Chapter 2:

Aang, the Avatar:

Freedom! Pure freedom! The freedom of the open air in my lungs, the freedom of the wind blowing past my face, the freedom of the chilly clouds and the freedom of the tiny, unimportant ground below!

Appa groans loudly. Being cooped up in the Fire Nation hasn't exactly helped him stay fit. I know I probably look a little less than the dignified Avatar with this huge, stupid grin on my face, but I just can't stop the excitement! We're going on a real adventure again! With the whole family!

Boy, I can't even tell you how happy I was when Hawky flew in and landed on my desk. Sokka and Toph sure seemed to take their time. But it's all going to be worth it, sitting here on Appa's neck, the love of my life in the saddle above me, and going to pick up my two best friends and rescue some people! Just like old times.

You never really know how much you miss adventuring, even the dangerous parts, until you've been stashed behind a desk for a year. Rebuilding the Fire Nation hasn't been easy: many families tried to grab power when Ozai and Azula died, and Zuko decided he didn't want the throne. Katara and I have been very busy to the west, basically acting as peacemakers and keeping those hotheaded Fire Nation families from destroying each other in civil war.

We had just made our biggest breakthroughs, in electing Fire Lord Kaizo to the throne, when the messenger hawk finally greeted me. It's been very weird, not participating in the last stages of the war; the retaking of Omashu, the dispersing of the Fire Nation Fleet and the search for Jianguo's prison, but now, I'm finally back, and Katara, Sokka, Toph, and I are going to be one happy family again, fighting against oppression and evil!

Cheesy sounding, I know, but living it makes it so much more meaningful. Monk Gyatsu would have been so proud of my friends, I know.

We're getting close, now. I can see the huge walls of Ba Sing Se stretching out before us, a distant spec on the horizon. Maybe one more hour.

"Aang, are we getting close?" Katara asks, peering over the edge of the saddle.

"About an hour, I think!" I holler over the noise.

We've been waiting for this for awhile. Not only for the adventure, but we decided to wait to get married until Sokka and Toph could be there. I know, I know, marriage, in a war? Very tough, you're right. But we want it to be just perfect, and what could be more perfect than Sokka as my best man, and Toph as...well...ok, there's no way Toph would get into a maid of honor's dress, but you get the idea. It's been hard, for both of us, but I just know it's going to be worth it.

Katara has crawled over to the edge of the saddle, and is peering over the edge down at me. Her little hair loops blow softly in the wind, framing her cobalt blue eyes and her dark, tan skin. I flash her a smile. Not in my wildest dreams could I have ever hoped for a woman as amazing and beautiful as she is.

Right now, I am one happy guy.

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Katara of the Water Tribe:

Feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and love fill me as we start to approach the landing spot, in front of Ba Sing Se Palace. The little forms of Toph and Sokka are just clear enough to make out, yet it feels so unreal to actually have them in sight again. It feels that way, at least, until I can hear them arguing. Then reality sinks in.

"Yes, I'm sure the site is here!"

"How do you know? Why couldn't they come in to somewhere else! They're running pretty late!"

"I know because this is the only spot big enough for Appa to land, and I know because I'm watching them land right now!"

"Well I can't see that, dummy, or have you forgotten I'm blind?" Toph shouts, pointing at her milky blank eyes.

"Sokka! Toph!" The words are out of both mine and Aang's mouths simultaneously, as I leap off of the grumpy Bison into the arms of my big brother. He squeezes tightly, and I feel, for just a second, like I'm back on the ice at the South Pole, with Gran Gran.

"I've missed you so much!" I ooze lovingly. He suddenly becomes very uncomfortable, which delights me.

"Yeah, I've missed you too," he mutters obligingly, releasing me.

Aang flips dramatically off the back of Appa, coming to rest elegantly on the ground. He steps forward, but as his weight shifts, the earth moves underneath him, and he is thrown catastrophically to the ground.

"Hey there, Twinkletoes, good to feel you!" Toph sneers, giving him a hand off the floor.

"You too, Toph," Aang says, embarrassed. He goes in, as if to hug her, but she raises her eyebrows, and he thinks better of it. Toph has definitely not changed.

"So how was the flight, you guys? You've got to tell me what all you've been up to down there in the Fire Nation!" Sokka begins amicably, wrapping his arm emphatically around Aang's slim shoulders, and leading us inside. I smile softly to myself. Just like old times.

The sound of leather soles padding the marble ground echoes dramatically throughout the oversized hall. Sokka's arm is still around Aang as he points at things and talks too loudly. It really makes me happy to see them together again.

The more organic noise of Toph's bare feet smacking the pavement becomes more prevalent as she falls in step beside me. I smile warmly at her. Her eyes are still milky and pale, she's still on the short side, but she's matured a lot, physically, over the years. Her creamy skin flows delicately, and her dark hair falls chaotically around her forehead, giving her a wild, savagely pretty look. Like a wolf puppy. If only she could see how extraordinarily cute she is.

"So have you guys been enjoying your cushy new desk jobs, or have you missed roaming around the world?" I chuckle to myself. It's a gruff statement, to come from such an innocent voice.

"Oh trust me, cushy's not all its cracked up to be," I answer matter-of-factly, "I can't even tell you how bored we've been, sitting around musky Fire Nation courtrooms and councils."

"Well, you just wait. I have a feeling cushy's going to seem a lot nicer after we go through this mess," Toph snorts characteristically, jutting out her lower jaw and blowing an unruly lock from her face.

"Maybe, but thankfully, I think me and Aang have seen the last of cushy. The Fire Nation is finally stabilizing. I think we're going to stick around awhile, maybe travel around a little bit." I know this is elating news, and Toph should love to it, but her reaction disappoints me.

She smiles, but it's a sad, worn out smile. A veil without hope. I may not be all that great at reading her, but I can still tell something's the matter.

"Sounds great, Katara," she says wistfully, "Let's hope it works out that way."

Something is definitely wrong, but the view opens up and stuns me, before I can ask.

The massive hallway opens up into an even more massive council room, adorned with a large circular table in the center. It's so huge, I can't even fathom how difficult it was to build, even with the use of Earthbending. A bulky General, fully clothed in ornate, grandiose armor, and sporting an impossibly big, bushy beard stands up to greet us.

"Welcome, Avatar Aang and Katara of the Water Tribe! It is my deepest honor that you have deigned to be present at this meeting," he says cordially, bowing low, "Please, have a seat! I am General Heung, and we will try to keep this brief so that you may become reacquainted with your friends."

"The honor is all ours, General Heung," Aang responds in kind, matching his bow, "I merely hope that we can be of assistance."

"Blah blah blah, pleasantries pleasantries pleasantries," Toph mocks moodily, pulling out an overstuffed chair and taking a seat. Almost immediately, her filthy feet are resting on the lip of the table, smudging the ornate wood.

Annoyance washes over me, and I am about to say something, until I notice Sokka futilely attempting to choke down his laughter. Definitely like old times.

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Aang, the Avatar:

"So, let's see this map, and let's see what information we have!" I say, plopping down on the nearest chair, next to Katara. Heung's face suddenly turns stoic, as he takes his place next to Sokka. This is a reaction I've become all too familiar with: severity. Everyone is quiet, waiting for the revelation.

The map crinkles noisily as it is rolled out onto the table, revealing our prize. A detailed black sketch adorns the faded yellow paper, a tattoo of a very elaborate mountain complex. On the upper hand corner is a picture of a musclebound man, wearing the elegant robes of a Fire Nation General. He is clean shaven, his hair shockingly white and short, his eyes alert, and focused. He looks like the perfect image of a Loyalist war leader, strong, arrogant, uncompromising. He must be Jianguo.

Sokka clears his throat taciturnly, his smile evaporates, and he prepares himself for a speech.

"As you can see, this map places Jianguo's prison in the mountains, about a day's travel from Omashu. From the layout we have here, we can see it's a very large complex, with many different functions. Our source informed us that it is capable of supporting up to 400 Loyalist soldiers and up to 100 prisoners, and that it is designed to be completely self sustaining. And by self sustaining, I mean that this place could run forever. There's an agricultural area, where farming and ranching can be done. The sun manages to shine in the room due to a clever system of mirrors, moving through a thin tunnel where sunlight gets through. There's an underground river which flows through the complex, providing fresh clean water, and fish, and there's also a deep running coal mine in the lower levels. As long as they've got a labor force, they're good to go for awhile.

"There are four possible entrances: two main ones, heavily patrolled by guards, one through the river, and one here, where they keep their mirrors," Sokka points out diligently, his outstretched finger coming to rest over an illustration of a small tunnel, scrawled hurriedly onto the paper. "We also learned, from our good friend Li the Assassin, that Xu has very little contact with this prison, and will not likely be present with his Loyalist army to defend it."

I scratch my arrow thoughtfully, processing the information in my head. A touchy situation to be sure, but what else? I just don't have the head for this kind of thing.

"What about Jianguo?" I ask, raising my hand. I might have to fight him, I'd like to know how he works. He looks like a pretty scary guy.

Heung nods in my direction and stands, his chair protesting the move with a loud screech.

"Jianguo is a former prizefighter from the Fire Nation. During the reign of Ozai, he was hand-selected by Azula to be the Captain of this facility, a job he took very seriously. He's big, mean, arrogant, and crafty, dangerous traits, all, and his men are every bit as lethal. These are all soldiers from the days of the Empire, the best of the best, all highly trained and single-minded in their belief in their cause. Jianguo has been holding out for a long time, but I don't believe he suspects us."

Sokka eyes him, skeptically, and asks, "What are you proposing?" His blue eyes pierce with an intensity I don't remember Sokka ever having.

Heung nods again, and bows deeply. "With submission, Avatar, I say we assemble a strike force of 5,000 Earthbenders, and attack the facility. We can overcome a siege, and we will have much better morale and far more power than they will be able to muster. We should use the element of surprise to our advantage, while we still have it, and take the facility before it can put up an effective resistance. How does that sound?"

"Umm..." I stammer, unsure of myself. The plan sounds pretty good to me, but I see Sokka shaking his head. He's got an expression on his face that tells me he's dying to speak, so I let him.

"That would be a disaster," Sokka declares, managing to keep his voice even, "If you march on the prison, they'll realize you're coming far before you get close enough to be a threat. Then all we have is one huge hostage situation on our hands. Don't forget about the 100 prisoners they have as collateral there. General Dai is supposed to be held there, and so is General Tao, and Suki of Kyoshi. What's to stop them from executing every last one of them, just to get at us, if we break through?"

Heung falls silent, and looks at the floor. His eyes become distant, faraway.

"So what do you propose we do, then?" he asks Sokka.

"We initiate a coup," he answers, beaming with self satisfaction, "There's no way to stop them from knowing about the invading force, we know that. But, if a small group of us were to sneak around through the back door, and organize the prisoners into a revolt, they'd be hemmed in on both sides!"

I know where he's going with this. "Continue!" I shout.

"With Toph, we could maneuver through the mountain quietly and without being detected, because she can feel the whole layout of the mountain. We get inside, do a little reconnaissance, and meet up with some key prisoners. This agricultural facility has to be maintained by the prisoners, which means they must be given tools of some kind. Something they could use as a weapon. With a very small team, we could cause a little chaos and free the majority of the prisoners, getting them weapons and starting the revolt. That is when the main force needs to strike. We hem them in on both sides, and before they know what's happening, the fortress is taken. No hostage situation, no siege, nothing. Just a quick, semi-painless endeavor." He finishes triumphantly, crossing his arms and grinning. Heung looks beaten, seeing the apparent wisdom of Sokka's plan.

"Let's do it!" I start excitedly, "Who do you need? What do we need to do?"

At this, the smile fades, and he looks staunch and serious again. What's going on? I'm worried.

"The team needs to be small. Very small. I'm thinking myself, to organize the coup, Toph because of her Earthbending abilities, and Katara, because of her healing abilities, and her ability to cut through metal. I'm sorry, Aang, but you just have to be with the main force. If the enemy doesn't see you with the main army, they'll get suspicious, and the whole plan could falter."

The terrible weight of disappointment settles in over me, crushing my lifted hopes and spirits, as I realize that I won't be with the family when they free the prisoners. I know he's right, really I do, but the thought of flying Appa with the main army, and not being there to help and protect my friends fills me with a deep melancholy. A sigh escapes my lips, but I drag my eyes from the floor to Sokka's gaze, and nod, resolutely.

"It's a bad idea." The words come from General Heung, looking away and staring out the window. His hands are clasped behind his back, formally, his face is set and collected.

"Why is that?" Sokka inquires. His fingers drum the top of the table nervously, he glares intently, waiting for his answer. Something's amiss.

"Because, we don't know how the prisoners will react," Heung says. It may be just me, but that doesn't seem like a very good reason. Unsure, I look around to gauge reactions. Katara seems perplexed, like I am. Her head is cocked at a weird angle, one eyebrow is distinctly higher than the other, and her mouth is twisted downward into a frown. Toph hasn't moved, and her face is unreadable. Sokka seems ready to explode.

"These prisoners are there because they presented the biggest threat to the Fire Nation. They all went down in the line of duty, doing something heroic or dangerous. What could possibly make you think they'll just roll over?" Sokka fires at him, angrily.

"Fire Nation prisons are not cakewalks!" Heung storms at him, his composure forgotten, "They may all have been broken, and if that happens, what do we do? Do we pull out? No. We need to strike fast, and hard."

"These people will not have been broken, not by the likes of the Loyalists," Sokka maintains, staunchly, "Besides, even if they don't rebel, your attack will go on how you initially wanted it to. What's the problem?"

"The problem is that you three are far too valuable to lose. If you are all captured, we may not be able to finish the attack," Heung finishes solemnly, dusting off his armor. That reason makes a little more sense, but I can still see holes in it.

"We'll be fine. Toph can't be imprisoned, she can bend metal, and they won't know that. Besides, even if we are captured, we'll be freed when you all march in. It's not like it will be any more dangerous out on the field, right Aang?" He directs the question at me, knowing that my word is the last on the matter. I hate this kind of pressure.

Everyone looks at me, well, everyone except Toph, who is sitting nonchalantly, frowning. My fingernails dig into my arrow again, as I mull it over.

"Sokka's right. There's no reason not to try it," I say thoughtfully, speaking as I plan, "If it doesn't work, than we just follow through with the attack, and if they are captured, we'll free them anyway. I don't see any reason not to try this."

"Avatar, I'm begging you to reconsider," Heung begges, staring intently at me. His voice quavers into a falsetto, the speech of the panicked. The familiar cloud of muddled confusion settles over me, filling my head with a fine, impenetrable mist, until I meet Sokka's gaze. He's sure. I trust him.

"No, this is the best plan of action," I repeat, firmly, looking back to Heung.

"It's settled then!" Katara says brightly, breaking the tension in the room, "Now guys, I think we all have some major catching up to do!"

"Yeah, that's the truth," I say, relieved. Sokka smiles weakly, and the group follows me out of the cold, dark room.

The ridiculously hedonistic hallway greets us as we leave the room, eyeing us with its massive stone structures and marble pillars. Suddenly, the meaty slap of Toph's feet fades, as she comes to a halt.

"Guys, I forgot something back in the council room. Go ahead without me, I'll find you," she says, turning sharply and heading back, without waiting for an answer.

"How will you..." comes out of my mouth, but Toph stops me.

"How do you think, Twinkletoes?"

"Right...sorry," I answer sheepishly.

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General Pai Heung, Master of the Earth Kingdom Army:

It didn't go well. I have no idea what is going to happen when those three enter the prison, I have no idea if they will find her and what she will divulge. This is a terrible situation.

I pool some of the cold fountain water into my hands, and splash it into my face, reveling in its refreshing iciness. It seeps through my beard, waking me up, and calming me down simultaneously. Somehow, I'm going to have to keep that kid in the dark. The greater good of the Earth Kingdom is at stake with this, and no one, not even he can know. Things could go wrong, people could hurt, but the Earth Kingdom takes priority.

"What aren't you telling us?"

The disembodied voice ricochets violently throughout the room, cold, and taciturn, frightening me. I round on the newcomer, embarrassed about being surprised and worried because of the tone, only to find myself looking at the form of little Toph Bei Fong, blocking the doorway, with a grim expression on her pale face.

"Miss Bei Fong, I didn't hear you come..." I start, cordially.

"Don't play stupid with me. I know when you're lying. What aren't you telling us?" she demands. Damn. She won't be sidetracked. I put on my best, affable smile, and stretch my arms warmly, seeking to appease her caustic nature.

"I don't know what you..."

"That's another lie. You'd better stop those, or it could get hazardous to your health," she spits. She shifts her weight dangerously, fearlessly letting me know what's in her head. The thrill of fear chills my spine, and raises the hairs on the back of my neck. I stand no chance against Toph in a one-on-one fight. I can't think of any Earthbender who does.

"Sokka told us his plan, and your heart started beating faster. It kept speeding up as you begged Aang to reject it. There's something important you're not telling us, and I want to know what it is," she hisses, her voice getting louder and louder with each word, "We're about to put ourselves in some pretty serious danger, you're against it, and you won't tell us why. You know something, something that could get us killed, and refusing to tell us is not ok. You are going to start telling me everything you know right now, or I'm going to teach you how to fly. Understand?"

"Toph, please, calm down," I start smoothly, "I give you my word, there is nothing dangerous to you three held in what I know." It's the truth, and I pray that she will not inquire further. It's a can of worms she doesn't want opened.

"I don't trust you," she states simply. Her feet remain planted, and my heightened senses of Earth feel the tremors she puts forth.

"But you must know I'm not lying," I counter quickly, struggling to maintain my composure. I know it's useless, I know she feels my heart beating in its chest, feels the perspiration now flowing freely down my sallow cheeks, but it's the truth.

"But that doesn't tell me anything," she follows, "We're defenders of the Earth Kingdom, just like you are. We're fighting to rid the world of the old Fire Nation empire, just like you are. Why are you keeping us in the dark? What's going on?"

She's asked the right questions, and she knows it. I'm stuck. I can't lie, or she may very well kill me. All I can do is give her one final hint, one tidbit of information to lead her on the right track, of why there are things Sokka can't know about. Is this wrong? Yes, I know it is. But the Earth Kingdom comes first, before the state of my own conscience.

"It concerns Suki," I say resolutely, slowly. My head suddenly feels unbearably heavy; it sags forward to rest against my chest, as my arms clasp formally behind my back.

"Suki?" she asks, surprised.

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Sokka of the Water Tribe:

The landscape pours over the scene, surrounding us like a far distant painting; lazy, rolling hills flow into jagged edges of the distant tree line. I feel a small bead of sweat trace down the side of my cheek as I squint foolishly into the sun, searching past its blinding brilliance to find the road ahead. We're leaving in the evening, to avoid being followed. The army will arrive three days behind us, and wait for our signal. It should give us plenty of time.

My mouth distends into an exaggerated yawn; the protests of sore muscles remind me of how often my jaw has been clenched these two days. My eyes narrow furtively, and I shift my neck from side to side, listening to the organic pops that follow. Katara touches my arm softly, lending me the reassurance of her kind smile. Toph's hand smacks the small of my back painfully, lending me her determination.

"Cheer up, Snoozles," Toph jokes, as I rub the sore spot.

"Yeah, Sokka. It's a good plan," Katara assures me.

I smile at the both of them, truly grateful. Wordlessly, I lean against the towering wall of Ba Sing Se, and unshoulder my pack.. Before the satchel can even hit the ground, however, the flying form of Aang can be seen floating elegantly towards us.

"Aang!" Katara squeals, pulling him into a swift embrace. Their open relationship still causes a little bile to form in the back of my throat.

"Disgusting," Toph mutters, just loudly enough for me to hear.

"Totally," I agree, chuckling softly.

Aang smiles warmly at me, as Katara releases him. I return the grin. The last two days have all blurred into a haze of tea houses and good feelings, the bliss of mere togetherness.

"I would have said a bigger mountain," Aang had commented, as Toph told him about our adventure with the puzzle lock.

"Don't you even start with me!" I had fired at Toph, before she could say a word. Now, I can only smile at the consternation that caused me. It's been really good, for everyone, to be together like this. But now, we have to leave.

We all simultaneously step into the obligatory group hug, squeezing each other tight, as though it will be the last time. I really feel for Aang, I know he's disappointed, and worried for us, but this is the way it has to be. I grasp his hand firmly as the hug ends, feeling the warmth of the situation through the pallid leather of my fingerless gloves.

"Don't worry, I wasn't followed," he says. He's really matured as time has gone on. The bubbling sensation of pride rises unexpectedly into my throat.

"I'm not," I answer. I pump his hand firmly, and say, "I'll meet you in the middle."

"Oh, big tough guy!" Toph mocks, flashing me her adorably arrogant grin, "Throwing out the manly one-liners!"

The heaviness of the atmosphere springs odd thoughts. In this light, shining bronze on her pale skin, she looks..different. Her smirk glimmers, full of life and warmth. I smile subconsciously back at her, despite my confusion, which I am trying to figure out. Suddenly, the heat and the dust don't seem to be there, Katara and Aang seem to have disappeared, and all I'm left with is Toph, affection, and perplexity.

I shake my head, quickly, forcing the feeling down. Now is not the time to be maudlin or wistful. Toph and I have become very good friends, of course I'd feel affectionate towards her. Now is the time to focus on freeing Suki, on giving her her life back. She deserves it.

We say our long drawn out goodbyes, and Toph, Katara, and I all walk into the sunset, like some cliched, overdrawn group of heroes.

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A/N: Well there it is! The Second Chapter! I'm so glad I managed to finish it on time, despite the multitude of things trying to prevent it. I also managed to finish before the Day of Black Sun starts! I hope you all liked this chapter! I know, I know, not a whole lot of action in this one, but trust me, the next two will more than make up for it. A whole lot of crap is about to go down! Look forward to it:-D

A lot of you have sent me stuff talking about keeping everyone in character. I really appreciate the feedback! One of the things I've done to keep that has been to play music when I write from the perspective of each character. Just for the hell of it (and because I'm such a music nerd, and I love to share), here's some songs (I tried to keep 'em pretty mainstream, so everyone will have heard of them) I associate with some of the characters.

Toph: for seriousness, I like to listen to You Can't Always Get What you Want, by the Rolling Stones, and when she's being arrogant, Highway to Hell by AC/DC really flows with her.

Sokka: when I think of Tokka, I can't help but think of Same Boy You've Always Known, by the White Stripes. That kind of motif really seems to fit with him, and how Toph can love him because of his flaws. I Come from the Water, by the Toadies, is also pretty awesome, just because of the title.

Aang: Flighty, fun loving, and easygoing, Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz really fits him. I also like to throw in a little caustic Aerosmith with him, because it's so careless and free. When the heavy crap starts to go down, though, I've got to associate Aang with things bands like Blind Melon (for the introspection) and some Albert King, because of the serious, tough side of him.

Katara: She's the nurturer, so I have to go with Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix, or Little Wing (also by Jimi, the greatest guitarist who ever lived) when she's with Aang.

Yeah, good stuff, all of it, and I really think it works for them! If you want more music, or you want to get ahold of me, for whatever reason, my AIM is FranMan1187 (don't ask why). Whenever I'm on, it usually means I want to talk, so feel free to bother me. Thanks for reading this far!

Some fun little hints of what's to come: Some unexpected information about Suki, a meeting with Jianguo and Xu, and a confrontation within the group. Stay tuned! Hehehe