(Note) I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I simply love bashing the Avatar, and trust me, there's plenty here. Now, I should forwarn you: many of Aang's hallucinations are a bit...different. They reveal what I think his real fear would be.

Adversus solem ne loquitor.

Nine Nightmares and Daydreams

They broke through the hedge, stepping into a large field filled with koala-sheep. Sokka checked the map again, and grinned proudly. "This is it...the official rendezvous point for the invasion force."

Toph sat down on the grass. "How did you pick this place?"

"My Dad and I found it on the map." Sokka replied. "It's uninhabited, and the cliffs along the bay make it very secluded."

"We're here four days early, though!" Toph griped.

Aang nodded absently, watching as Katara loaded Zuko down with supplies, laughing. Then he realized what was being said. "Four days?" He shouted. "The invasion is in four days?"

Sokka yawned, rolling out his bag. "Whatever. Its in like, four days, so let's just…" He passed out, snoring.

Katara sat on her bag. "Sokka's got the right idea, Aang. We're here, we're ready, so let's go to sleep."

"Uh…" Aang looked around, but everyone was already asleep or nearly there. "I guess." He settled back on the grass, and closed his eyes.

Aang stood before the large, ornately decorated door. He tightened his headband, and with a fierce burst of airbending, he blew the doors open.

He jumped through, brandishing his staff. "Fire Lord Ozai! Your reign of evil is at an end!"

He stopped, dumbfounded. Hundreds of people, dressed for an elegant celebration, looked at him with annoyed glances.

Ozai was seated at his throne, looking down at three figures before him. Two of them faced a Fire Sage. Ozai rose to his feet.

"How dare you interrupt this, Avatar!" He roared. "The war is pointless, now!"

Aang dropped out of his tense stance. "Wait, what's going on here?"

An old woman scolded him. "You're interrupting the prince's wedding!"

The two figures turned toward Aang, and he stared dumfounded at both Zuko and Katara.

Katara glared at him. "Aang, no one invited you…and you aren't wearing any pants!"

Aang looked down, and yelped, covering himself with someone's cloak.

Aang sat up. "Ah!" He caught his breath, then looked at Momo. "It's okay. I've still got my pants." He looked suspiciously at Zuko's sleeping form. The prince rolled onto his side, muttering something that sounded like 'turtleducks.' Aang looked across the campsite to Katara's spot. She was asleep, too.

Satisfied, Aang sighed. "I better keep training." Aang got up, and walked over to a bush. Falling into a stance, he began to kick it. Momo grunted with displeasure, and wrapped his ears under his chin.

Aang bobbed in front of a tree, striking it rapidly. Behind him, the others roused, blinking at the early light.

"How long have you been up?" Katara asked.

Aang ducked an imaginary blow. "I don't know…couple of hours? I've got to be ready to face the Fire Lord."

"You don't want to over-train, Aang." Zuko commented. Aang struck the tree hard enough it wobbled, and Aang fell back, exhausted. A moment later, all the leaves fell down around him.

Aang sat up, climbing to his feet. He circled, moving through differing sets of strikes and blocks. "I can't risk not being ready. Even with Zuko's training, I can't firebend."

Sokka tried to lead Aang to the camp. "That's okay. The eclipse will block out the firebending, so it won't matter." Sokka grinned, placating. "It's a stupid element, anyway."

"Hey!" Zuko said, offended.

Aang pulled out of Sokka's grasp. "Okay…but I still have other things to work on. I'm gonna spend the day training." He formed his air scooter, and sped away.

The only one who was unworried was Toph, who slunk back under her covers, and soon was snoring.

Aang camp back to camp long after dark. Utterly exhausted, he staggered to a fairly soft spot, yawned, and fell down.

"Good night Sokka." He called. "Good night, Katara. Good night Zuko. Good night Toph. Good night Momo, Good night Appa…"

Toph sat up, shrieking. "Shut up and go to sleep already!"

Aang yelped, and closed his eyes, immediately dropping off.

Aang strode up to the Fire Lord's door, checking the chains that wrapped around his midsection.

He kicked the doors open, and walked through calmly. This time, it was only Aang and Ozai.

"Ozai! I've come back, and this time, I brought pants!"

Ozai nodded calmly, and waved. Several people appeared to line the walls. "So I see. But can you withstand my ultimate attack: Zuko and Katara's wedding pictures?"

Aang screamed in horror as curtains hanging around the throne room fell, revealing enlarged pictures taken from his first dream.

His eyes focused on the largest of all, a perfect profile shot of Zuko and Katara kissing.

Aang snapped awake. Tiredly, he rubbed his eyes, ands got up. He walked down to a field. "I have to be ready." He worked out, striking and moving swiftly.

"Wake up, Aang." Aang stirred, opening his eyes. Ozai was leaning over him. "Time to wake up, sleepy-head. Rise and shine. You overslept…the invasion is over."

He laughed insanely, and flew off on a pink flying hippo-pig.

Aang sat up, and rushed over to Sokka. "Sokka, get up! I need to know what day it is!"

The young warrior sat up. "Wha…who's talking?" He blinked, and seeing Aang hovering over him, he sighed. "What?"

Toph spoke. "Relax, Twinkletoes, its still two days before the invasion."

Aang tugged on Sokka's leg. "Sokka, you have to drill your rock-climbing exercises!"

Sokka glared. "Excuse me?"

"In one of my dreams, you were running from Fire Nation soldiers, trying to climb this cliff, but you were too slow and they got you!" Aang gestured wildly, nearly off balance.

"Aang, that was just a stupid dream." Sokka replied, disgruntled. "I am a great climber."

Aang pointed at a tall, sheer cliff. "Please, Sokka?" Sokka gaped at the cliff, then pointed at himself. Aang nodded.

Sokka groaned, and walked over to the cliff. Stupid dream. I am a great climber. Stupid Avatar.

Aang spotted Toph about to take a drink of water. "No!" Toph startled, spurting water all over Katara.

As Katara bent the water off herself, looking disgusted, Toph turned to Aang. "Why, is it poisoned?"

"I dreamed we were in the middle of the invasion, and you had to use to bathroom. We died because of your small bladder!" Aang exclaimed. He turned to Katara. "And you need to start wearing your hair up. In my dream, your hair got caught in a train, and…" Aang spotted Zuko, coming back from the river. "You! You have to listen to the red dragon!"

Zuko flinched, and Katara checked Aang's temperature. "Aang, I know you're just trying to help, but you really need to get a grip. You're unraveling."

Aang sighed. "You're right. I'm losing my mind."

Zuko heard a yell, and Sokka landed next to him. He peered over the dizzy tribesman. "You okay?"

The day had turned out hot, and the sun beat down on the gang. Aang was pacing back and forth, twitching nervously. "Its like every time I think about how stressed I am, the more stressed I get. I'm like a big, growing snowball of nerves."

Around him, the gang tried to concentrate on their activities, but his ranting was growing more bizarre.

Sokka turned to him. "Of course you are. That's 'cause you've got to fight the Fire Lord,the baddest man on the planet. And you better win, or we're all done for."

Aang's eyes widened, horrified, and Katara glared at her brother. "You aren't helping!"

Sokka looked at her. "What? That's the deal. Aang knows that."

They all turned back to the Avatar who was dancing around a koala-sheep, shadowboxing.

"Okay, we need to figure out how to calm him down." Toph said. "His heartbeat is driving me crazy!"

Katara looked at Aang. "I have an idea."

Katara and Aang stood by a steaming crater. "Get ready to be de-stress-ified. These yoga positions can really work wonders if you do them in extreme heat. Reach up…reach toward the sun."

They both slowly stretched upward, swaying side to side. "Feel your chi paths clearing."

Aang mimicked Katara as she bent low, touching her head to the ground. "Now, close your eyes…how are you feeling?"

Aang sighed. "I feel warm."

"Go on." Katara encouraged.

"There's a warm feeling all around me. This heat…" Aang's eyes opened wide. "Like I'm in the Fire Lord's palace, and he's shooting fireballs at me. Like the whole world is going up in flames!"

Aang rolled out of position, landing heavily on his back. Katara stood over him. "Maybe your stress is the kind that needs to be talked out."

Sokka perched behind a flat stone, using it as a desk. He had donned his 'Wang Fire' beard yet again. Aang was resting with his head propped against a koala-sheep.

"Why don't you get right down to business and tell me what's bothering you?" Sokka spoke in a bad impersonation of a psychiatrist.

Aang looked at the clouds. "You know what's bothering me. I have to face the Fire Lord in a few days."

Sokka nodded, tapping his fingers. "Tell me more about this…Fire Lord. Why are you so afraid of him?"

Aang scoffed. "Its just what you said! He's the baddest man on the planet, and I'm supposed to defeat him and save the world!"

Sokka closed his eyes, nodding slowly. "Life does feel that way sometimes, doesn't it? Like we're all trying to save the world from evil."

Aang sighed. "Okay…so what can I do to make myself feel better?"

Sokka shrugged. He picked up a Koala-sheep. "Want to try screaming into this pillow?"

Aang grabbed the sheep, and screamed, the soft fur muffling the sound. It still scared the poor creature, and it kicked wildly, trying to escape. Aang looked back at Sokka, who gave a thumb up. Aang shook his head.

Aang approached Zuko, who was trying to mend a hole in one of Katara's metal bowls. "Zuko, you know any way to get rid of stress?"

"Why are you asking me?" Zuko growled. "I live with stress! Now go away, I'm trying to fix this stupid thing."

Aang blinked as a ladle came from nowhere, popping Zuko on the head. Katara's voice carried over. "You broke it, Zuko…you can fix it!"

Zuko rubbed his head. "See?"

Aang, desperate, had gone to Toph. He was now laying across several stone pillars. Toph cracked her knuckles. "All you need, Twinkletoes, is some good old fashioned back-poundin' to relieve your stress."

Aang sighed. "Pound away." Toph grinned, and stomped her feet. The pillars began to jump, and slammed into Aang's back.

"Ah! Wait…not there! Help…Toph, stop!" Aang slammed down onto the pillars as Toph stopped moving. "I think you just bruised me!"

Toph snorted. "I forgot you have baby skin." She stepped down, and a ball popped out of the bushes, uncurling to reveal a porcupine. "We could try acupuncture."

Aang looked from the porcupine to Toph. He went off like a shot, screaming. Toph ran after him. "Hey, get back here!"

Aang staggered back into camp as the sun set. "Thanks for everything, guys." He said sincerely.

"Do you feel any less stressed?" Katara asked.

Aang looked up. They were all watching him expectantly, so he managed a smile. "Sure. I think I feel a little less stressed."

Sokka yawned, and fell back on his pallet. "I guess our work here is done." Moments later, he was snoring.

The others soon followed suit, leaving Aang awake. He finally closed his eyes, trying to sleep.

Aang and Appa pitched through the sky. Enormous arms pushed around them, gingers trying to grasp them.

Aang stared at the giant Momo, unable to scream. Momo finally snagged Appa, and Aang fell from the saddle.

He fell forever, but eventually hit something hard.

Aang broke through the cement in front of the Fire Nation palace. He sat up, and looked around.

Everything was dark, creepy. In a flash, he found himself walking up the steps to the palace. As he passed through the doors, down the entrance hall, he screamed silently.

A ghostlike, floating Toph came near him, hair pulled back, revealing her blank face. There were no eyes. Aang tried to run from the sight, but his feet were bound with ice.

He saw Sokka run past, chased by strange, slimy tentacles, but they swallowed him up.

Aang suddenly found himself trapped under ice, unable to free himself. He screamed silently yet again as Zuko and Katara stared down at him, completely expressionless.

Over them, Sozin's Comet passed. Aang saw Momo, who pressed his finger to his lips, and shushed the Avatar, who now was floating overlooking a peaceful valley. The comet struck, and it all was gone, leaving behind fire and ash.

Aang sat up, screaming. His screams quickly woke everyone, and they gathered around him.

"What's wrong?" Zuko demanded.

Aang hugged his knees. "The nightmares…they keep getting worse."

Sokka grinned, and produced his beard. "Looks like its time for another therapy session!"

"No!" Aang shouted. He stood up. "Nothing helps. None of it. The only thing I can do is stay awake all through to the invasion."

Toph was probably the only one who found that amusing.

Katara stretched in the setting sunlight, and frowned as Aang staggered past, muttering.

"The Invasion Train…all aboard for the invasion train…"

She touched his shoulder. "Aang, you don't look so good. Maybe you should lie down for a nap."

Aang shook his head, pushing her hand off. "I already told you, I can't go back to sleep." He stopped. "Acutally, staying up so long has given me something to think about." Aang turned around to face Katarta. "I love you."

Katara blinked. "Aang, what are you saying?"

Aang kissed her…and Katara smacked him across the face, gesturing at the betrothal necklace tied with crimson lace. "Aang, you know I'm with Zuko!"

Aang snapped out of his daydream to see Katara looking at him strangely. "What?"

Katara peered closely at Aang. "I asked you if you were okay."

"Sure." Aang smiled. "I guess I drifted off into a daydream."

"What about?" Katara asked, curious.

Aang didn't even want to think about it. "Living under water." He lied quickly.

Katara laughed. "That sounds fun."

Aang rolled out from behind a boulder, and leveled his staff at a tree covered with a noodle picture of Ozai and a few scrounged items of clothing. "Hand up, Fire Lord!" Aang commanded. He blasted air at the tree but missed. He spun, and attacked again, this time knocking Sokka to the ground.

"Aang, watch it!" Sokka shouted. "I'm trying to make armor for Appa. He's your bison!"

Aang moved around the tree. "Ozai's defense is impeccable I'll have to try a different approach." He jumped into the air, striking furiously. Every attack missed, and Aang landed amid the disrupted camp. "You think you're so untouchable, don't you, Mr. Fire Lord?"

Aang walked up to the drawing, and heard a strange voice. "Boy, you are really starting to lose it, kid."

Aang looked around. "Who said that? Momo, did you hear that?"

The lemur looked at Aang. "No, but I said it." Aang jumped, and leaned toward his pet. Momo scratched casually. "You, my friend, are a few berries short of a fruit pie."

Aang rubbed his eyes and looked at Momo. The lemur was chattering in his usual animal grunts. Aang sighed. "That's better. For a moment, I thought you were talking to me."

Momo tilted his head, and Aang frowned. "Let me explain."

"Is he okay?" Zuko murmured.

"I have no clue. He feels normal." Toph replied, just as softly.

"He's trying to talk to Momo!" Sokka whispered, gesturing. "Using Momo speech!"

"Aang!" Katara called, cutting off Aang's laughter. "We're getting worried about you."

"You've been up way too long." Sokka added.

"And you're acting weird." Toph declared.

"I just think you've finally snapped." Zuko commented, receiving an elbow in the ribs from Toph.

Appa stood on his hind legs. "You can't keep on like this. You have to take care of yourself."

Aang thought for a moment. "Listen I appreciate all the concern, but the nightmares are too much. This is the best way for me to handle it."

Momo jumped on Aang's shoulder, and pointed at Appa. "Yeah, so leave the kid alone!"

Appa glared at Momo. "Who asked you?"

Aang tried to stop the two snarling animals. "Guys, come on."

Appa snorted. "No! I'm sick of this guy, always trying to push me around, always mouthing off!"

Momo sneered. "Oh, you don't like it? Come get some!"

Aang grabbed Sokka's collar. "Sokka, what are we going to do?"

Sokka looked confused. "About what?"

"That!" Aang pointed back at the two furry members of the gang.

Momo stood, dressed in a deep blue gi. He casually scratched his cheek, clutching his sword with the other hand.

Appa stood across the field, facing him. He wore full blown armor, and held four swords. On some silent signal, both leapt towards each other, shouting. Appa spun, becoming a twisting blur, and threw Momo back, who rolled to his feet.

"Guys!" Aang shouted outside a ring of cheering koala-sheep. "We're all on the same side!"

Momo and Appa continued their battle, sparks flying as their swords rang together.

Guru Patick floated past on a pink cloud, holding a sitar. "Chakras, charkas!" He chanted. "Good for you, good for me! Chakras…everybody loves charkas…chakra sandwich tastes good, yum!"

Appa and Momo met in the middle of the field, swords pressed together, matching their strength.

"Appa!" A line of sheep chanted.

"Go, Momo!" Others called.

Aang watched, dumbfounded, and Appa and Momo fell into fighting so intense that the very energy of their fight caused the ground to crack.

Aang jumped as lines of rocks snaked their way out of the woods, followed by the tree he had used as a target.

Aang blinked. "I just need to jump into a cold river." He ran, screaming, through the woods.

"Oh, great. Another illusion." Aang muttered, looking at his friends standing around a fullfy, cloudlike mass of white. "A bed…made out of imaginary clouds."

Toph sounded indignant. "Hey, we spent a lot of time on this thing."

Aang saw the shivering koala-sheep, all huddled together for warmth. They were now sheared. He looked back at his friends.

"A good night sleep should take the crazy away." Sokka said.

"We hope." Zuko added. "But we do believe in you Aang. You can do it."

"Come on, Aang. Lay down, and get some sleep." Katara said.

Aang didn't know whether to cry or laugh. "But I can't! There's so much I don't know…"

"Aang, you've been training for this since the day I met you." Sokka said firmly. "There isn't one of us that doubts you. You are ready, Aang."

Aang finally smiled, and climbed into the bed. "I think I am ready."

"You're the man, Twinkletoes." Toph grinned.

Aang stood on a ledge, facing Ozai. "Your time has finally come, Fire Lord! I'm ready for you!"

Ozai laughed harshly, and stood. "Really? And how can you be? You've forgotten your pants."

Aang grinned, and pointed his sword. "No, Ozai. It's you who've forgotten your pants!"

Ozai looked down at himself, and grabbed a fluffy, lace-rimmed shield to cover himself. "My royal parts are showing!"

Aang grinned, and rolled over, deeply asleep.

Zuko patted the long, serpentine creature's neck. "Good boy." He said softly. He checked the ropes he had used to make a harness one last time.

"Zuko?" Katara's voice came softly. Zuko turned, and saw her standing under a tree, a stunned look on her face. "You're leaving?"

Zuko faced her. "Not for good. There's something I have to take care of."

Katara stepped into the moonlight. "The Fire Lord."

Zuko flinched, and Katara knew she was right. Zuko was silent for a few moments. "Katara, I don't think the invasion is going to work. Something feels wrong. And Aang isn't ready. You know he isn't. He's too…he's too good-hearted."

"Let me come with you." Katara said quickly.

Zuko smiled. "I wish you could. But Aang…everyone…they're going to need you tomorrow."

Katara crossed her arms, not meeting his look. Her voice shook slightly. "What if you don't come back?"

Zuko took a breath. That tightness in his chest had returned. He walked to Katara, and removed his dagger from his boot. "My Uncle gave me this. It's the most important thing I own. I'll come back for it…I promise."

Katara looked at the knife in her hands, and before Zuko could react, she kissed him. Startled, Zuko quickly deepened the kiss, holding the waterbender close to him.

Katara broke the kiss. "Don't die on me." She whispered, and ran back to camp.

Zuko stayed where he was, his heart pounding as he watched his waterbender vanish into the night. Finally, Zuko smiled slightly, and turned to his 'ride.'

A moment later, the serpent slipped into the water, Zuko on its back.

(Note) Finally. Finally! I've been waiting ever since I started writing this story for this scene. Now, I can truthfully answer your questions. No, there won't be any Taang...remember, Aang still likes Katara, but this is finally a Zutara, although it isn't the focus of the story. (Like any of you doubted Zuko would get the girl.) As my poll turned out, "The Day of Black Sun" will be posted in two installments.

Unfortunately, this story will have to go on at least a week's hiatus, perhaps longer. I've gotten a little behind in my writing, and I also want to finish up a few one-shots I've been working on. But it shouldn't take me too much longer, and then it will be fullscale production of Rekindled once again.

As I often do, I want to thank all of my readers, both for reading and for the reviews. Thank you, and I'll 'see' you all again soon.

Adversus solem ne loquitor.