The Last Airbender is not my creation, the people at the Nickelodeon Studios created it, but that will not stop me from making my own little episodes of excitement and romance.
The only thing I own is the plot on your screen. If you plan to take my ideas and put them into your own fanfic, claiming to be your own mind that thought them up, get a hobby. Plagiarism is wrong, don't do it!
The small wooden walls of the small shack held the orange glow of dusk as the woman and child entered the room. The old floor planks creaked as the weight of the being walked slowly among them. A desk sat quietly in the middle of the room as if waiting for a deal to be made over it and memories of a young maid hung on the walls like portraits. A chair was placed neatly in the corner of the room and a sad little window lighted the space within the four walls. A couple candles were fixated on a shelf for lighting during the night and significant pieces of broken glass were scattered on the dankly floor. A large old mattress was sprawled on the ground for sleeping and a cracked mirror was nailed lazily on the almost unhinged door.
The firebender sat the child on the wooden desk, growling in anger. Everything had gone completely wrong. The plan was to murder the child in front of the Royals, but she had wasted to much time in blaming them for her troubles. She looked at her niece with a mixture of panic and hesitation. What the hell was she suppose to do with girl now? She sighed heavily.
The rebels weren't going to be happy. Not at all.
"You know," she began as she approached the child, "this is all your fault. If you hadn't spoken your stupid baby talk, I wouldn't have been distracted and your mother wouldn't have snucken up on me." Zula lowered her face so it fronted the child's. Her fierce golden eyes boring into the Princess' calm blue ones. "You would be dead already," she hissed maliciously, a smirk crawling on her face when she noticed her niece back away from her.
Luna sat quietly with her eyebrows perked upwards in sadness; much like a puppy that begs futilely for food. The words that escaped the woman's mouth were strange. New. She used words that nobody had ever used with her (stupid, fault, dead) and quite honestly she didn't like them. The statements the woman said held a bad vibe that frightened her. And so, it was no surprise that the young babe's eyes began to well with tears. She wanted her mother…now.
Fresh sobs began to leave the girl as small salty tears streamed down her rosy cheeks. She wailed for her mother and father with no prevail, they were not coming.
"Quiet!" Zula ordered with a sneer. She hated children.
Fearing the lady in red, Princess Luna silenced herself immediately. Sad tears continued to slide down her cheeks and tiny hiccups continued to escape her trembling body. "Ma," she whispered with a soft cry.
"Stop asking for your Water Tribe peasant of a mother because I doubt you'll see her ever again," Zula demanded with a glare.
Luna hiccupped once more, wiping the last of her tears off her young face. "Ma," she hushed to herself and watched her aunt pace nervously across the floor in front of her. She shifted her eyes to the window and noticed that the moon was full, its gentle glow lighting the room.
Her mother's voice began to whisper the tale of the moon in her head. I met the moon once…
She yawned deeply and laid herself down on the hard wooden desk, closing her light blue eyes as she tucked her arms under her heavy head.
She was a kind young woman who sacrificed herself for her people.
Sleep began tugging at the Princess' mind.
She helped save the world…just like the Avatar…
Luna felt her body being lifted from the desk and onto the mattress.
The moon symbolizes hope.
Princess Luna sighed tiredly as she listened to her mother's final words.
…I love you Luna. Goodnight…
"In a world filled with darkness, we all need some kind of light. Whether it's a great flame that shows us how to win back what we've lost. Or a powerful beacon intended to scare away potential monsters. Or a few glowing bulbs that reveal to us the hidden truth of our past. We all need something to get us through the night, even if it's just the tiniest glimmer of hope." -unknown
Large gray clouds gathered slowly in the sky as the orange sun finished hiding below the Earth's horizon. The heavens were tinted with a faint purple glow and the stars began to peek around the large full moon that shone dully above the Fire Nation's many cities. A soft breeze ruffled the orange and red leafs of the garden's trees, letting the people of the world know that Autumn had arrived.
Katara stood silently on the large marble terrace, waiting for any news about her daughter. Guards could still be head running steadily below, murmuring to each other about how useless the search was. The Fire Lord had accompanied them on their last search party and found no traces of the Princess or his sister.
They were gone.
The waterbender sighed in distress and headed inside when a cold gust of wind pierced her tear streaked face. She closed the large double doors that led to the balcony, noticing the large broken window that stood beside them.
Palace maintenance had come in a couple hours after the kidnap to pick up the broken glass and to finish shattering the window. All that laid there now was a large square hole in the wall with two opened curtains surrounding them.
She walked weakly to the girl's empty crib and stared down at the pillows as if expecting the growing babe to appear of out thin air. We weren't quick enough, she thought remorsefully as a lone tear traveled down her cheek.
She straightened her posture and wiped her face with the small red handkerchief that her husband had given her before he left. After a couple moments of contemplation, Katara left her child's nursery and walked towards her own dormitory, completely ignoring the passing guards that briefly bowed to her.
The Lady open the door to her bedroom and sighed at its emptiness. Lord Zuko had not arrived yet.
Katara entered her washroom and splashed some water onto her face before dressing into her long blue nightgown. Before leaving the lavatory, she glanced at herself in the mirror and sighed at the sight of her face. She looked absolutely horrible.
She walked to the large bed that centered the room and lifted the heavy bedspread, exposing the soft blood-red silk sheets that were laid so neatly below. She crawled into bed not caring that she hadn't had dinner and that it was just the early evening. She couldn't eat and she knew that she wouldn't sleep that night either, but she just wanted to lie down and think.
Katara just wanted her baby.
The young mother closed her eyes and hugged the pillow that laid beside her. And not caring if her husband came in, she cried miserably into it. She wailed her child's name as she squeezed the pillow into an unbearable hug. Endless tears left her eyes as she wept for the Princess that had been taken away from her.
"I shouldn't have left you alone," she sobbed regretfully into the black cushion. "I'm so sorry…"
Zuko walked down the long hallway towards his room, his long strides echoing every time his metal boots met the marble floor. Night had fallen, forcing him to postpone the search until tomorrow at dawn.
So many horrible things had happened that day. He placed his hand on his head and sighed. Please don't let anything happen to her, he pleaded to the almighty Gods that lived within the giant golden gates of heaven. Please…
"My Lord," a meek voice asked as he reached the door to his room.
The Fire Lord turned to see Tai standing behind him, an empty silver platter hanging by her side. He gave her a soft nod and what would have been a smile if it wasn't for the circumstances. "Yes?"
"Dinner is ready," she responded and bowed her head.
"I don't thi--" he began but cut himself off, reconsidering his answer. "I'll tell the Lady," he said with a small smile. "Thank you."
Tai nodded and began to leave before hesitating for a moment. "If you don't mind me asking," she began, her soft voice wavering in doubt. "Is there any news about the Princess?"
The Fire Lord shook his head. "I'm afraid not," he whispered sadly. "But thank you for your concern though."
"Anytime my Lord," she said as she bowed before him. She gave him a sad smile and left for the kitchen, forgetting to ask how the Lady was doing.
Zuko turned the knob to his bedroom and entered to find his wife lying in bed with her arms around his pillow. Her head buried into the cushion and her body trembling with every smothered cry that left her.
"Oh Katara…" he breathed and shut the door.
He walked toward the bed and sat down beside her, placing his hands on her shaking shoulders. "Hey," he whispered in her ear. His voice was soft and a lump began to form in the back of his throat.
Katara let go the pillow in her grasp and turned around. She took a moment to look at Zuko, hoping with all her might that he would tell her that he found Luna. Questions filling her hopeful eyes as she sat up.
"Nothing," the Fire Lord whispered and looked away. He couldn't take the sadness in her face.
The Lady sat there for a moment, her mind trying to digest what he had said. And after realizing that he hadn't found their daughter, she wrapped her arms around her his neck, bringing him close. She felt him wrap his arms around her waist as she rested her head on his shoulder. She wept for her child and for her husband and for herself. Tears fell onto his shoulder as she hugged him tighter. Her heart felt like it had become swollen and her breathing was becoming harder with every sob.
And it wasn't long before she began to feel the Fire Lord shake. "I'm so sorry Katara…"
"Oh Zuko," she cried and kissed his wet cheek. "It's not your fault."
The firebender rubbed his wife's back, trying to soothe her. "I'm going to find her," he promised when he began to hear her cries soften. He buried his face in her neck and kissed it tenderly. "I'm so sorry."
"I don't want her to get hurt," she cried, her lungs feeling like they were going to explode from all the weeping.
"Neither do I," Zuko agreed, his own tears falling from his sad golden eyes.
…three years ago…
He watched as the woman that called herself his sister bow before him, her golden eyes downcast and her fair hands extended before her. He smiled to himself as the cracks of the flames that danced beside him continued in their own rhythmic music of doom. Even from his view point, he could see the even rising and falling of her body as she breathed calmly.
It was just like Zula to not fear her brother, the mighty Fire Lord.
"Do you know the reason of why I have brought you forth?" Zuko asked, his voice deep and military; much like the tone that his father used when he was alive.
The Lady raised her head and smiled. "I do not," she answered innocently and straightened her posture as she sat upon the cold marble floor that extended beyond her late father's throne.
"You have conspired against me," the Fire Lord stated bluntly. "Do you deny it?"
Zula's smile immediately disappeared from her young flawless face. "What?" she asked, her heart's beat quickening. "Why would I do such a horrendous thing? You have arrived but just yesterday."
"So you do deny it," Zuko stated as he moved to the edge of his fiery seat.
"Yes for I have done nothing wrong," the Lady lied as she stood from her kneeling pose. "Conspiracy? Surely you do not think--"
"Are you calling me a liar?" the Fire Lord raged, the flames beside him rising with his fury. For years he was tormented by her. He was constantly taunted by her for his disfigurement. So it came as no surprise when someone from her own crowd confessed that she was planning to overthrow him.
"No I'm not--" she began to correct, her head hanging low.
"Planning to overthrow the Fire Lord is a serious crime, Zula."
Lady Zula raised her head, her eyes glaring hatefully at the man who sat highly on the throne that should belong to her. "I know it is!" she yelled.
Zuko raised his eyebrow at her but said nothing.
"I know it is a crime," she continued, "Do you think I'm stupid? I have done nothing wrong. I do not know who told you such things, but I have not made a conspiracy to overthrow you."
"Of course you haven't Zula, because you are the perfect little sister." He watched as she broke away from his accusing gaze. He knew she was guilty. He knew that she would bring him trouble the moment he stepped onto Fire Nation land. He knew her too well and that was her flaw.
She was too predictable.
"You are banished indefinitely." The words came out so easily. And the look that fell upon the Lady's face was absolutely priceless. A mixture of horror, indignation, confusion, and betrayal. And as much as he would've liked to laugh in her face, he didn't when he realized that he probably held the same expression when those words were said to him.
"But--" she began, her head looking around the large hall.
"I don't want to hear it."
"Your wife won't allow you to banish me!" she exclaimed, feeling triumphant.
"And why not? She does not even know that you exist," Zuko responded.
Zula's face went blank. "She doesn't?" she asked and suddenly felt hurt. Her brother hadn't told his wife that he had a sister? Was he ashamed of her? Why does it matter? her conscience demanded. Don't you feel ashamed of him?
"Leave my sight Zula!" Zuko ordered and closed his eyes, when he saw her kneel before him.
"No! Please Zuko, I didn't - you have to understand." The Fire Lady wouldn't give up. He couldn't do this to her. She was his sister. His blood! "Brother, brother of mine. We share the same blood--"
The Fire Lord laughed freely. "That is nothing to be proud of. Besides, when I was in my time of need you did not even give me a passing glance. Why should I have mercy for you? Were you not the very same person who told me that I was a disgrace to our family?"
"But--"
"Enough!" The flames rose in rage. "Your ship will leave tomorrow at dawn. Leave my sight. Now!"
"My ship?" Zula asked, rising to her feet.
"Surely you do not want to travel to the Earth Kingdom on foot?" He took a deep calming breath. "Now leave my sight before I change my mind and execute you for insubordination."
The Lady furrowed her brow. "You will not see the last of me," she warned and turned on her heel. "You can bet your life on it!" And with that said, she walked out of the main hall.
"For your sake, let's hope this is the last I see of you," he muttered to himself and watched the large double doors before him close shut.
READ! IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOLLOWS!
Now, the agreement to doing this sequel was clear. I made sure it was. The agreement was that you would not bug me (or threaten me) to update NOW! I know it sucks guys, believe me, I do. It sucks for me, too! You think that I don't look forward to your wonderful reviews?
But you have to understand one thing: I have a life!
I'm not some fool that just types stories day and night. I have school (which gives out tons of homework), friends (whom I have to give my time to), and chores (which I have to finish before I can do ANYTHING).
Sorry for the bitchi-ness, but I made it absolutely clear that I would not update regularly. And you guys AGREED to it. Most of you are cool with my updates but there are a couple who simply have decided to giveme an ultimatum about updating my own story.
Well, tough luck. I'm the author and I will decide when it is TIME.
I love you all very much, but Jesus Christ, cut me some slack. Thank you!
PLEASE REVIEW!