A/N I experimented writing from Katara's point of view and enjoyed it a lot! Oh and I swear I didn't plan on each successive chapter being longer than the last (yikes lol). I promise that won't continue for the remainder of the story! xD Hope this chapter is okay. Please review! It makes me feel really happy knowing people are maybe actually reading this!
The wind whipped Katara's hair around her face as she sat in Appa's saddle, flying towards the Fire Nation capital city. Zuko had the reigns and was looking out in front of them as they flew. She'd been so touched when Zuko had asked her to join him in taking down Azula. She was admittedly a little confused too, but mostly she was ready. She recognized the fact that she knew very little about Zuko's home life growing up, or about his past in general, but she knew that taking Azula down would be a huge thing for him. A huge step of healing and closure. She was honored to be a part of it.
Though she was ready and even excited to fight side by side with Zuko, she worried about Sokka and Toph and Suki. Admittedly a little less about Toph maybe, but still. They were about to go face an army of fire benders. What would she do if any of them got hurt and she wasn't there? What if they needed her and she wasn't there? She sighed at the thought. And then there was Aang. Zuko's uncle had calmed her fears when he said that Aang would in fact face the Fire Lord. It reassured her that he at least wasn't lost. She knew Aang knew what he was doing, but it was hard not to worry.
She felt her cheeks warm at the thought of Aang. Scenes of her and Sokka discovering him in the iceberg flashed through her mind. It seemed like a lifetime ago. And in terms of the growth Aang had had since then, it may as well have been. He was so much older and wiser than his actual age. He was so strong, powerful and wise but also funny and caring and easy-going. He had learned so much since then and Katara ached to be with him.
She felt like a different person than the person she was before she met Aang and was happy to feel okay with that. She didn't want to know what life would have been like if she'd never met him because life was so much better with him. She closed her eyes. She could see a life with Aang. A comfortable, happy life where they would raise a family together and have a relationship even stronger than the one they had now. Katara had always pictured herself as a mother growing up. It's what she had always wanted, and she felt comfort in the potential of sharing that life with Aang. Katara knew in her heart that his life and her life would always be connected.
"You're worried about him. Aang I mean," said Zuko without turning to look at her. How did he know what she'd been thinking of? And why did he sound almost angry? Well, Zuko was always angry to some extent, but his voice had a tinge of his old kind of anger in it.
"Yeah," she admitted. "I'm sure he'll be all right though." For some reason, her instincts told her it was best not to talk about Aang with Zuko right now.
"It's ok. I'm worried about him too. I hope he has the guts to do what he knows he should," he said harshly. Katara didn't much want to think of this problem. She held to her confidence in Aang though. She had faith he would know what he was supposed to do when the time came. He always did. Aang never shied away from his duties. Whether or not that now meant killing the Fire Lord, Katara didn't know. She realized why Zuko was maybe so angry when he talked about this. Afterall Ozai was his father. It couldn't be easy talking about him being killed. Maybe that anger was Zuko's way of coping. Katara didn't know the details, but she'd gathered that Zuko's dad had done awful things to him in the past. Still though. It was probably hard for Zuko to talk of him dying. Or maybe not, Katara thought. Though that would be almost more sad. To have a dad you love, even a little, be killed would be hard, but to have a dad who was so evil and who had done so many wrong things that you had no love for him at all and actually wanted him dead was probably worse.
Katara thought of her own dad and warmth flooded through her body and filled her up. She had always thought that having mothers who had died was a way for her and Zuko to connect. But it seemed that when it came to fathers, they didn't have much in common. And here they were off to fight his awful sister. And he seemed prepared to kill her. It was so sad. Katara remembered that she still hadn't responded and pulled herself out of her reverie.
"Aang has always done the right thing. Whatever needs to happen, he'll know, and he'll do it," she said plainly. They had flown high above the clouds now there was almost no breeze other than the small one created from moving forward. In fact, it was pretty peaceful up here. Katara wondered what he was thinking. "Do you need a rest? I can take us the rest of the way now if you want."
"I'm fine," he responded sharply. "Besides, I know the way better." Oh, for spirits sake. Who did he think she was? She tried not to let her slight feelings of indignation come out through her mouth in words she would regret later, but she couldn't help scoffing. Katara knew this was not the time to pick at him. He was undoubtedly feeling anxious. And rightly so. Katara knew though that with them fighting together, Azula didn't stand a chance
. . .
Katara watched Azula and the Fire Sages grow larger as Appa fell towards the fire palace courtyard a few hours later. It looked as if they were just in time. Azula was kneeling on the steps with a long flowing robe on. One of the Fire Sage leaders was about to place the crown in her hair. Appa landed with a graceful but heavy thud.
"Sorry, but you're not going to become Fire Lord today," Zuko said. He jumped down and landed on his feet standing tall. He oozed confidence, but not arrogant confidence. "I am." Katara smiled in awe and respect.
Azula didn't even look the least bit concerned. Not that Katara had expected her to, but still. It was odd how she seemed almost happy by this. Azula turned around to face them fully and laughed in a crazed, amused sort of way. Ugh, it made Katara so mad. Zuko kept his face stony. Katara stepped forward to show she stood with him. "And you're going down."
Azula's attitude didn't change. She challenged Zuko to an Agni Kai which Katara had learned was a one-on-one fire bending duel that usually didn't end very well for one of the parties involved. Too Katara's shock, Zuko accepted. Azula's smile widened.
Wait, what?! She rounded and Zuko. "What are you doing?" she yelled. "She's playing you! She's knows she can't take us both so she's trying to separate us." Did Zuko not understand this? He'd asked her to come, and Katara knew he needed her to fight next to him, not watch from the side.
Zuko didn't turn to face her but kept his gaze fixed on Azula. "I know. But I can take her this time."
"But even you admitted to your uncle that you would need help facing Azula," Katara pushed. Why was he being so arrogant?
Zuko had continued to hold his eyes on his sister while she'd spoken. He looked quizzical and maybe a little…concerned? "There's something off about her. I can't explain it but she's slipping." He finally turned to Katara. "And this way, no one else has to get hurt." Katara stared into his eyes and he stared back. She could tell he was set on this. But why? What was he doing? This was not the time for heroics. She could handle herself and he knew that. Why was he protecting her? Or was this a pride thing? Did Zuko want to take down Azula himself to feel better about himself? Either way, Katara knew she should respect his wishes. This was his country, his sister, and his fight. She nodded and stepped back, still extremely concerned. Zuko finally broke their eye contact when he turned to face his sister.
As the two got ready to fight, Katara took a closer look at Azula. She'd never spent much time around her when they weren't fighting, but she could tell that Azula was definitely off. She was usually very put together and precise in her movements. Now she walked and moved as if she'd just drank half a thing of cactus juice. Her hair stuck out in different directions and her eyes looked crazed. Maybe Zuko was right. Or maybe he was wrong and Azula was actually more dangerous like this. Katara bit her nails in worry and walked to the sidelines. Zuko and Azula walked closer to each other as they raised their hands and fell into stance.
"I'm sorry it has to end this way brother," Azula said as she shrugged off her royal red robe.
"No, you're not," Zuko responded calmly. Matter of fact-ly.
It was somehow both sad and amazing to watch. Zuko and Azula were artists with their flames. Katara had never seen fire bending like this, and knew the comet was having an effect on both of them. The heat from the flames was so hot on her face. Neither seemed to notice or care that they were setting their home on fire. They remained focused on each other as the buildings around them burned. Jeong Jeong's words rang in her ears. Fire was destruction. In a way, pondered Katara, it seemed to have destroyed Azula. Two siblings who had grown up in such a dysfunctional environment were now fighting perhaps to the death. Both had such great potential. They could have done so much together, yet here they were.
The colors of the flames danced in Katara's eyes while she held her hand to her mouth in worry. Screw the rules of an Agni Kai, she was ready to jump in at a moments notice. Zuko hopped back on his hands and twirled his legs, sending a beautiful, massive wave of hot flame hurling towards his younger sister. Katara was amazed. Zuko fought with passion and purpose. She couldn't figure out if he was fighting to kill his sister, but she knew he at least was fighting to save his country and his people.
Azula fought with vengeance and anger. Katara remembered a time when Zuko had fought this way. It was almost as if they'd flipped. Zuko had learned and grown and struggled so much, and she was so proud of him. Their friendship had become so precious to her. Katara knew she would always be there for him. He had secured that spot in her heart. Sh'ed watched him grow, albeit from a distance early on, from extremely troubled and confused, to someone steady, honorable, and ready to lead his nation into an era of peace. He was confident and determined, but also humble and kind. Underneath a couple layers at least. He'd struggled and fought to become who he was now. It impressed her. Katara pushed these thoughts towards the back of her mind and refocused on what was happening in front of her.
The flames continued to mesmerize her. Azula seemed to be fighting with all she had, but Zuko seemed so calm and collected. Calm and collected, but also showing crazy amount of power and skill. It was amazing. After a while, their fighting paused. Zuko had managed to knock Azula off her feet. The tension in the air was so thick. Katara kept her eyes pinned on Zuko, still ready to jump in without hesitation if the situation called for it. Somehow Azula seemed even more crazy than she had been before the fight. Her hysterical laughs echoed through the air and her black hair had fallen out, giving her a rugged, dirty look. Her steps and movements seemed more mismatched and jagged.
Zuko taunted Azula. "No lightning today? What's the matter? Afraid I'll redirect it?" He teased. Katara figured he was trying to end this.
"Oh, I'll show you lighting!" She laughed maniacally and moved her arms in what Katara barely recognized as the form for bending lightning. Somehow, Azula in her current state and lightning did not seem like the best mix. Katara could feel her hand shaking in nervousness. She kept it by her side but was tense in her legs and core. She watched Zuko take a deep, calming breath and move into the position she'd seen him teach Aang.
It happened in an instant, but she watched it in slow motion. The ever so slight movement of Azula's eyes told her everything she needed to know. Zuko had clearly seen it too. Somehow every fighting instinct Katara usually had seemed to have left her. Azula jerked her arm forward into a full extension, the lighting following its path from her core, down her arm and out her fingertips towards Katara, who froze.
She needed to do something…. anything. It was coming right for her…. It was all she could see. She struggled, went to bend something…. anything…it was getting closer. She heard a cry distantly…her eyes widened, and she gasped. Someone laughed. NO! Zuko moved somehow faster than the lightning. She reached her arm out, too far away to stop what was already happening. He reached an arm out to redirect but wasn't close enough. In a last ditch attempt he jumped to meet it, holding all of it in his body for a moment. His body curled in the air and he cried out. Katara saw him jerk his other arm forward, pointing it at the sky. Lighting shot out of his arm and lit up the dark sky electric blue. It crackled and roared loudly in her ears as she watched Zuko's scrunched body hit the hard, stone ground with a resounding thud. He lay limp for a moment and then twitched with the after-shocks of the electricity.
"ZUKO!" she cried. Katara ran as fast as she could. She vaguely heard someone laughing again. He could not be dead. He could not be dead. Her knees hit the ground hard at his side but she barely registered the pain. Katara rolled Zuko limply onto his back and gasped at the gaping burn hole on his chest surrounded by singed fabric. No. Tears threatened behind her eyes. She put her hands on his chest gently and he groaned. He was alive.
Katara went to bend the water in her hip pouch onto her hands to heal the burn when a big blue flame came whooshing towards her. She dodged. Azula. She stood and launched some water at Azula who was still laughing. Katara's only motivation as she fought Azula was to get back to Zuko as soon as she could. He needed her.
Azula seemed completely crazy and the comet was still gifting her with unbelievable power. Katara dodged and parried, occasionally getting a hit in with her water whip, but it only seemed to egg Azula on. Katara desperately needed more water. Her pouch water would not be enough to end this and the fountain water was slowly disappearing in the heat of the surrounding flames.
Katara continued to evade, and sneak hits in whenever she could. She needed to get back to Zuko. Azula aimed a particularly nasty fire ball at Katara from the roof. Katara dove behind a column, the heat from the flames still engulfing and suffocating her slightly. Azula laughed. Katara stepped out to try to get another hit in but Azula knocked her to her knees onto a grate. Katara's eyes widened in disbelief and she smiled slightly. She had a chance if she played this right. Katara's closed her eyes and felt her heart slow. The water pulsed and whispered to her, gifting her with a familiar feeling of hope. She looked up and noticed a chain hanging from a column. She could do this.
Katara quickly got to her feet, refocused and re-energized. With a snap of her wrist and movement of her arms she sent a forceful amount of water right at Azula, luring her down. It worked. Azula laughed in a is-that-all-you-got sort of way before jumping down from the roof and running towards Katara.
Katara's fighting instincts, which had finally returned, allowed her to react quickly. Azula shot flame after flame as she ran, but Katara dodged and waited.
"There you are you filthy peasant," Azula laughed, whipping around to face Katara. When she reached Katara, she shot an arm out so quickly Katara reacted with a move half planned, have pure desperation. The water from beneath the grate shot up and froze, encasing them both completely. Katara had jumped and Azula was still in her offensive position, her fingers inches from Katara's face. Azula's eyes darted frantically.
Katara had barely remembered to take a breath before she had done this, but she closed her eyes and used what air was in her lungs to warm her body and detach it from the ice. Moving freely, she took the chain to Azula's two hands and pulled them down to the grate securing them tight.
She melted the ice and the water came forcefully crashing down on top of them, pushing them to the ground. They both immediately sucked in air, breathing heavy from not having it for so long. Katara doubled checked and re-tightened Azula's restraints before running over to Zuko. He seemed paler than usual and was still twitching. Katara reached her hands out to him and rolled him over again. She called water to her hands and set to work stitching nerves and repairing tissue. Her face scrunched in concentration as she worked. After a moment, Katara felt a weak touch on her arm. She opened her eyes in amazement. He was here. He was going to be ok. She smiled wide, happiness and relief flooding through her whole body.
He stared weakly into her wide eyes. "Thank you, Katara," he whispered.
Tears stung behind Katara's eyes, and she didn't fight them, but let them slide down her face easily. She sighed a shaky breath of relief and joy. She smiled when she spoke. Her voice shook, but it was strong, and the water around her hands felt warmer. "I think I'm the one who should be thanking you."
Katara heard Azula's screams turn into cries, but only distantly. Zuko was going to be all right. Everything was going to be all right. Tears continued to silently fall down her face, faster than they had before. She'd almost lost him. What would the world have done? What would she have done? How would she have felt if he had died before she could have saved him? The glow around her hands stopped and her head and shoulders drooped lower, closer to Zuko. Katara felt his hand reach up to her back to comfort her.
"Katara, it's okay," he said in his usual, slightly gruffed tone. But he also sounded happy. Katara lifted her eyes to meet his and saw how totally calm and peaceful he looked. He was still pale, and slightly weak sounding, but he wasn't worried. Katara nodded her head and quickly wiped the wetness off her face, embarrassed that she had cried. She took the hand on her back and looped his arm around her neck and shoulder, hoisting him up. She grunted softly under the effort but managed to get him to his feet. Zuko groaned loudly but Katara could tell he was still hiding some of his pain, trying not to let all that he was feeling show on his face. Was he trying not to worry her?
After a moment he stood up straight and lowered his arm back to his side. Katara kept her hands close to, but not touching, him, worried he might collapse. After another moment though she also lowered hers also. They both turned to Azula.
Azula writhed on the ground, bending her limbs unnaturally in an attempt to escape. She screamed and cried and roared blue fire into the air. It was scary. Her jet-black hair, once so sleek and shiny, fell in sweaty, uneven strings around her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks and neck and Katara noticed the rips and tears in her once fine and expensive royal clothing. Azula's wrists dripped blood from the deep gashes caused by her struggle against the chains tethering her to the ground. Still, she screamed and roared and shook, eyes darting around frantically. Katara didn't think she'd ever seen anything more pitiful and sad.
Remembering Zuko, Katara turned her head to look at him. She couldn't read him. His features were emotionless, but she could tell he was trying hard to keep them this way. Underneath it all she supposed he was sad. How could he not be? He couldn't still want Azula dead, seeing her now. Katara knew how Zuko's mind worked. Though she didn't doubt that Azula had been nothing but evil and awful to Zuko, or that Azula would not hesitate to kill him if their positions were switched, she knew Zuko would never kill her. He was too good.
Katara reached a hand to his shoulder to let him know she was still there. He wasn't alone. Zuko shut his eyes tightly and turned his head away. Neither of them spoke for a while. They just let Azula's screams and cries continue to fill the air.
After another moment, Katara felt her hand on Zuko's shoulder rise and fall as he took a deep breath. She turned towards his back, her hand still on his shoulder. Katara opened her mouth to speak but she felt him start to sway. What was he doing? Before she realized what was happening, Zuko lost consciousness.
"Zuko!" She reacted as quickly as she could, grabbing him just before he hit the ground. But she wasn't strong enough to completely stop it, and barely managed to get her arm under him to soften his contact with the stone. "No. No no no no." Katara's eyes darted over him in worry. She slipped her arm out from under him and tried hoisting him like she had done before, but it was significantly harder when he was limp. He was much bigger than her and she had barely any strength left. She fell to the ground. His eyes were still shut, and his breaths were becoming more and more shallow.
He couldn't die. She had to do something. Katara began healing him but didn't have much energy left to be effective. "Help! Someone help me! Please…." Tears were coming again now and the water she was bending lost shape and soaked into his clothes. "HELP!" she yelled louder. Her voice had started shaking. She tried dragging him but found it was useless. His head and shoulder were on her lap now.
Okay. No one was coming. She would have to find someone. She got to her feet, wiped her tears, prayed to whatever spirits were listening that he would be okay while she was gone, and ran as fast as she could into the Fire Nation palace to save the person who had saved her.