Chapter Eight

As they flew through this air, the members of the Gaang remained alert, keeping an eye out for the missing Waterbender. Aang watched lands as Appa glided over, seeing the snow and ice that covered the grounds and buildings as the people worked to get the cold off of their homes. So far, the ice had not melted, though it had been some time since Katara unleashed her cursed powers.

The Airbender looked ahead, seeing them come over the beach, where ice continued to form, leading a line from the sand to an unknown destination. Yet he knew where his beloved was going; she was heading towards the Earth Kingdom, the place that had featured in her dreams. They had to get to her before it was too late. Once the curse has full control over Katara's being, the world be destroyed, no saving anyone. He couldn't let that happen.

They flew for hours, and long after the sun had gone down, that was when he realized that Appa had slowed down considerably and felt guilt. The poor bison was exhausted after hours of traveling, carrying passengers that weighed more than during the time it had been just Aang, Sokka, and Katara.

Looking around, Aang motioned a small island, and in the distance could vaguely make out the Earth Kingdom coast about a days ride away. Leading the tired bison to an open beach, he jumped off of the great head and patted it, allowing Appa to groan in relief. The rest of the of his friends climbed down as well, Toph being the first to literally fall to the ground, cuddling it.

Staff in hand, Aang turned to the rest of the stressed out group. "We'll camp here for the night and continue on in the morning. Eat something while you can and get some rest. Katara should be in the Earth Kingdom already. We'll need our strength when we face her."

Sounds of agreement went around as the others worked on setting up camp, but Aang watched the dark splotch that the was coast of a different nation,  hoping and praying they would not be too late.

***

Suki was extremely worried for the group, especially for Aang, who had seemed to age more than should be possible for the sixteen year old boy, yet it seemed to have happened. Poor kid, having to watch the love of his life change right before his eyes. It was terrible seeing how much Katara had changed, turning from the once the warmest person she had ever know to someone so cold and foreign. It was scary thing to behold.

While they had been flying on Appa, she had noticed the grim and nervous atmosphere, the tangible worry pouring from the bodies. Suki knew everyone was scared for their friend, herself included. Katara was becoming something that no one had known of for hundreds of years. The only thing that kept the group from giving up on her is the determination to save the one they all loved, and the hope that Katara was fighting hard to help them in any way she could.

Looking around,  the Kyoshi Leader saw Sokka slumped against a rock outside of their shared tent and went over to him,  sitting down and placing her head on his shoulder, feeling his arm wrap around her waist. Looking out at the ocean,  they remained quiet for a few minutes before she spoke. "We'll get her back, Sokka. No matter what happens, Katara will be saved in the end."

He sighed, placing his head on her auburn hair, slightly nuzzling it. "I just hope we're not too late to do so. I can't lose her too, not after what happened to my mom. I promised dad that I would protect Katara until the day I die. I can't break that vow  now."

Suki looked up at him, frowning as she thought through his words before placing a hand on his cheek. "You won't have to break that vow, Sokka. If anything, that promise just got stronger. We both know Katara believes that we'll find her in time and stop the curse from hurting anyone else. Like Aang had said, she's fighting this, and will continue to do so for as long as need be."

He took a shaky breath as his eyes closed rubbing his face against her palm. He swallowed before replying. "I know you're right, but that won't stop me from worrying. Not only about her, but for Aang too." They both looked over at the young man in question, who seemed to be meditating except for the fact that his muscles were too tense, straining against the stress that had befallen him in such a short time. Suki's heart went out to him, knowing why Sokka was worried about the Airbender.

Sokka continued, still looking at his best friend. "I mean, the kid's been through a lot over the time I grew to know and love him like a brother. He feels the most stressful because of what happened, and of what has to happen if Katara is to be saved. I hate seeing that responsibility on Aang's shoulders. It's not right."

Suki laid her head against her boyfriend's chest, knowing what he meant. Aang was the only one to be able to control the four elements. They could only hope that his love for the Waterbender is strong enough to save her.

Suki kissed his cheek. "He can do it, Sokka. If anyone has the power to end this once and for all, it's him."

He turned to her to give a gentle kiss. "Thanks, Suki." She nodded with a smile before getting up to complete her duties.

***

Quin finished setting up his earth tent, close to Toph's, and watched as the rest of the group settled down to eat, though he could tell their hearts weren't really in the meal. 

Everybody looked worn down and tired, and the tension in the air made it thick.

The group was quiet, and not everyone was sitting around the fire. Aang, who had lit the wood, was sitting by Appa's side, watching the sea and the trail of ice upon it. He had told the group that they will head out again in the morning, but Quin wondered if the kid would leave earlier and go after Katara on his own.

Toph came over to him and sat down, grunting. "I don't know about you, Rock Head, but I'm tired of this depression. It's annoying!"

Quin sighed, resting on his hands as he took in the subdued group, and couldn't help but agree. The tension was enough to make his gut churn, but the air of somberness twisted his heart. The Earthbender hated seeing the frowns on his friends faces; it created the illusion that they seemed older than they actually were.

He closed his eyes. "I don't like seeing them like this either, Toph. Once we save Katara, everything will be okay, you'll see." He tried to sound upbeat, wanting to reassure his girlfriend that everything would work out in the end, even though he only partially believed it. This curse was so powerful, he wondered if any of them would make it out of this mess alive.

That's he prayed for, hoping that the group would survive with only a few bumps and bruises and they could at least pretend that this never happened.

Toph blew her black bangs away from her face, eyes half lidded and unfocused as a frown marred her beautiful pale face. "It better work out or I'm going to kick some serious spirit butt."

Quin chuckled, happy to know that Toph could still crack lines like that without reserve. "They better hide from you, then, Toph. Knowing how confrontational you are, they would be smart to keep away."

She snorted with a little smirk. "You got that right." A yawn escaped her and she rubbed her eyes, making Quin realize how tired he was too. Toph kissed his cheek after finding it with her hand. "I'm gonna hit the hay, Quin. Try to sleep; busy day tomorrow."

She was gone before he could ask her if they could lay together in his tent, but he thought better of it. They would need as much sleep as they could get. Grabbing his pack, he took out his bedroll and got as comfortable as possible on the cold ground.

***

Aang couldn't sleep, instead watching the dark sky from his bison's leg, listening to the beast's gentle breathing. His nerves were too wired up to allow the relaxation needed for tomorrow. His thoughts speed though his mind, longing and with hitting his heart with every beat it created.

What was Katara doing right now? Was his love still fighting for control over her body, or had the course taken complete control? Aang gripped Appa's fur tightly as anxiety twisted his stomach. That couldn't happen, he wouldn't let it, nor will Katara. She was stronger than that; this curse was going to leave her one way or the other. He only hoped the end was safe for her.

A gentle hand landed on his shoulder and he looked away from the sky to see Suki with a steaming cup of jasmine tea in her opposite hand. When he made no move to take it, she grabbed his hand and placed the cup in it, giving him a motherly smile that he couldn't refuse.

Unwilling to be rude, Aang took a sip, and immediately felt the effects. The calming liquid coursed down his throat and the muscles in his abdomen released their tension. He haven't even been aware of that, but now it was a relief. He knew by now that this was a special mix by Iroh himself; only his teas would have this effect on anyone.

Suki confirmed it when she saw his curious expression. "Zuko always has extra tea for stressful situations. Iroh sends the palace a crate of this stuff every month. Apparently it's good for headaches too. We thought you might need it."

The Airbender took another, more grateful sip of his drink, the warmth of the liquid soothing. He looked at her with a brittle smile. "Thanks," he said quietly. Although his body was starting to relax, he couldn't stop his mind. Katara filled every thought circling his cranium, buzzing like a wasp. He was worried about her.

The Kyoshi warrior must have sensed his turmoil because she gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We'll save her in time; don't give up hope, Aang."

He swirled his drink, brows furrowing as his main fear surfaced to his mind. "But what if she doesn't make it?"

She gave a sad smile, eyes shadowing with the revelation, yet she didn't seem surprised by his question, as if the thought had already crossed her mind. She shrugged. "If that happens, at least we know Katara will be somewhere safe, watching over us. Katara will always be there, no matter where she is."

Aang sighed but nodded, knowing this was true. Katara was the heart of the group, bringing love and joy into their family. Even if she did die, her spirit will remain the same.

Suki kissed his cheek. "Try to get some sleep; dawn will be faster before you know it." Standing, she left him alone, and Aang finished his tea before lying down, closing his eyes as sleep finally to took over.

***

The sun rose over the horizon like a fiery beacon, washing the world in bright colors that danced on the ocean in between lands. Appa's white fur moved along in the wind pushing the team towards the Earth Kingdom. The graceful beast knew they were on a time limit to save the Waterbender.

Aang was sitting on his friend's large head, watching the colors that brought warmth and light to the world; yet his being felt cold, a chill that burrowed deep into his marrow. The group had no idea what to expect when they reached the Earth Kingdom in a couple hours.

Today was their last day to break Katara free of this spell. They had kept flying nonstop throughout the previous day; Appa seemed determined to get them where they were needed most, despite Aang's insistence on taking a short break.

The bison had woken up everyone so early that it was still dark with only the barest hint of light on the edge of the world. No matter what they did, Appa fought against them, so eventually the group packed up and off they went into the predawn.

The Airbender wasn't sure whether to hug his friend or scold him, so he settled to a simple rub on the head. He was anxious to find Katara and stop this before it was too late. As the sun rose on their second day of travel, Aang's heart pounded so hard he believed it was trying to escape his chest.

Was Katara still alive? Were they going to make it before the curse took complete control of her? They couldn't let that happen.

As they neared the coastline of the Earth Kingdom, Aang squinted his eyes as his heart filled with dread.

Snow glinted where it should not, and ice covered almost every inch of rock and grass, turning the earth into a winter wonderland during the summer. It wasn't possible, yet the last the evidence of how powerful this curse had escalated.

Sokka took notice of the landscape as well. "Oh, man," he said quietly.

Aang thought that was an understatement, but he didn't say so; fear had clogged his throat. What if they really were too late to rescue Katara's humanity? Was she unreachable now, so much so that not even his Avatar powers would stop her?

It doesn't matter; either they win or she does. The only way to find out is to fight.

Further inland they saw a figure in white that could only be Katara. Aang's heart lurched. Despite her appearance, she was still beautiful. She sat regally on a throne of ice, a simple chair with Water Tribe designs decorating it. A tiara of ice say upon her head in snowflake shapes.

Aang felt love and uneasiness throb through his body. There was hardly any brown hair save for a few strands, so the curse had not taken completely. But he knew there was not much time before it did.

When they got closer, Katara looked up, staring straight at them before lifting her hand, shooting ice at the group. Aang swerved, avoiding as much ice as possible as she kept throwing it at them.

Their luck ran out though; one volley of frozen water attached itself to Appa's side, freezing three of his legs. He roared, spinning out of control as the passengers screamed, hanging on for dear life.

The Airbender looked up as the wall of a cliff sped rapidly toward them. He was about to prepare an air bubble when Appa surprised him. The bison, sensing danger, curved around as best he could before flinging the group off his back.

As Aang and his friends flew through the air, his animal companion smacked into the unforgiving rock, landing on the ground as chunks of the cliff fell down on him while the group landed.

Aang felt as though someone had stabbed him with a knife in the back. His eyes were wide with sorrow. Appa lay without moving, and fear twisted in Aang's stomach. He was too far away to tell if his friend was alive or dead.

If he was injured or worse, the Airbender was never going to forgive himself. They had gone through too much together to be separated now.

He didn't have time to go check on the bison however because Katara, with the curse empowering her, turned to them and attacked.