The next day for the Avatar and his friends came rather quickly. Everyone was packed up the night before so there was no last minute running about hurrying to prepare one's self. Appa flew all of them to the palace to have one last meet with the Earth King before setting off. The Earth King was standing at the doors to his palace eagerly waiting for the heroes.

The Earth King motioned that he wanted to speak to Aang…alone. Hopping off Appa, Aang started over to the Earth King. Once Aang had come close enough to talk the Earth King started in a hushed voice, "I did not want to worry you, but I think you need to know this."

The Avatar took on a serious face, "What is it your Majesty?"

The Earth King was hesitant, "I had mentioned the rebels, the lack of supplies, and the outbreak in an illness, correct?"

Aang nodded.

"Well I forgot to mention one more crisis."

Aang narrowed his eyes.

"It seems that villagers are going missing. We think it is the work of…"

Aang urged the King to continue, "Who your Majesty? Who is it?"

"..his name is Li Huojin, but he is known as the Black Fire. He is the leader of the rebels. He was a well-known Fire Nation General. His duty was to capture the mountains and then make his way down to Ba Sing Se to assist in an invasion. However, he never came. It seems that he was injured and was unable to move him and his men down to the city. Li was disgraced and was blamed for the failed invasion. This is one reason he still is loyal to the fallen Fire Lord, he wants his honor back and it seems he'll do anything to get it." The Earth King placed his hand on Aang's shoulder in a sign of caution. "It is said that his power rivaled the Fire Lord's. Some of my men are up in the village on guard, but that is not enough. We really need your help Avatar. Be careful and may the spirits be with you." The Earth King removed his hand and waved to the rest of the Gaang before returning inside to his palace.

As soon as Aang was on Appa's head holding the reigns they were off.

It was quiet for a few minutes before Sokka asked, "What was that about?"

Aang thought about telling them before shaking it off, "It was nothing. He was just telling me that some of his men were already up there waiting for us. Also he just wants us to take caution; he fears the rebels might make an attack on the village."

Sokka looked quizzical for a moment before relenting, "Oh that's all? Okay we'll be on the watch."

Everyone seemed convinced, that was except Toph. She had heard Aang lie before and it always contained the same flat tone. Something was up, but she didn't know what.

It was a very boring flight up to the mountains. I mean how much can you do on a flying bison? Sokka and Katara were playing a game of Four Nations, which Sokka was royally getting his butt kicked at. Toph, never really liking flying, was sitting as stiff as a board. Maybe, since she was unable to see on Appa, Toph feared that her making any movements could lead to her falling or something else.

Lastly there was Aang who was at the reigns steering Appa to where they wanted to go. Of course he had Momo for company, but he was currently asleep leaving the Avatar to sit in boredom by himself. Aang was use to the lonely rides on Appa, but he had never been so bored. Perhaps it was because he knew he could be talking to Katara or he could be beating Sokka in Four Nations rather than Katara. The Airbender sighed; this was going to be a long ride.

It had been hours and the sun was slowly setting. The Gaang had decided on not stopping till nightfall. Everyone wanted to make it to the village as fast as they could. People were dieing in that village, they could lose a life just by being a few minutes late.

However, flying through rebel territory is not as easy as it seems.

A fireball came hurtling out of nowhere. Aang quickly tugged Appa's reigns to the left narrowly dodging the assault.

"What was that?!?" yelled Toph.

Sokka leaned over the side to get a look, "Fireballs and it looks like more are on the way! Aang we have to get out of the air. Every moment we are up here we are in danger."

Aang nodded in response then shouted back, "Everyone hold on! This is going to be a bumpy ride." The Avatar narrowed his eyes as he began to focus on what he was doing.

Two fireballs came at him at once. He turned Appa sideways and glided through the flaming earth. Having Appa roll out of the way of a couple other fireballs Aang looked back. His friends were gripping onto Appa for their lives. Toph looked terrified. It wasn't just him and Appa like it usually was with aerial attacks. Aang had to make sure the others were safe, too. Aang had nosedive as fast as he could. Eventually, the fireballs did cease, but the ground was approaching at an astonishing rate.

Glancing back at his friends he, again, saw their terrified faces. The Airbender decided he had enough with his fun and pulled up on Appa's reigns. Appa immediately answered by returning to his position parallel to the ground. After a few moments of slowing down, Appa landed.

Toph, realizing they had landed, jumped off the bison. She began to make Earth angels; she went as far as making the Earth mud and swimming in it. Of course Katara had a fit about the mud now completely covering Toph. Toph easily dried the mud and then just Earthbended it off her. However, a piece hit Sokka's head causing a fight between the Earthbender and the Water Tribe warrior.

Aang during the whole time was trying to think about their current situation. They were probably a day's walk from the village without Appa. Not wanting the group to face anymore danger in the air where they were vulnerable, Aang decided the walk was safer. Yet, it would mean a delay in their arrival time. Nevertheless, what would a group of injured warriors do for the town?

The Avatar looked to see the position of the sun. It was low in the western sky. It was springtime, shorter nights and longer days. Which would be good to have for travel time, yet it might be a disadvantage in receiving an adequate amount of sleep.

Aang shook his head. He was reading too much into this. It was only a day's hike to the village. If they arrived tired they could always take a short break before setting off to work.

Aang, now out of his thoughts, looked at the Gaang. Katara was simply watching Sokka and Toph, who had stopped arguing, joke around and make fun of each other. Katara, once noticing Aang was no longer thinking, turned to see what he had to say. Toph and Sokka, also noticing, turned to see what the play was, too.

"Okay here's the deal." Aang looked over everyone, "The village is day's walk north of here and since the altitude is rising the air will be thinner. Thus making it more tiring. We'll have to pace ourselves."

Aang stopped for a moment to see if anyone had questions before continuing, "We can't fly on Appa because I don't know if the rebels are posted anywhere else. Them noticing Appa would be dangerous and reckless, walking is our best option. A river is a little north of here. It's the perfect place to camp because of the water supply. We'll travel there before setting up camp."

Everyone nodded in compliance.

"We should arrive at the village early tomorrow evening. Then we can rest and start our duties the next day. Now come on, we have some distance to walk before camping."

Aang took the lead with the others following.