The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 7 - The World is at Stake

            Zuko took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. How would Uncle do this? The answer was easy- he'd start at the beginning. So that was what Zuko did.

            “Back at the North Pole, during the siege, I swam through the ice-tunnels to get into the city. I found Aang and Katara, and she and I fought. We ended up on the cliff, and then suddenly there were Fire Nation soldiers behind her- they were going to kill her. I warned her but not fast enough- she went over the edge. I caught her... I caught her, and she let go. She saved my life- the firebenders were going to kill both of us and she let go so I could fight. I thought she was dead- but several months later, I found out she wasn't. It was in a village called Sen, on the northern edge of the Earth Kingdom...”

**__**

            Sokka listened in shock and amazement as Zuko's tale continued- from Sen to the Spirit of Marriage, from Omashu to the Cave of Two Lovers, and on and on and on.

            There was so much sincerity in Zuko's voice- and in the way his eyes had faded, turned into himself, remembering- that Sokka couldn't doubt this story. Halfway through, Suki's hand crept into his, offering a ledge to hang onto, before he fell of the cliff himself.

            When the Fire Lord finally finished, he was quiet, withdrawn. He seemed to have forgotten that Sokka and Suki were even there, and Sokka didn't blame him.

            And so many things made sense now- what had happened at his wedding, for instance.

            “Zuko-” Suki's voice was soft, like her eyes. She reached out to touch the Fire Lord, but Zuko jerked away from her, his eyes refocusing.

            “I'm fine.” His words were harsh and hard.

            “There's something you should know, Zuko.” Suki continued as if he'd never spoken.

            “What's that?”

            “When Sokka and I got married, the Lady of Hope showed up. She changed Katara's tattoo, made it bigger- she keeps it hidden except for the waterflames under her eyes. She tries to hide those but no amount of make-up covers them. The spirit said that it was her destiny- that if she doesn't learn to forgive, the world will be torn apart.”

            Zuko stared, his amber eyes wide with shock. “Wha- what does that mean?”

            Sokka leaned forward, his blue eyes hard and determined.

            “That you shouldn't give up.”

**__**

            Aang watched the girl- Twila- curiously as she stood in front of him. “You're the Avatar?” Aang nodded, tilting his head.

            She bowed, smiling. “I am Twila, of Araden.”

            “What do you want, Twila?”

            “My people are descended from spirits- our Elders often see visions of the future. They have had a most disturbing vision, and they wish to discuss it with you.”

            “So why didn't they come?”

            “They do not leave Araden. It is forbidden. They wish me to bring you back, to our city, to speak with them.”

            Aang frowned, thinking. He didn't want to leave his friends and honestly, this story was a little far-fetched. Visions? Only the Avatar saw visions.

            But what did Aang know, really? The monks had always taught him to keep an open mind, so maybe he should go. Maybe he should give this a chance.

            “I'll think about it, Twila.”

            “Do not take too long, young Avatar. The world is at stake.”

**__**

            Alone in their chambers, Sokka and Suki stood at the window, staring out at the city. Both were silent, filled with worry over Zuko and Katara. Zuko had wanted to be alone, so they'd left him long ago- the moon had risen and the Southern Water Tribe city was awash in her loving glow. Suki layed her head on Sokka's chest, her eye sad and concerned.

            Sokka wrapped his arms around her, understanding her feelings, for he felt them, too. Zuko's story had been hard to believe at first but Sokka didn't doubt its truth. But that still left the question of what to do now?

            Katara hated Zuko, believed he'd betrayed her.

            How were they supposed to convince her she was wrong? For surely, that was what they would have to do now. The spirits themselves wanted this union to happen, and Lia- Lia needed her father.

            And that was another thing, another worry.

            “Should we have told him?” Sokka's voice was lound and rough in the silence, and Suki let out a sigh, knowing exactly what her husband meant.

            “I- I've been thinking about that. I don't think so, no. I think... I think that's something Katara has to tell him. If we get in the middle, it might drive them further apart.”

            “This is such a mess!” Suki sighed in agreement, but both knew that there was really nothing they could do.

            So they stared out at their city and the bright shining moon, and they prayed to the spirits that somehow, this would all work out.

___
Omiword guys, I'm so sorry it's been so long I've had HORRIBLE writer's block. It seems to have cleared up now though so I'm hoping it'll stay away. *smiles* So what do you think Aang's going to do? How do you like Zuko's revelation? Finally, someone else knows! What's going to happen?! 0.o

You guys know the drill- five comments and ten votes and I'll update!