Disclaimer: No, I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, even though its as fabulous as I am…

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you like the new chapter, please R&R, you know the drill. Thanks for all the support!

Appa descended into the cover of the trees, a little ways northwest of where the machine had been traveling. According to Sokka's plan, they would first have Toph hold back the machine by earthbending rocks in front of the wheels. Then, the girls would hide until the soldiers came out to investigate the damage, and then corner them, keeping them busy outside. Meanwhile, Sokka and Zuko were to sneak past them and free Aang by stealth, then come and rescue the others on Appa. It was a risky plan, they all knew. Katara was hesitant to let Sokka go alone with Zuko, afraid he would turn in her brother the first chance he got. None of them seemed to understand. He had nothing to gain by helping the Firenation, not anymore.

But still, if rescuing Sokka had not been treason, this certainly was. With luck they would not even know he was there, on the enemy's side. But he began to think-who really was the enemy? Zuko shook his head as if to rid it of the thoughts. He couldn't afford to be unsure now. Though the idea of saving the Avatar-for anyone's benefit but his own-was just strange. He had hunted him for so long. He had wanted to capture the boy so he could go home, but now he wasn't even sure of that anymore. Without any clear purpose to guide him, Zuko followed Sokka into position. When the time came for action they would be ready. Zuko prayed to Agni for guidance. Please help me know what to do. When had things become so unclear? When had his life become so complicated? Well, things had always been complicated, since he was born he had been fighting for his right to live in this world. But he had never been this confused. Feeling his father's wrath once again would have been easier than facing himself, and in facing the fear that every decision he made was the wrong one. Yes, he would need guidance now.

They were in luck. When the machine was stopped, the firebenders came out, confused, looking for the problem. Already they had the upper hand-they had the element of surprise. Katara and Toph sent water and rock from opposite directions. They kept moving and kept out of sight, making it much harder for the fire benders to launch any accurate attacks on them. The fight continued; even severely outnumbered, they knew they could win.

Meanwhile, Zuko and Sokka snuck into the machine. They managed to get past the remaining guards easily, and soon they were making there way into the bowels of the great metal monster. They turned down corridor after corridor without seeing anyone.

"Where do you think they're keeping him?" Sokka whispered a they went.

"He's probably chained in a some kind of a closed-off cell, like when Zhao had him. They have to keep him from bending." Zuko said. He remembered it all too well. It was a lot like the last rescue mission, only this time, there was no mask to protect his identity. The Blue Spirit could not save him now.

They turned left and passed a series of bars: cells. They checked every one for Aang, but they were all empty. Except the last in the line. Sokka ran up to the bars and called softly to the form,

"Aang? Is that you?" Zuko already knew it wasn't. It was too big, too…familiar. It couldn't be…

The prisoner sat up and crawled over to the bars. Zuko's eyes widened with the conformation of who it was. The old, lined face stared back it him for a moment before erupting with joy.

"Zuko!"

"Uncle!" He ran to him and reached him the best he could through the bars. His uncle had tears leaking from his eyes, running down into his graying beard.

"Zuko, what are you doing here?" His voice had changed to concern.

"What are you doing here? You were captured? By Azula?" He asked, unbelieving. Iroh nodded.

"You're sister found me just after you left." There was no accusations in his voice, but Zuko still felt guilt weighing in his heart at the words.

"Wait, you didn't say freaky fire chick was your sister!" Sokka said, shocked. Iroh turned to the watertribe boy and said to his nephew,

"And who is this, Zuko?" Sokka looked like he was about to answer, but Zuko cut across him.

"He's the Avatar's friend. Uncle, the Avatar's been captured."

"I know that. Azula is the type who likes to flaunt her victory."

"We came to rescue Aang. Do you know where he is?" Sokka asked.

"No. But you cannot stay here, you must get away from here, Zuko. Azula is dangerous. More so than when you last saw her."

"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll get you out of there."

"Zuko, I think someone's coming!" Sokka cried. Sure enough, footsteps echoed around the corner. They were close, far too close.

Sokka made a snap decision. He grabbed Zuko by the arms and pushed him against the wall, holding his arms behind him.

"What are you doing?" Zuko seethed, from where he had his face pressed up against the wall.

"I'm sorry, Zuko. I have to save Aang. This is the only way no one gets hurt."

The footsteps were revealed to be four firebenders. They turned the corner and immediately took a fighting stance at the sight of the intruders. Sokka flipped Zuko around and pulled his boomerang from his sheath, pressing it to the Firenation boy's throat and facing the newcomers.

"Don't come any closer. I demand a hostage exchange. The Avatar for the crown prince of your nation."

The full realization of what was happening hit Zuko hard. He had expected to not be trusted, but something like this…he didn't think that Sokka would be the one to sell him out. Sure, he had his reasons for it, good reasons by anyone's standards. But it still hurt.

The fire benders conversed in low tones and then said,

"Come with us, the Princess will decide."

Zuko glanced up at Sokka, and saw a set look of determination on his face. The Firenation boy hung his head, hopeless. Now he was trapped.