Two weeks later.../p
When Aang saw the poster on a shop window in Ba Sing Se, he couldn't seem to process what he was seeing. It was a poster announcing the upcoming nuptials of the new Firelord Zuko to the master waterbender, Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe.
He didn't fly into a childish tantrum as one would expect from a 14-year-old who just discovered his lady love was marrying someone else. Instead of going crazy with anger, he started laughing, thinking it had to be a joke.
As his laughter dies down, he realized he needed to go to see Zuko to see why someone would post such a thing. He quickly made his excuses to the Earth king, gathered up Appa and Momo, and headed toward the Fire Nation.
By the time Aang arrived in the Fire Nation, the wedding was only a few days away. When he arrived in the capital city, there were already decorations everywhere for the upcoming royal wedding.
Scowling, Aang continued on toward the Fire palace. The palace guards quietly went on alert as ordered upon seeing the flying bison. A message was also sent to the Fire Lord, warning of the avatar's approach. Aang didn't seem to notice the tension in the air as he got closer. He didn't fail to notice however that only Sokka, Suki, and Toph were outside to greet him. Appa landed and Aang hopped down to get his friends.
"Hi, guys!" Aang said cheerfully, even though he was wary of the cautious looks on his friends' faces.
"Aang, this is a surprise." Sokka smiled at his young friend. "We thought you were off helping with the rebuilding."
"I was until I saw a ridiculous flyer announcing the wedding of Zuko and Katara. I had to see for myself that it was just a joke." Aang chuckled, thinking everyone would join in with his laughter at the apparent joke. When no one joined in laughing with him, Aang looked around at his friends." Surely there is no truth to this?"
"Aang, actually, it is true. Katara is set to be married to Zuko in four days' time." Suki told him gently. Aang's face contorted in anger, the weight of Suki's words hitting like a ton of bricks.
"Why would Zuko do this to me, after everything I have done for him?!" Aang questioned angrily.
"Do what?" Sokka asked in confusion. He knew Aang had feelings for his sister, but Katara had rejected him. Aang was probably still grieving over the loss of his first love, but Zuko had nothing to do with any of that.
"Take Katara from me and force her into an unwanted marriage!" Aang answered.
"No one is forcing anyone to marry here, Aang." Toph spoke up for the first time. "Expect maybe the fire sages."
"You mean to say that Katara is willing in all of this?" Aang couldn't seem to believe what he was hearing./p
"Yes, Aang, I am." Katara's weak voice came from behind Sokka and Suki. Aang turned to look at her. She looked pale and sickly.
"What has he done to you?! You look awful!" Aang exclaimed, running to her.
"I'm fine. I am just recovering from a stomach virus." Katara explained. She was not going to reveal her pregnancy to Aang, not wanting to add fuel to his anger. She also stayed out of his reach.
"You don't look fine." Aang countered. "You look like you have lost weight. Has Zuko been torturing you?" Katara wanted to roll her eyes at his thought process.
"If I was being tortured, Aang, how am I out here? I would most likely be chained or locked up. Calm down and use your head. I have just been sick."
"Calm down?! You are marrying someone else! How can I calm down after learning that?" Aang's voice rose with each word until he was screaming.
"Avatar Aang! You bring shame on your past lives and your fallen people!" Zuko's voice boomed across the courtyard. Everyone turned to look at the Fire Lord who was standing at the top of the stairs to the palace's main entrance. "You are nearly 15 years old! You need to stop these childish tantrums!" Zuko continued as he descended the stairs and came towards them.
"You stole my girl!" Aang shot back. Everyone but Aang and Katara continued to just stare at Zuko. He was never this loud or forceful with his friends. Katara recognized the anger in her betrothed's eyes and slowly moved away from Aang while his focus was on Zuko.
"I didn't steal anything, Aang. First of all, Katara is not a possession to be had. Second, she already told you that she doesn't return your feelings. You need to listen to what we are saying before things spiral out of control." Zuko had stopped several feet away from Aang, also placing himself in front of Katara.
"What do you mean by that?" Aang demanded. "I am in full control of my emotions. What you need to do is call off the wedding. I will take Katara with me and you can find another bride." Aang concluded with a satisfied smile.
The courtyard became deadly quiet as Aang's statement hung in the air for several seconds until Katara stepped around Zuko and stared daggers at Aang/p
"And how do you purpose you will do that? I most certainly won't go with you willingly." Katara replied in a very calm voice. Both Sokka and Zuko took an involuntary step back. They both knew that despite the morning sickness plaguing her, Katara was now very angry. "I am waiting for an answer, Aang. What will you do since I won't go with you of my own free will?" Katara repeated, a bite to her voice this time when Aang didn't answer her.