Chapter 3 –A new journey begins.
"Please Aang you have to wake up!" Katara shouted in pain and sadness at seeing the state of the man she loved. Her frustration was rising seeing that her attempts at healing were proving ineffective and within seconds the water she held up feel and soaked into Aang's clothes.
It was then she felt Zuko's hand on her shoulder "Katara, I know it's hard but we have to calm down we can't help him this way" he said.
Katara then turned and gave him an angered look as she was clearly too emotional. Before she could say or do anything he slapped her. It was nowhere near hard enough to really hurt but it got through to her.
Katara took a moment to get a hold of herself, wiping her tears and then nodded "your right thanks Zuko. Can you carry him back to my dad's hut?" she asked starting to think rationally and the best idea was to get Aang somewhere comfortable.
Zuko nodded and he picked up Aang, and could not help noticing that his tattoos were glowing but only enough to notice. He took this as a sign that Aang was not gone.
Katara walked ahead of him headed for the stairs leading back down to ground level trying to keep her tears in check. It was hard not to given this was supposed to be a happy night, it was selfish and she knew it but she wanted this night for her and Aang to be special, now the looming chance of losing him was hanging over her.
When they had first realized their mutual feeling during the war they both tried to keep it under control. For a time Katara was very confused but after that day outside the Jasmine Dragon she knew her life and Aang's were meant to be together. A fact they both came to accept later one was that as the Avatar Aang's life would sometimes involve difficult task but Katara loved him too much to let the risk of such things get in the way and they found it was easy to be happy. However the shock of the situation was still not yet gone.
Zuko was also sharing similar thoughts of sorrow at the state of his friend, whom he now thought of as a spiritual brother given the nature of how their lives connected. Zuko being the great grandson of Avatar Roku, whom was the past lifetime of Aang. He also knew that now he had to do whatever he could to get his friend back, and to help him face this threat that was clearly going to be trouble for the world.
Their thoughts were then interrupted as Sokka came running up the stairs to meet them with Hakoda right behind
"What happened? Where's that guard and what's wrong with Aang?" Sokka asked quickly.
Hakoda meanwhile took one look at Aang then her daughter's eyes and sighed, this was going to be hard on her "Come on let's get back our home and you can tell us what happened" he said calmly taking the lead.
Sokka seemed ready to protest for answers but one look from Zuko and he fell into line next to him. As they reached the bottom of the stairs Bato was there and so was a gathering crowd. Hakoda gave him a quick look and Bato turned to the crowd.
"Everyone please give the Chief and our honoured guests some space. The situation is under control but they need rest" He said, being polite but firm in his request.
Everyone had a look of concern. The water tribe was known for its strength in having a deep sense of community and love and as Aang had become a part of the tribe as anyone they wished to help but they knew it was best to comply and they soon dispersed. Only Gran-Gran remained as her place was with her family.
"Thanks Bato, go ahead and head home we need some time to talk" Hakoda said patting his oldest friend on the shoulder.
Within a matter of minutes they made their way back to Hakoda's hut and Zuko set Aang onto a large bear pelt meant to act like a guest bed and covered him up. He also took a moment to feel for his friend's heartbeat and was relieved to feel it beating strong so physically he was doing ok.
"So what happened?" Sokka asked.
Katara sat down next to Zuko and took Aang's hand in hers as Zuko left to stir up the fire in the fire pit.
"I'm not sure, Zuko and I were running to help and all we saw was that thing get a hold of Aang and then he went limp and out cold" Katara began.
"Whatever it was I think it was some kind of spirit. After it did whatever it did to Aang it ran, it knew us though clearly it knew him and me, calling me prince Zuko and with a lot of hate in its voice" Zuko continued.
For a moment there was nothing but silence
"Do you think that spirit is also behind those attacks that we've been hearing about from the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom?" Sokka asked.
Zuko considered this and nodded "Yes it makes sense, attacking a bender and a powerful at that, not to mention he looked like a water tribe guard but soon as he was done he went back to that other form"
"This has been happening a lot recently?" Hakoda asked
Zuko nodded then proceeded to give him a full explanation of the strange reports from the other nations.
"Why though? What's the purpose of attacking benders like this leaving them comatose and if what that evil spirit said is truth and he was looking to kill you or Aang why just run?" Sokka asked.
Zuko was again silent a moment then spoke "this is just a guess but I think this spirit, isn't a spirit, considering what it's been up to I think it's something else. After he attacked Aang and began to run I tried to stop him but he used Airbending to get away. I think he stole some of Aang's energy but Aang tried to go into the avatar state but something went wrong" he said stating his theory.
Katara finally looked up and spoke "yes that makes a lot of sense and that's why he's out cold because his spirit is weak and he can't get back on his own. If that's the case then all we need to do is…" she paused uncertain what to say this was not really something she is familiar with.
They all knew when Aang was in the spirit world his body would seem comatose but as long as he was not injured he just needed to be looked after.
"We need to heal his spirit" Sokka suddenly chimed in.
Everyone was at a loss for words then Katara's face suddenly brightened "Sokka that's brilliant!" she said.
"Do you have any ideas on how we do that?" Zuko asked.
Katara was looking at Aang intently then she suddenly had this feeling like he was behind her and said something.
"The North Pole" She said softly
Zuko, Sokka, and Hakoda all looked at her to ask what she meant by that.
Katara's eyes were bright with hope now "that's it! The spirit oasis, at the North Pole. I've used water there before to heal Aang and it's a deeply spiritual place maybe that can help" She explained.
Sokka also took a moment to think "Yeah your right like that time after Ba Sing Se when Aang got hurt by Azula" he said.
Zuko also recalled that oasis during the siege of the north, he had felt something special about the place "Well then that is what we have to do, get Aang to the north pole so Katara can use its special waters. I'm going as well" he announced.
Katara sighed at the offer from her friend, she knew she could protect Aang but it was a long trip and she would need help "Zuko thank you" she said.
Zuko nodded "My uncle is handling things well enough I'll send him a hawk and explain and ask for any future information about this evil spirit. I know were gonna encounter it along the road, besides we need Aang and I will protect him on this journey" he said proudly
Sokka suddenly put his arm around Zuko "that's out Fire Lord always ready to help! I'll come too you guys would never make it without me" he said with a goofy grin.
Zuko had a comically annoyed expression at being hugged but nodded.
Hakoda then stood "Well sounds like you've all made up your mind. I'll go and see to some provision for your journey. You had best get some rest and head out in the mourning" He said as he had faith in their ability to do this and to figure out what this evil spirit was doing.
"I'll also keep in close contact with Iroh, the Earth king, and our sister tribe so they know what's going on but I'll ask they keep how Aang is doing to themselves. True we're not in the middle of a war but I think its best few people know about his condition"
Katara nodded in gratitude "thanks Dad" she said.
Hakoda smiled "I know this will be hard for you Katara but I have faith in you and in Aang. You two along with your friends have done many great things and you'll keep doing that"
With that he exited the hut. Sokka meanwhile stood went to a nearby cubbyhole in the snow hut that contained his supplies for travelling.
Zuko meanwhile came over to stand by Aang "Katara I'm sorry I slapped you" he said apologetically
Katara shook her head "No it's fine, I get why you did it. I was just very upset because…well Aang and I were going to announce our engagement tonight" she said in a quiet tone.
Zuko's eyes widened a little then he looked somber. Now he understood why Aang and Katara had looked to glowing tonight and why Katara had gotten so upset. He put his hand on her shoulder to which she patted in reassurance she was better now "well then our goal is simple. Get Aang back on his feet so you two can tell everyone together" he said in an optimistic tone.
Katara nodded "Yeah your right. We can do this" she said.
Zuko then went to the far side of the hut and made himself comfortable on a different pelt and closed his eyes to get some sleep but it was clear he was going to stay close to Aang. Katara also chose to spend the night next to him. Sokka had come back from collecting his weapons, tools, maps, and other supplies and seeing his friends all asleep he set the packs and bedrolls down and headed to his own room to get some rest.
That night the three friends and one other whom while a good distance away, yet still has a strong a bond to Aang as the ones near him did, all share a similar dream. In that dream they saw Aang try to lead them somewhere. He was running ahead and then came to a stop at what looked like the spirit oasis, he got into the water and let himself sink under the water. The world then shifted and suddenly fire nation ships were attacking the North Pole, the ones from the siege of the north. Then again things shifted to Aang battling that spirit creature disguised at the guard. It suddenly said something but none of them could hear and the next thing they know it lunged and they all woke up.
Katara sat up quickly and looked around to get her bearing. She was still in the snow hut, the fire had died and the light was poor. Feeling around beside her she felt Aang, still there and still out cold. Sighing in relief that her dream was just a dream she looked over.
"Zuko? Sokka?" she called out
She head a rustling sound "I'm here" Zuko replied as he ignited a fire in the palm of his hand to shed some light before throwing it into the fire pit as the wood was still usable for a short while.
Katara nodded and stood up, she knew it was day break, and was getting ready to head out. In time more light began to fill the hut as the sun rose and light came in through the windows near the roof of the hut to help with venting smoke from fires.
Zuko then headed for the front door "I'll go and get Appa ready to head out. We should be able to make it to the tip of the Earth Kingdom continent in a couple days of flying" he said.
Katara nodded in agreement and smiled, it was a great comfort to know she was not alone in this. Turning she headed to Sokka's room to make sure he was ready to go. Knocking on the door politely she called his name but there was no reply. Curious if he had for once taken the initiative and gotten up early she opened the door and headed inside. Only to find Sokka, sound asleep, drooling on his pillow and hugging it in suggestive way to signal who he was dreaming of.
A vein popped up on Katara's forehead in her irritation at Sokka when at the start of anything he was always sleeping in.
"Dammit Sokka, wake up! We need to get going" She yelled but he only rolled over.
Katara then sighed in irritation and waved her arms around making the water from on a table by his bed rise above his head then promptly dropped it. At once Sokka began to thrash and roll around getting tangled in his sheets.
"*cough cough* Katara! What's the big idea?" He yelled at her.
"Look who's talking you're the one who looked ready to go last night but here you are ready to sleep till noon again when we need to get moving" she shouted back in a classic brother sister argument that they would have regardless of the situation.
Sokka then look out the window and look embarrassed "Oh right…sorry about that. I'll be out in a few minutes" he said rolling out of bed and hitting the floor as he was still tangled "Make it five minutes" he said.
Walking back into the main room she saw Aang look the same, in fact he looked almost peaceful. She knew he would need very little during the trip. He had once explained to her that when his spirit was out of his body, his body would not need food, or water until he returned but the longer he was away the hungrier, and more in need of the bathroom he would get. She smiled at his calm face.
As she had a moment to herself she thought about the vision she had told him about in Yu Dao when she had seen their future. They were married with a child, maybe more would come. It was that image in her mind she would hold onto for their journey and through this next battle.
Sokka suddenly appeared behind her strapping his boomerang to his back, and slipping his machete into its sheath at his thigh. He also picked his favoured club and then was ready to go "I'll carry Aang to Appa if you can get out packs" he offered.
Katara nodded "Thanks Sokka, sorry for yelling earlier" she said.
Sokka waved that off "ah don't worry about it in fact I'm kinda glad. Makes me feel like this is just another adventure for us like all the others we've had because no matter what came our way we got the job done!" he said excitedly "Go team avatar!"
"Ugh not the team avatar thing again" Zuko said as he walked into the hut.
The siblings laughed at Zuko's trademark serious, and somewhere grumpy attitude "Appa's right outside. He was waiting for me in fact. Almost like he knew we had to get moving. Everything's ready our camp supplies and provision are on his saddle" he said
Katara and Sokka both noticed he'd also slung his dual Dao swords onto his back. It was then Sokka went to collect his satchel with his maps and other supplies as the group's planner "Zuko I think for this trip you should take the lead" he said.
Zuko was slightly taken aback "what? Don't you normally do that Sokka when Aang can't" He asked. He had taken the role of leader a handful of times when he first joined their group but usual it was in a support role to the goal of another.
"I know but really I'm better off as the plan guy. Katara's gonna want to keep watch over Aang during our travels, and besides out of all of us you got plenty of experience at leading a small group. We both trust your judgement" he explained. Katara nodded her approval as she collected her own things, specifically her pouch for carrying water as she knew once leaving the south pole she would need it for her bending.
Zuko took Sokka's words to heart and nodded "Alright I'll do my best. Let's get flying we can talk more in the air" he said helping Katara with the remaining supplies while Sokka picked up Aang "wow he's gotten a bit heavier" he commented.
Once outside the village was quiet but Hakoda, Bato, and Gran-Gran were all standing by Appa. The great sky bison was waiting patiently but at seeing Aang he growled and from the best guess it was one of concern for his owner and closest friend.
Zuko walked forward and patted Appa's nose "I know Appa, but were gonna get Aang back to normal were leaving for the North Pole now" he said hoping this might ease the mighty but gentle Bison. Appa was closest to Aang of all his friends and naturally when Aang was in trouble Appa would be upset.
This time however it seemed Zuko's words calmed the great beast and he grunted softly in what seemed like agreement and lowered onto his belly so they could climb on.
Once Aang was secured in the saddle with everything else Katara and Sokka took turns hugging Hakoda and their grandmother farewell. Then Zuko bowed to each in turn in gratitude for their hospitality.
"You kids take care, be safe, be brave, and be happy. I know this Journey is hard with Aang the way he is but I know he'd want you all not to let yourselves get down and be gloomy the whole time" Hakoda said as they sat atop Appa
"We will dad" Katara said
"Yip, Yip" Zuko said tugging on the reigns and Appa flipped his tail and took off.
Soon they were high above the water and well on their war headed due north.
"Ya know it's kinda funny. This is a lot like how our last big journey began. Us leaving the South Pole to get Aang to the north" Sokka commented.
"Your right, although I this time it's not me chasing after you" Zuko said making one of his rare jokes.
This effectively brought about a laugh from everyone.
After a few hours of flying they could see the island where the Patola Mountains and the southern air temple were located. Usually that kinda trip took a little over half a day but it had been a best three to four hours.
"We're really making good time aren't we? I mean last time we came this way we flew straight like this we took longer. Appa must be worried about Aang and that's give him a real boost" Katara noted.
Appa replied with a growl that sounded like a yes.
Zuko nodded in approval "At this right we could reach Kyoshi Island before the day is over. That's probably our best first stop. Just try not to overdo it Appa were all worried but we can't risk getting stuck if you wear yourself out" he said
Again Appa gave a growl to agree
"I'm impressed Zuko you've really thought ahead, and that sounds like the perfect first stop" Sokka said excitedly
"Um Sokka, I think Suki and the others are still with my uncle in the Fire Nation colonies" Zuko added
Sokka went from excited to comical downcast as he hung over the edge of the saddle.
"Maybe we can stop and check in with Iroh, see if he's heard anything more about that spirit that attacked us. From what we saw we're gonna need all the information we can get I've never even heard of anything that did what that thing did" Katara suggested.
"Your right Katara, I saw how Aang looked when we were first attacked, that thing is trouble but at least we can fight it that we know" Zuko assured her.
"By the way Zuko when did you learn how to make lightning I thought you couldn't do it before?" she asked
Zuko smiled slightly "Well after out last adventure together I thought about my first lessons on it with Uncle, he told me that part of making lightning was to be with great calm and peace of mind. After I felt that I've put a lot of my past worries behind I was ready to try it again and after a while I did it. I'm not as skilled at it as he is but I can control it at will now" he explained
Katara and Sokka were both amazed at his explanation "well that's good news, now we got more firepower on our side to take care of that bending stealing spirit" Sokka said
Zuko was quiet after that as they kept flying and then he realized something "Sokka you're a genius" he said aloud
Sokka was shocked "oh I am? I mean of course I am!" he said puffing out his chest in pride, only to have Katara shove him aside to crawl to the front of the saddle.
"What's up?" she asked
"That's why those benders in Ba Sing Se and the Fire Nation have been attacked and slipping into coma's they are having their bending energy stolen. It leaves them weak and some can barely bend afterwards. That spirit must be trying to collect the energy from all the four kinds of benders for some reason" he speculated.
"It also was always powerful and skilled benders that have been attacked. So far we know of Earth, Fire, and now Air that this shadow spirit has taken, and if he copied the look of that guard from the South Pole that he's gotten water as well" Katara said continuing this line of thought.
Zuko nodded "Yeah your right, but why would there be multiple attacks for earth and fire they've so far been occurring for the past several months"
Sokka suddenly came out of his comical funk and began to dig in his pack for a mid-flight snack "Maybe Bending stealer needs energy from more than one bender" he said just offering a guess
"Hmm you might have a point there Sokka, and is that your nickname for that spirit because I was thinking Shadow Spirit might be better" Katara replied taking a chunk of break and breaking half of it off to give to Zuko.
"Fine, fine whatever, use the obvious kinda name" Sokka said.
"If that's true then he's gonna need more than just one Waterbender, and maybe more Fire and Earth. We'll make sure to stop en route and tell my Uncle this, and I think we should get Toph also" Zuko said.
"Why's that?" Katara asked
"Well you're gonna think this is weird but last night I had a dream where I was chasing Aang" Zuko began
Katara's eyes widened as she realized where he was going.
"That's not so surprise so did that for three years no wonder you might dream of the old days" Sokka said sarcastically
"Sokka!" Both Katara and Zuko yelled at his dumb joke
"Sorry. So what was so special about this dream chase" he asked munching away of dried meat
"Well I chased after Aang, and suddenly I was at the North Pole. First the spirit Oasis then I saw the Siege of the North again when Admiral Zhao and his fleet attacked, and then I saw Aang, or rather saw through his eyes fighting that shadow spirit and the spirit said something which made Aang lose focus"
"Zuko….I had that same dream every detail was the same" Katara said.
Zuko at first seemed surprised then nodded. Sokka however looked annoyed "Oh sure Aang goes out cold and suddenly everyone else but Sokka gets to have some kinda secret dream about him"
"Sokka. Quit being so childish you probably had the same dream but don't remember" Katara said back at him.
Sokka opened his mouth to argue but realized he did have a track record for that and just shrugged then lay back down.
"Anyway the other part I remember was that I felt like I was with all of you, like we were all following where Aang was leading us. That's why I want to find and ask Toph to come with us, plus if this shadow spirit attacked us Toph might also be in danger and her metal bending is something I'd rather not have to fight against" Zuko continued finishing his train of thought on the dreams.
Katara and Sokka couldn't deny his logic or planning. Then having eaten her full of some bread she moved back to the rear of the saddle where Aang was laying, they had tied a lifeline to one of the saddle holes around his waist in the event something needed more evasive flying that might send him flying. She stoked his cheek and took his hand, glad to feel it was warm as always.
"That makes me happy you're still with us sweetie, even if for not it's not in body you're watching out for us" she said smiling.
"Yep that's Aang for you!" Sokka said excitedly
Even Zuko could not help but smile taking this as a good sign.
They continued to fly aiming to reach Kyoshi Island by dusk.
To be continued…..
A/N: Alright another chapter bites the dust!. Hah! I wanted to go with the gang boosting each other starting out for the North Pole. I also have given hints as to what 'Shadow' Is up to and who it might be. Now than, I wonder what will be in store for our favourite group once they reach the island? While they be able to keep that Aang is comatose silent? Will they have another attack? Will Sokka end up running into Suki for comical romance, and what about everyone's favourite earth bender Toph?
I look forward to getting to all that soon. I also don't expect to keep this pace, I got lucky and had a weekend free of anything on the to-do list and was able to get this far. I also thank all those who have read, and send PM's about. Glad to see you like my story. If anyone has something they might like to see or perhaps offer in the way of future chapter development I would be happy to hear those but bear in mind I am sticking very close to the canon of Avatar the last Airbender. Anyway please Read and Review and I will see you all again soon, Stay Tuned!