A/N: Sooo I might not be available tomorrow, so thought to get this out today since it's Christmas Eve, a little early Christmas present to everyone…albeit a little bit of a depressing one ha.

Sokka's POV:

I bang open the door to Xiu's office to find it empty. I growl, frustrated.

"He isn't here and his personal advisor obviously doesn't know anything. What do we do?" I ask as I turn to face the others whose faces are as pinched with worry and fear as mine are. Katara takes a few steps inside until she's standing beside me, her eyes running over every edge of the room.

"Maybe he has a secret bunker or something? If he wanted to hide something or someone he'd need some place to go, somewhere secret." I chew the inside of my cheek in thought and nod, 'that makes sense. But where?'

"What about some place underground? That's where most prisons or protective bunkers are." The Firelord suggests, presumably thinking back to when his dad hid during the day of black sun.

"But where underground? We can't possibly check everywhere. It has to be somewhere obvious." Kyla adds in as she leans against the office door. I put a hand to my head.

"Spirits I wish we had Toph. She'd find any hidden underground hideout in no time and she's a cop, she'd figure it out." I complain as waves of uselessness roll off me. 'Here we are not having a clue where Aang and Toph are and who knows what's happening to them right now! Aurgh, I was just with both of them moments ago before they got napped. I should've been there. I could've helped!' In the midst of my self-blaming thoughts I feel a pair of hands on my shoulders which whip me round, I follow those arms up to see Katara looking at me with such strong determination.

"Sokka you're better than this. We don't need anyone but you. You're the idea guy and you're going to be the one that finds them so stop blaming yourself as I know you are and just think." I wide my eyes at Katara's words, 'how did she know what I was thinking?' But when I look at her in those same coloured eyes as my own I realise that despite our recent distance she still hasn't stopped being my sister, she knows me, like she's always done and when I see the faith in her eyes it hits me that that will never change. I give her a determined nod and turn back to survey the room, more slowly this time. 'If Xiu is responsible he'd have a clue in his office, even if it's something small.' My eyes drop to the large rug he has on the ground. I frown at the creases and bend down. 'These look recent.' Then it hits me. 'What better place to hide something than in your own office?'

"Zuko I need your help in moving this rug." I say as I start tugging it from underneath the desk. I ignore the confused look that the Firelord sends me and soon enough he's on his knees rolling back the heavy rug with me. Once it's completely pulled back everyone gasps. A trap door. So obvious and yet it's a little too obvious. I go to pull the handle but it's locked. I grunt when I pull at it again but Katara moves in front of me.

"Let me." She bends some water onto the lock and freezes it. With another frozen block she smashes it against the lock, but no luck. She frowns. "This isn't your average metal. It's like platinum or something. I won't be able to break it with my bending." Katara explains in annoyance. Zuko bends down next to her and studies the door before finally shaking his head.

"None of us are going to be able to break it with bending because it needs a code. Look there." As Zuko points to a little metal bar at the top of the door I squint down and see a dial. It's the sort of dial that you have to turn to create a word...a password. I curse under my breath.

"The password could be anything!" I whine.

"What about something obvious like his name?" The Firelord suggests and I throw him a dubious look.

"You really think he'd be that dumb?" I ask sceptically which causes Zuko to shrug at me.

"I don't know! It's not like we've got anything to lose." I purse my lips before nodding and reaching out my hand to type it in. The moment I enter the last letter a screech comes out of the contraption.

"ERROR. INCORRECT PASSWORD. 2 ATTEMPTS REMAIN." I widen my eyes and turn to Zuko.

"Nothing to lose huh? We've only got two more tries!" I say sarcastically at which Zuko puts his hands up defensively.

"Hey, I didn't know that!" The hot tempered Firebender argues back until Katara cuts in between the two of us as the anger in her eyes become evident.

"Will the two of you cut it out! Aang and Toph are in trouble and we're wasting valuable time here. We need to be quick but careful." My sister states as she throws each of us a stern look. We both wilt under her gaze and throw her an apologetic expression in return.

"Ok, what now? We can't keep guessing and we can't do nothing." Kyla asks with a frown. I chew on my cheek.

"Maybe it's something personal, like his family's name?" I suggest, after a quick search we type it in, but with no luck.

"ERROR. INCORRECT PASSWORD. 1 ATTEMPT REMAINS." I punch the door hard.

"We're not getting anywhere!" I yell.

"What about something like revenge?" Katara says as she chews her lip. I sigh.

"It's not like we have any better options." I reach a hand out to type it in.

"WAIT!" I blink and retract my hand from the dial as I turn to give a questioning look at Kyla. "It's the name, the name of the rebel group." I blink and share a look with Zuko and Katara.

"They have a name?" I echo.

"Yes. Aang mentioned it to me when he last left. It was...aurgh what was it again?!" Kyla complains as she hits her forehead repeatedly in an attempt to remember. Katara gets up and puts an arm around her shoulders.

"It's ok, you'll remember." My sister comforts as she pulls Kyla's hand away before she could use it again to hit her head.

"But what if I don't? They're counting on me and I can't remember that ridiculous name and we're wasting time!" Kyla cries out in frustration. I scratch my head in thought.

"Well, when Aang told you the name, how did it make you feel?" I ask in the hopes that it will trigger something.

"It was sinister. I was scared because of its implication...Snipers! It was Snipers!" Kyla yells out all of a sudden and I wince at the name. 'That is a scary name.' I reach out a hesitant hand towards the dial. 'This is our last shot. If it's not right, then I don't know how we're going to get to them. I type it in. When I hear a beep I hunch my shoulders up in cold anticipation.

"PASSWORD CORRECT." At this we all let out a collective sigh of relief and the door draws back to show us a staircase spiralling down. I lift a foot to touch the first step but I'm quickly pulled back by Zuko.

"Wait. I know the urgency of finding them, but what if there's a whole army of rebels? We can't possibly fight them all." The Firelord explains. "It's no good trying to rescue them when no one knows where we are if we get captured." I shake my head at Zuko's reasoning.

"I know that, but we don't have time to go back to the Police station and gather the Republic City army. This group of people were made to kill Aang. We can't wait." I argue strongly.

"You don't have to. I'll go, inform them and catch up with you." I raise a sceptical eyebrow at Kyla's suggestion. 'As chummy as she is with Aang, we don't know her. Is it a good idea to put our lives in the hands of someone we don't really know?' But before I can make my reservations known Katara steps in.

"Go. We'll see you later." And with that she parts and Katara starts going down the stairs. I frown and catch up with her.

"Do you think that was such a good idea? We don't know if we can trust her." I state, annoyed at her lack of thought. She rolls her eyes at me.

"Don't you think I know that? I planted a device on her that Toph gave me as a gift. As soon as she's outside it will send a beacon to the police, a distress signal. So the police are coming whether she calls them or not." Katara explains with a smile. I grin.

"Well look at that. My little sister is learning from me." I say emotionally as I wipe at an invisible tear. Katara rolls her eyes at me yet again.

"Hardly. Now let's get going." I spare a glance behind me to see Zuko trudging along.

"You ok there Zuko?" I question.

"Good, considering I have to listen to the banter between you two." I chuckle at Zuko's moan and we continuing moving along the dim corridor.

Zee's Office:

Xiu's POV:

"I don't get it brother! Lightning or electricity is meant to be our access to the Avatar State! Why isn't it working?!" Zee questions in frustration as he checks over his notes again. I sigh at my brother's behaviour. 'Strange to believe that he used to be a fun loving guy. It's a shame that I can't persuade him out of his radical thinking.'

"I don't know Zee. Look, I'm going to go and check on our prisoners again." I say to escape the oncoming rant that I know will come out from him.

"Fine. Go and I'll figure this out." I shake my head and exit the room. 'For the sake of the world I hope you don't figure it out. Now, I need to try and free them. What a laugh, they'll never believe me.' As I make my way to the holding cell I look through the window to see the Avatar on all fours with the Earthbender beside him, her eyes filled with panic. I sigh, 'this is my fault. I should've never agreed to this plan.'

"Psst." I call out in a whisper. It automatically gains the attention of the Master Earthbender as she jumps to her feet with a growl on her face.

"What do you want?!" She spits out.

"Listen, I didn't want this to happen..." I start but she quickly breaks me off.

"What kind of fool do you take me for? What are you really here for?" She fires out angrily.

"Let me speak!" I emphasise strongly which silences her almost immediately. "My brother has held a grudge against the Avatar for years over what's happened to our family. But I haven't. I understand that the Avatar didn't have any choice and if he was able to save us he could've and would've done so. Admittedly, at the same time it's hard not to blame him and I understand where my brother is coming from." I try to explain.

"Do you expect me to believe that? I might not have been present in every meeting, but it's notoriously known what a difficult time you gave Aang. You hate him." I sigh at the Chief of Police's stubborn attitude and lean closer to the door, my head popping through the bars of the window.

"I don't hate him. I gave him a difficult time at the meetings to help him improve. To make him the best Avatar that I know he can be. You can't learn if you don't have any critics. He needed polishing and that wasn't going to happen if everyone continued to be nice and gentle with him." I direct my gaze at the Airbender who from his kneeling position looks up at me with wide eyes. "You have a lot of great characteristics, but you have faults that could cost you your life and others that depend on you. You hide things, important things or run away from your personal problems. You distance yourself from those that care about you, those who might be able to help you. But despite your faults I know you try your best. You're selfless and you fight so hard for a better future. But I push hard so that you can be better, to minimise other people getting hurt like my family was." I say as I stare at the two horizontal lines on my cuff, 'two families lost: mine and my brother's.'

I look back up at the frowning duo. "I know I'm harsh on you and perhaps I take it too far most of the time. But I know of the dangers in the world. I've seen it and I want you to prevent as much of it as you can and that can only happen if you're pushed into action due to your meek nature. I have nothing against you. In fact, I admire how much you can put up with." I watch as the Avatar shakes his head.

"Well, this is...awfully unexpected. It's hard to say thank you for the misery you've given me but...I get it and I guess I appreciate the intention. So erm, if you aren't on your brother's side, is there any chance you could let us out?" The Airbender asks hopefully. I shake my head.

"I can't let you out. My brother is unstable enough as it is." I try to explain but the Master Earthbender barks out a laugh.

"Then what good are you? Words don't mean anything, action is the only thing that's going to persuade me." I cluck my tongue impatiently at her brash attitude.

"I said I can't let you out. But I've planted a clue for your friends to find you. They're a smart lot, they'll figure it out and rescue you. I'll try to delay my brother as much as possible to give you some time, but he's clever he'll figure out the hole in his plan soon, if he hasn't..." I'm cut off by a set of rushing feet. I turn around to see my brother running towards me with a grin.

"I've got it!" He says and my heart plummets. "The key is the scar Azula gave him, that's the way to the Avatar State!" I hear a sharp intake from the cell and a quick glance inside shows the Avatar's face pinched white as I see the dread in his eyes. 'He must've known the thing that Zee was missing from the beginning.' My brother turns to the side. "Knock them out!" I bite my lip, watching as two darts are shot at the unsuspecting prisoners. 'I hope your friends come soon. I don't want to be made to do something that I'll regret.'

Aang's POV:

When I open my eyes I know I'm in trouble. My feet and arms are tied up in blocks of metal as my back is against an uneven part of the wall. I scan the room for Toph to find her a few metres away from me, struggling against her added chains.

"Toph! Are you ok?" I ask, noting the distress on her features. She stops struggling for a moment to lift her head up.

"I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about. From what I've gathered from the snatched conversations drifting through the door is that they're going to shock you using a probe attached to the scar on your back." I flinch at this, recalling what Zee said before he knocked us out with those darts. 'Aurgh I was hoping he wouldn't figure it out. Every time the rebels had used those sticks they managed to get to my scar and it hurts like I've been hit by lightning all over again.' I shudder. 'Please guys find us soon.' I plead silently.

"Aang, I can't bust us out of here." Toph says suddenly, her voice small.

"What do you mean? You bend metal remember?" I remind her with a frown.

"I can bend metal that has earth in it. I don't know what metal this is but it's too pure. I shouldn't have waited, we should've taken the risk." I raise an eyebrow at my Sifu. 'Spirits, Toph is more panicked than I've ever seen her.'

"Hey, it will be ok. We didn't want to risk shocking each other remember?" I say gently which elicits a sigh from the Earthbender.

"This situation stinks." She replies with a groan. I sigh and lean back slightly.

"You can say that again." I mutter.

"Silence!" I whip my head round to see Zee staring at us through the window of the door cell. "Now Avatar, you'll suffer just as my family did." I open my mouth to argue against Zee's point but I don't get far when a sudden surge of electricity pierces right into the centre of my back. It's only then that I realise that I wasn't leaning against an uneven wall but rather a rod attached to the centre of my back. I grit my teeth but when the voltage is increased a yelp escapes from me and I'm starting to feel the usual pull that I get when I'm about to enter the Avatar State. I grind my jaws together in an attempt to push it back, but the room flickers with my glow. I struggle against my bonds, moving my whole body left and right but as the current becomes overwhelming I lose control over my body movements and start convulsing.

"AAHHHHHHHHH." I screech out and distantly I hear shackles moving violently. 'Aurgh, I'm sorry Toph. I didn't want you or anyone to see like this.' I try to hold in the rest of my screams but with no luck as it rips right out of my throat in high-pitched wails. The pull on the Avatar State becomes increasingly stronger and I'm so tempted to stop holding it off. 'The Avatar State will bust me out of here...but what if I die in the process? I'll risk the Avatar cycle for sure.' I scrunch my eyes tight. Pain. Blinding pain. I throw my head back in an attempt to knock myself out and leave the pain behind, but it only serves in making my head throb. I force my body into a foetal position as much as I can in these restraints. 'Please. Let. It. End.' As my mental resolve weakens I feel myself slipping into the Avatar State involuntarily and once the raw might of the Avatar State takes over, I lose all conscious thought and awareness.

A/N: Yes I know, it's Christmas time. This chapter is supposed to be light, but it isn't. Oh well, at least Xiu isn't completely hard-hearted, maybe he's feeling the Christmas season! Hope you all enjoyed this and thank you a billion for your lovely reviews. You guys are amazing and have made this month that much better for me. Wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you have a magnificent day with family & loved ones. Remember, tis the season to be jolly and to give. If you see someone who needs a hand or is feeling down, give them a smile and help them up. Corny I know. Think I'll update in time for the New Year, but we'll see. Anyway, have a lovely Christmas! Let me know if you have any Christmas traditions, I'm curious! :D

24/12/19