Gah, yeeeah, I'm sorry this took so long . I have embarked on the journey known as Sophomore Year, so I've been incredibly busy beyond business. I was up most of the night finishing the paper copy of this, so I still care about you guys! 8D Sooo… here ya go! Enjoy! And Happy Holidays!!

Chapter 9: The Fire Relic

Katara and Aang walked along the ashy path out of the great earth jungle, towards the fire volcano at the edge of the mountains of air. The final two relics lay in the path ahead, bringing them closer and closer to returning Katara to the physical world. Something inside both of them didn't want this journey to end. This something wanted the two to continue searching forever, and for the love they secretly shared to grow and flourish. Both smiled sheepishly at each other as they walked up the dusty trail.

At last, they reached the top. A great flat of cooled lava lay out in front of them. Katara became distracted by the awe-inspiring views that were visible from the peak of the volcano. She left Aang's side and made her way towards the center to get a closer look, while her companion stared longingly with a heavy sigh, more focused on her than the vistas.

Without warning, a hissing rush of fast-moving steam broke the surface, missing Katara by inches, but startling enough to make her scream. Aang, more than eager to play the part of the heroic knight, ran towards Katara with his hand drastically stretched out. He was just about to reach her when the entire volcanic plateau exploded. The blast knocked Katara hundreds of feet in the air, while Aang was lucky enough to land on the edge, and climb over the side to land ungracefully on some rocky terrain just over the other side. He had scarcely caught his breath when he saw his true love plummeting towards the bubbling lava that had become of the volcanic surface, her hands grabbing air. "Katara! NO!" Aang screamed in desperation. Both expected her to fall into the lava and perish. She was a few feet from hot bubbling doom when, at the last second, a massive, scaly, clawed, red hand reached up and grabbed her out of the air. Aang's temporary relieved expression soon turned to sheer terror as the owner of the hand, an enormous dragon, crawled out of the magma, its other talons gripping the edges of the volcano. WHO DARES TO INTERRUPT MY SLUMBER?! Boomed the dragon's commanding voice, followed by a mighty roar.

Aang was terrified, and suddenly felt very small. "Uh… me?" he answered, his voice laced with a lack of assurance. "That's my friend you have there, so if you wouldn't mind putting her down…"

He was taken aback as the dragon gave a hearty… laugh? Aang froze as its voice suddenly echoed in his mind. A friend, you say? Don't you think I can't see the love in your heart for her? Your mind is swimming with the moments you've shared…" a sudden wave of calm washed over the dragon, and its intimidating eyes closed. Yes, yes… It was nodding to itself, listening to something only it could hear.

Katara, whom up until this point had been frozen in fear, captured in the dragon's grasp, now turned her head towards Aang. Her face wore a mixture of fear and confusion, as if she was saying, "Aang, if you wouldn't mind getting me out of this…"

Aang shot her a pleading and worrisome return glance, silently saying, "I'm trying, I'm trying!"

The dragon reopened its golden, catlike eyes, finished with his meditation. You seek the crown.

Aang blinked, surprised at its words. "What?"

Now Katara looked at Aang as if he were crazy, watching his conversation with great interest.

The crown of Prince Sozin was given to the great Avatar Roku when he began his journey to master the four elements. That is the relic you seek.

"How did you-"

I read your mind, young Avatar. I know your mission to gather these relics and return your love to the physical world, and to defeat the Fire Lord and restore balance to the world. (A/N: And was that the most awesome thing you've ever seen or what?! 8D (cough) Sorry. We now return to our scheduled story already in progress…)

"Uh, great, but she's not my-"

Katara grew wide-eyed.

I am an all-knowing, all-seeing dragon. I can tell these things. You love her. I won't let her go until you admit that.

Aang sighed. Seeing as there was no way out, he nodded. "Okay, okay, you're right. I do feel that way."

The Dragon laughed again, and placed Katara back next to Aang at the edge of the volcano. The minute she was back on solid ground, the two hugged each other tightly, happy that she had made it out alive.

The Dragon then put his claw in the lava, and when he drew it out again, there was the crown, hooked in his massive claw like a fish on a line. He moved his claw to the edge, where and unhooked it and examined it in his hand. "Thank you," he said.

With an encouraging glint in his eye, the Dragon lowered his body back into the lava and the surface cooled instantly, leaving the top solidified just like before.

Bewildered, Aang and Katara glanced wide-eyed at the surface and then at each other. Aang blushed, and shyly placed his hand on the back of his neck. "So, about the things that the Dragon said…"

"What are you talking about?" said Katara.

"…huh?"

"The dragon didn't say anything."

"…you couldn't hear it?"

"…no… did the dragon speak to you?"

"Well yeah…" Aang then decided that right now wasn't the best time to tell her. "It gave me this. It's the next relic," he handed her the crown.

"Good, good," Katara took the relic and placed in her satchel.

Aang sighed. "I'm glad that was a friendly dragon. I don't know what I could've done without you. I didn't want to lose you."

Katara blushed herself. "Thank you, Aang. That's very sweet."

The two just stood there, glancing off to the side, silent. Then Katara spoke up. "We should find the last relic."

"Uh… yeah! One more relic! Yeah…" Aang blushed again.

Katara laughed. "Come on." She started back down the path. Aang turned to follow, but glanced back at the volcano before running to catch up with Katara.

Aaaaaand done! I know it's been almost a year, and trust me, I've been trying, but it's the point of the story when you just can't think of ideas. Sooo… yeah. I'm going to wrap this up soon, and then go back and change some stuff at the beginning. Hopefully I'll be back before Christmas 2009. So, thank you and Goodnight, and in the immortal words of Sokka…

((Water Tribe))