Chapter 2: It's the End of the World As We Know It

So thanks a ton for the support so far. I'm glad people are excited about this story! Yay. Haha, makes me giddy. So, I forgot to mention earlier, but for the first story, Violets are Red, I had received a comment how that it was unlikely that Zuko would propose after such a short time. Well, about that. Maybe I didn't get it across very well, but Violets are Red, didn't happen over two weeks, I was thinking more like two months-ish. I mean Zuko had his leg broken and that takes about six weeks to heal, even though Katara was speeding up that process, it still takes a long time, plus, there was time that elapsed while they were on the island in the beginning. Just thought I'd mention that cause it's bugged me a bit, so yeah, really a lot more time has elapsed, and I know it doesn't fit into the whole "summer's end" thing, but you know what, screw that, that's not the point of my story really. So anyway, done ranting, feel free to read the chapter.

Katara leaned on a railing of a bridge. The bridge where he had proposed. She smiled at the sweet memory and fingered the pendent around her neck. It was a beautiful necklace, the pendent a deep marbled blue and carved to resemble rose petals. She sighed softly.

A hand fell on her shoulder. Katara looked over to see Zuko. He looked a little tired but smiled so nicely. Katara rested her head on his shoulder. "Sokka didn't take the news very well," she said softly.

"That depends on how you look at it," Zuko answered, his lips curving ever so slightly.

Katara looked up at him.

"I consider it taking it well that he's not hunting me down to try and kill me."

Katara laughed. "You don't know he isn't."

"Yes, but now I have a hostage."

Katara smiled. She started to lean closer but withdrew, wrinkling her nose. "You need to wash."

Zuko laughed. "Well I can't let some other guy get you because he's more fit."

"Actually, I did see a very nice set of abs yesterday," Katara teased him.

"So who's my competition?"

Katara planted a kiss on his cheek and left.

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"Haru! The watch tower reports Fire Nation ships headed for port!"

Haru turned rapidly to face the messenger. "Tell them to increase fortifications and rally the villagers. And come back with more information." Haru looked at his small team of earthbenders.

"We need to evacuate the civilians, Haru," one of them said.

"You're right, Feras. I'm putting you in charge of the evacuations." Feras departed. Haru thought for a moment. "No matter how many ships there are, we can't take them alone. We need some help."

"Who?"

"The Avatar!" shouted one of the earthbenders.

"Dajan, how could we possibly find the Avatar? He left over a month ago," Haru said.

"Find someone who will go out to sea and look. Someone needs to find him," Dajan answered.

"Alright, we do need to contact the Avatar, but we can't rely on him to save us now. Dajan, go find some volunteers and we'll try to figure this out." Dajan bowed and left.

A man named Jarran frowned thoughtfully and bit his lip. "I heard that there is a group of rebels not far from here. Just a few miles into the woods. Perhaps they could help us?"

Haru shrugged. "That's the best idea we've got. Do you want to go find them?"

Jarran nodded and left. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Haru was left with only one other man. They both sighed deeply. "All we can do now is wait."

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Raan waited quietly with her peers, which took a lot of effort. It would be worth it. Today, she would get a sky bison. Crin already had one, but now it was her turn.

"Just offer your apple to whichever bison you want," Master Allecko instructed as a swarm of young bison landed on the ledge. "Choose carefully."

Raan looked at the bison running towards them. One wasn't running. It was hiding shyly in the back. Raan walked over to it and held out her apple. "It's ok," she whispered softly. "I just want to be your friend."

The bison hesitantly ate the apple. Raan reached out to rub the arrow on the bison's head. It squealed in joy and butted Raan, knocking her to the ground.

"Best friends forever," Raan said, hugging the bison's head.

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Aang and Katara walked through the crowded market square. "I just can't believe you're engaged."

"Well, the wedding wouldn't be for a long time, Aang."

"Yeah, I know," the young monk said. "Congratulations."

"I wish Sokka felt that way," Katara said glumly.

"He'll come around. Give him some time."

"You're right."

"Of course I'm right; I'm the wise and all-knowing Avatar."

"Then how come you needed my help buying people presents for the Equinox?" Katara teased.

"Well, I guess don't know everything."

Yeah, so I rewrote a bunch of stuff in this chapter, because it was weird and awkward and all sorts of stuff. The Equinox, for those who don't know, I'm referring to the Vernal Equinox, first day of spring, I'm assuming that if the Solstices are particularly important in the Avatar world, that the equinoxes must also be equally important. So, I'm bringing Jet back in this story coughrebelscough yeah. Thought secretly, I don't like him and I hope he died in Lake Laogai. That is the funniest thing about this story, is that it tends to focus a lot on two characters I really hate, and the funny thing is that they were so fun to write about. So there you have it, Chapter 2 in all its fantastic glory. And at this point it's time for me to stop typing, because I'm making so many typos. So Merry Christmas everyone, cause I'm posting this on Christmas Eve, and Happy Holidays for whatever else you celebrate, Hanukah, Kwanza, etc. For me, Winter Solstice is my favorite. Go treehugging awesomeness.