Zuko stared at the empty scroll in front of him. The calligraphy brush – one befitting the personal correspondence of a Prince of the Fire Nation– laid next to it, unused.
He rubbed his eyes as he tried to collect his thoughts. He didn't have much time, but he knew what he wanted to do. What he needed to do.
But how could he explain it without hurting Mai? She didn't deserve that. Despite her solemn personality, she had been a good friend to him. His girlfriend even, although that idea made him sick to his stomach with guilt as he thought about it. He hadn't been honest with her, and now he would only make it worse.
With a sigh, he picked up his brush and began writing.
Dear Mai,
I'm sorry that you have to find out this way, but I'm leaving.
Words had never come easy to him, but what more could he say? No matter if he wrote down two sentences or a hundred pages, the hurt wouldn't be any less for her. The less she knew, the better.
He laid down the brush, rolled up the scroll and placed it in his bag. His bag was packed, and his broadswords were wrapped in their leather strap.
He inhaled deeply, held the breath for a few seconds and exhaled again.
"I am ready."
Elyrie sat with her back straight and her hands clasped in her lap. Her legs were crossed so she could hide her obsessive fidgeting with her ring.
Almost a hundred eyes were staring in her direction. Along with Sokka, who was sitting next to her, and Hakoda, she was part of explaining the final plan for the invasion. Katara, Toph and Aang had joined them on their improvised stage to talk the troops through the invasion.
The crowd was diverse. The green of the Earth Kingdom blended with the azure blue of the Southern Water Tribe and the darker shade of the Northern Water Tribe. Sokka had changed into his Water Tribe clothing, along with Katara. Toph was wearing her green outfit again, and Aang had donned his signature orange and yellow colours.
Elyrie locked eyes with Kun, sitting in the front row next to Panuk. Both were dressed in the dark blue shade of the Northern Water Tribe. There was no red in the crowd, only her. She had chosen to wear a simple red tunic, dark red pants and firm boots. Her short hair was tied back in a half updo, with the classic Fire Nation topknot. Her fans were attached to her side, poking a little uncomfortably in her upperlegs.
Her appearance had confused some of the people. The warriors from the Southern Water Tribe knew her, along with the Northern soldiers. But some from the Earth Kingdom were unable to place her here. A young man – Haru, Katara had called him - and his father had shot her a suspicious look as soon as she had appeared in her signature Fire Nation-red clothing. Katara had explained to her they had been captives in a Fire Nation prison, so they were naturally hesitant to her presence amidst the Invasion forces.
The rhythmic crashing of the waves against the cliffs below seemed to echo their collective heartbeat. Elyrie wondered if she imagined her own heart drumming so loud that others could here it. Maybe they could, because Kun nodded to her, with a small smile on his lips. She shot him a thankful smile back and let go of her ring.
Sokka rose beside her, his eyes darting nervously across the sea of warriors, inventors, and allies. His father placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry," Hakoda said with a reassuring smile. "You'll do great."
Sokka took a deep breath and nodded. He stepped forward, his voice trembling as he began, "Good morning everyone, -.. Ahh!"
His greeting was abruptly punctuated by a stumble, his foot catching on the edge of the stage. He flailed wildly before regaining his balance. A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, but Sokka pushed on, his cheeks burning.
"So, as you know, today, we're invading the Fire Nation!" His voice cracked slightly. "I mean, I know you know that because otherwise, why else would you be here?" He forced out a laugh, the sound awkward and strained.
Sokka reached for a set of scrolls he'd prepared and immediately fumbled them, dropping them to the ground. He scrambled to retrieve them, unrolling one and pinning it to the display board. "Uh, the Fire Lord's palace is here." He pointed confidently but quickly realized the chart was upside down. "Uh, nope, wait… uh, wait... uh, wait, it's here."
As he flipped the chart back and forth in a frantic search for the correct orientation, some in the crowd began to shift uncomfortably. In the front row, Elyrie saw one of the swampbenders scratching his head, clearly baffled.
Finally, Sokka found the map he'd been searching for. "And, uh, there's an eclipse today, and Aang's gonna fight the Fire Lord! The firebenders won't have any fire to use, so that's good for us!"
The words tumbled out of his mouth in a rush. Sokka glanced at the crowd. He felt the heat rising to his face. "And... um... I'm sorry. Let me start at the beginning."
Straightening, Sokka launched into his next attempt at the speech, talking at a breakneck pace. "Katara and I discovered Aang frozen in an iceberg. Now, I didn't like Aang at first, but I grew to love him over time. Then we went to the Southern Air Temple where Aang used to live, and then we met Suki, who's a Kyoshi warrior. She dressed me like a woman and then she kissed me, and then Aang's friend was a crazy old king and—"
Katara leaned toward Toph and Elyrie as she whispered, "Wow, when he says 'the beginning,' he means the beginning beginning."
On stage, Sokka was in full flow, seemingly unaware of the murmurs around him. "- And then Katara got Haru arrested, and now he's grown a mustache which, if you look at him in the front row, you can see it…- "
Hakoda stepped forward and gently interrupted, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "Thank you, Sokka. It's okay. Why don't you take a break?"
With slumped shoulders, Sokka retreated to his spot next to Elyrie, sinking on his knees with a disappointed sigh. Aang patted his back sympathetically while Katara gave him an encouraging smile. Momo chittered softly, perching on Aang's shoulder. Elyrie only placed her hand over his and squeezed lightly as the attention shifted to the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe.
Hakoda turned to address the crowd. His voice carried authority, and immediately, the restless audience fell silent. "Let me just clarify a few points for everyone." All eyes focused on Hakoda as he gestured toward the map. "Today is the Day of Black Sun, and I want to thank you all for your self-sacrifice and your courage. There are two steps to the invasion: a naval stage and then a land stage."
"To gain sea access to the Fire Nation capital, we need to get past our first major obstacle here," Hakoda said, pointing at the map. "The Great Gates of Azulon. Next, we hit the land, and we hit hard. We must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower. Once we do that, it's up to the Royal Palace. At that point, the eclipse will begin."
From the back of the crowd, The Boulder raised a massive hand. "Excuse me. The Boulder is confused. Isn't the point to invade during the eclipse, when the firebenders are powerless?"
Hakoda nodded, addressing the question with calm precision. "The eclipse only lasts eight minutes, not enough time for the entire invasion. And the Royal Palace is heavily guarded by firebenders. So that's where we'll need the eclipse's advantage the most."
The crowd absorbed this information, murmuring in understanding. Hakoda's voice grew stronger, filled with the weight of their shared mission. "When this is finished, the Avatar will have defeated the Fire Lord. We will have control of the Fire Nation capital, and this war will be over!"
A rousing cheer erupted from the assembled warriors, shaking the air with their collective resolve. Sokka glanced down, his hands clenched in his lap. Katara leaned over, placing a hand on his arm.
"You'll get another chance," she whispered. Sokka nodded slightly but said nothing, watching as his father's commanding presence rallied the troops.
Hakoda raised his hand to command silence, and opened his hand to Elyrie. "We've had some new information from inside the Capital City, so Elyrie will elaborate further."
"Yes, we want to add to the plan," Elyrie announced as she rose from her seat. All eyes shifted to her. Aside from her nervousness for this day, she was glad that she was blessed with the ability to speak in front of crowds. Seeing Sokka, so intelligent and capable of planning an Invasion entirely on his own, crumbling and stuttering through it was leaving a sour taste in her mouth. The look of disappointment on his face made her feel a pang in her chest.
"The main plan is to reach to Royal Palace," Elyrie pointed to the map of the Capital City, "But, we found out that there are valuable prisoners kept in the City Prison." Her finger traced to the prison drawn on the map. "Sokka and I checked and among those prisoners is the Dragon of the West."
"General Iroh?" a voice from the crowd asked, "The General who besieged Ba Sing Se for 100 days?"
"The very same." Elyrie nodded.
"But he is the brother of the Fire Lord," Haru's father said, his white eyebrows drawn together in suspicion, "Why would we risk saving him?"
"First, he is not the only prisoner who is held captive here," Elyrie answered as she pointed to the drawn picture of the prison, "The Capital City has more prisoners who are considered dangerous enemies to the Fire Nation, but to us they are allies. They are all kept there because they defied the Fire Lord."
"Second," she continued, her eyes locked with the older man, "General Iroh is the one who created the diversion that allowed us all to escape from Ba Sing Se. He is a powerful firebender and a loyal friend, who can help the Avatar master firebending."
"So you propose a breakout of the prison?"
"Exactly." Elyrie pointed to the man known as the Boulder, who had asked the question, "The prison is guarded by firebenders, so during the eclipse it should be an easy feat to overthrow them."
"Are you leading this?" Kun asked, leaning forward and studying the map with interest.
"No, Sokka has requested that I remain at his side during the Invasion." Elyrie answered, "I know the City like the back of my hand, so should we need to improvise I need to be there." She turned to the rest of the crowd, "To let this plan succeed, we need a smaller team – around ten volunteers – to break out the prisoners."
"I volunteer ten of my men," Panuk spoke up, motioning to the fifty soldiers behind him, "And I am willing to lead this if it's needed."
"Are there any Earthbenders willing to join? They are vital to breaking through the walls – everything is stone in the prison."
"Hippo happy to smash stones in prison!" the large man pumped his fist in the air, narrowly missing the Boulder from ringing his head like a bell.
"Thank you so much," Elyrie smiled at the Hippo before she turned back to her uncle, "Sokka and I will explain the plan in a few moments, but I cannot thank you all enough for your bravery today." She motioned to the crowd and clapped her hands together. "And now, it's time to prepare!"
The crowd immediately dispersed as they all went to adorn their own armours. Green and blue troops covered the golden sand beaches as they all prepared to board the ships.
"Kun?" Elyrie approached the Northern Water Tribe soldiers preparing to depart, "Are you willing to lead the breakout plan along with Panuk? You are the only other who knows about the City."
"My place is next to you," Kun answered, his back straight, "We've started this journey together with me as your guard, and I shall continue to do my duty ."
"You've been relieved of that duty after Zhao punished you for helping me defy him," Elyrie answered, taking his hand.
"I've never sworn loyalty to Zhao, only to protect you. I see no reason why I should be relieved of that duty." Kun said, "And on top of that, you are my Princess now. I'm part of the Northern Water Tribe as well."
Deeply touched, Elyrie stopped arguing and only squeezed his hand. Kun patted it in return, and let go to place his own armour on.
"Panuk?" Elyrie turned to her uncle, who was placing his helmet secure, "Are you sure you can manage the breakout on your own?"
"Positive." Her uncle answered with a boyish grin, "I'd love to wipe some arrogant smiles of the faces of the guards."
"I'll be with you for the most part, and shall guide you towards the prison." Elyrie said, feeling the familiar anxiety creeping into her chest. They had to succeed. They had to.
"Elyrie, where is Sokka?" Kun looked around the beaches, "We are almost ready to depart."
"He isn't here?" Elyrie turned around with a frown. Kun shook his head.
"Wait here, I'll go look for him." Elyrie walked back up the cliffs, but before she'd reached the top she spotted someone on a cliffside, just out of sight of the beach. The figure stood lonely, gazing over the waves.
"Sokka?" Elyrie called for him as she walked down the cliff, "What are you doing? The boats are ready to leave."
Sokka didn't turn around when she approached him from behind. "I messed up." He said, his voice soft and sharp.
"What?" Elyrie asked, although she knew what he meant.
"The invasion plan was my moment of truth," he muttered, "and I completely flubbed it. I just fell apart."
Elyrie's voice broke through Sokka's self-recrimination. "Sokka," she said gently, approaching and placing a hand on Sokka's shoulder. "That speech wasn't your moment of truth. That was just public speaking, and nobody's really good at that."
Sokka looked at her, his eyes clouded with doubt. "My dad is! He explained the plan perfectly and inspired everyone, like a real leader should."
Elyrie stood beside him, her gaze steady and kind. "Look, your moment of truth isn't going be in front of some map; it's going be out there on the battlefield."
"You seem so confident about everything, how do you know we're gonna win?
"I don't, but I know the world would be infinitely worse if we don't try it. Even If we can show the Fire Nation we can reach the heart, people start to realise the Fire Lord isn't undefeatable." Elyrie said, staring over the waves in the distance, "You were not raised there, so I can only tell you how vital his image is to the Fire Lord. If we are only able to put a crack in his impregnable varnish, then we are able to put a crack in the blind loyalty of the Fire Nation citizens."
The fleet of ships sliced through the ocean, their sails taut against the brisk wind. Overhead, seagulls cried out as if heralding the impending battle. Onboard one of the leading vessels, Bato raised a brass telescope to his eye, scanning the horizon.
"There they are," Hakoda announced, his voice steady and commanding. He pointed toward the towering statues in the distance. "The Great Gates of Azulon."
Katara frowned and squinted into the distance. "I don't see any gates."
"That's because they are hidden beneath the water," Elyrie explained, "When enemy ships are spotted, a net rises between the statue of Azulon and the dragons on either side. It ignites, engulfing the gate in fire. It is an extremely effective defense, although the net does not extend over Azulon's shoulders or under his feet, allowing someone to bypass it by flying over it." Elyrie glanced over her shoulder and gave Sokka a wink, "or simply swimming under it."
Kun gave her a small tap on her shoulder. "Great thinking." He whispered.
"Katara, you and the swamp benders need to whip up some fog cover," Hakoda said. "Let's keep those gates hidden a little longer."
Tho, one of the swamp benders, grinned. "We'll sneak by them statues just like we snuck past that Fire Navy blockade!"
Without hesitation, Katara and the swamp benders raised their arms, drawing water from the sea and bending it into a thick, rolling fog that blanketed the fleet. The mist coiled like living tendrils around the ships, shrouding them from sight.
"Keep it up," Hakoda urged. "We're almost through!"
But then, a sharp clang rang out across the water, shattering the silence. A bell tolled from one of the massive statues as a fiery net sprang up from beneath the waves, blazing with flames. The ships were momentarily trapped, their crews staring in shock as Fire Nation patrol boats surged toward them, their hulls cutting through the water like knives.
"Everyone below deck!" Hakoda commanded. The warriors scrambled into the ships' lower decks. Hakoda turned to Sokka, his eyes brimming with hope. "Let's hope your invention works."
As the Fire Nation soldiers boarded the now-abandoned ships, they scoured them from bow to stern. But beneath the surface of the water, sleek submarines glided silently past the gates. Inside one of the crafts, waterbenders moved their arms in synchronized motions, propelling the vessel forward. Hakoda stood at the helm beside the Mechanist, his hand resting on Sokka's shoulder.
"You've really outdone yourself this time, son," Hakoda said, pride softening his usual stoicism.
Sokka's smiled broadly, though Toph's groaning quickly brought him back down. Sitting cross-legged on the floor with her hands pressed to her stomach, Toph was visibly seasick. "Yeah, congratulations, Sokka," she drawled sarcastically. "You managed to invent a worse way of travel than flying."
The Duke, ever the optimist, removed his helmet and offered it to her. "Helmet?" Toph didn't hesitate, vomiting into it as The Duke patted her back in solidarity.
Sokka rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just came up with the idea. The Mechanist did all the work."
The Mechanist turned, chuckling. "Don't sell yourself short, my boy! It was your idea to use waterbending to make the subs sink and float—brilliant!" He unrolled a scroll, revealing an almost childish sketch of the submarine. "Though I admit, your original designs were... challenging to decipher."
"Unfortunately, there's one issue I couldn't solve." The Mechanist's voice turned grim as the submarines glided past the enormous gates, "The subs have a limited air supply. We'll need to resurface before we reach the beaches."
Ming carefully approached General Iroh's cell, her movements slow and relaxed. "Lunchtime, General Iroh," she said softly, glancing over her shoulder. Lowering her voice, she added, "And this time, I brought you an extra bowl of rice."
Iroh smiled warmly, bowing his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Ming. Your small kindnesses have made my days here bearable." After a moment's pause, his expression grew serious. "I think you should take the rest of the day off."
Ming blinked, puzzled. "What?"
"You don't look well. Perhaps you should go home and rest."
"I feel fine."
"Trust me," Iroh said, his voice low and firm. "It is better that you are not here this afternoon."
Understanding flickered in Ming's eyes. She gave a small nod and quietly slipped away.
With the submarines surfaced, crew members stretched and adjusted their armour. The Duke scrubbed Toph's helmet in the ocean, muttering under his breath about the perils of sea travel.
Elyrie took her fans, showing Kun her proficiency with them. "Very smart," he nodded with an approved smile when she let her fire glide over the metal surface, "You've come so far from when I first started training you."
"That's because I learned from one of the best."
Kun grinned as he stretched his own muscles, punching in the empty air. "They won't know what's coming for them." He grinned to her.
"We can only hope." Elyrie answered as she saw Aang descended from Appa, joining Sokka, Katara, and Toph on the deck.
"So," Aang began, his voice calm but resolute, "this is it, huh?"
"Are you ready for the Fire Nation to know the Avatar is alive?" Sokka asked, extending a hand.
Aang shook it firmly. "I'm ready."
"I know you can do it." Elyrie said with a smile, before they all embraced tightly. Toph punched Aang lightly on the shoulder. "I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, Twinkle Toes."
Hakoda's commanding voice broke the moment. "Everyone, listen up!" They pulled apart, their faces turning serious. "The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. Stay alert and fight smart. Break time's over—back in the subs!"
The warriors began boarding again, but Elyrie hesitated as she spotted Katara and Aang remaining behind. "Katara, I—" Aang began. Elyrie tentatively felt he needed this moment alone with Katara, so she slipped inside the sub. Waiting for Sokka to climb down, she was able to pick up the conversation on the deck.
Katara interrupted Aang, speaking quickly. "Aang, I—" She paused, blushing. "You go first."
Aang exhaled, steadying himself. "Everything's going to be different after today, isn't it?"
Katara nodded. "Yes, it is."
"What if..-, what if I don't come back?"
Katara's breath caught. "Don't say that, Aang. Of course you'll—"
Before she could finish, Aang leaned forward and kissed her. The world seemed to stop for a moment. Elyrie felt a blush stain her cheeks, having witnessed this intimate moment. You saw nothing, she reprimanded herself. When they pulled apart, Katara's cheeks were flushed, and she stared after him as he unfurled his glider and took to the skies, determination radiating from him.
"Katara, what are you doing?" Sokka called, startling both his sister and Elyrie. "It's time to submerge!"
"What? Oh, right!" Shaking herself, Katara leaped onto Appa, her focus returning as she bent a sphere of water around the bison's head. With one final glance at the retreating figure of Aang, she and Appa vanished beneath the waves.
As the submarine fleet sliced silently through the dark waters, its destination looming in the distance, Elyrie mused on what she just saw. No, you saw nothing, she told herself, Only the invasion counts.
Above the waves, a periscope breached the surface, swiveling as it scanned the horizon. Deep inside one of the subs, Hakoda stood at the periscope, his eyes narrowing as he took in their position. He turned sharply, addressing the gathered earthbenders.
"Everyone in position," he ordered, his voice firm but calm. "Earthbenders, into your tanks. This is gonna be a rough ride."
Toph and the other earthbenders quickly descended a metal ladder into the bowels of the sub, readying themselves for the task ahead. Meanwhile, the subs approached the Fire Nation port. The silence shattered as an alarm blared across the harbor. The gates loomed ominously ahead, and the first volley of harpoons shot out from the defenses.
Most missed, but one found its mark, piercing a sub's hull and causing a leak. Inside, chaos reigned for a moment before a swamp waterbender swiftly sealed the breach, turning the water to ice.
"Ready the torpedo!" Hakoda commanded, his voice cutting through the tension.
An ice-covered torpedo slid into place. With a nod, Huu used his waterbending to launch it. Outside, the torpedo split the water with deadly precision, joined by five more. They exploded on impact, carving holes through the underwater barrier and clearing the path for the fleet.
Toph, The Boulder, and their fellow earthbenders, were braced inside a metal tank. Nearby, Water Tribe warriors, swamp waterbenders, and Sokka prepared themselves. Sokka let out a deep sigh, the weight of the battle ahead evident on his face.
Elyrie stood just beside him, feeling Kun's calming presence just a few inches beside her. "This is it." She whispered.
As the subs emerged from the water, missiles rained down from above. The hatches opened, releasing tanks and warriors into the fray. Battle cries echoed as the soldiers charged inland. Earthbenders hurled rocks supplied by a specialized truck, crushing defenses with precision.
Appa swooped in, and Katara leapt gracefully from his saddle, waterbending to devastating effect. Fire Nation tanks rolled in to meet them, but Teo, piloting an earthbender tank, led a counterattack that crushed battlements and enemy vehicles alike.
Amidst the chaos, Tho and Due worked in tandem, bending water to topple an enemy tank into the sea. Tho frowned, looking around. "We're a man down. Where in tarnation is Huu?"
A massive seaweed monster suddenly erupted from the water, scattering Fire Nation forces like toys.
Elyrie, blocking the fire aimed in their directions, stopped mid-attack to gape at the enormous green sea-monster. "Ehm, Sokka,- " she said, pointing to the writhing mass of vegetation, "Is this one of us?"
Sokka followed her gaze, before he started to laugh. "Yup, the swampbenders."
"Communin' with nature," Huu said, his voice calm, "Takes a while to collect this much seaweed." His smile faded as a fireball hurtled toward him, forcing him to retreat into his creation.
"Elyrie!" Kun yelled, pointed at the rhino's, "We've got company." Nearby, Fire Nation soldiers on rhinos stormed the battlefield, fireballs streaking toward the Water Tribe warriors. Kun moved swiftly, kicking a spear from the rider. Elyrie took the other one, slicing the spear in half with her fans before she kicked the rider off. Steering the rhino's into the direction of the others, Kun and Elyrie caused chaos among the riders.
"Dad, look out!" Sokka shouted from the ground.
Hakoda barely had time to react, raising his shield to deflect the incoming fireball. He turned back, quickly dispatching his attacker before leaping onto the rhino behind Kun. Together, they pressed forward.
The vehicle carrying rocks for the earthbenders exploded under heavy fire. Huu's seaweed monster continued to wreak havoc, but an earthbender tank was destroyed by a battlement above.
Kun and Sokka exchanged a glance, the urgency clear.
"Sokka, we've gotta take out those battlements," Hakoda yelled. "It's our only chance."
Sokka nodded, a plan already forming. "I've got an idea – Dad, Elyrie, Kun, join us on Appa!"
Along with Katara, they were airborne on a fully armoured Appa in less than a minute. As they soared toward the battlements, Sokka sliced the end off a missile launcher with his sword. Hakoda followed up by hurling bombs into another launcher, the resulting explosion scattering soldiers. Katara shattered barrels of water attached to Appa, bending the liquid into icy weapons that immobilized the enemy. Elyrie and Kun aimed precise fireballs in the direction of the weapons, effectively disabling them.
Appa landed between two operational battlements, and they dismounted. "You two take out that one," Hakoda directed his children, pointing to a distant battlement. "I'll handle this one. Kun, Elyrie, watch our backs."
The two sibling made quick work of their battlement, just in time to see Hakoda climbing into his own battlement. The sounds of struggle carried over the din until the launcher fired one last shot, erupting in flames.
"Dad?" Katara cried, her voice trembling.
"Dad!" Sokka echoed, sprinting towards him.
Hakoda emerged from the smoke, wounded and staggering. He collapsed as Katara and Sokka reached him, lowering him gently to the ground. Katara immediately began healing him, her hands glowing softly.
"How does that feel, Dad?" she asked.
Hakoda winced. "A little better. But I need to get back to the troops." He tried to stand, groaning in pain. "Ahh!"
"You're hurt badly," Kun insisted. "You can't fight anymore."
Hakoda's gaze was resolute. "Everyone's counting on me to lead this mission. I won't let them down." He attempted to rise again but fell back, grimacing. Katara pressed the water again on his skin, trying to ease his pain. Meanwhile, Sokka's expression hardened. "I'll do it."
Katara looked at him, incredulous. "No offense, Sokka, but you're not exactly Mr. Healing Hands."
"No," Sokka said, determination in his voice. "I'll lead the invasion force."
"Don't be crazy," Katara protested.
"Maybe I am a little crazy," Sokka admitted, "but the eclipse is about to start, and we need to be up that volcano by the time it does."
Hakoda placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "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."
"And so am I." Elyrie chimed in.
Sokka nodded, pulling on his helmet. "Elyrie, I want you with me on the front lines. Kun, you lead the attack on the ground. Yip yip."
Appa took to the skies, carrying Sokka, Elyrie and Kun to the front lines. The battlefield below was littered with destroyed Fire Nation tanks. Soldiers rallied as Sokka called out orders from Appa's saddle.
"Listen up, everyone! Tanks in wedge formation. Warriors and benders in the middle. We're taking that tower and heading for the royal palace."
The tanks shifted into position, advancing up the volcano as firebenders unleashed a barrage of fireballs. Appa weaved through the chaos, and Sokka leapt into action, steering a vehicle full of explosives into the inner wall before diving clear. The resulting explosion tore a gap in the defences, and the army surged forward.
The Fire Nation's resistance faltered. The earthbenders charged forward with the soldiers, shouting, "The Fire Nation is falling back!"
Kun caught up to Sokka, a grin breaking across his face. "Sokka, we're on our way to victory!"
A shadow appeared in the sky. "Wait!" Katara yelled, joining them while supporting an injured Hakoda, "Is that Aang?"
"Oh no." Elyrie shielded her eyes from the sun.
"Please tell me you're here because the Fire Lord turned out to be a big wimp and you didn't even need the eclipse to take him down." Sokka said as soon as Aang landed beside them.
"He wasn't home."
"They knew." Sokka said, realisation settling in.
"No," Elyrie muttered, her heart sinking, "NO!" She yelled as she slashed her fan against a nearby tank. The sparks sprung off the metal surface, leaving a scratch. "No!" she yelled again, kicking and punching against it again and again, her firebending still working minutes before the eclipse.
"Elyrie!" Kun grabbed her arms, pulling them next to her body in order to restrain her, "Calm down!"
"How can I!?" Elyrie let out a wrenched sound, but didn't struggle, "He told them, he told them!"
No one needed to ask her who had told them. Nobody said anything as Kun released the hold on her, but didn't let go of her arms to prevent her from sinking down on the ground.
She looked up at Sokka. "So, what do you want to do now?" Her blue eyes were rimmed with tears, but underneath the gaze was determined and her fists were clenched.
"It's over. The Fire Lord is probably long-gone; far away on some remote island where he'll be safe during the eclipse." Aang said with a downward look. "No one was there. The entire palace city is abandoned."
"What did you say?" Elyrie's gaze snapped up, "Abandoned? No one? No servants, nothing?"
"No one." Aang repeated, his eyebrows knitted together, "It was like a ghost town."
"Then the Royal Family has retreated inside the volcano." Elyrie almost smiled, "They didn't leave last night, otherwise the servants would still be working."
"What?"
"If they had to leave in a hurry, there wouldn't have been time to dismiss all the servants. There are more than five hundred, there would be no time." Elyrie said, "But it is known when eclipses occur, so there are safety plans. If everyone is gone, then they initiated one of the plans and retreated inside the bunker in the volcano."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," Elyrie nodded, "Find the bunker, you find the Fire Lord."
"I am so glad you are in our group!" Sokka wrapped his arms around Elyrie's neck and kissed her loudly on her cheek.
"If it's an underground secret bunker we're looking for," Toph said, pointing to herself with a grin, "I'm just the girl to find it."
"Have you ever been there?"
"No, never." Elyrie answered, "I wouldn't know where to start to find an entrance."
Sokka pulled out an odd mechanism "The mechanist gave me this timing device." He explained when he saw Elyrie's questioned look, "It looks like we've got about ten minutes until the full eclipse. Ten minutes to find the Fire Lord."
Aang grasped his glider. "We can still do this. We can still win the day."
Katara's voice trembled with worry, her brow furrowing as she glanced around the group. "Wait!" she said, her words halting the conversation. "If they knew we were coming, it could all be a trap." Her eyes darted to each of them in turn, searching for reassurance. "Maybe we should use the time we have left to make sure we all get out of here safely."
The group fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them. Hakoda, steady as ever, stepped forward, his voice calm yet resolute. "Everyone who's here today came prepared to risk everything for this mission," he said, his gaze sweeping across the brave faces around him. "They know what's at stake. If there's still a chance and there's still hope, I think they would want Aang to go for it."
Sokka turned to Aang, his expression softening as he addressed him directly. "What do you think?" he asked quietly. "You're the one that has to face the Fire Lord. Whatever you decide, I'm with you."
The group's eyes fell on Aang. He slowly rose to his feet, his posture straightening as he squared his shoulders. He took a deep breath, the weight of the world pressing down on him, but his voice was steady when he finally spoke.
"I've gotta try," he said, his back turned to the group. His resolve was unmistakable.
"Then we'll do it." Elyrie said.
"Elyrie, you'll lead the forces here along with Kun," Sokka said, "Dad can't fight, and I'll go with Aang and Toph."
"We have to call off the prison breakout," Kun suddenly said, "It could be a trap if they expected us. We need all the warriors on the battlefield here."
"But, I ..- " Elyrie said, her eyes drifting to the tower of the City Prison. Uncle Iroh was so close, almost within reach.
"Elyrie, we need all the troops here."
"Then I will..-"
"No, you will stay here, like you promised Sokka," Kun pushed her forward, "I'll inform the others of our changed plans."
"But I-."
"No buts, Your Royal Highness," Kun said, "Use that big brain of yours to lead this mission, and let me handle the rest."
Her blood was boiling at this point. Not because of Kun – she knew he was right – but because their carefully thought-out plan was in shambles. Aang, Toph and Sokka were looking for a needle in a haystack in the volcano, Hakoda was badly injured and she was forced to leave Uncle Iroh in prison to make sure the troops reach the Capital City in time.
Zuko, Elyrie vowed silently, feeling the tips of her fingers sparkle with electricity, If I ever see you again, I'll kill you for betraying me.
Zuko stepped into the grand, dimly lit chamber, his every step echoing against the marble floors. At the far end of the room, Ozai sat on his throne, a dark silhouette against the blazing firelight.
Ozai's voice was sharp and commanding. "Why are you here?"
Zuko's posture was stiff but resolute. "I'm here to tell the truth."
Ozai's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Telling the truth in the middle of an eclipse?" he mused, his tone dripping with disdain. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes glinting. "This should be interesting."
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the guards. The armoured men hesitated for a fraction of a second before filing out of the room. One by one, the doors closed behind them, leaving father and son alone.
Zuko's voice was steady, though anger simmered beneath the surface. "First of all, in Ba Sing Se, it wasn't me who took down the Avatar. It was Azula."
Ozai's expression didn't change, but a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. "Why would she lie to me about that?"
"Because the Avatar isn't dead," Zuko said bluntly. "He survived."
For the first time, genuine shock flashed across Ozai's face. "What?" he demanded, his voice sharp and brittle.
Zuko took a step closer, his words deliberate and cutting. "In fact, he's probably leading this invasion. He could be on his way here right now."
Ozai's shock turned to fury. He rose from his throne, his finger stabbing toward the door. "Get out!" he roared. "Get out of my sight right now if you know what's good for you!"
Zuko stood his ground. "That's another thing," he said, his voice unwavering. "I'm not taking orders from you anymore."
Ozai's face twisted with rage. "You will obey me," he growled, "or this defiant breath will be your last!"
Zuko didn't flinch. Slowly, deliberately, he drew his twin swords, their polished blades gleaming in the firelight. "Think again," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I am going to speak my mind, and you are going to listen."
Ozai hesitated, clearly dismayed by the boldness of his son. He sank back into his throne, glaring daggers at Zuko but saying nothing.
Zuko took a steadying breath, his grip on the swords tightening. "For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me. To accept me. I thought it was my honor I wanted, but really, I was just trying to please you. You, my father, who banished me just for talking out of turn." He pointed one of the broadswords at Ozai, his voice rising with emotion. "My father, who challenged me, a teenage boy, to an Agni Kai. How can you possibly justify a duel with a child?"
Ozai's face darkened, his scorn palpable. "It was to teach you respect."
Zuko's voice cracked with anger. "It was cruel! And it was wrong!"
"Then you have learned nothing!" Ozai snapped, his voice like a whip.
"No!" Zuko shouted, his eyes blazing. "I've learned everything! And I've had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world." He paused, his voice dropping to a bitter whisper. "What an amazing lie that was."
Ozai glared, but Zuko pressed on, undeterred. "The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don't see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it!" He gestured upward, his voice echoing through the chamber. "We've created an era of fear in the world. And if we don't want the world to destroy itself, we need to replace it with an era of peace and kindness."
Ozai's lips curled into a cold smile. "Your uncle has gotten to you, hasn't he?"
Zuko's expression softened, a proud smile breaking through his anger. "Yes," he said simply. "He has."
Ozai's fury only deepened, but Zuko stood tall, unwavering in the face of his father's wrath.
Zuko's voice was firm, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sorrow. "After I leave here today, I'm going to free Uncle Iroh from his prison, and I'm going to beg for his forgiveness."
Ozai's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Oh, that's just beautiful," he mocked. "And maybe he can pass down to you the ways of tea and failure."
Zuko's expression didn't waver. "But I've come to an even more important decision." He closed his eyes for a moment, his resolve hardening. "I'm going to join the Avatar, and I'm going to help him defeat you."
"Really? I am not surprised," Ozai's smugness deepened, "I was wondering how long it would take to follow that little halfblood like you've always done. Not that I blame you, since your only alternative is that gloomy girl."
Zuko didn't answer. He wasn't going to give his father the satisfaction of justifying that taunt with a reply.
"Since you're a full-blown traitor now and you want me gone, why wait?" Ozai continued, baiting him again, "I'm powerless. You've got your swords. Why don't you just do it now?"
Zuko shook his head, his voice calm but unyielding. "Because I know my own destiny. Taking you down is the Avatar's destiny." He sheathed his swords, his tone resolute. "Goodbye."
As Zuko turned to leave, Ozai's voice rang out, laced with venom. "Coward! You think you're brave enough to face me, but you'll only do it during the eclipse. If you have any real courage, you'll stick around until the sun comes out."
Zuko didn't stop, continuing his way toward the door.
"Don't you want to know what happened to your mother?"
Zuko froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned back to face his father, his eyes sharp with a mix of suspicion and hope. Ozai's smile widened, a predator's grin.
"What happened that night?" Zuko demanded, his voice tight.
Ozai's expression turned almost contemplative, his words dripping with calculated cruelty. "My father, Fire Lord Azulon, had commanded me to do the unthinkable to you, my own son. And I was going to do it." He paused, watching Zuko's reaction carefully. "Your mother found out and swore she would protect you at any cost."
Zuko's face twisted with emotion. Dad's going to kill you. Elyrie's shocked expression. His mother dragging Azula with her for a talk.
It came rushing back to him, but he held his ground. Ozai continued, his voice calm but insidious. "She knew I wanted the throne, and she proposed a plan—a plan in which I would become Fire Lord, and your life would be spared."
The memory seemed to flicker in Ozai's eyes as he recounted it. "Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night. She knew the consequences and accepted them. For her treason, she was banished."
Zuko's voice cracked, his eyes shimmering with tears. "So she's alive?"
Ozai's tone was maddeningly calm, almost indifferent. "Perhaps." He paused, letting the word linger before adding coldly, "Now I realize that banishment is far too merciful a penalty for treason."
The room seemed to darken as Ozai closed his eyes. Outside, the solar eclipse began to wane, sunlight creeping back into the world. When Ozai opened his eyes again, they burned with fury. In an instant, he generated a bolt of lightning, firing it directly at Zuko.
The impact sent Zuko sliding back several feet, but he stood firm, Uncle's lessons taking over. Channeling the energy, he redirected the lightning back toward Ozai. The bolt exploded inches in front of the Fire Lord, sending him hurtling into the back wall. He collapsed to the floor, flames licking at the edges of his throne. The flag behind him tore free and fell, the room filling with smoke and chaos.
When the dust settled, Ozai raised his head, his face contorted with rage. The Fire Lord's roar echoed through the chamber, but Zuko was gone.
"Firebending is back on!" Elyrie shouted, throwing off her special Eclipse glasses. She felt the heat in her blood again, replacing the icy feeling of being unable to bend. It had been eerily similar like chi blocking, except her muscles still worked.
The battlefield lay eerily quiet, the invasion force momentarily at a standstill. Katara knelt beside Hakoda, gently leaning him against the side of an Earth Kingdom tank. His breathing was labored, but his determination hadn't wavered.
Panuk approached, his voice low and tense. "What should we do, Elyrie? Shouldn't something have happened by now?" Along with his warriors, he glanced over the empty battlefield.
Elyrie sighed, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I don't know," she admitted grimly. "But now that the eclipse is over, I expect we're going to see some firebenders any minute." Kun joined her, shaking out his arms, letting the fire dance over his knuckles again.
"We immediately felt the difference, so they must too." He acknowledged, gazing in the distancing.
Katara crossed her arms, her face hard with frustration. She glanced over her shoulder, her instincts sharpening. "Something feels wrong." She said.
Panuk stiffened, his gaze rising skyward. "Look!" he shouted, his voice cracking with alarm.
Elyrie turned to follow his line of sight. Her heart sank as she saw the source of his dread. War balloons, dozens of them, were ascending from the top of the Royal Palace, their black silhouettes cutting through the hazy sunlight. Soldiers on the battlefield below murmured anxiously as the air filled with the ominous sound of rising machinery.
The Mechanist stood frozen, his expression a mixture of horror and shame. "My own invention," he whispered hoarsely. "Oh, this is terrible!" Teo laid a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder, but the older man barely noticed. Above them, five enormous airships emerged behind the war balloons, their hulking forms a menacing testament to the Fire Nation's ingenuity.
"They're back!" Katara cried, pointing to the sky.
Appa's groaning bellow heralded his arrival. The massive bison descended rapidly, his armored form glinting in the sun. Aang, Toph, Sokka, and Momo were aboard, their faces tight with concern. As Appa landed, Sokka leaped off immediately, his fists clenched in frustration.
"It was all a trap!" he shouted, his voice ringing across the battlefield. "Azula knew we were coming, and she's plotted out every move!" Toph dismounted silently, her posture tense.
"Azula?" Elyrie whispered, feeling her knees weaken. Kun grabbed her arm, steadying her. "Now is not the time to give into despair." He whispered in her ear, quiet enough for only her to hear.
Sokka turned to Hakoda, urgency etched in his features. "We've just got to get to the beach as fast as we can. If we can make it to the submarines, maybe we can get away safely."
Aang, still standing on Appa's saddle, unfurled his glider. His face was set with determination. "They've got air power, but so do I," he said firmly. "I'll do what I can to slow them down."
Before anyone could stop him, he tossed his glider into the air and soared off, Momo trailing close behind.
Katara didn't hesitate. "Appa, you and I can help too," she said, climbing onto the bison's back. "And so can I!" Elyrie immediately moved into action, joining her on the saddle. With a mighty leap, Appa followed Aang into the sky.
On the battlefield below, Sokka rallied the troops. "Everyone, let's get back to the subs!" he shouted, already sprinting toward the beach. "Kun, Panuk, order everyone to retreat! Now!"
In the air, Aang darted toward the war balloons. A soldier spotted him and unleashed a barrage of fireballs. Aang twisted and turned, narrowly avoiding the blazing projectiles. Closing his glider, he shot forward with precision, slicing through the fabric of a balloon. It crumpled instantly, its operators screaming as it spiralled downward.
Katara targeted another balloon, her movements fluid as she drew water from her pouch. With a swift, cutting motion, she sliced the balloon clean in two. The top half floated away uselessly while the rest plummeted to the earth.
Elyrie jumped from the saddler, aiming for the balloon just below them. With a single slice from her fans, she ruptured the balloon. She landed on the metal top, using it to propel herself back in the air with her firebending. Katara caught her hand, pulling her back in the saddle. They watched as the third balloon floated down.
But for every balloon they downed, more seemed to rise. Appa grunted in pain as fireballs struck his armor, their heat searing through the metal. Katara raised water shields, and Elyrie was deflecting as many attacks as she could, but the barrage was relentless.
"There are too many of them!" she called out desperately.
Aang glanced back, dodging another volley of fire. "Let's join the others!" he shouted.
Katara nodded, urging Appa to follow. They veered away from the fleet, the Fire Nation's war machines looming ominously behind them. Below, the capital burned in the distance as the invasion force fought to escape. The air was tense as they navigated their way down the rugged sides of the volcano. The rumble of engines echoed ominously from above.
"Try and find cover!" Sokka shouted as they landed next to the group, his voice cutting through the noise. His eyes were locked on the shadow of an airship looming overhead. "I think we're about to see some bombs!"
Toph, ever quick to act, slammed her fists into the ground, bending a protective ceiling of earth overhead. Moments later, the underside of the airship opened, releasing its payload.
The bombs rained down with terrifying precision. Explosions erupted across the battlefield, sending shockwaves through the ground. One bomb struck dangerously close to Toph's ceiling, causing cracks to splinter through the earthen structure. With a grunt of effort, Toph reinforced it, bending two sturdy columns to prop it up.
Elyrie stepped from under the rock ceiling, aiming a fireball at a falling bomb. It ignited in the air, avoiding collision with the troops. But it wasn't enough. Inside the earthbending tanks, soldiers were tossed about by the chaos. As the airships passed overhead, the team seized their chance and dashed out from under the crumbling ceiling.
The airships flew over, ominously without turning back. Katara's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why aren't they turning around to attack us again?" she asked Elyrie, her voice tinged with worry.
"They're heading for the beach," Elyrie replied, her tone suddenly alarmed. "They're going destroy the submarines!"
Sokka froze for a moment, the weight of realization sinking in. "How are we all going to escape?" he asked, his voice laced with desperation.
Hakoda approached, leaning heavily on Kun for support. His voice was steady, though it carried a painful finality. "We're not."
Sokka turned to his father, his expression hardening with determination. "Then our only choice is to stand and fight. We have the Avatar. We could still win."
Hakoda nodded solemnly. "Yes, with the Avatar, we could still win. On another day." His gaze softened as he looked at Sokka and Katara. "You kids have to leave. You have to escape on Appa together."
Katara's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" she exclaimed, grabbing Hakoda by the arm. "We can't leave you behind!" Her gaze swept over the rest of the invasion force. "We won't leave anyone behind!"
Hakoda placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "You're our only chance in the long run. You and Sokka have to go with Aang somewhere safe." His voice faltered slightly, but he pressed on. "It's the only way to keep hope alive."
Panuk stepped forward, his face grim but resolute. "The youngest of our group should go with you. The adults will stay behind and surrender. We'll be prisoners, but we'll survive this battle."
Haru's father joined in, his voice calm and reassuring. "I've been in Fire Nation prisons before. It's not going to be easy, but we'll get by."
Before anyone could respond, Sokka turned abruptly. "They're at the beach already!" he shouted, pointing toward the horizon.
The Royal Plaza echoed with the heavy shadows of the airships moving overhead. On the shoreline, the swamp benders fought valiantly. Huu, Tho, and Due wielded their waterbending to deflect the bombs. The swamp monster formed by Huu grabbed several bombs midair, hurling them away, but one landed within the seaweed figure and detonated. The creature collapsed into steaming piles of seaweed, leaving Huu and his comrades defeated.
Five bombs rained down on the submarines, and within moments, all were destroyed. The team looked on in despair. Elyrie clenched her fists and closed his eyes, the sting of failure cutting deep as she tried to hold back her tears.
Nearby, the Mechanist stood atop an earth column, his son Teo by his side. He embraced Teo tightly, his voice thick with emotion. "Bye, son," he said. "I'm really proud of you."
"Bye, Dad," Teo replied, his voice small but filled with love.
One by one, the youngest members of the group prepared to leave. The Duke struggled to climb onto Appa's saddle, prompting Pipsqueak to gently lift him up. "Take care, The Duke," he said.
Haru hugged his father, Tyro, tightly. "We'll be back for you, Dad," Haru promised.
Tyro smiled faintly. "If we don't escape on our own first."
Hakoda placed his hands on Sokka and Katara's shoulders. His voice softened, pride and sorrow blending together. "We lost today," he admitted, "but we've never been this close. We tasted victory, and that counts for something."
Katara threw her arms around him, her voice trembling. "We'll miss you, Dad."
Sokka joined the embrace, his tone firm with a promise. "Bye, Dad. We won't be apart for too long this time. I promise."
Elyrie stood back, watching the goodbye's with a bitter taste on her tongue. They had failed, and now families would be separated again – all because she had allowed herself a moment with Zuko. And he told Azula and now everything was smashed, as easily as one would smash a porcelain cup. The shards were already scattered around them.
"Elyrie, you need to join them on Appa." Kun said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Confused, she turned around. Kun and Panuk stood behind her, their faces grim. "Get out of here while you still can." Panuk said as he pushed Elyrie in the direction of the skybison.
"I am not running away! Not when you are staying behind!" Elyrie said, bracing herself and dugging her heels in the ground.
"You are far too valuable to be captured!" Panuk insisted, ignoring her protest.
"And you aren't?! You are the heir to the Northern Water Tibe!" Elyrie retorted, and she turned to Kun, "And you'll be labelled as a traitor. You know what the Fire Nation does to traitors!"
"But the Royal Family doesn't have a personal vendetta against me." Kun said, his voice firm, "As opposed to you – don't you think Azula will punish us even more with you here?"
Elyrie's heart dropped when the weight of his words settled on her shoulders. He was right – annoyingly so. Katara, Sokka, Aang, Toph, her – they were all wanted. Without them here, Azula would just send the troops of to prison. With them here, she would rejoice in torturing every single one of them.
Elyrie closed her eyes as she embraced Panuk en Kun, savoring the moment.
Aang sat on Appa's head, tears streaming down his face. Katara approached him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and offering a small, proud smile. Aang wiped his tears and stood, his voice resolute.
"Thank you all for being so brave and so strong," he said, addressing the invasion force. "I'm gonna make this up to you."
The group climbed aboard Appa, who let out a mournful groan as he took off. Aang gazed at the distant airship before turning his eyes forward. "I know just the place for us to go where we'll be safe for a while," he said. "The Western Air Temple."
The team looked back one last time at those left behind, their hearts heavy with the pain of separation.
Onboard a Fire Nation airship, a soldier approached Azula cautiously. "Should we follow them, Princess?"
Azula smiled, her expression cold and calculating. She had seen them all – the Avatar, the Water Tribe peasants and of course, the halfblood traitor. And for each of them, she had a plan.
"No, they're too fast. It doesn't matter." Her smile widened, knowing patience was a vritue. "They'll be back."
As Appa soared into the distance, a single war balloon followed at a steady pace.
Happy Holidays everyone! :)