Hi everyone, sorry I couldn't get this up last night. I went to a concert and was only able to complete half of the chapter before leaving. However, I have some information that will hopefully make up for the delay. I don't know if anyone else had been reading up on Avatar lately, but for those who haven't heard, Comics Con was this weekend, and they put out one important piece of info:

SEASON PRIMERE OF AVATAR: SEPTEMBER 21 2008 AT 8 PM

And if anyone wants, there is a bunch of stuff from Comics Con at the Avatar Spirit website. They've got a lot from the event, including a trailer and preview pics (including something I can only describe as Avatar: Swimsuit Edition). So thank God, we finally know how much longer we have to wait! I hope this will help make the wait seem a little bit worth it. Read On!

Chap. 33

The Return

All eyes turned to the skies then, as they watched in amazement and awe as they saw men and women flying high above them on their gliders. They gasped as they heard the roars of the sky bison that flew with them. They felt the breeze on their faces, and smelled the fresh air in wonder. Some wept in joy at the sight of new and powerful allies in their time of need. Others backed away and grimaced in fear at the sight of avenging demons, come to have their revenge on the destructors of their people. Regardless of what they felt, everyone moved back as the Airbenders began to descend from the skies, slowly moving to stand behind Aire. They landed one by one, their numbers never seeming to end as more and more of them joined the group, passing the hundred mark. Finally the last one, a young girl with strange purple hair, landed next to Aire. Folding her glider back into itself, she looked over at Qin, who started back with fear and uncertainty.

"So, this is the one you spoke of, Aire?" she asked the falcon.

"That he is." Aire replied, as he turned his gaze towards Qin.

"My name is Malu, Minister Qin." The girl said, returning her gaze to Qin. "My family has led the Airbenders since your great-grandfather destroyed our temples and our people. Ever since then, we have hidden away, waiting for the day when we could remerge and regain our place in the world. That day has come, and it is time for you to pay for the sins of your family."

"Airbenders!" Malu called out, holding her staff high. Behind her, all the Airbenders moved in attack stances, as the sky-bison growled and bared their teeth.

"For all we have lost! For all we have been subjected to! For the balance, and for Aeris, sacred goddess of the wind, ATTACK!!"

"VIVA LA RAZA!!" Aire screamed, as he and Malu charged the Firebenders, with all the other Airbenders following.

Qin's face filled with fear and cowardice as he saw the vast army charge him, like ghosts out of his family's past. He cursed his great-grandfather at the moment, cursed him with all the bitterness he could muster. For it had been that foolish old man, the man that his family had put on such a pedestal, that would now lead to Qin's death. As he cursed, he turned from the ghosts and fled through the ranks of his troops, trying to get away. As he scampered away, the soldiers felt their hearts drop even further into their stomachs, as they turned to face this foe even their leader feared. As the Airbenders closed the gap, the soldiers remembered their training and moved into formation to deliver a wall of flame. But the training that had once existed to counteract an Airbender had long been forgotten, and the soldiers were not ready for what happened next. The Airbenders merely leapt over the flames and within seconds of landing behind the soldiers, spun around and let loose with a powerful airblast, sending their enemies flying. The remaining soldiers tried to move away, but before they could, the Airbenders combined their power and created a huge whirlwind. As the winds began to pull the soldiers into it, they struggled to hold on to the ground, but it was for naught. One by one, they were sucked into the winds and within seconds spun around and then scattered to all corners, as the Airbenders halted the winds.

"Well, that was timely." Iroh said dryly, as the Airbenders moved to deal with the still conscious soldiers. But a few more broke off from the main branch, including Aire and Malu, and moved over to where the Army was imprisoned. Aire was the first to reach them, and without hesitation, broke the chains on Oscuridad and Aang, as the remaining Airbenders moved to free the others.

"Nice job with recruitment, little brother." The bat said, as he and Aang got to their feet.

"Well you know, sometimes you just get lucky." The falcon replied, as Aang looked at Malu in awe. She also looked back with surprise and awe on her face.

"The Avatar. I never believed it. Even when my father told me that you survived, that you would come and save us one day, I never believed." Malu breathed.

But Aang said nothing. His eyes wide, he slowly walked up to Malu, looking at her as if she was something from a dream that could fade away at any moment. Reaching out his hand, he touched Malu's shoulder, as his eyes traced over Malu, seeing her Airbender clothes, seeing all the things that he had once thought gone from the world forever. As he looked, his hand squeezed Malu's shoulder, hard enough that she gasped at the touch.

"You're real." Aang whispered. "This isn't a dream; you're really here. And if you're here…." He said, looking at the other Airbenders with glistening eyes. "Then they're real too. I'm not alone. Not anymore."

"You were never alone, Avatar Aang." Malu said. "You have had so many friends, but we have had no one but each other for so long. Thank you for allowing us to rejoin the world."

Aang nodded, then wiped his eyes and turned to face Aire. Looking right at the falcon, he asked, "How did you find them? Hierro said you stayed in Ba Sing Se to help the rebels."

At that, Aire's face become downcast, as he rubbed his throat, preparing to say words that seemed to cause him pain. But before he could even begin to speak, Sokka's voice rang out; "Aire, get over here! She's hurt!"

"Azula." Oscuridad whispered. "Come on Aire, you have to heal her, they gassed the rest of us."

"Heal her?" Aire replied, confusion replacing the discomfort on his face.

"She switched sides. And she got hurt saving my life." Aang said, his questions put to the side.

"All right then." Aire said, as he quickly moved to where Azula was, the others following. They came upon Sokka, cradling Azula's head in his arms as she lay on the ground, her lifeblood oozing out of her shoulder. Mai, Ty Lee, and Zuko stood by her, their fear evident on their faces. Everyone looked, as the falcon knelt down next to the girl, his eyes looking over the wound.

"Hurry, please." Sokka begged.

Aire nodded, as he looked down at the pale Princess before. Slowly, she turned her head to him and said, fighting for each word, "Did you….. bring ….Airbenders here.?"

"Yes I did." Aire replied, as his hands shifted to move Azula's shirt.

"Thank you…. For saving…. Us…. Then. I know….. you didn't have…… reason to …. Save me." Azula managed to get out.

"Don't be too sure." Aire said. With a tearing sound, he ripped open the shoulder of Azula's shirt, allowing him clear access to the wound.

"You're going…. To save me….. anyway?" Azula asked.

"Yes. But I'm still not sure why." Aire answered, as he laid his hands down on the wound. As everyone watched, white light began to spill forth from the falcon's hands, covering the wound in seconds. But for some reason, Aire's eyes narrowed as he went about his work. Azula waited for the healing energy to flow through her, but nothing was happening.

"Aire, what's wrong?" Oscuridad asked, seeing the strain on his brother's face.

"It's not working." The falcon said.

"What? Well try harder then!" Zuko yelled.

"Please, you have to help her." Mai begged.

"I'm trying to. But it's like there's something blocking me. I'm trying to push through it but…."

"But what?"

"….She's….. she's lost a lot of blood. If I can't fix this in time….."

As Aire spoke, Fuego listened from within the crowd, and shook his head. He'd been right there when Qin had stabbed Azula. He knew that it had been a direct blow, one that if not healed, would kill her. As he watched his brother continue to try, Fuego's mind drifted back to what had happened before, when he had tried to confer his father's blessing on the girl. He had heard the voice of Darya then, telling him that Azula had not yet redeemed herself in his eyes, and until she did, he would not bestow his power upon her. Fuego had argued with Darya then, had tried to make his father understand, as he had with Zuko. But Darya had turned a deaf ear to his son, refusing to allow the former right hand of Ozai to be gifted with his power.

Yet, as Fuego thought, he wondered if perhaps, Darya had known this was going to happen. The Architects were at the very center of death and judgment, as those things were wrapped up in the balance of the world. And when Death came, even the Architects were powerless. Death answered only to the High-God, and when he came to take his chosen, no power could stop him, not even the healing power of the elements. Perhaps that was why Darya had refused her, why Aire could not heal her. Perhaps, this was Azula's fated moment to die.

My son.

Those words, spoken within his mind, broke Fuego from his thoughts with the force of a hammer blow.

Father?

Fuego listened, as Darya spoke to him from beyond, telling him of his will upon the earth. Fuego listened intently, giving no outward sign that something was happening. Finally, Darya finished, and Fuego nodded and moved to do the will of his father.

"There's nothing I can do." Aire finally said, as he pulled back his hands. "This is beyond me."

"Don't say that! There has to be something!" Ty Lee begged, her eyes watering.

"I-I don't think there is." Aire said, as he turned to face his brother. "I think she's been prepared."

Osc heard his brother's words, and he hung his head at the sound of them. But Sokka only cried out, "Prepared for what? What are you talking about? Tell me!"

"Prepared for the last journey." Oscuridad said sadly. "She's dying Sokka. And this is her time to go. It's why we can't heal her. We can't stop death when the chosen time comes."

"What? NO!" Sokka yelled, not wanting to believe it. Grabbing Aire, he pulled him close and yelled, "Heal her dammit! I've seen you do it for everyone else, now do it for her, goddamit!"

"He can't help you Sokka." Fuego said suddenly, as he reached down and pulled them apart. Moving to Azula, he knelt before the girl, drew his spear, and held it over her.

"What are you doing?!" Zuko cried out.

"The will of my father." Fuego said, as his spear began to glow red once again. Zuko and the girls tried to stop him, but it was too late as Fuego wrapped his hands around the spear, and held it right next to Azula's neck. But then, he pulled away one hand, which glowed like the spear. Moving it to her forehead, Fuego once again traced the symbol of Darya, and as he did, he said, "Father, bless this girl with your holy fire. Let it give her the strength needed to do your will upon this earth. Let it burn away the daughter of Ozai, and reveal a daughter of Darya. Let it burn within her now, and until the end of her days."

The symbol on Azula's forehead began to glow brighter, almost blindingly, as Azula's eyes suddenly popped open with a gasp. But after a moment, the light finally faded, as the mark vanished into her skin. Slowly, to Sokka's amazement and joy, Azula pushed herself up, then looked over at her shoulder, her unmarked shoulder that had never suffered a wound.

"Fuego, how did you do that?" Bosque asked. "We got hit by that chi gas.."

"I didn't." the red man said as Azula turned to face him. "My father did."

"Darya?" Azula whispered. "But I thought…"

"You changed his mind." Fuego said with a smile. "You were willing to die to protect the balance that is sacred to him. You proved yourself worthy of his power and his blessing."

Azula listened to the red man's words in silence, then asked, "Can I have your spear for a minute?"

Fuego nodded, and passed it over to the girl. Azula looked at the staff a moment, then slowly moved it so that the pommel stone was pressing against her forehead. As she held it in place, she whispered two words; "Thank you."

You're welcome.

Startled, Azula pulled the spear away, looking at it with wonder and amazement. Fuego nodded and said, "His voice is a bit disconcerting the first time, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Azula said, as she handed the red man the weapon back. As Sokka slowly helped her back to her feet, she asked, "Wait, what about Qin?"

"Crap, he must've gone back into the factory." Zuko swore. "We need to find him before he unleashes something dangerous."

Qin ran through the factory, his mind whirling with fear and panic. The soldiers didn't stand a chance against the Airbenders; he'd known that since he first saw them. Whatever training and knowledge about them from the time of his great-grandfather had vanished long ago. And once they released the other members of the Avatar's Army……. Qin would not survive long. There was only one thing that could bring him salvation, one power that could still save him. All he had to do was get to it, and let it loose. Then, finally, he could wipe out this last threat and finished the work of his great-grandfather.

Just one more turn. He thought frantically, as he made his way deeper and deeper into the factory. Finally, he made that last turn, and entered the gigantic room where he salvation lay sleeping, waiting to be used. Only one worker remained in the room, making the final adjustments.

"Is it ready?" Qin yelled out, his panic evident. Startled, the worker whirled around. "Minister Qin?" he asked in confusion.

"Is it ready?" Qin yelled again.

"I…. Yes my lord…. But why…"

"Don't ask! Let it loose! We are under attack!"

"Where would Qin go?" Desierto demanded, as he shook the captive Firebender. Behind him, Aire removed his hand from Luz, as his healing power finished eliminating the gas from her body, as it had for the rest of the Knights.

"I-I don't know." the soldier insisted. "The factory is huge. He might've gone anywhere."

"Then where are the strongest weapons?" the wolf asked. "If he plans to fight us, he'll have to us the best weapons."

"If he did plan to fight, I-I guess he'd go to one of the sheds." The solider answered, pointing to a series of huge silos connected to the factory by tunnels. "I don't know which one though."

"Well, at least we know where to look." Agua said, as he looked over at the many silos. "Where do we start then?"

But before anyone could start planning, the ground suddenly shook beneath their feet. Everyone struggled to stay upright, as one of the silos suddenly exploded in a haze of fire and brimstone. The Army looked on in disbelief, even more so as something began to emerge from the smoke and flame. It was huge, making a series of clanks as it moved out of the smoke. As it slowly became visible, they saw the gleam of metal, saw the glow of flame erupting from its man shaped body. And then finally, when it did become fully visible, they saw a face that had not been seen in a hundred years. For emerging from the wreckage of the silo was a huge, mechanical man, steadily moving along on its metal feet. It's body was constructed of hundred of steel beams, placed together and linked through hundreds of wires and connectors of Fire Nation design. Fire burned within the palms of its hands. And above all that, the face of Fire Lord Sozen had been sculpted with immaculate care in a face of rage and destruction towards his enemies.

"By the Gods!" Iroh breathed.

"I never imagined.." Zuko breathed.

"What kind of devil is this?" How asked.

"How can we ever defeat this thing?" Hakoda wondered.

"Who the hell gave these people a bootleg of Transformers?" Tierra yelled. As everyone looked at him in confusion, he said, "Trust me, if you've seen the movie, you'll understand."

"Never mind the flicks." Hierro said, moving to the front. "Just move back."

"What are you doing?" Ty Lee asked.

"It's metal, remember? I should be able to bring it down." Hierro said. Stretching forth all his arms, the spider focused his concentration on the device that could only be Sozin's Revenge. Reaching towards the metal, he commanded it to shatter, to break apart and return to the simple metal of its creation. But though he gave out the commands to his native element, nothing happened. Hierro pressed forward again, straining himself now. But though he could see the metal before him, he could not send his commands to it. Finally, as the machine continued to lurch forward, he dropped his arms, to the chagrin of those around him.

"What happened? Why isn't it on the ground?" Sokka yelled.

"They did something to the metal." Hierro gasped, as he tried to regain his strength. "It's been…. Corrupted somehow, like it is for the Earthbenders, but even further. I can't affect it like that."

"Then we'd better get ready to fight." Aang said, as he drew his staff. Behind him, the rest of the Army prepared themselves, as the greatest instrument of the Fire Nation marched towards them.