Zuko gasped for breath. His tracking of an ostrich horse carried wagon with a big metal cage on the load had eventually lead him to the lower ring.
It had taken him an entire day though… an entire day and even more. All ready the sun had sunk beneath the horizon and the sky had become dark while the only light came from the burning torches and lamps around the buildings.
Still! Zuko could not give up now! He could not rest for a second. He had come this far asking for such a carriage. They had to be somewhere around here right?
Unless… And a sinking feeling entered Zukos stomach. Unless they had left the city entirely.
If that was the case… What was Zuko going to do? There would be no way to find her! He didn't even know who those two strange men was.
What was he going to say to the others when they came back?
"Yeah listen. I am so happy you put all your trust in me even after everything I did. I lost Toph though. Sorry about that."
And that of course wasn't even beginning on what Toph might feel like! She was twelve years old and alone! And these people could do who knows what to her?!
Yes she was the worlds greatest earth bender. Zuko didn't doubt that for a second. But she was still just a girl and she was alone!
Zuko grabbed his hair as he tried to calm himself down, but was failing miserable at it.
Think… Think… think! He had to find her! He just had to! He had even promised her they would still be sleeping in the same room. He even screwed up on that promise! What was wrong with him?
Just then Zuko heard the sounds of a bird flapping and he looked up to see a bird fly across the buildings. It wasn't a normal bird though.
It was big… and lean. Fast.
Zukos eyes widened. A war hawk!
Zuko steadied his breath as he moved backwards, and then he turned and ran into the shadows.
Immediately a shadow followed him from above, moving with the shadows just like he did. Elegantly jumping between roofs and balconies like a winged gazelle.
Zukos eyes narrowed and he made a sharp turn into a tight little and completely dark alleyway. Then he dug down and hid behind a big dumpster bag.
There was quiet. Absolute quiet. Zuko was sitting absolutely still in his position, his breath controlled and soundless as the minutes ticked by.
Finally after fifteen minutes a figure jumped down and stood in front of the alley, only the shadow visible to Zuko. The figure looked slender, even petite. Most likely female.
Slowly the figure stepped closer to search the area.
Zuko waited…. Wait for the right moment.
Then a foot in front of him. There! And Zuko jumped up. Grabbed the person by the shoulders and slammed her towards the wall pinning her against it. "Who are you? Why are you following me?!" he asked.
The woman, her face all painted in warriors make up glanced up at Zuko as she lifted an eyebrow. "Well hello to you too. Zuko." she commented.
Zuko blinked as he realized he recognised this woman. The painting was kind of throwing him off a bit and then he finally he realized. "Mai?" he asked. "What… What are you doing here?" he asked as he let go of her. "Why are you dressed like that?"
Mai snorted. "Well it's nice to see you too Zuko." she asked. "It has been what? Three years. Did you loose your manners at sea?"
Zuko looked at Mai.
"You didn't even say hello." Mai commented dryly.
Zuko crossed his arms as he glared at Mai. "What have you done to Toph?" he asked.
Mai blinked. "Who?" she asked.
"Little girl! Twelve years old this high." Zuko measured. "The Avatars earth bending teacher!"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Mai simply stated. "I only came for you."
"Why?" Zuko asked.
Mai sighed deeply. "Maybe I just missed you."
"I highly doubt that." Zuko commented. "You were with Azula." then he halted. "Azula is here… Isn't she?" he asked.
Mai was quiet.
"I have to warn the king!" Zuko shouted as he tried to run past Mai how-ever before he got to far Mai jumped up and blocked his way holding out two kunais.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Mai said.
"Out of my way!" Zuko demanded.
"No." Mai very simply said.
"I'm warning you." Zuko said as he pulled out his swords. "I don't want to hurt you!"
"What a sweet thought." Mai said as she stood back getting in position. "Don't worry though. I am more than capable of taking care of myself."
Hopelessly Zuko looked at Mai. "You don't have to do this." he said.
"Yes." Mai said. "I do." and then she threw the first kunai at Zuko whom deflected it with his blade. A flurry of kunais followed, each of them deflected though and Zuko looked up as the rain had stopped.
Mai looked at Zuko. "Okay so you somewhat improved over the years." She admitted. "You're not the only one with new tricks though!"
And from Mais sleeve she pulled out two sais as she yelled running forward. Zuko having to dodge as he stepped backwards. Moving side by side before finally blocking the Sais with the swords.
That though made Mai smile as the swords were now caught by the hook from the sais and she twisted making Zuko shouted as his own hands were twisted as a result forcing him to drop the swords and Mai came again. Zuko bowing bow and swept to the side picking the swords back up and Mai came again. Zuko now swirling around and kicked Mai right in the chest sending her flying backwards and right into the wall. Then she slumped down.
"Mai!" Zuko gasped as he ran forward. "Mai are you okay? I…"
He didn't get a word more in as Mai reached up into her hair and pulled out a long needle which she threw right at Zukos face. Barely did he manage to dodge and Mai stood up.
"Did you loose your fire bending or something?" Mai asked.
"I told you. I don't want to hurt you!" Zuko exclaimed. "Or end up burning down the entire lower ring!"
Mai looked at Zuko. "Cute." she stated and came running at him right again.
The fight evolved and soon it became apparent. Zuko was just looking for an opening to run. And suddenly he grabbed a low window then made his quick way up to the roof.
It didn't get him much time though as Mai closely followed and soon they were both on the roof.
Blows being exchanged, dodging as they jumped across roofs.
Mai started to get frustrated though. "Fight back!" she demanded.
"I don't want to fight you!" Zuko exclaimed as he blocked another knife.
"Well you should have thought of that before you turned traitor!" Mai stated. "What were you thinking?!" she asked. "There was still a chance! You could have caught the Avatar and come home. And then you join him?!" she asked. "Did the fire lord fry your brain alongside your face?"
Zuko halted as he stood. His swords lowered. "You already know don't you?" he asked. "What the fire lord is doing… It's wrong." he said. "What Azula is doing. It isn't right. I can't just turn a blind eye to it any more."
"So. You just turn your back on your nation?" Mai asked.
"From where I am standing… I'm not the one who turned my back on them." Zuko said. "The fire nation doesn't deserve to live in fear. They deserve better than that." he said. "I wont abandon them. Any of them… Mai." he stepped forward.
Mai how-ever jumped backwards. Her eyes were wide as she looked at Zuko.
"Please." Zuko asked. "Just tell me. What is Azula up to? I have to stop her! You think she wont hurt her own people? You already know she will."
Mai was standing still, her face looking a bit paler then usual. Then though her eyes turned harsh, her face marble. "You really are adorable." she said as she pulled out a knife from her coat. "You don't go against Azula and come out unharmed. This is the real world Zuko. Isn't it about time you grew up?"
And she charged forward. Zuko blocked and they were locked.
Their faces close to each other and Zukos goldens eyes looked right back at Mai. It shocked her, they didn't look scared. They looked harsh and determined.
"I refuse to let fear control my actions or my life." Zuko replied in a surprisingly calm voice.
Mais lip twitched. "Lucky you that you can afford that." she said kicking Zuko away to the side and this time Zuko flew off the roof and tumbled all the way down on the ground.
Mai jumped down after him then stood in front of Zuko. Towering over him. "You really are a glutton for pain aren't you?" she asked. "It would be a lot less painful if you just gave up. At least then Azula ought to have some sort of mercy."
Zuko glanced up. His golden eyes seemed to be shining from the shadows.
Then suddenly… A small clap. Rhythmically from above and Zuko gasped as he looked up at another roof top and saw another young woman in Kyoshi armor. And another one next to her. "Wonderful show. Zuzu." she smiled.
"Azula." Zuko gasped. Then his eyes narrowed as he jumped up and pulled the swords. "It's a re-match you want? I give you a re-match!" he stated.
Azula frowned. "No need for that." she said as she snapped a finger and suddenly a pillar of earth shot up and Zuko jumped aside. Then another boulder came and Zuko slashed it open with a fiery blade. Then kicked the third one away and he looked up.
"Aren't they cool?" Azula asked. "The abilities of earth benders. But the ferocity of fire benders."
"Ho-How?" Zuko asked.
"Oh you know. A little deal here a little deal there." Azula smirked as she squatted down. "I help Long Feng overthrow that stupid king and he lends me his soldiers. Fair right?"
Zukos eyes widened and then he turned and ran.
He didn't make it far as another Dai Li came. Block after Block, boulder after boulder. Yet now using his actual fire. Zuko was taking on all five of them.
And not just that, he seemed to be winning!
Mai gaped a the sheer precision and power Azula though frowned.
"Mai! Ty Lee!" Azula demanded. "Quit standing around. Help them!"
Ty Lee nodded as she jumped down and aimed for Zuko, him barely dodging her deadly finger and Mai just stood.
"MAI!" Azula demanded lifting a hand filled with lightning. And that seemed to finally snap Mai out of it as she jumped down too.
Zuko hissed, but then the first boulder hit his head and knocked him to the side.
That gave Ty Lee an opening and touched his left arm making the whole thing numb as Zuko dropped his sword.
"NO!" Zuko shouted as he kicked sending a flurry of fire after them. Looking around for an escape.
But it was to late, he was surrounded.
Even with the lack of an arm and blood trickling from his head. Zuko kept fighting. But his defence was broken and the hits keep coming at Zuko. Then finally. He fell to the ground.
Azula smirked. First then she jumped down and gestured with her hand to make them all step aside. She stepped in front of Zuko.
"You thought you could beat me?" Azula asked. "Zuzu!" she kicked him in the face and Zuko hissed. Then she grabbed the collar off his tunic and dragged him up so they were face to face. "Say it to me again. I dare you. Zuzu!"
"What?" Zuko asked.
"No one leaves me." Azula informed in a deep growl. "They wouldn't even dare."
Wide-eyed Zuko looked up at Azula only for her to throw him back down.
"Take him away." Azula demanded. "And make sure to put him where no one can hear him cry. Little Zuzu cries you know." she said. "Don't hurt the bird Azula. Don't destroy the doll. When do you think mom is coming back." she rolled her eyes as they dragged Zuko away.
If Azula had bothered to look though. Like Mai who looked at Zuko.
Zuko was not crying. He wasn't even close to. He was beaten up, he had to be in a lot of pain. But his golden eyes remained stern as they kept looking at Azula until finally he was taken away for good.