Dark morning
Zuko had slept poorly and was staring at the sunrise when a knock came at his door.
They come earlier and earlier, he thought.
He opened the door and was surprised to see Mai standing there.
"Come on, Zuko," she said abruptly. "The Avatar's back."
Zuko couldn't help himself. He kissed her and smiled,
"Don't look at me that way, yet, Zuko," she said. "Aang is not well."
They rushed together to the medical wing of the palace and were showed in to see Aang immediately. The Avatar was asleep and Zuko had to stifle a cry when he saw him. "What's wrong with him?" The physician looked up.
"He's suffering from dehydration and malnutrition."
"It was their way of controlling him," said Suki, who was in the bed next to him.
"The rebels?" asked Zuko and Suki nodded. "How did you get here?"
Suki related the story of their journey since they had parted in a concise a manner as possible.
"So there are more Airbenders?" Zuko asked in surprise.
"Yes," said Suki. "Mera here joined us to try and free Aang, and then flew us here."
Zuko shook her hand and thanked her so profusely that she blushed.
"But where are the others?" he asked a moment later.
"We lost Katara during the rescue attempt," said Suki. "She was separated and didn't come back to the meet-up point. So they were going after her."
Zuko shook his head. He wished the others had come as well. He missed Iroh sorely and had no idea what had happened to Hakoda or Pakku.
"Aang's not going to be in any condition to help when the fleet arrives today," he said. He took his friend's hand. "I'm glad you are all right, buddy. I'm just glad you are all right." He said goodbye to Suki and Mera and walked back to his rooms.
"Well, you are quiet," said Mai, "which means you are brooding about something."
"I don't know how we can hold, Mai," he said. "I don't see how we can win."
"Well, worrying about it won't help," said Mai.
Zuko ate breakfast in his room, with Mai there, not speaking but simply watching quietly.
"You should go, Mai," he said finally. "I have a feeling the new Fire Lord is not going be very kind to the former Fire Lord's fiancé."
"Zuko, stop," she said forcefully. "You know I'm not going to leave you. This is not like you. I've seen you do crazy things before when you had to, when you believed. We're not done yet."
"Without Aang … " he began.
"We'll find a way!" she shouted at him. "We will." Zuko was surprised at intensity of her words. She believed in him. Like Uncle had believed in him. He suddenly felt an intense desire to succeed just because of her faith in him. He opened his mouth to say something … anything to thank her but he couldn't speak; couldn't get the words out. She came around the table and sat in his lap.
"Hold me, Zuko," she said.
They were still sitting together without moving when word came that the invasion had begun.
"Well something has stirred them up a like a swarm of bees," said Pakku.
"We should use the confusion to see if we can find Aang," said Hakoda.
"An entire night of searching was fruitless," said Pakku. "He might not even be here."
"I still think that building that was too heavily guarded to get close was the one," said Pakku.
They sat watching the increased activity in the base from their hiding place outside the wall. It had been frustrating and useless searching, but Hakoda really believed the Avatar was here. It was the only thing that made sense.
"I'm going to try again," said Hakoda suddenly. Something was pulling him in. Something.
Pakku nodded and they crept away knowing they had only a couple of hours before the dawn.
Hakoda went over the low wall and headed off to search closer to the docks. The soldiers that were out searching seemed very intent on finding something, but they carried so many lanterns it was not hard to avoid them in the dark.
"Another one coming," whispered Pakku and they hurried around a corner and melted into the shadows as a large force went by. They had a prisoner in their midst and Hakoda nearly cried out in shock when he realized it was Katara. What was she doing here? Pakku's hand on his shoulder steadied him and he waited until they had passed before following at a safe distance. They marched her down to a large square next to the docks and tied her up to a boom used for loading cargo. The soldiers set up in a formation around her and then stood waiting.
"They think someone is going to come to rescue her," whispered Pakku.
"Someone is," said Hakoda.
"Not us," said Pakku. "I doubt Katara came here alone."
"No, probably not," agreed Hakoda. "Do we wait or go now?"
"I think now," said Pakku. "They made the mistake of bringing her close to the water. Wait five minutes and draw their attention to this direction." Master Pakku crept away and Hakoda drew his sword quietly and waited the required time before walking out into the square.
The soldiers turned his way immediately but stayed in formation as a captain walked toward him.
"You have my daughter, sir," said Hakoda. Katara's eyes were very wide when she recognized him.
"She has invaded our base and injured or killed our soldiers," said the man. "Do you think we are just going to give her back?"
"You would if you wanted to keep your skins whole," said Hakoda.
The man laughed. "So you are going to defeat all of us singlehandedly."
"Not exactly," said Hakoda and the then the ocean flowed over the docks and collapsed on the men in an inexorable wave. "Nice timing Pakku," whispered Hakoda as he struck the captain on the side of the head with the flat of his blade and sprinted for Katara.
"Something's happening down in that square," said Marten. "And there is a lot of water being thrown about."
Sokka leaned over the side of the saddle. It was still very dark and hard to see but the square was lit with many lanterns.
"It's not Katara," said Sokka. "She's tied up to that pole thing."
"So let's land already," said Toph. "I can't see anything from here."
"I can't put Panu down in the middle of that!" said Marten.
"Fine," said Azula. "Figure something out. I'm going." And she leaped over the side.
"Wha … " cried Marten in surprise.
"Don't worry," said Sokka. "She flies." And true to his words, blue fire bathed the fight below in a ghostly blue light. Now Sokka could see much better. The fight seemed to be centered around two men; one with a sword and the other bending water.
"Is that … Dad?" said Sokka incredulously.
"Your dad is here?" said Toph in surprise.
"And Master Pakku," said Sokka excitedly.
"This is so weird," said Toph.
Katara was sure she could not be any more surprised than when she heard her father's voice, speaking to the captain, but then things had gone from confusing to insane.
Water came splashing down on the guard company and she heard cries of surprise until they were swept away in the flood. She stood as high as she could manage and saw her father fighting his way toward her through the remaining soldiers and the knee deep water. A moment later a wall of ice formed and Master Pakku surfed into view, bending as he went. Ice shields deflected spears as men poured into the square from every alley and street. This had been a trap.
Into the middle of it came Azula, like fire from the sky.
The benders immediately focused on her and she wove a deadly shield of flame to throw them back several times. Pakku was at her side then.
"Are you hurt, Katara?" he asked as he slashed her bindings with ice picks.
"I'm fine," she said and promptly fell forward. Pakku caught her in time to keep from doing a face plant, but her legs would not hold her up.
"You are not fine," said Pakku.
"Dad's out there," she said quickly.
"I'm sure he'll be along in a moment," said Pakku. His ice wall was melting and Katara knew he could not bend while holding her up. "Besides, it looks like the cavalry has arrived."
Panu landed in the space between them and the ice wall only long enough for Toph, Sokka, Ty Lee and Marten to jump off before leaping back into the sky.
When the attacking fire benders broke through the wall, they were met with a devastating counter-attack of earth, air and water. But the numbers were still not in their favor.
Suddenly, the fading darkness was lit with crackling sheet lightning that momentarily everyone in the square.
"Enough!" shouted Azula in the moment of surprised silence that followed. "This fight is pointless. We are going to take back the prisoner. The question you have to ask yourselves is how many of you will be killed or injured before we do it."
No one moved and Azula continued in the silence. "You are all in open rebellion against your Fire Lord. When your fleet is defeated, you will be left here at his mercy. Throw down your weapons now and I will recommend he pardon you when the time comes. I am Princess Azula, brother to Fire Lord Zuko."
Katara had seen Azula overbearing and pompous before, but this was something different. This was presence. Men looked at her and believed.
Swords began to clatter to the stones. There was some outcry, but it was quickly hushed.
"Now disperse and wait until we return to give you judgment," said Azula.
Men started to leave the square and Azula did not move until they were all gone. Marten called for Panu and the bison landed in the middle of the square.
"Father!" cried Katara when he came to her. "What are you doing here?"
"We came looking for Aang," he said as he carried her to the others.
"So did we," she said.
"Well, he's already gone," said Sokka.
"You mean you found him?" asked Katara.
"Azula did, and Lothar carried him out," said Sokka.
"Carried? Was he injured?" she asked.
"Mostly just starved," said Azula, joining them.
"Nicely done, Princess Azula, said Pakku.
"Thank you," she said and actually blushed at the compliment.
What was wrong with her, wondered Katara. "The Avatar is not going to be able to help in the battle to come," said Azula. "I know we are all tired, but Zuko is going to need our help very soon."
Hakoda reached out a hand to squeeze her shoulder.
"We are with you Princess," he said. "Can your bison fly all of us out of here?" he asked Marten, after he had been introduced.
"Not and fly very far he can't," said Marten.
"How did you get here, Dad?" asked Sokka.
"We borrowed a balloon," said Hakoda.
"Then the bending masters should fly with Marten to help with the invasion and the rest of us should come in the balloon," suggested Sokka. The others thought this over and nodded agreement.
"I'm not going to be much help in a water fight," said Toph. "I'll take the balloon."
Panu flew them all to the balloon location and Hakoda, Sokka, Toph, Ty Lee and Lothar slid off after Hakoda hugged Katara.
"I know I don't have to tell you this, but I am a parent," said Hakoda. "Be careful."
"I will, Dad; we'll see you soon," said Katara.
Lothar stood on the ground, looking up at Azula, but said nothing. He held her gaze until they took off.
"Let's get this contraption flying," said Hakoda. "I have a feeling we'll be needed yet."