The dragon lowered her head to the level of the kids. "Ahhh, a snack," she purred. "Being shut up in this cave, I haven't eaten for a long time." She smiled, flashing masses of knifelike teeth. The kids immediately struck positions, ready to fight. The dragon smiled again, friendlier this time. "Calm down, I don't like eating humans that much. They have so many bones that get stuck in your teeth. Such a mess." She clucked her tongue, and the group cautiously relaxed.

Aang stepped up to the front of the group, and cleared his throat. It was obvious that he now wanted to get down to business. "We've come for your help," he stated.

The dragon sighed and rolled her eyes. "This is precisely why I put that test up outside my cave. People used to come in all the time asking me to do one thing or another for them. Heal their grandmother, burn a rival village to the ground, cook their steaks. But it has been so very lonely since then," She sighed again. "I guess since you passed, I'll hear what you have to say."

"Well, we've got some problems with the Fire Nation," he paused, to watch the dragon's reaction. It looked like it was no surprise to her. He kept going, "So I'm the Avatar and I'm kind of supposed to stop them from world domination. So I was wondering if you might be able to…help somehow." He scratched the back of his head nervously as he said this.

"Well, all of you passed my test as honorable people… somewhat." She looked at Toph as she said this. "I'll help you. I have tried to reason with the Fire Nation before and they have ignored me. It's time to teach them a lesson. I shall go to battle with you."

"Ummmm…" started Aang, not sure how he would say this. "No offense, but I think a single dragon wouldn't do much about the whole Fire Nation army."

"Perhaps not." Without warning, the old dragon raised her head in the air and let out a high, keening call. It pierced Suki, a jagged bolt running through her flesh, through her whole body, reverberating in the dark chamber. Suddenly, out of the gloom in the back of the room, came dragons. Lots of them. Aang couldn't count just how many, but it was definitely enough to make a dent in the Fire Nation army.

"You must do something for me in return, Avatar. For years me and my sons and daughters have had to live in hiding. If anyone knew we were alive, they would come and exterminate us. After we help you win this war, you must restore us. We want to be able to live like normal beings. We can't live in this banishment any longer, dragons love the son. We haven't seen it for decades. Please Avatar. Please."

"Of course."

Preparations sped into motions. Flurries of activity surrounded Suki. All of the Avatar's alliances had gathered for the attack. Armor was made, and training was done regularly. The camp buzzed with anxious excitement. Suki was practicing with her fans when she noticed that someone was watching her. She practically jumped out of her pants when she noticed this, because she had no idea how long he had been watching her. It was Sokka, leaning against a tree on the edge of the small clearing she used to train. He wasn't wearing his usual; half amused, half stupid, expression on his face. This time he was more serious. He was cute when he was serious, Suki couldn't help but notice. The thought made her blush.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked, tentatively.

"Sure."

"Oh, Suki," he said, his big blue meeting hers. "In that dragon's cave, I realized something. I love you, Suki. More than I even knew. I mean I've always known I loved you, but this feeling… it's overwhelming me. I thought I had loved before. I thought I loved Yue for example, and, in a way I did. But not like this. Never like this. And even if you don't feel the same way, I just wanted you to know. This battle will be dangerous. I just want you to know… if I don't come back I just need you to know."

"Sokka!" Suki was trying to suppress her happiness. She was overflowing. "Of course I feel the same way. I was just… just to timid…and stupid to tell you."

He reached out to touch her cheek. His eyes were wide, and when Suki looked into them, she saw that there was so much more depth in them than people often perceived. The two fell into a deep embrace. As they kissed, Sokka pressed something into her palm. She took it and looked down. It was a silver ring, with waves carved on it. It was nearly flawless, and she wondered how long Sokka had worked to form it. "I just wanted you to have a little piece of me," he said. She vowed to wear it forever.

Two days later, they were ready for the attack. It wasn't an eclipse, like last time, but they had to take their chances. The Fire Nation needed to be defeated as soon as was possible. The hodgepodgeical group set out at sunrise. Everyone's heart was beating in their throat. Suki felt like she was going to lose her breakfast. She wanted it all to be over. She wanted to spend her time with Sokka, Aang, Zuko and her friends. Just as she was thinking thoughts about how blissful things would be once the war was won, the Fire Nation came into view. And she wasn't so sure they would win the war after all.