Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 41 of Sparks Ignite! Uh oh! Katara just barged into a meeting and announced their courting! What do you all think? Keep on reading to find out more. 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 41: The Stand Down
"Me" Katara spoke, her heart practically in her hands.
She looked around the room, taking in the expressions on everyone's faces. Her eyes first landed on Zuko's, who showed her a mixture of surprise and utter happiness. Then she looked to the advisors, who also looked shocked but also a mixture of something else she couldn't put her finger on.
But the looks on both Mai and her father's faces were the most amusing. Both shock and disgust riddled their features, not approving of the girl who was taking the place she so desperately wanted.
Advisor Chen, for once, was speechless, seeing the water tribe girl entering the throne room.
Katara swallowed her nerves and moved to stand in front of Zuko's flames and address the court before her. "Zu- The Fire Lord" she spoke, quickly catching her mistake, "and I are courting and intend to wed. We are not courting just for the sake of a marriage but for love as well. And that is the decision that we have made"
"My lord" Chen spoke, "While I do admire your… quest… for love, the fire nation bloodline has remained pure for centuries. How do you expect the kingdom to be accepting of a water tribe heathen as a queen?! What if your heir is a waterbender?"
Zuko took a step forward, through the fire, "Chen I suggest that if you like your butt in that seat, you dare not to speak another word against Master Katara"
Another advisor spoke up, "All we ask sir is you think about this logically. We do not mean to insult Master Katara, however she knows nothing about our culture, our laws. How would she be able to take on the Fire Lady position without knowing these things?"
Katara spoke quickly, not allowing anybody else to speak for her; she had enough of that for one lifetime, "And there is no reason why I cannot learn. We planned to announce in a few weeks once I had more time to learn more about the duties of the Fire Lady, however, there has been more… pressing matters at hand" they exchanged the look, but kept their mouths shut. There were too many people in here to be discussing the plan.
Advisor Wan then stood from his chair and spoke, "Although I do see your point, my fellow men, we all have to understand that we are living in changing times. The 100-year war is still fresh in our people's minds, yes, but we are also looking to move into a new era of peace. This union could be seen as a treaty between ourselves and the water nation"
Katara nodded, agreeing with this advisor, "Matters of such will be discussed upon an engagement, but this is completely a possibility with my home tribe. We wish to make peace with the fire nation, not shy away from them any longer"
Zuko watched Katara and couldn't help but beam with pride. She stood tall against the intimidating advisors before her and didn't let their presence and demeanor scare her away. He had always known she would make a great Fire Lady, but as she stood before his advisors, he knew in his heart that she was meant to be Fire Lady.
The advisors looked among each other and shared looks, each one different then the last. Advisor Wan was the first to speak, "I think we need a few moments to discuss this… development. Will you please excuse us for just a moment?"
The Fire Lord nodded, "Yes you may be excused to discuss, Governor, Mai, it was a pleasure, however, I do believe"
"Sire, we would wish that Mai and Governor Ukano stay for a while we discuss and come to a decision" Advisor Chen spoke over Zuko, always making sure to treat him like the prince he once was.
Zuko bit his tongue and nodded, "Allow one of the servants to show you to a tea room then while you wait"
"Will you be joining us Fire Lord?" Mai's father asked, hopeful. But Zuko remained stern, "No, no I will not"
The advisors moved to another room to discuss, while Mai and her father were lead from the throne room to a more comfortable room to wait.
Katara turned to Zuko and began, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have barged in like that, I just"
But he shook his head, placing his hands on her shoulders, "I am so proud of you… You stood up to those advisors all on your own… And trust me, I know that's not easy to do"
Katara looked back at him and smiled, as he pressed his lips against hers. When he pulled away, he spoke, "Does that mean I can do that whenever I want now?" he asked her.
She sighed and pulled away to look at him, "Not exactly…" she paused for a moment, looking down at her feet, "Aang still doesn't know…"
Zuko sighed and rubbed his face, "Katara… If they approve of our courtship, they are going to want to move things right along. They're going to want to announce to the kingdom right away and get things ready for a treaty with the water tribes and things will move very fast"
"I'm sorry, I panicked when I heard them talking about you being with Mai. I needed to stop it and that was the only way I knew how" she told him, tears welling up in her eyes. He sighed and pulled her in close, pressing his cheek into her head, "We will figure out…" he told her, "I should be able to hold them off from announcing for at least a few days"
Katara pulled away and nodded, "I just want to wait until after we conduct the plan… I want him to go into that with a clear head…"
"I know…" he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Just then, they could hear the raising voices and yelling coming from the adjacent room where the advisors were meeting. Zuko sighed and shook his head, "They're going to be awhile…"
Katara nodded, "I'm going to go for a walk… Send someone for me when they make a decision…"
Zuko agreed and watched after her as she walked away, wishing there was more he could do to help her, but knowing there was nothing. He took a deep breath and sat back at this throne, hoping to get in some much-needed meditation while he waited.
Katara walked out to the Fire Lady's gardens, hoping a little fresh air might clear her mind. But nothing was stopping the nagging voice in the back of her, the one telling her that the fate of her entire life rested in a couple middle aged men's hands.
She rested next to the small pond, watching the turtle ducks swim in the water and play. The little ones followed their mother, watching her every move, making sure she didn't get too far away. Katara wondered how long it would be until she had one or two munchkins following her every move, only a step behind her. She smiled at the thought, she couldn't wait.
She found her eyes slowly drifting closed, begging for sleep. With all of the chaos, it was hard to sleep these days. Whether it was Zuko's recovery, or the plan for Ozai, it kept her body from sleep. But what would it hurt to rest her eyes for just a moment? She leaned her body against the tree and allowed her eyes to will themselves closed. Within moments, her body was being dragged into the pits of her dreams.
Katara sat the head of Appa, she had to get home. There wasn't much time left.
She landed the bison and jumped off, running towards the hospital wing. It felt like she ran for ages before she finally reached the white room.
But when she walked in, she saw Iroh sobbing over his nephew's pale limp body. He looked up at her when she entered, "You're too late… He's gone…"
She shook her head, not believing it to be true, "No no no Ursa is right here, see?" she turned to find the woman but only saw darkness behind her. She turned around fully to search for the woman, but the only thing she saw was the masked man coming towards her.
She gasped, backing away from him, but he came towards her, laughing manically. She backed up until she hit the wall, but he kept coming.
He stared at her with his beedy red eyes before he…
"Katara!"
"Katara!"
She woke to the sound of a young monk's voice and his hands shaking her sleeping form. She looked back at him, still coming from the haze of her nightmare.
"Aang? What is it?" she asked him, concerned, but still very spooked from her frightening dream.
He looked at her, slightly worried with her state, "It's time. We gotta go. Are you ready for this?"
At hearing this, her resolve hardened, and she nodded, immediately determined.
"Let's do this"
Another pretty long chapter! Next time, they finally move Ozai to his new prison cell! But will it go easily? Find out in the next chapter! Until next time!
