Chapter 7

After Ruko left the ship alone, things got better. The chaos went down, and repairs were being made. Zuko had Katara and Sokka put out the fire with their water bending, as he dragged the unconscious Avatar below deck. When everything was sorted out, the news spread that they were only two days from the Fire Nation. People were mourning over the few deaths, and no one seemed excited to return to the Fire Lord.

"So," Sokka looked at his sister. "How do you suppose we get out of here?"

Katara looked around. It was very easy for them to just jump overboard and swim. Coming from a water tribe, it would be simple. But they couldn't leave without Aang. She put out a flame, and turned to Sokka. "Our best bet is to wait until we arrive at the Fire Nation, and escape then."

Sokka looked shocked. "Are you crazy? There are going to be ten times as many fire benders there as there are now."

"Well, do you have any other ideas?" she asked smartly, knowing she would get her way, as she always did. He gave her a defeated frown. "Fine."

The last flames were extinguished, and Katara and Sokka were free to roam around. Zuko, knowing that they would not leave without Aang-(who was in his cell, heavily guarded) - saw no harm in it. And he was right, they weren't going anywhere without their friend.

Aang woke up once again in his cell. "What is this the third time I've been knocked out." He saw Prince Zuko enter, and opened his mouth before he thought. "Why did you save me?" asked Aang. But as soon as it came out, he knew the answer. "That was a stupid question. He won't let me die; otherwise he has to search for the new Avatar." But that's not what Zuko said. "Well, you saved my life, and I was returning the favor." Aang smiled in thanks.

A messenger from the deck came in. "Sir," he directed to Prince Zuko. "We have arrived in Fire Nation territory. We will hit land in about one hour." Prince Zuko nodded and left the room, followed by the messenger. Aang hung his head in shame. "I failed. As soon as we land, I have to fight my way out.

"Sokka, did you hear?" Katara looked towards her brother, who was getting sea sick over the railing. "We're going to land soon. We need a plan."

Sokka looked up, very unhappy. "Fine, but how do you think we are going to get anywhere. I mean we don't have Appa, and Aang, well he's not in the best fighting condition."

"We'll, we have fought fire benders before. I guess we'll just have to do it again," said Katara. "We have to stop the Fire Lord."

Sokka jumped up. "Are you insane? We can't fight the Fire Lord. Only the Avatar can."

"Well," Katara persuaded. "We can help him."

As he crew got ready to dock, Katara and Sokka snuck to the back of the boat. It was deserted. No one seemed to be looking for them, or notice their absence.

"Come on," Katara whispered, as she dove into the water, followed by her brother. All of the guards were preoccupied, helping to dock the boat, so it was simple to sneak past them. "Now what?" Sokka whispered. They were hiding behind a few trees. "There is no way in."

"Hey," she mumbled back. "You remember what we did to sneak Aang past the guards on the boat. WE just have to pretend that we're Fire Nation."

"Are you sure it's going to work?" he asked nervously.

"We can try. Now, come on." She ordered as she pounced on two guards who were walking by.

She pulled the soldiers helmet over his head, and kicked him in the gut, sending him back against the tree. "Why you little-"Sokka hit him with his boomerang from behind, knocking him out cold. The other guard shot a fire ball at Sokka. Katara opened her little jug of water, that was strapped to her belt. She created a little whip of water, and quickly sent it to Sokka, who caught it and extinguished the fire. The guard grunted and plunged at them. He opened his mouth to call for back-up, but Sokka hut him on the head, and Katara finished him by banging his helmet. "That was kinda fun." Sokka said proudly. Katara rolled her eyes, and stripped the soldiers of their armor. "Let's go," she said after they were all suited up. They dragged the bodies into a small cave off of the shore, and set out to the Fire Temple. They walked through the door without any trouble, and walked around through the halls. "Where do we go?" Sokka whispered.

"I know." She turned around. "Let's go to where Prince Zuko is coming in. We'll take Aang, pretending to be the guards and get out of here."

"Good idea."

"I know."

They turned back to the entrance. Fire benders filed in, two of them holding the Avatar, and Prince Zuko leading the crowd, they went down the halls. Katara nodded to Sokka, and they went to relieve the Avatar's captors. They were happy to give up there post, and walked away mumbling something about wasting a whole year to find a stupid 12-year old boy. Aang struggled against their grip, unaware of who his guards were.

"Aang stop," Katara whispered.

He froze. "Katara? Sokka?" he looked at them.

"Yeah. We're going to help you get out of here."

"No, you can't" Aang told them. "I have to defeat the Fire Lord, and you guys have to help me."

"Ha." Katara teased her brother. "Told you we would end up helping him."

"Halt." A general put out his hand. They didn't realize how far they had walked. "Is this the Avatar?" he asked examining the arrow on Aang's head. Katara and Sokka nodded.

"Enter," the general commanded.

"Are you ready?" Katara asked as the entered the Fire Lord's chamber. "This is our only chance to fight the Fire Lord. If you don't know, we will never be able to get back here alive."

"Or find it again. This place is huge." Sokka chimed in.

A/N- thanks all my reviewers. I WAS ON VACATION ALL LAST WEEK! So sorry about the update delay.