Disclaimer: Nick and Viacom own all things ATLA. The end.
Wow, you guys really like this fan-fic. Looks like I'm going to have to step it up. Well then, I guess the best thing to do is give you a (personal) record breaking length chapter. 3,400+ words. Wow. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 5:
Toph was walking down the street that night. She was wondering how Katara and Aang's date was going. She knew they loved each other, and she knew that they both were dying for the moment after they got permission from Katara's father… that time when they could truly be in the relationship they wanted to be in. It was no surprise then, when Toph saw Katara, with tears of pain in her eyes that she was truly in shock.
"Katara? Katara, what's wrong?" Toph asked.
Katara looked down sadly. "I had to break up with Aang."
Toph stood there, with a shocked expression on her face. She then punched Katara in the shoulder… not in a joking around way, but in a 'You're an Idiot for doing that' way.
"Why the heck did you break up with him? You love him, and he loves you. What's the matter with you!"
Katara frowned. "Come with me… and I'll explain everything."
Toph nodded, and the two girls began to walk down the street, headed towards Katara's cottage.
Painful Partings Pt.1
In Mai and Zuko's cottage, there were unconscious guards lying in every room. In Mai's room, two cloaked men stood. It was the bald guy and the bearded guy who were previously spying on Katara and Toph. The bald guy in the gray cloak spoke.
"Our target isn't here…"
"No, Really? I had no clue." Said the bearded guy in the brown cloak.
The gray-cloaked man walked over to a body of a guard that was lying on the floor. This body was different that the others. This one was dead, and seemed to have died from lack of oxygen.
"So the question is…" Said the bald guy. "Where's our target…?"
The answer was miles away from Ba Sing Se. Mai and Zuko had gotten onto an Eelhound, and were speeded towards the dock were Zuko's small, private boat was.
"Did you tell your uncle where we were going?" Asked Mai.
"He wasn't there. I left a note outside the door explaining the situation. He'll be able to read it when he gets back." Replied Zuko.
"How much longer till we get to the docks?"
"Not too much longer. Just hang on."
Mai obeyed, and the couple continued to race towards the docks. As they traveled, they hoped that Azula was still in the Fire Nation when they arrived. The world's hope for peace had to be kept alive. If Azula escaped the Fire Nation… the world would surely change back to the way it was.
Meanwhile, Sokka, Suki and Iroh had reached their destination. It was a secret house in-between the two walls of Ba Sing Se.
"So… what are we doing here?" Asked Sokka.
Iroh walked up towards the door, and knocked on it.
"Long ago, there was a conflict in which dark spirits invaded the lands. The good spirits of the spirit world passed down a skill to a few select people, to learn how to fight these spirits. They gave them the weapons necessary to defeat the spirits. There is only one person today who I believe can help us re-create these weapons, so that we may rescue the moon spirit."
The door opened slowly. Sokka's eyes widened and he smiled. He bowed to the person who opened the door.
"Hello Master Piando." Said Sokka.
His Former Master bowed to him as well. "Hello Sokka."
"What are you doing here master?"
"When the white lotus members decided to come together, I decided it was time for me to abandon my home in the Fire Nation. I burned it down, so that they could not track me. After the battle when the comet came, I built a house here. It's been the perfect place to meditate." Said Piando.
He looked at the trio and smiled. He then invited them into his home, and led them to a small room, where there was a fireplace, and a bunch of chairs. The four of them sat down.
"So, might I ask why you are here?" Asked Piando.
"I am sure you saw last night the rapid change in the moon, my friend." Said Iroh.
"Ahh, yes. I was meditating outside when I saw it. The beauty of the moon, its completeness, seemed to die quickly. But I looked up and saw the little glitter of the new moon, and knew there was still hope for it. As long as it still exists, anything can be saved, no matter how damaged it may be." Said Piando.
"Master, Iroh told me about the time when the dark spirits came to our lands." Said Sokka.
"Ahh… I see. So you wish to go on a quest to save the moon spirit. That is a difficult task." Said Piando.
"Please master… the moon spirit and I…"
Sokka looked at Suki, trying to say his words carefully, not wanting to hurt her feelings. He was afraid Suki was going to think that he still had romantic feelings for Yue… more than he had for her.
"Have a past history together… I owe it to her to save her."
Suki looked down sadly. Deep down, tried to hide her jealousy. She knew it was her duty to help the moon spirit with Sokka and Iroh. But she had a hidden agenda for being on this journey. She wanted to prove she loved and cared for Sokka more than Yue, and even through this dark time, she didn't want him to forget about his feelings for her.
Piando was quiet for a moment, and then spoke.
"Re-creating a weapon to fight a dark spirit will not be an easy task. The avatar is supposed to be the only one to interact with the spirits. But if it truly is your duty to save the moon spirit… if destiny says you must do so… then I shall do what I can to help you, Sokka."
Sokka smiled and bowed to his master.
"I have some old scrolls from the masters who fought the dark spirits. Maybe we can use them to gain the knowledge to re-create these weapons."
The four began to get up, and as they did, Suki remembered something.
"Sokka, didn't you tell me your father was suppose to come today or tomorrow?"
Sokka face palmed himself. He was so focused on saving Yue that he forgot about his family.
"Sokka, I suggest you go home and tell your family that you will be leaving on this journey. You should also take the time to make peace with your sister." Said Iroh.
"I'll stay here with Iroh and Piando. We'll start looking through the scrolls for information on the weapons."
Sokka nodded and bowed to his master. He then left the house, and ran back towards his and Katara's cottage.
The sun was beginning to rise, as Aang walked down the streets of Ba Sing Se with his head down. Katara had broken up with him, and now he felt empty inside. He felt he had to talk with somebody. He knew that Sokka was probably still mad at him, so he was out. Toph was nowhere to be seen, so he assumed that she was with Katara. Suki was probably with Sokka, so that only leaved Zuko. He walked over to Iroh's teashop, hoping that he and Iroh would be there. But he noticed the shop was closed. On the door, a note was attached. Aang took it off and read it.
Uncle,
I've gone to the Fire Nation with Mai. I can't go into too much detail about it, but Azula has escaped and is no longer in the mental ward.
Aang's eyes opened. He wondered why Zuko hadn't told him about this.
Mai and I are trying to sneak into the Fire Nation undetected. We didn't bring Aang because he might attract too much attention, and Azula might know we are chasing her. It's ok though; you and I both know I can handle Azula. We will be fine without Aang.
Aang took this line the wrong way and assumed that Zuko thought he wouldn't be able to help. Aang suddenly felt as if none of his friends needed him anymore.
I promise I'll get this done as fast as possible Uncle, and I'll be back to help you with your Teashop.
-Zuko
Aang closed the letter and put it back on the door. He sat down on the ground and sighed. He always feared what the future may bring him, and everything he feared had finally became a reality. His lover had left him, and his friends were gone. For the first time in his life… he truly felt alone.
Meanwhile, Sokka had made it back to his and Katara's cottage. He opened the door and saw Katara and Toph, both sad and depressed.
"What happened?" Asked Sokka.
Katara sighed. "I broke up with Aang."
Sokka was confused. He walked over to the two girls.
"Why?"
Katara shed a tear from her fragile eyes. "I found out that I was the reason he didn't master the avatar state. I couldn't let him risk the fate of the world for me."
Sokka's eyes widened. What he had feared about their relationship had come true.
"I want to wait for Dad to get back. I'll ask him to see if Aang can stay in a relationship with me, and still focus on his duty. He'll know the answer." Katara said.
Sokka nodded. "I think that's a wise idea."
He walked over and hugged Katara, who cried quietly to herself. He could tell she really didn't want to break up with him.
"Dad will approve of you guys, I know it. You two are meant to be together."
Katara wiped the tears off her face. "But you said…"
"What I said was wrong. I didn't think things through at the time. But I know Aang will always take care of you and love you for all time. Just as you probably will as well."
Katara smiled. Sokka then got up and sighed.
"I have to leave Katara."
"Sokka, you're not going to interfere with our relationship…"
"No, it's not that… Suki, Iroh and I are going to the spirit world to save Yue. Iroh knows how to get there, and Piando is in the city helping us find a way to fight the spirit who has her."
Katara thought this through for a moment. As she did, Sokka wrote a note to his father, explaining the situation.
"Sokka… do you want Aang to go with you?"
Sokka finished writing and looked at his sister.
"No… this is my duty to save Yue. I owe her and her father that since what happened at the North Pole."
He walked over to Katara.
"Give this note to Dad when he comes, and tell him I miss him and that I'll be back soon."
Katara nodded, took the note, and hugged him. When they finished hugging, Toph walked over and hugged him as well.
"Good luck Sokka." Said Toph.
They finished hugging and Sokka left the cottage. Sokka's words had given Katara the hope she needed in her relationship with Aang.
'Aang can do his duty… and still be with me… I know he can.' Katara thought.
She looked at Toph and smiled. The two sat back down on the couch, thinking through what they should do while they waited for her father.
Zuko and Mai's Eelhound finally made it to the dock. They hopped off of it and took their bags off of it. Zuko then told the Eelhound to go back to Ba Sing Se, and it obeyed. The couple then searched for Zuko's private boat. At last they found it. It was a small boat, with a giant red sail, with a black stripe. The two got into the boat, put their bags in, and Zuko started the boat up. It began to sail across the water, moving quickly away from the dock. Zuko took out a map, and set course for the Fire Nation capital.
"Hey Zuko…"
"Yeah Mai?"
"You never actually went into full detail about why they took Azula out of the mental ward, and I know you were holding some things back."
Zuko sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you."
Not too long ago, Azula was in a mental ward. Psychologists were trying everything they could to help her out.
"Azula, work with us here. We can help you."
Azula stared at the psychologist.
"You're ordering me… ME… to work with you. No one orders the princess of the Fire Nation around."
"Actually… your not a princess anymore. Now that your brother is Fire Lord… technically, you're just the sister of the Fire Lord. You can no longer be called Princess Azula…"
Fury went into Azula. Her brother took away her mother's love, her friends, her nation, her title as Fire Lord… and now… her title as princess. He took it all… and now, she knew he had to suffer.
She broke free from the chair she was in, and shot lightning at the psychologist, right in the heart. She then shot a few other doctors in the heart as well. Panic went through out the ward. Thankfully, the head doctor snuck behind her, and injected medication into her body. She suddenly was tired and fell to the floor.
When she woke up, she saw that chains bound her. She laughed manically.
"So… how many co-workers of yours did I kill?"
"Far too many…" Said the head doctor. "Until we can figure out how to treat you, were bringing you to the royal prison. Maybe you can get a clearer head there."
Azula's eyes widened. "But… you can't put me in prison! I'm royalty! I shouldn't be in a prison with peasants! I… AM… PRINCESS… AZULA!"
She struggled, trying to break free of the chains, but they were too strong. The medication temporarily prevented her from Firebending. She screamed as they dragged her into a small boat, which would take her off the island, and back to the royal grounds.
"I'LL KILL YOU… ALL OF YOU! VENGENCE WILL BE MINE! YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST OF ME!"
She moaned and sobbed hysterically. As her boat sailed away, a doctor near by asked if they had made the right decision. The head doctor ignored him, and began talking with his head of security about how they could make the medical ward safer and more secure…
When Zuko was done telling her everything that was on the scroll, Mai looked down in sadness.
"She's gone insane…" Mai said.
"They should have just increased security at the ward, or sent a psychologist to work with her in prison. They should not have stopped working with her and locked her up. When we find her, I'll make sure that the mistake they made doesn't happen again."
Mai sighed. "I wonder if we should find Ty-Lee."
"Isn't she with the other Kyoshi warriors?" Asked Zuko.
"They're right now in the Fire Nation on a visit with some other prisoners they became friends with at our prison.
Zuko thought about this for a moment, and then nodded.
"We'll ask Ty-Lee for help then."
Aang sat outside the teashop, depressed and feeling alone. He felt as if he lost everything.
"There's no one left… who cares about me…" Aang said to himself.
"That's where you're wrong…"
Aang turned towards the voice he heard. A tall man, in a Sandbender's outfit, was standing near by. His outfit was painted red and yellow, similar to his old Airbender outfit. The usual Sandbender mask covered his face. Aang stood up, confused about what the man wanted.
"W-Who are you?" Asked Aang.
"Someone who's known you for a long time…" Said the Mysterious man.
He walked over to the confused Aang.
"You have many people who care about you, I know it."
Aang shook his head. "The girl I loved left me."
"Katara still loves you, Aang. Don't ever think she doesn't."
Aang's eyes widened. This man wasn't lying when he said he knew him.
"You have more allies than you can imagine Aang. And you didn't make them because you are the avatar. You made them by being yourself, and you've become more of a symbol of hope than any other avatar that existed."
Aang smiled at this comment, as the man continued.
"You must not give up hope for her. While you have won her heart over, the battle to win her over is far from over. You will have to go through a lot to be with her. But, if you care for her, as much as I know you do, you and her will be together, forever. But you must never give up hope, because as she represents your world… you represent her hope for all things good in the world. If you were to vanish… Katara would be forever alone…
"Your destinies intertwine with each other. Neither one of you can feel truly alive without the other. Once you both figure out a way to be together, no matter how far apart you guys are, both of you will always have the other in your hearts… and that alone will conquer any change that may appear to test your love."
The man took out a necklace, which was made out of string. The only thing attached to it was a small, yellow arrowhead. He put it around Aang's neck carefully. The arrowhead seemed to float in the air, as the string was barely visible. Aang held the small arrowhead in his hand.
"I must leave now, but we will meet again, Aang. Never forget the allies you have, and the things you've done for the world. Inside, you are a strong, pure warrior. That, and that alone will be your key for winning Katara back."
The man whistled, and an Ostrich-Horse ran over to the area. As the man hopped onto it, Aang spoke.
"Who are you?"
The man looked down at Aang.
"You will find out in time. But just know this, I am an ally and a friend. If you ever need my help… you'll know how to speak with me."
He then looked forwards and rode the Ostrich-Horse out of the area. Aang watched the man leave and smile.
"I know what I have to do now. I have to figure out how to balance my two lives… my life as an Avatar… and Katara, my world."
The sun was now at the highest point in the sky. Aang looked up into the sky, and knew that he had what it takes to prove he and Katara are meant to be. He would prove that to her father… he knew he could do it.
The mysterious man rode the Ostrich horse past the outer wall, as they traveled outside the city. He looked back towards the city for a moment, and then looked back towards the horizon.
Meanwhile, back at the Fire Nation, Azula and the black-cloaked man stood on the shore of the island they were on.
"Why aren't we escaping this place? We should search for an army to help us out."
The black-cloaked man shook his head. He spoke in a low voice. "We don't need help. We just need to wait for him."
Azula looked at him, confused. "Who? That rival of yours?"
The black-cloaked man nodded. "He is coming… and I must wait for him."
He looked out towards the horizon, waiting for his rival to come. Across the sea, the mysterious man in the Sandbender outfit was riding the Ostrich-Horse towards the shore that faced the island Azula and the Blacked Cloaked man were on. Just like each member of the gang, they too, had a destiny to full-fill, one that had been in the making for a long, long time…
TO BE CONTINUED…
Phew... this chapter was hard to write. Enjoyable? Yes. Difficult? You better believe it. But as long as you guys keep reading and like it, I'll keep on writing it. One note: When Master Piando is talking about when he was looking at the moon, I tried to add a little reference to what's happening with Aang and Katara's relationship. Thought you'd like to know that. Thanks to everyone who read this chapter, and my previous chapters. Also, thanks to those who reviewed it, and to those who put out alerts on this story, as well as the author alerts. Painful Partings Part 2 is on the way. Time to step it up even more.