AN: OK, so here is where you'll start to see the Cinderella stuff come in - kind of. Anyways, here's the second chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender...
Katara's Cinderella Story
Chapter Two: The Poster
Katara and Sokka were flying over the island in search of a market. There was only one.
"Stay here Katara." Sokka told her firmly as the bison landed. "That was a Fire Nation town. I'll go buy the supplies, and some new clothes if I have enough money."
She desperatly wanted to go with him, yet she did as she was told and stayed on Appa.
As Sokka entered the Fire Nation town he was surprised to see that not one person payed him any attention. As he looked down at his clothes he realized why. They were stained with dirt and blood, faded, torn, and ragged. To them he probably just looked like a poor, worthless peasant.
He spent two of his five copper pieces on food, enough to last them until the next next town. When he came to a clothes merchant he stopped. Outside on a rack was a shirt much like his own had been, only instead of blue and and white it was red and black. It was a woman's shirt. The merchant caught him looking at it.
"Have some one special you'd like to buy it for for?"
"How much is it?" Sokka wasn't about to waste all of his money on a shirt when he and Katara need supplies, but it might come in handy.
"I say I'd give it to yeh for about two copper pieces." The merchant eyed Sokka warily. The boy simply nodded and paid for it. He suddenly remembered something.
"Do you know where I could buy a map?" The man pointed down the crowded street.
"There's a small store right down there. He's selling world maps for a copper piece but everything alse is a slight but higher."
Sokka nodded in thanks and as soon as he had the map, went back to Katara. He had spent all of their money.
"What took you so long?" Katara had obviously been worried about him.
"I bought you a shirt. It may be useful when we run into another Fire Nation town. I was already so ragged looking nobody payed much attention to me. I also bought a map. We're going to need it. I have enough food to last us a while too."
She nodded and he climbed onto Appa's fluffy head.
"Yip yip!
X
Prince Zuko was standing on the deck of the ship, shouting orders at the passing crew. Iroh walked up to his nephew bearing his own cup of warming tea.
"Prince Zuko, we are in Fire Nation fire nation waters." He said calmly. The young prince nodded.
"I'm finally going home."
Not much later a small ship came up beside them. As a soldier stepped in front of Zuko, he unrolled a piece of parchment and read from it in a neutral tone.
"Exiled Prince Zuko, is only prohibited to enter Fire Nation territory only if he has in his posession the Avatar. At which time he will appear before the great Fire Lord Ozai and his banishment will be lifted. Faliure to comply will result in Prince Zuko's immediate arrest. By decree of Fire Lord Ozai." He rolled up the parchment and turned to Zuko. "Do you have the Avatar in you posession?"
"Yes."
The soldier seemed rather surprised yet nodded his approval. "At the harbor you, your crew, and your prisonor will be led to the palace and appear before Lord Ozai."
Zuko nodded and the soldier returned to his ship.
X
Aang was surprised to see all of his guards come in and force him out of the cell. The sunlight out on the deck stung his eyes, and by the time they had adjusted, he was marching down the streets of a Fire Nation city, millions of people cheering. In front of him was Prince Zuko, a soldier on either side of him. Soldiers surrounded Aang, but he could still see that the crew of the ship he had been on were lined up in two rows, waving to the citizens. They were all marching to a large palace, and Aang suddenly realized what was going on.
He was going to the Fire Lord.
X
They entered the large throne room, Ozai sitting atop a throne surrounded by flames. Everyone in the room bowed except for the Avatar.
"My Lord, Prince Zuko has brought the Avatar before you." One of the men beside Prince Zuko said. Aang was shoved onto his face before the Fire Lord.
Ozai studied the young boy closely, then turned his head to face the prince.
"You have fulfilled your quest. I here by lift your banishment. Welcome home Prince Zuko."
There were cheers in the room as the Avatar was removed from the room. Zuko had just noticed his mother and sister sitting on either side of his father. Zula's sneer made the smile on Zuko's face grow wider, if that were even possible.
In your face, baby sister...
X
Katara and Sokka had been flying over the ocean for the past three days. They finally caught sight of land and Appa flew even faster. When they landed, out of sight of any towns, Katara changed into the red shirt. She and Sokka, no matter how much they didn't like it, would have to work in a Fire Nation town to earn money.
It wasn't very hard for them to find work in such a small town. Sokka got a job hauling wood from the forest to the lumbermill that payed a handsome amount of seven copper pieces per day. Katara would be helping in a local restaraunt, washing dishes, serving people, and cleaning up, which payed six copper pieces a day. And because they planned to stay there for two days, they would have more than enough money.
That night, when Katara was leaving work, a poster caught her eye
Notice
In honor of Prince Zuko's return from banishment and his seventeenth birthday,
Fire Lord Ozai had declared there shall be a masked ball held at the royal palace.
It is opened to the public, and food and refreshments will be given.
By decree of Fire Lord Ozai
The poster was decorated and written in fancy script. She looked around to make sure no one was watching, ripped the poster off the wall, and ran all the way back to Sokka as a plan formed in her head.
They are making this all too easy...
AN: I sure do hope you guys see where I'm going with this. If not, you will find out in the next chapter. Replies and flames alike are welcome.