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The wind steadily grew in ferocity as dark clouds rose into the sky.
Small fires flickered below the flying bison.
Aang's hands clenched the reigns tightly as he tried to make out the Fire Lord's palace in the dark distance.
He glanced back at Katara as she looked down and could not help but feel as if so much time had been wasted. This damned war has ruined our childhood. There is so much to do, so much that we could have done. He straightened his back and again tried to find the dim outline of the Fire Nation Palace. Just like seven years ago.
Katara was watching the trees and homes swiftly passing below them. She seemed to be in a daze. We've changed so much because of this war. Looking up at Aang's stony back, she clutched at her mother's necklace around her throat. It has made us grow, but I will be relieved when it is over.
For about the millionth time, a fireball was flung at them. It came from a defensively placed wall surrounding a town.
Appa expertly dodged the flames and kept flying forward.
Katara watched as they passed over the scared faces of the Fire Nation peasants. They never got to decide whether or not they wanted to be a part of this war. They're just like the other nation's people. It was forced on them.
Aang saw the same faces. He clenched and relaxed his fists around the reigns.
Clenched and relaxed.
They flew on.
Then he saw it.
The palace loomed ahead like some horribly decorated tomb. Guards stationed on the watchtowers and high walls organized themselves into ranks and raised flaming arrows to bows.
The sky lit up with tiny specks of fire. It was as if thousands of fireflies all rose up to dance at the same time.
This, Appa could not dodge.
Aang grabbed his staff, stood tall on top of Appa's head, and swung the staff with all his strength. The arrows were blown away.
Then the fireballs came. Appa dodged most of them; Aang swept the rest of them away.
Katara felt Toph tense up next to her as she held onto Appa's saddle every time they jerked in a different direction. "We're almost there," she tried to soothe.
"I'm going to earthbend the crap out of them."
Katara smiled faintly, until Appa lurched below them. They were going into a dive. Katara felt herself being lifted up off the saddle.
Fireballs went streaking past them.
She looked for Aang. He sat on Appa's head somehow. He was directing the bison to go down faster and faster.
They pulled up at the last second.
Katara and Toph were sent smashing back into the saddle. Katara reached an arm around Toph for comfort.
"I'm going to earthbend the crap out of Aang."
Flying low and fast over the ground Katara realized they were now within the inner walls of the palace.
A long set of wide steps ran up ahead of them. Soon, Appa was skimming up them.
With a jolt, Appa landed.
Firebenders were running up the steps behind them.
Aang jumped from Appa's head to behind Appa's tail. He raised his staff toward the following firebenders and quickly swung it. Firebender bodies went flying backward.
Katara and Toph were now running into the palace with Appa following. Aang more than quickly caught up.
No line of soldiers stood a chance against them as they swept the palace, looking for Fire Lord Azula.
Katara water whipped and negated fire attacks.
Aang swept fire away and blew soldiers into unconsciousness.
And Toph earthbended the crap out of them.
They did not find Azula in the throne room as they had hoped.
It was unlike her to run, plus, by now the palace was surrounded with Toph's elite company of earthbenders, so her escape was near impossible.
They continued on.
Suddenly, Toph fell through the floor and into a chamber underground.
There were many firebenders down there with her.
"Go on ahead!" she yelled while crushing five men with a boulder. "I'll be fine." She actually looked happy as she brought up a wall of rock to shield herself and then sent it smashing into her aggressors.
Katara and Aang obliged by continuing their search.
They ran out into a small courtyard. The wind was raging, nearly tearing apart a tall weeping willow.
A pond of water was spilling most of its contents as the wind ran over its surface.
The sky was being darkened by storm clouds.
Thunder rumbled from far away.
Katara's hair loopies danced around her face madly as the wind pawed at their clothes.
Then, a figure by some badly beaten bushes turned toward them.
It was Azula, and she had been waiting for them.
Lightning flashed across the sky and thunder cracked deafeningly.
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