Hey, guys! I'm back with another chapter. Did you miss me? :) This chapter is a little longer, but if it doesn't deliver, I'm sorry.
idstealer000: Ah, and here we have constructive criticism. I apologize for the somewhat slow plot. I admit, this fanfic was a drabble, but as I continued to write, the more I had an idea of how I wanted it all, and I assure you, this story is going somewhere. It just took awhile to get there. There might not be a lot of action in this chapter, but that's because some character development needed to happen before they went to Uchiwake, and then comes the fun stuff! So please stay tuned!
Kataang4eve: Best. Reaction. Ever. Would you say you are a...fangirl? Cause if you are, then that's a little surreal, because I'm normally the one being a fangirl. :) Glad you're enjoying it! Lol, hope you like this chapter.
Mz topsy turvy: Lol "dear reader" - I see what you did there! Anyhow, glad you liked that chapter! Yes, I just had to sneak some wonderful Kataang in there. I swear, after this, I'm going to write a nice fiuffy fic to make up for all the sad and serious Kataangst in this story. As for if it were shorter, it actually isn't. :/ Maybe it feels that way because of a long author's note? Idk, but tell me what you think of this one, which is actually a bit longer...for me, that is.
Squeak squeak: :) Yeah, real nice weather...hehehe...okay, so as for the calm before the storm...well, erm, let's just say that chaos and heartbreak will ensue.
Guest: The real Aang? Idk...he seems pretty far away at this point...we can only hope he'll get better. :)
prettyshon10: You have no idea...I've got something major planned, and I kind of feel evil for planning it...oh well! One question, though. What do you think of my endings, because I notice that I end a lot of chapters with one-liners.
Thanks for all the reviews! ENJOY! :)
Disclaimer: I still don't own A: TLA...*sighs* Did any of you believe I actually did?
Eventually, Sokka had taken over the flight, leaving Aang to catch up on some well-earned sleep. He lay back in the saddle, gazing at the multitude of stars that shone in the sky. He smiled, thinking of how beautiful it was. Aang resolved to make more time to stare at nature's wonders. It distracted him, if only for a short while.
Momo chattered sleepily from his place on Aang's chest, who rubbed the back of the flying lemur in response. Momo let out a happy chatter, and soon Aang could feel the lemur's chest rising and falling steadily. The cute little creature had gone to sleep.
Sleep…The thought sounded nice to Aang, but he couldn't quite bring himself to relax and close his eyes. He held back a sigh. How could he go to sleep? Too much had happened and was going to happen for him to even consider resting. However, that wasn't the only reason for his insomnia.
Aang was afraid of what he would dream about. For a long time now, he hadn't had the best of dreams. Nightmares plagued him almost constantly, or at least, they once had. After his birthday party, the nightmares had lessened, but now that so much was going on, he was afraid they would return. He was starting to slip into his old paranoia again, and that did not bode well. He didn't want to go back to his near-hopeless state. If he did, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to recover again. He'd just sink into hopeless depression, and he hated the thought.
So Aang stayed awake, and eventually it was Zuko's turn to guide Appa through the sky. Aang tensed as Zuko maneuvered past him. Of all the people accompanying Aang to the compound, Zuko was the one Aang was most uncomfortable around. The airbender doubted Zuko more than anyone else on Appa, except for Feng. Aang felt the need to hate the firelord. It was almost like an instinct. Aang didn't know why, but he just couldn't stand Zuko. It was strange and unreasonable after all Zuko had done for the monk, but Aang just couldn't bring himself to feel any fondness for Zuko. He tried, but it was too hard. Aang couldn't do it.
"I know you're awake, Aang," came the familiar voice of Zuko after a long silence. Aang didn't make a sound.
"Come on, talk to me," Zuko pleaded with the airbender in a whisper, so as not to wake the others, "Please talk to me. I'm your friend. You can trust me. I'd never hurt you."
"How come I can't believe that?" Aang asked, voice laced with suspicion.
Zuko grimaced. He missed being Aang's friend. He'd worked so hard to gain Aang's trust and respect in the first place, having to take on "Combustion Man" in order to prove himself, but then, because of some stupid brainwashing, he had to start the whole process all over again, and just when he'd thought he was making progress, Aang started to hate him! It was as if he was destined to never be Aang's friend. It was the most frustrating experience of Zuko's life.
"Look, Aang, all I want is to be your friend again. I miss our friendship. You gave me some great advice, and I still have a lot of respect for you, despite everything that has happened. I remember the kid you used to be, and to see you like this now is crushing."
Aang got up and leaned over the saddle to look Zuko in the eye. The airbender frowned.
"I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment, but this is what you've got," Aang murmured quietly, Zuko only barely hearing the boy.
"No, Aang. I really didn't mean it like that, but, well, don't you want to be who you used to be? Don't you want your old life back?" Zuko asked desperately. Aang should be trying to recover, not pushing everyone away. Zuko resolved to snap some sense into the boy.
Aang looked offended, and he had to fight to keep his voice at a whisper, "You think I don't miss my old life?" Aang asked furiously, "You don't think I miss the security of knowing who to trust and who not to? You don't think I miss having just one set of memories to rely on, one set of morals and beliefs to help me form an opinion? Believe me, I do, but I can't go back to that, no matter how hard I try! It's useless to try and recover. I just need to deal with all that's going, and hopefully I'll find a new place out there, a new life to lead. Things will never be the same."
Zuko blinked. Aang had given up on healing at all. He just wanted to start a new life. Aang didn't think it was even possible to find a cure to his predicament. This was terrible! Aang couldn't give up! He meant too much to Zuko, too much to Team Avatar, too much to the world! Zuko had to convince Aang that there was a way to heal, though the task seemed difficult.
"Aang, there is a way to heal. It just requires our help; everyone on this bison can help you get better in some way. All you have to do is let us."
"And how can I trust you?" Aang inquired, "How do I know this isn't all a lie?"
Zuko sighed, "You don't know, Aang. You can't really trust anyone after what happened to you, but because you can't trust anyone, sooner or later, you're going to have to take a gamble. You can't become some hermit in a cave isolated from the world because you don't have your memories. You'll have to take a risk one day."
Aang stared at Zuko, the logic and truth in his statement sticking out. Others might try to convince him to come to their side, but Zuko spoke with a brunt honesty that Aang found refreshing. The firebender admitted that Aang really couldn't trust anyone anymore. He understood. Also, Zuko had brought up a good point about eventually having to take a gamble. Aang didn't want to become the hermit Zuko spoke of, and if he wanted to avoid that fate, he would have to risk trusting someone.
"Okay, you've got me, Zuko. Everything you just said is true. I will have to to take a risk one day. The fact that you pointed that out makes me want to risk trusting you over others. So, I'll listen to what you and the rest of your friends have to say - well, I'll listen to everyone except Feng. I'll never listen to him again."
Zuko didn't like the malice in Aang's voice when he spoke of Feng, but he would just have to deal with it for now. Aang was going to partly trust them from now on! It was definitely a step in the right direction. Zuko was thrilled. His excitement helped keep him awake, and he rode onward.
Aang, however, was now finding it easier to go to sleep, and soon, his chest was rising and falling as steadily as Momo's.
Aang looked around. He was in a strange place. It looked to be a forest, but…the whole place seemed to be radiating with some undefined, mystic energy. The scenery seemed to be glowing. Aang supposed he should feel nervous, but instead, he felt peaceful. He felt like he was at home in this place, wherever and whatever "this place" was. Where am I? Aang wondered in awe. He was struck with a sense of familiarity. Had he been here before?
"No," Aang assured himself firmly, "I'm sure I would remember a place like this."
Someone chuckled from behind him. Aang jump, startled, and turned around. Standing there was a man clad in Fire Nation clothing. He had long white hair and a beard to match, with a slightly wrinkled face - the sign of old age, no doubt.
"Roku."
Aang said it without really thinking. Somehow, he knew the man's name was Roku, and Aang couldn't help but feel as though….as though he knew this man. Aang stared curiously at the stranger. Why did this man seem so familiar? Why was he here? Where was here?
The man, apparently named Roku, chuckled, "Hello, Aang. I remember the first time you visited, you had the same look of awe on your face. That's one of the things I admire most about you, Aang. You have a respect and understanding of the Spirit World, and you approach this world with a childlike innocence, which is how everyone should."
Aang was still gazing at Roku in wonder, when something he said shocked Aang, "Wh - what? This place - this place is the Spirit World?!"
Roku's eyes were filled with understanding and…. was that sadness? "Ah, yes, your mind has been tampered with, and so you would not remember this place, and you would have no knowledge of how to behave here, but do not worry. If any Spirits come, they will not harm you, as long as you stay calm."
Aang nodded, eyes widened, "B - but how did I get here, Roku? Why am I here?"
"Because I brought you here. We have a connection, Aang. It is this connection that allows us to visit each other through many different means. One of the most common ways you can contact me is meditation, and the most common way I use to contact you is through dreams."
"That makes sense, I guess," said Aang, "but…what is our connection?"
"That, Aang, I cannot tell you. That information is something you will have to remember, not something you overhear."
"Why?"
Roku answered, "If I merely tell you, Aang, it would be too overwhelming for you. You can't handle it, Aang. On the other hand, if you let it come back naturally, if you remember it, then it will be much easier to cope with."
Aang nodded in disappointment. It would have been nice to have an explanation, but he supposed Roku was right. It was still slightly frustrating.
"All right," Aang sighed, "I understand. Now, why have you called me here, Roku?"
"I intend to show you something," informed Roku, and it was then that Aang noticed something long and red soaring in the sky, and - and it was soaring straight at them!
"Um…Roku…" Aang muttered in uncertainty.
It was then that the creature was close enough for Aang to see it. It was a dragon! Aang's eyes widened as he gazed at the creature.
"R-Roku…" Aang stammered. To the boy's great surprise, Roku petted the creature and stroked its long neck (or maybe it was its back, as there was no way to distinguish between the two).
"There is no need to be alarmed, Aang," said Roku calmly, "This is my animal guide, Fang. He won't hurt you. Now come on! I need to show you something before we lose the connection." With that, Roku got on Fang's back.
Aang gulped and tentatively approached Roku and Fang, warily eyeing said dragon as he did so. Taking a deep breath to ready himself, Aang climbed onto Fang's back and sat just behind Roku.
"Now that that's settled, it is time for you to learn a very important lesson, Aang."
Aang nodded silently, still unable to believe this was happening. The dragon took off into the sky, and onward they soared, Aang wondering what in the world he was about to see.
Katara awoke to the sound of a sigh, but she didn't immediately go to sleep as others might have. During the war, she had often awoken to Aang sighing, getting out of bed, and other things of that nature. As such, she had trained herself to wake up whenever she heard a sigh. This time, it actually wasn't Aang. It was Feng, who was currently steering Appa through the sky.
Katara rubbed her eyes, stretched, and made her way over to him, careful not to wake any of the others up, a task she had gotten quite skilled at.
"Feng? What's the matter?" Katara asked, drowsiness still evident in her voice. Feng started at the sound of her voice, apparently having not noticed her approach. She sat next to him, noting the hurt in the hypnotist's eyes. Katara had a pretty good idea of what, or rather, who was causing that hurt.
Aang gazed with shock at what Roku had brought him to see, and he glared at the older man.
"Why did you take me to see Katara and him?" he spat out the last word, directing his glare at the traitor, the coward, Feng. He only looked back at Roku when the man spoke. Had he not been so angry, Aang might have been surprised that he, Roku, and the dragon were all a bright, glowing blue. As it was, Aang found it hard to focus on anything except the spite and loathing he felt for Feng.
Roku sighed and frowned, "Aang, this is a conversation you need to here. Just listen."
Aang glared at Roku for a second longer, before relenting and turning his attention back to the conversation below. Despite complying, Roku saw that there was still animosity and bitterness in his eyes, but he hoped that bringing Aang here would lessen that passionate anger. He knew Aang couldn't get rid of it altogether, sad as it was.
Down below, Feng was struggling to think of something, anything, to say.
"Er….hi?" he said at last. Katara raised an eyebrow.
"Feng, I didn't ask you to say 'hi.' I asked what was wrong. So, what's wrong?"
Feng blanched, "Um…."
Katara nodded her encouragement, waiting patiently for Feng to speak. One of her best traits, according to Aang, was that she was a good listener. This gift for listening had yet to fail her, and she hoped tonight wasn't the night her record was broken.
To her great relief, it wasn't, "Something Aang said has been bothering me. I can't seem to let it go, no matter how hard I try."
"It seems Aang's at the center of all our worries these days," Katara commented, wishing that they didn't have to worry about Aang so much, wishing things were back to normal. All their other problems had seemed to fade at the prospect of losing Aang. It wasn't his fault, though. Katara knew that if any of the other members of Team Avatar had been brainwashed, the rest of the group would be worrying just as much as they were now. Granted, Katara might not feel as crushed as she did now, but she would feel as though a part of her were missing. Functioning without one of the other members of Team Avatar would be like functioning without a limb.
Katara pushed those thoughts away and focused on her conversation once more.
"Aang says a lot of terrible, hurtful things, Feng," said Katara, "We have to learn to cope with them. You know he doesn't mean it."
Feng shook his head, "First of all, he means everything he says about me, and second of all, this wasn't an insult. No, it's not like that at all. It's something else entirely."
Katara widened her eyes, now more alert, "What was it, then?"
"There's a reason he wants to go to Uchiwake so badly. Other than the obvious reasons, that is. He thinks this is his last resort, his last chance not to be…alone. He thinks this is his last shot to have a place in the world."
Katara sat in stunned silent for a second, and Aang was the same way above. Aang was wondering how Feng knew exactly what Aang had been feeling like. The hypnotist had mentioned that Aang had said something, but all Aang had said to the hypnotist about this was "...then I won't be alone anymore." Feng must know Aang extremely well to deduce so much from so little. However, instead of making Aang lighten up to the man, it only made him feel even more betrayed. He got to know me so well, only to stab me in the back…
Roku noticed Aang's facial expression with dismay. He had been hoping this would go differently.
Katara was stunned for an altogether different reason, "He thinks what?! How could he possibly think that! What about us?! We're his friends! He should know that! I can't - I can't believe this!"
Feng grimaced, "I know. I feel the same way, but can we blame him? He's been betrayed, after all…"
Katara went from shocked to angry in second, glaring at Feng, "Will you stop beating yourself up, Feng?! Yes, you did a terrible thing, I admit, but what is feeling guilty and blaming yourself going to do to help Aang? Absolutely nothing! You made a mistake, but now's your chance to make it right. Even if Aang persists in holding this grudge, you can still try to help him. He may still be mad at you, but that doesn't mean you can't redeem yourself."
Feng stared at Katara, processing her words. He had heard from the others that she was full of so much hope, but only now did he see it. She had succeeded in lifting his spirits, making him feel hopeful.
"Thank you, Katara. I needed that. Believe me, I still feel guilty, and I wouldn't blame Aang if he never spoke to me again, but as long as he recovers one day, it's okay with me. I care about that boy as if he's my own son, you know."
Katara smiled, "Good, now if you excuse me, I'm going to bed." Katara made her way back to her spot, and considering how tired she was, it was not shocking at all when she passed out instantly.
Aang processed the conversation himself. Feng's words had been shocking, to say the least. All Feng wanted was for Aang to be was all he wanted. But that was most certainly not the part that struck Aang. What really stuck out to him was that Feng had actually said he cared about Aang - cared about him like a son! Feng actually loved Aang; he actually wanted the best for Aang! Aang knew he'd once looked to Feng like a father. The question was, did he still feel the same way now?
And somewhere deep within himself, Aang knew the answer. He grinned at Roku, who responded with a smile of his own.
"Thank you, Roku."
"You're welcome, Aang, and just so you know, I'm so proud of you."
Aang wiped away a single tear that had been making its way down his cheek, "Thank you, again. That means a lot, even if I can't remember why."
Roku chuckled, but then quickly frowned when he sensed something, "Our connection is fading, Aang. I have been trying to restore it, but unfortunately have not been able to reconnect with you completely. I can't stay in contact with you much longer! Just remember - nothing lasts forever!"
Aang was left to contemplate the meaning of this as the dream came to an end.
Aang awoke with a start. He blinked open his eyes and gazed around for a few seconds, trying to get his bearings. When he finally remembered where he was and what he was doing there, he relaxed, cursing those confusing first few seconds when you woke up in a different place.
He then sat up, and as he did, he noticed that Feng was still steering Appa. The events of his dream kept replaying in his mind, and he took a deep breath to ready himself for what was to come. It was time for some closure. Aang made his way over to the front of the saddle, looking down at the hypnotist who he'd been through so much with.
"Feng?" he called out softly.
Feng stiffened. He'd know that voice anywhere, but why was the owner of that voice talking to him. He turned around, and sure enough, Aang was there. Feng was shocked to see that there was no malice in the boy's eyes. His eyes were full of hesitance, and even what appeared to be gentleness.
"Yes, Aang?" said a bewildered Feng, not sure what else to say.
Aang offered Feng a small, hesitant smile, and the boy looked younger and more innocent than he had in a long time, "Just wanted you to know…if you had kids, they'd be proud."
With that, Aang went back to his spot on Appa, leaving an astonished Feng behind. Slowly, Feng smiled, realizing exactly what Aang meant.
Said boy contently closed his eyes, feeling at peace for once. That might have been his shortest conversation that night, but it had probably been the most important.