FINALLY! A NEW CHAPTER! AND A LONG ONE! ENJOY!

Chapter 58: The Approaching Day

"Okay… Get ready," Zuko said.

I nodded and got into my stance. He took a few steps forward and shot his hand at me. I held both my hands out just as the flame shot my way and caught the fire in between. I manipulated the flames and managed to shove my hands towards Aang. Aang saw the fire coming.

"Alright, Aang! Catch it!" Zuko ordered.

Aang freaked at the last minute though and used air to redirect the flames. The fire shot past him and hit the side of the rocky cliff we were at the base of.

Zuko groaned. "Aang! Come on! You're supposed to be firebending! What are you so afraid of?!"

Aang pouted. "Getting burned." He then asked, "Is this really necessary? We don't even know if I'll be able to firebend for the eclipse. I'm probably going to have to stick to water, air, or earth."

Zuko answered, "You need to know how to redirect fire if something happens. The eclipse will only last eight minutes. If you can't get to the Fire Lord by then he will regain his abilities and blast at you."

Aang shrugged. "I did fine using just air to avoid all your fire blasts when I first met you."

"I thought you wanted me to teach you?" Zuko snapped. "Don't tell me you don't want to learn now!"

Aang flinched. "I just don't see a point. The eclipse will take away my ability to firebend. So, I think I just need to focus on the other elements right now."

He went to turn to leave.

"Aang… This isn't about firebending, is it?" I asked. He stopped and his shoulders slumped. "What's going on?"

He let out a deep breath. "I'm… just scared… of facing the Fire Lord. I… knew this day would come, but I guess I'm just… nervous."

I walked over to him and placed a gentle hand on his tense shoulder. "If you're not ready, we could always stop this plan… I'm sure the group will understand."

He shook his head. "No… We need to do this. I can't let the world down…" He looked over at me. "I'll be okay… I just… need some time to sort my thoughts." He let out a heavy breath. "I'm going to go back to camp. Help get dinner ready."

I frowned. I hated seeing Aang so down. "Okay… Let the others know we're right behind you."

He nodded and headed off back through the woods to camp.

Zuko spoke after he was gone. "He's definitely not ready for this… I'm worried…"

"Me too… It's a great chance to get to the Fire Lord, but if Aang's not ready then I fear this isn't going to work the way everyone wants it too."

Zuko stepped up beside me. "I've actually been thinking… About the battle… I may face the Fire Lord… alone…"

His words stunned me. I looked at him with disbelief. "What? But… Aang's destiny is to defeat him."

Zuko looked back at the forest where Aang had disappeared with confliction. "Aang's not ready… and I need to clear up some things with my father… I need you to do me a favor, Amara… I need you to not say anything about this. I'm going to lie to Aang… I know where the Fire Lord will be hiding during the eclipse. I'm going to tell Aang that he'll be in the throne room… I'm going to split from the group and go face him alone."

My eyes were wide with horror. I turned to him and grabbed his arm. "No! He'll kill you!"

Zuko met my gaze. "I won't let him… But… Amara… You had your chance at revenge… please… give this one to me."

His words stunned me. I frowned. I knew he was right. I couldn't argue. However, concern filled me. "Toph… she'll sense you're lying when you tell the group where he is."

He sighed. "I know. I'll try to be convincing… I may lose some trust points with the group if she catches me… But I have to do this…"

I dropped my hand from his arm. "Fine… But I… just have one condition."

He waited, his face showing uncertainty about what I would say.

"If you're going to face your father, I'm going with you. He may have another way to attack you. I'd rather you have my waterbending to back you up if it's needed."

Zuko was shocked. He went to disagree. Then he let out a heavy breath when he realized he couldn't argue with me. "Okay… But only as backup… I don't want you fighting my father. I can't let you get hurt."

I nodded. I glanced back at where Aang had gone. "Do… you think Aang and the group will be mad at us?"

Zuko frowned. "Not you… Just me… But… This is my battle."

I turned and hugged him. He hugged me back. "I understand… I know the group will in time… But… Can you do it…? Can you really fight your father?"

He hugged me closer. "He burned me and banished me… He isn't my father… and I want to be the one to tell him that."

Things were quiet as we were camped in the woods later that night. We were about a day's journey from the Black Cliffs, the location where we would be meeting the others for the invasion plan. As the group settled in for the night, I lingered by the water of the stream watching as Yuna hopped on the rocks and attempted to catch fish. The stream was about a quarter of a mile from camp, so I hadn't ventured too far.

Since we had left that horrible inn and that crazy woman named Hama, the group had gotten back to focusing on the eclipse which was only a week away. Everyone was anxious like Aang, but they were also determined. Zuko and I had not mentioned to anyone our plans when we got into the Fire Nation capital. I felt a little guilty keeping it from them, because I knew they would be upset by our deceit, but I also knew Zuko needed this chance.

However…

The thought of going to the Fire Nation capital was starting to make me a little restless. I had only heard stories about the place from Iroh, Zuko, members of Zuko's crew, and Tu Lan. What I heard was that the place was heavily guarded and there were a lot of soldiers and guards stationed there.

Despite my concerns, I knew I could not let fear stop me from helping Zuko.

And Iroh…

I thought about Iroh, trapped in the Fire Nation capital prison. I could not imagine what he was going through. I knew he was a strong man, but that didn't calm my concerns for him.

Iroh… He had been there at the beginning of this long journey of freedom.

I could remember the pain. The darkness… It was all before I met Iroh.

I remember one of the very first things he said to me…

"My name is Iroh, retired General of the Fire Nation... you are under my guardianship from this day forward…"

My guardian. Iroh had shown me what the love of a father truly was. Helping Zuko stop the Fire Lord… I knew it was one way we could free him…

"Hey, Kitten… You okay?"

Toph stepped up beside me as I sat by the stream. I let out a heavy breath, answering, "Yeah… Just thinking… about Iroh…"

She sat beside me. "You're worried about him, huh?"

I nodded, but then remembered she couldn't see that and answered, "Yeah… I just wish I knew he was okay. I hate the thought of him being locked in a dark prison."

Toph sighed. "You know… I only spoke to him briefly during our time in Ba Sing Se… but he spoke about you like you were his daughter. You and Zuko both mean a lot to him. I'm sure he's surviving just to be there for you all in the end. He's a strong man."

My eyes watered. "I know… I… I see him as a father…" I shut my eyes. "I miss him. He was the first person other than Mom and Tu Lan to treat me… like a human… like I mattered."

I felt Yuna suddenly hop onto my lap, sensing I was upset. I stroked her feathers to feel some comfort.

"Just so you know…" Toph began. "You were the first person to see me as a human too… Before you and the gang showed up, I was just a blind girl trapped in the walls my father put me in."

I gave a small smile. "A lot has happened… Meeting you all… Falling in love with Zuko… finally being free from the monsters of my past… If you told me a year ago some guy who loved tea would be taking me away to freedom, I would've never believed you."

There was a small silence between us. Finally, Toph spoke again. "I'm glad… Iroh saved you. You're too amazing to be hidden from the world."

I looked over at Toph with gratitude. "Thanks, Toph… I'm glad you ran away from home to join our crazy group."

"Well, someone has to keep you all in line," she joked. "I mean, especially Sok–"

I gasped. I felt a sudden heat source headed our way. Cutting Toph off, I shoved Yuna into her arms and jumped to my feet. Throwing my hands up, I caught the blast of fire as it crossed the stream and almost hit us. The force was strong, but I was able to push the flames back so they did not hit Toph and I.

Toph was on her feet ready to help. Yuna left her arms and flew back to camp crying out to alert the others.

Toph felt who it was through the earth. "Crap! Combustion Man found us!"

The fire stopped. The smoke dispersed. Sure enough, the tall man with the metal glove and raven-eagle on his shoulder, stood fifty yards away between the trees. He inhaled, and I knew another blast was headed our way.

"Behind me, Amara!" Toph ordered. I knew what she was doing. Backing behind her quickly, she jerked the earth in front of us up so that we had a stone shield. The fire hit against the rock that shielded us, and pieces of the earth started to break off.

"Amara! Toph!" Aang shouted from behind us. He jumped over us and shot a blast of air in the direction that Combustion man was. Toph dropped her wall of earth, and we saw Aang was flinging water from the stream at the man who had been shoved back by the blast of air. "Get back to camp! The others are packing up! I'll hold him off."

I argued. "I can help!" I raced forward, but Aang shot a wall of water between us stopping me.

"He wants you dead, Amara! Get out of here!" Aang's stern tone made me stop in my step. He dropped the wall. I went to go against his wishes again, but a strong hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"Amara! Aang's got this! Come on," Zuko said. He pulled me away from the stream. Toph shot another wall of earth between us so that Combustion man couldn't follow. When we got back to camp, I saw Katara and Sokka were scrambling to pack up everything. They had gotten most of it but the sleeping bags, so we raced to help finish packing those up.

We could hear explosions in the distance as Aang and the man fought beyond the trees.

"Everyone on Appa," Sokka ordered. "We'll swing by to grab Aang."

It wasn't until I was on Appa, with Yuna shaking in my lap, that I realized how crazy my heart was pounding. Everything had happened so fast. As Zuko got beside me, and Momo hugged his arm from fear, Sokka took the reins. "YIP YIP!"

We took off through the forest towards the explosions in the distance. Katara leaned over the saddle, shouting, "AANG! COME ON!"

The next thing we knew, Aang was jumping over the saddle and landed in the center. He shouted, "Go!"

Another stream of fire shot past us. Thankfully, Appa avoided it. An explosion sounded in the sky as we flew away from the area we had been in. As we got some distance, I could see the whole group was high on adrenaline. Toph was breathing heavily, trying to catch her breath. Katara was hugging Aang with relief. Sokka gripped the reins tight to keep us on a course away from the assassin.

"Amara… Are you okay?" Zuko's voice broke through the blood pounding in my ears.

I realized then I was shaking in his arms. I hadn't even felt him hug me at first.

"How did he find us?" Toph asked.

Katara answered. "He must've tracked us after we left the inn. I say we fly through the night and just get straight to the Black Cliffs on the next island. He won't be able to follow us by the time we leave for the eclipse."

Toph snapped, "Well, I say we go back and end him! He's just going to keep tailing us until he finishes his job."

Katara snapped, "Forget it! We need to get Amara away from him. He's clearly targeting her!"

Aang spoke to calm everyone. "Guys. We aren't going back. That guy is too dangerous right now, especially since I can't go into the Avatar state. We need to focus on the eclipse anyway. Let's just get some distance from him. Unless he has his own flying sky-bison, there's no way he is following us. Plus, once we get to the Black Cliffs, we'll be hidden. He won't find us…"

I shut my eyes. I felt my blood heat up. I reached for the necklace in my pocket hoping it would bring me some comfort. However, I was horrified when I didn't feel it.

No! Mom!

I gasped. I shouted, "We have to go back!"

The group was stunned by my cry. Aang asked with shock, "Are you crazy?!"

I shook my head. "No! My mom's necklace! It must've fallen out when I jumped up to block the blast! We have to go back!"

"Amara! We can't! It's too dangerous!" Katara said.

I argued, "If it was your necklace you'd do the same! It's the only thing I have left of my mom!"

The group was stunned. Zuko let out a heavy breath. "Sokka. Turn around."

Sokka looked at him with disbelief. "Are you nuts! I am not turning Appa around! We'll go back for it after the eclipse!"

My heart pounded harder. "Then let me off! I'll go back for it! I can't lose it!"

Yuna suddenly took off into the air, back towards the direction we had come.

My heart skipped. I was horrified. "Wait! Yuna! No!" I jumped up and raced to the side of the saddle. "Come back!"

I watched with terror as her shape headed back towards where fire was consuming the forest. I knew what she was doing, but at that moment I didn't care about my mother's necklace anymore. I was worried only for Yuna.

"YUNA! STOP! PLEASE!"

Yuna disappeared through the blazing treetops. I glanced down at the water that was below us as we flew from the island. I went to jump, but Zuko grabbed me around the waist to stop me. "Amara! No!"

I protested. "NO! Let go! Yuna! We have to get her!"

Momo chirped in agreement.

Sokka argued. "She'll be fine! We need to get away!"

I argued back. "She's part of the team! We have to get her!"

To all of our surprise (and my relief), Appa ignored Sokka's request and turned around.

Sokka was shocked as he lost control of him. "Appa! Stop boy!"

Katara snapped, "He has the right idea, Sokka! Appa cares about Yuna like the rest of us! We need to go back for her!"

Sokka cried, "We go back, we might be killed by Combustion Man!"

Appa groaned, ignoring him as he darted back to land. We headed over the burning forest, back towards the campsite we'd left a few moments before.

"MEW-HOO!"

Yuna suddenly flew over Appa's head and landed back in the saddle. She had something in her talon, which she dropped on the surface. She flapped her wings to beat the ash off of her from the fire below.

"Crap!" Sokka grabbed the reins and jerked them back. Appa groaned as he dodged a stream of fire from Combustion Man below. As we avoided the attack, I pulled from Zuko who still had an arm around me and rushed over to Yuna. Quickly I went to my knees and looked her over for injury. Once I saw she was okay, I pulled her up in my arms and hugged her close. She rubbed her head against my cheek to let me know she was okay.

"Yuna! I was so worried! Don't do that again!"

Yuna purred in my arms, sensing my relief for her safety. Zuko sighed and knelt beside me. He picked up the necklace which was a bit ashy from the flames. "Yuna…" He said. "You are one crazy but brave cat-owl. You and Amara are just alike."

Yuna gave another "Mew-Hoo" in agreement.

I shut my eyes, soaking in her warmth. "Don't do that again… I can't lose you, Yuna," I whispered. She purred again. "But thank you… you're a good and brave girl…"

"Are we done facing Combustion Man now?" Sokka asked. "Because I don't really want to die tonight."

Aang frowned as he stared down at the fire below. "No…" He suddenly jumped off Appa into the water we had started to fly over again.

Sokka groaned. "Oh come on!" He slowed Appa again, and we looked back to see Aang was sailing on a block of ice back to land. Once he got back on shore, he lifted a giant mass of water from the sea and shot it over the forest. He let the water rain down over the flames that Combustion Man had created. The water put out the fire on the treetops. Once the flames were extinguished, Aang turned and used a gust of air to shoot back up to us. He landed back on the saddle.

"Can we go now?" Sokka asked.

"Yep," Aang said.

We flew away then. I brushed the ash off of Yuna, relieved she was okay. Zuko held my necklace out to me. "Here… Maybe you should just go ahead and put it back on. I don't think we'll be going to any more towns because of the eclipse."

I nodded and took it back in my hand. I tightened my grip around it as I continued to stroke Yuna's feathers.

"So…" Toph began. "What are we going to do about Combustion Man?"

Aang sighed. "Right now, we need to focus on the eclipse… Combustion Man is a side problem."

"Yeah… Zuko… I kind of need your navigation now," Sokka insisted. "I have a general idea, but don't really know the exact way."

Zuko nodded. "Okay. I'm coming." He looked over at me. "You okay?"

I gave a small nod. On the inside though, I kind of felt guilty. I had been so worried about my mother's necklace, I had almost put us all in danger again. What's worse is I almost lost Yuna.

Katara suddenly appeared beside me. She took the necklace from my hand. "The collar is singed… We'll have to get you a new one."

"No… It's fine," I said. "It will still work."

She nodded. She helped me put it back on. "You had every right to want to go back for it, Amara. I know how it feels. My necklace is all I have left of my mom. I'd have gone back for it too."

Once it was settled around my neck again, I brushed my finger against the charm. "I wish I had more… I wish I had her… and that she could've met you all…"

She hugged me to the side, saying, "If it wasn't for your mom's sacrifice, we'd have never met you, Amara…"

"Yeah… I just wish she were here… and Iroh too… I miss him also…"

Katara hugged me closer. "We're going to end this war and save him. It's all going to work out. I can feel it."

I let her warmth comfort me. "I hope so… I just want the fighting to stop."

Aang heard from where he sat nearby and said, "First… we have to defeat the Fire Lord… before the eclipse ends…"

I glanced over at Aang when he said this. I could see he was thinking about the future. His worries and fears were all over his face. I knew then Zuko was right… Aang wasn't ready…

Finally, a good day later, we arrived at the base of the black cliffs. The shoreline was completely blocked by the massive cliffs making the area the perfect hiding spot for our meet up with the other troops. It was also the perfect place to hide from Combustion Man. I was hopeful we had lost him having flown for so long. We knew we had four days before the invasion force arrived, so we prepared for our stay by gathering supplies and making camp.

Once we had our campsite and supplies ready, we sat around a campfire trying to talk about other things. The group chatted about crazy Hama and Combustion Man. They even brought up old stories of their childhood. I knew everyone was just trying to avoid talking about the war.

Later that night, as we prepared to get some sleep, I stroked Yuna who was nestled beside me. I thought back to when Combustion Man attacked and when I lost my necklace. I thought about Yuna flying back to go retrieve it. I brushed my hand on her furry head and whispered, "You're a good friend… I don't know what I'd do without you, Yuna…Thanks… But don't scare me like that ever again… You're too important to me…"

Yuna purred from my words. Her presence helped lull me into a peaceful sleep.

Of course, my sleep did not last.

I heard steps walking past me around three in the morning. Momo chattered and followed the person leaving camp. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Aang was headed away.

"Aang? Where are you going?" I asked softly.

Aang stopped and looked back at me. From the light of the moon, I could see he was super anxious about something. "Don't worry, Amara… I'll be back. Just go back to sleep." He waved me off and then headed away. Momo followed him. I hesitated for a moment, not sure if I should let him. However, his tone told me he didn't want company. I decided to let him have some time alone and drifted back to sleep.

I awoke again a few hours later to what were some rapid punching sounds. Yuna awoke too as the sounds got louder. Sitting up, I groggily looked over to see the figure of Aang punching a tree a few meters away.

Zuko, Toph, Sokka, and Katara woke up around the same time as the punching continued.

Zuko asked with both frustration from being woken before sunrise and honest confusion. "What is he doing?"

Katara muttered, "Losing it…" She got up from her sleeping mat and walked over to him. "Hey. How long have you been up?"

Aang continued to punch the tree. "A couple hours. I got a lot more skills to refine if I'm gonna fight Ozai."

Toph, who was gathering what was going on through the vibrations in the earth, muttered, "If Ozai's as easy as a tree I don't think he needs to worry."

I got off my mat, and Yuna flew off to go find some fish for the morning. As I walked over to Aang as well, I asked, "You've been training since I saw you get up this morning?"

Aang continued to punch. "Yeah. Every second counts!"

Katara went beside him. "You know, there is such a thing as over-training."

Aang hit the tree one last time, but this time he hit it too hard and fell back. A ton of green leaves fell on him from the rough attack.

Katara let out a heavy breath of disbelief. Sokka decided not to get involved and looked at a map he kept rolled up by his sleeping bag.

Toph stood and rubbed her forehead in disbelief. "Twinkle Toes is going mad…"

Zuko ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "I guess he's freaking out…"

Aang popped out from under the leaves and walked around Katara in a fighting stance.

Aang had heard everyone's comments. "You don't get it, do you? My form is bad, I'm sloppy, and I still haven't mastered firebending. I have so much to prepare!"

Katara grabbed Aang's hand to try and calm him down, and to get him to stop circling.

Sokka spoke from behind his map. "That's okay, Aang. The eclipse will block off firebending anyway. You don't need to know it that well. Zuko was mainly teaching you the basics in case the eclipse ends and you need to block flames."

Aang added, "Okay, well I still have to work on everything else. I better spend the whole day training." He suddenly bowed to the group and walked off.

We watched him go with shock. Momo, who was sitting on Appa's head, whined as he too realized his buddy was losing it.

The next few days were spent with all of us being absolutely concerned for Aang and his mental state. I commented that he hadn't been sleeping at all, and everyone knew this was true. The first night after he started acting weird and training consistently, Aang stalled going to sleep as the rest of us tried to drift.

He had plopped down on his spot where he intended to sleep and yawned loudly. Then he said as we tried to drift, "Good night, Katara. Good night, Sokka. Good night, Toph. Good night, Amara. Goodnight, Zuko. Nighty night, Appa. Good night, Yuna and Momo. Good night, Appa, Yuna, and Mo-"

Toph growled and shouted, "Go to sleep already!"

Aang went silent. Yuna mewed in concern. I pulled her closer to my side to let her know it was okay. We both drifted again.

Of course, we woke to find Aang was frantic once more. Katara told us she had found him in the early morning pacing around the Koala-sheep herd nearby. He had been up all night again. We tried to distract him the rest of the day with some training sessions and some exploring. It worked a little and that night he went to sleep like the rest of us. However, on our third morning of being at the Black Cliffs, Aang's voice woke all of us.

"Sokka, get up! I need to know what day it is!"

Sokka jerked awake "What? Who's talking?" He grabbed his sword and jumped up, but he was laying under one of the lower hanging sides of the cliffs and hit his head falling back down.

I cringed, having a feeling that the action had hurt.

Zuko groaned and got up, saying, "Are you ever going to let us sleep?!"

The rest of us were up again. Yuna looked at Aang with wide eyes, thinking the same as the rest of us. He was going crazy.

Toph yelled, "Relax! It's still two days before the invasion!"

Aang grabbed Sokka's legs, trying to motivate him to get up.

Aang cried, "Sokka, you've gotta get up! Drill your rock-climbing exercises."

Aang dropped Sokka's legs but looked down at my cousin with desperation.

Sokka looked at him with utter confusion. "What?"

Aang was practically bouncing as he explained, "In one of my dreams, you were running from Fire Nation soldiers, trying to climb this cliff, but you were too slow and they got you!"

Zuko smacked his forehead. "I'm going to gather breakfast. I can't handle this." He walked off, picking up the sharpened stick he'd used to fish before. Yuna flew off to join him, deciding she'd had enough too.

Sokka stood up quickly and stepped in front of Aang. "But that was just a dream. I'm a great climber!"

Aang pointed at the steep cliff nearby. "Then climb that cliff! Climb it fast!"

Sokka looked at him with bewilderment. Then he looked at the cliff. He looked back at Aang in disbelief. Aang nodded frantically. Sokka looked back at us for help. We all just shrugged. Momo and Appa went back to sleep, deciding to let the group handle it.

Sokka groaned. He headed over to the base of the cliff muttering as he did, "Stupid Avatar! Stupid cliff! Stupid dream! I can climb fast!"

He started to climb the cliff. I watched with horror as my cousin went higher and higher.

Toph decided to move on with her day and went to drink some water from her canteen. Aang noticed from the corner of his eye and ran over to her. "Don't drink that!" As he shouted this at her, and she spit out her water on Katara, I watched as Sokka fell from where he was ten feet up the cliff. I cringed as he made an 'oof' sound.

Toph asked in reference to Aang's comment on the water, "Why? Is it poisoned?"

Aang gripped his short dark hair with wide eyes. "In my dream, we were right in the middle of the invasion, and you had to stop to use the bathroom! We died because of your tiny bladder." He turned and pointed his finger at me. "You need to leave Yuna with Momo and Appa! In my dream you and Yuna were captured in a giant net because you two separated from the group!" Then he turned to Katara. "And you need to start wearing your hair up. In my dream, your hair got caught in a train, and-"

Katara cut him off by putting her hands on both sides of his face. She was concerned and wanted him to calm down. "Aang! I know you're just trying to help, but you really need to get a grip. You're unraveling."

Aang was stunned by her action. Then he slowly came to his senses. He took a few deep breaths to calm down. Then he finally said, "You're right. I'm losing my mind."

Once Aang calmed, and I finally convinced Sokka to stop climbing the cliff before he broke himself, I headed away from the campsite towards the shape of Zuko and Yuna in the distance. When I approached, I saw Zuko was in knee deep water keeping his eye out for any fish that swam by. I could see Yuna on the shore eating one he had already caught for her. When he heard me approach, he looked over and asked, "Has the madness calmed?"

I sighed, stepping into the waves, and walking out to where Zuko was. The water brushed higher on my legs than Zuko. It reminded me I was shorter than him as more of my clothes got wet than his. "He's scared… I don't blame him. This is a lot to put on a teenager's shoulders. Facing the Fire Lord is terrifying to him…"

Zuko looked down at the water. "That's why he won't have to… I'm not letting Aang near that man." He lowered his arm and the spear dipped into the moving water. "I've come to really see Aang as a friend… I don't want the Fire Lord to hurt him. And… I feel that this is the best way I can get revenge… By showing Ozai that he has no hold on me anymore. Facing that man is my way of freeing myself from him completely."

I crossed my arms. "As much as I know it's supposed to be Aang's destiny to defeat the Fire Lord, I feel like he won't be ready in two days… He needs more time… I don't want to lose him… He's family… I fear if he faces Fire Lord Ozai in this state he won't win… I… don't want to lose anyone else…"

Zuko turned and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You won't… We're going to win… I'll make sure of it… I will make this world better for you, Amara… I promise."

We arrived back at camp a little later. The group was ready for the day when we arrived. They were also relieved that we had caught some breakfast, and I quickly helped Katara prepare some of the fish by making a campfire to heat the meal. Once the fish were cooked, and we ate our meal, we started to prepare things for the invasion. Toph was practicing her space rock bending. Sokka was hammering some metal for Appa's new armor set. Zuko and I were examining the maps again to try and look like we were still part of the plan. Mainly, we were trying to find the best spot to split from the group.

Aang was still a mess though. Katara, who sat with Momo on her lap, watched him pace by her again. She told Aang as he passed her again that he needed to relax.

Aang argued, "It's like every time I think about how stressed I am, I just end up more stressed. I'm like a big growing snowball of nerves."

Sokka stopped hammering the armor for a second. "Of course you are. That's 'cause you gotta fight the Fire Lord, the baddest man on the planet. And you better win or we're all done for."

I was appalled by my cousin's words. "Sokka! Stop!"

Katara stood, Momo hopping off when she did, and she stomped over to Sokka. "Amara's right! Stop! You're not helping!"

Sokka pushed his armor aside. "What? It's true. That's the deal. He knows it." He looked over at Zuko. "Help me out here!"

Zuko frowned. "You have a point… But you could be a little more… understanding."

Sokka groaned. "Come on! This is the plan! This is what the whole invasion force is about! We break in! Aang defeats the Fire Lord! The war ends! Easy-peasy!"

Katara pushed Sokka to sit back down. "Talking about it isn't helping!" She then looked back at Aang, who we could all see was shaking like crazy. She walked over to him and touched his shoulders. He calmed slightly from her touch. A thought then hit her. "You know what, I've got just the thing! Get ready to be de-stressified!"

The rest of the day was spent trying to come up with strategies to calm Aang down. Katara tried what she called 'yoga' with him, but that turned into him panicking that he was too warm:

"Like there's this warm feeling all around me," he began. His voice rose. "This heat. Like I'm in the Fire Lord's palace and he's shooting a bunch of fireballs at me! And the whole world is being engulfed in flames!"

The next method was Sokka's try. He had Aang lay on a flat stone slab that Toph made and put back on his fake beard and mustache (the one he wore when he pretended to be Aang's dad back at the Fire Nation academy). Zuko and I sat and watched with disbelief.

Sokka asked in his fake inquisitive voice, "Why don't you get right down to business and tell me what's been bothering you."

Aang scowled. "You know what's bothering me. I have to fight the Fire Lord in a few days!"

Sokka nodded, stroking his face beard. "Tell me more about this 'Fire Lord.' Why are you so afraid of him?"

Aang held his hands up. "You said it yourself! He's the baddest man on the planet! I'm supposed to defeat him and save the world!"

Sokka nodded. "Life does feel that way sometimes, doesn't it? Like we're all trying to save the world from evil." A young koala-sheep suddenly walked by Zuko and I over to Sokka. Yuna, who was in my lap resting, lifted her head to watch it pass with curiosity.

Aang continued talking to Sokka, "Okay! But what can I do to feel better?"

Sokka stood and walked over to the koala-sheep. He picked it up and handed it to Aang. "Want to try screaming into this pillow?"

Aang took the koala-sheep into his hands and screamed into the wool on its side. The koala sheep made a 'baa' sound, looking confused.

When Aang pulled away, his only response was a shake of his head. He put the koala sheep back on the ground and it walked over to a patch of grass, eating like nothing happened.

Zuko sighed. "Okay… My try…"

Zuko forced Aang to sit in a meditative pose. He lit a small fire between them with some wood and kindling. I sat a few meters away, watching with curiosity. Yuna was playing with my ribbon which I had taken off to entertain her.

"Deep breaths… In and out… Focus on the flame… Focus on controlling it with your breath…"

Zuko tried to coach Aang into meditation. For a second, it looked like the young airbender was starting to relax. His heavy breathing was starting to calm. He seemed to loosen up his tense body.

"Yeah… I think… This is… helping," Aang said. "Focus on the flame…"

He opened his eyes and stared at the fire. His eyes went wide though. He jumped up and shouted, "Firebending! I need to practice more!" He darted away from us.

Zuko watched him go with shock. "Aang! Get back here!"

Aang was gone.

I sighed. "Maybe… we should talk to him… ask him how he'd feel if you faced the Fire Lord…"

Zuko frowned. "No… It's better to keep this a secret. Aang will try to stop me. You know he thinks he's the one that has to do it. He will argue… Just… Let him sort this out."

I placed the ribbon back in my hair, and then stood. Yuna joined me on my shoulder as I walked over to Zuko. Zuko had stood and kicked the fire out with some sand.

I spoke again. "I just… hate seeing him like this… he's so scared."

Zuko took my hand to reassure me. "It's all going to work out in the end. He will get his head sorted soon and we will stop this war. Don't worry."

The last person to try to calm Aang was Toph, but her method was the craziest. She had Aang lay on a crazy looking group of pillars. Then she started pounding them against his back. He was knocked off onto the ground after a few seconds. He made an 'ow' sound.

Toph shook her head. "Sorry. I forgot you had baby skin." Aang managed to get back to his feet. "Well, there's one other thing we can try." She stomped on the ground. Something suddenly flew past my vision and Toph easily caught it. I was shocked when I saw a boar-q-pine in her hand. She held it out with a grin. "Acupuncture!" The tiny creature suddenly puffed its quills out, surprisingly not hitting Toph.

Aang screamed and raced off. Sokka, Katara, Zuko and I watched him go with concern. Toph shrugged, not sure what the deal was. She put the creature back down and it sauntered off.

Eventually, Aang returned to the group once his fear of being attacked by a boar-q-pine was over. He let out a heavy breath as he approached us at the campsite. "Thanks for everything, guys."

Katara asked with hope, "So, do you feel less stressed? Ready for a good night's sleep?"

Aang was not honest in the least. "Uh, I kinda think I sorta might slightly feel a little better. Maybe."

Sokka didn't catch the lie. "Then our work here is done."

As everyone started to get ready to rest for the night, I walked over to Aang who was starting to lower to the ground. "Hey, Aang… You… You really don't need to be scared… It's going to work out…"

Aang looked at me with slight gratitude. "Yeah… I'll be okay… Thanks, Amara…"

I knelt beside him. "You know… the day that bounty hunter came for me… I was so scared. I felt so alone… helpless… But… then you appeared… you made the fear go away when you pulled me out of that water. Just by being there to help you made me feel better." I placed my hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "We're here to help you, Aang… We won't let anything happen to you. You're family. We've got your back. I promise."

Aang was surprised by the sincerity in my tone. He gave a small smile. "Thanks, Amara… I know…"

I wasn't convinced that I had helped much, but I smiled back at him to reassure him. "Get some sleep."

My own attempt clearly did not help. I had only been asleep on my mat for a few hours when suddenly I was awoken to a scream. We all woke up and jumped ready to defend ourselves. However, we realized it was just Aang who was panicking. Still concerned, we all rushed over to him. Momo had hopped off him in his panicked state. Yuna was on my shoulder, whining as she noted Aang's fear.

Katara was greatly concerned. "What happened, Aang?"

Aang turned away from us on his hands and knees. I could see he was at his wits end. "It's the nightmares. They just get worse and worse!"

Sokka tapped his chin. "Hm… Looks like it's time for another therapy session!"

Aang shook his head. "No. That won't help. Nothing helps. There's only one thing I can do! I'm going to stay awake straight through to the invasion!"

We were all stunned by his words. I argued, "Aang… You can't! You need to sleep!"

Aang ignored me, got up from where he had been laying, and walked off. We watched him go with concern.

Toph commented, "So… should I knock him unconscious? Or you want to, Sparky?"

Katara sighed. "No one is knocking Aang out. We're going to figure this out."

The next morning, we were gathered at the campsite again. The invasion would be happening in less than a day. I was starting to feel nervous, but I was trying not to show it around Aang who was an emotional wreck.

Aang was walking around with dark shadows under his eyes and his whole body was shaking. "Invasion. All aboard for the invasion!" He walked off from camp then, headed up a path to get to the top of the cliffs.

Katara put the needle and thread she was using to mend Sokka's shirt aside and stood. "I'm going to talk to him…" She walked off to follow Aang.

Once they were gone, Toph muttered, "I hate seeing Twinkle Toes like this. He's got to pull himself together. The invasion is tomorrow!"

Sokka added, "I don't get what the big deal is. We've planned for this since Ba Sing Se."

Zuko crossed his arms. "He's scared. We can't blame him. He's never met the Fire Lord."

Sokka argued, "But you have! Just give him Ozai's weaknesses!"

Zuko shrugged. "That man's only weakness is the Avatar honestly. Family and honor don't matter. He's driven by power."

I shivered. "Every time you talk about him, I'm relieved you didn't become like him…"

He glanced over at me. "You can thank my uncle for that one… and you of course."

I smiled. "Well… It does go to show the world that we aren't defined by our fathers."

He nodded. "Definitely. Although… Sokka is a lot like Hakoda sometimes. Definitely chiefly."

Sokka was surprised. "Thank you! I'm glad someone agrees!"

Toph smirked. "He's lying."

Sokka huffed. Zuko tried not to smile at Toph's catch, but he failed.

Eventually, Aang and Katara returned to camp. Aang still had not slept a wink. I asked Katara what they talked about. Katara told me she tried to convince Aang to sleep, but he's gone so crazy he started making kissy faces in the air at nothing. I sighed. He really needed sleep.

Aang started circling his tree from before, having stuck the noodle drawing of Ozai he had done at the Fire Nation academy on it. He moved behind a boulder, pretending to hide. Then he shouted from behind it, "Put 'em up, Fire Lord!"

Aang jumped out from behind the boulder and started shooting air in all directions but the tree. One of the gusts made Yuna fly back into me as she was chasing a bug. I caught her quickly.

Another blast shot past Zuko, who snapped, "Hey! Watch it, Aang!"

A final blast went towards Sokka who was working on some metal for Appa's armor. Sokka almost blew over, and then snapped, "Hey! I'm tryin' to build Appa some armor here so he doesn't have to go into the invasion naked. He's your bison!"

Aang ignored him, stepping closer to the tree in a fighting stance. "Ozai's defense is impeccable. I'll have to try a different approach."

Aang jumped up and shot more blasts at the tree. They all missed. He landed a moment later near Momo, who was taking a bath and licking his paws. He shouted at the picture again, "You think you're untouchable, don't you, Mr. Fire Lord?"

I sighed. Aang was absolutely losing it.

To prove this further, he stopped his attack and turned to Momo. "Momo, did you hear something?"

Momo looked at him with confusion. However, I had a feeling Aang was seeing something else as his jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. Yuna's ears perked as he made his sounds of shock.

Aang suddenly shook his head and smacked his ears. We were all watching him with concern and confusion. He sighed with relief after a second. "That's more like it. I'm so tired that for a second there, I imagined you were talking to me," he said to Momo. Momo tilted his head in confusion. Aang sat in front of Momo. "Oh, Momo, let me explain." He started making chattering noises like Momo, as if he were having a full blown conversation.

Zuko smacked his forehead. Sokka lowered the armor he was working on, baffled. I watched the conversation between Momo and Aang in bewilderment, although Aang was the only one talking as Momo looked at him in confusion. Toph groaned and shook her head.

Katara finally came out of her shock and walked over to Aang. "Aang? We're all starting to get a little worried about you."

Sokka added, "You've been awake too long."

Toph included, "And you're acting downright weird."

I tried to show my concern too. "Maybe… you should lay down…"

Appa groaned, concerned for his friend too.

Aang sighed. He looked at Appa, then then the rest of us. "Look, I appreciate what you guys are saying, but the stress and the nightmares. They were just too much. Staying awake is the best way for me to deal with it."

There was a sudden pause as Aang looked between Momo and Appa suddenly. He seemed to be in a far-off place. I could immediately tell he was hallucinating as he started to turn wildly around and look in every direction.

"Okay… Maybe someone should knock him out," Zuko suggested.

Katara snapped, "No one is knocking him out! We can handle this!"

Aang suddenly ran over to Sokka and pointed at nothing. "Sokka, what do we do?!"

Sokka was absolutely lost. "About what?"

He jammed his finger in the direction of an empty space by the cliff. "About that!" We all looked in the direction Aang was pointing, but we saw nothing. Aang looked like he was in a panic and waved his arms frantically. Then he moved forward and stood in the empty area. "Come on, guys. We're all on the same side!" After another few seconds of panicking and losing it, he shouted, "I just need to jump in a cold waterfall!" He screamed and ran off.

Silence fell over the campsite. We were all stunned by what had occurred. After a moment, I finally said, "He needs to sleep… He's completely out of it."

Katara let out a heavy breath. "I think I have an idea… but I need everyone's help."

A few hours later we had set up a spot on the edge of the cliff where waves softly crashed below. We had spent some time shearing wool off the koala-sheep herd to create a cloudlike bed on a lifted area that Toph had made. Zuko burned some herbs to create a calming scent in the air. I helped fluff the woolly area and then created some fog with Katara. Sokka stood to the side with Yuna and Momo, being a lookout for Aang.

Finally, Sokka said, "He's coming."

We all fell quiet as Aang came into the area. He looked in a daze as he heard the peaceful noise, saw the soft white cloudy bed of wool, and smelled the scent of the burning herbs.

Aang slowly walked over and touched the wool of the bed. "Oh, look. Another hallucination. An imaginary bed made out of clouds."

Toph scowled. "Hey! It's real! We spent hours working on it."

Sokka added, "We made it for you. A good night's sleep will probably take the crazy away. We hope."

Aang turned to us still with a wild look in his eyes. "Look! You guys keep telling me that I need to sleep, but I can't! The invasion's tomorrow!"

Katara took a step. "Aang…"

Aang interrupted. "No, Katara! There's still so much I haven't learned. I don't need sleep. What I need is practice. Quick, hit me!"

Katara argued. "I'm not going to hit you."

Toph held her hand up. "You want me to do it?"

Sokka nudged her to tell her now wasn't the time.

Katara placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. "Listen to me. You've been training for this since the day we met." She moved behind him. "I've seen your progress. You're smart, brave, and strong enough." She made him step towards the bed.

Aang asked, "You really think so?"

Sokka spoke with encouragement. "We all do. You can do this. You're ready."

Toph nodded. "You're the man, Twinkle Toes!"

I glanced over at Zuko, who glanced over at me. I looked back at Aang and said softly, "Don't worry, Aang… It's all going to be okay. I promise."

Aang smiled. "Thanks, guys." He moved and laid down. Katara stepped over and fluffed some of the wool around him. He shut his eyes. "You know what? I think I am ready." Finally, he drifted into sleep. We all left him to give him some peace. Momo was the only one who stayed to keep him company.

Once we got back to camp a little ways from him, I let out a heavy breath. "Hopefully he will get a good rest now."

Katara nodded. "I hope so… It's the only way he's going to have the strength to fight the Fire Lord tomorrow."

Toph added, "We'll be with him though… so he won't be alone."

Zuko finally spoke. "Actually… I think it's best if Amara and I go face Azula. I have a feeling I know where she'll be. We'll take her down while you all face the Fire Lord tomorrow."

Sokka smirked. "Scared to see your daddy tomorrow?"

Zuko shrugged. "I'm more so wanting revenge on my sister for hurting Aang and imprisoning us."

Katara frowned. "I don't know… I don't like the idea of being separated from Amara."

I argued. "I'll be okay… You all focus on helping Aang."

Toph seemed to not catch on that we were hiding something. This made us both relieved.

That night, Zuko and I took a walk away from the group to talk. Yuna was on my shoulder as we stepped along the shoreline.

"Are you sure… you want to come with me tomorrow?" Zuko looked over at me with concern. "It will be scary, Amara…"

I squeezed his hand. "I've faced my monsters… and you helped me face one of them too… You helped me with Zhao… It's my turn to help you. I'm with you, Zuko… I owe you for always being there for me."

He squeezed my hand back. "Thanks… It does make things easier knowing you'll be by my side. I don't know what will happen tomorrow… but… I have a lot I want to say to that man. And answers I deserve to have… He's going to finally listen to me for once."

I stopped walking. He stopped beside me. "Just… know that if he does try to hurt you then I'm going to attack him… I won't lose you…"

He turned and kissed me on the forehead tenderly. When he pulled away, he whispered, "You won't lose me. You won't lose anyone else. We will win. If not tomorrow, I won't rest until we do. I want you safe from this war and finally free, Amara… I'm going to stop this fighting for you once and for all… for all of us. I promise."

For a moment, I believed him and felt peace.

I just hoped my family wouldn't be too upset with us tomorrow… But… I honestly didn't want my cousins, Toph, or Aang anywhere near the Fire Lord…

And… this was Zuko's fight…