Zuko stared at Azula tentatively.

"You won't be escaping, Zuzu," said Azula. Dai Li agents appeared seamlessly from behind her. "Pity. Father was thinking of bringing you back, you know- he needs someone he can trust. Family first and all, he thought you might have some loyalty. He knows it's sorely missing these days." She spoke almost to herself, as if she couldn't quite believe it. "I'm the only one left."

"You're lying," said Zuko.

"That's just the thing, Zuzu," said Azula. Her eyes were shining. "I wasn't. You ruined it, when you started creeping around at night with that water tribe s-"

"You know?!" yelped Zuko, just as Aang exclaimed- "Creeping around?!"

"Of course I know, the Dai Li doesn't miss a trick," spat Azula. "You're not so cunning as you think. That was always me."

Azula looked around her, and then back at Zuko for a long moment. Then she snapped her fingers.

"Dai Li, arrest him."

Zuko stood frozen with his mouth open, but Katara ran forwards and grabbed his wrist, pulling him forward.

"I'll take care of this!" said Aang, staring at her. "Just run! I'll buy us time!"

Katara was too panicked to question exactly how Aang would do this. He jammed his fists together, and his tattoos started glowing bright blue as he started floating up in the air. Katara and Zuko ran, while Toph punched a tunnel through the catacombs to escape. Iroh and Sokka followed close behind. Katara had never run like that. She was vaguely aware of a stitch in her side, but the pain was numb. When they finally stopped running, she looked down to see small cuts on her feet. She was still gripping Zuko's wrist, which was now mottled with purplish bruises. She released it quickly when she saw.

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry, you saved my life-"

"Let's hide here while we wait for the avatar," said Uncle Iroh, interrupting them both.

"Oh, that's right- how are we going to find Aang?"

"He'll come out the same way we did," said Toph. "That's the only good way out. We'll just wait."

Aang came out ten minutes later, having knocked out most of the Dai Li agents and bound Azula to the walls with rock. He was sweating, and so exhausted that he struggled to take steps. But he was alive. Toph, Sokka, and Katara ran forward to hug him.

Dear Dad,

The Fire Nation has taken over Ba Sing Se- they captured Katara and captured the five generals. We rescued Katara (no idea where the generals are for now…). The prince of the Fire Nation is with us, Katara seems confident that he's been flipped to our side. So is General Iroh. The invasion plan still stands. Where should we meet you?

Everyone is safe and sound, and we're currently roaming the Earth Kingdom countryside. We will come to meet you as soon as possible, just give us the word.

Katara sends her love.

-Sokka.

Dear Sokka,

We've captured a Fire Nation ship. Currently we are in waters off the coast of the Earth Kingdom. We should be near Coral Cove in three days (by Kangaroo Island). Meet us there if possible- if we do not see you, we will be about seventy miles east of there by five days after. See you soon.

Don't give the details of our plans to your Fire Nation companions yet until we can evaluate them. If they are truly 'flipped', then this is great news. After the invasion, we need someone to place on the throne- someone with a legitimate claim would provide stability. Strive to keep them with you (without being in 'the know'). Keeping them on our side is a chief priority.

Tell Katara I love her too (and the same goes for you!). I can't wait to see you both shortly. Bato agrees!

-Dad