"Are we there yet?"
High in the sky, above the reach of the biting jaws of the ocean below, a sky bison flew somewhat precariously through the eternal storm. Whilst unbeknownst to them a Northern Water Tribe ship struggled to negotiate through waves not far from their location, with the aid of the Avatar riding at his head Appa was able to take his three charges forward with relative safety. Certainly, it was safer up here than in the ocean. Aang had created a shield of air around them, and now sat at the reins, squinting through the thick rain ahead of them.
"We should be here by now," he replied to Xing Ying's question. "But I can't see anything in this damn rain!"
In the saddle young Yuva pressed her body close to Xing Ying, who the baby seemed to have adopted as her master much like Appa had done with Aang. It had warmed Aang's heart to see how attached the baby bison and the Acolyte were after such a short period of time, but there was a painful sense of nostalgia and regret there too, and not for the first time he found himself wishing that Xing Ying was an airbender.
"Can you maybe, like, push the rain away a bit more?" the Acolyte called to him, rubbing Yuva's head. He looked back at her, cocking an eyebrow. "Well, you are the Avatar," she added with a smirk.
With a heavy mock sigh, Aang stood. He felt the rain dropping around his shield, and the fast paced wind that joined it. In truth, the wind actually made things easier for him. He could use that alone to 'push the rain away', as Xing Ying had put it, and it lessened to load on him by quite some degree. Taking a deep breath, he felt the air around him settle and still for the briefest of moments before he spread his arms wide, the howling stopped, each and every raindrop frozen in place for a good several feet around him, the wave of force blasting out pushing the rain outwards even further than that. Xing Ying let out an awestruck gasp.
"Wow ..."
Aang had little time to appreciate the beauty of the spectacle around him, however. Immediately his eyes were drawn to what lay scarcely half a mile ahead of them. It looked, for lack of a better word, like a wall. Columns of air rose and fell from the inky sky to the ocean, flashes of lightning visible in it's depths. He knew instinctively that behind that wall was the South Pole. They would have to fight their way through this electric deathtrap before they could reach their destination.
Lowering his hands, the rain swiftly continued it's cursed assault on the ocean, and the air shield around them reformed. Aang placed a hand on Appa's head, and the bison groaned.
"We've got a bit of a fight ahead, buddy," he said. "Think you're up for it?"
"For Yuva?" Xing Ying added, smiling.
Appa let out a proud roar, and put on a turn of speed Aang had not thought possible at this stage, pushing his way forward, the rain all but smashing against Aang's defense.
"Hold on to something!" he called back to Xing Ying, who quickly wrapped an arm around Yuva and grabbed the saddle with the other. Aang focused in front of him, standing at Appa's head, reaching now for his staff. Rapidly the wall approached, and just as Appa tucked his head, roaring once more, Aang swung the staff in his hands, bringing it above his head and throwing forward a massive ball of air with his downward swing. The wall was no match for the master airbender, and a neat hole exploded at the center, through which the small group sailed, clouds and rain water billowing in after them as the broke through into the bright wonderland beyond. It was still raining, sure, the wind still whistling, but before them stood a pristine white expanse of land, glistening in the awesomely beautiful sun that shone high in the sky. Their hearts and spirits soured as they took in the sight, the much missed rays of warmth that kissed their skin.
"We made it!" Xing Ying cried. Aang could not fight back the grin that spread to his lips as he laughed, patting Appa on the back.
"Well done, buddy," he said. "What would I do without you?"
Together he and Appa adjusted their course, and they flew towards the familiar sight of the Katara and Sokka's homeland, and the place where he had woken almost six years back.
It took them little more than five minutes to catch sight of the Southern Water Tribe's village, and it stood safe and proud and unaffected by the storms that raged outside it's border. The destruction created by Tonrar, and Aang's, hands was still clear, but the village had rebuilt much in the time since he had last been here, and there were a few people out doing their daily business, all stopping in turn as they looked up or pointed to the skies, some dropping what they held in their hands in surprise. Groaning Appa turned circles in the sky, choosing the best place to land, and the foursome finally found themselves on solid ground after days of traveling. However, Aang knew enough not to expect anything more than a cool greeting.
Several cries came out, people calling that the Avatar was here, and people rushed from their homes, scowls and surprise etched across their features, a guarded apprehension and distrust clear from their faces. One of those faces was that of Nutha, who he recognised from back in the Earth Kingdom, and she pushed her way to the front of the group, her face many shades of fury and indignation. Aang shifted uncomfortably in his saddle.
"Uh ... hello," he managed lamely.
"It's about time you got here," Nutha snapped, and there were affirmative murmurs from the crowd.
Aang swallowed, palms suddenly sweaty. "Yes, I'm sorry. Is Ha- I mean, is Chief Hakoda here?" But before Nutha could reply there was a sudden delighted whiny from behind him and he watched in slow motion as Yuva leaped from Appa's saddle, her mouth wide with excitement as she plunged into the snow. There was a stunned silence that followed as, jaw hanging, eyes wide, Yuva pulled herself from the snow and ran full pelt off into the village.
"Yuva! No, wait, careful that's-"
But Aang's cries went ignored as Yuva ran headfirst into a wooden stall with a loud crash, rolling over herself and trinkets went flying. Aang jumped from the saddle, running after the bison who ran through the crowd of people, knocking them onto their rears.
"Yuva!" Aang yelled. "You get back here right now!"
But he was not the voice of authority that day, and more screams followed as the small yet decidedly heavy little bison charged through people's legs, jumping on tables and porches in her excitement, destroying almost anything she came across. It was then that another set of doors opened, and a tall man dressed in traditional Southern furs stepped out.
"What in spirit's name is going on?"
Aang skidded to a halt, just as Yuva changed course, her tongue hanging from her mouth, eyes wide with excitement, running straight for the man who had just appeared. Aang could only watch in horror as Yuva hit Hakoda square in the chest, knocking him down, her tongue licking his entire face.
"Someone get this thing off me!" Hakoda yelled, pushing against the bison. Aang ran forward, grabbing Yuva under her front legs and hoisting her back. Hakoda propped himself up on elbows, wiping the slobber from his face.
"Aang?"
Aang shuffled sheepishly, struggling to hold back the excitable animal.
"Is ... is that a baby sky bison?"
"I will clean up all of this," Aang replied quickly, glancing back with abject horror at the mess created, before looking back to the Chief awkwardly.
They stared at each other a moment longer, Hakoda glancing from boy to bison, before he finally decided to pull himself up from the floor, dusting himself off.
"Well, I can't say I was expecting to be knocked down by a baby sky bison today," Hakoda said at length. "But it's good to see you here."
Aang let out a relieved puff of air, before having to hoist the bison further up his chest as she tried to lunge back at the Chief.
"I'm sorry to have come here without any notice and-" he glanced back at the destruction once more "-for breaking your fish stall. And your porch. But, uh, is there any chance we could talk?"
Hakoda nodded, before waving over one of the villagers. Despite the initial shock that came with a six legged furry bison throwing themselves on you, Aang couldn't help but notice that the Chief did not seem particularly surprised to see him there.
"Xing Ying," Aang called, trudging over and trying to guide Yuva in her direction. "Do you think you could keep an eye on her?"
Xing Ying glanced awkwardly at the people surrounding her, and the playful Yuva in Aang's arms, before nodding hesitantly.
"Where's Katara?"
Aang looked back to see Hakoda stood not far behind him, frowning at the Acolyte.
"She's back in the Fire Nation," Aang replied, as Appa walked forward and puffed angrily at Yuva, who lowered her head and hurried behind his legs. "I'll explain more."
Hakoda nodded, casting another doubtful glance at Xing Ying, before turning to Nutha, who was rubbing her rear irritably after her collision with the bison.
"Can you please get Xing Ying and the bison some food and water? I imagine it's been a long trip."
"Well why do I have to do it?" Nutha demanded, scowling.
"Because I asked," Hakoda replied, rubbing his temple. With a scoff, Nutha turned, waving her hand irritably at Xing Ying and gesturing for her to follow. With another glance back at Aang, Xing Ying led the bison after the Water Tribe girl, looking more nervous than ever.
"Come," Hakoda said, turning too and heading back to his home. Grabbing his staff from where it had fallen to the floor, Aang followed.
The Chief's home was just as Aang had remembered it, though the damage that had been caused by Tonrar almost six months back had since been repaired, something that he was relieved to note. After being gestured to the table in the center of the living room, just too as he had been six months back, Aang had taken his seat, shrugging off his heavy winter coat. It was blissfully warm here, he couldn't remember the last time he had felt so warm. It was testament to just how horrific the storms had become when the South Pole suddenly felt like a tropical paradise. Hakoda took a familiar bottle from the cabinet, and Aang was quick to refuse when he was offered the vile burning Mezcal that he had unwittingly drunk the last time he was here.
"Just some water would be fine, thanks."
Hakoda shrugged as if to say 'to each his own', and carefully poured water in Aang's cup, before taking his seat opposite.
"So, you actually got my letter then?"
Aang, who had already opened his mouth to start, blinked in surprise. "Letter? What letter?"
"I sent a letter back to the Fire Nation weeks ago, it was addressed to Sokka but I had instructed him to pass it onto you. Truthfully I was surprised to think that it had arrived but ..." he looked puzzled then. "Wait, if you didn't get my letter what are you doing here?"
Aang took a sip from his cup, allowing himself a moment to process everything. He was more than eager to start looking for Koh, to ask whether Hakoda had heard word of the spirit, or even if anyone had seen him or ... his stomach dropped. The letter. What if Koh had been spotted? What would happen if someone had come across him in the tundra?
"Hakoda, what was the letter about?" Aang asked, somewhat sharper than he intended to. The Chief seemed taken aback by Aang's tone at first, before lowering his glass slowly to the table, a serious expression on his face.
"Two weeks ago myself and two others found something in the ice, in a cave system a few miles out from here. There has been something not quite right here for some time, almost like a ... presence, like we were all being watched. In the end we had to go looking, no one felt safe. They still don't feel safe."
"What did you find?" Aang pressed. He felt his heart starting to pound with both excitement and fear, and Hakoda did not miss his eagerness.
"A spirit," he replied carefully. "But I get the impression you already knew the answer to that." His tone was not accusatory, as such, but there was a shrewdness in his tone. His eyes drifted across Aang's haggard appearance, the no doubt unruly mop of hair he now sported, and heavy bags under his eyes. Aang, however, was indifferent to Hakoda's careful examination of him, and he leaned forward on the table.
"What did it look like?" he asked. "Like some sort of bug with a face-"
"It was Koh," Hakoda cut in. "The Face Stealer. The one you told me about back in Ba Sing Sei."
Aang fell back, shoulders sagging and he actually felt a laugh leave his throat, both of relief and exasperation, his hands reaching up to rub his tired face. But then he paused, looking up at Hakoda sharply over his fingers.
"The people that went with you? Are they ok?"
"They were a little shaken, perhaps more angry now, but I realised who the spirit was before it got close enough to us." A dry smile came to his lips. "It's a good thing we had that conversation, or I think things could have gone very differently for the three of us in those caves."
"Can you take me to him?" Aang asked. Hakoda's eyebrows rose clear into his hairline.
"Look I want this thing gone as much as anyone, but spirits I want to know what's going on! What's happening out there? Why haven't I heard from my children in six months? Why is that spirit here to start with?"
For a crazy moment Aang considered telling Hakoda to wait, that getting to Koh was the most important thing right now, but under Hakoda's frustration he could see that he was also very worried for his children. He had been cut off from the rest of the world, with a dangerous spirit on his doorstop, it was no wonder that the man wanted answers. Aang took a deep breath, calming himself. Koh had been waiting months, he could wait another hour.
"I'm sorry," he said. "It's just ... I've been looking for Koh for a long time." He took another quick sip from his drink, before placing it back on the table, Hakoda watching him intently.
"I'm sure you've seen that storm wall surrounding the South Pole?" Hakoda nodded. "Well, I'm afraid that's not the entirety of it. The rest of the world has been dealing with a horrible storm for a while now, and the more time goes by the less likely it seems that it's going to get any better. The Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom, pretty much everywhere else is experiencing this blizzard, when I left the Capital a month ago it was covered in snow."
"Snow in the Fire Nation?" Hakoda gasped, and Aang saw panic flash behind his eyes. "What about Katara? Sokka and Suki? Are they ok?"
For a moment Aang wanted to lie, to tell the Chief that his future daughter-in-law was perfectly fine, that Sokka and Katara had been weathering the storm well, but the urgency in Hakoda's voice stopped him. He had lied enough this year, and he couldn't hide behind them any longer.
"Suki ... is very sick," he said quietly. "She wasn't looking good when I left."
"What's wrong with her?"
"She-" Aang paused, looking frightfully back at the Chief. "She was poisoned. By Innua. When we were still in Ba Sing Sei."
"P-poisoned?" Hakoda gaped. "Why? What would Innua have to gain from this?"
"The poison wasn't meant for Suki," Aang continued, unable to keep eye contact with him now. "It was meant for Katara."
Hakoda fell completely silent at this, the only evidence that he had even heard Aang was his shaking hand gripping his glass in the corner of Aang's vision. When it seemed as though Hakoda was not going to answer, Aang pushed on.
"Eight months ago, after we fought Tonrar and got back to the Fire Nation I was pulled in the spirit world," he said, his voice quiet and morose. "Avatar Roku was there, but so was Koh. He had taken Tonrar's face, as punishment for what he did in our world, and they told me that in doing so a tear had formed between our two worlds. That I had to fix it before it was too late."
He took another sip of his water, feeling Hakoda's intense gaze on him.
"Before everything could be explained to me, I was sent back. Something was after Koh, or so Roku said, and as I was sent back I felt my connection to Roku break. I haven't been able to feel him or find Koh since then to find out what I'm supposed to do, or how I'm supposed to fix the tear between our worlds. The blizzard, the storm? This is just the start of it. Our world will be destroyed, unless I can stop it."
"I suppose your seclusion from everyone else makes sense now," Hakoda spoke, breaking his silence. "The books, too."
"Not that it did any good," Aang replied with a sigh. "I found out a while ago what, or rather who it was that came after Koh that night. And I believe she went after Katara because she thought that it would draw Koh out somehow."
"Innua," Hakoda growled. "That makes more sense now too ... why she behaved so strangely, why she was so keen to be a part of the Republic meetings even though she showed no interest in the politics of it. But why? Why is she after Koh?"
Now, that was the real question. Aang had thought over it a great number of times over the last few months, and still he had no concrete answer, just a suspicion.
"I don't know for sure," he said at length. "But she told me that Koh took something from her, something precious. And Xing Ying ... she can sense things, like whether a person has a spirit sharing their body like I do, and she saw a darkness in Innua. I think that somehow she and Tonrar are connected. That she's hunting Koh because he took Tonrar's face."
"But what could she possibly have to do with an ancient spirit?"
Aang shook his head. "Perhaps ... perhaps she owes him something? I just don't know. But I'm certain Koh will. And I think he knows how to fix the tear, too, and put an end to things."
"He thought that you had sent us," Hakoda said, and Aang finally raised his eyes to look back at the man. "He refused to speak to anyone but you."
After a moment of careful consideration, Aang got to his feet.
"I know there's still much more I have to explain, but I have to get to Koh. Please, tell me where I can find him."
Hakoda remained where he sat, his expression cloudy, but eventually he too got to his feet.
"I will take you there."
Back outside of the hut, Aang looked around for Appa and Xing Ying. He felt the scrutinising stares of two women who stood nearby, their faces close as they whispered to one another, not bothering to hide the fact. Rubbing the back of his head avoided their gaze, looking about the village center for signs of the large furry bison. Hakoda tapped his shoulder and gestured for him to follow, and the pair trudged through the snow to the edge of the village, Aang's stomach somersaulting the entire way.
Appa was finally found outside of a small hut, sniffing distastefully at the seal jerky that had been offered to him. Nutha stood with her hands on her hips, scowling whilst Xing Ying stood uncomfortably nearby, red in the face.
"What's the problem?" Hakoda asked as they got close. Nutha flashed him a glare.
"Well, you said feed 'em. But what am I suppose to do when none of them will eat meat?"
"Where's Yuva?" Aang asked as he approached Xing Ying, who seemed overcome with relief to see him once more.
"Oh, she's round the back," she replied. "We, uh, we had to tie her to the porch." She said this last bit with half a cold look towards Nutha.
"Why don't you give them some seaprune soup?" Hakoda said. "Look, Aang and I may be gone for a while, so they're going to need something."
The scowl fell from Nutha's freckled face, and she looked with disbelief between her Chief and the Avatar.
"You're going back to see that horrid spirit?" she asked. "Why? It wanted to talk to the Avatar alone, why are you going with him?"
"Because I need to," Hakoda replied. Natha turned her glare back to Aang.
"You better not let anything bad happen, like last time," she growled.
"Koh is a reasonable spirit," Aang assured, though he was not at all certain of that anymore. "Nothing bad will happen, you have my promise as the Avatar."
Nutha scoffed, making it very clear that to her that meant very little, as she disappeared into her hut.
"Should we bring Yuva?" Xing Ying asked, gingerly picking up the seal jerky and moving it away from Appa.
"No, I need you to stay here."
Xing Ying shot him a hurt look. "But-"
"This is too dangerous," he interrupted quickly. "I need you to stay here and look after Yuva."
She looked for all the world like she was about to argue, a slight frown forming on her forehead, but as her eyes darted back to the house her shoulders sagged and she sighed, nodding.
"Thank you." Aang turned to Appa, before jumping onto his back, reaching a hand down to help Hakoda climb up the bison's side. "Look, I know it sucks but maybe this will all be over soon."
"I hope so," Xing Ying replied. "Don't be too long, I don't think that girl likes me very much ..."
"I wouldn't take it personally," Hakoda said.
"We'll be back soon," Aang assured. "Appa, yip yip."
With a grunt the bison beat his larg tail and took to the air, the snow billowing out below them. Xing Ying shielded her face, then watched them go with a certain sadness. Hakoda leaned forward, but not before casting a last curious glance back at the Acolyte, and pointed south east. Aang steered Appa in that direction, leaving the village behind them.
They flew in silence, Aang looking ahead of him as his heart pounded. After months of searching, months of sleepless nights and nightmares, of pain and frustration, he was finally going to come face to face with Koh. He would get his answers, and he would be able to stop the world from tearing itself apart. With a jolt he realised his nightmares would stop. He'd never have to witness the world end over and over again, living his failure each night, seeing Katara lying lifeless on the ground. He could focus on the Republic, his friends ... he and Katara could be together again. He'd ask her to marry him, perhaps. But that came with it's own hurdle, one that sat behind him on the bison.
"Just over there."
He was roused from his thoughts by Hakoda pointing past him to an area just on the horizon. He felt Hakoda physically shudder beside him, and looked back to see the man looking pale and sick.
"Are you ok?"
Hakoda glanced back at him, frowning. "You can't feel that?"
"Feel what?"
Hakoda just shook his head, and gestured forward once more, and dragging his eyes away from the uneasy Chief, Aang looked ahead. Before them was what looked like a large circular dip in the snow, an area of land surrounded on all sides by steep hills of rock and snow. It was an unusual feature to find in the desert, but what really stood out was the deep inky cave mouth punched into the further side, and Hakoda shuddered once more. That's it, Aang thought to himself. That's where I'll find Koh. With another yip yip he shook Appa's reins and the bison dipped and turned, aiming for the center of the bowl.
Aang quickly jumped from the saddle as they landed, careful to position Appa far back from the mouth of the cave. Hakoda was looking all but green now, his posture tentative and his hands shaking. Aang could feel a presence here, an almost spiritual essence, but it wasn't affecting him quite like it was Hakoda, like he imagine it was affecting the other villagers. Koh was trying to keep people away, and that thought alarmed him immensely. When was Koh ever willing to pass up the opportunity to take a face, let alone avoid one from coming to him.
"You need to stay out here," Aang instructed, patting Appa's head and looking up at Hakoda. He could see the man try to formulate an argument in his mind, but with another worrisome glance at the cave he conceded and nodded. Aang looked across at the cave, his nerves building and his fist clenched around his staff. Resolutely, he stepped forward.
"Aang?" He paused, glancing back at the Chief. "Be careful." His eyes flickered across him for a moment, before he turned and walked confidently towards the cave.
It was horrific. He may not have felt the presence of Koh like Hakoda and the villagers had, but as he took his first step on the cold dark stone his senses were all but overwhelmed by Koh's stench. It stunk, something that he had not noticed so clearly before. It was like rotting flesh and stagnant water. He immediately felt himself break into a cold sweat as his eyes roamed across the damp stone surround him as the light faded, and as he walked deeper into the cave he couldn't stop the sensation of claustrophobia from creeping in. Despite his desperation to speak to Koh, each of his senses left his heart pounding in his throat, the skin on the back of his neck standing on end. He fought the urge to light a fire on his fist, knowing that if Koh surprised him in his uneasy state, seeing his face, it could mean his end.
"Ahh, the Avatar."
Aang froze, and though it was pitch black he forced all expression from his face. He heard something huge pulling itself across the stone, talons scratching against rock, and thick ragged breathing that seemed so out of place when put beside that silky smooth voice.
"Koh," Aang said quietly. Then, "I've been looking for you."
"And now you've found me," the spirit replied. Aang heard the rasp in his voice. "Though I'm frankly disappointed that it took you as long as this."
"You left me no clue as to how I could find you," Aang replied, forcing to keep his anger from his voice. "Why did you disappear? You cost me, the world, so much time."
At this Koh laughed, the sound high and painful. "I cost you?" He was to the side of him now, and Aang had to fight the urge to light the area. "Perhaps if you were more active and decisive in your role as the Avatar, Tonrar wouldn't have been an issue."
Aang scowled before he could stop himself, he felt Koh move quickly at his left and forced his expression blank once more, though his voice still shook.
"I am not the one that allowed Tonrar to escape the spirit world," he said coldly. "I am not the one who took his face!"
"But you are the one who failed to stop him at the start," Koh hissed. "The one that allowed the tear to form."
Aang took a deep breath. He could feel his anger rising, and though he knew that their futures depending on one another, he also knew that Koh would not overlook a chance to take his face if it arose.
"The tear," he continued. "It happened when Tonrar was dragged back into the spirit world, didn't it? It is here in the South Pole."
"Very good," Koh chuckled. He sounds sick, Aang realised.
"And you know how to fix it?"
He felt Koh's presence close by, the stench rising, and then breath on his face. Koh was inches from him, no doubt trying to intimidate him, but Aang kept his nerve and stared resolutely forward into the darkness.
"Yes."
"Then, why haven't you?" Aang asked. "Why have you let this go on so long? There's a storm across the entire world, and people are starving, freezing, dying. You could stop all of it, so why haven't you?"
Koh drew back, his carapace scratching against the stone as he went.
"As you no doubt remember, I broke the rules when Tonrar returned to my world. Tonrar disgraced himself, he disgraced all of us with his actions and I must admit I was ... angry. Perhaps for the first time in my long existence." More creaks along the rock. "I knew Tonrar could not be held by his own prison, but I also knew that he could not roam free after what he did. So I punished him the only way that I could." Aang inclined his head as Koh began to walk around him once more. "When I took Tonrar's face I knew there would be consequences. Oh yes, I was aware. And I also knew that the way he re-entered the spirit world would creature a fracture between our worlds."
"Then why didn't you do something about it?" Aang demanded.
"Oh, I had every intention to," Koh replied. "But I was hindered. What I did not realise is that there would be something out for revenge, something that would wish to punish me for taking Tonrar's face."
"Innua," Aang murmured.
"Is that it's name? Frankly, I'm surprised such a creature as that even has a name."
"What do you mean? She is human-" Aang was interrupted by a sharp hiss from the spirit, and it sounded disgusted.
"It is not human. Just as it is not spirit. It is half-breed, a violation! Born of spirit father and human mother. Nothing of that nature should exist in either of our worlds."
"Half ... half spirit ..." It was all Aang could do not to gasp. "So, Innua's father ... the reason she's after you-"
"Yes, it wants me to give Tonrar's face back. The face of it's father. It began the hunt for me soon after I punished Tonrar, and so I fled. I fled my realm, the spirit world, and I came here to wait for your arrival."
"But why?" Aang asked. "Why are you so frightened of her?"
Koh was silent for a moment, the only sound being the tapping of his talon and his wet, ragged breath.
"Neither of our world's have seen a creature like this before. It possesses power of which I have never seen before, beyond even that of the Avatar if it learns how to use them. I am weakened by the effort of keeping Tonrar under control, he fights me even now, and I am afraid I do not have the strength to fight the half-breed. This Innua."
"Then let Tonrar have his face back," Aang urged, unable to believe what he was saying. "There must be another way we can stop Tonrar from causing any more suffering? This can't be the only choice."
"No," Koh replied sharply. "I am too weak to return to the spirit world, I cannot allow Tonrar to escape once more into this one."
"But you can't stay here," Aang was finding it harder to keep the frustration from his voice. "This world, my world, is dying! I've seen how this ends, Koh, I see it every night. No one survives, just us. And in the end you will die too." He felt Koh hiss and move closer to him. "Fix the tear. Fix it and I can help you with Tonrar."
But then Koh laughed, a loud merciless sound that sent shivers down his spine.
"No, Avatar Aang," he said. "There is only one way we shall be doing this, and it will be my way. I will fix the tear, as I have promised, but first you must fix a terrible wrong. First you must do something for me."
"What do you want?"
"The half-breed. Whilst it exists I cannot hope to fix the tear. And should it finally be reunited with Tonrar all that you fear will come to pass."
Aang felt the dread and frustration building in his stomach, and his hands began to shake.
"It is time that you put aside your childish rules and morals and realised what you are," Koh hissed. "Whilst the Innua still breathes I will not fix the tear."
Aang felt the colour drain from his face, his breathing quickened. "No ... no, Koh, I can't do that!" In his panic he forgot himself, his face revealing his horror.
"If you don't then everyone you know will die," Koh growled in response. "Your world will cease to exist and you, Avatar Aang, will have been the cause."
Aang shook his head, his body shaking. "But then you'll die too!"
"I die either way," was Koh's simple response. "Kill the half-breed and I will restore both worlds to their former state, and together we find a permanent solution to Tonrar."
Aang stood there, numb. "I can't ..." he ran a hand through his growing hair. "I can't ..."
"You will," Koh snarled, his patience gone. He threw himself towards Aang, his face dangerously close to his. In his panic, Aang stepped back, holding his hands aloft and lighting a flame between them. Tonrar's face flickered in the firelight, lips curled into a snarl, those red eyes glaring into his own. "Or before this is all over, I promise you that there is one last face that I will add to my collection." In that moment, the face changed to that of Ummi, Avatar Kurruk's stolen wife, but it was only Katara's face he could see. Before he could respond, Koh pulled back into the darkness, the sound of his body dragging itself further into the cave echoing around him. Aang stared dumbly into the firelight, the sound of his beating heart ringing in his ears.