The Last Firebender

by PurpleReignonHorses

Book II: Waves

Chapter II: The Avatar Awakens

A tent in Taqqiq Village

19 AG

Kuzon was tossing and turning in his sleep. Nightmarish visions flashed in his mind. Visions of his father and grandfather being burned alive by the Fire Army. The way his grandfather and father smiled at him and told him they loved him. The Southern Temple being set aflame by the invading army. Ling's last words then appeared in his mind. O eternal flame let neither of us burn alone. He then suddenly awoke in a cold sweat. "Mother!" His breathing was very heavy. He then took a quick glance around his surroundings. He was in a large igloo made of snow and ice. There was a small fire going. Where am I? How did I get here? It was at that moment that Katara and Sokka walked through the tapestry covering the igloo entrance. The waterbender's eyes brightened up when she saw Kuzon was up and alert.

She rested a hand on his chest and beamed at him. "Hey you woke up! I was so worried!"

Sokka was standing by her side with an annoyed expression on his face. "Finally."

Kuzon then met the girl's eyes for the first time. He felt himself blush. What is this feeling? I'm feeling all warm inside. He immediately crawled out of his sleeping bag. He began nervously crawling away from the siblings. There was a look of absolute fear, apprehension and anger in his eyes. "Stay where you are!"

Sokka let out a groan and cleared his throat. "Look ashmaker! We don't have time for games! I want to know what a firebender is doing near our village! You and your kind aren't welcome here!"

Kuzon then fixated a glare on the warrior. "What is an ashmaker? Why are you calling me that?"

Sokka then crossed his arms. "It isn't obvious? You are from the Fire Nation! I can tell from the tones on your clothes."

Kuzon looked down at himself and saw he was still dressed in his Fire Nation garb. He then focused his eyes back on Sokka. "Yeah. I'm from the Fire Nation. What's the problem with that?"

Sokka's temper then got the better of him. He marched up the firebender and picked him up by the scruff of his tunic. "I'll tell you what the problem is! You and your nation have brought nothing but suffering and death to our shores! I want answers! What's your deal? Are you a Fire Nation spy?"

Katara glared at her brother. "Sokka that's enough! He is still recovering from hibernation sickness!"

Kuzon had finally had enough. He wriggled himself out of Sokka's grip and then socked the Water Tribesman straight in the mouth.

Sokka stumbled back a bit.

Kuzon then shouted with tears in his eyes. "How dare you! I hate the Fire Nation and their glorified Fire Lord! I would rather die than serve under that bastard! He took everything I held dear! My father! My mother! My grandfather! They are all dead! All because he saw a three-year-old boy as a threat to his rule!" He then rummaged in his pocket for the pai sho tile Mokabi had given him. He pulled it out and showed it to Sokka. "You see this? This is all I have left to remember my grandfather by! I have no one!" The firebender then finally let out the deep breath he had been holding in. He then glowered at the boy again. "As for why I am here, I don't have a clue! I was too busy watching the life drain out of my mother to really know where I was." Kuzon then pushed a finger into Sokka's chest with a death glare in his eyes. "Is that good enough for you? If not, I can always take you to the Temple y'know. Just so you can see all the corpses."

Sokka's facial expression didn't change. He let out a dark chuckle. "Whatever you say ashmaker!"

Kuzon just crawled back into his sleeping bag and waved the boy off. "Whatever. Just leave me alone."

Katara glanced at Kuzon with a remorseful look in her eyes. I never imagined the Fire Nation would harm one of their own. How much has he suffered at their hands? She let out a sigh and turned to her brother. "You go check on the airbender. I'll talk with our firebender guest."

Sokka just snorted loudly and walked off. "Yeah I'll go do that. At least he isn't a firebender." He then darted out of the tent as fast as he could.

Katara then let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. I swear my brother is such an idiot sometimes.

Kuzon let out a sigh and tried to stand himself up. A sudden chill then hit his bones. All of the painful memories then flooded into his mind. Tears were streaming down his face. He fell on his side and started shivering and sobbing all over himself. I'm so cold!

Katara then flashed the firebender a small smile. She blushed. Perhaps my softer and kinder approach will help! At least I hope so. She then picked up the wooden tray of warm mugs off the floor. She then walked over to him and placed the tray in front of him.

Kuzon didn't look her in the eye and mumbled, "What do you want? Are you going to yell at me too?"

The waterbending girl flashed him a sympathetic smile and shook her head. "I'm not here to yell at you." She then caressed his right cheek with her hand.

Kuzon immediately felt himself relax. A small blush appeared on his face. A small blush appeared on his face and he forced himself to look at the ground. "W-What is it you want then?" She makes me feel...calm. My heart is beating like crazy. I-I don't understand.

She then let out a sigh and smiled warmly at him. She then took one of the cups and gently placed it in his hand. "I just wanted to talk. Is that ok with you?"

Sweat was pouring down the firebenders' face. She's being so nice to me. I can feel my heartbeat quickening. I can't afford to get attached to anyone else. But I don't want to be rude.

He stammered out, "S-Sure."

Katara gave him a grateful nod. I'm shaking all over. Who knew I'd save the life of a firebender. She smiled at him. "Thank you! Your willingness to speak to me means a great deal!" There was a hint of nervousness in her voice. She then cleared her throat. "W-What's your name?"

Kuzon managed to regain control of his breathing. "K..Kuzon. Kuzon Lin Sho."

Katara then put a hand on her heart and smiled at him. "A pleasure to meet you Kuzon. My name is Katara."

She then eyed him curiously. "What is a firebender like yourself doing out here in the South Pole?"

Kuzon's eyes darkened for a moment. "I'm not too sure how I ended up here. The last thing I remember was seeing the light fade from my mother's eyes as she died right in front of me."

Katara felt her eyes get teary. She cast a downcast look at the ground. "I'm so sorry about your mother. My brother and I tried to revive her as well, but she hasn't woken up."

Kuzon let out a heavy sigh. "I-I greatly appreciate that you tried to bring her back. Aang and I both owe you our lives. Thank you."

He then held his head low in respect.

Katara felt herself blush a bit. "N-No problem!"

She then stammered out, "C-Can I ask you something?" Kuzon took in a deep breath.

Kuzon just nodded. "Sure."

Katara cleared her throat. "Why do you hate the Fire Nation so much?"

Kuzon took out his father's knife and glared at it. He twirled it around in his hand. "They branded me a traitor and killed my father in front of me. I believed in my country and the Fire Lord repaid my faith by trying to have me killed. I long for the day when I put my fire-blades through his neck." He said that last part with a hint of venom in his voice.

Katara's initial look of shock soon turned to one of great interest. A half smirk formed on her face. What do you know? The two of us have something in common. She then placed a hand on his cheek.

Kuzon looked up at her with confused eyes and stammered out. "W-What are you doing?"

Katara just smiled at him warmly. "I never imagined a firebender would understand my pain. I thought all you people cared about was your empire and constant desire to spread your flames of destruction all over the world. But it seems you are different from your people. I sense great anguish and pain within you. I first saw it when you were crying over your mother's body." She then took one of his hands and gently squeezed it. She averted his eyes smiling. "You reminded me of myself when I lost my mother. The pain and the grief. I saw it all."

Kuzon just let out a sigh and stared blankly at the ground. "Yeah. She was all I had left. Now I only have Aang. He's my best friend and I am relieved he is alive but it isn't the same. I was supposed to stop all this. I was supposed to train my hardest and avenge my family in order to save the world from war.." Sobs broke through his voice. "Now I have nothing but pain in my heart! It's all my fault! I wish I had just drowned in that ocean!"

Katara then felt her motherly instinct kick in. I may have just met him but I sense good in him. He's different from most of his kind. She gently grabbed Kuzon's head and rested it against her lap. She slowly started stroking his hair. "There there! It's ok to cry! Just let it all out!"

Kuzon could only respond in wails.The way she's comforting me. It reminds me of how my mother would hold me. After he had finally let out his tears, Katara helped the firebender to his feet. She then began tenderly stroking his cheek. There was a worried look in her eyes. "Are you going to be okay?"

Kuzon grabbed her hand and gazed up at her with confused eyes. "Why? Why did you do that? I'm the enemy. You should hate me. You should be-" He was stopped in his words when she gazed at him with an endearing look in her eyes. Her warm smile felt like it was going to melt. "I won't treat you like the enemy because you aren't my enemy. You are a victim of the Fire Nation's history of atrocities just like me. Your mother died in your arms just like mine."

Kuzon let out a gasp. "You..you lost your mother to the Fire Nation as well." He held his head dejectedly. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. All of it is."

Katara's eyes then softened a little. She cupped his face in her hands. "Hey. You have nothing to be sorry about." She let out a sad sigh. "There was nothing you could do."

Kuzon just averted her eyes and nodded. "I guess."

Katara felt herself tremble a bit. She then moved the tray in front of them. She flashed him a nervous smile. "Please take one. I made them just for the two of us."

Kuzon eyed the mugs curiously. "What is it?"

Katara gave him a prideful smile. "It's hot chocolate. A Southern Water Tribe specialty."

Kuzon felt the shivers overcome him again. I'm freezing! His hands were a bit shaky. He brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip. "It..it tastes amazing. It..reminds me of home." He immediately felt his body warm up. "This is amazing!"

Katara felt her heart warm at his compliment. Hearing him compliment me...makes me feel all warm inside."Eager to change the subject, he cleared his throat. "What..was her name? What happened to her?" She let out a sigh " Her name was Kya. I lost her to a Fire Nation raid long ago. I was only about six years old at the time. I can still remember how hard I cried." She then took the firebender's hands in hers and smiled. "I may not know you but I know your pain. I have lived it. I feel you and I have a connection."

Kuzon raised an eyebrow. "How is that?"

Katara smiled at him adoringly and caressed his face in her hands. "We may be from two different, warring nations but we have both known what it is like to lose our own mothers. Our pain..in a weird way unites us. Don't you feel it?"

Kuzon blushed a bit. The boy was finding it rather difficult to form words. "Well..it is nice to meet someone who understands where I'm coming from. I...wasn't aware both our people had so much in common. War makes strange bedfellows."

Katara let out a nervous chuckle. "Me neither."

She then hugged the firebender with all of her might.

Kuzon felt himself go red. She's hugging me. Why am I feeling so close to her? "I..know I seem like such a stranger to you right now. But do you..think we can be friends?"

Kuzon was torn at the moment. This is crazy. Why am I even considering this? I can't let anyone get close to me. Everyone who does dies a horrible death. But what about Aang? He's stood by me through thick and thin. Perhaps I should tell him to abandon me too. He let out a sigh of resignation. No. I need friends right now. People who have my back. I can't defeat the Fire Lord alone. Plus where in the spirits would I go? I'm stranded in this frozen wasteland. I need Katara's help if I'm to ever make it out of here alive.

Katara was gazing at him with a worried look in her eyes. I hope I haven't made him uncomfortable. "So what will it be?"

Kuzon gazed up at her with a nervous look in his eyes and forced a smile. He gently tried to hug her back. "Uh..sure." I hope she doesn't see how much I'm trembling right now.

Katara finally let out the sigh of relief she had been holding in and hugged him even tighter. Thank the spirits! I was worried he'd walk away from me! "Thank you Kuzon. I won't let you down. I promise."

Kuzon nodded at her. He then immediately took note of the tear stains on her parka. I can't believe I just cried into her chest like that. Like a baby. So embarrassing. "I'm so s-sorry! I stained your coat! I-"

The girl then rested a hand on his shoulder and half-smiled at him. "Hey you have nothing to apologize for. That's what friends are for. We support one another."

Kuzon then rubbed the back of his head nervously. "R-Right! F-Friends!"

Katara giggled to herself. His blush is so adorable. She then cleared her throat and beamed at him. "Okay let's get you something to eat. You must be starving."

Kuzon just nodded blankly at her.

Village Center, Taqqiq Village, Southern Water Tribe

19 AG

Fifteen minutes later

Aang was walking around with a crazed look in his eyes. Where is he? Did he even make it? The last thing I remember was when that Water Tribe girl came over and helped me up.

The airbender then spotted Kuzon and Katara walking towards them. His eyes immediately lit up like lanterns when he saw him. "Kuzon!"

Kuzon's eyes widened in shock. He could barely get the words out. "Aang."

Aang immediately rushed the firebender and wrapped him in the biggest hug he could muster. A big smile then formed on his face. Tears were running down his cheeks. "I was so worried you wouldn't wake up brother."

Kuzon let out a nervous chuckle and slowly hugged the airbender back. "Y-Yeah me too."

Katara felt her heart warm up for a moment. Her cheeks went bright red. She turned away from the two boys and smiled bashfully to her herself. It is good to see him smiling. It hurt to see him in such agony earlier. She then walked up to Sokka and sat herself beside him.

Sokka grumbled out, "So the ashmaker finally came out of his tent? Typical."

Katara let out a small sigh. "He may be Fire Nation, but he is nothing like the Raiders who attacked our village. I wish you would just give him a chance to actually explain himself."

Sokka snorted and shook his head. "We'll see. He is an outsider. They are both outsiders. I have my eye on both of them." He then walked up to the two. They immediately noticed his presence.

Aang spoke first, "Is something the matter?"

Sokka nodded."Yeah something is wrong. What are you two doing here really? Are you spies for the Fire Nation?"

Aang scoffed and glared at the boy. "I am literally wearing Air Nation robes and have an airbending staff in my hands. What do you think?"

Sokka glowered at the airbender and crossed his arms. "That proves nothing. You could have peeled those off the corpse of a long dead Nomad for all we know."

This time, Aang was the one who lost his temper. "You want proof! I'll give you proof!" He then took in the biggest breath he could and blew it out at the warrior. The blast of wind was so strong it knocked Sokka off his feet and sent him tumbling into the snow. No way!

Aang then summoned a fist of air, picked up the fallen warrior, and was about to punch him several feet away. That was when he felt Kuzon's hand and his shoulder. The firebender spoke in a calm tone. "Aang stop. That moron is not worth it ."

Aang turned back to his longtime friend with angry tears in his eyes. "What the hell do you mean he isn't worth it? I lost my people! I lost my home!" He then pointed a finger into the boy's chest. "My people surrendered to them begging for mercy and those soldiers just killed them all without a second thought! We were a peaceful people and those damn monsters just destroyed our home! They destroyed our way of life!"

Kuzon put a hand on his friend's shoulder. The firebender's presence managed to calm the airbender down.

Aang then began sobbing into the boy's chest.

Kuzon then stroked the back of the airbender's head with his hand. There was a determined look in his eyes. This is all my fault! I will make this right! I will make the Fire Nation pay! "I know! They killed my family as well!" He then looked the boy in his eyes "I promise you. We will make them all pay! I promise you that!

Katara felt like an icicle had stabbed her in the heart. Aang.

Sokka was staring at the two of them wide-eyed. They really weren't joking. That kid can airbend.

Katara ran up to him and helped him steady himself up. "Sokka are you alright?"

Sokka gave her a nod. "Yeah I-I'm fine." She wrapped him in a hug and let out the sigh of relief she had been holding in. She then looked her brother in the eyes and sighed. "What have I told you about that mouth of yours? You really need to learn to think before you speak."

Sokka let out a sigh and nodded. "Yeah you have a point there sis." He then gazed at Kuzon and Aang with a wary look in his eyes.

Kuzon immediately sent the boy a glare that made Sokka sweatdrop. He stepped in front of Aang and drew fire daggers. "What? You want some more?" The fire aura around him was so intense it could have melted the entire South Pole.

Sokka raised his hands up in surrender. "Hey now take it easy. I'm not looking for a fight. At least not anymore. You two are definitely not allied with the Fire Nation. That much is clear."

Kuzon gave the warrior a knowing nod. "Glad we could come to an understanding." He then withdrew his fire daggers.

Katara then chimed in a chirpy tone, hoping to ease the tension in the group, "Perhaps you two could explain things. That would definitely smooth things over."

Kuzon gave her a gruff nod. "I agree."

Village Center, Taqqiq Village, Southern Water Tribe

19 AG

2 hours later

Kuzon and Aang were sitting in the village center explaining the full story to the two Water Tribe siblings.

Sokka and Katara were absolutely horrified by it all.

Sokka nodded. "So you were chased away from your ancestral home at age three, saved by the Nomads of the Southern Temple, and had to watch as the people you held dear were burned alive in front of you, along with the Temple."

Kuzon and Aang both gave him a curt nod. "That's pretty much it."

Kuzon added, "We were shot down by a Fire Navy ship in our attempt to escape the temple. I formed some kind of iceberg and then we woke up here a century later."

Sokka then put two fingers under his chin. "I see." He then let out a sad sigh. "I never imagined the Fire Nation would attempt to kill one of their own. I'm sorry for what you have endured in your life. I can't imagine-."

Kuzon raised a hand. " I appreciate the thought. But it's alright Sokka. I don't need sympathy or a shoulder to cry on. I just need to see the Fire Lord's head on a pike." He spoke those last words with an ice cold tone in his voice.

Katara gazed at him with a saddened look in her eyes. He seems so emotionally closed off. I can't blame him though. All that loss and the grief following it must've deadened his heart. That was why he was so hesitant to accept me at first. She placed a hand over her heart. Whatever happens, I won't let either of them fight their battles alone. Especially Kuzon.

Sokka nodded at the firebender and stood himself up. "Well any enemy of the Fire Nation is a friend to me." He then outstretched a hand towards the firebender. "Katara and I have no love for the Fire Nation either. It seems we all have a common goal. Friends?"

Kuzon gazed at the warrior's hand with a suspicious look in his eyes.

Aang turned towards him and beamed at him. "They did save our lives hothead. They hate the Fire Nation as much as we do. We should at least give them a chance."

Kuzon gave his friend a small smirk. "You make a good point Aang." He then respectfully shook the warrior's hand. "Alright warrior. Friends it is then. What is your name?"

Sokka let out a chuckle. "Glad you asked. My name is Sokka. I'm Katara's older brother and the interim-chief of Taqqaq Village. I've been running things here ever since our father sailed off to fight the Fire Navy years ago. Katara and I pretty much keep things running around here."

Kuzon gave the warrior a bow. "I'm Avatar Kuzon Lin Sho of the Fire Nation."

Aang did as well. "I'm Aang of the Southern Air Temple."

Sokka then smiled at the two boys. "Pleased to meet you both. How would you two like to give us a hand? We could use the extra help around here.."

Aang immediately stood up out of his seat and gave the warrior a traditional bow. "I'd be honored. It is the duty of every Nomad to assist those in need!" Sokka chuckled to himself. What a dork!

Katara giggled to herself. His optimism is sort of cute!

Sokka then turned his gaze towards Kuzon. "And what about you hothead?"

Kuzon gave the warrior a quick nod. "You guys did save our asses out there. It's the least we can do in return."

Sokka clasped his hands together and widely grinned at the firebender. "Great! You'll fit right in!" Suddenly, an idea popped in his head. "Oh but you might want to change out of those Fire Nation clothes. People in the village might be wary of you if they see you in them."

Kuzon nodded and stammered out, "I-I see. Not a problem. I-I don't have a spare change of clothes with me though."

Katara flashed him a small smile and pulled out a spare parka underneath a stack of sleeping bags. "Don't worry! I came prepared!"

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