Disclaimer: Someone I know actually thought I created and owned Avatar: the Last Airbender. I think you could have heard the laughter from the moon. Now, the made up stuff, that's all mine. I am just borrowing the rest with no intention of returning it. No it isn't stealing, it's just good business.
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Rated M: Mature Content. Blood. Guts. Sex. Drugs. All the good stuff.
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Jet: So who is the star of this chapter?
Toph: It's me again, right?
Author: Maybe…
Sokka: No it's me right? Katara is my sister and I haven't got a turn yet.
Aang: It's Katara again, because she was the cliffhanger.
Katara: Urgh…
Suki: No, it has to be Aang. He will save Katara.
Ty-Lee: Did anyone else notice that Jet said something?
Author: Ty-Lee, don't interrupt them. They are having a nice argument.
Ty-Lee: I just figured they'd want to know.
Author: They probably do, but let's not spoil the surprise.
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Chapter 6: Mysterious Occurrences
Aang was walking out to the causeway when he heard a scream. Stopping in his tracks, Aang tried to determine where the scream came from. It sounded like... "KATARA!" Aang yelled as he suddenly sped forward, airbending himself through the halls as if he were a rocket. Bursting out onto the causeway, he couldn't believe his eyes. The blue spirit, no, Zuko was holding Katara's limp form over his head with both arms locked. Katara's robe was hanging loosely and her arms fell down lifeless around her attackers head. A stream of blood cascaded down her left leg as it hung down, pooling into a puddle of crimson. Aang didn't even stop to think as he kept himself going at full speed.
The blue spirit was standing against the rail, poised to throw Katara to her death on the rocks below. And that's exactly what he did. Katara sailed over the railing and began her descent unto death. Aang blew past the blue spirit and dived down after her. Knowing that there was no other choice, Aang flung himself past Katara and grabbed a hold of her waist thanks to a burst of air he threw out above him. However, now he was going even faster and he lost the use of one arm. Bracing himself, he airbended a cushion underneath them and slowed their descent, just barely preventing a messy end. It was still a rough landing, and Aang couldn't stop entirely as they slammed into the ground. Aang had positioned himself so as to take most of the damage, but Katara flung from his grip on impact, flying across the stones and landing in a heap a short way away. As for Aang, he definitely hurt himself, slamming into the ground and having the wind knocked out of him.
Trying to get up, or at least turn over, Aang finally managed to look up to where they had once stood. No one stood there now. Aang took a moment to catch his breath, and then crawled over to Katara. Her leg was torn open and blood was everywhere. A huge bump was visible on the back of her head. Aang was no healer and knew her injuries were serious. Aang stood up and carefully lifted Katara in his arms, being very careful of her leg and head. He started back up the stairs to his friends, to help. Aang walked into the dining hall and no one seemed to notice at first. He called for help, gently dropped Katara to the floor, and then fell over, his own injuries finally getting the better of him. Aang lay there, watching as his friends raced to them both, and heard them asking him what happened as he faded to black.
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Sokka stood by his sister's bedside as the best Fire Nation physicians did their best to heal her and Aang. Aang lay nearby, asleep on another bed. Sokka couldn't figure it out. The war was over. Ozai and Azula were out of the picture. Who could be behind such an attack? Suki came into the room, Ty-lee at her side. "How are they doing?" Suki asked quietly. Ty-Lee walked over to Aang and placed a hand on his chest.
"Not good." Sokka said sadly. "Katara's leg was sliced open and she has a serious concussion. Aang's whole body seems to have been crushed somehow." He added.
"I think Aang will be fine." Ty-Lee said. "His chi is flowing strongly. I don't think he was hurt as badly as Katara. Mostly scrapes and bruises."
"How can you know?" Sokka asked, surprised.
"Well, I sort of studied healing at one point." Ty-Lee said matter-of-factly as she went to speak to the doctors around Katara.
"She never ceases to amaze me." Suki said quietly.
"What about Katara? Will she be alright?" Sokka asked Ty-Lee.
Ty-Lee placed her hand in the center of Katara's chest and began to probe a bit. Then, moving first to her head, then back down towards her leg, Ty-lee finally stopped at Katara's left foot. "It's not as serious as it looks. The concussion is minor, and the damage to her leg was clear and didn't hit anything major. If she were awake, she could probably heal the wounds herself. Once her bump goes down and she wakes up, she should be fine." Ty-Lee said simply. "The real question, though, is what happened to them?"
Sokka started stroking his chin. He was just starting to get a little facial hair and it made him feel special. "Well, Katara's leg was done by a sword, so we know it was an attack of some kind. Suki, didn't you say you saw them both before coming into the dining hall?"
"Yes. I was speaking to Katara on the causeway on the west side of the palace and then I came in. Katara said she was waiting for Aang and to let him know if I saw him. I told him as I walked in." Suki replied.
"So then the attack must have occurred on the causeway. Let's go!" Sokka said excitedly, a mystery on his hands. Suki and Ty-Lee just looked at each other and then shrugged. They followed Sokka out to the causeway. "The first order of business is to look for clues. Anything that might tell us what happened." Sokka said, starting to examine the area.
Ty-Lee was the first to notice the shattered pot. "Over here!" she said happily. "I found something."
Sokka and Suki walked over to the rail a little to the left of center and found the remains of what appeared to be a potted plant. Suki picked up the plant and looked around. "This was over there before. Someone must have moved it." She said, pointing to a dirty circle near the railing.
"Well, that explains the shattered pot and the bump on Katara's head." Sokka deduced. "Whoever attacked her much had cut her leg and knocked her over;" he said, pointing at the dirt pile near where the pot once stood, "and then used the pot to knock her unconscious." He concluded.
"Yes, but what happened next?" Ty-Lee asked.
"I'm still working on that." Sokka admitted.
"Down there!" Suki said, looking over the railing. Below was a landing, gotten to by the set of stairs from where they stood. Going down, they saw what appeared to be a broken crater of degree. A trail of blood led to a pool off to the side. "Aang must have gone over the ledge, and landed here. He probably tried to cushion his fall." Suki explained.
"But why would he jump over the edge?" Ty-Lee asked curiously.
"He jumped after Katara." Suki responded. "Katara must have gone over the railing, and Aang jumped after her. He caught her and tried to cushion the landing, but there wasn't enough time to do a good job of it. Notice the blood trail? Katara must have been thrown at the landing. That explains all their scrapes and bruises. Aang took the full impact of the landing." Suki finished.
"So, the real question remains. Who tried to kill my sister?" Sokka asked.
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Aang awoke to a wrinkled old face staring at him about an inch from his face. Sitting up quickly, he doubled over in pain. His body felt like it had been crushed by a boulder. "Who are you?" he asked the man in front of him.
"I'm your doctor, my boy. I have been treating you and your friend, there." He answered, pointing to Katara.
Aang looked over and his heart skipped a beat. Katara was alright. At least, she looked alright. Is she going to be alright, doctor?" Aang asked, his heart in his throat.
"Yes, yes, she will be fine; don't you worry." He said, feeling Aang's forehead with the back of his hand. "You were pretty hurt yourself, Avatar. Please, do try to be more careful. I am getting close to retirement, and I would hate to be pulled out of it to have to heal you and your friends."
Aang smiled. "Not to worry. I don't intend on making a habit of it."
Just then, Sokka, Suki and Ty-Lee came into the ward. Noticing Aang was awake; Sokka leapt over to him and grabbed him in a rough hug. "What happened, Aang?" Sokka asked as he crushed the air out of Aang's lungs for the second time that day.
"Enough, Sokka!" Aang wheezed urgently. Sokka let go quickly and looked a little ashamed of himself.
"Sorry Aang. I got a little carried away there." Sokka said quickly. "So, what happened?"
Aang filled them in on the parts he knew, telling them about how he had seen the Blue Spirit holding Katara and how she was thrown over the railing. He finished by describing the landing, and how the Blue Spirit had vanished. Everyone listened, dumbfounded to the story.
"So, what is this Blue Spirit?" Suki asked.
Aang and Sokka gave each other a look, and turned to the girls. "The Blue Spirit… is Firelord Zuko." Sokka said slowly.
"What!?" Suki and Ty-Lee exclaimed, almost in unison.
"It WAS Zuko!" Aang corrected. "He isn't the Blue Spirit anymore. He's changed." Aang added defensively.
"Aang, I understand what you're saying, but we have to consider the facts." Sokka said, counting on his fingers. "One; he has tried to kill Katara before. Two; he was the Blue Spirit in the past, both when he saved you from that Fire Nation fortress and again in Ba Sing Se. Three…"
"Enough, Sokka. I know what you're saying, but I refuse to believe Zuko would do such a thing." Aang said, interrupting Sokka's count.
Ty-Lee stepped in at that point. "Actually Aang, it is possible. Remember before you left, Firelord Zuko walked out of the dining hall. He could have been anywhere; anyone." She said. "Still, it couldn't have been Zuko. Mai would kill him. She likes Katara now." She added, once again her perky self.
"Well, whoever it was under that mask, it's a serious issue. We need to let everyone know, and tell Zuko so he can post guards." Aang said.
"Don't worry Aang. I am not leaving Katara's side until she wakes up." Sokka said, taking a seat near her. "If someone wants to pick a fight, I will be right here waiting for them."
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Zuko was totally unaware of what had happened. Mai had been with him the whole time, as had a group of others. When Aang had insisted on seeing him right away, he had been allowed through to the meeting chamber. Zuko had obviously been dealing with his nobles all day. Aang asked Zuko to excuse everyone but Mai. Zuko's alibi secured, Aang explained everything he knew, except…
"Who did it, Aang? Who attacked my friends in my own palace?" Zuko almost roared. He looked angrier than Aang had ever seen him.
"Don't flip out, Firelord, but you're not going to believe this… it was the Blue Spirit." Aang told him.
"WHAT!?" Zuko exclaimed, suddenly unsure and very surprised.
"I know. At first I thought it was you, but I realized it couldn't have been. The question is: who was it?" Aang said quickly.
"Guards!" Zuko called. A few soldiers ran up to him. "See to it Lady Katara has bodyguards at all times. I want to know everyone that even attempts to visit her. Also, start searching the palace grounds for anything remotely suspicious. You're looking for a blue horned mask and stealth suit in addition. Now go!" he said. The soldier immediately saluted and went to perform the tasks they had been given.
"Don't worry Aang. We are going to find out who did this. I swear it." Zuko told Aang. He sat down and quickly drew up a list. Then, to a servant, "Please invite the following people to my private meeting room immediately. See to it that they wait there until the Avatar and I arrive."
"Zuko, what are you doing?" Aang asked him.
"I am calling all our friends together. I want some answers, and I couldn't think of a better team to find them with." He replied, putting a hand on Aang's shoulder. "I know how much you care about Katara. Don't worry. It won't happen again. Now, let's go meet everyone."
--
For the better part of the day, Aang and his friends stood about the room speculating and contemplating what the return of the Blue Spirit could mean. Who could it be? Who even knew of the Spirits existence? Everyone was finally told by Zuko himself how he had invented the Blue Spirit and each time he had taken up the persona.
"So, you put on the outfit, but you were still just a person. Doesn't that mean that the current Blue Spirit is also a person?" Toph asked casually. "I mean, it isn't like we can't just find the guy and put his lights out." She added.
"I don't think it's that simple." Sokka returned. "Only a few people knew the identity of the Blue Spirit was Zuko. The Blue Spirit itself though, now that's a different story. There were wanted posters made by Zhao ages ago circulating. Anyone could have impersonated the Blue Spirit. The problem is finding out who is doing it." Sokka concluded.
Just then, the door opened and a guard entered, an injured Katara with an arm around his shoulder to keep on her feet.
"Katara!" Aang exclaimed, jumping up from his chair and dashing to the door.
"Hey Aang. Everyone." She replied, shifting herself to Aang and allowing him to get her to a chair.
"Shouldn't you still be in bed?" Sokka asked her.
"I'm fine Sokka; really. As soon as I woke up I was able to heal my leg and my head. I just need a bit of rest, and I can do that in a chair as easily as a bed." Katara assured him. Aang helped her sit and then took a seat next to her.
"Well, since you're here, maybe you can tell us what happened to you?" Zuko asked her.
Katara filled them in on everything she could remember, right down to the last detail.
"So, he fought with broadswords the same as me? And he stood at my height?" Zuko asked her again.
"Yeah, I think so. I know it wasn't you, but it sure seemed like it. It was all I could do to keep him from impaling me on a sword." Katara replied.
A knock on the door took their attention. "Yeah?" Zuko called.
A guard walked in. "Firelord, you asked to be informed of any strange happenings occurring in the palace. Someone has broken into the prison and attempted to free Ozai from his cell. The guards managed to stop him, but he came very close. We took the liberty of moving him to a maximum security cell while we awaited your orders." The man said.
"What did he look like?!" Sokka interjected.
"He was wearing an all black stealth suit and a horned blue mask. He was wielding broadswords, similar to those on the wall, there." He pointed over the mantelpiece.
"Thank you captain." Zuko said.
"Corporal, sire." The guard replied.
"Not anymore. You are now a captain, in charge of security around my father. See to it nothing happens to him while I decide what to do." Zuko replied.
"Yes, sir!" the newly promoted captain said, taking his leave.
"Well, isn't that interesting." Toph said. "Congratulations, Zuko. You have an impersonator. Only, this one seems to think you actually like your father and hate Katara. Kind of backwards, if you ask me."
Mai smiled. "She has a point, Zuko. Why would anyone go through so much trouble to hurt Katara and try to free your father? He can't even firebend anymore. It's almost like he has a grudge against…" she trailed off, her smile gone; in its place, a look of realization.
"Azula." Zuko muttered.
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Sokka: How the heck could Azula be doing these things? It doesn't make sense!
Author: Anything's possible I suppose.
Mai: It sure sounds like the sort of thing she would do, doesn't it?
Ty-Lee: Agreed.
Suki: She did hold a grudge against Katara. And isn't she the one that stopped Azula?
Author: That's true. Katara is the one that finally captured her.
Aang: So where is she now?
Author: I can't discuss this anymore guys. It's a part of the story and I won't compromise it by discussing it in the character section.
Katara: No one is asking for anything that will ruin the story. We just want to know what happened to her. Zuko could tell us if you won't.
Author: Well, isn't that great for Zuko. At least if he tells you, it will be a part of the story.
Katara: Well, Zuko? What happened?
Zuko: I had her taken to…
Author: Zuko… say another word until the next chapter on this subject, and I think you may just have an "accident." Just a friendly warning.
Zuko: 'Gulp'
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Author's Corner:
And that, my friends, is the end of chapter 6. I hope you enjoyed it as much as the rest or more so since that's kind of the idea. I know I am being a little vague about things, and that quite a bit of this chapter was going over events. Just keep in mind that it's being done from the characters perspective, and they don't know everything you know. I assume some of you have a guess as to just who the Blue Spirit is. Maybe some of you are even right. I highly doubt it, of course, but you're entitled to your guesses. Feel free to make guesses and what not in your reviews. Make people think, and it may keep them coming back for more. Thanks to those of you actually reviewing my story. I have tried to fix anything pointed out to me and appreciate the feedback.
