The beginning of Part Four, not much else to say. Just, this is my version of how the season finale went down.

PART FOUR

I. Katara had indeed managed a small nap before two Earth Kingdom soldiers came to her door to escort her to the palace. The King had not sent any of the Dai Lee. That was understandable. After Long Feng's reign they had to be sure that the Dai Lee could be trusted. Their loyalties had to be checked.

Katara was taken to the War Council. The Council of Five. Five very boring and stuffy generals. The war had made them that way. It made a lot of people that way. The war had stolen their innocence. They could not afford to make mistakes. Mistakes meant that innocent people would die. Guilt already plagued the men for the thousands of deaths that had not even been their fault. To be the direct cause of a death would be unbearable.

The Council Chamber was large. There was a giant map of the world spread out like a table, taking up most of the space. All the nations were included. Stone figures, moved by earthbending, represented military units.

Katara was greeted politely by the generals and introduced to all of them.

"The purpose of today's meeting is to compile all the intelligence. Tomorrow we shall flesh out the details of the invasion."

Katara nodded. "The most important piece is the solar eclipse. It should give us the advantage to overcome the Fire Nation defenses and get Aang into the palace."

"We can assume that the solar eclipse can last anywhere between and hour to a whole day, based on past records," on General said.

"We have fifty divisions available for the invasion. Will that be enough?"

"What if we could liberate Omashu?" Katara piped in. "And the Water Tribes will help."

"Then we would have many men."

"What are the details on the palace defenses?"

II. Zuko was beginning to feel much stronger. Lee Ang and her mysterious brother, Dyoko, had left a few hours ago. After a lot of arguing, Iroh had been convinced to go to the tea shop for awhile. Zuko was alone now. He had a scroll of paper before him, trying to imagine the words to write. All he had was: Katara.

He stared at the blankness as if the words would materialize before him, melting onto the page. I am feeling much better now because of you. Zuko bit his lip. That sounded ok. I don't think Uncle told you, we'll be running our own tea shop in the Upper Ring soon. We'll be moving in tomorrow. Zuko paused again to think what to say next. I don't like tea all that much, but I will be glad to be close to you. I miss you and can't wait to see you again. How to sign it? Love? Did he love her? Would it freak her out if she read that? He wanted it to be personal, but 'love?' Love wasn't the right word. He thought a moment. Your Prince Zuko. He gazed at his words, checking them over again and again:

Katara

I am feeling much better now because of you. I don't think Uncle told you, we'll be running our own tea shop in the Upper Ring soon. I don't like tea all that much, but I will be glad to be closer to you. I miss you and can't wait to see you again.

Your Prince Zuko

Katara found a letter for her in the mail slot. It was from Zuko. She read it to herself and smiled. She could imagine how long he had spent writing it, choosing each word carefully. A warm sensation passed through her. She folded the letter and slipped it in her belt.

III. Lee Ang took her brother back to her apartment. He gazed around in amazement. "Lee A, how did you live here?"

"I suppose I've just gotten used to this kind of life," she said, dropping her bag and hat onto the table.

"But you could do much better than this. You're resourceful and your bending…"

"You know I was better with air. I never had anyone to teach me earth."

"Still."

"I would be able to do anything in this city. Haven't you heard anything about all the conspiracies and propaganda?"

"Dai Lee or something, I wasn't really listening to the boy."

"The Dai Lee manipulated the city. Everyone here is just finding out about a war that's been going on for a hundred years."

"What?"

"Anyone who tried to speak out was taken to Lake Laogai to be brainwashed. The Earth King was controlled by Long Feng until recently when they messed with the Avatar."

Dyoko shook his head. "Unbelievable."

"And the class system is ridiculous," Lee Ang added.

"I should have stayed with you. I'm supposed to be your brother and protect you," Dyoko insisted.

"Stop punishing yourself. Besides, you know I can always handle myself."

Dyoko smiled. "You deserve so much better."

"We all do. But I'll take what I have."

Dyoko sat down at the table. "Hakoda asked me if I wanted to go to the South Pole."

"That's great."

"I was always better with fire, just like you were always better with air."

"Meaning your waterbending sucks."

"So does your earthbending."

Lee Ang mocked anger. "Well then…"

"You know, we should get teachers."

"Yeah. Dad would have wanted us to." Lee Ang's thoughts went far away.

"We'll see him again someday."

IV. Toph knew that tears would be coming soon. She didn't want to cry. Crying made her as weak and helpless as her parents thought she was. They'd sent these idiots to capture here and bring her home, a.k.a. prison. She should have known her parents would never understand. She had been foolish to think that anyone could understand.

"Let me out of here!"

"Shut up!" Xin Fu shouted.

"Make me!"

"Toph, you should be quiet," Master Yu said.

"Sissies!"

No. Nobody understood her. She had been with people who had understood. Now they were gone. She wished they would come to save her. She imagined Sokka and Katara leaping in to kick some ass. Then Aang… Aang would break this metal prison. He would give her, her freedom back. Then she would punish those jerks, Xin Fu and Yu. And Aang would save her. Her vision seemed so far away. A tear started its path down her check. "I won't cry," she whispered. "I'm not weak." She slammed her fist against the walls of her prison. Was that? Bits of earth and a fist sized dent in the metal.

"Give up. Even you can't bend metal," Xin Fu taunted.

Toph smiled and put her hand to the metal wall. "Oh yes I can," she whispered. Now Aang wouldn't have to save her. She could run away with him again. She was the greatest earthbender in the world. She could do whatever she wanted.

Toph traced her finger over the metal in a circular pattern. She breathed deeply. She wrapped her energy around each particle of earth she found and then she twisted. The hunk of metal fell and Toph jumped out. She heard the sissies' confused shouts and thought to herself, I am the greatest earthbender who ever lived.

V. After a second very dull meeting, Katara finally had the war plans in her bag, awaiting the Earth King's official seal of approval. She decided that it could wait a little bit longer. Zuko and Iroh were supposed to have the grand opening of their new tea shop today. She wanted some tea and she wanted to see Zuko.

Momo was perched artfully on her shoulder. That little lemur wasn't exactly loved by the stuffy generals, but he was Katara's only company. "Now you're going to be nice to Zuko," she warned the lemur. "I think he's changing into a good guy." The lemur seemed to nod in agreement.

Katara found the tea shop easily; it was crowded. She walked in and stood by the counter. Iroh came over, smiling widely. "Hello, Miss Katara."

She smiled in return, his was particularly infectious. "Hello, Mooshi," she responded, careful to stick to the alias. "How's Li?"

"Ask him yourself," Iroh told her as Zuko came behind the counter. He smiled as he saw her. He came around the counter and hugged her tight.

"How are you?" Katara asked.

"Better. Much better."

Katara let out a small sigh in relief. "Good." She stepped back a little. Momo had transferred from Katara's shoulder to Zuko's during their embrace. He hadn't noticed. Katara suppressed a giggle, which Zuko did notice.

"What?"

"You've got a new friend," she answered, pointing to Momo.

Zuko turned his head to stare at the inquisitive little lemur. "Sorry, but I think you're rushing our relationship," he told the lemur, picking Momo up and placing his on the counter.

Katara laughed. "How's the shop?"

"It's FANTASTIC!" Iroh exclaimed. He started to ramble on about lots of tea shop things until Zuko interrupted him.

"Maybe you should ask if she wants some tea," Zuko pointed out.

"Of course. How could I have been so stupid?" He turned to Katara. "What kind of tea would you like?"

"Hmm. Maybe just some green tea?"

"Coming right up."

"Hey, Katara, Li!"

"Lee Ang! Hi." Katara embraced the older woman. Then she caught sight of a tall, dark-haired man behind her. He looked Water Tribe. "Who's this?"

"This is my brother, Dyoko. He showed up yesterday. Dyoko, this is Katara."

"Hello."

Dyoko nodded. "You have your father's eyes."

"You know my dad?"

"I met him in Chameleon Bay. When your brother was telling his story I found out my sister was here."

"Oh."

"Anyway. I came to say goodbye. I figured you'd all be here," Lee Ang explained.

"Goodbye?"

"Yes. We're leaving Ba Sing Se."

"Oh." Katara hugged Lee Ang again. "I'll miss you. I hope we see you again."

"I'm sure we will," Lee Ang said.

"Yes. We have an invite from your father to the South Pole. We'll come visit some time."

Katara grinned. "Thank you for everything you've done."

Zuko attempted just a handshake, but Lee Ang hugged him anyway. He shook Dyoko's hand.

Iroh came back with a steaming pot of tea. "What's with all the hugging?"

"We're leaving Ba Sing Se," Lee Ang said.

"Goodbye, then, my dear." Iroh joined the "hugfest" of which the only awkward participants were Zuko and Dyoko.

VI. "Well, I should go," Katara said. "Need to visit the Earth King."

Zuko nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You know where I live."

"Why does that sound so stalker-ish?"

Katara's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well," she began.

"Ok," he interrupted.

"I'll see you later." She left. It was a shorter walk from the tea shop to the palace gates, than it was from the gates to the Throne Room, but at last she arrived. The Earth King wasn't there, but three green figures in white face paint milled about the throne.

"Suki!" Katara shouted excitedly. "Finally, I get to see you! You have to tell me everything that's happened since we last saw you!" She started running up to hug the older warrior, but stopped as she got closer. "You're not Suki." She backstepped. "You aren't the Kyoshi Warriors." She started to draw out her water but her chi was blocked by a few quick jabs to her sides. She fell to the ground, her water pooling around her.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

It was Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. "You." She willed her muscles to move, but they disobeyed her.

The evil girl smiled. "Yes. Ba Sing Se belongs to the Fire Nations. Just like it should."

"Aang will stop you!"

"Good. He's coming. Now, you have the Earth Kingdom war plans, don't you? Ty Lee, search her."

The acrobat cartwheeled over, taking her bag. "Yup! This is it!" she said holding up the bag. She caught sight of a slip of paper sticking out from Katara's belt. "Oh! What's that?"

"No!"

But Ty Lee took the paper.

"That's private!" Katara shouted.

Ty Lee began to read out loud:

"Katara

I am feeling much better now because of you. I don't think Uncle told you, we'll be running our own tea shop in the Upper Ring soon. I don't like tea all that much, but I will be glad to be closer to you. I miss you and can't wait to see you again.

Your Prince Zuko"

Ty Lee giggled. "That's so cute!"

"So, Zuzu's in Ba Sing Se too. I think it's time for a family reunion." Azula turned her attention back to Katara. "He has pathetic taste in women. I can only hope he was planning on using you. Mai, take the peasant to the crystal catacombs."

So, there's a nice long one for you, and I've started the Taang stuff for this story, so hope you enjoyed it and let me know how you like it. Also feel free to make any requests and I'll see what I can do. Oh and check out "Zuko the Magician" my other, humor story. I'm gonna be putting up a second chapter soon, just gotta get some more insane ideas. SHOW TUNES! They never fail. Ummm…. Yeah. OK. So yeah, review.