Part IV: Sixty-Nine


"We need to talk about this!" Sokka exclaimed, blocking the door to the airship so that the angry man charging toward it had to pull up short, his scarred face red with rage.

"There's nothing more to discuss. Get out of my fucking way!" Zuko snarled.

"Zuko, calm down," Sokka said, but Zuko pushed away from him with a hard shove.

"I don't need to calm down, I need to leave right now! Suki needs me!" Zuko said, his eyes wild, and his face pale.

"I know exactly how you feel," Sokka said. "We will go, but you heard Duke Ru, they need to resupply the airship first, and we need to talk about this while they do! The others need to know!"

"Talk about what?" Zuko exploded, his face going red. "They arrested Suki! For murder! I have to get to her!"

"Yeah, and that's all we know! Let him explain!" Sokka said, gesturing toward Duke Ru, who was looking between the two of them, worry on his face. Duke Ru had told them in a rush that Suki had been arrested for the murder of one of Zuko's councilors, and the near assassination of another.

Zuko hadn't believed him. Neither had Sokka.

Though he and Suki had broken up and grown apart in the last couple of years he knew without a doubt that Suki would never, and could never, murder someone in cold blood like that. Not unless she had to in order to protect herself, or someone else.

"I don't need to know anything else," Zuko said, shoving at his shoulder. "MOVE!"

"No!" Sokka said. "You're not thinking straight right now, Zuko! We don't know what the hell is going on. We need to tell the Earth King, the others... We need to know what we're going into, okay?"

"We?" Zuko blinked at him.

"If you think I'm going to let you go into this shit alone, you've got another thing coming. Suki and I aren't together anymore, but I still care about her! And... There's something I have to tell you..." Sokka said slowly, wincing.

"What?"

"The Master, when he was trying to get me to kill Chen for him, he said something about who he was working for. He mentioned you, and Suki. He said he had no idea what that man had in store for her. No idea what he'd already done to her."

"You didn't mention this before?!" Zuko exploded again, getting into his face.

"I thought he was just lying, Zuko! I thought it was just bad guy posturing! I didn't take him seriously. I should have, but there's been so much going on... It slipped my mind. I'm sorry," he said miserably. "Obviously he wasn't lying. The Master, Ning...Lord Kun. They all work for someone in the Fire Nation. That's where this plot came from. I think all of this is connected. It has to be. I don't believe in coincidence!"

"Rian's father," Zuko said softly, the fighting going out of him now as Sokka's words penetrated his panic. Sokka nodded.

"Yeah. I think so. Any clue as to who that might be?"

"No. You don't know? You knew that Rian guy, I didn't," Zuko said heavily, hanging his head and taking in a deep breath to calm himself.

"I didn't know him well enough to know who his father was. Rian was obsessed with Azula. He was a Smoke Demon. And he's dead. That's about all I know."

"What's going on?" Azula said from behind Sokka, startling him. He whipped around to face her, and their eyes met from across the smoke-filled courtyard. A hard tingle went through him from head to toe, and despite everything he felt the air rush out of him. Just being near her made his blood sing. He wondered if she still felt the same way. It was hard to say; she'd left the meeting with the Earth King before he could talk to her again, and their conversation after his break up with Mai hadn't been exactly a heartfelt reunion.

He had no idea where he stood with her, but there was a seed of hope in him. A small one, but it was there.

"Azula..." he started, glancing at Zuko, and then back at Azula. She wasn't alone; Kikki was hovering there at her elbow, frowning at Ru in confusion.

"Someone said an airship from the Fire Nation landed," Kikki said slowly, pacing forward, and glancing from Ru to Zuko, then back at the airship. "I kind of expected to see Suki... Did she not come? That's weird."

Zuko shook his head and then cursed, flinging out a fistful of flames at the sky. Kikki jumped, and started forward, but Azula caught her arm, stopping her.

"It's Suki, isn't it? Something's wrong," Azula said, watching Zuko's flames dying out. He stood with his back to them, breathing hard, his hands in his long hair, as Azula turned back to face Sokka. There were questions in her eyes.

"She's been arrested for the murder of one of Zuko's councilors."

"That's... I'm afraid that isn't all," Ru said regretfully. "Fire Lord Zuko, the Grand Sage has taken over the Stewardship of the Fire Nation in your absence."

"What?" Zuko said, his voice low and dangerous, full of fire and fury. "Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. But Bai is the one who summoned him. Before the evidence was found implicating Suki. I don't believe that is a coincidence and neither did Piandao, whom I left to investigate."

"Zuko... Remember what I told you about the Phoenix Fire?" Sokka said carefully, and Zuko glanced at him.

"The Fire Sages made it. And now the Grand Sage has taken my throne for his own. Doesn't seem like a coincidence."

"No, it doesn't."

"What's Phoenix Fire?" Ru asked, frowning.

"I'll explain later. What about Suki? Was she okay?"

Sokka didn't miss the way Ru's face paled and the way his eyes shifted a little. "She was... There was an incident. When they arrested her."

Zuko stopped pacing and came back to stand in front of Ru. "What do you mean? An incident?"

Ru winced and then cursed under his breath. "When the Seneschal found out you had been attacked in Ba Sing Se, she fully intended to leave the Fire Nation to come and attempt a rescue. Bai tried to stop her. He spat on her and she kicked him into a wall."

Zuko let out a growl of anger. "He spat on her?"

Ru, a large, muscled man, seemed to shrink before the Fire Lord, his face screwed up. "That's... Oh, Agni, Zuko that's not all... When they arrested her, Captain Ty Lee fought back."

"Is Ty Lee okay?" Azula said, stepping forward, her voice sharp with worry.

"The Seneschal ordered her to stand down. She was arrested, and uninjured when I left. I don't know what has happened since," Ru said.

"But Suki was okay?"

"I... I don't know. Bai struck her. In the stomach. While she was cuffed," Ru said, looking into Zuko's eyes. "I tried to stop him, but I was too far away. She was injured and..." Ru hesitated, while Zuko stood there, practically shaking with rage. "It's not my place to say the rest. That should come from her. She was okay when I left, I think. What's happened since, I don't know."

"Bai hit her?"

"Yes."

"He's a dead man," Zuko said in a voice that chilled Sokka to the bone. He felt the same anger at hearing Ru's words that Zuko did, however. The thought of someone putting their hands on Suki, especially when she was in no position to defend herself, was enraging. "I'll kill him."

And Zuko started to charge past Ru, heading for the airship again. Ru stopped him, putting a hand on Zuko's shoulder.

"You won't get far without coal for the furnace. We also ran out of food and water this morning," Ru said. "Let us resupply, and then we'll leave together."

Zuko hesitated, and then growled in annoyance. "Fine! One hour. I need to speak to the Earth King anyway. And see to my uncle's care. I... Kikki?"

"I'll have the Earth King's men resupply the airship. Meet you back here in an hour," Kikki said, nodding to him, and then taking off at a run.

"Let's go," Zuko said, gesturing for the others to join him. He charged toward the palace, with Duke Ru and the four men he'd brought with him on his heels, leaving Sokka to take up the rear with Azula at his side.

"Suki didn't do it," Azula said, surprising him. He had never heard her say anything charitable about Suki before, but then again, he had been dating Suki when he and Azula had traveled together. That had made the entire situation between them that much tenser, and Azula had, perhaps unfairly, blamed Suki for that. It hadn't helped that those rumors about Suki and Zuko had followed them wherever they went. They hadn't painted Suki a good light.

"No. I know her. She could never," Sokka said, shaking his head. "I told Zuko I'd go with him."

Azula paused, looking startled. "Oh. You're...you're leaving?"

His stomach clenched, and he stopped, letting the others pull ahead of them. "She's in danger. I have to..."

"No, I understand," Azula said, looking away from him. "Of course, you should go."

"The Master threatened Suki while I was chained up in that basement. I thought he was just posturing and dismissed it, but... Azula, I think this is connected to everything that's happened here. The Master was hired to assassinate me in Republic City. It didn't work, but... But I know who hired him."

Azula looked up at him, eyes wide. "Rian's father."

Sokka nodded. "The same man who ordered Nobu to kidnap you and Zuko."

Azula bit down on her bottom lip. "He was supposed to kill me, and then his orders changed. Rian's father wanted to kill me himself. Because of what I did to Rian."

"Rian deserved it," Sokka said in a hard voice. "And whoever his father is... He deserves what's coming to him. I know he's behind this. All of it. We have to stop him. I owe him pain."

"Why would Rian's father go after Suki though?" Azula asked.

"I don't know," Sokka said. "And that's what I'm so afraid of. Nobu wasn't ordered to kill Zuko, and I'm really wondering why."

"To give Rian's father a chance to frame Suki. While Zuko wasn't there," Azula said, and Sokka instantly knew that she was right. "You know who we have to talk to, Sokka. There's one only one person who can answer our questions."

Sokka cursed and then rubbed his hand down his face. "Nobu."

"He knows the answer to every question we have."

"He won't talk. You know that as well as I do, Azula. He's a loyal Smoke Demon. Even now, he won't flip. He won't tell us anything," Sokka said. But then his stomach flipped again and he winced. "He won't tell us anything, but there is someone he would talk to. Maybe."

Azula went very still, and then glanced down the hallway. "Mai."

He didn't want Nobu anywhere near Mai, but he knew that he was right. They needed answers before they ran off to the Fire Nation, chasing smoke and enemies without names. Who knew who Rian's father actually was? Who knew what they had planned?

They needed answers. And Nobu had them.

And if there was anyone Nobu would spill those secrets too, it was Mai.


Zuko barely noticed that Sokka and Azula had disappeared, too busy with the Earth King to focus on where they had gone. He explained what Duke Ru had told them as fast as he could, short on temper and time, as the Earth King blinked at him in shock.

"She murdered one of your Councilors?" Kuei exclaimed, his mouth falling open.

"Of course she didn't!" Zuko snarled. "They're framing her, I know it! I have to leave right away. I'm sorry... I know the city is on fire, and I promised to help, but... This can't wait, your Majesty!"

"No... No, I understand," Kuei said. "She's your fiance, you must go to her, of course! Only..."

"What?"

"One of Ning's men entered a plea deal. He's willing to tell us the location of that Phoenix stuff for a lesser sentence. I'm sure my men can handle the retrieval, but I assumed you would take it with you out of the city before it caused any more harm."

"That might have to wait, your Majesty," Zuko said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I don't have time to waste. If you could store it..."

"My city is burning because of this stuff. I won't risk keeping it here. I have my people to think about. I'm sorry about your plight, but I'm going to insist you either destroy the stuff safely or take it out of the Earth Kingdom at once!" Kuei said, face burning bright red.

Zuko stood back, feeling more annoyed by the second, the panic he'd felt at Ru's words fading into a simmering rage that wanted an outlet. And he wanted, so very badly, to let loose on the Earth King. He knew Kuei was serious, for once in his life, however, and backed down.

Kuei was right. Zuko's guilt over the fires in Ba Sing Se was too strong to just ignore the man's reasonable demand outright. The Phoenix Fire, wherever it was, was too dangerous to leave in the wind. He didn't want anyone else getting their hands on it.

"I don't know how to destroy it, but I can arrange to have it moved out of the city as soon as your men secure it for me. I..." Zuko started, as the door opened on a polite, but harried knock. His sister walked in, followed by Sokka, and then Mai, limping a little, and holding her side. Zuko frowned. "What's going on?"

"It's Nobu," Sokka said. "Before we go anywhere, we need to talk to him. He knows who Rian's father is, Zuko."

Zuko blinked. "You think he'd tell us the truth, even if we threatened him? Because I don't! He'd just lie, Sokka. We don't have the time to waste getting him to grow a conscience."

"I know that," Sokka said, and glanced at Mai, standing at his elbow. "But Mai thinks maybe she can get answers out of him."

Zuko looked at Mai. Her face was bruised, and she looked paler than usual. Zuko felt his stomach clench a little, seeing her in pain. He'd wanted to go see her after the Earth King's meeting, but there had just been no time, and he supposed that chance was lost now. She didn't look nearly as confident about her ability to get Nobu to spill his guts as Sokka made her sound.

"Are you sure?"

"No," Mai said, confirming his suspicions. "But he might tell me something he would never tell you. He trusts me."

"And why would he do that?" Zuko asked, cocking his head.

"Because he's in love with her," Sokka answered for Mai, his voice hard. Zuko's eyes widened, and he looked from Sokka to Mai.

He wanted to ask Mai why a terrorist bent on usurping him, who had kidnapped him, and killed his friends, and injured his uncle, was in love with her, but he took one look at the misery on her face and couldn't bring himself to do it. Whatever was happening, or had happened, between Mai and Nobu, was none of his business. Just like whatever had happened between her and Sokka was none of his business.

He trusted Mai, and that was all that mattered.

"If you think you can get him to talk, then please. Do what you can," Zuko said. "I'll wait to leave until you get him to talk. I think you're right, Sokka. We can't go into this half-cocked. Nobu knows the name of Rian's father. And I want that son of a bitch to pay for what he's done."

Sokka nodded, and turned to Mai.

"Are you up for this? You don't have to," Sokka whispered, touching her hand, but Mai flinched away from him, a fleeting look of pain on her face before she shut down her expression. Zuko's heart crashed; he knew that look. He knew Mai too well not to. For a moment there, her heart had been in her eyes. Sokka had said he wasn't in love with Mai, and Zuko believed him. But he had heard Mai in that cellar, clear as day. Mai was still in love with him, no matter what she had told him.

His heart broke a little, seeing her in pain, but there was nothing he could do for her. Not now.

Not while Suki was in danger.

"Yes, I do," Mai said. "I'll go now, with the Earth King's permission?"

Kuei had been watching them with rapt attention again, and started as he was addressed. He glanced at the two advisers who had followed him, and one of them nodded, getting up.

"I'll escort you," the man said, bowing to the King, and then Zuko.

"We should all come," Sokka started, but Mai shook her head.

"No. If he knows you're there, he won't talk."

"Be careful," Sokka said, as she left the room, following the King's adviser with a limp in her step. She didn't look very steady, but he knew she was stronger than she looked. She always had been. The moment she left, Zuko let out a breath.

"Thank you, Kuei, for all of your help."

"About the Phoenix Fire..." Kuei said sharply, lifting his finger.

But Zuko was already looking at Sokka and Azula standing there. His jaw ticked.

"Sokka, you said there was more Phoenix Fire in Republic City?"

"Yeah. I'm going to send Toph a letter. She can secure it for us, if the Master's men haven't moved it."

But Zuko shook his head. "We don't have time for letters that may not arrive. The Earth King's men are going after Ning's supply of Phoenix Fire. Sokka, I want you and Azula to take it out of the city on my airship. Go to Republic City. Get those barrels too."

"You need your ship to get the Fire Nation," Sokka said, as Azula's mouth opened and a little. She glanced at Sokka and then back at him. Zuko paced in front of them, arms crossed over his chest.

"I'm taking Duke Ru's airship. The one I arrived in is still here in storage. There's enough room in the hold for the barrels. And it's light-tight. It should be faster than a ship."

"It will be, but Zuko..." Sokka started. "You need help."

"I'll have Ru with me," Zuko said with a grim smile. He clapped his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "And when you get to Republic City, you're going to get the best help there is."

"Aang," Sokka said, eyes widening knowingly.

"And Toph and Katara," Zuko said. "I'm tired of being outnumbered. All of these bastards seem to have powerful friends. Well, so I do."

Sokka grinned widely. "Consider it done."

But Azula stepped forward. "Someone has to stay with Uncle. He's still not awake yet, Zuko."

Regret filled him instantly. He had wanted to be here when Iroh awoke, but he knew he didn't have that kind of time, not now.

"I know, but he's in the best place to get the care he needs," Zuko said. "And he'll understand when he wakes up why I had to leave. I don't like it, but..."

"Iroh is welcome to stay here as long as he needs," Kuei said, standing. "My healers will care for him, and my guards will protect him. I swear it."

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"I need to stay with him," Azula argued.

"Governor Chuanwei has been watching over him since the explosion. I'll ask her to stay on a little longer. Something tells me she'll say yes," Zuko said wryly, and reached out, taking his sister's shaking hands. "I need someone with Sokka. Someone I trust, okay? If something happens with the Phoenix Fire, I want a Firebender there to handle it. You're the greatest Firebender I know. And I know you won't let anything happen to Sokka."

"Zuzu..."

"Please?"

Azula glanced at Sokka and then back at him and her teeth dug into her bottom lip. "Okay. For you." Zuko pulled her into a tight hug and was surprised when she hugged him back. "Stay safe, Zuzu."

"You too."

He pulled back and turned to Sokka. "I'll see you in the Fire Nation?"

"As soon as we can get there," Sokka said, clasping his wrist with a fierce grip. "You just get to Suki, okay? We'll bring the others."

Zuko smiled, bloodthirsty and sharp. "If my enemies want a war, I'll give them one. I'll gladly kill anyone who thinks they can go after my wife."