Fallen Avatar
Mar 23, 2011 21:02:09 GMT -8
Post by sunstar on Mar 23, 2011 21:02:09 GMT -8
Here is the prologue of my story. Plus, I have shortened chapters and have enculded a prologue, which is short. enjoy!
A silver half moon rose over the sleeping city of Ba Sing Sei. it was calm and quiet. In a Temple dedicated to the Air Nomads, lost in Fire Nations long war, the Avatar himself stood looking out a window. on his right, stood his Guardian, a girl named Hikari. Aang sighed. Hikari's news worried him greatly. The room they stood in was warm and cozy, but Aang took no notice of the room.
"I know it is hard, Avatar Aang. The world is restless. I feel her unrest." Hikari spoke up.
"Do we need to go through another war?" Aang asked.
"Fire Lord Zuko and King Decca have their armies ready to assemble in a moments notice. even then, I fear it won't be enough. If only Fire Nation hadn't wiped out all of the Air Nomads. They, and you are it's weakness." Hikari explained, "I wish my air bending didn't suck so much."
A sudden inhuman scream rent the night. Both Avatar and Guardian were out of the Temple in seconds, their eyes scanning the skies. A brown and white bison and a black and gold dragon joined their bonded ones. Aang leapt up onto Appa, his bison, while Hikari climbed up onto Tohru, her beloved Air Dragon. the animals rose into the sky. Aang scanned the city below, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. He looked up and bit back a scream. the sky in the distance was moving.
"Incoming!" Aang prepared for a fight he knew was coming.
With an inhuman wail, the Shadow was on them. Tohru let lose with a scream of his own as Appa sent an attack through his airbending at the Shadow. It dodged both hits, and let out a gutteral hiss.
"Soon, world blanketed. Avatar gone!"
"Did it just talk?" Hikari's eyes were wide.
"I will not let you succeed!" Aang unleashed an air whip that tore through the Shadow. It screamed in agony. Hikari focused on an air ball. The ball woppled badly and shot off toward the Shadow. It dropped, reavealing Aang. The Avatar had no time to react. The attack flung him into the air where the Shadow rushed up to snap him up. Hikari screamed. Appa growled loudly. He went on the offensive and attacked with repeated air strikes. Tohru took a deep breath. Hikari braced herself. Suddenly, the Shadow screamed. a glowing ball of light burst free from where Hikari guessed was his stomach. Aang, in the Avatar State. Tohru let lose with a howl of air that formed into a sharp edged air slice. Aang followed through with an series of air punches ending with an air jab. Hikari switched to fire, her element, and went on the defensive. The Shadow finally faded with a scream. Aang dropped out of the Avatar State and would have fallen to his death if Appa had not been just below him. he hit the saddle and lay in a crumpled heap. Hikari didn't think. She leapt from Tohru and fired her way to Appa. Landing, she rushed to Aang's side.
End Prologue. Chapter 1
Fire Lord Zuko was worried. Katara had sounded urgent in her message. Then he’d got one from Hikari, which was also urgent. Both of the messages had been nearly the same. Aang was dangerously ill, and close to death. For Aang’s Guardian to be worried, this was big. Hikari served only Aang and the earth. Like Aang, she could bend each of the elements. Aang was the Avatar. His bending of the elements was far stronger then that of Hikari, and he could also energy bend, which allowed him to strip or give power to any bender. Zuko sighed. He wished the airship he was on would move faster. He missed his friends and couldn’t wait to see them again. He also hoped that Aang would still be alive once he got to Ba Sing Sei.
“How much longer?” Zuko turned to a soldier.
“In about 30 minutes, we’ll be in Ba Sing Sei airspace, and about twenty minutes after that, you’ll be by the Avatar’s side.” the Soldier replied at once.
“Can we go any faster?” Zuko asked.
“We are already pushing it. You’ll get there. Don’t worry.” the Soldier smiled.
“I’m sorry I’m antsy. I’m just really worried.” Zuko managed to smile back.
“You must really care about these friends of yours. It is nice to see the Fire Lord with friends again.” the Soldier said, “Look ahead. There is the boundary of Ba Sing Sei. Only about forty minutes to go.”
Zuko nodded as he watched Ba Sing Sei come ever closer. After what felt like hours, the airship touched down and Zuko raced off into the city. He spotted Hikari first. She was pacing, and she looked like death warmed over. Hikari was short, her head only came up to Zuko’s chest. She had golden eyes and dark brown hair. Hikari wore the traditional outfit of a woman in Fire Nation, which was her home.
“Zuko!” She practically flew into his arms, “You came! It’s bad! Really bad!”
“Is Aang still alive?” Zuko asked fearfully.
“Aang is hanging in there. I’ve never seen someone so ill before! I can’t believe I failed!” Hikari was crying. Zuko knew now that this was really big. Hikari never showed emotion, ever.
“Take me to him.” Zuko dreaded what he would find. Hikari nodded, and led him over to a temple like house. Toph was outside doing some earth bending. A small crowd of people were watching her. Several other earth benders were practicing with her. They heard her call out encouragement to a boy struggling to hold a small boulder in the air. The boulder stopped shaking so much as the boy heard Toph’s encouraging words. Hikari led him to the door and they went in. Sokka met them in the hallway. He looked withdrawn, and he wasn’t cracking jokes. Plus, he was silent. He only motioned them to follow him. He led them deeper into the house and stopped at a door. He knocked, and Suki appeared.
“Oh good, Zuko. You came.” her voice was sad, “Katara is with him. I don’t think he has much time left.” She opened the door wider to let Zuko in before stepping out to try to comfort the sobbing Hikari in Sokka’s arms. Zuko paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim lighting. He walked forward and stopped, nearly crying out, as he saw Aang for the first time.
Zuko was shocked that he could see every bone in Aang’s body. The Avatar was extremely pale. His blue tattoos stood out starkly on his white skin. He was breathing laboriously, as if it was taking all of what little strength he had left just to breathe. His eyes were closed, by they opened as Zuko drew nearer. Zuko realized he was at loss for words.
“Zuko… You came…” Aang whispered weakly, his body shuddering slightly as if it had taken a lot of effort to say those few words.
“I came as soon as I heard.” Zuko knelt by Aang, “I’m here now. I’m not leaving you.”
“Zuko.” Katara appeared at his side.
“Katara. How did this happen?” Zuko asked.
“I don’t know. Aang fought a hard battle two days ago. Hikari said she accidently hit him with an air ball. he has been in and out of conciousness and has been getting worse.” Katara closed her eyes, “At least, no one else is getting sick.”
“Who was he fighting?” Zuko asked.
“We don’t know for sure, but it was powerful enough to force Aang to go into the Avatar State to stop it. Aang protected Ba Sing Sei from it.” Katara answered.
Aang suddenly coughed harshly, a bit of blood dripping from his mouth. Katara picked up a cloth and gently wiped the blood from Aang’s mouth. Zuko noticed that the cloth was covered in blood.
“Have any healers seen him yet?” Zuko asked.
“Yes, three different healers, and they are all at loss over this.” Katara replied, “what are you thinking?”
“I am thinking that we need my uncle, Iroh. This looks like that sickness that struck a warship full of Firebenders back when I was a kid. I was really young. Mother went out to help tend to the sick men, and I went with her. The image of those men suffering was burned into my mind. How any of those men survived, I’ll never know. They were just bones.” Zuko answered her, “Iroh was in charge of tending to those men. He might know what this is.”
“Then go get him. I’ll stay with Aang.” Katara said.
Zuko left, only after giving Aang’s left hand a warm squeeze. Out in the hallway, Hikari had calmed some, but she was still very upset. Suki hugged her.
“Hikari, why don’t you come with me? I’m going to go out and find my uncle, Iroh. He might be able to save Aang.” Zuko asked gently.
“Okay.” Hikari sniffled, following the young fire lord. Once outside, Zuko walked toward another house he knew well.
“I’ve never really understood about the Guardian.” Zuko decided to get Hikari, who was balancing a ball of fire with her left hand, talking.
“Aang is the Avatar, responsible for maintaining the balance and is the bridge between our world and the spirit world. I protect the protector. Aang and I can bend all four elements, but I am weaker then the Avatar. My other duty is to the Earth. I am responsible for it’s well being. It is why I was forced to kill the Shadow Lord last year with Aang’s help, and heal those trapped in it’s curse. This brought an end to the Shadow Tribe, but there are Shadows still out there.” Hikari explained, “Aang getting so sick means I’ve failed in my duties to the Avatar.”
“You can’t shelter him from everything. Sickness happens. Even the Avatar can get sick. I don’t think you failed. What is a shadow?” Zuko found himself curious.
“A shadow is a demon spirit from the spirit world. They get into our world from improperly opened doors, mostly caused by curious teens playing Avatar. These spirits find and possess their victims and feed off their energy. The person grows weak and will eventually become redead if left untreated.” Hikari explained.
“We are at Iroh’s place.“ Zuko stopped, and knocked on the door. Iroh opened it.
“Zuko, and the Guardian Hikari. What can I do for you today?” Iroh welcomed them in, “Tea?”
“I’m afraid we are not here for a visit, Uncle. We came for your help. Aang is very ill.” Zuko described what he had seen. Iroh went white.
“I’m coming.” Iroh disappeared into the kitchen area and returned, “We have to hurry.”
Zuko had never seen Iroh run so fast before. Hikari tugged on Zuko’s sleeve and motioned him to follow her. He did. She led him out of Ba Sing Sei to a cliff. Zuko gasped. The ground dropped sharply from the cliff and the land looked like a major battle had been fought on it. He looked questioningly at Hikari.
“Aang was fighting the Shadow Lord.” She whispered.
“You said you killed the Shadow Lord.” Zuko turned to her.
“The Shadow Lord was resurrected. Aang and I fought it and I accidently hit Aang with an air ball. Aang got swallowed and went into the Avatar State while inside it. He defeated the Shadow, but he was hurt by my air ball and is now suffering from the infection of the Shadow. if we can't save him, he is going to become a Redead. You do not want to see a Redead, ever. He is going to have to take the fight to the spirit world. It is the only place where the Shadow Lord can be killed.”
“How is Aang supposed to fight? He can’t bend there!” Zuko cried out.
“He’ll have to find a way to fight on his own. Let’s go.” Hikari turned away.
"What is a Redead?" Zuko asked on the way back.
"You don't want to know. Serriously." Hikari replied, "Just let it go."
The trip back to the temple was quiet. They joined Sokka and Suki in the hallway.
“Iroh is with him. He recognizes it. He thinks Aang was exposed when he was fighting that thing two ago.” Suki said.
In the room, Iroh worked over a steaming cup of liquid. He only hoped there was time yet. Using his fire bending, he brought the liquid up to a fast boil. He added a pinch of powder from a flask hidden under his robe. The liquid dropped from a fast boil to a cool blue sheen. Iroh mixed this, the blue turning clear.
“Katara, it is ready. We need to get one cup of this medicine into Aang. It will counterattack the poison in his body.” Iroh turned to her.
“Aang hasn’t been able to keep anything down.” Katara worried.
“the medicine is different. He’ll be able to keep it down. Even the sickest man was able to keep it down.” Iroh explained gently, “Aang, I’m going to help you. I need you to wake up for me. Can you wake up for me?”
Aang managed to open his eyes, “I’m awake…”
“I’m going to sit you up a bit, okay?” Iroh gently helped Aang to sit up a bit, “Now, I am going to give you something that will help you start feeling better.” He held the cup to Aang’s mouth. The Avatar managed to take a few sips. “That’s it, Aang. Drink a bit more.” Aang managed to take another sip, “Good. You need to rest now.” Iroh let him lay back down. “Even after all these years, it is still potent. I just hope I got here in time to save Aang.”
“Will he recover?” Katara asked.
“If he makes it through the night, he should be able to recover.” Iroh said, his voice gentle.
“I’m really worried.” Katara sighed, “What would happen if Aang dies?”
“Well, I’m not sure. You might want to ask the guardian. She’ll know more then I do. I’m going to stay here with you guys for a while until Aang recovers. Aang is a fighter. He’ll pull through.” Iroh explained.
Momo crept into the room and darted toward Aang. He curled up into a tight ball pressed into Aang’s chest. Appa put his head in the window and watched his beloved master. One of Momo’s ears was resting on Aang’s chest. Katara knew that Momo was giving Aang the best medicine he could, his love.
“If he could, Appa would be in here curled up with them.” Katara watched the animals, “They are sad. This isn‘t the Aang they know.”
Hikari entered the room, “Who is on watch tonight?”
“Let’s see. Suki has first watch, you have second watch, Toph has third watch, and I have the fourth watch. It’s Sokka’s turn to sleep all night.” Katara said.
“Not that I’ll sleep.” Sokka whispered softly.
“I’ll show Iroh and Zuko to some rooms.” Hikari led the fire lord and the former general to unused rooms. She then went to her own room and settled down for the night. Sleep wasn’t going to come easy, and when it did, it came with terrible nightmares.
Sokka stared at the ceiling all night. Suki joined him after her watch. She snuggled into his side, her head on his chest. She had woken Hikari, who was sitting with Aang.
“No change.” She whispered softly.
Sokka sighed.
Hikari decided to pass the time by meditating, something Aang had taught her to do to help her focus her bending better. He had also helped her improve her air bending skills, which she was still working on. Opening her eyes, she balanced an air ball. It spun slowly. Suddenly, it sped up. Her breathing quickened as she felt panic come on. The ball left her hand and began to bounce crazily around the room. Momo lifted his head, only to get a face full of air ball. He squawked in annoyance before lowering his head to sleep some more.
“Sorry, Momo. I’m working on my air bending. Why is it so difficult for me to control?” Hikari went back to meditating. Her eyes suddenly flew open as she realized she was no longer in Aang’s room.
“Why am I in the Spirit World? Aang is the only one able to enter, not me.” She stood.
“I called you here, Kari.”
Hikari froze. There was only one person she allowed outside her parents to call her by her nickname. “Uncle Roku?”
Avatar Roku smiled, “Kari.”
“Uncle Roku!” Hikari raced to his arms and was swept up into a bear hug, “I missed you.”
“And I missed you too, my Kari.” Roku looked down lovingly at her, “Aang is in serious trouble. I called you here because there is a slim chance he can be saved. The World needs her Avatar more then ever now. A new war is about to begin.”
“But we just ended a war!” Hikari cried out.
“They waited for the Avatar to end that war. Now that he is dangerously ill and desperately weak, the Shadows plan to attack soon. The Shadow Lord has escaped the Spirit World again. This time, it is all up to the Avatar to stop him, not you.” Roku explained, “You need to take Aang to Spirit Lake on the far border of Fire Nation. Aang will know the way. Remember, if Aang does not reach Spirit Lake by the night of the Red Moon, he will succumb to the illness.”
“Red Moon… the one night where no bending of any kind will work. It is the night where Aang will be at his weakest, physically, and emotionally. I understand, Uncle Roku. I know the Shadow Lord escaped. Aang fought him several weeks ago.” Hikari said.
“Good. You must head back now.” Roku faded as the room came back into focus. First thing she did was check on Aang, who was still asleep. Momo stretched in his sleep, his body pressed into Aang’s chest. Appa snored softly, his massive head framed in the window. Hikari formed a fireball and let it roll about her hand. All too soon, her shift ended. She went and woke Toph and went to bed. Sleep came quickly this time and the nightmares stayed away.
Toph, despite being blind, handled her shift well. She sat in the silence and listened. Toph relaxed, feeling the vibrations of those sleeping around her. She sensed a change in vibrations. Aang. She was proved right a few minutes later as Aang woke himself up with a violent coughing attack. Toph moved quietly to him and helped him sit up. Momo gave a worried chirp. Appa watched his master worriedly.
“Do you want me to go get Katara?” Toph asked.
“No… let her… sleep…” Aang whispered, “I’ll be… fine…”
“Okay. I’m going to lay you back down.” Toph helped Aang lay back down, “You get some sleep.”
Katara had the last shift. Aang was asleep again. Momo was curled up against his chest. Appa was awake and watching.
“Can’t sleep, Appa?” Katara asked, going to the bison and petting him. Appa leaned into the caressing, enjoying the attention, “It’s okay. I can’t sleep ether. I know, you are worried about Aang. So am I.”
Aang chose that moment to suffer through another violent coughing attack that left him gasping for breath. Momo looked up worriedly.
“Easy, Aang. Just focus on breathing.” Katara sat down next to him and rubbed his back.
“Easier said then done.” Aang wheezed, catching his breath slowly, “At least I’m not sneezing.”
“You sound better other then that cough.” Katara smiled.
“I wish I was feeling better.” Aang laid back down and was asleep again in minutes, Momo curled up in his arms.
Morning dawned bright and clear. Aang would spent much of the day propped up by his window near Appa. Hikari came in, an air ball wobbling badly in her hand. It suddenly shot off to bounce around the room, or would have if Aang had not raised a hand. The ball floated to him easily.
“You are concentrating too hard. Let it come naturally.” Aang said, “You have a lot on your mind, my Guardian.”
“My Avatar.” Hikari inclined her head in respect, “I was called into the spirit world last night.”
“Well?” Aang prompted, shifting painfully in the chair for a more comfortable position, Momo on his lap.
“It was Unc-Avatar Roku.” Hikari blushed.
“It’s okay, I already know. Roku was your uncle, brother to your mother, Farla. They could both bend the elements. They were twins in fact. Roku was better at fire and earth bending while Farla was better at air and water bending. It seems as if the Avatar Spirit was split some how.” Aang smiled, “Go on.”
“Uncle Roku told me about a place called Spirit Lake. Isn’t it a myth?” Hikari asked.
“Actually, it is a real place. It is the only place in the world were the Spirit World and our world are joined. It is the last surviving link that keeps the two worlds conjoined. If that Link breaks, our world will die. Spirit Lake is a beautiful place. It is found on the far border of Fire Nation. What did Roku want you to do there?” Aang explained.
“He wanted you to go there. He said you would get better there. You have to be there by the night of the Red Moon, or you won’t survive.” Hikari replied, “There is more, but lets focus on this first.”
“Is it about the Shadow Lord?” Aang asked.
“Yeah.” Hikari nodded, “You have to fight him.”
“I figured as much.” Aang sighed. “I’m going to need the Double State in order to win.”
“When is the night of the Red Moon, and Roku said you’d have to face him alone.” Hikari closed her eyes.
“Night of the Red Moon is about two weeks away.” Aang said, “Are you sure I have to face the Shadow Lord alone?”
“That’s what Roku said.” Hikari was drowned out by screams. She and Aang both looked out the window.
“Shadow!” Hikari screamed, heaving a fireball out the window at the shadow but the fireball didn’t faze it in the least. Outside, Toph sent rocks flying at the Shadow. Again, no damage was done. Katara ran out and performed the water whip, but even that didn’t work. Aang focused, sending several air balls flying at the Shadow. This caused some damage, and pulled the Shadows attention away from Katara and Toph. It stomped toward the offending Air bender, it’s one weakness.
“You have it’s attention, Aang.” Hikari replied, “I’ll finish it.”
“No.” Aang turned to her, “It is weak to Air bending. It’ll take a strong attack to finish it off.”
“No way, Aang. You are too sick. Let me go in your stead. I know I’m not a strong Air bender like you, but I can do it. Please, my Avatar, let me protect you.” Hikari reasoned.
“My Guardian. You are not a strong air bender. It will take more then badly controlled air balls to defeat it.” Aang pointed out.
“You won’t last a second, and Katara will kill us both!” Hikari glowered at the Avatar, knowing he was right about her air bending, “I’m going!”
Hikari raced outside. Iroh and Zuko were back to back, trying to slow the Shadow down somehow. Hikari took a deep breath.
“I can do this.” Hikari pulled up a ball of air, “Relax, easy, no! slow it down!” the ball shot off to slam into a building, “Why can’t I get a simple move right?”
Katara screamed suddenly. Hikari looked up to see the Shadow wrapping itself around her.
“Katara!” Sokka screamed.
“She’s being possessed!” Hikari cried out, ‘Please, let me get it right!’ She focused on nothing but the forming ball of air in her hands. It formed, and Hikari chucked it at the Shadow. It hissed at the searing pain dealt to it from the air ball. Katara screamed again.
A blue glow filled the area. Aang, in the Avatar State. It got quiet as those fighting stopped to watch.
“I’m going to kill him.” Hikari groaned, “He knows he is too weak yet to do this!”
The fight was pretty one sided. Aang unleashed one of his strongest air bending moves, sending the Shadow back to the spirit world where it belonged. Katara dropped to the ground. She would have been killed by the drop if Aang hadn’t slowed her fall. As soon as she was safely on the ground, he allowed himself to drop out of the Avatar State.
“Somebody catch him.” Iroh watched as Aang fell. Zuko was the one who leapt up to catch Aang. Katara, followed by Hikari, ran to him.
“It’s okay, he’s just asleep. I know you both are mad, but you are going to have to wait a while to chew him out.” Zuko headed back inside the house. He put Aang back in his room, “You are as stupid and dangerous as I remember.” Zuko knew he wouldn’t change it for the world, “You rest, Avatar, and get better.”
A silver half moon rose over the sleeping city of Ba Sing Sei. it was calm and quiet. In a Temple dedicated to the Air Nomads, lost in Fire Nations long war, the Avatar himself stood looking out a window. on his right, stood his Guardian, a girl named Hikari. Aang sighed. Hikari's news worried him greatly. The room they stood in was warm and cozy, but Aang took no notice of the room.
"I know it is hard, Avatar Aang. The world is restless. I feel her unrest." Hikari spoke up.
"Do we need to go through another war?" Aang asked.
"Fire Lord Zuko and King Decca have their armies ready to assemble in a moments notice. even then, I fear it won't be enough. If only Fire Nation hadn't wiped out all of the Air Nomads. They, and you are it's weakness." Hikari explained, "I wish my air bending didn't suck so much."
A sudden inhuman scream rent the night. Both Avatar and Guardian were out of the Temple in seconds, their eyes scanning the skies. A brown and white bison and a black and gold dragon joined their bonded ones. Aang leapt up onto Appa, his bison, while Hikari climbed up onto Tohru, her beloved Air Dragon. the animals rose into the sky. Aang scanned the city below, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. He looked up and bit back a scream. the sky in the distance was moving.
"Incoming!" Aang prepared for a fight he knew was coming.
With an inhuman wail, the Shadow was on them. Tohru let lose with a scream of his own as Appa sent an attack through his airbending at the Shadow. It dodged both hits, and let out a gutteral hiss.
"Soon, world blanketed. Avatar gone!"
"Did it just talk?" Hikari's eyes were wide.
"I will not let you succeed!" Aang unleashed an air whip that tore through the Shadow. It screamed in agony. Hikari focused on an air ball. The ball woppled badly and shot off toward the Shadow. It dropped, reavealing Aang. The Avatar had no time to react. The attack flung him into the air where the Shadow rushed up to snap him up. Hikari screamed. Appa growled loudly. He went on the offensive and attacked with repeated air strikes. Tohru took a deep breath. Hikari braced herself. Suddenly, the Shadow screamed. a glowing ball of light burst free from where Hikari guessed was his stomach. Aang, in the Avatar State. Tohru let lose with a howl of air that formed into a sharp edged air slice. Aang followed through with an series of air punches ending with an air jab. Hikari switched to fire, her element, and went on the defensive. The Shadow finally faded with a scream. Aang dropped out of the Avatar State and would have fallen to his death if Appa had not been just below him. he hit the saddle and lay in a crumpled heap. Hikari didn't think. She leapt from Tohru and fired her way to Appa. Landing, she rushed to Aang's side.
End Prologue. Chapter 1
Fire Lord Zuko was worried. Katara had sounded urgent in her message. Then he’d got one from Hikari, which was also urgent. Both of the messages had been nearly the same. Aang was dangerously ill, and close to death. For Aang’s Guardian to be worried, this was big. Hikari served only Aang and the earth. Like Aang, she could bend each of the elements. Aang was the Avatar. His bending of the elements was far stronger then that of Hikari, and he could also energy bend, which allowed him to strip or give power to any bender. Zuko sighed. He wished the airship he was on would move faster. He missed his friends and couldn’t wait to see them again. He also hoped that Aang would still be alive once he got to Ba Sing Sei.
“How much longer?” Zuko turned to a soldier.
“In about 30 minutes, we’ll be in Ba Sing Sei airspace, and about twenty minutes after that, you’ll be by the Avatar’s side.” the Soldier replied at once.
“Can we go any faster?” Zuko asked.
“We are already pushing it. You’ll get there. Don’t worry.” the Soldier smiled.
“I’m sorry I’m antsy. I’m just really worried.” Zuko managed to smile back.
“You must really care about these friends of yours. It is nice to see the Fire Lord with friends again.” the Soldier said, “Look ahead. There is the boundary of Ba Sing Sei. Only about forty minutes to go.”
Zuko nodded as he watched Ba Sing Sei come ever closer. After what felt like hours, the airship touched down and Zuko raced off into the city. He spotted Hikari first. She was pacing, and she looked like death warmed over. Hikari was short, her head only came up to Zuko’s chest. She had golden eyes and dark brown hair. Hikari wore the traditional outfit of a woman in Fire Nation, which was her home.
“Zuko!” She practically flew into his arms, “You came! It’s bad! Really bad!”
“Is Aang still alive?” Zuko asked fearfully.
“Aang is hanging in there. I’ve never seen someone so ill before! I can’t believe I failed!” Hikari was crying. Zuko knew now that this was really big. Hikari never showed emotion, ever.
“Take me to him.” Zuko dreaded what he would find. Hikari nodded, and led him over to a temple like house. Toph was outside doing some earth bending. A small crowd of people were watching her. Several other earth benders were practicing with her. They heard her call out encouragement to a boy struggling to hold a small boulder in the air. The boulder stopped shaking so much as the boy heard Toph’s encouraging words. Hikari led him to the door and they went in. Sokka met them in the hallway. He looked withdrawn, and he wasn’t cracking jokes. Plus, he was silent. He only motioned them to follow him. He led them deeper into the house and stopped at a door. He knocked, and Suki appeared.
“Oh good, Zuko. You came.” her voice was sad, “Katara is with him. I don’t think he has much time left.” She opened the door wider to let Zuko in before stepping out to try to comfort the sobbing Hikari in Sokka’s arms. Zuko paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim lighting. He walked forward and stopped, nearly crying out, as he saw Aang for the first time.
Zuko was shocked that he could see every bone in Aang’s body. The Avatar was extremely pale. His blue tattoos stood out starkly on his white skin. He was breathing laboriously, as if it was taking all of what little strength he had left just to breathe. His eyes were closed, by they opened as Zuko drew nearer. Zuko realized he was at loss for words.
“Zuko… You came…” Aang whispered weakly, his body shuddering slightly as if it had taken a lot of effort to say those few words.
“I came as soon as I heard.” Zuko knelt by Aang, “I’m here now. I’m not leaving you.”
“Zuko.” Katara appeared at his side.
“Katara. How did this happen?” Zuko asked.
“I don’t know. Aang fought a hard battle two days ago. Hikari said she accidently hit him with an air ball. he has been in and out of conciousness and has been getting worse.” Katara closed her eyes, “At least, no one else is getting sick.”
“Who was he fighting?” Zuko asked.
“We don’t know for sure, but it was powerful enough to force Aang to go into the Avatar State to stop it. Aang protected Ba Sing Sei from it.” Katara answered.
Aang suddenly coughed harshly, a bit of blood dripping from his mouth. Katara picked up a cloth and gently wiped the blood from Aang’s mouth. Zuko noticed that the cloth was covered in blood.
“Have any healers seen him yet?” Zuko asked.
“Yes, three different healers, and they are all at loss over this.” Katara replied, “what are you thinking?”
“I am thinking that we need my uncle, Iroh. This looks like that sickness that struck a warship full of Firebenders back when I was a kid. I was really young. Mother went out to help tend to the sick men, and I went with her. The image of those men suffering was burned into my mind. How any of those men survived, I’ll never know. They were just bones.” Zuko answered her, “Iroh was in charge of tending to those men. He might know what this is.”
“Then go get him. I’ll stay with Aang.” Katara said.
Zuko left, only after giving Aang’s left hand a warm squeeze. Out in the hallway, Hikari had calmed some, but she was still very upset. Suki hugged her.
“Hikari, why don’t you come with me? I’m going to go out and find my uncle, Iroh. He might be able to save Aang.” Zuko asked gently.
“Okay.” Hikari sniffled, following the young fire lord. Once outside, Zuko walked toward another house he knew well.
“I’ve never really understood about the Guardian.” Zuko decided to get Hikari, who was balancing a ball of fire with her left hand, talking.
“Aang is the Avatar, responsible for maintaining the balance and is the bridge between our world and the spirit world. I protect the protector. Aang and I can bend all four elements, but I am weaker then the Avatar. My other duty is to the Earth. I am responsible for it’s well being. It is why I was forced to kill the Shadow Lord last year with Aang’s help, and heal those trapped in it’s curse. This brought an end to the Shadow Tribe, but there are Shadows still out there.” Hikari explained, “Aang getting so sick means I’ve failed in my duties to the Avatar.”
“You can’t shelter him from everything. Sickness happens. Even the Avatar can get sick. I don’t think you failed. What is a shadow?” Zuko found himself curious.
“A shadow is a demon spirit from the spirit world. They get into our world from improperly opened doors, mostly caused by curious teens playing Avatar. These spirits find and possess their victims and feed off their energy. The person grows weak and will eventually become redead if left untreated.” Hikari explained.
“We are at Iroh’s place.“ Zuko stopped, and knocked on the door. Iroh opened it.
“Zuko, and the Guardian Hikari. What can I do for you today?” Iroh welcomed them in, “Tea?”
“I’m afraid we are not here for a visit, Uncle. We came for your help. Aang is very ill.” Zuko described what he had seen. Iroh went white.
“I’m coming.” Iroh disappeared into the kitchen area and returned, “We have to hurry.”
Zuko had never seen Iroh run so fast before. Hikari tugged on Zuko’s sleeve and motioned him to follow her. He did. She led him out of Ba Sing Sei to a cliff. Zuko gasped. The ground dropped sharply from the cliff and the land looked like a major battle had been fought on it. He looked questioningly at Hikari.
“Aang was fighting the Shadow Lord.” She whispered.
“You said you killed the Shadow Lord.” Zuko turned to her.
“The Shadow Lord was resurrected. Aang and I fought it and I accidently hit Aang with an air ball. Aang got swallowed and went into the Avatar State while inside it. He defeated the Shadow, but he was hurt by my air ball and is now suffering from the infection of the Shadow. if we can't save him, he is going to become a Redead. You do not want to see a Redead, ever. He is going to have to take the fight to the spirit world. It is the only place where the Shadow Lord can be killed.”
“How is Aang supposed to fight? He can’t bend there!” Zuko cried out.
“He’ll have to find a way to fight on his own. Let’s go.” Hikari turned away.
"What is a Redead?" Zuko asked on the way back.
"You don't want to know. Serriously." Hikari replied, "Just let it go."
The trip back to the temple was quiet. They joined Sokka and Suki in the hallway.
“Iroh is with him. He recognizes it. He thinks Aang was exposed when he was fighting that thing two ago.” Suki said.
In the room, Iroh worked over a steaming cup of liquid. He only hoped there was time yet. Using his fire bending, he brought the liquid up to a fast boil. He added a pinch of powder from a flask hidden under his robe. The liquid dropped from a fast boil to a cool blue sheen. Iroh mixed this, the blue turning clear.
“Katara, it is ready. We need to get one cup of this medicine into Aang. It will counterattack the poison in his body.” Iroh turned to her.
“Aang hasn’t been able to keep anything down.” Katara worried.
“the medicine is different. He’ll be able to keep it down. Even the sickest man was able to keep it down.” Iroh explained gently, “Aang, I’m going to help you. I need you to wake up for me. Can you wake up for me?”
Aang managed to open his eyes, “I’m awake…”
“I’m going to sit you up a bit, okay?” Iroh gently helped Aang to sit up a bit, “Now, I am going to give you something that will help you start feeling better.” He held the cup to Aang’s mouth. The Avatar managed to take a few sips. “That’s it, Aang. Drink a bit more.” Aang managed to take another sip, “Good. You need to rest now.” Iroh let him lay back down. “Even after all these years, it is still potent. I just hope I got here in time to save Aang.”
“Will he recover?” Katara asked.
“If he makes it through the night, he should be able to recover.” Iroh said, his voice gentle.
“I’m really worried.” Katara sighed, “What would happen if Aang dies?”
“Well, I’m not sure. You might want to ask the guardian. She’ll know more then I do. I’m going to stay here with you guys for a while until Aang recovers. Aang is a fighter. He’ll pull through.” Iroh explained.
Momo crept into the room and darted toward Aang. He curled up into a tight ball pressed into Aang’s chest. Appa put his head in the window and watched his beloved master. One of Momo’s ears was resting on Aang’s chest. Katara knew that Momo was giving Aang the best medicine he could, his love.
“If he could, Appa would be in here curled up with them.” Katara watched the animals, “They are sad. This isn‘t the Aang they know.”
Hikari entered the room, “Who is on watch tonight?”
“Let’s see. Suki has first watch, you have second watch, Toph has third watch, and I have the fourth watch. It’s Sokka’s turn to sleep all night.” Katara said.
“Not that I’ll sleep.” Sokka whispered softly.
“I’ll show Iroh and Zuko to some rooms.” Hikari led the fire lord and the former general to unused rooms. She then went to her own room and settled down for the night. Sleep wasn’t going to come easy, and when it did, it came with terrible nightmares.
Sokka stared at the ceiling all night. Suki joined him after her watch. She snuggled into his side, her head on his chest. She had woken Hikari, who was sitting with Aang.
“No change.” She whispered softly.
Sokka sighed.
Hikari decided to pass the time by meditating, something Aang had taught her to do to help her focus her bending better. He had also helped her improve her air bending skills, which she was still working on. Opening her eyes, she balanced an air ball. It spun slowly. Suddenly, it sped up. Her breathing quickened as she felt panic come on. The ball left her hand and began to bounce crazily around the room. Momo lifted his head, only to get a face full of air ball. He squawked in annoyance before lowering his head to sleep some more.
“Sorry, Momo. I’m working on my air bending. Why is it so difficult for me to control?” Hikari went back to meditating. Her eyes suddenly flew open as she realized she was no longer in Aang’s room.
“Why am I in the Spirit World? Aang is the only one able to enter, not me.” She stood.
“I called you here, Kari.”
Hikari froze. There was only one person she allowed outside her parents to call her by her nickname. “Uncle Roku?”
Avatar Roku smiled, “Kari.”
“Uncle Roku!” Hikari raced to his arms and was swept up into a bear hug, “I missed you.”
“And I missed you too, my Kari.” Roku looked down lovingly at her, “Aang is in serious trouble. I called you here because there is a slim chance he can be saved. The World needs her Avatar more then ever now. A new war is about to begin.”
“But we just ended a war!” Hikari cried out.
“They waited for the Avatar to end that war. Now that he is dangerously ill and desperately weak, the Shadows plan to attack soon. The Shadow Lord has escaped the Spirit World again. This time, it is all up to the Avatar to stop him, not you.” Roku explained, “You need to take Aang to Spirit Lake on the far border of Fire Nation. Aang will know the way. Remember, if Aang does not reach Spirit Lake by the night of the Red Moon, he will succumb to the illness.”
“Red Moon… the one night where no bending of any kind will work. It is the night where Aang will be at his weakest, physically, and emotionally. I understand, Uncle Roku. I know the Shadow Lord escaped. Aang fought him several weeks ago.” Hikari said.
“Good. You must head back now.” Roku faded as the room came back into focus. First thing she did was check on Aang, who was still asleep. Momo stretched in his sleep, his body pressed into Aang’s chest. Appa snored softly, his massive head framed in the window. Hikari formed a fireball and let it roll about her hand. All too soon, her shift ended. She went and woke Toph and went to bed. Sleep came quickly this time and the nightmares stayed away.
Toph, despite being blind, handled her shift well. She sat in the silence and listened. Toph relaxed, feeling the vibrations of those sleeping around her. She sensed a change in vibrations. Aang. She was proved right a few minutes later as Aang woke himself up with a violent coughing attack. Toph moved quietly to him and helped him sit up. Momo gave a worried chirp. Appa watched his master worriedly.
“Do you want me to go get Katara?” Toph asked.
“No… let her… sleep…” Aang whispered, “I’ll be… fine…”
“Okay. I’m going to lay you back down.” Toph helped Aang lay back down, “You get some sleep.”
Katara had the last shift. Aang was asleep again. Momo was curled up against his chest. Appa was awake and watching.
“Can’t sleep, Appa?” Katara asked, going to the bison and petting him. Appa leaned into the caressing, enjoying the attention, “It’s okay. I can’t sleep ether. I know, you are worried about Aang. So am I.”
Aang chose that moment to suffer through another violent coughing attack that left him gasping for breath. Momo looked up worriedly.
“Easy, Aang. Just focus on breathing.” Katara sat down next to him and rubbed his back.
“Easier said then done.” Aang wheezed, catching his breath slowly, “At least I’m not sneezing.”
“You sound better other then that cough.” Katara smiled.
“I wish I was feeling better.” Aang laid back down and was asleep again in minutes, Momo curled up in his arms.
Morning dawned bright and clear. Aang would spent much of the day propped up by his window near Appa. Hikari came in, an air ball wobbling badly in her hand. It suddenly shot off to bounce around the room, or would have if Aang had not raised a hand. The ball floated to him easily.
“You are concentrating too hard. Let it come naturally.” Aang said, “You have a lot on your mind, my Guardian.”
“My Avatar.” Hikari inclined her head in respect, “I was called into the spirit world last night.”
“Well?” Aang prompted, shifting painfully in the chair for a more comfortable position, Momo on his lap.
“It was Unc-Avatar Roku.” Hikari blushed.
“It’s okay, I already know. Roku was your uncle, brother to your mother, Farla. They could both bend the elements. They were twins in fact. Roku was better at fire and earth bending while Farla was better at air and water bending. It seems as if the Avatar Spirit was split some how.” Aang smiled, “Go on.”
“Uncle Roku told me about a place called Spirit Lake. Isn’t it a myth?” Hikari asked.
“Actually, it is a real place. It is the only place in the world were the Spirit World and our world are joined. It is the last surviving link that keeps the two worlds conjoined. If that Link breaks, our world will die. Spirit Lake is a beautiful place. It is found on the far border of Fire Nation. What did Roku want you to do there?” Aang explained.
“He wanted you to go there. He said you would get better there. You have to be there by the night of the Red Moon, or you won’t survive.” Hikari replied, “There is more, but lets focus on this first.”
“Is it about the Shadow Lord?” Aang asked.
“Yeah.” Hikari nodded, “You have to fight him.”
“I figured as much.” Aang sighed. “I’m going to need the Double State in order to win.”
“When is the night of the Red Moon, and Roku said you’d have to face him alone.” Hikari closed her eyes.
“Night of the Red Moon is about two weeks away.” Aang said, “Are you sure I have to face the Shadow Lord alone?”
“That’s what Roku said.” Hikari was drowned out by screams. She and Aang both looked out the window.
“Shadow!” Hikari screamed, heaving a fireball out the window at the shadow but the fireball didn’t faze it in the least. Outside, Toph sent rocks flying at the Shadow. Again, no damage was done. Katara ran out and performed the water whip, but even that didn’t work. Aang focused, sending several air balls flying at the Shadow. This caused some damage, and pulled the Shadows attention away from Katara and Toph. It stomped toward the offending Air bender, it’s one weakness.
“You have it’s attention, Aang.” Hikari replied, “I’ll finish it.”
“No.” Aang turned to her, “It is weak to Air bending. It’ll take a strong attack to finish it off.”
“No way, Aang. You are too sick. Let me go in your stead. I know I’m not a strong Air bender like you, but I can do it. Please, my Avatar, let me protect you.” Hikari reasoned.
“My Guardian. You are not a strong air bender. It will take more then badly controlled air balls to defeat it.” Aang pointed out.
“You won’t last a second, and Katara will kill us both!” Hikari glowered at the Avatar, knowing he was right about her air bending, “I’m going!”
Hikari raced outside. Iroh and Zuko were back to back, trying to slow the Shadow down somehow. Hikari took a deep breath.
“I can do this.” Hikari pulled up a ball of air, “Relax, easy, no! slow it down!” the ball shot off to slam into a building, “Why can’t I get a simple move right?”
Katara screamed suddenly. Hikari looked up to see the Shadow wrapping itself around her.
“Katara!” Sokka screamed.
“She’s being possessed!” Hikari cried out, ‘Please, let me get it right!’ She focused on nothing but the forming ball of air in her hands. It formed, and Hikari chucked it at the Shadow. It hissed at the searing pain dealt to it from the air ball. Katara screamed again.
A blue glow filled the area. Aang, in the Avatar State. It got quiet as those fighting stopped to watch.
“I’m going to kill him.” Hikari groaned, “He knows he is too weak yet to do this!”
The fight was pretty one sided. Aang unleashed one of his strongest air bending moves, sending the Shadow back to the spirit world where it belonged. Katara dropped to the ground. She would have been killed by the drop if Aang hadn’t slowed her fall. As soon as she was safely on the ground, he allowed himself to drop out of the Avatar State.
“Somebody catch him.” Iroh watched as Aang fell. Zuko was the one who leapt up to catch Aang. Katara, followed by Hikari, ran to him.
“It’s okay, he’s just asleep. I know you both are mad, but you are going to have to wait a while to chew him out.” Zuko headed back inside the house. He put Aang back in his room, “You are as stupid and dangerous as I remember.” Zuko knew he wouldn’t change it for the world, “You rest, Avatar, and get better.”