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“Oh, I’ll show you lightning!”
Zuko’s confidence dwindles the second he realizes she’s not aiming for him.
Katara.
He runs as fast as he possibly could and leaps in the direction of the lightning.
"NO!"
Before he knows it, Zuko watches the lightning zoom past him, hitting Katara. She lets out a painful scream as he lands harshly onto his side, but doesn’t pause for a moment to acknowledge his own pain. He’s unsure where Katara got struck, but just knows he must get to her, now.
Azula grins in satisfaction as she watches Zuko from afar, kneeling down in front of Katara. Katara's body convulses due to the shock of the electricity running through her and Zuko is at a loss at what to do.
Desperately worried for her, Zuko becomes filled with anger and despair. He stands up promptly and turns around to face his sister again, determined to protect Katara from further harm. Before he could do or say anything, a brush of fire roars past one side of his face, barely missing him.
Zuko rapidly shoots streams of fire toward Azula, then immediately creates a wall of fire to safeguard both himself and Katara.
“Stop Azula! You’ve gone too far. I don’t want to hurt you!”
Azula ignores him and continues to throw jabs of fire his way, too consumed with pride, ego and power to listen.
“This was supposed be between you and me!” He shouts again, furiously. “You’ve disregarded the sacred rule of Agni Kai.”
“Who cares? I'll do whatever it takes to see you crumble and fall, just like your dear friend." Azula retorted, laughing in amusement. "It’s your turn now.”
She creates jets under her feet to quickly propel her closer to Zuko, and dissipates the fire wall with ease. This leaves him exposed to a direct attack which knocks him over and forces him away from Katara.
Zuko gets back up and continues to block Azula’s attacks while desperate to figure out a plan. His mind flashes back to when Azula struck Aang with lightning in Ba Sing Se. The day he chose to betray Katara, the one who trusted him first. Although forgiven by her, he feels remnants of guilt inside. Just like how he feels guilt now for allowing her to get hurt during a battle that wasn't hers. This is another chance to make up for that past and present regret; here, he will fight for Katara.
Zuko charges up a giant fire blast before blocking Azula's vision with a screen of smoke. He then sprints over to the pillars to hide behind in order to give himself more time to think.
“Oh, poor water bender.” Azula’s voice grew closer, oozing with sarcastic pity. It echoes in the silence, except for Katara’s squeals of pain. It hurt Zuko immensely to listen to.
“My brother has gotten so much softer since meeting you. I didn't even think that was possible.” Azula taunts, walking around Katara. "You must be his new weakness."
Hearing that enrages Zuko, tempting him to impulsively act, but he stops himself. Iroh taught him better. His friends that he considers his new found family now, knows he can do better. After all this time of him gaining better control over his anger towards others including himself, and not letting it control him, Zuko wasn’t going to allow Azula to regress his growth. He must be smart about this.
Just then, he suddenly hears Azula beginning to generate lightning. Zuko channels everything he was feeling within that moment, readying and steadying himself.
I can't let Azula win.
Zuko takes a deep breath, steps away from the pillar, and already sees a flash of lightning hurdle towards him. In an instant, he feels the surge of energy from the lightning absorb into his body, and successfully redirects it back to Azula. Her eyes widen right before she gets hit, and lets out a piercing scream as she gets thrown backwards and falls onto the ground hard. Azula attempts to get up, but her body fails to do so easily, as her mental and physical exhaustion finally took over all at once.
Zuko was amazed that even worked, his brow sweating and his heart racing from adrenaline. Concerned that Azula would regain strength again, he hastily makes use of a metal chain nearby and secures her hands to a grate where water moves below.
Before Zuko was about to leave her be, he hears Azula starting to sob underneath the mess of hair covering her face.
“Mom- never- loved me...” She manages to say in-between sharp breaths she couldn't control. It was almost too inaudible to understand.
Zuko was drawn aback at the sudden mention of their mother, while simultaneously saddened by his younger sister’s words. And the fact he’s never seen her cry, ever.
“That’s not true, she did love you.” He gathered the words to say. “She was just afraid you were becoming like our father. Power-hungry. No empathy, only caring about yourself regardless of who you hurt. Even when it came to family.”
Azula huffs in disbelief, and sniffling at the same time. There was no way she'd agree with him, nor admit her defeat or her faults right now. He decides to let it go.
“Don’t be mistaken, Katara would’ve defeated you.” Zuko continues, with utmost confidence. “You and I both know what’s she’s capable of. You shouldn’t ever underestimate her.”
Zuko turns away from Azula and runs over to Katara, who was still wincing from the excruciating pain of the lightning attack. She was now curled up on the ground, whimpering.
“Katara…” He tries to help her lay on her back, and finally notices she got struck in the chest. Zuko was overwhelmed with pure panic, and as if that wasn't bad enough, he saw Katara grow unconscious.
“Katara, please stay awake. You can’t die here.” He pleads desperately, and glances around frantically. Zuko spots her empty spirit water vial on the ground, detached from her a distance away. In her current condition, Zuko was afraid Katara didn’t have enough energy to be able to heal herself here, as he noticed the only water closest to them is trapped under a grate. This still sparked an idea in his mind.
He had to give her the chance to try.
Zuko hurriedly pick ups Katara's spirit water vial, before carefully carrying her in his arms. He starts to run.
He brings her to the secluded pond on the opposite side of the palace grounds. A place very sentimental to Zuko, reminiscent of fond memories with his mother when he was very young.
Zuko gently lays Katara in the shallow water, with most of her body except for her head under the surface. He kneels next to her again, and places Katara's hands over the fresh wound Azula’s lightning left behind, right below her necklace.
His hope was hanging by a thread, his emotions mixed with uncertainty.
Was this the right decision? Did I act too late? Will this even save her?
Zuko's mind was a chaotic mess, consumed with a whirlwind of doubt and fear, but all he can do is wait. And he swore to himself he was never leaving her side.
Zuko sat on the ground with his head low, arms folded and sitting with his knees bent in front of him. The sky had already turned to night, stars shimmering against the darkness above. Zuko’s sliver of optimism started slipping away and even more anxiety tensed up his body as the time passed. It felt like an eternity, waiting there in silence. He felt like he couldn’t breathe. Not only was Katara’s life hanging in balance, he was also wondering if Aang succeeded in taking down his father, and how.
Whether or not Aang succeeded, how would I break the news to everyone about Katara if she doesn’t pull through?
Suddenly, the entire pond glows light blue and Katara slowly flutters her eyes open. Zuko was in total shock and disbelief at the sight before him.
“Z-zuko… where…?” Katara starts to say, weakly.
“Y-you’re alive.” Zuko stutters, with tears forming in his eyes.
Katara opens her mouth to speak more, but her eyes close again as the energy to heal herself only allowed her to regain enough consciousness to awaken momentarily.
The blue glow fades and minimizes to solely outline Katara's body in the water. Zuko notices she was at least breathing normally again and not in as much pain like before. It was a miracle he was thankful for.
It was late the next night, with the moonlight shining through Zuko’s bedroom window. It was illuminating part of Katara’s face, while she was sound asleep. He had the help of the palace maids to tend to her wound soon after she temporarily gained consciousness. They also helped to change Katara out of her wet clothing into a spare red robe of Azula’s. Zuko didn't dare leave the room all day unless truly necessary and stubbornly slept on a nearby lounge chair, just so she had his entire bed to herself. For the previous night and the past few hours, Zuko's been in and out of sleep, distressed about whether or not Katara would wake up again, and possibly stay awake for more than a second if she did.
Eventually, Katara gradually stirs and Zuko's eyes widen in surprise. He removes himself from the chair and kneels at her bedside. Zuko looks at her like she was a wounded turtle duck he wanted so badly to aid back to health. For someone he's always known to be so strong and resilient, she lies before him appearing helpless and fragile in her current state.
Zuko gently covers a hand on hers that's lying on the mattress, to know it’s not a dream; that she’s here, alive and well. Katara's eyes wander above her to figure out where she is, then meets Zuko's amber ones as realization settles in.
“Hi.” Is all he could let out with the single breath he didn't realize he was holding in.
“Hi.” She replies weakly, with a small smile.
“How are you feeling?” Zuko asks, removing his hand nervously.
“Not great, but okay.” Katara winces, becoming more aware of the pain in her chest. “How long was I out for?”
“About an entire day.” He responses and Katara blinks in surprise. “What about Aang and the others, are they okay?”
“Yes, everyone is okay. Aang defeated my father. Somehow took away his bending away, for good."
"I didn't think that was possible..." Katara says in awe. "And Azula?"
"I hope she will be okay..." Zuko replies solemnly. "She broke down after I won the Agni Kai, and I didn't have to burn her to do so."
Katara takes a minute to process all that he’s telling her, shocked yet relieved to hear they all survived and accomplished what they all set out to do.
"I'm happy you've regained your birthright to become the Firelord your nation needs. It’s been long overdue to have someone like you guide them on the right path to peace.” Katara praised him with a proud smile.
“Hm, maybe I should use that last part in my speech at my coronation.” Zuko cups his chin in one hand, acting deep in thought.
"You better give me credit, then." Katara replies playfully.
"Perhaps.” Zuko jokes lightly, and Katara giggles a little and that sound tugs at his heart.
“I’m really glad you’re alive.” He says in a soft, sincere tone.
“Me too.” Katara agrees, her heart warmed by how Zuko spoke in a way he rarely does. “For a second, I wasn't sure I would be. I just remember standing there, frozen and lightning travels so fast..."
Zuko gulps, the memory still very fresh in his mind. "Well, after you got injured, I took you straight to the pond we have on the palace grounds. I laid you in the water and eventually, you basically healed yourself."
"Whoa... really?" Katara asks, amazed and proud of her own abilities.
"Yes. Azula hit you in a fatal spot, so it took a long time but, you really did heal yourself." Zuko insists.
Katara relaxes as she takes in the fact she has the ability to heal herself from a near-death experience. She then notices gratitude in Zuko's face, as well as the dark bags under his eyes.
“Did you get any sleep?”
“No... Is it really that obvious?” Zuko questions, slightly embarrassed.
Katara nods subtly, smiling to herself. She remembers the morning she woke up to find Zuko sitting outside her tent, learning he was out there all night even after she snapped at him the night before. The tiredness was just as evident then as it is right now. Katara appreciates the fact that he wanted her to be the first person he saw when she woke up, and made sure she was okay through the night. Back then, and now.
“I, um, tend to stay awake when someone I care about is hurt.” Zuko admits sheepishly. “Emotionally, physically... in any form really.”
“I’m that someone this time now, huh?” Katara jokes, lets out a quiet huff of a laugh.
“You’re not just someone, or anyone to me.” Zuko confesses, in a serious tone.
“I am?” Katara asks, slightly surprised.
Zuko felt motivated to admit his feelings for her right then, but he was suddenly overcome with emotions rising inside of him. Specifically the resurfacing guilt he felt about Katara getting struck by lightning.
“I-I feel like I can never forgive myself for letting you be in such a vulnerable position because of me.” Zuko starts to say, and gets a little choked up. “I asked you to come with me... I told you to let me handle my sister alone because I didn’t want her to hurt you, and she did...”
“Zuko...” Katara's brows furrow, touched by his words and how worried he was for her.
“Katara, you almost died. If it weren’t for me-“
“Zuko.” She says as sternly as she could, and uses up the bit of strength she has to grasp his fingers near her hand. "Look at me."
Zuko is on the verge of tears and slowly meets her eyes, holding her hand right back.
“I saw you run to jump in front of me. You were willing to risk your life for me, and you brought me to the pond. I’m here breathing, not just because of myself, but because of you too.” Katara reassured him with a meaningful look. "So thank you."
Zuko sheds a tear, and exhales deeply as a wave of calmness washes over him. They share a smile in silence, and squeeze each other's hands a little tighter.
A moment of silence passes, and Zuko realizes they're still holding hands. He slowly lets go of her and clears his throat. "I know you probably should rest more, so I can give you some space if you-"
Zuko starts to stand up, but Katara reaches for his hand again.
“Please stay with me, here.” She insists.
Zuko allows her words to soak in, and nods. He walks over to his chair and settles back into it, but he’s met with a slightly annoyed expression on Katara’s face.
“Zuko, that chair doesn’t look that comfortable. I won’t sleep either knowing you’re not.” Katara gently pats the empty space next to her, and he hesitates but silently agrees.
“Always the one to worry about others even when you yourself needs to be taken care of.” Zuko sighs as he lies down on the bed where she gestured to. He shifts to rest an arm behind his head, and gazes up at the ceiling.
Katara shakes her head with a slight smile, ignoring his comment. She slowly turns her head to face him, remaining on her back, although she wishes it wasn't so painful to lay on her side.
Zuko senses Katara looking at him, and turns over onto his side to fully look at her. He becomes captivated by her beautiful blue eyes, and feels comforted by her gaze; not an ounce of worry resides in him now. Zuko moves a strand of hair away from Katara's face and places a gentle kiss on her forehead. She closes her eyes and softly smiles in response. Eventually, they fall asleep and remain facing each other through the rest of the night.
For the first time in a long time, everything finally felt right in the world.
𖤓☽