"Aang, there you are."

Aang peered down through the trees, spotting Aiga craning her neck up, shielding her eyes from the sun. It was hard to tell if she was grinning or frowning and her tone revealed nothing.

A sarcastic barb lingered on his tongue but he bit it back, instead descending with a graceful step down. Her language seemed friendly, but Aang could never be sure.

"You're a hard person to find," Aiga added once they were standing face to face.

"Such was the intention…" Aang muttered semi-sourly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh, well, Ty Lee is helping with dinner, so…" Aiga trailed off.

"So you get to go poke the platypus-bear?" he asked snappishly, "You get to gawk at the person who nearly leveled our safe haven and killed Aden?"

Even as he spoke, something black and dark rose up in him, and there was the errant thought that took off running across his mind.

You should have just ended it, Aang. Killed him when you had the chance, for real.

But no, he knew he shouldn't want Aden dead.

But alas, his mind seemed to have thoughts of its own of late.

It had been weeks and no choices had been made regarding Aden. The Lotus went back and forth all day long about the morality of their options, no closer to finding a resolution.

It was breaking the unity of the camp.

The Airbenders were horrified he was allowed to live. They had grown to be a close-knit group in the Swamps, and the loss of their friends and family still weighed heavily. Aang wasn't the only one wishing for his death. They were also angry that Aang would not get to decide what happened to him; he was the Avatar, was he not? Wasn't he meant to have a greater weight in these sorts of choices?

Those who were just here to seek asylum had no real experience with war or its traumas and were angry that it was even being considered.

And those from the Palace were everywhere in between, individually laying lines in the ground depending on their personal feelings.

Aang's mood had not improved. He liked to think that if Aden was gone, in whatever way that meant, it would lighten his burden, but he knew the truth.

He felt like a powder keg close to exploding.

He was just…angry. He snapped at others. And he was guilty he wasn't living up to what people hoped he was.

It was better for him to just make himself scarce and spend most of his time in meditation, begging that some former Avatar would tell him what to do.

But, he had a bad feeling that even if the Avatars could talk easily in his mind right now, they'd tell him that no one but Aang could make this decision.

"No, Aang," Aiga said kindly. "A few more girls from the Prince's Choice have arrived. I just thought…well, perhaps you'd like to greet them as well."

Aang gave her a raised, dubious eyebrow, "Me?"

"You are the Avatar," Aiga said, "The face of this whole thing, in a sense."

"And the reason they're here," Aang said glumly. If he'd been a better Avatar and dealt with Ozai instead of just hiding, if he'd seen through Azula's deception, they might still be in their halls and homes, married to dignitaries and hosting parties.

"You're also a familiar face from the Palace," Aiga prompted, "Kuzon was always someone who was kind there-"

"Kuzon was a lie!" Aang snarled, more furious than he had expected. He was shocked at his own anger and stepped back, blinking hard. Aiga, to her credit, offered a gentle smile and didn't stumble away. She didn't even flinch.

"Not all of him, I'm sure. While it is true we wore many faces in the Palace - I know that as well as anyone - do you know what I remember about you?"

Aang looked down at his feet guiltily. "What?"

"That you took the time to remember my name. And always thank me when I waited on you before I was assigned to Katara. It was my job, but you always thanked me - as with everyone else who worked in the Palace. That takes a truly sincere person. I don't think that was all an act."

"I just don't know…"

"I know you believe that only Ty Lee saw that, but I think you'd be surprised about how much of a welcome face you may be. I just thought you may want to, but if you don't, there's no worry."

Except you're hiding like a coward, giving them even more doubt that you're the right person to be the Avatar.

Aang winced. Even though the last thing he wanted to do was leave his leafy oasis…well…

"Okay." He forced a smile. Though the girls in the Choice (sans Ty Lee) had kept a respectful distance of intimacy, not wanting to be accused of any wrongdoing, there had been girls in the Palace with whom he had enjoyed a budding friendship and would be glad of the chance to get to know them better.

Aiga led Aang through the swarm of people, curious to see who had graced their stone path that day. People eagerly craned their heads, whether they were looking with excitement or hoping relatives would appear. Those who didn't see people they wanted moved away, but there was still a tightly-knit semi-circle at the spot where Appa dropped people off.

It seemed like there were only a handful of figures; two people Aang didn't recognize at all, who were in joyous reunion with some other Earth Nationers, and three people he did know. One person he only had the foggiest of recollection of, and recalled her getting cut in the first round, right away.

Uzuki, he thought?

The other two were much more recognizable.

On Ji was running to hug Anaselma, who looked mildly dirt-stained but was grinning ear to ear. Avizeh stood with two very young girls clutching her dress, keeping a protective arm around both.

"I'm so glad we got your coded letter!" Anaselma was saying to On Ji, "And that we knew how to find you! We've been traveling together since the fall of the Palace."

Mai came to Avizeh, kneeling down in front of the children, a gesture Aang wasn't surprised at. Though few knew, Mai had a soft spot for kids. No doubt she was missing her baby brother.

Aang watched her interact with them, offering a rare smile and enticing them from their firm, double-fisted grip on their older sister.

To Aang's surprise, when Anasemla saw him, a wide smile broke over her face.

"Kuzon! Oh, what a sight you are! I heard all about the Swamps; just awful, just awful!" she said, unexpectedly hugging him.

"Uhm…I'm glad you're alright too?" he said, trying to figure out if this was a trick.

"I heard you gave Zhao what he deserved," Avizeh said with a sly grin, "He always creeped me out."

By this time, Iroh had made his way to the front.

"Ah, girls! Welcome to our solace. I'm so pleased you could find your way here. I know you must be tired, but I think that it may be best for all of us to talk when thoughts are still fresh in your minds. I have some tea waiting for you; if you may."

Aang watched in mild confusion as Uzuki followed as well. He didn't know anything about her - Zuko had spent little time on his decision to cut her - but he was surprised she wasn't sent to an assigned bunk and left to her own devices.

Iroh motioned for Aiga, Cillia, and Mai to join. A few handmaids darted forward to take Avizeh's sisters to the mess hall, coaxing them with sweets and promises that Avizeh would be back soon.

"Ah, Aang. You too."

Aang followed, unsure why he was gathered in this group.

As promised, Iroh had a hearty pot of tea bubbling and took little time to dole it out. The rest of the White Lotus sat on pillows, some greeting the girls warmly as if there were a past connection.

"I do not wish to keep you here long, but I do have some questions," Iroh began. "I know your sisters must be anxious, Avizeh, but I didn't think this war talk was for their young ears. If I'm not mistaken, you always seemed to know exactly what was going on in the Palace, hmm?"

Avizeh sat proud, "That's right, General."

"And would it be correct to assume you've gathered intel outside it since?"

"Oh, you have no idea," Avizeh chuckled. "I would have liked to gain more, but things have been…tenuous in the Earth Kingdom, and I was worried for my younger sisters. So, for that, I apologize."

"Never apologize," Ursa said, "For putting your family first. It is admirable, Lady Avizeh."

Iroh waved a hand. "By all means. Please," he was smiling, "Enlighten us."

Avizeh immediately launched into what Aang could best describe as a field report, though her descriptions were vivid and pointed. She was very good at grasping the attention of everyone. She talked about how she was well aware of Fire Nation military movements, due to some flirting and eye-batting on her part, and solidified the gossip that Azula was seeking out an imaginary library in the desert. She had some more news, that as of a week ago, Azula had returned and seemed happy.

"Which can never be a good sign," she said with a hard shake of her head.

"I agree," Jeong Jeong said, "Happy is bad news for us."

"I mean, she's crazy, but her 'happy' did give an entire village a festival just because someone complimented her. So…" Avizeh shrugged. "Unfortunately, she's still not lost the love of the Fire Nation. Not all agree with her, but most would need to see a whole lot more to believe Zuko's not the bad guy."

"That's also bad news," Iroh said, rubbing his chin. "And the Earth Kingdom?"

"As I said, it's…" Avizeh tapped her fingers on her ceramic cup, "Difficult. Most of us didn't want to be under Ozai to begin with and hated having all our power usurped as it was. If things go on like this for much longer, we'll just be absorbed as Fire Nationers, without our own identity. The Kyoshi are still fighting back, but I worry for them," she said with genuine concern.

"Uzuki, perhaps you can shed some more light?" Iroh asked. "Her father is a high-ranking Captain of the Earth Kingdom forces," he informed the group.

"Was," Uzuki muttered angrily. "I wish I had more to say, General."

"Anything is helpful," Piandro assured, "You never know what will be vital information."

"Sure," Uzuki said with a shrug, "I mean, it's a terrible thing. He and all other high-ranking officials who didn't show immediate fealty to the Fire Nation were stripped not only of their ranking but also were arrested as criminals. My father was taken; that's when I ran. He told me to. He'd never leave his men behind, but I fear what has happened to him. They're installing puppets all over, just mouthpieces for the Fire Nation. It's a mix between Earth Kingdomers who can be bought with fear or money, and Fire Nationers dressing as Earth Kingdom to deceive us. There are rebellions all over, but most insurrectionists are killed or captured. The ruling family in the Earth Kingdom is done for; I was so glad to see King Kuei safe here, for I had feared the absolute worst."

"And is there a king or queen in place?" Ursa asked.

"And have someone else threaten Azula's rule?" Avizeh snorted, "No way."

"She's right. They've installed a Warden of the Earth Kingdom." Uzuki's face was stony, "It's Nadhari."

Iroh and Ursa exchanged looks.

"She's being rewarded for her treachery," Avizeh snarled, furious, "She'd throw us all to the rats if she got the chance. Do they think we'll trust her, knowing she's in Azula's back pocket? Please!"

"That is quite distressing news," Iroh said, seemingly more despondent by the minute.

"They're trying to make her upcoming wedding seem like a big deal, a party for all of the Earth Kingdom, but it's just stupid. Anyone who believes that is desperate or a fool."

"Wedding?" Ursa asked, biting the inside of her cheeks in frustration, "I suppose that was what she wanted most, was it not? I assume Azula made her a good match for the price of who she sold out?"

Avizeh gave a strange look, tilting her head. "I suppose. She'll be royalty now. I'm sure it just tickles Nadhari fucking pink that her future kids will be princes and princesses."

"You mean like royalty," Shen corrected her, "Proximity to the throne is still not royalty, though I wouldn't put it past Nadhari to negotiate a future union between her children and Azula's..."

"No," Avizeh was staring right at Iroh, "Royalty. She's meant to marry Lu Ten in just under a moon."

Iroh, mid-sip, inhaled too much tea at once, hacking with so much force that multiple people jumped up to soothe him.

"Away, away!" he commanded, stumbling to stand in front of Avizeh, "You must be…mistaken…Lu Ten was…" His throat caught, "Killed."

"That's what we all thought, wasn't it? But she made a big deal after her wedding to 'pardon' him and 'show him mercy,'" Avizeh said, "No doubt alive as long as he does whatever she wants him to do."

"My dear," Iroh fell to his knees, grabbing her. "How…how does he seem? Is he alright? Is he okay?"

Avizeh had the good sense to hesitate. She looked helplessly at Ursa, who sighed and gave a slight nod.

She swallowed hard, realizing that this was more of a bombshell than anything else she could say.

"The only time I saw him, he was gaunt. Looked like he'd taken a beating. Skinnier than I remember him at the palace. And of course, if it is true about his…preferences, unhappy."

"Azula is vile," Shen said. "It is as much a punishment for him as a boon for Nadhari."

"But he's alive," Iroh said again, tears streaming down his face, "With certainty?"

"Yes."

"This is good news, Iroh," Ursa said. "Azula wants to reward Nadhari. She would not give him someone she intends to kill quickly. The fact he's alive must mean she needs him for something, and that is very good for him and for us."

"You are right, Ursa," Iroh said, still shaking. "We must be positive. My son is alive," he repeated, dazed.

"I thought you would have known," Avizeh said, "I did not mean to spring it on you."

"No, not your fault. It is good news, and we are in need of that more than ever," Iroh insisted. "I do wish to pick your brain further, both of you, but that is all for now. Anaselma, I'm sure you are curious as to why you are here too?"

"A bit," she admitted, chuckling nervously.

"It seems Aang is in need of an Earthbending Master. I hear your brother, Haru, is so, correct?" Iroh asked. Aang winced internally. He'd hoped Toph would return and put this matter to rest, but, well…

"The best!" Anaselma's eyes gleamed, "He's fighting for our people back home. I tried to get him to come here with me, but he didn't want to leave people behind who were powerless."

"And I wouldn't ask him to abandon that cause if it were not necessary, but we need Aang to learn Earthbending. Is it possible you could summon him?" Iroh asked.

"For the Avatar, of course, he would come." Anaselma nodded hard, "It's a great honor, sir, and you too Aang!"

"Fantastic! I will make sure that you get the fastest hawk, and I'll have you talk to our code writers so that your message is not intercepted. The three of you may go now; food has been left out for you and Cillia will help assign beds."

"Sure," Avizeh stood, brushing her skirts. "Hey, uhm, where are Zuko and Katara? I was hoping they'd come say 'hi' by now…and it's sort of weird they're not in here. What are they doing right now?"

Mai grimaced, "Something totally stupid but very brave. Per usual."

At the three girls' confused glances, Cilla sighed, waving them toward the door.

"Let's walk to dinner. It's a looong story."

XXX

Katara was given a bed roll, a change of furs, a knife, some rations, and an herb that her father told her was essential to take.

When she pressed as to why, all her father said was it would 'open her to the readiness of the spirits.'

But, it came with a warning.

"I do not know if it is true or not, but I have heard from others who went before me that it dampens your bending. You will have to rely on your other skills."

This did worry Katara, but she tried not to let it stop her.

"Maybe it's not true," her father added, seeing her face, "I cannot personally attest. Eat it each morning at sun-rise until you find your spirit animal."

And then, with the entire tribe waving her off with well wishes, Katara left.

The first day was easy. It was almost fun; enjoyable. The weather was mild and the sun arose from its hibernation to warm Katara's shoulders, so much that she shed her parka as she walked and enjoyed the pristine nothingness around her. She knew that the Southern Water Tribe lands were still just a drop in the bucket compared to the Earth Kingdom or even the Fire Nation, but the poles were their own kind. So much uninhabited space, so much room to just…wander forever.

The second day was a little rougher. The temperatures dropped and the sun didn't come out from behind the clouds, and Katara began to get the sense of the largeness, the vastness in front of her. It loomed threateningly at the edge of her sense of being, the true panic when she imagined that while it may not go on forever…it could go on a great, long while.

The third day was rough. That was the day exhaustion truly set in, having done nothing but trudge farther and farther and farther. It was when she began to ration her food or consider utilizing her hunting knives to catch something to sustain her rations. It was the day the loneliness grasped her, and she was not awed by the endlessness and the silence of the tundra, but afraid.

On the fourth day, Katara built a camp and slept. She did not leave her lean-to at all, curling herself in furs and sleeping as much as she could, which itself was a true gift since she couldn't recall a time when she'd done so.

Katara had asked her father, before heading off, what she was meant to be looking for. How long would it take?

She knew that it was different for everyone, but she had not expected her father to be able to offer nearly nothing helpful.

"When you are ready, the spirit will offer itself up."

Katara felt like she was ready now, ready to return home and back to Zuko's arms, but apparently the spirits didn't agree.

She spent the fifth day in an angry match of stubbornness, daring the universe to go against her.

But of course, the universe did as it wished, and left Katara with just a stony silence.

When she woke up on the sixth day, there was a figure sitting near her bedroll. She blinked, half expecting the person to fade away, a strange remnant of a dream, but they solidified.

"It's you," Katara said, frowning.

Her mirror, the Painted Lady, smiled back at her.

"Am I…near death?" Katara asked, confused. The last time she'd seen her previous self had been in the dungeons, broken and slipping away. But the Painted Lady had more agency here; she was not mirroring Katara, but kneeling politely, waiting for her to wake.

"No, Katara. The line between spirits and humans is less firm out here," she explained.

"Do you have wisdom to impart on me?" Katara asked with a snort.

"You seemed lonely," the Painted Lady replied.

Katara sat up and began to roll her bed back up. "Oh, great. I'm so lonely I've conjured you up. Fantastic." She looked over her shoulder. "Do you know when the spirits will decide I am worthy enough to be graced with their presence?"

"It is your spirit walk, not mine," she said, as though she was not also a spirit. "Though… perhaps not with that attitude."

Katara sobered, instantly feeling guilty.

The Painted Lady was correct.

"Do you…" Katara swallowed, "Know how Zuko is doing? Or Aang? Iroh?"

"Zuko is having a perfectly fine time with your tribe, you should not worry about that or ask such things."

"What should I ask then?" Katara asked, a bit put out to be chided by a spirit. How dare she worry about leaving her Fire Nationer fiancé alone with a group of tribesmen who hated the very idea of them, right? Sure, Zuko had been taken in as a perceived non-threat, but she had to worry everyone was just playing nice with her around.

The Painted Lady grinned, "Ask me a question for you. Ask me things you want to know. Selfish things."

Katara walked a bit, considering it.

She was unused to putting herself first, even with such low stakes.

Finally, she tilted her head, examining the doppelganger.

"What's your name?"

The Painted Lady seemed to mull over this query for a moment, "Is that a question for you?"

"You're me and I'm…" Katara gestured between them, "And call me curious." She could see glances of the past, and sometimes it was like her mind was providing her with the necessary information from her previous life, but she realized that names were always…just beyond her reach. There was a familiarity, and perhaps if someone said the Painted Lady's true name she'd know it to be hers in a past life, but Katara wasn't able to recall it.

Katara remembered Ratana telling the story, so long ago.

There was a young girl, nameless to us as far as I know…

What an awful way to live. To be lauded and worshiped, but to have your name wiped away like someone cleaning dew from windows. A name gone in the twirling wind, never to be whispered again.

"I suppose I will allow it," there was a quiet grin on her face, "My name was Xiuying."

Katara frowned. "Isn't that traditionally an Earth Kingdom name?"

"I come from a time where these…partitions were not as clear cut as they are now. A more nomadic time when people were simply people. You perceive my enemies as early Fire Nationers, and in a sense, I suppose I was as well. Though we lived in a town in the current Fire Nation, it was just a river and a bank untethered to titles. My father named me, hoping I would embody such qualities. I was born in a time of strife and trouble, not unlike the time you find yourself in now."

"Brave and beautiful," Katara tilted her head, the translation weaving like a ribbon in her mind, "You are, you know?"

Xiuying almost blushed, though perhaps it was merely Katara's perception of it.

"I don't think my father had this in mind," she said, almost a joke if they were not aware of her circumstances.

"We didn't know your name…before. Those that whisper to you only call you the Painted Lady."

She blinked. "I know."

"Does it bother you? Do the wishes reach you still?" Katara asked. Her own name had been handed down carefully, like a precious heirloom, and Katara was fond of it. If she ever did anything to be celebrated, she tried to imagine a future where she was described by the worst night of her life, and the feeling made her queasy.

"I have had a long time to come to terms with it," Xiuying explained slowly, "And at this point, I am honored that anyone remembers me at all. It is not the direction that matters, but the intention. Even those who do not know they are giving me their wishes sometimes do all the same."

"Do we really look exactly the same, or is that my mind putting my face on yours because I cannot perceive the true spirit world?" Katara asked, another question that had been in the back of her mind, bothering her.

"We do look the same," Xiuying confirmed. "Reincarnation is the same face. I have been born into hundreds - boys and girls that look like us - and I think I will be born into a hundred more."

An existential fear grasped Katara, something that made her feel so pitifully small and meaningless at such a proclamation.

"What will happen to me when I die?" Katara asked.

"I do not have such answers," Xiuying said with a ruffle to her brow, "Before this, I would say with certainty that you are just reincarnated and no… essence…remains as I do. Even I'm not sure that I exist outside of your mind. However, none of my reincarnations have ever…gained recognition," she said with a smile, "So everything I knew is called into question. Selfishly, I hope you will remain, somewhere. I do not see you as myself, but I see you as…a sister."

"I hope I do too," Katara said, almost anguished at the thought that her brother and all she loved might linger in the Spirit World, if even for a few eras, but she would just…cease.

Though, if she was dead, she would have no thoughts upon the matter if all that would happen would be to be born again immediately.

"...Wait, does that mean I'm just here talking to myself? And anyone else looking would think I'm insane?" Katara realized.

Xiuying was grinning, "Well, it is fortuitous that this land is barren of people, then."

They walked a bit more in silence. Not for fear of Katara looking foolish, but because Katara wanted to pace herself with her questions. She knew she was a long way away from enlightenment.

"Are you angry?" Katara asked after a few hours, "With the man who killed you still?"

"Ask me a kinder question, Katara. I am not ready to answer that one."

"Okay…" Katara thought about it. "Tell me…tell me about your favorite life you've lived."

Xiuying's whole face lit up, "That, I most certainly can do."

So she did.

Not just one life, but many. She regaled Katara with her favorite lives and as she spoke, Katara's mind pulled the images like she was reading an illustrated story, but the pictures moved.

She talked about her most mundane life; a life where the most exciting thing to happen was that she had eight children. But there was no war, no famine, no pestilence…just existing.

She talked about her most exciting life; where she was an assassin who stealthily slinked through the city streets, someone who would do anything if paid the right amount to do it.

She talked about her most prolific life, besides her original one; one where she was the founder of a city that no longer existed, but she took Katara through all the struggles and triumphs with the zest as though it had only happened yesterday.

And she told Katara a great many stories in between.

Karata simultaneously felt that the stories could have taken an eternity to tell, and that time had hardly passed at all with each retelling. In reality, it ate up two days of walking.

Finally, when Katara woke on the dawn of the eighth day, Xiuying was there, dutiful. Her face was unreadable.

"Ask me again. The question I couldn't answer."

Katara shook her head, "You don't have to tell me."

"I should, though…" She trailed off, "Please."

Katara hesitated. It seemed impossible that a spirit could have emotions that swirled like this; the way that her eyes stormed and her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Do you hate the man who killed you?" Katara asked again.

"Yes," Xiuying said honestly. "Time does not heal everything. Though, perhaps it is a blessing that his spirit has been trapped in the Fog of Lost Souls since his death. And he did not survive much longer anyway." She waved a hand, "A mundane death. No revenge, just Death taking as she does."

"Do you feel the anger I feel too?" Katara whispered.

"I do," Xiuying confirmed, "And through you, I feel it even more. Your war is just."

"Azula will burn everything to the ground if she's allowed," Katara snapped, grounding her teeth, "But we're no closer…" She squinted. "Wait! Do you know about the birds and the sand and what she seeks? Do you know where it is?"

"I do," Xiuying said cautiously, "But a stronger spirit has forbidden us from talking about it."

"C'mon!" Katara threw out her hands, "That's not fair!"

"I am an anomaly, caring for the lives of mortals. Most do not bother with your fights. They often protect themselves and this is such a time." Xiuying seemed genuinely upset. "I wish I could tell you."

Katara kicked the snow, making snowballs and hurling them as far as she could, screaming at the wind and the darkness.

"But it's not…fair!" she repeated.

"Fair?" Xiuying's face darkened, "Fair is for children, Katara. Why do you think you should be allowed to dictate what the spirits have decided?"

"Because people will die," Katara spat, "Thousands! They already have!"

"Are you asking for yourself, truly?" Xiuying countered, "Are you asking for the good of the world, or because you want to get revenge on Azula? Do you want to see her suffer for those she's killed that you know, for what she's done to Zuko, for what she's done to your people-"

"And what if I do?" Katara thundered, "What if it would be fair, and just, and right for me to do that? She is a blemish! She has no empathy, no regard for anyone but herself! What if I know that's what she deserves? To die alone, afraid!"

Xiuying regarded Katara almost coldly. "No one deserves a death like that, Katara," she said, her voice rough. "Not Ozai, not Zhao, and not even Azula. The war may be just, but killing Azula is not."

"I disagree," Katara snarled, "Azula is the war."

Xiuying hummed, "If that is how you feel, I know your stubbornness. And that it cannot be changed."

She turned, and with each step, she faded out of sight.

Guilt clawed at Katara, and the threat of loneliness engulfed her once again.

"Wait!" Katara ran after her, "I'm sorry, alright? I'm sorry-" She ran across the fluffy snow, her boots kicking it up behind her. Xiuying was still in view, but becoming fainter and fainter each moment. If Katara could get to her…if she could grab her…

The ground beneath Katara groaned and creaked.

Before Katara could even react, it split beneath her.

Instead of falling into the open air, icy water hit her bones.

Katara sucked in on instinct and tried to use her bending to push herself away.

Her fingers felt like they were dredging through oil, impossible to move.

The herb! Dad is right…oh, no!

Katara kicked her legs frantically, the chill seeping into her furs. It soaked into her jacket, adding weight to her struggle, but Katara was determined.

She broke the surface's edge, throwing her arms out on the ice sheet. The ground was cracking and splintering all around her, the entire tundra breaking away in sheets. She began to pull herself up, her teeth chattering and her mind yelling all sorts of warnings to get her parka off and make a fire as soon as she could.

There was a low moan behind Katara.

She whipped her head around to see a baby bear, just a bear, struggling on the ice. He seemed injured; he couldn't move quickly and was stumbling over the sheets as they began to chop in harsh waves.

"Move, move!" Katara screamed, "Run!"

The bear whined and leaped for the unbroken shoreline. He jumped short...he wasn't going to make it! Katara's heart plummeted as she watched the creature slip underneath the surface.

It did not resurface.

Katara dove under the ice before she thought through it, kicking off of the ice chunk she'd been clinging to. The water was too cold; her whole body shivered and fought to return her, but she pressed on.

The polar bear's figure was a stark white beacon in the water.

Katara grabbed the kicking, struggling creature in her arms and willed herself up, up, up to where the sun was a bright ball above her.

Everything was heavy. Her bones felt like they were waterlogged and soggy, and her throat burned.

Her hands felt a chill of wind blowing across it. She shoved the bear as hard as she could, not even sure if she'd succeeded in her mission, but too tired and worn away to do much more.

As her limbs fell back and Katara floated, suspended underwater for a moment, she felt a sob rise up.

Is this how I die? Will I answer the question I so desperately wanted to know?

She watched helplessly as the sun faded as Katara sank down, down, down.

Above her, something poked its head into the ocean. It was glowing, a different glow than the sun. An ethereal, otherworldly glow.

Then, whatever it was, dove into the water.

Katara managed to catch a blink of whatever it was as it zipped by, lighting up the entire sea with its brilliance.

Then, it grasped Katara's waterlogged hood and continued to pull her further into the depths.