Authors note: It's probably going to be an epic and long chapter so get ready. Be ready for not so much Maiko and so mending of the past. I'm not saying Zutara, I'm saying mending.

Chapter Eleven

Against All

"What are we going to do?" Toph asked, sounding quite alarm.

"One thing we're not is going to panic," Uncle Iroh declared.

Just then another crash went off and the worries began to rise.

"You know, it feels a lot different when you're not in them."

Mai shook her head as she turned he head to the noises.

"They're getting closer, but not in our direction. We have time to spare but not much."

"We have to get Suki then," Sokka said urgently.

"She can't be moved," reminded the Fire Nation prince.

"But we can't leave her. She'll be all alone."

"He's right. We can't," Katara added, "She'll probably have a bigger chance of dying if we do."

"I think, in a strange way, their right."

Zuko shook his head in disbelief but knew they were right too.

"Ok then," he humbled himself to say, "Avatar, you and her."

He said this while pointing to Toph.

"Earthbend a wall high enough to distract but not too thick, we can't waist time."

"And you and Katara go and get Suki."

"That's not a good idea at all…her brother should go, it's his friend."

"Zuko I need you to go with her. I need him to help your uncle with another distraction."

"But Aang-" Sokka started.

"It's the safest way," Aang answered, "It is."

Zuko groaned at the whole instant. But slowly, closed his eyes, and blocked out everything that was going on around him.

Suddenly a picture came in his head.

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"Now Zuko, you're getting all wet," Ursa muttered as Zuko pulled his feet out of the pond.

"Oh, I'm sorry mother."

"It's okay, I'm learning that that's just what little boys like you liked to do."

"And mom's like you liked to make rules."

Ursa laughed at her six year old boy, "Yes, that is exactly right."

"So mother, when do I get to make rules?"

"How about…when you're Fire Lord?"

"That's a long way away."

"Well everyone has to wait, it's fair. And when your turn comes you're going to be happy you did."

"Why?"

"Because…when you're older, you can make better decisions."

"Will you like them?"

"Of course I will," she said hugging him with a laugh.

"I'll make the right decision, won't I mother?"

"You know it. That side of you is from me. So don't let me down."

"I won't, I promise."

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The scene suddenly ended as he looked up, seeing Katara's piercing eyes.

"Okay, I'll go."

"You all hold them off. Mai and Ty Lee, you be on the lookout for how close they are. We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Hopefully we'll be able to catch up with Appa."

"Alright," Katara said, nodding at Aang, "Let's go."

And they were off before any other words could be said.

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"So when we get there, I'll heal her as much as I can. And if she…if she does…I'll tell Sokka."

"If she is the warrior that survived my sister, she'll make it."

Katara nodded at what Zuko said as the two rushed in to the healer's house.

"Um, you all are back to soon. She isn't fully recovered yet."

"We don't have time, she has to go now," Zuko explained to the healer.

"I can't let you see her. She is too injured."

"We have to get through," Katara pleaded.

"I said no."

Zuko frowned in an annoyed matter. He firebended a flame in one hand and grabbed the man with the other.

"Do we really have to have a problem?"

"Now I already told you-"

Zuko shoved the man aside as Katara rushed up to Suki.

"Come on," she whispered as she gradually brought her hands down to Suki's head.

Katara looked confused as she tried to apply her healing powers.

"She's not dying physically. She's dying emotionally."

"So what do we do?"

"We have to go. Her life though will be more at risk."

Zuko, slowly but surely, picked up Suki and put her on his back.

"And we're taking it. Let's go."

Katara and Zuko glanced around for the last time as the excited the building. They both walked out with Suki just to see in surprise that the whole town was infiltrated with Fire Nation soldiers.

"Back in side," Zuko said, grabbing Katara's arm.

The two rushed back inside and hid in fear.

"What do we do?" Katara said, gasping.

"...We fake it…"

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"Sokka, when Katara and Zuko return, go to them," Aang arranged.

"But-"

"Suki will want to see you."

Sokka grinned at the earthbending Avatar as Ty Lee walked up.

"Their getting really close, Mai stayed to watch but I came to warn you guys. We have to hurry."

"We know," Toph called from the back, "Aang and I almost have the wall."

Toph lifted her hands up again as the wall became taller.

"Uncle Iroh…" Sokka said awkwardly, "and I have created another distraction. We left all unnecessary baggage throughout the forest, leading them other ways. Hopefully it will spare us enough time to leave."

"If those two don't get here in time," Mai said, coming from under the dark haze of trees, "It won't matter."

And just as she said this, an even louder crash went off.

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"This isn't going to work," Katara cried, "I know it."

"It will, now let's go," Zuko then said as the two walked out.

And within a few seconds were stopped by some soldiers.

"Who are you two?"

Zuko said nothing from under the cloak he had found but nodded to Katara.

"We are just two, meek healers who seek the family of this girl. She is now ready to rest at her home."

"You both look to young to be healers and that girl is obviously not well."

"But she is homesick," Katara directed, "And needs her family."

"What's with him then?"

"He is a mute but very reliant."

Zuko rolled his eyes from under the cloak as Katara made a fake smile.

"It is stated that you must let us pass. A human life is at stake."

"And how do I know you're not lying."

"Just ask my other healer in the building he will tell all."

The soldier gave the whole group a long look but slowly walked into the building. And in a split second Zuko and Katara broke off in running as they saw that they were free.

"How do you know that healer isn't going to send those guys after us?" Zuko said, trying to keep Suki on his back.

"Trust me, after strangling a guy, he comes to trust you."

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"I can see them!" Ty Lee shouted back to the group.

"How far away?" Toph asked her arms finally tiring.

"If I can see them, it isn't good."

"I think we might have to go, it's dangerous staying here," Mai opted.

"Not with Suki," Sokka responded, "And my sister."

"Zuko's out there too. But we can't stay, we're endangering them too."

"But-"

"Wait, we're here."

Zuko pulled Suki carefully off his back as her eyes began to flutter. Sokka ran up to her as she fell into his arms.

"Suki…" he whispered.

Her eyes slowly opened, just enough to see his face.

"Sokka…" was all that was said, but she smiled as she did and that was more than enough.

"We have to go now!" Uncle Iroh said loudly and Aang nodded.

He airbended over to Appa as they all began to board on. He was about to take on to flight when Ty Lee called back.

"My crown, it' over there on the ground!"

Zuko, the only one not on the bison, grimaced at the crown.

"Ah!" he moaned as he ran over towards it.

His hand was about to clutch it when right in front of him was a Fire Nation land destroyer, with a gold Fire Nation insignia, the sign of royalty. It had broken through earthbending wall simultaneously and out of it, stood the princess herself, Azula.

"Now Zuzu, we have to stop meeting like this."

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Authors note: So much suspense and I know another cliffy. I'm sorry but I had to, there was no other way. But I'm glad a lot of you like all of the shockers so please review and the update will hopefully be up soon.