16 Face of Tyranny

Katara soars with Appa in the light blue sky. Her dark brown hair flows around her face as she wipes it to avoid being blinded. The seventeen-year-old woman looks down and notices a vast city of light blue ice. It is the Northern Water Tribe Capital Agna Qel'a. Many Northern Water Tribe people travel and sport royal blue robes while Southern Water Tribe members walk in dark blue clothing.

Skinny teens play bamboo flutes outside while muscular men play harps. One heavyset man beats a tanggu drum. Eastern Water Tribe members sport their traditional teal robes and Western Water Tribe members wear indigo outfits. Some Northern Water Tribe nobles wear light blue robes to distinguish themselves.

A few guards stand with spears drawn but even they laugh and enjoy the festivities. Children run and play in the streets as people feast outside and play games. Katara lands and notices her past instructor Pakku. Pakku is an elderly man with long white fair, pale blue eyes, and light yellow skin. Beside him is Kanna, not the firebender from Nyarri, but rather Katara's grandmother.

Kanna has light yellow skin, grey hair, and blue eyes. Kanna hugs Pakku and kisses him on his cheek. Katara smiles before hugging her grandmother. Katara: "Grandma, I've missed you." Katara turns and looks at Pakku before crossing her arms, "And Pakku, you are lucky to have a wonderful woman like this by your side. You better treat her well or I'll fly or sail over to wherever you are..."

Pakku: "Now is that any way to treat your trainer? Especially during a special time like this? I thought we put those times behind us."

Kanna: "Well, fine. I'm just teasing you anyway."

Pakku grins, "And you're right, I'm a VERY lucky man. To have such a wonderful bride and an equally marvelous granddaughter in law." Pakku pinches Katara's right cheek and she pushes his hands away.

Katara: "Stop."

Pakku: "You are as stubborn as you were when I first met you three years ago. But look how you've grown and what you've done. You grandmother is proud."

Katara: "I'll let her tell me that and stop babying me! I'm a legal adult!"

Kanna chuckles, "It's ok, Katara." Kanna looks at Pakku, "We've given her enough trouble, let's get back to those 'plans' you had. We still haven't looked at shore together yet."

Pakku passionately smiles, "Of course, my love." Pakku holds Katara's grandmother and she cringes.

Katara: "Well, it was nice seeing you both. I have some exploring to do." Katara turns and runs into Toph's palm. Katara falls and Toph giggles. Toph is a short earthbender. She has black hair wrapped in a bun, is incredibly short, pale skin, and grey eyes.

Toph: "Get up sugar queen!"

Katara groans then reforms her reaction, "How are you Toph?"

Toph: "Never been better, where's Twinkletoes?"

Katara: "At a political meeting..."

Toph crosses her arms, "What? That selfish-"

Katara dismisses her rant, "No, he had to. For the stability of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom's peace."

Toph: "So Mr. Firelord is also there?"

Katara: "Yep, three days."

Toph sighs, "I won't be able to be here all week, I can only stay three days, so now I'm gonna miss them."

Katara becomes red, "Wait WHAT?! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THAT!"

Toph: "Well, I find of wrote in the letter I sent you that I might not be able to there for an entire week."

Katara bellows, "WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SO IMPORTANT?"

Toph: "I have metalbending school, my team earned a prestigious Earth Kingdom award. The Earth King is coming to present it. We are the 'Most Innovative Academy'. But sure, make it all about yourself you entitled surfer."

Katara: "Oh, well I guess that's a good excuse."

Toph strongly pats Katara on her back, "Come on, you wouldn't even be upset if I was the only one doing it." Katara jumps from the hard pat and rubs her sore shoulder.

Toph: "So anyway, now let's have some fun!"

Sokka shouts behind them, "Did SOMEBODY SAY FUN!" Katara's younger brother runs forward. Sokka has light brown skin, like his sister. He also has short black hair, blue eyes, and a bun. Unlike his sister, Sokka was not born with the ability to bend. Because of this he is largely reliant on his use of a sword and boomerang in combat.

Beside Sokka is Suki, the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors. Suki has medium length brown hair, light skin, and blue eyes. She is a nonbender from Kyoshi island. While Sokka was thin and skinny during the Hundred Year War he now has a body of lean muscle and his calves are larger than average.

Though Toph is blind, she can sense Sokka's increased strength. Toph: "Woh Sokka, have you been working out?"

Sokka preens, "Oh you noticed?" Sokka promptly flexes his arms, "I've been working out, almost every day. But I don't overwork myself, I always look to maintain that sweet balance."

Katara asks, "Will you be here all week?"

Sokka smiles, "Of course."

Suki: "But I won't, I'm leaving in two days."

Katara barks, "WHAT?!"

Toph: "Katara people have other lives outside of this."

Katara: "Please don't tell me you have some award ceremony."

Suki explains, "Well no, Ty Lee is on an undercover mission. Right now, we have the details planned out, but she is going to need my help after a few days. There are some agents with her at this time that can fill in, but I don't want to leave her cold incase anything happens. I just feel like I should be there for another Kyoshi warrior. The rest of the team is on standby and if I'm celebrating a whole week that would feel kind of selfish. Wouldn't it?"

Katara sighs, "Oh well, yes that makes sense."

Sokka holds Katara's arm, "But you've got me right, you know your brother!"

Katara: "That's true. But it's always been us, I just want everyone else to..."

Sokka: "Aang will be here in no time and Zuko too. You'll get to see the whole gang this week."

Katara: "But not all at once."

Sokka: "Well you know what they say." A loud explosion shakes the ground and Sokka falls on his face. Katara turns around and notices a barrage of fire torpedoes smack two buildings behind them. Debris from one structure falls toward Sokka and Suki. Sokka screams like a girl, "Eeyeyeyeyeye!"

Katara extends her arms and yanks both of them back with a water tentacle. Suki moans and falls on top of her boyfriend, "Oooof." Smoke flows and Katara sees Ozai's flagship The Bustling Rhino across the distance shoreside. Citizens scream and run in terror.

Sokka mutters, "It's the Remnant! The Fire Nation Remnant, HERE? HOW?"

Katara: "We don't have time to ask questions. It's just one ship, which isn't enough to take the city. It must be a strategic attack, maybe on the Chieftain. Sokka, find the Chieftain and get him out of here! Suki, I want you to escort citizens away from the immediate battlezone. Local warriors will lock down the outskirts and lower levels of the city where people will flee to. Appa, I want you to fly people out of the city, but stay at least 15 yards away from the fighting and smoke.

Appa nods and departs. Sokka: "Can you really trust him to do that? You know he's going to try to help you."

Katara: "He knows Aang the best, but Aang recently trained him to go over some drills. Aang says they work and he has helped people on the side before then come back to help him. This isn't anything we can't handle."

Sokka: "They must be pretty bold to try this, but I guess you know what you're doing. After I evacuate Arnook I'm going to look for you."

Katara shakes her head, "Don't, Toph and I will find you. If anything, meet up with Suki. You both will be behind the lines while we will rush into the action. Just protect the innocents and noble VIPs if anyone attacks them. By the time the people are evacuated the battle will be over." Sokka hugs Katara.

Sokka looks at Suki and passionately kisses her. Sokka then exits and Suki does the same though she runs in a different direction. Toph: "And I'm coming with you, we are stronger together!"

Katara shakes her head, "No, Toph let's split up. You check the Eastern flank of the frontlines and I'll check the Western side."

Toph: "Why would I do that?"

Katara: "I won't be fighting alone, the Northern Water Tribe has its own military. And I'm sure warriors from the other tribes will also help. The biggest threats have been eliminated and most of them wouldn't willing to risk a fight here. They probably don't even know you are here, so I want you to check any flank I or Pakku wouldn't be watching. They might try to exploit a weak point in the city."

Toph: "That all makes sense, but something just feels weird. You know?" Katara flies off with a gust of water. Toph huffs then attempts to launch herself away by pulling on the earth below the ice or snow. But she notices that the city is made almost entirely of ice. Toph sighs, "Guess I'm going to have to walk. Oh wait."

Toph turns and notices stationary wooden sled. She yanks her hands back and the sled glides toward her. Toph hops into it and launches herself forward across the icy streets of Agna Qel'a at fifteen miles an hour. Toph shouts and directs people away from her as she moves into danger, "Hey, get out of the way!"

Fire and Smoke

Pakku looks at Kanna during the attack, "Go, I will help our forces hold them off into the evacuation is complete. Then we will deal with what's left of them." Kanna kisses Pakku passionately and leaves. Pakku wipes his mouth and gazes at her with a cheeky grin. Seconds later he hurls himself in the air with a spout of water.

As Katara flees the scene, the Remnant archer Kedo stands on top of a Northern Water Tribe roof with a compass. Kedo pulls his compass in and scraps it to his utility belt and looks left at Ronin, "She's making this too easy. She is splitting up from the earthbender."

Alev stands right of their position and warns, "Don't take her lightly, anything could change in a situation like this and Katara is one of the Avatar's most valuable assets." Katara runs across down the streets of the Western sector of the city. She notices a waterbender (eastern tribe), swordman (north tribe), spear warrior (western tribe), and male duelist with long hair and dual swords (southern tribe) standing in the streets.

Katara asks the swordman, "Trooper, have the people been evacuated from these streets."

The swordsman nods, "Yes, but enemies are quickly approaching. We'll need to hold them off until reinforcements arrive. Our commanding officer would like to have a word with you."

Sada step ahead. She has thin indigo battle armor that has white markings. She has long rich dark brown hair, light skin, and dreamy blue eyes. Katara: "Who are you?"

Sada smiles, "I am Sada of the Eastern Water Tribe."

Katara: "Oh, you were a leader in the United Way."

Sada answers, "I still am, but that never removed my responsibilities within my tribe and my people. I usually wear meeker robes, but this was a new invention."

Katara: "I looks nice, a bit over-the-top for my taste. How close are our enemies?"

Sada glares ahead, "Very close." Katara sees smoke flow through the streets.

Katara: "Stay sharp everyone, it looks like they're trying to cover their attack." The team enters their battle stances.

Sada orders, "Spread out or they'll pick us apart!" The spear warrior is blasted in his chest by a flame.

Spear warrior: "Auuuauahahahaa!!"

Sada warns, "Stay sharp!" Sada raises a wall of ice in front of the other squad members including Katara. Katara looks in surprise at Sada thinking she can protect herself but is still grateful.

As the smoke begins to clear the Remnant troopers immediately charge and give their battle cry, "Aaaaarraaarraaaraaahahhh!!!" Three swordsmen run through the smoke. Sada launches three of the ice walls forward (including the ones in front of Katara, the swordsman, and the waterbender. An ice block knocks one swordsman aside.

Another wall shatters as it hits a duelist. The final ice wall flies at a third swordsman but the man leaps in the air over it before landing a few feet away from Katara. Katara effortlessly blasts the man back into the clearing smoke with a gust of water, but something swats his body aside. A brawny mace warrior with a round shield charges into the scene.

The strong man charges at a waterbender but the man shoots a barrage of ice knives at him. The brute blocks the shots with his shield and smacks the waterbender down with his weapon. Another macewarrior with a shield enters the scene and Sada launches a large block of ice at him.

The heavy trooper blocks the large ice block with his shield and it disintegrates. He then charges and Sada hurls an ice sword into his stomach. The remaining mace warrior redirects his attention at Katara and rushes after her. Katara shoots a beam of ice into the ground and the man slip and hits the ice. The ice below him shatters on impact and Katara hurls him away with a stream of frigid water.

The smoke completely clear and two firebenders leap into action. One remnant bender kicks a rod of fire into the water tribe swordman's stomach. Another shoots two fire torpedoes at Katara but she pounds her own two water spheres into the flames. The attacks evaporate and turn to vapor and Katara propels herself in the air with a whirl of water.

One firebender punches several flames at her while the other kicks beams of fire but Katara swirls around in the air in a way that evades the shots. Katara extends her hands and blasts one firebender twelve feet back with a ray of scorching water. The other firebender punches two large flames at Katara but she dodges both.

The man pulls his arms back and hurls a fire sphere at her. A second later Sada extends her right arm and smacks the man down with an extended water fist. Sada, Katara, and the tribesman with dual swords are all that remain. Sada looks at Katara, "Not bad, Water Tribe members should work more together regardless of which side of the world we're from."

Katara smiles, "Exactly."

A GENTLEMEN'S PROMISE

Pakku stands in front of multiple Water Tribe warriors. Most of them are armed with spears or swords and are non-benders. Pakku commands, "Gentlemen, ladies, and my fellow warriors. You are not just know for your ability to kill. Each one of you are known for your honor, that's something the Remnant doesn't have. They take it as a weakness, but we know it's a strength. It gives us a greater drive and purpose to protect what we love and more importantly to remain loyal to each other. When you fight, I want you not fight for yourselves and to fight with hate but to fight with love!"

Pakku continues, "Love will take you much further. And I love each and every one of you. I trust you will all do your part and if any of you fall it will be like losing a brother or sister. I ask you all to be strong for now, because those people back there need us. Fight now, cry later. And remember that while we may come from many tribes, while we may have endured different conflicts, we are one people. And let that love carry our people to victory. For love and honor!"

The warriors shout, "For love and honor!"

Pakku: "Let's get out there!" Two waterbenders step behind Pakku. One is a female from the Eastern Water Tribe in a teal uniform with a dark brown ponytail, yellow-brown skin, and crystal blue eyes. She seems to be around nineteen years old.

The other is a male from the Northern Water Tribe with curly black hair, pale skin, and dark blue eyes. The male is twenty-four. Pakku: "We are all the benders of this unit, so stay behind me."

The warriors nod. Pakku: "And I forgot the Eastern Water Tribe recruited females. I thought only the Western Tribe did."

The Eastern Water Tribe member speaks, "After we discovered Katara's accomplishments during the Hundred Year War, the Eastern Water Tribe began more openly recruiting female warriors."

Pakku nods, "Well Katara proved herself to me, so I can accept that. Alright, let's go then." A fire artillery rod slams into a building several meters left of their position. Debris hit the ground but no one is hurt. Another shot lands a few feet behind the warriors, shaking the ground. Pakku speaks to the warriors in the back while the benders stand directly behind him, "Forward, march!"

An artillery shot fries three water troopers, "Buuwaaaahaaa! Noooo!!!"

Pakku cautions, "Steady!" The warriors maintain their composure as they continue their battle stroll. Pakku hears screaming from the distance as soldiers move closer. Pakku screams, "ATTACK!!" Pakku launches himself forward with a gust of water. The male and female benders look up.

Male waterbender: "How are we supposed to keep up with that?"

The female waterbender answers, "We make it work." The woman slides forward on ice. The male simply sprints forward. A swordsman charges at the male waterbender but he punches two large ice balls into the man's chest. Another swordsman runs after the female waterbender but she blows his back with a surge of water.

A firebender punches a flame at her but the girl leaps over the fireball and kicks a rod of water into the man. The remnant trooper flips backward and hits the back of his helmet. As Pakku hovers over his enemies he aims his arms down and shoots a beam of ice; freezing a firebender below him. A spear warrior hurls her weapon at the waterbending master but he extends his arms and shoots his body left with a gust of water.

Pakku reengages the water under his legs and soars forward. A firebender punches two flames at Pakku's left side but he rises and spins before hurling a water sphere into the man that explodes on impact. The trooper's body is knocked three feet in the air and crashes through a window.

The female waterbender glides ahead with her ice slide and shoots a payload of ice knives into the two Remnant spear troopers. A male swordsman runs after he but is dropped by a square of ice. The female waterbender looks back and the man gives her a thumbs up. As Pakku starts to descend, he looks the girl in her eyes.

Pakku: "Congratulations, you are impressive."

Male waterbender: "What about me?"

Pakku sighs, "You are fine too."

The young woman smiles, "Thank you sir, that means a lot to me." Pakku tilts his head left and notices two archers about fifteen feet away from their position. Pakku yells, "Archers!" The left archer fires at Pakku's head and Pakku twirls left nearly losing his breath. The other archer launches an arrow that lands between her breasts.

Female waterbender: "Uh!"

Pakku yells, "NO!!!" Pakku extends his arms and hurls two ice columns into the archers.

Male waterbender: "Oh no!" Two Remnant archers emerge on rooftops and fire at the male waterbender. Pakku looks back, but is too slow to assist his new ally. The man raises a cube of ice around his body which blocks the shots. Pakku smiles then hurls himself onto the right building.

Pakku is filled with a blind rage, his face turns pink. Pakku shouts as he hurls a spear of ice into the left archer's stomach, this breaks his concentration. The archer across him takes aim at Pakku's chest while his guard is down. Appa soars down and knocks the man off the building. Archer: "Awwwhhhaaaa!"

Pakku looks back and salutes Appa, "Thanks, Appa." Pakku soars down and notices the male warrior. Pakku: "I never even got to know her name."

The male warrior rips her dog tag off, "It was Nari. I hear someone else mention it."

Pakku: "And your's?"

Male Water Tribe Warrior: "Honko."

Pakku: "Well sense you are also from the North, it's a shame I haven't met you before. But I never had time to get to know everyone."

Honko: "Remember Nari's sacrifice. She did everything to prove herself to her people and she died for the Northern Water Tribe. If the Eastern Tribe can take note of Katara's endeavors, it's more than enough time for us to do the same."

Chaos In the East Sector

Toph notices a Northern Water Tribe swordsman and a Western Water Tribe bender. Toph stops her sled. She sees a few fallen Water Tribe warriors and dead Remnant troops. Toph: "Well, looks like I came just in time. Seems like you all could use some help."

Waterbender: "Earthbender, where have you been? We've been fighting for over forty-five minutes!"

Toph: "Forty-five minutes? How do you even keep track?"

Swordsman: "Don't mind him, he's just stressed out. We could use your help."

Toph steps out of her sled, "Good, I'm ready for some action."

Waterbender: "Reinforcements should come soon, so you might not have to do anything."

Toph: "Don't jinx it."

Waterbender: "There's no such thing." A Fire Nation sergeant steps forward. He has a long dark brown mustache, dark brown wavy hair, coffee brown eyes, and peanut brown skin.

The Remnant sergeant smokes a cigarette and tosses it, "Well, what have we hear? The famous Toph! I've been waiting for a challenge." Two firebenders step beside him. Three Remnant swordsmen and two spear warriors step around the benders.

Toph: "Beat it scrub!"

The sergeant laughs, "You thought I came all this way just to turn back now? No, I want your skull. I will receive a great promotion for ending your life."

Toph: "You're out of your depth."

Remnant sergeant: "No girl, you are weaker here than I am. How are you supposed to bend in a city of ice?!"

The Water Tribe warriors look at Toph. Waterbender: "Oh, I didn't think of that."

Remnant sergeant: "Yet your arrogance has killed you!"

Toph: "I've had enough of this nonsense." Toph stomps her right foot and the sled behind her soars in the air and flies toward the sergeant. The man extends his left arm and blasts the object with a volatile gust of orange flames.

The Remnant Sergeant exhales with smoke flowing out of his mouth, "Did you really think that would be enough? Kill her friends, she's mine!" Two swordsmen case after the Water Tribe duelist while a firebender and spear warrior pursue the waterbender.

Toph: "Who told you these snow shovelers are my friends?"

Water Tribe Swordsman: "Hey, what did I do to deserve that?"

Remnant Swordsman: "She's not even an Earthbender, but I felt that burn."

Toph: "Let's end this cringe fest!" The firebender extends his arms and shoots a beam of flames at the waterbender. The waterbender shoots his own barrage of water into the fire as he attempts to push back his enemy but the opponents become deadlocked against each other in a pushing contest. The Remnant spearman tosses his weapon into the waterbender's chest, "Ach!"

Toph yells, "Hey, you didn't have to do him like that!"

The Remnant Sergeant performs an overhand hurl as he directs a cascade of flames at her, "You fate will be worse!" Toph dives right and rolls against the ground as she gathers herself. The spearman that just dispatched her ally charges after her with a short sword drawn. Toph picks up the spear from her fallen comrade and throws it at the duelist.

The throw is so weak the man easily knocks it aside, "Ha, you call that a throw!"

The Remnant Sergeant smiles, "This is getting sad. I almost feel sorry for you, almost. But don't worry after we kill you, I'll tell everyone else you put up a good fight!" The duelist runs toward Toph and she exhales. Despite the difficult situation, she does not fear. As this is happening a Remnant swordsman swings down vertically at the water tribe duelist.

The duelist crosses his blade horizontally as he parries the strike then he counters by kicking the trooper back. The other Remnant swordsman aggressively runs after him and hurls three hard strikes at his opponent. The water tribe warrior blocks each hit but tires. Water Tribe Swordsman: "TOPH! Hurry!"

The Remnant duelist elbows the water tribe warrior in his face and he falls back with blood rolling down his nose. The Remnant trooper looks down at him, "I don't take prisoners!" The Remnant duelist swings down vertically at Toph. Toph senses his movements and focuses.

The earthbending mastermind rotates her body left, knees the man in his groin, and uppercuts him. The man falls unconscious. A firebender comments, "Wow, that was fast. She can't duel but she's got hands." The other swordsman swings down at the fatigued water tribe swordsman. Toph grabs the man's sword, rotates her body, and throws the sword into the chest of the Remnant duelist standing over the Water Tribe duelist.

The Remnant Sergeant pulls his right hand down and an explosion of orange fire knocks Toph to the ground. Toph shakes her head and her ears ring briefly. Remnant Sergeant: "Enough of these games, this ends now!"

Toph briefly looks at a swordsman beside the Sergeant and at a spearman right of him. Toph yanks her right hand back and uses her unique metalbending power to move the sword. The sword flies out of the man's hand and goes through the man's chest. Blood flows from the sergeant's mouth, "Auuuuah!"

Toph grabs a hold of the two spearmen's blades and throws them into each other. The disarmed swordsman looks in dismay and attempts to flee the battle but is shot down by a zealous firebender. Firebender: "Useless coward, burn her to bits!" Toph raises the sword in the air but the firebender kick two large rods of fire at her.

Toph sighs and drops her weapon knowing she can't avoid this attack. Two ice walls emerge which explode on impact but stop the momentum of the strike. The firebenders raise their eyebrows and Toph hurls the floating sword into the left firebender's abdomen. The right firebender punches a barrage of flames at her but Jarue slides down toward her on an incline of ice.

Jarue punches two rays of water into the flames. Jarue leaps off his icy platform and as the firebender kicks a flame at his chest. Jarue rotates his body and kicks a ray of ice into the firebender before gracefully landing. Unlike Katara and Sada, Jarue doesn't often punch water balls or torpedoes at his foes. Instead, he usually shoots rays and streams at his enemies (similar to Kett's firebending style compared to Kanna Foloki's and Macai's).

Like Sada, Jarue is a valued member of the United Way movement. He has medium length brown hair, light yellow skin, and light blue eyes. A Remnant team in team in the distance attempts to close in. A swordsman advances from the left, a firebender from the center, and a spearman on the right. An arrow immediately pierces the man's neck.

It is fired by Serraj, Jarue's faithful companion and an archer from the Northern Water tribe who visited the Western Water Tribe which gave her opportunities to grow into a warrior. She has blue eyes, pale skin, and short yet straight black hair. Serraj sports light blue robes showing her noble background.

Beside her is Kaft, Jarue and Serraj's childhood best friend and a cunning duelist. Kaft is armed with a long sword, has a dark brown ponytail, yellow skin, long yet thin eyebrows, and hazel eyes. Kaft wears indigo robes with black markings to represent his tribe. Jarue's armor is actually cobalt blue with beige markings.

Toph looks Jarue in his eyes, "And who might you be?"

Jarue: "I'm Jarue."

Toph: "Oh you were the underdog that defeated Macai at the Planti Forest."

Jarue nods, "Yep."

Toph: "I defeated him too."

Jarue: "To be fair, he never thought I had a chance and I used that to my advantage."

Toph: "He was a great tactician actually, he actually gave me and Aang some trouble up until that point. It just wasn't enough to beat me."

Jarue: "And I heard he beat Azula when she tried to assassinate someone so those wins are starting to age really well for us."

Toph: "Well you need it more than I do, I was always the greatest earthbender in the world."

Jarue: "Talk about arrogant."

Toph: "Hey, I just know who I am. Don't be mad at me because you're not even the best waterbender in the world. Katara is, but maybe if you're lucky you'll reach fourth place."

Jarue: "Fourth, who's third and second?"

Kaft: "I think Sada is in there somewhere."

Serraj: "And she's probably counting Pakku."

Toph: "See they get it."

Jarue: "Maybe, maybe not but I know winning a fight is about more than raw skill. People hate to admit it but I'm just as good a tactician as Macai was. That's why I was a threat for him. Before we fought against his forces we took down several Fire Nation units and they never could keep up with us. We learned from our early years how to think on the fly and specialize at fast in and out attacks. Macai was trained to fight people head on, just like you but that creates a disadvantage and anyone can lose with the right circumstances, even you."

Toph: "You're either very bold or very stupid, I can't tell yet."

Jarue responds, "Then let me resume fill in the blanks."

Kaft comments, "The sass."

Toph: "You're lucky I'm not at my best."

Jarue: "Could of fooled me with the mess you made out of those guys."

Toph looks back at the men she killed, "It was either that or die. I'm not exactly 100 percent right now."

Serraj hugs Toph, "I am such a fan. You look fabulous and fierce."

Toph: "Hey Daisy, I didn't ask for a hug. I'm a little claustrophobic."

Serraj: "Oh sorry."

Toph hits Serraj's right shoulder, "Thanks, for understanding."

Serraj: "Ow!"

Toph: "Oh sorry, that's how I show affection."

It All Goes Crashing Down

Katara, Sada, and the Water Tribe warrior with dual swords hold the line as a swordsman, two firebenders, a spearman, and a mace warrior with a shield pressure them. The swordsman leaps forward and diagonally cuts down a firebender. Sada launches a large ice cube into a spearman's face, smashing his teeth. Katara kicks a whirlwind of water the mace and shield warrior, torpedoing him several feet away.

Remnant Mace & Shield Warrior: "Ooof!" The Remnant swordsman lunges vertically at the dual Water Tribe swordsman but the duelist crosses his blades as he blocks the hit. The Water Tribe warrior swirls his blades around as he disengages with his enemy and slashes him across his right arm. The Remnant soldier stumbles onto the icy pavement below.

A firebender maneuvers behind the duelist and pops a flame at him but Sada swiftly extends her left hand and shoots a water bullet into the flame. A second later, Sada pulls her arms back generating a fountain of water. The firebender lunges forward and hurls a spout of fire at the United Way leader.

Sada shifts her arms forward and launches an explosion of water through the flames. Some of it manages to splash the firebender but he evaporates the water off him by heating up his body. Sada follows up by extending her right arm and pounds the man with a water fist that knocks him out. Right before the fist makes impact Sada turns it into ice for a more painful impact.

Katara looks at Sada, "Wow, I was going to jump in but you had him before I could even lift a finger."

Sada: "Thanks, you do pretty well yourself."

Katara laughs, "Maybe we should work together more often." A flaming arrow is launched at the Water Tribe swordsman. The warrior draws his blade to deflect it but this arrow looks different than normal. An entire swirl of orange fire surrounds it. Katara looks, "Warrior, wait!"

As the man tries to swat the arrow, it explodes on impact. Smoke and dust fly everywhere. Katara and Sada's ears briefly ring from the explosion. As it clears Sada sees an unresponsive duelist. Sada looks at Katara, "I'm not sure if he's unconscious or dead."

Katara: "Check him quickly, I'll deal with this one!" Sada runs toward the wounded warrior to check his pulse, She is still unable to tell if he's alive and searches more diligently. Katara looks across and sees Kedo on top of a building right of her position. Kedo shoots a second arrow at her, but Katara flings a water bullet into the arrow, and it explodes midair.

Katara launches herself up with a stream of water and onto a building across Kedo. Kedo aims at her again and fires another arrow into a building between his position and Katara's. Several debris fly in the air toward her. Katara leaps backward as she avoids a falling object and looks down to make sure her teammates below are safe.

Katara looks ahead and is unable to see Kedo. Katara looks around to guess his position but hears a blaze of flames rise behind her. Katara swiftly turns around and raises a gush of water that absorbs the flames. As steam rises, Ronin stares across at her. Katara's eyes widen and Ronin pumps two orange-yellow flames at her.

As this is happening, Sada checks the pulse of the warrior and realizes he is still alive. She applies water healing to his body which begins to wake him up. Sada: "You'll be alright soldier, just stay sharp."

Water Tribe Soldier: "Look."

Sada turns and sees three Remnant firebenders heading her way. Sada whispers, "Play dead until I'm done with them. Then I'll need to find Katara."

Katara launches her body two feet in the air with an enhanced water jump and blasts a swirl of ice at him. Ronin leaps backward and generates a wall of fire from his feet that evaporates the ice. Katara spins forward and punches two freezing water bolts at him. Ronin dives left and nearly falls off the building but grabs onto the ledge to hold himself up.

Katara looks at the Remnant marine, "This is my only warning, tell me who you work for or I'll taking you down!" An aura of ice surrounds Katara's left fist but her right hand is covered by hot water. Katara: "Not listening!" Katara shoots ice against the edge of the building and it flows toward Ronin.

Ronin leaps back on the rooftop in the center of the building and Katara shoots a blast of hot water into Ronin's chest. Ronin howls, "Hugh!" Ronin rolls backward and Katara pulls her hands back. The hot water on Ronin's body immediately encircles his arms, legs, and shoulders before freezing. Katara applies pressure to the ice constraints making them uncomfortably cold.

Ronin: "Uuuuurrrhhhhh!"

Katara scowls at the 31st veteran, "Tell me, what I need to know."

Ronin grunts, "Y-y-you, w-will find out s-soon enough." The sunlight suddenly peaks outside. Alev rises with a beam of light orange and yellow flames propelling her. Her yellow-gold skin, hazel eyes, flash multi-colored armor, and light brown hair shine as she hovers behind Katara. Katara slowly turns as she feels a sudden warmth behind her and Alev hurls an explosive flame into her stomach.

Katara flies left off the rooftop and five feet in the air before she quickly falls. Less than a second later Alev swarms from her prior position and catches Katara before she hits the ground. Alev smiles, "I've got to be the best rocket propulsion practitioner after Ozai."

Ronin snarls as he heats up his arms and breaks off his ice constraints. The trooper then heats his legs and breaks them free. Water soaks from his armor but it quickly is toasted away. The marine stands and gives Alev a thumbs up. In the opposite direction, right of the building Sada slowly rises her head as she drops the last of her attackers.

Sada looks up and notices Ronin peering down the other side of the building. Sada raises an eyebrow but Kedo watches her from a rooftop left of her position. Kedo charges up a explosive arrow but the water tribe warrior notices. Water Tribe Swordsman, "Sada, look left!"

Sada turns and gasps as Kedo fires his arrow. Sada rolls left as the arrow lands right of her position and the explosion knocks the skilled waterbender off her feet. Kedo decides not to wait and give her another opportunity to spot his location. He quickly pulls back from his position as Alev flies away with Aang's lover.

Pakku soars down with Honko quickly running beside him. Pakku looks at Sada, "We have cleaned up almost all of the city, our enemies seem to be retreating. Have you seen Katara?"

Sada looks at Pakku and tears flow down her eyes. Pakku: "Oh no." Seconds later, Sokka and Chieftain Arnook arrive. Arnook has a spear and his robes are dirty. Sokka is also dirty with his sword drawn. About a dozen armed troopers advance behind them.

Sada: "Sokka, what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to evacuate the Chieftain?"

Sokka: "Yeah about that, the Chieftain and I decided to take the fight to the enemy. It worked out pretty well, we did good. Between my strategies and Arnook's charisma there was no stopping us!"

Pakku plainly replies, "You must have been a sight to see."

Sokka: "Where's Katara? She must probably be ahead of us by now, I bet she's all the way up to that shoreline chasing those chumps right back into their ship. Infact, she might even take the whole thing down herself!"

A Northern Water Tribe soldier runs from across the alley and looks at Pakku, "Sir, I found this." The trooper holds up Katara's necklace, the one Aang made for her three years ago. Before the Hundred Year War ended, before Aang defeated Ozai, and before their marriage. One that was meant to last for the rest of their lives and perhaps well after.

Sokka's voices starts cracking, "No! She must have just dropped it! She'll get it back."

Pakku: "As a man madly in love, I know she would NEVER leave this behind unless it was something very serious. Especially with someone of her skillset."

Sokka: "First time for everything I guess, let's keep pushing to the shore. We'll find her." As the teams push closer to the ocean, they face less and less resistance. It seems all the troopers have pulled back. Pakku shakes his head but holds his tongue. As the teams continue to advance across the city, they reach the edge of the city and still can't find her.

A Northern Water Tribe warrior reports to Arnook, "By now, our forces estimate their ship has evacuated. It had the firepower to take down any forces we attempted to use to overturn it and it was more than we expected at that moment. Sokka's eyes widen and redden as he gazes at the waters ahead of him.

Toph links up with the ground and with her allies. Jarue meets with his old friend Sada, "How are things going?"

Sada: "Not well honestly."

Jarue: "Really? It seemed like we did well."

Pakku interrupts Jarue, "It seems this attack was a diversion. The real prize was not a government leader, no. And unlike some of the Disciple of Justice's early actions, it was not a random act of terrorism. No, this was a calculated attack, and the target was Katara. Unfortunately, we completely overlooked this and played right into their arms."

Toph yells, "What is he talking about?! Sada what?! We're you with her?! What happened?! Katara is missing?! Who could have taken her?! HOW?! This was her celebration; this was her special moment." Toph crumbles and falls to her knees. Seconds later she breaks down in tears, an unusual sight for her revealing her deep hidden love for her friend.

Pakku sighs and knees as he looks out across the deep ocean. Jarue turns in disbelief, hoping these types of scenes were over with the Hundred Year War resolved but learning the harsh ways of this world will never permanently disappear in this form of life.

Sokka shouts in desperation at the wind, "Arrrrahahahaahhahahahahaah!!!!!"