I don't know, Katara thought. This just feels, awkward. And to a certain extent, she was right. Even though it was a funeral of a head of state, it was also Bumi's funeral. And just as in life, Bumi was determined to be just as much a 'mad genius' in death. In his will, Bumi had stated that his body was to be placed in a purple iron box, with pink polka dots painted on one side. A festive dance number was to be played throughout the ceremony, and lettuce leaves were to be handed out to each of the guests.

"This guy was weird," said Mai. She was here as the representative from the Fire Nation, that and because she claimed it was Zuko's turn to baby-sit the country. "I don't know," said Ty Lee. "He seems more like he's zany, or loopy, or loony, or nutty." Ty Lee thought hard about it, she actually cared. "It definitely has an 'ee' sound." Mai rolled her eyes. "Crazy?" she suggested. "That's it!" she exclaimed. "He's crazy!" She gave her friend a big hug, and Mai sighed and rolled her eyes. "What did I say about touching me?"

"Bumi's not crazy," Aang said. "Eccentric, yes. But he wasn't crazy." Mai looked at him. "Then how do you explain that?" She pointed in the sky, where an Earth Kingdom airship, bought from the Fire Nation, hovered overhead. Below it hung a sign that depicted a younger Bumi sliding down the mail tubes. "Um, he's a mad genius?" Mai just shook her head.

Before the minister could read Bumi's final testament and will, a violent crash echoed throughout the city. "What was that?" Katara asked. Aang twirled his staff, and the blue winged glider slid out and locked in flight position. "I'll check it out," he said, and he shot into the sky. He flew around the city in a high orbit. He looked down and saw an invasion force of at least thirty tank trains attempting to break through the city's outer wall. He swooped down and gasped when he saw the insignia painted on the sides of the war machines. He flew back to Katara and landed. "So, what is it?" she asked. "Phoenix tank trains! At least thirty of them!"

Mai and Ty Lee's eyes narrowed. "This is bad," Mai said. "Yeah, tank trains can transport hundreds of troops and armor," Ty Lee added. "The city just doesn't have the manpower to match a force like that." "Maybe not," Aang agreed. "But we do." He pointed at the royal airship. "We have that." Mai grinned. "Katara, Ty Lee! Get Mai back to the airship! Protect her at all costs!" "Hey!" Mai said. "Avatar or not, no one tells me what to do, not even Zuko!" Aang looked at her. "I didn't tell you to do anything." "Fine, but I'm not defenseless," she said, letting her sleeves fall back.

Clamped around her wrists were her flechette launchers and stiletto holsters. "I didn't know you had those." "Never take'em off," the Fire Lady replied. Ty Lee giggled. "Well, that should make nights with Zuko interesting, huh Mai." Mai blushed, then said, "Are we going, or not?" Katara and Ty Lee nodded and the three women raced off towards the airfield. Aang flew to the podium. "Everyone, please listen!" The crowd barely paid attention and continued its mass panic. "We're all going to die!" someone shouted. "WE ARE NOT GOING TO DIE!" Aang bellowed. "LISTEN UP! I'M THE AVATAR!"

The crowd shut up and paid attention. He was the Avatar after all. "Omashu is being attacked by Phoenix Warriors. I need any of you who can fight or are earthbenders to form a series of walls and trenches, sealing off sections of the city. Any of you who own messenger hawks, send an SOS to Fire Lord Zuko, the Earth King, to Chief Hakoda and Chief Arnook. Ask them to send reinforcements!" Aang looked at the crowd. "Any questions?" No one said anything. "Okay then," he said. "These Phoenixes are invading your home, threatening your families. Will you let them do that?" "NO!" "Then let's go!"

****

Sokka kept a steady hand on the wheel. They were about fifteen minutes from seeing the Northern Air Temple, and he didn't want any more surprises. He looked down and saw Toph sleeping, still latched onto him. He felt a fresh wave of guilt sweep over him. If I had only known, he thought. He looked forward and saw Longshot and Smellerbee sitting with their legs dangling over the sailer's bow. Longshot's arm held Smellerbee close to him, and her head was resting on his shoulder. They remind me of Katara and Aang, he thought, happy for both couples. Still, being Sokka, it was his solemn duty to be an ass. "Ahem!" He cleared his throat, hoping to make the two separate and turn red with embarrassment, but they merely turned to look at him, not fazed in the least. "What is it Sokka," Smellerbee asked. Thinking quickly to cover his shock, Sokka asked, "Have any idea of what you're going to do once we reach the Temple?" The two Freedom Fighters looked at one another and shrugged. "I guess we'll explore the temple for a little while, then probably fly home."

"You know," Sokka said, "the Air Temples a full of hidden, out of the way spots." Smellerbee and Longshot grinned mischievously. "Thanks for the suggestion, Sokka," Smellerbee said. "We'll have to add them to our tour." Then, knowing it would annoy Sokka, Longshot pulled Smellerbee's lips to meet his, and they shared a long kiss. "Okay, guys," Sokka said. "I'm still here! HEY!" The two broke away, laughing. "Ha-ha!" Sokka said. Just then, a familiar glider flew beside the sailer's starboard wing. "Where did you get THAT thing?" asked Teo, flying in formation with the four. "I built it myself!" Sokka said proudly. "It shows," countered Teo. Toph woke up just in time to hear the exchange, and cracked up. "He got ya, Snoozles!" she exclaimed. She laughed so hard she had difficulty breathing.

Teo pulled ahead of them. "Follow me, I'll lead you in." "Lead the way." They followed Teo until they broke through the cloud line. "Whoa!" said Smellerbee. Longshot's jaw dropped. They were amazed at what they saw, an entire temple complex perched atop a mountain. Flitting about the massive structure were dozens of gliders and balloons. "I've never seen anything like it!" Smellerbee said. "Eh, you've seen nothing once, you've seen it a thousand times," Toph said. Smellerbee would have glared at the earthbender, but she was too captivated by the spectacle. "Welcome to the Northern Air Temple," Sokka said, and he broke off formation with Teo and headed towards the landing balcony.

****

"Fire Lord!" the lieutenant shouted. "What is it?" Zuko asked, grateful for the distraction. Mai had given him a list of things that he should look at for the nursery. I doubt the baby cares whether or not he sleeps in a normal crib, or a crib with every gadget known to man stuffed in it! he thought. The lieutenant gasped for breath. "We just got this black ribbon message from Omashu!" "What does it say?" Zuko was worried. Mai's in Omashu, along with our child!

"It says that the city is under siege from the Phoenix Order. They are requesting reinforcements." Zuko knew he had to do something, but he knew how badly the world might see his assistance. "Sir, this request came from the Avatar himself." That's what Zuko needed. The world would accept the Fire Nation answering a distress call from the Avatar. "Ready the Air Force! Load the airships with as many troops, artillery and tanks as you can! We leave in two hours!" The lieutenant bowed. "Yes sir!" and he raced off to do his job. "I'm coming for you, Mai."

****

Azula heard the klaxons sound throughout the city. That meant that word of Bujing's diversion had reached Zu-Zu's ear. And you took the bait! She could never get over just how stupid her brother could be. She headed towards Ozai's cell. She relieved the guard posted there, and went in. "Come to mock at me again, have you?" Ozai growled. Azula removed her helmet. "No, Phoenix King, I've come to break you out." Ozai looked up into the golden eyes of his daughter. "Azula," he said. "I take it your mission has been a success, then?"

Azula nodded and opened the cell door. "Everything is ready for your re-ascension to power, Father." Ozai patted his daughter's head. "Azula, I am so proud of you." She led him out of the prison without attracting any attention. We'll see just how proud of me you are, Father, she thought sadly.

Once outside, she led him to the point overlooking the Fire Nation's largest airfield. "I see that Zuko has rebuilt the military," Ozai said approvingly. "Yes, he has," Azula agreed. "Unfortunately, he gives most of the airships away to the other two nations to bolster their air forces." Ozai shook his head. "Zuko is weak," he said. He turned toward his daughter. "But, you, Azula, you are strong." Azula bowed her head. "I name you my heir to the Phoenix Empire upon my death."

Azula grinned ruefully, knowing what she had to do. "Thank you, Father." Ozai turned his back, and Azula struck. She dropped him to his knees, and put a fire dagger to his throat. "Azula! What are you doing?" "I'm doing what's best for my empire," she said, fighting the urge to choke. "With you dead, the world will think that Zuko ordered you to be executed, which will cause more anti-Fire Nation sentiment and will cause Phoenix support in the Fire Nation to double."

Despite her betrayal, Ozai couldn't help but be proud of his daughter. "Azula, you are strong indeed," he said. "You display such a talent for manipulation, deception, political wisdom, and most importantly, ruthlessness. I have never been more proud of you, my daughter. You are truly worthy of the throne." Azula leaned in close to her father's ear and whispered, "Thank you, Father." She kissed him lightly. "I'm sorry." Then, with a flick of the wrist, she burned clean through her father's carotid arteries and trachea. She gently laid his body down onto the earth, and shed a single tear. "I will continue to make you proud, Father. I promise you."

Avatar: the Last Airbender belongs to Mike DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, and Nickelodeon