Memory Lost Chapter One by Taiyo-Chan
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles or any related to them. Just a fan, that is all. You don't want me to own these shows, trust me.
Dedicated to: All the wonderful Kataangians at Distant Horizon Forums. You all know who you are. Love you guys and you're the reasons I'm writing this.
A.N. Those of you who are waiting for chapter four of In Another World please know I'm on Week Three and heading for Week Four. School is about to end soon here so I ought to be able to update sooner. Anyway here's a key:
Aang is Syaoran, Katara is Sakura, Teo is Fai, Zuko is Kurogane, Mokona is Mokona (Sorry, a talking Momo almost gave me nightmares so Mokona is the only official TRC character in this fanfic), Azula is the Dimension Witch, Long Feng is Fei Wong, Sokka is Touya, Ling (OC character from my fanfic In Another World) is Yukito, and Toph is Chi.
Fourteen-year-old Aang squinted his eyes as the snowy wind picked up. It was nothing to complain about. After all, he had lived in this type of weather for as long as he could remember, which was only ten years. The snow fell harder but that wouldn't stop the young teenager. He had been away from home far too long.
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Fourteen-year-old Katara stayed by the window staring down the igloo hundreds of feet below the crystallized castle in which she dwelt. The people had told the princess she had always possessed extraordinary eyesight. She was too focused on that particular igloo to even notice her twenty-year-old brother, the king, Sokka come into the throne room. He sighed at his anticipated little sister.
"You need to stop looking out that window everyday," he said resignedly. "After three months, it's past unhealthy."
Katara narrowed her eyes in annoyance, hands slowing crunching into fists. She didn't snap her eyes away from the winder. "He's coming home some time. I can feel it."
"For your sake I hope you're right."
"I am."
Silent. Perfect for Katara's concentration, not that silence was a necessity. The way she was feeling, nothing could break her eyes away from that igloo house. The snow died down as if only for her. A bright smile graced her face. She spotted an average-sized, bald-headed boy clad in blue and white heading for the ever so watchful igloo house. She laughed. "It's him!"
She ran across the throne room to get her fur coat. She hastily put it on. Before leaving, she grinned victoriously at Sokka. "Unhealthy, huh?"
Before he could respond, she had dashed out of the room, heading out to go greet her friend.
"You seem happy," said an amused voice.
Sokka turned to see a man same age as his wearing clothing fitting for a winter wizard. He had shoulder-length black hair and dark eyes. He was pale skinned as well. Sokka grunted.
"I didn't say I wasn't happy," Sokka replied.
"I've known you since we were five," Ling said with a laugh. "I ought to know you by now."
Sokka sighed. "Can't say I missed him."
The priest shook his head in wonder. "I've been asking you this for ten years; what did the kid do to you?"
Sokka's eyes were directed at the land below. His eye sight wasn't as good as his sister's but they were discernable enough. "He's going to take away my sister someday."
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Aang placed his thick coat on the coat hanger. He kept his gloves on however to keep the warmth in his body. Unexpectedly, his door opened and a girl with brunette hair jumped and threw her arms around him; knocking them both gown to the cold ground. Her face was buried into his chest until she faced him.
"Aang! It's so good to see you! How was the trip? Did you guys find anything? Any new sighting in the Crystal Mountain? Were you able to eat well?"
Aang chuckled as he smiled warmly at the beautiful princess. "Which one you want me to answer first, Katara?"
Katara's eyes rolled up at the ceiling then she smiled back at him. "The last one."
"OK then. I'm alive so yeah."
"Good."
She sat up to give herself and him some space. "How long are you staying this time?" she asked hopefully.
Aang sighed. "Only five days."
"Five days?!"
Aang nodded apologetically. "We just can't find out those codes on the cave's walls in that Mountain."
Katara narrowed her eyes. "But you're the best interpreter this world has ever seen! You even compete with Ling!"
Aang blushed at the compliment. "The codes are rather complicated. The best thing I can say is that it's from the Ancient Dead Language."
Katara wrinkled her nose. "Well, that definitely explains everything."
Aang nodded. "Yeah."
"So when you leave, how long are you going to be gone?" she inquired with sadness.
"Probably a couple of months again," he answered. Sadness was in his voice as well.
Katara sighed deeply. "I understand."
Aang patted Katara on the arm lightly. "We can't be depressed on the first day of our reunion. Let's make something out of it."
The brunette princess looked up and smiled warmly. "OK. How about some hot chocolate?"
Aang laughed. "OK. I'll get it ready."
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"Do you have any idea what the Big Man is going to do when he wakes up?" a fourteen-year-old robot girl named Toph asked.
A young looking wizard by the name of Teo nodded gravely.
"He's going to wake up soon you know," she said bluntly.
Again, Teo nodded gravely. "That is why I'm leaving this world."
"I'm not staying here to face his wrath!" Toph exploded. "I'm coming with you!"
Teo smiled lovingly at his creation. "You forget that I'm your creator, Toph."
"I didn't," Toph replied unafraid.
Teo placed a hand on her head, pondering for a minute. Toph waited for his answer. She was alert at the melancholy in his vibrations. He finally stopped ruffling her hair and sighed. "OK. You can come."
Satisfied, but still keeping some alert, Toph left the dark basement in which held a crazy-looking man with partially missing eyebrows captive in a case of hard core, see-through emerald stone. "I'll pack some things."
Teo had watched her go. He sighed with genuine regret. "I'm sorry, Toph. You're coming with me but you're not staying with me."
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"Where's Zuko?" Yue asked worried. "I haven't seen him all night."
"Knowing him," replied Suki, "he's probably looking for someone to fight."
Sorceress Princess Yue ran her hand across the strands of her white hair. "I pray to the Moon that he's not."
There was a knock on the door. Yue looked up. "Come in."
A man with a serious look on his face appeared after coming around the opened door. "Your Majesty, we have found Zuko. Fighting……again."
Yue nodded to the man. "Thank you, Hahn. Please bring in Zuko."
Hahn bowed to her. "Yes, Your Highness."
He exited to bring in the ruthless warrior.
"Get your hands off me!" the girls heard Zuko snarl. "I can walk on my own!"
Yue and Suki's eyes met. Suki rolled hers. Yue blew at her forehead. Twenty-two-year-old Zuko came in with his precious twin swords at his sides, which were smeared with blood. Yue folded her arms. "What did you do now?"
"Invaders," Zuko answered simply.
"Invaders or illegal immigrants?" Yue asked sternly.
"What's the difference?" Zuko asked, getting annoyed.
Yue bit her bottom lip. "Invaders invade to harm the country and take it over ruthlessly. Illegal immigrants seek refuge here ignoring the law."
"Both are wrong," Zuko argued back.
"But you don't kill the illegal immigrants!" Yue exclaimed, something that was very rare for her to do.
Hahn came in. Yue took her focus off Zuko and faced Hahn. "Who did he kill?"
"Immigrants. Illegal immigrants."
Yue's blue eyes dangerously rested on Zuko. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply in exasperation. "Zuko, you're dismissed."
Suki looked at her friend in shock. Even Zuko looked surprised. He bowed to her and left for his room.
"Hahn," Yue addressed him.
Hahn recovered from his own shock and straightened up in his position. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"Thank you. You can go rest for now."
Hahn bowed to her. "Thank you, Your Highness."
He gently closed the door behind him. Suki didn't take her eyes off the Sorceress Princess.
"You're up to something, aren't you?"
Yue nodded. "Zuko will learn tolerance and true strength sooner or later."
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"Mm," Katara hummed as she finished her hot chocolate. "That was great!"
Aang smiled. "At least you're happy again."
Katara softened and kissed Aang on the cheek. "I'm always happy when you're with me."
Aang blushed. "Really?"
Katara nodded. "Yes."
She stared at her hot chocolate cup, fingers gently tapping against the cup's sides nervously. "When you're away, I can't concentrate during Sokka's tedious lectures or study the Signs that Ling is still teaching me."
Aang smiled lightly. "You can't let me affect your studies. The world of Kori needs its princess in top shape."
Katara chuckled. "Now you're beginning to sound like Sokka."
It was Aang's turn to chuckle. "I figured he would say something like that."
All Katara could do was smile. "I think about you. All the time."
Aang looked at Katara with curiosity. Katara continued without looking at him. "Days, all of them, I wonder you're doing, if you're eating well, and….if you ever gave thought about me."
"Of course I do," Aang told her sincerely. "I think about you everyday."
That brought a sweet smile to her face. She sighed. "You're only going to be here for five days so maybe it's time that I tell you."
Aang blinked. "Tell me what."
She sighed again, bracing herself. "Aang……I…."
Aang waited patiently but the Kori Castle Bell rung. Katara groaned in annoyance. Aang looked over his shoulder out to the window.
"Another blizzard is coming," Aang said urgently. "Sokka's ringing the bell because of it."
The second Katara turned around and looked, she hurried to get her coat.
"Do you want me to walk with you?" Aang asked.
"Are you crazy?" Katara retorted in disbelief. "It'll really be a blizzard by the time you make a return route." She gave her friend a smile. "I'll be fine. You just take care of yourself."
Aang reluctantly nodded. "OK."
She headed out door. She paused and gazed back at Aang, who was still watching her. "I promise what I have to tell you, I'll tell you before you leave."
Aang nodded in understanding. "OK."
She smiled once more at him. "See you later, Aang."
"See you."
She closed the door behind her. Aang walked over to the back of the igloo house to find his bedroom in a clean state. He collapsed against it. He wondered what it was that she wanted to tell him. He sighed. He would have to find out some time before he left for the Crystal Mountain again.
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In another world, man with braided hair wearing a long robe was watching a mirror. In it showed Princess Katara running for home. The vision then shifted to Aang, lying still on his bed.
"I've watched them long enough," he said. "Would you say it's time, Kiku?"
A slender woman with thick, wavy hair nodded silently. "Yes, Long Feng, the time has come."
"Good, good," he said. "With them and him-" he turned to a tank where a body lied in it. The lights were dimmed and there was too many bubbles in there to reveal his identity. "I will be the most powerful wizard in the world.
Kiku merely listened and walked over to the tank. She placed her temperate hands on its cold, hard surface. Secretively, she felt compassion for the encased soul. They have had him in there for quite some time now. Ten years to be exact.
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The blizzard finally died down. Katara was in her tower room, sighing as she saw the Crystal Mountain. It was only a somewhat short walk away to get there but it was forbidden for citizens to go there. Only archeologists could go. The only thing Katara could imagine taking the men two to three months at a time is the actual labor; the codes. She shifted her view to Aang's igloo home. She sighed.
"Before he leaves again, I will tell him," she said to herself.
She paused and gazed upon the Crystal Mountain. It's sapphire exterior was glowing and a weird but beautiful music began to play. She blinked and sighed dreamily. "Pretty music."
She stopped listening when the glowing grew intense. It was as if it was calling her. Her blue eyes deepened into a hypnotic ocean blue. She slowly closed her eyes. At that same rate she was levitating in the air. She slowly started flying to the Crystal Mountain.
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Aang came out of his igloo house to get a stretch. He looked up at the dark blue sky. He smiled at the stars. That smile was gone when he saw a floating figure in the sky. It looked like it was heading towards the Crystal Mountain. Aang gasped when he squinted his eyes to get a better look. It was Katara!
"Katara!" Aang screamed at her.
She didn't look down to acknowledge him. Aang studied her posture. Her head was abnormally looking straight ahead and her arms hung limp. Her moccasin-covered feet were dangling lifelessly. Katara was enchanted. He took a quick step to follow her but he looked up at his left at the princess' castle home. Sokka and Ling needed to know.
Fortunate for him, his drum was at the side of the igloo along with the drumstick. He took hold of the stick and pounded hard against the drum.
"Come on, Sokka!" Aang pleaded. "Here the drum!"
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Sokka jumped out of his bed when he heard drumming. It was Aang's drum and the last time he played it, something was wrong with Katara. He grabbed for his club and gigantic whale tooth sword. The sword was already in its sheath so all he had to do was strap it around his waist. With his free hand he jerked the door back only to find Ling ready for action. They nodded to each other.
"Let's go."
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Aang thanked the spirits when he saw a white light for a split second. It was Ling's return signal. He stopped drumming and ran for Katara. Again, he thanked the spirits for his speed and agility. He had caught up with Katara in no time. If only he could jump seventy-five feet to bring her down.
After twenty minutes of running and twenty minutes climbing parts of the Crystal Mountain, Aang saw Katara float into the entrance of the Mountain's cave. He stepped on the lack support of rocks and ran into the cave's medium darkness.
"Katara!" Aang called out.
A blue light shone into the center tunnel. Aang took that route without question. The moment he arrived at the center, Katara was kneeling in the careened circle; her hand placed in the hand mold. That hypnotic stare was still in her eyes.
"Katara!"
"Shigunaru junikyuzu no sain," she chanted drearily. "Shigunaru junikyuzu no sain….."
Aang didn't know what to do. All she was doing was chanting. Chanting in what sounded like the Ancient Dead Language. The cave started to rumble. Aang had to get to a wall to balance his footing. His eyes grew wide when she slowly levitated. Wings of sapphire blue stone popped of her back. A magical unknown circle appeared on the wall behind her. The force in that circle began to pull her in. Aang ran for her as her body began to sink unnaturally into the circle wall.
This was all too much. Aang ran for her and jumped in the air. In midair, he grabbed her and took her down with him. When Aang fell into the ground with Katara in his arms, the sapphire wings shattered and ascended into the air like the speed of light.
Aang sat up in alert when dozens of robed men appeared out of nowhere. Like they crossed dimensions. All the men had swords. They all lunged at Aang and the unconscious Katara. Aang couldn't find no way to escape. All he could do was hold his friend in his arms and accept their untimely fate.
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Zuko heard knocking on his door. "Who is it?" he demanded.
"Me," Yue answered calmly.
Zuko relaxed and got up from his bed. He opened the door. He looked down at her. Her face with its usual expression of tranquility.
"Do you need me for something?" Zuko asked.
Yue nodded. "I need you to come to the throne room."
She motioned for him to follow. He grabbed his twin swords from the side. He sighed. "Ready."
Together they walked to the throne room. At the arrival, Zuko frowned at the Tsuki magic symbol.
"What are you up to?" he growled.
"You'll see," Yue said, expression unchanging. "Stand in the circle."
Zuko reluctantly obeyed. "He known Yue for twelve years. She was up to something.
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"Oh no you don't!" Aang heard Sokka scream.
Aang opened his eyes to see Sokka and Ling fighting off the robed men.
"What happened?!" Sokka demanded angrily.
Some more came for him. His fury allowed him to kill them effortlessly.
"I….I don't know!" Aang frantically replied.
He grimaced when Sokka killed another one.
"She was floating here in a trance and triggered some magic!" he continued.
"The one you and the other archaeologist were trying to figure out?!" Ling asked urgently.
"Yes!"
Ling's staff contacted with another robed man, turning him to stone.
"And Katara….she had sapphire wings made of stone coming out of her back!"
"What?!" Sokka exclaimed.
He couldn't concentrate on Aang. More men were coming.
"They left the caves!" Aang explained. "They shattered into stone feathers and left!"
Ling looked at Katara for a safe second. She was starting to pale. Ling's expression grew grim.
"Those feathers were her source of life," he said grimly.
Another one came for Ling screaming. Ling turned him to stone without even looking over his shoulder. Sokka had received a deep wound in the arm from one of them.
"You'll have to take her to the Dimension Witch!" Ling exclaimed. "She can help you!"
"But how-"
"I'll transport you to her!"
Ling slammed the bottom of his staff into the ground and a Kori magic circle appeared underneath Aang's feet. Alarmed, Aang held Katara closer to his chest. He and her slowly sunk into the circle as it glowed.
"Tell her that I sent you!" Ling said.
That was the last thing Aang heard before his head went below. Ling sealed the circle and resumed fighting alongside Sokka.
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"What?!" Zuko exclaimed.
"I'm sending you to the Dimension Witch," Yue repeated as his midway began to sink in the Tsuki magic circle. "A curse has been placed upon you as well. Each time you kill needlessly, you will lose a little bit of strength."
"Yue!" Zuko snarled. "I'll remember this!"
Yue only smiled sadly. "Good-bye, Zuko."
He was gone before he could give a none too nice reply.
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"You ready?" Teo asked Toph.
Toph nodded. He wrapped a supportive arm around her. With the slam against the ground from his wand, a Sharin magic circle appeared under their feet. Wind came from the circle and engulfed the two.
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Aang opened his eyes. It was definitely obvious that he and Katara weren't in the world of Kori anymore. In fact, Aang was starting to burn up under his winter attire. If Katara was conscious, she'd probably feel the same way. It appeared that they were in the middle of a city in after rain.
He gazed down on Katara. She was continuing to pale. Aang looked to his left when a light appeared. A tall man with a scar on his left eye came out with a pissed off expression. Another light came at Aang's right side. A man in weird, wizardry clothing bore a staff bearing a wheel surrounded by gliders. He held a supportive arm around a girl who was definitely shorter than Aang but they appeared to be the same age.
Before them stood a small tea shop. The door opened and a tall, slender woman wearing skin hugging dress strolled out. Two girls followed her. She stopped before them, looking expectantly at Aang.
"Are you the Dimension Witch?" Aang asked in desperation.
She gracefully folded her arms. "Yes but everyone calls me Azula. Who might you be?"
"I'm Aang from the world of Kori," Aang answered. "Ling sent me here."
Azula nodded. "He warned me of your coming. You need help with the girl in your arm, am I correct?"
Aang nodded. "Please, help her."
"Not only were those feathers her life source but also her memory," Azula briefly explained. "They are scattered into different worlds. If you don't get them, she will die. I'm the only one who can grant you that transportation and that is why you are here. To save this girl, there's a price."
Aang looked up at Azula. "I'll do anything."
He held Katara close to his chest. "She's all that I have!"
"Your relationship with her," Azula said in a cold, business tone.
Aang looked up once again. "Huh?"
"The most precious thing to you is your relationship with her," Azula repeated. "When she get her feathers and memories, you will be erased out of it."
Aang was stone still. He looked at his dying friend. Azula unfolded her arms. "I'll give you time to think about it."
Aang didn't need time. He already knew his decision…….and it hurt. He held Katara to where their cheeks made contact, his hand supporting her head. He closed his eyes tightly as the other two waited. The short girl with weird ears watched him with curiosity. Azula approached the man in weird wizard clothes.
"Who are you, my dear?" she questioned.
"I'm Teo from the world of Sharin," Teo answered. "And this is my friend and robot Toph."
"What is your wish?" she asked.
"That I never return to my world," Teo stated.
Azula nodded. "Very well."
Teo stretched forth his staff. "Here's for the price."
Azula smirked. "The staff is precious to you, yes, and it's a fine piece. Even I envy it's qualities. But that is not your most prized possession."
She pointed a nailed finger at Toph. Toph knew by vibrations in this world that the finger was pointed at her. Shock hit Toph's face. Teo sighed. Azula caught onto that.
"You knew she was the one," Azula commented. She clicked with her tongue. "You can't outwit me, Teo. Remember that."
Teo smiled sadly. "Unfortunately I will."
He gently gave Toph a push. Toph allowed him to push her. It was as if the shock turned into lost will.
"Toph," Teo called out to her.
Toph turned her head over to her shoulder. Teo walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I'm going to miss you, kiddo."
Toph closed her eyes and a silent tear came out. Aang had briefly opened his eyes to see the moment. He had heard Teo call her a robot. Aang heard of robots. Whatever they were, they weren't human. It amazed him that this robot could cry. Teo looked over Toph's shoulders and looked Azula in the eye.
"You'll protect her from one who will seek her, right?" he asked.
Azula crossed her heart. "You have my word."
Teo nodded in understanding and let Toph go. Toph, even more reluctant, walked over to Azula's side. One of the girls took her gently by the arm. Toph tensed until she felt Teo shake his head in disapproval. Toph growled to herself and forced herself to allow them to needlessly lead her to the shop.
Zuko stood rather impatiently. He wasn't in the mood of the emotional fiasco going on next to him. He just wanted to go back home and give Yue a piece of his mind. Azula addressed him. "What is your wish?"
"To go back to my world," Zuko answered gruffly.
"Then your price is those swords."
She pointed at his twin swords. Zuko practically jumped a mile. "You're kidding me!"
"If you want to go back to your world you'll give up those swords," Azula said coolly. "That's the deal."
"I got your deal!" Zuko snarled. "I need these swords."
"Sorry," Azula replied.
One of the two girls, who was in Gothic wear, snapped her fingers. Zuko's twin swords disappeared and reappeared in the girl's arms. Zuko's mouth hung open and closed with gritting teeth.
"Why you little-"
"The arrangement's been made," Azula interrupted loudly. "What is your choice, Aang of Kori?"
Aang, recovering from Teo and Zuko's dilemma sighed. "I can't let her die. I'll do it."
His forehead touched hers. "She's the most important person to me. I have to, even if she won't remember me."
Azula nodded in approval. "Good. I will give you three Mokona-"
A small, rabbit looking puff ball came from behind her and jumped on her shoulder. "to travel with you three. Without him, you will not be able to understand the people, and each other, that you come across."
Teo and Aang nodded solemnly. Zuko folded his arms in defiance. "A puff ball is traveling with us?"
"Mokona is useful!" Mokona defended itself. "It'll work really hard and try its best!"
Azula nodded. "I don't think you want to get lost without Mokona. So take it or leave it."
"You already have my swords," Zuko retorted. "I have no choice I suppose."
"Good. Mokona-"
"Ready!"
The little puff ball jumped into the air. Aurora surrounded them.
"Mokona is ready to go!" it exclaimed. "Paa! Puu!"
It opened its mouth wide and began to suck the four people in. Aang and the rest felt distorted. It was like they were turning flexible and stretchable, meaning they were getting smaller and entering the little creature's mouth. Aang had closed his eyes but when the distorted feeling was gone, he opened his eyes again.
He looked to see if he still had Katara in his arms and he did. He sighed in relief. He looked around and stared in awe. It appeared that the four were in a time zone. They were floating into nowhere. Except there was a light ahead of them. What was behind there, they would soon find out.
To Be Continued……
A.N. Hope you guys liked it and as always for my fanfics, constructive criticism is appreciated. Thanks for reading this chapter. Don't expect a soon update. I mean, I will just don't expect a fast one.