Chapter 13 The Day of Black Sun Part 1: The Invasion

Sokka looked over a map with Zuko, then Katara brought them both some water to drink. Toph sat on a rock near Hama. Aang then leapt up to join them.

"Morning everyone!" the Avatar said in usual upbeat attitude.

"Morning Aang," Katara said, blushing at the boy who'd confessed to her just a couple days ago.

"You ready to face the Fire Lord?" Toph asked.

"You better be," Zuko said.

"I'm ready," Aang nodded.

"Good," Hama said. "Glad to see you are so confident."

"Ooh! What's your strategy for taking him down?" Toph asked. "Glow it up in the Avatar State and just power your way through?"

Aang shook his head. "I can't use the Avatar State. After Azula shot me with lightning, my Seventh Chakra has been blocked off, serving my connection to the cosmic energy of the universe."

Toph didn't understand a word he said. "You know what I heard just now? Bla bla bla… spiritual mumbo jumbo… bla bla bla."

"Well, I'll just have to do what I can with all the elements," Aang said.

"If he uses lightning, you'll just have to redirect right back at him," Zuko said.

Aang looked at him with wide eyes, remembering how he'd been hit with lightning. "But that would mean…"

"You'll just have to take the Firelord's life before he takes yours," Zuko said.

Aang shivered. It went against Air Nomad teachings to take lives. What was he going to do then?

There was no time to ponder. A fog suddenly began to form around the shore they were on.

"Oh now, do you think the fog will affect the invasion?" Katara asked.

They watched for a second then saw it…

"No! That is the invasion!"

From the fog emerged Southern Water Tribe ships with blue sails. The fog was no doubt the work of Water Benders. But there was one ship that wasn't Water Tribe. It bore a sail showing a white flower.

Team Avatar made their way to the beach, Hama being an older woman was slow and needed help down which Katara did for her fellow waterbender. Meanwhile, Aang and Toph made docks with Earthbending for the ships on the beach as Sokka and Zuko walked. Their allies from their travels crowded onto the beach. The vast majority were from the Earth Kingdom, Haru, his father, the Hippo and Boulder (Toph's old rivals from the arena she'd been in before joining Team Avatar), the Mechanist, his son Teo, the Swampbenders, Pipsquawk and the Duke. Water Tribe members like Bato were there as well. Then came the ones from the White sailed ship, which held a surprise. Several old men stepped out, all in white robes. Pakku from the Northern Water Tribe, Jeong Jeong and Piando from the Fire Nation as well as…

"Bumi!" Aang exclaimed and ran to hug his childhood friend.

"Aang! Good to see you my young old friend!" Bumi laughed as he returned Aang's hug. "You still look just like you did a hundred years ago!"

"How'd you escape Omashu?"

"Well I was pretty content just waiting for the opportune moment but then Piando, Jeong Jeong and Pakku arrived saying we couldn't wait anymore and had to act to save the world!" Bumi said. "So we old men fought our way out to get here and help you with the invasion."

"I'm surprised to see Jeong Jeong and Piando, two of the greatest fighters from the Fire Nation helping us," Hama said.

"We found the right path," Jeong Jeong said. "It has been one of great destruction. But now perhaps we can start anew."

Everyone got ready. Katara got an extra water skin from one of the ships and filled both up with water for her to use. Sokka donned his dark blue water tribe armor with a wolf styled helmet. Appa was outfitted in crimson armor and gold armor as per Sokka's idea. Zuko and Aang received some unexpected gifts before the battle as well.

"I managed to make this for you," the Mechanist said.

It was a long wooden staff with cylinders at both ends. But then Aang pressed a button toward the top and a pair of blue batlike wings and a handle extended from the ends.

"A new glider!" Aang exclaimed.

"I added a snack compartment as well," the Mechanist rotated one of the handles for the glider which opened the compartment and caused nuts to come out.

"Uh, I'm sure that will come in handy," Aang said a little uncertainly.

"This is for you Prince Zuko," Piando said unveiling a suit of Fire Nation Armor like Azula wore.

Zuko's mouth fell open. The black and gold armor was just like his sisters but made the right size for him. It was reserved for royalty specifically.

"How did you get that?"

"Who do you think makes the Royal Armor anyway?" Piando asked. "I may specialize in swords but a Smith must practice all areas of metal. Swordsmen need armor after all."

Zuko donned the armor and put his Dao swords on his back, he'd need them when the eclipse happened. He then took Sokka's Fire Nation headpiece which he'd asked for and put his hair in a high knot. He'd come back to his nation capital as a Prince that would help them on back onto the right path. Aang then shaved his head and got his Air Nomad Garb back on. Hama was even given a Water Tribe Dress that had been lying around on one of Hakoda's ships. Team Avatar gathered back on the beach where strategy meeting was about to take place. They were ready.

Sokka tried to speak to the crowd but failed miserably, falling down and gibbering as he tried speaking. That left Hakoda to do the briefing.

"Our objective is the Royal Palace," the Southern Water Tribe Chief said. "We will make our way to the Great Gates of Azulon by boat, then once we reach land the fight begins. We will have to fight our way through the Capitals wall and up the hill to the palace. Once we get there the eclipse starts!"

The Boulder raised his hand. "The Boulder is confused, shouldn't we wait till the eclipse to begin the invasion?"

"The eclipse only lasts eight minutes. We don't have enough time for the whole invasion. So we need to get to the palace where most of the Firebenders will be."

"My father will have highly trained soldiers as well!" Zuko said loud enough for everyone to hear him. "Even without the aid of Firebenders this could be tough."

"Well, lets go." Hakoda ordered.

They boarded the ships and headed off.

Soon the statue of Firelord Azulon, Zuko's grandfather was visible. The gates weren't at first, but soon they rose from the sea on either side in the form of giant chains that caught fire. Water skis with firebenders on board sped towards the ships. Everyone retreated below deck and boarded the subs the Mechanist had made to travel underwater by use of Waterbending. Katara, Hama, Pakku and the Swamp Benders helped guide them through the water. Toph vomited in the Duke's helmet. They resurfaced for air and Duke washed it. It was from there that Aang had to go ahead. He'd fly ahead to find Ozai and face him. The Avatar gathered with his Team on the surface of the sub.

"I guess this it huh?" Aang asked.

"Its been quite a road huh?" Zuko said. "I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down."

"I can't believe a year ago I was still frozen in a block of ice!" Aang retorted.

"I can believe a year ago I was still living with my overprotective parents!" Toph added.

They laughed.

"Been a crazy time alright, but I wouldn't change it for the world!" Sokka stated.

"If we did change anything, the world would be worse off," Katara said.

"Lets end this war once and for all!" Zuko agreed. "See you soon Aang! Tell my father I said hello."

"I hope you kick some serious Firelord butt!" Toph said pound Aang on the shoulder.

They all shared a group hug before the final battle. Most of the others left to go below deck, but Katara stayed. Aang looked at her then turned away.

"Hey, Aang?" Katara asked.

"Yeah?" Aang looked back.

She took a step toward him, blushing fiercely as she kissed him on the cheek.

"For luck," she said holding his cheek.

Aang smiled and blushed back at her.

"Thanks, I might need it."

They stood gazing at each other's eyes for a moment. Then Aang opened his glider and took off. Katara sighed and went back down below deck.

The invasion force arrived on land and fought its way up to the capital city. Sokka joined the water tribe warriors on the frontlines with his sword. Hama went with the swamp benders, throwing water to ward off any hostile firebenders. Zuko and Katara rained fire and water down below on Appa. Toph joined the Earthbenders in tanks filled with rocks. They fought their way through the capital's garrison, slowly advancing to get to the palace. The order of the White Lotus fought as well, with sword, water, earth, and fire. Once they made it the city they would head to the prison and free Iroh then rejoin the rest of them.

They were nearly through, but a pair of battlements were causing problems. Deciding to take those out, Hakoda and Zuko went after one while Katara and Sokka went for the other. The two water tribe siblings cut through the door and took down the firebenders guarding it. They then saw an explosion from the other one where their father and Zuko were. They watched in earnest. Fortunately both of their allies emerged unharmed.

Hakoda breathed rapidly as he looked at Zuko. "Thank you Prince Zuko. I might have been hurt back there on my own."

"No problem Chief Hakoda."

"Now lets finish this invasion," Hakoda said.

Aang overlooked the royal palace on a hill. Things seemed quiet. Too quiet. He soared down and found the city completely deserted.

"Where is everybody?" he asked himself.

He stormed the palace.

"The avatar is back!"

No answer. Aang made his way through the halls, to the throne room. But there was no one there, no fire burned, not even a torch was lit in the entire palace.

"No!" Aang exclaimed. "No! No! No!"

His staff fell to the ground and he gritted his teeth.

"Firelord Ozai! Where are you?"

Okay so the final battle happens next time. See you next week I think, though I might need more time if I'm writing a longer chapter which this could turn into. After all we will have Zuko facing Azula with some form of backup, then Aang will split from them to go find Ozai. Who goes with who though? Just so you know Hama will be with soldiers in the main invasion force, so her time as a temporary member of Team Avatar is probably over now. Lets see… maybe I'll just have Aang, Sokka and Katara go after Ozai alone while Zuko and Toph face Azula, her Dai Li agents, and Mai and Ty Lee. Or maybe Sokka should stay with Zuko and Toph? What do guys think? But what will Ozai have to defend himself since he knows the Avatar is back? Stay tuned and see in the next week or two then just one more chapter.