Title: Into the Dark
Author: Yumeko Dragonfly
Summary: The statue was supposed to remind people of the sacrifices that had to be made in order to end the war. It was also Iroh's personal way of holding on to his nephew.
Warnings: AU (changes most events as shown in the Sozin's comet arch), violence
Pairings: full package, everyone… You'll get bits of Zutara, Toko, Maiko, Kataang and of course the ever present Sukka in here. Which ones of these are fragments of the past? Which are one-sided, which will make it through to the end? Read and find out!
Disclaimer: The TV show "Avatar - The Last Airbender" does not belong to me, nor do its characters or anything related to the show. I make no profit out of this story, it is written merely for fun and entertainment of other fans.
Part: Prologue/?
A/N: At the start of the show, both Aang and Toph were 12 years old, Katara was 14, Sokka 15 and Zuko 16. As far as I know, a year has passed between the show's start and the finale. Since this story takes place ten years into the future, I'm going to assume the following ages: Aang and Toph are 23, Katara is 25, Sokka 26 and that would make Zuko 27.

Into the Dark
Prologue: White Marble

Blue and Green and Yellow and Red. The town square was a sea of colours, drifting around each other, mixing, swirling, dancing. Banners fluttered merrily in the breeze and benders from all the nations showed off their skill by performing artistic tricks.

"Woah, look at THAT!"

In the disance she could make out sparks, followed by a gush of flames. The fire shot into the air, where the sparks danced on a manipulated wind. Sand rose from the ground and was moulded into a beautiful goblet, which was enshrouded by the flames and molten to pure glass. Finally, water poured itself into the glass goblet. The whole construction rose into the air before it exploded into bright fireworks.

The crowd cheered for the bowing benders.

The air was heavy with delicious smells. National specialties from all four nations were being served, and most people could not resist a cup of the world's most famous brand of tea.

Laughter and cheers echoed through the whole city. People were dancing together on the streets regardless of their origins, just enjoying life and this day in particular. Everywhere she gazed, she could see peace and happiness.

Suki winced in sympathy as she noticed a beggar dressed in black rags being shoved beyond the city's gates. Well, maybe not exactly everywhere. There was still poverty and some cruelty left in the world, but it had become a much better place.

Ten years had passed since the war had been brought to an end, and everyone had worked hard to heal the world's scars. Finally, there was peace and the four nations had moved together again in companionship other than a desperate attempt to shield against an enemy. There was still some tension, especially towards the Fire Nation, but that, too, was already starting to ease. People were willing to forgive and forget in order to know peace once more. The Avatar and his friends had made sure to spread the tales of courage and honor shown by certain Fire Nation individuals, as well as the tales of corruption and misleading they had witnessed everywhere in the world. No nation was above bringing forth those individuals, and people were willing to give the Fire Nation a second chance. This was a new generation they were facing, a generation born after the war started, but raised to believe that it was meant to help the world. They, too, were willing to do their share in order to make things work out.

Sokka pulled his wife towards him, grinning. "Suki, you gotta check those showmen back there – they are pulling off some amazing metalbending!" He waved both arms excitedly in the general direction, then noticed what Suki was looking at. "Don't worry!" he murmured, lips brushing against her ear. "They probably slipped the guy some food. You know how picky Iroh and his staff can be even with the lowest ranking guard."

Suki grinned and kissed him. How much he had come to know her in the past few years still amazed her sometimes. Her Sokka had grown up to be a wonderful man without losing all of his foolishness, something for which she was incredibly glad. It meant he'd make a great father soon.

Laughing, she let herself be dragged towards the showmen, one hand placed tenderly on her already slightly swollen belly.

The men on stage were metalbenders alright, which meant they had been visiting Ba Sing Se's new bending school, where Toph Bei Fong taught both earth- and metalbending to those who needed guidance. Despite her youth there were major waiting lists for the courses she gave herself, and the school had been expanding rapidly. What had once been a small shelter for a handful of people who did not have any other way of learning – for they were either too poor or had been forbidden to do so like Toph – was now a huge complex of buildings with a variety of earthbending teachers; all of whom had been Toph's students a few years ago. The school had gained an incredible reputation over time, so that rich families considered it an honour for their children to be tested for potential and taught there. Toph made sure to keep the numbers of wealthy people even with those who weren't off that good. There were no school fees, but they managed perfectly fine due to donations from all over the world – many of those coming from the Fire Lord himself, though those were less official. Benders graduating from Invisibility – Toph had come up with that name herself, believing it to be oh so damn funny considering that she could not see her own institution – were able to get employment basically anywhere. In fact, Suki knew that Iroh himself employed quite a few earth- and metalbenders as architects of various sorts.

She joined the cheering and applauding as the benders finished their performance.

"So, my dearest husband, how about you go hunt some food for your starving wife?"

Sokka grinned, lifted her up a few inches and twirled her around, causing a lighthearted laugh to fall from her lips. They both had been infected by the joy of their upcoming parenthood as well as the happiness surrounding them. Life was treating them good and they made sure to enjoy it as much as they could. As they wandered through the city, people recognized them, clapped them on their shoulders and backs, shook their hands, and even ten years after the war they were still granted special prices at most booths. Sokka complained about food not being completely free under his breath but was silenced by a very loving elbow being shoved into his side.

"I can't wait to meet the others again!" he announced instead. "We haven't seen them in ages."

In fact, they had not seen them for almost a year. Each of them had things to do, places to be all the time, but not matter how busy they were, neither of their group would have ever missed the invitation to stay with the Fire Lord for a month after the festivities ended. So each year they could meet up no matter what else had kept them busy during the year.

Aang had made himself especially rare, so that he was the only one they really had only seen once each of the past ten years, but they could understand. There was a lot to do for him, after all.

After the war had ended he had started travelling the world for three years, only showing up for the annual holiday. When his search had proven fruitless, though, he had started working on the unique powers he as the Avatar possessed. He had started with his ability to block off people's bending skills completely, twisted it and invented a new technique for himself and future Avatar's; Mentoring he called it. It basically allowed him to replace a bender's natural element with any other one. However, it meant they had to start from scratch. Many children orphaned by the war had taken up that chance, though, grabbing the chance to start a new life. Aang had taught them airbending and helped them make a home in the Western Air Temple. They were not air nomads as Aang himself had known them, but he was positive they would form the fourth nation once more in their own way, thus ensuring the world's balance. Aang had yet to find a way to teach airbending to people from the Earth Kingdom, seeing as their natural element was the opposite of air. He was positive, however, that he would be able to work something out. Apart from that, he was also trying to be everywhere at once, for it seemed that all nations could still need the help of the Avatar. With everything.

Suki tried not to think about those three years of searching too much. They all knew what Aang had been looking for, and it was too painful a reminder of what their victory had cost them.

"Sokka! Suki!"

They glanced around until they noticed a young woman dressed in blue and white, standing on tiptoes and waving her arm excitedly. Sokka practically squeaked and dashed towards Katara, swooping her up in a giant hug, while Suki followed at a more moderate pace. Not that she wasn't happy to see Katara again, but she was rather worried about getting sick before she had even had something to eat. Morning sickness was just one of the many things she would somday hold against this child when it decided to act up with the strong spirit it was sure going to inherit from both it's parents.

"Sister!" Sokka roared and only put said woman down when she gave him a light slap.

Laughing, the two women hugged. Both Katara and Hakoda had made it easy for Suki to feel part of the family, and she knew she'd always be able to count on the waterbender to have her back in any argument with Sokka. Like the one they had six months ago about taking out the garbage. She wouldn't have won that one without Katara.

"It's so good to see you two again. I wish I could have visited Kyoshi Island more often." Katara beamed and looked at Suki's belly with unveiled curiosity and happiness. "Sokka mentioned you were expecting in his last letter. I can't wait to see my little nephew or niece! This is so wonderful. Congratulations!" And they hugged again. Suki just smiled patiently. She had gotten used to other women getting way gushier over her pregnancy than herself. It was fine. Besides, this was Katara. "Can I touch it?"

"No way. Sokka says there's not to be any fondling of his wife's belly until the baby starts kicking. The exact timing of that depends on whether it inherits it's fathers laziness."

Katara's face lit up with mirth. The waterbender had grown up nicely. She had found her purpose in travelling and lending a helping hand wherever she went. Sokka always said he wished his little sister would settle down, but then he'd scrunch up his face and mumble something about a Painted Lady, as though remember that was crucial. Obviously, Katara was more than happy to help people all over the world at her own leisure, and she had a good life, as far as Suki knew. She was famous and welcome in every nation, city and village. Katara would spend some months of the year training waterbenders, and apart from that she'd be wherever she felt she was currently needed, as a healer, adviser, ambassador, negotiator, teacher. She had taken a liking to sharing both her skills and her knowledge, so that Suki was positive one of these days Katara might just settle down with the single purpose of teaching.

Katara's eyes clouded over. "Have you guys been to the statues already?"

Sokka shook his head. "Nah. We figured we should all go there together. I mean… it's been ten years now." His arm went to rest around Suki's shoulders, pulling her close once more. He tried to hide the hint of sadness behind a carefree smile, but both women saw right through it. They knw how he felt. As much as they all enjoyed their lives and he annual celebrations, the event was also always tinged with sad memories.

"You don't know, then? Toph already arrived a few days ago, so she already paid her visit, and Aang won't be here until tomorrow. Iroh told me he got a letter from him. He's obviously found a new orphaned firebender who's eager to start a new life, so he wants to take the time to introduce him to the other airbenders and instruct him on the basics."

"My, he's really gotten something started there, huh? Last time I got an update they told me the count was up to three dozen."

Suki nodded. "We could ask one of the airbenders performing at the square later on."

"Good idea." Katara made a small, fluttering gesture. "Aang told me he's stopped actively searching for people with potential for now, though. He doesn't want to rush things, said it's more important to let them adapt to their new life, find some balance and everything. Besides, there are obviously some pregnancies and they all can't wait to see whether or not they're going to bring forth some natural airbenders. I couldn't agree more. I mean, the world is peaceful now, they've got all the time they need to adapt."

The news surprised Suki a little, but for a different reason. "So… you guys are getting along again? That's great!" It sounded a little forced even to her own ears. Katara did not seem to mind too much, though.

"Neither of us wanted to hold that particular grudge. We took some time to talk when I stayed at the Western Air Temple last year, so… things have been looking better, I guess."

It had been difficult for all of them. Despite their different tasks during the past ten years, both had thrown themselves into their relationship right after defeating Ozai, choosing to blatantly ignore the stain on both the victory as well as their feelings. It had not helped, though, and after a few years all the emotions they kept bottled up took over, resulting in a nasty break-up two years ago. Everyone had suffered with them. To see them pulling themselves together once more was nice, although Suki wasn't so sure herself where this could possibly lead. Were they going to make up sometime in the future? Or were they simply trying to re-establish their old bond of friendship?

Very confusing.

Suki wondered if them not wanting to hold that grudge had anything to do with what Toph had said at their lasting meeting about the way they acted towards each other.

"You're bringing shame on Sparky, you know?"

Well. It had shut them up alright and created a completely different kind of tension.

"We should go to the statues now and catch something to eat afterwards. I can't wait to see Iroh and Mai again tonight."

Suki and Sokka didn't say anything, but they followed Katara nonetheless. Climbing a huge flight of black marble stairs they reached a platform on a hill almost as high above the city as the palace. It was strange, gazing down from here. The colours stood out vividly even from the height, but the laughter and music did not reach their ears anymore. They could make out the performances of some benders, they could see dancing people. But the platform was very solitary and secluded, just as Iroh had wished it to be.

Two pedestals were located here. The one visitors could see immediately sported slightly larger than life statues of the victorious war heroes – Aang at the centre, Katara, Sokka, Suki and Toph slightly behind and next to him. All of them were striking battle poses, but the statues had happy, innocent smiles forever plastered on their faces. It was a beautiful piece of art, meant to remind all generations to come of good this group of friends had brought the world. There were identical statues located all over the four nations by now. It made Suki uneasy to see her younger self carved from stone for eternity, but at the same time it always warmed her heart to gaze upon the statue and appreciate the changes in her life that had taken place.

The platform was beautiful, made of marble with deep red railings, surrounded by trees and protected from curious gazes. Staying silent, they took a moment to bathe in the serene feeling it created, before they moved on, their hearts as heavy as they were every year when they finally made it up here.

On the other end of the platform stood a white marble statue. Sadness filled Suki's heart as she looked at the never changing features of one Prince Zuko. The marmoreal prince was standing tall and proud, facing east towards the sunrise. In one hand, outstretched towards people walking up to the statue, he held a copper brazier in which Iroh personally lit a flame each and every morning, while in the other hand, held close to his heart, he clutched the remains of some sort of crystal globe. Iroh had never bothered to explain that part of the statue to them.

The stone face was frozen in an expression of grim determination. The statue was supposed to remind people of the sacrifices that had to be made in order to end the war. It was also Iroh's personal way of holding on to his nephew.

The three of them bowed low before the statue before stepping forward, touching the pedestal and getting lost in their own thoughts for a while. When it was Suki's turn, she looked at white marble eyes and recalled golden irises filled with flames.

Hello there, Zuko. Another year has passed, making this the tenth anniversary of Ozai's defeat. Things are in motion, as usual. I'm with child, can you imagine? I can just see your reaction to that. You'd raise and eyebrow and ask me if I was out of my mind to make Sokka a father. But as I already told you, he changed. Grew up, sort of. As much as he can, anyway, and I think he'll do great. I think we'll manage just fine. It looks like Katara and Aang are finally getting back on the right track with each other. I can't wait to hear what's new with Toph and Iroh and Mai – I still wonder if she'll ever get over you. But this is not the time for such thoughts. Aang found a new boy for the new Air… well.. I don't think they have settled on a name yet. They are no nation, no kingdom, no tribe, but they are certainly not nomads. Well, I guess they'll come up with something over time. I'm sure Aang will tell you more details on that when he gets here. The Kyoshi Warriors are doing fine, too. Tay Lee has dedicated herself to teaching the youngsters. I'm really glad. She's good with the young ones and that way, she can introduce them to some of her more unique techniques early on. People keep asking me whether I want a boy or a girl. I don't think I have a preference, to be honest. I guess what I want most of all is to give birth to a child that can live without war and sorrow. I want him or her to enjoy everything we all fought so hard for to obtain. Everything you gave yourself for. I'll leave you to yourself again, Zuko. Stand watch for us, so that we may enjoy another year of peace and happiness. Oh, and sweets? I know I keep telling you each and every year, but since you'll never listen, let me just say again that you seriously need to do something about that hair.

Smiling, she stepped back from the statue and winked at his unchanging features. His hair was just as tousled and unkempt as it had been during all the time he had spent with the Gaang. Her eyes were dry, though they mirrored some leftover sadness. Suki wished she could tell Zuko all of this in person.

Sokka placed his arms over the shoulders of the two most important women in his life and led them away from the platform and down the stairs in absolute, bittersweet silence. Only when they reached the ground did he allow himself to speak.

"Let's grab some food and celebrate."

Suki chuckled. "I thought we'd never get around to that…"

She watched her husband rush off in the attempt to search the most delicious food for his pregnant wife, while she stayed behind and allowed Katara to link arms with her. After all these years, Suki did not need to look over to know there were unshed tears in the waterbender's eyes. So she just placed on hand on the dark-skinned one clutching her arm.

Some scars would always hurt from time to time. And maybe it was for the better. Because none of them ever wanted to forget.

What sacrifices were made in the battle against Ozai?
What happened to Zuko?
What happened between Aang and Katara... and how is Zuko connected to that?

Drop some reviews and you might just find out in the future chapters of "Into the Dark".
Thank you for reading!

Yours, Yumeko Dragonfly

PS: Before you ask whether or not I actually killed Zuko - I'd just like to make it known that he is my very favourite character. And I like to hurt my very favourite characters. Lots.