Us

Fear part four. Final battle.

Zuko.

Running down the tunnels underneath the volcano, Zuko never felt more helpless.

Toph was their sight, using her earth bending to guide them.
They couldn't risk firebending and giving them selves away.

How could he have been so careless?
Aang was right. This was his fault.
He never should have left her.
He should have gone with her to see his sister. If she died.....He shook the thought away. No, she would NOT die.

"Aang?" Zuko said, his voice a whisper in the dark tunnel.

"Yea?"

"I'm sorry. You were right. This is my fault."

Aang stopped and turned to Zuko's voice.

"No, I was wrong. I never should have blamed you. I know you'd never put her in danger. It's been hard letting her go, but I'm glad she's with you."

Zuko's throat tightened at this, and they continued on. He will find her.
And Agni help his sister when he does.

"Wait!" Tophs voice rang out as she knelt down and put her hand to the ground.

"Someone's moving down that way. Grab hold and follow me. Be ready for a fight."

Zuko's heart beat faster as they went. Everyone silent as they moved, till Toph stopped.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yes." He answered for them all.

Toph busted a hole in the wall of the tunnel and light poured in.
Rushing inside, Azula had been waiting, and there behind her, lay an unmoving Katara.

"Welcome brother. I'm so glad you and your friends could make it. Too bad about your little girlfriend though. But don't worry, I'm sure you'll find another." She mocked him.

No, no she couldn't be dead.
He looked to Toph, praying Azula was lying. Sensing his movement, Toph gave a slight shake of her head and relief washed through him.

All of them had taken a stance, ready for this to be over.
They weren't expecting what happened next.
At least fifteen people appeared around them, falling from ropes hanging from the ceiling so Toph wouldn't be able to sense them.

"You see brother, not everyone wanted you as Fire Lord. They want me. And since you and the Avatar put their King behind bars, they are very put out with you."

"Azula this is insane! Ozai was cruel! He didn't care about them or you! He wanted to burn the world!" Zuko shouted at her.

"No! Father had a vision for a new world! One where the Fire nation ruled over all!"

"What does Katara have to do with that?" Sokka demanded.

"Everything! Because of her, you left me in a cell to rot! Pouring drugs down my throat to make me weak! You and your filthy peasants took everything from me! And I want it back!"
She attacked full force, holding nothing back as she threw blast after blast.
Her followers joined in, using various tactics and weapons.

They were badly out numbered...

Aang used all the elements to try and drive them away.
Sokka and Suki, back to back, taking on the one's without bending.
Toph managed to throw a few against the rock's around them, knocking them out cold.

Zuko and Azula were evenly matched, one just as fueled by their purpose as the other.

The heat was maddening, rumble of earth deafening, the sound of metal on metal echoed, and the rush of air surrounded them, whipping Zuko's hair into his eyes.