~ Day of the Black Sun, Part 2 ~
The Eclipse
Part 1
Ryuu POV
The Invasion was initiated with the fierce cry of soldiers. We sprinted from the dubs alongside the tanks, dodging all missiles thrown and shot. I spotted Sokka in the crowd and pushed myself to catch up with him. Together, we hit down several Fire Nation soldiers who tried to turn us into shishkibabs. Hakoda was infront when a hoard of cavalry raced towards us.
By raced I mean advanced leisurely as Kimono Rhinos don't run faster than a man. Sokka yelled at his father, who ducked from an attack. A Fire blast came straight for Sokka's head but, using Zuko's method, I dispersed it. Sokka grinned a thanks but was occupied fighting.
"Take out the battlements!" I screamed at no one in particular.
Hakoda and Sokka, however, decided it was directed at them and whistled for an armoured Appa. They and Katara flew away on the beast to deal with the troublesome defences. Another fireball came my way - I smacked it back using my spear, breaking it in the process.
Throwing away the useless stump, I had to fight hand-to-hand. A Kimono Rhino beard down on me but I round housed kicked the driver away, leaving a confused passenger staring at me as I fell down onto the saddle. We rode around for a bit before the beast bucked the soldier and me off. The poor guy sat there - in a state of confused shock.
Sokka and Appa landed infront of the troops, rallying them into a wedge formation. We all did as told. A frontal assault of the main tower later and someone grabbed my forearm, wrenching my behind a tank. Sokka and a couple other warriors huddled behind an overturned tank, analysing a map. The Earth Kingdom soldier who had grabbed me pointed at the map of the capital with great urgency.
I went to speak but was disturbed by a fire rock lodging itself dangerously close to us. Screwing my nose up, I spoke louder so the warriors could hear me over the din of battle.
"The Palace has one entrance and exit, here!" I pointed to the map, "Take it, but beware, the guards lodged are inside the gate house!"
Sokka nodded eagerly, he directed the soldiers to move out, tell as many people of this, when his father and Katara joined us. Water boy instantly lightened up:
"Dad! You're on your feet again."
Nodding, the elder warrior sat down weakly, "Thanks to your sister. I'm in no shape to fight, but maybe there's some way I can help."
Sokka shrugged, picking up his maps with all the confidence in the world, "Everything's going smoothly and the eclipse hasn't even kicked in yet."
Punching him carefully, I scowled and muttered about jinxing the whole thing. Sokka didn't care - he had full belief that this was going to work. Katara, however, was staring intently at a distant but fast approaching dot. She set her shoulders back and shielded her eyes from the sun.
"Is that ... is that Aang?"
We all let out a shocked sigh as Aang landed somewhat in the style of falling: "Please tell me you're here because the Fire Lord turned out to be a big wimp and you didn't even need the eclipse to take him down."
Aang turned to us and collapsed his Glider, his face pale and slightly tinged green. Should s'pect so after that landing...
"He wasn't home. No one was. The entire palace city is abandoned."
The three kids turned to glare at me. Sokka rasped, "They knew... how was that?"
My lip wobbled as I ran this through my mind. Something clicked - I hit my forehead with my palm and exclaimed a swear word, at which Aang and Katara recoiled. I apologised but explained what I knew.
"The Bunker! Rangi, you marvel!"
Sokka grabbed my shoulders and shook my impatiently, "What bunker? Where?!"
I dug my nails into my palms and elaborated as well I could. The three kids eyes lit up like the moon as I went on to explain that we needed someone with seismic sense to find it. They leaned over the tank and all hollered Toph's name. She slid towards us and kneeled down.
"What'szup?"
"Secret underground bunker-"
She cackled and rammed her thumb at herself, "Say no more, I am the girl for the job!"
From his armour, Sokka pulled a small round mechanism that ticked at random intervals. He explained we had ten minutes to do what we needed until the eclipse was total. Just ten minutes... to save the entire world.
"We can still do this. We can still win the day," Aang beamed. He grabbed his glider in both hands and hugged it. Katara chewed on her lip while massaging her temples - she was the epitome of stress. I tried to pat her shoulder in a comforting way, but she slowly edged towards her father and away from me. I just shrugged.
"Wait! If they knew we were coming it could all be a trap. Maybe we should use the time we have left to make sure we all get out of here safely."
Hakoda slammed his fist against the flagstones, "Everyone who's here today came prepared to risk everything for this mission. They know what's at stake. If there's still a chance and there's still hope, I think they would want Aang to go for it."
Katara calmed a bit, a determined expression now covered her features. Sokka turned to Aang, "What do you think? You're the one that has to face the Fire Lord. Whatever you decide, I'm with you."
The Avatar nodded confidently, "I've gotta try."
...
Flying on Appa was an amazing experience. It took my mind off of what was to come, but everyone else had a grey shadow over their faces. This was thier first time in the oppressive Fire Nation capital and it showed. We landed on the rim of the volcano - staring out over the city.
Toph dug her fingers into the fertile volcanic soil and used her amazing abilities to confirm what Rangi had told me. In the back of my head, I was severely concerned about what had happened to the lady. I hoped she was alright. Who'm I kidding, it's Rangi! She could survive a volcanic eruption if necessary.
Opening a hole, Toph ordered us inside and, using seismic sense, managed to guide us safely through - without getting burnt to a crisp in magma. I said that way too soon. The tunnel led out to a chamber with several spouts of magma. It glowed hot against the skin - like Zuko - Dammit! Sorry.
"The tunnel continues on the other side and It leads right to the bunker."
"Oh, great," My voice dripping with sarcasm, "This'll be so much fun."
Sokka coughed at my ill-timed sarcasm, "We'll have to be fast, but careful."
As soon as we stepped foot into the chamber, a geyser of molten rock erupted, only just missing the kids - I stood right in its path. Aang cooled it with Airbending before I got badly injured. I smiled gratefully, brushing off the now obsidian magma.
We crossed the chamber before coming to a river of magma. What lunatic build a city on an active volcano?!
Aang spun his staff, it sprouted wings, he directed us to hang on as tight as possible when he leapt off of the ledge. Hoo, boy. Not fun. Noooot fun. Landing, we stared up at a huge metal door. Sokka stated the obvious. He can be added to the Captain Obvious club.
Toph strutted to it and easily made a big hole in it. That was my first experience of metalbeding and, I've got to say, it was impressive. We sneaked inside the darkness and followed Toph as she led us deeper into the heart of the (active!) volcano.
...
War Minister Qin's a cowardly guy.
He came sashaying down the corridor, whistling 'It's a long way to Ember Island' when the four of us cornered him. He recognized me but - before he could cry out - I punched his collarbone. He grunted and pointed down the hall, where he had just come from and babbled:
"The Fire Lord's chamber is that way, down the hall, to the left, and up the stairs, you can't miss it!"
Aang's suspicious look suddenly became friendly, "Thanks!"
I wanted to stay behind and knock some sense into Qin - not motiveless violence, that's beneath me, but because Qin is a notorious flirt, he makes passes at every single young female servant. The creep. But Toph caught my fist and dragged me along behind her.
"Come on, Stabby, You can get him later."
Sokka pulled the timing thingymagig from his armour again, "Thirty seconds to full eclipse. "
Aang sped up with a look of determination etched on his face, "I'm ready. I'm ready to face the Fire Lord."
We ran through the corridors and followed Qin's word to the tee. Aang blasted down the magnificent metal doors with one gust of Airbending, but, as soon as we stepped inside the darkened room, we got a shock. Azula glared down at us from a throne - deadly purple flames playing in her eyes...
"So, you are alive after all. I had a hunch that you survived. But it doesn't matter. I've known about the invasion for months," She set her eyes firmly on me as she rose from the throne, "And don't bother with Zuzu. He's already dead."
