Part 1 of 14 of my "Tales of the Avatars" series. For once, with canon characters, too!
that aside, I apologize for any rapeage I may do.
THE TALES OF THE AVATARS (I)
PROLOGUE
Just when we thought that the war was over, we learn that it was only just beginning afresh. This war seems to be a little different though, as Fire Lord Zuko is not by any means encouraging any continuation of the 100-Year War. This “new” war seems to be one of prejudice, which seemed to originate against Aang for whatever reason. The tragedy that struck him and his band of friends, who had become war heroes in the three months that had passed since he had removed the bending prowess of Fire Lord Ozai. However, in those three months, Aang had vanished. He was found in the outer regions of the Western Air Temple about a month later. He was unharmed, and yet, somehow, had died. Similarly, around this time, Air Nomad refugees had begun reappearing after Fire Lord Zuko had declared peace.
The mystery on the hands of the world was a simple question, and yet one that struck fear into the hearts of the world: who had slain the Avatar, and more importantly, why? What sort of streak of insanity could drive anyone other than a follower of Sozin to kill him?
Incidentally, the suspects were not Fire Nation, as firebenders left signs when they killed. It was either the Water Tribes, who would do so to have the next Avatar be one of their kind, or a fellow Air Nomad refugee, as those were the only people who ever wasted their times in the near-forsaken Air Nomad regions nowadays. The Earth Kingdom had considered Aang their savior, as he had been the one to stop Ozai in his tracks form burning the entire region to the ground.
Aang’s mysterious death aside, and the unease, everything else seemed to have mostly returned to normal. Needless to say, Katara was quite stressed about the situation, but, like the way she coped with the loss of her mother, she cracked down and decided to make something of her life, and she dedicated her days to the building up of the Southern Water Tribe. She herself became a battle-hardened warrior, and violently defended her region and the Southern Air Temple from rebel Fire Nation raids. After all, not everyone was pleased with Ozai’s fall.
Sokka ran off with Suki somewhere, but always seemed to be there when the call of battle came. When it did, he and Hakoda were always the master strategists a usual, and they proved effective.
Toph devoted her life to becoming an earthbending legend. She was also often seen at Iroh’s Jasmine Dragon Tea House, as she and the old firebender had become quite good friends. When they were not in the Earth Kingdom, they were in the Fire Nation assisting Zuko where necessary, which was usually something about making sure Ozai, and more importantly, Azula, remained in check, and quelling the war supporters and their rebellions.
All of these things kept Zuko busy, but with so many of his friends there to help him, as well as several wise sages and the likes, he got the job done. Additionally, with the help of Iroh, who was either in the Earth Kingdom at his tea shop or in the courts with Toph assisting Zuko, Zuko was able to hold back his enemies.
Azula was the main enemy of peace in times like this. Iroh and Toph were the ones best to keep her subdued. In fact, it seemed that they were the only ones able to do so almost.
Ty Lee quickly rose through the ranks of the Kyoshi Warriors, becoming second in command, only to Suki. She traveled the world with her divisions, doing whatever was necessary to stop any bloodshed.
Mai remained with Zuko, thorough tough times and good times alike. They eventually married, and Mai gave birth to a set of twins. However, during this time and other times, she would often disappear, only to reappear a few days or weeks later. She was unhurt from this, and she did not seem any different from the times she left. She was open about her loyalty to Zuko and his cause, so thought of her being a traitor was out of the minds of most people. What he was doing though, and where she was going, was a consistent mystery.
Ozai was kept locked up in the prison that he was placed in after Aang had defeated him. He said nothing to anyone, and knew nothing of the outside world. If he did, he seemed rather skilled at hiding it.
The world itself was on edge because of the Fire Nation Civil Wars that broke out, the Earth Kingdom rebellions that popped up here and there, some minor complications between the two Water Tribes, and a band of rouge Air Nomads, led by a woman named Nailah at the Western Air Temple. Rightfully feeling that they easily got the worst end of this war, they roughed up anyone of any nationality other than their own. The Air nomad Culture had vanished, but the few Air nomads that were still alive were trying to bring parts it back. Naturally though, this would take time. Sorting everything out would take time—lots of time...
Nine years after the death of Aang, There were still no leads on who had killed him, Azula was still under control, Ozai still did not speak to anyone, and there were still wars and contentions. There was no sign of the Avatar, though the Water Tribe knew that he or she was among them—they would only be 9 years old anyways.
Nailah’s band of rouge Air Nomads proved to be more of a nuisance than the rest of the world had thought. They were not causing extensive damage; just enough to be recognized, and yet not enough to be a world threat by any means. During this time, Mai’s twins, Zabota and Nakrelu, began growing up as well, being 6 years old by this time. The world was seemingly stuck in a repeating cycle, like it had been for the last 9 years. This, however, was about to change...
~Azula~