"Okay." Sokka said as they were finally all seated around the table. "We should really need to decide what we are going to do now! We are inside of a city which could be invaded any day. Do we leave or do we stay? And if we stay what are we going to do?" he asked. "We also have other things we could attempt. Collect people for our strike force elsewhere. We could go meet up with the warriors of the southern water tribe. Aang could go meet that guru guy. We have choices now! So what do we choose?"
"I still want to try and talk to the earth king." Aang said. "I want to see him face to face. Even if it's just that ones."
"I do too." Zuko admitted. "I would really like to see such a man in the eye. I want to see what kind of man would let his city and kingdom be ruled like this."
Iroh looked at Zuko with worried eyes.
"When we defeat the fire lord. Our aim is going to be creating peace with the rest of the world. With this kingdom. This man is someone needed to create this peace." Zuko said. "I just need to know… What kind of man he actually is."
Irohs worried look turned into that of relief, and then a proud little smile emerged.
"So… We should stay here for a while?" Sokka asked. "And find a way to finally meet the earth king?" he asked. "And just… Leave dad hanging."
"You do not need to all stick together at all times." Iroh pointed out. "Sometimes delegation is indeed key. You have a sky bison. One or two of you could go to the southern water fleet while Zuko and Aang concentrate on the earth king."
"What?" Katara asked. "Split up?" she asked. "But…"
"Only for a little while." Iroh held up a hand. "Of course it is merely a possibility. If you feel the correct cause of action is to stick together. Then that's it. You will indeed be strongest when together. And the people who run this city are clearly dangerous. It is merely wise to consider all possibilities."
"It does make sense though." Toph pointed out. "The time we have is not unlimited. And it seems unlikely that we'll get anything out of this earth king."
Zuko frowned deeply as he folded his hands. "Sokka and Katara should go." he finally said. "It's their family and their people. Clearly they both really want to see them."
Sokka turned to Zuko. It was clear there was hope in his eyes but he didn't dare to ask. You could see the longing in him. Katara too did seem hopeful.
"Would you be all right though?" Katara asked. "You said it yourself. This city… It could."
"We have the avatar, the worlds greatest earth bender and the dragon of the west here." Zuko said. "I think we'll be fine."
"Don't forget a young fire bending master called Zuko." Iroh smirked amused.
"Ahem anyway." Zuko coughed into his hand. "That's what I think. What about you guys?"
"It does… Make sense." Katara admitted. "I just. I don't like the idea of just leaving you here." she said.
"You wont." Aang assured. "It'll just be a few days that's all. And Zuko is right! I'm the avatar! Toph is the greatest earth bender in the world and we got two fire bending masters." he grinned holding up two fingers.
"I suppose that's true." Katara admitted just then Toph looked up.
"Someone is at the door." Toph blinked and they all quieted in stunned silence. They all looked rather nervous and Toph finally spoke up. "Zhau-Li."
"What?" Zuko asked. "What is he doing here? How did he get here?" he asked. Dread filled his stomach as harsh knocks sounded at the door. They sounded desperate.
Zuko didn't waste time as he stood up and ran to the door opening it up to try enough face the young man with a scar on the right side of his face.
Wide-eyed Zhau-Li looked up at Zuko. "Thank Agni! I got the right place!"
"Zhau-Li." Zuko gasped. "What's going on? What's happening?" he asked.
Zhau-Li swallowed. "They… They took her! They took Ming!" he cried.
"What?" Zuko asked.
"Somehow the Dai-Li found out that… That Ming has been using fire bending and they came to our house!" Zhau-Li gasped. "They kicked in the door and they just took her! Then… Then Kulai started to cry and... The kid is a fire bender! She send sparks into the air and they took her too! They took the both of them!"
Zuko gasped.
"You're with the Avatar right? You can talk to them. To the Dai-Li. Tell them to let them go." Zhau-Li asked. "They didn't do anything wrong! Kulai is just a two year old toddler!"
Suddenly Iroh was at Zukos side. "You need to calm down." he said. "Nothing is gained by panicking."
Wide-eyed Zhau-Li looked at Iroh. "Who...Who?" he asked.
"This is my uncle. Iroh." Zuko presented him and Zhau-Li's eyes widened.
"You… You mean." Zhau-Li gasped. "General Iroh?"
"Retired." Iroh held up a hand. "Well and branded a traitor to the fire nation army. So I think that would strip me of my rank either way. Come in and sit down." he gestured. "Tell us what happened. Slowly this time." he asked kindly.
Finally they managed to get Zhau-Li inside and the young man was clearly shaken up as he tried to tell his story.
"I've never seen earth benders like that before." Zhau-Li whispered. "They were ruthless." he swallowed. "And no-body dared say anything because… They already knew. If you stand against the Dai-Li they'll just take you too."
"They took a two year old." Katara whispered. "That's horrible."
"That settles it. We have to talk to the earth king now. They can't do this." Aang stated.
Zuko closed his eyes. "I want to check on the others first. Just to make sure they are okay." he said.
"Zuko." Katara whispered.
"Those are my people." Zuko said. "And I promised them they would be safe! I promised." he said.
Iroh put a hand on Zukos shoulder then turned to Zhau-Li. "We'll do what we can." he said. "The Prince has a very stubborn streak. He wont give up easily."
"Let's go to the lower ring then." Katara said as she stood up. "Just to make sure everyone is okay."
"You don't all have to come." Zuko said.
"Honestly. I'll feel terrible just sitting here." Aang stated. "So we might as well all go."
"What twinkletoes said." Toph said.
The moment they approached the small house in the lower ring where the fire nation refuges resided a little girl came running. "PRINCE ZUKOOO!" Rhina shouted as she grabbed Zukos leg and cried.
"Rhina." Zuko breathed and crouched down on one knee. "Are you okay?" he asked as he touched her face.
"Uhu." Rhina sniffed. "I was trying to sell pottery. Like yesterday! And then… And then." he voice broke. "They came into our house! They messed it all up!"
"I'm sorry." Zuko whispered. "It's going to be okay." he said.
Katara how-ever was looking at the little house with the broken down door. "That's… Their house?" she asked. "That's way to small for twenty-one people!"
"It's enough." Zhau-Li said. "The main thing is that we are safe until the fire nation has been taken back and we can go home. How-ever… "
"You aren't safe." Zuko swallowed and he looked down. "Aang… Appa can carry around six people right?" he asked.
"Yeah." Aang replied.
"That's four trips. Four trips and everyone can get out of here. They aren't safe. If we force ourselves into the palace the Dai-li will target these people. They are the Dai-Li's hostages right now." Zuko said. "To keep us in line."
"But if we start transporting them on Appa the Dai-Li will notice." Sokka pointed out.
"And what about Ming and Kulai?" Zhau-Li asked.
Zuko hissed as he grabbed his forehead. "I'm thinking." he said. Then groaned deeply. Then he turned to Iroh as if hoping that he would magically have the answers.
"I'm sorry Zuko." Iroh said sadly. "That's a harsh truth of being a leader. Sometimes it's about choosing what you think is the least bad option."
"But what is the least bad option here?" Zuko asked.
"I don't know." Iroh said. "Each option comes with its own set of risk. And there is no way of knowing what would be best."
Zhau-Li hissed as he squinted his eyes and turned away. Then he looked up and his eyes widened. "HEY!" he shouted as he pointed and Zuko turned. "That's the kid they took away the other day! He's back!"
At ones Zuko turned to see a kid his own age looking wide-eyed at them in shock. "Hey you! Come over here!" he exclaimed.
"Jet?!" Katara shouted.
"Katara?" Jet gaped.
"Wait you know each other?" Zuko asked.
"No!" Katara exclaimed. "I just know he's a total creep!"
"Yeah!" Aang exclaimed.
Finally Jet made his way over to them glancing up at Zuko then at Katara. "Hi. What's up." he said.
"You tell me." Zuko crossed his arms. "Zhau-Li here told me that yesterday morning you were taken away by the Dai-Li."
"I was what now?" Jet asked.
"Taken!" Zhau-Li said. "You were screaming that Ming was a fire bender and they came and dragged you away."
"Dude you must be confused." Jet said. "I haven't done anything like that. And I've been fine the entire time I have been in the city."
"I saw you!" Zhau-Li exclaimed.
"Must have been someone else." Jet said.
"No. It was you. I would remember that hair and those hook swords anywhere." Zhau-Li stated.
Toph gaped as she stepped forward. "This is weird." she said.
"What is it?" Katara asked.
"They are both telling the truth!" Toph gaped. "But that.. That's impossible!"
They all looked up at each other. Looking both concerned and confused.
"The only explanation is that both at least believe they are telling the truth." Toph said.
"Maybe it really was someone else you saw." Zuko suggested to Zhau-Li.
"No." Zhau-Li shook his head. "It was him."
"Look. I don't know you man." Jet said. "I've never seen you before. I was just taking a walk and then you started pointing at me. That's all."
Katara frowned deeply. "Shouting at fire bender does sound like something you would do." she commented dryly.
"What?" Jet asked. "Why would I do that? There aren't any fire benders in this city."
They all blinked.
"And even if there were. What's the problem with that?" Jet asked.
Now Katara, Sokka and Aang were gaping.
"Huh?" Katara asked. "What do you mean? You tried to destroy an entire village just because it had fire nation people living in it!"
"Why would I do that?" Jet asked confused.
"Because… The war!" Katara exclaimed.
"What war?" Jet asked and all gaped. "There is no war in Ba Sing Se Katara." he smiled a weird creepy smile as his eyes seemed oddly dull.
"Katara." Sokka hissed. "I am getting some creep Joo Dee vibes here."
"Erhm Jet." Katara stepped forward. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah." Jet replied. "In fact I am doing better than I have in a long time. I know I had some issues in the past. But I have been trying to change for the better! Really." he smiled while his eyes looked outright glacial.
"I don't even know this guy. But I can tell this is wrong." Zuko stated as he pointed.
"Some sort of brain washing?" Sokka asked as he stepped closer to examine Jet who blinked uncomfortable.
Zuko frowned. "So they took this guy and did something to him." he closed his eyes. "At least. If we can make him tell where they took him. There's a chance of finding Ming and Kulai. And then we can get everyone out of this city."
Katara nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
And they all nodded in agreement.