AN: As I read over the first chapter, I realized that our beloved ATLA characters may seem a little out of character, but you, and I, have to realize that it is because they've grown up during peaceful times. There's been no war, only small colonies being produced by the Fire Nation, so everyone has the leisure to pursue the lives they desire.
Obviously, Sokka and Katara's parents are both alive and well, living in the Northern Water Tribe. Kanna, their Gran-Gran, never left the Northern Water Tribe, and instead stayed and married Pakku. So, now Katara is related to her old sensei! Exciting, right? And Sokka gets to be with Yue from the get go. Ah, so romantic.
As for Zuko, he's grown up being the perfect son for Ozai, since he's never had to deal with the serious, for-real war that our real Zuko had to deal with. Azula likes her brother in this particular universe I've created, and she's well aware of what a good ruler he'd become. As to what Ursa's doing and where she is, I won't say. Just read and enjoy!
Amicable Adversary
THE EXCITEMENT WAS thick in the air and many voices chattered happily as people gathered to witness the wedding ceremony. Hundreds of seats were Bended out of ice and the decorations glittered in the light of the full moon. Katara felt giddy as the musical procession began, and Yue was guided down the altar by her father, Chief Arnook. Her robes were lavish, dyed in the deepest, richest shade of blue, and were lined by snow white arctic fox-ferret fur.
Katara's gaze roved to her brother, who was also dressed in matching robes of royal blue. He looked so handsome; his ocean blue eyes alight with joy and anticipation. As Chief Arnook placed Yue's hands in his, Katara saw her brother's eyes mist over with tears. She smiled, for she knew Sokka had been dreaming of this moment for the past year and a half.
Yue's eyes also shined with tears, and they clasped one another's hands tightly. "I love you." She whispered softly as their priest began to speak the wedding rites. Her blue eyes studied her love's face, hoping to seal this moment in her memories for the rest of her life.
"I love you, Yue." Sokka stepped ever so closer to her, his forehead touching hers. They shared a smile, their fingers interlaced, and Katara could only sigh wistfully at their unabashed love. Kuval, who sat beside her, took her hand gently in his. She blushed, gazing questioningly at her brother's best friend. He pressed a finger to her lips to quiet any questions, and they turned their attention back to the ceremony.
It concluded, as the ceremony was brief and to the point, and Sokka was crowned the new Prince of the Northern Water Tribe. He would be expected the take the throne once he and Yue bore their first child; an heir to secure their lineage. Katara secretly hoped it would be soon; she longed to have a niece or nephew to coddle and spoil.
Once the ceremony and the crowning concluded, the reception began. Katara joined her grandfather and his other star pupils to start off the reception with a Waterbending show. She and Kuval shared a small smile as they jumped into their positions. She wondered what his intentions were, since he'd held her hand throughout Sokka's entire wedding ceremony. Her parents had even noticed, though they hadn't said a thing.
The music started, bright and lively and Katara felt her heart sing as she and the others in her group manipulated the water to do various tricks and feats. Waterbending was something she'd always enjoyed, and an activity she shared exclusively with her mother and grandfather. This was her passion, her life, and she couldn't remember a day that had gone by where she hadn't Waterbended.
Suddenly, without warning, a giant flaming ball of…something…flew into the face of the royal palace. People screamed, and the music stopped, and more flaming balls flew into the haven of their Tribe. Katara shrieked as someone pushed her out of the way of an incoming flame-ball. It was Kuval, his body protectively weighing over hers. "Katara, are you alright?" he asked, panicked.
Katara blinked, dazed by the sudden attack that was being launched on them. It was so unexpected…just moments ago she was performing in honor of her brother's wedding! What was happening?! "I'm okay." She replied tearfully, fear overwhelming her.
Kuval helped her to her feet and hugged her to his chest protectively. "It's the Fire Nation…they're attacking!" he exclaimed as he faced the horizon. The full moon shone light on the hundreds of bleak Fire Nation ships sailing towards their Tribe. The bile rose in his throat as he regarded their enemy's fleet.
Katara looked up to Kuval's worry-wrought face. "Well, they certainly picked a stupid time to do it!" she remarked, pointing to the silver moon which hung ripe in the sky. Flaming balls of ore were still shooting towards their stronghold, hitting various buildings and structures.
Kuval nodded, and suddenly, the fleet stopped shooting at them. All the ships stopped moving, presumably having dropped their anchors, and the attack ceased. "Perhaps it was just a warning…" he trailed off hopefully.
Katara hugged Kuval tighter, and was unable to remember a time in her life when she'd ever felt this afraid. A huge fleet of Fire Nation ships waited just outside her home…to attack when the opportunity arose. "They'll attack again once the sun rises." She practically whimpered it.
Kuval returned the tight hug. "C'mon, let's find our families." They took off; running towards the Tribe Hall, where they knew Chief Arnook would be planning a counter strike. Everyone had begun crowding into the Hall, and Katara grasped Kuval's hand so she wouldn't lose him.
Chief Arnook stood tall before his people, Sokka and Yue by his side. "My brothers and sisters of the Northern Water Tribe," he began loudly, the people falling silent to hear their Chief's words, "The Fire Nation's fleet has just launched a warning strike against us. I believe they will resume their attack once the sun rises to gain advantage over us."
Sokka stepped forward, catching everyone's attention. "I want all of our warriors, both Bender and Non-Bender, to assemble here an hour before dawn. We will defend our tribe from these outsiders!" he loudly informed his people. They cheered in response to Sokka and Arnook's words.
Katara blinked back the tears the stung her eyes. Oh, no…her father and brother would be leaving to go fight. Along with Kuval…and herself… she bit her lip, and squeezed Kuval's hand tightly. This was a nightmare, something out of a sick, twisted dream…it couldn't be real, shouldn't be real…but it was.
YUE COULDN'T HELP the tears the flowed freely down her face. Her beloved Sokka, who'd only been her husband for a mere hour, would leave her at dawn to defend their Tribe from the Fire Nation. She sat on their bed, sobbing softly as Sokka paced about their honeymoon suite.
Sokka sighed heavily, resting his hands on the sill of their ornate window. "Damn Fire Nation." He cursed softly, furrowing his brow. He turned to his sobbing wife, feeling very much like crying himself. But, no, he couldn't. He had to be strong for Yue.
He walked over to her, sitting beside her on the bed. Damn it tonight should have been about Yue and himself, the love they shared, and the intimacy they'd waited a year and a half for…not fretting about what dawn would bring!
"Oh Sokka!" she cried tearfully, throwing herself into his strong arms. He hugged her tightly, stroking her back and allowed her to weep into his chest. "Sokka." She whimpered his name, her voice cracking from her sobs.
"Yue, please, don't cry. It's our wedding night." He whispered soothingly, pulling away to wipe at his wife's tears. Her lips trembled, and he brushed his fingertips over them as well. She was so beautiful, even with tears streaking down her face. He gently unfastened her ornate hairstyle and ran his fingers through her ivory locks. "Don't cry." He kissed her gently, smoothing his hands over her hair.
"I can't lose you." She murmured against his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her close, his hands continuously stroking her hair. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, not now, not when their lives together had only just begun. Please, Spirits of the Moon and Ocean, protect Sokka. Keep him for me and me alone.
"I must lead our people, Yue. I can't throw them to those barbarians alone." He argued mildly, brushing her long locks from her forehead. He gently pressed her to the bed, unfastening her lavish wedding gown. He admired the soft, silky feel of the blue fabric, and experimentally brushed his fingers of the arctic fox-ferret fur. It was so soft…but not nearly as soft as Yue's skin was.
Yue allowed him to unfasten her gown, and she watched his deft fingers unveil more and more of her tanned body. She wasn't shy, he was her husband. She wanted him to see all of her. "I know. That is why father accepted your proposal. He knew you'd be a good leader." She replied, her eyes locking with Sokka's.
He leaned over, kissing her gently, his eyes admiring her prone, nude form. "You're beautiful. I'm the luckiest man alive." His breath tickled her ear, and she shivered. Her slim fingers found the fastenings of his clothing and quickly unlatched them all. She ran her fingers worshipfully down his throat, his collarbone, his chest. So handsome…
"Come to bed, my love." She coaxed, pulling his well muscled body on top of hers. He obliged, and for that night, they forgot all about what the dawn would bring. All they knew was one another; all they were was husband and wife.
AS THE DAWN rapidly approached, so did Zuko's anticipation. He could hardly sleep after he'd commanded his fleet to send warning attacks. The mere hours that had passed since then had felt like days, or even weeks. He could almost taste his victory, and had a feeling that the Avatar was here at the Northern Water Tribe.
That was why he sent Azula to the Southern Water Tribe. He couldn't allow her to have his glory. And besides, she'd make quick work of decimating the Tribe's people, leaving only a barren wasteland behind. His sister was a talented strategist, and he was confident in her abilities.
As for the Avatar, he wondered how old he or she would be. And whether the Avatar was a he or a she. Zuko knew Avatar Aang had died about fifteen years ago, at the ripe age of ninety eight. This would make the Avatar about fifteen years old, give or take. So the Avatar, he or she, would not be aware that they were the Avatar, as it was customary to inform the Avatar of their destiny on their sixteenth birthday.
It would be perfect. He could easily capture the Avatar and bring him or her back to the Fire Nation in chains. After all, they would probably barely be a Waterbending Master, let alone a Master of any of the other elements. This would be easier than lighting his meditation candles.
The sun rose higher, shedding light over the entire Northern Water Tribe and his fleet. And Zuko commanded his fleet to commence their attack.
KATARA READIED HERSELF, although she didn't feel the slightest bit confident in her abilities. Yes, her grandfather had deemed her a Waterbending Master, but at the meager age of fifteen, she hardly felt ready to take on a Fire Nation army, nor had she expected she'd ever have to do such a thing.
When the sun rose, her brother, the new Prince of the Northern Water Tribe, commanded them to be at their posts. Hundreds of skilled warriors and Benders stationed themselves, and almost as if on queue, the Fire Nation's fleet sailed forward and their balls of flaming ore fired at her home. It was obvious that a fleet so large was too much for their smaller army of the Northern Water Tribe, especially for the attack to be during the day. But they fought regardless.
Katara joined Kuval in Bending water up to catch the flaming balls of ore. She observed the veteran Benders of their Tribe who went out onto the ocean on small boats in an attempt to stop the Fire Nation ships. Several were stopped, but it wasn't enough. Several of the Fire Nation ships reached their ice wall blockade.
Out poured dozens of Fire Nation soldiers, along with strange machines that shot cables into the Water Tribe's protective walls, effectively dragging them down. Katara kept an eye on her brother and father, who fought the enemy soldiers along with the other warriors. If anything happened to them…
But, she brought her concentration to herself, here, now, catching the flaming balls that the fleet continuously shot towards her Tribe. But to her dismay, more and more soldiers flocked to the shore, attacking her people, her friends, her family. She fought the urge to scream in fear and anguish as she witnessed the death of her people; many whom she knew personally.
A large ship docked at their shore, and she watched a dozen solders get out cautiously, surrounding one soldier in particular. She squinted, and she saw that this particular soldier's armor was different…more elaborate, lavish. Was he their…she didn't stop to think about it as she caught another flaming ball. This was so exhausting…
So many bodies were falling, more of them people of the Water Tribe than the Fire Nation, and it pained her. The fire…she'd never seen so much of it before, and it came at her and her people, consuming everything it touched. The walls of their city were destroyed, and the Firebenders were running amuck. Would her people have to surrender?
It happened so fast; one moment her brother was fighting, strong with the other warriors, the next; he was on the ground, his blood staining the snow crimson. He cried out in anguish, and she foolishly ran to his side, ignoring the heat of the flames that grazed her. "Sokka!" she pulled him into her arms, not caring that his blood was staining into her parka.
He coughed weakly, his eyes fixed on her. "Katara…tell Yue I love her." He whispered weakly, his breath mere inches away from her own. He was so strong, fighting with their people, his shoulders so broad…but now he was so small, so frail, his life slipping through her fingers…
Tears stung at Katara's eyes as she held her dying brother, and she nodded in affirmation. "I will brother. And I love you." She kissed his forehead, his blood staining her lips. His life slipped away, leaving her alone with his husk of a body. And she sobbed. "No, no, Sokka, no. My only brother, no." she laid his body down, and stood, the grief and rage and pain coursing through her veins.
Kuval came to her side, grabbing her arm. "Katara, we have to fight. I know it hurts, but you can't just stand there-" she shoved him away from her, glaring daggers at him with her sky blue eyes. Kuval, you just wouldn't understand…
The rage boiled over inside of her. How dare these Fire Nation soldiers attack her home with warning or cause? How dare they kill her people, her brother? How dare they…! She threw back her head and bellowed a blood curdling scream. And as a new found power surged through her, her world went to black.
ZUKO WHIPPED HIS head around and stared in awe and shock as a young girl, one of the few women actually fighting in this battle, glowed with a holy light. Her eyes glazed over, glowing like twin infernos, and his own gleamed with amusement. The Avatar was a little girl? Heh, all the better.
"Capture her!" he cried to his soldiers. They circled around her, but in an impressive feat of Water and Airbending she smacked them all away. The Avatar, with her gleaming eyes, created a cyclone, sending it to whip and whirl his men straight into the ocean. She stormed and rampaged, sending his men flying with her impressive feats of Bending.
Zuko stepped forward, sending blasts of fire at the raging girl. But she turned her empty, glowing eyes at him, and he felt a chill run up his spine. And Zuko wondered if he was going to meet his demise. His body went flying through the air, and he landed hundreds of feet away, mere feet from falling into the freezing ocean.
"Zuko!" it was Honshi by his side, checking to see if he was alright. His amber eyes glowed with concern as he helped Zuko to his feet. "What should we do? She's too strong!" he cried as the residual winds of her Airbending hit them. They clung to one another for support until the winds passed.
"I don't know! We need to capture her!" Zuko replied, shielding his gaze from the Avatar's awesome powers. Honshi grimaced as more of their men were flung against the hard ice of the ground. The cracking of bones was audible, even from this distance. The once white snow was drenched in crimson and the air smelled of coppery blood.
"Zuko, let's just go." Honshi urged him frantically. Their army had dwindled down to less than half of what it had originally been. The bodies strewn across the icy tundra were an ocean of blue and red. It sickened him.
Zuko was losing men left and right, and before he could even think about it, he heard his voice screaming: "Retreat!" his soldiers didn't need to be told twice, and they all fled back onto their ships and pulled up their anchor. He slumped to the deck of his ship, panting softly with exhaustion and frustration. He'd lost!
Honshi was by his side, checking for injuries. "It's alright, Zuko. We'll get her. Don't worry." His soft tenor hummed soothingly, and Zuko allowed himself to believe his friend's words. If only for the moment.
SHE WAS FLOATING in a warm, gently swaying sea. The sun shone down on her, warming her face, and coaxing her out of her deep sleep. She eyes fluttered open, and she raised a hand to shield them from the torturous sun. Her feet touched soft sand, and she found that she was standing in waist deep water. She was nude, but this didn't bother her.
In fact, nothing seemed to bother her. There was something nudging at the back of her mind, something she was desperate to remember, but she could not. A peal of laughter, high pitched and childish, rang through the air, distracting her. She turned, and there stood a boy, no older than twelve or thirteen.
"Who are you?" she queried softly, tilting her head at this stranger. Although, she felt like she knew him. And an image of him blushing, handing her something bashfully, flitted across her mind. Aang? She blinked, scrambling out of the water to greet him. "Aang! You're Aang!"
He smiled knowingly, and air swirled around him, blocking her view of him. When the winds settled, an elderly man had replaced the young boy. He was dressed in an orange robe, and he sat on the shoreline, looking very graceful as he did so. "Come sit with me, Katara." he patted the spot next to him on the sand.
She instantly obeyed, sitting beside him. "How do I know your name? I've never met you…" she murmured, confused. She furrowed her brow, gazing back up at the kind faced, elderly man. There was something about him... despite his age, she felt motherly and protective over him.
"Because I am you. A past reincarnation of yourself." He replied mildly. His gray eyes glazed over, reminiscently, and his mouth seemed to work of its own accord. "And, in another life, another time, another world, we were companions."
She took in his wise words, and she knew they were true. "Then…we are linked. Our destinies tie us to one another, no matter what world it is? She questioned. But she already knew the answer, and she knew that she and this man shared a bond. He was her friend.
He only nodded, and looked out to gaze upon the ocean, so peaceful and calm, lapping at the shore. "Today has been a day of destiny for you, Katara." he informed her. His kind gray eyes soothed her, and the nudging at the back of her mind, something she was supposed to remember itched even more. Spirits, what was it?
"What happened?" it seemed all she had for this man was countless questions. She shifted uncomfortably, feeling young, naïve, and inexperienced at everything. There were so many things that she was supposed to know…but she didn't. She couldn't even remember anything…there was something so important to remember…what was it? The name, the thing, the person, was just on the tip of her tongue.
"Close you eyes, Katara. Look into your heart, clear your mind, and it will come to you." Aang, wise and old, instructed her gently. His voice was lulling her to a peaceful state. She obeyed his words, closing her eyes and claming herself. She listened to the sway of the ocean, felt the sun on her face, and she concentrated.
She saw faces, hundreds of faces. She identified them all: her mother, her father, Hita, Kuval, Yue, and…someone else. Someone dear to her. Sokka. Her brother. Her brother…she had held him, his parka a bold hue of blue…there was another color too…red. Crimson. Scarlet. It had been everywhere. It had been his.
Tears trickled down her face, and a sob hitched in her throat. The Fire Nation had come; they attacked on the night of her brother's wedding, then waiting until dawn to complete their attack. Her brother had been mortally wounded; he'd died in her arms. And all had gone black. But no…it hadn't.
She had disappeared, and someone else took her place. She was the Avatar, the Avatar was her. They helped her. The glowing eyes, the bright light, the infinite power. It had all helped her to defeat the enemy who had come to home and hurt her people.
A man, dressed in ornate armor, he'd been there. His handsome face and golden eyes had met her own. She knew him too, from a lifetime ago, a world ago, a memory ago. Zuko… Was her destiny linked to his as well? He was a good person, she could tell. Instead of killing him, like she had the others, she merely sent him flying across the icy tundra.
He'd called an order, and the enemy fled. And as the Avatar State left her, she cried out her brother's name. Sokka…Sokka…Sokka. Katara opened her eyes, tears flowing down her face as she regarded Aang. "Why, why did he have to die?"
Aang looked as pained as she felt, and he bowed his head. "If he hadn't died, could you have saved your Tribe?"
She covered her face with her hands and wept, for she knew that she couldn't have saved anyone if her brother's death hadn't triggered her Avatar powers. But it was all so unfair: her brother's death, the attack brought upon them by the Fire Nation, and her new found status as the Avatar. It was all so overwhelming.
Aang's hand found her shoulder, and she leaned into his touch. This man, who was essentially herself, who was something she innately knew as well as she knew herself, was her only source of comfort. "Please don't leave me alone to face this." She begged, unable to fathom his hand leaving her shoulder.
"Katara, I will not leave you alone, but you must learn to stand tall and strong by yourself." He informed her gently. He wiped away the tears that stained her face, his kind gray eyes locking onto her blue eyes. "I was twelve years old when the elders of my Tribe informed me that I was the Avatar. I remember feeling scared, upset, and overwhelmed, much like you feel now. But I resolved to become strong, to keep the people I loved safe."
She bit her quivering lip. "But I couldn't keep Sokka safe. Isn't there a way to bring him back? I need him." She sniffled pitifully, and felt ashamed that she was carrying on this way. Would Aang be disgusted by her weakness?
He smiled secretively. "As the Avatar, there's nothing you cannot do, as long as you put your mind to it." he tapped her nose, and chuckled with mirth.
She blinked, then smiled meekly. "Thank you, Avatar Aang."
He patted her head. "You're welcome, Katara. Now, you must go, your friends are waiting."
She blinked, and grabbed the sleeve of his orange robe. "Wait, when will I see you again?" she demanded anxiously. She didn't want him to leave her alone, unguided, and lost. He wouldn't do that, would he?
"When the time is right." Was his simple answer. His kind face glimmer with affection, and the beach, the ocean, the sun, and the sand; it all faded to black.
KATARA OPENED HER eyes, and groaned softly. She felt utterly weak, and a dull, throbbing pain resounded in her temple. Her vision, initially blurry, cleared as she saw Kuval's worried expression gazing upon her. "Kuval…?" she questioned weakly, her voice hoarse.
He clasped her hands tightly in his. "Thank the Spirits you're alive Katara." his face was paler than usual, fatigue wrought over his face. It was apparent that he hadn't slept, and that he'd been crying profusely. He pulled her into a platypus-bear hug, as if he were afraid she'd slip away and never come back.
"Kuval?" fear laced through her, and she clenched the fabric of his tunic tightly. She squirmed slightly, pulling herself form his grasp. "What's going on? What's happened?" she demanded frantically. But as the questions fell from her lips, the answers washed over her. Tears stung at her eyes, and her heart sank.
His eyes meet hers, and they too, were brimming with tears. "Katara…your brother…he's-" he looked down, his breath hitching in his throat. Sokka, his best friend, was dead. He didn't want to believe it. He was expecting to turn around at any moment and see Sokka standing there, a silly grin on his face.
Katara clenched her bed sheets so tightly her knuckles were bleached white. "Don't say. Please." She whimpered softly, looking up to gaze into Kuval's handsome face. "Oh Kuval…" she mewled his name softly, the tears overwhelming her. Why? Why Sokka? Why not her instead? She was the Avatar, damn it, so why not her?
"Katara." he hands held either side of her face, his eyes melding into hers. "You're the Avatar. All these years, and we never knew…" he trailed off uncertainly, as if he could hardly believe her fate anymore than he could Sokka's. It was all so overwhelming. Too much, it was all too much.
"I know. I know." She gasped in between sobs. Her hands rested over Kuval's, and she felt unbearably weak. "I can't do this." She breathed, her voice trembling as much as her hands.
"No, you can. If there's anyone who can, it's you." He reassured her, his voice soothing and gentle. He had every confidence that this girl, one whom he'd known sine she was a babe being rocked in the cradle, could step up and become the messiah of their world. To save them form the Fire Nation, whatever their intentions were.
She sobbed softly, relieved that someone, anyone believed in her. "Thank you." Her voice acted of its own accord, and she found herself buried in the arms of her brother's best friend; who was like family to her. Who had held her hand so tenderly during Sokka's wedding ceremony. Who had protected her so bravely during the siege of their Tribe. Who had always been there for her.
Her parents, Yue, Chief Arnook, and Hita all walked into her room, and she and Kuval pulled apart quickly. Her eyes meet those of her family and friends, and she saw that they too, were lacking sleep and had been grieving. "Everyone." she addressed them weakly, unsure of what to do or say. They had all suffered from Sokka's death.
Her father came close, taking her hands in his. They were large, and engulfed her fragile, tiny hands with ease. "Katara, things are going to change drastically for you now." He warned her. A sense of foreboding filled her, and she knew that she wouldn't like what she was about to hear. Couldn't they wait until she was better? Or well rested, at least?
Her mother nodded in agreement, bowing her head. "You're the Avatar. The Water Sages told us so the day you were born." she bit her lip, hugging herself tightly. The guilt of having kept such a secret for so long had obviously worn her down. She wanted to hug her mother and tell her it wasn't her fault. Katara wanted to thank her for keeping it from her, just so she could have a normal, happy childhood.
Chief Arnook, looking so strained and weak, also spoke. "The Fire Nation attacked us in order to discover the new Avatar's identity. They were intending to capture you and do only Spirits know what…" he rested a hand on his daughter, Yue's, shoulder as if to comfort her. Yue said nothing, but her face twisted in pain.
"What…what does the Fire Nation want…what are they…" Katara wasn't even sure what she was asking, or even if she wanted the bitter answers that would follow. All her life, she'd live in wealth and riches, in the upper class of her Tribe. She'd never had a worry or care, and had been free to do whatever she desired. She'd been spoiled and coddled…
Chief Arnook frowned grimly. "For the past twenty five years, the Fire Nation has been forcibly colonizing throughout the Earth Kingdom. We haven't paid it much attention, since it hadn't affected our trading with the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation had let us alone. But now the Fire Nation is planning to utilize a comet that is returning after one hundred years. They want to claim the entire world for their own selfish purposes."
Katara's heart beat rapidly as she recalled that man dressed in ornate armor with golden eyes. He'd wanted to capture her, take her away from her family and friends. Would he have killed her? Tortured her? Imprisoned her? "So…what do you want? What should I do?" she questioned, surprising herself when her voice remained strong.
Chief Arnook clapped his hands onto her shoulder, his tried blue eyes boring into her own. "Katara, you must go out into the world and master the other elements. You must save this world from the tyrannical hands of the Fire Nation, or we shall all perish." His voice was frank, his face tinged with regret and pain.
Katara swallowed, releasing her vice grip on her bed sheets. She looked among the familiar faces, the people she'd known her entire life. They were counting on her. They needed her. They need the Avatar. Before she realized, her voice rang throughout the room: "I won't fail you."