I was dressed in my Water Tribe gear, so was Sokka. Toph enjoyed her old outfit from the spring. She sat on a rock while Sokka observed the maps. I handed him some tea. He didn't take it at first, but I placed it in his hands.

"Top of the morning, Momo!" Aang said happily.

I turned to him.

"Sounds like you slept well," I said.

"Like a baby mooselion. I'm ready to face the Fire Lord," he replied.

"So what's your strategy for taking him down?" Toph asked. "You gonna get your glow on and hit him with a little Avatar State action?"

She demonstrated by fluttering her fingers in front of her eyes and punching the air.

"I can't. When Azula shot me with lightning, the 7th chakra was locked, cutting off my connection to all the cosmic energy in the Universe," Aang said sadly.

"You know what I just heard? Blah, blah, spiritual mumbo jumbo, blah, blah, something about Space," Toph said.

I looked out to the ocean to find fog in the distance.

"Oh, no. Sokka, do you think the fog will delay the Invasion?" I said worriedly.

"No, that is the Invasion!" Sokka said.

I saw five Water Tribe boats appear. We all ran down to the harbor and Toph and Aang Earthbended docks for the ships. Sokka and I ran toward our dad and proceeded to hug him.

"You made it Dad!" I said.

"Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?" Sokka asked.

"I did. But I'm a little worried, Sokka. Some of these men aren't exactly the warrior type," Dad said.

I let go of him to look at the ship. Two Swampbenders, Due and Tho, were coming down from the ship.

"Whooo- wheee! This place ain't nothing like a swamp," Due said.

He pointed to a rock.

"What do you think that is, Tho? Some sort of Fire Nation exploding trap that would eat ya?" he said.

"It's just a rock, Due," Tho said.

"Well, I'll be."

"Is it just me, or are those fellas a little loose in the leaf head?" Dad said to Bato.

"I just wish the would wear pants," Bato responded.

Hue came out of the ship.

"Pants are an illusion, and so is death," he said scratching his stomach.

Sokka had a wide grin on his face but Bato, Dad, and I had confused, worried expressions. Dad, Sokka, and Bato left to talk to the others while I talk to Aang and Toph.

"Hi, Katara," said a voice behind me.

I turned around and it was Haru. He's grown some facial hair since I last saw him.

"Haru! It's so good to see you!" I said embracing him.

"Toph, this is Haru. When we met him, his town was controlled by the Fire Nation. So we had to hid his Earthbending," Aang said.

I let go of Haru. He smiled.

"Katara inspired me and my father to take back our village," Haru explained to Toph.

I blushed lightly. Tyro came over and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You help us find our courage, Katara. Now we're here to help you," he said.

"No way," Toph said.

We looked at her. She got into her fighting stance.

"Is that…?" she began but the Hippo and The Boulder approached.

The Hippo picked up Toph with ease and hugged her.

"Hippo happy to see Blind Bandit!" he said.

"You guys here for a rematch!?" Toph said angrily.

"Negatory. The Boulder and The Hippo no longer fight for others' entertainment. Now, we fight for our kingdom!" The Boulder shouted happily.

Toph smiled. "Sweet."

There was a sudden explosion from the ship. We all ran towards it. The Mechanist appeared with Teo, the Duke, and Pipsqueak. Their faces were covered with orange goo.

"Was that a new invention?" Sokka asked.

"Yes. But, unfortunately, the incendiary capabilities of peanut sauce proved to be a failure," the Mechanist said as Teo licked the sauce of his fingers.

"You're making peanut sauce bombs?" Sokka said.

"They're destructive-," Pipsqueak said.

"- And delicious!" The Duke finished.

They licked the sauce off their faces. Momo hopped off Aang's shoulder and licked Pipsqueak's face. They began to laugh.

"Were you able to complete the work on the plans I sent you?" Sokka asked the Mechanist.

"Yes, I was and I think the Fire Nation will be quite surprised," he replied.

"Aang, my dad and I made this for you," Teo said.

He picked up a staff from his wheelchair and gave it to Aang. Aang took it and blue wings popped out of it.

"A new glider! This is amazing!" Aang said with a grin.

"And as a special treatment, I added a snack compartment," the Mechanist said.

He turned one of the handles. Peanuts tumbled out of it. I smiled. That would come in handy sooner or later.

"Oh, well I'm sure it'll come in handy," Aang said.

He walked over to me.

"Isn't it amazing?" he said.

"Yeah. But, I liked your old one the best," I said.

"Why?"

"Well, it grew on me over time."

"I'm sure this one will. For all we know, it can hold a lot of memories."

Dad put a hand on my shoulder.

"It's time for Sokka to give his speech. Let's go," he said.

Aang and Toph Earthbended up a stage and a board. We sat next to the stage and Sokka gulped. Everyone was eating their breakfast and were waiting for him.

"Don't worry. You'll do great," Dad reassured Sokka.

He took a deep breath and walked up to the stage.

"Good morning, everyone!" Sokka began.

But he tripped and dropped his scrolls. He picked them up hurriedly. He stood.

"Um… So, as you know, today, we're invading the Fire Nation. I mean I know you know that. Because otherwise why else would you be here?" Sokka said laughing nervously and dropping his scrolls.

He placed the scrolls on the board.

"So the Fire Lord's palace is here," Sokka said pointing to the front.

He frantically began going to the correct page.

"Uh, no. Uh, wait, uh, wait, uh, wait. It's here and uh, there's an Eclipse today and Aang's gonna fight the Fire Lord and the Firebenders won't have any fire to use so that's good for us and um… I'm sorry let me start from the beginning," Sokka said.

He looked down and tried to compose himself. He began to talk rapidly.

"Katara and I discovered Aang frozen in an iceberg. Now I didn't like Aang at first but I grew to love him over time. Then we went over to the Southern Air Temple where Aang used to live and then we met Suki, who is a Kyoshi warrior. She made me dress like a woman and then she kissed me…"

"Wow, when he says beginning, he means beginning, beginning," I said quietly to Aang.

I looked at the crowd. No one appeared to be interested in what my brother was saying.

"… And then Aang's friend was a crazy old man and then Katara got Haru arrested then now he's growing a mustache and if you look in

the front row you can see him…"

But Sokka's rambling was stopped by Dad.

"Thank you, Sokka. It's okay, why don't you take a break?" he said.

Sokka looked disappointed but walked over to where we were sitting.

"Let me just clarify a few points for everyone. Today, is the Day of Black Sun," Dad said.

Everyone turned their attention to him.

"And I want to thank you all for your self sacrifice and your courage. There are two steps to the Invasion. A naval stage and then a land stage. To gain sea access to the Fire Nation capital, we have to get past our first major obstacle here. The Great Gate Of Azulon. Next, we hit the land, and we hit hard. We must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower. Once we do that, it's up to the royal palace. At that point, the Eclipse will begin."

"Excuse me, The Boulder is confused. Isn't the point to invade during the Eclipse? When the Firebenders are powerless?" The Boulder asked.

"The Eclipse will only last eight minutes. Not enough time for the whole Invasion and the royal palace is heavily guarded by Firebenders. So that's where we'll need the Eclipse advantage the most. When this is finished, the Avatar would have defeated the Fire Lord. We would have control of the Fire Nation capital, and this war will be over!" Dad said.

Everyone began to cheer. Aang, Toph, and I joined in with the shouts. Sokka was still looking sad.

--

--

--

--

We all prepared for the Invasion. I Waterbended water from the river into my pouch. I was afraid, but ready. We needed to win this war. But, what if I never got to see Aang again? What if we didn't win. No, enough what ifs. I'm not going to let my friends down. Nearby, I saw

Aang in an Airbending outfit. He was shaving his head to reveal his arrow. I smiled as he stood up, confident. I sat on a rock waiting for the time to leave. Aang approached me.

"Are you as scared as I am?" he asked.

"You seem pretty confident," I said.

"I'm a little scared. I'm about to face the Fire Lord, Katara. And I'm afraid I won't see you again."

I looked up at him.

"I know we will."

I stood up and took his hand. I hugged him.

"Thanks Katara. You're always there for me. I'm still worried though."

"Think positive Aang."

We parted from the hug.

"I'll try," he said.

"See if you can find Sokka, I think we need to go," I said walking to the ships.

Aang arrived with Sokka a few minutes later. Aang hopped on the armored Appa's head and bended an air bubble over Appa's head so the bison could swim under us. He dove under and we went of the harbor and we proceeded to the capital. I was on deck with my dad, Bato, Sokka, and some Swampbenders.

"There they are. The Great Gates of Azulon," Bato said as he peered through his telescope.

"I don't see any gates," I said.

"Katara, you and the Swampbenders whip up a fog cover," Dad said.

"We'll sneak by that statues just like we sneaked by that Fire Navy blockade!" Tho said.

The Swampbenders and I jumped into position, spreading our arms out at the same time. The boats were rapidly covered in fog.

"Keep it up! We're almost through," Dad said.

Suddenly a bell began to ring and nets began to come out of two dragon statues mouths. They were lit on fire. I stopped bending to stare at it in shock. Suddenly, the sound of jet skis pierced the air.

"Everyone below deck!" Dad called and I ran down the steps.

The Mechanist ushered us into subs that he built.

"You need to Waterbend for power," he said to me.

I nodded and hopped in the sub. I took my place with Hue in the one leading the way. The Mechanist, Pipsqueak, The Duke, Sokka, Toph, Bato, and Dad were all inside the main area. Hue and I moved our hands in a pushing and pulling motion. I looked out the window and Aang was on Appa's head. Toph was getting seasick. She vomited in The Duke's helmet.

"It's time to resurface," Dad said.

Hue and I pushed the sub up and we broke the water's surface. The other boats followed after. I climbed out to the top of the sub with Sokka and Toph. Aang flew over to us.

"So, this is it, huh?" he said.

"Are you ready for the Fire Nation to find out the Avatar's alive?" Sokka said.

"I'm ready," Aang said.

We gathered around for a group hug.

"I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, Twinkle Toes," Toph said.

We broke apart while Dad gave instructions.

"Everyone listen up. The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert and fight smart. Break time's over. Back in the subs," he said.

Toph and Sokka walked away with Momo. Leaving Aang and I behind.

"Aang, I…" "Katara, I…" we said.

"You go first," he said.

"We've been through so many thing together and I've seen you grow up so much. You're not that little goofy kid I found in the iceberg anymore," I said making Aang blush. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm really proud of you."

"Everything is going to be different after today, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

He looked uncertain.

"What if… what if I don't come back?"

"Aang, don't say that. Of course you'll-,"

He cut off the conversation by kissing me. I was surprised at first but I closed my eyes and responded. When we parted, I found myself blushing furiously. I looked away sadly. Aang opened his glider and flew off. I watched him go, still blushing. A million thoughts were running through my head.

"Katara, what are you doing? It's time to submerge!" Sokka called.

I snapped out of my dazed mood.

"What? Oh, right. I'm on it," I said and jumped on Appa.

I preceded to Waterbend an air bubble over the bison's head. I felt something run down my face. It was a tear.

"No. No time for nonsense," I said to myself wiping it away.

We dove beneath the surface and I followed the subs. Through the windows, I saw Toph and the other Earthbenders get into their tanks. We were almost there. As we approached the gates, another alarm was set off. Harpoons we launched into the water. Appa narrowly missed one. But a harpoon caught one of them. As they were being pulled up, Appa flew above the water and I cut the chain. The sub dropped back into the ocean and moved on. Appa flew above the gates as the subs blasted holes in them. The moved through swiftly. The battle began. Warriors charged out of the subs along with tanks filled with the Earthbenders. Toph, The Boulder, and The Hippo charged out launching rocks at the battlements. Appa landed and I dismounted him, Waterbending in every direction. Everything I… taught Aang. My bending started to fail.

No. No more distractions! I thought firmly.

I toughened my bending and fired at the battlements. Fire Nation Tanks made their way over. I bended them frozen and pulled my hand towards me and the wheels popped off. I continued that with other tanks. Our tanks crushed the battlements and Earthbenders took them out with rocks. Komodo rhinos started to come after us. Dad took over one of them.

"We've got to take out those battlements!" he said.

"I have an idea. Katara! Do you still have Aang's bison whistle?" Sokka asked me.

I checked my Kimono. I did.

Why do I still have this thing? I thought.

I put my lips to it anyways and blew. Appa came over to us and Dad, Sokka, and I jumped on. Sokka hung onto Appa's horn and swung his sword at the projectile in the battlements and took them out. I Waterbended inside a battlement and froze the water and the soldier inside. Dad threw two grenades inside another. Appa landed between two battlements. We all jumped off.

"You two tale out that battlement. I've got this one," Dad said heading toward his.

Sokka and I ran towards ours. He cut through the door and I ran in and froze the soldiers. Sokka climbed the ladder and destroyed the projectile. We ran out and the battlement exploded. We paused and watched Dad enter the other battlement from the top. He jumped in and we heard the sounds of swords clinging. The battlement exploded. Dad staggered out and collapsed.

"Dad?" I said.

"Dad!" Sokka yelled.

We ran towards him. He was hurt on his side. Sokka helped him onto Appa and we flew back to the battle and landed close to it. Appa landed and I helped Dad onto the ground. I took water out of my pouch and began to heal his wound.

"How does that feel, Dad?" I asked worriedly.

"A… a little better. I have to get back… to the troops," he responded.

He tried to move but groaned in pain.

"You're hurt, badly. You can't fight anymore," I said.

Dad winced. "Everyone's counting on me to lead this mission, Katara. I won't let them down."

"Can you heal him any faster?" Sokka said hurriedly.

"I'm doing everything I can," I snapped at him.

"I'll do it," Sokka said after a moment of silence.

"No offence Sokka but you're not exactly Mr. Healing Hands," I said.

"No, I'll lead the Invasion force."

"Don't be crazy, Sokka."

"Maybe I am a little crazy but the eclipse is about to start and we need to be up that volcano by the time it does."

"You can do this," Dad said. "I'm proud of you, son."

"I still think you're crazy but I'm proud of you too," I said.

He smiled and hopped on Appa.

"Yip, yip," he said.

The bison growled and soared into the air. I sighed and looked at the volcano. In the distance, I saw the small figure of Aang flying towards the city.

"He'll be fine, Katara. Sokka's a great warrior," Dad said.

"I'm not worried about that. I know that Sokka will be fine, it's Aang I'm worried about," I said.

I looked at my dad and helped him up.

"He's the Avatar. He'll do great," Dad said.

"He's more than the Avatar. He's much more," I said.

"Charge!" I heard Sokka yell and the battle moved on.

"The Fire Nation is falling back!" Tyro shouted.

"Sokka, we're on our way to victory," Bato said.

I looked at the volcano again. Aang had disappeared.

He'll be okay. He'll be okay… I hope. Please, Aang, I need to see you again, I thought and moved onward with my dad.