"That's the fifth fire nation ship we've passed," Sokka noticed in the distance the red flag on the boat.

"They're probably all going to the earth kingdom," Jet crossed his arms glaring at the ships of the enemy.

"If your so worried about them just take one," Zuko was crouched down petting momo.

Everyone looked at him like he was crazy.

"What?"

"Anyways..." bato changed the subject as everyone was chatting amongst each other but Sokka was quiet for once, deep in thought as he stared at the fire nation ship in the distance.

"So how hard do you think it would be?" Sokka tilt his head to the side as he stood next to Zuko.

"To do what?" Zuko looked at him.

"To take a fire nation ship? What would you do to take one?" He raised a brow curiously.

"Send Toph," the fire bender said obviously.

Sokka perked at the thought, could the three of them take a fire nation ship? They had an advantage. Middle of the sea, no back up for the fire nation, they had a water bender even... would Katara be on board? He could convince Jet to help even. If they had fire nation colors they wouldn't be at risk for an ambush.

"I have an idea," Sokka grinned.

"I'm listening," Zuko was interested.

—

"Are you two-three- all of you fucking crazy?" Jet was told the plan as Toph was in on it already, Zuko stood behind Sokka who explained to Jet and Katara.

"I don't want to agree with Jet but a whole fire nation ship?" Katara asked unsure a little.

"Listen you, Zuko and Toph are the only benders with us, and we easily could take a ship, Zuko knows those ships and where to strike, the fire nation wouldn't bother us," Sokka elaborated hopeful.

"I'm saying we take appa, swim over to the next ship, Katara, Toph and Jet you stay above taking out the soldiers while Zuko and I take down the captain," he smiled more at the plan.

"What do we do with the captives?" Jet sighed.

"Don't worry about the captives," Zuko put a finger against his own lips looking to calm.

"Katara we just need you to make this 100% full proof," he looked at her instead.

"Alright let's go, when?" She smiled back.

"During the day," Sokka told her.

"Are you dumb? Why during the day?" Jet scoffed not understanding at all still.

"The flares the fire nation send as a help signal is brighter during the night, if they get to it when we attack less of a chance anyone else will see," Zuko rolled his eyes.

"It's almost noon, should we tell dad?" Katara asked looking at the sun.

"If nosy Nancy here tattles, he'll find out soon," Toph motioned to Jet.

"I said I was here to help you fight, I'm in," Jet frowned.

"Good, I'll tell dad we're going for an errand," Katara smiled spinning around.

"I'll get the bison," Zuko gave a thumbs up as they all broke off to their mission.

Jet followed Zuko to appa as the two boys knew there was tension but Zuko did his best to ignore the other.

"Are you and Katara together?" Jet finally asked.

"Huh?" Zuko looked at him annoyed.

"Dating, together, romantic, are You guys together?" He asked firmly. Zuko tilted his head to the side.

"I don't- no? We're friends? What made you think that?" Zuko didn't get it.

"Because she's always with you, your with her, your telling me you never thought about Katara more than a friend? Do you think she's ugly or something?" Jet scoffed sitting behind on appas back while Zuko sat on his head.

Zuko made a face at him, scrunching his nose and frowning at the other boy.

"I do not have the time for this, I don't know what you want me to say," Zuko waved him off.

"You think she's ugly? You don't like her at all?" Jets jaw dropped in disbelief.

"This feels like a trap, no obviously she's not ugly dumb ass, stop asking stupid fucking questions," he scoffed defensively. Why did everyone make weird comments about his friendship with Katara? They didn't ask about Toph, Sokka or Aang? Was it cause Katara was a girl? No one said anything about Toph either? He didn't understand.

"I'm just seeing if she's over me? She get so flustered still sometimes," Jet grinned watching zukos reaction.

"You dated?" Zuko was surprised about that. She didn't mention anything about her past like that, he thought she hated Jet.

"We might've kissed, her first kiss," his smile grew with more cockiness.

"Is that why she hates you?" Zuko turned to him curiously. No venom in his tone.

"She doesn't hate me!" Jet gasped.

"Definitely doesn't like you," he shrugged.

"Are you guys getting along?" Katara walked over with Toph and Sokka.

"Yep," Zuko said sarcastically and Jet flipped his off.

"What did your dad say?" Jet asked looking at Sokka who took the reins of appa as Zuko scooted to the back.

"He said it's risky and a bad idea, so we're gonna have to work fast, Katara you ready?" Sokka smiled innocently and the two other boys faces dropped.

"Yep let's hurry," she nodded as Toph held onto Zuko.

Sokka snapped the reins and quietly appa flew off and Katara made a bubble of water for them to dive in and went under the water to have the element of surprise.

"Are we going to get in trouble?" Jet asked as he looked around the waters in awe. They had an air bubble while appas feet and tail stuck out to swim.

"Not if it's successful," Sokka gave a thumbs up.

"You know how you can't tell when I'm joking, I'm starting to think this was a dumb joke I made," zuko felt uneasy looking at the ocean around them.

——

"Did you see the blue flags?" A few fire nation soldiers stood on deck while they cruised across the sea.

"Yea but we have to stay on track to the earth kingdom," another shrugged.

"When the fuck were we invading ba sing se again? I thought we dropped that idea like six years ago," one of the women rolled her eyes as she adjusted her armor.

"I guess the princess just went for it after the drill failed," he hummed a little impressed.

Suddenly the boat shook like it hit something but there was nothing around.

"Captain what happened?!" Someone called across the deck.

"What the hell?" The captain ran out to the open just as confused.

Suddenly Toph jumped over the railing of the boat and slammed her heel against the metal and caused all the soldiers to fall when the metal flooring shook. None of them expected fire to chase over her and aimed towards them.

Zuko blocked in front of Toph as Katara raised her, Sokka and Jet over while Zuko took the lead, firing shot after shot making sure there was a clear path for the others.

"Zuko your with me, we need to get to the captains quarter," Sokka took out his machete.

"Katara, once you find the captain, keep him," he pointed at his sister. "Jet that means don't kill,"

They all nodded in agreement as they parted off and the two teens ran to the inside of the ship. Zuko knowing the right way to their target, they stopped outside the door hearing ruckus inside, Sokka held up his hand and motioned for himself to go first and Zuko to have his back.

Sokka slammed the door open as he threw his boomerang at the man that steered the ship and Zuko leaped over with a kick of flames knocking the other soldiers back.

"Shit it's the rebellion!" Someone yelled and tried to escape out the side.

"Zuko go after him!" Sokka yelled and Zuko immediately followed orders chasing the soldier out to the balcony.

The soldier gasped surprised that he was chased but cried out when Zuko grabbed his neck and pushed him towards the edge of the railing that was over the main deck. Zuko kept his grip tight threatening to push the soldier over the side.

"Wait wait wait don't!" The soldier screamed.

"Zuko?! It's me!" He threw his helmet off and zukos glare turned to a bewildered stare.

"It's Jay!" He cried out.

Zuko threw him back on the floor as the soldier grunted laying on the balcony, his breath was shaky staring at the younger boy.

"Zuko? Your alive? We thought you were killed," jay backed up but Zuko took out his swords before he could run off.

"Your fighting with the water tribe?" He realized seeing Sokka following behind him.

"I'm sorry," Zuko held his sword up.

"You betrayed us?" Jay gulped.

He didn't answer.

"What about home? How could you do this Zuko?" Jay looked at him almost in fear when there was no remorse on zukos face.

"Did Katara get the captain?" Zuko ignored him and looked at Sokka.

"Toph definitely did," Sokka motioned below to the deck as Toph waved at them with the captain wrapped in metal while Katara and Jet were tying up the other soldiers.

"Is anyone injured?" He asked as Sokka went to tie Jays wrists together.

"Wait wait don't touch me, Zuko talk to me," Jay snapped backing away from Sokka.

Zuko pursed his lips and shoved his way past Sokka to go back. Jay sat on the floor confused and betrayed as he watched his little brother, their runt of their troops, as a whole different person.

"Zuko wait!"