Author's Note: Yes! I haven't abandoned this story, don't worry. I've been writing it slowly whenever I've had the time, and I've written enough to begin posting chapters again. So, this is just a recap chapter, but Chapter 12 should be posted next week; it'll be a Friday morning for me, but likely a Thursday night for many of you folks, so keep your calanders clear lol, I'm gonna rock your world...
Chapter 1:
Katara and Zuko try to comfort and reassure two grieving parents who lost their son due to gang violence…
Unsuccessful in consoling the devastated and angry couple, Katara is left frustrated as she questions her fiance, asking why Zuko is unable to keep his Nation in order…
While riding back to the Palace in a chariot, Katara demands that Zuko recall his soldiers to strengthen their security presence within the Nation, or she'll send a letter to her ex-boyfriend: the Avatar…
A couple days away from the Nation, battling the tides of the vast ocean, Toph, Mai and Ty Lee travel towards the Fire Nation to attend Zuko and Katara's engagement party, and future wedding…
While Zuko delivers a speech regarding his engagement to Lady Katara of the Southern Watertribe, within the vast crowd, Katara's eyes briefly latch onto a white face with a red smile, and black patched surrounding grey eyes – the phantom disappears from her vision soon…
As Indians from the South attend a meeting announced by their comrade known as Raees, they are welcomed by the unknown…
Dressed in black, the clown-faced, hooded figure who calls himself Amon attempts to sway the murderers and smugglers, but they refuse to adhere to Amon's desires…
The clown kills them; one by one, they taste the sharpness of his spirit-forged katana…
When the short battle is over, Amon steals the explosives, artillery and weaponry the Indians had smuggled into the Fire Nation...
Chapter 2:
Katara, Zuko and Sokka visit the crime scene Amon left behind the next morning, although they do not yet know of him…
At the crime scene, they find broken and severed limbs; caracusses of the Southern Indians, and the smuggled supplies missing...
It is revealed that Zuko had planned a sting operation; to intercept the meeting that night in order to capture both the buyers and the suppliers as well as the weapons…
Realising they couldn't do much without further evidence and witness reports, Sokka insisted Zuko and Katara return to the Palace to relax and continue planning their engagement party…
That afternoon, General Fang: the original buyer, is beside himself; an unknown assailant killed his suppliers and stole his shipment of weapons…
That same assailant however, reveals himself to the General, and after a long discussion, Fang agrees to partner with Amon to gain the position of Fire Lord…
Later that night, Zuko, bored, searches for his fiance and finds her by the pond, in the gardens…
They have an awkward discussion which ranges from his attempts at flirting, her deflecting to them discussing Aang, and the reason for the pair's breakup…
Zuko tries convincing her that she needs to move on while he leans in to kiss her, and she gives in for a brief moment and a brief kiss…
The moment she tries pulling back however - feeling wrong for kissing him - her brother interrupts the moment, alerting them of the approaching airbender; Katara's ex had returned…
Chapter 3:
Katara and Aang stare at each other for a few moments, drinking in the changed appearance of their ex-lover as it had been years since they'd seen each other; both were significantly pleased by what they saw…
Zuko greets the airbender, but is uncomfortable and nervous when he notices a cruel and dark presence about Aang…
Sokka, insisting they catch up and serve their stomachs first, takes Aang away from the baffled pair to eat; Katara was in awe of the airbender as she attempted to control her emotions, and Zuko was just scared and unnerved…
The next day, Aang walks in on Katara having breakfast; he flirts, she shuts him down, they briefly discuss the bitter end of their relationship, and agree to keep their friendship intact…
Zuko and Sokka discuss the murders and missing weapons from yesterday until Zuko asks Sokka about Aang; whether he notices a change in the airbender too…
Aang interrupts them mid-discussion and Sokka leaves to continue investigating - Aang begins playing mind games, claiming he'll take Zuko's fiance from him, and that he might've been the man who murdered the Indian smugglers two nights prior...
Zuko, although disturbed, believes it to be a joke as Aang states he was simply messing with him and brushes it off for the moment - Aang demands autonomy if he is to help Zuko, and after a heated and brief argument, the Avatar leaves the Firelord to ponder on his demands…
Chapter 4:
The next morning, Zuko awakes from a nightmare regarding his fiance and the Avatar cheating on him behind his back - his fears and insecurities threaten to burst open, but he shuts them down, knowing he was being anxious for no reason as he gets dressed for the war meeting that was to be held in a few hours…
It was still early morning, probably around three or four when Councilman Zayn awoke as he felt a strange presence within his room…
Within the shadows, a white faced phantom revealed himself; Amon, and after a brief fight, the defeated Councilman agreed to sign a few documents provided he'd be given a chance at survival afterwards…
Amon kills the Councilman anyways…
As the sun rises, Katara, sitting beside a former Underground member: Lenzo, requests Zuko and Aang hear out the man and help him in any way they can - Zuko believes it to be a waste of time, but he and Aang adhere to Katara's request anyways…
Lenzo explains how he'd been ordered to retrieve money owed to the Underground; how when he arrived at the destination, he found a lady had been murdered within the apartment already…
Aang uses his seismic sense to corroborate Lenzo's story, and wasn't surprised to find what he did…
The Avatar and Firelord agree to help Lenzo, and as they leave, Katara hugs Aang after he'd offered her a few sweet words; Zuko had seen the entire scene unfold - jealousy and his fears pulsed within his heart…
Approaching the shores of the Fire Nation with her Uncle is Princess Azula, someone eager to reunite with her brother, his fiance and the Avatar; ready to cause havoc…
Chapter 5:
The next morning, Zuko greets his sister at the ports upon her arrival, and she immediately starts teasing him, planting further doubts in his head regarding Aang and his fiance…
Meanwhile, Aang is going through Lenzo's testimony once more with Katara - she notices him acting strange, being aggressive, asking leading questions, badgering Lenzo…
However, after everything, as they make their way to the meeting, Aang plays it off as them playing 'good cop, bad cop' and Katara decides to brush off her suspicions…
When they walk through the door, Katara doesn't realise she is holding Aang's hand - when he drags her away towards the meeting earlier - until the council's and Zuko's eyes widen as they fall on her - Zuko's doubts and fears only strengthen at the sight…
The meeting being held is to address the death of Councilman Zayn, the recent murders of Indian smugglers, and the Avatar's demand for autonomy - when Zuko is about to announce his decision whether Aang would receive autonomy or not, General Fang cuts in, suggesting the missing weapons and recent killings are linked…
Fang also claims to have caught a hooded figure searching his office,;going through his files; Zuko is further convinced the General may be correct regarding the links, as are the others…
However, before Zuko gets a word in, the General retrieves a package from his robes, claiming the hooded, clown-like individual had placed it there for him to find and deliver to the Firelord...
Opening the larger box, the council grows alert as the head of the Indian smuggler identified as Raees rolls out, along with a pistol with Councilman Zayn's initials engraved onto the grip…
While Katara battles her thoughts, reliving the sight of the white face and red smile she'd seen a few days ago, Zuko reads aloud a letter this individual had left for him within the package…
In the letter, the individual identifies himself as Amon, and claims that if Zuko didn't step down from the throne, Capitol City would suffer…
Chapter 6:
While everyone within the room contemplates Amon's warning, Sokka speaks up, altering everyone to the fact that another murder had occured during the day; another Underground member, and along with him, another letter for the Firelord…
Zuko, excusing himself from the meeting, leaves the room for his office with Sokka, Katara and Aang in tow…
Aang, Katara and Sokka discuss the murder while Zuko reads aloud the second letter, which states that until the Firelord resigns, Amon will kill someone each day…
While Zuko, Sokka and Aang ponder on strategies, Katara faces her own doubts and thoughts; she is sure she'd seen grey eyes within the crowd, grey eyes that were surrounded by black patches, white face paint, red hair and a scarlet smile - the description witnesses to the crime scenes had given matched what she momentarily saw the other day - she doubts it, and brushes off the idea of her ex-boyfriend being Amon…
Later on in the day, while nearing the Fire Nation shores, Ty Lee asks if they could take a detour to Ember Island to meet Azula - Toph and Mai begrudgingly agree…
After several hours of discussing the situation with her fiance, brother and ex-boyfriend, Katara decides to clear her head and Aang joins her - they walk along the beach while Katara asks him what his position is regarding Amon and the Fire Nation…
Their conversion shifts from being about recent events to their relationship and the years he was apparently missing; she asks what he'd been doing for the four years he was gone, and soon, she gets upset when the things she'd been told about him being unfaithful while they were together spring up in her mind…
Aang reassures and comforts Katara that she was the only girl he was ever interested in, thus deflecting; she was too clouded with emotion to realise it - they have an intimate moment where he pulls her into a hug, and as they release, the both of them begin to unknowingly lean in closer, seemingly about to kiss…
Zuko has been watching the whole ordeal and interrupts them before anything happens; he claims he needs to talk to Katara, and she follows him back towards the Palace while Aang remains by the shore…
Once arriving in his study, Zuko immediately begins interrogating Katara and they argue; his fears and doubts are running rampant and she is offended he'd even thought she'd be unfaithful - before he interrupts them, Katara was actually going to pull away from Aang, though rather reluctantly…
After reassuring him, Katara denies Zuko a kiss and leaves the room, still angry he'd doubted her while Zuko wondered if what Aang had said about 'stealing his fiance' was becoming a reality…
Chapter 7:
The next morning, Zuko is awoken by yet another nightmare regarding his fiance and the Avatar cheating on him; his anxious mind struggles to banish the doubt and images of them laughing and kissing and moaning while he begins to dress for the day…
Afraid of being late, Katara and Aang arrive early to the meeting, thus surprising each other, and they begin chatting like best friends do while being alone in the war room…
Calculating, Aang begins teasing and flirting with Katara yet again, though this time, she subtly reciprocates until she eventually shuts him and herself down again…
Unbeknownst to them, Zuko had been listening to their conversation from behind closed doors and was frightened by the fact that the few things they said actually corresponded with how they acted in his recent nightmare, leading him to further doubt whether they were cheating on him…
After greeting the two, Zuko takes a moment to calm himself down to eradicate the doubts, knowing he couldn't worry about his fiance and Aang since the council meeting was to begin in a few minutes…
However, while battling his thoughts, he'd unknowingly zones out as the meeting commences - General Fang pulls him from his thoughts and the others inform him that a mover-recording had been broadcasted nationwide - it was Amon's…
In the video, Amon interrogates and murders yet another Underground member, and while doing so, announces the threat he'd made to Zuko; the Firelord had kept it secret from everyone apart from Aang, Katara and Sokka, but now his council and the entire nation was aware of it…
Zuko's previous suspicions of Aang being Amon heighten when he notices that the manner and pitch at which Amon laughs in the mover was similar to Aang's…
Meanwhile, Ty Lee, Mai and Toph arrive at the Firelord's villa on Ember Island, where Azula, Ursa and Iroh currently reside...
They discuss current events like Katara and Zuko's engagement party and wedding, Toph's issue with Sokka, and finally, the Avatar…
Azula completes her task as she plants seeds of doubt within Mai and Ty Lee's minds, and continues to rile up and annoy Toph by using the Water Tribe warrior…
Chapter 8:
The next day, Zuko discusses recent events with Councilman Zion: his trusted advisor; Amon and the Avatar remain central to their conversation…
Meanwhile, Katara drags Aang to help her infiltrate the Underground's base of operations; she knew the local authorities wouldn't do much, and with Aang's aid, she could finally help repair the Nation…
Aang reluctantly agrees to help her, and while doing so, Katara is reminded of why she fell in love with him in the first place, though she shakes those thoughts away when they enter the building…
After taking out many foes, Katara convinces Aang to burn the stash of drugs to a crisp; he advises that they wait for the authorities to arrive as it would be considered evidence, and could be useful for the prosecution, but Katara, knowing the 'evidence' would just find its way back onto the streets again, convinces him to burn it…
Once the authorities arrive, Katara leaves to deal with them, and once she does, Aang turns to the remaining Underground member he'd subdued and interrogates him about Lenzo…
Katara and Aang arrive back at the Palace and the airbender slips away, knowing an irate Zuko was awaiting them…
While Katara and Zuko fight that night, Zuko reveals to Katara his suspicions regarding Aang; how he's not stable, and is here to take her away from him and is corrupting her to do so…
Katara defends the Avatar, and while doing so, accidentally states that she's still in love with him in anger and protest…
Azula walks in on their fight, and Katara is further irritated...
Later that night, Amon greets General Fang in his office and begins playing mind games with the General too; taunting him regarding his unpredictability in the form of banter…
Brushing off Amon's weird and troubling behaviour, Fang asks Amon what the next step in his plan is, to which Amon reveals that he'll be attending Zuko's engagement party…
Chapter 9:
Azula greets the Avatar the next day - he was having breakfast and she, still immensely attracted to him, tries flirting with him while also attempting to get inside his head…
He shuts down her advances and bluntly asks if she wants him, to which she deflects…
Aang reminds her that he's the one in charge, and offers her further incentive to follow his orders when he states he'll reward her afterwards - her dirty mind can only think of one reward worth receiving…
Aang leaves to ponder on his plan for the party...
Meanwhile, Katara lays on her bed, contemplating last night's fight and her accidental reveal; she'd yelled out that she was still in love with Aang, however, now that she thinks about it, she can't decipher if it's the truth or not…
Her brother, Sokka - noticing she was distrubed - enters the room and attempts to shine light onto the situation; he advises her to follow her heart, informs her about their father being unable to attend the engagement party, and also warns her that Azula may be spreading rumours around the Palace about her and Aang…
While walking by the beach, Aang was surprised to be greeted by an old friend whom he hadn't anticipated; Toph immediately begins teasing him and is elated to find he can finally tease her back…
Though, while they conversate, she begins to ask him about his past, specifically: why he'd disappeared for two-four years…
Knowing he couldn't lie, Aang silently curses himself for not predicting this outcome as he begins vaguely answering her questions…
When Toph begins closing in on him however, she immediately halts as Sokka's voice booms in the distance…
Knowing their history, and silently thanking the Watertribe warrior for his timing, Aang tells her to stay put while he leads Sokka away, knowing she wasn't ready to talk to the tanned man yet…
Later that day, Azula follows through with the plan as she talks to her brother, further feeding his fears and insecurities regarding Aang and Katara - based on what Katara had admitted yesterday during their fight, Zuko begins believing most of what his sister was telling him; how Katara had avoided him all day because she didn't know how to cancel their engagement, or their wedding, and that she was probably with the Avatar as they spoke…
However, saving him from his thoughts, Zuko smiles brightly when his uncle enters the room with tea…
Moments before the engagement party was due to begin, General Fang finds himself in his office accompanied by Amon once again - they discuss further plans; how Amon would interrupt the party, what he would do, and what use he had by infiltrating a Fire Nation ship by the shore…
Amon reassures the General, indicating that in no time, he'd be crowned the Firelord before he left for Zuko's engagement party…
Chapter 10:
That night, as their engagement party commenced, Katara and Zuko welcome the special guests themselves; Zuko personally escortes Councilman Quinn Red of the Northern Watertribe and his date to the bar while Katara loses herself to her thoughts regarding Aang…
While dreaming about the Avatar, she accidentally bumps into him - they begin talking once again and the entire time, Katara can't deny that she was falling for him all over again…
Azula manages to interrupt their conversation, and after sending Aang away, she apologises to the annoyed waterbender for her recent behaviour and past transgressions…
Katara reluctantly agrees to act civil with the firebender, and even agrees to share drinks with her - Azula leaves the waterbender to grab their Fireball whiskey, and mixes in an unknown substance in her drink, thus drugging her unaware future sister-in-law when she returns…
Aang begns conversing with Mai, Ty Lee and Toph during the party as they tease him about supposedly flirting with Lady Ursa - Sokka, noticing Toph was drinking beyond her limit as she could now barely stand, joins their conversation to help take her to her room…
Frustrated and frightened, Toph almost makes a scene as she yells at him, though, after Aang pleads with her to not risk her health, she reluctantly agrees to allow Sokka to help lead her to her room…
Their walk is awkward, and even though Sokka offers to clear the confusion and grievances between them, Toph doesn't reciprocate as she doesn't want to talk about it…
After helping her to her room, Sokka asks her if she requires anything else; he soon leaves to retrieve a glass of water for the earthbender…
Meanwhile, an insanely drunk Katara is slurring her words and loudly communicating, to more than just Azula, her thoughts regarding how 'hot' she thought the Avatar is
As the gossip begins, Aang offers to help Katara to her room, knowing she couldn't drink more…
While on his way, drunk Katara opens up to him in a way she hadn't since their breakup; Aang listens to her with a heavy heart as she mentions all the times she thought he didn't love her or would never come back to her as she wept in the South Pole…
Along the way, Aang runs into Sokka and informs him that his sister had drunk beyond her limiit, similar to Toph - Sokka immediately agrees and allows him to continue as they both walk towards their separate destinations…
After tucking her into bed, Aang and Katara have a heart to heart where they both subtly admit to each other that the love they once shared isn't dead - Aang leaves her room as soon as she falls asleep…
Zuko, worried about his fiance - and whatever it was that Aang was planning - chases after the two as soon as he is free from the nobles holding him back; he meets Sokka on his way who informs him that he'd seen his sister and Aang heading towards their suites…
Once arriving, Zuko begins walking towards his fiance's room only to stop in his tracks once he hears a woman moaning Aang's name…
The sound originates from the Avatar's suite, and after a few short moments, the Avatar moaning his fiance's name meets his ear drums as the sounds of their love making rings in his head…
Heartbroken and devastated, the Firelord leaves the corridor and the party as he runs, unaware that within the room, Aang and Azula were simply acting to manipulate and fool him…
While Zuko's missing, and Toph and Katara have been disposed of, Amon crashes the party with his warriors, in search of Quinn Red...
Chapter 11:
Frightened, all guests spread out and gather around the outskirts of the room while Amon's men keep an eye on them…
The phantom begins mocking and hassling many of the guests including General Fang, Quinn Red's date, and Lady Ursa…
Zuko, having heard the commotion, interrupts Amon mid monologue and a fight breaks out - Amon taunts the Firelord continuously while Mai, Iroh, Ty Lee and a few other individuals fend off Amon's men…
After throwing insults at Zuko regarding his fiance cheating on him with the Avatar, Zuko prepares to attack Amon with a lightning blast - Amon's men inform him that they have located and captured Quinn Red, and the clown-faced demon uses Iroh stopping Zuko from shooting lighting at him - by redirecting it towards the roof - as an opportunity to escape once the rubble from the roof of the building separate them...
Zuko berates and questions his uncle as to why he stopped him, and Iroh calmly informs his nephew that he would've regretted killing Amon - Iroh urges Zuko to check on his guests and his fiance as he attempts to control the situation…
After escaping the Palace, Quinn Red wakes up inside a basement with Amon lingering beside him - he questions the phantom regarding his motives and needs, and Amon demands that Quinn Red sign a document…
After initially refusing, Amon reveals that knows a great deal about the Northern Watertribe Councilman's personal life, and after a few threats, he states that he'll be back the next day, and if those documents haven't been signed, Quinn will suffer…
The following morning, Katara awoke with a headache; she heals herself and tends to her headache while also recounting the events of the previous night…
After pondering on it for a few minutes, Katara finally admits to herself that she is still in love with the airbender, and strolls over to his room to tell him…
However, upon arrival, she uncovers an empty room and a bag - within the bag, remains the Avatar's personal belongings; she holds onto his robes as a few tears drop, memories of her attempting to recall his warmth in the Southern Watertribe all those years ago while he was missing resurface…
Due to her curiosity, she continues digging through his bag, and soon stumbles upon a photograph of a sixteen or seventeen year old Aang with a little girl eating ice cream in his arms, the both of them laughing - although confused and questioning the identity of the girl, the waterbender grins at the photo anyways, finding the airbender's goofy grin adorable…
However, she soon comes across a few lidded containers and bowls which contain red, white, black and light blue paint, and also, a children's book from the Earth Kingdom regarding a clown-like man blessing children with gifts for the solstice - the clown was named Amon…
As the gears shift in her head, the lingering doubt that had taken refuge within her mind finally shines true as she realizes: Aang is Amon…
To be continued…