Zuko tightened his fist as he stared at the rising smoke. He could begin to feel the ashes falling around him with small pieces of rubble as well. It felt like the city had just frozen, and everything was slowly crumbling around everyone.

"This is bad," Zuko whispered to himself.

"What do we do now?" Katara asked.

Zuko only shook his head, seeing his uncle walking around the back of Katara's house. The two shared a look, with Iroh only nodding as he stood there.

"You guys stay here," Zuko said. "I'm going to go see if anyone knows what's going on."

"What? Zuko, no," Katara pleaded, stepping in front of Zuko.

Aang's glare went ignored.

"Katara, I have to make sure no one else is hurt," Zuko said, reaching out and softly caressing her cheek.

"But why?" She asked as a tear fell down her cheek.

Zuko smiled, leaning down close to her ear. He whispered into her ear before kissing her cheek softly. Their eyes met once more, and he saw the shock and knowing in her eyes. He wiped away a tear as she nodded, stepping out of his way. Zuko nodded his thanks as he walked his way towards Iroh.

"I take it Lady Katara took that well?" Iroh raised a brow.

"Let's go," Zuko said, walking past his uncle.

The two stepped into Iroh's car, Zuko sitting in the backseat next to his shozoku and swords and mask. As the car started moving forward, Zuko began changing. He managed to squeeze on the boots over his pants, fit his shozoku on and tying on the arm sleeves. He tied the obi belt over his waist. He fit the mask portion over his face before turning to his uncle.

"Park in an alley and let me out," Zuko said.

Amidst all the chaos, Iroh found an empty alley to park in. Zuko grabbed his sword and mask and stepped out of the car.

"Nephew," Iroh called out. "Take care of yourself."

"I will, uncle."

Zuko was gone in a flash, already up on the roof of the building next to him. He tied his swords to his back, taking a deep breath before he fit the mask over his face. He tied it behind his head, staring out in his blue world.

It was time to become the hero.

The Blue Spirit was alive now.

He leapt from building to building, his eyes catching the other Kyoshi Warriors fighting back against Zhao's forces. He also saw Sokka leading a charge against Kahchi. Zuko stopped, noting that Sokka had developed into quite a good fighter. Sokka used a club to fight against Kahchi and his guan do, blocking every strike with one of his own. Zuko only jumped down when he saw that Kahchi was beginning to drive Sokka back.

In a quick second, Zuko unsheathed his sword and stepped between Sokka and Kahchi. He ignored Sokka's gasp as he charged into Kahchi. Zuko pulled his sword into two pieces, spinning them around his body as Kahchi quickly backed away. Zuko managed to force his swords around the guan do, flipping it away from Kahchi. Zuko smirked under the blue mask, pressing the swords together and sheathed the broad sword. He pulled down on the braided goatee, his masked face inches away from the other warrior's face.

"What does Zhao want with King Kuei?" Zuko roared in his disguised voice.

"I know nothing," Kahchi snapped.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, quickly shifting behind Kahchi. He tightened the grip on the goatee, pulling it back. His other hand pressed on the back of Kahchi's head, keeping his head locked as pulled on the goatee.

"I'll ask you again," Zuko hissed. "What does Zhao want with Kuei?"

"He doesn't want Kuei," Kahchi groaned, his face contorting in pain. "He wants the city for The Phoenix King. Zhao and The Phoenix King want Kuei to be their puppet in keeping this city in line."

"That's more like it."

Zuko marched back to the front of Kahchi, pulling down again and driving his knee into the man's face. The Rough Rhino rider was unconscious before he even hit the floor. Zuko turned around, coming face to face with Sokka.

"It's you," Sokka whispered.

The masked face nodded, staring at Sokka with the abysses for eyes.

"You know there's a warrant for your arrest," Sokka continued.

"So what are you going to do?"

"There really isn't much I can do right now, is there?"

Zuko gasped under the mask. "You know that's a bad thing for you, right?"

Sokka chuckled. "I think under these circumstances, Commissioner Arnook would understand that you slipped out from under my hands."

"You're a good man, Captain Sokka," Zuko added.

With his pride high and a smirk on his face, Zuko took off once more heading towards the Royal Palace. His mind was running now. Why was Zhao doing this now? What exactly did his father want with this place? Was it really just to rule the city? Or was there something more? It simply didn't make sense. With a man as wicked as his father, this was too small.

"Help!"

Zuko forced himself to stop, hearing the sound of loud screams. He turned to his right, seeing a small family being surrounded by a group of Zhao's men. Without thinking about it again, Zuko shot out, pulling his sword out and breaking it into two. Without even a grunt, Zuko cut down the men. His movements were fluid, not missing a beat as he dodged and weaved and stabbed. The men dropped their weapons and fell to the floor.

"Oh, thank you Blue Spirit," The family chorused.

And now Zuko felt like a hero now. Not just the vigilante that was going around, stopping criminals and becoming a new fugitive of the law with his best friend chasing after him every other night. A smile came on under his mask as he nodded the masked face towards the family. He clipped the swords together and sheathed them behind his back.

"You should probably get somewhere safe," Zuko cracked in the voice still unknown to him. "Things are going to get ugly."

The family nodded; the father took everyone and ran off.

Zuko turned back to his goal. The Royal Palace. The smoke had slowly began to fade away. He ran and ran, not stopping for anyone now. He struck down more of Zhao's men as he fought his way to the foot of the stairs that led up to the Royal Palace. And at the top, Zuko saw Zhao staring back down at him. Colonel Mongke was next to him, King Kuei on his knees between them.

"Ah, Blue Spirit," Zhao snickered. "Glad to have you join us."

Zuko said nothing.

The fight for true peace was about to begin.

The fight for Ba Sing Se was now.