Chapter Seven: Hidden Places and Stolen Faces

The tidal wave blocked the sun and threatened to overwhelm the waterbenders below. Katara froze her feet to the ice and kept her movements in rhythm with the men around her. She resisted wiping the sweat off her face. Despite their best efforts to turn the water, the wave crashed onto the ice, blasting all of the benders. Katara stood strong. She was submerged in freezing saltwater that battered her body and went up her nose. Katara bent the water so her head was clear.

"Okay, men!" the man in charge of Katara's group shouted, "let's keep this water moving!" Leaders of the other work parties could also be heard giving orders.

"Hold your stances!"

"The Ocean Spirit may have chosen today to go crazy, but that doesn't mean you're going to lose your heads!"

Katara went along with those around her, moving her arms to push the water back. As the water was gradually pushed back to the ocean it was frozen, and the waterbenders advanced, freezing more as they went until the excess was taken care of. The benders were relieved. They spent the next few minutes resting and congratulating each other.

"Lunchtime!" A woman shouted as everyone went to get in a line.

There had been on and off rainstorms and tidal waves all day. The insane weather had started before sunrise. Katara and the other benders had been dealing with it since then. Katara had never been so sore from bending before. She now knew how hard the tribe worked. Even though today's weather was probably caused by the equinox, Sokka said everyone worked hard every day to rebuild the North Pole.

This was the hottest summer the North Pole had seen in a century. More of the ice had melted than usual. Homes were destroyed and bridges had cracked. The warriors' fleet, moored on an iceberg, was swept away (and only recovered through Sokka's quick thinking.) Half the palace had caved in, destroying the wing that once belonged to Princess Yue. An older man had said this was the worst weather he had seen in sixty years. Some said it because of the comet. Some said it the spirits. Some said it was bad luck caused by both.

All the waterbenders were organized into work parties and worked from sunset to noon. Katara and Aang had arrived last night, but they had been volunteered as soon as possible. The warriors helped. Sokka was on a team that was repairing the boats. The women of the tribe helped by healing and by bringing food out to the men.

Katara grabbed a bowl and chopsticks and got in Gran-Gran's line. Each woman had laid out a blanket and whoever wanted her cooking lined up. As Katara waited she looked around for Aang. He had been in one of the other groups. With the tension between them Katara had been glad for this, but she still wanted to see if he was fine. She did not see him. When Katara reached the front her stomach growled and her arms were too tired to hold her bowl.

"What are you doing?" Gran-Gran said sternly, "no granddaughter of mine should have to wait in line." She smiled as Katara gave her a hug.

"Hey, Gran-Gran. What'd you make?" Katara looked at the spread. "Smells good."

"Honestly, I only made the soup." The older woman wore a wry smile. "And Pakku made the rest, although I'd keep it between us."

Katara filled her bowl. "Master Pakku cook? Isn't that women's work?"

"I haven't made some of these dishes in years or ever, I wasn't the most responsible girl when I was younger, and Pakku didn't want his future wife to be shamed," Gran-Gran said and laughed, "but I wouldn't mention that to him. Probably embarrass him.

"Probably. But have you seen Aang?"

Gran-Gran shook her head, but the person who came up behind her spoke.

"He's at the Spirit Oasis," Master Pakku said, "Yugoda and a few of the others sensed some kind of disturbance so he went to deal with it."

"Then I'll see if he's not too busy to eat some lunch."

"Make sure you take seconds. Your grandmother worked very hard." Pakku gave a curt nod.

"Of course I will." Katara smiled as Gran-Gran winked. Gran-Gran was happier than Katara had seen her in a long time. Katara took her food and found a spot to sit. Katara stacked her dishes when done and set out for the oasis. Sokka, who was taking the time to practice sparring with Suki and the other warriors, warned her not to stray too far or stay too long.

Katara ducked through the low, wooden door to the Spirit Oasis. The tropical heat was refreshing and Katara padded her way across the grass. Yet something felt wrong. Katara could not identify or name the feeling, but she knew something was wrong. "Aang?" Aang was nowhere to be seen. Katara walked beside the koi pond. Tui and La did not circle each other but swam erratically. Looking up, Katara gasped.

Bamboo trees had grown in the waterfall pool. Katara knew those had never been there before. It had an inviting, unearthly aura. Aang must be inside. Katara plunged into the warm water. She waded, pushing back the trees and brushing back leaves that floated on the water around her. Katara stumbled. She looked around. She doubted she was in the mortal world anymore.

The sky was an orange-gray and everything was cast in orange. Like Katara was wearing Teo's goggles. The water moved around Katara's legs like mist. She could not feel the natural pull that came with wading in a pool of water. Ahead of her she saw a monkey meditating. It would know where Aang was. How did Katara know that? Monkeys did not talk or answer questions. She just knew.

"Have you seen my friend?"

"Go away," the monkey said.

"Please I'm looking for--"

"I said go away." The animal opened an eye. "Wait, you're a mortal?"

"Yes, so can you help me?"

"Humph," the monkey replied, "if you need help you should see Koh."

"Koh?"

The monkey nodded. "Why don't you follow that light?"

Katara turned to see what looked like a firefly. It flew away and she followed it.

"That will deal with her," the monkey said and went back to meditating.

Katara was not really aware of what she was doing. Her head felt light and she did not fight the feeling. Katara followed as she was led through the mist-water and up a pile of tree roots. Katara only paused to look at a wolf as tall as the tree trunk she was climbing. That was interesting. A second monkey played at the top. Its face was turned away. There was an opening at the top and Katara went in.

"Hello, is anybody here?" Katara looked around not noticing the centipede on the dark cavern roof. She did not hear its legs click on the stone as it circled in front of her. "Hello?"

A scream came out of the cave. The monkey outside looked up, turning its faceless face to the noise, but it eventually went back to what it was doing.

Aang rubbed Momo's head, causing the lemur to chitter excitedly.

"I know I should be dealing with the problem at the Spirit Oasis," Aang said, "but I'll get to it later. I just need to think right now." Aang was kneeling on the ice and watching the water through a small fisherman's hole. Aang always talked to Momo when he needed to sort his feelings. Aang sighed.

"I hate not talking to Katara. I want to tell her how I feel but I'm afraid. But I know I should deal with my problems and not run like I used to. But—but--" Aang's voice trailed off. He continued, "It's like when I ran away from the Southern Air Temple. I wish I could go back and tell everybody goodbye, but I can't. I'll never have the chance to say goodbye to the people who loved me, I'll never get to tell them how much I cared about them. And I don't want something like that to ever happen again."

Aang looked down at the water. It felt nice to finally say it aloud. Ever since the day he had discovered Monk Gyatso's skeleton, Aang had been terrified he would let it happen again. Aang rarely thought about this, but when he did the thought would nag him for days. He stood up.

"Come on, Momo; let's deal with the Spirit Oasis now." Momo leaped onto the boy's shoulder. "And with Katara tomorrow." Despite Aang's speech about dealing with his problems right away he told himself he would reconcile with Katara tomorrow, not today. Tomorrow was better. Aang walked with his hands in the parka's pockets.

Aang shivered as he entered the oasis. Something was wrong. He knelt beside the pond to observe the fish. Tui and La also seemed to feel that something was wrong. Aang felt their nervousness as they swam. What could be causing such a strong interference? Aang got his answer when he looked up.

"Woah." A grove of bamboo trees stood in the waterfall's mist. "A Spirit World opening," Aang gasped. According to Avatar Roku, openings were rare and usually brought inauspicious tidings to the mortal world. Aang's eyes widened when he saw what was floating in the water.

"Katara!" Aang rushed into the water, scooped her unconscious body into his arms, and ran back onto the grass. He laid Katara on her back. "Katara." Aang propped her head up with his right hand while he ran his left down her body, making sure she had not swallowed water. "Please, Katara, wake up. Wake up." Aang put his mouth to hers and airbent his breath thoughout her body. She did not stir, and Aang realized something. There was no heartbeat.

"No. No." Aang began to cry. "Katara, please. This isn't funny." Even though he knew she would never joke about something like this. Tears ran down his face. He refused to believe Katara was dead. Aang was trying to control his emotions, trying to get hysterical. He knew what could happen. Yet he was sobbing. His frame shook.

Aang put his head on Katara's stomach. "Didn't say goodbye. Katara. No," Aang mumbled, "I love you--you can't go. No. No."

This was not how things were supposed to end. Katara was his best friend. Katara was his girlfriend, his girl. There was a possibility. Aang turned his teary eyes towards the waterfall. She could be trapped in the Spirit World.

Aang's features hardened. He knew what he had to do. Aang kissed Katara on the lips. "I'll see you when I come back." She could not hear him, but he said it anyway. Aang noticed Katara's two necklaces, Gran-Gran's necklace and the Spirit Oasis vial, trailing on the ground. He unclasped the vial and dipped it into the pond. He rested it against Katara's body. "In case you forget." Aang sat cross-legged beside his girlfriend's lifeless body and began to take deep, measured breaths. Aang's arrows glowed blue. He was in the Spirit World.

In the Spirit World, Aang did not waste time. He said nothing as he walked past the rude monkey he had met last time. He stopped when he saw the hovering light. Aang followed it. If Katara was here it would lead him to her. The thing led Aang on a meandering path that eventually ended at the foot of a tall tree. Aang felt sick. He recognized this place as the home of Koh the Face Stealer. Aang ascended the roots in great leaps. He did not want to think about what being here meant. At the top, Aang saw a crumpled body in the cave entrance.

"Katara?" Aang turned Katara's spirit over. She had no face. Aang held back a scream of agony, calmed himself, and narrowed his eyes. He had feared as much. Koh was going to be dealt with. Aang took a deep breath and made his face expressionless. He went in.

Aang walked to the middle of the dark cave. He waited. "Koh, there's no need to hide. I know you're here." Aang heard a shuffling in the dark.

"Oh, Aang," came a voice Aang recognized, "I worry so much about you. I worry that you don't like me anymore You don't want to talk to me." Koh crawled out in front of Aang. The spirit wore Katara's face. "Are you passionate about me, like romantically? I don't know. Will I ever?"

Aang paled. Were these Katara's doubts? Or was Koh being creative? Aang did not want to know right now.

Koh's face returned to its usual mask-like appearance. "Well if it isn't wonderful to see an old friend." It wore a wicked smile.

"You know why I'm here. Give me back Katara's face."

"You know I can't do that," Koh said in its deep voice, "she's mine now. Although you're certainly not the first to come barging in, demanding what's mine. But I'm sure I've told you that before." The centipede circled Aang who said nothing. "Avatar Kuruk demanded I give the face of his lover back. A foolish mortal, but he eventually realized it was pointless and gave up."

"I am not Avatar Kuruk," Aang said plainly, "I will actively shape my own destiny and I would never give up. Give me back her face."

Koh said nothing for a moment. "Did you know I can borrow the faces of those who have passed. You'd be surprised how many mortals I've lured here." Koh changed its face. It was now a round-faced, pleasant looking woman with long hair and a top knot. She looked fearful.

"Iroh—Iroh," the woman pleaded, "my love, how could you leave me? Our unborn child? How could you leave Lu Ten? How? How?"

"Quit your tricks, Koh." Aang was inwardly unnerved. Had Iroh been to the Spirit World? Who was Lu Ten? Aang continued, "I will make a deal with you, since I know it is the only way. If I can challenge you for Katara's face and win, you will give back her face. If I lose you can have my face. All you have to do is decide the challenge." Aang knew how much Koh would want an Avatar's face for its collection. Aang's face was calm, but his mind was being given a workout. He knew he had to be creative and quick in dealing with Koh.

"Your face? I doubt you are that stupid. You are the Avatar, worth more than she will ever be. Betting your face, my friend, is a poor notion on your part."

"Why do you care?" Aang said. "Doesn't matter what I wagered if I win."

Koh climbed the walls. "Well you have made foolish decisions regarding her before. Aang kept his eyes level as the centipede crawled above him. "I know how to play many mortal games like Pai Sho--"

"I know how to play Pai Sho."

"Perfect."

As Koh turned away, Aang gave a small smile. He had wondered what game Koh would challenge him to (a game was the only way they could compete as dueling with an immortal spirit was pointless). Somehow a Pai Sho table was found and set up and the two players sat on opposite sides. Aang arranged his tiles as Koh swayed in its spot. The game began. Koh had the first move. Aang was still shocked at the idea of playing a mundane mortal game with an ageless spirit, but he did not let it show. Aang was sure of his decision. He had a trick up his sleeves and at his belt. One of the monks had said an airbender never put themselves in a situation they could think their way out of. Aang hoped he was right.

"There is still hope," the female shaman said as she held open the door flap.

"Yes," added the male shaman, "the spirit lights still burn, there is still activity in the Spirit World.

A dejected Sokka and Suki walked into the temple, done with their routine visit to the oasis. No one inside had to ask if Katara was still dead or Aang was still in the Spirit World. Sokka's face said everything. Yesterday afternoon, Katara had left to check on Aang and had not come back. The two of them had been found in the Spirit Oasis last night. Except for the bodies there had been nothing out of place in the oasis. The shamans had said it would be best if the bodies were unmoved until the Avatar came back.

Those gathered began to leave, having received the news they had come for. Hakoda looked grim. Gran-Gran frowned, her face becoming even more wrinkled, and Pakku put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She put her hand on top of his. Sokka looked dumbstruck and Suki had her arm around him. Sokka found the situation disturbing and surreal.

Everyone said good-bye and went their separate ways under a spectacular night sky. Shimmering reds, curtains of blue, green, and yellow, rippled in the sky. The shamans said these were the northern lights. The northern lights, or the spirit lights, were a rare sight at the North Pole, only coming about when the divide between the Spirit World and the poles was thin. The northern lights had started yesterday and were still going even though it was not the equinox anymore. They would not go away until the divide between the worlds was more pronounced. They would not go away until Avatar Aang came back, with Katara or not.

The game did not seem to last that long. Aang moved quickly while Koh's turns took longer. Koh was winning. It was the spirit's turn. Koh moved its tile.

"It's your turn."

Aang looked over the board. He knew what he wanted to do. Was now the right time? Aang felt it was. "You're going to wish you'd never challenged me."

"Really?"

Aang smiled and tapped a tile with his finger. "You must've seen my White Lotus piece, the one I brought from the temple, here the entire game but assumed I didn't know how to play it. As you've done nothing to defend against it. 'A poor notion on your part.'" Aang put his hand on the tile.

"What--what are you--"

Aang pushed the White Lotus tile into the winning spot. "I win."

"No!" the spirit screamed, "No!"

"I think you should give my friend's face back now."

Koh screamed, its tiny centipede legs clutching its face. Aang sat emotionless. He flipped the tile into the air and slid it down his sleeve. The spirit retreated into the cave. Aang heard something behind him. He turned.

"Katara!" Aang ran over to her.

"Aang?" She sat up and held her head.

Aang knelt beside her. "Katara." He put his arms around her and planted kisses all over her surprised face. When she attempted to speak Aang kissed her on the lips. She shut her eyes and went with it. After an odd sleep it was a wonderful thing to wake up to. Katara had no idea what happened, but Aang was here. That was the most important thing right now. Aang helped her up and down the tree. Aang stopped some distance away. He turned so that he and Katara were facing each other.

"Katara."

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry for I've handled the situation, with us and what you did. I hate what you did, Katara, but that doesn't mean I should've avoided the situation. Or let it drag out as it has. It's an insult to our friendship, you deserve better."

"Aang, can we talk about this tomorrow? I'm so tired."

"Oh sorry." Aang noticed how groggy she looked. "But we're friends again?"

"Never stopped. Never will."

Aang took her hands and returned their spirits to the mortal world. Katara choked awake as Aang came to beside her. She looked around, dazed. She made out Aang's face and smiled. Everything was going to be fine.

Dislaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

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