CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

The Long Road to Recovery; and the Short Road to Death

Things were not looking good for either Aang or Zuko. It had been over a week since Aang and

his friends had been plunged into a terrifying and death like drugged coma. The others had come

out of it, but Fire Lord Ozai had continuously pumped Aang full of the stuff to keep him in perpetual

sleep. Zuko had come down with a serious infection from the burns that he had inflicted on himself

when he suddenly exploded into a human fireball. He had a fever and he was delirious; and he was

always boiling in his own skin or freezing so badly that he shook uncontrollably. Kattara had for the

first time failed in her attempts to heal someone who was injured. She couldn't understand or

believe that this had happened; if she had been able to heal and restore Zuko's scarred face why

could she not heal him now?

After much thought about the situation, Kattara came to the conclusion that she was losing her

powers as a Water Bender because of the coming return of Sozin's Comet. "Dammit!" she thought to

herself, she was completely helpless. The only benders in the group now were Toph and Haru; and

while Kattara was glad that they had not lost their abilities she still wished she had hers.

Kattara gently caressed Zuko's and Aang's faces with her fingers. Zuko twitched and groaned at

her touch; Aang on the other hand gave no sign of life. The only way that they knew he was alive

was by watching his chest rise and fall with a slow and steady rhythm. Kattara sighed sadly, she

hated to see people in pain and suffering. Suddenly Zuko began mumbling, Kattara and the others

remembering Zuko's horrific dream where he switched roles between himself and his father listened

intently; but they couldn't hear what he was saying.

Zuko was back home, the home he had known when he was a boy and his mother was still alive.

Zuko was sitting out in one of the palaces many gardens, contemplating silently to himself. He was

suddenly but pleasantly interrupted when he saw his mother approaching him. Zuko sat still as a

stone, when he had finally collected his wits he ran up to his mother Princess Ursa and gave her the

embrace that he had been waiting for years to do. "What are----what are you doing here? What am

I doing here? Where are we?" "You know where we are" his mother replied with a smile. Zuko

embraced her again "This is home, but I don't understand how did we get here? "We are dead Zuko,

this is the afterlife" his mother told him with a smile that was both happy and sad. "Why did you leave

me? Where did you go?" Zuko asked while trying to hold back tears. "Your sister Azula was correct

when she told you that your Grand Father was going to force your Father to kill you as punishment

for his bold and in dishonorable plea for the throne; and for your Uncle Iroh's birthright. I sacrificed

myself for you, everything that I have done I have done for you" said his mother caressing his face. "I

love you too" sobbed Zuko.

"I've been watching you grow up and transition from being a boy to being a man" said his

mother. "I saw what your father did to you those years ago. What you did by speaking against

the general's plan was very brave. I wish that I could have been there for you, and I'm sorry that I

wasn't. "You don't have to apologize" "I know, but I feel like I have too." "You've done some

very bad things during the last few years" said his mother quite suddenly. She wasn't upset but

she had an expression of deep sadness. Zuko didn't know what to say, so he just hung his head in

shame. "You don't have to explain why you did those things, I understand. You wanted your

Father's love. You've also done some very honorable and noble things. I am so proud of you, you

helped The Avatar and you realized that sometimes you have to give up what you want or need

for others. I know that for most of your life fate has not been kind to you, but I know that you are

going to live a full and happy life. I wish I could meet that girl that you are with, she is so pretty and

she is perfect for you. I can't wait to see my grand children." Zuko and his mother shared

a few laughs at this statement. Finally his mother said I must be going Zuko and so should you.

"So soon! But I don't want to leave right now!" I don't want to us to leave either, but you need

to stay in the mortal world. Your time has not yet come, and I cannot journey back with you. I

wish we could stay longer but we must go our separate ways. We will see each other again, I

promise." With a last embrace and some tears shed Zuko and his mother said good-bye.

Zuko suddenly awoke in the embrace of Kattara. "Zuko!" Kattara sighed in relief. "How are you

doing?" she asked. "Considering that I just nearly died, I think I'm doing okay?" said Zuko

attempting to smile, but still being very weak achieved what looked like a grimace. Kattara knew

that he was joking and gave a tearful laugh. "How is Aang? Is he okay?" asked Zuko with

genuine concern. "No, but considering that both of you are fighters I think he will be okay." "He

still hasn't come out of the drugged sleep then?" "No" said Kattara sadly.

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a groan from Aang. "Aang!" cried Kattara

joyfully. "Hey Kattara" said Aang weakly. Kattara kissed Aang but he weakly tried to push her

off. "Kattara what are you doing? We have to go and face The Fire Lord." "But Aang, Fire Lord

Ozai is dead." "HOW?" said Aang attempting to sit up but Kattara pushed him back down.

"Zuko killed him as well as Princess Azula and Zhao." "How?" asked Aang again. "It's a long

story and the details don't matter, do they?" "No" said Aang smiling weakly. "Well now it's time

to be reunited with your friends. Hey everybody Zuko and Aang are finally awake!" Kattara

shouted joyfully.

Zuko and Aang were suddenly surrounded by Sokka and the others. They were bombarded

with many questions, none of which got answered. They were just happy to bask in the glow of

caring friends. This had a powerful impact on Zuko, the people who he had previously been

enemies with were now treating him like he was there friend. Zuko couldn't put into words how

this made him feel so he just stayed silent. After what seemed like forever, Zuko finally decided

that enough was enough. "I'm really tired, so I just want to go to bed." "I'm tired too" Aang agreed.

"We're not tired" said Sokka "were too exited about you guys recovering." "Well I am tired.

Good night" and with that Zuko turned over to go to sleep. However it was many hours before he

finally drifted off.