Ian and Barley looked around in awe as they entered Ba Sing Se. They were finally here. The city that had haunted their dreams for years.

It was the largest place Ian had ever seen, even bigger than the North Pole's city. There were stone buildings and walkways as far as he could see. A twinge of panic fired through him. How would they ever find their mother here? They could be here for a year and never see her.

He jumped as a horse-drawn carriage clattered by. It stopped ahead of them, and a woman stepped out. She had short hair and a wide smile. Too wide. It stretched across her face, unnaturally broad, from ear to ear. It almost looked painful.

"Violet, friends!" she said. "Welcome!"

"How do you know my name?" Violet asked.

The woman smiled. "I'm Joy. I've been assigned to show you around this beautiful city."

"That doesn't answer the question," Ian said.

She ignored him and led them into the carriage. The carriage started l down the street. Joy pointed out various buildings around them, but nobody was really listening. The air in the carriage felt thick and heavy. Ian's instincts were on high alert, telling him something was wrong here. He looked at Barley, who looked just as unsettled as he felt.

"Where are we going?" Alberto asked.

"The Middle Ring of the city, where we'll set you up with housing. I take it you'll be staying awhile."

That sounded ominous, for some reason. Ian drew back in his seat. He wanted to open the door and jump out.

Alberto scooted forward to talk to Joy. "We need to see the Earth King. Now."

"The Earth King is very busy," Joy said.

"We need to tell him that Firelord Syndrome is coming here," Alberto said.

Somehow, Joy's smile widened even more. "That's impossible. Ba Sing Se is completely safe."

"He has the Avatar. He's coming to find an earthbending teacher," Violet said.

"We have the best earthbending school in the Earth Kingdom!" Joy beamed. "Oh, look, there's the Ba Sing Se Zoo! Isn't it majestic?" She went back to pointing out buildings, ignoring the more important part of Violet's statement. Ian, Violet, and Barley exchanged uneasy glances.

They stopped in a crowded section of the city.

"Welcome to your new home."

They got out of the carriage. Another woman was there to greet them. Ian gasped. It looked like…but it couldn't be…

The word fell out in a whisper. "Mom?"

"Mom!" Barley cried.

They ran to her and hugged her. Ian started sobbing, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions rushing over him.

Barley pressed his face into her. "We've missed you!"

She pushed them away. Ian's heart sank. His worst fears were coming true. She wasn't happy to see them.

He looked at her, and a jolt went through him when he saw her face. She had the same wide, vacant smile as Joy. And her eyes looked dead, as if there wasn't a single thought behind them.

"Hello, children," she said, her voice distant and monotone. "Where are your parents?"

"What?" Barley exclaimed. "Mom, it's us! Don't you recognize us?"

Joy pulled them away. "You must be mistaking her for someone. Come, I'll show you your new house."

"Have a lovely stay in Ba Sing Se." Laurel bowed and walked away.

"Mom, wait!" Barley cried, but Joy herded them away.

She led them through the Middle Ring, gushing about how lovely their new house was going to be. Ian and Barley trailed behind, dragging their feet, weighted down by the encounter they'd just had.

Moonwind's words echoed in Ian's head. You'll find an answer you've been long-seeking, but it won't be what you thought. That had certainly turned out to be true. He had never guessed they would find her like this.

"They did something to her," Barley said. "I don't know what. But we have to undo it."

Ian didn't know if they could. That kind of damage seemed impossible to reverse. She was like an empty shell, with no signs of the old her anywhere. Besides, it had been years. Maybe if they'd come here earlier…if he hadn't been such a coward…

They stopped outside a small house.

"Welcome to your new home!" Joy said. "I'll put in your application to speak to the Earth King. It should be processed in about two months."

"Months?!" Violet exclaimed.

"The Earth King is very busy."

"Lady, I don't think you understand," Alberto said. "We can't wait that long. I don't care what your paperwork says. We'll find a way around it if you can't help us."

"I'll see what I can do." She bowed and walked away.

They went inside. The house was cramped with all five of them inside.

"What's our plan here?" Violet asked. "If they can't get us in—"

"Then we'll storm the palace," Alberto said. "I'd like to see them stop all of us." He spat and threw it at the wall.

Luca and Violet started debating him on their odds of winning that fight. Ian sat quietly in the corner, not listening to any of it. All he could think about was the empty look on his mother's face. The complete lack of recognition. The lack of any thought or emotion.

"Let's give it a few days," Barley said finally. "Either Syndrome will show up, and they'll be forced to deal with it, or he won't."

Over the next few days, they took time to explore the city while they waited for Joy to come back with news about their application.

Luca wandered around the city's botanical gardens, enjoying the quiet time alone. He almost felt at peace, except Alberto still weighed on his mind. Why was his friend acting this way? He didn't know how to figure that out. He had the feeling asking Alberto about it wouldn't get him anywhere, but what else was he supposed to do? He wasn't a mind reader.

One day, he went further into the city and came across a majestic green building. A tea shop. The Jasmine Dragon.

Maybe a relaxing cup of tea would do him good. He went inside. The bell rang, and everyone looked at the door. He stood there awkwardly.

The owner walked over. He was elderly, but he had a bright smile and a spring in his step. "Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon! What can I get you?"

"Um, tea, I guess," Luca said. He knew that wasn't helpful but he didn't know what else to say. He didn't know the names of different teas or what to put in it.

"I'll bring you some samples of our most popular teas for you to try," the owner said.

Luca sat down at a table. The owner brought him small cups of tea to try.

"Thank you, sir."

The owner smiled. "Call me Iroh."

"Yes, sir. Iroh, sir."

Iroh sat down next to him. "You seem down, young one. Do you want to talk about it?"

Luca sighed, staring down at his cup. "I don't know. I don't want to bother you."

"A heavy rock is lighter when the task of carrying it is split between two people."

Luca nodded. "Okay." He took a breath. "My best friend Alberto…we're super close. But lately, he's been acting different." He stirred the tea with his finger. "He's been angry at me, and trying to tear me down all the time. And it's just not like him, so I don't know why he's doing this."

"Why do you think he's doing it?"

Luca thought about it. "'Cause he's jealous that I'm a better waterbender than him. And he's mad that I want to leave him and my old life behind."

"Mad? Or afraid?"

"Mad," Luca said. He knew from experience that fear didn't make people react like that. Fear made people quiet and reserved, not angry.

"Don't be so sure," Iroh said. "Fear is a dark force. It can turn people into the worst versions of themselves."

Luca wanted to laugh. Alberto, afraid? He couldn't picture that. And what did Alberto have to be afraid of anyway? His parents weren't trying to lock him away and control his life.

He wondered if Alberto needed him, in a way. They'd met shortly after Alberto's father left, so maybe he relied on Luca a little bit. But that was dumb. Alberto was always bragging about how great his life was. So it wasn't like Luca was the only good thing in his life.

"Whatever it is, it's just making me hate being around him," Luca said, his voice rising a little. "So it's making me want to leave even more. And I don't know why he can't see that."

"Sometimes, people get lost, and they need a guiding hand to find their way back." Iroh sipped his tea. "Have you told him how you feel?"

"I'm scared to," Luca admitted. "A fortune teller warned us that our friendship would fall apart, and it would 'only be healed by blood.' And I'm afraid that if I bring it up, something terrible will happen. So…I'd rather just ignore it."

"A closed door will keep you trapped, if you never find the courage to open it," Iroh said.

"I guess so." Luca could see what Iroh was saying, but he wasn't sure if he agreed with it. He'd rather stay trapped in a safe room than open the door and walk out into a lion pit or something like that.

"And know that it is okay to let go. If your friend insists on walking into the sea and dragging you down too, cut them loose and relieve yourself of that weight."

Luca didn't want to lose Alberto. But it was freeing to hear that he didn't need to ask permission if he wanted to walk away. "Thank you, sir."

"I'm glad I could help. Now, what would you like to order?"

Luca pointed at one of the cups. "This one, please." Then he remembered he couldn't pay for it. "Oh. Wait. Never mind. I don't have any money."

"Then this one is on the house."

Luca smiled. He liked Iroh. "Thank you, sir."

Iroh brought him the tea, along with some tea cakes. Luca leaned back in his chair and finally let himself relax. He looked around, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. His Alberto problem still wasn't solved, but for now, he could put it out of his mind and just be. He'd forgotten how to just exist without letting worries about other people dictate his feelings. It was nice.

When he was ready to leave, he made sure to find Iroh and thank him again.

"No problem, young man. Come again soon!"

"I will." He might even bring Alberto. If anyone could talk to Alberto and make him see for himself where he was wrong, it would be Iroh. Maybe this didn't have to end badly. Maybe everything would be all right.

~~~~

Barley walked through the streets, looking for Laurel, just as he had the past several days. He was sure they could bring her back, if they could just get some time alone with her, away from Joy.

Half of his mind was preoccupied with looking around and trying not to get lost. The other was worried about Ian. He could see the hopelessness and depression taking hold again. He hadn't eaten or spoken in days, and he'd only gotten up to go to the bathroom.

Also like the previous days, Barley had asked Ian to help him search, hoping that would shake him out of it, but Ian hadn't even replied. Barley didn't know if Ian had even heard him. He really didn't like leaving Ian alone in this state, but he had to find Laurel. Ian would have to come back if their mother did, right?

He saw several women with the same distant, creepy smile as their mother, but he didn't see Laurel anywhere. What if they'd scared her away and she'd left the city entirely? Or maybe Joy had had her sent away, since it seemed like she didn't want Laurel remembering who she was.

Suddenly, he saw some familiar faces across the street. Woody, walking with Bo and one of the other Red Panda Warriors. His face was creased with worry, and it looked like Bo was trying to comfort him. She had her hand on his arm, and she was saying something to him.

"Woody!" Barley called, waving. "You came to Ba Sing Se."

"Barley!" Woody ran over. "Buzz is missing."

"What?"

"He went to tell the Earth King about some Fire Nation soldiers in the city."

"We need to talk to the Earth King too, but we haven't been able to get a meeting with him," Barley said.

"He left a week ago, and he hasn't come back," Woody said. "I'm getting really worried."

"One of those creepy ladies keeps telling us the Earth King is too busy to see us," Barley said. "She says we won't be able to see him for months."

"I bet Buzz went to the palace," Woody said. "Do you think they did something to him?"

"They really don't seem to like people asking questions around here," Barley said. "So it wouldn't surprise me if they locked him away somewhere."

"We need to find him!" Woody said.

"Let's go get my friends," Barley said. "We can talk to the Earth King together. Come on."

~~~~

Violet followed Alberto through the streets. He'd invited her out, saying, "I've heard airbenders love animals, so would you want to go to the zoo Joy was talking about?" She'd agreed, so now they were on their way to the Ba Sing Se Zoo.

They didn't talk at all on the way there. She felt strangely shy and a bit awkward. Was this a date? Or was she reading too much into it? Did he even like her in that way, or did he just see her as a friend?

She'd become fond of the more vulnerable side of him she'd been seeing lately. Something about the way he looked at her lately made her hope he was growing fond of her too. But maybe she was wrong. Sometimes, his emotions were plain on his face, and sometimes he was hard to read.

They entered the zoo and looked down at the pens. The animals lounged around in the sun, not really doing much. Violet found it peaceful but odd. These animals had no concept of the war raging outside. Kind of like the people of Ba Sing Se.

"If you were an animal, which one would you be?" Alberto asked.

She thought about it. "Probably a snake. I won't bother you unless you provoke me first. And I'll give you a warning."

"I'd be a tiger," Alberto said, making claws with his hands. "I could run around and do whatever I wanted. And people would fear me but also respect me."

"I think you're more of a house cat," Violet teased. "You act tough and cause trouble, but at the end of the day, you'll behave for food and affection."

He gave her his crooked but charming smile. "Can't argue with that."

They both laughed. His laugh was warm and seemed to radiate joy, and in some stupid way, it made her feel special for being the one who had made him laugh.

His curly hair was falling in his face. He brushed it back. Something about the gesture made her stomach flutter. How could such a small thing draw her in so strongly? It was so natural, like he wasn't even thinking about it. Open, unguarded. It made her want to reach out and touch his hair, to brush it back herself, but of course, she didn't. That would be weird.

They spent a few more hours at the zoo, then left. They walked close together, their arms almost pressed up against each other. Their hands nearly touching. She could feel the heat coming off of his body.

"Thanks for asking me out," she said. Then she realized what that sounded like, and quickly added, "To the zoo, I mean. I had fun."

"Me too." He slowed down, then stopped walking. She did too, and looked at him. She could tell he was getting ready to say something. She had an idea of what it might be, and she hoped she was right.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone move. When she saw who it was, she gasped, all thoughts of Alberto forgotten. "Dash!"

He was walking away, not looking at her at all. She pushed past Alberto to run after him.

"Dash!" she yelled.

He stopped, looking startled at the sound of his name. "You! How do you know my name?"

"Because I'm your sister! Do you remember? It's me, Violet!"

He looked confused. Desperation rose up in her chest. This was her chance to make him remember, to make him come back to her.

"Look, I'm an airbender! Like you!" She took some marbles out of her pocket and made them spin around in a small ball of air.

"I don't believe you!" he yelled, shaking a little. "My family's dead. You're just lying to me so you can get Jack-Jack."

"No, I'm not! Dash, listen—"

He ran off. In a second, he was gone. She stared after him helplessly, feeling like the world around her was starting to crash down.

Someone grabbed her arm. She jumped.

"Where did you go?" Alberto asked. He looked at her face. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I just saw Dash," Violet said. "He's here. So Syndrome probably is too."

"We have to tell the others!" Alberto ran off. She followed.

They burst into the house, panting. Everyone looked at them. Luca was reading a scroll. Barley was talking to Woody, Bo, and Jessie. Ian was still lying in the corner.

"The Firelord is here!" Alberto shouted. "We have to tell the Earth King."

"We were just about to go talk to him, once you got back," Barley said. "Buzz went to talk to the King and he never came back."

"Let's go!" Alberto said.

"But what about Joy?" Luca asked. "She said we couldn't see him."

"Screw that, and screw her. Rules are for rule people," Alberto said dismissively. "Come on."

Barley knelt down by Ian. "Ian, I want you to come with us. In case we need your earthbending." He also wasn't about to go on a dangerous mission and leave Ian alone. If something went wrong, he didn't want to leave Ian wondering what had happened to him.

Ian nodded robotically and got up. He didn't look like he'd slept at all these past few days. Barley wasn't sure if he was in the right place to go with them. But he didn't see any other option here.

They went outside, keeping an eye out for Joy, who periodically popped in on them. It didn't look like she was here right now. They went down the street and headed for the Upper Ring.

~~~~

Laurel walked through the Earth Palace to the throne room. She needed to speak to Lotso about something that had been bothering her for days. She had tried to ignore it, but it was growing louder and louder, demanding her attention. She didn't know who else to go to for answers.

"Laurel," Lotso said when she entered. "What can I do for you?"

Laurel got down on her knees in respect. "I want to talk to you about an incident that occurred a few days ago."

"What is it?" Lotso asked, concerned.

"Two boys came up to me in the street and…" Laurel frowned. "They called me Mom."

"You have no children."

"I know. But they seemed so sure. And they looked so familiar…"

She gasped as it suddenly clicked. Memories flooded her brain. Images flashed before her eyes. Barley as a baby. Her husband lying on the ground after confronting the Fire Nation soldiers breaking into their house. Barley and Ian playing on the floor. Ian earthbending at a young age, with Barley's encouragement.

Lotso grabbed her arm and stared her in the eyes. "The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai."

Laurel shook violently, then relaxed. Her mind cleared, all thoughts of Ian and Barley forgotten. She stood straighter. "I am honored to accept his invitation."