Chapter 4: Dread and Nightmares

"Ha ha ha aha ha ha – Aang stop!"

"I told you to back off, you didn't, this is your punishment!"

Zuko watched in pure jealousness and betrayal at the sight of his fiancé being tickled to death by none-other than the Avatar, with their bodies laid out on the grassy garden floor. Sure, to anyone else, they just seemed like two teenagers acting like children – forgetting all their worries and just enjoying the moment. If it were anyone else, maybe even Katara and Mai instead, Zuko wouldn't have batted an eye – he simply would've smiled and walked away. However, Katara wasn't just with anyone - she was with the Avatar, her ex-boyfriend, Aang; the same person who only 24 hours ago joked about stealing Zuko's fiancé away from him. The same person who was acting funny ever since he arrived, yet no one seemed to notice. Either he was going crazy, or Aang was specifically singling out Zuko – and for a reason he couldn't decipher.

However, other's opinion of Aang wasn't Zuko's concern right now, not when Aang showed mercy and allowed Katara a moment to breathe – which she instead took as on opportunity to push him against the grass and straddle him, tickling him through his Avatar robes as he now begged for mercy.

"Katara! Ha ha ha aha ha aha ha! S-stop. Ha ha ha ha aha – I-I'm sorry! Ha aha ha ha aha!"

"Nope, you had your fun! Now I'm gonna get my revenge!"

As Katara continued mercilessly tickling Aang, instead of seeing it for what it actually was – two teenagers having fun and acting childishly – all Zuko saw was the way Katara's hands and fingers jabbed against Aang's sides, the way her legs tightened around his waist, the way her grin grew larger at the sight of him, the way he her heat brushed against his groin.

Normally, Zuko wouldn't have noticed such things, even if it was Aang and Katara. However, due to Aang's comments and strangely contradicting behaviour, Zuko couldn't help but feel weary and grow anxious. Surely, Aang had said he was joking when he said he was going to 'steal Katara away from him' – but… the way they had seemingly gone from awkward-broken-up-acquaintances to best friends, all in the span of 24 hours…. Well, simply put, Zuko couldn't help but fear that there was some level of truth in Aang's jokes. Within a day, despite their rocky history, Aang and Katara were already closer than Zuko and her had been for the past month. Though, they were best friends and had dated for 2 years before, so maybe that contributed to their quickly rekindled friendship. Still, Zuko knew he had to be weary.

As he tossed and turned at night, the memory of her fiancé and the Avatar that morning transformed, becoming a figment of his imagination, torturing him in his sleep:

Katara stops tickling Aang. He's breathing heavy while chuckling from time to time. Katara's giggling has yet to falter and her grin yet to fade. She's sitting upright, her legs still wrapped around his torso, her hands resting on his half-covered chest, her eyes staring into his. He starts to sit up, though she doesn't move. Noting their distance, he suddenly stops; his face inches away from hers, their eyes still seeming to be lost in the others. Her grin turns into a soft smile as she leans forward, his hand brushes away a strand of chocolate hair that was touching her cheek. Her smile grows wider, a red tint painted on her tanned cheeks as they angle their faces, drawing in ever closer.

When their lips brush against the others softly, they both hum in content. That is until Aang wraps his arms around the small of her back and pulls her forward – pushing her flush on top of him as they fall back, still lip-locked. Giggling into the kiss at his advances, Katara brushes her hand along his curly dark-brown hair while her other hand caresses the hard muscles of his chest. The kiss becoming more passionate, Katara pulls away to take in a breath, as she does so however, Aang catches her bottom lip with his teeth. Sucking on her bottom lip, Katara feels the heat in her core grow larger and fiercer.

"Aang…" Zuko watches as Katara moans his name lovingly while he stands behind the tree, watching the whole ordeal with red eyes.

His fiancé, his love, was straddling the Avatar. Kissing the Avatar. Grinding against him. Moaning his name… and she was loving every second of it.

As Katara trails soft kisses from Aang's neck to his chest, sucking and biting at the sensitive spots she remembered from their time dating, Zuko clenches his fists in anger. Aang, growing frustrated by the amount of clothing that restricted them, growled as he sat up and lifted Katara's robes over her head. As soon as they were off, he undid her chest bindings and groped her breasts, massaging her left boob, running his thumb over her sensitive bud while sucking and twirling his tongue around the other. Zuko's sudden rage quickly dissipates and melds into sadness when he notices the look of pure lust, love, and longing on his fiancé's face. His eye tears up as she moans his name again.

Zuko thrashes and pants in his sleep, his sweat drowning him in his own anxiety and fear. The images his dread had created becoming too real for him to handle as he feels himself waking up.

As Katara wanders downwards and pulls Aang's pants off, Zuko watches in complete horror when Aang's eyes meet his, staring him down… not in hatred, or confusion, or pain… but in amusement. With a tear running down his right eye, Zuko watches as the Avatar smirks and winks at him before a figure with chocolate skin returns to capture his lips, moaning his name while Zuko watches in complete horror.

Unable to endure much else, Zuko shot up from his sleep, his head thrashing around - hopelessly searching for any evidence that indicated to his visions simply being figments of his dread. Once the familiar décor of his bedroom came into focus, Zuko sighed in relief, his body falling back onto the sweaty covers as he attempted to get his thoughts in order.

Aang and Katara had certainly spent the entire day together – messing about, giggling like children as they talked and pranked the servants – however, they had done just that and nothing else. Zuko had in fact caught them in the gardens tickling each other to death, yet they hadn't done anything his nightmare had suggested – he would know since he secretly watched the duo from a far.

Zuko had informed Aang earlier yesterday that he had called for a meeting with the Generals for tomorrow – one which Aang requested and would be present at – and although Zuko wanted to go through the game plan with Aang, he had to hold his tongue as Aang informed him he had some business to attend to. Not having anything else to do, Zuko told Katara and Sokka that he'd be turning in for the night – it was quite early but Zuko had to keep a tight and strict schedule. He didn't know how long he had slept until his nightmare took hold, but he was relieved to know he was awoken only a few hours before he eventually had to get up. So, he laid back down and tried to supress his concerns regarding his fiancé and her ex-boyfriend, for the time being at least – he had to deal with Amon and the growing criminal activities in the Fire Nation, he could ponder about his love life – or lack thereof – later.

Council Member Zayn shifted in his bed for what seemed like the hundredth time. He had heard a commotion just outside of his room moments ago. Though, it was rather quiet and not too loud, so he just guessed that some of the guards were messing about. I'll discipline them tomorrow, he thought, right now he needed to catch up on some sleep so he could wake up in time for the meeting Fire Lord Zuko had abruptly called for tomorrow morning.

However, as he continued to toss and turn, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, like someone was lurking in the shadows – biding their time, waiting for the right moment to pounce on him and end him. So, finally being sick of the feeling, he decided to investigate as he sat up frustrated and lit a small fire in his hand. As the small source of light flickered in the dark, Zayn scanned the room, panning his hand from left to right as he searched for the evidence his suspicions were truth. Unfortunately for him, as he scanned the room, right before his flame reached the open doorway to the balcony, Zayn caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a red, sickening painted smile lingering in the corner.

His eyes widening in fear, Councilman Zayn intensified the flame in his hand. As it grew larger, the portrait of a man wearing dark hooded robes fell into his eyesight. He wore a ghastly red smile, black-painted eye-patches, white paint all over his face, and red-slicked-back, dyed hair.

"W-who are you?!" Zayn ordered, chastising himself mentally for stuttering due to his fear. "Guards!"

"Oh… they won't be arriving. They're taking a little nap… HA HA HA HA HA!" Came the monster's high-pitched yet raspy and slightly deep voice. His laugh, however, was anything but joyful; more sinister if he was honest.

"Who are you!?" Zayn ordered again, feeling slightly annoyed as well as angered by the unknown man's odd behaviour.

"It doesn't matter who I am… not yet anyway. What matters is who you are, and what you know."

As Zayn stood up from his bed and shot a stream of fire towards the clown, the unknown man leapt over to the other corner of the room. Watching the man dodge the flame effortlessly, Zayn grew frustrated as he shot another streak of flames towards the man – who in response rolled over to the side, now nearing Zayn, closing the distance with every move he made. Zayn continued to shoot flames towards the man, punching and kicking combinations to overpower the clown before he drew too close. However, as the flames approached the man, he stood his ground and unshed his katana. In a lightspeed motion, the man twirled his katana around, creating a minuscule whirlwind around him that deflect the flames. Unprepared for such an attack, Zayn stood in shock as the clown swung his katana, slicing at the wind, thus redirecting the flames towards the unsuspecting firebender.

As the flames collided with flesh, the Councilman felt the skin on his chest being melted away as he screamed in agony while he collided with the door behind him – thus shooting him right through the railings outside his room. When the man was thrown into the living room, the clown closed the distance between them as he jumped down the stairs, landing a few feet away from the Councilman. Holding out his handgun, the unknown man took out a few bullets before he readjusted the clip back inside the firearm.

"Tell me, how many people need to sign off on a document before it is considered law among the Council Members?" The clown asked as he approached the grounded man.

As Zayn sat up slightly, he noticed that the clown looked slightly weaker; he was walking a bit funny, almost as if he was out of energy or was limping. He thought that he may now have a chance to take him on, but noting the firearm in his hand, Zayn bit it lip in hesitation as he opted to rather comply than risk his life… again. "Who are you?"

Zayn's decision to ignore his question greatly angered him, so, he held the Councilman up by his collar as he spoke, "I am Amon… and you will answer my question."

"If I tell you, will you let me live?"

With a smirk tugging at Amon's lips, he chuckled slightly before he retorted, "It couldn't hurt your chances."

Sighing deeply after wiping some blood off his lips, Zayn spoke hesitantly as he answered Amon, "To pass a new law or veto one, you would normally need either 8 regular members of the United Council of Republic City to sign off, or 2 high ranking officials – of which there are three. An Earth Kingdom official, a Water Tribe and a Fire Nation."

"And you are that Fire Nation official if I'm correct?"

"I am."

"Perfect", Amon purred as he lowered Councilman Zayn to allow him to stand on his feet. "I sought out this document from your studies, and I added some adjustments of my own. But that is none of your concern. All you need to do is sign it." Amon stated as he pulled out a folded document from his dark robes.

"I do this, and you'll let me go?"

Amon didn't answer as he threw the document on the floor, "Get on your knees and sign it."

When Zayn hesitated, Amon kicked him in the balls, shattering his testicles as Zayn fell to the floor, screaming in agony while Amon evilly laughed it off.

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA "

"You son of a bitch…" Zayn groaned, desperately trying to overcome the pain so he could be free of this whole ordeal.

Subsiding his laughter for the time being, Amon crouched beside the Councilman, took out his dagger and cut a line across the man's burn chest while laughing uncontrollably.

"Arghhhhh", the Councilman groaned in pain, and grew wide eyed at the sight of Amon pressing a brush against the cut across his chest, drowning it in his blood while he continued to laugh.

Having had enough fun, Amon stood up and threw the blush on the floor and pointed towards the document as he menacingly ordered, "Sign it."

"motherfucker", Zayn retorted as he managed to shift over to his side.

Ignoring the pain shooting across his body for the time being, Zayn gripped onto the brush weakly and began signing – his hand shaking slightly when the brush met the paper. Sighing when he finished, Zayn turned back around and laid on his back, his head staring up at the glassed chandelier directly above him with Amon crouching and retrieving the document as he looked it over.

"Good boy." Amon joked as he pulled out his handgun and pointed it towards the Councilman.

Eyes widening in betrayal, shock and fear, Councilman Zayn dreaded the next few minutes of his fleeting life as he asked, "B-but y-you said-"

"I said it couldn't hurt your chances." Amon cut him off, "Here's the deal Councilman, this handgun holds 10 bullets, there are currently five – each bullet has an empty slot between the other. So, you have a fifty-fifty chance…"

Not wasting another moment Amon pulled the trigger and the gun clicked back. Zayn shut his eyes hastily as he awaited his death, however, it never came. Opening one of his eyes, he searched for a bullet wound around his body, and when he found none, he beamed up at Amon.

"You're a lucky man…" Amon snorted, beaming at the Councilman strangely which made Zayn nervous. As the smile on Zayn's face faded, Amon's grew wider as he began chuckling to himself. "But…" Amon suddenly spoke as he glanced upwards, his smile ever wider before he broke into a fit of laughter after his next few words, "heh… your chandelier isn't as lucky."

Knowing that the next shot wouldn't be a blank, Amon pointed the gun towards the chain attaching the chandelier to the roof and pulled the trigger, thus causing the bullet to cut cleanly through the chain. Swiftly, the chandelier fell and crushed the grounded Councilman who didn't even have time to fear his death by screaming as he met his abrupt end. Unable to hold back anymore, Amon broke into a fit of hysterical laughter as several pieces of glass protruded from the Councilman's face, arms, legs, and torso.

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA…"

"This is a waste of our time."

"No, its not…" she sighed, growing impatient with his reluctance to take this seriously. She had been trying to explain the situation to him for several minutes now, but he had been brushing her off. Something about her fiancé seemed off today; he was looking at her as if she had committed the most heinous crime known to mankind and spirits alike. And although she was patient at first, she was slowly losing it. "Just, hear him out," Katara asked.

Sighing in annoyance himself - with his nightmares still fresh in his mind - Zuko opted to get on Katara's good side rather than frustrate her; which would only push her further away from himself and into the Avatar's arms. He could still smell it, somehow, the sex in the air – the vivid imagery of his nightmare had become an imaginary memory that had now impeded itself inside his mind. And he for the life of him couldn't recover. Still, he tried.

"Go on." Zuko reluctantly agreed, still pinching his nose in clear annoyance.

It was the next morning; Zuko was still fatigued from not getting enough sleep due to his nightmare, his anxiety was still stressing him out despite his morning meditation, and now he had to push the meeting he had set up with his Generals back because Katara had brought him a situation that apparently required his 'immediate' attention.

"Well I-"

"Hey, Zuko. Hey, Katara. What's up?" Came the voice that had haunted him in his sleep.

"Aang," Katara beamed at him as she motioned for him to sit beside her. "You're just in time."

"In time for what?" Aang looked towards her and then Zuko, who just shook his head and shrugged in response.

Looking towards the Avatar beside her, Katara motioned towards the man sitting to her right as she informed, "This is Lenzo, he's gotten himself into a sticky situation…." Narrowing her eyes, Katara shifted to glare at her fiancé as she spoke sternly, "and he needs our help."

Noticing Katara nodding at him, Lezo glanced at both the Avatar and the Fire Lord before speaking – clearing his throat in the process – "I – uhh, I work for the Underground… or – well… I used to…" Lenzo added after he caught the Fire Lord narrowing his eyes and the Avatar glaring at him. "I just did simple work for them, just stuff like handling their money, getting their drinks, driving their chariots, indulging them… and what not." Realising the Avatar and Fire Lord were still glaring at him, he looked towards Katara, concerned. She noticed his expression and hastily elbowed Aang while glaring at Zuko – basically asking the both of them 'I dare you to continue'.

Not wanting to entice the master waterbender's wrath, Aang and Zuko both relaxed – albeit reluctantly – so Lenzo gulped loudly as he continued, "I didn't want to – but I needed the money… I lived on the streets my entire life and after the war, after the economic crash…. Well, I'd be lucky to be able to get a sip of water by the end of the day. That's when they found me…." Aang's eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Lenzo, his feet planted firmly against the stone ground while the man continued, "They told me they'd feed me and pay me for simple tasks. Later on, they told me it wouldn't suffice. That I'd have to do more complicated work for them… that's when they sent me to that address – with a gun." Aang's eyes continued to furrow as he heard Lenzo's story. Zuko began taking more interest as well as Katara – even though she had already heard it – "They told me the lady owed them some money, and that she was a feisty one. That's why they handed me the gun, so that if she lashed out, I would be able to defend myself. But when I got there… she was already dead. I searched around the house for any signs of someone else entering or leaving, and that's when the kids saw me through the window across from the street. I-I didn't know what to do. I didn't go back to the Underground because I-I couldn't find the money. I couldn't go to law enforcement so I… I came here."

Katara didn't notice Aang's glare as she rubbed Lenzo's back in an attempt to calm and comfort him. Zuko sighed in understanding and told Lenzo to follow him into his office, telling Katara to wait with Aang for a while – although he did so somewhat hesitantly if he was being honest as he still wasn't comfortable leaving Katara alone with Aang.

Aang knew something was up with the man but he didn't let on; he could tell Katara was determined to help Lenzo and he figured that if he tried to dissuade her she'd bite back… and he needed to be in her good graces. Zuko could also use Katara's sudden annoyance at Aang to grow closer to her had he challenged Katara, and he couldn't allow that either.

Noticing the airbender deep in thought, Katara ran her hand up and down his arm soothingly as she asked, "You okay?"

Heartened by her concern for him, he simply smiled and nodded. "We'll help him Katara," Aang added, staring into her blue depths as he did so, "Whatever you need from me, I'll happily oblige."

Overwhelmed by his understanding and thoughtfulness – unlike Zuko – Katara lost control as she tackled him in a tight embrace, wrapping her arms around his torso while she dug her head into the crook of his neck. "Sorry… I just… I hadn't hugged you in almost 4 years and…. Well, I just really wanted to."

Chuckling to himself, Aang smiled as he too wrapped his arms around her and held her closer, "Its all good, Kat. I don't mind."

Grinning and blushing at the nickname he used when they were together, Katara sighed happily as she dug her face further into his neck.

Aang smirked as – from the corner of his eye – he saw a certain firebender watching them with envy, wondering when he should walk by and break them apart. Zuko didn't need to though as they broke apart several long seconds later. When he was about to approach them, Aang said something about not having eaten breakfast yet and left for the dining hall, while Katara turned around and made her way across – most likely walking to Zuko's office to continue the talks with Lenzo. He quickly left and made it to his office before her as he didn't want to be caught prying – it seemed like he was doing much of it since Aang arrived. And rightfully so – if anyone was being honest.

Though Aang acted normally around everyone else, Zuko knew the airbender was hiding something – and although Aang wasn't an actual problem as of now, he was always in the back of Zuko's mind. Lurking in the shadows, torturing the Fire Lord with the simple reminder that he was there… watching… observing… with Katara.

"How much longer before we reach Uncle?"

"Only a few more moments." Uncle Iroh answered as he stirred his tea, "Though, I am surprised you decided to show. I thought you'd attend the wedding, but I was sure you'd forget all about the engagement party."

Azula smiled as the Fire Nation came into view, "Well, it was quite boring staying in that insulting, spirit-forsaken, tea butchery you call a restaurant. So, I thought I'd come over and torture Zuzu and his little waterbender for a bit."

Iroh chuckled as he too smiled at the view of his home. However, after Azula's statement settled in, he opted to warn her as she normally liked to hide double meanings behind her words – either that or she literally meant what she said – Iroh didn't know which one was worse in this case. "Azula, teasing is fun and all… but do not do anything to upset your brother. Or his fiancé, she has quite a temper."

Her smile turning into a smirk, Azula simply sighed as she thought of all the plans she had made – both with a certain airbender… and all the plans without.

This is going to be fun, she thought to herself.

Ash;ey Barbosa: I really like a darker Aang and writing him OOC as he has so much potential compared to all other characters. Though all characters are great, Aang's position as the Avatar and the Last Airbender just allows more freedom to work with in canon AU's.

phieillydinyia: I'm glad your enjoying this story so much. As for your questions, I can't say much without spoiling the ending of Book 1 and all of Book 2 so just bear with me. Katara's reasoning for giving in and not fighting back will be explained, and Aang's reasoning for not writing back and abandoning Katara will also be explained. But, I'm pleased to see you like how badass Amon is - yes, he isn't just a mindless villain and his plan is actually more intricate than people think. So, just wait and watch, its about to get heated.

TheQuietReader23: Love your reviews btw, they're great cause they offer so much insight. As for your theories and questions: You're not quite there. Is Amon only after the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation? What does Zuko have that Aang doesn't? Is any of this even important? Think about it - I love fcking with your head though.

one sad kataang writer: Yep, pretty much a dark empath - good observation. I told you Aang would be chad asf and a complete badass. His mind games will only intensify the more the story progresses.