AVATAR: Hunt for the Courier

by Dearing

Sequel to Last of the Black Core. As Summer's End approches, Alistair and co. must warn the USAC before the Führer fires the COMET System again. But with a new face hunting Avatar's Courier...will they make it in time? Gundam inspired alt. history fic. Now cancelled, but a summery of the ending has been uploaded.

4. Return To New York

Another chapter done and dusted. :D

Before you begin reading though, open a new web page or tab and go to Youtube or Dailymotion and search for "Akatsuki no Kuruma acoustic" It'll be the one with the unaccompanied solo at the begining rather then the guitar solo of the original. It's just kinda important for this chapter.

I'll just let you read now, and leave my notes at the bottom as usual.

Enjoy!

---

003

RETURN TO NEW YORK

"Well, well, well," Sokka smirked grimly as he watched his sister and comrade climb up the ladder along the Bhutan's hull to the deck, "Here I am, worrying my ass off for a day and a bit; fretting that my dear beloved sister and the mighty Courier of the Avatar were boiled, drowned or otherwise sent on their merry way to meet their makers, and then some guy with a bed sheet over his head tells me that the two of you have been here, on a desert island…alone. And look!" he smirked slightly as the Trader's personal Lumbers carefully loaded a Blaze Weapons Pack into the vessel's cargo bay through a large hatch on it's side, "You even brought souvenirs! We gonna see the slide show of your holiday pics later?"

"This isn't the time for jokes Sokka," Alistair scowled he helped Katara up the final rungs, "We need to find a way to attach these packs to the Avatar as quickly as possible. You've heard the news right?"

"About New York? Hard not too," The Australian grimaced slightly as he cast a far off gaze across the island, "G.U.N.'s gloating about it any chance they get, although they're making it sound like the U.S.A.C. just invited them in. They're saying they didn't even put up a fight…"

"New York only really had a small patrol Navy and Police Force to fall back on," Katara frowned uneasily, "No one ever thought G.U.N. would get so…ambitious,"

"And now, there's not much in between G.U.N. and Washington," Sokka sighed, "In order to build a better defence, most of the U.S.A.C.'s cities have been torn down and condensed into smaller enclosures with high sky scrapers. If this had been a hundred years ago, at least the mass of buildings between here and there might've slowed them down, but now…"

"We have to get to New York?"

"Eh?" The Australian blinked in surprise at the officer, "You're kidding right? Al, New York was a fortress before, but with G.U.N. reinforcing it's walls, it'll be damn near impossible to get in,"

"I have to try," Alistair clenched a fist angrily, "I have to find Bumi,"

"Bumi? The crazy old guy?" Sokka scratched his neck uneasily as Aang scowled in his direction, "I dunno Al…don't you think G.U.N. might've…sent him upstairs? I mean he was the mayor after all, the head of the city. They might've used him to set an example to the citizens…"

"I have to make sure," Aang closed his eyes as he rested against the railing, "He's my friend, possibly the only one left from the Black Core. If he's still alive…I can't just leave him there," he turned determinately towards the two siblings, "That's why we have to find a way to rig these weapons packs to the Avatar. We'll need all the help we can get,"

---

Azura was annoyed.

Seated within the mostly empty canteen of the Sovereignty, a cup of lukewarm coffee on the wooden table before her, she stirred the dark liquid mercilessly as Artirius sat up to his beloved piano, a slow sweet tune filling the room from the simple instrument.

Finally, she couldn't take it any more.

"Why are you playing that tatty thing?"
"Because I enjoy playing it," The captain did an impression of a half-shrug, his music never wavering, "I've always loved the instrument, it helps me relax, and it keeps the me…"

"I didn't ask for your life story Artie," Azura scowled as she continued to stir her rapidly cooling coffee, "I ask you a simple question, and you can never give a simple answer," she stirred her drink more vigorously, the dark liquid slopping across the table as a result of her efforts, "It's so….infuriating…"

"Are you still upset by the escape your Uncle and brother from your capture Lady Azura?"

"NO!!!" with an angry sweep of her hand, the coffee cup smashing against the window overlooking the hanger as the youngest Sozin stood up in a rage, "There was nothing wrong with the plan. It was all going so smoothly, and then you," she pointed an accusing finger at her Captain, "Had to ask such a stupid question while they were still within earshot! And then while trying to kill them both and just put an end to it, some vigilante thinks it's funny to throw Rangers at my ship and lets them get away! My plan was foolproof Artie, complications and errors were made by others, not me!"

"I never said it was your fault, Lady Azura,"

His voice was infuriatingly calm, the thought to wrap her fingers around his throat becoming increasingly appealing by the moment.

But she restrained herself. In the state she was in now, Azura knew she wouldn't get any satisfaction from the event.

Instead she sighed, a single hand running through her onyx locks as several crewmen from the galley rushed in to clean up her mess.

"So…our first plan was a failure," she scowled as she sauntered over to the piano and draped herself over it's top, "The only thing we gained from it was the knowledge that the Elite Guard aren't as elite as I would like,"

"What will you do now, My Lady?"

"If I want to catch my prey, I must be agile…nimble. Sovereignty is still a good home base, but I need a smaller team, people with precision and talent, and equipped with the best technology my father can give me," A smile suddenly crossed her lips, "Artie, get up to the Bridge, and have them set course for Paris, maximum burn," she stood up from the stool as Artirius' music came to an abrupt end, "I have to make a call home,"

"Yes Lady Azura," Meridiano sighed as he finished his song and closed the lid, "Should I deploy the…"

"No," the Captain flinched as her voice cut him off, "Zuko may still be in the area. I don't want to reveal this vessel's secret to him until we have too. Wait until we reach France," Azura smiled maliciously from the canteen's door, "Why spoil the surprise?"

---

DATE: FEBRUARY 25th, 2046

TWO WEEKS LATER

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY RIG!?!"

Alistair stared in disbelief as at the Launch Bay of the Avat, Katara trying her hardest not to laugh behind his back.

three of the eight maintenance bays had been completely gutted, two on the right side, one on the left, their contents now strewn across the metal deck in the form of various cogs, screens and metallic debris that had once made up a partitioning wall. In their place, built directly across the bay in parallel to the Avatar's back, a series of pistons and conveyer belts had been hastily constructed, the maintenance pit that had once been used to get below the Ranger now replaced with a makeshift elevator, the space between the floor and the machine large enough to easily fit either of the two weapons packs that now occupied the spaces that had been made within the Maintenance bays; the Slash on the right, and the Blaze on the left.

Even the Avatar itself hadn't been left untouched; a pair of small black plates, clearly 'borrowed' from one of the Endurances on the island they had left behind, had been unceremoniously bolted on top of the rocket shaped ion thrusters, the only care shown being that the workman responsible had avoided the vents on their sides, and insured the energy sword could still be accessed.

"Oh, keep your hat on," Sokka scowled as he finished tightening a bolt along the conveyor assembly, "You only gave us three weeks, and no real workshop to work with. We could have just taken off and headed back to Pacific Base, but no, you had to go find this Bumi guy now. Don't complain if I had to rush,"

"But…" Alistair's shoulders slumped as Katara patted his arm good naturedly with a sympathetic smile, "My rig…"

"Hey, you wanted a way to attach these weapons packs, I gave you a way," The Australian shrugged as he whipped some grim off on his Hawaiian shirt, "besides, it's not like you have to think about re-sale value,"

"But…My rig…"

"Why don't you just explain what you've done Sokka," Katara continued to pat the officer comfortingly on his shoulder, "Quickly, before Alistair tries to do more then just whimper,"

"Right…" Sokka smiled shakily, "Well, attaching these packs was the easy bit; All I had to do was fix the attachment plates from an Endurance the traders' salvaged to the Avatar's back. The packs themselves are actually pretty light…for mecha sized weapons I mean, and I've tested the strength of the bolts with the heaviest pack, which is the Blaze. They managed to hold it up with no stress, so it's safe to say the lighter Sword pack will hold just as fast,"

"What about the Soar Weapons Pack?" Katara frowned as she looked around the desecrated bay, Aang sighing in defeat as he seemed to accept his poor Avat's fate, "Wouldn't that be heavier? It is a larger system,"

"Yeah, I didn't really see the point of adding the Soar to the Avatar's arsenal," Sokka shook his head, "According to maintenance records, it's thruster assembly is already overpowered, the extra weight of the packs won't even phase it, so I thought I'd give the Fortitude some extra power and I welded the Soar to it's back and connected it's systems to your onboard computer," he grinned as his sister blinked in surprise, "As a result, your Ranger is now twice as fast as it's brethren, and has a little extra firepower. I've also tweaked it's firing computer, so it'll only fire one firefly missile at time, rather then a whole salvo. These things are devastating on their own anyway, and with thirty missiles of three salvos, it means we hopefully won't have to re-supply any time soon,"

Katara looked genially touched.

"I didn't know you were such a Ranger Mechanic,"

"I'm not. But there's a few on board, so they helped me rig it up for you," Sokka smirked sheepishly, before turning to the contraption he'd built, "Once I'd finished attaching the plates though, I realised something; these weapon packs might be light in mecha based terms, but their still a few metric tons apiece. Even if you had a way to mount them on the Avatar, there's no way you'd be able actually get them onto the Ranger with just the three of us. So, I created this system, which is why I had to clear out some of the maintenance bays to make room," he smiled apologetically over his shoulder, "Sorry about that,"

Alistair merely sighed again, "Just tell me how it works,"

Sokka nodded eagerly, "Alright, seeing as Katara's got the Soar all to herself, I've set the Blaze and Slash into the maintenance bays on either side. So, say you were going up against Sozin, and you wanted some extra fire power," he quickly ran over to the nearby console, "You simply select the Blaze option form over here and…"

The effect was almost instantaneous.

With a blast of steam as the left hand conveyer belt whirred into motion, the rifle Weapons pack was pushed from it's home by a pair of pistons, rapidly moving across the bay until it fell onto the elevator in the centre, the entire pack forced up against the Avatar's back within a clack, several sparks flying as automatic screws dug into the plates, attaching the pack.

The whole event had taken less then a minute.

"And that's all there is to it," Sokka shrugged modestly, "The pack's onboard computer will automatically release itself once you've returned to the Avat, and from what we've seen with the energy sword you 'acquired' a while back, the Avatar's own computer matrix should recognise the new weapon attached to it's back almost immediately. So Al," he smirked at the officer, "Considering you only gave me two weeks, trashing the launch bay is a small price to pay if you get this advanced tech on your back right?"

"I guess so," Alistair sighed, clearly resigned to his Launch Bay's fate, "We'll be within range of New York in a few minutes. The Bhutan will take the Gelion's refugees up to Toronto while we fly onward to the city using the Avat's Mirage System to hide ourselves while we look for Bumi. As for how we all get out again…we'll cross that bridge when we come to it,"

---

The blond pilot scowled as he drummed his fingers against the cockpit chair's armrest, his dark blue eyes creasing into a frown behind his dark shades as he watched the group walk through the darkened streets below him.

"Is this really necessary?"

"It's in your contract," he scowled up at the sound of the aged soldier's on his speakers, "You agreed to aid us in liberating New York,"
"True, but I don't see how dropping a building on the appointed Overseer, his family and their Exo-suit bodyguards will help in fulfilling that objective,"
"If the G.U.N. forces have no leadership in the area, their forces will be thrown into chaos," the officer was getting impatient, "We strike soon after, and New York will be returned to freedom by the morning,"

"But there's a little kid down there! It just doesn't seem right…besides, I don't see the Overseer down there. And it's not in my contract to harm innocents. You want that, go find yourself a Fallen Glint,"
A long pause followed.

"Just…drop the building anyway. Make sure the family has enough time to get out of the way before it falls though. You have no idea the kind of effort that was put into to evacuate this street without anyone noticing,"

"Yes, because living in New York's sewers is such a step up from a nice warm apartment," the pilot muttered darkly under his breath, "Whatever, it's your damn contract," he sighing reluctantly as he primed the positron driver on his crimson mech's left arm, "This is Jason Giddion and Red Devil…reluctantly…continuing contract,"

---

"Wandering the streets of an enemy city in the middle of the night with only a handful of grunts in Exo-suits for protection," Maia sighed as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her winter coat, "Why exactly did you think this was a good idea Mom?"

"Well…the city's always so busy during the day," her mother smiled good-naturedly as her baby son tugged playfully at her long onyx locks, "After curfew, there's no one around. It makes it so much easier to get a better look at our new home don't you think? And how many times have I told you, this is a G.U.N. base now. Your father was appointed Overseer. We're like royalty here. Be happy, and enjoy it,"

"Whatever,"

The older woman sighed with exasperation. Over the course of the last eighteen years, it had become quiet clear to her that Maia Testarossa would never be the most joyful of people. While other girls of their class went shopping with servants and attended the most extravagant of parties, her daughter was more content to stay home and maintain her collection of various firearms or work on her already deadly aim. While other women worked on their tans and wore all styles of various stylish and colourful clothing, Maia was more then content to stay indoors, her skin almost paper white, her current attire a testament to the majority of her wardrobe; a blood crimson mock-turtleneck long-sleeved tunic with simple black trousers and matching knee length boots, and a onyx lapelled jacket done up to the chest and pulled tight around her thin waist by a simple leather belt with gold buckle.

Her thin face was devoid of makeup, her liquid amber eyes were always sharp and alert. The only sign of any vanity the girl processed was in the form of her dark shoulder length hair; shiny and sleek, long enough to be feminine but short enough to insure it never got in her eyes.

Needless to say, her mother had been more than surprised when her sullen Maia came home from her high class pre-school and announced she had become friends with Lady Azura Sozin; the then-second in line to becoming the next Führer upon her father's passing.

Their social status seemed to only soar after that.

Not that her beloved daughter seemed to notice.

"Just because we have a G.U.N. flag flying from that oversized pole in the middle of the city doesn't mean the citizens are going to willingly stand down Mom," the eighteen year old scowled her eyes flitted to the half completed Umbrella Generator that loomed ominously over the city, bright spotlights illuminating it's pearl white walls and steel framework, "Don't you remember that guy that stormed into Dad's office last week?"

"You're over-examining the situation Darling," Maia rolled her eyes at her mother's superior tone, "Of course we should expect a few civilians to feel…uncomfortable about our occupation, but it's well after curfew, and we're being accompanied by four soldiers with Elite Class Exo-Suits and extra assault rifles. What could they possibly do to harm us right now?"

A sudden electronic roar ripped through the quiet of the night, a blinding flash causing several of the guards to cry out in alarm as a nearby twenty storey block of flats began to list dangerously over the street.

"Does that answer your question?"

Her mother never replied.

With a moan and a creak, the foundations of the massive building of red brick and mortar exploded outwards as the entire structure began to collapse, glass shattering from it's windows as the apartment block smashed into it's fellow across the street.

Her mother screamed.

The baby cried.

And as Maia was forced to the ground by one of her protectors, something large and heavy impacted against the ground.

Dust and debris surged through the streets around them, the sound of bits of brink pinging off the Exo-suit that shielded her ringing in her ears.

As the dust settled however, Maia could help but frown in puzzlement as she realised she was still free to get up, the only crushing weight being that of the Exo-Suited pilot that seemed content to lie on top of her in the place of the rubble of at least two buildings.

As she pushed off her would be saviour however, she quickly found the reason why she could still see the stars.

Looming ominously over the fallen party, the bulky form of a single Fortitude stood partially illuminated by what street lights hadn't been brought down in the ensuing collapse, several large hunks of building held within it's grasp high above it's head.

It took another look however, for the young teen to realise there was more to this machine then it's regular counterparts.

No, this machine was far more interesting; a sea ofpure greenish-blue with silver streaks along the edges of the plates replacing the non-descriptive metal grey of it's usual colour scheme, an enlarged thruster assembly with narrow twin missile launchers mounted on either side.

"Is…is it one of ours?" Maia's mother swallowed thickly as the Fortitude watched them quietly with it's single blood red eye, her small son continuing to bawl his eyes out.

"Nope, G.U.N. would never allow something like that. It stands out too much," Maia smirked slightly, only for it to disappear as her eyes travelled up beyond the rubble held up by the giant mech, "No, it just looks like the resistance brought another Glint into town,"

"What…what makes you say that?"

"Because he has a friend,"

Her mother followed her daughter's gaze to the starry sky, only for a terrified gasp to escape her lips.

"Red…Red Devil!"

Had this been merely a week ago, the sight of the heavy set mecha would have been a welcoming sign of good fortune in the aftermath of their near miss.

However, due to certain circumstances, the sight of Red Devil was far from encouraging.

Sixty feet tall, with large bulbous legs and spheroid shoulders, the sheer mass of this crimson Ranger made many who fought against it underestimate it's speed. They never really suspected until an actual engagement that the massive legs hid a series of ion thrusters within the soles, allowing the craft to hover across the ground and fly faster and longer then any grunt type machine. Neither did they realise the spheres that rested on it's shoulders, just small enough to ensure a full 180 degree view from it's arrow shaped head, actually housed separate ion generators to fuel the squared off rifle in it's right hand and the particle accelerator mounted on it's left. It's torso was just as remarkable; a solid hunk of metal curing around a pair spheres that housed the machines main ion generators, the larger one at the rear for main propulsion and movement, the smaller one set into the chest to power the twin laser gatling guns that were mounted in a collapsed state on either side of it's main thruster assembly.

The giant Ranger stared quietly from it's position high in the air at the scene before it, a single burning red eye set into a strip of black beneath the trio of pulled back horns darting between the blue Fortitude and the fallen party.

Finally, Maia's mother couldn't take the silence.

"Don't just sit there!! These two Glints made an attempt on our lives! Execute them!!!"

The soldiers didn't need telling twice.

Within seconds of the order, the air was filled with the sounds of gunfire as bullets pinged of the Fortitude's armour, the azure mech stumbling back as it cast aside the rubble and assumed a defensive posture, it's rifle raised in warning.

"You do realise it's a giant robot right?" Maia rolled her eyes in agitation as Red Devil suddenly turned and soared up into the darkness above them, leaving his comrade to G.U.N.'s apparent mercy, "Ugh, you guys are armatures. Give me that…"

"But My Lady…" The soldier could only yelp in surprise as his rifle was plucked from his hands, the raven haired girl swinging the barrel up towards the Fortitude's head, "What are you doing?!"

Maia smirked slightly.

"Exploiting a weakness,"

A single shot sliced through the night from her captured rifle, the bullet smashing into the Fortitude's exposed camera with a sickening crack as the machine staggered from the loss of it's sight.

Maia's smirk became a deadly grin as the Ranger's chest segmented and opened wide. As she had correctly remembered, Fortitude's main weakness was the lack of a back-up camera. The pilot's only choice was to open the cockpit hatch unless he wanted to run around the city blind.

Which is what she had been anticipating.

Slinging her weapon over her shoulder, her mother could do nothing but yell after her as Maia darted across the miniature battlefield, her lithe form darting between the bullets of her comrades and up the debarkation ladder embedded in the Ranger's side into the cockpit.

As she shrugged the rifle back into her hands, her amber eyes widened at the sight of the pilot.

The tanned girl stared angrily back, her blue eyes narrowing to slits as her hands clenched around the control sticks.

Maia smirked as she raised the rifle to the pilot's head.

"Do you always go out dressed like that?"

The smirk disappeared when the girl pulled a pistol from within the armrest of her chair.

"Do you always ask stupid questions before you jump out of cockpits?"

Maia never replied.

Before she could fire a single shot, a hail of bullets forced from her perch into open sky, the gunfire from below coming to an abrupt halt at her mother's scream.

Pain shot through her shoulder as it hit the hard concrete, her body rolling over it onto her feet, the rifle ready in her hands.

Then, something exploded.

Maia couldn't help but cry out in alarm as she was thrown back by the blast, the street lights flickering and dying around her as the sound of an aircraft's ion engines thundering close roared in her ears, the windows of nearby buildings shattering as a craft screamed by, up and out into the night.

By the time Maia felt her supposed bodyguards come to help her to her feet, the only signs that battle had ever taken place there was the remaining wreckage of the fallen buildings, and a smoking crater from a high powered impact.

---

"So…Avat has a grapple gun," the bemusement in Sokka's voice was quite clear, "Always wondered what this button was for,"

Alistair smirked as he rested Avatar's deployed energy cannon against the edge of the open launch bay, his eyes carefully watching the twin cables on either side of the hatch for any signs of stress as they held onto Katara's Fortitude via three clawed hooks clinging to the machine's shoulders a few metres below.

Their supposed rescue of the endangered had been nothing but a farce. In return for their safety, not only had they damaged the Fortitude, but tried to kill their saviour in the process. If Avatar hadn't been a wanted machine, the circumstances might have been different, and an escape covering energy blast might have been the least of their problems.

"So, It's clear G.U.N. doesn't want us around," The officer could almost picture Katara's smirk in his mind, "What do we do now?"

"You could come with me,"

Aang blinked in surprise as the mysterious crimson Ranger pulled up beside the Avat out of the gloom, it's Gatling guns trained on the transport's side.

"Not to be rude or anything, but you kinda messed up my contract here," the Ranger's pilot seemed more amused then anything else, "If you wouldn't mind following me, I think there's a few police officers who need to blame you for screwing with their resistance movement,"

---

"You know, when my spies informed me Ty Lee had been seen in Paris, the Théâtre du Châtelet wasn't the place I pictured finding her," Azura frowned as she settled into the seat of the hastily prepared private box, "I would have thought Moulin Rouge would have been far more her style,"

Artirius scowled slightly at her side, even though he partially agreed with his Lady.

A French cabaret might not have been high on the list of places the Captain expected to find his former liaison officer, but with it's golden ceiling, massive chandelier and extravagant arches over the upper seating, this far from even modest theatre was possibly the last place he would have thought to look if Azura's intelligence hadn't led them here.

And then there was the cliental.

To say it was a…unique sight in this day and age would be an understatement.

Far below the makeshift box and in the surrounding stands, G.U.N. soldiers and ordinary citizens sat together, clusters of dark green and black uniforms mingling with patches of simpler casual attire, a few officers even talking casually to their civilian companions, and of the usual tension that was seen between locals and the occupying forces apparently forgotten.

"She must be good if she can draw in such a mixed crowd my Lady,"

"Peh, this is hardly what I'd call a decent crowd," Azura gazed down nonchalantly at the audience below, "Mostly young men and low ranking soldiers. I'm surprised there's actually women here though. Must be here to make sure their boyfriends don't get too…hyped up,"

"This doesn't exactly seem to be a place where anyone could get…hyped up…in that fashion," Artirius frowned slightly, "This is a classical theatre, originally used for operas and concerts before they set up this weekly performance. People are tuning a grand piano, cellos, violins…the last thing I think the director of this place would was let Ming jump into the middle of the stage in something skimpy enough to be her underwear,"

Azura shot her companion a dangerous look, "Were you just thinking about Ty Lee in her underwear?"

Artirius merely thanked his maker as the lights chose that moment to dim, the heat that stained his cheeks lost in the semi-darkness.

"I would never dream of any other woman other than yourself, Lady Azura,"

Sozin merely smiled as she turned her eyes to the stage as a portly man in a prim pressed suit with greying moustache and balding dome walked into the single spot light at the front of the theatre, a microphone with stand in one hand.

"That's what I thought,"

"Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests" the man on stage smiled warmly to the audience before him, his eye momentarily gazing up to the makeshift private box before returning to the crowd, "On behalf of our musicians and performer, I welcome you to Théâtre du Châtelet and Lady Ming's latest local performance…"

"Lady Ming?" Azura cocked an eyebrow in mild surprise as the man continued to talk, "She didn't even change her name, but she kept her title too? It's bad enough she's playing around before G.U.N. soldiers while on the run, but she didn't even change her name? Why hasn't anyone turned her in before now?"

Artirius didn't reply. He knew his Lady didn't really want an answer. His only movement was a careful hand to the crimson sash that covered his eyes, his fingers pulling the blindfold off his emerald green eyes and down to around his neck. This was something he wanted to see for himself.

"…and now, for your enjoyment. I present to you, our own patron for peace, Lady Ty Lee Ming,"

The applause was surprisingly polite and well mannered. No one even whooped or catcalled as an elegant figure stepped into the spotlight.

As Ty Lee stepped fully into the light, Artirius could see why the locals gave her such respect.

Smiling gracefully to her audience, his former lieutenant seemed to shine in the spotlight, a back and armless dress of glittering sequins that trailed down to the ground and was slit up to her thighs hugging her lithe form and complementing her pale skin and contrasting with the wave of her silky dark brown hair that fell across her shoulders and down her back.

In her hands was a violin and it's bow, it's dark sheen glinting in the bright light.

For a moment she stood there quietly, her smile never leaving her face as she waited for the applause to die down.

It was only when the pianist gave her a starting note did the theatre become completely silent, letting her soft voice echo across the cavernous room.

Shaded by the trees, I lie here, letting my tears fall to the ground,
Gazing from the sea, across from me, I saw myself, alone, unfound,
On this violin, I play this song, for someone who, was dear to me,
As I watch the stars, I can't help but think: Does he still think of me?

I still see his face, Ever quiet and with no remorse,
He just watched me go, without a word, as orange petals blew on the wind,
I held back my tears, showing strength before his shielded eyes,
Sealed the pain away, until that time could come,
that I could turn away, forever more...forever more.

Standing there alone I watched him go. Never to see, his face again,
Watched as his great ship, of steel and men, headed away across the fen,
On this violin, I play this song, for that man who, was dear to me,
Letting every note, pierce my heart, so his smile stays right there.

Across the dunes and fields, cities, snow and every battlefield,
I still see his face within my dreams, those orange petals flowing on the wind,
Does he think of me? Does he watch the stars just like I do?
Will we meet again in some peaceful place?
Or is this farewell, forever more...forever more?

As this Earth still turns, through the darkness of the night, the guns of war still fighting on,
I wait for peace, so I may find my answer and still my heart,

I still see his face, Ever quiet and with no remorse,
He just watched me go, without a word, as orange petals blew on the wind,
I held back my tears, showing strength before his shielded eyes,
Sent the pain away, so that the time might come,
that I could stay with him, forever more...forever more...forever more.

The piece came to an end, Ty Lee slowly lowering her instrument back down to her side following the end of her instrumental.

Then, the entire auditorium exploded into applause. Soldiers and civilians alike shouted for more as whistles pierced the ever ongoing sound of clapping hands.

"They love her," Azura blinked in surprise as Artirius replaced his sash across his eyes, "They're really falling for this rot!"

"Ming always did have a wonderful voice," The Captain smiled slightly, before turning solemnly to his superior, "What will you do, My Lady?"

"Simple," Sozin smirked as she steeped her fingers as Ty Lee began her next song, "One way or another, I'm going to get what I came here for,"

---

"Ah, the sewage system," Sokka smiled grimly as he held his nose, "Every resistance's dream come true. Because let's face it, nothing says freedom like living and roaming around in your own and your enemies' filth,"

Alistair couldn't help but partially agree with his friend.

After parking the Avat out of sight at a nearby sewage plant near the edge of the massive wall that encircled Manhattan and walking for several minutes, the officer had thought he would have gotten used to the putrid smell the endless tunnels seemed to provide.

As they continued to follow their enigmatic companion through the never-ending maze, he quickly realised he wouldn't.

"So…this resistance," the officer quickened his pace to fall into step with their newest companion, "Is Bumi with you? Is he leading the resistance?"

"I wouldn't know," Jason's crimson tunic rustled as he shrugged indifferently, "I'm just a Glint, as long as I get paid it could be the Führer himself running the show and I couldn't give a damn,"

"A Glint?" Alistair frowned at the blond uneasily as the two siblings behind them shot each other uneasy glances, "You mean you're not with U.S.A.C.,"

"They're not with anyone Al," Sokka pulled his friend back before Jason could reply, "Glints are basically mercenaries; they'll work for any nation, the Union, U.S.A.C., even G.U.N.. They don't take a side. As long as you have the credits, they'll practically do anything you want them too…"

"Not true!" Giddion held up a contradictory finger as he side-stepped a small family that huddled against the sewer wall, "Glints have a code of honour to uphold. You want us to lead your troops into battle with our customised Rangers, we'll do it…as long as the pay is right. You want us to plunder and pillage, you could promise us the planet and we still wouldn't do it. That kind of work's for Fallen Glints. You stab us in the back, we give a contract to the other side. It's as simple as that,"

"But don't you have any feelings about what you're doing?" Katara scowled at the pilot darkly, "I mean you've fought both the U.S.A.C. and G.U.N.. Don't you have any morality in what you're doing?"

"Hey, all I'm doing is profiteering from a Government's war," Jason shrugged again as more families started to appear along the lines of the sewers, "That's all this damn conflict is about: One side of politicians wants what another side has, so they send in their army of pawns to take it. The other side retaliates with their own army of pawns because their not given a choice. That's all war ever is, politicians squabbling over boarders which only exist in maps. Glints aren't pawns Miss; otherwise we'd just pick a side and fight for them. We're mercenaries, I won't deny that. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter to me who wins this war, because I've been paid by both sides at some point during my career. Here we are,"

The conversation ended as the tunnel widened out into a large cavernous junction. Here many more men, women and children huddled together in small groups amid the many tunnels that separated from the room, most clutching bags of precious belongings and clothes, all regarding the newcomers with suspicion and uneasy.

"So…who's in charge here?" Alistair's voice rang out across the junction, "I'm looking for the leader of the resistance…"

"Keep your voice down! Some people are trying to sleep!"

Aang blinked in surprise as the elderly man stepped out of the darkness.

Clothed in the green tail-coat that signified his association to the U.S.A.C.'s Land Forces, the African American gentleman was clearly someone high with in the ranks, the two soldiers decked out in Exo-suits used by the local Police Force at his sides showing his importance to those around him. But with tired bloodshot eyes and heavy bags merging with the hard wrinkles of his aging face, it was clear this entire affair was taking it's toll on a man past his prime.

"I am Brigadier Victor Boyd, commander-in-chief of the New York Defence Grid…or at least I was until last around a month ago," the soldier scowled darkly, "I now lead the resistance movement against our Nationalist occupiers. So, now you know about me, who the hell are you? Another Glint?"

"No, my name is Alistair Aang," the officer shifted uneasily as a soft murmur began to stir across the room, "I'm the courier of the Avatar,"

"Yes, I remember you," Boyd's scowl became darker, "If memory serves, you destroyed Madison Square garden in a tussle with Mayor Bumi. Do you have any idea how long it took us to tidy up that mess?"

"Sorry," Aang smiled sheepishly, "So…where is Bumi? Is he around?"

"The Mayor? Around here?" The Brigadier snorted with a short laugh, "Unlikely. Why would a coward and a traitor be within our ranks?"

"What did you say!?" Alistair flared angrily, the soldiers standing protectively between him and their superior, "Take that back! Bumi is no coward, nor would he betray his allies to G.U.N.!"

"Really? Are you sure?" the officer seethed at the patronising tone of the aged soldier, "The day of the invasion, we readied ourselves for battle. We were prepared to defend our city...to fight for our lives and for our freedom. But before we even had a chance, Mayor Bumi…surrendered,"

Aang's eyes widened as Katara gasped behind him, only for them to narrow to slits a moment later.

"You're lying,"

"Am I?" Boyd resumed his scowl as he set his bodyguards aside, "I was there, by his side atop the Southern Battery. An entire Battalion, led by the Red Devil over there," he indicated to Giddion with a nod, "was flying across the ocean from the nearby fleet. Our own forces were still on standby within the wall and the Umbrella Generator was, and still is, nowhere near completion. AS I readied myself for battle, and prepared the southern AA guns for Ranger assault, I turned to Mayor Bumi and asked what our attack strategy should be, hoping that his time with the Black Core would give some insight in the matter. He turned to me, and as the first shots were fired by the battalion, he looked me in the eye and said: 'We shall do…nothing!',"

Aang stared at the solider in disbelief, the silence carrying across the junction as Boyd continued.

"What else could we do? I thought he was joking, but he remained firm in his decision. He even ordered the forces to stand down and invoked some amendment no-one's used in decades to insure I couldn't belay his order. Mayor Bumi was captured, and I forced many of our forces underground. We have the full support of the city's populous; these families have all given up their homes and lifestyles to aid the remains of the armed forces and NYPD in the liberation of our fair city. Fighting G.U.N. is the only path to freedom. And freedom is worth dying for,"

"Are you really so sure?"

"Hold you're tongue Glint!" all eyes turned to the crimson clad mercenary as his voice floated across the junction, the fingers of his left hand playing with a tiny pale figure as the Brigadier turned his anger on the blond, "You're only here because G.U.N. refused to pay your salary. You're here to fight, not to complicate matters with your foolish alternatives,"

"An alternative?" Alistair turned to Giddion inquisitively, "You have another idea besides fighting?"

"Just because I'm a Glint, doesn't mean I like fighting," Jason shrugged before Boyd could speak, "I'm just a guy trying to earn a living, and I happen to be a fairly experienced Ranger pilot. That said, I've been through many a fight on both sides of this war, and I've come to know when it's a good time to stay and fight, and good day to retreat and live to fight another day. This 'resistance' as the Brigadier calls it is completely pointless. All he has are the few dozen soldiers that manned the mostly automated defence grid and most of the NYPD. G.U.N. meanwhile has a decent sized fleet, most of the captured vessel from the U.S.A.C.'s Defence fleet, and a whole battalion of Rangers. It doesn't matter how many times you try and liberate portions of the defence grid, or evacuate citizens from their homes so you can drop apartment blocks on G.U.N. forces. This is a lost battle. My idea is a simple one: cut your losses and evacuate the city…"

"And where do you suggest we go Glint?" Boyd scowled darkly, "There's thousands of people living within the wall. Washington DC is barely holding up with the endless waves of refugees it gets from across the Atlantic. And if you suggest that damn island again…"

"Island?"

"The Island of New Bretonia," Giddion smiled as held his figure between his forefinger and thumb revealing it to a be a small simply carved wooden chess piece: A white knight, " They say it's the only true haven from the war, a neutral place protected by an age old secret organisation, far out into the South Pacific. There is only one way to find it. By answering a simple question," he smiled enigmatically at the group, "Who do you serve?"

No one noticed the shiver of unease that shot up Katara's spine, the memory of a certain nightmare she had endured barely two weeks ago flashing across the Australian's mind.

"Peh! That's just a story told to give hope to refugees," Boyd scoffed, "Any settlement like that would have been found and destroyed by G.U.N. long ago. You don't hide from the Nationalists that close to the boarder,"

"Real or not, Giddion has a point," the Brigadier blinked in surprise as Alistair spoke up, "The fact of the matter is you only have so many men at your disposal, and irritating the Overseer by dropping buildings on or near his family isn't going to help your cause any. This island that he speaks of…I don't know if it's real or not. But there's no way Washington can turn away it's own citizens. You can't win this fight sir, either find a way to evacuate the citizens of this town, or succumb to G.U.N. rule. Those are the only options available to you,"

"Impudent little brat!!" Aang winced at the Brigadier's hateful remark, "They've taken our homes! Made us prisoners within our own city! We have to fight them, no matter the cost!!!"

"But sir…" the solider turned in alarm as one of his own police officers hesitantly spoke, his voice synthesised by his Exo-suit's speakers, "Aren't…we forcing people out of their homes so we can go through with these attacks?"

"Yeah," his comrade agreed, "And I don't think a lot of these guys are happy we're asking them to stay in the sewers…or not even allowing them up for some fresh air every so often,"

Boyd winced slightly as his own comrades' words sunk, his dark eyes slowly taking in the assortment of miserable faces that filled the junction as he ran a hand across his thin steel coloured hair.

"I never…thought of it that way," the Brigadier's shoulders slumped slightly, "Alright fine, we'll evacuate the citizens. But how are we going to do it? There are over eight million people living within the wall. Even if G.U.N. doesn't notice the entire population slowly going disappearing from the streets, it will take time to evacuate everyone…"

"Then we're just gonna have to let G.U.N. do the evacuating for us,"

"You want us to ask the Nationalists to evacuate the city for us?" Katara regarded her brother sceptically, "No offence Sokka, but I don't think G.U.N.'s going to just give up a city load of hostages if we ask them nicely,"

"Then we won't ask them," Sokka grinned knowingly, "It'll take a few days to set up, so in the mean time we should evacuate the people already down here to somewhere beyond the wall and try and get as many people as we can while I set this all in motion," he turned excitedly to the bemused Brigadier, "Do you know where the nearest flow control terminal is?"

---

Another night, another success.

Ty Lee smiled to herself as she bid the last of the musicians a fond farewell as she headed to the small converted dressing room she had been given by the Director of the theatre.

It had been her idea really; she would sing her songs and play her violin, as well as perform caretaking duties around the complex, in exchange for this small room and a few square meals a day.

The kindly Director had only been too happy to assist a deserter of G.U.N.

And when her performances started racking in more credit then several of his previous shows, he was even happier.

"This war…people want it to come to an end," she sighed as she sat in front of the large vanity mirror, placing her precious violin back in the safety of it's case of the table before her, "I've never seen G.U.N. soldiers act so civilly with regular civilians, and it just seems to get better with every concert," She smiled at her pale reflection, "Maybe…this is my own little contribution to ending this war now…"

"Well well. Don't you look…pretty?"

Her blood froze at the sound of a familiar sickly smooth voice, her hands clenching into fists as the shadowed outlines of two familiar figures stepped out of the darkness beyond her lamp's light.

"No…No! No! No!" her mind was gripped by fear as she slowly rose from her chair, "Please, not now! I beg you! Anyone but…"

She stifled a gasp that threatened to escape her throat as the uniformed form of her childhood 'friend' stepped in to the light, that same cruel smile she remembered from so long ago still playing across her pale lips.

"Lady Azura," despite her rightful fear, years of experience kept Ty Lee's voice calm and quiet as she curtsied to her friend, "It's…good to see you. I wasn't aware you were in Paris,"

"Ty Lee Ming," Azura tutted quietly, the same sly smirk never leaving her face, "You were never this formal back in Berlin. I think serving under Artie has had an undesirable effect on you, wouldn't you agree Captain?"

"Cap…" Something jumped in her chest as the second figure stepped into the lamplight, her cheeks visibly pinking at the warm smile that graced what was visible of his face, "M…Major Meridiano!"

"It's nice to see you well Lieutenant," Artirius nodded in greeting, "It's nice to see your musical talents being put to good use. I…that is, we…enjoyed your concert tonight,"

"You…You saw my concert?"

"But of course," Azura smirked as she waved a condescending hand, "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't…support my comrades in their endeavours? Even if such comrades are currently considered deserters of the G.U.N. Navy,"

Ty Lee winced, a cold sweat starting to form across her brow as she nervously eyed the sword at Azura's side, watching carefully as the Lady fingered it's hilt almost playfully.

"But that's all in the past," the feeling of unease didn't leave the former Lieutenant as Azura seemed to smile almost sympathetically, "If an entire city of G.U.N. soldiers wouldn't turn you in, why should I?"

Ming smiled with relief, "Thank you La…"

"I do have something you could help me with," her teeth snapped shut with a click as her friend continued, "As much as I would like to say I was just in the neighbourhood, I'm actually on a mission from my father. I'm hunting my Uncle on his behalf. I don't know if you've heard, be he's considered an Enemy of the State. My Elite guards…apparently…are only good for mediocre protection that I never really need. As such, I require you assistance in hunting my Uncle down,"

"But…I'm not a Ranger pilot…"

"You don't have to be," the same almost sincere smile never left Sozin's face, "I am currently awaiting the arrival some new prototype machines fresh from the production lines of Lodonia. As long as you're athletic prowess is as up to par as it was when we were children, the Mecha Suit I have prepared for you will be more then adequate. So what do you say? You in?"

Ty Lee bit her lip as Azura watched her quietly, her amber eyes taking in the way her old friend's hands clenched uneasily by her sides as a metal war was waged with her mind.

Finally, she took a deep steadying breath.

"I'm sorry Lady Azura…but I must decline your kind request. While it's true that I've deserted the Navy, I feel that my songs and music motivate soldiers and civilians alike to do their best to work towards peace. Besides, the Director has been very kind to me. I still feel I need to pay his debt,"

"I see," Azura's face was surprisingly neutral, "And not even a pardon from my father would convince you to join me?"

"Lady Azura…I'm happy here," the tension in the room was becoming thick, "And I really believe I'm doing something worthwhile that will contribute to the war…"

"I see…" Azura cocked an bemused eyebrow, but did little else, "Well, if it will benefit the war, who am I to argue?" she smiled that same curiously foreboding smile again, "I wouldn't want to give up something you love and beneficial to my father's work just to please me,"

Neither Ty Lee nor Artirius seemed to be fully convinced. The former merely smiled however, before graciously curtsying once more.

"Thank you Lady Azura,"

"That said, it will still be a few days before the new machines arrive from Lodonia. If you suddenly get the burning desire to rejoin your army," Sozin smiled as she indicated to Artirius to open the door, "You know where to find us,"

---

It was quiet, the guard noticed. Too quiet.

In the few days it had been since the attempt on the Overseer's family, several more severe restrictions had been placed over New York. As such, heavily armoured Fortitude Rangers had been placed along the main streets of the city, ensuring that at least one giant machine was on the scene in case the Resistance tried to drop any more buildings in unsuspecting G.U.N. personal.

As an unexpected reaction however, fewer people seemed to be wondering the streets. Sure, it was still busy, even for a Sunday when construction on the Umbrella Generator was halted and most stores were closed. But it just didn't seem to be as busy as it should be. From his position several kilometres up the side of the Umbrella Generator, sniper rifle in hand, it felt like half the city had been emptied as a result of the new restrictions, or at the very least an unusual amount of people had decided to stay home this fine sunny day.

It was then that he noticed the smell.

At first, he thought it was just his imagination; being so high above the city, it could have been the wind playing tricks with his senses. But then, as the odour became more and more pungent, he began to notice may of the busy few that were touring the streets seemed to suddenly begin making their way towards the many gates built into the side of the walls, a strange river of green grass smilingly following them across the roads with surprising speed.

When he looked down at the greeifying streets through his rifle's scope however, he quickly realised where the disgusting scent was emanating from.

Bubbling and squelching up from every manhole and drain, a dark green sludge was slowly filling the streets. Covering the tarmac and oozing onto the sidewalk, the waste of New York spreading out across the city, sending it's citizens scattering as the stench became neigh unbearable.

With a hand over his mouth and nose, the guard staggered over to the nearby emergency phone, his eyes watering as he cranked the handle and picked up the receiver.

"Get me the Overseer," he didn't even wait for the operator to speak as he heard the click of someone picking up, "It's an emergency,"

---

"Ugh, what a stench,"

If the smell had been bad several kilometres above the city, then it was far worse down on ground level.

Standing at the window of New York's City Hall, Overseer Testarossa couldn't help but feel slightly ill at the sight of the sickly ooze as it flowed throughout the streets.

"Well look at that," Maia smirked slightly at her father's side as she watched the guards at the gates of the Hall climb up the railings to avoid the putrid filth, "Now this city's in deep shit in more ways then one,"

"Don't swear Maia," her mother scowled as she placed her young son back in his cot, "It's not befitting of a lady. But that said," she winced as the smell seemed to penetrate the very glass of the window, "All this sewage…why is it backing up onto the streets?"

"We can't worry about that now," the Overseer growled darkly, "What's important is that we've got an entire city's worth of germ ridden filth in the streets, and if the Führer finds New York's citizens have come down with all kinds of diseases, it'll be my head!"

Without a moment's hesitation, he swiftly brought the radio from his belt to his lips

"This is Overseer Testarossa. Open all gates, push the citizens out, then get a clean up crew down to the nearest flow control terminal and find out what's happening to my city!"

As the three family members watched out over the city however, none of them noticed the fourth as he managed to pull himself out over the side of his cot and on to the thick carpet, his small stubby legs taking him out of the room and out of sight.

---

Fluffy was bored.

Locked up in a cage two sizes too small in the courtyard of City Hall, the massive lion and beloved pet of Mayor Bumi lent his large head on his thick paws as his tail swished lazily behind him, his tiny black eyes gazing irritably at the minute steak some terrified guard had pushed into his cage barely an hour ago.

It had been fun to watch the little man soil his pants at the great beast's roar, but it had been the only fun he'd had all day.

So now, once again, Fluffy was bored, with not even the smell of some strange gunk that was flowing along the road outside to peak his interest.

Until…he came along.

A little one.

A human cub.

Dressed in clothes of red with a tuft of black hair atop his head, Fluffy watched with mild interest as the little cub waddled across the courtyard, his thick stubby arms held out on either side as though to keep it's balance.

Then, he noticed Fluffy.

His blue eyes widened with curiosity at the sight of the large cat in the cage, his finger reaching out as he lumbered over to the metal bars, the digits dying to know what the beast large shaggy mane is felt like.

Any other lion would have considered this an opportunity for a more substantial meal, but Fluffy wasn't any other lion.

Lying quietly, he let the cub's hands reach through the bars and sift through his long hair, an irritated grunt escaping his large mouth as those fingers began to tug and pull at his follicles.

This didn't seem to impress the cub. He wanted to get closer to this massive bundle of fur, to press his body against it and feel the warmth of the animal beneath it.

In a matter of moments, he found the simple drawn bolt on the front of the cage door.

The lion raised his head curiously as the forward bars of his cage suddenly swung open, the massive beast slowly raising to his paws as the cub waddled in and smiled up at Fluffy, revealing only two front teeth in a gummy mouth, his thick little finger reaching up to play with the strands of mane that dangled beneath Fluffy's chin.

The beast regarded the cub quietly, before turning his great head to the sky.

His master was missing, taken by the parent's of this cub and locked away. But he had seen something in the sky last night; a massive truck like machine, with wings, and a black giant standing on it's back. A giant, his master had told him, was a friend.

And it had gone beyond the wall.

Perhaps this giant would know what to do with the cub.

Circling the curious little one, Fluffy gently caught the back of the cub's clothes with the edge of his mouth, the cub squealing with joy as he was lifted up from the ground and bounced into the air.

With one final glance to insure there were no guards to block his escape, Fluffy lumbered quietly out into the street towards the nearest open gate, taking great care to avoid the sludge that wove down the streets of New York, the big cat silently lumbering down the sidewalk and out of sight.

---

"That's the last of them," Alistair lowered his binoculars as he slumped down beside Katara atop the ridge overlooking the South West Gate, "Although no sign of Bumi…not that I was expecting them to just let him go because of a blocked drain,"

"Gotta hand it to Sokka," Katara smirked, "This was definitely one of his better ideas. It was smelly, gross, and a little bit nauseating, but a good plan none the less. All that's left to do now is to find them a home…"

"I can deal with that," Jason strolled up the ridge nonchalantly, his hands in his pockets, "I'll take them as far as Washington, and then I'll consider my contract completed…"

"Look out! Lion!"

Katara blinked in surprise as the cry came up from beyond the ridge.

"Did they just say… lion?"

She soon got her answer.

Lumbering quietly along the rear of the mass that was once the populous of New York, a large mass of yellow fur seemed quite uninterested in the terrified citizens that gave it ample room. It's large shaggy head looking from side to side across the desert sands that had come to congregate around the edge of New York's wall.

Alistair had to do a double take.

"Fluffy?"

The lion's ear perked up as the officer slipped down the ridge, it's great head turning almost tiredly in Aang's direction as he approached.

Fluffy didn't seem to have the same vigour he had had the last time he'd met Alistair. He simply padded towards the officer and his friends rather then leap and bounding around like a puppy seeking attention.

It was what was caught in Fluffy's mouth however, that caught Aang's attention.

A child.

A human child.

A human child dressed in red, with a decorative brooch pinned to his chest; a swastika, with it's arms curved inward.

"Uh-oh,"

---

It had been the smell of smoke that had diverted Artirius' attention.

Finalising the transfer orders for the new prototypes in his office aboard the Sovereignty, at first he thought the burning smell that seemed to fill the room came from the galley through the ventilation ducts, until he realised the smell came…not from within the ship itself, but from the open porthole above his desk.

That got him running.

As he sprinted across the military base, the Captain pulled his sash clear of his eyes, all other concerns long forgotten as he saw the smoke billow up across the starry sky above Paris, bright orange flames causing an eerie glow to hover over the city as he caught the door of a military fire truck as it screamed towards the source of the flames.

Théâtre du Châtelet

"Damn you Azura,"

By the time the trucks arrived, the blaze was out of control. Bright flames of orange, red and yellow billowed from the large arced windows and across it's domed roof, local fire-fighters already trying to contain the fire as their military counterparts rode onto the scene.

"What happened here?"

The nearest fireman blinked in surprise as the Captain approached him, green eyes once again masked by his red scarf.

"Explosion of some kind sir," the Frenchman turned back to the blaze as he wiped a hand across his grimy sweat ridden forehead, "Came out of nowhere around five minutes ago. We think it might've been a problem with the boiler but…"

"Is anyone in there?"

"Not anymore," the fireman indicated to the nearby ambulance, "Lady Ming staggered out of the building just after we arrived. She's lucky to be…"

The Captain had already rushed over to the vehicle before the fire-fighter had even finished his sentence.

"Ming…"

She lay on the medical stretcher, her simple nightdress in tatters, bandages to sooth the burns bound around her naked arms and tarnished forehead.

But she was alive.

"Captain…Meridiano…"

Blinking blearily against the bright lights of the tiny compartment, Ty Lee tried to smile for her former commander, only for tears to fall from her eyes.

"Is…Is Paris burning?"

"No, just the theatre," Meridiano carefully stepped into the rear of the ambulance and sat down beside her bed, "It's alright, you're safe now…"

"Tsk Tsk. What a terrible tragedy,"

A scowl crossed Artirius' face at the sound of Azura's sickly sweet voice, the daughter of Sozin coming into view as she leaned against the ambulance's open door.

"The fire-fighters inform me there was a gas leak with the boiler down below," Azura shook her head, barely able to contain the smile that seemed to briefly cross her lips, "Such a shame. It was such a beautiful building... and the auditorium…" she glanced at Ming pityingly, "I'm so sorry Ty Lee. You had such a good life there…"

"Lady Azura…" the former lieutenant hung her head low, refusing to allow Sozin to see the tears that fell from her eyes, "I've…reconsidered you're proposition. I will…join you in your mission,"

"Good girl," Azura merely smiled, "I'll have a full pardon from my father for you within the hour. Artirius, see that she gets cleaned up and get her back to eh Sovereignty. We just finished loading the prototypes on board. Once we're done here, set course for New York, maximum burn,"

Artirius merely nodded as his Lady turned to leave, before shooting a curious glance his despondent lieutenant's way.

"Oh well," she tried to smile for him, "So much for my singing career. I should have known…" tears ran freely down her cheeks, "You don't escape G.U.N. do you? I just thought…I might be one of those few…I guess I didn't run far enough…"

Her voice trailed off into a stunned silence as her Captain moved to the edge of the bed and pulled her into a careful hug, her cheeks staining themselves across her tarnished skin as she felt his arms come around her shoulder, her head coming to rest against his chest.

"I'm…sorry Ming,"

The tears ran free, a sob escaped Ty Lee's throat, and a hand clenched around a fold of Artirius' tunic as it's owner sought comfort in her superior's embrace.

---

"How is she sir?"

Artirius glanced back from his apparent view over the Seine from Sovereignty's Bridge to the dark blue eyes of Lieutenant Matthew Ysara, his current First Officer clearly betraying concern for the welfare of his last.

"A little burned and bruised, but otherwise fine. She'll be up on her feet by the time we reach New York,"

The blond lieutenant nodded, but seemed to want to say more. In the hour that had passed since the Théâtre du Châtelet had burnt to the ground, rumour had already begun to spread, ironically, like wildfire across the city. It didn't surprise the Captain that his subordinate still wanted to speak.

"If you have something to say Lieutenant, now's the time," he smirked as he turned his attention back to the view from the main window, "Quick, while Lady Azura is content to sleep below deck,"
"Sir…there's no way the entire theatre could go up in smoke just because it's boiler exploded," Ysara shook his head, "At least, not as fast as it did,"

"What are you suggesting Lieutenant?" Artirius smirked slightly, "Someone intentionally burnt the theatre down to the ground? Why would they do that?"

"You know why…Sir,"

The Captain merely smiled as he turned to head for his chair.

"What would you suggest we do about it Matthew?" he sighed as he settled into the Command Chair, "At present, we are merely pawns to Lady Sozin's will. She wants us to move on, so we move on. We're almost behind schedule anyway,"

"As you wish Captain,"

Meridiano glanced at his subordinate from beneath his sash, before turning his gaze ahead.

"Matthew…Once this mission is complete, why don't you head home for a while? I know your mother's not been feeling well lately,"

Ysara winced slightly, but otherwise kept a neutral face.

"Thank you for your concern Sir, but I will remain here for as long as you need me. My Mother is proud of what I do, that I serve no man nor woman blindly, for I am free. She will understand,"

Artirius merely smiled.

"Then let's get underway. Ysara, prepare Magna-Lift Generators, set Magnetic Repulsion field to one third Earth normal. Our destination is the city of New York,"

"Aye Captain," Ysara nodded as he turned to the main window, "Setting Magnetic Repulsion field to one third Earth normal. Standby Ion thrusters, prepare to deploy the wings!"

---

In the dim light that began to stain the morning, a low rumble resonated from the mammoth vessel that sat on the airfield that ran along side the river Seine.

Across the military base, and the city beyond it's chain linked fence, soldiers and civilians alike turned form their duties and early morning activates along the river front to gaze in bewilderment at the ethereal blue glow that emanated form the sea Supercarrier that had once been the Sovereignty.

As the rumble quickly rose to become a high pitched tone, people within the neighbourhood frowned as their televisions and the screens of their mobile phones suddenly became distorted a static filled. No one who watched the massive warship would have ever understood the complex calculations that were currently being processed by the vessel's supercomputer.

Then, it hit them.

Blasting out across an entire kilometre, most of the windows on the Base shattered, those closest to the Sovereignty sent sprawling off their feet as the shockwave swept across the city.

Then…Sovereignty rose.

Slowly a first, then with gradually increasing speed, the Supercarrier gently rose above the ground, the air beneath it's grey hull distorted and fuzzy as a wingspan the size of the five hundred metre long warship lowered and extended from the secondary hulls.

Soldier and civilian watched in awe as Sovereignty rose and banked towards the North West, it's U-shaped bank of ion thrusters burning a bright blue as the vessel flew across the city towards it's next destination, leaving all who saw the sight with feelings of bewilderment and wonder in it's wake.

---

"So, the pussy cat steals us a little G.U.N. brat as a parting gift," Sokka sighed as he watched his sister toss the giggling child playfully into the air, the young boy giggling happily at her attention, "Just when I thought things were going so well…"

"Aww, he's not a brat, are you, you little cutie?" the child laughed as Katara mollycoddled him, "You're so sweet, how could something as adorable as you be the offspring of such a terrible nation?"

"Give it a few years," Brigadier Boyd grunted quietly as he smoked his pipe nearby, "Let him succumb to the brain rot the Nationalists are feeding their children. Watch as they turn him into a bloodthirsty killing machine. You won't think him so adorable then,"

"Come on!" Katara gave the soldier a condescending look as she held out the burbling baby before him, "Does this look like the face of a bloodthirsty killing machine to you?"

Boyd didn't reply. He didn't have too.

"We think we've got a solution to our potential babysitting problem," Jason smirked as he and Alistair approached the group, "I just got a radio transmission over the frequency the Nations use to get a Glint's attention. Apparently the Overseer couldn't think of another way to contact us,"

"The message was a simple one," Aang continued, his face grave, "The child is the Overseer's son. He thinks we kidnapped him, and he wants him back…understandably. In ten hours, he's offering to set up a trade in Central Park. His son…for Mayor Bumi,"

A short pause met the announcement, the siblings and Brigadier staring at the mercenary and officer with a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief,"

"So…" Sokka winced slightly, "We're taking the kid with us then?"

"Sokka!!!"

"Oh come on!" he gave Katara a dirty look at his sister's condescending tone, "This just screams a trap! Do you know where Central Park is? In the centre of New York…almost. We'd be dead before we even reached the wall, and Bumi would be back in G.U.N. custody,"

"We have a flying Truckmersiboateroplane," Katara smirked, "A wall's not really high on our list of obstacles Sokka,"

"I still think this is a bad idea," her brother folded his arms across his chest, "Too many things can go wrong…"

"All I see is a worried father who wants his son back," Aang placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder with a smile, "If it makes you feel better, Giddion and the refugees will continue on to Washington. There's no need for them to get caught up in this. It's a new day Sokka," the officer grinned at his sceptical friend, "I've got a good feeling about this,"

---

Maia folded her arms against the breeze that flowed into New York harbour as she watched the lifeboat pull away from the mammoth form of the Sovereignty cast a long shadow in the morning light.

Under normal circumstances, to be summoned in a manner such as this would have been insulting. Even now, Maia felt vaguely like a dog being called to it's master's side, with no please or gratitude in the order what so ever.

If it had been any other person, she might have made some excuse to forgo the meeting as a form of spite.

But this was no other person.

"Lady Azura," Maia smirked slightly as she watched Artirius bring the boat up to the dock, her old friend stepping out before the craft had even fully met the wooden jetty as Ty Lee meekly followed soon after, "It's been…too long,"

"Maia," Azura returned the smirk as she grasped her friend's shoulders tightly, "It's nice to see your attitude hasn't changed much," she gave Ming a pointed look, "Unlike other people I know,"

Ty Lee, once more clad in her old Lieutenant uniform, merely smiled guiltily.

"Well…didn't expect to see you here," Testarossa quirked an eyebrow as Azura's hands fell to her sides, "Last I heard of you was on a pirate CD that was being passed around the men. If anything you seemed to be making your mark, like you wanted…"

"I guess I was just overcome with a burning desire to serve my nation once more," the Lieutenant's smile waned slightly, "I guess when Lady Azura calls you, it's…pretty hard to say no,"

"I see," Her friend's face told a tale that would no doubt be spoken between the two at a later date, but for now she returned her attention to Sozin, "So…what brings you to New York? If you will forgive my bluntness, we're about to negotiate a hostage trade in around an hour,"

"Why Maia, I'm hurt. I came to see you of course," Azura smiled enigmatically, "I have a mission, set by the Führer himself, and I need your help. That is, provided your skill with firearms and Rangers hasn't diminished since our days at the Academy?"

"They haven't," Maia smirked slightly, "If you need something shot, all I ask is a decent weapon and high place to shoot it from. What do you need?"

"Not here," Azura patted her friend on the shoulder, "We should return to the Sovereignty first. There's something I have to show you," she turned to Ty Lee almost comfortingly, "Both of you,"

---

As the lights clacked on within Sovereignty's cavernous Hanger Bay, Maia and Ty Lee couldn't help but stare at the machines before them.

Standing in the maintenance racks between Havoc and a line of five Fortitudes, the new prototypes looked like neither Ranger at their sides, or indeed, like each other.

Standing on the left hand side beside the Havoc, the first machine was cast in dark green along it's main body with black highlights across it's feet, fingers and upper chest; a humanoid figure with wider lower legs and wing tipped shoulders to make room for extra ion thrusters, an arrow shaped head set into an alcove that rose around it to protect the cameras from a rear side attack. In addition to the usual rifle, unusually mounted horizontal to the ground along it's back, a pair of rounded oval pods that came down to the knees, sliced into four, had been mounted on it's thighs, a similarly unfamiliar set of apparatus like wise mounted on either side of the enlarged thruster assembly on the machine's back; strange enlarged contraptions, four in total, two back to back on each side. Each mounting what appeared a form of cannon and several miniature ion thrusters along the Y-shaped assembly at the rear.

The machine on the right beside Fortitudes however was a radically different design.

A metal grey mech whose closest resemblance was the Havoc, it's large chest appeared to have been the basis for Azura's Mecha Suit, the rounded off point of the latter's making way for a small U-shaped indent that began at it's heart and ran down to the lower torso.

As with it's emerald companion, it's shoulders were winged out from the arms to provide an extra set of ion thrusters, but the thin arms flared out around the elbows, a small slot above the wrists indicating some kind of blade hidden within the extra structure.

The legs continued this interesting structure, a slight flare on either side of the knee joint allowing for ion thrusters far too small to keep the craft in the air without affecting the mech's mobility and keeping the joints exposed, the limbs ending in strengthened pointed feet, as though designed to take heavy impacts at a frequent rate.

Only the shroud that surrounded the back of the machine's diamond shaped head bore any resemblance to it's fellow prototypes, the head itself nothing more then a simple grey rhombus, flattened into a rounded shape at it's back, a trio of blood red 'eyes' set into it's forward centre.

"Girls…Artie," Azura smirked and her companion's awe as she swept a hand out towards the out of place machines, "I give you two of the latest and most advanced prototype machines from the minds of the tech-geeks of Lodonia," she indicated to the green machine first, "GER-X537 Judgment," her hand moved to it's grey companion, "And GEMS-X427 Viper," she smiled with satisfaction at her stunned comrade's faces, "These two machines would be most state of the art machines ever created, if the GEMS-X420 Havoc and GER-X509 Eternal hadn't been developed of course. Fortunately…we have them too," she set a hand on Testarossa's shoulder, "For Maia, keeping in mind her love of anything with a trigger and a barrel, I'm allowing you the use of the Judgement, a very ambitious machine. Capable of extended periods of flight, it's main weapon is the highly experimental Dagger System; a series of deployable weapon pods capable of flight within the atmosphere thanks to a combination of ion thrusters and Magna-lift systems, eight mounted on the thighs and four mounted on the back making for twelve in total. The eight primary Dagger pods are each equipped with solar cannons we 'borrowed' from the New Soviet Union. Each is capable of being controlled alone or in tandem with it's fellows, allowing the pilot to attack an enemy from multiple directions at once. For something with a little more firepower however, the larger secondary Dagger pods are equipped with prototype energy cannons originally intended for the Endurance's failed Weapons Pack program. While slower then their primary counterparts, the larger Daggers have also had their armoured reinforced around the front, allowing the pilot to kamikaze them into targets, resulting in massive damage to the strongest of U.S.A.C. warships with little to no damage to the pod itself. For personal protection, the Judgement has also been equipped with an updated 500mm recoilless rifle and vibro-shortsword. I hope you will put it to good use Maia,"

The raven haired girl merely nodded as Azura turned to her attention to Ming.

"For dear acrobatic Ty Lee, we have the wonder of modern engineering that is the Viper. What it lacks in armour and offensive weaponry it more then makes up for in speed and flexibility. Equipped with the most advanced Neurological Interface that doesn't require cybernetic implantation, the pilot of this machine will be able to use most, if not all of his or her physical capabilities a hundred fold. In other words, if you can do it, so will this machine. In addition, both the arms and legs are double-jointed, which only opens up more options within combat. The feet have also been reinforced, and ion jets had been installed to aid in jumping far higher then the average machine. In terms of offensive capabilities, the Viper is equipped with four electroblades; one on each wrist, one within each heel. This is a weapon most suited to Ty Lee's…pacifist nature. Each blade, upon impact with enemy armour, will deliver a miniature electromagnetic pulse directly into the machine's system, bypassing any EMP shielding a mech might have. The effect will only last a few minutes however, but it will be more then enough for the disabled machine to be finished off. As with the Judgement, Viper is also equipped with a 500mm recoilless rifle and vibro-shortsword. So then…what do you think?"

"I think…it's impressive machinery," Maia smirked as Ty Lee merely nodded, completely speechless, "But this is a lot of tech for one mission. What exactly are you hunting that requires such advanced Rangers?"

"I'm glad you asked, but I'm afraid it will have to wait," Azura smiled with enigmatically, "If memory serves, didn't you say you were about to deal with a hostage situation?"

---

"I cannot apologise enough My Lady for bringing you into this mess,"

Azura regarded the grovelling Overseer out of the corner of her eye with mild disgust before she returned her gaze to the clean up crews that worked diligently to remove the greenish gunk from the streets outside city hall

"Yes, Maia told me about the capture of your son. You have my…deepest sympathies," if anyone in the room thought she didn't mean it, no one spoke up, "But what makes you think the child was kidnapped? Wasn't there the lion missing from it's cage as well? Maybe the beast e…"
"Uh…the resistance has already claimed to have my boy in their custody," the Overseer meekly interrupted as his wife suddenly turned several shades of green, "We've agreed to make an exchange of prisoners in Central Park within the hour,"

"I see," Sozin regarded the elder man tightly, before returning her gaze to the streets outside the hall, "I must say, you've handled the situation far worse then I would expect. My father placed an entire city under your supervision and this is the result of his decision? The entire city vacated and a hostage thrown into the mix as well? You disappoint me,"

"Forgive me My Lady,"

"No…I don't think I will," Azura smiled maliciously as Maia's father paled visibly, "I'm taking control of the situation, and placing Maia in charge of the hostage trade. You're lucky I'm in a good mood Testarossa; had I arrived here a few weeks ago, I may have executed you for your idiocy,"

The Overseer merely nodded, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

---

To say the tension was thick in the air across Central Park's Great Lawn would have been an understatement.

Using the Glint's communication frequency, it had been agreed by both parties that only one person from either side would appear at the meeting, each accompanied by a single Ranger or Mecha Suit of his or her choice.

And now, here they stood, at opposite ends of the lawn, Alistair, his hat and usual RAF insignias removed and child in a makeshift pack on his back, with Katara and her Fortitude at one end, The G.U.N. representative, named in the message as Maia Testarossa, and a bizarre black and gold biped with six spindly arms reaching out form it's back at the other, a handcuffed Bumi snorting and chuckling to himself by her side.

"What kind of machine is that?" Alistair frowned at the worried tone in Katara's voice over his radio, "I've never seen a mech like that before. I wonder how powerful it is?"

Aang smirked slightly, "Let's hope we don't have to find out,"

"Alright, this is how it's going to work," the representative's voice carried out across the silent lawn, "You and the wrinkled wonder here are going to walk towards each other…slowly. When you two meet, you're going to put my brother down and take the Mayor back the way you came, agreed?"

"Sounds good to me," Aang nodded.

"Alright then," the raven haired girl put a hand on Bumi's shoulder, "On the count of three, start walking. One…two…"

"I'm sorry to interrupt Maia, but a thought's just occurred to me. You would you mind if I voiced it?"

Everyone froze as a sickly smooth voice resonated across the trees, Alistair shifting uneasily as the blood red eyes of the G.U.N. mech turned their gaze towards Testarossa from within it's flat golden faceplate.

Maia stared up at the onyx machine, her irritation clearly playing across her face as her fingers flexed on Bumi's shoulder.

"Please, speak your mind Lady Azura,"

"Azura…" the name struck a cord within Alistair's mind. It felt like a name he should know, but the reason why sat just out of reach. It was something to do with Zuko…

"Nothing ever came easy to me. Azura on the other hand…Everything was always a breeze for her,"

The officer's eyes widened in realisation. The frozen mall, in the once snowy wastes of Russia. His mind had been away from his body at the time, on the far away homeworld of the Dark Ones. But a voice…a part of him vaguely remembered Zuko talking while he had been uncurious. Something about…his sister.

"Azura…Sozin…"

"If this exchange is going as planned, correct me if I'm wrong but…are we about to trade a two year old for what was once the most powerful man in New York?"

Maia frowned uneasily at the mech, but merely nodded in reply.

"I see. So please explain something to me Maia. How exactly is a drooling baby boy a profitable exchange for a man who may have many potential U.S.A.C. secrets to divulge to us?"

"He…he hasn't said much," Testarossa glanced at the old man still in her grasp, "There's no point keeping him around if he won't say anything…"

"Nonsense," Even from across the lawn, Aang could almost hear the sneer in Azura's voice, "You just haven't been pressuring him in the right way. I think there would be more to gain from this old coot then your stupid little brother,"

The raven haired girl scowled at the last comment, but didn't seem to want to argue. Her eyes darted between Bumi and her brother across the field for several moments, before a reluctant sigh escaped her lips.

"I never thought of it that way," she smirked as she turned away, "I guess your out of luck resistance, the deal's off!"

"BACKSTABBER!!!"

In the blink of an eye, all hell broke loose.

A surprised scream echoed across the Park as Katara let loose a barrage of fire from her assault rifle, the once pristine lawn ripped apart before the escaping Maia and her prisoner, the two sent flying in different directions as their attacker holstered her weapon in favour of her sword as she charged across the battlefield.

"Big mistake peasant!!"

The Fortitude had barely crossed the lawn before the black machine intercepted it, sparks flying from clashing swords as Alistair ran through their legs to where his aging friend had been thrown.

"Bumi!" not wasting any time, the officer quickly pulled the Mayor to his feet, the baby still burbling obliviously at the battle above his head, "You okay?"

"Wow, what a ride," the old man chuckled giddily as his he tried to remain upright, "That girl of yours sure knows how to crash a party Aang. By the way…what are you doing here?"

"No time to explain. We have to get you out of here," pulling his old friend into a run, Alistair quickly fished the radio from his belt, "Sokka, is it ready?"

"Calm down, it's been ready since you left," the officer could almost here the sarcasm in the Australian's voice, "I told you this was going to happen Al, I told you! Let me just savour this I-told-you-so moment…"

"SOKKA!!!"

"Fine, fine. Geez," Alistair rolled his eyes as the clashing swords behind him continued to ring in his ears, "Avatar's mounted up with Slash equipment. Just say the word, you know what to do,"

"Do I ever," Aang smirked as he raised his watch to his lips, "AVATAR! I NEED YOU!"

---

Azura bit her lip angrily within Havoc's Neurological Interface as her every attack was parried and blocked as the Fortitude, the grunt machine's own assaults similarly deflected by her twin blades.

"This shouldn't be so hard!" Sozin gritted her teeth as she forced the Fortitude back, only to cross her swords defensively as a pair of firefly missiles screamed across the sky and impacted against the blades, "I am the greatest pilot of the G.U.N. army! And compared to the Havoc, a Fortitude is a joke! So why am I having so much trouble!? Ty Lee, intercept!!"

"Yes Lady Azura,"

The effect was instantaneous.

Without warning, the lithe form of the viper exploded out of the nearby trees and high into the air, it's feet impacted against the Fortitude's head with a sickening crack, the azure Ranger collapsing to the ground as the Mecha Suit expertly flipped off the impact to her comrade's side.

"Very impressive," The Sozin regarded the Fortitude's prone form as it struggled to stand, "Shame you forgot your electro-blades though,"

"I'm sorry," Ming's voice sounded sheepish, "This is all very new to me,"

"It's alright, it doesn't really matter now anyway," Azura smirked as she planted a large metal foot against her enemy's lower torso, the triangular blades of her sword rotating to a horizontal plane and splitting down the middle as she aimed for the Ranger's chest, "Petty resistance such as this isn't even worth our time," a bright azure glow began to emanate from within the sword's core, "Yes… this world would be better off…if people like you just DIED!!!"

The trigger was pulled…only for a scream to escape her lips as the sword itself erupted into a hail of shrapnel.

"What the hell? AGH!!!"

Pain sliced through Azura's body as something heavy impacted against the Havoc's chest, the mech sent crashing to the ground, her eyes watering as she watched a black mass through the static of her camera swing something against the Viper as it landed over the Fortitude, the Mecha Suit sent flying clear across the park into the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art.

"How…dare you…" Havoc's right arm had been reduced to a smoking stump due to the backlash of energy from her exploding weapon. Azura glared at the new target as her cameras came back into focus, "How dare you damage my machine! How…"

She paused as her vision returned to her, crystal clear.

Sitting her machine up slowly, her eyes widened as she watched the newcomer move to help the Fortitude back to it's feet; a Ranger armed primarily with a pair of fifteen metre long swords and what appeared to be a energy rifle mounted to the right leg, cast in onyx with highlights of gold along it's lower arms, wide shoulders and lower chest, deep crimson highlighting the vents around it's cheeks and the small Mohawk like lump that sat upon the top of it's 'helmet'.

But it was the symbol set onto the machine's shoulders that caught the Sozin's eye: a single white five point star, with a red cross directly through the centre, a pair of black bladed cruciform swords crossing diagonally from the north east and west points.

The emblem of the Black Core.

Which could only mean one thing.

"The Avatar…" Azura felt a grin cross her lips at the thought of the prospects this newcomer brought to her, "Must be my lucky day…" she glanced as the smoking stump that was her mech's right arm, "Sort of. Oh well…" she brought her rifle sword to bear, "I was a leftie anyway,"

---

"Look out!"

Alistair barely managed to push Katara away as a barrage of burning blue sprayed across the lawn, the baby in his arms laughing, unaware of the danger he was in, as Bumi clung for dear life to the back of the cockpit chair.

"Dammit, clearly this Sozin is just as stubborn as her brother!"

"Sozin? Her brother?" Katara's voice betrayed her bemusement as the black machine practically jumped to it's feet, several more blue blasts arcing through the sky as at it tried to land a hit on the now airborne Avatar, "You mean that's Zuko's sister? How can you tell?"

"Now's not the time to be asking questions," Aang winced as the black machine ducked clear of his assault with his energy rifle, "What matters is that I've got Bumi and we've got to get out of here fast,"

"Let's split up then," the Fortitude below turned to face the second grey machine as it pulled itself clear of the wreckage of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "You head down town, I'll head up to the residential area and meet up with Sokka, it'll take longer to load up the Fortitude then the Avatar. We'll meet up with you as soon as we can,"

"Roger that," Alistair nodded, "You ready Bumi?"

"No," the old man shook his head urgently, "But Aang, I need to…"

"There'll be plenty of time for catch up later," the officer slammed the accelerator to the floor, "Right now, we have to get out of here…now!"

---

"Trying to escape?" Azura smirked as she watched the enemy Rangers split off into two separate directions, "That won't work. Ty Lee," an audio only sign appeared in the corner of her eyesight, "When Maia is done pulling herself together, go after the Fortitude. Don't let it escape. Tear it apart if you have too,"

"Yes Lady Azura,"

The Sozin smirked as the Viper took off after the captured grunt suit, the emerald form of the Judgment slowly rising from the tree line soon after to take to the air and follow suit.

The Fortitude didn't stand a chance.

As for the Avatar…"

"Ysara," the blond lieutenant appeared before her eyes, the Bridge of the Sovereignty a flutter with activity behind him, "The Havoc has been badly damaged…weapons malfunction. As much as I hate to admit it, I need back-up.

Send out Eternal,"

---

"Stand by to launch Eternal, Blitzkrieg configuration. Raising Eternal to the Equipment deck,"

Ysara's voice seemed slightly flat within the confines of Eternal's cockpit as the Ranger's systems powered up around Artirius, the three screens before him activating one at a time to reveal the Hanger beyond as he ascended through the cavernous room, his usual winged array missing from his machine's back.

"Stand by," the elevator ground to a halt bare metres above the hatch to the catapult above as several compartments surrounding Eternal opened up, "Loading Mirage Plates and Energy rifles onto main frame,"

Spindly arms extended from the compartments, armour of a dark forest green within their clawed appendages. Piece by piece, the emerald plates were fitted over the onyx legs, arms and upper torso, a larger helmet piece slowly lowering down to top the head as a larger compartment opened behind the mech as it's twin energy rifles were placed in it's open hands.

"Opening Compartment B. Standby for power flow to Blitzkrieg Weapons Pack,"

Sliding out smoothly from the compartment, the Blitzkrieg Weapons Pack on first glance could readily have been mistaken for the Slash; both had large fifteen metre long energy sword mounted on either side of the thruster assembly, a pair of vibro-blades mounted near the waist. A second look however revealed the pack was thicker across the assembly, a large dome built into it's top, housing the one component it's Slash brethren did not.

A Mirage System.

"Weapons Pack attached," a metallic clunk signified the Blitzkrieg's connection as Eternal continued it's ascension to the frigid air above, "Raising Eternal to Catapult Deck. Energising coils, stand by for launch,"

Artirius felt his hands tighten around the control sticks as sunlight poured into the cockpit, his eyes frowning beneath his sash as he readied himself for battle. A battle he was forced to fight.

Nothing changes," his voice was solemn and calm as he settled back into his chair, "Everything is exactly the same as it was when we last met, and we stand on opposite sides of a battlefield once more,"

"All systems green. Eternal, launch when ready,"

"Roger," the Captain steeled himself, his hands tightening even more around the control sticks, "X509 Eternal, Artirius Meridiano, Heading out!"

With lighting striking across the deck, the Ranger was hurled out into the blue sky above New York, it's head sinking into it's neck as arms and legs folded in on themselves, the swords extending to form wings as the Mirage System hid the transformed Ranger from all who could see it.

---

"I'll give this to Zuko's sister," Aang bit his lip as he darted between the city blocks, another burst of blue slicing directly through his hiding place moments later, "She sure is persistent,"

Dodging and weaving through Downtown New York, Avatar's energy rifle remained cold as it's attacker left no opening to return fire.

Even with one arm, the black Mecha Suit was a deadly opponent; it leapt from building to building with the ease of an acrobat, blast after blast from it's strange sword rifle keeping Avatar and it's pilot on the move through wide and narrow streets, avoiding death at every turn.

"Looks like she really wants you back Bumi," Alistair grinned back at his friend, "Nice to see even at over a hundred years old you can still say you have your looks,"

"That, or maybe the fact I was just abducted by the Avatar didn't help my cause," the Mayor smirked slightly, "But seriously Aang, I need you too…"

"Not exactly the time for a catch-up session Bumi," the officer scowled as he settled the child still swinging around in his makeshift bag, now on his friend, back into his lap, "Right now, we've just got to loose the Nationalist and…hey…why's she stopped?"

Unease overcame the pilot as the Mecha Suit stopped short of the Rockefeller, it's good hand buried in the side of the retro building as the Avatar continued to backtrack down the streets.

"I don't like this," the two machines seemed to stare across the city at each other, the Mecha Suit's bright red eyes following the Avatar's yellow orbs as it flew backwards warily down the streets, "She had us on the run. Why stop here?"

"Maybe we should pull over and find out," Bumi cast his friend a hopeful glance, "Speaking of which…Aang, I really need to…"
The Mayor's shoulders slumped as a proximity alarm abruptly blared in his ear.

"A new contact? Directly above?" Alistair pivoted Avatar's head to the skies, "But how can that be? How could something as large as a Ranger sneak up on us like that? Unless…"

As the officer followed Avatar's gaze, he quickly got his answer.

"A…Mirage System?"

As legs and arms extended, it's head rising out of it's neck, crest widening to become a V-shape as narrow wings folding down to become blades, the emerald form of the Ranger shimmered into view against the once clear blue sky, it's eyes flashing yellow as it pulled it's swords from it's back and plummeted to the ground below.

With barely seconds to respond, Alistair brought one of Slash's own sword to bear, the energy blade springing to life as the emerald attacker came crashing down as the roads below his feet split and crack from the impact.

Sparks and arcs of lightning crackled between the energy blades as the new enemy forced all of it's momentum against the Avatar, the bright white beams threatening to blind all within the Ranger's cockpit as Alistair tried to push his combatant off.

With expert ease, the enemy suddenly pushed off Avatar's sword and back onto the street beyond, the tips of it's swords scraping through abandoned stores and cafes as it came to a halt.

"That crest…could that be Eternal?" Alistair flexed his hands uneasily as the emerald machine rose to it's full height, "But where are it's wings? And what's that mounted on it's…"

"The prototype apparently was also equipped with some kind of mirage system for blitzkrieg warfare, but it required extra generation plates to be added to the Ranger frame, so it wasn't used in alter models,"

"Wait…A Mirage System…and those new weapons don't look that far off from those used on the Slash…" Aang's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place, is it possible? Is Eternal really…"

"Prototype Zero Three," Artirius' voice carried over Avatar's speakers crystal clear as his machine connected it's swords together before it to create a double bladed weapon, "The last of G.U.N.'s first and only venture into a modular transformable Ranger. I'm not surprised you know of it, I'm sure Katara's told you of my bloody endeavour on that island…"

"Wait…how do you know that?" confusion wracked the officer's mind, "That…she told me it was a dream. How could you possibly know we were even near the installation?"

"There are many things you don't know about me Mr. Aang," A shiver ran up Alistair's spine at the sound of his voice, memories of his own nightmares surfacing at the sound of Meridiano's cool tone, "I enshroud myself in secrets. I find it makes this work…so much easier,"

The channel was cut, and before Alistair could react, Eternal charged down the street, it's blade raised for the attack.

---

Across the city, admits the cratered grass that had once been Central Park's Great Lawn, Katara wasn't faring much better.

Swinging her sword wildly against the grey Mecha Suit, she cursed silently under her breath as her every attack was either side stepped or blocked by wrist mounted blades the size of a large person.

"This pilot's good," she winced as her target's electroblade narrowly missed her Fortitude's shoulder, "I've never seen such control of a Mecha Suit. It's almost like fighting a giant DNI," she slammed a fist into the communication system as her sword locked against her attacker's blades, "Sokka, I need a hand here!"

"Just give me a minute!" Her brother's irritated sigh was lost in the screech of metal against metal as Katara pulled her sword clear of the lock, the Mecha Suit stumbling forward before crashing to the ground as the azure Fortitude slammed the hilt of it's weapon into the back of it's metallic head, "I can't exactly just waltz into a combat area, Avat has no weaponry…"

The radio crackled and died as something impacted against the Fortitude's shield.

A second barrage of 500mm shells exploded across the lawn, narrowly missing the Azure Ranger's leg as it leapt clear, sheathing it's sword as it turned to face it's new attacker.

"Another new machine?" Katara frowned at the emerald mech as it rapidly approached from the city beyond, "What are those pods, on it's sides?"

She didn't have to wait long to find out.

Spreading it's arms wide as it hovered over the battlefield, eight bangs echoed over Central Park as the two pods segmented, four slices of each fired out into the sky with a blast of steam as stubbed barrels and long wings extending from the fuselage of each.

"What the…"

Red beams of light lanced out of the barrels of each pod as they tried to surround the Fortitude and it's stunned pilot, the Ranger barely managing to lift off from the ground before the turf where it had stood was vaporised by the combined solar power.

Blast after blast sliced through the air as the blue mech barely managed to keep a step ahead, the heat of near misses searing off it's paintwork as Katara tried desperately to return fire or fend the fast paced pods off with misplaced shots.

Then, she felt it.

Sufficiently distracted by her multiple attackers, the grey mecha suit abruptly leapt to it's feet, a well aimed jump propelling the massive mech high into the air, a single electro blade implanting itself in the Fortitude's side.

A thousand vaults of electricity jolted through the Ranger's systems, it's pilot crying out in alarm as all systems suddenly failed and her machine plummeted to the ground.

No sooner had the earth scattered from impact, another electric arc spread across the Fortitude's metallic armour as the Mecha Suit's heel mounted blades impacted against it's lower torso, her camera screens engulfed with the static filled image of her enemy's three eyed head before each exploded in an array of light and glass over her.

"Well, this has certainty been boring," Maia's voice pierced Katara's hazy brain as the grey mech proceeded to pull the Fortitude's cockpit hatch open with the tips of it's fingers, the emerald hovering far behind it as it's pods returned to it's sides, "I was hoping for more of a challenge for our first time out in these machines, but oh well,"

With a blast of steam from the Ranger's back, it's four larger pods deploying across the sky above the lawn to surround the downed Fortitude as it's Mecha Suit comrade stepped back.

"This can't end this way," Katara pulled desperately at the control sticks of her downed machine, not here…"

"Are you still struggling? Have to admit, I admire that," the whine of four energy cannons charging seemed to scream in Katara's ears as her enemy's taunts made her clench her hands tighter around the control sticks, "But face facts, how are you going to fight without your Ranger?"

"I SEEM TO MANAGE!!!"

It happened faster then Katara could keep track.

As the roar of ion thrusters echoed through her mind, she watched in awe as a tow cable literally appeared out of nowhere, it's clawed appendage latching onto to the nearest of the four flying pods, pulling it out of formation.

With no time to react, the emerald Ranger was knocked from the sky as it's own weapons pod was smashed into it's side, the mech smashing through trees and hard earth before crashing into the reservoir beyond in a great tidal wave that washed across the basin's shores.

With their controller currently afloat, sparks flew from the remaining pods as several malfunctioned and fired their energy cannons, the grey mecha suit barely jumping clear as one of the malfunctioning units sliced through it's arm.

"Katara!"

As the shiny metallic hull of the Avat shimmered into existence with the deactivation of it's Mirage System, Katara winced as it's second claw clamped around her Fortitude's shoulder, the entire Ranger pulled clear off the ground as the transport made for the harbour.

"You know, this is the second time in about a week that I've saved your ass," she rolled her eyes at her brother's smugness, "If this keeps up, I may have to start charg…HEY!!!"

A screech of metal against metal brought Katara from her chair, the Australian peering cautiously out of the open cockpit to view the noises creator.

Clinging for dear life to the Fortitude's leg with a single hand, the grey Mecha Suit seemed to glare angrily up at her with it's trio of blood red eyes, the melted stump of it's right arm still giving of heat as it's pilot tried vainly to pull the machine higher up it's captured limb.

"I can't let you leave!" The mech swung it's legs fruitlessly in an attempt to gain momentum, "Fall damn you!"

A flash of red from the Fortitude's eye accounted the return of power to the Ranger's systems, a smirk coming to it's pilots face as the proximity alarm blared in her ears.

"To that, I have one thing to say," Katara aimed her Fortitude's rifle towards the Mech's head as she slumped back into the cockpit chair, "Get off my machine!"

With a pull of the trigger, three shots erupted from the rifle into the Suit's head, the sheer force blowing several dents into the mech's cranium before it's grasp loosened and the massive machine fell to the forest below, smoke billowing from it's metal skull as a strange watery orange liquid gushed from open gashes in it's chest upon impact.

"Unreal," Sokka's voice betrayed his awe as Katara frowned down at the wreck, "What kind of monster was that?"

"I don't know," his sister frowned as she shook her head, "But this isn't the time to think about it. Come on, we have to find Alistair.

I just hope he's doing better then we did,"

---

He wasn't.

Blow after blow, slash after slash, Artirius kept up with his every move and then some; darting in to deal several powerful attacks, only to activate Eternal's Mirage System and disappear, to reappear behind him moments later.

"Damn, he's definitely in his element," Aang grimaced as Eternal's latest attack was blocked by a quick slash over the Avatar's shoulder with it's energy sword, his second blade coming down in quick succession only to be blocked by his opponent, "Of all the rotten…"

"Aang, this really must stop," Bumi winced as another blow landed too close to Avatar's cockpit, the baby boy in his arms continuing to scream in fright at the loud noises of alarms and battling around it, "I'm not worth all this palaver. Just call your friend and…"

"I'm not giving you up Bumi," the officer scowled as he forced his attacker down the street, "I didn't come all this way just to give up now. So just hang in there, I'll…oh shit!"

Bounding back up the street from whence he had been forced, Eternal leapt towards them, blades held high for an apparent final attack.

"STAY BACK!!!"

Throwing all of his might against his own weapon, Alistair threw the massive blade towards his opponent, the energy sword spinning wildly as it cut across the sky to meet it's target…only to slice through thin air as Eternal disappeared once more.

"What?" unease clenched at Aang's heart as the sword arced across the cloudless blue to come crashing blade first into the street before him, "Where did he…?"

As a building beside him suddenly ruptured, he quickly got his answer.

With tremendous force, the back of Eternal's sword collided with the Avatar's side, the onyx Ranger sent sprawling clear through a pair of buildings and into a large open space, coming to rest amid the remains of several bleachers that surrounded the cavernous area.

"Well what do you know?" Bumi smiled faintly as he cooed the baby into burbling contentment, "Madison Square Garden. Amazing how fate just seems to bring you to this place every time you visit our fair city eh?"

Aang never had the chance to reply.

Before he could even open his mouth, the domed ceiling above shattered as Eternal burst through, it's swords held high above it's head, bringing the energy blades down to meet the Avatar's chest.

Sparks flew across the arena as Aang held his last remaining sword defensively before his machine, the interlocked blades screeching and shrieking against each other as the two machines battled for dominance.

Setting it's feet against the floor, Aang couldn't help but wince against the bright golden glow of Eternal's eyes as it threatened to blind the three within the cockpit through the cameras.

With a electronic roar, the attacking machine's ion thrusters ignited behind the great mech, only adding to the weight that bore down on Eternal's sword, warning alarms blaring as the energy blade came dangerously close to the Avatar's head.

"This is it," Alistair winced as consoles began to smoke and spark, static jumping across the screens as the entire Ranger began to rumble and quake "Dammit, I didn't think it would end this way…"

"STOOOOOOOP!!!"

The rumbling stopped. The ion engines died, leaving the faint trace of ion emissions in the air…

And the blades…winked out of existence.

"Mr. Bumi?" Artirius' voice sounded haggard and tired, but still strong enough to carry a note of bemusement, "Are you…in charge?"

Alistair looked to his friend in disbelief, his eyes taking in the determination in the old man's eyes as his winkled hand lay atop the communications console.

"Now see here young man, if memory serves I never asked to be rescued in the first place," the Mayor sighed almost pityingly as he rocked the baby with his free arm, "I was quite comfortable in my nice warm cell with my three square meals a day. I will return myself to your custody, with the Overseer's boy in hand, as long as you let this pilot and his machine go…and give me five minutes to explain a few things,"

An uneasy pause came between the two Rangers.

"Judging from the ferocity of your attacks, I don't believe capturing this unit was anywhere in your orders hm?"

"No…no it wasn't," even with plates of armour between them, Aang could almost see the smirk that graced Meridiano's features, "Very well, five minutes. I shall keep a lookout however…in case Lady Azura decides to check up on my…progress,"

"Alright…I'm confused," Alistair watched in bewilderment as Eternal turned to leave through the hole it had created, it's Mirage System activating once more mid-flight as it jumped into the air, "Why don't you want to escape? Heck, why did you surrender when G.U.N. was on New York's doorstep?" his tone suddenly became angry as his friend made to open the cockpit hatch, "What's the matter with you, Bumi!? Is…is Boyd right? Are…are you really a traitor to the U.S.A.C.?"

"Is that what Boyd said? That kidder," Bumi chuckled to himself, "That old duffer thinks everything is some kind of conspiracy if he doesn't fully understand it. I'm no traitor Aang, I'm not that crazy,"

"Then why did you surrender?" Alistair shook his head in disbelief, "It doesn't make any sense…"

"Only because you don't fully understand either," the Mayor smirked, "Aang, we were outgunned and outclassed. If I had let Boyd have his way, all those nice men and women that make up our armed forces would have been mercilessly slaughtered, and thousands of family would all get very sad. I surrendered to insure those soldiers could be put to better use, and I surrendered myself to insure I remained close to New York and the Central Tower,"

"But why?"

"Omega Protocol," the old man smiled sadly, "The U.S.A.C.'s final playing card. I have to remain here to insure it's orders are carried out to the letter, although to be honest, you've only made my job harder by evacuating the citizens from the city?"

"Why?"

"I can't tell you, only the President is permitted to reveal that information. What I an tell you is G.U.N. will soon begin bringing it's own citizens from it's overcrowded homeland to this now abandoned city, which means I have tweak the protocol slightly for your city. I know you had the best intentions at heart lad, really," He sighed, "If I could go with you, I would, but Omega Protocol is paramount. I suggest you get out of here now. Don't go Washington way just yet, it's too obvious. Head north instead,"

"But what am I supposed to do?" the officer cast his friend a desperate look as he climbed out of the open hatch, "Bumi…I need more information. Is this Omega Protocol important? Could it end the war?"

"In kind. But as I said, only the President can divulge such information," the old man glanced out of the open hatch as something landed in the arena with a heavy thud, the emerald form of the Eternal materialising out of thin air from under the familiar sword it held against it's shoulder, "Oh, looks like my ride's here,"

"I believe this is yours Mr. Aang," the Ranger set the sword in the centre of the stage as it approached, "You really should be more careful with your belongings you know,"

"Don't look so disheartened Aang," Bumi smiled as the officer scowled at the enemy machine, "Omega Protocol is our last resort, maybe you'll find a better alternative eh? You know, whenever I have a problem though," he fished something from the pocket of his suit, "I find I can always find a little help if I find a nice little pub, play a few games of chess…and think of Blighty,"

He tossed the object into Aang's lap with a grin as he stepped onto Eternal's hand, the Ranger slowly raising up to it's full height as the baby almost seemed to wave at the pilot far below.

"Keep at it lad," Bumi gave his friend one last salute as Eternal moved to retreat through it's hole in the roof, "One way or another, you'll get where you need to go eventually,"

Alistair didn't reply. He just watched the green Ranger take off for the blue sky above, before turning to the object in his lap, an eyebrow cocking in bemusement as he picked up the small wooden item and examined it with curiosity: A simply carved chess piece…

A white knight.

---

"So, the good new is Artie got the old guy and my brother back from the resistance," Maia smirked as she gazed lazily out of the cafeteria window to the Hanger Bay beyond, a single digit twirling a plastic spoon around the table as Artirius played his piano in the corner, "The bad new is we damaged two Rangers and most of Central Park to do it,"
"I just hope our battles are easier from this point on," Ty Lee sighed as she lent her head against her fist on the chair across from her friend, "Any more conflicts like what we just went through, and we'll have to have a ship full of spare parts trailing behind us,"

"Don't be so pessimistic Ty Lee," both girls sat up straight at the sound of Azura's sickly sweet voice, the Captain even missing a note at the announcement of her arrival as she entered the canteen, "We were merely caught off guard is all. After all…who would have expected the Courier of the Avatar to appear?If we want to blame someone for the damage, we'll just take it out on Intel,"

"I guess," Ty Lee shrugged as she turned her gaze back to the Hanger, watching as technicians set about removing the warped armour plates that surrounded the Viper's shoulder, "Well, I guess it's onto this mission now anyway. It'll be interesting to see Zuko again…Nice to know he's not dead…"

"Not yet," Azura smirked devilishly as she came up to the window beside the surprised girls, her amber eyes taking in her own Havoc as it's arm was replaced, "Judging from our last encounter I very much doubt he'll want to come quietly. It doesn't really matter, though. Father's in no hurry to have those traitors found, dead or alive," the smirk became a full fledged grin, "Besides…we have another target to keep us occupied…in the meantime,"

---

From the very start, this chapter was tagged as essential. That is too say, no matter what, I had to write it due to the fact in introduced a lot of important factors for the story.
As such, it is also one of those chapters that (in my opinion) gets better as it goes on, due to the fact that most of my ideas were from Ty Lee's song onwards anyway.
Things that have been introduced:
Maia's personality-If you've ever read my Gundam 00 fic Shower, you'll know I have problems writing about unemotional people (Setsuna F. Seiei in 00's case, Mai in this one) Maia's snider, sarcastic and trigger loving personality is just helping me avoid the issue. It also adds a bit more originality to the story.
Ty Lee-If I'm honest, while I think Ty Lee is an interesting character in the original, her almost childish personality just doesn't fit into the universe of the story. For this reason, you may have noticed she's a bit more sombre now, even more then she was in season one. This more neutral personality seems to fit the bill more in my opinion.
Ty Lee's song-In order to avoid possible lawsuits (A line I barely toe with the OST list) I actually wrote my own lyrics to the tune of Akatsuki no Kuruma's acoustic version. The lyrics have actually been purposefully mis-punctuated in an attempt to help you sync up the words to the music. THE WORDS FIT I PROMISE!!!
The Viper and Judgement-Goes without saying I needed to introduce Maia and Ty Lee's mechs round about now.
Jason Giddion and the Glints-a recurring original character that will appear throughout the story. The Glints also have a part to play, and basically collect several old characters into one group (E.G. June)
Katara's Fortitude's Paint job-this new paint job (The old one was just a bland blue) actually comes from a draft of the Jet chapter NullChronicler has been writing. I really liked it a lot and decided to implement it now.
Model numbers-Not too sure about this one, more of an experiment then anything else. I was browsing for ideas for new mechs, when I noticed that all animes they've got listed there have model numbers for each mech. I've set up a poll on my profile on the issue, so if you could just go there and answer one simple question, I'd be really grateful.
Anyway, that's all for now folks. I'm going to take the rest of April off to focus on original novels and other fics. I'll still be working on this, but just not as much until May. The next chapter will be based on the Blind Bandit and will probably be out sometime around the end of May.
As a last note, If anyone's emailed or PMed me recently and I haven't replied, it's not my fault. Real Life and trying to finish this chapter just seemed to keep interrupting (remember, real life comes first!) I'll try and get round to replying to your mail within the next week I promise.
Well, that's all for now, thanks for reading!
Dearing