Um… Well… Hey everyone… Been a while… A very long while… Not sure if anyone is even still waiting on this story… I've been dealing with some mental health stuff. I lost my passion for writing for a while… Tried to take up some other hobbies to find some joy… So painting kind of consumed my free time… But my eagerness to write has returned… So hopefully I can finally get this story to its finish…

Sorry for ghosting you all. I'm back.

Also, I know this is not how the show actually went but I made some tweaks… enjoy.

-Faith

Chapter 60: The Invasion

The Gates of Azulon were intimidating as we steadily approached them. As we moved forward across the water's surface, we knew that soon the Fire Navy who guarded the area would spot us and start to head our way. The swampbenders, Katara, and I were whipping up a fog to see if we could just slide by undetected, but Zuko worried that it wouldn't be enough. He had a feeling that the Fire Nation would be suspicious of the fog and send boats to investigate. Katara snapped at him to stop being a pessimist. He just shrugged, saying he knew how the Fire Nation reacted to strange incoming fogs. They were sure to be suspicious.

The Mechanist was already down in the fish like metal machine that he called a submarine, and he was preparing for our next step. The submarines were plan B. We hoped maybe we could get past the statues and stay above water. It would make Appa more comfortable than swimming below with Aang creating a bubble for their air.

However, we weren't lucky. As we saw the nets begin to rise between the giant statues and fire shoot across them to block our way into the Fire Nation Capital waters, my uncle Hakoda said, "Okay. Everyone head below. They've spotted us." He looked over at Sokka. "Let's hope your invention works."

We quickly took our positions. Aang hopped on Appa who was swimming behind our boats to create an air bubble for them. Momo sat with them. The rest of us quickly went down below deck to the hatch that opened to the submarine below. As we left the wooden vessel, and descended into the cool metal craft, I felt a little nervous as the world closed around us. We were about to be completely under water.

We arrived in the hollow metal fish and took our places. The machine was lit by glowing green crystals, and I was relieved that it wasn't dark. As Zuko, Sokka, Hakoda, and Bato went to stand by the control area where The Mechanist was steering, Katara, myself, and the other swampbenders with us moved to the sides of the vessel and started to maneuver the water to help the craft sink and move forward. Yuna sat with Toph, the freedom fighters, Haru, and Teo by the curved wall while I worked on helping move the submarine forward.

Hakoda placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder. "You've really outdone yourself this time, son."

Zuko nodded. "It's really impressive! I don't think the Fire Nation would've thought of this in a hundred years."

Toph groaned. I glanced over to see she was as green as her headband. She spoke with sarcasm. "Yeah, congratulations, Sokka. You managed to invent a worse way of travel than flying." She suddenly gagged. Yuna knew what was coming and flew away from her to sit on Zuko's shoulder.

The Duke took off his helmet from beside her and held it over to her. "Helmet?"

Toph accepted it. I looked away quickly but heard the nauseous sound. My stomach twisted involuntarily. I tried to turn my attention back to the guys at the front of the sub. I looked out the window for a moment and saw a school of fish. Yuna's tail swished as she saw it too, and I smiled a little. Still cute even during battle.

Sokka spoke in response to everyone's (or everyone but Toph's) compliments. "Well, I just came up with the idea. The mechanist did all the work."

The Mechanist argued, "Now don't sell yourself short, my boy. It was your idea to use waterbending to make the subs sink and float. Brilliant!" I moved my arms still, which were getting a little sore. I wasn't used to waterbending for such a long time. I didn't complain though. I had to be strong today for everyone.

The Mechanist continued. "Though your original designs were a bit difficult to decipher. Unfortunately there is one problem I couldn't fix. The subs have a limited air supply. Before we land on the beaches, we'll need to resurface."

Toph gave a breath of relief. "Thank the spirits for that." She gagged again. I felt my stomach twist once more. I had been on boats before. I wasn't sure why I was suddenly so nauseous.

Katara caught my cringe as she looked back to check on me while we continued to move the ship. "Amara… Why don't you take a break?"

I met her gaze and shook my head. "No… I'm okay… This just makes me remember that I'm not a fan of tight spaces."

She frowned. "We'll be out soon."

I kept moving my arms. However, staring at the walls around me that were surrounded by the ocean water, I felt my heart twist. A feeling suddenly came back to me. A feeling of being trapped.

Hold yourself together, Amara. It's not a prison. Keep focused. Don't be weak. Your family needs you.

I moved my arms in an uneven rhythm. We moved closer to the Fire Lord. Closer to the enemy.

Enemy… Images flashed through me of the enemies of my past. I recalled a time when I was thrown into a tight swaying space like this one…

"GET IN!" Zhao ordered. He shoved me down into the storage room where I saw mouse rats scatter and burlap sacks shift. The barrels were packed tight. "We have to go through a checkpoint. I need you out of sight." He turned to head to the stairs. "I'll come back for you before we make it to the Earth Kingdom camp. Tu Lan is stationed outside with another guard. So don't think about coming out." He started to head up.

"Zhao… Please… Can… Can I just have one candle… It's so dark and cramped down here," I begged. "I'll be quiet… I promise…"

Zhao continued walking. He grabbed the door at the top of the stairs that was open. It was the only thing that gave me light at that moment. The ship swayed and I fell against a crate, quickly going to my knees so I wouldn't fall again.

"Why? Don't like the dark?" Zhao asked. He turned and gave me a grin. "Get used to it, my dear sister. When we get to the Earth Kingdom camp, you'll be in a cage in one of the tents. You're lucky if there's enough light from the sun each day to offer you some comfort."

He took a step out of the door.

"Please! Don't leave me down here!" I cried, tears falling down my cheeks.

"Keep quiet, and I'll consider letting you out in a few hours. Until then, be a good little prisoner and behave." He grinned down at me, his face even more terrifying with the shadow over it. "Of course, you could be discovered and carted to the Fire Lord. He'd kill a freak like you though."

He shut the door. I was consumed by darkness. I whimpered and quickly tried to light a flame. I was only familiar with how to keep a small glow hovering in the palm of my hand. As I lit up the room, the mouserats around me scattered again and raced into the darkness.

I whimpered and felt my chest tighten. I knew I had to stay quiet… I didn't want the Fire Lord to kill me… Or Zhao for that matter.

The walls started to close in as my small flame was my only friend.

"Hey," Zuko spoke beside me. "Come back…"

My mind left the dark room. I was back in the sub. I was shocked to find I was on my knees, shaking. Katara had stopped bending and was on my other side. The other waterbenders tried to stay focused, but glanced at me with concern.

I blinked in confusion. Tears fell down my cheeks. I felt as if I was breathing for the first time in minutes.

"Amara… you okay?" Katara asked with concern. "We lost you for a second…"

I glanced at her, and then back at Zuko with confusion. Then guilt. My mind was so screwed up.

Zuko frowned deeply when he saw the dismay on my expression. I dropped my gaze from everyone.

So weak sometimes… Why did I let the past still haunt me…?

Zuko spoke with concern, placing his hand on my shaking back. "Maybe you shouldn't be here… Maybe we should've–"

"Should've what? Left her at the Black Cliffs?" Katara asked. "What good would that do, especially with Combustion Man after her?"

I managed to find my voice. "So- sorry… I'm okay… I just… I'm not good with closed spaces…"

Zuko helped me up to my feet. I staggered a little. "Come on… You should sit down… The other waterbenders can handle the rest of the way."

"I'm fine… I just got a little… distracted," I defended, not wanting to be useless. "I can keep helping."

Zuko argued. "You've done enough."

Katara agreed. "Amara… Go rest. We've got this… You're still–"

"A mess," I whispered. "I know. Sorry…" I hung my head more and shut my eyes in frustration. "I think I'm doing better and then the past creeps back in… No matter how much I try to forget… Zhao still haunts me…"

Katara let out a heavy breath. "Stop being so hard on yourself… It has only been a few months since you escaped those monsters… You have gotten stronger, Amara… But erasing the past isn't easy." She brushed a strand of hair back from my wet cheek. "Trust me… I know… None of us expect you to be okay… We just want you to know we're here for you."

I gave a slight nod. "I know…"

She smiled. "Good. Go rest some. We'll need you strong when we get on land."

I felt weight on my shoulders. A weight of embarrassment and shame. As I headed away from the waterbenders, I felt eyes on me as Zuko guided me over to sit against the wall. Yuna joined me as I sat on the other side of the submarine away from everyone. Toph was still hunched over her helmet, while Katara returned to bending. The others kept glancing my way, and I tried not to meet their gazes.

Zuko sat with me rather than joining the others. He was too worried to leave me. "Amara," he said softly. "I'm worried… You… You don't have to come with me… This is going to be too much for you." He spoke so only I could hear. "I don't want you to get hurt. I fear that you seeing that monster will make you think about the past… about Zhao and Xi."

I frowned. "No… I'm okay. I have to do this… I can't let my fear… stop me from helping you." I shut my eyes. "I can't be weak." I moved my hand to my mothers necklace. "I… I will be okay… This place just reminds me of a room Zhao once put me in on a ship. The walls around me… water… I just… I need some air and I'll be okay."

He sighed. He knew he couldn't argue with me.

Eventually he kissed me on the side of my head and then moved to join the others. I thought for a moment I could be alone in my thoughts, but Sokka came over after Zuko left me. He knelt in front of me, saying, "They're right, you know… You don't have to fight… When we get to land you can hang back with the subs. By then the Fire Nation will be too focused on us breaching so you'll be safe on shore."

I stroked Yuna's feathers, trying to calm my frustration. "I'm not weak… I can handle this."

Sokka frowned. "That's not what I'm saying. I just need you to have a clear head… I don't want you to get hurt."

"Zuko and I are staying together. It will be fine… Just focus on helping Aang get to the Fire Lord."

"Amara… I know you want to prove to us you're okay… but you also need to stay safe. You're not as strong as–"

I looked at him with hurt.

He realized his mistake. "I mean! You're strong. But you also just learned how to fight and-"

"Sokka… You really aren't helping," Toph muttered from across the sub.

Sokka tried again. "I'm just concerned. You just learned how to fight recently… This is a big battle…"

I hung my head. "I know, Sokka… I'm not as strong as everyone else… But I am determined." I brushed my finger on Yuna's wing. She purred. "I get why you are all concerned about me. I get I'm still an emotional mess." I blinked, and a tear fell. "But this is about my family and stopping this war. I'm not going to sit back and do nothing." I met his gaze with a sudden fire in me. "If I can't hit the enemy with my fire, the least I can do is boil their faces. I'm useful… I'm not weak."

Sokka was stunned. He flinched, realizing his words had upset me. "You're right… I'm sorry. It's just… we worry about you. I guess, we still see you as the girl we first met… That's wrong. You are stronger… We just don't want you to get hurt again." He let out a heavy breath. "And I don't want you to get captured… There's no telling what the Fire Nation will do to you. If Azula wants you dead, then the Fire Lord–"

I calmed my hurt from his words, and then took his hand in my own to cut him off. "I won't… Don't worry. But… Also, if I do, you can't blame yourself. I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm going to help stop this war. I'm not going to stand on the sideline. I want to protect my family too, Sokka."

He let out a heavy breath and squeezed my hand. "Okay… Just… Be careful…"

I gave him a small smile. "Just watch out for the others… Aang, Katara, and Toph will need you."

About an hour later, we surfaced to restock the subs with air. I was one of the first passengers to get out of the sub, and the warm ocean breeze calmed my racing heart. Yuna flew around to stretch out her wings. Appa had emerged with the two other submarines, and I saw Aang use airbending to jump onto the top of our sub. As he joined me, Katara came out to join me as well. More passengers began to come up for fresh air and sunlight. The Duke was rinsing out his helmet and Toph was stretching with relief.

"So… According to my calculations," Sokka said as he approached Aang, Katara, Toph, and I, "We have about an hour left before we reach the beach.

Aang shivered. "So, this is it huh?"

Zuko walked over to us upon Aang's words. He shrugged. "We could still technically turn back."

Aang shook his head. "No… We need to do this… Today." His tone still showed fear, even though he was trying to sound confident.

"Be careful everyone," Katara spoke with concern. Her eyes shot to Aang. "Especially you, Aang. We'll have your back, but in the end this is your fight."

Sokka smirked. "Are you ready for the Fire Nation to know the Avatar is alive?"

Aang nodded. "I'm ready."

Toph stepped over and punched her fist into her palm. "I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, Twinkle Toes."

Zuko averted his gaze, and I could see he was trying not to give away his intentions. I stayed silent, not wanting to give away our plans too. The group believed we were going to face Azula and they were going to face the Fire Lord. I still wasn't sure how they would feel towards us when they learned the truth.

My uncle had come out at this point, and then he spoke to the rest of the invasion force who were on top of the subs to get their own air. "Everyone listen up. The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert, and fight smart. Now break time's over, back in the subs."

Taking in a deep breath, I let the breeze calm me one last time. My hand moved to my mother's necklace and I gripped it tightly. I was doing this for my family. I would help them end this war. I knew when the eclipse came I would not have my firebending, but I would still be able to waterbend and that comforted me.

As we went to head back inside, Zuko grabbed my hand to stop me. The others were already going back in the sub, although Aang and Katara were lingering at the front of the machine a distance away. They were too far to hear our conversation and we could not hear them.

I looked at Zuko with concern when I sensed his tense hold on my hand. His brow furrowed and he asked, "Are you sure about this?"

I squeezed his hand. "Yes. I'm here for you, Zuko. I'm not letting you face that man alone."

He sighed. "Okay." He moved his hand to cup my cheek. "Just be careful."

I moved my hand over his. "You too."

Yuna landed on my shoulder as we headed back into the submarine. The tension was a lot more heavy this time as we prepared to head into the Fire Lord's domain. I returned to the side of the submarine to help get us moving again. I was able to focus on the bending part rather than the closed space now that I had air. Katara was out of the submarine on Appa this time. She was going to lead the attack by creating a fog around us. Everyone was quiet as we approached. Aang gripped his staff tight, and Momo sat on his shoulder looking out of the glass window at the world beyond. We were all on edge, but ready.

Uncle Hakoda looked out of what I was told was a periscope to see the world above. He ordered as he did, "Everyone in position. Earthbenders, into your tanks. This is gonna be a rough ride."

Toph and the other earthbenders climbed down to the lowest level of the submarine where the tanks were being held below. As we got closer to the Fire Nation Capital, I could see Zuko was standing with tight fists. I knew he was thinking about the upcoming meeting with his father. I glanced over at Aang to see he was shaking and had his eyes shut as he stood near the control panel.

He wasn't ready… it was better this way…

As we approached land, the Fire Nation port guards spotted us through the water's surface. I could see from the window before us sharp harpoons being shot through the water aimed in our direction. The Mechanist quickly set to steering the submarine so that he could evade the sharp chained projectiles. I caught from the corner of my eye one of the subs was hit and being pulled out of the water by the harpoon. Thankfully Katara must've aided them because the submarine splashed back into the water and returned to moving forward.

Uncle Hakoda shouted from the control bay, "Ready the torpedo!"

Huu and his men shoved an ice covered metal torpedo into the cannon that would release outside the submarine.

"Launch!"

Upon my uncle's order, Huu launched the torpedo with waterbending. The other submarines followed his lead, and the torpedoes shot towards the underwater stone barrier that blocked our way into the Fire Nation Capitol harbor. The torpedoes hit the stone and formed a hole big enough for us to maneuver through.

Once we got through the wall unscathed, the water tribe warriors and swampbenders prepared for battle. They rushed to the back of the sub, lining up as we approached shore.

Sokka stepped over to me, saying, "So… we decided you should stay here."

I looked at him with shock. When did they decide this? I went to argue but he cut me off.

"Just hold on, Amara. We decided you need to stay back until the worst is over at least. Stay with Zuko until I come back for you all. Aang needs to hang back too. I already told him. He isn't thrilled, but you three are too important to lose."

Zuko was perplexed. "Three? Are you referring to Yuna?"

Sokka smirked. "Okay. Four. We need the future Fire Lord to stay alive until his coronation."

Zuko smirked. "And I thought you didn't care."

"I'll care more if you do as I say," Sokka insisted. He looked at me for confirmation. "I know you want to fight, but please wait. You can once we get through this first part. Promise."

I gave a nod, wanting to argue but knowing he was only concerned for my safety. Yuna hopped on my shoulder, letting him know we would stick together.

"Careful," I begged.

He kissed me on the cheek, brushed Yuna on the head, nodded over at Zuko, and then headed to the front line where he took his position.

Zuko pulled me back beside him, saying, "He'll be alright. Once we get through the harbor, we will meet back up with him. We just have to break through this mess first."

Aang stepped beside us with Momo on his shoulder, saying, "I should be the one leading. Sokka won't let me fight yet. It's not fair. I'm the Avatar."

Zuko argued. "Save your strength, Aang. We will need you at your strongest when we get to the palace."

Aang sighed. "Fine… I just don't want to lose anyone."

"Hopefully we won't," Zuko responded.

The subs surfaced then. Sunlight shot through the window. The Mechanist maneuvered the sub so that the ramp could open below to release the tanks. I watched from the window as the metal tanks that were being moved forward with earthbending steered on land. I knew Toph was in one of them, and I prayed she would be careful. As the tanks went on shore, Fire Nation tanks started to approach from the city beyond us.

"Go!" Hakoda shouted. The warriors all gave battle cries as they too exited from the submarine and joined the fight. As they met Fire Nation soldiers on land, I watched from the ramp the scene before me with terror. I knew they didn't want me in the main part of the battle, but I also didn't like standing back while my family fought.

They fought for a good ten minutes, and all I could hear were shouts of rage or pain. I tightened my fists and took a step. I was burning with desire to help.

"Amara…" Zuko grabbed my arm as I stepped forward. "We talked about this."

I felt my heart rate quicken and I looked over at Aang. He was watching the scene before him with desire and determination.

"Yeah…" Aang said. "Well you know what… I'm the Avatar. Tell Sokka I can't sit back. The world needs me."

He ran forward suddenly. Zuko gasped, rushing to try and stop him. "Aang! Get back here!"

Aang left the submarine, shooting himself through the air to get on land and join the fight. Zuko missed his shirt sleeve by an inch.

The battlements in the distance were shooting fire down on the tanks and warriors. Thankfully, one of the earthbenders in a tank managed to hit one of the towers with stone crushing it. Aang took his own opportunity and shot air at one of the other battlements, toppling it over. Momo flew around hopping on soldiers to shove their helmets down on their heads while Aang did so.

A Fire Nation soldier fighting a warrior nearby caught the airbending action that just occurred, and shouted, "THE AVATAR! HE'S ALIVE!"

Zuko sighed. "Whelp… That's out now."

"Well…. If the secrets are out, then why wait here anymore," I commented. "Let's go!"

I took off, not giving Zuko a chance to grab me this time. Running down the ramp of the vessel, I stepped onto shore. Yuna flew off to go help Momo pester the enemy. As fire, water, earth, and air shot around me, I felt Zuko's presence return beside me.

"Really Amara! One time will you just listen to us?!"

I grabbed water from behind me and shot it towards a Fire Nation soldier running in our direction with a spear. I argued, "Do you really want to sit back and not help?"

Zuko shot fire at an approaching tank, and the wheels melted causing the machine to a halt. "Fine. But don't leave my side. I promised Sokka I'd keep an eye on you."

I nodded, promising, "Okay… I won't."

We fought side by side, Zuko and I taking out dozens of soldiers. Some of the soldiers recognized Zuko, shouting to seize the traitor. Zuko wouldn't have it though, and he managed to avoid their attacks and knock them all off their feet. As Zuko continued to firebend, I was switching back and forth. I hit a few soldiers with water, and other soldiers I sent a volley of flames toward.

One of the soldiers that dodged my attack, shouted, "DUALBENDER! IT'S THE DUALBENDER!"

At his cry, it seemed I suddenly got too much attention on me. Zuko and I started to become surrounded as a lot of the soldiers directed their attack our way.

"Great to be so popular, huh?" Zuko muttered.

"I just wish they'd call me by name at least," I pouted.

A groan suddenly sounded, and Appa landed in front of us shooting his massive tail at the approaching soldiers. The men shouted as they were flung back onto the ground hard with air.

"Really Zuko! You had one job!" Sokka snapped from on top of Appa. Katara and Uncle Hakoda were with them. "I get Aang, but you really couldn't keep her out of this!"

Zuko snapped, "Aang is a bad example! He encouraged her!"

Sokka argued, "You have two arms! You couldn't stop them both?"

"I doubt I can stop either of them if I really had to!"

Katara shouted, "Forget it! Get on! Both of you! We're taking out the battlements. We could actually use your help!"

Zuko and I rushed up Appa's tail and then clambered onto his saddle. Once we were on, Sokka directed Appa back into the air.

As we went above the intense battle, Katara looked over at me with concern. "You really should've stayed until we came back for you. You weren't ready for a battle like this."

I argued. "I just took out like ten men. I felt I was handling things okay." Yuna suddenly landed on my shoulder. Other than some ash on her feathers she looked in one piece and I was relieved. "Just focus on the task at hand. Stop worrying about me."

Uncle Hakoda spoke this time, "Worrying is what family does, Amara. Get used to it."

We finally approached the battlements. Sokka swung Appa towards a tower and sliced his meteor sword through a missile launcher sticking out one of the windows. The end of it crashed down below. Uncle Hakoda threw bombs at another battlement, while Katara flung water from barrels on Appa's saddle down at another, freezing the launcher and soldier inside.

Zuko and I took our turn, shooting a joint blast of fire at the battlement we were flying by and causing the tower to explode. Smoke surrounded us as we flew to the last two.

We landed Appa on the battlement wall, and we all slid off of him. Yuna stayed on Appa's back to keep out of the way since I told her to. I didn't want her to get hurt.

Uncle Hakoda ordered, "You all take out that battlement." He pointed at the one behind us. "I got this one. Watch each other's backs." He turned and headed into the other to fight and destroy it.

We did as he ordered, running towards the other battlement. As Zuko and I shot flames at the guards at the entrance, Sokka and Katara ran inside. They were only in the battlement for a minute before they came back out victorious.

Sokka, who was covered in a little ash but looked to be in one piece, commented to Zuko, "Your dad's soldiers really need some training. This is too easy."

Zuko grimaced. "Guess they could use some training after this. Maybe learn some things from the Water Tribe Warriors."

Katara broke their conversation. "Hey. Where's dad?"

An explosion suddenly sounded behind us. We gasped and turned towards the battlement as we heard Uncle Hakoda shout in pain. He came out of the battlement entrance, and I could see he had been badly burned at his upper chest near his shoulder. We rushed over to him as he collapsed on the flat surface of the battlement wall.

Katara and Sokka shouted for their father in unison. We got to his side, and Zuko knelt quickly to examine the damage by lifting up his shirt. There were blisters and blood on his chest and shoulder. "This is deep. We need to heal him quickly."

"Not here," Sokka said. "Let's get him somewhere safe first. There's too much open space up here. It's too dangerous."

Zuko and Sokka helped Hakoda to his feet. He could hardly walk, but they managed to support him onto Appa. Once we were all on the saddle again, we flew back down to the harbor yard below. We landed behind a destroyed Fire Nation tank, and then helped Hakoda back off Appa so he could lay flat for Katara to heal. Aang joined us at this point having seen us arrive.

"Is he okay?!"

Katara grabbed water as she answered Aang's question. Zuko and Sokka had managed to remove his shirt at this point. "He will be," Katara spoke with determination. She pressed the water to the burned flesh and started to heal him. The blue glow began to stop the bleeding at least. "How does that feel, dad?"

Hakoda winced. "Ah… a little… better. I need... to get back to the troops." He tried to stand, but fell back in pain.

Katara argued. "You're hurt badly. You can't fight anymore."

Hakoda shook his head. "Everyone's counting on me to lead this mission, Katara. I won't let them down." He tried to stand again.

This time Zuko grabbed his good shoulder to keep him down. "Chief Hakoda. You need to let Katara heal you." Katara proceeded to press water to his flesh again as he was forced to stay down.

Sokka turned anxious. "Can't you heal him any faster?"

Katara scowled. "I'm doing everything I can!"

Sokka fell quiet for a moment. Then he said with confidence, "I'll do it."

Katara scoffed. "No offense Sokka, but you're not exactly Mr. Healing Hands."

Sokka shook his head. "No." He stood with determination. "I'll lead the invasion force. We need to get Aang to the Fire Lord."

Katara was horrified. "Don't be crazy, Sokka."

Sokka held his hands up in exasperation. "Maybe I am a little crazy, but the eclipse is about to start and we need to be up that volcano by the time it does." He pointed at the volcano beyond the harbor.

Hakoda broke in. "You can do this. I'm proud of you son."

Katara sighed. "I still think you're crazy, but I'm proud of you too."

Aang gripped his staff. "I'm coming. I'll help you take out the reinforcements."

Sokka shook his head. "No. You are staying here until we give the all clear. Aang… this isn't your fight yet. You have to be at your strongest for the Fire Lord."

Aang went to argue. He knew Sokka was right though. "Fine… let me know when it's clear… then we head into the palace."

Sokka nodded. He looked over at Zuko. "We'll shoot off the signal when all is clear and secure. This time restrain them both if they try to follow. Use rope if you have to."

I wasn't sure if he was being serious or not. Zuko gave a nod to let him know he would try harder this time.

He clambered onto Appa and took off. We were left to wait. Once Sokka was out of sight to round up the warriors, I knelt beside Uncle Hakoda sensing his pain. He was so uncomfortable. I knew the burns were not pleasant.

"What happened in there?" I asked.

Hakoda sighed as Katara eased more of his pain. "I didn't time my bomb right. It took out the projectile and me."

I took his hand in my own to give it a squeeze. "I'm glad you're okay."

Hakoda smiled. "Thanks, Amara. Although it helps that I have a talented daughter." He brushed his free hand against Katara's cheek. "You are truly a gift, Katara."

She had stopped healing him and put her hand over his. "I wasn't losing you, Dad. We have lost too many to this war."

Aang hung his head. "I hope I can do this… I need to stop all this violence."

Toph suddenly spoke from behind. "Stop doubting yourself, Twinkletoes. You've got this! We're so close now! All we have to do is break into the palace after they clear the path."

Aang nodded. He looked over at Zuko. "You sure you can handle Azula?"

Zuko was surprised by his question. He didn't answer completely. Instead, he tried to give Aang advice. "Just avoid her lightning. That's always the biggest danger with her."

Toph shrugged. "She doesn't seem all that scary. I'd be more worried about the Fire Lord." She frowned. "I really worry if you don't strike him at the eclipse then he'll over power you, Aang. Please watch yourself. Sokka and I will do our best to aid you, but we promised we'd stay out of the way of your fight."

Aang nodded. "I got this… it's time to restore peace."

As the others spoke, Zuko let out a heavy sigh. He glanced my way, and said, "You really should stay here with Katara and Hakoda… I can handle this."

I shook my head. Stepping up to him, I hugged him tight. "I already told you, Zuko… I'm not letting you do this alone. I'm with you. Every step."

He hugged me back. "Thanks."

As more time passed, I could see the moon starting to head towards the sun. We were losing time, but I knew we were gaining ground.

The eclipse was coming… We only had one shot at this and we needed to make it count.