Team Avatar stood in the doorway of the tavern, surveying June getting in a fight with random bar patrons. "Hey. I remember her. She helped you attack us." Sokka said to Zuko.
   "Yep. Back in the good old days."
    Team Avatar moved to June's table. She looked up and sighed. "Oh great, Prince Pouty. Where's your creepy grandpa?"
    "He's my uncle." Zuko shot back. "And he's not here."
    "I see you worked things out with your girlfriend."
    "SHE IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" Zuko shouted at the same time that Katara shouted, "I AM NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!"
    "Ok ok I was only teasing."
    "Actually, my girlfriend is the reason I'm here. I need you to find the Avatar."
    "No way! The Avatar is your girlfriend? That's explains a lot." June kicked her feet up, enjoying her drink.
    "Can you help me?"
    She shrugged. "Doesn't sound too fun."
    "Does the end of the world sound like more fun?"
    "Ok ok chill! What? Can't go without your girlfriend for two seconds?" Zuko glared at her. "Fine. Who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?"
    "Her father's sword." Aang said, presenting it.
    June brought it to her mole to sniff out the scent. This ended in her going in circles before collapsing to the ground, covering her eyes.
    "What does that mean?" Zuko asked.
    "Means your girlfriend's gone."
    "We know she's gone. That's why we're trying to find her."
    "No, I mean gone gone. She doesn't exist."
                        * * * * *
    Rose explored the island she found herself on, asking rhetorical questions to Crystal. "Where are we? The Spirit World maybe?" She tested her bending, finding it still worked. "Nope, my bending works. I need a better view. " She thought for a moment. "Maybe if we head to the top of the island, we can figure out where we are."
                     * * * * *
    "What do you mean Rose doesn't exist?" Zuko and Sokka called out in unison.
    "Is she dead?" Zuko asked, hoping he was wrong.
    "Nope, we could find her if she were dead."
    "Wait. I have another idea." Zuko said. "There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord."
    He returned moments later with a sandal. "You saved your uncle's sweaty sandal?" Sokka questioned.
    Toph said, "I think it's kind of sweet."
    As soon as the mole had Iroh's scent, she took off running. Team Avatar jumped on Appa and followed. After a journey that took a full day and half the night, they arrived.
    "We're going to Ba Sing Se?" Zuko questioned.
    "He's just beyond the wall. Nyla's getting twitchy so it can't be too far. Good luck."
    With that, she took off.
    Zuko hung his head, sighing as he said, "It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn."
                           * * * * *
    After looking around, Rose was more confused than ever. Finally, she decided to contact Roku to get answers.

    Roku appeared before her, a grim look on his weathered face as he sat beside Luna. "You're right, Rose. All the past Avatars, all their experience and wisdom is available to you, if you look deep inside yourself."
    "So where am I, Roku and Luna? What is this place?"
    "I don't know, Rose." He turned to his wife and Guardian who shrugged.

    "But you are lost in more ways than one, young Avatar." She answered in a breezy voice.
    Rose took a deep breath and explained, "I am. I need to figure out what to do once I face the Fire Lord. Everyone expects me to take the Fire Lord's life. But I just don't know if I can do that."
    Roku spoke. "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've stopped Sozin and stopped the war before it started. I offer you this wisdom, Rose. You must be decisive."
    With that, Roku and Luna disappeared from sight.
                       * * * * *
     Team Avatar was awakened when the earth started to move and a ring of fire surrounded them. They quickly got up into their defensive positions in time to see a group of familiar old men: Masters Piandao who taught Sokka to fight, Jeong Jeong, Rose's former firebending teacher, Pakku who taught Rose and Katara waterbending, and King Bumi.
    "Well," Bumi said, "look who's here."
    Everyone but Zuko smiled, the former prince looking very confused.
    "What's going on?" Toph asked. "We're surrounded by old people."
    "Not just any old people. These are great masters and friends of ours." Katara said, bowing before Pakku.
    "It is respectful to bow to an old master." He said with a smile. "But how about a hug for your new grandfather?"
    Katara hugged him in excitement, glad that Pakku and Gran Gran had made up. "I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything." He said proudly.
    "And this was the man who was originally going to teach Rose firebending."
    Jeong Jeong bowed to Zuko. Sokka bowed to his own master.
    "So wait, how do you all know each other?"
    "All old people know each other." Bumi answered. "Don't you know that?"
    "We're all part of the same ancient secret society, a group that transcends the divisions of the five nations."
    Zuko smiled as he realized. "The Order of the White Lotus."
    "The White Lotus has always been about philosophy, beauty, and truth." Jeong Jeong explained. "But, about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important."
    "I remember. I received it as well." Aurora said, bowing to the other masters.
    "It's a pleasure to see you again, Aurora, old friend." Bumi said. "It's been so long."
    "It came from our Grand Lotus, your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation."
    "Well, that's who we're looking for."
    "Then we'll take you to him."
    Bumi butted in. "Wait someone is missing from your group, someone very important. Where's Crystal?"
    "She's gone and so is Rose."
    "Oh well, so long as they have each other, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about."
    With that, they took off, Bumi snorting all the way.
                          * * * * *
    Rose sat by herself, thinking. "Avatar Kyoshi, I need your wisdom."

    Kyoshi appeared across from her, a young firebender bowing from beside her. "Nao." Kysohi said. "My baby cousin...and my Guardian." She smiled then her smile faded as she spoke.

    "In my day, Chin the Conqueror threatened to throw the world out of balance. I stopped him and the world entered a great era of peace."
    "But you didn't really kill Chin. 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've done whatever it took to stop Chin. I offer you this wisdom, Rose. Only justice will bring peace."
    Kyoshi and her sister disappeared. "I knew I shouldn't have asked Kyoshi."
                            * * * * *
    As they walked, Sokka asked Bumi about his escape. "I didn't escape. Everyone else escaped." He said. "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."
    Bumi was still trapped inside the box Team Anti Avatar had put him in when he noticed the solar eclipse. "An eclipse! That'll do it!"
    He took a deep breath, causing many small rocks to hit the box he was trapped in, breaking it and releasing him onto the ground. A group of firebenders attempted to attack them but the solar eclipse repressed their bending.
    "I'm taking back my city. You've got no firepower and now it's payback time." He said.
    With that, he knocked out his adversaries with many rocks. Then he used his bending to cause all the buildings, homes, and factories the firebenders had built onto his city to slide off the mountain. A few more rocks hit the statue of the Fire Lord and he used his bending to make the aforementioned statue fall off the mountain and destroy the bridge the firebenders built. That done, he snorted as he ate a piece of rock.
    "Wow! You took back your whole city all by yourself."
    "So, what about you guys? Did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?"
    They looked at each other and quickly lied. "Nah." Zuko said, Sokka adding, "Not really. "
    They continued walking.
                             * * * * *
    Rose meditated, determined to find someone who would understand her situation. Finally, the last waterbending Avatar appeared before her, joined by a young earthbender.

    "I am Avatar Kuruk and this is Emeri, my Guardian. 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. If I had been more attentive and more active, I could have saved her. Rose, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the world."
    With that, he disappeared, leaving Rose more frustrated than ever.
                           * * * * *
    Team Avatar and the Order of the White Lotus arrived to their camp. "Where is he?" Zuko asked, uncharacteristically quietly.
    "Your uncle's in there." One of the masters pointed to the tent in the center of the camp.
    Zuko started towards the tent but stopped, unsure if he should enter. "Are you alright?" Katara asked.
    "No I'm not alright. My uncle hates me, I know it. He loved 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?"
    "More sorry than I've been about anything in my entire life right next to hurting Rose."
    "Then he'll forgive you. He will."
    Zuko took a deep breath and entered the tent to find his uncle fast asleep. He smiled and sat, prepared to wait.
                          * * * * *
    Rose groaned in frustration. "I don't get it, Crystal." She told her beloved pet. "All these past Avatars, they keep telling me I'm gonna have to do it. They don't get it." She thought a moment. "Wait a minute. The monks...they're all about peace. Maybe an Air Nomad Avatar will understand where I'm coming from."

   She concentrated and the last Air Nomad Avatar appeared, joined by a young male waterbender. "I am Avatar Yangchen and this is my Guardian, my grandfather, Percy."

    "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."
     "Yes, all life is sacred. Avatar Rose, I know that you are a gentle, free spirit, and the monks, the gypsies, all those who taught you have taught you well, but this isn't about you. This is about the world."
    "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 gave 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."
   Then, she too, disappeared.
                          * * * * *
   The sun was starting to rise above the horizon. Iroh yawned and stretched, glancing behind him to see Zuko sitting there. He didn't speak.
   "Uncle, I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know I am so, so sorry, uncle. I'm so sorry and ashamed of what I did." He began to cry. "I don't know how I can ever make it up to you, but I--"
    He was cut off as Iroh grabbed him into a bear hug. "How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me." 
    Iroh too had tears in his eyes as he responded, "I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you'd lost your way."
    "I did lose my way." Zuko confessed.
    "But you've found it again...and you did it by yourself and I'm so happy that you found your way here."
    They embraced once more.
                         * * * * *
    Rose sighed. "One last chance. I need someone from the Aether Realm, an Avatar who comes from the same place I do." She thought long and hard, meditating.
    An attractive blond male appeared, joined by an equally attractive female with purple eyes.

    "I am Avatar Alistair and this is my Guardian, Freya, my soulmate."
    "What troubles you, dear?" Freya asked, her voice light and motherly.

    "I have to fight the Fire Lord. Everyone wants me to kill him, even the other Avatars, but I was taught that all life is sacred and must be protected."
    "I understand your predicament." Alistair said, nodding solemnly.
    "Finally! I knew you'd understand."
    "Not so fast, Avatar Rose. Keep this in mind: we as aetherbenders believe in kindness, compassion, and prosperity of life. This caring nature means we have to do what is best for our people and, for you and me specifically, the world as well."
    "But--"
    "We cannot achieve peace if we do not do what is necessary to keep it. In my day, I showed kindness and compassion to even the most hardened people. I lived in a specific tribe of the Aether Realm, one made up of a glorious garden. I allowed this kindness to cloud my judgement. For that, my parents, my siblings and my love all died in a fire that the firebender I saved used to destroy my home. I offer you this wisdom, young Avatar: do not let kindness cloud your judgement and do whatever it takes to protect those you love, even if you must take a life for it."
    That said, he, too, disappeared.
    Rose fell onto her back in frustration. "I guess I have no choice then but to kill the Fire Lord."
    Just then, the ground beneath her began to shake. She checked a high treetop and realized the whole island was moving. She jumped into the water and surveyed what she believed was an island, only to discover something odd...it was an animal!
                         * * * * *
    Sometime later that morning, Team Avatar and the Order of the White Lotus sat around a fire to eat. Zuko finally asked what had been on his mind. "Uncle, you're the only person other than the Avatar who can possibly defeat the Fire Lord. We need you to come with us."
    Iroh shook his head. "No, Zuko." He said. "It won't turn out well." Zuko argued the point, causing Iroh to add, "Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don't know that I could, it would be the wrong way to end a war. 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 Fire Lord."
    "We can't find her." Zuko said, trying to hold back tears. "But, even then, would you come back and take your rightful place on the throne?"
    "No. Someone new must take the throne--an idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko."
    Zuko felt doubtful. Him? "Unquestionable honor? But I've made so many mistakes."
    "Yes, you have. You've struggled and 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."
    "But what about Rose? I can't leave her just to rule the Fire Nation."
    Iroh smiled. "I think it's time you made good on that promise that you made to her in the catacombs beneath Ba Sing Se. She is your destiny, Prince Zuko, as you are hers. You must make an honest woman out of her."
    "Marriage?" Zuko asked. "Would she even want that with me?"
    Aurora answered this time: "Yes. I have seen her future with you, Prince Zuko, and she becomes your queen. You have a happy future together."
    Zuko smiled.
    It was Toph who ruined the moment with her reminder: "What if Rose doesn't come back?"
    "Sozin's Comet is arriving and our destinies are upon us."
    "Rose will return." Aurora added, cryptically.
    Iroh continued, "When I was a boy, I had a vision of me claiming Ba Sing Se. Only now I realize that I am to take it back from the Fire Nation do the Earth Kingdom can be free."
    "That's why you gathered everyone together." Suki realized.
    "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."
    Zuko nodded in grim determination. "I can handle Azula."
    "Not alone. You will need help."
    "You're right. Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?"
    Katara grinned. "It would be my pleasure."
    "And Rose should never be without her Guardian." Iroh added. "Aang, you must join her on the battlefield. She will need your help now more than ever, especially due to the manipulation of the Sisters who betrayed their own Coven. I believe that they will be a problem as well...both for us and the Fire Nation."
   Aang nodded. "I already had a feeling she would need my help."
   Sokka spoke up. "What about us? What's our destiny today?"
   "What do you think it is?"
   "I think that even though we don't know where Rose is, we need to do everything we can to stop the airship fleet."
    "And that means when Rose does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there to help her and Aang if they need us."
    Iroh smiled. Aurora stood. "Come, we all have our destinies ahead of us. Let's go save the world."
    Everyone packed up to go fulfill each of their destinies: the Order of the White Lotus heading to reconquer Ba Sing Se, half of Team Avatar to handle the airships, Zuko and Katara to defeat Azula, and Aang to find Rose so they could defeat Ozai.
   Before they went their separate ways, Zuko pulled Aang aside. "Please, take care of Rose."
    "Because you'll be angry if anything happens to her--"
    "No. I'll be devastated." Zuko said, showing his growth by asking for help rather than using fear or his anger. "I will understand if anything goes wrong today but, please, protect her."
    "I will. Just do me a favor and keep an eye on Katara."
    Zuko smiled and nodded. They shook on it.
                       * * * * *
    Rose found out that the creature who had been carrying her was a lion turtle and she bowed to it in a gesture of respect. She then asked for its advice.
    The lion turtle spoke in a deep voice as if it came from the earth itself. "The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can tough the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since the beginning of time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light."
    That said, a light surrounded Rose and she was dropped off on land. "Wait for him. He will come."
    Then the lion turtle swam away. Moments later, Aang appeared. "Rose, we've been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?"
    "Long story. Too long to explain. We have to hurry."
    She took Aang's hand and they flew into the sky, together again.
                        * * * * *
    Ozai stood at the ready. "It's time for this world to end in fire and for a new world to be born from the ashes."
    With that, Sozin's Comet streaked across the sky as the sun rose across the horizon...