Aang and Katara's Test of Will

The next morning, Aang and Katara woke up before dawn to prepare for their test. All Guru Pathik had told them was that they would have to face themselves in the Spirit World. They had absolutely no idea what this meant, and how to prepare themselves. Although Aang was a little more confident as he had been to the Spirit World before, Katara was more scared than ever. Sensing her fear, Aang wrapped his arms around her while they were walking to the venue. She nuzzled into his neck and asked fearfully, "Aang how is the Spirit World like?"

Aang thought for a while about his various adventures in the Spirit World before answering, "The Spirit World is almost as big as the physical world, so it depends on where you are. I was very scared when I went to face Koh, but talking with Roku and the others is normally not that scary." As Aang finished talking, the waterfall where Aang had opened the water chakra came into view. It was a very scenic place, but thinking about the challenges they were going to face made the couple forget about the view.

There, Guru Pathik was sitting in a meditative posture but as soon as he realised that Aang and Katara were walking towards him, he opened his eyes and stood up, ready to greet them.

"I see that the both of you are determined to pass this test, although there seems to be a certain amount of fear that you are feeling. It is ok. However, I must warn you that in this test you have to rely only on your own mental will. The two of you will not be there for each other, as this is something you have to face individually. It will help you to overcome your fears, and also for the Shaman King to judge you", explained Guru Pathik wisely. "All right now. Listen carefully. This waterfall is actually the Eastern Air Temple's gate to the Spirit World. Sit down on either side of me and hold my hands while I meditate and transport you to your respective locations to face your opponents in the Spirit World.", said Guru Pathik as the trio sat down and began to concentrate their energy. Suddenly, Aang and Katara felt like they were traveling at a million miles an hour as their spirits began to seek out their separate locations in the Spirit World. They felt themselves separating, proving the words of Guru Pathik that they would not be other to support each other during this test.

Katara found herself at the same waterfall from which she had entered in the physical world, the only difference being that Guru Pathik and Aang were not there to support her. She felt terrified to say the least, but nevertheless moved forward, nearer to the waterfall and looked down to see her own reflection staring back at her. Suddenly, she heard a voice, "Katara, Princess of the Southern Water Tribe, I am the Shaman King's Air Form. You will now face your other self in the Spirit World and this will decide whether you are worthy of being the possessor of my Air Container. You don't understand what I mean do you?"

Katara shook her head. She had no idea what her other self was, and this made her even more frightened.

"Well then, let me explain. Every human being is born has 50% evil and 50% good in him. These two sides of his character are always fighting to overcome each other, and it is the human's choice as to whether to let the evil win or the good win. However, it is not necessary for someone to be 100% evil or good. Whichever character is the dominant one, will take over the person and he will be either good or evil. However, the losing character's spirit will then come to the spirit word and when the human in concern dies, he has to face his other side to determine whether he will be reincarnated or whether he will become a spirit. Thus the cycle goes on. However, you and Aang will have to face your 100% evil spirit in the Spirit World in order to gain possession of my container. If not, you will die and will be reincarnated as another human being. Your evil side is namely your reflection that you see in the water. And yes, you will be able to bend, but remember that your evil side will have the same powers as you, so the only way to defeat it is by shaking its mental balance. Now go, time is wasting, and good luck" said the Shaman King before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

After hearing this piece of information, Katara gulped in fear as she walked over to the waterfall. There, she saw her evil side smirking at her.

"So, bloodbender, you think you can defeat me. I got your powers, and you can't defeat me", said evil Katara as she materialised into human form for the water. Katara thought that what just happened was the most freaky thing that had happened to her ever. In front of her stood her evil counterpart, and she looked exactly the same, the only difference being her bloodshot red eyes.

Suddenly, evil Katara began to move her hands in fluid motions and Katara could feel her blood beginning to move around her body as she began to lose control of her body. She had promised Aang the day she bloodbended him to save him from Hama that she would never bloodbend again. Stuck in a dilemma, she began to scan through in her mind whatever she knew about waterbending. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind. She was a bloodbender as well, so she should possess the ability to restrain bloodbending. But how? After struggling for a while, she thought of an idea. She began to bloodbend herself, and therefore evil Katara lost control of her good counterpart.

'You think that just by beating me physically, you can beat me mentally. NO! Listen to me, sister, you are an evil bloodbender, and there is nothing you can do to change hat. Accept your fate, and join Azula in her quest for world domination. Furthermore although you might not know this, but that filthy Avatar is treating you like his puppet. He does not love you Katara, he loves anotherand he is just using you as his puppet. Join us bloodbenders, and dominate the world Katara, dominate the world", screamed evil Katara. Her words echoed in Katara's mind. For a moment, a hint of doubt into Katara's mind. Was what her evil counterpart said true? But then, suddenly, Aang voice echoed in her mind.

'Don't trust her Katara, please don't. I love you there is nobody else. Please believe me and strengthen your resolve that I will always love you Katara, and nobody else. I love you."

And with that, Katara felt Aang's soft and luscious lips on hers. The feeling overcame her and she strengthened her will to defeat her evil side and screamed "I love the Aang and so does he! So will you just fuck off and stop making false accusations!?"

As soon as she said that, she summoned a huge water whipped and hit evil Katara with all her might. Upon contact, evil Katara dissolved back into the waterfall, and the image of the Shaman King appeared again.

"Congratulations Katara, you have overcome your evil self, and here is the first part of the Air Nomad's Shaman Container. This is its spiritual form, and its physical form can be found in the meditating Guru Pathik's hand. Although you may have succeeded, Aang needs your help, just like he helped you. Sit down and meditate to try and connect with Aang's spirit."

Hearing this, Katara became worried and sat down in a meditative posture to concentrate and focus on her spirit, willing it to travel to where Aang, her beloved lover was.

Little did Katara know that Aang was having troubles of his own. Although he had considerably weakened his evil side, he was overcome with guilt about his past failures.

"It was all because of you that the Air Nomads are no more Aang. If you had not run away, you could have saved them Aang. You were their last ray hope but you still deserted them .What kind of Avatar are you, people ask. You are a horrible traitor Avatar, Aang. Then, you failed in the siege of Ba Sing Se. You failed to save Katara, and she ended up saving you. She thinks you are a weakling, and thinks Zuko is way better than you. You are nothing more than her little brother Aang and never will you be her lover", taunted evil Aang.

Upon hearing this, Aang broke down and began to sob uncontrollably. That was until he heard Katara's soothing voice, just like she must have heard his, as the whole time he was fighting against his evil counterpart was spent thinking about her, communicating his feelings for her.

"Aang, you are not a failure and the bravest person I know. You are the 1000th Avatar, and the very best, mastering the 4 elements in less than a year and defeating Ozai. Always remember Aang, you are my lover, and never did love Zuko. I love you Aang, and remember that I will always be there for you, sweetie"

Katara's soothing words worked like a medicinal herb on Aang as he regained his fitness and dodged evil Katara's incoming attack.

"I am not a failure, my friend. I am the 1000th Avatar, saviour of the world!", shouted Aang as he gathered up a huge amount of fire in his hand, made it blue and threw it with full force at evil Aang. Just like with Katara, he dissolved back into the water disappearing forever, and being replaced by the image of the Shaman King

"Well done young Avatar. You and your mate are truly worthy of being the possessors of the Shaman's Containers. Here is the second part of the Shaman's Container, and when this touches the first part, 1/5 of my spirit will be in it. Now go, your mate is worried.", said the Shaman King with a smile.

With that Aang felt himself being pulled up as his spirit merged with his body. He opened his eyes to feel Katara's lips on his, and he responded as enthusiastically.

"We did it!" exclaimed Katara.

"Yes we did sweetie, because were there for each other. I love you so much" said Aang.

"I love you too, Aang", said Katara before giving him a brief kiss on his lips before they brought their half-pieces together and merged them to form a bison whistle. When a bright light appeared, the couple realised that they were now the official possessors of the Shaman's Containers. As they lay there, basking in the heat of their love and enjoying their success, one could not help but think; what other challenges awaited the Avatar? And how were their other friends fairing?