𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍 ꩜ prince zuko

¹⁰

CHAPTER TEN

        AFTER THEIR FIGHT WITH the Dai Li and Appa's return, Sokka remained determined to meet the Earth King and present their plan to stop the Fire Nation. While Katara voiced her concerns and argued that it might not be the best course of action, Sokka insisted that gaining the Earth King's support was crucial; especially if they hoped to launch an invasion during the Day of Black Sun, a solar eclipse that would leave the Fire Nation and its firebenders powerless.

        "What makes you think we'll get it? I don't know if you've noticed, but things don't usually go that smoothly for our little  gang." Toph argued as she sat cross-legged on the rocky ground of the lake island where the group had temporarily set up camp.

        "Toph's right, Sokka. Long Feng is in control of the city; his conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep flying and leave this horrible place behind us." Katara argued, Yan and Toph nodding in agreement.

        "I'm with Hair Loopies on this one. Besides, leaving this corrupt city has been a dream of mine for years. Toph's seen enough of Ba Sing Se, and she's blind," Yan added just before Toph punched her in the arm.

        Aang floated over with an enthusiastic smile. "But now that we have Appa back, there's nothing stopping us from telling the Earth King the truth about the conspiracy and the war."

        "See, Aang's with me! It's the whole reason we came here in the first place. We have to try." Sokka threw an arm around Aang's shoulder and grinned as he urged Katara to agree. She sighed, weighing the idea for a moment before reluctantly deciding it might actually be a good plan. Toph, however, wasn't convinced; she joked that Long Feng must have brainwashed Sokka, judging by his sudden burst of optimism. Meanwhile, Aang glanced out at the lake and noticed three boats gliding silently across the water's surface. "That's probably the Dai Li searching for us. We gotta go."

        The group climbed onto Appa's back, gripping tightly as Aang guided his giant sky bison back toward the city. If it came down to a choice between flying in a metal airship or riding bareback on Appa, Yan would've picked the airship. Soaring through the sky without a saddle was terrifying; she'd honestly rather be throwing up than risking a fall at any given moment.

        The group hurried to the Earth King's palace, Yan pointing down below. "That's it, the whole place is the palace. We have to approach with caution; Long Feng most likely warned the palace defenses that we were coming," she warned the group as they flew closer to the palace.

        "Why would you assume that? If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in on-" Sokka was cut off as a boulder hurtling toward Appa. The sky bison swerved sharply to the left, narrowly dodging the projectile. More boulders followed, launched by Earth Kingdom soldiers below, forcing Appa to weave through the barrage as the group clung tightly to his thick white fur. Aang spotted another boulder flying in from the right and shattered it effortlessly while Momo ducked and chirped nervously beside him.

        When Appa landed, Team Avatar sprinted toward the palace steps, only to be intercepted by Royal Guards attempting to block their path. Toph, Aang, and Yan quickly stepped in, using their earthbending to clear the way while Katara lashed out with precise water whips, apologizing every time she knocked a guard aside. They weren't there to hurt anyone; they just needed to speak with the Earth King. Crossing the bridge to the palace, the group reached the grand staircase just as more soldiers arrived; thinking fast, Toph flattened the steps, turning them into a massive stone slide. She and Aang then combined their bending to create a makeshift pulley system, propelling the group upward and closing the distance to the palace doors in record time.