Balance | Old Version

Chapter 118 (Sozins Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters)

Elua's POV.

Luckily, June had agreed to help us find Aang. So, here we were outside with Appa and June's Shirshu.
"Okay, who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?" June asks.
"I have Aang's staff," I tell her as I take the staff off Appa's saddle and hand it over to her. June holds out the staff to the Shirshu, it starts to sniff the air and walk around. But, the Shirshu lays on the ground with a whimper as she rubs her snout with her paws.
"Well, what does that mean?" Zuko asks June in confusion.
"It means your friend's gone," June states.
"We know he's gone, that's why we're trying to find him," Toph says with her arms crossed.

"No, I mean he's gone, gone," June says as she pets her Shirshu's head. "He doesn't exist," She states, making us all look at her shocked and confused.
"What do you mean Aang doesn't exist?" Sokka asks in shock.
"Do you mean he's...you know, dead?" Sokka asks fearfully.
"Nope, we could find him if he were dead. A real head-scratcher," June says with a shrug. "Ah, See ya," She says as she jumps onto the Shirshu.
"Helpful, real helpful," Toph says sarcastically. "Well, it's up to you now," She tells me.

"Thanks, Toph. That's really reassuring," I say with a small glare of annoyance.
"Wait, I have another idea," Zuko states, making June turn back around. "There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord. I'll be right back with a smell sample," He says as he walks over to Appa and digs through his bag before he walks back over with something in his hand.
"You saved your Uncle's sweaty sandal?" Sokka asks in disgust as Zuko holds out a sandal.
"I think it's kind of sweet," Toph says with a half-smile as the Shirshu sniffs the sandal.
"Let's do this," June says as the Shirshu suddenly takes off into the woods.
"Hey, wait up!" Zuko shouts as we all quickly run over and jump onto Appa, following after them.

The Next Night.

We had traveled the whole night and day until we come to the broken outer wall of Ba Sing Se.
"We're going to Ba Sing Se?" Zuko asks June in confusion.
"Your Uncle's somewhere beyond the wall. Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far," June states. "Good luck," She tells us and then she and her Shirshu take off.
"It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn," I tell everyone as we all get off Appa and everyone quickly falls asleep. I sigh softly as I look up at all the stars in the sky, thoughts swirling through my mind. Maybe I should have followed Aang wherever he had gone, maybe I shouldn't have listened to Loha, maybe I should have listened to my sisterly instincts. Or maybe I really do have to let Aang learn on his own, maybe everything would be fine. Everything will be fine.

Later into the night, we all jump awake at the sound of fire surrounding us. We all quickly stand up, taking defensive stances, but Sokka, Katara, and I stand down and smile as we look up and spot four familiar people above us.
"Well, look who's here," Bumi says, laughing as he looks at us. Sokka, Katara and I look at each other and smile widely as the flames around us go away.
"What's going on?" Toph asks in confusion. "We're surrounded by old people," She states.
"Not just any old people. These are great masters and friends of ours, " Katara says, smiling as she walks over to Pakku. "Pakku," She says as she bows to him.
"It is respectful to bow to an old master, but how about a hug for your new grandfather?" Pakku asks as he opens his arms to Katara and Sokka with a small smile on his face. 
"That's so exciting. You and Gran-Gran must be so happy to have found each other again," Katara says with a wide smile, hugging him as Sokka stares in shock.

"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything," Pakku says smiling at his new granddaughter.
"Welcome to the family Gramp Gramp," Sokka says as he hugs him, making Pakku's smile falter.
"You can still just call me Pakku," Pakku tells him as he lets go.
"How about Grand Pakku?" Sokka asks.
"No," Pakku states seriously.
"And this was Aang's first firebending teacher," I tell Toph and Zuko.
"Jeong Jeong," Jeong Jeong says bowing.
"Master Piandao," Sokka says, bowing to Piandao.
"Hello, Sokka," Piandao says, bowing back.

"So wait, how do you all know each other?" Suki asks.
"All old people know each other don't you know that?" Bumi asks, laughing and snorting.
"We're all part of the same ancient secret society. A group that transcends the divisions of the 4 nations," Piandao states.
"The Order of the White Lotus," Zuko and I say, smiling at the people in front of us.
"That's the one," Bumi says with his usual goofy smile.
"The White Lotus has always been about philosophy, beauty, and truth, " Jeong Jeong tells the others. "About a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important," He states.

"It came from a Grand Lotus, your Uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation," Pakku tells Zuko.
"Well, that's who we're looking for," Toph informs them.
"Then we'll take you to him," Piandao tells us.
"Wait, someone's missing from your group, " Bumi says as he looks around at all of us. "Where's Momo?" He asks.
"He's gone. And so is Aang," Sokka states, not questioning Bumi.
"Oh well, so long as they have each other I'm sure we have nothing to worry about," Bumi says with a smile. "Let's go," He tells us as we follow after them, to wherever it is we are going.