Chapter Two: Betrayed Trust

Sighing and dragging their feet out of tiredness, the gaang was looking forward to having their tea as they slowly marched back home.

"I can't believe we stayed out here all day," moaned Sokka. He was leaning into Suki as he slowly dragged on. Amused, she softly placed her arm around him.

"I thought it was refreshing," Aang replied with a big smile. His hand was still interlaced with Katara's.

"Of course you would. You love everything." Everyone laughed at Sokka's words. The Airbender laughed along as well.

"A little fresh air is good for the soul," said Iroh, leading the way.

"I guess," Zuko yawned, walking alongside him.

Toph still remained silent as she carried on behind them. 'Would they even notice if I took off?' she thought, somewhat pathetically feeling sorry for herself. Considering the thought, she looked over her shoulder…It was then that they realized they wouldn't be getting their tea after all.

From behind, Azula, Mai and Ty Lee jumped practically out of nowhere and began their attack.

Unprepared, Iroh was the first to go down after Ty Lee paralyzed him with the touch of her finger. Azula, of course, went straight after her brother.

Fire, Water, Earth, and Air swirled round and round in a fight for their lives. Suki, Sokka, and Mai were doing their best with the weapons they had.

Ty Lee, however, who was a weaponless, non-bender, had more success than the three put together. It was unfair really, but now wasn't the time to think about that.

When Azula realized that her brother had finally become her equal match, she decided to go after someone else. Instead of chasing after her, Zuko ran over to Mai who was going after the Waterbender.

"Why did you bring them here?" he asked out of breath.

"What made you think I wouldn't Zuko?" she asked emotionless. Not removing her eyes from the target. Distraction never got in her way.

"I trusted you. I thought-"

"You left ages ago. Things change."

"So that's what this is? Revenge for leaving you?"

Mai didn't reply as she continued her fight. She thought Zuko had carelessly left her behind for his own selfish reasons. She didn't believe he ever planned on coming back to her. Thinking he no longer cared for her at that point, Mai stopped caring for him completely.

Zuko shook his head and went to protect Katara.

Minutes later, his sister ran at the Waterbender. Without hesitating, Azula quickly whipped out an enormous blue lightning bolt and shot it towards her.

Realizing it before anybody else, Zuko made his way over just in time to re-direct it…but he didn't.

As soon as he jumped to Katara's aid, his sisters lightning bolt went straight through him. In front of all those he loved, he was killed right there in a matter of seconds.

Angered, his uncle was still unable to do a thing about it. The rest of the gaang, however, became outraged and gave everything they had against the three.

Focusing on the other Firebender, Toph was unexpectedly tapped from behind by Ty Lee. Apparently, Azula wasn't finished with her torturing. When she went after something, she went after it all.

Grabbing the Earthbenders middle, Ty Lee effortlessly picked her up, planning to drag her back to their ship.

Obviously, Iroh's niece had another plan in mind: outnumber and take over the gaang by separating them.

Taking notice, Sokka ran over to save Toph. He knocked the other girl down within a matter of moments by using is boomerang. The warrior then reached for Toph's hand to help her up so he could drag her off to safety.

He was inches from saving the Earthbender when he heard a heart-stopping scream from behind.

Suki had been severely burned by Azula as she and Aang were fighting against her while Katara was still at it with Mai.

As the psycho Firebender made her way closer to his warrior, Sokka immediately released Toph's hand and ran over to her. This left her completely vulnerable to Ty Lee who had made her way up and back over to her.

"Suki!" he shouted, running up behind Aang who was also trying to protect her.

Azula quickly turned to face him as if she planned to attack…little did they know, it was just another one of her tricks.

When she faced the other warrior the Firebender knew Suki would try to clock her from behind. This caused Sokka to believe she was going to be alright. He only raised his weapon at Azula instead of stepping any closer.

As Suki raised her hand to attack, Azula whipped around and grabbed it…putting an end to the Kyoshi warrior's life.

"NO!" shouted Sokka running at her in rage. The other girl laughed hysterically as she used her powerful bending to lift her off the ground and back towards the ship.

As he ran over to mourn Suki, Aang had no choice but to leave him and help Katara.

The gesture turned out to be pointless as Mai ran off seconds after Azula had. The other girl, Ty Lee, was long gone before the two of them left. The reason was unclear for the gaang who remained intact, but they couldn't care less about it at the moment.

Rushing over to comfort Sokka, Iroh was finally able to regain his muscles. Oddly, he didn't go to his nephew's lifeless body. Instead, he ran further into the forest after Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee.

"Stay here," Aang said to Katara. With a wet face, she nodded her head and went back to soothing her brother. He then chased after Iroh.

When he finally caught up, he found Iroh's face buried in his hands. His head was pointed to the sky above. Drifting away was the airship that carried the three Fire Nation girls and their captive.

Aang cautiously walked forward. "Are you…are you alright?"

He turned back, unaware that the Airbender had walked up from behind. Nonetheless, he shook his head at him in disappointment.

"What did-?"

"I have only one question for you," he inched closer to Aang. He was standing before him clearly confused.

Before he had the chance to speak, Iroh continued, "Who did you leave behind when you came to me?"

Aang was really confused now, "What do you mean? You were-"

"Answer the question," he sighed, "please."

"Umm, okay…I left Katara there, Sokka," he looked down, "Suki…and Zuko."

Instead of saying anything, Iroh walked past him, making his way back. Aang curiously followed.

He walked straight over to his nephew. Tears welled up in his eyes as he lifted the young teen, gently pulling him into his arms.

Aang looked over in sadness and returned to Sokka and Katara.