Avatar - The Last Airbender (Storyteller Version)

Chapter 28: The Southern Raiders

As Aang awoke at the crack of dawn the following day, something soared into the Western Air Temple. It was a bomb! Aang quickly airbended it away, but no sooner had he done so, the Fire Nation's airships elevated out of the foggy canyon. The fleet opened fire, unleashing bombs in every direction. Aang airbended a series of metal doors shut around everyone to protect them. The bombs continued to strike. One of them struck the doors, blowing a gap. Aang and the others knew they couldn't stay at the temple for much longer. They would have to escape. Together, Haru and Toph earthbended a tunnel through the stone wall behind them.

TOPH: Come on! We can get out through here!

Everyone rushed into the tunnel... except Zuko.

AANG: What are you doing?!

ZUKO: I'll hold them off. I think this is a family visit.

Zuko sprinted toward the airships, unleashing fireblasts at the nearest one. Another airship elevated in front of him. Azula stood on the crow's nest, leering at him madly.

ZUKO: What are you doing here?

AZULA: You mean it's not obvious yet? I am about to celebrate becoming an only child!

With a ferocious kick, Azula discharged blue flames, knocking Zuko over backwards. Recovering, Zuko darted on a collapsing column and bounded toward Azula's airship. He landed on its top and charged, shooting more fire from his fists. Azula jumped down from the crow's nest, and the two clashed.

Meanwhile, Aang, Katara, and Sokka desperately tugged on Appa's reins, trying to pull him into the opening in the wall.

AANG: I can't him to go in there! Appa hates tunnels!

KATARA: Aang, there's no way we can fly out of here!

AANG: We'll have to find a way!

SOKKA: We need to split up.

Sokka glanced back at the others, including Hakoda.

SOKKA: Take the tunnel and get to the stolen airship.

KATARA: No! The Fire Nation can't separate our family again!

HAKODA: It'll be okay. It's not forever.

Both Katara and Sokka hugged their father goodbye, then watched as Hakoda followed Haru, the Duke, Chit San, and Teo into the tunnel. Sokka took Suki by the hand and joined Katara and Toph on Appa's saddle. Aang grabbed the reins and spurred his bison. Appa whooshed out of the rubble, soaring skyward. The children hadn't gone far when they spotted Zuko and Azula still fighting on the airship. Again and again, the two exchanged blows, until finally, both Azula and Zuko reared back and threw ferocious punches of charging fire at each other. Their fists collided, causing a tremendous explosion! The blast threw Zuko and Azula off balance and sent them both sliding off the airship! Appa swooped beneath Zuko and the children caught him in nick of time, while Azula continued to plummet into the misty canyon. But at the last moment, she propelled herself to the canyon wall with a jet of blue flames, and jammed her hairpin into the stone, slowing her descent to a stop. Still hanging from the canyon wall, Azula smiled wickedly as she saw Appa soar off into the clouds. She was not finished yet.

As soon as they were safe, Aang and the others set up camp on a remote island somewhere in the Fire Nation. Everyone congratulated Zuko for helping them all escape — except Katara. Despite all the good he had done recently, she was still very, very angry with him. Infuriated with her lack of gratitude, Zuko confronted her.