AN: Adult themes like sex, violence, death, etc. I don't own Avatar, because if I did, Zuko would have never betrayed Iroh at the end of the second series. It made me cry. Just kidding.

Encounter with Embers

THE WHOLE GAANG arrived to Omashu, its flags still bearing the Fire Nation crest proudly. Iroh, Zuko, Suki, and her two warriors seemed shocked by its appearance, but soon accepted what they were up against.

Mai looked at the city scornfully. "The most boring place. Ever." She announced.

Her comment for the most part was ignored, and Aang cleared his throat. "The rebels are hiding out within these mountains. We need to find them, gather them for battle, and quietly sneak into the city."

Zuko frowned. "How do you expect us to sneak in? Just politely knock on the front door?"

Aang shook his head. "We'll be using the sewer system."

Sokka audibly groaned. "Not again."

Jet looked startled. "How bad is it?"

Katara shook her head. "He's just whining Jet. It's not that bad."

"I should try to serve as a distraction." Mai piped up.

Katara blinked. "Oh…your family is here."

Mai nodded, but seemed unaffected by this fact.

Toph crossed her arms. "Will you enter the city and have a banquet in your honor?"

Aang nodded enthusiastically. "And while everyone is distracted by partying, we attack!"

Sokka frowned thoughtful. "I have a feeling this has been done before."

Everyone was silent for a moment, then laughed.

THEY LOCATED THE rebels quite easily with Toph's assistance. Having remembered Aang, Katara, and Sokka they were welcomed with open arms. Jet, Suki, and her two warriors were welcomed without hesitation. After a little explanation for Zuko, Mai, and Iroh's presence, they too were welcomed.

They explained the plan to the leader of the rebels and they prepared their armies. Meanwhile, Zuko pulled Mai aside. "Are you going to be alright?"

Mai studied her lover's face. "Yes, of course. I will betray my family without question, as I have your sister."

Zuko pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

Mai wrapped her arms around Zuko. It was true, yes, that she had betrayed her friend and was now about to do wrong by her family. But Azula had been a rotten friend and her family had been one that cared more for titles, honor, and their newborn son. She was expendable. Somehow Mai couldn't help but love them.

But she loved Zuko more. "Zuko, sometimes it hurts to do what is right. You know this."

He kissed her gently and said nothing.

"You've given up your hopes and dreams. Why shouldn't I have to as well?" Mai continued after the kiss ended.

Zuko looked aside and clenched his fists. "If we kill my father…and Azula…then I will be Fire Lord by birthright. Especially if we end the war first. My search for the Avatar would be unnecessary." He said unsurely.

"Are we certain that things will go as we wish?" she questioned softly.

"If I die, then my name will be Zuko the traitor to the Fire Nation, but accomplice to the Avatar and the rest of the world." He answered.

"Just don't die tonight." Mai pleaded. She knew Zuko's danger was greater than her's this night.

Zuko held Mai close. "I won't."

She nodded, shared one last embrace with Zuko before she left the camp.

Zuko's brow remained furrowed with worry after she left.

"Do not worry Zuko. We shall win tonight's battle and win Omashu." Iroh said reassuringly. He had overseen the plans and made suggestions here and there. He was experienced with these types of things, after all.

Zuko nodded and gave his uncle a quick hug. He didn't want to lose him anymore than he did Mai.

MAI ENTERED THE city without resistance, as all soldiers of the Fire Nation recognized her to be the daughter of the governor. She was quickly escorted to her father, mother and young brother.

"Mai." Her father stated. He seemed surprised to see his young daughter returning home.

"What are you doing here?" Her mother asked quickly.

Mai bowed respectively to her parents. "Azula gave me leave…I wanted to return home for a few days." She explained softly.

Her father smiled. "Let's throw a celebration in honor of my daughter Mai's return home." He wanted to save face, of course.

Mai smiled broadly for the first time in front of her parents in the longest time. "Splendid." She suddenly felt no guilt for the betrayal she would serve to her parents and the Fire Nation. The remembrance of their misguided love was more than enough to ease her conscience.

ONCE NIGHT FELL and the jubilant voices of the drunken soldiers reached the rebel's ears, they began their journey through Omashu's sewer systems. The smell and pentapuses did little to make the excursion pleasant, but they bore it well.

Once they emerged, they began to raid and attack. Any soldier within grasp was quickly taken down. Most were only disabled, but some casualties occurred.

Sokka and Jet went their own way, armed with weapons, but not before Sokka had sufficiently kissed Suki goodbye. Both boys stood back to back and moved in a circle to defeat the soldiers closing in on them. They exchanged a smirk as the men fell under the slash of their swords.

Suki and her warriors cleverly sneaked up the chutes and quietly finished off many warriors. They allowed servants to live as they entered the palace and killed the guards.

Katara and Toph took Fire Soldiers head on with their bending. Joining them were Iroh and Zuko. Most soldiers didn't even have the chance to attack as they were swept away by mudslides and burned by flames.

Mai's parents panicked at the attack began and instantly worried about Tom-Tom's safety. Mai rolled her eyes and slipped quietly out of the room in order to find Zuko and their comrades. She was certain her parents would not miss her. And that they would be unharmed when this siege of New Ozai was over.

Every new wave of soldiers were only brought down by Katara's Waterbending, Toph's Earthbending, and Zuko and Iroh's Firebending.

Iroh complemented Zuko on his improvement with his bending and Zuko smiled with pleasure.

Aang, who had been helping along, saw that everyone was fine without his help, and announced that he was going to go save King Bumi. Katara wished him well and turned to attack another soldier.

It wasn't hard locating his old friend Bumi. "Aang!" he exclaimed from his metal casket. He had been hearing the commotion of the battle, and almost didn't seem surprised that Aang was behind all of it.

"Bumi! Now is the right time for positive Jing!" Aang replied, quickly releasing his friend from his metal prison.

Bumi laughed obnoxiously as he always did and embraced Aang. "You've mastered Water and Earthbending?"

Aang nodded. "I found a teacher who waited and listened." They shared a laugh, then Aang became serious again. "I've assembled the rebels who are attacking. I have three Kyoshi warriors as allies, along with Katara, Sokka, and my Earthbending teacher Toph. Also, I have an Earth Kingdom freedom fighter named Jet, the banished Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, his Uncle Iroh, and his girlfriend Mai as allies." Aang stopped for a breath from that mouthful.

Bumi laughed once more. "Quite a team you have Aang. Now let's go join the fight."

They ran into Mai on their way out, who followed them to the battle. Each member of the GAang fought with fervor and passion, and soon enough the battle was won. All the Fire Nation soldiers and citizens were imprisoned, including Mai's parents. Some did escape, but it mattered not.

KATARA AND SOKKA embraced one another, glad that their sibling had survived. Suki and her warriors rejoined the group, and Sokka embraced her as well.

Iroh and Zuko smiled at one another as Mai threw herself into his arms. "Oh, Zuko, you're alive!" He wrapped his arms around his woman and they said no more.

Jet grinned and looked at Bumi and Aang. "It's time to reclaim Omashu, your highness."

"All the refugees and rebels can come back into the city now." Aang added.

Bumi laughed his patented laugh and they all sighed in relief as the true citizens of Omashu returned to their homes.

Each member of the GAang had been given their own room with the exception of Mai and Zuko; Sokka and Suki. They didn't seem to mind in the least.

THE WHOLE GAANG treated themselves to a group bath, sighing in pleasure as the warm waters washed away the grit of the battle. A floating tray with wine and tea floated around, available to whomever wanted it.

"Now what is our next move?" Zuko voiced.

Sokka snorted. "Zuko, no battle strategy right now. Just relax."

The others nodded in agreement and sighed deeper into the warm waters. Tomorrow could be concerned with the war. Tonight didn't have to be.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING came quickly and it was time to worry about the war on their hands. The GAang met with King Bumi and his advisors to try to carve out a plan.

Mai without restraint, as usual, blurted: "Azula surely knows of our presence her. She will come and try to regain Omashu."

"We are well prepared to lead our troops into battle." One advisor replied.

Iroh frowned. "We don't want our forces to dwindle down to too little."

"Well," the advisor began, "You can't just pull troops out of nowhere."

Aang grinned, "Yes we can."

The advisors immediately demanded how.

"We've made many friends in the Earth Kingdom in our travels. We will send word out to our sister cities, and recruit as many soldiers as we can."

"But…we don't want to send untrained veterans out into battle." Zuko reminded the young Avatar. Iroh smiled at his nephew's courage to repeat such phrases as those.

"Veteran soldiers will be sure to join our cause." Katara interceded.

"And we can always train the younger ones." Sokka reminded the group.

"With the time we have left before the solar eclipse, it'll have to be a crash course." Toph said.

Bumi nodded, looking at the people gathered before him. "We will send word to our sister cities and recruit as many able bodied persons. The armies of other cities will surely join us. And the young Avatar and his friends will be part of this war council. They will also assist in the training of our youngest, most inexperienced soldiers."

The decision having been made, the group separated and Sokka went up to Bumi. "My father is leading a group of Southern Water Tribe soldiers. I would like to leave and rendezvous with them, and bring them to Omashu."

King Bumi nodded in agreement. "They will be valueable to this war with their seasoned abilities as warriors."

Katara, having overheard their conversation, joined the two. "My Waterbending master has trained soldiers in the Northern Water Tribe. May I go and collect the most able soldiers from there?"

King Bumi agreed once more. "I'll supply you two with the traveling necessities to accomplish these missions."

The two siblings smiled and bowed lsightly.

Aang and Suki looked the most upset by this news. "Katara, let me come with you. I'll help-"

"Aang, you're needed here." Katara said softly, putting her hand on his shoulder sympathetically.

He sighed and nodded slightly, pulling Katara into a hug. "Just…please be safe." He whispered into her shoulder.

She rubbed his back soothingly. "I'll be back as soon as possible." She tried to reassure him.

Suki hugged Sokka. "Let me come with you."

Sokka nodded immediately. "Of course. I wouldn't want to be without you."

Aang suddenly felt very jealous for the two.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING was when Katara departed, bringing Jet along as a companion. They used Appa, since the journey was going to be longer than Sokka's was and involved land and bodies of water. The farewells were brief, seeing as how her mission was not a dangerous one.

Sokka and Suki left soon after, their carriage small, stocked with only the food necessary for the trip. Sokka's father had been in Earth Kingdom territory when Aang, Katara, and Sokka had run into Bato.

WITHOUT KATARA AROUND Aang felt depressed. Toph tried her best to cheer 'Twinkles Toes' up, but it was to no avail. She also was depressed by Sokka's departure. Her feelings for Sokka, regardless of Suki's presence, were still growing stronger. And she knew Aang's feelings for Katara were becoming stronger. Well, if all else failed, she and Aang could marry one another. She chuckled at the thought.

Suki left her Kyoshi warriors behind in Omashu. They remained quiet and steadfast in their training in their leader's absence.

Mai and Zuko, however, seemed to be having problems of their own, Toph noted. From what she could tell, Mai was falling ill. She seemed to be sick in the morning, and sometimes her nausea would last throughout the day. She ate very little and picked at her plate during meals. She also seemed to experience pain in her breast whenever Zuko and her embraced.

Toph wasn't sure what was wrong, and she asked Iroh so, explaining what she had noticed.

Iroh seemed thoughtful. "I remember my wife seemed that way…but, mind you, this was many years ago…and she was carrying my son, Lu Ten."

Toph coughed on the tea she was drinking. "Mai is pregnant?!"

Iroh nodded. "I am disappointed in my nephew not telling me this…"

Toph regained her breath and sighed softly. "Maybe neither one is aware…"

Iroh turned to Toph and patted her shoulder. "Maybe you are right…I shall wait and see if my nephew confides in me. I'll give them time."

Toph smiled softly, then blinked. "You're not mad? I mean, they are unmarried…"

Iroh chuckled. "Perhaps if we were not in the middle of a war, I would be. But they need one another…and once this is over, they will marry."

MAI FELT INCREASING concern for the condition she was in. She distinctly remembered her mother acting this way a little before she announced the arrival of her new baby brother or sister. And sure enough, seven months later, Tom-Tom was brought into this world.

She shifted in bed, squirming at the thought of what this meant. She glanced at Zuko's sleeping face, and wondered if perhaps she should tell him her fears. Well, of course she should, he was her…her everything. He deserved to know.

She shat up, and before she even opened her mouth, Zuko spoke: "What's the matter?"

She blinked in surprise. "How'd you-"

"You're squirming around way too much to have nothing on your mind." He interrupted, opening his eyes.

She brushed her hand over his cheek, and he turned and kissed it.

"Is this about you being sick? You should see a healer and find out what is wrong." He had done his best to not smother her with his concern, but he did mention this suggestion quite often. He shifted slightly, his entire body turned to face her.

"I think I'm pregnant." She murmured softly, looking down in shame.

It hit Zuko hard between the eyes. His breath hitched in his throat and his head felt light. "P-pregnant?" he stuttered like a child.

She nodded and looked away. "Zuko…I'm sorr-"

He brought his finger to her lips. "Don't apologize." No, she shouldn't have to. Not when this was his fault as well. A child…

His mind spun. Mai might be pregnant. He might be a father… Zuko felt very scared. Was he even ready for this? When he was a traitor to the Fire Nation, when he was an outlaw in the Earth Kingdom…when he had no home, no way to support this young life that could possibly be growing in the womb of the love of his life…

He felt nauseas.

Mai whimpered softly as tears bit at her eyes. "Zuko?" her voice sounded scared, frail, and so young. They were young, the both of them. But at the same time, old enough.

"We talked about this once before." He said softly.

"You said it would be alright." She protested.

Zuko nodded, and pulled Mai close to him. He kissed her hair, her forehead, her nose. "It will be alright." He reassured her. She sniffled and cried softly in his arms.

He held her close, resisting the urge to cry himself. He had to be strong for Mai, for if she were truly pregnant, she would need him like a fish needed water. But…mostly, he needed her too.

He sung soft Fire Nation ballads to her; neither of them minded that his voice wasn't stellar. She calmed in his arms and fell into a quiet sleep.

Zuko decided he'd turn to his Uncle in the morning.