Yet Another Ending
Katara sighed as she finished drying off the last of the dishes. Usually she used to water bending to speed up the process, but lately she found that menial tasks served as a good distraction from how bad things were getting. Two years ago, Sokka had died of a sudden heart attack.
He had been out of republic city to try and help settle a disagreement about trade routes between the Northern and Southern Water Tribes. By the time news had reached republic city, he was already gone. If it had not been for Aang Katara would not have had the strength to get through those agonizing first few months without her brother. He'd always been there; now he wasn't.
Now Katara had a new worry. Well, it was an old worry given new weight. Aang was… ill. She could not describe it. Physically, Aang was the picture of health for a 60-year-old man, but somehow his health was declining. Aang suspected it had something to do with being in the avatar state for 100 years.
True being in the avatar state was physically demanding, but Katara could not understand how it could cause illness this bad. Not to mention that was more than forty years ago. I made no sense that Aang would just now be feeling the effects.
Katara felt so helpless. Weekly healing sessions did little to no good, and every day she felt more and more of her husband drift away.
She began to put away the dishes she had just cleaned when the kitchen door opened.
"Honey, I'm back from the council meeting. You were right Tarlok won the new council seat by a landslide." Aang said as he leaned his staff against the wall by the doorway.
"I hope he does a better job than Tenra, but he still wasn't my first choice." Katara cringed when she thought of all the political squabbling that followed her brother's death. An empty council seat always constituted an election but succeeding Sokka was a daunting task. Most of the politicians who vied for his former position were not up to the task. Tenra, one of Sokka's advisors, had filled the seat in interim while they searched for a suitable successor, but advising Sokka and taking his place were two very different beasts.
"I know Tarlok wasn't your favorite candidate, but I think he'll do well. At least I hope so." Aang said as he leaned down to kiss her.
Katara savored the kiss and put a hand to his cheek, breathing him in. After a few moments she broke it off and looked into his eyes. There were shadows underneath them.
"How are you feeling" She asked hesitantly.
Aang crinkled his eyes the way he always did when she brought up his failing health. "I'm well enough. I mean I've seen better days, but I made it through the meeting just fine."
Katara nodded and put her forehead against his. "I'm sorry to ruin the mood I just." She didn't finish.
They stood like that for a while before Aang broke away. "I need to go feed Appa. I also told Tenzin we might stop by for dinner." He said as he reached for his staff.
"Wait." She called, reaching for him. "Let me come with you to feed Appa and we can fly to air temple island together.
They were currently staying in their house in the mountains just outside the city. When Aang's health began to decline they decided it was best to spend more time away from the city and other people. Partly, for Aang's health and partly so that rumors didn't begin to circulate that the Avatar was sick. The last thing they needed was civil unrest.
"Sounds like a great idea." Aang said as they walked out to Appa's stable.
—
A few hours later, they were sitting at the table with Tenzin and Pemma. Pemma was Tenzin's fiancé. She and Tenzin had started dating about a year and a half ago, and the happy couple was getting married in two months.
"So, Tenzin, what did you think of Tarloq's appointment today." Aang asked as he reached for some rice.
"Honestly, I was hoping it would be Nonnarik who would be elected, but I can't say I was suprised it was Tarlok. He has a way with crowds and he certainly knows how to play a political game. The election was his from the start." Tenzin replied with an exasperated look on his face. "I don't think he's much of a fan of my policies, but he and I will have to find a way to work together for the good of Republic City."
Katara gave her youngest son a sympathetic smile. "You know Pemma, he's always been like this. He used to talk this way when He'd be in a fight with his brother and sister or when trying to explain to me why he should not have to be the one to do the chores." Everyone but Tenzin laughed at Katara's statement.
"Mother, please." Tenzin said flatly. Then a beat later the table erupted in laughter again.
"Lighten up son, your mother's right. You always were rather serious." Aang said as he stood. "Let me grab your dishes and take them to the kitchen." He said to Pemma. She had finished her food already. She replied with a polite thank you.
Katara smiled at her husband as he left the table. "So, you two, how are the wedding preparations going? Pemma I hear the dress you picked out is exquisite."
Pemma opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by a sudden crash of breaking plates from the kitchen.
"Aang!" Katara called as she hurried to the doorway, Tenzin and Pemma trailing quickly behind her.
When they reached the kitchen Aang was lying motionless on the ground surrounded by broken glass.