Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 33 of Sparks Ignite! How are we all feeling about the story so far? Leave me a review and let me know your thoughts! I'm so happy to be writing this story for you guys and I can't wait for you guys to see the next few chapters! As always, I do not own Avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.

Chapter 33: The Life They Live

Katara had been counting the days in her head. They had only 2 days left before his organs would shut down and bending the water through him would be useless. That only left a day and a half to find the Mother of Faces.

They had only been searching for a day, and the weary looks on everyone's faces were beginning to show. They walked by day and flew by night, trying to cover as much ground as they could.

Katara led the group, making sure nobody got left behind in the dense forest and so they had a path to walk. She heard hurried footsteps from behind her and turned to see Toph, racing up to catch up next to her.

Toph continued walking next to her, "We should rest soon… The sun is setting, and everybody is getting tired" she told the older girl. Katara sighed, looking back at the rest of their group and how their feet dragged beneath them, "I know… I was just hoping to cover a little more ground before then…"

The earthbender placed a hand on the waterbender's shoulder, "You should rest… I can't see and I know you look tired" Toph told her, trying to make light out of the situation.

Katara smiled slightly at her, "I can't, and you know that Toph…"

Toph sighed, seeing this answer coming. She then leaned over and whispered to the other girl, "What if we get all the way to this valley and she's not even there? How do we know she stays there?" Toph asked her. Katara sighed and kept looking straight ahead, "We don't… We just hope that somehow our paths cross…"

"So we're trusting fate?" Toph asked her. Katara looked at her and nodded, "Essentially"

Aang stood alone in the hospital room once again, the water flowing through Zuko's veins. Every inch of him only alive because of the life the water gave him.

But it felt like a lost cause. He only got worse with time. The color had almost completely drained from his cheeks and all that was left was a pinkish tone on the tip of his nose, and his quiet shallow breaths. It felt like they were just delaying the inevitable. Hope was slowing fleeting from all of them, except for Iroh. He still clung to the hope of Katara returning, Ursa in hand.

With Katara gone, Aang spent a lot of time thinking about her. He was mad that she left, especially without saying goodbye. He knew that if she did, he would have been able to stop her. He could have convinced her to stay, that the wild goose chase was just a waste of time. She should be here, so they could all say goodbye to Zuko in peace, not running across the globe. She should have talked to him.

Aang knew that's exactly why she didn't though, that if she stopped to think about it, she would realize that her obsession was absurd. Zuko was a good friend to Aang. And he would miss him greatly. And he wanted to avenge the rebels that caused his death. But he also knew that with his death would come turmoil. It is the end of the fire nation blood line. It was important that he stay and help Iroh pick up the pieces of the fire nation. And he wanted Katara by his side when he did. Aang thought that it might help her get over Zuko's death.

All he wanted was for Katara to be happy. And he knew he could make her happy. If only he was given the chance.

The scene in front of him changed and he found himself in the throne room. Zuko sat at a seat at the end of the table, looking up at the throne. He saw Iroh, sitting just beyond the flames, the Fire Lord's crown on his head. It was a sight that he didn't think he would ever see, knowing Iroh's misgivings with being on the throne.

Advisor Chen stood, "Fire Lord, our nation is in a great golden age… People are happier than they've ever been and progress is being made. This could not have been done without you sir…"

Iroh smiled sadly and nodded, "Our people deserve to be happy… They have gone through many grievances over the past 3 years and it is time for peace… That is all my nephew wanted for his people…"

Zuko smiled up at his uncle. He knew that if anyone were to take the throne after him, his Uncle would be able to pick up the pieces of what he left behind. It may not have been the life he wanted, but he would make him proud. And from what he saw, he was.

There was a moment of silence among them, before Iroh spoke again, "But that is not what we are here to celebrate today… There is two other people who have played a part in our nation's prosperity"

Zuko heard the door open behind him and turned to the sound. His heart flooded when he saw Katara walk through the door, but he frowned slightly when Aang followed behind her. The advisors all clapped in their presence, to which Katara gave them a half-hearted smile.

Aang had a hold of Katara's arm, as they walked in. Zuko glared slightly at him, having a bad feeling about what was coming next.

Iroh smiled at them, "Where are you two off to next?" he asked them. Aang looked at Katara and smiled, "For once, we have decided to settle down. We plan on living on the island in Republic City… That is where we will…" he paused, and placed a hand over Katara's stomach, "Have our child…"

Zuko looked at the two of them in shock, while the advisors whispered amongst each other with glee. "Well congrats my friends… Many blessings to you… And I hope you visit us soon…"

Zuko was silent, still processing what he had just saw. Katara would have Aang's children. But what could he expect from her? He couldn't expect her to live alone forever. If he had to choose anybody for her, he would begrudgingly choose Aang. He would at least try to make her happy. But he looked at her face and he saw the show she was putting on. She was hurting inside, and he could tell.

"Are they happy?" he asked the wiser man next to him. Roku paused for a moment before speaking, "They are content… This is not the life they would have chosen for themselves… But they are living it… And in some ways, they are stronger because of it" he paused again, before continuing, "Grief is a very important emotion… It destroys us, just to rebuild us again…"

Zuko looked down for a moment, then looked back at the other man next to him, "What's next?" he asked. Roku smiled at him as the world in front of him, slowly faded from view.

Ta-Daa! I hope you guys enjoyed that last chapter! I know a few parts may have seemed fillery, but they do have a purpose! I promise! Until next time!