Chapter 29

The Imperial Guards kicked down the door to Lord Tomono's house and Suki stalked inside. With all her Kyoshi Warriors attending the wedding, she'd have to make do with General Mak's soldiers, and hope none of them were traitors.

"Search the house!" she ordered. "Bring everyone you find downstairs. And look for any evidence of the New Ozai plot." The ten Guards with her nodded, and Suki wondered vaguely if Zuko would approve of this kind of invasion of a Fire Nation citizen's home and privacy. But she had a New Ozai society member stating that Tomono tried to kill Mai, and that was enough for her. Suki rounded a corner and headed into the study.

Before she could react, something hit her hard in the side of the head. She lurched to the side, clumsily lashing out at her unseen opponent. Her wild punch missed, and the man who had ambushed her kicked her hard in the stomach. Suki flew back against the bookcase, both retching and gasping for air. So arrogant, she thought weakly. She hadn't really considered old Lord Tomono a threat, but here he was, standing over her.

"I see the Firelord's sent his pet earth-girl," said Tomono. "I'm not surprised he'd leave his dirty work to you." He advanced menacingly, drawing a machete from the back of his belt. Suki grabbed the bookcase shelves and pulled herself to her feet, still breathless, ears ringing. She couldn't black out now.

"Zuko's reign will be over in weeks," smiled Tomono. He swung his machete upward. "But you won't be around to see it." He struck, and Suki dove to the side at the last minute, pulling the bookshelf down behind her. It missed Tomono, but dust and papers flew everywhere. In the chaos, Suki saw an Imperial Guard run through the doorway and tackle Tomono to the ground, pinning him down with a knee pressed to his back.

"Are you alright?" said the Guard. Fanlin had lost her helmet, and coughed as dust billowed around her. Even as she spoke, she tied Tomono's hands behind him tightly.

Suki nodded feebly. She had been careless, and paid for it, but there was no permanent damage. She stumbled forward.

"Everyone else has been rounded up in the living room downstairs," said Fanlin, dragging Tomono to his feet. "I'll bring this one down for you."

"Wait!" choked Suki. Ignoring Tomono's glare, she patted him down, searching for something, anything. His pockets were empty, but there was this one spot Zuko had told her about…Suki unbuckled Tomono's armoured shoulder spike, and discovered a small pouch hiding underneath the metal. Fingers trembling slightly, Suki removed a letter from the leather sack. Fanlin looked at Suki quizzically, but Suki didn't reply. Retreating to a nearby couch, she opened the letter, still wheezing slightly. It was written in beautiful characters with scarlet ink.

Tomono-

Attack on the tower a disaster. The Firelord did not come out personally to supervise Ozai's transfer, as we had hoped, so rather than send out the full force we withdrew. Lost ten recruits, some of them well born. Next chance to try is the wedding, I believe. I leave that to you.

Meetings with lower-level Commanders, Lieutenants, and Captains going well—gaining support for our cause with the help of a powerful new friend. If the wedding assassination does not go as planned, our long-term commitments should be ready a few weeks afterwards.

I'm sending this letter with Zamira. She used to work at the palace, and seems oddly confident about her ability to predict the Firelord's actions. Further, she is a talented firebender.

For Ozai, and for the glory of the Fire Nation.

- Shu

Finally, something to go on. Suki folded up the letter and headed downstairs. There seemed to be multiple branches of the New Ozai Society, all trying different assassination attempts, but all working towards some sort of greater rebellion. Further, the letter mentioned Zamira, the same name the rebels in the carriage had used to refer to a blue fire-bender. But if Azula was Zamira, whose side was she on? The letter made it sound as if her advice was key to the New Ozai Society, and yet she had attacked her fellow members just that morning. Maybe Azula was going crazy again. Suki shook her head. She had been right the night before. Azula always added sinister complications.

In the main living room, twelve or so people huddled pitifully, surrounded by Imperial Guards. One woman held a toddler, who cried in fear. Blood stained Tomono's white beard as he kneeled next to his family. Standing at the top of the stairs, Suki was suddenly struck by the scene. How had she gotten here? She had become a Kyoshi Warrior to defend people, not to lead Fire Nation soldiers and terrorize civilians in their own homes. She felt a nausea that had nothing to do with her injury. Most of these people were probably innocent.

"Everyone calm down," she said, descending the final few steps. "No one is going to get hurt." She'd interrogate them right here, and make sure no servants or bystanders were sent to rot in the Firelord's jails.

Somewhere across the city, Zuko and Mai were getting married. How she wished she was there, instead of here.

As Zuko and Mai kissed, Sokka stood up and cheered. But even as he whooped in celebration, he was worried. Suki was supposed to have joined them soon after Mai entered. Where was she?

The crowd of Fire Nation faces behind Sokka looked genuinely happy. How quickly their opinions could change. Sokka spotted Akira a few rows back, who was clapping coolly. He didn't exactly look delighted. Sokka caught the tall soldiers' eye and nodded at him, and Akira lifted a hand in response. Maybe Akira was upset about being forced to sit with some lower nobles. Or maybe he was thinking about something more ominous.

Back on stage, Zuko and Mai were still kissing passionately, their faces partially obscured by the curling flames of their ceremonial fire. After all they had been through, Sokka hoped they could find some happiness.

"Is Daddy married now?" asked Kazuto to Sokka's right.

"Yes, he and Mai are now husband and wife!" said Iroh joyfully. "It's very exciting!" Kazuto screamed cheerfully, wriggling in Iroh's arms, but the sound didn't carry over the roar of the crowd. Aang leaned over and kissed Katara on the cheek.

"Remember when Mai and Zuko were trying to kill us?" yelled Sokka to Aang. "How crazy is it that we're at their wedding?"

"The world's gone crazy!" said Aang. Momo chirped on his shoulder.

"Or maybe it's being set right," said Katara. "The norm can't be war. It shouldn't be."

Mai and Zuko finally split apart and beamed at the crowd. Sokka had never seen Mai smile so genuinely, and bet that tomorrow she would deny enjoying the ceremony at all. "The rituals were so boring!" he could imagine her saying. The new couple waved and left to greet the crowds assembled on the front steps. Quickly, servants appeared, and started transforming the courtyard into a large dinner party, tables popping up all around Sokka like ice flowers in the South Pole. Banners displaying both the Fire Nation royal crest and a map of the world unfurled down the courtyard walls.

"What a delightful ceremony!" said Earth King Kueh, making his way over to Aang. The motion of the banners caught the Earth King's eye and he frowned. Sokka followed his gaze. The tapestry of the world was beautifully painted, with the Fire Nation in a bright red, Earth Kingdom a leafy green, and the Water Tribes deep blue. But in the middle of the map…

"It's interesting that the Firelord decided to colour the Earth Kingdom Occupied Territories grey instead of green," said Kueh testily.

"Grey is neutral," said Aang. "Zuko is just trying to reflect that we haven't decided the final outcome of the territories."

"I approve," said Mayor Morishita, joining their circle. "The former Fire Nation Colonies deserve a new color, to symbolize our upcoming independence."

"You're getting ahead of yourself, sir," said Kueh angrily. "I don't remember granting you permission to start your own state."

"We don't need your permission," said Morishita. "The Earth Kingdom hasn't ruled Yu Dao in over a century."

"Friends, friends!" said Aang, stepping in between the two men. "This is a wedding, not a debate. And I'm sure we can work out an agreement that makes everyone happy!" Aang looked unusually determined, and drew himself up to his full height. Sokka realized Aang was a little taller than himself now.

"We are here to celebrate love and peace," said Aang sternly. "So I suggest you find your seats and leave politics until tomorrow." The Earth King looked sulky, while Mayor Morishita was defiant. The tension continued for a moment longer, and then the Mayor laughed heartily.

"Of course! We wouldn't dream of ruining such a beautiful day. Or of displeasing the Avatar." He bowed and moved away smoothly. Scowling, Kueh also left and headed to a table close to the royal dais.

Aang slumped. "Why do they have to make everything so hard?" he said, frustrated.

"You knew this would be challenging when you decided to take Zuko's side and not return the colonies to the Earth Kingdom," said Katara. "It was the right decision, but no one said it would be easy."

"I know," said Aang, rubbing his bald head anxiously. "But sometimes I think fighting the Firelord was easier."

Sokka couldn't agree more.