Disclaimer: ATLA belongs to Bryke.
hey everyone I have a poll on my profile for future stories I'm planning please go vote for which one you'd like me to post first! Summaries are there as well.
In Republic City, things weren't fairing too much better. As the anniversary of Sokka's death drew near, everyone of Team Avatar was either silent, depressed, or distant. While it is true that it's been over a decade and everyone has moved past the loss, the hole left behind would never seal completely. And the day that marked the tragic loss would forever scar the gaang, and the people of Republic City.
There was a short ceremony the day before that was held in the Central Plaza for all of those brave souls who lost their lives during those weeks of the Triad terror. Police officers, men from Toph's own metalbending squad, slain politicians, soldiers, civilians, and more were remembered at this annual gathering. Now on the final days of the anniversary of the chaos, everyone in the city was left to reflect and remember independently.
This was also the time when many citizens would stop by Councilman Sokka's statue and admire the monument, leave flowers, or say a silent prayer for the man's soul. The council also donate a large bouquet of fire lilies to their fallen comrade's grave every year.
Katara was on the dock of Air Temple Island, awaiting the last arrivals for this weekend. Toph and Lin, who was now her mother's second in command, would stop by after their last shift. Bumi, who'd currently been stationed on Whale Tail Island with the United Forces, promised he'd come home for the anniversary. Fire Lord Zuko and his family were on their way from the Fire Nation, and Suki and her boys were catching a ship from Kyoshi Island.
While all of their kids were now grown and making their own lives, they would never forget their beloved uncle. And Katara knows for a fact that Sokka's family wouldn't miss this for anything.
The middle aged Water Tribe woman felt sadness stir within her. She had three wonderful children, good friends, and a loving husband. She was never alone. But the loss of her brother, her last blood kin from her Southern family, had ripped open a wound nothing would ever truly heal.
I wish you were here, Sokka, she voiced menally as she looked out over the horizon of the bay patiently. You'd be so proud of all the kids. And I know you'd be beaming at what a fine man Hakoda grew up to be. And the kind of man Jian is growing into. They're both such good, smart, caring men, just like you.
The waterbender was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see a seasoned avatar standing behind her, his eyes sad and his smile gentle. He knew she got like this whenever this time of year arrived.
He pulled his wife of thirty years into a warm embrace.
"It's all right, sweetie," he murmured as he reached one tattooed hand up to stroke her hair. "I know this is hard, but we'll do it together. Bumi called and said his ship is nearing the city. Kya went to get Tenzin and everyone else is coming. We'll all be together, just like Sokka would want. He'd want us to stay together as a family."
Katara snuggled into Aang's shoulder, soaking up his comfort. Despite their being in their early fifties, the Southern woman sometimes couldn't help but marvel at how strong her husband still was.
"I just miss him, Aang," she mumbled into his robe. "My mom died. Then Pakku. Then Gran Gran. Then Dad. Sokka was all I had left of my family. With him gone, I'm the only one left."
She paused as she caught on to the meaning of her own words. She felt saddened and immediately tried to apologize to her husband. If anyone understood what is was like to be the last remaining, it was Aang.
He pulled her closed and shushed her as he continued to gently stroke her hair with his massive hand.
"It's okay. I understand the feeling, of being the last of your family. For me it was the last of my race. But there is always something that remains." He pulled back and looked into her teary ocean blues with his stormy gaze. "Guru Pathik told me that the Air Nomads' love for me wasn't gone, that it was still inside my heart. And it was reborn into new love. My love for you, my love for our children. I see the freedom of my element whenever I look at Bumi. I see the airbending spirit and gentleness when I look at Kya. And I see hope for my race, and the reminder that I'm no longer alone, when I look at Tenzin. Nothing is ever truly lost, Katara. Sokka's love for you still lives on in your heart. And he lives on in his sons."
Katara sniffled and nodded. "Thank you, Aang. You're right. As long as we remember him, he'll never truly be gone. Thank you, Aang. I love you."
The husband smiled and vocally mirrored her sentiment. He wiped away her tears with his thumbs and pulled her in for a tender kiss.
An hour after sunset, all of the members of their honorary family arrived on the island. Toph and Lin had stopped home to change out of their uniforms and were arriving with Tenzin and Kya from the city. Bumi had just gotten off the United Forces ship and was still clad in his major uniform. He was not in joking mood, however, as he normally would be. Zuko and Mai arrived with Ursa and Lu Ten as the royal ship docked near Republic City's port. And finally, Sokka's family made their way to the island off the ferry ride.
Everyone said their greetings and waited for what would come next.
Katara approached her brother's family. "It's great to see you, Suki," she said as she embraced her sister-in-law. She looked at her oldest nephew, and as she often did, smiled slightly, but a bit of sadness crept into her ocean blue eyes as she starred into those of her nephew.
She hugged him tightly and whispered, "You look well, my nephew."
She looked him over once more, studying those features that were so painstakingly similar to her brother's before turning to Jian.
The boy had his arms crossed over his chest and an unreadable expression on his young face. Katara smoothed back his hair and greeted him warmly. Jian muttered a half-hearted greeting before he instantly lit up at the sight of the fire family and vanished from his previous spot.
The waterbender looked at Suki with concern. "What's happening to Jian?"
Hakoda placed his large hand on his mother's shoulder as a sign of support as she exhaled sharply and told her sister-in-law about the heated exchange between the brothers back on Kyoshi, her conversation with Ty Lee, and Jian's behavior.
Katara had sadness and worry etched on her features. "I think we need to talk to him about this."
Zuko placed a hand on his son's back as he directed the boy. Lu Ten was the spitting image of his father, sans for his eyes which were his mother's.
The thirteen year old looked up to his father expectantly as Zuko told him the ground rules while they stayed on Air Temple Island, seeing as the teenage boy was a known troublemaker.
Lu Ten instantly got excited at the sight of his best friend Jian and ran over to him. The two boys talked and laughed and caught up.
"I'm happy to see you Jian!" The older boy said. "Dad has been so moody about this trip and I wanna get away for a while."
Jian nodded. "Same with my mom and brother. Let's go play with the bison!"
As the two younger boys were off, Bumi and Hakoda grasped each other's arms in a traditional water tribe greeting.
"Great to see you, 'Koda," Bumi grinned slightly at the use of his counsin's childhood nickname.
Hakoda smirked slightly. "Same, Boom-Boom," he ignored the glare that the older man gave him. "I just wish it were under different circumstances."
The major's stormy gray eyes became deep and thoughtful. He had also taken his uncle's death hard. He'd always remember how Sokka had been Bumi's inspiration to join the United Forces in the first place.
"Uncle Sokka wouldn't want us to be sad," he attempted to lighten the tension. Dour parentso are just taking it harder than us. I wish I could stay a little longer to help my parents, but I gotta dock out with my troops first thing Monday morning."
"You're right. My mom is really heartbroken. My brother's upset. And I wish I could make them feel better about it. It's hard on me, but my mom sees Dad's ghost in me amd Jian, well he didn't even get to know Dad." The ambassador sighed and ran a hand down his face.
Bumi patted his counsin on the back. "Hey it'll work out. We're all just down cus of the anniversary. But it'll get better, Jian just needs some time to sort out his thoughts, and Aunt Suki needs your support. Now, no more talk. Come on cuz, let's go test your sword skills." Bumi pulled out his steel sword. "Or are all those peace treaties making you soft?"
Hakoda smirked and felt grateful towards his cousin. Bumi always knew what to do to cheer him up.
The two men relocated to the empty court yard and began an intense and much needed spar.
Lin and Toph were waiting outside the air temple with Tenzin. Lin couldn't help the tears that slowly filled her jade green eyes. While she was indeed known to be a fierce woman with a steely resolve, just like her mother, Lin still missed Sokka dearly. After her father's untimely death when she was five, Sokka had stepped in and vowed to be her father figure. And that was just what he did; Sokka had taught her how to fish, how to hunt, and even trained her in hand to hand combat along with his son and nephew, in case there was ever a time she couldn't rely on her bending. He'd always been there for her and her mother.
Tenzin wrapped an arm around his longtime lover and kissed her temple. He brought up one tattooed hand and rubbed her arm warmly.
"It's alright, Lin," he murmured. "I know this is difficult, but we need to be strong."
Toph hugged her daughter from behind. "Twinkle Toes Jr. is right, badgermole," she told her child. "We were a wreck for a long time after Snoozles died. Let's not relapse after so long. I miss my best friend, but we gotta keep our calm."
The younger officer took in a deep breath and nodded. They would be okay as long as they stayed together. He would want her to be strong.
With the boys off catching up and Bumi and Hakoda still engaged in their rigorous spar, the original members of Team Avatar decided to discuss certain things in the den of the temple. Tenzin, Kya, Ursa and Lin excused themselves to go get dinner in the city and would bring back enough for everyone. They knew their parents wanted to share their pain alone.
Aang sat down with Katara on his right as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Suki and Toph sat on the other sofa and Zuko sat with Mai on the other side.
They remained quiet for a few moments. This was the spot where they'd had many get togethers, countless laughs, shared memories, serious discussions. But without their warrior present, those warm memories now seemed cold and distant.
"So," Aang began, finally breaking the unbearable silence. "Tomorrow's the anniversary."
"Thirteen years," added the Fire Lord. "He's been gone for thirteen years."
They were all lost in their memories of Sokka. They reminisced their fondest moments with the tribesman.
For Aang, he was remembering the things Sokka taught him when he was a young teen, and the unconditional support Sokka had given him when he proposed to Katara.
He'd been a young man of twenty, yet felt frightened as a little boy at the thought of her declining. He remembers so clearly the stern look on Sokka's face as he grasped his friend's shoulders and told him firmly, "Aang, if there's anyone my sister would spend her life with, it's you. She loves you and only you. And it won't be as hard as you think. If you need some help, I'm always here. You'll officially be my brother. And as your brother, I'll always be here for you."
For Katara, she remembered the determined little boy who'd sworn to protect her, and the seasoned man who'd comforted her and told her his true thought just days before his murder.
"You're compassionate and hopeful. You fight for the right reasons. And what you did today shows how selfless and brave you are."
For Zuko, it was the memories of working with the water tribe teen to bravely break his loved ones out of the Boiling Rock, and the words of comfort he'd offered when Zuko admitted to him he was afraid to be like his father when he learned Mai was pregnant with Ursa.
"Zuko, you're nothing like Ozai. The way you treat my sister's kids, and my son, tells me you're already a great uncle. You'll be a loving and supportive dad. You need to remember, you're better than Ozai."
Although Mai had not been so close to Sokka like her husband, she's considered him a friend and felt saddened by the loss. She squeezed Zuko's hand as a sign of support.
Toph remembered the boy who'd accepted her and knew the real her, and the man who'd always been there for her.
"Don't doubt yourself. You're an amazing chief. You carved this city and you fight every day to defend it. You love Lin with everything you've got. You're the strongest person I know, Toph. And as your best friend, I'm always here to help you. We're family."
Suki clenched her hands in her lap as she recalled a young warrior who had come to her rescue at a steely prison, a great warrior who swore his eternal love to her, and the man who'd sworn over their newborn son he'd always protect them.
Sokka looked down at baby Hakoda with a wide smile. His azure eyes were dancing with pure love and joy as he looked up to her. "I love you both so much, Suki. You and our boy are my whole life now. And I swear I'll always protect you two."
After a few minutes of pregnant silence, Hakoda entered the den with Bumi close behind.
Both young men were sweaty and breathing heavily. Bumi had removed the jacket of his uniform and Hakoda had removed his shirt altogether.
He wiped the sweat off his brow and looked around the room. It was a difficult thing, seeing the powerful people he'd grown up admiring, such renowned leaders, look so sad and lost. It reminded the warrior of the first few months after his father's death.
Bumi muttered an excuse about going to shower, wanting to avoid the melancholy atmosphere. He preferred to mourn in solitude.
Hakoda pulled the top of his shirt back over his head and looked intently at his family.
Suki and Katara shared a pained look. Hakoda frowned. He knew that once again his mother and aunt were comparing how much he resembled his father. He needed to change this. He needed them to stop acting as if he were Sokka's copy every time his anniversary came. And overall, he needed to make then realize that Jian felt neglected and hurt.
"Okay," he addressed everyone present. "Believe me, this is a hard time for me, too. I miss my father more than anything." A flash of emotion glazed over his sapphire orbs. "But Dad died protecting us. If he hadn't done what he did, we'd all be dead. So first, I want to ask you all to listen to what I have to say."
Suki nodded and Aang looked at his nephew. "Go ahead, Hakoda. We'll listen."
He nodded to his uncle before continuing. "Something that has always occurred on the anniversary is the way you all look at me. I know it's always been said how much I resemble him. But every year, you all look at me like I'm his ghost. I understand it's important to have something left of him. But that's just the thing; I'm not Sokka. I'm Hakoda. I just want you all to understand the pain that puts me through. And now we need to talk about Jian." He paused as he noticed the sad, apologetic looks from his mother and aunt, the surprised looks of the fire couple, the raised eye brow from Toph and the ashamed look on Aang's features.
He took a deep breath and continued. "I had a talk with my brother a few days ago. He feels completely left out by us every year on this day. We've all been so busy mourning our own loss all these years that we forgot about his feelings. Sure he didn't have to watch Dad die like we did." He paused and closed his eyes to regain some composure. The mental images always shook him up. "But he did lose someone, too. And what's worst, he never even met him. Whenever I look back on my own childhood, I can't imagine growing up without my dad. He was everything to me as a kid. But my brother didn't get that chance. Mom, you've done a great job with him, and Uncle Aang, you're the closest thing he has to a paternal figure. But he feels neglected and the more everyone focuses on how I feel about losing him, the more Jian feels that he isn't worthy of being our father's son."
"That's far from the truth," Zuko interjected. "My nephew is more than worthy to be anything. And I knew Sokka well. I know he would love that boy."
"I'm sorry, Sweetheart," Suki directed to her oldest son. "I don't mean to make you feel like a ghost or a copy of your father. You are your own man and I couldn't be prouder of you. You're just, you and your brother are all I have left of him. And I don't mean to make Jian feel neglected. But I don't know what to do to make this better." Tears streamed down the mother's face and her son came to sit next to her and hugged her.
"Mom, you didn't do anything wrong. It's something we all need to help Jian with. He told me he feels empty without knowing him. We need to find a way to make him realize that Dad would love him. I tried talking to him but he wouldn't listen. He's hurting and I don't know how to help him," the ambassador confessed.
The avatar stood up. "Let me talk to him."
Everyone sent looks of surprise towards the airbender.
"I feel I should," he explained. "He's my godson. Also I understand what it feels like to mourn that of which you hardly had a chance to have. Something you'd do anything to have back." His eyes became dark and stormy as he recalled the few precious years he had before he was told he was the avatar, and before the genocide of his people. "And it's partially my fault that Sokka died. If I had thoroughly checked if Run Yi was dead instead of assuming, he wouldn't of caught us all off guard. I owe it to my brother to make things right between him and his son. I never told any of you this to avoid more pain, but maybe now is the time. I've had contact with Sokka's spirit during my journeys to the spirit world. I know how he feels about Jian."
Everyone looked at him wide eyed.
"You've spoken to him?" Suki questioned with tears in her eyes.
Aang felt guilt clutch his heart as he nodded. "I couldn't tell you all, it would only cause us more pain, knowing he's there. It would make the reality of him being gone even worst. I've only seen him once. It hurt me enough to see him there. And I can't allow anyone to go see him or for him to come here. It just doesn't work that way," he explained.
Suki looked to her friend once more. "I wish you'd told me, Aang. But I do understand. But, what did you see of him? Did he, did he say anything?"
Hakoda squeezed his mother's hand and he cursed under his breath as tears filled his eyes as well. Everyone looked expectantly to Aang.
The avatar sighed and sat down. "It happened about five years ago. The Hei Bai spirit was again terrorizing small Earth Kingdom villages and I had to go to the Spirit World to find out why this was occurring again after so many years. I was, making my way to find the spirit. But, I heard someone call my name. I turned, and I saw Sokka standing before me." Aang wiped his eyes and continued. "He looked young again. He looked no older than twenty. He seemed to be dressed in some ceremonial Water Tribe robes. But he seemed so carefree and happy. It was such a contrast to the last time we saw him alive. He was smiling that sarcastic smile of his at me and I couldn't believe it was him."
A tear rolled down Katara's cheek as she listened to her husband. "Did he speak to you?"
Aang looked sadly at his wife, but a smile began to tug on his lips as he recounted the experience.
The Hei Bai spirit had again been terrorizing villages and Aang had to go into the Spirit World to contact the spirit. This was odd, for the spirit had not attacked anyone since during the war over thirty years ago. The puzzled avatar, now with much more experience, easily entered the spirit realm and went in search of the creature's habitat.
"Avatar Aang. Fancy seeing you out here."
The airbender froze as he heard that voice. He must be hearing things. But it was undeniably familiar…and this was the Spirit World. But why would he be in the far end of the realm instead of in the general paradise where the other souls were?
Aang breathed deeply and turned to face the owner of the voice. His eyes widened instantly, but then softened and a powerful wave of guilt, sadness and joy washed over his heart like a tidal wave.
Standing a few feet away was Sokka. The deceased warrior no longer had the appearance of a mature man in his forties. No longer did he have a ruggedly handsome and seasoned face. He had that handsome, flawlessly defined face of his youth and all sense of his younger years restored. His hair was pulled back in its old wolf tail instead of the more professional style Sokka had worn when he became a councilman, and his once full goatee was absent, replaced by slight stubble.
Aang had a clear memory of how Sokka had been when they first began to build the United Republic, and it was starring right back at him. The young man was wearing elegant blue robes and his signature Water Tribe hunting boots. His beautiful tan skin was free of the wrinkles, scars and stress it had accumulated throughout his lifetime.
But what truly captivated the avatar's attention were his friend's eyes. At that moment, Sokka's eyes were the bluest Aang had ever seen them. They were the purest of blues, with a tint of turquoise, and they retained cheerfulness and wonder so heartbreaking that Aang had to momentarily look away. The tribesman hadn't had that glow in his eyes since the day his first son was born.
The Air Nomad marveled at this great difference; the last time he saw Sokka, his eyes had been darkly glazed over, dull and lifeless, and full of unimaginable pain. But now they vibrated with the life Sokka no longer had.
It was such a daunting thing, to face Sokka again, seeing him this young and carefree, after he'd watched him die in pain. Tears pricked the avatar's eyes and he took shallow breathes to try and compose himself.
Sokka raised an amused eye brow and crossed his arms over his chest. "Are you just gonna stare at me forever? Well, I've got plenty of time," he quipped.
When Aang remained in his state of shock, Sokka's smirk faltered and he snapped his fingers in the air. "Hello, anyone there? Aang, seriously, what-?"
He was immediately attacked into a hug. The avatar allowed a few tears to pour out before he took a shakey breath. Sokka felt almost solid; it would never be the same as touching the man's actual physical body, but it felt very solid and reassuring.
Sokka softened and put his arms around the avatar. While in life he had not really enjoyed hugs from anyone, sans from Suki, Katara, Lin, and his son, he knew his friend needed it.
After a few moments, Aang pulled back and wiped his eyes. He finally broke his silence.
"Sokka. How? Why are you in this realm of the Spirit World? How? And, Agni. I'm so, so sorry, my friend." He looked down in shame. "I should've known better when that building collapsed. I should've checked that Run Yi was really dead instead of assuming. I should've sensed him coming, or at least been able to break free of his blood bending. But I was foolish and weak, and instead you had to intervene. If I had done my job as the damn avatar, you wouldn't have had to give up your life. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," he whispered.
He raises his eyes to meet the sad and disbelieveing look on the ex-councilman's face.
Sokka placed a feather light hand on Aang's shoulder. Cobalt eyes met grey ones as he spoke softly and comfortingly, yet firmly. Much like he had done as the man who'd walked Katara down the aisle on her and Aang's wedding day.
"Okay, first I'm here because I haven't fully gone to the paradise. And I wanted to see you. Also, I have nothing to forgive," he began. "You did no wrong against me. I chose to confront Run Yi. I chose to defend my family. I knew something like that could happen, especially with how injured I was. But I don't blame you in the slightest. We all thought he was dead. I just happened to notice when he got up because I was near the wreckage. I did what I had to do, Aang. Just like you would've. It was hard, leaving behind my family. But I'm here now, and I'm okay. I'm with my parents again, and Gran Gran. I've seen Yue again," he pauses to smile fondly. "Plus I did get Run Yi before I died. He's in the Fog of Lost Souls, last I heard."
The Air Nomad nodded. He felt a great weight lift from his shoulders after so many years of guilt. But he looked again sadly to his big brother.
"Thank you for that, Sokka. But we all miss you so much. The group isn't the same without you. We've dome our best to move on and be happy, but it's hard. Katara doesn't smile as much as she used to. Kya and Tenzin are worried about her. Bumi trains harder than ever. Zuko is gloomy and the only one now who can cheer him up is his little boy, Lu Ten. Toph works more than ever. Lin clings to Zuko and I, afraid she'll lose us like she did you and Kenji. Hakoda is pushing himself so hard to fill your shoes. And Suki," he looked down again in sorrow. "She's very strong, but she doesn't have that vibrant glow in her eyes anymore. And you had another-"
Sokka lifted his hand to detain him, a sad look narrowing his handsome features.
"She had our son after I died. I know. Little Jian." He smiled at the thought of his boy. "I've been watching over them, Aang. I could've just gone to the paradise like everyone else but I can't bear the pain of not being with them, especially once I found out about Jian. You all may believe I can't hear you, but I can. Every time one of you talks to my spirit, I can hear you. That's how I heard Suki tell me about her pregnancy when she visited my statue for the first time." A tear escaped the tribesman's eye. "She was so determined to be strong and raise him. Every night during the pregnancy, I'd be there watching her sleep. I was there when she gave birth to him, Aang. I was so proud that moment. But I was sad, I'd never hold my son." He closed his eyes in sorrow. "But I've been there. Every day."
Aang teared up again. "Jian has already started asking about you."
"I know," Sokka whispered. "He's so much like Suki. And he's brave, strong, and so loyal. He's his mother's son. But sometimes I watch his closely. When he started to walk, instead of dashing right into it, he seemed to be trying to formulate a plan to do it," he chuckled. "He makes plans and tries to figure things out for himself. He's the most stubborn little boy I've ever seen, besides his brother. And the way he looks at his mother with so much love, I just want to cry. I just think, whoa. That is definitely my son." The spirit of the councilman smiled. "And I love him."
"I'm happy you can watch over them," Aang confessed. "I've tried helping, but your absence in his life will be hard as he gets older."
"I know. But Suki's doing an amazing job with him. Agni I miss her." His cobalt yes glazed over with overwhelming love and longing. "And you've all been so kind to her and you've helped your godson so much. Thank you, Aang. Now go. You have a spirit to catch."
By the end of his story, everyone was tearing up. Zuko was clutching Mai's hand, attempting to remain strong. Toph had silent tears running out of her milky eyes. Katara was sniffling, Suki had her face in her hands, and Hakoda just looked at the floor.
At that moment, Jian entered the room with Lu Ten trailing behind him with a worried look in his amber eyes.
Jian had tears running down his young cheeks. Everyone silenced at the sight of the boy.
He looked directly at his godfather. "There's no way he said that," the boy whispered. "He doesn't even know me. How can he say he loves me? And how do we know you didn't make this up to fool me into thinking everything was okay?!"
Toph stood up and set her hands on her hips furiously.
"He isn't lying, Jian!" she snapped at the boy. "Aang would never lie about something like this. And his heart beat is steady and normal. He's telling the truth."
The young warrior's eyes filled up again. "I can't believe something I'll never know. I can't. There's no way he'd want me. He'd never love me."
The preteen ran out of the temple and Suki and Hakoda called for him to return. Lu Ten tried to follow, but Zuko grabbed his shoulder.
Aang, Hakoda and Suki ran out, while Aang told everyone else to wait here in case he came back.
"Dad, Jian's hurt, I gotta help, let me go!" The teen pleaded with his father. "He's my best friend, I can't just do nothing!"
The Fire Lord sighed and pulled his son into a hug. "I know, my son. But there's nothing any of us can do. This is something only one man could possibly fix this."
He silently wondered if what Aang said Sokka said was true about him hearing them.
Zuko silently prayed for his best friend to reach out to his son's best friend.
I'm trying to focus on my original characters but the new ones as well- remember this sequel is mostly about Sokka's family's struggle with Jian not knowing his dad :)
See that pretty review button down below? Go to it!