CHAPTER TWENTY

The Fire Nation's Darkest Day

"Curses!" Fire Lord Ozai muttered to himself. "The worst day in Fire Nation history has

returned. I'm sure glad that after today, we won't have to endure another solar eclipse for a long

time. If the other nations were to attack us now, we would surely be doomed. However I only

have to wait until Sozin's Comet returns; and then I will end this war and rule an empire that will

last for the ages. After the comet's return nothing will stop me."

Ozai satisfied that his dynasty would last forever indulged himself with a small chuckle;

something he hadn't done for many months. Ever since the return of "The Avatar" military

exploits that should have gone down in the history books as effortless victories were instead

reduced to nothing but humiliating failures. His traitorous brother and his disgraced son hadn't

helped things either; but no matter they were just minor annoyances that would be swatted and

then soon forgotten. Ozai chuckled again, he was going to win he knew it. Though he had

suffered defeats in many battles, he would ultimately win the war. The idea of losing had never

even crossed his mind; and if it had he would have laughed it off.

"Oh no!" groaned Sokka. "What's the matter now?" asked Kattara though she really didn't care.

"What's the matter? What's the matter? The Fire Nation's Darkest Day has come, and before we

could strike. Our chance of attacking while all Fire Benders have lost their power has come and

gone. The return of Sozin's Comet is next, we only have one shot, and now we've lost a very

important edge against the Fire Nation." Complained Sokka, even more loudly than usual.

"Put a rock in it Sokka, or I'll do it for you!" Toph said quite rudely. Kattara giggled and slapped

Toph's hand. Sokka stared at the two girls dumfounded. "Fine!" he said "if stopping the tyranny

of The Fire Nation isn't important to you; and you'd rather live as slaves or die then I'll stop

talking. But don't come crying to me after all this is over!" "I thought I told you to shut up!" said

Toph picking up a huge rock and tossing it up and down in her hands. Sokka's mouth

immediately clamped shut and he didn't say anything more; but that didn't stop him from having

a very sour look on his face. Nor did it stop him from grumbling under his breath. "Ahh!" Said

Kattara and Toph together "silence never sounded so good." Though Aang, Zuko, and Haru

didn't say anything they had slight smiles cross their faces, indicating approval of Toph's and

Kattara's actions.

Finally Aang broke the silence saying "Don't worry Sokka, just because our time is ticking away

and we only have one chance to save the world; we have something the Fire Nation doesn't

have." "What's that?" asked Sokka grumpily. "We have me." said Aang smiling. Sokka

grumbled some more, and Kattara jokingly chastised Aang saying "Don't get to full of yourself."

"I was just joking" said Aang feigning indignation, and then everybody laughed. "We need to

think positively. Pessimism is for losers and we want to be winners." said Kattara more seriously.

"I'll be optimistic after we've won." grumbled Sokka. "So will I" Zuko agreed.

The group kept on walking, though they hated to admit it Sokka was right. Now was not the time

for joking, they could not make mistakes. The fate of the world was on their shoulders and they

had to be careful not to drop it. Hopefully they would defeat the Fire Lord; and then they would

have the rest of their lives to relax. Unfortunately they could not leave anything to hope or

chance.