CHAPTER RATING: T (Language)

A/N: That hiatus I was going to take is still going to happen. Two users are responsible for this early return. You know who you are. So thank you. Here we go.

Chapter 18: Her Haunting Whispers

There he sat in the dark, endless void. There he listened to the infinite silence. There he felt the fire that build in him while his own will vanished.

"You can't fight it. Just do it. Get it over with." The crimson Avatar appeared before him. "It's too late to go back." The voice wasn't demanding, or angry. It was filled with sorrow, and regret.

"You don't want to do this." Aang answered back.

"I don't have a choice. I gave up. I proved how weak I was."

"You don't need to do this." Another voice came. "You've seen tragedies for ten thousand lifetimes. You've seen terrible things, and you've fought against them. So keep fighting!"

The lost Sapphire Avatar formed through a blue mist. The Crimson Avatar faded.

"Even he knows that it's wrong!" He spoke to Aang.

"But he never said he thought it was right."

"No. He didn't, he knows it's wrong! But he's given up! Don't give in!" He placed his hand on Aang's shoulder. "You can do this. This isn't about You, Azula, or Katara." He shook Aang. "This is about saving someone!"

His grip tightened around Aang's shoulder, and the two began to merge. Aang bowed his head, the right half of his body a shining sapphire.

"Throw away your connection that binds you to them! Set yourself free!"

The aura began to spread until it covered him. His eyes opened, and shined with the brilliant white.

...

Katara saw his eyes snap open. A faint light radiating from his pupils caught her attention before fading away. He moved his lips, but she couldn't hear his words. And then she began to listen to the faint whispers that entered her ears. It felt like time slowed as his words reached her.

Don't worry, Katara. It whispered. I'll protect you. He brought his hands to her leather bonds. She felt a slight heat from his palms, and shifted with the uncomfortable sensation. Bear with it. He pleaded. It's the only way. She nodded. Are you ready?

Ready for what? She thought to herself.

Aang tapped the wooden trinket that she wore around her neck. Her eyes widened, and she nodded.

Trust me. Just one more time. He added with his head down. She bit her lip, and braced herself.

"Push her off." She heard Azula's command, and saw him nod. The hold he had on her bindings loosened. Katara felt the wind blowing behind her, and leaned back, sending herself into the misty abyss.

I'll be with you soon. She heard his voice as she fell.

...

Aang clapped his hands together, his eyes began to glow, his voice rumbled as he spoke.

"Princess Azula." The guards attacked, letting loose streams of fire that stopped just short of scorching the Avatar. A wave of air exploded from him, sending them into the metal walls. Azula's eyes widened. She began to step back, but was pushed forward to him as she felt the razor wind of the cyclone that formed around them. "...Daughter of Ozai. Grand-daughter of Azulon, Great grand-daughter of Sozin." Her eyes widened in fear as his voice grew deeper. "You truly are part of the lineage of tyrants. You control people with fear, you disturb the balance of this world, and as the Avatar, it is my duty to stop you."

She didn't speak, her eyes mixed in an expression of fear and defiance.

"But that is not what I'm going to do." Her face softened as the glow of ten thousand Avatars faded. His own expression shifted into softness. "I'm sorry." He continued. "I could have done this at any time. I could have crushed this place with my bare hands. I could have escaped. But I choose not to."

His eyes met hers.

"I never attacked you, I never resisted, I never tried to escape. All because I thought I could change you. I thought I could change the way you saw the world."

He looked away, took a deep breath, and continued.

"I thought that if I gave you what you wanted. If I could spend some time with you, if I could make you happy, I could light a small flame that would grow in your heart, and keep away the darkness that lingers there."

He looked up, and through his blurred vision saw how shocked she was.

"But I've failed you." He wiped away the tears that began to form in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough to save you. Maybe one day, someone will be able to." He took another breath. "I was always taught that we were meant to love each other. To care for one another. Maybe if things were different." He walked up to her, and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "If things were different, I could've..." He wiped away the tears that began to stream down her cheeks.

"Don't go." Her voice cracked as she took his hand. "Please, don't go. I'm sorry."

"On the beach that day." He smiled. "You told me that you couldn't show weakness, that you couldn't show vulnerability. But that's just what you needed." He nodded to her. "Weakness is what allows us to care for each other. To take care of one another, weakness is what you needed."

He brought his lips to his in an embrace, and rested his forehead against hers, seeing the stains of sorrow that ran down her cheeks.

"That day in Ba Sing Se." He whispered. "You were the most vulnerable that I had ever seen you.I do care about you. I wanted to help, I tried. But I failed."

"Then please, don't leave me. Give me another chance. I-I need you."

"I don't deserve another chance." He turned around, the cyclone began to fade around them, he bowed his head, and looked at the white abyss below. "Maybe when we meet again. We can start over." He looked back. "And we will meet again. Goodbye, Azula."

With those last words to her, he leapt forward, and followed Katara down into the mist.

...

"That's it." Zuko spoke aloud. "Are you ready?" No one answered his question. "Hey!" He turned to find Sokka snoring, a long line of drool along the site of his mouth. "Sokka! Wake up!" He shook the sleeping water tribe "warrior."

"Wha-?" Sokka snorted. "I'm good, I'm good."

We're gonna die. Zuko sighed to himself. We're gonna die.

"Now's not the time to sleep, you idiot! Get ready!" Zuko removed a metal hook tied to a length of rope. "You're sure you can do this?"

"Uh..." Sokka crept up and peeked over the basket of the War Balloon. "I'm not sure." He replied while staring into the blinding white mist.

"Well if you aren't, then stay here. I'll save your sister and the Avatar."

"No way! I'm going to go save Katara!"

"Then here." Zuko handed him a grappling hook. "You know how to use it don't you?"

"O-Of course!" Sokka answered. I've climbed hundreds of icebergs before, metal spikes on ropes aren't foreign to me." He began to swing the metal hook as if it was a toy. "But...Just so we're clear, what is the plan?"

"The plan is." Zuko took another annoyed breath. "We reach the end of the zeppelin. Evey one of these has a balcony at the back that can be climbed."

"Climbed? You mean..."

"I hope you've got strong arms."

Zuko's War Balloon was nearing Azula's Zeppelin as the conversation ended.

"I'll go first, be careful now." Zuko shut off the air to the balloon, set his foot on the ledge of the basket, and began to twirl the hook with his wrist. "Hang on, and take it slow." He spun the hook faster, and tossed it into the blackened steel balcony. "Make sure that it's secure." He pulled on the rope a few times, and nodded. "And then you close your eyes, and don't look down." Zuko jumped off of the balloon, and disappeared into the mist.

A few minutes passed, and Sokka saw no sign of him.

"Zuko?!" He feared for the worst. But in the white most, he saw a patch of black ascending up the rope.

"See? Easy." Zuko was panting. 'You're turn. I'll meet you up there. " He continued his climb until he reached the balcony.

"Here we go." Sokka looked down, and took in a deep gulp. "I can do this...I have to do this, for Katara." He spun the hook around, and tossed it up. He tugged on the rope, and it was sturdy. "Okay." He took a step, and fell off. His screams echoed through the canyon.

"Sokka!" Zuko shouted. The rope wasn't moving, there was no movement. Sokka wasn't climbing up. He must have fallen. "Damn it." Zuko balled up his fist, and turned around.

Screeching metal interrupted his short eulogy. He looked down at the dangling rope, and saw someone climbing up. He offered a hand to the shaking Sokka that emerged from the mist.

"S-see?!...E-Easy." He spoke through a shivering voice.

"Right. Easy." Zuko helped him up to his feet. "I underestimated you, Sokka. I'm sorry."

"Y-Yeah. No problem."

"Now it's time to initiate phase two." Zuko shook his hands to loosen his joints.

"What's phase two?"

"It's this."

Sokka lost consciousness as soon as Zuko's elbow struck his face.

...

Katara could feel her tears lifting off her face as she feel deeper into the mist. The leather from her bonds began to singe her flesh as it burned away at the bindings.

After seconds of intense burning, Katara felt the freedom of being able to finally move her fingers. She scrambled to pull the small tricker trinket than hung from her necklace out from under her robe. That's when she finally realized what he meant when he was tapping it.

The Bison Whistle.

With as much haste that she could muster, Katara fumbled to bring the wooden whistle to her lips with her stinging hands.

She blew into it, her eyes closing at the intensity that emptied her lungs. The whistle expelled the silent call, and Katara could only hope that Appa was still free, and able to hear it.

Again, she howled into the whistle to no reply. Here, she lost all hope, closed her eyes, and waited as the fall was lengthened with the screaming wind.

But just then, she heard a roar from the air bison. Her fall was stopped when she landed on a pocket of air that sent her upright. When she opened her eyes, she found herself sitting in Appa's saddle.

"Appa! You're safe!" He roared to respond. Katara fell to her knees, and hugged the leather saddle. "Aang was right!" She hugged the saddle tighter, as if she was trying to hug him through the leather. "But we've still got to save him! Let's go!"

Appa roared, in what Katara thought was defiance or reluctance.

"What's the matter? Let's go!"Appa roared again to deny her request. All of a sudden, Katara felt a shockwave of air behind her and turned to see him.

"Hey, Katara." He rubbed the back of his neck with a cheesy smile. She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him. He accepted her embrace and returned it. "I'm glad you're okay. I knew Appa wouldn't let you down."

Her embrace tightened around him, he pulled her off, and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry Katara. I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry that I couldn't stop myself."

"I already told you. I forgive you"

"T-That easily?" He questioned. Katara raised her eyebrows at the question.

Then, She nodded, raised her hand, and struck him. The sound of her slap echoed through the air, the pain stung through his face just as before. He looked at her with wide, confused eyes while rubbing the heated, scarlet mark on his cheek.

"Is that fair?" She asked.

"That's fair." He replied.

"Good." She grabbed him, and pulled him into a kiss that pushed him down into his back.

...

Light entered Sokka's as he glared down at the black, ashen, metal floor. He was being dragged, his boots bumping against the grain of the steel.

"Keep him here." He heard Zuko's voice through the darkness. "Don't hurt him. Or else."

"Yes, Prince Zuko." He heard a gruff voice before the cell door closed.

"Zuko..." Sokka turned to face him. "You traitor. How could you?!" Sokka jumped towards the steel bars, flinging his arms out to try and get a grasp on the Fire Nation Prince. One of the guards drew a sword, threatening to chop off Sokka's arm, but was waved off by Zuko.

"Don't worry about him." Zuko commanded. He turned towards Sokka and smiled. "Don't speak as if you knew who I am or what my intentions are. You disgusting Water Tribe peasant!"

Zuko blinked twice. Sokka looked on with wide eyes that shrunk in a scorn.

"When I get out of here, I'm going to kill you!" He spat.

"I suggest you calm down. If you want to keep your sister and the Avatar safe..." He blinked. "...Shut. The. Hell. Up." Zuko turned and began to leave, letting Sokka grind his teeth in frustration.

"Take me to my sister." Zuko ordered.

"Yes, Sir!" One guard replied while leading the way.

Please, don't be stupid, Sokka. Hang in there.

Minutes later, Zuko was brought to a room, decorated in red and gold, a room as luxurious as the Firelord's quarters in the Fire Nation palace. She was sitting on the bed, facing away from the doorway, her head held low, and her voice breaking into sobs. He was hesitant, unsure of why she was crying, and unsure of how she would react to his presence. His blood froze when she spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

"I-"

"You came here to save Katara and Aang, didn't you?" Her usual cocky and dark demeanor was lighter, softer, and...weaker. "Well, it's too late. They've already left." He walked up, and took a seat next to her.

"What's wrong?" He asked while watching her tears fall.

"What's wrong with me?" She met his eyes, tears still flowing down hers.

"W-What do you mean?" He knew what she meant, but hadn't seen his sister like this, and fell upon being polite.

"Why am I so evil?" She clarified. "Why do I enjoy peoples' suffering so much? Even though I know it's wrong?"

He was feeling sadness...actually feeling sorrow for his naturally evil younger sister.

"I don't know." He couldn't give her an answer that would comfort her.

"What he told me was that I didn't have to be evil. I didn't have to be malicious. I didn't have to be...Myself." Her voice shrank as she continued to speak. "I don't want to be this way anymore. Please Zuko, help me."

"I don't know-" his eyes widened. "He wouldn't."

"What?" She wiped her tears and looked at his shocked expression. "What is it?"

"We're going to see Uncle in Ba Sing Se. He'll have the answer." He smiled and nodded to her. "Trust me."

"This must be what Aang meant when he said that being weak is what opens us to caring for each other." She brought her arms around him, and hugged him. Her tears ran down her cheeks, and dripped onto his shirt. "Thank you, Zuko."

"As much as I may have hated the things you've done in the past, it doesn't change the fact that we're still family. I'm here for you."

She hugged him even tighter.

...

The sun was setting when Aang laid eyes on the Western Air Temple. Katara slept in the saddle as he waved towards the two figures huddled around a glowing fire.

Appa landed, almost with a crash, and roared.

"I know you're tired, buddy. You've been flying all day. Let's take a break."

"Twinkle toes?! You got out?"

"Yeah," he looked over at the saddle on Appa's back. "Katara's with me, too." He smiled.

"That's it? It's just you two?" Suki asked. "What about Sokka and Zuko? They aren't with you?" Suki clenched her teeth.

"What do you mean? They're not here?"

"They left early in the morning since Katara decided to save you by herself."

"I didn't see them." He looked over to Suki, "I'm sorry, but I don't know where they-"

They heard wings flapping in the distance. A messenger hawk. Suki held her arm out, offering a perch for the the bird. She removed the note and let the hawk loose. Fumbling with the crumpling parchment, she unraveled it.

"Ba Sing Se." She read aloud. "That's all it says. And it's signed by Zuko."

"Then it's settled, we'll head to Ba Sung Se as soon as Appa feels up to it." He nodded. "Be sure to get some sleep." He reached into the saddle's pack, and draped a blanket over Katara.

"Where are you going?" Toph asked as she felt his footsteps pushing further into the temple.

"I.." He took a deep breath. "I need to go meditate. I'll be out by morning." He rubbed his temple as he walked towards the inner-sanctuary.

...

In the crystal-lit room, he sat where he had before. His legs crossed, his hands held together.

Motionless, he knew she was coming. Her footsteps echoed in his mind, and he could feel her warm embrace as she wrapped her arms around him, and pushed herself into his back.

"Why did you leave me?"

She breath feel onto his ear.

"...I didn't want to."

PUBLISHED ON: 9/22/2014

A/N: Thanks for reading!