"Time takes its toll on us (This changes everything). I'd be a liar if I denied you at all.
Oh, now that I know, this changes everything." The Great Golden Baby, Circa Survive
Xx
The North Pole is more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. Towering buildings constructed entirely of ice make a mockery of her humble home back in the south, but it's sparkling magnificence banishes the negative thoughts from her mind. After convincing Master Pakku to take her on as a student (she found a special delight in kicking his ass in front of everyone), her bending has improved immensely, and she's feeling like she's on top of the world, literally and figuratively. She spends her time wandering around the city, marvelling at the architecture and learning all she can from the locals. The differences between the lives of the people who live here and the lives of her people back at home are staggering, and she wonders more than once why the two tribes don't communicate anymore. She studies the art and literature of her sister tribe, and feels a little more connected to this place with each new piece of information.
Sokka has taken a liking to the Princess of the Northern Tribe, Yue, but his hopes of courting her are dashed when they learn that she is already engaged. The betrothal necklace carved by her future husband sitting in the hollow of her throat just like Katara's (she has to clarify multiple times that it is an heirloom, her cheeks growing hot each time) is a stark reminder of her duty to her people, and the sacrifices she must make to serve them. Yue's betrothed is… well, he's kind of a dick, if she's being honest with herself. Hahn has the air about him of someone who believes they can do no wrong, but manages to do a fair amount of it regardless. She sees Sokka's sadness after he spends time with the princess, and she thinks of her own destiny, fated as it is, but still unknown. She wishes Yue wasn't engaged to Hahn; she likes Yue, and feels like they could be good friends given time. The only thing that could make the friendship better is if she were to ever become her sister in-law, but she knows that dream will never come true. She makes sure to be extra nice to Sokka for their whole visit; he's already sad enough as it is, and the last thing she wants to do is make his mood even worse.
She is enjoying a walk through the town when she sees it; black snowflakes falling slowly from the cloudy sky. Her heart starts to beat wildly in her chest as she desperately tries to contain the flashbacks that attempt to creep over her eyes. She runs at full speed to the impressive citadel, meeting up with a depressed looking Sokka. Chief Arnook stands up on a dias, and begins to speak to his people.
"The day we have feared for so long has arrived; the Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness that I call my family here before me— knowing full well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe— but they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the great spirits. Spirit of the Ocean! Spirit of the Moon! Be with us! I am going to need a number of volunteers for a dangerous mission. Beware that if you volunteer, there is a good chance that you will not return."
"I'll go." Sokka stands from his seat faster than Katara has ever seen him move before. The look of grim determination on his face is set in stone; her eyes well up with tears as he moves forward to get the mark of the special task force. She sees her brother and Yue share a brief, pained look, and the princess walks away with tears falling onto her delicate cheeks. After Arnook's speech, Katara joins him and Aang on the overlook of the palace, watching the massive force of fire navy ships sail ever closer.
"I wasn't there when the Fire Nation attacked my people." Aang sounds older, the weight of all his years pressing down on him as the Fire Nation fleet creeps closer. "I'm going to make a difference this time."
They move to meet up with the Water Tribe warriors, Sokka, and Appa. The fighting starts suddenly, even though they are all expecting it. A huge fireball screams through the air, splitting it down the middle like a knife. It careens into the sturdy ice wall that they are standing on, sending several of them back in the blast. Aang hops up onto Appa's back and takes off into the flaming sky, and Katara prays to Tui and La that he'll make it back unharmed. After what feels like hours of fighting, the assault stops. The moon rises slowly over the horizon, invigorating the waterbenders, and Aang returns on Appa's back. He slides off into a waiting Katara's arms, looking extremely dejected and utterly exhausted.
"I can't do it..." He scrubs his face with his hands when Katara releases him, Yue coming closer to offer her support. "There's so many of them. It'll be impossible for me to fight them all."
"But, you're the Avatar!" The fear in Yues voice is tangible, gripping them all with icy fingers.
"I'm just one guy." He slumps to the ground, cradling his head in his hands.
Katara and Yue kneel down next to him on the hard ice, rubbing circles on his back. They share a look over his head that says 'what else are we supposed to do?' They both look up into the clear night sky, the waxing gibbous moon casting a bright light over the damaged city, smoke still rising from various places throughout.
"Legends say that the moon was the first waterbender." Katara turns and looks at Yue who is still gazing at the moon. "Our ancestors watched it push and pull the tides, and learned how to do it themselves."
"I always thought that my waterbending felt stronger at night." Katara again looks up at the moon, a new appreciation in her gaze. Aang lifts his head and stares thoughtfully up at the moon as well.
"Our strength comes from the spirit of the moon, our life from the spirit of the ocean. They constantly work together to keep the world in balance." Yue's voice is soft and contemplative, a hint of resignation buried beneath her stoic demeanor.
"That's it!" Aang jumps up onto his feet, the hope Katara is used to seeing back on his face. "The spirits! Maybe they can help me find a way to defeat the Fire Nation!"
"What do you mean?" Yue asks as her and Katara stand as well, turning towards Aang.
"The Avatar is the bridge between the human world and the Spirit World!" Katara can feel her excitement building; if they can find a way, this just might work. "He can talk to spirits!" She pauses, thinking for a moment before asking Aang, "but how will you get there? Last time you went into the Spirit World, it was an accident."
"I have an idea." Yue's voice is full of determination. "Follow me."
She leads them around the royal palace to a small, round, wooden door, previously hidden by the opulent palace. She pushes open the door and Katara and Aang crouch to follow her through. The scene that unfolds as Katara rises is amazing, and takes the breath right out of her lungs.
"It's so warm in here," Katara states as both girls remove their coats. Aang bounds forward towards a small pool. A gorgeous waterfall feeds into the pool that is surrounded by lush green grass, which shouldn't be possible given the fact that they're in the North Pole.
"I never thought I'd miss grass this much!" Aang flops down onto the ground and rolls around, making the two girls giggle.
"This is the center of all the spiritual energy in the North Pole; the Spirit Oasis." Yue and Katara move towards Aang, who is now standing next to the tranquil oasis where two koi fish circle each other.
"You're right..." Aang sits down in the lotus position, still watching the koi fish. "I can feel… something. It's peaceful, but powerful." He closes his eyes, bringing his two fists together in front of him as he sits down next to the Oasis.
"Why is he sitting like that?" Yue leans closer to Katara to whisper in her ear.
"He's meditating, it's how he contacts the Spirit World. It takes a lot of concentration."
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Maybe a little quiet, please?!" The two women's faces turn chagrined as Aang scolds them, sounding rightfully annoyed. "Thank you."
The three of them wait in silence, Katara and Yue eventually sitting down a handful of feet away from Aang. For a while, it seems like nothing is happening, but just as Katara is about to let out a yawn, Aang's eyes snap open; they're emitting a bright, white light, glowing steadily along with his tattoos.
"Is he okay?" Yue sounds concerned and goes to reach for him.
"He's crossing over into the Spirit World!" She grabs Yue's arm before she can touch Aang. "It's really important that we don't move him, otherwise he won't be able to find his way back."
"Should we get some help?" Yue's voice still holds a measure of worry. Katara moves her hand to hold Yue's firmly, giving it a brief squeeze.
"I can handle it. He's my friend, I know I'll be able to protect him."
They sit for a short amount of time as Aang does… whatever it is that he does in the Spirit World. Katara's hope soars in her chest; the Spirits will help them, she tells herself. They have to.
"Katara!"
A familiar voice calls her name, and she quickly jumps to her feet, disbelief mixing with confusion— and dare she say joy— as she turns around.
"Zuko!" She runs towards him, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug. He circles his strong arms around her waist, burying his face into her shoulder. "What happened to you?" They pull back from each other and Katara takes in his appearance; his face is speckled with cuts of varying size, and he has a black eye and a few bruises visible on his chin and neck. His hair looks like it's slightly frozen, the tip of his nose and his cheeks red from the cold. "How did you get here?"
"I swam," he says with an air of nonchalance, like it's not a big deal that he swam in freezing waters in the North Pole.
"You what?!"
"Katara, listen to me." He takes her hands in his; they are still warm despite his submarine trip. "You have to get out of here. Zhao is leading the attack and he's coming for Aang."
"We can't leave!" Fear bubbles in her chest, stinging like acid at the back of her throat. "Aang's in the Spirit World. If we move his body, it will prevent him from coming back to the physical world!"
Zuko lets out an exhale through his nose, small puffs of smoke disappearing into the air. He's still holding her hands; she has so much that she wants to say to him, so many questions she is dying to ask. His eyes are roaming the expanse of the Oasis over her head, and she notices them narrow in the direction of the entrance. He lets go of her hands and begins to walk over as the round door closes behind someone.
"Well well, look who we have here." A man who she assumes is Admiral Zhao strolls into the Oasis like he's coming home, smugness radiating off of him in such strong waves that Katara can feel it from halfway across the Oasis. "Prince Zuko. I always knew you were a traitor."
Zuko falls into a bending stance, Katara doing the same as she scans the Oasis. She can't see any other soldiers, but that doesn't mean they're not here. Zuko got in from the back, after all, although she doubts anyone else would be so reckless as to swim in the frigid waters of the North Pole. She glances at Yue, who has hidden herself near the waterfall, and Katara starts inching towards Aang while Zhao's attention is still on Zuko.
"I wonder what your father will say when I inform him that you've been protecting the Avatar instead of capturing him?" Katara's feet freeze to the spot, ice slithering through her veins. What does he mean, '"capturing the Avatar"? "He'd probably put a hefty bounty on your head. You know, we were all very surprised that he spared your pathetic life in that Agni Kai."
Katara is growing more confused with each word spit from Zhao's mouth. I knew the Fire Lord was bad, but killing his own son?
Zuko lets out a growl, edging closer to Zhao. "I won't let you take him."
Katara can't see his face, but his voice is venom, the sharpness in it harder than Katara has ever heard from him before.
"Oh, but I think you will." Zhao is walking calmly towards the Oasis, his steps light, his face free of worry and full of malice. Katara starts moving towards Aang again, and Zhao's amber eyes snap to hers. "I think, Prince Zuko, that you will fight with me to capture the Avatar. And because of that, your father will restore your honor and welcome you home to your rightful place as his successor."
"Why would I ever choose to fight for you?" Zuko has moved even closer to Zhao, who has stopped in his tracks to face Zuko with a sly smile slashed across his face.
"It's simple, really," Zhao takes a step closer to Aang and Katara, "I may have failed to kill you on that ship, but I will not be as careless with your uncle." The tension in the room turns to ice, cold and solid, Katara's heart sinking in her chest. Based on the display Katara had seen when his uncle had found him in the South Pole, he must be extremely important to Zuko. Based on what she has just heard from Zhao, he may be the only family Zuko has left.
"What have you done?" She hears the tremble in Zuko's voice, sees his hands start to shake ever so slightly.
"Nothing yet. And nothing at all if you help me. But…" Zhao walks around Zuko, stalking him like prey. As Zuko turns to continue facing Zhao, Katara can see his wide eyes and his chest heaving below his shirt. Oh, no. The realization is a bucket of ice water thrown straight at her face. Zhao is sending him into an anxiety attack. Her heart plummets deep into the soft ground; she has seen Zuko have an anxiety attack before, but his uncle's life hadn't been in danger. Zhao knows exactly what he is doing as he continues manipulating Zuko. "If you choose the wrong side, his fate is sealed in blood. Think about it Zuko: you can help me and regain your birthright, or you can let your uncle die. The choice is yours." But the choice is not his, and it never has been. Zhao has taken away the chance of Zuko making any choice at all by effectively paralyzing him, and he knows it.
"You're fucking sick!" Katara is furious— her blood is deafening as it rushes through her veins, echoing in her ears. "You know what you're doing to him!" Her rage is a bonfire, and Zhao's words are strong proof alcohol.
"Yes." Zhao turns to Katara, hate proudly displayed on his face as he raises his fists. "I do. A great tactician always knows how to exploit his enemy's weaknesses. And poor, little Zuko is so very weak."