Prologue
The bloody and merciless war had ended. All nations rejoiced as they told the triumphant news. The honor less fire nation prince Zuko had joined the beloved avatar. Lady Katara of the southern water tribe, Lady Toph and warrior Sokka of the southern water tribe, the companions of the avatar, were renowned heroes. The story was known by all…
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After Zuko had joined them, they all made plans. It all had to be a secret. Aang and Toph would go and bring up an Earth Kingdom army. Sokka would go and convince his father to rally a Southern water tribe force. Katara would go to the northern water tribe and speak to Pakku of an army. And Zuko would go prepare as much fire nation soldiers as possible.
At first, they all met in the Shin Valley. It was a giant valley ideal for battle. They were all present…except Katara and her army. Everyone was nervous. They had many, many men. But, they would need as much help as they could get. Zuko cursed under his breath. There were not as many Fire Nation soldiers as he would have liked, but they would have to make due. The current fire lord, prince Zuko's father, had threatened to burn down the soldier's homes and take their children and wives if they were to join Zuko. Zuko found his father very ruthless and dishonorable.
The day for battle was coming close, and Katara still had not come with the men that they desperately needed. Everyone worried if the army had met some difficulty on the way. Or maybe Katara could not convince them to fight next to Zuko, though it would be an honor to fight next to the avatar. Aang worried about her, Zuko could see that they were close, but he decided to keep his mouth shut. What should it matter to him?
Aang trusted Zuko, but Zuko could see that neither Sokka, Toph and especially Katara did not trust him. They had a right to, especially after he had betrayed his uncle and the avatar in the cave. That was all in the past. He had joined the side of his uncle, who, Zuko was happy to say, was in good health.
But, good health would not stop this war. With much dread, the battle approached. The fire lord's were assembled on the other side of the valley. All of the men scurried around the camp, grabbing their weapons. Zuko ran up to Aang.
"The troops are getting prepared. Is there any news from the girl?"
Aang hung his head.
"Katara isn't here,
I have no idea what is going on."
Zuko cursed under his breath,
they would have to do without her. This was war. All of the men were
lined up. Firebenders in the middle, Earthbenders to the right, and
water benders to the left. Zuko, Aang and Sokka stood in front of the
army. The firebender's army was very large and powerful. Zuko
searched for his father up front. He had not joined the army! He was
probably safe in a tent or even back in his palace. Zuko fumed. One
word popped into his mind. Coward. These men were being forced to
fight, and all the fire lord would do was sit on his butt. And where
was Katara? Things were not looking so good for their side.
Northern water tribe or not, the battle began. Zuko let out a battle cry and the army moved forward. The two armies clashed. Such a site of bending and weapons! Air, water, earth, and Fire battled beside each other against Fire. Men fell. Zuko had to fight the urge to help his men up. Right now, they needed him to fight. Zuko firebended with great skill and took many men down. Though he didn't want to, he felt a pang of guilt and despair as he saw blood trickle from a young man's brow. He had never killed anyone, especially no one of his own people. He fought the urge to vomit right there on the field. He would have to be strong; he was fighting for his people.
Aang used all four elements to fight off the soldiers. He was very good at firebending, since Zuko had taught him. Sokka, who was not a bender, kept alive by using his weapon. Toph was positioned atop a boulder, out of sight. She used her earthbending to take out men from the fire army. Some were archers. If she were to be in sight, she would not sense the arrows and be taken down. Fire was destructive. Zuko could see that the fire army was starting to win. The waterbenders were running out of water, and were not in their natural, cool habitat. The earthbenders had made giant holes in the ground, and some of the men had fallen in and sprained their ankles. The fire benders on Zuko's side were getting tired. The other army was winning. Zuko panicked. What would they do? It was then that he was struck to the ground. He touched his cheek. Blood blurred his vision. He was then struck on the side. He would have to get up, or he would be killed. He trine to get up, but was struck in the stomach. He fell to the earth and was struck hard in the ribs. Pain went through his body. He was going to die. Then, all of the firebenders started yelling at each other and pointing. Everyone stopped fighting. Zuko took this opportunity to get up, with a painful grunt. He looked at what they were pointing at. There, like some beautiful angel, stood Katara. With the large water tribe army behind her, she smiled at their confusion. She took a sword out of its sheath. She lifted it up. Out of her mouth bellowed a loud war cry and she charged down the hill, with the army right behind her.
Water met fire.
It was a long battle. But the fire army was tired and became weakened. Katara fought her way through. Her sword was taken away from her and she iced the fire soldier's hand. She took out her water canteen. She fought gallantly. The water army reached up to where Zuko was fighting. Katara now fought next to Zuko. He looked at her, he had never been so happy to see her. He yelled over the cries of war while he fought.
"I thought you weren't going to make it!"
Zuko dodged a blow and Katara took out a water whip, taking down the man who lunged at him.
"Well, here we are!"
The fighting went on, until the fire army could no longer take it anymore. They retreated. But the fire, water, earth and air were hot on their trail, forcing them to surrender. The avatar's army let out a triumphant yell. They had won! Aang, Sokka and Zuko smiled at each other, all of them were exhausted. Katara ran down to her brother. He swung her in his arms.
"We won!"
He put her down and Aang embraced her.
"We were worried."
"So was I. It took a lot of persuasion and some training before we could make it."
Katara turned and put her arms around both boys and smiled triumphantly. Zuko looked at her.
"You guys came just in time."
Katara turned to him. She smiled.
"The war is over! It's too good to be true!"
Zuko looked at her
"It's true."
Katara looked at Zuko wince.
"You are injured."
"I'm fine."
Katara had a cut across her cheek. It was bigger that Zuko's, but she could see the blood from his ribs and side. She turned to Aang and Sokka.
"We must make sick tents for all of our wounded and, of course, the others too."
Sokka looked at her.
"Are you crazy? These
men would have killed us!"
"Sokka, they need our help. A
wounded man is a wounded man in my book."
Zuko was surprised by her compassion. Katara immediately got the hospital running. They all set up tents and made beds on the ground. Even though there had been hundreds and hundreds of men, Katara was the only woman from a water tribe, and the only healer. She had her work cut out for her. She went from tent to tent, healing men who begged for water. The men on both sides instantly fell in love with her. Zuko, who was too proud to ask Katara to heal him, bandaged his wound and helped with the others who awaited the healer. By the time she had reached the tent that Zuko was in, she was exhausted. She didn't complain, but went right to work. She approached Zuko.
"How many are there?"
"200 in this tent."
Zuko watched her reaction. She just nodded and looked through the tent. She looked at Zuko and became shocked.
"What's wrong?" Zuko asked.
"I am so sorry, I forgot about your wounds."
"It's fine. Don't worry about it, get to the others first."
Katara shook her head.
"Lay down."
It wasn't a request, it was a demand. He gingerly lay on a mat. Katara peeled his bloody shirt from his body.
"It hurts, doesn't it?"
Zuko clenched his teeth as Katara laid her hand on his wound. She had water around it.
"Yah."
There was a sting, but then a comforting coolness. She lifted her hand away. There was no more pain. His wound was gone! He was so amazed. Katara healed his other wounds. Zuko had so many questions, how did she do that? Before he could ask any, she stood up.
"You're done!"
She walked away and started on another young man who looked terrified. He approached her.
"Hey, thanks."
"No problem! Hey, could you get me some more water, please?"
"Sure."
He walked away as she reassured the frightened man. Zuko came back and gave her the water. The man was pretty scared.
"Hey, lady, is this going to hurt?"
"Shhh…"
Katara comforted him. It was a man from the fire lord's army. Zuko was shocked by her gentleness.
"Do you have a family, Tsu?"
She already knew his name. This girl was crazy! She was only 17. Of course, he was only 19. Well, the 17 year old had journeyed all the way to the northern water tribe alone, brought an army that saved their necks, lead the army in to battle, fought gallantly and now was curing hundreds of men from both sides. The man mumbled something, scared to death. Katara just gently shushed him. She smiled at him.
"It'll be alright."
The man couldn't help but smile. Katara healed him and he let out a deep sigh.
"Thank you."
She smiled and went to the next man. Zuko just watched in stunned, confused silence.
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Needless to say, many men were killed in the battle. But, it was all worth it as the army, led by Zuko, invaded the fire nation palace. The fire lord was chained and imprisoned. After much thought, Zuko decided that Iroh should be fire lord. It was only right. When Iroh died, Zuko would take the position. The fire nation cheered for their new fire lord and their beloved prince. Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph were made national heroes. The men never forgot of Katara's services and brought stories home to their children and wives. Everyone fell in love with the young healer.
The fire lord ruled in peace and the foursome returned to the southern water tribe.
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Author's note:
Hey everyone! This is my 4th story on this site and my 2nd Zutara story.
I just finished my 1st Zutara story…Sun and Moon…You can read that too if you want!!!
Lol
Well, please review! It's my first chapter, there will be Zutara eventually!
Please please please review!!!!
Much love-
--Sahlili20
