1All right! I edited chapters 19 and 21, so you might want to go back and read those two chapters before you read this one.
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Chapter 22: The Comet
It was the last day of summer. The night of the comet. Supplies were readied for the firebenders in the shelters. Aang needed to take a trip to the Spirit World in case Avatar Roku had anything to say.
"Surprisingly, the only spiritual place in the Fire Nation is either Roku's home or Roku's temple." Zuko as saying to Aang. "We lost our spirituality when Sozin began the war."
"Yeah, that figures..." Aang shrugged. "No problem. I'll go to the Crescent Island and I'll be back by sundown."
Zuko nodded. "See you later."
XXX
Aang flew over the crescent-shaped island looking for a good spot to sit and meditate. Finding one, Aang hopped off Appa and sat down in his meditating stance. A few minutes later, the Avatar found himself in the Spirit World.
Smiling, Aang saw his three previous lives.
"Well done, Aang." Roku said, smiling. "We knew you could do it."
"I couldn't have done it without my friends." Aang responded. "I can't believe it took me so long to realize that I'll need my friends no matter what."
"Very wise." Avatar Yangchen said. It took Aang a ferw moments to remember where he'd seen Yangchen before.
"I remember you." Aang said, his brows furrowed in remembrance. "You were in...well, it was like a forgotten dream of mine. After...I got shot."
"What else do you remember from that dream?" Asked Kuruk with interest.
"I remember learning that we all need to live together. That we all need to live together in peace. That way, we'd all get along." Aang replied.
Kyoshi nodded. "We also all make mistakes. No one is perfect. Not even the Avatar."
Aang nodded. "So, now that ther war is over...what now?"
"Spend time with your friends and family, master all four elements, keep peace and harmony throughout the world..." Kyoshi answered. "Be a kid."
Aang smiled. "I'd love that."
"Before you go, Aang, a few people would like to speak with you." Roku said He gestured for Aang to follow him. Aang complied. Roku led him to a building ('There are buildings in the Spirit World?' Aang thought, confused.). A group of people were waiting.
Aang immediately spotted Gyatso. "Gyatso?"
"I am very proud of you, Aang." Gyatso smiled.
"I'm sorry I left you." Aang apologized. "I shouldn't have."
"It is quite all right. I would have done the same thing." Gyatso replied.
Aang smiled and turned to Yue.
"I knew you could do it, Aang." Yue smiled. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks."
"Tell Sokka I said 'Hi'." Yue continued. She then smirked. "And tell that girlfriend of his that if she hurts him, I'll come down from the Spirit world and say a few things to her."
Aang laughed. "Will do."
Jet appeared from behind Yue. He still looked the same. "Hey, Aang. Thanks for ending the war."
"No problem." Aang replied, smiling. "I'll tell Katara you said 'hi'."
Jet nodded and stepped back into the crowd. A woman in her thirties stepped in front of Aang. She was from the Water Tribe. Aang noticed that she looked a lot like Katara.
"Are you...Katara's and Sokka's mom?" Aang asked her.
The woman nodded. "Tell my children and my husband I am very proud of them. I love them, and will always be watching over them."
Aang nodded. "I'll pass along the message."
A young man in his early twenties walked up to Aang. He had dark brown hair and amber eyes. "Hello, Avatar Aang. My name is Lu Ten. I'm General Iroh's son and Lord Zuko's cousin."
Aang bowed in greeting. "Nice to meet you. Iroh told me a lot about you."
Lu Ten winced. "Nothing embarrassing, right?"
Aang laughed. "No."
Lu Ten smiled. "Good. Please tell my father and cousin and aunt I love them and that I'm proud of them."
"Wow, so many messages." Aang chuckled. "I'll tell them."
XXXXXX
Meanwhile, a scream of excitement can be heard from Katara's, Sokka's, and Hakoda's guest house at the Fire Nation palace.
"You're getting married?" Katara asked Hakoda, surprised. "So soon? When? Where will we live?"
Hakoda chuckled. "Whoa, slow down, Katara. We haven't set a date yet. I'm the chief of the south pole, so I have to be at home. Ursa is going to live with us, but we'll come back here every few weeks to visit."
Katara nodded. "Spirits, this is so exciting! Wow...does Zuko know yet?"
"Ursa's on her way to tell him right now." Hakoda answered. He turned to his son, who was quiet. "Sokka, you seem quiet."
"It's all so...I don't know...changing." Sokka responded. "I'm happy for you, Dad. Really. But I don't know how much more change I can take!"
Katara laughed. "Well, Aang proposed to me..."
"WHAT?!" Sokka exclaimed.
Katara laughed harder. "I'm kidding, Sokka! He's way too young to get married anyway."
They heard a knock at the door. Aang came in. "Hi. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Of course not, Aang." Katara smiled. "Dad was just telling us he and Ursa are engaged!"
Aang smiled. "Really? Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Aang." Hakoda replied. "How was the Spirit World?"
"It was great!" Aang replied. "I saw four of my past lives...and a few people who...passed on."
"Like Yue?" Sokka asked.
Aang nodded. "She says 'Hi."
Sokka smiled and sighed. "Who else did you see?"
"Gyatso." Aang replied. "He said he's really proud of me...and he forgave me for running away."
Katara smiled and put a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder. "You must have been very relieved."
"I am." Aang answered. "I also saw your mother, Katara."
Katara looked away and sighed. Aang continued. "She said she's really proud of you, Sokka, and your dad. She loves you and will always be watching over you."
Tears fell from Katara's cerulean eyes. "It's just not fair."
"What's not fair?" Asked Aang.
"You saw her, and I didn't." Katara sniffed and wiped her tears. "I know you're the bridge between worlds, but still..."
Aang sighed and hugged Katara. "Katara, you know the ones who loved us never leave us. Instead, it's reborn in the form of new love. The Guru taught me that."
Katara smiled. Sokka stroked his chin in thought. "So...Yue took the form of from Suki, or...what? I don't get it."
Katara rolled her eyes. "Yes, Sokka, that's exactly what it means. And...Mom took the form of Ursa. I haven't had a mother in so long. I'd love for Ursa to be a part of our family. And Sokka, you did say you've always wanted a brother." She winked.
Sokka groaned slightly. "True..."
They all laughed.
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After dinner, Zuko, Ursa, Iroh, and Aang headed down to the bunker along with every firebender who could fit in the bunker. Aang told Iroh, Ursa, and Zuko of Lu Ten's message. Iroh wept in happiness. After that drama, Ursa lightened up the mood.
"I can not believe after all the excited talks from Ozai about the comet, he's not even here." Ursa shook her head in amusement.
"Destiny is a funny thing." Iroh replied.
Aang smiled. Yeah. My greatest fear, and I had nothing to worry about."
"What's your greatest fear now?" Zuko asked with interest.
Aang shrugged. "I guess losing Katara and the people I love."
"How did I know you were going to say that?" Zuko chuckled.
"I guess I'm predictable?" Aang shrugged and chuckled. "I don't know."
XXXXX
Katara, Sokka, Hakoda, and Suki lay on the grass outside the palace courtyard watching for the comet.
"I can't believe it's all over so suddenly." Suki admitted. "It seems like yesterday the Fire Nation attacked Kyoshi Island."
"Yeah." Sokka replied. "Seems like yesterday Katara and I found Aang in that iceberg."
"It does, doesn't it?" Katara nodded. She noticed the comet passing over their heads.
Sokka smiled. "And best of all: no fire lord to harness the energy of the comet!
"Or firebenders." Hakoda put in.
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Little did anyone know that a small group of firebenders were standing outside their home watching the comet pass.
"Chiyo, we are risking banishment." A tall man in his twenties declared.
"Fire Lord Zuko is not fit for the throne." Chiyo replied. "Lord Ozai wanted to end the war with the Fire Nation the dominant nation...Zuko wants equality. Something has to be done about that."
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Don't worry, I'm writing a sequel. This story isn't over yet, though, There's still a loose end. -pokes Mai-
