I am not really sure how many chapters this story will have, but I think I'll try to go for less this time, and make each one longer. It's not fun to read a story with a million breaks.

Just a reminder:

Bumi (26), Kya (23), Izumi (22), Tenzin (20), Lin (19), Zari (15), Suyin (13).

Hope you enjoy it :)

oooooooooo

Chapter 2

"Get in, get in." Bumi let Sokka, Toph and Suyin into the house at Air Temple Island and slammed the door behind them, "Dad, they're here!"

The three of them slowly came to the living room through the hall, assuming they'll walk into some kind of battle plan making session. But instead, it looked more like a doctor's office. Katara was working on healing the Fire Lady in the center of the room, while Zuko held her hand and sat by, quietly. Izumi was pacing around holding a screaming baby, while Kya was quietly sobbing in the corner. Even Lin was out of her uniform and lying down, looking like she just got a decent beating.

"I managed to get some ice from the White Lotus waterbender." Tenzin sat next to Lin.

"Thank you." she smiled and pressed the bag to her eye, "But I'm fine. Could have been a lot worse."

"I know. You scared the spirit out of me." he said and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I think you should go talk to your sister."

"I think I should stay here with you."

After hearing that, she moved so that her head was on his shoulder. That's when she spotted her mom and sister entering.

"Are you alright Lin?" Sokka asked across the room.

"It's nothing."

"I wouldn't agree," Katara cut in, "Toph, your daughter brought down an entire building on top of herself today."

"So what?" the Chief walked closer, "She's at her prime bending age. She should be jumping off buildings, tearing down walls, pushing the limits. Or she'll never be better than she is now. Was it more than you could handle, kid?"

"No, Chief." Lin mumbled hoping her heartbeat wouldn't give away her lying.

"I'm done, Zuko. There's nothing more I can do here. She needs to keep fighting if she wants to get better." Katara put away her healing water, allowing Zuko and Toph to carry Mai off to another room to rest.

"Do you know what happened to her?" Aang asked.

"She was incredibly weak and cold when they brought her. Not much more I can say besides that. It seems to be worse where the… bender touched her. We'll know more when she wakes up."

"So we still don't know what made those people so powerful?" Sokka cut in.

"If you want to theorize about that, Azula's on the porch right outside." Katara pointed, "I still have to give Lin a checkup."

"I'm fine, Aunt Katara, really."

Sokka listened to his sister's suggestion and stepped outside where he was immediately surprised by the sheer number of books lying all across the porch. Azula and Zari both sat on the floor reading, while Zuko's dragon Druk was stretched out next to them amongst the hundreds of books.

"What are you guys-" Sokka tried to form a question.

"Reading. But I suppose you've never heard of it." Azula lifted her eyes from the book and smiled at him.

"Charming as always, Princess."

"We raided the city library." Zari explained.

"Did you have to take every book with the word fire in it?" Sokka lifted up one of the books and sat down next to Azula.

"I thought it was a good start since we still have no idea how those guys suck up all our attacks." Zari got up to retrieve a certain book from a pile.

At that moment Su decided to join them since the living room was a bit depressing. That's when she saw him again. Zari. He visited the city often, but the two of them just kept accidentally missing each other. This was the first time she laid eyes on him in two years. And, man, was he different. He was taller, muscular and his previously tidy Fire Nation hairstyle was replaced by a longer one that kind of reminded her of the Water Tribe, with a lot of little messy braids. He looked nothing like the gross boys at her school. Because when it came to those guys, of course she wasn't interested when they asked her to go out with them. The whole liking boys ordeal was kind of a new thing she was still exploring, that's why she wasn't expecting her heart to go wild as it did when she saw him. She was just glad her mom wasn't there to feel it.

"Oh, hi… Hey… Zari, um." Su blushed, partly aware of how bad that was.

"Good to see you, Suyin. It's been too long." he smiled at her, ignoring her awkward greeting.

"What are you up to? Can I help?"

"Actually yes." Zari picked up another book and threw it into her hands, "Start with that one."

"Zari," Azula interrupted him from returning to his reading, "I think Druk might need to stretch his wings a bit. You could take Suyin and make a few laps around the city."

"Su, would you-"

"Yes!" Su enthusiastically ran to the animal where Zari helped her climb up. She was overjoyed when she realized she'd have to hold on to the Prince for the entire ride.

"You really think the answer is in one of those books?" Sokka asked once the kids were gone.

"I, for one, would like to know if firebenders can learn to absorb fire."

"Yeah… And someone should have told Zuko."

Azula couldn't help but laugh at that. Since she moved back out of hiding five years ago, she's quite enjoyed getting to know Zuzu's friends. Just as their children, these people proved to be way more tolerable than she initially gave them credit for. They've slowly embraced her into their little, whatever they called their team, but more importantly, they've embraced her son. And while most of them were an acquired taste in her opinion, Sokka exceeded all expectations.

"I'm just frustrated when I don't know what I'm dealing with. And these books are useless." Azula set the book she just finished on fire and let it fall to the stone floor to burn itself out.

"Maybe you need to take a break, too."

"And do what? Zuko's been overthrown, we have to act right now."

"I could teach you a few moves with a sword, so you could come fight them with us."

"Swatting with a pointy, metal stick? No, thank you."

"Hey, you two!" Toph peeked her head outside, "Twinkle Toes says the generals are ready to talk to us now!"

"I can't believe I have nothing to say to them. I've found nothing." Azula started as they were walking through the house.

"Maybe they've unlocked some new form of bending. It happens." Sokka gestured to Toph.

"But I've spent my whole life studying firebending. No way some common ruffians outclassed me just like that."

The room they were called to was usually a place for meditation, but for now it had a giant desk with a word map in the middle and most of the world leaders gathered around it.

"How is she?" Azula purposely shoved her way to her brother.

"She's not awake yet." Zuko looked away, when Azula squeezed his hand tightly.

"They'll pay for this. Whoever they are, I promise you." she remembered the pain of losing her husband all too well and knew exactly how much crippling pain her brother was in.

Aang stood up, giving the opening word: "I look around this table and I see old friends and a lot of concerned faces. We led a war like this once before and we prevailed. We can do it again if it comes to it. Yes, a lot has changed since then. Enemies have become friends," he looked over to Azula, "a new generation has joined the fight," he looked to Tenzin and Lin holding hands, "and we are more connected with each other than ever."

"But what hasn't changed," Katara cut in, "is that we are on the side of right. Our mission, as always, is to restore balance. With as little use of force as possible. That is why Aang will first try to establish a peaceful solution with the usurpers. With a little luck there will be no need for a battle."

Bumi attended the meeting next to his dad, as did Tenzin and Lin. Kya on the other hand, wasn't invited in, but joined anyway, after they've already begun.

"Sweetie, could you look after Mai while we're in here?" Katara immediately tried one of her distracting techniques, making the person feel useful somewhere else, which to be honest hadn't worked on her kids since they were ten.

"When the United Forces attack, I'm going with them." the girl said loud enough for the whole room to hear her, "What? Tenzin is going."

"No, he's not." Bumi cut in, "This is a military operation, he's not a soldier. Neither of you are."

"I can handle it!" Kya clearly wasn't completely at peace with her loss yet.

"Honey, I know what you've been through, but this could turn into a civil war." Katara started again.

"It's not like what you're used to. You'd have to kill people, Kya." Bumi warned her.

"Maybe that's exactly what I want!" she yelled into her brother's face.

"Kya, please reconsider." Aang finally felt the need to weigh in, "I know how much pain you're in right now. But do not give in to this. Revenge is not what you need."

"I want to fight. And so does Tenzin. He's just too afraid to tell you. We're the only ones that have actually faced them before." Kya's words kind of put Tenzin on the spot, but he confirmed everything his sister said. He really did want to help, he just didn't feel like his father would like that. He was actually a bit jealous of Lin whose mother just assumed she was going.

"If I may interrupt," Azula started, "I don't think bringing them along is a good idea, but we are left without a choice. If the Avatar fails to establish terms of surrender with these men, then we'll be at war. And the United Forces will be left without a third of its troops, since all firebenders would just aid the enemy on the battlefield."

"Will you stay behind, too, Fire Lord Zuko?" one of the generals asked.

"As my advisor just stated, I would not be of much help to you." Zuko answered.

"We will remain here and conduct research on these alleged new abilities in firebending." Azula said.

oooooooooo

Suyin was now experiencing something very few people in the world ever did. She was riding a dragon! One of the last dragons. Despite that, all she could think about at the moment was how close her and Zari were.

"Enjoying yourself?" the Prince asked while they were flying over the police station.

"You have no idea!" Su threw her head back and watched the clouds, "This is so much better than being a prisoner in that house."

"They just want to make sure no one tries to hurt them by hurting you."

"I get that they don't think I can defend myself, but I still hate being stuck there. Our parents are threatened too often."

"They did the same thing years ago when you met me?"

"Yeah, they left Bumi in charge and just disappeared…" Su sighed, "I wish this dragon would just take me somewhere far, far away."

"Wouldn't you miss you family?" Zari asked, but Su just stared into the horizon, "We can't take you away, but we can show you a good time, right?"

He patted the dragon's neck while they were circling Avatar Aang's statue. "Druk, lower."

As soon as Zari said those words the dragon started flying straight down towards the water.

"You'll want to hold on tight for this." Zari didn't have to tell her twice. Su screamed all the way down until Druk straightened his flight just before hitting the water. Then he turned upside down so their heads were just inches from the surface of the sea. Su couldn't believe how many turns Druk did without her falling off.

"Flaming, huh?" Zari smirked back at her, "I always wanted a dragon of my own. But Uncle lets me do all kinds of tricks with his. You wanna see something really amazing? Hold on to the seat."

Zari suddenly stood up, whispered something in Druk's ear and jumped off.

"Zari!" she screamed before realizing he was using his firebending to gently glide down. Druk was obviously in on the trick since he dropped down to pick him up before he hit the water.

"That was… The greatest thing I ever saw!" she couldn't stop smiling.

oooooooooo

The meeting went on for a couple more hours, going over the details of their plan in case the enemy wasn't in the mood for a negotiation. Afterwards, Kya wanted nothing more than to have some alone time, without her parents' pitying looks.

"Kya, I need to talk to you." she heard Lin's voice behind her.

"You're not talking me out of going, Lin." Kya tried to walk away, but Lin grabbed her arm and shoved her into the first empty bedroom she could find.

"I'm fine. I don't need to be reasoned with. I don't need to be comforted. I need to do this." Kya insisted.

"That's OK, I didn't come to find you to talk you out of going to battle. Your revenge is your business." Lin sat down on one of the beds in an effort to relax a bit, "I need your help. Specifically, your skills as a healer."

"Lin, if you're in pain just go talk to my mom, it's not a big deal…" Kya opened the door and tried to leave, but Lin launched from the bed to stop her and pull her back in.

"I was supposed to see a doctor today," Lin started again, still with the same dead serious tone, "But it seems that we're on house arrest here on this island and you're the best I've got since I want it to stay a secret."

Kya nodded not wanting to interrupt her.

"I think I might be pregnant."

After hearing that Kya wanted to scream, but Lin anticipated that and covered the older girl's mouth before she could make a sound.

"But I'm not sure, that's why I need you. It's not even that likely. I just want to be sure, if I'm going to get buildings dropped on me, that it's only hurting me." Now that Lin was done talking she let go of Kya's mouth, allowing her to take a big breath.

"That's insane! Mom is going to lose it!"

"Keep your voice down." Lin snapped.

"Does Tenzin know? Last question, promise."

"No. I don't want to raise the subject if I don't have to. So can you do it or not?"

"I helped my mother deliver plenty of babies." Kya watched Lin lie down on the bed and lift up her shirt to reveal her stomach, "But those women were undeniably pregnant. I'm not sure if I can work anything out this early on."

"You have to try. They want me on that boat to a possible warzone in an hour."

Kya then took a deep breath and took her water out of the pouch. Just as she was about to start the examination, someone knocked on the door.

"Kya, if you wanna go with Mom and the waterbenders, you need to come with me now." Bumi spoke through the door.

"I'm sorry, Lin," Kya whispered, "We don't have time right now. You can't go."

"No, you can't leave me. I have no way to explain this."

"I'm sorry. Just stay here with the firebenders and avoid sea food." Kya said and left after Bumi.

Well, that didn't help.

oooooooooo

"Alright, that was a good start, but this time try hitting me with the sword and not your elbow." Sokka rubbed his chin.

"I can't help it. I have reflexes." Azula got back into the stance he taught her.

"Well, tell your reflexes to chill out."

"I'm a Fire Princess. I don't chill out." she said and pounced at him unannounced. He dodged her dull blade nonetheless.

"No, you do not." he managed to grab hold of her wrist, ending the round, "I can't believe you never learned sword-fighting."

"I never needed it." she tried again, pushing him forward and trying to strike at his back, but Sokka still managed to touch her before she could deliver the strike. If he was one of those people, she'd be lifeless on the floor right now.

They kept trying again and again, but every time she failed. That is until she finally lost her nerve and firebended at him. Sokka was unhurt, but the blast still managed to knock him away.

"I apologize. I'm new to this." she helped him up.

"Sword-fighting? I know."

"Failure. I usually pick things up quicker than this."

"Well, luckily for you I am almost as proficient at failing as I am at fighting." he walked close to her and started readjusting her stance, "How about you try it like this instead?"

He took one of her hands and started moving it to let her feel how the move should be done. It was not exactly how he was taught, but this was more of a crash course anyway.

"Your problem is, you're thinking about the sword like it's this annoying thing that's preventing you from winning, when you should be thinking of it as an extension of your body."

"Don't worry, I know you're the only annoying thing preventing me from winning." she grinned back at him.

Sokka wasn't really thinking about how close they were to each other, or about the fact that his hands were all over her, at least until Azula crashed her lips onto his.

What?! He didn't want this, but for some reason couldn't push her away. He simply waited until she moved back herself.

"I'm sorry… You do know I'm with Toph, right?" was the first thing he said.

"I…" she looked like she'd just woken up from a dream and had no idea where she was, "I didn't…"

She stared at him for a few more seconds, almost as confused by what just happened as he was, before she ran out of the room.

oooooooooo

"Uncle Aang, can I talk to you?" Lin stopped the Avatar just after he'd said goodbye to his wife and daughter.

"Yes?"

"I was thinking about what our plan was in case we lose the fight for the Fire Nation…" Lin finally thought of an excuse not to go to battle. Now she just needed to sell it.

"Don't worry, Lin. We won't lose." Aang tried to brush her off like she was a scared little girl.

"No, I'm just asking if we have a plan in case these people try and attack the Earth Kingdom. What if this is more than a local issue?"

"I've radioed the Earth King's advisors. I'm sure they're already taking all the necessary precautions." Aang tried walking away.

"But wouldn't it be better if they sent their forces to the ports facing the Fire Nation. That way even if there is an attack…" she said.

"Lin, the Earth King would never let his troops leave Ba Sing Se unprotected. Not if we're at risk of war with the usurpers."

"The United Republic is protected by what's left of the United Forces. Who's gonna protect the innocent Earth Kingdom towns between them and Ba Sing Se?"

"You're not wrong, but I don't see how-" he was interrupted.

"Send me. I know the Head of the Dai Li still has a lot of influence on the King. I know him."

"How do you-"

"You know him too. He's my father. And I could be of more use trying to talk him into helping us, than chugging rocks at firebenders." Turned out that Lin keeping tabs on her dad was finally going to be useful. She learned from a contact that he became the Head of the Dai Li about a year ago. She wasn't really sure he'd help her, or even listen to her, but it was a good excuse.

"Alright." Aang nodded.

"Alright? No Lin, you're being childish? No let an adult handle this? Just OK, just like that?"

"Well, I do have one condition. Take Bumi with you. You two will negotiate cooperation between the Kingdom and the Republic."

"Thank you. Just please don't mention the part about my dad to my mom, you know how she gets. Just say it was your idea."

Aang completely agreed, and even complimented her thinking. If only he knew why she worked so hard on coming up with a plan that demanded she was miles away from the action. Bumi was an unexpected twist, but it didn't really hurt her plan. I would definitely be less boring with him coming.

Lin said goodbye to Tenzin, who could barely be persuaded to go help his parents without her. It was sweet, in a way, but she really needed some time away from him right now to think.

A few hours after Bumi and Lin, the Avatar left for the Fire Nation with the most of the United Forces. The entire Fire Nation royal family was left behind on Air Temple Island, with the addition of Suyin who was forbidden from coming despite her strong will to help.

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Firstly, thanks for the follows and the reviews.

Thanks for the kind words for my previous work. Especially, for calling my story plausible :) This one will be a little less canony, but that's what fanfics are for, right?

Another thing, this story, unlike the previous one will indeed be a little darker. Nothing extreme. Look at it like if the first one was ATLA, this one is LOK. There's a whole mess of characters now, the focus is more on family and yes, the body count might be a little higher. But the Gaang kids are a little older now and they can handle some more serious problems.

I worked on the main plot for this with my thirteen-year-old brother so I think it's really not too much.

But there is really a tone of characters and I couldn't give all of them the attention they deserve. Maybe in a future story.

As always, reviews give me strength to keep going…