The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 80 [~|~] The Crossroads of Destiny

Stopping briefly to pick up Toph, the group made their way back to Ba Sing Se and headed immediately for the throne room to talk with Kuei, who was surprised to see them back so soon. Aang stepped forwards to explain his vision, but Kuei shook his head after he had finished speaking. "Azara's fine. You have nothing to worry about," Kuei replied, causing Aang to look to the ground.

"But, in my vision, I felt so sure she was in trouble," Aang insisted as Sokka continued to look nervous from beside him.

"Well, she met with the Council of Generals to plan the invasion, and since then, she's been off with your friends, the Kyoshi Warriors," Kuei recounted, causing Katara to nod.

"She's with Suki then. They're probably back at our apartment, safe and sound," Katara deduced, hoping to calm Aang and Sokka's nerves as she glanced back and forth between them.

"Okay. Maybe you're right," Aang sighed as Kuei smiled reassuringly.

"Believe me, if there was any danger at all, Bosco's animal instincts would sense it," Kuei stated, causing Bosco to lift his sleepy head, blinking at the mention of his name.

Meanwhile, in the Crystal Catacombs, Azara continued to pace until she heard movement from above her. Staring up at the open hole in the ceiling, Azara glared at the Dai Li agent who opened the door. "You've got company," he spoke before another two agents threw Zuko into the Catacombs. Azara's eyes widened in shock at the sight of her brother again before they narrowed into an angry glare, the hole sealing behind Zuko as the siblings locked eyes.

Back in the Upper Ring, the rest of Team Avatar returned to their apartment on Appa. Running inside their temporary residence, the group looked around for any sign of Azara. After checking every room, they could only manage to find Momo, who flew onto Aang's shoulder.

"There's no one else here," Toph noted, causing Sokka, Aang, and Katara to share worried glances.

"Azara is in trouble! I knew it!" Aang exclaimed as Sokka's face became set in stone.

"Then we need to move, now," Sokka stated before Toph stopped him.

"Wait! Someone's at the door," Toph interrupted before a knock emanated from the door a moment later. "Actually, I know who it is. It's an old friend of mine." Toph walked over to the door and opened it, revealing Iroh. "Glad to see you're okay," Toph smiled as Iroh turned to the rest of the group of teenagers.

"I need your help," Iroh pleaded, causing Sokka, Katara, and Aang to immediately get into fighting stances at the sight of him.

"You guys know each other?" Aang asked as Toph nodded calmly from beside Iroh.

"I met him in the woods once and knocked him down," Toph explained as Iroh smiled and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Then he gave me some tea and some very good advice."

"May I come in?" Iroh asked as Toph nodded, allowing him into the room. "Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se," Iroh announced as the group shared anxious expressions.

"She must have Azara," Katara sighed, causing Iroh to sigh and nod.

"She has captured my nephew as well," Iroh remarked, causing Sokka to narrow his eyes at the mention of Zuko.

"Then we'll work together to fight Azula and save Azara and Zuko," Aang decided as Sokka shook his head, stepping forward.

"Whoa there! You lost me at 'Zuko,'" Sokka huffed causing Iroh to sigh and step towards him. "How do we know this isn't some trap?"