Zuko dodged the rock-shaped hands that tried to clamp onto his wrists and ankles. He hadn't even thought about evading; it had just been instinct. His heart thumped faster. The Dai Li weren't mucking around. Still, it was anger and not fear that welled within him. He was getting really tired of being treated like a criminal. Before he or the Dai Li could retaliate, Aang, Katara and Toph created a wall in front of him with their bodies. All three shifted into an offensive stance.
"Back off!" Katara growled, curling her fingers so that the water arcing over her turned into sharpened points of ice.
The agent who appeared to be in charge narrowed his eyes. "You dare to go against the Dai Li?"
"We should be saying that to you!" Toph retorted. "Don't think we're just going to hand over Sunshine." Her teeth flashed in a vicious grin. "If you want him, you'll have to go through us first."
Some of the agents shifted uneasily. Zuko couldn't blame them. He'd seen what Toph was capable of when she got serious. Even an army of tanks and the giant drill had been no match for her. Add the Avatar to the equation, along with a master waterbender and Zuko's own formidable bending ability, and it was no wonder the agents hesitated. Still, their leader did not flinch. Instead, he smiled and let his hands relax at his sides.
"Perhaps that was too hasty of us," he allowed. "I should have explained first. This boy, Lee, is suspected of being Prince Zuko, an enemy to the Earth Kingdom. Restraining him is merely a safety precaution."
Aang lowered his staff. "Lee is not your enemy. He protected the Outer Wall from the Fire Nation army and has helped me and my friends many times. I trust him with my life."
"Then you have nothing to worry about, don't you? If he is as innocent as you say, there should be no harm in letting us bring him in for questioning." His smile widened a fraction, though it still did not reach his eyes. "Of course, Long Feng wishes to speak to all of you as well. We ask for your cooperation so that we can resolve this issue quietly."
Katara and Aang glanced back at Zuko, as if to ask what he wanted to do. Toph remained in an offensive pose, ready to attack or defend at a moment's notice. Something warm stirred in Zuko's chest. It was touching that they wanted to protect him, even fight for him. However, all of them had unfinished business in Ba Sing Se. His situation did not look good, but the Dai Li still only had an old wanted poster that barely resembled his current appearance to prove that he was Prince Zuko. He could work with that. On the other hand, if he and the others fought now, they would be considered fugitives and would no longer be able to move in the open nor return to this house. Plus, he had no idea what had happened to his uncle. If these men had come for him, it was likely that others had done the same to Iroh. Better to play it cautious.
"Alright," Zuko said, gently moving Katara and Aang aside so he could step forward. "I'll go with you. It's not like I have anything to hide."
"A wise decision."
Katara grabbed Zuko's arm. She did not speak, but her eyes said what she could not aloud: that the Dai Li were dangerous and it was likely Long Feng and these men who had brainwashed Shizue and the other Joo Dee. He absolutely could not lower his guard, not even for a moment. Aang looked just as fretful, glancing from Zuko to the Dai Li as if he wanted to step between them again.
"Keep looking like that and you'll just confirm their suspicions," Zuko murmured, soft enough so only his friends could hear.
"But—"
"I know," he said, shrugging himself out of Katara's touch. "I'm counting on you three to have my back."
Toph grinned. "Don't worry. We've got you covered, Sunshine."
He brushed his hand against her shoulder in thanks, then turned to confront the Dai Li agents. "I suppose you still want to bind me?" he asked dryly.
"It's just standard protocol. Resistance will not work in your favour."
Zuko repressed a sigh and allowed his hands to be bound with rock. It wasn't as if he relied on his hands for bending anyway. He could still defend himself if he had to, and there was also Toph and Aang to use earthbending to get him free if needed. Everything was going to be fine. He just had to cooperate for now so he could meet with his uncle and figure out the best way to salvage this mess.
Please be alright, Uncle.
"Let's go," the Dai Li agent said, making a forward gesture with his hand.
One of the men picked up the sleeping Joo Dee while the others ushered everyone out of the house. Two carriages awaited them on the street.
"You will be in this one," the agent said, moving Zuko towards the carriage on the left.
The other three were taken to the carriage on the right. Toph put her foot down and insisted that she be allowed to go with "Lee". No way was she going to let them be separated. There was a brief standoff between her and the agent in charge, but the Dai Li conceded to her request. Zuko had to repress a sigh of relief. He hadn't wanted to admit it aloud, but the thought of being alone with the Dai Li while his hands were bound made him uneasy.
"Told you I've got you covered," she murmured, settling next to him on the seat in the carriage.
Zuko bit back a smile. For all that Toph could be a smartarse little pain, it was good to have her as a friend. He just hoped his uncle had not been left to bear the brunt of the Dai Li's suspicion alone. It was his fault that Iroh had been weakened. Zuko would never be able to forgive himself if something happened to his uncle now.
oOo
"Well, isn't this a sight," a voice observed.
Sokka, who had been squirming and cursing under his breath, looked up to find he was staring at a girl with short brown hair and red-painted stripes on her cheeks. A solemn-faced boy wearing a hat stood next to her. It was Smellerbee and Longshot.
A yelp escaped Sokka and he scrambled away from them. Or tried. His limbs were a little uncooperative at the moment thanks to the restraints pinning him against the wall. He settled for telling them to get lost.
"What's your problem?" Smellerbee demanded.
"What's my problem?" Sokka repeated, still frantically trying to free himself. "You tried to do me in back at your hideout! Don't think I'm going to let you—"
"Relax." She rolled her eyes. "We're not going to hurt you. We actually came to help."
"Like I'm really going to fall for that." He glanced around as if Jet was going to pop out any minute. "Jet's not here as well, is he?"
"Not with us right now, but he is in Ba Sing Se. The three of us came here together."
Sokka opened his mouth to respond, but she got there before him.
"Look," she said bluntly, "I know we did some bad stuff in the past, but we're not how we used to be. We're going straight now and trying to start new lives here, so don't muck it up for us!"
He paused in his wriggling. "Is that really the truth?"
Smellerbee assured him that this was the case. Even Longshot nodded.
"Ah, whatever," Sokka muttered, deciding there was no point stressing about the Freedom Fighters. "I don't have time for this. I need to—"
There was a sharp, ripping sound. Damn, he'd torn more of his tunic.
"Sure you don't need our help?" Smellerbee asked with a hint of smugness.
Sokka sighed and let his shoulders slump. "Fine. Get me out of this, but you know I would have freed myself eventually."
"Yeah, yeah." Smellerbee began removing the knives pinning his clothes to the wall. "So, what happened anyway? That boy who did this to you, we saw him get taken away by the Dai Li with some old man."
"Luan isn't a—" Sokka paused and shook his head. "Never mind. You're saying they got taken away by the Dai Li?"
Smellerbee nodded. "Happened straight after he left you here."
Sokka bit back a curse. He and Mai had gone to meet up with Iroh only to find him surrounded by Dai Li. Mai had acted quickly and shoved Sokka into an alley before the agents caught sight of them. She'd told him to inform the others about what was going on while she helped Iroh. Sokka had protested, but Mai had taken matters into her own hands and pinned him to the wall before he could—and had indeed planned to—charge into the open. She'd even gagged him with a handkerchief. Perhaps she had known they stood no chance against such a large number of agents, not with Iroh's bending weakened and two non-benders for backup. Perhaps she had just wanted to ensure that someone would be there to report to the others. Either way, if what Smellerbee said was true, both Mai and Iroh were now in the hands of the Dai Li.
"This is not good," Sokka muttered as he was released and began to rub the circulation back into his limbs.
"No kidding," Smellerbee said, handing him the collection of knives. "Rumour has it that people who get taken away by the Dai Li never return, and if they do they're not the same."
"What are you talking about? Do they get executed or something? And what do you mean the ones who return aren't the same?"
She shrugged. "This is just what I've heard."
An icy prickle shivered down Sokka's spine. This city was really messed up.
Longshot pulled a slip of paper out from his pocket and gave it to Sokka. Smellerbee's eyebrows disappeared into her hair when she saw what was written. It looked like an address.
"You're sure?" she asked.
Longshot nodded.
Smellerbee shrugged again. "Whatever you say." She turned back to Sokka. "This is the address to our apartment. If you need any help, come see us. It's the least we can do for the trouble we caused you in the past."
"Thanks," Sokka murmured, casting a glance at the other boy. Longshot remained expressionless.
"So, what will you do now?" Smellerbee asked.
Sokka pocketed the slip of paper. "I need to get back to the others. I don't know why the Dai Li decided to go for Yingjie, but something must have triggered this."
Smellerbee and Longshot wished him luck, or Smellerbee did while Longshot just nodded. The duo left him after that, reminding him to call upon them if he needed help. Sokka watched them disappear into the crowd before he caught a tram to the Upper Ring. He was careful to avoid the Dai Li's attention, not sure if they were just targeting Iroh or wanted to round up everyone. Fortunately, no agents stopped him on his way back to the house. Unfortunately, Momo was the only one who awaited him inside.
The lemur wrapped his furry body around Sokka's neck, huddling close and making lots of chittering noises. It was obvious Momo was unsettled. Sokka's frown deepened as he cast his gaze around the large living space. There was no sign of a struggle. The only thing out of place was a cushion that had been pushed askew.
"Damn it," Sokka muttered. "What the heck is going on?"
He marched out of the house and across the street to knock on the door of the opposite home. A man opened it with a cautious greeting—and would have closed it had Sokka not shoved his foot in the gap.
"Young man, remove your foot!"
Sokka elbowed the door open wider and grabbed him by his collar. "Did you see what happened to my friends?"
"I, er, um ..."
"Tell me!"
The old man flinched. "I-I saw four people get taken away by the Dai Li, including the Avatar." He winced. "Please don't hurt me."
Sokka released his collar. "Then they all got taken."
His brow creased and he turned to glance up and down the street, wondering if the Dai Li were watching him now. Would he be the next one to be rounded up and taken into custody? And why had the others allowed themselves to be captured anyway? Aang was the Avatar; he could have done something to stop it.
The slip of paper Longshot had given Sokka felt heavy in his pocket. He had not intended to ask the Freedom Fighters for help. He still didn't trust them, even if Smellerbee had indeed been telling the truth when she said that they had all turned over a new leaf. Once a backstabber, always a backstabber. Still, Sokka was the only one left now. Well, him and Momo.
"Ah, geez," Sokka sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This really is a mess."
oOo
Zuko knelt on the floor of the vast hall, still with his hands bound behind his back. His knees were beginning to ache. Iroh and Mai sat in a similar position next to him. It had not been a happy reunion. Aside from the initial relief to find each other unhurt, all three knew that they were in a dangerous position. Dai Li agents surrounded them on all sides, watching in grim-faced silence. Aang, Katara and Toph had been forced to the sidelines, restrained and closely guarded. Long Feng stood at the front of the hall, illuminated under the glow of a green crystal. The sickly light made his shadow elongate behind him into a warped, looming shape. A Dai Li agent—the same who had led the group to collect Zuko—stood to the right of Long Feng.
"I knew you were hiding something from me," Long Feng observed, stepping closer to the kneeling trio, "but I admit that even I did not expect this kind of treachery." His eyes glinted. "What would people think if they learnt the Avatar was travelling with royals from the Fire Nation?" He made a tsking noise. "Not a good look."
Zuko gritted his teeth. "We already told you that you got it wrong. None of us are who you think we are."
"Oh, I beg to differ." Long Feng unfurled the wanted poster to reveal Zuko and Iroh's painted faces. "This old man bears a striking resemblance to General Iroh, don't you think? As for you two, the hair might be different, but either one of you could pass for Prince Zuko."
Zuko bit back a frustrated response. It was hard to stay calm. He had anticipated that he and his uncle would be under suspicion, but he'd had no idea that Mai would be dragged into the mess as well, least of all because they claimed she bore a resemblance to him. Perhaps it was because of the scar, the masculine-cut of her clothes, or even her short hair. He wasn't sure. He just wondered why Mai hadn't said she was female to dispel suspicion. Mai, however, had refused to deny or confirm anything. Even now she was composed, her expression betraying nothing as she met Long Feng's eyes.
"Just looking like a person is not a crime," Mai said flatly.
"True," Long Feng allowed, "but the account I received from General Sung before your arrival informed us that Yingjie and his nephew were Fire Nation citizens. It mentioned that both had some connection to Princess Azula as well." He smiled at Mai. "You were also labelled as a person of interest, Luan. No one knows quite where you came from, but it was said your face was hidden in bandages and that the Avatar insisted you be allowed to travel with them." He passed the wanted poster to the Dai Li agent who stood behind him. "You'll admit it's suspicious."
Iroh shifted into a more comfortable position. "Regardless of how you view us, I'm afraid that Lee and Luan are right. You've made a mistake. We might be Fire Nation, but we are not royalty."
Long Feng's expression hardened. "Do you take me for a fool? It's too much of a coincidence that you, who have openly admitted you are uncle and nephew, are from the Fire Nation and should resemble General Iroh and Prince Zuko to such a great degree. Having a personal connection to the princess just makes it all the more suspicious."
Mai raised her eyebrow. "But you said yourself that either Lee or I could pass as Prince Zuko. Isn't it indeed just a coincidence then? Obviously we can't both be Prince Zuko."
"T-that's right," Aang chimed in from the sideline. "Luan has the same scar as Lee, so—"
The Dai Li agent who had been standing behind Long Feng glanced from the wanted poster to Zuko and Mai. "I would say that Lee's scar is closer to what is shown here."
"You're right, Shirong," Long Feng agreed. "On closer inspection, that does seem to be the case."
"That is just a painting," Mai reminded them. "You can't know for certain what Prince Zuko's scar looks like unless you have seen him in person, and it's obvious that neither of you have." Her voice, if it was possible, became even drier. "All you have got are two black-haired teenagers with an identical scar. That's hardly proof of anything, even if we are Fire Nation." She gestured with her head at Iroh. "Besides, do you really think that fat, unkempt man is the fearsome Dragon of the West?"
Iroh chuckled, not offended by the blunt description of his appearance. "Luan has a point."
Long Feng leaned forward so that he was level with Iroh's gaze. "I hear you made lightning during the battle with the princess. It's rumoured that only the royal family can perform such a technique."
Iroh smiled. "I didn't conjure lightning. I just redirected what the princess fired at me. That's an entirely different technique." He shook his head. "Conjuring lightning is far beyond me."
The two men stared at each other for a tense moment. Zuko swallowed to ease the dryness in his throat. Long Feng did not believe them, or maybe it was just that Long Feng refused to be swayed. Sure, their defence was shaky, but the evidence the Dai Li had was not foolproof either. Long Feng was looking for an excuse to lock them away.
"Is this just because we're Fire Nation?" Zuko asked. "You know we aren't your enemies. Even if, as you claim, my uncle and I are actually Prince Zuko and General Iroh, you can see on that poster that both princes are wanted as traitors to the Fire Nation. Neither supports the Fire Lord now."
Long Feng remained unmoved. "General Iroh is an enemy who needs to face justice for the hundreds of Earth Kingdom lives he took. No turncoat acts or pretty words can change that."
Something broke in Iroh's expression, as if a light had been snuffed out. It was only for a split-second, but Zuko still caught the momentary lapse. His uncle had never stopped carrying the bitter burden of his past: all the regret, the damning memories, the loss. Zuko had never realised the extent of that burden until now.
"You're wrong!" Aang exclaimed, breaking free of the agents who had been restraining him. "Forgiveness should be given to all those who ask for it! We have no right to judge those who sincerely wish to change their ways!"
Long Feng's lip curled. "Spoken like a naïve fool."
Aang clenched his hands into fists. "It's not being naïve. This is what the monks taught. This is what I believe!"
Shirong's sly voice cut through the hall. "Then are you saying that these two are indeed General Iroh and Prince Zuko?"
"I ..." Aang's eyes widened and he cast a nervous glance at Zuko and Iroh. "T-that isn't what I said. I just meant—"
"Why else would you get so defensive?" Shirong cut in. "Such a vehement attempt to make a case for General Iroh seems out of place." His eyes glittered like green chips of ice. "Unless you are worried about what will happen to this old man here."
Toph let out a frustrated growl. "You're just twisting Twinkletoes words!"
The Dai Li agent smiled.
"Shirong has a point," Long Feng said, drawing attention back to him. "You should be careful with what you say, young Avatar. Lying about these people's identities can be taken as an obstruction of justice. Let's not forget that you actually helped to get them inside Ba Sing Se. We could have you all locked away for such behaviour, Avatar or not."
Aang opened his mouth to retort.
"Please leave Aang and his friends out of this," Iroh said calmly. "They have only been telling the truth. To them, we are indeed Yingjie, Lee and Luan."
A triumphant gleam entered Long Feng's eyes. "Then you admit that you have been lying about your identity?"
"I never said that." Iroh smiled in his usual genial way. "But if you keep hounding these children, I might just lose my patience."
Long Feng raised his eyebrow. "Is that a threat?"
Shirong actually laughed. "Don't be a fool, old man. You're bound with rock and are completely surrounded. What can you hope to do to us?"
"Alas," Iroh lamented, "it's true that you've put me in a bit of a fix. These rock cuffs are neither comfortable nor stylish." He feigned a sigh. "Such a pity."
Zuko frowned at his uncle. He didn't understand what Iroh was planning. It didn't make sense to antagonise the Dai Li when he was weakened and surrounded, but it seemed like Iroh had made a decision. Then again, perhaps he was just trying to keep attention on him so that Long Feng and Shirong would not catch the others in any more verbal traps. Zuko got the feeling that Long Feng had been hoping to use the situation to get some kind of leverage over Aang.
"Your deflections and lies will not help you," Long Feng said bluntly. "The fact remains that all three of you are suspicious, so all three of you will be locked away until we can confirm the truth."
"You can't do that!" Katara shouted. "They've done nothing wrong!"
"Yeah!" Toph chimed in. "Let them go or else!"
"Or else what?" Long Feng questioned, even as the surrounding Dai Li shifted into an offensive stance. "Need I remind you that you are mere guests in this city. Right now, you could even be considered aiders and abettors of the enemy."
"They're not the enemy!" Aang retorted. "They're my friends, and I won't let you hurt them!"
"Stand down, Aang," Iroh said calmly. "We would not want to create a mess in this nice hall, would we?"
Aang bit his lip, looking torn and frustrated.
Zuko understood now. Iroh really was trying to spare Aang and the others from being dragged down with them. All of this mess had come about because of who Iroh, Zuko and Mai had been in the past. Iroh would let himself be captured if it came to that, and it seemed like Mai had come to the same conclusion. Both understood how important the Avatar was to the world. Both realised there was no other option if they wanted to get everyone out of here unscathed. But Zuko refused to accept that this was the only way. He remembered the sickening taint he'd sensed in Joo Dee's mind. There was no way he was going to let anyone fall into the hands of the Dai Li. He didn't care if they were outnumbered. Some risks had to be taken.
"Hey, Uncle," he said far too casually, "you still remember how the Dragon of the West got his name, right?"
Everyone blinked, including Long Feng. It was obvious they were confused as to why Zuko would ask such a thing during what had been a very tense moment.
Iroh's mouth twitched into a smile. "I'm not sure if that would be appropriate right now, Nephew," he murmured.
"Trust me." Zuko fixed his gaze on Long Feng. "You're going to want to give this demonstration."
Not waiting to see if his uncle had got the message, Zuko sucked in a deep breath and let the flames gush forth. He was relieved when a second, albeit weaker, blast joined his own. Long Feng and Shirong let out a yelp and quickly put up a wall to block the combined attack. Zuko didn't hesitate. He sprung up from his kneeling position, somersaulting through the air to avoid the rock-shaped hands that came for him, and creating sweeping streams of fire that trailed from his feet. Not for nothing had he been studying the advanced moves. He managed to knock back a line of Dai Li to create a path of escape, but he knew it wouldn't last long.
"Run!" he ordered.
All three of them sprinted for the gap. He was aware of Aang, Katara and Toph taking action, but he couldn't rely on them to keep the Dai Li off their backs. The entire hall had turned to chaos. Dai Li swarmed in a blur of black and green, determined to subdue everyone with their bending. It was all Zuko could do just to avoid being trapped in a cage of rock. Worse, Mai could barely defend herself with her hands bound, and Iroh wasn't exactly the fastest of runners. For now, Zuko just had to focus on carving a path for them so they could join up with the others.
"Out of our way!" he snapped, kicking a blast of fire at an agent who'd got too close.
A massive gust of wind whooshed forth to help take care of the others, but it sounded like even Aang was having trouble keeping back the swarm. There was a small cry, followed by an enraged shout from Katara. Zuko didn't have time to check what had happened. The rock constricting his hands suddenly dragged him downwards, pinning him to ground. A glance to his left revealed that Iroh and Mai were having a similar issue.
"Fools," Long Feng said, stepping forward with his palm outstretched. He had to be the one manipulating their bonds. "Did you really think you could escape?"
Zuko cursed under his breath. He wondered if he could try using the breath of fire again, but then the rock around his hands crumbled to dust. He blinked, even as a giant wall of stone erupted around the three of them to block off Long Feng and the Dai Li from their view.
"Sorry I'm late." Toph's voice came from behind them. "Got held up by some Dai Li punks who didn't want to say goodbye."
Zuko couldn't repress his smile. He glanced over his shoulder to see Toph standing with her feet planted firmly on the ground and her arms outstretched. Judging from the creases on her brow and the way she was gritting her teeth, she was the only reason the wall protecting them was still standing.
"These guys are pretty strong," Toph admitted, beads of sweet gathering on her forehead. "I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up. Twinkletoes better hurry with his distraction."
"Distraction?" Mai repeated.
The answer was a flash of light and then Aang rose towards the ceiling, looking down on them all with glowing eyes. "Enough!" he said in a voice that brimmed with hundreds of others. "I won't let you hurt my friends!"
Wind and fire surged forth from Aang's hands, combining and spreading out in powerful waves. Zuko could not see what happened to the Dai Li, but the cries of pain and alarm told him enough. Glass shattered. The ground juddered. It was a frightening display of an Avatar's ability. No matter how skilled the Dai Li were, none of them stood a chance against the raw power of the Avatar State.
"Time to go," Toph muttered. She lowered them into an underground tunnel, leaving the wall intact above them as a cover. "Hurry!"
"What about the other two?" Zuko asked.
"They'll follow behind."
Sure enough, Aang and Katara dropped through the roof of the tunnel a few seconds later, though with much less grace than Toph. Aang's eyes stopped glowing and he slumped against Katara, looking as if all the energy had been drained out of him. She staggered under his weight.
"What's wrong with him?" Zuko asked.
"Aang is—"
Another hole opened up and Shirong jumped down, followed by several more Dai Li. They must have managed to avoid the attack. Zuko cursed and shot a fireball to ward them off, then snatched Aang from Katara's arms and slung him over his shoulder.
"Never mind," he said hastily. "Let's just run!"
Katara didn't argue and sprinted with him to catch up to the others. She told Toph that they were being pursued by the Dai Li.
"Typical," Toph muttered. "I'm guessing the Dai Li know these tunnels well. We're not going to be able to lose them in here."
Mai rimmed her knuckles with knives. "Then let's deal with them quickly so we can get out of this dump."
"That'll just put us at risk of being caught again," Katara argued. "Aang knocked out a lot of the Dai Li with his attack, but if we muck around fighting in here, we're going to get cornered again."
"I'm afraid Katara is right," Iroh said. "Long Feng will not let us escape so easily. It's best not to linger."
Zuko agreed and added that they should hurry to find Sokka. "I'm worried about him being out there on his own," he admitted.
Katara stumbled in her steps. "You don't think the Dai Li will go after him?"
"It would be more surprising if they didn't. Long Feng wants to get leverage on us." Zuko shook his head. "Think what kind of threats that bastard could make if he got hold of Sokka."
Some of the colour faded from Katara's cheeks. "No way. We have to find him!"
"He'll probably be at the house by now," Mai said. "Though he might have tried to look for you all if he got tired of waiting."
"Then we head for the house."
oOo
There were no Dai Li watching the house. Or at least Toph could not tell if there were.
Katara dashed ahead and pushed open the door to their home, heedless of Iroh's warning that it might not be safe. "Sokka!"
There was no answer. Zuko, Toph and Aang followed her inside, checking each of the bedrooms, along with the tiny garden outside. There was no sign of Sokka or Momo.
Katara slumped to her knees in defeat. "Did the Dai Li really get them?"
"Don't worry, Katara," Aang said, pulling her into a hug. "We'll get Sokka back. We'll get them both back."
Zuko frowned and exited the house, walking straight past Iroh and Mai as he crossed the street. He knocked on the door of the opposite building. There was a long pause before it was finally opened. An old man peeped out from the crack.
"Y-yes?" he stammered. "Can I help you?"
"I know you saw us get taken away by the Dai Li earlier," Zuko said in a grim voice. "Did you happen to see a boy in Water Tribe clothes come to the house afterwards?"
"He c-came here to ask me what happened to you all."
"And then? What happened after that? Where is he now?"
"A w-woman came. One of the—" The old man's eyes widened and some of the colour drained from his face. "I-I'm sorry, I really don't know anything."
He shut the door with a snap. Zuko heard the click of the lock settle into place. He could have easily busted the door down, but he instead glanced behind him to see what had unsettled the tiny official. What he saw made him do a double-take. Even Iroh and Mai had been startled; both shifted into offensive stances, eyes fixed on the woman who now stood on the street. Her dark hair fluttered in the wind and she clasped her hands in front of her in her usual pose, but for once there was no jaw-cracking smile.
"Joo Dee," Zuko said, stepping onto the road and moving closer. "What are you doing here?"
"I said I would wait for you just in case," she said simply.
His skin crawled. "What are you talking about? Did Long Feng send you?" He cast his gaze up and down the street in case she had any Dai Li agents waiting in hiding.
Mai flashed her knives. "Don't try any tricks. I'm not in a good mood right now."
"Please," Joo Dee said, holding her hands up in an appeasing gesture. "You can relax. I have no intention of giving you up to the Dai Li." She smiled. A soft, natural smile. "I'm here to help."
Zuko blinked. That was an expression he'd never seen on her before. For some reason it made him hesitate and wonder if she was perhaps telling the truth. Perhaps the healing treatment that he and Katara had given her had actually had an effect. Then again, this could all just be an act to make them lower their guard. His uncle and Mai didn't seem in any rush to accept her assistance. The three were still staring at Joo Dee in uneasy silence when Toph, Katara and Aang emerged from the house.
Aang let out a yelp when he spotted her. "It's Joo Dee!" he exclaimed, pointing at her as if she was something terrifying that had fallen from the sky.
Toph scrunched her nose. "I thought I heard someone else. So it was you."
"Avatar Aang," Joo Dee greeted, bowing low to him. "It is good to see you well. And Katara and Toph too, of course. I was worried."
Aang recoiled. He glanced around at the others. "Um, why is Joo Dee being nice to us still? Didn't we attack her boss?"
"She says she wants to help us," Mai explained, though her tone suggested she didn't buy it.
Katara met Zuko's gaze. "Do you think?"
"I wondered that too," he admitted, and then he paused. "But what if we're wrong?"
She frowned and bit her lip. It was obvious she felt just as uncertain as him.
Aang glanced between them. "Wrong about what?" he asked. "What are you two talking about?"
"The healing might have loosened Long Feng's control on her," Katara explained in a low voice. "That might be why she's trying to help us now."
"But if you're wrong," Toph said, catching on, "we'll just be walking into a trap."
Zuko nodded. "Pretty much."
Aang heaved a sigh. "Then what should we do? Sokka and Momo are still missing and—"
"If it's your friend and the lemur you're worried about," Joo Dee cut in, "I can take you to them now."
Everyone stared at her. Zuko could see his distrust mirrored on each of their faces, though Aang looked a bit hopeful.
"You mean you know where they were taken?" Aang asked.
"Of course." Joo Dee offered another one of her more natural smiles. "I was the one who helped them to hide from the Dai Li."
Katara started forward. "You what?"
Joo Dee cast an anxious glance up and down the street. "Listen, I will tell you everything once we reach the safe house. We're too exposed here, and the Dai Li are sure to return to check on this place now that you've escaped. We shouldn't linger."
"You really expect us to just follow you?" Mai asked in an unimpressed voice.
For answer, Joo Dee made an opening in the road to reveal an underground tunnel.
"You're an earthbender," Toph said in surprise.
"There are still many things I am learning about myself," Joo Dee admitted. Her gaze shifted to Katara and Zuko. "You opened my eyes to the truth. Please trust me now."
Zuko let out a breath. There were plenty of reasons for why he should doubt her words, but a part of him still wanted to believe. A part of him wanted to hope. "Okay," he said, relaxing his posture. "I'll trust you."
Mai grabbed him by the arm, wrenching him round to face her. "You can't be serious? You actually want to get into that tunnel with her? She's probably going to lead you straight to the Dai Li!"
"I have to admit that I'm with Knife Girl," Toph said. "Joo Dee doesn't appear to be lying, but think what happened the last time we tried to use the underground tunnels."
"No harm will come to you," Joo Dee promised them. "Though the Dai Li control many of Ba Sing Se's underground passages, this one was only created today. They will not find you in here." She dipped her head in a bow. "Of course, I cannot force you to follow me. That choice is yours alone."
Having said her piece, Joo Dee lowered herself into the tunnel and waited. Zuko stepped forward without hesitation. He had always been one to take action instead of wasting time with indecisiveness.
"I'm going," he told them. "It's better than standing around here and waiting to get captured again."
Katara moved to stand next to him. "I'm going too," she said grimly. "Joo Dee says she has my brother. I have to check."
The two jumped into the tunnel. Aang, Toph and Iroh followed a moment later. That just left Mai standing on the street. When everyone continued to stare up at her expectantly, she sighed and slipped her knives back to wherever she hid them under her sleeves.
"Fine," she said, joining them in the tunnel. "Take us to this safe house of yours."
Joo Dee smiled and sealed the roof with her bending. She lit a torch for light, though Zuko, Aang and Iroh also helped with firebending. The girls crowded in close.
"This way," Joo Dee urged.
Zuko and the others followed her deeper into the tunnel. He was sure that they, just like him, were all wondering if they had made the right choice. Either Joo Dee would lead them to safety or betrayal. He really hoped it was the former. Enough had gone wrong today. Still, there was one thing that had reassured him.
"You managed to go into the Avatar State," he murmured, falling into step with Aang.
Aang scratched his cheek. "Oh, that."
"No need to be humble," Toph said, nudging him in the side. "Even I'll admit that was some impressive bending."
Aang blushed and confessed that it had just sort of happened. He'd got angry and it was like a rusty door had opened. Suddenly, he'd felt his past lives connect with him and then the power was right there at his fingertips. "I guess overcoming my block with firebending really helped," he said, and smiled up at Zuko. "Thanks a lot, Sifu Hotman!"
Zuko resisted the urge to facepalm. "Please don't call me that ever again."
Iroh chuckled from behind them. "Hotman. Now that is a word I haven't heard in a long time."
"Is it really old-fashioned?" Aang asked, looking a bit crestfallen.
Toph punched him in the arm. "Don't sweat it, Twinkletoes. All your sayings are old-fashioned. It's what you get for being an over hundred-year-old geezer."
"Gee, thanks," Aang muttered, even as Katara giggled.
Zuko bit back a smile. "Anyway," he said, directing the conversation back to more important matters, "I'm glad you found a way to reconnect with your past lives. You're going to need the Avatar State if you want to win this war."
Aang scrunched his nose. "To tell you the truth, it felt a bit weird connecting with my past lives again. Not as fluid as when I mastered the Avatar State at the Eastern Air Temple."
"But you can control it, right?" Zuko asked.
"For the most part." Aang shrugged. "I dunno. I can't explain it. Maybe I just need some practice."
Zuko opened his mouth to respond, only to find himself bumping into something solid. He frowned at Joo Dee, who had come to a sudden halt in front of him. She had her back facing them and made no effort to move again.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
The torch slipped from her fingers. Zuko noticed her sway and rushed forward to grab her by the arms, steadying her against his chest.
"Hey," he said, glancing down at her. Sweat beaded her pale face. "What's wrong? What happened to you?"
"The war," she gritted out between clenched teeth. "I—I can't—" A spasm passed through her body and her pupils dilated. "No war. There's no war. No war in Ba Sing Se."
Zuko's heart thumped faster in his chest, even as she continued her feverish muttering. "Joo Dee. Hey." He called her name a few times and slapped her gently on the cheek. "Focus on me, okay?"
"What's wrong with her?" Mai asked in an uneasy voice. "Amnesia?"
"Not amnesia," he said, still trying to get her to snap out of her trance. "Brainwashing. It's what the Dai Li do to these women. Looks like she is having a relapse."
Katara moved closer. "Let me try something."
Zuko nodded and shifted his hold on Joo Dee. Katara sheathed her hands in water and pressed her palms to the woman's temples. The healing glow illuminated the space between them. He could almost sense the energy being manipulated. Eventually, Joo Dee's pupils went back to normal and she ceased her feverish muttering.
Katara pulled her hands away. "Better?"
Joo Dee pressed a hand to her head. "I ... I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
"You're fine now," Zuko said, helping her back to her feet. He picked up the torch and handed it to her.
"T-thank you," she mumbled, accepting the torch.
Joo Dee wobbled a bit as she started walking again, but she soon regained her balance. Katara shared a speaking glance with Zuko and moved to walk with her. It might have been seen as a nice gesture if not for the look Katara had given him.
"You were lying," Toph observed, coming up behind him. "That woman isn't fine at all, is she?"
Zuko shook his head. The relapse had proven Joo Dee was sincere in her desire to help them; however, it had also confirmed his worst suspicion. This woman was tainted. Even if she wanted to be their ally, her mind was like a pendulum that could easily swing from ally to enemy. All it would take was for the brainwashing to kick in again. That was why Katara had placed herself as a guard. She had understood that they would have to watch Joo Dee very closely.
He frowned at Toph. "Did you happen to sense anything from her when she started behaving strangely? Any abnormal change in her heartbeat or breathing?"
Toph twisted her lips. "I wasn't really paying attention, but I'll help to keep an eye on her if you like."
"Do. Right now all we can do for this woman is protect her from relapsing."
Once they were in the safe house, he would try removing the taint from her mind. She was too dangerous left like this—not just to them, but also to herself. He couldn't imagine how helpless she must feel in realising that she couldn't control her behaviour, though a part of him did wonder how much she remembered when she had those relapses. She had seemed a bit too confused after Katara's treatment. Still, something had to be done. The question wasn't if she would betray them now; it was when. The saddest part was that it wouldn't even be her fault.
Zuko gritted his teeth. No matter what, he would put an end to the Dai Li's brainwashing.
oOo
The ramen shop was rowdy. All the tables were packed with customers, not leaving a single seat free. Men, women and children all chatted happily together and slurped up noodles. Not a surprise, since this was the most popular restaurant in the Lower Ring and the owners had decided to offer a discount for the night. Even the smell made Jet's mouth water. It was like breathing in meat and soupy deliciousness. Jet supposed it was lucky that he, Smellerbee and Longshot had even managed to get a table. A line had started up outside for those who were waiting to be served.
Speaking of Smellerbee and Longshot, he wondered why his friends had even dragged him to this place. Not that he was complaining, since the food did smell good, but still. It wasn't like Smellerbee and Longshot to behave all secretively. Well, Longshot had always been a boy of few words, but Smellerbee was the type who never shut up.
Jet stretched out on his chair and eyed Smellerbee in a measuring way. "Alright, fess up," he said bluntly. "What's this all about? You didn't want Ruolan and Dandan to come, so here the three of us are and I'm still waiting to hear why you called for a secret meeting."
"It's not a secret meeting. I just don't trust that Ruolan girl. She's bad news."
He rolled his eyes in the manner of one who has heard all this before. "Right."
"It's true!" Smellerbee flared up. "If you weren't so infatuated with her, you'd see it as well. That girl is sneaky and manipulative and—"
Jet removed the piece of straw from his mouth. "Are you done?" he asked coolly.
Smellerbee faltered. Her eyes widened in a mixture of hurt and dismay. Jet might have cared more that he had upset his friend, but it annoyed him that she was still harping on about this. There was nothing wrong with Ruolan. She was smart and witty, not to mention shared the same drive as him—that same desire to see justice served and to create a new, better life. So he didn't care if Smellerbee felt betrayed by his dismissal. She was the one behaving like an idiot. He didn't know if it was jealousy or what that had caused her dislike for Ruolan, but he had no time for such pettiness.
"This is a waste of time," Jet muttered, getting to his feet.
"No, wait." Smellerbee curled her fingers into her palms. "You're right. We didn't come to talk about Ruolan."
Jet glanced from her to Longshot and then slumped back into his chair. "Alright, so talk."
Smellerbee let out a breath. "We saw Sokka earlier."
"What?" Jet jerked upright, planting his elbow on the table as he leaned towards her. "Sokka? You're sure it was him?"
Longshot nodded.
"We talked to him," Smellerbee added. "He wasn't with the Avatar and Katara, though."
Jet frowned and rubbed his chin. "Sokka, huh?"
That was a name he had not expected to hear again. Had even hoped not to hear. A lot of things about that day still troubled him. The only way to move forward had been to block it out, to forget that there had once been more than three Freedom Fighters or how he'd been left frozen to a cliff, watching everything he had worked for unravel while the sky blazed in the colours of fire. It had hurt then. It still did, like a barely healed wound torn open.
Guilt. Anger. The emotions still welled within him. Yet Jet managed to force a smile for Smellerbee and Longshot. He was proud of that. He could still put on a good face when needed. "You said he wasn't with Katara or the Avatar?" he asked. "Do you know why?"
Smellerbee shook her head. "They might have just been somewhere else in the city. It wouldn't make sense for them to separate, and Sokka did mention that he needed to tell the 'others' about what had happened to the scarred boy and the old man."
"Who?" Jet creased his brow.
The girl explained about what she and Longshot had witnessed, along with how Longshot had given Sokka their address and offered to help. Jet couldn't say that he was thrilled by the idea that Sokka, Aang and Katara might turn up on their doorstep, but he could understand why Longshot had done it. Longshot was serious about wanting to start fresh and make up for the wrongs he had committed. Smellerbee was also trying hard.
Jet repressed a sigh. "Well, I guess we'll soon discover if Sokka takes you up on your offer. Just keep the plan on the down-low. We don't need them mucking things up again."
"Plan?" Smellerbee questioned.
He laughed. "Oh, right, I haven't told you yet."
So Jet outlined for them Ruolan's plan to start a revolution. He had to admit that it was impressive. He saw no reason why the plan should fail. Smellerbee and Longshot didn't either, though Smellerbee did express some reservations.
"I thought we were going straight now," she said, frowning at him. "This doesn't sound like going straight."
Jet ignored the criticism. He was good at ignoring the things he didn't want to hear. "Anyway, that's the plan," he said, reclining back in his seat and playing with the piece of straw. "I hope you'll both be on board."
Smellerbee and Longshot exchanged a glance. Jet wondered for a moment if they would turn on him as well, just like the other Freedom Fighters, but then the waiter came along with their bowls of ramen and the tense moment passed. Smellerbee grinned and accepted her bowl, and even Longshot's expression shifted from sombre to mildly pleased. All three were soon digging into their meals, noisily slurping up noodles just like the rest of the customers. Jet thought he'd have to thank Jin for her recommendation. This restaurant really was worth every copper piece they'd spent. He just wished that their other two house companions could have been there as well.
A faint smile curved his mouth as he thought of Ruolan. No matter what Smellerbee said, he did not regret befriending her. He would never regret meeting her.