Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.
Based on "The Bridge" and "The Awakening"
After the Water Tribe ships were destroyed, everyone headed back to camp. Katara sat away from the fire.
"Katara, it's cold. Come sit by the fire," said Hakoda.
"I'm fine," said Katara. Zuko walked over to her.
"Can I talk to you?"
Katara got up and said, "Sure let's go check on Aang."
They enter a tent, where Aang's body was placed on a cot.
"What's on your mind?"
"I know this is none of my business, but you seem angry with your father," said Zuko. He put his hands up defensively.
Katara sighed, "The men of my tribe left two years ago to help the Earth Kingdom fight in this war. My dad went with them, and I know why, but with our mother gone. I know Gran Gran and Sokka were there, but I just felt so lost."
"I know it's not the same, but I kinda understand. After our mother disappeared, my father basically ignored my existence, not that her being there made much difference. Anyway, my uncle stepped up after he banished me and my uncle's been more of a father to me than my own. And I abandoned him," said Zuko.
Katara reached over and touched the left side of Zuko's face.
"I think your uncle would be proud. You did the right thing. We could rescue him during the eclipse," said Katara.
Zuko sighed and put his hand over Katara's, "Thanks Katara. I appreciate the offer, but," he looked at Aang, "we will probably to help him. We don't know where they're keeping my uncle. Maybe you should tell your dad how you feel."
"Thanks Zuko. I'll keep that in mind," said Katara.
Katara hugged Zuko. Sokka walked in and looked dumbfounded. Then his face contorted in rage.
"Wh-what are you doing with my sister?!" Sokka demanded from Zuko.
Katara stepped between them.
"Relax Sokka! It was just a hug. Why'd you come here anyway?" Katara said.
"If you must know, I came to talk to you, not find you with him," said Sokka as he glared at Katara and gestured.
The Duke entered the tent and said, "Hey guys, your dad said to prepare. It looks like they're getting closer to the ships."
"Okay, we will be right there," said Katara. The Duke left.
Sokka glared at Zuko, then said, "We'll talk about this later."
Zuko looked at Sokka and said, "Okay." Then he turned to Katara and said, "I'll watch over him."
Katara said softly, "Zuko, he has a name."
Before Zuko could respond, Sokka and Katara left.
Sokka and Katara got on a boat and attacked a Fire Navy ship. It was relatively easy since the crew wasn't expecting an attack. Katara used waterbending and threw the crew overboard. Once they were successful, Katara and Sokka took a canoe back and got Aang and Zuko. Zuko put Aang down on a bed. Then he went to talk to Sokka, while Katara tried to heal Aang.
"Oh Lee. Good you're here. I was just telling my dad that you're familiar with Fire Navy ships," said Sokka.
Zuko looked at Sokka confused for a moment, then caught on. "Yeah, that's right. My father is Fire Nation, but we don't get along. So I decided to help the Avatar when he came to my village."
Hakoda looked at his son then Zuko. "I see. So you are familiar with their customs as well as their ships?"
"Err, yeah," said Zuko.
Zuko explained how the ship worked, how to tell rank, proper bowing, and he bonded with Hakoda and the other Water Tribe warriors.
When Zuko wasn't bonding with the warriors, he spent time talking to Aang, although Aang never responded.
One of the times Zuko talked to Aang, Sokka heard him and knocked on the door.
"Come in," said Zuko.
"Katara finally told me about what happened in Ba Sing Se. I'm sorry," said Sokka.
"It's okay Sokka. I probably would have acted the same way if it had been me. There is something you should know about," said Zuko.
"What's that?"
"For times when a solar eclipse occurs, the Fire Lord has a secret bunker designed for him and members of the royal family," said Zuko.
"Great," said Sokka unhappy. "I guess they don't want a repeat of 'The Darkest Day.' Do you know where the bunker is or how to get to it?"
"It has been years since I was there. I think there is an entrance from the palace, but you have to be able to firebend to open the door, which leads to many tunnels and rooms underground. Only one will have the Fire Lord, and only a few will know where he is," said Zuko.
"Maybe this invasion is not such a good idea after all," said Sokka.
"Why?" Zuko asked.
"Aang is still injured. We won't know where the Fire Lord will be. How can we be sure of victory?" Sokka explained.
"I don't know, but we would still have the element of surprise," said Zuko. "Plus, Toph might be able to help us find the Fire Lord. She would be able to open the metal doors."
"Of course," said Sokka as he slapped his forehead.
Toph came in. "You can't think of everything Snoozles. Your dad says there is a blockade."
Sokka looked at Zuko. "Time to test out our disguises and see how well we've learned what you taught us."
"I'll come with you," said Zuko.
After passing the blockade, they discovered Zuko's information was very helpful. The disguises worked and they discovered the Fire Nation thought Aang and Zuko were dead."
After they passed the Serpent's Pass, Aang woke up. He was confused and went on deck. He saw PIpsqueak, the Duke, Hakoda and Bato in Fire Nation disguises and started to freak out until Momo came to him. Toph announced that he would faint and he did. He woke up shortly after, demanding answers.
"What's going on? Why is everyone dressed that way? And why am I the only one out of it?" Aang asked aggravated.
"You need to take it easy. You were hurt pretty badly, although it could have been worse," said Katara.
"After Ba Sing Se, the Earth King decided to focus on his kingdom. So we left for Chameleon Bay. We destroyed our ships and captured this one. We are moving forward with the invasion plan. It won't be as massive without the Earth King's help, but I think we can still do it. We still have a big surprise..."
"What's that?" Aang asked.
"The whole world thinks you're dead!" Sokka exclaimed excited. "Isn't that great?"
"How is this good news?" Aang asked angry. "It's terrible. I'm going to let the world know the Avatar is back." Aang got up.
"Wait Aang," said Sokka as he blocked Aang from leaving. "They won't be expecting you on the Day of Black Sun and no one will be chasing us."
Aang sat back down and they ate lunch.
After they finished eating, Katara gave Aang a healing session. Aang had a flashback of what happened in Ba Sing Se.
"I wasn't just down. I was gone. You brought me back. Zuko tried to protect me. What happened to him?"
Zuko moved out of the shadows.
"Your scar is gone," said Aang.
Zuko laughed. "Sorry, it's just you're the only one who has said anything about it and it was the first thing you said. I'm fine. How are you doing?"
Aang gave Zuko a weak smile. "I've been better." Then Aang frowned.
Sokka entered and told Katara, "We need you above."
To Be Continued...