AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 69

It took them 3 whole days to make it to the Northern Pole Water Tribe. Athlea decided to take her father and uncle with her after talking it through with Zuko, literally the night before they left. Her morning sickness hadn't gotten any better combined with seasickness, though Dai's workers were doing their best to make the ride smooth. Dai had ordered a Fire Nation cook as well; Athlea wasn't dealing well with seafood.

They arrived nonetheless and stepped off the ship, Sokka leading them. He immediately jumped into a pile of snow and started making a snow angel. "Snow, oh, snow--so good to be back!" he announced like a kid, happiness flowing from his features.

Dai beamed as she hopped off the ship, a stable hand stepping forward and leading Isa to his stable. She lifted her hand, sending a spiral of snowflakes into the air, her breathing tight, a smile on her face. Frost shot from her hand into the air and she took a deep breath. Her kingdom was gathered by the docking area; there would be no party due to her sudden arrival, but the few people that had heard of her returning had gathered to greet her. She turned to Sokka, grinning as he made a snow angel. She leaned over him. "This is not allowed, but... I'm not stopping him. Yet," she told Katara. Her friend giggled.

Laetius' face lit up. "I haven't been home in so many years..." He took a deep breath.

Avitus stopped at Laetius' side, stopping and putting a pair of shades on. "Right, right, cold... whoopie, yay... hooray..."

Laetius gave him a look. "Are you on drugs or something?"

"Maybe." Avitus grinned and walked ahead.

"HEY! You ain't touching my sister, then!" Laetius said, running after the firebender.

Athlea adjusted her cream-colored scarf and pulled up the red hoodie of her jacket. "...Wow," she mumbled, her eyes moving to Zuko. Zuko stepped off of the ship, wincing as he stood next to his wife. The Water Tribe members greeted them happily as well, even though he looked clearly unhappy to be there. He glanced at Athlea miserably. Athlea returned his gaze, blinking awkwardly. "What's wrong with you?" she shook her head, giggling softly, adjusting his black coat and taking his hand.

Zuko was glancing around. "I... do not like the cold."

"Hey! Hey! Dai! Look, snow! COLD! ICE!" Sokka announced, excited.

Dai dropped to her knees next to Sokka. "You're silly," she said, making little devil horns from his snow angel. "Come on, devil boy," she teased. "We have to go greet the commoners." She said the word 'commoners' mockingly, rolling her eyes.

Sokka looked up at him, sitting up and kissing her on the cheek. "Alright, then, Your Majesty," he teased. He stood and dusted himself off, extending a hand to her and helping her to her feet.

"Come on, let's go." Athlea took Zuko's hand, following Dai and Sokka.

"I missed this. The air, the atmosphere," Laetius said,

"The cold," Avitus added after him.

"Cut it out!" Laetius said, annoyed. The Commander simply chuckled and stuck his tongue out at his in-law mockingly.

Dai dusted Sokka off even more before approaching the crowd. Guards parted the crowd, giving them safe passage. Women curtsied and men bowed as they passed. Dai smiled, waving. A woman with dark skin and a blue and gold outfit approached, her dark brown hair in a neat angled bob. "Ah Cy!" Dai greeted her warmly. The two began discussing, their conversation rapid and to-the-point. They quickly covered that Athlea's family would have their own rooms in the palace, while her mother was to stay in a cottage on the palace grounds but not in the same area. Ah Cy gave her some quick updates on other random things. Sokka yawned and Dai moved to elbow him, but stopped herself as he turned away.

"Oh," Ah Cy said, "and the press is up ahead."

Dai turned around to face Sokka. "Not a word," she said seriously, her face stern. "I mean it, Sokka. I really need you to stay quiet when we talk to reporters."

"Oh, God," Athlea muttered, sighing softly.

Dai glanced at her, cringing. "Sorry."

"Reporters?" Sokka asked, looking at Dai. "Don't mind me, I've got no business with reporters." He shrugged, looking forward. She raised an eyebrow.

Zuko pulled his sunglasses onto his face and linked elbows with his wife, lips pressed together. "Oh, great, press. I suppose they'll want to bother my wife and I, too." He sighed.

Athlea looked at Zuko, then forward, then back at Zuko. "What the..." She shook her head. "I am not even going to ask. You're exactly like my dad." She smiled softly.

The further they walked, the more they could hear the voices of the press, cameras flashing. "Your Majesty!" the reporters could be heard calling. Athlea took a deep breath. Sokka simply continued on, surprisingly silent. Dai turned forward, smiling a bit and lifting her chin, linking her arm with Sokka's.

"Your Majesty, is it true that you're in a relationship with Sokka of Republic City?"

Dai glanced at her arm, linked with Sokka's and beamed. "We are courting," she responded. Sokka blinked, then grinned charmingly. Dai glanced at him and bit her lip, smiling.

"Why did you go to the Fire Nation?"

"Attacks were being targeted at other Nation's leaders, who are also my close friends. Manners have been dealt with and the criminal is in a mental health facility."

The crowd finished asking their questions and then swarmed to Athlea and Zuko. "Fire Lady, is it true that you're expecting?"

"Aww, poor Fire Royals," Sokka finally spoke, chuckling. He glanced over his shoulder, then looked forward again.

Dai glanced at Zuko and Athlea over her shoulder, smiling. "Should I save them...? Nah, they'll be fine." She giggled and walked away with Sokka, then glanced up at Sokka. "Thank you," she said quietly, smiling up at him softly.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"Have you chosen a name?"

"When are you due?"

"How do you feel about raising a child when your throne is threatened?"

Zuko only responded to the last question. "The throne has been secured, and our child will be safe," he said firmly.

A small smile appeared on Athlea's face. "We don't know anything of those other questions for now. In time we will." Her blue eyes shined.

The reporters scrabbled onto their pads, then surrounded Katara and Aang now.

"Aang, have you begun to take people's bending as punishment?"

Dai rolled her eyes. "Poor dude." Zuko was pulling Athlea away quickly.

"How did you help as the Avatar?"

"Are you and Katara finally together?"

Katara smiled sweetly. She had lower expectations to commit as a commoner; she didn't really need to follow any rules, but she had a great personality for press anyways, while Aang tended to get overwhelmed. "Aang only takes bending from those who endanger others. Taking bending for personal grudges would be irresponsible and cruel. He followed the Fire Lord's and Lady's commands so they could secure their throne again. And yes, we are together." She shook her head.

As the reporters began asking about Aang and Katara's plans, the guards forced them away, ending their interviews.

***

A/N lil bit of a filler. do y'all like A/Ns?