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warning!

this chapter contains some swearing, mentions of blood, and violence!

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IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT NIGHTMARES PREVENT KIDA FROM GETTING A RESTFUL SLEEP. The night before the invasion is no different — in fact, it's worse than ever before.

But, Kida tries as hard as she can to brush it off. She ignores the heavy feeling in her stomach, butterflies with wings made of pure stone. She controls her breathing so that her heart doesn't beat out of her chest, and, more importantly, Toph can't sense anything wrong. Kida continues to make as many arrows as possible, mentally preparing herself for the battle looming over them.

She looks up from her work: Toph is sitting comfortably on a rock, Sokka is looking over his maps and plans for the billionth time, Aang and Katara having a conversation. It would seem like a regular day travelling with the team.

"Oh no," Katara suddenly says, looking across the water. "Sokka, do you think the fog will interfere with the invasion plan?"

Sokka stands up to follow her gaze. "No," he replies hopefully. Sokka turns back towards the team. "That is the invasion."

The team climbs down to meet everyone, and before long reunites with old friends and family alike. Haru, an earthbender Katara and the team helped free, and his father; Toph's former earthbending competitors; Teo and his father, who made helped bring Sokka's invention to life, and made a new glider for Aang; Duke and Pipsqueak, former Freedom Fighters who Kida knew well; some waterbenders from the swamp lands; and, of course, Bato and Hakoda, who offers Kida a warm greeting.

"I see you and my son have decided to get along," Hakoda muses.

Kida feels warmth rise to her cheeks as she smiles. "We figured it would be best for the team," she quips, just as Sokka shoots Kida a smile before he goes back to his conversation with Teo's father, which Hakoda notices.

"Well, for what it's worth, I think you both made the right choice." Hakoda winks knowingly. "Maybe when all this is over, you can come visit the Southern Water Tribe."

This thought prompts a wave of nervous anticipation from Kida, mixed with nausea. The idea that the war could finally be over, that Kida could finally stop fighting, that the people she loves would finally be safe, is one that she has trouble believing.

"Hey," Sokka greets, walking up to Kida and Hakoda. "I'm gathering everyone for a briefing of the plan."

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AFTER SOKKA'S BRIEFING — WHICH HAKODA ENDS UP HAVING TO INTERRUPT — EVERYONE STARTS TO GO INTO FULL PREPARATION MODE.

Kida settles in by the shore, wrapping strips of cloth on her arms, something Sokka taught her to help prevent injuries. She secures all her weapons to her body: her sword in its sheath and her quiver full of arrows strapped to her back, her knife to her belt, and her bow grasped in her hand. For all her years of fighting, all the blood, sweat, and tears, Kida has never been in a battle like this before; she isn't sure that she's ready, but she has no choice but to be. She tries to think about Aang's bravery, Katara's wisdom, Toph's strength, and Sokka's determination to drive her forward.

They start preparing the boats to leave, but Sokka is nowhere to be found. Kida finds him standing on the cliff side, and joins him.

"Hey," Kida says as she approaches. "We've been looking for you. It's time to leave."

Sokka sighs, looking at his wolf helmet with disappointed eyes. "I messed up, Kida."

"What?" Kida asks.

"The invasion plan was my moment of truth," Sokka explains. He turns to Kida. "And I fucked up." Sokka gestures down to the boats, starting to pace back and forth. "I got up there and I just...froze. I'm not a real leader, like my dad is. I can't explain the plan, I don't inspire people."

"Sokka," Kida asserts. She gently grabs his arm to stop him. "You can't be serious."

"I am!" Sokka exclaims, throwing his arms in the air.

"You do realize that you're the reason everyone is here," Kida counters. "You're the one who came up with this plan! That briefing wasn't your moment of truth. As far as I'm concerned, your moment of truth was when you decided to help the Avatar save the world. Everything else just keeps proving that you're smart, and brave, and one of the best warriors I've ever seen. You might not see it, but you've already inspired everyone, even me. Especially me."

Sokka steps closer and kisses her cheek. "Thanks, Kida." Sokka smiles softly. "I guess we better go, huh?"

At those words, and as Sokka starts to walk away, Kida feels her heart drop. "Wait."

She grabs Sokka's arm to turn him around and kisses him. He's surprised at first, but soon drops his helmet and wraps his arms around her waist. Kida loops one of hers around Sokka's neck, her other hand gently cupping his cheek. When they run out of breath, Kida rests her forehead against his.

"I love you," Kida whispers.

At first, Sokka smiles softly. His cheeks tinted pink, Sokka gazes at her like he just woke up from a good dream. But, something soon changes. Brows furrowed, Sokka pulls away. "Don't do that."

Kida bites her lip, heart pounding in her chest. "What do you mean?"

"Kiss me like it might be the last time," Sokka scoffs. "Tell me you love me like you'd never have the chance to do it again."

Kida drops his gaze, not quite sure what to say.

"You're not planning anything stupid are you?"

"Stupid?"

"You know, like jumping in front of a fire blast."

"To be fair, I don't plan to do stupid things, but if the moment calls for it," Kida laughs, trying to brush it off.

"Kida," Sokka says. He takes her hands in his, prompting her to look at him. "Kida. Tell me what's wrong, because a second ago you seemed so confident and now...."

"I'm fine, Sokka," Kida asserts. She drops his hands and picks up Sokka's helmet, offering it up to him. "We really should get going, though."

Sokka sighs, not moving from where he stands. "I know you're scared, but trying not to be. And I think you know that I am too," Sokka admits. "But, look, worst case scenario: we lose. Or, we all die, but....but at least we gave it our best shot."

"That's not the worst case," Kida whispers, not wanting to hold back her avalanche of thoughts. "Losing you. Aang, Katara and Toph. The team. Everyone. Watching you all die and not being able to stop it. Being the only one left and just thinking if I had done something more or something different," Kida trails off as her voice cracks. She falls to the ground, dropping the helmet in the process so that she can hug her knees to her chest. Kida squeezes her eyes shut to prevent tears from escaping. "That's the worst case scenario."

"That won't happen." Sokka gently kneels beside Kida and wraps his arm around her shoulder. "I promise."

Kida opens her eyes to glance at him. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

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THE CALM BEFORE THE BATTLE IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE.

Sokka's submarine plans work out perfectly, to Kida's relief. They manage to cross the Great Gates of Azulon undetected. Eventually, the submarines have to come up for air — and it's time for Aang to part ways with the team.

Kida, Sokka, Katara and Toph join Aang on the surface as everyone stretches. There's a heaviness in Kida's chest, but she swallows it down before it can consume her.

"So, this is it, huh?" Aang asks, looking around at everyone.

Sokka places a hand on Aang's shoulder. "Are you ready to face the Fire Lord?"

Aang nods. "I'm ready."

Sokka brings Aang in for a hug, and the rest of the team joins in.

"I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt, Twinkle Toes," Toph adds.

Suddenly, Hakoda announces: "Everyone listen up. The next time we resurface, it'll be on the beaches. So stay alert, and fight smart. Now break time's over, back in the subs."

Sokka and Toph say their final goodbyes and walk away, but Kida is hesitant. The fact that this might be the last time she sees Aang makes her not want to say goodbye, to freeze this moment. It feels like she could lose another brother, but she puts on a brave face anyways.

"You've got this, Aang," Kida says. "You've worked hard and....and I'm proud of you."

"Thanks Kida," Aang replies. "For everything."

Kida brings Aang in for another hug. When she pulls away and lets Aang and Katara have their moment, Kida doesn't say goodbye; just one more good luck before boarding the boat.

Standing in line with the soldiers, fully armed, as the submarines move closer and closer towards the beaches, Kida closes her eyes. She can do this; she needs to do this. Kida has fought Fire Nation soldiers before and won. She's trained for years, her whole life, really, and it's just another battle on a different scale. It occurs to her that she could have to face Zuko again, but this time, Kida has everything she needs to win. Still, it's not herself she's worried about, though.

She opens her eyes and glances at Sokka beside her, who lets out a sigh. He catches her gaze, extending his hand to grasp hers.

"I promise," Sokka whispers.

Kida shakes her head and looks away, but squeezes his hand back.

Once the submarines land on the beach, Kida allows herself to get lost in the heat of the battle, pouring all her strength and energy into fighting. Beside her, earthbenders use rocks to take out some battlements, as do Katara and the swamp benders while soldiers, including Kida, take out the Fire Nation soldiers. Kida shoots arrow after arrow, standing beside Katara on Appa, while watching the soldiers fall to the ground. Then, Kida jumps down to use her sword instead, fighting off soldiers in close combat. Her sword becomes and extension of her arm as she wields it effortlessly. With every strike, Kida tells herself she's one step closer to making the world safer for the people she loves, and stopping the war to avenge those she's lost.

At some point, while taking out a battlement, Hakoda gets injured and Sokka takes his place to lead. With the Fire Nation soldiers starting to dwindle down, it seems as though they were on their way to victory — until Aang rejoins the groups, before the eclipse even starts.

"Is that..." Katara starts. She points towards the figure flying through the sky, who lands close by.

"Aang!" Kida calls, running towards him. Sokka, Katara, and Toph follow her.

"Please tell me you're here because the Fire Lord turned out to be a big wimp and you didn't even need the eclipse to take him down."

"He wasn't home," Aang sighs. He kneels down and the rest of the team crouch to his level as well. "No one was. The entire palace city is abandoned."

Kida and Sokka lock eyes, their eyes wide, the shadow of realization passing between them.

"They knew," Sokka says.

"It's over," Aang chokes. "The Fire Lord is probably long-gone; far away on some remote island where he'll be safe during the eclipse."

"No," Sokka asserts. "My instincts tell me he wouldn't go too far. He would have a secret bunker; somewhere he could go and be safe during the siege but still be close enough to lead his nation."

"If it's an underground secret bunker we're looking for," Toph adds. "I'm just the girl to find it."

Sokka pulls out a small device. "The mechanist gave me this timing device. It looks like we've got about ten minutes until the full eclipse. Ten minutes to find the Fire Lord."

"We can still do this. We can still win the day." Aang announces.

Before Kida can protest, Katara jumps in, voicing similar concerns.

"Wait!" she exclaims. "If they knew we were coming it could all be a trap. Maybe we should use the time we have left to make sure we all get out of here safely."

"Katara has a point," Kida adds. "If the Fire Nation knows, there's no telling what they have planned for us. For all we know, this is some fucked up trick and if we fall for it..." Kida takes a deep breath. "We can't; we need to leave. Maybe this is a sign from the universe that we're not ready."

"Or maybe that's exactly what the Fire Nation wants," Sokka counters. This Sokka was different from the one comforting Kida earlier, his gaze harsher, more objective. "Everyone here came willing to risk their life, to risk everything."

Kida knows how much everyone is willing to risk, but something just feels off about the whole thing, even more so than before. Before, she had the small comfort of thinking that they were going in with the upper hand, but now she's realizing that position belongs to the Fire Nation. The stakes are the same, but the game has become much, much more dangerous.

"They don't have to, though," Kida points out. Her and Sokka are locked in each other's eyes, and Kida has a feeling that their disagreement might escalate. They were always experts at arguing with each other. "I say we get out safely now and come up with a new plan. We can train more, plan more, I can teach Aang more firebending. We will try again another time."

"There won't be another time," Sokka insists. "Back in Ba Sing Se, you said whatever it takes. Did you change your mind?"

Kida scoffs. "I meant that for me, not the rest of you."

"So you get to be the hero, risk everything, while the rest of us stay back safely and watch? We're a team, Kida, you need to understand that."

"Are you fucking serious? If you don't think I know that, you do not know me at all. I'm trying to protect all of us from the very real, very scary possibility that we're giving the Fire Nation exactly what they want."

"What the Fire Nation wants is for us to run away crying," Sokka asserts. "I can't believe you don't see that --"

"Enough!" Katara interrupts.

"You knuckleheads are wasting valuable time," Toph grumbles. "We need to make a decision now."

With this realization, Kida reluctantly drops the argument with Sokka, instead turning to Aang: "What do you think? You're the one that has to face the Fire Lord. Whatever you decide, I'm with you." Kida crosses her fingers.

"We all are," Sokka adds. "So, what do you say?"

"I've gotta try," Aang asserts.

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KATARA STAYS BACK TO HEAL HAKODA WHILE SOKKA, TOPH, AND KIDA GO WITH AANG. Even if she didn't agree with Aang's decision, Kida wants to be there every step of the way.

Toph finds the underground bunker easily, but the four of them run into his daughter -- Azula, if Kida remembers the name correctly -- before they have a chance to find the Fire Lord himself.

"So, you are alive after all," Azula sighs, seemingly indifferent towards the situation. She sits on the throne as though it belongs to her. "I had a hunch that you survived. But it doesn't matter. I've known about the invasion for months."

"Where is he? Where's the Fire Lord?" Aang demands.

"You mean I'm not good enough for you? You're hurting my feelings."

"Enough games," Kida snaps. Thirty seconds into the eclipse, and every second counts. "Tell us what we need to know. You're powerless against us anyways."

Azula lifts her eyebrow, like she's accepting the challenge. "Well, it's a good thing I brought home some souvenirs from Ba Sing Se: Dai Li agents!"

Toph and Aang use their bending to fight off the agents, while Kida and Sokka are separated from the battle by a giant wall of rock. With no way around, the two start to climb. Kida pulls two arrows out of her quiver to use as climbing picks, thankful that she has had years of climbing trees as practice. Beside her, Sokka climbs as well, but with a rumble of the earth, he slips. Kida quickly reaches out her hand before he can fall to the ground, but when Azula, with Toph and Aang closely chasing her, runs past, Kida lets her and Sokka fall so they can join the fight. They land on the ground with a grunt.

"You okay?" Kida asks, clutching her side while helping Sokka up.

"Yeah," Sokka groans. "You?" Kida nods and, suddenly, Sokka smirks. "What, no broken ribs?"

Kida can't help but laugh before she and Sokka get back into the fight, chasing after Azula.

"I can't pin her down, she's too quick," Aang says.

Toph has taken care of the Dai Li agents using metal bending, and Azula leads the team down a tunnel.

"Wait!" Sokka yells, causing Toph, Aang, and Kida to turn around and look at him. Even Azula ahead of them pauses, the smirk on her face still taunting. "Don't you see what she's doing? She's been playing with us! She's not even trying to win this fight."

"Sokka's right," Kida realizes. She turns back to Azula. "You've been wasting our time!"

"Uh, yeah, I think your boyfriend just said that, genius," Azula scoffs. "You know, based on everything Zuzu said about you, I thought you'd be smarter and, frankly, a better fighter. But, like most things, my brother was wrong."

"Whatever," Kida grumbles, though her grip on her sword tightens. Like she cares what Zuko, or Azula, thinks of her. She looks to the team. "Let's just go."

"So, you're Sokka?" Azula calls as the team walks away. "Funny, I overheard my favorite prisoner talking about you.

Beside Kida, Sokka stops walking and turns around. "What?" he snaps.

"He was a warrior from the Southern Water Tribe, I believe. Always hoping that his best friend would come save him. But you were more than friends, weren't you?"

As Sokka's eyes widen in shock, Kida looks between him and Azula before grabbing his hand.

"Sokka," Kida declares. "Sokka, look at me." Reluctantly, Sokka meets Kida's gaze, his eyes watery. "She doesn't know anything. Azula always lies, that's what she does." Out of the many things Zuko taught Kida, this was one that she truly believes. "We need to go; we still have a chance and we need to take it."

Sokka nods, taking a deep breath. "You're right."

Meanwhile, Azula lets out a laugh. "Makes sense for you to walk away, dear cousin."

"Ignore her," Toph says.

"After all, that's what you did to your brother, didn't you?" Azula continues. "Abandoned him, I mean. Let him be dragged away from the one person he loves, after losing your parents and your home."

"Ignore her," Aang repeats, looking at Kida. "We have to go. Now."

"Oh, I get it!" Azula exclaims, poison embedded in her words. "You have a new brother now, a new family."

"Say whatever you want," Kida snaps. "I'm not falling for it."

A twisted smile spreads across Azula's face. "I know everything about you. Your weak experience with firebending. Your failed identity as a vigilante. But, most importantly, how you forgot about your brother and how he's still alive, waiting for you."

Kida's jaw clenches. "You're lying. You know nothing about me and even less about my brother."

"Don't I?" Azula takes a step forward, laughing. "Hira, was it?" Azula pauses as though deep in thought. "No, Hiro! Yes, that was it. Anyway, when he saw the posters of the Hood, he recognized you. He started crying because he couldn't understand why his big sister had time to run around robbing the rich, but not enough time to save him. To bring him home."

"You're lying," Kida repeats, her voice quivering slightly.

"He doesn't have the tip of his pinky finger," Azula continues. "Lost it when he tried to use your mother's sword."

"Toph, is she lying?" Kida asks, her voice barely a whisper.

"I can't...I can't tell."

"Kida, she's lying," Sokka says with certainty.

There are a million thoughts running through Kida's mind, battling with one another. She wishes the earth would just swallow her whole, or that she had enough strength to say anything back. Kida can't take another word of Azula, or there's no telling what she'd do.

"Is that a chance you're willing to take, cousin?" Azula challenges. "Turning your back on your poor, baby brother, just like you did before. You should have heard him crying; it was pathetic, really."

With a scream, Kida charges towards Azula, dropping her sword. Toph uses earthbending to pin Azula to the wall, and Kida faces her, hand applying pressure on her neck.

"You better fucking watch what you say next," Kida warns.

"I'd listen to her," Sokka suggests, his voice low. He picks up Kida's sword and grasps it in his hand. Beside him, Toph and Aang prepare their battle stance.

"Where the fuck is my brother?" Kida snarls. When Azula doesn't say a word, Kida unhooks the knife from her belt and stabs into the wall, only inches away from Azula's head. "You better tell me, or I swear my face will be the last thing you see."

From a distance, there's a loud crash. Azula smirks. "Oh. Sounds like the firebending's back on."

Before anyone can react, Azula uses firebending to propel herself off the wall, releasing her from the stone Toph had bent to pin her to the wall. Azula's body slams into Kida's, who feels a sharp pain in her abdomen upon impact. She falls to the ground; Azula had grabbed Kida's knife and used it against her. The dagger is fully embedded in her body due to the amount of force Azula had used.

"Fuck!" Kida cries out.

"Kida!"

Suddenly, a dagger of blue fire close to Kida's neck, Azula presses her knees into Kida's abdomen, making the pain sear through Kida's body even more. "One more step, and I'll end my cousin's life right now. You'll lose your best friend, girlfriend, and firebending teacher all in one go. Don't think I'll do it?" Azula brings the fire closer to Kida's neck, to the point where Kida can feel her skin start to sizzle.

"Go," Kida coughs. She looks up to see the team staring back at her, heartbroken and scared. Kida can only imagine that her face looks similar. She forces herself to lock eyes with Sokka, who she silently urges to leave. His expression tears her heart into a million pieces, but Kida doesn't look away. "Help the others."

She coughs again, and this time gags on the blood that comes up. Kida doubles over to spit out, still feeling Azula's fire on her skin.

"By the way, I have about twenty soldiers coming to help me," Azula mentions. "If that makes leaving any easier."

"Toph?"

Toph places her hand on the ground, letting out a sigh. "She's not lying. I hear them -- they're on their way."

"Kida?" Aang chokes back tears.

"Go, it's your only chance," Kida pleads, trying desperately to hold back her own tears, to project any ounce of strength she can. Her vision starts to get blurry, her head feeling lighter. "Please. We can't all get captured; I'll be fine."

Sokka clears his throat and wipes his eyes. "She's right. If we all get captured, if the Avatar gets captured, then all hope is lost."

"But we can't just --"

"We need to," Toph interrupts, though Kida notices the slight tremble.

Aang's eyes remain fixed on Kida. "Who will teach me firebending?"

"You'll find someone," Kida answers. "You can find someone better to replace me."

"No one can replace you."

"Aang." Sokka places a hand on Aang's shoulder. "We need to go."

The last thing Kida remembers before passing out is the sound of her friends' footsteps, echoing away.

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WHEN KIDA WAKES UP, SHE'S IN A DARK PRISON CELL.

She lies on the ground in baggy burgundy clothes. Kida shifts herself into a seating position, as much as she can with the chain attached to her ankle, and lifts her shirt, noticing that her wound had been bandaged, though blood has continued to seep through the cloth.

"You know, cousin, if things were different, we could have been friends."

Kida hadn't noticed Azula leaning against the wall opposite to her.

"We would have never been friends," Kida spits.

Azula rolls her eyes. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe if your father didn't settle down with an Earth Nation peasant. Maybe if you were raised right. Part of you looks like you could fit in here; I noticed the family resemblance as soon as I saw you."

Kida ignores her. "Where's my brother?"

"He's dead," Azula answers immediately. "Either that, or he's living on a secluded Fire Nation island." Azula shrugs. "Guess you'll never know. And, I guess you'll never see any of your family ever again."

Pain continues to burn through Kida's body, and she isn't sure whether it's the residual from her wound, or the pain that she just lost everything -- again.

"Why are you...." Kida pauses to cough. "Why are you doing this?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Azula taunts. She walks out of the cell, allowing the guards to close the gate behind her. Azula kneels down so that she's eye-level to Kida. "You have my mother's eyes."

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author's note!

thank you for reading -- let me know what you thought of this chapter!

((also, check my bio for links to resources and action items for current issues))

please stay safe and take care of yourselves <3