Well, this was not good. Aang had a shattered ribcage and had just been diagnosed with a rare form of tuberculosis.
"B-but the Fire Nation is two days away!" Katara cried. "How much time does he have before…well, you know…?"
Iroh sighed. "Eight days. Which means you'd best be going."
"I…can't," Katara said. "If I were to go, and not make it back in time, then I'd never get the chance to—to—" Tears flowed down her cheeks as she spoke.
"I understand, young Waterbender," replied Iroh. "But the only other one in your group who is capable of this journey is—"
And then, Katara and Iroh spoke in unison.
"Sokka."
"—Zuko."
"What!?" Katara protested. "With all due respect, sir, Zuko can't possibly make that journey. He's the ruler of an entire nation. And Sokka is Aang's best friend. He'd never let Aang down. Not even if he tried."
"Zuko has access to all the finest airships money can buy," Iroh countered calmly. "And there are plenty of advisors, including myself, who are more than capable of watching over the Fire Nation in his absence. I think it's best that my nephew go to obtain the Avatar's cure."
"Are you…doubting my brother?" Katara asked. "I won't hold it against you if you are, but—"
"No, of course not," Iroh said. He paused in thought for a moment, before comic up with a solution. "Maybe both of them should go."
"Hmm…" Katara pondered this. "Maybe you're right."
And so, supplied with an airship, Sokka and Zuko were ready to travel to the remote lands of the Fire Nation to save their friend. They left at noontime, taking to the skies of the northern Earth Kingdom.
Sokka held the map and sighed, rubbing his temple. "How tall is Mt. Wu Xing?"
"Twenty-five thousand feet," Zuko replied sullenly.
"Gee, I'd hate to have to do their laundry!" Sokka joked.
Zuko was not amused. "Aang is days away from death, and you're making jokes? What's wrong with you?"
"Just trying to lighten the mood, Mr. Sourpuss." Sokka shrugged. "It's all I can really do to keep my composure. I'm just as upset as you and Katara are, but I'm not an emotional wreck, like she is, or a grouch, like you are."
Zuko nodded. "You're right. You're a buffoon."
Back home, Aang was still fast asleep. Katara sat on his bed next to him, watching over him like a hawk.
Aang twitched, moaning in discomfort as his face contorted into a frown. Clearly, he was having a nightmare.
All Aang could see was red. Bright red.
He felt himself heaving, vomiting without control. He watched in terror as the putrid substance left his mouth, entirely purple. Purple. Now, purple was all Aang could see.
Purple…and then white. A bright, white light.
Am I…dying? he wondered, stricken with fear.
And then, he saw a fuzzy image. Katara…crying?
Sokka, Suki, Zuko, and Toph could also be seen, weeping, but none more heartbreaking than Katara's sobs.
And then, the most terrifying thing Aang had ever seen in his entire life.
Himself. Lifeless, eyes closed, in a coffin. Dead.
He wanted to scream, say he was still alive, but he couldn't. Couldn't move, couldn't do anything.
And then, the coffin lid slid closed…
So yeah. Sorry it's been so long, guys. I hope you enjoyed, and remember, I own nothing! Well, I guess I own the plot, but other than that…
