Hello, people!
This is chapter two of the story, I hope you enjoy it.
Katara walked into the room where she thought Aang would be sleeping in to give him a healing session, only to find his bed sheets containing nothing but an envelope, The waterbender assumed the worst but decided to remain hopeful, but that hope faded away gradually as she got closer and closer to the bed sheets, she took the envelope and opened it, a piece of paper was laying inside, she took it out gently and opened it:
My Friends, if you find this letter, then that means I'm already gone, don't bother looking for me as I intend to go away for a long time, I think my wounds need this much time to heal. Nothing physical of course, just my mental wounds, the way I dealt with the situation of The Firelord has taken its toll on me, but it's nothing you should be concerned about or feel sorry for, it's something that I should deal with myself.
I've spent the entire night trying to think of a way to address this issue with you, but I just couldn't find a way to talk this out so I decided to write it down, I wouldn't blame you if you called me a coward for it, but I've made this decision ever since I was on the airship sleeping beside the warm corpse of the first man I killed…
Don't blame yourself for my decision, I chose to kill the firelord, it's not your fault.
Zuko, I think congratulations are in order as I won't be able to say it to you in person, I think you'll make a great firelord, it's your destiny.
Sokka, the first time we met, you thought I was the enemy, that's when I knew you had the instinct of a great warrior, I hope you live a long happy life.
Suki, Thank you for accompanying us on a mission that you needn't worry about, you proved to be a great and loyal friend and a true warrior, worthy of the title "Kyoshi Warrior".
Toph, The memories I share with you are some of the best in my life, I'll always cherish our friendship and hopefully we'll get to meet again someday to continue my training.
Katara, You've been the true companion and best friend that I've always hoped for, the last time we spoke wasn't the most pleasant, but I'll always choose to remember the good memories we share together, I'll always choose to remember that you're the reason I decided to fight in this war, you'll always be my one and only attachment in this world.
The Main reason I chose to take some time off is that I've decided not to fight anymore.
as of this night, I swear off violence unless really necessary, and so I'm taking some time off to help me with this.
But Always know that whenever you need me, I'll be there.
Yours Truly,
Aang.
The waterbender was in the middle of a town meeting as she remembered Aang's letter once more, at this point, it's become like a distant memory that comes to haunt her every now and then.
It's been two years since Aang left her, two years of her deciding to let go of her feelings for him and focus on helping the southern watertribe grow.
Not that her decision proved fruitful, it's not like you can control your heart, her feelings for Aang are so strong she just couldn't let him go, but at least she's trying, and her work is helping her get somewhere with this, at least right now, she only thinks of Aang when she has nothing to do.
Moments of boredom like these only make her condition worse, nothing more boring for Katara than council meetings, she would sit there for hours fighting off sleep while old men are bickering with her father, the chief of the southern watertribe.
Although she has nothing to do with the meeting, she just has to be there to provide support for her father whenever he needs it.
At the moment, one of the councilmen was discussing a materials issue with her father, that caught Katara's attention,
"…We don't have the means to rebuild anymore, the southern watertribe is about to run out of materials, we need help."
"You're right, councilman. Know that I've been working on this matter for a while now and that I've come up with a solution, reassure your colleagues, this matter will be solved very soon."
"Thank you, Chief Hakoda." The councilman said with a smile, before departing.
"Well, I believe that's all for today. Katara, come here." Hakoda said.
The waterbender did as asked, "Seems like our chief is getting quite old for this kind of stuff." Katara said playfully.
Hakoda chuckled, "I'm not that old, but if it means running away from this burden, then by all means, take it away." Hakoda said.
It was Katara's turn to laugh, "We wouldn't go anywhere without you, Dad. We need you." Katara said genuinely, looking her dad in the eyes.
Hakoda smiled, "and I'm not going anywhere…" He said, putting a hand on Katara's shoulder, his eyes then turned serious, which Katara knew means that he's about to discuss business with her, "I have an urgent task for you and your brother."
"Shoot." Katara responded immediately.
"As you just heard from the councilman, we're about to run out of materials to rebuild our tribe, we need help and there is no nation that owes us help more than the firenation. You and your brother are friends of the firelord. Zuko wouldn't say no to you. Take a ship and sail for the firenation with your brother tomorrow morning, time for the firenation to give us what we're owed."
Katara was hesitant at first, she didn't want to go back to the nation where everything went south for her, the memories will be so tough, but she knew that her tribe needs this, and so she couldn't help but agree, "Consider it done, Dad."
Hakoda smiled again, "that's my daughter."
Katara smiled back, and she departed not shortly after, she told Sokka of the mission and the next morning, they both packed their things and left for the firenation.
The whole road there Katara couldn't help but think of her last memory of Aang, wondering what The airbender is doing at the moment, she decided to shut off her brain by sleeping a lot on the ship so that she wouldn't think of him again, that didn't prove fruitful as she had dreams of him.
She just wished this journey would end very soon so that she might return to her comfort zone in the southern watertribe.
Firelord Zuko was sitting inside the war room of the firenation palace, sitting on the firenation throne, toying with the idea of igniting the fire in front of him, the same one he extinguished himself.
His life as firelord has been very miserable to say the least, he's been working alone on restoring the honor of the firenation, having to listen to the complaints of each and every leader in the world, he knew the task beforehand, it's just he didn't know he was going to go through it alone.
He didn't want to trouble Uncle Iroh with this, whenever his uncle came to visit or asked for his wellbeing in the letters, Zuko would only insist that he's fine and that he just wants his uncle to enjoy his well-earned rest from politics.
As for Aang, he hasn't shown up to the people ever since his disappearance, Zuko couldn't blame Aang for this, the avatar did his part, he defeated the firelord and restored balance to the world, the rest is supposed to be Zuko's job, or is it?
Restoring balance couldn't have only be restored by defeating the firelord, it's a gradual process, Aang knew this, he even talked to Zuko about it before the final battle, and still he chose to run away, leaving everything up to Zuko and his friends.
Katara and Sokka are currently helping rebuild the southern watertribe, Suki and Toph are helping rebuild the earth kingdom, and Zuko is helping rebuild the entire world, a job that should have been the avatar's.
The Firelord pinched his nose in annoyance, that's why he was toying with the idea of re-igniting the fire of the throne, because of his anger towards Avatar Aang, and because his methods are ineffective with his people, rebels are everywhere, and tolerance only makes them worse, maybe following by his father's example would make people more obedient, they would respect him as firelord and never decide to rebel against him.
But Zuko knew he would never be able to do something like that, and he hated himself for it, he hated how tolerant and patient he is with those people.
His train of thought was cut out by non-other than his girlfriend,
"How's my beloved Firelord?" Mai said upon her arrival.
Zuko looked at her and his lips instantly formed a warm smile, "Hello, my love." The Firelord said.
Mai ascended the steps to the throne and sat beside him, she put her head on his shoulder and cuddled with him on the throne, Zuko pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead.
"We should have a date here someday. It's very cozy."
Zuko chuckled, "Imagine the firenation citizens hearing that the firelord is having a date with his girlfriend on the firenation throne. That would be quite the topic."
Mai sighed disappointedly, "I suppose you are right." She said.
Silence took over the room, as Zuko went back to contemplating his status, Mai recognized the look on his face, as she'd been living with it for two years.
"Feeling helpless again?" Mai asked.
Zuko sighed, "I wish Aang were here." The Firelord admitted.
Mai was angry by this, she broke out of his hug abruptly and looked him in the eyes, "I can't believe you are still holding on to your hope in that coward."
"He's not a coward, Mai. He just needs time to sort his issues out by himself."
"He's a coward. It's not the first time he's abandoned the world for his own self-interest. You're better than he is, you don't run away from your problems. You don't abandon your people because you've been overwhelmed by your duty. You never give up on them, that's why you'll always be better than he is. Honestly, I wish you were the avatar, Zuko." Mai finished.
"I would never wish for that, not in a million years. It's a burden I could never wish upon me or anyone else. It's the main reason why I don't blame Aang for any of this, he's just a little kid that got trapped in an iceberg, and when he got out, he found out that a hundred years have passed, a hundred years of war and suffering, a war that took his people away from him, a war that took away his morals and matured him pretty early, he doesn't deserve any of this, it's not his fault. but his duty as the avatar demanded from him to fix the previous avatar's mistakes. The only reason I'm not running away from my duties is because I want to help Aang, I want people to always think that he's there for them, that he's never left. Because that's what he deserves. That's what we owe him." Zuko said.
Mai was astonished by Zuko's words, "I never thought of it like that." She said.
"Nobody did, that is why he feels alone. That feeling was the main reason he left."
Mai was confused by this, "how do you know all this?"
"Huh?"
"You speak as if you've been talking to him?"
Dammit! Zuko only swore under his breath, he couldn't believe he forgot how sharp Mai is, he shouldn't have talked too much.
Zuko sighed, he wouldn't be able to lie to her anymore, "As a matter of fact, I do."
Mai was shocked by this but she only proceeded to ask another question, "So, you know where he is?"
Zuko sighed again looking away from Mai, "he made me promise not to share his secret." Zuko admitted.
Mai looked away from Zuko, she was silent for a while, before she spoke again, "I understand."
She then proceeded to hug Zuko tightly, something that made the firelord's eyes widen, why's she doing this.
Mai decided to clarify, "I can't believe the weight of the burden you are carrying, and the fact that you have the key to the way out in your hands, but you decided to hold it in for your friend. you are such a beautiful man. I love you so much."
Zuko was touched by her kind words, it made him blush, but her words only made him remember his earlier thoughts, that he was contemplating following by his father's example, Mai's words made him feel guilty for merely thinking of it,
"I don't think I deserve your kind words, Mai."
Mai only smiled into his embrace, "and that's why you actually deserve them."
They stayed like that for a while, unaware of the danger that's eying the palace outside.
From afar, there stood the Berserker, ready to start his mission, ready to take out Firelord Zuko and free the rightful Firelord Azula from her prison, the berserker knew that Zuko has been holding Azula in the palace, and not in the caldera city prison, for some reason, the firelord thought it best to not imprison Azula, that only left The Berserker feeling worse as he thought Zuko was keeping Azula in to punish her himself.
The vigilante only sighed and looked at the ground, "Your time is coming, Firelord." He said, before he vanished from eyesight.
I'm coming for you, Azula. I'm coming for you, my love. He thought before leaving to get ready for the mission.
See you again in the next chapter.
Don't forget to review, please.
