Toph, Katara, Aang, and the Earth King…
"What's wrong with you guys?" asked Zuko as he looked down on his friends, "I know we lost but we've lost before we'll just keep going and gather some troops to invade the Fire Nation on the solstice the long way!" announced Sokka uncharacteristically optimistic. He knew enough about fighting that a depressed and beaten group wouldn't do to well in a battle. They'd camped on a hill over look Ba Sing Se because Appa was tiered and they were contemplating joining up with Katara and Sokka's father. "The Earth Kingdoms fallen, but the Fire Nation still hasn't won! The water tribes are still standing strong!" he announced pointing out the one glimmer of hope, "besides fire benders were stronger with out a moon I bet water bending will be way stronger with a solar eclipse!"
"We just left him," mumbled Katara numbly wrapping her arms around her knees as she rocked back and fourth on her heals staring blankly down on Ba Sing Se, "He protected us, he found me, and just left him."
"Iroh will be fine," comforted Sokka putting a hand on Katara's shoulder.
"How do you know!" shouted Katara, "Aren't you the one who is always saying how horrible the Fire Nation is! He protected me! He protected Aang! The Fire Nation's worst enemy! What will they do! He's got to be the worst kind of traitor now in there eyes!" she shouted it getting louder and louder until she was sobbing by the end.
Toph and Aang's expressions mimicked Katara's words as there eyes welled up with tears as well. Sokka was slightly shocked to see Toph on the verge of tears. Sokka looked over at the Earth King who was absent mindedly stroking his bears head as he looked out over his former home. Sokka took a deep breath. This was going to be harder then he expected.
"Let's go see dad, and tell him to abandon his post. He shouldn't protect Ba Sing Se if it's controlled by the Fire Nation," reasoned Sokka, trying to keep everyone's mind off the failure so fresh on there minds. He knew if they were moving it could get there minds' off the defeat and the…losses…for at least a little while, "We can figure out what to do from there!"
"Yes," answered Katara shakily climbing to her feet as she tried to stop her sobs and she wiped away her tears, "We can't do anything from here. We'll find a way to help him!" she announced as if to reassure herself more then anything else.
Toph and Aang silently stood up as well wiping tears from their eyes and continued to help Sokka pack up what was left of their camp. As they worked in silence they each tried to think of a plan to recruit enough water benders, earth benders, and warriors to lead a siege on the Fire Nation in only a few months while simultaneously freeing Iroh. None of them could come up with a plan.
While they were packing the Earth King got to his feet, standing in his regal poise without realizing it.
"What would like for me to do?" asked the Earth King as he walked over to the gang.
"Nothing your highness we've taken care of it," answered Sokka as he tossed the last of their three bags up to Aang. Toph hadn't even had to do anything there were so few things left of what they'd started with. Sokka sighed as he looked at their pathetic pile of belongings. This was becoming harder and harder. Now he had to recruit troops from all corners of the earth, save a Fire Nation traitor, and no on top of that they pretty much had to buy a completely knew stash of supplies. Things were starting to look hopeless.
Author's Note:
Don't worry the first two chapters were the only ones I was making that short. The rest will be short but a bit longer .