Hello, dear readers! Welcome to the next installment of The Avatar Rebels. This is it. We've arrived at the finale...or part of it. I can only hope that I give this a satisfactory ending, so I'm going to try my hardest.
squeak squeak: You said I outdid myself last chapter. Well, I'm hoping you'll think these next few chapters are even better, and that you'll be blown away. Hey, an author can dream, can't she?
Mz topsy turvy: Haha, thanks...and you're welcome! Yes, I included the Spirit World, and I'm kind of proud of how that scene turned out. I've also been trying to have more conversations between other members of the group, besides just Aang and Katara, even if Kataang is amazing. :)
prettyshon10: I'm glad you liked this chapter! Yeah, I've been trying to build up that Aang and Feng would have a father/son relationship, and of course, it's good that Feng is finally forgiven. That's something that had to be resolved by the end of the story. I figured Roku might as well help that situation move along a bit quicker.
Avatarlover123: Yes, Katara's always the one to comfort people, isn't she? She is the maternal figure of the group, after all. I'm glad you liked it!
Thanks to all who reviewed! And now for the disclaimer...yay...
Disclaimer: Don't own A: TLA, but maybe one day...
"Ugh, this is taking too long! Can't Appa go any faster? We've been flying for forever!"
Sokka was moaning and groaning, whining and complaining, and pretty much being a general pain, and for some reason, everyone enjoyed it.
They were silently enjoying it, of course, - on the outside they were all yelling at Sokka to shut up - but they couldn't help but feel that the hectic shouting at one another was the perfect way to break the somber mood. There was no deep thinking, only a lighthearted air that everyone was reveling in, and considering what was to come, they all needed to have a moment of lightheartedness.
"Stop rushing Appa!" snapped Aang from his position upfront, though he wasn't really that angry, even if he was a little exasperated, "He'll go as fast as he wants, and we should be grateful he lets humans like us ride him at all!"
Sokka rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I'm going to listen to the guy with the arrow on his head!"
Aang snorted, "You're riding a bison with an arrow on his head. Didn't see you objecting then."
"This is completely different!" protested Sokka.
"Oh, in what way?" Katara asked with a raised eyebrow.
""Uh, well, it's different because - b-because, um…" That was all a very flustered Sokka was able to say.
"It just is?" Katara offered innocently.
"Shut up!" snapped Sokka.
"Hm, 'Shut up.' Classy, Sokka. Very classy," said Katara.
"You'd think the idea guy would come up with better insults," commented Zuko.
"Not you too!" shouted a scandalized Sokka, "I'm so unloved!"
"You were unloved a long time ago, Sokka. Now you're just barely tolerable. It's a wonder we haven't thrown you off Appa yet," said Toph.
"Okay, you I expected this from," sighed Sokka.
Feng rolled his eyes at the kids' bantering. These were the dignified members of Team Avatar, the ones who'd saved the world? It was more than a little laughable. Anyone who didn't know any better would swear these were just a few kids. Feng had only seen them fight a few times (Katara against Azula and Aang against Zuko), and only one of those times had been in the middle of a battlefield. The hypnotist wondered exactly how these children could turn dangerous in less than a second when the situation called for it. He hoped he wouldn't have to see.
"Don't worry, Sokka, we're almost there. We've got about an hour's journey left."
Feng's words did nothing to appease Sokka, who merely whined about how long an hour was, but they were indeed nearly there, and unlike everyone else, Feng's trepidation seemed to grow the closer they got to their destination. Maybe that was because Feng was the only one who knew just what Uchiwake was like.
There was one good thing that had come from this trip. Aang, for reasons still unknown to Feng, had decided to forgive him. Aang was actually making an effort with Feng, and the hypnotist realized just how much he had missed talking to the boy. Things were not like they once were, and Feng doubted things ever would go back that way, but it was a start, at least, and that was all Feng could have hoped for.
Feng couldn't help but wonder why Aang had suddenly decided to forgive him. His best guess was that the airbender had overheard his conversation with Katara, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that Feng was finally forgiven.
"There it is," Feng announced to the rest of the group, though he sounded far from excited. Queasy was a better word to subscribe the pale-looking man. He gestured numbly to the distant outline of the island of Uchiwake on the horizon. Seeing it now, Feng felt all of his reservations about coming here bubble back to the surface. The mood had suddenly become quite tense, and Feng could tell he was not alone in his agitation. Was it seeing the island in person that had done this to them so suddenly? Katara, Sokka, and Zuko all had grim, stony faces as they gazed at the island ahead of them, and though Toph may not be able to see the island, she too seemed to be able to feel the shift in the mood. Feng couldn't even see Aang's face, but the way the airbender went rigid was evidence enough that Aang was affected by the sight of Uchiwake just as much as the rest of them.
Feng figured that it was the reality of the situation, the realization that they were actually doing this, that was causing this reaction, but he knew there was no going back. Not now. Aang had to do this, even if Feng was scared of the boy's reaction.
They silently sailed over the water for a second more before Sokka finally asked, "So...how are we going to do this?"
"It shouldn't be too difficult," Feng responded, "They'll recognize me as a Dai Li agent, and as the head hypnotist. As for you guys, well, you're Team Avatar. They'll be honored to stand in your presence."
"And what about me?" Aang asked, "I'm not a Dai Li agent, and I'm not a part of Team Avatar."
While Feng would never understand the severity of that statement, everyone in Team Avatar, minus Aang, sure would. Katara particularly was struck by the statement. There had been no malice behind the words, only simple confusion, and in a way, that was just as bad. Aang simply didn't know he was the Avatar, and Katara found it easy to forget that at times. Perhaps the monk had suspected at some point in time, but with all the other thoughts and memories crammed in his brain, it was a wonder her friend could function at all. He seemed to know that something had happened to him, at least, but he didn't know what, and he certainly didn't know what life had been like before. The one sentence may have been short and innocent, but it had provided an interesting look into Aang's mind that Katara wasn't sure she wanted, but she received it nonetheless.
All on the bison, minus Toph and Aang, exchanged looks. They came to a unanimous decision. Avoid telling Aang. He had enough on his plate.
"Well, um, you're our guest," Feng answered awkwardly, "and you are the only one of us who - you know - has been…"
"Yeah, I know," Aang muttered, ignoring the sympathetic glances he was sure to at least get from Katara and Feng.
"Well, anyway, it should be simple for us to be allowed in. We'll visit the compound, stay the night so Appa can rest, and leave early in the mourning."
"How far inland is the compound?" asked Zuko.
"It sort of takes up the whole island, actually. I mean, the actual building is in the center of the island, but they have made all of Uchiwake their own. The guards patrol the the perimeter of the island, and a bit further is the compound itself. Guards patrol there all the time too, and not to mention, all the guards in the trees as well."
"Okay, we get it, a lot of guards. Anything else?" Sokka inquired with an edge of annoyance, but that only came from his anxiety.
Feng thought of all the horrors within the walls of the compound. He didn't know exactly how to put it into words, "Other than that…just…brace yourselves, I guess."
Everyone nodded solemnly at his words.
Azula glared at the early morning sun, willing it to climb higher up the sky. The Dai Li agents had said that they should arrive about noon, but Azula was furious that they could not arrive sooner. She just knew that the Avatar would want to visit Uchiwake, and if he left before they got there, then she would have half a mind to burn everyone on this ship alive, and they knew it.
So they pressed through the seas on their ship, hoping that the Avatar would not leave before they got there, hoping that he had even visited the island of Uchiwake at all. They were not exactly sure why Azula was so convinced that Avatar Aang would go to Uchiwake, but apparently she was, and they were not about to question her. Provoking the the Fire Nation princess was an absolutely horrid idea at any time, but now, when she was smoldering with anger, was probably one of the worst times possible to confront her about anything. The crew did as was instructed without question, and this made life a whole lot easier for everyone.
Sometimes the Dai Li wondered why they bothered listening to Azula. She had lost all credibility a long while ago, so following her by now seemed pointless. Whenever they questioned her motives aloud, however, they were always given a sometimes-not-so-quick reminder of why they were to do everything Azula said.
Fear. Fear was why they had followed her even when no one else had. Fear was why they followed her now. Even after all that had happened, Azula was still an incredibly powerful bender, capable of producing pure blue flames, and that was why they submitted. If ever something weren't to go Azula's way…
They shuddered to think about that.
Everyone on Appa had a clear view of the island by now. It was fairly small, and just past the beach was a tropical mass of trees that rose high in the sky. Katara wondered how a supposedly horrible island could look so beautiful. She supposed the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" could be applied here, but it was still odd. The trees towering over the island, surrounded by much smaller ones closer to the ground, the clear blue sky that was surely a sign of perfect weather, birds soaring above the treetops; the whole island seemed like a relaxing, tranquil environment.
Of course, the air of peacefulness was ruined by the sight of guards lining the shore, all taking a fighting stance at the sight of Appa. Team Avatar and Feng tried their best to look nonviolent as Appa landed on the sandy coast.
"Who are you?" demanded one of the guards who had a particularly deep and intimidating voice.
"I am Feng, head hypnotist of the Dai Li, and these are my guests, Team Avatar," If Feng was nervous, he hadn't shown it. He and Team Avatar, even if Aang didn't know he was a part of said team, slid off the bison.
The guard with the deep voice paused for a minute when he noticed Feng.
"Feng!" the guard shouted delightedly, motioning to the other guards that all was well, "Long time no see! Oh, and you've brought Team Avatar. Such an honor!"
Feng grinned warmly, "It's good to see you too, Senshi. How is everything going here?"
The guard, apparently named Senshi, was suddenly grim faced one more, "Not good, old friend, not good at all. Ever since they heard of what has happened to the Av-"
Senshi cut off abruptly with a nervous look at Aang, who in turn looked at him shyly. He regarded the boy uncertainly for a second before turning his attention back to Feng. He whispered, "He isn't…?"
Feng shook his head, "No, he does not want to live here, but he does want to visit people like him, which is why we are here."
Senshi looked relieved, and he spoke up so all of them could hear him, "Well, if you wish to visit the inhabitants of this island, then who am I to deny such a request? It would be an honor for you to visit!"
Everyone muttered their thanks, and Senshi motioned for them to follow him to the compound, Feng explaining that Senshi was not only a guard, but leader of the island, and a very talented hypnotist himself. Toph noticed that Senshi's already rapid heartbeat picked up a little more at the word "leader," but Feng seemed to know this man well, so she said nothing for now. It didn't seem likely that an old friend of Feng's would lie to them. Perhaps his heartbeat was just fast because of how stressful things apparently were on the island.
Senshi explained, as they made their way to the compound, the sand giving way to earth as the traveled further inland, "Things have been very chaotic lately. They have settled down slightly, but the news of…" Senshi cast an unsure glance at Aang, who returned with a curious look of his own, "...what has happened. They've been arguing very passionately about their opinion on the matter. We've even had a rather vicious fight break out. Oh well, I suppose this reaction should only be expected. It makes sense, and I guess we've, well…"
"Earned it," Feng finished with a subdued, knowing look in his eyes. Aang wanted to comfort him, but the words "It's not your fault" just didn't sound right given the circumstances. Aang himself acknowledged that a lot of this was Feng's fault, but Feng was trying to change, and Aang was all for second chances. Just because Feng had done something wrong didn't mean he shouldn't be forgiven.
Senshi nodded sadly and didn't say anything more as they walked through the lush green jungle that was Uchiwake. It wasn't long before they made it to the great, circular metal wall that encompassed the entire compound. Sentries were at the top of the wall, but as the newcomers were with Senshi, they didn't protest, and the doors were opened. Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko held their breath.
Beyond the doors was a far cry from what Aang and the others had expected. People were milling about peacefully, and it looked like a fully functioning village from Aang's perspective. He raised a questioning eyebrow at Feng.
"I thought you said this place was horrible. It looks perfectly fine."
Feng shook his head, "It may look that way now, but once you actually talk to them, you'll be able to tell. Anyway, this wasn't what I was referring to. I was talking about the, er, worse-off ones."
Aang nodded in understanding, and they entered the place, the doors closing with a clang behind them.
"So, where to first?" asked Senshi.
Feng looked at Aang, "You're the reason we're here. You decide."
Aang thought about it for a moment. Where did he want to go? There were so many people he could talk to. It was a bit difficult to decide where he wanted to go first. What he really wanted was to talk to someone who understood what he was going through. There were plenty of people here to fulfill that role, so how to narrow it down?
Aang came to a decision, "I want to talk to someone who has been affected just as much as I have. No more, no less."
Senshi looked to Feng and inquired in a whisper, "How much has he been affected?"
Feng sighed, "Badly."
"Can you think of who he should speak to?"
Feng took the moment to think of someone. He needed to think of someone who had just as much an inner battle going on as Aang had, and that would be difficult, because Aang had three lives battling each other, as opposed to just two. Aang was the first one to be that way, so it would be hard to find someone with just as much inner turmoil. Who was suffering just as much as Aang was?
And very suddenly, Feng had his answer, "He should visit Yuzai."
Yuzai, Feng knew that name very well, and had been suppressing for years the guilt that came with it. Yuzai was the reason Feng worked harder than ever now to ensure that the person he was working with had completely forgotten their old life. Feng had failed Yuzai, and he had carried the guilt with him ever since. Yuzai was strong, no doubt, but he still had to be locked up, and it was all Feng's fault.
Senshi was shocked by Feng's choice, but he said nothing, and the group was escorted to Yuzai's cell.
As they were escorted through the compound, it was now obvious to Katara what exactly was so horrid about the place. She hadn't taken in the people's expressions before, but now she had a clear view. The people moved like walking corpses, all hope - and all life, it seemed - drained out of their eyes. It seemed as though they had completely given up on everything. They were merely staying alive, not bothering to actually enjoy the rest of their lives. They were alive and well on the outside, but dead and rotting on the inside. No one in this entire place was speaking at the moment, and it was sending a chill down Katara's spine. At this point, she would have appreciated another argument about Aang to commence, if only to see these people feel anything. This deadened silence made Katara feel like a bird who was chained down, unable to fly. Some of the inhabitants were looking at her and her friends, mainly at Aang, and she wondered what was going through their minds, as their expressions were blank. Even Toph, who could not see any of their faces, could feel the pure hopelessness within the compound walls.
"I could be like this," Aang muttered quietly from behind Katara, and she got the distinct impression that his words were intended for her and her alone. The two slackened their pace and waited for the others to move further ahead before continuing the conversation.
Katara looked pityingly at him. It must be so hard for him to see all these people, "Aang, if you were going to end up like this, you would have by now, but you haven't, and that's because you're stronger than this. You're a fighter, and you always find away. These people have lost themselves, Aang, but you never lose yourself, not ever. You always stay true to who you are, Aang, and that's one of the things I admire most about you."
Aang looked at her with shining eyes, "You really believe in me, don't you, Katara?"
She smiled at him, "I always have."
Something flashed in his eyes for a second, but it was gone before Katara could identify it, and the two rushed to catch up with the others.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the place with the people who were affected more so than the others. It was one of the most chilling experiences of Katara's life. The groans, the shouts, the laughing, the sobbing, it all came together to form a horrific mass of emotions that could not be deciphered. Katara found it hard to take in.
In some cells, there were hateful, distrusting people whose eyes flashed dangerously whenever someone passed their cells. There were also those whose eyes darted everywhere, fear evident in their mannerisms. Aang believed that if he ever did end up here, he would be a cross between the hateful people and the terrified people. He thought he might have even been that way at one point.
There were also the people whose faces had more animal-like expressions than human. Some of them looked like they might try to attack, but these wild-looking people were bound with chains. Zuko was reminded distinctly of his sister.
"We hate doing that to them," said Senshi, commenting on the chains, "but if we didn't, they would attack us every time we brought them their meals."
Last but not least were the people that struck Team Avatar the most. The people simply looked….dead to the world. If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of their chest, the Gaang would have been convinced these people were dead. Their stares were completely blank, not even fixed on a set point. Some of them were just skin and bones. According to Senshi, quite a few of these people were trying to starve themselves, and the guards would have to feed the people themselves.
Finally they arrived at Yuzai's cell. Feng took an involuntary step back, the emotions and memories too much for him. Beyond that door was the source of all his shame. He didn't really like the idea of facing Yuzai. Sure, he had visited before, but he never went in the cell. He just stood silently on the outside, hoping that if Yuzai had someone to share his pain, then the burden might be lightened slightly.
Aang looked uncertainly at the rest of the group, "Er, d-do think I could go in by - by myself?"
Katara protested immediately, as Aang was sure she would, "What?! No, Aang, you can't!"
"But, Katara, I need to do this alone! This is between me and Yuzai, the one person who understands what I'm going through."
Katara calmed, but wouldn't yield, "I'm sorry, Aang, but Yuzai might not react so well to visitors. It's safer if we all go."
"I'm afraid Katara's right, Ava - Aang," said Senshi, "we haven't chained Yuzai up, because some days are better than others with him, but still…"
"He won't attack me," said Aang firmly, "We are linked now, because of what's happened to us. I know he'll recognize that in me."
Katara wasn't convinced, "But Aang…"
"I think we should do as Aang wishes," Feng spoke up, and it wasn't just because he did not want to go in there that he said that, "If he thinks that Yuzai won't attack him, then we should trust him."
The Gaang still looked troubled, but finally, Aang was allowed in. He nervously entered, the door clanging shut behind him.
The sight before him was disturbing to say the least. Yuzai had his back turned to Aang. The man's hair fell in long black tangles over his head and down his back. He wasn't on the bed or in the chair. He sat hunched over on the floor, his skin abnormally pale. His clothing was tattered, and the entire cell reeked of some awful, rotting smell.
Aang wasn't sure what to say, and for a moment he prepared himself to sit in silence with Yuzai, but to Aang's great surprise, the man spoke.
"Who are you?"
Aang gulped, "I'm - I'm Aang."
The man chuckled softly, "I had a feeling you might visit. I guess we have a lot in common now."
Aang sighed, "Yeah, I guess we do."
"So, why exactly are you here, Aang? Why did you bother coming to this dingy place? There's nothing for you here."
Aang shook his head, "But that's where you're wrong, because there is something for me here. You're here."
It was then that Yuzai turned around. To Aang's great surprise, the man looked rather young, maybe in his mid-twenties, but while his face may look young, all the youth was sucked out of it. His gaze was the that of a man who had lived for a long time and had experience well beyond his years. Aang felt a surge a sympathy for Yuzai; he was spending the prime of his life rotting away in this cell, when he might have had so much more potential.
Yuzai looked at Aang, and the urgent look he was sending Aang's way informed the monk to listen to every word he said, "Don't do this, Aang. This place isn't your life. These people aren't all you have. This is all I've got left now, but you, Aang, you have the potential for so much more. I'm not your family, Aang. Sure, you're a part of the Contaminated family now, but one day, I hope you won't be. You've fought it for this long, so I know you can keep fighting it, and unlike me, you have people who are willing to help you. Leave us behind, Aang. Don't become one of us."
Aang wasn't sure how to react at first. Now that he thought about it, he had come in the hopes of finding a new family, and maybe if he liked this family enough, he might have been a bit more reluctant to leave. But then came Yuzai, telling Aang that there was more to life than this hopeless little compound. The boy frowned.
"But - but what makes you think I'm strong enough to fight this?" Aang questioned, unable to believe that he could succeed where all the others here failed.
"Because, Aang, I've heard the stories about you, and I know that no matter what, you never lose yourself."
Aang was curious now, "That's what Katara said, but what did she mean? What do you mean?"
Yuzai smiled for the first time since Aang entered the cell, "Aang, you weren't always Contaminated. A long while before that happened to you, you had to do something very difficult. Everyone was telling you to do one thing, but in the end, no matter what everyone else thought, you found another way. Anyone else would have caved in, but not you. You didn't lose yourself."
Aang was shocked at this bit of information about his old life. Who had he been, back then? Well, that was something he couldn't simply figure out, but he did figure out something else. Both Yuzai and Katara were right.
He never lost his previous self. The old him was still there, somewhere, and one day, Aang would become that person again, whoever that was.
"Thanks, Yuzai."
"Anytime, Aang. Anytime."
Aang bid the man farewell, and proceeded to get up and open the door, which had been left unlocked. Closing it shut behind him, he noticed Team Avatar, Feng, and Senshi standing a few feet away, clearly trying to give Aang the privacy he needed. Aang smiled gratefully at them, and motioned for them to come over. They did, and Senshi locked Yuzai's cell.
Senshi spoke, "Well, now, there is one last place I would like to show you. Follow me."
While Senshi led the Gaang away, Feng lingered behind for a second. He turned to the door and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Much to Feng's surprise, he received an answer, "I forgive you."
Feng hurried to catch up with the others.
The Gaang and Feng curiously followed Senshi, wondering what else he wanted to show them. He led the group all the way to the back of the compound, and Katara especially felt the need to block out all of the hopeless people around her.
There was a gray building right next to the back of the circular iron wall.
"Senshi, that wasn't there the last time I visited," said Feng.
"Uh, well, you couldn't expect us not to build upon the place, could you?"
And there it is again, Toph noticed. His heart is beating rapidly, but if he's Feng's friend, then he wouldn't be lying to us. Still, I better stay alert. Just incase.
They entered the building, and that was when they noticed.
Aang gaped, "Admiral Khon?!"