Book III: Fire
Prologue: Opposite Ends of the Crossroads
Aang lay silently on the pile of sleeping bags the group was now using as a bed. It was the best they could make due with, now that the group were fugatives again. Katara touched his soft head, and wiped his forehead gently with a damp cloth. She continued healing treatments on the burn on his back. She hadn't moved from his side in several days, and hadn't eaten for even longer. All she could worry about was Aang, and how she didn't save him from himself that time.
Thoughts fluttered in and out of black and white dreams. Everything seemed blank in Aang's mind. He found it hard to picture the faces of friends... of anyone... When he was finally able to picture his friends, he saw himself call out to them, but his voice was gone, and no one could hear him. He tried to fly over to them, but his airbending was gone. And then, the world around him cracked, and all that Aang loved... dissappeared.
Aang jolted awake, gasping for breath, and shouted, "No!"
"Aang, are you alright!? I'm so glad you're awake!" exclaimed Katara, with tears in her eyes. Her joy at seeing Aang awake was shortlived though, as she approached to hug him tightly.
"Don't touch me!" barked Aang, and with that he recoiled from Katara's touch.
"Aang?" cried Katara.
"Please, don't touch me..." said Aang, as he started to weep bitterly. He buried his head in his knees, and cried softly, wishing to himself that none of this had ever happened.
Zuko lay silently on a regal new bed. According to Azula he would have nothing to worry about from now on. But all he could think about was what had happened. How the Water Tribe girl had pitied him- a simple peasant had felt sorry the prince of the Fire Nation. And then... Uncle... Zuko's stomach churned, and the sick feeling that had grown in him returned. He didn't know which way to turn anymore. Did he really betray Uncle? Or had Uncle betrayed him? And most of all, would his father accept him back home? Would he accept him as Prince of the Fire Nation again? Would he accept him as his son?
All these thoughts flowed through his mind. After all the wrong that had happened to him, when he finally thought he took the right course... it didn't feel right.
In a few days, Ba Sing Se would be left in the hands of Mai, Ty Lee, and the Dai Li. Zuko and Azula would return home, and Uncle would be handed over to the Fire Lord as a traitor to the Fire Nation. But what about Zuko's return home? Technically, wasn't Zuko a traitor as well? He had obstructed the duty of Fire Nation soldiers, and of the Princess in the capture of the Avatar. He had even helped the Avatar escape on several occasions. What about Zuko? Was he indeed a traitor?
a/n: It's a short chapter folks, but it will get much more interesting. This is more or less just a prologue, to remind everyone of what happened in the finale, and to give you an impression of where everyone is at emotionally and physically and stuff. I don't expect too many reviews, but what I get will be appreciated. That's all for now, stay tuned for the next chapter. :D