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Chapter 7- Complications
Sokka POV.
I saw Aang run out of the Council Chamber when one of Bato's warriors reported that Katara had been attacked by an evil spirit. I do not know what exactly he was thinking, but the airbender literally flew out of here. I tugged at Azula's sleeve, and she turned her head in my direction and understood what I was about to say without a word. We got up from the table and ran out of the hall after the Avatar.
When we left the Council house, Aang was already relatively far away. I knew it was stupid to shout, but I tried anyway.
- Aang! - I called out loudly, and to my surprise, Azula shouted too.
- Aang!
Well, I knew it wouldn't work.
- We need to go after him! - said Azula, preparing to continue running.
- We need to call the other waterbenders for help! - I didn't agree. – We need help dealing with the spirits!
The next second, I felt my cheek start to burn. I blinked a couple of times and realized that Azula had slapped me. I was stunned, to say the least.
- Are you freaking out, Azula? - I growled, rubbing my cheek.
— Am I freaking out? - she hissed back. – There's your sister and your friend fighting the spirit! And we both know that the spirit is very strong! So shut up and run! - With that, the firebender ran towards the north gate without waiting for my response.
"Hmm ... she's right" , - I decided, calculating the odds roughly, and then I ran after her.
When we got to the north gate, I noticed that about half of the gate had melted away. I made a mental note to tell Aang not to burn them anymore. In the next instant, we heard the cry of the airbender. Azula and I sped up, then slid through the broken gate behind the wall.
I won't lie. What I saw threw me into real fear and horror. Our sweet, kind airbender was fighting fiercely with two spirits who were retreating under such an onslaught. From Aang's attacks, it was clear that he wasn't going to settle this matter peacefully or try to stop.
I saw Aang, his tattoos glowing. Although from what I saw, it wasn't Aang. He was in the Avatar state. But it was scary. Really scary.
I still remember what Aang was like on the day of Sozin's Comet eight years ago.
Memory
We just destroyed the last airship of the Fire Nation by cutting them up. I had a broken leg, but I was at the helm, steering the ship. I looked ahead, looking for Ozai, intending to attack him to help Aang, who had finally appeared (For a moment, I felt ashamed that I thought that he had just run away again). However, I couldn't find either the Avatar or the Fire Lord anywhere. I was beginning to fear for my best friend's fate when Suki gasped.
- This is Aang in the Avatar State! - she exclaimed, pointing.
My eyes widened. Aang, being in the Avatar state, was scary. Somehow, after the events in Ba Sing Se, I completely forgot that he was capable of this. Aang detonated massive stone pillars that began to fall on Ozai. After that, the Avatar began to collect elements around it. First, an air sphere formed around it. After that, he roared and powerful flames came out of his fists and mouth, forming a ring around him. After that, he began to attract water from the ocean and massive rocks, crushing them. Two more elemental rings appeared around him. I didn't know what exactly he was doing, but I could see the point. Thus, he had all the elements at hand at once. It was a peerless display of his strength.
Finally, Aang started attacking Ozai, who tried to fight back, but even he seemed to know that he couldn't hold out against the Avatar's State, so the Fire Lord took off running. Or rather, he flew, fire coming out of his legs, which raised and accelerated him... in general, he ran!
I saw Aang throwing fireballs and huge rocks at Ozai as he continued to pursue the enemy. He pushed the stone pillars together to block the path of the Fire Lord. At one point, he used some sort of air-conquering technique. Yes, such a reception that after it from the stone pillar almost nothing remained!
The next element was water. Aang reached out a water tentacle that grabbed the Fire Lord's leg, then pulled it back and threw Ozai onto the stone platform.
In the next instant, the Avatar rose into the air, being above Ozai, and then began to collect all the elements together, intending to deliver the final blow...
Even though I know how scary Aang looks when he's in the Avatar state, I was even more afraid this time. That day, you could still see that inside was Aang, the kind soul, the boy who loved my sister… This time, it was as if Aang had never existed at all. There was only an angry Avatar who wasn't going to give anyone mercy or anything like that. Eight years ago, Airbender used all the elements, combining attacks with different elements. This time, there were only two elements. Water and fire. However, I had to admit, if it wasn't for the threat of death and uncontrolled destruction of the Tribe, I would have looked at the beauty of such power.
The avatar was on top of a semi-ice semi-snow vortex that was spinning at breakneck speed. The vortex itself had sharpened spikes on its sides and icy mist at its base, making this move even more dangerous. Aang himself hurled fire bolts at the spirits, continuing the onslaught. At some point, he changed the tactics of his attacks, creating fire whips. He caught one of the spirits by twisting it, then took a deep breath and exhaled such a flame into it that I thought my eyes would light up from the light. Even from this distance, I could feel the heat radiating from it.
When it stopped spewing fire and switched to another spirit that moved further away, I noticed two things. First, there was nothing left on the place where the spirit was and there was an impressive mark. Second, when the Avatar went after the next victim, I saw a small ice dome with sharp spikes. By the time I realized why, Azula was already rushing toward the dome, apparently understanding more than I did.
- Sokka! Come here! - She shouted when she noticed me standing still.
I didn't need another invitation, so I rushed over to her. The Firebender joined her hands, creating her own blue flame in them. I shuddered, for to me such a color meant only one thing: the death of my loved ones. I moved even closer to see what exactly she was doing. My eyes widened when I noticed who was under the dome.
Katara!
Azula had already spread her arms and was burning ice spikes. Fearing for my sister's life, I grabbed her arms and pulled her up.
- What are you doing? - I asked loudly, as the noise from the Avatar made it harder to hear each other.
- I save your sister, you idiot! - she hissed, struggling. – If we don't get her out, she'll bleed to death! - with that, she pushed me away and continued her machinations.
When the spikes were removed, the princess placed her palms on the ice dome itself, causing steam to rise. It warms him up, I guessed. After a while, she removed her hands.
- The ice is thin! Now smash it, take Katara and get out of here! - she said loudly.
I took the boomerang out of my belt, broke the ice, and lifted Katara into my arms. There was blood on her parka, and she was unconscious. I was about to clarify what exactly Firebender was going to do now, but at that moment, an explosion was heard. We looked up in shock at the sound. I saw only a heavy fog, where it seemed that there had just been full visibility.
- Aang! - Azula called out as the words caught in my throat.
There was no sound at all. There was absolute silence. Even the air seemed to freeze.
- That's not good, - I said in a hoarse voice.
- I agree, - she said.
In the next second, a fireball flew past us. And then there were glowing eyes and an arrow on the forehead that glared at us in the fog. He stared at us for a moment, then fire shot out of his mouth. I thought we were finished, but Azula took a step forward, and out of her hands came her own blue fire, which collided with Aang's fire.
- Aang! - The princess shouted. - Stop it! We are your friends!
- He won't stop! Only Katara can bring him out of this state! - I explained. – And she's a little out of her mind right now! So, if we want to live, we need to run!
I almost put bricks in my pants from that airbender look earlier, to say the least. I've seen Aang in the Avatar state several times, but he's never looked in my direction. I used to wonder what exactly made people afraid of an Avatar in this state… Well now I know… And I want to run too...
- Sokka! - Azula shouted as she continued to extinguish the Avatar's fire with her own, but we both knew that she would soon run out of energy. – I'll make a passageway for you, you have to go through it! You only have one chance!
I wanted to callout to her that I was ready, but at that moment Aang's attack stopped. Azula stopped her fire and exchanged glances with me. I was about to ask if she had accidentally harmed the airbender, but at that moment something flew over our heads. I looked up, but all I saw was the same fog. I looked around and realized that this same fog had increased a lot, affecting more territory.
- Azula, we need to go! - I exclaimed, starting to move towards the walls (I hope they were in that direction). - Hurry up!
- But Aang!...
- I need you to protect us! - I said as something flew over our heads again.
- Good! - she nodded, and we started moving.
Although it would have been more accurate to say that we ran as fast as we could. I thought we were going to be chased, but he seemed to have forgotten about us. There was a growl behind us, and I picked up speed, not wanting to see if Aang was going to hurt us.
After some time of nonstop running, we emerged from the fog and the Tribal walls came into view. I wanted to call out to them not to attack, but just stand on the defensive, but I saw that there was a large number of waterbenders. In the next instant, they formed a huge ice ball together, and then threw it. I turned my head as I ran, seeing that the balloon had hit the fog. There was a crash in response. In the darkness of the smoke, two sinister eyes once again appeared, looking at the waterbenders who had made the attack. In the next instant, a fireball flew at them, which, to my great relief, the benders were able to extinguish.
- We need to get to the healers! - I shouted as loudly as I could, hoping to be heard, and Azula sent a stream of blue fire into the sky to steady me.
In the next instant, a small closed area appeared in front of us. Azula and I with Katara ran into it, and then we were taken over the wall.
- I have to stay here and make sure no one hurts each other! - I told her. - Take Katara and take her to the healers.
- But I do not know where to go! - Azula clarified.
- Help Princess Azula! - Master Pakku's voice rang out from the walls, and then two waterbenders came down to us.
I nodded to Azula, and then the benders set up an ice sled and they left in the direction of the Healers' House. I turned toward the wall.
- Lift me up! - I shouted, and moments later I was on the wall.
- Stop attacking! - I ordered. – You can harm Avatar Aang!
- It's more like the opposite, - Master Pakku interjected, stepping forward. – If we stop attacking, he will destroy the Tribe. Can you bring him out of this state?
- Only Katara can, - I said.
- Well, then, we're screwed, - Master Pakku swore, and I smiled.
I looked out at the fog, where people were still looking at us. However, the attacks stopped. Master Pakku raised his hand to stop the waterbenders. We were all just playing peek-a-boo with the Avatar, who was glaring at us, eyes moving quickly as if searching for something... or someone.
"He wasn't trying to kill us, he just wanted to protect Katara", - I guessed.
- I can try to bring him out of his Avatar State, - I said. – I have an idea.
- Are you sure? - Pakku asked. – What am I supposed to tell the Chief if Avatar burns you alive?
I swallowed, as I hadn't thought of such an outcome. However, I couldn't abandon my friend.
- Take me down to him, - I said firmly, ignoring the question, the benders hesitating to do anything.
- You heard him, - Pakku said.
Waterbenders again made an ice platform. I stood on it and was lowered down. I glanced back at Aang, who was following me with his eyes. I took a deep breath and took a step toward him. His face was furrowed, clearly thinking that I was going to attack. I raised my hands to show that I was going in peace. I saw him begin to descend to the surface, his eyes disappearing into the mist.
I took another deep breath and stepped into the fog. I started talking right away, trying to get Aang out of his Avatar state as quickly as possible, but hoping it would work.
- Aang! - I shouted, trying to hide my fear of him.
"I wonder if this is what Katara felt when she was approaching him? I'll have to ask", - I thought.
In the next instant, my feet were frozen to the snow, and I couldn't move. I looked up and saw Aang just staring at me.
- Hey, buddy, - I said uncertainly. – You can exit the Avatar State.
There was no response.
- Katara's injured and she's with the healers, - I said. - She's no longer in danger. Aang, buddy, come out of your Avatar state and let's go check on her.
When there was no response, I began to worry. Who am I? What makes me think I can do it? However, my legs were released, and then I heard the sound of a light fall. I looked at Aang, his tattoos no longer glowing. I exhaled, relaxing (and feeling a little proud of myself).
- Come on, buddy, - I went over and picked him up, throwing the airbender's arm over my shoulder, and then we started walking toward the walls, the smoke gradually clearing.
- Sokka, - he whispered after a while. - I'm sorry... I-I lost control... No, I'm lying... I wanted so much to harm these spirits...
- It's not your fault, buddy, - I said. - Katara will be healed, and we will all be together again. Ok?
Aang didn't say anything, but I didn't press him because I didn't know what he was feeling.
So, we were moving towards the Tribe...
Well, things weren't going very well.
The first, and most important, bad news is that Katara has been sleeping for more than twelve hours. The healers said she got severe frostbite, which with the blood loss is pretty bad. If we had stayed longer, she might not have survived. She was wrapped in blankets to keep her warm.
The second bad news is that Aang didn't do anything at all. Or rather, he did, but... ah... not the point... Katara didn't wake up after three o'clock when Aang and I got back. For the first two hours, he cried in front of her and begged her forgiveness (for what?). Then he started pestering healers to show him how to heal. When they got tired of listening to the Avatar's whining, they showed him exactly what to do. When Aang failed, he burst into tears about how useless he was. That he can only destroy.
I did not forcibly remove him from the Katara's ward, as I was afraid that he would enter the Avatar state again (I strongly doubted that I would be able to bring him out of this state again). So, he stayed. One of the healers said that Katara is not warm enough. Aang's spirits rose immediately as he found something to do (as if the problem with spirits wasn't enough for him). So, he sat down next to Katara and took her hands in his. I asked him what he was doing. The air conqueror explained that it warms Katara. He redirected his internal heat to Katara, helping her, and also accelerated the flow of her qi to speed up her recovery, at the expense of his own.
He did it so hard that after a while he had to be wrapped in a blanket as well. I asked him to stop, but he just told me to back off. I sighed.
Two days have passed since Katara was wounded. And it was less than a day before the Winter Solstice meetings began.
Katara was still asleep. Healers came and went, but Aang continued to sit by her bed, keeping her warm. He was already half-lying on Katara's bed, as he was too weak to sit up. When I asked him if he was asleep, he said he had to help Katara heal. Azula and I tried to persuade him to rest, but he wouldn't listen. Sometimes I would visit them and find Aang muttering. It sounded like an apology or remorse. Sometimes he kissed her on the forehead (he said he was just checking her temperature).
To be honest, it reminded me somewhat of Katara's behavior after the fall of Ba Sing Se. Back then, she also refused to eat or sleep, continuing to heal Aang (Hmm, I wonder if what the Avatar does counts as healing by firebending?)...
- Aang? - I called as I entered the room. – You need to get some sleep.
It was already evening, the sun was going to set soon. It was my turn to visit Aang and Katara. However, I was startled into silence when I saw that the airbender's tattoos were glowing. I was about to run and call out to the waterbenders to tried to stop the Avatar for a bit when the tattoos faded back to their normal color.
Aang groaned, then staggered to his feet. I moved closer to catch him if he started to fall. The Airbender turned his head in my direction and gave me a slightly forced but sincere smile.
- She'll wake up soon, - he whispered, turning his gaze back to Katara, his eyes shining with tenderness for the girl.
- How do you know that? - I asked.
- Avatar Toko came to see me, - he clarified without raising his voice. - This is one of the Avatars of the Southern Water Tribe. He told me two things: Katara would wake up soon and be fine, and that I needed to move quickly to the center of the South Pole.
- To the center of the South Pole? - I asked, surprised. - But why?
- That's where the Southern the Spirits' Portal is, - Aang said, - and if I don't hurry, there will be serious problems.
- So angry spirits are not a serious problem? - I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms.
- Have we seen how many of these spirits? Not so much. Now imagine that there will be dozens of times more of them. So, I need to go there.
- Let's wait for Katara and head there together, - I suggested.
- No! - he said sharply, turning his head to face me. – I'm not going to put Katara in danger! I'll deal with it myself!
- At least take Azula with you, - I suggested.
- No. She will be here to guard Katara.
- It's very stupid to go to the center of the Pole alone! - I exclaimed irritably. - You...
- How's Master Katara doing? - A voice called from the doorway, and we turned our heads.
"Oh, new challenges. Hooray", - I thought.
- What do you want, Kaluk? - I asked irritably, biting my lip as I realized my mistake.
- Kaluk, - Aang muttered, his eyes instantly hard and slightly angry.
- Ah, Avatar Aang, - he said with false joy. - I'm glad to see you. How are the problems with spirits?
- I've been a little busy, - Aang said, laying a possessive hand on Katara's arm.
- Oh, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Katara, - he said simply, sitting down on the other side of her. – I'm sure she's...
- Shut up, Kaluk, - I said, sensing that the situation was escalating.
- Oh, Sokka, - he said with a fake laugh, then turned to Aang. – You know, I proposed to Katara... and she agreed.
Aang's face paled. The next second, he was angry.
- You're lying, - he said, but his voice was a little shaky. – If you're going to hurt her, I won't stint on retaliating, even though I'm a pacifist. I'll smash your face if I have to.
- Just check her left parka pocket, - Kaluk suggested. – I'm not lying...-
The Airbender stood up, and so did I. I didn't believe Katara would agree to marry Kaluk. He's a real jerk! Cautiously, as if afraid, Aang reached into the pocket of the parka that was folded on the chair.
His face paled, and there were tears in his eyes. He removed his hand, then quickly left the room. I also checked pocket, finding a necklace.
"I'm going to have a serious conversation with Katara", - I decided.
I gave Kaluk a serious look, silently telling him not to do anything stupid, then ran out to get the Avatar.
- I'm sure it's not like that, Aang! - I exclaimed, approaching him; we were already outside, and it was snowing.
- How else am I supposed to see it? - he snarled, turning to me, tears streaming down his cheeks. - She kissed me! She kissed me! So, was I just on hand?! Was I a temporary replacement while she got Kaluk back?! I saw love flash in her eyes! Was it just my imagination? - he lowered his voice.
- Aang, I'm sure...
- Sokka...- he whispered. - Stop, just stop...- he took a deep breath, - I-I'm going to the Spirits' Portal … You and Azula will look after Katara... I-I... I'll try to solve the problem as quickly as possible… I have a lot to think about...
- Will you take Appa? - I asked.
I decided to stop talking about Katara. Even though I thought it was all a trivial trick by Kaluk to get in the way of the two most important people in my life (Suki is also important, but that's out of place right now) to reunite, however, I still didn't understand what was going on. Katara said that she loved Aang and wanted him back. But where does the wedding necklace come from? What if she lied? What if I told Aang now that it was all just a mistake, and he believed me, and Katara ended up marrying Kaluk? The news would have killed him. And it would have been my fault, because I would have given him an empty hope.
- No, - he clarified. – I'll get there on my own. I'll use the energy of the Avatar state to speedup. I plan to return in two days.
- But the meetings will start by now! - I exclaimed.
- Tell them I've had a long drive, - he said simply. - Or tell them you couldn't find me. Think of something. You're an smart guy.
- Okay, - I grumbled. – When are you leaving?
- I'm going home now, get some things, warn Azula, and leave, - he explained.
- Okay, - I said, then went over and hugged him. - Be safe, my friend.
- You too, Sokka, - Aang hugged me back, then left.
I watched him go for a while, until his silhouette disappeared under the cover of snow, but soon I turned around and went back to the ward. I need to get Kaluk out of there, I don't trust him, I thought as I went up to Katara's room.
- What are you doing? - I growled, rushing to Kaluk and removing his hand from Katara's cheek.
- I'm just worried about my fiancee, - he said, smiling.
- She won't marry you, Kaluk! - I growled, looking straight into his eyes. – I do not know what game you are playing, but don't you dare approach Katara! You're the last person to be her husband!
Suddenly, his fake smile faded, his brow furrowed, and his lips pulled back in a snarl. His eyes darkened.
- You don't understand the half of it, Sokka, - he said calmly, though I sensed it was clearly a threat. - Katara will be mine, whether you want it or not.
- Get out of here, - I ordered.
To my surprise, Kaluk didn't say anything in response, just smiled, and then left the room.
"We need to put someone to guard Katara ... Azula..."
