Chapter 16: The Day of Black Sun

Part 1: Katara

Katara stood on the deck of Water Tribe ship, hands gripping the railing, seething with rage at her brother. They were going into battle and he still wasn't speaking to her. When he messed up his little pre invasion speech earlier that morning, Katara attempted to offer comfort and, instead, he yelled at her that it was Zuko's presence that infiltrated his chi and prevented him from delivering the invasion instructions correctly. Why couldn't he just give Zuko a chance?

"There they are, the great Gates of Azulon," Bato announced beside her.

Katara shook herself from her internal anger and peered into the distance where the enormous golden statue of Fire Lord Azulon had been erected in his honor.

"That doesn't look like a gate?" Katara wondered out loud and many others above deck murmured in confusion as well. As soon as the words left her mouth, a great screeching sound sent ripples through the water surrounding the deck and a massive chain net emerged spread from Azulon's fingertips to the cliffs surrounding the bay.

"We'll find a way to cut through," Bato reassured the warriors around them.

Of course, just as he spoke, the weaving chains burst into flames so powerful Katara felt their heat across her face even from their distance. The buzzing of an emergency system rang clear through the air and the humming of a number of Fire Nation Guard motorboats reached their ears, as well.

"Everyone, below deck!" Chief Hakoda commanded, "Get to the subs!"

Katara made the dash down the stairs and followed Toph, Pipsqueak and the Duke through the hatchet into the sub boat designed by Sokka and the mechanist. Every Water Tribe vessel had been attached to a sub prior to entering the bay, it was there best means of disguise to approach the Fire Nation shoreline.

Working with a swamp bender, Katara maneuvered the underwater sub through the ocean while the mechanist called out directions from over his shoulder. Toph huddled in the corner between Zuko and the Duke complaining of nausea and Sokka took a seat at the head of the sub beside the mechanist and their father. Katara switched between stealing secretive glances in Zuko's direction and staring daggers at the back of her brother's head.

"Focus on your bending, Sugar Queen," Toph admonished her when Katara's gaze lingered a second too long on Zuko's face. Blushing furiously and glaring at the floor, Katara wished bitterly, for once, Toph really was blind.

Zuko, to his credit, seemed focus on the event ahead. He stared, his characteristic frown settled across his face as they approached his home. Katara realized, with surprise, this would be his first time returning home in nearly four years. She felt a stab of sympathy for him and longed to comfort him, but she couldn't, they both had important jobs to do today.

Forced to come to the surface to allow oxygen to refill the subs, Katara and the swamp bender lifted the boat above the surface. Everyone was eager to catch a breather, but none as excited as Toph who climbed on top of Pipsqueak's shoulders to reach the hatchet first.

As soon as she made it above seawater to the top of the sub, Katara heard sounds of Toph retching nearby. She smirked, served her right for calling out Katara in front of everyone when she was staring at Zuko. Then, she sighed, she should really help her friend.

Turning to move towards Toph a hand caught hold of her wrist. He heart jumped and she turned expecting to see Zuko (only he snuck up on her like that), but it was Aang who had grabbed her. Her heart sank with disappointment and she swallowed the feeling. Aang looked nervous, grey eyes wide with anxiety, but, also, determination.

"It's time for me to go ahead," He murmured, "I'm going to scout out the Palace city and the royal palace, just to double check no one's home. Then, I'll meet you guys outside the city parameters to pick up Toph and find the bunker."

Katara's heart beat nervously for the boy in front of her. Aang only turned thirteen weeks ago and here he was risking his life for the greater good of the world. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know you can do this, Aang, I have faith in you. You're not that goofy kid from the iceberg anymore." She smiled lightly and Aang laughed and scratched the back of his neck.

"Ok, break time's over." Hakoda called from the hatchet and everyone moved to prepare to submerge.

"I'm flying Appa in," Katara called out to remind her father.

Hakoda waved in acknowledgment. "See you on the shore."

Without meaning to, Katara's eyes scanned the deck of the sub for a familiar scarred face, but found none. He must have already gone back under. Katara knew she would see him at the shoreline in an hour, but she'd wanted to say goodbye, just quickly, just in case something happened from here to there.

"Katara," Aang's voice broke through her thoughts and she jumped, surprised to see the airbender still standing in front of her. "What if I don't come back?"

Katara sighed, "Aang, don't even think like that, of course you're-"

But he cut her off when he leaned forward, closing the distance between them and pressing his lips into hers. Katara stood, shocked, while Aang kissed her. Before she could pull back he moved away, eyes looking determined and victorious.

"Good luck, Katara," And with those words he leapt into the air with the new airbending staff the mechanist built for him.

Katara stared at the ground below her feet, her mind still reeling from the kiss. She'd suspected Aang had a crush on her, but, apparently, it was more serious than she thought. Guilt licked at her insides when she realized she had felt nothing the whole time their lips pressed together. Instead, her heart jumped at the memory of a different set of lips.

"Katara, it's time to submerge!" Called Bato's voice from the hatchet.

Katara realized they were waiting for her to mount Appa before they sank beneath the water again.

"Right, I'm on it," She reassured her father's second in command and, still confused and guilty, she pulled herself onto Appa's broad neck. "Yip yip!"

…

"We've got to take out those assault towers, or else we'll never make it!" Hakoda shouted over the sound of firing Fire Nation explosives and the screeching of metal on metal as Earth Kingdom centipede assault vehicles crashed into the Fire Nation's own artillery branded tanks.

Katara gasped and clutched her knees regaining her breath and taking in the battle around her. The swamp benders were maintaining their position at the rear with unhurried success, Mako decked out as his powerful waterbending swamp monster. The earthbenders, lead by Toph and Haru's father, were taking heavy fire at the flanks of the invasion with only the slim, flexible bodies of the centipede assault vehicles between them and certain death. The Water Tribe pushed forward at the arrowhead of the formation, urged onward by Hakoda's constant cries of encouragement.

Hakoda looked between Sokka and Katara, "Back me up," He ordered effortlessly, and, despite sharing a quick look of distaste with each other, Sokka and Katara fell in step behind Hakoda. Dodging explosives launched by the Fire Nation's cannon towers and plumes of flames from the firebenders themselves, Katara called into the air, "Appa! Yip Yip!"

The sky bison roared from his position in the sky and veered downward. Hakoda, Katara and Sokka grabbed a hold of his saddle and the large animal launched them all back into the sky. Katara took the reigns, directing Appa precariously close to the Fire Nation gun towers. In her mind, she thanked her impossibly annoying brother for building Appa his own set of armor.

Reaching out the side of the saddle, Sokka successfully dismantled one tower with a well-placed swing of his sword. Katara guided Appa to land at the top of the wall. The Water Tribe family dismounted and Katara and Sokka looked to their father for instructions.

"You two take out this tower, meet me in the next one." Hakoda sprinted away from them towards the farther tower while Katara and Sokka wasted no time in breaking down the door of the closer tower. The female guard inside shouted in surprise at the invaders. Katara smirked and, pulling the water from her waterskins and the air itself, she froze the guard in a large block of ice.

Sokka wasted no time in hacking the explosive machines to pieces. With a quick nod, they exited the tower. Katara risked a glance over the edge of the battle, her eyes searching, without her even thinking, for one face in particular.

"Stop wasting our time looking for him," Sokka's voice snapped with hostility.

Katara fixed her brother with a fierce glare and opened her mouth to retaliate, but an explosion from the second guard tower stole her attention.

"Dad!" Sokka exclaimed and the siblings sprinted towards the tower with alarm.

Panic tightened across Katara's chest making it difficult to run, but her legs carried her anyways. Her throat tightened and she let out a whimper of fear. She couldn't lose her dad, not today.

Relief melted across the entire insides of her body when her father's badly burned, but recognizable figure came stumbling out of the tower.

"I'm ok, I'm ok," He reassured his children just before Sokka caught him.

"Let me see his injuries," Katara commanded, pushing Sokka roughly to the side. She pulled back the badly singed remnants of Hakoda's Water Tribe armor. A long, twisted burn covered the majority of his right abdomen and, when probing it, Katara suspected broken ribs underneath.

"You're going to be ok," Katara reassured her father. "But only if you let me heal you now. Burns will worsen if you let them fester."

"How long will that take? I need to lead this mission, Katara!"

Katara set her mouth in a grim line and shook her head, "You can't fight anymore, if I'm lucky, I can get enough of you healed in under an hour to prevent any future damage."

Hakoda's face fell and he groaned, mostly, from stress and less from pain Katara determined.

"I can do it," Sokka suddenly spoke up from beside her, "Dad, I can lead this mission."

Hakoda eyed his son carefully and spoke slowly, "Sokka, one day you will be the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe and you will be a great leader." He sighed, " That day, however, is not today. Today, you focus on the safety of your sister and your friends. Find Bato, give him command of the mission."

Sokka's face fell slightly with rejection. Katara felt sympathy for her older brother before she remembered she was mad at him so she glared at the ground instead of offering her comfort like she typically would. Finally he spoke, "I won't let you down, Dad."

"Good," Hakoda nodded his assent and Sokka rushed to his feet to rejoin the battle.

Katara hesitated before asking her father, "Dad, Sokka's sixteen, old enough to take charge of this mission by our tribe's standards, why didn't you let him?"

Hakoda sighed and closed his eyes. Gently he responded, "My son is a creative man and a brave warrior, but he still has a lot to learn about...maturity."

Katara couldn't help, but wonder if Sokka's attitude about Zuko played a factor in her father's decision making.

"Now, how about that healing session?" Her father urged.

Katara pulled water from the air and cloaked her hands in the blue glow. She needed to be quick and efficient, she would not fail her second parent.

…

"We're at the Palace City Gates," Katara announced with pride to her father. Hakoda attempted to lift himself from the stretcher, but his daughter pushed him back down.

"Do not sit up, can't you listen to one thing I say? I already brought you back to the front lines at your insistence!" Katara added a gentle smile with her firm words, truly happy with the healing progress of her father.

Finally, she spotted Toph, Sokka and Bato gathered together in a huddle. The two Water Tribe warriors carrying Hakoda placed him gently on the ground beside them.

"A cripple? At such a young age? What a shame," Bato remarked with a smirk. Hakoda attempted to punch his lieutenant in the arm from his lying position, but Bato dodged the fist easily.

The sound of a long gust of wind over their heads drew everyone's attention to the sky. A blur of orange and yellow flashed ahead before Aang landed in their midst. His eyes were set in a narrow glare and he tapped his fingers nervously against his staff surveying the group before him.

"Secret bunker it is?" Toph guessed, "I'm assuming since the eclipse hasn't even started, unless you kicked the Fire Lord's ass, piece of cake."

Katara shot the girl a look for her language, but, of course, Toph didn't see her expression.

Aang only nodded slowly, "Secret bunker," He confirmed, "But, it's weird, we knew the Fire Lord would be gone, but Zuko never mentioned the entire Palace City being evacuated?"

"The entire Palace City?" Katara repeated with confusion.

"Everyone's gone…poof." Aang added for emphasis.

Katara watched Sokka roll his hands into fists, "They knew we were coming," He hissed. Turning on Katara he asked through gritted teeth, "Where the hell is Zuko?"

"How should I know? I have been healing our dad." She snapped in response.

"Toph? Anyone?" Sokka continued.

Toph shrugged, "Haven't seen Sparky since we got off the boat."

Sokka closed his eyes, then, unexpectedly, punched the ground with such force Katara thought he may have developed some earthbending powers.

"I knew it, he warned them. Soon as we got here, maybe before we even got here."

"Zuko wouldn't do that," Katara defended immediately.

"Oh, Katara, just knock it off, would you?" Sokka retaliated with venom. "I'm sorry he tricked you into his good guy act, I really am, but how else would the Fire Nation know to abandon thousands of residents for a secret invasion? We've been on shore maybe little more than an hour, that's not enough time to get everyone out."

"Well, then Zuko couldn't have warned them when we got here anyways," Katara snapped.

"Guys," Aang's pleading voice broke the argument, "Please, we need to make a decision here. Let's assume the Fire Nation knew we were coming, we don't know how they knew, but they knew, what do we do now?"

Sokka scratched his chin, "The Fire Lord is probably still in that secret bunker, you know, if it's real." He shot a pointed look towards Katara who ignored him.

"Chief Hakoda, do you think it's worth the risk to still go after the Fire Lord?" Aang eyed the thoughtful man on the stretcher.

"Everyone here knew they were risking their lives when they signed up for this mission, I think they'd want you to try, no matter the circumstances."

Aang nodded, seeming pleased with Hakoda's counsel, "We can still win the day. Toph, come with me."

"I'm coming too," Sokka announced, "I'll-I'll help keep you safe." He seemed to glance back towards his father, as if, for approval.

Katara felt a moment of division, should she go with Aang too? Then, she remembered her father next to her. He needed a couple more healing sessions before the beginning the eclipse to get him back on his feet. That had to be her priority.

Aang hesitated for only a moment then nodded in agreement, "Ok, let's find the Fire Lord."

…

Katara stared in utter awe at the gates of Fire Nation palace. Solid gold engraved with the fierce faces of multiple dragon guardians adorned the gates themselves and, just beyond them, Katara could make out a brass pleated pathway up to a set of humungous front doors, large enough to allow access for four komodo rhinos standing shoulder to shoulder. Upon the massive front door was a mural of some hundreds of winged dragons who seemed to dance and weave together, eyes somehow sparkling even in the distance, warning any would be invaders off, such as herself. Manicured gardens in this open front plain of the palace boasted fruit trees and flowery bushes of rarity. The sheer size of the palace reigned shadows down across said garden and the hundred invaders who stared dumbstruck in awe.

Katara had never seen a building with equal magnificence, not even the palace in Ba Sing Se, something about the gleaming shades of Fire Nation gold and red put the brown and green styled architecture of Ba Sing Se to shame. The Fire Nation palace seemed too glorious to house mere mortals, it seemed like the home of gods and spirits, beings worthy of its beauty and prowess.

This was Zuko's home. Katara realized with shock. No wonder the prince acted so spoiled and snooty the first few times they encountered him. Katara wondered, just for a brief moment, what it must feel like to know you were inheriting all of this. The palace left no room in her mind about the wealth of a the Fire Nation and she wondered, if just this palace were so magnificent, what would be the total worth of Zuko's inheritance had he remained the Fire Lord's loyal son? Grudgingly, Katara acknowledged how difficult it must be to walk away from such a fortune.

"What now?" Bato asked Hakoda in his usual guttural voice.

"The eclipse is over, I expect we'll see some firebenders soon. And if the avatar didn't defeat the Fire Lord, we're in trouble."

As if in response to their fears, the loud growl of Appa from overhead reached their ears. Katara craned her neck to watch Aang, Toph and Sokka descend, faces set in matching grim expressions. Her heart sank and fear prickled in her stomach.

"Azula knew, she knew about everything," Sokka sighed, his eyes dark with anger and disappointment.

Chief Hakoda, now able to stand on his two feet squared his shoulders, "Did she say how she acquired such information?"

Katara sucked in a breath between her teeth, the root of her father's suspicion quite clear. For a moment, just a moment, doubt blossomed in her stomach. Could Zuko have betrayed them? Betrayed her? She trusted him so resolutely during their travels, especially, after Hama. He could have sent a raven, a quick note, right under her unassuming nose.

"She didn't say," Sokka answered slowly, casting a quick dark expression towards where Katara stood.

For a moment, she felt relief. There were other ways the knowledge of their secret invasion plan could have reached Azula's ears, right? A new series of shadows rippled across the mass of invaders drawing Katara from her thoughts and her eyes back into the sky.

Dozens of red hot air balloons filled the sky behind the castle, the gold Fire Nation insignia weaved delicately into the fabric. To Katara's horror, the display of air power didn't stop there. From behind the line of hot air ballons rose floating black airships, ten time the size of the simple balloons in front of them. The thin fabric containing the air of these massive flying ships were adorned with thick coats of what appeared to be black leather armor, no doubt, to prevent enemy fire from puncturing them and sending them back to the ground. The head of the ships spiked outward like the hull of a simple Fire Nation water ship, but instead of smooth metal below to allow easy sailing through water, were massive carvings of the face of dragons, mouths hanging open as if threatening to swallow up their adversaries.

Katara's heart hammered with true terror. How could their small invasion fleet fight flying Fire Nation ships? Reaching out towards her father, she gripped the side of his arm. They exchanged desperate glances.

"We cannot stay here," Hakoda murmured, speaking lowly as if only to himself. He cleared his throat and spoke louder with more assurance, "We cannot stay here, back to the subs!"

"They've got air power now, but so do I," Aang announced grabbing his glider tightly.

"I can help too, let's try to slow them down." Katara responded rushing to climb aboard Appa.

She and Appa ascended towards the sky following behind the small twirling figure of Aang. Katara with her waterbending and Aang using his airbending surrounded one of the hot air balloons. Katara watched Aang's back using her water whips to block any firebending attacks while Aang landed inside the hot air balloon basket and disabled the machine. Katara watched Aang spring back into the air from the edge of air balloon basket and one of dozens of balloons twisted and deflated towards the surface of the land.

"Aang!" She shouted across the sounds of rushing air and explosives colliding with the ground. "We can't take them all down!"

She looked over the small figures of her retreating friends and family. They were the size of insects from her height, moving ever so slowly compared to the speed of the airships she flew beside. They're not going to make it.

Just as the terrifying thought crossed her mind, the first line of air balloons let out a rocketing assault of explosives aimed at the subs docked on the bay's shore. Katara watched helplessly from the air as the invaders' one hope of escape erupted into flames below her.

Pointing towards where she spotted the unmistakable gaits of Toph, Sokka and her father, Katara yelled towards Aang again. "Head down there!"

Her heart pounding with adrenaline and the wind rushing by her ears, Katara guided Appa back into the heart of the invasion's retreating back. They landed heavily on the ground and her family and friends rushed to surround her and Aang.

"They've destroyed the subs," she spoke facing her father, fighting the emotions sticking in her throat. "We can't get out."

"Then we stand and fight," Sokka interjected narrowing his eyes determinedly. "We have the avatar, we can still win this fight."

Chief Hakoda frowned at his feet, thoughts churning in his mind. Everyone watched him and waited with bated breath to hear his final decision.

"With the avatar we can win on another day." Chief Hakoda finally spoke and straightened up. He placed his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "You and Aang take the youngest among us to escape on Appa. The adults will stay and surrender. We will take the loss today and live to fight another day."

"No," Sokka whispered, "I won't leave you again."

Katara's heart pounded more forcefully than before, growing desperate as she looked around for a certain firebender.

"Toph, where's Zuko?" She asked, her voice on edge.

"I saw him," Said Haru, "Back in the Palace City, he fought off some Fire Guards and stole a kimodo rhino. Rode off fast like a madman."

Katara's heart beat high up in her throat, "Well, where is he now we have to get out of here."

Hakoda's voice broke through the air, but not Katara's panic. "All warriors nineteen years or younger, aboard Appa."

"Dad, no!" Sokka continued to protest, "They'll take you all to prison, or worse, kill you for your role in the invasion!"

Hakoda eyed his son calmly, gripping Sokka's shoulders with both of his hands, "We're valuable, we know too much about the Avatar to be executed right away. Sokka, I am trusting you to protect your sister, protect the avatar. The fate of the world rests with you."

Katara's ears only picked up bits and pieces of the profound conversation between her brother and father. Her heart picked up in speed as seconds passed. The thundering and crashing of Fire Nation explosives continued to permeate the air. "Toph, do you feel Zuko anywhere near us? We need to find him!"

Toph frowned in concentration and crouched on the ground. With her palm flat on the ground, Katara watched with apprehension as Toph searched for Zuko's figure using her earthbending. "I'm sorry, Katara."

Katara breathed heavily in and out. Had Zuko been hurt? Killed even? An even worse thought creeped through her mind. Did he betray her again? The look on the faces of her companions seemed to confirm her worst fears, but, no she refused to believe it.

Aang caught her eye nervously, "Look, Katara, we don't know where Zuko is, but we can't risk the lives of everyone here for one person who may…"

"May what? Zuko's on our side! He's on our side and he helped with this invasion and what kind of allies are we to leave him behind!" Katara didn't mean to scream right into his face, but the words escaped with violence from her mouth.

Aang stared at her with huge grey eyes, mouth agape. It took only a few seconds for guilt to kick into her stomach. Still, she couldn't bring herself to apologize in her emotional frenzy, instead, she spun in place, her eyes searching for a scarred face. Aang, Sokka, Haru, Pipsqueak, The Duke, and, even, her father watched her with apparent concern.

"Someone ratted us out to Azula, Katara,"Sokka's voice was surprisingly soft, as if soothing an angry armadillo lion.

Katara set him with a fiery glare and opened her mouth to protest, but Sokka cut her off quickly, "Look, I'm not saying it was definitely Zuko! But there's a possibility. We can't stay here and endanger our friends for a maybe traitor."

Tears prickled in Katara's eyes. A scarred face and golden eyes flashed in her mind. She remembered how hot, calloused hands felt on her waist and how soft, pale lips felt against her own. Her heart throbbed with despair. It hurt for the possible betrayal she refused to believe, it ached for her own hopeless affection towards the firebender and it grieved for her morality crying for her not to leave a friend behind in the deadly Fire Nation capital.

To her utter surprise, her brother wrapped strong, brown arms around her, pressing to him briefly and lending his comfort. "Come on, magic water girl, we need to get everyone to safety."

Katara sucked a fierce breath into her lungs, attempting to fight the growing hysteria inside her. "Ok." With her agreement, the youngest began to claw their way up Appa clutching handfuls of white fur as they went. Aang used airbending to lift Teo, wheelchair and all, into Appa's saddle.

Sokka and Katara were the last with feet on the ground. Hakoda swept them both under each arm bringing the three of them close together. Katara stared at her father mournfully. How cruel to be reunited with her family to only be torn apart hours later. Staring at her father's wrinkled face, she committed every line to memory, just in case it would be her last of him.

"Be brave, my children. May Tui and La protect and guide you. I love you always."

Katara's heart tugged a million directions in her chest as Sokka guided her to Appa's side. She cast her eyes at the scene of devastation around her. A number of fires scattered from the city down to the bay, sending twirling towers of black smoke towards the sky. The scent of burning buildings and foliage nearly choked her throat. The dead and injured remained dispersed throughout the battleground, perhaps, never to be returned to their families.

Biting her bottom lip so hard she drew blood, Katara desperately searched, one last time for a specific young man. Unsuccessful, she turned to climb aboard Appa, her heart sitting heavy in her chest and, finally, when they took to the air, she allowed the tears she held at bay to slide down her face.

…

Part 2: Zuko (2 hours earlier)

Never forget who you are.

Zuko clutched his hands into fists at his sides, shaking his head, attempting to drive the image of his mother's face from his mind. His struggled remembering his mother's smile and soft comforting hands enveloping him into warm, comforting hugs to soothe the damage left by Ozai's temper and disappointment with his eldest son.

Everything I've done, I've done to protect you.

The young firebender gritted his teeth and tried to focus on something, anything in the air tight sub to distract him from his memories. Apparently, the rapidly approaching reunion with his home country was enough to drill cracks into his perfectly guarded most painful memories. He cast desperate eyes across the back of Sokka and the mechanist's heads, he looked sideways at the seasick earthbender beside him who held her fingers over her eyes and groaned, and, finally, he looked to his right at the waterbender who propelled the sub along underwater with precise swings of her arms. Her blue eyes seemed to glow in the eerie underwater light, her lips turned more purple than pink and her hair darkened, nearly appearing black like his own.

Of course, only Katara could drive the frightful memories of his last moments with his mother from his mind. Feeling like a ten year old kid again, Zuko glared fiercely ahead of him. He didn't need distractions, he needed focus, if he hoped to carry out the hazily constructed plan in his head.

"We'll need to head above water one last time," He heard the mechanist's voice directed at Sokka and Chief Hakoda, "To refill for enough oxygen to reach Fire Nation shores."

Katara changed the pattern of her bending and Zuko felt the underwater boat jolt beneath him as they ascended towards the surface. Zuko followed a sickly Toph out the hatchet, feeling a bit queasy in the stomach himself. He felt the cool, sea breeze kiss across his good cheek and he spun in a slow circle taking in the endless horizons of blue surrounding them. The Palace City was only a short, black coastline too far off for any defining characteristics to come into view. Almost home.

Home? Zuko's breathing stuttered as his brain tripped over the word. Could he even consider the Palace City his home anymore? He'd been a child when he left, a different person. Really, he spent more defining years of his life on his ship with his uncle and crew. His throat tightened at the memory of the tea loving old man and his internal fire flared. Would his uncle be happy with his plan? Or disappointed Zuko disobeyed Chief Hakoda's orders?

Zuko nervously ran a hand through his hair. Subconsciously, his eyes roamed the deck for a familiar young woman. He located her across the deck speaking softly with the avatar. Zuko was too far to read their lips to determine the contents of their conversation.

"Ok, break time's over," Chief Hakoda's words rang over the small group. Everybody moved together to pile back into the underwater sub. Zuko lingered at the back of the line, waiting for Katara before remembering she was flying Appa into shore. He sighed, so he would have no opportunity to say goodbye before the battle commenced. He landed lightly on the metal floor of the sub in time to hear Toph's annoyed growl, "Katara's still up there with Aang, someone tell them to get a move on."

Closest to the hatchet, Zuko eagerly re-ascended the ladder, hopeful for an opportunity to say goodbye after all. His mind ran with how to approach her. Be safe, Katara, if you get hurt I'll- I'll kill every firebender in the Palace City. No, too dark. Please, be safe, Katara, I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you because I care about you and- No, too emotionally revealing. But maybe, for once, he should take a risk, expose himself, tell Katara the truth how he thought about her nearly every moment of every day, how he wanted to hold her and kiss her, spend an eternity of time with her…With an internal groan, Zuko over the edge of the hatchet, still unsure how to best approach Katara. No amount of self-preparation would have helped for the site that greeted him on the sub's deck. From his angle, Zuko nearly doubted his own eyes, but a couple more seconds of observation made it indisputable. Katara stood locked mouth to mouth with the avatar, like the kissing sort of mouth to mouth.

Zuko's stomach dropped into his toes and his throat constricted nearly choking the air from his lungs. Quickly and without much grace, he slammed the hatchet shut again and ducked back inside the sub, breathing hard.

"Well?" Asked Toph, still irked.

"She's busy," Zuko responded, unable to keep the sour tone from his voice.

Bato, Chief Hakoda's second in command, rolled his eyes towards the surly Fire Nation prince and replaced Zuko to climb the ladder. Zuko half hoped he caught Katara and the avatar in their compromising position. Then, maybe, Chief Hakoda would send his unnerving, analytic stares in Aang's direction instead of Zuko's.

He slumped onto the floor of the sub, crossing his arms tightly in front of his chest. He struggled to contain the rage burning at his core, sending heat across his arms and into his palms. Zuko pressed them even more tightly against his ribcage, willing no flames to escape from his body in his rage.

The envy pooled in the back of his throat and an acidic taste burned in his mouth. All those times Katara denied her relationship with the avatar. Zuko suspected, back when he first started chasing the group, but he allowed a pretty girl's bat of the eyelashes trick him into believing her lies. Of course, Katara would end up with the avatar, Zuko knew that before he even knew Katara. That's how this story was supposed to end, the good girl ends up with the good boy. And where did that leave Zuko? Alone, possibly dead by his own family's hand.

But Katara never spoke or acted with any sort of romantic interest in Aang. She even referred to him as a "kid" on a couple occasions. Frustratingly, Zuko ground his teeth together and a short steam of smoke escaped from his nostrils.

"You ok, Sparky? You seem a little…heated." The earthbender continued to stare straight ahead when she addressed Zuko.

"I'm fine," Zuko grated, hoping his tone discouraged her from continuing the conversation.

"Whatever," Toph merely shrugged her shoulders and buried her face back in her hands with a second onset of sea sick induced moans.

…

"Down, down!" Zuko's muscles screamed in protest as he launched his body into the hot sand for the fifth time in five minutes. The high pitched scream of fire bombs launched from the Fire Nation artillery tanks whistled by his ear and one of their own subs went up in flames with the impact.

Zuko nearly shouted in frustration, he needed to initiate the first phase of his personal plan for the day, but his honor wouldn't allow him to abandon the swamp benders when they faced such heavy pressure from the Fire Nation military defense.

His heart pounding and body electrified with adrenaline, he pushed himself back onto his feet, brandishing his dual swords. Moving swiftly, Zuko sprinted head on towards the closest tank. With the comfortable weight of his swords in hands, and internal fire blazing with lingering rage over Katara and Aang's kiss, Zuko felt more than capable of taking on a tank alone.

Zuko promptly approached and, nimbly using the skills of the Blue Spirit, he climbed up the side of the tank and, in one fluid motion, unleashed a powerful burst of fire over the top hatchet and drove his sword straight through the now malleable metal surface. He heard the alarmed shouts of soldiers within the machine and pulled out his sword at an angle to whip the hatchet open. Not wasting a breath, he stuck his fist inside the small compartment and pulled one the firebenders out by their hair.

The soldier attempted to shoot a fireball from their fist into Zuko's face, but Zuko caught their palm and snuffed their fire. Using the hilt of his sword, he drove the solid material into the back of the soldier's skull knocking him unconscious. The second soldier attempted to flee the scene, leaping out of the tank and falling sideways into the sand, clearly alarmed to see a firebender among the invasion forces. Zuko rolled off the side of the tank and caught the man by a wayward flap of fabric. He repeated the same action with his sword as with the first soldier.

From behind him, the swamp bender in charge, Mako, emerged from the water covered in knotted piles of seaweed. Zuko watched the swampbender manipulate the water dense plants to create a waterbending ocean monster and he attacked tank after tank using the heavy weight of the plants to easily dismantle a number of them in just a minute. Feeling more confident in the abilities of the swamp waterbenders, Zuko took off at a sprint across the beach. At first, he trailed behind the front lines of the invasion, keeping his head down and dodging fireballs. At last, he reached the well-remembered break at the right hand of the cliff. It wasn't large or trusty enough for the entire invasion force to fit through, hence, why Zuko neglected to share it with Sokka or Chief Hakoda, but for one firebender it would do perfectly.

Zuko veered sharply off the course of the invasion. For a moment, he glared at the thin break in the cliff, he remembered it to be larger. Of course, he and Azula used this "secret path" from the Palace City to the beach whenever feeling particularly rebellious. The last time they escaped the city together Zuko figured he'd been about ten years old.

"Zuzu, I bet my dancing dragons bayonet I can hold my breath way longer than you!"

"HA! Not a chance, Zula, my lungs are bigger than yours!"

Zuko swallowed the uncomfortable memory of his younger sister and pushed his shoulders through the opening in the cliff.

…

Entering the Palace City and, subsequently, the Palace proved much simpler than Zuko anticipated. For some bizarre reason, the city was completely desolate and he encountered not one other person during his journey. Zuko had never used the servant's entrance before, but he knew where it would be located. So, his first moments in his ex-home were spent wandering through the horrendously large palace kitchens, attempting to locate the correct entrance to the Grand Hall.

Shaking his head at the number of salt freezers in the kitchen alone, Zuko finally walked into familiar territory. For a moment, his entire body froze, as if trapped in one of Katara's ice boxes. His eyes surveyed the familiar room around him, adorned with cathedral style ceilings and large portraits of Fire Lords' past . An ornate, thick red carpet ran the length of the room supporting a long, pine wood table, specially crafted to host a hundred elite guests.

Zuko walked, slowly, to the head of the table, to stand beside an elaborately decorated chair adorned by a solid gold orb headpiece which glistened from the light of the large oval windows running the length of the hall giving the illusion a small replicate sun glittering directly above the diner's head. Really, it resembled a small throne more so than a dinner chair and was reserved only for the active Fire Lord. Gazing down at the opposite end, Zuko realized the Fire Lord would never be able to see the face of his wife sitting at the opposite head seat from such a distance. Gripping the armrest of the throne tightly, Zuko glared at the plush, red carpet and doubted Ozai would have cared to see Ursa's face clearly, even if she hadn't disappeared the night before his coronation.

"What happened to you?" Zuko whispered out loud. Then he shouted in frustration and unleashed a fast, hot whip of fire scorching a thick, black line into the otherwise immaculate carpet.

Zuko's throat closed in on itself and his old childhood anxiety crept up into his chest. He sprinted towards the double cedar doors, delicately carved with a massive Fire Nation insignia, and fled the room.

Zuko didn't stop running even when his lungs burned for air, even when his legs screamed for a brief rest. He took six flights of marble stairs two at a time. His aching body and frantic state of mind didn't matter, he could have run this familiar path in his sleep. Finally, he stood face to face with his target doorway. He sucked in a deep breath and placed his hands palms up against the familiar dark chestnut wood. Briefly, he closed his eyes, then, he gripped the handle and flung the door open.

He partly expected to see his old bedroom empty and bare or, maybe, the remnants of his furniture burned to ash. However, the room appeared strangely peaceful, like not a soul entered it since the day of his banishment. Slowly, Zuko passed the foyer and paced around his massive, four poster bed. The sheets remained untucked from the day he flung them aside, eager for the Agni Ki he did not yet realize would ruin his life. Apparently, someone told the servants not to bother with cleaning his room that day. Dust settled across the large dresser and dulled the vibrant red of his Fire Nation tapestry. Zuko passed the door to his private bath and looked out foggy windows to the small outcrop of his balcony.

Running his hands through his hair, he fought the anxiety still coursing through his veins and approached his bedside table. Warily, he pulled the top drawer open and his heart stopped at the sight of her face. His memory hadn't done Ursa justice. He pulled the detailed, ink portrait of his mother out into the open of the room and laid it across the covers of his bed.

"What did he do to you?" Zuko murmured. Ursa's face uncannily resembled Azula's now that his sister was nearly a full adult. Zuko felt a brief stab of guilt remembering how his mother loved Azula, despite her sinister tendencies. Would she be disappointed he betrayed his sister in Ba Sing Se? The thought upset Zuko too much to dwell on and he rolled up his mother's image and tucked it inside the pocket of his robe.

For a moment, he stood still, taking in the silence around him. He couldn't hear the battle from here, or, maybe, the palace just had excellent sound proof technology. He was tempted, just for a moment, to lay in his large, luxurious bed, to allow himself to wallow in the loss of his mother, at the site of where she last parted from him. But he was quite certain his mother would be disappointed in her son for choosing to hide in his childhood bedroom while a war raged around him.

Still swallowing the anxiety his palace home induced in him, Zuko exited his bedroom, even whispering, "Goodbye", into the empty space behind him. He took to the hallways in a light jog and his mind struggled with the next part of his plan. He still had approximately twenty minutes before the eclipse began. Plenty of time to get to the prison. But, also, plenty of time to reach the bunkers and help the Avatar.

Zuko groaned out loud and threw his hands into the air in frustration. Go to the prison? Go to the avatar? Aang didn't even want his help, he told Zuko specifically not assist him in defeating Ozai. But, since when did Zuko take orders from the avatar?

His mind still convulsing with indecision, he failed to notice the pinpoint, ultra sharp dagger which flew through the air and caught him in the sleeve of his robe. The force behind the small knife forced Zuko to spin and nearly lose balance. The next couple daggers flew through the air faster than the blink of an eye and embedded themselves along Zuko's sleeve pinning him into the thick tapestry hung on the hallway wall.

Zuko's heart thudded nervously in his chest. Only one woman alive could toss daggers around with such precision.

"Zuko!" An especially cheery voice floated down the hall. Zuko watched the acrobatic form of Ty Lee as she cartwheeled up to a halt inches from his face.

"Azula thought you may come here! She said you're…what's the word? Sentimental!"

Zuko glared at Ty Lee's broad grin, furious for allowing the brief drop in his guard. He squared his jaw and prepped for a fight when another voice greeted him.

"And I thought this entire eclipse business would be boring." The sighing, melancholy Mai sauntered into his line of vision.

Despite himself, a blush crept into his cheeks. He remembered, years ago, the feel of those frowning, pink lips against his own and pale skin under his fingertips. They'd been betrothed, after all, and he suspected Mai viewed him romantically even back then. Now, however, he feared less her girly advances and more her legitimately stabbing a knife through his heart.

Mai docked an eyebrow as she took her time sizing him up. Finally, the hint of a smile crossed her mouth. "We're supposed to hold you hostage until Azula returns from the bunkers, but now that I'm seeing you…holding you for another hour does seem dreadfully…tedious."

"Azula's in the bunkers?" Zuko spit the question out, nerves getting the better of him.

Mai studied her fingernails before responding, "Yes, something to do with distracting the Avatar, keeping him away from the Fire Lord, possibly killing him and his friends herself when the firebending turns back on. You know, typical Azula fun."

Zuko groaned out loud and threw his head back to stare at the arched ceilings. He could feel his frustrations heating his inner flame. Could he take Mai and Ty Lee on by himself? He still had his firebending and they were two non-benders though skilled in combat in their own right.

Ty Lee breathed directly into his ear, "I think he's considering fighting us, Mai!" She giggled at the end, annoying Zuko and he emulated a low growl at her close proximity.

Mai's eyes flickered with a rare emotion for her; amusement. She, too, approached Zuko, moving so their faces stood mere inches apart. "What a rash decision that would be," She murmured carelessly.

Abruptly, she pulled away from him and yawned. "I think, Ty Lee, I am suddenly very hungry for a fruit tart."

Ty Lee's large eyes darted between Mai and Zuko as realization dawned across her face. "We're gonna let him go! Mai, Azula will be so mad!"

Mai shrugged nonchalantly, "What Azula doesn't know won't hurt her." She yawned again and began to saunter in the general direction of the kitchen.

Surprisingly, Ty Lee's face erupted into a large grin. "Yay, we're letting Zuko go! You know, I don't know why we became better friends with Azula? When we were kids, Zuko always treated us much nicer."

The edge of Mai's lips curled into a smile and she cast a final glance over her shoulder to where Zuko still stood pinned against the tapestry. She smirked, "You would have made a good husband."

Zuko watched their retreating backs, his mouth slightly agape. Excitement quickly replaced his shock and he pulled the knives sticking through his clothes out of the tapestry to free himself from the wall. Shaking his head, he mulled over the new information about Azula. Really, it didn't leave much room for more debate. He needed to get to the bunkers, he needed to warn the avatar and his friends about Azula. He figured, somehow, his vindictive sister knew about the invasion, maybe, since Ba Sing Se.

"I'm sorry, Uncle," He muttered under his breath.

…

Zuko figured they renovated, at least, some of the secret passageways headed into the underground bunker so was pleasantly surprised when the familiar path lead him directly to his goal destination, the Fire Lord's private royal accomodations. He paced outside the unassuming door for a good few minutes, waiting for the effects of the eclipse to take place. At last, he felt the cold dimming of his internal flame. A shiver ran down his back and he palmed the hilts of his swords at his back. He was still a warrior, even without his bending.

His heart hammered in his throat and his arms shook slightly. Would it be Azula or his father to greet him on the other side of this door? And where was the avatar? But, it was too late to turn back now. He kicked the door in and it flung open in front of him.

And there Fire Lord Ozai sat, upon a light red pedestal, sipping a cup of steaming tea. A line of guards, trained in swordsmanship rather than firebending, saluted at the ready and drew their weapons simultaneously at the invader. Zuko watched his father, eyes narrowed, waiting for the man to look at him.

Fire Lord Ozai didn't even glance up before speaking, "Prince Zuko, my son, I hoped we would spend some time together today." He waved his hands, absentmindedly, and the line of guards loyally trooped out of the room leaving nothing between Fire Lord Ozai and his firstborn.

Zuko held his breath and, at last, Ozai lifted narrow amber eyes to study his son over his cup of tea. "You've grown, you look like a true warrior now." Ozai opened his arms as if welcoming his wayward son into an embrace. His voice danced somewhere between mockery and true pride. As usual, he confused Zuko with his dual personalities. He felt, under his burning yellow stare, like a thirteen year old kid again, not the seventeen year old man he'd grown to be.

"No thanks to you," He hissed back, barely containing his own anxiety and anger beneath the surface of his voice.

Fire Lord Ozai further narrowed his eyes and, slowly, rose to his feet. Up on his royal pedestal, he still towered over Zuko, but the Prince suspected they were now practically the same height. His father's face had not changed over the course of the past three and half years, save a few new wrinkled lines in his forehead, but the familiar face failed to intimidate Zuko with quite the ease it used to.

"Was suffering not your teacher?" Asked Ozai with all the innocence of a caring father. His yellow eyes flickered over the large scar he inflicted years ago onto his son's face. Subconsciously, Zuko reached up to touch the scar himself. The corner of Ozai's mouth twisted into a sly grin, "I half expected you to burst into this room with that foolish, little avatar in tow. I must express my pleasure this is not the case." He cocked his head to the side as he continued to study his son, "So, you've come to regret your decision in Ba Sing Se? You are here to beg your father's forgiveness? Well, I'm listening."

Zuko continued to stare at Fire Lord Ozai, his chest heaving with deep breaths and his palms becoming slippery on the hilts of his swords. "Beg for your forgiveness?" His voice nearly cracked on the words. He shook his head passionately, "You challenged me, a child, your child to Agni Ki! How can you possibly justify a duel with a child? You banished me took away my pride, my home, my mother-" Zuko's words died in his mouth at the mention of Ursa. He narrowed his eyes fiercely at his father. "All I wanted was your love," He hissed with venom at the man who sired him. "Your acceptance, you to look at me the way you looked at Azula."

Fire Lord Ozai's smirk widened and a short chuckle escaped from his lips. "You're a warrior and you've grown a backbone! I did right by you, my son." Then, the smile faded from his lips and apparent sadness fell over his face like a shadow. He shook his head slowly, "Perhaps, perhaps, I was a bit tough on you. But my own father, Azulon, he was tough on me growing up, too, I've got my own scars to prove it! It made me the man and the leader I am today. I wanted the same for you, Zuko, but you were so soft, so weak, too much of your mother in you, I needed to do something to make a real impression on you, to teach you to be a man. And look at my success!" He waved his hand in the air loosely indicating to Zuko's scar.

"You taught me nothing," Zuko hissed, "About being a man. I learned everything from Uncle. He's the one who taught me, he showed me how to be a man who's nothing like you."

Fire Lord Ozai sneered down at him, "That tea loving, foolish old bimbo has got you, huh? Iroh boasts a legacy of embarrassment and failure, apparently, something you wish to follow suit with. If you are not here to humble yourself before your lord than these defiant words will be your last."

Zuko's father took a threatening few steps down from his pedestal, his eyes glaring with a new, powerful rage into his own son's similar amber eyes. Zuko whipped his dual swords out in front of him, pointing both tips aimed at the center of his father's chest.

"You won't hurt me," the Fire Lord's voice adopted a new, malevolent tone, "You don't have the guts. I could tell, even when you were a child, you would never be a master firebender, never be a worthy leader of our country."

"How could you have judged me, in childhood, to determine all these failures? I never had a chance, did I?" Zuko warily watched his father whose anger seemed to rise as each second passed between them, only risking one nervous glance over his shoulder at the secured metal door. Where was the avatar?

"I gave you a million chances, Prince Zuko! I tried everything within my power as your father to create something beneficial of your existence!" If the eclipse was not in full swing, Zuko didn't doubt there would be smoke leaking from his father's nostrils.

"I am your son," Zuko gasped, his hands now shaking with nerves and anger, "I shouldn't have needed to justify my existence to you!"

"You are no son of mine," Fire Lord Ozai snarled and pointed a finger at his face, "I've revoked your birthright, your inheritance, your honor and, if I could, I would revoke my own blood from your veins."

Zuko fought the wave of nausea rising in his stomach. All the years of Ozai's mistreatment rushed to the forefront of his mind. Lucky to be born…Ozai's hand coming to slap him across the face after Azula successfully created a flame before her older brother…pathetic, weak…Ursa holding him tight against her chest whispering comforts…a sorry excuse for firebending…Ozai holding his small hands over the open flame of their family fireplace, the tears falling from Zuko's face when ugly, pink welts began to spread across his palms…incompetent, foolish, sensitive…

Zuko roared with rage and, without conscious thought, lunged for his father swinging his dual swords like a maniac. Fire Lord Ozai side stepped his son's attack and growled low in his throat. "You attack now when, maybe, four years ago you could have saved your honor had you put up a fight then."

Zuko felt years of compressed emotions now released, tangling inside his chest. He swung at his father again, but in his current state, his moves were sloppy. Fire Lord Ozai easily avoided the second advance. Slightly bent over and breathing heavily, Zuko watched his father with frenzied eyes. With each inhalation of breath, his shoulders shook violently as he attempted to contain the years of memories and anger threatening to drown him in the moment.

Never forget who you are. His mother's voice seemed to call to him, delicate and strong, as was her way. The image of her face burned in his mind and his hand clutched at his chest where her ink image sat folded and safe within his robe. Heaving another weighted breath, Zuko straightened his back. He guessed there was a mere minute left in the eclipse. The avatar wasn't going to make it in time and, unless Zuko wanted to end up a corpse, he needed to get away from his father.

He tucked his swords in their sheaths on his back and cleared his throat. "I never lost my honor, father, you can't take that away from someone." Forcing his face to smooth into an expression of calm, Zuko nodded at Fire Lord Ozai.

Ozai grit his teeth and clutched his hands into fists at his sides. "Don't you dare, don't you dare walk away from me."

But Zuko's legs carried him swiftly back the way he entered. With his hand on the door he closed his eyes and sighed, lightly, allowing himself only a second of mourning.

"The eclipse is nearly finished, turn around and face me like a true man! NO ONE WALKS AWAY FROM ME!"

"Goodbye," Zuko murmured, and, this time, the calm wasn't too difficult to muster.

"Don't you want to know what happened to your mother!"

Fire Lord Ozai's outburst was not a question. Zuko froze, his hand hovering over the door handle. Clutching the hidden painting of his mother's face, Zuko asked, voice barely above a whisper, "Did you kill her?"

Ozai's smirk was back and a maniacal gleam emerged in his eyes. "Kill my own wife? You do think very little me." Looking confident, Fire Lord Ozai, once again, approached his son, stopping to maintain a few feet of distance between them. Zuko only half turned, standing with one foot in the doorway and the scarred side of his face on display for Ozai's scrutinizing gaze.

"You stand here and accuse me of great cruelty towards you? Act like you deserve my pity, my apologies, yet, I sacrificed one of the greatest joys of my life for you, my only son."

"What happened that night when my mother disappeared? Did you kill her?" Zuko repeated his question, panic beginning to creep up his throat, like a vile acid. And just when he'd gotten his emotions under control.

Fire Lord Ozai smirked and tugged lightly at his long, black goatee, "That night, Fire Lord Azulon commanded me to do the unthinkable to you, my own son. And, I was going to do it. But your mother found out and swore she would protect you at any cost. She knew I wanted the throne and she proposed a plan in which I would become Fire Lord and your life would be spared. Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night. She knew the consequences and accepted them and, for her treason, she was banished."

"So she's alive," Zuko attempted to fight the tears welling in his eyes, but between the savage confrontation with his father and the astonishing news Ursa had not been murdered by Ozai, as Zuko had come to suspect, the emotions spilled over.

"But now I understand banishment to be far too merciful a punishment for treachery."

Too late, Zuko realized the passage of time. Too late he recognized the flare in his internal flame. Too late, he watched his father summon lightening between his hands. Moving more on instinct than training, Zuko stretched his hands towards his father's strike, reaching his fingertips into the lightening. He felt the electricity move through him like a violent river through a canyon. He moved without consciousness, guiding the lightening safely around his heart into his stomach and back out the opposite arm. The blast of energy exploded against the rock and metal ceiling rendering a large portion of the bunker into smoking rubble.

Fire Lord Ozai, having thrown his arms over his head to block any falling debris, missed the moment when his son made a speedy and successful escape. The patter of his troops' feet as they marched back into the room were the first sounds to greet him following the lightening explosion. Slowly and deliberately, he straightened out on his knees, staring at the empty spot where Prince Zuko stood only seconds prior.

The guards watched in frightened silence while their Lord stared, eyes wide and face unmoving, as if possessed by the deserted space in the doorway.

The Head Guard moved forward hesitantly, "My Lord?" He inquired, cautiously.

The Fire Lord seemed to snap out of his reverie at the sound of his voice. A menacing darkness crossed over the man's face and a rage lit yellow eyes of the likes the guards never witnessed before. And, then, a roar of rage escaped from the Fire Lord's mouth followed by a tidal wave of orange, blue and red flames which engulfed the entire room, tearing each Fire Nation insignia tapestry to shreds, melting large portions of the metal framework and burning all, but a couple guards into crisp, blackened corpses.

…

Zuko moved through the chaos of the city, hardly hearing the new onslaught of explosions by the war balloons flying overhead. In his mind, on replay, were two words: She's alive, she's alive, she's alive. He needed more information, more answers. And only one man Zuko trusted with his questions.

With the firebending back on, units of Palace Guards aboard kimodo rhinos advanced into the city, helping to encourage the retreat of the invading forces. Zuko observed the nearest line of kimodo rhinos scuff the earth with their feet and toss their intimidating horns out in front of them. Well, he did need a faster mode of transportation.

"Zuko!" A voice broke through his pensive thought process. He spotted the earthbending boy Katara hugged so affectionately some yards away, waving his arm in the air. "They've called a full retreat! We have to get back to the subs!"

Zuko gave a near imperceptible shake of his head. He turned his back on the earthbender and refocused on the kimodo rhinos. He knew how this would look to the others, he knew the earthbender would tell Katara, but Zuko needed to get to the prison. They would not have another opportunity to invade the Palace City in the near future, of that Zuko was certain.

"I'm sorry, Katara," He whispered at the sky and then he charged the line of Palace Guards. Moving quickly, he dismantled a smaller bodied guard from the back of the rhino and pulled the beast's reins in his desired direction. The kimodo rhino covered the distance in a matter of ten minutes whereas Zuko on foot would have taken half an hour.

He stared at the tall, black construction, built directly into the cliffside of the volcano. The very sight of the prison gave Zuko goosebumps on the back of his arms. He wondered how his Uncle fared all these weeks. He took the stairs at a sprint, knocking any guard who got in his way in the back of the head with the pommel of his sword. There were surprisingly few on duty. Zuko knew they held the most important prisoners on the very upper level, but he still needed to run the full circle of the floor screaming his uncle's name as he ran.

He stuttered to a halt in front a large cell with iron bars bent outward as if some enormous animal rammed its way out from the inside. A guard sat just outside the busted cell, holding his bleeding skull between two hands. Not caring for the man's injuries one bit, Zuko launched himself at the man and lifted him by the cuff of his gneck off the ground.

"The Dragon of the West, he's a prisoner here, where is he?" He demanded. The guard blinked blood out of his eyes then pointed a shaking finger at the decimated cell beside them.

"He's gone, he busted himself out. I've never seen anything like it, he was like a one man army!" The man's voice quivered with fear and Zuko recognized the truth in his fear.

He released the man and allowed him to slump back to the ground. "He left something in the cell, maybe, for you." The man whimpered from the floor.

Zuko frowned and, tentatively, entered the cell, his eyes scanning the gray floor. They located a folded piece of yellow parchment. Gently, Zuko knelt on the ground and unfolded the paper. Out fell a single pai sho tile, the White Lotus, his uncle's favorite playing piece. Zuko frowned, why would his uncle leave him a worthless tile? He remembered the White Lotus old men's club they came across in the desert before fleeing to Ba Sing Se, but it still didn't make any sense.

Zuko shook his head and wiped the stray pieces of hair from his eyes. Uncle Iroh had left him a letter, as well.

Zuko,

If you are reading this than my predictions for the invasion were true. I feared the worst for the invasion today. I feared you did not reach the avatar in time to instruct him and for him to truly master firebending. You see, before the young avatar can achieve balance for our world and defeat my brother, he must first achieve balance of the four elements inside himself. But, do not despair, Nephew, there is hope yet for the world. I know you may have wished for me to join you today, but destiny calls me in another direction. You must continue to train the avatar in the ways of fire. To help, I offer this humble advice, do visit the ancient Sun Warriors Temple in the West. We learn best for our future by looking into our past. And, Nephew, do enjoy a cup of ginseng tea on my behalf, it is calming for the spirit.

Yours truly and with love,

Uncle Iroh

Zuko sighed, well that certainly sounded like his uncle. Take the avatar for a history lesson and drink some tea? Typical advice from the crazy, old man. Zuko remained kneeling on the floor of the cell a few minutes longer. The enormous sounds of explosions at the beach shook the ground all the way up to the prison. Zuko figured the airships had destroyed the subs. He swallowed thickly and hoped Katara was safe. Hopefully, the avatar at least evaded Azula and he was currently fleeing on Appa with his friends in toe. The gang certainly had a knack for escape, something Zuko experienced firsthand many times before.

Zuko groaned and rubbed his forehead. How would he get back to the group now? A small chirp and the flash of white and black fur drew his attention. The lemur creature- what was its spiritsforsaken name- Momo peered at him with huge, green eyes. Zuko blinked slowly at the small animal and shook his head with distaste. "You shouldn't have followed me here. You should have escaped on your buddy the flying bison."

Momo chirped again and climbed up Zuko's arm to rest perched on his shoulder. The creature's tail flicked back and forth as it waited expectantly for Zuko to move.

"Damnit, I don't know how we'll ever catch up to them! You don't know any more flying bisons, do you?"

Momo just chattered senselessly in his ears and shoved his nose into Uncle Iroh's note, sniffing the parchment.

"Yah, Uncle would know what to do," Zuko responded in a tone of agreement. Feeling quite forlorn, Zuko took his time leaving the prison. He scanned the horizons and watched the glittering, black leather of the airships from high above him as they moved away from the beaches and back towards the palace. The simple red war balloons retreated in a different direction, closer to where Zuko currently stood outside the prison with Momo still perched on his shoulder. Amber and green eyes watched the balloons make their descent some yards away in a large clearing. Momo pointed a white paw in the direction of the balloons and chirped with curiosity.

Zuko frowned at the flying air balloons, a hazy idea beginning to take shape in his mind.

"Momo," He murmured, a little concerned to be addressing a lemur, "Think you could distract some Fire Nation soldiers for me?"

Thank you as always to all my reviewers! And to those who said it YES i wanted sokka to take the place of the Katara in ATLA in his reactions to Zuko joining the group. Sorry for the lack of Zutara romance in this chapter, but I do love those high action episodes from the series, i very much wanted to write day of black sun. Thank you to my readers. I do not own avatar much as I wish I did.