Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, nor will I ever own it because it belongs to two guys who I hughly doubt would relinquish it to me, and anyway, it would end up way too gory for most people, as this chapter will explain.

A/N:Well, I am going to up up this chapter now, even though it is really short. It will explain exactly where the next 15 or so chapters of the story will be headed. And I now am requiring at least 3 reviews before I update again. Please enjoy, and I warn you now, there is a small bit of bloody, gory-ness in the end of this chappie. ENJOY!

Chapter XIX: Awakenings

Daybreak came and went, and still, neither patient had awoken. Midday was coming slowly, for that day was the longest day of the year. Shaiya had begun to stir early the previous night, but she had not woken, unlike her fiancé who was finally wide awake and waiting, praying she would wake.

Iroh, up earliest that morning, slowly ambled to breakfast. He stayed up late the previous night busy in his own world, thinking, contemplating, deep in concentration. He still had yet to come up with a way to dispose of Meiya and Zhao for the agony they had inflicted upon not only the two they injured, but also those surrounding them. The whole palace stood with baited breath while the future of their kingdom lay in the hospital wing, their lives hanging by a thread.

Zuko laid on his bed, the pain of unknowing agonizing. Shaiya mumbled again, but did not wake. All of a sudden, as if a bomb had just exploded in the middle of the night, Shaiya shot up in bed, out of breath, eyes wide with terror. She gasped, clutched at the sides of her bed, and then lay back down again, closing her eyes and trying to steady her breathing.

The moment she awoke, Zuko ran to her, though he was not supposed to be out of bed for another day at least. He slid to a stop at her side. He took her hand in his own and stroked the back of it, all the while whispering comforting words to her.

"Zuko?" Shaiya asked weakly, her eyes barely open.

"Shh, sweetheart, it's me. Don't worry, I'm right here, I won't leave you." he whispered in response. He moved his hand up to her cheek and stroked it lovingly.

"Zuko… please… lay down with… with me." she whispered, her voice shaky.

Zuko stretched down beside her and pulled her close, all the while stroking her cheek. He cared so deeply for her.

"Thank you, Zuko." she offered.

"Shh, don't speak." he whispered again.

It was then that the nurse walked in to check on them. She looked to Zuko's bed and, seeing it empty, shot her gaze over to the future Fire Lady's. There was Zuko, whispering to her, her eyes cracked, letting only the smallest amount of light in, her lips parted, trying to speak, Zuko's thumb stroking her cheek.

"Oh, she's awake. I'll be back in just a second with the doctor." she said. Zuko nodded and the nurse left hurriedly.

"Zuko, I-" Shaiya started, only to be stopped by Zuko's finger.

"Shh, no need to talk, sweetheart." Shaiya shook her head. She knew something he did not, for that time in unconsciousness her spirit spent in the spirit world, speaking with Avatar Roku. What she had learned, she knew she needed to relay to the heads of the nations, for they would need to form an alliance to fight the evil coming.

She tried again to speak, but Zuko shushed her again. She decided to give up, for the time being. She would speak, for she was not the kind to be silenced by a man, no matter how important or close to her he was.

She decided to replay the meeting in her head. She started remembering, completely ignoring the fight that Zuko and the doctor got into, the tests that were run on her, and her friends' hugs.

Shaiya, do you know who I am, and more importantly, do you know where you are?

Yes, I'm in the Spirit world, and you're Avatar Roku. Why am I here?

Shaiya, I have called you here because I need to relay a message to the people of Earth. My dear, a great evil is rising, one that has not risen for many thousands of years. The dead will rise, both animal and human, demons will appear, cities will be destroyed in a matter of seconds, and millions of lives will be lost during battle, possibly even yours. Does death scare you, child?

No, I am not afraid of death. It will come sooner or later.

That is a good thing to keep in mind. I need you to talk to Iroh and Zuko, King Bumi of Omashu, King O'rion of Bah Sing Sei, and the king of the Northern water tribe. You will need strong alliances, and some of the most important people you will need are the Avatar, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, your future husband Zuko, Haru of the Earth Kingdom, King Bumi of the Earth Kingdom, and your best friends, the Black Chaos Dragons, am I right?

Yes, but why all those people?

You will see. Now. Follow me and I will show you what will happen if you should fail.

Shaiya mounted Avatar Roku's dragon and they set off into a whirl of color, mostly black, grey and multiple shades of red. They flew above a horrid scene. The Fire Palace was nothing but a pile of rubble, and it's people were in nothing but simple cloth rags working, building, and dying. The demons constantly scoured the workers, looking for strays. Shaiya was near tears when Avatar Roku spoke again.

Do you want to see what will happen to you and the rest of your friends should you fail?

Shaiya nodded, so Roku's dragon flew over a nearby forest, quickly being torn down, and into another building Shaiya soon recognized as a temple to Agni, the god of fire. They flew in and Shaiya nearly died of shock. There she hung, chained to a wall naked alongside her friends and family, the Avatar, everyone Avatar Roku had named off as necessary alliances, all but Zuko. His body was being carried to the center where it was thrown into a raging fire. She could see herself crying hanging on the wall, she heard herself screaming, cursing the demons for what they had done. Seconds later, another demon came up to her with a six inch dagger which he promptly shoved through her left lung. Blood spewed from her wound, filling her lungs. The demon raised the dagger once again and rammedit between her eyes, ending her life. He pulled her off, drug her body to the fire and threw it in. It was then that Roku's dragon took off, retracing their way back through the portal. The dragon landed and Roku and Shaiya climbed off.

Do you see now how important it is for you to win this war?

Shaiya nodded, crying silently.

Good. Tell everyone you can and have them tell all. This war will determine whether or not the human race will survive. And do not rely on only yourself for information, for tonight I will contact the Avatar. Tell him. Make sure he is prepared to see what I have shown you. Now go, my child.

And with that, Shaiya's spirit flew back to her body.

Shaiya twitched as another needle was drawn from her skin.

"Is that the last one?" she asked, her voice beginning to get stronger.

"I am sorry, Lady Shaiya, but I have one more dose of blood I need to extract." the doctor answered. Shaiya sighed and contented herself with looking around at who all was there. Iroh, Zuko, of course, Onya, Sokka, Katara, and Aang. Shaiya's eyes lit up as she looked at the Avatar, seated right beside Zuko.

"Aang, I need to talk to you. It's very important."

Well, whaddaya think? Good? Creepy? Erotic...? Gonna make for a kick butt story? And remember, I will only update again after three reviews of this chapter itelf. 3 REVIEWS!

good day