The room was full of people Zuko didn't know talking about things he didn't know anything about. He did know the city of Theramore, and about the Horde, though. He also knew this new attack was ultimately caused by his and Katara's appearance.

Jaina had asked them not to talk about their capture by the Horde to anyone else. Apparently King Varian would've used it as an opportunity to attack first. Zuko frankly didn't know if that was so bad, but he understood the value of peacetime, however brief or tenuous, and that secrecy, even from your own side, was sometimes necessary to forestall conflict.

Unfortunately in this case it only let everyone else get caught unawares.

"What are their numbers like? Where are they coming from?" Jaina asked the people from Theramore.

"From the sea, with ships and airships. We're not sure on their numbers. As soon as we saw them on the horizon, we evacuated like you said."

Varian glared. "How did you know this attack was coming, Jaina?"

"Because the two off-worlders appeared in Horde territory," the sorceress said curtly. "I thought an attack in retaliation was possible."

"Retaliation for what?! They're two children, not an army!"

"Excuse me," Katara said. "But we happen to be benders, and pretty good ones too."

"And we sort of... flooded a village or two when escaping," Zuko said.

Varian's already impressive chin became even more sharp and protruding. "Why wasn't I told?! Of course the Horde would attack after that! You can't expect those tusked savages to act any better, not when they think they've been provoked!"

"Because you still think of them as 'tusked savages', that's why," Jaina said. "And it was Theramore's business. I took measures to ensure my people would be safe if something happened, because I am Theramore's ruler."

Varian glowered, nostrils flaring. When he finally spoke, his tone was terse. "Would you accept my aide, or am I no longer allowed in Theramore's business at all?"

She sighed. "I would."

He immediately turned to the nearby guards and began shouting commands for gathering troops. Jaina rubbed her head and continued to question the portal newcomers. Chromie quietly nodded to herself as if this all made sense somehow.

"Do you get any of this?" Toph asked no one in particular.

"Yeah," Zuko said. "Looks like we sort of tipped off a war."

"Oh, no," Chromie said. "The war has been going on a long time, taking a break now and then."

"But we got Theramore attacked."

"Actually..." Chromie looked up at him. "If it's any consolation, this was going to happen anyway. Just a bit later on, under different circumstances."

Zuko gawked down at her. "What?"

"She's a time traveler, just roll with it," Toph said. "So, are we gonna go knock some heads?" She pounded one fist into the other with a grin.

"Somehow I doubt they'd let us go," he said. "They actually have something against teenagers getting involved in battles here."

Anduin had moved over to them by now. "Jaina may be persuaded to take you, knowing your abilities. But don't feel pressured to go." His voice had the slightly stilted, well-enunciated quality of royalty, without all the harsh bite of the royalty Zuko was used to.

"Thanks for your concern, but we've sort of been fighting a war in our own world for a while now," Katara said. "Besides, I did cause a tsunami and Zuko, well, he shot a bunch of fire."

"Hey!" Zuko said.

"I'd really like to do some good here, not just because we caused a lot of trouble," she went on, "but because I know we're good assets."

"Katara, no way!" Sokka said. "Do we have to get involved in everyone's problems? Can't we just let them fight their own battles for once?"

"It's a double full moon tonight!" she said. "I'm even stronger than I was on the full moon back home. I know I can help them!"

"Just because you can doesn't mean you have to!"

Anduin looked like he felt out-of-place standing there with them, but didn't have a way to politely retreat now. Katara addressed him. "You're a prince, right? You must have some influence."

Anduin smiled self-deprecatingly. "My father barely lets me participate..."

"Doesn't want to let you go to war, huh?" Sokka said.

"He doesn't believe I'm fit for combat, although I'm good with a bow. My main calling, however, is with the Holy Light. Of course, I'm sure even if I could wield a sword as good as he can, he'd still say I should stay home. But that's just him being overprotective."

Sokka nodded. "Dads can be like that. But don't worry, someday they come around and really see you as a man."

Zuko felt a sharp jab of jealousy.

"I don't know about that," Toph said. "Even when I totally kicked all the bad guys' butts with my Earthbending, my parents still wouldn't let me leave!"

"I thought you said they let you go..." Sokka said.

"Uhhh... That's not important! What's important is letting the grownups let us go fight! I'm getting bored sitting around listening to everyone talk!"

"Apparently so is Garrosh," Anduin sighed. "Jaina and I spoke to Baine - Chief of the tauren - to see if he could get through to Garrosh, but it obviously didn't work."

"What does Garrosh hope to gain?" Zuko asked.

"What do you mean?"

"What are his goals? Why is he at war?"

"To take more land, primarily. He makes any grab for land he can, and constantly pushes into Alliance territory. But he also dislikes our races on principle. He believes we're weak and not fit to rule." Anduin said this all matter-of-factly, as if merely repeating what he'd been told.

"Where I'm from, my father is the one doing that."

"Oh, um," Anduin said. He didn't seem to know what to say. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Oh no, Zuko," Katara said, suddenly fearful. "The Comet!"

They all gasped collectively with the exception of Anduin.

Helpless dread washed over Zuko as he realized all the implications of their absence, as he remembered the Fire Lord's plans for their home planet, and that no one was around to stop them from happening.

The day of Sozin's Comet had come and gone. And with it, all their hopes of saving their own world.