Hello. It's been a while, hasn't it? More than half of you probably have no interest in this anymore, and that's understandable. I've been gone for a while. I hope everyone has been doing well. I really do. I experienced a statistically improbable situation founded in pure insanity and absurdity. I learned a few lessons about will power, dedication, and faith in self. I realized that I take a lot of things about myself for granted and a few things too seriously. If I had a PM conversation with you a year or two ago about what happened to me, well…statistical improbability/miracles/glitches in the simulation/quantum reality/causality/chance/every day occurence or whatever you may believe has turned that situation a full 180 and made me a liar…a very happy liar. We can talk in PM if you care to do so. I'm more or less what I set out to be now
Enough about me, it's time for the chapter. Let's hope that there's no rust here. I know there's still a bit of talent somewhere in these fingers, lol. I made this one a little long to make up for lost time, then I realized that chapter fatigue exists. Whoops. Feel free to read it a little bit at a time if necessary. To those who waited, even if just by keeping notifications active, thank you. You ladies and gentlemen are super stars, haha. The next chapter is already swirling in my mind and more or less parallels a portion of "The Promise" Avatar comic. So, by all means, it should come out quickly.
I hope everyone enjoys this. Here we go:
Katara drifted in and out. Her handle of awareness slipped away from her in what seemed to be a few blinks of the eye. Moments passed, and with it the remainder of the night. Try as she might, Katara could neither chase nor call after the hauntingly captivating blue flame that faded from her surroundings. She was left to the darkness and her tenuous grasp of consciousness.
The days trudged on, leaving behind the night in which that dreadful apparition appeared by her bedside. In that time, Sokka and Toph visited her in the waking hours of the day. They brought smiles, encouragement, and good company. Yet, for one reason or another, they were wanting in information. The best they could provide were burdened expressions of confusion. According to Toph, lips were sealed around the capital as tight as she'd ever heard them. No one who knew anything spoke a word of it, at least, not openly. What the Earthbender did gather came from her extrasensory talents. Unfortunately, the material conflicted with itself. The whispers, superstition, and hysteria melded to transform into fantastic tales of heroism and villainy worthy of ancient legends. Katara tried to piece together what she could. Toph warned against it, chalking it up to the paranoia of the remaining nobility striving to gain greater stock in the chaos. Katara noted that none of her daytime visitors were successful in securing an audience with the Fire Lord. Their once close and trusted friend was now surrounded by military and imperial advisors, closed off from the rest of the world.
In the few nights that passed before she regained full mobility, another familiar blue light filled her world to gently rouse her from her labored slumber. In those moments her heavy gaze focused up to the shadowed face of her best friend and former lover. He sat patiently and dutifully shaping a cool mass of water over her injured shoulder. The best she could manage to say to him during those midnight hours came out in strained whispers.
"I'm sorry," she repeated, attempting to engage Aang through the pain flowing in her shoulder.
He met her apologies with calm hushing, urging her to continue sleeping. At times, her words were met with a response, a reflection of the sentiment. "I should be the one apologizing."
A ceremony took place within the capital's square a day before the Water Bender ventured out on her own. There was no doubt in Katara's mind that she and Azula had done enough damage for the gathering place to be in a less than presentable state. She could only imagine what the vaguely somber and muffled tones penetrating the walls could mean. There was no celebration. Curiosity got the best of her, and determination guided the way. She would meet the Fire Lord and get answers on her own. Azula's words would not be allowed to stand on their own.
Katara was less able to navigate the halls of the palace than she predicted. She could only marvel at the alien state of the structure. Carpenters and craftsmen worked diligently, surrounded by the faint stench of burnt flesh, repairing structural damage of what could only be described as an attempted siege. Entire swatches of the great halls were gutted and charred by flames. Other areas presented obvious and unsightly signs more gruesome struggles. She made a special effort to avoid staring at the deep crimson stains that caked portions of the stone, wood, and fabrics decorating the palace walls.
Circumstance was in her favor. No one seemed to care that she walked freely through the halls without an escort. Armed members of the royal guard filed through the walkways, keeping a close eye on the tradesmen and tapestry weavers as they worked to restore the palace to its former pristine state. She could only surmise that not a single soul within the palace walls was there without reason. That fact allowed her free movement. She was cloaked by assumption and galvanized with purpose. Luck lead her in the right directions and there she stumbled upon the Fire Lord, his advisors, and the armed detachment that formed a wide perimeter around them.
Katara did the only thing she could. She called out to her friend.
"Zuko," she yelled loud enough to draw the attention of the speared royal guard.
The murderous steeled expressions covering their faces melted in exasperation once they recognized the Waterbender's face. They lowered their weapons and allowed the young Fire Lord to push through their ranks to greet the woman. She figured they were growing numb to the fact of her and the rest of the gang wandering around the palace with impunity.
"Zuko," she called again while watching Zuko emerge from the center of the throng of bodies with Ty-Lee and Suki at his side.
"Katara," Zuko answered as he stepped away from his painted body guards. "You should be resting."
"I could say the same for you," Katara responded, glancing over his body and noting the bandages peeking through the top of his long robes.
"It's too soon for that," shaking his head. He looked to either side, "I guess you can tell, I have a lot on my plate."
"Yeah," Katara agreed. "I can tell, but…"
"You want to talk, right?" He asked without skipping a beat.
"Yeah," she stated, "I do."
"Alright, we'll talk," Zuko said. He rubbed the back of his neck and yawned. He turned toward his advisors and instructed them that there would be a change in plans. Pained grimaces of frustration washed over half of the faces in the perimeter, relief conquered the rest.
"Alone?" Katara added with doubt.
Zuko waivered, glancing from his entourage to Katara. He smiled.
"As alone as we can get," Zuko answered. I need a break anyway," Zuko said.
Katara decided against warning Zuko that the conversation would be the farthest thing from a break. She was determined to find the answers that evaded the eyes and ears of the nobility. Zuko would be forced to divulge the information one way or another, he owed her that much.
"Fire Lord Zuko, we don't have any time for this," A frumpy, disheveled advisor protested from the middle of the crowd as he made his way forward. He sported same dark rings under his eyes as Zuko, with the addition of a few decades worth of wrinkles. He wore irritability as openly as the other faces Katara could make out from behind the row of guards. "We must discuss the movement of t-"
Zuko cut off the older man with a slight raise of his hand without turning to face him.
"Everyone take the time to get some rest," Zuko stated in an unambiguous tone that demanded compliance. "We'll reconvene at sunset."
The man's mouth, agape and ready to speak out, closed. He narrowed his eyes on the Water Bender and turned his nose in the air. The advisor pivoted on his heel and dispersed with another group of individuals carrying an assortment of scrolls and parchments.
"Thanks," Katara said.
"Yeah, don't thank me yet," Zuko replied with a sigh. "Ty-Lee and Suki will have to come and stand guard, of course. Apparently, I'm not allowed to be alone for the time being."
"Don't be such a sour-puss Zuko, it'll make your aura dingy," Ty-Lee chimed in.
Suki giggled before addressing Katara. "I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to visit you, we've been on constant guard. You know, just in case."
"No, I understand, Sokka let me know," Katara said, politely waving off the apology.
"How are you feeling?" Suki asked.
"Sore," Katara said with a roll of her shoulder.
"Well, at least you're in one piece," Zuko said before walking with Suki and Ty-Lee trailing close behind. "As you can see, not everyone was so lucky." The Fire Lord tilted his head toward a particularly sullied portion of a marble column. The smeared soot and misshapen burgundy blotches told the story.
"Follow me," The Fire Lord urged.
Katara slipped into the dark room and carefully closed the large door behind her. Ty-Lee and Suki remained close, just outside, keeping watch for any suspicious movement.
Zuko drew the curtains on the far end of the chamber, allowing the sunlight to spill into the room. The Fire Lord found a seat at a long table on his side of the room and invited Katara to do the same. She shook her head and stood. Zuko shrugged, slumped further into his seat, and let out a restless sigh.
"I guess it's safer to assume you're not here to check on my fitness as Fire Lord," Zuko smiled and stared at the ceiling before looking over to his friend. "Right?"
Katara frowned, "Have people been doing that?"
"That or hailing me as some infallible hero who has finally proven his worth as Fire Lord," Zuko said while removing his crown and undoing his top knot. His dark hair fell carelessly onto his shoulders. He toyed with the golden centerpiece for a bit before setting it on the table. "It's heavier than I imagined."
"I'm sorry," Katara responded, unconsciously rubbing her left shoulder.
"Don't be," Zuko said, waving off her concern. "It comes with the territory. I just wished that I realized that sooner."
"You're not blaming yourself, are you?" she asked walking closer to the table. She kept her distance, staying just within the shadowed portion of the room. She reminded herself why she was there, and what she wanted to leave with. Zuko was a dear friend, but she couldn't afford to be carelessly familiar and expect direct answers.
Zuko smirked and chuckled to himself, "Now why in the world would I do that? It's only my responsibility to make wise and thoughtful decisions for an entire nation and to know the ins and outs of every office and household in the royal court. I mean, I only have to follow every rumor, keep everyone happy, and keep one eye open while I sleep. No big deal."
"Zuko," Katara started.
"Of course I blame myself, Katara. I should have seen this coming," he stressed.
"Ok, how?" She asked, careful to remain at the opposite end of the table from Zuko.
"If I worked a little harder and…" Zuko trailed off.
"And treated everyone with suspicion?" Katara added.
"No," Zuko scoffed, "I don't know. Maybe?"
"You'd run yourself into the ground in less than a day or two if you tried that," Katara reminded the Fire Lord. "Things would have been worse if you did that. Trust me."
Zuko allowed himself sink further into the chair. He blew air as the sun's rays warmed his skin and fueled his resolve.
"Hooray for the small miracles," Zuko agreed as he rubbed the rough stubble that began to outline his chin. "Uncle tells me those are the only ones that matter anyway."
Katara nodded, "How is Iroh?"
Zuko looked out toward the large windows, scanning the horizon over the ruins of Caldera. The ocean waved in the distance, spanning farther than his eyes could perceive.
"He's well," Zuko replied, continuing to scan the great sea beyond his scarred city. "He should be back in the Fire Nation within the week."
Katara smiled. "That's some good news. I can't wait to try some of his jasmine tea again."
Zuko laughed, "Please, don't encourage him. Last thing I need is for Uncle to start proposing national tea holidays."
Katara found herself laughing as well.
"He'll do it, you know," Zuko added through upturned lips and bright eyes focused on Katara, "I'm serious."
"Oh, I'm sure," Katara said as she covered her mouth with a lightly bandaged hand.
Zuko's attention trailed back through the glass and onto the blackened, scorched portions of the capital. His smile waned.
"I'm glad we can still laugh," Zuko said while his hand traced the area where he was stabbed.
"How's your recovery going? You want me to take a look at it?" Katara said as she watched his hand settle on his stomach.
"No," Zuko said. "But thank you. You did a good job patching me up. Sometimes I can still feel that sensation. It happens with some of the more memorable scars." The Fire Lord's hand left his stomach trailed toward his face. He allowed the tips of his fingers to play at the edges of the deep scar tissue surrounding the left side of his face. Katara's smile faded as she watched the young Fire Lord dive into his memories. Zuko caught himself, and Katara's eyes.
"I'm a mess," Zuko huffed, leaning his head to the side and exposing more of his left to Katara.
"No, you're a fighter," Katara corrected him with a stern confidence. "You've probably been through more than any Fire Lord ever has, and you're still here, fighting for a better future for the entire world."
Zuko allowed a finger to rap against his face while he considered Katara's words. "But at what cost? The capital is in shambles and I have no clue if there are more political dissidents out there willing to resort to open dissent and violence."
"If there are, you'll be there to protect your people and maintain the peace," Katara said. "That's who you are."
"That's who I want to be," Zuko countered. "Up until now I've been naïve and blind to the truth."
"It's a start," Katara agreed, deciding to meet Zuko somewhere in the middle. "No one's born ready for this responsibility. Besides, not everyone can turn to their best friend the Avatar to help shoulder the burden. Plus, the rest of us aren't too shabby either, and we're always around."
She gave him two thumbs up through bandaged fingers. Zuko returned a weak, almost pained smile.
"Thanks," Zuko said. "I appreciate the support."
"Don't sweat it. We're here for you whenever you need us. We saved the world together, I don't see why we can't do the same rebuilding it," Katara said.
"I do appreciate it, Katara," Zuko reiterated. "You guys have been better friends than I deserve."
"As long as you don't run around shooting fire at us again, then everything is golden," Katara said.
Zuko winced, remembering the days spent chasing the trail of the Avatar and the two southern Water Tribe siblings.
"Don't worry, if we do this together, without any secrets, we can make anything happen. I'm sure of it," Katara said, getting ahead of herself. She had planned to ease into the subject rather than indulging all at once. Now, she could only watch as Zuko tilted his head in her direction and hardened his gaze.
Katara swallowed and continued, riding high and owning her mistake. There was no avoiding the purpose of the meeting any longer. "What happened, happened because one person tried playing everything too close to the chest. Things would have been better if everyone cooperated. They would have, I know it."
Zuko shifted in his chair, adjusting his posture to sit tall and alert.
"Are you sure about that?" Zuko asked, rigid and skeptical.
Katara's lips parted, but closed as she sensed the rhetorical nature of the question. Her fears were creeping into reality.
"Because, the way I hear it, you weren't in the mood for cooperating," Zuko finished.
"I," Katara almost choked on her words. She placed her face in her hands, unable to meet Zuko's gaze. He was prepared for a direct conversation as well. The only difference was, he had the answers. "I, I lost my head. She just, she just made me so angry that I couldn't think straight."
"She's good at that," Zuko acknowledged with a smirk. His words were laced with spite.
"I guess that means you know," Katara asked as she looked up at Zuko.
"Yeah, I know." Zuko nodded.
Katara bowed her head as her lips formed the question she was afraid to ask. "So, she is alive?"
"For better or worse, yeah," Zuko said, leaning back and running his fingers through his hair. "She's alive."
As far as Katara could tell, the Fire Lord did not seem thrilled about that fact, nor did he seem angry at her in particular. She took this as an opening and continued down the path she intended to travel.
"So, where is she?" Katara prodded, jumping into the depths without testing the waters. "Rumors are whirling that she died in the coup attempt. That's not true though, is it? So, why haven't you put an end to the whispers?"
"Maybe it's best if things remain as they are for a little while. A lot happened. Lives were lost, major damage was done to the capital, and a few noble houses were brought down. Besides, one version of the truth is already running rampant in some of the gentry's circles." Zuko said.
Zuko's choice of words struck Katara as odd, bringing about mild discomfort that spurred a dull pulsating in her bandaged shoulder and hands.
"I understand," Katara responded deliberately. She twirled an errant lock of loose hair around her fingers. "Shouldn't you have been the one to have told me? I mean, don't get me wrong, I was glad to have visitors, but seeing Azula almost sent me over the edge. I'd rather have heard all of this from-"
"You spoke to Azula?" Zuko blurted out, almost rising from his seat. "Where? When?"
Katara's throat tightened at the Fire Lord's reaction. The princess's movements and actions remained unchecked. As far as Katara knew, Azula could be anywhere devising her unholy machinations. Her stomach bubbled. A heat rose from her core and filled her chest. Anger reared its head, directing itself at Zuko's apparent incompetence. However, Katara caught herself with a series of deep breaths. The Fire Lord had been as much of a victim as anyone else in Azula's endless schemes. Senseless anger would do fewer favors for the Water Bender now than it ever had.
"A few nights ago," Katara whispered, thinking back to that evening. "It was after Aang and Sokka left the room, sometime in the middle of the night."
"She," Zuko started, face shadowed with concern, "She didn't hurt you, did she?"
"No," Katara said. The memory of that blue flame burned bright, floating to the forefront of her mind. She held herself at the elbows, hoping to deter the slight tremors that threatened to shake her frame.
"Good," Zuko sighed in relief before rubbing his wrinkled brow.
"But, she made sure to let me know she could have if she wanted," Katara admitted.
Zuko groaned and shook his head, "Of course she did."
"The thing about it," Katara remembered, "she seemed to think no one knows about..."
"The fact that she's alive." Zuko completed her sentence.
"Yes," Katara nodded.
"That's partially true," Zuko confirmed before turning his head away.
Katara stayed her question. She followed the Fire Lord's gaze. It sat labored and pensive over the image of the distorted image of the capital just beyond the window's seal. She could only imagine how many lives were lost on that night, how many lives upturned and destroyed. The responsibility lay on Zuko's shoulders, and only his. The question of why answered itself.
Zuko looked back to Katara and watched the swirl of emotion on her face as she noted the state of Caldera.
"If nothing else, she knows how to put on a performance," Zuko spat.
Katara rubbed her shoulder as the memory of the demonic blue flare flashed in her mind. "Probably a little too well," she protested.
"Definitely," Zuko agreed.
The possibilities of what occurred within and outside of the palace walls now ran wild in Katara's head. Azula could be anywhere, doing anything without anyone realizing that she lived. She was, for all intents and purposes, free. Just what she wanted. Regret, fury, and hopelessness struggled for dominance in the empty spaces of the Water Benders heart. Hot, painful tears welled in her eyes.
Memory trumped emotion, leading to the echo of the words spoken by Azula during her visit. Katara recalled the motivation and the purpose behind the carnage that took place. Whether or not Katara could admit it, the idea that Azula's actions were born of some malformed imitation of benevolence could not easily be dismissed. Truth had a way being neither pleasant nor convenient. Katara looked at her bandaged hands, to Zuko's haggard body, and onto the scorched city of Caldera. Doubt lingered.
"Who else knows?" Katara managed to ask, breaking the brief silence between the two.
"Depends," Zuko whispered.
"On what?" Katara asked.
"About how much," Zuko clarified, looking back up at Katara. "Do you want to know who else knows the whole story about how Azula was able to outsmart our father and save my life? Or just the part where you and her got into whatever it was that needed to be settled? Or maybe just the fact that she's alive?"
Katara's cheeks reddened at the reminder of her skirmish with Azula. She understood that the fight, in its entirety, was at best superficial for Azula. At worst, it was a hurdle that could have led to either of their deaths and Ozai's possible success.
"Don't worry," Zuko said, interrupting her thoughts. "If I were in your shoes I'd have gone after her head, too. She always takes things too far. Every single time."
Katara found a shy smile sneaking onto her face.
"Honestly, part of me wishes she didn't make it. Does that make me a bad brother?" Zuko asked with a sly nervous grin.
Katara giggled, "You don't know how many times I've been tempted to push Sokka out of Appa's saddle. If that makes you a bad brother, then I'm practically a monster."
Zuko returned her smile, "And here I thought I was the only one."
Laughter filled the room. The unfamiliar sound was well welcomed to the Water Bender and Fire Lord. The moment of levity allowed them a chance to finally breathe. The feeling dissipated as the silence returned. The space between words forced the pair to remember where they were and how they arrived. Anxiety's haze fell upon the room once more, threatening to suffocate them both.
"But, who else knows the whole story? Azula made sure I knew exactly what she did in explicit detail, almost like she was gloating," Katara continued, brow furrowed in disgust.
"No need to be polite. She was gloating. She enjoyed every moment of it. She's sick," Zuko said.
"I had a feeling," Katara cringed, hugging her elbows close to her body.
Zuko blew air from his nostrils and closed his eyes. "Since she told you her twisted version of events, I'd count you as one of a handful. As far as our group goes, only you and me."
"I see," Katara said, eyes widening with understanding. "But…Aang."
"He's fine. He didn't return to the palace until after the end of Azula's psycho circus." Zuko reassured.
"I know, but does he know about Azula? Does he know she's okay?" Katara asked as she nibbled on her lip.
"No." Zuko stated.
"No?" Katara asked, raising a brow. "What do you mean no?"
"No as in no. He knows that she's alive, but doesn't know she's up and about. He's under the impression that she's in pretty bad shape. To be fair, she was, but he pulled out the Avatar state in his attempts to heal her. After that, well, it was only a few hours until she was up pulling strings again. She was gone before he even had a chance to ask again. He was told that she fighting to pull through, which isn't a lie," Zuko explained in a low, almost defeated tone. "
"What?" Katara nearly screamed, bridging the distance between herself and the Fire Lord. She stepped out of the shadows and into the mid-morning sun. The warmth rushed her skin, burning just as faintly as those terrible flames did all those nights ago.
"I thought," Zuko stressed a loud, strained whisper as he looked past Katara and then back again, "I thought you of all people would have been happy to hear that. Given the fact that, well, you know."
"Given the fact that what?" Katara hissed through clenched teeth.
"Rumor has it that my sister has Aang tied around her little finger. I thought you'd be happy to hear he isn't doting over her right now," Zuko said.
The Water Bender looked away and sucked her teeth. Her fingers curled into her palms, forcing her knuckles to pop. The tightly balled fists shook against the throbbing sensations of pain radiating from her injuries. "This isn't about me. I'm just worried about Aang. I know how he feels about her. This isn't okay."
"He's preoccupied elsewhere," Zuko revealed as he leaned back in his chair, satisfied that Katara's temper and inside voice were, for the most part, intact. "Besides, he'll figure it out soon enough once he gets there."
"Zuko, explain," Katara demanded.
The Fire Lord frowned. "Azula made more than one mess with all of this. I mean, she really out did herself on this one."
"Zuko," Katara warned in stern admonishment with a few shakes of her head.
Zuko rolled the base of his palm against his temple before speaking. He was beginning to feel the effects of the dull lingering headache that signaled a need for sleep. "You're aware of the Yu Dao situation now, right?"
"Yeah," Katara confirmed. "At least, I think I am. Azula told me that she freed the colonies and created a new nation. She can't actually do that can she?"
"Well, she did," Zuko huffed. "Aang's been briefed to some degree. He left last night to go speak to the controlling authority."
A mix of circumstance and fact began to drip, drop by drop, into the well of Katara's understanding. Pieces of the entire affair began rearranging and connecting. Everything, from the asylum to the coup linked to form a complete picture of an overarching plan. Her mind overflowed with an outlandish and suffocating revelation. Her bottom lip continued to roll between her teeth while goosebumps rose on her skin.
"Zuko," Katara said, closing her eyes tightly. "Who is in charge of this new Republic?"
"For the time being, the appointed Governor and a representative of the Fire Nation," Zuko answered solemnly. "The Governor has always been from a family firmly established in both Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom roots for the sake of stabilizing relations. However, this current set up is temporary, at least until some new form of government rears its head."
She continued her line of inquiry, voice wavering with anticipation. "And who is the Fire Nation representative?"
Zuko looked up and met her bright blue eyes. He answered with a chuckle born of surrender. He raised his hands helplessly, "Do you even have to ask?"
"You're joking right," Katara laughed nervously. "I mean, it can't be."
"Azula was thorough," Zuko said. "She left herself with options, just in case. The documents placed the Fire Lord at the time of liberation as a co-council member along the standing Governor."
"You can't be serious," Katara muttered.
"You already know it's true. And, if it's any consolation, I don't think she expected to survive this. Power was supposed to lapse to the Governor if the Fire Lord was not able to assume the entrusted duties," Zuko explained.
"You believe that?" Katara started in disbelief.
"Not really, no. But, considering the coup, the assassination attempts, and the temporary cease fire…I didn't have any time to dispute it." Zuko said.
"Where is Azula?" Katara demanded.
"I told you, she gave herself multiple outs," Zuko reiterated.
"Zuko," Katara growled, "where is Azula?" Before she realized it, Katara found herself towering over Zuko, prepared to grab him by the collar. She restrained herself, remembering that she was in the presence of the Fire Lord and not her oafish brother.
"We've had airships filing in and out of the capital for the past few days to bolster security and to support the transition with th-"
"She escaped?" Katara yelled.
"Katara, quiet," Zuko shushed the Waterbender. "I haven't seen her since the night she spoke to you. She said she had business to take care of before giving up her duty…babysitting me."
"You let her leave on an airship, Zuko. Why?" Katara seethed, now kneeling face to face with the Fire Lord. She gripped the arms of his chair and glared into his golden eyes. They relayed everything he didn't. Zuko wasn't a player in this battle. It was over before he had even caught wind of the game.
"She had control over her own faction of the nobility. I wasn't in any position to openly question her service to the crown, not if I wanted to remain Fire Lord. She had me dead to rights," Zuko explained, placing a hand over Katara's bandaged grip.
Katara's eyes widened and her lip quivered. She tightened her mouth and muffled a scream. As she sank to Zuko's feet. She sat there, attempting to make sense of it all before words came to her again.
"What," Katara whispered, regaining her composure to take a seat in a chair next to the Fire Lord, "What do we do now?"
"There's no we on this one, Katara. My nation was nearly torn in half and I can't risk another internal conflict by starting a war with a new state liberated by my sister. Azula was gracious enough to shave off some of the glory by pinning all of this on me," Zuko said.
"I'm sorry, but what are you talking about? What else did Azula do?" Katara panted, stranded in disbelief. The fatigue of surprise was getting the best of her. The truth she was prepared to wrangle out of Zuko proved to be far more unruly and unbelievable than originally presumed. She was drowning in the answers she so desperately sought.
"It's not the first time," Zuko said, covering his eyes and looking away from Katara. "She told my father that I struck down the Avatar in the crystal catacombs because she couldn't confirm the kill. Let's just call it another bad habit of hers."
Katara frowned and covered her mouth, "Wait, so you're telling me…"
"Yeah, outside of a handful in royal guard and imperial elite, most of the gentry seem to believe that I stopped the coup with some assistance from Azula. To now go out and strike against her would mean engaging in an actual civil war."
"It's hopeless, then. She wins?" Katara asked "Just like that?"
Zuko leaned back into his seat and considered his friend for a moment or two. Her eyes begged for a solution, any solution that he could give to somehow extract justice out of the chaos that had become their lives. He twisted his mouth to the side and resolved to trust her judgement. His people needed him and there were limitations to his power. However, Karata was bound by neither duty nor a crown. "No, I told you, we have airships flying in and out of the capital."
Realization hit Katara in force, breathing a fresh air of hope into desperate lungs. "Okay, I'll get Sokka and Toph so we can head out immediately, but what can we do?"
"Don't expect to change too much, because she's likely seen as a hero on both fronts for stalling Kuei at the gates of the new Republic and helping to save the Fire Lord's life."
"Barely," Katara interjected.
"It is what it is," Zuko said. "But you'll have an advantage as well."
"That would be?" Katara asked, hoping that the Fire Lord saw an angle that she did not.
"Remember, I told you that Azula probably didn't plan on coming out of any of this alive. Trust me, I'm sure that was supposed to be spit in our eye, too, but none of this turned out in her favor. Not entirely. It's sloppy, and she's up against a wall. The new Republic isn't going to accept any autocratic rule. She doesn't have any sustainable protection from the Kuei and the Earth Kingdom outside of the small defense force and the Avatar. She's completely reliant on the good will of the Avatar and the Fire Nation. She's going to need all the help she can get." Zuko said, smiling a bit more earnestly than before. "Use that as leverage. Like you said, cooperation is the only way we're going to get through any of this."
Everything in Katara's being recoiled against the idea of working with Azula. The physical torment coupled with the embarrassment and emotional isolation caused by the princess urged Katara to undermine and subdue Azula. The idea of revenge blossomed and bore fruit within her that appeared irresistibly sweet. Katara thirsted for one, single satisfying bite. However, reason slithered into consciousness and bound her to rationality. War loomed over the colony situation long before Azula was released from the asylum. Due to events out of everyone's control, Azula was in control of a territory mired in the most volatile situation of the new world and happened to be backed into a corner. Aang's heart was firmly dedicated in what would be a nest of affection and unbridled anger regarding Azula's actions, making him a volatile element in the equation. Zuko could not reasonably afford to provide massive numbers of troops to defend his sister. Truth settled and Katara accepted its virtue. Whether or not she knew it, the princess needed allies. Though the Water Bender resolved to capitulate, she dedicated herself to a hard line. She would help Azula, but be there to check her every step of the way.
"Ok," Katara said, accepting the reality of the situation. "I think I know how to approach this, maybe."
"I know, this is a mess," Zuko said, doing his best to console her. "Can't say I'm happy about any of this."
"Yeah, I wish you were an only child, too," Katara pouted.
"Hey, one more thing," Zuko started with hesitation.
Katara gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be careful. I'm in no position to fight. That isn't how this is going to play out."
"No, it's not that," Zuko said. "Just make sure Aang doesn't do anything he may regret. She used all of us to a certain extent, and well, I'm not good at this sort of stuff but don't let whatever it is going on with you three get in the way of a sustainable solution."
"Is anything sustainable with Azula?" Katara asked.
Zuko took a deep breath and sighed. He stood and made his way closer to the window. He meditated upon his great city once more. "You tell me."
Everyone's alive? Yeah, pretty much for now. Are we going for a slight deviation and then reunification with cannon Korra? That's a good question. Cliff hangers by way of author commentary should be banned, haha. One thing I will say, I think people will come around to Katara by the end of all of this, I know I did.
I'll see you all again soon(ish). Don't worry, there won't be a multiple month gap again as far as I know. Things are moving in my life, but I have time for this story. Later days.