Avatar The Last Airbender: The Sins of the Past [Katara x OC]

Chapter 1-8: Winter Solstice (Part 2): Avatar Roku

After everyone else went to sleep, I still wasn't able to sleep. I don't think I'm ready to return to the Fire Nation yet, but I have to be there for Aang. Just as I finally start nodding off, I hear the floorboards creaking, the sounds making their way to the front door. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, and catch a glimpse of Aang leaving, the door shutting quietly behind him.

I quickly wake up Sokka and Katara, and we head outside, where we find Aang tugging on Appa's reins, saying in a strained voice, "Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy!"

Appa roars in protest and sits down.

Aang sadly says, "Look, I'm sorry, but Ryuza, Katara, and Sokka aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us. I can't do that to them, especially Ryu. If any of them got hurt, I'd never forgive myself." He then exclaims, "So get your big butt off the ground and let's go!"

He tugs the reins harder, stretching them, but he's flung to the ground when the ropes pull him back, as Appa didn't move a muscle.

Aang gasps in surprise and looks over his shoulder at us as Sokka says, "I think his big butt is trying to tell ya something."

Katara says desperately, "Please don't go, Aang. The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation."

I plead, "And neither can I. I can't lose what's left of my family again."

Aang exclaims, "But I have to talk to your father, Avatar Roku, to find out what my vision means! I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice. That's today!"

Aang airbends himself atop Appa's head, a sad expression on his face. As Appa stands up, Sokka, Katara, and I stand in front of him to prevent him from moving any further.

Katara says, "We're not letting you go into the Fire Nation, Aang."

Sokka adds, "At least, not without your friends. We've got your back."

I add, "Plus, how did you think you were going to get there? I'm the only one of the four of us who's been to Crescent Island, and you wouldn't find it on any non-Fire Nation map."

The Senlin Village leader says, "It's a long journey to Crescent Island." He hands Aang a small bundle, adding, "You'll have to fly fast to have any chance of making it before sundown. Good luck."

Aang smiles, saying, "Thank you for your -"

The leader interrupts him, exclaiming, "Go!"

We quickly hop into the saddle and fly off, with me taking over Appa's reins. By the time morning comes, I start nodding off, nearly losing grip on the reins a few times, so Aang has taken over directing Appa as I try to take a quick power nap in the saddle.

I finally fall asleep, only to wake up around an hour later, falling toward the ocean, Aang yelling, "Ryuza! Hold on! I'm coming!"

Appa turns around and dives down quicker than I've ever seen the bison move, and Katara reaches out and is able to grab my hand, pulling me back into the saddle just before Appa's six paws skim the ocean's surface. A fish jumps out of the water and into Sokka's face, knocking him onto his back on the saddle.

Katara asks me, "Ryuza, are you okay?"

I say, my heart pumping out of my chest, "I- I think I'm okay. Thanks, Kat. I wasn't sure you guys would make it in time."

She hugs me, saying, "Of course! I would never leave you behind."

Momo leaps up and grabs the fish, and Appa soars higher up into the sky, a barrage of giant smelly fireballs coming from Zuko's ship behind us and a ship blockade in front of us. The blasts narrowly avoid us, crashing into the water below. A single fireblast is launched directly at Appa's face, and Aang leaps forward, exploding the blast with a powerful airbending kick. Aang falls back onto Appa's head, and the three of us grab him and help him stand back up.