Brodie wrote something that's not Kataang!

And it's not oneshot!

------------Enjoy------------

Behind these Painted Masks


Chapter 1:


Paying Respects

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Spring was coming to the Earth Kingdom, baby animals were found all around the country, exploring new found lands and testing their new legs. The forests were alive, new buds filling the air with a fresh smell while small villages could be found on the outskirts, living off of the bounty of the forests. Some were prosperous, living in complete harmony with nature.

Others struggled keeping up to the rapidly changing world.

The town was tiny, merely a scab compared to the great city of Ba Sing Se. Normally it would go unnoticed, its resources were running low and the Rebels were finding entertainment by tormenting the city, not exactly the Tourist Destination of the Year.

The streets were empty, the moon high in the sky, loud laughs and obnoxious burps were coming from the town pub. The Rebels bullying the townsfolk into submission, the war had stopped a long time ago but Rebels still haunted the outskirts of the peaceful harmony that had fallen over the world.

Little did they know of the fog slowly rolling in, hiding the village from the moon and deepening every minute. It slithered across the ground, snaking it's way into any hole or under any door. The pub door was wide open and the fog rolled in barely visible in the harsh light of the inside.

"And then I burnt his arm off!" the guffaws were only made by the Fire Nation soldiers, the villagers were whispering to one and other, wary of the fog going unnoticed by the Fire Nation. After a few more minutes of talk of violence the soldiers found themselves alone in the bar.

"Com'on we should move on." said one before taking a last draining gulp of his ale, wiping his mouth and staining the once spotless armor.

"You won't be going anywhere." The voice echoed with the lights dimming th fog was the only source of light, seeming to create it's own glow.

"Who said that?" there were 4 soldiers, the tallest one seemed to be the leader, he lit a flame is his hand, squinting around to search for the voice

A figure emerged from the fog her robes billowing in the breeze, a bamboo hat with a veil covering most of her face, but her mouth and delicate paint on her lips and chin.She raised her head and through the veil they saw her piercing blue eyes, and the paint spiraling on her cheeks.

"And who might you be?"the General asked, still squinting drunkenly.

She smiled, the red paint a deep shade of blood, "The Painted Lady."

An explosion of water came through the windows knocking the soldiers unconscious. The Captain had shielded himself with fire, the steam hissed, and the fog grew larger, "You'll pay for that." he let lose a barrage of fireballs.

She merely smiled and raising her hand and the fog enveloped him, blinding him temporarily.

"WHERE ARE YOU?" he yelled smoke coming from his nostrils, he stumbled slightly, cursing the ale he had indulged on.

"Right here." the voice came from every angle, he could hear the water swirling around him, always at the edge of his eyesight. In his anger he spun around creating a ring of fire, relighting the room and causing him to sag against the wall clutching his head.

The fog didn't move and he stood panting.

He saw the mysterious lady with her burning blue eyes, she raised her hands commanding the water.

He had no time to breath.

The villagers entered later to find the soldiers unconscious and the Captain encase in a prison of ice, eyes still wide with shock.

"Katara! Where were you?" Sokka came out of the house arms crossed, hair still messing from sleep.

"Morning walk?" she suggested innocently, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

He huffed, "Like I haven't heard that one before. Did you forget what day it is?"

She gasped clapping her hands to her mouth, "Oh my god...I did..."

"That's what I thought, com'on we still haven't started." Katara nodded solemnly and followed her brother, clutching the pouch around her neck.

Today was the three-year anniversary of the defeat of the Fire Nation. It also marked the day Avatar Aang fell for the world.

Katara had stayed by his side even when he had passed to the Spirit World. He held him shaking him pray, hoping that he would open his eyes and smile.

All they had retrieved of him was the whistle. Katara kept it in her pocket at all times constantly handling the last memory of her friend. Aang's grave was in the Eastern Air Temple, Toph had built a giant staircase so people could walk from below to pay their respects, the temple had also been restored slightly, the stones replaced by the greatest Earthebenders while Katara had led a team of Waterbenders who cleaned the place.

Katara, Sokka and Toph were waiting for the others to arrive. Everyone who had the Avatar touch his or her life was there from Haru to Bumi to Foamy. All nations were accepted the war had proven that they needed each other to survive. Everyone was dressed in black, though Ty Lee's braid had pink ribbon woven into it.

Katara took the stand, "We are here to celebrate Avatar Aang. I knew him well we traveled the world together sharing everything, the good, the bad and the ugly. We will not forget him. He saved us. Let us pay our respects." Every stood silent each reliving their memories of Aang, his smile, his goofiness and most of all his kindness to every living, breathing thing.

"Lady Katara." Someone spoke from behind her, the man was tall and amber eyed. He looked like any citizen from the Fire Nation; his one feature that was identifiable was the scar covering his left eye.

"Fire Lord Zuko." She bowed, it had been 3 years since she had seen him last. His face was older and more mature but no significant changes were visible.

Before Zuko could speak again Sokka was attacking him with a noogie, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOGIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!"

"Sokka!" Zuko tried to remove the Water Tribe boy but Sokka just jumped off looking smug, Zuko attempted to flatten his now messy hair

"Nice to see you to Princy." Toph join the group instinctively grabbing Sokka's arm, smiling crookedly at the Prince.

Zuko bowed, "Chief Sokka, Lady Toph." they laughed at their official names, Sokka had been named leader of the South Pole while Toph had been granted the title by the Earth King.

Toph snorted showing that even after 3 years she still decided not to use 'Proper Etiquette', "Com'on we're all friends here."

Song began waving at Zuko, "I better go." he swept away, black robes fluttering slightly.

Sokka watched him walk away before turning to Katara, "What were you talking about?"

Katara crossed her arms, "Calm down Sokka, we were just talking."

"Sure, you were just 'talking'." Said Toph's sarcastic voice, eyebrows raised and smile in place.

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What's this? not Kataang...mutilchapterd???? WTF? TR2? What is WRONG with you?

Ummm I saw the Painted Lady and then..well this happened...