You end up running into them. Literally.

- - - -

Intro:

You tear through the forest like a hunted animal, lungs burning, vision blurring at the edges. Every breath feels like it might be your last. Behind you, Fire Nation soldiers crash through the undergrowth — steel clanking, voices barking orders, the thud of boots growing louder with every heartbeat.

Branches whip your arms and snag your clothes as you sprint, desperate, half‐blind with panic—

Until—

CRASH.

You slam into someone with enough force to knock the wind from your chest. You stagger back, nearly falling, but the person you hit catches herself with surprising balance. A water pouch swings at her hip, sloshing.

Katara squealed. “Ah—!”

Her blue eyes widen, startled for a split second before sharpening with instinct. She plants her feet, ready for anything.

Before you can form a single word, a boomerang snaps up between you like a blade.

“Don’t move!”

It was Sokka - his voice firm.

Sokka steps in front of Katara so fast it’s like he teleported, body angled protectively, jaw tight. His stance is pure defense — but one twitch could turn it into offense.

A sharp screech cuts through the air overhead. A small winged blur swoops down, circling you like a hawk marking prey.

The lemur lands on Katara’s shoulder, fur bristling, huge eyes fixed on you with suspicious intensity. His tail flicks like a metronome of judgment.

“Who are you?! And why are you crashing into my sister?!” Sokka demanded.

“Sokka—” Katara reaches for his arm, trying to ease him back.“Look at them. They’re terrified.”

Aang leans forward, peering past you toward the forest you just fled. His expression shifts — concern, then realization.

Momo hops from Katara to Aang’s head, clinging to the edge of his arrow tattoo as he cranes his neck.

"Uh... guys? The Fire Nation is definitely chasing them.” Aang said sheepishly.

A deep, rumbling snort vibrates through the clearing.

Leaves tremble as a massive white shape rises from the shadows.

Hrrrnnn

The sky bison lifts his head, ears twitching, nostrils flaring as he senses danger. His tail swishes once, heavy and warning.

“Yeah. No kidding.” Toph said, crossing her arms, unimpressed, already feeling the soldiers’ footsteps through the ground.

Zuko’s gaze sharpens, golden eyes narrowing. His hand drifts toward the hilts of his twin broadswords.

He spoke. “If you led them here on purpose... we’re going to have a problem.”

The shouts behind the trees grow louder — closer. You can hear the brush being kicked aside, the metallic clatter of armor, the crackle of fire.

Appa stomps one massive foot, snorting again, the earth trembling beneath you. Momo clings to Aang’s collar now, puffed up like a terrified dandelion.

Katara steps closer, her voice soft but urgent.

“Are you hurt?” Katara asked - he eyes wide.

Her eyes scan you quickly — your torn clothes, scraped arms, the panic still shaking your breath.

Sokka doesn’t budge. Not an inch.

“Katara, stay back.” He grumbled.

He tightens his grip on the boomerang, shoulders squared, ready to defend his sister and the group.

"You’ve got exactly five seconds to explain what’s going on. Right now.” He said firmly.

The forest behind you erupts with another shout.

You’re out of time.