Standard disclaimer: I did not create nor own the world of Avatar. All hail Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Rated T because better be on the safe side.

Chapter 1

There was a calm breeze that blew through the walkways of the Fire Nation palace. Fire Lord Zuko walked quietly through the dark palace as he read over a message sent by his uncle by the flickering torch light. There was still no word of his mother's whereabouts. Fire Lord Ozai had not managed to keep proper tabs on his banished wife once she left the shores of the Fire Nation. She was no longer his problem since she had fulfilled her end of their hideous bargain.

Zuko was becoming discouraged. It had been five years of endless searching. Aang had promised to keep his eyes open in his travels but there was still nothing. It was like Princess Ursa had disappeared off of the face of the earth. No one knew of her and hardly anyone was left who wanted to remember the events from those years ago.

"What's got you all perturbed?" a droll voice asked from the darkness.

Mai came out from behind a column. She wore a black cloak like she was some kind of secret spy. Perhaps that much was true. She did tend to keep to the shadows of the court and kept her ears opened to the goings on of the nobility. Tonight, she had a peculiar smile playing on her face. Zuko raised an eyebrow at her coyness.

"What put you in such a good mood?" he asked.

"What makes you think I'm in a good mood?" she replied lazily. "Come, tell me what's bothering you."

"The same thing that's been bothering me for the last seven years," Zuko replied shortly.

Mai frowned and her brows gathered together. "Nothing."

"It's always nothing," Zuko breathed. "No word, no sign, nothing, if she's still alive, she doesn't want to be found."

"She is still alive," Mai corrected him in a gentle tone.

"Sometimes I wish she wasn't," Zuko stated sadly. "If she was dead, then that would explain why I have not been able to find her. Surely she would have heard by now that father is in prison and I'm the Fire Lord. If she's still alive, she doesn't want to see me again."

"Perhaps it's guilt," Mai suggested. "A lot has happened to you since she left."

"And perhaps it's that she doesn't love you anymore," a cold voice sang from a distance.

Zuko and Mai's eyes shot up to the top of the walkway across the court yard. In the soft light of the moon, they could see the horrifying silhouette of Azula. She was crouched low on the roof like a beast, or even a demon on the prowl. From the flickering flames of the torches, they could make out a menacing smile.

"Azula," Zuko growled.

"It's nice to see you too brother," she snarled. "But I'm hurt to know that you are still looking for mother. Aren't father and I enough?"

"You and father are the bane of my life," Zuko returned.

Azula nimbly hopped and landed on her feet. She stood at her full height with the pride of a princess. Staring down at her brother and former friend, she took short paces up and down the roof. Zuko was ready for an attack and Mai had drawn one of her knives.

"Guards!" Zuko yelled.

"Yes, call your lackeys," Azula taunted him. "Have them come protect your pitiful life."

Zuko gritted his teeth at her insolence. "How did you escape?"

"I have my ways," Azula said slyly. "It really wasn't that hard at all. I still have loyal subjects who remember that father proclaimed me to be his heir."

"That's the funny thing about war," Zuko responded. "The victor takes the throne."

"Then I shall have to take it back!" Azula yelled.

Azula circled her arms and Zuko saw the familiar white flashes of lightening. The guards were running up towards them. The first one pulled Mai behind them. Before they could reach Zuko, Azula unleashed her fury and anger. Everyone managed to dodge out of the lightning's path and it struck a column. The explosion, however, caused it to crumble and a large piece landed on the Fire Lord.

"No!" Mai screamed and threw her knife at Azula.

Azula dodged it and laughed as she disappeared on the other side of the walkway.

"After her!" the captain of the guard yelled.

Several men furiously ran after the renegade princess. Others stayed behind and desperately tried to dig the Fire Lord out from under the column. Piece by piece they managed to reach him.

"He's alive," Mai breathed.

She checked his breathing and felt his body. It wasn't good. She could hear him struggle for breath. In his face, she saw that he was in agony.

"Get him inside," Mai ordered. "And send for Master Katara and the Avatar."

***

Aang waited anxiously outside the Fire Lord's bedchambers. Katara was allowed in with Mai but Aang was made to wait outside. Zuko was hanging on for life. The Fire Lord's physicians had been able to bind his broken bones and to put him in some comfort but there was still a lot of damage.

Aang and Katara received the message at the Southern Air Temple. He was in complete shock and horror to hear the grim news of the attack. He and Katara immediately went to the South Pole. Sokka accompanied them to the Fire Nation but he promptly left for Earth Kingdom to bring back Toph and Iroh.

Footsteps jarred Aang from his restless thoughts. He looked up and saw the familiar plume of white hair.

"Master Jeong Jeong," Aang said quickly rising to his feet. "It is good to see you again."

"It is good to see you as well," he replied. "I only wished it was under better circumstances."

"Me too," Aang said and glanced up and down the hall. "Have you heard anything on Azula?"

Jeong Jeong shook his head. "Not much. The guards lost her after the attack. She just disappeared. And now there are rumors of a possible coup."

"The Fire Nations citizens wouldn't stand for Azula to be Fire Lord. She's insane!"

"There are some still loyal to the old regime," Jeong Jeong said grimly. "There were many who profited from the war and there are still many who believe in the old propaganda and that the Fire Lord stole our birthright."

Aang furiously shook his head and tried his hardest to not punch the wall. "Zuko betrayed his family to bring about peace and now his country will betray him. That's just not right."

"There is nothing ever right about war and peace," the old master said solemnly. "Without war, we will never know peace. And peace is such a fragile concept that it is nearly impossible to hold onto."

"There shouldn't be war and peace then," the Avatar said coldly in his youthful naivety. "People should just want to live amongst each other without the desire to conquer and rule."

"That is a perfect world that can never exist."

Jeong Jeong became quiet at a small squeak of the door. Katara quietly slipped out and bowed to the old master. She looked tired and drained. Her usual bright blue eyes were now glazed over with having seen too much.

"How is he?" Aang asked.

Katara forced a smile on her face. "He'll live."

"What about the Fire Lord's health?" Jeong Jeong asked.

"He'll make a full recovery but he will need more healing sessions," she explained. "I will write to Chief Arnook to send his most trusted Healers here to stay with him. It will take some time for him to fully recover."

"He will want you to stay," Jeong Jeong said.

"I know," Katara replied. "But I want to go hunt Azula down."

Jeong Jeong did not seem too impressed with Aang's fervent belief in peace or Katara's need of retribution. He did not speak his mind though. He just bowed to both of them and excused himself with the need to oversee certain affairs.

"Can I see him?" Aang asked.

Katara nodded. "Just don't ask too many questions. Mai doesn't want him to be thinking about Azula."

"Ok, no questions," Aang agreed.

Katara allowed him in. The bedchamber was dark with all of the curtains closed tight. Mai's pale face was bowed down in her exhaustion of sitting up at his bed day in and day out. She held his hand tightly like he would slip away if she did not hold on.

Aang stood still for a moment as he watched her devotion and sadness. There was a whole story unfolding before him but it was still such a private moment. He felt he was intruding on something special in a stark contrast to near devastation. What would he have done if it was Katara? Would he be serene and poised like Mai or would he be on a war path for revenge?

Mai then lifted her eyes and looked over at the Avatar. A faint smile brushed on her face and then quickly disappeared like a lost memory. "You can come," she whispered and motioned to Aang with a white hand.

Aang and Katara softly walked up to the bed. Mai rose from her chair. Aang hesitated from sitting but she gently tucked him into her seat. Mai then moved to the foot of the bed and Katara stood behind Aang. Her hands were pressed on his shoulders. Aang almost did not notice the young women. He watched Zuko's heavy breathing. He looked at the battle wounds and bandages.

Zuko then turned his gold eyes to Aang. He mustered a smile. "Aang, I'm glad you came."

Aang smiled back. "I wouldn't desert a friend in times like these."

"If only my family was half as kind," Zuko replied sardonically.

Aang knew that he was not supposed to mention Azula. Katara had forbade it and Mai had expressed her wishes against it. However, Zuko made the first mention. Family unfortunately included Azula.

"Don't worry," Aang said. "I'll take care of this for you."

"Aang…" Katara breathed in her disappointment.

Aang nearly jumped at Zuko's quickness. Aang's wrist was caught up in Zuko's tight grasp and Zuko pulled him closer.

"No," Zuko breathed. "Don't go."

"Zuko, don't worry about me. I can handle her and you know that she should not be left to run amuck. Sokka will be back soon with your uncle and Toph. Iroh can rule in your stead and Sokka and Toph will keep you safe."

"No," Zuko insisted. "It shouldn't be you."

"Why not?" Aang asked confused.

"Because she wants you to come for her," Mai stated from the end of the bed. "Azula does not do anything without careful calculation and planning. She underestimated us during the war. Do not think she will make the same mistake."

Zuko released Aang. Aang rubbed his wrist and looked back from Mai to Zuko. Mai stared back at Aang with stern eyes but Zuko only stared up at the ceiling.

"Then who will go after her?" Aang demanded.

"We have already sent conscriptions out," Zuko stated still staring up at the ceiling. "Someone we trust and…"

"I believe that's enough for now," Mai interrupted abruptly. She swiftly walked over to Aang and Katara and coaxed them away. "Zuko is getting tired. Perhaps after a few hours rest we can resume this conversation."

Aang and Katara had no time to protest. Mai was polite and stern at the same time. Before they could fully realize what was happening, she had shoved them into the hallway and closed the door between them. She then fell back on the door firmly planting her back against it. She listened carefully to what might be said on the other side.

"That was strange," she heard Katara's soft voice.

"I know," Aang agreed not realizing Mai was listening. "I wonder who they are sending."

"I wonder why Mai kicked us out," Katara returned.

Mai then heard the soft shuffle of feet. After a moment, she let out her breath and returned to Zuko's side. As always, Zuko was being obstinate and was trying to sit up. Mai knew he would have it no other way. She made him pause for a moment and helpfully piled pillows up behind him and then she helped him up. Zuko cringed at the pain but she said nothing. He was the one not being cooperative. Instead, she pressed a cup of tea into his hands and took her seat.

"Are you sure you want to send her?" Mai asked after a moment.

"Am I sure?" Zuko nearly chuckled. "I am never sure about anything with her but I know I don't want Aang or any of them going. Azula will destroy them and what will happen if they actually…"

"I know," Mai cut in once again. "Are you prepared to unleash her?"

"She's not like Muyeong," Zuko muttered.

"Muyeong was one of a kind. No one could ever be like him. Besides, you have not seen her since you were banished," Mai reminded him in a low voice. "How can you be so sure?"

"Perhaps that is what we need then," Zuko stated.

Mai then pulled the blankets up over Zuko. She kissed his forehead and said, "You need to rest now."

Zuko slid down off the pillows and closed his eyes. Mai held his hand and watched him slip away into his nightmares. She continued to hold his hand as she watched him fight his demons and in a world where he would never win.