(NOTE) Yes, here it is, the very first chapter of Book Three: Fire Rekindled. I was going to wait another couple of days before posting this, but I'm impatient. As I mentioned before, this is a rewrite of the actual Book Three. And trust me, it is not easy to type all this out.

My thanks in advance to everyone who reads this.

Adversus solem ne loquitor.

One The Awakening

Aang opened his eyes, and groaning, slowly sat up. His vision split, and he was hit by a wave of dizziness, so he placed his hands on his knees and waited it out. Shaking his head, Aang glanced at the bandages covering his body. Touching the ones on his stomach, he spoke aloud.

"What happened?" Aang looked at the room. It was simple, Spartan, and familiar. He looked above the bed, and his blood turned to ice.

There was a Fire Nation flag flying above him. "Oh, no!" Aang saw his staff lying on a mount, and he staggered over to it, picking it up.

He opened the door, his entire body tense, and peered out. There was no one in the hall, and Aang staggered out of the room. He grunted as he pushed himself along, barely able to stand even leaning on his staff.

"Hey, did you hear something?" He heard a voice ask, and stopped just shy of revealing himself to two soldiers.

Aang jumped into the open, and struck, his bust of wind holding them back as he tried to run, managing a shuffling stumble.

"Hey, he's awake!" Aang heard the voice behind him, followed by footsteps. "Stop, please!" The man called, right behind Aang, and Aang stumbled faster, tripping as he went up a flight of stairs.

His staff when clanking along the metal deck, landing short of a tiny, white animal.

"Momo?" Aang asked, surprised. The lemur hopped up onto Aang's shoulder, licking his face.

Aang rose to his feet, and looked around. Toph was there, and she faced his general direction.

"Twinkletoes, that's got to be you!"

His friends crowded around him, and Aang froze, seeing Zuko seated near Appa. "Are you sure?' He asked. "I think I'm dreaming."

Katara hugged him. "You aren't dreaming, Aang. You're finally awake."

A fire nation soldier approached, and Sokka's voice came from behind the mask. "Good to see you on your feet, buddy."

"Sokka?" Aang asked, and spun around, looking at everyone. His vision dimmed, and he heard Toph call out:

"Someone catch him, he's gonna…" Aang slipped into the darkness.

"Mei, aren't you cold?" Ty Lee asked, looking up at the taller girl from her handstand.

"I'm fine, Ty Lee." Mei replied. She looked out over the dark ocean. "Its been awhile since we were home. I wonder if anything has changed?"

"You're curious about something?" Ty Lee asked, her jaws gaping wide. She flipped to her feet. "Ah, don't worry. Everything will be okay." Ty Lee leaned against the rail. "But I do wonder what Zuko is doing, don't you?"

Mei's cheek flushed, and she looked away. "Don't be ridiculous. Let's get inside. I'm bored."

"Why are we on a Fire Nation ship?" Aang asked Toph, who sat across from him. He heard laughter and frowned, looking past Toph to where Katara and Zuko sat, talking about something in low tones. "Why is everyone dressed this way…and why am I the only one out of it?"

Sokka wrapped a cloak around Aang's shoulders. "You should take it easy, buddy. You got hurt bad, remember?" He punched Aang in the shoulder. "Like your hair, by the way."

Aang started, and patted his head. "I have hair? How long have I been out?"

"A few weeks." Zuko said, walking up with Katara. Aang frowned at how close they stood together.

"What are you doing here?"

Zuko stiffened slightly, his good eye narrowing at he met Aang's glare. "Why shouldn't I be?"

"Guys!" Katara exclaimed, moving between the two. "Calm down. We're all on the same side." Footsteps approached, and a tall man Aang knew just had to be Hakoda appeared.

"Everything okay?" He asked, resting a hand on Sokka's shoulder.

Katara frowned. "We're fine, Dad." She said angrily.

Hakoda's face fell, but then he looked at Aang, and smiled warmly. "I'm Hakoda, Katara and Sokka's father."

"He knows who you are. I just called you Dad, didn't I?" Katara demanded.

"Geez, Sugar Quueen." Toph commented. "Tone it down some, will ya?"

Aang looked at Hakoda. "Its nice to officially meet you, Chief Hakoda."

"Likewise." Hakoda replied. Aang groaned, clutching his chest, and his breath came sharply.

"Aang?" Toph asked.

"He needs a healing session." Katara announced. She turned to her brother. "Will you help me carry him upstairs?"

Aang sat morosely on the bed, his shirt stripped off. Katara stood behind him, glad Aang couldn't see his scar. IT was ugly, and covered much of his back. Worse, it still looked fresh and painful.

Katara began the healing. "Tell me where pain feels most intense."

Aang flinched. "Up…a little higher." Katara moved her hands, and memory hit Aang. He saw himself rising above the Dai Li, Zuko, Katara, and Azula, his power nearly complete.

"Yeah, you're definitely in the right area."

Katara smiled slightly, and concentrated. "I can definitely feel a lot of energy twisted up in there. Let me just see if I can…" She trailed off, and slowly pulled her water free, and Aang flashed again, gasping.

"I didn't just get hurt!" He exclaimed. "I…fell, didn't I?" He turned to Katara. "And you brought me back."

Katara looked uncomfortable. "I used the Spirit Oasis water. I'm not even sure what I did."

The entire city was gathered, the citizens murmuring excitedly. Li and Lo stood on either side of a balcony overlooking them, and called out in powerful voices belaying there age.

"Your princess, Azula, clever and beautiful, disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth kingdom's capital. In Ba Sing Se, her brother Zuko betrayed her, and still the Avatar fell! Still, the Earth Kingdom fell!"

The twins continued. "Agents of the princess faced the walls of Ba Sing Se, and took them down! The Army of the Fire Nation surged through the city, securing our victory! Now the heroine has returned home! Your princess, Azula!"

Confident and cold, Azula came forward, and the city went wild with cheering. Azula smiled. It was good to be home. The only thing missing was Zuzu, but not because Azula missed him. She just missed having someone around whose buttons were so easy to push.

"After what happened in Ba Sing Se, we had to get you to safety." Sokka told Aang, sitting down on a crate in front of his friend. A group was gathered to hear the story.

"We flew back to Chameleon Bay, and found my father and the other water tribe men. The Earth King decided he wanted to travel the world in disguise, so left went off on his own…" Sokka grinned. "Well, not entirely alone. Bosco was with him. Soon after, the bay was filled with Fire Navy ships, and instead of fighting them, we captured one and made it our disguise. Ever since then, we've been sailing west." Sokka pointed at a map of the Earth Kingdom. "We crossed the Serpent's Pass a few days ago. We've seen a few Fire Nation ships, but none have bothered us."

Aang frowned. "So…what now?"

Hakoda spoke up. "We've been working on a modified version of the invasion plan…" He saw the look on Katara face, and spoke quickly. "Sokka's invasion plan. We cannot launch a major offensive without the Earth Kingdom armies, but the solar eclipse will still leave the Fire Nation vulnerable."

"In theory." Zuko muttered softly.

Sokka grinned and continued. "So we're launching a smaller invasion, comprised of our friends and allies from around the Earth Nation. But the best part is, the eclipse isn't even our biggest advantage. We have a secret weapon!"

Aang looked around. "Where?"

"You!" Sokka replied.

Aang stood up. "I don't get it. What do you mean?"

"The whole world thinks you're dead." Zuko told Aang simply.

"Yeah, isn't that great?" Sokka asked. "They won't be expecting you on the Day of Black Sun!"

"No…no…that is so messed up!" Aang shouted. A foghorn stopped any further coversation.

A Fire Nation ship was approaching. "I'll take care of this." Aang said, opening his glider. "The avatar is back." Pain hit him, and he dropped his glider, sinking to his knees.

"They don't know we aren't Fire Nation." Katara said, kneeling next to him.

"We'll take care of this." Hakoda and Bato slipped helms on, and Aang saw Zuko set one of the face-covering masks in place.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"Standard Fire Nation procedure says that there is always to be at least one firebending soldier acting as the guard of a ship's commander." Zuko answered quickly his voice altered by the mask. "Now get down below, and stay with Katara, Aang."

The enemy ship pulled alongside, and three men followed the admiral across the plank.

"Commander, why are you off course?" He demanded. "All western fleet vessels are to be sailing to Ba Sing Se to support the occupation!"

Hakoda responded evenly, thankful Zuko had been around to improve on what information they'd learned about the Fire Nation.

"Actually, sir, we're from the eastern fleet. We're under orders to deliver some cargo."

The admiral nodded, and sighed. "Eastern fleet, huh? It was nice of Admiral Chan to let us know you were coming our way." He said wryly.

Bato spoke. "I'm sure Admiral Chan meant no disrespect, sir."

The other admiral spoke, still sounding somewhat indignant. "Seriously, how hard is it to write a note and send a hawk our way?"

"Well make sure to send two hawks next time." Hakoda replied. "Make sure you get the message."

"Good. See that you do." Hakoda, Zuko, and Bato bowed, then moved back to their 'duties.'

"Sir." One of the firebenders said softly. "Admiral Chan has been on leave at Ember Island for several months."

"Shouldn't they have known that?" The admiral thought. "This ship must be a captured one. Stay silent until we're back across. Then we'll sink this vessel."

Toph appeared on deck, shouting. "They know!" She bent the metal, throwing the men into the ocean just before Katara ran to the side of the ship, and raised the ocean, using it to push the enemy ship away.

Their ship took off, getting well ahead of the other, but their lead was short lived.

"Look out!" Zuko warned as a fiery ball arched through the sky. It crashed into the water just off-side the ship, and the crash sent the ship shaking.

"Load the Toph!" Toph shouted, setting her stance, and when Pipsqueak set the stone in front of her, she attacked, destroying the ballista.

"Dead on!" The Duke called gleefully, acting as her targeting sight.

"Reload." Toph commanded.

"Incoming!" Someone called, and Toph struck again, her missile crashing into another shot from a second ballista.

The exchange continued as Aang looked on from inside the ship with Sokka. "Why can't I help?' Aang demanded.

"Katara said you're still too weak, and we can't let anyone know you're alive." Sokka said, grabbing onto his friend. "Let us handle this, Aang."

"Fine!" The boy shouted, sulking.

"They're coming alongside." Zuko said from his spot close to Katara. "Watch out for the drill."

"The what?" Katara asked before a large spiraling dart sliced through the water, boring a hole into the ship. Katara reacted immediately, freezing the water around the hole.

Zuko struck, bolts of flame sending the crew scattering. He then did his best to destroy the ballista.

"I'm going to get us some cover!" Katara called, and Zuko watched as Katara raised mist all around them.

"I'm impressed." Zuko commented, and then he was tossed off his feet when a missile smashed into the middle of the deck.

"Get us away from here!" Hakoda shouted, and the men running the engines worked even harder.

"How are we doing?' Toph called.

"It can't get much worse!" Sokka replied as the ship pulled clear of the mist. A large Unagi rose from the water, and Sokka could have cried. "Why does the universe taunt me?"

"You make it too easy!" Toph replied, not sure of what new danger presented itself.

The serpent roared, and dived toward the ship, but an errant missile from the enemy ship hit it. The beast changed directions, and went after the enemy ship, and the fighters were able to escape.

"Repairs are going well enough." Sokka commented as he, Zuko, Katara, and Toph approached Aang's room. "I can't believe they bought our lie."

"I can." Zuko replied. "The Fire Nation has lost quite a few ships to sea serpents since the war against the earth kingdom began."

They walked into Aang's room. He was sitting on his bed, looking miserable. "Hey, we're going into town to get something to eat." Sokka said. "Wanna come?"

Aang's stomach rumbled. "Maybe dinner is a good idea."

Sokka pulled a red headband from his armor. "Here, wear this. It should cover your arrow."

Aang crossed his arms. "I'm not going if I have to hide my arrow."

"Hey, you guys go. I want to talk with Aang." Zuko said.

"You sure, Sparky?" Toph asked.

"Sure." Zuko said. "Go ahead, we'll catch up."

Aang didn't meet Zuko look after the others left. "What do you want?" He asked.

"I know what your problem is." Zuko said. "The others don't, but trust me, I know how you feel. You didn't fail, Aang."

"Yes I did!" Aang shouted. "I was there! I could have saved Ba Sing Se, but I lost!"

"Azula struck you from behind, like a coward." Zuko said simply, and Aang looked at him. "It had no honor in it, it was a treacherous blow. Aang, you may have lost the fight, but your honor is intact."

Aang sneered. "What do you know about that?" He demanded. "You've chased us ever since I woke up, tried to hurt us so many times, and you think you can lecture me about honor?"

"Yes, I do." Zuko said softly. "And I know this much. Until you believe that you still have your honor, none of us will be able to convince you otherwise." He walked to the door. "I'll make sure we bring back something for you."

"We'll be fully provisioned by tomorrow midday." Hakoda said in low tones later that night.

"Good." Zuko replied. "Its not safe to stay in one place too long." He heard crying, and running, and turned to see Katara, who'd gone below with food for Aang. He knew what had happened.

"What's wrong, Katara?" Hakoda asked, concerned.

"He left!" Katara exclaimed. "Aang, he's gone!"

Zuko stepped back. "I'll go tell the others." He said softly, and left them alone.

"Maybe it's his way of being brave." Hakoda suggested gently.

"It's not brave, its stupid!" Katara nearly shouted. "How could he leave us all behind like that? We need him, the whole world does!"

"You're talking about me too, aren't you?" Hakoda asked.

Katara looked at her father. "How could you leave us like that? I know we had Gran Gran, and she loved us, but we were so lost without you!"

"I'm so sorry, Katara." Hakoda whispered, and Katara ran into his arms, crying.

"I understand why you left, and I know you had to go, so why do I still feel this way?" Katara sobbed. "I was so sad, and angry, and hurt!"

"I love you more than anything." Hakoda declared. "You and your brother are my entire world. I thought about you two every day I was gone, and each night, I would lie awake missing you so much it would ache."

Aang slowly woke the next morning, a fuzzy warm ball on his chest. Two large green eyes peered into his face, and Momo chattered.

Aang sat up, and saw Appa land, his friends…and Zuko, climbing out of the saddle.

"I'm sorry." He said. "It was stupid of me to leave." He looked at Zuko. "I saw the spirits last night, and they helped me realize you were right, Zuko."

Aang stood up. "We have a lot of work to do, don't we?"

"You didn't think you'd get out of training, did you?" Toph asked smugly.

"What about the invasion?" Aang asked.

"Dad's going to travel around and find the people we need with us." Sokka said. "We'll meet them before the Day of Black Sun."

"Okay." Aang smiled. "So, let's get started."