I'm back again, bringing you more of my epic fanfic story. Here I introduce a new character in order to be able to portray myself within the Avatar Universe. I know I'm a nerd for this show, but if you're reading this chances are good that you are too. :P Read and review to your heart's content, my friends! Hope you like it so far.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show and its characters belong to Mike and Bryan, the brillant geniuses behind one of the greatest cartoon shows in the history of cartoons. Their work is legendary, and I salute them for it. I do own Gregor, for he is the portrayal of me within the world of Avatar, as well as little Sun Tzu.
Chapter One: Reunions and Discoveries Part One: Old Friends Return & New Hope
10 Years after Sozin's Comet
"Aang, can you try flying a little more smoothly? It's getting pretty bumpy back here," said Katara, who was sitting in Appa's saddle, to the Avatar clad in his master Airbender robes sitting on top of the bison's head. Katara had grown into a fine young woman but still in her eyes was the spirit of the compassionate yet fierce Waterbender.
"Sorry Katara", said Aang, "but Appa always fly a little bit roughly when he's tired, don't you boy?" Appa let out a low growl as if to agree with the Airbender who was his friend and master. Aang looked back to check on Katara, a goofy smile on his bright face.
"I know Aang, but now he's carrying more than just you and I now, remember?" said Katara while glancing down and putting a hand on her bulging midsection. Katara was about eight months into her pregnancy, but she was still the same Southern Water Tribe girl that Aang had fallen in love with all those years ago and still loved fiercely. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to your child before it's born, right?" she asked him with a smirk on her face. The shaman of their village assured them that the baby wouldn't come until next season and that it was still all right for Katara to travel around for a bit longer.
Blushing, Aang said, "No, and I certainly wouldn't want anything to happen to my lovely wife either. I couldn't stand losing you. You know that." He looked lovingly into her eyes and she smiled at him. Ever since she became pregnant, Aang was constantly watching her and making sure nothing bad happened to her during this critical time in their lives. As much as it annoyed her to be closely watched everyday for months on end, it warmed her heart to know that this was the man who truly cared for her wellbeing.
"I know Aang, and I feel the same way about you," she said to her husband, "because without you, there would be no fun in my life anymore and no one loves me as much as you do dear." Again she smiled at the Avatar, who returned the gesture, feeling the love flowing between their souls. Theirs was a bond that no one could ever truly understand, a bond that could last through any hardship or weather any storm life sends their way. After a while, Katara said, "so did Zuko say in his message why exactly it was so urgent for us to meet him at the Fire Nation Royal Palace on such short notice?"
"No he didn't. The message just said for us to come the Palace right away, that he needed to see me." said the Avatar. "But I'm sure it must be important or otherwise he wouldn't bother us with something trivial. Zuko's a serious man; he wouldn't pull a trick on us just for laughs. I would hope not because he knows the condition that you're currently in." Aang looked back at his wife with concern in his gray eyes.
Katara sighed and said, "Aang, I'm not sick. I'm pregnant with your child…our child. I can still take care of myself. You don't have to worry about me so much." said the Waterbender before pulling a blanket over her to keep warm. But she smiled at Aang to ease his concern and reassure him that she was fine.
"I know," Aang replied, "but I can't help but worry about you." He returned the smile to Katara as he felt the wind rush around them. "But it'll be good to see Zuko and Mai after so long. The last time we saw them was at our wedding," said Aang. Both of them blushed at this as they remember that momentous day they came together to live as one for the rest of their lives. They had been united as soul mates years before their marriage, and it would remain that way for the rest of time. Katara had been right all those years ago; they were meant to be together, and this child they were bringing into the world was the culmination of their love for each other. In Aang's mind, he was still giddy with the fact that he was going to be a father soon. He couldn't afford to mess anything up, not for himself, his wife, or his unborn child.
"Hey, I can see the Royal Palace below us now!" cried out the Avatar as he pointed to the ground below them. The imposing towers of the Palace loomed above the Royal Grounds, a silent goliath that has watched over its subjects both in times of peace and prosperity, and in times of war and suffering. But this magnificent structure was mired by its dark past of 100 years of Fire Lords who sought to take the world under their control through military force.
Katara looked down at the Royal Palace's long courtyard, the site where she witnessed a fierce comet-enhanced Agni Kai between Azula and Zuko. It was in this Agni Kai that Zuko was injured protecting Katara from a lightning bolt that had been intended for her. Katara then defeated and captured Azula and healed the wounded Zuko, ensuring that her friend would live on to become Fire Lord and to bring peace back into the world along with the Avatar. Her eyes welled with tears as she remembered the events of that day, how crazy and insane Azula had been and how twisted she had become. But ever since the end of the war, Azula had been locked up just like her demented father with seemingly no chance for her to escape. Katara shuddered to think of what would happen if she were to get out. She didn't think that she could fight her again, especially in her current condition.
Katara then looked out to the great harbor of the Fire Nation and saw a welcome sight; a Water Tribe ship had just pulled into port and was being secured to the dock. "Hey Aang," she said, "it looks like Sokka is here as well. Suki will probably be with him."
Aang smiled and said, "I guess he got the message as well." He then looked down and saw the Palace Gardens below them. He spotted a couple of figures walking down the little stone path that ran beside the little pond, full of lively turtle-ducks, situated in the garden. "Look Katara. It's Zuko and Mai! Come on Appa, yip yip!" The mighty bison let out a friendly growl as he descended into the garden.
The Fire Lord and the Fire Lady were walking through the scenic garden, arm in arm. Today was a typical day for the new Fire Nation; full of peace and serene quiet. Zuko had never felt such tranquil peace during the war. In the early years after the war, there was so much for the young Fire Lord to do. He had to set up trials in order to punish his generals who had refused to lay down their arms and cease fighting. His early years as Fire Lord were also spent hunting down fleeing rebels with the Avatar and his friends. Despite all his best efforts, there was still one general that had evaded him longer than all the others and he had not been seen in ten years. But the Fire Lord reassured himself that he would be caught eventually and brought to justice for his war crimes. But he put such thoughts at the back of his mind, for today he was spending time with his wife Mai. They looked into each other's eyes lovingly as they walked down the garden path.
From seemingly out of nowhere came a small voice, "Hey Daddy! Mommy! Look at this new Firebending technique Master Jeong Jeong taught me!" Running in from the courtyard was Prince Sun Tzu, Zuko and Mai's five year old son. He had jet black hair and amber eyes. He, like his aunt Azula and grandfather Azulon, was a Firebending prodigy. Zuko had requested for Jeong Jeong to teach his son Firebending when he was old enough, to which the old master agreed to do. Sun Tzu took his stance, drew in a deep breath, and punched with his right hand which produced a burning fireball. He then added a spinning frontal kick and a horizontal wave of flame burst to life in front of the young Prince. He then spun around, cupping his hands together as if to create the mouth of a dragon, and shot out a long stream of flame from in between his hands. Once he was finished, he looked to his parents for their approval with a big smile on his innocent face.
Mai was the first to comment. "Sun Tzu, that was spectacular! Your skills are improving greatly, dear. You'll become a great Firebending master someday, just like your father." She looked to her husband, as if to indicate to him to comment on their son's performance.
But the Fire Lord needed no coercing to compliment his son. "Yes my son, you are indeed improving in your skills as a Firebender. The future Fire Lord has to know Firebending. After all, it is the very essence of who we are as the Fire Nation. Learn this, my son; be true to yourself, your family, and to your nation." The young Prince beamed with joy at his father and mother.
Mai then looked to her husband and asked, "Is that one of your Uncle's sayings? I doubt you came up with that on your own." She smiled teasingly at Zuko. She knew that her husband looked up to his Uncle with great admiration and respect, and she could see a part of Iroh in her Zuko.
Zuko's half-scarred face contorted in mock anger and exclaimed, "Of course I came up with it on my own! Do you take me for an ignorant fool or something?" At this the Fire Lady began laughing. "Why is that so funny?" he impatiently asked his wife, who couldn't stop laughing.
But before his mother could reply to his father, Sun Tzu looked up into the sky and a look of wonderment appeared on his young face. "Daddy, look! It's a flying cow with an arrow on it's head! And there is a man riding on top of it!" The young Prince then looked to his father, who had a smile on his face, and asked, "Do you know who it is?" At this point, Appa came in for a landing.
The Fire Lord looked on as the great sky bison landed with elegant grace upon the soft grass of the garden and said "Yes my son. I know exactly who it is." He was looking upon the face of the Avatar, who had a giant goofy grin on his face at the sight of his old friend.
"Greetings Zuko!" Aang exclaimed. "It's been a long time, my friend. And hello to you too, Mai. You all remember Katara, right?" he said while gesturing to his wife in the saddle. Katara waved a hand to greet them from where she sat.
Zuko chuckled and said, "How could I possibly forget about Katara? When I had first joined you ten years ago, she didn't trust me at all. She practically hated my guts." They all looked to Katara for her reaction.
Katara smiled and said in reply, "That was before I grew to accept you after you helped me to find the man who killed my mother." At this, she closed her eyes and touched her mother's necklace that was around her neck, fighting hard to keep her hurt tears from showing as she remembered the horrible pain she had felt when she lost her mother all those years ago. Aang came close to Katara and hugged her, comforting his beautiful wife.
Zuko, seeking to mend the situation, quickly said, "I'm sorry Katara. I didn't mean to say that. Sometimes I just say things that pop into my mind and-" But Katara cut him off mid-sentence.
"It's all right, Zuko." said the Waterbender calmly as she opened her eyes. "I've learned to accept the fact that she's gone. However, her death has helped to make me a stronger person. She will always be a part of me and I will never forget what she did for me." She then looked at Aang and asked if he could help her down off the saddle. Aang jumped off Appa and, bending the air around Katara, floated her down gently onto the ground.
Aang then noticed Sun Tzu staring at them with his jaw hanging open in bewildered astonishment. "Who is this youngster?" he asked Zuko. Zuko had briefly forgotten that his son was still standing there when Appa descended, but now he remembered and made the introductions.
"Aang and Katara, I would like for you to meet our son, Sun Tzu. Son, this is Avatar Aang and his wife Katara." The young Prince then composed himself and bowed in the traditional Fire Nation greeting to the Avatar and the pregnant Waterbender. They bowed back in return.
"Fire Lord Zuko," came a rich, deep voice from the opposite side of the garden, "the rest of your guests have arrived." This man who had spoken was Gregor, Zuko's most loyal general ever since the young Fire Lord's coronation ten years ago. Gregor had quickly moved through the military ranks and became an officer during the war, but he had only fought because the Fire Nation military had drafted him into the service when he was sixteen. After the war was over, he helped Zuko and his allies to hunt down the rebel generals who had refused to surrender. Gregor was a tall, intelligent man with golden eyes and deep black hair, bundled up in the traditional Fire Nation top-knot. His face was clean shaven, but his features projected an image of maturity nonetheless. His red and black armor glistened in the sunlight like sharpened steel. He was a Firebending master who radiated power and self-control at the same time. He was a kind man who could turn deadly fierce in the face of battle. He was like a gentle and majestic dragon who, in the face of adversity, could suddenly strike without warning and with overwhelming firepower.
With him were Sokka and Suki. Sokka still had the same look about him as he did ten years ago; the sarcastic funny guy who always made everyone laugh yet the determined look of a hardened warrior. He had also grown a scruffy goatee to match that look. He had fashioned a new sword and boomerang out the same material as his old space sword, making them deadly weapons. Suki was dressed in her usual Kyoshi warrior outfit, but without the face paint. Her hair had grown much longer, down draping down to her shoulders. She still had the same warrior look in her eyes as she did all those years ago.
When she saw Katara, she gasped and went over to hug the Waterbender. "Katara it's so great to see you! And you're pregnant! I had no idea that this had happened! Oh this is so wonderful! I'm so happy for you and Aang!" she said before going over and hugging the Avatar as well, while also giving him a friendly kiss on the cheek that caused him to blush.
"Yeah, well, let's just hope that it won't be baby time while we're all here at the moment. I don't think I could handle that right now." said the Water Tribe warrior, smiling. He then went over to hug his sister and clasped Aang on the back in a manly greeting.
"Oh you don't think you could handle a baby right now?" laughed Katara. "You're not the one with the bulging stomach. I bet you couldn't handle it at all. You wouldn't last a week in my shoes." The rest of them laughed along with her, their voices echoing through the palace. Even after all of this time, they were still good friends.
As they were laughing, a flying creature blurred into their vision and alighted on Aang's shoulder. "Hey Momo. How's it going, little guy?" he asked the lemur. Momo chattered something in response and cocked his head at the Avatar inquisitively.
Zuko turned to the new arrivals and said, "Sokka and Suki, this is my son Sun Tzu. Son, this is Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe and Suki of Kyoshi Island. Suki is Sokka's girlfriend, and Sokka is Katara's older brother." Sun Tzu bowed in the traditional Fire Nation greeting to them, and they returned the gesture.
"I must say Zuko," said Sokka almost jokingly, "he looks nothing like you. I mean, he doesn't have that whole 'I-must-capture-the-Avatar-to-restore-my-honor' look in his eyes like you used to. Am I right?" Everyone laughed except for Zuko, who was blushing as red as his royal outfit.
"He has a combination of our looks," chimed in Mai, "but he got my intelligence and his Firebending. Am I right to say so, darling?" Everyone looked to Zuko as his face reddened even more.
"Why, uh, yes, Mai…I would agree with you on that, and well, um-" but he was cut off by the sound of Katara's laughter. Everyone, even Aang, looked at Katara in surprise at her.
"Don't tell me the Fire Lord is afraid of his own wife." chuckled Katara. "Ten years ago, you weren't afraid of anything, but now your own Fire Lady has you on edge? I think you might have softened up over the years, Zuko." Again, everyone but the Fire Lord laughed, but he didn't mind.
Now that he had everyone assembled, the Fire Lord was ready to tell the men the real reason that he had invited them all here. "Mai, why don't you take Sun Tzu, Katara, and Suki into the living room and catch up on things? I have to talk to the others in private about something." He looked at Mai, tentatively waiting for her response.
She smiled and said almost mockingly, "Of course, honey. I'd hate to spoil your fun. Come along, Sun Tzu. You'll have to spend some time with me and my lady friends." Before she departed from her Fire Lord, she planted a light kiss on his scar. Zuko felt his face flush a little, but he smiled back at his Fire Lady as she left.
"Yes mother," said the young Prince has he bounded toward his mother as she headed inside. Suki gave Sokka a goodbye hug before they departed. A loving look passed between the two warriors as Suki went over towards Katara.
Aang did the same with his wife and lightly kissed her on the lips, saying "I won't be long dear. If I end up going somewhere with Zuko, promise me you'll keep yourself and our child safe no matter what happens." He looked into his wife's wondrous sapphire eyes, which were full of love and concern.
After a while, Katara sighed and said, "I promise Aang." But she smiled amiably at him and said, "We're in this together until the very end. I will wait for you to return, my love. I will always be with you in your heart." As she said that last word she placed her hand over Aang's heart, and he took her hand into his. They continued to smile at one another for a few moments, feeling the love that flowed throughout their beings like an endless river. They kissed one last time and she followed the others inside, Suki close by for support. Momo flew in after them as well, perhaps looking for something to eat.
Noticing Aang's worried expression, Sokka said in a cheery voice, "Don't worry pal. Suki will guard Katara with her life. She's one of the toughest people I know. If anyone tries to get at the Avatar's wife, they'll have to go through Suki first." He then added a reassuring smile for effect, which worked because Aang seemed to relax a bit.
Zuko looked around at the friends that were left standing around him and said, "I'm sure everyone present, except for Gregor and I, do not know the real reason I have called you here today. The reason why is that, after ten years of searching to no avail, I finally know where my mother is at…she's at Wu Long Forest." Aang and Sokka tensed up when he said this, for they had not been to that forest of stone and tress since the day of Sozin's Comet a whole decade ago when Aang fought the Fire Lord in their climatic battle and Sokka, Suki, and Toph bravely took down the airship fleet. Aang, however, had a feeling that they would find more than just Zuko's mother there.
To Be Continued