Hey guys, been a while I know. I won't bother with all the details, just that I had a lot of loose ends to tie up, both in and out of story. With that said, let's just jump straight into the chapter. Will try to get the remaining ones out when I am able. In the meantime, enjoy!

Chapter 25: Traitor

Everyone in the courtyard let out a collective gasp as they all laid eyes on the stranger who claimed to be the long dead prince. Ursa looked up the hooded figure in shock, not wanting to believe him at first. And yet, the more she looked at his face, the more she could see her lost son staring back at her, even from underneath his large hideous scar.

"Z-Zuko?" Ursa stuttered, her eyes misting up as she sat up to look at her son. "You're- You're alive? But how can that be?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm home now." Zuko said as he helped Ursa to her feet. Seeing that she barely aged a day since he last saw her, Zuko couldn't help but smile fondly. "I missed you mom."

Tears ran down Ursa's cheeks as she recognized her son's smile and tone of voice and hugged him tightly. "I missed you even more. My dear boy…"

As mother and son were reunited, Ozai slowly got back to his feet looking as if he'd seen a ghost. Zuko was…alive? But how? His minions had…no… no it was obvious they had lied about killing him. And now because of their ineptitude, the prince was back, ready to take Ozai's crown for himself. Well not if he had anything to say about it.

"Zuko? My dear nephew, you're alive!?" Ozai said, pretending to be in shock. "What a pleasant surprise! Oh you have no idea how happy that makes me-"

Zuko immediately cut Ozai off before he could get close to them, shooting a wave of fire right at his feet. The prince glared daggers at Ozai, who suddenly looked nervous as Zuko approached him.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't burn you to a crisp." Zuko said, forming flames in his fists.

"Now Zuko, calm down." Ozai said, holding up his hands and backing away slowly. "What you saw before, that was just...royal protocol. I was only doing my duty as this nation's leader. Sure I might have lost my temper a bit but you must understand, the pressures of being Fire Lord-"

"Are no longer yours." Zuko said standing defiantly. "Step down Ozai."

"Step down?" Ozai then noticed a group of his personal pirate guards making their way up the stairs and grinned. "Yes well about that. You see I would, except for one small thing…THEY think I'm the Fire Lord."

Seeing the pirates approach, Zuko had barely time to push his mother out of the way before the pirates tackled him into the ground. He tried fighting back but there were too many and they soon had him pinned up against the balcony railing.

"You will not usurp our Fire Lord imposter!" One of them declared as he raised his cutlass.

Before he could attack, a water whip grabbed his wrist, causing the pirate to drop his sword and be flung up into the air.

"The only imposter here is the one currently sitting on the throne!"

Katara then appeared at the top of the stairs followed by the Kyoshi warriors, who ambushed the pirates pinning down Zuko, freeing him from their clutches.

"Hpw dare you!" Ozai shouted. "Guards! Where are the rest of my guards? Where is Azula?"

As he asked that last question, two of the warriors walked forward dragging Azula, who was gagged and tied up with metal chains. They threw her beside Ozai, who glared down at her in disgust and disappointment.

"It's over Ozai!" Katara declared as the warriors tied up the pirates. "Time to step down!"

"Well, well, look what the CatPossum dragged in." Ozai said in amusement. "I assume this is all you're doing then?"

"It's all of us." Suki declared as she and her warriors took a fighting stance. "We're here to put an end to your tyranny."

"The choice is yours Ozai. You're outnumbered." Zuko said stepping forward. "So either step down now or fight."

Although Ozai looked worried at first, his cool demeanor quickly resumed along with his typical slimy smile.

"Oh my, must this all end in violence?" Ozai asked, faking distress as he stood up. "I really would hate to be responsible for the death of a family member…wouldn't you agree Zuko?"

Zuko paused but stood tall. "That's not going to work on me Ozai. I've put it behind me."

"I see. How wonderful for you then. But what about your faithful subjects?" Ozai said glancing at all his comrades. "Have they put it behind them too?"

Everyone looked confused as Katara addressed the prince. "Zuko what is he talking about?"

"You mean you haven't told any of them about your dark little secret?" Ozai asked. "Now what kind of a ruler doesn't confide in his subjects? Well then, here's your chance Zuko. Go on. Tell them who's truly responsible for Iroh's death."

They all turned their heads toward Zuko who stood frozen to the spot as their eyes looked at him with confusion and fear. Finally, he could no longer take it and let out a deep sigh before responding. "I am."

Everyone gasped in shock. Ursa stepped forward, a horrified look on her face. "It…it's not true. Please tell me it's not true!"

Zuko looked down sadly. "It's true…that's why I left all those years ago." He glanced up at Katara who looked utterly mortified.

"You see everyone? He finally admits it! Your so-called 'true Fire Lord' is a murderer!" Ozai declared to the crowd below who all reacted with different levels of shock and outrage.

"No! It was an accident!" Zuko protested. "I didn't mean-"

"If it weren't for you, then Iroh would still be alive! It's was your recklessness that lead to his death! Do you deny it?"

"No but-"

"Then your guilty!" Ozai proclaimed. "Guards! Seize the disgraced prince and his entourage."

Everyone had been so distracted by the reveal, they hadn't noticed an army of guards suddenly appear and seize everyone from behind. Katara, the Kyoshi Warriors and Ursa were quickly captured while Zuko was grabbed and pinned down by several guards, who seized him by the arms, binding them and forcing him onto his knees before Ozai.

Ozai then walked over to Azula, who had just been freed from her chains by the guards, and offered her his hand.

"You wanted to be my executioner? Well here's your chance. Redeem yourself for your past failures and eliminate the disgraced prince."

Azula's eyes widened in excitement as she grabbed her father's hand and kissed it gratefully. Standing up, she grinned maniacally at Zuko and lit up her palms with blue flames.

"No!" Katara shouted as she lurched toward Zuko, only to be held back by guards who pulled on her chains. "Murderer or not, he doesn't deserve to be executed! Especially by her!"

Ozai stood over Zuko, looking down at him with contempt. Holding his hand out to the side, a guard placed an execution bag in his palm.

"You stand guilty of treason, regicide and attempted regicide. The sentence for such crimes is death, to be carried out by the Fire Lord's executioner."

Azula grinned maniacally as her flames grew brighter. "Oh I'm going to enjoy this."

Ozai then knelt down so he and Zuko were eye level, his face now in mock pity. "My dear, dear nephew, always getting himself into trouble. Only this time, he doesn't have daddy here to save him. And now at last, everyone knows why. I did try to spare you such a fate my boy…such a pity you couldn't stay away…"

Zuko stared back with pleading in his eyes. "Uncle Ozai, please…"

Ozai stared at him and chuckled in amusement. "Oh how familiar this is. Why it's almost uncanny. You have the same frightened look your father did before he died."

"How…how do you know that?" Zuko asked.

"Hmm…well…I suppose since you shared your secret and are about to die for it, it wouldn't hurt to share mine as well."

He then leaned in closely so only Zuko could hear. "You see dear boy...I'm the one…who killed Iroh."

Zuko's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. "WHAT!?"

"Ta-ta nephew." Ozai said as he quick put the bag over his head. Zuko yelled and screamed at Ozai but his words were muffled by the bag, even more so as the guards grabbed his shoulders and forced his head downward, exposing his neck.

"Executioner, as you will." Ozai said to Azula who stepped forward, a crazed look in her eyes. She whipped out her hand, causing blue flames to burst out and form a torch like sword. She then raised her hand high, all while Katara, Ursa and the rest of Zuko's loyal followers watched on in horror, as she brought her flame sword down on Zuko's neck.

*CLANG*

Everyone let out a collective gasp. Even Azula looked up in surprise as one of Ozai's guards held out a sword, stopping her hand which was an inch above Zuko's neck.

"What treachery is this!?" Ozai exclaimed.

The guard used his sword to parry her away and then started swinging at the other guards holding Zuko, kicking them in the guts and ramming against them with the hilt of his sword, causing them all to back away in surprise. Just then another guard launched a surprise attack from behind and began jabbing at the limbs of all the guards, causing them to fall limply to the ground. Azula tried attacking but got struck by the jabbing guard and dropped limply as well. The guard with the sword pointed it around at everyone in warning as the acrobatic guard stood poised at his side.

"No! Guards! Pirates! Someone! Seize the traitors!" Ozai commanded.

"The only traitor here…is you!" The sword-wielding guard ripped off his helmet, revealing himself to be Sokka.

Everyone gasped even louder in surprise. Katara smiled happily upon seeing her brother.

Sokka turned to Zuko and pulled the bag off his head. The prince blinked a couple times before looking up in surprise at the Water Tribe prince. "Sokka? You're alive?"

"Hey I could say the same about you." He said cutting through the binds on his wrists and helping the Fire Prince up. Both men smiled at each other before staring down Ozai who was looking more and more frightened by the minute.

"Now boys…no need to do anything rash-"

Zuko rushed forward and grabbed Ozai by the cloak. "Murderer! Admit it! Admit what you did!"

"I admit to nothing!" Ozai Fire Bended upward, causing Zuko to back away. Before he could attack again, the other guard raced forward and jabbed at his elbows, causing his arms to go limp. Ozai gritted his teeth as he feel roughly onto his knees and stared angrily up at the guard, who removed her helmet revealing herself to be Ty Lee.

"You..." Ozai growled. "Traitorous circus freak."

"The jig is up Ozai." Ty lee said as she stood over him. "You and I both know what really happened that day in the gorge. So tell them the truth!"

"Truth? Truth is only in the eye of the behold-"

Zuko grabbed Ozai's beard and pulled him upwards, igniting his other hand which he held uncomfortably close to the man's face. "Tell them right now OR ELSE!"

"Alright, alright fine! I admit it!...I did it..."

"Louder!" Zuko shouted, the flames in his hand growing more intense.

Ozai clenched his jaw before shouting out. "I KILLED IROH!"

Everyone let out a collective horrified gasp. Even the Fire Nation guards looked taken aback.

"YOU MONSTER!"

Suddenly Ursa ran forward past Zuko and punched Ozai square in the face, causing blood to spurt from his nose.

Azula then let out a battle cry and spun her legs around, causing a wave of fire and smoke to engulf the crowd. The pirates, having regained feeling in their limbs, used the smoke to break free and attack the Kyoshi Warriors. Soon more pirates from below joined in the fray and it became an all-out brawl.

Katara used her Water Bending to fight against the attackers but they were quickly starting to overwhelm her. "We need help!"

"On it!" Suki yelled out as she parried a pirate away.

Jumping onto the edge, Suki slide down the railing and past the mob going up the stairs. She then fought her way past all the pirates on the ground until she reached the front gate.

"Citizens of the Fire Nation!" She shouted grabbing the lever. "Take back your city! Drive these criminals and intruders away once and for all!"

Pulling it down, the gate opened up and all the Fire Nation citizens stormed forth with all the weapons they had at their disposal, taking on the pirate mob and attacking them from behind.

As the pirates prepared to counter strike, a loud shout pierced through the crowd.

"GANG WAAAAAAYY!"

Aang suddenly came zooming out of nowhere on his air scooter, knocked over every pirate he came in contact with. "Excuse me, pardon me, coming through!"

He made enough of a path that more citizens were able to flood in through the gate, allowing the huge crowd to attack the pirates before they could fight back.

Up on the balcony, Zuko was surrounded by pirates who all wanted a piece of him. As he struggled to ward them off, Azula raced forward and tackled him head first against a wall, causing him to stumble back. She then held up her fingers to ready her lightning, pointing it at his head.

"At last, I'll finish what I started all those years ago-"

*BAM*

Azula was struck from the side by a rock pillar and slammed up against the wall, collapsing unconsciously to the ground.

Zuko look confused until a familiar old man jumped down letting out a victory screech.

"Yeeeehoooo! Direct hit!" Bumi shouted pumping his fist hard. He then turned to a surprised Zuko and offered his hand. "Need a lift your highness?"

Zuko smiled and grabbed Bumis stand as he got to his feet. "Boy am I glad to see you."

The reunion was short lived as more pirates showed up to attack them.

"I'll take care of these guys. You go find Ozai and take him down once and for all." Bumi ordered. Zuko nodded and took off into the palace in search of the Fire Lord, who had fled during the battle.

The pirates approached Bumi baring their weapons and grinning. "Whatcha gonna do now grandpa?"

Bumi merely smiled back in determination. "Help my friend take back his city."

With one swift motion, Bumi Earth Bended all the pirates up into the air and sent them flying off the balcony. He let out a maniacal laugh and jumped down into the crowd ready to fight some more.

Meanwhile, Azula slowly got back to her feet, breathing heavily as she glared angrily in Zuko's direction, watching as he took off in search of her father. Growling, she placed an burning hand against the wall and pulled herself up. Slamming her fist downward, flames shot out propelling her across the palace courtyard, ready to chase down and put an end to the prince. What she didn't notice was that embers from her fire landed on parts of the dried, crumbling palace, causing it to catch fire and the flames to quickly spread.

On the stairs, Sokka and Ty lee were making their way down when a big group of pirates stood in their way at the bottom.

"Surrender traitors!" Yelled one of them holding up his sword.

Sokka and Ty Lee looked at the pirates and glanced at each other briefly. Sokka smirked and bowed to Ty Lee, extending his hand. "May I have this dance my lady?"

Ty Lee smiled widely and took his hand. "Why I'd be delighted to good sir."

Grasping her hand, Sokka swung Ty lee around who whipped out her leg, kicking the nearest pirate hard in the head and knocking him to the ground.

The others looked in surprise and barely had time to respond when Ty Lee swung Sokka back around and he swung out his sword, slicing through three of the pirates belts, causing their pants to fall down. The pirates scattered as Sokka and Ty Lee danced around them, fighting back to back with Sokka parrying his sword while Ty lee paralyzed everyone who approached her.

"I say Ty Lee, you are indeed a wonderful dancer." Sokka said as he dipped her, cause her to kick a guy running towards them in the head.

"Why Sokka you charmer, you're making me blush." Ty Lee said as she spinning around his body, allowing him to use his sword and slice off the top half of a pirate's hat.

"We should do this more often darling." Sokka said, bowing low as Ty Lee punched a guy that was running up from behind. "All this dancing about is simply divine-"

"Sokka watch out!" Ty lee then quickly pushed Sokka aside. All of a sudden two arrows flew out of nowhere, one of which struck Ty lee in her leg causing her to fall over. "AHH!"

"TY LEE!" Sokka exclaimed as he rushed to catch the brown haired girl as she rolled down the stairs. She landed at the bottom, writhing in pain as the arrows had dug in deep. Sokka reached out to grab her when he too felt something sharp strike his arm and yelled out in pain. "GAHH!"

Looking to the side, Sokka spotted the archer in the crowd who was now reloading his bow and letting off another wave of arrows. Sokka went to shield Ty Lee from the attack and was surprised as a bald head guy in a monk outfit jumped in front of him, using a giant gust of wind to stop the arrows in midair.

Aang, who had been fleeing like crazy from a huge hoard of pirates that were chasing him, sent the arrows flying in their direction. The pirates ran screaming in the other direction while the archer quickly ducked out of the way, dropping his bow in the process.

"Quick! Hide under the stairs!" Aang said, turning to them as kept his air shield up. Sokka nodded and carefully hoisted Ty Lee up with his good arm, the two making their way to the cove under the stairs while Aang deflected all attackers attempting to get at them.

Once they were out of sight, Aang rushed to the couple. Ty Lee squirmed and moaned painfully as Sokka attempted to sit her in a comfortable position with the arrow still sticking out of her leg, all while he himself flinched from the arrow in his arm.

"It's okay Ty Lee breath. We'll get that out for you." Sokka said trying to comfort her.

"But Sokka, your arm…" Ty Lee said, her eyes watering in pain as she glanced at the arrow still lodged in Sokka's arm.

"Hang on, I'll help with that. Hold her still while I remove this arrow." Aang ordered as Sokka held Ty Lee's hand, gripping her tight.

"Real sorry." Quick as he could, Aang ripped out the arrow, causing Ty Lee to scream out in pain. He then ripped off cloth from his shirt to wrap the wounds and helped Sokka prop her up.

"Okay your turn." Aang said turning to them. This time Sokka gripped onto Ty Lee and out a high pitched girly scream as Aang yanked the arrow out of his arm, to which he used more cloth from his shirt to wrap the wound.

"Don't worry. As soon we find Katara, she'll fix you both right up." Aang said trying to be optimistic.

"Hang on, you know my sister?" Sokka asked.

"Oh yeah. She and Zuko are both friends of mine. You're Sokka right? Nice to meet ya!" Aang said holding out a hand to shake.

Ty lee let out a gasp of pain as blood started leaking through her bandages. Sokka's face paled in panic. "Nice to meet you too but please, let's save the pleasantries for later."

"Right. We need to get you guys away from here until you can be healed." Aang said looking around till he spotted a nearby door. "In there!"

Using his staffed, Aang forced down the door into what appeared to be an armory. Carefully he helped the two into the room and was about to close the door when he heard banging followed by the appearance of pirates attempting to break in while waving their weapons around.

"Stay behind me!" Aang said taking a fighting stance. As the pirates busted down the door, Aang reared back and shot a huge blast of air at them, blowing them back through the doorway.

"Ha! Piece of cake. I can hold these guys off all-"

Just then a blast of fire erupted through the door, which Aang was only able to disperse last minute. A few of the pirates walked through with evil grins on their faces, taking fighting stances.

"You didn't think all us pirates were non-benders now did ya?" Said a female pirate with a red bandana on her head. She then shot a fire ball straight at Aang which he was able to deflect. The other two also began launching fire attacks, forcing Aang to dodge and maneuver around the room, leaving Sokka and Ty Lee vulnerable.

"Oh I'm gonna have fun taking down you Water Tribe scum!" Said a pirate with missing teeth.

As he went to attack, Sokka grabbed a helmet from behind him and threw it right at the pirates head, stunning him. Sokka drew his sword and swiped at the man's chest and legs, leaving bleeding gashes which caused him to collapse over in pain. The pirate angrily grimaced in pain before launching a blast back at Sokka, which ended up grazing his leg, burning him slightly. Sokka stumbled as the pirate attacked again and again, just barely able to get out of the way before collapsing against a barrel. As the pirate lurched forward to deliver the final blow, Ty Lee intercepted by jabbing the pirate's arm and leg, causing him to collapse to the ground.

Ty Lee flinched painfully as Sokka rushed to her side, propping her up as they moved to the corner of the room while Aang was being driven back by the remaining pirates, who were now being joined by their non-bending comrades.

"Oh boy…this is not looking good." Aang said nervously as he stayed positioned in front of the others. Sokka kept his sword drawn with one arm while holding up Ty Lee, who tried maintaining her stance despite her injury. Slowly the pirates closed in on the three when a voice interrupted them.

"Hey! Barnacle brains!"

The pirates stopped and turned toward the doorway where a certain dark haired Earth Bender came hobbling toward them with her crutch.

Aang broke into a huge smile. "Toph!"

"Leave them alone or you'll have me to deal with!" She said pointing a finger at the pirates.

All of them burst out laughing at her threat.

"And just who are you to threaten us little girl?" Asked the toothless pirate.

"Yeah what are you gonna do? Wobble at us? Beat it crutchy!" Said the bandanna wearing pirate causing them to all laughed again.

Toph glared at them. "What did you call me?"

"Oh boy…" Aang then grabbed Sokka began moving him and Ty Lee away from the corner.

"Little girl? Crutchy!?" Toph threw down her crutch and clenched her fist.

"You guys really shouldn't have said that…"Aang muttered under his breath as he held his arms at the ready.

"I can take down you bozos without moving from this spot!" Toph declared.

"Oh yeah shorty?" Said one of the pirates. "Prove it!"

Outside in the courtyard, Katara was using her water bending to go up against a spear wielding pirate. Using a water whip, she managed to fling away his weapon and slammed him onto the ground, where she froze his arms and legs down for good measure. Once he was immobilized, she was about to go help others when the door under the staircase burst open with a bang. Suddenly a body went flying across the courtyard, slamming hard into the palace wall on the opposite side. Looking over, Katara was surprised to see a dazed pirate with missing teeth groaning painfully. Before she could react, three more bodies went flying out of the same door, slamming into the wall next to the first pirate, all equally frazzled and disoriented.

Just then Toph came hobbling out of through the broken door frame, hopping on one foot and shaking her fist. "That's for calling me short, you rotten, lily livered-whoa!" She nearly fell over but was caught by Aang who rushed to her side.

"Easy there Toph, I think you proved your point." Aang said setting her on the ground. "I can't believe you're here. I had hoped you'd change your mind."

"Well what was I supposed to do? Let you guys have all the fun?" Toph smirked. "Besides we both know Prince Hotman can't survive without both of us around to save him."

Aang smiled gratefully. "Thanks for coming to our rescue. I don't know what we would've done-"

"Look out!" Katara yelled.

A pirate that had jumped off the stairs was now falling toward Aang and Toph with his sword drawn. Toph tried to earth bend at him, but missed as he was falling through the air and accidentally hit Aang with the debris instead, causing him to stumble backwards. The pirate landed on top of Aang, pinning him to the ground before raising his blade against the Air bender's throat, ready to slice through. Before he could, the pirate was seized by Katara's water whip at the last second, causing him to drop his sword. She then threw him as hard as she could against the wall with the other pirates, knocking him out and immobilizing him.

"Are you guys okay?" Katara asked rushing to their side.

"Yeah…" Aang coughed as he rubbed his throat which was scratched from the swords. "Thanks to you."

"Yeah, that was pretty cool." Toph admitted crawling over to them. "Sorry I couldn't act fast enough. If only this stupid ankle wasn't busted."

"I can help with that." Katara said as she poured some water from her pouch onto her hand and placed it on Toph's ankle.

Toph looked surprised. "You're healing me? Even after the way I acted towards you?"

"Hey, you still came to help us didn't you? Besides you did look after Zuko all these years so I guess you can consider us even now." Katara smiled.

Toph paused before smiling back. She then tenderly got to her feet before taking a stance and summoning up a rock pillar. "Alright! The world's greatest Earth bender is back in business!"

"Hello? Can I get some help over here?" Sokka called out as he and Ty Lee hobbled out of the doorway.

Katara raced over to help her brother while Aang and Toph helped with Ty Lee. Hiding under the safety of the stairs, she quickly got to work on healing up all their injuries and stopping the bleeding on their limbs.

"There. Good as new." Katara said happily to her brother as she re-wrapped the bandage on his arm. "I'm glad you managed to survive mostly unscathed. I was so worried when the boat left without you."

"I was worried too. But I knew we'd both make it out okay. We're Water Tribe after all. Nothing can keep us down for long." Sokka nodded to his sister, who smiled back at him. She then turned her attention of Ty lee, who was still bleeding from her leg, and used her bending to close up the wound and mend it.

"By the way, when did you have learn how to heal and do all those ice moves and stuff?" Sokka asked as she worked her magic.

"Oh, it's kind of a long story..." Katara said.

"There they are!"

Just then a new group of pirates approached them looking for a fight. Not only were there twice as many the last group, but they had bigger weapons some of which were now covered in fire.

"Get ready guys, we're about to fight again." Aang said, standing at the ready while Toph, Katara and Sokka stood at the ready. Ty Lee tried standing up as well despite her leg but Sokka placed a hand on her shoulder holding her back, ready to defend her.

Just then there was a loud battle cry rang throughout the courtyard. Everyone turned their attention to the front gate and were shocked to see dozens of men wearing Water Tribe armor rushing through the entrance, all armed and ready for battle.

"For the glory of Hakoda!" One of the leaders shouted as his group charged forward, mowing down the pirate group in one sweep.

"Yes! At last! The cavalry is here!" Sokka shouted in excitement. All the soldiers rushed the pirates in droves, taking them down with their swords, shields and lances, causing a lot of them to fall back and run.

"Sokka! Katara!"

Both turned to see their father's right hand man Bato rushing toward them.

"Bato!" The siblings hugged the man, who held them tightly.

"Oh thank goodness you're both alright." He said in relief. "After hearing you'd both disappeared, we feared the worst."

"How'd you know when to come and where to find us?" Katara asked curiously.

"Your messenger hawk told us of course." Bato said gesturing toward the sky, where Hawky had been circling before descending toward them.

"Hawky!" Sokka said excitedly, holding out his arms for the bird who flew into them squawking happily, rubbing up against his masters neck. "I knew you'd pull through buddy! Good bird!"

"Indeed he did. As soon as we got your message, I gathered up the troops and we set off immediately for the Fire Nation." Bato explained. "Sorry it took so long. We ran into some issues while traveling."

"Hey yeah, how'd you get past the blockade?" Sokka asked as Hawky flew onto his shoulder. "I thought the Fire Nation cut off all possible routes in and out of the Southern tribe?"

"We thought so too." Bato nodded. "Luckily we had an insider send us coordinates that allowed us to get around the barrier. She even helped us navigate a secret path through the city and into the palace."

"Wait she?" Katara asked.

"Yes. That's her fighting over there right now." Bato said, pointing off to the side.

They then instantly spotted a dark haired girl in a dark red dress with long pigtails, who was fighting off pirates with her throwing knives, use them to cut, parry and pin her every opponent around her.

"That's Mai!" Ty Lee cried out as she spotted her friend and went to run forward. "Quick, we need to help her."

"Ty Lee wait!" Sokka said holding her back. "You're still recovering. If you go up there and get hurt again you'll be a sitting duck!"

"I have to help her Sokka!" Ty Lee protested. "Ozai's supporters will target her just like they did us if I don't give her back up!"

Sokka looked concerned then narrowed his eyes determinedly. "Then I'm coming too. I'll be back up to your back up." He then extending his hand to her. "Ready for another dance?"

Ty lee smiled as she took his hand. "You bet."

Together the two raced off toward Mai, leaping head first into the fray while Hawky soared overhead, pecking and clawing at the faces of those that would attack his master.

As the other were about to join them, they heard a loud shout and turned toward the palace see a large fireball shooting through the air. Zuko was using his Fire bending to propel himself up toward the palace roof where they could see Ozai climbing over the side as he tried to make his escape.

"Zuko!?" Katara exclaimed.

"Looks like he's about to have a showdown with the Fire Lord." Aang said.

"Then we need to go help him." Katara said moving forward. "Ozai may be alone but he's still an accomplished Fire Bender, and a dirty fighter at that."

"No Katara." Bato said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You must stay here."

"But Bato-"

"We need to help our troops protect the Fire Nation citizens while they take down the pirates and secure the palace." Bato explained. "We're going to need your help Katara, not only to fight, but to put out those flames that are spreading across the palace roof."

Sure enough, large blue flames began steadily growing on the roof of the palace and were slowly traveling towards the courtyard.

"But…I can't just leave him!" Katara protested. "Besides he and Ozai are heading toward those flames!"

"Don't worry, Aang and I will take care of it while you get things under control." Toph said stepping forward. "We'll clear a path for you guys then go summon Appa and grab Zuko before those flames get any worse."

Katara paused for a moment then nodded firmly. Aang then grabbed Toph and together the two charged forward into the crowd, ready to mow down as many pirates as they could.

"Quickly, let's help the others and get those flames out before they spread further." Bato said as he drew his sword.

"Right." Katara agreed as she followed him into battle. She looked briefly back toward the palace, worried about Zuko's well being but knowing that Bato were right. Protecting the people and securing the palace came first. She just hoped that Zuko was strong enough to hold his own until help arrived and would in the process, finally be able to take down the corrupt Fire Lord once and for all.