A/N: Here it is, the final chapter. Hopefully everything will be explained in here.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender. That still belongs to Mike and Byran no matter how many dreams I've had about owning it.

Chapter 4: Action

The first floor of the mall was completely dark except for the space lit by Aang and Zuko's candles. Together, the two of them passed the fountain that was built in the middle of the first floor and headed for the stores in the right corner.

"Why do we have to be the ones to finish checking the first floor?" Aang whined.

"Because everyone else is upstairs comforting Katara," Zuko hissed back.

"So? We could have done that!"

"Why do we need to? She has her brother and Toph."

"And speaking of that, why would she want Toph? I'm her boyfriend."

"Yeah, and you're also annoying. She wanted Toph so we got stuck doing this. Suck it up and come on!"

"Actually," a deep voice rang out, "I don't think you should be going anywhere."

Both Aang and Zuko froze. There was a click from the gun that was somewhere in the darkness. Together, they turned. There, standing just in the range of their candles, was Long Feng. The muzzle of his gun was pointed at Zuko, although it would only take him another second to turn it to Aang. They could see just enough of Long Feng to know that Zuko's guess had been right. He was wearing black clothing and had painted the remainder of his body black with body paint.

"Long Feng," Zuko sighed. "I guessed right."

"Smart boy. Yes, you did. But did you guess why?"

"No," he lied. "I still don't know why. Would you like to tell me?"

Long Feng seemed to consider this. "Well, it isn't like you or your friend is walking away from this, so why not? I suppose you know by now that I'm part of the Dai Le." He waited as if for an answer, but continued when he got none. "In fact, I'm the head of the Dai Le. But before I could retire off the field, I needed to bring in a new recruit. Policy you see," he explained calmly. "And I found one in Jet. He was all set to join up, and I was all set to retire, when your trampy little sister had to go ruin my plan. Ever since he met her, he was starting to have second thoughts. Unsure, he says," Long Feng spit.

"You were afraid they were going to run," Aang interjected.

"Apparently your friend isn't so stupid either, Zuko. Yes, I was afraid they would run and leave me to find a new recruit. Do you know it took me five years to find Jet? Five years!" He waved the gun as Zuko stepped forward infinitesimally, Long Feng's outline becoming clearer in the candle light. He didn't notice.

"Why did you kill Ty Lee," Zuko asked, when it became apparent that Long Feng wasn't going to continue.

"I thought you were a smart boy, Zuko. I killed the stupid girl because she was involved. She was going to help him run away with Azula. I knew it because she was the one who was in charge of the séance." He said the last word mockingly. "And I don't know who else is involved, but I might as well kill you all anyway." His laughter echoed off the walls.

"Wait," Aang interrupted. "How did you know that the séance was today?"

"He's the head of security, Aang. Azula would have to let him know if the mall was closing early," Zuko snapped.

"Yes. She told me and I heard her talking to that stupid girl-."

"Ty Lee," Zuko supplied helpfully.

"Right. Talking to her about having the séance after the mall closed. And I was right. Now, after I kill all of you bratty little kids, I don't have anything to worry about."

He cocked the gun and held it up at Zuko's head. Several things happened at the same time. Three shadowy figures jumped on Long Feng. The gun went off. Zuko grabbed Aang and they ducked watching the figure on the fountain get blasted by the bullet. Someone ripped the gun out of Long Feng's hands and it went skittering out on the floor. Zuko chased it down as another of the three figures brought out rope that they'd taken from a store they'd had to break into and bound him up. A flashlight was turned on and the teens were all illuminated.

"Call the cops," Sokka commanded, as he reached into Long Feng's pocket for the mall keys. He tossed them at Katara and she hurried to the door. Together, he, Toph and Aang dragged Long Feng towards the front doors while Zuko followed behind, still holding the gun. Everything was over. All they had to do was wait for the cops.

XXX

Sokka and Katara had never been happier to see their dad in their lives. He'd shown up ten minutes after their phone call with two of his policemen, and Toph and Ty Lee's parents as well as Aang's guardian. The two men took Long Feng, handcuffed him and read his rights before they took him away in a police car. There was a lot of hugging between the parents and children and a lot of comforting to give for Ty Lee's parents.

"So," Hakoda said, turning businesslike. "What happened?"

"Well, sir," Aang started. "It all began when we got stuck in the mall. It was closing and we didn't get out in time. We ran into Zuko, Azula and Ty Lee. They got stuck inside too. And we thought that we would hold a séance. So we turned off the lights and had a candle in the middle. But then Azula started freaking out." He paused and looked sideways at Zuko, who looked rather uncomfortable. "She knocked over the candle and ran out. She was planning on meeting Jet, her boyfriend, the whole time."

There was a long pause in which no one spoke. No one corrected Aang on what had actually happened. Zuko met his gaze and nodded a thank you.

"And why would she do all this if she was just going out on a date?" Hakoda asked skeptically.

"My mom wouldn't let her see Jet," Zuko explained simply. "Anyway, Long Feng shot her on her way out the side door by the stairs. I think her body's still there. He thought she was going to run away with Jet, who he was hoping would be his new recruit into the Dai Le. Whether he is or he isn't, we don't know."

"And why did he kill Ty Lee?" Hakoda pressed, scribbling everything frantically down on paper.

"He thought she was involved," Sokka explained.

"He thought we were all involved," Toph put in.

"He was going to kill us all eventually," Katara agreed, shuddering.

Hakoda nodded. "Alright. You can all go home now."

For a second no one moved. Then Zuko headed for the door.

"Hey, Zuko," Katara called after him. "Where are your parents?"

"My mom's in Japan on a business meeting. No doubt she'll be calling after she hears this and I'll hear nothing but 'what on Earth were you thinking' for the next year."

"What about your dad?" Sokka asked. Why wouldn't Zuko's father be here? After all, this was his mall, and his daughter was dead.

"My dad?" Zuko repeated, confused. Then he seemed to recall what Azula had said earlier. "My dad's in jail."

"I thought your sister said he owned the mall!"

"He does. Technically. But I think eventually he's going to just pass it on to my uncle." Then he frowned and turned to Hakoda. "Speaking of which. All the damages we caused…?"

"Will probably be overlooked. What with the publicity you just brought to this mall…I don't think they'll mind some repairs. All you kids have to do is go home and wait for the news vans."

Mysteries, murders and now news vans? They all rolled their eyes. And they'd though summer vacation would be boring!

A/N: Well that's the end. I hope you liked it and I'm glad you stuck with it. Thanks to all the people that reviewed. Since I don't always review, it really meant a lot to hear what you guys thought. A special thanks to Liooness for the suggestions; it was really appreciated. Thanks for a great ride. To everyone who reads my other stories, they will now be updated. A big thanks goes to Twilight Rose2. Whether I win her contest or not, it's really helped me get over the writers block that has taken over my life since Avatar ended. So thanks Twi. And thanks to anyone who might be reading this but hasn't reviewed. Thanks for taking the time to read. So see you on my other stories if you read them! Wow. This is actually the first finished one that actually had a plot!