CHAPTER RATING: M (Language, Violence)
A/N:
Chapter 46: Sozin's Comet, Part V: "Visions of Despair"
The explosion that rocked the sky was only compounded when another crash came just from his right.
"Aang!" Katara burst through the door. "Wake up!" She begged.
"I'm up…" He replied in a haze of confusion.
"Why did you take so damn long to come to your senses, Twinkletoes?!" Toph shouted.
"What's going on…?" He looked out the window to a burning light that soared across the sky. "Is that…?"
"It's Sozin's Comet!" Katara added.
"Why is it here? I thought I had more-"
"You were playing in the Spirit World for so long that the week's already passed!"
The events were finally beginning to get to him. Aang glanced up to Ozai's prison, it looked like an erupting volcano, broken at the top, fire bursting from its mouth, spitting down ash and metal. It could only mean one thing.
"Someone must be trying to break Ozai out of prison." He shot up to his feet, only to see the Air Nomad medallion shattered into pieces.
"Uh, yeah..! Duh! Now come on, we gotta hurry!" Toph shouted. Katara tugged at him, but like a stone, he didn't move. His eyes were transfixed on the pieces of wood that lay at his feet.
And he felt a deep emptiness within him.
They've abandoned me.
"Come on!" Katara urged him on.
"No, I can't."
"WHAT?!" Toph screamed. "THE FUCKING WORLD IS ENDING OUT THERE! LET'S GO!"
"NO!" Aang shouted even louder. "You don't understand." He swiped at the wooden fragments on the floor. "I'm going to do this alone. I don't have a choice now. I've got to do this alone."
Without another word, Aang destroyed the wall behind him, leapt into the air, and commanded the wind to carry him towards the black tower.
"What are you doing?!" Toph screamed to Katara's blank expression.
"Doesn't matter now, we have to find Zuko, let's go!" Katara ran past Toph, who followed just behind. "Remember, whatever...and whoever stands in our way, we have to bring down."
"You don't have to tell me twice," She cracked her knocked. "I've done this before."
…
Zuko and Azula
Throne room barricade
"Bar the door shut!" A voice came from the ancient throne room just as Zuko and Azula jumped into it. The gigantic ornamental doors had long been renovated, the wooden foundations that has dragons carved into them were replaced with flames reforged from black iron. A specialized metal, so resistant to heat, that once it was formed, a blacksmith could never reshape it again. It would keep them safe from any firebender's attacks, even with the power of Sozin's Comet.
"My Lord, what are your orders?" An attendant helped Zuko up to his feet.
But Zuko was silent. The silence served as a stark contrast against the constant stream of flames that bombarded the throne room's door.
"My lord?" He asked again, but Zuko was silent.
"Zuko!" Azula shouted.
"I...I didn't think that…" the Firelord stuttered.
"Listen to me, Zuko!" Azula grabbed him, her hands shaking with anger and frustration. "Not everyone is going to like having you as their Firelord!" The streams of flame from behind the them intensified, the great doors began to glow with a molten red. "Rulers, Kings, Emperors, they all have to go through times of strife and conflict! This is your time! Make your decision! Tell your men what to do!"
His personal guard stood by him, sworn to loyalty, they would defend him to his end. Zuko's fear seemed to make the world freeze. His thoughts raced faster than ever, and his mind turned towards an ancient story, a story that told of a Firelord who faced a similar revolt nearly two thousand years ago.
And Zuko remember what that ancient Firelord did.
"Prepare yourselves" He ordered them.
"Yes, Firelord Zuko." They answered.
"So, you've decided?" Azula held a blue flame in her hand.
"This is my decision." Lightning cracked across Zuko's arm. "Open the gate." He commanded.
Azure flames shot through the door, accompanied by pure lightning, and thunderous screams, followed by the stench of burning flesh.
There was only one way to deal with this rebellion.
Crush it with an Iron Fist.
…
The fire was close to his back as he ran, his fist wrapped around the grip of his sword. With a swift turn, he pressed up against the wall, and screamed out to the men who were running after him.
"We can talk this through, you know!" Sokka shouted from behind his wall. "I'm not part of Zuko's Inner-circle! I'm just a Water-Tribe Peasant! Just let me go!" No answer came, but the sound of quickening footsteps was his answer. "I don't want to get hurt!" He added.
But with no compliance, he drew his sword.
I don't want to hurt you, either. But if I have to…
Sokka extended his sword, it slid across his pursuer's leg, his black meteor blade became covered in a dark red. As a flame was beginning to appear in the fallen man's hand, Sokka brought his blade down, impaling him through the heart. He could swear that the man's heartbeat ran up to his own fingers, and was reminded of a quote master Piandao had said to him.
Every life you take is another burden on your spirit, be sure you can carry them all.
The memory flashed in his mind for just a second, before he turned and continued running amidst the echoing footsteps that meant more assailants following him.
…
"Got another one coming up." Toph whispered. "On three: one…two…three!"
Katara let loose a sphere of water in her hand, a running man slipped on the small patch of ice, before the ground shifted, pulling him into the room that the two stood in, and wrapped around him, binding him into the ground itself.
Another stone fell from the ceiling, slamming into the man's forehead, and knocking him out.
"Another one, quick!" They both crouched behind the walls. And as footsteps drew closer, a small bump rose, and knocked over the next man who ran across them.
"Ow! Damn it!" His body dragged across the ground.
"Sokka?!" Katara fell to her knees and hugged him. "I'm so glad to see-"
"No time for reunions, Katara!" A fireball shot forth, encompassing the entire hallway. Toph threw her hands up, and with a thin wall, stopped the inferno.
"Hurry, do something! I can't hold it for much longer!" The thin layer of stone began to crack, Katara pushed Sokka into the room, and fell into it after him. In her hands, she conjured another sphere of water.
The wall collapsed, and through the dust and fire Katara's eye caught the slightest hint of a figure stepping into the room. She cast her hands towards it, and a long tentacle of water reached out, grabbing him by his ankle, and pulling him down onto his stomach.
Toph stepped down again, another rush of earth rose from the ground, encasing his body in stone. Sokka rise to his feet, blade drawn and raised it above his head, before letting it fall.
"Now keep a look out...We've got to find Zuko and Azula! We got to get out of here." He said.
"Actually, they're coming up right behind us." Toph shrugged.
…
He landed just before the black tower, in front of the cell that held Ozai, the doors had been melted, and to Aang's surprise, the two guards were dead.
And standing before him, former Firelord Ozai stood before him, fires in his palms, and a sickened smile stricken across his face.
"I know what you're wondering. And I have an answer for you." A flame in his hand. "Azula taught you. Desire is what allows the fire to burn." A flash, and the air distorted before him. Aang felt the heatwave strike his face, encompassing his body, forcing him to look away. His eyes felt as if they had been seared by the sun, his vision blurred, but when he was able to see again, Ozai was before him. "And I have a stronger ambition than anyone else who lives in this God-forsaken World!...And with the power of Sozin's Comet, I am unstoppable." His knee strg's chest, knocking the air from his lungs. The former Firelord's hands wrapped around his neck, and began to squeeze. The air being slowly pulled out until blackness nearly wiped over him.
"No. That would be too easy. I'm not done with you yet." Ozai swung his arms, and tossed Aang towards the cell door.
His body crashed against the heated metal, burning bars, searing, and severing the tattoos that he had inherited so long ago. The pain ripped at him. As he picked himself up, blood began to drip. The liquid slid down his chest. The wound that had been created by Azula, and healed by Katara, opened once again.
"Pathetic." Ozai's heavy, methodical steps rang off the walls. "I can't believe that you were the chosen Avatar. You were the one that the Avatar Spirit decided to become?" A steel-toed boot pierced his side. Aang was forced to turn, with his back pressed against the burning steel, Ozai pressed all of his weight upon the wound in the Avatar's chest. Aang screamed in horror and pain, his back burned, and his chest bled. Every breath was heavy, erratic, and desperate.
Ozai wrapped his hands around Aang's neck again, and pulled his full weight above him.
"Pray to whatever Spirits, or Gods you believe in, Avatar." Ozai mocked. "For this will be the last time you see this earth. There will be no rebirth for you."
A breather. A moment of brief air, and silence.
"...You...talk too much." Aang's hands opened and closed. The blood on his chest coagulated, collected, and formed into an iron crest, as ugly and distorted as the scar that it bled from. He spat into Ozai's eyes, a dust made of the iron in his own blood, and staggered the Firelord. He crouched low, and pushed himself off the steel floor. His knee crashed into Ozai's chin, knocking him back further. He leapt up and threw a kick, his shin struck Ozai's cheek. The firelord lost his footing, and stumbled down to the floor.
A ball of air escaped his palms, it caught the Firelord, and pushed him towards the wall. Another burst of air moved him towards Aang, who delivered a kick to Ozai's spine. With a few quick steps, and long strides, Aang ran up the wall, and pushed off. The momentum carried him, where he swung his leg, and the side of his foot struck the Firelord's face.
"As Toph would say: 'It's showtime.'" He lifted his leg, another wave of air brought Ozai up. Aang moved low, and delivered an elbow to Ozai's stomach. Then, he brought it up, striking his face with the same elbow, and finally brought up his knee, which crashed into Ozai's throat, bringing him back down onto the ground.
Ozai's mouth gushed blood, which poured from his lips into a pool of crimson. Aang brought him up to his feet with another wave of air, and a fist coated in iron.
"The other Avatars may have abandoned me, but I never needed them to defeat you." He said one more time, and drew his fist back.
"E…" Ozai coughed. Aang's eyes burned in anger, with all his might, he focused on Ozai's face and threw his fist forward. "ENOUGH OF YOUR CHILDISH DANCING!" Blood seeped from the Firelord's words again as Aang's fist crashed into the solid wall.
Ozai's huge hand took a tight grip on Aang's iron gauntlet, which began to glow hot like a blacksmith's forge. And the burning immediately hit him. The pain shot through his arm, and the gauntlet shattered. Another force of heat struck Aang's chest, and the melted, molten iron tore at his flesh.
He was beaten back with vicious blows from Ozai until he stood precariously the edge, Ozai picked up the groggy Avatar, and held him above the cliff. With no words, but just a smirk, he let go, and Aang fell.
But as he descended, his head careening down towards the bloodied earth, she appeared before him. A beauty beyond all description. The woman, dressed in a luminous white gown, with long, flowing, golden hair.
"Have no fear, Avatar Aang. You have had my promise since the day that you first drew breath." She brought her warm hand to his cheek. "Trust your instincts, and you will succeed."
She faded, he closed his eyes, and took a calm breath. A pocket of air caught him, he bounced back up, with a twist, he opened his wingsuit, and commanded the air to take him.
Behind him, Ozai followed, a streak of fire carried him just like how air carried Aang.
…
The five of them stumbled through the halls until the reached the palace gate. Before them was the sights and sounds of death, but, it was clear that this weak rebellion was being crushed by the Royal Guard and all of those loyal to the new Firelord.
Amidst all of the chaos and death that ruled the ground, there was something in the sky that caught their attention.
Two more streaks beside Sozin's Comet. One as white as a cloud, and the other, as bright as the sun. They soared across the sky, gradually falling until a crash was heard.
"That has to be them! It looks like Aang's in trouble! Let's go!" Zuko shouted, and took off across the palace grounds.
"We'll stay here, and get everything sorted out, Firelord Zuko." One of his attendants told him.
Zuko nodded, and they took off to where Aang had landed.
The Palace Courtyard.
…
Aang landed on a cloud, as gentle as if he was a child being put into bed, the air dissipated at his back, and he flipped to his feet.
Behind him, a meteor landed, smoke, fire, and ash followed its fall. Crawling from the hole his landing made, Ozai emerged covered in dust.
"You just refuse to die, don't you?" His deep, rough voice emerged with him. "When will you learn?" He coughed through blood and spit.
Ozai charged, his steps breaking craters into the ground. With a table, Aang lost his breath again, and his back was pushed against the black iron walls. Ozai pushed his forearm into Aang's neck, bringing the Avatar's back against the cutting iron.
Blood flowed down Aang's arm from a gash at his shoulder. Ozai pushed even harder into his neck. Aang grabbed onto the his arm, still digging into his throat.
The blood stopped, and the iron solidified. Aang forced his arm up, and heard Ozai's scream just in time as he took another breath.
With the blood from his own veins, he formed a spike, and impaled the Firelord's arm.
Aang struck Ozai again with his knee, then delivered another kick to his head, knocking him down again, but this time, Ozai didn't move.
He sighed a deep sigh, and fell to his knees.
…
Ozai's piercing scream broke the eerie silence. The shriek reached their ears and their pace quickened. Aang and Ozai were before them, both laid prone on their backs, motionlesde, conjured a sphere of water, and began her efforts to heal him.
"That's it then." Zuko mumbled. "Let's get out of here. I'll have the guards deal with Ozai." He looked up, the tail from Sozin's Comet began to fade, and the fire within him, within every firebender, became just a bit weaker.
Aang's arms were outstretched over Sokka and Zuko's shoulders, he closed his eyes, with relief, he sighed, finally being able to rest.
"You think you've won…" a deep, weakened voice came. "But you will only find pain and suffering here." Aang looked back.
Time stopped, and images flashed again through his mind. Images of a cryptic future that was made a guarantee. Katara was on his left, Azula was on his right.
The lightning skipped across the stone ground. So quickly, yet so slowly, it cracked until it struck them.
Katara fell, her body crashed into the ground, motionless.
Azula fell, her body crashed into the ground, motionless.
And in that moment, Aang understood what it meant to become Wind.
He let out a scream, so pained that it shook the World. His eyes and tattoos gleamed with a brilliant light. And he took flight.
With a single hand, he commanded the elements to carry Ozai up into the sky.
High up, into the sky, where no one could see.
High up, into the sky, where no one could hear.
High up, into the sky, where no one could breathe.
Anger, hated, disgust, vengeance. His former lives returned to him, with no words, and no explanation. He sealed Ozai in a flying prison, surrounding him in all four elements. And forcefully, life reentered Ozai.
"I took both your whores away. Let me know how you will live without-"
"We address you first, Ozai. Son of Azulon. Grandson of Sozin. But you shall hear from us." The Avatars' voices rumbled. "For your actions, you will spend the remainder of your time here. With no escape, and no future."
Ozai began gasping for air, the precious breath of life slowly seeped out of him, before returning in a deep inhale. And then seeping out again in a slow, tortuous stream.
"Here, you shall spend the rest of your days. We will comply with Avatar Aang's decision." Aang's voice began to return. "Here, you'll stay. Unable to die, but unable to breath, for the rest of your life. And the rest of eternity."
Aang looked back at the pathetic man suspended in his prison, who couldn't find the strength, or means to answer him.
"I showed you mercy before. But I have no more mercy for you."
...
Aang turned downward and made his way back to the courtyard. The life of ten thousand Avatars poured back into him, but all of his new energy was channeled into despair.
They laid before him, lifeless.
He thought back to the flying airbender he had met in the Boundless Sky.
He fell to his knees.
And he wept for the ones he loved.
PUBLISHED ON: 07/20/2016
A/N:
It's a special day today.
Expect the last chapter before this day ends.