Hola. I lied, there are actually three chapters after this one :) It gets pretty sad here on out. Not to say that it's not already sad . . . hehe :) You'll have to read on for the surprises. Thank you for reading and for your reviews! I don't own Avatar.

Chapter 26 - MY BABY GIRL

Sokka didn't dare to move. He didn't think he could if he WANTED to. He was still trembling, the shear power of the Spirit's voice thundering through his skull. If he moved, he was sure to be killed by the centipede.

"Don't . . . move . . ." he whispered shakily, fingers digging through the rubble beneath him in a vain effort to stop his quivering.

"Sokka."

That voice was enough to freeze his very blood. It was a gentle voice, soft and caring. It had a cheery undertone, displaying the kindness of the owner. It was a summer song in the middle of winter, warm and soothing. It most definitely was not the voice of the monster.

Sokka's eyes slowly opened. Stunned beyond comprehension, he gingerly pushed his body from the floor, wary of Katara.

He didn't dare look. He couldn't . . . he didn't want to hope . . .

" . . . Sokka."

No, there was no doubt. He HAD to hope.

" . . . Yue . . ?" he finally murmured, dragging his gaze from the blood-streaked floor. He rose his head, staring above him in awe.

There was Yue, hovering with an expression of crushing sadness on her beautiful features. Her lips barely moved in a sad smile, inclining her head in a nod.

"What . . . what are you doing, Yue?" Sokka asked, tears pricking his eyes.

She didn't speak, holding a finger to her lips in a silent plea for no questions. Her glowing body descended to the ground, hovering inches above the blood. She extended a soft hand, gently caressing Sokka's forehead before turning to Katara.

The princess fell to her knees slowly, placing her palm over Katara's belly. Using the other hand to pull the hair from Katara's face, she whispered, "Katara . . . my sister, wake up . . ."

Katara groaned softly, eyes screwing shut even tighter before slowly fluttering open. Her body convulsed anew, causing her to gasp heavily. Her bloodshot eyes flickered, finding Yue.

"Yue?"

"Yes," the princess placed a hand over Katara's cheek, "it's me. How are you feeling, Katara?"

" . . . Tired," she answered, head swaying, "and . . . I hurt. I want to go to sleep."

"You mustn't." Yue's tone was gently demanding.

Katara frowned. " . . . Where's Aang?"

Sokka winced, bowing his head.

"Open your eyes, Katara. You must bring yourself back to your body. You have to remember what just occurred."

Katara blinked several times, confused. Yes, there was something terrible that she didn't want to remember. She would much rather stay in the dark and avoid that particular thought. But . . . Yue wanted her to remember.

Head rotating, she scanned the room blearily, searching for clues. Dead bodies were everywhere, and she just now realized just how bad the room stunk.

Death . . . that sounded familiar.

Her eyes fell on one particular body, lying twenty feet away from her own. She stared, mouth falling open. Was it . . ?

Then came the memories, the terrible, bloody moments of the last battle. Then came all the emotions that shock had shoved from her heart. Then came the realization . . .

That Aang was dead.

She shook her head slowly, lip quivering. "No . . ."

Toph, hearing Katara's one word, clutched her chest as her heart constricted.

"No," she whispered again, "no, no, no . . ."

Suddenly, she was screaming. She was writhing, struggling to get away from her brother's restraining arms. She was fighting with agonizing force, straining against these bonds to reach HIM. She was stumbling, strangled by the weight in her abdomen. She was realizing that she was alone, close to birthing a child whose father was gone.

She was dying inside, and it was torture.

"Katara!" Sokka gasped, allowing his emotions to run free, "you can't—you can't help him!"

"Yes I can, Sokka! I can! I CAN!" She finally shoved Sokka's arm away, staggering as her support vanished. She stumbled her way over to her husband, using every ounce of her strength to hold her body together while she herself was falling apart.

"I can . . . I can . . ." she continued to whisper, dragging herself to his body.

Sokka and Yue watched.

The instant Katara's trembling fingers touched his arm, she recoiled with how cold his skin was. That's not how she remembered him . . . He was always warm. She also didn't remember the expression on his face . . . The expression of fear. He was not one to show his weaknesses.

What had caused him to pass in fear?

Her lip quivered tremulously, fresh tears appearing. "I can't," she whispered, finalized in her words. "I can't help you, Aang . . . I'm useless."

Cradling his head in her arms, Katara shook with sobs.

What had Aang done to deserve this? Certainly nothing. He had saved the world, hadn't he? He had stopped Ozai, saved Zuko from turning into the embodiment of his father, and began the construction of a beautiful new city. He had created peace, and the world loved him for it.

. . . She loved him for it . . .

"Yue," Katara whispered, forehead pressing against Aang's, "can you t-tell me why? You know the Spirits. You ARE the moon . . . don't you know w-why this h-happened?!"

Yue's head bowed. "We have nothing to do with the fate of the world, other than through the Avatar. Humans make their own choice. More often than not, the choice is bad. Only rarely, and may I emphasize rarely, are we able to step in, just as Koh did moments ago."

"I don't understand!" Katara sobbed, clasping Aang's cold hand.

Yue hesitated, downcast. After a slight pause, she whispered, "there is a reason I am here, Katara."

Katara was silent.

"I have brought someone to meet you," Yue continued, folding her hands.

Katara was overcome with hope. "Aang?" she whispered hopefully, head rising.

"No. You have not met."

Katara fell back grievously.

"I assure you. You will know who it is." Turning, Yue softly beckoned to a weathered corner. "Come on out, dear. You are free to reveal yourself."

Sokka's eyes were instantly trained to the corner, mouth agape. Katara did the same, forcing her swollen eyes a bit wider.

A faint glow emanated from that corner, giving away the presence of a spirit. Suddenly, a small head popped from the wall, followed by a luminescent body. She was adorable, obviously water tribe. Her tanned skin was flawless, her brown hair silky and smooth. Her mouth turned upwards in an impish smile, and her eyes . . .

The color of rolling stormclouds.

Katara knew exactly who it was. Her maternal instincts told her. She immediately felt the strong urge to protect this precious child.

" . . . Kya?" she whispered, covering her mouth in surprise.

The girl smiled in a beam akin to Aang's. "Hi, mommy."