Requiem

Aang's eyes widened.

"You look pretty surprised."

Aang nodded.

"Thought so."

"So how was she killed?"

FLASHBACK

As they were running away from their destroyed village, a group of Fire Nation soldiers were on their tail.

The soldiers were starting to annoy them. They should have stopped following them two days ago when they set down a trap creating a hole in the ground to buy them some time. They should've lost them one day ago when Hei and Chen managed to trap them in quicksand. Everytime they think they're safe they somehow manage to find them. They couldn't seem to outrun them.

"Damn,' Chen groaned ' I didn't think that they'd still be following us."

"After they wiped out the Air Nomads it was only a matter of time before they came for someone else."

"Still… Though. If the Avatar was an Air Nomad, wouldn't they head over to Water Tribe since that's where the new Avatar is supposed to reincarnate?" Chen thought out loud.

"Probably wanted to lower the Water Tribe's guard and ambush the Earth Kingdom."

"If that isn't the stupidest thing ever…"

"There's nothing that can be done, Chen. We have to deal with the hand we've been dealt."

"Man, where's the Avatar when you need him?"

"You know full well that the Avatar is just a child, Chen. He couldn't do much of anything."

"Still the Fire Nation decided to attack the Earth Kingdom of all places." Chen complained. "Oh man, if I get my hands on the Avatar. I don't know what I'll do. Restoring peace to all the nations, my ass."

They reached the top of the hill and caught their breath. How long since they'd lost them? Maybe one or two hours? They never seemed to stay away for any longer. The past few days, they'd hardly slept. They'd eat anything they could find. Whether it'd be eating nuts or fruits they could pick out in the amount of time they were allowed.

Their clothes were torn, burned. They'd survived this long because of their Earthbending. Hei and Chen would split up to kill some soldiers on their own and meet up back together only to find that they were still behind them. But they couldn't keep going much longer. Soon they'd collapse from exhaustion, and then—as hard as they were to kill, he was pretty sure the soldiers would find a way to stay on their tail.

Where to run? Chen scanned his surroundings. Under different circumstances, they might have enjoyed the view. To his left, beautiful hills rolled inland, dotted with lakes, and his right, some flatlands. A vague sadness weighed on Chen's chest. Something told him this would be the last time he'd get to spend with his wife. What a way to spend the whole week of their anniversary, which was today.

He felt it.

The end of their journey was close.

The wind changed. Chen caught the foul scent of smoke. A hundred yards down the slope, something rustled through the woods—snapping branches, crunching leaves. Fire Nation soldiers. For the millionth time, Chen would wish that they could lose them. He grabbed Hei's hand and scrambled to the west side of the hilltop. It was too steep to descend. That left him two options: jump eighty feet to their death, or stand and fight. Both options sounded pretty bad. He cursed and decided to fight. Hei looked at him, understanding the predicament they were in.

"We're gonna have to fight them, aren't we?"

Chen nodded. "Yeah or we could plummet to our death."

Hei chuckled. "Better not slow me down."

Chen gave a small smile. "Took the words right out of my mouth."

"Alright then, let's get going."

"Aren't you getting a bit cocky?"

"Not cocky, just confident."

Chen smiled at her statement.

"There you are!" Chen and Hei stumbled away from the soldier, almost falling off the edge of the hill. It was the one with the mole on his chin —Moley. Okay, his name wasn't really Moley, but he wasn't about to stop mid-fight and say, "Hey real quickly what's your name?"

"Kill her" A second soldier appeared on Hei's right so fast, she didn't have time to react. Chen parried the hit and returned it in kind.

"You've led us on quite a chase, Hei," Moley said. "But now you're trapped, and we'll have our revenge!"

They're after Mei? Why are they after her?

Hei gave a confused look. "Revenge? I haven't even done anything to you. In fact, I don't even know you."

"You haven't and you don't know us. But your family is well known among our people."

Chen was so lost. Here he thought Hei was just your typical Earth Nation civilian. Chen looked at Hei. "I didn't know you were famous."

"That makes two of us."

"Her father ruined our plans. We were supposed to take over that village you currently live in. We were so close and then one pesky Earthebender ruined everything. We had dozens of soldiers and he took them all out-"

"Like on a date?" Chen interrupted.

Hei gave Chen's noggin a good hit. "No you idiot. He ended them."

Chen rubbed his head in agony. "Then why didn't he just say that? It just made it confusing for those who weren't present."

Moley was watching the married couple argue.

"ENOUGH!" Moley and his army took a step forward.

The couple stepped back. Six more inches, and they'd be tumbling through thin air. "Look, ladies, we've been over this. I don't even remember you guys. In fact, I don't know anything! Can't we just call a truce and talk about your hideous mole?"

"No!" Moley's red eyes bored into Hei, "I don't care what you remember."

"How about we call it a draw, then?" Hei said. "I mean I can only speak for myself when I say you can't kill us…"

"Oh believe me. We can kill you. But we'd rather capture you."

Maybe if they just fell down the hill…would they survive? Chen didn't want to risk it—not without something to slow the fall. Chen clenched his teeth.

"Reconsidering?" Moley asked. "Very wise, Earthebender. Don't worry while we take your wife as a prisoner, we'll make your death a quick one."

"Yeah, she's not going anywhere with you guys. Not unless I got something to say."

"Don't say I didn't give you an out." Moley raised his hand. "ATTACK!"

"Chen, let's try to end this quickly. I'm not sure how much energy I have left. Plus if you forgot, I'm carrying another human being in me."

"I know, I know. Like you said, this is the hand we've been dealt with. "

After a few minutes they'd almost made it to the bottom of the hill to escape.

I've got this Hei. Nothing's gonna happen to the two of you.

Then something strange happened. Chen felt a chill down his spine. Behind him, Hei cried out in pain,

"HEI!" Chen turned in time to see her fall, clutching her stomach . Hei had intercepted the blade with her own body.

But why?

Instantly Chen understood what had happened. He let the soldier get behind him, letting his guard down.

Chen locked eyes with the enemy soldier. He slammed him in the face with his sword hilt so hard it dented his helmet.

"Get back!" Chen slashed the air in a wide arc, driving the rest of the soldiers away from Hei.

"No one touches her!"

"Interesting," Moley said

"Bravely fought, Earthbender," he said. "But it's time to surrender . . . or the girl dies."

"I thought you were just trying to capture Hei?"

Moley formed a devious smile. "Whether we capture or kill her our revenge will be fulfilled."

Chen gripped his sword. "Not happening."

"Ooh. How scary. At this point I'd rather see the look on your face when we kill your wife in front of you."

Chen's sense of reason was reaching its breaking point.

"Chen…" Hei groaned. She stood up and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me, you do what you need to do. I'll try to back you up as much as I can."

I can't let it end here. I WON'T

Chen snapped.

He made his way to the Fire Nation soldiers.

Hei saw her husband doing everything he can to keep her safe, as he once did when they first met. Smiling she shouted "GIVE THEM HELL, HONEY. "

Moley cackled. "Men, this Earthbender here is willing to die for his wife. Oblige him."

The next few minutes were a blur. Chen saw red. Swinging his sword around like a madman, slashing anyone who stood before him.

The hill was painted in crimson. Fire nation soldiers laid out. Moley being the sole survivor of the army.

"Even if you get rid of me, another will take my place and continue conquering the rest of the nations. You cannot stop the inevitable! The Fire Nation will-"

Chen slashed his sword one last time, silencing the soldier before him.

Turning around Chen saw his wife giving him her signature smile. "You did it, Chen."

Chen couldn't help but smile at Hei. "You mean, we did it."

"I know. I just wanted to hear you say it."

"Even after all that you still got that spunky attitude?" Chen chuckled.

"What can I say? It's just what makes me special."

Chen rubbed his forehead, "Alright, alright well we should probably head back."

"Head back to where, Chen? Our home got destroyed. I doubt there's anything left in that village."

"Oh you're right about that." Chen rubbed his pondering. "Well I suppose we could go looking for a new home somewhere else."

"A new home?"

"Yeah it'll be fun. We can live anywhere. We'll get a new house."

"Anywhere?"

"We'll, obviously not in the Fire Nation, but almost anywhere. Besides, as long as I have you, any place can be considered home."

Hei cheeks turned a shade of pink. "Fine. Let's get move on.

Chen engulfed Hei in a hug. "Thank you."

Hei tensed up. "Chen…"

"I know, I know. I'm being sappy again."

"No, Chen-" Hei suddenly collapsed.

"Whoa there Hei. Did the exhaustion finally catch up to you?"

Hei nodded. "I guess so…"

"Hei, try to save your energy,' Chen urged, ''We gotta get you to patched up."

Hei nodded silently.

"Was it when you took that blade for me?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, it's not that bad then. We can just patch you up quickly."

Hei looked down at her gash, "I don't think so." Hei rubbed her stomach, showing Chen the strange substance on her clothes, "Poison…"

Chen's eyes widened. "Crud. Change of plans. We gotta get you somewhere, Now." Chen looked around. They were in the middle of nowhere. The nearest village was about a day away.

"We gotta go, Hei."

Hei shook her head. "The poison has spread… I don't think I have much time left…"

Chen took a hold of Hei's hand, "No, No, No. Don't say that."

"I don't have much strength left…"

"Stop talking like that!' Chen raised his voice.

Hei shook her head weakly, a single tear rolled Hei's face. "I'm so sorry…"

"Please Hei…You're gonna make it, and we're gonna have a beautiful baby. And she's gonna have your beautiful looks and my terrible humor.' Chen stammered, "and, and , and we're gonna watch her get older and have our grandchildren, and, and, you and I are gonna grow old together until death do us part.."

"Chen our hopes… and our dreams… you'll have to do them without me…"

"Hei… please, I'll do anything,' Tears cascading Chen's face, "I'll do the laundry. I'll do the dishes, I'll go to those boring plays you like. Please…" Chen was praying to whatever being existed, to not snatch away the only thing that was keeping grounded.

Hei gave a weak smile. "Chen… Do you remember what you said when you proposed to me?"

Chen nodded.

"I'd like to hear one last time… please…."

Chen fought his hardest not to completely break down. "Hei, I love you. I'm always going to love you… 'till the end of my days and beyond…"

Hei weakly raised her hand to caress Chen's face one last time. Chen held that hand of hers tightly.

It's cold. Very cold.

"Chen… I love you… so much…" Hei said as one last tear fell from her face as her body slumped.

Chen's heart sank. This has to be some sort of sick joke. Who could be so cruel? He did everything right. So why? Why was he the only one being punished? There lies the love of his life. Cold and pale. Chen held onto Hei's body as tightly as he could. Looking up into the sky he yelled his heart out. There was only one person to blame for all this.

"AVATAR! THIS IS YOUR FAULT! IF YOU WEREN'T SUCH A COWARD, NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED!"