I Don't Own Miraculous or Avatar.

Chapter Forty-Four: The Trap.

Adrien was worried. Neither of the girls had returned the night prior. They did say they'd been planning on hanging out with the Kyoshi warriors before Katara knew Zuko was there. They probably just lost track of time and ended up staying at the palace. Yeah… that was probably it… So then why did Adrien feel something was wrong? He didn't want to completely freak out and get overprotective of Marinette. He knew Marinette and Katara were their own women and probably didn't want Agreste Jr. to go full Gabriel, 'where were you?' and 'what took you so long?' on them, but it was getting to that point.

To calm his nerves. Adrien decided to get some tea and check on Zuko while he waited. The girl's would surely be back when he got home. If they weren't, then he knew he had every right to freak out on them. Only, when he got to the Jasmine Dragon, he found Iroh hadn't even opened it that day. Apparently they'd gotten invited by the Earth King to serve tea to him that day, and due to that, they would not be opening until the next day. Zuko asked if Adrien wanted to come with them to the Palace when he heard he was searching for Marinette. The fire bender suggested he could look for her there while Iroh and Zuko served tea to the King. Reluctantly, Adrien agreed.

Once at the Palace, Adrien was about to search for the girls when several Dai Li heading towards where Zuko and Iroh were supposed to be caught Adrien's eye. Immediately he feared for his friend and transformed before following the Dai Li. With the Dai Li was a young girl around fourteen years of age with dark hair and golden brown eyes. She looked like a younger, female version of Zuko without the scar. Her posture was perfect and her clothes were some of the finest in the Earth Kingdom. He wondered what the heck an Earth Kingdom noble was doing with the Dai Li. She wasn't Long Feng's successor… was she? She seemed a bit young to be in charge of the Dai Li. Still, she held herself in a way that showed she was powerful and that everyone should fear her deeply. He tried to get closer, but the girl noticed him.

"You must be Cat Noir." She said, signaling for the Dai Li to stop.

"Er… sorry. I wasn't trying to bother you. I'm just looking for my girlfriend, Ladybug. I saw you with the Dai Li and thought you might know something." Adrien said sheepishly.

"The girl who was traveling with the Avatar with the red clothes?"

"Uh… yeah. Her. Have you seen her?"

"No. Not recently. She was here yesterday with several of the… Kyoshi warriors? Hmm. anyways, they left to go visit someone in this city. I'm not sure where. They didn't say."

"But why didn't she stop by and tell me were she was going? I mean… I feel kinda responsible for making sure Katara and Milady stay safe. They can do whatever, but it's a big city and I would like to know that they aren't going somewhere too dangerous without me." Adrien said.

"My, aren't you the gentleman? Don't worry, I'm sure they are fine. The King spoke highly of those… Kyoshi warriors."

"...Well… I suppose if they are with this Suki girl they've been going on about… they would be fine. I just have a bad feeling."

"Hmm. Well, I do hope you find them. Now, if you excuse me. We need to get into that room." She pointed over at the place where zuko and Iroh were. Suddenly he was suspicious.

"Why?" He asked, narrowing his eyes on the girl.

"It is none of your concern. It is by the orders of the Earth King himself. Now, if you would-" Adrien pulled out his staff, glaring at her.

"I'm sorry for being suspicious, but I have not had the best interactions with the Dai Li. I have no idea who you are. If you are their new leader, I'd at least like some proof you aren't as crazy as Long Feng was." The girl scoffed.

"You dare compare me to that man? How ignorant are you? Not all people are like Long Feng. I was selected for this because the King trusts me."

"The King trusted Long Feng too, look where that got him. A boy died and a war was hidden from the guy for the entirety of his life." Adrien pointed out. The girl frowned.

"I wanted to handle my brother quietly, but if you insist on getting in my way, I will be forced to remove you. I'm dealing with a family matter." Adrien's stance slackened in shock.

"You're Azula… Zuko's sister?" Azula's proud stare morphed into one of equal shock, confirming it to be true. Apparently she hadn't expected him to know who her brother was or who was waiting in the room behind him. Adrien collected himself. If Azula was here and knew Zuko was here, then this was all a trap to capture him… but how did she find out? They only people who knew was Iroh, Katara, Marinette, and himself… of course, they had probably told the Kyoshi warriors the night before, but Katara swore that they could trust the girls.

"I am sorry, Your Highness. I can't let you pass." Adrien said, correcting his stance and overcoming his shock. Azula growled and motioned to the Dai Li on either side of her.

"Arrest him." She ordered. Adrien moved fast, ducking under the rocks the Dai Li bended at him and was careful to avoid getting his Miraculous hand caught in case he needed Cataclysm.

"How did you get into the city? This place is supposed to be secure." Adrien growled.

"I made some friends in high places, Cat." She said in a haughty tone.

"Who?" Adrien growled.

"Let's just say, the Kyoshi warriors are now enjoying a place in the Fire Nation prisons." That hit Adrien hard and his focus was lost.

"Ladybug and Katara went to see the Kyoshi warriors… but if they aren't actually here then… no." He was suddenly holding onto Azula, he staff posed above her. Rage burned in his eyes

"Where is My Lady?" He growled, "What did you do to her?"

"Don't worry, you'll join her soon enough." Azula monotoned. He let go, deflecting the strikes from the Dai Li quickly before he felt a sharp pain in his back as Azula blasted him with blue fire.

"Gah!" He fell, barely catching himself. That was going to hurt in the morning, and he'd just recovered from the Hawkmoth incident! He quickly got back up, spinning his staff to block the attacks being launched at him.

"What's Zuzu to you anyways? Why would a friend of the Avatar protect him?" Azula asked.

"That is none of your business, Princess." Adrien replied, "All that matters is that you stay far away from Prince Zuko." He extended his staff, going on offense. He effectively knocked two out before a third and fourth appeared. He was angry now. Ladybug should have been there with him. There by his side fighting like partners do, not in Azula's clutches. Azula would pay.

The Dai Li were all out cold in the next few moments. He marched up to Azula, his eyes glinting with rage.

"I will repeat this, Your Majesty, where is Milady?" He growled. She frowned.

"I could tell you, but that give away my only bargaining chip right now. You let me have my brother and uncle, and I'll give you Ladybug and the water peasant freely." Azula offered.

"Not an option." Adrien said, "Prince Zuko is not someone I will simply bargain with, and I will not bargain for Milady ethier. You will give me Milady and leave Ba Sing Se, or I will make you regret messing with the Miraculous wielder of Destruction and Misfortune. You might be the Princess of the Fire Nation, but I am the real symbol of destruction You're people are merely people who mock my element by tearing apart this planet. You do not want to anger me, and you certainly don't want to anger My Lady." Azula crossed her arms as if mulling his threat over.

"I think I'll take my chances, Cat." She said, not even phased by the threat and saying the word cat like it was an insult to him that had no business passing through her lips. She suddenly summoned blue fire in her hands, sharpening it like a knives before lunging at him. He back out of the way, dodging her deadly strikes.

"You're just like Zuko. I can tell. You were born with everything, but even then you were weak. You were never powerful enough or good enough. You think that you threaten me, Cat? Please, you are nothing compared to my father or my people and to clam to be better than the glory and might of the Fire Nation is a very foolish thing to do."

"Oh please, everyone is better than the Fire Nation! Haven't you heard? There's a war going on and the Earth Kingdom still stands!"

"Oh, and what would Zuzu say to you fighting for the Earth Kingdom, since you care about him so much?"

"I doubt he cares what side I'm on." Adrien scoffed, "He barely cares what side you're on, all he knows is that you are attacking him and I am not."

"So Zuzu hasn't made his choice yet, has he? Interesting." She noted. She flicked her wrists, bending her fire knives into roaring balls of heat before launching them at either side of him. He dodges, but she pulled the around and he barely had time to block them with his staff. He briefly lost his balance, which Azula took to her advantage, tripping him back with one leg and catch him be the should, forcing him to drop his staff. Before Adrien could react she had a small, yet precise flame that would most definitely hurt if not kill him, right under his chin. He growled, elbowing her back and attempting to grab the hand holding the fire and throw her over his shoulder. She grunted and let go of his shoulder, removing her hand quickly and shoving him forwards and away from her.

"Hmm. You are good. Just like your partner." She complemented, "But there's something you don't seem to realise, Cat. I beat her." She thrust her hands out and before he could react, a wave of blue fire slammed into him, knocking him off of his feet and into the wall.

"Gah!" He grunted. She was next to him in the next instant. Her fingers sparking with fire, itching to deliver a final blow, but Adrien wasn't finished yet. He feigned unconsciousness and slumped over. She knelt beside him.

"Now, Cat, if you don't mind, I'll go greet my big brother now." She hissed in distaste. She stood to leave, confident the battle was over. She didn't notice him reach for his staff and get up quietly, extending the staff. hcharged, staff raised over his head. She suddenly turned around, as if completely expecting that and blasted at him midattack he crumbled for an instant before getting back up.

"You won't just stay down, will you?"

"Heh, compared to the years I spent fighting Hawkmoth's champions, you're nothing. I don't give up so easily."

"Ah, yes. Your father, the man who betrayed Long Feng." She said, "If I remember correctly, Long Feng said that you fled to Ba Sing Se after your father tried to kill you."

"I didn't run. I saved my city. Besides, father did a much better job of getting rid of me than you are right now."

"Who said I was trying to get rid of you, Cat? You and your partner are special. I don't know how you were granted the powers of a spirit, but I intend to exploit that for my own father's purposes." She replied, looking past him with a grin. He heard sound behind him an twirled around. The more of the Dai Li had arrived to investigate what was taking Azula so long. Once more, Adrien was surrounded.

"I'm sure Hawkmoth's champions didn't think ahead. I thought Zuzu would put up a fight, so I sent for reinforcements to come should I take too long. Besides, without your partner, I know you are useless. I've read the records Long Feng and Hawkmoth kept on you. You've never beaten one alone, have you?" She asked. He glared.

"That isn't true. We've fought separately before."

"Yes, but never like this." Adrien yelped as he felt two stone handcuffs wrap around his hands.

"Hold him here. We can use him as leverage against Zuzu. You four, come with me." Azula ordered. With that, she disappeared into the room. Adrien struggled. He was not letting himself get captured again. He glanced over at the Dai Li keeping him there and smiled slyly.

"So… I bet you've never seen a Miraculous wielder like me before, seeing as I don't recognize you from the guys attacking me earlier. I'll let you know now. I am purrfectly good at annoying my captors. Also, I know a few tricks no bender's can pull off. Like this. Claws in." The Dai Li didn't flinch as Adrien detranformed. Plagg instantly flew behind the Dai Li, careful to avoid detection and blew on the ground below him. The Dai Li cried out as the ground beneath him started to crack and the bonds on Adrien's wrist's crumbled.

"Claws out!" He yelled, leaping out of the way of the crumbling floor as he transformed. The Dai Li fell to the second floor and sat there in a daze before releasing he was probably supposed to go after Adrien who was already ducking into the room Azula went into. Inside Adrien witnessed Zuko and Iroh firebending for the first time. The two were fighting against Azula, trying to get out of the building and to safety. The Princess saw him and snarled.

"What does it take to keep you still?"

"To be fair, trying to restrain the wielder of destruction is a very poor idea." Adrien quipped, charging into the frey. He blocked the Dai Li and Azula from reaching the firebenders with his staff and the pair took off out the door. Adrien put up his staff quickly and followed them.

"Jeesh, Zuko! You're sister is crazy! Are all siblings like this?"

"Azula is just special." Zuko replied.

"We need to get out of here. It's too dangerous with her around."

"Well, I can't run." Adrien said, "She took Marinette and Katara hostage." The firebenders stopped their escape.

"How?" Zuko asked.

"I don't know, but I can't just leave My Lady with your sister. No offense, but I really don't trust her."

"No kidding. We have to go back uncle." Zuko agreed.

"No. We leave. That way we can fight another day. The Avatar will be back and handle the situation shortly. Adrien, do you think you can inform the Earth King of her presence without exposing Zuko and I?"

"Doubt it. I think we are on your own. Azula knows your here and I don't think she will think twice about telling the Earth King once she is arrested." Adrien replied.

"Then what the heck are we supposed to do? Ignore her? She's out to capture us! She will track us down again. We need to stand and fight and make sure she leaves Ba Sing Se." Zuko argued.

"No. She's too powerful, especially if she's aligned with the Dai Li. I doubt she came here looking for you. She is acting like that is just a bonus. I think she's going for the Earth King and a complete take over of the city. We can't just leave this be. If we do, she'll win and then there will be nowhere to hide. But we can't fight her directly. We need to be smart about this."

"Do you have a plan?" Iroh asked.

"I… I do… but I don't like it, but it's the only chance we have." Adrien said.

"Then we will go with that." Zuko said. That's when Azula blasted through the wall. Her eyes were filled to the brim with rage.

"Cataclysm!" Adrien yelled. He rammed his hand onto the floor in front of them and Azula's direct path to the three was blocked off. That didn't seem to stop her from firing blasts at them. Zuko faithfully blocked her attacks.

"Adrien, go. I can hold this. You need to set your plan into motion." Zuko warned.

"Nephew! We can't hold her off for long." Zuko lowered his eyes.

"I know. Now both of you go. Adrien, protect my uncle. I'll hold her off so you both can get away." Adrien nodded, grabbing a frantic Iroh and running to the nearest window before jumping out and catching himself with his staff.

"What exactly is your plan?" Iroh asked.

"Calling in the calvary." Adrien replied.