momentous: an event of great importance or consequence, especially when considering the future

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It was Eclipse Day, the anniversary of the failed invasion. There was a ceremony at the Fire Nation Capitol- a memorial for those who had fought and died in both sides at that spot exactly ten years earlier.

After the service, with stirring speeches from those who had been there and those who had lost loved ones, a familiar flying bison soared out over the bay. With the shore far over the horizon and no land in sight, he touched down. In his saddle were Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko.

"This is near the place," said Sokka, standing up. "This is our approximate location when we resurfaced for air.

"Why did you fly us out here?" Toph demanding, waving her arms in frustration. "Everything I'm able to see is here on Appa's saddle!"

"Because, I have an important announcement," Sokka said, closing his eyes and raising a finger proudly.

"Actually, there's something I'd like to share, too," said Aang, also rising. This was an impressive move on his part. In ten years, he'd grown a fair bit, surpassing both Sokka and Zuko. He was a much more imposing Avatar now.

Sokka scoffed and waved him off. "Please, Aang, I'm pretty sure you'll want to hear mine first. I have decided..." he paused for dramatic effect. "To run for representative of the Southern Water Tribe on the United Republic Council!"

Toph and Katara both laughed. "What's so funny?" Sokka asked lamely.

"You?" Toph demanded. "A politician?"

"I'm plenty qualified," said Sokka. "Ten years ago, would you have pegged yourself for the teacher type?"

Toph smirked. "Suppose not."

"And now you run a school," Sokka said. "I've always had strong leadership instincts. I think I'm ready."

"It's your life," said Toph. "Personally, I couldn't stand a city government job."

"A life of politics isn't an easy one, Sokka," Zuko advised. "In the Fire Nation, not many choose it who aren't born to it. You've seen me struggle to do the right thing in the eyes of my nation and the world these past ten years."

"I know," said Sokka. "But I'm willing to try."

"Speaking of decisions that can affect your entire life," said Aang, "I'd like to make my announcement now."

He reached behind him into the folds of his sash.

And he withdrew a necklace.

"Katara?" he asked.

"Is that-?" started Sokka

"No way," said Zuko

"What?" asked Toph, angrily.

"A... betrothal necklace?" asked Katara, rising to her feet in an instant.

"Well, we've already been together ten years," said Aang. "What's the rest of our lives?"

Katara seemed too shocked and giddy to speak or even take the necklace. "Stunned silence is a 'yes', right?" asked Toph, also standing and elbowing Katara in the shoulder.

"It is," said Katara, hurriedly. "I mean, it's not- but- ah- what I mean is."

"She's trying to say it," said Zuko, laughing.

"Yes!" Katara said, throwing her arms around her fiancé's neck and hugging him tight. As she did, she inadvertently knocked the necklace from Aang's hands and it fell onto Appa's saddle.

Zuko instinctively reached out for it, and made to hand it back to her, but she hadn't noticed it had dropped as she was kissing Aang passionately.

Something stirred in the pit of Zuko's stomach. Was it envy? No, he was happy for his friends. The only affection he'd had for Katara was short-lived, a few agonizing hours he'd spent mostly doped on pain medication. Katara was not a girl Zuko could envision himself with.

But that night, high up in the Fire Nation Palace, Zuko tried in vain to fall asleep. He tried not to envision Katara throwing herself into his arms.

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