Av.Generations-The Next Avatar

                                     The Next Avatar

Zuko sat next to his wife's bed. She was nine months pregnant and the birth could commence at any moment. His brother-in-law sat asleep in a chair by the door, his rhythmic snoring causing Zuko to nod off. A gentle squeeze to his hand sent him shooting up and frantically looking around. “Is it time yet?! What's going on?!” Katara laughed at her anxious husband. “Relax. You really need some sleep. Even Sokka took a break from constantly fluffing my pillow to take a nap.” “No. No, I'm fine. Just...” “Tired?” She said with a smirk. “Yeah, I guess.” “Don't worry. I'm fine.” “Ok. I'll go-” Suddenly, the doors to Katara's room were mercilessly thrown open and the Avatar burst through. The raucous noise caused Sokka to wake up. “What's going on?! Is it time?!!” Aang ignored the questions and went directly up to Zuko. “Zuko!! Zulon is launching an attack on the palace! He's got us completely surrounded and the guards are no where to be found!” Zuko's blood began to boil. “What?! How dare he show his face after I banished him?! And stepping foot in my palace?! That little son of a-!” Katara had to stop her steaming husband, “Zuko!” “What?! She is a-!” This time, it was Aang who silenced them all. “Zuko! We don't have time for this! Something strange is going on! Firebenders, Earth, Water, Air; there are all types of benders out there! It's like the whole world's turned on us!” Katara gasped and both Zuko and Sokka remained silent. “We need to do something! Now!” Sokka started heading towards the door. “Oh, I'll do something alright. Knock some skulls together, that's what I'll do!!” Zuko grabbed him by the shoulder. “No! Stay here with Katara. Me and Aang will go. If something happens, come tell me. Immediately." Knowing there was no use in arguing, Sokka just nodded. “Right, then.” “I've already called for Toph.” “Perfect. Let's go.”

Zuko and Aang made their way through the west wing of the palace until they came outside to the garden that connected the other half of the palace. Coming across from the other side was the world's greatest Earthbender, and the Avatar's wife. “So, what's the plan?” The three adults turned to look at three children at the door from where Toph had come. The two, older girls stood wide-eyed and smiling, staring at the adults. The younger boy's blind gaze was hidden under bangs that went half-way down his nose. Their father walked over to them. “Your plan is to go with Auntie Katara and help Uncle Sokka to guard her.” The girls grinned ear to ear and even young Kenseii managed to crack a smile. “Ok!!” The girls chimed in unison before running across the garden. After they disappeared inside, Zuko addressed Toph and Aang. “I'll try to speak with Zulon. The less fighting, the better. But if he ask for it, let him have it. Aang, don't be afraid to use the Avatar State on him or his men” “Don't worry. I won't. Not this time.” Toph cracked her knuckles, “Let's do this.”

The three benders had made their way to the front of the palace and were now half way down the steps where they could remain a safe distance but be clearly heard by the attackers. Around them, buildings burned, were sunk underground or completely missing, and not a soldier was insight. “ZULON!!!” The land fell silent as benders everywhere stood down. A young boy, only twelve years of age, stepped out from the middle of a crowd. He donned a Fire Nation soldier uniform, and his black hair was tied into a top-knot but he left some hair to form side strands. He stepped to the bottom of the stairs, and stared up at Zuko with golden eyes. “Zulon, what are you doing here? I banished you!!”  “Well, I decided I'd come back to visit. Come on, you know you missed me. I'm your favorite nephew.” “You're my only nephew, Zulon. Now I said, what are you doing here?!” “I come with a message from my mother. She orders you to renounce the thrown and title of Fire Lord, or be destroyed.” “I would never let Azula be in control.” “Then face the wrath of the Fifth Nation!! Attack!!!” The benders once again began destroying the palace and surrounding buildings. Zuko turned to Aang and Toph behind him. Toph was already taking out some of the soldiers trying to make their way up the stairs but Aang was staring at Zuko. Once he gave the signal, Aang went into his stance and his eyes and tattoos began to glow. Zulon whispered, “The Avatar State... Now men!! Kill the Avatar!!!” Immediately, the benders left their positions and started rushing up the stairs. Air, Water, Earth, and Fire, united in attacking the one man who controlled them all. Aang used a blast of wind to knock some down but the diversity in attacks kept him on his guard. Zuko was trying his best to fend off the attacking warriors but there were just too many. Suddenly, Zuko heard someone shout his name from behind. “Zuko!! Zuko!!” Sokka was quickly making his way down the steps. “What is it Sokka?! I'm kind of busy!” Zuko managed to knock out a group of benders trying to rush him. “This is it; It's happening! Katara's having the baby!!” “What?! Now?!” “Yes!!” Both Aang and Toph turned to Sokka. “What do we do?” “Toph, go with Katara! She'll need your help. We'll stay here!” Toph ran up the stairs and into the palace. Suddenly, it became dark. The three men looked up to the sun and saw it covered behind a single, black cloud. Zuko looked into the crowd of angry benders and tried to pick out their leader. He wasn't there. Suddenly;y, there was a loud yell and a flash of light. Zuko turned to see Aang fall to his knees, then to the ground. “NO!!” Behind him, Zulon was poised in an attack stance and his fingers were smoking. “AANG!!” “Finally!!! I've finished what my family long ago started! I've destroyed the Avatar!!” The benders all around started cheering. Zuko knelt next to Aang and Zulon stepped behind him. “It's over. Without your precious Avatar, you're nothing.” “Why you little-!!” “Zuko! There's no time! Katara needs you!!” “Go ahead, Zuko, run. I'll catch you another day...” Zuko hated having to leave, but he knew Katara needed him. Without taking his eyes off of Zulon, Zuko backed up the stairs a few feet, then turned to run for his, and his family's, life.

After running through the entire palace, Zuko had finally made it to the outside of Katara's room. Sitting in chairs were the Avatar's now father-less children. They told Zuko that they had to guard from the outside. He gave them a gentle smile and then burst through the doors of Katara's room. It was true, the labor had begun. He immediately went to his wife's side and held her hand. “Zuko!!! I thought you wouldn't make it!” “Of course I would...but...there's something you need to-” “Katara, you can't stop! You need to keep going! Push!” Toph hadn't been able to find a doctor or a healer, so she was delivering the baby herself. “Toph, listen-” “Zuko, there's no time! The baby's almost here!” “...it is...?” “Yes!! Any moment now! Katara, keep going!!” “Ow!” Zuko looked down at Katara's hand crushing his. “Sorry!” “Almost there!” Katara gave one final push; one final scream, and then it was over. Zuko felt the blood begin to flow back into his hand. He quickly looked it over. “Oh, grow up, you big baby and come get your son.” Toph had quickly swaddled the baby and was now holding him out for Zuko. “...son...? I have a ...son...?” He soon forgot his own pain and grinned as he went to receive his child. He took him in his arms and uncovered him and looked him over. Eyes, nose, fingers and toes; everything a healthy baby boy should have...and something more. Zuko gasped as he stared down at his newly born son. He had dark skin and blue eyes like his mother, and a full head of black hair like his father. But he had something else... There was a band of blue skin around his neck as if it were a necklace. The same band was around his wrists and ankles. “What is it?” Katara began to worry at Zuko's tunned expression. He silently walked over to his wife and showed her their child. She gasped and covered her mouth as she saw their baby's tattoos. “But then that means that he...?” Zuko nodded. “And now he is...?” Katara looked down at her baby. She knew Aang had died, but she didn't know that he died in the Avatar State. The Avatar shouldn't have been reborn. Somehow...Zuko and Katara were the parents of The Next Avatar.