Author's Notes: My new story. It's been long in the works. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. Duh.


Chp.1 When the Fifteenth Star Rises

A thousand years later, another Waterbender stared out at the water surrounding the Eastern Air Temple.

"I still can't believe Azula & Zuko took over the Earth Kingdom," she said quietly.

"None of us can, it's been two weeks but it still feels fresh," her brother said from behind her.

"Well, Aang's all right now, that's something," a younger girl added.

"I know, Toph," the Waterbender replied.

"Katara, don't worry. We'll get through this," her brother told her.

"Sokka, I get it, okay? Just leave me alone!" Katara yelled & stalked off. Sokka sighed. Toph punched him in the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Boomerang Boy, she'll cheer up when we surprise her tomorrow. How can anybody not cheer up on their birthday?"


"Aang, clear your mind & focus. You must reconnect with the Spirit World." Guru Pathik said calmly.

"I know. I'm trying." Aang said over the roar of the waterfall.

"Focus, try to detect Avatar Rokku's chi & let him draw you into the Spirit World."

"I'm trying."


"Hey, your Highness, can I talk to you?" Sokka asked.

"Yes Sokka, what is it?" Sokka had to stare into the setting sun to look at the former king.

"Tomorrow is Katara's birthday. Can you set up a party for her while we distract her?"

"Of course, she needs cheering up anyway. She's taken our defeat very hard."


Miles away, inside the palace of Ba Sing Se, Zuko stood behind the throne where the Earth King once sat. He thought about his uncle, in the cold, metal prison hold, & his face burned with guilt. Princess Azula sat in the throne, giving orders to the Dai Lee.

"Send a messenger hawk to my father, giving him the details on what has happened in the past two days. Make sure you include the figures of the latest tax collection," Azula said to the nearest agent, staring at her fingernails.

"Ty Lee, has any word arrived from my father yet?"

"Yes, the hawk just came in," Ty Lee said & brought the scroll up to the throne. Azula opened the scroll & her eyes flashed as she read it.

"Excellent."

"What?" Mai asked from where she sat on the floor, twirling a knife around her fingers.

"Iroh's execution has been approved."

"What!?!" Zuko demanded.

"Father has approved Iroh's execution. He will be hung in three days."


The sun was half way through the sky when Sokka walked up to his sister. She was sitting in her normal spot, starring out at the water.

"Hey Katara, wanna come with us?"

"Where?"

"We're gonna explore the lower levels of the temple," Toph replied.

"Why?"

"Because we refuse to let you sit & worry today!" Sokka said. Katara sighed deeply & nodded. As she stood up to follow them, she thought she heard someone whisper her name. She looked around, expecting to see Aang or even the Earth King.

"Katara! Are you coming?" Sokka yelled from the stairs. She turned & followed him down the stairs. Toph was waiting for them at the bottom.

"Geez, you two are slow. There's a bunch of paths & rooms down here. It'll probably take us an hour or two to go through them all."


"Take a deep breath, Aang. Can you sense Avatar Rokku at all?"

"I think I can sense traces of his chi, its getting stronger," Aang said, frowning as he concentrated.

"Good, now focus on that & let it pull you into the Spirit World."


Zuko went through the markets of Ba Sing Se as naturally as he could. He was desperate to find a new Blue Spirit mask, he would need it to free his uncle. Finally he spotted one hanging in a store window. He darted inside & gladly shelled out several copper pieces for it.

"I promise, Uncle," he muttered under his breath, "by dawn tomorrow, we will leave this city together."


"Whoa!" Sokka yelled, his eyes glued to a nearby wall.

"Katara! You gotta come see this!" Katara dropped the scroll she was reading & came flying down the hallway, closely trailed by Toph. She abruptly stopped in the doorway.

"Sokka, what is it?"

"Look at that painting!" Sokka said, pointing at the wall.

"What?" Katara asked, following his gaze. Her jaw dropped as she stared into her own face.


"I got it! I feel Avatar Rokku's presence!" Aang shouted as his arrows began to glow.

"Oh excellent! You are finally reconnecting!" Guru Pathik cried happily as Aang's body froze. He felt Aang leave his body & the temple shook slightly.


Toph felt the floor begin to shake & reached out to one of the walls. Shudders ran downwards under her fingertips. The temple was trembling with an unseen force.

"Come on! Something's happening upstairs!" Toph yelled & left the Water Tribe siblings alone as she raced out of the room.

"Come on Katara, maybe Guru Pathik can tell us about that painting later," Sokka cried over the roar the shaking walls were making. He turned & left the room without glancing back at his sister. A voice she didn't know called to Katara, her eyes were still locked on the painting.

"Katara.."

She tried to turn away as she felt a power rising inside her.

"Katara.."


Iroh sat up on his cot. Something wasn't right. Something long sealed was breaking free, he could feel it in the heart of his very soul.


"Katara.."

Water rose from the sea.

"Katara.."

It came from nowhere & whipped around her body, raising her off the floor.

"Release me.."

Katara tried once last time to fight it, but the power was too strong.

"Katara.." Her eyes closed & the water overtook her.

Suddenly they snapped open again & the water pooled on the floor instantly. Gray eyes flashed & blue hair flowed. She rose her arms, the water swirled around her & carried her to the balcony overlooking the water.

"Katara?" Sokka yelled.

"No, I am Akiko, Tennyo of the Eastern Sea. I have risen again. Where is the Avatar? He shall pay for his crimes with his life!"


Author's Notes: Review please!