90 Years After the End of the War

Fire Lord Zuko managed to keep the Fire Nation peaceful and under his control. He married Mei who gave birth to a son, Yori. After forty years of Zuko's rule, Uncle Iroh died peacefully of old age. The devastation of Iroh's demise caused Zuko to feel he could no longer rule without Uncle Iroh's assistance; he was afraid he might astray from his path. With this, he gave he throne to Yori, who continued to rule with Zuko's peaceful ideals. Zuko and Mei faked their own deaths and fled the Fire Nation. Zuko continued his uncle's legacy and became the new leader of the Order of the While Lotus. The While Lotus went on multiple, difficult missions to keep peace in the world.

Yori's son, Arata, carried on the family's newly founded ideals. However, Susumu, Arata's son, thought differently. After stumbling upon some of his great great grandfather's mission plans he noticed the 'true power' of the Fire Nation. There, he agreed to put Ozai's plans into action once he inherited the throne.

Sokka and Suki happily joined in marriage a few years after the end of the war. Alongside his father, Sokka joined the Southern Water Tribe Warriors. Suki rejoined the Kyoshi Warriors. The couple frequently visited both of their abodes and spent the rest of their time traveling and aiding in efforts for peace. After successful lives, and raising two children, Sokka and Suki settled on Kyoshi Island where they spent the rest of their days.

Katara and Aang's path was not an easy one to trace; they traveled around the world frequently. The couple's love affairs were unknown, and the matter of children is questionable.

Toph aided all of her friends in times of trouble, and reunited with her parents.

Ten Years Later

Katie continued to stare at the same pebble. All of her energy was focused on the round, little rock.

"Why won't you move?" Katie screamed. Vigorously, Katie picked up the pebble and threw it into the lake, skipping it a few times. The young girl attempted to earthbend all day; however, no rocks moved.

Katie ogled at the glistening water. Sunsets beautifully lowered over the horizon of Ren Lake, making the water sparkle and shimmer. This reason alone made Katie return to the lake everyday That, and it gave her determination to continue earthbending.

"Why can't I earthbend?" Katie questioned aloud. "Katsu could bend at my age! Should it be this hard?" Angered, Katie grabbed another stone and threw it in the water, watching it ripple.

Katsu, Katie's older brother, discovered his ability to earthbend when he was a mere ten-year old. He progressed very quickly, and became a master at the age of fourteen. Now, Katie believed Katsu served in Ba Sing Se, ready for any kind of war.

Katie stared into the horizon, wondering where it led. Her mind flashed to Katsu and the time they had spent together before he left for war. Katsu had briefly shown Katie the basics of earthbending before leaving for Ba Sing Se.I have to remember what Katsu taught me.

"Enter into your horse stance." Katie stood up from her peering and spread her knees apart, squating. "Earthbending calls for you to be tough, like a rock. You must be solid, and unmovable."

Katie focused on a somewhat large rock in front of her. As she prepared mentally, Katie imagined herself tough and impenetrable; she now possessed the characteristics of rock. With a large step, Katie moved toward the rock, preparing her punch. Katie's arm extended, her fist nearly touching the rock. Suddenly, the rock flew towards the water, but only a few feet away from where it just sat.

"The rock moved!" Katie screamed. She couldn't believe her own eyes. "How did this happen?"

Katie wanted to ensure she wasn't dreaming, so she practiced her bending multiple times; every attempt was a success.

When Katie arrived home, she quickly bolted into the kitchen to share the good news.

"Mom! Mom! I did it! I moved rock!" Katie announced happily. "I am an earthbender!"

Instantly, her mother's expression turned to shock. Her eyes rolled back, and she fell to the floor.

"Kyrii, are you okay?" Katie's father asked as she picked her off the floor, and carried her to a nearby chair.

"Mom, what happened?" Katie questioned.

Takeshi, Katie's dad, went to the kitchen and retrieved a bowl of white rice.

"Kyrii, eat this. It should help" Takeshi commanded.

"Thanks, Takeshi. Don't worry, Katie. I'll be okay," Kyrii reassured.

In all the quandary, Katie forgot to mention her new ability to her father.

"Dad, I'm an earthbender now! I moved a rock out by the lake," Katie proclaimed.

"What? Katie, what were you thinking? Don't you know that's dangerous?" Takeshi scolded.

"Why aren't you happy for me?" Katie accused. "Earthbending isn't exactly an easy thing to do!"

"Katie, calm down. We are happy for you, but earthbending isn't really safe right now," Kyrii said. Kyrii was always concerned for Katie's well-being.

"What do you mean? What's so bad about it?" Katie asked, perplexed.

"Absolutely nothing, dear."

"Kyrii, I think it's time we told her the truth," Takeshi explained. Takeshi looked to his wife and peered directly into her eyes. His gaze was full of worry and concern. Kyrii was surprised at Takeshi's show of emotion; generally, she was the one aware of her feelings and he was stiff, like a board.

"I suppose you're right. We can't hide secrets any longer, or she'll risk being in jeopardy herself," Kyrii agreed.

"What's going on? What haven't you told me?" indicted Katie. A million question now entered her thoughts: What had they been hiding? Is there something wrong with earthbending?

"We'll explain everything, Katie," Kyrii assured. "Just promise me that you won't add comments and save your questions to the end."

"But, but," Katie barely managed to speak.

"No buts! Now promise me!"

"Okay. I promise."

"Good, now where should we start, Takeshi?" Kyrii asked. Takeshi now stood behind Kyrii, their right hands holding one another's. Takeshi's hand now massaged his wife's shoulder.

"With the avatar's death," answered Takeshi, solemnly.

"You tell it," Kyrii ordered, a tear rolling down her cheek. Her hand tightened around Takeshi's.

"Okay, I will. Katie, this isn't an easy story to tell," Takeshi explained. "Avatar Aang made a large impact. He not only stopped Fire Lord Ozai, Aang united the three nations and brought harmony to the world."

"I know all of that!"

"I understand, Katie. Be patient," Takeshi ordered. "Ten years ago, before your birth, Aang was in a very fragile state; he had lost Katara. The world mourned for a long time, for Katara was like the Avatar's other half; she served in the war and helped with Aang's efforts for peace. No one expected what occurred next."

"Well, what happened?" Katie questioned. Takeshi's grip tightened.

"Susumu, the current Fire Lord, felt Katara's death the opportune moment to end the Avatar's life. Susumu wanted to restore honor to Ozai's ideals; he wanted everyone to feel the endless power of the Fire Nation. When the time of their duel came, Aang didn't resist, but was empty and lonely from Katara's demise. Some say he gave up all hope; he simply kneeled over and begged Susumu to finish him. However, not everyone believes this; Aang was the Avatar, after all. Avatars are known for their courage and strength, even in the hardest of times."

"Did Susumu kill him?"

"Yes." Kyrii starred at Katie who was rather frightened.

"Aang was valiant and courageous, but he knew his time was ending, and with Katara gone, there was not much to live for. Easily, Aang could've ended Susumu's life if he entered the avatar state, but he knew the dangers of being killed and completely destroying the avatar cycle. A future Avatar would have to conclude Aang's work."

"What did Susumu do? Did he find the next avatar?"

"That news is still unknown to our small village. Although, we know Susumu is keeping close tabs on the Water Tribes. After he killed Aang, Susumu began attacking with the portion of the army that had sworn allegiance to him. Those that resisted were instantly captured or destroyed. Susumu's forces have expanded greatly over the last decade; he now controls the majority of small villages, both water tribes, and Omashu. Ba Sing Se still stands strong, like it did a century ago."

"Why is this important? It shouldn't effect my earthbending!"

"It effects it far greater than you think, Katie," Kyrii interrupted. "The Fire Nation captures any person seen or heard of earthbending. Once caught, the culprit is immediately taken to a disclosed location. No one knows where or what happens in these 'camps.'"

"That's why Katsu went to help in the war, isn't it? He wants to help the other earthbenders!" Katie assumed.

"No. Not quite. Although Katsu was a talented earthbender, he made a foolish mistake," Takeshi mumbled, a sound of disappointment under his breath. "Last year, Katsu recklessly earthbended, and was taken to a camp. This event has caused your mother's recent sadness; it's a hard fact to bare, but the war has returned, and it's more unbearable than before."

Katie glanced between her parents' expressions. They were full of concern, anger, and hope. Kyrii wiped a tear beneath her eye and placed the empty rice bowl on the table.

"Takeshi, a word in private please," Kyrii commanded. Instantly, she rose from her seat, and entered the kitchen.

"Katie, stay here." Katie was usually obedient; she let her parents alone and amused herself. Katie often found fun in random things like crates and spoons. Today, Katie's curiosity outweighed her amusement; she quietly crept along the kitchen's edge, her ears wide open.

"Takeshi, we can't let her earthbend! I've already lost one child to the Fire Nation, and I won't lose another," Kyrii worried.

"Relax, Kyrii. Katie seems different; she's not as foolish as Katsu."

"That I agree with, but we can't take the risk. Katie means a lot to both of us."

"Let me show her the scroll. If things get too out of control, you can call everything off," Takeshi reassured.

"Fine, but one mishap, and she'll never earthbend again!"

Katie gulped. She didn't like these words. After she just discovered her new ability, her parents wouldn't allow her to use it?

"Katie, get up!" Takeshi yelled. "Follow me." Katie stood, following her father out the door. Takeshi approached the base of a large pine tree. Quickly, he checked his surroundings. Katie watched intently while he entered his horse stance. After a few bending moves, like nothing Katie had seen before, a small chest rose beneath the ground.

"Father, you can earthbend?"

"I only know the basics, nothing more. However, you can learn century's old techniques with this scroll, and one day, become a master."

A gleeful look instantly emerged on Katie's face.

"Let me see! Let me see!" Katie pleaded eagerly.

"In a moment. Katie, no one may learn of this scroll. When Susumu began his raid, he destroyed any artifacts that promoted the interest of other types of bending besides fire. Luckily, he didn't get his hands on this scroll. Come, let's move back inside."

Takeshi bended the rock back into the ground, and moved into the living room. He opened the chest to reveal an old, aged document. Carefully, he unraveled it. Upon it were diagrams showing how to complete difficult, complicated moves.

"Katie, I want you to take this scroll and study it. Once you've memorized the footwork and arm positions, find a secret location to practice on real rock. No one is loyal or trustworthy anymore, so be careful. If even one person sees you earthbending they are likely to report it. Understand?"

"Yes, Sir," Katie agreed. "Don't worry! I'll be really really careful!" Katie leaned in towards the scroll and began studying the moves.

"Just don't make the same mistakes as Katsu, Katie," Kyrii suggested while entering the room.

"Don't worry, mom! I'll be different," Katie smiled. She could hardly contain her excitement.

"I hope so. I really do."

Five Years Later

Katie, now a teenager, laid with her back lying on sand. Ren Lake's sunset still shined the brightest. Katie examined the scrolls diagrams in her head; she could perform all of them perfectly.

"Why doesn't dad have any more scrolls?" Katie groaned. "These moves are old and easy!" Katie climbed to her feet. Once again, she earthbended quickly and beautifully.

Her earthbending was interrupted by a twig snapping in two. Katie turned around, startled. Using her instincts, she bended a rock in the direction of the noise.

"AAHHH!" an old man screamed. "What are you doing?" It was Mr. Jurou.

"I'm so sorry, sir," Katie apologized. She moved towards the man to help him up.

"No! Stay away from me!" he ordered. "You're an earthbender! You're not safe! Stay away!" The old man scrambled to his feet and ran from Katie. He was heading towards the city.

"Mr. Jurou! Please! Just wait! I can explain." It was useless. He was on his way to the village.

Quickly, Katie sprinted home.

"Mom! Dad!" Katie yelled.

"What is it, Katie?" Takeshi questioned.

"There was someone at the lake! He saw me earthbend! I accidently threw a rock towards him."

"What? Katie!" Kyrii scolded.

"I have to get out of here," Katie ran to her room to pack. "Before they come. I don't want to be taken away."