This is an AU everything you read in this story is how I imagined what would happen post-100 Year War if you don't like the story don't read it. If you like Legend of Korra uh to bad, I try not to use OC characters so most if not all my characters like Shung are found on Avatar wiki. Always remember I am an open book and always love positive and negative reviews anything you can say to improve my story or my writing is welcomed.
Also remember the MORE REVIEWS THE BETTER.
I own nothing all rights go to the creators of Avatar the Last Airbender.
Previously on Avatar…
Katara POV
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. Ever since that day I never gave up on the dream of a world at peace. And my hope was well placed when Aang and our friends defeated Phoenix King Ozai and his daughter Azula, ending the One Hundred Year War. After the war the world was in need of some much-needed healing and so Aang was called upon to restore balance and just like our last adventure he wasn't going to do it alone
BOOK FOUR:
AIR
CHAPTER ONE:
TEAM AVATAR
The gentle breeze of the sky caressed the face of Aang as he flew in his Air Bison and companion Appa. It was a calming feeling for Aang as he was weary from all his travels in the war-torn Earth Kingdom, he needed some welcomed rest, Avatar or not he had his limits, at least the spring time in the Earth Kingdom was a delight. The young Airbender then felt a tickling sensation on his face.
-Lick-
"Hahaha, Momo stop it that tickles." Aang looked to his side and gave his pet Lemur a hug. The Lemur settled on the Avatar's lap and began to pur.
"I love you too buddy." Aang said rubbing Momo's back, this earned a groan from Appa. Aang patted the Bison's head and quickly reminded his old companion that he was appreciated as well.
"I love you too Appa don't worry." Aang chuckled, he then looked at the horizon and smiled. It was a beautiful sight a clear blue sky with some distant clouds and the sight of his old home, the Southern Air Temple in the distance. It has been quite some time since he last laid eyes on the Temple. He ordered Appa forward.
"Appa Yip Yip we're almost home." Appa gave Aang a groan and then quickly accelerated within seconds they landed inside the sanctuary. Aang hoped off and Momo landed on his shoulder. Appa laid down on his side and groaned in delight.
"Aang!" The Airbender looked forward and saw an old friend Teo wheeling towards him with his father the Mechanist right behind him. Accompanying them were the Air Acolytes followers of Aang and people who were so fascinated by the lives of the Air Nomads they themselves adopted their customs minus the bending.
Aang smiled as he was greeted by his friends and pupils. Teo gave a quick bow before greeting his old friend.
"How's it been Aang?" Teo asked smiling and shaking Aang's hand.
"Aw you know going to new places, meeting new people, and resolving problems. All in the day's work for the Avatar. Hahaha." Aang chuckled as did Teo, the Mechanist, and the Air Acolytes.
The Avatar then asked "So how has the project been coming around?"
The Mechanist then spoke up. "We are right on schedule, the Air Acolytes have been a humongous help in refurbishing the Air Temples, we have followed your instructions to the letter."
Aang smiled at his friends, they had been asked politely by Aang to help with bringing the Temples back to their former glory weeks earlier. While Aang was in the Earth Kingdom they worked tirelessly in making Aang's dream a reality, to rebuild the Air Nomads.
"Shung here has done exceptional work in coordinating the effort alongside us." The Mechanist said as he presented a notable Air Acolyte to the Avatar.
"It is an honor to meet you in person Avatar Aang." Shung gave Aang a bow.
However, Aang in all of his humbleness laid a hand on his shoulder and Shung straightened.
"No need for such gestures, I'm forever grateful for your work, for all of you." Aang said as he looked at his friends, they weren't Team Avatar but that doesn't mean they didn't mean something to Aang, the young Avatar gave them a smile.
Teo then said, "Come on Aang we'll show you our progress."
Teo led the way as Aang followed him with the Mechanist and the Air Acolytes right behind them. Aang looked at the outside of the Temple Sanctuary and his heart melted at the sight.
The Great City of Ba Sing Se was looking a lot better a year after the One Hundred Year War. For one the Earth King, Keui had been restored to power and the Walls of the city were quickly repaired, and the Jasmine Dragon was hailed as the best tea shop in the entire Earth Kingdom.
"Hold it right there!" Toph Beifong yelled as she was busy chasing a criminal in the Lower Ring. The criminal didn't listen and he continued running for his life as the Greatest Earthbender in the world was chasing him. The criminal brushed by people and shops as he ran away with a sack of silver pieces in his arms. The criminal turned a corner and ran right into a cabbage cart immediately knocking it over.
"MY CABBAGES!" The Cabbage man yelled in horror as his food cart was toppled over again. The criminal however didn't care and quickly got up. He got all of two steps before crashing into a giant rock that sprung up out of the ground.
"Another one bites the dust." Toph said as she was in her mantis stance smiling. Toph walked forward and looked down at her captive.
"I'll be taking that." Toph picked up the sack of silver pieces. She then picked up the man and handcuffed him. The man struggled all he could but to no avail as the earth handcuffs wouldn't budge. Suddenly two men in long robes and hats walked up behind Toph.
Toph turned around and gave them orders, "Dai Li throw this man in jail and return this bag to it's rightful owner." On command one Dai Li agent picked up the man while Toph dropped the bag into the arms of the other Dai Li agent.
Once the criminal was hauled off in a prison carriage a third Dai Li agent arrived to deliver a police report to Toph.
"Grand Secretariat Beifong, that is the 20th arrest this week and the Lower Ring has seen a significant drop in criminal activity thanks to your efforts. Also, messengers from the Royal Palace have informed me that you have received a personal letter."
"Awww I was just beginning to have fun, oh well I trust you can pick it up from here Captain." Toph said a little annoyed that she had to leave. The Captain saluted Toph and after that the Earthbender headed back to the Royal Palace.
Toph Beifong is the youngest Grand Secretariat in the history of the Earth Kingdom although she is more than qualified being from an aristocratic family, she got the job a few months after the war when the Earth King asked her, initially hesitant she accepted and ever since then it was the best decision Earth King Keui ever made, Toph is the thorn in the side of every criminal in Ba Sing Se.
Toph walked through the halls of the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace she could feel the vibrations of all the servants and other government officials, normally she would ignore most of them as they usually just bugged Toph on a daily basis, but today there were two sets of footsteps that Toph recognized. She kept walking till she got in the hall that held her office, she stopped and scanned the room. Again, much of the same just servants and nobles along with the two Dai Li agents posted outside her door. Toph then sensed the two sets of footsteps and one was turning the corner. A smirk formed on her face Toph knew who it was.
"Whiskers, how you've been? Hahaha!" Toph laughed as she walked towards her friend.
"That's Captain Haru to you Toph, Hahaha." Haru smirked. He had his trademark mustache and goatee, he now also wore heavy Earth Kingdom armor instead of the standard green worn by soldiers of lower rank Haru's armor had gold and his helmet donned the Earth Kingdom symbol, he was the embodiment of a soldier.
"You can put all of those fancy titles in your name but you're still the same Haru from the war." Toph and Haru shared a hug before laughing again, then Toph broke away from her fellow Earthbender.
"Wait where's your father?" Toph asked.
"Right here!" Tyro walked up behind Haru and gave his son and his friend a big old hug.
"Big Beard so nice to see ya!" Toph returned the embrace.
"What are you guys doing here?" Toph asked a smile still plastered on her face it was always nice to see familiar faces.
"I'm being promoted today, how does Colonel Haru sound? General How himself said that my skills impressed him." Haru said as they broke from there embrace.
"Really?! Not bad Whiskers you've done good for yourself." Toph lightly punched Haru on the arm.
"I couldn't be prouder of my son today." Tyro said with pride patting his son's back.
"Also, I have a message for you, Toph, Aang stopped by my village before heading to the Southern Air Temple, he said that because of his travelling he couldn't visit you but hopes to see you and the rest of your friends at the anniversary of the end of the One Hundred Year War in a month." Tyro explained to the young Earthbender.
"I gotta wait a month before I see Twinkle Toes and the rest of my friends again, huh…" Toph sighed, she didn't hate being Grand Secretariat but she hadn't seen the rest of Team Avatar in such a long time.
Haru tried to change the subject, "Hey Toph you've got to tell me the story of how you reformed the Dai Li."
Toph smiled but she remembered why she was in the Royal Palace to begin with, the letter.
"Maybe another time Haru, I have somethings I have to do. It was so great seeing you guys again." Toph waved goodbye to her friends, and they did the same, before she walked into her office followed by the two Dai Li agents guarding her door.
As Toph sat in her chair she leaned back and waited for one of her agents to read her the personal letter.
"Miss Beifong the letter claims to be from your parents, they say they are in the city and are waiting for you." The agent explained. Toph frowned immediately before straightening herself and turning towards her Dai Li.
"No way am I falling for that again, I want someone to investigate this. I want confirmation that the Beifongs are in the city." Toph ordered.
"Yes, Sir!" The Dai Li saluted her before exiting her office.
Despite her words Toph had the slightest hope that her parents were in Ba Sing Se, perhaps now they would understand.
Down in the Southern Water Tribe festivities were underway as representatives from both parts of the Water Tribe reconnected with one another.
"As Chieftan of the Northern Water Tribe I am most gracious that our sister tribe has been able to bounce back after years of hardship during the war. I think I speak for all when I say that the Water Tribe as a whole has never felt closer than in this moment." Arnook raised his cup.
"I also want to give thanks to Chief Hakoda and his children Sokka and Katara, I do not wish to think about what would've happened were it not for your efforts during the War." Chief Arnook's speech was given an applause by both the representatives of the Northern Water Tribe and the Southern Water Tribe. Katara and Sokka smiled as the people continued to clap and cheer, this is what they fought for, why they overthrew Ozai. For an everlasting peace.
Hakoda looked at both of his kids who were flanking him and he wrapped them in a long embrace, at last he could enjoy being with his children.
"You two have made me the proudest father in the world." Hakoda's words mean't so much to his kids.
"We love you dad." Katara said tears forming.
"We couldn't have asked for a better father." Sokka said. As the family had their moment fireworks shot up into the sky. This was a new day for the Water Tribe and there was no better way to celebrate it than in Sokka and Katara's home. However, their home had received considerable upgrades, their home wasn't a couple of igloos anymore it was now a growing grid-like city. A giant gate and walls now surrounded the city and behind the walls was a canal that went around the city, apart from that several apartments, businesses, and ponds aligned the main street leading all the way to the Royal Palace where the representatives were celebrating. The Palace had a staircase that led to entrance and two totem poles flanking the doorway also, the building had spires on its edges. In the center of the Palace was an oval shaped sky window where people could see the fireworks and below that was a pool that the delegates sat around.
As the festivities wore on Chief Arnook pulled Chief Hakoda, Sokka, and Katara to the side and led them to Hakoda's study where they could speak in private.
Hakoda took a seat behind his desk while Sokka and Katara sat down on some nearby chairs, Chief Arnook also took a seat.
"My friends as joyous as this occasion has been I must confess it is not the only reason why I am here." Chief Arnook stated, Hakoda raised an eyebrow while Sokka and Katara looked at him confused.
"What's going on, Chief?" Sokka asked.
"Even though the world is at peace uneasiness still looms over my people. Although I have forgiven them, the Fire Nation is still viewed with much disgust in the North, the death of Princess Yue still haunts their minds and the people view the Fire Nation as the reason their Princess is no longer with us." Chief Arnook explained, Hakoda wasn't the least bit surprised the same sentiment could be felt in the Southern Tribe as well. Sokka felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of Yue's name. Meanwhile Katara look very concern about the current situation.
"Chief Arnook I assure you Fire Lord Zuko is an honorable man and a dear friend of not just the Water Tribe but to all of us as well." Katara placed a hand over her heart as she vouched for Zuko.
"I know Katara even so I think our best option would be to send an ambassador to the Fire Nation in order to relieve tensions." Arnook he shifted his eyes over to Hakoda.
"I agree we don't want this to get out of hand." Hakoda nodded.
"Just who would this ambassador be?" Sokka asked rubbing his chin.
"I'm glad you asked Sokka, I was actually thinking of someone along the lines of Master Katara." Arnook turned his head over to the Waterbender.
Katara's eyes widened, he wanted her to do it.
"Chief Arnook surely someone with more experience would be a better choice." Katara said. It's not that fact of going to the Fire Nation that deterred Katara, it's her relationship with Aang and not being able to see him more often that had her worried.
"Katara you are a highly respected Waterbending Master, a War hero, and you have tremendous support in the Water Tribe, choosing you was not a hard decision." Arnook praised Katara.
"Why not Sokka?" Katara asked, this got her older brother's attention.
"He was my second choice but I believe he is better served here in the Southern Water Tribe overseeing the Reconstruction effort, I here he has many great ideas." Arnook said.
"Well my ideas usually do turn out pretty good." Sokka said as he fondly remembered his plans on the Earthbending tanks and the Submarines he designed, a smile plastered on his face. Katara just rolled her eyes before shifting her focus back to Chief Arnook.
"Don't you think this is a good idea Chief Hakoda?" Arnook asked his fellow Chieftan and friend.
"I do; however, this is my daughter's decision to make I will not force her into anything in which she feels uncomfortable." Hakoda stated, Arnook nodded agreeing with him.
Katara was lost in thought she was contemplating whether to accept or not. She did want to spend more time with Aang once he got back but he was still fulfilling his Avatar duties and she also had a duty to fulfill to her people. On top of that she wasn't sure how life in the Fire Nation would feel like since as ambassador she would have to live there for extended periods of time. Although seeing Zuko and Mai again wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
After taking a few minutes to think she had an answer.
"I accept your offer, Chief Arnook." Katara said as she shook hands with the man.
Fire Lord Zuko slammed the tea down on the tray before him and he glared at his father who was in his cell.
"I grow tired of these conversations, father." Zuko said. This earned a chuckle from Ozai as he looked at his son.
"For once we agree, my son." Ozai said.
"Where is she? You'd have to know she was your wife." Zuko said annoyance and anger in his tone.
"Even if I did know where that creature was do you really think I'd tell you. Have you learned nothing boy?!" Ozai retorted at his son, this only angered Zuko more.
"She could be in Ba Sing Se by now or better dead." Ozai smiled. Zuko stood up and threw his own cup of tea at Ozai.
"Urrggh!" Ozai snarled as the hot liquid burned his skin.
"You are hardly in a position to make insults." Zuko said as he looked down at the man he once called his father in utter disgust. The Fire Lord sat back down.
After a few more minutes of talking Zuko had enough of his father.
"That's it we're done for today." Zuko stood up and went towards the door.
"Do bring more tea next time Zuko maybe then I'll remember. Hahahaha" Ozai laughed as Zuko slammed the door on him with a loud-
-Bang! -
Fire Lord Zuko rubbed his temples in frustration, months of talking have gotten him absolutely nothing.
"I told you he wasn't going to say anything." Mai said arms crossed over her chest.
"Mai please, not now." Zuko replied.
"Fine." Mai said. The two then walked out of Capital City Prison and after the carriage ride arrived at the Royal Palace in the middle of Caldera City. As they walked through the halls of the Palace they started talking again.
"Zuko I've been thinking about the more recent assassination attempts." Mai said.
"What about them?" Zuko asked.
"They've seem to have been getting worse even after the whole mess with the Fire Nation Colonies in the Earth Kingdom." Mai explained. They both stopped just before they reached the throne room that was guarded by two Imperial Firebenders.
"So, I decided to call up some friends to help out the Royal Procession." Mai then proceeded to walk into the throne room with Zuko behind her. Both were welcomed by the sight of the Kyoshi Warriors in Zuko's throne room.
"At your service Fire Lord Zuko." Suki said smiling at her friends. Ty Lee was fanning herself and her bubbly personality showed itself while the other Kyoshi Warriors stood behind her and Suki.
Zuko welcomed his friends into his Palace then turned to Mai.
"You really didn't have to do this you know." Zuko said although he was appreciative.
"Don't be silly Zuko, just because I'm not your girlfriend anymore doesn't mean I don't care about you, plus I'm head of the Royal Procession its kinda my job to protect you." Mai said. Zuko smiled and thanked her for her actions then proceeded to show the Kyoshi Warriors around the Royal Palace.
She sat there struggling in her place as two guards held her down trying to get her to stay still. She had a crazed glare as she kept fighting back the guards, her arms and legs were restrained so her primary weapon was her head.
"Princess Azula the longer you resist the longer it will take to end this session." The nurse who sat in front of Azula said.
"He will pay for what he and… his little peasant girl!... did to me… he'll bust me out of here… and then we will rule the WORLD!" Azula cried out as she focused her attention on the nurse.
"Princess Azula, nobody is going to bust you out of here, your father has lost his bending and now rots in prison." The nurse replied.
"NO! That's a lie… he probably… burned down the Earth Kingdom by now!" Azula started to struggle again and the guards got back to restraining her.
"Easy with her boys, we don't need her anymore damaged then she already is." The nurse said to the guards.
"I am not damaged!... I am Princess Azula… Favored daughter of Ozai and true heir to the throne!" Azula ranted off, tears ran down her cheeks. The nurse let out a heavy sigh it was going to be another long day with her patient.
There it is Chapter 1 of Book 4 Air my AU as always, I would love feedback good or bad I don't care just please review.