The Last Waterbender

Chapter 6: The Search Continues

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and all the men and women that created the A:TLA show, books, and comics. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made. The lyrics are from the song "Unhappy" by Lukas Graham

Rating: General Audiences. Warning: some scenes contain dark themes and minor violence

Chapter 6 - The Search Continues

I'm tryna pick up on the signs

Read between your lines

To see what's going on

'Cause it's weighing us down

Zuko is sitting on the edge of bed, sharpening his swords, his when his uncle enters.

"You've been down here all day," the older man says. "Some fresh air will do you a world of good."

"I've already gotten plenty of fresh air today, and it did me the opposite of good," Zuko replies dryly, not taking his eyes off his task.

"I warned you that you would have to handle the situation carefully."

"I'm aware."

"You can't be mad at her for reacting the way she did. For her, the tragedy is still fresh in her mind and you just happen to represent the catalyst of it."

"I'm not mad at her."

The sharpening stone in his hand zings off the blade of the sword. He gently runs his thumb along the edge, wincing when it cuts open the skin. He sets the stone down.

"Then why are you hiding down here? She feels terrible about attacking you. By avoiding her, you're making her feel worse."

"I came down here to think." Zuko sucks the drop of blood from his thumb. "That village that she claimed was hers was obviously destroyed decades ago, if not a hundred years ago. Either she remembered wrong, or she was asleep in that ice for a long time."

"Neither of those are likely. Even the most powerful bender wouldn't survive in the ice for that long."

"There is one other alternative." Zuko sets his swords down and paces the length of his room. He doesn't like what he's about to suggest. "She could have had her memories altered. We need to go visit Her."

Iroh's eyes widen. "Are you sure that's necessary? You remember what happened last time we visited Her."

"Of course I do. But we have no other options. She knows everything. She sees everything."

"She's evil, Zuko. And crazy."

"I know!" Zuko takes a deep breath to calm down and he levels his voice again. "It will take us a few weeks to get there. Maybe Katara will have recovered her memories by then and we won't have to see Her. But the Waterbender girl is my last chance to find the Avatar. We've searched the rest of the world with no results."

"And what if the Avatar simply doesn't exist anymore?" Iroh asks gently. Zuko knows the question is not meant to hurt him, but he can't pretend he doesn't feel burned by it.

"The Avatar didn't just disappear. He couldn't have! Because then I have no way to regain my honor and my throne."

"Is that what you're really looking for?" Iroh asks. "Will regaining your title as heir to the throne make you happy?"

Zuko whirls around. What is his uncle trying to suggest? "Of course! It's the only thing I've ever cared about. And I will get it back. Whatever the cost."