I'm back! And here it is, in honor of the oddly good mood I'm in, the first installement of the Day of Black Sun.

Adversus solem ne loquitor.

Ten The Day of Black Sun

Sokka poured over the battle plans and maps, ignoring all else. He had donned the traditional warrior armor of the Southern Water tribe, his sword slung at his back along with 'Boomerang.'

Katara handed his a cup, and Sokka absently drank. Then he stopped and looked up. Katara was wearing waterbending 'armor.'

"Where's Zuko? I haven't seen him this morning."

"I'm sure he's around." Katara rolled up her sleeping bag, and fastened her pack. "Why?"

"I wanted to ask him if he thinks this route is the shortest route to the palace." Sokka replied. "I'll ask him later."

Toph sat nearby, dressed in what she'd called 'good old normal clothing.' (In other words, Earth Kingdom attire.) She looked up. "Morning, Twinkletoes."

Aang jumped into the camp, and Momo landed on his shoulder. "Top of the morning, everyone!"

"Sounds like you slept well." Sokka commented, tracing a new route on the map.

"Like a baby moose-lion." Aang replied. "I'm ready to face the Fire Lord."

Toph grinned. "So, what's your plan? Gonna go all glowy and hit the Fire Lord with a little Avatar State action?" Toph punched the air to emphasize her words.

Aang looked down. "I can't. When Azula shot me with lightning, my seventh chakra was blocked, cutting off my connection to the cosmic energy."

Toph snorted. "You know what I heard? Yadda-yadda…Azula…blah, blah…lightning…space."

Katara saw a fog rolling over the ocean. "Oh, no! Sokka, do you think that fog will delay the invasion?"

Sokka jumped up, his eyes wide. "That is the invasion!"

Five of the lithe, elegant Water Tribe ships cut through the fog, fast approaching the shore. Toph and Aang raced down to the beach to earthbend a few docks, and moments later, the long awaited ships landed.

"Dad!" Katara and Sokka raced down the dock and met their father halfway. Sokka barely managed to hang back when Katara hugged him. "You made it!"

"Did you find everyone I told you to find?" Sokka asked eagerly.

Hakoda looked nervous. "Well, yes…but I'm not sure about this son." He looked back at the ship, where the waterbenders from the swamp were stepping down. "Some of these men aren't the warrior type."

Due shaded his eyes, looking around. "Whooee! This place ain't nothin' like the swamp." He spotted a rock. "What'cha reckon that is, Tho? Some kind of explodin' Fire Nation trap what eat'cha?"

Tho looked down at the stone. "It's just a rock, Due."

Due peered closely. "Well, I'll be."

Hakoda shook his head. "Is it just me, or are they all loose in the leaf hat?"

Bato crossed his arms. "I just wish they would wear pants."

Hue stepped down off the ship, and glanced at the leaf he wore as a loincloth. "Pants are an illusion. So is Death."

Sokka ignored the confused looks on the older warrior's facers, and grinned.

"Hi, Katara." Haru smiled as he stepped next to Katara.

Katara turned to him, almost smirking at the moustache on his face. "Haru! It's good to see you!" She hugged him.

Aang turned to Toph. "Toph, this is Haru. When we met, his village was under Fire Nation control, so he had to hide his earthbending."

Tyro joined his son. "Miss Katara gave my son and I, and our comrades, the courage to take our village back."

Haru grinned. "Now we're here to help you."

Toph felt some very familiar vibrations, and dropped into a ready stance. "No way. Is that…"

The Hippo picked Toph up, crying and hugging her. "Hippo glad to see Blind Bandit!"

Toph spoke to the Boulder, her tone sharp. "You guys here for a rematch?"

The Boulder gestured emphatically. "Negatory! The Hippo and the Boulder no longer fight for others' amusement. Now we fight for our Kingdom!"

Toph grinned. "Sweet."

Behind them, a boat boomed with an explosion, and several figures appeared, covered in orange goo.

Sokka held back a laugh when he recognized the Mechanic, Teo, Pipsqueak and the Duke. "Was that a new invention?" He called.

The Mechanic grinned sheepishly. "Yes. But unfortunately, the incendiary capabilities of peanut sauce proved to be a failure."

"A tasty failure!" The Duke hollered, licking sauce off of his hands. Momo jumped on Pipsqueak's other shoulder, trying to get at the sauce, and everyone laughed.

Sokka took the mechanic aside. "Were you able to complete work on the plans I sent you?"

"Oh, yes. I think the Fire Nation will be quite surprised."

Teo rolled to a stop in front of Aang, and unwrapped a long package. "My Dad and I made this for you, Aang."

The Avatar took the staff and admired it. He moved something, and wings spread open. "A new Glider!" Aang exclaimed. "This is great!"

The Mechanic smiled, and twisted one of the handles. A handful of peanuts fell out into his mouth. "We even added a snack compartment in case you get hungry."

Aang grinned at him. "Well, I guess that might come in handy."

Hakoda looked around. "It looks like everyone is here except for Zuko." He commented. He turned to Sokka, concerned. "You didn't kill him, did you?"

"No." Sokka scratched his head "I haven't seen him since last night."

"Katara knows something." Toph commented. "I can feel her heartbeat."

"Where is he?" Aang asked.

Katara crossed her arms. "He's fine. He had some unfinished business to take care of. He'll be back."

"He'll be back?" Sokka repeated. "But…" Hakoda grabbed his shoulder, looking at his daughter with his heart in his throat.

"Not now, Sokka. Let's just get ready." Something in his tone warned Sokka not to argue.

Warden Pyun sat in front of Iroh's cell, casually clipping his toes. "I bet you're tired of being in that cell, old man." Pyun smiled nastily. "Too bad. You're never stepping foot outside this prison again."

A female guard opened the cell door carrying a tray of food. "Breakfast."

Pyun stood up. "Careful Ming. His smell alone will knock you out." Pyun cackled as he walked out.

Ming knelt next to the cell door, and set the tray down. "I snuck some White Jade tea in for you, General. I know you like rare teas."

Iroh gratefully took the cup. "Thank you, Ming. Ever since I was brought here, you have been good to me." He sipped the tea, and Ming smiled, somewhat embarrassed.

Sokka stood nervously staring at the warriors that were seated, eating as they waited for the plans to be drawn out.

Hakoda gripped his son's shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll do fine."

Sokka swallowed and climbed up the steps to a platform. He tripped, and his scrolls scattered.

Sheepishly, Sokka gathered them up. He arranged the plans out, displaying them on the board.

"Good morning, everyone." He began haltingly. "Uhm… So, as you know today we're invading the Fire Nation. I mean I know you know that. Because otherwise why else would you be here?" Sokka grinned sheepishly, and turned to a map. "Anyway… The Fire Lord's palace is here."

He looked at the map. "Oh, wait." Sokka flipped through several pages, finally stopping at the right map. "It's here and uh…there's an eclipse today and Aang's going to fight the Fire Lord and the firebenders won't have any fire to use so that's good for us and uhm…" Panicked, Sokka stopped. "I'm sorry, let me start at the beginning."

He took a deep breath, and tried again. "Katara and I discovered Aang frozen in an iceberg. Now I didn't like Aang at first but I grew to love him over time. Then we went over to the Southern Air Temple where Aang used to live and then we met Suki, who is a Kyoshi warrior. She made me dress like a woman and then she kissed me…"

"Whoa…when he meant the beginning, Snoozles really meant the beginning." Toph muttered.

Sokka continued on, fully aware he was boring everyone. "…and then Aang's friend was a crazy old man and then Katara got Haru arrested and now he's grown a mustache and if you look in the front row you can see him…"

Hakoda approached, and laid a hand on Sokka's shoulder. "That's enough, son. It's fine. Why don't you take a break?"

Sokka sighed, and obliged, leaving Hakoda on the platform. "Let me just clarify a few points. Today is the Day of Black Sun. I want to thank you all for your self-sacrifice and your courage. There are two steps to the invasion: a naval stage, and then a land stage." Hakoda, an experienced speaker, seemed to look at everyone. "To gain sea access to the Fire Nation capital, we have to get pass our first major obstacle here."

Hakoda used a branch to tap the spot he spoke of, well out in the waters surrounding the Fire Nation. "The Great Gates of Azulon. Next, we hit the land and we hit hard. We must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower. Once we do that, it's up to the royal palace. At that point, the eclipse will begin."

The Boulder rose. "Excuse me…but the Boulder is confused. Isn't the point to invade during the eclipse?"

Hakoda shook his head. "The eclipse will only last eight minutes, which is not enough time for the whole invasion. Also the royal palace is heavily guarded by firebenders. So that's where we'll need the eclipse advantage the most." As the boulder sat, Hakoda clenched his fist. "When this is finished, the Avatar will have defeated the Fire Lord. We would have control of the Fire Nation capital and this war will be over!"

Almost everyone jumped to his or her feet, cheering. Sokka sighed, downcast, and toyed with his boomerang.

The final preparations were almost done. A team of warriors were helping Sokka place Appa's armor before the young warrior made his own preparations.

Sokka watched as Katara bent water into several waterskins, finishing off her bending armor. He looked at Toph, who was pulling on wrist guards, and then glanced at the wolf's head helm in his hands.

Aang landed nearby, and Sokka noted that his friend had shaved his head again. "Where have you been?" Aang asked. "Everyone's been looking for you. The ships are ready to set out."

Sokka stared at the Wolf's Head. "I messed up, Aang." He muttered.

Aang sat on a boulder. "What do you mean?"

"The invasion plan was my moment of truth, and I completely flopped it. I fell apart, and my Dad had to step in."

Aanjg stood, and faced Sokka, wishing he were taller so it would be eye to eye. "Sokka, your moment of truth hasn't come yet. It's going to be out there on the battlefield." Aang gestured towards the Fire Nation's capital.

"How do you know we're going to win?" Sokka asked.

Aang grinned, hiding his nervousness. "Because I failed the world once at Ba Sing Se. I won't let myself fail again."

Zuko slipped over the wall that led to his mother's garden. Like he remembered, it was cared for but empty.

He moved quickly through the Sakura trees, and opened the plain door that led into the palace.

The entire wing was empty, and Zuko sighed. He knew where his father was, but there was something he had to do, first.

Bato peered through a telescope. He spotted the enormous statue of the long-deceased Fire Lord, robed in fog. "There they are…the Great Gates of Azulon."

"I don't see any gates." Katara said.

Bato scanned with the telescope, and spotted another statue, this one a fierce depiction of a dragon, but it "Katara, you and the swamp-benders whip up a fog cover."

Tho grinned. "We'll sneak past that statue just like we did that Fire Navy blockade."

The benders moved, and fog rose around the fleet. Ahead of them, a line of netting rolled from the statue's sleeves, lining the surface of the water.

"Keep it up, we're almost through." Hakoda urged.

As the ships approached the Gates, alarms sounded, the sirens echoing across the bay. The netting rose up on its frame, stretching across the water, and a firebender lit the netting, and flame roared, creating an intense fiery wall.

The invasion force watched on in shock, the ships coming to a dead standstill as jet skis roared from an unseen port.

Hakoda snapped out of it quickly. "Everyone below deck!" In the rush, he turned to Sokka. "Let's hope your invention works!" He gave Sokka an enthusiastic grin, and slid down the ladder.

The jet skis died close to the boats, and the firebenders threw boarding hooks on deck, quickly climbing up.

Expecting an attack, they crouched, and froze when they realized there was no one on deck.

Moving cautiously, they searched the ships. Moving down the decks, forcing every door they came across, until finally a group broke into the main hold. The ship was abandoned and quiet. A guard snapped a salute as his superiors appeared.

"There's no one on board, sir."

The captain took this in, looking around. Perplexed, all she could ask was: "Where did they go?"

Below them, the submarines slid through the dark water, and passed through the gates unseen, escorted by the swimming Air Bison with a bubble around its head.

"You've really outdone yourself this time, Son." Hakoda said proudly, turning away from the Mechanic, who was seated in front of a control panel.

Toph groaned from her spot on the deck. "Yeah…you've managed to invent a worse method of travel than flying…"

The Duke sat next to her, and offered his helmet. "Helmet?" He asked. With sharp, quick movements, Toph grabbed the helm and went face-in.

Sokka grinned embarrassedly. "Well, the Mechanic did all the work. I just came up with the idea."

The Mechanic turned from his console. "But don't sell yourself short, my boy." He gestured at the waterbenders. "After all, it was your ideas to use waterbending to propel the vessel and allow it to sink or float. Brilliant…" The Mechanic held up a very poor sketch that looked like a giant fish had swallowed some people. "But your original plans were very hard to decipher."

He rolled the sketch back up, tucking it away. "There is only one problem I was unable to fix. There is a limited air supply. Before we land on the beach, we must surface to replenish our air."

Ming stepped into Iroh's cell, carrying a tray of food. She smiled at Iroh as she approached his cell. "Lunchtime, General Iroh." She set the tray down, and whispered secretively. "This time, I brought you an extra bowl of rice."

Iroh picked up the cup of tea, and smiled tiredly. "Thank you, Ming. Your little gestures of kindness have made my days in prison bearable." He looked at her, concerned. "I think you should take the rest of the day off."

Ming blinked, confused. "What?"

Iroh set his tea down, gripping the bars of his cell. "You don't look well. Maybe you should go home, and rest."

Ming frowned, still confused. "No, I feel fine."

Iroh leaned close to bars, his voice grave. His knuckles tightened till they turned white. "Trust me. It is better that you are not here this afternoon."

Ming looked at him, and finally nodded. She rose to her feet, and left the room.

The submarines broke the water's surface, and hatches opened, fresh air rushing into to replace the stale, stagnant vapors. The invasion force appeared on deck to stretch out their muscles.

Disgusted, the Duke rushed to the water, cleaning vomit from his helmet. Finally judging it clean enough, he plopped it on his head.

Aang landed on deck, and the gang gathered around him. The Avatar took a breath. "So, this is it, huh?" He finally spoke, breaking the tense silence.

Sokka grinned, and grasped his friend's shoulder. "You ready for the Fire Nation to know the Avatar is alive?"

Aang's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm ready." He smiled as the gang pressed around him for a group hug, wishing him luck.

Hakoda appeared in the entrance to his submarine, and spoke clearly, his voice carrying throughout the invasion fleet. "Everyone listen up. The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert and fight smart. Now break time's over, back in the subs.

Aang watched as the others walked toward the hatch. Before he could stop himself, he called out. "Katara, wait a second."

Katara turned back. "What's wrong?" She asked.

Aang shook his head. "No, it's just…" He stopped for a moment. "I just…"

Katara stopped him. "Aang we've been through so many things together and I've seen you grow up so much. You're not that little goofy kid I found in the iceberg anymore." She smiled at him. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm really proud of you."

Aang looked down. "Everything is going to be different after today, isn't it?"

"Yes it is." Katara replied simply. She looked across the ocean, worried about what was going to happen.

"What is I don't come back?" Aang blurted.

Katara turned to him. "Aang, don't say that." She wrapped him in a hug. "Of course you'll come back." Aang frowned into her shoulder. He pushed out of her arms, and kissed her before turning heel and flying off.

Startled, Katara watched as he flew away, her heart heavy. Sokka stuck his head out of the hatch. "Katara, we have to submerge."

"Right." Katara waterbent across the distance to Appa, and bent another air bubble around them.

Appa grunted, and followed the submarines.

Aang swooped over a grassy plain, the gently waving plants below reminding him of a green ocean.

Aang frowned as his stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten. Glancing around, the Avatar tugged the snack lever, and opened his mouth, shelled peanuts dropping into his mouth.

Chewing, Aang smirked. What do you know? It did come in handy. He angled sharply, and soon was cutting through the wind on his way to the capital.

Hakoda peered through the periscope, watching intently. A calm, hard feeling washed over him. Ahead, he saw the gate to the Fire Nation capitol.

He turned to the others. "Everyone, get into position. Earthbenders, get to your tanks."

Toph grinned, and slid down a ladder, followed by the other benders. Hakoda turned back to the periscope. "This is going to be a rough ride."

Alarms sounded, loud enough they could hear them under the water. Harpoons appeared, launching in an unbelievable torrent. Appa was forced to swim close behind one of the submarines to stay out of the line of fire.

Suddenly, the submarine began to rise, and Katara guided Appa around. It had been harpooned, and they rose out of the water, Appa growling fiercely. Katara bent a stream of water from the ocean and sliced through the chain. The submarine fell back into the water, and continued on.

Inside the lead sub, Hakoda finally spotted their target. "Ready the torpedo!" He called.

A large object sealed in ice was loaded into a tube, and the tube locked tight. Hakoda watched, waiting for the right moment.

"Launch!" He shouted.

Hue pushed fiercely, and the torpedo joined the others that rocketed from each submarine. They destroyed the massive gate, and the submarines continued on, into the Fire Nation.

Moments later, all five submarines had beached, and their bays retracted, the caterpillar tanks rushing forward surrounded by warriors. Their fierce battle cries joined the sounds of explosions.

Sokka led a team of Water Tribe warriors in the front of the fight, each armed with weapons and shields. A missile blew past them, exploding harmlessly. The water tribe warriors forged the way for the heavily laden wagons that followed, dropping stones that the earthbenders used to attack the high battle towers, destroying one of them.

Behind the front line, Appa landed and Katara dismounted. She watched as the Fire Nation's counterattack, several of their deadly tanks, appeared. Behind her, the battle towers were still trying to destroy the submarines, and the warriors were running the gauntlet to join the fight.

Zuko…be safe. She thought, letting her mind wander for a brief moment before joining the fight herself.

The swampbenders stopped behind the invasion force. Enemy tanks had broken through, and were now launching a powerful wave of fire. They bent the water from inside the barrels on their wagon, and raised it in a wide shield, steam hissing as the fire was blocked.

Tho and Due then waterbent, their bursts of water slamming into the tank at differing sides, sending it spinning into another tank.

"We're a man down!" Tho shouted. "Where in tarnation is Hue?"

A shadowy form rose up from the water, and the swamp monster reached out, slamming aside another tank. It crushed one, and then picked up another, throwing it into a battlement. The seaweed parted, and Hue grinned.

Due waved. "Howdy, Hue! Where you been?"

"Communin' with nature." Hue replied. "Takes a while to collect this lux seaweed." He hurriedly covered his face, barely avoiding a fire blast.

All around the invasion force, hell rained down as Fire Nation soldiers mounted on komodo rhinos attacked wildly, sending flames and explosives raining down.

The invasion force, safely hidden behind the caterpillar tanks, pressed on, most of the fiery blasts landing behind or dispelling on the tanks.

Finally, the Fire Nation broke ranks and charged, their Komodo rhinos thundering toward the invaders.

One broke off, ready to trample Sokka, but he jumped, landing on the rhino's skull. The rhino-soldier stabbed at Sokka with his spear, but Sokka chopped quickly, his sword slicing the weapon in half.

Sokka kicked the man from his mount, and took control, wheeling about to see where he was needed. "Dad, look out!"

Hakoda was surrounded by enemies. He spun, raising his shield to block a burst of flame, and a spear-wielding soldier rushed him, thrusting. Hakoda pushed the blade aside with his shield, but the soldier attacked again, the tip of his spear hooking Hakoda's shield and ripping it away.

Spears locked, Hakoda flipped his spear, and caught the other as it ripped from the man's hands.

Hakoda moved, slamming both weapons into the man, and knocking him back. Twirling the fire nation spear, Hakoda threw it lengthwise, and tripped up two more soldiers. Sokka rode past, and Hakoda took his son's hand, pulling himself up behind Sokka.

The battlements began firing once again, and both water tribe warriors flinched as a cart carrying bending stones blew up, sharp gravel scattering everywhere. The battle was starting to go badly. Even Hue's swamp monster was falling apart.

"We need to take out those battlements." Hakoda growled, staring at the hateful towers. "It's our only chance!"

Sokka looked around, and felt something bump on his chest. Reaching into his tunic, he removed Appa's air whistle. "I have an idea."

Appa banked low, and swept past one of the battle towers. Sokka swung, laughing harshly, and cut a ballista in half. Behind him, Hakoda tossed two grenades into another tower, and explosions rippled the air as the tower went up in fire.

They passed one last battlement, and Katara broke open a barrel strapped to Appa's armor, the water inside pouring into the battlement, freezing the soldiers inside, locking the ballista in place.

Appa grunted, and landed between the last two battlements. Hokada gestured with his club. "You two clear that tower. I'll take care of this one, and watch each other's backs."

Sokka sliced through the door, kicking it aside, then dropped, letting Katara waterbend the waiting soldiers, freezing them to a wall. Sokka jumped up the ladder to the ballista, and set a bomb down in the chamber.

The siblings ran as much of the tower blew up, in time to watch as their father flipped through the large bay window of the tower. There was a brief sound of metal and bone ringing, then an explosion. Horrified, Sokka and Katara watched as their father staggered from the tower's door, holding his side.

He made it a few steps, then collapsed. "Dad!" They chorused, and raced to his side.

Zuko was completely alone in the wing of the palace. He stood before an old portrait of his mother, and sank to his knees. "I know I've made some bad choices. But I've been trying to set things right. I will set things right."

Appa landed, and Sokka helped Katara move their father from the saddle. Hakoda groaned slightly, gritting his teeth and trying to hide how much pain he was in.

Katara bent some water, slowly healing what she could. "How is that?' She asked.

Hakoda panted. "A…a little better. I need…to get back to the troops." He tried to sit up, but he groaned, and held his side.

Katara spoke firmly. "You're hurt…badly. You can't fight any more."

Hakoda took an agonizing breath. "Everyone's counting on me to lead the mission. I can't let them down."

Sokka spoke. "Can't you heal him any faster?"

"I'm doing everything I can." Katara replied hotly.

Sokka looked ahead to the city, where the battle was raging. "I'll do it."

Katara snorted. "No offense, Sokka, but you aren't exactly Mr. Healing Hands."

Sokka picked up his wolf helm. "No. I'll lead the invasion force. The eclipse is almost here, and we need to be up that volcano before it starts."

Hakoda clasped his son's arm. "You can do it, son. I'm proud of you."

"I think you're crazy." Katara said. "But I'm proud of you too."

Sokka put on his helm, and jumped onto Appa. "Yip, yip."

They quickly reached the main force, and Sokka landed ahead of them, watching as the tanks disentangled themselves from a mess of ruined fire nation tanks and ice.

He shouted so they could all hear. "Listen up, everyone! I want all the tanks in wedge formation. All benders and warriors in the middle." He gestured at the last tower in their way. "We're taking out that tower, and heading for the royal palace!"

Sokka took deep breaths, trying to slow his heart as the invasion force followed his orders. Finally, Sokka pointed with his sword. "Charge!"

Aang flew into the city, landing on a roof. He peeked below, confused. There was no one around. They weren't hiding, they were simply gone. "That's strange."

Aang jumped down, and moved through the empty city. He saw the palace ahead, and took off running.

He jumped, throwing the doors open, and landed inside. "The Avatar is back!" He shouted, his voice echoing.

Aang spun around. There was no one around. Aang grit his teeth, and walked toward the inner palace. "Hello? Anyone home?"

A lone soldier stood before the advancing invasion tanks, bending wildly, giving it his all as he tried to buy time for his comrades to retreat. Finally, he broke and ran, unable to stop the tanks by himself.

Sokka, watching all of this, couldn't help but be impressed by the man's courage. The tanks continued up the way, forcing the firebenders to retreat.

The firebenders managed to seal their escape route, and a cargo wagon, driven by Sokka, rolled forward at top speed. Sokka leapt free, and covered his face as the explosives on the wagon blew a massive hole in the wall.

The army pressed forward. Tyro crowed. "The Fire Nation is pulling back!"

Appa landed behind Bato, who was at the head of the water tribe warriors. Sokka, who had reclaimed his seat on the bison, hopped down. "Sokka, we're on our way to victory!"

Sokka looked at the sleeping volcano, praying Aang would be successful.

Aang slashed at the massive, ornately carved doors of the throne room, and leapt through, ready to finally end the war. He stopped, and looked around, his confusion changing to shock and anger. Ozai was gone.
"No…" Aang dropped his glider on the floor, and hit his knees, shaking his head as he pounded the floor. "No, no, no! Fire Lord Ozai where are you?" Aang's voice reverberated throughout the abandoned throne room.