"He looks kinda peaceful." Aang said to Zuko, Zuko didn't respond, he felt sick.
I did this…I did this to him, my best friend…
Aang didn't even let Zuko into the room for the first few hours, and only conceded when Zuko started crying.
He tried working his throat but only managed a croak, he could remember the Dai Li questioning him and even though Aang was angry with him still vouching for him.
If it weren't for him he'd be deep under Lake Laogai.
He does look peaceful though, sitting in the bed machines monitoring his life.
It was odd the cord was just sitting there, plugged into the wall.
The only between this world and the next.
"Is Mommy going to be okay?"
A smaller Zuko stood beside his mother's bedside, the same machines beeping slowly and rhythmically.
The older man stood, arms crossed, and left the room leaving a mother, wife and sister alone with her son.
"Com'on son it's time to go home." A kindly old nurse shook the young Zuko awake, he rubbed his eyes sleepily.
He kissed his mom's forehead, "Night Mom. Love you."
The next day he found the bed empty, the always-smiling nurse crying as she held him.
The tears didn't come that day.
They came today.
Katara sat in a corner de-braiding her brown hair only to braid it again 5 minutes later. Toph had not spoken since the 'News' and Mai wasn't exactly a 'conversation' kind of person. Katara leaned her head back closing her eyes letting her hands fall to the ground.
She felt a nub and subconsciously picked at it reveling more and more of a handle.
It took a few minutes but Mai finally spoke, "Look!" Katara opened her eyes; something had to be really important for Mai to raise her voice. Looking down Katara found a small trapdoor leading into a deep black.
Without even testing it she knew she was too big to fit, but she happened to know a certain blind authoress who could possibly help.
"Toph." She lifted her head, eye burning red, nose and eyes crusty.
She grunted and Katara placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it, "Toph…" I gently lifted her up; she wobbled slightly before regaining her normally poised self.
She raised an eyebrow curiously and edged her way to the trapdoor.
Katara and Mai slowly lowered Toph into the trapdoor.
"I'll get help right away." She promised and her sightless eyes disappeared into the darkness.
Jet entered the room later to find the three girls asleep.
The blind one hidden under a blanket while Katara and Mai leant against the wall, heads bent forward.
Instinctively her kissed Katara on the head, trying to forget the fact she was happily married.
Not for longer though…a trip to Lake Laogai had taught him a few things about brainwashing.
The drug worked quickly and Katara was spirited away leaving Mai alone with a blanket.
Katara opened her eyes finding herself gagged and tied unable to move.
"Don't worry my sweet, everything will be alright."
Everything will be alright…
Everything will be alright…
Everything
Will
Be
Alright
Everything…
----- A/N
Sokka's not dead by the way, he's just in a coma.
And Katara's been brainwashed! OMFG!
And where is TOPH?!