*Head hits desk*

It's finished. It's taken a fair few months and sleepless nights resently, but I got it done. Those of you who've waited through all this time, I can only say you have the patience of a Saint! I wouldn't blame those of you who've been with this fic since the start to have thought it was dead, but it's still here, and so am I!

So enjoy this latest chapter. I really hope it was worth the wait.

P.S., Sorry if my spellings rubbish in the notes. It's around midnight where I am, and I'm really tired, but I really wanted to get this up before I let sleep claim me.

005

ALONE, TOGETHER

Two weeks.

That's how long it had been since Zuko and Kiew had left his Uncle behind. How long they had been travelling along the cliff top path, and almost how long he had been listening to the Shadow Exo-Suit's motors whine and complain about the extra weight it had to carry.

And by extra weight, he meant one Kiew Li-hua.

In addition to the bag he now carried on one shoulder, his Chinese companion and her own supplies held on loosely to the Shadow's back, her head lolled against his free shoulder, half asleep and half starved as their food had dwindled to bare scraps.

At least the bags were lighter. Although there were times when the former Captain wished he hadn't been brought up to treat women so respectfully.

"Syaoran…"

Zuko rolled his eyes as his passenger weakly rose her head slightly. He'd given up long ago trying to stop her from calling him by that stupid name he'd given himself.

"What is it?"

"Where are we?"

"I don't know," he let the silence hang for a moment, allowing the sound of whirring mechanics to fill the sun-drenched path, "About three hours further up the road then we were when you last asked."

"I see," he felt Kiew's head fall back to the armour with a soft clunk, "How on earth to Americans live like this, so far apart?"

"That's why they build their cities big I guess," Zuko might have shrugged if he wasn't wearing the heavy Exo-Suit, "The U.S.A.C.'s territory is vast, you can't expect someone to be living around every corner…"

He trailed off as he came to a fork in the road, a slight smile gracing his lips as his eyes fell upon a small wooden signpost, small black letters giving him information he badly needed:

OAKRIDGE-3 MILES

"Just give it a little while longer," he smirked as he headed towards the diverging path, "I think we'll run back into civilisation within a couple of miles or so."

When Zuko thought of the settlements of the U.S.A.C., more often then not came to mind the glistening almost futuristic cities that dotted the Americas; sky scrapers of white and various sizes, all contained beneath energy domes or protected by massive near-impenetrable walls that encased thousands of kilometres of land, allowing thousands, if not millions to live in safety from the threats of the war.

As such, as he came over the ridge of a hill at got his first look at Oakridge, it was nothing like he expected.

Comprised of around three dozen buildings, none of which exceeded three stories maximum, the large village had more classic feeling about it, all centred round a large oak tree that sat in the settlement's centre. Situated barely a mile from the sea front, it also had a feeling of being added too as the years had gone by; the stores, pub and central houses all held a outer décor of the turn of the previous century, the surrounding houses getting newer and newer with every ring until more familiar looking structures of the present day surrounded the village's boundaries, with fields of various crops encircling the main settlement. It might have even looked idealistic, had the U.S. army not parked a squad of four Lincolns and a single Roosevelt near the main entrance.

"Maybe we should keep going."

"It's a squad of five Syaoran," Kiew sighed as she slipped off her companion's back, "As long as we keep our heads down, maybe they won't notice us."

"It's not good to take such a risk," the scarred man scowled as he adjusted the pack to the spot Kiew had occupied moments ago, "At least within the larger cities we have a better chance of blending in. There has to be one around here somewhere…"

"Well, I hope you like chewing leather and dollar bills," the Chinese girl sighed as she slumped into the dirt, "Because unless we get some more supplies soon, that's all we're going to have to eat around here."

Starve or risk getting caught. Neither option was exactly a pleasant one.

Finally, his shoulders slumped.

"We get what we need, then move on."

Kiew merely smiled as he hoisted her to her feet.

"Sounds good to me."

If there was one thing that made Zuko uneasy as he and Kiew walked into town, it was how…empty the small settlement felt.

Few people seemed to be out and about despite the warm spring sunshine and cloudless sky above. Even the gardens and yards appeared to be deserted as the pair wondered down the main street, the heavy footsteps of the Shadow Exo-Suit the only sound.

Indeed, until they reached the mighty oak in the village's centre, Zuko almost felt as though the settlement had been abandoned.

They sat under the shade of the namesake of Oakridge; five soldiers clad in U.S.A.C. uniforms of dark green, one of which wore a cloak across his shoulder, signifying command.

All five seemed more preoccupied with their dice game then the small Chinese girl and her Exo-Suit clad companion as they approached a small store that existed along the village centre's ring.

"You want to stay out here?" Kiew glanced up at the scarred man as he eyed the American soldiers warily, "I might be able to get supplies quicker without you scaring off the employees."

"Might be a good idea," Zuko grunted as he leaned up against the store's cool hard wall, "Keep it light though, I don't want to carry anything we don't need."

"I hope you're not including me in that sentence."

"I said we didn't I?"

Kiew merely smiled, before entering the store without another word.

The uneasy silence returned to the village centre, broken only by the five soldiers as they continued their dice games when someone won or lost.

They were either really ignorant that an Exo-Suited individual had just walked into their domain, they thought they might be able to take him on if he tried anything funny, or maybe they just didn't care.

That was until a pair of young boys popped their heads out from around the corner of the store.

For a moment, Zuko watched as the giggling pair eyed the soldiers carefully, their intentions clear as he noticed the egg and catapult one such lad held in his tanned fingers.

If he had been a law abiding citizen of the U.S.A.C., he might have stopped them from doing anything foolish. Maybe he would have called out to the soldiers and watched in amusement as the young boys were reprimanded by their elders.

As it was, exile or no, he was still a child of G.U.N., of it's Führer no less.

And as such, he folded his arms awkwardly across his chest, and watched with lazy eyes as the twang of elastic signified the egg's departure.

The result, of course, was a messy one.

Eggshell and yolk exploded outward in all directions as the makeshift projectile impacted against the straggly hair of the closest soldier, the young man yelping in surprise as the gooey substance slipped down the back of his neck and down his shirt.

The boys giggled and laughed as their target immediately jumped to his feet and hoping from foot to foot as bits of egg slipped further down his spine, only to scamper off warily as the Commander turned around dangerously, leaving Zuko as the only other person in the Centre.

As the bear of a man slowly rose to his feet, Sozin calmly realised they had good reason to flee the scene of the crime.

Solidly built and coming up near eye to eye with the former Captain in his 6"5 Exo-Suit, the officer neither appeared kindly or tolerable of jokes, the scowl etched onto his thin lips behind his large clean cut beard and narrowed eyes beneath his balding dome only reinforcing Zuko's first impression of the man.

"Are you thowin' eggs at us stranger?" his voice was low and raspy, with a hint of a Texan accent.

Zuko gazed nonchalantly at the soldier.

"No."

"You see who did throw it?"

"No."

"That you're favourite word, no?"

"No," a slight smirk crossed the exile's lips, "Incendiary. That's always a good one. Flammable is another…"

"You trying to be funny?"

Zuko merely shrugged, or as best as he could inside the Shadow, "Maybe."

The Commander scowled darkly, "Egg had to have come from somewhere."

"Maybe a chicken flew over."

"I don't like your attitude stranger," the soldier's eyes narrowed to slits,

"I don't like you face," Zuko mirrored the gesture, "So I guess that means we're both even there."

"Maybe it's best if you leave town. The penalty for staying might be more then you can afford."

"Sure I'll leave. Once my friend's done buying supplies…"

"No," with a wave of his hand, the four other soldiers drew their weapons threatening, "I think it's best you left now,"
"Why, because one of your men got egg on his face?"

"No, because if you don't go out on your own two legs, you're gonna go out in a body bag," the Commander frowned as Zuko's helmet came up around the back of his head, a single hand fitting the faceplate to the front with click, "Do you want us to kill you?"

The scarred man merely sniggered darkly.

"I want you to try."

"Well, they didn't exactly have much to begin with, but I got us some basic supplies," Kiew sighed as she hefted her pack onto her back upon leaving the store though, "It'll be enough to get us to the nearest town though. We should get going I hear the Commander of the squad the U.S. sent to protect this place doesn't take too kindly to strangers…" she trailed off as her grey eyes took in the scene before her, "But I guess you've already figured that out by yourself."

Zuko grunted nonchalantly as he dropped the unconscious soldier onto the tarmac road. All around him, the five men lay either out cold or moaned pitifully as they nursed cracked fists and curled themselves around their broken ribs.

"Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not," Zuko grunted as his companion stepped over the prone bodies, "We probably should get out of here though. I don't want to be around here when they wake up…"

"Whoa…you beat 'em up good!"

Mechanical gears clicked and whirred as the Shadow's head almost seemed to automatically snap towards the sound of the new voice, the wrist mounted blaster popping out of it's slot as Zuko raised brought his weapon to bear…

Only to pause as he lay eyes on his target.

No older then thirteen at most; a young thin boy, clothed in a simple pair of jeans, sneakers and a simple wax jacket for the cool air of early March, with a mop of dark brown hair and a suntanned face full of freckles, his large amber eyes blinking in surprise as he found himself looking down the blaster's short barrels.

He looked somewhat…familiar.

"Hey hey whoa!" the boy held up his hands defensively, "Point that thing somewhere else! You coulda blown my head off!"

"You shouldn't go sneaking up on people kid," Zuko scowled darkly beneath his helmet as Kiew smothered a small giggle, "Especially when they're trigger happy, understand?"

"Yeah, I gotcha," the boy sighed as he stepped over the unconscious commander, "But I just had to come over and say thanks. Not just because you didn't rat me out, but you just took on the entire protection detail! I mean they were all "We kill you good!" and you were all "I'd like to see you try!" And the BAM! SMACK! CRACK!…"

"This kid has way too much sugar in his diet." the scarred man sighed as the boy tried to mimic the fight he had witnessed through air punches and many jumps and kicks.

"I think it's kinda cute," Kiew smiled as her companion removed his helmet's front piece, "Come on, you never hyped out every once in a while at his age?"

Zuko merely cast a sombre glance her way, before turning his attention back to the boy.

"I was never that young."

"….Them BOOM! The Commander went flying and then…well…you know the rest," the boy grinned up at the pair before him, revealing a pair of front teeth missing in his array of pearly whites, "I still can't believe you stood up to those guys! I gotta thank you somehow. I know! Why don't you come back to my folks' place? They've always said they'll give anyone who stands up to those bullies a good meal!"

"Well, that's very kind of you but…" Kiew glanced at Zuko, who subtly shook his head, "We really should be moving on…"

"Oh, I see. Fugitives. And not because you just assaulted these brutes, right? Ah, don't look so surprised," he waved off the stunned looks that were sent his way, "You don't get many Exo-Suits or China girls out here. So that makes you either refugees or fugitives of G.U.N., and considering that's a Shadow Exo-Suit, a stealth suit used by G.U.N.'s elite, it doesn't take a genius to figure out your on the run from the Nationalist Military."

Zuko cocked an eyebrow, clearly not impressed at how close the young boy was to the truth.

"You make it sound you get criminals through here regularly."

"Nah, I just watch a lot of crime dramas," the boy shrugged modestly, before grabbing Kiew's hand, "Anyway, come on! I have to thank you guys for beating those bullies up and I'm not taking no for an answer…"

The girl could only send a helpless gaze the former Captain's way as she was dragged away by the smaller boy.

Zuko merely watched them leave, for a moment torn as to whether to follow them, or head off in an opposite direction, finally free of Kiew…keeping her away from him…

After kicking a nearby soldier back into the realms of unconsciousness, he semi-reluctantly followed the sounds of the boy's constant chatter.

Set apart from the rest of Oakridge, the small farmhouse had clearly come from the same time as the buildings of the village's centre; pearl white with large beams running up the two storey building, pale orange tiles neatly lined and overlapping upon it's roof.

Of course, it had clearly been a while since it had been used as a farmhouse. Crops and animals no longer graced the fields that surrounded the small cottage. Now fishing nets and lobster pots lay around it's front door, a long winding dirt path making it's way across the land and down the cliff face to where someone had built a small boat house just above the rocky beach, the crimson prow of a motorboat within poking through the open doorway.

To Zuko, it all seemed rather…simplistic.

"Mom! Dad! I'm back!" the boy's shrill cry brought a wince to the former soldier's eye as he watched their would-be host continue to half-drag Kiew along the dirt path, "And I brought friends!"

"Is it Sam again?" a middle aged woman sighed as she emerged from the darkness of her door with a tired smile, "That boy and his appetite, I swear his mother doesn't feed him…Oh!" she paused as her eyebrows hiked up at the sight of the Chinese teen holding hands with her son, and the sullen Exo-Suit clad westerner just behind her, "Glen, I think you better come out here,"

"If Sam's coming round for dinner, tell him he can buy is own damn fish!"

"No Honey," the woman frowned uneasily as the small group came to a stop before her, "It's not Sam. Liam has brought some…friends home though,"

"Well as long as they don't try to steal any of my fish, they're alright with me," a larger man chuckled as he exited the house, "So how…oh,"

The man's face fell slightly at the sight before him. Although of an average height, his frame was bulked with the muscle gained from a lifetime out on the open seas, the wax jacket he had pulled over the faded woollen jumper well worn from barrages of seawater and matched the state of the fishing waders that encased his legs.

His tanned face was rough but strong, a fuzz of thick brown beard surrounding his jaw and blending seamlessly with the messily cut hair that seemed to have been just draped across the top of his head.

His wife on the other hand had clearly spent most of her life with two feet firmly planted on the ground. Tall and graceful, she held herself with a quiet dignity; her pale hands folded across the front of her chequered apron she wore over her pale green dress, her pale blue eyes watching Zuko carefully from beneath the few dark red bangs she had left clear of the pony-tail she kept her hair up in at the back of her skull.

The father, Glen Zuko believed he had been called, cast a mildly amused glance his wife's way.

"Friends huh?"

"That's what it looks like Dear."

"Hm," Glen glanced at Zuko again, before chuckling quietly, "That's some big friends you got their Liam."

"You should have seen him Dad!" the boy, Liam, grinned from ear to ear, "He took on the entire squad without even a scratch! Of course they were nowhere near their Rangers but…"

"Can't say I'm surprised," his Father smiled slightly, "Must be second nature to a Nationalist like you, Sozin,"

For a moment, Zuko paled, his fist clenching as the blaster popped out of his wrist.

"What did you say!?"

"Syaoran!" he barely felt Kiew's light hand as it rested warily against the Shadow's thick armour, not even coming halfway around his wrist.

He glanced at her, she shook her head slowly.

"Relax Son, I was just messing with ya," the Fisherman smiled good-naturedly, his dark eyes not even flinching with the pop of the blaster's deployment, "I'm Glen Barrows and this is my wife Ellen. Liam you already know. Didn't mean to scare you like that. Don't get many refugees this far from the cities,"

"Of course. We understand," Kiew smiled gingerly as she felt the tension leave Zuko's arm slightly, "Please forgive us, we're still not used to life in the U.S.A.C.. I am Kiew Li-hua, and this is my friend Syaoran,"

"So, you are on the run eh?" Glen nodded kindly, "You don't look Chinese son. I'm guessing an alias right?"

"Something like that," Zuko shrugged as best he could inside the Exo-suit, "I apologise for intruding. You're son was quite…insistent,"

"No need," the large man grinned, "If you can give those brutes what for, you're a good man in my books…"

"They're nothing more then petty thugs in uniform," Ellen frowned darkly, "They think they can have a cushy job just because they're so far from the Front Lines. The real soldiers are made there; in South America, the Pacific and Atlantic theatres. Liam's older brother serves on the Olympia you know,"

Kiew glanced at Zuko nervously, taking in the tenseness that filled his face.

"You must be…very proud,"

"We are," Glen nodded as he put a comforting arm around his wife, "Listen, lunch will be ready in an hour or two. You want to stay a while? Must be hard to get a decent meal when you're on the run and all…"

"I'm sorry, but we must decline," the former captain shook his head as Kiew opened her mouth to reply, "we have to keep moving, and we wouldn't want to inconvenience you,"

"We don't mind setting a couple of extra seats at the table," Ellen smiled, "It takes real courage to run from G.U.N., and I doubt either of you have had a decent home cooked meal in a long time. If you feel you want to pay us, why doesn't Syaoran help Glenn mend his nets while Kiew and I finish up lunch?"

Zuko winced uncomfortably.

"I still think that…"

"We'd be delighted," he glanced down at Kiew in surprise as she lent against his arm, "Thank you so much for your hospitality,"

"So how long have you two been travelling together?"

Kiew glanced down out of her thoughts at Liam as he pulled himself up onto the counter beside the sink, his dark eyes blinking innocently.

"Not long," she smiled as she returned to washing the potatoes, "Just over a month now I think,"

"Where'd you meet?"

"He came into my village in China,"

"Are you his girlfriend?"

The potato hit the sink with a dull thud.

"W-what? No, of course not." she smiled shakily as she felt her cheeks heat up under the curious boy's gaze, "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"I dunno," Liam shrugged carelessly, "You guys seem kinda close and all…"

"Liam, don't bother Miss Kiew with personal questions," Ellen sent a warning frown over her shoulder at her son as she checked the chicken, "It's bad manners."

"Yes Mom." the boy sighed dejectedly as Kiew gingerly picked up the potato again, before brightening up, "Hey, do you know how Mr. Syaoran got his scar?"

The potato slipped again.

"I…erm…well…"

"You don't have to answer that dear." Liam cried out painfully as he was grabbed round the ear by his mother, "This boy would do well to be less nosey about other peoples' lives." she pulled harder at her son's ear, "A person's past is their own business young man! Now go do your chores, those lobster cages need cleaning!"

Kiew smiled carefully as she watched Ellen drag a reluctant Liam away from the kitchen, before turning her eyes back to the window above the sink, her grey eyes softening slightly as she took in Zuko and Glenn sitting on a bench beside the porch, her travelling companion's face knitted in concentration as Liam's father guided him through the steps of repairing the net.

There was so much about him she didn't know, she realised. She knew of Zachariah Sozin of course; the eldest son of the Führer of the German Unified Nation who had disappeared from the media three years ago, only to appear as a wanted man in her paper a month ago. That was only the tip of the iceberg though, a face that was shown to the masses. She didn't know anything…intimate about him. Like what was his childhood like? Did he have any friends back in Berlin? Did he have a sweetheart waiting for him at home? (That question made her feel cold inside for some reason) and how did he get that crescent shaped scar across the side of his head?

It was there and then she decided she would try and find out as much as she could about her mysterious companion.

At the back of his mind, memories surfaced.

Perhaps it was the way his pale fingers deftly threading the thick ropes as instructed. Maybe the way Glenn guided his hands with his words reminded him of how a certain parent had guided him through his childhood and teens.

but as Zuko watched the hole in the net slowly disappear with his own work, he felt recollections that seemed so long ago come to mind, like watching an old film, disconnected from the events that unfurled before him.

It was 2041, and it was cold. November would soon give way to December, and already Berlin was covered in a layer of frost and ice from the clear night before.

And yet, much to Zuko's reluctance, he was out in the middle of it. Then again, the nineteen year old could never say no to his beloved mother.

Holding herself with grace, Annemarie Sozin had often been said to be the most beautiful woman ever to grace the halls the Palace of Sozin , and the envy of those that lusted after her husband Julius. Tall and pale, with a willowy figure and onyx hair that seemed to flow around her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. Her clothes, reflected his status amid the world; a long elegant dress of blue silk lined with pure white that hugged her figure and brought out her amethyst eyes and trailed against the gravel path.

The more they walked, the more Zuko wished he had his mother's apparent resilience to the cold

"Why are we doing this again?" her hugged himself around the thick crimson coat, wishing that the white gloves that he's pulled onto his hands were so much thicker, "It's so early…and cold,"

"But beautiful too," his mother smiled gracefully.

"But they're beautiful all year round,"

"True, but this kind of beauty can only be seen in the morning, when everyone else is safely tucked up in bed. The first frost of the year causes a great change on the landscape you know. Take it in Zuko,"

The only thing the young teen was taking in was the frigid aid that filled his lungs, but he sighed nonetheless and let his amber eyes wonder across the garden before him.

Everything was covered in a layer of frost. From the pristine lawns to the rows of flower beds, everything had been dusted with white. Even the barren trees that surrounded the large ornamental fountain seemed to light up in the morning sun, clothed in icicles rather then leaves.

Zuko released a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding.

"It is beautiful," he sighed, "but why does it have to be so cold?"

Annemarie merely laughed before bringing a warming arm around her son's shoulders.

"That's the thing about beauty Darling. Sometimes you need to suffer a bit of discomfort to experience it at its best,"

"Why is he just standing there?"

"He's my personal guard. He's supposed to just stand there,"

"But he can't even see. How's he supposed to protect you if he can't even see your attacker?"

Sixteen year old Azura Sozin frowned darkly at Maia Testarossa as she gazed at the soldier standing by the Library's door over the top of her magazine, before following her companion's stare towards this illusive young man that had been assigned to her. Thus far she had been unimpressed with the sixteen year old Captain. His gold lined uniform, denoting his assignment to the Palace Guard, seemed to hang loosely from his thin frame. His face pale and uninteresting, even with the strange sash of crimson that he kept wrapped around his eyes. Then there was his name. What kind of name was Artirius Meridiano anyway? The only remarkably interesting thing about the soldier was the fact he never walked into anything and Ty Lee Ming couldn't keep her eyes off him. A sadistic smile quickly graced Azura's lips as she glanced at her Chinese girl lying sprawled at her feet, legs kicking absently in the air as she lent her head on her fist, her free hand twirling the end of her ponytail.

This, if anything, could mean the begins of some form of entertainment in the near future.

And speaking of entertainment…

A wistful sigh brought Azura's attention back to Maia

as she suddenly forgot all about Meridiano and his obscure reasons for his current posting. All such thoughts were gone from her black haired head the moment Zachariah Sozin walked through the large heavy oak doors of the Palace's library, his mother moments behind him.

Already, even as she rose from her seat and placed the book she had been reading on the shelf beside her, an idea was quickly forming in her brain.

"Maia, I need your assistance,"

The raven haired girl blinked out of her revere as Zuko browsed the shelves further down, his mother disappearing round the corner towards large arched windows.

"What is it Lady Azura?"

Azura smirked devilishly. Her friends were always at her beck and call. Any waiver from that and their families reputations would plummet.

"I want you to get a book for me," her voice was slightly louder then usual, grabbing her brother's attention at the end of the room, "That big one up there,"

Amber eyes followed a long finger to where the volume in question, her face paling somewhat at the sight of a large heavy book with a hard leather cover; the kind that would no doubt hurt if it landed on someone's head.

"It's…it's kind of high Lady Azura,"

"Hm…you're right," She stroked her chin in mock thought, before snapping her fingers with a wide grin, "I know! Ooh Zuzu!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!!!"

Azura smirked as her brother glared daggers from across the room, only for a pout to cross her lips as her mother peered around the bookcase at the sudden noise.

"You shouldn't be so quick to shout Zuzu," her voice was sickly sweet, and it made all who heard it feel mildly uneasy, "We're in a library after all. I just wanted some help from my big bwover,"

A definite shudder when down Zuko's spine as he looked to his mother for help. Annemarie merely smiled and nodded reassuringly. The older sibling sighed heavily as his mother returned to the windows, before slowly making his way down the aisles to where the three girls were sat.

"What do you want?"

"That book up there," Azura smiled almost sweetly as she indicated to the large volume, "It looks interesting. Maia was going to try and get it down for me, but she's too short,"

Zuko glanced up at the book, high out of reach, before staring back at his sister.

"I'm too short too.

"I know that Dumb dumb," she smirked as her brother seethed, "I was just thinking if you helped her up, you could reach it…together,"

Out of the corner of her eye, Azura watched as Maia suddenly turned bright red, much to the Sozin's private delight. Zuko didn't seem to notice, and continued to fix his sister with a scowl.

"Why don't you just read something from the lower shelves?"

"Because that's boring," she scowled darkly, folding her arms across her chest, "And that makes you boring and useless,"

That had his attention.

"I'm not useless."

"Sure you are," Azura smiled innocently, "You're boring, useless and lazy. You can't even be bothered to help your poor little sister get an interesting book. I bet my personal guard will help me. He's blind though, so he'll probably end up tipping the shelves over or something," she sighed pitifully, "But I suppose he'll have to do. At least he'll help while you did nothing but sat and watch him destroy the library. Oh well. Ooh Artie…"

"ALRIGHT!!!"

She smirked as Zuko smacked a hand round his mouth. All it ever took to get her brother to cooperate was a hard enough push against his personal pride.

"Glad to see you so eager to help dear brother," Azura smiled sweetly as Zuko scowled darkly, "Maia, why don't you get up on Zuzu's shoulders. That should give you enough height,"

Maia squirmed uncomfortably as she gazed between Zuko and the book, before reluctantly nodding. Her brother for his part glared mutinously at his sister as he got down on one knee, lacing his fingers atop his leg to give Testarossa a boost onto his shoulders.

The results were…comical to say the least.

Azura wasn't quite sure where to look, be it at Maia as she struggled to keep her balance while reaching out for the book, or Zuko as he tried to keep the girl steady on his shoulder while at the same time trying not to look up her dress, his face flushed hard. Even Ty Lee finally tore her eyes away from Artirius, her head cocked cutely as she puzzled over the balancing act.

"Almost…got…it," Maia steadied herself against the bookcase, her free hand grasping the edge of the book with the very ends of her fingers, "Just…a little…closer…"

Then…her hand slipped.

The dark haired girl gasped in surprise as her fingers fell away from the book, the heavy volume falling onto its spine as Maia toppled forward, Zuko loosing balance below her.

There was a heavy thump as two bodies collided painfully with the floor.

The book above, already balanced on the end of its spine by Maia's attempt to get it, teetered on the edge of its shelve, before plummeting down the bookcase to the polished floor below.

There was a short scream…

Time seemed to slow…

And then…a single hand plucked the heavy book from the air.

Azura could only stare, mouth agape, her eyes wide.

Standing over Maia and Zuko, Artirius calmly brought the book to his chest, his thumb running over the embossed lettering on the cover as he turned towards the youngest Sozin.

"Your book My Lady. Although I question what exactly it is your planning to do with a world atlas when your studies have been completed for this year."

"Where did you…GAH!!!" Azura's knees gave out from under her as Artirius dropped the heavy book into her hands, her fingers crushed against the marble floor as the Captain turned back to Maia and Zuko, "Owww…"

The two teens quickly tried to detangle themselves from each other as the blind man seemed to watch them, Ty Lee trying to smother a fit of giggles behind him as Annemarie appeared at the end of the row.

"Ah there you are! I just reviewed word that your Uncle has sent you both a letter and…" a frown crossed his mother's features as Zuko finally managed to stagger to his feet, a hesitant hand helping a flushed red Maia moments later, "What were you doing?"

"Nothing important," for the briefest moment, Zuko allowed a private smirk to flash across his face as he took in Azura nursing her fingers out of the corner of her eye, "Did you say something about Uncle Iroh?"

"…I have said before how impressed I am with American defensive technology. Six hundred days on from when the first guns fired and still the Umbrella shield holds. Most impressive. Still, I prevail we will prevail. Once we find a way to take down the shield, it is only a matter of time before that massive metropolis falls. Perhaps you can visit once we've raised our flag over the White House? If we haven't blown it up of course!"

Azura and Zuko chuckled on either side of their mother as she read out their Uncle's letter, their eyes flitting to the large box that had been delivered along side it.

"At this point, no doubt the children are getting board with my long winded letters and are starting to eye the packages that accompanied my thoughts on paper," both of the younger Sozins flushed scarlet as their mother smiled slightly, "For Zuko, I present you with an OKC-9S bayonet combat knife." The teen hesitantly reached into the box to pull out the weapon by its black plastic hilt, his amber eyes widening in awe as he pulled the leather sheath off the short dark blade, "Brand new from captured US Marine stocks, I took the liberty of having a nicer sheath made for you, as well having a small inscription engraved on the blade, so you never forget to…"

"Never giver up without a fight," Zuko smiled as he read the words carved expertly into the metal, "Good advice Uncle."

"And for my sweet darling niece," Annemarie cocked an eyebrow as she continued to read, "I present you with the latest Barbie doll with the latest fashion styles from the New York catwalks! At least…that's what it said on the box…"

Azura scowled at the blonde doll that grinned up at her, her fingers picking at the edge of the bright pink shirt and dark blue jeans unenthusiastically.

"Do you think Uncle's gonna die?"

A heavy silence came over the room, mother and son staring at their relation blankly as Azura picked at her new doll's hair.

"What on Earth made you think about that?" Annemarie frowned as she set the letter down on a nearby stand, "Are you worried about Iroh?"

"No, I was just thinking," an unhealthy looking smirk crossed the young girl's features, "If Uncle Iroh gets shot or blown up, that would mean Father would be more likely to become Führer when grandfather kicks the bucket right?"

"Azura Sozin watch your tongue!" the girl didn't flinch at her mother's harsh tone, "It would be awful if Iroh was killed in action. Besides, the Führer is in perfect health. The naming of his successor is a long way off."

"How would you like it if Lucian thought about what life would be like if Father had a bullet in his brain?" Zuko scowled darkly at his sister, who merely smiled in return as she fiddled with the Barbie's head.

"All I'm saying is maybe it would be better if Uncle didn't return. After all," the doll's head came clear of its neck with a faint pop, "It's obvious to everyone that Father would be a far better fit for Grandfather's chair then his tea-drinking kookiness."

"You've been quiet today."

Zuko paused as he finished hiding the Exo-Suit amid the fishing nets.

"I'm not exactly a very talkative person."

Kiew laughed as she lent against the storage shed's doorframe.

"That's true, but I mean you're talking less then usual. Did you want to keep moving?"

The scarred man sighed and turned to face his companion. She was watching him quietly, arms folded against her chest, head lolled against the wooden beam of the frame as the orange light of sunset poured through the shed's doorway. The concern on her face was obvious.

"Lunch is one thing, but staying here too long can have consequences." Zuko scowled, "In case you've forgotten, I have a price on my head."

"It's just one night. And we're probably a lot safer here then we would be camping out."

"But every second we stay here, Azura could get a second closer." he felt his fists clench at his sides at the memory of his sister, "I can't believe they managed to talk us into staying…"

"What's your problem? You have no idea where Azura is!" Kiew frowned at the back of Zuko's head, "She could still be in China for all you know…"

"Or she could be in California, or even down the street…"

…

"I'd think we'd of seen her if she was down the street."

"You know what I mean!" he glared at her, his anger flaring at the slight smirk that graced her lips, "Azura isn't just some random bounty hunter, she's a relentless predator with all of G.U.N. at her beck and call. You just have see what she did to the Sovereignty to know what she's capable of. She's hunting me Kiew, determined either to drag me back to the homeland kicking and screaming or to put a bullet through my head. And she won't let anything get in her way to do it…why are you smiling?"

Kiew merely smiled lazily as she pushed off from the doorframe.

"You're worried about Oakridge, aren't you. You're worried about what might happen to it if Azura finds you here."

"N-No!" Zuko felt his cheeks heat up as she approached, "I'm just saying that we shouldn't stay here more then a night…"

"I knew it." Kiew poked his chest lightly with a smirk, "You do have a heart in there somewhere."

Zuko merely scowled, folding his arms across his chest as he locked eyes with his companion.

"You can't prove that."

Kiew laughed lightly, her eyes never leaving his, grey locked with amber.

"Not yet. Give it time Syaoran, and I will."

"The death of Lucian Sozin is indeed a blow to the German Unified Nation, but Iroh's subsequent actions are inexcusable!"

"With respect Representative, He just lost his only son. How the hell was he supposed to react!?"

"In the manner befitting a General of our great Nation!"

Zuko sat quietly in his chair, hands folded in his lap, eyes down.

Lucian was dead. The reports indicated an operation gone bad, something about a malfunctioning ligament coupling in his Fortitude's leg. His Ranger had become a sitting duck, nothing but target practice for Washington's defence turrets.

Iroh had been devastated by the loss, and had pulled back after six hundred days of assault against the walled city. It was a devastating blow to G.U.N.. Not only had they failed to capture their enemy's capital, but Iroh's retreat meant the loss of a major foothold in the U.S.A.C.'s territory.

But Zuko didn't care about that. Right now he sat in Berlin's Great Hall, his mother on his left, Azura on his right, his mind numb as the Nation's representative bickered over his Uncle's apparent treachery.

The way they spoke of him, it was as though he had betrayed the very Nation itself.

Remaining quiet, Zuko let his eyes wonder across the Great Hall. The heart of the German Unified Nation's government, the Great Hall was a cavernous room of grand pillars and massive arches of finest marble housed within the massive dome of the Governmental Building. It was here that elected representatives of G.U.N.'s states would congregate to discuss matters that involved them at the entity they served. Tier upon tier of balconies rose upward and outward from the centre like the rings of a tree. Each was segmented off to give each representative his or her own private space as they brought their objectives forward. All wanted to have their voices heard, all wanted their own way over their neighbours and allies, and all were forced to bow to the will of the Führer and, to lesser extent, the General's table.

Seated at a large U-shaped table in the centre of the Hall, the General's that sat there dealt with the major problem that effected G.U.N. as a whole, the ongoing the war effort. A collection of the nation's sixteen most deadly and powerful tacticians, no one questioned their words, save for the Führer himself. The word of these nine men was law, and their decisions regarding the war were final unless the Führer said otherwise. It was here at the table's head that his father Julius Sozin, hands steeped atop the polished wood of the table, his amber eyes staring across the aisle to where the Führer sat.

The most powerful man in the German Unified Nation, Azrael Sozin sat upon a mighty throne of gold, high backed and bathed in a pillar of light to accent his position in society. All were below him, none were above him. He held the power of the World's most powerful nation in his hands…even if it didn't look like it.

For at ninety-five years of age, Azrael Sozin was hunched and haggard in appearance, the lines of his face accented by the pillar of light that was supposed to show his greatness, his sunken eyes appearing hollow and dark like an empty skull. His hair was also thinning, his uniform hanging loosely to an almost skeletal frame. Yet when he spoke, his voice still held a power that no one else could match, and the entire Great Hall fell into silence with a word from his lips.

"I will admit, the loss of my grandson is…regrettable." the Führer's voice was quiet, yet the entire assembly collectively held their tongues, "Similarly, the loss of our major foothold within the territory of the U.S.A.C. is also regrettable. But…" the anger began to well in the old man's voice, "I will not sit here and listen to petty politicians DEGRADE MY FIRST BORN SON FOR HIS DECISIONS!!!"

No one spoke, no one dared to even breath. Not until Zuko's father rose from his chair.

"And why should we not?" Julius regarded his father quietly, his voice cold and quiet, "Iroh has failed, as a father and as a tactician. He failed to protect Lucian, to insure his flesh and blood would be victorious. And in light of his mistakes, he abandons the fight, shows weakness to our enemies. This man is not worthy to lead our armies. No!" the sound of a fist against wood echoed through the hall, "He is not worthy even to lead our people!"

Azrael scowled, his frail hands clenching into fists.

"Hold your tongue my son, unless you wish to suffer the consequences…"

Julius smirked merely smirked darkly.

"I am merely voicing the opinions of this assembly My Lord. Iroh has shown weakness as a leader of an army. Whose to say this is not proof that he will show weakness as Führer of the German Unified Nation? The bloodline of Iroh also runs dry with the death of Lucian Sozin…

"Julius. I called for silence…"

"Are we to let a weak and cowardly fool lead us when you have departed from this world?" A rebellious murmur began to rise around the balconies as the Sozin's voice rose with it, "A shameful pathetic man who doesn't have the right to bear the name of Sozin!? Or would you rather to the right thing, the honourable thing? You know what you must do…"

"I called for SILENCE!!!"

Another hush fell over the Great Hall as Azrael's hand came down against the armrest of his throne. His breathing was heavy, his wrinkled features screwed up into an image of unimaginable anger as a trickle of blood dripped down the side of the throne from his hand.

"You call for the revoking of Iroh's claim to the tile of Führer?" his voice was dark, his eyes narrowed to slits, "You wish to bestow that honour to you Julius. Is that what you want? You would use Lucian's death to further your own position."

"I use Lucian's death to further my Nation." Julius returned the scowl, "You know I am worthy of your title My Lord. Under my rule, the German Unified Nation will rise from the ashes of this defeat. Under my rule, the German Unified Nation will conquer this world! The U.S.A.C. will fall by my hand, the New Soviet Union not far behind it. I will rule this world. We will rule this world! But only if you do the honourable thing. For under Iroh, I guarantee you, this nation will fall."

"You make it sound as though I am already dead." Azrael continued to scowl as he rose from his throne, "You dare suggest that I betray Iroh? My first born son? And directly after the death of his own beloved son?" he chuckled sinisterly, "I think Iroh has suffered enough Julius, but you…your suffering has only just begun."

As his grandfather spoke those words, the Great Hall rose into uproar. Beside him, his mother visibly tensed, her knuckles going white as she gripped the arms of her chair tight. Azura only smirked, settling back in her chair as she folded her arms, almost as though she knew something her brother didn't.

Zuko himself only felt a cold dread wash over him as Azrael returned to his chair, as though someone had just walked across his grave.

"I wonder how Grandfather plans to kill you."

Zuko tensed as he heard his sister's voice at shoulder, a sick feeling welling in his stomach as she snaked her arms around his neck from behind. The assembly had just broken up for the day, with politicians filing out and heading home. Their mother had already gone on ahead to alert the servants of their arrival, while their father had remained behind to talk with their grandfather. Which just left a very worried brother with his devilish sister in an empty corridor, waiting for someone to collect them.

"W-what do you mean?"

"It's kinda obvious what he's planning to do." Azura rested her head against Zuko's shoulder, "I mean Lucian was Uncle Iroh's first born, and now he's dead. Daddy insulted Uncle Iroh because Lucian died. What better punishment then to do to him what the U.S.A.C. did to Uncle?"

"You're lying." he tried to get away, but she only pulled him in closer, "You always lie Azura."

"I'm just saying, it's kinda obvious. Maybe you should leave now while you have the chance."

"You always lie," Zuko repeated, his voice quiet and sullen, "You always lie Azura. You always lie…"

"You always lie…"

Zuko blinked blearily as his own words awoke him. Sunlight was streaming through half closed curtains onto his face, bathing him in a comfortable warm light.

It had all been a dream.

He groaned pathetically as he rubbed a hand across his face. Even though he'd managed to get a decent night's sleep, he still felt drained and lifeless. He wanted to turn over and go back to sleep, but a part of him was afraid the memories would return in his dreams.

So he tried to sit up…only to find something warm and soft in his way.

There had only been one bed. He'd insisted he'd be fine with a blanket on the floor. She'd insisted it was a big enough bed the two of them could comfortably share. And it was true. It was a double bed after all, and he'd been more then content to perch on its edge while she sprawled out across the mattress.

So how, how, how did he find himself with Kiew curled up against his side, one arm draped lazily across his chest?

Kiew mumbled something in her sleep, her head nuzzling under his arm through the shirt he wore. She looked…comfortable. Peaceful. He almost didn't want to get up, just so she could sleep in a little more…

Until the room started to shake.

In an instant Zuko was on his feet as the bed rattled across the floor, a picture falling from the wall with a crash as he bolted for the window.

"Wh? Whazzat!?" Kiew was jolted awake, her eyes widening as she clung to the shaking bed for dear life, "Syaoran! What's going on!?"

Zuko scowled darkly as the shaking subsided, his amber eyes taking in the bulky form of the Lincoln that was now parked on the house's front lawn.

"We've got company." he felt his hands ball into fists as he watched several armed soldiers hop off their make-shift transport, "And they look like trouble."

By the time Zuko and Kiew had dressed and gotten down to the front yard, the tension was already thick in the air.

Facing down the twin barrels of the Lincoln's primary weapons Glen stood firm, eyes narrowed with face set, Ellen clutching Liam to her side just behind him.

Before them, the U.S.A.C. commander smirked as three of his men leant up against the Lincoln's side, assault rifles hanging loosely in their hands. Some might say it was to show the citizens they were doing their jobs, but those people obviously didn't live in Oakridge.

"Commander Hale." Glen's voice was deadly calm, "You mind telling me what you're doing using my lawn as a parking lot?"

"Now, now. Settle down Barrows," the Commander smirked, "Believe me, if it was just you I was worried about, I wouldn't have gone to all this trouble, but your friend there…" the smirk became grim as he indicated to Zuko with his head, "Well…I had a feeling he'd be lurking round here. You don't fool me twice boy. I won't underestimate you again."

"If you ask me, now you're just trying to compensate for something."

"Syaoran…"

"Easy now, I didn't come here to start a fight." Hale folded his arms across his chest as Kiew grabbed Zuko's arm, half afraid he might actually start a fight, "Just stopped by to give ol' Glen here a bit of news. He turned to the fisherman, the smirk now turning smug, "It's my sad duty to inform ya'll that the USS Olympia was confirmed sunk last night, just off the coast of Colombia. Dunno if there were any survivors or not though."

Glen scowled darkly as his wife gasped, a hand coming to her mouth in horror.

"You didn't bother to check?"

"I didn't bother to ask." Hale shrugged indifferently, "You ever seen G.U.N. does to prisoners of war?"

"They stick 'em in faulty Rangers and send them walking onto the battlefield," one of the soldiers grinned, flashing several gold teeth, "Great distraction and depletes our ammo supplies more quickly, so I hear."

"You little…"

"Hey now, no need to get upset." Hale grinned as Glen took a threatening step forward, "Don' go shooting the messenger Barrows. You do…" he patted the Lincoln's side, "Well, let's say I might have to do some…redecorating."

Glen could glare at the officer as he turned back towards the Lincoln, his anger and rage held back only by touch of his wife on his arm.

It was still here, right where he'd left it.

A part of Zuko had been afraid one of the soldiers had stolen it when he wasn't looking, yet the Shadow Exo-Suit sat before him, surrounded by netting with the face plate in its lap, staring up at its own with dull unlit eyes.

"Glen says he's heading for Washington. He's going to join up with the armed forces to try and find his son."

Zuko regarded Kiew over his shoulder, a sudden sense of Déjà vu overcoming him as he took in her slim form in the doorway.

"If he had any sense, he'd stay here," he turned back to the armour, and picked up the faceplate, "If the U.S.A.C. treats it's armed forces anything like G.U.N. does, then there's a real slim chance they'll put him on a boat near Colombia, and that's if they recruit him at all." he tossed the face plate to one side and began to hoist the Shadow to its feet, "Both armies prefer young blood these days. They're less likely to break a hip while running into a fire fight."

"What about you? Why don't you go in his place?"

Zuko almost dropped the Exo-Suit.

"Are you mad!?!" he spun round to face her, "I don't think you've noticed yet, but I'm a wanted criminal! At home and here! I can't just waltz into Washington and join up, even if I wanted too."

"I'm just saying there has to be something we can do!" Kiew approached her friend desperately at her companion as the Shadow was brought upright, "Syaoran…Zuko. You're the eldest son of the Führer, one of the most brilliant and deadly tacticians of our era. You can't just stand there and tell me none of that rubbed off on you! You must be able to think of something!"

Zuko didn't reply. He just turned round slowly, his eyes wide.

"What did you call me?"

"Mr. Syaoran!"

Two pairs of eyes turned back towards the door in alarm as Ellen ran into the shed, her breathing laboured as she leant heavily against the frame.

"It's Liam! He's gone after Hale and his men. He took one of the harpoon guns Mr. Syaoran! I have no idea what he's thinking but…" tears began to stream down the mother's face, "Glen's already gone after him, but I'm scared. He's not a soldier….but you are. Please…help him. Help us!"

Zuko looked away, his hands clenched tight into fists. A war raged within his mind. These people were the enemy, yet they'd taken him and Kiew in, given him food…

But they were the enemy…

He felt his mind drift….

It was dark, close to midnight. Zuko had been awoken by the sound of voice's outside his door. His mind felt dull though, and he could only make out three vague shapes in the pool of light.

"And the procedure was a success?" he could hear Annemarie's voice. She sounded…tired, weak.

"But of course," the other voice was unfamiliar. Slow and haggard, with every S drawn out, "It will be as though it never happened. It will have to be repeated every ten of your years of course."

"Oh course. My husband will insure the procedure is completed within the time limit…" his mother turned slightly, as though noticing her son, "Thank you for your assistance in this matter…"

"Do not thank me mortal." the second voice growled as a shadow departed from the doorway, "This endeavour was worth something only to you. You have pushed the game forward, this procedure is only to ensure your silence."

Annemarie nodded, before bending down to the third shadow and whispered something Zuko couldn't hear. The shape merely departed without a word as his mother entered his room.

"Zuko, my darling boy." the young teen moaned slightly as he felt himself be gathered up in his mother's arms, "I want you to know something, something I should have told you from the very beginning. You are you. You are not your father, you are not Azura. You are…Zuko. You are your own person. Do not let them influence you. Do what you think is right, for yourself, for the nation, and for those around you. Never forget…who you are…"

Zuko sighed, letting his shoulders sag. Enemy or not, someone's child was in danger. And he had the potential power to stop it.

"Kiew, stay with Mrs. Barrows." the china girl blinked in surprise as he opened up the chest of the Shadow, "I'll get her son back."

Glen grunt in pain as he finally fell to the dusty floor, blood dribbling from his mouth, several of his ribs obviously cracked. Above him, Hale smirked grimly, rubbing the his large knuckles as Liam looked on behind him, held back from helping his father.

"You still alive Barrows? That's good, I admit, I admire a man with audaciousness such as you. You'd probably go far in this man's army…if you were about twenty years younger."

"You…"Glen shakily tried to return to his feet, "You let…my son go…you…coward!"

"Now now," the fisherman cried out in pain as a sweep of the commander's boot took his arms out from under him, "Let's not stoop to name callin'. After all there are children present. The soldiers sniggered as Hale drew a large handgun from it's hip-side holster, "Might I remind you it was your boy who came at us with the harpoon gun Barrows, screaming about trying to find your other idiotic offspring. Judging by the little show you just put on, I guess the nut don't fall far from the tree. That said," he aimed the pistol at Glen's head, "it might be less trouble for me if I just ended it for you now."

"I don't think that would be such a good idea."

Liam's eyes widened as he heard the familiar synthesised voice, turning with daring anticipation as the sound of metal against concrete seemed to echo through the town centre.

Hale merely smiled, his own dark eyes falling on the Shadow Exo-Suit that stepped into the courtyard.

"Well well, I gotta say I'm surprised," the Commander rose to his full height as Zuko stopped before them, "I didn't think an out-o-towner would get himself involved in private matters."

"A stranger arriving at high noon to make wrongs right," Zuko smirked from within the helmet, "I guess I'm just one for the cliché."

"Is that right? Well I gotta admit, it's kinda noble of ya to go through all this trouble for a bunch of strangers you barely know," Hale's smile didn't quite meet his eyes, "But like I said, this is a private matter. It's really none o your business."

"I'm making it my business," even through the mechanical tone the Shadow added to Zuko's voice, his intention was clear, "You sound surprised someone raised a weapon to you. I'm surprised someone didn't do it sooner. You're nothing more then petty thugs, hiding behind your Rangers and authority. The kind of turncoats who would bow to G.U.N. the if they ever come waltzing through. If you did your jobs properly, if you watched over this place and earned the trust of its citizens rather then scaring them into obedience, well…" he chuckled, "Maybe they wouldn't feel the need to harpoon you every so often."

Hale scowled, his eyes narrowed to slits.

"I don't take kindly to insults son. You apologise now, and I might forget you even entered my fair kingdom."

"I've got a better idea. If you leave now, and never come back, I might let you keep your head," the blaster popped threateningly out of the Shadow's wrist, "The last time I let you live. This time, I won't hold back."

The scowl darkened to a twisted glare, his teeth bared with hands balled into fists.

"You wanna play that game boy? Have it your way. Well!? What are you standing around for!?" he turned his furious eyes on his soldiers, "They guy insulted you didn't he!? Take him down! I WANT HIS HEAD!!!"

His men didn't need telling twice. Raising their rifles, Zuko allowed one bullet to bounce off the Shadow's armour before returned fire, his attacker blown clear across the courtyard from the scarred man's attack, the chest of his uniform still smouldering. His comrades scattered after the first assault, Hale himself disappearing as chaos began to ensue.

As the Shadow engaged its Mirage System, and the Exo-Suit seemed to dissolve into its surroundings, Zuko glanced to where Glen was struggling back to his feet, Liam at his side. He kept the fight away from them.

Another soldier fell back with a bloody gurgle as a blast shot caught him in the forehead, his two remaining comrades separating to opposite ends of the courtyard as fear quickly began to overtake barely remembered training. In the surrounding houses meanwhile, curious faces were starting to appear at the windows. From the village's elderly to the youngsters held protectively by their parents, they all watched with wide eyes as the two remaining soldiers tried to take down their invisible enemy, a few wincing and recoiling when a bullet strayed too close.

"Dammit, where the hell is he?!" one of the men gritted his teeth as he found himself backed up against the oak tree, "It's like we're fighting shadows here."

"That's the point you idiot! It's a Shadow Exo-suit after all…" his comrade was halfway across the village centre, watching his back from the doorway of the general store, "Just…watch for its feet. It's only really invisible when…"

The radio cut off abruptly with a click.

"When what? What?! Hey, you still there?" the soldier pressed a hand to his earpiece as though it would break the silence, "Come on man, where the hell are you…"

That was when he heard it; the whine of the blaster powering up in his ear.

"Oh…shit…"

As he hesitantly turned to look behind him, the soldier couldn't help but grimace weakly as the onyx armour of the Shadow almost seemed to melt into existence, blaster barely an inch from his head, tiny blue cameras watching him, almost daring him to try and move. Fortunately, he knew better.

"H-hey, come on man…" Zuko smirked as the soldier smiled pitifully, "I give, alright? See?" he tossed the rifle away as he fell to his knees, the weapon clattering against the concrete, "I give, okay? Give!" the Shadow remained silent, "I give! Give! Give! Give!"

"Give? Give me what?"

"Erm…I don't…"

"You're going to give me something aren't you?" The Shadow's voice sounded like it was mocking the man before Zuko, even with his voice being run through the Shadow's synthesiser, "Well, spit it out. I'm right here what exactly are you going to give me?"

"No please! I beg you! The soldier was sweating bullets as Zuko pressed the blasters barrels to the man's temple, "I'm serious! I give up okay!? GIVE UP!!!"

"Quite your whining. You going to give me something or not? I'm waiting…"

"Please don't shoot me!!!" already the soldier was rifling through his pockets, his eyes not leaving the Shadow's cameras until he found what he was looking for; a long simple grey block the size of his thumb, engraved with a serial number and attached to a silver rod, lined with little notches and dots, "Look! It's my activation key! It'll give you access to any of the Lincolns! Hale's probably gone to get his Roosevelt, so you're gonna need the extra firepower! So please, I give this to you and you'll let me go right? In fact here!" he tossed the key towards Zuko, who expertly caught it in his free hand, "I'll give it too you anyway! Please, I beg you! I don't wanna die! Hale doesn't pay me enough to get offed! Please, I'm begging you, just let me go…"

Zuko was tempted to just end it for the poor man just to shut him up. All it would take was a quick shot to the head. His comrades minus Hale were already dead, this soldier was no different…

But then he noticed Liam, supporting his father, eyes wide, unsure of whether or not to condone such actions. Then he took in the faces at the windows. Some were impressed, others were afraid, at least one or two seemed disgusted. Finally, he turned his gaze back to the soldier. He was quivering like a leave, eyes streaming with fearful tears with bleached blond hair sticking to his sweat drenched skull. He didn't want to die. None of his comrades had wanted too either. Who did? But did they and this man deserve to live? After they had bullied this village, terrorised its citizens…

Then again, his comrades had died in battle. This man was essentially about to be executed. Zuko had waited until the first shot had pinged off his armour before he'd fought back, but this man was unarmed and begging for his life. Killing him like this…didn't sit well with the exile.

Finally, Zuko sighed, just quiet enough for the Exo-Suit's microphone to miss it.

"Get out of here," his voice was hard, "But if I find you ever came back here, I will hunt you down and make you wish I'd ended your miserable life on this day. Am I clear?"

"Y…yes…" the soldier's voice was rasped and quiet as he slowly rose to his feet, his eyes wide with fear and disbelive, "I understand. Never come back, you got it…

"MOVE!!!"

The blond man yelped as the blaster went off, a crater bare inches from his boots. He was completely across the village centre before Zuko had even deactivated his weapon.

The scarred man sighed again as he approached Liam and Glen. Suddenly he felt very…tired.

"You didn't shoot him," Liam stared at him in wonder.

Zuko did his best to shrug inside the Exo-Suit, "It wasn't his day to die," he glanced at Glen, "Are you alright?"

"I'll live," the fisherman smirked grimly, "Hale ran off though. I don't like it, I've never known the man to run from a fight."

"Where'd he run off too?"

"That's what worries me," Barrows smile quickly became a grim line, "He was heading off to where they park those damn Rangers…"

"HALE!!!"

The commander glared behind him, one foot inside the Roosevelt's cockpit as he eyed the running form of the Shadow bounding towards him, blaster raised.

"Dammit, you just can't find good men these days," he grumbled as he threw himself into the cockpit, the sound of blaster fire rattling against the hatch as it closed behind him, "Can't even hold a single Exo-Suit off without getting themselves killed!"

His Ranger groaned to life as he inserted the activation key, fingers dancing across the panels as the screens before him sprang to life.

"Alright boy, you've gone an' called down the thunder!" Hale grinned as he watched the Eco-Suit sprint towards the dormant Lincolns, "If it's a fight your-a wantin' it's a fight your-a gettin'!"

By the time Zuko had grabbed the nearest Lincoln and rammed the activation key into its slot, the Roosevelt before him was already making its advance; slow lumbering steps, its five hundred millimetre recoilless rifle raised into firing position.

"You think that aging machine will save you?" Hale's voice cackled madly on the radio as Zuko threw the Lincoln into reverse, "You better think again boy!"

Zuko reluctantly had to admit the Commander had a point. Even though the Lincoln was technically faster then the Roosevelt, the controls were sluggish in his hands, not helped by the fact his limbs were contained within the thicker Shadow's armour.

But he would win. He had to win.

The first shoots from his rail cannons echoed over the plains as the Roosevelt tried to lock on, the biped almost loosing balance as the tank Ranger roared by.

"You little smart-aleck!" the rifle belched three concussive shots one after the other, craters exploding into existence along the path the Lincoln had been moments before, "Stay still damn you!"

For five whole minutes that chase raged, Zuko swerving through the constant bombardment, it's twin cannons firing shells as it's head mounted vulcan cannons kept Hale from getting to close.

Meanwhile, near the edge of Oakridge, a small crowd was gathering. The village's population had hesitantly left their homes to watch this fight for supremacy, a few even cheering for Zuko as he landed a hit against the Roosevelt's shoulder, only to recoil when a shot from Hale's rifle slammed into the Lincoln's wheels. Even from across the battle field, the screech of caterpillar treads being blown clear from their wheels was enough to make Kiew wince. She knew Zuko had told her to stay behind, but When Glen and Liam had returned to the farm and told her that her companion was going after Hale, she knew she couldn't leave him alone. So she arrived with the crowd, and watched as the Lincoln skid dangerously close to the cliff, its movements askew from the loss of one of tracks.

Inside the cockpit, Zuko was cursing loudly. The ammunition for the vulcans had run dry, and the rail cannons would quickly be following them. Clearly the U.S.A.C. didn't feel the need to supply much ammunition to protect a small settlement like this.

"Come on you piece of junk!" he screamed over the protests of his machine, "Move damn you!"

"You never had a chance boy!"

He cried out as another well aimed shot blew the remains of his bare wheels to pieces, the Lincoln digging into the dirt on one side as the Roosevelt came down upon him.

"Did you really think you could win!?" the Lincoln shook and crunched as the Roosevelt holstered its rifle to pummel the downed Ranger with its bare hands, "You really thought you could beat me!? You're nothing but an exile with a bounty on his head!" Zuko's blood ran cold as Hale's words sunk in, "That's right boy, I know who you are! You thought you could just wonder around here and not be recognised by anyone?" The Roosevelt stood back, "I suppose I should thank you; your death my hand will push my career forward faster then I could possibly imagine! Hell, the deaths of my men can only look like it was an even harder fight to take you down, Zachariah Sozin!"

The scarred man didn't reply, he couldn't. his entire body ached, his mouth bleeding from being smashed against the Shadow's faceplate time after time after time. He was loosing consciousness…the world was going dark…

He was sitting alone in his corner of the balcony in the Great Hall now, Azura looking eagerly on as Artirius stood ever watchful behind her.

His mother had disappeared. Rumours had begun to spread of course, but Zuko could do nothing but listen.

For Führer Azrael Sozin of the German Unified Nation now lay dead. His doctors had said he had died peacefully in his sleep, but with Annemarie's mysterious departure, her connection to his demise seemed to be undeniable.

Azura seemed to take it in her stride. She had seemed…disappointed that Zuko was going to live, but she had quickly gotten over it. For down below them, history was being made.

The Great Hall was packed. Every Representative was present, for none would dare miss the event that was unfolding below them.

Before the General's Table lay a massive ornamental coffin, fantastic gold décor running the length of its fine polished surface, melding almost seamlessly into the large shining handles used to carry it, the crimson flag of G.U.N. draped over its top. The General's themselves sat in their seats, head bowed as the Palace's High Priest, clothed in robes of deep purple and accented in gold thread spoke to the masses in his wheezing voice.

"Our Führer, Azrael Sozin lies dead, yet his soul has moved onward beyond the veil of this life to sit with those of his line that have gone before him. Born of Robert and Helena, since passed. Husband of Maria, since passed. Father of Iroh and Julius. Grandfather of Lucian, since passed, Zachariah and Azura. Leader of our glorious unified nation for twenty-three years. Conqueror of the Oceania islands. Securer of our right to the African lands. You have earned your rest, to rise up with those of your line to that paradise which lies beyond the veil. But with your mourning, we must also rejoice! For by your final dying wish, we pass your lands to the one you chose to be your successor!" with a frail sweeping hand, the priest indicated to youthful man that now sat on the throne his elder had once occupied, "We hail to you Julius Sozin, our glorious leader! May your reign be long, your battles victorious, and the reign of our German Unified Nation last now until the end of time! Heil G.U.N.! Heil to the Führer! Heil Julius Sozin!"

The Great Hall erupted into thunderous cheers and deafening applause. Even Azura rose from her chair and clapped her hands hard, the grin on her face a mixture of pride and greed.

But not Zuko. Zuko sat quietly in his corner of the balcony, amber eyes watching the scene unfold before him. He watched his father as he rose from the throne, arms wide to his audience, the smile on his face not one of pride, but of selfish accomplishment.

Zuko watched, and his mother's final words to him echoed within the depths of his mind:

"You are you. You are not your father, you are not Azura. You are…"

"Syaoran."

Hale blinked as the Lincoln's hands grabbed his Roosevelt's fists, one after the other.

"What did you say?"

"Syaoran," even without a face to see, the commander knew Zuko was smiling, "I'm not Zachariah Sozin. That man is lost, maybe even dead. I am not him. I am me. And my name…is Syaoran."

"What are you babblin' about boy?" Hale tried to pull his machine free, but the Ranger held fast, "Let go of me! You think you can just change you name and everything will go away? You are a son of the Führer, you think people are just going to forget that!? You think people will look at your face and see a different man!? You think you can just erase all that with a few good deeds and a bloody change of name?!"

"No, you're wrong," Zuko's voice was chillingly calm, "A few good deeds and a name change is only the beginning. Zachariah Sozin was a dead man walking; a wanted man in exile, blindly groping for an answer he thought the task set by his father would provide. But I am not my father, and I am not Zachariah Sozin. I am Syaoran, my own person, AND I WILL NOT LET YOU TELL ME DIFFERENTLY!!!"

With a startled cry from its pilot, the Roosevelt fell back with a mighty crash that seemed to shake all of Oakridge as the Lincoln released its grip, a well placed shot from a rail cannon obliterating the biped's legs in a shower of shrapnel.

"You bastard!" alarms were screaming in Hale's ears as the image of the Lincoln distorted on his screens, "Do you have any idea who your dealing with!? I'll have your head for assaulting an officer of the U.S.A.C.!"

"I don't think so," the Commander faltered at his target's tone, "You seem to forget, the Shadow class Exo-Suit was designed primarily for espionage and intelligence gathering. Everything you've said, everything you've done while I've worn this suit has been recorded into its onboard database. And guess where I just sent it?"

"You…you didn't…"

"I erased all mentions of Zachariah Sozin of course, but the bulk of the data is still fairly incriminating. I'd love to see their faces when they see the kinds of things you've been doing to the citizens you were sworn to protect…"

"YOU BASTARD!!!"

The rifle was in the Roosevelt's hand in a flash, but was disintegrated just as quickly as the Ranger's legs from another shot from the Lincoln's Rail cannon.

"You can curse and cry all you want, but it will change nothing," Hale knew Zuko was grinning, "Your Ranger is downed, your men are either dead or on the run and your career is in tatters. I'm giving you one chance to leave now. Consider yourself lucky."

The anger began to boil, simmering within Hale's very being. His hands clutched around the control sticks until his knuckles went white. His eyes were wide with fury, his teeth bared in an ugly snarl, his body hunched as he glared at the Lincoln with the utmost hatred.

It was all gone, his life, his career, everything he had.

Which meant he had nothing to loose.

With a strangled roar, he pulled the remains of his Roosevelt back into one last action, its remaining fist raised to deliver one final punch as he threw all power into the emergency ion thrusters, rocketing the wrecked Ranger towards its target, determined to take that which had taken everything down with him.

"SOZIN!!!"

One final shot echoed across Oakridge, the Lincoln's last remaining shell ripping through the Roosevelt's armour like paper.

And yet, Hale smiled. For even as the shell broke through the top of his cockpit, he knew the Ranger's momentum alone would finish the job.

As the ion generators detonated into a purplish plume, Zuko shielded his face as the remains of the Roosevelt smashed into the torso of the Lincoln, the entire rig falling back from the impact, the upper body ripped from its moorings and sent crashing across the fields.

There was a thunderous crack, the sound of metal slamming into the earth, before silence fell across the land.

A moment later, that too was broken as Kiew cried out for her Syaoran.

He was…warm. Sunlight was pouring onto his face through poorly drawn curtains.

Zuko groaned as he tried to shield his face from the light, only to immediately regret the movement as fire seemed to shoot up his arm.

Then he realised he felt pain.

That meant he wasn't dead.

Slowly, Zuko opened his eyes, a painful hand shielding his amber orbs from the sun. He was back in the spare room, lying in the centre of the double bed, the sheets cool against his skin. Despite the pain, his arms were bare, although someone had wrapped several layers of bandages around his waist and forehead. A check under the sheets told him they'd at least allowed him the decency of keeping his underwear. Hesitantly, he sat up.

Had he not been bandaged up, he probably would have thought the fight had all been a dream. Everything in the room looked exactly as it had that very morning, save for the fact Kiew wasn't sleeping at his side.

Kiew…

"So…you woke up…"

Amber locked with grey, his companion smiling gently as she smoothed out the creases of the sheets she sat on.

"Good morning."

He blinked awkwardly, "Oh…good morning. How long was I out?"

"A couple of days, give or take an hour," Kiew shrugged, "You were really beat up, but nothing life threatening. Just a question of waiting for you to wake up."

"I see," Zuko rolled his shoulders painfully, "I'm surprised anyone in Oakridge even treated me. I killed off their protection, and I if Hale could figure out who I was then I'm not so sure Glen was joking…"

"They think you're a hero," he glanced at her sceptically, "I'm serious! Do you honestly think Hale and his goons would have protected them if G.U.N. decided to come here? It wasn't as though they were fighting fair. You were only protecting yourself, and the village," she touched his hand, "They don't care who you were. You said it yourself: You are Syaoran."

"You heard that?"

"Yeah," she smiled embarrassedly, "Hale wasn't exactly keeping the conversation a secret. Maybe he thought the village would turn against you if they found out who you were."

"And yet…here we are."

"Here we are," Kiew smiled gently, "You saved these people Syaoran. You did a good thing here. It might not make up for everything Zachariah Sozin did…but at least it's a step on the right path."

"The right path huh?" Zuko smirked, "I sure wish it felt like it."

"It will," she took his hands in hers, making sure amber stayed locked with grey, "It takes time to get used to new paths and new directions. You'll see."

The smirk left Zuko's face, looking down as a thoughtful frown quickly replaced it.

"Will it really be that easy? Just forget everything…turn off onto a new path just like that?"

"Well…maybe it'll be easier…if you have someone to walk that path with."

He looked up in surprise…just in time to feel her lips brush against his.

It was chaste, lasting only a moment. He just stared wide-eyed as she drew back slightly, her cheeks flushed.

"W…what was that?" his voice was quiet, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Sorry," Kiew smiled embarrassedly, "I just…I wanted to prove you weren't alone Syaoran. Just because your walking a new path doesn't mean I won't follow you down it…"

She trailed off as Zuko, now Syaoran, cupped her jaw with a single hand, guiding her lips to his once more.

"Syaoran and Kiew? Oh yes, she said you might appear," Glen smiled at the old man as he compared the picture the Chinese girl had given him to the gentleman before him, "They're upstairs. Syaoran…well he was in a bit of a fight a few days ago. Doing fine though, nothing to worry about. I can ask Ellen to go get Kiew for you if you'd prefer."

"No no, it's all right," the old man held up his hands with a smile, "I wouldn't want to intrude. In fact it might be better to say I wasn't even here."

"If you say so," the fisherman shrugged, "You should've seen him though. Certainty gave Hale and his men what-for," he smiled wryly, "Not sure what the U.S.A.C. is gonna say about it when they find out what happened though."

"I'm sure it will work out well," the old man smiled again as he hefted his pack, "Thank you for looking after them."

"After what he did, it's no trouble at all," Glen nodded with a grin as the gentleman turned to leave, "I think you'd be proud of him if you'd seem that boy in action Mr. Liam."

Iroh smiled, glancing at Barrows over his shoulder.

"I am," he nodded, "More then he can possibly imagine."

DATE: NOVEMBER 27TH, 2041

LOCATION: BERLIN GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING, GREAT HALL

It was almost midnight as Captain Artirius Meridiano made his way down one of the grand staircases between the balconies of the Great Hall. To be summoned at this hour was…unusual to say the least, but to be summoned by the Führer himself…

Even as he made his way down the steps, he could make out the frail form of Azrael Sozin hunched over on his throne, his eyes staring stonily ahead at the chair his youngest son usually occupied. He might even have passed for dead, had his head not turned to regard the young soldier as he reached the side of the General's Table and saluted the old man.

"Heil to you my Führer," Meridiano stood at attention, his masked eyes focused on the elder before him, "By your order, I have heeded your summons."

"Artirius," Azrael's voice seemed strange in the Captain's ears; weak and almost rasping, "Julius Sozin has become a great disgrace to me. He dishonoured Lucian, he dishonoured Iroh, and most importantly, he dishonoured me, within my own Great Hall of all places!" he coughed violently but steeled himself, rising from his chair to his full height and looking down on Artirius like a King looking upon a peasant, "For this, he must be punished, and there is only one way that he can be redeemed! It is for that reason that I have summoned you here," he smiled calmly, "For you see, I have…an assignment for you."

A few things to note, from both this chapter and the previous one.

First, yet another thanks to Tellemicus Sundance, who helped me out of a tight spot with an idea for the Zuko/Maia embarressment scene a while back, a really big help. Thanks a lot!
Next, I've decided to go with the use of production numbers for Rangers from this point forward. I think it just adds something to the story, and it personally makes me feel like the Rangers are proper military machines. Thanks to all who voted on the poll! I'll probably come up with a full list later, but you can find production numbers for the latest Rangers in the previous chapter, the only new one I'll add here is the Avatar's, which is AVT-X101 (Simple and easy to remember)
In terms of inspiration, The Roosevelt was directly inspired by the RPI-11 Glasgow of Code Geass, the Lincoln was primairly inspired by the YMT-05 Hildolfr from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Hidden One Year War, the Cleveland from the last chapter was loosly inspired by the TMF/TR-2 BuCUE Tactical Reconnaissance Type seen in the Gundam SEED Mobile Suit Variations and the Bandit was loosly inspired by the Cyclops mech seen in Halo Wars and the Big Daddy from Bioshock that was the inspiration for the DNI Zero Generation.

If you had any questions, or you've pmmed me at some point or other since the last update, it might be a good idea to send them again, because I've probably lost them in the mess that it my inbox. I'm really sorry if I haven't gotten back to you, but with my Easter break in full swing, I have a lot more free time on my hands, and I'll try and get back to you ASAP.

Lastly, I'd like to say thanks for putting up with the delay. I only have four weeks of term left after Easter, so I'll try and get this fic (along with the half a dozen others currently in the works) into some kind of shedule. I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but I have a loose idea of what's going to happen next time, so with any luck, it'll appear a damn lot quicker then this one!

Thanks for reading. Any constructive critisim or general reviews always a big help.

Dearing