Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender
Katara brought her attention to the car finally after minutes of blurred chaos. She was now sitting in the backseat of Iroh's red Subaru station wagon wedged between Azula and Aang. Zuko was in the front seat, screaming incoherently to no one in particular. Iroh remained calm and drove safely but with much determination. To Katara's left was Azula, with a serious look on her face but not an ounce of worry could be seen. To Katara's right was Aang, who wore a permanent scowl but tightly held onto the waterbender's hand. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins like a live wire. Her survival instinct only increased as she felt her boyfriend's hand go limp in her hand.
Katara yelped, "Aang!" As soon as she uttered those words, Aang's eyes glowed white for a few seconds, and then nothing but silence. Confused, Katara could only sputter helplessly, "I..I don't..Aang." Iroh chimed in from the front seat to help ease her strife, "Seems like he's gone into the Spirit World, dear girl. There's nothing we can do but ride it out and keep his body safe." Katara furrowed her brow as she thought about what Iroh had just said. She was even more confused. Simmering fear stayed inside her as she only managed to whisper to no one in particular, "Oh, Aang, where are you?"
Katara held securely onto Aang's limp shoulders as the car skidded to a halt. In the darkness, Katara squinted in order to make out where they were. This was a place that she had never visited before. Iroh parked the car, which was a few miles away from a murky, dark blue lake. She continued to clasp Aang's hand, looking over his unconscious body and out the window. A car pulled up that she recognized as Suki's car, green and compact. Hope fluttered for just a moment as she saw Suki, Sokka, Toph, Mai, and Ty Lee exit the vehicle. "Maybe this will be okay," she thought.
Iroh's voice snapped Katara back to the reality of the situation. "Katara, I need you to stay here and protect Aang while I look for Hakoda and the others. Toph will go with the rest of your friends to infiltrate the bunker, preparing for Aang's arrival. Hopefully he returns soon," the old man said with a serious tone. Katara solemnly nodded and exited the car, shielding the view of Aang from outsiders.
Katara wondered for a moment why Azula wasn't staying but then remembered that if they had to face firebenders and potentially Ozai, she's someone you want on your side. As far as Katara knew, Azula and Iroh were the only firebenders to generate lightning. She had seen Iroh teach Aang how to redirect lightning before, but never to create it. In a flurry of yells and shuffling feet, Katara watched as her brother and her friends ran towards the ominous lake. She knew the bunker was hidden beneath the earth, and only hoped that they could return safely.
Time seemed to be passing slowly for Katara, who was standing defensively and rotating her head every few seconds to look for danger. Every second she felt her heart beat faster and faster. She was completely in survival mode as one of her hands grasped firmly to her water pouch. After what had seemed to be hours to Katara, in the corner of her eye saw a shadow that caused her to flinch. Upon closer inspection, the shadow had a human figure with amber eyes. She inhaled sharply through her teeth as she opened her pouch and withdrew the water with her hands. The figure began to run closer to her. Katara glanced over to a still unconscious Aang before turning towards the figure, running towards them in order to protect Aang.
She stopped firm as she twisted her torso, then forcefully pushed the water coating her hands towards the figure. The water formed a whip that cut the unknown person on the face. The figure yelled in pain as fire emanated from their hands, the glow of the fire illuminating their face. As Katara bended water from her hands and doused the fire, Katara scowled at realizing who this person was, which only fueled her fight more. Katara grunted as she bended shards of ice towards him, "What's wrong, Zhao? Ozai doesn't trust you to pick on someone your own size?"
Zhao chuckled darkly, as he burst flames which melted away Katara's counter ice daggers. "Whether the Avatar is 80 or 18, still being able to take them down is a great honor." He grunted as he spun towards her, shooting off fire blasts that flung uncontrollably near the car. Katara ran to the car, whipping the flames on top of and surrounding the car with water. Zhao ran towards her, bending a big flame that narrowly missed her, singeing the back of her hair. She yelled and panted, heart pounding in her chest. Her scream delighted him but what he saw next drained all of the color from his face. The glowing Avatar was now standing in front of Katara, scowling, ready to charge at Zhao.
An Hour Earlier
Aang's hand squeezed Katara's as they sped down the highway in Iroh's car. He never wanted to let Katara go, but he knew he had to, especially during the eventual fight with Ozai. When he was struck down on the roof last April, he was still so tuned into Katara. So connected to her that he had lost focus, and as a result, the enemy took advantage. He was holding tight now because in the next few minutes or hours, he would have to let go of all of his Earthly attachments in order to defeat Ozai.
Aang looked up into the darkened sky, sending out hope to the universe that everything would be over after tonight. A bright star in the center of the sky grabbed his attention. Slowly, his eyelids began to become heavy as he felt himself slip out of his body. He looked to his left where Katara should be, but instead, he saw himself slumped over the inside of the car. A familiar voice caught his attention, "Aang, it's time."
A surprised look came over Aang's face as he scoffed at the older man riding a dragon, "Roku, are you serious right now? This is like, absolutely the worst time! I've gotta go back." The elder Avatar frowned with a growl in his voice, "Yes, Aang, I'm very serious. You have something to learn in the spirit world. Something you should have become aware of when you found out you were the Avatar." Aang's mouth opened to speak but was cut off by Roku. "You should know how bending became to be. You need to understand this, for it will make you whole. It could be what saves you in this fight." Aang quietly nodded as he hopped onto Roku's dragon and they flew away, headed for the spirit world.
Aang had only been to the spirit world a few times, and every time was enjoyable, but not inconvenient like this time. Ethereal blues and vibrant greens flowed together as they descended. Shortly, Aang and Roky arrived in the spirit world, where a giant lion turtle appeared in front of them. The gold and green colors on the lion turtle expanded as the spirit grew in size. Aang and Roku were now face to face with the great spirit. Confusion and then recognition crossed Aang's face. He said quietly to himself, "Wait, I remember seeing the lion turtle when I got reiki from Guru Pathik." Roku chuckled while putting a hand on his shoulder, "That was a vision of the future, Aang. You were always destined to be here."
Aang's attention was taken from Roku as a distorted voice emanated from the giant lion turtle. "Before humans bent the elements, they bent the energy in themselves. You, Avatar, also have this ability. If you tap into this knowledge, you will bend the energy in yourself as well as others." Aang's mouth was open but couldn't form words as he looked upon the lion turtle with awe. The spirit extended their paw, lightly touching Aang in the center of his forehead. He saw flashes of white surrounding him as the echoes of what could only be described as thousands of voices filled his senses.
The voices chanted gutturally as Aang felt the energy surge within him. The chi was more tangible then before, like he could move it on his own. The voices ceased chanting and then began to speak directly to Aang. "To bend another's energy, your own spirit must be unbendable, or you will be corrupted and destroyed." Aang's focus was being pulled away from the lion turtle and the voices at this moment. His eyes widened at a faint cry that seemed all too familiar. He saw a vision of Zhao attacking Katara. Aang yelled,"Katara! Roku, I have to go." Nodding in agreement, Roku took Aang on his dragon, back to his earthly body. The sight of Katara and Zhao fighting, with a fireball bursting dangerously close to his girlfriend's head, was enough fuel to ignite him.
After his soul entered his body, Aang's Avatar state became activated. He quickly pushed the car door open, zooming in front of Katara within a few seconds. Raising his hand to bend water from the lake, Aang created a tidal wave, falling onto Zhao, extinguishing the giant fireball. Zhao was now concerned, dripping wet from head to toe. Aang was now scowling at the older firebender. Raging with adrenaline and anger, Aang dropped to the ground and spun on his hands and knees, making a giant gust of wind thrust in Zhao's direction. Before Zhao had a chance to react, the wind flew him into the air, where he was knocked unconscious against a tree.
Aang's scowl and glowing eyes diminished after realizing that Zhao was down. His eyes returned to grey as he blinked behind him at Katara. She had a mixture of pride and fear on her face, but no words were spoken. Her fingers squeezed tightly around Aang's fist. Her touch allowed his hand, and then the rest of his body, relax. He nodded in the direction of the lake, "I've got to go handle this. Are you coming?" Without missing a beat, Katara's brow furrowed as she replied, "Absolutely."
The couple ran into the dark night, fears long gone. Their hands finally released from the grasp as Aang kneeled into the sand and saw the metal door leading to the bunker. It was crumpled and open. Katara exhaled deeply and nodded to Aang, who held his hand out to lead her down into the underground darkness. Katara followed Aang as they climbed down a metal ladder before landing in a rock tunnel. Aang bended a small flame in the palm of his hand, looking around them to make sure they were alone. With the coast being clear, the couple forged ahead in the dark tunnel.
Aang and Katara's footsteps stopped abruptly and they froze as they heard muffled voices further down the hall. Aang placed a finger on his lips as he quietly pulled Katara by the hand. The people who were talking quietly finally came into view by Aang's flame. "Toph?" Aang asked, surprised yet relieved to see his earthbender friend. "Twinkle Toes!" Toph said excitedly with a grin. Aang and Katara ran over to Toph, who was standing in a circle with Sokka, Suki, Ty Lee, Zuko, Mai, and Azula. Azula asked with a scowl, "About time you showed up. What, did you fly away to the spirit world or something?" Aang chuckled while rubbing his neck, "Uh, yeah, kind of. I'll explain later." Azula and the group of friends raised their eyebrows at this, but didn't ask for more details as there were more pressing matters at hand.
After a few moments of silence, Aang cleared his throat and continued to speak, "So, Katara and I took out Zhao but I don't know how long we'll have until he returns. Any idea of where Ozai is?" Sokka answered with a frown on his face, "Yeah, Toph was able to sense that he's right in that room," he pointed to a big metal door to Aang's left, "but we were just waiting for you. We don't have reception down here and haven't heard anything from Iroh or my Dad." Aang looked determined as he nodded to Sokka, "Thanks, Sokka. I'll take it from here, as soon Toph bends the door open."
Toph grinned widely as she squatted and with a grunt, scrunched the metal door in her hands. The door crumpled to the ground with a loud clang. Everyone peered into the room to see several men in red clothes, none of whom was Ozai. Toph yelled as she bended the crumpled door and flew it at the men, knocking a few of them down, "He was just here! He must've escaped somehow."
Ty lee cartwheeled over one of the men who emitted a flame from his hands. After standing upright after the cartwheel, she lunged at the man, hitting his meridian points hard and quick with her fingers. Ty lee smiled and giggled at the man's arms and went limp, "What did you do to me?" She winked with a smirk as the man fell to the ground, powerless.
With all of the men in the room defeated for the moment, Ty Lee happily skipped back to the group. A stunned silence at Ty Lee's chi-blocking fell over the gang for a few moments. Breaking the silence, Zuko pointed to the ceiling of the room, which had a metal wheel attached to a small door. The firebender explained, "I think he escaped from there. Aang, some of us can follow you out while the others stay behind and keep these guys out of the way."
Azula, Mai, Sokka, and Suki started running to the hatch but were stopped by Aang, who held up a hand and spoke. "No, this is my fight," he commanded in a stern voice. Everyone in the group nodded in agreement except for Katara. He saw the look of sadness and fear on her face, but he pushed his guilt away. He could only think of Ozai at this time. As he went to reach up to pull the hatch down, he felt a hand on his back. He turned around to see Katara, frowning at him. "Aang, what if..what if you.." Aang shook his head, "Katara, no, I'll come back. Don't worry. We'll graduate and I'll take you on the most romantic vacation you deserve. I love you." He kissed her briefly yet sweetly on the lips. The dazed look on her face made him chuckle for a moment before he became serious and turned towards the metal wheel. "Kick his ass, Twinkle Toes!" Toph yelled. Aang only nodded at Toph as he looked up to the latch. He pulled the hatch down, eyes glowing white. The end was near.
A/N: Thank you all for the reviews! Work and life has been busy and stressful, and action is more difficult for me to write, so it might be another week for the next one. But the next chapter will be the final battle and then it'll all get wrapped up. Stay flamin'