"No."
"We have to go now!"
"No."
"Aang!"
"NO!" The water swirled above their knees, a distant roar signalling the further onslaught of the tide. About them the walls cracked and buckled, large chunks of the carved rock breaking loose from the roof and plummeting towards the water below. It was dark, the only source of light being the two hovering spheres of flame. One was held in the hand of the Fire Lord, illuminating his grave expression, as well as the small group huddled around him. The face of the small earthbender by his side was strained with concentration. Her arms shook with the effort.
"I can't hold it much longer," she snarled. The make-up of the Kyoshi warrior behind her was smeared with grit and blood. Suki glanced anxiously over her shoulder. There were still a good few twists and turns of the corridor before the exit.
Sokka's face was seemingly blank, difficult to read under the bruises. His hair hung in limp locks about his face. He waded forwards, towards the second flame.
"What are you doing?" spluttered Zuko suddenly. "We need to get out of here!" He paused. "Tell him!" Sokka stopped, but didn't turn around. Neither did he continue, remaining halfway between the lights. He flinched as a piece of the ceiling crashed into the water, narrowly missing him. He took a deep breath, settling himself.
"Aang." The avatar crouched low in the water, holding the second flame high above his head. His eyes were wild, desperately searching the dark tunnel before him. Long pale tracks ran down his cheeks to his chin through the grime and dust chalked onto his face. He made no move to prevent the fresh wave of tears as they poured silently down his face. "Aang." The avatar's head twitched slightly towards Sokka's voice as it cracked, but his gaze was locked onto the darkness before him. "She's not coming, Aang." Aang hung his head, his shoulders shaking.
"How can you say that?" He whispered. The warrior was silent. "How can you say that!" Aang splashed to his feet, rounding on him. For a moment the two simply looked at each other. Sokka's lip quivered, and he bowed his head.
"Sokka!" Zuko's voice was unnaturally high. "Toph isn't-" At that moment, there was a tremendous crash, and several tons of rock collapsed before the tunnel. Toph crumpled noiselessly into the water.
"KATARA!" The avatar staggered towards the blockage, his flame lessening until it vanished altogether, and he himself faded into the blackness. The others remained in a shocked silence, broken by Sokka. It was not a request, but an order, given in a strained, quiet voice.
"Head for the exit."
"Sokka, what about-"
"I'll catch up." Suki and Zuko exchanged glances. Swinging Toph over her shoulder, it was only the Kyoshi warrior who looked back. She opened her mouth as if to say something.
"Suki, go!" She hesitated, before turning on her heel and running towards the little hovering flame disappearing swiftly down the tunnel. The sound of splashing grew fainter with the light of Zuko's flame, and Sokka too was enveloped in darkness.
"Katara..." The avatar's disembodied sob was barely audible over the falling debris.