Three days later they arrived in Atlantis and the festivities began in celebration of the war's end. They ate, drank, and laughed merrily with all the people of the Water Nation. The next day, Katara watched in admiration as Lea was crowned water queen. Lea stood up proudly with her sapphire tiara placed on her head and she looked out towards her people that were gathered to watch the coronation.
"Hail citizens of the Water Nation!" she said proudly and was answered with a roar of applause.
"Today we celebrate the end of the one hundred year war with the Fire Nation! The fire lord is dead and his daughter Princess Azula and his top general Marina have been imprisoned!"
Even though she declared that her own daughter was incarcerated for life, she looked at her people with a smile on her face…they were her family now.
"But victory of course, comes at a price." Lea said sadly. "We are not only here to honor those who achieved victory in the war, but those who died for their cause. Chief among those is Avatar Aang. He accomplished his goal but upon his arrival at the Palace City, he was killed by Marina. We honor you Avatar Aang, with this."
Queen Lea raised her scepter and the water in the giant lake in front of her spiraled up and crystallized, taking a giant form of Aang. A tear crept down Katara's cheek as she looked at the magnificent statue of her best friend. Seeing the tear, Zuko wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed comfortingly.
"I also know that other people died so the war would finally have an end. Now, say the name of a loved one or somebody you know so that they can be honored as well." said Lea.
All at once, the entire group of people began to name people that lost their lives to the Fire Nation.
"Master Pakku." said Sokka.
"My father, Lao Bei Fong." said Toph.
"Jet." said The Duke.
"My mother Kya." said Katara.
"Tairn and Kalik." said Chief Krakken.
"Sadira." said On Ji.
"Ursa." whispered Zuko, tears forming in his eyes.
After the voices had died down, Lea continued. "These people you have just named gave their lives to the war so that those still living may see their dream become a reality. The war has also affected me personally as well. My sister Treia died in the battle at the Palace City and my mother Hama died as well. I know that my mother was not the queen of the Water Nation, but during her life she met my father, Water King Coran and they conceived my sister and I. My husband Jayden also lost his life to the Fire Nation as well as many other members of the tribes, such as Chief Morak. And there are some whom we have lost, who are not among the dead…" Lea finished sadly.
At her words, the people bowed their heads and some began to weep. Even though the queen had not spoken her name, they knew who she meant. After all, Marina was not always a darkbender.
"Hail the victorious dead!" Lea shouted.
"Hail!" the people answered.
"We also, must acknowledge the avatar's companions who helped him achieve his goal of victory. As I call your name, please step forward and make yourself known as hero's of the world. From the Fire Nation, General Iroh and On Ji. From the Water Nation, Southern Chief Hakoda and his child Sokka. From the Earth Nation, Toph Bei Fong and Haru. And lastly, those they met during their travels. Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors, The Duke of the Freedom Fighters, and Teo of the refugees." said Lea.
All at once, the people of the Water Nation shouted and cheered as the group came into view.
"For your bravery we honor you and it is my pleasure to give you these…" Lea waved her hand and water benders stepped forward and placed crystals around their necks. Katara and Zuko looked at each other in disappointment, they had not received a necklace.
"These pendants symbolize duel citizenship for the two underwater cities, meaning that you are always welcome in the Water Kingdom. If you seek to enter Antlantica, enter the water and the power of the crystal will tap into the ancient powers of the water and you will be transformed into merfolk." Lea explained before she turned to face Katara and Zuko.
"Don't worry I have not forgotten you two," she said with a smile, "Katara when Marina killed my sister you ran to her aid to defend her only to be struck down yourself. You also accessed the ancient powers of the trident of light and used them for the aid of others and not yourself. Only a true member of the Water Nation can access those abilities and have the courage to defend someone that is not your own kin with absolute disregards for your own life. For this, I want to give you something..."
Lea stepped forward and placed a beautiful crystal pendant with a sapphire encrusted at the top around Katara's neck.
"I present to you Katara, Princess of the Water Nation!" Lea declared happily and was answered with a loud roar of applause. "When I pass from this world you will become Water Queen."
"But what about your daughter?" asked Katara. "What about Marina?"
"Marina is no longer my daughter, you have been a better daughter than she has ever been." Lea said sadly.
"Thank you, so much" Katara said, tears swelling in her eyes. Lea turned around and faced Zuko with a smile on her face.
"Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, Fire Lord Ozai's son, you have been an enemy to the world and have personally attacked the avatar and his companions countless times. You have been a great threat to the peace of the world and I know that they would not be sorry to have seen you die." Lea said to him before continuing on.
"Have is my chosen word. Zuko if not for you we would not be standing here in victory today. You gave up your own position in your country and helped the avatar to defeat your father. For the greater good of your people, you betrayed your family and befriended sworn enemies. During this strange companionship, you fell in love. When I was trapped on the ground my eyes did not ignore the act you displayed during the battle with your sister. You risked your own life to save Katara and I can see clearly in your face as I stand here that you truly love her." she then turned to Katara and said, "A princess needs a prince."
Lea turned back to Zuko and placed a crystal necklace identical to Katara's around his neck.
"All hail Zuko, Prince of the Water Nation!"
"Zuko!" Iroh said suddenly, "What about our country? Now that your father is dead you are fire lord."
"No I'm not Uncle…you are." Zuko said to a flabbergasted Iroh, "You should have been fire lord long ago. When you pass I will become fire lord, but for now I want to stay." Saying this, Zuko took Katara's hand.
"I finally found where I belong."
The festivities lasted for three more days and on the third day, they all gathered in the courtyard of the Surface City for one last time.
"Is it time for you to depart?" asked Lea.
"I'm afraid it is. I need to get back home and rebuild my tribe." said Hakoda.
"Yeah, and Suki and I want to go back to Kyoshi Island." said Sokka.
"Don't forget me!" yelled the Duke, "I have to get back to the tree houses."
"And I think it'd be nice if I go home to be with my mother," said Toph, "Oh and Haru is coming with me, he's already sent word to his mom and she's moving into the estate as well." As she said this, Haru blushed.
"My dad wants me back at the Northern Air Temple so I need to get going also." said Teo.
"Us as well," said Iroh and On Ji, "We need to get back to the Fire Nation."
"Well then it seems we need adequate traveling arrangements," Lea said with a smile. She waved her hand and led by a waterbender, Appa walked into the courtyard.
"Appa!" Katara yelled as she ran forward to hug the bison.
"Now that Aang is dead all of his personal possessions are yours. Including Appa, Momo, and his glider." said Lea.
Katara walked forward with tears in her eyes and took hold of the staff.
"Let's get going!" said Sokka. "Thank you so much Lea for everything you've done." he said stepping forward to embrace the queen.
"It has been my pleasure. Good luck to all of you and please come back whenever you can!" Lea said to them.
She turned to Katara and Zuko, "I need to get back to Atlantis to make arrangements for your permanent accommodations." she said before walking away.
With tears in their eyes, the Gang hugged each other good bye and promised to see each other again soon.
Katara took hold of Zuko's hand and watched as Appa flew into the sunset and out of sight.
Marina followed the guards with her arms chained in front of her to her cell at the Boiling Rock. She remembered when they were captured by the firebenders. Azula hadn't even put up a fight. She however fought back against them. She had to have taken down at least fifteen firebenders before one of them injected her with something that immediately took her down. It seems her mother had been experimenting with different herbs and discovered a supplement that could stop Marina's chi flow and prevent her from bending if administered correctly once a day.
She watched as the guards led Azula down a different hallway and Marina continued to follow the guards down the passage. Marina smiled, she did not need bending to take the guards out. With a smirk, she leaned over to cough. Sensing the guard approach behind her, she flipped over his head and wrapped her shackles around his neck.
"One step closer and he dies!" Marina warned the benders.
She spotted one of them forming a stance with his hand and she attacked. She broke the guards neck and charged forward, using her superior speed to dodge the fire blasts. She twisted around and slammed her arms down, stopping one of the guards from firebending before spinning around and kicking his face completely back. With a loud crack, he fell backwards.
All at once the guards came gunning at her, armed with swords. She flipped over them and sent kicks to a few of their backs. Leg making contact, they fell forward with screams, they were paralyzed, she had broken the spine where it met the lower back.
One of the guards attempted to stab her with his blade but was stopped as she kicked it out of his hand and delivered a swift roundhouse kick to his face, breaking his jaw. She swiftly kicked the sword into the air and kicked it again, sending it flying towards one of the guards and it killed him, sliding right into his chest.
A firebender ran at her and she kicked her leg high in the air and made contact with the spot there the upper arm met the shoulder. With a yell, the bender fell forward.
Seeing no one else around her, Marina took off running. She ran down the hall back the way she came but was stopped when something hard collided with the side of her head and she blacked out.
Katara gazed at her pendant as she felt Zuko wrap his arms around her waist.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked.
"Sure." answered Katara.
She allowed Zuko to lead her away from her seat on the balcony of their new home in Atlantis and into the main hall.
"What's up?" Katara asked as she sat down on the marble bench beside a giant dolphin fountain in their very own courtyard.
She looked at Zuko curiously when he did not speak at once. He looked rather nervous and was blushing constantly. She also noticed that he kept fingering something in his pocket.
"I talked to Lea about Southern Water Tribe culture." said Zuko awkwardly.
"Okay…is that all?" Katara asked with a laugh, she had never seen her boyfriend so nervous before.
"No it's not… I've been thinking." Zuko responded.
"About what?"
With a deep breath, Zuko began, "When I first met you three years ago I couldn't believe my eyes, you were the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. After that, all I could do was think about you. It used to make me so angry laying in bed at night thinking about you. Even during those times when I hunted Aang, I kept saying to myself that I was doing it to regain my honor but it was only half that, I just wanted to see you.
I lived on after those times and it hurt so much to betray you at Ba Sing Se but I had to. All I kept thinking about was that I was alone and I needed to kill Aang to go back home. Now I realize that you are my home and are everything that I have ever needed.
I was confused after that and I started to date Mai. But when I kissed her, in my mind…I was kissing you, you were all I could think about. So I left to join Aang, and I was so ecstatic to finally see you again and talk to you. I was so excited to have an actual conversation with you but when I arrived, you shunned me and threatened to kill me.
Katara you have no idea how much that hurt, it felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest with every word you said. But as time went by, our wounds mended and we became friends and our relationship progressed and blossomed. We started with hate and now we end with love. And I've realized Katara, that…I've always loved you.
Every time we've fought or argued I was secretly falling more and more in love with you. Katara I love you so much and this whole ordeal with Marina has really made me realize that.
When Azula shot that lightning at you my heart stopped. I can't imagine living without you. I love you more than anything and I can't live in a world where you're not in it." Zuko said breathlessly. "So what I'm trying to say is this."
Zuko reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace.
"Will you marry me?"
Katara's heart stopped as she heard her boyfriend utter the words that she'd been longing to hear. She gazed at the pendant in his hand and tears began to form in her eyes, it was truly the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. The band was black and it had silver dolphins that looked as if they were swimming around a beautiful sapphire that lay in the middle.
"Yes." Katara whispered.
Gazing at the joy that was evident in Zuko's eyes, she smiled. She realized that she too could not live without him, he was her world…her only one. She had never loved anyone more in her entire life, he was her family.
Zuko placed the necklace around her neck and leaned in to capture her in a long kiss. Katara wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. Katara knew at that moment that everything was going to be just fine. All they needed was each other and everything would work out perfectly.
Katara and Zuko continued to kiss as the sun began to rise. Each thinking about the future life that they would spend together. The sun rose and began a new day filled with love that would last a lifetime.
Marina rocked back and forth in her cell as her childhood memories came flooding back to her.
In her mind's eye she saw herself playing with her dad on the shores of the Surface City, merbending with her auntie, and sitting on her mother's lap listening to stories.
"Stories…" Marina whispered.
She had thought that the legends were false but now she knew firsthand that they were true. She stood up and gazed at the boiling waters surrounding the prison.
"They will die, every single one of them!" she said vehemently.
As she said this, the water in the lake rippled.
Aww the Zutara Wedding and the prince and princess :) And Marina's got skill (but we know that!!) And another cliffhanger ending!! REVIEW!! Only two more to go for the book's ending!!