There has been 6 years of peace in the nations. Most would say that the war was all but forgotten but sadly that could never be the case. 100 years of destruction, death, and conflict could not be erased so easily. The truth of it was that the nations could not truly be balanced until all of them have been restored, a truth only the avatar could truly understand.
Presently at the Fire Nations capital, the three living nations representatives have gathered to discuss just that.
"We have exhausted resources for five years trying to find Air benders that just simply do not exist." A General from Ba Sing Se sat forward, his hand waving aimlessly in the air to defend his point.
Zuko watched his friend listening intently, shoulders sunk solemnly as he took in the officials concerns.
"I am afraid the water nation shares the earth nations…current status. As much as we wish to aid in the air nations revival, we cannot strain our own nations in the process." The water tribe diplomat leaned back in his seat defeatedly…or exhaustedly, it was hard for Aang to tell.
The Avatar looked to the man who he could trust to give his best judgment, as well as the most candor in one of these political meetings.
Zuko shifted in his chair uncomfortably before looking over to Aang. He cleared his throat and leaned forward, "At this time the Fire Nation can continue to supply what resources we can to look for air benders…" The Fire Lord looked quickly at the stern faces of the other officials before continuing. "But only for one more expedition before discontinuing the search. I'm afraid the other officials are right, we have to look out for our nations interests first." Zuko chose his words very carefully and only grew more cautious seeing the Avatars unreadable expression.
Everyone turned to the Avatar for a response. Aang leaned forward on his elbows and looked at each representative. "Over 100 years the air nation was ignored and left to be a relic and five years is all that the nations can spare to bring balance?"
The earth and water nations sat back in their seats without a response. "The air nation supplied textiles, fragrances, spices, and much more that the other nations haven't received in over 100 years. This not only affects the air nation… it would benefit the other nations trading with the air nation again as well. Does that mean nothing?"
"Are the other nations expected to be poor while the air nation rebuilds all of this? We cannot keep supplying our precious recourses for a nation that may or may not have the impact it did 100 years ago. I am sorry Avatar Aang, but it is decided." The General stated firmly while the water tribe diplomat nodded in agreement.
Aang gave a solemn nodded, disappointment written in his eyes. He stood causing the other nations officials to abruptly stand with him out of respect, Zuko a little slower to do so. Aang sat up straight and bowed his head before looking to each of the officials. "On behalf of the air nation, I thank you all for your efforts to restore my nation the past 5 years."
The earth and water officials bowed low while Zuko bowed his head in response to the Avatars gratitude. "This meeting is adjourned." Aang pushed his seat in before exiting the embassy room. Zuko ignored the other officials and followed after his friend.
"Aang, wait." Zuko called after the air nomad and watched him stop reluctantly.
"I'm sorry, the cost of Ozai's war took a large toll on us-"
"I know Zuko, I was there. Just like I was there for Ba Sing Sé when it conquered- or Omashu- or the Northern Water Tribe when it was invaded." Aang stated, his voice shaking with emotion.
Zuko was taken aback by the airbenders tone.
"But it was my responsibility as the Avatar to protect the nations from meeting the fate that my own endured." Aang laughed dryly at the irony. "I shouldn't hold the other nations to the same standard. The Earth King, the Water Tribe Chiefs… and even you, were not born to balance nations. That is my burden." The Avatar sighed in defeat as he placed a content hand on the Fire Lords shoulder. Before Zuko could find a response somewhere in his stunned mind, Aang stopped suddenly leaned forward with his palm to his forehead.
Zuko quickly walked over to him, concern etched on his brows. "Are you okay, Aang?"
"I'm fine, I think I'm just exhausted." He continued walking, leaving a concerned Fire Lord behind. He wasn't buying Aang's excuse considering he one that same man who defeated a fire lord at the age of 13. A simply meeting wouldn't exhaust him.
The Fire nation was the place Aang called home for the last 6 years. While the southern water tribe was an option, him and his new wife, Katara had decided it was too far from where he was needed most.
Aang had requested a secluded house outside of the capital to which Zuko was happy to supply. As soon as the air bender stepped through the door to his home, he fell onto the bed exhaustedly.
Katara walked into the house not long later. "Aang, are you home?" She called, slipping her shoes off at the door. With no response, the water bender walked deeper into the house till she found him on the bed with a pillow over his head.
She layed down beside him and pinched the edge of the pillow to carefully lift it. His eyes were closed but she could tell he was not yet asleep. "Rough day at work?"
"Mhmm." His reply slightly muffled by the pillow. "Wanna talk about it?" She ran her hand soothingly up and down his arm.
He turned onto his back and held the pillow to his chest before sighing. "The other nations are no longer going to aid in the search for air benders."
The airbender didn't need to look over at his wife to know that she was upset with the news. "Zuko?"
"One more search and then the Fire nation is done." His eyes finally locked with Katara's, pain evident in his eyes.
Katara sat up against the bed frame which furrowed brows. "After all you have done for them. The world needs four nations not three." She stated firmly.
Aang grasped her hand and kissed it reassuring. "I know…but if my past lives have taught me anything, it's that self sacrifice is part of the job. Everything I do has to be for the nations before myself."
"The air nation is just as valid as the other three. Your job is to keep the balance of all four nations." Katara argued gently.
"But I can't do it at the expense of others. It would just disrupt the other nations in the process." Aang sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Katara wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. "We can figure this out. We will go find them on our own if we have to." Her voice was slightly mumbled with her face buried in his neck but he heard enough to smile.
"Or have our own." He teased before turning to her and moving them back onto the bed, enthralled in love and laughter.
While the six years since the end of the 10 year war had been mainly peaceful, there were still those that felt Aang was an inadequate Avatar. The 100 years he had disappeared may have been forgiven by many after Ozai's defeat, but there were still some who felt no amount of good deeds could earn their forgiveness.
High within a mountain rage in the earth kingdom gathered masters from different nations within a cave. All were dressed in shadowed within cloaks, their faces hidden under hoods. Small gold lotus pendents around all of their necks. "I have called this meeting of the Red Lotus to share some exciting news." One member stood before the others capturing all of their attention. He pulled back his hood revealing is young features and a scar running down the left side of his face. His short black hair and gold eyes were an indicator of his fire nation nationality. "Soon our coward of an Avatar will be no more and a stronger more adept avatar will take his place!"
Everyone cheered with the young fire bender, sharing their distaste for their current Avatar. Everyone fell silent when another cloaked figure stepped forward, a white mask covering his face. "The next avatar will be part of the Red Lotus and with our guidance the new avatar will accomplish what our failure of an Avatar could not! The nations will be one and with the new avatars help, our enemies will be destroyed!" His voice echoed in the cave along with the chants of his followers.
Meanwhile, Aang sat up in his bed quickly through his legs over the side to cough uncontrollably. His chest burning and body aching with each guttural rasp. "Aang are you okay?" Katara asked sleepily.
Aang took a painful breath before answering. "I'm fine, I just choked or something." He moved back into bed wrapped his arms back around his wife. The airbender fell back asleep peacefully ignorant to the impending danger he was to be faced with soon.
A/N Hey everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter, the second is when the action starts coming in. So stay tuned! Thank you for reading and any reviews/likes are appreciated!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender
