A Return To Chaos

It may have been cliche to say, but if you were to ask the Fire Lord and Lady what their greatest achievement was, they’d answer their children. And it makes you wonder why. Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara would do a great many things as the leaders of the Fire Nation. But they also did a great many things before that.

When they were just Prince Zuko and Master Katara, they helped Avatar Aang save the world from Phoenix King Ozai. They defeated Princess Azula. They brokered peace amongst the nations. They help build Republic City. Even their love story of two enemies turned lovers separated by war, nations, and elements would become a symbol of peace and harmony. All of these were great feats. And yet, Katara and Zuko would still say their children were their greatest.

And when asked why, they’d answer it simply. The two may have built the foundation on their love, but what their love created (their children) would be what would bring true greatness to the world.

X

Izumi was their eldest, their crown princess. When Zuko and Katara were deep in their courtship, Zuko had promised her that they would name their first daughter after her mother who had died protecting her in the war. It was a great honor indeed to be named after a great woman.

But Izumi was born on the Summer Solstice; a sweet summer child. And when she was first placed in her mother’s arms, Katara felt a warmth that she’d never felt before. It wasn’t just the fact that the baby she carried inside her was finally there, but it was the fact that she was physically warm. And she was strong. She grabbed Zuko’s finger and wouldn’t let him go.

Katara knew then that this little one was a force to be reckoned with. She looked at the baby in her arms and saw a strong, fire bending woman taking command of armies and taking care of her people. Fitting for the heir of the Fire Nation. It was at that moment that Katara decided she needed a name for herself. Not one with a legacy already attached to it, but what she could build herself.

So they named her Izumi, a freshwater spring. It was a Fire Nation name with an homage to her Water Tribe background. Perfect for the first child of both nations.

And Katara was right. Their daughter would grow up to be a wise and fair ruler who put her peoples’ needs above everything else. The laws and programs her parents built would be expanded upon to better benefit not just the people of the Fire Nation, but of the other nations as well.

X

Their second child just so happened to also be a daughter which made Zuko ecstatic. He loved his girls with every fiber of his being. Their second daughter was born in the Southern Water Tribe.

Katara was very heavy in her pregnancy, but not so much where she wasn’t cleared to travel. She wanted to visit the South Pole one more time before she gave birth. It was one of the few times Izumi would be able to see her uncle Sokka and Grandpa Hakoda. And after the baby was born, it would be much longer before she saw them again.

The day before the royal family was set to sail back to the Fire Nation, Katara’s water broke. Not only did it break unexpectedly and too soon, but her labor was much longer than when she gave birth to Izumi. Zuko was worried out of his mind but Gran Gran had been there to reassure everyone. She told them that the baby was adamant about staying in the Water Tribe for a bit longer, even if it meant coming into the world sooner than expected. Zuko was too worried about his wife to laugh at Gran Gran’s joke.

It turns out Gran Gran wasn’t all that wrong. It seemed that while Katara was in labor, a huge storm had passed through making the waters too dangerous to travel on. Had Katara not gone into early labor, their family might’ve been on a ship sailing directly into the dangerous waters. Zuko and Katara both shuddered to think what that could’ve meant for them and their daughter who was barely 2 at that point.

It seems the new little baby who was so set on being born in the Water Tribe saved them from a nasty fate. It was only fitting to name her Kya, after Katara’s mother who had done the same all those years ago. That decision had brought tears to both Sokka and Hakoda’s eyes.

There were times when Katara worried that the connotation of who she was named after would be too much for Kya, but her worries were for naught. Kya lived up to her name beautifully. Like her mother, Kya became a waterbending master. She was skilled in not just the fighting aspect of waterbending, but also the healing. The healing techniques Katara had created would later be expanded upon by her daughter. And when she was old enough, Kya would travel the world learning new healing techniques as well as teaching her mother’s. When her travels were over, she would take over the healing huts in the poles that her mother created to teach and heal others.

X

If they had stopped at the girls, Zuko and Katara would’ve been perfectly happy. Zuko took to being a girl dad like a moth to a flame. Katara knew he’d be an amazing father. She didn’t expect him to be so enamored at their girls though. And with one child a firebender and another a waterbender, they had one of each element.

But the spirits had other plans for the two of them. When Kya was almost 4 and Izumi almost 6, Katara was pregnant with their last child. And like his sister before him, he was determined to be born sooner than expected and away from the Fire Nation.

On a diplomatic (and family) trip to Ba Sing Se, Katara would go into labor while enjoying tea at the Jasmine Dragon. Uncle Iroh would joke that the perfect cup of tea is what made the baby want to enter the world early. After 2 previous kids, you would think Zuko would become less stressed and be able to take a joke. Apparently not.

As usual, there was nothing to be worried about. Yagoda had stayed beside Katara since the first pregnancy and Katara herself was a proficient healer. Despite being born earlier than expected, their only son came into the world perfectly healthy.

Somehow, neither Zuko or Katara expected a boy and so had no names ready for him even as they held him. But the moment Iroh had the baby in his arms, Katara and Zuko knew his name. They named him Lu Ten, after Iroh’s son and Zuko’s cousin who died in that very city during the war.

Zuko was still young when his cousin Lu Ten went to war. Even so, Zuko had fond memories of his cousin. Lu Ten was the older brother Zuko secretly always wanted. And with Azula as his only sibling, it was no contest who the better one was. When Zuko wasn’t succeeding at his firebending forms, Lu Ten was the first person to help him. He refined Zuko’s movements and gave him tips that saved Zuko’s life on more than one occasion.

And now their son was born in the very city they had lost him. It felt like a rebirth in a way. Iroh had tears in his eyes when Zuko proudly announced his name. After he wiped away the tears, Iroh began singing the baby a lullaby that put him to sleep.

“Leaves on the vine…”

When he would grow up, Zuko and Iroh would realize that Lu Ten shared more than just a name with his namesake. He was a talented firebender who picked things up quickly. He was also skilled at strategy and diplomacy, often following his father around like a shadow. And to Iroh’s great joy, Lu Ten knew his way around a well brewed tea.

Much like his sisters before him, he wanted to continue the legacy their parents built. He would become the commander of the Fire Nation’s navy, supporting his sister - the Fire Lord, and traveling on diplomacy like his mother had. When he was ready to settle down, he even took over the Jasmine Dragon.

X

When Katara and Zuko are old and have retired in Ember Island, they’ll look back at all the great things they did in their youth but still agree; their greatest accomplishment was their children. Because while they may have laid the foundation, their children took what they built and turned it into a legacy that the history books would remember even after they were all gone.

It had been a while since the entire gang was back together. The last time they were was probably when Republic City first opened officially. It had been one of Aang’s greatest successes. And now it would be the place of his friends’ reunion.

Right now it was just him and Toph in the city. Life and responsibilities pulled Zuko and Sokka back to their respective countries. And admittedly, a fight with Katara made her take up her ambassador job again so that they could have space apart. Aang didn’t want space. He wanted to marry her. But he could do nothing to convince her otherwise. As much as it hurt to be away from Katara and only speak through the rare letters, he was excited for her to return so that they could get back to where they used to be.

“Everyone’s boats are docking soon, Twinkletoes. You ready to go?” Toph asked impatiently. Though the years made her stronger and wiser, there were just some things that never changed.

“Yup, I’m ready.” Before he could continue, he noticed something red wrapped around Toph’s finger. “What’s that?”

“What’s what, Twinkletoes? You know I don’t do well with pointing.”

Aang rolled his eyes. “That string around your finger. What is it?” Aang looked closer at it and the red string dangled off of her ring finger looking worse for wear and slightly frayed.

Toph looked at him disbelievingly. “What are you talking about? I don’t have a red string on my finger.”

”Yes you do!” He lifted her hand. “Right here!”

Toph snatched her hand away. “You’re losing it, Aang. We need to go.”

Aang could tell by her irritation that it would be better to just let it go. Maybe he’ll ask his other friends about it when they get here. The ones that could actually see.

X

“Sokka!” The Water Tribe warrior was the first person Aang spotted on the docks. There were a bunch of people gathered around greeting Sokka’s retinue as well as other new arrivals.

”Hey Buddy!” Sokka said as Aang pulled him in for a hug. “You look good. You’ve been working out?” Sokka faced Toph next. “I know you have. Look at you all grown up,” he said as he ruffled her hair.

Toph swatted his hand away. “Knock it off, Snoozles.” Aang noticed she swatted him with the red string hand. He had to have seen it. He’ll have to ask Sokka when they were alone so as to not annoy Toph again.

Sokka looked around at the other people. “So where’s my sister?”

Aang looked at him confused. “I thought she was with you in the Southern Tribe?” It wasn’t a secret amongst the friends that Katara left Republic City to resume her Ambassador duties. But it was an unspoken not well kept secret that what pushed her into it was difficulties she was having with Aang.

Sokka, being Katara’s brother, would always have his sister’s back. So he knew all about the rocky relationship. Perhaps even more than Aang did. “She’s an ambassador. You didn’t actually think she’d spend all her time in the Tribe did you? Last I heard, she was in the Fire Nation helping Zuko with something. I just thought they would’ve been here by now.”

Aang tried to hide his surprise and disappointment. No, he hadn’t heard about that. He knew Zuko had a problem. He even messaged Aang requesting help. Aang didn’t remember the reason he gave, but he wasn’t able to attend the Fire Nation at the time. “Don’t worry about it, buddy,” Sokka said with his usual enthusiasm. “Look! A Fire Nation ship is coming in now. Let’s go greet my sister and his royal jerkbender.”

Aang let out a small laugh and followed Sokka and Toph toward the Fire Nation retinue exiting their ship. Aang was a little lost in his thoughts as Sokka and Toph were further ahead of him. First the red string on Toph and now his lack of information on Katara. Something felt off and he couldn’t understand it.

When he finally snapped out of it, he noticed Zuko and Sokka letting go of their Water Tribe arm grasp. And then he noticed her. Her back was to him, but she was still so beautiful. Katara. He couldn’t help it. He practically ran to her. “Katara!” He grabbed her arm and turned her around only to scream at the sight. “Ahhh!”

Katara looked at him shocked. “Aang!” She wasn’t sure what scared her more. The abruptness of him reaching her, or him screaming in her face. “What is it?!”

Aang looked at her wide eyed. Why was she looking at him like he was crazy? “Katara, what is that?! Why is there a knife in your chest?!”

If Katara wasn’t confused before, she was now. “What are you talking about?!”

Aang was getting more frantic. “You’re a healer! How do you not feel that? Or SEE that?! Take it out!” He reached for her as to pull out the knife in her chest himself, but before he could reach it, she backed away from him.

”Aang, will you calm down! I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Katara’s yelling finally caught the attention of the rest of the gang.

Zuko came up to Aang. “What’s going on here?”

Aang turned to him and started to explain. “Zuko! Katara has a…AHHH!”

Zuko looked at him wide eyed. “What?!”

”You have one too! Why do you both have knives in your chest?!”

Zuko tried to grab his arm and calm him down. “Aang, you need to calm down and lower your voice. You’re going to attract a crowd. None of us have knives in our chests. We’re ok.”

Aang pulled away from his grasp. “No. No, no, no. Something’s wrong…” Without saying another word, he left the group and the docks and went to find solace to meditate.

X

Aang was deep in meditation. He begged the spirits. He begged his past lives. He begged for someone to give him answers. Finally, when the full moon was high, he made his way into the spirit world, only to be greeted by a nice looking old man. “Welcome, Avatar Aang. I’ve been waiting for you. My name is Yu.”

Aang looked at this old man spirit. He seemed very nice. He kind’ve reminded Aang of Zuko’s uncle Iroh. Definitely more so than Katara’s step-grandad Pakku. “Hi Yu. If you don’t mind me asking, where are we?”

The old man smiled at him. “We are in the temple of the Moon. You asked for answers and here you shall find them.”

”The moon temple?” Aang asked curiously. “I’ve never been here. Is Yue here? We were friends once.”

Yu shook his head. “No, Avatar Aang. The moon spirit does not reside in this temple. It is merely used to do her bidding as I am a servant of hers. My full name is actually Yue Tao, the old man under the moon.”

Aang looked at him curiously. “So why am I here, Master Yu?”

Master Yu walked deeper into the temple. “The moon spirit asked me to show you this.” With a wave of his hand, a glowing orb of light appeared in the center of the room. With another wave, several red lines began to protrude out of it. Some even went through Aang and kept on going into the beyond. “These, young Avatar, are the red strings of fate.”

Aang’s eyes widened. “Wait! I think I’ve heard of that. The monks told us of this story where red string connects two people meant to be soulmates.”

Master Yu nodded. “That’s right. The moon holds power over intuition, guidance, and emotions. She sees the people below her and she creates each person’s red string. And she is never wrong.”

”That’s amazing,” Aang said in almost a whisper. “But wait, what does that have to do with me?”

Master Yu sighed. “The great moon spirit believes you have impeded her work one too many times. And based on her mortal memories of you, she felt that you needed to be shown rather than told.”

”Shown what?’

Master Yu looked at him curiously. “You’ve been having visions, have you not?”

Aang shivered at the memory of seeing the knife protruding from Katara’s chest. And then the same on Zuko. “Yes.”

”Those were visions from the moon spirit; to show you the consequences of your actions.”

Aang was starting to get mad. “How have I been impeding her work? And why am I being punished for it?”

Yu waved his hand again and all of the red string disappeared, except for one. The remaining string was lanky and ripped at the edge. “This string belongs to your friend, Toph Beifong. It’s ripped because she has decided to not pursue her soulmate. I can’t tell you who he is, but I can tell you that you are a direct cause.”

Aang looked at the ripped string and its frayed edges. It brought a sadness to his heart, especially knowing he was the cause. “Well, maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe Yue chose incorrectly for her.”

Master Yu shook his head. “No, the spirits are never wrong. Only humans are wrong. Yue sets the string, but it is up to the people’s free will to determine what they do with it. Once she places it, it can only be undone by the two soulmates. Not even the moon spirit can change it at that point.”

Aang was still confused. “What about Zuko and Katara? I didn’t see a red string on them. What I saw was way worse.”

”What you saw was the consequence of your actions.” He waved his hand again and Toph’s string disappeared. Instead, another string came out of the ball of light, but rather than continue endlessly like the others had, it swung back around and made a loop back into the light. “This string is Katara’s. And it is also Zuko’s.”

“WHAT?! That can’t be right!” Aang yelled almost desperately.

”The spirits are never wrong. Only humans,” Yu reiterated. “Their red string was decided a long time ago. Yin and Yang. Fire and Water. Moon and Sun. Hate…and love.”

Aang shook his head in disbelief. “No, no that can’t be. They hardly know each other.”

Master Yu shook his head again. “You know that is not true, Avatar Aang. Perhaps you don’t see the love between them because you yourself have been selfish with yours. But the Moon Spirit sees all.”

Aang looked at him angrily. “I’VE been selfish?”

Yu nodded. “Yes. Your love for Katara has only ever benefited you. You chose her over the Avatar state all those years ago. You chose her over your responsibilities.. And you chose her before she was allowed to choose herself, let alone her soulmate.”

Aang shook his head. “That’s not true.”

“Is it not, Avatar Aang? Is she not finally choosing herself by leaving Republic City?”

”But we didn’t actually break up. She could still come back.”

Yu nodded. “Yes, she could. And if so, that knife in her heart shall stay. In Zuko’s as well. A visual representation of the curse laid upon them.”

Aang stumbled back as if punched in the gut before stumbling and sitting on the floor. “I did this.” Aang put his face in his hands. “How can that be? All I ever did was love her.”

”Love manifests itself in many different ways, Avatar Aang. Guru Pathik taught you that. But just because we love someone one way, does not mean they must love you the same.”

Aang looked up at him wide eyed. “I’m the reason Katara and Zuko can’t be together. My two best friends and I’ve put a knife in each of their hearts. And Toph…wait a second.” The wheels in his head were turning. “If I’m the reason Toph severed her string…is it because…am I her soulmate?” In an instant, Katara and Zuko’s red string disappeared and Toph’s reappeared. Aang looked at his hand where his own string appeared, lanky and severed. Just like Toph’s.

Master Yu looked down at where Aang was still sitting on the floor. “You’re finally understanding.”

Aang thought about the time he had spent with Toph in Republic City, how she always supported him and helped him through difficulty. How she kept him grounded when everyone else would just agree with him. He then thought on Zuko and Katara. How he took her to face her mother’s killer because he knew better than anyone facing the person who took your mother from you. He thought about how Zuko never judged her for her decisions and had always asked for her opinions on important matters. How could he have missed all the signs? Because Master Yu was right. He had been selfish.

Aang got up abruptly. “Tell me how to fix this. PLEASE!”

Master Yu looked at him with a neutral expression. “Yue has played her part. I have done her bidding. The rest is up to you and the others. Only you have the will to change things.”

Aang nodded and then bowed to him. “Then so it shall be.”

X

It takes time, but after a while, the visions of broken strings and knives in his friends’ chests finally fade away. And when Aang is attending another Republic City reunion with his friends, he looks down at his hand to see a vision of his red string pointing toward his wife. He looked up to see her a few feet away, their daughter Lin in one arm while she held their eldest, Bumi by the hand as he tried to get away. He could see the end of his string tied to one of her fingers. Thick and strong.

Toph was speaking with Katara who had her hands on her pregnant belly. She was heavy with her and Zuko’s second child. No knife in sight and instead, a red string leading from her hand behind her to where Zuko, her husband, was conversing with others; a little girl in his arms.

There was a time, many years ago, when the spirits roamed free among us. Before Avatar Wan sealed the portals, the spirits would traverse between the spirit and human realms, helping those in the area of their care. But despite the freedom to cross the portals, some spirits were limited to a timeframe. Some spirits were only allowed to cross the portals during a specific day in the year. Some only during the solstices. Not every spirit was lucky as to just roam.

The Painted Lady watched from her favorite hill she frequented in the spirit realm as the sun slowly began to rise. It was Dawn. Once the sun had fully risen, she could enter the human realm and help her people. Despite needing to wait until the right time, she cherished this in between time of Dawn. It was the only time she was able to be with the one she loved most.

“You were almost late,” she said to the figure who just joined her.

“Apologies. There was a scuffle I needed to…take care of.” The Blue Spirit watched as his lady finally turned to face him. “You know I don’t like keeping you waiting.”

She smiled and placed a gentle hand on his demonic face. “I know,” she said before placing a kiss on his cheek.

This time when Dawn turned into daylight was sacred to them. Between this and dusk, were the only times the two spirits could truly be together. In the day time, the lady would take care of her people. She’d make sure the river was clean and had fish for the people to eat. In the evening, the Blue Spirit roamed the streets, protecting the weak and doling out vigilante justice.

It felt like a cruel trick of fate, to be separated so forcefully every day, but what could they do? They were bound by powers greater than themselves. But what was two hours when they had eternity together? And for the next two hours, as the sun made its way higher in the sky, the two spirit lovers laid their on their hill enjoying their time in each others’ arms.

”Have you heard the news going around the spirit and human realms?” The Painted Lady asked as she intertwined their hands.

”What news, my love?”

”That human that joined with Raava and defeated Vaatu wants to close the spirit portals. He says he will be the bridge now between our two realms.”

The Blue Spirit sat up and looked at her. “What does that mean?”

His face couldn’t show concern, but she imagined if it could, it would right now. “It means spirits are no longer free to traverse between the two realms. Same with humans. Only every once in a while will we be allowed to return there.”

”And what of the humans? Who will protect them if not us?”

“The human who will seal the portals calls himself the Avatar. With Raava’s power within him, he will protect the humans now.” She pulled him next to her again and wrapped her arms around him. “Perhaps this could be good? We could finally be together, without the restraints of the human world. Just us, here, always.”

He pulled her hand to his mouth as if to kiss it. “Perhaps you’re right, my love. We have protected the humans for many years. It is time for them to protect themselves.”

”We can always go back someday,” she said with a smile. “But perhaps by then, someone else will take up our mantle.”

Katara looked up at the moon from the balcony of the Ember Island Players theater. It was such a beautiful and calm night. It was hard to believe that in a few days the world would change again after they, hopefully, defeated the Fire Lord. Even though everyone (minus Toph) took issue with how the events of their adventures were depicted, Katara couldn’t help but smile at seeing the gang’s memories and adventures playing out before her. Granted, they weren’t the most accurate, but she got the gist.

What Katara didn’t expect was for some of those scenes to really open her eyes. Seeing the Aang character and her character saying that they love each other like siblings, brought her a sense of peace. The more she thought about it, the more she wished that the Day of Black Sun really did play out that way. He was like a little brother to her and she thought she got that point across. But apparently not as just moments ago, he kissed her by surprise again and stormed off when she rejected him. He had just left her there sad and cold. Katara didn’t want to be fighting with him days before the biggest fight of their lives, but she didn’t want to just submit to his wants either. She deserved better.

Before Katara fell deeper into this spiral, a pair of warm hands wrapped around a cloak around her shoulders. Her body instantly filled with warmth. Zuko stood beside her now and leaned against the same balcony. “Sorry if I overstepped. You looked like you were shivering.”

Katara blushed. She didn’t even realize it, but was grateful that he did. “Thank you. Shouldn’t you keep it on though? What if someone recognizes you?” She asked despite pulling the cloak tighter around herself. She couldn’t help it. It was so warm, probably because of his firebending. It also smelled like him, which she hated to admit smelled nice.

Zuko just shrugged. “I doubt it. A kid already ran passed me complimenting my costume but criticizing my scar was on the wrong side.”

Katara couldn’t help it. The nonchalant way he said it made her laugh. Zuko blushed in surprise, but when he realized she wasn’t laughing at him, he let out a smile and a laugh too. The situation was kind’ve funny. And Katara had a really nice laugh. When was the last time he shared in such an innocent experience with someone?

He also didn’t want to admit it, but her laugh brought a sense of comfort and warmth to him. Like the way his happier memories used to make him feel. Zuko hoped she’d never stop laughing, even if it was at his expense.

When Katara composed herself, she looked up at him with her big blue eyes and it made Zuko want to blush again. She had been looking at him like that more often since their adventure together. It made him feel that warmth again. And he liked it. Though he wouldn’t say it out loud. She started pulling the cloak off of her and handed it back to him. “Thank you, Zuko.”

He looked at her confused as he carefully took back his cloak. “For what?”

Katara just shrugged. She didn’t really know either. All she knew was that his presence and kindness, even for a short moment, gave her a little extra strength. She didn’t realize how much she needed it after her encounter with Aang. “Just thanks.” She smiled that smile again and turned to walk back inside.