Chapter Twenty Four: The Beginning

He watched over them now, after feeling his other half return to the other side of the veil. Part of him ached, as it always did, being apart from her. The other part watched the young lovers, tangled together not just with their limbs, but with something deep within and smiled.

The Sun Spirit knew they would have to wake up soon. He could sense their dreams, the calm that enveloped them, and he was reminded of a different time, a different place, when it had been him and the Moon falling in love, when the world was new and raw.

But he could also remember the lurking threat at the corner of existence, the darkness that seemed to swallow all that it touched. The darkness they had balanced with their light, the one banished in a new form so it could no longer hunt and devour like it had a lifetime ago.

With the Dark Spirit's return, the Sun knew that it would only be a matter of time before it would tear something vital away from the descendants that laid before him. It was the way of dark and shadow, how it could soothe one with a lullaby of dreams and deceit before a drop found its way into one's soul, before tearing it apart. It had already claimed so many, corrupted the once-been Fire Lord and his daughter, and was slowly scratching away at the veil between the worlds.

Even after the ultimate sacrifice had been made, tearing the Sun and the Moon apart so they may never touch again, it was still there. It would always be there, his beloved claimed in that wise and calm way of hers.

One cannot exist without the other, she said, time and again. For without the darkness, we cannot see the stars…

Or the moon, he had retorted with a smile, during a time they had shared the sky together and he could once again have her in his arms.

So how was one to conquer an enemy that they themselves could not exist without?

The Sun Spirit frowned at that thought, one that had been itching away at the corner of his mind for longer than he could remember.

Zuko slowly opened his eyes, sensing the sun's presence, only to find the spirit standing before him and Katara. The deity met his gaze with sorrow and longing, which were at odds with the gentle smile he wore.

The Fire Lord inclined his head in respect, but before he could speak, the spirit spoke first.

"It is time to rise," the Sun told him. "You have some time yet before the threat arrives. Go and prepare."

"Which one?" Zuko asked, feeling Katara stirring in his arms.

Again, another smle that did not reach the flame in the spirit's eyes. "One cannot exist without the other."

Katara pulled slightly away from Zuko, her crystalline gaze showing no surprise at his presence, as if she too had sensed it. "What do we do?"

But the Sun Spirit had already disappeared, taking away the added warmth with him, leaving behind the cold snap of the wind.

Katara looked at Zuko, smiling softly. "Good morning."

Zuko pulled her closer, kissing the soft skin beneath her jaw. "Good morning."

Katara ran her hand through his dark hair, enjoying how soft and rumbled it was. "We should find the others."

"We should," Zuko murmured, stroking the length of her back, which arched slightly.

"But maybe… in a little bit," Katara whispered, biting her lip.

Zuko smiled slowly, his golden eyes gleaming. "What do you have in mind?"

Her answering smirk was quickly cut off when her lips met his, and they greeted the rising sun the same way they had the moon the night before, worshipping each other until there was nothing but them and the sun and the sky and the wind.

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Toph stood next to Suki, both of them doing their best to ignore the cold wind that was sweeping across the land. The earthbender gritted her teeth, half-wondering if she should return to the Earth Kingdom and meet up with Haru, even as she silently admitted feeling useless here in this icy tundra.

Suki, sensing the bender's restlessness, touched her shoulder. "We need to stay together," she said softly. "But I think part of me wants to go back to Kyoshi Island."

Toph angled her chin. "Has there been spirit activity there too?"

"Some," Suki said. "The warriors think it's Avatar Kyoshi herself, warning us to be ready."

"And what do you think?"

Frowning, the warrior leader shook her head. "I think we need to prepare for anything, anywhere. There's too many pockets of spiritual lands across the world, too many places they can pass through the veil at the slightest urging."

Toph sighed sharply. "I hate sitting around and waiting."

"I know," Suki said, smiling slightly. "Do you want to go to the Oasis? Then you can at least be on some earth…"

Toph felt a rush of appreciation, before nodding. "Maybe I can sense something… Have you heard from Aang or Katara? I thought they were supposed to be our spirit sensors."

Suki's smile widened. "Katara went off with Zuko," she said simply. "As for Aang, I think he's with Sokka and the chiefs."

Toph smirked too. "Went off, huh? How long ago?"

"Last night."

The two women laughed together as they walked towards the Spirit Oasis.

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Sokka eyed the large map in front of him, frowning. Each flag was where a spirit, however large, had been spotted in each nation.

There were too many flags, too many spirits, and not enough of them to go to each location to investigate the claims further. So they decided on sending a small group to the largest cities with the most activity- the rest of the reports would have to come in via messenger hawks.

Aang, who sat to Sokka's left, was rubbing his temples. He had been claiming he had a headache ever since they arrived at the Northern Water Tribe, where the spirits were very restless.

It's like having hundreds of voices whispering in your ear at once, he told Sokka earlier.

When Sokka had asked him if there was anything he could do to make them go away, or at least quiet down, the Avatar shook his head, claiming he would go to the Spirit Oasis later to meditate.

Hakoda shifted in the seat to Sokka's right, his own frown a mirror image of his son's. "How are we supposed to handle this? There's only one Avatar and Aang can't be everywhere at once."

"I don't think the issue is that," Sokka said. "Based on what we know, these spirits are being set free by one of their own."

"This Dark Spirit is ancient," Chief Arnook commented, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Just as ancient as the Sun and the Moon Spirits, if the legends are true."

"The legends are true," Aang said, his gray eyes solemn. "This is the darkness that existed before the first light."

"And how are we supposed to fight it?" Hakoda asked, crossing his arms. "Something tells me spears or technology are going to be useless."

"In the beginning, the spirits defeated the darkness by banishing it across the veil. The sun and the moon each took up their position in the sky to keep the darkness from growing, keeping all safe with their light." Aang tapped a finger against the map, right where the Fire Nation Prison was. "But over time, the veil has grown weaker. Spirits are displeased since no one worships them like they once did and their lands were destroyed in the war. And all of this time, the darkness has grown."

"Is there a way to destroy the Dark Spirit? Darkness will always remain, but why not destroy that which controls it?" Arnook asked, looking at Aang.

"If there is a way, the spirits have not revealed it," Aang confessed.

"Why are they not fighting alongside us?" Hakoda demanded. "Why rely on you and their- what did they call you- their descendants? You might be the Avatar, and Katara, Toph and Zuko are powerful benders, but you're still mortal."

"We don't know," Aang said softly.

Something occurred to Sokka, who turned to look at Aang. "You are mortal, but that doesn't mean you don't have spiritual power. You said when you connected with your Avatar spirit, you saw a larger form of yourself in the void. Who's to say there isn't a spirit form that the other three need to connect to, in order to become more powerful?"

Aang blinked. "I have never heard of anyone having that kind of spiritual power, only the Avatar."

"But remember, there are many legends, like Iroh said. In this story, the Sun and the Moon are the deities, not the Ocean and the Moon. Who's to say there isn't another story about what being a descendent really means?"

Aang glanced at Arnook. "I'm going to need access to your archives."

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Zuko held Katara's hand on their way to the Spirit Oasis, enjoying that she didn't bother putting her gloves back on since his body temperature was still elevated.

Her hair was down still, with braids woven through those dark brown curls, each ending in beads of silver and gold. His eyes raked over her, her flushed cheeks, lips that were still swollen from his…

Katara noticed his gaze, giving him a teasing nudge with her hip. "You're going to run into something if you don't pay attention."

Zuko grinned. "You'd heal me if that happened."

She narrowed her eyes at him, even as her lips twitched. "Maybe a bump on your head is what you need to clear it."

Zuko pulled her closer, murmuring in her ear, "Are you telling me you don't like it when I watch you?"

Katara shivered, remembering where they had been just a half hour ago, with her writhing over him as his golden eyes had taken in every inch of her beautiful body. "Such devious thoughts for the Fire Lord," she said, managing to keep her voice from quivering.

"All thanks to you, Master Katara."

"Ugh," a voice cut in from within the Oasis. "I'm blind, not deaf, can you guys keep your dirty talk to a whisper?"

Katara's eyes widened as Zuko choked and nearly tripped. She gripped him tightly to prevent him from landing on his face and bringing her down with him. Suki was already doubled over laughing, which echoed across the Oasis.

"No one likes an eavesdropper, Toph," Katara chirped, even as her cheeks burned red.

Toph scoffed, crossing her arms. "It's not eavesdropping when you're practically yelling. Oh Zuko, please touch me!" she mimicked in a falsetto.

"I do not sound like that!" Katara yelled. "And I didn't say that!"

Toph ignored her, but pointed at Zuko, who was still gawking at her, his face as red as Katara's. "Close your mouth, Sparky, or you might lose an appendage to frostbite I'm sure Sweetness would miss."

Katara released Zuko, storming over to the earthbender, her eyes blazing. Suki managed to draw in a breath before intercepting the two benders, placing a hand on their shoulders.

"Easy, Katara, Toph was just teasing. You remember how she was with Sokka and I."

"I still have nightmares," the earthbender muttered, shuddering.

Suki shushed her. "We have other things to focus on. Zuko- Zuko? Zuko, breathe."

Zuko gulped in some air, before straightening and schooling his expression. He approached the three women, ignoring the wide smirk Toph was aiming in his direction.

"Zuko," Suki began again. "We were waiting for you guys to get back. Aang and Sokka have an idea and will be here in a little bit, they're digging through some scrolls in the archives."

"An idea?" Zuko repeated.

"Sokka sent one of the Northern Water tribe guards to find us. They were in a meeting with the chiefs to discuss the spirits. It has something to do with the Avatar state."

Whatever teasing air had been there was abruptly sucked away. Katara and Zuko exchanged a look, both of their brows furrowed.

Toph sighed, wiggling her feet against the ground. It was cold here, despite the warmth the Oasis brought, but she tolerated it as she let her senses cast out to feel the vibrations all around them.

"They're coming," she said after a minute, before sitting down next to the koi pond. Even though she couldn't see the black and white fish, she could feel them stirring the water, and could feel the power that radiated from them.

When Sokka and Aang joined them, they all sat in a wide circle next to the pond. They listened to Sokka and Aang's theory about the others being able to connect to a spirit state, like Aang could from being the Avatar.

Katara glanced at Aang. "Did you find anything in the archives?"

The airbender nodded. "Yes. It's an old story, one of the oldest the North has from the beginning of their tribe's legends…."

He unrolled one of the scrolls, which was yellowed and frayed with age. Along with an elegant script that detailed the story, there was a sketch of the person the legend spoke of.

All of them were quiet, barely breathing, before Toph demanded to know what they were looking at.

"It's… Katara," Suki managed. "Or someone who looks just like her."

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Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or any of its characters.

Author's Note: I hope all of you are doing well and are staying safe!

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