Chaos ensued around them. Elements flew in every direction. Aang and the police force did their best to avoid damage to the buildings around them, but not even the avatar and 'the greatest earthbender of all time' could go without harming the landscape around them.
The band of benders they were currently fighting played dirty - they found that out at their first encounter though. They had also grown in size - totaling closer to 50 people, if not more. All effort was being thrown into their punches and tactics. Aang found himself sweating; he was growing tired of their back and forth.
Toph was furious as well. "Aang!" She shouted, her hair wiping his direction along with her body. "-Either tell me the plan, or I'm making one!" In retaliation, she rose a wall of earth and barreled it in the direction of their attackers.
Aang wasn't sure exactly what to do; their side was severely outnumbered. And the skills of their opponents weren't anything to blink at. He ran through several options in his mind, unable to settle on the best outcome. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled - throwing at least 8 men off their feet. "When I think of something, I'll let you know! Just give me a minute!"
"We don't have a minute, twinkle-toes!" Toph barked, sinking a few in a vice-grip of dirt. "-If we don't do something now, we might lose them again!"
He sighed in defeat before joining her in creating a cage of earth and ice, surrounding 5 of the fighters. His head wiped around seeing the police struggling to keep up, and the seemingly endless amount of un-named attackers.
A squawk in his ear turned his head to the left, and he made out the familiar shape of a messenger hawk. He flapped his wings frantically, squawking louder. Aang's eyes widened, "Genki?"
Creating a barrier around them, he unhooked the strip of leather and removed the piece of parchment. His eyes scanned across the paper, and his heart dropped. "Katara!" Dropping his wall, he released a rumble of earth beneath their feet - dropping almost everyone to the ground with the quake. Genki soared away in fright as Aang's glowing eyes and tattoos pierced the darkening sky.
Toph released a sigh and rolled her eyes at him. "About damn time!"
Using the strength he gained from the avatar state, he pulled an enormous amount of water from the bay and created a tidal wave the size of a building. Gasps could be audibly heard at the rising water on each side, and at the avatar lifting off the ground. He created a bowl around them and waited for Toph and the others to get behind him.
Shouting loudly, Toph bellowed to the criminals, "surrender now, or the avatar will be forced to act! Your choice!"
Slowly but surely, hands rose in defeat - though some did manage to take longer than others. Toph and the other officers took the opportunity, and placed metal cuffs around their wrists, and forced them all onto their knees.
Aang released the water, returning it into the bay. His eyes also returned to normal, though there was a sense of panic behind them. Toph noticed his rising heart-rate, and asked, "what's wrong?"
"I have to go! It's time!" He finally said, blowing his whistle for Appa. The bison didn't take more than a minute before descending to the airbender. He quickly boarded the animal and shouted, "Appa! Yip yip!"
"You're doing great, Katara," Suki encouraged in a soft voice. She rubbed the laboring woman's back and looked over to her brother who was still verging on freaking out. She rolled her eyes, reminded of the time they ventured over The Serpent's Pass. Sokka couldn't keep his cool then either.
Smiling over to him, she asked, "Sokka? Why don't you help me braid Katara's hair - to get it off her neck?"
"Huh? Oh! Y-Yeah, I can do that." He said awkwardly, slowly venturing over to them.
Suki noticed the way he was gingerly walking over; his knees seemed shaky and his face seemed paler than normal. She sat him down behind Katara and pulled her hair around for him.
Sokka fumbled clumsily while parting his sister's hair, trying to still his quivering breath. He felt Suki's lips touch his temple and he found her kind eyes. "She's going to be fine, love. But if you pass out, I will leave you on the floor." Another kiss met his cheek, bringing him a bit of comfort. Enough to begin braiding - at least.
He flinched as Katara hissed, and gripped the sheets underneath her. Suki was by her side, offering her some water and dabbing her forehead and neck with a cold towel. More words of encouragement effortlessly came from her - awing him. Does anything rattle her? He wondered with a bit of jealousy.
"Katara?!" Aang shouted, sliding back the curtain to their bedroom and rushing in.
"Aang," she sighed with relief, holding her arms out for him.
Sokka slid off the bed so the couple could have a moment. He ventured over to his bride-to-be and watched his sister and brother-in-law. The love Aang held for her was blatantly obvious; Sokka knew that before Aang was even a teenager. But seeing them now, he had to admit how much he admired their relationship. They truly completed one another.
Chancing a glance at his partner, he wondered if something similar could be said about them? His brows furrowed as she held an unreadable look on her face. He slid his hand into hers, wondering if she was thinking something close to his own thoughts. He didn't voice his question though as another pained sound came from Katara.
Looking to Sokka, Suki spoke, "I know this isn't really your comfort-zone. Why don't you go for a walk? I'll stay here and help your sister."
He nodded. "Okay, but if she needs me -"
"-I'll come and get you, I promise." They parted with a kiss, and Sokka ventured to the door as Suki returned to Katara's side. He stopped and held onto the frame to look back at his family. Our ever-growing family. A rush of excitement filled him as he thought of his fiance, and his little niece or nephew.
9 hours had passed and his stomach would still roll each time he heard a cry come from the room across the hall. He was also impressed with his sister's creative vocabulary. He had thought about grabbing some ink and paper to jot some of her slurs for later usage. The other part of him didn't want to remember anything about her pained screams and curses.
His leg was bouncing as he played with a toy he had stolen from the nursery. He had already widdled a few more wooden pieces to add to their collection. Though, they weren't as distinguishable as he had hoped.
A new cry mixed with the sounds coming from Aang and Katara's bedroom, halting his movements. The obvious cry was most definitely that of the newborn. He shot to his feet and rushed over to the curtain to hear the babe's cries better.
A wide grin stretched across his mouth as he listened and waited patiently for permission to enter.
Some time passed before the curtain parted and Suki found his expectant face. She whispered as to not disturb the others, "Katara and your nephew are doing fine."
"Nephew?" Sokka asked in a hushed voice, grinning wider at the news.
Suki nodded and ushered him in with her head. "You ready to come meet him?" She didn't wait for him to respond before slipping back into the room. Sokka followed after her and saw his brother-in-law holding his son with awe - his wife admiring them at his side.
The fur-lined, swaddle covered him from view, so Sokka moved closer. The babe's little scrunched up face looked around at the new world for the first time. His blue eyes found Sokka's and a crooked grin contorted his face.
"Bumi, meet your uncle, Sokka," Katara said sleepily as she grazed a finger across his cheek. He made a cooing noise as if to respond, and Sokka chuckled.
"You wanna hold him?" Aang asked, passing him over.
Sokka looked panicked but took the baby - trying to figure out how to hold him properly mid-pass. Bumi started fussing some, startling Sokka even more. Thankfully Suki guided his hands to the right position, and Bumi began settling. Sokka finally exhaled a breath, realizing that he had been holding it since the moment the baby had been passed to him.
He subconsciously began bouncing him gently. "Hey, buddy," Sokka said with a quiet voice. Bumi cooed again, smirking up at him with mostly tongue. Sokka laughed, "-What's with the face, huh? Is that poop-face, or are you just happy to see me?"
"Really, Sokka?" Katara deadpanned with a frown. "-You meet your nephew for the first time, and you can't think of anything else to talk about?"
Bumi continued babbling and Sokka smirked, "well, he thinks it's funny."
"Typical boys," Suki chimed in, grinning sympathetically to Katara who rolled her eyes in return.
Sokka made faces at the babe, receiving more giggles and noises from him. He looked over to Suki who was grinning at him. He chanced a glance over to the new parents. Aang was tending to a tired and most-likely sore, Katara. Her head was resting against his shoulder and he was peppering her face with tender kisses.
A yawn escaped Bumi's mouth, and his eyes lulled. Sokka brushed back his tufts of wild hair, smoothing it down. Bumi arched his back, nestling comfortably in his uncle's arms.
"You're good with him," he heard Suki whisper. He looked up to see her smiling at them. Offering the baby to her, she held her arms out to take him. She shushed him as he made a noise of protest, pressing her forehead against his to calm him. Her body rocked to further soothe the baby as she brought him back over to Katara. Laying him against her chest, she brushed his hair back and rubbed his back until he fell asleep.
Sokka was mesmerized by her caring nature. It seemed so effortless to her, but it never failed to bring warmth to his entire body. After she had insured Katara was well, she returned to Sokka's side - resting her head against him and taking a deep breath. The two watched as the new family got settled. Even as tired as she was, Katara softly rocked her son and hummed a soothing lullaby. Aang rubbed his wife's shoulders, watching them intently with tears in his eyes.
At the sound of a sniffle coming from the woman on his shoulder, he pulled his attention away to check on Suki. She quickly brushed any evidence away from her face and swallowed her breath. Sokka pulled her in closer, rubbing little circles on her shoulder. "Suk, honey? Are you okay?"
She nodded, holding onto his hand tighter. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Suki?" He prodded, not buying her response.
Her breath hitched, and a few more tears escaped without her permission. She brushed them away again, seemingly angered by their existence. "I just-" she hesitated and chewed on her lip, casting another glance at Aang and his family. "I never had this."
Sokka took a moment to think her vague answer over; he didn't know what to reply with.
Suki continued though, "-I never knew my parents. What if-" her head lowered, and a shaky breath left her. Her eyes found his, tears building. "Sokka? ...I know you want a family someday, but I don't know how." She shook her head, and her tears began rolling down her cheeks. "-I-I don't know if I could be a good mother. What if I turned out to be just like mine? I couldn't bear the thought of doing that to our children, or you."
"Suki?" He pulled her face up to look her in the eyes; he wanted her to see how much he believed his next words. "-I didn't know your mother. But I know without a doubt - you are nothing like her. She missed out on knowing the most amazing woman ever." He brushed her hair away from her face.
A sob left her, and Sokka quickly bundled her up. Suki pressed her face into his shoulder to stifle herself. Sokka rubbed her back as she held onto his neck. "What if you're wrong?" Her meek voice questioned as her shoulders continued shivering.
"Well, let me ask you something," he said, pulling her away from his neck and wiping at her puffy cheeks. "-Do you want children of your own? If you don't, I promise I will support your decision." He kissed her forehead reassuringly before continuing, "-but if you do... I can assure you - you'd be a wonderful mom. And I'll even be there while we bring our little ones into this world if you want? I can't promise I won't pass out though."
She pondered his questions and turned to look back at Aang and Katara - oblivious to their conversation. Little Bumi was awake and ogling at Katara, holding onto her pinky finger with his entire hand. Aang was deeply invested in a story, telling his son about all the things he had planned for them. Suki allowed herself to imagine their roles reversed for a moment.
After some time; she sighed, and found Sokka's eyes again. Finding her voice, she spoke hesitantly; "I know that I'm not ready to give up being a Kyoshi Warrior just yet. And I'd like for us to be settled in Republic City together. So, it may not be anytime soon, but -" a blush crept on her face without her consent, she could even feel her ears burning. "-I think I want children, someday."
His eyes lit up. "You do?"
"Yes," she whispered with a nod of her head, feeling even giddier by his enthusiasm. His joy never ceased to be contagious to her. His mirth spilled over into a kiss that warmed her from the inside-out. She felt her distress from before fading like a mist after a storm. He parted from her to rest his head against hers, his hand finding her jawline and running little paths across it.
"Well, let's meet this kid, already!" Toph unceremoniously remarked - walking into the room without a shred of courtesy, followed by Zuko and Mai - who were far more respectful with their entrance.
"Must you be so brash?" Mai said lowly, giving the blind woman a glare. Zuko placed his hand on his wife's back, giving her a look to further settle her rising temper.
Toph shrugged as she neared the family. "If you don't like it, you can kiss my -"
"Little ears," Sokka reminded in a playful tone - interrupting her oncoming profanity.
"Fine," she said with a roll of her eyes, though a smile found residence on her face as she held out her arms. "-You going to let me hold him, or not?"
So a couple of things before we closeout. Yes, I do realize I could continue and show you the rest of their lives and bring in Kya and Tenzin, and so forth. BUT, I honestly don't know how I would want their story to go.
The Legend of Korra have us so little information, but just enough to give me doubts about what actually happened to Sokka and Suki. I THINK they did get married, but outside of that - who knows? And I wanted this to be AS CLOSE to canon as possible. So you guys tell me; what do YOU hope happened to these precious characters we all love so much?
And for you people who like name meanings; here's the definition for some of the OCs I included in this fic.
Master Megussuk. (Shaggy dog)
Yura. (Beautiful)
Zhi. (Wisdom)
Amaya. (Night Rain)
Genki. (Energetic)
*Big breath* And scene! Well, this is the end! I had fun, and I really hope you enjoyed this little story as well. Thank you again for joining me the past few days. I'm so very grateful for each of you! God bless! :)