Hey guys I'm back. This is the first chapter of a story I started 5 years ago. For those of you who know me, you've probably noticed that this is me republishing it.

And for those of you who didn't see the update on the old story explaining myself, apologies won't make up for leaving you hanging for 5 years so…yeah; If you want to hat me for that, that's fine: I hate me too for doing that to you guys.

For everyone: I loved the original idea but due to the long gap since I started it, I decided to partially re-write the first chapter: it's mostly the same; just changed some plot points for better continuity down the line, character ages slightly edited writing. I didn't want to change the first chapter too much in that regard so that way I could get chapter 2 to you guys more quickly. As in it will published the same day as this.

I would also like to explain more of my reasoning behind republishing and it has to do with the fact of it being only one chapter. Hopefully this will also help the story reach more of you wonderful readers out there.

Here's the timeline: Takes place about 5 years after the war.

Aang: 18

Katara: 19 (About to turn 20)

Sokka: 20 (About to turn 21)

Suki: 20

Toph: 18

Zuko: 22

A/N: A reminder that these are dark subject matters. I promise in the future this story will get more uplifting, but for now it's not.

Content Warning: Due to the subject matters of depression and suicide depicted in this story, reader discretion is advised.

Chapter 1: Cataclysm

Sokka and Zuko walked through the grand hall of the Fire Nation Palace. The grand and ornate pillars made the young men feel even more unsure of their plan. It was a small lie and a big risk.

"Are you sure about this, Sokka?" Zuko was extremely wary about this plan. Sure he wanted it to work, but how would it without ending in complete and utter disaster.

"I'm sure. Aang has a right to know." Sokka stated sternly.

"But Sokka, they broke up 3 months ago." Zuko sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose and squinted his eyes in wariness. "There breakup is still a bit...fresh."

"I don't care about that. Aang has the right to know, but he won't come willingly unless we trick him into coming." Sokka continued his plead to the Fire Lord who now stopped walking. "And same for Katara."

Zuko grunted in frustration. "But don't you think hiding some details might be a bit dangerous for us, and Katara." Knowing full well what Aang can do in a highly emotional state.

"Katara has hidden one giant detail from him for a while now. And quite frankly, she's out of line." Sokka sighed. "And besides, you need her for the humanitarian efforts anyways."

"I know, but she won't take kindly to this."

"Let me deal with her wrath. Spirits know I've gotten used to it these last couple of months."

"Neither are emotionally stable, especially Aang." Zuko had sorrowful look on his face. "A lot of bad things have happened to him. He's giving up. Toph has seen him the most out of all of us; she said that he's on the edge of losing it." Zuko sighed yet again. "I'm not convinced this is the way to do it."

"Well, I think this is the only way to fix this. If you're not convinced, then I'll just have to find someone else's palace." Sokka began to storm off.

Zuko gestured out with his hand, signaling Sokka to stop. "Wait-" Sokka turned back around. "With what's about to happen, they'll need each other. Maybe this is the best way to get things moving in the right direction.

"Thank you for seeing it my way."

"Is Suki going to come with you to Ba Sing Se to see Aang?"

"She wants too, but we both think it's best for her to be the one getting Katara over here." Sokka chuckled. "I've already told her to use the 'humanitarian task force' bit."

Zuko shook his head. Sokka had him figured out. Zuko outstretched his hand, "Let's bring our family back together."

Instead of shaking Zuko's hand, Sokka pulled him into a strong hug. "Thanks for doing this."

"I'll see you soon, hopefully with our bald friend." Sokka smiled as he departed the fire nation palace.

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Toph was walking throught the upper ring of Ba Sing Se, she would often stay at Aang's house when she was in the city which happened to be the same one they stayed in during the war as he had requested. She started to loathe it however, for Aang just moped around looking at the same old portrait of him and Katara, cursing himself and everything around him. She understood his pain and tried to comfort him often, but she absolutely hated seeing the great Avatar be defeated by a broken heart and the weight of his mistakes. Toph walked through the front door, and sensed that the young Avatar was yet again Sulking on the couch. "I can't believe you." She uttered in annoyance, she was done with this shithead.

"What can't you believe?" Aang asked with a careless breath, completely oblivious to what she was talking about.

"YOU!" She yelled, which for once got the Avatar's attention. "All you do is mope around feeling sorry for yourself!" She stomped her foot on the ground shaking the whole house. "GET OVER IT! GET YOUR SORRY BUTT OFF THE COUCH AND MOVE ON!" She finished.

Aang didn't even try to argue. "Bumi's gone. Momo's gone. I have Appa, but it just seems like the world does nothing but take what I love most from me."

"But you gave Katara a reason to leave." Toph immediately regretted saying that, for she felt the self-hate boiling inside of Aang

"IT WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING!" Yelled Aang loudly. "I-I..." He started to break down into tears and his voice began to shake, "I fa-failed her. I didn't mean to do it! How do I deserve her love, if there is any doubt!?" Aang screamed. Silence filled the house as his thoughts grew dark. He was tired of Toph meddling in his life, "GO AWAY!" He yelled furiously at Toph.

She sighed heavily as she made her way to her room. Just as she was about to disappear from Aang's view, she stopped. "Just make sure that you don't lose yourself too." She spoke somberly. She walked to her room and slammed the door shut.

Aang just sat there, thinking long and hard before he grabbed a pen and paper and began to write. He poured his heart out into that letter. For everyone he ever wronged: his friends, the world and Katara.

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Suki arrived in the Southern Water Tribe on the small fishing boat that frequented the route between Kyoshi island and the newly finished port of the Southern Water Tribe. She relished in the beauty that was the now growing metropolis. It was beginning to look more and more like the sister tribe. She walked slowly towards Gran Gran's hut, which remained despite the modern buildings sprouting up around it. She hoped to speak to her before seeing Katara. Suki watched as children ran through the streets throwing snowballs at each other and tackling each other into snowmen that some had built. She always enjoyed coming to the tribe because Kyoshi island was much less energetic, except for when the Avatar stopped by, which hadn't been for some time. She finally made her way to Gran Gran's.

Suki allowed herself in to find Hakoda and his mother speaking. The chief turned to the Kyoshi Warrior. "Suki!? It's good to see you!" He exclaimed excitedly before pulling into a hug, quickly followed by a hug from Gran Gran.

"It's always good to see you two." Suki greeted joyfully.

"Might I ask the why you have honored us with your presence, young warrior?" Kanna asked softly. "I thought Sokka was in the Fire Nation."

"He was, Gran Gran. But he should be on his way to Ba Sing Se by now." She explained.

"And why is he going there?" Hakoda asked, curious as to why his son would travel all the way there without letting him know.

Suki sighed. "He went to visit Aang." She was worried as to what the reaction to this would be, but she was surprised.

The chiefs face became sad as the elderly woman spoke, "Do you know how the young Avatar is doing?" Gran Gran asked before her son had the chance to.

Suki sighed sadly. "Not too well from what I've heard." She answered somberly. "As I'm sure you've heard, King Bumi passed away. And... well...everything has kind of just been stacking up on him." There was a short pause as the mood in the hut was despondent. "But right now I'm here to see Katara. Zuko is planning a meeting in the Fire Nation in the next few days and would like Katara there." She partially lied. "How's she doing?"

"Good it seems, but she has been closed off and moody at times. And I'm not entirely sure that traveling is the best thing for her." Hakoda answered somberly. He had not expected the news he was given about a month prior and was still wary.

Gran Gran hopped in. "Oh, she'll be fine. Our Katara is a strong woman."

"Mother, I don't think that's your decision to make. It's Katara's." Hakoda interjected.

"That's why I'm here… to convince her to go." Suki explained.

"She should be in my son's house. I trust you know the way." She chuckled as she gave the young warrior a knowing wink.

Suki giggled "I do." She gave both of them a quick hug. "Thank you." She left and made her way to the house that was just next door.

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Sokka arrived in Ba Sing Se. There was a large storm moving in, so he wanted to get to Aang's house as soon as possible. He quickly got into a carriage that would take him to the upper ring. He watched as he rode the carriage. The city had become much more peaceful, but busier than ever before. Merchants were constantly hounded by customers, kids ran through the streets with smiles on their faces, and there was a general kindness that reverberated through the air. Sokka smiled at the thought that he and his friends helped bring this to be.

Soon enough, Sokka reached Aang's house. He hopped out and gave the driver a generous payment and walked to the door. It was beginning to rain.

He knocked: no answer. Sokka waited a moment and pounded on the door. "Aang!? Toph!?" Still no answer.

Sokka began to worry. He was about to break in but realized that the door was unlocked. He pushed it open. "Anyone home!?" He yelled. After a short moment he muttered to himself. "Hmm. Guess not." He walked around and noticed something familiar sitting on the table: It was the portrait of Aang and Katara. Sokka sighed at the sight. Guess I'll try Iroh's. He thought as he walked back outside. Lucky for him, he had not seen the state of the bedroom. He left and made the short walk. However, on the way, the skies opened and by the time he reached the tea shop, Sokka was drenched. He got there just in time to find that Iroh was moving much quicker than his usual pace trying to shoo people out of the shop.

"I am truly sorry everyone, but I need to close-" The great general noticed the water tribe warrior. "-Sokka my boy, come quick!" Iroh shouted across the courtyard.

"Iroh, what's going on?" Sokka sked quickly as he ran up to his elder friend, who was now locking the door to the shop. "I went to Aang's house and neither he nor Toph were there." Iroh locked eyes with Sokka. Worry and sadness filled the seasoned eyes to the brim. Sokka then knew something was wrong. "Iroh, what's wrong?" He asked worriedly, as rain dripped off his face.

Iroh's face fell. "Aang is in deep trouble."

"What? What happened?" Sokka asked, resting his hand on the generals shoulder as Iroh finished locking the door.

"We need to get moving." Iroh stated hurriedly.

Sokka was getting confused and even more worried. "What? Where?"

"To the palace." Iroh then began to break into a slight jog. This shocked the warrior, but he quickly caught up and stopped the general.

"Uncle, you need to tell me what happened." He asked the gravely concerned man in front of him as they came to a stop in the pouring rain.

"I don't have specifics. I was just told that the Avatar was dying and was in the Palace infirmary." Iroh stated quickly.

"What!?" Sokka began to panic. They quickened their pace and began to run towards the nearby palace.

As they entered the Palace, Guards immediately provided them escort. The Palace was in complete disarray; guards and maids were running back and forth, through doors and hallways. Some just as dripping wet as the Avatar's close friends As Sokka and Iroh reached the main entrance to the infirmary, they noticed it was heavily guarded and were stopped by a healer.

She was extremely rushed and worried. "I'm sorry, but you can't come back here!" The healer held her hand out.

"We're the Avatar's friends!" Sokka pleaded, wanting nothing else to see his best friend.

The healer began to speak. "I'm sorry, but-"

She was interrupted by a loud bellow from Toph. "YOU CAN"T MAKE ME LEAVE!" Sokka and Iroh peaked around their blocker to see Toph being escorted towards them. Toph was brought past the healer, the latter locking the three friends out behind her.

"Toph, what's going on?! What happened to Aang?!" Sokka asked pressingly. And to his surprise, Sokka saw tears escaping the earth bender's eyes and blood drenching her arms. "Toph?" His voice was weak. He was afraid of the next words to come out of her mouth.

She sniffled and looked to her feet. "A-Aang...Aang-" She couldn't get it out.

"Toph?" Sokka pleaded.

Toph looked up slowly. "He attempted suicide."

I know it's short, but when I originally wrote it, it was a spur of the moment idea that came to mind. I didn't want to change too much, but I promise. Chapter 2 is much longer, and I believe it has much better writing. Chapter 2 is already there when you hit "next"

Hopefully chapter 2 answers some of your 5-year-old questions: Other than the obviously planned mysteries and the pronoun game I like to play.

Thanks again guys.