people go first." Bumi gallantly offered.

"I wouldn't dream of being disrespectful to my elder..." Toph sarcastically turned him down. Sokka got angry at them and told them to start fighting already, so they did. He then, to Suki's confusion, proceeded to cheer both rumblers on, the Blind Bandit to show that old timer's who's the boss, and the Mad Genius to teach that arrogant youngster a thing or two. As the referee he had to be impartial after all. However, the rumbling was not confined to the limits of the canyon. Katara was first to arrive... and harshly criticize her brother for his thoughtlessness when he explained what this fight was all about. What if those two got hurt?! Did he realize that they were about to face the Fire Nation and the fate of the world rested in their hands?!

The competitors dismissed her concerns though. Toph was just testing the old man to see whether he could actually survive another battle against firebenders. Likewise, Bumi was making sure the little girl wouldn't get burned too much. Things got more intense, and their battle caused the whole area to shake and split, without even mentioning the noise. Piandao's drawing got totally messed up, like the game of pai sho Iroh and Pakku were having. The pots of soup and tea spilled. Everyone came out and got worried they were under an attack. Zuko and Chenlian went to look for their missing friends, and were followed by the old masters.

Once they arrived at the scene, they demanded an explanation. After receiving it, Iroh started cheering for Bumi, representative of the old people. Zuko did a face palm, muttering "you've got to be kidding me!". As the voice of reason, Pakku and Jeong Jeong cautioned against this bending battle that could give away their location. They were supposed to be in hiding. Beaten by the soundness of the argument, Sokka agreed to stop the fight. However, the earthbenders no longer heard or cared about the gong, so the other benders, plus Piandao decided to stop them by force and rushed to the battleground.

"This is getting really good!" Sokka rubbed his hands with a face-splitting grin. Suki raised an aggravated eyebrow at him but Chenlian, who had unexpectedly remained at their side, nodded her approval with her arms crossed, of the clear opinion it was more interesting to spectate the show than stop it (but aware it was wiser to stop and so did not get in the others' way).

But even after the impromptu rumble was successfully brought to a close, the two would stick their tongue at the other or keep picking fights in childish ways, forcing Zuko to step inbetween, block them with his hands and say they both needed to start acting their age. Suki asked her boyfriend who had won in the end, however, given the circumstances, he had no choice but to declare the match a draw... and suggest they should have a rematch later.

"Sweet!" Toph rejoiced. Bumi snorted and cackled, also quite appreciative of the idea. Katara did a face palm and Zuko looked at them with an incredulous and exhausted expression.

"Now, now, they're both fighting for the honor of being recognized as the strongest, surely you can somewhat empathize with them. A rematch should be fine at a safe and appropriate time and place, right?" Chenlian gave her support to the earthbenders.

The Order of the White Lotus quickly tidied up the old men camp and finished preparing food. And then everyone gathered in groups in the central area to have breakfast.

"Uncle, you're the only person other than the Avatar who can possibly defeat the Father Lord."

"You mean the Fire Lord." Toph remarked, pointing her chopsticks at him.

"That's what I just said." The prince glared at her. The young earthbender resumed eating. Iroh made a thoughtful noise. "We need you to come with us."

"No, Zuko. It won't turn out well." The Grand Lotus refused his nephew's request but Zuko insisted. "Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don't know that I could... It will be the wrong way to end the war. History would see it as just more senseless violence, a brother killing a brother to grab power. Same if Chenlian was the one to do it. It will be seen as nothing more than revenge, encouraging that sort of behavior, and making future peace talks with other nations more difficult. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord."

"And then... then would you come and take your rightful place on the throne?" The prince inquired hopefully.

"No. Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko." Iroh affirmed, shocking his nephew.

"Unquestionable honor? But I've made so many mistakes..." The prince voiced his doubts, and disbelief.

"Yes, you have. You struggled, you 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."

"I'll try, Uncle."

"Well, what if Aang doesn't come back ?" Toph argued.

"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."

"That's why you gathered the members of the White Lotus." Suki understood.

"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." The former general instructed, and warned.

"I can handle Azula." Zuko confidently asserted.

"Not alone. You'll need help." His uncle cautioned him, startling the young man who thought of his past dealings with his sister. Azula had always given him the slip, captured him, or defeated him. And then, there was this time when she talked him over and persuaded him to side with her... to dreadful consequences. Now was a chance to overwrite that terrible memory.

"You're right. Chenlian, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?" He would show Chenlian his trustworthiness, if she was to be in danger, he would protect her, and by defeating Azula together, they could overwrite the shame and fear from that day with victory and accomplishment... and properly move forward.

"It's high time we get to it." She smiled.

"Will you be okay, just the two of you?" Katara worried about them.

"This is to help us conquer the past." Chenlian reassured her, having deduced her lover's intention. Zuko agreed. Sokka asked about their own role, their own destiny today.

"What do you think it is?" Iroh raised an eyebrow.

"I think that... even though we don't know where Aang is, we need to do everything we can to stop the airship fleet."

"And that means when Aang does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there if he needs us." Toph concurred, smacking her fists together. The elderly smiled.

"Nothing runs faster over land or swims quicker than a giant eel-hound." Piandao provided the Water Tribe siblings, Toph, and Suki with a mount. "The airship base is on a small island just off the Earth Kingdom shore." He also handed Sokka a scrolled map that the boy quickly checked. "You should be able to intercept the fleet within a day's journey." He informed them. Sokka lowered the rolled map again and thanked his master. The two bowed to each other before the Water Tribe warrior suddenly hugged Piandao by the waist, surprising him. The swordsmaster reassuringly clasped the boy's shoulders.

The two young firebenders were on Appa. Iroh and Jeong Jeong were watching them, but Bumi was just petting the bison.

"So if I'm going to be Fire Lord after the war is over, what are you going to do?" Zuko worriedly questioned his uncle.

"After I re-conquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to re-conquer my tea shop and I'm going to play Pai Sho everyday." He took a white lotus tile from his belt, flipped it in the air and admired it. So he wanted to peacefully enjoy his old age. He did deserve it. The couple smiled at him before looking over at their comrades on the eel-hound. They all nodded at each other, determination etched onto their features, and said goodbye. "Goodbye, everyone. Today, Destiny is our friend. I know it." After Iroh's words, everyone left for their own battles.

Aang dived underwater again and swam towards what should be the animal's head. He looked around warily. An eyelid opened and the child spun around, finding himself facing the eye that was about as big as him. The surprised human was lifted upwards by the creature's paw. He struggled against the water pressure until he emerged on the back of a clawed hand. Before him was the humongous brown head of a lion turtle. Upon recognizing the ancient spirit, Aang bowed deeply in respect.

"Maybe you can help me. Everyone, even my own past lives are expecting me to end someone's life. But I don't know if I can do it."

"The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light." Speaking in riddles, the lion turtle lifted two claws to lightly touch Aang's forehead and chest. From the two places of contact, a green light was emitted that grew to a blinding degree. A moment later, the lion turtle approached the tip of its claw to a cliff, allowing Aang to step off. "Wait for him, he will come." With these last words, the spirit returned to the vast ocean. Aang bowed in gratitude and goodbye and jumped away with Momo towards the heart of the Wulong Forest. That area consisted of a normal green forest with a slithering river punctuated by small lakes, and a forest of hundreds of giant stone pillars. He had to get into position and be ready to firmly receive the man who would soon be coming.

"It's time for this World to end in fire and for a new World to be born from the ashes." Phoenix King Ozai announced as he stood on the lip of a crater. Behind him, ready for departure, was a fleet of fifteen airships, including one significantly bigger and more ornate, with a golden phoenix at the prow instead of a bronze dragon head like the others – that was Ozai's personal airship, that was also to (evidently) serve as the armada's flagship. As Sozin's comet approached and brushed against the atmosphere, its blue tail increased in size and width and started burning a bright orange, its light and debris causing the atmosphere, the horizon to slowly turn an ominous red.

Author's note: two more chapters until the end of the main series!

As you read, I decided to add a short story from the Lost Adventures since it was funny. Not much happened in this chapter but I tried to make it lighter with more interactions between old and young. And then, there was Iroh and Zuko.

Next chapter will be 'Fight 70: Into the Inferno'.