Fan Fiction

It had been five years, five years since Ozai had been defeated and balance had been brought back into their world. Five long years of rebuilding the shattered lives of many who had suffered greatly under his rule. The cool southerly breeze slapped his face gently as he sniffed the crisp morning air and watched the sun rise from the east, the boy now a grown man had long flowing hair, thin cheeks and a familiar scar over his right eye, a scar that was his bane and freedom from the clutches of his father.

'What are doing this early up?' said the voice with a familiar monotone. 'It's too early to be helping others rebuild, I'm sure all of them are still asleep.'

'Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you too,' he replied scratching his head. 'I just needed some time to think.'

'Zuko, you've been "thinking" for the past three days,' she said in the same monotonous voice. 'You're not having second thoughts about the celebration tomorrow are you?'

'No, no, of course not,' he said quickly. 'It's just its hard to believe that five years ago, I was banished never to see my home again. Now I am Firelord, a privilege and an honor I cannot agree to. I can't lead these people to salvation. I can't help but feel useless every time I see someone bow down to me even though I tell them not to.'

'You're the Firelord, a being of royalty and respect. You were the one who brought peace to this nation and equality. You just don't understand that because you spent most of your life cast down.'

'I have to visit the Southern Water Tribe,' he said suddenly.

'Why?'

'I have to talk to Aang. There's something I want to discuss with him.'

'Sure, whatever,' she sighed. 'It's not like it's boring here anyway.'

'Sorry, I'll be back before sundown I promise.'

On the opposite end of the world another young man felt the cool wind hit his face. Watching the Great Ocean and beyond he remembered when he had first met Katara and instantly fell in love with her, he also remembered the first time he met Zuko and the others, it seemed too long ago. The Southern Water Tribe was returning to its once former glory, many from the Northern Water Tribe had migrated here, Master Pakku became a well known bender and teacher and supplies from the Fire Nation under Firelord Zukos permission himself were brought on a daily basis.

'Aang,' said a familiar voice from behind him. 'C'mon Aang, Appa spat on me again, if he's not gonna help with the building at least keep him away from the kids.'

He pointed to a group of Southern Water Tribe children who were sledding down Appas tail.

'They look happy to me Sokka,' he said questionably.

'Exactly, I wanted to be with Suki this week and since I'm not happy they can't be either.'

Aang smiled. 'Of course. I should have known you'd say something about her sooner or later.'

'Hey I want to help rebuild our tribe as much as the next guy but I also want to have some me time.'

'I'm going that way this afternoon anyway, what if I dropped you off on Kyoshi Island on the way.'

Sokkas face lit up in that same familiar way as it had before when he was happy. 'You mean you'll take me there today?'

'Why not,' he jumped and landed next to him gently as a feather.

'Wait, where are you going anyway?'

'Thought I'd head for Ba Sing Se, see what Toph is up to.'

'Come to think of it I haven't seen Toph in a long time either,' said Sokka rubbing the small amount of stubble visible on his chin. 'What say we pick up Suki and head for Ba Sing Se together? I bet it would be great for her to see us again too.'

'But she can't see,' Aang smiled at him.

'You know what I mean,' he said furiously. 'What do you say huh?'

'Sure thing, I don't mind. Where's Katara anyway?'

'Somewhere with Grampakku and dad,' he replied.

'Oh alright,' he bowed his head. 'I was just wondering if she wanted to come with us, but if she's busy.'

For the last week Katara had been distant from Aang, always making up excuses wherever she could to avoid seeing him. He wondered what had happened to make her like this.

'She didn't mention me did she,' he said quickly.

'Nope, not that I know of,' said Sokka just as quickly not thinking at what he was saying. 'I uh mean yeah sure loads of times.'

'It's ok Sokka,' he replied to which Sokka gave a huge sigh of relief.

He had noticed her teaching waterbending to the young tribe members, her radiant beauty, her "loopy curls" as Sokka had put it and the motherly wisdom she gave everyone branding her the Matriarch of the Southern Water Tribe which she hated and adored at the same time. He began walking towards her when he was hit by what felt like warm slimy gunk.

'Hey Appa how you doin' buddy?' Aang replied to Appas affectionate lick. 'I'll be right back.'

He made his way past a group of young waterbenders playing Kuai Ball but with a twist, controlling the ball with their waterbending and maneuvering it into loops and what not.

'That's really great, keep it up and you'll soon become a master,' said Aang positively to the kids.

'Lunch time, you all better get home,' said Katara in that same motherly voice appearing from a tent.

'Oh c'mon Katara, one more round and that's it we promise,' said the youngest of the group.

'Nope, now Mr.,' she pointed her finger towards the huts.

'All right, all right,' he replied as they began making their way to their homes.

'And you wonder why they call you the Matriarch of this village,' said Aang with a big smile on his face.

'Oh hello Aang,' she said not smiling or laughing at his joke. 'Well gotta go, lots to do.'

'Katara wait,' said Aang firmly. 'I have to know what's going on. Why have you been avoiding me for the past week?'

'Can we talk later,' she replied not meeting him in the eyes.

'Yeah, sure why not,' he sulked.

It had already been midday; everyone was tired from working right through the previous night. Aang felt a sense of guilt and helplessness for every time he had tried to help, he was shunned away by the other tribe members who would say things like, "You're the Avatar, don't burden yourself with this," or, "it's ok everything's under control."

He had been really frustrated and wondered whether Katara wasn't the only one ignoring him. Angry, hurt and confused he thought without delay he would head for Ba Sing Se at that very moment until he heard one of the tribe members yell, "royal Fire Nation ship."

Zuko, here? He thought raising his confusion a little more. What could he want?

Most of the tribe members had kept their distance as if it could attack at any second. Zuko couldn't blame them; a hundred years of war could leave people cautious. He emerged as the bay doors opened with a loud creak and put his first foot in the snow. He had forgotten it was snow as it sank up to his ankle.

'Zuko?' Aang glided in front of him. 'What're you doing here?'

'There is something I want to discuss with you,' he said quietly.

All the others had not returned back to their work, they had been interested in what the Firelord was about to say.

Aang turned around to notice. 'Do you mind?' he said hotly.

Everyone returned to what they were doing.

'You seem a bit upset. Did I come at a bad time?' replied zuko sensing the anger in his voice.

'No, it's just that, well you could have sent a messenger bird or something instead of coming all the way here.'

'It's important; I had to come to see you in person.'

Before he could begin he was interrupted by Sokka. 'Hey it's Zuko,' he said loudly, 'How you doin old buddy?'

'Zuko,' he heard that familiar voice as he was embraced in a tight hug. 'Wow it's really you.'

'Hey Katara,' he replied welcoming her warmth, but pulled back as soon as he noticed the look on Aang. 'It's been a long time.'

'It sure has,' he replied scratching his head.

'Come on you've gotta come inside. Everyone's sitting down to eat.'

'No thanks,' he said quickly. 'I came to talk to Aang, it's important.'

'Hey anything you gotta tell Aang,' began Sokka, as he put his arm over Zukos shoulders, 'you gotta tell us, right Katara?'

'Right Zuko, we're a team. We should stick together.'

'Yeah right,' Aang mumbled.

'Ok,' Zuko agreed.

'After lunch,' replied Sokka.

The group sat together in an empty tent farthest away from everyone else's as they dug into their fish soup. After their third and Sokkas tenth helping they relaxed and listened to what Zuko had to say.

'It's been five years since the war ended,' he began, 'but peace is still far from our reach.'

He revealed a map tucked away in his right pocket. It was the map of a small island south of the Fire Nation and northeast of the Southern Air Temple.

'What is that?' said Katara.

'It's Shoudou Island, not far from here.'

'What's so special about it?' said Sokka, picking his teeth with a fish bone.

'When the war ended and I was crowned Firelord, many didn't agree with it. Some were generals in the war council my father ruled.'

'And?' said Aang, knowing what he was about to say.

'A group of them with a handful of fire nation soldiers ran to Shoudou Island. They're building an army. Big enough to start another war. They've already begun recruiting.'

'A hundred years of serving a great big psycho maniac will do that to ya,' Sokka replied.

'Sokka this is serious,' said Katara. 'People are still recovering from the first one; a second one could devastate this world again.'

'Sokka is right,' said Zuko, his scarred eye twitching. 'They believed my father and his father's before him, their war was just and true. None of them have known peace, ever. They want Aang gone, and a new Fire Nation to arise.'

'Who is leading them? Surely a group of Generals would squabble over who is the greatest to rule their army,' said Aang.

'They already have. General Shinnoh a man I knew during the war council. He's leading them along with General Kuan-Ti.'

'How many men are we talking about here Zuko?'

'Over five hundred.'

'What?' Replied Sokka trying to contain his food. 'You didn't see this at all?'

'I didn't care, some old men trying to regain their honor I thought it was a stupid plan that they wouldn't succeed.'

'Yeah fortunately, you were wrong bud,' said Sokka pointing Zukos chest.