Merits Ch 55

In the chilly night air, the wild light show crashed on, music and magic rising like a tsunami approaching the shore. The roar of it was physical, lifting the hair on Aang's arms and the colour in Toph's cheeks. Around the scaffolding, Toph mixed from danced legions of her followers, their energy warming the unnatural night, shouts and hollering and the thump-thump-thump of their feet marching her stronger.

"They're in position!"

Aang's lips pressed against Toph's ear as he relayed the latest from their air support.

"Ready in three—" said Toph, pushing the volume higher on her rig.

Aang closed his eyes, bringing himself back-to-back with Toph.

"Two—"

The scaffolding trembled and began to shimmy and shake as Toph lifted her arms. Beneath their feet, the ground below and platform shook more violently.

"One!" shouted Toph, clapping her hands together in front of her as Aang did the same behind her.

The scaffolding gave a horrific, metallic screech as it crumpled and crushed under the magical force they unleashed. Lightning exploded from their stage and shot into the heavens before being redirected like lightning down into the hoards of undead Reavers that had stalked them.

The booming crescendo rocked the night like a bomb.

—Then it was joined by another's.

When Zuko saw the lightning, felt his heart beat inside his chest, heard the crackle and boom of the electricity and surrounding magic exploding, he wondered for a moment if he had somehow been thrust into a divergent reality.

For there stood Katara, surrounded in blue-white light. There stood his father and sister, their features twisted ugly with hate pouring from their hands. There lay Jet, lifeless on the floor. And yet Zuko was the only one moving, racing, to Katara's side, his hands raised as he prepared to deflect any of the lightning he could—

—Until Katara, her eyes never leaving Azula and Ozai's, lifted a hand and the lightning spun itself like a snake, whirling in Katara's palm before shooting upwards at the ceiling, through the roof, rushing and coursing through the stones to blast a hole straight through to the night sky above. The room was suddenly brighter as the full moon shone down on them.

Pausing, Zuko blinked and shook his head.

—Katara could lightning bend?

Standing at the shore of the lake, Katara faced Jet, angry tears staining her cheeks. Across the water the sun began its lazy descent into slumber, the sky performing its nightly ritual as it prepared for rest.

"I'm not leaving you here."

Jet's smile was sad as he chuckled and tucked his hands in his pockets. He tilted his chin at the sun.

"Not long now," said Jet with rueful acceptance.

"It's not fair! You made mistakes, but you... you were tied by fates and history and Azula, and—. I know you can do better, Jet. You just need a chance!"

"Katara," said Jet, brows furrowing. "I have a job to do."

There was a pause before he added, "And so do you."

Pressing her lips together, Katara clenched her jaw and looked at the long line of her fellow villagers. They remained a little apart from her and Jet, giving them what little privacy they could, but the night was coming and Jet needed to ferry them on. Some had been waiting over a century to return home, lost in the mists of the world, stuck between crossings. Jet's arrival had lifted the veil, reunited them, gathered them. As he had in centuries and lives passed, their Protector would lead them on once more. Katara's heart squeezed as she saw her mother and Gran-Gran standing together, elbows locked, pride, hope and sadness shared between them as they watched her speak with Jet.

Now, it was time to go.

"I'll come back for you," vowed Katara.

A corner of Jet's lips quirked up.

"Your soulmate may disagree with that. But..."

A burning sprung up in Katara's pocket.

Curious, she reached down.

The engagement rings Aang and Jet had given her shone up at her from her palm when she pulled her hand free. From her other pocket, she drew out the ward Toph had created for her.

Her dark brows knit in confusion, Katara looked up at Jet.

"How did..."

Jet smirked.

"Just a reminder. It's time."

Then Katara felt the silver cord pulling at her heart, and the warmth around her throat.

The engagement necklace from Zuko; both a hundred and fifty years old and new once more.

"Give 'em Hell for me, my goddess," said Jet, nodding to Katara as a faint glow began to emanate from her exposed skin. "I'll take care of the family. You go fight."

"I promise," said Katara, power rising in her.

Jet's voice was heavy with pride. "I know."

Closing her eyes, Katara seized hold of the silver cord and yanked with all her might.

"Zuko!"

Ozai's eyes widened with surprise before narrowing to hateful slits.

"I told you he was—" began Azula, but Ozai waved a hand, silencing her.

"Katara, you in there?" whispered Zuko as the lightning veered away from them and died down.

Katara nodded. The warmth at her throat and in her pockets remained, sustaining her.

Side by side, Katara and Zuko stood tall, shoulder to shoulder as they faced Ozai and Azula.

"This isn't the way to find mother," said Zuko calmly.

"Stay out of it, Zuko," snapped Azula, lightning crackling around her fists as she leaned forward.

"If she wanted to return, she would have done so by now," said Zuko. "Either she's not able to or she doesn't want to. We need to change the Fire Nation if we want her to come back. Or..."

"Or what?" asked Ozai, his voice terse.

"Or we accept that she isn't coming back."

The silence was heavy and dangerous.

Ozai's next words were clipped.

"Azula, kill your brother."

But Azula's lightning shot straight at Katara.

"It's about time you got here."

Jun rolled her eyes as Toph rubbed her forearm across her face to wick away her sweat. They were on what remained of the scaffolding, now little more than a pile of rubble, surveying the last of the undead insurgence in the distance. Before them the lights and sound systems had miraculously—magically—survived the blast intact and the human partiers danced on. Their energy gently restored Toph's magical reserves. In the sky, Aang flew on a conjured spirit-animal, his favourite, a bison, and coordinated the remaining clean-up effort.

"You had things well in hand. I'm just here as support."

"Finally able to tear yourself away from Kaisei Sousei, huh?"

For a brief moment, stress marred Jun's flawless expression line a stain. She looked north, in the direction of the Fire Nation palace.

"Actually, he had his own thing to do."

"Uh, Respected Sister-Witches, we could use a little more ammunition on the western border. Some of these guys are still going," piped up Sokka over the radios. "A little help, please?"

"I'll send you a little pet to help you out. He can sniff out any trouble," said Jun. Closing her eyes, she brought her hands together, almost as if in prayer, before opening them. A small mole nosed around the pads of her palm. Gently depositing the xirshiu on the scaffolding, Jun watched it nimbly scurry down the outer beam to the ground.

Then it began to grow.

"He'll be there in about three minutes," said Jun.

"... when you say 'pet'..." began Sokka.

Jun smirked as Toph scoffed.

"He takes direction from me only. But I told him to listen to you for now."

Sokka's swallow was audible.

"I, uh, I think I see him coming."

"He can smell fear," added Jun nonchalantly.

"Duly noted," said Sokka, a little higher than normal.

"Jun out," said Jun, turning off her radio.

Toph stretched her shoulder and mixed several tracks to blend into the next song.

"He won't eat him," said Jun.

"Sokka doesn't know that," replied Toph.

Jun shrugged.

Katara's blood spilled across the floor, filling the nostrils of the surrounding vampires. The scent of burnt cloth and seared skin permeated the room, and Katara held her wounded shoulder, glaring at Azula as Ozai's smile widened.

Zuko struggled to control his bloodlust as Ozai's low, sickening chuckle resonated lowly. Katara held out her injured arm, blocking Zuko when he took a step forward toward Azula.

"It's rude to play with your food," said Ozai, his wretched, hoarse voice spewing rot.

"Oops," sighed Azula. Her golden eyes glinted with malice.

"This is your last chance, Moon Spirit," began Ozai, ignoring Zuko. "Help me, and you may live when this is all over."

"In chains," added Azula.

"Never!" shouted Zuko, his eyes burning with hatred for his father and sister.

"No," said Katara calmly. She reached out and touched Zuko's arm with a firm, comforting touch. She was injured, but she was still strong. Her blue eyes remained on Azula and Ozai. "Don't ever tell me what to do."

Turning to look at Katara, Zuko's eyes widened with surprise.

"You don't give the orders around here, Peasant," spat Azula. Lightning flared around Azula. "Do you need a reminder on how to bow to royalty?"

This time, though, Azula shot at Zuko, who deflected her main strike but not quickly enough to avoid the knives Azula volleyed in their wake. Zuko cried out, hissing in pain as Azula laughed aloud. Spinning around, Katara saw the blood seeping from Zuko's wounds. Her heart rose in her chest. There was too much blood.

"Zuko, I seem to remember you having a tradition of heeling. Be a dear and show our guest how to kneel," sneered Azula.

The fragile tendons behind his knees and ankles severed, Zuko fell forward on to his hands and knees. His fingers curled into fists, his talons piercing the stone floor. By his side, Katara reached for Zuko with glowing hands to heal him, desperate to close his wounds.

"You'll pay for this," snarled Zuko, eyes on Azula.

Azula rolled her eyes. "Shhh, Zuzu, the adults are talking."

Ozai's sick chuckles and Azula's cruel laughter rang out in chorus in the damaged chamber. But the glow around Katara began to grow brighter as the full moon above shone down on her through the hole above them.

In her pockets burned the ancient Airbender ring of unity, the engagement ring from Jet and their commitment to her village and people, the protective ward Toph made her from the heart of the witches' coven, and around Katara's throat lay the hand-crafted betrothal necklace Zuko had fashioned for her over a century and a half before. Katara was surrounded by the love of her family and friends, and the people they represented: The Guardians, the Protectors, the Witches and even the Vampires. Living, dead and undead, all formed part of her life and life cycle now.

"You may be royalty," began Katara quietly, cold and furious.

The moon rose behind Katara as she lifted her hands. Azula and Ozai froze in place as Katara clenched her fists, sealing off their airways.

Then they sank to their knees, eyes bulging and mouths sealed shut.

Katara's voice echoed through the room.

"—But I am a goddess."

Toph froze.

"Did you feel that?" she asked Jun. A shiver ran down her spine.

Jun nodded once. "Tell your friends to get away from the remaining vampires and reavers now," she ordered.

Iroh stopped cold at the entrance to the room where his remaining family faced off.

Something was wrong—he couldn't—

Then it released him and he burst into the room.

Katara heard Zuko's quick intake of breath.

"Uncle!" called Zuko. "It's okay, he's on our side," he said to Katara from the floor.

"Nephew!"

Iroh rushed in, then paused as he realized who had controlled him from outside the room.

"Moon Spirit," he greeted respectfully, bringing his old hands together. "It has been some time."

"Now I see who Zuko got his charm from," said Katara, a hint of warmth in her tone.

For all his many, many years, Iroh beamed like a young man again.

Zuko looked up and between them. "You two know each other?"

"A long, long time ago," said Iroh, coming to Zuko's side and lifting his arm over his shoulder. He chanced a glance at his younger brother, disappointment lining his face and weighing on his shoulders as he saw the extent of Ozai's decomposition. He shook his head and focused on Zuko once more. "We need to get you out of here."

"Not yet," said Zuko darkly. "This ends tonight."

"Azula," said Katara, lifting a hand. While she did not employ bloodbending to restrain Iroh and Zuko, the men remained where they were.

Frozen in place on the other side of the room, Azula seethed as she glared at Katara. Ozai's expression was fixed and numb, the hatred erased by confusion.

Katara approached Azula, ignoring Ozai. She arched a brow, allowing Azula a chance to speak once more, to beg for mercy if she so desired. Katara released the seal on Azula's lips.

Azula instead chose to mock Katara's unspoken offer. "What, no honourable offer of last words?"

Katara was unmoved.

"You never knew honour."

Katara's decision was made.

What had started as gentle blue glow brightened to white light, first blinding them, and then it spread. It filled the room, every crack and crevice. It enveloped and swallowed Jet before he disappeared beneath it. It crawled up the walls and spilled out of the ceiling and spread across the palace grounds, reaching further.

Faster than a vampire his age should have found possible, Iroh rushed to Zuko, shielding him from the purifying light that exploded and burned through Azula and Ozai, but there was no need. Whatever the white light sought, it did not affect Iroh and Zuko. Katara controlled the purification, protecting the last two vampires and ensured their safety.

"Uncle..."

Zuko's voice was weakening, though. Iroh's grip tensed on Zuko's shoulders. Around them pooled Zuko and Katara's blood, and Iroh's eyes widened as he saw it begin to evaporate as Katara continued releasing the purifying magic. Awe filled Iroh until he saw the cracks forming in Katara's body. Soon the cracks began to splinter, and more light shone from her.

Around them the scent of burnt flesh and spilled blood was being supplanted by the freshness of a winter wind and white flakes of blinding snow.

In Iroh's arms, Zuko's body slumped, going lax. "I remember this place," murmured Zuko. "It's cold."

"Spirit," began Iroh cautiously as Zuko began to chill in his arms. "It's done. We need to heal you and Zuko now."

But the snow continued to pile around them, the wind turning into a storm.

Still, Katara glowed, though now she also stood on an invisible dais, hovering in the freezing air.

"Spirit, please, we need to save you both," Iroh tried again. He glanced down and saw the blue cast of Zuko's lips. "Nephew—Nephew...Zuko!"

"Leave us if you wish to live," came the ethereal voice of the Moon Spirit.

She was the eye of the storm, the epicenter of the balance between life, death, the natural and supernatural, the undead and everything in between.

"Zuko," begged Iroh, wrapping his arms around his beloved nephew.

Toph heard the cheers as the wave of pure, blissful energy swept across the battlefield, cauterizing the wounds in the earth and eliminating the last of the virulent undead. It had knocked even her onto her rear, where she stayed, dizzy with the surge of magical energy.

"The Reavers are gone," whispered Jun a few seconds later. She stared across the battlefield. "They're all... gone."

The radios were dead.

A quarter-hour later, they fizzled back to life. Over the radio, Aang, Sokka and the rest of the warriors cheered wildly, congratulating Toph.

But Toph sat unmoving, her hands having abandoned her music.

"It wasn't me," said Toph quietly.

"What? Then who was it?" asked Sokka through the interference. The magic had acted like an EMP, sending a wave of static across the radios once they flickered back online again. There were still residual traces of it in pockets, leaving the radios less clear than usual. Toph and Aang hand warned the group of this, but it had still packed a wallop.

The EMP had been the strangest, most powerful phenomena Toph had ever encountered. As if all the magic in the world had died and been renewed, all at once. Or the brightest star in the sky had burned out in a supernova, and a new one emerged, birthed behind it, but too far out to see. It left Toph shaken to her core and scared. Toph did not like being scared.

"It wasn't me," repeated Toph, voice unsteady and young. "It wasn't me."

In a moment of rare compassion, Jun reached down silently and squeezed Toph's hands.

Toph swallowed over the lump in her throat.

"Toph?" asked Sokka over the crackling radio. "Was it Jun?"

Toph swallowed again as Jun wrapped an arm around her shoulders, then pulled the sobbing Maiden into her arms.

Sokka's voice hitched up a notch. "Toph? Are you there?..."

When Iroh emerged from the ruins of the palace, Jun was waiting.

"Thank the gods," she said, rushing toward him.

The man who opened his arms to her had empty eyes and a heavy heart.

"Where are the children?" asked Iroh in a hoarse voice. He held Jun to him tightly, needing to feel life again, to feel rightness in some way.

Pulling back reluctantly, Jun pressed her lips together but didn't look away from Iroh's sunken eyes. She did not shield him from the truth.

"I think they already know."

TBC in Epilogue

AN: Expect the epilogue in late December 2019. We're wrapping this one up after 10 years. For other fic updates, please see my AO3 account (moor). Current chapter posted October 20, 2019.