A/N-I don't own avatar

Today was the day. Today the fire nation would be defeated and the world could return to peace. Kuzon was arming himself. He wore his old admiral uniform and took a sword he crafted himself.

The entire gang prepared for battle and as they walked to the hangar to discuss what would happen Kuzon said "Oh yeah, Aang, Katara I found some people you might want to see." Two elderly men came up to them. One seemed more refined, with long gray hair and wore water tribe clothes. And the other seemed almost crazy looking, with frazzled white hair and a couple of missing teeth. They were master Pakku and King Bumi!

"Bumi!" said Aang running over to hug his old friend.

"Hello Aang, I'm glad to see you are ready to face the fire lord." said Bumi.

"Katara I hope you are always practicing your techniques. Also has Aang gotten any better?" asked Master Pakku.

She nodded "Yes I have and I think Aang is doing quite well."

"Well I don't want to intrude on the reunions but we have some planning to do." Kuzon said to them. Troops ran back and forth preparing for battle. They loaded supplies on the ships and ran several maintenance tests on all the vehicles. Some soldiers were grouped in corners and on ships discussing the battle that was to take place.

The gang sat at a small table. Kuzon said "The battle will have several stages. First we will be put into pairs and put on the air ships so that in the event one ship has to come out of battle, all of us won't have to go with it. We have ten airships, and attached to each one is a sub. Inside these subs will be troops and two tanks. Once we get half way to the beach the air ships will drop altitude so we can safely drop the subs. The air ships will then continue to the beach and start bombing before the troops arrive. Then about half way to the palace we will parachute the commandos and ourselves on my signal. Toph, Katara, Aang and I will head to the palace. Zuko and Sokka will go with about four others to find Suki and the other prisoners. Everyone with me so far?" they all nodded. "Good anyway; Aang instead of parachuting you will fly to the palace and come in from the sky. Katara and Toph will meet up and tunnel underground. And I will go in stealthily. Meanwhile all the troops should be in battle and the commandos should be well on the way to sabotaging the specific points my spies have marked out."

Then Zuko asked "What will happen to the airships?"

"Good question," he answered "they will circle the area and give aerial support. Once the troops get to the palace plaza they will surround the area. I have made it clear that they are not to attack the palace until we are done. So the pairs you will be in: Katara and Aang. Toph and I. And last but not least Zuko and Sokka. Get to your ships and the captains will explain the parachute drop. Dismissed."

They all got up shaking hands and giving each other a group hug. Even Zuko reluctantly joined in. "Next time we meet it will be on the battle field." said Kuzon. He took Toph's hand and led her to his ship.

Finally all the last checks were made and the doors opened. One by one the ships left the hangar and on to battle. They flew over the great gates of Azulon phase one began. The subs were dropped in the water. The air ships flew on to the beach.

Aang was holding onto one of the handles on the ship. He looked to the palace. This would be it. This would be the moment of truth. He would fight Ozai, and this time he would win. Katara came over to him. "This time it's going to be dangerous."

"I know." He said.

"One of us might not make it back," she said putting a hand on his shoulder "this could be the end. And if it is-I want you to know I love you." She kissed him for as long as she could.

They pulled away, he said to her "I know." It was time for him to leave. He opened his glider and flew off. She looked at him as he disappeared into the sky.

Kuzon made sure Toph's harness was properly strapped to his. He looked to the ground and watched as bombs were dropped onto the beach, clearing the way for his army. Finally they got to the drop point. He let out a fire blast signaling to drop. He jumped off the ship and waited until he finally pulled the cord to release his parachute. He looked to the sides to see the rest of the paratroopers slowly descend. Once they made contact with the ground he took off the harness. "Go find Katara, I'll meet you two at the palace. Be careful." He kissed her.

"I will be." she said as she ran to Katara. He turned and watched as the commandos made their way to their targets. He broke into a run heading for the palace.

The subs landed on the beach. Troops exited the subs and started running forward. Their flanks were protected by the tanks, both fire nation design and caterpillar design. Bumi and Pakku led the army into battle. Luckily most of the work was done by the airships, but there were still plenty of enemies ready to fight. Finally the two armies met, men on both sides falling. The battle was more heated than anyone could have expected, but Kuzon's army pushed on to the palace plaza. They neared the large battlement tower, where at least one hundred troops were stationed. Archers in the tower were firing rapidly at the army. Pakku was about to send in word for attack, but Bumi raised a hand "Wait." he said. He took a large boulder from the ground and took aim and fired at a certain point at the tower. Miraculously as the boulder made impact the tower came crashing down on all the troops and tanks, destroying them all. Paku looked at Bumi who said "You have to think like a mad genius!" he started to laugh.

Pakku smiled "Very true." They marched on.