THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 2)

(II) Fire

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate being captured?

Granted, I never expected to be kidnapped from my bed by General Fong's men, of all people. But here I am, gagged and tied up, listening to him justify his actions for his insane plan to make Aang get into the Avatar State. I don't know what upsets me more: the fact that this guy seriously thinks this is a good idea or the fact that Sokka, Katara and Aang slept through my entire kidnapping. I tell you, those three sleep like rocks.

"I really hope you can forgive me," he says, while I'm unable to answer because of the gag thing. "But it's for the good of the world."

My only question is: why couldn't it be Sokka or Katara that got kidnapped this time? It's like someone out there has it in for me or something. I really hope his plan fails, because I wouldn't want his men to get hurt because of his stupidity.

Sure enough, I get dragged by two men through the hall, until we're outside, where I quickly spot Aang trying to fend off several attacks from Fong's soldiers. Is he really trying to induce the Avatar State like that? What good will it be if someone, namely Aang, ends up getting crushed by a giant earth disk?

"Wait. Is that Alya?!" I hear Katara yell from the other side of the arena, as she and Sokka quickly run down from the building to help Aang.

"Hey, guys. Sorry I'm late. I got a bit caught up, as you can see," I reply, while General Fong walks over to me and narrows his eyes at Aang.

"Maybe you can avoid me... but she can't."

Suddenly, he uses his earthbending to turn the ground under my feet into quicksand, burying me all the way to my knees. I gulp loudly, suddenly concerned about how far this man is willing to get to force the Avatar State out of Aang.

"Alya!" Katara cries, as she continues to fight off some soldiers with her water whip.

"I'm fine! For now..." I say, somehow managing to get rid of the gag on my mouth, muttering the last bit.

"Don't hurt her!" Aang pleads, his eyes filled with worry.

He tries to airbend Fong away with an air gust, but he easily creates an earth shield from the ground.

"No!" Sokka also cries out, as he aids his sister's fighting efforts, trying to give Aang an edge to come and help me.

The quicksand suddenly pulls me in again, and by now, I'm in up to my waist. I feel my heartbeat raise.

"Stop this! You have to let her go!" Aang commands desperately.

"You could save her if you were in the Avatar State!"

"No, Aang! Do not give him what he wants! You'd be putting everyone here in danger!" I tell him, while the quicksand does its thing again, sinking me all the way up to my shoulders.

Aang looks directly into my eyes, and I already know he won't listen to me, as usual.

"I don't see glowing!" Fong says, burying me neck deep.

"It's alright, Aang," I assure him, but I'm pretty sure I don't sound so convincing, as it comes from a talking head on the ground.

At this point, Aang has already fallen to his knees, begging Fong to stop this. "You don't need to do this!"

"Apparently, I do," Fong replies, clenching his fist and burying me completely underground.

***

I don't know how much time passes before I am pulled back to the surface, and the first thing I do is gasp out for air. I feel someone untying my hands from behind my back, and I slowly open my eyes, only to find Aang floating above us, his eyes and tattoos glowing, clearly in the Avatar State.