Chapter 3: A Nightmare and a Promise

As it turned out, Katara didn't have to go too far while she was searching for Aang. He had spent the night sleeping on Appa. But that morning, Aang was having a different kind of mindset.

He had a nightmare last night which had frightened him dearly.

In his sleep, Aang dreamed that he was facing Ozai himself. And during that battle, he could hear Ozai's voice taunting him mercilessly. As much as he struggled to concentrate, Aang was not fast enough to dodge the cruel Fire Lord's merciless attacks, much less counter them quicker.

"What's the matter, little boy?" sneered Ozai, "You're not even trying. Oh wait, I know why. It's because you are alone."

Aang's rage boiled.

"Ah, yes… and Katara isn't here to save you this time. What a pity. You thought your love for her could defeat me, could you? Well, you're very much mistaken. And besides, she doesn't even LOVE YOU BACK!"

Aang bounded at Ozai's form, trying to get at him, but the Fire Lord disappeared from his reach, cackling maniacally. Aang thrashed again and again, each blow more reckless than before. Each time Ozai kept on reappearing and disappearing, taunting him.

"It's useless, Avatar," Ozai went on, "What a shame. You don't even know what matters most to you now, do you?"

"Stop it!" Aang shouted, but Ozai's words were already taking a toll on him. His fighting posture was growing weaker, and his heart filled with more and more anguish. He gave another swing, only to feel Ozai strike him from behind. Aang fell to the ground.

Ozai laughed cruelly. "You see? A lovestruck Avatar like you has no chance against me! Now sit back and watch as your world burns to a crisp!"

"NO!" screamed Aang.

Ozai laughed again and vanished. The next thing that Aang saw was a fiery landscape. And a skeleton appeared before him. Aang nervously glanced at it. The skeleton was wearing Katara's waterbender outfit.

"Katara…!" Aang felt tears well in his eyes. The person who was most important to him was gone. And it was all because he had let his feelings for her distract him from stopping the real threat. He sank to his knees in tears.


At that instant, Aang woke up, panting. He was very frightened. As he tried to shake his head of the horrible vision he saw, he remembered Zuko's words from last night:

"You need to focus on stopping my father. Otherwise there won't be a world for you or Katara to find love in. Or any of us to live in."

All at once, Aang understood. He was letting his own emotions cloud his goals. And it wouldn't be long until the comet arrived. And what Zuko had told him was true. If he didn't stop Ozai, the whole world would be destroyed. Then there would be no opportunity for him or Katara to sort things out… if they ever would at all. More importantly, his worries about Katara were putting her in danger, too. He knew, then, that if he was going to succeed, he would have to let her go after all. It was the only way to save her. This time he would follow through on Pathik's advice. At this point, saving the world was the thing that mattered most.


Aang walked over to the beach and sat down to meditate again. As he did, tears rolled down his cheeks. He felt ashamed for letting his own emotions put his friends in turmoil, and that was the last thing he wanted. So he was determined to clean his mind of such thoughts.

He barely heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Katara was right behind him. At first, she didn't quite know what to say. Then, she nervously muttered, "Um… Aang?"

Her voice was enough to jolt Aang out of his trance. He had a sense of who it was. But he didn't dare look at her. He couldn't. Especially if it meant he would lose concentration or his own control.

"Aang?" Katara said again.

No, thought Aang. I can't let myself be distracted again.

"Aang, please, I'd like to talk to you."

At that instant, Aang couldn't hold back anymore. "I know exactly what you're gonna say, and you're right. I lost track of what's important. I'm not gonna do that again."

"Aang…" Katara began.

"I need to focus on stopping Ozai once and for all. And I shouldn't have kissed you. Not at the invasion and especially not last night. I shouldn't have even brought it up with you either. And I won't do so again. I understand if you only think of me as a brother. I've been such an idiot, and I don't wish to disappoint you again."

"Aang, please, calm down and listen to me."

Aang went silent, but still he didn't dare glance at Katara. He couldn't bring himself to, for he felt unworthy of her.

"Aang, look at me."

Slowly, Aang turned to face her. When Katara saw his face she could see that his eyes were stained from crying. She hated seeing him like this, and it pained her even more to know that she had hurt him so badly.

"I was the idiot last night. I'm the one who should apologize."

"No, it was me," Aang began.

But Katara didn't even bother letting him finish. "Aang, I didn't mean what I said last night, and I'm sorry for hurting you so much. I know it's been hard on you. That's why…"

Aang put on a brave face. Whatever Katara had to say, he would listen. And he would accept. It was the only selfless thing he could do.

After a moment, Katara finally said, "That's why I want to make a promise with you."

"A promise?"

"Yes," Katara answered. She took a deep breath and said, "Please come back alive. I don't want you to get killed by the Fire Lord."

"That's not gonna happen, Katara," Aang stated calmly. "I will take him down. And I will come back alive—no matter what."

Katara smiled softly. The sincerity of his words meant a lot to her. Still, there was more she wanted to say to him. She wanted to tell him what she was really feeling—the trauma she experienced the fateful night Azula struck him down, how she feared for his life so much… how much she had grown to care for him… and a reassurance that, no, she didn't really consider him a brother. She felt far more stronger for him than that. But still, she couldn't bring herself to say it. It would only distract him. Even so, she did not wish to cause Aang anymore anguish. The trauma of the play from last night and their discussion had already done that. She wanted him to know she was still open—but just not right now.

"One more thing," Katara finally spoke.

"Yeah?" Aang asked.

"I can't exactly say when I'll be ready to talk about our relationship… but if we come out of this alive, maybe we can. I just need time to think about it first. Okay?"

Hearing this, Aang knew that he couldn't say no. He would do anything for Katara. He loved her too much. The weight of anguish he had felt from last night seemed to have gone a bit, and he was glad that she was willing to consider his question.

"Of course, Katara. I can wait." Aang answered. "You take all the time you need."

"Thank you, Aang. I appreciate it." Katara replied.

"No, it's best that I thank you." Aang replied. "Thank you for reminding me of what's most important."

There was a brief silence between them. Aang gained his feet and was about to walk back, but then he saw Katara had gained her feet as well.

"Aang, come here," she said, extending her arms.

Aang slowly approached her, and she hugged him. And as she did, she felt tears spill down her face and onto her shoulder. She still felt very worried for him, and regretted not saying more. But at the very least she had gotten through to him. She remembered that Aang needed positive reinforcement to keep him going, and while she regretted not being able to do more than she had, at the least this was a start.

After they parted, she looked at Aang's face. It looked very calm and peaceful again. No words were needed. He understood. After a pause, he stated, "Maybe we should get back. Zuko's probably waiting for me."

"Okay," Katara agreed.

All the rest of that day, Aang tried his best to focus on his duty and clear his troubled thoughts. At the very least Katara had motivated him again… this time with a promise. He would fight Ozai, and he would win. Not just for the world's sake, but for Katara's as well. Remembering their talk that morning, he felt brave and confident again. That made Katara hopeful, too.