CHAPTER 31- Now or Never
As they sat there waiting, Katara would periodically have Zuko light a flame in his had to see how much longer they had before the eclipse. As time went on, Zuko's Firebending got weaker, and the flame he produced continued to dwindle. They looked up and saw the sky beginning to darken. The moon hung closer to the sun than any of them had ever seen.
Katara started getting up. "Come on you guys, the eclipse is starting. We have to go!"
The gang started walking quickly toward the palace wall. The moon sidled closer and closer to the sun. They got to the gate as the sky grew charcoal. Zuko tested his Bending. It barely worked at all.
"Guys," Zuko whispered. "Once the eclipse starts we won't have much time. Let's go now!"
They walked up to the two guards who stood at the gates to the palace.
"Can we help you?" One guard asked, bored.
"Yes, actually, you can," Katara said.
Ty Lee had snuck up behind then and jabbed them both in the sides and the arms. Both guards fell to the ground, unable to move.
Ty Lee stood proud with her hands on her hips. "Thanks, you were a great help."
One of the guards looked angry and began to whistle something.
"What are you doing?" Zuko asked, grabbing him by the collar. Neither would say a word, so Zuko let go of the collar he held. "Come on, let's go. I have a good feeling I know what he did."
With everyone's effort, they managed to open one of the gate's doors slightly and get in. Adding more force, they managed to get the gate closed again. Zuko looked around. They were inside the walls of the Fire Nation palace. Everything was just as Zuko remembered. Just a little more aged. He managed to smile.
Zuko broke out of his reverie when someone called his name. He snapped out of it and saw there were guards coming toward them. The sky over them became completely dark within the next few seconds.
"Shit!" Zuko said. "They must've heard that guy's whistle!"
They readied themselves as the masses of guards approached. Ty Lee and Mai worked their specialties. Guards fell to the ground or were pinned to the walls. Zuko and Sokka worked their swords. Aang and Toph Earthbended like crazy. Katara Waterbended without limitations. The pond Zuko had mentioned was near them. She had an almost infinite supply if she used it well. People were frozen to whatever place Katara laid her eyes on first.
"Where are those troops?" Sokka yelled over the din of the fighting.
As if on cue, they heard a rumble of earth and saw a lot of green headed their way. The Earth Kingdom men forced the door open and filled the garden they stood in. Zuko prayed they didn't tear the palace to the ground. He had to live there after this and didn't feel like making repairs.
That is, he thought to himself, if he survived.
Ty Lee called out. "You guys go, we'll handle this!"
Leaving Mai and Ty Lee with the troops, the gang opened the palace doors and ran in. More guards met them there. They kept fighting, knowing they had to get to where the Fire Lord was.
"Keep going!" Toph called, launching boulders. "I can take care of it!"
Aang, Sokka, Katara and Zuko ran down the hall.
"Follow me!" Zuko said. "I know where to go!"
They made it down a couple more hallways before another set of guards found them. Sokka and Zuko wielded their swords well. Sokka specialized in hitting people in the head with the hilt to knock them out. One guy with a sword began to sneak up on Aang. Zuko didn't hasten to run after him.
"Aang, watch out!" Zuko called. He slammed the hilt of one of his daos against the man's metal helmet.
"Hey, you guys keep going!" Sokka said, fighting with some of the men.
"Sokka, are you sure?" Katara asked.
"Just go!" He yelled.
Katara and Aang followed Zuko down the hallways, evading guards with Zuko's extensive knowledge of the palace. They ran past a small door, and Zuko stopped quickly and backtracked.
He opened the door and gestured to it hurriedly. "Get in, quick!"
"What is this?" Katara asked when they were safely inside. "A closet?"
"No," Zuko answered. "If I had my Firebending right now, you'd be able to see. It's a secret passage that weaves through the palace. If we follow it, there's a door that comes out right outside the throne room."
Zuko led the way, feeling along the walls for the door.
"Okay, we're here," Zuko said, finding the door he was looking for and opening it slowly. They walked out and saw ten men in front of the doors to the throne room.
Struggle ensued the second the guards spotted them. Katara began freezing guards to walls. Aang used his Airbending to send guards far down the hallways. Zuko was still using his swords.
"The eclipse won't last too much longer," Zuko said.
"We can make it!" Aang said, sending the last guard down the hall at an incredibly fast speed.
The doors were unguarded now. From the sound of it, most guards must've thought no one got this far, because they didn't hear anyone coming after them.
"You ready?" Zuko asked.
"Are you?" Katara asked back.
Zuko swallowed and looked at the ornate doors. He nodded. It was now or never.