Alright, let's see if I can do a double update!

Zuko: You shouldn't say that if it isn't a double update…

Justice: But if it is a double update, then I would have proven myself reliable and correct in predicting something cool for the readers out there. XD

Zuko:…I don't get you.

Justice: And you never will, my friend…

Hired Help: WE DON'T OWN AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER, ALRIGHT!

Justice: (Rubs ears…) I think we need to hire someone else.

Zuko: (Scowls) Seriously, I paid good money for this…

Justice: *Ignores Zuko* Read and review everybody!

Symptoms, Betrayals, and Bad Advice: Part Two

Aang stared at Zuko in disbelief as his brain tried to contain the new information. His head started pounding and Aang could feel his fists clenched tightly below. Why, why do I feel so angry?

Trying to keep his voice calm, Aang spoke. "Wait, so…the Blue dragon is dead?"

Zuko nodded. "And so is the Chief, which means the Sun Warriors are not too happy with us. They think we've blown their cover."

Aang snarled as he pictured the ones responsible for killing the blue dragon. He could barely keep the rage inside of him when he placed his hands on Zuko's shoulders. "Who's responsible?"

Zuko tried to lower Aang's arms. "So far, my leads haven't picked up any suspects yet."

Zuko could feel Aang's heavy breath on his chest and he could see that Aang's eyes looked gold instead of grey. Not again…Zuko thought as Aang nearly lifted his body off the ground. His friends were starting to come over towards the two, but Zuko tried to signal with his eyes to keep them away.

Aang's body was tensed up and he looked like he was about to attack Zuko. Very slowly he lowered Zuko's body down and released his hands from Zuko's shoulders. Aang wasn't breathing heavily anymore, but his eyes hadn't returned to normal yet.

"So, they got away..." Aang said in a cold tone.

"Yes, but don't worry. We'll catch them soon, or maybe they'll reveal themselves. Killing a dragon is no easy matter, they may be trying to gain respect for themselves amongst the people." Zuko almost flinched as Aang's blazing eyes bored into him.

"When did you first here about this?"

Zuko glanced away from him. "I got the letter yesterday. It was written a week ago."

"Let me see it."

Zuko quickly handed Aang the parchment and watched as Aang glanced over it quickly.

Aang snarled when he finished the note. "We've lost them! How?"

"Huh?"

Aang glared at Zuko. "The LL Phoenix! How did they get away?"

Zuko sighed. "My sources aren't sure. It seems that everyone is going into hiding."

Aang shook his head with distaste. "You...kept this all from me…I can't believe you did that."

Zuko looked at Aang pleadingly as the airbender turned his head away. "Aang, I didn't want you worrying over it, not while the wedding was taking place. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

Aang ignored him and walked over to the others who had overheard the whole thing. Katara was shocked that Zuko could keep something so important from Aang, but she was even more surprised at the airbender's reaction. Sokka and Suki were trying to look discrete, not wanting to interrupt the conflict. Toph just whistled lowly, but listened with a sharp ear so she could detect the other's feelings better.

Aang stood right in front of Katara and she could see the cold determination in his blazing gold eyes. Katara gasped as Aang grabbed her hand firmly.

"I think you should stay here, Katara." His voice was extremely serious and Katara could sense that she wouldn't be able to change his mind this time.

"Aang…"

Sokka snapped then. "Well, that was harsh. Who do you think you are, grabbing my sister like that?"

Sokka sent his arm flying for Aang's face, but before it could connect Aang brought his hand up and blocked it. Now Sokka's fist was in Aang's tight grip. Sokka was about to kick him until he noticed Aang's eyes. It surprised him so much that he nearly tripped over his own legs.

Aang stared at Sokka calmly. "I'm doing this for her own good. There is a dragon loose, and some criminals are probably looking for it right now. It could be anywhere, so I need you guys to stay where you are so you can keep a look out. As for the Fire Nation, it is probably not safe for Katara to go there."

Aang released Sokka's hand causing Sokka to fall flat on his back. The fallen boy massaged his hand as his face turned sour from the pain.

Aang looked at the warrior without pity. "Sorry about that."

Sokka scowled in response still rubbing his hand. "What is wrong with you?"

Aang shook his head as the rage slowly started to fade away. "I…I don't know."

As his head began to clear Aang started to realize the actions he had committed. He looked at Katara, his golden eyes returning to its grey shade. "I'm sorry."

Aang ran back into his room while Katara looked at him from behind. Zuko dusted himself off and went to help Sokka get up. "Yeah, that's been happening a lot."

Sokka spat. "What, the freaky eyes or the bad temper?"

Zuko smirked. "Both. I think it has something to do with that weird power inside him."

Toph put her hands behind her head. "Well, you guys have bigger problems to worry about. You definitely need some help."

Zuko sighed. "I guess I can agree with that."

Toph punched Zuko in the arm. "Ow! What was that FOR?"

Toph shrugged innocently. "Keeping this from Aang. He's the Avatar. You can't let information like that slide past him."

Zuko looked at the direction Aang went. "Is it so wrong for me to want to preserve his innocence? I just don't want the stress to get to him."

Suki shook her head. "Well, it's obviously getting to him whether you like it or not. You're just making it worse."

Sokka grumbled under his breath. "I don't care what he says, even if he is the Avatar. Zuko, we're coming with you."

Zuko sighed exasperatingly. "Not a good idea, Sokka."

Toph laughed. "You can't get rid of us that easily, fire boy."

The others smiled and laughed as Zuko grumbled in annoyance. Katara sighed and looked into Aang's direction. "I'm going after him."

Before anyone could stop her, Katara had run off.

"Man! I can't believe this. Hey, wait for me!" Sokka started to run after Katara but Suki held him back.

"Give them some time alone."

Sokka glowered at the floor as the others nodded in agreement with Suki.

"Fine. Fifteen minutes, and then I'm going after them."

Suki sighed in defeat as Sokka stormed off.

…

Aang burst into his room and ran into his bed, his body still shaking with rage. He could barely keep himself from hitting something, his muscles tensing up to the point where it was almost painful.

Get a grip on yourself, Aang! Pull it together before you hurt someone! Aang grimaced as he tried to put himself into the lotus position.

"I have…to try…" Aang muttered to himself as his body started sweating almost immediately from the effort. Aang breathed in and out through his nose as he felt a headache forming again in his head. Suddenly, a strong powerful force started pushing back in his mind and Aang had to work really hard to keep his body from collapsing onto the floor.

No, whatever you are, it's not going to work this time! Aang growled as the unknown force kept pushing against him. It felt like his head was about to split open.

"Arghhhh!" Aang's eyes started glowing brightly, but it was red in color not blue. His body tensed up even more and he could feel the veins in his body pulsing.

I'm going into the Avatar State, Aang thought as his body glowed even more brightly.

ooOOOoOOoooo

Katara could see strange red lights coming from Aang's room. She quickly barged in and froze from the sight. Aang's body was red all over and Katara could spot multiple scales forming all over his body. Aang's hand had turned into large black claws and his back was starting to sprout wings that were getting larger by the minute. And his eyes, they were large and wide staring straight into Katara's blue ones.

Katara was to frozen to say anything as Aang's body continued to grow and form until the transformation was complete. The red dragon roared and blasted out of the room in a blur, destroying two walls in the process.

Katara stared at the hole with terror. "It's you. The dragon's power is in you!"

ooOOoooOOOOoo

Sokka was stomping over towards the dining room when he heard a large noise.

"Huh, what's happening now?" Sokka ran towards the sound.

He nearly tripped over himself for the second time when he saw the gaping hole extending from Aang's room into the hallway. "What the-"

"Sokka! We have to help Aang!" Sokka flinched as Katara charged into him. The breathless girl started panting as Sokka shook her shoulders. "You okay? What's going on?"

Katara tried to catch her breath. "Dragon…in...Aang..."

"WHAT? Where did he go?"

Katara pointed towards the hallway. "He went that way, but Sokka you should know…"

Sokka barely heard her as he ran across the hallway only to freeze in position when he saw what was in there.

Sokka gulped dramatically as the red dragon poised over him, teeth bared.

"Aang?"

The red dragon raised its head and blew fire out of its mouth, causing Sokka to run for his life back towards Katara.

"What is that thing? It can't be Aang can it? Katara say something!"

Katara didn't respond as she looked into the red dragon's eyes again. All she could see in those large golden orbs could only be described in one word: Pain

ooOOoooOOOOooo

Back in the fire nation, Shen was trying to decipher a secret map of the fire nation imperial palace. Unfortunately for him, the coding had been done a little too complex. He had no idea what he was looking at without the label his servants had put on the map.

"Fools, the only job they can do well enough to drive their master crazy. But when it comes to combat, weapon strategy, none of them can do one damn thing!"

Shen sighed and got up from his office. He had built it in the basement below the store. Being a clerk had its perks. For one thing, he had unlimited access to the stores supplies which meant he wouldn't have to worry about food or clothes. Shen appreciated hard work and sacrifice in life. He didn't need spoils or riches. So this lifestyle suited him just fine.

But right now, things were looking quite bleak for his group. "I need to find a warrior, someone to help these men get into shape. But who?"

Shen frowned as he placed his chin on his hand and drummed his fingernails against the desk. Then an idea popped into his head. He went through his parchments until he found what he was looking for; the map of a fire nation prison.

Shen smiled slowly. "Just what I needed…"

ooOOOooOOOooo

At the Northern Water tribe palace, Zuko was looking into the hallway with his mouth hanging open. Well, I've found the dragon…

The red dragon looked like it was ready to attack, but so far it hadn't moved an inch since Sokka had found it earlier. It looked almost like the dragon was confused as it moved its head back and forth between Zuko and Katara.

Man! I can't kill it! I probably have to knock it out or something. But if I did that…

Katara interrupted Zuko's thoughts. "I think I'll be able to calm him down."

Zuko ran over to where Katara was standing. "Sorry, what?"

"I'm….going to try and calm him down."

Zuko chuckled darkly. "I don't mean to be rude, Katara, but you can't tame a dragon."

Katara glared at Zuko. "I helped Aang calm down when he was in the Avatar state many times. I think I can do it again."

Zuko nearly flinched when he realized what Katara was implying. "That's HIM?"

Katara nodded. "I saw him change into that form while he was trying to enter the spirit world."

Zuko swore under his breath. "Now what?"

A loud voice interrupted Katara and Zuko. "Hey, guys. I can't see a thing in case you've forgotten!"

"Toph! Stop where you are!" Katara shouted in panic as she saw the dragon step towards Toph.

Toph froze as she felt a wave of hot air hit her in the face. "Good call," was all she could say as the dragon bent his head to look at her more closely.

Katara started walking closer to the dragon when Zuko grabbed her arm. "Katara, think for a second! You could get hurt!"

Katara yanked her arm away from his grasp. "Aang won't hurt me," She said as she walked all the way until she was underneath the dragon's body.

Zuko shook his head and watched the two forms anxiously. Toph just stayed frozen in place as she strained her ears to listen.

The red dragon slowly lowered its head, his golden eyes staring straight into Katara's. The waterbender patted the dragon's nose softly. "It's okay, you're going to be alright. You're safe with me."

The dragon's eyes closed as it leaned its head lower into Katara's hand. The dragon's form started to grow smaller as the scales became shorter and softer. In a burst of light the dragon disappeared leaving Aang in Katara's arms. She gasped as she noticed the blood flowing from a head wound as Aang coughed in her arms. His body shook uncontrollably as his grey, tired eyes looked up at Katara.

"I'm…sorry…" was all he could say before passing out.

Whew, yay I made it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D

Last Edit: June 30 2012