DISCLAIMER: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender or any of the characters.
Pain.
It's the first sensation that he's aware of.
At first it's everywhere. Then it slowly recedes to his back.
Slowly, Aang's senses start to return. He can feel the soft blanket underneath him. He hears the sound of waves that suggest the he's on a boat of some sort.
The boy peels his heavy eyelids open. He struggles to sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed. Aang starts to feel lightheaded. His vision blurs and threatens to black out. He shakes his head to clear it. A tremor of pain passes through him. The airbender puts a hand around his bandaged midsection.
"What happened?" He mumbles. He can't recall what caused him to be in such a damaged state.
Then something catches Aang's eye.
On the wall is a red banner with a distinct Fire Nation insignia. This can only mean one thing- he's been captured!
"Oh no!" The boy shouts. He jumps from the bed, although the movement causes him pain.
Strangely, his staff leans against the wall. Perhaps they assumed that Aang wouldn't be in any condition to escape.
Well they assumed wrong.
Katara drags herself to the top deck. Katara can't help but feel her hope dying with every day that passes and Aang doesn't awaken. It's been so many weeks.
She pulls the red cloak more tightly around her shoulders. It's a chilly evening, and her blue dress has holes burnt into it. She hasn't had the time or the supplies to mend it.
Katara wanders over to her friend, "Hey Toph, do you have some time to talk?"
The girls often confide in each other ever since the night that Toph broke down in Katara's arms.
"Sure, Katara." Toph replies, leaning on the railing.
Aang grabs his glider, and open the door. He limps into the hallway. The boy doesn't have much strength. His legs almost give out, and he uses his staff for support. If Aang weren't running on pure adrenaline, he'd be in a weak heap on the floor.
Sweat dots his forehead, and he's out of breath. He places a hand on the wall, and continues forward.
Aang is about to turn a corner, when he hears a deep voice asks, "You hear something?"
The airbender is in no shape to fight anyone right now. But he has surprise on his side.
Aang steps into the open, and swings his staff in the direction of the two soldiers. The gust of wind isn't strong enough to knock them back.
"He's awake!" The deep voice booms.
Aang runs as fast as his injured body will allow toward the stairs. Toward freedom.
He hears the soldier behind him yell, "Stop! Wait!"
Aang knows they're chasing him, but he can't stop now. He climbs the stairs, and his foot catches on the last step. He smacks painfully against the steel deck. His glider slides from his grasp and out of his reach.
Before Aang can register anything else, he comes face to face with the last thing he expected to see.
"Momo?" He asks in confusion.
The lemur hops on his shoulder, and begins licking his cheek.
"Twinkle Toes, that's gotta be you!" A familiar voice shouts.
Aang looks over to see Toph and Katara running to him. The boy gets to his feet as people begin to surround him. He can now see that the two soldiers that were chasing after him are… Pipsqueak and The Duke? The airbender has never felt more confused in his life.
"Aang, you're awake!" Katara says with an elated grin.
Aang rubs his eyes. "Are you sure? I feel like I'm dreaming."
Katara can't hold herself back anymore; she embraces him. "You're not dreaming. You're finally awake."
When she pulls away, a Fire Nation soldier in full uniform wraps his arms around Aang. Sokka's voice comes from the mask, "Good to see you back with the living, buddy."
"Sokka?" Aang asks.
It's suddenly too much for the young airbender. He sways on his feet then starts to fall backward, his eyes shutting.
"Oh no! Somebody catch him. He's gonna-" Toph tries to warn.
Katara lurches toward the fainting boy, but he hits the floor with a thud before she can catch him. She cradles his head in her lap.
Everyone gathers closer, including Appa, all of them concerned.
"Is he okay?" The Duke asks, with worry.
"He just fainted." Katara replies, "Give him some room."
Toph is the only one who doesn't back up. She places her hand against the deck near Aang, feeling his pulse.
The boy stirs. The waterbender helps him sit up. Appa lets out an excited grumble, and is instantly on top of Aang, licking him.
Aang laughs, "It's okay boy. I'm here. I'm here."
Appa calms down enough for Aang to wipe the slobber from his face. The Avatar runs his fingers through the bison's fur.
Katara watches the exchange with the joy that she feared she'd lost. She takes in his bright, childlike eyes. Oh how she's missed those gray orbs.
The same thought races through her mind repeatedly, 'He's awake.'
Someone drapes a blanket around his shoulders.
A series of emotions play across Aang's face. He looks at Katara, "Why are we on a Fire Nation ship? Why is everyone dressed this way? And why am I the only one who's completely out of it?"
'He's finally awake.'
I want to thank all of you wonderful readers who have been on this awesome journey with me. My first story is finished! Thank you for every single one of your reviews. They really do mean a lot to me. I'll see you in the next story!
-NextAirAvatar