Disclaimer: All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and all the men and women that created the A:TLA show, books, and comics. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made. The lyrics are from the song "The Phoenix" by Fall Out Boy
Rating: General Audiences. Warning: some scenes contain dark themes and minor violence
Author's Note: Two part book finale coming next week! Are you guys ready for the eclipse day invasion?
Chapter 12: The Army
We are the Jack-o-lanterns in July
Setting fire to the sky
Here it comes the rising tide
So put on your war paint
Katara checks everyone's supply bags again, but it's just to have an excuse to do something with her hands and avoid looking at the others. She knows that everything is inside - a little money, some food and water for the trip, a map, and a change of clothes. She knows that they have to split up to gather their allies, but she doesn't like being separated from the others. What if something happens?
Once they go their separate ways, she has no more control.
"Uh, Katara?" Toph says, standing behind you. "That's the third time you've checked. My water flask isn't just going to grow legs and walk out on its own."
"I know." Katara sighs and closes the bags, forcing herself away. "I'm just nervous."
"We'll be alright. We can take care of ourselves."
"I know," she repeats.
"And we'll only be apart for a week," Sokka adds. "What can go wrong in a few days?"
"Everything," everyone says at once. Sokka scratches awkwardly behind his ear.
"You've got a point," he concedes. "But seriously, we'll be okay. This is the easy part of the plan."
"We'll be safer when we're split up, anyway," Suki says. "The Fire Nation won't expect us to be split up, and they especially won't suspect an invasion. Their forces will be stretched thin trying to chase after us all."
"I hope so," Katara murmurs, not as quick to underestimate the Fire Nation. Especially not Azula.
They all gather in a circle around the coals of last night's fire. Although they know that every minute counts, none of them can seem to make the first move. They're splitting up, heading to the opposite ends of the world to find and recruit their allies for the final invasion. After being together for so long - and through so much - somehow it feels final.
Toph is the one who finally moves. "Standing around this firepit is nice and all, but I need to get started. I don't even know where my allies are. I better get going."
Her voice breaks the spell. They all mumble excuses and begin picking up their packs. Toph punches Aang, Sokka, and Zuko before taking off, gliding away on a rock platform. Katara lifts her hand in a half-hearted wave.
Aang is the next to leave. He says goodbye to the others before hugging Katara tightly. "Good luck," he tells her as he steps back.
"Stay safe," she replies. "I'll see you in a week."
He leaps into the air, unfurling his glider and flying away. Katara watches him until he disappears. Then she turns to the remaining team. Sokka and Suki are saying goodbye a few feet away. And Zuko is standing in front of her.
She and Zuko have come so far, yet there's still a strange tension between the two of them. She thinks it has more to do with the fact that they're saying goodbye. Again. They seem to be constantly separated.
"It's just a week," she finds herself saying.
"Nothing's going to happen to me," he promises. "Suki's going to be by my side. If anyone needs to worry, it's you."
Katara glances over at her brother and smirks. "He only acts stupid. Besides, no Fire Nation soldiers are going to follow us when we get to our allies."
"I'm not worried about our trips. I'm worried about what comes after." His voice turns serious.
Katara exhales deeply. She is, too. "I'll do what I have to do," she swears. "As the Avatar."
He simply nods. "Don't worry about me. I'll survive whatever happens."
She knows he's referring to his father. From anyone else, saying that it was okay to kill their father would be highly concerning. From Zuko, it's just sad.
"I'm going to find a solution," she says, although the promise sounds hollow in her own ears.
They hug each other tightly. When they release, Sokka and Suki are waiting a respectful distance away.
It's just a week, Katara repeats to herself. Even though she knows it's logical for them to split up the way they have, she has the feeling she might regret this week apart.
And when she searches for the reason, deep down in her soul, she has a feeling of dread at the pit of the stomach. As if she knows something horrible is going to happen.
Aang feels like he's taking a trip in history. Months ago - or was it already a year now? He's not sure - has passed since he followed almost this exact route. Only, the last time he was on Appa and he was listening to Katara, Sokka, and Suki tell their stories.
Now he's flying alone and he knows exactly what to expect when he arrives.
They see him before he even lands. It's early in the afternoon; the wind currents were at his back, pushing him along. Even though he's expecting to see them, his heart still falters for a quick moment when he sees the familiar gliders in the air. A small part of him hears the laughter and drudges up memories of his friends - his friends at home. And though he loves his new friends, a part of him is still disappointed that these are not Airbenders.
If Aang is being honest, he misses his home. He loves Katara and Toph and Sokka and Suki, and he loves travelling with them, but he's also starting to get a little homesick. He can't wait to see Monk Gyatso and the others soon. Maybe even as early as next week, if everything goes according to plan.
And it has to. Aang has total faith in Katara's ability to defeat the Fire Lord.
Teo's excited voice cuts through his thoughts. The boy adjusts the flaps on his chair and angles so that he's flying next to Aang. "Aang! You're back!"
"Hi, Teo!" Aang yells back over the wind rushing through their ears. "How's it going?"
"Pretty good! The Fire Nation hasn't returned since you guys left!" Teo grins. "So, what are you doing here? And where are the others?"
They angle themselves downwards and land lightly on the ground in front of the temple. Aang folds up his glider and slides in behind his back.
"Where's your dad?" he asks instead of answering. "I'll tell you guys the whole story."
The engineer, his son, and a few other adults sit in the workshop around Aang as he recalls all his adventures from the past couple of months. Other than the occasional surprised gasp or look of horror, they all listen quietly and attentively.
"Even the prince of the Fire Nation has turned his back on the Fire Lord," Teo's father muses. "How interesting."
"So why did you come back?" Teo asks. "We love seeing you again, but shouldn't you be with the Avatar?"
"We need your help," Aang replies. "We know it's a lot to ask, but this could be our only shot at defeating the Fire Nation."
The inventor exchanges looks with the other adults. "You and the Avatar saved us from the Fire Nation when they attacked us. And because of your people, Aang, we've had a home since ours was destroyed. You know that we'll do whatever you need. But how on earth do we have a shot at defeating the Fire Nation?"
"The Day the Fires Burned Out."
"What's that?" Teo asks.
"It's a legend about a solar eclipse. As long as the moon is blocking out the sunlight, no one can firebend. This only occurs once every few hundred years, but one week from today is the next one. We plan to time our invasion so that Katara has access to the Fire Lord when he can't firebend!"
"Is it true or just a legend?"
"It's true. We confirmed it with Zuko. Katara and the others are going to meet our other allies. Together, we actually have a chance at ending the war!"
Aang can feel the enthusiasm spreading throughout the room. Teo grins and some of the other adults begin nodding. The inventor simply pulls out a notebook and begins flipping through the pages.
"The eclipse will only last a few minutes, so we'll need to reach the palace undetected. There's a shore not far - if we can somehow appear right there, we'd be close enough to fight our way to the Fire Lord's chambers. I had a thought a few months ago…"
He lifts his head and makes eye contact with Aang. "Count us in. We should begin travelling by tonight, so we reach the meeting point in time. Let me just pack up a few tricks. Lin -" he turns to another adult - "gather any volunteers who will come with us and begin packing. We leave before sundown!"
The entire Temple becomes a hive of flurried activity within minutes. Men are packing bags, women are preparing weapons and supplies, and the inventor is hurriedly patching together some projects to take with. Teo and Aang sit out in the courtyard, away from the hustle and bustle.
"So this is really it, huh?" Teo says. "The war could be over in a week."
"I have complete faith in Katara," Aang replies. "She's the strongest and bravest person I know."
Teo smiles. "You still have a thing for her, don't you?"
Aang feels his cheeks redden. "What? No."
"I could tell the last time you were here."
"We had only just met," Aang protests weakly.
"Doesn't matter. We don't choose when we love someone. We only choose how we react to those feelings. Have you told her how you feel?"
Aang pulls his knees to his chest. "No," he admits. "But it doesn't matter. I've always been the one there for her, and she still chose Zuko over me. There have been a few moments where I thought she might have returned the feelings, but it...nothing came out of it."
Teo leans over and pats him on the shoulder. "Don't give up. People change, and who they like also changes. Just keep being there for her, and eventually she'll see how awesome you are."
"Thanks, Teo."
But Aang isn't so sure of it. Katara does see how awesome he is - it's just not enough for her. He's too young, too much of a monk, too childish. She sees him as family, not as a potential romantic partner.
Maybe in a few years, when their age difference isn't so significant. Maybe when Zuko has to spend all his time at the Fire Nation palace, doing boring paperwork - then maybe she'll realize that Aang has a lot to offer her.
It's a thin hope, but one he'll hang on to.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do when the war is over?" Teo asks. "My family wants to move back to our old home, but I don't want to give up flying. But your people will probably want their old temple back anyway."
"I'm sure you can work out an arrangement," Aang says. "I'll put in a good word for you."
"So you're going back to the Air Nomads?"
Aang hadn't really thought it through. A part of him just imagined that he would be travelling around with Katara for the rest of his life. Now that he thinks about it, he realizes what a foolish thought it is. Zuko is going to be Fire Lord, Suki will return to the Kyoshi Warriors, Toph is going to go back to the Earth Kingdom, Sokka will probably gather up Water Tribe survivors to rebuild the Water Nations, and Katara will be busy with Avatar duties. Everyone expects him to return home as well.
How can he return? He defied their orders by leaving. Will they even accept him back? He's sure Monk Gyatso would, but it wouldn't be the same. And he's had so much fun this year, meeting new people and travelling to new places. He has a new family now, and he doesn't want to let go.
"I don't know," he admits. "It's a lot to think about."
"We have a week," Teo says brightly.
Aang suddenly realizes how short a week truly is.
It takes Zuko and Suki three days to find Kodakah.
They travel from town to town, questioning locals and tourists and travellers. Zuko's about ready to call it a lost cause when they finally catch a clue.
They were in a small city in the Northern Earth Kingdom, just far enough that it's relatively free from the Fire Nation. Zuko and Suki had already questioned everyone they could, and had retired to the tavern where they rented a room for the night. Over dinner, Zuko had been complaining about the unlikeliness of finding him.
"He could be anywhere," he groaned, resting his head on his palm.
"He's a fighter. He wouldn't just run away," Suki assured him.
"We didn't know him! Kodakah could be an actual criminal for all we know! Everything he said could have been a lie, everything he did an act!"
"My instincts say the opposite. Don't get discouraged, Zuko. If we're meant to find him, we'll find him."
A man at the corner of the bar had been glancing at them, but Zuko didn't pay him attention. The man was probably just checking Suki out.
In the middle of the night, they'd woken up to knives at their throats. The man from the bar, along with a few companions, were in their room. He glared at Zuko as he said, "Tell me what you know about Kodakah."
"We met him at Boiling Rock," Zuko growled. "He told us he was a general who was captured after a battle. We haven't seen him since breaking out of the prison."
"Why are you looking for him?"
"He was our friend in prison," Suki replies. "Now get off us!"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Po and she's Yi," Zuko improvised.
The man shook him, angling the blade closer. "Stop lying! Who are you?"
"My name is Suki and he's Zuko!"
Suddenly the men sprang away. Zuko instantly touched his neck, glad that it's unscathed. Suki glowered at the men from her bed.
"What do you want from us?" Zuko demanded.
The man from the bar dipped into a shallow bow. "We're sorry about the violence. We live in dangerous times. We're Kodakah's men. I overheard you in the bar and needed to make sure you weren't Fire Nation spies. But he told us about you two."
"So you'll take us to him?" Suki asked.
"Immediately, if you so desire."
Zuko didn't feel much like sleeping after almost being killed, so they left as soon as he and Suki packed up their few belongings. By the time the sun rises, they're being escorted through an army camp, tents and weapons and supplies laid out chaotically in a forest. The men stop them in front of a large tent in the middle.
One steps forward and rings a bell on the outside. A minute later, the cloth opening is spread apart and a familiar face shows itself.
"Zuko? Suki?" Kodakah says, surprised. He grins and emerges completely, hastily dressed. "How are you guys doing?"
"We'd be doing better if not for your men," Suki replies dryly. "Nearly murdered us in our sleep."
The leader of the men slaps a fist to his heart. "Precautions, sir. They could have been spies."
Kodakah nods. "You both are leaders. You should understand the necessary security measures."
Zuko and Suki grudgingly agree. Kodakah invites them into his tent, where they huddle around a makeshift desk covered in maps and documents.
"So what's going on?" he asks. "Find the Avatar again?"
They tell him about the solar eclipse and their plan to invade the Fire Nation. Kodakah listens attentively, nodding in acknowledgement but otherwise not showing any emotions.
He then tells them about how he travelled from village to village, recruiting as many volunteers as possible. Now he has a small army at his disposal - or, rather, at the Avatar's disposal.
"We're ready to march today. It will be close, getting to the rendezvous point in time, but we can manage it." Kodakah draws a route on a map. He looks back up at them. "Are you guys ready?"
"I'm ready to defeat the Fire Nation and return to Kyoshi Island," Suki says, her eyes aflame with determination.
Zuko isn't so sure if he's ready for what comes after defeating his father. He'll have an entire country - a misled, prejudiced, war-hungry country - to rebuild. Alliances will have to be rewritten and approved, war criminals will have to be tried, propaganda lies will have to be proven false, and a lot of aristocrats will have to be put in place - not to mention statues of the last three Fire Lords being torn down, villages and cities needing to be rebuilt, and soldiers having to be trained for other, more peaceful, professions.
It's a daunting list. He's unexperienced, hasn't even finished school (thanks for banishing me before graduation, Dad!), has lived mostly away from home for the past four years, and is still very young. And yet, he's still the only person who can do all those things.
It's too overwhelming to think about. The only thing he knows for sure is that he's ready to see Katara again. No matter what happens, at least he'll have her.
That thought warms him up and he nods convincingly.
"Good. I'll sound out the call. My men will be ready within the hour." Kodakah stands, his eyes flashing. "We're finally going to take down the Fire Nation."
Zuko knows he's referring to his father's regime, but he still can't help but wince. That's another challenge he'll have to face: prejudice against the Fire Nation. Not undeserved, but it won't help his people reconnect with the rest of the world.
One battle at a time. Right now his battle is to get back to Katara with an army at his heels.
Toph finds the Boulder, Hippo, Xin Fu, and a host of her other former competitors back in Gaoling. She attends a show, sitting in the very last row with a cloak on, the hood pulled over her face. From what she can hear and feel, they're back to their normal routine.
After the show, she makes her way into the locker room. Everyone goes silent when she steps in. As soon as she pulls her hood back, the shouting begins.
"Oh, stuff it," she says, and they fall quiet. She imagines that they have enraged expressions on their faces. "I've come to make a deal with you."
"We don't deal with thieves or runaway children," Xin Fu snarls.
"Really? Not even for money?" Toph tosses a large bag of gold in their direction. It hits the floor with a dull thud and the jingle of escaping gold pieces.
"What do you want?" the Boulder asks.
"Regardless of your awful personalities, you guys are decent Earthbenders. My friend, the Avatar, needs some backup. There's another bag of that if you agree to help."
"Two," Xin Fu says.
"Done."
"Where are we going?"
"The Fire Nation."
The swamp is just as creepy as before, though somehow less menacing. Katara uses the roots to sense where her distant cousins are camped out; from there, it's just a matter of hiking through insect-infested wetlands.
Due, Huu, and Tho are exactly the same as when they had parted ways: dirty, rambunctious, and energetic. They greet Katara and Sokka with big (and wet) hugs, leaving Katara smelling more like swamp than she'd like.
"Cousins!" Huu calls out. "We're so glad to be seein' ya'll again!"
"We're glad to be back," Katara replies. "Unfortunately, we're not just here for a social visit."
She lets Sokka tell their story, chiming in only when his embellishments turn the telling of their events into fiction. Due, Huu, and Tho thoroughly enjoy the tale, laughing and gasping and interjecting plenty of comments.
The Swampbenders insist on treating them to dinner, so they gather around the firepit. While Sokka and the others goof around, Katara's mind wanders. She thinks of their other friends and wonders what's become of them. Did Aang make it to the Western Air Temple safely? Has Toph found a way to bribe her former competitors into using their skills for a good cause? Are Suki and Zuko with Kodakah?
She thinks a lot about Zuko. She knows she shouldn't worry about him, but she still does. He tends to have bad luck with trying to do good things. Or maybe he just has bad luck in general. Either way, at least Suki is with him. She's tough and resourceful.
"So you need our help defeatin' the Fire Nation," Due says, breaking through Katara's thoughts. "Well I'll be. Never thought we'd be doin' important work for the Avatar."
"Well I never thought the Avatar would be our cousin, either," Huu says. "But family gotta stick together."
"So you'll help us?" Katara asks.
"Of course! Tho, get us some more meat, will ya? We gotta celebrate our family tonight!"
Although the thought of being related to them still makes Katara cringe, she's happy to have them watching her back.
That is, until they give Sokka the banjo.