Katara was unconscious when they reached her again. Luckily, she was still breathing. Aang quickly scooped her up in his strong arms and ran out of the forest as fast as his legs would allow him to. Zuko and Sokka followed behind at a slower pace. They has to guide their new prisoners' after all.

Once they exited the forest, Aang blew his bison whistle for Appa to return. They waited in silence, too scared to talk. Katara looked lifeless, and it terrified the three men. When Appa landed, they all quickly boarded.

The new prisoners were shivering and huddling in the back of Appa's saddle. Zuko was watching them like a hawk as he carefully tried to warm Katara's freezing body. A light snow was falling, and the crystals were gathering on her dress. Zuko knew that he had to keep her warm... or else.

For the first time that night, he really got to look at her. She was as beautiful as she had ever been. Her pale face and sunken eyes did not deter her beauty. She was fearless and was no doubt fighting the battle internally.

When she showed up at the palace three years ago, she wasn't the girl he remembered rescuing the Avatar from him. No, she was heartbroken and a shell of the person she once was. Zuko and Mai were more than happy to help her enjoy herself again, but it was difficult to watch her mourn the loss of her love and best friend. It took every ounce of patience Zuko had to not strangle Aang as they sailed away from the North Pole three years ago. It took even more patience to not hunt Aang down and make him make things right again.

But Zuko knew that wasn't his place. It wasn't even Sokka's place. The fight was Katara and Aang's. If they wanted to sit around and do nothing about it, then that was their choice. Sooner or later, their destinies would win.

Like it had now.

Sokka was steering Appa with fierce determination. It was the only thing he could do besides stare at Katara. He hated to see her like this, and he was desperate for her to wake up and boss him around. He'd even take a water whip to the back of the head. The next few hours were going to feel like days for him and steering Appa was the only thing he could do to help.

Aang was sitting in the front of Appa's saddle, with his back to Sokka. He couldn't mediate with the man staring at him. It made him too nervous while he attempted to cross into the Spirit World and consult one of his past lives... any of his past lives. He really needed their help.

After what felt like forever, Aang felt his body shift. When he opened his eyes, he was still sitting in Appa's saddle. They were still flying in the sky, but everyone else was gone. He was alone except for the older Fire Nation man that sat before him. "Avatar Roku!" Aang exclaimed in delight.

"Hello, Aang," the man greeted back. His voice was less enthused than Aang's, but it was still affectionate. Since the end of the war, Aang consulted Roku and the other Avatars on a regular bases. He was never thought how to be the Avatar, so he liked to get their opinions on a lot of things. In the more recent years, the meets grew further and further apart.

"Roku, I desperately need your help. Katara-"

Roku interrupted him. "Yes, I was wondering when I would get to talk to you today. Your dear Katara has fallen ill with the Spirit's Bomb. You see, spirit whispers are a rare anomaly. There is one once in every thousand years. It is so strange that there was three right before us."

"Did you know when I talked to you earlier this week?" Aang asked feeling like he had been lied to. On their first trip to the mountain range, Aang had contacted Roku and Yangchen, but neither of them mentioned spirit whisperers."

"We knew that it was a thing, but we did not know that it pertained to this case. Alchemists can use their dark magic in ways that impact the Spirit World. We knew there were spirit whisperers among you, but we didn't know who or where."

"Roku," Aang sighed in exhaustion. "I didn't even know spirit whisperers existed, and now they are going to kill Katara."

Avatar Roku gave Aang a smile out of pity. "There is so much you do not know, Aang. There are things you will never know until you join us in the Spirit World. There is no reason for you to beat yourself up over something so unusual."

Aang nodded as he digested Roku's words. He couldn't possibly know everything. That's what his past lives were for. "What do we do about this Spirit Bomb?"

"Ah, the Spirit Bomb. Such poisons are few and far between that the past Avatars and I were hoping it had vanished all together. Of course, there are some potions still passed down from generation to generation. You might even remember some Air Nomad secrets that would be considered strange or inhumane today."

Aang knew exactly what Roku was talking about. He had the same thought when he was restoring the Air Temples. Times had changed so much that the ancient ways were almost barbaric. "Yes, I do."

Roku leaned in closer to Aang. "The solution to most poisons are so simple and silly that they almost seem preposterous. In this instance, a spirt has injured Katara. You have already taken the first step and healed her as a spirit. Now, you must deactivate the poison." Roku paused and made an unusual face at Aang. It was almost like he was embarrassed.

"What is it, Roku?"

"You must draw the poison out of her body."

"How? No one was able to detect it in the first place."

"It is so small that it is often missed, especially if you don't know what it is. Katara mistook it as an infection and didn't think of it again once she had been healed. To detect it, you will have to focus all of your energy on her."

At the suggestion, Aang blushed. How could he tell Roku that he always focused all of energy on Katara? It had been that way ever since she freed him from the iceberg. Or did he already know?

Roku continued, oblivious to Aang's wandering mind. "You will use her chi to pull the poison out of her body through her mouth with... yours."

Aang's eyes went wide at the strange technique. "My... mouth?

"Yes, as if you are kissing her. It's like sucking the poison out of a snake bite. Once the poison is out, you will spit it out."

Aang was speechless at Roku's odd solution. He tried to say something multiple times, but his mouth just opened and closed like a fish. In a slightly higher pitched voice than normal, Aang asked, "Is that all?"

Roku let out a light chuckle at the man's embarrassment, and he felt pity for him again. If he was this embarrassed to talk about it, it would be a difficult action to perform. "Yes, Aang. That is all."

"Thank you, Avatar Roku," Aang told the older man with a bow. Roku returned the gesture and vanished into the clouds.


One year later...

The streets of the Southern Water Tribe's market were booming despite the winter chill. The members of the tribe were wearing traditional costumes and happily enjoying the food and music of their ancestors. Games were being played by children and adults, and bets were being taken on when the next royal heir would be born. The streets were also flooded with bright colors from foreigners. Ships of people from all four nations had gathered in the South Pole for the Glacier Spirits Festival and the royal wedding.

It was the day of the Winter Solstice, and Aang and Katara are getting married at sunset. Their reception would take place under the stars and the beautiful Southern Lights. Famous guests were also in attendance. They included Toph, King Bumi, King Kuei, Chief Arnook and his wife, Iroh, and more. They were all getting ready for the wedding in the palace.

The palace was decorated in blues and yellows. There were twice as many flowers and decorations than at Sokka and Suki's wedding, but the guest list was also bigger. Inside the grand ballroom, white chairs were set up in rows and rows, but it wouldn't be enough.

Katara was in her own hut being pampered by maids and enjoying the company of her closets friends. Mai, Toph, Suki, and an adorable little Tonraq were gushing over how beautiful Katara looked in her wedding dress.

It was unlike any dress that Katara had ever worn before. It had long kimono sleeves with a fur lining and a tight corset. The neckline plunged between her breasts, and there was a slight in the satin fabric that displayed her right leg. The entire dress was covered in white crystals with the exception of navy blue gems around the bottom.

The starkness of the dress was breathtaking compared to her mocha skin and mahogany hair. Katara had opted for her hair to be curled in luxurious waves down her back with her hair loopies staying in the front. Her make up was natural with a hint of white glitter. She looked like a spirit.

Mai had decided to wear a less extravagate formal robe than normal. Her dress was a deep burgundy with a ribbon around her waist. The ribbon had a fire print on it and reached below her knees. Her shoulders were perked and pointy by golden shoulder pads. Her fire crown sat on top of her usual hairstyle. Her make up was golden, and her lips were burgundy as well.

Toph had selected an outfit that was similar to the dress she wore when she had first met Katara and Aang. The sleeves were a muted yellow, a golden Bei Fong insignia on her chest, and white fabric that lead to loose pantlegs. Her hair was up, out of her face, and held back by a jeweled headband. As usual, she opted for little to no make up.

Out of admiration and respect for the Avatar, Suki had decided to wear her traditional Kyoshi Warrior uniform, complete with the headpiece and make up. She also looked just like she did when she first met the happy couple.

Suki and Sokka now had another person to match. Their son, Tonraq, was almost nine months old. He had a cute attitude and a big personality. He adored attention, and didn't seem to mind the formal clothing that his parents dressed him in. Today, he was wearing black formal ensemble and was ready for his role in the wedding cermony.

"And you're moving to the Southern Air Temple?" Suki asked with a slight frown. She was sad to see Katara leave the South Pole, but she was also happy that they were staying close by. Sokka, Suki, and Tonraq could visit often.

"Yes," Katara squealed in delight. "We'll be alone at first, but then some of the Air Ayocotes will join us."

Toph scoffed at the statement. "Well, I have a lot of money on the royal heir being born within the next year, so make me proud."

Katara glared at her friend's comment. Although she was wanting to start a family as soon as possible, she knew that the spirits would allow it to happen when the time was right. "Oh yes," she replied sarcastically. "We wouldn't want to disappoint you, Toph."

"All that time alone..." Suki trailed off at the thought. She would love nothing more than to run away with her tiny family for forever. "Tonraq would love a cousin."

Katara laughed, but she secretly wanted the same. Family had always been important to her.

"I'm so glad you two were able to finally realize your feelings for each other," Mai added with a toothless smile. She was genuinely happy for them, but more happy that she didn't have to see them sulk any longer.

"It took him a while to earn back my forgiveness, but we have stronger ever since." Katara's words couldn't have been more true. After the whole Nuka situation calmed down, Aang had stayed in the South Pole like he promised. When he did have to leave for his Avatar duties, he took Katara with him. They were inseparable once they had finally cleared the air around them and Katara let go of all her harsh feelings.

There were times when Katara still had her doubts. Nightmares would haunt her of the things she didn't want to know from their time apart, but Aang was always there to reassure her that he loved her. She was the only one for him, and he was the only one for her. They had known that for a long time.

The girls continued to gush about their love story until a maid had returned to gather them.

It was time.

The other girls departed her hut before her and made their way to the palace together.

Hakoda stood with his back facing the door outside of her hut. The sight of him in his Chief robes and warrior paint made Katara swallow hard. She had been dreaming of this day since she was child. The only thing that would have made it more perfect would be if her mother was there with them.

Katara tapped her father on the shoulder, and he turned to greet her with tears in his eyes. "You look beautiful, Katara," he gushed as he took in the sight of her. She was all grown up. He could no longer deny that. He pulled her into a tight and emotional embrace. "You look just like your mother."

When they parted, Hakoda offered her his arm. Together, they began their short journey to the palace.

"Do you think she would be proud?" Katara asked. It was a question that had been on her mind all morning.

Hakoda immediately replied. "I think you make her proud everyday. Today is no exception."

With tears threatening to overflow, Katara told him, "I wish she was here."

"Me too."

Silence filled the rest of their walk to the palace. The entire tribe was stuffed in the ballroom waiting for them. It felt nice to share these moments with just her father. After the Nuka situation, Hakoda had deeply apologized for his interference in her love life. He knew that he shouldn't have threatened to marry her off, but he was just a man. Men make mistakes, and they rarely think about the consequences. It took a while, but Katara forgave him too.

Once the entered the palace, the ceremony officially started. By the time they made it to ballroom, the doors were closed. That meant that everyone was inside and waiting to see her for the first time.

Katara sucked in a deep breath, and her father looked at her in concern. "It's not too late, you know. We can still make a run for it, if that's what you want." His suggestion sounded like a joke, but he meant every word. He was on her side now, no matter what. He knew that he would never do anything again that could result in him losing his daughter.

Katara giggles at his words. There was no way she was running. This was what she wanted. Aang was who she wanted, and she couldn't wait for him to official be hers. "No," she said in a confident voice. She shook out her nerves and told her father. "I want Aang."

At her words, the bridal march could be heard through the heavy, wooden doors. There were two finely dressed guards that pulled open the double door to reveal the Avatar's love.