Revision 12.19.12


Change

Katara was used to changes occurring in her life. They happened consistently, and were often rather, painfully inflicted. However, water is the element of change; it harmonizes with whatever the environment imposes upon it. As a Waterbending Master, Katara had learned to use her understanding of water to implement it in her life as well.

First, at the tender age of eight, was the murder of her mother. The absence of a maternal figure in her life caused a void she believed would never be fulfilled. She adapted, and became the maternal figure to everyone who was motherless.

Second, at the age of twelve, was the abandonment of her father. She was force to believe that the world needed her father more than she did; that the war devastating the earth needed to be stopped more than the tears that escaped her eyes. Once again, she adapted, and learned to take command of situations when there was no one else to take initiative.

Third, when she was fourteen, was the discovery of the Avatar. She took off into the new and unknown, to help the young Avatar fulfill his destiny. She had to be there for him and believe in him, even when he didn't believe in himself. She adapted once more, and became the beacon of hope, even when inside, her light felt faint.

Fourth, were the encounters and interactions with the Fire Prince. Katara never made so many adaptations to one person. He was just like fire; there was no way to contain it, or foresee where it will go, how much it will destroy.

At first his sole purpose appeared to be to capture the Avatar and take the last hope for the world. With him at their heels, she quickly adapted to fight or escape in a moments notice.

Then, he showed his humanity under Ba Sing Se, only to betray her. Katara's once trusting nature adapted to a different one, a more distrusting one, and could no longer trust the good she saw in people.

When he came back to teach the Avatar firebending, with no apparent agenda for stabbing them in the back again, Katara had to adapt to being frustrated all the time.

Fifth, was the journey she took with the same Prince to find her mother's murderer. She wanted revenge. She even used her dark gift on a wrong man to get it. However, when she finally faced her mother's killer, she realized she could never take another human life; murder was something she could never adapt to.

Finally, one very important change in Katara's life, was her feeling towards the boy of fire; Zuko, Prince of the Fire Nation. She finally saw that being like water didn't mean adapting to every change; it meant staying connected to those you love most, and doing anything to stay together.

Katara saw that fire wasn't necessarily an uncontrollable, destructible force; it was the driving force behind the perseverance to change your own destiny, just as Zuko had. Water could be that force as well.

This time, Katara was taking her destiny in her own hands.

Katara took a deep breath as she thought about this and looked determinedly at the doors of the Fire Lord's office. This was it. She lifted one hand, and knocked on the beautifully carved mahogany doors.

"Come in" his voice called out. Katara opened one of the doors and entered, closing it behind her.

"Katara!"

"Zuko."

The rest is history.