Part 43 (The Old Masters) [Book 3]

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"Hey, I remember her. She helped you attack us." Sokka recalled, turning to Zuko.

"Yep. Back in the good-old days." Zuko muttered sarcastically before making his way towards June, who was now sitting at a table, drink in hand.

"Oh, great, it's Prince Pouty." June grumbled. "Where's your creepy grandpa?"

"He's my Uncle." Zuko corrected, eyes narrowed. "And he's not here."

"I see you worked things out with your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend!"

"I'm not his girlfriend!"

Zuko and Katara shouted at the same time.

You glanced at the side wall awkwardly.

"Okay, okay. Sheesh. I was only teasing." June muttered. "So what do you want?"

"I need your help finding the Avatar." Zuko spoke quietly.

"That doesn't sound too fun."

"Does the end of the world sound like more fun!?" Zuko hollered, getting up in her face.

She glanced over at him, sighing and placing her cup down on the table. "Fine. Follow me." She walked outside, where Appa and her shirshu were growling at each other.

Appa licked the creature.

"Nila." June called, tossing the shirshu a piece of meat.

Nila ate it quickly.

"Who's my little snuffly wuffly?" June spoke to it, petting the creature's head.

Nila's tongue darted out suddenly.

"Whoa! Careful there!" June closed Nila's mouth before turning to everyone. "Okay. So who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?"

"I have Aang's staff." Katara informed as she stood on Appa's back, lifting up the wood.

June gestured for it.

Katara slid off Appa, handing June the staff.

Nila sniffed it before walking around in circles, smelling the air. She finally laid down, groaning slightly as she rubbed her nose with her paws.

Zuko crossed his arms. "Well, what does that mean?"

"It means your friend's gone." June informed, patting Nila's head.

"We know he's gone." Toph assured. "That's why we're trying to find him."

June stood, turning to face the group. "No, I mean he's gone-gone. He doesn't exist."

You placed your hands on your hips. "What's that supposed to mean? He obviously exists."

"Do you mean he's... dead?" Sokka asked.

"Nope. We'd find him if he were dead. It's a real head-scratcher." June remarked before pausing. "See ya."

"Helpful. Real helpful." Toph mumbled as June moved towards Nila's saddle.

"Wait." Zuko pleaded, stepping forward. "I have another idea." He turned to the group. "There's only one other person in the world who can help us face the Firelord." He looked over his shoulder at June, who was now sitting on her shirshu. "I'll be right back with a smell sample." He informed before walking away.

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