"I missed you more than you'll ever know, buddy." Aang told Appa as he laid on the bison's head.
You had landed on a small, tiny, really, island not far from the shore.
Aang laughed as Appa licked him.
"Look, we escaped from the Dai Li, got Appa back… I'm telling you, we should go to the Earth King now and tell him our plan." Sokka suggested. "We're on a roll."
"One good hour after weeks of trouble isn't much of a roll." Katara retorted.
"We can build on it. If we want to invade the firenation when the eclipse happens, we need the Earth King's support."
"What makes you think we'll get it?" Toph asked from her spot on a rock. "I don't know if you've noticed, but things don't usually go that smoothly for our little gang."
"I know, but I've got a good feeling about this."
"Sokka's instincts?" You teased, raising an eyebrow.
"I just feel like this time will be different."
"Sokka, Long Feng is in control of the city." Katara reminded sharply. "His conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep flying, and leave this horrible place behind us."
"I'm with Sweetness. I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se." Toph grumbled. "And I can't even see!"
"Now that we have Appa back, there's nothing stopping us from telling the Earth King the truth." Aang piped up, leaping over with a giant grin on his face. "About the conspiracy and the war."
"See? Aang's with me." Sokka said, grabbing Aang's shoulders and grinning. He let go of Aang and dropped his smile into a more serious expression. "It's the whole reason we came here in the first place."
"Don't make us deal through all of this nonsense for nothing." You groaned.
"We have to try."
"Well, I guess if the Earth King knew the truth, things could change." Katara agreed hesitantly.
Toph stood. "I don't trust the new 'positive Sokka'." She pointed an accusatory finger at him. "Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he!?"
"No." You muttered, looking over at Sokka and smiling. "No, he hasn't."
Aang suddenly rushed to the edge of the island.
You all turned to see what he was looking at.
Three boats could be faintly seen in the distance.
"That's probably the Dai Li searching for us!" Sokka guessed, joining Aang. He turned to his sister. "So?"
"Let's fly."
"Can we please buy a new saddle!?" Toph begged. "Riding bareback is terrifying!"
You let go of Appa's fur with your right hand and placed it around Toph. "I've got you, don't worry."
"There it is. That whole thing is the palace." Sokka said, pointing below. "The Earth King's chambers should be in this sector."
"We have to be careful." Katara reminded. "Long Feng's probably told the King we're coming."
"Why would you think that?" Sokka asked. "If you ask me, we're just going to sail in un- ahh!"
Appa dodged a flying boulder, roaring.
"What was that!?" Toph yelled.
"Ground defense! More incoming!" Sokka hollered.
One flew at Aang.
Keeping his gaze forward, he hit it with the back of his hand, shattering it. He sliced one in half as it came towards the front of Appa. Aang jumped down, using earthbending to shake the ground, lifting and dropping the guards.
Appa landed, growling at one of the ostrich-horses.
It ran away.
You climbed off, helping Toph, as Katara and Sokka slid off.
You all rushed to the stairs, putting full faith in Toph and Aang as they blocked incoming attacks. You and Katara worked on hitting the guards off.
"Sorry!" Katara yelled.
You all continued running, Toph and Aang dealing with most of the guards.
"Sorry!" Katara shouted again. "We just need to get through to see the Earth King!"
A few guards threw two large statues of badgermoles at you.
Aang and Toph created an earth shell, protecting you all.
You and Katara ran out, water-whipping the guards off of the edge and into the trench.
Aang froze the water as he leapt over.
Several more guards rushed out of the palace, beginning to come down the steps.
Toph took a stance, making the stairs disappear.
The guards slid down the smooth surface.
Aang and Toph lifted the ground you all were on, bringing it up.
"Seriously, we're actually on you guy's side!" Sokka assured. "Sorry." He offered weakly.
You finally reached the top of the stairs. "Almost there!" You yelled.
More guards approached, but they were pushed back by the two earthbenders.
"In there!" Sokka shouted, rushing inside.
Guards ran out from each room.
Toph shot them up, pinning them to the ceiling.
"Toph, which way to the Earth King!?" Sokka asked.
"How should I know? I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se!"
You and Sokka looked around while the fight continued.
When all of the guards were knocked out, Sokka climbed a pile of rubble.
"Now, that's an impressive door." He marveled. "It's got to go somewhere." He climbed down the other side, rushing towards it.
You all followed.
Sokka took a flying kick at the door, only to fall over.
"These doors are massive." You commented, looking up. "How-"
Aang used airbending to knock the doors down, Sokka flying into the room.
You all rushed in after him.
"A little warning, next time?" Sokka requested, getting to his feet.
You all faced the front, ready to attack if needed.
Several Dai Li agents stood in front of the king, also ready to attack.
"We need to talk to you." Aang declared firmly.
"They're here to overthrow you." Long Feng told the king.
"No, we're on your side. We're here to help." Sokka assured.
"You have to trust us!" Katara pleaded.
The king stood. "You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my fancy door, and you expect me to trust you?"
You were all silent.
"He has a point." You admitted.
"If you're on my side, then drop your weapons and stand down."
Aang dropped his staff after a moment's thought.
You and Katara returned your water to your pouches, Sokka dropped his weapon, and Toph put the rock back in the floor.
"See? We're friends, your earthiness." Aang said, grinning.
Long Feng lifted his hand and the Dai Li shot their rock-gloved hands at the five of you, trapping your wrists behind your backs.
"Contain the assailants." Long Feng instructed.
The Dai Li lunged forward, lining up behind you.
"But we dropped our weapons." Sokka said, dumbfounded. "We're your allies!"
"Make sure the Avatar and his friends never see daylight again."
"The Avatar?" The king echoed. He pointed at Sokka. "You're the Avatar?"
"No, him." Sokka replied, nodding his head towards Aang.
"Over here!" Aang said, bending the rocks away to raise his hands. He bended the rocks back, so he was still in custody.
"What does it matter, your highness?" Long Feng asked. "They are enemies of the state."
"Perhaps you're right."
The king's bear walked over suddenly, sat down, and started licking Aang's face.
The Avatar chuckled.
"Though, Bosco seems to like him. I'll hear what he has to say."
Aang stepped forward. "Well, sir, there's a war going on right now. For the past one-hundred years, in fact. The Dai Li's kept it a secret from you. It's a conspiracy to control the city, and to control you."
"A secret war? That's crazy."
"Completely." Long Feng agreed, glaring.
"Long Feng didn't want us to tell you, so he stole our sky bison to blackmail us." Aang informed. "And blackmail is the least of his crimes! He brainwashed our friend!"
"All lies." Long Feng assured, turning to the king.
"At least Aang's getting better at defending himself." You whispered to Sokka. "The whole situation with Kyoshi was rough."
Sokka nodded. "He's definitely gotten better." He whispered back.
"I've never even seen a sky bison, your majesty." Long Feng insisted. "I thought they were extinct."
"Your claim is difficult to believe, even for the Avatar." The king confessed, sitting back on his throne. Long Feng whispered something in his ear. "I have to trust my advisor."
The Dai Li grabbed you all, turning and beginning to walk away.
"Wait!" Sokka exclaimed, turning around. "I can prove he's lying! Long Feng said he's never seen a sky bison. Ask him to lift his robe."
"What!? I am not disrobing." Long Feng denied.
Sokka and Aang shared looks, nodding.
Aang inhaled deeply before blowing a big gust of wind.
Long Feng's robes flew up, hitting him in the face.
"There! Appa bit him!" Aang exclaimed.
"Never seen a sky bison, huh?" Sokka challenged, grinning.
"That happens to be a rather large birthmark." Long Feng denied, pulling his robe back in place. "Thanks for showing everyone."
"Well, I suppose there's no way to prove where those marks came from." The king mused.
"Wait! There is!" You called. You took a few steps forward. "May we be allowed to bring our sky bison in here? Please?"
The king nodded.
Aang left, along with a few Dai Li agents to make sure he wasn't up to anything, and returned with Appa.
Appa opened his mouth at Aang's command.
Aang pointed to Appa's teeth before pointing to the mark on Long Feng's leg.
"Yep, that pretty much proves it." The king agreed.
You all cheered.
"But it doesn't prove this crazy conspiracy thing."
You all groaned.
"Though, I suppose this matter is worth looking into."
You all let out various noises of acceptance.
Long Feng walked out, the Dai Li following.
"So, this is what a train is like… I didn't realize it would be this… public." The king admitted, noticing at all of the people sending looks his way. He was accompanied by four guards.
"So, you've never been outside the upper ring before?" Katara asked as you slid over, making room for the king.
"I've never been outside the palace." He admitted. He turned, seeing Aang flying outside on Appa. "Now, that's the way to travel." He paused before turning back to you. "So. May I ask where we're going?"
"Underneath Lake Laogai, your kingliness." Sokka answered. "To the Dai Li's secret headquarters. You're about to see where all of the brainwashing and conspiring took place."
Toph walked forward, bringing up the path. It was broken into several pieces. "It's gone." She informed, sounding surprised.
"They knew we were coming." You mused, glaring.
"That's okay. I'm still keeping my positive attitude." Sokka informed, seemingly through gritted teeth.
"They must have destroyed the evidence." Katara guessed.
The king hummed. "That seems awfully convenient."
"There was clearly a path here." You said, pointing behind you.
"Yeah. If anything, this only proves the conspiracy more." Sokka added.
"Long Feng was right. This was a waste of time." The king determined. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the palace." He turned, walking away.
"The wall!" Katara exclaimed. "They'll never be able to cover that up in time!"
"Oh, yeah!" Aang agreed. He floated over to the king. "If you come with us to the outer wall, we can prove to you that the secret war is real."
"No Earth King has ever been to the outer wall." The king informed.
"Why not be the first, then?" You offered, walking forward. "Who knows, you might even be put in the history books because of it."
The king seemed to be in thought.
"If you come with us, this time you can ride on Appa." Sokka suggested.
That seemed to be the push the king needed.
The king yelled.
"First time flying?" Toph asked.
"It's both thrilling, and terrifying."
"Yeah. I hate it, too."
"I have to be honest with you. Part of me really wishes that what you're telling me about this war… isn't true."
"I wish it wasn't." Aang agreed quietly.
"We would have no reason to lie to you." You told the king, turning to face him. "We have nothing to gain from this."
The king nodded solemnly.
"It's still there!" Aang shouted, pointing at the drill.
"What is that?" The king wondered quietly.
"It's a drill." Sokka explained. "It's a giant drill made by the firenation to break through your walls."
Appa landed on the wall, allowing everyone to climb off.
"I can't believe I never knew." The king muttered, looking down at the drill over the side of the wall.
"It's not your fault." You assured him.
"I can explain this." Long Feng said, rising up out of the wall with two Dai Li agents. "This is nothing more than… a construction project."
"With a firenation insignia?" You challenged, crossing your arms. "Surely you can come up with something better than that."
"Why, it's imported of course." He defended, if not a little nervously. "You know you can't trust domestic machinery." He paused, looking back at the king. "Surely you don't believe these children more than your most loyal attendant?!"
There was silence.
Your heart raced as the king thought everything over.
"Dai Li! Arrest Long Feng! I want him to stand trial for crimes against the earth kingdom."
The Dai Li grabbed him after a moment of hesitation, pulling him backwards.
"You can't arrest me! You need me more than you know!" Long Feng insisted.
"Looks like Long Feng is long gone!" Sokka exclaimed. He laughed at his own joke, wiping a tear. "I've been waiting to use that one."
You were all back in the palace, standing in front of the throne.
"I want to thank you young heroes, for opening my eyes." The king spoke softly. "All this time, what I thought was a great metropolis was merely a city of fools. That makes me… King fool." He rested his elbow on the armrest on his throne, holding his head in his hand. "We are at war… with the firenation."
"That's why we came to Ba Sing Se, your highness." Sokka admitted, stepping forward. "Because we think you could help us end the war."
"We don't have much time. There's a comet coming this summer. Its energy will give the firebenders unbelievable strength." Aang added. "They'll be unstoppable."
"But there is hope." Sokka continued.
"He sounds like Katara." You whispered.
Toph chuckled.
"Before the comet comes, we have a window of opportunity. A solar eclipse is coming."
The king sat up straight, it what you guessed was surprise.
"The sun will be entirely blocked out by the moon, and the firebenders will be helpless."
"What are you suggesting, Sokka?" The king asked.
"That's the day we need to invade the firenation."
The king had not been expecting that answer.
"The day of black sun." Sokka finished.
"I don't know…" The king trailed off. "That would require moving troops out of Ba Sing Se. We'd be completely vulnerable."
"You're already vulnerable." Sokka argued. "The firenation won't stop until Ba Sing Se falls. You can either sit back and wait for that to happen, or you can take the offensive. Give yourself a fighting chance."
The king held his chin in thought.
You all waited with baited breath.
"Very well. You have my support."
You let out the breath of air you were holding. You felt like jumping for joy, but you contained yourself.
"Your majesty." Someone spoke, walking in. "I apologize for the interruption." He said, bowing.
"This is General How. He's the leader of the council of five; my highest ranking generals." The king introduced.
"We searched Long Feng's office. I think we found something that will interest everybody." General How informed.
You all shared looks.
General How led you all to the place where you'd been taken before. When you figured out what was really going on here.
The king sat at a table and someone walked in with a chest, sitting it on the table.
"There are secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se." General How informed. He turned. "Including you kids."
"Secret files?" Aang parroted.
"Toph Beifong." The king read, handing a scroll to General How, who passed it to Aang, who passed it to Toph, who passed it to Katara.
"It's a letter from your mom. Your mom's here in the city! And she wants to see you!"
"Long Feng intercepted our letters from home?" Toph asked harshly. "That's just sad."
"Aang." The king said, holding out another scroll.
Aang took it.
"This scroll was attached to the horn of your bison when the Dai Li captured it." General How declared.
Aang opened it, looking it over. "It's from the Eastern Air Temple."
"Eastern Air Temple?" You echoed. "I thought that place was empty."
"Is there… a letter for me and Sokka?" Katara asked. "By any chance?"
"I'm afraid not." The king said quietly.
"Oh." Sokka muttered.
"But there is an intelligence report that might interest you." General How informed, holding out a scroll.
Katara took it, looking it over. "A small fleet of watertribe ships?"
Sokka looked over her shoulder. "What?! That could be Dad!"
"Protecting the mouth of Chameleon Bay?! Led by Hakoda- it is Dad!"
"We'll leave you to your letters." The king said, standing. He walked out, General How following.
Once they left, you all sat on the ground in a circle.
"I can't believe it!" Aang admitted, still looking down at the paper. "There's a man living at the Eastern Air Temple! He says he's a guru."
"What's a guru? Some kind of poisonous blowfish?" Sokka asked, scratching his head.
"No, a spiritual expert." Aang corrected. "He wants to help me take the next step in the Avatar journey. He says he can teach me to control the Avatar state."
"That's great, Aang!" You exclaimed.
"And I can't believe we know where our dad is, now." Katara confessed, looking down at the rolled up parchment in her hand.
"I know what you mean." Toph added, clutching her scroll to her chest. "My mom's in the city. And from her letter, it sounds like she finally understands me."
"This is all such big news!" Sokka noted. "Where do we even start?" He paused. "Wait, was there anything for Y/n?"
You shook your head. "No. I didn't expect anything." You admitted, holding your knees and resting your chin on them.
"I hate to say it, but… we have to split up." Katara voiced.
"Split up? We just found Appa and got the family back together." Aang reminded, sounding distraught. "And now you want us to separate?"
"You have to meet this guru, Aang. If we're going to invade the firenation, you need to be ready."
"Well, if I'm going to the Eastern Air Temple…" His face lit up. "Appa and I can drop you guys off to see your dad!"
"Someone has to stay here with the Earth King and help him plan for the invasion." Sokka reminded. He stood. "I guess that's me."
"No, Sokka." Katara denied, also standing. "I know how badly you want to help Dad. You go to Chameleon Bay. I'll stay here with the king."
Sokka's eyes filled with unshed tears. "You. Are the nicest. Sister. Ever!" He gave her a big kiss on the cheek.
"Easy there, big brother." Katara pleaded, pushing him away. "Though you're right. I am."
"Guys, you can both go." You offered, standing. "I can stay with the king."
"Do you know anything about planning attacks?" Sokka asked.
You glanced to the side. "Well… not exactly."
"I'll stay." Katara said. "It's alright. I'll get to see Dad another time." She looked over at you. "And you can help me take care of Momo." She joked lightly.
You smiled. "You wouldn't think he'd need that much care." You remarked, watching as Momo climbed around Aang.
Your friends were about to leave. You and Katara were saying goodbye to Appa.
"I'll miss you, big guy." You told him, giving him a kiss on the nose.
Appa groaned appreciatively. He licked you, knocking you over.
"Whoa, easy there." Sokka said, catching you underneath your arms before you fell.
You looked up at him. "Thanks."
He stood you upright and you turned to face him.
"I'll miss you, too." You told him. "Almost as much as I'll miss Appa." You teased.
Sokka rolled his eyes, smirking. "I'll miss you, too." He pulled the bracelet you gave him out of his pocket, holding it in his open palm. "But we'll always be together."
You smiled softly, pulling yours out of your pocket as well. You held it out, fitting the pieces together before looking back up at Sokka. You lunged forward, hugging him.
He hugged you back. "I shouldn't be gone long."
"It'll feel like an eternity." You told him, pulling away and returning your bracelet to your pocket.
Sokka put his half away, too. "Well, try not to think about it so much. I'll be back before you could say 'Foofoocuddlypoops'."
"Foofoocuddlypoops." You challenged.
Sokka rolled his eyes again, smiling. "I haven't left, yet."
You grinned.
Sokka smiled back before his gaze drifted over your shoulder. He looked back to you, holding his finger to his lips in a signal to be quiet. He charged Aang, putting the boy in a headlock. "Who's ready to get going on a man-only man trip!?" He questioned cheerfully, rubbing Aang's head.
"Aang and Sokka."
They turned around, seeing the king standing on the steps, a guard on either side.
"I wish you luck on your journey. Ba Sing Se owes you its thanks."
The boys smiled, standing up straight as Sokka let Aang go.
"We look forward to your safe return."
Aang and Sokka bowed in respect.
Sokka began climbing on Appa when a man came towards the king.
"Your majesty, there are three female warriors here to see you." The man informed. "They're from the island of Kyoshi."
"That's Suki!" Sokka exclaimed. He lost his grip on Appa's fur and fell, landing on his back.
"You know these warriors?" The king questioned, taking a few steps toward him.
"Oh, yeah." Sokka assured, standing and rubbing his back.
You walked over and drew your water, healing it as the teen spoke.
"The Kyoshi warriors are a skilled group of fighters." Sokka informed. "Trustworthy, too. They're good friends of ours." He leaned backwards a little, mumbling a 'thanks' in your ear.
You nodded, returning your water to your pouch.
The king smiled. "Then we shall welcome them as honored guests."
The man who delivered the news bowed, walking away.
Aang turned, about to get on Appa, but Katara stopped him.
"Wait, Aang." She stepped forward, giving him a hug.
Aang froze.
Katara kissed him on the cheek, and the Avatar's face turned a deep shade of red.
"I'm really going to miss you guys." Toph muttered.
Katara and Aang embraced her in a hug.
You looked at Sokka, smiling.
The three moved, tackling you and Sokka in a hug as well.
Sokka let out a shout.
Momo climbed off Toph and sat on Sokka.
"Great! That's enough! We all love each other!" He patted Aang and Katara's heads. "Seriously."
The group broke up, and Aang and Sokka climbed on Appa, flying away.
You frowned as you watched them go, waving until they disappeared from view.
Man, you hoped they weren't gone long.
You didn't think you could survive on your own with Katara.
Katara walked out of the war room, spotting you leaning against the wall. "Hey, Y/n."
You looked up at her. "Hey."
"What do you say? A cup of tea before I give this to the king?" She offered, pointing a little further down the road with her free hand. Her other held a scroll.
You turned, seeing a tea shop called 'The Jasmine Dragon'. You hadn't even realized that there was a new tea shop. You shrugged. "Sure." You agreed, knowing that the tea wouldn't be as good as Iroh's, but trying to improve your relationship with Katara.
You and Katara entered the building, Momo on Katara's shoulder.
"Table for three, please." Katara told the waiting people at the door.
"Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green, and one litchi!" A voice exclaimed.
"I'm brewing as fast as I can!"
You and Katara, even Momo, turned in shock.
Standing before you, with their backs turned, were Iroh and Zuko.
You blanched. They were here!? In the upper ring!? Not far from you!?
Katara rushed out of the building, but you were rooted to the spot.
Your eyes were locked on Zuko.
His hair had grown out quite a bit, and he looked... happy.
So happy in fact, that you almost thought he wouldn't mind seeing you. Heck, he might not even have minded seeing Aang.
Katara, having noticed your absence, came back and grabbed your arm, pulling you with her.
"Where are we going?!" You questioned, running alongside her.
"To tell the king!"
You almost told her not to. Told her that they weren't here to start anything.
But then she would know that you had seen them. She would wonder why you didn't tell anyone.
They wouldn't trust you.
You remained silent as you rushed into the palace.
Three Kyoshi warriors sat on the floor.
"Thank goodness you're here, Suki." Katara started, out of breath. "The firenation has infiltrated the city! I just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle! We have to tell the Earth King right away!"
You eyed Suki.
Something was wrong.
She didn't look like Suki.
Her hair.
Her eyes. They were cold. Calm. Calculated. And they were gold.
"Katara, that's not-"
"Oh, don't worry." The woman said, stepping into the light. There was no doubt about it, now. "I'll be sure to let him know."
Ty Lee leapt forward, hitting Katara in the shoulder before she could react.
Katara collapsed, the water pouring out of her canteen.
You, having noticed earlier, were ready. You brought water up, freezing it around the gymnast's hand.
Ty Lee let out a yell.
"So, Zuzu's in the city, too." Azula remarked, watching Ty Lee continue to jab at you.
You froze her legs so she couldn't move or jump.
"I think it's time for a family reunion."
"Leave them alone!" You shouted, turning to face Azula. You knew Katara could still hear you, but you were going to try your best to make sure she didn't think anything funny was going on.
"My, my." Azula said. "Now why would I do that?"
You glared at her, not coming up with a response that wouldn't alarm Katara.
"I thought so."
You yelled, drawing Katara's water, since yours was around Ty Lee, and slashing at Azula.
She stepped out of the way.
You turned, continuing a flurry of attacks, but she dodged easily.
Azula flipped backwards, blasting fire at the ice that encased Ty Lee.
Ty Lee rushed towards you, leaping into the air.
You drew your water up, but you were a second too slow.
She struck you on the shoulder.
You collapsed, paralyzed.