Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.
Based on "Boiling Rock Part 2" originally by Josh Hamilton.
"Previously on Avatar, Zuko and Sokka escaped the Boiling Rock with Suki, Mai, Ty Lee, Chit Sang, Chit Sang's best friend and Chit Sang's girlfriend," said Avatar Roku.
On the airship, Zuko and Mai were alone in one of the rooms.
"I heard you say you were saving the jerk who dumped you," Zuko said.
"Yeah," said Mai. "I don't think now is the best time to be talking about this."
"You're right, but you got mad at me for leaving you a letter," Zuko countered.
Mai sighed, "Fine. We aren't getting back together are we?"
"No," said Zuko. "Focusing on defeating my father is more important."
"You do know Azula's going to follow us," said Mai.
"That's true. I'm going to go talk to Sokka and see if he has a plan," said Zuko.
"Hey, Zuko. How's it going with Mai?" Sokka asked when Zuko came out on the deck.
"We broke up," said Zuko.
"Oh," said Sokka surprised.
"We need to focus on getting back so I can train Aang and he can defeat my father," said Zuko.
"Oh," said Sokka as he remembered the bigger picture.
"Azula's probably following us. Do you have ideas on what to do?" Zuko asked.
"Hmm," Sokka thought for a moment. "Maybe my dad has an idea."
Sokka and Zuko went back to talk to Hakoda.
The zeppelin arrived at the Western Air Temple in no time at all. It was night when they docked near the temple's structures. Aang, Katara, and Toph stood in front of the zeppelin, as Zuko and Sokka walked out.
"What are you doing in this thing? What happened to the war balloon?" Katara asked.
"It kind of got destroyed," said Zuko.
"Sounds like a crazy fishing trip," said Aang.
"Did you at least get some good meat?" Toph asked hopeful.
"I did," said Sokka as he closed his eyes, "The best meat of all." He opened his eyes. "The meat of friendship and fatherhood."
Suki and Hakoda got of the zeppelin. Chit Sang and his girlfriend and best friend appeared shortly behind them. Mai and Ty Lee came out last.
Chit Sang waved, "We're new. What's up everybody?"
Katara teared up, "Dad."
She ran to Hakoda. Hakoda said, "Hi, Katara."
Katara hugged her dad.
Sokka looked at Katara. Katara let go of Hakoda, turned to her brother, and said, "How are you here? What is going on? Where did you go?"
"We... kind of went to a Fire Nation prison," said Sokka.
Zuko nodded.
Katara, Toph and Aang made defensive stances when Mai and Ty Lee came into view.
"They helped us," said Sokka.
Katara's gloved hand grabbed Sokka by his arm.
Toph and Aang returned to a normal position.
Zuko smiled.
The siblings embraced their dad.
"Seriously, you guys didn't find any meat?" Toph asked.
"No, we were going to but we needed to get away from Azula," said Sokka.
"Oh," said Toph.
About three days after Zuko and Sokka returned, the group noticed a change in the atmosphere. Zuko and Sokka got along really well. Sokka and Suki had been spending more time together. Hakoda and Zuko got along well. Mai and Ty Lee were different without Azula. They got along well with everyone. They explained how Azula worked.
One morning, while Zuko was meditating in front of some candles, Katara knocked on the door.
"Enter," said Zuko with his eyes shut.
"I'm not disturbing you, am I?" Katara asked.
"No," said Zuko as he opened his eyes.
"I wanted to talk to you privately," said Katara.
Zuko made the flames on the candles die. "What's on your mind?"
"Uh, well, I-uh," Katara stammered.
"Relax, take a deep breath," said Zuko.
Katara took a deep breath, "Thank you for breaking my dad out."
"I didn't really do anything for you to thank me for," said Zuko as he placed his hand on the back of his neck.
Katara thought about what Toph suggested. She had noticed there was some tension between him and Mai.
"So what's going on between you and Mai?" Katara asked.
"We broke up," said Zuko.
Katara furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be," said Zuko. "We need to focus on the mission ahead."
Now Katara knew how Aang felt, although Zuko had no idea of her feelings for him. She sighed, "Yeah."
Katara walked back to the door.
"You never said what was on your mind," said Zuko.
"It's nothing. I've got to prepare breakfast," Katara said. Then she left his room.
During lunch, Toph devised a plan to get Zuko and Katara alone. She realized Sokka and Suki had a strong relationship and there was no room for her to wedge in so she decided to get Zuko and Katara together.
"Zuko, will you meet with me by the fountain after lunch?" Toph asked Zuko.
"Sure. Why?" Zuko asked.
"You'll see," said Toph. Then she walked over to Katara.
"Katara, I wanted to talk to you privately meet me by the fountain after lunch," said Toph.
After lunch, Zuko waited by one end of the fountain, while Katara waited at the other. Toph felt both of them standing there and pulled them into the earth in a tunnel she created below.
"Ow," Katara said as she collided with Zuko and landed on him.
"Are you okay?" Zuko asked. Katara started to get up, but she hit her head on the cave ceiling. "Katara?"
"I'm fine. I just hit my head. I don't think there is enough room for us to move around or get out," Katara replied. She moved so she wasn't on top of him.
"So we are trapped," Zuko stated calmly. "What were you doing before this?"
"Toph," said Katara. Katara furrowed her eyebrows. "I was suppose to meet her by the fountain."
"Really?" Zuko replied surprised. "So was I. Why would she do this?"
"She knew I wanted to talk to you alone," said Katara. "It's about something different than what we talked about this morning. There's this guy I like-"
"Wouldn't it be better to talk to Aang about it?" Zuko cut her off.
"It's not Aang," Katara replied defensively and turned away from Zuko.
"I'm sorry," said Zuko apologetically.
"Nevermind," said Katara.
The silence grew. Finally, Zuko broke it, "I found out what happened to my mother."
Katara was surprised Zuko was talking about this; she turned toward his voice.
Zuko continued, "My grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon, ordered my father to kill me because my father asked for my uncle's birthright." Katara's eyes widened. "My mother found out and helped plot the Fire Lord's death so my father could become the next Fire Lord. Then he banished her," Zuko finished.
"So, she's still alive?" Katara asked.
"Maybe," said Zuko. "My father didn't tell me, and I doubt he ever will."
"We could look for her," said Katara.
"We need to focus on Aang being ready to fight my father," said Zuko in a serious tone.
Katara reached out and hugged Zuko. He felt that she was cold and put his arms around her to hug her back.
"I know how much you must miss her," Katara whispered. "She was brave."
"Yeah," Zuko agreed. Then he sighed and said, "Katara you're freezing."
They snuggled together so Katara could get warm.
"Toph!" Zuko called, when he heard rumbling.
Toph created an opening.
"I see my plan has worked," said Toph.
"Get us out of here!" Katara shouted.
Toph earthbent them up out of the tunnel.
Katara started to move her hands to waterwhip Toph, but Zuko stopped her.
"Come on, the others are probably worried about you and want to see you," said Zuko.
Katara followed Zuko to the main part of the temple where everyone else was.
To Be Continued...
