"This might be uncomfortable." You warned.

"I'm no stranger to being uncomfortable." Hakoda assured.

You breathed deeply, raising your hand. You began to bloodbend, stopping his wound from bleeding.

Hakoda winced.

You stopped and continued the regular healing process. "How are you doing?"

"Better. I think I can stand, now. I want to see Sokka."

You and Katara helped Hakoda to his feet, leading him out into the battlefield.

"Dad!" Sokka called happily upon spotting him. "You're on your feet again!"

You and Katara led Hakoda to an earth wall, Sokka and Toph joining you.

"Thanks to your friend. I'm in no shape to fight, but maybe there's some way I could help." Hakoda offered, sitting down on an earth pillar.

An explosion landed on the other side of the wall.

"Everything's going smoothly, and the eclipse hasn't even kicked in, yet." Sokka filled in, crouching down in front of his father.

"Let's hope our luck holds out."

Katara walked a few paces away, looking into the distance.

"Katara, you seem distracted. Something wrong?" Hakoda asked.

"Yeah. Is that- is that Aang?"

You spun around, trying to see if it was Aang. You could see him flying towards you with his glider.

"What?!" Sokka asked as Aang landed. "Please tell me you're here because the Firelord is a big wimp and you didn't even need the eclipse to take him down." He pleaded.

"He wasn't home." Aang replied. "No one was. The entire palace city was abandoned."

Sokka's eyes widened briefly before his eyebrows bent low. "They knew." He deduced.

Aang hung his head. "It's over. The Firelord is probably long gone, far away on some remote island where he'll be safe during the eclipse."

"No. My instincts tell me he wouldn't go too far. He would have a secret bunker. Somewhere he could go and be safe during the siege, but still be close enough to lead his nation."

You stood. "So, we find him."

"If it's an underground secret bunker we're looking for, I'm just the girl to find it." Toph said, confidently jerking a thumb at herself.

Sokka reached into his pocket, pulling something out. "The mechanic gave me this time device. It looks like we've got ten minutes until the full eclipse. Ten minutes to find the Firelord."

"We can still do this." Aang determined. "We can still win the day."

"Wait. If they knew we were coming, it could all be a trap." Katara advised. "Maybe we should use the time we have left to make sure everyone gets out of here safely."

Sokka looked down in thought.

"Everyone who's here today came prepared to risk everything for this mission." Hakoda cut in. "They know what's at stake. If there's still a chance… if there's still hope… I think they would want Aang to go for it."

Sokka turned to Aang. "What do you think? You're the one who has to face the Firelord. Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

Aang stood, looking back up towards the palace. "I've got to try."

Sokka nodded.

"Let's go, then." You voiced, beckoning Appa over.

"You're not coming." Sokka told you, placing a hand on your shoulder.

"I didn't ask you."

"Well, I'm telling you."

You looked up at him. "I'm coming with you. And you can't make me stay." You held up your arm, revealing your half of the bracelet. "I love you, and I'm staying with you."

Sokka looked down at you, hesitance evident in his blue eyes. A worried expression formed on his face.

The determination in your eyes must have finally got through to him.

He sighed, slumping his shoulders slightly. "Fine." He pointed at you. "But be careful."

You nodded.

Appa landed on the side of the volcano, you, Sokka, Toph and Aang climbing off.

"Do you feel anything down there?" Aang asked as Toph pressed her hand against the ground.

"Yep. There are natural tunnels crisscrossing through the inside of the volcano."

"Anything else? Is there a structure somewhere?" Sokka questioned.

Toph lifted her arms, sticking her fingers into the side. "There's something big, metal, and dense in the heart of the volcano."

"Sounds like a secret bunker to me." You noted, following Toph in the hole she made, Sokka on your tail.

Aang followed shortly after talking with Momo and Appa.

"This way! That way's a dead end!" Toph shouted, running along the tunnel.

"What would we do without you!?" Sokka exclaimed as you all followed her.

"Perish in burning hot magma." She answered as you passed some lava.

"Yeah, pretty much."

You all came to a wider space, except there were holes in the ground.

Fire shot out of them.

"The tunnel continues on the other side." Toph informed, pointing. "It leads right to the bunker."

"We'll have to be fast, but careful." Sokka said, rushing forward.

Lava shot up next to him.

Aang blew air at it, freezing it, while you dragged Sokka back to safety.

"What was that about being careful?" You questioned, raising a stern eyebrow at him.

Sokka grinned sheepishly. "We need to be fast, careful and lucky."

You rolled your eyes as you all rushed through. Everyone came to a stop, seeing lava below.

"There's no floor!" Sokka exclaimed. "It's just a river of lava!"

Aang spun his glider open. "Climb aboard and hold on tight."

"Man, I hope this thing's strong." You mumbled, grabbing onto it.

You all yelled as Aang took off.

You squeezed your eyes shut, holding onto the glider for dear life.

Aang landed on the other side and you all got off.

You stumbled a little, but managed to follow them through the cave. Your gaze landed on a large metal structure.

"That's some door!" Sokka noted, looking up at it.

Toph walked towards it, feeling the material. "Not a problem." She hit the door with her elbow a few times before busting through.

Your jaw went slack as Aang followed her through.

"I am so glad we added you to the group!" Sokka exclaimed, following after them.

You trailed along behind Sokka, turning down corridor after corridor.

You all heard a gasp and turned, getting into fighting positions.

The elderly man raised his hands in surrender, pointing. "The Firelord's chamber is that way, down the hall, to the left and up the stairs. You can't miss it."

"Thanks!" Aang smiled, rushing off.

You all followed.

Sokka reached into his pocket, pulling out his timer. "Only thirty seconds until the total eclipse!"

You came upon a door, the firenation insignia over it.

Aang took a deep breath. "I'm ready." He determined. "I'm ready to face the Firelord." He drew his staff back, blowing the doors open.

"So. You are alive after all." A cool voice stated from the seat at the end of the room.

Aang and Sokka's mouths dropped open.

Your eyes narrowed. "Azula." You hissed through gritted teeth.

"I had a hunch that you survived." She told Aang. "But it doesn't matter. I've known about the invasion for months." She informed proudly.

"Where is he!? Where's the Firelord!?" Aang demanded.

"Aang, she's not going to tell you." You muttered.

Azula stood. "You mean I'm not good enough for you?" She placed a hand on her chest, feigning offense. "You're hurting my feelings."

"Funny, I wasn't aware you had any." You snapped.

"Stop wasting our time and give us the information." Sokka voiced. "You're powerless right now, so you're in no position to refuse." He reminded, holding his sword up.

"And stick to the truth. I'll be able to tell if you're lying." Toph added.

"Are you sure? I'm a pretty good liar." Azula informed, stepping forward. "I am a four-hundred foot tall purple platypus-bear with pink horns and silver wings."

Toph hesitated. "Okay, you're good, I admit it." She raised her hands, trapping Azula in rock. "But you really ought to consider telling the truth anyway."

The rocks shattered.

Everyone stood in surprise as Azula wiped dirt off of her armor.

"When I left Ba Sing Se, I brought home some souvenirs. Dai Li agents."

Two Dai Li agents dropped from the ceiling.

Aang swiped air at them, but they formed a rock wall, the air slapping uselessly against it.

"Not these guys again." You grumbled.

Aang jumped over the wall while Toph jumped through it.

You ran around on the other side, seeing Azula backflip to avoid one of Toph's attacks.

She dodged Aang's air attacks as Toph fought the Dai Li.

The other Dai Li agent brought up another wall, Aang bursting through before continuing to follow Azula.

"A little help!?"

You turned, seeing Sokka struggling to climb up the wall to get through the hole. You rushed forward, jumping and pushing his feet a little, giving him a tiny boost.

Sokka leaned backwards in alarm as Azula flew over him, smirking down at him.

She rushed towards the door, the Dai Li agents, Aang and Toph following.

You rolled your eyes, helping Sokka out.

"I can't pin her down!" Aang yelled, continuing to run. "She's too quick!"

You all rushed out of the bunker, running through the corridors.

Toph pushed one of the Dai Li agents into one of the metal support beams. She grabbed the edges, pulling them together and keeping him stuck before following Aang again.

"Wait! Aang! Toph! Stop attacking!" Sokka said, coming to a stop.

Everyone else stopped to look over at him.

"Don't you see what she's doing?" He continued. "She's just playing with us! She's not even trying to win this fight!"

"Not true!" Azula denied. "I'm giving it my all."

Toph pointed at her. "You're trying to keep us here to waste all our time!"

"Uh, right. I think your friend just said that, genius. And since you can't see, I should tell you, I'm rolling my eyes."

"I'll roll your whole head!"

Sokka placed a hand on Toph's shoulder. "She's just baiting you again."

"O-okay, so what do we do? Just ignore her?" Aang asked, turning to look at Sokka.

"We don't have a choice. We just have to get out of here and find the Firelord on our own somehow." Sokka turned away, Aang and Toph following.

You looked at Azula for a second longer before following as well.

"It's a trap!" Azula spoke up. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Sokka raised his hand, continuing to walk. "Ignore!"

"So, Sokka's your name, right? My favorite prisoner used to mention you all the time."

Sokka stopped, turning to face Azula.

"She was convinced you were going to come rescue her. Of course, you never came, and she gave up on you."

Sokka closed his eyes, turning his head away as tears began to flow down his cheeks. He yelled, charging at her.

Toph shot some earth at her, pinning her wrist to the wall.

Sokka grabbed Azula's shoulder, pushing her further against it. "Where. Is. Suki?" He demanded.

Azula didn't respond. She only smirked.

"Where's Suki!? Answer me!"

"Sokka, she won't talk." Aang insisted, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Sokka turned back to the princess. "Where are you keeping her!?"

"Oh, sounds like the firebending's back on." Azula said happily. She kicked her leg, blue fire emerging from her foot.

Sokka and Aang stumbled back to avoid the blow.

She kicked, shooting some fire at Sokka.

You jumped forward, pushing him onto the ground, landing on top of him.

Azula broke the earth around her wrist, shooting at Aang. She stood, facing the group. "Dad's all the way at the end of the hall and down a secret stairway on the left. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to see you now." She rushed down the hall.

"I fell for it!" Sokka exclaimed. "I used up all our time!"

"It's not your fault, Sokka." Toph defended. "Azula was ready for us! She had every move planned out!"

"And now it's too late."

Your eyes narrowed. "It's not too late. You guys go ahead. I'll catch up." You began to run down the path.

"Where are you going!?" Sokka hollered.

"I have some unfinished business!" You shouted. "I'll meet with you later!"

They continued to call after you, but you didn't listen.

You kept your eyes and ears peeled. Azula was fast, silent and deadly. You had to be careful, or this would go very wrong. You zipped down the hallways, looking this way and that, trying to locate her. Blue fire shot out in front of you. You drew your water, blocking it just in time.

"Well, I must admit I didn't expect you to follow me." Azula's silky voice said.

You glared over at her. "We have unfinished business." You hovered the water around your hands, watching her carefully.

"Really? And what would that be?"

"Ba Sing Se." You reminded sharply before sending a water whip at her.

She shot it, dissipating the attack.

You sent two more at her, which she easily evaded.

You kept attacking, but she was too good. You couldn't land a hit on her.

"You know, you're wasting valuable time. You could escape with your friends." She said, shooting fire at you.

You blocked, gritting your teeth in annoyance.

"What exactly do you have against me?" She questioned, smirking as she dodged another attack. "Was it your back? Zuko?"

You yelled, quickly returning your water to your canteen and raising your hands.

Azula froze. Her eyes widened as she struggled to move.

You moved your hands closer together, and her arms came down, pinned to her sides.

She grunted, looking around frantically.

You smiled, approaching her as you forced her to her knees, standing over her. "I've learned some things since last we met." You informed, voice low and chilling. Your eyes narrowed, face falling into a more serious expression. "I've grown more powerful than you, Azula."

She looked up at you, her golden eyes wide.

They were filled with terror.

"You finally get to know what it's like to be helpless. To have no way out." You lifted Azula up so that only her toes touched the ground. "You finally know what it's like to be beaten."

"Y/n!"

You turned, seeing shadows on the wall. You dropped Azula, releasing your hold of her.

She collapsed onto her knees, trying to get used to having control over her own body again.

You left Azula, meeting the other's in the hallway.

"We need to go." Sokka told you.

You nodded, following them back out of the volcano.

You all hopped on Appa, flying back towards the main battle.

"What are those!?" You questioned, seeing several flying metal objects, each bearing the firenation insignia.

Appa landed, Katara rushing over.

"It was all a trap!" Sokka exclaimed, looking down at her. "Azula knew we were coming, and she's plotted out every move!" He informed, climbing off.

You and Toph followed.

"We've just got to get to the beach as fast as we can. If we can make it to the submarines, maybe we can get away safely."

Hakoda approached, hand still over his wound.

"They've got air power, but so do I!" Aang reminded, determination radiating off of him. He opened his glider. "I'm going to do what I can to slow them down!"

Katara turned to the bison. "Appa! You and I can help, too!" She climbed on him, following Aang.

"Everyone else, let's get back to the subs!" Sokka called, waving his hand and rushing away.

You all followed him down the volcano.

Sokka stopped suddenly, turning around and looking at the approaching war ships. "Try to find cover! I think we're about to see some bombs!"

Toph brought an earth slab over the group, protecting everyone from the bombs.

The bombs collided with the slab, weakening it.

Toph brought pillars out of the ground, supporting it.

You all stepped out when the bombs had ceased.

"Why aren't they turning around to attack us again?" Katara wondered aloud.

"They're headed for the beach." Aang noted. His eyes widened suddenly. "They're going to destroy the subs!"

"How are we all gonna escape?" Sokka muttered.

"We're not." Hakoda declared, walking over.

Sokka turned to his father. "Then our only choice is to stand and fight. We have the Avatar. We can still win."

"Yes. With the Avatar, we could still win. On another day. You kids have to leave. You have to escape on Appa together."

"What?" Katara questioned, stepping forward. "We won't leave you behind. We won't leave anyone behind."

"You're our only chance in the long run." Hakoda reasoned. "You and Sokka have to go with Aang somewhere safe. It's the only way to keep hope alive."

"The youngest of our group should go with you. The adults will stay behind and surrender." Bato said. "We'll be prisoners, but we'll all survive this battle."

Haru's dad walked over. "I've got some experience with Firenation prisons. It's not going to be easy, but we'll get by."

"They're at the beach already!" Sokka exclaimed.

You looked, seeing the air ships begin dropping bombs.

The swamp benders blocked some, but there were too many.

The subs were destroyed.

You and Toph helped the younger ones, Tao, The Duke and Haru onto Appa while Sokka and Katara said goodbye to their father.

Once everyone was on, Aang stood.

"Thank you all for being so brave and so strong. I'm going to make this up to you." He flicked the reigns, and Appa rose into the clouds. "I know a place where we'll be safe for a while!" He called over the wind. "The Western Air Temple!"