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A/N: Avatar Nick wholly owns the Last Airbender.

Time moves on and the plot thickens!

(This was meant to be a one-shot, but it's evolved. One more chapter!)

All comments are welcomed.

Reflections (Part 2)

Katara couldn't hold back the tears that fell from her cerulean eyes as she gazed upon the visage of her long-deceased brother. Her tears blurred his translucent image even further.

"Sokka - is that you - is, it really - truly you," she asks through the sobs.

"It's really, truly me sis," Sokka replies in a strengthening voice that starts off sounding like a distant echo.

"You sure this isn't one of those hallucinations like I had of mom, way back when?"

The steadily solidifying form smiles. "Nope, no hallucination, it's really me sis."

The waterbender turns towards the occupied earthbender. "Look, Toph! It's Sokka; it's really Sokka!"

Toph gives a weak wave. "I know Sugar Queen, not the first time I've met him, you know," the enthralled earthbender replies as she seems to stare into her ethereal lover's shimmering eyes.

Katara's left eye twitches with irritation. "Toph, it's Sokka, back from the Spirit World, right here – with us, talking to me! Isn't that incredible?"

"Sure Sweetness – incredible," Toph mumbles in a less than sincere tone before she and Aang kiss once more.

"Aren't you going to say something to him?"

The earthbender breaks her kiss. "Hey Snoozels, how's it going," Toph throws out, still not turning their way.

Katara stomps her foot at the underwhelming response, and the ground freezes under it. "You're not even the least bit excited that Sokka is here, Toph? I thought at least you cared about him as much as I did! You were bawling your eyes out at his funeral, and now it's no big deal that's he's back? What gives?"

The image of Sokka fills the waterbender's view. "Sis, I see Toph like, almost every day now," he explains. "Her and Aang are always walking through the Spirit World, or we're here talking and – what's wrong, Katara?"

The waterbender takes several steps back from her brother's shimmering form. "Every day? Did you say every fucking day?"

A quizzical look fills Sokka's face. "Yeah, well not every day, but almost every day. Like yesterday we were hanging out at Iroh's place for tea and…"

Katara's eyes narrow. "So you're telling me you and that mud troll, I mean Toph, see each other almost every-spirit-damn-day while I'm busy fighting through my grief and heartache over losing my one and only brother?"

"Yeah. Aang and I like to…"

Katara glowers in Sokka's direction. "Shut up, Sokka. Did it ever occur to you that I might want to see you too?" she bemoans in a ragged, angry tone.

Sokka sighs, but Katara feels no breath expelled. "Of course, it did sis, and I often came to you there in the Fire Nation. I saw you crying and calling my name, but you couldn't hear me telling you I'm okay. Remember that dream you had we were running through that field of lilacs and we…"

Katara's face turned a deep magenta. "Whoa, are you telling me that was more than just a dream? I mean, it felt real, just like you were there, and we were young and all."

"As a spirit, I can only go where the ley lines are strong and manifest in a physical form," Sokka says as he steps closer to her. "But when your mind is quiet, I can come to you in your dreams and even influence the form they take, to a degree, sis."

Katara purses her lips. "So, the sexy part?"

Sokka smiles and shakes his head. "That was all you. The lilacs and the picnic, that was me. Skinny dipping and playing 'Healer I have a Boo-Boo,' came out of your imagination, as well as that koala-sheep, or was it a ram? And what was it doing to Toph?"

The waterbender now had the irate earthbender's full attention. "You bitch! You did that to me in front of Sokka? You had that creature – uh -uh, molest me, with him there?"

Katara raises a hand to her chest. "It was a dream, Toph, only a silly dream. Nobody can help what they see in dreams, well normal ones. You weren't the only one that got gotten."

Toph takes in a long steady breath as she rubs her tightly knitted brow.

Sokka starts to laugh in an otherworld tone. "To be honest, I wondered why that thing had Aang's face. The three of you looked like you were having a good time, though," Sokka states with a half-smile.

"Is that supposed to make me feel any better, Snoozels," Toph grumbles, placing her hands on her hips. "Just because a stupid fluffy sheep has Aang's…" the earthbender pauses in midsentence as her muted green eyes blink. "Ah, was he soft and cuddly too?"

Sokka nods. "Yep, super fluffy as best as I could tell from Katara's comments at the time. I think she totally forgot I was there. I think my sister has a thing for you, Toph."

"Tell me something I don't know, Snoozels."

"He had one thing that wasn't soft," Katara mumbles to herself, followed by a snort.

"I heard that, Pervert Queen," Toph exclaims as she points to her still sensitive ears.

"Yes, my wife can behave a bit – twisted, I have to admit, but really Toph, Pervert Queen?"

"I thought you were heading home Zuzu, why did you come back?" Katara asks in a stern tone, still looking in Toph's direction.

The former Fire Lord rubs the back of his neck. "Well, I was until I saw Azula flying in on her dragon. I just followed her in."

Katara spins around, eyeing her surroundings. There stood the still statuesque firebender, hair silver from age but golden eyes sharp as ever. Azula's simple aqua-green high-collared tunic matches her loose-fitting trousers and slippers. She could almost blend into the background, "Azula, why are you here, and how long have you been here?"

Toph steps between the two glaring women. "I know you two don't get along, but I was afraid you wouldn't come if I told you Azi would be here Sweetness.

"And you would be right, Toph!" Katara holds up her hands, and a dark mist resembling a cloud forms between them. Flashes at the center can be seen as a low rumbling emits in time to the arcs. "Time, we had this out, bitch! You're not the only one who can throw a little lightening around!"

Azula took her classic cold fire pose. "Let's see what ya got," she coolly states. "Uncle taught me how to re-direct it, just like Zuzu."

"Knock it off, you two! Sheesh, you're both acting like kids rather than a pair of old hags," Toph shouts, holding up her arms between the possible combatants. "Can't you guys let it go?"

"I'm not an old hag, she is!" Katara and Azula state in stereo, pointing at one another.

"By the spirits, can't you just leave this one go, Kat! Does it really matter where anyone stood at the coronation of our daughter?"

Katara glowers over her shoulder at Zuko, and she seems to wilt. "Yes, it did – it does! That poor excuse for a match stood in my place, and you could have made her move, and you didn't! This is partially your fault too, husband!"

"But didn't I have you sit next to me, dear? Normally only the Fire Lord sits there," Zuko reminds her with a wry smile.

Katara crosses her arms over her chest. "Well, it was cozy, and we did make a pretty colorful light show. What would you call that color?"

"Watered-down rust, I think," Azula snickers.

"No, that's the color of your old leaky crotch," the waterbender retorts with a smirk.

"Fuck you, Katara!"

"I know you would like to Azula, but unless your name is Toph, I'm not interested."

"For the record Sweetness, I'm not interested that you're interested!"

Katara, Azula, and Zuko stand in absolute silence for a few moments at the earthbender's comment.

Toph shakes her head. "I knew you guys were old, but I didn't think you all had gotten that slow, especially you, Azi!"

"Her? What about me, Toph?" Katara complains.

"You've always been a step behind most of us, Sugar Queen. It's clear Sokka got the moose-lion share of the brains in the family."

"Thanks, Toph."

Katara points her finger at her ghostly sibling. "Hey, don't thank her for insulting me, brother!"

"We're running out of time, my love," Aang prompts Toph.

"Who's running out of time and why," Azula asks.

"This world and the peace we fought so hard to bring," Aang expounds. "Well, most of us, no offense Azula."

"None taken, Avatar Aang. I admit I sided with a madness that had darkened our nation and poisoned the world."

"She has been helping to heal it now," Katara states with a sigh.

Azula's cheeks flush brightly. "Uh, I can't believe I'm saying this, but thank you, Katara."

"You don't have to thank me, just stating the facts," Katara replies with a shrug.

Zuko's wrinkled brow furls. "So why are we here, Toph? I was going to go and join the Fire Nations troops along-side the others to stops those Sons of Sozin, sonsofbitches! That fucking comet will be arriving in a few hours."

"Why do you have to be out there, Zuko? Avatar Nukilik is fully realized, and they have all the mechanized strength of the Free Republic, Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, United Water Tribes, and Order of the White Lotus at their disposal," Azula states.

"Don't forget the Air Consortium," Toph reminds them. "Airbenders, Gliders, and Powered Pilots are there too. So, Teaboy, you would just be in the way."

"I can still be helpful," Zuko pouts.

Toph grins. "And that's why you're here, even though you were just spying on your sister."

The former Fire Lord blusters. "I wasn't spying on you, Azula, I – uh - was just looking at your dragon – you know. Is it new?"

Azula rolls her saffron eyes. "Nope, the same one I've had all these years. Sapphire will be disappointed that you've become so senile, Zuzu."

"I am not senile! Tell her Kat; I'm just as sharp as ever!"

Katara shrugs. "So how can we be helpful, Toph."

Zuko stomps his foot, "Hey, don't ignore me!"

"I think it would be better if I explained it," a strange voice states as another glowing, semi-transparent figure appears. "I'm am Avatar Wan, the first of my kind."

"Wow, the first Avatar. Never thought I would get a chance to meet you," Katara exclaims with a curtsey.

"Must you flirt with every guy you meet Sweetness?"

"Toph, he's quite a looker," Katara telepathically replies.

"Thank you; I appreciate the compliment," Wan replies with a small bow of his head.

Katara's cheeks bloom beet red. "You heard that?"

"They all did Sugar Queen. I'm linked to everyone here, so if you want to speak to only me, just whisper," Toph informs her.

"That would have been nice to know before I embarrassed myself," she sighs. "You know, I think you're still handsome, right, Zuko?"

"I think I have to go pee," he replies. "Did you say something, Kat? There was this weird voice in my head. Sounded like you kissing up again."

The waterbender's sapphire eyes narrow. "Never mind, just go behind those trees over there, you old fool," she says, pointing to a small outcropping.

"How did you know I had to go pee," Zuko asks with a surprised look.

Katara's jaw tightens. "JUST GO USE THE FRICKIN TREES ZUZU BEFORE YOU PISS YOURSELF!"

"You don't have to yell. I'm going. Sheesh, you sound just like my sister."

The waterbender exhales a cold mist into the humid air. "I do not sound like your sister!"

Everyone watches as the old man turns down the slope, making his way cautiously on the narrow path and around to a patch of trees slightly taller than himself. Soon the sound of off-and-on-again splashes can be heard. "Katara! I think I may have wet myself a little," he calls out. "Can you help me?"

"Hells no! Really Zuzu, we don't have time for all of this. I'm not going to blood-bend you a stiffy so that everyone thinks you still can get it up!"

Swearing and a few flashes of flames clear the tops of the tree cluster before Zuko emerges. "It's a shame that in the winter of life, all a man has left is his pride," Zuko states with a sad expression.

Katara rolls her blue eyes at his pitiful comments. "You know Zuko if you had asked nicely, I would have gobbled your pride right up, if you know what I mean."

Toph and Azula both begin to gag.

"What's wrong with you two," the waterbender asks with a sneer. "It's not like you guys haven't done the same thing, if not more."

"It's not the thought of the act, Katara," Toph replies, "it's just the thought of you sucking down a mouthful of Fire Lord Wrinkles old junk juice that's gross. Probably like trying to choke down rancid cottage cheese."

"Ugh, that is a nasty picture, Toph. I thought for sure those old prunes would be drier than firewood by now," Azula adds as she wretches slightly.

The retired Fire Lord crosses his arms. "I'll have you know that I'm just as virile as I've always been. Tell them, Kat!"

Katara takes a deep breath. "Now that Zuko is back, what were you saying, Avatar Wan?"

No one seems to notice Zuko's head drop forward.

Avatar Wan moves to the relative center of the group. "I think it's best if I start at the beginning. When I lived, mankind was threatened with total extinction. Our cities were on the backs of giant lion turtles. These turtles were the familiars of the chief spirits and represented four of the seven natural elements."

"I think I've heard the story before, "Azula says as she gazes at the shining figure. "Didn't some wizard open up a door between the Spirit World and this one so that he could beat the Jade Emperor and become ruler over both?"

Wan nods. "Yes, but the man was possessed by an evil spirit named Kali after he tried to trick her. She did not take his deception lightly and decided to destroy all mankind."

Toph shakes her head. "Whoa, that's a bit harsh. One guy screws up, and she decides to take everyone out? That ain't right."

Wan nods once more. "Agreed, but many spirits are prideful and take matters of honor seriously."

Katara laughs, glancing over at Azula. "We know a couple of people like that too."

The princess responds with an obscene hand gesture as she looks away.

Wan continues his explanation. "With the promise of untold power, he convinces the mages of his world to breach the barrier, not knowing it was all a trap. What came out was an unstoppable flood of blood-thirsty creatures. Neither the armies or the magic of their time could stop these beings. Their great civilization fell into ruins in less than a decade. Billions died as this world was laid waste."

Zuko's head jerked up. "Billions? There is just a little over a billion people alive now. How could there have been billions," he asks Wan, looking at Sokka and Aang.

"It may be hard for you to believe, but at one time, over ten billion people lived on this world in great cities that reached high into the sky. They could fly in great metal ships, even into the stars. They built cities on the moon and worlds far beyond this one," the first avatar tells him.

Azula's jaw drops open. "Eh, these cities, on the other worlds, what became of them?"

Aang clears his throat. "All the ones on the moon were destroyed. Kali destroyed all life on it by burning the moon to ash. Just a cloud of dust remained."

"That's ridiculous," Katara stammers. "I see the moon…"

"Sis, that's not the original moon," Sokka informs her. "Tui and La created that one."

"Oh, so that's why Yue had to die, I guess," the waterbender assumes.

"When will you all learn, I didn't die! I was transformed!" the moon spirit complains loudly.

Katara bows her head to the ground. "Sorry, I – I didn't mean to offend you, your worshipfulness."

"Yue, what's up girl," Toph says playfully. "Like I didn't expect you to be here if he's here." She laughs, pointing over at Sokka.

The almost angelic looking entity laughs, and a sweet-smelling breeze of artic poppies fill the air. "You know anywhere my Sokka-kin goes; I go."

"Still a stalker, I see," Azula snarls.

"Still a jealous bitch, I see," Yue replies.

Katara stands shakily to her feet. "What's going on here? Why are you all talking so casually to Princess Yue, the great Moon Spirit?"

Azula begins to laugh hysterically. "This, this nympho-maniac, great? Yeah, she's this quasi-spirit thing, but all she has on her mind most of the time is sex! This creature took control of me, Mai and Ty Lee, all at the same time and have us ravage him every full-moon like clockwork!" she accuses.

Yue's smile sends shivers up Katara's back. "Be the honest daughter of Agni, you never resisted that hard, and I was a handy excuse. We both had - fun. The only one who seemed troubled was that buxomly, flexible one. The one with a lot of air virtue to her."

Azula throws up her hands. "Yeah, Ty Lee was kind of prudish about that kind of thing. After a while, she just stayed away from home on those nights. But I didn't know Mai was such a – freak, or was that your influence?"

"How can you accuse me? That woman made me blush, and trust me; I thought I had seen it all!" Yue declares her aura tinting red.

"Hey ladies, you're literally destroying my little sister's opinion of me," Sokka whispers in an audible voice.

"Don't worry, dear brother; I didn't have that high of an opinion of you anyways after you went ahead and married those three loons."

Azula spits on the ground. "Says the freak that beds her own brother."

Katara takes in a deep breath. "Back at you, Azula. I know all about your sick royal secrets and why you wanted Zuko to join you. You were in love with him. When he left you with your perverted father, you not only felt that he betrayed you, but that he also abandoned you again. Abandoned you just like your mother did."

Azula claps her hands slowly together. "Bravo peasant. That is a very astute observation. One that took me years to come to. Sokka, your brother, helped me realize that. I wasn't only able to admit it, but I was also able to forgive Zuzu and my mother. I have to say, thank you for raising such a caring brother, Katara."

The waterbender looked down at the ground, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm sorry, Azula. I should never have said any of that. I guess I'm a bit jealous that Sokka chose you over me in the end. I'm sure you probably feel the same…"

"Nope," Azula interrupts. "I know I got the better end of the deal. I'd be upset too if I was left with Zuzu. Sokka was, well is, a tremendous friend and lover."

"Well, Zuko has been here for me, and I appreciate him!" Katara retorts with a wry smile.

Zuko smiles brightly. "Do you mean that, Kat?"

"Of course I do, you old coot, "the waterbender snaps. "Don't make me say it again."

The ground under all their feet rumbled. "Well now that the stupid touchy-feely shit is over, can we get back on track," Toph inquires as she places her hands on her hips. "All this nonsense makes me feel like I'm going through menopause again. I'm glad I never had a brother if it leads to this kind of twisted stuff."

"I can live with the freaky stuff as long as I have my big brother. I am glad it was just the one time, "Katara says in a hushed voice.

"Thanks, sis," Sokka sighs.

"So, the moon gets destroyed and then what," Zuko solicits, tapping his chin. "Were all the planets wiped out too?"

A pained look flashed across Wan's face. "Without the moon, the seas and the weather were out of control. Storms that destroyed the coastal cities and lasted for months on end. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves, blizzards all happening, one after the other. It even changed the length of a day."

"And the other worlds," Azula brings up again.

Aang speaks up. "According to the records I read, the Jade Emperor hid this world from sight so that the same fate wouldn't befall those who were away. He also limited Kali to this world to sate her anger against."

"But other spirits had loyal followers that prayed to them for mercy. Finally, they decided to intercede," Yue began to elaborate. "Kali tried to fight the other spirits, but it was four, I mean five, against one, and she eventually gave up. Tui and La created a new moon and balanced the weather and the seas. Agni tamed the violent volcanic upheavals."

"I can hardly believe the spirits were able to save this place after hearing about how bad it was," Katara states, shaking her head.

"It wasn't easy. Even the spirits doubted if they could pull it off and keep the remnant of mankind alive," Wan informs them.

"Yes, but Vāyu was able to restore the skies and purified them from all the soot, ash, and smoke," Yue continues. "Finally, Pṛthvī saved what lands had not been submerged and made those that were poisoned habitable and able to sustain life. Soon the forests and fields returned. Also, all types of animals began to come back and fill the land, sky, and seas."

"Unfortunately, there were just a few thousand people left in the last remaining human stronghold. Depleted of its former glory and surrounded by the lower spirits that freely roamed the world, mankind was fading into the void." Wan smiles. "But then the spirits come up with a plan."

"Lion turtles," Sokka states. "Each one equipped with elemental powers so that they could clear out the hordes of spirit beasts."

"They not only cleared out many of these malicious spirits, they were able to endow people with their powers. It was decided to divide what remained of humanity evenly amongst the four creatures. These being also possessed great wisdom and wanted to retrain humanity as well. Make them less susceptible to their baser instincts," Avatar Wan details. "They had hoped that all beings could live together."

Yue takes over. "Kali warned that would never happen, and that even the high spirits were too self-centered in the end. So far, she has been right."

Listen up people, that brings us to why we are here," Toph belts out. "The four spirits that were once our benefactors started fighting amongst themselves, using people like Pai Sho pieces. Agni decides to throw in a wringer by bringing this comet close enough to supercharge any firebender a hundred times over!"

"I died in such a battle with these firebenders," Wan reveals. "Since then, many Avatars have fallen victim to this, cheat."

"Didn't that freakishly tall Avatar live like a gazillion years? How come she didn't get roasted," Azula inquires.

"She almost did," Aang replies. "But after the first near-death experience, Avatar Kyoshi made sure she was in a position to strike first."

"So, here's the plan people. We are going to take that spirit-damned comet when it comes this time," the petite earthbender declares, pointing to the sky.

"I hate to break it to you, Toph, but not even our airships can get up to that comet," Zuko states. "How are we going to take it out from down here?"

Toph laughs. "I'm just the presenter. Sokka is our details guy. And I think you're all going to be pretty impressed with his idea."

Katara rubs her hands together. "Okay, Toph, now you're talking. How are we going to do this thing, big brother?"

Sokka smiles. "Lion Turtle Shells!"