Outside the building Zuko and Sokka easily found the others pressing themselves up against the wall.

"Oh good you're okay." Katara sighed in relief by the sight of them.

"So much for low profile huh?" Sokka asked. "If that lady hadn't stopped you, you would have jumped right in!"

"Tanyi. Her name is Tanyi." Zuko informed quietly as he glanced around the corner and saw fire nation soldiers. Demanding entrance to houses, firebenders standing ready with the threat of burning them down if they weren't let in. And they came out carrying any possible food while the citizens were crying on their knees.

"This is wrong." Zuko swallowed. His body shaking.

"I know." Katara whispered, she too looked like she could barely keep herself back.

"We need to get out of here." Aang said. "We can stop this, by defeating the fire lord and end the war."

Zuko hissed as he squinted his eyes. Both his hands were in tight fists and he was shaking as his body started to steam.

"Calm down." Sokka asked. "Nothing will be gained if any of us loose our temper."

"I know." Zuko hissed as he tried to take a deep breath. "I'm trying!"

Just then a scream sounded. A womans scream. "NO! LET GO OF ME! LET GO!"

Wide-eyed they all turned to see Ming being dragged out of her shop by soldiers.

"All fire benders must serve in the army!" The soldier stated as he dragged her out.

"Please!" Ming cried. "I have a child! She's only two! She needs me! My husband needs me! Our business. We can make more cups for you if you want! PLEASE!"

"With Omashu now under our control, we have more then enough none-bending pottery makers." The soldier informed as Ming tried to drag herself away and then used her free hand to send a jet of fire towards the soldier.

It missed and he grabbed her hand.

"War balloons needs fire benders." The soldier said. "Be proud! You will serve the proud fire nation we have all sworn an oath to protect!"

"NO!" Suddenly a young teen with a scar on his face was right there, he jumped down and quickly grabbed the soldier making him let go of Ming then jumped on the other side so he was between them. "You can't separate a mother from her child! This is wrong!"


Back behind the building Sokka was gaping. "How did he get over there?!" he exclaimed then frantically looked at the empty spot right next to him where Zuko had been moments ago. "I didn't even notice him leaving!"

"Jumped up on the roof." Toph informed.

Sokka slapped his own forehead. "Oh no… We are in so much trouble."

"We need to help him" Aang stated just about to stand up.

"Wait!" Toph held up an arm stopping Aang.

"But Toph!" Aang exclaimed.

"Wait for the right moment." Toph said. "That is if he actually needs us to step in."

"Huh?" Aang asked and then he looked up again to halt and he gaped. "Wow."

"Okay I have a question." Sokka blinked.

"Yeah?" Aang asked.

"How didn't we get capture by this guy?" Sokka asked. "Look! He isn't even using his fire bending!"

Katara as well was blinking rapidly trying to take it in as Zuko had engaging in hand to hand combat with several soldiers and also… not one single spark of fire had come from Zuko at this moment, he was though dodging a couple of fireballs and had managed to steal two swords of different length.

Was Zuko not using fire bending to not give away his true identity? Well Sokka supposed he should be happy that at least Zuko had been that smart all though… Looking at it. It occurred to Sokka that Zuko was way more dangerous in close combat when he didn't rely on his fire bending than when he had been relying on it. Did Zuko know this?


Zuko hissed as he in a dance of his own slipped behind soldiers, kicked them aside, Disarmed another to take his sword.

Sadly though he was just one person against many and finally as Zuko stood in front of Ming with raised swords to protect him. Kind of happy that the others hadn't stepped in yet.

"Step aside boy." A soldier asked.

"No." Zuko breathed. "You said it yourself. You swore an oath… To serve and protect the fire nation. Look around you is this protecting the fire nation?" he asked.

The soldiers blinked confused.

"The fire nation is not just a guy sitting on a fancy chair behind a curtain of flames. The fire nation is a people! A strong and proud people! Those people!" Zuko pointed. "Those are the ones you ought to protect!"

A crowd had started to gather, Tanyi was in the door as he gasped. All the people seemed to be listening as Zuko turned his head to Ming. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Get your family and get out of here."

Ming swallowed. "But… What about you?" he asked.

"I can handle it." Zuko said. "Just hurry."

Ming at last nodded as she turned around, meeting her husband who had their crying child and the soldiers huffed. "Don't let them get away!" They shouted taking a running step only for Zuko to step forward and block.

"Out of the way boy." The soldier demanded. "Or do you want to be burned even more?"

Zukos eyes narrowed as he stood. "No. You will let her go."

People were gasping as they stood around. Sokka considered if this was the time to step in already, Toph though was shaking her head. "His heart rate is low. He is not panicking, he must have a plan." she said.

And Zuko just stood as the firebenders among the soldiers stepped forward, five in total standing in line.

Zukos eyes narrowed as he took a stands and Katara gasped.

"That's a waterbending stance!" She whispered in a hiss.

The five soldiers moved in unison, yelling as they jumped and then send five larges bursts of fire right at Zuko.

Zuko took a breath and reached out his hands, ready to catch the fire. Was he going to throw it back like he had done with Aang?

Then Zuko made the same swirling motion, but instead of catching the fire. He absorbed it! Through his hand and right into his body using the flowing motion.

Everyone gaped! The soldiers gasped shocked. Team Avatar was gaping and Zuko was standing.

His entire body was red from the pure heat of the fire he had absorbed, he was steaming as he stood up making Katas with his hand and then he breathed the fire back out through his mouth.

An amazing pillar of fire which was the result of the fire fire blasts combined and threw all of the soldiers back and they crashed down on the ground all looking up in shock and horror as Zuko stood with bowed head. Hair obscuring his face as he gasped for breath.

Guards who stood at the sidelines were shacking in their boots.

"I… I've never seen such amazing fire bending before." One shook. "Who… Who is he?"

Another guard lifted his hand as it shook. "Prince Zuko!" he gasped. "I was right! It must be! Only one from the royal line would have such amazing fire bending powers!"

The words were spread and people gasped. Tanyi held a hand over her mouth.

"It's the traitor!" Someone yelled and Zuko looked up, his body dripping from sweat.

"I am no traitor." Zuko said, his voice raspier than usual. "The real traitor is the fire lord!" he stated. "The man who should have been there for his people! Who's first priority should be protecting his own people!" he gasped, then he grew more silent as he spoke. Yet clearly his words cut through. "You can all send a message to my father. His crimes against the fire nation will not go unpunished. I'll see to that myself." he stated as he turned around and started to walk towards the gate.

One soldier though got cocky and jumped forward throwing fire at Zukos back.

It didn't really reach Zuko tough as Aang jumped in raising his hands and deflected with a wind shield knocking off his own hat revealing the arrow and people gasped.

"Don't attack my fire bending master." Aang demanded in a low voice and the soldiers eyes widened as he scrambled back. Then Aang nodded and ran after Zuko catching up with him.

"You didn't need to step in, I saw him coming." Zuko whispered at Aang.

"I know." Aang replied. "But… I wanted you to know that you're not in this alone." he said. "And I wanted your father to know too."

Zuko smiled lightly as he nodded. "Thank you." he whispered as they exited the town, with all of the soldiers and guards just being to shocked and scared to fight back. As well had Zukos words actually gotten to many of them.

…This wasn't protecting the fire nation. This wasn't what any of them wanted. The Prince was right! They could feel it in their hearts. The fire lord was the true traitor.


Zuko and Aang managed to meet up with the others who had gotten out another way and were waiting with Appa.

"YOU STUPID IDIOTS!" Katara cried as she came running embracing both Aang and Zuko. "That was so SO stupid!"

"You mean badass." Toph grinned.

"No! Stupid!" Katara hissed.

"Agreed." Sokka sighed. "But also kind of badass. Come on lets get out of here and fast."

They all nodded as they hurried up on Appa and took flight before people came after them.

Only for Zuko to grab his throat as he started to cough while they were in the air.

"You okay?" Katara asked concerned.

"Throat... hurts.." Zuko said in a wheezing breath. "Need... Tea."

"Tea is going to help?" Katara asked and Zuko nodded. "I'm sorry we have to wait until we land. Until then." she took out a bit of water. "I can do my best to heal you."

"Tha... Thank.. You." Zuko managed to rasp.

"Also don't speak!" Katara demanded. "No more talking until I say you can!"

Zuko opened his mouth.

"What did I just say?" Katara asked making Zuko close his mouth and nod instead. "Good." Katara smirked.


Seeds had been planted. In the evening Tanyi was gasping as she sat in front of the portrait of a long lost son. "The Prince…" she whispered. "He was the prince."

She looked to the side. There was a small portrait of fire lord Ozai. A portrait she would bow in respect to now and again. By the sight of his face Tanyi halted. Then she reached over and flipped the picture down so it was now laying face down on the table.

Deep down Tanyi had already known, she had known for years.

Ozai didn't care… Ozai had never cared.

But there was someone else who did! And he was willing to fight for them!

"Agni. Protect the Prince!" Tanyi asked as she bowed her head and felt something new in her chest. Her heart feeling stronger.

A feeling… A feeling of hope!