Okay, so I've been writing like a madwoman. This story just has me typing away, and I love it! Gah, I tearbended a lot in this chapter :'(

Katara felt as though the walls were closing in on her. She had never been a claustrophobic person, but at this point she was on the edge of sane and insanity. There was no way to tell how much time had passed, and the body on the other side of the room started to haunt her. With her powers, she had killed somebody, and it frightened her.

Horrific images and pictures ran through her head, tormenting her every waking moment. She imagined that no one would ever come and rescue her, leaving her rotting corpse next to the one already here.

Never had Katara really thought about death, or how easily it could have came to her. Mortality had always seemed like an illusion; that she'd always be safe when she was around her friends and family.

When she closed her eyes, Katara could see the lightning that had burned into her memory. The last thing she'd expected was for Azula to direct it towards her, but then again she didn't think it surprising how cruel and manipulative Azula could be.

Azula. The name itself gave her shivers down her spine. Azula was right - you do believe anything you're told. Those words kept repeating within her skull, echoing over and over. What did they mean? How was Azula involved in all of this, when she was supposed to be locked up in a prison? She hated to think that even behind the bars of a cell, Azula could have an influence on not only her life, but the ones she loved.

And somehow, in the midst of all this darkness and strife, she found peace and love when thinking of Aang. He was her pride and joy, his hope a beacon in the sea of unknown. She wanted nothing more than to see him one last time.

"Why exactly are we returning to Lake Laogai, Toph?" Aang asked while pulling on Appa's reins to lower him to the ground.

She had leaped off before Appa even landed. "Because, Aang, these 'rebels' aren't very creative. They're sloppy and probably didn't think things through."

Her hands became fists to bend the rock beneath the water. The entrance to the old Dai Li headquarters revealed itself, completely restored and recently used.

Aang placed a hand on his forehead in complete surprise. "I can't believe I didn't think of it. Toph, I can't thank you enough."

Her usual grin spread from ear-to-ear. "I know, you think I'm amazing, right?"

"You are amazing, Toph."

She easily opened the lid into the steep tunnel and jumped inside.

Before he followed her, Aang pulled out the betrothal necklace he had made himself with the help of Sokka. He thumbed over the smooth surface, looking at the intricate and delicate design of air and water intertwining. "I'm coming, sweetie."

"Hmm," Sokka mumbled, scratching the stubble on his chin as he looked into his closet. "Suki, should I wear this light blue top, or this dark blue one?"

Suki grumbled and rolled over in the bed. "They're both blue, Sokka. Just pick one!"

"Alright, alright!" He said, grabbing one of the shirts and pulled it over his shoulders. "I know who woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

"Oh, grow up."

Sokka stormed out of the room huffing and puffing. This day could only get worse; he groaned when thinking about spending his entire day in the Council Chambers, listening to this or that or what should they name a certain street in Republic City after.

And it only made it worse knowing that his sister was missing. He felt like he needed to be with Aang and help search for her, but Aang had refused his offer and told him his duties to the Council was more important. What could be more important than his sister's safety? His whole life before had been protecting her from harm, and now what's his purpose? Sitting in a room, discussing meaningless discussions with his butt always sore. Maybe he'd put up a petition to place better padding in the council chairs.

He grabbed a bag of his favorite seal jerky before setting off for the chambers. The session had already started when Sokka walked in, and he couldn't miss the glares Rohn-Ya shot at him as he took the empty seat.

"The Order of the White Lotus has been expanding since the Treaty of Avatar Aang." A representative said, a white lotus symbol embroidered on his shirt. "I am pleased to inform you that we can pool our resources to help build, organize, and maintain Republic City. As an organization that bonds the four nations together, the White Lotus shares your ideals and plans for this city."

"We would be honored to have the help of the White Lotus," Chong said. "Speaking for the Earth Kingdom, I agree."

"I as well, for the Fire Nation," said Rohn-Ya.

"The Northern Water Tribe has always been an ally to the White Lotus," Councilman Kendro said. "I agree completely."

When the room was utterly silent, Sokka looked up from his bag of seal jerky to find all the Councilmen and women staring at him. "Oh, yeah," he said through a mouthful of jerky, "Southern Water Tribe, and yup."

Rhon-Ya rolled her eyes. "How eloquent."

Sokka shrugged. "It's what I do."

"Have fun with mother, Zuzu." Azula said with a sneer as she was leaving the prison. "I hope it was worth it."

"Where are you going?" Zuko demanded, grabbing her arm forcefully.

She snapped her head back at him and removed her arm from his grasp with a surprising amount of strength. "Why does it matter? That wasn't part of our deal. We go our separate ways now, brother."

He watched as she walked through the palace gates. A breeze had picked up, tugging at his robes and hair. Family should be very important to you, his father's words echoed in his head. Yes, it was true, but not in the sense Ozai meant. Family to him was the people that stood beside him, through everything. Like Mai, and his mother.

His mother. His heart raced in excitement and nervousness. Zuko followed the instructions Azula had given him to his mother's chambers. There was a hidden trap door on the far side of the royal palace, camouflaged by bushes near the pond that Zuko had visited so often. It infuriated him that he had been so close to her, but not knowing she was there.

He found the spot that felt like a lifetime ago when he sat next to his mother, feeding the turtle ducks. The memory was so fresh and vivid, that he had to clench his teeth from the oncoming tears.

As Zuko used the key to open the door, he was numb. His movements did not feel like his own, as if he weren't controlling them. The steps he took echoed off the carved tunnel. At the end was an ornate door, with two torches on either side for light.

He found himself stopping in front of the door, breathing slowly in and out. The palms of his hands were sweating, causing him to wipe them fervently on his robes. From within the door, Zuko could not hear anything.

For a second, Zuko thought about just turning back around and hunting down Azula and returning her to her prison cell. But the thought was gone as quick as it came, and soon Zuko's hand was on the door handle, opening the door to what seemed like his fate.

Within the well-lit room sat his mother at a desk, a book was opened in her hands that she was attentively reading. Her head turned at the sound of the door opening. "I didn't expect a visitor today, the food was brought yesterday-"

When she saw him, her eyes widened and filled with tears. "My Zuko," she whispered, standing shakily as she closed the space between them and took him forcefully into her arms.

"Hi, mom," he said quietly. Emotion constricted his throat as he bowed his head into her shoulder to smell the familiar scent of roses.

She pulled away slightly to appraise him. "Look at you. Firelord Zuko. I am so proud of you, my son." Then her hand went up to his face, to lightly touch the scar that changed his life. His hand covered hers to keep it upon his cheek. "You have been through many hard times, but you stayed true to yourself."

"Are you alright, Zuko?" A voice asked. He opened his eyes to see Mai, her own eyes warm and kind like they always had been. She took the empty seat beside him, her arms wrapped around her swollen belly.

He smiled brightly as he placed a hand on her stomach, and could feel his son or daughter kicking within. It never ceased to amaze Zuko that they had created this new life. "It knows you're near," she said, rubbing the side where its tiny feet were pushing against. "And it loves your voice."

Zuko chuckled then leaned in close to her stomach. "I don't know if you are aware of this, little one, but you have one of the greatest mothers in the world."

From the far side of the hall, his own mother timidly approached them. She hasn't aged much over the years, and she was still the caring, loving mother he had always remembered. "I still can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother."

She placed her hands on Zuko's shoulders affectionately, and he return to Mai's stomach. "And the greatest grandmother."

They all laughed in unison, and in that moment, Zuko had never felt happier before in his life.