Chapter Text
While the ceiling Katara awoke to was different than the one she’d fallen asleep under, she could be forgiven for not immediately noticing as they were both fairly similar. It made sense given that both were owned by the Fire Lord. What was less understandable was that she didn’t notice that the rest of the room had also changed. What would have earned her strange looks was that she didn’t notice that there were far more bodies in the room than had been in the one she fell asleep in. In her defense, Katara was not a morning person.
Because she did not realize the world around her had changed while she slept, Katara stumbled up out of bed in the direction of the door, completely unaware. She pushed the door open and was immediately met with the surprised face of a young woman. The pair stared at each other in mutual shock for a beat before the young woman’s eyes widened impossibly further and she dropped into a bow.
“Lady Katara! I did not realize you were in this wing of the palace. Please forgive me.” Katara felt like her brain was a canoe she was trying to paddle against the current.
“That’s . . . fine.” She eventually said for lack of anything intelligent to say instead. The young woman stayed bent at the waist. Katara wondered if she was supposed to say something to make her stop. It was easier to think about that than to try and imagine why the woman bowed in the first place.
“Is the Princess with you?” Katara wondered if she meant Yue, but Yue was the moon so the chances of that were low. Maybe she hadn’t heard?
“She’s the moon now.” She said, intonation even. The young woman’s head snapped up, her expression was clearly one of shock. Evidently she hadn’t heard, poor thing.
“What?”
Met with the woman’s face again, Katara noticed that they were plainly Fire Nation. Finally her brain caught up with what was happening. Apparently the Royal Beach House was not as deserted as Zuko had insisted. She smiled tightly at the woman and looked back into the room subtly for an escape route. Instead she found that everyone had apparently decided to sleep in her room last night instead of their own. She would have been ticked off, but it was actually helpful.
“Zuko!” She whisper shouted at the vaguely human shaped lump with a very distinctive scar. She heard the woman at the door gasp but ignored it. “ZUKO!” She said a bit more forcefully, emphasized her point with a small kick.
Zuko jerked upright. He looked around confused for a moment before he noticed her presence and squinted up at Katara. She huffed, gestured at the woman in the doorway who was bowing again.
“My Lord!” She gasped. Katara began gesturing more forcefully. Zuko’s eyes widened and he scrambled to stand up.
“That’s not necessary.” Zuko rushed to say. The young woman stood up straight once again. Katara noted that there was a secret passphrase that made the bowing stop. “What are you doing here?” He sounded like he was trying not to panic.
The young woman’s eyebrows pulled together. “I was asked to get these rooms ready for your guest’s arrival.” She looked at the other people in the room, a few of whom were beginning to wake up, “Master Hozu must not have realized they’d arrived already.”
“Hozu?” Zuko sounded very confused. Katara could empathize. Before anyone had a chance to say anything else, a new person walked up. This newcomer was dressed in a Kyoshi Warrior uniform of all things, Katara thought she looked vaguely familiar. The new woman looked at everyone, her eyes stalled on Zuko and Katara.
“Zuko?” She asked, sounding absolutely perplexed.
Zuko looked at her for a moment then did a double take. “Ty Lee?”
From within the bedroom Katara heard Toph groan and roll over before speaking. “Why are you all in my room?”
It didn’t take long to get everyone up and active after that. The young woman, who was named Yuka apparently, and Ty Lee had stood off to the side and whispered furiously with each other. They seemed to be looking a lot at Aang and at Katara’s stomach of all things. Once everyone was ready they said they were going to take the group to ‘those in charge’. It was only after both of them swore that no one would try to attack or arrest them and Toph agreed that they weren’t lying, that they went along with it.
The Fire Nation Royal Palace was actually pretty nice. When Katara was a kid she’d imagined a building filled with soldiers and weapons and tapestries depicting the death of the Fire Lord’s enemies. In actuality, there were almost no soldiers and the art was not nearly as violent. Certainly was a lot of red though. The servants did spend a lot of time just staring at their group and whispering with each other. When Katara would make eye contact they’d often wave or smile but it always looked uncertain, like they didn’t know if they should be doing that. And everyone looked at her stomach. Everyone. One person even looked at it and then at her face and said, “Congratulations!” Ty Lee pulled her away before she had a chance to respond.
Eventually Yuka and Ty Lee led the group to a pair of heavy wooden doors with stone-faced guards on either side. Zuko clearly recognized what room this was and his eyes went wide. “The Fire Lord’s offi-” He was cut off by Ty Lee completely ignoring the guards and pushing open both doors simultaneously.
“The guests arrived early!” she announced. The office beyond was large and warm looking. Several cabinets lined the walls and were overflowing with scrolls and loose papers. The back wall was dominated by a large window which was currently covered by a gauzy white curtain that washed the room in a soft light. In the middle was a wide low desk.
Behind the desk was a man dressed in formal robes with his black hair pulled up into a tight top knot. Perched on top of his head was a shining golden crown of flames. He was also clearly Zuko. The scar was the same and the face around the scar was pretty similar too. This new Zuko looked a bit older than the one Katara had kicked awake a few minutes ago and his face was pulled into an expression of pleasant surprise. That quickly changed as his eyes swept across the group into one of shock.
Katara didn’t spend too long looking at him though, because there was someone else seated in front of the desk with their back to the door. Her, for it was clearly a her, hair was long and flowing and brown in a way that she hadn’t seen before in the Fire Nation. It was also pulled up into a, slightly less severe looking, top knot and was wrapped in a smaller golden flame crown. Her clothing was loose and flowing and the same rich combination of black, gold, and red as Zuko’s.
The other woman was also turned around in her chair and looking at Katara with her own face.
For a moment everyone froze, and then the other Katara stood up and made everything worse. The whole group’s attention immediately fell upon her stomach. Or really, just over it on the absolutely massive pregnancy bump that was clearly visible, even through other Katara’s flowing robes.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone freaking out?” Toph asked.
It took a full two minutes for everyone to get over their mutual shock and actually shuffle into the office. Lord (Fire Lord‽) Zuko sent for some additional chairs and tea. The room was dead silent as everyone stared at each other or at the servants quietly rearranging the room to fit the new furniture. The only sound was Sokka quietly whispering to a frustrated Toph about what was going on. It wasn’t until everyone was seated (with Katara and Zuko next to their alternate selves) and everyone had a cup of tea that someone finally broke the silence.
“So,” Sokka said, “this is the future, right?”
Old Zuko and Old Katara sent each other a look. “Maybe?” Old Zuko said.
“Maybe?” Sokka sounded almost offended. “You’re clearly older versions of Katara And Zuko!” He threw his non-mug hand up in the air for emphasis. “What year is it?”
“110 AG.” Old Katara answered. Her face tensed up for a moment, as though in pain, but it passed quickly and no one else commented on it so Katara let it go.
Sokka gestured emphatically at her. Old Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes. “I said maybe, because neither Katara nor I remember this happening.”
“So?” Aang asked.
“So either we won’t remember anything when we get back or we aren’t from their past. This could be an alternate timeline.” Sokka answered while rubbing his temples.
“And for those of us that don’t think Math is fun?” Toph groused.
“We might be from an entirely different timeline as you, meaning we lived different lives than you all have up to this point.” Old Katara answered.
Toph squinted and tilted her head a bit while looking in Old Katara’s general direction. “That feels like a lie, but also not like a lie. It’s weird. Why are you weird?”
Old Katara sighed and sent another look at Old Zuko. “I don’t think you’re from an alternate timeline.”
“We don’t know for sure, Kat.” Old Zuko said.
“Look at them! Your scars even match!” She gestured between the two Zukos. She turned back to the rest of the group. “You all were on Ember Island right? That’s where you went to sleep?” Everyone nodded. “Do things like the Painted Lady, Piandao, Hama, Yon Rha, the Boiling Rock, and The Boy in the Iceberg sound familiar?” Again everyone nodded. Katara couldn’t resist the slight wince at the mention of the play. Things with Aang were still tense from that night. “How long until the comet?”
“Two days.” Suki answered. She kept sending glares at Ty Lee in the corner. Katara imagined it had something to do with the uniform.
Old Zuko and Old Katara sent each other another look and Katara was starting to get tired of it. “That was the night our Aang disappeared.” Old Katara said.
“WHAT!” Aang shouted.
“You came back.” Old Katara rushed to clarify, expression contrite. “You came back in time to fight Ozai.” Katara wondered if she was the only one that noticed the hint of malice in Old Katara’s voice when she said Ozai’s name.
“So we won?” Sokka asked, clearly hopeful.
Toph slapped him on the arm. “Do you really think Sparky would be the Dork Lord if we lost?”
Sokka scowled and rubbed his arm. “I just wanted to confirm,” he sulked.
Old Katara laughed and smiled at the pair. “We won, Sokka.”
“Thank you.” He said emphatically while glaring at Toph. “Don’t see why I needed to be slapped for that,” he grumbled under his breath.
“What are you doing in the palace?” Zuko asked, looking at Old Katara.
Her expression turned a bit strained and her eyes flicked to Toph. “I . . . live here.”
“What!” at least three people said simultaneously. It wasn’t until after that Katara realized she was one of them.
“I have for a few years now,” Old Katara said, like she wasn’t shattering Katara’s mind. How could this older version of herself turn her back on the Tribe like that? And why would she choose the Fire Nation of all places?
“Are you two together?” Aang’s eyes flicked back and forth between Old Zuko and Old Katara with a pointed detour over Old Katara’s pregnant belly. For their part, Zuko and Katara’s older counterparts gave each other a sidelong glance and then promptly started laughing.
“Us? No!” Old Katara exclaimed.
“Mai would kill me!” Old Zuko said as he wiped a tear from his good eye.
“We’re still together?” Zuko asked.
Old Zuko nodded. “She’s an amazing Fire Lady.”
“All the staff are scared of her.” Katara said with a fond smile.
Old Zuko’s expression turned to obviously faux-affront. “ You are the last person that should be talking about the servants being afraid of my w-”
He was interrupted by a harsh slap to the shoulder and a glare from Old Katara. His fake affront turned genuine for a moment, before it dropped into a sheepish expression. “Sorry.”
Katara exchanged looks with the rest of her group, but was met by the same bafflement from everyone. “So who’s the father?” Aang asked, a bit too pointedly for Katara’s taste. His crush on her was flattering, but lately his jealousy had been getting worse and Katara did not care for it.
Old Katara sent her an understanding look. “I don’t know how much more I should say. I don’t want to take away young Me’s chance to make her own decisions.” Old Katara looked down at her stomach and rubbed it gently as she smiled. “I will say that I don’t know who the father is. W- I used a donor. I never actually met him.”
There was general confusion from the younger people in the room, but Old Katara just kept smiling at her belly. Finally Sokka spoke up. “You can do that?”
Old Katara looked up at him, brows pulling together a bit as though she didn’t quite understand the question. “Of course.”
“Are you married?” Aang asked. Again Old Katara looked to Katara but then she looked at Toph.
“No.” Old Katara said, not even sounding confident to Katara’s ears. Spirits but she’d always been an awful liar.
“That’s a lie.” Toph’s confirmation was almost perfunctory.
Old Katara sighed and hung her head. “Worth a shot. Yes, I am married.” She looked up again. “But I won’t say to whom.” Katara was equally thankful that her older self seemed so concerned with respecting her right to choose her own romantic partner and frustrated that she was hiding something so big.
“But Zuko told us who he’s married to!” Aang pointed out. Katara couldn’t help but be a bit annoyed by how focused he seemed to be on her future love life.
“That was his decision, and your Zuko is currently in a relationship with Mai, right?” Old Katara looked at Zuko.
He shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck. “Kind of? I don’t think I ever actually broke up with her when I left.”
Old Zuko snorted. “That letter. I’m honestly amazed Mai didn’t just kill me the next time I saw her.”
“She even saved us from that psycho Azula!” Sokka added as though reminiscing about old times.
“She is not a psycho!” Old Katara snapped. Sokka’s eyes went wide and he reeled back suddenly. It seemed all sound in the room died and the stillness left behind was tense. It took a moment, but Old Katara’s glare soon dropped and she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Katara helped Azula heal after the war, she takes her recovery very seriously.” Old Zuko sent a quick glance to Toph that Katara almost missed.
“Really?” Toph asked.
“For your information, she’s made a lot of progress.” Old Katara huffed. “And everyone deserves a second chance.”
“My sister’s love life aside,” Sokka said, moving the conversation along, “does anyone have any idea how we can get back?” Looks were exchanged around the room, but no one rushed to present a solution. Evidently they were all as clueless as each other.
“Our Aang should be arriving soon,” Old Zuko said as he rubbed his chin, “maybe he’ll know what to do. This is probably some spirit nonsense and no one’s better at that stuff than him.”
Aang perked up in his chair. “Where have I been?”
Old Katara smiled at him. “You’ve been splitting your time between the Air Temples and Republic City.”
“Republic City?” Suki asked.
Old Zuko straightened and for a moment looked distinctly proud. “After the war Aang and I reorganized the former Fire Nation Colonies into the United Republic. Republic City is the capital. It’s a place where people of all nations can live together in harmony.” Katara thought he sounded a bit like he was giving a sales pitch, but he seemed earnest all the same.
Aang cocked his head. “What have I been doing at the Air Temples?”
“There were a bunch of people that wanted to experience life as an air nomad,” Old Katara explained. “They’ve been helping you fix up the Temples. They call themselves Air Acolytes.” Aang’s face split into a wide grin.
“None of them are airbenders,” Old Zuko jumped in, “but they live like it. They’re helping you keep the traditions and way of life of the Air Nomads alive.” Aang’s grin pulled impossibly wider and his eyes got misty at the idea of having his people back in some way. Sokka leaned over and threw an arm around his shoulders to pull him into a side hug.
“Ooh. Me next! What am I up to in the future?” Toph demanded eagerly.
“You’re the Chief of the Republic City Police Department,” Old Katara answered with just a hint of a smirk.
“What?” Toph asked, aghast. “You’re not lying. Why aren’t you lying?”
“Because it’s true.” Old Katara wasn’t even trying to hide her amusement anymore.
“I became a cop‽” Toph asked. Even though the question was clearly rhetorical, Old Katara nodded all the same. “Oh I’m gonna kick Old Me’s butt!”
Old Katara couldn’t hold her giggles at that point and burst out in a hearty cackle. Katara might have been disapproving if she weren’t laughing along with her. Toph grumbled and shifted the stones under Katara’s chair so it tipped over, but it wasn’t enough to stop the laughter.
“Are you actually a Kyoshi Warrior?” Suki asked, staring at Ty Lee, once everyone had managed to pull themselves together again. And Katara had righted her chair.
Ty Lee nodded with what Katara imagined was her usual enthusiasm. “Yup.”
Suki’s face screwed up in something that was having a very hard time not looking like disgust. “How?”
If Ty Lee noticed Suki’s tone or expression or general demeanor she didn’t let it affect her. “Well there was the whole thing with Ba Sing Se.” Suki let out a quiet growl. “And then I was sent to the same prison as the other Kyoshi Warriors after the Boiling Rock. We really bonded.” Ty Lee smiled. “Oh! And the uniform is so comfortable! I mean, look at all these pockets.” She stuck her hands in the, admittedly, impressively deep pockets of her skirt. “Now I teach chi blocking to the new recruits.” She sent a few punches into the air to demonstrate and Katara felt a chill run down her spine as she remembered the sensation of being chi-blocked. From the grimace that flashed across Old Katara’s face, she did as well.
“I don’t think I like the future,” Toph said petulantly.
Old Katara smiled placatingly at her. “Well you are welcome to change it when you get back.” She swept her eyes across the group but they landed on Katara. “None of you have to end up where we are. You can make your own choices. This is just one way your lives could turn out.”
Everyone took a moment to consider that. “Are you happy?” Katara couldn’t help but ask.
Old Katara looked down at her belly and rubbed a gentle hand over it. “Very.”
A knock came from the office door. “Come in.” Old Zuko announced and the doors opened to allow a servant to stick their head in.
“Your guests . . .” the servant glanced at Aang and the rest of them, “well your other guests have just arrived, my Lord.”
Toph jumped up and stalked toward the doors immediately. “Oh I am going to give myself such a pounding.” She slammed the doors open and the poor servant had to jump back to avoid being bowled over. “A cop! Of all the things!”