-Three days later, somewhere in the ocean, heading southeast-
Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling a heavy breath.
"Thank you, Captain. I think that'll be enough. I'll be retiring for the evening."
Zuko's officer leaned into a deep bow and left Zuko alone with his thoughts. He had just gone through a tedious meeting regarding recent attacks in the Fire Nation upon his departure. A group of rogue firebenders attacked the imperial palace shortly after Zuko had left, though they became disinterested upon realizing the Fire Lord's absence. "Azula."
Beams of moonlight, as bright as cosmic rays, turned the sea a-glow like shimmering silver. Zuko became hypnotized by the lullaby of the swell breaking against the hull. Lost in thought, his mind wandered back to memories of him and Azula as children. "She was horrible then too. I wonder what went wrong…what went astray."
Shaking himself from his trance, he descended the spiraling staircase to the deck of the ship. Glancing at the bow, he noticed the guards were missing. "Strange."
Before he took another step, a meteor of blue hellfire erupted in front of him, sending Zuko flying backwards, slamming against the rail. Groaning in pain at his now singed torso, he managed to stand up, only to see Azula standing before him, her amber eyes now ablaze like molten gold.
"Oh Zuzu. I wanted to apologize for being late to our family reunion. It seems you left before the party began. A true shame if you ask me. We would have had so much fun."
Azula launched a wall of blue fire at Zuko, catching him by surprise. He was barely able to clasp his hands together before kneeling, emitting his own flames, dissipating hers. The pain in his torso was nullified by the adrenaline as they began to duel. Flames ripped from their palms, illuminating the deck with bursts of blue and orange. Azula flipped over one of Zuko's strikes, landing behind him. She was about to release a beam of fire into his back before a sheet of metal from the deck was curled in front of her, blocking her attack. Toph emerged from the lower deck, standing in front of Zuko, looking down to her feet. A tear fell from Toph's face, before she angrily wiped it and bellowed at Azula, pointing to her chest.
"You! You killed my parents…how could you? I wasn't even there to stop it…to stop you! I promise, if I had been there, it would have been you that I buried!"
Toph ripped another sheet of metal before separating it into smaller blades, which she launched at Azula with frightening speed.
Azula, nimble as a cat, evaded, dodged, though a strand of her hair was cut by a blade that came dangerously close.
Composing herself, she coolly replied, "Oh pity, well if it isn't the blind freak. Your parents were weak. They suffered in their last moments…you know that? Oh yes, you did. You must have found their bodies after all. They even said something about you."
Toph froze.
She paused, rising her mouth into a twisted grin, "You want to know what they said, don't you?"
Azula whistled and more of her firebenders emerged from the shadows. Zuko took a defensive stance while Toph launched more blades at Azula.
Each blade was deftly dodged by Azula. "They told me that they were disappointed in you. That you didn't care to protect your family. Pathetic."
Toph, now enraged, charged towards Azula, only to be met with a wall of flame from the other firebenders that had joined the brawl. She blocked it with sheets of metal and continued her assault on Azula. Grinning, Azula began jumping from side to side, evading Toph's senses. She called out to Colonel Mongke, who had just launched a volley of fire at Zuko, "Mongke! Go below deck. I do believe the Fire Lady is on board. Pay her majesty a visit, will you?"
Mongke nodded and began to descend beneath the deck into the crew quarters. The halls were dimly lit with whispers of candlelight dancing in the darkness. The floor creaked with each step, followed by his bellowing as he released fire into Zuko's guards who confronted him. He began searching the hallways and corridors, dispatching of any opposition as it came to him.
Mai listened through the wall of her room, one hand holding a blade, the other clutched closely around her stomach. She closed her eyes and tried to control her the sound of her breathing.
A voice thick with venom called out from the hallway, "Fire Lady Mai, I am your humble servant. I only wish to bow before you."
Mongke heard nothing and began to laugh. "Figures. That spineless coward Zuko would pick an equally weak bride. What a shame to the Fire Nation you both are."
Mai began to creep over to the corner of the room, where a tarp covered some crates containing supplies. She berated herself for not attacking him immediately, though she realized the confrontation would not be worth risking her child. Mai silently lifted the tarp, covering herself with it. As soon as she was fully covered, the door creaked open.
"Well now. What have we here?"
Mongke conjured a flame in his hand, painting his imposing frame with orange light. His face haunted the darkness with mangled teeth fixed in a hungry smile. He approached the box in the corner, his footsteps echoing through the silence. Suddenly, he stopped and prepared to engulf the corner in fire. As soon as he was about to push his hand forward, Mai emerged from the tarp, sending two blades into Mongke's arm. Blood began to spill from his bicep as he yelled in pain, eyes flashing to Mai as she made her escape. She ran down the hall as fast as she could, unable to make out the animalistic screaming that followed her. Suddenly, Mai emerged on the upper deck and rapidly dispatched two firebenders attacking Zuko, who had done well in defending himself and Toph.
From the darkness, the large frame of a masked man ran towards Zuko, attempting to hit him with his hands. Zuko deflected his punch but the Fire Lord was struck in the chest by a powerful kick. He collapsed, clutching his side. Mai, sensing the imminent danger, launched four blades at the man, pinning him to a pole on the deck.
Azula noted the change in momentum in the fight and signaled to the remaining firebenders to circle around her. Mongke had just emerged from the lower deck, blood seeping from his wounds. Before Zuko and Toph could launch further attacks, Azula and the other firebenders were gone, disappearing in a ball of flame.
Mai ran to her husband's side and helped him to his feet. Zuko caught his breath and looked to the lone attacker whom Azula had left behind. Zuko looked at the shrouded man briefly, and for a moment he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. "Something about this is off."
Zuko signaled to a guard and ordered him to take the man below deck.
"He does not escape. We'll question him tomorrow."
Toph gripped the rail of the ship with such ferocity that the metal began to crumple under her grasp. Mai noticed this and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry we couldn't get her. She won't escape next time."
"Let's hope so Mai."
-One day later, The South Pole, Katara's home-
"Sokka! Would you shut up! I get it. Suki's coming back today. You two have only been separated for a month and you make it seem like it's been years."
Sokka carefully regarded his sister's words, wondering if there was hidden resentment beneath the surface.
"Sorry, Sis. I just missed her so much…and with everything that's been going on…I was worried about her."
Katara's eyes softened at his revelation and briefly embraced him. She pulled back and regarded him with a knowing smile. "What are you waiting for then?"
His eyes widened, followed by a smile that stretched ear to ear. He bolted out the door and ran to the docks. Katara could only watch from a distance as she watched her brother nearly tackle his girlfriend. She smiled at the sight but was met with a bitter taste in her mouth. Her experience a few years ago was the exact opposite. "No Katara. Enough of this resentment. It's time to move on. We're friends again."
She was suddenly struck in the side with a snowball. Closing her eyes and exhaling through her nose, she slowly turned to see Aang leaning on the side of her house, whistling nonchalantly. He appeared to be transfixed on the details of something in the snow.
Plotting internally, Katara approached Aang with exaggerated sweetness, embracing him in a tight hug.
"Good morning Aang! I hope you slept well."
Aang seemed to be caught off guard. "There's no way she didn't know that was me, right?"
Stammering over his words, he answered, "Y-yeah Katara. I slept great. How are you?"
With her hands behind her back, she summoned the snow into a tight ball. She replied sweetly,
"I'm great Aang. Or about to be, actually."
"W-what do you mean about to b-"
Katara launched the snowball from behind her back with some masterful waterbending, striking the Avatar square in the forehead. She began to laugh hysterically as he wiped the snow off of his face, regarding her with a sly grin.
"You'll pay for that, Master Katara."
"I do believe you started this first, Avatar."
"Me? I haven't the slightest clue as to what you're talking about."
Katara giggled and giving him a playful shove. Their eyes locked and they were temporarily lost in each other's gaze. Not breaking eye contact, Aang began to speak, "Hey, let's get out of here. I want to take Appa somewhere special. Come with me."
Flustered by the confidence in his voice, she nodded quickly and flashed him a shining smile. Aang returned her enthusiasm and summoned Appa with the whistle. In a moment, they were back in the sky, gazing down at the polar landscape. They sat in content silence and Katara met his eyes once more. They both shared a sad smile, almost communicating telepathically what they were feeling.
"I missed this."
Aang looked back down off of Appa, noting the ivory-colored icebergs contrasting the deep azure of the frigid waters. His eyes widened upon realizing the shape of a particular icy structure and guided Appa downwards, landing on a nearby floating piece of ice. Aang turned back to Katara, who had a confused expression illustrating her face. Flashing his signature lopsided grin, he offered her his arm, which she readily accepted. Lowering them off Appa's tail, Aang turned her in the direction of an iceberg and nudged her to follow his eyes. Katara gasped, covering her mouth with her mitten. She turned to Aang; whose normally steely eyes were now coated in a layer of moisture.
"I saw it when I flew in. I knew that I had to take you back here. Katara…I know we made up only recently, but I meant what I said. My feelings for you have not changed…nor will they ever. I thought it would be sort of poetic to bring you back here…where we began. I want to begin again, with you. To what capacity that is, I'll let you decide. I just want you to know that I missed you. I thought about you. I loved you from afar…every single day."
He paused, searching her shimmering eyes before continuing, "I love you. I never stopped loving you. Whatever you feel for me, just know that this time I'm here to stay."
Katara placed her hand on his chiseled jaw, staring into the grey depths of his eyes. She saw nothing but honesty and raw emotion. She slowly leaned up and gently captured his lips with her own. Aang let out a sigh as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in deeper. After. A few seconds, they broke their kiss, breathing heavily. He smiled dreamily as she nuzzled further into his chest, before looking up at him.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting to hear that. I realized that I never stopped loving you either. But Aang…It was something I almost gave up on. I wasn't sure if you'd ever return."
He wiped the stray tear that made its way down her cheek. Regarding her with a slight frown, he apologized, "I'm so sorry for ever making you think that. Katara…I don't want to leave your side again." He became suddenly nervous, "If you'll have me?"
She giggled as more tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. "If that's your proposal, that was rather lame, Mr. Avatar."
Aang began to laugh too, as his eyes became blurry and his throat closed. "No Katara, it's not. When I do propose to you, you'll know. I promise."
"Well duh! How would I not know when you propose to me you airhead?!"
He playfully rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. You're lucky I like you."
"Like, huh? Isn't that a bit of a downgrade?" She teased.
Refusing to let her continue, he gently held her face as he pressed a firm kiss to her lips. Lowering his hands to her waist, he lifted her so that her legs were wrapped around his hips. She fervently returned his kiss, sighing into his display of love. She slightly opened her eyes when she felt something land on her nose. Wiping it off, she looked at her finger. "Soot? Is there a fire nation ship nearby?"
Pulling away from Aang, he held out his hand to capture the black flakes, before looking out to the horizon. He saw a black vessel in the distance and summoned Appa.
"Come on. We'll continue this later. Let's find out who that is." He picked her up bridal style before leaping into the air onto Appa, who caught them and flew off towards the ship.
Appa circled above before Aang shot Katara an inviting glance. Her eyes darted to the glider he held in his hand, and back to him. Before she had a chance to react, he scooped her up and they were descending towards the deck of the ship. Wrapping her arms around him tightly, she yelled over the wind.
"Aang! What are you doing? What if it's Azula?"
He responded with a confident grin, "Then we'll take her together."
They landed gracefully on the deck, only to be greeted moments later by Toph, Zuko and Mai.
"Twinkletoes! Sweetness! It's been too long. And whoa…something happened between you two! Did Sweetness finally take you back?"
Katara and Aang shared an embarrassed blush before Aang slipped his hand into hers, lifting it and planting a kiss on the top of her hand.
"Yeah…I realized I was being an idiot. Thank the spirits she took me back…and I'm staying this time."
Toph chuckled before approaching the two and landing a swift punch on Aang's arm. "Finally! You two apart are nothing short of insufferable."
Katara embraced Toph in a hug before jokingly retorting, "Toph, affectionate as always."
The old friends retreated to the bridge before engaging in small talk and sharing a kettle of tea. It almost felt like old times, until Zuko's countenance darkened.
"It's great to see you both…but unfortunately I'm sure you can guess the reason for our appearance this far South."
Aang and Katara shared a worried glance and then looked to Toph, who had started to furiously rub her eyes.
Katara gently prodded, "Toph…is everything okay? Aang spoke with Roku and mentioned something about the Earth Kingdom."
Toph began, "Azula attacked our boat last night. We have one of their prisoners on board. And Azula…her and her gang attacked my home. She killed my parents."
Aang and Katara shared a collective gasp of horror before they began to profusely console her, though Toph pushed them away.
"Enough okay! It's hard enough…I don't need you two blubbering all over me too. Let's just…finish the job-make sure she gets what she deserves."
Aang and Katara could only nod, before Aang trained his eyes on Zuko.
"So, who is this prisoner?"
Zuko shuddered slightly, before answering, "I'm not sure…he seems to be a non-bender. He wears this hood, and we haven't questioned him yet or gotten a proper look. We've just been so stressed out from last night. But Aang, something about him gives me a bad feeling."
Zuko prepared himself before gesturing away, "Come on, follow me."
Aang nodded before following Zuko to the lower levels of the ship, with Katara, Toph and Mai following closely behind. They approached the cell, seeing the man stuck to the corner, his shroud still covering his face. Aang and Zuko entered the cell, with the rest watching intensely from behind the bars.
Zuko grabbed the man by the collar and forced him in a kneeling position. The man emitted a deep, animal growl before Aang grasped the base of his hood before lifting it.
Katara shrieked, "What!? I don't believe it…"
Aang and Zuko could only stare in complete disbelief.
Zuko broke the silence, emitting a low growl, "Father…"
I hope you all enjoyed this one! Let me know what you think, as always.
