Aang was awake before the sun rose the next morning. His eyes were closed, legs crossed as he meditated. It was habit that had him getting up so early, and not hearing any movement from outside, he decided to meditate. He was at peace, there was no question about that, but right now, he wanted to talk to Roku. When next he opened his eyes, that brown and green of his sleeping quarters were gone, and around him was a volcano of the spirit world.
"Roku, where are you?" He called out, standing up, and looking around quickly. A fire spout shot up in front of him and Roku stepped out from behind it. "Hello Aang." He greeted with a small smile. "We are all proud of you." The old man's voice was that of the Avatar's when he spoke. Aang looked away, and would have been blushing if he could.
"What do you need?" Aang took a deep breath, looking up to his mentor, wondering where to begin.
Across the sea, there was another who was awake once again, but not at peace. Fire lord Zuko was in an emergency meeting. There was a fleet of fire nation ships, whom remained loyal to Ozai, terrorizing and pirating Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe ships.
"We need to put a stop to this Fire Lord." Said his lead general.
"I know, but we can only go about this so many ways. They have a large fleet and are some of our elite, there's not much we can do without having a huge outright battle with our own. Is there any chance of intercepting?"
The general shook his head. "They have a head start, and are coming from the Earth Kingdom, we can't catch them at this point. " Zuko sighed heavily, a ball of flame escaping his mouth. This was going to get worse before it got better, Zuko had known this, but it was getting worse by the minute. A new voice broke through the silence, one which the Fire Lord longed to hear. "If I may suggest Fire Lord Zuko, we send a message to the Avatar." Zuko looked up, seeing his uncle standing in the entryway, he smiled. "Let's start there. Please Uncle, join us." He said with a smile, positioning to his right hand side.
Sokka sat at the desk that was in the lavish bedroom which they had been given. He could get used to this life. It was past sun up now, and Sokka was writing a letter. It was to Suki. He missed her and wanted to make sure she was alright. He knew that she could handle herself, but after Yue…he still had a problem letting it go. He finished it up, rolling it and giving it to the messenger hawk. Toph's parents had returned him to Sokka after the last visit together. It was a good thing too, helped him talk with Suki.
"Okay Hawky, go to Kyoshi Island and give this to Suki." The bird nodded and flew out the open window. Sokka watched it go, hoping that there would be a reply sooner then later from the woman he loved.
"Aang…are you awake? It's getting late." Katara's voice called from the hall. Aang looked up at the door, away from the stone he was holding, which he quickly tucked away. "Be out in a minute." He called out, hopping off the bed, and hiding the papers he had drawn, rolling them carefully and tucking them away with his stuff. After it was all packed up he grinned. It was a long way off, but he was sure it would be perfect when he was done. He was wearing his light yellow and orange robe, opening the door.
"Sorry Katara, I was meditating." He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek as her smile greeted him. "Well if we want to make it to Ba Sing Se, we should leave soon." She said. Aang could tell she was anxious. It had been a long time since she had been home and it would be strange to return. It wasn't him home…but it was. Aang was more nervous about it then he admitted. He was sure he'd be welcome to stay, but in all reality, he had no home. His nervousness was just another reason he decided to check on things in Ba Sing Se, it was out of the way, but as the Avatar he had an excuse, but in truth, he didn't know if the South Pole would feel welcome. Everything he knew was gone. He would get past this, he had to. As long as they didn't just seal him up in the iceberg again. He chuckled inwardly as he went back into his room to gather his things. It would be awhile before he could keep going on his project without anyone discovering, but for now, he'd just enjoy the company of his girlfriend and his best friend.
The goodbyes were said to Bumi within a few minutes, and soon enough they were back on Appa and in the air. "So did you get some nice treats last night Appa?" He asked smiling. The bison replied with his typical grunt. Aang chuckled looking back to the saddle. Katara was asleep, laying across it with her eyes closed. That worried him slightly, why was she tired? Maybe she was just overly tired? Aang shrugged, he would ask her later, but for now just let her sleep. Sokka was sharpening his boomerang, paying careful attention to it. All seemed to be fine for now. "Yip yip Appa, let's go a bit higher, lots of clouds coming. He roared in response and they lifted slowly into the sky, the warm sun beating down on them in the morning light, threatening to only get hotter as they headed towards the impenetrable city.
There was a flurry blowing. A white out filling the small tribe in the Southern Water Tribe. Doors were slamming shut all around to stop the cold from filling the homes. One remained running though. Her brown hair fluttered in the snow, but she quickly dismissed the snow; running through it and bending the water in it to not hit her. It was hard to run and bend, but Katara was managing.
"Aang! Where are you?" She yelled, the storm all but stopping her voice. He was out here, she knew he was. She could feel tears burning in her eyes. She couldn't lose him. She had come too close. The snow picked up and knocked her to the ground. "Enough!" She yelled out, lifting her arms and flicking her hands upward, the snow freezing in midair. She took a deep breath, her eyes closed. "There…that will help it…" She opened her eyes and choked. There he was, completely frozen once again, in an iceberg, but not in the Avatar state. "No… Noooooo!" She cried in pain dropping to her knees, the ice cracking beneath her, the iceberg holding him shattering before her. She scrambled over, her tears freezing as she approached him. She took him in her arms. His skin greyer then the ash that had haunted their skies.
"Aang…" she whispered. There was silence, and then he moved. Slowly his head turned to look at her, his eyes opening suddenly. "Why didn't you save me…" He breathed out before collapsing in her arms once again. The Avatar was dead.
Katara sat up quickly. She was in Appa's saddle, they were in the air still. She could feel the tears streaming down the face. She looked over to Sokka, who was looking out towards the clouds below them. She took a heavy breath and wiped her eyes. She could see the blue tattoo on the back of Aang's head. He was alright. These dreams had to stop. She moved carefully out of the saddle, climbing onto the bison's head. Aang looked back at her, his smile fading seeing the look on her face.
"Katara…what's wrong?" He asked her, suddenly worried. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head into his shoulder.
"Don't leave me Aang." She whispered. He turned to her, letting go of Appa's reigns and hugged her. "Where did this come from?" He asked her still worried.
"I've been having dreams Aang…terrible ones." He frowned at her. "I'm sorry Katara." He told her, stroking her hair. "Wanna talk about it?" He asked her still looking concerned. She shook her head. "Not right now…maybe later." She told him honestly. He gave her a gentle kiss. "You should get back on the saddle. I don't want you slipping off." He told her. She nodded in response to him, trying to smile, but failing and started climbing back onto the saddle. He was alive, he still loved her, and they would return home soon. Maybe then, the dreams would finally stop.