Avatar Aang whom is now lying on the bed in agony. Aang has a full head of short dark brown hair on his head. The arrow on his forehead was still visible. He had bandages wrapped around his lower torso, left knee, right shin, left triceps tendon, right shoulder and over left collarbone. He still wore his yellow air nomad pants, but parts of it was torn off. After a few seconds of groaning, he opened his eyes to look left and right. As he sat up on the edge of the bed, he was groaning from the pain that he had received from Azula in the Catacombs. "Where am I? What happened?" he questioned as he placed a hand on his torso. As he looked. "Ah!" He gasped as he looked around the room only to see all sorts of stuff in the room belonging to the Fire Nation. He then turned around to see a large Fire Nation banner. "Oh no!"
Aang quickly got off of the bed, grabbed his staff and rushed to the door. He cracked the metal door slightly open to see if anyone was around but no one was there. He was still injured, he couldn't walk like normal, so used his own staff as a crutch to walk. As walked to a corner, he poked his head out and saw two people dressed as Fire Navy soldiers.
"You hear something?" One of the soldiers asked.
Aang quickly pulled his head back. He gripped his staff and swung it blowing a gust air at the two soldiers, only to temporarily slow them down. Aang tried to limp to a safe place.
"He's awake!" One of the soldiers said as they chased after them. "Stop! Wait!" The soldier tried to Aang to stop, but he wouldn't listen.
Aang had finally made it to the stairs. He took a deep breath and tried to jump to the top. "Argh!" he groaned as he jumped. "Ugh!" Aang landed on his stomach as he made a thud. The staff Aang had clutched had left his hand. As he tried to reach for it, he saw two Fire Navy soldiers feeding his pet flying lemur Momo nuts. "Momo?"
Momo and the two Fire Navy soldiers turned their heads to see Aang. Momo squealed and quickly jumped onto Aang's shoulder and start licking his cheek.
"Twinkle toes! It's gotta be you!" yelled a familiar voice. Aang looked to see Katara and Toph in cloaks run to him.
"Aang! You're awake!" Katara said with happiness. The Fire Navy soldiers that Aang saw was none other than Hakoda whom is Sokka and Katara's father, Bato whom is one of Hakoda's best friends, The Duke and Pipsqueak. There were two dressed in old fashioned Fire Nation armor with white masks on their faces. The taller one was Zuko and the shorter was Sokka.
"Are you sure? I feel like I'm dreaming…" Aang asked as he rubbed his eyes.
Katara quickly hugged him and smiled. "You're not dreaming. You're finally awake."
"Aang! Good to see you back with the living, buddy!" Sokka said as he hugged Aang.
"Sokka?" Aang started to feel dizzy for a second.
Toph knew Aang was about to collapse at any second. "Uh oh. Somebody catch him, he's gonna—" Katara tried to catch him, but was a little slow. Instead, Zuko was the one who caught Aang from behind. "Oh. You caught him." Toph then sighed in relief.
Minutes later, as Aang had regained consciousness, Aang had sat down with tea in his hands. Appa lied down next to him, Katara sat down in front of him while Zuko, Sokka, Toph and Hakoda stood over him.
"So, why are we on a Fire Nation ship? Why is everyone dressed this way? What is Zuko doing here? And why am I the only one who's completely out of it?" Aang asked a number of questions.
"You need to take it easy, okay? You got hurt pretty bad." Katara replied. She then smiled. "I like your hair."
Aang's eyes had widened in shock after hearing Katara's words. "Huh? I have hair?" He then touched his face and felt hair on his head. "I have hair! How long was I out?"
"A few weeks." Katara answered.
"I think we should all get some sleep. We've been out patrolling for other Fire Navy ships for hours." Zuko said and everyone turned to him.
"Zuko? Is that you?" Zuko questioned.
"Yeah." Zuko nodded.
"Why are you wearing that armor?" Aang asked.
"To protect my identity. I'm a wanted man." Zuko said normally.
"I think you should take off the helmet." Aang suggested.
"Why?"
"Because… if you're really one us, I may as well get to know your face." Aang said.
"Yeah, you should show Aang your face." Katara said.
Zuko lightly sighed. "Alright." Aang looked closely as Zuko slowly took off his Fire Nation helmet.
Aang gasped as Zuko took it off. What Aang had saw was that Zuko now has a shaved head. Aang had always known Zuko with a ponytail, but not being completely bald. "Z-Zuko! You're b-b-b-b-b-b-ba—" he stuttered.
" Just say it!" Zuko said irritatedly.
"BAAAAAALLLLDD!" Aang yelled at the top of his lunges.
"Shhh!" Everyone quickly shushed Aang. "Keep it down! Do you want them to find us?" Zuko yelled in a quiet voice.
"Sorry…" Aang scratched his head a bit. "Looking at you just takes me back when we first met. I remembered you having a silly ponytail and I was bald. Now it feels like the polar opposite."
"I agree." Zuko replied.
"That's right. We're trying stay out of sight." Katara said.
"Is everything okay?" Hakoda walked next to Katara.
"Yeah. We're fine, dad." Katara answered annoyed.
Hakoda offered Aang a hand. "I'm Hakoda. Katara and Sokka's father."
Aang tried to get up, but Katara sits Aang back down. "He knows who you are, I just called you dad. Didn't I?" Katara looked at Hakoda with annoyance.
Hakoda couldn't help but think that Katara's not in the mood. "Oh. I guess you're right."
Aang removed Katara's and from his shoulder and offered Hakoda a hand. "Nice to meet you, Katara and Sokka's father—I mean, Chief Hakoda. I'm Aang."
"It's an honor to meet the Avatar." Hakoda responded by grasping Aang's tricep.
"Great, great. You guys had finally met. Now could you mind giving us a little privacy?" Katara asked in a bitter tone.
"Of course." Hakoda decided to respect her wishes as he looked at Katara with a little sadness, then suddenly glared at Zuko before walking to Appa.
As Aang watched Hakoda left, he turned to Katara whom was looking at her father leave as in good riddance. "Katara, are you mad at your dad?"
Katara then turned to Aang. "What? Not at all, why would you say that?" Katara answered his question with a question.
Aang shrugged his shoulders a little. "I just… see the way you look at him. I remember back in Ba Sing Se you were excited to meet your dad after receiving a letter. Now that he's here, it's like you don't want him around." Aang said.
"Aang... It's complicated." Katara said, wanting to dodge the question.
"Well, I'll leave it to you and your dad to sort this out." Aang slowly stood and used his staff as a crutch again. "I'll be going back to my room now." He slowly walked towards the stairs.
"Hey Aang, let me help you." Sokka offered Aang help.
"Gee thanks, Sokka." Aang replied as Sokka helped Aang down the stairs.
"He's right, Katara. You should let your dad into your life." Zuko said as he approached Katara from behind.
"Why? Are you curious about my relationship with my dad?" Katara turned and stared at Zuko.
"No, not really. But I do know this." Zuko raised a finger. "You've wanted to see your dad for a long time now. And now that he's here, you have a chance to spend time with him. Your dad loves you."
"And your point is?" Katara raised an eyebrow.
"The point I'm trying to make is, you have a family. Don't try to push them away. Otherwise, you'll only regret it later on. Enjoy what's in front of you." Zuko gave Katara family advise.
"Wow Zuko. I never thought you would say anything like that. I guess you really did take your uncle's advice." Katara asked.
"What do you mean by that?"
Katara giggled. "Oh, nothing. It's just… so nice you care for someone else than yourself. Also, you've been helping around a lot. I'd like to say thank you, Zuko." Katara gave a bright warm smile to Zuko.
As Zuko saw her smile and met her gaze. He suddenly felt his heart skip a beat for no real reason. What he himself wasn't sure of. He blushed like crazy as he met her gaze. "Uh, n-no! I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Hakoda tried denied as he turned around with his feet together and his arms by his side.
As Zuko and Katara continued their conversation, Katara's father Hakoda was watching the two of them while he stood next to Bato. Hakoda glared at Zuko from a distance. He started to et those overprotective dad vibes.
"What's wrong, chief?" Bato asked. Hakoda did not reply. Bato then realized that Hakoda is starring at Zuko from a distance. "Ah, I see. Now I know why Katara asked for some privacy." Bato placed a hand on Hakoda's shoulder.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Hakoda asked as he turned to his best friend.
"I think I know what's going on. You're getting… those vibes." Bato teased.
"What vibes?"
"Oh come on, you knew this day would day would come." Bato wrapped his arm around Hakoda's neck and reeled him closer.
"I still don't know what you're talking about." Hakoda tried to deny his best friend's words.
"I think Katara actually likes Zuko." Bato said.
"Why are you telling me this?" Hakoda asked as he brushed his hand off.
"Come on, when we were younger, we both always had eyes for her mother Kya-."
"Please don't mention her." Hakoda said looking down.
"Anyway, we have always competed for her. You told me a hundred times over that you were going to win her heart, and somehow, you did. And you started a family with her."
"And your point is?"
"Look. My point is. Katara is about that age right now, and someone like Zuko or the Avatar might steal her heart."
"But, why the prince of all people?"
"Ever since Katara was a little girl, she had despised the Fire Nation ever since they attacked the south pole. And now, she doesn't mind being around Zuko, whom is a banished Prince of the Fire Nation. Besides, Katara isn't the only one who lost her mother… Zuko lost his too."
'You're right. I just want what's best for her. I don't want to get in the way of her future, that's all.' Hakoda thought.
Toph walked over to Hakoda and Bato. "Getting those 'I'm gonna be overprotective over my daughter vibes?'
"What? H-how did you know?" Hakoda asked as he looked down at Toph.
"Trust me. My parents wouldn't even let met outside of the house at all without supervision." Toph said. Hakoda then looked at Katara whom was now heading back inside of the ship and then narrowed towards Zuko whom was looking at the water.
The next day, in the Fire Nation Capital, there holds a celebration. Two elderly women named Lo and Li who were Azula's advisers had stood on top of a building where a large torch was lit. Thousands of Fire Nation soldiers and citizens standing below. Lo and Li decided to share and finish each other's words. "Princess Azula. The Clever and the Beautiful disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth Kingdom's capital! In Ba Sing Se, she found her brother Zuko, he betrayed his own nation and he sided with the Avatar!"
"BOOOOOOO!" The crowd gave out loud boo's for Zuko. Inside of that crowd was Mai, whom once had a crush on Zuko looked emotionless. She decided to keep quiet as the crowd continued to detest Zuko.
"The bad news... is that the Banished Prince has now turned into the Traitor Prince, and is still on the run!" the boo's from the crowd had gotten louder. "But the good news is that the Avatar fell! As the Earth Kingdom fell!" Azula had now walked to the edge of the balcony where she has presented herself in front of thousands of her people. "Now the hero has returned! Princess Azula!" the boo's from the crowd had now turned into cheers.
Azula had remained silent. 'Don't worry, Zuzu. You can run all you want, but you won't be able to hide. I will find you.'
Meanwhile, on the stolen Fire Navy ship, Zuko, Hakoda and Bato were eating soup while standing. Toph, Katara, and Aang were sitting on the floor while Sokka were sitting on crates with his helmet beside him. "After what happened in Ba Sing Se, we had to get you to safety." Sokka explained everything he knew to Aang. Sokka showed Aang a map. "Since then, we've been traveling west. We crossed the Serpent's Pass a few days ago. We've seen a few Fire Navy ships, but none have bothered us."
"So, what now?" Aang asked in concern.
"We've been working on a modified version on the invasion plan." Hakoda said as everyone turned to him.
"It's Sokka's... invasion plan." Katara said rudely.
"Yes. Sokka's plan." Hakoda said a little down. He then turned back to Aang. "We won't be able to mount the mass invasion without the Earth King's armies, but the Solar Eclipse will still leave the Fire Nation vulnerable."
Sokka rolled up the map. "So, we're planning a smaller invasion. Just a bunch of friends we met in the Earth Kingdom. We already ran into Pipsqueak and The Duke." Aang turned his head to the two.
The Duke was sitting on Pipsqueak's shoulder and the both of them were eating chunks of food. "Good to see you Aang." Pipsqueak spoke with his mouth full.
"And the worst part is... the Eclipse isn't our biggest advantage." Sokka then decided to whisper. "We have a secret. You."
"Me?" Aang muttered.
"Yep. The whole world thinks you're dead. Isn't that great?" Sokka stood up in excitement.
Aang stood in complete shock after hearing Sokka's words. A few minutes later, Aang stood up. "Wait the world thinks' I'm dead? How is that good news? It's terrible!" Aang yelled.
"No, it's great! It means the Fire Nation won't be hunting us anymore." Sokka accidentally excluded Zuko. "Well, I mean except Zuko." Zuko grumbled as Sokka excluded him. "They won't even expect you during the Day of Black Sun."
"No, no, no! You have no idea! This is so messed up!" Aang said all frustrated. Out of nowhere, a horn had blown and everyone looked to see a Fire Navy ship coming their way. "Alright. The Avatar is back..." Aang took his staff and opened the wings to it. "Ngh!" Aang groaned and clutched his stomach as he felt some pain. He then tries to prepare himself to fly.
"Aang wait! The Fire Nation doesn't know that we're hear!" Katara pleaded.
Aang sighed then put up his staff. "Fine."
"Everyone just stay calm. We'll handle this." Hakoda said as he placed his helmet on his head.
"They're getting closer. Everyone! Take cover!" Zuko ordered everyone to move into hiding spots except Bato and Hakoda.
The Duke and Pipsqueak placed a giant blanket over Appa's body and Momo hid inside of the pit as well. While Aang, Katara, Zuko, Sokka and Toph hid in one of the other pits.
"I hate not being able to do anything." Aang muttered and detested.
"Hopefully, you won't need to." Toph said.
The two Fire Navy ships stopped moving for a moment. A metal bridge had dropped itself onto the ship where Team Avatar held hostage. A Fire Nation Officer and two of his lackeys had walked across the bridge and entered the hostage ship. Hakoda and Bato started a conversation with the officer. The officer begun to leave and his lackeys begun to head back to their ship suspiciously. Toph had listened to them talking to one another closely as they crossed the bridge. Toph heard them talking about that they were on a captured ship and they were going to sink it. Toph's blind eyes had widened and she ran out of the open and screamed. "They know!" Toph quickly metalbended the bridge causing it to collapse with the three soldiers on top of the bridge to fall in the water below.
Katara quickly ran out and bended a huge body of water between them and pushed the wave towards other ship away from theirs. The Fire Navy soldiers from the other ships realized that the other ship was captured, so they started from their modernized catapult with flaming boulders and started launching them at the captured ship. Toph had encountered these flaming rocks with ammunition of disk-like boulders that The Duke and Pipsqueak presented. Sokka and Zuko were tasked with keeping Aang safe inside of the ship. Aang would want to run out there, but Zuko and Sokka would try to reason with him.
One of the flaming boulders that the other ship had launched had hit Toph's ammunition of disk-like boulders causing them to crumble into chunks. "That's not good." Toph said as her blind eyes widened. One of the flaming boulders had launched itself and it hit the hull of the ship, causing a small fire. Katara quickly used the sea to waterbend and tried to put out the fire. Aang was irritated that he was out of the action. "That's it! I can't just stand around any longer!" Aang yelled as he ran out the door.
"Aang, wait!" Sokka went after him and grabbed Aang's staff, and Aang responded by frowning at Sokka. "Look, I get it. You want to help right now, but you can't. You're still hurt. "Look, Katara and Toph got it."
"But what about Zuko? He's a firebender. He should be able to take some of them out!" Aang argued.
Sokka then rubbed his back and looked down. "You see, about that..."
Ten seconds of talking later.
"What!? You can't be serious!" Aang yelled in shock.
"Look, now's not the time for that. You have to get to safety, now." Sokka pointed at the door.
Aang glared at him for a few seconds before snatching his staff back. "Fine." Aang had lost the argument and walked back to the door. Sokka then sighed.
"We're out of ammo!" Toph yelled as she ran to the group.
"That's not good." Zuko said.
"Sokka, how's it looking?" Katara asked her brother as she continued to try and put out the fire.
"This couldn't get any worse, could it?" Sokka responded as he looked at the ship being damaged.
All of a sudden out of nowhere, he heard a loud screeching noise from behind and looked to see the giant green serpent from the Serpent's Pass had risen up from the water.
The serpent roared.
"The universe just loves proving me wrong, doesn't it?" he asked in humiliation.
"You make it too easy!" Toph yelled.
"What is that?" Zuko asked as he looked at it.
"Long story, now run!" Sokka told Zuko.
The serpent was able to recognize some members of Team Avatar and was ready to attack, but then screamed as it was then hit in the face with a flaming boulder by the other ship. The serpent spotted them in rage and screeched loudly, causing the people around it to cover their ears. The serpent left the captured ship alone and quickly dashed towards the opposing ship. The serpent the rapped its body around the ship, like a snake suffocating its prey.
"Thank you, the universe!" Sokka thanked the serpent as it kept the other ship busy.
"So, that must be the serpent guarding the pass?" Zuko asked Toph.
"Yep." Toph playfully punched Zuko in the arm.
A couple of hours later, Team Avatar had finally found docks and landed the ship had finally stopped at a docks for repairs and rest. Aang sat in his room and lied on top of his bed thinking about what to do next. Suddenly, the metal door had opened and Aang's friends Katara, Sokka, Toph and Zuko had walked into his room. The latters had on Fire Nation robes and Zuko had wore a large eyepatch black which covered his scar on his left eye. "Oh good, you're awake, twinkletoes. We're going into town to get some grub." Toph said.
Aang then clutched his grumbling stomach. "I am kind of hungry. Maybe dinner's a good idea.
Sokka then pulled out a red sash and tried to present it to Aang. "Put this on. It will hide your arrow."
Aang looked at the sash with disgust. "I'm not going out if I can't wear my arrow proudly!" he lied back down on the bed.
"Aang, come on. Be practical. Just look at Zuko. He has a scar and he was bold enough to hide it by wearing an eyepatch." Sokka tried to reason, but Aang had covered his ears.
Katara placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder. "You guys can go without us. We'll catch up." Sokka, Toph and Zuko proceeded to go on without them.
But Zuko then decided to wait outside of the door and stay. He listened to their conversation. As he heard Katara getting closer to the door, she turned her head to ask if Aang needed anything. That's when Zuko decided to leave without being spotted. Minutes later, Katara had left the ship where she spotted Zuko waiting on her.
"Toph and Sokka already went ahead of us. Sokka told me to tell you that they're going to a diner."
"Thanks for waiting on me." Katara thanked Zuko.
They started walking together into town and Zuko sees the downed look on her face. "How did it go?" he asked in concern.
"Not good. He also said he needed to restore his honor."
"Honor, huh?"
"Yes. He has this ridiculous notion to save this world alone."
"Do you think it's just him being brave?" Zuko asked.
"It's not brave! It's selfish and stupid!" Katara shouted, not knowing she was in public, she accidentally caught the attention of many people who are starring at them.
"Uh... what are y'all looking at!" Zuko yelled trying to draw less attention. People got back to what they were doing, and they duo continued to walk elsewhere.
"Thanks for that." Katara said.
"I think I understand where he's coming from." Zuko tried to relate to Aang's notions. He remembered back to all of the times he chased after Aang.
"He has us, right? I mean why? Why does he have to go to such extremes? I know the world needs him, but doesn't he know how much we need him too?" Katara said acting a little emotional.
"It's really a heavy burden on him. He feels like there's a lot of pressure being placed onto him. He doesn't want to let his friends or anyone down."
"What makes you say that?" Katara asked.
"You see, I was a banished prince. Back when I was hunting him, I tried to do everything alone. But, I had my uncle who supported me. I cared about nothing else, but capturing Aang just to restore my honor. Aang probably feels the same way. He feels like he needs to stop my father alone. He'll probably realize that he's going to need us. Just as much as we need him."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Zuko smiled at her.
"Alright. I'll take your word on that." Katara said as she continued to walk with him to a diner.
"Hey guys! We saved you two seats!" Sokkay yelled catching their attention as he and Toph sat at an outside diner.
Meanwhile, Azula had walked into the dark throne room, where there are many pillars and the stage were burning with flames. A dark silhouette had appeared within the flames. A man, whom was the Fire Lord himself. As she got close enough, she bowed down on her hands and knees and showed respect to her father, the Fire Lord Ozai. "Well done capturing Ba Sing Se, my daughter." Ozai praised his bowing daughter.
Azula raised her head. "Yes. After a hundred years, WE, the Fire Nation has finally conquered the Earth Kingdom."
"Yes. All there is left is the Northern and the Southern Water Tribe standing in our way." Ozai said calmly.
"And there is... another thing I would to tell you. If I may…" she said as she narrowed her eyes to the left.
"I already know about your brother's treachery." Ozai had stood up.
"You do?" Azula asked surprised.
"I had sent agents of my own to Ba Sing Se. Their job was to watch and to make sure you have succeeded. And you have." Ozai explained.
'How could I not know that?' Azula thought as she looked down at her shadow. "Father. What do we do about Zuko?"
"Your brother is a full-blown traitor. I shall send a reward to whomever catches him, whether they are citizens or mercenaries. Within a few days time, the whole world will be looking for him. He shall spend the rest of his days running. Or in a prison cell, just like my elderly brother, Iroh. And if anyone tries to shelter or aid him, not only Zuko, but they will face my WRATH!" Ozai yelled and the burning stage had lit itself up with a lighting color.
Azula had no choice but to place her arm over her eyes to avoid the flaming light. She let her hand down after the flames lowered. "Father. Are you aware of the…"
"Invasion on the Day of Black Sun? Yes. I am quite aware." Ozai cut her off.
'How long has father been watching me?' Azula wondered.
Ozai had walked off of the burning stage and approached his daughter. "Rise." Ozai ordered and Azula quickly stood on her two feet. "The rebellions tend to use the Solar Eclipse to their advantage. Our firebending will be nullified, but we have something to encounter their power."
"You really think so, father?" Azula gazed into his golden eyes.
"Of course. With the Avatar dead, they are just a handful of rebels trying to break down my front door." Ozai said.
"Wow. That's really a good reference, father."
"Now come, Azula. We must plan for the invasion." Ozai had begun walking to the door.
"Yes father." Azula answered obediently slowly followed him.
A few hours had passed. Katara had entered Aang's room with a tray of food. "Aang. I brought you something to eat. Do you li-" Katara looked around and realized Aang was gone. Katara gasped, dropped the tray and ran out of the room. Aang had left the ship and flew off somewhere.
The next morning, Aang was lying on the shores close to a crescent island volcano with a volcano in the middle knocked out. The waves of pushed and pulled in that order. The volcano had multiple small streams of lava. The next thing, Momo had glided and landed on Aang's face, licking his cheek. Aang moaned before opening his eyes. "Momo? What are you dong here?" Aang sat up groaning still from the pain in his chest.
"Aang!" yelled a familar voice.
"Eh?" Aang looked to the left to see Katara running straight for him, Toph, Sokka, Appa and Zuko right behind her. "Katara?" he muttered.
"Aang!" Katara quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and let out a stream of tears. Sokka, Toph, Momo and Zuko joined the group hug while and Appa leaned his face in.
Aang then came to realization. "I have so much to do."
"I know. We'll be there to help."
"You didn't think you can get out of training, just because we're in the Fire Nation, did you twinkletoes?" Toph asked while teasing.
"Mm mm." Aang nodded his head no.
"That's right. We're in the Fire Nation."
"But Zuko, you don't you know your way around the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked as he looked at Zuko.
"Yeah. But it won't be easy. The world's probably gonna be looking for us now."
Aang scratched his head. "Oh yeah. That reminds me... there's something I have to ask." Aang remembered something important.
"What's that?" Zuko asked.
"Zuko… you can't firebend anymore!?" Aang pointed at Zuko in shock.
Zuko scratched the back of his head. "Uh. Yeah. It's kind of a long story."
Toph then felt something light bump into her fro behind. "Hey. What's thi-" She picked it up and gave it to Aang. "Oh. It's your glider." Aang's glider was badly damaged during the storm.
Aang looked at it in relief. "That's okay. If someone saw it, it would give away my identity. I know that now. It's better for people to think that I'm dead than have them think that I'm alive." Aang then jumped high onto the rock with streaming lava. 'Goodbye, old friend.' Aang looked at his glider one final time before twirling it into the air at great speed and striking it into the rock. Aang jumped back down to join his friends while his glider had burned into ash.