"Aang."

The name spilled from Zuko's lips. He sat up with a lurch, hand reaching for the boy who had sat in front of him. A pig-chicken stood in Aang's place. Zuko blinked. The pig-chicken snorted and carried on walking, occasionally stopping to snuffle at the ground for grub. Um, okay. It seemed Zuko had missed quite a bit while he'd been out. He definitely didn't remember any pig-chickens at Lake Laogai. Also, why the heck was he only in his undergarments?

"Zuko!"

Something warm and solid crashed against his chest, and he staggered, reaching out to steady them both. It only took a second to process the brown hair and blue clothes. It took even less to realise Katara was sitting on him and hugging him tightly. His cheeks burned.

"Katara, what—"

She tightened her hold. "You big jerk."

"Uh ..."

"I was worried." She nestled her face into the nook between his neck and shoulder. "I was really, really worried."

Zuko let out a breath. He wasn't good at doing the whole "comfort" thing, but the thought of pushing her away didn't feel right either. Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her to return the embrace. She squeezed him tighter in response. It seemed hugging had been the right option, though it would be great if she loosened her grip a little. Much as it felt nice to have her this close, to remind him that he was indeed alive and awake, being alive also meant he had to breathe. She was making that difficult.

"Um, Katara," he said, pulling back as much as he could. "I kind of can't breathe."

She loosened her hold enough so that she was no longer trying to crush his ribs, though she didn't make any effort to move off him or let go. He bit back a smile. She must have indeed been worried, for she wasn't normally this clingy. That had always been Aang's thing. Zuko rested his chin on the top of her head and relaxed with her into the embrace. Maybe a part of him also needed this: to be close to another, to feel her warmth, her beating heart.

Katara nestled closer. "Don't scare me like that again," she murmured. "Okay?"

"It's not like I planned for it to happen."

"Zuko!"

"I know." This time he tightened his hold. "I know. I was scared too, to be honest. But I just ... I couldn't let him die. You were the only one who could heal him. I knew I had to keep him alive until you got there." He closed his eyes. "You saved us both, Katara. Thank you."

Something wet dampened his skin. "I don't know if I did." Her voice was very small. "Aang won't wake up. I used the Spirit Oasis water and everything, but—"

"He'll wake up."

"How can you be so sure? It's been almost a day and his energy is so twisted. I keep telling myself that it'll be fine, that he'll wake up, but what if he—"

"He'll wake up. Trust me."

She pulled back from his chest to meet his gaze. "You really believe that, don't you?"

"I'm here with you now, aren't I? Aang is the one who found me and made me wake up. He's still fighting in there. I know he wants to come back to everyone more than anything."

"Aang did?"

"Yeah. So don't cry, okay? Aang won't let himself stay trapped in that place." One corner of Zuko's mouth lifted. "Besides, aren't you the one who's always saying we just have to have faith? It doesn't feel right when I have to be the optimistic one."

She let out a half-hiccup, half-snort. "Jerk."

Not that there was much vehemence behind the word. Indeed, a second later she was nestling into his chest and showed no sign of letting go. Zuko exhaled and let his hand trace soothing circles on her back. His mother had used to do the same for him as a child, and it had always made him feel better. Katara had obviously been under a lot of stress. It was best to just let her be and do what she needed to calm down. Still, there was one thing that niggled.

"By the way," he said. "What, uh, happened to my clothes?"

She froze and then pulled back from him as if burned, though their arms still loosely encircled each other. Her cheeks darkened. "I didn't—I mean, your heartbeat and breathing got really weak, and then you were all cold and your energy felt weird, and I remembered what you said that time at the Oasis, and then there was that time with your uncle after we fought Azula, and—"

She seemed to realise she was rambling, because she clenched her mouth shut. Zuko might have felt more embarrassed upon realising she was the one who had undressed him if he wasn't trying not to laugh. True, his cheeks were a bit pink, but he'd never seen her so flustered. She was blushing so badly he could almost feel the warmth emanating from her face.

"Sunlight," she managed in a gruff voice, keeping her gaze lowered. "It was so you could absorb the sunlight. I swear I didn't do anything weird."

Zuko couldn't help it. A tiny snort escaped his lips.

Her eyes flashed. "What's so funny?"

"N-nothing." His shoulders shook. "Really, it's nothing."

"You're laughing at me!"

"I'm not."

"You are too! And here I've been so worried and trying to do everything I can to keep you and Aang stable, and—"

She made a frustrated sound and shoved at him. Zuko really did laugh then; her awkwardness was kind of cute.

"You're horrible," she accused.

"Sorry," he said, and he meant it. "I know it's not funny. I just ... everything's been so crazy." He rubbed the base of his neck. "I really doubted if I'd ever wake up for a moment. But now I'm here, and you're here, and, well ..." He let out a breath and gave her a lopsided smile. "Just thanks, I guess. It seems like my body was in good hands while I was out."

Her blush darkened. "I just did what I could."

"I know, and I'm grateful for that."

Her eyes met his. They were still red-rimmed and puffy.

Zuko cupped her cheek with his hand. "You've been through a lot, huh?" he murmured. "I'm sorry I laughed at you. Really."

She let out a breath. The sound of someone clearing their throat made both of them flinch.

"Uh," a familiar voice said, "am I interrupting something?"

Zuko turned his head to see Changpu watching them with a faint grin. He blinked. First, Zuko had no idea why the soldier was here. Second, he had just realised what kind of situation he and Katara must present: she was still sitting on his lap, pretty much straddling him, and her arms were around his waist. Zuko, meanwhile, had one hand resting on the small of her back while the other cupped her cheek. Their faces were close. He was not wearing much clothes. In short, his cheeks burned. Badly. Katara caught his gaze with a startled expression; her cheeks were also very pink.

"It's not like that!" they exclaimed in unison.

They sprang apart from each other and averted their faces, refusing to meet the other's gaze. Changpu laughed and waved his hand in an appeasing way.

"Alright, alright" he said, still chuckling. "I won't tease you."

Zuko's blush darkened. He cleared his throat and folded his arms across his chest. "Anyway, would someone mind telling me what's going on? How come you're here? I thought you were still at the Outer Wall, and"—he glanced at the dry, scraggly field surrounding them and the pig-chickens strutting about—"where are we? Where's everyone else?"

Changpu's amusement faded. "This is my family's farm. As for why we're here …" He trailed off and glanced at Katara.

"A lot has happened," she said in a low voice. "After you linked to Aang and went unconscious, things got bad. Real bad."

Zuko's heart clenched. "What do you mean?"

They were interrupted by a loud, growling sound. It took Zuko a moment to realise the growls were coming from his own stomach. He blushed for quite a different reason. Now that he thought about it, when was the last time he had eaten?

Changpu smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Maybe we should get you some food first. You've been out for a long time." He glanced at Zuko's body. "Some pants might be good as well. My family will get the wrong idea if they see you like that, especially with how close you are to Katara."

Katara groaned in a mortified kind of way. "I said it wasn't like that!"

"Sure, sure."

She muttered under her breath and covered her face with her hands. Even Zuko found it difficult not to be embarrassed. It was obvious that Changpu did not believe they were just friends. Fortunately, though, he did not tease them further and instead led Zuko to where he could first relieve himself and then to where his clothes had been neatly folded and stored inside the barn. Aang lay unconscious not far from them, watched over by Appa and Momo. Katara went to check on him, moving him into a different position to keep his blood circulating properly. Something twisted in Zuko's stomach at the sight. He couldn't remember everything that had happened while his consciousness had been scattered, but he knew it was Aang who had helped him to return. If Katara had kept his body functioning in the outside world, it was Aang who had saved his mind from the inside.

Aang who had been forced to stay behind.

Zuko gritted his teeth and tugged on his clothes. He had meant the words he had said to Katara: he knew without a doubt that Aang would wake up. What worried him was when. What worried him was that there was a chance Aang would not be the same when he did.

"I lost my connection to my past lives. I'm not anything special. No one should be sacrificing anything for me!"

Changpu tilted his head. "Something wrong?"

"No." Zuko finished doing up the sash around his middle. "It's nothing."

There was no need to worry everyone just yet. Not until he could confirm with Aang whether it was true he had indeed permanently lost his ability to go into the Avatar State. Zuko wanted to believe that Aang had made a mistake.

"We've got some leftovers," Changpu said, picking up a basket and handing Zuko a peach and a small bowl of rice. "Sorry it's not much. My family aren't wealthy."

Zuko accepted the food. "It's fine."

He sat down on the floor next to Katara and began eating the peach. She warned him to take it slow, reminding him that he had been unconscious for almost twenty-four hours and his body was still recovering. He nodded and slowed his pace. Changpu settled down on the floor with them, arms loosely resting on his knees.

"So, what happened to the others?" Zuko prompted. "How come it's just us here?"

Katara stared at her hands. "I told you things got bad after you linked to Aang, right?"

He nodded.

She let out a breath and explained the situation: how they had been overwhelmed by the Dai Li upon leaving the bunker, how Toph had been held hostage, how Long Feng had given the order to attack, and how Iroh had told her to get the two boys out while she could.

"I don't know what happened after that," she admitted. "I wanted to stay, but …"

Zuko found that he had lost his appetite. "I get it."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could have done more."

"You don't have to apologise," he told her. "Uncle wouldn't have told you to go unless there was no other option."

Her shoulders slumped. Zuko said nothing and stared at the half-eaten peach in his hand. Both understood what the other was avoiding saying: that it was likely their friends had been captured.

"We can't get inside the city right now," Changpu said, picking up the conversation. "There are checkpoints at every gate and they've increased the guards along the Inner Wall. My family are keeping an ear out for any news, but it might be best if we stay put for now, at least until things die down."

"I can't do that," Zuko said, placing his food aside.

Changpu blinked. "Uh, did you hear what I just said? It's too risky to—"

"And I'm telling you I don't care." Zuko held his gaze. "You know who I am. You know exactly what will happen to my uncle if his identity is confirmed."

Katara's jaw dropped. She swung around to stare at Changpu. "Wait, you know?"

"Uh, yeah. I overheard the battle with Princess Azula on the drill. I'd have to be deaf not to have put the pieces together."

She opened her mouth to respond, but Zuko got there first.

"Never mind that," he said impatiently. "Look, even if my uncle wasn't in serious danger, I couldn't just sit here and wait. We need information. We need to know what happened to everyone and what the Dai Li are planning to do with them now."

Katara twisted the fabric of her tunic around her fingers. "I know how you feel. I wanted to go back for the others as well, but how are we supposed to avoid getting caught ourselves? Aang is still unconscious. It's just the three of us and—"

"I'm not suggesting we fight them head on," Zuko said. "That would be stupid."

She furrowed her brow. "Then what?"

"Like I said, we need information."

Changpu pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do I get the feeling you're about to say something really reckless, but somehow you'll make it sound logical or like it's the only option we have, and I just know I'm going to end up going along with you, even though this whole thing is crazy?"

"Uh—"

Changpu held his hand up in a silencing gesture. "You know what, never mind. No need to justify. Just lay it on me. If you say it doesn't involve tackling the Dai Li head on, then I'm listening."

"It's really not that dangerous," Zuko assured him. "Well, I guess there is some risk, but we don't need to worry about that. I won't stuff up."

"Somehow I'm not comforted at all," Changpu muttered.

Katara covered her smile with her hand. "So, what's this not so dangerous but still risky plan of yours?"

Zuko explained that what they really needed was to find a Dai Li agent and squeeze all the information they could out of the guy. From there, they could figure out the best approach to rescue their friends.

"You want to kidnap a Dai Li agent?" Changpu demanded.

"It's not that big of a deal," Zuko said with a shrug. "Those guys aren't that strong on their own. All we need to do is lure in one."

Changpu pressed his palm against his forehead. "Knew it was going to be reckless."

"We can't afford to muck around. This is the fastest way to get information."

Changpu folded his arms across his chest. "Alright, let's say we go along with your crazy plan. How do you propose we get around the checkpoints and city guards? And don't just say we go on Appa," he added, narrowing his eyes. "That giant ball of fluff is a flying beacon that screams Suffer Death by Projectiles or Get Captured."

"You couldn't earthbend us under the wall?" Katara asked.

Changpu shook his head. "Creating your own tunnel takes time and would make enough vibrations to alert the guards who patrol the wall; they're pretty vigilant about that kind of thing." He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "I've heard rumours that the Dai Li have their own underground system that spreads all over the city, but you'd have to know the access points to even get inside."

She frowned and brought her knees up to her chest. "Guess that rules out that option."

"Pretty much."

Zuko gave them both a flat look; Mai would have been proud. "You guys finished?" he asked.

Katara raised her eyebrow. "I suppose you have a better idea for getting inside the wall without passing through the gates?"

"Actually, we don't need to worry about that. We can just go back to Lake Laogai."

Changpu once more smacked his palm against his forehead. "Never mind, your plan isn't just crazy. It's plain suicide. Did you forget what happened there?"

"No," Zuko said grimly, "but this time it'll be different." He leaned forward and met their eyes. "We can make this work. Trust me."

"That place is their headquarters! It's going to be crawling with Dai Li, and they're all going to be looking for you!" Changpu gripped his forearm. "Prince Zuko, please reconsider. You just woke up, you're in no condition to be fighting, and I—I don't want to see you get hurt."

"This isn't going to be a fight. I said I wasn't going to take the Dai Li head on. Think of it like an espionage mission. This is just to get information."

Changpu was not appeased. He said the whole idea was crazy and that he didn't think any of them should go near Lake Laogai. It would just be walking into another trap. Zuko was forced to explain that he had once been the Blue Spirit and had broken into heavily guarded Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom strongholds plenty of times. In fact, he was far more confident in his stealth skills than his firebending.

"Just leave it to me," Zuko said. "I know what I'm doing."

Katara pursed her lips. "You want to go alone?"

"I'll need Changpu's earthbending to get inside the bunker, but it's better if I do the actual info gathering myself. The more people who come, the higher the chance of getting caught."

Changpu's brow creased. "I don't like it. If you get into trouble, neither of us will be there to help you."

"If you're both there, you'd just be a liability," Zuko said bluntly. He continued before either of them could protest. "Look, I'm not trying to be rude; I'm just stating a fact. Besides, we can't leave Aang unprotected."

Katara frowned at her hands. "I still don't like this."

"You don't have to. There's nothing ideal about our situation. Of course it would be better if we could wait until things settled down, but the problem is we don't know if we can." He shook his head. "I don't want to take that risk."

Changpu rubbed a hand over his face. "I knew it," he muttered. "I knew it was going to come to this."

"Then you agree this is the best plan?" Zuko asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. But you have to promise you'll only stick to getting information. No rushing off to be hero."

Zuko's mouth twitched into a reluctant smile. "You're giving me orders now?"

"Hey, I almost died for you; the least you can do is not rush into every danger that comes your way."

Some of Zuko's amusement faded. "Yeah, I know. I'll be careful."

"Good."

Katara picked up the bowl of rice and forced it back into Zuko's hands. "Eat," she ordered. "I'm not letting you leave until I know you've recovered enough to handle carrying out this plan of yours."

"Alright," he agreed.

Even he was aware that his body was still adjusting to being awake and that he would need more time before he could set out with Changpu. Contrary to what the others no doubt assumed, Zuko didn't want to be reckless. He just understood what was at risk. They could not rely on Aang, nor could they wait and hope that a miracle would occur. What they needed was knowledge. He was going to get that for them.

The Dai Li had shown their true colours last night. Such an enemy could not be left unchallenged, especially not when lives were at stake.

oOo

"Old man, what are you playing?"

The girl moved closer to the table where the two old guys sat. A board with lots of coloured tiles had been placed on top. The old man she had spoken to twirled one of the round tiles between his fingers. He was a funny looking guy with a thick moustache and a big belly. Wealthy enough to eat a good meal every night then. Not many people got that big in the Lower Ring. No doubt his money bag would hold more than a few copper pieces. She repressed a smile at the thought.

"We're playing Pai Sho," the man responded, eyes crinkling into an easy smile. "Ever heard of it?"

She shook her head.

He patted the seat next to him. "Here, watch closely. I'm about to make my first move."

His opponent rolled his eyes. "Fu, are you really going to waste time with this kid? You can see what she is just by looking at her."

Fu frowned at his opponent. "The child is doing no wrong. Besides, we should cultivate her curiosity, not crush it." A hint of amusement entered his tone. "Or are you just upset because I won't be dedicating all my focus into the game if she's here? Don't worry, old friend, I'll still beat you."

The other man made a scornful sound. "Do what you want."

Fu smiled at the girl and gestured for her to come closer. She clambered onto the stool next to him, feet bare and an ugly bruise mottling her cheek. He didn't comment on her appearance. Instead, he showed her the picture on the tile he had been twirling between his fingers.

"This is the white lotus tile," he explained. "Most people don't think much of it because it has weak properties, but when placed here"—he set it in the middle of the board—"it can open many possibilities."

His opponent scoffed. "You're just wasting your piece by placing it there." He set his own tile down to claim the white lotus tile.

Fu winked at the girl. "The gambit has been accepted," he murmured, low enough so only she could hear. "Now watch."

She rested her chin on her palms and watched as the game unfolded. Piece after piece was placed on the squares, countering here, claiming there. It was fascinating. She almost forgot why she had first approached the old man. Almost. The gnawing ache in her stomach could never be ignored for too long.

"Looks like I win again," Fu said at the end.

His friend groaned and slapped his palm against his forehead. "How much do I owe you this time?"

Fu said the amount. She watched with hawk eyes as the money was exchanged and placed inside Fu's money pouch. Before he could seal the pouch properly, she raised her fingers in a sharp motion. The ground jerked in a violent swell. Stools and tables were upended, taking the old men, the Pai Sho board and, most importantly, the money pouch with them. Coins clinked and rolled along the ground, intermingled with the round tiles that had been scattered everywhere. She moved swiftly, ignoring the old men's groans as she collected her bounty. She sprinted off into one of the side alleys before anyone could stop her. Time was of the essence. The shout for thief would start up soon. It always did.

Except it didn't.

She slowed and glanced over her shoulder. Had she injured the old men with that move? Were they too hurt to call for help? A frown twisted her lips. Turning back, she used her bending to propel herself onto the rooftops and crawled her way to the small park from which she had fled. The old men were busy setting up their table and Pai Sho board again. Neither seemed injured. Her frown deepened and she jumped down onto one of the walls that rimmed the park, flattening herself against the stone as she worked her way closer.

"You should call the guards on that brat," Fu's friend was saying. "You know she stole your money."

"It's fine."

"How can you be so—"

Fu laughed. "Well, it's my own fault, isn't it? I wasn't expecting her to be an earthbender. Quite a clever little thing to use such a trick." He rubbed his chin. "I wonder what kind of Pai Sho player she'd be if she was trained. No doubt she'd become a formidable opponent."

"You need help," was all his friend could retort. "Mental help, I mean. Everything is Pai Sho with you."

Fu chuckled. "Perhaps. So, how about another match? I need to make up for the coins I lost."

"You sneaking old—"

She headed back along the wall and up to the much safer hiding position on the rooftops. She removed the pouch from her tunic and pulled out the wooden tile that lay on top of the coins. A lotus flower had been painted onto the face of the tile. Her brow furrowed. She wasn't sure why she had stolen the piece along with the money. It wasn't like it had any value.

"Pai Sho," she murmured.

It was an interesting game. Maybe she would—

Biyu's eyes snapped open. Immediately, she was conscious of something not quite being right. The fine hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and her skin crawled with the uneasy feeling of being watched. Not Iroh; he had his eyes shut and was snoring next to her in the cage. Biyu got to her knees and spun around. Her gaze narrowed on the figure illuminated by the glowing crystals. Conical hat, dark robes, long plait. One of the Dai Li. He raised his face more and his features were cast into relief: an ordinary looking man, but with eyes as cold and hard like gems.

"Shirong," she said, clenching her hands into fists.

He smiled and stepped closer. The smile did not reach his eyes. "I had some time so I thought I'd come see you."

"Why?" She tilted her head, analysing him for a motive. He didn't seem the type to stop by for a random visit. "You told me my name yesterday as well."

He shrugged. "Call it a sentimental moment."

"Sentimental?" She raised her eyebrow. "Somehow I find that hard to imagine."

He dipped his head. "Figured me out, have you? The truth is I wondered if telling you your name would bring you back. It's a waste to kill you when you're not yourself. A broken Joo Dee doesn't interest me, but Biyu"—his eyes glittered—"now she was an interesting woman."

Her stomach twisted. So it was true. He really had known her before she'd become brainwashed.

Shirong walked forward to stop in front of the cage, though he made a point to stay out of her reach. "Do you remember this?"

He held up something small and wooden to the light. The bottom half was curved but the top was jagged and uneven. A design had been painted on it. Her brow creased. It almost looked like petals. In fact, if she pictured the piece as a whole and finished the pattern by linking it all together, it would look like a—

Her breath caught. A white lotus tile. It was a broken white lotus tile.

"I always knew you would become a formidable opponent." the old man coughed and winced as the motion made him convulse against the sharpened rock protruding from his chest. Blood dribbled down his chin, but he still managed a smile. "I see you outsmarted me again."

Tears prickled her eyes. "Fu, this isn't what it looks like. I—"

Biyu winced and placed a hand to her head. That had been a memory. Why had the old man from her childhood been there? What was going on?

Shirong tossed the broken tile into the cage. It clattered and fell to a stop next to her foot. "Another gift," he said. "I hope it helps. I want to meet her again before the end."

Biyu made a frustrated sound. "Enough with the games!"

Something flickered in his expression. "Ah, that look. Yes, that is the look I remember." He shook his head. "But it's a pity. Even when you look at me with those resentful eyes, you're still just a weakened version of the woman I used to know." He turned his back on her and began to walk calmly away. "Do keep trying, Biyu. I'll be disappointed if you don't remember."

"If you want me to remember so much then give my memories back!"

"I'm afraid my technique doesn't work that way." He glanced at her over his shoulder. "But perhaps I can give you one more clue. Golden Flower."

Her brow creased.

"It's the place where we first met," he explained. "You were a treacherous woman even then."

It was like a switch had been flicked. Her head pulsed as memories burst forth like fireworks in her mind, vivid and damning. Yes, she remembered Golden Flower.

"The body! We have to get rid of the body!"

"But the blood—"

"It's Biyu's fault. We should just—"

Shirong laughed softly and left the chamber. Biyu clutched the bars to the cage for support. Her stomach heaved, though she managed not to vomit. All those memories. All those awful, awful things she had done for the sake of survival. It was a relief when the memories settled and she could think clearly again. A relief and a sickening disappointment. She had been so sure that it was the Dai Li who had brainwashed her into working for them. As it was, the truth was much uglier.

Biyu picked up the broken tile and ran her fingers over the design. A splotch of what looked like dark, reddish-brown paint marred the upper left part where the tile had been broken. Except she knew it was not paint. It was a blood stain.

"I know you're awake, Yingjie," she said after a moment. "You forgot to keep snoring."

Iroh cleared his throat. "Sorry. I didn't think it was my place to say anything."

She closed her hand over the tile. "You heard everything, right?"

"Yes," he admitted. "I was curious to see what Shirong would do, so I pretended to be asleep. It seems that agent is rather fascinated by you."

"So he is," she agreed. "Or, rather, who I was before I became Joo Dee. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage."

"What do you propose?"

She sat next to him. "I haven't remembered enough to be sure, but I believe Shirong and I were quite intimate with each other in the past, before I became a Joo Dee, I mean."

He blinked. "Oh, uh, I see."

"Not like that." She scrunched her nose. "At least I don't think so. There was definitely no affection on my part. I just remembered something when he brought up Golden Flower."

Iroh raised his eyebrows in question.

"It's a brothel. I was a worker there: I played the pipa, entertained clients with games and conversation, and of course pleased those who paid enough with my body." She shrugged. "It wasn't a bad life. I was never popular enough to get embroiled in the petty wars and jealousies that went on behind the fans, and it was better than living on the streets." Her mouth twisted into a grimace. "But then one of the clients got violent. He was a bender and ..." She swallowed. "I killed him. I killed him so that we would all be safe, but the other women turned on me. They were afraid. The man had been the son of a powerful official. They knew the entire house would be blamed for his death."

"What happened?"

"Shirong. He thought I could be useful, so he offered me a deal." She closed her eyes. "I accepted. I didn't want to go to prison or be executed, and I knew the Dai Li had the power to wipe my crimes."

Iroh placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry."

There was no need for him to elaborate. He had understood that this was not the past she had been hoping for. She had dreamt of a family, a home. She had not expected to learn that her entire life had been one of cunning and doing whatever it took to survive; that she had willingly chosen to work for the Dai Li and even helped them to train the first batches of Joo Dees—those poor, unskilled women who had been snatched from the Lower Ring—into becoming charming tools.

"You used to be one of our best. Long Feng would have allowed you to keep your mind had you not insisted on betraying us."

Biyu tightened her grip on the lotus tile. "Anyway, my point is that this is personal for Shirong. When Long Feng was in charge, Shirong wouldn't have dared to overstep his boundaries, but now he is the one running the show. He's getting bolder."

"Like trying to help you retrieve your memories," Iroh said, catching on.

She nodded. "Long Feng would have never allowed it. He likes to cover his tracks and tie up all loose ends, and it's a fact that I'm just a loose end now. My memories are dangerous to the Dai Li. Shirong knows this, but he can't let it go. That he's even taking the time to give me all these clues shows he's still attached to me, albeit in his own twisted way." Her expression hardened with resolve. "I'm going to use that weakness."

"Are you sure you're okay with using this method? I'm not saying it won't work, but it will mean you have to—"

"It's fine." She uncurled her fingers to reveal the broken lotus tile. "I'm prepared to do what is needed."

After all, this was personal for her as well. There was only one person who had ever given her a shred of real affection. Thanks to Shirong and Long Feng, that man had died thinking she had betrayed him. Biyu wanted revenge. She didn't care if it meant sacrificing her dignity. It wasn't like she had much left to salvage.

Iroh noticed the broken tile resting on her palm. "A white lotus tile, isn't it? A pity it's broken; that's the most important piece."

"I know."

Her voice sounded bitter even to her ears.

"Biyu." Iroh leaned forward. "By chance have you remembered the true significance of this tile?"

She nodded. "The Order uses it as a means of communication with its members."

"Then that place you took us to, the one in the Old City where we found the other tile. That place is—"

"It was a safe house."

"Was?"

A lump formed in her throat. "The Order doesn't exist in Ba Sing Se now, not as a proper faction. The Grand Lotus and all of the higher-ranked members were rounded up and killed several years ago. Others were imprisoned, others brainwashed into submission."

Iroh's eyes widened. "Then that's why Ba Sing Se went silent. We tried to implant new agents inside the city to investigate, but …"

She shrugged in a helpless way, too caught up in the memories and emotions. Her time as a double agent had been short. It had been luck that she had even fallen in with the secret society. As it turned out, Fu had never been a peasant from the Lower Ring but a high-ranking army official. Still, in the end she had not been able to make a difference. Too late to warn of the raid, too late to save Fu.

"So, Fu was murdered," Iroh said more to himself.

She raised her head. "You knew Fu?"

"A long time ago he gave me some very good advice, and beat me soundly at Pai Sho," Iroh added with a rueful smile. "As one of the Grand Lotuses, I looked up to him. As a man, he was a dear friend. I'm sad to hear of his loss."

Biyu gritted her teeth. "We can't let this go on, Yingjie. We have to stop the Dai Li."

"Yes, we do." Iroh's expression turned grim. "It is my duty as a Grand Lotus to reconnect the petals that have been lost in this city. First, however, we need to get out of this cage and find our young friends."

"Leave the cage to me. I'm sure I can get Shirong to lower his guard. You just seize the moment when it's offered."

"Naturally."

Their eyes met in mutual resolve. The Order of the White Lotus would be born again in Ba Sing Se. For now, it was just the two of them, but perhaps there were other agents out there: people who had been too afraid to speak up when the lines of communication had been cut; people who still carried their white lotus tiles and waited for the call of the Grand Lotus.

Biyu clenched the broken tile tightly in her fist. This time, she would make sure the call to fight was not silenced.

oOo

"They're not back yet," Sokka observed.

Mai said nothing and twirled a knife round and round her fingers, almost hypnotically. It was amazing that she never faltered. Sokka got up from the cushions and moved towards the window. He peered down at the street, searching for any sign of the others. Instead, he saw a girl trying to help a man to their apartment building. The man was singing loudly and kept stumbling away from her hands. He ended up in a pile of rubbish.

"Dad!" the girl groaned, smacking her forehead. Her voice was oddly familiar. "You stupid drunk. I can't carry you up all those stairs, so get your butt off that ground and—"

"Well, well, if it isn't Enlai and his cute little daughter."

Sokka's brow furrowed as a group of men closed in on the girl and her father. Suddenly, he was conscious of a presence behind him. He turned to see Mai watching the group on the street with narrowed eyes. The knife was still in her hand.

"Those men again," Mai murmured.

"You know them?"

"That girl, Jin, her father owes those men a debt. I helped her get away from them last time, but—"

Jin cried out in alarm. One of the men had grabbed her by the arms. The big, brutish one who was leading the group placed his boot on her father's chest, pinning him down into the rubbish.

"Time's up, Enlai. If you don't have the money to pay up, we'll just take the girl. She'll make a nice addition to our—"

Mai pushed past Sokka and jumped out the window. He blinked. A second later he was scrambling after her. She was injured and only had a few throwing weapons at her disposal. There was no way she could take on all six of the men at once, not without getting more injured in the process.

"Back off!" Mai ordered, landing in a crouch on the street and throwing the knife.

The sharpened edge came so close to the brutish man that it grazed his cheek, leaving a thin line of red before burying itself into the wall of the opposite house. He pressed a hand to the cut, and his eyes bulged with rage.

"That was just a warning shot," Mai said grimly. "Try anything else and it'll be your head."

Sokka felt something flutter in his stomach. She had been pretty cool just then. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who had been moved by her performance. Jin's eyes sparkled and she smiled in open relief.

"Luan!" Jin cried. "I can't believe you're here!"

Mai kept her gaze trained on the brutish man, daring him to make his next move. Judging by the sour look about his mouth, it wasn't going to be the retreat they were hoping for. Sokka pulled himself together and stood next to Mai. He got his boomerang ready, gaze flickering from one man to the next.

"Do you know who I am, you little punk?" the brutish man snarled. "This whole district belongs to me! Me, Zhen Kang!"

Mai's lip curled. "Like I care."

Fresh knives were suddenly in each of her hands. She was about to attack when a pillar of earth smacked into Zhen Kang's head. Both teens blinked. The other men also watched in surprise as their leader toppled.

"Did someone call earthbending support?" Sokka mused, glancing around the street.

Enlai sat up from the pile of rubbish, a bottle of alcohol in hand. "Gesh'or stinkin' boot offs me," he slurred.

Sokka's eyes widened. The drunk was a bender.

"You bastard!" one of Zhen Kang's goons snarled. "We'll teach you to mess with the Scorpicrows!"

An all-out street brawl broke out. Sokka knocked one of the guys back with his boomerang, only to yelp as he was almost crushed by a hammer. He staggered backwards. His opponent flashed a rotten-toothed smile and flexed stupidly large muscles.

"Wanna a piece of me, small fry?" he taunted.

Sokka scrunched his face in distaste. "I'll pass, thanks."

He swung his club up to catch the man on the chin, knocking him out clean. Sokka dashed to help Enlai and Mai fend off the others. The drunk's movements were too sloppy to do much damage. Half the time Enlai missed his target and just sent rocks flying off haphazardly. Mai had to duck one so it didn't smack her in the forehead.

"Watch it!" she snapped.

Enlai laughed. He was still laughing when the city guards appeared.

"Oi!" one of the guards shouted, running towards them. "No fighting in the—" A stray rock just missed him. "Damn it, someone call the Dai Li!"

Sokka cursed under his breath. The thug he had been fighting also cursed. They both blinked at each other.

"Live and let live?" Sokka suggested.

"Works for me."

The men scattered, taking their unconscious gang members with them. Sokka hurried to help Jin with Enlai while Mai collected her knife; she couldn't afford to waste any. He noticed that some of the guards had split to pursue the thugs. Two of the guards, however, had remained to speak with Sokka and his group.

"Everything's alright, officers!" Sokka called cheerily to them. "No need to bring in the Dai Li. We just had a little tiff, but it's all sorted now."

The guard pursed his lips. Sokka didn't wait for a response and nudged Jin to help him get Enlai inside the apartment. Enlai was still chuckling and making slurred comments about how he'd shown that bastard Zhen Kang. Mai stuck close to them, careful to keep her face averted even with the bandages.

"Wait."

Sokka winced. Damn that guard. Was it possible they'd been recognised? He glanced over his shoulder and forced a smile. "Yes?"

The guard pointed at Enlai. "Is that man your father?"

"Uh—"

"He is," Jin confirmed.

A smile softened the guard's foreboding expression. "Well, it's nice to see children still showing a bit of familial duty in this day and age." He suddenly jabbed his finger at Sokka. "But that doesn't mean you should be joining your father in street fights. Keep him away from the booze next time."

Sokka saluted. "Yes, sir!"

He turned away from the guards. "Let's get out of here," he urged under his breath.

Jin nodded and took a firmer grip on Enlai. Together, they hauled him inside the apartment building while Mai took the lead. It was hard work getting him up the stairs. Enlai was a big, broad-shouldered man, almost as big as Sokka's own father. His dead weight was crushing.

"Can't you put in a little effort," Sokka complained. "You've got two feet, don't you?"

Enlai blinked at him through a cross-eyed gaze. "Who're you?"

Jin slapped her palm against her forehead. "This useless drunk."

Sokka just grunted in frustration and continued half-carrying, half-dragging the man up the steps. Eventually, they made it to the top and stopped outside Jin's apartment. Something fell out of Enlai's pocket and rolled on the ground. Sokka bent to pick it up. His brow creased as he turned the object in his fingers and examined the design. It looked like the same wooden tile they'd found in that building in the Old City. What had Iroh called it? A white lotus tile.

"Give that back," Enlai growled, snatching the tile from Sokka.

Jin rolled her eyes. "Sorry. Dad's pretty protective about that Pai Sho piece. It belonged to my gramps."

Sokka held his hands up in an appeasing gesture. "Hey, I don't want to steal it. The tile is all yours."

Enlai stuffed the tile back in his pocket and fumbled with the door to the apartment. Sokka bit back the questions he wanted to ask. He had always been good at connecting patterns; it was no coincidence this tile kept popping up in his travels. The symbol of the white lotus meant something. Iroh, that Joo Dee lady, the old man at the desert oasis—even Zuko had carried a white lotus tile with him when he'd been Lee the amnesiac swordsman. No way did it mean nothing.

Jin made an impatient sound and opened the door for her father. Enlai didn't thank any of them and stumbled off inside.

"You're welcome!" Sokka called pointedly.

All he got in response was a crash and a curse. It sounded like Enlai had walked into something.

Jin scratched her cheek. "Sorry. Dad's always like this. Don't let it get to you."

Sokka folded his arms across his chest. He still thought it was rude, especially since he and Mai had risked being exposed to help them. Not that Mai seemed to care.

"Come on, Sokka," Mai said flatly. "We should get back."

Jin grabbed Mai's wrist. "Wait!" She lowered her gaze and drew circles on the ground with the toe of her boot. "You saved me again, Luan. I wanted to thank you for—"

"No thanks necessary," Mai said, quickly slipping out of her grip.

It was hard to tell with the bandages, but Sokka thought Mai was blushing.

"Is this because I kissed you before?" Jin asked innocently. "I won't do it again if you don't like it."

Mai made a choked sound. Sokka, meanwhile, was struggling to process what he had just heard. Mai and Jin … had kissed? On the lips? He glanced between the two girls, his eyes wide.

"What's with him?" Jin asked, jerking her thumb at Sokka.

He probably did look strange with his slack jaw and glazed expression.

Mai whacked him on the head. "Perverted thoughts," she muttered.

Sokka had the grace to blush.

Jin scrunched her nose. "I don't really get it, but okay."

A sigh escaped Mai. "Look, Jin, I'm actually a—"

"Luan! Jin! Sokka!"

All three turned to see Ty Lee bounding towards them. She flashed her trade-mark grin and latched onto Mai's side. "I see you found Luan. Isn't he the cutest?" She winked at Mai. "I'm almost tempted to steal him for myself."

Mai grimaced and tried to shake her friend off. Ty Lee pulled her in closer and murmured something in her ear. Sokka wasn't sure what was said, but the words made Mai stiffen. That was when Azula and Jet exited the stairwell.

"Ruolan!" Ty Lee greeted, releasing Mai. "Isn't this great? It looks like Jin's saviour really was the Luan we know."

"Oh?" A smile curved Azula's lips. "How nice that you got to be reunited. We heard all about your daring rescue the other day."

Sokka instinctively moved closer to Mai. He didn't like that smile at all.

"Um." Jin stepped forward. "So, wait, you guys really do know each other?"

"Silly." Ty Lee squished herself against Sokka. "This cutie is Sokka, and you've already met Luan. They're our friends. They're staying with us at the moment. Oh, but you can't tell anyone about them, okay? It's supposed to be a secret."

Jin looked more confused. "Secret?"

Sokka managed to free himself from Ty Lee. "The truth is we're kind of fugitives now. Some of our friends got captured by the Dai Li, but we managed to escape. That's why—"

"That's why you can't say anything," Azula finished for him. "You wouldn't want to put Luan in danger, would you?"

Jin blushed and shook her head.

"Then you can't say a word," Azula warned.

"Got it." Jin made a cross-like motion over her chest, the old "cross my heart and hope to die" adage.

Jet had been quiet so far, but now he fixed his gaze on Mai and Sokka. "By the way, what are you two even doing out here? I thought we agreed you would stay in the apartment until we gave the go-ahead. It wouldn't be good if you're recognised by someone."

"Jin and her dad were in trouble," Sokka said with a shrug. "We decided to help."

"Sorry," Jin mumbled. "I didn't realise you were risking being exposed for us."

"It's fine," Sokka said with an easy smile. "Besides, it was Luan's idea. I didn't have much choice but to follow after he jumped out the window to save you."

Mai pinched him in the side. Sokka bit back a hiss. Damn, that girl was strong.

Jin smiled up at her. "Thanks, Luan." Her eyes suddenly widened and she glanced between her two rescuers. "But what about your friends? You said they were captured by the Dai Li. What will happen to them?"

"You don't need to worry," Sokka said. "We have a plan to get them back. The Dai Li won't know what hit them."

"You got that right," Jet said with a hint of smugness. "It's only a matter of time now."

Enlai appeared at the doorway. His face was still red from alcohol, but his eyes were keener than Sokka had ever seen them. "Did I jush hear ya say you're plannin'ta go'gainst the Dai Li?"

Sokka blinked. "Um, yeah."

Enlai thumped his fist against the wall. "Counsh me in. I owe thosh bashtards one hell offa beatin."

Azula raised her eyebrow. "Who's the drunk?"

"That's my dad," Jin sighed. "He used to be a pretty good fighter … um, well, before he started drinking every day."

Azula observed him from head to foot. "Sober up and then we'll talk. You stink of alcohol."

Enlai blinked, apparently shocked to have been told off for his drinking habits by someone other than his own daughter. Then he just laughed. "I like thish one. She's gots spunk."

Jin face-palmed. "Dad."

"Whash?"

"You're embarrassing."

Enlai just shrugged. Azula told him that a meeting would be held tomorrow evening. If he was serious about fighting the Dai Li, he could come. The alcohol could not come with him. Jin said she would make sure her father got there sober and then thanked Mai and Sokka again for coming to her rescue. The group parted ways after that.

"So, the first meeting is tomorrow?" Sokka asked once they were inside their own apartment. "I thought you were going to wait."

"No need," Azula said calmly. "Turns out the Lower Ring is more than ready to start a revolution. It's a barrel of blasting jelly just waiting to explode."

Sokka's stomach twisted. He didn't like the sound of that, even though he knew stirring up the people had always been part of the plan.

Jet clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Things are finally falling into place, Sokka. We'll be able to make our move in no time."

"Yeah," he said without enthusiasm. "Great."

He was still feeling unsettled when Smellerbee and Longshot returned. The two had been working hard to distribute invitations to those people Azula, Ty Lee and the Freedom Fighters had scouted as potential recruits. From there the word would spread so they could get a good turnout for the first meeting. Smellerbee was also pleased to confirm that she had got a copy of the city guards' roster and assigned stations, just as Jet had asked.

"Good work, you two," Jet praised. "With this everything is set."

Sokka said nothing. He couldn't help but feel like he was caught in a current that he could not control. It had only been a day, yet things were already moving so quickly. Azula was a person who made things happen; he could see it in every choice, every action she made. She had even swept him up in her flow. While she had been arranging a revolution, he had stayed shut up in the apartment like a good boy and watched over Long Feng with Shizue and Mai. That wasn't a good feeling. True, on the surface it had seemed like a logical plan, but now he wondered if Azula was just trying to keep them out of the way. He wondered how they were ever going to turn the tide on this girl who seemed to have everything at her command. Not even Mai dared to relax her act as Luan the taciturn male. That bothered him as well. Mai shouldn't have to hide. She shouldn't have to be silent just because Azula was crazy.

This couldn't continue. But how could he stop it?

He rubbed a hand over his face. Thinking about this was giving him a headache. It didn't help that he'd barely got any sleep. He'd been so on edge that he'd stayed awake the whole night to make sure Azula and Ty Lee didn't stab any of them in the back. Heck, to make sure none of the Freedom Fighters stabbed them in the back. None of these people could be trusted. Not really.

What should he do? What should any of them do?

The door to the side room opened. Shizue emerged and switched guard duty with Longshot. Her expression was grim. He wondered if that meant she'd had no luck getting information from Long Feng again. If it was him, he would have been flailing in frustration by now, but Shizue was good at keeping her emotions under control. Their eyes met. She raised her eyebrow as if to ask why he was looking so pathetic. Sokka averted his face. The next moment a hand was tugging at his elbow.

"You," Shizue said, hauling him to his feet. "Come with me now."

He blinked and stumbled after her. "Uh, what are you—"

"Wait." Jet barred their path to the door. "It's dangerous for you to leave the apartment."

Shizue's lip curled. "Make no mistake, boy. If I want to leave this hovel, I'll leave."

Azula laughed. "Just let them go, Jet. I'm sure Shizue knows what she's doing."

Jet shot her a swift glance. Azula merely went back to eating her dinner, no longer interested in the matter. He frowned and stepped aside. Sokka found his eyes searching for Mai. He didn't want to leave her here alone, not with the princess. Mai met his gaze and nodded, as if to say she'd be fine. That wasn't much of a comfort. Still, it would be odder if he resisted now.

"Come," Shizue ordered.

Sokka let out an exaggerated sigh and allowed her to drag him out of the apartment. They walked up the stairs in silence until she ducked out the fire escape and demanded to know why he was just standing there. Sokka frowned and followed her up to the roof. The moon was bright and gave enough light for him to see her shadowed outline. Her dress and the unbound parts of her hair fluttered in the wind. Buildings rimmed them on all sides, though the apartment building upon which they stood was taller than the others. Perhaps she had taken that into account. No one would see them unless they knew what to look for.

"Um," Sokka said, "why did you—"

A fist came for his face. He yelped and stepped back to avoid the blow.

"What the hell?" he demanded. "You just attacked me!"

She straightened. "You reek of fear and doubt. I find it sickening. Is it because you are afraid of the princess? Because the Avatar might be dead?"

Sokka averted his face.

"Fool," she hissed. "You can't afford to be weak!"

She lunged for him again. Sokka ducked her blow, then caught her arm and tried to push her back. In a flash, Shizue twisted in his grip and somehow managed to get him into a choke hold, tugging his arm up roughly behind his back and forcing him to his knees. Her breath was warm on his ear.

"Is this really all you've got?" she taunted. "Perhaps you are right to be afraid."

Sokka growled and rammed his head back against her chin. She made a muffled sound and released him. He countered with a series of strong blows, deciding that if she was going to turn crazy and attack him, he might as well show her what he was made of. Or at least try. Shizue was fast and relentless. She ducked and weaved, catching his legs, his fists, grappling with him and turning his attacks on him again and again. It was impossible. Her entire offence was her defence.

"It's not about strength. Our technique is about using your opponents' force against them. Loosen up."

His breath caught. It had been a long time since that training session with Suki in the Kyoshi Warriors' dojo, but he still remembered the basics she had taught him. If only he'd had more time. Maybe then ...

Shizue lunged. He saw it in his mind's eye: a girl with face paint moving for the finishing blow.

"Wait for an opening and—"

Sokka parried and struck with the side of his hand, almost as if it was a fan. Shizue was thrown off balance and stumbled away from him. He caught hold of her dress before she could recover and brought out his club, forcing her to the ground as he held the weapon threateningly above her. Their eyes met. Both of them were breathing hard.

"Good," she praised. "But you're still forgetting something."

"Huh?"

Something jabbed his arm and the whole limb went numb. She swept him off his feet before he could react, even as the club fell into her waiting hand. Grim-faced, she pressed the blunt tip of his own weapon to his throat. He swallowed. Damn. He had thought she wasn't going to use chi blocking.

Shizue relaxed her stance and got to her feet. She flipped the club so the handle was facing him. Sokka took the weapon gingerly. He wasn't sure if she was going to rush at him for round two. One humiliation had been enough.

"You're not bad," she said. "You managed to keep up with me and your reflexes are good." She shook her head. "What you lack is resolve."

He frowned. "Resolve?"

"Resolve to end the battle. You trusted me too much." She tapped his paralysed arm. "This would not have happened if you had taken the fight seriously."

"Hey, I took that pretty damn seriously. I mean, you were coming at me like a crazy person all hyah and ryah." He demonstrated a few punches and kicks. "That was kind of unnerving, you know."

Her mouth twitched. "But you still trusted that I was your ally. Because I did not start with chi blocking, you were lulled into thinking I would only use moves you could handle." She shook her head. "Do you even know how many openings you gave me?"

He lowered his gaze.

"I could have shut down your body limb by limb if I really wanted to. I could have turned you into a useless lump of flesh. I could have even made it permanent." She stepped closer, her eyes glittering in the moonlight. "Never forget, Sokka. Enemies do not play by the rules. They will not hold back, so you must not hold back either. One mistake, one moment of hesitance will cost lives in a real battle, be it your friends' or your own."

He swallowed. "I ... I know. It's not like I don't know. I mean, we've been fighting all this time and—"

"And you've been especially lucky, haven't you?"

A breath escaped his lips. Yes. He had been lucky.

She grabbed his arm and pressed down in a series of points. The feeling started to return to the limb. He met her eyes in surprise. He had not known she could reverse the block.

"Find your resolve, Sokka. Find it or you might as well go home now. This war will not indulge your naivety forever."

Sokka held her gaze. He was bruised all over from their fight and he could feel that his lip was bleeding. It hurt. It was a reminder that she was so much more skilled than him. A true master of her art. Shizue never hesitated in battle; she didn't have to. But Sokka had not been trained. Not properly. He'd picked up what he could from the warriors back when they'd still been around in the village, men who had humoured him but had never expected much from a little kid. He'd got better after Suki had helped to hone his skills, but that had only been a short time of training. It wasn't enough. None of it was enough. Shizue was right: he had been relying on his wits and sheer dumb luck this entire time.

"Please," he begged, lowering himself to his knees. "Teach me how to fight."

A smile curved her lips. "I thought you'd never ask."

She shifted into a fighting stance. Sokka got to his feet and mimicked her posture. This was how he could get stronger. This was how he could protect his friends.

"Find your resolve."

Sokka gritted his teeth and lunged for a strike. This time he would not hold back.

oOo

The moon was bright. Zuko stood by the shore and stared at the bits of debris floating on the surface of the lake.

Changpu lowered his arms. "Uh, are you sure this is the right place?"

"The entrance to the bunker should be right there."

A frown creased Changpu's brow. "Hang on, let me try again."

He raised his arms in a more forceful gesture. All he managed was to bring up more bits of rock. His frown deepened. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb.

"Want me to swim down and give you the specific coordinates?" Zuko asked sarcastically.

"H-hang on."

Changpu blushed and muttered something under his breath. Once more, he thrust his arms out, but this time he widened his stance and dug his heels into the shore. In a few seconds his hands were trembling. Beads of sweat started to form on his brow.

"Hey," Zuko said, eyes widening in alarm. "What's wrong?"

Sure, he'd been exasperated by the fact Changpu could not raise the bunker, but that didn't mean he wanted the guy to push himself this hard. Changpu was still recovering from the lightning wound. Now Zuko just felt like a jerk for getting snippy.

Changpu groaned and let his hands drop back to his sides. "It's no good," he said, shaking his head. "It's like—it's like whatever was down there is full of water now. I can't lift a thing."

Zuko's eyes narrowed. "Wait, you're probably right."

"Huh?"

"I think the Dai Li submerged the bunker. It would be too risky to keep it functional now that we know its whereabouts, especially since not all of us were captured." He grabbed Changpu by the elbow. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Changpu didn't need telling twice. Neither wanted to risk getting caught by the Dai Li. Still, Zuko had to admit that he was worried. If the Lake Laogai bunker was gone, then what had happened to all of the Joo Dees and agents who had been inside? Was there another bunker somewhere? Were they all inside the Inner Wall now?

He balled his hands into fists. Damn the Dai Li! There was no time to go on a wild pig-goose chase. All this blind scrambling was driving him crazy. He needed information. He needed it right now.

"Let's hurry back to the farm," Zuko gritted out. "We have a lot to plan."