꧁ chapter twenty-two ꧂
the day of the black sun

✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚

"TOP OF THE morning, Momo!" Aang greeted cheerfully.

"Sounds like you slept well" Katara smiled at him.

"Like a baby moose lion," Aang nodded before assuming a fighting stance, "I'm ready to face the Fire Lord"

"So, what's your strategy to take him down?" Toph asked as she raised her hands to her eyes, wiggling her fingers to tease him, "Gonna get your glow on and hit him with a little Avatar State action?"

Aang looked down at the ground sorrowfully at the mention of the Avatar State.

"I can't," He answered sadly, "When Azula shot me with lightning, my seventh chakra was locked, cutting off my connection to all the cosmic energy in the universe"

"You know what I just heard?" Toph asked sarcastically, "Blah, blah, spiritual mumbo jumbo, blah, blah, something about space"

Meiluna let out a small laugh before she noticed the increasing amount of thick fog that seemed to become visible near the horizon.

"Sokka, do you think the fog will delay the invasion?" Katara asked nervously.

"No," Sokka stood up, examining the horizon closer, "That is the invasion!"

The five of them rushed to the shore where Toph and Aang used their earthbending to raise the rock from beneath the water to form a dock. Multiple Water Tribe ships came to port finally when Meiluna recognised a familiar face.

"You made it, Dad!" Katara ran up to hug Hakoda happily.

"Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?" Sokka asked.

"I did," Hakoda replied, "But I'm a little worried Sokka. Some of these men aren't exactly the warrior type"

Meiluna followed his gaze to where he looked towards the two swamp dwellers.

"This place ain't nothing like a swamp," Due spoke enthusiastically before pointing accusingly to a rock in the water, "What you reckon that is, Tho? Some sort of Fire Nation exploding trap?"

"It's just a rock, Due" Tho corrected him.

Due grinned while scratching his head in disbelief,
"Well, I'll be"

"Is it just me, or are those fellas a little loose in the leaf hat?" Hakoda asked quietly.

"I just wish they would wear pants" Bato complained.

Huu disembarked the ship as he scratched his stomach,

"Pants are an illusions, and so is death"

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"So this is it, huh?" Aang looked up to his friends.

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

"I'm ready" Aang gave him a reassuring nod as the rest of them engulfed him in a group hug.

"Stay safe, Aang" Meiluna spoke softly to the Avatar.

"I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, Twinkle Toes" Toph added with a grin.

"Everyone, listen up," Hakoda announced, "The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert, and fight smart. Now break times over, back in the subs"

Meiluna reluctantly let go of Aang as she joined Sokka and Toph to head over to the submarine. As they had managed to get inside, Meiluna stood next to Appa, getting ready to bend the water when she noticed Katara wasn't with them. She looked around and spotted the girl standing on the dock, a blush splayed across her cheeks as she stared off into the distance.

"Katara, what are you doing?" Sokka snapped her out of her trance, "It's time to submerge"

"What?" Katara shook her head, "Right, I'm on it"

She quickly joined Meiluna as both girls jumped on the bison's back while simultaneously bending the water around themselves, creating an air bubble for them to travel in. Meiluna noticed Katara's cheeks still tinted with a slight blush. She reached over and poked her on the cheek, causing Katara's eyes to snap up to the Princess.

"What's got you so blushy?" Meiluna asked curiously.

Katara instantly turned back around to hide her growing embarrassment.

"Hey, look, it's time to go!"

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"Is that Aang?"

Meiluna followed Katara's line of vision where she spotted the Avatar gliding down towards them.

"Please tell me you're here because the Fire Lord turned out to be a big wimp and you didn't need the eclipse to take him down" Sokka said hopefully.

"He wasn't home," Aang shook his head sadly, "No one was, the entire palace city was abandoned"

Meiluna frowned,
"They knew"

"It's over," Aang said, looking dismayed, "The Fire Lord is probably long gone; far away in some remote island where he'll be safer during the eclipse"

"No," Sokka disagreed thoughtfully, "My instincts tell me he wouldn't go too far. He would have a secret bunker; somewhere he could go and be safe during the siege but still be close enough to lead his nation"

"If it's an underground secret bunker we're looking for," Toph pointed to herself, "I'm just the girl to find it"

"The mechanist gave me one of those timing devices," Sokka explained as he pulled out the contraption, "It looks like we've got about ten minutes until the full eclipse. Ten minutes to find the Fire Lord"

"We can still do this," Aang assured, "We can still win the day"

"Wait!" Katara called out, "If they knew we were coming, it could all be a trap. Maybe we should use the time we have left to make sure we all get out of here safely"

"Everyone who's here today came prepared to risk everything for this mission," Hakoda spoke up, "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"

"What do you think?" Sokka turned to face Aang, "You're the one that has to face the Fire Lord"

"Whatever you decide, we're with you" Meiluna nodded.

Aang looked to everyone with determination,

"I've gotta try"

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"Only thirty seconds until the total eclipse" Sokka informed Meiluna, Toph and Aang as he checked his timing device.

The four of them approached a large set of doors, Aang leading them with an unfaltering expression.

"I'm ready," Aang spoke, "I'm ready to face the Fire Lord!"

He then lifted his arms up to send a furious gust of wind in front of him, blasting the doors down to reveal Azula sitting calmly on her throne.

"So, you're alive after all," Azula drawled, looking directly to the Avatar, "I had a hunch that you survived. But it doesn't matter,"

Azula smiled proudly,

"I've known about the invasion for months"

"Where is he?" Aang questioned her sternly, "Where's the Fire Lord?"

"You mean, I'm not good enough for you?" Azula feigned sadness as she slowly rose from her throne, "You're hurting my feelings"

Azula's eyes flickered towards Meiluna as a menacing smile crawled on to her lips.

"Are you going to let him treat your future sister-in-law like that?" She questioned Meiluna mockingly, pointing to the Avatar.

Meiluna narrowed her eyes at the Fire Nation Princess who only seemed to find her expression more amusing as she let out a short laugh.

"I don't think Zuzu would be too happy, do you?" She asked condescendingly.

"Stop wasting our time and give us the information," Sokka angrily pointed his sword towards her, "You're powerless right now, so you're in no position to refuse"

"And stick to the truth," Toph added, "I'll be able to tell if you're lying"

"Are you sure? I'm a pretty good liar," Azula took a few steps towards them confidently, "I am a four-hundred foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings"

She smiled, still looking to Toph who had hesitated before finally speaking up,

"Okay, you're good, I admit it," Toph surrendered before using her earthbending to trap Azula, "But you should consider telling the truth anyway!"

All of a sudden, the earth surrounding her crumbled to the ground, breaking to small pieces.

"When I left Ba Sing Se, I brought home some souvenirs," Azula announced while dusting herself off, "Dai Li agents!"

Two Dai Li agents quickly descended into the room. Aang sent a strong force of air towards them which they easily blocked with a wall of earth. Meanwhile, Meiluna had opened her flask, sending the water around their hands, before turning it into ice to trap them against the wall and subdue them.

Toph then immediately bended two stone slabs, sending the agents flying sideways. She then sent another stream of earth at Azula who nimbly flipped out of the way, sending them a smirk as she landed gracefully.

Aang angrily rushed towards Azula when Meiluna noticed one of the Dai Li agents chasing after him. She quickly used her bending to send a blast of ice into his chest, knocking him back down once again as she ran to stand behind Aang. The Avatar continued to send blasts of air at Azula who managed to slip away while her throne was destroyed.

Azula continued to leap across the metal beams while Aang aimed another attack at her only to miss once again. Azula then moved to slide down a stone pillar, flipping onto one of the stone walls Toph had created earlier.

Sokka climbed his way through a hole in the stone wall, Meiluna following closely behind, keeping her hands raised defensively to protect him. Once Aang and Toph had also jumped through, the four of them began to chase Azula at full speed.

"I can't pin her down!" Aang said despairingly, "She's too quick!"

They continued to run when Aang burst through an obstructing wall. At the same time Toph earthbended a stone pillar to knock the Dai Li agent that had been closely by Azula's side. He was pushed into a crevice of a nearby metal beam while he prepared to attack Toph. She quickly destroyed his rock gloves before bending the metal of the beam to trap him.

"Wait!" Sokka called out.

Toph, Aang and Meiluna turned to face him as he rushed towards them.

"Don't you see what she's doing? She's just playing with us," Sokka explained, "She's not even trying to win this fight"

"Not true," Azula commented, "I'm giving it my all"

"You're trying to keep us here and waste all our time!" Toph said angrily.

"Um, right," Azula nodded sarcastically, "I think your friend just said that, genius. And since you can't see, I should tell you, I'm rolling my eyes"

"I'll roll your whole head!" Toph yelled as Meiluna placed a hand on her shoulder to reel her back.

"She's just baiting you again" Sokka warned.

"So, what do we do then?" Meiluna asked Sokka.

"We just have to get out of here and find the Fire Lord on our own somehow" He answered, leading them to the opposite end of the tunnel to leave Azula.

"It's a trap," Azula called out, "Don't say I didn't warn you"

Meiluna and Sokka continued to walk away as Aang and Toph turned to face Azula.

"Ignore!" Sokka reminded.

"So, Sokka's your name, right?" Azula asked innocently, "My favourite prisoner used to mention you all the time"

Sokka halted as he cast Azula a suspicious glance.

"She was convinced you were going to come rescue her," Azula continued with a pleased expression, "Of course, you never came and she gave up on you"

Sokka turned around, charging at Azula with a blind rage. Meiluna caught Azula move her left hand slightly to reveal a hidden dagger, ready to strike Sokka, so she instantly sent a blast of ice to her hand, pinning it against the wall as Sokka grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Where is Suki?"

Azula kept her annoyingly pleased smile on her face as she blatantly ignored the question.

"Where's Suki?" Sokka yelled, "Answer me!"

Aang approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder as he spoke,
"Sokka, she won't talk"

"Where are you keeping her?" Sokka continued to interrogate Azula, ignoring Aang's plea.

Meiluna then heard something in the distance, making her head snap up to search for the source of the noise. Azula smiled smugly.

"Sounds like the firebending's back on"

She kicked her leg up in a wide arc, sending a fire blast towards Sokka who barely dodged it. He took several steps backwards to avoid her fire while she back flipped onto the tunnel wall before flipping once again and extending her leg out to strike Aang. The Avatar narrowly avoided the attack while Azula stood up straight.

"Dad's all the way at the end of the hall then down a secret stairway on the left," She told them with a grin, "I'm sure he'd be more than happy to see you now"

And with that, Azula ran out of the tunnel, leaving the Meiluna and the others dismayed.

"I fell for it!" Sokka said in shame, "I used up all our time"

"It's not your fault Sokka," Toph reassured him, "Azula was ready for us, she had every move planned out"

"And now it's too late" Sokka looked down sorrowfully.

"Maybe it's not too late," Aang spoke up, "The eclipse is over, but I can face the Fire Lord anyway"

"Is that a good idea, Aang?" Meiluna asked him apprehensively.

"I'm ready!" He insisted, "I came here with a job to do and everyone's counting on me"

"The Fire Lord knew we were coming this time," Toph said, "We thought we had surprise on our side but we didn't. It just wasn't our day. What we need to do now is go and help our friends"

Aang hesitated before letting out an inaudible sigh,
"I guess you guys are right"

Sokka placed a hand on Aang's shoulder in support,

"You'll have another chance, I know you will"

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Toph, Aang, Meiluna and Sokka had made their way back to Katara, having explained to her that Azula and the rest of the Fire Nation had known of their plans to attack during the eclipse.

"Why aren't they turning around to attack us again?" Katara asked in confusion as the Fire Nation airships flew right by them.

"They're heading for the beach," Aang's expression morphed into one of alarm, "They're gonna destroy the submarines!"

"How are we all going to escape?" Sokka asked hopelessly.

"We're not"

Meiluna turned around to see Hakoda approach them along with Bato.

"Then our only choice is to stand and fight," Sokka concluded, "We have the Avatar, we could still win"

"Yes, with the Avatar we could still win," Hakoda told him, "On another day. You kids have to leave, you have to leave on Appa together"

"What?" Katara looked at him in surprise, grabbing onto Hakoda, "We can't leave you behind! We won't leave anyone behind!"

"You're our only chance in the long run," Hakoda explained calmly, "You and Sokka have to go with Aang somewhere safe, it's the only way to keep hope alive"

"The youngest of our group should go with you," Bato instructed, "The adults will stay behind and surrender. We'll be prisoners, but we'll survive this battle"

Sokka nodded sadly before his attention was diverted by something in the distance,

"They're at the beach already!"

Meiluna watched as several bombs were deployed onto each submarine, destroying all five of them. She closed her eyes, keeping the tears from spilling onto her cheeks. She inhaled through her nose slowly and exhaled out her mouth, attempting to calm her nerves, before opening her eyes again. The back of her hand went up to her eyes, drying the stray tear as she followed Aang, Katara and Sokka to mount Appa.

"Thank you all for being so brave and so strong," Aang said gratefully, "I'm gonna make this up to you"

Appa let out a low growl before taking off into the sky. Meiluna sat towards the back, slightly away from the others as she pulled her knees up to her chest. She faced away from them, looking down at the trail of destruction left in the Fire Nation's wake. The smell of smoke and burning filled her nostrils, drowning her senses with a dread and hopelessness that clawed at her heart and suffocated her very being.

"I know just the place for us to go, where we'll be safe for a while," Aang told them.

Meiluna turned slightly to observe the way the Avatar held himself with determination burning behind his eyes. It gave her a sense of assurance knowing that they had hope as long as they had Aang.

"The Western Air Temple!"

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