The next few weeks went by quickly, and Aang's recovery was going nicely. There was no pain, the stitches were removed, and now, after his final visit from the doctor, he was free to do what he wanted. That night at dinner, with his parents, he thought about the next course of action. He knew it would not be long before his father left to track down Azula. Hell, for all he knew that could happen tomorrow. He had stalled his father's departure for as long as he could, but there was no denying that he was fine.
They were having the vegetarian linguine he and his friends had made after being reunited with Suki. Quickly it had become a favorite of his because it reminded Aang of the bond they forged together. Plus it was extremely tasty.
It was hard to believe how the year was going. Junior in high school, with a steady girlfriend, a sister, and his parents. Not to mention the friends he had made along the way. Even that girl ,Toph Beifong, had warmed up to him eventually. Since they were stuck in science together for the remainder of the year, and had one more to go, it made sense to get along. Turned out she was pretty sweet, in her own way. But she really needed to stop punching people just to show 'affection', but otherwise she was nice.
In fact, them, Sokka, Suki, and Katara were going to see the movie How To Train Your Dragon 3 at the theater the next night. Thinking about the latter of the group made his heart thump harder. It also...saddened him. She has had so many traumatizing experiences growing up, it made him yearn to be by her side once more. They had exchanged phone calls and texts, but it wasn't the same thing as laying next to the person you were in love with.
Protecting her was the most important thing to him. Aang wasn't going to let anyone else hurt her if he can. Knowing that there are still things he couldn't stop from happening, it nevertheless made him determined to try. Katara deserved all the happiness in the world to make up for the bad memories.
For a while nobody spoke, forks clattering on the plates. The atmosphere should have been peaceful, but there was a tension in the air that made Aang's hairs stand up on his arms. An almost electrical vibe he got from his parents. It made eating a little difficult, but he managed, still in love with the flavor.
It was about twenty minutes later when the bombshell fell.
"I'm heading out in two days," Josh said without preamble.
Aang looked up in shock. No one had informed him about his dad leaving so soon. From the downcast look on his mother's face, it was clear that she had known...and decided not to tell him. Anger simmered in his chest, but he took a deep breath to calm himself. Ranting at Josh wasn't going to help the case.
"Dad, are you sure?" he asked softly, bitter at the thought. He didn't want his dad to lose his life, not after having been back for so short a time. Azula would kill him before he ever found her and there was no telling how many more people were going to suffer afterwards. Aang had to go after hr himself; he would die willingly if it meant protecting those he cared about. But not until he brought the woman to her senses...or end this whole thing once and for all.
Josh looked him in the eye, sad but determined. "Yes, son. I leave before dawn."
That didn't give Aang much time. Knowing his father, he was going to be gone before him or Linda woke up. He was an early riser himself, but his dad preferred the time before the sun was even up. The first light of the dawn always woke him after. Who knows how far Josh would be by then?
No, for once, he had to be up and out before his dad. Luckily there were a few things he had already prepared for the trip, knowing where to start. But it still irked him that his plans were being put into effect much sooner than it was hoped. On the other hand, it would be better to go sooner, to get the confrontation done with.
Overall, it didn't hurt his plans, making his resolve stronger than before. There was no time to lose. Instead of throwing a tantrum, knowing that it wouldn't work, Aang bowed his head and said, "Be careful."
Josh reached over to grasp his shoulder, offering a half smile that didn't quite his darkened eyes. "I'll be back before you know it, kiddo."
Somehow that only made the hole in his chest widen, a gaping blackness that nearly consumed his heart. But he managed to beat it back as he stood up, saying, "I know." Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his mostly finished plate of food and announced, "I'm going to get some sleep. School in the morning."
It wasn't a lie, per say, since tomorrow was Thursday, and if things were going to go as planned, he had to make certain his parents didn't catch onto them. Good thing he was prepared; he had always been organized when it came to trips, no matter where they were going. The only thing he couldn't do was say goodbye. That was Aang's regret: Not being able to wish his family and friends farewell. The one person he was going to miss most was Katara.
His girlfriend, the one person he had given his heart to, was going to be devastated when she found out he had gone alone. Katara had said they would fight his enemy together, but she didn't need to lose her life in the process. She had a life here, even before he had arrived, and if he died in the coming battle, at least she would be safe.
Katara deserved all the love in the world, especially after what had happened between her and Jet. Maybe, if he didn't make it, she could find love again. There were plenty of young men that would cater to her every whim. The thought of her with someone else, though, made his throat clog up and eyes teary. Laying on his bed, breaths coming in heavily, he cried unto the blanket, muffling the sound with his forearms. After a long time of weeping, he fell asleep.
(***)
The day started out normally, though it was difficult to hide his sorrow from his friends. Aang knew he had to leave soon enough, but he made the best of the day as he could. Katara seemed to sense that he was feeling down, and had commented on it during lunch. He had simply hid his pain and kissed her cheek, relishing the feel of her skin on his lips.
"I'm okay; I just had a rough night."
She didn't looked completely appeased, but had dropped the subject, understanding that he would come clean when he was ready. But he knew there might not be a chance to tell her everything. Heck, he may not come back alive after tonight.
It was time to begin tracking Azula as soon as school was out. Haven driven himself to school that morning, everything he needed was in the trunk. There was no going back now. One way or another, he was going to confront the painful memories of his past, face to face, until one of them fell.
There was something off about today, though. Someone was missing. He didn't see Toph at all that day, and it bothered him. They weren't the best of friends, but they were becoming acquainted, though it took a while for him to get used to her "affectionate" punches. The first time she did that, it had left a bruise on his bicep. For someone partially blind, she had a mean right arm.
It wasn't until they were let out that he became more alarmed. Police officers were parking near the front, coming out of squad cars and stopping the teens dead in their tracks. But what really surprised him was Mr. Beifong, coming out of a luxury car and coming towards his group, looking around as if trying to spot someone.
With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Aang thought he knew who the man was searching for.
Mr. Beifong made it to them and demanded, "Where is my daughter?!"
Katara squeezed his hand as he jumped, as he remembered what Toph had said about watching the news. She knew he had been kidnapped, but didn't know the full story of what had transpired afterwards. Aang hadn't been ready to say anything about it yet, wanting to just move forward.
But now he was beginning to regret not saying it to her...
"We haven't seen her, sir," Sokka said, staying close to the couple in a protective stance, Suki following his lead. He must have sensed the worry coming from Aang, as the younger teen thought about what this could mean. It was true she didn't really like school much, but she had never skipped, as far as he could tell.
Mr. Beifong pointed finger at him, sneering, "I'm not talking to you, boy. I am speaking to this lowlife." He glared at Aang, as if it was his fault Toph had disappeared. Lungs that felt too tight had a hard time getting air, and Aang was terrified. Not of the man before him, but of his new friend's safety.
Katara jumped to his defense. "Aang has nothing to do with her disappearance," she protested loudly, and it became obvious that the other students were watching them, making him feel queasy.
"Maybe not personally, but I know he was kidnapped some time ago, and whoever had him now has my daughter."
Sokka intervened, stating firmly, "There is no evidence of this, and even if these people did take her, it's not because Aang wanted it to be."
He appreciated his best friend coming to his aid, but the more he thought about it, the sicker he became. If Azula had gotten a hold of Toph...
Mr. Beifong looked ready to throttle them all, but he leveled his glare at the one he believed to be the cause of his grief. "If anything is done to her, you will be sorry you ever came here." He stalked off without another word, leaving the group shaken but resolute. Aang, however, felt like the ground had crumpled under his feet and it was all he could to prevent the fall.
Katara looked at him in concern. "Aang, don't listen to him. We'll figure this out, together."
He looked at her, remembering what he had told himself last night, that he had to take on this fight alone. The idea of her or any of the others getting hurt made his chest constrict. Feeling like he was drowning, he murmured, "I need to be alone, Kat."
Although she looked a little hurt, which made his feeling of guilt grow, there was also understanding in her eyes. Giving his hand a squeeze made him feel marginally better as she said, "Call us if you need anything. Alright?"
Aang nodded, pulling away and getting in his car, leaning against the seat once inside. Heart thundering uncontrollably, he thought about what do to. It was obvious who had taken Toph, but to think she would aim for someone so high was unusual. Azula, from his experience, would only go for less, harder to find victims. It didn't seem to suit her style, kidnapping someone so well-known here.
Unable to sit around any longer, thoughts buzzing like a nest of wasps, he started the car and left the school, wishing this wasn't happening but grim in the fact that it was. His life had been turned upside down since the kidnapping, and this stupid bitch didn't know when to let up. But at long as she was at large, more people were going to get hurt because of her obsession.
It wasn't long until he made it to the park and sat there, looking at all the happy people playing and enjoying the sunshine. Aang wanted to get out of the car, but the thought of putting innocent lives in danger make he think otherwise.
It was the sound of his phone going off in his pocket distracted his thoughts. Puling it out, he noticed it was an unknown video chat, though he couldn't recall who would bother him in this was. But there was something ominous about the chat, the number notwithstanding. It was the timing that stood out more. Unsure, he answered, and was rewarded with a grim scene.
A basement of some kind featured in the chat, dim lighting barely illuminating the room, with a singe chair in the middle. In that chair was none other than Toph herself. She was struggling against the ropes that bound her, a gag in her mouth. The semi blind girl was grunting, though it was indecipherable. Aang felt his stomach bottom out.
The woman that was with her made no effort to hide, grinning like a lunatic. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Azula."
She pursed her lips, looking bored, but the look in her gaze was chilling. "Don't use my name, boy. Don't forget who owns you."
It took every shred of self control not to scream when he said, "I don't belong to you, Azula." Reigning in his anger, he added, "Let Toph go."
She sneered at him from the phone, eyes glinting cruelly as she wandered over to Toph. A long finger caressed the younger girl's cheek, making Aang feel bile rise. Azula said, "I don't think so, Aang. In fact, she's just unique enough to keep, don't you think?"
"She has nothing to do with this. Our fight should stay between the two of us."
Azula laughed lowly, touching Toph's black hair. "Oh, I have every intention of fighting for you, love, but it wouldn't be much fun unless a challenge was involved."
Cold dread coated his stomach when she pointed to a pipe stuck behind her, and it was just now he noticed how damp the floor seemed. Heart pumping with fear, he swallowed hard, knowing what this "challenge" was going to involve. He murmured, "You can't be serious."
She smirked widely, like a cat about to lick the cream. "I'm dead serious," she said cheerily, which only made her scarier. "Yes, I know you have a fairly large fear of water, Aang. However, I won't simply drown the girl; I am willing to give you a sporting chance."
Yeah, when pigs flew. Azula and her games; both were becoming more erratic with time, and he knew she wasn't in her best mindset at the moment. But he also knew that she would do anything to take his life, whether it be as a slave or killing him.
Knowing the time had come, he whispered, "What is it?"
Azula seemed pleased by this question, as if knowing it was coming. "Simple: Find Toph and release her before the waters are too high. The escape route..." She pursed her lips on mock thought, making his skin crawl, before shrugging, "I seemed to have forgotten." Looking into his eyes made chills run down his spine. "I'll give you a clue, though, as to where Toph is sitting."
He nodded bleakly, knowing that this wasn't going to be as easy as she made it out to be.
Azula cleared her throat dramatically, enjoying the moment, then said, "A wide canal, a low dip, a cage awaits, under long strip."
The riddle was confusing, but before he could blurt out what the heck that meant, numbers popped up on his screen: 03:00:00.
It was a timer...which would mean the end of Toph's life or her salvation.
"When this chat ends, the timer begins. You have three hours to save this girl, or die trying. You better think fast, Aang, if you have any hope to save her."
The screen went dark, but the timer remained, which began to tick down. Heart thundering, he stared, hyperventilating as the implications set in. Toph was going to suffer because of him. Azula knew he would try to save anyone, including those he had come to care for.
In less than three hours, Toph Beifong, someone he saw as a friend, was going to die in a watery grave unless he conquered his fear and saved her.
If only he knew what the riddle was talking about...