Pieces of a Puzzle
Disclaimer/Foreword: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any way. I have tried hard to remain as true to the ATLA universe as possible (including insight given by the creators themselves in interviews), while also being creative. I hope you enjoy!
Also, please do let me know in your reviews if this seems realistic enough to the series!
Prologue
I gotta get up… help Katara…
Zuko groaned as he lay dazed and wounded in the center of the arena. The massive burn Azula's lightning left on his chest scorched like a thousand suns. He had witnessed Azula, in her crazed frenzy, sending Katara running for cover. He tossed and turned, trying to keep his eye on her while ignoring his searing pain.
Katara finally dashed towards him, only to rush away from a bolt of Azula's lightning that narrowly missed her.
"I'd really rather our family physician look after little Zuzu, if you don't mind," sneered Azula.
Katara ducked behind the columns of a nearby temple. Azula relentlessly pounded her with fire and lightning, stopping only for a few seconds.
"Zuzu, you don't look so good!" Azula taunted, with a pure menace that shook Zuko spine. Even after all his experience with his sister, she continually found new ways to really haunt him. Maybe that's just another reason why he constantly struggled with feelings of inferiority to her.
Zuko shut eyes, waiting for Azula to finish him off.
It didn't come.
What is she-?
Katara ran further away, and Azula pursued her by flying on fire.
After a few confusing seconds, Zuko reached his arm out. Come… on…
His arm fell to the ground, followed shortly by his head.
His chest continued to burn. He felt himself fading…
He had absolutely no idea if Katara could handle Azula alone. Had his sacrifice been in vain?
No, it couldn't have been. It couldn't end. Not like this.
"Zuko…."
Zuko looked up. That voice… he knew it. It was faint, but he would have recognized it anywhere and anytime. Could it really be…?
"M-mom?" he asked hoarsely.
A beautiful woman stood up. She looked so much like Azula, and yet her face was so much kinder, so much gentler. She smiled.
"Hang in there, Zuko. You will make it through this, I know it. Don't be afraid, my son, my sweet boy."
She blew him a kiss and reached out her hand.
"Mom!" called Zuko desperately. He reached out for her…
"There you are, you filthy peasant!"
Ursa vanished as Azula's triumphant call rang out. Zuko collapsed yet again. He couldn't believe he had fallen for a hallucination.
Guess injuries to the head aren't the only things that'll give me delusions…
Suddenly, silence swooped over Azula and Katara's battle area. Zuko hung his head. He had no idea what would happen.
Then, there was a huge sloshing sound, followed by Azula growling.
Zuko heard footsteps, and someone quickly turned around his body; he was relieved to see it was Katara.
Katara spread her hands over Zuko's chest, and soothed his burns with her soft healing water.
Zuko sighed in relief. He looked up at Katara with a faint smile.
"Thank you, Katara," he whispered softly.
Katara smiled and hung her head. She looked back up at him and blinked through her happy tears. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she replied gratefully.
She offered him her hands and helped him back to his feet. No sooner had she done so than they turned at the sound of angry panting.
It was Azula. She struggling against her chains and breathing blue fire like a furious dragon.
A few seconds later, she lay spiraled on the ground, screaming and crying.
Zuko reeled back, but was quickly caught by Katara, who put one hand on his back and the other on his arm. She squeezed his arm gently as he solemnly watched the formerly magnificent princess, his little sister, descend into madness and despair.
Katara, pained and horrified, turned away, her arm remaining on Zuko's for comfort. His gaze remained locked on Azula until she finally passed out.
