Disclaimer for chapters before this one too: If I didn't make it I can't take it.

Chapter 15: Betrayed by a Loved One

Kirana and Jo stood beside the south wall with the five Waterbenders that made up their rescue team. Rescuing the General would prove that the Southern Water Tribe really wanted an alliance and that Kirana was hers fathers daughter. Kirana thrust her hands in to the snow of the wall and carefully made a 'door'. Since the walls were several feet thick it took a couple of minuets to get all seven of them through the 'door'.

Unlike in the Fire Nation the sentries at watch on top of the wall had a certain are they watched, no movement allowed. At first Kirana thought that this was going to be a problem, but the Waterbenders with them, who had all been on sentry duty at least once, said that as long as they walked next to the wall the sentries would have a hard time spotting them. The hard part would be getting to the shore without them spotting them.

The King and Queen had solved that problem. They had provided them with snow-white parka's to help camouflage them. By the time they got to the small hill, about six meters (20 feet) from the shore they stopped so Kirana and Jo could debrief them.

"Okay," started Kirana. "Were going to rescue my father, General Ikara. He's on the Dark Avatar's new flagship the Spirit Guide. Once onboard you will create a distraction while I search for my father." The 'benders nodded. Kirana found their lack of questions odd but didn't say anything. Looking up at the sky Kirana saw that the moon was coming close to it's setting time. She also noticed something flying towards them. "Stay here."

Kirana meet the flying bison as it landed 3 meters (10 feet) away. Aira jumped down and someone else climbed down. "It's good to see you again, Aira." Kirana slapped her on the back. "Who did you bring with you? And how did you know where to find me?"

Aira smiled. "The Queen told me. I brought Katie with me, thought she might come in handy." Kirana shook her head, but decided to ask questions latter. They had wasted too much time already.

After deeming on of the 'benders as Katie's escort as she went to stall the other ships; Kirana and the other Waterbenders created moving ice sheets that they would use to reach the rouge ships, they set off.

When they reached the ships they threw ropes and grappling hooks up over the rails and climbed up. Jo stripped of the parka and pants and stood in his Firebending armor. Immediately they attacked the lone sentry. Not liking this Kirana signaled for Aira to follow her. Opening the hatch Aira went first. There was a great blast of air as Aira blew the Firebenders away. Running inside Kirana led the charge.

She and Aira ran past the surprised 'benders but when one challenged them Kirana nocked him out with a high kick. Just one more reason being flexible is useful.

Looking for Izu as they reached the second level the two had to duck to avoid a wave of fire. Leaping up, Kirana caught the man off guard and Aira blasted the other upstairs. Knocking her guy out with a single blow, Kirana led them down the hall slowly. Izu suddenly appeared as they passed the seventh door. Aira went to attack him but Kirana stopped her with an outstretched hand. Aira looked confused but followed Kirana into the room nonetheless.

Inside, the Avatar saw that the room had a bed, washbasin, and a small table and chair. Seated on the bed with a look of disbelief on his face, sat General Ikara. Running forward Kirana embraced her dad. Except for a few new lines on his face, a little gray hair and being a little skinny her father looked as healthy as ever. Pulling back and restraining tears Kirana looked over at Izu. But instead she saw something much worse. Zu ling.

Standing slowly Kirana moved to face him. Her father stood and laid a warning hand on her shoulder. Aira spun around at his voice. "Well, Kirana, it took you long enough to get here." Kirana's lip pulled back into a snarl and her eyes automatically hardened. But what was lurking behind the mans shoulder was much worse and caused Kirana's jaw to drop from shock. "Yes, Jo has been quite the little spy hasn't he?" Kirana felt her father's hand tighten in warning. Kirana felt like ripping Jo's heart out.

"Why?" she asked. But before Jo could say anything, Zu Ling attacked.

Ducking beneath the firewave, Kirana tried to ankle sweep him. Jackpher hit Zu Ling with a fireball in the face, giving his daughter an opening. Grabbing hold of one of Zu Lings arms as he sent a blind fireball at her, Kirana kicked Zu Ling in the kneecap, hard. He crumpled. Kirana took the chance to grab the dagger hidden in her boot. Flinging it in Jo's direction, Kirana swung around and grabbed Aira on her way out.

The fight outside was still going on. Leaping into it Kirana blasted people out of her way. She knew that either Jo or Izu were following them, the scream she had heard proved she'd hit one of them. Jackpher grabbed hold of his raging daughter and stared her in the face. "Leave them. We need to leave." Trying to calm herself Kirana nodded and gave the order to retreat. They may have been successful in rescuing the General, but Kirana knew that she had lost so much more. Two of the Waterbenders were seriously injured. The ice sheets sank slightly but they made it to shore. Catapult fire stared to drop on them, Katie waved at them from the shore. The South Pole Tribe was awaking.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Aurora woke up to screams. Leaping out of bed she pulled her parka on and raced to her fathers' war room. He was already there along with the Masters, her mother and fiancé. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on when her father answered her unasked question. "Part of Dark Avatars fleet has just attacked."

Aurora looked at father with surprise, fear, and anger. "Why?"

"Because if the Avatar was successful, they will have lost one of their biggest weapons."

Aurora shook her head. "And what would that be?"

Her parents looked at her in surprise. "Dark Avatar captured General Jackpher Ikara over a month ago. He's the Avatars father," her mother said. Aurora frowned.

"I thought the Fire Lord said he was retired?"

Tsuara shook his head. "No. I don't think anyone can see him retiring."

"We will have the troops mustered and sent out. Tsuara will you lead the strike team?" The King turned to his son-in-law-to-be.

A smile and a challenging look in his eye made Tsuara's face glow. "I would be honored."

"Aurora you will stay here for now. When the time for negotiations comes around I want you to be alert." Aurora bowed her head.

"Yes, father."

They began to speak of tactics when a young man ran into the war room. She recognized him as one of the sentry's errand boys. "The Avatar will be here soon after she drops off the wounded," he gasped. He must of run the whole way, thought the Princess.

"How far is she now?" she asked.

But her father interjected. "Tell the guards to let her in." The boy bowed and left. Her parents looked more worried than they had in a long time.

--------------------------------------------------

Kirana looked at Katie, confused. "How did you get here so fast?"

"I disabled the rudders faster than I thought I could."

Kirana nodded, and then looked upward. "Warn the City!" she yelled at the sentry's. "Dark Avatar is attacking!" Kirana ran down along the wall to were the 'door' still stood. Leading the three Waterbenders and the two wounded ones, Kirana slipped into the city and closed off the door. Immediately cries rang out over the city and warning bells clanged.

The sentry cries of "Dark Avatar is attacking! Dark Avatar is attacking!" sent the sleeping tribe into over time. Running towards the infirmary, Kirana dodged warriors preparing for a counter attack. She left the Waterbenders at the infirmary. She ran along the walkways, leaping over gaps and not stopping till she reached the palace walls. Her father kept up with her, showing agility not of his age. Slowing to a jog the guards led her to what the Avatar assumed was the war room.

She held up a hand to stall any questions as she entered. "Jo has been working for Zu Ling." The pain in her voice surprised her, but the look on the gathered peoples faces didn't. Aurora a clapped a hand over her mouth, the King looked furious, and Tsuara and the Queen looked aghast. "He's been working for him all along." Kirana had to fight back tears. Jackpher put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Make sure your strike team has 'benders who are specialized in freezing. Catapults aren't easy to take out." Tsuara nodded, and left. "Keep Kirana here, she is in no condition to fight." Kirana wanted to protest but knew her father was right. Aurora walked over and led her out the door, Kirana's father taking over the tactics of the bloody battle about to be waged.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can't belive it! This is the last chapter! This must be how J. K. Rowling feels.