Author's Note: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or anything related to it. I do, however, own my characters. If you steal them or borrow them without my "Yes." I will hunt you down. Thank you for your time. Oh, and if you do not like this, you don't have to read it! I will not force you or beg you.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Sayko and Mara. Both are my buddies, sister-figures, and great people to talk to. This story is for you guys! And to my: readers, reviewers and friends.
-At The Frontier-
Sokka studied the two Fire Nation maps and the world map for at least an hour that morning. He had changed into his Water Tribe warrior gear instead of the Fire Nation disguise. He held his chin and felt the perspiration run down from his forehead as he concentrated. Katara placed a cup of hot tea in his hand after throwing her own Water Tribe gear on. Sokka smiled at her. Behind them, Toph sat against a rock in her original earthbender's outfit with Momo curled up at her feet. Appa and Anduril were snoozing away. Artymis came into the scene, skipping.
"You seem like you slept well." Katara commented with relief.
"Like a baby moose-lion." Artymis smiled, "I'm ready to face the Fire Lord. In fact, I'll fight him right here right now."
Sokka and Katara gave a hearty laugh.
"So, what's your strategy?" Toph asked, "Are you going to get your glow on and hit him with a little Avatar State action?"
Artymis' expression shifted to that of uneasiness. "I can't really do that."
"Why not?" Toph asked again, forgetting the explanation give a few weeks earlier.
"When Azula shot me with lightning, my seventh chakra was locked, cutting off my connection to all the cosmic energy in the Universe -" Artymis began.
"Blah, blah, blah!" Toph interrupted, "That's all I hear!"
"Oh no." Katara whispered, staring out at the horizon.
"What? What is it?" Artymis walked over to her side.
"The fog," Katara turned around to her brother. "Sokka, do you think the fog will delay the invasion?"
Sokka looked up from the maps. He squinted his eyes in concentration. "No… because that is the invasion!"
The friends gathered, even Appa and Anduril woke from their sleep, to see five Water Tribe ships appearing out of the fog. Sokka and Katara were excited to see their father standing on the deck with Bato next to him. Artymis and Toph rushed down to the port and earthbended five docks for the ships. The two siblings came soon after. The second Hakoda was off the boat and on the plank, Katara and Sokka rushed to him and embraced him tightly.
"You made it, Dad!" Katara glowed with her joy.
Sokka pulled away, but not too much to break the hug. "Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?"
"I did," Hakoda then looked worried. "But I'm a little worried, Sokka. Some of these men are not the warrior type." He glance behind at two swampbenders, Due and Tho.
"Whoo-whee!" Due looked like he was about to burst with energy. "This place ain't nothing like a swamp." He saw a rock and pointed at it, "What'd you reckon that is, Tho? Some kind of exploding Fire Nation trap that would eat ya alive?"
Tho stared at his companion. "Its just a rock, Due."
"Oh." Due didn't look quite convinced.
"Is it just me or are those fellows a little loose in the leaf head?" Hakoda asked skeptically.
"I just wished they would wear pants," Bato commented while passing by.
At that moment, Hue came down from the ship. He seemed to have heard Bato's request because he said, "Pants are an illusion and so is death."
Hakoda, Katara, Artymis, and Toph all had looks of confusion and worry on their faces. Sokka was smiling widely, as if the situation was not awkward at all. As everyone settled down, Hakoda spoke to Artymis, "I hope you are doing better than the last time I saw you."
Artymis smiled up at him, "I am doing much better, Chief Hakoda. Thank you for your concern."
Hakoda nodded, "You are close to my children and I feel as if I have a parental responsibility over you."
"I am honored." Artymis bowed.
He smiled again and (to Artymis' annoyance), ruffled her hair with his hand like she was five. He chuckled. Artymis frowned and fixed her hair up again. She talked with Toph and filled her in on some characters with Katara's help.
"Hey, Katara."
Katara whirled around to see a much different-looking Haru. She smiled and ran to him, locking him in an embrace. "Oh, Haru! Its so good to see you!" She pulled away to get a good look at him. He had grown a mustache and a beard, making him look older. But she could still see the Haru she met last winter.
As Artymis led Toph to Haru, she whispered, "This is Katara's first boyfriend."
Toph smirked.
"Toph, this is Haru." Artymis introduced, "When we met him, his town was controlled by the Fire Nation. So he had to hide his earthbending."
Ha! The earthbender thought, You can take them down with your bending, dude!
"Katara was the inspiration that pursued my father and I to take back our village." Haru said.
Artymis hid a grin when she saw the blush on the waterbender's cheeks.
"You helped us find our courage, Katara." Tyro came up behind the two, "Now we're here to help you." He put his hand on her shoulder and gave them all a welcoming smile.
Toph laughed when she sensed Katara's heart flutter - and she was probably blushing. But she stopped and get into a defensive stance. "You guys, its -"
"Hippo happy to see Blind Bandit!" A pair of large hands lifted the young earthbender and held her close.
Toph could smell the awful hygiene Hippo was giving off. "You guys here for a rematch?!" She asked angrily, "'Cause I'll give you one right here, right now!"
"Negatory." Another earthbender, one that Artymis and Toph remembered clearly, appeared behind Hippo. He was shaking his hands in a 'no' gesture. "We no longer fight for others' entertainment. Now, we fight for our kingdom!" He raised his arms in enthusiasm.
Artymis kept close to Toph, guessing that the twelve-year-old would go enrage. But instead, Toph smiled. "Sweet."
Sokka watched the scene with the earth benders from a short distance. He smiled up at his father, who returned the smile. An explosion caught everyone's attention. Hakoda and Sokka ran to the explosion when a man with frizzy hair and a large bald spot wearing dirty clothes came out coughing.
"Is everything alright?" Hakoda asked the man.
"Who's this?" Sokka asked.
"This is the mechanist we met on our journey around the world," Hakoda began explaining as the rest of the group arrived. "He is a brilliant inventor."
"I use to make inventions for the Fire Nation," The mechanist looked down in shame. He suddenly brightened up and said with a grin, "But I decided enough was enough and I took my family and village away from the mountains we lived in and decided to join Chief Hakoda on this mission to stop the Fire Nation once and for all!"
"That was some long speech," Artymis muttered to Katara who just rolled her eyes at the comment. Both girls took notice of a young man, probably fourteen, coming down the plank in a wheelchair. He looked a lot like the mechanist, so the girls presumed that this was his son.
He smiled at everyone. "Hey, everyone. What's up? I'm Teo."
Artymis felt Toph inch behind her. She half-turned her face and whispered, "What's wrong?'
Toph buried her face in her sister's kimono. "Nothing." She muttered.
Katara took notice, "But then why -"
"Just shut up!" Toph hissed.
Both girls exchanged confused glances but shrugged it off. They saw The Duke and Pipsqueak trail behind Teo. "Duke! Pipsqueak!" Artymis smiled brightly.
"It's The Duke!" Duke whined as he ran up to hug the girls and Sokka.
"Hey, Art, Sokka, Katara, Toph." Pipsqueak smiled.
Sokka smiled in returned then turned to the mechanist. "What was that explosion?"
"Well, it's a new invention." The mechanist replied.
"Yeah," Teo filled in. "Chief Hakoda gave us some prints you left behind. My dad and I wanted to try it out."
"Really?" Sokka seemed excited.
The mechanist nodded eagerly, "Yes!" He glanced down at the orange goo on his and Teo's hands. "Unfortunately, the incendiary capabilities of peanut sauce proved to be a failure."
Everyone stared at him. "You're making peanut sauce bombs?" Artymis asked.
"Oh, well…" The mechanist chuckled.
"They're destructive!" Pipsqueak said.
"And delicious!" The Duke jumped on Pipsqueak's back.
Teo went up to the girls as Sokka talked with his father and the mechanist. "Chief Hakoda said you guys might be needing a few things, so my dad and I made these things for you. It has a built in snack compartment."
He handed Artymis a new glider with blue wings. "Cool!"
Katara took a pair of wrist guards and a belt with built-in pouches for her water. "This is so amazing!"
"They'll protect your skin and muscles from aching. And the belt should come in handy for you waterbending." Teo glanced around, "Um, where's the girl named Toph?"
Artymis kicked Toph secretly out. Toph narrowed her eyes at her older sister.
"And this one is for you." Teo said. He placed a pair of shoes in her hands. "We know you prefer to go barefoot for your senses, but there's no telling what kind of things may be on the ground. So, these shoes will not only protect your skin, but it'll still enable you to see things the way you do."
Toph kept her head down. "Um, thanks."
The waterbender and airbender exchanged looks. What was wrong with Toph? Why was she acting so shy and timid?
"You're welcome." Teo flashed her a smile.
Warden Poon cracked the stiff bones in his hands as he said to the prisoner, "I bet you're tired to be in that cell, old man. Well, too bad." He peered inside the cell to see General Iroh sitting in the corner with is head down. "You're never stepping outside these walls again." He laughed.
Ming glared at the back of Warden Poon as she walked up to him with a tray of food. How could he tease General Iroh like that? How could he disrespect a member of the royal family who won respect on countless occasions? Ming remembered being brought up with the amazing tales of the Dragon of the West. He was the reason why she enlisted into the military; she had always admired him. But she felt so sorry for him as he sat in the cell all day and all night. How could his own brother lock him up like this? Only a cruel brother with no heart would do such a thing.
"Breakfast." She said in a loud and clear voice behind Poon.
He turned to her and faked concern, "Careful, Ming. Don't get too close. His stench will knock you right out."
"Oh, shut up, you pig!" Ming shouted before entering the cell. She heard him stomp away and smiled. She knelt before the cell and set the tray in front of the bars. When Warden Poon was far away, she whispered to Iroh, "I snuck in some white jade tea. I know you like rare teas, General."
Iroh lifted his face when he heard her voice. He smiled at her. "Thank you, Ming." He took a cup of hot tea from her slender hands. "Ever since I was put in here, you have been very kind to me."
Ming tilted her head and smiled embarrassedly.
"It is rare to find kindness nowadays," Iroh said.
"Well, my parents always taught me to treat everyone with kindness." Ming said.
"Unless you're Warden Poon." Iroh humored.
They both laughed.
Everyone gathered in groups when it was time to eat their meals. Sokka watched them all with the scrolls in his hands. He swallowed nervously.
Hakoda sensed the uneasiness from his son. He placed a comforting hand on Sokka's shoulder. "Don't worry, Sokka, you'll do great."
"Come on, Sokka!" Katara encouraged. "No one can explain better than you - except Dad."
Gee, thanks. He thought dryly.
"Just go!" Artymis and Toph pushed him out on the platform. Now, he had no choice but to speak. "Our work here is done." Artymis laughed.
"G-Good morning, everyone!" Sokka chuckled. He swallowed before saying, "Uhm… So, as you know today we're invading the Fire Nation. I mean I know you know that." He laughed nervously. I am so dead. Just kill me now. "Because otherwise why else would you be here? Anyway, the Fire Lord's palace is here." He began pointing at the wrong maps. "Uh no, uh, wait, uh, wait. Uh, wait." He finally found the right map after three minutes. "It's here and, uh, there's an eclipse today and Artymis is going to fight the Fire Lord and the firebenders won't have any fire to use so that's good for us and…" Sokka sighed. "I'm sorry, let me start at the beginning." He continued at the speed of light: "Katara and I discovered Artymis frozen in an iceberg. Now I didn't like Artymis at first but I grew to love her over time like a sister. Then we went over to the Southern Air Temple where Artymis 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." Artymis was impressed.
"When he says 'beginning', he really means the beginning beginning." Katara whispered to her friends.
"Haru's staring at you by the way." Artymis whispered back.
Katara turned her head around, just in time to see Haru staring at her before he turned his attention to Sokka. He'd been staring at her. "Um, maybe he wants to tell me something." Katara said, looking away.
"Maybe," Artymis nodded. She suddenly leaned against Katara's side, whispering and mimicking a deep voice. "I love you, Katara! You're my inspiration to freedom! Kiss me, my love!"
"Shut up!" Katara hissed.
"But, Katara, my darling!" Artymis bat her eyelashes.
Toph held her stomach since her sides were hurting from laughter.
"Shut up!" Katara pushed her away. "Focus on Sokka!"
Artymis tried hard not to laugh.
"… And then, Artymis' best friend from, like, a hundred years ago was a crazy old man and then Katara got Haru arrested and now he's grown a mustache and trying to flirt with my -"
"Thank you, Sokka." Hakoda interrupted. He put a reassuring hand on Sokka's shoulder. "Its ok. Why don't you take a break?" Sokka nodded and obeyed by taking his seat next to the girls.
"You ok?" Katara asked, seeing the disappointment on her brother's face.
"Yeah," Sokka sighed. "Yeah, I am."
Hakoda began: "Let me just clarify a few points for everyone. Today is the Day of Black Sun 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 pass our first major obstacle here." He pointed at maps to emphasize his words. "The Great Gates of Azulon. Next, we hit the land and we hit hard. We must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower." His fingertips traced the route to the royal palace. "Once we do that, it's up to the royal palace. At that point, the eclipse will begin."
One of the earthbenders stood up and asked, "Excuse me, but isn't the whole point of this invasion is to invade during the eclipse? When the firebenders are powerless?"
"That's a good question, sir." Hakoda said, "The eclipse only last 8 minutes. Not enough time for the whole invasion and the royal palace is heavily guarded by firebenders." He saw the looks of panic grow on each warrior's face. Nonetheless, he continued, "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!" He rose his arm in the air and everyone cheered along.
All except for Sokka, who looked on with shame. That should be me up there. He thought, But instead I blew it.
We all get nervous, Anduril quietly said. But, the real courage is the courage to get on that stage and try. You only fail when you don't try.
Thanks. Sokka said. Even though he knew what Anduril was saying was true, he knew he failed.
Zuko removed his royal attire and changed into simple clothes. He unfasten the pin in his crown and let his hair fall down. He placed all his armor and such on his bed. He then turned to his desk and started writing.
Katara filled the pouches on her belt with the water from the river while Sokka and Hakoda put on their head gear. Their helmets resembled heads of wolves, the pride of the Southern Water Tribes. Appa and Anduril stretched in their new armor. Each privately complaining that they didn't need armor. Artymis was stashing her kimono away in Appa's saddle and practicing some battle moves. She saw from the corner of eye Toph trying on the new shoes that Teo had given her. It suddenly hit the airbender about the reason of Toph's shyness and sudden silence. Artymis snuck up behind her.
"You like him."
Toph whirled around. "Wh-What?" She tried to sound confused.
Artymis smiled and rolled her eyes, "Pu-lease, Toph. I was there once. I know why you're acting so different."
"I'm not acting different!" Toph said in a defensive manner.
"And so defensive." Artymis concluded. "Its Teo, right?" She whispered.
Reluctantly, Toph gave in and nodded.
"I knew it!" Artymis skipped around her once, twice, then threw her arms around her and held her tight. "Oh, I never thought this day would come!"
"Oh, shut up!" Toph drew apart. She turned around and threatened in a deadly voice, "If you tell or hint or say anything in any shape or form about this, I will personally kill you after you kill the Fire Lord!"
Artymis held her hand up and crossed over her heart with her pinky. "I promise."
"Good."
"There you guys are!" Katara ran up to them, "We've been looking for you. Come on, we're leaving!"
Sokka had taken much comfort in talking to Anduril about his failure back at the meeting. Anduril comforted him and told him that no one was good at it.
My dad is though, Sokka muttered.
That's probably because he's had years of practice. You don't. Next time, it'll be better.
Next time?!
"There they are." Bato's voice halted the conversation. Everyone faced the direction that Bato's telescope was pointed at. "The Great Gates of Azulon."
Katara leaned against the rail and squinted her eyes. "I don't see any gates."
"Wait, I see something." Artymis announced. She pointed at a dragon statue and a statue of Fire Lord Azulon over a hundred yards away.
"Katara ,you and the swampbenders whip up a fog cover - quick!" Hakoda instructed.
"We'll sneak by them statutes just like we sneaked by that Fire Navy blockade." Tho said, moving his arms in circular motions in unison with Katara and the other swampbenders.
"Keep it up," Hakoda encouraged. "We're almost through."
Artymis' eyes widened when she saw nets coming out of the dragon's mouth and out of Azulon's sleeves. "Wait!" She warned. But just as she did, an alarm sounded. Smoke emitted out of the statues and the net that was carefully hidden under the water rose up high, engulfed in flames.
"No," Sokka shook his head in disbelief.
"They're coming!" Toph cried out. The sound of Fire Nation jet skis pierced the silence and the alarm stopped. "And it sounds like a lot headin' this way!"
"Everyone, below deck!" Bato yelled.
"Let's hope your invention works." Hakoda looked at Sokka confidently. The young warrior felt a surge of pride in him.
The Fire Nation guards searched all five ships from top to bottom, but there were no signs of any passengers or crew.
"No one's on board, ma'am." A male guard informed his supervisor.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Where'd they go?"
"We don't know -"
"I know that!" She snapped. "Go find out!"
Little did any of the guards know that the invaders were going straight past them beneath their feet. With only the ship and the water separating them.
"You really outdone yourself this time, son." Hakoda said.
Sokka smiled.
"Everyone's alright." Artymis came in from her checkup on everyone.
"We're doing good over here, too." Katara called out as she and Hue waterbended the direction of the submarine.
"Good." Hakoda said.
"Shouldn't take too long," The mechanist said from the seat in front of the control panel.
"Y-yeah," Toph said weakly. "Congratulations, Sokka. You managed to invent a worst way of traveling… worse than flying…" She started to gag. Oh, how sick she felt!
"Hey, don't worry." Someone said.
Toph recognized it as Teo's voice. Of course, she would recognize it - she already had down how he said words and syllables and such.
"I'm not use to the sea, either." Teo said. "I prefer flying."
"How do you fly?" She asked, "I mean, you're in a…" She actually felt bad for saying it.
Teo smiled. "Its alright. You can say it: I'm in a wheel chair. Well, you see, my dad and I lived at the Northern Air Temple for a while, and he made me wings so I can fly around - much faster and much enjoyable." He put his hand on her shoulder and gently placed a bag in her hands.
"What's this for?" Toph asked him weakly.
"Vomit bag." Teo said, "I need one too. Makes you feel better."
Toph managed to make a smile. "Th-thanks."
"Welcome."
"Well, I just came up with the idea," Sokka boasted loudly. "Buy you did all the work."
"Oh, don't sell yourself short, my boy." The mechanist said, "It was your idea to use water bending to make the subs sink and float. Unfortunately, there is one problem I cannot fix." The mechanist said.
"What's that?" Artymis asked.
"The subs have a limited air supply," He explained. "Before we land on the beaches, we'll need to resurface."
"That's alright," Hakoda said. "I'm sure we all need air and our waterbenders will need a break."
The waterbenders bended the submarine to the surface about thirty minutes later. The invasion force stepped out to take in some fresh air and exercise. Artymis stood at the head of the submarine, staring at the horizon.
"So," She said quietly to the others. "This is it, huh?"
"Are you ready for the Fire Nation to know that the Avatar is alive?" Sokka asked her.
"Yeah," Artymis breathed. "I'm ready to announce my presence and kick some royal butt."
They all gather for a tight group hug.
"I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, twinkle toes." Toph punched her arm lightly.
Good luck and take care, Anduril told his sister. Appa and I wish you all the luck.
Thanks, Artymis smiled.
"Everyone, listen up!" Hakoda came out. "The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert and fight smart. Now break time's over, back in the subs."
Everyone went under again except for Artymis and Katara. "Are you ready?" Katara asked her.
"Sure I am." Artymis said, cracking her stiff bones. "I had enough training and sleep, I got your guys' support -"
"I don't mean about the Fire Lord. I mean Zuko."
Artymis stopped moving. "What about him?"
"You know what I mean," Katara said. "Are you ready to face him? I know you're still hurting and I know you still love him."
"I'm not going to lie, I still do." Artymis said calmly, "But, the world comes first before my silly romances."
Katara looked at her, "Art, we've been through so many things together and I've seen you grow up so much. You're not the Art I found in the iceberg anymore." She paused, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm really proud of you."
Artymis faced her, "Thanks." She took a short pause, "Everything is going to be different today, isn't it?
"Yes, it will."
The next thing Artymis said was spoke fast with panic, "What if I don't come back?!"
"Don't say that," Katara walked in front of her. "Of course you'll get back."
Artymis breathed. "Ok."
Katara embraced her, "Good luck."
"You too." The airbender returned the hug. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She opened the wings on her glider and waved goodbye before taking off into the air.
"Katara!" Sokka sang, "Its time to submerge!"
Katara turned around and dashed to the entrance. "I'm on it!"
Zuko walked into Mai's house. It was empty. He went up to her room and placed a scroll on her pillows.
"I'm sorry, Mai." He whispered. "But I need to do this."
He turned away and fasten the tie of his cloak. Now, it was time to face one last person before going his own way.
Ming entered Iroh's cell with a meal tray that day. "Lunchtime, General Iroh." She said cheerfully. She set it down in front of his cells. "And this time, I brought you an extra bowl of rice." Ming whispered.
Iroh smiled at her. "Thank you, Ming. Your little gestures of kindness has made my days in prison bearable."
Ming smiled back, glad to have been much more than the meal waitress.
Iroh's expression of gratitude turned into one of concern, "I think you should take the rest of the day off."
Ming blinked in confusion. "What? Why?"
"You don't look so well," He felt her forehead. "Maybe you should go home and rest."
Ming shook it off and laughed a little, "No, I'm fine, really."
"Trust me." The old general looked rather serious. "It is better that you are not here this afternoon."
Although it puzzled her why, Ming nodded and made for the door. She turned back to Iroh though before leaving. "I'll see you tomorrow, General Iroh." She said, "And, please, take care." She reluctantly left the room.
Iroh stared after her. Thank you so much for your kindness, Ming. I will remember you well.
Hakoda peered through the periscope. "I see the gates of the Fire Nation Capital." He announced. He turned around and shouted orders, "Earthbenders, into your tanks. This is going to be a tough ride."
Toph and the other earthbenders, most of them Earth Kingdom soldiers, descended down ladders into their positions. Lets go kick some firebender tush! She thought.
Don't get too excited, Anduril said amusingly.
Toph laughed.
The submarines approached the Capital gates and an alarm was immediately sounded. The harpoons shot into the water, and the waterbenders had a bit difficulty having the submarines dodge the attacks. One of the submarines started to fill up with water, Katara aided the bender from her position on Anduril and Appa in the water (both with air bubbles) and had the submarine immediately surface.
"Ready the torpedo…" Hakoda said, peering into the periscope again. "And… launch!"
Hue performed a waterbending move since the torpedo was encased in ice. He shot it out from the submarine canon. The torpedoes shot from all the submarines and destroying the gratings on the walls for access. Above, three columns of water spayed high upwards on impact.
The Fire Nation Capital knew this was a definite breach. They sounded the alarms on the island again. The submarines entered the newly created holes in the wall. When they arrived on the shore, the bases retracted and five caterpillar tanks rolled out along with four groups of warriors in-between and numerous trucks at the lead and rear of the caterpillar tanks. The invasion ran full speed towards the Capital as projectiles were being thrown at them.
Toph and two other earthbenders bended three large rocks from the rock-loaded trucks towards a tower that was launching projectiles. The tower was instantly destroyed.
"Whoo-hoo!" Toph cheered.
Appa landed on the battlefield and Katara dismounted. She looked up to the sky where Anduril was destroying towers. Will you be alright? She asked.
Yes, go help the others.
Katara nodded and joined in the fight with determination.
A group of Fire Nation tanks made their way to the invasion force, firebending at them. Teo directed his caterpillar tank to crawl on of the battlement and curl around it, crushing it in the process. The caterpillar tank next to his was crushing over the enemy tank and moving on. As enemy tanks surrounded the invasion force, the swampbenders bended water from barrels on a truck to shield their companions from the fire. They proceeded to waterbend the Fire Nation tanks, which nearly all of them spun uncontrollably and crashed into one another.
"We're a man down!" Tho cried out as he bended water in a circular motion. "Where in tarnation is Hue?!" He and Due unleashed their attack and a tank hurled into the water.
A swamp monster grabbed the tank and started attacking others.
"Hey, Hue!" Due waved. "Where you been?"
Hue peeked out from a hold in the swamp monster's body. "Oh, Communing with nature. Takes a while to collect this much seaweed." He covered his face up when he saw an incoming attack.
Fire Nation foot soldiers rose on komodo-rhinos towards them. They began to catapult small fire balls towards Sokka and the Water Tribe warriors. Even though the group was not harmed by the projectile, the komodo-rhinos charged towards them. Sokka ran ahead to a komodo-rhino, jumped on its horn, and sliced the soldier's spear into twin halves. Sokka smirked and kicked the soldier off and gained control of the komodo-rhino.
He looked up to see how his companions were doing. His eyes widened. "Dad - look out!"
Hakoda blocked the attack of a soldier with his shield but was soon relieved of it by force. He maneuvered his spear to rid the soldier of his weapon. Hakoda, with the two spears, blocked attacks and firebending. He knocked down three soldiers before jumping on Sokka's newly acquired komodo-rhino.
"We have to take out those battlements!" Hakoda told his son, "Its out only chance - they're killing us!"
Sokka glanced up at the battlement and narrowed his eyes. "I've got an idea." Anduril! Wanna help?
Iroh listened to the attacks on his beloved home. He knew that the invaders were the Avatar and her friends. It had to be. No one would have the courage enough to barge in without holding a secret weapon. Yes, Iroh believed Artymis was alive. He knew she was.
"I beg of you," He whispered as if he was talking to her. "Spare my loved ones and the innocent. They have done nothing wrong."
He opened his eyes and looked serious. It was time.
"You take out that battlement!" Hakoda shouted to his children and the two large creatures when he dismounted. "I've got this one. Watch each other's backs!" He ran towards his chosen battlement while the siblings and their friends headed to the other battlement.
When they infiltrated and threw the bombs in, they all ducked for cover; Anduril's tail curled around them and Appa sheltered them from above. Sokka instantly heard the clashing of swords and looked up. Katara gasped when she saw their father open the door of the battlement, holding his side and groaning from pain. He staggered a few steps before collapsing.
"DAD!" They both cried out and ran towards him.
Sokka laid their father down comforting, wincing when the man grunted and groaned. Katara started healing his wound. "How does that feel, Dad?" She asked quietly and softly.
"A… a littler better, honey." Hakoda started to sit up. "I need to... get back… to the troops." He moaned in agony.
"Don't." Katara ordered, gently pushing him down. "You're hurt badly. You can't fight anymore."
"Everyone's counting on me to lead this mission, Katara. I won't let them down." Hakoda winced at the pain and tried to get up but fell back down again.
"Can't you heal him faster?" Sokka asked his sister.
"I'm doing everything I can!" Katara whispered, concentrating hard.
Sokka closed his eyes. He knew he was no leader like his father or even a great speech person. But he had to do this for his father. "I'll do it."
Katara took a different meaning to his words. "No offense, Sokka, but you're not exactly Mr. Healing Hands."
"No," Sokka stood up. "I'll lead the invasion force."
Katara stared up at him. "Don't be crazy, Sokka!"
Sokka, Bato can lead -
"No, I'll do it." Sokka said. "Maybe I am a little crazy but the eclipse is about to started and we need to by up at that volcano by the time it does."
Hakoda smiled weakly at his son. "You can do this. I know you can."
"I still think you're crazy," Katara said. But she gave him an encouraging smile. "I believe in you too."
Sokka smiled. He turned and mounted Appa. "You and Anduril watch Dad and everything, I'll lead. Appa, yip yip!" Appa grunted and soared in the sky.
Anduril protected Katara and Hakoda from oncoming attacks. At this point, it seemed like the invasion force was winning.
"Listen up, everyone!" Sokka shouted as Appa landed. ": Listen up everyone, I want the tanks in wedge formation! Warriors and benders in the middle. We're taking that tower and headed for the royal palace!" He led Appa to the said formation and pointed his sword towards the oncoming rank of the enemy. "CHARGE!"
Zuko knelt in front of the small portrait of Lady Ursa, his beloved mother.
"I know I made some bad choices, Mom." He whispered. "Choices you hate and choices that probably make you wish I was never your son. But today, I'm going to set things right."
He got up and grabbed his broadswords and his pack. He stood at the doorway with his cloak on. He stopped and turned to look at his mother's portrait one last time. He knew it was probably the last time he would see that picture. He walked back into his room and placed the portrait in his pack, next to Iroh's portrait.
Zuko turned his back to his room and walked away. He exited the palace from the rear and looked up when he heard the wind. He stepped back into the shadows when he saw Artymis on her glider. He wanted to show himself and call her out, but he had to do a few things first before going to her. When the coast was clear, he took a discreet route to the volcano, where his father sat in waiting for the eclipse to come and end.
Artymis landed softly on the roof and closed the wings on her glider. She peered down at the Capital streets to find it shockingly empty. She blinked a few times to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her.
That's strange. She leapt off the roof and started running down the streets towards the palace doors. She busted through the unguarded palace doors. "The Avatar is back!" She announced. She stopped when there was no one to receive her with attacks or anything. "Well, I always wanted to do that." She muttered. She started walking around the palace. "Hello? Anyone home?"
As she wandered around, she found a few familiar places from her tragic dream with Zuko back before Ba Sing Se. She remembered how dark the hallways were and how endless they seem. Artymis shook the thoughts from her mind. Concentrate. You're here to take out the Fire Lord, focus!
She walked around and when she came across two large and ornate doors, she had a feeling she found the throne room. She took a deep breath before blasting the doors open with airbending. She ran in the room and stood in a defensive stance. She stared around her in disbelief.
The dark throne room was empty.
Artymis shook her head and dropped her glider. "No, no, no, NO!" She threw a blast of wind in one direction. "FIRE LORD OZAI, WHERE ARE YOU!!!" She bellowed.
Author's Note: Here is the first part of the invasion. I was going to go further in this chapter, you know, put a little of the next part in here. But I decided against it and decided to leave you all with this nice "cliffhanger" if it may be called that since we all know what happens next. Honest feedback, suggestions, recommendations are always welcome!
Author's Second Note: There are news and a poll concerning this story that are a bit important. Please check it out.
ani-sand: Thanks.
MR11: Thank you.
jc: I've been getting a lot of Zuko-Artymis shippers. Its nice to see those. *Lol*
xcrescentxmoonx: Thanks for your support.
Baby-emo: Aw, Artymis is feeling really loved. J
Kikan-Moon-Fox-Girl: Thanks ^_~
Madeline: Thank you very much.
Jade: Thank you.
Princesa de la Luna: ^_~ Thanks.
TxiaChucky: That is a good suggestion. Thanks.
Alia: It does sound pretty cool, huh?
Alia, Madelina, Jade: I just noticed something. You guys review in the same order and its kinda weird and cool at the same time. *lol* Just thought I point that out.
-THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT, SUGGESTIONS, FEEDBACK, AND REVIEWS~!-