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I'm so terribly sorry for the wait! I've been having some bouts of writer's block for this story. I hope this chapter makes up for the wait. Please leave a review and tell me what you thought, rather it be positive or negative. I would really appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender
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The sun had just risen over the horizon, bringing forth a new day. Jaded, dark clouds sought to hinder the sunrise, but it was futile; Fire reigned supreme. The air was cold, aloof; it foreshadowed the events that would come to pass that very day, the day when Sozin's Comet arrived – it was the day when the Air Nomads would all be slaughtered. It was the day that Aang had been given the chance to change, to make it better and he would save his people! While he may have chosen to condemn himself to the century-long sleep, it didn't mean that he couldn't save his people; they would be there when his younger self awoke from the Iceberg!
He had refused to think of Chief Kuhna's words about the Air Nomads, about how the Tree of Time had said things that he knew made too much sense. Aang had long since begun to feel numb; he had a choice to make. Would he abide by the Tree of Time's decision and allow his people's genocide, or not?
He hadn't rested since he caused the storm that had sentenced himself to the Iceberg; he knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep. He had continued his journey through the night and now that Agni's light was beginning to pierce across the mountains that he flew past, he felt his numbness begin to fade away. Then he saw it! The Southern Air Temple was more beautiful than it had ever been before; it was alive, and tears welled in Aang's gray eyes when he glimpsed Airbenders – living, breathing Airbenders! – and Sky Bison playing on the Temple grounds and flying by the ledge of the Temple. The Airball Court was very crowded, and he saw many of the boys with whom he had played during his childhood dominating the game.
It was everything that he had remembered but even more beautiful. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he observed his home and he memorized the sight; he knew it would become one of his fondest memories no matter his decision.
Finally looking away, he rose even higher into the sky and stared at Agni's light. Soon, the Fire Spirit's people would commit the worst recorded deed in the history of the Four Nations. Soon, dozens and dozens of Dragons with more than ten Firebenders on each would flood through the sky under the unholy power of Sozin's Comet and unleash annihilation on Aang's home and people.
He could change that and looking at the brimming Airball Court, he decided that he was going to change that!
Dashing through the sky, not knowing when Sozin's Comet would appear with Sozin's legions of depraved Firebenders, Aang approached the back of the Temple, looking for the secret entrance that he had found in the future; he now knew everything about the secrets of the Air Temples. It was painless to enter when he punched out a small gust of wind into the innocent-looking rock; the hidden door opened soundlessly.
He summoned a small flame and entered, gray eyes anxiously scanning his surroundings before he stepped forward. Once everything was clear – everyone seemed to be at the Airball Court, unaware of the coming calamity – he took his first step in the un-desecrated Southern Air Temple.
He had walked the halls countless times, but never with the reverence that he did now; he brushed his fingers across the walls that held no dried blood, the ones that hadn't yet witnessed death. After a moment of basking in the peace that he now felt – Chief Kuhna and the Tree of Time's words must have been wrong! – Aang stretched out his senses, aching to truly speak with one of his fellow Air Nomads; not all of them could be at the Airball Courts. He immediately froze when he felt the familiar, yet almost forgotten presence of the Elders; they were convened for High Council. And there, amongst them, he felt Gyatso.
Aang swallowed and immediately used his airbending to dash to the top of the Temple, running up the stairs in a mere moment; he appeared silently before the High Council's doors, but he didn't enter. He jumped to the top where a hole would allow him to watch and listen.
Tears welled in his eyes once more when he saw his Master standing before the other Elders; the familiar sight lightened his heart, but his features contorted into a frown when he realized what they were convened about: Aang's own disappearance.
"He is a fool," Tashi declared angrily. "We don't know where he is; nobody does! Or do you know, Gyatso, but have failed to tell us?"
Gyatso's posture tightened slightly, "Aang was not wrong to run away."
"Of course you- "
"You claim Aang to be the fool, but the only fools are you, all of you!" Gyatso snapped and Aang's lips parted at the real fury emanating from his Master in a wave. "Yes, it was an impulsive choice, but did he have another one?"
Pasang was the only one of the Elders who didn't look angry by Gyatso's words – yet. "I chose to send him to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training."
"What training does he need, Pasang?" Gyatso's words chided on disrespect. "He is the fastest Master Airbender, fastest Master bender in the history of the Four Nations! What else of Air does he need? If anything, Aang should have been sent to the Water Tribes to master waterbending as the Avatar Cycle demands. I would have traveled with him- "
"No, you wouldn't have," Tashi cut in and Aang could feel his own anger mounting; he was prepared to reveal himself, to interrupt them all, but… something stalled him. "Aang- "
"Is only a boy!" Gyatso cried out with raw emotion, "He just turned 12-years-old! He is not a young man as Roku was before him when my friend came to train and learn with us! I have seen your eyes judging Aang ever since he was born, since his discovery as Roku's successor; you have assessed and weighed him but always found him lacking. I have said nothing in the past to keep Aang's style of life peaceful, but no more; he is gone because of your judgment! He thought your challenges to him were only fun, effortless games, but he would have learned; he would have lost himself because of it! He needs peace, not order and duty; he needs freedom, as Air preaches but you have all neglected! He needs fun, excitement, and love; he needs to live as a boy before he becomes a man – it's the natural order. Why has the Avatar never been told of their destiny before their sixteenth year?"
"We didn't have a choice, Gyatso," Pasang cut in, looking weary. "Once again, your emotions for the boy are clouding your judgment."
"His name is Aang. My judgment is finally enlightened, and I fear of what is to come because of your foolishness. He is too young to shoulder the weight of the world, of the Realms. He is not ready; he never has been! He is the Avatar, yes, but first and foremost, he is Aang!"
"But the signs of coming war- "
"Are unavoidable, no matter if Aang knows or not. We all knew that something was terribly wrong when Roku aged the way that he did, how he died so young for an Avatar."
"Don't bring that up, Gyatso," Tashi shook his head in disgust. "We've all heard the rumors from your lips about what Sozin might have done, but not even the Fire Lord would dare kill the Avatar – it's unprecedented! We are tired of hearing your theories about Roku. When Aang was given to you, it only augmented your lunacy! Because we gave him to you, he has left during our most dire need! This is your fault, not ours!"
"I do not condemn Aang's choice, not at all. In fact, I applaud it; he was wiser than all of you. Your rash and short-sighted demands caused this and the only thing that I wish to be different would be me joining him." Aang put a hand over his mouth to keep himself from making a distressed noise. "He will save the Realms but not because of what you have done; he will do it on his own."
"The fate of the world must be in balance." Pasang's voice finally rose and he stared at Gyatso intently. "Whatever Aang wants or needs doesn't matter when he must save this world; he is the Avatar!"
Gyatso shook his head mournfully, "I have learned and realized much since Aang was told of his true identity, of his divine might. You all wish for the Avatar to fix everything; you want Aang to shoulder the fate of the world. You do not want to do anything yourself; you want Aang to do it for us, just as the rest of the Four Nations do." Aang watched, stunned, as his Master didn't even blink at the growing anger of the other Elders. "If you truly cared for the balance of the world, Pasang, you would have messaged the other nations – at least Earth and Water – of Sozin's intentions of conquest. Yet, you chose not to; the other Temples did not message Earth and Water, as well."
"It is not the Air Nomad way, Gyatso!" Tashi barked out, "Show respect with whom you speak- "
"I will not, Tashi. The Air Nomad way is broken; it has been for a long time and the realization only swept through me recently. Our isolation has made us outcasts in the minds of others; they care not for us, nor what we think."
"Your words are too far, my friend," Pasang warned sternly. "You are dangerously unbalanced, unhinged."
"No, I see clearer than before. The world has gone terribly wrong; it has been wrong for many centuries, if not longer. I suspect that no one, not even Roku himself, ever knew how wrong it was; it has culminated to this moment, to you pushing Aang to run away. We know not the worst of it, but it will become worse, I fear, so very much worse before it ever gets better."
"If Aang didn't run away, then none of what is to come would happen," Pasang stated evenly and Aang inhaled slowly, fascinated by the words being exchanged angrily between Gyatso and the rest of the High Council. "He would stop it, as is his duty; his training at the Eastern Air Temple would have made certain of it."
Gyatso looked incredibly disappointed, "You wish for Aang to master the Avatar State; that was your plan."
"Yes. Guru Pathik is notorious for his knowledge of such things. Aang would defeat this war before it starts with the mastered Avatar State; he would possess all of the power of Roku, Kyoshi, Kuruk, Yangchen, and all of those who came before him."
"Aang is not meant to master the Avatar State until he masters all of the elements! That is how it is! The Avatar isn't meant to have uncontrolled access to such power until they are ready. Do you truly think that we could… control that power, Aang's power and direct it at whom we please? That is unspeakable arrogance!"
"He is the greatest prodigy of whom we have ever heard, Gyatso. He would have succeeded; nothing else would have been accepted."
"Those words are what I have always feared, Pasang. Deep down, Aang may be immortal with strength and knowledge beyond anyone, but he is just as mortal as the rest of us; he has fears and doubts. He craves love and affection; he is only a boy!"
"He should have stayed!" Pasang stood to his feet and it was the first time in Aang's memory when he had seen the monk truly angry. "Then we could have warded off the invasion that will undoubtedly come with him here, regardless if he has the Avatar State or not."
"Aang is not to blame for not being here! You all think that, but you are wrong; the only ones to blame are us, not him, never him. He cannot hope to face Sozin's warriors, not yet; not on the day of the Great Comet itself when he has only mastered airbending! The Fire Lord's power is beyond any other Firebender, and on that day, which could be any day now, his strength will be augmented beyond anything that any of us have ever imagined."
"The Great Comet?" Tashi snorted in derision, "Sozin wouldn't dare invade on that day; he can't do anything to us. The Fire Nation hasn't ever touched Air since Fire Lord Houka's despicable actions centuries ago."
"You are an arrogant fool, Tashi!" Gyatso snapped; anger was lined in his posture. "Sozin killed Roku and he will try to kill Aang; he wants the Avatar's might extinguished so his own power will stretch across the Four Nations. He will attack us to get to Aang because there is only one being alive of whom Sozin would ever be afraid: the Avatar."
"You're delusional! Your mind has- "
"What are you saying, Gyatso?" Pasang interrupted Tashi, sitting back down. "You think that…"
"We will lose much," his Master stated bluntly. "We already lost Aang, but our race will be lost, too, I fear. From the ashes, though, new life will bloom; Sozin's evil will bring a blessing to the world through Aang. I've seen it in my dreams. We will all be redeemed from our foolish actions; we will be redeemed for losing our way."
Pasang was quiet for a moment, features frowning deeply. "I think that you've said enough, Gyatso. Leave us so that we can meditate in peace."
Gyatso tilted his head up, "You will have plenty of time to do that, Pasang, in the Gardens of the Dead after the Temples burn and we are all but ash." Aang watched, stunned, as his Master didn't give the other Elders time to respond as he walked out of the room without looking back.
"He is the fool above all fools!" Tashi spat once Gyatso was gone and Aang found that he couldn't leave, not yet. "His coddling of Aang has ruined us all!"
"His heart has been dangerously corrupted," Pasang said slowly. "His enlightenment has fled him; he is now no longer a member of the High Council."
"He should be excommunicated, as well; he is the cause of this!"
"We'll see, Tashi, we'll see."
Aang slowly descended back to the ground and closed his eyes; he didn't feel as euphoric as he had previously. What would happen to Gyatso if he saved his people? Chief Kuhna and the Tree of Time's words returned suddenly and screamed in his mind: '…while the Air Nomads were the last to fall, they fell the fastest and hardest; they became the worst out of them all.' 'You pitch your non-bending children off of the ledges of your Air Temples!' Chief Kuhna had said that Avatar Kuruk had declared his aversion for the Air Nomads boldly and while Aang briefly contemplated summoning his former life out of his soul, he ignored the idea. He didn't trust Kuruk; he was still furious at his past life for his actions in the Spirit World against Azula when they had visited Koh.
Before he did anything rash such as brazenly entering to confront the High Council, Aang knew that he needed the truth and there was only one person who he trusted enough, to be honest with him who had the knowledge necessary: Gyatso. Anxiety flooded him at the thought of speaking with his Master, but he controlled his emotions; he clenched his fists and tried to catch Gyatso as he floated through the halls, but his Master had vanished. After a moment of thought, he darted towards Gyatso's quarters, which were on the upper levels but not the level that he was currently on; he would need to descend.
Aang knew the route by heart for after he had remodeled the Southern Air Temple after the Great War, he had claimed Gyatso's room for his own. Knowing that time was crucial, he stretched his senses to make sure that Gyatso was in his room, but to his shock, it was empty! Desperately, feeling his senses shift, he focused everywhere in the Temple and halted when he found his Master; Gyatso was in Aang's former quarters.
He blinked back the sudden onslaught of tears that threatened to overwhelm him. Slowly, he gathered his composure and descended the stairs and entered the hallway but froze when the air currents shifted; he felt a warm body approaching. He felt the presence for a brief moment and when he realized that it wasn't Gyatso, he grit his teeth and swiftly used his earthbending to conceal himself in the wall itself; he created a small hole for his eyes.
It was Afiko.
Narrowing his eyes at the young man, who was around Zuko's age when dawning the mantle of Fire Lord, Aang remembered all of the contempt that Afiko had held for him, especially how it had blazed after his reveal as the Avatar; it had towered between them like a mountain of Afiko's hatred. Then, eventually, only indifference seemed to hinder Afiko's sight when they were forced to converse; it was a stunning change that his younger self had never truly thought about.
"It is the day," the other Airbender murmured as he passed where Aang was hiding. "I will be rewarded; they will come."
The realization was blinding in its intensity and Aang swallowed thickly; it was impossible for anyone but an Airbender or Sky Bison to reach the Air Temples. Only Air Nomads knew the location of the Temples and Aang had always wondered how Sozin's armies had found his people and now, he knew why. The Fire Nation had received help and that is how the Dragons reached – or will reach – the Temples; he knew who had betrayed them.
Sliding soundlessly out of the wall behind the unsuspecting Afiko, Aang was prepared to… he didn't know; he watched the ignorant Afiko turn a corner instead of confronting him. He still needed to speak with Gyatso, and he possessed no proof that Afiko had betrayed the Air Nomads, that he was the reason why Sozin's armies were so successful under Sozin's Comet; he had only suspicious theories based on his own doubts.
Shaking his head, clearing away the whispers, he dashed through the hallway and came to halt when the hauntingly familiar door appeared; it was his old room, a room he had never been able to enter after the Great War. Aang swallowed and waved a small gust of wind into the small horn; the door slid open silently and he gathered his courage and stepped into his room.
Gyatso was hunched over the Pai Sho board, back facing Aang; his eyes stared almost uncomprehendingly at the scene that was so… familiar. The door shut behind him and he tried to say something, but his emotions prohibited him; he was deprived of words.
"I would think that my words to you, Pasang, would have made my feelings perfectly clear." Gyatso's words were cold, bordering on furious, yet there was deep sadness; his Master, in spite of that, sounded angrier than Aang had ever thought possible. "I yearn to be alone before destruction snuffs out our race… I warned you all, but you dismissed my concerns; you were more arrogant than any Firebender who I have met. Now, because of your deeds and follies, Aang is gone. Wherever he is, he will be lost because I will not be there, because no Air Nomad will be; he will be confused, angry, and hurt. He will be alone for Sozin will leave no stone unturned."
"I'm right here," he whispered with tears spilling down his cheeks; his Master's posture straightened immediately. "I'm not alone, Gyatso."
"Who are you?" His Master whirled around, and their eyes connected; light seemed to explode in Aang's mind. Gyatso stood up, face pale and eyes wide; he swallowed. "Aang…? Is that… you? You are… here? But… you are…"
"It's me," he choked out and stepped closer putting a hand on his Master's shoulder; it was real! "It's Aang, I swear," with his other hand, he pulled up his hair to show his arrow; Gyatso's lips parted.
"My boy," his Master whispered and before Aang could even react, he was pulled into a tight hug. "You are here… How is this possible?"
After controlling his tears, Aang pulled back to stare at Gyatso's awestruck eyes. "It seems impossible, but I'm… I'm from the future; the Tree of Time gifted me the chance to change everything from happening. That includes saving you and the Air Nomads." When his words seemed to stun his Master, even more, he put his thumbs on Gyatso's chest and forehead, focusing his energybending to give him the knowledge necessary for him to understand.
His master blinked when he removed his thumbs, and then he smiled with such pride. "I have heard legends of energybending from the Order but never imagined that anyone would ever master it. My boy, you have grown so much," he placed a warm hand against Aang's cheek. "You are a fully-realized Avatar at such a young age; your predecessors have only ever mastered, at most, two elements by your age. Oh, Aang, I am so proud of you, just as I have always been."
Aang's lips curled before he remembered. "Yes, I know that, but didn't you hear me? The Air Nomads will… they'll be slaughtered by Sozin, but I've been given the chance by the Tree of Time to save you all. I can… save you, Master. I can atone for my mistakes."
"I had never imagined that I would see you again," his Master ignored his words and looked him over. "You are so big, now, and hair on your head and with stubble on your cheeks, jaw, and chin! You have grown taller than I had ever thought, but you no longer wear Air Nomad garbs… Were they destroyed? And where is your glider?" Gyatso blinked and then he grinned impishly and Aang could do nothing but stare back at him in shock. "Oh, that's right: the energybending revealed that you have mastered true flight, ignoring Keska's decree. I had always wished to learn the art but was unable to; the Order's records about it were scarce."
"Wait… that's how you knew of true flight?" Aang whispered, "You're part of the Order of the White Lotus?"
"I am, Aang. My allegiance to the Avatar has always been part of me since I met Roku; he was a good friend."
Aang shook his head, "That doesn't matter; we're wasting time! Don't you know? Sozin's Comet is today! Any moment now, the Temple will be attacked and… you will… you'll die!"
Gyatso turned and sat down at the Pai Sho board. "Come, Aang. Please, sit. We need to talk." Aang sat down in frustration; he didn't understand! Why didn't Gyatso feel any urgency? "First, why do you wish to change what has come to pass, my boy? Whatever your power as the Avatar, do you claim to know better than Time itself?" His Master peered at him, wise eyes assessing. "You have already created a new life for yourself, Aang. There is no sense in putting that at risk."
"You don't understand!" Aang stared at him desperately, "I'm the last one, the last of us all; there is no one else. All I have is Appa and Momo, but that's it! There are no more Airbenders because of my cowardice, but I can… I can fix that now. Don't you see that? I have the power. I'm ready!"
"Oh, Aang," his Master said softly. "You must forgive yourself once more. Why do you keep punishing yourself? I know that you've mastered your chakras; you can't keep doing this to yourself. There is no sense in punishing yourself for the mistakes of the past, for things that you had no control over. In order to heal, you must first forgive yourself."
"No," he shook his head rapidly. "I can save all of you!"
"My boy, as you already know, there is a reason the Tree of Time allowed the coming calamity."
Aang swallowed, "How are you so calm about this? Don't you understand? Sozin will be here and butcher all of you! How can you just… just sit there in peace?"
Gyatso smiled gently and patted his clenched fist. "Because I know now that you are safe; it is all that I have ever wanted." His Master's eyes darkened in sadness, "You have not had much peace, have you, Aang?"
"No, I haven't," he whispered. "The Great War took everything from me; the peace that you always taught me to grasp has been absent since my awakening from the Iceberg."
"But it has slowly returned to you, yes? Who was that woman I glimpsed? Azula, was it? You love her and she has brought you peace. You have built a life for yourself, Aang."
"I can never regain the full peace unless I save all of you and stop Sozin!"
"Do you truly believe that, Aang, or have you forced yourself to instead of accepting what has happened?"
"Stop with the riddles!" Aang smashed his fist on the Pai Sho board and it cracked ominously. "Damn it, I just… I don't…" his anger swiftly faded with hollowed truth. "I don't know what I want."
"I will help you, my boy." Gyatso created a small air scooter and sat next to him; he leaned his head on his Master's shoulder. "This will be my final lesson to teach you."
"Don't say that," he whispered. "I can't bear it right now."
"I will accept whatever decision you choose, Aang, whether it is the correct or wrong choice."
"How do I make the choice? I feel like I'm wandering aimlessly in a lost haze of misery, dangling over two pits of vipers and I don't know which one to choose to fall into!"
"Not all those who wander are lost, Aang, but I think that you have already chosen."
"What do you mean?" Aang raised his head and looked up at him in bemusement. "What are you talking about?"
"If you truly believed that you should save the Air Nomads and stop Sozin, then you would not be here speaking with me. You would have already destroyed all of the legions before they reached not just this Air Temple, but all of the Temples. You already know what needs to happen; you just need to accept it. You are here for reassurance, to know if you have chosen wisely."
With bulging eyes, he stared at his Master. "That… I…" the realization was horrible, but he knew it to be true. "You're right. I think that I have chosen, but why did I?"
"Because deep down in your immortal soul, you know the truth and understand, that is why. I cannot imagine the burden that you have felt, but you can release it now. Your decision is the correct one."
"There are things that I've heard about the Air Nomads… Are they true? Have they fallen so much? Did they… pitch non-benders off of the ledges of the Air Temples?"
Gyatso's lips turned mournfully. "It is true, Aang, all of it. Long, long before the time of Avatar Yangchen, the Air Nomads wanted all of their children to be Airbenders. The Elders reached consensus: they would… purge the non-benders out of their society when they were babies, small children." Aang listened, horrified by what he was hearing. "The spiritually-blessed were notorious for their airbending bloodlines, so the Elders forced all of the bloodlines to become pure by discarding the non-benders, believing it would secure everyone's spirituality, and then quickly, Airbenders were all who were born. The practice continued for centuries when the rare non-bender was born. Avatar Kuruk… when he was training at the Temple, was furious, revolted when he learned of the tradition; he condemned us and absconded with airbending scrolls instead of remaining for his training. Legend says that he and Yangchen were never amiable after that… Kuruk was never seen at an Air Temple again, except to prohibit the practice. But by then, it was already too late; the Air Nomads had all secured their bloodlines to only sire Airbenders. There has never been a non-bender born to our people since before Kuruk's time; it was a systematic infanticide that secured such notoriety with the other nations for all of our children being born Airbenders."
Aang's eyes closed, "How far have the Air Nomads fallen?"
"Quite far," his Master's words were blunt but gentle. "We were once lauded as the greatest of the Four Nations, held in such esteem that all Avatars always returned annually to the Temples after they became fully-realized. But it has not been that way for a long time; we lost our way. We have become narrow-sighted and foolishly incompetent with remarkable arrogance. We are cold and distant, now, and hold no compassion for anyone; Tashi is an excellent example of that." Gyatso sighed and Aang was transfixed by how bleak his people sounded, now. Had he never seen it because he had been so young? "I have sought to rectify those terrible mistakes but have gotten nowhere; we are a failed race, now. The High Council of Elders has been gaining more and more power these past centuries and I fear of what it means. Only those of us Air Nomads who are allied with the Order of the White Lotus have disagreed with Air's path."
"I never knew…" he said softly. "But my decision still feels forced, somehow. I… know that I shouldn't do anything, that I should… let you all… die, but I don't want to."
"I am so proud of you, Aang, proud of the man and Avatar who you have become." Gyatso's eyes were kind and understanding, "I have always been proud of you; you were my pride and joy. You were always ahead of everyone, wise beyond your years and it is because of that, that I know that you can do what I say. You must let go of the past, Aang. Holding onto your past, to what has happened so strenuously will not allow the Airbenders to return through you. You must stop dwelling on what was and focus on what it will become. Only then will a clear path reveal itself to you."
"I don't know how to do that anymore," he whispered brokenly, gray eyes clouding. "I don't how to let go of the past; the past is what has shaped me!"
"Indeed, you are correct, but holding onto the past so much is not healthy; you will never be able to move on and feel the peace that you desperately crave until you let it go."
"But how do I do that?"
Gyatso's hand touched his cheek, "By accepting everything that has happened."
"That implies that it's easy," he murmured. "I've already accepted it in the past, but it still haunts me!"
"You were never able to accept it fully before because you were not given this choice, this chance by the Tree of Time, Aang. Only be being here, right now in the past on the day when Sozin's armies turn us to ash, can you truly accept everything that has happened – that will happen in the next century before your awakening."
"And it's so hard…" he shut his eyes. "I don't want to."
"You are the Avatar, the great keeper of light and even when Vaatu's darkness encompasses the Realms, he can never snuff out the light." Gyatso smiled at him encouragingly when Aang opened his eyes. "To succeed and to be able to let go, learn to look beyond achieving peace for just the Realms, but for yourself, too. You are the Avatar, yes, but first and foremost, you are Aang."
He swallowed, "You said that in the meeting with the other Elders."
"You were there? You were… listening?"
"And watching," he smiled sadly. "The Elders, except for you, are the perfect example of how far the Air Nomads have fallen, I think. I never liked Tashi; he was always grumpy."
"That is true," his Master laughed, and the sound relieved him; it also made it harder to allow what was to come. "You will always fail in whatever you do, Aang, if you do not look for peace for yourself."
"That's what I'm doing, now! It's why I'm here, why I… was going to save you all."
"Then you are realizing the truth."
"What truth?"
"If you are not at peace, the world will not be either. The greatest darkness that threatens the Realms isn't Vaatu, but yourself."
Aang looked at his Master, stunned. "Why? What… darkness do I bring?"
"Because you desperately cling to the past; he who clings to the past can never see clearly. You must let it go, Aang." Gyatso stepped back, eyes serious and wise. "It is time to let go of the past, so that you can return to the future, to the life that you have made for yourself."
The words triggered his fear and he rebelled against his Master's near-command. "But I can save all of you! Don't you realize that?" Aang cried out in desperation, wishing that Gyatso would tell him to stay. "I can fight the Fire Nation, destroy them all with a wave of my hand if I entered the Avatar State! I can stop our people's genocide. When Sozin's Comet arrives, I could crush the Fire Lord's armies, annihilating them as they did to you!"
"Of course, you are right, Aang," his Master nodded, shocking him. "You could destroy them; you currently hold all of the power. You are the Avatar, and what you decide to do with the immortal power that you possess is your decision. Yet, it is already too late to crush all of Sozin's armies. Not even you can be at all four Air Temples at once to stop what is coming; deep down, you have already chosen, my boy. Why do you fight it?"
"I'm scared," he whispered, blinking his eyelids rapidly to keep the tears at bay. "This was my chance to… to stop it all, to have the life that I had always wanted."
"But is it still the life that you want, Aang?" Gyatso peered up at him and he was unable to look away. "I think that you are obsessed with a past that was only a fantasy. My boy, there is so much wrong with this world, with this era, with this time. You never knew how wrong because you were so young and that is why you have struggled; you are in love with a past that never even existed, that was built-up to a standard in your mind that was always unattainable. But now you have slowly learned of the truth about this era, about the world, and most importantly, the truth about our race. What was it that the Tree of Time had said? Why was Time itself allowing Vaatu to commence his evil plan?"
"To save the Realms from collapsing into nothingness," he answered softly.
"You have already made your choice, Aang. Are you selfish enough to condemn the Realms to destruction?"
"No, I'm not, but to keep that from happening, I'll… I'll have to condemn you and the rest of the Air Nomads to death."
"But the Air Nomads will be reborn through your children. I've seen glimpses of the future these past days since you left; it is greater than any Air Nomad has ever experienced. Everything will be okay, I promise."
He swallowed in realization and the tears spilled down his cheeks. "There's nothing that I can do."
"No, there isn't, but we can do something about your garbs."
Aang laughed brokenly, "I suppose we can."
Gyatso pulled him by the arm towards the window. "Come, I will lead you to grab new ones before you return to your time."
He suddenly realized that he had no idea where the Southern Air Temple kept the Air Nomad clothing; he had found Air Nomad garbs after the Great War after he had grown only in the Eastern Air Temple.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Aang felt the blood drain away from his face in a rush when he realized where they were going; it was where he had seen Gyatso's skeleton after his awakening from the Iceberg, where the armor of slain Firebenders had assaulted his younger self's eyes!
"Stop!" He stumbled back, the panic and horror returning swiftly. "You can't be here! You need to get away from here; you'll… you'll die!"
Gyatso stopped in his steps and his eyes were unreadable. "This is my choice, Aang. Will you take that away from me? Are you that kind of Avatar?"
"No, but- "
"But nothing," his Master said gently and grabbed his arm with surprising strength; he pulled him into the cursed building. "I am at peace with this decision and what will happen. Nothing will change my mind."
Rows of Air Nomad garbs met his eyes and he nodded slowly in understanding but grief, too. Before he could say anything, his lips parted as the unforgettable feeling of fire flushing through his blood swept through him; outside, the sky was undoubtedly bathed in red. Aang's eyes closed at the onslaught of realization. "It's arrived; it's happening. Sozin's Comet is here; it's entered the atmosphere. Sozin will be here soon, if he's not already."
"Then we must hurry," his Master picked out garbs and Aang took off his cloak, exposing his back. "I see that this war will not be kind to you," Gyatso whispered, looking at his scar sadly. "What was it?"
"It was lightning," he grabbed the garment and slipped it on, feeling something shift inside him at wearing his nation's colors once more. "It was Azula who shot me."
"Azula?" Gyatso looked astonished, "You mean the same Azula who- "
"Yes. I forgave her- "
"That's good."
"- and have to everyone's surprise including my own, fallen in love with her."
"She will make an excellent Mother of the Air Nomads."
"I know," he heard the roars of Dragons and flashes of fire outside, the haunting screams of his people; the Temple shook ominously for the Fire Nation had arrived. "It's… it's time…"
"It is, my boy."
"You can come with me," he offered in distress. "I'll take us both."
"We both know you that you cannot, Aang. No matter how much I may want to go with you, I am just as much a product of the failures of our people's fall as any Air Nomad. My time is over, but yours has scarcely begun; you have your whole life ahead of you. Stop living in the past and you will find your peace. You must let go of the life that you had planned so that you can accept the one that is waiting for you in the future." Gyatso pulled him into a fierce hug and Aang reciprocated, squeezing tightly as tears spilled down his cheeks. "It is time to let go," his Master pulled back with misty eyes and to Aang's shock, placed his thumbs on his chest and forehead; he gasped as knowledge flooded his mind, and after several moments, it stopped. "I learned how to do that from you when you did it to me earlier. I have given you the knowledge and memories of all of the Air Nomad culture and the forbidden bending forms that you never knew; it will live on in you."
"Goodbye, Gyatso," he choked out. "Thank you, thank you for everything. There is so much that I want to say."
"I know and I feel the same about you." The building around them shook and Gyatso smiled sadly. "Ever since I was a young boy, I've learned of no attachments, but you are the son who I never knew I needed or had, Aang."
Before he could respond, a voice echoed outside. "There are some in there; kill them all. Find the Avatar!"
"GO!" Gyatso cried out but he was too slow to disappear into the earth; Afiko led Firebenders into the building and stared at them in disgust.
"Keep the old one alive; he is the Avatar's Master!" Afiko narrowed his eyes at Aang and a sudden suspicious look swept across his features. "I don't recognize you… but you look…"
Aang lashed out and directed a massive gust of wind to sweep them away, but he and Gyatso were at a major disadvantage because they were in an enclosed space; the soldiers' firebending was even more potent because of it and their flames kept them from being swept away. Quickly, plumes of bone-melting fire blazed toward them both and Aang did the only thing that he could.
He unleashed his own flames to counter, and he glimpsed their sudden expressions of awe and fear and realization.
"It's the Avatar!" One of the soldiers screamed, "KILL HIM!"
Gyatso suddenly punched his own airbending forward. "Run, Aang, RUN!" His Master leaped in front of him and began rotating his arms and suddenly, Aang felt the air vanish from inside the building; he couldn't breathe but looking at the Firebenders, they were dying of suffocation, unable to use their firebending even under Sozin's unholy Comet.
Afiko wavered and tried to dash forward but Aang, while conserving his oxygen, used his earthbending to trap his feet; the Betrayer fell and then the air returned and Aang could breathe. The Fire Nation soldiers were dead, lying in front of him; he remembered how he had done something similar to Kuei, the Council of Five, the Dai Li, and Ozai.
"I'm sorry that you had to witness that," his Master whispered. "I wanted to keep you safe."
"THEY ARE IN HERE!" Afiko screamed and fired blasts of air at them from his trapped position but Aang smacked them aside. "HELP ME!"
Aang's eyes widened when he heard the sound of footsteps running towards the building and Gyatso pushed him to the side. "You must go!"
With a heavy heart and one last look at his Master, Aang sunk into the earth, disappearing from sight; he knew that he should leave this time, but he couldn't, not yet. Instead, he re-appeared at the top of a hill before the building; he watched as a lot more Firebenders entered into the building and he felt the whole fight through his earthbending and airbending. The Comet-enhanced Firebenders swarmed Gyatso but the air howled inside the building, morphing into violent, skin and metal-cutting wind; the bodies began to fall, their lungs being crushed by his Master's lethal attacks as he compressed the air in their lungs until they burst. Gusts of wind flattened them against the wall, shattering their spines in spite of their armor and soon enough, no Firebenders remained but Afiko did.
A mighty gust of wind smashed the treacherous Airbender out of the building and he crashed into the blood-stained stone of the mountain. Gyatso stepped out of the building, "Why would you do this, Afiko?"
Aang's breath hitched at the burns covering Gyatso's arms and face; his Air Nomad robes were singed at the edges, but he was still alive.
"It should have been me, not Aang!" Afiko spat, climbing unsteadily to his feet. "You are a fool, all of you! I was worthy for the power; he wasn't!"
"You follow Sozin," his Master whispered with a mixture of anger and sadness, and Aang watched, frozen in place. "You betray everything that you have been taught- "
"I have been taught the way of fools! The Air Nomads are weak; we were once the greatest of the Four Nations, but no more because of the oh-so-wise High Council! I have taken steps to ensure our race returns more powerful than ever; the father of the new Air Nomads will be me, sired by me!"
"It won't be you, Afiko," Gyatso stated calmly and Aang wondered how his Master could be so at peace with his death approaching. "It will be Aang; he will redeem our race, not you."
Afiko's face spasmed with sudden hatred and Aang tensed when he felt another large group of Firebenders approach. He swiftly hid behind a large bush but when he saw who was leading him, he paled in horror; it was Fire Lord Sozin.
"Most esteemed Fire Lord," the Betrayer called out. "This is the Avatar's Master!"
Sozin stood before Gyatso, Afiko and the other Firebenders standing behind him "Where is the Avatar, Air Nomad?" The Fire Lord asked flatly, staring at Aang's Master with indifference. "Afiko would never lie to me; he has told me that the boy escaped mere days ago."
"No, he was just here, Fire Lord Sozin!" Afiko declared, "He was with his Master but… he was different; he… was older, stronger. I think that he was fully-realized." Aang didn't fail to notice the sudden fear that caused Sozin to tense. "But he escaped before we could kill him; his Master aided him and killed many of your warriors."
"Where is he?" Sozin demanded, emotions of anger and fear coloring his voice. "Where is the Avatar?!"
Gyatso tilted his head up, a calm and peaceful expression on his face. "You will never find him; you have failed, and your conquest will fail for the Avatar will return to stop you. He will finish what Roku was unable to."
Aang inhaled sharply when Sozin's fists slowly clenched; the façade evaporated, and the hidden malignity was revealed. "Then you will join Roku in death, Airbender."
"Deep down, you know that you will never succeed." Gyatso straightened and adjusted into a bending stance, "I see that this will be my final moments in this world, but everything was worth it. You have left me no choice, Fire Lord. I will blow out your candle."
Sozin unleashed a torrential fire blast but Gyatso spun back and swiped his arm directly up and forward and the sudden air cut through the center of the blast; his Master dashed forward through the sudden space and punched his fist forward. A gust of wind exploded forward and Sozin was heaved backward, falling to the ground.
"Fire Lord Sozin!" The men cried and turned to Gyatso with flaming fists. Afiko stood to their side, watching with eyes that burned.
"No," the Fire Lord murmured as he stood to his feet and somehow, it was heard. "I will kill this Airbender myself; he will suffer by my hands alone." The flames were even stronger when unleashed and Gyatso was overwhelmed, falling to his knees as Sozin walked forward. "Your death will be as painful as you are powerful." Sozin inhaled slowly and a blanket of unbearable heat was emanating from the Fire Lord.
Then he raised his hand and Gyatso gasped and doubled over, clawing at his chest, features contorting into a mask of agony. Aang had to force himself not to enter the fray; he could do nothing except watch as Fire Lord Sozin slowly killed his Master by raising Gyatso's internal body temperature. It continued, the air echoing with his Master's cries of pain but slowly, they diminished; things were silent. Gyatso somehow looked directly at Aang, raising his head and then he stopped fighting Sozin's power; he smiled peacefully and then collapsed to the ground, dead.
Aang's eyes welled with tears and he was frozen; he couldn't move. Afiko stepped forward and a gust of wind exploded from his fingertips, smashing into Gyatso's… corpse and sending it flying into the building; it was his final resting place, where he would never move again. He wouldn't be seen again until the younger Aang returned to the Southern Air Temple a century from now.
His lips opened in a soundless scream and he stepped out from the bush; his eyes shut tightly to keep him from screaming and turned around to walk away but his eyes snapped open as he suddenly jumped up, twisting his body above the roaring, massive flames that had lashed towards him. He landed silently and when he turned back around, Fire Lord Sozin was staring directly at him.
All was silent but something in the Fire Lord's posture tightened; his eyes widened, and lips parted. "It is you… I have finally found you." Afiko stared at him with fear and anger and the other Firebenders moved into fighting stances.
He knew that he should leave, but something kept him; he stepped forward. "You let me die, Sozin," it wasn't Aang's voice but Roku speaking through him. "You killed me, not the volcano."
Sozin faltered in shock, "Roku?" For a moment, the Fire Lord looked frozen but then his golden eyes – they were the same color as Ozai and Zuko's – filled with the madness of monstrous power once more. "With you dead once again, there will be nobody who can or will oppose me and my grand vision." The unholy lightning erupted from Sozin's fingers and flashed toward him but Aang smacked it aside.
His grief compounded into something deadly and he dashed forward. He evaded the sudden fireblasts and punched his fists forward and Sozin was smashed back into the wall of the building where Gyatso's… corpse lay; he imprisoned the Fire Lord in the earth up to his chin where only his face was visible – there was no escape, even under the power of the Comet.
"It's… it's him, the- the Avatar," one of the soldiers whispered fearfully, golden eyes bulging in realization.
"You damn fools," Sozin roared, trying to escape, breathing flames at the ground. "Get him! No, kill him! Somebody kill him! SLAY THE AVATAR!"
The warriors swarmed forward and punched their fists forward; the fire was intense and Aang unleashed his own flames that were augmented by Sozin's Comet to counter it, to keep himself from burning – just as his people!
"Impossible!" Afiko screeched and a gust of wind was blasted toward him, but Aang jumped toward the side. "You were only a boy! You were gone! Who are you?"
He twirled around and gathering the compressed air into his hands, he sent it at Afiko, who crashed into the ground with a shriek. Aang avoided more fire and when he saw Sozin desperately trying to escape with the aid of one of his warriors, he smashed his foot into the ground; the earth shook and using their sudden surprise, he slashed his arm forward and then punched his other fist forward. The air exploded forward and out of his other hand, massive plumes of Comet-enhanced fire blazed forward; all of the Firebenders were swept off of the mountain in a sweeping gust of unavoidable wind and roaring flames.
Only Afiko and Fire Lord Sozin remained.
Aang turned his eyes to Afiko and all of the poisonous rage and grief that he felt overwhelmed him. "You have chosen to follow Sozin, the slayer of our people. For that, your death will not be a gentle one," the sorrow and fury of all of the Air Nomad Avatars stirred in his soul and Aang knew that he wouldn't feel regret for what he was about to do.
"You are a menace," Afiko spat, climbing to his feet. "I don't know how this is possible, but I will- " he was cut off when Aang pulled water out of the air and created a net, hauling the Betrayer back to the ground, keeping him in place.
"You watched as our kin were slaughtered, among them the children."
"I saved those children from what the Elders were going to teach them!" Afiko's eyes blazed, "They would become menaces just as you are! They deserved death for what they would have become; they failed to see the truth!"
"Then those children will be avenged," he murmured lowly; he noticed that the imprisoned Sozin was watching in naked fascination.
Afiko laughed, "You're not going to kill me! Revenge isn't the Air Nomad way!"
"I'm not just an Airbender," he crouched before the imprisoned Afiko; the Betrayer's eyes slowly filled with fear. "I'm the Avatar."
Calling upon the knowledge that Gyatso – he would mourn again later! – had gifted him, he spun his hand quickly and a screeching sound pierced through the air like an arrow, deadly and accurate. Aang forced the air to focus the sound directly at Afiko and he intensified it; the Betrayer screamed, and his eardrums burst. Blood oozed out of Afiko's ears and cracks began to appear in the ground beneath his knees.
For several more moments, he memorized the expression on Afiko's face and then he stopped the agonizing attack. The Betrayer gasped in relief, but Aang wasn't finished; the grief of all of his past lives spurred him on.
It was so easy; he clenched his closed his fingers and a sphere of air spun around Afiko's suddenly terrified, bloodied face. Aang didn't look away as the Betrayer's eyes bulged out of their sockets and the white of his eyes quickly filled with blood; the skin stretched painfully across his cheeks and hands reached up to desperately claw at the sphere, but his fingers couldn't pierce through the spinning vortex. He then tried to use airbending, but it was useless; Aang was much stronger than Afiko.
The Elders would condemn him for doing this, but Aang didn't care; the Elders had, indeed, fallen into foolishness. He knew that Gyatso might be disappointed and horrified but considering that Gyatso had killed all of those Firebenders earlier, exploding their lungs, Aang knew that his Master would understand.
His gray eyes were captivated by Afiko's suffocated features as he stopped the attack: the Betrayer's hands were brokenly arched towards his necks and his blood-filled eyes were wide with terror and death. Aang slowly stood to his feet and then turned to the imprisoned Sozin, who stared at the dead Afiko almost impressed. All was silent and he knew, instinctively, that he was the last living Airbender at the Southern Air Temple.
"You are older… older than I had thought that you would be," the Fire Lord tried to break out of the ground by superheating his fists and body, but it was useless; Aang kept his hold on the ground, refusing to budge. "You should be only around 12-years-old."
"You really don't know the power of an Avatar," he advanced forward. "You will fail, and I will eventually stop everything that you've built; your reckoning will come."
Rage spasmed across Sozin's features and the madness glowed in his eyes more viciously than before. "Tell me, you are Roku reborn, yes? Can you remember his memories? Do you have… his consciousness? Most importantly, can you experience his pain? I will kill Ta Min and dance atop her blackened bones!"
Aang frowned and could feel Roku's sudden anger and fear but he ignored it. "No, you won't. You are trapped and will do no such thing."
"Then why not kill me now, Avatar? I am at your mercy and can do nothing to defend myself. Avenge my murder of Roku," if Aang wasn't mistaken, it almost sounded like Sozin was begging him to do it.
"No," he shook his head. "As much as I want to, I can't."
Sozin's golden orbs burned and the familiar feel of darkness touched the air. "Then your folly will be your last! AZAR!"
Aang heard a deafening roar echo through the air, and then with his airbending, he felt a massive Dragon blaze toward him. A blue Dragon – the same one that he remembered from Roku's memories – loomed over him, teeth snarling, chest glowing with fire.
"Careful, Azar," he stepped closer to Sozin and knew what to do; it was something that would work on Appa. "Attack, and you may kill your bonded partner."
Azar huffed and fire clouded the air, but the Dragon didn't move forward at all.
"No, kill him!" Sozin screamed, "Azar, do it!"
"He won't," he stepped away and kept his eyes locked on the Dragon. "He knows of my power; he can smell it. He won't attempt to attack me, especially with you imprisoned." Aang watched as Azar lumbered closer to the imprisoned Sozin and began scratching at the ground, trying to help his bonded partner escape.
"You killed your best friend," he called out, eyes connecting once more with Sozin's. "You have begotten a war that history will curse you for. Your legacy will not be great, but that of a monster. You slaughtered my people and their spirits will never rest until you die. You want to be remembered and you will, but not the way that you want; live with that for the rest of your days."
Aang turned around and his footsteps quietly sounded against the stone of the mountain.
Sozin suddenly roared and the familiar sound of sparks echoed. Whirling around, Aang saw that both of the Fire Lord's arms were free thanks to Azar and then he caught the lightning that had been hurled at him; he grit his teeth and rose into the air, staring down into Sozin's insane gaze. He re-directed the lightning into the sky and then closed his eyes, teleporting back into the Spirit World.
He heard Sozin scream and then quiet.
The Spirit World was tranquil, and he closed his eyes and finally let the sorrow of what he had allowed to happen affect him. Aang fell to his knees and wept harshly without stop; the tears were endless and when he finally controlled himself, there was a void in his heart that hadn't been there before. While he may have chosen the correct path, it had taken something from him to do so.
His journey back to the Tree of Time was bleak and when he arrived, the overwhelming darkness of Vaatu was waiting for him.
"You allowed your people's slaughter." Vaatu stared down at him from his prison inside the Tree of Time. "I appreciated feeling it happen; your Master's death was particularly enjoyable. Sozin's conquest will be glorious and begin to restore my power."
Aang no longer had the emotion necessary to deal with the evil spirit. "I will destroy you, eventually; the Void of Eternity will be your fate." He hopped into the trunk of the Tree of Time and sat inside the primordial darkness but ignored it by closing his eyes; to return to his time, all that he had to do was enter the Avatar State.
Before he did, Vaatu spoke again. "We will meet again, Avatar. In another time, in another place, we will finish this."
He entered the Avatar State.
Gray eyes opened and he felt the smooth oak under his hands; whirls of lines arched beautifully through the wood and Aang sighed heavily.
The Tree of Time.
"Welcome back, Avatar Aang," it whispered. "I am pleased to see you that you accepted that what I allowed to happen was for the best; you have accepted the truth."
"Did anything change?" He asked hesitantly, "Sozin saw me; he tried to kill me. He said that he was going to kill Ta Min. I killed a group of Firebenders and Afiko."
"Nothing has changed as a result of your actions; it all happened as it was supposed to."
"I don't understand that. Are you saying that me going back in time was… always going to happen?"
"You're not supposed to understand it, Avatar Aang. I know of your immense grief and sorrow and I am proud of you. I do not believe that there is any other being in existence, mortal or immortal, who has the strength of character to do what you did; you are rare. None of your predecessors could have seen the truth."
"That truth cost me part of myself," he whispered. "Nothing will ever be the same again."
"Do you regret our bargain? Do you regret being transported back into the past?"
Aang shook his head slowly, "No, I don't, but it was still more difficult than anything that I've ever done. I could have saved them all, but… I guess that I always knew that I shouldn't. I've had a good life, in spite of everything."
"That is good; you are finally healing fully. You have accepted that your new life wasn't something that could be replaced; it was precious and much-needed. You have realized that I was correct in my decision to allow Vaatu's liberation to reap chaos across the worlds, Spiritual and Material."
"Yes, I do understand somewhat," he stared at the scenes of his life playing across the inner parts of the bark, but it did nothing to alleviate the heaviness his soul and heart were burdened with. "Gyatso told me that I must let go of the life that I had planned so that I could accept the one that was waiting for me; he was right. I was clinging to the past, holding it to a perfection that never was because it's all that I had believed, regardless of anything else. Now that I've finally accepted the past by… I let it happen and now I know that there truly is a future for me." Aang felt more tears well in his eyes and he wondered how he still had tears left to cry. "While I do feel broken from this experience, I will fully heal from it as I never have before. Thank you for giving me this chance that I didn't know that I needed, Tree of Time. I finally have closure."
"You're welcome, Aang. Good luck with your journey."
Aang bowed and exited the Tree of Time. The unbearable burden still affected him but slowly, it began to dissipate. He had finally received closure from the trauma that had changed his life forever, a trauma that most couldn't ever imagine; he had finally let go of the past.
He closed his eyes and focused on returning to the cave.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was sitting in the exact same spot from where he had left. The sparks of the campfire were dwindling, and night had fallen; he didn't see anyone but felt every one in their tents.
Silently walking to Azula's, Aang entered and when he saw her slumbering form, he felt something re-align inside him; the burden fled him, and he could breathe. He had no idea how long he tenderly stared at her beautiful form, watching as her chest inhaled and exhaled, the sway of her hypnotic breasts beneath the Air Nomad garbs. Eventually, Aang stepped out and walked towards Appa, who was sleeping, too.
When he saw Samir asleep on his tail, he breathed even clearer.
XxXxXxXxXxX
A shift in the air awakened her; it was sudden but left just as quickly, fading away in the receding darkness of her mind. Azula opened her eyes to see that she was alone. The shift couldn't have been produced by her, so where or from whom did it come?
Stepping out of the tent, she received her answer.
Aang stood in front of Appa, face nestled into fur, hands curling into his white coat. What was truly surprising, however, was that he was wearing new Air Nomad garbs, the same as he had always worn. Looking down at herself quickly, Azula wondered where he had gotten them, for she was still wearing his old one. Had he traveled back to the Eastern Air Temple somehow?
Azula stepped closer to him, mindful that Samir was asleep on Appa's tail. "Was it successful?" Her words were soft, and concern spread through her when Aang tensed. "Did something happen?"
He finally pulled his face out of Appa's fur. "You could say that."
"What is it?" She demanded, golden eyes looking him over; his own gray eyes were clouded with pain – they were haunted. What surprised her almost as much was that his cheeks were covered in stubble, something that she had never seen before, not even at the Eastern Air Temple – Pathik must have shaved his face – while he had been unconscious; it made him look even more attractive, in her opinion. But that wasn't what she was concerned about. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"How long was I gone?"
"Several days," she pursed her lips at his avoidance of her questions but answered evenly. "Tomorrow would have been day four. Everyone has successfully mastered their chakras and they are all in awe of their heightened bending abilities. Zuzu, a couple of days ago, sent the Imperial Firebenders and Yu Yan Archers back to the Palace for he believed that they were no longer needed."
"That's good…"
"What happened?" Azula finally traced her fingers on his back, raising her brow at him. "Tell me what is wrong. Don't try to deny it; it's clear to see."
Aang swallowed and stared down at her and his expression caused her to feel anxious. Before she could do anything, he pulled her closer and darted his head down; he snared her lips in a heavy and passionate, desperate kiss. Azula was stunned for a moment before she finally reciprocated; her hands cupped his cheeks and she felt the stubble there. He gently sucked on her lower lip, tongue flowing everywhere in her mouth, hot and heavy, and she tasted his upper lip in return, feeling herself become deeply aroused by his amorous advances.
"I need you," he pulled back to whisper against their barely-touching lips. "Please… I just… I can't talk about it, not yet. I can only say it once and I'd rather do it with all of you. But right now… I… I need you… please."
Never before had she seen him look so vulnerable and Azula felt a fierce fury sweep through her at who or what had produced this burden to befall him; protectiveness quickly followed, and she nodded her head. "Come, I had forgotten how sexy you look in Air Nomad garbs."
Some of the darkness vanished from his stormy gray eyes and she wasn't ashamed to admit that the relief was great.
He ducked down again, and their kisses became heated; she had to fight back moans. Even as Aang seemed to lose sense of the time and place as he urgently attacked her neck, sucking and trailing his tongue, causing her to scrape her nails down his back, somewhere in Azula's hazy, aroused mind she remembered that they were out in the open; their daughter was sleeping on Appa's tail and could witness what they were engaged in. If Aang had any reservations about what Samir might see, he didn't seem to care when his strong fingers expertly parted through her own garbs and descended on her breasts, gliding up and down, pinching and kneading her flesh; it caused her to swallow another moan and she pulled back abruptly.
"Earth tent," she whispered breathlessly and Aang scooped her into his arms with effortless strength, arousing her even further, and shut them in her – or perhaps, their – earth tent.
Azula stared into Aang's gray eyes as he set her down and she glimpsed the depths of his emotions; pain encompassed them, but clarity was there, too. What exactly had happened? Right now, it didn't matter because she would take away his pain; she would ease the haunted glaze in his eyes. She watched as he expertly took off the Air Nomad garbs and it was with an ease that Azula herself hadn't come anywhere close to.
She pulled him to the bed, a large smooth rock that was covered in Appa's fur. Their lips were fused together and after several moments she regretfully pulled back but only to push him onto the bed. Aang was clearly not expecting it for he flopped back immediately, not looking anywhere near as graceful as he always did. When she looked down at him, his gray eyes were wide before his lips curled; she smirked in triumph.
He pulled her down on top of him and she slathered her hands over his chest as they kissed again. His pectorals bulged out like large shields and his body rippled with untamable power; he truly was a perfect specimen, a god as the Four Nation had often declared him. The years of bending and physical training had transformed the once-skinny boy into a large, leanly-muscled, handsome man.
Azula leaned forward and sucked his neck, nipping at it gently; she trailed her tongue up to his ear. "What do you want, Aang?" She whispered, catching his earlobe between her teeth gently. "Tell me what you want."
Aang inhaled sharply, "You, only you – always you."
She smirked in pleasure and kissed his jaw. "Good answer," she snatched his lips in a fierce kiss. He groaned and she felt it rumble pleasantly against her ample breasts. Azula then pulled away when she felt his erection straining against his trousers; her hands gently gripped the garments and pulled them down, revealing Aang's pulsing phallus. "Let me love you from my knees, Avatar," she purred and lowered herself to the ground; she was level with his bulging, erect manhood.
"Azula?" Aang stared at her wide-eyed.
"You will enjoy it," she smirked up at his shocked gray eyes. Azula's pink tongue then darted out to taste his erection; she was delighted when Aang gasped and closed his eyes as his breathing elevated. She then wrapped her full lips around the swollen head and gently sucked; she bobbed her head up and down as her tongue swirled around his shaft. She had never pleased a man orally; this was her first time, and for once in her life, Azula felt grateful to Ty Lee for the gossips of romance all of those years ago.
Looking up into his now-peaceful features, she watched Aang's head fall back; he groaned her name and his hand curled into her silky hair. She continued her ministrations after pulling back a moment to catch her breath; she stared up into his dark, stormy gray eyes that were now wide with arousal when there once was pain.
Good.
She sucked more intently, the swollen flesh of her full lips enveloping around his pulsing manhood; she had an idea and raised her hands from where they rested on his knees to fondle his testicles, applying more pressure with her fingers.
"Azula!" Aang gasped, "Stop! I'm about to…" he trailed off and his eyes were squeezed shut.
She pulled back and felt pleased by the sudden frustration on his face. "Let me undress, Avatar, and then we will continue," she slipped out of her own – or Aang's old – Air Nomad garbs, appearing before him nude and when his eyes locked onto the sway of her breasts as she stepped back towards him, she smirked. "I told you that you would like it," she gestured to his twitching manhood.
He stared at her with wide eyes. "Azula, that was…" he seemed deprived of utterance.
Her smirk curved into a smile and Azula wrapped her arms around his neck, straddling him. "You won't be speechless for long," she whispered. "We're not finished yet, Avatar," she sank down on his hardened member and her eyes closed at the sudden deep pleasure that coursed through her as their hips bucked together in tandem. Azula opened her eyes and saw that Aang was staring at her with awe - golden vs. gray!
It was at that moment, as they were in the throes of passion after she had pleased him orally – something that her younger self had sworn never to do – when she realized that she would do anything for Aang. Her father had once told her many a time when she was a young girl that she would marry a powerful man to further increase the Fire Royal Family's power, and now, as Aang continued to thrust into her, she reckoned that her father had never known how right he had been, at least about the former. She had become forever intertwined with the most powerful being in existence and Azula wished that her younger self, the 15-year-old, Avatar-hunting Azula could have glimpsed the path that the winds of fate had planned for her.
Maybe she would have changed sides as Zuko had done.
Her line of thought vanished for suddenly moaned as Aang wrapped his mouth around her hard nipple, tongue leaving a pleasurable trail, and she was lost in the feel of him.
Azula knew that Toph was going to be furious in the morning but she didn't care.
XxXxXxXxXxX
The moon shined brightly; she could feel it but not see it. A full moon was rare and upon retrospection, invigorating beyond anything in life. Power howled through her veins, but no release would come; the chi-blocking tea forced down her throat every day had made certain of that.
It had been so long…
The desire to hunt down Katara was ever-present in Hama's heart; she had to show that damn ignorant, naïve girl the error of her ways! Alas, it was impossible for she was far past her prime; her body was in extremely poor health. She was only fed scraps of food and a single sip of water once a day; her strength was nonexistent, but her hate sizzled underneath her thin, unhealthy flesh.
Pitifully glancing to the far-right corner and tilting her head up, Hama desperately yearned to gaze upon the brilliance of the moon, but it was futile; she was shrouded in complete darkness, alone and hated. The passage of time had stopped mattering years ago. When she had first been imprisoned, she had been able to keep track whenever the full moon appeared, but she had quickly lost count after a couple of years into her torment.
Her hate had continued to keep her alive; the Fire Nation scum had to be destroyed and furthermore, Katara must realize her terrible error with the skinning of her flesh!
Ever since she had been captured that damn night, she had been confined in a barren, cramped cell, forced in a forever-sitting position; she couldn't even stand. Rusty metal plates scraped against her bound knees and while there was a bed in the cell, she couldn't even reach it from where she was locked down. Hama had been forced to stay in that position, forced to suffer as the moon's light was taken from her! The clothes that she had been wearing for almost a decade straight hung loosely off of her parchment-thin body, and her white hair was matted on the floor in clumps, scarcely covering her head as large bald spots littered her skull, furthering the decay of her body.
Hama knew that she wouldn't be able to keep fighting forever and that eventually, her hate would dwindle and then all that would remain of her, the first Bloodbender was that of a lifeless husk of bones. Justice would not be wrought! The fucking Fire Nation continued to exist and Katara continued to be happy!
She couldn't change those unacceptable realities because she was locked up in this damned prison because of Katara!
"This is most interesting," a dark voice hissed inside her cell. "Most interesting, indeed."
Hama summoned all of her strength to glare into the darkness of her cage. "I'm not dead yet!"
"No, you're not," the dark voice chuckled. "It is rare to find a mortal with such… spunk. You should take pride, child. I have encountered very few who can claim what you so obviously possess."
"Release me, and I'll show- "
"Hey!" One of the guards screamed from outside of her cell, interrupting her. "Stop talking to yourself, you crazy bitch!"
"This should be even more interesting," the dark voice murmured.
Hama snarled, gnashing her rotten teeth together like a feral Polar Dog; she opened her mouth, but no words tumbled past her thin lips as the door to her cell abruptly drifted open. She stared, wide-eyed as light pierced through the darkness of her cage like a silent arrow. It was dim and narrow, but to Hama, it was Agni – that damned spirit! – itself.
A helmeted-head peeked into her cell and more light blossomed as fire spread across the guard's hands. "Hey, how did you do that? Tell me!" The guard stomped into her cell, "If you don't answer my question- "
The light was suddenly vanquished and stifling darkness clouded her senses; she could somehow taste it. It was tangible and she felt shadows caress her broken body. Hama was incapable of movement or speech; it was so cold, colder than the South Pole! What she knew that she would always remember from that moment wasn't the rush of excitement but the pure and utter chill that caused her breath to fog; her soul was freezing over, and shadows drowned her hate-beating heart.
Something suddenly rushed around her and the next thing that she felt was something so unfamiliar, that it took several seconds to recognize what it was that she was actually feeling.
Grass.
Hama could see colors for the first time in years as she gaped at the life surrounding her; her gaunt fingers gently, hesitantly stroked and curled through the long green strands. A drop of water splashed onto the grass and she realized, with shock, that the source was from her; she was crying.
A brilliant silver glow reflected off of the teardrop and when she slowly looked up, the full moon stared back at her. Her tears came faster, and she wept harshly as she felt the pull of the ocean through her blood, the power that she had compressed and focused for so many years, the pull of the full moon.
"They have denied you from your nature, your element; they were slowly killing you," the dark voice was almost gentle. "They speak of peace, yet lock you away, discarded as insignificant when you are anything but. I know how it feels to be unjustly, unfairly imprisoned."
"That's why you… freed me?" Hama inquired softly to whoever her liberator was, still staring transfixed up at the moon; she couldn't look away. "You understood?"
"Yes. I rotted for eons as the Realms forgot my name, their creator. I am free, now, to change that. I am amassing power and I think that you could be of use; you interest me."
"Why?"
"Humans beget the very things that they dread. Men of peace preach about violence and spread death. The Avatar is hailed as a god, yet when a god fights or becomes angry, the mortals are who die. The Four Nations yearn for a free and peaceful world but hate and wish that destruction would befall each other."
Hama finally, weakly turned around to gaze upon her savior. A large floating form of darkness with wisps of ancient, powerful energy cascading off of its corporeal form stared back down at her; it was a spirit. No eyes or face were visible, and the realization was profound. It was not an ordinary spirit; it was of a stronger breed.
"And what does that have to do with me?" She dared ask, "Why free me?"
"The world created the very first Bloodbender," the spirit murmured, and she felt the words coil into her heart. "We can help each other, child."
Refusing to cower, Hama stood as tall as she could in her frail and broken body to stare into the pure darkness before. "Thank you for freeing me."
The spirit hummed, shadows puffing off its form. "I could never let someone with such… potential rot away as I had."
"What do you want? How can we help each other?"
"I need you," the spirit floated closer and stared down at her. "I require someone with your… capabilities. I am in need of your assistance; my vessel has been grievously wounded at the hands of the Avatar. In exchange, you will have freedom of your body and soul."
"Anything," she breathed out, kneeling before the spirit. "Just help me destroy the Fire Nation and a Waterbender named 'Katara,' and I will help you."
"I am well acquainted with Katara," the spirit placed a tendril of darkness on her shoulder, and it slithered to touch her flesh. "She is an ally of the Avatar. I cannot reach her, but with your assistance, both of our goals will be realized. A new world will rise from the ashes of the former, a world where chaos will thrive, where there will be true freedom."
"And that includes the Fire Nation's destruction?"
"Yes."
Hama felt a smile split her gaunt face in half. "When do we start, then?"
"As soon as you are no longer malnourished; you look like a small gust of wind will break you."
"What do you suggest?" She spat, anger bubbling in her stomach. "I am old, now. The imprisonment has weakened me tremendously."
The spirit circled her, "It will be agonizing, but I can restore your body to the condition it was in years ago."
The words weren't comprehended, "What? You can… do that?"
"Indeed, although it will be excruciating."
"Will I… be young again?"
"Perhaps. Your body will be transformed to what it would be if you had taken care of your body with a proper chi flow before your imprisonment." The spirit slithered around her, sounding like death coming to claim her soul. "I will flood your chi with dark energy. It also helps that it is a full moon, so your chi will already be-"
"Then, why don't you flood your vessel's chi?" Hama interrupted, challenging the spirit, "Surely, you do not need me. "
The spirit laughed, sounding like nails scratching against tree bark. "On the contrary, I do require your assistance. I cannot flood my vessel's chi because it would kill him; he is too injured, which includes his arm. Otherwise, we would not be having this conversation and you would not be free..."
The spirit's words left a sour taste in Hama's mouth, "Who is your vessel? You said that the Avatar… injured him?"
"He is a Child of Fire but was disgraced because of his non-bending abilities. Piandao is a worthy vessel for one such as… me. To answer your second question, the Avatar inflicted injuries that would kill any other man; he is very resilient, more than adept to be… my vessel. He will become the new Avatar and master the elements as my vessel."
"And I would need to… heal him?"
"Yes."
Hama knew that her healing abilities were limited, but she also knew that with bloodbending, it wouldn't matter. "I agree to your terms."
A throaty gasp escaped her lips as the spirit blurred toward her and brutally sank tendrils of darkness into Hama's body. She wasn't expecting the cold to flood her blood, freezing her in place as shadows engulfed her soul, sweeping into her chi and changing things, fixing what was broken. Pain scorched through her mind and her jaw dropped, lips parting in a soundless scream; darkness seeped through her blood and something within her caused her to… transform.
Then, thankfully, it stopped.
Hama fell to her knees and greedily heaved in as much air as she could; she blinked as she saw her hands clench into the grass. They were smooth and full, untarnished by years of imprisonment and neglect. Her eyes roamed her legs that were now full and strong. She felt more powerful than ever before and her body sang in delight.
She stumbled to her feet with remarkable speed and stared at the spirit. "I need water!" She hissed; she had to see her reflection! The spirit said nothing and simply looked past her. Hama followed his gaze and to her shock, a large lake gleamed under the moon. How did she not feel the water? She reached out and desperately sought to connect with her birthright, but she felt nothing. "What did you do?" She screamed, whirling towards him. "I can't feel the water!"
"There is a simple solution," the spirit floated towards the lake and in spite of Hama's best efforts, she felt compelled to follow.
Standing next to her savior in front of the lake, she stared at her reflection in utter astonishment. Her hair that had once been white was now dark black; her bald spots were nowhere to be found as her hair fully covered her head. Her face was unwrinkled save for crinkles around her eyes and mouth; she looked beautiful and it brought tears to her eyes.
The tears spilled down her cheeks. "I look as I did when I was in my mid-thirties," she breathed out in awe and turned to the spirit. "How… is this possible? How did you…?"
"The combination of me flooding your chi with dark energy with your water-touched energy that was already there, with it, too, being a full moon, has restored your body to peak condition; if you had taken proper care of your body with a healthy chi flow before your imprisonment, this is how you would look. I merely… fixed you."
"But that's impossible," Hama whispered in shock. "I am almost ninety-years-old!"
"Benders, no matter their element, live longer than non-benders," the spirit hummed, and she was mesmerized by his words. "The strength of a bender's chi allows them to live a little more than double what a non-bender could. Fire Lord Sozin is an example of that."
Hama's eyes widened in fury. "Don't speak of that death-worshipping monster!"
"Don't pretend that you can tell me what to do, child," the spirit chided, and Hama swallowed. "Sozin was powerful for a mortal, incredibly so and he lived over a century and a half. The Avatar, because of their immeasurable strength of chi, has lived for over half a millennium in many of their prior lifetimes."
"What about my connection to the water?" She demanded cautiously, suddenly feeling wary of her savior. "I can't even feel the water in the lake that's right in front of me. I need the power back!"
"Stick your hand in the lake," the spirit sounded bored. "There, you will find your power."
Hama's eyes widened and before she understood what was happening, she stuck her hand in the cool water. It was instantaneous; she felt part of her soul reform, become reborn. Water slowly rose off of the surface of the lake when she clenched her fingers, soothing Hama as her power, indeed, returned stronger than ever.
"Who are you?" Hama whispered because everything that the spirit had referenced shouldn't be known by anyone except by someone ancient. "What are you?"
The spirit turned to her and shadows wisped around Hama's legs. "I am Vaatu, the mighty Spirit of Chaos and Darkness, the first of my kind to cross into the Mortal Realm eons ago. I was betrayed and unjustly, unfairly imprisoned by the Avatar for many millennia. I have escaped and am on a crusade of vengeance; the Avatar will suffer along with those who claim allegiance to him, such as Katara."
The darkness compressed in her mind and she kneeled before Vaatu. "I am a Child of Water; my word is my bond." Hama recited the ancient oath that she had learned as a child in her training to master waterbending; it was to show loyalty to spirits. "My body, heart, soul, mind, and destiny are surrendered to your will, Vaatu."
The dark spirit purred and then Hama felt pure, absolute darkness wrap around her, taking her to a place unknown, but she ready. She willingly placed her trust in Vaatu; he had healed her, restored her to be beautiful again, and made her stronger than she had thought possible.
"Here," Vaatu whispered and the darkness vanished.
Hama saw that she was in a crumbled, squalid building; cracks ran along the walls and dust covered the floor like ice itself. In the center was a man lying on a broken cot; his skin was pale and burn scars covered the man's chest. Her eyes widened when she saw the man's decapitated arm and the wounds that inflicted him.
"This is… Piandao?" She glanced at Vaatu, "I understand why you – or rather he – needed aid."
"Heal him," the dark spirit's voice echoed everywhere. "I freed you from your torment, and I can just as easily imprison you again in that cage."
"That won't be necessary," she hastily assured. "I will heal him with bloodbending and do anything that I must to see Katara and the Fire Nation suffer."
"Good," her savior floated towards the unconscious man, looming over him like death. "Piandao! Wake up!"
The man's eyes snapped open and Hama was immediately struck by the unearthly golden color; she had encountered many Children of Fire, but never before had she seen such eyes with that color, burning with great power. She inhaled slowly to keep the rage that flooded her body and heart to keep her judgment from being affected; he wasn't like all of the others who she had encountered, who had tortured her. Piandao had been discarded because he had been born a non-bender by his kin; she felt almost sympathetic towards him.
"What is it?" Piandao snapped; his golden eyes landed on Hama and they glowed ominously. "Who is she?"
"She is your healer," Vaatu turned towards her. "Use your bloodbending to heal him and fasten his arm back to his body."
"My knowledge of the healing arts is limited," she admitted, hesitant to meet Vaatu's form like a beaten child. "I will do all that I can, but it will take a considerable amount of time to heal him and that's with my bloodbending; the full moon is almost over and will not reappear for another month. I can't do anything without it."
Vaatu hovered closer as the air in the room became frigid and Hama looked into the darkness. "I see that I have been misled about your abilities."
Her eyes widened, "No! I can and will heal him. I can do it, but it will take time!" Hama rushed out quickly, eyes darting to Piandao for aid, but the man looked amused by the spectacle; his lips were quirked in something close to a sneer.
"Time," her savior murmured. "It is such a hindrance for mortals," his agitation was tangible; the shadows wisped off of his form. "I have waited for eons and I myself am tired of waiting, of things taking time. There is no other who possesses the natural talent and skill for bloodbending that you do; you are irreplaceable currently. I need you to be even stronger… Piandao has mastered his dark chakras with my help and you must do the same; only then, will you possess the power necessary to have no limitations by the moon."
"I am not a teacher!" Piandao snarled and then he coughed strenuously, bringing his hand up to his chest; his golden eyes trapped Hama with their intensity. "Find someone else, or better yet, teach her yourself!"
The shadows exploded off of Vaatu and Hama gasped at the overwhelming darkness bearing down at her; she was being crushed. "This will be your atonement for your mistake! If you had not clashed with the Avatar, allowing your emotions to cloud your judgment, your injuries would not have become an obstacle! You will teach her!"
Piandao didn't look pleased. "And how will I do that, Vaatu? Would I… meditate?"
"No, you will learn energybending – thus gaining another ability that will put you on par with the Avatar – and gift the knowledge of the master of the dark chakras to Hama."
"Very well," the man growled deeply but didn't protest any further. Hama felt grateful, for Piandao possessed a power that she was wary of.
"Once you master your dark chakras, Hama, you will be able to use bloodbending whenever you desire; the full moon will no longer be a necessity."
Her lips parted in shock. "Of course, mighty Vaatu," she inclined her head, knowing that it would soothe the spirit's agitated state.
She was correct, for Vaatu hummed. "The full moon isn't diminished yet. Begin healing Piandao, Hama. I trust that you know what to do."
"Keeping the… decapitated arm healthy is vital," she said after a moment. "Also, I will need to carefully monitor the shoulder from whence the arm was attached."
"Then get started," her savior commanded.
Hama nodded and approached Piandao; his golden eyes glared at her and she knew that this was not going to be easy, but she would do it to see the Fire Nation destroyed, to see Katara suffer!
XxXxXxXxXxX
The weight on his chest registered within and Aang awakened fully; his eyes blearily opened, and it was to the sight of Azula's head lying on his chest, her bare breasts pressed enticingly against his side. He inhaled slowly and laid there for several moments, basking in the peace that he knew would escape him sooner or later. He knew what he would have to do: tell everyone what had happened, what he had almost done.
Gingerly sliding out from under Azula's head, he dressed himself and memorized the beautiful sight that she incurred. Aang silently slipped out of the earth tent and he noticed immediately that he was the first of everyone awake; he had thought that it would be the opposite with how little sleep he had received. He saw the dying campfire and quickly shot a blast of bright flames into the fire pit; it roared in pleasure and blazed with fuel.
Aang sat down and stared into the flames; the image of Sozin's Comet and his people's genocide flashed into his mind and he closed his eyes. While he knew that he had made the correct decision, it had still been the hardest thing that he had ever done; it was hard to live with it right now, with it so fresh in his mind, in all honesty. Because of his decision, the Air Nomads were slaughtered, but also, the new Air Nomads beginning with Samir would rise from the mighty scar that Vaatu, Sozin, and the Fire Nation had wrought.
There were subtle differences because the usual flash of rage and overwhelming sorrow that accompanied the thought of his people was nowhere near as potent as it had been before. Now, Aang had truly made peace and accepted the events that had transpired over a century ago. The Air Nomads were gone but now, through his children, he would build his race back up; he would redeem the fallen Air Nomads that he had been borne into.
The airbending race had to start fresh; the old had grown rank and was in need of clearing so that new growth could occur. They had become stagnant, arrogant, callous, and almost cruel in their beliefs, unwilling to change or remember what it truly meant to be a Child of Air; they had killed young, non-bending children to have pure bloodlines before Avatar Kuruk stopped it. They had lost their way, forgotten who they were, and became misshapen by the forces of the world, by the High Council.
Ultimately, Aang had had to allow the genocide under Sozin's Comet so that in the absence of the former, there would be growth for the new Air Nomads. He understood now, and never again, once he healed from what he had seen and done, would he be haunted by his past so horribly.
Toph suddenly stumbled out of her earth tent, shuffling towards the campfire; her hair was in disarray and she collapsed next to Aang in an exhausted heap of limbs. "I hate you," she muttered sullenly, breathing heavily. "You and Lightning Psycho… are so fucking rude."
"Good morning to you, as well, Toph," he raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Did I do something to anger you?"
She glared up at him heatedly. "Yes," she hissed. "I was hardly able to sleep because you and Lightning Psycho kept me awake almost all night with your fucking!"
Aang flushed and brought a hand to rub the back of his neck. "Sorry about that," he winced. "If it helps you feel better, I was kept awake by it, too."
Toph looked at him gob-smacked, "But you were enjoying the reason why you were kept awake, Twinkletoes! Meanwhile, I had to feel everything that you were- "
"How was mastering your chakras?" He asked quickly, desperate to change the subject away from him and Azula having sex. "I hope that it wasn't too difficult."
"Very smooth transition, Twinkletoes," she chortled but her features did brighten. "It was definitely more than worth it; my earthbending is stronger than ever! My feet can see and feel so much more than I had ever thought possible… I learned that while you and Lightning Psycho were- "
"I get it," he interrupted in embarrassment. "I'm glad that your earthbending is stronger."
"Yeah, I bet that I could finally even kick Bumi's ass, now!"
"Bumi?" Aang leaned back in surprise, "You mean… the King of Omashu? That Bumi? My friend, Bumi?"
"Yes," she huffed and blew the hair out of her face. "I stayed at Omashu for a couple of years before Sparky sent the letter for me to go to the Caldera, where we learned of the Loser Lord's escape. Don't you remember?"
"I never knew that," he frowned. "I thought that you went back to live with… your parents?"
"I did, but it didn't work out; they were fucking fools."
"So, you lived with Bumi in Omashu?"
"Yes. He never shut up about you." Toph exaggeratedly tried to roll her eyes, "Aang this, Aang that! I thought that he was in love with you!"
"We wrote each other," he recalled. "He always spoke about his grandchildren, Bor and Anju; he was really proud of them. He never spoke about you, though. Why?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "He must not have approved of me."
"Approved of you for what?"
A sudden panicked expression crossed her face before it vanished. "Me being the first Metalbender; that's probably why he didn't mention me when he wrote to you."
He ignored her lie, recognizing that she didn't want to talk about it. "Bumi and Zuko were the only ones with whom I truly kept in contact after the Great War; they would both write to me."
Toph's features pinched with guilt. "Sorry."
"My fury has cooled enough to recognize that I'm partly at fault," he admitted, ignoring her hopeful and shocked expression. "I could have always written first to you, Katara, or Sokka. But I never did; I guess that I… wanted you guys to do it, to show me that you cared."
"We did care, we still do," Toph punched his arm. "We all made mistakes, mostly us, but we're working towards… forgiveness, right?"
Aang stared at her for a moment before a small smile graced his face. "Yeah… we are."
"I'm glad, Twinkletoes," she looked down.
"How did the others do with mastering their chakras?" He asked after a moment, "Was it easy for them?"
Toph looked back up and groaned. "No, but they'd say that it was worth it. Eventually, when we were almost finished, I thought that Sparky and Sugar Queen were going to fuck; they kept staring at each other with their hearts racing. The vibrations were annoying!"
"I don't know why you seem so surprised, Toph." Aang said in bewilderment, "They've always shared a bond with one another, even when they were enemies. I noticed it when I was younger."
"I'm not surprised, just annoyed," she crossed her arms over her chest and peered at him. "I always figured that Sugar Queen would go for Sparky; my feet always know. But now, the two of them keep dancing around each other like children. Actually, I guess it's like brother like sister; it's similar to how you and Lightning Psycho had acted." Toph paused and tilted her head, "Well, it's not the same but close. At least you and she knew about your feelings but were just content to wait and wait and wait."
Aang sighed, "Yeah, I was too much of an Airbender, but I did tell her I loved her after she was almost killed by Ozai; it took something drastic for me to confess."
"Yeah, I know," she grumbled. "I could feel you two celebrating your love in the cave. At least you and Lightning Psycho finally fucked. Sparky and Sugar Queen haven't and it's pissing me off! They are soaked in ignorant juice and refuse to act on their emotions, to even confess them!"
"I don't think that you will be annoyed with them much longer," he declared vaguely.
Toph straightened and pointed her finger at him accusingly. "Wait a minute… Do you know something that I don't, Twinkletoes? Do have some sort of mystical, divine Avatar power that allows you to see the future?"
Aang felt a small laugh escape him. "I can glimpse the future in visions that I receive when I meditate deep enough, but I also must seek them out."
"That didn't answer my question! Do you know something about Sparky and Sugar Queen?"
"Let's just call it a hunch, Toph."
"That's not good enough!" Toph exploded, throwing her hands into the air. "Tell me what will happen!"
Thankfully, Aang was saved by Samir; his daughter suddenly bounded off of Appa's tail and leaped at him. "Good morning, daddy!" He caught her and she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. "I missed you. You were gone forever."
"I missed you, too," he whispered into her hair. "I'm sorry that I was away so long."
"It's okay," she said into his chest. "I'm happy you're here."
"Speaking of that, why were you gone so long, Twinkletoes?" Toph asked, raising her own eyebrows. "I thought that trips to the Spirit World only took less than a day."
"I'll explain it all to you later with the others," he said when he felt everyone else begin to stir and exit their earth tents.
Azula plopped down elegantly next to him wearing her Air Nomad garbs. "Good morning."
"Good morning, mommy," Samir chirped from his lap.
"You are the worst, Lightning Psycho. Did you know that?" Toph glared at her. "It would have been nice to have good sleep, but thanks to what you started, I didn't!"
"Ahh, that would not have been nice for me." Azula raised a brow in challenge, "I was completely satisfied with how things turned out."
Toph huffed and grumbled angrily before her toes curled towards the emerging Sokka and Suki. "You two weren't the only ones who were satisfied last night."
Sokka blearily rubbed his eyes before he blinked and straightened. "Aang! You're back! You- …you're wearing Air Nomad clothes…"
"Good morning to you, too, Sokka," he inclined his head.
Suki tugged her husband down to sit across from them. "How was your trip, Aang? Was it profitable?"
"I'd rather not talk about it yet until everyone's awake and ready," he smiled apologetically, wondering why Sokka was staring at him with wide eyes. "Are you okay, Sokka?"
He flinched, "Yeah… I'm, um… yeah, I'm good. What about you?"
"Enough, Snoozles," Toph groaned and pointed at him. "I don't want this to get awkward yet. How was your 'good' night? I felt that it was satisfying."
Sokka wrapped a possessive arm around Suki, who yawned. "Of course, Toph. I was able to have my midnight snack after Suki and I had… you-know-what: a Komodo Chicken that I smuggled out of Zuko's palace."
"I'm surprised that it was still fresh," Azula commented. "You still ate it?"
"Of course," Sokka looked insulted. "I would never let such good meat go to waste, nonetheless one that I had spent so much energy smuggling out of your brother's palace."
Zuko suddenly appeared and sat down across from Toph. "The only reason why you were able to 'smuggle' those meals out of the Palace was that I let you, Sokka. I knew what you were doing the entire time," he glanced at Aang and blinked at his change of attire. "What happened to my cloak? Where did you find those?"
"The cloak's probably nothing but ash and I'll tell you about it later when everyone else is awake."
"Do you happen to have any more of these meals?" Azula inquired, eyes alight with a ravenous glow. "I would be willing to pay you for them, even."
"Done!" Sokka cried out, "Consider what is mine yours."
"Including your wife?"
Sokka faltered, "Why… why would you say that and take my words out of context?"
Azula shrugged and Aang almost smiled. "Because your reactions are amusing."
"Well, then I don't know if you can have any of my Komodo Chicken if you're going to act like that."
"She doesn't need yours," Zuko countered. "I brought some of my own and she can have some if she desires – without paying for them."
"I think that we already know the answer to that question, my son." Ursa's soft laughter entered Aang's ears and the Dowager Fire Lady sat next to her son. "Azula has always been a Komodo Chicken connoisseur; she rivaled the Palace's chefs."
Samir shifted against his chest. "What's a… con- connois- connoisseur, grandma?"
"I am an expert in judging Komodo Chicken, Samir," Azula answered patiently, golden eyes meeting Aang's amused ones. "I'm a connoisseur about many things."
"You are," he smiled in remembrance. "You have special skills."
Before she could respond, Katara exited her earth tent and looked stunned to see him. "Aang! You're back… and with Air Nomad garbs!" She hesitated before slowly sitting down next to Ursa. "I… I didn't hear you return."
"I did," Toph huffed out glumly, arms crossing over her chest. "It was a loud and vibration-filled return, I'll tell you." She turned to look at Mai and Ty Lee as they appeared to sit down next to her. "If I fall asleep on either of you, I apologize right now."
"Um… thanks," Ty Lee said hesitantly.
"How kind of you," Mai's voice was as dry as ever. "I'll keep that in mind."
Katara's blue eyes met Aang's from across the campfire. "So how was your trip, Aang? I think that it was the longest that you've ever been in the Spirit World. What happened?"
Aang must have looked hesitant because Sokka spoke. "If you don't want to answer, that's fine. We'll just get… Azula to."
Toph snorted, "They were too busy 'reuniting' during the night to discuss his trip, Snoozles, if you know what I mean."
"I don't know what you mean, Toph." Samir frowned innocently and looked at her. "What do you mean?"
He squeezed her, "She just meant that… mommy and daddy were too happy to see each other again to talk about my trip."
Samir brightened, "Oh, I'm happy to see you again, too, daddy."
"I'm glad," he inhaled slowly as she snuggled back into his chest; everyone's eyes were expectant, eager to learn of what had happened.
Azula raised a brow, "Do you not want to talk about it?"
"No, no," he shook his head. "I'll… I can do it."
"What happened, then, Twinkletoes?" Toph stared at him with milky eyes, "I'm feeling pretty anxious over here."
"It was… enlightening," he sighed. "The presence that I had felt was… the Tree of Time."
"Tree of Time?" Sokka echoed, leaning forward somewhat but was hindered because of his wife. "What's that? I've never heard of it."
"I haven't either," Zuko frowned. "Is it… a spirit?"
"Yes. The Tree of Time is the eldest of all of the spirits, the creator of the Spirit World; it is Time itself."
"Wait a minute, I thought that you said at one point that Raava and Vaa- Dark are who created- "
Aang interrupted Katara, "They are who created the Mortal Realm, not the Spirit World. The Tree of Time shaped the Spirit World out of cosmic energy and then created Raava and Dark out of the primordial forces of light and darkness." When he observed their faces, he was glad to see that he had their attention; he would only explain this once for now. "Its very roots bind the two Realms together, and it had summoned me to its location, the center of the Spirit World. Upon arriving at its domain, much was revealed to me."
Toph chortled, "It took you over half a week to learn that?"
"I'm not finished."
"Oh, sorry."
Aang was quiet for a moment and stared into the flames; he felt Azula's fingers grip his shoulder in support and he gripped her hand for strength, squeezing gratefully for the anchor to reality. "The Tree of Time revealed that it was responsible for Dark's liberation; it was intentional."
"What… are you fuc- "
"Let him finish," Azula snapped, interrupting Sokka. "His story will answer our questions."
"Thank you," he whispered, refusing to look at any of them. "The Tree of Time allowed it all, the Great War, Roku's death, the Air Nomads' Genocide, Sozin's conquest, Agni's corruption, among everything else. It summoned me to help me fully heal, it said, to heal from the past. He allowed it all to restore true balance. Because of Dark's imprisonment, things had been precariously out of balance… and the Realms were suffering because of it. Before the Great War, only Light thrived."
"That's a good thing, then!" Sokka exploded, "This spirit is a moron!"
"It's the first spirit to enter existence; it sees the past, present, and the future all at once." Aang said flatly, "It's reasoning was… sound."
"How can you say that?" Katara sounded aghast, "He allowed all of the Great War and- "
"Let me finish, please," he begged. "You have no idea how hard the entire trip was."
"Daddy, I don't understand," his daughter pouted against his chest. "What are you talking about?"
Aang chuckled weakly, "This is adult talk, Samir. Why don't you go play with Appa and Momo over there?"
"Okay," she thankfully hopped from his lap and ran over to his best friend and Winged-Lemur.
"So… you were saying, Aang?" Zuko said softly, "We'll try not to interrupt."
"When it revealed what it had done, I was as astonished and bitter as you all. I protested and argued with it for, I don't know how long. Then he offered me the chance to understand, to see things as it did. The Tree of Time offered to transport me to the past to the day when I left the Southern Air Temple several days before Sozin's Comet appeared to herald the Great War."
Heavy, disbelieving silence until it was pierced softly by Azula.
"You… were given the chance to… to go back?" Azula stared at him almost uncomprehendingly. "And… you did?"
All of the others seemed too lost for words to speak and Aang was grateful. "Yes, you're right," he finally looked away from the flames to stare into the golden eyes of the person who mattered more to him than anyone else. "I accepted the Tree of Time's gift. I was… given the chance to… to change… everything."
Toph inhaled sharply, "You mean…?"
"Yes. I could have stopped the Great War before it ever began, stopped… my people's… slaughter."
"Wait, did you?" Sokka demanded, "I don't feel different? I still remember…"
"Let me explain," he swallowed and spaced his words. "It said things about my people that weren't good and that's why it allowed the slaughter, along with me being reborn into the Air Nomads. It said that he was giving me a precious gift, to choose. He said that I could abide by the history that it had allowed, that one that already happened, or that I could change it, which would foster the Realms to collapse into nothingness… It said that it was giving me the greatest power in creation: the ability to change something that it had decreed reality. It said that I could choose to do whichever I wanted; it wouldn't interfere with my… decision. It said that… things weren't how I had always thought."
"What do you mean, Aang?" Katara asked softly.
"It said that I was still blinded by a child's thoughts and experiences." Aang closed his eyes briefly and then opened them slowly. "It took me back and then I lived again in the world that I had grown up in as a young boy. So many things were similar, but even more, things were different, things that… I had never noticed." Azula's hand squeezed his shoulder and he drew strength from her. "I observed life and realized much; indeed, the Tree of Time had been correct. I had… I had always put the past on a pedestal, untouchable compared to everything else in history. You see… I had… thought that… that nothing could ever be… better than the era that… that I was born in."
"But… you were wrong?" Ursa inquired hesitantly.
"I was wrong," he nodded slowly. "Upon my arrival and after the things that I saw, I realized that… that things weren't as I had always thought that they were. It was all different; the people were different. So many things… had gone horribly wrong back then, but I had never known. The Great War… it didn't just mystically appear; there were many signs and reasons for it beyond just Sozin's… indifferent obsession. Then after over a day's travel, I arrived at the Southern Water Tribe."
Katara, Sokka, and Suki perked up while Zuko narrowed his eyes. "Why would you go to the Southern Water Tribe? If anything, I thought that you would… go to the Fire Nation and confront Sozin."
Aang swallowed, "My plan was to rescue my younger self from the storm. That's why I went to the Southern Water Tribe, but when I arrived, I was early… and what I saw wasn't… what I had thought."
"That's becoming a theme," Toph murmured almost gently.
"There was no sense of… of familial belonging; that's what the Water Tribes are known for, now, but… that wasn't held in esteem back then." Aang breathed deeply to calm himself, "No one, not the Earthbenders or Waterbenders who I saw, held great spiritual energy; they were… dull and weak. The Water Tribesmen hardly spoke with each other; it was a gloomy atmosphere."
"That can't be…" Katara whispered in shock.
"I didn't believe it, either," he smiled without any mirth. "I descended from the heavens and demanded to speak with their Chief, Chief… Kuhna."
"I've heard of him." Sokka commented quietly, "Both Katara and I are descended from him."
"You'll hear a lot more of him. He didn't like me from the start; he didn't like Airbenders. He… said things that… I had thought them to be impossible. He said… that the Air Nomads didn't birth all Airbenders because of their spirituality."
He felt more than saw Azula's eyes widen. "You mean…?"
"Yes. He said that Avatar Kuruk was disgusted by my people; he said that the Air Nomads… pitched… their non-benders off of the Air Temple ledges to keep the bloodlines… pure."
"But they're the Air Nomads!" Katara gasped out, "They would never- "
"They did, Katara," he responded flatly, blankly; he couldn't show emotion, or he would break down. "I found out the truth. The Tree of Time said that all of the Four Nations had fallen from grace, but the Air Nomads, while they were the last to fall, fell the hardest and quickest; they were the worst. He said that my progeny would redeem the Air Nomads of the past." Aang licked his lips and felt reassured by Azula's steady hand remaining on his shoulder. "After my confrontation with Chief Kuhna, I flew to where my younger self would appear before the… storm swallowed him."
"Did he see you?" Zuko questioned kindly, "Was he… aware of your presence?"
"No, but I saw him, my younger self," he swallowed, and his breath quivered before he controlled himself. "He was so… innocent; none of the horrors of the Great War haunted his soul, his heart. I had told myself that I would stop the storm, that I would save my younger self from the Iceberg, and I had foolishly believed it… I wasn't able to do it. I could have… changed everything, but I didn't. I loved the life that I had built for myself, now in the future, too much." Aang ignored several of their sudden gasps and continued. "But to keep this life… I had… to… create my greatest nightmare so that the boy would be safe, so that I would be safe from Sozin and Dark. I created the… storm and watched as… my younger self drowned before the Avatar State activated… to create the Iceberg."
"I'm so sorry," Suki whispered. "I… I can't imagine."
"None of us can…" Azula squeezed his shoulder and he gripped her hand fiercely for strength. "You are remarkable, Aang."
"Then I traveled to the Southern Air Temple," he continued in a daze, eyes staring into the hypnotizing fire, transfixed by the gentle roaring flames. "I went… home and… and saw the Temple full of life; there were living, breathing Airbenders. I was… no longer alone; it was better than I had remembered."
"If you don't mind, why did you go to the Southern Air Temple?" Sokka asked carefully, "Didn't you… already decide by… you know… doing the Iceberg?"
"I had only decided to allow my younger self to have this life, Sokka. I had thought that I could still save my people and change things but still have this life. I also wanted… to know the truth about the Air Nomads."
"What did you do?" Toph's voice was quiet, kind; it was almost off-putting. "You were at the Temple."
"It was on the day of Sozin's Comet, actually," he whispered. "I learned things about the Elders that I had never really known before. I spoke… I was able to talk to Gyatso again; he was… happy to see me." Aang's breath hitched and he felt the tears well in his eyes, but he narrowly stopped them from spilling down his cheeks. "He said that everything that I had learned about the Air Nomads was true; he said that I was… stuck in the past, clinging to it. He… wanted me to live my life, the one that I had in the future; he encouraged me and had undying patience. He helped me see that the Tree of Time was right; everything happened for a reason. He gave me new Air Nomad clothes and then the Comet arrived… Afiko betrayed us… Sozin was there… and he is… he killed Gyatso." Aang swallowed thickly and this time, he was unable to stop the tears. "I witnessed my people's slaughter; I stood by and did… nothing. I allowed it all to… happen. I spoke to Sozin and he knew who I was; he attacked me. I killed Afiko and a lot of his soldiers but not Sozin, even though I desperately wanted to. I… spared the murderer of my people, the harbinger of the Great War."
"I don't know what to say…" Zuko murmured, looking astonished, his good eye wide. "I can't imagine…"
"Who was Afiko?" Azula questioned, "He wasn't Fire Nation, was he? That's not a Fire Nation name."
"No," he shook his head. "He was an Air Nomad; he was always envious of me after my reveal as the Avatar. He is the Betrayer, the one who conspired with Sozin; he led Sozin's armies to the Temple, revealing their locations and how to find them. And… I killed him for it."
"He deserved nothing less," Ursa stated adamantly. "History will not look fondly on that name."
"I left the past the way it was because humans had journeyed away from the true nature of the bending arts, not just the Water Tribes – and my people were the worst. I allowed the Great War and my people's slaughter to happen to rectify those mistakes so that we could grow past them; the forest had grown rank and needed clearing for new growth… I set it ablaze… The Great War was a gruesome raping that marred this world but there were good things that had arisen from that unspeakable evil; it all happened for a reason and… I realized that, so I abided by what the Tree of Time had ordained."
Silence.
Aang wiped away his tears and while he felt heavy, he, too, felt almost peaceful; it was all out in the open. The truth was known, and he didn't regret it, any of it.
Katara was the first to speak. "You could have changed everything; you could have… stopped all of it from happening."
He finally looked up and gazed at her, understanding her emotions, knowing where they stemmed from. "Yes, I could have."
"But you chose not to!" She shook her head and tried to control herself; she was not successful. "The Great War could have been stopped; you could have stopped it! You could have killed Sozin! You could have stopped the Fire Nation's conquest and saved my mother!"
Sokka inhaled sharply and grabbed his sister's arm. "I think that's- "
"No!" Katara snapped, furious, shaking her brother's hand off. "Mom's death could have been prevented if Aang had- "
"If I had what, Katara?" Aang asked evenly, understanding. "Simply waved my hand and obliterated the Fire Lord's army? If I had traveled to the Caldera and slew Sozin's bloodline? If I had killed Sozin himself? I made a choice! It was my choice alone and you can't understand that, but it was mine! It will always be mine!"
"But you should have felt compelled to- "
"Do not presume to tell me how to feel!" Aang roared and his sudden burst of volume made all of them, including Azula, flinch. "It was I who experienced and felt it all; you know nothing of it! Don't attempt to compare your pain to my own; it's a battle that you will lose! It was cruel, what I had to choose, but I know that – I will always know that. Do you think that it didn't break me? I had to force myself not to do a single thing as Sozin and his warriors annihilated my people! No matter their falling from grace, they didn't deserve such a bloody death! It was harder than you could fathom, to watch and do nothing, to know that you could change everything, but if you did, it would doom the Realms, both of them."
"It's okay," Azula's soothing words reached him and Aang realized that he was heaving in air; the flames of the fire were blazing high and strong, the heat all-encompassing. "It's all right. We understand."
"You saw the truth when we would never be able to," Sokka said softly and Aang slowly calmed himself; the flames lessened and became controlled. "You had the strength of will… not to change the past."
Katara's face was pale, "Couldn't you have just…"
"No," he shook his head resolutely. "If I had stopped the Great War from happening, there's a large chance that most of you wouldn't exist. People would live when they would have died, and they could marry people to whom they were never meant; they could have children that were never meant to exist. Everything would have changed and that's not a good thing like you think that it is."
"I just think, Aang, that people who don't know of the past before the Great War believe it to be perfect," Zuko stated carefully. "You yourself said that you had it on a pedestal, and you lived it. If you fell prey to that, then everyone else does, too, at one point or another. It's an irrational belief but we all like to think that things were perfect at one point before the Great War so that we can return the world to that state – since we know that it's possible."
"Well said, Zuzu," Azula commented with a nod of her head. "In reality, none of us – save, of course, for you, Aang – understand the path that led to the Great War. We can read and study it, but it's different living it, seeing it happen with your own eyes. Aang has that knowledge and was able to make an informed decision; it was his choice, not anyone else's."
Katara swallowed, "I have always wished for things to be different in regard to the Great War and my mother's death… That's why I… reacted that way."
"It's understandable," he tried to smile but he knew that he wasn't successful. "We all have a conceived notion of what things should be instead of how they actually are." Aang stood to his feet, "I need a moment to myself. I'll be back."
Before any of them could respond to his words, he dashed out of the cave and leaped into the sky with his airbending; he floated there, staring at the expanse of the world before him. Time soon lost all meaning; he allowed himself to rest from the onslaught of emotions that had been stirred within him. For too long, he had been struggling with the ramifications of his actions in the past, but now, because of the Tree of Time's gift, he finally had closure and was truly able to move on from the past; he wouldn't have doubts about it ever again because he knew the truth.
A flash of blue drew his attention to the ground, and he watched wide-eyed as Azula blasted jets of hot flames out of her feet and hands; she flew up into the sky and Aang descended to meet her halfway.
"Hey," he whispered, staring into her beautiful golden eyes; she suddenly dispersed her flames and Aang gripped her hands tightly, holding her to keep her from dropping from the sky. "What are you doing?"
"I trust you," she looked up at him; her hands wrapped around his neck and her feet were on top of his. "Everything that you experienced these past days… I can't even imagine how difficult it has been for you." Her fingers were gentle against his neck and he sighed gratefully. "I'm sorry," she murmured.
"You have nothing to apologize for," he assured, not understanding her line of thought. "All of the choices I made were mine."
"As you repeatedly said in the cave," her lips twitched. "It relieves me that you have finally received your much-needed closure."
"Was it that obvious?"
"To me, yes. I always knew that it haunted you, regardless of your mastered chakras. My words cannot easily express how relieved I am that you experienced what you did, to have that precious chance."
"Although it was immensely painful, I realized that the Tree of Time was correct – about everything."
Azula nodded and wet her lips, a rare vulnerable expression crossing her face. "When you revealed that you were given the chance to change the past with the Tree of Time's blessing… I was alarmed; it scared me."
"Why?" He tilted his head, "I thought that you were relieved that I experienced it."
"I am, but at first, I was honestly terrified because… I feared that you would want your old life… more than this one."
"It was much more difficult than I had led you all to believe," he admitted softly, honestly. "Gyatso really helped me see what I already knew but didn't want to believe."
"How did he help you?"
"He listened to me and understood; he was wiser than I. Mostly, I desperately tried to convince him to tell me to save the Air Nomads, save all of them and destroy Sozin's armies. I wanted him to tell me that my desire to save our people was just. He left the decision up to me after explaining some things and making me see the truth, not the falsehoods that I had forced myself to believe. What really forced me to accept it, I think, was when he mentioned that I had already decided."
Azula frowned, "What do you mean?"
"He said that, unconsciously, I had already chosen; he was right." Aang squeezed her tighter and felt the curves of her body, felt her breasts press against his hard chest. "He helped me realize that if I had truly believed that I should save the Air Nomads and stop Sozin, then I wouldn't have even spoken with him. Instead, I would have traveled to all of the Air Temples and warned them, destroying Sozin's legions before they reached their destination. I had already known… what needed to happen. He said that I just needed to accept it; he said that the only reason why I had sought him out was to seek reassurance, to know if I had chosen wisely."
"He was right."
"He was, and I'm so happy that I was able to see him, to talk to him. There was nothing left unsaid this time; he said that I was the son who he… who he never knew who he had found after he used energybending to give me all of the knowledge that I never knew about the Air Nomads."
"It would have been an honor to meet him," she looked up at him. "He sounds incredible; your father-figure was much better than mine."
Aang felt a small laugh escape him. "Yes, he was incredible. You're not mad, are you?"
"About what?"
"Well, I thought that, perhaps, you might have the irrational belief that I should have killed Sozin and then maybe, somehow your childhood would be different."
"Don't be ridiculous," her amusement was genuine. "I'm not… I understand why you did what you did; it was your decision, not mine."
"I'm glad that you realize that and I'm thankful that you are so incredible."
"I would never be anything else," she sniffed haughtily before a small smile graced her full lips. "Will you be okay?"
Aang sighed, "I will be, but it will take time. It was traumatic, everything that I saw and experienced."
Azula tilted her head and her golden eyes were serious. "Do you regret it? Do you wish that you… chose differently?"
"No, I don't," he pulled her even closer. "If I learned anything from my journey among the copious amount of information that I was flooded with, it was the things and people who truly matter to me."
"What or who did you realize, then?"
"You, Azula, mean more to me than the past, than the life that I thought that I should have lived. I don't need that fantasy because I have you; the other life would have been miserable without you." He leaned down and their lips were barely touching. "This life is better than anything that I could have had if I had decided to change the past; you are the best woman for me."
"You sly wordsmith," she swallowed, slapping his chest half-heartedly; her golden eyes looked suspiciously misty. "A repeat performance from last night is at hand, Avatar," her fingers pulled his head down all the way and she kissed him hotly, erotically; her tongue stroked his own, causing him to shiver with desire and his manhood to spring to life. "I will show you why I am the best woman for you."
XxXxXxXxXxX
"So, where are we going next, Aang?" Sokka demanded at dinner, chewing on Komodo Chicken. "We've been here too long; we need to move."
"I know," he sighed. "That's an excellent question but I have no idea where Ozai or Vaatu are. I already messaged the Northern Water Tribe to protect the Spirit Oasis at all costs. Honestly, it seems that we are stuck at an impasse in regard what to do."
"Well, perhaps a journey of recruitment would be fortuitous," Ursa suggested, clasping her hands together. "My husband is going to raise an army; we will need one, as well."
"That's a good point, Aang." Katara pointed out somewhat sadly, "Ozai won't stop."
"No, he will not." Zuko nodded towards him, "The Fire Nation will fight by your side. I will also be with you for as long as you need. Uncle Iroh is my regent for an indefinite period of time; the Fire Nation will follow my lead."
Azula raised an eyebrow from beside Aang. "Are you sure about that, Zuzu? Remember, the Fire Sages joined father and we both know that there are many disgraced military commanders and bitter Noble Houses who would rebel against their Fire Lord if they were sponsored by someone of great power."
Zuko slumped, his fingers rising to pinch his nose; Katara rubbed his shoulder in sympathy. "Damn it, you're right."
"Aren't I always?" Azula smirked but it was in jest, "We can't rely on the Fire Nation; father possibly has supporters of whom we know nothing."
"The Earth Kingdom would join the Avatar." Suki pointed out from beside her husband, "You freed them from the Fire Nation, Aang."
"I wouldn't be too certain of that." Toph countered fiercely. "I was at Ba Sing Se, remember? The most powerful men of Ba Sing Se had allied themselves with Dark and the Loser Lord and tried to kill me and capture Twinkletoes and Lighting Psycho; their hatred for those of Fire is immense."
"Everyone's hatred is," Ty Lee murmured.
Aang straightened in alarm and groaned; panic was a steady presence in his mind. "I forgot about Ba Sing Se! Oh… I killed Kuei and… everyone important. There is a major power vacuum, now; the Nobles and Kings of the other Major Cities are probably fighting over who gets Ba Sing Se's throne while the lower classes are destroying the city, looting places, and orchestrating raids!"
"You need not worry about such things, Avatar Aang," Ursa assured him, looking kind. "Iroh received word while you were at the Eastern Air Temple that King Bumi of Omashu was at the forefront to be named the next King of Ba Sing Se."
"Good," he breathed out before a smile pulled his lips. "We will travel to Ba Sing Se, then."
"Why?" Suki asked curiously, "It pains me to point this out, but the last time when you stayed in Ba Sing Se, Appa was killed and you, Azula, and Toph were all attacked; you killed Ba Sing Se's King. I don't think that they would be happy to see you return."
Aang closed his eyes for a moment at the memories. "Bumi is my friend; he won't allow anything or anyone to harm Appa." He looked to where Samir was playing with Momo in Appa's saddle. "No harm will come to any of us, either."
"How can you be so certain?" Zuko asked, hunched forward, golden eyes peering at him. "Wait, how are you even friends with King Bumi? He's over a century…" he trailed off in realization. "You knew him before the Great War?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Bumi and I knew each other before; he is my friend, my oldest friend behind Appa."
Sokka whistled, "That's some stiff competition."
"Great," Mai said dryly. "My head will be put on a pike."
When Aang saw Azula smirk, he spoke before she could. "Don't worry, I won't allow that to happen."
"But what about Omashu?" Katara questioned, frowning. "What will happen to it if Bumi journeys to Ba Sing Se? He's the King!"
"Well, we do know that Bumi has grandchildren based on what Iroh had told us." Sokka rubbed his scarce beard, "Did he choose an heir to his throne?"
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I knew that Bumi had children and then grandchildren, but I've never met either of his grandchildren; his children died during the Great War, sadly. That's all that I know."
"Toph, you are awfully quiet," Zuko pointed out with a frown. "You were living in Omashu, right?"
Aang looked at her, "You were on a first-name basis with Bumi. Do you know what would happen in a situation such as this? Do you know how his family is centered?"
Sadness shined in Toph's milky depths. "I don't know," she said quietly, barely heard over the roar of the campfire.
"How can you not know?" Sokka demanded incredulously, "Surely Bumi had a grandkid that was a powerful Earthbender. I mean, look at him! He might be stronger than Toph!"
Silence.
All eyes locked on Toph as she didn't rebuke Sokka's statement, and Aang suddenly remembered Toph's words from earlier: 'Yeah, I bet that I could finally even kick Bumi's ass, now!' She hadn't said it to be funny; she was being serious, and she had looked excited by the prospect.
"Are you all right, Toph?" Katara asked gently, eyes roaming over her in concern. "What's wrong?"
Toph huffed, but she sounded tired, haggard. "I'm fine, Sugar Queen."
"Are you sure?" Katara touched Toph's shoulder, "We're here if you need to talk."
"I'm fine! I don't know what has gotten stuck up all of your fucking asses!"
Azula calmly defused the tense situation. "So, it has been agreed that we are traveling to Ba Sing Se, then, yes?"
"Yes," Aang nodded his head, ready to talk about anything else. "While there, we can garner the support of Bumi and the other Earth Kings. Wait, Zuko, have you been in contact with the Sun Warriors?"
Zuko groaned aloud, "Damn it! No, I haven't," he put his face in his hands. "Honestly, I kind of… forgot about them."
Aang's eyes widened, "How could you forget about them?"
"I don't know… I was busy and the last time when I spoke with them was right before I found mother."
"It might have been hasty to send the guards and Yu Yan away, Zuzu." Azula commented, "We could have written a letter to the Sun Warriors. Who are they?"
Zuko finally looked up, "They are the last Sun Warrior Tribe; they are ancient and guard a sacred secret."
Azula's eyebrows rose, "Their assistance would be most fortunate, then."
"I'm aware," he groaned again. "We'll have to contact them some other way."
Aang's eyes darted towards his friend, "How are the Dragons, Ran and Shaw?"
"Dragons?" Azula stared at them, "What are you talking about? There are no more Dragons. Sozin and Azar slaughtered off the species because of an overpopulation; the Dragons raided and stole food from villages. Uncle Iroh even killed the last one!"
Aang raised an eyebrow at the reason for Dragon Hunting. "Wait, there was a viable reason… why the Dragons were hunted?"
"Yes, Avatar Aang." Ursa's voice was sad, "Before and during the first decade of the Great War, the Fire Nation was terrorized by the overpopulated Dragons. Firstly, our soil was not as fertile as that of the Earth Kingdom's and because of that, people were starving. As you all know, the Fire Nation is made of a series of large volcanoes. The villages nearest to the active volcanoes were often dead within a year. The Dragons hunted down animals meant to feed the towns and destroyed their fields for what many suspected to be as a grounds for mating."
"Dragon Hunting began because our people were dying." Zuko said quietly, "Over time, it slowly turned into a sport to achieve personal glory. It never started because of Sozin's greed; the Dragons were considered holy to our people and the pillars of strength that we measured ourselves against. Because we were fighting the Great War, though, it had to be done if the Children of Fire were to survive."
"Why did you mention the Dragons, Ran and Shaw?" Azula stared into Aang's eyes, "The Dragons are extinct. Are you saying that some survived Sozin's sport?"
"I don't see how any could have survived, though." Ty Lee pointed out and quelled under Azula's glare, but she surprisingly kept speaking. "Sozin had Azar with him; they were the unstoppable pair who slew all of the Dragons."
"There are still stories of Azar in the Noble Houses." Mai commented, "They are often used to get children to behave or Azar will eat them."
"We know that," Azula snapped. "What I want- "
"Actually, we didn't know that." Sokka pointed out, "That's quite interesting."
Azula inhaled slowly, "Were there any Dragons that survived, Zuzu?"
"Yes, only two." Zuko nodded his head and Azula's eyes darted to her brother's. "Aang and I found them when I first joined the Gaang after the Day of Black Sun; they were guarded by the Sun Warriors. Ran and Shaw showed us true firebending."
"So, the sacred secret was the continued existence of the Dragons." Azula murmured, "Father would have killed for that information."
"So, what do you know about Ran and Shaw, Zuko?" Aang tried to steer the conversation back to what he wanted. "They would be strong allies against Ozai and Vaatu."
"After my ascension to Fire Lord, I learned that Ran and Shaw were not a mated pair as we had both assumed. They are actually both females, unrelated; they are unbonded, too."
Aang's head fell in dismay. "Then the Dragons will become truly extinct," he murmured. "It will be just like the… Sky Bison and Winged-Lemurs."
Zuko nodded sadly, "That, too, is what I have unfortunately concluded."
"Nevertheless, they would be good allies against Ozai and Dark." Azula pointed out, "We should write a letter to the Sun Warriors as soon as possible."
"We'll probably be able to write a letter to the Sun Warriors when we reach Ba Sing Se." Katara smiled at Zuko reassuringly, "Bumi would surely allow us the use of his messengers. Don't worry, Zuko, everyone makes mistakes and I have committed more than my fair share."
"You and me both," his friend muttered, looking at her.
"It must be a family trait, then, Zuzu," Azula offered casually. "First, it was Sozin and Azulon; then it was Uncle Iroh and father, and now, it has been you and me."
"But Sozin and Azulon weren't brothers," Sokka frowned. "They were father and son."
"The conclusion remains the same, I believe." Ursa smiled sadly. "I witnessed a lot of it firsthand."
Aang grabbed Azula's hand and she looked at him, golden eyes meeting his gray ones. "Not anymore," he smiled gently. "All of the mistakes in each of our lives that we have committed are in the past." He held the gaze of everyone in the cave. "I recently realized, through the help of an old friend, that you can't continue to hold onto the past whether good or bad. You can only move forward and create new memories."
Looking at the faces of Azula and Samir, Aang reckoned that those memories would be most precious.
XxXxXxXxXxX
"Can we talk?"
Aang glanced at Sokka in surprise but nodded, stepping away from the others to follow him outside the cave. "Yeah, what is it? We're about to depart for Ba Sing Se. Is something wrong?"
Sokka rubbed the back of his neck; he looked uncomfortable. "Look, I um… I realized recently that um… I didn't treat you right after the Great War."
He felt his features smooth out before he nodded. "No, you… didn't."
"Fuck, man, I… I had no idea." Sokka looked desperate, even ashamed. "I never knew that you were so angry at me, at us for… you know…"
"Abandoning me?"
"I wouldn't use that word, but- "
"What word would you use?"
Sokka swallowed, "A separation?"
"Maybe that's how you see it, but from my angle it was different." Aang felt drained; he had been through too much lately. "I was alone as a young boy and I had trusted that you and Katara would… would stick with me, but looking back, I can see that was unrealistic. We were all children, immature and selfish."
"Yes, exactly!" Sokka nodded eagerly, "We didn't know better!"
"That's not what I'm saying, Sokka, not at all. I'm saying that I shouldn't have been surprised that that's what happened. Being alone really helped me grow up; it forced me to."
"But you were already so wise and mature, Aang! You… always knew things that none of us did. You would have been okay by yourself; the head on your shoulders was full of proverbs and knowledge. You're the fucking Avatar!"
Aang sighed, "Perhaps, but that was mostly from what I knew before the Great War, so I seemed a lot more cultured than I actually was. You and Katara were very sheltered living at the Southern Water Tribe whereas I had traveled all over the Four Nations as an Air Nomad when I was young with… Gyatso; the trips were hasty and were frowned upon by the Elders, I remember." He suddenly realized something, and he wondered he had never known before. "I was the only Air Nomad who was gifted the chance to travel, see the Four Nations; none of the other kids did that."
"Then it must have been because you were the Avatar."
"Yes, that must be it," he murmured softly before he focused back to the heart of the conversation. "I am the Avatar, yes, but first and foremost, I am Aang. I am still human, Sokka; fears and doubts plague me. I was still just a young boy whose purpose had ended. Without the distraction of the Great War and the looming threat of Ozai, the truth was all that was left. I was alone in a world that was foreign; nothing was ever the same, it couldn't be. I was forced to deal with all of that by myself because you and Katara and Toph weren't… there." Aang swallowed and controlled his emotions. "For a really long time, I have felt abandoned by you and Katara – and Toph, too. While you were all at home with your families or living with Bumi, I was alone with only Appa and Momo for company, along with my past lives."
Sokka frowned, "But that was your decision. You can't blame us for that."
Aang inhaled slowly, "I blame you for me being alone in the first place; you had said that I was your family after I found Gyatso's… corpse. From what I gathered during the Great War, the Water Tribes' familial values entailed that family wasn't supposed to abandon one another."
"It was a separation!" Sokka cried out, "Why can't you see that? It wasn't- …we would never abandon you!"
"Did you ever write to me? No, you didn't," his voice rose slightly. "When I visited the Southern Water Tribe after the Great War that one time when Katara and I were 'dating,' or whatever that was, it was apparent that you had all moved on from me. I had become a burden and that was the last time when we all ever spoke before our reunion at the Caldera after Ozai escaped from his prison."
"Well… yes, that's true, but we- "
"Do you call that a separation?" Aang asked quietly, "A separation implies that we would see each other again, but that wasn't how it felt. Before we ever saw each other again at the Caldera, I had honestly given up hope of ever seeing any of you again."
"You could have visited us! You can go anywhere in the world, Aang!" Sokka exploded and he began to look angry. "You should have flown down from your perch atop the fucking world and visited us!"
Aang's eyes widened slightly before they narrowed into slits. "Don't try to reverse this on me! It is not my fault! The fault is yours, Katara's, and Toph's!"
"No!" Sokka's face was now red and he pointed a finger at him. "You could have come down and we would have welcomed you, but no! You were too much of an Airbender, evading and avoiding!"
"There wasn't an inkling that any of you would have wanted me to visit!"
"There didn't need to be! You should have known!"
"How should I have known?" Aang stepped closer and he wasn't afraid to admit that he was relieved that he was taller than Sokka. "I needed assurance but never received it!"
"What fucking assurance?"
"THAT YOU CARED!" His chest was heaving and sweat broke out on his forehead; he stared at Sokka's shocked face. "You just left after the Great War with hardly a goodbye; you said that you were going home to the Southern Water Tribe, but that wasn't my home. I didn't really have a home and none of you seemed to realize that, if not care."
"No, we… we always thought that you would do your Avatar thing after everything; we thought that you'd be… be fine."
Aang suddenly felt very tired as he realized what had truly happened. "I think that I finally see where everything went wrong."
"You do?"
"None of us communicated… We never spoke about what we were going to do once the Great War was finished. That's… how all of this started."
"Fuck," Sokka breathed out with wide eyes. "You're right. By all of the Polar Dog shit in the Water Tribes, you're right."
A broken laugh escaped past his lips. "A breakdown of communication… Who would have thought?"
"So, we're… good now, right?" Sokka inquired hesitantly, "We figured things out?"
"It doesn't change anything, though," he pointed out softly. "Our mistakes as children still affect us as adults; they always will. This realization doesn't change what did and didn't happen. I am still angry with you, Katara, and Toph."
Sokka nodded and closed his eyes, looking deflated. "For whatever it's worth, I'm so sorry, man. I… I never knew; it seemed impossible."
"It relieves me that while you may not understand, you are aware of it now. Thank you for the apology; it does help a little."
"Do you know… when we'll be okay?"
"Just talking with you guys makes it a whole lot easier," he said honestly. "If we keep doing what we're doing, I think that we'll all be fine. Time… does heal all wounds; it'll heal these, too."
XxXxXxXxXxX
Landing in Ba Sing Se, the place where Appa had been killed, Aang felt nervous even though he had no reason to be because official word had reached them that Bumi was the regent King of Ba Sing Se indefinitely.
It had been far too long since he had seen his old friend.
"Well, well, well." A familiar voice cackled when Appa landed and Aang grinned, whirling around to face the elder Earthbender. "Look what the Sky Bison dragged in!"
"Bumi!" He leaped forward and slammed into his friend's form, squeezing tightly; he dimly noticed that he was a lot taller than his oldest friend after Appa. "It's so good to see you!"
Bumi laughed and the sound restored a piece of his soul that had been missing. "It's good to see you too, Aang," he pulled back and his lopsided eyes connected with his own. "What took you so long? I've been waiting. Although we've been writing one another, I haven't seen you since… the first weeks after the Great War."
Aang grimaced and felt his jubilation fade. "I'm sorry, Bumi. I just had… had to… to take time to… mourn and heal from everything that happened. I had Avatar duties and while I could have visited you, I couldn't face the reminder upon seeing you so… old. I had been searching for peace but never found it." Upon seeing the sadness shining in Bumi's eyes, he quickly reassured him. "No! I'm beginning to be okay again, and I've finally moved on from the past with help. The Air Nomads are gone but they will always live on in me and my children."
"Children?" Bumi slowly beamed, "Finally! I see that you've found yourself a wife to settle down with and bring some new Airbenders into this world; it's been far too long since I've felt their energy."
"That's the plan," he nodded and felt the rest of the Gaang finally approach.
Bumi tilted his slightly maniacal gaze towards the women. "So, who here is the lucky Mother of the Air Nomads?" He hummed and he held up a hand before anyone could speak, "No! Don't tell me! I'm going to guess!"
Sokka opened his mouth, "Now wait for just a second-"
"Be our guest, Bumi," he interrupted Sokka with a smile. "None of us mind, do we?"
Zuko looked amused, "This will be interesting."
"Fine," Sokka muttered sullenly.
Bumi stepped past Aang and stared at Toph; he raised a bushy, white eyebrow. "We both know that you aren't the one hooking up with my oldest and greatest friend." His words caused Toph to blush heavily and Aang frowned at the sight. "He is anxious to speak with you, you know?"
She licked her lips, "Thanks for letting me know."
Ignoring the questions that raised, Aang watched as Bumi circled the remaining women and lone child: Suki, Mai, Ty Lee, Samir, Katara, Ursa, and Azula.
"Well, I'll be – an Airbender!" Bumi smiled widely and tears welled in his eyes; he kneeled down and stared into Samir's gray eyes. "Aang, is she… did you…?"
"No, I adopted her and gifted her airbending; it changed her to look more like me."
Bumi held out his wizened hand and Samir hesitantly gripped it. "I haven't had the great pleasure of meeting an Airbender besides Aang in over a century. What's your name, little one?"
"Samir," she said shyly, eyes darting towards Aang and he nodded encouragingly.
"Well, Samir, it is an absolute joy to meet you." Samir nodded and dashed over to Aang, who picked her up easily and Bumi smiled. "You're going to have your hands full, old friend; the Children of Air are hard to raise."
Aang felt his own lips pull into a smile. "I know, but it will be worth it."
Bumi focused back on the other women. "No," he stared solely at Suki. "You're not the chosen Mother of the Air Nomads, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong – which I know that I'm not – but I suspect that the former jennamite-prisoner over there is your husband."
"That is correct, King Bumi," Suki bowed perfectly. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh," Bumi cackled and looked at Sokka. "She is perfect for you; she balances you out."
"Hey!" Sokka looked insulted, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, hush, darling," Suki chided gently as she aligned herself next to him and he wrapped an arm around her. "I want to watch this."
"Well, this is unexpected," Bumi stared at Mai with his wide eyes. "I never thought that I would be in the presence of the daughter of the man who tried to steal Omashu from me and name it New Ozai."
"I never thought that you would still be alive," she countered dryly, raising a brow.
Bumi hooted, "Oh, I like you! Blunt and straight to the point! You're a Noble, but nothing like the pretentious Noble Houses! Anyway, I don't see you becoming the wife of an Air Nomad."
"Thank you," Mai nodded with genuine gratefulness and Aang rolled his eyes.
"Now, who are you?" Bumi tilted his gaze at Ty Lee. "If my memory is correct, you are the chi-blocker who I read reports about."
Ty Lee nodded her head respectfully and smiled brightly. "That is correct, King Bumi."
"Hmm… You're actually quite like Aang when he was younger, so you're not his chosen lover." Bumi stated bluntly, "You're too bubbly; your personality is somewhat similar but Aang needs someone more grounded in reality who can support him as the Avatar."
"Avatar Aang?" Ty Lee laughed, "Well, he is really handsome, but I have already met someone who I have my eyes on."
"The Earthbender?" Mai rolled her eyes, " I don't understand how you could be attracted to him; his mustache is… unappealing."
Aang's eyes widened, "Wait, was his name Haru?"
"Yes!" Ty Lee beamed and giggled, "We met him while we were on the run after we were exiled; he is really cute and very muscular."
Zuko suddenly chuckled, "I didn't see that coming," his friend muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I didn't either," Sokka responded with wide eyes.
Bumi looked at Ursa and raised an eyebrow after a moment. "While you could still provide children, you're too old," he laughed and Ursa looked amused. "I mean no disrespect whatsoever, Lady…?"
"Ursa," she supplied with a smile.
"Ahh, no disrespect whatsoever, Dowager Fire Lady Ursa, but Aang is too young for you." Bumi's eyes were enlightened and he grinned crookedly. "You're very beautiful, a head-turner. I'm shocked that you don't have a man wrapped around your finger."
Ursa laughed graciously, "I have mainly been focused on my children, King Bumi. I have not had the time or need to pursue a husband and remarry yet."
"Well, message me if you ever find yourself desiring one." Bumi winked, "You are most beautiful, and I wouldn't mind the company; it would be a good alliance for your son, too."
Zuko face-palmed and Azula laughed when their mother only smiled. "I will keep that under advisement, King Bumi."
Aang found himself chuckling slightly as Bumi still had the moves to woo a lady, it seemed. Before the Great War, Aang had often visited Bumi and the Earthbender would spend hours of his trip teaching Aang the art of wooing a woman; his friend had been quite successful even at his young age.
"That leaves Katara and…" Bumi trailed off as he stared at Azula, mostly at her garbs, intrigue carved into his wizened face. "Now that's interesting, very interesting."
Katara frowned, looking slightly insulted. "You don't think that I could be the Mother of the Air Nomads?" Aang raised a brow at the question, but he noticed that Zuko stared at her with something that he couldn't name.
Bumi shook his head, "No, not at all. You're not suited to be an Airbender's mate, nonetheless the Avatar's. Believe me, I'm a scholar when it comes to both; the Avatar's lifemate is very important and you're not… suitable. She, on the other hand, is perfect," he stared at Azula, his strong, wrinkled index finger pointing at her. "I can't believe that I never thought of it."
Azula raised an eyebrow at Bumi. "Do you recognize who I am?"
"Should I?" Bumi asked mischievously, lopsided eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Is there anything memorable about you… Princess Azula of the Fire Nation?"
A smirk graced Azula's lips and she aligned herself next to Aang; he felt pride at the pride that she emanated. "You are correct, King Bumi. I am Avatar Aang's lover and will be the Mother of the Air Nomads."
"Well, you're even lovelier than the stories I've heard. Had I been frozen in that iceberg instead and encountered you, I would have whisked you away for myself. Your eyes are remarkable."
Azula smiled. "Aang probably could not even tell you what color they are. You shall be the threat I hold over his head."
Aang rolled his eyes while Bumi grinned. "Still, for his old age, he's competent, isn't he?"
"That is because I keep him on his toes and refuse to let him act his age."
"I assure you, I can be as competent as my old friend here."
Azula's golden eyes gleamed. "That will not be necessary, King Bumi. Aang performs his duties with zeal."
"Just Bumi, please," his friend stepped closer and tears were in his eyes. "Thank you, Princess Azula. It has been a deep fear of mine that Aang would be alone for the rest of his days."
"Your confidence in me is touching," he said flatly with a frown. "I thought that you knew me better than that."
"I do, but I think that you didn't see what and who you were becoming." Bumi's eyes were sad and relieved at the same time. "After the Great War, you became a renowned recluse. The only times when you were seen was when you would fly on Appa's back and see if people needed help, that's it. You were holed up in the Southern Air Temple for years with no one besides Appa and Momo; you were on the road to a dark and lonely life."
Aang swallowed, "I'm glad that I decided to take that vacation on Ember Island, then."
"Me too," Azula said softly.
"And me three, then!" Bumi laughed before it faded, and his eyes hardened into pure granite. "You take care of him. If anything happens to him, I'll be looking for you," his friend's voice was lowered harshly, grating against his ears. "You will answer to me if you hurt him."
Azula laughed genuinely, "Oh, I think that you and I will get along fantastically, Bumi."
Looking at their two smiles, Aang felt wary of the stunts that the two of them could pull off together.
Bumi turned to Zuko and nodded his head respectfully. "It is an honor to have the Fire Lord visit Ba Sing Se."
"It is an honor to be here, King Bumi." Zuko nodded with a small smile. "Thank you for allowing me passage into the city."
His friend snorted and waved his hand dismissively. "Please, I'm not like that prick, Kuei. I never liked that asshole."
Aang agreed with Bumi's assessment of the former King of Ba Sing Se. At first, Kuei had been kind and benevolent, but the pull of royal power soon poisoned his heart; he was corrupted by the lure of greatness.
He saw Toph's eyes widen and dread swiftly spread across her features. He was about to open his mouth and ask her what was wrong when a voice called out behind Bumi.
"Aren't you forgetting something, gramps?"
"Ahh, yes," his friend coughed, and his eyes lingered on Toph for a moment. "Everyone, this is my grandson, Bor. He will become the King of Ba Sing Se after I have concluded him to be fit for the throne; that was key to convincing the other Earth Kings to give me Ba Sing Se. Apparently, they don't want me on it for too long."
Aang saw a handsome man with dark hair and vibrant green eyes step beside Bumi. He was about Sokka's height and quite muscular; he saw Toph's unseeing eyes avert to the ground and he put two and two together. Knowing that the sudden revelation in his mind was the truth, he blinked; the reason why Toph had been so skittish when speaking about Ba Sing Se, more specifically Omashu and Bumi and his family, was that of… Bor. Based on Aang's earthbending, the way their two heartbeats hammered in their chests indicated that they had most likely been lovers who loved each other.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Bor smiled politely but his eyes were staring at Toph mostly; emotions flashed in his green depths before he turned to Aang and he fell to his knees. "Avatar Aang, I have been raised on the stories that my grandfather shared of you when the two of you grew up together before the Great War. It is an absolute honor to be in your presence," his eyes were filled with admiration. "I don't really know what to say…"
"Thank you, Bor, and it's all right," he smiled down at his second oldest friend's grandson. "I'm sure that once we become better acquainted, you and I can forge our own memories together, sharing them as we age."
Bor nodded eagerly, awe carved into his features. "Absolutely, Avatar Aang," his eyes darted to Bumi and he mouthed, 'The AVATAR!'
Aang saw Azula hide a smile into his chest and the others share amused glances; his old friend sighed and clapped his hands together. "Well, I believe that we have been out in the open long enough; assassins could have easily picked us off. How about dinner? Are any of you hungry?"
"Are you insane?" Sokka exclaimed, "Well, actually, I kind of think that you are- "
"Sokka!" Suki smacked her husband's arm. "Don't say that!"
"Oh, sorry, but yes!" He waved his arms and didn't really look apologetic. "Please, I haven't eaten anything since breakfast!"
Bumi snorted, looking amused by the spectacle. "No worries, Lady Suki. I know of your husband's manner; it's quite funny, if not irritating." He turned around and the Gaang followed him into the palace. "Right this way, and then we'll eat dinner. I've had the chefs cook up something delicious."
"Just the way that I like it!" Sokka smacked his lips and began rubbing his hands. "Oh, I can't wait."
Looking around, Aang was relieved to notice that none of his previous 'visit' to the palace was remaining; everything had been repaired and been fixed. The loss of life had been dealt with; he didn't want to necessarily see what his rage-induced actions had wrought in front of Samir.
Azula leaned up and her lips grazed his cheek. "Tonight, I expect a satisfying night's rest, Avatar," she purred.
Aang grinned; he had definitely made the correct decision to travel to Ba Sing Se.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Zuko couldn't keep Katara's words from slithering through his mind constantly. 'You don't think that I could be the Mother of the Air Nomads?' She had questioned, staring at King Bumi with a wounded expression on her beautiful face.
Was she… hung up on Aang? Did Katara desire to… bear Airbenders?
Both questions had fire rushing in his blood and Dragons roaring in his spirit. After mastering his chakras, which increased his inner flame tenfold, Zuko had been forced to face several truths.
He was deeply attracted to Katara, probably even in love with her since she was always on his mind; he wanted her. Zuko had thought that she had felt the same, that she had wanted him back, but now he wasn't so sure. Her angry face from King Bumi's words haunted him; he had no idea where they stood, now. Did she care for him? Yes, he was certain that she cared for him, but unfortunately, he had no idea if she was attracted to him as he was to her.
Staring at her from across the enormous table in Ba Sing Se's Throne Room, Zuko was able to restrain the urge to bluntly demand answers in front of everyone; he felt frustrated. His fists clenched and he swiftly hid the evidence of his discontent under the table; he refused to cause a scene in front of both his mother and sister. Azula, specifically, would never let him hear the end of it if he did.
"So, Bumi," Zuko tried to focus on what Aang was saying from his position next to King Bumi. "Who is in charge of Omashu, now?"
King Bumi chortled and chewed on a piece of lettuce. "Anju, of course." Zuko didn't fail to notice that Toph's eyes widened in shock and upon seeing her expression, King Bumi's grandson, Bor chuckled in amusement. At the sound, Toph looked away and Zuko felt a frown touch his lips. Had Bor done something to offend the impervious Toph?
Suki raised a brow, "Anju?"
"Oh, my apologies," the King sent a quick, confused glance at Toph. "My granddaughter, Anju is the newest Queen of Omashu."
"You named an heir?" Aang asked in surprise, "It doesn't really seem like your style."
King Bumi cackled, his unnerving lopsided eyes glowing green like emeralds. "You're right, Aang!" He hunched forward and stared at the Avatar intently, "Do you remember when we used to ride down the mail chute in Omashu?"
Aang looked insulted, "Of course, I do. Why would you ask me that?"
"Good," the King nodded approvingly. "Now let me ask you something else. Did it ever occur to you why I was able to spend so much time with you? Did you ever witness me dealing with duties to Omashu's Throne? Was my father King of Omashu?"
"Wait, what are you saying?" Aang frowned, "You… told me that you found your father annoying."
"Yes, but was he the King?"
"No…"
"You weren't the Prince of Omashu," Azula concluded, sipping from her chalice. "You gained the throne some other way…"
King Bumi grinned crookedly. "Exactly, Azula; you're bright."
"Then how did you become King?" Sokka asked with his mouth full of meat. Zuko's laughter exhaled out of his mouth softly but he saw that Katara had no reservations; she openly rolled her eyes with a disgusted expression on her lovely face.
Zuko looked away and focused back on the conversation.
"As I'm sure you all know, I am a very strong Earthbender, the strongest actually." King Bumi declared with utter seriousness, leaning back in his chair. Zuko looked at Toph out of the corner of his good eye, surprised that she allowed such a statement to be said, but she didn't say anything; she listened to the King just as everyone else, a slight disappointment visible on her face. "Anyway, each ruler of Omashu, upon his or her ascension to the throne, is able to be challenged by anyone for their claim. Over a decade after… after the Air Nomads were killed," Zuko tried not to flinch, "Omashu's King passed away under uncertain circumstances. The Prince - just so you all know, he was a real prick - was gunning for the throne and usually, none would ever challenge their claim to the throne, but I did after he was newly-installed as King."
"Then, you won and became King of Omashu?" Aang guessed, chewing on a piece of lettuce that he had plucked off of King Bumi's plate. "That's what happened, right?"
King Bumi snorted and while he looked proud, he didn't look near as regal as any other King or leader who Zuko had met; he admired the difference. "Please, Aang, I didn't just win… I crushed that prideful pile of shit! Anyway, back to what we had been talking about. Anju was challenged by several arrogant Earthbenders for the throne, but she swiftly dealt with those posers. It was really fun to watch, actually; she made me proud."
"It was amazing to see," Bor finally spoke and his eyes were focused on Toph. "In fact, Anju used a move that Toph had shown her to seal her victory."
"Good for her," Toph responded flatly, looking down.
"Well, Bumi, it seems that your bloodline will be in charge of half of the Major Cities in the Earth Kingdom." Azula pointed out with a raised brow and Zuko realized that, as always, his sister was correct. "First, Omashu through your own strength and now, Ba Sing Se through the strength that has led to your ability to endure like the Earth. Now all you need to achieve complete dominion over the Children of Earth is Zaofu and Chyung. Then you will be on par with the Fire Lord in power."
King Bumi chuckled and shook his head. "While that is true, Azula, I think that only half of the Earth Kingdom is good enough. It would be too tiresome to deal with stubborn Children of Earth all of the time from everywhere across the nation."
"I know how that feels but with Children of Fire," Zuko declared irritably. "I'm always swamped with work and the people, particularly the Nobles feel and act so entitled."
His mother shook her head, "I have told you time and time again, Zuko, that if you were to marry, much of your stress would dissipate." His mother's golden eyes darted towards Katara and Zuko growled inwardly. "You just need to wed the right Fire Lady for you."
"That's true, Zuzu," his sister pointed out. "A Fire Lady could deal with the people while you could focus on the economy and military. That's what grandfather and grandmother did; their union seemed, to most, beneficial for the Fire Nation until grandmother passed on."
Zuko's fists began to smoke beneath the table, and he refused to look at Katara, the only person in the world who he was able to imagine bearing the mantle of Fire Lady. None of that mattered because, apparently, she desired to be the Mother of the Air Nomads!
Ty Lee giggled, "I remember my mother sharing a story with me when I was a child. She said that Fire Lady Ilah - may she rest in peace - once threatened a peasant who demanded that he was owed money from the Crown - ludicrous."
"Actually, I think I heard that one, too." Mai's dry tone echoed in his ears, "Fire Lord Azulon then executed the peasant for his immoral remarks about his Fire Lady."
"My mother was only a child when that happened," his mother recalled. "Iroh was barely into his teenage years, but it always stuck with me; it helped a lot with matters concerning Fire Lady Ilah, particularly how to deal with using her name in front of Azulon."
Bor stood to his feet when no one else spoke for a moment; his eyes were focused on Toph again. "Everyone, it has been an absolute pleasure to meet you all, especially you, Avatar Aang, but I need to rest." He glanced at them all and then bowed to King Bumi. "Goodnight, grandfather," he left through the wall.
Samir suddenly yawned and he saw Azula raise an eyebrow at Aang. "It seems that there is another one who feels the need to rest."
"Yes, you're right," his friend nodded, dark hair concealing his gray eyes for a moment. "I'll put her to bed; there will be no sleeping on Appa's tail tonight."
"Why not, daddy?" Samir rubbed her eyes, staring up at Aang. "I want to."
"Appa can't always sleep with you on his tail; he needs rest, too. You will sleep in a true bed tonight," his friend picked up Samir's weary form without protest and looked at King Bumi. "Where are our rooms, Bumi? I assume that Samir will be staying with Azula and I, yes?"
King Bumi's lopsided eyes focused on Aang, green irises glowing like emeralds. "I'll lead you to your room, Aang," he stood up and began to walk towards the hall. "Whichever you want is fine; one where Samir will stay you two, or she can get her own room that is next to your own and you can enter with your earthbending."
"What do you think, Samir?" Aang asked his daughter, Zuko's own… niece. "Do you want your own room next to mine and mommy's?" Zuko really had to get used to Azula being called 'mommy' quickly.
"Uh huh…" Samir mumbled and Aang chuckled, following Bumi out of the Throne Room.
When Azula looked very pleased by that development, he knew that his sister and Aang were going to be satisfied in the morning.
"So, what's the deal with you and Bor, Toph?" Ty Lee leaned forward, "Surely, I wasn't the only one who noticed the tension between you two."
"It's nothing," Toph snapped, jumping out of her chair and stalking towards the exit. "Mind your fucking business!"
"Huh," Sokka leaned back in his chair. "That was peculiar, although that's Toph for ya."
"Will you think about what I have said, Zuko?" His mother suddenly questioned, a pleading urge in her golden eyes. "Once this new war is over, you will return to your rightful inheritance as Fire Lord; you need a Fire Lady to become who you were meant to be."
Zuko swallowed, aware of all of the eyes looking at him. "I will keep it in mind, mother."
"That's all that I ask."
Katara stood abruptly from her seat. "If Toph had chosen to head for bed, I think that she had the right idea. Goodnight, everyone," she hastily exited the room.
"Why is everyone acting so weird?" Sokka wondered aloud, "Is there something that I'm… missing?"
"I think that there's something that you are always missing," Mai replied dryly, leaning back. "That seems to be the norm with you."
"Hey!" Sokka protested, "Just because you're now part of the Gaang doesn't mean that you can insult me!"
Zuko felt a small smile curve his lips as he watched Sokka and Mai banter, but it faded when his mother leaned closer to him. "Go after her; speak your mind and be blunt, but not too blunt."
"How can I be blunt, but not too blunt?" He hissed as he stood to his feet.
"You will know what to do, my son."
He frowned and unleashed a fake yawn. "It's been a long day, everyone, so goodnight; traveling takes a lot out of you." Zuko swiftly exited, ignoring Sokka's protests to stay, something about being ganged-up on.
He silently walked faster and caught up with Katara, lagging behind her; she didn't seem to be aware of his presence as he soundlessly followed her. When she journeyed into a garden that was abandoned, no guards in sight, his golden eyes narrowed; she hadn't been going to rest. Katara flowed through the luscious grass, looking resplendent in her gown under the light of the moon, and sat by a large tree, blocked from Zuko's eyesight.
"You know, if you're going to be sneaky, at least be sneaky about it." Katara's amused voice floated into his ears. "I think that you wanted me to feel you; you're usually a lot sneakier."
"I did," he sighed and slowly plopped down next to her. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Why are you following me, Zuko?" Katara turned her head up to him and despite himself, he felt drawn into the brilliant blue depths of her eyes. "What did you want to talk about?"
He swallowed, remembering his mother's words and decided to follow her advice. "You and me."
She sat straighter, eyes widening slightly. "What do you mean?"
Zuko clenched his jaw, wondering if she was being obtuse intentionally. "I mean, you and me. I don't know anything, and it's making me insane; I feel like pulling out my hair."
Katara was quiet for several moments, breathing elevated. "Don't do that. You have nice hair."
A bitter laugh escaped him. "Very Airbender-like," he muttered, fists clenching at his sides. "I guess you're evasion answers it - you want to bear Airbenders."
"What?" she demanded, shocked. "What does that have to do with anything, least of all you and me? I still don't know what you're talking about!"
"Because you won't give me a straight answer!"
"About what?"
"What is this?" he asked, gesturing between them, specifically the damned space between their bodies. "Can I bridge this space between us, or can I not?"
Katara peered at him, brows furrowed in bemusement. "Would you just say what you mean? You're being Airbender-like yourself- "
"I never wanted this," Zuko hissed, bitter. "Or maybe I did. But I can't... think of anything else since mastering my chakras. I'm tired, Katara. Tired. These damn feelings swamp me, and I don't know where I stand."
She frowned, face pinching with irritation. "How is that my fault, Zuko? What are you talking about? I don't understand this."
Zuko shook his head. "I think you do understand it. But you're being a coward by not- "
Katara's eyes ignited with ire. "Coward?" she echoed, voice thinning in outrage. "I am not a- "
"You're being ignorant intentionally!"
She jumped to her feet, pointing a shaking finger at his face. "Your anger's clouding your judgment!"
Zuko jumped to his feet, too, glaring down at her; he was tired of hiding his feelings and being overwhelmed with irrational jealousy. He was tired of the uncertainty that he felt when Katara seemed to enjoy the presence of another man despite how close they had become. He was tired of not knowing, of feeling adrift in uncertainty. It all began to seep out of him, despite his efforts for control and discipline.
Uncle was right - a man in love was a man in chaos.
"Judgment?" he repeated, face twisting. "My judgment is clear! For the first time in, perhaps, ever, it's clear. But your judgment isn't- "
"Exc- excuse me?" Katara sputtered in indignation, an enticing flush on her cheeks; her stimulating beauty made him angrier. "I don't know what you're talking about! Why are you yelling at me all of a sudden?"
"I thought you could be honest with me! But it's just like after the Great War - you don't give a Dragon's shit about me."
She swallowed and took a step back, but anger still saturated her beautiful face. "Why are you bringing that up? I thought we moved past it."
"Only to return to it!" he snapped. "You're clearly going to do the same thing after all this is over - run off with hardly a 'goodbye' and leave me to pick up the pieces out of all the chaos."
"That's unfair," Katara snapped, looking hurt, but Zuko didn't care; he felt too raw. "It was a mistake, one I won't ever make again."
"Then answer my question! What is this?"
Katara's eyes narrowed in anger. "Maybe I should just go ask Azula what you mean, since she's such a great conversationalist. She could articulate whatever 'this' is better than you!"
Zuko exhaled roughly, feeling the fire burn at the back of his throat. "What are we?" he asked quietly, doing his best to suppress the fury and hurt. "Since I mastered my chakras, I thought you and I shared something. I thought it was love."
All signs of anger vanished from her face, leaving shock; her eyes were wide, and she seemed to barely breathe.
"But I'm wrong, aren't I?" he continued, voice darkening; it was easier to focus on the rage than the sorrow. "There's nothing here but my imagination."
She blinked before she stepped forward, head shaking; there was a sudden resolve in her eyes that wasn't there before. "No, no. There's something, Zuko."
The anger surged through him. "Then why haven't you said anything?"
"Why haven't you?" she demanded, voice rising.
The bitterness sizzled against his senses like lightning. She really had to ask? The nerve! She hadn't done anything after the Great War to reach out and assure him. She had left him flailing for years. But she expected him to take that chance when she never did before?
It was maddening if not saddening.
"Why should I take the chance that you never did?"
The words floated in the air, and Katara inhaled sharply, eyes wounded and understanding at the same time. Her eyes watered, and she swallowed. "You're right," she murmured. "I'm a coward. When it comes to... the heart, I'm a coward. I'll face Azula during Sozin's Comet, but this conversation is somehow harder. It's scary. It's... more real."
Zuko stared at her, eyes roaming her body, and he felt his anger begin to drain away. "So, you've avoided it," he concluded, tired; he felt like a hollow husk. "And I've been avoiding it, too. I'm a coward, too."
"Maybe I've needed to hear you say it first. We're both cowards."
His tongue gave life to the words that he had never uttered to anyone else. "I want you to be mine."
Silence.
"You love me?" Katara whispered, the tears in her eyes vivid to his eyes.
Zuko clenched his jaw to revive his fury; the sight of her tears threatened the existence of his rage. "A lot of good it's done me," he mumbled, turning away from her. "You still want Aang. You want the almighty Avatar instead of the maimed Fire Lord."
"What?" she demanded. A soft but determined hand pulled at his arm, and he looked down at her. She looked displeased. "I don't want Aang, Zuko."
He inhaled slowly, trying to lessen his temper. "Then what was that reaction when King Bumi mentioned you not being the Mother of the Air Nomads, huh?"
Katara gasped and let go of his arm; she wrapped her arms around herself. "I've never wanted to be the Mother of Air," she whispered, words floating in the air, coiling around Zuko. "That pressure is impossible. Azula can handle it, I know; she basks under that pressure. But... I've always wanted to be a mother, Zuko. It's the one thing that I knew. I mean, even before I learned that I was a Waterbender, even before I wanted to become a Master Waterbender, I always knew that I would be a mother. It's what I wanted. It made me feel close with my mother, especially after she died. So, whenever I hear that title of Mother of Air, like its the... model of Motherhood, I can't help but feel immediately that I would be amazing for it even though I don't want that pressure; I never have wanted that pressure. But whenever I hear it, I think that no one could do what I could because I would be the best. Or I would like to think that, at least, but apparently, people… feel differently."
"I'm sorry," he whispered, anger gone, replaced by shame, gnawed at his heart like a Dragon. "I… I shouldn't have…"
"What else were you supposed to think?" she asked with an unamused laugh, wiping away the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I always thought that I would be married by now; I thought I would find that love of my life. I mean, Sokka found Suki during the Great War, and they've been married ever since. Every day, I see them, and I love them, but I'm so jealous and... bitter. At first, I thought I had that, too, with Aang - but that was so far from the truth. Him and I, there was nothing. I wasn't his girlfriend; I was his mother. It was horrible and so... bland and uninspiring; there was no love made of passion. No woman wants to be a mother to her love, least of all to her husband. And I was a mother to Aang, nothing more. But there was grief because... that dream I had of having that great love was gone. But no one in my Tribe caught my eye even though I was looking. And now look at me. I have no one. Every other girl my age back at my Tribe is married, with children or soon-to-be with children. I'm almost twenty-three. It's humiliating, and it's... shameful for my Tribe because I'm the Chief's daughter." A fresh onslaught of tears welled in her eyes, and she angrily swiped them away, and Zuko only listened, unsure of what to do or say. "My father was understanding at first; he had slowly begun to pressure me to marry, and he accepted my disapproval for all the men from the Northern Tribe. But eventually, it wasn't enough. After so long, my father became more insistent."
Zuko nodded, having a keen understanding of the political nature of marriages for children of rulers. "You were betrothed, weren't you?"
The thought filled him with rage.
Katara shook her head, to his relief. "No. He gave me an ultimatum. He said that I had two years to marry a worthy husband of my choosing from a list that he had created, someone who would bring a good alliance for my Tribe, or I would be married, whether I liked it or not, to… to King Kuei."
Silence.
"If it helps, I would have had Kuei assassinated," he offered, feeling awkward, unsure of what else to say. The rage was there, particularly since he knew exactly what kind of man Kuei had become, but Hakoda could have never known that. He knew how much Hakoda loved Katara; he had seen it firsthand during the Great War. It was also a remarkably lenient deal when compared to many of the horror stories he had heard and seen.
Katara stared at him with wide eyes before she laughed. "That's sweet," she murmured, warmth and fondness in her gaze; she looked better.
"It's diplomatic," Zuko corrected.
Another laugh escaped her, and he felt lighter at the sound. "Your name was on the list, you know. It was the only one underlined."
His eyes widened in surprise. "What? Really?"
Katara's smile faded, and she bowed her head. "Your name was the only name on the list that I wanted. You were the best candidate; you always have been, and you always will be. That's why, when your letter arrived, I was thrilled to leave. I mean, I was nervous - really nervous - to see you again, but I was excited, too."
Zuko remembered those first weeks when Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Toph had come to the Caldera. "That does explain some things," he said. "But I had no idea about- "
She looked sad and disheartened. "Why would you? When we arrived at the Fire Nation, I was so… shocked by how beautiful you had become; you were no longer that amazing and familiar boy I once knew. You had become a man. I had never minded the thought of marrying you; you would bring the strongest alliance for my Tribe. We always shared such a connection, and I always desired that in my future husband. That's why I was so desperate to talk to you at first, why I wanted… wanted to get you to forgive me. I was so foolish; a marriage with you seemed like the solution to my problem. I was... crazy. I had unrealistic expectations. I thought you would forgive everything wrong I did just like that - as if I ever forgave you that easily when you joined us."
He remembered his diligence in earning her forgiveness and smiled. "You earned it just like I did. I probably took too long to forgive you like you did me, but... I'm not opposed. I mean, I'm attracted to you; I always have been."
Katara didn't look surprised by his admission. "Maybe my father knew that; maybe that's why he put your name on the list even though you never messaged him to express interest in marrying me."
Silence.
Zuko felt the urge to touch her, but he refrained. "I'm sorry I called you a coward. I think you're... not a coward," he finished awkwardly. "You're not Airbender-like."
He thought his words would reassure her, but for some reason, she looked defeated. "Airbender," she whispered, forlorn. "Look at Aang. He's found his Mother of Air with Azula of all people. I mean, Azula."
"I know," Zuko consoled.
Katara's vivid blue eyes snared his in desperation. "Do you?" she demanded in a whisper. "Do you? The woman who I hated more than anyone but my mother's murderer gets that model of Motherhood that I always wanted even though I didn't want it. And she's found that love of her life, hasn't she?"
Following a sudden instinct, Zuko spoke, "You've found it, too - if you want it. I mean, with me."
She stared up at him with wide eyes, unmoving for several tense moments, and Zuko was certain that she could feel the blood surging through his body with her waterbending. "Really?" she asked, voice barely audible, but the beautiful smile that began to stretch her lips signaled her delight.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you - or offer you."
Katara sniffed and wiped away her tears, the smile somehow getting more beautiful; her eyes shone brilliantly as she approached him. "I've thought about it," she whispered. "I keep thinking that we would be perfect for each other; we've always shared that connection. Even as enemies when you were the hot-headed, banished Fire Prince, I always felt that you challenged me in ways that others didn't. With you, just reacquainting with you since I abandoned you, something that you forgave me for that I didn't deserve, I feel I'm my best self, Zuko. I desire to stay with you all of the time and I felt empty during the years when we didn't speak because of me. I've imagined this, but... I never thought it could be real."
Zuko closed the distance between them, but he kept his arms at his side. "It's real if you want it to be. "
A laugh of disbelief escaped her, but her eyes were fond. "Have you not been listening?"
"I'm an idiot," he muttered in embarrassment.
"Then we're perfect for each other - because I'm just as big of an idiot." Her beautiful blue eyes stared up at him with determination. "I've never been in love before, Zuko. All that I've heard are the stories from my Gran-gran, father, and mother. But whatever this thing is between us, what we have, feels a lot like what they told me. I'm sorry I didn't take that chance, but I'm taking it now." She licked her lips, and Zuko's eyes were drawn to the action; he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her a lot. And he wanted to do a lot more than that. "I want it, Zuko; I want you. Do you want me, too?"
It was unbecoming for a Fire Lord - at least an honorable one - to suddenly kiss a woman, but Zuko had always struggled with his honor. He leaned down and captured her lips with his, pulling her body closer. Katara's hands rested on his chest, and she gripped his tunic, puling them even closer. Their lips slowly massaged one another's, gaining strength and vitality, and Zuko felt the instincts that he had denied since Katara had come back into his life roar in demand for fulfillment. Their passion became fervent, lips insistent and bodies burning. Katara's hands slipped from his chest to reach around and grip his shoulders, and Zuko grunted, pulling back even though he wanted nothing more than to continue.
The fire in his loins threatened to raze his trousers.
"That was a yes in case it wasn't clear," he said after several moments of trying to reorient himself, mesmerized by the smile on her face and the light in her eyes.
Katara laughed and rested her head on his chest, face turned to the side. "It wasn't hard to figure out. But you're right - we should take it slow."
Zuko blinked. "What? When did I say that?"
She pulled back and stared up at him, and his eyes were drawn to her lips. "That's why you stopped, isn't it?"
He didn't want to take it slow at all. He wanted nothing more than to take her back to his room and spill the fire, but he refused to admit the real reason why he stopped, so he nodded slowly, feeling defeated. "Yes."
Satisfied, Katara hummed as she placed her head back on his chest. "You're a good man."
"Unfortunately," Zuko muttered.
Another beautiful laugh echoed in his ears, and somehow, it was okay. Zuko was content to hold her.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Holy smokes! That was the longest chapter I have ever written. I'll try to keep that from happening again. Well, that's this one, folks! Please leave a review and tell me what you thought! I would really appreciate it!
So, a lot, and I mean A LOT of stuff happened in this chapter:
**Aang makes it back to the Southern Air Temple on the day of Sozin's Comet! I really hope that the meeting between the Elders was realistic. I tried to highlight the stark contrasts between Gyatso and the others. Honestly, it seemed kind of Canon to me that the Air Nomads were hypocritical. They preached freedom, but they regulated their way of life very strictly; they had rules for everything. That is NOT freedom and while I may be misinterpreting things, I don't think that I am.
Also, who else was confused when Elder Pasang was going to send Aang to the Eastern Air Temple? It never made sense to me that Aang still had more training to do with airbending; he was the youngest Master in history. (The only thing that makes sense is that he still needs to learn about the deep knowledge of his culture, that's it.) You don't become a Master unless you have perfected the forms. He shouldn't need any more training but then I realized who was most likely at the Eastern Air Temple: Guru Pathik! The Air Nomads had refused to message the other nations of Sozin's lust for conquest and that is terrible, but they couldn't have just been sitting there like sitting ducks, right? They must have had a plan, especially since the Avatar was borne of them, regardless of their pacifistic ideals, so I thought that they would want Aang to master the Avatar State early to stop Sozin's war. Otherwise, if they had been serious about Aang starting his Avatar training early, they would have sent him to one of the Water Tribes to master waterbending.
Aang meets with Gyatso and they get a reunion! I wanted Aang to have closure with his father figure and the Air Nomads. Although he had doomed his younger self to a century's sleep, he still hadn't fully accepted what had happened to the Air Nomads, how he was all alone. He had thought that he could still have both lives, the one of the past and future, but he couldn't; it was unrealistic. One had to be annihilated and Aang, ultimately, chose the past. Gyatso was able to explain to him and set his mind straight about the Air Nomads. They had become stagnant in their beliefs and as a result, they had distanced themselves from the true teachings and ideology of airbending. They had become callous and cold; they had fallen, indeed, from what they once were. Aang and Gyatso get to say goodbye to each other, which I thought would be very crucial for Aang in his journey of acceptance. A lot of people, when their family members die, don't get that closure, that message of goodbye that they so desperately needed. Aang had to wait over eight years and then travel over a century to the past, but eventually, he does get that precious gift.
Sozin is who kills Gyatso and I really struggled to do that scene. When we find Gyatso's skeleton in the show, there are dozens and dozens of Fire Nation soldiers' corpses and skulls. That tells you immediately that Gyatso fought them and was an absolute badass by killing them all. While we don't know why he went against his pacifistic ideals in Canon, in this story, it was to protect Aang from being discovered as he tried to get him back to his own time. Now, as for Gyatso's death, I struggled with it, too. From his skeleton, there weren't any blunt force trauma or blackened bones. He also still had most of his Air Nomad garbs, and the beaded necklace was still intact. So, there couldn't have been a fireblast or lightning strike because those would have blackened his bones, destroyed parts of the body, and destroyed the necklace and clothes. (I'm aware that since it was a kid's show, they wouldn't have shown stuff like that anyway, but I want things to line up.) Since Gyatso was such a badass, Sozin is the only one who can kill him, and I created the raising inner body temperature; that is very deadly! A Firebender as powerful as Sozin, especially under the power of Sozin's Comet, could effortlessly do that; it would kill someone from the inside out and be undetectable by looking at a skeleton – so it lines up with Canon!
Afiko is actually a real character in Avatar: The Last Airbender. He was known as the Betrayer because he gave the Fire Nation, and thus, Sozin the location of the Air Temples. He was never mentioned or given screen time in the tv show, but he was in the ATLA card game and that is where his story was created. I always liked the idea of an Airbender betraying the Air Nomads because Sozin and the Fire Nation had no idea where the Air Temples were, nonetheless how to get to them. For all they knew, the Air Nomads might have lived on small islands. In Canon, the Airbenders were all wiped out in a single day, the day of Sozin's Comet. Very few escaped and those who did were quickly found and killed. That type of operation takes vigorous, meticulous planning and the knowledge of the location and any weak points. Sozin could have NEVER known any of that unless he received the intel from a treacherous Airbender, so I included Afiko; he is – probably rightly so – disillusioned with the High Council of Elders and never liked Aang because he was envious. In case you're wondering, soundbending is at it sounds.
Aang kills him and while I'm aware that might seem out of character, Aang has killed before in Canon, remember? Look at the Northern Air Temple, the Northern Water Tribe, and General Fong's military base. Aang just experienced the most traumatic moment of his life and Afiko certainly deserves such a death; it was realistic, to me. While Aang couldn't kill Sozin, he could kill Afiko because Afiko was a nobody in history; time wouldn't change because Afiko's death and plus, Aang was feeling vengeful, and rightly so.
Aang and Sozin talk! I really wanted to, at the very least, have them meet eyes or something, but then the scene grew a head of its own. I hope that I depicted Sozin's madness but also his regret of Roku's death because I truly do believe that Sozin's always regretted what he did to Roku, but he was consumed by madness and lust for power, or in this story, consumed by Agni's and thus, Vaatu's darkness. Sozin's Dragon appears at the end but doesn't attack Aang because he could kill his bonded partner.
**Hama is returning and has allied with Ozai, Vaatu, and any and all who have allied with them! Boy, the Gaang is going to have their hands full against the enemy. I added the part of Vaatu healing Hama by flooding her chi with dark energy because I think that it makes sense. Because of her imprisonment, her torment by the Fire Nation, and her hiding in a Fire Nation village for decades, thus not being able to bend in front of others, Hama was left very weak and old. In my opinion, it was shown in the Imprisoned episode of the show that the Earthbenders had lost their will to bend their element in the Fire Nation's boat prison. They were weak and looked old. This means that if a bender ignores the calling to their element, health concerns arise. Hama wasn't able to bend in sight of people for decades. As a result, her body suffered tremendously. Vaatu flooded her chi with dark energy which, with the help of her own Water chi on the night of a full moon, healed her body, restoring her to what she would look like currently if her body had been taken care of.
In Canon, Guru Pathik is 150 years old and is in great shape and more importantly, health. He is a non-bender; he has no element under his control so the only explanation for his lifespan would be that of his spiritual connection and thus, more importantly, his chi. Benders live far longer because of their chi. A non-bender is the same as a regular human, so they have a lifespan that is about 75 years, give or take a few. A regular bender's chi is stronger than a non-bender's and as a result, their lifespan is doubled or so compared to a non-bender's. This also means that there are health benefits for those with good chi flow and who are also powerful benders. Women, specifically, are different if they are benders and have a good chi flow. Women, from what I've gathered by reading through some stuff (although I may be wrong and feel free to correct me), can continue to have children as long as their hormones are still active; then menopause doesn't happen. Here's the link where I found that information: www . medicalnewstoday articles / 320228 . p h p (Remove all of the spaces.) So, this means that anyone who has mastered their chakras, and thus their chi flow, will live longer than normal benders, and also, of course, have their hormones in a permanent state of awakening. In case you don't understand: their bodies would have all of their chi flowing through them at all times, so as long as they don't pollute their chakras and block their flow, they won't have to worry about their hormones shutting down for a really long time.
So, a bender could have children a lot later in life than non-benders. I think that it's already Canon because of how Zuko and Azula's lineage through their mother, Ursa is really, really strange. For regular humans/non-benders, it would be impossible for Avatar Roku to be Ursa's maternal grandfather. Remember, Roku died 112 years before the beginning of the show when he was only 70-years-old; his wife, Ta Min was around the same age as he was. Their daughter, Rina must have been, at the very least, in her early 30's, if not older - Ta Min was never shown to be a bender, so she wouldn't be able to birth children at a later age - at the time of her father's death, but Ursa was born about 30 years before the beginning of the show, so over 70 years later, give or take a few. So that means, for this to work, Ursa's mother, Rina must have been about 100-years-old, if not older, at the day of Ursa's birth - and she must be a bender, too. It doesn't add up unless the rules of aging and physiology are different between benders and non-benders. (Clearly, the issue stems from the creators not doing all of the math in advance, and not intending for Zuko to be descended from Avatar Roku – and/or for Roku to be Sozin's best friend/contemporary – until later on after much had already been decided.) Also, this could be how Fire Lady Ilah was able to give birth to Ozai after 20 years since Iroh's birth.
There are many examples of the different lifespans. The timeline in Avatar, for me, is based on the original timeline before the creators changed stuff and retconned it. (If you visit www . Avatarspirit . net that is where you can see the timeline – just remove the spaces.) In the Siege of the North Part. 2 episode, Koh reveals that Avatar Kuruk tried to murder him over 900 years ago by the time the series had started! This would mean that Kuruk lived for a very long time. Avatar Kyoshi was then born over 500 years later, 300 years before Aang was born. That means that Kuruk was probably well over 500-years-old when he died - that is at least half a millennium! (I know that it says that Kuruk lived to be only 33-years-old on the Avatar Wikia, but I think that that is utterly ridiculous and the only reason why that happened was that the creators changed the timeline after it had already been EXPLICITLY stated in an episode that Kuruk was alive eight or nine centuries before the end of the Great War.) Kyoshi lives for 230 years and then, Avatar Roku and Sozin were born on the same day in 82 BG (Before Genocide). Roku dies 12 years before the Air Nomads Genocide, so at 12 BG - meaning that he was 70-years-old and VERY young for an Avatar - and then Aang is born.
Fire Lord Azulon is born the year of the Air Nomads' Genocide while Aang is in the Iceberg and Fire Lord Sozin then kills off the Air Nomads at 0 BG/AG. Sozin searches for the remainder of his long life hunting for the Avatar and apparently, felt regret at what he had done to Roku in his final years. "As I feel my own life dimming, I can't help but think of a time when everything was so much brighter." Eventually, Sozin dies and Azulon takes the Dragon's Throne. He died at 93-years-old because Ursa killed him, otherwise, he would have lived a long life like his father. In the Zuko Alone episode, near the end of it, it is revealed that Fire Lord Azulon only reigned as the Fire Lord for 23 years. That means that Sozin lived to be 153-years-old! I don't think it is that far-fetched at all considering that Pathik was 150-years-old when he was revealed – and is still alive in this story. So powerful benders, indeed, or those with exquisite chi flows like Pathik do live for a lot longer than non-benders!
**For those who might think that Azula is out of character, I respectfully disagree. In the show, Azula was 15-years-old, a teenager who was raised by a monster - Ozai. She never had the chance to become a true person. That is apparent in the episode, The Beach in Season Three. Azula is now 23, an adult; she has healed from the abuse that she had suffered in her childhood. Thanks to Aang's work, she has also learned that it is okay to show emotions and say how you feel. For her whole life, Azula had to be a miniature Ozai because it was revealed that she sought her father's love as much as Zuko did, but now she has chosen not to be that person anymore because she doesn't want to be. Deep down, she recognized that she needed to change, and she took the necessary steps to ensure that happened. Azula, when she was younger, felt emotions just like everybody but was forced to ignore them, stuffing them down; it was similar to how Katara dealt with her grief over her mother's death. That is NOT healthy. I believe, based on the evidence in the show, that the reason for Azula's mental breakdown was a result of her continuous use of the 'stuffing down' coping mechanism. Remember, her mother was gone, and as far as Azula ever knew, had abandoned her after murdering her grandfather. Her father was an abusive, tyrannical, monstrous piece of shit who deserved death. Zuko was gone for a long time; he had his banishment, first, but when she gave him everything that he ever wanted, which included his titles, his life back, his father's love, he left her by choice. Iroh never showed any care, in all honesty. I do love Iroh, but he definitely dropped the ball on Azula; he could have kept an eye on her as he did with Zuko, but to be blunt, he was simply too focused on his nephew, who may have reminded him of Lu Ten.
Azula will still have a dark edge to her, but she will not be the psychopath/sociopath who many think that she was depicted to be in the show. I've always liked Azula's character but felt that she could have been so much more than what she was. With enough effort and time, I could easily see Azula being like how I have depicted her.
**The Fire Nation hailed the Dragons as their nation's symbol. It bothered me, that in Canon, Sozin just simply wiped them out because he wanted to. That honestly doesn't make sense, especially, with the Dragons as their symbol of power and strength. So, I made some stuff up that seemed realistic. Based on real human history, animals have been known to destroy crops and thus, food for humans; the mating grounds are real, too.
**Sokka and Aang finally confront each other! Now, I wanted Sokka to not really understand why Aang felt abandoned because Aang was the one who never visited except for that one time. Eventually, everything all boils down to the fact that none of the Gaang EVER talked about what they would be doing after the Great War. I think that would be the most realistic thing for a bunch of children and teenagers who are so focused on a goal that they lose sight of what will happen afterward. It explains everything perfectly as to how Aang and all of the others were expecting different things to happen; they never thought the same because they never talked about it!
**Bumi is now the temporary King of Ba Sing Se until his grandson, Bor is fit to take the throne. If you don't remember, at the beginning of the story, it is mentioned that Toph stayed in Omashu for a while. There, she met Bor and the two somehow hit it off. They became lovers and then something happened between them.
When Bumi is introduced, Aang never mentioned and it is never shown that Bumi was a Prince in the flashbacks. I think that the challenging the heir for the throne is more attuned to the Earth Kingdom's society.
I know that Zaofu is a city in Legend of Korra, but I needed a good city for one of the four Major Cities in the Earth Kingdom. I always thought that it was interesting how there were different Kings in the Earth Kingdom. There was the King of Ba Sing Se - Kuei - and the King of Omashu - Bumi. Surely, there are other Major Cities as the Earth Kingdom is the largest of the nations geographically. I added Zaofu and Chyung so that there would be four Major Cities. Now, Bumi's bloodline will be the ruling families of both Ba Sing Se and Omashu.
**Zuko and Katara finally express their feelings and agree to take it slow. Well, Katara more than Zuko.
So, that's it. Please, leave a review and tell me what you think! I would really appreciate it!
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ButtonPusher
