Chapter 14: Invasion: Part 3 - The Prophecy

If one were to witness the devastation of this invasion from start to finish, then what disbelieving and atrocious event would wind up to be its climatic fate? Would it be the massacre that partook within a blink of an eye - where countless of individuals were killed in a matter of seconds through the hands of enemy forces lingering in the shadows? Would it be the rise of these giants that flattened the earth around them while unleashing a devastation unlike anything this nation has experienced? Or would it be the clash of three enormous titans that would soon decide the fate of those around them.

Iroh stood atop one of the heads of the flaming dragon as it locked its jaw onto the rock giant, the same could be said for the other beast that stood along side it. The retired generals hands were engulfed in flames as it controlled the beast he stood atop of while using its wider frame to overwhelm his opponents. The two giants dug their feet into the floor as the force the dragon pushed against their body forced them back. Their arms wrapped around the necks of the dragon in attempt to lift its figure and throw it to the ground, but the dragon flapped its wings to took into the air causing the two giants to lose their grip around the beasts and fall back onto the surface. Tenzin observed in awe as he witnessed his Grand Father hold his own against the two beast that caused such havoc. He took a few steps forward, intending to help Iroh in this battle.

"Grandpa."

An arm grasped his shoulder, and Tenzin turned to see Zuko holding him back. "We have to go."

The young prince couldn't believe what he heard. "And leave Grandpa to fight those - things? Father, we can help him!"

"No we can't Tenzin. Our attacks hardly do any damage to these titans. If we join Uncle in this fight, we'd just get in his way."

"B-But, he'll die!"

Anger fueled the Fire Lords limbs at this bold statement. Why would he state the obvious at such a time. Does he not have faith in his Grand Father? Does he think for him to be a weak and fragile old man that needs special attention. This was hard for Zuko to accept, but even he knew when your struggles would wind up becoming futile.

"Don't you think he knows that?!" He nearly screamed. The sudden rise in his voice silenced the prince. "Uncle, he knows better than anyone about the risk he's taking. The possibility of death is clearly in his mind right now, but even then he doesn't beg for our help because he's accepted the likeliness of this outcome. He's not someone who needs to be taken care of. So please - have faith in your Grandpa, Tenzin."

Silence reigned down on the two as no other words could be said. After a few more moments, Toph had stepped in after the silence became too unwelcoming.

"So, where to now Zuko?" She asked.

Zuko sighed in thought. "Now, we head back to the palace and escort what's left of our people outside of the city. I hate to accept such a defeat, but Uncle is right. We have to abandon the Fire Nation."

The words Zuko had spoken still left many in disbelief of what they heard, but there truly was no other way. Most of their forces had been picked off by the giants, while the Dai Li had managed to wipe out a good amount with just their surprise attack alone. It was over for the Fire Nation, their defeat would mark the beginning of a new era in this world. A world that would once again fall into chaos, but at what cost?

"We should go then." Sokka encouraged.

Zuko nodded in thought. They should get going. He needed time to safely transport all in need, but more importantly he needs to relocate Kataras comatose figure. To think that she'd leave the palace in an unconscious state. It wasn't what he predicted, but who was he to play the role of a god. They set off back towards the Palace with a new goal in mind. To save as many as they possibly can.

"Don't think you'll leave so easily."

Toph had turned around just in time to create an Earth Wall to stop the incoming attack of boulders that threatened to squash them. Dust picked up from the impact, and Toph found herself shielding her arms with an outer layer of metal as the man who was thought to be their leader stomped against her forearms. Aang pushed off Toph's arms seconds before an Earth Pillar would be able to drive into his gut. Landing gently in their presence, his eyes remained glued to theirs. Another silence fell in between them all as they prepared to simultaneously attack the man before them, but Aang was forced to jump away when a wall of fire was shot from the dragons mouth separating his reach from those he targeted.

"Your fight is with me!" Iroh declared atop of the dragon as it swiped its tail against the rock giant. The giant braced itself from the attack as it skidded back a distance.

Aang glared up at Iroh before looking back at those he wanted so dearly to kill. His eyes settled onto Zuko, then Sokka, then Toph, and finally the young Fire Prince he had yet to know the name of.

"So Zuko had a son?" His thoughts rang. He eyes narrowed at the young Prince, for he had felt something quite disturbing within him that he couldn't quite understand. It was alluring, and his power called to him. "Interesting." He smiled lightly.

Aang turned to Iroh once more. Choosing to disregard those he was about to engage in combat with, he instead decided that it was time to take away something he knew Zuko held precious. He soared into the air with a boost from an Earth Pillar under his feet before landing atop of the Fire Giant who was currently wresting against one of the dragons heads. His eye's settled onto Iroh's once more, and the two stood immobile for a short second as they observed each other.

Iroh had diverted his gaze to look at Zuko once more. Their eyes locked, and he gave the Fire Lord a nod to get a move on. Zuko understood this gesture, and so without another thought he as well as all who accompanied him rushed back to the palace. Tenzin took one final look at Iroh who began to engage his opponent in battle, his thoughts were praying that he would come out of this okay.


The palace had been filled from top to bottom with as many refugees they could hold from outside its royal boundaries. Fire Lord Zuko had returned along with his companions and immediately gave the order to all that they would head toward the North Eastern Gates. The path mentioned lead directly into the harbor that was said to be where the Fire Nations Fleet would await their arrival for evacuation. Such an order coming from the Fire Lord left everyone speechless, for they couldn't believe that they would now have to abandon all they knew in search of safety and prosperity elsewhere. What remaining guards had gotten to work by escorting the large line of refugees out of the palace and directly towards the North Eastern Gates. Their duty was now to secure a safe enough perimeter for all citizens to travel without the fear of being killed.

Zuko had began to force his way through the dense crowd as he headed inside the palace. He had ordered a few guards to accompany him to his final destination in this city, and that destination was also tasked to safely transport his comatose fiancee. Of course, no one other than Iroh knew of her existence, and Zuko wondered how he could explain this is if word were to leak about this revelation.

"Zuko!" Toph called for once noticing of his immediate departure. She sighed as her words failed to reach him. "I swear, sometimes you don't know what he's thinking." She murmured.

"He'll be alright Toph." Sokka confirmed. "He's the Fire Lord after all."

Sokka's attention turned to Tenzin who had been observing his surroundings with concern for quite some time now. The young prince's worry was clear to the eye, and he could only wonder what's been troubling him.

"You okay, Tenzin?" He asked.

"I - I can't find my sister." He worriedly voiced.

Toph had perked her senses at this situation and tried to see if she could make out the familiar presence of Kya in the crowd. Her attempts proved to be worthless as there was just too much movement to actually concentrate on a singular presence.

"There's too many people." She clarified. "I can't sense her at all."

The three continued to observe as they tried to pinpoint Kya's exact location. Shortly after, Tenzins eyes perked with interest when spotting the presence of a particular individual. He rushed over once confirming the identity.

"General!" He called for.

The General ceased to speak with one of his guards as he turned his attention to the young prince. "Prince Tenzin." He greeted. "How may I be of service?"

"My sister, Kya." He immediately began. "Have you seen her at all lately? Where is she?"

The General blinked after a few seconds. "Princess Kya?" He repeated. "I thought she would be with you when you returned. Before she left, she had informed me of her desired participation in this battle alongside you and Fire Lord Zuko."

Tenzin grasped onto the Generals shoulders as his eye's grew lightly in fear. "She went after us?! How come we didn't cross paths when we retreated back to the palace?!"

"I-I'm not sure." He grew nervous at the Prince's horrified gaze. "What seems to be the issue?"

The issue? Tenzin couldn't believe what he was hearing. The issue was solely the fact that Kya had left to aid them in their struggles, only to soon discover that they are not where she think they may be waiting. She had wandered straight into the eyes of battle without the aid of anyone. Grandpa Iroh may be in that direction, but his hands were currently full in his own battles. Tenzin opened his mouth to speak, but words had proven to lay dormant in his throat as nothing but a frustrated scoff escaped his lips. He quickened his pace back towards his Aunt Toph and Uncle Sokka, his annoyance was clear to them.

"Tenzin, what's wrong? Did you find Kya?" Sokka was the one to address.

"I think - I think my sister is in trouble."


The battle raged on between Iroh and Aang as the three beasts continued to wreck havoc against one another. From atop their heads, the two benders exchanged attacks of their own once the titans had gotten within close vicinity of one another. Aang had remained idle to all elements of bending instead of Earth, for he knew that his identity would certainly be compromised if he were switch between elements.

"I must say, you're stronger than I expected." Aang complimented. "Given your age, I'd figure that you would outgrow the path of a Fire Bender and settle on living your remaining days as a humble Tea Shop owner."

Iroh chuckled. "Oh, I hear you. However, there are habits that one can't seem to grow out of no matter how old you become."

"Then that will be your downfall."

The titans and dragon closed in as their onslaught continued. Multiple earth pillars had spiked from the ground as it swirled around Iroh in an offensive manner. Iroh had summoned the flames from the Fire Giant to act as his defense. The fire had split into multiple streaks as it tracked the many pillars that threatened to end him. One by one the pillars were shattered in the air as the fire made contact until their was none left. He immediately shot fourth a fire ball with his fist followed by a quick thrust with foot as another flame followed after. Aang had called upon the Earth from the giant that stood beside him. The earth responded instantly and flew in front of him to block the incoming attack, he then kicked the rock with his feet towards Iroh who expected such a move. Iroh had swiped the air with his palm creating a thin layer of fire that sliced the rock in half. The two severed pieced flew by his head as no harm came to him.

"Is that all? If so, might I suggest we settle our differences through a nice cup of tea?" Iroh suggested.

"You mock me?"

"No, no I don't." He waved his hand while disapproving of his assumption. "It's just, the way this conflict is being handled is quite - uncivilized. Wouldn't it be easier to discuss matters with your enemies instead of attacking for ones desired growth?"

As Iroh continued to talk, he sneakily manipulated the Fire from the Titan Aang stood atop of to slowly traverse upwards behind the unsuspecting opponent. What Iroh didn't know was that every flame he to took from the titan would injure Ozai somewhat as well, for the flame acted somewhat as a life source to it.

"You know, I once thought as you had." Aang replied. "I once thought that a diplomatic lifestyle would lead towards an era of peace and prosperity. However, what we failed to recognize is that their will always be those who will slowly corrupt its regime; And then there will be those who would come to know, no such equity through it all. There will always be people who will be treated as 2nd or 3rd class citizens, while those who lead a prosperous life would ignore such corruption or foul treatment in exchange for a comfortable life. The Fire Nation is guilty in such an aspect, just as all other Nations had in their time of history. I know no other way than to rid this plague but to burn it to the ground and establish a global order. Negotiations will remain trivial, because like what you are doing now - such an action will remain a distraction in order to reach a killing blow.

Iroh tensed at being discovered. Reacting quickly, he sent the flames from all directions towards the intruder. Aang was surrounded, and yet he held little to no concern for the situation Iroh had put him in. Before the flames could come near, a wall of blue fire engulfed around the Avatar as it stopped the immediate threat. Azula had launched herself into the sky and landed alongside Aang. She looked a little hysterical, yet her anger wasn't directed at the man she thought to kill her father.

"You won't hurt my father anymore." She muttered.

"Azula." Iroh sympathized. "I truly am sorry for Ozai, it must be hard on you."

"You won't hurt him." She muttered again.

"But you must realize now, that man you fight alongside is evil. He did this to him, Azula! How long will it be until the same has happened to you. I do not want to hurt you. We have had our differences before, but I still care for you. Azula, I-"

"I said you won't hurt him!" Her screams pierced his ears as blue flames exploded from her feet. It engulfed the flaming titan from head to toe in its bluish glow.

The Dragon roared at the new color the Fire Giant began to emit. Azula had launched herself off the top of Ozai and landed on Iroh's beast before engaging her Uncle in close proximity. Her eye's were crazed, and her attacks were sloppy with rage.

"Azula!" Iroh tried to reason as he continued to dodge the Ex-Fire Princesses attacks.

As he weaved around her attacks, he could make out the faint trail of tears that flew out of her eyes every now and then when their faces grew close. "Azula." He thought once more as he became saddened at the state her niece was in. She was hurting inside, tremendously - and now it came to a point where she didn't know who to side with anymore. His words did reach her ears just moments ago, but she was already struggling to fight her own demons that corrupted her mentality.

"You!" She continued her onslaught. "All father ever wanted, was to be just like you! You were his rival! His idol! Yet you disregard his affection when he tried again and again to prove his worth."

The two dragons had smashed the Earth Titan a good distance away before focusing their attention the Fire Titan. The two heads charged their breath before unleashing an enormous amount of flames against the Titan who struggled against the flames. Hearing Azula's desperate and angered words threw Iroh off, for he didn't expect such sympathy to even brush pass his thoughts. He loved Ozai, of that he had no doubt. But the path he had been taking had been all but rational to him. It wasn't what Iroh wanted for his younger brother. Through the shocking words Azula spat, she managed to land a few hits on him time and time again.

"Why, just why?! You were his brother, Uncle. He - He loved you."

The Fire Titan had fallen, now dispersed into a large field of fire as the Dragon stood victorious among its remains. Aang had discarded his position atop Ozai's head once seeing that it wouldn't stand much longer. He relocated himself atop the second head of the Dragon. The fighting had stopped momentarily as Azula struggled to regain her breathing. Her tears had dried, yet the streaks from where they fell were noticeable.

"Azula..." Iroh muttered, his regret to his obliviousness was beginning to show "I-"

The two stumbled as the Dragon roared in pain. Looking over, the Water Titan that had been wrecking havoc at the Harbor had joined the battle and was now taking advantage of the unsuspecting state the beast was in. The streaks of water that collided with the Dragons outer layer of fire caused a huge layer of smoke to burst from the mixture of the two opposite elements. The Dragon was beginning to become quite a nuisance to Aang, and so he along with with the Water Titan began to enclose the Dragon from the bottom up in a layer of water that bubbled with the amount of heat that was transferred.

Iroh stumbled again due to how unstable the beast was. The Dragon began to dissipate into a gaseous smoke. At this point, he knew that he could no longer stay atop of the Dragons head. He had to move. The retired General jumped off the head and intended to land atop of the buildings below. His eye's locked onto the Avatar who had finished bending the water around the Dragon before taking to the air after him in a burst of wind.

"Water? Air?" Iroh thought aloud when soaring above the burning field of flames. "Impossible, it can't be!" His eyes widened in realization.

All of sudden, he felt the grip of a hand smash against his neck causing blood to spurt out of his mouth. His eye's looked at down at the person who ambushed him from below, only to realize that Ozai had once again reemerged from the flames after him. He was back in human form. He was shirtless while burnt marks laid scattered across his body. His eye's were hard when staring into Iroh's, yet despite the coldness within them Iroh was finally able to make out the small hint of jealously and hurt within them. If it wasn't for Azula, he would've never guessed.

"M-My throat!" He thought once realizing that it had been crushed under his grip.

"You figured it out too late." Aang soared over him along with Azula.

Ozai threw him to the ground, and Aang motioned a few fingers to create three sharp stakes that formed just under Iroh. Iroh rotated his body to see what was below him, only to have his torso land directly onto the sharp stakes penetrating through his lungs. Ozai, Azula, and Aang landed atop him, further penetrating him deeper into the sharpened Earth.

"I-I need to tell everyone... before it's too late." Iroh thought as he struggled to move his limbs. His body didn't respond to his call, for the pain that he felt made him too weak to do anything. "It's no use, I can't even move. Damn it, at this rate..."

His eye's fluttered as he began to lose the life they once held within them.

"I can't help it... I'm passing out." He thought as his gaze settled onto the feet of those who stood around him. "Is this the end? Is this how I die? Have I... failed?"

.

.

.

It's not about how one lives in this world. Rather, it would be determined by what they accomplished before their death. When I look back, my life has been filled with nothing but utter failures. I wasn't able to conquer Ba Sing Se, I failed to stop my brother from succumbing down this dark and merciless path, I couldn't even save the life of my own son. Compared to the deeds of the great Fire Lords and Avatars that came before me, my accomplishments have all been petty and insignificant. Even if I were to stray into the wrong path, I've always wanted to die like one of them. The tale of one's life is usually decided by how it ends. Living with such a belief that I would be able to redeem myself - I continued to stick myself into the roots of life. I had always told myself that my failures were meant to build character, and that they were trials that would hone my skills for the better; And in return, I would accomplish a deed so great that it would obliterate all of my failures, and I would finally die a death worthy of a true warrior. At least... that's how it was supposed to end. Hehehe, but now - as I drown in such a pitiful state, this is how I will be remembered? Before the Avatar had returned from his long overdue hibernation within the ice - Ran and Shaw, who I had been but a pupil of theirs for some time had prophesied that I would teach a revolutionary. A revolutionary that would bring great change into this world, and at one point I would have to make a very important decision. I thought that decision would be to stop this invasion, defeat the leader orchestrating this attack, and save the Fire Nation from annihilation; But even then, I failed to even do that! How embarrassing, I never thought that this would be the conclusion to the Tale of the Dragon of the West...

"What a pathetic story..."

Zuko clasped the book together. His smile said otherwise as he brandished it to his Uncle.

"No, don't say that. This book is amazing and well written. You have truly outdone yourself, Uncle." He opened it and inspected some of the pages. "Each page is almost like an autobiography of your own life. I love how you made both of the protagonist in this story to be such strong and caring individuals who won't give up even when the odds are stacked entirely against them. They find strength and drive to continue fighting when with one another, it's almost as if they're inseparable since the day they met."

Iroh chuckled. 'Is that so?" He rubbed the back of his head a little flustered.

Zuko nodded as he clasped the book together. "Uncle, I was actually thinking. It would be great if our child grows up to have similar attributes to one of the two heroes listed in your book." He set the book down and gently handed it over. "Which is why I wanted to ask, It would be an honor if I were to name my child after one of your main characters."

"W-Woah, hold on there." Iroh stood straight as he became flustered. "Are you sure you want to do that? I mean, it's not even the official book yet. I just made up some random name one day when gazing at the blue sky."

"Tenzin... Kya." Katara made herself known by coming out from behind Zuko. Her belly had a noticeable bump, and within the next two months she would unknowingly give birth to the twins she carried. "They are both wonderful names." She nodded in approval and made her way behind her Fiance. Her hand rested against his shoulder. "If it was a girl, I had a desire to name her after my mother, Kya. I thought it was selfish of me to do so at first - but now, you gave me clarity that my mothers name is meant to be passed on."

"K-Katara." Iroh couldn't believe what he heard. He was grateful for her approval, and somewhat flustered by how their similar thoughts had reached one another. He scratched the back of his head again. "W-Wait a minute, I guess this means I'll be the God Father?"

Zuko shook his head. "No, Uncle. You will be their Grand Father. You're like a father to me. You're a great Fire Bender who possess the traits a Fire Lord should have. There aren't many Fire Benders out there as great as you are."

...Yes, that's right. I - I named them!

The elder man reflected through the years he spent with the two children. He remembered holding them in his hands for the first time, both of them so young and fragile that an urge to protect was imminent. The warmth their bodies held despite the aura of gloom that filled many. It was intoxicating when in the two's presence, yet welcoming all the same. Even if he didn't spend every single second with them during their childhood, he held a privilege to witness how the two grew in both spirit and mind. From the day they were born, to the young adults they are now - they had truly came a long way.

"I don't know what to say - Thank you, Grandpa."

The eyes of both Kya and Tenzin stared and grinned at him with their signature smile.

Tenzin, Kya. Now that I think of it, both of you are beginning to turn out like those described in my book. You're beginning to inherit Zuko and Katara's aspirations... their wishes. Despite all of that, I...

"You're like a father to me. You're a great Fire bender who posses the traits a Fire Lord should have. There aren't many Fire Benders out there as great as you are."

.

.

.

He was brought out of his thoughts to the familiar taste of blood leaking from his mouth. His body twitched slightly as he began to find some hidden strength buried within.

"Succeed in that from where you fail, never give up, and never go back on your word. Tenzin, Kya - If I was the one responsible for teaching you these things, then as your mentor I have no business in complaining." His fingers continued to twitch as he began to move his arms under him. "Because as mentors, we are designed to bring about the best in our pupils. When a student learns from their mentor, they don't just take away the knowledge passed down to them. No - they also are the ones who inherit their mentors undying will to never give up. Isn't that right - Tenzin, Kya!"

Slowly and shakingly pushing himself up, the stakes that had pierced his lungs had began to retract from his body the further he became from the ground. The three who had been departing from what they thought to be Iroh's corpse continued to leave. However, Azula felt a tingle go down her spine that told her something was out of place. Her pupils had settled upon her Uncle's struggling form, and her eyes widened when witnessing his unwilling behavior to give in.

"H-He's forcing himself up by sheer will alone." Azula spoke. The information caused Ozai and Aang to look back.

"Interesting." Aang hummed. "I was sure his heart had stopped."

Iroh had gotten to his feet, the puncture wounds in his chest was of clear view as he struggled to breath.

"Never give up, clearly that was the choice I was meant to make!"

"He's quite persistent." Ozai had voiced for the first time since his reappearance. "Shall we end this?" He looked at Aang.

The Avatar nodded before they immediately darted after. Iroh charged what was left of his lungs before unleashing a breath full of fire at the three that went straight at him. Ozai and Azula combined their flames as it soared ahead while Aang encompassed the two's fire in a comb of air that easily pierced through Iroh's attack.

"Tenzin, Kya." Iroh smiled while watching the flames he fought against, rapidly grew closer to him. "Both of you are definitely the children the prophecy Ran and Shaw had foretold." His eyes closed peacefully before allowing the heat to overwhelm his figure.

"I'll leave the rest to you..."

An explosion was made when the three's overwhelming attack collided against its target. The three landed just meters away from where the fire overwhelmed the old general. All was quiet for a few moments as they observed the damage they had done. There was nothing that stood, nothing but the faint sight of ashes that flew away in the wind. This time, it was confirmed without a doubt - Iroh - once a Prince of the Fire Nation, a ferocious General during the war, but primarily known by his intimidating title as Dragon of the West, has finally perished.

"G-Grandpa?"

The three turned to the new sound immediately after. Their eyes landed onto that of a horrified woman who couldn't believe what she witnessed before her very eyes. Her arms shook as they stretched to where her Grand Father once stood.

"Who's she?" Azula questioned.

"I am not sure, but she's certainly royalty. Look at her garments." Ozai mentioned.

As the two conversed silently, Aang noticed something that left him speechless. There, attached to her neck was the necklace he last saw Katara wearing. The shiny blue pearl with its beautiful engravings. It was too noticeable to pass up.

"That necklace." He took a few steps forward as his tone suddenly grew demanding. "Where did you get that necklace?!"

"Grandpa..." She spoke again, her voice cracking at the mention of Iroh.

Aang grew annoyed as this woman continued to ignore him due to her state of shock. "Answer me! Who are yo-"

"Grandpa!" Her voice shifted into that of an enraged spirit as the flames reacted to her calling like it was its primary function.

In the distance, the Water Giant had to back away after seeing a large amount of itself be taken away by the enraged woman. Her left eye began to flicker into a white glow until it remained solid due to the immense amount of rage that seeped from her veins. Fire and Water began to circle around the woman dangerously as she made her approach. Each step she took created a burst of flames from beneath her feet that expanded within a certain radius around her.

"W-What's going on!" Azula questioned as she shield her eyes from the brightness the girl emitted, the same could be said for Ozai.

Needless to say, the one who was most confused of all was Aang. For the shear power this woman had tapped into was none other than the State of the Avatar he himself had mastered. His disbelief had risen, yet his expression remained stern. She certainly had tapped into the Avatar State, but somehow it was incomplete. The unchanging pupil from her enraged right eye had justified this assumption. The wind that had been screaming around her had blown the hood off his head revealing his face, yet his eyes remained hard. Despite encountering this woman for just a few moments, she had more than proven within that small time frame that he couldn't let her escape. No, he wouldn't let her escape. Like his counterpart, he as well had tapped into the Avatar State as his eye's changed into their corrupted glow.


The mass evacuation remained the top priority for the Fire Nation. The now enormous line that stretched for over two miles had reached back to the palace as more citizens had followed the herd to the ever so desired atmosphere of safety. Their had been some small battles within close proximity of the citizens, but luckily they were able to come out victorious as the majority of their forces still engaged the Dai Li elsewhere in the city. The North Eastern gates of the capital came into view. However, their once march had come to a halt when seeing the gates blocked by rubble courtesy of the Rock Giant. They began to pile near the gates as an uproar began to rise from them all, demanding that something be done with the debris that blocked their path to salvation. The General had ordered the guards to begin shooting flames at the debris in order to burn it down and create a path, however their attempts have proven to be a waste as they made little impact against the earth.

Zuko had led a small group of soldiers to carry his comatose fiance on a stretcher. There was no hiding her anymore. For now, he had to lead her away from danger just as everyone else had. He had approached the beginning of the long line that gathered by the North Eastern walls as his suspicions remain correct.

"There really is no way out." He thought.

Approaching the dense crowd, he ordered the guards who carried her fiance to head to the front of the line by any means necessary. If they were only a few seconds slower, Sokka and Toph would've certainly recognize Katara anywhere.

"Father." Tenzin was the first to speak when spotting the Fire Lord. "Father, somethings wrong. Kya's in danger!"

"What?! How can this be? I told her to stay and protect our people!"

"Well apparently she didn't." Toph answered. "She went after us just moments before we returned."

"We can't leave her, Dad!" Tenzin pleaded. "Please, we have to go after her."

Zuko bit his lip at the fear of losing his daughter. Why, why did she have to do this? If only she had stayed they wouldn't have been in this mess. Zuko had an obligation to protect his people, of that he had no doubt. His eyes wandered to those who demanded an escape from the Fire Benders who continued to try and destroy the rubble blocking their escape. Their grief was intoxicating, and it filled him with despair. His eyes landed onto those of two children who huddled close to their father for protection, the look in their eyes said it all. He knew what he had to do. He was their Fire Lord, of that he had no doubt - But he was also a father.

"You're right Tenzin, we will." He answered before looking at Toph. "Toph, destroying rubble shouldn't be an issue for you. Please, go up to the front and remove that wall of debris so my people can escape. Sokka, Tenzin, we're going to find Kya."

He began to make his departure back into the Capital, but was stopped when Tenzin fell onto his knees clutching his right eye. He groaned in pain as he was once again filled with visions of something dark, and evil. His thoughts looked through the eyes of the man that held her sister captive, she had been subdued and restrained in a state of unconsciousness while being draped over the shoulder of another man.

"Tenzin!"

His fathers words reached his ears as he snapped out of the state he was in.

"Tenzin! What's wrong!" Zuko kneel'd next to him, a concerning arm resting over his shoulder.

"Kya..." He whimpered. "Th-They got her!"

Toph and Sokka had looked at one another, a state of shock was felt between them when witnessing what Tenzin had gone through. They didn't think it was possible, for the last time they witnessed its power was when they fought against the boy who had plans to enslave the world. But now, the young prince had inherited the power the Avatar was capable of.

"What do you mean?" Zuko pressed on the topic. "What did you see, Tenzin."

The Prince had opened his mouth to clarify even further, however his eyes had settled onto a new person who levitated in the air a distance away. His cloak had been dispatched due to the damage it received when Kya had blown it off his figure. Now, standing in all of his glory, the man who many thought to be dead had reemerged into the spotlight the world had been saving for. His eye's continued to glow ominous as the arrow that shined above his head traversed to his left and only limb made of flesh. The bystander who were able to make out the mans features began to murmur among each other as word began to spread quickly.

"Isn't that the Avatar?"

"Avatar Aang? I thought he disappeared?"

"We're saved! The Avatar has come to help us!"

"His arm, his legs... what happened to him?"

The murmurs from the crowd had been heard clearly to the corrupted Avatar. The relief in many of their voices went unnoticed to even him. They figured that they would now be safe, and that the Avatar would put an end to this crisis and defeat the invaders so they may rebuild all they lost. How gullible the human mind was. They weren't wrong about one thing though, he would certainly become their savior. Of that, he will not deny. However, even he knew that the likeliness of being saved didn't come without a price, and that price was primarily settled with blood. His eye's had settled unto those he once considered comrades, their expression had been all but welcoming when realizing that he had not been killed like they thought for him to be back on Crescent Island.

"Is that - really him?" Toph softly voiced.

The name of the man she dearly loved murmured through the crowd like a passing plague. She never thought that she'd once again hear that name, his name. Moments like these were times where she wished she had the ability to see, so that she could confirm with her own two eyes that this man is who people say he was.

"Z-Zuko, Sokka... is it really Aang?" She whimpered slightly.

"I..." Zuko had stared wide eye'd at the Avatar he thought to be dead. "I can't believe it - how did he? He's alive?" Horror began to settle in as he began to piece the conflict that had been unfolding lately together. "He's alive!"

"It's... It's him." Tenzin huffed as he looked up at the man who hovered above them. "Father, he's the one that we had been seeing through our visions. All the anger, all the pain, all the suffering. It was he who radiated such animosity. He took Kya. I-I saw it with my own eyes."

Sokka gripped onto the hilt of his blade tighter than he had ever done. His jaw also clenched together as the tension he created in his mouth began to grow sore. His shock when seeing one of his dearest friends was clear to many, however that wasn't what had him in such a foul mood. No, what bothered him, what angered him, what enraged him beyond anything he could ever think of was the fact that this man - no, this monster fit the faint description some of the natives back on Kyoshi Island had mentioned. A man who held inhuman limbs attached to its frame unlike anything that they'd ever seen. This was him, this was the man who killed Suki. This was the man who had taken his love away from him. This was the man who had unknowingly killed the child that was growing in her womb and had robbed him of a life of happiness to live out his days as a loving father. It was because of this man that he now has to suffer through this unending state of longing for those who had perished.

"Toph..." Aang had began to list when his eye's had settled onto those he knew as a child. "Sokka..." He could see the familiar gaze of hatred that seeped through his pupils. It reminded him of his younger self when vengeance was his sole driven purpose. He averted his gaze after a few moments once finding nothing else within them. "Zuko..." He lastly said when looking upon the current Fire Lord. "It's so good to see you all again. However, I do apologize that it had to be under such circumstances."

"A-Aang." Toph was the first to come out of her stupor. "You're alive. I can't believe it!" Despite remembering of why they wanted to kill the Avatar nearly two decades ago, the relief in her voice was none other than present when speaking to him.

"So I have." He replied. "However, shortly now I can't be saying the same thing for you." Two pillars had risen from below, and standing atop either of them was both Ozai and Azula. The Ex-Fire Lord was the one who currently held an unconscious Kya hostage for all to see.

"Kya!" Tenzin screamed as anger began to swell within him. "Let her go!"

"No, I don't think I will." Aang paced back and fourth in the air. "You see, this little predicament we find ourselves in can be quite complicated. Have you ever heard of the tragic life a Gladiator has to endure?" The confused look on the young Prince caused Aang to smile. "I see you're confused. Allow me to clarify. You see, a Gladiator is a person who is forced into an arena of death where he must kill his opponents in order to see the rise of another sun. It is implanted by the rule of a King who uses the Gladiator as a source of entertainment, not only for himself, but for others as well. Now, think about it. To be put into the arena under the Kings word must be terrifying no matter who you turn out to be. To be seen as a minor source of entertainment for that of an important ruler is humiliating to all. We are not cattle, yet we are treated as such when diving into the books of our history. The constant state of war between all Nations isn't a strange thing at all. Because of this, I rejected these answers. For instead I say it is time for the King to enter the arena himself." He pointed at Zuko. "And what better way to settle this than for the mighty Fire Lord to protect this supposed glorious nation!"

"You!" The venom seeped from Sokka's tone. "You're a Villain!"

"And what does that make you all? Heroes?" He chuckled. "You are a fool to label others as such. There are no Heroes, just as their are no Villains. Only different perspectives of life."

"Then what do your ideals of enslavement mean!" Zuko yelled. "It was because of you that this happened. If only you hadn't disappeared from this world after the war! We could've helped you, Aang! I could've helped!" His fist clenched. "K-Katara... could've helped you."

Silence reigned upon them, and its aroma became deafening to all who listened in.

"Katara..." Aang began to reflect upon the Water Benders decision. "She decided to die by the hands of someone who she adored. I admit, at the time I did not understand her sacrifice she had embraced - but now, I can finally see why. That reason as to why, was to protect this world and all of you pathetic excuses of human beings. She did it in hopes that peace would thrive - and because of my extremists views, she couldn't lose you all like she had to me. No matter what any of you say, the you and the me who could not save Katara that fateful night is an imposter! To me, Katara is someone that was never meant to die! So the Katara who died must also be an imposter! Katara only remains true when she is alive! These Great Nations, their Leaders, the People and even Spirits themselves! They created these circumstances! What drove me to pain and despair was this world itself! This counterfeit world!"

He could see the unease that had settled upon many as their eyes began to avoid his own.

"LOOK AT ME!" He screamed. He expanded his arms to either side of him, presenting the horrific body he had to live in. "Look at what I have become - There is nothing in my heart. I - I don't feel anything any longer. There's no need for any of you to feel guilty. This hole was opened up by this world of hell. I only had pain stored within me before, but really - what is the meaning in that? So while stuck in this crossroads of self-identity, I decided to abandon it all. Meanwhile, all of you have been suffering this entire time, at Katara's grave - and mine as well."

How could someone respond to such a solid, detailed confession of how he felt. The answer to that was, there wasn't. There was nothing anyone could say that could make this tension ease between them all. Tenzin hardly understood any of his reasoning. What he did understand was that this man had been through a lot in this world; And that his actions had only been an act of finding his place in it all.

"I do not apologize for what I am about to do. I can only ask that perhaps one day, you will come to understand why I do this."

The sky began to darken around Aang while an aura of immense danger overwhelmed many. Even though there fate had yet been stated, they all knew what his intentions were. Toph gritted her teeth to rid herself of the emotional despair she had bottled up for the Avatar she thought to be dead. Now was not the time to dwell on her mistakes, because those who were just bystanders in this were looking towards them as a last line of defense.

"So much for making that escape route." She thought as she prepared their defenses for battle. She created a thick wall of earth to block the Citizens view from the battle ahead before focusing on the three opponents before them all.

Tenzin had stood alongside his Earth Bending master while Zuko stood in front of them all. Fire swarmed around him as he did his best to respond to the power Aang continued to built around.

"Perhaps this would be our end?" Zuko thought as he got into a stance. He opened his mouth before speaking. "We just need to by enough time for my soldiers to break through the rubble so they can escape. Toph, we'll be their main targets while Tenzin and Sokka work on trying to retrieve Kya from my father. "

"Right behind you hothead." Toph encouraged.

The two opposing forces faced off in a heated glare. No one dared to move, for they knew that the slightest movement would begin the fight that would decide their fate. The tension continued to rise between them, and Zuko was the one who initiated it all by letting out a loud battle cry. What was thought to be the beginning of their fight had stopped shorthanded when a blinding yellow light landed between the two teams. The force of the impact created a shock wave that forced them all to raise their hands in defense as the wind pushed them back. Another yellow light landed next the left to the first that descended, and then one final one landed on its opposite end. The effect the two had was just as powerful as the first.

"W-What's going on?" Azula tried to peak through her fingers.

"It's so bright!" Sokka grunted. "What are those things!"

Aang squinted his eyes as he too blocked the blinding lights with his hands. This minor inconvenience had annoyed him shortly for its odd timing. That annoyance soon turned into shock before sky rocketing in anger when realizing the presence he felt. It was the presence of those he had been searching for all this time.

"You finally decided to reveal yourselves." His lips formed into a crazed smile.

The light finally began to simmer as they were now able to see who was responsible for such an entrance. Out stepped the forms of the three predecessors who came before Aang. Their influence in this world was great as their power.

"I'm quite humbled that you all made such an entrance. It is so good to see you again Avatar Kyoshi, Yangchen, and Roku."

The three Avatar's glared at the man who nearly harnessed the powers of the previous Avatars who had lived before them.

"Avatar Aang." Roku was the first to say. "This catastrophe you unleashed upon the Fire Nation ends now!"

"Roku, I'm sure we both knows how this ends." He smirked. "Until our battle comes to a close, I'm afraid this war is just beginning."

"Enough of this." Kyoshi approached. "We didn't come here to argue. Regardless if this war has yet to come to a close, this battle certainly has!" Her eye's along with Yangchen and Roku glowed as the power of the Avatar flowed through their veins. The ground began to break between them as a large canyon widened in enormous size. Yangchen created a strong gust of wind as powerful as a category 5 hurricane and pushed themselves further from the land that was the Capital. Roku brought his arms up creating an overwhelming amount of lava to rise from the canyon Kyoshi had created. The lava stretched for miles and miles on either side as it towered above them all. With a fortified defense standing between them all, Kyoshi turned her attention towards the rubble that blocked the path for the citizens to flee. She shot her hands fourth and opened a large enough hole to allow the people to begin pouring out of the city. The Fleet of Fire Nation Ships that had been awaiting their arrival came into view as soon as they left the walls of the Capital. The light within the eyes of the three Avatars faded, and the way they looked at those who were about to fight the fallen Avatar said it all.

"Go, now! We will come for you later Young Avatar." Yangchen stated before she as well as the other two disappeared in a blink of an eye as their essence has once more traversed back into the spirit realm.

Tenzin blinked. "W-What!"

"Come on, Tenzin!" Zuko grabbed his sons hand as he led him towards safety.

"Dad! They still have Kya!"

Zuko stopped. "I know they do." He refused to look his way. "But, trust me. Your sister will be alright. They won't hurt her... and if he's figured it out, he won't allow anyone to hurt her."

"B-But dad!"

"Tenzin we are going!" He nearly yelled.

Tenzin struggled to fight the tears that threatened to spill. "I-I hate you!" He stomped away in the direction of the fleet. "You better be right, or else you will never see my face again!"

Sokka and Toph looked at each other before gazing into the back of Zuko's head.

"Are you sure about this, Zuko?" Sokka questioned. "I don't want you to lose Kya like we lost my sister. Will she really be alright?"

Zuko took a deep breath when hearing Sokka's hesitancy in his decision. He didn't respond, for instead he began to evacuate the city just as all others had. His hand rested upon the book his Uncle gave him. It was concealed under his garments as he ran his fingers down the cover through his fabric. The presence of Aang, Azula, and Ozai with the absence of his Uncle confirmed that he had died in battle against the three. In truth, he really didn't know if Kya would be alright. And for that, he thought himself as a coward. A coward who wasn't able to protect his children in fear of losing the battle. His Uncle had lost, so he most certainly would have as well. He stepped through the walls that had ended the boundaries the Capital held. Without looking back, he left the Fire Nation that day not just as their declared Fire Lord, but as a coward who couldn't even protect his own children.


"Aang, they're getting away." Azula mentioned from the opposite side of the wall of lava Roku had created.

"Are we really allowing this?" Ozai spoke. "We should give chase! We have them on the ropes my Lord!"

Aang pondered on the many decisions he could possibly make. Sure they could give chase, but where would the fun be in that if he had killed them all so quickly. They had won. There was no need to give chase any longer. The Fire Nation had fallen, and with that came a small testimony of his power to the rest of the world that their Avatar had returned. His eyes had settled onto that of the Princess that laid unconscious by Ozai's feet. The necklace of Katara had remained around her neck while her arms and legs were bound together with rope. He still had one more thing to do here, and it was to find the tomb of the woman who wore that necklace before this woman and finally revive her.

"No..." Aang stated. "Let them run with their tails between their legs. Let them spread the horrors they had witnessed about what I have done here today. Let it be known to all in this world that their Avatar had returned. Let it be known that there will be no one to stand in my way when fulfilling my rightful duty of establishing eternal peace and salvation!" He chuckled lightly. "Besides, this girl is important to them. They will come back for her, and when they do - we will be waiting."

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End of Chapter 14

And that wraps up the Invasion Arc. First off, I just wanted to say it took me all of my willpower not to split this up into one more chapter. Seriously, this took a lot out of me and I hope you guys are satisfied and intrigued to see where this is headed. If you thought this story was coming to an end with this Arc, well you thought wrong. Let me know what you guys think of this, and if you do have hypothesis as to how this will carry out feel free to speak your thoughts. I mean like, I won't tell you if you're right or wrong but I'd certainly love to read the fantasy others may have buried within their thoughts. I will go into depth into the fate of some of Aang's underlings the next chapter, so for now stay curious. Other than that, I hope you guys have a great day and I hope to see you all in the next chapter!

Ciao!

~TheLivingMyth