Sometimes I just post stuff.
The instant the crystal tent sealed, a score of Azula's pet Earthbenders leaped toward it, their fists punching forward in perfect synchrony.
Zuko lurched in front of them, his breath coming hard and fast, his fingers twitching in anticipation. His skin itched with annoyance at the agony of waiting. He'd come so close. The Avatar knew he was beaten, this had to be an Airbender tactic, stalling, frustrating his enemies even in defeat.
Refusing to do the honorable thing and surrender.
But it was only a matter of moments before the Earthbenders broke through the crystals, exposed the Avatar, and forced his surrender.
If only you could see this, Uncle. Why did you have to turn against –
He growled, shaking his head to clear his eyes. The wet obstruction glittered as it fell away, but he could not spare a glance for any distraction. He needed to focus on the Avatar, not his foolish uncle's mistakes.
The pale green crystals sat undisturbed in the silent cavern.
Zuko frowned, glancing to either side. The ranks of green-cloaked men stood at the climax of their move's execution, their stony faces contorted in concentration. Yet nothing was happening. They could be statues for all the good they were doing.
The nearest Earthbender muttered something and shook his head.
Zuko whirled on him, unable to restrain himself. He was this close to capturing the Avatar, so close he could almost taste home, and Azula's pets dared to hesitate?
"What's wrong with you? Why aren't you doing anything?"
The man scowled at him. "We are, sir."
"Then why isn't anything happening?" Zuko roared. A wild spurt of flame accompanied his words.
The man's eyebrows drew down as he grimaced. "The rocks, the crystals, none of them are answering us, sir. The Avatar is countering our efforts."
Zuko stared. Was this man serious?
"You are the best Earthbenders in the world, he's trapped in your element and there are sixty of you, how can't you –"
A deep chime brushed Zuko's words away as he might a cobweb.
Staggering, the Earthbenders backed away, expressions anxious and alert. Some were sweating, others blinking, all retreating. Concern flickered across Zuko's thoughts as he turned slowly back toward the tent.
His heart dropped into his stomach.
The Avatar's crystal chamber was glowing.
Within his crystalline fastness, Aang reached into the earth, inhaling deeply. For the briefest moment he smiled, pleased to find that the earth breathed with him. Who knew that the land itself was alive, that it welcomed him with a snug embrace? Toph, of course — but her sense was something else entirely.
He paused for a moment.
Then he pushed outward, becoming one with the rock, with the entire cavern.
Farther.
No fear. This is by choice. His choice. The memory of a hundred Earth Kingdom warriors tumbling through the air lashes his mind's eye, but he had no control then.
In. Out.
Katara's burned hands squeeze his heart and he shudders, but he will tame this power. He is what he is, and he can be no less. Thousands of faces, young and old, all long dead, watch him accept his burden, his duty, hisidentity.
In. Out.
He is the Avatar. Never again will he hide from himself, from the world. He will bring balance to this divided world. He will make it one, show the world the truth, prove to them that there can be peace, and love, and power without hatred.
In.
They're alone in the skies, best friends, the only two Airbenders left in the world –
She nods in approval, pale eyes unseeing, and he knows that not even Bumi could teach him half as much –
An arm over his shoulder, boomerang in hand, conspiratorial whispers as they plan yet another brilliant prank –
A tentative touch as their final torch dies, hesitant and light, but enough to send a thrill through his being –
But he has rid himself of lies. He has seen through all illusions. Having done that, he knows what he must do. The universe has no attachments, no obligations, only eternity. These times…every last one…he cannot keep them. He cannot keep any of them.
Her hopeful smile.
Out.
Stars circle slowly around him.
A great figure rises before him. He recognizes it – it's him, but it is also so much more. It makes him feel transparent. As if he were immaterial.
Stepping forward, he enters its cupped hands, where a sphere of twisting violet light promises him power –
The elements are his to command. The unimaginable quantity of energy would obliterate his mortal form, but he has already transcended that small body. He is the world – no, he is the universe, and as he gazes down upon the great sphere below him, he understands that there is one final step.
A tiny thought, an image, remains. Dark hair and skin, and concerned sapphire eyes. Concerned for him, for what this will do to him.
All the memories, and a name.
Katara…
Then he absorbs the cosmos into him, and her face disappears.
Forgive me.
His eyes open.
A pillar of light blasted out of the crystals, screaming toward the cavernous roof.
Shards the size of eel hounds slammed into the Earthbenders' ranks, crushing several. The shockwave flung the rest as if they weighed nothing, slamming them into the cavern's walls with enough force to crack the rock.
Zuko stumbled backward, ducking into the storm. A crystal that would have decapitated him screamed over his crouched form. He narrowed his eyes, lifting his arms in anticipation, but his sparks dissipated in the whirlwind.
That couldn't have been the Earthbenders' attack – they wouldn't commit to something so destructive, not even on Azula's orders. After all, they'd probably joined Azula out of a desire to survive.
And if not them…
From the center of the explosion, the Avatar rose into the air.
Light poured from – no, poured through his small frame. The glow of his tattoos forced Zuko to squint. Even the brilliant natural light of the crystals seemed dead and empty in the face of such intense luminosity. It would have been no brighter had a star descended into the cave.
Between his palms, raw energy swirled in an endless raging cycle. It was all of the elements, and none of them, and more than them. Colors that Zuko hadn't known existed seared the air, winking in and out of existence around the Avatar.
And his eyes…
Zuko's heart crawled into his throat.
This…no…this is…
The Earthbenders lay where they had fallen, watching with wide eyes and shivering limbs. Zuko read their reaction and swore. Azula's spell was broken – she could torture them all she wanted before they would even dream of attacking that.
He couldn't blame them. Even he, Prince of the Fire Nation, the Avatar's hunter…
This…this is what Father fears.