Nightfall

Twenty Nine

Darkness swirled around the group running through the cave systems. Fear was at an all-time high as it coursed in between them. No one had ever escaped from the arena before, especially not a group this large. No one had ever tried to revolt against the corrupt government; at least, no one had survived trying to revolt against the government. If anyone had, they were probably annihilated before they could even get to the Capital.

But not this group. They weren't going to let that happen to them; they wanted to create a better future for the next generations, and this was the first step to that. Maybe it was the brilliant leader or the boy filled with immense hope, but Katara felt almost optimistic about what was going to happen. She didn't allow this newfound optimism distract her from how dangerous this actually was, though. 

As they continued their trek through the caves, the light kept diminishing. Katara was afraid that they would run out of light completely. How would they make it through the cave system without light? She had struggled enough on her own when it was just her and Aang, so this was nerve-wracking. 

The footing underneath grew unstable, so she slowed her run. The people in front of her continued on, but she didn't want to trip and hurt herself. Katara put her arms out and her fingers brushed the sides of the caves. The coolness seeped through her, chilling her straight to the bone. They must have been getting deeper and deeper in the caves. Hopefully Sokka knew where he was going. If he didn't, they were screwed.

"Are you alright, Katara?" someone asked right in front of her.

With a quick glance up, she noticed Lu Ten hovering back near her in the dim light. The top of his head was brushing against the roof of the cave, so he was hunched slightly. "I'm fine," she said quickly. 

"It doesn't look like you're fine."

She picked up her pace, trying to get around him. There wasn't enough room for her to do that. She was stuck next to him, no matter how much she hated it. There was something about him that made her trust him, though. Deep inside, she knew that he was a good guy, even if he had joined Azula and Zuko and their gang. 

"I'm nervous," Katara whispered, her eyes dropping to the ground. "I'm nervous that this won't go well."

"It'll go well," Lu Ten said, patting her shoulder. "My father is heading this operation, so of course it will go well." He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "We've been planning this for years. And before he included me in it, he's been planning this for even longer. Things have to go well." He was quiet for the longest time until he whispered, "It has to go well."

The last thing he said worried Katara because he didn't sound as confident as he had before. She guessed that he didn't want to her to hear that last phrase, but she did. If he wasn't confident in this, they shouldn't be doing it. She didn't want to risk any of their lives because of a failed revolt. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She was too afraid to ask her question, to hear the confirmation that what they were doing might not go well. 

"It's getting dark," Aang called out, his voice bouncing around the walls. His voice made her racing heart slow down slightly. "How are we going to see where we're going?"

"You guys are lucky you have me," Toph said from the front of the group. "I can see everything as long as my feet are touching earth. Suki, hold my hand. You all are going to follow me, so hold hands."

Katara stopped walking, sticking her hand out for Lu Ten to hold. He grabbed it, giving her a tight squeeze. Her other hand dangled out in the open air, catching the breeze behind them. There was no one else behind her; she was the end of the line, the end of this revolt. If she wanted, she could have escaped without them noticing. It would have cured her anxiety if she escaped, but it wouldn't have cured the injustice in this world. Nothing would cure that until they revolted and got new people into power who cared about everyone, not just the rich or the ones who turn on their own brothers and sisters.

Would she be welcomed in this new world, though? Katara had taken part in the ruthless killing in the Games; she had killed that guy with bloodbending, a thing she told herself that she would never use. If they were creating a new world with peace and order, she was terrified that she wouldn't be allowed into it because she had taken part in chaos and destruction.

The people in the Capital thought the Games were the best thing in the world, so they would be glad she had done that, until they figured out she was apart of the ones who were going to take their precious Games away. The people in the districts, on the other hand? Katara was afraid of going home, to be seen as a monster because she had to do the worst thing imaginable to survive. Maybe she would never go home again, not after they revolted. Maybe she would build a new home for her away from everyone so she could live out her days in exile because of what she had done. That way, no one would be able to hate her as much as she hated herself.

"We're nearly there!" Toph yelled. "Get ready for an earthquake!"

"Earthquake? What are you talking about?" Sokka screamed, sounding confused. 

"You'll see."

Lu Ten's grip on Katara's hand grew tighter just as the ground shook with the force of Toph. Dust and debris fell onto her head, and she ducked, hoping the tunnels wouldn't cave in on them because of Toph. Her footsteps faltered when the trembles grew underneath her feet. All of a sudden, the trembles quit, and Toph yelled, "Everyone, out! Now!"

Her voice sounded strained, but Katara didn't take the time to worry about her. Lu Ten pulled Katara through the tunnels, running as fast as they could. It was a good thing Toph was small because they had to get around her. When Katara glimpsed the smaller girl, she noticed that her face was scrunched up in agony and her hands were lifted toward the ceiling. That was all she could see before Lu Ten pulled her through the opening in the cave wall.

The moon above the group was a sliver, and it barely cast light down upon them. That was okay, though. Katara didn't want anyone to see them out here in the open. A cool breeze blew through the tall grasses around them, filling her lungs. 

"Alright, everyone," Sokka said. His voice sounded close. "Let's take a small break. In a few minutes, we'll start heading to the White Lotus headquarters."

Katara collapsed to the ground with a sigh. Terror ran through her veins at the thought of the revolt. But the picture of a brighter future fueled her on; she knew she had to to this. She knew she had to bring their world out of the darkness and into the light, as long as she did it with love. Love was always brightest in the dark, and she was definitely in darkness physically and mentally.

No matter how terrified she was, she knew that she would never, ever turn her back on people who needed her. And her world needed her now more than ever.