Chapter 14 The Day of Black Sun Part 2:

Fall of the Firelord:

The Fire Nation soldiers and benders were falling back. The Invasion force was making its way up the hill, at this rate they'd be at the Royal Palace in time for the Eclipse. But Katara spotted something up above.

"Is that… Aang?"

Sokka gasped. They hadn't expected their friend back so soon.

As the Avatar landed in front of Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Hakoda, the young warrior asked. "Please tell me you're here cause the Firelord turned out to be a big coward and you didn't even need to fight him?"

Aang shook his head, "He's not home, no one is! The entire city is deserted!"

It took Sokka only a second to figure it out. "They knew we were coming!"

"Its over, the Firelord is probably far away on some remote island!" Aang said.

"No, my father doesn't tolerate anyone showing weakness. He'd never run from a fight when his nation needed him!" Zuko said. "Much as a terrible father he is, he does do what he thinks is best for his people. He's around here somewhere… and I think I know where."

The banished Prince looked up at the volcano over looking the capital city. 'There's a hidden bunker in the volcano! He and my sister have probably retreated there till the eclipse is done."

There was a moment of silence, then Hakoda said. "This is a task for your team to perform. Defeating the Firelord is your destiny Aang. Gather your friends and go after him! I'll take care of the rest of the Invasion. We'll take the Palace while the White Lotus frees General Iroh from prison, they're already on their way. Once that's all done we can discuss who will take the throne and bring peace."

They got Toph from the crowd and the entire Team Avatar flew on Appa to the Volcano Zuko had indicated. They went through the hidden Zuko lead them to.

"Best to enter this way, there's a lot of lava down there," Zuko said.

They were in, running over a walkway over lava. With Zuko's knowledge of the bunker from before he was banished, they could find the royal chambers.

"There's two of them… my father could be in either one. My sister will probably be in the other one, and they'll probably have protection in case they're found during the other one."

They soon arrived at the first Royal chamber.

"Ten seconds to the total eclipse!" Sokka said.

"If my father's not in this one the next chamber is all the way at the end of the hall then down a secret staircase on the left."

"What would do without you Zuko?" Sokka asked.

"Probably be on your way to defeat today," Zuko said as he felt the eclipse disable his firebending.

It was time.

"Lets do this!" Aang said.

He swung his new staff and burst into the room with airbending, his friends following. There was a throne in the back and on it sat…

"Azula!" Zuko said.

"Welcome home Zuzu," the Fire Princess greeted her brother. "My, wherever did you get that fine armor? Whoever made you that deserves a beheading since you're not a royal anymore. You're a full traitor now and you will be dealt with as one. Girls?"

Two girls Azula's age stood in front of her. One dark haired with narrowed eyes, the other in a braided brown ponytail in a pink acrobat outfit.

"Been a long time Zuko," the dark haired one, Mai said.

"I'm sad you didn't come home," Ty Lee said with a pout. "Why did you choose to betray your country?"

"Because I saw its true face!" Zuko said before turning to the Avatar. "You better go find my dad Aang. I'll handle these two and my sister."

"My my you're confident Zuzu," Azula said. "Have you been taking lessons with the Avatar? Cause I'm pretty sure you wouldn't make a good Firebending Teacher!"

"Zuko is a great teacher!" Aang shouted at her.

"She's just trying to bait you!" Sokka said. "Come on we got to find the Firelord! He'll probably have his own guards too!"

"I'll stay with Zuko," Toph said stepping forward.

"Right," Zuko said drawing his swords now.

Aang, Sokka, and Katara ran back out of the chamber and down the path indicated by Zuko. Mai drew her knives and began throwing them. Toph put up a wall of earth to protect them. Ty Lee came next, she jumped over the wall and landed behind the two benders. She struck at Zuko, trying to disable his body with quick jabs at the pressure points.

"Uggh!" she grunted as her finger hit his hard armor.

Zuko smirked. His core was protected from her chi bending, thought the sleeves were just cloth and vulnerable. He swung his swords, Ty Lee dodged then went for Toph who wasn't as well protected in her Earth Kingdom garb. Fortunately she put on a suit of stone armor that did the trick. Then the wall separating them from Mai suddenly came down! Zuko looked and saw the other girl throw more knives which he blocked with his swords. To his surprise though he saw two men in dark green robes.

"I brought some souvenirs back from Ba Sing Se," Azula said on the throne. "Dai Li Agents!"

Zuko gritted his teeth. Four against two, he and Toph were outnumbered.

…

While Zuko and Toph dealt with Azula and her minions, Aang, Sokka and Katara made their way to the other Royal chamber. Soon they found the other door. Storming in they found him at last. Firelord Ozai sat in the back of the room, on a mattress with tea and refreshments beside him. In front of him were eight Imperial Firebenders, four on each side. All of them were armed with large spears to compensate for their current lack of bending.

Ozai narrowed his eyes. "Seems my traitor son has given you an accurate location to find me."

"Give up Ozai! Its over!" Aang said.

"You're powerless!" Sokka said.

"For the moment, but my guards are quite well armed! Attack!" Ozai shouted.

The Firebenders charged, ready to lay down their lives for the ruler of their country. They had prepared for situations like this where they might not have their bending. Aang swung his staff to try and knock them all down. He managed to get one of them but the others rolled and dodged the airbending blast. Katara shot her water at them as well and Sokka charge in at the ones nearest him. He dodged the point and then slashed at them.

In the ensuing chaos, Ozai scrambled to escape and buy time until the eclipse ended and his firebending returned. Then he would be back with a vengeance.

…

Zuko felt himself get thrown back by earth that the Dai Lai bent. He was outmatched, they were even more skilled then the corrupt Earth Kingdom soldier leader he'd defeated in that village long ago. He'd needed to resort to his firebending to win that one, but he couldn't that now thanks to the eclipse.

Fortunately Toph was there to save him. She bent the Earth the Dai Li agents traveled on as they came at him. The three of them then began a fight as Zuko got back to his feet. Mai looked at him.

"You know I actually liked you back when were kids Zuko," Mai said. "I'd hate to have to kill my own crush. So why don't you make this easy and surrender?"

"No way! I'm gonna save my country from my father's tyranny!" Zuko said.

"What are you talking about?" Ty Lee asked.

Zuko frowned at them. "Growing up we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest of all nations and the war was our way of sharing our greatness with the others. But that was a lie! The people of the world don't see our greatness, they hate us and we deserve it!

"Not true," Azula said from on her throne. "We deserve to be feared and worshipped! They see our strength!"

"We've conquered and murdered innocents!" Zuko countered. "Is fear how you want to be viewed by people outside of the Fire Nation?"

Ty Lee's gray eyes seemed uncertain and her usual smile turned upside down. She had joined the circus to get attention from other people. She'd even performed for some people in the Earth Kingdom, and they'd loved her. But she had been faced with a few people that glared at her for being Fire Nation as well. She certainly didn't like the idea of murdering innocents, Zuko's words cut into her, and Azula's hadn't exactly been comforting.

Mai's cold eyes wavered only slightly. She'd been closer to the front lines, with her father being a governor who ruled over conquered territory here and there. Finally they'd moved to Omashu. Her father bought the whole show the world their greatness through the war thing but she didn't really care about it. She did what she was told so she wouldn't face consequences, most of the time.

But what did she really want? Azula was her friend, but she was also manipulative and terrifying. But even so, Mai wasn't that scared of the Princess and did defy her occasionally. What did she want right now?

Looking at Zuko, Mai was reminded of her old fantasies as a child. How he would become Firelord someday and her at his side. And his words made sense somehow. She remembered the Resistance in Omashu. They hadn't seen the Fire Nations greatness had they? And while she was less appeal to the idea, peace sounded better then fear.

"What are you waiting for? Finish him!" Azula ordered.

Ty Lee was the first to gather her will and face the Princess she'd been friends with. "I think I'd rather be loved then hated and feared!"

"I'm not too partial but I admit it sounds better," Mai said.

Azula seethed. "You fools! You know the penalty for treason!"

"Won't matter if you can't firebend!" Zuko countered as he got in front of them.

There were loud grunts from behind as Toph took down the Dai Li Agents she was dueling. The young Earthbender was panting, they'd been more trouble then she remembered. Azula gritted her teeth in rage then ran off, just a couple minutes and she would have her firebending back.

"Get her!" Zuko said.

He, Toph and their new allies raced after the Princess who was very agile. But soon she turned and faced them, blue fire flying form her fingertips.

…

Aang, Sokka, and Katara all took a short time to take down the Imperial Firebenders. But it was all Ozai needed to get away.

"Great where did he go now?" Sokka wondered.

They wandered the hallways cautiously, trying to find the Firelord. Unfortunately by the time they were passing by his hiding place in one of the side passages, the eclipse was over.

"Now you're mine Avatar!" Ozai shouted.

Flames lit up around him as he shot a powerful fireball at them. Aang spun his staff and shielded them as Sokka comically screamed.

"Sokka get out of here! This is no fight for a non bender!" Katara told her brother.

With a scared sigh, he ran to another side passage for cover. That left Aang and Katara to face Ozai.

"Now we have an even fight," the tyrant said. "After generations of Firelords failed to find you, now the universe delivers you to me as an act of providence."

Aang still hoped for a peaceful solution. "Please listen to me. We don't have to fight, you have the power to end it here and stop the war!"

"You are right! I do have the power," Ozai admitted. "I have all the power in the world!"

He let out a roar from his hands and mouth. Aang and Katara both assumed fighting stances. Ozai shot a fireblast at them. Aang shot his own and countered while Katara flung water at him. But he shot fire from his feet and leapt over it. He rose above her water and shot more fire at them. Aang raised the floor to block. Ozai flew over the wall and let out a series of fire steams at them both. He was so powerful already, Aang couldn't even imagine the power he would held at the comet. It was enough to knock Aang's staff from his hands. Katara blocked as best she could, but she was at a disadvantage.

Katara wasn't as nimble as Aang, who began performing acrobatics to counter Ozai's fire flight. When Katara tried to waterbend at the Firelord again, Ozai simply propelled himself away too fast. He then shot another powerful fireball at her. She managed to block it but was knocked off her feet and hit the wall. She collapsed.

"Katara!" the Avatar exclaimed.

"Its just you and me now!" Ozai grinned.

Sokka looked out from his hiding place and saw his sister was down. He ran out as Ozai began driving Aang back. Sokka took his sister over his shoulder and struggled to carry her back to his hiding place to watch the last of the fight. Though he noticed something. Ozai's back was to him… now might be a good chance for him to strike.

Aang fought with earth, air, and fire. There wasn't any water nearby in this bunker for him to bend, aside from what Katara had brought with her, but that was now in the other direction Ozai was forcing him towards.

Finally after Aang blocked several more of his attacks, Ozai resorted to his most powerful weapon. Lightning generation. The room turned dark as the Firelord called upon this ability, brilliant white electricity flashing in his hands as he swirled them around. Aang barely had enough time to assume the position to redirect.

But he did. He managed to point his fingers at Ozai as the lightning shot at him. He struggled, there was so much energy, he could feel it in his body. It was so powerful, but he knew that if he made the wrong move, it was over. He channeled it through himself, careful not to pass the lightning through his heart. Then he began to move it out his other arm which slowly began to point back toward Ozai.

But Aang saw the look on his enemies face, the terror as he knew in the next moment, he'd be helpless to save his own life. Aang couldn't do it. The monks had taught him not to take lives. It was against his way. So instead of sending it back at the Firelord, Aang redirected it off to the side past Ozai. Sokka yelped and took cover as it it passed him and the unconscious Katara.

Aang collapsed, the redirection taking its toll. Ozai smirked. Then shot another fireball at him. Aang put up a wall of earth to block, but was still knocked off his feet. Ozai then grinned and moved in for the killing blow. Sokka gritted his teeth, he had to do something. Drawing his boomerang, he threw it at the Firelord from behind.

Ozai grunted as the projectile hit him in the back. But he wasn't even fazed by it, only getting angrier. He turned and faced the Water Tribe boy who looked frightened as he drew his sword.

"You… a pathetic nonbending peasant would face me?" Ozai asked with a laugh. "Very brave… and foolish!"

He sent a fireball at Sokka who dodged, he screamed as he noticed his garment had caught fire on the shoulder. Ozai smirked as he prepared another blow that wouldn't be dodged.

…

Azula faced her opponents, two of which were now traitors that would feel her wrath. She began charging her own lightning. All of them stopped in terror as they saw this. Her eyes were locked on her brother, he would be the first to feel her wrath. She was the superior firebender, and now she would prove it.

She directed the lightning at her brother who assumed a stance. To her complete surprise he seemed to catch her lightning, he staggered back a step, but looked at her. This was his time.

But as he looked at her, Zuko couldn't help but reminded of the fact that despite everything… she was still his sister. He'd told Aang to kill Ozai, and hoped the Avatar would do it. But he couldn't do this either. He directed the lightning lower, to hit at Azula's feet. Before he released it though, he shouted to Ty Lee.

"Block her chi!"

Then he shot it back. It hit at Azula's feet, sending her back but she was still very much alive. Ty Li quickly took the opportunity it to sprint at her old friend and jab her arms. Azula gasped as her chi and bending was blocked. Toph then encased her in a stone cage.

…

Aang got up to see his friend about to be fryed.

"Leave him alone!" the Avatar shouted as he flung a fireball at his enemy with a power he never had before.

It was a fireball that contained the determination to save his friend. His drive had never been higher, and his firebending never stronger. Ozai launched his own fireball to count, but Aang's overpowered it and continued on to hit him. The Firelord screamed as he was burned by the element he was the greatest master of. He rolled around, the fire going out, but it had done its damage. The Firelord couldn't move now. He groaned in pain. Sokka and Aang walked over to him, he snarled in fury but couldn't attack them through the pain. Katara slowly opened her eyes and got up.

"Finish him Aang!" Sokka said.

Aang shook his head. "I can't. This goes against Air-Nomad ways."

"I'm pretty sure the Universe will forgive you if its in the name of balance."

Aang shook his head. "I won't end it like this Sokka."

The Water Tribe Warrior sighed. The Firelord could hear them and took the last opportunity to mock the Avatar.

"Even with all the power in the world, you are still weak."

"He might be, but I'm not!" Sokka said as he approached the Firelord, sword raised.

Sokka took his aim, a look of determination of his face. He steeled himself for what he had to do. Since Aang wouldn't finish the Firelord, someone had to. This man was too dangerous to be left alive. Eventually he'd recover from his injuries and then go after more innocent people. Though Sokka felt a terrible satisfaction in being the one to do this.

"For my mother, for the Water Tribe, for the World!" Sokka chanted.

And he swung his sword down the Firelord's neck. Ozai screamed in pain, Sokka's first strike wasn't enough to instantly behead him.

"Sorry!" Sokka said before remembering who was dealing with and frowning. "This is more merciful than you deserve!"

He struck again, getting another scream from Ozai..and again. His third strike finally broke the bone. Ozai's head split from his body as the black blade severed it. It was over, Firelord Ozai was dead. Sokka let out a heavy sigh and fell to his knees. Katara walked up and embraced her brother. Aang sighed as well… saddened it had come to this. But he knew there was no choice. At least now the war could end.

Well managed to complete it after all. I thought for a moment of ending in a cliffhanger when Sokka was getting firebent at. But ah well. One more chapter to go with the aftermath of the war and Zuko becoming Firelord and all that, except for him asking Ozai about Ursa. Hope you guys enjoyed this au. They didn't have energybending here so they had to kill Ozai. Or did they? Ah well its done. Now Zuko will just have to find the secret letter stash somehow I guess. I don't plan on showing what happened in The Search Trilogy though. Ah well, see you guys here next for the last chapter. Edit: I decided it would really fit Sokka's character to have him fail to kill Ozai on the first strike and apologize for hurting him, he's the comic relief guy after all... though I also feel this takes away from the seriousness of the execution.