A. N. : Here is what was originally the second half of chapter 72, before I decided to split it. Featuring two metallurgy terms that I didn't know before having to write this. The joys of having to research words you know in your native language... (Personal trick for when you're in the zone but lack a word in English, just write it in whatever language you know (in parenthesis) and keep writing. You can do the research later when editing, and that way you don't break your flow. That was the Advice No One Asked For of the day !) On another note it's finals time and I am dying.

Breaking into the factory is easy.

As easy as it was yesterday actually. Either the army didn't notice the stolen goods, or they though it didn't matter that much. Perhaps they even took pity on the starving villagers. Zuko has no way of knowing. In any case, it makes accomplishing Jet's plan that much easier.

It also lowers the risk of Jet using Zuko's swords to kill Fire Nation citizens.

Once they're inside, the destruction begins. Katara takes care of the waste pipes, blocking the flow of water and then turning that block into ice. The pipes never stood a chance.

Zuko melts the chains holding the ladles. Watches as scarlet, liquid metal flows downwards, damaging everything beneath it and covering it in steel too thick to be taken off easily. It's oddly beautiful.

Jet comes back from his expedition deeper in the building, covered in dust, his hair damp for some reason, and holding thin pipes in his arms. He hands them to Zuko as Katara moves closer.

Jet's plan is a simple one – at least in theory. But it requires technique Zuko isn't sure he has. Melting metal isn't too hard – tiring, yes, but the idea is to just make your fire as hot as possible. This requires to not just melt the pipes, but to keep them solid enough that they maintain their shape.

The goal is to make the pipes malleable enough that Zuko can literally leave a note. Then Katara will solidify the characters, and they will hang the words as high as inhumanly possible.

Somehow, the perspective of welding metal while having half of his body immerged in water doesn't seem very appealing. Even if that water is carrying him. It's still wet and cold and Zuko has had enough of that in the last three years.

At least Jet brought tools to help Zuko bend the pipes into shape. Having to do it all with only arm strength probably wouldn't be nice.

Zuko takes a pipe. Breathes. In – the chi inside his stomach boils – and out – the steel in his hands reddens. In – hotter – and out – spread the heat, don't keep it focused on one spot or you'll make a hole. In – the metal is hot enough that it hurts to hold it – and out – Zuko twists his hands and the pipe bends –

That was… easier than expected. It felt a little like that time he tried glassblowing, except now he didn't have to focus his breathing on two things at once.

Only, what, fifty more left ? He is never going to be done before the sun rises. Still, he starts again, bends pipe after pipe after pipe after pipe, again and again, and with each one it becomes easier, and with each one he feels the sun closer to rising.

Dawn breaks while Katara is holding him some twenty meters above the ground, and he is so glad he handed Lin to Jet before getting up there, because having her wake up and make Zuko lose his focus would be the fastest way to crash into the ground.

He does, however, hurry his work in order to avoid having Jet dealing with a grumpy firebending baby.

They could leave things as such, with broken pipes and molten steel all over, and whatever Jet did in the back, and do not cross me again written above it all – but Katara rises, straightens her back and raises her arms, and Zuko hears a low rumbling sounds coming from outside and suddenly the windows break and water is everywhere.

Holy shit. He knew Katara was good, but moving an entire river seems like it goes further than just that. Especially considering she keeps the wild stream away from them all. Zuko still holds Lin as close as he can – she is crying but he can't hear her over the roaring water.

Katara is terrifying, and judging by Jet's paleness, he seems to agree.

Still, they all come out of the factory – or what's left of it – in one piece, and slowly walk back to the campsite. Lin is still crying. Taking her along was a terrible idea, what was he even thinking ? Zuko doesn't think he'll manage to calm her down before going back. If the others weren't already awake thanks to the brutal destruction of the factory by a fucking river, they will be soon.

The sun rises, and Zuko feels his chi grow stronger as he himself grows more tired. This was a long night – a very long night, two in fact – but honestly ? It was worth it.

And if the army still goes after the village after all that, they'll just send Katara at them.

He makes a mental note that crossing her is a terrible idea.