Wow! This chapter was fun to write. Enjoy!

~Faith

Chapter 44: Unchained

The carriage came to a stop outside the east gate of Ba Sing Se's Lower Ring. After we'd left Iroh, we headed through the Upper Ring to speak to Kyro to see if we could borrow a ride. We knew it would be faster to get there by carriage than on foot. Thankfully, Kyro was more than happy to assist us and had his personal carriage made ready for us. We were taken through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Ring. Finally, we made it to the Agrarian Zone just as the moon was starting to rise.

After we came to a stop, the carriage driver was the one to grab the door for us. Zuko got out first, helped Toph find her footing, and then helped me down. Once we were ready to head the mile to the lake, I turned to the carriage driver who had gotten back on his seat.

"Thank you! Tell Kyro we said thank you too!"

The man nodded, and then snapped the reins making the ostrich horse move forward. As he headed towards the gate to return to the Upper Ring, we started to make our way across the fields. We were headed towards the direction of the lake, all three of us on alert in case the Dai Li showed up to try and stop us. We were hoping our plan had not met Joo Dee or Long Feng's ears.

Zuko spoke as we moved across the grass under the moonlight. "When we get into the tunnel we need to be cautious. We don't know how many Dai Li agents there will be inside. I'm hoping if we're careful, we can get through this undetected. But we need to be ready for anything."

Toph nodded. "Good thing is I can sense everyone within a hundred yard radius, so if someone is coming then I'll know."

I smiled. "You're awesome, Toph."

Yuna chirped on my shoulder to agree.

Toph smirked. "I know. Don't forget it."

The trek to the lake was very quiet. None of us said anything once we got within half a mile of the body of water. We wanted to be as stealth as we could. We also tried to use the taller plants we passed by to hide behind so no one would detect our movements. After a good thirty minutes of cautiously moving across the fields before us, we arrived at a steep decline.

The lake stretched out before us. The moonlight reflected on the water. In the distance, I could see the shadow of an island with the water around it. Toph shut her eyes as she concentrated on the earth beneath her. Zuko and I stood perfectly still so we did not disturb her as she searched for the opening to the tunnel that we needed. I kept on high alert though, searching around us for any sign of the Dai Li. I worried they would stop us before we could reach Appa, and that was the last thing I wanted tonight.

Toph suddenly pointed to an area near the lake, saying, "The tunnel starts there. Once we're down inside I will hopefully be able to see where they are holding Appa."

Zuko nodded. "Lead the way, Toph. We've got your back."

She nodded and started to make her way down the hill. Zuko and I stayed on guard as we followed her towards the water, ready for an attack if one occurred. Thankfully, by the time we got to the water, nothing had happened. There was still no sign of the Dai Li anywhere. I hoped we could keep it that way.

Toph stopped abruptly, and we stopped with her. She stamped her foot on the ground, and a stone pier shot out before us, parting the water as it rose from beneath. At the end of the pier was a wider circle, and I assumed that was the entrance.

"Stay close," Toph said. "The tunnel is clear below, but I won't know more until we get inside."

I nodded. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves I suddenly felt. Going underground was never enjoyable for me. So many memories of that horrible storage room Zhao had forced me in were trying to flood back. I quickly shook my head to try and knock them away. I had to be brave. I was doing this for Appa. I knew I just needed to keep reminding myself of that.

Zuko took my hand and gave it a squeeze, sensing my anxiety. "You sure you want to do this, Amara? Toph and I can handle it… If you need to stay–"

I argued. "No. I'm fine. I can do this. Appa needs us, and I'm not turning away. Let's get our friend back."

Yuna gave a "mew-hoo" in agreement, flapping her wings.

Toph spoke up, having already stepped on the pier. "Then what are you two lovebirds waiting for? Let's get a move on. We don't have all night."

I nodded. "Okay. Let's go. We're getting Appa back."

Zuko squeezed my hand again as we started to walk forward onto the pier. He whispered, "You've become so brave. I'm proud of you, Amara."

I smiled over at him. "I found a lot of reasons to be. The only way I'm going to help save Appa is by not being afraid. That's the only way I'm going to help stop this war too."

He gave a small smile. "Give yourself some credit, Amara… you convinced the Fire Nation prince to change sides. That took a lot of courage and strength."

We finally reached the end of the pier. Toph turned to the side to speak to us again. "Alright… No turning back once we're in." She suddenly held her hand out with her palm facing down. "Operation 'Save Appa' starts now!"

Zuko put his hand over hers. I realized what I had to do then, and put my hand over Zuko's.

"Stick together. We've got this," Zuko reassured.

"We're coming, Appa," I whispered.

We dropped our hands then, and Toph turned, stamping her foot and tightening her hands into fists. A circle trap door opened, and I saw a stone ladder extending down into the green glow below. Yuna flew from my shoulder and swooped down inside. Toph followed, not bothering to use the ladder and just jumping down. Zuko was stunned, muttering, "Does she have rock hard feet or something?"

I smiled slightly, "Must be an earthbender thing." I took my turn then, using the ladder to lower myself into the hole. The ladder stretched maybe thirty yards. Toph was waiting at the bottom by the time I stepped down into the green crystal lit tunnel. Yuna returned to my shoulder once we were down below, and I was impressed by her bravery as well. Zuko joined us a moment later, letting out a heavy breath.

"Okay, Toph…" He spoke softly. "Anything?"

Toph concentrated, planting her feet flat on the earth to focus on the vibrations around us. As she focused, I felt shivers race through me at the creepy groaning sounds echoing through the tunnel. I knew the sounds were just from the earth, but they still creeped me out.

"This tunnel leads to a larger tunnel. We need to be careful going through there. They seem to have two Dai Li agents walking around. If we wait for them to pass again then we can sneak by. There's also a room with a lot of people in it, but if we're quiet we can sneak by that as well. Looks like a smaller tunnel branches off of the larger one, and there's a big room at the end. I can feel inside there's something very large. I bet you anything it's Appa."

Zuko nodded. "We won't know unless we get going… Lead the way, Toph."

We started to sneak our way through the dimly lit narrow tunnel. The passage seemed to stretch for about fifty yards, and then finally we reached an opening to where a larger tunnel was. Toph gestured for us to move against the side of the tunnel we were in, and once we were pressed against the wall, two Dai Li agents passed by. They were speaking softly to one another about something I could not make out. We all held our breaths as they passed. We waited until we could no longer hear their steps in the hall, and then we moved out into the opening.

As quiet as we could, we crept through the hallway, following Toph as she led the way. There were crystals lined against the tunnel wall, glowing their green light as we moved along. At some point we passed by the room Toph had mentioned earlier. A voice echoed from inside, and I made it out to be one of the Dai Li agents.

"I'm Joo Dee. Welcome to Ba Sing Se," he spoke.

As we passed the small opening, I saw a whole group of women who were dressed just like Joo Dee. Their eyes were wide open as if they were in a trance. I knew then that they were. They had clearly been brainwashed by the Dai Li. The women echoed what the man had spoken, their voices all in unison.

"I'M JOO DEE. WELCOME TO BA SING SE."

The Dai Li agent had his back to us as we passed him, so he did not detect us. I heard him speak again as we moved away from the opening. "We're so lucky to have our walls to create order."

The women repeated after him. "WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE OUR WALLS TO CREATE ORDER."

I shivered and grabbed Zuko's shirt sleeve. Zuko glanced back at me to make sure I was okay. I realized what I'd done. I dropped my hand, feeling embarrassed by my moment of weakness. He took my hand to comfort me though, and I smiled in gratitude. Yuna rubbed her head on my cheek to let me know she was there too. I pet her with my free hand, feeling encouraged.

We walked past a few tunnel openings, and then Toph gestured for us to follow her down one to the right. The tunnel was darker than the rest, except for one green crystal at the end that was above a large stone door. Toph stopped and smiled. She turned towards us and gave a nod.

My heart started to pound wildly inside me. I knew what she was saying. Appa was on the other side of the door. We were just a piece of stone apart. Toph stepped up to the door and pressed her hand against it. She whispered, "We're here, Appa…"

The door swung open. A breeze hit us as a large open room appeared before us. We stepped inside the room, and I felt my excitement turn to horror.

Appa stood before us, each one of his legs chained to the floor. Tears fell down my face as I stared at his broken expression. His brown eyes, which were once so full of life, looked so hopeless. His body looked a lot thinner than I remembered. I could see parts of where his fur was growing back from what I assumed to be injuries.

Toph shut the door behind us, but I did not move my gaze from the chained animal in front of us. My heart sped up faster as Appa finally moved his gaze towards us. I lost myself for a moment, falling back into the past.

Zhao held me down on the cot, my face pressed to the fabric as he chained my hands behind me. I screamed and kicked, but he did not remove his weight from me as he continued to force the metal cuffs around my wrists. "NO! LET GO!"

He clamped the last cuff, and then moved to my ankles. I heard him grab the other cuffs he had, and I started to kick my legs to try and escape.

"You brat! Knock it off or I'll chain you upside down!" Zhao snapped at my ten year old self.

"Please! I'm sorry! I won't try to run again! Please!"

"You say that every time, and yet you still do! I'm going away for the night, and uncle is visiting some friends in town! We can't risk you getting out again!"

He managed to cuff one of my ankles. I screamed.

"I said knock it off!" Zhao snapped. His fist smashed into my back and pain erupted through my spine. I cried out and shoved my mouth to the cot to try and muffle my pain. I went still though, feeling every part of me suddenly hurt from his punch. He got my other ankle chained, and then stood. He kicked me in the side hard, and I coughed out as the wind was knocked from me. "Stop being a pain in the ass! Or I'll burn you to ashes like I did to your mother!"

Instead of fighting him, I just gasped as tears continued to escape me. Zhao turned on his heel and left, slamming the door on his way out. He left me no lantern, so I was consumed by darkness.

Alone… chained… the only sound was my sobs.

Fur brushed my cheek bringing me back. Yuna whined as she sensed my fear.

"Amara…" A voice brought my blurred vision back to focus. I saw Zuko was in front of me, his hands on my trembling forearms to try and help me come back as well. Toph stood beside him with concern. Zuko spoke again. "Stay with us. It's okay."

I met Zuko's gaze again. His golden eyes burned into my blue watered orbs with worry.

"Amara… Are you okay?"

I blinked, and more tears fell. I finally found my breath. My pounding heart calmed. "I… Sorry… seeing Appa like that… I just… thought of myself…"

Zuko pressed a hand to my cheek, brushing a tear. "That's not you anymore… you're free… and Appa's about to be too. Calm down."

I did. I took in a heavy breath. I nodded slowly. "I… I'm okay… sorry…"

Toph reassured me. "You're fine, Kitten. Don't apologize. Sparky and I had a feeling this might have triggered something with you. We were prepared for this."

A groan sounded behind Toph. I quickly remembered why we had come into such a dimly lit room. I pushed my past away again and focused on what was most important. I moved forward past Toph and Zuko. Appa's spirit lifted as he recognized Toph and I. He seemed anxious about Zuko, but he could sense the once enemy prince was not here to hurt him.

"Appa… shh… it's okay, buddy. We're here now," I whispered. I approached Appa, who tried to approach me. The chains restricted him, and he groaned again in frustration. I held my hand out towards him, letting him know that I was not going to hurt him. He went still as I approached, and he lowered his head and shut his eyes. My hand moved against his fur, and I let my palm rest on the space above his nose. More tears fell as I let his warmth flow through me. But I could feel his pain. He had been through so much in the time he was apart. I could see singed fur. Cuts on his face. He looked so tired and worn. "Appa… What happened to you?"

Yuna gave a sad "mew" and then flapped her wings to fly up and land on top of his head. Appa let out a sigh as he sensed his old friend. He relaxed more against my hand. He opened his eyes again, and the darkness that once was within them was lightening.

Toph stepped over to Appa then, and she pressed her face into his fur. She spoke with agony. "Appa… I'm so sorry I didn't save you from those sandbenders. I should've fought harder for you. I'm so so sorry, buddy."

Appa groaned, and we all knew what he was saying. He forgave her. Toph sniffled, knowing it as well.

After we gave our love to our long lost friend, we moved away slightly so that he and Zuko could meet. Appa stared at Zuko with uncertainty at first. I moved over to Zuko and grabbed his hand when I sensed he was timid to approach as well.

"It's okay," I promised. "He won't hurt you."

Zuko swallowed as he tried to calm his nerves. He gave a small nod, and we both moved forward together. "Appa…" I spoke softly. "This is Zuko. He's an important member of the group now. He's not going to hurt you."

Appa stared at Zuko as we approached. However, as I moved Zuko's hand onto Appa's fur, Appa shut his eyes and moved against his palm. Appa accepted Zuko, and I felt Zuko relax. I let his hand go, and Zuko stroked Appa's fur gently.

"Hey, Appa," Zuko spoke softly. "Nice to officially meet you… Amara's told me so much about you." He let out a heavy breath. "Sorry for everything I did to you in the past… I'm on your side now. And I'm here to save you."

Appa opened his eyes again and stared at Zuko with trust. I smiled and felt my heart warm. Appa accepted him just as the rest of the group had. Zuko stepped back after petting him for a few more seconds. Then he turned back to business.

"Let's get out of here before someone comes," he insisted. Zuko pulled his swords out from behind him. "I'll cut the chains."

Toph nodded. "We're beneath the island, so I'll bend an opening above for us to fly through."

I pet Appa again with a smile. "We're getting you back to Aang, Appa. Just hang on a little longer."

Zuko moved around Appa then, swinging his sword in precise movements to cut the chains that were attached to Appa's cuffs. Once Appa was freed from the six chains that once held him down, he jumped up with a groan of delight, hovered for a moment, and then lowered again. Yuna had started to fly around him when he did this, delighted that he was free as well.

I frowned though, seeing the cuffs still on his ankles. "I wish we could get the rest off of him."

Toph stepped over, and knelt beside one. She pressed both of her hands to the metal material and shut her eyes. "I wonder…" she whispered. "I've never tried… but… maybe I can manipulate it somehow. Metal is technically made from earth, right?"

Zuko sheathed his swords in disbelief. "You mean I just sliced all those chains for no reason?"

Toph continued to concentrate. "That's possible, Sparky." She pressed her hands harder to the cuffs, and suddenly we heard the sound of groaning metal. The ring around Appa's leg broke then, and Toph managed to pull the metal enough to have the cuff fall off. My jaw dropped at her action. Her mouth was open in astonishment too. Zuko's eyes were wide with bewilderment.

"Toph… you… you're a metalbender!"

Toph stood and grinned widely. "I am! I'm a metalbender!" She pumped her fists in the air. "I am the coolest earthbender ever!" She moved around Appa then, getting better with each cuff, pulling them off with less effort than the last. Once she was finished with all six metal cuffs, she was grinning and jumping up and down with thrill. "I can't believe it! I can't believe I just bent metal! You see that Appa! Toph is the coolest!"

Appa groaned in agreement.

Zuko let out a heavy breath. "Would've been nice if you had realized all of this five minutes ago! I have to sharpen my swords again!"

Toph waved her hand at him. "No worries, Sparky! I'll sharpen them for you!"

Zuko shook his head. "No way! You're practicing more before you touch my swords!"

I rushed over and hugged Toph then. She hugged me back. "You're so amazing Toph! Just wait until the others hear about this!"

Yuna, who had landed on Appa's head again, gave a "mew-hoo" in agreement.

Once Toph and I pulled apart, Toph stated, "Alright! Step one complete! Now, let's get out of this creepy pit and complete 'operation save Appa' once and for all!"

Zuko gave a small smile. "Yeah. Let's get out of here."

Toph stamped her feet on the ground then and raised her hands towards the ceiling. She started to part her hands from one another then, and the earth above us began to separate. As a hole formed, moonlight began to seep in from the world above. Appa groaned with delight as he saw the moon and sky above. His freedom was forming within his sight for the first time in who knows how long.

Once the hole was big enough, we quickly climbed onto Appa. Zuko helped Toph find her grip while I crawled to Appa's neck. Grabbing his fur so I didn't fall off, I watched as Yuna took off and flew through the large circle above.

"Alright! Everyone hold on tight!" I cried.

Just as I said this, the door to the room swung open. We looked over to see a Dai Li agent burst in. His eyes stared at the scene before him with horror. "HEY! STOP!"

I shouted, keeping focused, "APPA! YIP YIP!"

Appa groaned, pounded his large tail on the earth, and then took off through the hole before the Dai Li agent could stop us. We flew out of the hole into the open air, and Appa groaned again with delight as he flew above the lake and tasted freedom. Air rushed past us as Appa circled around the island where we had flown out of. Yuna flew beside us as Appa loosened his muscles and enjoyed his freedom. I glanced back to see Toph was not enjoying the flight as much as Appa was. Zuko was staring around with bewilderment, having never flown on Appa while conscious before. The last time he had been on Appa was when Katara knocked him unconscious at the North Pole.

"Alright, Appa. Let's get you back to Aang," I said. I tugged some of his fur to the right, and he turned to follow the direction I wanted him to go.

However, we didn't have to go far at all. A shout rang from the shoreline in the distance.

"APPA!"

All of us but Toph looked over to see Aang and the others running along the shoreline to get closer to us. I could see Jet and his friends were still with them in the moonlight. Appa let out a groan of delight upon his best friend's call, and then took off towards the direction where the group was. We landed on the shore a few feet away, and as Aang ran into Appa and embraced his long lost friend, we managed to clamber down back onto the earth.

Once we were off of Appa, we headed over to the group while Aang cried and continued to embrace his best friend. Momo was on Appa's head chattering wildly with delight. Yuna was still flying around Appa, also excited to have him back.

Sokka rushed over to me as soon as we approached, pulling me into his arms. "Amara! Don't give me a heart attack like that again! You know how worried I was!"

Zuko asked with confusion as I hugged my cousin back, "How did you all get here so fast?"

Katara answered as I pulled away from Sokka. "We got a message from Iroh as soon as we got back to the house. We borrowed the fastest ostrich-horses we could find and made our way over here."

I glanced over at Jet, Longshot, and Smellerbee with uncertainty. Sokka noticed I wasn't thrilled by their presence. "Amara… It's okay. We explained things to them. They're good now."

I decided not to worry about them. I turned to look back over at Aang and Appa with a small smile. "It's good to see them together again."

Katara spoke once more. "So let me get this straight… you all found out that Appa was being held under this lake, and instead of waiting for us you three decided to go on your own crazy mission? Are you insane?! Why didn't you wait for us?!"

Toph spoke up. "Cool your britches, Sugarqueen. We needed to go sooner than later. And good thing we did too. Poor guy had been down there long enough, if you ask me."

As Sokka and Katara went over to hug Appa and welcome him back, Aang suddenly came over and pulled me into a hug. I was surprised at first, but hugged him back. "Thanks, Amara." He rushed to Toph then, who grimaced from the love as she was pulled into a hug. "Thanks, Toph." He then rushed over to Zuko, who was shocked when Aang hugged him as well. "Thanks, Zuko." He pulled away and then looked at the three of us with tears. "You all brought him back to me."

Toph shrugged. "Wasn't that hard. We just snuck through some tunnels and opened a ceiling. Oh… and I did learn I could metalbend."

Aang's jaw dropped. "What?! Metalbend! You've got to show me that!"

Jet interjected suddenly, and I realized I had forgotten he and his friends were even there. "Probably best we leave this area… I have a bad feeling the Dai Li may have learned Appa's been freed and might be here any minute."

Zuko moved over to my side, remembering Jet's presence too. "Why is he still with you all?"

Sokka had come back over at this point to answer. "He insisted on helping. He also has something he wants to say to the both of you." He glanced over at the teenager. "Right, Jet?"

Jet let out a heavy breath. "Yeah…" He stepped towards Zuko and I. I felt my body go a little tense. To our surprise, he got down on his knees and hung his head. "I'm sorry for losing myself earlier today. I was a jerk and said so many terrible things to you, Amara. Your family explained to me everything you went through. I should've never treated you in such a terrible way. I was blind to my past prejudices." He then raised his head and looked over at Zuko. "I know who you are now… and if you are truly here to help us stop this war, then I'm sorry for judging you as well. I've lost everything to the Fire Nation that I once loved. Firebenders killed my parents… when I heard you both were firebenders, I let my hatred blind me for a moment. I'm sorry for that. I hope you both can forgive me for being a jerk. I hope we can move forward and be allies from this point on."

I frowned. I pulled from Zuko and stepped a little closer to Jet. I let out a heavy breath. "You know… you hurt me a lot earlier today…" He flinched. I continued. "I've spent most of my life being called a freak and being told I should never have been born… It's going to take me some time to get over what you said, but I'm willing to accept your sincerity. I just want you to understand, Jet… Zuko and I… we may be firebenders… but our abilities don't define our hearts. Not all firebenders, or people from the Fire Nation are bad. Many of us want this war to end as well." I held my hand out towards him. He was surprised. "So let's end this war."

He smiled. He took my hand and I helped him back to his feet. He said with gratitude, "Thanks, Amara… you really are as amazing as your cousins said."

I gave him a small smile. "Thanks… I hope I didn't hurt you too much when I attacked you earlier today."

He shook his head. "No. But I deserved it, so I wouldn't have blamed you if you did."

I stepped back and took Zuko's hand again. However, just as I did, the ground suddenly started to shake. Three walls of earth rose around us, blocking us in so we could not escape. We all gasped as we were trapped. Looking up, we saw Dai Li agents surrounding us on each wall. We were about to be ambushed. The Dai Li agent who saw us escape on Appa must've alerted everyone about what we had done.

Long Feng suddenly dropped down from one of the walls. He looked outraged by the turn of events that had occurred. He stood before us, and he spoke with fury. "You have all become enemies to the state. You will be taken into custody immediately."

Aang gripped his staff with rage. "Why?! Because we freed Appa from you?! You're the one who stole my bison! Just wait until I tell the Earth King all about your secret base too!"

Long Feng scowled. "You will never get that chance! Arrest them!"

The Dai Li agents jumped down from their walls to seize us. As they did, Appa swung his tail at one group and the gust of air from his force blew ten agents into one of the walls knocking them out. Aang, Toph, Katara, Zuko, and I started to shoot air, earth, water, and fire at the other agents. As the elements surrounded us, I saw Jet, Sokka, Smellerbee, and Longshot using their own weapons to fight off other agents.

We seemed to fight for a good five minutes. Everyone was starting to get exhausted, and I could tell that the Dai Li agents outnumbered us greatly. As Zuko shot a blast of fire to block some rocks being thrown our way, and Katara froze an agent to the wall, I tried to think of a way I could help.

I glanced over at the water beside us. Then I thought about a time long ago when I heated the water in the swamp to stop the vine monster. I knew then what I had to do. I shouted over at Toph, "I'm boiling these creeps! Raise everyone up, Toph!" Then I shouted to Appa, Momo, and Yuna, "You three take off!"

Toph caught my intention. She stamped her foot and each member of our group was raised up on pillars. Appa, Yuna, and Momo took off into the air. As everyone was lifted from the earth below, I turned on my own pillar and brought a rush of water from the lake over the remaining agents. They shouted as the water knocked them back. As they tried to steady themselves, I heated the water until steam started to rise. I heard cries from below as my water, which was waist deep, burned the agents. Long Feng was the only one who had managed to escape on his own pillar. He stared down at my boiling water with horror, while his men screamed in pain.

"What?! No! Stop it, you freak!"

As Long Feng shouted at me with fury, he threw his fist and shot a boulder from his pillar straight towards me. I was forced to stop my attack below, making the water immediately recede, and I gasped as the boulder was only a few feet away from hitting me. I didn't have time to block.

"Amara! No!"

Zuko's shout echoed in my ears just as Jet jumped in front of me onto my pillar suddenly. He hit the boulder with his hook-sword as he jumped in my path. The rock followed his sword's movement and was flung to the side, smashing into the pillar that Jet had once been standing on. Jet turned and grabbed my arm as I stumbled from my shock, steadying me and keeping me from falling off.

As Jet saved me, I saw from the corner of my eyes a very angry Appa flying over to Long Feng. As Long Feng went to kick at him, Appa grabbed the man's foot with his teeth and flew him off the pillar. Long Feng screamed as Appa held him upside down, flew above the lake, and dropped him into the water below. There was a scream, splash, and then nothing.

Appa landed on the ground again. Yuna and Momo landed beside him a moment later. The Dai Li agents in the area still were groaning in pain from their burns. I didn't feel bad for them. They had tried to arrest us. They had brainwashed people. They were the enemy in my eyes.

Toph lowered our pillars once the fight was over, and we found ourselves on the flat damp ground once more. I had returned my gaze to Jet at this point, staring at him with bewilderment, my heart racing still from my almost demise.

He met my gaze. "You okay?"

"Yeah… Thanks," I spoke with a shaky voice.

He smiled. "No problem."

"Amara!" Zuko ran over to me and pulled me into his embrace with relief. He held me close, glad that I had not been harmed.

"I'm okay," I promised softly. "Thanks to Jet."

Zuko pulled away slightly, and then looked over at Jet who was sheathing his sword. "Thank you."

Jet shrugged. "It was nothing. Plus, we don't need the world's only dualbender dying on us."

"Speaking of that," Smellerbee suddenly said as the rest of the group approached. "That trick with the heated water was amazing!"

Longshot nodded, slinging his bow back over his shoulder.

"See," Sokka said, stepping over and putting an arm around my shoulders. "Told you guys my cousin is awesome."

I blushed. "I was just worried if we didn't stop them one of us might get hurt."

"Hey…" Aang said. "Where did Long Feng go? I just saw him resurface."

Longshot suddenly pointed across the lake. We followed his gesture and saw the shape of a man on the other side of the lake. He pulled himself out of the water, and then he took off running.

Toph asked, "Should we go after him?"

Sokka shook his head. "Not right now. I think our next step is to hide for a little bit and try to figure out our next move."

Jet spoke up. "We'll get the ostrich-horses back into the city. Seems that you need some time alone to regroup. If you all need any more help, especially with the invasion, we'll be in the Lower Ring. We'd be happy to help you during the eclipse."

Aang smiled over at him. "Thanks, Jet. We'll let you know once we figure out the plans and everything."

He nodded. Then he glanced over at Appa who was being comforted by Momo and Yuna, both sitting on his head. "Glad you all found him. He looks happy to be with his family again."

Katara smiled. "We're all happy he's with his family again."

Jet and his friends waved goodbye. I thanked him again for saving my life. He smirked and joked that I was too pretty to be squished. Zuko's fists steamed as Jet's comment made him jealous. I grabbed Zuko's arm to calm him down. He did, and wrapped an arm around me instead.

Once Jet and his friends were gone, we decided that Sokka was right about needing a good place to hide for a little bit. The Dai Li agents around us were severely burned, but they were starting to get back to their feet. We boarded Appa quickly, and then Aang shouted, "Yip Yip!"

We flew only for a few minutes until we reached another island about a mile down from where we had been. We landed Appa on the small area of land, and got off of him once again. He laid down, enjoying the feel of the earth beneath him after being underground for so long. Toph sat on the grass beside Appa, saying, "I am exhausted!"

Zuko sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This has been a long day."

Aang walked back over to Appa and pressed his body into his friend's fur to hug him again. "But… we got Appa back… and that's all that matters right now." He said to Appa, "I've missed you, buddy."

Appa groaned in agreement.

I smiled at the scene before me. "Yeah… I'm so glad we finally found him."

Sokka and Katara stepped over to Appa as well, and they stroked his fur too. Toph laid back against Appa's body, enjoying his presence. The gang was back together again. Everything was starting to fall back in place.

Zuko put an arm around me and pulled me to his side. I hugged him around the waist and rested my head against him, whispering, "We did it…"

He pulled me closer. "Yeah… For the first time in years, I feel like I did something worthwhile today."

I shut my eyes, enjoying his warmth and comfort as we stood under the moonlight. "You did… you helped us save Appa…"

He chuckled. "I think Toph actually did most of the work though."

Toph heard us, and she smirked. "Got that right, Sparky. Let me know when you need me to sharpen those swords."

Zuko argued, "Not happening."

Toph laughed. "Just wait. I have to practice on something."

I smiled as Zuko and Toph continued to bicker. I looked around the group, and felt my heart fill with peace.

Tonight felt like a turning point. Things were looking up. Appa was safe. Zuko was one of the group now, trusted and accepted by all. I had more faith than ever before that the war would be over soon. All I wanted was for the people I loved to be safe… I would continue to fight to make that so.

So… yeah… Toph discovered her metalbending a little early… Jet's alive… just a little change from the show. Anyway… Hope you enjoyed!