Special thanks to starlightz1112,almostinsane,Cala Akina Morushiku, nonesofar,Fran, Mystic Water Bender3, frozonedude12, albr62,Tree Flower,Junkfood, Kiriko-sama,LittleYugiBoy,Gmasangel, Animeloverja,TMW, Sirius123,fanfictionfun, queenyasha,twiztidchick666, me-obviously,Yumi Katsura, lida, and Avtr1200
for reviewing. :)
Disclaimer: didn't own it when I started, don't own it now.
Here's the last chapter! It's kind of on the short side but originally this was supposed to be added to the last chapter as a really long chapter but I saw the opportunity for a cliffhanger with Zuko siding with his sister so I took it. :) Anyway it's been a real pleasure writing and thank you so much to all my readers. You really kept this fic going. I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing this,
sincerely Novembermists.
It was a few days later. The fever had taken Zhao's life and most of the crew on board. Azula and Ryu made it with about ten of the crew members. The rest were given a respected fire bender funeral ritual and were buried at sea. Azula was still weak along with the ten survivors and she was at the mercy of her brother. Ryu had his arm around her tightly putting a wet cloth to her head. Ryu was fortunate not to have been affected by the fever. No one had spoken to Zuko since, not even Katara.
"I heard what you said."Azula said looking at Zuko one morning.
"Did you?"Zuko asked not meeting her eyes tending to another crew member.
"You said you'd take Aang back to the fire nation that your loyalties lie with your family."she said a smile growing on her lips. Katara looked at Zuko.
"Yes. And I plan to."He replied. Azula smiled.
"I knew you'd smarten up."she said. Katara glared at Zuko through tears.
"If you think were going to let you take Aang your wrong!"she yelled and turned and ran.
"Katara!"yelled Sokka about to get up and run after her. MaKala grabbed his hand. He blushed.
"Let her be."she said. Aang glared at Zuko his gray eyes reduced to slits.
"I'll get her."Zuko said.
"You stay away from her filthy fire bender!"Sokka snarled shoving Zuko. Zuko's ember eyes narrowed.
"Watch it peasant, the fire benders here out number you."Zuko said and turned entering the forest. Iroh sighed and frowned shaking his head.
"Once Katara is back we are leaving while we still have the chance."said Sokka. Zuko walked entered the forest tracking Katara's footprints. He found her leaning against a tree crying.
"Katara?"Zuko said softly. She glared at him.
"Go away."she snapped. Zuko walked over to her and kissed her gently. Katara pulled away.
"What are you doing?"She yelled.
"I think I'm in love with you."Zuko said.
"What- well- you have a weird way of showing it! Your siding with your insane sister!"Katara yelled.
"I said that I am taking Aang to the fire nation and that my loyalties lie with my family. Katara you and Sokka and Aang have been more of a family to me than my own father and sister. You guys and my uncle are my only family now. And yeah I'm going to take Aang to the fire nation, I'm taking him to the fire nation to defeat my father."Zuko said. Katara gasped and smiled and hugged him tightly.
"I never should have doubted you!"she cried kissing him softly smiling but than she frowned. "What about us? I mean I'm a water bender and your prince of the fire nation."she said.
"I'm a banished prince,"Zuko corrected her with a small smile holding her close.
"And once my father is defeated I will become fire lord and than things are going to change. If you want to you could be uh..fire que-um- uh-"said Zuko and he blushed. Katara blushed as well. "Well we can think about those things later."Zuko said. Katara smiled and kissed him. They walked back to the camp site together. When they got their Azula was crying holding a letter a hawk sitting on her shoulder.
"Azula whats wrong?"Zuko asked. Sokka walked over to Katara.
"Are you alright?"He asked. Katara smiled.
"Never better."she chimed happily. Sokka frowned scratching his head. Katara whispered to them what Zuko had said about them being his family.
"I-i-it's n-not fair!"Azula cried. Ryu was holding her tightly with a small frown. Zuko gingerly grabbed the letter and attempted to read it through the tear stains Azula had made.
Azula,
You will come home at once. Let Admiral Zhao continue searching for the Avatar and your treacherous brother. I have chosen a husband for you!
sincerely,
Fire Lord Ozai.
Zuko looked at his sister.
"I wanted to be with Ryu! I worked so hard to get him up in rank- it's not fair!"she sobbed again. Ryu held her tightly.
"You love him?"Katara said looking at Ryu than back to Azula. "And you can't have him?"Katara asked. Azula sobbed loudly. Katara put her hand on Azula's shoulder.
"Where do your loyalties lie Azula?"she asked. Azula stared at Katara. "I mean, from what I've seen, your only loyal to yourself."Katara continued.
"Shut up you water bending peasant!"Azula yelled.
"Are you loyalties really going to lie with your father who has kept this insane war going for longer than it should have gone? The man who wont let you be with your true love?"Katara said.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"Azula yelled. Zuko looked at Katara.
"Where are you getting with this?"He hissed.
"Love can take people to extreme lengths. Azula join us. Help Aang grow strong so he can defeat the fire lord. Than you can be with Ryu once the throne goes to Zuko."Katara said. Azula screamed.
"THE THRONE SHOULD BE MINE!"she howled insanely. "And it will be mine, Zuko's a traitor."she said.
"it's time for you to decide what you want more Azula. To rule the fire nation with a man you don't love, or to be with the man you love, and watch the world finally come to peace."said Katara. Azula narrowed her eyes and looked at Ryu.
"It's- impossible. It's a fools goal!"she hissed. Aang looked at her. "The avatar can't possibly defeat my father."she said looking at the ground."Plus I'd never side with you!"Azula growled at Zuko.
"Why because I'm a traitor?"Zuko said.
"You two used to be so close."Iroh said with a frown.
"BECAUSE MOM IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!"Azula screamed.
"The truth finally shows it's ugly face."Sokka said. Aang blinked. Azula cried onto Ryu's shoulder. Zuko faltered and looked at the ground.
"Azula, Zuko. I've met Ozara. She doesn't blame Zuko and you shouldn't either Azula."Aang said. Azula let out a slow sigh.
"Azula I love you. We will do what you want to do."Ryu said looking at Azula.
"My father is the fire lord. He is more powerful than you can imagine. But I'd rather see Zuko ruler than him, and I'd rather be with the one I love. If I were to rule the fire nation, I wouldn't really. The husband chosen for me would actually do everything. I'd just be a publicity figure. I will help you."Azula said. Aang smiled.
"Just remember you can only trust her as far as you can throw her."Zuko said. Azula stuck her tongue out at him.
"Next stop, Fire nation."Sokka said.
"First I have something to say!"Katara yelled. They looked at her. She grabbed Zuko's hand. "I am in love with Zuko, and he is in love with me!"she said. Sokka's jaw fell and Aang laughed. Zuko looked at Azula expecting some snide comment but nothing came. She was holding Ryu's hand and she smiled.
"BUT KATARA!"Sokka cried in protest.
"This is wonderful indeed!"Iroh said happily. Zuko smiled.
"I'm happy for you both."Aang said.
"I've finally decided where my loyalties lye. There with you, and Katara."he said. They smiled even Sokka.
"well what are we waiting for? Lets find me an earth bender teacher! Omashu here we come!"Aang yelled.
THE END
EPILOGUE
Aang learned earth bending from his old friend king Bumi and traveled with his friends to the fire nation. They all fought the fire lord together including Zuko, and Azula, but in the end Aang had to defeat him for himself. The war ended and peace was returned to the four nations. Zuko became fire lord and married Katara bringing the water and fire people, two very opposite cultures together creating a unique harmony. Azula married Ryu and of course often demanded to be part of the many plans Zuko had to make as fire lord. Iroh lived with his nephew and enjoyed telling Zuko's and Katara's children about all his adventures. Sokka became chief of his water tribe marrying MaKala joining the two water tribes, but often visited his sister and brother-in-law in the fire nation. Aang traveled the world keeping the peace and met a lovely young woman in the earth kingdom that he fell in love with and married despite the fact that he was a monk. He also kept in touch with the gypsy air benders and in time, the air nation came back. Momo and Appa lived long happy lives with Aang. Aang often visited his friends. There journey was finally over, but they had many other adventures after that.
