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Slow Heat	By : Spleef Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > General Views: 77367 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Slow Heat
Epilogue – The Past Through Tomorrow, Part 1
This epilogue is a handy way to find out what happened to everyone after the War. Since there were so many POV's, I had to split up the epilogue into two parts (more goodness for you to read!)
I know that most of you did expect what happened to Katara in the last chapter, but let me explain why I did that.
Most of my stories have a happy ending. My Cold Fire trilogy and my Dragon and the Siren story both had a perfectly happy ending for Zuko and Katara. Yes, I love happy endings, but I needed to grow as a writer and challenge myself to write something sad, because you can not grow if you keep doing the same thing over and over. For some of you, what happened to Katara felt like a sucker-punch, but believe me, it felt like one for me. It was really hard for me to write about that and Zuko's inevitable anguish.
But fear not, my dear readers. I have a sequel to this story, 'Kiss of Fire', where Zuko and Katara get back together. How? Well, you'll have to read the story and see! The story is also posted in the same place as this one is, on FFN and AFFN so it's easy to find.
However, I do have an alternate ending to this story where Katara does NOT die. This way, I could challenge myself by writing a sad ending and at the same time write the happy ending that I know many of you want (and what I wanted too) That alternate ending is 4 parts and will appear as chapters 36-39 of Slow Heat, and will be posted after the epilogue.
o0o0o0o
Fire Lord Zuko
One of the things I did after the War was to sign release orders for Mai and Ty Lee, wrongfully sentenced to the Boiling Rock. I wondered why Azula had chosen to kept the Kyoshians and send her two closest friends – or what had passed for friends in Azula's eyes – to the Boiling Rock. Perhaps she had wanted to have her 'fun' with the Suki and her girls first.
The week after Hakoda and Sokka had left with Katara's corpse, I granted an audience to Mai and Ty Lee. I had summoned them here to learn of what they had done to rouse Azula's ire, and to ensure their well-being. I had nothing personal towards them, since they were never cruel to me and I sensed their fear of her at times. Of course they should be afraid. My sister was sadistic even back then, and what were Mai and Ty Lee but the daughters of noblemen, noblemen who could find themselves promoted or demoted on Imperial whim.
I sat on the Dragon Throne, my chin raised as the guards admitted them. I was still getting used to this formality, but knew that I needed to follow certain rules to maintain a dignified image. My days of wandering around shirtless, wearing plain cotton pants and worn boots, or forgoing all the formalities – like when I had been part of the Avatar team – were over. I wasn't Zuko, outcast son of the Fire Lord, condemned to wander the world and denied his birthright.
I was the Fire Lord, Agni incarnate, Son of Heaven. I sat there dressed in full regalia, my hair tied back and held in the fire-comb that signified my status as Lord of the Fire Nation.
Both girls were dressed in comfortable silk clothing. Doubtless their families were glad to have their daughters back. I watched as they knelt on the floor and bowed, reciting the proper salutation to their Lord.
“I am eternally grateful for the pardon, my lord.” Mai said as she raised her head after an appropriate interval.
“I am forever in your debt.” Ty Lee added. The entire situation was so formal as to be almost ludicrous. But I held my tongue, sticking with royal protocol.
“The Son of Heaven does not let innocent people go unpunished.” I replied.
“My Lord's wisdom knows no bounds. “
“Tell me what you did to anger Azula.” I stated before I had to listen to more praise or flowery words of obeisance. “Be honest, tell me whatever you are thinking, how you felt.”
“It was about the Kyoshians.” Ty Lee said. Both of them were now sitting, hands folded neatly in their laps. “We defeated them, but I had no idea what would happen to them. I just thought they would be left as they were, but then Azula learned that they were working with the Avatar, and... They were good warriors. But Azula summoned Fire Nation soldiers to take custody of them. After we came back from Ba Sing Se, she was furious about her being fooled by Long Feng and his Dai Li. She was so sure that she had complete control of these guys!”
I nodded, remembering Long Feng's loyalty to Ba Sing Se. He might have taken some dishonest venues, but at least he had applied them for a better purpose.
“On the voyage home, she was tense. We knew that the Fire Lord would not be pleased.” Mai said, picking up where Ty Lee had paused, “and we were right.”
“Of course.” I murmured. First Uncle – a mighty general – had failed to take Ba Sing Se and now the favored child of Ozai had failed too, and when she had been so close!
“But as summer went on, Ozai and Azula... they became more... devious. The Fire Lord had the airships built so they could raze the forests and burn whatever Earth villages stood in their path on their way to Ba Sing Se. They didn't care how many lives would be lost. I... I didn't think it was right. I had doubts about the War for a long time. I wanted no part of it. My father supported the War, and I felt stifled at home, so that's why I went to the circus in the first place, before your sister made me come with her..” Ty Lee explained.
“Azula started abusing the Kyoshians. She visited them in the Imperial dungeons, but we didn't know about this for a while. But then one day two months ago, she told us she had something to show us. We went with her, and we saw what she did to them. She liked to kick them around, starve them, tease them, burn them...” Mai looked down, her fists clenched tightly.
“I couldn't sleep for nights afterward. They were honorable warriors. I admired them. I would have been their friend. So one day I went down, sneaking food with me. I told them that I didn't agree with what Azula was doing and I'd see what I could do. I told Mai, and she agreed. Azula has been really cruel before, to animals, to servants, but we couldn't say anything about it. But this time...”
“She'd been cruel to us for years too. Not the same way she was with others, no. But she played games and said things...” There was something else Mai wanted to say, but she bit her lip to silence herself.
“About a week after she showed us, we confronted her. We told her that she was going too far. That these were honorable warriors and we had already defeated them. They didn't deserve that humiliation and abuse. Did she want to be remembered for her cruelty? You know, that kind of thing. I don't remember our exact words.”
“Yes.” I said.
“She had already been cracking up. She said weird things once in a while and she had a feral look in her eyes. We had confronted her when she was in a good mood, but she didn't care. She wouldn't listen, and accused us of being traitors, and had us arrested.”
“Azula said that we would go to the Boiling Rock until she decided she wanted to... play with us.” Mai whispered fiercely.
Dear Agni. How had such evil been sowed into her soul?
“Thank you for telling me.” I swallowed. “Of course, I've given you both full pardons. You're free to do as you wish. Your families are safe.”
“My lord, if I might humbly make a request.” Ty Lee asked.
“You may.”
“I don't want to stay with my family. I was happy in the circus.”
“I will not deny you your happiness. The Fire Lord gives his blessing.” I replied. Her eyes sparkled happily and she smiled. I did not smile back, but I nodded before I glanced at Mai. She stared back at me quietly, her hands still in her lap.
“You may go now.” I said. Servants would be waiting outside to serve them with tea and if they wished it, dinner. Ty lee rose to her feet with a slight bounce and turned away.
“If I might have a private moment with you, my lord. There is something I would be honored ti discuss with you. But not here, in this throne room. I mean no disrespect, but it's a matter I would prefer to discuss in a more... modest setting. If you do not wish that, then I could tell you now, if you care to listen...”
I was silent for several long moments as I considered my options.
“We can speak in my private audience chamber.” I replied.
“Thank you, my lord.”
We retreated into the smaller room, and I sat in the smaller throne in there as Mai sat on a comfortable cushion.
“You look so majestic and regal as Fire Lord.” Mai murmured. I was a bit surprised, but I had to admit I was pleased too.
“How does it feel to be Fire Lord?” she asked.
“It's hard to describe. I am proud and honored, and I always try my best. But it is exhausting.”
“I can only imagine, my lord. Already people speak of your goals and actions.”
“And what do you think of them? Be honest.”
“I think it's wonderful. The War's finally over. Nobody has to fight anymore. When I was little, I truly believed that the Fire Nation was best. But after meeting the Kyoshians...”
“Wasn't it so easy to believe when we were little? And now, to see, to truly understand...”
“That understanding is what is needed.”
“Not everyone in Court understands, but I do not let that deter me.”
“Good. A few of Father's friends don't agree with everything. I suppose you can't change everybody's minds all at once?” Mai asked. I shook my head, glad to have a more relaxed discussion.
“Indeed. There's still problems to be solved. The days of a Fire Lord are long.”
“Did you think that being Agni incarnate would be a simple task?” Mai asked with a small smile. I had always been friendly with her and Ty Lee, and I smiled back just a bit.
“Hardly. It's just that I have to sit in meetings, deal with courtiers, read papers, make new laws and abolish old ones, review the cases of prisoners, the list goes on. Sometimes it seems as if I fall asleep only to wake up a moment later. But I'm determined to do my best.”
“You do look a bit tired, my lord, if I may say so. But oh, you mustn't push yourself too hard. I'll help you any way I can.”
“You wish to swear loyalty to me?” I asked. Of course, every Fire Nation citizen swore loyalty to the Nation, but to swear to me personally was agreeing to bind themselves to my personal service, to do whatever I needed or asked. This was a vow that every member of my council took. It was also standard practice for the Fire Lord's – or any man's – wife or concubines to swear to him. Servants and guards also pledged loyalty to their masters. Honor was one of the cornerstones of our society and traditions. Honor was what kept us civilized, according to one of Fire Nation's best-known sayings of wisdom, imprinted in the minds of the highest nobleman to the most common peasant.
“Yes, my lord. I... I will serve in whatever capacity I can. I can speak with noblewomen, make sure they're on your side. There are certain circles a man is not part of, just as there are circles a woman isn't admitted to.”
“That sounds wise. And it shows initiative.” Spending so much time around Toph and Katara showed me how smart and capable women could be in a positive way. I was determined to have women become a bigger part of court. Mai would be a good start. Azula had been power-hungry, and her birthright gave her an unique opportunity for a girl. Yes, we had female guards and women weren't barred from martial arts training, but there was still an invisible barrier that stood between women and high positions. There were no females in the Council, no female captains or officers in the military, and sons usually inherited family businesses or other substantial assets while daughters inherited money for dowry. I wanted to change that.
“You do that. You're staying here in Sozun, aren't you?”
“That is my plan. And I can better fulfill my duty to you here.”
“Very good. I look forward to seeing what you can do.”
“It is my pleasure to serve.” She bowed again.
o0o0o0o
Ty Lee
I went back to the circus. I already had six sisters at home. In the circus I was unique, and had the perfect outlet for my talent. My parents did ask me to come home, but they could not overturn the Fire Lord's blessing. My sisters were married off one by one, with the exception of my oldest sister's husband being adopted into the family to continue the bloodline.
I continued traveling and performing, returning to Sozun a couple of times with my troupe. I was always welcomed by Zuko, and my performances seemed to especially delight him.
o0o0o0o
Mai
As I promised, I became one of Zuko's supporters, and my family as well. Zuko encouraged me to go to University, and I did. I remembered girls from the Royal Academy who had been bright and hardworking. I talked with them, and also looked for middle-class or poorer girls who would enjoy an opportunity for a higher education. I also taught martial arts and knife-throwing, and I enjoyed being one of Zuko's allies.
For several years, I maintained a good relationship with the Fire Lord. I loved him, and wanted to tell him, but since he became Fire Lord, he had become distant from everyone, and whenever I wanted to tell him, there was always something about his attitude, or it wasn't the right time. I was happy that he listened to me and respected me, but I yearned for more.
o0o0o0o
Hakoda
The Fire Nation had taken my wife and daughter. It was almost hard to believe that the War was over and that I was now allies with two of the most powerful men in the world – Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang.
The entire village was there at Katara's funeral as her body was sent into the sea and the spirits were prayed to for her safety.
o0o0o0o
Sokka
I knew that Dad wanted me to be the chief of the Water Tribe, and I know I could have been a good one, but I felt that my destiny was for something more. Suki and I parted when we went to our respective homes. But I never forgot her. And she was beautiful, no matter what scars Azula had put on her body.
I helped rebuild the village, and taught my fellow Warriors many of the things I had learned from Piandao. I couldn't keep this knowledge to myself, and I still missed Suki. So I carved her a necklace, and it took me several attempts before I finally created a pendant I liked. Dad liked Suki, but I know he wanted me to stay here. However, there were a couple of other younger warriors just as qualified. The position of chief wasn't always passed from father to son as it was for kings. Sometimes it happened, if the son was well-trained and competent, but not always. The village might vote for a new chief, or a chief might adopt a youth not his own to train him.
I talked with Dad about it. He didn't want me to go, but I helped him to understand why going off was so important to me. Why shouldn't I share my skills with the world when there were other men just as qualified as me? I felt it would be selfish. Plus, while the maidens in the village were pretty and flirted with me, I could not stop thinking about Suki.
o0o0o0o
Suki
It took us a while for us to recover from the abuse Azula had given us, and to mourn for the ones who had died. But at least we were safe. Zuko sent me and of the girls home with supplies and a small ship of our own, for our village to use as we saw fit.
The next year, a trading ship came. People were a bit hesitant at first, but there was no trouble. The Fire Lord truly was a man of his word, and I was glad for this new era of peace, but I continued to lead the Warriors of Kyoshi. We trained as we had always. New girls joined our ranks. A couple left to marry and have families. These marriages made me think of Sokka. I had a few men in the village who would have me as their bride, but I told myself that I would wait a few more years. I wasn't ready to settle down and start a family and give up my warrior lifestyle.
Several years after the War, Sokka arrived on a ship with other Water Tribesmen for trading and visits – quite a few people in Kyoshi had some Water Tribe blood in their ancestry and vice-versa – and these arrivals were not rare. My own blue eyes came from a Water Tribe great-grandmother who had fallen in love with a Kyoshi man and stayed here with him. Sokka had come a couple of times already to visit. By now, he was tall and broad-shouldered with a firm jaw, like his father. When he saw me, he gave me a smile that melted my heart.
We spent a lot of time together, simply walking through the village or woods, or training together. One night, we were on the beach and the moon was full. Sokka pulled a necklace out of his pocket and looked down at me with a gentle smile on his face.
“Suki, I've loved you since the day you bested me in combat.” he said. I could not help but smile at that memory. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Sokka...” I sighed quietly. There was no doubt that I cared about him. He would be a fine husband, and I knew that he came to Kyoshi to see me. But time went by so fast. The War had been finished for over three years.
“What is it, Suki? I thought we cared about one another. I came here to visit you.”
“I know, but it's just... I do love you, Sokka. More than anything. But I'm not ready to settle down.”
“I wouldn't force you to.” Sokka replied. I glanced up at him with curiosity.
“You're a warrior. I would never try to change that. I don't want you to become a bored housewife. And if you don't want babies right away, that's fine too. I came here to be with you. I want you, Suki.”
I smiled a little. “Do you really mean that, Sokka? You sure you want a wife whose strength and skill rivals yours?” I teased.
“Now, that's not nice. Here I am proposing marriage to the most beautiful girl in the world, but she's not as sweet as she ought to be.”
“I'm not beautiful...” I looked down. One of the reasons I was afraid to marry was the scars along my body. Would my village suitors still desire me if they saw me naked?
“Never say that, Suki. You're a beautiful warrior, and that's what I love about you. You're smart and fierce, so you'll always be keeping me on my toes.”
I blinked back my tears. Sokka might be a bit of a lunkhead at times, with some corny jokes, but he had his incredible and sweet moments.
“I want to stay here with you. I... I didn't want to stay in my village. I realized that I have a different future. I taught the Warriors in my village what I learned from Piandao, but I want to share my knowledge with more people. You'd continue teaching the Kyoshians, and I could teach them what I know if you want, and I will also teach people who come to me, like Piandao does. We both understand the way of the warrior. We can travel the path together.”
“Yes, Sokka. We can.”
o0o0o0o
Toph
I stuck around the Fire Palace for a while. I liked their spiced foods, and at the appropriate times I stayed with Sparky to train him or just talk to him. I really missed Katara, she was the big sister I never had, and Sokka had Suki. I know it sounded selfish but once in a while when I felt pissed off and lonely, I wished that Suki had died at Azula's hands. I knew, as soon as I felt their heartbeats when they were together in the Imperial garden that Sokka would never feel that way for me.
I went back home to Gaoling. But this time I was going to follow my own rules. I was happy to be home again and I loved my parents, but I told them that if they tried to coddle me again, I'd level the house. I went back to doing Earth Rumbles, and my parents even started to come and watch me in them.
As I became a woman, I had suitors. Of course Mom and Dad meant well, and I was their only child. Mom had been pretty young when she married Lao Beifong, so the birth had been very difficult on her body. According to the physician, that had been what caused my blindness. She had nearly died from the labor, and as a result, was never able to bear children again. That was why I didn't have any little brothers or sisters.
Dad genuinely cared for Mom, and didn't want a repeat of that tragedy with his only daughter. So he actually agreed to not try any matchmaking until I was seventeen, and even then, I didn't have to choose right away. Lots of the men were rich boys, suitable for a match with the Beifongs, but I didn't care for ant of them. Dad even invited Earthbending champions – yes, Dad had come a long way in his relationship with me – thinking that maybe I needed someone who would challenge me. And there would be no shame in their daughter marrying a Earthbending Master, not when she was known as one herself.
I liked a few of the guys and might humor them with my delightful company for a while, but generally I preferred Earthbending. I had no patience for sitting and doing chitchat or memorizing poetry or something ladylike, and my blindness was a good excuse for not having to do embroidery or calligraphy. I had my own secretary, and would know if he lied about the money I earned due to my Earthsense. I didn't have to work for money because I was a Beifong, but I enjoyed my Bending rumbles, damnit.
o0o0o0o
Iroh
After my brother became Fire Lord, I had been hoping to retire one day and open my own tea-shop. It was a dream that I had realized briefly in Ba Sing Se. But Zuko needed me, and we couldn't rely on Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang to do all of the work. I split my time between Zuko and the White Lotus. But that didn't mean that I found no time to enjoy life.
o0o0o0o
Chit Sang
After receiving a full pardon from Zuko as well as the assets that had been taken away from me when I had been arrested, I went off in search of Jiang, praying to Agni that she was still alive and well, and that she would still have the same feelings as before. Did the sight of me being dragged away in chains turn her against me?
However, my worries had been nothing but that. Jiang still ran the teashop that her husband had left her. I did not approach her right away, because I wanted to know about her and what she had been up to. To my relief, she was single, and to my delight, she had a little son. I sincerely hoped it was mine, and I lounged under the shade of an awning across the street as I observed the tea shop. Jiang came out to sweep the steps and close the shutters, and she was as beautiful as ever, her hair swept up in a thick bun with a few loose strands, in the way that I had always liked.
I came out of the shadows, crossing the street and whispering her name. Jiang slowly turned around before her eyes widened. I stood there, ready to leave if she wished it. To my relief, I found her slim but strong arms around my neck. And then I wrapped my arms around her and swung her round, like I had done before, her delighted laugh ringing in my ears.
Jiang's son had my mother's gray-blue eyes, just like I did. As soon as she had pulled me into the apartment above the shop, I had been introduced to him. Jiang had named the child after her grandfather, his name was Hui Zheng. Not exactly the name I would have chosen, but a nice one nonetheless. And the girl who I had come to see as my daughter was becoming a pretty girl, just like her mother. She wrapped her arms around my middle, just as happy to see me as Jiang was, and my son stood up in his crib, crying out and holding out his arms. He snuggled into my arms when I scooped him up.
o0o0o0o
Jun
Iroh persuaded me to stay for a bit. It was nice hanging around the Palace for a while and have Iroh make tea for me every morning and every night, and to be surrounded by luxury. He wasn't a bad companion at all and I enjoyed my time with him, but after a few months, I got bored. I never like staying in one place, and Nyla was getting a bit stir-crazy too.
Of course, Iroh didn't want to see me go. But hey, it was nothing personal. It's just how I am. And so off I went. I missed him a lot, though.
o0o0o0o
Ozai
I had killed my father and wife. I did miss Ursa, but she had denied the opportunity to be Fire Lady so she could do the 'right thing'. I would not let my affection for her stand in the way of my goals.
All my childhood I had been in my brother's shadow. Father clearly loved him more. Iroh was the heir, I was nothing but a spare. Mother had died when I was very young, and I don't even remember her. Everybody loved Iroh. He was smart and friendly. People laughed at his jokes and witty comments. He was popular among the ladies. Father took his counsel. When I was little, Iroh was already grown. I tried my best to gain Father's attentions. I studied, trained, and obeyed him. What did this get me?
When I wasn't much older than Zuko, Father told me that I had to go and look for the Avatar. I didn't really want to go, but what did I have at home? A father who loved his first child more, and a brother who had everything – wit, charm, a loving wife, his birthright. So I went, having been given a ship, men, and supplies. I was gone for two years, tracking down every possible lead. But the trail was cold. Grandfather could have killed the Avatar and not known it. Or he could have been murdered by someone else after his escape. Who knows? It had been eighty years.
When I came back home, I had a nephew. Father doted on him. Iroh and his wife doted on him along with doting on one another. I might as well have never come home.
Potential brides were offered to me. Even if I wasn't heir to the throne, I was still son of the Fire Lord. I was handsome and intelligent. I saw how the ladies flirted with me. At least I was better-looking than my brother. Since my brother and nephew had so much of Father's attention, I stopped trying to please him. I did what I wanted. I had lovers and enjoyed going out for entertainment. And when I wasn't occupied with that, I studied.
Then I met Ursa. She was lovely and intelligent and came from a good family. I was more attracted to her than I had ever been with my concubines. When I first came home, I was practically ignored, but as a couple of years went by, Father started pressing me to choose a bride. So I chose Ursa. She was a good companion and wife. I genuinely enjoyed her company. It was too bad that she had decided to try to stop me from killing my father, rather than be a obedient wife.
Now I was all alone. I was kept relatively comfortable and fed, but had nobody to talk to. The maid who took care of my food and laundry could not hear me, and she would not talk when I attempted to communicate with her. She kept her eyes averted, and I had to leave my empty trays or dirty laundry against the bars so she could take them without having to open my cell. I was given no amusements. No books, no concubines, no ink or paper, no nothing. It was my punishment for what I had done to Zuko's mother.
But the worst part was no Firebending. It had come so easily to me before. I had but to flick my fingers or wrists, and a warm flame would form in my hand. Despite what the damned Avatar had done, I still tried here and there. I tried every Firebending move I knew. I meditated and concentrated. Nothing.
So I spend my days in the darkness, alone, lacking my own inner fire, my wife and daughter dead, condemned to this limbo by my own son.
o0o0o0o
Avatar Aang
I never got over Katara. She was the one who woke me up from my hundred-years sleep, and she was my best friend. I came to understand that Katara and Zuko had never meant to hurt me, but it still hurt. I dreamed of Katara, and the life we could have had together.
For a few years I just traveled the world, going where I was needed. I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. The Air Nomads were dead. I was the last Airbender. The world was at peace, but would it ever be in balance again?
o0o0o0o
If you thought that some of the characters here had short parts, don't worry. I split up the epilogue for a reason, and you will be learning more about the fate of many of these characters. This first half of the epilogue mainly concentrates on the first few years of the aftermath, next part will cover the rest of the years until the events of Kiss of Fire. As always, please enjoy, and don't forget to leave feedback! ^_^
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