Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender copyright Dante Dimartino, Brian Konietzko and Nickelodeon Studios.


She leaned forward, the cool stone a welcome relief from the memory of the marketplace. Several fires still burned brightly against the night sky, remnants from the rebel's attack. She watched with satisfaction as her guards extinguished them one by one.

If only all of her troubles were so easily resolved.

The rebels would continue their attack. Ambassador Wu believed the Water Tribe to be conspiring with the Fire Nation. Lord Tatsuo threatened her reign. Her court threatened the boys she'd come to care for.

And Zuko was still missing.

She was beginning to worry she'd never see him again.