Afterglow

Summary: With the world at the cusp of a full-on war, relationships and friendships will be tested as families are forced to choose sides and fight for everything they believe in. The end is near, and the only way for everyone to live in a world of peace comes at the price of sacrifice. How will it all end? Find out in the thrilling final chapters of Afterglow!

Rating: T- Mostly for language

Author's Notes: Something you guys may not actually realize is that my favorite A:TLA character is actually… Toph. Yet, she doesn't even make an appearance in this story! I suppose since I've been writing this for so long, I could twist things around a bit to fit in my favorite character, but I started this project just after Book One ended. So, in honor of my original idea that sparked this whole fanfiction, I'm keeping my original plot line. What you guys read here is what I imagined over five years ago. A lot of detail has been added in the last couple chapters, only because I know more about the Avatar universe. Hopefully, I can tackle the project of editing the earlier chapters to create better continuity that's still AU to the original material, yet as close and believable as possible. That in mind, let me know how I'm doing! And, as always, enjoy. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender

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Afterglow

Chapter Twenty-One

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Zuko was in shock. If there was one scene he would claim he'd never see, it was the Fire Nation Capital burning to the ground. Yet, as they snuck their way through the city's streets, that's exactly what they saw. Flames ate away at buildings, causing the wood to groan under the strain, snapping with a burst of embers and ash when the weight grew too large to bear. Soldiers marched their way through the alleys, chasing down resistors of the Revolution, burning the traitors' homes.

Zuko couldn't help but feel disgusted. These people knew nothing of the treachery his father planned for the world. Their resistance was natural, but anybody with opposing viewpoints were being snuffed out of existence before they could make a difference. Each cry and scream of his people reverberated through his soul, doubling his determination to save the world from the grips of a power-thirsty warlord. But no resistance lasts long if the allied forces go waltzing into a death trap within the first scene. They needed a plan.

"Hold on," the prince said, grabbing Katara's hand before she made a dart for the next abandoned building. Aang met Zuko's halting gaze. "We can't just bust into the palace. If I know my father like I think I do, he's going to be expecting some sort of attack. We'd be walking right into his hands."

"Well then, what do you suggest we do?" Aang was frustrated. He wasn't used to seeing this kind of destruction, especially by people of the same nation. He found himself having to clench his hands until he was sure they were bleeding, if only to keep from losing himself to the Avatar state.

Zuko's hand touched the airbender boy's shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry. We've just got to think more… indirectly. C'mon. I've got a plan."

…

Sokka groaned, forcing breath into his lungs. Whoever said fighting till you die was a glory-filled action, clearly never died before. The ambush started out in their favor. It wasn't hard for the more formidable waterbenders to take out the leader of the squadron; the side-burn happy man hardly put up much of a fight. But, who could blame him? He didn't stand a chance going against four seasoned waterbenders all at once. But the quick knockout made them cocky. They weren't prepared for the blue devil that was the Fire Princess.

Once she was aware of the situation, she practically morphed into a snarling demon, cackling and taunting at every turn, deftly avoiding every blow thrown her way. It seemed as if they couldn't even touch her. But when their guard was down, she took advantage of the moment, striking down one of the warriors in a flurry of blue flame. The worst part? She seemed to enjoy it.

Ganging up on her didn't work. She fought equally as well with multiple people aiming for her neck, if not more deadly. At one point, Sokka was thrust out of the fray, not by Azula, but by one of the older waterbenders. He felt insulted by the man's actions until a vicious bolt of blue lightening struck the waterbender and two others down. The Princess only laughed, licking her fingers like she was enjoying the taste of her kill. She was truly frightening, and Sokka could admit to himself that he was finally tasting what true fear felt like.

Now it was down to him and two other tribesmen, one a waterbender, against the most formidable firebender he had ever seen. The odds were not in his favor. Already he was sporting a rather nasty burn along the upper part of his throwing arm, and somewhere along the line he got a cut along the top of head; he could feel warm blood dripping down the back of his neck. He struggled to his feet as the other tribesman went toe-to-toe with the Princess.

He was only a temporary distraction; she didn't even look perturbed by him, and it wasn't long until even he was brought to his knees. The Princess laughed, a dark gut-curdling sound, preparing to fire into his face. Sokka whipped out his boomerang, hoping it would make a long enough distraction for the tribesman to get away. She noticed it coming, but a second too late and the curved metal nailed her right in the head, throwing her back a few steps.

Sokka jumped a bit in triumph, elated that he had managed to put a hit on her. He snatched up his boomerang as it skidding back to him, gesturing for the tribesman to get away. He scuttled over to where Sokka and the waterbender were standing, nursing a broken hand. Even though he was feeling his first since of hope since the battle started, he knew better than to think he had the advantage. Azula was still on her feet, a dark look burning in her eyes as she held her head, trying to clog the bleeding from her forehead.

"Oh, now you've done it," she growled. Sokka tensed, prepared to dodge a bolt of lightning if it came his way. She didn't do what he expected, instead launching herself towards him at a frightening speed, causing him to stumble out of the way. A rock clung to his shoe, making him slip, just in time for a blast of hair-burning heat to rocket above him.

Never thought I'd say this, but thank the Spirits for bad balance! He thought, rolling back onto his feet to face her. She was looking frustrated, her mouth tightly clenched in a sneer. It was the first time Sokka had seen her make an expression other than inappropriate delight, and it was rather uplifting in a way. She lost her composure when she didn't have the upper hand. The Water Tribe boy tucked that valuable observation away in the back of his mind.

"Don't think you're now going to win because you managed to draw a little blood from me, peasant," the Princess sneered. She relaxed a bit, pushing her loose bangs out of her face. "It's too bad. You're not going to live long enough to see me rule the world. Such a pity."

"I'd rather die than be under such a demonic rule," Sokka spat back. He didn't feel the confidence his voice extruded. He wasn't even sure if he'd make it out of this battle. Don't think that way, he argued with himself. You're all the hope the Earth Kingdom has right now. Get your act together, Sokka!

"Oh!" the Princess snipped. "Asking for your own death? How admirable. I'd be happy to oblige!" She darted towards him again, the sadistic smile back on her face.

The fight was more personal than Sokka would have liked. He managed to avoid most of her direct attacks, barely stumbling out of the way of a dangerous jab towards his face, or a kick aimed for his kidneys. Half of it was instinct, the other just pure luck, and he wasn't sure how he was even keeping ahead of her at all. After a while, he noticed a break in her pattern: a moment where she'd step back to reassess her attack pattern. It was only for a brief moment, but it gave Sokka an opportunity. She proceeded as he thought she would, and he stepped in to aim a punch straight for her gut. The Princess smiled.

"Gotcha." Azula snatched his arm, pulling him off balance long enough to land a vicious kick to his already badly burnt arm. Her aim was impeccable, and the bone gave way under the pressure, snapping in two.

Sokka screamed out, collapsing in a tense heap upon the charred ground, his broken arm hanging uselessly by his side. Every movement hurt, eliciting another scream to rip from between his lips. Hot tears spilled down his cheeks as he struggled to deal with the pain. He couldn't move; he couldn't even think.

"Oh, that's too bad. The rat broke his arm," Azula observed in a high, overly sweet voice. "I wanted to play some more." She nudged his broken arm with her foot, pulling another scream from him. "Ah, music to my ears."

Sokka struggled through the pain, refocusing his mind. He had to do something, to get away or think of another plan. Through tear-blurred eyes, he saw the waterbender rushing his way, preparing to unleash a flurry of attacks against the princess. He shook his head, trying to keep the man away. The bender slowed, but kept moving forward, his expression one of determined rage. A half-baked idea started to form in Sokka's mind and he continued to force his body to pull himself forward, if only to provide a temporary distraction for the waterbender. When the waterbender attacked, Sokka's hand fell upon the body of a discarded club. His half-baked idea suddenly pulled itself together.

Azula was distracted, turning to fend off the merciless attacks from the waterbender. Sokka took advantage of the opportunity, reaching deep inside himself for strength he didn't know he had. somehow, he managed to grab the club and shove himself back up on his feet, biting his lip at the jarring the motion did to his arm. He gripped the club in his non-dominate hand, charging towards the Princess. The girl could only turn her head at the sound before Sokka brought the club down upon her head. The flames in her hands died before she collapsed in a boneless heap in front of their feet. Sokka waited, ready to club her again if she moved, but the Princess remained motionless on the ground.

Heaving a great sigh, the Water Tribe boy collapsed onto the ground himself, flinching at the pain in his arm. The remaining members of the group he started the attack with jumped into motion, tying down the unconscious Fire Princess with specially-made, flame resistant rope. Sokka was distant as the waterbender shouted congratulations his way, calling to the other remaining Water Tribes people who were quelling the fighting against the lower members of the Fire Nation. Somehow, someway, he managed to save the Earth Kingdom from imminent doom. Flopping back onto the ground, Sokka began to laugh in disbelief, a warm triumphant feeling blossoming in his chest.

"I did it!" He repeated to himself. "I did it!"

…

"Zuko. Where are we going? The palace is the other way!" Katara whispered, following after her fiance as he ducked behind an overturned barrel.

"There's only two ways into the palace, one being the central gates, and the other being an underground passage," Zuko explained quietly. "Hardly anyone knows about it. It's mainly used as a passage for servants, but only a select few actually transition between the palace and the rendezvous point. Up till now, only Uncle, I and a few well-trusted people know where that point is." He grew quiet as soldiers marched near the hiding spot. When they turned the corner, Zuko rose to his feet. "Come on."

The three teens darted across the street, following the Fire Prince down a dusty, trash-covered alley, seemingly untouched by the surrounding chaos. Zuko was cautious as he approached a nondescript door with a small, chipping painting of a white lotus situated above the knob. He knocked three times against the wood. There was some shuffling before a voice responded to Zuko's knocks.

"Password." Katara and Aang exchanged a glance. Zuko looked uncomfortable. He mumbled something quickly. "Speak up!" The voice commanded. Zuko's face flushed in embarrassment.

"I am a four hundred foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings," the Prince practically shouted. The other two teens tried to stifle their laugher, avoiding Zuko's angry glare. The bolt on the door slid open, the door creaking inwards. The door keeper could be heard sniggering out of sight. The teens walked in, Katara bumping her fiance with her elbow.

"Platypus bear?" she asked.

"Shut up," he snapped quietly, his cheeks beet red. "It was Uncle's idea."

"Oh sure. Blame Iroh," she teased. The door was quickly shut and bolted behind them, leaving the three to adjust their eyesight to the low-light candlelight. A few people stood around in the room, two of which busy working on loading things into a cellar opening in the back. Another two, an older man and a young girl, sat at a small wooden table, a map of the Fire Nation unrolled upon its surface. A bigger, burlier man stood by the door, guarding it. The older man at the table stood up, a look of surprise on his face.

"Prince Zuko!" He exclaimed. "Your Uncle said you were in the Northern Water Tribes."

"Master Piandao," Zuko greeted, giving the man a short bow of respect. "If Uncle told you where we were, I'm sure you can imagine why we're back."

"Yes," the older man said gravely. "We had a feeling that Ozai would make his move soon, but the arrival of the comet is a oversight that has severely set us back." His eye brows rose when he noticed Katara and Aang standing behind the prince. "Who is this?"

"They're with me," Zuko explained quickly. "This is the Avatar, Aang, and my fiancee, Katara."

Piandao reacted in mute surprise. "An honor indeed," he spoke softly. "I wish there was a better time for pleasantries, but for now, I informally welcome you to the Fire Nation point of contact for the Order of the White Lotus."