Chapter Nineteen
Their footsteps were muffled by the fallen leaves as they walked in silence away from the shore of the island they had just landed on. Zuko was in the lead, followed by the other three. They hadn't said anything since they had left the ship. Uncle Iroh had stayed behind, Zuko had refused to let him come, he said it was too dangerous and didn't want anything to happen to him.
"We're almost there." Zuko said quietly, looking over his shoulder at the rest of them.
They walked on in silence, each looking cautiously around, on guard for any sign of movement besides there own. Katara tried to pay attention but she couldn't help thinking about Zuko. When this is all over I have to leave him. How can I? I can't do it, I just can't. She thought miserably. She sighed and lagged behind the others, not wanting anyone to talk to her at the moment. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the person following her quietly until they were right behind her.
Suddenly a hand clamped across Katara's mouth and her arm was twisted behind her back. She tried to scream but it was muffled and didn't attract the attention of the others, who were already disappearing out of sight over the next hill. Katara kicked back with all her might, hitting the person in the shins. There was a cry of pain and she dropped to the ground as the person released her. She spun around and crouched, waiting to spring.
A Fire Nation soldier stood in front of her, his fists flaming. "I can guess who you work for." Katara spat at him. She kicked out with her leg, trying to knock him off balance. He stepped back so that she missed him and aimed a fireball at her. She tried to dodge but she didn't have time. It hit her in the shoulder, the material of her dress bursting into flames. Katara screamed, the pain coursed through her, nothing had ever hurt this bad. She rolled onto her side, smothering the fire in the grass. She tried to get up but the pain hurt so badly. She felt dizzy and the world swam in front of her eyes.
Before she could recover, the soldier had grabbed her roughly and pulled her up again. "You're going to come with me," he hissed in her ear, "We'll have to hurry, thanks to your scream they'll have released your missing. And don't get any ideas. We wouldn't want you to get hurt any worse, now would we?" He sneered and turned around, half dragging Katara behind him. She jerked her arm back and screamed again, trying to hit him. He sighed and turned back around.
"Guess we'll just have to do this the hard way." He said and before Katara realized what he meant he hit her in the head and she passed out, falling to the ground. He picked her up and flung her over his shoulder, then turned and disappeared into the forest.
"Did you hear that?" Sokka asked, looking back over his shoulder. He though he had heard a sound, like a cry, coming from behind them. Aang and Zuko stopped and turned to look back at him.
"Where's Katara?" Aang asked, looking around. They all looked back and panic began to spread as they realized that she was not there.
"AAAAHHH!" An earsplitting scream shattered the silence.
"There!" Zuko shouted, pointed off into the distance. "It came from that direction!" They all turned and ran as fast as they could towards the spot where the scream had come from. As they ran back down the side of the hill they had just climbed, they saw something on the ground. When they reached it Zuko signaled for them to stop.
"It's part of her dress." He said bitterly, looking at the ground. The grass was blackened in one spot where it had apparently been burnt and a strip of blue cloth was lying next to it. "Fire Nation guards." He muttered, looking around at the surrounding woods.
"Where did they take her? Is she ok?" Aang asked, fear in his voice.
"They went that way." Zuko said, putting into the woods. There was a foot print on the ground there and some of leaves on the near by trees were broken and knocked off from where someone had recently walked through them. "I think they might be trying to use her as bait. To lure us into a trap or ambush us. They won't have hurt her. They need her to help them trap us. Be on your guard."
"How do we know that this isn't a trap?" Sokka said angrily as Zuko started to walk into the woods. He turned back to look at the two boys behind him.
"What are you talking about?" Zuko snapped angrily.
"Maybe you planned this from the very beginning. Maybe you need to Avatar to make this artifact thingy work or maybe there isn't an artifact at all! You lured us here and now you're going to capture us so you can get to Aang!" Sokka glared at Zuko, hatred in his eyes.
"What!" Zuko took a step towards Sokka. "Do you honestly think I would go to the Fire Nation and risk my neck to save you just so I could capture the Avatar!" Tiny flames were springing up in his hands, unbidden, as he spoke.
"Yes! Yes I do! You're just the person who would be crazy enough to do that!" Sokka shouted at him.
"Guys…" Aang started to say, but was cut off by Zuko's retort.
"Yeah, well you would know all about being crazy wouldn't you! You're the dumbest person I've ever met, I can't believe that you actually think I would do that!"
"Oh yeah! Well for you information-" Sokka was cut off though by a giant gust of wind that sent both he and Zuko stumbling backwards. Aang stood there, glaring angrily at them, both hands raised.
"Do you want to save Katara or not?" he asked. "We have to work together!"
Zuko and Sokka glared at each other.
"Come on, shake hands and let's go."
"I'm not-" Sokka protested but was cut off again.
"I said shake hands!" Aang glared at the two.
Grudgingly they stepped forward and shook hands, quickly letting go again.
"I am not leading you into a trap." Zuko said, with as much self-control as he could muster. "I want to help."
"Fine." Sokka said, though he didn't sound convinced. "I don't guess I have much of a choice. Let's go." The three started quickly off through the woods, following the trail of footsteps that lead them towards where Katara must be.
They walked for a long time, the scenery around them never changing. Sokka felt very uneasy. Something just didn't seem right.
"There." Zuko said after what seemed like hours. He pointed through the trees and they could just make out a clearing in the distance. "I see something. That must be where they are."
"Why didn't they take Katara to the temple?" Aang asked. "If they're trying to trap us, especially me, wouldn't they want to be as near to the artifact as possible?"
"I don't know. Let's get closer." Zuko motioned and they crept as near the edge of the clearing as they dared. "Stay quiet."
They looked out between the trees. Sokka gasped at what he saw in front of them.
"That's why." Zuko said in a hushed voice, staring in amazement.
In front of them was a platform made out of stone that was old and cracking. It was set in the middle of the clearing. Woods were on all sides of it except for one. Behind it the land dropped off into what they assumed was a cliff. There were broken columns around the platform that looked like they had once held up a roof but it was long gone. Only the base of what must have been a building was left. A short set of stairs were cut into the stone, leading up to the platform that had once been the floor of the building. It was surrounded by Fire Nation guards and Admiral Zhao himself was standing on the ruins, a smirk on his face. What surprised them the most, however, was what was in the middle of the giant platform. It was a column that looked as if it had been moved there recently. Around it were four smaller columns, each one with something on it that they couldn't see clearly. There was an object setting on the larger column, however, and they had no trouble guessing what it was.
"The artifact." Aang whispered in surprise. It was a large sculpture made out of something that looked like glass or marble. It resembled some kind of animal but they could not have said what. It was very curvy and smooth. It's beauty, though, came from it's most amazing quality. It seemed to be made of the four elements themselves. As the three watched, it seemed to swirl like water, burn like fire, twirl like the wind, and crumble like the earth. As they stared at it, it twisted and turned, changing shape and make graceful movements around itself, always changing yet never quite losing its original shape.
"Wow." Was all Sokka could say. "That has got to be some very powerful magic."
"Yes." Zuko agreed, staring at the thing he had originally set out to use. "But look, Zhao's corruption is taking its toll." They looked again and realized that what must once have been beautiful colors had turned black. Swirls of black rippled across its surface and sent chills through the air.
"He's changing it." Zuko whispered. "To work against you." He glanced at Aang. "Whatever is on those other four columns are the artifacts from each of the tribes. I recognize the dragon statue he stole from me. But the transformation's not complete. Once it is the item will lose all its beautiful quality and be still. Something must be missing." He frowned and squinted at the other artifacts.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Sokka muttered. "But where is-"
"Katara!" Aang cried, forgetting to keep his voice down.
"Shh!" Zuko hissed quickly, glancing at where Aang was looking. They had not seen her at first, probably because they were too transfixed by the artifact in the middle. But now they realized that there was a final column behind the artifacts and Katara was there, tied to it, her hands behind her back. She was glaring in anger at Admiral Zhao who was standing to the left.
"We have to find a way to get to her." Aang whispered.
"And to stop Zhao from getting any farther with the ritual." Zuko added.
"But I still don't understand." Sokka muttered, "Why aren't they at the temple? You were leading us the other way so the temple must be there….right?" He glanced suspiciously at Zuko.
"It is." Zuko gestured the way they had just come from. "I'm sure of it. This is just the ruins of some other building from long ago. I don't know why there here but we have to move fast."
"How can we stop Zhao?" Aang asked.
"Oh, I don't think you can." A new voice came from behind them. The three spun around to see Admiral Zhao himself standing behind them, his hands in flames. "So sorry to beat you here Prince Zuko but I knew you wouldn't be able to go through with this ceremony yourself, and I was right." He smirked at Zuko, who glared back, fire starting in his hands.
Suddenly Aang sprang at Admiral Zhao, surprising them all, and knocking him off balance. He sent a gust of air at him, knocking him forward where he stumbled and fell into the clearing. There was a shout and the Fire Nation soldiers ran towards the woods.
"Well it looks like we'll have to do this the hard way." Zuko muttered. "We might as well fight in the open. It'll be easier to get a good shot."
The three raced into the clearing and, what had been a fairly peaceful scene only moments before, erupted into shouts and fighting.
"Aang!" Katara shouted, as Zhao picked himself up and made a grab for the Avatar. Aang dodged and knocked Zhao of his feet with another gust of wind. Sokka narrowly avoided being scorched by a fire ball that one of the guards had aimed at him. He yelled in rage at punched the guard in the face, knocking him down. Zuko circled Zhao who had finally regained his balance.
"Glad you showed up Prince Zuko," Zhao said sarcastically, "I will get much joy out of beating you and the Avatar in one day."
"We'll see about that." Zuko muttered. He aimed a kick at Zhao who dodged and threw a fireball back. Soon the air was filled with shouts and flames as Zuko and Zhao tried to defeat the other by any means possible.
Aang knocked a guard backwards where he hit his head on a tree and collapsed, unconscious onto the ground. "Aang!" Katara shouted again, as a guard threw another ball of flame at him. Aang managed to dodge but in doing so he was knocked to the ground. The guard pressed his foot against Aang's throat, pinning him down.
"Take that you little- AHH!" He screamed as Sokka jumped attacked him from behind. He lifted his foot to swing at Sokka and Aang grabbed it, hurling the guard into the woods where he lay unconscious like his companion.
"There's only two more guards left!" Sokka shouted.
"What about Zhao?" Aang asked, glancing over at the spot where Zuko and Zhao were still fighting.
"We'll worry about him later. I think Zuko can handle it." Sokka said. "You take that one!" He motioned to a guard behind Aang. He ran towards the other guard, yelling a war cry. Aang flipped backwards through the air, landing behind the guard. Before he could make his move, however, there was a shout.
Zuko had been hit by a blow from Admiral Zhao. He went flying through the air, landing several feet away on his back. He lay there gasping for air.
"Zuko!" Katara screamed. Zhao walked over to him, smirking.
"Well, well. Looks as if this fight is over." Zhao hauled Zuko to his feet. Zuko attempted to break free, kicking out, but he didn't have the energy and Zhao punched him in the stomach, knocking him back against the platform.
"Stop it!" Katara screamed again, tears on her face. Zhao just smiled coldly at her and half dragged the barely conscious Zuko onto the platform next to her.
"Don't worry." Zhao said with a cold smile, "I'll make sure to kill him quickly." Katara's eyes met Zuko's and she stared at him, struggling against the ropes that held her, trying in vain to free herself and save Zuko.
"Come on!" Sokka shouted. He and Aang made a dash for the platform but were stopped by the two guards. Sokka was about to attack them when Zhao spoke.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He said, glaring at Sokka and Aang. "After all, I wouldn't want the young lady to have to pay for something you did." He dropped Zuko to the ground, kicking him in the stomach. Zuko groaned, his eyes closing half way.
Zhao stood beside Katara, his hands burning with fire. She glared at him but he ignored her. Sokka and Aang both froze, unsure what to do next. The two guards they had been about to attack grabbed them from behind. They didn't struggle for fear Zhao would hurt Katara.
"She has nothing to do with any of this!" Aang shouted angrily. "It's me you want. Let's fight it out, just you and me!"
"Oh I will." Zhao said. "But there's something I have to do first." To their surprise he suddenly cut the ropes that bound Katara. She landed on her knees. She stood up quickly but before she could attack Zhao he had grabbed Zuko and dragged him backwards. Katara didn't know what to do. She knew attacking him would only hurt Zuko. It seemed there was no way out.
"You see there is one part of the ceremony that young Prince Zuko has forgotten." Zhao said, a sneer on his face. "It is true that you must have all of the artifacts and that there is a temple on this island. But we chose to come here so you four would find us. Of course you were the bait." Zhao smirked at Katara who felt a deep hatred boiling inside her. "But what Prince Zuko has forgotten, is that to activate the artifact, there must be a living sacrifice. And to turn this object against the Avatar, I need someone from the nation that who will control the artifact." His smirk widened as he say the sudden shock of realization on their faces. "And so, that means, the Fire Nation."
"No!" Katara screamed. She threw herself at him. She managed to hit him in the face before he grabbed her and threw her off the platform to the ground. Aang punched the guard who had him and ran to Katara. Sokka struggled with the remaining guard while Aang helped Katara up.
"We won't let him Katara." Aang said. "I know how much you care about Zuko."
Katara stared at him in surprise. Sokka broke free of the guard and the three rushed towards the platform.
"Fools! Do you actually think you can beat me? Well think again." Katara looked up into Zuko's eyes. The only thing keeping him from sliding to the ground again was Zhao who had a firm grip on his arm. Zuko's half-open eyes met Katara's and he stared at her as if she was the only person in the world. A strange look of peace seemed to come over him as he looked at her.
Katara tore her gaze away from Zuko and looked at Zhao again. For a moment everything seemed frozen. Then she realized what was in his hand. He had a knife.
"I want you to suffer." He hissed at Zuko.
"Zuko!" Katara screamed and she, Sokka, and Aang began to run again. Katara ran as fast as she could but she seemed so far away. She was oblivious to everything around her. All she could see was Zhao and Zuko. The world seemed to move in slow motion. She saw Zhao raise his hand. Zuko never took his eyes of her face but she didn't notice. She was screaming but she wasn't even sure what she was saying. Her only thought was to reach Zuko.
As she watched things seemed to move so slowly. She reached out her hand. If only I can reach the platform, if only I can reach the platform… But then Zhao's arm was moving, swinging towards Zuko. And then, with fury burning in his eyes like flames, he stabbed him.
Katara froze, jolting backwards in complete shock. She stared. Slowly blood began to pour from the wound. A triumphant grin appeared on Zhao's face and he let go of Zuko. He slid slowly down, falling silently on his back, the blood running down his armor and across his hands. He had made no sound. Not when the knife went in, not now as Katara's scream pierced the air.
"Nooooo!" Katara screamed, running again towards Zuko. "Zuko! Please! No!" She raced for the steps but Aang beat her there. He lunged at Zhao who dodged easily, a terrible smile still on his face.
"Give up Avatar." He said. "I have won." Katara ignored them bother and rushed to where Zuko lay. She cupped his face in her hands and stared at him, tears streaming down her face and blurring her vision.
"Zuko," she whispered, "No. Please don't leave me. Please!" Her voice broke. He slowly opened his eyes and his gaze rested on her.
"I'm sorry Katara." He whispered. "I'm so sorry."
She tried to speak, to say that he would make it but already his life was pouring out of him on the crimson blood. She reached for his hand, not even fully aware of what she was doing. Her fingers closed around it, ignoring the blood that smeared against her own skin. She let her head drop, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. She opened them again and looked at Zuko. She reached with trembling fingers for the knife. As she did, however, she noticed something on the ground beside him. She stared at it.
On the ground was a mark. It was carved into a perfectly round circle in the ground, indented slightly. She wouldn't have noticed it at all but there was something familiar about it. At first she couldn't think what. Suddenly she gasped. It was the same symbol from her mother's necklace. As she stared at it, a long forgotten memory slowly began to surface in her mind. Something her grandmother has said about the necklace. A story she had told her as a child. Her grandmother's voice filled her head as she tried to remember what she had said about it. Katara gasped as it suddenly came back to her. Her hand went to the neck lace around her necklace. She ripped it from her neck and stared from the mark on its stone to the mark carved beside Zuko.
"You'll never win!" Zhao shouted at Sokka and Aang, laughter filling the air. He stepped back, easily dodging a blow from Aang. He was not prepared from a blow from Sokka, however, and stumbled backwards. Aang blasted him with air that sent him flying. He landed behind the platform. He stood up.
"You fools! You think that you could beat me? An admiral?" He smirked and took a step backwards, into a fight stance, but he had forgotten about the cliff. His back foot slipped back, sending rocks tumbling down to the valley far below. With a shout he tried to right himself. But it was too late. As they watched, Zhao lost his balance. Slowly he began to fall backwards. Then he disappeared over the edge, never to bother them again.
There was a noise beside her and Katara looked back at Zuko.
"I'm sorry." He whispered again, his voice barely audible and his eyes began to close.
"No!" Katara screamed. She grabbed her necklace again. It was the only hope she had. She closed her eyes for a second. Please let this work! She begged. She plunged the stone of the necklace against the carving beside.
A great wind began to blow. Then there was a flash of light and they all disappeared.
A/N: Whew! That was hard work! I've been writing on this chapter for hours. Hope you like it! I think this may get the record for my longest chapter yet. Don't worry. I'll have the next chapter up very soon! I'm not going to have an epilogue. So the next chapter will be the last.