Leiko arrived at the cave and gave Cera and Iroh their medicine. It took less than a few minutes to work and soon they were feeling much better and in top shape. Tara couldn't stop conversing with her sister; she was just so excited to have her back. And with only the spirits knowing that happened to their mother and father, they had only each other. Leiko was happy for them, and proud of herself for reuniting them, yet her mind slipped elsewhere. Where was Reina? Her adopted daughter and only child. What did the fire nation do with her? She was just a baby and couldn't even walk yet. Was the fire nation cruel enough to kill such a young life? "What are you thinking about?" Zuko asked as he sat down next to her.
"Reina." She answered as she closed her eyes and bowed her head. Zuko did the same.
"Our poor daughter." And then he looked at her, "I've been a horrible father. Maybe I'm not ready to be a parent." Leiko didn't even want to think about that. If that was true, then what would she do when she had the baby? The baby that Zuko didn't even know about.
"Listen, Zuko, I have something important to tell you…" she started. But then Tara walked over.
"Leiko, when are we going to strike? I mean, if what Gen said was true, then Zhao might have already poisoned Fire Lord Ozai."
"You're right. And it's already afternoon." Leiko concurred.
"But you haven't rested any." Zuko pointed out.
"There's no time for rest now. I have to do what needs to be done." And then she thought, "I say we make our move tonight. We leave in an hour."
"Leiko, you're not strong enough." Zuko pointed out.
"I can handle it."
"I'm coming with you."
"No! With Tara and I gone we'll need someone to keep Iroh and Cera safe. Use your disguise if you need to." Zuko went to say something else, but just nodded.
"Alright." He gave in.
Leiko rested and meditated for the new hour, until Tara gently reminded her that it was time to go. Leiko stood up and looked at her family. "If I don't come back, take care of each other." She told Iroh and Zuko. "Zuko," and she walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I love you." She said. Zuko just nodded and touched her hand. She turned and walked off.
"Time to bring hell." Tara said and the two warriors left the cave. Zuko walked to the mouth and watched them leave. Iroh and Cera walked up behind him.
"Don't worry Zuko, "Iroh said, "She'll be back."
"Leiko is a strong warrior. She'll be fine." Cera added.
Leiko and Tara ran through the woods and towards the palace. They knew the fire lord would be there. It was his birthday and there would be a marvelous display of fireworks from the countryside to celebrate, and his majesty would be watching from his balcony. They knew where he was, but getting there was the trouble, there would be guards stationed all over the place. Getting past them would be a real challenge.
Leiko and Tara reached the palace after an hour or so and they readied their weapons and ran through the darkness, sneaking up on the guards and slitting their throat from behind. Eventually they were all down and Tara and Leiko climbed up a tree and hopped over the wall, where they stayed low and ran until they reached the other side. They jumped over the draw bridge and were standing in front of the palace. "How do we get in?" Tara asked.
"The same way we got out. Take the same passage and then we'll make our way to the royal balcony. Fire Lord Ozai will be there, and then when we find him, we find my father." Leiko explained.
The girls ran back to where the escaped through the secret passage way and climbed through. It was dark, and Leiko and Tara used their fists as torches to light the way. It took them a few good minutes until they came to a door. Leiko opened it and jumped out quickly, taking a fighting pose just in case anybody spotted her, and Tara followed. There was nobody there. "Everybody's at the balcony. Come on, let's hurry." Leiko pointed out and she and Tara took off running down the long hallways and stopping before they turned corners until they reached the royal room. They ran in and hid behind a pillar.
Looking out straight ahead, they saw the balcony and the back of the throne where Fire Lord Ozai sat. They stayed behind the pillar and watched to see what was going on. It wasn't long before Zhao showed up next to the Fire Lord. Leiko glared at him, and then noticed what he was up to. Zhao discreetly picked up the Fire Lord's goblet of wine and pulled out a small bottle with a cork in it. He pulled the cork and poured the liquid into the goblet, and then set it back down. Much to their horror, Ozai reached for the drink and held it in his hand for a moment before bringing it up to his lips. "YOUR HIGHNESS, DON'T DRINK THAT!" Leiko yelled out from behind the pillar, startling everyone around and causing Ozai to drop his goblet. Zhao turned and looked to see where the voice had come from. Leiko and Tara jumped out and readied their swords!
"Leiko!" Zhao growled, "I should have known!"
"Your highness this man is trying to poison you!" Leiko shouted. Ozai stood up and turned to look at his rescuer.
"Who dare interrupts the ceremony?" he demanded.
"I, Leiko Sikari!" Leiko replied, and Tara stepped forward.
"And I, Tara The Rebel!"
"How did you escape?" Zhao asked with fury.
"You should know by now…you could never hold me captive!" Leiko said with a grin. Zhao roared and ignited his fists! Leiko held out her sword. "Fire Lord Ozai, my father plans to poison you and take your place on the throne! He plans to have you killed!"
"He slipped poison into your goblet! We saw it with our own eyes!" Tara claimed.
"This is farce! Zhao is my most trusted Admiral, and he would never harm me." Ozai said. "You girls will hang for you insolence!"
"Not of we die fighting first!" Leiko muttered and she ran forward at her father! Zhao threw fire at her, but she jumped over it and landed in front of him, kicking him in the chest and sending him flying into the balcony stone railing! "Father, end this now!"
"How dare you even return you impudent child!" Zhao barked.
"I had no choice." Leiko countered, "I fight for justice and the wellbeing of the innocent."
"You're no hero!"
"Not yet…" and then she held her sword to her father's throat. "But I will be."