Author's Note:

Hey guys, sorry about the long wait! I've actually begun writing a novel that I hope to get published so, that's been eating up a lot of my time. Stay tuned on that.

I'd also like to recommend a great artist, Em-Em-Chan, who decided to make a drawing based on this story. I think it looks really awesome! I added it as the story image and you can find it more detail Tumblr, under the profile nocturnal-eyes tumblr (just google it, because FF won't let me post the link. The Picture is in the Fanart section). Be sure to check it out and give her a follow as all of her art is really nice.

Chapter 5: Just Us Now

"What are you looking for?" Furon asked.

"Something that will help." Rui said.

They were on a lower level of the station now. Traversing the labyrinthine corridors in near total darkness. Their path illuminated only by the small flames they kept burning in their hands, wary of casting too much light and alerting the creatures that surely stalked the myriad rooms of the station. Rui was in the lead and walked with steadfast determination. Stopping only occasionally to glance at a sign on the wall and change his direction accordingly.

"And just where are you going?" The marine called out, but Rui ignored him. Deciding it was unwise to tell him the truth just yet. Not until he was sure that this place was what he thought it was.

But it has to be, Rui told himself. His mind running through the rumors he had heard over the years, whispered among the upper echelons of Fire Nation intelligence, about the last secret project of the Great War. If this was it, then eternal glory was well within Rui's grasp. His career would be cemented. But only deliver the prize to his superiors.

He glanced at Furon, his face revealing nothing. "Those…things, those creatures are clearly not here by accident."

The Marine scoffed, "You don't say."

"Fighting them head on is pointless." He went on, "And I think we both know that help isn't coming. Our best hope is to find out what we're up against and figure out a way to beat them."

"And you think the answers are just waiting for you in one of these rooms?"

"I've spent entire career in the government, working alongside bureaucrats like Chiang," Rui said, "and if there's one thing I know for a fact, it's that there's always a written record. Whatever was going on here, there has to be a room where they kept such documents. Somewhere safe and secure."

"If such records do exist, how would you go about interpreting them? You're no scientist, and neither am I."

"I'm sure we can figure it out." Rui pressed on. "Are you coming?"

Furon followed along, but his eyes were wary. His many years of service had taught him to read people well enough and it was clear to him this assistant to the Ambassador was no ordinary lackey. No, something was off. He knew more than he let on about this places. For now though, Furon decided to play dumb . They had to make it to safety first. And then he would make him talk.

They continued to make their way through the maze of corridors. Out of section of the station and into another. Always on the lookout for any signs of movement. Rui stopped as they neared a bend in the corridor. Reading a half-worn sign on the wall, he followed the path ahead until he spotted a large watertight door. A look of satisfaction briefly crossed his face and he reached out and the watertight handle and the door opened with a loud ominous creak.

"Care to go first?" Rui asked Furon sheepishly. To which the marine rolled his eyes and shoved past Rui into the chamber. Once inside, Furon's eyes scanned the area starting with the interior, then the corners, then the ceiling, and finally the floor. No sign of the creatures anywhere.

"It looks clear to me."

"Great." Rui walked in and pulled the door shut behind him. Inside, he expanded the flame in his hand to illuminate the entire space. Unlike the rest of the station, this place was in relatively good order. The odor of rust and the seaweed persisted, but it was mixed with another smell that Rui found far more agreeable— ink and paper.

There were several large file cabinets splayed out throughout the space, two of which were overturned. On either side of the room were large wooden desks with several chairs. And at the far end, behind a large metal door, was the safe. Rui went straight for it.

The marine arched a brow, "You think you can crack that? That safe is made out of reinforced steel. Even a blast from a trebuchet wouldn't put a dent in it."

"No need." Rui turned the knob with a creak. "It's open." He pulled out several stacks of folders from the safe and began to leaf through them. Most were simple ledgers and manifests— none of them important. A few others described formulas and isotopes unrelated to what he was after. Then at last he found what he was looking for. Project AFR-1163, Codename: Silent Wave. His heart pounded with excitement. Rui tore open the folder but to his shock found it empty.

"No!" He seethed. Where was it?

"Problem?" Furon walked over to him.

Rui sighed, mixing the folder in with the others. "I thought I found something— but it's not it. It's not in the safe."

"Maybe it's gone." Furon suggested, "One of the project's leaders might have taken it. Or the documents could have been destroyed when whatever happened here happened."

Rui refused to give up, "We keep looking." He began to walk over to one of the cabinets when he heard footsteps just overhead. Both of the men froze in their tracks and stared intently at the ceiling. Whatever was making the sounds was large and powerful. Each step made the ceiling tremble with its heft and particles of debris sifted down.

The pair silently brazed themselves. Ears primed for the sound of the high-pitched screeching that they had come to know so well. Any moment expecting a swarm of undead to smash through the paneling and tear them to pieces. But the steps above gradually grew distant and soon faded out of earshot. When it was safe, they let out a sharp exhale.

"What the hell was that?" Rui wondered aloud.

"I don't know." Furon said. "But whatever it is, I don't want to stay here and find out. Let's go."

"Not yet." Rui walked over to a nearby file cabinet and began to rummage through it.

"Look," The marine said crossly, "It's clear that whatever it is you're looking for isn't here. Instead of wasting our time digging through this mess, we should be trying to find the others."

"If they're alive, you mean." Rui quipped, not looking up from the cabinet.

Furon scoffed, "Well, we certainly won't be if we linger in this mess."

"We'll be dead in any case if I don't find what I'm looking for."

"And what the hell might that be?" Furon asked, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Wouldn't you like to know? Rui thought. And, without responding, he continued to rummage through the cabinets. One by one. Until at last, he found something.

Daris leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breathing. Sweat poured down his forehead and he felt his hands tremble. Beside him, Hakumi was just as haggard. They had been running for what felt like hours. The screams of the undead always on their tail. Even now, he couldn't be sure if they were safe. Safe...Daris felt his eyes turn to his bandaged arm and the pulsating wound beneath.

"Are you ok?" Hakumi whispered. She could see that his face was extremely pale. Eyes bloodshot. With every haggard breath, the veins in his neck twitched and writhed, like maggots.

"Fine." Daris managed through clenched teeth, averting his gaze. Gathering his strength he pushed off the wall and peared into the darkness ahead. For a moment he seemed uncertain, before quickly saying. "It's this way." And marching ahead.

"Where are we going?" Hakumi asked, following him.

"Somewhere safe."

Daris wiped the sheen of sweat from his brow and shook his head. But it didn't help. His vision was slowly blurring, as if a dark screen was being pulled over his eyes. Everything felt cold and distant. Was this death? His heart pounded in his ears. Slowly drowning out his rational thoughts and leaving behind only darkness— and rage.

"But what about the others?" Hakumi's pale blue eyes filled with worry. "We can't just leave— "

Daris grabbed her without warning, "Listen to me!" He hissed, "We can't rely on others to save us here. Don't you understand?"

Hakumi nodded shakily and Daris released her arm. Muttering under his breath. Stupid girl, she's as good as dead anyway, he told himself. Just another civilian in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another casualty of war— no different from the others. All of the others.

Daris could remember his first brush with death. It had been during a raid on an Earth Kingdom settlement, back when Ozai had taken charge of the war personally. While Sozin and Azulon had focused on military targets and large cities, targeting the centers of power that made up the Kingdom, Ozai instead set his sights on the will of the people itself. So, he had sent out troops to scorch the undefended countryside. Inflicting pain and suffering on the families of the Earth Kingdom's soldiers and in so doing break their spirit.

Daris's squadron had been tasked with transporting the troops that would do the job. He could still hear the screams of the villagers from the deck of his ship. The shouts of the soldiers as they l pillaged and burned. And the smell...that was the worst part. All these years later, he still couldn't forget it.

Back then, he didn't think he had it in him to be so cruel— so heartless. But secretly, he had also been glad he didn't have have to find out. For in truth, he knew that all men were capable of great cruelty, when unchained from their constraints. A savage lurked in all their hearts. Primal instincts held in check by sheer willpower, like a wild beast in a frail wooden cage. Sooner or later, it would break free.

Daris glanced at Hakumi. So delicate, so frail. Once more, he felt the scent of her filling his nostrils and he licked his parched lips. His bandaged arm began to reach of for her but he stopped himself.

Patience, he heard a voice in his head whisper. It wouldn't be much longer now.

Hakumi saw the odd way Daris was looking at her, but her mind was filled with other worries. Just how in the name of Tui and La were they going to make it out of here? She wondered. If the six of them couldn't beat back the horde, what chance did two possibly have? There was no way out of the station. No rescue coming.

The Waterbender felt tears welling up in her eyes again, but she forced them back. No, she told herself, I can't afford to think like that. I have to be strong. I have to survive! She breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled, calming herself. The fears and worries slowly receded in the back of her mind, but still there. Clawing at her psyche. Haunting her every step. A sound behind her, caused Hakumi to turn around abruptly.

There was nothing there. Nothing but darkness. She was about to turn back when she saw a shimmer in the corner of her eye. For some inexplicable reason, she began to follow it. Her feet seemed to move of their own accord. It was as if an invisible force was pulling her forward. Into the pitch black corridor and towards a room at the end. Before she had a chance to call out for Daris, she was inside the room and out of sight.

Like everything in the station, the room was dark and fetid. Its metal walls streaked with rust and its furniture gutted and in disarray. Why was she here? What was happening? Hakumi felt a tremor pass through her body. Then her head turned slowly towards a small metal box on the floor. Hakumi felt her hands reach out for it and, against her will, she picked it up and opened the lid.

Inside was a journal bound in leather. Taking it out, Hakumi began to open it when she heard footsteps behind her and a voice shouted, snapping her out of her daze.

"What the hell are you doing?" It was Daris.

She turned to him, bewildered, "Nothing I was just..."

"Well, don't wander off without telling me!" He barked. "Common, before they find us."

Meekly, she followed him out of the room and into the corridor once more. In the dim light, Hakumi read the inscription on the journal's cover— Silent Wave.

Sokka hurried through the corridor as fast as his legs would carry him. Toph was on his back, her arms clasped weakly around his neck. The screeching cries of the undead followed close behind them. Gaining with every second. Sokka turned a corner and slipped on the piles of seaweed. He stumbled forward, only just managing to stay on his feet. His legs quaked from the effort, forcing him to stop and lean against the wall.

He was exhausted. Out of breath. He could have outrun the creatures if he were on his own, but he couldn't abandon Toph— he couldn't bare to lose someone he cared about. Never again. Sokka could still remember how powerless he felt when his mother was killed. He was only a boy then, but on that day he swore to himself that he would get strong enough to protect his loved ones. For a while, he felt like he had lived up to his oath. But then Yue died in the Spirit Oasis right before his very eyes and he couldn't do anything to save her. Useless. All his skills and his training didn't matter a damn. Not then. And not now...

A loud screech came from his left and Sokka narrowly avoided a creature as it lunged out of a pile of debris. The monster twisted around like a snake, it's spine making a sickening crack. Its cold lifeless eyes locked onto his and it lunged again. This time, Sokka was ready for it. With sword in hand, he cleaved the corpse's head clean off its shoulders and watched its dark blood ooze out on the cold metal floor. The effort only made Sokka's legs feel heavier and the screams of more undead came from behind.

Their pounding footsteps grew more eager, as if they could sense his weakness. Sokka knew he couldn't outrun them. Not in his current was only one choice.

"Toph." He shouted shouted urgently, pulling the eartbender off his back. "Toph, please wake up. I need your help." He shook her gently. "Toph!"

Her eyes opened weakly, "S-Sokka?"

"I can't run anymore." He said, between pants. "You have to help me. Can you metalbend the floor behind us?"

"I-I can try." Toph closed her eyes. She felt the vibrations echoing off the floor from his footsteps and she saw the creatures mere feet away.

"Let me down." She told Sokka. "Quickly."

He lowered her to the floor and the Earthbender slammed her foot on the metal, tracking the pattern of the vibrations as they spiraled out across the corridor. She watched them carefully, looking for any weakness in its structure. There! The blind Earthbender slammed her foot down on the floor with a powerful bang. Cracks and fissures snaked out before her and the floor began to shake. Just as the creatures began to lunge at them, the ground beneath gave way, sending the horde down screaming into the nothingness below.

"So long fellas," She said with a wicked grin, "Don't forget to write."

The grin quickly faded and worn out by the effort, Toph slunk to the ground on her knees. Sokka caught her before she fell and steadied her in his arms.

Toph blew a strand of hair her out of her face and muttered, "You know, I'll say this much. The Fire Nation sure knows how to throw a party."

Sokka couldn't help but smile, "How can you joke at a time like this?"

"Couldn't help it." Toph shrugged. "So, what's the plan, genius? Not that I don't enjoy running around in circles."

"I'm...not sure." Sokka muttered. The fact was, there didn't seem to be any way out of their situation. There were too many undead to fight and there was nowhere to escape to. It all seemed so hopeless.

Toph felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her and she leaned back against Sokka with a sigh. She pressed her head under his chin, her ear just over his heart, enjoying the soothing rhythm against her cheek.

Bah-dum. Bah-dum. She exhaled softly, causing Sokka to glance down at her face. Instinctively, he put his arm around her, drawing her closer. Comforted by her warmth in this cold dark place.

Bah-dum. Bah-dum. Toph could feel his heartbeat quicken, his body tensing, and she gave a tiny smile.

So, Toph thought, he's still alive inside after all.

Tilting her head , she put her hand on his cheek. Her fingers cold against the warmth of his face. Sokka gazed at her wordlessly. His mind blank for the first time in a long time. Toph inched her face closer to his till she could feel his breath on her skin and he felt hers on leaned in. Closer and closer. And then, the space between them vanished and Toph's lips melted gently into his.

Sokka's heart skipped a beat. A jolt of electricity going through him. It had been so long since he'd kissed someone. So long since he'd been intimate or even allowed himself to feel...anything. Now, all those feelings so long suppressed, burst to the surface. Kindling the flames of passion in his heart. Melting into the swelling wave of desire and erasing all doubt and inhibition. He wanted her. He wanted to be with her.

Sokka pulled his arms tightly around Toph, hungrily returning the kiss. She seemed surprised by his boldness, but quickly matched his intensity. She'd wanted this for so long. At last...at last she could show him how she felt. She wrapped her fingers in his hair. Pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Their hands roamed freely, exploring one another. The world around them frozen in time. Nothing else and no one else but them.

Sokka felt Toph's lips grow cold all of a sudden. Her fingers harsh and bony. In an instant his passion turned to fear. His eyes flew open and Yue stared back at him. Her decayed face full of malevolence. Sokka pushed her away in horror and his hand reached for his sword.

"Sokka?" Toph asked in confusion. The specter was gone.

Sokka glanced around, his breathing haggard. His hand still clasped firmly around his sword. She was here. Somewhere. She was watching.

"What is it?" Toph asked, taking his hand. "What's wrong?"

"It's her." Sokka said, his voice barely a whisper. "It's Yue, Toph. She's here. I know it."

"What're you talking about?"

"You saw her too, Toph." Sokka said, shaking uncontrollably. "That woman, in your vision. It was Yue. She's here. I know it! She's here and she wants to— !"

"Sokka, stop. Please, listen to me." She implored. "Yue is dead."

"I know, but— "

"Yue is dead." Toph repeated, "And she's not coming back. You have to move on. You can't keep doing this to yourself. And...to me"

"Toph..." Sokka glanced at her hand on his and clasped it. "That's not what this is. I—"

"Isn't it?" She glared at him defiantly. "You're afraid that because you couldn't save her, you won't be able to protect anyone you love. Isn't that what this is about?"

He began to say something but she snatched her hand back.

"Well I don't care about danger." Toph shouted. Despite her exhaustion, she stood to her full height. "I'm not some dainty little princess and I'm not some child who needs protecting! If you don't have feelings for me then say so, but don't you dare coddle me. I can take care of myself just fine!"

Sokka couldn't help but smirk, "I know that, Toph," He took her hand tenderly again, "But this isn't just about the past. I know Yue's here. I've seen her. I don't know how she's here, but it has to be tied to those creatures. Somehow, Yue is controlling them. I know it. Please, Toph, you have to believe me. Please."

Toph turned towards the chasm in the floor. She could hear the humming of the machine radiating out from the depths of the station. The haunting sound called out to her. Threatening her with its menace. Toph didn't know if it was Yue in that vision, but she could sense that Sokka was telling the truth. That machine below, that had to be the source of all of this. And no matter if Yue was here or not, she knew that was where they had to go. That was the only way to end this.

"That machine I told you about," Toph said at last, "That's what's behind the creatures. That's where Yue will be..."