TWO TWELVE YEAR OLDS sat on an elegant bed as the one with pretty, bright eyes ran her fingers through the black hair of the other. The smaller of the two hummed an unfamiliar tune, one that Azula could only assume was from another nation.

Uzume paused her fingers in Azula's hair, "Azula, if you could be anything else in the world, what would you be?"

Azula snorted, "Ridiculous question. I'd be myself. My life is perfect." Uzume hummed in slight disapproval at Azula's answer.

"I'd be a beloved dancer. Everyone would know who I am for my talent. My parents would realize that even though I can't bend an element, I can still be successful," She sighs dreamily, "And I'd go to this bakery and the main baker would give me treats for free... and we'd fall in love."

Azula turned to Uzume with a look of disdain, "That's ridiculous. You are a beloved dancer to me." Uzume nodded slightly, "Yeah but, more people would love me." Azula knew what Uzume meant by more people. Zuko.

Later that night, Azula stared down at her sleeping best friend with soft eyes, "I don't know how to bake, but I'd learn just so I can be the baker in your dreams." Azula whispered as she softly pet Uzume's hair, unknowingly waking the girl.

Uzume sat on top of Appa, staring at the stars longingly as wind blew through her hair. Appa was currently following June and Nyla as they ran to find Iroh. She took deep breaths as she tried to calm her nerves as she thought of Aang's disappearance. She felt tears brim her eyes as she thought of Sozin's Comet, which she quickly wiped away when Zuko put his hand on hers.

"We're going to Ba Sing Se?" Zuko eyed June and her mole.

Nyla scratched at rubble from the wall as June talked, "Your Uncle's somewhere beyond the wall. Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far. Good luck." June pulled her reins on Nyla and they began to depart from the group.

Zuko sighed, "It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn." He wrapped his arm around Uzume and she snuggled into his side. He helped her down as Appa layed down, allowing them to sleep by his side. Sokka and Suki slept on Appa's tail while Toph earthbended a tent for her and Katara to share.

Uzume's head laid on Zuko's chest and her brain had started to wind down as a ring of fire surrounded the group. The group stood in alarm as they looked up at four men in uniforms.

"Well, look who's here." One of the old men revealed himself and snorted, causing Sokka and Katara to relax while Uzume tried to avoid his eyes, seeing as the only time she's seen him, she and her friends had him imprisoned.

Toph was clearly confused as she felt the people around her, "What's going on? We're surrounded by old people." Toph gripped onto Uzume's arm as Toph recalled her bad experiences with old people.

Katara walked up to them with a smile, "Not just any old people. These are great masters and friends of ours." Katara stops in front of one and bows, "Pakku."

The old man bowed in return, "It is respectful to bow to an old master but how about a hug for your new grandfather?" He opened his arms wide to embrace Katara.

Katara returns his embrace, "That's so exciting. You and Gran Gran must be so happy to have found each other again."

Uzume watched dumbfounded as the water tribe siblings reconnected with their new grandpa, a little impatient as they kept talking. She did, however, find it enjoyable to watch Sokka be pushed off by his grandpa when he hugged him.

Katara finally moved to the next man, a man Uzume recognized as a fire nation outlaw, "And this was Aang's first firebending teacher." Zuko approached him and bowed.

"Jeong Jeong." He introduced himself as Sokka and Piando greeted each other.

Uzume and Suki looked at each other confused as their friends continued chatting and it was Suki who broke the two girls silence.

"So wait, how do you all know each other?"

Bumi snorted as he looked at her, "All old people know each other don't you know that?" Piando decided to formally explain to the girls, "We're all part of the same ancient secret society. A group that transcends the divisions of the 4 nations."

Zuko smiled as he thought of his uncle, "The Order of the White Lotus."

Bumi confirmed what Zuko said, "That's the one."

"The White Lotus has always been about philosophy, and beauty and truth. About a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important." Jeong Jeong started to explain. Pakku continued to explain, "It came from a Grand Lotus, your Uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation."

Toph spoke up excitedly, "Well that's who we're looking for."

"Then we'll take you to him."

"Wait, someone's missing from your group," Bumi paused everyone's movements, "Someone very important. Where's Momo?" Bumi pushed his face against Sokka's.

"He's gone. And so is Aang." Theres a moment of silence before Bumi stepped back, "Oh well, so long as they have each other I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Let's go."

As they walked through the wall Bumi began to tell them how he had escaped. Uzume listened in awe as the old man told them about his fight. Uzume nudged Toph with her elbow, "I think he might be stronger than you." She said teasingly, only for Toph to trip her.

Suki helped Uzume up as she talked to Bumi, "Wow, you took back your whole city all by yourself."

Bumi stood proudly, "So what about you guys? Did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?"

Uzume began to whistle as she begun to think about how she had airbended without fans and almost killed her father.

"Nah." Zuko looked at Sokka.

"No, not really." Sokka looked back at Zuko

Uzume chuckled nervously, "Hardly remember."

Bumi stopped in front of the camp, "Well, here we are. Welcome to old people camp." Uzume watched as Zuko looked around, searching for his Uncle.

"Where... where is he?" He hesitated to ask.

Piandao points to a huge tent, "Your Uncle's in there, Prince Zuko."

Zuko began to cautiously approach the entrance but he faltered before entering, staring at the tent flaps in fear.

Uzume put her hand on his arm lovingly, "You okay?"

Zuko took a deep breath, "No, I'm not okay. My Uncle hates me, I know it. He loved me and supported me in every way he could and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?"

Uzume looked at him with sympathetic eyes, "When I left, he told me that he knew you'd find your way eventually. You're sorry for what you did, right?" She asked softly.

Zuko swallowed thickly, "More sorry than I've been about anything in my entire life."

Uzume smiles at him, "He'll forgive you. He does forgive you." Zuko looked at her lovingly and kissed her cheek before walking into the tent.

Later, they were eating and they were joined by Iroh while Zuko explained the situation to him.

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

Toph chuckled and pointed her chopsticks towards him, "You mean the Fire Lord."

"That's what I just said." Zuko snapped at her, he turned back to his uncle, "We need you to come with us."

Iroh lowered his chopsticks, "No, Zuko. It won't turn out well."

"You can beat him and we'll be there to help." Zuko insisted

Iroh stared at the pot in front of everyone, "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. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord."

Uzume let out a shaky sigh as she felt overwhelmed.

"And then... then would you come and take your rightful place on the throne?" Zuko asked his Uncle.

"No. Someone new must take the throne," Iroh turned to Zuko, "An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honour. It has to be you, Prince Zuko."

Zuko looked at him in disbelief, "Unquestionable honour? But I've made so many mistakes."

"Yes, you have. You struggled, you suffered but you have always followed your own path, you restored your own honour. And only you can restore the honour of the Fire Nation."

"I'll try, Uncle." Zuko looked at his Uncle determined.

Toph interrupted the sweet moment, "Well, what if Aang doesn't come back?"

"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 said in realization.

"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." Uzume felt herself still at the mention of Azula.

"I can handle Azula." Zuko said stubbornly.

"Not alone. You'll need help." Iroh glances at Uzume, causing her to look away.

"You're right. Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?" Iroh looked startled at Zuko's choice of helper. Uzume, however, felt relief that she wouldn't have to confront her.

"I'm afraid you will also need Uzume's help."

Zuko began to disagree, "No, I can't allow that. Who knows what Azula will do if she sees her. Seeing Azula will cause her to panic-"

"Azula is like a dragon, and Uzume is someone who can save you guys from the dragon." Iroh said firmly. Katara looked at Uzume, worried.

Uzume looked up and looked Zuko in the eyes, "I'll do it." Katara smiled at her softly and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"What about us? What's our destiny today?" Sokka asked Iroh, gesturing to Toph and Suki.

"What do you think it is?" Iroh responded cryptically.

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

Toph finished the thought, "And that means when Aang does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there if he needs us." Iroh smiled at the group as the group plotted together.

Piando was with Sokka, Suki, and Toph while Iroh spoke to the others.

"So if I'm going to be Fire Lord after the war is over, what are you going to do?" Zuko asked his uncle as Katara and Uzume packed for their trip on Appa.

"After I re-conquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to reconquer my tea shop and I'm going to play Pai Sho everyday." Iroh showed the group a Pai Sho playing tile.

Katara nodded respectfully to the older man, "Goodbye, General Iroh."

Uzume gave him a soft smile, "We'll make you proud."

Iroh returns her smile, "Goodbye, everyone. Today, destiny is our friend. I know it."

Zuko helped Uzume mount Appa and the girl looked up to the sky sternly.

If Iroh says Destiny is our friend, everything will be fine, she thought to herself, it has to be.