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Author's Note: I didn't mean to take so long for this chapter and I had most of it written but couldn't decide how to finish it. That being said, re-watching Avatar inspired me and I'm quite pleased with the finished product. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender is not mine and I promise to put it back in the toy box when I'm done.

Chapter 4

The Fire Palace

Katara wandered aimlessly through the maze-like halls of the Fire Palace. Normally she would have been perfectly content to let someone come find her and lead her to wherever it was that she needed to be, but her instincts had her worried about Aang. And sure enough, when she had checked the boys' room adjacent to Toph, Suki and her own, she found only Sokka flopped on the floor, fast asleep.

She had no idea where the young Avatar could be in the early dawn hours, so she was left to wander the red-tinted corridors alone. Toph might have been able to help her search, but Katara decided it better to let the Earthbender rest along with Suki. She probably should be resting herself, but she was too uneasy to relax.

The sun was rising above the horizon when Katara spotted a flash of orange out of the corner of her eye. She stopped to look out the windows lining the walls. Aang was perched on a balcony railing not far from where she was now. Katara followed the hallway for a half dozen doors before halting in front of a set of double doors.

She pushed the doors open to find a dining room. Two servants were in the process of setting the table in the center. They stopped at the Waterbender's appearance and bowed deeply.

"Breakfast will be ready shortly, Lady Katara," the first said

Katara blinked at the formal title but nodded at the words.

"Avatar Aang is just outside," the second added hesitantly. "He arrived not quite an hour ago."

"Thank you," Katara replied, her eyes drifting to the patio doors on the far side of the room. She could just make out a figure in the shadow of the rising sun. As the servants cleared her path, Katara strode across the room and slid the door open.

Aang made no move at her arrival, though Katara was sure he knew she was there. He sat precariously atop the railing, one knee pulled up to his chest and the other leg dangling thoughtlessly. His glider was propped next to him.

"Aang," Katara said softly as she moved to stand next to her friend, "are you alright?"

"Couldn't sleep," he replied without looking at her.

Katara followed his gaze and nearly gasped. The rising sun bathed the sleeping capital city in electric reds and oranges. The light played on the buildings like small fires, each alive and burning with life and energy.

"The light strikes the land at angles because the city is surrounded by the crater walls," Aang explained at the unspoken question. "Kuzon told me about it a hundred years ago."

"It's beautiful," Katara said, mesmerized.

"Why are you up?" Aang asked after a moment, finally turning to look at his companion.

Katara rested her arms across the railing and leaned forward. "Couldn't sleep either." She smiled. "I got myself lost in the hallways of this place, though. All the reds get disorienting after awhile. Needs more blue."

"I guess I'm used to it," Aang replied, looking back out at the city.

Katara nodded. "You've spent more time here than me, working with Zuko and all."

Aang just shrugged, causing Katara to frown. She put a hand on Aang's and said softly, "I know you're worried about him. We all are. But something else is bothering you."

"It's nothing."

"Aang…"

The boy sighed and turned to her. "Sometimes I just wonder whether it's all been worth it."

"What do you mean?" Katara asked, nonplussed.

Aang frowned. "We fought so hard and gave so much to beat Ozai and Azula and end the war. But it doesn't seem like ending the war brought peace; only different kinds of fighting."

"What are you saying? Of course it was worth it!" Katara exclaimed. She was surprised to hear these types of doubts plaguing the normally upbeat Avatar. "But the war lasted a hundred years. Things don't just go away after such a long time because someone says the war is over."

"But I'm the Avatar! I'm supposed to bring balance to the world!"

Katara was taken aback by Aang's outburst. It pained her to see him so visibly shaken. These worries had undoubtedly been bothering him for some time, but recent events hit close to home and served to confirm his fears. But he was Aang; he wasn't supposed to worry like this! It was completely unlike the boy she had met from the iceberg.

"And you're doing the best you can," she said in a soothing voice. "We all are. But old habits die hard. Some people refuse to change no matter what.

"So the fighting continues," Aang muttered. "What's the point?"

"The point," Katara said, straightening, "is to save people from suffering. The point is to stop as much bloodshed and violence as possible. The point," she concluded, poking Aang in the forehead, "is to keep freedom and hope alive for future generations."

Aang looked at her for several moments before smiling sheepishly. He jumped down onto the balcony. "You're right, Katara. I don't know what I was thinking."

"You're tired and worried. We all are. It's natural to feel like that." Katara grinned. "Now shall we see if breakfast is ready?"

Aang nodded and together they walked back into the dining room. They were just helping themselves to fire rolls and juice when Iroh entered. The servants bowed him in and the retired general nodded to them before seating himself at the table.

"Good morning, General Iroh," Katara greeted.

"Good morning," Aang echoed.

Iroh nodded at them. "Good morning Katara, Aang."

Katara thought Iroh sounded weary. She looked at him around her juice glass as not to be obvious. His skin seemed pale and there were circles forming under his eyes. It seemed the Dragon of the West hadn't slept either. She wondered what was going through his mind as he dished himself eggs and toast. In the time she had spent around the man, she could understand why Zuko always spoke so highly of him. Brilliant, wise, powerful and quirky—a Grand Master Lotus—Iroh was an enigma. But despite the mystery that surrounded him and his past, Katara and her friends trusted him absolutely, following suit with his nephew.

"You two are up early," Iroh commented.

Katara started as she realized she'd been staring. She felt heat rise to her cheeks and quickly put her glass down with a clunk. Juice splashed onto her hand, but she ignored it.

"We couldn't sleep," Aang replied for her.

Iroh ahhed and nodded, but said no more. There didn't seem to be much to say at the moment after the previous night. Everyone was on edge and consumed by their thoughts.

Katara and Aang were picking at the remnants of their breakfast when the remainder of their original party arrived. Toph led the way, undoubtedly feeling for familiar vibrations until she found her friends in the dining room, with Suki pulling a sleepy Sokka along by a hand. Sokka rubbed his eyes at the sight.

"Everyone's here already?" he asked around a yawn.

"Except for Mai," Suki pointed out, taking a tally of the present parties.

"Why does Mai get to sleep in?" Sokka whined. Apparently he had been rudely awakened by his female companions—and Sokka was not and never had been a morning person.

"Mai's hurt," Katara retorted more snappily than she intended to. "She needs rest." The girl was physically and emotionally damaged and could use any respite she could get, brief as it might be.

"Where's she staying, anyway?" Suki asked into the awkward silence that followed Katara's statement.

"As the soon-to-be Fire Lady, she has chambers near Zu-ah, the Fire Lord's," Iroh replied, catching himself. "Though her family home is just across the way. She just prefers to stay here."

Aang and Katara exchanged a glance. "I understand," Katara said softly. She understood the desire to always be near the one you loved and the loneliness that came when they weren't present. She and Aang had been apart for long stretches over the last year with her duties taking her home then to the Earth Kingdom and then to the Fire Nation and back. Aang meanwhile had spent most of his time split between Ba Sing Se and the Fire Capital to garner support for Zuko abroad and in his home nation while helping with the rebuilding in the Earth Kingdom. It had been hard to be so far apart for so long. But Aang hadn't been forcibly taken from her…

The new additions to the party took seats at the table and began dishing their own breakfasts. The room was eerily quiet with silverware clinking as the main accompaniment. Even Sokka wasn't up to cracking jokes in this situation—though Katara suspected he was still trying to wake up and that his comedy would follow.

The sun had just cleared the crater walls when the door burst open. The group, minus Iroh, collectively jumped as General Han stormed into the room with an irritated Mai on his heels. The general quickly took note of who was present and nodded.

"Good, you're all here."

"What's going on?" Aang asked, rising to his feet.

"We have a major problem," Mai replied.

The dark-haired woman looked exhausted to Katara's probing eyes. She doubted Mai had slept at all the night before. She must have risen early to keep abreast of any developments—like Katara, unable to remain still when something was happening when people were in danger.

General Han lifted a scroll of parchment into the air and let the bottom drop. "Today's headline across the Fire Nation."

"What does it say?" Toph demanded.

"'Azula Freed'," Katara read, her stomach dropping.

"How?" Suki asked breathlessly. "How could this have happened?"

"There are ears everywhere," Iroh said gravely.

Han nodded. "There's no telling who leaked this information. But there is panic across the capital city."

"And likely across the country," Mai added.

"So what o we do about it?" Toph asked, crossing her arms across her chest. Katara recognized the posture as one where Toph had a strong desire to bend some earth and smash it. Hard.

"What can we do about it?" Katara asked in turn. "The situation hasn't changed except that more people know. And people were bound to find out sooner or later."

Mai opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the sudden blustering arrival of a messenger. The young man gasped for breath and his face was pale as he looked at the conversation he had just interrupted.

"Lady Mai, there are visitors here wishing—well, demanding actually—to see Lord Zuko," he said, straightening the best he could.

"Zuko isn't here at the moment," Mai replied curtly. "Tell them to come back later."

The messenger swallowed. "Um, well…"

"What is it?" General Han prompted, not unkindly.

"The visitors are representatives from the Ran and Ten families."

The names meant nothing to Katara, but apparently rang a bell for several of her friends. Mai pursed her lips while General Han's mouth worked silently. Iroh ran a hand through his hair.

"Wait, aren't those—" Aang piped up, startling Katara. How would Aang know these names?

"Two of the Four Families," Mai replied tersely. "Ming and Shou can't be far behind, I suppose."

"The Four Families?" Sokka asked. Ho looked as confused as Katara felt at the moment.

"They are four families whose houses are in line to take the throne once the current line ends," General Han explained. "But there is no record of which family has the first claim, so they've been fighting over their right to ascension for generations."

"They also hold political offices of relative importance," Iroh added. "The Fire Lord never wants any of the Four Families opposing him because they have great influence among the populace, from military funding to education."

"But any hint of danger to the ruling family brings them out like whale sharks that sense blood," Mai said. "Any excuse to flaunt their potential ascension to the throne, no matter how unlikely."

"So the news must have had them salivating," Sokka commented.

"Zuko already wasn't popular with them," Iroh said. "They were sympathetic to my brother and his militaristic goals. Peace does not suit these people. This news will only make them more eager for a power grab."

"Which means they can't know about Zuko," Mai determined. She turned to the messenger. "I'll see them now."

He bowed. "Yes, m'Lady. They're waiting in the throne room."

"Presumptuous," Mai muttered before following the servant out the door. As she turned the corner, she looked back at her companions. "Are you coming?"

The invitation sparked Katara and the others into action. They quickly rose and followed Mai down the winding hallways. Katara found herself walking next to Iroh on one side and Aang on the other. She turned to Iroh. "News must have spread quickly through the city for these Four Families to be arriving barely after dawn."

Iroh stopped and looked curiously at Katara. "None of the Four Families reside within the city. They consider their power overshadowed by the royal family within the city walls so have spread out across the country."

"Then how did they get here so quickly?" Suki asked, catching up to the group alongside Sokka and Toph.

"Unless they already knew and traveled as soon as they found out," Toph pointed out.

Katara's stomach clenched. "These people could be involved?"

"We cannot rule anyone out," General Han said from ahead of them. "They have the resources that would be required."

"But it would also require them to work together," Aang said. "And from my meetings with them, I can't imagine that happening."

"When did you meet them?" Katara finally asked, getting the relatively long-standing question off her chest.

"When I was helping Zuko gather support after he took the throne. They came to the palace to meet with him—with us—and I went and visited them later as a show of good faith."

"'A show of good faith,' Twinkle Toes?" Toph echoed with a snort.

Aang blushed. "That's what Zuko called it."

"But you know these people," Katara said, breaking up the teasing. "You being here could help Mai out."

"Then let's hurry," Iroh said, taking the lead down the hallway.

The group caught up with Mai right before entering the throne room. She paused before the double doors while the doormen waited, poised to open the door for the future Fire Lady. Mai turned to her friends.

"The representatives need to think Zuko is away of his own volition," she said quietly. "All of us being there looks suspicious since we were all in Ba Sing Se before now."

"Then Aang and Katara should accompany you," Iroh said. "It will not look out of place for them to be here, together."

"What about the rest of us?" Sokka asked.

"We'll stand out of sight," Iroh replied. "There are plenty of niches out of sight in the room."

Mai nodded. "You can come in through the side entrance."

General Han gestured for the group to follow him. Sokka exchanged a curious glance with Katara before disappearing. Moments later, she, Aang, and Mai were left alone.

"So… what do we do?" Katara asked. She was feeling a bit out of sorts, unsure of exactly what was going on.

"I'll take the throne in Zuko's place," Mai said, her eyes drifting toward the throne room, "and you two sit on either side of me." She lowered her voice after a glance at the waiting door handlers. "If anyone asks you, Zuko is still in Ba Sing Se."

Katara suddenly felt alarmed. "Will we be asked questions?"

"You shouldn't ne, since the audience is with me. But the Four Families don't care much about proper decorum."

Katara met Aang's glance and he nodded at her. He gave her one of his private smiles that he reserved only for her and Katara felt bolstered—and warm. She could do this. She was the representative of the Southern Water Tribe, after all. She nodded to Mai. The elder girl studied her a moment before nodding in return.

Mai turned back to the doors, which the doormen opened, and they bowed the trio into the room. Katara was surprised to see a small gathering in the throne room. A group of men and women stood apart from four figures—three men and one woman—who stood directly in front of the vacant throne. Mai cursed under her breath, using some words Katara was surprised to hear from someone of her upbringing (before considering Toph and deciding it wasn't so strange after all).

"The Ming and Shou representatives arrived," she muttered. "They're all here now."

That couldn't be good. And was very suspicious.

As Mai and her two shadows passed the gathered group, they bowed deferentially, but expressions of distrust appeared on their features. The Four Families' representatives also bowed, but their eyes were narrowed in dislike and greed at Mai's movement. Mai took her place upon the Fire Lord's throne—several people gasped—while Aang sat to her right and Katara to her left. As the inaudible mutterings died down, everyone else knelt.

"Where is Fire Lord Zuko?" the woman demanded immediately. She wore scarlet robes, glasses on the tip of her nose, and her gray hair pooled at her shoulders.

"He was detained in Ba Sing Se, I'm afraid, Mistress Ming," Mai replied smoothly. "As his fiancée, he left he in charge until his return."

"We wished to see Lord Zuko himself about this terrible news," the man kneeling farthest to the left said. He wore maroon robes and his black hair short with a trimmed goatee. "This is his family."

"And why are the Avatar and Southern Water Tribe representative here?" the man seated to the right of Lady Ming demanded. His robes were blood red and his hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore two earrings in each ear.

"And I'm sure Zuko will make every effort to return once he hears the news to put his people at ease, Lord Ten," Mai told the first man. "He could not know such an unthinkable event would take place in his absence." She turned to the second man. "And as to your question, Lord Shou, Lord Zuko asked Avatar Aang to accompany myself and our party back to the Fire Nation since he could not return himself."

Katara was surprised by how easily Mai fell into the political role. It seemed she had learned lessons from her father's career. She knew just how to answer these people. Mai had never struck Katara as the political sort, having known her warrior side above all, but there seemed to be many sides to her. Fascinating.

"In his absence," the final man, who sat to Lady Ming's left, queried, "what will you do, Lady Mai?" This man, Lord Ran by process of elimination, wore ruby robes and hair pulled into a topknot.

"We are looking into the situation as we speak."

"But what will you do? This is an emergency!" Lady Ming exclaimed.

"We are doing what we must," Mai replied simply.

"What you must?"

"Yes," Mai replied, heat entering her tone. "Until we know more, there cannot be anything else to say on the matter, my lords."

"Well, I never!" Mistress Ming exclaimed. "To be treated as such!"

"My Lady," Mai replied, looking the older woman in the eye, "you and your cohorts expressed your concern over the situation. My attention is needed as we find out exactly what is going on. Unless there is something else, you must understand I, along with the Avatar and Lady Katara, have much to see to in order to prevent a disaster."

"But you were childhood friends with the princess, were you not?" Lord Ten asked accusingly.

"I was," Mai acknowledged. "But people change and my loyalty is to her brother, my fiancé, Fire Lord Zuko." Lord Ten opened his mouth, but Mai cut him off. "Of course in the spirit of our old friendship, I wish only for her well-being and health. Away from the hospital, she cannot get care. The sooner we find her, the sooner she can return to receiving her treatment."

Katara watched Mai's face for any sign of sarcasm but surprisingly found none. Either she was a very good liar or she had some pity for her former friend. Katara could understand pitying the fallen princess, remembering the scene after she and Zuko had defeated her. She still had nightmares about it. And the more Katara learned about Mai, the more she came to realize the boredom was a front for many complex layers; she wouldn't be surprised either way.

Mai rose, beckoning Aang and Katara to do the same. "You are welcome to remain at the Palace as guests until the situation has been resolved, but the Palace may be Azula's eventual target. It's up to you all. If you decide to remain, the servants will show you to your chambers. Now if you'll excuse us."

She left the throne and strode purposefully from the shocked room. Aang and Katara struggled to keep up with her steps through the double doors and down the hallways until they reached an empty corridor. Mai's shoulders slumped and she sighed heavily.

"Wow, Mai," Aang breathed, "that was amazing."

"You said it," Sokka agreed as the other group rounded the corner to join them.

"You pick up on things when your father is in politics and you're personal friends with the Fire Princess," Mai replied. "I couldn't stay there any longer, though."

"That was just right," Iroh told her. Mai nodded her thanks at his words.

But something was bothering Katara. "Why did you invite them to stay here? Won't that make everything difficult if they're watching our every move?"

General Han shook his head. "No, it was smart. It showed Mai's authority, but her warning deterred them from taking her up on it."

Mai nodded. "They are all political families. While they have long supported the war, they do no fighting themselves."

"So by mentioning Azula, you assured they wouldn't want to place themselves in danger," Suki deduced. Mai nodded. "Impressive."

"They may stay local to keep an eye on things, though," Han added.

"Especially if they're involved in some way," Iroh supplemented.

"But they will stay clear until something definite happens," Mai finished. "For better or for worse."

None of the group wanted to think about the worst-case scenario, but it popped into all their minds.

"We need to keep an eye on them," Toph spoke up, breaking the pause. At the group's continued silence, she smirked. "Well, you know what I mean—not my eyes."

"Did you read something off them?" Aang asked, leaning forward.

"I could sense that they know something; their bodies reacted similar to if they were lying, but not quite the same. It's complicated," she trailed with an uncomfortable shrug. "Anyway, none of them outright lied that I could tell."

"Meaning they're involved somehow," Katara said, crossing her arms.

"Probably," General Han said. "But for now, we need to focus on the situation."

"Right."

She watched as the burly guards deposited the unconscious form onto the cell floor and closed the barred door behind them. She nodded at them as they bowed to her before leaving. He was on his side, facing the doorway. She hungrily drank in the details of her sleeping brother's face—every traitorous inch that had bewitched Mai and run to the Avatar to help defeat their father.

She watched as the flickering candlelight cast shadows on the face that had challenged her to an Agni Kai and then would have been hers if it hadn't been for the Water Tribe girl. She clenched her fists. Instead of a proper ending, the boy's traitorous lips had ordered her institutionalized. As if she were crazy! And those traitorous golden eyes that looked at her with pity. Pity from the boy scarred and banished by his own father; the failure of a firstborn Fire Prince.

But now she would set things right. She had lost hope but now she had the chance to reclaim the title of Fire Lord as it should be; as it would have been had the figure in front of her not interrupted her coronation. Now Zuko would learn his place, as would his new friends—especially the Water Tribe girl.

"Lady Azula."

The words pulled her from her reverie. She turned to the source of the voice and looked silently for a moment into the shadows cast by torchlight.

"You will have time," the voice said.

Azula glanced once more at her captive brother before nodded. "Oh yes." She smiled. "See you soon, dear Zuzu."

"Come, princess. We have much to do."

Azula nodded. "Yes, much to do."

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