A Spirit of Elements Chapter 47 (Avatar Group Reunion) (Patreon)

Katara found herself standing on the edge of the murky swamps, a place she hadn't ventured into for what felt like an eternity. The memories flooded back, reminding her of the very first time she had set foot in this eerie terrain; despite how long it had been, Katara still remembered the day as if it was yesterday.

When Aang had his vision of Toph and to think after so many decades, she would go back to the same swamp to find her; after so many decades, sometimes Katara needed to remind herself how long it had been since the War ended. Standing amidst the thick, humidity-laden air, she couldn't help but reflect on the passage of time. With all its darkness and despair, the War had become a distant memory. The wounds had healed, but the scars remained.

Katara found that ironic; she couldn't wait to see her friend again. Despite being seven years, she doubted Toph had changed much since the last time they talked. In her mind's eye, Toph remained eternally cranky, wonderfully eccentric, and unyieldingly true to herself. They all had changed in some ways as they grew older, but not Toph; she had stayed the same even after such a long time.

Katara's brows furrowed involuntarily, a faint frown etching itself upon her face; Toph was the only one who never settled completely. Sokka had Suki until the tragedy happened, but Toph never married anyone and was on her own. A melancholic sigh escaped Katara's lips, her eyes betraying a deep-seated sadness that had weathered the years as she sought solace in the touch of the precious necklace adorning her weathered neck, its familiar weight serving as a balm to her weary soul.

Katara cherished the precious necklace that once belonged to her beloved mother, its delicate pendant gracefully resting against her heart. Katara always kept her mother's necklace around her neck and had decided to give it to Naruto once he married either Asami or Korra.

Katara didn't want her mother's necklace to be buried with her; she had thought about it, but eventually, Katara decided that giving it to someone else would be the better option rather than being buried and forgotten forever.

With a genuine display of concern etched across his face, Zuko gently halted his stride, his voice filled with worry as he urgently called out to Katara, "Katara, are you alright?" Instantly, his observant eyes caught the subtle deceleration in her footsteps, prompting him to extend a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. 

In that tender moment, as his golden eyes locked with hers, a complex mixture of emotions swirled within Katara's being, reflected through a bittersweet smile that graced her lips. Despite her valiant attempts to conceal the turmoil within, Katara knew she could never hide her emotions from the ones who had known her for so long.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Katara playfully bantered, her voice laced with amusement, "I'm fine, Zuko, just thinking about our old cranky friend," The sound of her laughter filled the air, prompting Zuko to join in as they strolled side by side, their camaraderie strengthening with each shared chuckle. 

Meanwhile, leading the way, Kya gracefully manipulated the water around them, elegantly parting the lush vegetation surrounding their path, creating a clear and inviting passage forward.

"Yeah, knowing her, she will probably attack us just for fun," Zuko chuckled, his golden eyes scanning the lush expanse of the swamp that enveloped them. 

The air was thick with the scent of earthy vegetation, and a symphony of croaking frogs and buzzing insects filled the tranquil ambiance. Every step they took sent squelches of mud oozing beneath their feet, challenging their balance and testing their patience. 

His gaze shifted to Kya, who, with a graceful flick of her wrist, she summoned a swirling torrent of water that danced effortlessly in her control. Mud obediently parted like a curtain, revealing a clear path amidst the murky terrain. The once treacherous ground transformed into a walkway of solid earth, providing a stable foundation for their journey.

Katara leaned in with a gentle chuckle and a wise twinkle in her eyes. "Well," she began, her voice tinged with nostalgia, "after all, her way of showing affection was by punching someone," As she spoke, a mischievous grin danced upon her weathered lips, revealing a lifetime of memories shared with her friends. 

Standing beside her, Zuko couldn't help but wince slightly as he instinctively rubbed his shoulder, the countless times Toph had playfully unleashed her fists upon him, catching him off guard in the most unexpected moments.

"Yeh, the first time I really met her was when I burned her feet. To be honest, I still feel bad about it," Zuko said with a down look, remembering how afraid Toph had been at that moment; Zuko knew burning her feet made her unable to 'see' for a few hours.

"Zuko, it's been over fifty years," Katara's voice broke through his somber thoughts, her words dripping with a mix of disbelief and exasperation. With an elegant wave of her hand, she dismissed his lingering guilt, her surprise genuine but tinged with a hint of frustration. 

It had been over fifty long years since that accidental misstep. He absentmindedly rubbed the top of his head.

"To be honest, I remember all the bad things I did, but I'm still happy with how my life turned out to be, even this," Zuko proclaimed with an air of introspection. His fingers gently ascended, delicately tracing the contours of the disfigured scar adorning his left eye.

"If I hadn't been banished, I would have never gotten to know any of you," Zuko said with a smile as he looked at Katara, who smiled back at him, she too was happy with how their life went; she had her own regrets, but Katara knew one thing, she had lived a good life.

As the sunlight caressed the still waters of the swamp, Katara's voice resonated softly, her words tinged with playful nostalgia, "Yes, you would still have been the angry ponytail prince, Zuko." However, upon hearing this, a deep groan escaped Zuko's lips. 

Yet, with a swift flicker of thought, he dismissed the ponderings, for they had arrived at a foreboding sight - a shadowy enclave nestled amidst the murky depths of the swamp, resembling nothing less than a cave veiled in darkness.

"Uncle Zuko, why does Republic City want to execute my son? Your father was put in prison for life despite all his crimes; why is the situation different for my son?" Kya questioned, her voice cracking slightly, trying to hide how much she was concerned for her little boy.

But Kya knew she would never allow her son to rot in prison; her son deserved to live a long and happy life. She would rather die than allow her son to be executed or imprisoned for life.

Zuko stiffened slightly at the mention of his father; despite not deserving it, his father's ashes were buried in the hall of Fire Lords, where all the other fire lords had been buried. Mai had bluntly stated that Fire Lord Ozai deserved no grave and no resting place, saying his ash should be dumped down into an abyss somewhere so people would have no place to remember him.

But Zuko had decided that his father should be buried in the Hall of Fire Lords. Zuko knew many hadn't been happy with his decision; even Mai and Jin had been clearly unhappy with his decision, but eventually, they had accepted it. Sometimes, Zuko needed to remind himself that it had been almost four decades since his death.

Zuko escaped his thoughts as he looked at Kya; he thought deeply, trying to find the right words to say; they were talking about her son, after all.

"There were many who thought that my father should be executed, but Avatar Aang was the one that decided that my father should be left alive and imprisoned for life, and since Aang was the one that defeated him and took his bending away, many decided to go along with it, my father, in the end, held no power so people weren't that afraid of him anymore." Zuko explained; Kya simply nodded along, waiting for him to talk about Naruto's case.

"As for Naruto, from the information I have received from Bumi, and my grandson. In his rage he killed many people, destroyed many houses, and injured even more people around the Republic City which is considered the most important city in the World," As his grave tone permeated the air, Kya's heart plummeted into an endless abyss, a sense of foreboding gripping her tightly. What she heard made her stomach churn with a mixture of disbelief and unease.

"And the worst part, whatever Naruto had used before being 'defeated' by Avatar Korra, the explosion, the reports say that the explosion looked like a second sun in the night sky, larger than the Republic City itself, big enough to destroy the entire place and there are many who got burn injuries despite being far away from the Heat Waves of the explosion," Zuko added, making the situation even more bleak. 

As his somber voice filled the air, Kya's face drained of color, her previously rosy complexion now resembling the pallor of a ghostly apparition. Sensing her daughter's distress, Katara swiftly closed the distance between them, her footsteps echoing with a sense of urgency. 

With a gentle touch, she reached out to grasp Kya's trembling hands, her own eyes filled with determination and a flicker of hope. She whispered soothing words, promising that Naruto would be safe.

"The largest explosion known in History is the explosion that Combustion Benders are able to do, but the strongest attack made by a Combustion Bender registered was made by DaHuo over a millennia ago, his strongest attack was strong enough that it destroyed an entire town. DaHuo was later killed by Avatar Yanlei," Zuko explained, remembering the many scrolls he had read about history in his life.

"But the town he destroyed was ten times smaller than Republic City. Naruto's attack, I hate to say it, but his attack had brought fear; people know that if someone is able to do something like that, that kind of attack is not something you can dodge or block in any way that kind of attack can wipe out cities, people are afraid what might happen if Naruto loses control again. Not even the Iron Prison can withstand that kind of attack," Zuko explained gravely, himself not liking that he had to say such harsh words to Kya.

With a heart heavy with sorrow, Kya, her tear-streaked face as pale as freshly fallen snow, mustered the strength to turn towards Zuko. As she approached him, her voice trembled with desperation as she uttered the plea that echoed her deepest fears and hopes, "Can Naruto be saved?" Every fiber of her being longed for Zuko's response to carry the resounding affirmation she yearned for, a single word that held the power to bring solace and restore her shattered faith: 'Yes.'

Zuko's eyes drifted away from her; he found it difficult to reassure her of anything; no one could say with 100% certainty what would happen; no one knew the future after all. He wanted to say 'Yes,' but he knew that would be a lie.

As Zuko turned his gaze towards Kya, he locked eyes with her, his piercing gaze meeting the depths of her tear-filled eyes. A cascade of tears streamed down her face, each droplet a testament to the anguish she held within. 

Zuko made a solemn vow to alleviate Kya's fears. "Fear not, Kya," he assured her, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "I will reassure you, Kya. I will try my best to save Naruto, you have my word," Zuko embraced Kya, their bodies entwined in a tender embrace. 

Though not bound by blood, Zuko felt an indescribable kinship with her, as if she were his niece. Kya clung tightly to Zuko, her sobs reverberating against his shoulder, finding solace in the warmth of their embrace.

"Don't worry, Kya. Naruto, will be safe, he is like a nephew to me after all," As Zuko's comforting words enveloped her, Kya felt a tender caress against her tousled hair. Gazing upon this poignant scene, Katara's eyes shimmered with a bittersweet smile, gratitude for Zuko's unwavering presence by their side.

In the aftermath of Kya regaining her composure, they ventured forth into the depths of the murky swamps. With Zuko leading the way, his firebending prowess manifested in a radiant orb of flickering flames upon his open palm, casting a warm glow that danced across their surroundings. 

Step by cautious step, their collective curiosity guided them further into the labyrinthine recesses of the cave, the air thick with anticipation and the echoes of their echoing footfalls. They arrived at an expansive circular clearing, bathed in ethereal sunlight cascading through a gaping aperture in the ceiling. The radiant beams of sunlight permeated every crevice, transforming the cavernous expanse into a spectacle.

Zuko's eyes were immediately drawn to the flickering flames that danced and crackled within the heart of the bonfire. As his gaze lingered, he couldn't help but notice the pot perched upon the roaring inferno, billowing gentle tendrils of fragrant steam into the air. However, his eyes went to the elderly woman, her hunched silhouette silhouetted against the radiant glow. 

With a sense of familiarity washing over him, Zuko's eyes widened in astonishment, mirroring the shock that washed over Katara as they both recognized the distinctive attire and unmistakable silhouette of the mysterious cook.

"Well, are you just going to stand there with your mouths open, you know the swamp has very big insects, they might enter your mouth, though that probably is not a problem for you sugar queen!" The old lady said with a hint of mischief in her voice, her back still turned towards Zuko and Katara.

As Katara treaded closer, a surge of uncontainable delight consumed her, compelling her to release a resounding laugh that reverberated through the air. Her eyes twinkled with pure joy as she beheld the familiar figure before her. 

"I see you haven't changed at all, Toph," she proclaimed, her countenance adorned with a radiant smile that seemed to illuminate the surroundings. Upon hearing Katara's voice, Toph pivoted gracefully, her face finally coming into view. 

The last seven years had changed little in her features, for Katara and Zuko instantly recognized her. She remained unchanged.

"I believe she is even more cranky than she used to be," Zuko commented with a chuckle as he approached, now standing beside Katara as Toph let out a laugh.

"You haven't changed at all, Sparky!" Toph playfully japed, her voice echoing through the air as she gracefully approached her friends. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she closed the distance between them, each step filled with anticipation. Finally, standing right in front of them. 

Katara and Zuko's arms enveloped her in a warm, tight embrace. Toph returned the embrace wholeheartedly, her laughter bubbling forth like a joyful melody. 

"Nice to see you, sugar queen," Toph said as she pulled back from the hug, her fist connected with their shoulders in a gentle yet impactful manner; both Katara and Zuko felt a jolt of surprise followed by a mild ache, prompting them to reflexively rub their now tender shoulders while emitting a symphony of groans.

"We are not young anymore, Toph, our bones are not as strong," Katara commented as Zuko smiled in amusement.

"I see your way of showing affection hasn't changed, Toph," Zuko japed as Kya approached them, bowing her head respectfully towards Toph, who groaned.

"None of that to me, water girl; who do I look like to you, the Earth Queen?" Toph questioned with a hint of disgust in her voice as she spat on the ground at the mere thought before turning on her heels and walking towards the pot placed on the bonfire.

"Well, don't just stand there like traffic lights; find somewhere to sit and you can tell me why the hell you sought me out," Toph grumbled as she used a big spoon to mix something in her pot, not looking at Katara and Zuko who glanced at one another before sitting in a bed nearby, but it could barely be called a bed, since it was just a blanket covering a mass of stone, with a pillow on top.

"Oh, I thought you have missed us, Aunt Toph?" Kya questioned with a fake hurt tone. Toph groaned loudly as she took a sip from her soup. Toph thought the soup was good enough.

"Didn't ask you, water girl, now Sugar Queen, is this about the Captain Boomerang?" Toph questioned with a slight hint of sadness in her old voice. Katara sighed in sorrow before speaking; the pain of losing Sokka was still in her heart, and not just because he was dead, but the way he died.

"I'm afraid not, Toph. I was never able to find anything yet," Toph spoke nothing after hearing the response; she figured that was probably the answer she would receive.

"What then? Is this about the new Twinkle Toe, has she gotten into any trouble?" Toph questioned, her back still facing Katara and Zuko. The aroma of freshly brewed soup wafted through the air, intermingling with the subtle crackling of the bonfire nearby. With nimble fingers, Toph deftly poured the hearty concoction into four meticulously crafted plates made of hardened mud and stone.

"It's my son Naruto, he's in trouble," Kya answered before neither Katara nor Zuko could answer. After hearing Kya's words, Toph paused from filling the fourth plate with soup.

Toph's voice trembled with a hint of haste as she questioned Katara, her brows furrowing in confusion. "The airhead!" she exclaimed, her frustration evident in her tone. "What trouble? Katara you told me that he is a good boy and is not causing any trouble?" Toph's disbelief hung in the air. The last time she had been anywhere near Naruto was eleven years ago. 

Still, the last Toph had heard about Naruto from anyone was seven and a half years ago. Katara had described the boy as very well-mannered and an excellent Airbender, so Toph found it a little difficult to believe that someone like him would get himself into trouble. Still, Toph could tell that Kya wasn't lying, and she could tell from her heartbeat that she was too stressed.

"Well, what happened was something out of Naruto's control, Toph, what Aang warned us about," Katara reminded Toph with a grave voice. Toph's eyes widened ever so slightly, momentarily betraying her surprise, before they resumed their usual composure. Toph turned around in a silent yet meaningful gesture as she presented a plate brimming with delicious soup to the three of them.

With a fierce stomp of her feet against the earth, Toph molded the very ground beneath her into a sturdy, intricately designed chair, perfectly suited for her to rest upon as she sat, her eyes directed at a random direction. 

"Well, tell me what happened. Are you waiting for me to beg?" Toph questioned with a groan. Kya nodded her head before telling her everything she knew. Once Kya was finished, Zuko said what he knew, and once they were done, Toph sat there in silence. For the longest time, there was nothing but silence in the air; all he heard was the sound of breathing and the fire cracking in the bonfire.

"Well, I will be honest with you, Kya. The little airhead is in deep shit. Twinkle Toe doesn't know how to take bending away yet, so the world can't rely on that like they did with Ozai, and the airhead having that kind of power is too dangerous, many people will see him as too dangerous to be left alive, and you can't rely on locking him up, that bomb will destroy any prison you put him in it," Toph bluntly said, Katara swiftly extended her hand, tenderly resting it on her daughter's trembling shoulder, offering solace and unwavering support. She instinctively shielded her face with her delicate hands.

"But there's hope in this mess!" Toph quickly added with a growing smirk.

"There is?" Kya asked hopefully, looking up at Toph, who nodded with a smile.

"Yes, the Airhead lost control, so we can use that, but most importantly, we need to know how this power works, and use a lie as leverage," Toph said with a growing smirk of satisfaction, happy to have another chance to break the rules again.

"A lie?"

"Korra's words are important, she's the Avatar and the connection between the Spirit World and our Boring World. Usually, what majority will think in this situation is that Naruto is possessed by a spirit, similar to the Avatar Spirit, while I don't think that's the case, that's what we need everyone to believe," Toph said as she rose from her seat, a glint of amusement danced in her eyes, with a swift and fluid motion, she used her earthbending, commanding one of her bags to gracefully soar through the air, effortlessly finding its way into her waiting hand.

"If not possessed by a Spirit, then what is it?" Kya questioned, completely confused; spirits were the only explanation for why her son lost control and was able to use abilities never used before. Katara was in agreement with her daughter; there were all kinds of spirits out there that were really dangerous and could possess someone, like Father Glowworm and other powerful spirits.

"I don't know, but that's not important right now, Korra needs to say that killing Naruto will only release the Dark Spirit inside him, that Naruto's body works like a jail cell, and killing him is giving the key of the cell to whatever is inside, that will remove the threat of execution off the table, especially when the words come from The Avatar herself," Toph explained with a professional voice, sounding much younger than she actually was. As her words cascaded gently into the atmosphere, a glimmer of hope flickered within Kya's eyes, her mesmerizing blue orbs sparkling like a crystalline ocean under the radiant sunlight.

"Oh, wow, Toph," Katara exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, "you are the former chief police, and you don't seem to have a problem breaking the rules!" Her voice carried a hint of playful sarcasm as if she had just unearthed a well-kept secret. Toph responded with a brief chuckle that carried a sense of indifference.

"Mahh, rules are made to be broken." She commented as Zuko asked another question that was bugging him a little.

"What if they decide to imprison him very deep underground like they did with P'Li?" Zuko questioned, knowing a prison cell underground might be what they decided.

"That's when I come in, Sparky, I know just what to say but I will need my daughters' help. It seems the time has come for me to come out of my retirement. I just hope Lin is in a good mood, perhaps she found someone to warm her bed, that will probably make her less anxious," Toph commented, not caring at all what she was saying. Katara looked at her friend disapprovingly.

"Toph, will you ever change?"

"When I stop calling you 'Sugar Queen.'" Her laughter erupted like thunder, reverberating through the cavern walls and filling the air with a contagious joy. Soon, they found Zuko's dragon just outside of the swamp; they leaped onto the dragon's back, ready to soar through the vast expanse of the sky, their destination set on the city of Zaofu.