The Day of Black Sun Part 1:
"Top of the morning, Momo!" Aang said cheery as they packed up camp. Everyone was dressed in their regular clothes, no longer needing to hide as fire nation citizens as today was the day everything was going to change.
"Sounds like you slept well." Katara commented.
"Don't we get any good mornings?" Ember asked.
"Good morning," Lin smiled.
"Not funny," Ember muttered.
"So what's the strategy for taking the fire lord down? Going to get your glow on?" Toph asked.
Aang looked down sadly, "I can't." Aang confessed. "When Azula shot me with lightning, my seventh chakra was locked, cutting off my connection to all the cosmic energy in the universe."
"Don't worry Aang, everything will be okay." Jade said, putting an arm around his shoulders.
"Oh, no!" Katara gasped and everyone turned to where she was looking out in the ocean, where fog had gathered. "Sokka, do you think the fog will delay the invasion?"
"No…" Sokka said, eyes widening. "This is the invasion." He said as five water tribe ships appeared.
"Alright," Aqua grinned as the ship docked.
"You made it, dad!" Katara cried, running to her father as he stepped off the ship.
"Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?" Sokka asked.
"I did, but I'm a little worried Sokka. Some of these men aren't exactly…the warrior type," Hakoda said, confessing his concerns to his son.
"This place ain't nothing like a swamp," Due said.
"Hey, it's the swamp guys," Ember said as they passed her.
"What'd you reckon that is?" Due asked, pointing at a rock in the water. "Some sort of exploding fire nation exploding trap that would eat ya?"
"It's just a rock, Due." Tho said.
"Well, I'll be." Due said.
"Is it just me, or are those fellas a little loose in the leaf head?" Hakoda asked.
"Maybe, but they are good people and skilled water benders." Aqua said.
"Aqua!" Hakoda said, noticing the water bender. "It's nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too, sir." Aqua smiled. She and Hakoda had really hit it off when they first met after the earth kingdom fell.
"I just wish they would wear some pants." Bato said as he walked over.
"Pants are an illusion and so is death." Hue said everyone looked at him confused.
"Hi, Katara." Haru said from behind her.
"Haru!" Katara exclaimed, running to hug him. "It's so good to see you again.
Aang walked over to introduce Haru to his three friends. "Toph, Jade, Lin, this is Haru. When we met him, his town was controlled by the Fire Nation so we had to hide his earth bending." Haru looked at the three people he'd just met. The first, Toph, was just a little girl who shouldn't have to deal with this war, but although she was blind, Toph sure wasn't weak if she was here to fight. The next girl, Jade, had long hair and kind eyes. The third, Lin, had long brown hair tied up and looked at him with gentle brown eyes. He was momentarily surprised someone could have such gentle eyes but quickly snapped out of it.
"Katara inspired me and my father to take back our village." Haru explained as his father, Tyro, walked on over.
"You helped us find our courage, Katara. Now we're here to help you." Katara said, but then Toph spun around so suddenly.
"Toph, what's wrong?" Lin asked concerned.
"Is that…" that was when a familiar large man grabbed Toph under her arms and lifted her into the air.
"Hippo happy to see Blind Bandit," the large man said, hugging Toph.
"You guys here for a rematch!" Toph snapped.
"Negatory. The Boulder and The Hippe no longer fight for others' entertainment." The boulder said, walking from behind. "Now, we fight for our kingdom!"
"Alright!" Lin cheered. Everyone looked at the smiling girl. "What?" Lin asked. "I can't be happy that we might actually win this thing?"
"Sweet," Toph said.
There was a small explosion on one of the ships, Sokka, Hakoda, and Aqua ran to it where the mechanist and his son, Teo was moving away from.
"What was that?" Aqua asked urgently.
"Was it a new invention?" Sokka asked.
"Yes," the man said as his son licked something off his hands. "But unfortunately, the incendiary capabilities of peanut sauce proved to be a failure."
"Bummer," Jade said, walking up.
"You're making peanut sauce bombs." Sokka said as The Duke, riding on Pipsqueak's shoulders, walked out the ship, their faces covered with the sauce.
"They're destructive." Pipsqueak said.
"And delicious!" The Duke said, both licking what they could off their faces.
"Were you able to complete work on the plans I sent you?" Sokka asked.
"You sent plans?" Jade asked.
"Yeah, he was working on it for weeks." Aqua nodded.
"And I think the fire nation will be quite surprised." The mechanist said.
"Aang, my dad and I made this for you." Teo said, handing him a staff. Aang took it and blue wings popped out the sides.
"A new glider!" Aang exclaimed with a wide smile. "This is amazing!"
"And as a special feature, I added a snack compartment." The mechanist said. He turned the handle on the glider and let the peanuts fall into his mouth.
"Oh, well I'm sure that will come in handy," Aang said, looking uncertain.
That was when three very familiar people walked out. "Hey…it's…" Jade stopped when she saw the young men in the middle, his eyes were running over the crowd, obviously searching for someone. He obviously found who he was looking for and started that way, leaving his companions.
Meanwhile, Lin and Ember were talking when Lin stopped, her eyes widened and jaw dropped as she saw who was coming. "Lin, what is it?" Ember asked, her back to the young man.
"B…behin…" Lin couldn't get it out.
"Huh?" Ember asked.
Lin grabbed her sister by her shoulders and spun her around to see what had gotten her attention. He was pushing through the crowd, his dark serious eyes resting sorely on her. "Jet," Ember whispered. Realizing that he was really here and it wasn't just a dream, she took off running towards him. "Jet!" Ember cried, pushing passed the people in her way. When she finally reached him, she jumped into his willing arms and wrapping her legs around his waist so he held her. Jet held her tightly to his chest, resting his head on hers.
"Ember," Jet whispered into her hair. He let her down on her feet but didn't let his arms go away from her waist.
"Jet, are you okay now?" Ember asked concerned.
"Of course I am." Jet nodded firmly.
"What'd happened after we left?" Ember asked.
"Well…the earth kingdom was taken over." Jet said and Ember nodded. She knew that. "So, me, Smellerbee, and Longshot left and we've been hiding out in the woods ever since. We were walking near Haru's village when we saw the water tribe ships. Deciding you'll need our help, we came along."
"Jet, as long as you're okay, now." Ember said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Me?" Jet asked surprised. "I was worried about you. You've been wondering around here in the fire nation, you never know what will happen."
"Well you never know what would happen in the woods," Ember countered.
A few minutes later, everyone was sitting in front of a large platform. Jet had his large hand holding tightly onto Ember's much smaller hand, he had refused to let her go after not seeing her for so long, not that Ember was complaining. It was obvious, Jet was head over heels and no longer had an obsession to kill every fire nation citizen…well at least not her.
"Good morning, everyone!" Sokka said as he climbed onto the platform but he tripped and had to quickly pick the scrolls up that he dropped. Aqua sighed and buried her head in her hand. This was going to be embarrassing.
Sokka straightened up, "So…as you know today we're invading the fire nation. I mean…I know you know that." Sokka laughed nervously. "Because otherwise, why else would you be here anyway?"
"Sokka's dying up there." Jade sighed, leaning her head on her hand.
Sokka continued, "The fire lord's palace is here," he said, pointing to a spot on the scroll he had just opened. "Uh, wait," Sokka opened another scroll. "It's here," he pointed to the right spot everyone was starting to get confused. "And he…there's an eclipse today and Aang's going to fight the fire lord and the fire benders, sorry Ember, won't have any fire to use so that's good for us uhm…I'm sorry, let me start at the beginning." Sokka took a deep breath and said in a hurry, "Katara and I discovered Aang, Jade, Ember, Aqua, and Lin frozen in an iceberg. Now, I didn't like Aang or Ember at first and was suspicious but I grew to love them over time. We got separated from Lin and Jade for some time. But the rest of us went over to the Southern Air Temple where Aang and Jade used to live, and then we met Suki who is a kyoshi warrior. She made me dress like a woman and then she tried to kiss me but I explained how I didn't like her that way. And then Aang and the girl's friend was a crazy old man and Katara got Haru arrested and then now he's grown a mustache and if you look in the front row you can see him!"
"Thank you Sokka," Hakoda interrupted, walking onto the stand and putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, why don't you take a break." Sokka looked disappointed and nodded, going to sit between Aqua and Katara. "Let me 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 to the fire nation capital. We have to get pass our first major obstacle here, the great gates of Azulon." Hakoda said, opening another scroll.
"Next, we hit the land and we hit the land hard." Hakoda said. "We must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower. Once we do that, it's up to the royal palace. At that point, the eclipse will begin.
The Boulder raised his hand. "Excuse me,,The Boulder is confused. Isn't the point to invade during the eclipse when the fire benders are powerless?"
"The eclipse will only last eight minutes." Hakoda explained. "Not enough time for the whole invasion and the royal palace is heavily guarded by fire benders. 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 could have control of the fire nation capital and this war will be over!" he announced and everyone cheered.
A few minutes later, everyone was getting ready for the battle. Katara was waterbending water from the river and into her pouches. Aqua was doing stretches to relax her body so she'll be quick. Toph was putting on a wrist guard while Lin was doing the same to her ankles. Jade was practicing her air bending, making large sharp cuts of air fly from her foot. Ember was putting hidden knifes in her clothing, an occasional practice throw, with Jet's constant watching as he swung his swords around. Hakoda was putting on a head gear that looked similar to that of a wolf's head. Appa, Sapphire, and Ruby were covered with special made armor. Aang stood near the river, shaving his hair off to reveal his arrow proudly.
In the palace, Zuko's bedroom, he was pulling his crown out of his hair so it fell down into his eyes and placing the crown into his belt. Zuko quickly started to pull his armor off and setting it on the bed. Zuko concentrated on the paper on his bed and started to write.
Elsewhere, "Sokka, what are you doing over here? We're almost ready to leave." Aqua said, walking over to her boyfriend.
"I messed it up," Sokka said simply, looking out onto the water.
"Messed what up?" Aqua asked.
"The invasion plan was my moment of truth and I completely flopped it. I just fell apart." Sokka confessed. Aqua sighed and Sokka's eyes widened surprised when Aqua wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Sokka, that speech isn't your moment of truth. Nobody is perfect and your just not great at public speaking. It's nothing to beat yourself over about." Aqua said.
"But my dad explained the plan perfectly and inspired everyone…like a real leader should." Sokka sighed.
"Sokka," Aqua said firmly. "Your moment of truth isn't going to be talking to people. Your moment of truth has been happening since the day I met you. You're brave, and strong, we couldn't have made it this far without you. And on the battlefield, I know you'll fight like a leader should."
"You're so confident," Sokka sighed, putting his hand on hers. "How do you know we're going to win?"
"Because, we've been training for this for months, ever since you and Katara found us in the iceberg." Aqua said. "We were all just kids pretending to be soldiers back then, but as time went on, somewhere along the way, we've stopped pretending and now we're real soldiers. We all have something worth fighting for that the fire nation will destroy if we don't fight back. We won't fail. Now, are you ready?"
Sokka turned and looked into her deep blue eyes before leaning down to kiss her. Aqua leaned into the kiss and when they pulled apart a few seconds later, "I'm ready," Sokka said quietly.
Later on, the ships were reaching the checkpoint. "There they are," Bato said, looking through a telescope where a state of Fire Lord Azulon stood. "The Great Gates of Azulon."
"What gates?" Lin asked, trying to get a good look.
"I don't see any gates." Katara said.
"Katara," Hakoda said. "You, Aqua, and the swamp benders whip up a fog cover."
"Got it," Aqua nodded.
"We'll sneak by that states just like we sneaked by that fire navy blockade."
Katara, Aqua, and the swamp benders got into position, spreading out their arms as a fog covered the ships. Along the way, a net appeared, rising up from the water, covered in flames, forcing them to stop the ships. Everyone looked at it shocked. A few jet skies were rushing towards them, carrying fire nation soldiers.
"Everyone below deck." Hakoda shouted and everyone ran below. "Let's hope your invention works." Hakoda said to Sokka as the soldiers boarded their boat and searched.
"No one's on board, sir." A soldier said.
"Where'd they go?" another asked. No one noticed five submarines sinking into the water and swimming under the gates. Appa was swimming with a bubble of air around his head thanks to Katara. Aqua had a bubble around Sapphire's head while Jade had an air bubble around Ruby's.
"You really outdone yourself this time, son." Hakoda praised.
"Yeah, congratulations, Sokka." Toph groaned from the floor. Lin was sitting next to her, rubbing soothing circles on her back. Haru was giving a small smile that went unnoticed by her, Lin was acting so motherly for one of their youngest members. "You managed to invent a worst way to travel than flying."
"Don't worry, Toph. It'll be over soon," Lin said.
"Helmet?" The Duke asked, handing Toph his helmet. Toph quickly took it and threw up.
"Well, I just came up with the idea," Sokka said.
"A great idea," Ember said, Jet having his arm protectively around her shoulders.
"But the mechanist did all the world." Sokka finished.
"But don't sell yourself short, my boy. It was your idea." The mechanist said. "To use water bending to make the subs sink and float. Brilliant, though your original designs were a bit difficult to decipher. Unfortunately, there is one problem I couldn't fix. The subs have a limited air supply. Before we land on the beaches, we'll need to resurface."
A few minutes later, they had resurfaced and the gang were gathering together. "So, this is it huh?" Aang asked.
"Everything we've been through…has all came down to this," Jade sighed.
"Are you ready for the fire nation to know the Avatar's alive?" Sokka asked.
"I'm ready," Aang nodded.
"Good." Aqua said. "Because this might just be our final battle against the fire nation." Everyone gathered together in a group hug.
"I hope you kick some serious fire nation butt, twinkle toes." Toph said.
"Remember, we're always here." Lin smiled.
"This war…will finally be over." Ember said. "It feels like just yesterday, we were penguin sledding in the South Pole."
"Everyone, listen up." Hakoda said to the invasion force and everyone turned to him. "The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert and fight smart. Now, break times over, back in the subs." Everyone started to their posts, all except Aang and Katara who stayed on top of the sub.
"Aang, I/Katara, I…" the two started at the same time.
"You go first." Aang said.
"We've been through so many things together and I've seen you grow so much. You're not that little goofy kid," Aang blushed. "I found in the iceberg with the others. I guess what I'm trying to say is…I'm really proud of you."
"Everything is going to be different after today, isn't it?" Aang asked.
"Yes, it is." Katara sighed.
"What if…what if I don't come back?" Katara asked worried.
"Aang, don't say that." Katara exclaimed. "Of course you'll…" she was stopped as Aang surprised her with a kiss. Her eyes widened surprised and she blushed as Aang flew off.
"Katara, come on!" Lin called.
"It's time to submerge!" Sokka shouted.
"Right, I'm on it." Katara said, snapping out of it. Katara jumped onto Appa, Aqua was already sitting on Sapphire, Jade on Ruby. They created their air bubbles and submerged,
Ahead, Aang was flying on his glider over a grassy field. He started to get hungry, and now was the perfect time to use the snack compartment. "What did you know?" Aang asked. "It did come in handy."
In the submarines, "Everyone in position." Hakoda said. "Earth benders, into your tanks." Toph, Lin, and the rest of the earth benders got ready. "This is going to be a rough ride."
Harpoons started diving into the water while the submarines tried frantically to dodge them. One hit a sub and it started filling with water but Due froze it, only to fall over as the harpoon started pulling the sub.
Katara and Aqua decided to help by pulling the harpoon out so the submarine was free. "Ready the torpedo." Hakoda commanded. Ember and Jet got the torpedo prepared and they closed the door to the tank. Hue water bended and the torpedo shot out, breaking a hole in a wall that they quickly swum through and resurfaced. The soldiers and guards on shore started attacking.
When the submarines landed on the sore, the bottom of the sub pulled in so they were now like tanks. Everyone started to attack. Earth kingdom soldiers were moving their feet to make the tanks move. Sokka was leading water tribe warriors, all carrying weapons and shields. A truck rode up, holding large rocks. Toph, Lin, The Boulder, and The Hippo used their earth bending to throw the rocks into the battle. Ember and Jet joined in the fighting. Jet was skillfully dodging fire blasts, while Ember was knocking fire out the way, absorbing it and throwing it by tenfold. Aqua and Jade jumped off Sapphire and Ruby, getting into the fight.
Inside one of the tanks, Teo was sitting in it, looking all serious. Two earth kingdom soldiers stood behind him as the tank ran over one of the fire nations. The swampbenders and Aqua stopped when more fire nation tanks started to surround them. The benders pulled water from barrels on a truck to surround them, protecting them from the fire. They pulled a hole opening in the water so Aqua could jump out and attack. The tank started to spin out of control and crashed into another.
"We're a man down, where in tarnation is Hue?" Tho asked as the he and Due attacked another tank. A shadow appeared below the surface of the water and the swamp monster, obviously to the good side, it was Hue, and he grabbed onto one of the tanks. Fire nation soldiers jumped out just as he crushed it.
Another tank attacked the swamp monster but he quickly destroyed it as the soldiers escaped. Due, Hue, and Aqua ran on over. "Where you been?" Due shouted up.
"We thought we lost you a minute there." Aqua called as a hole appeared in the center of the swamp monster to reveal Hue.
"Communing with nature, takes a while to collect these lax seaweed." Hue said. He covered the hole up with vines to protect himself from an upcoming fire blast.
Sokka and the water tribe warriors ran through the fire nation. A komodo rhino raced at them but Sokka jumped onto the rhino's horn and kicked the soldier off, climbing onto its back. "Dad, look out!" Sokka cried as Hakoda blocked an attack with his shield. Hakoda lost his shield but Hakoda managed to get one of the soldier's spears so he now had two. He knocked one down and jumped onto the back of the rhino, behind Sokka.
"Sokka, we've got to take out those battlements." Hakoda said. "It's our only chance."
"I've got an idea." Sokka said.
A minute later, Sokka was hanging onto Appa's horn, Katara and Jade was on his head, while Hakoda sat in the saddle. Hakoda threw two grenades below and a fire nation soldier jumped out just as it exploded. Katara broke open a barrel of water to freeze the female soldier inside.
"You two take out that battlement." Hakoda said as they climbed off Appa. "I've got this one. Watch each other's back." He said, running into battle where Lin was destroying one of the tanks.
Sokka used his sword to cut through a metal door while Katara froze the guards inside. Sokka started climbing up the ladder inside, followed by Katara as it exploded. Katara and Sokka looked through a window and they looked shocked as their strong father fell in pain. Hakoda climbed to his feet and walked in only to collapse.
"Dad!" Katara and Sokka cried, rushing to their father.
Elsewhere, Zuko was kneeling in front of a picture of his mother. "I know I made some bad choices. But today, I'm going to set things right." Jade flashed in his mind and he stood. Zuko grabbed his broadswords, back pack, threw a cloak around his body and walked away.
Sokka and Katara managed to get Hakoda onto Appa and flew somewhere the battle wasn't taking place. They pulled him off and laid him down on the ground. Katara bended water from her pouch and started to heal her father. "How does that feel, dad?" Katara asked.
"A…a little better," Hakoda struggled to sit up. "I need…to get back…to the troops." He groaned and moaned.
"You're hurt," Katara said. "Badly, you can't fight anymore."
"Everyone's counting on me," he winched. "To lead this mission, Katara, I won't let them down."
"Can't you heal him any faster?" Sokka asked.
"I'm doing everything I can." Katara said.
Sokka sighed and closed his eyes, "I'll do it."
"No offense Sokka, but you're not exactly Mr. Healing Hands." Katara said.
"No," Sokka stood. "I'll lead the invasion force."
"Don't be crazy, Sokka!" Katara cried.
"Maybe I am a little crazy but the eclipse is about to start and we need to be up that volcano by the time it does." Sokka said.
"You can do this. I'm proud of you, my son." Hakoda said, lying back down so his daughter could heal him.
"I still think you're crazy but I'm proud of you too." Katara said. Sokka put on the wolf head shaped head gear and climbed onto Appa, taking to the skies.
Most of the fire nation tanks were destroyed, some were covered in ice. Their tanks were being attacked by one of the fire nation's but Appa knocked it out of the way. "Listen up everyone!" Sokka shouted, getting everyone's attention. Teo, inside the tank, looked up. Jade nearby knocked a fire bender out and spun around to face Sokka while Sapphire knocked a few tanks down with a sweep of her tail.
"I want the tanks in wedge formation! Warriors and benders in the middle!" Toph, Aqua, Lin, Jade, Ember, and Jet ran to their posts with the earth kingdom soldiers. "We're taking that tower and heading for the royal palace!" Sokka faced the front, held out his sword to the enemy and shouted, "Charge!"
Elsewhere, Aang landed on the roof further away from the battle. "That's strange." He said when he realized all the streets were completely empty. Aang ran into the palace, slamming the door opened as he got into a fighting position, holding his staff in front of him. "The avatar is back!" He stopped and looked around. It was empty.
"Hello," Aang said confused, looking around. "Anyone home?"
In the invasion, smoke cleared as the invasion force crashed into the capital. The fire nation guards and tanks that had been waiting for them quickly retreated, all but three who threw fire blasts at them but Ember stood on top of the tank and created a wall of fire to protect them.
"The fire nation is falling back!" Tyro shouted as they forced their way in, Sapphire and Ruby following as Appa landed.
"Sokka, we're on our way to victory." Bato said.
Inside the palace, Aang entered the throne room, horror etched on his face. "No…" he dropped to his knee. "No! Fire Lord Ozai, where are you?" he shouted in anger.
