Author's Note: Things are progressing quickly... I love the interactions the characters have had so far and Zutara reigns supreme! Let me know what you think...
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Vengeance and Victories—Dai Li, Joo Dees, and Deep State Conspiracies
"I've got to get to the Earth king…" Katara whispered as she hurried away from the Jasmine Dragon thankful she hadn't been spotted by Zuko.
Katara huffed. She really believed that the lying prince was trying to change his life. The last time she saw them, Zuko was crying over his Uncle worried that he would perish. How did they end up in Ba Sing Se? And the Jasmine Dragon? They were hiding in plain sight! The name alone should have been obvious.
The Dragon of the West and the Prince of the Fire Nation were both serving tea in the largest most powerful city of the Earth kingdom. It was the most absurd thing she had heard since "playing" with Flopsy and riding the mail chutes in Omashu!
Those men weren't refugees, they were planning a coup! Karara cheered to herself as she remembered that Suki and the other Kyoshi warriors were meeting with the once manipulated King Kuei to support his reign.
Aang and his companions discovered a deep underground conspiracy (literally) and defeated Long Feng who had been using mind control and other nefarious methods to subvert the people of the city including their king. Would the monarch whose eyes were finally opened to the deceptions around him be willing to fight to protect his city?
As Katara passed through the gates of the palace and approached the large doors of the throne room she spoke to the guards with authority.
"I need to see King Kuei immediately, it's an emergency." She declared. The guards looked at one another for only a moment and opened the doors allowing her to pass into the throne room.
As soon as she entered the court she spied Zuko in cuffs kneeling uncomfortably on the stone floor. Wow! Suki was already on it!
Katara walked up to speak with Suki but noticed something was off. Where was the king? Why was Suki so short all of the sudden?
Before Katara could draw water from her canteen, she received three quick jabs to her arms and spine and her chi was blocked. She slumped to the floor unable to move.
"So very glad you could join us Master Waterbender. You're just in time for our coup." Azula said with a smirk through her heavily made-up lips. She then turned to the Dai Li warriors who were standing by.
"Do escort our esteemed guests to the underground…accommodations and lock them in tightly for me. There are still other guests we're waiting for to arrive," She sneered. With a wave, she dismissed the Dai Li to take both Zuko and Katara to Katara's surprise.
"Tata, brother, Water Girl." She said wiggling her fingers condescendingly.