AN: Sorry it took so long to update. My schedule got busy for a bit, and I was trying to figure out how to make this chapter better. I don't think that I succeeded in that endevor, but I didn't want to keep people waiting too long, and I know that if I leave it for much longer, I'll simply forget about it. Plus, exams are this weekend, and I wanted the story done by the end of the semester. I hope you guys like the chapter.

Smiling, Iroh set the horn aside. Ten sets of eyes and a foot watched as he picked up his teacup and sat back. As he glanced at Taka, who had picked up her own cup, he took a small swig of tea. And spit it back out. "Ugh, cold tea!"

Like the rush of water in the rapids, laughter flooded the room. It grew when Sokka, in an attempt to seem manly, tasted his own tea. The boy's face scrunched, eyes squinted shut, mouth pursed, nose wrinkled, and forehead creased. He swallowed, choking.

"Did the tea just get spicer?" he gasped.

"This tea does do that, yes," Iroh answered. "But it loses much of its flavor when cold. If you would permit me?" He held out a hand for the cup. Five cups were shoved across the table, Zuko already having heated his own.

The teamaker picked up two of the cups. Taka leaned over and picked up two more cups, mimicking her employer. The last cup was taken up by Zuko, and in less than a minute, the three firebenders had the tea steaming.

The tea was handed back to each of them, and Toph expressed what they all were thinking: "Ahh...You make the best tea, Uncle."

Sokka cleared his throat. "If we're all done talking about tea…"

"You have questions?" Taka finished for him.

"Well, yeah. I mean, it seems like it's talking about us. But you said that this Wu lady-please tell me she's not related to that crazy fortuneteller-couldn't do any of that foreseeing powery stuff. This song has been around for ages. Surely there's some sort of explanation."

"If you look at it logically, what are the chances that any other group could fit the description?" the woman replied.

The Water Tribe warrior opened his mouth to reply, but Toph beat him to it. "Did any of you know that there were other verses?" Heartbeats thumped a negative, heads shaking.

"So how 'bout we all share a bit of legend with everyone," she continued. "Like, in the Earth Kingdom, the Lady of Dirt is considered the ultimate earthbender. Which means an earthbender needs to be strong, protective, and wise. And even though women aren't considered soldiers, the ultimate earthbenders are great warriors."

"I always thought the Lady of Dirt was Kyoshi," Suki remarked. "We-the Kyoshi Warriors and I-looked to the Lady as an example of the perfect warrior. Especially because she was female."

Toph grinned. "I'm way better than a puny Avatar."

Sokka couldn't resist. "Looks like you got a fan club, Toph." He burst into laughter as a chorus of chuckles and groans echoed in the empty restaurant. Katara reached over and swatted him over the head. He scowled at her, though his blue eyes still gleamed like the sea on a sunny day.

The waterbender returned to her former spot, leaning back against Aang's side. Lifting her chin, she took control of the conversation. "For the Water Tribes, our verse was a prayer that our spiritual leaders, or chieftains, would sing to the Moon and Ocean. It was a prayer of protection for our families.

"It also taught us to value our children, for the potential that they brought to the Tribes. As for the legendary characters, Ocean's daughter resembled both the benders of the Tribes, with its push and pull, and the caretaking role of the women, who kept the Tribe fed. Moon's warrior resembled both the wisdom of chiefs, lighting the Tribes with insight, and the protective role of the man, who kept the darkness at bay."

"Sounds kind of sexist," Suki frowned.

"Yeah, well, it's not perfect."

"It appears that the phrase "Ocean's daughter," and "Moon's warrior" are very apt," Iroh commented. "From what I have seen, you and your brother fit the descriptions perfectly."

The siblings glanced at each other, smiles flickering in their eyes. Katara leaned further into Aang's shoulder, hearing the deep thud-thud of his heartbeat. A breath hummed in his chest, vibrating up his throat, leaving his mouth, filling the room with his voice.

"I'd heard the history behind my verse, but I didn't realize it was talking about me." His voice overlaid with the deep rumble she could hear within him.

Taka turned to Aang, her bronze brow lifting. The older woman smiled at the couple and asked, "What is the history you were taught? I'd love to hear it."

Katara felt Aang shift slightly, inhaling deeply. "Monk Gyatso told me that Avatar Yangchen wanted to protect the youth of the Air Nomads, so she created a system where every child was brought to one of the Temples and raised under the teachings of the monks and nuns. This kept us from being exposed to bad things until we were old enough to understand why they were bad. The only times we left the Temples was if our teachers let us visit friends or family.

"But now I'm wondering if that wasn't the point. If...if I'm the Child of Light, then maybe that tradition isn't needed anymore."

Katara straightened and placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. His ash grey eyes were somber, but no less so than they had been for the past week. As she studied them, they lifted to meet her stare. Traces of joy and gratitude could be seen in his gaze, and she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. As she pulled away, she whispered, "Maybe it's time for a new tradition."

There was an exclamation of "Oooogieees!" from Sokka, and Katara shot him an annoyed look.

Suki sent her boyfriend an amused look. "Really, Sokka? Can't you be nicer to your sister? She doesn't protest when we show affection."

Sokka crossed his arms and raised his chin. "My sister shouldn't be kissing anybody! Much less a twelve year old!"

"He's thirteen," Toph stated. "And he could kick your butt without trying. You know, mighty savior of the world, all powerful spirit bridge? I wouldn't argue with their choices."

"I'm not-" Aang began.

"Please," Sokka interrupted, scoffing. "He's a pacifist. It's not like he's going to go all glowy on me. Besides, as Katara's older brother, my opinion should be taken into consideration. Nobody kisses my sister without my permission."

Iroh pointed a finger upward as he stated, "It is never wise to force someone to follow one's own preferences. Each person must find their own way."

"Really?" Sokka exclaimed. "No one agrees with me? Zuko, you're an older brother, you get what I'm saying, right?"

"You mean about not wanting to see your little sister kiss someone?" Zuko asked, a bemused expression painted on his face, his lone eyebrow rising. His tone took on a biting sarcasm. "Nobody would be stupid enough to kiss Azula. She's crazy, remember?"

"Right, forget I brought it up."

Suki sighed. "Well, if we're all done with that pointless debate, I'd like to know about the Fire Nation's verse."

Zuko shrugged. "I always thought it was just a stupid poem about what firebenders should be like."

Nodding, Iroh elaborated. "It was considered the ideal goal of fire: to be unkillable, unstoppable, and fiercely protective of peace for their nation. Originally, the sages chanted this daily, and all in the Fire Nation were taught to fight for justice and peace, and to never stop fighting. But in Sozin's day, the invincible strength and unstoppable courage were emphasized, as well as the concept of ruling over all peoples."

Sokka shifted, having calmed from his earlier rant. Now he brought a hand to his chin, squinting, and asked, "Did Ozai use the term "Phoenix King" to be associated with the verse?"

Turning, the group stared at him. Iroh tugged at his beard in thought, but it was Taka who answered. "It's quite possible. You'd have to ask him, but all authority figures need to have some form of proof of legitimacy, otherwise the people might not obey, and claiming to be a legendary hero would be one way of doing it."

Iroh cut in. "But Ozai does not fit the verse well. He has not had to fight for much in his life. Instead he hands it off to others while he sits at home and schemes. Even though he was hated as Firelord, he was never targeted for assassination much either. His own people feared him too much, and the other nations couldn't get close enough to harm him."

Multiple sets of eyes glanced over at Zuko, who had straightened, golden gaze on his uncle. Leaning forward, Suki asked the teamaker what she had been wondering since Fire's verse. "Zuko's got to be the Phoenix Ruler, right? I mean he came really close to death last week, he helped Aang bring peace, he's a king, and you're his Righteous kin. It all makes sense."

"Not that I'm disagreeing with you, Suki," Taka responded, "But many people could possibly fit that description."

Katara spoke up. "But it's talking about a king of Fire, which Zuko clearly is. Not to mention, he helped Aang. The verse says that the Phoenix Ruler-"

"Phoenix Lord."

"Phoenix Lord, whatever. It says that he stands with Light by his side. That clearly happened at his coronation."

"But we nearly fought each other last week," Zuko protested. "We haven't brought harmony at all."

"But nephew, that was simply because of a lack of communication," his uncle replied. "In all respects, you are the Phoenix Lord. You see, the last lines of each verse do not speak of what you have done, but what you will do. Avatar Aang will raise up a new age, as will the Water Tribe siblings. Katara and Sokka will also help to heal and unite war-torn lands. Toph will stand for justice, and you will help bring an age of peace. Your destinies are the same."

The creases around Zuko's lone eyebrow deepened, but he gave a small nod. "If you say so, uncle."

"Good," Sokka blurted out. "If we're done with this craziness, how about some more tea?"

Katara huffed. "It's not craziness!"

"Yeah, it is. I mean all this talk about lights and watery peoples and creepy wise ladies-"

"Hey, watch it, or I'll bury you!"

"-and phoenixes and prophecies… I mean, really?"

"Do you have to be so negative, Sokka?" Katara scolded. "I think it's a good thing that we heard this. It's really reassuring to know that all of this was destined."

"Destiny-schmestiny," her brother scoffed.

The Water Tribe siblings bust into a furious argument, complete with rolling eyes, flailing hands, and even a little bit of foot stomping. Knowing better than to get pulled into their debate, their friends sat back to watch. Taka picked up the empty cups, placing them on the tray to prepare a second round of tea.

Halfway to the kitchen, she heard a peal of giggles ring out. Turning, she watched as the siblings made up, exasperated smiles glowing on their faces. The group had gathered around, smiles catching, growing from face to face like a yawn. She could feel it twisting the corners of her mouth upward.

Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. In this group, the cycle was complete. In this group, the nations worked together, helping one another, refusing to let disagreements tear them apart. The world was in good hands.

So, what did you think of the story as a whole? I know this isn't my best work, and it's not even the most creative of ideas. The inspiration for this story came as my best friend and I rewatched the first episode of ATLA. She randomly wondered what it would be like if the whole series had been prophecied beforehand, and I just had to write something about it. It's been a long time coming, and I knew from the start that it wouldn't be a fullfledged plot, but I wanted to try it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :)