Special thanks to my awesome beta buddy for keeping me in line with this plot and making sure it flows nicely...enjoy

QueenTy

"I couldn't save you."

Although the young acrobat's intentions were to comfort her lover, Ty Lee clung to Azula's head to solace herself as well. The guilt was growing too much to bear. If she had just told Azula to wait in the boat that they were going to use to leave the island maybe this wouldn't have happened. Instead,she'd told the princess to hide amongst the crowd and watch.

I might as well had told Zuko exactly were she was. She winced at the thought.

None of that mattered now. What mattered was that instead of helping matters like she hoped to do she'd worsened them. Now, Azula had to face Zuko in another Agni Kai and, by his tone, only one of Ozai's children was going to make it out alive this time. On top of it all, Azula had completely snapped from the impact of the fireball that Zuko intentionally aimed towards the prodigy's face. Her bone-chilling cries reminded Ty Lee of the girl's time in prison. The screams were agonizing

I can't let him hurt you again. I won't! The acrobat thought, wiping her own tear-streaked face with her forearm while simultaneously stroking the now softly sobbing princess's hair with the opposite hand.

After Zuko's departure, the town's citizens had formed an angry circle around them, shouting obscenities and spitting at them. Some even took pleasure in hearing Azula's wails.

"Good riddance! It's about time the Fire Lord punished that crazy witch!" one man yelled.

As if they'd rehearsed it, right after the acrobat said this, Suki and the other warriors jumped between them and the angry mob. Immediately, they assumed their fighting-stance,waiting for the slightest hint of defiance from anyone.

"Everyone, return to your homes. We can handle this," the Kyoshi leader demanded calmly.

The first man eyed her suspiciously. "Handle it, huh? I'll show you how to handle it!" With that, he reached in the bag slung over his shoulder to reveal a knife.

However, before he could aim the knife in their direction, Suki flung a boomerang at his wrist. It hit it before returning to her. The man howled in pain and was scooped up by the collar by the quick leader.

"Quiet! You should be ashamed of yourself," she scolded letting him fell to the ground

Instead of responding, the man scrambled to his feet, rubbing his swollen wrist as he turned to follow the rapidly dispersing crowd that was being escorted back to their homes by the other warriors. Suki was left with the girls. As she walked over to the acrobat she was beaming with pride.

"Thank-you," the girl practically mumbled.

The Kyoshi leader's smile faded. "No need. They had no right to say those things."

Ty Lee rolled her eyes and did not respond. This was coming from the same girl who was about to hand over Azula's head on a silver platter.

Suki sighed, observing Ty Lee's gentle kisses against Azula's exposed neck. Somewhere between the crowd's riot and the warriors' appearance, the princess had fainted. Yet, Ty Lee continued to gaze upon the girl with loving eyes as if it were just the two of them. Suki realized that there was more to this "relationship" than Ty Lee had let on.

How could she love that deranged girl? the warrior wondered.

"Ty Lee, how long have you felt this way about Azula?"

"Why do you care?" the acrobat responded, coldly, surprising Suki.

"Well, um, I just didn't…think, you know, I mean, boys ado--,"

"Adore me." she interrupted. "I know, I get that all the time," she said with a hint of irritation in her voice. "But Azula's not like any boy or any other person. She's just…well, Azula. She's brave, cunning, so powerful and of course, dangerous, but there is so much more to her. No one knows what I know about her. Her dreams, her aspirations, her troubles, even her fears," she looked at Suki with tearful eyes. "She trusted me, Suki! And I betrayed her!" She sniffed before continuing, "I-I was her right-hand woman. I was her best friend to everyone else, but we were much more than that. Not even Mai knew exactly how close we were." She then gave a half-hearted chuckled and looked off towards the ocean. "I remember, after the drill incident, Mai told me I was stupid for jumping into that 'wall of sludge juice' for Azula sake. It's funny because, honestly," she paused for a moment. "I don't know what I wouldn't do for her."

Suki nodded. Sokka had told her about how Azula and her comrades had attempted to drill through the great wall of Ba Sing Se and how Ty Lee had tried to fight them off but was conquered by Katara's water-bending. However, there was no denying that the last statement alarmed the Kyoshi leader. Had Ty Lee forgotten about how ruthless the former princess had once been? Cold and unyielding, she'd thrown the acrobat and her gifted knife-thrower friend in jail for what could have been forever if Aang hadn't defeated the Phoenix King and Zuko hadn't defeated his sister! How could Ty Lee be so forgiving to someone like that? Instead of speaking her thoughts, Suki tried to comfort the young acrobatic master by reaching over to touch the girl's shoulder. For a moment, Ty Lee didn't seem to mind or notice the gesture until, to Suki's dismay, she suddenly snapped.

"Get your hand off me!" she yelled, standing with the limp princess held tight in her arms.

"It was YOU who did this to her," she said, gently moving her lover's head to reveal the burned flesh along the right side of her face. Ironically, the scar was a near perfect match to that of her sibling's, though it was positioned on the opposite side of her face from her brother's.

Suki brought her hands to her mouth. She did not know the blow Zuko had dealt was so serious.

"Oh, Ty, I'm sorry. I just thought it was best if we…"

"You thought wrong. If you'd just stalled them like I told you to do, this wouldn't have happened! Now, I've got to leave. Azula and I only have five days to figure this entire thing out."

"But it's dangerous on these oceans. Give me just a day and I'll have a much sturdier boat prepared with food for you to take wherever you're going," she said, trying to redeem herself with the acrobat.

However, Ty Lee shook her head. "Thank-you, but no.I need to find a fire-bending master as quickly as possible and hopefully start Azula's training as soon as she wakes up. And maybe, if I'm lucky, I can find a healer for that scar."

Suki immediately caught the acrobat's tone and decided not to pursue the subject further, but she did point out that the only masters now were Zuko and Iroh. "You know that Iroh is going to support his nephew. He'll probably have Azula killed on sight."Ty Lee looked down at her friend, her bottom lip quivering at the thought.

They'll have to kill me first.

"Then I'll just have to find the Avatar." With that, she left for the boat docked on the south part of the island.

*********************************************************************

Dear Mai,

I'm sorry this letter is arriving so late at night, but the days have been long with all of the meetings between the four nations. Preparations are moving slowly but surely, though. I hope things are faring well with your family. I miss you. However, I must ask that you not return to the Fire Nation at this time. I cannot expound on the details, but it is very much in your best interest to stay in Omashu until I send for you. I know I will regret this, but believe me; it is in your best interest.

Love,

Fire Lord Zuko

Mai re-read the letter from her fiancé. Why would it be in her best interests to stay in Omashu? Since becoming Fire Lord, Zuko had begun to change. Although he still worked hard with the other nations to restore balance, it was obvious that the issue was beginning to become less important to him. He had begun to obsess about his mother and his lineage. Everything revolved around his lineage as Roku's and Sozin's descendant. Mai couldn't have a single night alone with him anymore without the young ruler bringing up the subject.

She recalled a night they'd spent together on Ember Island recently. The sun was just above the ocean water at dawn. They had slept outside for the night and the previous day at the beach had been wonderful. Suddenly, the fire lord burst out in laughter. She remembered being startled by this, but before she could do anything Zuko stood up.

"Ha!" Zuko exclaimed. "Ozai claimed he had the right to be the Phoenix King. I'm the product of the Avatar and Sozin; if anyone had the birthright, it would be me".

The declaration startled her, but instead of responding the knife-slinger only chuckled nervously, hoping it was just a meaningless joke. Now, she wondered if that comment may have had something to do with this letter. Then again, there were the girls.

"My best interest, huh?"

Mai knew very well about Zuko's infidelities while she was away. Up until now, it hadn't bothered her because she was sure that she'd sealed the position of Fire Lady.

No matter, now, though, she thought, crumpling the paper and tossing it into the ocean. She had already boarded the ship on her way back to the Fire Nation capital.

"My best interest is being your wife soon, dearest," she said to herself, taking her shuriken and using it to clean beneath her long fingernails.

When the ship made landfall Mai went straight to the palace. It was filled with its usual hustle and bustle. It was late so she hoped to find Zuko in his chambers.

"Mai," a familiar voice called.

She spun on her heels to be greeted with a strong hug from her noble fiancé. Surprised at the informal gesture, she hesitantly wrapped her arms around him.

"I got your letter, but I was already here," shel ied.

Zuko kissed her forehead, but it felt rehearsed.

"That's ok. I'm glad you're here. Come with me."

"What's going on, Zuko?" she questioned, allowing him to lead the way to his room and onto his bed.

"I'll tell you in due time," he said, as he took her exposed neck between his lipsand crawledatop her.

Although his touches were pleasurable, Mai felt there was something off about the fire lord and was too curious to be in the mood for intimacy.

"Wait, tell me what's going on, now, Zuko," she commanded, carefully pushing him away.

His eyes narrowed for a moment as if suspicious of her.

"Azula's escaped," he said plainly.

"What? How?" Last the knife-slinger had heard, Azula was barely in her right mind, so how could she think of a way to escape?

"Thanks to your friend Ty Lee," answered the fire lord.

Mai gasped. That didn't sound like her good friend. Ty Lee was too gentle to suddenly betray her country like that. Then something occurred to her.

This isn't just any person. It's Azula.

She had yet to understand why Ty Lee was so stupid when it came to the Fire Nation's former princess. Then again, there were times when Azula would do some stupid things for Ty Lee's sake. Like when she chose to face the Avatar and his buddies alone during the Day of Black Sun. It was a stupid and risky move especially since she would be completely powerless when she faced them.

"I need you ladies to take care of things on top," she had said, mainly referring to the acrobat.

"But Azula, you need us to help you. I can still protect you." The acrobat had practically begged.

Oh, Brother, Mai thought and left the princess's bedroom before she hurled. Yet, unknown to the girls, she had heard Azula's response on her way out. It was incredibly passionate, or as passionate as could be for Azula, and softly spoken, yet just loud enough for the knife-slinger to hear.

"This is different from our other missions, Ty-Lee. The Avatar and his buddies are expecting to find my father, so I'll have the element of surprise on my side. Besides, I can't lose my favorite warrior."

Mai knew then that her friends were much closer than she'd thought.

"No matter, because after five days I will be the last," Zuko said interrupting her thoughts.

Mai did not understand the phrase at first, but it didn't take her long to put the pieces together.

"Zuko, what do you mean?"

"You heard me," said the young man, placing his hands behind his head. "I will be the last. I will be the Phoenix King."

"Zuko! What about the other nations?"

"That's why it was in your best interest to stay in Omashu."

Mai couldn't believe what she was hearing. After all the trouble Zuko and the Avatar's friends had gone through to stop Ozai's power craze. Now, power crazed Zuko seemedto have lost his mind in the same place as his dad. The worst part was that he was beginning to remind her of another Azula.

"Why, Zuko? All the work you and the others did and you're just going to throw all that away?" she asked, watching the fire lord stand and walk onto his balcony. He hesitated before answering.

"I knew you wouldn't understand, Mai. You never understand. You never see the big picture. This is what my mother saw coming. It was my divine right to rule the four nations. I didn't understand it until recently. I am of direct lineage from the avatar and Sozin, the master of all the elements and the Fire Nation's greatest ruler".

Not this again, thought Mai.

"So is Azula," she said, completely bursting whatever bubble Zuko had placed himself in.

The fire lord spun around almost instinctively with savage eyes aimed towards her.

"Who gives a damn about her!?" he yelled.

Mai didn't respond.

"Azula has no allies. Everyone she's ever known hates her now. Who could possibly care enough about her to be a threat? Who would stand in my way…?" As his voice trailed off, Mai knew what he was thinking.

"Ty Lee," he muttered loud enough for her to hear.

Mai smirked a little. If it were up to Ty Lee, the princess would be in the Fire Lord's quarters having afternoon tea like nothing happened.

"Hmph…I can easily take care of her," she heard him say.

The remark caught her off guard.

"But, Zuko, what about your quest? Didn't you learn anything? If only Iroh were here, he'd be so disappointed…" Mai tried to reason, but Zuko obviously was in his own thoughts.

The Fire Lord smirked. He'd learned much on his quest to find his purpose. He now knew that his purpose was not only to unite the four nations, but rule over them as their top overseer. Someone had to maintain order, Aang was too sensitive to do it and he was the child of the avatar and Sozin, so it was only natural for him to claim the title, yet how could he do that when Azula was still lurking and threatening the hope of the world? She was a direct threat to his destiny, the same destiny his mother had seen and had risked her freedom to save. It all came together now, he understood.

"Hmm…Ty Lee could pose a bit of a problem, but I'm sure you could take care of that easily, right, My Love?" He said, turning to face the girl.

Mai's eyes widened. What had happened to Zuko? Was he really implying she hurt her best friend? After all, the acrobat had saved her life when she stood against Azula at the Boiling Rock prison. Mai could still recall Ty Lee's heart-wrenching sobs after they were imprisoned.

"Oh, Sozin, what have I done!?" The acrobat cried out between sobs as she huddled in a corner of the small cell she and Mai shared with her arms wrapped around her knees, pulling them close to her body as if she was attempting to disappear.

Although she was still somewhat distraught herself, Mai made an attempt to console the broken acrobat by cautiously reaching her hand out to touch the girl's elbow. She was even surprised when Ty Lee had risked her own life to save her from the princess's wrath impending on her less than four hours ago. Since the Day of Black Sun, Ty Lee and Azula had been inseparable and she'd noticed how Azula had begun to act "human" whenever the silly acrobat was around. More than once, she and Zuko had caught the two actually sharing a laugh by the pond, but whenever there was a slight hint of her father's or anyone else's presence, the princess would resume her noble and general-like image.

She had wanted to ask what was really going on between the two, but now wasn't the time. She needed to comfort Ty Lee before the girl cried herself to death.

"You did what you had to do, Ty, believe me, Azula had it coming. You know she'd gotten out of hand. Maybe now, she'll calm down. Just give it time, you'll see…"

The acrobat angrily yanked her elbow out of Mai's reach.

"You don't understand! She needs me!" she screamed, then in a failed attempt to mumble, yet loud enough for Mai to hear she said, "I need her".

Mai did not respond to her then, but she knew that the pain of betraying Azula was incredibly hard for Ty Lee to bear, yet she did it because her fragile heart knew it was the right thing to do. Mai knew she owed more than her life to her friend and not even Zuko could change that.

"No, Zuko, I can't. I owe Ty Lee too much. You know this," she responded.

Zuko nodded, but did not falter in his pursuit to recruit her.

"How about this, if you bring Azula back to me alive, you are guaranteed the spot as Fire Lady".

Mai's eyes flinched a bit. Although he had claimed her as his fiancé in private, Zuko still had until his eighteenth birthday to pick any girl he wished to be his new wife and Fire Lady of the Fire Nation. There was no doubt that she wanted the spot. Still, she refused to be pawned.

"Oh, Sweetie, you're going to have to do better than that," she bluffed hoping he was doing the same.

Zuko rubbed his chin for a moment and did not respond. Instead he pointed towards the city and calmly stated.

"So this is how you treat your country? I ask you to do one simple thing and you reject me for an enemy of the world. Hmm…guess that makes you a traitor. I wonder what your family would think of your banishment from this nation on the grounds of treason? Even better, what would they say when they are imprisoned in Omashu as co-conspirators to the fall of their nation? You know, earth prisons are known to be the cruelest. Shall I go on?"

Bastard, Mai thought. Zuko knew her family's reputation meant everything to her and she was just as much a nationalist as Azula, so the thought of her countrymen considering her a traitor was unbearable. She did not comment, only looked ahead with her normal expressionless gaze.

Zuko shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well, I guess that's a…"

"Yes." She interrupted him solemnly.

"Good. Good, but we have all of tomorrow to discuss this matter, for now come, let's finish what we started," he cooed, licking his lips lustfully as he took her into his arms.