Hello, oh amazing reader! My apologies to those of you reading An Avatar Christmas, I was just, well...lazy. :) Please don't be mad. Anyhow, I will update it either tomorrow or Sunday (hopefully tomorrow) .

MY REVIEW RESPONSES ARE GOING AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER THIS TIME!

Disclaimer: I do not own A: TLA

Unconsciousness

Aang thought there was no finer word out there. He'd given up on peace, and it was impossible for him to love, or even care. His sleep was overrun nightmares. He'd lost his will to live, and Azula just wouldn't let him die. This meant that all he had left was unconsciousness. Sweet, blissful unconsciousness.

Why was unconsciousness so wonderful? Well, Aang felt nothing when he was unconscious. He didn't endure the constant tornado of conflicting emotions swirling ravenously about inside of him. He didn't go from peaceful and fun loving to quick tempered and serious in a matter of seconds. He wasn't constantly haunted by different sets of beliefs. He felt nothing, and that was fine by him.

Feelings

Aang growled angrily at this word. He'd had about enough of feelings. What good were they? It just caused him more pain in the long run, It also made him regret wanting to die. Aang hated feelings, and he could only escape them when he was unconscious. All his feelings were jumbled up, and he wasn't sure which feeling to go with anymore. He'd lost his ability to react to anything. Whenever he had something to react to, he would begin to feel millions of conflicting emotions buzzing inside of his brain. He never knew which one to go with, so he was never able to react. It was just too confusing.

Confusion

This word described Aang's life these days. Confusion was literally the definition of the war zone that was Aang's mind. Every thought he had was confusing. Every person he spoke to confused him. Every single thing that he experienced managed to confuse him. He didn't know what to believe, what to think, what to feel, how to act, or who to trust! Not to mention, he had three different people inside of him. Who wouldn't be confused?

Trust

Aang seriously had to wonder what idiot came up with this word. Whoever came up with trust was a fool. Trust was a fictional idea, really. How could anyone be so dimwitted as to trust of all things?! No one could determine what went on in someone else's thoughts, so they should never believe they were safe in the company of another. That would be blind faith, yet another word Aang found revolting. Aang in particular had reason to doubt anything he was told. He couldn't be sure of himself, let alone anyone else.

Doubt

Now this was a smart word! Aang knew now to always doubt everything and everyone, including himself. Who knew when someone might try to lead Aang on and use him for wrongdoing? Aang couldn't afford to listen to anyone. No matter how confused he was, he refused to hurt any innocent people, and as he wasn't sure who was innocent, he just wouldn't believe anyone. Then, no one could trick him into doing things that his true personality would regret.

Rescue

This word was laughable. Who would rescue Aang? Who cared if he shriveled up and died in this cell? Who cared if he lost all his sanity (he'd already lost some) ? What did it matter to anyone if he was tortured daily, unable to think of a good reason for fighting the pain? Who cared if Aang died without knowing anyone loved him? Little did he know that nearly the whole world was having a panic attack over him.

Zuko sighed. Had they done the right thing? Should the word really know about the affairs of the young Avatar? Should he have just told the world that Aang was locked in a cell somewhere, with no memory of ever being the Avatar? He was still debating over it as he walked away from the stunned crowd. He was still unsure that they hadn't made a mistake. Was this something that the world needed to know?

Team Avatar had decided to tell the world what had happened over the past few weeks. They knew that rumors were spreading and people were beginning to suspect things, and they figured that knowing the truth would appease the people. Well, as much as knowing that the boy who saved the world was rotting in a cell somewhere could appease you. Besides, they had a right to know.

Still, Zuko had to wonder if he had just betrayed Aang. He'd basically just disregarded Aang's privacy, telling the whole world things that Aang might consider private. Zuko sighed once more. It felt like everything was spiraling out of control, Aang's private life included.

Zuko found none other than Katara waiting for him in his palace, a small smile on her face.

"I know you're upset," she said simply.

"Who isn't?" was Zuko's response.

"But your sadness is something I can cure," said Katara.

"And how, exactly, would you do that?"

"You're upset over Aang's private life becoming the public's latest gossip, am I right?"

"Congratulations, you managed to state the obvious!" Zuko muttered sarcastically.

Choosing to ignore Zuko's comment, Katara smiled, "I can help."

"Katara, I don't think there is a kind of healing water for emotions."

"Well, I was going to tell you a story, but if you insist on no help, then okay…" Katara began to walk away, smirking when Zuko stopped her with a, "No, wait! I mean, uh, I suppose you can tell me, while you're here…"

"Well, this happened when we were all in Ba Sing Se. You were working with your uncle in the Jasmine Dragon. Sokka had just found out about the Solar Eclipse, and we wanted to tell the Earth King, but we found out that a man named Long Feng, leader of the Dai Li, was covering up the war, even from the king! So, the whole city was living under constant fear, control, and oppression. Aang, Sokka, Toph, and I were all horrified. We knew that Ba Sing Se deserved to know what was going on, and that they would want to fight..." Katara proceeded to tell Zuko how they managed to discredit Long Feng.

Zuko nodded slowly as Katara's story came to a close, understanding the point she was trying to make.

"You see, the world needs to know what's going on with Aang. He is the Avatar, after all, which makes it their business," Katara told Zuko, trying to reassure him as best she could. She herself had doubted if telling the public the situation regarding Aang was okay, and it had troubled her greatly. She wondered what it would be like for Aang when he returned. She imagined the hawk-like stares that would be trained on his back whenever he decided to go out. She imagined him having to overhear whispers and murmuring, having to endure the awkwardness when he had to talk to someone. It would be terrible for anyone.

Still, as she had told Zuko, Aang was the Avatar, and the world needed to know what was going on with their Avatar. She hated it for Aang, but it just wasn't right to leave the world in the dark. She sincerely hoped that it wasn't too hard for her boyfriend when they rescued him. She hoped that it wasn't too hard for her boyfriend now.

"Thanks for telling me that. I know it must be hard for you to reassure anyone at the moment. You're, well...you're going through the worst time out of all of us," said Zuko, smiling warmly at his friend. He meant every word he said. It was truly admirable that even after all she had gone through, Katara could still find it within herself to comfort others.

Katara smiled at Zuko, "Thanks, but you're wrong about me suffering the most."

Zuko frowned, "If not you, then who?"

"Aang," Katara said shortly, and she left Zuko alone with his thoughts.

Feng sat alone, considering his options. What should he do? Could he really sit here and watch as such an innocent child was slowly driven to the brink of insanity? Feng sighed. He just didn't know what to do.

Feng felt like rotten old scum these days. What had he done? Every time he looked Aang in the eyes, he couldn't find the kind, go-lucky boy he'd once known, no matter how hard he searched. All he could find was a poor, lost, tormented soul. He wasn't even sure if the boy was truly Aang anymore. He wasn't sure if the boy was completely there.

Feng cracked his knuckles. It just wasn't fair! Why did this have to happen to Aang of all people? He didn't deserve any of it! Why?!

All of the emotions that Feng had been holding back for so long came crashing upon him all at once. All the anger, all the frustration, all the horror, it all boiled inside of him. It was like an angry bison going rampage inside of him. Overwhelmed by all these chaotic emotions, Feng smacked his fist against the nearest wall, watching it crumble from the impact. He was reminded of how Aang crumbled to the floor after every torture session, and it only made him angrier. He punched the wall again. Continuously the earthbender pounded his fist against the wall, growling as he did so. He didn't care if he hurt his fists in the process. He wasn't even thinking at the moment. He just needed an outlet for all of his feelings. The injustice of it all was just too much for him.

Feng hurt a little more every time he saw Aang. He just couldn't stand it. He'd grown attached to the boy and gotten to know him. Even brainwashed, Aang shouldn't have to go through this. It wasn't right.

But what should I do? What can I do? Feng wondered forlornly, slowing ending his tantrum. Gasping for breath, the hypnotist reflected on how hopeless the situation was. If Aang was rescued by Team Avatar, he might just go through more pain, because then his original side would start conflicting with the others more. The war inside Aang's mind would get worse, even if he had friends to help him.

If Feng took him to Admiral Khon, the admiral would probably just throw him in a cell somewhere, because what good was an insane Avatar? No, that wouldn't work either. This meant that the only option was to keep Aang with Azula, and hope for a miracle.

And yet, Feng had to wonder if there was another way. He had to wonder if Aang could be helped somehow. All the other options seemed pretty lousy. There had to be some other way, right? Was there a way the Avatar could be helped, and if there was, did the Avatar want any help?

"Hey, Katara?" Zuko asked. It was evening, and the story Katara had told Zuko had intrigued him.

"Hm?" Katara asked, focused on making dinner with Iroh.

"Well, I was thinking about that story you told me, and I was wondering, there had to be people who knew about the war, and wanted to tell the others about it. How were they kept quiet?"

It had been a fair enough question, and Katara had been about to answer, but then she remembered just exactly what the answer was.

"The Dai Li brainwa-" Katara gasped before she could finish.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't realize…" Zuko stuttered.

"N-no," Katara muttered, pulling herself together, "it's fine. They were brainwashed by the Dai Li."

"Look, I'm sorry that I brought it up. Really, I-" and that's when an idea struck Zuko.

"That's it! I know how to help Aang!"

Well, what did you think? I hope you're still enjoying this. Please review!

Review Responses:

Jokermask18: It's fine. You don't have to review. I just enjoy it when you do. (Woah, am I the only one to catch that rhyme?) Thank you, though, for going back and reviewing the chapters you didn't. That means a lot. I'm glad to see that you are still enjoying this!

IceDragonAvril1: And who, might I ask, is your favorite character? Katara? Me: Aang, just why do you have to go and forget all the characters we know and love?! Aang: Well, you kind of made me. Me: That's completely besides the point! Aang: Sure it is. Me: Shut up!

Mz topsy turvy: Do you honestly think that I wanted you to resist reviewing? Thanks so much for not resisting, because the more reviews, the better! To be honest, I can't believe I've gotten so many. Hope you like this chapter! P.S. I will not rest until I find the perfect word for chapter 20. Yes, I do have stubbornness issues. XD

prettyshon10: I made you feel Aang's pain? Wow, I never thought I'd get that descriptive. Perhaps my writing skills have improved since I began this story. Thanks so much for the compliment! Btw, the first time I hear "Already Over" was when I saw that AMV. I've been addicted to it ever since. About the trailer, well, I don't know if my fanfic is epic enough for Three Days Grace, but perhaps "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence. Let me know if you find something. :)

KingRock980: The idea of Aang thinking that there is three of him came quite suddenly, actually. I was actually in the middle of typing the chapter when it came! When it came to me, I knew it would definitely be good for the story. It will come into play later. Thanks for reviewing, and goodbye!

may96: Thanks, and yes, I am glad that I don't have to go through what Aang is. It would be enough to drive anyone insane….oh, wait...

Squek squek: Poor Aang, I've been torturing him! Hopefully he will be okay, but...what if I'm feeling especially devious today? :) Thanks for reviewing!

katbug (I'm assuming) : My apologies for the short chapter, but I figured you would rather have a short chapter than no chapter.