Azula walked up to the mercenaries, she hadn't talked to them the night before since they had been drinking heavily, but it was the morning and most of them had sobered up, as she walked up, they looked at her with a mix of confusion and interest, "hello," she started, "you may or may not know me, but I am Princess Azula, of the fire nation."
"we know who you are," the bald man said, "and we don't care about titles, what do you need us for?"
"I want to hire you for a …special assignment."
He raised an eyebrow, "you'll have to talk to our leader."
"ah yes, where is Mr. Stryker."
"still asleep," the cloaked one said, leaning against the wall, "he never wakes up early."
"then I guess I'll just go drop by his room." She said, walking past them.
"I advise against that." The bald man said.
"let her go Balefire." The short blonde said with a snicker.
Azula knocked on Stryker's door, "Stryker, get out here."
"Fuck off." Strkyer grumbled sleepily.
Azula felt her anger rise as she kicked the door down, then her eyes widened at the sight before her.
Stryker had sat up when she had kicked the door open, showing his bare chest, and the scars that criss crossed it, "what do you want?" he asked rudely, sleep still evident in his voice and eyes.
"I…I have a job for you and your men."
"Good for you, you want a cookie?" he grumbled, throwing the blankets off and standing up, Azula tried not to show any astonishment as it quickly became apparent that Stryker slept in the nude, he walked around the bed and grabbed a pair of pants, putting them on, he walked up to her, 'did you get a good look princess?"
"More then I needed." She muttered, "Now, can we talk business.'
"Sure, I'm all ears." He said, sitting on his bed and staring her down.
"Me and two of my friends are planning a grand endeavor, to force the city of Ba Sing Se to it's knee's, and we plan to do it on the inside."
"Mhmm…and?"
"And I need muscle, I need a team that can watch mine and my companions backs."
"It'll cost ya." He said, scratching his chin, "what you're talking of is treason."
"Does a mercenary actually have allegiance to a country?"
"Fuck no, but if things go south they'll send us to the chopping block."
"So you're against it?"
"I didn't say that, it'd just cost a lot more."
She looked at him, "what's your price?"
"Ten thousand gold pieces up front, another eight thousand upon completion."
"You make it sound expensive." She said, waiving him off, "that sounds fairly reasonable."
He nodded, then smirked, "How about we seal this deal the…old fashioned way?" he asked, looking her up and down,
She laughed, "You can't handle me." She said, turning around.
"And why's that princess?" he asked, standing up.
Immediately, she turned around, putting a dagger to his neck, "Because I might accidentally kill you."
"You make it sound so easy." He whispered, "but how about, next time, you check to make sure I'm disarmed."
Azula felt something poke her in the stomach, she looked down and saw a dagger in his hands, "how did you…"
"I'm never unprotected." He said with a smirk.
"You had it hidden on the bed…you knew I was coming…."
"Well yes and no, I knew you would talk to me, but I always have a knife hidden, too many people are out for my head."
She put the knife down and studied him for a while, that care free smirk was still present on his face, "well see to it that you don't get killed too early." She said, "I would hate for all that gold to go to someone else."
"Can do princess." He said, turning around, "Now if you'll excuse me, I want to get some sleep, you can join me if you like."
She laughed and walked out the door, "Not even if YOU paid me ten thousand gold pieces."
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Zuko walked down the street with Jin, it was the day after his proposal to her and they were taking the day to just have a good time, "maybe we should go to the theater." Jin suggested, "They usually put on good plays."
"Hmm…I'm not sure…" he said, "there's so many things we can do."
Jin looked around and then saw a flyer, "oh, the Avatar's lost his bison…" she said, seeing one of the posters.
Zuko's ears perked up, he looked over at the poster, "hmm…that's interesting."
"I hope he finds his bison, he's going to need him to take on the fire lord." She said, "He's our only hope of winning this war, and finally ending a hundred years of bloodshed."
Zuko looked down in shame, not so long ago he was trying to capture the boy, and take him to his father, "well then…maybe I could find the bison.' Zuko said.
"Oh that would be great." Jin said with a giggle, "then the Avatar would owe you a favor."
Zuko chuckled for a few seconds, then stopped, thinking about it, "Hmm…"
"Oh boy, I know that look." She said with a smirk, "I'm guessing you want to go look for the bison?"
"No, just thought how good it would be to have the Avatars favor."
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Zuko jumped from building to building, his Dao blades on his back, he had just finished interrogating a Dai Li agent and was now on his way to lake Laogai, he had all the information he needed to find the Bison, he could've just told the avatar, but he needed to make sure the boy wouldn't just take the information and rat him out, he needed leverage, and that leverage was the bison, he got to the edge of the city and ran through the foliage until he came upon lake Laogai, he hid behind a rock, looking at the lake, trying to find a way to get in, he saw it in an outcropping of land that lead to a tunnel, "someone's already inside…" he muttered, he quickly adjusted his mask and ran across, jumping into the hole, he soon found himself in a passage way lit by green crystals, he slowed down and crept down the halls, looking into different rooms, he came upon one that had a man brainwashing a large group of women, he growled and started reaching for his swords when he remembered that he only had so long until someone came upon him, "I'll be back." He muttered, walking away, as he ran down the corridors until he heard fighting, he quickened his pace. Soon he came to a large hall where he saw the avatar and his friends surrounded by Dai Li agents, he hesitated, his hands on the hilt of the Dao swords, I could jump in and help them…but would they turn on me the instant they find out who I am? He watched as Jet and Aang ran after a man with a ponytail, Zuko followed stealthily, looking for a chance to jump in.
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Aang fought against Jet, he really hated long Feng, first he took Appa, then he made the brainwashed Jet attack him, and now he was smirking off to the side like he'd won, "Jet! Listen to me!" Aang shouted, "This isn't you! You're a freedom fighter!"
Jet hesitated, his eyes flickering slightly.
"What are you waiting for Jet? Finish him!" Long Feng shouted.
Jet turned around and threw one of his hook swords at Long Feng
Long Feng dodged and kicked the ground, sending a shockwave of rocks right for Jet, just before it made contact with him; something jumped out and destroyed the rock with two gleaming swords.
"Impossible." Long Feng growled.
"No way…" Aang said in awe, as the blue spirit stood up, his Dao swords unsheathed and ready.
"Who…who is that?" Jet asked.
"Zu-" he stopped, he's wearing that mask for a reason, maybe I should humor him for a while. "The blue spirit, vigilante, he's helped me before."
Long Feng backed away into a side passage, running away.
"He's getting away!" Jet shouted, running towards the passage.
"You go after him!" Aang shouted, "I still have to find Appa!"
"He can't go alone." Zuko whispered into Aangs ear, "that man will kill him, go with him, and I'll go get Appa."
"Yeah right, I don't trust you."
"I know, so let me prove myself."
Aang hesitated; Jet was watching the two, "hurry up! He's getting away!"
"Aang!" Katara shouted, running in with the others behind her.
"oh thank the spirits you're here!" Aang said, "long Feng is escaping, but we still need to get Appa."
"We'll go after Long Feng." Smellerbee said, her and Longshot ran to the passage, where Jet was already taking off.
"We'll get…wait…who's this?" Katara asked in confusion, finally noticing the Blue spirit.
"He's…a friend." Aang said hesitantly, "Now come on! We have to find Appa."
The blue spirit started running, motioning for them to follow, Aang followed immediately, his friends right behind him, "how do you know this guy?" Sokka asked.
"When you two were sick, and I had to go get the frozen tree frogs, I had gotten captured, he helped me escape.''
"Then he's good in my book." Katara said, but Sokka looked unsure,
"How does he know the way?" Sokka asked.
"I don't know…"Aang muttered.
"Guy's I here something!" Toph whispered fiercely, I think…I think its Appa!"
Aang eyes widened and he looked at the blue spirit who nodded and pointed to a cell door, Aang ran forward and broke the door down with earth bending, his eyes widened as he saw Appa, chained to the ground, "APPA!" he said happily, running over to his friend.
The blue spirit walked in and soon made quick work of undoing the chains, with Katara and Toph taking the shackles off his ankles, then they took time to pet the large bison.
"Hate to break up the love fest,' Sokka said, "but it's time to go, we gotta find Jet and the others and get them out too."
"Maybe our new friend…can…" Katara looked surprised as she realized he was gone.
"Where'd he go!" Sokka groaned.
"Probably went after Jet and the others." Aang said, "lets get out of here, maybe we can regroup on the surface."
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Jet sat in the middle of a large cell, Smellerbee and Longshot beside him, their weapons on the floor, Long Feng in front of them with Dai Li agents around him, "Well, looks like your out of luck boy." Long Feng said, walking around them, Jet struggled against his stony bonds, "this time, I'm going to make sure our treatment sticks, so that none of your friends remember life before coming to Ba Sing Se."
"You can't do that!" Smellerbee shouted.
"Of course I can, that's how I gained so much power." He said, "Take them away!"
Just as the Dai Li agents started to move towards them, an explosion made them scatter, Long Feng turned around wide eyed, "what was that!"
From the ceiling the blue spirit fell into the midst of the chaos, he drew his swords and destroyed the captives bonds; soon all of them were rearmed and fighting towards the exit.
"Don't let them escape!" Long Feng shouted, and his men slowly rallied.
Jet slowed down as they entered the main corridor, "we need to turn and face them." He said, "we need to stop them now!"
"Jet we're out numbered, Aang is probably outside waiting, we have to get out of here." Smellerbee said.
"We need to live, and fight another day." Longshot said in a stoic voice, making Smellerbee look at him with wide eyes.
"No, we have to stop them!" Jet said with a defiant snarl.
Zuko grabbed him and pinned him to the wall, "that'll just get us killed." He snarled, making sure his voice was gravelly and deep to disguise it, "we need to fall back, regroup, and go at this differently!"
Jet looked at the stony mask, defiance in his eyes, it slowly faded as he calmed down, "you're right." He sighed in defeat, "lets get going."
Zuko let him go, and Jet stared into the dark eyeholes, " see why you chose the blue spirit." He said, and they all started running to the exit, the Dai Li hot on their heels.
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Jin sat with Iroh in the apartment, fingering her necklace in nervousness.
"What is wrong child?" he asked.
"Nothing…just…I'm wondering where Zuko is…" she said.
"I am wondering that too, but it doesn't help to sit here and worry, Zuko is a capable boy, he'll pull through, he always does."
Jin nodded, "you're right." She said with a smile, "as always."
He grinned at her, "Now, lets talk about more pleasant matters, have you two discussed when you'll get married?"
She laughed, "Not yet, though I'm sure it'll be soon, you know how Zuko is."
"Yes, he is impatient at times, but I'm sure with you putting him in line, he'll get better."
She smiled, "hopefully."
"And how did your mother take the proposal?"
"She was…surprised, to say the least." She said, "but she's supportive of it, she really likes Zuko, so does my little sister."
"I'm very glad to here that." Iroh said warmly, "It seems he's found a new family in you and yours."
She grinned, "yes, and I've found a new family in him and you."
'I am honored." Iron said softly, bowing his head to her.
She smiled, and then looked out the window again, her smile disappearing, where are you Zuko?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Zuko ran beside Jet on the shore of Lake Laogai, he looked left and right, trying to find another way to lose their hunters, but there was nothing, a sheer cliff to one side, and the lake on the other, and as they ran a wall appeared in front of them, Dai Li agents on it, as they stopped the agents behind them erected their own wall.
"Give up!" Long Feng shouted, "and I promise your suffering will be swift!"
Zuko responded by getting into a fighting stance, Jet doing the same, Longshot pulled out his last arrow and took aim while Smellerbee held her dagger at the ready.
"So be it." Long Feng growled, he raised his hand, which seemed to be the signal for Appa to appear from the sky and smash through both walls, chaos erupted as the Dai Li attacked and were overpowered by Aang and the others, Long Feng attempted to attack Appa, who in turn clamped down on his foot and threw him across the water.
"Get on!" Aang shouted to them, Jet, Smellerbee and Longshot climbed onto Appa, Zuko hesitated.
"Please." Aang said, holding his hand out.
Zuko looked at the hand, then put his swords up and taking the proffered hand, soon they were off, leaving the remnants of the Dai Li to regroup.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"We made it!" Aang shouted happily, sitting on Appa's head, everyone around him was either standing on the beach of the Small Island they landed on, or standing.
"Now we need to leave." Katara said, "Long Feng and the Dai Li will most likely have our names out as wanted criminals."
"But what about the earth king? He needs to be told what's going on!"
"Aang it's too dangerous." Katara said.
"Yeah," Smellerbee said, "we almost died just getting this far!"
Longshot nodded in agreement with Smellerbee.
"I say we go back," Jet growled, "Long Feng had more then me captive, he's brainwashing the entire city, if we don't stop him…"
"I agree with Aang." Sokka said, making everyone look at him crazily, "we just won an important fight, if we keep going we can make it!"
"Who are you and what have you done with Sokka." Katara said.
"Yeah, you're never optimistic!"
"I just like the way our lucks been going so far." Sokka said, he looked over at the blue spirit, "You agree with me right?
He thought about it, if Long Feng was still in power, then sooner or later his secret would be discovered and he would be dragged away in chains, he nodded in agreement with Sokka.
"Okay, then remove your mask."
Zuko froze, his hands trembled a little, he looked around the group and saw everyone waiting expectantly, his gaze landed on Aang, who nodded with a reassuring smile, he slowly reached up with trembling fingers and undid the straps on the back, slowly he took the mask off and revealed his face, making everyone's eyes (except for Aangs) widen.
"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed.
'Lee?" Jet asked confused.
"Lee?" Toph questioned.
"It's the name I went by when I first got here." Zuko said tiredly, "I can't exactly go by Zuko, it's too obvious a name."
Suddenly water shot out and pinned Zuko to a tree, he grunted in pain.
"Katara stop!" Aang shouted, jumping up.
Katara looked at him, and then at Zuko, "What's your game?" she asked angrily.
"W-what?" he spluttered.
'What's your game? What's your grand scheme to capture the avatar this time?"
"I'm not trying to capture him, I could've easily done that down in the tunnels." Zuko wheezed, "I came to help…in return for…a favor…"
"A favor?" Aang asked, "but…what can I do for you?"
"I…I need…" he slumped to the ground with a fit of coughing.
"Zuko!" Aang shouted, jumping off Appa, running to the downed boy, Katara right beside him.
"How hard did you hit him?" Sokka asked.
"Not very, just enough to pin him for a few seconds." Katara said, she put an ear to his chest and heard the rasping breathing in his chest, she felt his forehead, "he's burning up…"
Smellerbee ran over, "it looks like Ju-ze swamp fever." She said, "it's a nasty one, and he'll die if not properly treated.
"We need to get him out of here." Katara said.
"But we still need to warn the earth king!" Sokka shouted.
"Calm down." Aang said, "we'll split up, Katara, since you can heal him, we'll drop you off somewhere to heal him properly, then the rest of us will go warn the earth king, sound good?"
'Why would we help him at all?" Jet asked rudely, "He's a firebender."
"So?" Aang asked, "He helped you! And all of us."
Jet hesitated, "you're right." He muttered, then looked at Smellerbee, "bee, you'll stay with Katara, make sure nothing happens to her or…him."
She nodded.
"Alright, now lets go!" Sokka shouted climbing onto Appa, Longshot and Aang helped Zuko up and carried him onto Appa as the others got situated.