Book II: Earth

Chapter I: The Arrival of the Airbenders

Part V: Treachery

The Machinist's House, Northern Air Temple

Kuzon and the gang finally made their way to the Machinist's house. Kuzon lightly knocked on the door. "Uh hey we are here." He then turned back to Aang. "What did the Machinist want to talk to us about?"

Aang shrugged. "I..am not sure brother. He just said that it was important...whatever it was."

Kuzon then turned to Katara. "You know anything?"

The waterbender shrugged. "Sorry sweetie. I wasn't told a thing."

Something didn't make sense to Kuzon. The door looked slightly ajar. The four of them were all alone. "I don't like this. Everyone be on your guard."

Then Zuko, along with Azula, Mai and Ty Lee jumped out of the bushes.

Zuko glared at the Avatar. "Hello Avatar Kuzon. Miss me?"

Kuzon's jaw dropped in shock when he saw him. "Zuko? What are you doing here?"

Zuko narrowed his eyes. There was fury behind them. "Taking what's mine!" The firebender then turned to the cadre of men hiding behind him. "Shoot the chains now!" The men then shot the chains out of stationed cannons nearby. The quickly latched onto Kuzon's arms and legs, effectively immobilizing him. The royal lightning benders then set the chains on shock.

Kuzon howled in pain as the electricity sutged through his body. He fell to the ground hard and was rendered unconscious.

Katara gasped. "No! Kuzon!" She ran over to him, intending to free him but was stopped when Ty Lee rushed in and chi-blocked her. A sense of numbness overcame the young girl. She suddenly found it difficult to move. She found it difficult to bend. Katara was finding it difficult to do much of anything. She collapsed to the ground hard. "What the hell? I..can't bend."

Mai then rushed and kicked Sokka in the head before he could intervene. The warrior fell to the ground unconscious. "The reason you can't bend is because Ty Lee just blocked your chi."

Katara glared up at the knife thrower. "Who are you?"

Mai smirked at the waterbender. "I'm the Prince's girlfriend and protector. I'm so far beyond your league it is ridiculous."

Azula, beyond happy that the plan had worked, walked over and put an arm around her brother's shoulder. "I told you trusting the Machinist would work in our favor Zuzu."

Katara gasped in shock. "Wait the Machinist..What is his part in all this?"

The Machinist then walked in front of Katara with a solemn look on his face. The man's face was guilt-ridden.. "I'm sorry Katara. They threatened to kill my boy if I didn't cooperate with them. I can't lose my Teo. I hope you understand that."

Katara gritted her teeth in anger. "Can't you see? You are being played? These ashmakers are just playing you to get Kuzon." The young girl then forced herself to her feet and leaned her body against a tree. Her arms hung helplessly. "The..Fire Nation doesn't repay their friends well. When they are done with us...they will come for you and Teo both."

Azula grinned maliciously. "My my. You truly are stronger than I ever gave you credit for snow peasant. I have to admit I feel a bit of respect towards you now."

Katara glared at the firebender and answered with quite a bit of sarcasm in her tone. "Gee thanks Azula. I'm flattered." The sense of numbness then overcame her again and she felt herself start to lose consciousness. Ngh..I can't lose consciousness. I have to save Kuzon. I have to... The girl then lost consciousness and passed out.

Azula squealed with glee. "Ah! Wonderful! The peasant is out!" She then turned to the men. "Secure the Avatar. He is what we came for." The men then all gave her a salute. They then undid Kuzon's chains. One of them, a big burly man, slung the Avatar over his shoulders.

Mai then glanced at Azula confused. "Wait what about the others? We can't just leave them here to attack us. They may hatch a plan to free the Avatar. "

Azula nodded with a perplexed look in her eyes. "Hmm you do have a point Mai. Katara is fearless and devoted to our dear traitor. So are the rest of them." She then walked off. "Chain them all up. I don't want any mistakes." The men gave her and nod and slung the rest of them onto the carts.

Zuko had an intense look on his face. Finally. I have him. Little did the Fire Princess know, however, that Aang had managed to elude capture. He had sensed something was off and decided to hang back behind the others. He was covertly watching from the bushes. He watched in horror as his friends were taken away. "No! I didn't act fast enough!" He hissed in anger. "I'm getting them back! I won't rest until I do! They all sacrificed their lives for me and my people! It is time we do the same!" As soon as Azula and company were out of sight, Aang jumped out of hiding and forcefully pinned the Machinist with a hand against the tree trunk. "Where are they taking my friends?"

The Machinist was shaking in his cloak. "P..Please don't hurt me. I was only trying to protect my boy."

Aang was having none of it. He shouted at the older man "Where?"

The Machinist shakily answered. "I..can't answer that..my boy will die!"

Aang glared even more ferociously at the man. "You just let the Fire Nation walk off with the last hope this world has of ending this war! Your boy is going die regardless of what side you choose! You think a flood is bad? Try extermination! That is what Azula's great-grandfather did to my friends! To my family! Do you want that for your son?"

The Machinist gasped in horror and shivered a bit in his robes. The man remembered hearing tales of the Air Nation Genocide. The scale of death and destruction was horrific.

The elder man then pulled out a golden key out of his coat. "It's a prison...Prison 40. It is on Farael island. A secluded near here where the Fire Nation keep valuable prisoners. This..key will get you in. I..trade weapons and armor with the Fire Nation from time to time in exchange for our group's safety. I'll guide you and the other airbenders there once you gather them."

Aang nodded, still angry at the man for betraying both himself and his friends. "You aren't aligned with them?"

The Machinist shook his head furiously. "N..no. I only betrayed the Avatar's trust to save my dear boy. My loyalty is to him and him alone."

Aang sighed. As angry as he was, he couldn't gather himself to fully hate the man. The Machinist was just doing what he could to keep his son alive. Aang understood that. That didn't mean he approved of the man's decision. The airbender then pressed a finger into the man's chest. "When this is over...You and I are having a talk. I'll be back."

The Machinist just nodded, his face laden with guilt.

Aang then stormed off to find the other airbenders.

The Hidden Temples

A few moments later

Once Aang had gathered everyone, Lhasang spoke with worry in her voice. "Aang..what is it? You seem awfully distressed and angry."

Aang sighed with anger brimming under his tone. "Kuzon was set up by the Machinist. That man collaborated with the Fire Nation to lure him in a trap and capture him." Gasps filled the cave.

Rigsang felt his heart drop. "Wait...The Avatar has been kidnapped by the Fire Nation?"

Aang nodded. "Not just him. Katara and Sokka were caught as well."

Lhasang reasoned almost desperately. "No! This is terrible! We have to do something! Without the Avatar..the world will be without balance!"

Aang nodded and put a hand on her shoulder. "We will do something Lhasang. We are breaking him out." One of the younger airbenders nervously spoke. "But we are just airbenders! We can't do a thing against the Fire Nation!"

Aang shook his head at the boy. "That is where you are wrong brother. Kuzon once told me that air itself was the lifeblood that gave the flame its strength. This situation is what you have been training for. You take away the air..no flame. Besides we have to try. If it weren't for Kuzon..we would not be alive. He saved us and now we must save him." He then motioned for all of them to get on their bison. "Onward!"

The fleet of air bison then made its way towards Prison 40, guided by the Machinist's air baloon,

Cell Block C

Prison 40, Occupied Fire Territory, Earth Kingdom

A day later

Kuzon finally woke up in a groggy state. It took him a while to get his bearings about him. As his vision cleared...he realized where he was. There was a stench of fumes and ash in the air. Fire Nation battle flags adorned the walls of the room he was in. Lit gas lamps lit the room up just enough for the firebender to see in front of him. "I'm on a Fire Navy ship! I have to get out of here! I have to.." He found himself strung up in the air by four chains, each lodged into a wall. He tried desperately to pull at the chains in order to break them but this was to no avail. Azula was smiling with glee as she watched him helplessly pull at his chains. "I'm afraid you won't be getting out of this one traitor. Those chains are polished metal. Not even the Avatar could break them."

Katara then started waking up in a similar trap. "Ohh my head."

Azula smiled at her. "And the peasant is finally up as well. Wonderful."

Katara's eyes instantly narrowed at the lightning-bender. "You! What have you done with Kuzon?"

Azula just grinned manically at her and shook her head in a disappointed manner. "Such a temper. I thought snow peasants were supposed to be more...calm in nature."

Katara grit her teeth in anger. "Why you.." The waterbender tried to break out of her chains but only received a mild shock in return. "Aaah!"

Kuzon gasped in shock. "Katara!" He then tried to move but received a similar shock through his system.

Azula then smirked. "Like those chains? They are an improvement on the ones we used to keep the airbenders imprisoned. Every time you move...you get a bit of a shock. Not enough to kill you but definitely enough to cause pain and suffering."

Kuzon, with his hair wildly hanging over over face, growled at her. "When I break out of these chains..so help me...I..."

Azula rolled her eyes and circled a finger in his face as if to mock him. "Yes. Yes. You are going to kill me. I get it. So predictable."

Zuko then walked up beside her. "Are they secure?"

Azula nodded. "As secure as they are going to be Zuzu."

Zuko then met Kuzon's eyes. "Hello traitor. We meet again."

Kuzon sighed. Now was the time to try to reason with the prince. "Zuko..listen to me. You don't have to do this. Your uncle told me what Ozai did to you. I know you plan on taking your revenge. We can help you. We are all on the same side here."

Zuko shook his head. "No. You chose to align yourself with the snow peasants. You betrayed your Oath. I have nothing to say to you. When we reach the Fire Nation...I will parade you and present you to Father. He will have no choice but to grant me my status back." Kuzon shouted back. "He is using you Zuko! He is using you for his own gain!"

Zuko growled back with frustration in his tone. "And I am using him for mine! Once Father has his back turned...I will deliver the killing blow to earn my rightful place as Fire Lord!"

Katara joined in. "Zuko...you really believe you will just be able to turn the tables on your father like that? You can't take on him alone. We can help. We don't have to be enemies."

Zuko glanced at her rather coldly. "Trust me I have all the help I need. I don't need help from those I consider subordinates." " He then took Mai's hand and began walking down the hall. "Once we get to the Fire Nation..You will all be executed."

Kuzon began trying to wriggle out of his chains. "Zuko..wait." Another few jolts of lightning then struck the boy and he screamed in pain. The chains seemed to give in from the weight exerted on them and almost caused Kuzon to plummet to the ground.

Katara could only watch in horror as the boy she loved plumetted down to his possible death. "No!" They managed to hold him back at the last second. The waterbender let out a sigh of relief. Thank the spirits the chains caught him. She then called out to her boyfriend. "Kuzon...sweetie..are you alright? Speak to me!"

The firebender was unresponsive.

Katara shook her head. No...not like this...the world needs him. I need him. I've got to get down there somehow. The young waterbender then looked around for any structural weaknesses in the chains that held her. There was a bit of water dripping from the pillars that held the chains in place. It seems that the little prisons the two had chained into had been hastily fastened onto some leaky wood platforms. Katara then focused on them. She couldn't move her arms but she could still move her fingers. Come on. Come on. I can do this. Kuzon's life hangs in the balance. She wiggled her fingers again. The water slowly started coming to her. It then flooded the ceiling through the small crack. A small smirk came across her face. "Heh. There we go. You'd think the Fire Nation would develop better traps not vulnerable to any sort of bending. Guess that is what happens when you don't keep up the upkeep on your prisons." The chains, no longer supported by the supports fell down to the floor. Using the water that was flooding in, Katara managed to keep herself above the rising sea level with her bending. She then smiled warmly at Kuzon. "Now to get you out of those chains sweetie." She then took in a deep breath and launched the massive water tendril at the Avatar's chains. She then froze the metal to its most brittle temperature. With a tightening of her fist, The chains then snapped into icicles.

Kuzon's body then began plummeting to the ground.

Katara then caught him in her arms. "Easy. Easy. I've got you." She then twirled a hand, letting the water tendrils surround them in a whirlpool of some kind, levitating the both of them back to ground level. The young waterbender then let out the deep sigh she had been holding in. Well that went better than I thought it would. She then caressed his face with a hand. No matter what happens now...I'm keeping him safe. I will keep him safe if my life depends on it. She then pressed two fingers to his coratid artery. She felt a sense of relief hit her when she realized she still felt a pulse. "Oh thank the spirits! You're still breathing!"

Kuzon then began to wake up. "Ugh..my head...what..." His eyes then widened. "Katara..."

She then hugged him close to her and kissed him on the cheek. She then held his face in her hands. "Well well look who finally woke up. It will be alright. I'm getting you out of here sweetie. Just hang tight. Can you still walk?"

Kuzon nodded, resting a hand against his head, "I..think so. I..can't bend though. Everything hurts."

Katara let out a small chuckle "Well at least you are alive. That is something to be grateful for." She then summoned all the water and stored it into her pouch. "I'm definitely going to need all this water for safe keeping." She then took his hands in hers. "Let me be the hero this time. Stay behind me. We will heal the rest of your injuries later."

Kuzon grimaced in pain as the remnants of the electricity were attacking his body. He was shivering. "R..Right."

Moments later

Aang and the other airbenders finally made to the entrance in front of the prison. They were all hiding behind bushes in front of the guards. Aang turned to Lhasang. "Okay showtime! You ready?"

The female airbender nodded. "Let's do this."

Aang nodded. I'm going to have to talk with her once this is over. I don't know what I'm going to say but I need to say something. Aang, with the other airbenders following from behind, then rushed at the guards defending the prison. The guards guarding the entrance were totally taken off guard.

Lhasang air kicked one in the head.

Aang punched the other in the face. Both men fell unconscious. Aang let out a sigh of relief. "Well that takes care of that. Now to find our way into the prison. We need a distraction of some kind if we are going to spring Kuzon out of there."

Lhasang nodded. "Leave that to me. I'll take some of the airbenders and cause a ruckus."

The two then headed into the prison, followed by the others. The two airbenders then came up on a cadre of five guards.

Aang then turned to Lhasang. "Okay distraction time." Lhasang nodded with a sly smile. "You got it." She then raised her gauntlets. "Alright! To arms!" She and the other airbenders then attacked the guards from behind.

Aang quickly ran off, intending to find Kuzon.

Cell Block C

Prison 40

Moments later

Occupied Territories, Earth Kingdom

Katara and Kuzon were both trying to sneak past the guards as fast as possible without drawing too much attention to themselves.

Katara was technically the lookout, watching for guards. She turned back to Kuzon. "You holding up okay sweetie?"

Kuzon grasped his head. "Vision is a little blurry and my head is pounding but I can still walk."

Katara just nodded and wrapped an arm around him. "Don't worry. I've got you covered. Come on." As the two snuck around, they were spotted by two guards. "Hey its the Avatar! He's escaped!" They then rushed at the bending couple.

Kuzon, still suffering from the aftereffects of the lightning chains, started shivering again. Though he had managed to make it far..the damage from the lightning shocks had done the damage internally. He then fell to his knees. "Damn it…" He then passed out on the floor. Damn it. It all hurts. He then collapsed on the metal floor.

Katara looked back with alarm in her eyes. "Kuzon! No!" She rushed to his side and turned him over on his back. She took one of his hands and felt it. The waterbender's eyes widened in shock. "He's cold to the touch. He's all clammy. Not good!"

Zuko then walked up beside the guards.

Azula and the rest of the posse were close behind. "Side effects of the electrocution. The influx of electricity causes the skin to go cold and the heartbeat to start slowing down dramatically. You don't have to worry yourself to death. He won't die. I need the traitor alive. He is part of my grand plan." The firebender then fiercely glared at her. "You are left at a disadvantage however. You may be a waterbending prodigy but not even you can defeat all of us. Give it up snow peasant. Give up this hapless escape plan of yours and I may let you both live."

Katara stared down at Kuzon and sighed heavily. Regret filled the girl's tone. She knew what she had to do to save the both of them. She'd have to fight back. The waterbender knew if she surrendered…that she and Kuzon would just be chained up again or worse. She wouldn't have that. Kuzon was the last hope anyone had of ending the war. There was no telling what Zuko would do to him if he managed to actually succeed in bringing him back to the Fire Nation in chains. Katara couldn't allow that to happen. She wouldn't. The sound of more guards approaching rang in her ears. Katara shook her head sadly. "I..don't have a choice."

Zuko glared at her with a knowing look in his eyes. "So you surrender?" Katara then took one of Kuzon's hands and leaned in to kiss him one last time. The kiss was full of passion yet also a bit melancholic. Katara then hugged him tightly. She spoke her next words with as much fierce passion as she could muster. Tears rolled down the girl's eyes but she was resolved to give her life for the boy she loved. She knew he would do the same for her. That was the promise the two had made one another on that small Water Tribe ship. She then sighed. "You'll have to kill me if you want to kill the boy I love."

Mai chuckled. "Well well. No wonder you are so devoted to the traitor. You two are lovers. I have to say. I respect a warrior dedicated to dying for the someone she loved. Even if said warrior is a snow peasant. Perhaps our cultures have more in common than I thought."

Katara grit her teeth. Mai's taunts were really starting to get on her nerves. "Are you going to keep taunting me like a child..or are you going to get it over with?"

Mai then turned to Zuko. "What say you Zuko? What do we do with them?"

Zuko shook his head and had a cold stare in his eyes. "They have escaped once. We can't let them do so again. Killing the Avatar may present a temporary roadblock in my plan to kill Father..but that is a chance I must take." He then readied himself in a firebending stance. "Avatar Kuzon...at least you will see your mother in death and be with the one you love for eternity. Take peace in that."

Katara clung just a bit closer and whispered into Kuzon's ear. "It will be alright sweetie. Rest now. Our spirits will be..together..for eternity. Whatever happens now…I love you. You won't face certain death alone." She then readied for the end, bracing for the flames to hit her skin.

Zuko was then struck in the head with a boomerang. The blow knocked him out cold.

Azula scowled. "What in the…."

Sokka then rushed in with Aang following close behind. "Get away from my sister!"

Azula screamed. She rushed to Zuko's side. "Zuzu!" She then looked up at Sokka,

Aang and the army of airbenders behind them. "You...insignificant piece of filth. You dare attack the Prince of the Fire Nation?"

Sokka then unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the royal lightingbender and darkly chuckled. "What can I say? I'm not much of a fan of royalty. Especially the Fire Nation kind." He then glanced down at Katara with a relieved look in his eyes. Thank the spirits Aang and I got here in time. I've already lost Mom. I can't lose Katara too. "Hey sis you okay?"

Katara turned over to her brother with a wry chuckle. She then shook her head grinning. "Ah Sokka. Always got to make an entrance huh?"

Sokka nodded with a sly grin. "Of course." The warrior then noticed that his sister was holding an unconscious Kuzon in her arms. That doesn't look good. "What happened to the flamehead?"

Katara then spoke with a bit of bitterness in her tone. "Zuko tortured him. He chained Kuzon into these chains that electrocuted him anytime he tried to move them. It weakened him and rendered him unconscious. He isn't going to die but I need time to heal him."

Sokka nodded and unsheathed the second blade he was carrying. "Say nothing more sis. We'll hold them off." He then turned back to Aang. "You ready for some action airhead?"

Aang then gripped his staff and focused his gaze on Zuko and the others. "I'm ready."

Azula growled with rage. "You will all pay for your insolence!" She, Mai and Ty Lee then rushed in to attack Sokka and the airbenders.

Katara, thankful for the distraction, took and cradled Kuzon in her arms. "Okay sweetie. I'm going to put you somewhere safe. Everything will be alright." She then found a safe little corner to set Kuzon down. The waterbender then started feeling for a pulse. "Good. He is still breathing. I can patch him up once we get out of this." She then undid the buttons on the tunic, exposing Kuzon's chest. She gasped when she saw the mangly flesh wound in the Avatar's chest. "That...doesn't look good but I should be able to mitigate some of the damage with my healing. It should be enough to wake him up." She then drew some water from her pouch and pressed it against the wound.

Kuzon woke up with a startled gasp as if he were drawing in a deep breath. "Gah..what the…"

Katara then took one of his hands and squeezed it gently as if to comfort him. "It's all right. Everything is going to be alright." "Katara? What is…" Katara then leaned in, holding her boyfriend's face in her hands. "There wil be time for questions later my flameheart. Are you alright?"

Kuzon just blankly nodded. "Uh..yeah. I think so at least." A sharp pain interrupted his words and he clutched his chest in agony. "Ah..damn it! My chest feels like its on fire."

Katara just nodded. "I know. You were pretty banged up when you got electrocuted by the traps you and I were stuck in." She then sighed. "Let me bandage it up for now. I need to go help the others." She then finished wrapping the bandages around his torso. "There that should do it."

Kuzon felt the pain ease up in his chest. "Yeah…I can breathe easier now."

Katara nodded with a look of relief in her eyes. "Good. I'm..relieved to see you alive. You have no idea how scary it was seeing you be tortured like that."

Kuzon nodded. "I need to get back there."

Katara rested a hand on his chest. "No. You need to rest. Let us handle this."

Kuzon shook his head almost emphatically. The Avatar's tone suddenly became more panicked. His left hand was starting to twitch. "Katara. You can't expect me to just sit this one out. Azula and Zuko are two of the deadliest firebenders in existence. I can't just fall behind. What if you all get killed in there? I've already lost my family. I can't lose anyone else." Warm tears then started rolling down his face.

Katara nodded with a sympathetic look in her eyes. I understand his fears. More than anyone. He fights so hard in fear of losing anyone else important to him. It is the same reason I fight. That is part of what makes us compatible. She then wiped away one of his tears and turned his face to look at hers. "Hey sweetie..look at me."

Kuzon sniffled and held his head down in shame. He hated not being able to do anything to help his friends.

Katara continued with a soft gentle tone and tipped his head up so he could look her in the eyes. "You are scared of losing me. Of losing the others. I understand that fear. I feel it everyday we are on the run like this. The war could take any of us in the blink of an eye." She then followed it up with a question. "Let me ask you something. Do you love me with all your heart?"

Kuzon looked her in the eyes and nodded. "I do."

Katara allowed herself to smile. She then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. She then took his hand and gently pressed it against her cheek."If that is the truth…then I need you to trust in me to be strong for the both of us. Don't listen to your fears. They aren't real. Listen to me. I'm real."

Kuzon sighed irritatingly and huffed."I..alright...fine."

Katara then let out a small giggle and spoke in an adoring tone. "I love you."

Kuzon nodded and spoke in a worried tone. "I..love you too."

The two were interrupted by a large explosion.

Aang, Sokka and the other airbenders were all sent back crashing against the wall.

As the smoke cleared, Kuzon and Katara saw a furious Azula with twin lighting emanating from her fingertips.

Zuko was at her side with twin flames emanating from his.

Mai stood at his side with knives at the ready. There was a cold look in her eyes.

Ty Lee just stood there behind all of them with an unsure look on her face. I really don't want to be here.

Azula growled. "You filthy monks! I'll kill you all!"

Katara, noticing the grave nature of the current situation, quickly jumped in to defend her friends. "You fought them! You're not done with me yet!" She then formed twin icicles and began rolling them with her fingers .

Azula burst out into almost maniacal laughter. "Silly girl. Do you really think you can beat all of us on your own?"

Uncle Iroh then popped out from behind and joined Katara's side. "She will not have to." The rest of the White Lotus then joined him. Master Piandao, Master Bumi, Master Pakku, Master Jeong Jeong all joined his side.

Katara gasped when she saw the retired general. "Iroh!" She then glanced at the others. I know Iroh and Pakku..but who are those people behind him?

Zuko let out a gasp in shock. "Uncle! I thought you were…" Iroh shook his head sadly when he met his nephew's eyes. His feelings towards his nephew were mixed at the moment. "I escaped prison…if you are asking what happened dear nephew."

Azula sighed and began yelling at the older man in frustration.. "Why can you never make these things easy Uncle? I locked you up in the Boiling Rock to be merciful!"

Iroh shook his head at his niece. "I'm sorry Azula. It pains me to fight my own nephew and niece." Iroh then glanced over at Kuzon's injured form. "But I cannot allow you to continue this pursuit. You seek to kill the Avatar. The only being that can bring peace to this world. That doesn't work for anyone. That includes the people of the Fire Nation. For generations, we have sent young boys and girls to their deaths in the name of glory and honor. It ends now."

Jeong Jeong then added. "You threaten the Avatar's life for selfish greed and glory! The White Lotus Society will not allow this!"

Azula grit her teeth in frustration. "Alright fine! If that is how you like it…death it shall be!" Azula then conjoured up lighting. "Come on Zuzu! Let us claim our destiny!"

Zuko, however, was conflicted at the moment. Before him stood the man who had raised him. The man he had betrayed in order to continue his quest to capture the Avatar. The guilt over that betrayal washed over Zuko like a tsunami. He then took in a deep breath and reminded himself of what was important. Overthrowing the Fire Lord by any means necessary. He then looked his adopted father in the eyes and sadly sighed with heavy regret. "I'm sorry…Uncle." He and Azula both nodded at one another. The two royal siblings then jumped in, intending to attack their own family.

Aang was starting to regain consciousness and shook his head. What is going on… Iroh let out a sad sigh of regret. To think I would have to fight my own nephew. Nevertheless, the old man raised his arms to ready himself for the fight. This is a regrettable decision but a necessary one. I cannot let Zuko have the Avatar in chains.

Zuko and his uncle then dueled in firebending combat. The two were an even match for one another.

Zuko, full of anger, ran at the older man, striking like a wild man.

Iroh, in contrast, sat and waited, waiting to calmly defend himself against each strike.

Jeong Jeong then rushed in, eager to assist his longtime friend. The two master firebenders proved to be an equal match for the Prince of the Fire Nation."

Zuko hissed with rage. "You both are my countrymen. You are supposed to be fighting with me not against me."

Jeong Jeong sighed. "You are a boy on a fools errand child. I served in the Fire Nation Army for years. I conquered whole villages and lands with my talents. At the end..when I was gravely injured by a collapsed rockslide during a battle and discharged to my village…I realized I had lost everything. My soul. My comrades. I had killed so many innocent lives and for what…a small pension and few medals." The older man's eyes burned with both rage and sadness. "I have spent a lifetime trying to atone for my actions. My conscience will never be clean. Is that the kind of life you want Prince Zuko?"

Zuko growled at the old soldier. "Yes! It is!" The three then traded blows once again, each side not overpowering the other.

The Dragon of the West and former Fire Nation soldier then both launched a huge wall of flame at the Prince. Zuko tried his best to counter with his own wall of flame.

Mai rushed in to help but was cut off by Master Piandao. The man had his sword drawn. The grizzled swordsman glanced at the royal knife expert with a knowing look in his eyes. "Sorry to say…but I think you and I should leave that fight to the benders."

Mai glanced back at him with a cold look in her eyes. "Fine by me." She then drew a few knives from her hand and threw them with perfect accuracy at the master swordsman.

Piandao, ever the master, managed to dodge every single one.

Mai narrowed her eyes. "You are fast. I'll give you that." She then started throwing knives at the old swordmaster.

Master Piandao was able to dodge all of them. The royal knifethrower then nodded. "Okay. This is troublesome." She then ran off trying to find some distance between them.

Pakku was just a bit faster and stepped in her way, sword at the ready. "I'm afraid I am old not foolish. Distance is your ally."

Mai grit her teeth in anger. She glanced back at Zuko with a worried look in her eyes. I need to protect Zuko! There are three against one. The young girl then slipped a few smoke pellets out of one of her long sleeves and threw them off the ground. Smoke suddenly filled the air. It is a good thing I keep these on me. "Ty Lee. You are up. I have to save Zuko."

Ty Lee just nodded sadly. I hate all this fighting. I should have just stayed in the circus.

Piandao began coughing erratically as the smoke filled his vision. He began swinging wildly with his sword trying to clear the smoke. He let out a frustrated sigh once he saw that Mai was not in his sights. Damn it all. She disappeared. Instead, Ty Lee stood there in front of him.

Piandao then raised an eyebrow at her. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Ty Lee looked at him with a guilty look in her eyes. "I'm…sorry for this." She then struck at all of the man's vital points before he could counter. Piandao collapsed on the floor unconscious.

Ty Lee sighed and shook her head. "I really am sorry but Azula would probably have me imprisoned if I didn't do as she asked." The acrobatic girl then ran off to assist the others.

Master Pakku and Katara, meanwhile, were engaging Azula in combat. The two master waterbenders and the royal firebender were neck in neck in terms of ability. Katara and Master Pakku launched a massive wave at the firebender, who blocked it with a massive wall of flame.

Azula was hissing with rage in her eyes and heavily breathing. As talented a firebender as she was, she was only human and the intense fight was clearly exhausting her. "Why do you snow peasants never…stay down? Things would be so much easier if you people would just bow on one knee and learn your place."

Katara glared back at her. "You and your people stepped into our homes, kidnapped our people and have forced us to mourn those we have lost. You have no right to demand anything from the Water Tribes."

Pakku just shook his head sadly. Deluded girl. So blinded by propaganda. "Katara is right. You chose to invade the North with your army. We never asked to fight."

Azula shook her head angrily. "Your people are undeserving of your lands. You snow peasants choose to just..live such quiet and harmonious lives with the other nations instead of reaching your true potential as a nation. You could have an empire all of your own. Glory. Opulence. Think of the respect you would earn from the Fire Nation." The girl was only half-joking about possibly respecting the people of the Water Tribes. She saw such potential in the idea of a Water Tribe empire but still viewed Katara and her people as lesser than herself.

Katara could feel her temper rising to its limit. "I think we'll pass on such a generous offer!"

Azula glared at her, insulted that the peasant would refuse such a generous offer from someone as distinguished as her. The girl then summoned lightning to her hands. "Death it is then."

Katara's eyes widened in horror. Oh no! She's using her lightingbending again. There is no way Master Pakku and I can possibly defend against that! Pakku just glanced at the firebender confused. "What is that element?"

Katara answered for him. "That is lightning. It is a more pure form of firebending. We may need to step back and figure out a plan. If our water touches it…we will be electrocuted."

Azula then grinned at Katara. "Correct. Try using water against this and you will both die a horrible death. This is the end for both of you." Suddenly, the master firebender was forcefully pushed back by a massive gust of air against the wall.

Katara glanced in shock and turned back. "Who was…" She then saw that Aang, Lhasang and Rigsang had managed to get back in the fight and were literally restraining Azula using only their bending.

Azula, for her efforts, tried to fight back but the winds against her were proving too strong. "No..why can't I…bend?"

Aang answered in a rather cold tone. "You can't bend fire because I snuffed out the flames in your hands. Fire is powerful but cannot grow in strength without air. You're done Azula."

Azula growled and grit her teeth. "I…will not…lose." She then tried to fight back by reigniting her flames but found it impossible. Finally the young firebender's chin slumped down to her chest and her body gave out from the massive exertion of force. Aang finally let up along with the others. Azula collapsed to the floor unconscious.

Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee were surrounding Iroh.

Jeong Jeong had been sneak-attacked by Ty Lee and was lying unconscious on the ground.

Iroh knew he was outnumbered but refused to back down.

Zuko spoke in a pleading voice. "Give it up Uncle. It doesn't have to be like this. I can convince Azula to consider house arrest in the royal palace. Don't make me hurt you." There were tears in the young boy's eyes. He didn't want to hurt the man he considered a father.

Iroh just shook his head and stood firmly in his firebending stance. "I don't want to hurt you either Zuko but I cannot let you have the Avatar. The White Lotus is sworn by duty to protect him at all costs!"

Mai growled in frustration. "Iroh! Give it up! You are all alone! There is no way you can hold off against the rest of us!" She then took out some knives.

Suddenly, Bumi tunneled out of the ground at Iroh's side. The man glanced at the firebenders with a crazy look in his eyes and smiled with crooked teeth. He then cackled like a madman. "I wouldn't say that." The old earthbender then huffed and puffed as he lifted a large column of rock that looked as if it weighed fourteen tons. Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee all gasped in shock. Bumi, using his strength, then pushed the massive column against the three of them. Zuko tried his damnest to counter the giant rock with his firebending. However, the sheer mass and velocity of the column proved to be too much for even a master firebender. The three, in vain, tried to push back, but only managed to collide with a nearby mountain. All of them collapsed to the floor.

Iroh sighed sadly as he glanced at his nephew whom he adored. It filled the old man with regret to attack his own niece and nephew but he knew there was no other option. It broke his heart to see his nephew hurt. However, Azula and Zuko had already shown themselves to be insanely dedicated to capturing the Avatar despite the old man's pleas for the opposite. The man felt he didn't have a choice. The Avatar was the only being who had the power to defeat his younger brother and bring an end to the damned war. That meant sacrifices had to be made in order to keep Kuzon safe. Even if accomplishing said sacrifices required him to turn against his own family. Warm tears fell from the old man's eyes. "I'm..sorry nephew. Forgive me." He turned to Bumi, wiped away the tears and gave the elder earthbender a gruff nod. "Thank you old friend."

Bumi just turned to Iroh with a goofy grin on his face and cackled maniacally. He gave Iroh a hard pat on the back. "Anytime!"

Katara then smiled at Aang and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for the save Aang. Master Pakku and I had no way of countering Azula's lightning."

Aang just nodded nonchalantly. "No problem. He's my brother. I'll always have his back."

With the current battle now over, the waterbender turned her attention to Kuzon, who was now unconscious. She ran in and checked for a pulse again. She gasped in horror. "Oh no! His pulse is faltering!"

The others rushed to her side. Aang gasped. "What's wrong?" Katara turned to him with genuine fear in her eyes. "Kuzon's pulse! It's faltering! He's dying!" The waterbender then hugged the firebender close to her for dear life. Tears were rolling down her eyes.

Sokka rushed to her side. "Whoa! Wait a second! What the hell happened? Why is his pulse faltering?"

Katara spoke through sniffles. "We..were..chained..up and...tortured by Azula and Zuko before we broke out. They had us locked in these chains where if we moved…we got electrocuted." She then shook her head. "Kuzon was trying to reason with Zuko to let us go and he got electrocuted to a dangerous level as a result." She then sighed in frustration. The emotion was clear in her voice. Her lip started to quiver. "I got him free…but I think the lightning had aftereffects."

Iroh then stepped up. "I believe I may have the solution." Everyone then turned to the retired general.

Iroh sighed sadly. "Azula is not the only one who can bend lighting from her fingertips. I can do so as well. I may be able to sense the electricity in the Avatar's body and draw it out."

Katara just turned to him and spoke urgently. "Do it. Please. I can't lose him."

Iroh nodded. "Set his body down on the ground."

Katara did as the old man instructed.

Iroh then turned to the others. "Everyone stand back! This is going to get loud!" He then took a deep breath in and out. He focused on the presence of the lightning currently flowing through Kuzon's body. The aged firebender then raised a hand. Suddenly all of the electricity shot out of Kuzon's body and into Iroh's left arm.

Kuzon screamed in pain as the electricity left his body. He then opened his eyes and he took a deep breath. He then started to slowly stand up. The firebender had a massive headache. "What…happened?"

Katara squealed with glee and relief. "Oh! You're alive! I'm so relieved!" She then hugged him with all the strength she could muster. Tears were rolling down her eyes.

Sokka let out a sigh of relief. Just like Kuzon to escape death a second time. Good thing. We need him alive.

Aang crossed his arms and chuckled. "Hah. Kuzon's resilience never ceases to amaze me."

Iroh grit his teeth in pain. He knew he needed to dispel the extra energy before it overcame his body. The old firebender took in a deep breath and transferred the electricity to his other hand, releasing it into the sky. The old man then fell on one knee, exhausted and heavily breathing."

Master Piandao put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright Iroh?"

Iroh raised a hand. "I'm fine brother. The transfer takes a lot out of you. I just need a moment to catch my breath."

Master Piandao nodded.

Kuzon grit his teeth in pain. "My…chest."

Katara then brought him to his feet and put an arm around him to steady him.. "You will be alright sweetie. I'll take you back to camp to start your healing session. Just lean on me." The two then began to walk back towards the Northern Temple.

The others followed close behind.

Aang had a particular scowl on his face. "The Machinist has a lot to answer for. My best friend almost died in front of me. This will not go unpunished." "

Lhasang gave him an approving nod. She couldn't imagine the shock Aang might have felt watching his best friend..the boy he considered his brother...almost die from electroshock. She made a resolve to herself. That resolve was to keep all of them safe no matter the cost. The girl then took Aang's hand in hers and squeezed tightly. The two began walking hand in hand. "I'm behind you all the way Aang."

Aang turned to her and blushed. He then squeezed her hand a little tighter and nodded. "Thank you..Lhasang." The girl just leaned into him and sighed. "Of course.

Sorry for the wait!

Enjoy