Just outside the vast waters of Lake Laogai. Team Avatar had stopped on a tiny islet in the center of the lake. Aang was embracing Appa, happy upon reuniting with him.

"I missed you more than you'll ever know, buddy." Aang said. Momo flew into Appa to hug him too. Appa licked Aang, which caused Aang to laugh.

Sokka approached Katara and Reiko.

"Look, we escaped from the Dai Li. We got Appa back. I'm telling you, we should go to the Earth King now and tell him our plan. We're on a roll." Sokka said.

"One good hour after weeks of trouble isn't much of a roll." Katara said.

"We can build on it. If we want to invade the Fire Nation when the eclipse happens, we'll need the Earth King's support." Sokka said.

"What makes you think we'll get it? I don't know if you've noticed, but things don't usually go that smoothly for our little gang." Reiko said.

"I know, but I've got a good feeling about this. This time will be different." Sokka said.

"Sokka, Long Feng is in control of the city. His conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep flying and leave this horrible place behind us." Katara said.

"I'm with Sweetness. I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se." Reiko Raised her arms and opened her eyes wide.

Aang flew into the shot.

"But now that we have Appa back, there's nothing stopping us from telling the Earth King the truth. About the conspiracy and the War." Aang said.

"See? Aang's with me." Sokka Put his arm around Aang and smiled. "It's the whole reason we came here in the first place. We have to try."

Katara Thought for a moment. "Well, I guess if the Earth King knew the truth, things could change." Sokka and Aang smiled.

Reiko Stood up. "I don't trust the new positive Sokka." Reiko Pointed at Sokka in an accusing manner. "Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he!?"

Aang noticed a few ships in the lake.

"That's probably the Dai Li searching for us." Sokka turned To Katara. "So?"

Katara thought for a moment before looking at Sokka.

Katara was Determined. "Let's fly!"

They flew toward the Palace, now with no saddle, holding onto Appa's fur for dear life, especially Toph.

"Can we please buy a new saddle? Riding bareback is terrifying!" Reiko Buried face in Appa's back.

They got closer to the palace.

"There it is! That whole thing is the palace! The Earth King's chamber should be in the center!" Sokka said.

"We have to be careful. Long Feng's probably warned the king that we're coming." Katara said.

"Why would you assume that? If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in and-" Sokka said, and A giant rock almost hit them. "Aahh!"

"What was that?" Reiko asked.

"Surface-to-air rocks!" Sokka saw more being launched. "More incoming!"

They dodged a few more rocks. One got launched right at Aang, but he destroyed it with his hand. Another was launched at them head on, but Aang sliced it cleanly in two by swinging his staff at the rock to augment his earthbending. He launched himself from Appa to the front of the palace and slammed his staff into the ground, generating a massive earthen wave to knock back the palace guards. Appa landed and roared at the captain's ostrich horse, which causes it to drop the captain and run off. As they continued toward the Earth King, more guards appeared and launched earth cubes at the gang. Reiko and Aang used earthbending to block the attacks, while Katara used waterbending to subdue the guards.

Katara Water whipped two guards. "Sorry!"

Katara turned around and struck down more guards with her waterbending, though closed her right eye in a sympathetic flinch for a moment as she did so. As more guards rushed toward them in an attempt to halt Team Avatar's progress, Reiko used her earthbending to flip the tiles of the walkway, trapping them between them and ensuring a clear passage for the team.

"Sorry! We just need to get through to see the Earth King!" Katara said.

More guards appeared on the opposite end of a bridge and launched two giant statues at them. Reiko and Aang created an earth igloo to block the statues. Katara created an ice ramp to jump to the other side of the bridge and water-whips the guards into the water. Aang froze them in the water as the rest all jumped across. More surface-to-air rocks appeared as guards were coming down a giant staircase. Reiko used earthbending to change the stairs into a ramp, causing them all to fall. She and Aang used earthbending to escalate themselves up the stairs.

"Seriously, we're actually on your guys' side!" Sokka Paused for a moment. "Sorry."

More guards came and Aang and Reiko pushed them away with earthbending.

"In there!" Sokka said. They entered the palace.

They came to an area with three doors. More guards appear and Reiko easily defeated them all.

"Reiko, which way to the Earth King?" Sokka said.

"How should I know? I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se." Reiko said.

Reiko defeated more guards while Sokka opened the doors to find the Earth King. The first room was empty, as was the second; outside the second door, a royal guard went flying to the right off. Sokka burst into a third room, startling a woman.

"Burglar!" Palace woman Tried to run, tripped, and fell flat on her face.

Sokka Shut the door. "Sorry. Wrong door."

xxx

Meanwhile, Kurai and Zuko returned from Lake Laogai. Zuko seemed ill.

"You did the right thing. Letting the Avatar's bison go free." Iroh said as they arrived.

"I don't feel right." Zuko got dizzy and fell into Kurai's arms.

"Zuko!" Iroh Rushed to him.