Chapter Six: Rise
Four Years Ago- The Northern Water Tribe
The year following the war had been long and difficult was the world began to rebuild itself on a new, stronger foundation.
The group found itself spread across the world- with Zuko in the Fire Nation, adjusting to his role as Fire Lord, Suki, Toph, and Ty Lee in the Earth Kingdom, and Sokka, Katara, and Aang in the Northern Water tribe.
In the Spirit Oasis, Aang was mediating, communicating with the ancient spirits there to heal the wounds that not only scarred the lands, but the veil between the worlds as well.
Katara and Sokka met with the leaders of the tribe, discussing how they could further aid the other parts of the world where the war had been, starting with the Southern Water tribe. Pakku and many warriors had returned to the south months ago, but the need for assistance was great and many hands were stretched thin.
"Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters have been torn apart because of the Fire Nation," a Northern tribesman stated, frowning at the siblings. "Why don't they help the ones they once sought to destroy?"
Katara lifted her gaze, eyes burning. "Fire Lord Zuko had taken many strides to amend his father's actions. The Fire Nation is aiding in the healing process, just like the rest of us. We only want to do more."
"There's nothing more we can do!" the older man shouted, ignoring Katara's glare.
"We can always do more!" Katara exclaimed, nearly rising from her seat. "It's as you said- mothers have been taken from their families and fathers, and so many others," she continued, touching her mother's necklace. "How could you sit idly by and claim there is nothing else to be done when this is only the beginning!"
The tribesman huffed, turning towards the chief. "This woman knows not what she says-,"
"This woman-" Katara seethed, but was cut off again.
"Do not forget your place," Chief Arnook said to the other man, in a quiet but firm voice. "Master Katara was a great asset in defeating Ozai. Do not forget that." The chief turned his gaze towards Katara and Sokka. His face bore more lines than it did before, and gray began streaking his hair. The grief of losing Yue, his daughter, reflected mostly in his eyes.
"Thank you, Chief Arnook," Katara said, bowing respectfully. She looked around the room, meeting everyone's gaze.
"This is only the beginning," she began again, more softly. "The war has ended but the healing is just beginning. There are families all around the world that have been touched by the war, and yes, by the Fire Nation's actions. If we continue to allow our hate and prejudice to stand in our way, then the path to healing and bringing everyone home will be hidden from us."
Her expression turned fierce, passionate. "If we put aside our differences now, there will be a brighter future for all of us, one without the shadow of the war hanging over us. The past needs to be left in the past, it will not allow us into the future if we keep carrying it on our shoulders. So please," she pleaded. "Please help me help them. Please your family, your friends, then help your neighbors. One small act makes the difference."
Sokka watched his sister, understanding now how she managed to bring the Earth Kingdom prisoners together to fight back against the Fire Nation, how she managed to keep the group together even when they were tired and hungry and scared.
So he stood next to her. "My sister is right. Helping others begins at home. It begins here. So let's start today."
Ooo0ooO
Four Years Ago- The Fire Nation
"Why are you really here?"
"Because you're going to tell me something. Where is my mother?"
Even months after being imprisoned, Ozai would not tell Zuko the whereabouts of his mother. Even after being threatened, being bartered with, Ozai would only laugh at Zuko.
Zuko sat in his new study, glaring at the fireplace. Glaring at the painting that hung over it. It had been a gift from Katara for his last birthday, but now as he looked at the dragons and the sun, he was reminded of how Ozai's bloodline- his bloodline- had been the ones to hunt and destroy dragons nearly to extinction.
Ozai, who still refused to speak of Ursa's location, even as he wasted away in prison.
A sharp, loud knock distracted him from his thoughts. "Enter."
Toph strolled in, using her earthbending to navigate the room. She could sense Zuko's heartbeat, which thumped an irate staccato, from where she was standing. "I heard you visited him today," she said in lieu of a greeting, making her way to the nearest chair. She sat, before placing her feet on top of Zuko's desk.
"I thought you were in the Earth Kingdom," Zuko said, lifting a brow at her feet.
"I was, but Sugar Queen wants us to come here so we can help you."
Zuko's irritation fell way to surprise. "Katara wants to… help me?"
"Of course," Toph stated, snorting. "That kind of what she does, if you don't recall."
"I… I have no new information."
Toph dropped her feet to the carpet, a smug grin spreading across her face. "No, but she does. You meet some interesting people while travelling. Honestly, I can't believe you didn't think of this before."
"Who? What?" Zuko demanded.
There was another knock before another female walked in, looking just as smug as Toph.
Zuko's eyes widened. "June."
The bounty hunter smiled. "So the Fire Lord needs my help again," she all but purred. "I'm flattered."
Ooo0ooO
Four Years Ago- Somewhere off the coast of the Fire Nation Colonies
The island was cold, desolate.
Few animals lived here and it had been years since a ship had sailed by. Miles away from the coast, miles away from the other lone island, no one knew that this island had one resident, because the world had forgotten her name.
The years that lead up to her being here were filled with happiness and horror and sadness, and it all tore at her like teeth as the days stretched into years. She wanted to cry and scream and rage, but she had and could not anymore.
So she waited.
Her dreams were her one true escape. She dreamed of her home, that rich, vibrant palace where she could hear her children's laughter, where she could sit with her son and feed the turtleducks like they always did.
But she also dreamed of the man who left her here to die, the man who she had once loved, the man she had killed for in order to protect someone she loved even more.
So when the day came where she was saved, she thought that perhaps she had fallen into another one of her dreams, and that maybe this would be the one she did not wake up from.
The day started out like any other, quiet.
A distant rumble alerted her to something, and when she looked out towards the ocean, she watched as it parted as the earth rose, spearing towards the island. Small figures appeared along the horizon, too far to make out, but they approached quickly.
The closest was a dark figure riding on the back of some massive beast.
Defiant against her fear, she stood on the shoreline, ready to face whatever danger approached. But her hands trembled when she could finally make out their faces- or at least, one face in particular.
Later, they would tell Ursa that the bounty hunter and her beast, Nyla, tracked her faint scent across the ocean, and that the Avatar, with the help of his earthbending master, created a temporary bridge from the Colonies to the island on which she had lived for years.
But her eyes, for now, where only for the son she had not seen since he was young.
Zuko had leapt off Nyla's back and had sprinted towards Ursa, calling out her name, and it was then that she knew that this could not be a dream.
The others kept a respectful distance as the Fire Lord and his mother embraced. Katara brushed tears away from her eyes, ignoring the twinge of envy around her heart, smiling at the way Zuko touched his mother's cheek, as if he could not believe she was there.
Sokka slipped his arm around her shoulders. "You made the right call, leaving the Northern Water tribe to find June."
Katara smiled at her brother. "It's the least I could do," she murmured. "He helped me find peace about Mom."
Ooo0ooO
Four Years Ago- The Fire Nation
A celebration was held to welcome back the long-lost former Fire Lady. It lasted for nearly a week, with many people from all over the world coming to pay their respects.
Iroh was beside himself with relief, having thought that Ursa had been killed by Azulon or Ozai long ago.
When the week reached its end, Katara found herself standing on the patio that overlooked the rest of the Fire Nation. The wind blew her long hair from her face, which was sweaty from the persistent heat. She wore a loose, short-sleeved black dress, embroidered in blue and silver.
"I never got to thank you," a voice said from behind her.
Katara turned. "Zuko. I didn't hear you."
The Fire Lord stepped from the shadows. His gaze locked on hers, burning with intensity and something she couldn't quite name. "I know it was your idea," he said softly. "And because of you, I have my mother back."
His gaze dipped towards her necklace, which was framed by the scoop neckline of her dress. "I only wish I could return the favor."
Katara reached out, taking his hand, pulling him next to her. "You did more for me than everyone ever has. You taught me to let go," she reminded him. "And you gave me peace. It was the least I could do."
Zuko stared at her, his heart shuddering in his chest, unable to draw his eyes away from hers. "Katara, I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't need to," she told him, squeezing his hand.
"Your friendship, your kindness…" he paused, swallowing thickly. "It means everything to me. I hope you know that."
Katara beamed, before embracing him tightly, just like she had before after choosing to forgive him after what he did for her. But this time, she held on.
Zuko pressed his forehead into her shoulder, struggling to keep himself together. He nearly shivered when he felt her hand reach up to stroke his hair soothingly.
When he pulled away, they were a breath apart. Katara's hand slid to his chest, where she felt his heart kick against her palm. For a moment, they breathed together, eyes locked, blue mirrored in gold, gold mirrored in blue.
"Katara," Zuko whispered. "Thank you."
As if in memory, her hand pressed against the scar in the center of his chest, where Azula had struck him with her lightning.
Rising to her toes, Katara pressed a soft kiss to his scarred cheek, before she turned to walk away, leaving him standing alone on the balcony.
Zuko rubbed a hand over his chest, where hers had been, as if he could hold onto the warmth of her touch for a little while longer.
He stayed there as the moon rose, beautiful and blue, into the sky.
Ursa found him there, looking at the moon with his hand over his heart. She leaned against his side, and felt him sigh.
She looked at her son, who was looking at the moon with such a raw intensity she touched his hand. When he turned his hand over to hold hers, they stayed there on that balcony in perfect silence, until the sun began to rise.
And when it rose, it rose on a new day, a new day that burned with the hope of tomorrow.
Ooo0ooO
Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or any of its characters.
Author's Note: Please review!