Chapter Text
The team of teens stood in the entrance of a seedy Earth Kingdom tavern. Across the way, Jun kicked a chair and plopped down on it.
“Hey, I remember her. She helped you attack us.” Sokka said to Zuko.
“Yep.” Zuko said. “Back in the good old days.” The group made their way to Jun’s table as she poured herself another cup of tea.
“Oh, great,” Jun snarked, “it’s Prince Pouty. Where’s your creepy grandpa?”
“He’s my uncle and he’s not here.”
“I see you worked things out with your girlfriend.” Jun said slyly. The pair’s cool demeanor cracked, shocked and appalled by the notion.
“I’m not his girlfriend!” “She’s not my girlfriend!” Katara and Zuko said at the same time. The two glared at the nonchalant woman.
“Okay, okay. Sheesh, I was only teasing.” Jun shrugged her shoulders. “So what do you want?”
“I need your help finding the Avatar.” Zuko replied.
“Hm, doesn’t sound too fun.” Jun rebutted before taking a sip of her tea, irking Zuko with her disregard.
“Does the end of the world sound like more fun?” Zuko shouted, making Jun pause.
Appa and Nyla were outside, growling at each other, both of them recognizing the other from their previous fight. Appa licked Nyla on the face, the conflict in the past quickly forgiven. They both looked up as they heard humans walking towards them.
“Nyla?” Jun sung while swinging a big, juicy steak in her hand. Jun tossed it into the air and the Shirshu caught it in her sharp teeth. A few bites and the steak was gone. “Who’s my little snuffly-wuffly?” Jun cooed at Nyla as she petted her head. Nyla got excited and lashed out her toxic tongue as Jun dodged it. “Whoa, careful there!” Jun said as she pushed the shirshu’s head down. “Okay, so who’s got something with the Avatar’s scent on it?”
“I have Aang’s staff.” Katara offered, fetching it from Appa’s saddle. Jun presented the staff to Nyla and she sniffed it. Nyla began to sniff the air in multiple directions, circling around the group. She exhausted all cardinal directions then plopped on the ground, whining as she wiped her face.
“Well, what does that mean?” Zuko asked.
“It means your friend’s gone.” Jun replied.
“We know he’s gone, that’s why we’re trying to find him.” Toph said annoyed.
“No, I mean he’s gone-gone.” Jun said over her shoulder. “He doesn’t exist.”
All of the teens' faces drop, worry and fear falling onto them like a 10 ton flying bison.
On a mysterious island, Aang walked through the forest as Momo chased a squirrel-munk.
“Where are we, Momo?” Aang said worriedly. A flock of dragonflies flew overhead as Aang continued his trek, trying to make sense of this strange place. “Maybe I’m in the Spirit World? But wait, you can see me. We could both be in the Spirit World.” Aang tested that theory by airbending but a swirl of air proved that wrong. “Nope, my bending works.” Aang said as he looked down at his hands.
Momo perched himself on Aang’s shoulder, wrapping his tail around the monk’s neck.
“Maybe if we climb to the top of the island, we can figure out where we are.”
“What do you mean Aang doesn’t exist?” Sokka asked. “Do you mean he’s, you know, dead?”
“Nope, we could find him if he were dead. Wow, that’s a real headscratcher. See ya.” Jun said bluntly before mounting her shirshu.
“Helpful. Real helpful.” Toph said sarcastically.
“Wait,” Zuko interjected, “I have another idea. There’s only one other person in this world who can help us face the Firelord.” Zuko turned back to Jun, “I’ll be right back with a smell sample.”
Zuko held up a sandal as the flies buzzed around it, attracted to the pungent scent.
“You saved your uncle’s sweaty sandal?” Sokka groaned in disgust. Most of the crew pinched their noses to save them from the smell, except for Toph and Zuko.
“I think it’s kind of sweet.” Toph said, crossing her arms.
Nyla jolted forward, making Zuko take a step back on impulse. He’s already been hit by Nyla’s tongue once and he doesn’t wish for it to happen again. Zuko continued to hold the sandal as Nyla sniffed at it.
“Let’s do this.” Jun said, yanking the reins to encourage Nyla to follow the scent. Nyla dashed from the forest clearing, leaving the crew in her dust.
“Hey, wait up!” Zuko shouted.
Everyone piled onto Appa quickly and followed after Jun in the sky. Nyla trekked over rocky terrain, over mountains and rivers. The stars overhead slowly shifted as the group traveled. In time, night turned to day. It wasn’t until dusk that they came to the end of their journey. Nyla led them to the outer wall of Ba Sing Se where the wall was in ruin.
“We’re going to Ba Sing Se?” Zuko asked as Appa landed in a clearing.
“Your uncle is somewhere beyond the wall.” Jun said. “Nyla is getting twitchy, so it can’t be too far. Good luck.” Jun signaled to Nyla that the hunt was over, turning around and heading back home.
“It’s been a long day.” Zuko muttered. “Let’s camp and start our search again at dawn.”
Aang walked up the hill, mingling between the moss-covered trees. Upon reaching the top, Aang came to a clearing with an ornate hexagon surrounded by a ridge of soil. Momo lept from Aang’s shoulder and sniffed the ground to inspect it.
“It doesn’t seem like normal rock.” Aang said, the touch under his feet and hand made that apparent. Aang tried to earthbend the mysterious ground but it did not budge. “It’s not made of earth!” Aang sat down and rested his head in his hands.
“This is so strange.” Aang said to Momo. “I wish I had some help right now. I wish I had Roku.” Aang paused, then remembered. “I do have Roku!”
Aang straightened his back and put his hands together. He breathed deeply and steadily as he closed his eyes, meditating to reach out to his past life. A blue spiritual projection of Roku appeared before Aang, looking as if they were sitting just as Aang was.
“You’re right, Aang.” Roku said. “All the past Avatars, all their experience and wisdom is available to you if you look deep inside yourself.”
“So where am I, Roku? What is this place?” Aang asked.
“I don’t know, Aang. But I see that you are lost in more ways than one right now.”
“I am.” Aang replied. “I need to figure out what to do once I face the Firelord.”
The sound of crickets mingled with the crackling fire in the campsite. Appa had fallen asleep quickly from having spent all day flying. Sokka was snoring loudly and sprawled out while Suki slept quietly on her side on Appa’s tail. Toph had retired to her rock tent some time ago and hasn’t seemed to have stirred since. But Katara and Zuko couldn’t sleep. Zuko poured tea into two cups then handed one to Katara.
“Here.” Zuko said softly as he handed Katara her tea.
“Thanks.” Katara muttered as she grabbed the cup.
“You’re welcome.” Zuko said, reaching for his own cup. Zuko watched as the campfire danced before he took a sip of his tea. He hoped the tea would calm his mind. Only time will tell if it does.
“Do you think…?” Katara began, breaking the silence. Zuko turned to see Katara’s gaze was distant as the fire flickered in her eyes. “Do you think Aang ran away because I was too hard on him?”
“What makes you say that?” Zuko asked.
“You were there Zuko, you saw how I yelled at him.”
“You were only trying to help.”
“Yeah and look where that got us!” Katara said abrasively as she slammed her cup down, a splash of tea escaping its confines. She wrapped her arms around herself and brought her knees to her chest. “He’s gone because of me.” Katara rested her chin on her forearm as she gazed at the fire, picturing the world engulfed in flames and it's all her fault.
Zuko brought his knuckle to his chin as he contemplated what to say. But what does one say at a time like this?
“You mustn’t blame yourself. Aang’s actions are his alone.” Zuko started tentatively, thinking back on everything. “A wise man once told me that you mustn't give into despair. In the darkest of times, hope is something you give yourself.”
Katara raised her head to Zuko and wiped away a tear from her eye. “Is this wise man your uncle?” she asked.
“Yeah.” Zuko said as he glanced away. “If there is one thing I know about Aang,” Zuko returned his gaze to Katara and they locked eyes, “he won’t abandon his friends.”
Katara exhaled and the tension in her body subsided. It’s strange how this person, once deemed her enemy, is now giving her words of comfort as a friend. What a twist of fate it is.
Suddenly, a wall of fire encompassed the campsite. Zuko and Katara sprang up, putting their backs against the other’s, unsure of where the enemy was. Toph bent her tent away and went straight into her mantis pose, sensing a group of men with her seismic sense. Appa jumped at the sight of fire, knocking Sokka and Suki off his tail. Suki rolled and quickly got in a defensive position while Sokka landed hard on the ground, letting out a surprised shout.
“What’s going on? Are we under attack?” Sokka asked frantically, grabbing his trusty boomerang.
Standing atop the wall’s rubble stood 4 old men dressed in dark blue and white robes. The shoulder piece had flower petal details all along its fabric.
“Well, look who’s here.” King Bumi declared. Bumi laughed and snorted in his quirky way.
Sokka and Katara smiled when they realized who the men were, looking at each other in excitement. Both Toph and Zuko only recognized one of the four men. Suki, never having met a single on of these men, arched her brow in confusion at her friends.
A fog rolled over the sea, surrounding the small, strange island. Aang sits in the ornate hexagon, consulting with an apparition of Avatar Roku about the problem he is facing.
“Everyone expects me to take the Firelord’s life but I just don’t know if I can do that.” Aang said.
“In my life, I tried to be disciplined and show restraint, but it backfired when Firelord Sozin took advantage of my restraint and mercy. If I had been more decisive and acted sooner, I could’ve stopped Sozin and stopped the war before it started.” Roku said. “I offer you this wisdom, Aang. You must be decisive.”
The apparition of Roku diminished and faded until he was no longer there. Aang was left to contemplate on his words, not liking what it meant for him.
The wall of flames that once encircled the campsite had vanished and the group of men came down to greet the band of teenagers.
“What’s going on?” Toph asked. “We’re surrounded by old people.”
“Not just any old people,” Katara explained, “these are great masters and friends of ours. Pakku.” Katara placed her hand over her fist and bowed respectfully to her waterbending master. Pakku returned the gesture in turn. Katara turned to Zuko, gesturing to the next old man in line.
“And this was Aang’s first firebending teacher.” The man bowed while using the fire hand sign.
“Jeong-Jeong.” He said. Zuko returned the bow in greeting.
“Jeong-Jeong? Why does that sound familiar?” Zuko asked before it dawned on him. “Wait, weren’t you friends with my uncle, Iroh?”
“Yes, Prince Zuko,” Jeong-Jeong answered, “we were in the military together.”
“I’ve heard many stories about you.” Zuko said, amazed he is meeting the legend.
“All good, I hope.” Jeong-Jeong gave a small smile.
“Master Piandao.” Sokka said as he bowed before his master. Piandao bowed as well, holding his straight sword in one hand and his other hand behind his back.
“Sokka.” Piandao said. He straightened his back and looked to Zuko. “Prince Zuko,” he bowed again, “it’s great to see you again.” Zuko bowed in respect to the master.
“You as well, Master Piandao.” Zuko said.
“Wait, you mean…?” Sokka trailed off as he looked between Zuko and Piandao inquisitively.
“Yeah,” Zuko explained, “he taught me how to wield my dual broadswords.” Sokka’s shock was beyond obvious on his face, his eyes wide and mouth agape as he pointed back and forth between the two.
Katara walked over to Toph and gestured to the man at the end. “And this is King Bumi, Aang’s old friend.” Toph bowed with her fist in her palm.
“You forgot to mention,” Bumi chimed, “I’m also the most powerful Earthbender in the world.”
That struck a nerve with Toph. She giggled as she picked wax out of her ear with her pinky.
“I’m sorry but I must’ve misheard you, old man .” Toph said. “I’m sure you meant to say second greatest earthbender in the world.”
“Oh really?” Bumi teased. “And who might be the first?”
“You’re looking at her.” Toph said, placing her fists on her hips.
“So, wait, how do you all know each other?” Suki asked, gesturing to the band of old men.
“All old people know each other, don’t you know that?” Bumi laughed at his own joke.
“We’re all part of the same ancient secret society,” Piandao explained, “a group that transcends the divisions of the four nations.”
“The Order of the White Lotus.” Zuko said, finally connecting the dots.
“That’s the one.” Bumi said.
“The White Lotus has always been about philosophy, and beauty, and truth.” Jeong-Jeong declared. “But, about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important.”
“It came from our Grand Lotus, your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation.” Pakku said to Zuko.
“Well, that’s who we’re looking for.” Toph said gleefully, excited to see the kind old man again.
“Then we’ll take you to him.” Piandao stated. Bumi suddenly squeezed between Jeong-Jeong and Piandao and shoved them to the side.
“Wait, someone’s missing from your group, someone very important.” Bumi looked around curiously. “Where’s Momo?” Bumi pressed his face into Sokka’s as he inquired.
“He’s gone,” Sokka answered, “and so is Aang.” Bumi stepped back, causing Sokka to almost lose his balance.
“Oh, well, so long as they have each other,” Bumi said in a cheerful yet dismissive tone, “I’m sure we have nothing to worry about. Let’s go!” Bumi propelled himself flying with the help of his earthbending, laughing and snorting as he did.
Katara watched as the silly old man disappeared, hearing the words he spoke. Both Katara and Zuko looked to each other, giving a small, knowing smile before following the group.
The critters of the night were singing their songs on the island. Momo explored the canopy, hunting for bugs to eat. Aang sat in the clearing as he looked deeper within himself for more advice.
“Avatar Kyoshi,” Aang said aloud, “I need your wisdom.” From Aang came forth another projection of a past life, Avatar Kyoshi.
“When Chin the Conqueror arrived at the peninsula, I held my ground and refused to back down. My village entered a great era of peace upon his death.”
“But you didn’t really kill Chin.” Aang protested. “Technically, he fell to his own doom because he was too stubborn to get out of the way.”
“Personally, I don’t really see the difference. But I assure you, I would have done whatever it took to stop Chin. I offer you this wisdom, Aang. Only justice will bring peace.” Then just like that, she was gone, her figure fading to nothing. Aang’s face crumpled up, not liking that answer.
“I knew I shouldn’t have asked Kyoshi.” Aang said petulantly.
The group of young and old warriors hiked through rocky terrain with Appa trailing behind them.
“So, Bumi, how did you end up escaping your imprisonment in Omashu?” Sokka asked.
“Escape?” Bumi asked in response. He bent his head back to look at Sokka behind him. “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 it.”
King Bumi was locked in a metal box perfectly sized for him with his head sticking out, dangling from a chain high above his city. Next to him stood the new statue made of metal, honoring Firelord Ozai. Bumi looked up and saw the moon covering the sun, turning the sky dark.
“An eclipse!” Bumi exclaimed. “That’ll do it!” He earthbent by using his face to pull the earthen tiles from the rooftops, popping open his tin can. Bumi jumped down and stood a free man. As expected, the guards came to apprehend the earthbender.
“What do you think you’re doing?” One of them asked. The man stepped forward and shot out his arm, but no fire came out. The man looked shocked, unsure why it didn’t work. He tried again, this time using both of his fists and the others did as well. They quickly learned that they were utterly powerless. Bumi smiled slyly.
“Taking back my city!” Bumi declared. “You’ve got no firepower and it’s payback time!”
Bumi surfed a wave of earth between the guards and leaped to the next level of the city below. Bumi bent the earth up in a tall column, breaking the metal pipes above. He squatted low and pushed the column to separate the buildings. Bumi sent the industrial abomination down the slope along with others of its kind. The city shook and rumbled under the feet of the Fire Nation soldiers as they fled the city. Any building with a steam stack was sent flying out from its foundation. All of Omashu was covered in dust and debris as Bumi continued in his mission. The soldiers ran across the bridge, trying to avoid the rampage of the mad king.
Bumi turned his attention to the large metal statue of Firelord Ozai. A group of soldiers attempted to apprehend the earthbender by flanking from behind. Bumi sent them flying as he earthbent columns under their feet. He then shot the columns up at the statue’s face, a column for each eye, one for each nostril, then slapped a smile on it for good measure. Bumi pushed with all his might to tilt the statue off of its foundation. The statue’s weight gave way and went sliding down the hill, taking out the bridge as it fell off the cliffside.
Bumi snorted as he laughed maniacally, proud to see the Fire Nation had all fled. The mad king celebrated his victory by chomping and chewing on some jennamite rock candy.
“Wow,” Suki said, amazed by the old man’s tale, “you took back your whole city all by yourself.”
“So what about you guys?” Bumi asked. “Did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?” Sokka and Zuko glanced at each other, wondering if they should even mention about their blunder. They reached the same conclusion.
“Nah.” Zuko said dismissively.
“No, not really.” Sokka shrugged.
The sound of crickets sang through the trees as Aang contemplated what to do, his head in his hands.
“I need to look deep inside myself.” Aang said to himself. Aang straightened and breathed in deeply as he searched for his past lives. Another smoky figure emanated from Aang and sat across from him. The figure was a bearded man wearing a sabertoothed polar bear dog as a headdress.
“I am Avatar Kuruk.” The man said. “When I was young, I 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. But then, I lost the woman I loved to Koh, the Face Stealer. It was my fault.” Kuruk closed his eyes, remembering the shame he had carried. “If I had been more attentive and more active, I could have saved her. Aang,” Kuruk looked at Aang with his piercing blue stare, “you must actively shape your own destiny and the destiny of the world.” The waterbender Avatar then left, fading into the forest.
Aang hung his head and covered his face with his hands. So far, all of his past lives are pointing towards the one thing he really doesn’t want to do.
Not far from the secondary wall of Ba Sing Se laid a large encampment. Campfires can be seen down below with people socializing and drinking evening tea. All around the campsite was a rock wall that Bumi earthbent down to welcome the young guests.
“Well, here we are. Welcome to old people camp.” Bumi said jokingly. Zuko looked around but he could not see any hint of his uncle.
“Where?” Zuko asked. “Where is he?”
“You’re uncle’s in there, Prince Zuko.” Piandao answered, pointing to a tent at the end of the aisle.
Zuko recalled the last time he saw his uncle, how he treated him. The feeling of guilt and shame began to rise within him. He made his feet walk towards the tent but he stopped before reaching it. Zuko sat down in front of the tent as he tried to settle his nerves.
“Are you okay?” Katara asked, standing beside him.
“No, I’m not okay.” Zuko said truthfully. “My uncle hates me, I know it.” Katara sat with Zuko and listened to his worries. “He loved me and supported me in every way he could, and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?”
“Zuko, you’re sorry for what you did, right?” Katara asked.
“More sorry than I’ve been about anything in my entire life.” Zuko said as he looked at the ground.
“Then he’ll forgive you.” Katara said. Zuko turned to her and her gentle expression soothed his worries, at least a little bit. Her eyes were filled with hope under the moon light. “He will.”
Zuko raised his head and squared his shoulders before standing up. He walked to the tent’s entry and breathed a heavy sigh before facing his uncle. He drew back the partition and entered the yurt. “Uncle.” Zuko began until the sound of snoring caught his ear. Iroh was sound asleep on his futon. Zuko smiled to himself, remembering how his uncle was always a loud sleeper. Zuko sat in the center of the rug as he waited patiently for his uncle to stir awake.
“All these past Avatars, they keep telling me I’m gonna have to do it. They don’t get it.” Momo rested his paws on Aang’s lap and chattered at him. “You’re right, maybe an Air Nomad Avatar will understand where I’m coming from.” Momo tilted his head at Aang as he chattered again. “I know you can’t really talk. Pretending you can just helps me think.” Momo chattered sharply at Aang, making the monk flinch. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t pretend to hear that.” Aang said as he glowered at the flying lemur.
Aang closed his eyes and reached even further into his past lives to find the previous Air Nomad Avatar. The spiritual projection came forth, a woman dressed in airbender attire. Her hair was shaved in the front and her forehead displayed the arrow of a master.
“I am Avatar Yangchen, young Airbender.”
“Avatar Yangchen,” Aang began, “the monks always taught me that all life is sacred, even the life of the tiniest spider-fly.”
“Yes, all life is sacred.”
“I know! I’m even a vegetarian!” Aang said excitedly, finally feeling understood. “I’ve always tried to solve my problems by being quick or clever, and I’ve only had to use violence for necessary defense.”
“Avatar Aang,” Yangchen said, “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.” Aang’s expression fell, not liking this turn of discussion.
“But the monks taught me that I have 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 needs and desires. You must do whatever it takes to protect the world.” With that final bit of advice, the past life floated away and disappeared.
Aang hung his head in defeat and Momo returned to his side.
“I guess I don’t have a choice, Momo.” Aang said disappointedly. “I have to kill the Firelord.”
The morning sun broke over the mountain peaks, the rays gracing the rebel encampment outside of Ba Sing Se. Zuko sat cross legged at Iroh’s side as the old man snored loudly. The snoring ceased when Iroh stirred from his slumber. His joints cracked as he stretched and yawned. Iroh sensed another person in his tent but he dared not look over his shoulder.
He had a feeling he knew who it was. Iroh looked at the ground with a sullen look.
Zuko felt the shame return and he frowned as he prepared to finally say what he’s been rehearsing in his mind all night.
“Uncle,” Zuko started quietly, “I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know I am so, so sorry, Uncle.” Tears streamed down Zuko’s cheeks and the pain could be heard in his voice. “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 –.”
Iroh grabbed Zuko by the shoulder and yanked him into a hug.
Tears fell from Iroh onto Zuko’s shoulder as he held his nephew close.
“How can you forgive me so easily?” Zuko cried out. “I thought you would be furious with me!”
“I was never angry with you.” Iroh said gently. “I was sad, because I was afraid you’d lost your way.” Iroh cradled the back of Zuko’s head against his shoulder.
“I did lose my way.” Zuko whispered. Iroh pulled back and rested his hands on Zuko’s shoulders.
“But you’ve found it again,” Iroh said with pride in his voice, “and you did it by yourself, and I am so happy you found your way here.” Zuko humbly smiled as relief washed over him.
“It wasn’t that hard, Uncle.” Zuko said. “You have a pretty strong scent.”
A squirrel-munk scurried along the tree canopy as birds sang their morning song overhead. Aang stirred awake from the center of the strange hexagon, yawning as he rose. Through the trees, Aang could make out land across the water. Tall columns of volcanic plugs speckled across the vast shoreline, the remnants of an ancient volcanic field.
“Wait, is it just me or are those mountains getting bigger?” Aang asked Momo, perched on his shoulder. Aang sprung up with his airbending to the very top of the canopy with Momo following close behind. Momo returned to Aang’s shoulder as the two looked out to the mountains. Aang looked behind him to see the wake trailing behind the island. “They’re not getting larger, they’re getting closer!”
“The whole island is moving!” Aang exclaimed as he booked it down the hillside. He broke through the tree line and dove into the water. Momo sat on a fallen tree overlooking the shoreline, watching as the air bubbles drifted past him.
Aang dove down to where the island ended, viewing the underside of it which was covered in seaweed. The water rumbled as a giant animal paw clawed through the water. Aang quickly resurfaced to catch his breath. Momo chattered from the shoreline, seemingly relieved to see Aang again.
“It’s amazing, Momo!” Aang called out. “The biggest animal in the world! I’ve gotta swim around and find its face.” Aang quickly swam alongside the island as Momo followed overhead.
Everyone in the camp was up and ready to take on the day, but not before breakfast. Many groupings of people in small circles dotted the campsite, sitting down to enjoy the first meal of the day to prepare for the fight ahead. The young visitors sat with the Grand Lotus as they planned their strategy.
“Uncle, you’re the only person other than the Avatar who can possibly defeat the Fatherlord.”
“You mean the Firelord.” Toph said, arching her brow and pointing her chopsticks towards Zuko.
“That’s what I said.” Zuko snapped back at Toph, unaware of his slip. Toph was unphased by Zuko’s fiery response. Iroh only hummed in contemplation. “We need you to come with us.”
“No, Zuko. It won’t turn out well.” Iroh said.
“You can beat him and we’ll be there to help.” Zuko said as he gestured to his new friends.
“Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don’t know that I could, it would be the wrong way to end the war.” Iroh said. “History will see it as just more senseless violence, a brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Firelord.”
“And then…” Zuko trailed off as he contemplated. “Then would you come and take your rightful place on the throne?”
“No. Someone new must take the throne, an idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor.” Iroh said. “It has to be you, Prince Zuko.”
“Unquestionable honor?” Zuko asked, surprised by all of it as he shrugged. “But I’ve made so many mistakes.”
“Yes, you have.” Iroh agreed. “You’ve struggled and 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.”
“I’ll try, Uncle.”
“Well, what if Aang doesn’t come back?” Toph asked.
“Sozin’s Comet is arriving and our destinies are upon us.” Iroh declared. “Aang will face the Firelord. 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 deduced.
“Yes.” Iroh said before he turned to his nephew. “Zuko, you must return to the Fire Nation so that when the Firelord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But Azula will be there waiting for you.”
“I can handle Azula.” Zuko said as he sneered.
“Not alone.” Iroh interrupted Zuko, taking the prince by surprise. “You’ll need help.”
“You’re right.” Zuko agreed, remembering the last time he battled his sister. Zuko turned to the strongest person he knew. “Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Katara said with a confident smirk.
“What about us?” Sokka asked. “What’s our destiny today?”
“What do you think it is?” Iroh asked with a gentle smile and furrowed brow.
“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 replied.
“And that means, when Aang does face the Firelord, we’ll be right there if he needs us!” Toph said optimistically. Iroh’s lips curled into a subtle smile, proud of how far these kids have come.
Before long, it was time to saddle up and head out for the Fire Nation. A giant eel-hound laid on the ground to allow Toph and Suki on with ease. As the two girls settled in, the eel-hound rose up, making the girls tower over Sokka and Piandao below.
“Nothing runs faster over land or swims quicker than a giant eel-hound.” Piandao told Sokka as he handed him a map. “The airship 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.”
“Thank you, master.” The two bowed to one another but then Sokka wrapped his arms around Piandao’s waist and hugged him. Piandao rested his hands on the young man’s shoulders, accepting the gesture.
Katara sat atop of Appa in the large saddle while Zuko took the reins.
“So, if I’m gonna be Firelord after the war’s over, what are you gonna do?” Zuko asked his uncle.
“After I reconquer Ba Sing Se, I am going to reconquer my tea shop,” Iroh said as he flipped his lotus tile, “and I am going to play pai sho every day!”
The teenagers looked to each other as if silently asking themselves if they were ready for this. Sokka, behind the reins of the giant eel-hound, gave a small nod to his sister and the prince. They were ready.
“Goodbye, General Iroh.” Katara said.
“Goodbye, everyone.” Iroh said. “Today, destiny is our friend. I know it.”
And with that out of the way, the team set out for the Fire Nation to face their destinies.
The moving island continued swimming and Aang swam along it, trying to reach the front. Aang took in a deep breath before he dove to find the animal's head, using waterbending to propel through the water quickly. Aang reached the front of the moving island and paused, letting his eyes adjust to the darker depths.
A colossal eye opened and stared straight at Aang through the murky water.
Aang scrambled back in shock. He was caught on the back of a giant paw as it raised up to the surface. The pressure of the rushing water was too great, pressing Aang against the paw beneath him.
Suddenly the water pressure was gone and Aang saw the blue sky yet again with a shadow looming over him. Aang labored himself up, coughing up some water in the process. When he looked up, he marveled at the sight before him.
“A lion-turtle.” Aang said in awe, amazed that an entire ecosystem rested on the back of its shell. Aang bowed in respect to the great animal. “Maybe you can help me.”
“Not that it matters,” the lion-turtle began slowly in their deep voice, “but perhaps.”
“I’m Avatar Aang and I – .”
“The Avatar? We haven’t seen the Avatar in many a millenia.”
“We?” Aang asked as he glanced around. “Is there someone else here too?”
“We haven’t spoken to anyone else for thousands of years so we started talking to ourselves.”
“If that’s the case, I bring you terrible news then.” Aang said. “The Fire Nation plans to burn the Earth Kingdom to the ground unless I stop them.”
“That is nothing new. You humans have been doing that since you came into existence.”
“Ah, well, regardless,” Aang said timidly, taken aback by the apathy, “Everyone, even my own past lives, are expecting me to end someone’s life. But I don’t know if I can do it.”
“What does it matter? Nothing matters.”
“What?!” Aang asked, appalled by the disregard. “A great evil is upon us and you don’t care?!”
“We don’t even care whether or not we care.”
“Surely you must know how I can defeat them without killing anyone!”
“Not that it matters, but yes.”
“If you know, then tell me!” Aang demanded.
“Why should we? Nothing matters.”
“That’s not true!” Aang snapped. “If it really didn’t matter to you, then you could tell me!”
The lion-turtle rumbled the water as they laughed with their low, powerful voice. “Clever boy.” The lion-turtle moved to slowly raise their other paw.
“TELL ME, PLEASE!” Aang screamed at the top of his lungs in desperation.
The lion-turtle pressed the tips of their claws to Aang, one on his forehead and one over his heart. Aang’s eyes widened, a sensation hard to explain taking hold of him. A jolt of bright green light filled his being and he could hear the lion-turtle’s voice inside his head, telling him the solution to his problem.
He knew what he must do.
The lion-turtle extended their claws to the cliff’s edge and Aang stepped back onto solid ground. Momo glided and landed on Aang’s shoulder, looking up at the large beast.
“Wait for him.” The lion-turtle advised. “He will come.”
Aang bowed to the lion-turtle as it retreated back into the water to wander the seas yet again. Aang sat near the edge of the cliff, assuming his meditative pose as he waited just as the lion-turtle said.
As the sun was setting on a small island off the coast of the Earth Kingdom, a large crowd of Fire Nation soldiers gathered for the Night of Scorched Earth. A grand stage was set before the soldiers, decorated in hues of red and gold with many pillars set ablaze on the back of the stage. All along the sides of the audience were triangular flags depicting a fiery phoenix, a symbol of the new regime coming into power. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as they waited to hear from their fearless leader.
Ozai walked upon the stage with grace and poise, his new helmet with wings of gold flared to either side glinted in the light. The masses cheered and whistled for the Phoenix King and Ozai took it all in; the admiration, the respect, the adoration.
The love.
Nothing comes close to this sensation.
Ozai took to the podium that had flared horns to amplify his voice so all may hear his words and feel them in their soul.
“My people,” Ozai began, his voice bellowing with a grand embellishment, “This will be the night the world will never forget! This is the night we expand our greatness to the farthest reaches of the Earth Kingdom!” The crowd cheered in agreement, the sound like music to Ozai’s ears. “We will finally bring order and civilization to those without! We will finally have peace and prosperity once the corruption of the Earth Kingdom is eliminated!”
The soldiers began to chant loudly in unison, “Cha, cha, cha!” as they pounded their spears on the ground in time. They could feel their hearts beating as one, their pride for their nation swelling within them.
“It’s time for this world to end in fire and for a new world to be born from the ashes!” Ozai declared as he spread his arms like the phoenix he was.
TO BE CONTINUED