Odette:

This was it…today was the day and at the crack of dawn we were all up and about.

Alana had 3 maps overlapping one another, 2 of them were maps of the Fire Nation while the other was a map of the World. Alana was in her Water Tribe gear studying the maps with intense concentration and wiping perspiration off her forehead. Kole was donned in Water Tribe gear as well, similar to Alana's just heavier. He placed a cup of steaming hot tea into Alana's hands. Fanindra was sleeping in while Elise was resting on a nearby rock in her normal earth bending outfit with Fang rested at her feet. I jumped out and landed beside her.

Fang scurried to my shoulder and I smiled. "Top of the morning, Fang!"

Kole looked up and smiled at me. "Sounds like you slept well."

"Like a baby mooselion. I'm ready," I said with an attacking position, "to face the Fire Lord."

"So what's your strategy for taking me down? Going to get your glow on and hit him with a little Avatar State action?" As Elise spoke, her fingers fluttered in front of her eyes and then she punched the air repeatedly.

I looked down dejectedly. "I can't. When Athera shot me with lightning, my 7th chakra was locked, cutting off my connection to all the cosmic energy in the Universe."

"You know what I just heard? Blah blah spiritual mumbo jumbo blah blah something about space," Elise said and I shook my head.

I wasn't even going to try, she wouldn't understand even if I drew it out for her in the dirt.

Kole and Alana looked up and to followed my gaze as we looked at something foggy near the horizon.

"Oh no. Alana, do you think the fog will delay the invasion?" he asked, worried.

Alana shook her head, her eyes sparkling with delight. "No, that is the invasion."

After a few moments, five Water Tribe ships appeared out of the fog. I saw Kodah peering through a telescope with Cato standing beside me. Both were wearing Water Tribe warrior armor.

Elise and I walked over and stood at the port, earthbending some docks. Kole and Alana ran towards their father with Kole proceeded to embrace him.

"You made it Dad!" Kole said.

Alana was just as excited. "Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?"

"I did. But I'm a little worried, Alana," her father said and looked behind at Due and Tho who were descending from the ship. "Some of these men aren't exactly the warrior type."

Due was excited and full of energy. "Whooo-wheee. This place ain't nothing like a swamp," he pointed to a rock "What'd you reckon that is, Tho? Some sort of exploding Fire Nation exploding trap that would eat ya?"

Tho looked at him dully. "It's just a rock, Due."

"Well, I'll be."

Kodah shook his head and looked at his daughter, skeptical. "Is it just me, or are those fellas a little loose in the leaf head?"

Cato laughed. "I just wish they would wear pants."

Hue scratched his abdomen. "Pants are an illusion and so is death."

Kodah, Cato, and Kole all had confused and worried looked on their faces while Alana just smiled widely. "Hi, Kole," a familiar voice said and we looked up to see Haru walking onto the deck. He looked pretty much the same except he had grown some facial hair.

"Haru," Kole said and ran and embrace him and slapped his shoulder. "It's so good to see you."

I walked towards Haru and gave an introduction. "Elise, this is Haru. When we met him, his town was controlled by the Fire Nation. So he had to hide his earthbending."

"Kole inspired me and my Father to take back our village," Haru said as Tyro approached and Kole smiled widely.

Tyro placed a hand on their shoulders. "You helped us find our courage, Kole. Now we're here to help you."

Elise suddenly froze and looked, surprised.

"No way." She bristled got into a defensive stance. "Is that…"

A pair of huge hands appeared and carried Elise up.

Hippo embraced Elise who was not happy. "Hippo happy to see Blind Bandit!"

"You guys here for a re-match?" Elise spat angrily.

The Boulder was now also standing behind Hippo. "Negatory. The Boulder and The Hippo no longer fight for others' entertainment. Now, we fight for our Kingdom!" He raised both arms up in enthusiasm.

"Sweet," Elise said, relaxing with a smile.

Alana watched the whole scene a short distance away. After a moment, she turned her head towards her Father. Suddenly, a boat exploded behind Alana and Kodah, shocking them both as they proceeded to run towards it. The Mechanist appeared from the lower deck, his face covered with orange goo, coughing. Cash wheeled his wheelchair down the gangplank. His father, The Duke and Pipsqueak trailed behind him.

Alana laughed and smiled at him. "Was that a new invention?"

"Yes," the Mechanist said as Cash licked the orange goo off his hands. "But unfortunately, the incendiary capabilities of peanut sauce proved to be a failure."

Alana frowned. "You're making peanut sauce bombs?"

The Duke came by, piggybacking on Pipsqueak's back. Their faces were covered with peanut sauce as well.

Pipsqueak smiled. "They're destructive."

"And Delicious!" The Duke said and both proceeded to lick sauce off their faces. Fang jumped on Pipsqueak and tried to lick his face to the amusement of both boys who laughed.

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

The Mechanist nodded. "Yes, I was and I think the Fire Nation would be quite surprised."

"Odette," Cash said as he approached me. He took a pole-like object from his wheelchair. "My Dad and I made this for you."

I took the object and beautiful blue "wings" popped out from the sides.

Amazed and touched, I admired my new glider. "A new glider! This is amazing."

"And as a special feature, I added a snack compartment," The Mechanist said and placed his head under the handle and pulled it. Peanuts tumbled out of the compartment into his mouth.

I laughed and gave him an odd look. "Oh well, I'm sure that will come in handy."

Where, I wasn't sure.

Ira:

In the Fire Nation prison, I sat contentedly in my cell while Warden Poon filed his nails.

"I bet you're tired to be in that cell, old man," he drawled loudly. "Well, too bad. You're never stepping outside these walls again."

A female guard stepped in carrying a tray of food.

"breakfast," Ming said pleasantly, smiling at me kindly.

Warden Poon stood up. "Careful, Ming. Don't get too close. His stench will knock you right out."

He cackled and exited the room while Ming looked at him, annoyed.

"I snuck in some white jade tea. I know you like rare teas," she said.

So kind…I was glad she was here to keep me company.

"Thank you, Ming," I said gratefully and took the cup of tea. "Ever since I was put in here, you have been very kind to me."

Ming tilted her head and smiled embarrassedly.

Odette:

Our group of Water Tribe warriors and Earth Kingdom soldiers were sitting around and having our meal as we prepared for battle. Alana had gathered up her scrolls in her hand and was currently gulping nervously.

Kodah saw her expression and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll do great."

Alana took a deep breath and walked to the platform.

"Good morning, everyone!" she said. She tripped and started to pick up her fallen scrolls hurriedly. "Uhm... So, as you know today we're invading the Fire Nation. I mean I know you know that," she said and laughed nervously. "Because otherwise why else would you be here. Anyway…"

She clumsily dropped more scrolls and picked them up and placed it on a board. "The Fire Lord's palace is here."

She pointed to the map. "Uh no, uh wait."

She flipped to another map.

"Uh wait."

She flipped again.

"Uh wait…"

She flipped for the final time and pointed at the correct map. "It's here and uh there's an eclipse today and Odette's going to fight the Fire Lord and the firebenders won't have any fire to use so that's good for us and uhm…" She started to panic. "I'm sorry, let me start at the beginning."

Alana looked down and tried to compose herself. "Kole and I discovered Odette frozen in an iceberg. Now I didn't like Odette at first but I grew to love her over time. Then we went over to the Southern Air Temple where she used to live and then we met Tarren, who is a Kyoshi warrior. He made me dress like a woman and then he kissed me…"

Kole leaned over and spoke quietly to me. "Wow, she says beginning, she means beginning, beginning.

Alana was still jabbering away. "...and then Odette's friend was a crazy old man and then Kole got Haru arrested and then now he's grown a mustache and if you look in the front row you can see him…"

"Thank you, Alana," Kodah said and placed a reassuring hand on Alana's shoulder. "It's okay, why don't you take a broke?"

Alana looked rather disappointed but obliged.

"Let me just clarify a few points for everyone. Today is the Day of Black Sun," Kodah said and a group of Earth Kingdom soldiers and Haru and Tyro started to take interest in what he said. "And I want to thank you all for your self sacrifice and your courage. They're 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." He pointed to the center of the map. "The Great Gates of Athra." He then flipped to another map. "We hit the land and we hit hard." He threw his fist against the map to emphasize his point. "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."

Boulder raised a hand to ask a question. "Excuse me, The Boulder is confused. Isn't the point to invade during the eclipse? When the firebenders are powerless?"

"The eclipse only last 8 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!" Kodah cheered.

Everyone cheered along with him. Our gang joined in the excited shout but Alana looked away, downcast.

Kole:

I waterbending water from the river into my pouch as Elise put on a wrist guard. Dad was putting on his head gear which resembled a wolf's head. Fanindra's - all geared up in silver and blue armor - stamped the ground with her foot, growling. A golden arrow traveled along her back and the point ended just above her eyes, pointing straight down the center of her face. When she moved, it glinted in the sunlight.

Odette was loosely braiding her hair by the river and she's wearing a custom made battle outfit that my father had found for her while gathering the troops.

She wore black leather boots that came up to her shins, an iron cuirass that fit perfectly, gauntlets and greaves, and black pants that fit perfectly and would allow her to move as easily and flexibly as she always would. It was a different look than normal but I liked it. She looked strong, powerful, unstoppable, and fierce. She was ready.

She finished pulling her hair back and tossed it over her shoulder so it fell in a straight line down to the middle of her back. She'd missed a few strands of her hair and they fell gently on her face, enhancing her beauty as the color contrasted with her smooth, clear skin. She stood up on cue, glider in hand, ready to enter battle. A koala-sheep appeared beside Odette and bleated while Odette patted its head.

Ren:

In my bedroom, I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing the traditional garb of the Fire Prince, top knot included. The person in the mirror was not myself…it was just the image of the man people had molded me to be. I had known what the right choice was all along, and it was time for me to face it without my fears weighing me down.

As I'd traveled in exile, I'd finally seen the way my people were hurting others. I had begun to question my ways, and everything I knew was challenged. Being back home…it didn't change anything. Those things were still happening, to good people. My people had to be stopped…this reign of terror we held over the world had to end.

I turned away from myself and stood near my bed. A little sadly, I reached up and removed the pin that fastened my crown in place with one hand and the crown with the other. My hair fell back to its original place, just reaching the bottom of my jaw, and I placed both objects into my belt. I proceeded to remove the shoulder padding from my armor and set it on my bed.

I turned and grabbed calligraphy brushes, an ink plate and a piece of paper with 2 wooden paperweights on it. I smoothened the paper with one of the wooden blocks and stared at is for the longest time. It wasn't that I didn't know what or how to say the things I needed say to Naveen. I was simply scared and it was that fear that made me hesitate, like usual.

As soon as I walked out this door I would be free, free of her and of this miserable life I was leading. And I had every right to be terrified out of my wits…for all I knew after this everyone would wind up hating me…especially the person I loved the most.

I sighed and went for it, dipping my brush into the ink.

The risk would be worth it.

Odette:

I flew around the air, testing out my new glider which worked amazing. Below me, I spotted Alana who was looking at her Water Tribe headgear despondently. I flew down and landed beside her.

"We've been looking everywhere for you. The boats are ready to leave," I said.

Alana still seemed to be disappointed with herself. "I messed up, Odette."

"What?"

"The invasion plan was my moment of truth. And I completely flopped it. I just fell apart…"

"Alana," I walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "that speech wasn't your moment of truth. That was just public speaking and nobody's really good at that."

"My Dad is. He explained the plan perfectly and inspired everyone. Like a real leader should," she sighed.

"Look, your moment of truth isn't going to be in front of some map. It's going to be out there," I pointed to the vast ocean in front of us, "on the battlefield."

Alana shook her head and smiled at me slightly. "You seem so confident about everything. How do you know we're going to win?"

I looked at her seriously. "Because I already failed the world once at Eralith. I won't let myself fail again."

Kole:

The five ships headed out into the sea.

"There they are," Cato said after a few minutes of sailing, looking the telescope at what must have been the statue of Fire Lord Athra. "The Great Gates of Athra."

"I don't see any gates," I said, peering around, seeing nothing but fog in front of me.

The swampbenders and I all tried desperately to peer through the dense fog.

"Kole, you and the swampbenders whip up a fog cover," Dad said an I nodded.

Tho looked at me. "We'll sneak by that statute just like we sneaked by that fire navy blockade."

I smiled and the swampbenders and I jumped into position, spreading our hands apart at the same time and the boats were rapidly covered in fog. At the statue of Athra, nets could be seen coming out from the statue's sleeves

"Keep it up, we're almost through," I said.

An alarm sounded.

Smoke emitted from the dragon statue's snout and the net rose above the fog. The alarm stopped and someone firebended from the dragon's mouth, engulfing the net in flames. The net continued to rise out from the water and fire slowly spread through it. Athra's statue had a net of fire on both sides of the statue's arms as Alana looked on in disbelief.

The boats stopped directly in front of the net. Odette, Kodah, Cato and I were all in shock. Our heads turned as the sound of Fire Nation jet skis pierced the silence. A handful of jet skis could be seen rushing towards the boats.

Dad ushered the invasion force. "Everyone below deck. Let's hope your invention works."

Dad looked at Alana confidently and both proceed to join the others below as the net of flames still raged. The jet skis were seen stopping beside each boat as the last of us made it down below.

As the guards proceed to search each of the ships, five of our submarines, carrying everyone safely inside, slipped by the gates undetected. Fanindra was swimming with air bubble over her head. The machines were operated with waterbending, using a pulling motion to move us forward.

As Hue and I waterbended inside out machine, Alana, Dad, Cato and Pipsqueak stood behind The Mechanist who was sitting in front of a control panel. "You really outdone yourself this time, sweetheart," Dad said to Alana

I smiled at her proudly and then looked at Elise who was holding her head down.

"Yeah. Congratulations, Alana," she said and lifted her head up. There was look of discomfort on her face. "You managed to invent a worst way of travel than flying."

Elise started to gag.

The Duke took off his helmet and offered it to Elise. "Helmet?"

Elise accepted and vomited into it and I wrinkled my nose in disgust, looking away.

"Well, I just came up with the idea but The Mechanist did all the work," Alana said.

The Mechanist smiled at her. "But don't sell yourself short, my dear. It was your idea to use waterbending to make the subs sink and float. Brilliant, though your original designs were a bit difficult to decipher."

He unrolled a scroll with a picture of a whale with people inside drawn in cartoon style. "Unfortunately, there is one problem I couldn't fix. The subs have a limited air supply. Before we land on the beaches, we'll need to resurface."

Ira:

Ming entered my jail cell, carrying a tray of food.

"Lunchtime, General Ira," she smiled and lowered her voice to a whisper. "And this time, I brought you an extra bowl of rice."

"Thank you, Ming. Your little gestures of kindness had made my days in prison bearable," I looked at her closely, concerned. "I think you should take the rest of the day off."

"What?" she asked, looking confused.

"You don't look well," I said and grabbed the bars. "Maybe you should go home and rest."

"No, I feel fine," Ming assured me.

She wasn't taking the hint…I didn't want to hurt her, she had to stay home today.

"Trust me," I said, looking rather serious. "It is better that you are not here this afternoon."

Ming frowned curiously but nodded and complied as she reluctantly left the room.

Kole:

The submarines emerged above the water. The Duke scooped water in his helmet, sloshing it around for a while before dumping the contents back into the sea. The Boulder and The Hippo were doing some stretching and warming up exercises. Odette jumped up and landed on the submarine as the rest of our gang walked towards her.

She turned to us, her face sad but fiercely determined.

She was so amazing…how could I let her go?

"So, this is it huh?" she asked.

Alana nodded, just as sad. "Are you ready for the Fire Nation to know the Avatar's alive?"

"I'm ready," Odette, said with a wink, smirking confidently. Alana laughed and grasped her arm, wishing her luck. Our group and Fang gathered around her for a group hug.

Elise smiled and punched her lightly. "I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, twinkle toes."

"Everyone listen up," my father said and we looked up at him as he addressed the entire invasion force from the submarine's entrance. "The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert and fight smart. Now broke time's over, back in the subs."

Elise and Alana hugged Odette once more before walking back while I remained behind. Both of us stared at each other and looked away.

"Odette, I."

"Kole, I."

We both spoke simultaneously.

Odette smiled slightly and gesture to me. "You go first."

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

Odette smiled at me, her wonderful, pale grey eyes sparkling. "Everything is going to be different after today, isn't it?"

I nodded. "Yes, it is."

She smiled and prepared to take off.

I looked down, uncertain. "What if... what if you don't come back?"

"Kole, don't say that. Of course I'll...

I cut off the conversation with a kiss, much to the surprise of Odette. We parted and I blushed as she looked away sadly. Odette opened her glider and flew off as I watched her go.

I looked into the sky after her, still blushing. The entrance to the submarine opened and Alana's head popped out.

"Kole, what are you doing? It's time to submerge," she snapped.

I snapped out of my dazed mood. "What? Right, I'm on it."

I waterbended myself to Fanindra and proceeded to bend an air bubble around her head. Fanindra growled and the entire invasion force began to submerge.

Ren:

Inside Naveen's house, I walked through the living room quietly, hooded in my cloak. As I made my way to her room, I spotted a picture of Naveen and I. I stared at it for a moment before looking away, my guilt eating me away. Every memory of me that I had given her had been a complete lie on my part. I was a horrible person and I didn't deserve to be happy…but I at least owed it to the girl to broke things off now, it was better for the both of us.

"I'm sorry, Naveen," I sighed and walked towards her bed and placed a scroll on the pillow, a scroll that would ruin everything between us forever, and that was okay with me.

Odette:

I sailed through the air on my glider over a grassy plain. I looked at my growling stomach and realized that I hadn't eaten anything all day or last night. I had been a bundle of nerves lately. I maneuvered the handle to release peanuts into my mouth and I chew happily, mentally thanking the Mechanic.

"What did you know? It did come in handy," I laughed. Growing serious, I fixed my eyes on the horizon and added more speed and flew towards the Fire Nation capital.

Alana:

A periscope rose above the water surface. Looking through it, my dad was easily able to spot the gate to the Fire Nation capital.

"Everyone in position. Earthbenders, into your tanks," he said and Elise and the Earth Kingdom soldiers descended a ladder to their positions. "This is going to be a rough ride."

The submarines approached the gate as an alarm similar to the one heard at the Great Gates of Athra sounded. Harpoons shot out from various battlements into the water as the submarines tried to dodge them. Harpoons continuously filled the water and Fanindra narrowly avoided being impaled by one. Due waterbended the submarine as a harpoon pierced through the submarine, filling the ship with water. He froze the water and lost his balance as the harpoon reeled the submarine in. The submarine slowly was pulled out of the water. Kole and Fanindra saw the situation from underwater and began to ascend. Fanindra roared as she left the water and Kole proceeded to cut the harpoon with waterbending, allowing the submarine to land safely back into the water as it continued on like nothing had ever happened. The submarines were heading towards some holes in a wall. Dad looked through the periscope.

"Ready the torpedo."

A torpedo encased in ice was loaded by 2 engineers. They locked and sealed the canon.

Dad waited for a moment. "Launch!"

Hue did a waterbending move and torpedoes shot out from the bottom of all the submarines, destroying the gratings on the wall. On the surface, columns of water sprayed upwards upon impact. The submarines entering the holes in the wall.

We were now near the shore.

The Earth Kingdom soldiers and Water Tribe warriors were waiting in their tanks. I sighed during the wait. The submarines resurfaced and headed towards the shore while numerous projectiles were hurled at the submarines. The submarines landed on shore and their base retracts, revealing a team of caterpillar tanks. The tanks advanced towards the capital as projectiles continued to be thrown at the submarines. The soldiers and warriors emitted battle cries and rushed out to attack.

The invasion force was on its way to the capital city, projectiles still being thrown. Earth Kingdom soldiers moved their feet in a pushing motion to move the tanks. I lead a team of Water Tribe warriors, all of us carrying weapons and shields.

A battlement launched a projectile but missed our group. A truck loaded with rocks made its way through the battlefield, releasing 3 rocks which Elise, The Boulder and The Hippo used to earthbend towards a battlement, destroying it in the process.

Fanindra landed and Kole dismounted. A group of Fire Nation tanks made its way into the battlefield, firebending at their enemies at the same time. The tanks still advanced towards the capital as projectiles continued to be thrown at the submarines. Cash, who was inside a caterpillar tank, made it crawl up a battlement as the firebenders inside tried to destroy the tank with firebending to no avail. The tank proceeded to crush the roof of the battlement. Another caterpillar tank crushed a Fire Nation tank and moved on when the job is done.

More reinforcements were sent in and they surrounded the invasion force. Swampbenders stopped in their tracks as they spotted incoming enemy tanks. They bended water from barrels on a truck to shield ourselves from enemy fire. They proceeded to waterbend the sides of the Fire Nation tank and it spun uncontrollably, causing it to crash into the sides of another Fire Nation tank.

Tho was bending water in a circular motion. "We're a man down. Where in tarnation is Hue?"

Tho and Due unleashed their attack and a Fire Nation tank hurtled into the water. A shadow could be seen moving underwater and it turned out to be the swamp monster from The Swamp. It blocked a fire blast with one hand and began to elongate its arms to grab a tank. Fire Nation soldiers left the tanks at the last minute. Another tank firebended at the swamp monster and Fire Nation soldiers escaped the tank before it got crushed by the swamp monster's arm. A female firebender bended fire from the mouth of a tank. She and her companion escaped as the swamp monster threw the tank aside.

Due and Tho traced the path of the tank being thrown into a battlement. The battlement exploded into flames upon impact and he waved. "Hey Hue, where you been?"

A hole appeared in the middle of the swamp monster's body, revealing Hue's face. "Communing with nature. Takes a while to collect these lux seaweed."

He spotted an incoming attack and quickly covered his face as a fire blast narrowly tried to injure him. Fire Nation soldiers on komodo rhinos began to catapult small projectiles of fire towards me and a group of Water Tribe warriors. The projectiles exploded harmlessly behind our group as we continued to press forward. The komodo rhinos charged towards us. A rhino disbanded from the herd and headed towards me as I jumped on a komodo rhino's horn and sliced a Fire Nation's soldier's spear neatly in half. I kicked the soldier off the komodo rhino as I gained control of it.

"Dad, look out!" I screamed.

Dad blocked a fire blast with his shield. A Fire Nation soldier charged towards him with his spear as he blocked the attack with his shield. The Fire Nation soldier executed a move which relieved Dad of his shield. Dad maneuvered his own spear and relieved the Fire Nation soldier of his weapon, leaving Dad with 2 spears. He used his weapons to knock down another firebending soldier. He then threw one of his spears towards 2 soldiers, knocking them down and jumped onto my komodo rhino.

A projectile destroyed the truck loaded with rocks. The driver was comically driving the destroyed truck while the swamp monster destroyed 2 Fire Nation tanks in one swipe. A fire blast came out of nowhere and the swamp monster lost an arm. A group of invasion force soldiers marched beside a caterpillar tank. They retreated when the tank got knocked over by an enemy projectile.

Dad looked at the above situation. "Alana, we've got to take out those battlements. It's our only chance."

I looked up at a battlement and narrowed my eyebrows. "I've got an idea."

Kole:

Alana hung off Fanindra's horn as she flew through the air with me on her head and Dad in the saddle. Alana unleashed her sword from its hilt and cut off a projectile from a battlement. Dad threw 2 small grenades into another battlement. Fire Nation soldiers opened the door to escape as the battlement exploded a split second later. They groaned from the impact.

I breaking a barrel via waterbending and threw the water inside a battlement, freezing a female soldier inside as she gave a yelp of surprise. Fanindra landed between 2 battlements.

And all 3 of us dismounted.

"You two take out that battlement. I've got this one. Watch each other's backs." Dad headed towards his battlement while we headed towards the other.

Alana's sword cut through a metal door with me freezing the guards inside with waterbending. Alana climbed the ladder destroyed the projectile. The battlement exploded as we left. We paused and saw our father entering the battlement through the roof with his club. Sounds of swords clashing was heard and I heard Dad grunting in pain as an explosion came through the window.

Alana and I looked on, shocked, as Dad opened the door, holding his side and moaning. He staggered a few steps before collapsing.

"Dad?" I yelled, terrified

"Dad!" Alana screamed.

We ran toward him and checked his condition.

Ren:

I gazed sadly up at a portrait of Lady Elena, my mother. She would be so ashamed of me if she were still here…she would probably hate me. She had taught me to be stronger than I had been acting…she had taught me to do the right thing. I had really let her down…brought shame to her, not my father. I was disgusted to call myself even her son anymore.

My heart saddened, I kneeled in front of her picture.

"I know I made some bad choices. But today, I'm going to set things right," I promised her. I would make her proud of me again.

I grabbed my broadswords and backpack before looking at my mother's portrait for one last time.

Determined, I threw on my cloak and walked away.

Kole:

Fanindra landed back on the ground.

Dad grunted as he was being laid on the ground by Alana. I bended water from my pouch and moved my hands across Dad's wound, healing it in the process.

"How does that feel, Dad?" I asked, praying that he would be okay.

"A... a little better." He sat up. "I need... to get back... to the troops."

He moaned in agony.

I glared at him sternly. "You're hurt. Badly. You can't fight anymore."

"Everyone's counting on me to lead this mission, Kole," he said and winced in pain. "I won't let them down."

He tried to get up before falling back to the ground in pain.

Alana looked at me. "Can't you heal him any faster?"

"I'm doing everything I can."

Alana looked away before closing her eyes to make a decision. "I'll do it."

I snorted. "No offense Alana but you're not exactly Mrs. Healing Hands."

"No." She stood up. "I'll lead the invasion force."

I started. "Don't be crazy, Alana."

"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," she snapped and looked at the volcano.

Dad laid on the ground. "You can do this. I'm proud of you, sweetheart."

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

I looked at my sister with an encouraging smile.

She nodded back and put on her head gear and mounted Fanindra.

"Yip yip."

Fanindra grunted and soared.

Alana:

As I flew over, I looked down smugly at the damaged Fire Nation vehicles. Most of the Fire Nation tanks were encased in ice. The caterpillar tanks were leaving the mess behind and heading towards the volcano. More projectiles were hurled towards the caterpillar tanks. Fanindra landed and used her head to knock back a Fire Nation tank.

I raised my voice, catching everyone's attention.

"Listen up everyone, I want the tanks in wedge formation! Warriors and benders in the middle." Elise and the Earth Kingdom soldiers moved into action. "We're taking that tower," I pointed at it, "and headed for the royal palace!"

The caterpillar tanks moved into said formation. I was right in front with Fanindra, terrified, exhilarated, and fiercely determined all at the same time. I was a bit of a mess.

I grabbed my sword and pointed toward the enemy. "Charge!"

Odette:

I opened my glider as I flew into the city, preparing for an attack. I neared a roof and closed my glider, peeking out and looking down at the empty streets.

I frowned and straightened. "That's strange."

I leaped off the roof and still nothing happened. Maybe everyone was inside or the troops were all down at the invasion force, but that didn't seem likely.

I ran towards the palace doors. Hesitating for the briefest moment, I flung the doors open, filling the once dark corridor with light as I got into a defensive position.

"The Avatar is back!" I announced smugly. I looked around, surprised that no one was there to receive me.

And that had probably been the coolest entrance I had ever made.

Figures.

"Hello?" I looked around and walked slowly towards the inner palace doors. "Anyone home?"

Alana:

I shook my head at a lone Fire Nation soldier trying to fight the advancing caterpillar tanks. He slowly retreated as we climbed up the stairs towards the capital. Two Fire Nation soldiers did their best to firebend at a caterpillar tank but they also retreat when no damage was done. A mini-truck and two caterpillar tanks pressed forward.

I jumped off the mini-truck - loaded with barrels of explosives - just before it collided into a wall, exploding upon impact. The defense wall was covered in smoke and when it cleared and the invasion force charged into the capital. Fire Nation guards and tanks retreated while three of the Fire Nation soldiers at the front sent three continuous blasts towards our group. The shields of our invasion force blocked the fire blasts with ease.

"The Fire Nation is falling back!" Tyro called as we charged through.

Fanindra landed behind Cato who was smiling largely.

"Alana, we're on our way to victory," he said, smiling proudly as I looked at the volcano.

Odette:

I airbended a Fire Nation drapery out of the way and got into a defensive stance as I entered a room. My face was filled with disbelief as I saw what was before me. I looked around at an empty and dark throne room.

"No…"

Realizing what was going on, I dropped my glider and kneeled on the floor in shock. I started shaking my head in disbelief.

"No, no, NO! Fire Lord Mordred," I raised my voice in trembling anger. "Where are you?!"

My voice reverberated slightly throughout the empty throne room.