AN: OH it's good to be back. Sorry I was gone so long but went on a nice retreat with my school and now I'm back and ready to write more and more for you guys.

WARNING: There will be a slight graphic violent scene and a character death. So please don't hate me.

So without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen; boys and girls of all ages welcome back, now on with the show.

The sun seem to rise slowly that day as Zuko made his way from the barn to the center of the town. A lot was going through his mind, the talk him and his uncle had last night was still etched into his mind with each step he took it became more and more clear. But that wasn't the only thought he had.

Before he fell asleep that night he felt a shiver going up and down his spine all night, at first he thought just a simple breeze but now it seem to come and go as it's pleases. He just couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen… and soon.

Just as he climb to the top of the watch tower he sees Jee looking to the west with the telescope. Jee heard the squeak in the floor and turn to find Zuko there.

"Ah Zuko; I was just about to come get you." Zuko closed the few feet separating them and came to Jee's right side. "What did you find?" Zuko asked. Jee took a step to his left and motion Zuko to take a look. Zuko looked through and saw a giant black smoke coming from a few miles out. "Any idea what that is?" he asked Jee.

Jee shook his head, "Don't know but whatever it is it's been there for the last few hours." Zuko looked up from the telescope and looked with his own eyes. "What do you suggest we do Prince Zuko?" Jee asked.

Zuko took a deep breath, "Gather the men at the front gates. Send Shu, Isao, and Mamoru to scout up ahead while we get ready," Jee turn to leave when Zuko stopped him, "Also tell Gow and his men to be on high alert. We don't know what that thing is yet, I want to be prepared for the worse."

Jee bow and went to give the orders. Zuko stood there a little longer looking at the black smoke, again the icy chill return's running up and down his spine.

Ten minutes later

Zuko made his way to the front gates to see that Jee was there and so was the rest of his men. He was half way there when Iroh stepped from the buildings and blocked his path. The look of pain and worry were written all over the old general's face.

"Uncle is something the matter?" Zuko asked him. Iroh put on a fake smile, "Yes everything is fine my nephew I just wanted to see you off." Without warning Iroh grabbed Zuko and embrace him into a big hug. "I love you my nephew." Zuko sigh and patted the old man on the back, "I love you too uncle."

With that Iroh let him go and Zuko made his way to his men. "What was that for?" asked the cook. Zuko mounted his ostrich horse and look back to Iroh standing in the middle of the road. "He just wanted to say good bye that's all."

With that Zuko snapped the reigns and began their short journey to the source of the smoke.

Iroh just stood there with a fake smile as he look up to the sky. It would rain later.

15 minutes later

Zuko and the rest of the 'spirits' were almost to the source of the smoke. Each of them wondered behind their mask's what would be on the other side of that hill. Zuko mind tried to stay focus on the mission but that feeling just kept coming back.

They came to the top of the hill to find the rest of the scout party there. Zuko look to see what looks like a locomotive. "Engineer," Zuko shouted. The engineer came forward. Zuko turned his blue face to face his yellow, "What is that?" he asked.

The Engineer looked over the machine in front of him. "By the looks of it it's one of the newer transport systems. They were still in the prototype phase last I've seen them but by the looks of it, it's just stopped for now."

Zuko nodded and turn to face the orange mask, "Shu any activities?" he asked. Shu shook his head, "None. No one went in and no one came out." Zuko looked back at the locomotive, "Alright let's check it out but be on alert." They all nodded and made their way to the iron horse below. They found the entrance open, after pairing up each went to search the iron beast.

Twenty minutes later

After a long search none of the men could find anything. Zuko and Jee was just departing the ramp when Jee spoke up, "Find anything?" he yelled. All the men shook their heads, "Not a thing."

"It's weird all the clothes and paperwork are still here but not a single soul on board," said the engineer. Zuko spoke up, "Did anyone find papers about their mission?" he said to the men. "Me and Shu found these," said Mamoru. He handed Zuko a scroll with the royal seal on it.

Zuko broke the seal and read the report. Just as he skimmed the last few lines Hyrosuke yelled and pointed east, "Prince Zuko look!" Zuko turned to look at the direction. His eyes widen as he saw thick black smoke coming from the village.

"No, no, no, no, no, NO!" Zuko yelled as he ran to his stead and rode off as fast as he could leaving his men dumbfounded before they came to their senses and made haste to follow.

Thirty minutes ago. At the village.

Iroh remained there until the dust finally settled from the men riding off. He turned and slowly made his way through the village. Just as he turned to head back to Kai's he looked up to see how the clouds were starting to form for the storm to come.

He was still looking up when his eyes widen when he saw a giant fire ball through the sky heading for town. He look to see where it would hit and alas it hit's the watchtower.

Iroh ran back to the barn as fast as he could. "KAI! KAI! KAI!" he yelled as made his way into the home. But no one answered, he ran back to the village as fast as he could only to see more fire balls in the air and soldiers entering the perimeter.

As Iroh ran to the village center from the corner of his eyes he sees Gow fighting five fire benders that surrounds him. He notices the armor that they wore and immediately knew who they work for.

Before he was spotted he grabbed a cloak and cover himself so he wouldn't be notice. He saw all of the villager being gather at the center and blended with them to avoid suspicion. Upon the platform he saw a soldier take out a scroll and began to read, "By order of Fire Lord Ozai; the traitors of the royal family; Former Prince Zuko and former General Iroh are to be broth forth and sentenced. We know that at least one of the traitors are here."

From the crowd Lu spoke up, "Why in the name of the Earth King would we harbor two fire nation scum?" he yelled. The soldier shot a fire wave above the crowds head and all ducked to avoid the blast.

"Silence you worthless swine," he turned to one of his men, "Bring me the prisoner." Just then two more soldiers came dragging Gow by the arms up to the platform along with his men. They turn so they all face the crowd. "Tell us what we want and we will return your people back to you." The all remained silence.

"We won't tell you bastards anything," said Gow. The captain turn to face him, "You will…" but before he could finish Gow spit right in his face. "You pathetic little…" he moved to strike but was stopped by a female voice, "That's enough Captain."

Iroh eyes widen at the voice he's just heard. He turns his head in the direction of the voice and his fears are confirmed. There he sees three girls riding mongoose dragons enter the town.

"Princess Azula," the captain said as he bowed, "What are you doing here?" he asked. Azula dismounted and walked up onto the stage, "We were getting tired of waiting. So I decided it would go faster if I came in."

The captain bowed and got off the stage leaving Azula and the guards holding Gow. She turns to face Gow, "You know this would go a lot easier if you tell me what I want."

Gow looks her in the eye before answering, "Go to hell." Azula stood up and walked to a soldier holding Gow's hammers. She takes one, "Well these are quite nice, and I suppose it would be useful in the hands of an earth bender. But let's see what a fire bender can do with it."

She nodded her head and the two guards brought Gow forward when two more guards came up and grabbed his legs. "Last chance where are the traitors?" she asked. Gow turned and spat at her feet. "Gag him." The guards tied a cloth around his mouth.

Azula raised the hammer above her head and slammed it right down into Gow's knee. He cried out in pain as she raised the hammer again. This time she turns to the crowd, "Tell me where the traitors are!" she yelled. Gow manage to loosen the gag, "No surrender!" he yelled.

All the crowd looked in fear of the fire princess but remained silent. She turned to Gow again and slammed the hammer down into his other knee. Again Gow cried out in pain but soon passed out because of it.

Azula drops the hammer an turns to face the crowd once more. "I will ask you one more time. Where are the traitors?" she yelled. Again the crowd remained silence. She raised her left hand and summoned her blue fire and aimed it right for a family in the front. Iroh couldn't take it anymore.

"I am here!" he yelled. Azula look to find her uncle walking forward toward the stage. "Uncle? I thought I killed you in that dump of a village." Iroh got on the stage to face Azula, "You thought wrong my dear." Before he could react Ty Lee came from behind him and with a short few jab's he was down.

Azula stood over him, "So much for being the pride of the Fire Nation," she kneel down beside him, "Now where is my useless brother?" she asked. Iroh look at her, "I don't know we separated weeks ago, he could be anywhere." She stood up, nodded to Ty Lee who in turn knocked the old man out completely.

"Well what now?" asked Mai. Azula turn to the captain, "Take the crowd and put them in the biggest building this forsaken village has and wait for my orders." The captain bowed and started to shout orders that the soldier's started to follow. Everyone in the crowd was being herded into the biggest building they have.

"What about him?" Mai asked pointing to Iroh. Azula turned to face her uncle, "Put him somewhere over there. I'll be up shortly." She pointed to the barn at the edge of town.

Azula walked to find all the villagers were put in one giant building. She turned to the captain, "Burn it." And she walked away as her men set the building on fire.

Present time

"Come on faster. Faster," Zuko thought as his stead rushed back to the village. His men were close behind but Zuko couldn't wait he had to get back.

All he saw when he came to the entrance of the village was flame and smoke. He dismounted and ran toward the town's center. "KAI? LO? MIN? LU? GOW? ANYBODY?" he yelled at the top of his voice. There he notice not far from where he was four soldiers guarding the big barn. Zuko ran at them drawing his blades as he made his way there.

The guards immediately spot him and begin to blast him. Zuko ducked and rolled and dodge every blast that came his way. When he came in close quarters with them he struck.

The soldier on the right punched right at him, but sliced the flame in half with his left sword, brought his other blade up and slash across the soldier's chest.

The other guard came with his sword and brought it above his head to slash down. Zuko used his right blade to block the oncoming blade, using the left to stab him in the chest.

The third guard came and knocked the swords from his hands. The guard start to lash out all the flame he's got but Zuko was able to dodge each attack and counter with his own fire. Zuko dropped to his hands and using his legs brought a flame full kick to the man's face.

The last guard took a defensive stance against the mask man. He blasted him but Zuko grabbed his fist, slowly crushing it bringing the guard to his knees. Zuko brought his free hand to the man's face and covered it, Zuko took one breath and flames left his palms into the face of the soldier.

Zuko dropped the body and ran to the door just as the rest of his men arrived. With their combine strength they were able to unblock the door and let everyone out. One by one the families came running out.

"Jee do a head count!" Zuko yelled. There he saw Gow being dragged out by some of his men. Zuko ran to them, "Gow. Where is my Uncle?" he asked. Gow was coughing so much he couldn't form a sentence, but instead pointed to Kai's barn. Zuko stood up and ran as fast as he can to the barn.

Iroh awoke to find himself inside the barn. He went to the entrance but found it was blocked from the outside, the same for all the windows and hatches. But that was the least of his worries. For dead center in the barn was barrels, he walk towards them. As he inspected them he heard a ticking noise coming from them, he read the inscription on the barrel, "Blasting jelly?" His eyes widen as he noticed the ticking starting to slow.

Iroh took a deep breath, walked over to his bunk and pulled out a picture of his son from his bag. He walked to the fire place near the back of the barn.

There he sat down, looked at the portrait of his son and said, "I will see you soon… my son." He hears the faint yelling of "Uncle" but he knows it's too late.

He closed his eyes and let the heat of his element consume him.

Zuko was running at a full sprint toward the barn. He kept thinking, "Faster." Just as he came to the house he yells, "Uncle."

He was no more than ten feet when the barn exploded. He felt the force of the blast punch him across the chest, throwing him in the air ten feet away. As Zuko rose from the dirt he sees the flame consumes the barn.

"Uncle. Uncle. UNCLE!" he yelled as he forces himself to stand. Every muscle in his body protesting but he pushed through it. He began to run toward the inferno but was stopped by Jee and Shu. "No Prince Zuko," Jee tried to explain, "There's nothing we can do for him." They held him back as he struggles to break loose from there grips.

They couldn't hold him any longer so Jee did the only thing he could think of. He takes the hilt of his sword and strikes the back of Zuko's head knocking him out. Jee grabbed his body before it fell. Putting him over his shoulder he turned to Shu, "We got to get out of here."

Zuko's body felt like hell; every muscle in his body cried out in agony as he got up from his bed. He brought his hands to his head and that's when the events of yesterday came swarming back. He stood abruptly and ran to the door. From there he sees the burnt remains of the Barn.

He sees all of his men out there standing in the rain, in front of the burnt remains and slowly makes his way to them. Shu turns around and notice the bandage Prince making his way to them. He turns to tell Jee but Jee already sees him. Jee steps aside so Zuko can see what remains.

"Everything was burned. Nothing could have survived the blast," Jee said. "But we found out who was behind the attack though. It was…" he begin to say but was cut off.

"Azula," Zuko said. Jee nodded his head. Zuko took a step forward as they all remained in silence, listening to the winds blow across the ruins of the village. As the winds blew across the ruins Zuko could faintly hear words being sung. He heard in his uncle's voice,

"Leaves from the vine

Falling so slow

Like fragile, tiny shells

Drifting in the foam

Little soldier boy

Come marching home

Brave soldier boy

Comes marching home."

As Zuko stood there an unnatural feeling came over him. His vision began to blur and the place started to spin. As the darkness started to take control over his mind he could faintly hear, "Come find me." Letting the darkness take hold.

Zuko's body fell to the ground. Jee and the men rush to the princes side each surrounding him. "Prince Zuko," Jee shakes Zuko's shoulders, "Zuko."

"He's burning up," said the cook. "Get him inside quick," yelled Jee.

AN: And that's where I think I'll end it for today. That was a longest chapter I've ever written.

Now I know what you guys are thinking, how could I do that? I'm sorry but it had to be done, in order for this idea to keep going it had to happen. I hope this won't detract you guys from the story. From here my friends the plot is really going to get going. So hopefully you'll stick with me to the end. Thanks for the reviews and the support.

Until next time my fellow readers.