XV
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN AVATAR FOOS! Italics-her letter bold italics- thought
Monica and the others were jerked awake by the sudden thrust of the train. Zuko grabbed the table to keep him from flying forward. Cedric came down the isle and called out to them.
"Balance Valley Station!" They looked out the window and saw they were in a cave-like station; with stalagmites; and pools of water. They all piled out of the train; and looked around. "Ya'll be safe now!"
"Got it Cedric." Monica replied; and then they walked out into the valley. There were four Plateaus; each separated and joined together with suspension bridges. Walls of earth surrounded Balance Valley; so they were able to see the sky only. No trees were blocking their view; and the sun was behind the earth wall. Katara was the first one to say anything about the only house there; it was sitting near the first plateau; outside the arch which leads to the station. They all walked to the house and inside.
An owl sat perched near a bed. The bed had a brown-haired girl resting under a purple blanket. Upon hearing them come in; the owl flew off his perch and screeched at them.
"Whooo are you?" The owl hooted; pecking at Sokka.
"It talks?" Zuko asked smugly. Until the owl attacked him too and Sokka stood there snickering and rubbing the spot where the owl had hit him.
"Mr.Owl; we need to talk to Crest." Katara started. "Can you tell us where he is?" The owl looked at the water-bender; and returned to his post.
"Crest. Is dead." They all froze; Monica approached him.
"Who's this?" She asked; trying to make the awkwardness go away.
"This is Lin. She was Crest's apprentice. She's been bedridden with shock ever since his death."
As I saw Lin lying there; I began to think of you mother. How when I was sick; you nursed me back to health...
Monica was six; and her mother sat beside her bed. Her long hair rested at her shoulders; and her face was red with fever. Her brunette mother sat beside her bed; resting a wet rag on her daughter's forehead and nursing her back to health. Monica coughed.
"Mother...am I going to die..?" Her mother just laughed.
"Of course you won't die."
"But my head...it feels so faint...it's too late mother...call the priest..." Her mother giggled once more; and stroked Monica's hair.
"It's the priest's day off today. So if you don't hold on a bit longer; you won't be going to heaven." Monica's eyes widened and she pouted.
"What? That stinks!"
Monica walked over to Lin; and starred at her.
"We need Dr.Dell." the owl hooted in delight.
"You know a doctor?" He asked. Monica nodded.
"Yes. He's in Palm Brinks but we can bring him here." They returned to the train and told Cedric that they needed to get Dr.Dell. Cedric nodded and got the train headed in the direction of Palm Brinks.
When they got to Palm Brinks; They headed strait for Dr.Dell's office. His office sat near the lake; and had a sign that said DR.DELL inside a horse shoe. They walked in; and everybody's eyes but Monica's widened.
Dr.Dell, was a duck. He wore glasses; and a blue vest. He saw them looking strangely at him, as if he was a monster.
"Oh yeah." Monica grinned at them apologetically. "Dr.Dell is a duck."
"Thanks for the heads up." Zuko told her sarcastically.
"Dr.Dell, there is this really sick girl and she needs your help!" Monica said nearly all-at-once. Dr.Dell agreed to go with them.
They returned to Balance Valley and escorted Dr.Dell to Lin. As he examined her, the owl hooted for him to hurry. Everyone was outside while Dr.Dell examined Lin.Katara was practicing her water-bending with a cup of water,Sokka was looking at his boomerang and showing it to Monica, whom found it interesting,Zuko was practicing his fire bending, and Aang was practicing his air bending.
Dr.Dell came out to them after a few minutes of examining Lin.
"This isn't good." He told them bluntly. "any longer like this and there isn't much hope for her."
"There isn't anything you can do Dr. Dell?" Monica asked, Dr.Dell shook his head.
"No. I'm sorry." Monica looked at the duck doctor sadly. Dr.Dell returned to the train and the others thought about what they could do. Lin needed help, but they didn't know how to help her.
Mr.Owl wanted us to help her so badly. He couldn't stand the thought of losing Lin, the only person in the world that was still with him. We all felt bad about not being able to help, but we told Mr.Owl that we'd go into Starlight Canyon and try to find something or someone who could help. We were all still shocked about Crest's death, but we knew that all we could do at that point was press on in our quest, hoping that there was something we could do about Lin's illness.
sorry about the shortness of this chappie. The avatar movie was cool! and funny. Sokka is a funny drunk. They drew Zuko so CUTELY! I love his scrawnyness they put into the drawing. they did a good job!