History of Katara (85 AG - 100 AG)

Katara, a fourteen-year-old girl and the only Waterbender left in the whole South Pole, had to grow up rather quickly. A strong, brave girl who speaks and stands up for what she believes in, she had suffered through much sadness in her life but still managed to hold on to hope. Her life changed forever when she and her brother discovered the Avatar, Aang, in an iceberg. Katara journeyed with her brother, Sokka, and Aang to the Northern Water Tribe in the hope of finding a Waterbending teacher for herself and Aang.

Background


Katara was born in 85 ASC to Tribal Chief Hakoda and his wife Kya. She became their second-born, being one year younger than her brother Sokka. Prior to the present day, Katara led a normal life and displayed the ability to Waterbend. As the last living Waterbender in her tribe, Katara was a source of hope for her war-torn nation, and her parents sought out a teacher for her. Sadly, there were none to be found in the Southern Water Tribe.

Katara's mother, Kya, was killed in an attack by the Southern Raiders when she was 8, leaving her deeply traumatized, and her father, Hakoda, left to fight in the war when she was 12. She was raised in a small Southern Water Tribe with her older brother, Sokka, and they were mostly taken care of by their grandmother, Gran Gran. While Sokka was off "playing soldier," Katara was cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundry. She was very motherly and protective of Sokka, even though she doesn't admit it. Things hadn't been easy, but she never lost hope that it would get better and that the Avatar would return. Katara also narrated the show's opening sequence.

It was revealed that the Fire Nation attacked Katara's tribe in an attempt to kill the last Waterbender, which happened to be her. Kya sacrificed herself to save Katara's life by claiming that she was the last Waterbender, and was in turn killed by the raiders.

Katara would not discover this truth for years but was devastated by her mother's death. Katara inherited her mother's necklace after her death and continued to wear it in honor of her mother's memory.

The Boy in the Iceberg


While on a fishing expedition for their village, Katara and Sokka accidentally steered their canoe into a rip current, where it was crushed between ice floes. Sokka blamed Katara for their predicament, and she began to yell angrily about his inconsiderate behavior, gesturing emphatically as she did so. Unknown to her, she was involuntarily Waterbending, and she accidentally cracked into a massive iceberg directly behind her. A large, spherical underwater portion bobbed to the surface, revealing a flying bison named Appa and Aang, the Avatar, trapped in a state of suspended animation. Katara grabbed Sokka's club and shattered the iceberg to free him. As she did so, a vertical column of bright blue light shot up from their position into the sky like a beacon. The boy climbed out of the ice and collapsed into Katara's arms. He introduced himself as Aang, an Airbender, and offered to escort them home on Appa. After her village got attacked by a Fire Nation ship, led by Prince Zuko, Katara learned that Aang was the Avatar. She and her brother set out to save Aang, who had given himself up to save the village. After their successful rescue, she mused that they might find a Waterbending teacher at the North Pole, and Aang quickly brightened up, suggesting they could learn Waterbending together. Along with Sokka, who decided to come along under the excuse of this being an opportunity to defeat Firebenders, they decided to journey together.

The Southern Air Temple


During a stop at the Southern Air Temple, Aang discovered that all Air Nomads had been killed, which pushed him into the Avatar State. Katara attempted to console Aang by imparting what she felt when she lost her mother, and even went on to state that even though his people are gone, both she and Sokka were now his family. The words seemed to reach Aang, who fell out of the Avatar state and slowly descended back onto the ground. Sokka backed Katara's statement with the promise that neither will let anything happen to him. With this, Aang finally came to the conclusion that he was indeed the last Airbender.

Haru and the Imprisoned Earthbenders
Aang, Katara, and Sokka awoke from their camp site and were startled by loud noises coming from the distance. Aang and Katara were curious and set out to investigate with a less than cooperative Sokka right behind. They found that the noises were caused by a young Earthbender practicing his bending. Katara introduced herself, but before she could finish, the young bender raced off seeming very fearful.

Katara decided that they should follow him and they ended up in a small town that happened to be under Fire Nation control. They later found the same young man and followed him into a store. He was talking to his mother when Katara, Aang, and Sokka entered the store asking why he ran. He told them that his name was Haru. He and his mother explained that since the Fire Nation took control of the town, any one discovered to be an Earthbender was arrested and sent to a Prison Rig in the far off shore. Haru then told them that his father was sent to the rig a long time ago.

Later on that day, Haru and Katara were walking with each other, both sharing their own stories and quickly becoming friends when they came across an old man that had been trapped by a cave in. Haru reluctantly used his Earthbending to save the old man.



The next morning, Katara woke up to get some water when Haru's mother told her that the old man Haru had saved told the Fire Nation that he was an Earthbender. The Fire Nation had arrested Haru and sent him to the prison rig. Once Katara learned of Haru's situation, she decided to take action and find a way onto the rig. She decided the only way to get to that rig was if the Fire Nation thought she was an Earthbender. After some strategy, she was able to "Earthbend" with the help of Aang and some ventilation pipes while Fire Nation soldiers were watching. The soldiers captured her and she was sent to the rig. There, she and some other captives met the Warden of the rig, a self-important and cruel taskmaster. He stated that since the entire rig was made of metal there was nothing for the Earthbenders to control, so they were helpless.

After finding Haru and his father Tyro, Katara asked what their plan was to escape. Tyro said that escape wasn't an option; the only way to survive was to do what they were told and hope the War went in their favor. Shocked by his lack of hope, Katara gave an inspirational speech to try and stir to life the spirits of the other benders on the rig, but to no avail. That night, Katara met up with Aang and Sokka to try and find a way for the prisoners to fight back and gain back their confidence. Aang noticed the smoke stacks and stated that they were burning coal; therefore, there was earth on the rig that the prisoners could bend.

Drawing from her experience from the fake Earthbending she used to get herself arrested, they had Aang close all the vents around the fire, save for one that lead to the outer vent where Katara and Sokka were. Then, the Warden discovers them and stated that they were to surrender or die. As if on cue, the coal bursted from the vent and landed in front of Haru and the others. Katara told them that this was their chance to stand up and fight, but no one seemed to have the will to fight anymore.

The warden gloated that their spirits were broken a long time ago, and he walked away in triumph. Or so he thought, as a chunk of coal struck him on the head. He turned around to see that it was Haru who threw it. The warden attacked Haru but his attack was blocked by Tyro and two other benders. Then all together, the prisoners attacked the Fire Nation soldiers. After a dramatic fight, the Earthbenders were victorious and they threw the Warden overboard. They then sailed off in stolen Fire Nation ships.

After winning their freedom, Tyro thanked Katara for giving his people hope again, then Haru thanked her. She was touched by Haru's words, but then she noticed that her mother's necklace was gone. There on the rig, Katara's Necklace was picked up by Zuko. With a blank look, he clutched the necklace and looked out toward the horizon.

The Waterbending Scroll
At a waterfall, Katara begon to teach Aang her knowledge of Waterbending. Unfortunately for her, Aang immediately mastered the lessons she gave him, despite the fact that it took her some time to master them. Although she tried to hide it, she grew jealous of Aang's natural talent.

Katara came across a Waterbending Scroll on a pirate ship which, featuring several Waterbending techniques (including the single water whip), was among their loot. They were reserving the scroll for a wealthy client in the Earth Kingdom, though he offered it to them if they had a better offer (two hundred gold pieces). They left the ship, only to be chased by the crew. Aang and the others escape, only to find the reason they had been pursued: The pirates wanted the scroll back Katara had stolen. Katara convinced Sokka and Aang to keep the scroll and learn from it. Katara ended up growing even more jealous of Aang, as not only did he learn the techniques easily, she herself had trouble getting them to work.



Zuko and one of the pirates ambushed Katara. Zuko captured Katara and tied her to a tree, attempting to interrogate her for information on the Avatar. He attempted to bribe her with her mother's lost betrothal necklace, the last tie that she had to her mother, in exchange for the location of Aang. When she refused to reveal where Aang was, Zuko kept her mother's necklace in his possession. However, the pirates demanded the scroll. Zuko threatened to destroy it if they didn't find Aang. With the help of Aang and Sokka, Katara escaped from the enemies. Later, Katara gave Aang a full apology, while Sokka revealed that he was able to regain the scroll in the fighting. Before he gave it to her, he asked what they learned. She said that "tealing is wrong", but when Sokka handed her the scroll, she quickly added "unless it's from pirates".

Jet
While walking through the forest, Katara and her friends bumped into some Fire Nation Soldiers. However, a group of children led by a teenage boy wielding dual hook swords suddenly descended from the trees and began combating the Fire Nation soldiers. The leader introduced himself as Jet and his allies as the Freedom Fighters. Katara very quickly developed a crush on Jet and shamelessly flattered him briefly. As Katara and Jet spoke, in the process indirectly insulting Sokka's instinctual behavior, The Duke and Pipsqueak raided the now-abandoned Fire Nation campsite, finding crates filled with jelly candy and barrels of explosive blasting jelly. When the Freedom Fighters mentioned bringing their score back to the hideout, Aang expressed interest, and Jet invited them to come. Katara eagerly accepted on behalf of the group. Katara expressed further infatuation with Jet, temperately praising his bravery, which provoked a sarcastic comment from Sokka.

After Sokka saw Jet mistreating an old man, he announced that they were leaving. Aang and Katara objected, to which Sokka responded by revealing Jet's previous bullying action. Doubtful, Katara demanded to hear Jet's side of the story. Jet reiterated that the man was with the Fire Nation and then produced a knife, which had a compartment for poison in the hilt. He claimed that the man was an assassin, sent especially to kill him. Sokka was still angry and heavily doubted Jet's story, stating that he never saw a knife on the man's person, although the explanation had convinced Katara and Aang. Sokka stormed off, stating that he would be preparing to leave. Upon his departure, Jet quickly pleaded for Katara and Aang to stay, stating that the Fire Nation planed to burn down the forest; he needed the two to use Waterbending to fill the nearby reservoir, which would allow the Freedom Fighters to quench the fires.



That night, Sokka overheared Jet and the core of the Freedom Fighters sneaking out of their base and decided to follow them. The six brought with them the barrels of blasting jelly on a cart, and Jet reviewed their plan: to blow up the barrels directly beneath the dam of a river, which ran through the city. With the reservoir full, the village would be flooded, wiping out the Fire Nation soldiers stationed there. After Sokka was discovered, Pipsqueak and Smellerbee walked him into the forest so as to prevent him from warning Aang and Katara of the plan.

Soon afterward, Jet lead Aang and Katara to an extremely shallow river which lead into the reservoir. Katara, still unaware of Jet's true plans, apologized for Sokka's crude behavior, to which Jet responded by lying that Sokka had already apologized for himself, their dispute was resolved, and Sokka was currently out scouting with Smellerbee and Pipsqueak. Although Aang and Katara found it strange that Sokka would be so quick to apologize, they did not question Jet's word. Katara initially doubted her ability to bend water that she couldn't see, but Jet provided her with words of encouragement, accompanied by his hands on her shoulders, and soon she and Aang successfully released the water from one of the vents. Jet left and Aang and Katara decided, after releasing water from several more vents, to go to meet Jet at the reservoir.



Just then, Aang and Katara came to the edge of a cliff overlooking the dam, where they spoted four Freedom Fighters setting up the barrels of blasting jelly. Aang immediately realized Jet's plan and moved to fly down and stop it on his glider. Katara, however, was in denial until Jet jumped forward and snaged Aang's glider with his hook-swords, preventing the boy from flying off. Jet confessed what his true plan was and attempted to convince Katara that the action was necessary. He said that Sokka didn't understand, but was cut off by Katara, who immediately demanded to know where Sokka was, and tears began to flow from her eyes. Jet placed a comforting hand on her cheek, but Katara had had enough: she drew water from her water skin and used it to violently throw Jet to the ground.

Katara bent water from a small nearby stream to aggressively attack Jet, pushing him back towards a tree and then freezing him to its trunk. Jet then made the signal for the plan to start. Aang and Katara could only wait and hope that Sokka succeeded where they had failed.

In mere seconds, the village was completely flooded. Sad, hurt, and angry, Katara turned on Jet and resumed insulting him for his actions; still, Jet did not back down, stating that this act was a victory against the Fire Nation, who will forever be absent from the valley, which will be safe. Suddenly, Sokka arrived, riding Appa and accompanied by Momo. He told how he helped save the village from the flood. Jet asked for Katara's help, but all she said was goodbye and turned her back on Jet, and she, Aang, and Sokka flew off on Appa, leaving the leader of the Freedom Fighters frozen against the tree.

Bato and Jeong Jeong


The group met up with an old friend from their Water Tribe village named Bato who had been injured and left behind. They headed back to his current home in an abbey of nuns who made perfumes and cures. They spent so much time reminiscing that they neglected Aang. They suddenly started talking about how Katara and Sokka might be able to visit their father, Hakoda, and that a message was arriving soon about Hakoda's whereabouts. Aang ran off feeling hurt that Katara and Sokka might leave him to go find their father. While Aang was contemplating their possible departure, a messenger arrived with the news from Hakoda, and instead of giving it to them, Aang hid it (though he later confesses it and by the conclusion of the episode he, Katara, and Sokka had made up). Later, the kids were flying on Appa and Aang asked what the plan was now. They told him they were going to get him to the North Pole because he was their family. Aang gave Katara back her necklace. Katara went over and kisses Aang on the cheek, causing Aang to blush and twiddle with his thumbs.



When the group met a Firebender named Jeong Jeong, Aang found this as the perfect moment to learn how to Firebend. Jeong Jeong started teaching Aang slowly, focusing exclusively on breathing exercises and stances, but the young Avatar desired to learn more advanced Firebending techniques. Jeong Jeong only assigned him the simple task of preventing a leaf from being completely burned. Jeong Jeong then left to other matters, and Aang, still feeling restricted, took his exercise to the next step and created fire. Aang played around with it for a little while, although Katara insisted that he be careful. Then, he accidentally burned Katara's hands when he attempted to imitate a move the performer made at the festival. Katara cried in pain and ran away: Sokka became enraged as a result and tackled Aang. Jeong Jeong, having returned, followed Katara into the forest. Katara tried to cool her hands from the burn in water and somehow miraculously healed herself. Jeong Jeong told Katara that she possessed vitakinetic healing powers, with water as the catalyst. Jeong Jeong then confessed of his desire to be a Waterbender like herself, due to its ability to heal, while fire only destroyed.

Fight for Waterbending
As they progressed toward the Northern Water Tribe, Sokka began to complain that Appa was flying too slowly. Aang defensively replied that they should all climb on Sokka's back and he could fly them to the North pole. Katara tried to soothe the situation remarking that they were all tired and cranky as a result of flying for two days straight. Just as Sokka was voicing his doubts about finding the Northern Water Tribe, the group was attacked by Northern waterbenders who lead them to their Water Tribe.



Outside the great palace of the Northern Water Tribe, Sokka and Katara were celebrated as family from the Southern Tribe, and Aang was honored as a special guest. Aang and Katara were then delighted to see the Waterbending Master, Pakku, and his students performing elaborate and elegant Waterbending moves for entertainment. After the Waterbending performance was over, Aang was introduced to Master Pakku. Katara was looking forward to Aang and herself learning Waterbending, after a few days rest. The next day, as they approached the palace, Katara expressesed her joy at being able to learn from a real master, saying she had waited for this day her whole life. However, she was horrified to learn from Master Pakku that it was forbidden for women to learn Waterbending. He advised her to go to the healing huts and learn from Yugoda to use her Waterbending to heal. Although Aang initially refused to learn from Master Pakku, outraged at the unfairness, Katara made him return by saying that he couldn't risk his training for her.

Katara reluctantly went to the class, which was taught by an old woman and where all the other students were very young girls. After the healing class, Katara thanked Yugoda, who noticed her betrothal necklace and asked her who she was getting married to. Katara explained that she was not ready for marriage and that the necklace was her grandmother's, passed down to her mother, and then her. Yugoda recognized the carving and revealed to Katara that she was an old friend of Kanna's, and also that Katara's grandmother was born in the Northern Tribe and was engaged to a young Waterbender, but left mysteriously without saying goodbye.

Sokka suggested that at night Aang teach Katara everything he had learned in the day. Katara was excited at this idea, for it allowed her to learn Waterbending and Aang will have someone to practice with, so everyone would be happy. As Aang showed Katara a Waterbending move, they looked up to the bridge above them to see Master Pakku, angry that Aang had disrespected him, his teachings and his entire culture. Aang hastily apologized, but Master Pakku refused to teach Aang anymore, saying he was no longer welcome as his student, before leaving. The next day at the palace, Katara pleaded with Chief Arnook to make Master Pakku take Aang back as his student. Master Pakku agreed to continue training Aang as long as Katara apologized. After a few patronizing comments by Master Pakku, Katara angrily refused to apologize and challenged him to a duel.



Katara went to wait outside for Master Pakku, who simply strolled past her, further angering her with patronizing comments. Katara, her temper pushed to breaking point, formed a water whip and slapped Master Pakku on the back of the head. He turned around and agreed to the fight, telling her if she wanted to learn so badly, to study closely. The fight began, and it was discovered that Katara was much more advanced in waterbending than previously known. She demonstrated amazingly powerful techniques she never used before during the fight. The two were able to manipulate the water and snow around them amazingly, using basic and advanced Waterbending techniques. Master Pakku grined and smirked as he attacked, but when Katara launched discs of ice at him, he appeared to realize how skilled she was as a Waterbender. After a few moments of violent Waterbending, it seemed Katara had the upper-hand, as she toppled ice-obelisks over Master Pakku, who disappeared in a cloud of mist. But, Master Pakku quickly emerged and preformed a Waterbending move that rendered Katara helpless, and she was defeated.

Her grandmother's necklace, which fell off during the fight, was picked up by Master Pakku, and it was discovered that he made it for Kanna (Katara's grandmother) 60 years ago. Master Pakku decided to start teaching Katara to Waterbend. Under the tutelage of Master Pakku, Katara's Waterbending skills had improved to the degree she could defeat Sangok and all the other pupils with ease. To both Pakku and Katara's annoyance, the same couldn't be said for Aang (who didn't take it very seriously).

Siege of the North


The Northern Water Tribe prepared for an attack as Fire Nation ships approached. Princess Yue, after relating the origins of the Water Tribe and its power, gave Aang an idea. If he could connect with the Spirit World and meet with the Moon and Ocean Spirits, perhaps they could help him defeat the Fire Nation. Yue took Katara and Aang to a hidden oasis; the most spiritual place in North Pole. Aang entered a trance after staring at the two koi fish in a pool and headed off into the Spirit World. Katara was left to protect Aang. When Zuko arrived, Katara dueled him, and with the power of the moon was able to temporarily defeat Zuko. However, the sun rose and it enhanced Zuko's powers, allowing him to defeat Katara. Zuko then kidnapped the Avatar while Katara was left unconscious until Yue brought Sokka and Appa back to the Spirit Oasis.

Katara, Sokka, and Princess Yue eventually found Aang and Zuko. Zuko and Katara had a rematch but, due to the full moon being out this time, Katara easily defeated him in a matter of seconds. Aang took the unconscious Zuko with him, despite some disagreement from Sokka and Katara.



When Katara and the others returned to the oasis, Admiral Zhao has already captured the white koi fish. Immediately, the moon glowed red, creating a lunar eclipse and color seeped from the world. Zhao, however, was forced to release the Spirit when Iroh showed himself and threatened Zhao and his men. This caused the moon to return and the Waterbenders to resume fighting. In rage, Zhao suddenly threw fire at the koi, killing it. The moon vanished altogether from the sky. Iroh leaped forward and easily defeated Zhao's Firebending escort, but Zhao himself was able to sneak away during the commotion. Iroh and Katara attempted to revive the Moon Spirit, but it was too late. Aang suddenly fused with the Ocean Spirit into a giant Spirit creature and massacred the Fire Nation's invasion force. Shortly after, Iroh told Yue that some of the Moon Spirit's life was in her. Yue, realizing her destiny, gave up her life to the white koi and restored it's life, killing herself in the process.

After the battle, Pakku revealed to Katara his intention to head for the South Pole and help rebuild the tribe. He assigned Katara as Aang's new Waterbending master.