Thank you again for the kind reviews! This story wont really be connected to Legend of Korra but I think the Red Lotus are super fascinating so I wanted to incorporate that. Well he is another chapter, enjoy! -AnUnknownStranger
Aang awoke with a start as his sight focused in on his surroundings. He sat up and began to wipe the sweat off of his damp forehead. He stopped when he felt the foreign sensation of hair atop his usually clean shaven head. It was nothing more than buzz cut length but still surprised him since to his knowledge he had only been out a day.
He stretched feeling his muscles pop and the same heaviness in his chest remain. He quit stretching when he heard the door creek open and Katara quietly step through it. The airbender smiled tiredly when he saw the waterbender turn to him with a sudden look of relief and joy. She ran to him, carefully holding his face and kissing it. Aang laughed and held her tightly, "I'm okay…the Avatar state just drained me is all."
"I know…I've just never seen it take you down for three days." Katara sat back and held his hands as though he might slip away again.
Aang furrowed his brows. "Three days?"
Katara nodded. "Yes but don't worry, Zuko's covered for you and explained everything to the earth and water nation diplomats." She stood and passed him a tunic to slip on.
"Did the guards find Szeto?" Aang asked as he pulled his shirt on.
"Szeto? Is that who did this?" Katara sat back beside him with concern etched in her brows.
"That was his name. He has to be connected to the fires." The airbender stood and made a move to the door but Katara quickly grasped his hand.
"I saw the lightning, Aang. If he's that powerful then we will need more than guards to find him." Katara stood with him and placed a hand on his cheek, caressing the stumble on it with her thumb. "We are leaving for the earth kingdom tomorrow. You need to rest and we will work together to find who did this." She said softly.
He stared into her comforting blue eyes and sighed a breath of relief. "Alright…let's go find the others." He grasped her hand walked out out the door with her.
As they walked down the hall, Zuko approached them with higher spirits. "Aang, I'm so glad you're okay." He wrapped his arms around the airbender. "The other nations have assured me that the highest security will be in place for the rest of the peace celebrations."
Aang took a step back in surprise. "You mean they didn't cancel them?"
Zuko gave a dry laugh. "That would be the honorable thing but I'm afraid the other nations didn't like the image that would bring." He rolled his eyes before continuing, "the Fire Nation had its celebration so the others feel they are entitled too. Despite the risk of an attack."
"You think the attack wasn't just aimed at the Fire Nation?" Katara questioned as she crossed her arms.
"No…" Aang replied for Zuko. They both looked at the airbender. "This felt personal…" Aang ran a hand through his hair anxiously before stepping away.
Katara proceeded to follow but felt Zuko grip her arm. "Is he okay?" They both watched Aang walked toward Sokka and Suki. "The Avatar State always drains him." Katara argued.
"Not like that…not as a fully realized Avatar." Zuko countered. "Please keep an eye on him in the earth kingdom."
Katara smirked. "I am always keeping an eye on him, even when he doesn't want me to." Zuko nodded before they joined the others.
Before leaving for the Earth Kingdom, Aang visited the site where Caldera had been most impacted. As he walked through the city square, ash coated his feet within his sandals and the smell of burnt oak from the homes still hung in the air. Locals and volunteers were picking through the remains either looking for loved ones or belongings.
Aang crouched down and picked up a fire nation medallion that was coated in ash. As he brushed off the smokey residue, he suddenly found himself back at the Southern Air temple. He stood and stumbled back, his breath quickening. Looking down he noticed he was holding monk Gyatso's relic instead of the fire nation medallion. The airbender looked around fearfully as he watched the place he had called home, burn into nothing.
"Aang…" turning he could see his old airbending master in the distance. "Monk Gyatso?" Aang's voice shook with emotion.
"Aang!" The voice shouted again, bringing him back to reality. Katara was standing before him with a look of distress as she held his face. He slowly looking around and saw a lot of concerned faces.
He turned back to his wife breathing as though he couldn't catch his breath. "Katara, it happened again and I couldn't do anything." His voice came out in a distressed whisper as he tried to control his breathing. The water bender held her husbands face before bringing a palm to his forehead. Her eyes widened, "Aang you're burning up again…" she whispered before grasping his hand and leading him back to the palace.
Despite his refusal, Zuko called for the best physician the Fire Nation had to offer to look over the Avatar. Zuko, Sokka, and Katara stood in the corner of the room watching the doctor check Aang's vitals and temperature. The doctor sat in front of the Avatar with his hands folded in front of him. "This may be silly to ask an Avatar, but have you had visions before?"
Aang looked to his family before looking back at the doctor. "Of course but this was different. I wasn't taking some spiritual journey, it was like I was back there…" His words came out flustered as he tried to explain.
The physician glanced to the Fire Lord and water tribe siblings seeing they all shared a mutual understanding. "You have gone through a great deal of trauma, Avatar Aang. It could be that this attack has…stirred up certain memories." The doctor spoke carefully while Aang shook his head slowly in denial while looking at his own hands.
The doctor sighed and stood to face everyone. "Well there is no sign of a fever. I'm afraid my talents are of no further use for you Avatar Aang." He said as he began packing up his equipment.
"So there's nothing you can do?" Katara asked with frustration. "I recommend the Avatar just takes some more time to rest."
"I've rested enough." Aang stood and left the room quickly with Katara and Sokka following behind.
"Aang, wait up." Sokka caught up to his brother in law and slowed him down. "Maybe that doctor couldn't help but that still doesn't mean nobody can." The warrior explained gently. Aang stopped in his steps and listened. "You have a whole selection of avatars at your disposal that know exactly what you're going through." Sokka reminded with a smile.
Aang looked to his surprised wife before looking back at Sokka. "Wow…you're right. Thank you, Sokka." Aang patted him on the shoulder before walking back to his room.
Aang sat with his legs cross and hands clasped in form for meditation. It didn't take long for him to see Avatar Roku before him. "Hello, Aang." Roku's gentle voice greeted the young avatar.
Aang jumped in shock, falling back onto his palms. His eyes widened, "Avatar Roku…how are you here…" Aang's voice trailed off as he looked around, not the spirit world but his own room.
Roku stepped toward the shaken airbender. "They are coming for you, Aang. You have to be ready."
Aang looked up at his previous life with a mix of emotions. "Who? Szeto? Who's coming?!"
"Be ready!" Roku yelled before disappearing. Aang leaned against his bed, unsure of what exactly just happened. He felt as though he was going mad and no one, not even himself understand how.
He closed his eyes and focused on steadying his breath but found it only catching in his throat as he proceeded to cough. "What is happening to me…?" The air bender whispered.
Szeto approached the man in the mask. "He is leaving for the Earth Kingdom tomorrow." He informed with a smile.
The figure in the mask looked to another approaching behind Szeto. "It's your turn. You know what to do."
The figure nodded, locking eyes with Szeto before leaving for his mission.