Beneath Ash and Ice

6 years after the war
Aang was last seen a week ago, leaving her father's tent-after she broke up with him. At first, she welcomed the silence. He needed time. So did she. But as the days passed and search parties formed, a terrible thought began to creep in: what if he was in danger... because of her? What if the world was?

Word spread fast. Across all four nations, armies and allies began to search. But with the Avatar gone, balance began to crack. Old tensions resurfaced. War no longer felt impossible-it felt inevitable.

Katara's first stop was the Fire Nation, to assess the political fallout... and to see Zuko. She'd missed her friend more than she'd admit. Feeling that joy only made the guilt sharper. She felt exposed. Sad. Furious. Alone.

Could she bear losing Aang-her partner, her family? Could the world survive another war, just three years after the last?

Zuko had believed life would be simpler after the crown. He was wrong. Assassination attempts. Riots. Corrupt advisors clinging to his father's legacy. Azula's breakdowns leaving chaos in their wake.

Now Mai had left too-tired of loving someone who was never truly there. He didn't blame her. If anything, he felt... relieved.

And now the Avatar was missing.

Perfect