Chapter One: The South
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then the Fire Nation attacked, and everything changed.
We of the Southern Water Tribe did not have a fortress like our brethren in the North did. So we sent word to our brothers, asking for help. And for all that they still regarded us as a colony of theirs, for all the taxes we paid and warriors we sent when they had need, they abandoned us. And the Earth Kingdom, our trade partners, could barely defend themselves, let alone send aid to a nation at the end of the world.
So we fought alone.
Though water outs fire, fire melts ice. And so it was that the great city of the South was melted, and its children sent back to La- only those from the smaller villages survived the first wave. But years of starvation and brutal raids followed, our benders stolen and our warriors and their families killed- our culture desecrated, until the Fire Nation regarded us as less than spoiled chum in their fish tea. In a last ditch effort to put an end to the war, my father and the rest of the South's men headed north two years ago, leaving my brother and I to watch over the remaining few of our tribe.
Sometimes, Gran-Gran told stories of the time before the war. She spoke of booming trade and plentiful food and airbenders and the avatar- the master of all four elements; the only one who could restore balance to the world. But she has lost hope.
I still believe that the avatar will return and bring balance to the world.
I also believe that the South will have starved to death long before he does.
Summary: In which Katara is not the hopeful girl from the Southern Water Tribe whose heart shows on her shirtsleeves. Or: Cynical!Katara AU, because losing a parent is hard enough, and having the whole tribe know that your mother took your place in Koh's ledger is harder- and those rose-tinted shades of yours were shattered. Trigger Warnings apply.
Words: 290. Posted: 1/03/17.