Chapter 39- Having Hope Beyond Scars

"So, did you... you know... finish the job?" Suki asked hesitantly while motioning to Ozai, who weakly glared at her.
"I'm still alive," The former Fire Lord muttered darkly, making Suki hide behind your mother.
"How unfortunate," Your mother sighed and rubbed her face a little.

"I learned there was another way to defeat him and restore balance. I took his bending away," Aang stated while looking down at Ozai.
"Wow, who taught you that?" Toph said, impressed.
"A giant Lion Turtle." The Avatar simply smiled, making Toph cross her arms.

"You have the craziest adventures when you disappear." She shook her head a little, and Sokka then gave a dramatic gasp.
"This seems so familiar! Remember (Y/N) had a dream about a lion turtle, and she also joked about erasing bending away! I think she's from the future!" He explained with wide eyes and a smile.

"Guess Loud mouth's nonsense ranting was useful. How adorable," Toph snickered as Aang gave a soft smile at the thought of you.
"I hope she's okay, maybe I should've gone with her," Your mother mumbled while looking off in the distance with worry.

"If there is anything we all know about (Y/N), is that she's very tough," Suki reassured your mother, who gave a small sigh. Suddenly, Toph felt footsteps coming from below, and she perked up.

"I feel something coming! It's a eel hound, and it's with someone on it!" She beamed, making everyone stand up straight and hopped down from the rock pillar. Your mother slid down and looked to see the figure pull down their hood and revealed their bruised and bloodied face.

"(S/N)...?" Your mother's eyes widened in shock as your sister hopped down, beaten up and broken down, but was standing.
"Mom..." She whispered, holding something large in her arms tight.
"Here Avatar, your staff," She weakly lifted up her free hand and Aang bowed at her, a smile on his lips.

"Oh (S/N) dear, I'm so glad you're alive! I though he... oh I'm so happy you're safe!" She cried kissing her face all over while tears welled up.
"(S/N), your mom was so badass!! The way she fought off those soldiers, it was amazing!!" Sokka praised as Suki nodded excitedly.

"Now we know where (Y/N) got her battle skills from!" Suki smiled, and then they all heard growling from above, and looked up to see Appa flying down.
"Katara! Zuko!" Sokka waved as Katara slide down, holding Zuko carefully. She looked up to see Aang smiling at her.

"Aang! You're here!" She beamed, and gasped to see your sister.
"You're alive (S/N)! I knew (Y/N) would find you!" She said as Zuko lifted his head up to smile softly. Sokka looked behind your sister to see that she was the only one that was on the eel hound, making him tilt his head in confusion.

"Where's (Y/N)?" Sokka asked your sister with a smile, which made the others turn to her. Your sister flinched at his words, and she turned to them, trying to find the right words. Toph felt her heartbeat quicken, and she immediately felt something was off.

"What happened to her? Is she okay?" She demanded, and Aang looked at your sister, with worry filling his eyes. Toph felt the ground more.

(S/N)'s heartbeat

(M/N)'s heartbeat.

Sokka's

Suki's

Aang's

Katara's

Zuko's

Ozai's

Even the eel hound.

But... she couldn't feel yours.

"(S/N)...?" Your mother mumbled, and that's what made your sister to break down. She started to hiccup and sob, shaking vigorously right there, making the other flinch.
"Where is she?!" Suki demanded, not wanting to believe something happened to you.

They all watched as your sister laid down the thing in her arms, and unwrapped the cloth from the top.
"I'm sorry..." She muttered, choking on a sob.

Your mother's eyes widened. Sokka stopped smiling. Suki gasped and covered her mouth. Zuko hitched his breath in fear. Toph finally realized that your sister meant to her apology, and stood there in disbelief. Katara was shaking her head, not wanting to grasp that...

Aang froze in his spot, after everything he's been through, he thought he saved everyone from this war, but... not truly everyone he loved.
"S-she... saved me... and- she stopped him... she killed him... before he could hurt anyone else... b-but she-" Your sister coughed out sobs and tears dropped on the ground.

"She paid t-the price," She gripped her burnt clothing and heaved out dry cries. Your mother let out small cries and cradled your cold cheek, tears falling down with each breath. Suki fell on her knees, and slowly crawled over to your body.

She leaned down and clutched to you, crying out in anger and in sadness. Sokka shut his eyes tight and choked on his tears. Toph clenched her fists and allowed tears to fall as Zuko took shaky breathes so he wouldn't break.

Aang looked away and looked at his staff, where you apparently carved 'ha! You looked :)' on it, and that made his heart clench. Katara limped over to where your body was. All bloodied, one eye slashed, stomach soaked in blood, hair mice with dirt and blood. You were almost unrecognizable.

She kneeled slowly and carefully wrapped her arms around your body. Picking you up, and placed your head against her chest and slowly and silently turned around.
"Katara...?" Suki whispered to her, and everyone watched as Katara slowly walked towards Appa.

"We're going t-to the Northern W-Water Tribe... to heal h-her," She managed to say, and you mother shook her head.
"You can't save her hun... she's go-" She was cut off by the waterbender, who snapped her head to her with a desperate look.

"She's not!! I-I saved Aang, I could s-save (Y/N)!!" She shocked her head as her vision was blurry from the tears welling up. She turned to try and move, but the others were trying to block her.
"Katara!! It'll be too late!!" Toph said while trying to stop her.

"N-NO!! WE HAVE TO!! S-SHE CAN'T GO!! W-WE NEED HER!! WE LOVE HER!!" Katara choked out a sob as she held your body close, not wanting to let go as she tried to take another step away.
"Katara please!" Aang made her face him, staring into her broken eyes.

His eyes were red and puffy from his crying, and he looked up at her.
"We... we can't save her," He sobbed, which made Katara cry even more. Toph hugged the closest person, which was Zuko, and they hugged each other  tightly, silently crying.

Suki and Sokka held their hands together and closed their eyes while tears dripped onto the ground. Your sister and mother embraced each other as Momo cooed sadly and rubbed his head against your body. He knew that Twig wouldn't be here to see if one last time.

"You promised (Y/N)... we promised..."

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~2 days later~

Zuko stared at the door for a moment as Aang crossed his legs to meditate, but then stood up to face Zuko.
"I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down, and now..." Zuko trailed off, and Aang gave him a small pat on the shoulder.

"And now we're friends," He smiled up at the prince, and Zuko gave a small smile.
"Yeah... we are friends," He said, remembering how you and he became friends.

"I can't believe a year ago I was still frozen in a block of ice. The World's so different now," Aang mumbled looking out a window.
"And it's gonna be even more different, when we build it together," Zuko said and they hugged each other and they went through the door and to the balcony, where the crowd of many people cheered for Zuko.

"Please, the real hero is the Avatar," The Firelord walked to the side to reveal Aang, and the people all cheered for him. Your sister stood to the side, holding a baby tiger monkey to her chest as the whole colony of tiger monkeys stood behind her.

"Today, this war is finally over. I promised my uncle that I would restore the honor of the Fire Nation, and I will. The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided. But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path, and begin a new era of love and peace," He kneeled down to allow a man place the crown on him.

"All hail Firelord Zuko!" Every whooped and hollered for him, and he lifted his hand for them to quiet down before taking a deep breath and opened his eyes, tears welling up.

"And all of this, our friendship, our changes, it couldn't have been without the help of our... of the Delusional Bender. Or rather, (Y/N) (L/N) of the Earth Kingdom," Zuko shaily stated as everyone quieted down immediately, now feeling sympathy.

"To the Fire Nation in the war, she was an enemy, to the Earth Kingdom, she was their kin, to the Water Tribe, she was an ally, to the Avatar... She was a loved one. To all of us, she changed the lives of the people she came across on her journey," Aang smiled ever so softly.

Haru and Teo looked down with sadness, remembering the moments they had with you, even if it was short, they were cherished. Lily laid her head against Chong's shoulder, who held her close to him as his group were silent for respect.

Ying held her baby close to her, as Than comforted her and their children, thanking you silently that you helped them with Serpent's Pass. Sun sat on a roof, pulling his knees close to his chest as he furrowed his eyebrows, tears threatening to spill as he realized who you really were, and wiped them away to pay his respects.

"She only wished to have peace across the world, in her own way. A chaotic, yet beautiful way to have people get along. She wanted nothing to do but to live off her life with a family, people who loved her and she loved back while kicking ass," That got some people to bring out small chuckles.

Your mother wiped tears away, with Piandao wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to comfort her, closing his eyes to pay rescue t for who you were and what you meant to his pupil.

"She finally got that wish, she's now in a place safe, where war no longer exists, and she'll be able to do whatever she pleases," Zuko sniffed and wiped away the tears before taking a shaky breath.

"We hold this statue to honor our fallen, to honor who we truly lost than honor," He nodded to some people, and they pulled tarp from something tall in the center.

It revealed to be a statue of you, in your cool position while bending lava, toothy grin and everything. It even had Twig by your side, all grown up and with his fangs out.

You would have loved it.

"Now Chong and his crew will play a tune, a lullaby that they always played for her whenever she got nightmares, for her to hear one last time," He announced, and allowed the crew to walk up and got their instruments out. Chong slowly let out strums from his Lute, a somber tune played out through the city.

As people listened, someone walked next to Aang. It was the servant who helped you.
"If I may Avatar, I would like to say that I have met her for a few days, and yet she had helped me so much," They whispered to him, and he looked up with a small smile.

"She always had that little skill. And accidentally coming arson," He gave a weak chuckle, and the servant gave him a sympathetic smile.
"(Y/N) (L/N), will pass into legend," The servant declared while listening on to the tune.

"I know that's how she will be honored, but she was more than that," He told them, and they nodded.
"Before I left, the last thing we said to each other was 'I love you', and that I'll never forget," He sniffed.

"And even after Iroh gave us her letter she wrote, I feel like she's still here," He pulled out a scroll from his waist and gripped it tightly, like it'll disappear if he he doesn't.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did it say?"

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"Zuko, stop moving!" Sokka shouted at Zuko, who was passing tea to everyone.
"I'm trying to capture the moment. I wanted to do a painting, so we always remember the good times together," Sokka soften and continued to draw.

"That's very thoughtful of you Sokka," Katara smiled, but then looked at the drawing.
"Wait! Why did you give me Momo's ears?" She asked him.
"Those are your hair loopies," He pointed out.

"At least you don't look like a boarcupine. My hair's not that spiky!" Zuko complained at his portrait.
"I look like a man," Mai commented.
"I'm not that skinny," Your mother wrapped her arms around hurt stomach to hide it.

"I think you drew me a little bit too thick," Your sister tilted her head.
"And why did you paint me firebending?" Suki asked him.
"I thought it looked more exciting that way," Sokka answered.

"You made (Y/N) into a spirit? That's too soon!" Your sister smacked Sokka on the head, making him whine a little.
"Yeah, you know she would've wanted you to make her look cool!" Your mother shook her head and crossed her arms, as your sister gave her a side hug to comfort her.

"Yeah... you're right," Sokka sighed as Momo hopped on the table and chirped at the boy.
"Oh, you think you can do a better job, Momo?" He raised an eyebrow at the lemur.
"Hey, my belly's not that big anymore, I've really trimmed down," Iroh complained.

"Well, I think you all look perfect!" Toph said, making everyone laugh. Aang smiled at the scene in front of him, and got up to walk off to the balcony. Katara noticed and followed as he stood there while petting something. Twig laid on top the railing, watching the sunset, and wore your bandana around his neck.

Katara and Aang looked at him and both petted his head, comforting him for his lost of not only his buddy, or his convict friend, but his only family he had.
"We miss her too," She whispered to Twig, who sniffed and climbed on top of her slowly, wanting comfort.

The two kids looked at each other, and gave each other a small smile, connecting their hands together and watched the sun. The hands they held each had the rings you have made them, shiny brightly from the sunlight.

"From the top mountains,"

"To the center of the earth,"

"We will forever remember who brought us closer together,"

"And who we learned so much from,"

"Thank you (Y/N) (L/N),"

"For finding what you always wanted,"

"A home,"

"Friends,"

"And a family,"

"Now go and march back home,"

Twig stared with them, closing his eyes as he remembered when you both met, how you lived together with chaos, love, and like a family. He is forever grateful that you gave him a chance to live with you. And he hoped to see you again.

Maybe in 70 years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"To my loved ones,

I am currently writing this letter from the tent of Iroh, and just a few hours until Sozin's Comet. And I must get this off of my chest.

It's been a wild ride we had together, being on this adventure with you all, and learning so many things about us, including myself. I learned from Aunt Wu that my death was revealed to be at the end of Sozin's Comet, by the hands of someone I know deeply, which was ineffable for me to avoid.

I didn't tell you about it from the beginning, because I trust it. I doubted it, I didn't want to believe I was going to die at a young age, but with the many encounters of death during my life, it was only fair that I paid the price for my father's death.

As I write this down, I would at least want to tell you all something before we separate.

I love you all, I always have. No matter the arguments we had, the heartbreak we experienced together, the wholesome moments we have shared, I cherished each and very one one of them. Roku, this feels like a fanfiction I would write!

But do know, please forgive me if we don't see each other again. I truly hope you all would move on with every journey and cherish each second you have in life, for each small moment can be the last.

But would you really think you could get rid of me that easily? Even after death, I'll watch over you all, just like how my father looked after me. How would I know that? It's simple!

I am connected to lava, I am connected to the earth, and the earth connected to every living thing.

Man, this sounds very corny, but what I'm saying is that wherever you go, I'll be there all around you, I'll be there for you guys.

Like I said, you're never going to get rid of me, even if I am dead, I'll always be there by your side to cause chaos, I wasn't named the Delusional Bender for nothing, you know!

Nevertheless, this will be the last time we see each other. If you see Aang, tell him he did his best to save the world. I love you all, don't forget that, alright? And never lose hope, because hope brought me to meet you all, even if it's a tiny shred.

Love, the very much destructive, but loving criminal,

(Y/N) (L/N), the Delusional Bender,"
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This is it everyone, the last chapter of The Delusional Bender.

It has been an honor writing and finishing my passion project I worked so hard and long for. Ever since I created this account, this was one of my forever ideas, and I'm glad to share it to all of you readers.

It's been a journey with not only the Gaang, but with you, the wholesome, the heartbreak, the funny, the serious, and the emotional event in each chapter.

Thank you, for being part of this great experience, for commenting, for liking this book, it means so much to me on how much you all loved this.

Now onward we go, to other books in other fandoms, until we meet again my dear Avatar fans.

Until then, always remember this, that even after death, your story will live on from those you love and cherish, no matter if your story was great or small.

Stay healthy and stay tune.

꧁꧂ In the loving memory of Mako Iwamatsu, the great original voice actor of Uncle Iroh.

May he and (Y/N) both drink tea together in the afterlife ꧁꧂

Thank you.