After the Victory
Two days after the battle at the North Pole, Aang is feeling discouraged and talks about it with Katara
It had been two days since the invasion, and it was still hard for Aang to completely process all the destruction that he had done. They were planning to start making their way to the Earth Kingdom in a few more days but the group still needed to rest and recover from all of the events that had taken place. Aang had been spending most of his time meditating in solitude and practicing water bending with Katara.
Aang was sitting outside on the steps near the giant ice palace. The shining, setting sun shone over the Northern Water Tribe. In the distance Aang could make out the lower levels of the city, how they were still scarred from the battle. Destroyed fire nation tanks laid scattered around, fire nation spears and helmets were left with no trace of their former owners, and scorch marks from the fire nation soldiers made the city appear black and white in some parts.
Aang took a deep sigh.
Katara came walking up the steps with a smile on her face. Between her, Aang and Sokka she was the least negatively affected by all the events that had transpired. She was loving her time at the North Pole and everything that became because of it.
"Hey Aang, how have you been today?"
"I've been good." He was staring off in the distance, still looking at the aftermath of the huge battle that had taken place, the battle that he himself ended.
"Sorry we've hardly seen each other at all recently," Katara began "I have been so involved in mastering water bending that I haven't been thinking or focusing on anything else. Master Pakku can't believe how fast I am picking it all up." She has a gleam in her eye. That gleam slowly faded away when she realized that Aang wasn't acting like his happy normal self.
"What's wrong, Aang?"
"Its nothing, really."
"Is it because we haven't been seeing each other as much lately?"
"No, its not that at all." Aang responded.
Katara kept on looking at Aang, ready to help him in any way she could. There was silence for a moment. Then sun was nearly completely behind the vast ocean. The sky was turning from a vibrant yellow and red to a starry night. Torches could be seen turning on all throughout the city. Despite all the recent destruction it really was peaceful.
"Its about all those people that I destroyed when I was in the avatar state." Aang was still staring out into the distance. "The monks always taught me that all life was precious, that no one deserves to die. I believe in that, Katara. I want peace, and I don't want to use violence to get to that. I am conflicted and upset with myself. I feel like this war is taking a part of myself from me. I don't know what to do. I feel like I won't be able to help those I love. I feel like I can't do this, like I can't be the avatar. "
Katara continued to look at Aang. She could see how distraught he was now that he was letting it out. Even though they were able to repel the fire nation attack he still looked defeated.
"Aang," she reached to put her hand on his back "You did what you had to do, we all did. By going to the avatar state you saved an entire water tribe! Think where we would be right now if it wasn't for you. You are a great avatar. You're powerful and smart and you care so much about everyone. "
"That's what I mean Katara, 'if it wasn't for you'. I did all this. I brought the fire nation here, I brought all this destruction here, I endangered the people I loved. I never wanted to be the cause of so much pain and violence, on either side." Aang stopped staring and looked down.
"I know you don't like it; but I believe it was what you were always meant to do, not cause all of this destruction but to bring peace and balance to the four nations. I think it's a part of being the avatar. Having to sacrifice yourself and what you believe in for the greater good, so that there can be peace."
By now the sun was completely behind the ocean. The stars began to appear in the sky. Torches and hearths spotted the city. The peaceful streams were heard flowing from the top of the palace where it would eventually run into the endless ocean. At the base of the steps where Aang and Katara were sitting small groups of people were walking through the open area, doing their final chores before heading off into their houses made of snow and ice.
Katara couldn't help but smile when she took it all in. She felt hope. Ever since Aang came out of the iceberg she had felt hope. A wave of gratitude rushed over her. Without him she would have still been in the South Pole, living her monotonous life.
"Everywhere you go you bring hope, not pain. I know you never asked to be the avatar or to have this huge responsibility but with that responsibility you have already helped so many people. You have done more good than bad; it will always be like that. I know you can do it. When it is hard Sokka and I will be right next to you to help you. You're not alone. You never will be. The world needs you Aang. You give us hope." Katara paused for a moment "You give me hope."
Aang's eyes met Katara's. By just locking eyes they could feel the respect and admiration that they felt for each other. A real smile came to his face for the first time in two days. He stood up and helped Katara to her feet.
"You give me hope too, Katara."