Katara washed her face clean of the tears she had shed. She was upset but didn't mean for it all to get out of control. She didn't think Jet would try and kill Zuko, but she cursed herself. She should have known better.
"Katara, I'm sorry." Zuko sat at the edge of her bed with his head in his hands. "We should have told you. We were afraid it would have made you upset, but that' 's no excuse."
Katara smiled lightly. They had all apologized, but Zuko had kept apologizing. She could see his guilt pulling him down. He really didn't mean to hurt her. She sat on her knees beneath him and placed her hands over his.
"It's alright. I'm sorry for getting so angry. I should have just talked to you, but instead, I allowed my anger to run wild. I almost got you killed."
Zuko removed his hands from his face. "I was fine; I saw his move coming."
"Well neither of us did, and it scared me. No matter how upset I was, I knew I couldn't lose you. I could not have had you in my life.
Zuko bent over and kissed his bride to be. "I will never leave you."
Katara allowed Zuko to hold her that night and the nights after that, but three days before her wedding Li and Lo forbade them from being in each other's rooms.
"It's bad luck," Li said.
"For the bride and groom to spoil their wedding night," Lo completed the sentence.
As dusk fell, Zuko would try to meet Katara for a goodnight kiss, but somehow the twins had gotten the Kyoshi Warriors on their side. Suki and Ty Lee would make sure to disturb the two lovebirds if it was getting too late. But finally, the day of the wedding came.
"Don't you just love weddings?" Ty Lee twirled
"Yeah, but honestly, I'm a bit nervous. What if I mess up?"
"Don't worry, you'll be fine."
Her doors opened, and Li and Lo walked in, holding a lavished garment between them.
"My dress." Katara was breathless. The blue and white gown was detailed with ice lilies over the top of the dress. It also decorated the belt that ran down the skirt's front. The markings of snow and water made up the silver used to make the bangles that held the half sleeves, and the piece wrapped over her collarbone and connected to the dress's heart-shape line.
"Sokka," Li spoke.
"And Prince Zuko," Lo continued.
"Agreed that the dress of your people would fit better."
"And go with your mother's necklace."
Katara brought her hands to her lips. She couldn't stop herself from crying—they both thought of her and her mother.
"Now," Li frowned.
"Let's hope it fits."
The ladies peaked their heads around Katara to study her waistline.
Iroh walked into Zuko's room. His nephew was doing what he expected him to be doing, pacing back and forth.
"Be careful, Nephew. You may have worn your wedding grab out before anyone could see you in it."
"Uncle," Zuko embraced him, "I'm so nervous. Why am I so nervous."
It's your wedding day. You are supposed to be nervous. If you weren't, I would worry."
"But this nervous?"
Iroh looked to Suki, "Why don't you go and check on Katara. I'm sure she would want one of her closest friends with her."
"Yes, Fire Lord Iroh."
As she left, Iroh gave a big laugh. Today is the last day I will be Fire Lord of this nation."
Zuko looked down at his uncle, "It doesn't have to be."
"Ha, no. I can't wait. I look forward to seeing you finally take your place on the throne."
"I'm worried about all of it. What if I become like my father? What if I'm more like him than we know? What if I hurt Katara again?"
"Zuko, you will not be perfect. You could never be, and so you may make mistakes. You may hurt Katara again, and she may hurt you, but you love each other. What is important is that you both can come together, no matter what happens."
"Yes, you're right, Uncle. I was afraid after Katara found out about my father that this day would never come, but she forgave me."
"She forgave all of us." Iroh laughed. "Remind me never to lie to Lady Katara again. Something is telling me she is a stronger bender than we all think."
"Yeah, I have that same feeling."
"Don't worry, Nephew. I know you two can help heal the world. You've already started. I've seen a flower bloom from the ashes. Look at the colonies. Already, I am so proud of you."
"Thank you, Uncle. Your words mean a lot to me."
#
The wedding was filled with heroes from every nation. Sokka was sure to invite all who helped during the war. The Fire Nation people were invited, too, from commoners to the wealthy who fell in line with the new seat of power.
Zuko waited in burgundy and gold-trimmed robes. A gold double-winged piece sat on his shoulders. Twelve rows of Fire Sages in all white stood behind him.
A door opened, and Katara emerged with Li, Lo, Ty Lee, and Suki at each side of her. As soon as her eyes lifted from behind the veil, Zuko felt his breathing stop. The thin material was attached to a tall comb that stuck out of a bun in the back of Katara's head. The rest of her hair flowed in loose waves, like the water she could control, down her back and over her bare shoulders.
"Wow," Zuko managed to say when she came to his side.
"You look quite handsome, Prince Zuko."
"And you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Katara blushed under his gaze. With every second, she could feel his energy filled with love as his eyes admired her.
The chamber's large doors stood open to the large crowd of their wedding party and supporters. Ahead of them was a temple, with a priest waiting atop of its stairs. Iroh stood on the right and Hakoda and Sokka on the left. Katara also noticed the guard placement for their special day. They stood in rows around the guest, on every rooftop, and in every corner.
They made their way down the aisle, the people whispered loudly, mostly compliments. Some were wary of their union. Some of the other nations didn't trust it, and some of the Fire Nation people clearly did not trust her.
Katara looked up at Zuko. He was looking ahead, ignoring the few negative comments around them. It was an example of what their life would be like. There would be people against them, against the nations' healing, but they had each other. All they needed to do was keep looking ahead.
"I love you, Katara," Zuko whispered just before they took the last step up to the Fire Sage, who would marry them.
To everyone's relief, the ceremony went peacefully. The vows were said, and everyone could feel the love the couple had for one another. A few times, Zuko raised his hand behind the veil to gently dab away the tears from Katara's cheeks.
"Your's so beautiful," he mouthed to her as the sage went on with the traditions. When it was over, Zuko lifted the thin curtain from over her face.
Katara closed her eyes as he removed the piece, and then she looked up at her now-husband. Together, their lips met, and the crowd cheered. Bells were rung as fire and water shot off into the air.
"I'm yours," Zuko said for Katara to hear.
"And I am yours," Katara replied.
Everyone moved to the banquet hall. Sokka had been waiting for this moment all day. While he sat with Suki, he was the first to dig in. Katara and Zuko had their own table set above everyone else.
Gifts were presented to the new couple for which most of them were donated to towns severely impacted by the war. The people drank and danced until twilight. By that time, it was time to prepare for Zuko's coronation. It was to take place in the southeast of the palace at the Coronation Temple and Plaza.
Zuko and Katara had left together to change.
"This is the first time we are in the same room like this." Katara pointed out as the twins removed her garments.
"Would you rather change in your chambers?"
"Your chambers are now my chambers."
Li and Lo replaced Katara's more sweeping skirt with a simpler white one. Her loose sleeves that came up halfway were similar to her wedding dress, only now they were pure white and held up by gold bangles.
They turned her around, and Zuko was standing, bare chest looking right at her. She blushed.
"I like watching you get ready, but not as much as I like removing your clothes."
"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed.
"Don't worry, Lady Katara," Li smiled.
"It's not like we haven't heard and seen it all?" Lo also smiled.
Zuko was changed into white robes trimmed with gold. On their way out, he took out his hand for Katara to place her's in.
"Are you ready?" She asked.
"With you by my side, I am now."
The night had fallen by the time they returned to the people. Three rows made up the three remaining nations. Iroh already stood at the top of the temple.
"You both look lovely."
"Thank you, Iroh," Katara smiled and gave the old man a hug.
"Are you ready to take your destiny?"
"I'm ready, Uncle.
Katara took her place to the right of the sages. Iroh and Zuko knelt in the center with the lead sage between them.
"Fire Lord Iroh," the sage announced, "has chosen to relinquish his role as the Lord of the Fire Nation. With no children to take his place, he has named Prince Zuko as his successor." The sage took the crowning flamed from Iroh's head and raised it to the full moon. "May I present our new Fire Lord, Fire Lord Zuko.
Zuko kept his head bowed as the symbol was placed in his hair, but his Uncle's cry caused him to lift it up.
It had happened quickly, but a blue lightning strike had almost hit the sage. Iroh had moved fast enough to redirect it.
"Protect the Fire Lord and his Bride," Katara heard someone yell.
Onto the pathway and over the rooftops, an army in black flooded in, attacking everyone.
A cradling sound was made, and then an explosion.
"Katara," Zuko knew the sound of the technique before it hit.
A small sect of the Fire Nation people had a tattoo of a third eye in the middle of their foreheads. Zuko pulled Katara down and shielded her with a flame. "Are you alright?"
A little shaken, Katara started to move, but Zuko wouldn't allow her to stand. "Yeah."
"I need to get you out of here." Zuko looked around. Everyone was fighting. Ty Lee, Sokka, Suki were all preoccupied.
"Zuko," Iroh shouted to grab his attention. "What are you doing? Get out of here. Both of you are their targets. Iroh shot off a firebomb to clash with another explosion. "Go through the back, now!"
Zuko took Katara's hand then quickly dashed through the backside of the temple.
"Zuko, where are we going?"
"There's a chamber, a fortress made for you and me. If we make it there then-"
Lightning came down in front of them, blowing them back. Now separated from one another, they struggled to stand.
"Leaving so soon, Zuzu?"
"Azula," Zuko growled.
Katara moved into a fighting stance, but the princess ignored her.
"It seems I missed the wedding."
"It seems so."
"At least I came early for the funeral." She let out a laugh that sounded deranged.
Zuko and Katara stood, waiting for her to finish.
"What, no sense of humor?"
"Why are you doing this, Azula? What's the point? I'm already married to your brother, and the ceremony is complete. He is your Fire Lord now."
"Shut up! It is never too late to purge!"
"Why involve everyone else? Why cause a battle?" Katara continued.
"All fools deserve to die. Under my rule, no idiots are allowed."
"Azula, Katara is right. This feud is between you and me, so let's handle it the traditional way. I challenge you to an Agni Kai."
Katara had learned of Agni Kai while studying about the Fire Nation. She also knew that's how Zuko got the scar that covered a fair amount of his face.
Azula gave a crooked smirk, "Perfect."
"Zuko," Katara fussed. "What are you doing? We would do better facing her together."
"I'm not going to put you in danger."
"I'm a lot stronger than you think. I'm not helpless."
"Still, this has been my problem from the start. I let Azula out, hoping she could change, and I wanted a bond similar to what you and Sokka have. It's my mess. I made it, and now it's time for me to clean it up."
"I'm your wife. Let me help you."
"No," Zuko put out his hand and then removed his robes to reveal the white pants that were underneath. "Stay here."
Zuko walked out to the courtyard. He and Azula studied each other, waiting to see who would make the first move. Without hesitation, Azula sent a wave of blue flame. Zuko countered with the same attack but as a defense. Katara watched on as Azula went after Zuko one move after the other. She moved wildly and didn't pause for a breath. Zuko, on the other hand, remained calm and was able to keep up with his sister's onslaught and could even throw in a few counters."
"Come on, Zuko," Katara prayed. She could see the princess tiring.
They moved around the courtyard until Zuko's back was to his wife. Zuko's flames had started to diminish her attacks with ease. Azula found herself more on the defensive than the offensive. She picked up speed and began to skate on blue flames around her brother. Zuko tried to pin a hit as she moved, but they never landed on her. Then, an idea came. He spun on his back with his legs in the air, bending a flaming ring from his feet. The attack threw Azula, and she bounced and rolled like a rag doll.
Not fully knowing the rules, Katara moved a little closer to Zuko. She was now on the fighting plane.
Azula struggled to get up, but she began to smile once she noticed Katara.
"What, that's it? No lightning?" Zuko shouted at her.
Azula scoffed, "Katara, how brave of you to come out and risk your life and the life of your unborn child."
Katara's eyes widened, and briefly, her mind took her back to when she was prepping for her wedding.
"Now, let's hope it still fits," the twins had said, causing Ty Lee and Katara to look at them confused.
Suki came in with a big smile, "What did I miss?"
"Well, the twins just called me fat."
"Not fat, my Lady," Lo corrected.
"Not yet," Li added.
"But when was..."
"Your last minstrel?"
Azula was there. Katara realized.
With a swiftness, Azula released a strike from the tips of her fingers.
"What?" for a split seconded, Zuko felt the joy than fear of the news as he noticed the blue electric current was not going towards him. He glanced, seeing Katara and his unborn child were its targets. Zuko jumped, reaching out two fingers to redirect the blow, but he messed up. Most of the attack stayed within, causing damage to his body. After its torture, the remainder of the bolt was cast into the sky.
Katara cried as she watched her husband's body hit the grown and become still.
"No, she cried out and tried to move to see if he was still alive."
Another lightning strike came down, blocking her way.
"One down two to go."
Katara found herself mostly dodging the fire princess. She hid behind the pillars and tried to move closer to Zuko. She glanced around and saw Zuko grunt and roll onto his back. Happy and surprised, Katara gasped and ran towards him, but Azula stopped her with a blue flame.
"Oh, surprise surprise Zuzu. You've created an abomination. Now watch as I destroy it!"
Azula went on a full attack, and Katara met her with the same ferocity. She used the water around to deflect and shield herself from the blue attacks.
Azula laughed the entire time, only to pause at the realization of her brother's lack of movement. "Oh, look who's stopped breathing."
Katara put up a shield of ice and used the moment to assess her husband the best she could. "No." His chest had stopped moving. "Zuko, stay with me! I'm coming," Katara shouted, but with every effort she made, Azula kept forcing her further away.
Katara began to panic. She needed to get to Zuko before it was too late if it wasn't already too late. She hid behind a pillar as the fire roared around her. It felt like everything was closing in on her, and Azula continued to laugh in hysteria.
Finally, Katara was at her limit. "Enough!" she shouted, and it all stopped—the sounds of battle from the courtyard, Azula's attacks, Azula's laughter. Katara took in a deep breath and then exhaled.
"What, what are you doing to my body?"
Katara didn't answer, but she was blood bending. Not only had she taken control of Azula, but the princess's entire army. Katara had become the ultimate puppet master.
She had Azual to walk between two pillars, where Katara chained her tightly to the ground. Once she was sure that Azula couldn't break free, she ran over to Zuko.
With his head cradled in her hand, she called out to him, but he didn't reply. She pulled water from the underground and placed it on the scar over his heart.
"Katara," Sokka called out from the temple. Suki, Ty Lee, Iroh, and Hakoda were with him.
"Sokka, help me! Someone, please! He isn't breathing!"
"No." Iroh rushed down to his nephew and took hold of his hand. "Zuko?"
"It isn't working." Katara looked at her hand, gloved by water. "It isn't working!"
In the distance, Azula screamed, cheered, and cried. "So long, brother!"
The rest stood by, feeling hopeless. Ty Lee turned her head and buried her face in Suki's embrace. Sokka gripped his sword tightly, finding it all hard to watch and hard not to walk over and strike Azula down.
"Wait," Hakoda knelt down, pulling a small trinket from his pocket. "This was a part of your wedding gift from the Northern Water Tribe. It is water from the spirit oasis that the moon and water spirit inhabited."
He uncorked the trinket, and when Katara drew the water out from inside, the water began to glow.
"Come on, Zuko," She whispered. The water spun and disappeared into his body. Nothing happened. Katara let out a loud cry and bent over to hug him.
Iroh let loose the tears he was holding back, and so did everyone around them.
"Katara."
She pulled away to see Zuko's golden eyes staring back at her. "Zuko!"
