[Earth on Fire] Zuko x OC

Chapter 11: The Avatar State (Part 2)

I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling later that night, which was apparently becoming my favorite pastime. Sokka and Katara were both in their beds, but they seemed to be awake as well. Aang wasn't in the room, presumably thinking about General Fong's offer.

After fleeing the infirmary, I had run back to the houses where we were staying and locked myself in the room. I had sat on the floor and stared disbelievingly at my hands for over an hour, so many questions running through my head. I had even taken a leaf off one of the plants sitting around and tried to extract it's energy again, but nothing. No glow, no orbs of energy. The leaf didn't even quiver.

Eventually, I gave up and just had to accept that something really, really weird had happened.

The door opened and closed as Aang walked in and sat down on his bed. I sat up in my bed along with Katara, watching him curiously.

"I told the General I'd help him by going into the Avatar State," Aang said, hanging his head slightly.

"Aang, no!" Katara cried, getting up. "This is not the right way!"

"Why not?" Sokka asked from his bed, arms behind his head. "Remember when he took out the Fire Navy? He was incredible!"

"There's a right way to do this," Katara insisted. "Practice, study, and discipline."

"Or just glow it up and stop that Fire Lord!" Sokka supplied helpfully.

"If you two meatheads want to throw away everything we've worked for, then fine!" Katara said, getting angry. "Go ahead and glow it up!"

"Katara, I'm just being realistic!" Aang defended. "I don't have time to do this the right way!" I saw his shoulders slump and his face fall into one of resigned misery. With a start, I realized how much pressure Aang had on him.

"Hey, Aang, it's okay," I said, getting up and walking over to him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you decide, we're here for you."

"Do you think this is the wrong way to do things?" Aang asked me, looking up with wide gray eyes. I hesitated.

"I think Katara has a point..." I began carefully. "But I also think this war has been going on too long. It's been a hundred years. People are tired." I remembered the dozens of wounded soldiers in the infirmary. I remembered the weary faces of Zuko's crew. I remembered the destruction caused at the Northern Water Tribe. I remembered the day I learned my parents had died. "If I had the option to end the war right now, I would go for it."

Aang gave me a tired smile. "Thanks, Kioni."

"No problem, little man," I rubbed his head playfully. "You should probably go get some rest. I have a feeling inducing the Avatar State isn't going to be easy." Aang nodded, flopping back down onto his bed and curling up under the blankets. I walked back to my own bed and lay down, suddenly feeling even more exhausted. Every time I tried to close my eyes, I pictured my hands, glowing an eerie green.

Eventually, I fell into an uneasy sleep.

___________

General Fong tried all sorts of ridiculous methods to try to get Aang to enter the Avatar State. He gave him some chi-enhancing tea (which did nothing but make Aang extremely hyper), tried to get Sokka to startle him (which did nothing but make him yell), and tried some ceremonial four-elements ritual (which did nothing but cover us all in mud).

Eventually, tired frustrated and disgruntled, the general called it a day and said we'd try again in the morning.

As I headed up to my room, I nearly ran into Katara. "Whoa!" I cried, stumbling back and bracing my hands on her shoulders to keep myself from falling backwards. "Why are you in such a hurry?"