As a disappointed Zutarian and Avatard, I’ve decided to revisit the very-lacking Avatar: the Last Airbender finale (aka Sozin’s Comet) and…freshen it up a little bit. ;) Muah ha ha. I’m beginning this adventure as our favorite heroes are making their way back to the beach house after a devastating performance by the Ember Island Players…

Sozin's Comet Revisited



“That was…not a good show.” Zuko stated the obvious. Everyone chuckled and solemnly agreed. Aang slumped ahead of the group as they slowly made their way across the shore of the sandy beach towards the abandoned summer home on Ember Island-- their most recent hiding place. His staff scrapped against the sand, leaving a long trail. Sokka nudged Suki – a little bit too hard – and nearly sent her sprawling into the wavy water. Revenge burned in Suki’s eyes as she grabbed Sokka’s elbow and dragged him into the waves with her.

Eventually the shore became rocky, and Toph grinned and skipped ahead, launching pebbles at Aang, who absentmindedly batted them away with his staff, one of the rejected pebbles hitting Sokka on the top of his head and sending him tumbling into the murky water. Suki roared with laughter. Katara was fuming, her mind spinning with jumbled thoughts. She kicked at the sand along the trail Aang had left behind.
“What’s wrong, Katara?” A soft voice beside her whispered.
She immediately snapped back into reality and glanced up into his burning eyes.
“Nothing.” She told him halfheartedly.
He sighed. “You’re lying.”
“What is it with you, anyway? You’re always asking me how I am, trying to make things better for me. I don’t need that. I’ve never needed that. I’m fine—okay?”
“What do you mean—you don’t need that?”
“If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”
“Sure.”
“I’m human, alright? I feel pain as hard as the rest of you do. But you know what—crying hurts more than repressing my feelings. So, I’ve always repressed them…instead of focusing on my pain, I focus on the pain of others. It’s just my way of dealing with things. Not only does it take my mind off my problems, it makes me feel better when I see that I’ve helped. So sorry Zuko, but I really am fine, and if I’m actually not, and lying to you like you think I am, you will never know it. Anyway, what about you? Are you okay?” Katara turned to him. They both stopped. Zuko stared at her with sad eyes for a while before taking her delicate face in his strong hands.
“No, Katara, are you okay?” He whispered. His soft fingers brushed gently across her cheek, warmth tingling through her face. She bit her lip and tried to break his firm gaze.
“This isn’t fair.” She declared.
He smiled playfully at her. “You should know by now that I don’t play fair.”
Katara rolled her eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“I don’t know. Because I care. Because you intrigue me.”
Katara glared stubbornly at him.
“Alright, you don’t have to tell me. I think I can guess, anyway. You said you don’t like to cry. And yet, because of this marvelous play we’ve had the pleasure of attending, the whole world thinks you’re a big crybaby. And that humiliates you.”
“Brilliant. And yes—I hate crying. But for some reason, when I’m around nosy and ridiculous people like you, I can’t seem to help it. And that’s why I find you so irritating. The end.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I don’t think so.”  He brushed a wisp of hair out of her eyes. “What is it Katara? Is it me?”
“Asks the man holding me hostage.” Katara smirked.
He tried not to smile and continued. “What about Sokka?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Suki?”
She shook her head.
“Toph?”
“Nope.”
“Is it Aang?”
Silence. Katara stared at Zuko and tried with all her might to hold back the tears. He carefully brushed a single tear from her cheek.
“You don’t want to be considered the ‘Avatar’s girl’?” He asked softly.
She took a deep breath. “I just need him to back off – I don’t want to be forced into anything. At the same time, though, I can’t hurt him. I love him too much to do that to him. I really don’t want to damage our relationship, not after all we’ve been through and with all he means to me, but I don’t think I can push it any farther, either. I’ve been trying, I really have—for him. But I don’t think I can do it anymore. I can’t lose him over this—not now.” She couldn’t help it—she had to finally let it out. It was as if his gaze broke down all the walls she had put up to protect her heart and her feelings. She relaxed in his firm hold, no longer afraid and no longer fighting. The tears ran down her cheeks, warming as soon as they hit Zuko’s hands.
“I know you try to improve everyone else’s lives, but this is not about him. This is about you, Katara. If doing something for someone else is causing you so much extra pain, it’s not worth it. Tell me you know that.” He pleaded.
She covered her face with her cool hands, allowing Zuko’s hands to warm them. Finally, she let her hands drop to her sides and slowly nodded. “Okay. I know that. Am I done yet?”
Zuko smiled and released her.
“Thank you.” And she meant it as she pulled him into a hug. She had never felt so relieved and free. As they broke apart, she waved her hands behind her back, gathered a wisp of water, and froze his feet to the ground.
Zuko glared at her. “What was that for?”
“You should know by now…” She leaned forward and whispered softly in his ear,
“I don’t play fair either.” She laughed and ran across the shore.
Zuko shook his head, smiled, and tried to concentrate on defrosting himself.