Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Avatar

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North Pole – Early Morning

The Winter Solstice…

Eena shot awake in her makeshift bearskin bed, covered in sweat. She looked around the room that she had temporarily taken up residence in … it was empty, the inhabitants killed by Monk Guandao's forces last month.

She had had that nightmare again. People were screaming and yelling; she could see the outright panic in their eyes. And then … a man was towering over her. They had a brief exchange of words … and all she remembered was fire.

Blast it all! Why did she keep having these dreams, these visions? What did it all mean? And why did she feel such anger and hatred towards absolutely everyone and everything?

She climbed out of bed and quickly dressed, pushing all thoughts of the dream out of her mind. A tiny smirk played across her lips. Today was it. The Winter Solstice. The Avatar and his friends would be here today.

Today, all of her planning and scheming would finally come to fruition.

Today, she would rid the world of the Avatar for good…

***

Appa's Back – Afternoon

Suki was bundled up in a thick layer of clothes. She had never really been to the North Pole and was not used to the subzero temperatures. All of the others in her group seemed immune to the cold.

Aang, meanwhile, had a look of grim determination as he steered Appa. Today was the deadline. If he messed up, then Toph's life would be completely forfeit.

And so he pushed Appa forward as fast as he could.

***

Earth Kingdom Boat – Afternoon – Somewhere Near the North Pole

Zuko paced back and forth on the deck of the ship, willing this blasted thing to hurry up and go faster. Nope. It tugged itself along at its own, silent pace.

All kinds of thoughts ravaged his mind. What if they didn't get there on time? What if he couldn't stop the kidnappers? What if they made good on their threat to end Mai? What if-

His thoughts were interrupted by a kindly hand on his shoulder.

"You should get some rest, Fire Lord."

Zuko looked ahead with dead resolve in his eyes. Rest did sound good at the time. But no, he couldn't – how could he rest with the life of the person he loved most at stake?

"I don't need rest," he said flatly.

He could almost feel Iroh's beaming smile behind him. "Every man needs to rest sometime, Zuko. Besides, how will you be able to confront those kidnappers if you're almost dead on your feet?"

The Fire Lord looked at the helmsman. "How long 'till we reach the Northern Water Tribe?"

The helmsman shrugged. "'Bout two or three hours."

Zuko turned around and looked into his uncle's eyes. And smiled. "Some rest will do me some good, I suppose."

Iroh put his arm around his nephew's shoulder as he led him below. "Come on. And maybe we can check out the kitchen on the way down!"

***

Northern Water Tribe – Afternoon

Appa alighted gracefully near the edge of the tribe, and everyone quickly slid off of the bison's back. Aang patted the animal on the head affectionately. "Stay here, buddy. We're gonna go look for the kidnappers." Momo chattered noisily, afraid to be left behind and he descended upon his master's shoulder.

"I think you should keep Appa company, Momo."

The lemur chattered again, a hurt look forming in his eyes as he flew back to Appa. "It's nothing personal," Aang said. "I just don't want to see anything bad happen to you guys."

Next to them, Sokka whistled loudly. "I forgot how bad the Northern Water Tribe got hit."

Not even a month ago, the villainous Monk Guandao had created a whole army of Airbenders by using Energybending. The Northern Water Tribe just happened to be their first target. Aang and Sokka had arrived just shortly after the massacre happened. Dead bodies everywhere. Sokka remembered how their new chieftain, Hahn, had died in his arms…

Thankfully, the bodies had been moved and given a decent burial. It was all Aang could do for them. He looked around at the tribe. Many buildings still lay in ruins, but there was some hope.

There had been a handful of Tribe members that had been away from the North Pole at the time. They had now returned, and with the help of their sister tribe, were slowly but surely rebuilding.

"Alright, so where are those kidnappers," Sokka asked.

Aang shrugged. "I don't know. All they said was to be at the North Pole on the Winter Solstice. Well, we're here. Where are they?"

Katara looked around, her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. Aang knew her well enough now to tread lightly – a mood swing could come on at any moment.

And an angry, pregnant Katara was not a nice Katara.

"I hope they turn up soon," she snarled.

"I don't know," Suki replied. "This is all so suspicious. I just know we're walking into some kind of trap." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Which is why I told Ty Lee and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors to meet us up here – secretly of course."

"Wait," Sokka said loudly. "You told the Kyo-" Suki's hand quickly covered his mouth.

"Shut up, you idiot."

"Ty Lee's coming here," Aang asked in a low voice.

Suki nodded. "Yea, she and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors. They came up here a different route than us so as not to raise suspicion."

Aang nodded without a word.

***

Eena stood perched on the roof of a building above, Long Feng next to her. She had a look of sadistic glee on her face.

"So the Avatar's finally here," Long Feng said.

Eena snorted. "That's the Avatar? He doesn't look like much…"

"Looks can be deceiving. That boy has enough power in him to sink this whole continent."

The Water Tribe woman narrowed her eyes. "He can't hold a candle to my master."

The head of the Dai Li looked at her. "And I have yet to see your master…"

"You will, soon enough."

"When? If he's as strong as you say he is, then where is he? Why does he send us to do his dirty work?"

"Because he is not yet strong enough to manifest physically. But he will be soon after tonight. Rest assured, you haven't seen anything like him." She turned to Long Feng. "I think it's about time to give the Avatar our next set of instructions."

***

Underwater Chamber/Prison – Afternoon

Toph sat in a wooden chair, bound by ice shackles attached to her hands and feet. The whole room was filled with ice so that she couldn't bend her way out or even feel anything for that matter.

Footsteps echoed loudly throughout the chamber, and Toph struggled against her bindings. "Let me out of here! Let me out and I'll tear you apart limb from limb!"

"All the reason for me not to release you," Concreto replied cynically. Toph could sense him kneeling down in front of her.

"What do you want from me?"

Concreto said nothing, but gently patted her on the head, before withdrawing something from his pocket. He then gently opened up her hand and Toph let out a sharp gasp as something sharp sliced across her outstretched palm. The blind girl bit her lip, trying to hold back from shouting. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

Concreto then took a piece of paper and pressed it on the wound, creating a bloody handprint at the bottom. He then rolled the parchment up, and handed it to a messenger hawk, who, with a sharp chirp, took off, the paper in its beak.

***

Northern Water Tribe – Afternoon

Aang and co. had set up a makeshift camp on a walkway near one of the many canals in the city. Aang had used his bending to set up a small fire to keep warm and to cook some of the food they had brought with them.

They were all starting to become really impatient. Where were these kidnappers? Why hadn't they shown themselves yet? They were so desperate to get them up here on this particular day!

Sokka was busy munching away and Katara was sure packing it in too. Well, who could blame her? She was eating for two now. Aang smiled to himself. Within the next few months, Katara would begin to show signs of her pregnancy. For now, she seemed as fit as ever.

Suki suddenly looked up, and waved her hand for everyone to shut up. "Someone's coming!"

Everyone tensed up. Who was coming? Could it be the kidnappers?

And then there were voices coming from around a corner. "I heard something this way."

Aang looked at his friends and motioned for everyone to get ready in case of an attack.

The figures came around the corner, Sokka drew his sword, Suki her fans …

And they all practically fell over in surprise as they came face to face with Zuko. Iroh, Loi and Azula lingered behind him. Aang was horribly shocked. "Zuko?!" And then he gripped the Fire Lord in a crushing hug.

"Good to see you too, Aang," Zuko replied as he patted the Avatar on the back. He looked past Aang's bald head and saw everyone else. "Hey guys."

"What're you doing here," Aang asked.

"I was going to ask you the same question."

"Well?"

"Mai's been kidnapped. The kidnappers told us to come here on the Winter Solstice. What's you're story?"

Aang grinned. "The same one. They've kidnapped Toph, too."

"Wait, they got Toph?" Aang nodded somberly.

Zuko and his group joined Aang and co. around the fire. "It doesn't really make sense," Loi was saying. "I knew someone wanted the Fire Lord out of the Fire Nation, but for what purpose? And why involve Aang? And why come here on the Winter Solstice?"

"These are all questions I've asked," Aang replied. "And I know that this is some kind of trap."

Suddenly, they heard a squawk and looked up to see a messenger hawk encircling them from above before landing and handing Aang a scroll. He opened it up and it read:

Avatar,

Meet us at the ruins of the royal palace at sunset – sharp.

Any attempt to locate us or your friends will

have dire consequences…

Below this was a bloody handprint. Aang recognized it instantly as Toph's, and he crushed the paper in his fist. They hurt her!

Aang was now more determined to save his friends than ever.

***

Outside the Royal Palace – Sunset

The group stood outside the former palace. It lay in ruins following the Airbending army's attack on it just last month. Aang still felt a surge of anger at the sight.

"Well, where are they," Azula asked impatiently, examining her nails. "Too cowardly to show their faces, I suppose."

"I don't think so," Sokka said. "I think that whoever is doing this is taking great enjoyment in this. They're the ones in control here, and they're going to enjoy every last second of it."

Azula smirked. "First kidnapper that shows up is getting fried!"

"NO," Sokka shouted. "They might hurt Toph and Mai if you do that!"

"I guess we have no choice but to wait," Iroh replied, taking a seat on the icy ground.

After waiting for roughly half an hour, everyone was ready to flip out. "Why aren't they showing themselves," Zuko growled.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them started to shake, and dozens of shapes began leaping up and surrounding them. "Dai Li," Aang shouted as the mercenary agents began surrounding them.

"Hello again, Avatar." Everyone watched in shocked silence as Long Feng emerged from the ranks of his Dai Li agents. "You're the kidnapper," Aang shouted.

"Well, one of them, at least. You know, you all really humiliated me at Lake Laogai. I hold you all responsible for my setbacks." He pointed his finger accusingly at Azula. "But you specifically, Princess."

Azula smirked, relishing the memory of her coup at Ba Sing Se, and her eventual double-cross of Long Feng. For a while afterwards, the Dai Li had been under her personal control – until she banished them. She was surprised that Long Feng was once again in charge of them.

"Where are our friends," Aang asked. His voice was low and it had a hint of deadliness in it.

"Oh, they'll be quite fine," the former Earth King advisor said. "We have them in some underwater chambers. Just as long as you continue to follow our instructions, they'll be just fine."

"And what if we don't," Azula asked sharply.

Long Feng regarded her with amusement. "Well … we've taken a few … precautionary measures."

***

Toph sat bound in her chair. She was blind, but she could feel a group of men carrying several large, round objects into her chamber.

***

Mai watched in horror as several thugs carried dozens of large barrels and surrounded her with them.

Each barrel was filled with blasting jelly…

***

"What do you want out of us," Aang asked.

Long Feng put his hands on his hips. "My master is waiting for you in the Spirit Oasis. Go to her, Avatar."

"You be I will." He walked past the Dai Li and all his friends moved to follow – and were cut off by the Dai Li.

"My master wishes to see you alone Avatar."

Aang narrowed his eyes to slits. "Fine. But if you hurt my friends…"

"Oooh, I'm shivering. Will you kill me, Avatar? You couldn't even kill the Fire Lord or Monk Guandao."

Aang looked at his friends and tried to smile comfortingly. "I'll be back."

"Be careful," Katara shouted. She rushed forward and gave Aang a long kiss on the lips.

She didn't want to admit it, but she felt as though this would be the last time she was going to be seeing Aang…

***

Spirit Oasis – Evening/Night

Aang entered the Spirit Oasis, holding his glider tightly in his hand. He looked around. The Spirit Oasis seemed just as serene as always. Peaceful. Beautiful. And the two moon spirits continued to encircle each other in their eternal dance…

He stepped onto the cool green grass and looked above at the bright, shining stars.

"At last you've arrived," a voice called from a corner. "Is the Spirit Oasis as you remembered?"

Aang cautiously approached what appeared to be a woman sitting cross-legged in a corner, meditating. "It is," he slowly drawled.

The woman climbed to her feet, neatly dusting off her clothes. Aang examined her. She was definitely Water Tribe – her tan skin, dark hair and blue eyes were all characteristic of Water Tribe. Not to mention her blue clothing.

Plus, there was just something … familiar about her. Something he just couldn't put his finger on.

"You're the one who called me here?"

"I am."

"Well I'm here, so let go of my friends!"

The woman smiled, baring her teeth. "All in good time, my friend, all in good time."

"NO! NOW!!!"

Eena raised her eyebrows. "So impatient. You upset me, Avatar. I went to all this trouble to bring you here and you don't even want to know why."

Aang remained silent, watching the mad woman as she began to walk around him.

"My master has plans, Avatar. But yet, he cannot enter our world – because you, as the Avatar, keep the balance between the worlds. He cannot enter into a balanced world. He feeds on imbalance, chaos."

"So what does that mean," Aang snapped.

Her voice took on an even more sinister tone. "It means that you have to be taken out of the way…"

***

Northern Water Tribe – Royal Palace – Night

"I hate just sitting here doing nothing while Aang faces that kidnapper alone," Sokka whispered to Suki.

Suki nodded in agreement. "I'm sure he's fine. Besides, the other Kyoshi Warriors should be here by now. They got our back if something goes wrong."

"No whispering," Long Feng shouted.

***

Underwater Chambers – Night

Mai continued to sit trapped in her chair, bored as always. Tonight was the Winter Solstice, Zuko and the Avatar were here, and there was a chance she was going to die tonight.

Why wasn't she worried?

And that's when Joran entered the room. "What are you doing here," she asked blankly.

Joran seemed particularly nervous as he hurried over to where she was sitting. His face was so frantic that for a minute Mai thought that he had been given the order to do away with her. Instead, he kneeled before her with a hammer and began smashing away at her ice bindings.

"What're you doing," she repeated.

"Something I should've done days ago."

He moved up to her hands. "Watch your fingers." And he chipped away at more ice.

"But why?" She pulled her arms free and Joran grabbed her hand and began rushing her out of the chamber.

"We have to find your friend Toph," he exclaimed picking up speed.

"Why are you doing this? You said yourself that Eena would kill you."

Joran stopped short, whirled around, put his arms around Mai and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. Mai's eyes widened in surprise – surprise because he was actually kissing her and surprise because she might … actually have liked it. She felt a little twitter of guilt for Zuko.

"That's why," he said, grabbing her hand and rushing off again. Mai was shocked into silence.

***

Two guards were posted to watch over Toph. Both of them really didn't know why they were there, after all, a blind girl really didn't need guarding.

Toph was still ranting and raving. "You better hope I never get out of here."

Both guards chuckled – and then fell over unconscious. Joran stood over them, discarding a giant block of ice. He smiled at Mai. "You taught me that one."

He rushed over and began the process of chipping Toph out of her ice bindings. "Well it's about time," she said, quickly standing up, stretching her aching limbs.

Joran grabbed Toph, so she would find her way through the ice and snow. "This way!" And he led the two into the hollowed out and drained underwater tunnels.

***

"Do you not feel the power here," Eena asked. "The full moon, the Spirit Oasis, the Winter Solstice. I am a Waterbender, Avatar. All these things invigorate me, make me stronger. I can crush you like a bug."

"So you went to all this trouble to get me in a place where you have the advantage. And now you intend to destroy me?"

"Not destroy, oh no." She was menacing on him now. "I have something much worse planned for you."

In an instant, Aang was hit with a powerful jet of water, sending flying. He rolled with the fall and quickly recovered. But Eena was nowhere to be seen.

He looked all around, on guard. Suddenly another jet of water blasted him and froze in place. Eena was laughing.

Aang elevated his body temperature and thawed himself out of the ice. "Impressive," Eena said. "Yes, you've met all my expectations so far."

"I won't be going down that easy," he shouted adamantly.

"I should expect not. It would be terribly disappointing if the Avatar wasn't able to put up a good fight."

"Then try this!" Aang twirled his hands together and blew a gust of wind at Eena, who struck the wall of the oasis. Aang charged, Eena was instantly on her feet and the two clashed again.

***

Joran, Toph and Mai ran throughout the underground catacombs, when suddenly, the tunnels began quaking and rocks began plummeting down around them. Joran picked up speed as he tried to lead them out.

Suddenly, the ground in front of them erupted as Concreto burst forth with at least two Dai Li agents. "Going somewhere?"

They were trapped. Joran sighed as he did all he could think to do. He Earthbended a pillar of rock at Concreto who created a wall to block it. Joran turned to Mai and Toph. "Go! Run!"

The two girls stood there hesitantly. "We don't have much time," he shouted. "You've got to hurry and get out of here! I'll hold them off!" Nodding, Mai grabbed Toph's hand and the two bolted past. Mai spared one last glance backwards, praying that everything would be okay.

Concreto motioned to the two Dai Li. "Don't let them escape." Nodding, the two Dai Li disappeared beneath the ground. Concreto rounded on Joran. "You're a brave boy. And incredibly stupid."

Joran was struck about the head with a boulder. He staggered sideways trying to stay standing. He retaliated by bending two equal sized rocks which Concreto batted away with his forearms.

And Concreto made his move next.

***

Mai and Toph hurried through the underground tunnels. There was less and less ice here, making it easier for Toph to use her feet to feel her way around and use her bending.

The two Dai Li agents tunneled underneath them and sprung up in front of them. "I need some weapons," Mai whispered. Nodding, Toph bended two jagged blades out of earth which she tossed to Mai.

Before the Dai Li could attack, they were dead before they ever hit the ground.

Toph pointed up. "I think the city's just above us. I'm gonna try to bend us up out of here!"

***

Outside, Sokka and co. were still being held hostage by dozens of Dai Li, when suddenly, Toph and Mai shot straight out of a hole that suddenly appeared in the ground. All of them just stood there, dumbfounded.

Long Feng was sputtering. "H-how did you escape?"

"That doesn't matter," Toph exclaimed. Her thumb was pointed downward. "You're going down!"

Long Feng turned to the head of the Dai Li. "Kill them! Kill them all! We don't need them anymore, we already have the Avatar right where we want him!"

And the Dai Li moved forward to carry out their master's evil orders.

***

Up above, Ty Lee and the rest of the Kyoshi warriors had been perched on a rooftop watching the whole affair, per Suki's orders. The second the Dai Li turned aggressive, they were ready to jump in.

"Okay girls," Ty Lee bubbled. "It's show time!"

***

And the Dai Li suddenly found themselves battling a bunch of girls.

And they were losing.

***

Joran was like a helpless child before Concreto. The masked Earthbender tossed the poor young man about as a rag doll.

But Joran was valiant. He wouldn't stop fighting. He now had something to fight for. Or, rather, someone.

He hadn't meant to fall in love with her. And he knew she was in love with someone else. But he couldn't help the way he felt. No one can. And so, he was going to fight to the death for her.

And Concreto planned to make exactly that happen. "You're a fool for betraying us," he snarled as he continued pummeling Joran mercilessly with heavy boulders. Blood streamed out of every orifice in the young man's face. He was already becoming dizzy from the loss of blood.

"And for what," Concreto continued. "For some girl? For some girl that doesn't even feel the same way about you?" The masked madman was enjoying this. He was a pure sadist and he planned not just to torture his victim with physical pain, but with words as well. "She doesn't care about you. She left you to face me alone without second thought!"

Joran made a feeble attempt to strike out at his adversary. Concreto easily evaded it. Charging forward, he rammed Joran up against a wall. Joran saw pure white light as his back slammed against the hard surface.

And he slumped to the ground. Smirking in victory, Concreto lifted Joran by the throat and once more slammed him against the wall. He bended some more earth, creating a giant, rocky lance. "This may hurt," he mocked.

And the lance was driven full force into Joran's stomach.

As Joran began fading out of this world, his mind roved back to thoughts of his life. He had acted as a coward. He knew it was wrong to serve people like this, but continued to do so anyway out of fear.

But now …

Now he had redeemed himself. And his last thought before he passed on into eternity was of Mai, the girl who changed him.

***

Spirit Oasis – Night

Aang and Eena were locked together in a deadly struggle. The full moon, plus the Winter Solstice, plus being in the Spirit Oasis fully raised Eena's powers to disproportionate levels.

Of course, as the Avatar, Aang was also a Waterbender, so his powers were also peaked as well. This made for an all out duel between two equals.

The two jumped, kicked, threw water whips around. Meanwhile, the moon and ocean spirits were becoming quite startled by all this and they began to swim faster.

"Why are you doing this," Aang inquired as they fought.

"Because I hate the world," Eena responded, swirling a whip of water around her body and then unleashing it on the Avatar. "I want to see the world sigh its last breath. See all life exterminated. And then … my master and I will be together forever."

"I won't let your plans succeed," Aang shouted. "I will stop you!"

Eena was cackling madly as they continued to duel. "You can't stop me! You have no chance! Once the Avatar is removed from the world, the resulting chaos will allow my master to enter our world!"

"There's a little flaw in your plan," Aang remarked, deflecting one of her attacks. "If you kill me, the Avatar will be reincarnated instantly. The Avatar will always be here to maintain the balance!"

"Which is why I don't intend to kill you," Eena said. "Just take you out of the way."

"And how do you intend to do that?"

"Like this!" Eena's hands stretched out and Aang suddenly stiffened. Eena was Bloodbending him! She forced him to his knees. He was helpless before her!

And suddenly, she was on him. She gently placed one hand on his forehead and the other on his neck.

And a red light poured forth from her eyes and mouth while a blue light shot out of Aang's.

And slowly, Aang's body began to fade away.

***

Everyone in the Water Tribe stopped as they saw two beams of light shoot into the sky and they stood there in awe. What was happening?

Katara recognized it instantly. Energybending! But who was doing it? Was it Aang?

The Kyoshi Warriors had almost completely subdued the Dai Li. Each Kyoshi Warrior had learned Ty Lee's ability to block chi and render their opponents helpless and they had now debilitated all of the Dai Li. Long Feng, in the confusion, had slipped away.

But now, this spiritual light – it shocked everyone who saw it. Katara motioned for her friends to follow. She had to see what was going on.

And if Aang was okay.

***

The light in the Spirit Oasis intensified. Aang's body continued vanishing. He was disappearing, his soul evaporating into … another realm?

And Aang couldn't fight back because Eena was still bending his blood.

And finally, only Aang's eye was still visible. He struggled against his adversary. He realized now, in these last few seconds, the absolute genius of his enemy's plans. He knew coming here he was walking into a trap. But he thought his enemy intended to kill him. But no, he was being transferred out of this world – to he could only guess where.

And he knew that he would be trapped there.

And the Avatar Spirit would never be able to be reborn.

Because where he was going was eternal. Forever.

And the last thing he saw was the mad, gleeful look in Eena's eyes.

And Aang vanished altogether.

***

And as Katara and the rest of the group rushed the Spirit Oasis, the columns of light disappeared.

And all that was left standing was Eena.

She turned with a sadistic look on her face.

"The Avatar is no more!"

"Where is he," Sokka asked.

"A place where no one will ever be able to save him!"

Katara was in a rage. "Where is he," she shouted. They moved towards Eena.

The mad Water Tribe Woman pulled a huge stream of water out of the pond and whirled it at our heroes, who ducked to evade it.

And when they came to their feet, Eena was gone.

And Aang was gone as well.

All that was left was his staff. Katara kneeled down and hugged it tightly against her body. And she broke down in uncontrollable tears.

Aang was truly gone from this world. And she had no idea where he was or how to even save him.

Her sobs rose up long into the night…

***

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Author's Note:

Okay, so the way I figure it, we're about 1/3 of the way through this story now. Things certainly seem bleak now. Sure, the bad guys may have been beaten, but their plans were ultimately successful. Aang is gone, trapped forever in limbo. I wonder how the world will maintain balance without the Avatar…

I want to talk about some of my ideas for this story. Throughout the series, and in my last story, Book 4: Air, Aang was always the hero. He was the one who saved everyone else. But I mix things up a little with this story. This time, Aang's the one in trouble and it's up to his friends have to save him.

So, that was one of the basic ideas for this story and what the main plot was based on.

And, for a little teaser, here are some things you, the readers, have to look forward to:

Team Avatar goes on a new journey to the ends of the earth – this time to save Aang.

Eena's horrifying history.

The return of Ozai and how Zuko and Azula deal with that.

And the rise of the penultimate villain – the Anti-Avatar. I don't want to give too much away, but here's something to think about. The Avatar maintains balance. The Anti-Avatar is the opposite of the Avatar – and his presence disrupts the world's balance…

So please stay tuned for all those things and much more.

Plus, I want to thank everyone for all your reviews and support.

-AlmF