Zuko stood looking out the window, of his and Jin's shared room, his eyes wandering the city skyline, behind him, Jin was asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling, he smiled softly to himself, giving his lovely wife a glance, he slowly walked back to their bed and laid down, almost instantly Jin rolled over and melded into him, "mmm...you're cold…" she mumbled.
"Sorry," he said softly, "didn't mean to stay away too long."
"It's alright," she mumbled resting her head on his chest, "the avatar and his friends leave tomorrow…right?'
"Yes, which means I get guard duty."
Jin gave a soft laugh, "don't do anything stupid, I just got a husband and I'm not losing you too soon."
Zuko chuckled, "come on, it's me, what make you think I'll do something stupid?"
Jin kissed his chin, "because you're you."
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Aang stood beside Appa as everyone was saying their goodbyes.
"Tell dad I said hi." Katara said to Sokka.
"Of course sis, you keep things held down here, alright?"
'Of course." She said with a smile and turned to Aang, "you be careful.'
"Of course," he said, "it's me."
"That's why I'm telling you." she said with a laugh.
Aang grinned, which disappeared as Jet appeared at Katara's side, which instantly caused Katara's cheeks to color.
"Take care Aang." Jet said.
"Yeah…you two…" Aang said.
Jet held his hand out, Aang hesitantly shook it; "we'll be waiting for you to comeback."
"Right…" he turned to Toph, who was leaning against Appa, "Toph? Are you going to say goodbye?"
"I think everyone gets the gist." She said, "Besides, it's not like we're not going to meet back up here."
"She's not wrong." Sokka said, "Come on Aang! Lets start our adventure!"
Aang nodded and got on Appa, he looking down at Katara and Jet, and felt a twinge of jealousy; "I'll see y'all later." He said, "Appa, yip, yip!"
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Zuko sat in the back of the war room, listening to the council of five plans
"Once the armies are gathered we will begin a full frontal assault on every island we can, with the eclipse in progress, casualties should be at a minimal. The Avatar himself will be at the head of the Terra Team on their assault on Caldera."
Momo took this moment to jump onto the table, messing up all the small little pieces.
"Or we could just send in Momo to do some damage." Katara said, which earned her a laugh from the freedom fighters, but an unamused glare from most of the generals.
"The plans need the kings seal to be approved." General How said, holding the scroll out to Katara.
"I'll get it done." Katara said, starting to walk out, Jet moved to go with her, but Zuko was already walking across the room, taking a position slightly behind Katara.
"I don't like how these kids are the ones protecting us." General Sung whispered to General How, "We are very capable of doing that ourselves."
"True…"how said thoughtfully, "but you and I both know the strength of the Dai Li, and these children have shown just how good they are at fighting them, I myself am not doubting their effectiveness, and neither should you."
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
"You don't have to follow me Zuko." Katara said softly as they walked down the streets of Ba Sing Se, several townspeople watching her in amazement, wondering how she had the blue spirit watching over her, "it would've been better if Jet had come along."
"Can't stand being away from your boyfriend?" Zuko asked softly, putting his hand on his Dao blades and glaring at someone, making them scurry off.
"He's not my boyfriend." She said while blushing, "it's just less suspicious then having the Blue Spirit following me."
"Don't worry about it, besides I want to stop off at the Jasmine Dragon to see how Uncle and Jin are doing without me."
'I could go for some tea." Katara agreed, climbing the steps towards the impressive looking teashop, they were met by Jin, who was smiling, "Katara!" she exclaimed in happiness, giving the girl a friendly hug.
"How are you Jin?" Katara asked kindly.
"I'm good, business has been booming here since this morning, come on we only have one table open." She led them inside the crowded room, and up to a small table, "you and your friend sit down." She said, walking past Katara and past Zuko, giving him a small squeeze of the hand as she past.
"How do you two make this work?" Katara asked him softly, "it can't be easy for her knowing you're doing some dangerous work."
"She knows I can handle myself." He said, "she doesn't like it, but she trusts me."
She nodded, "how has the marriage been?"
"Good, we're planning on renting an apartment here in the middle ring as a matter of fact."
"That's wonderful for you two!" Katara praised.
Jin came back with Jasmine tea for Katara, "I don't suppose you want any tea?" she asked Zuko. He shook his head softly.
"Thanks for the offer." He muttered, "Is the owner here?"
"Of course! He's in the back, I'll take you to him."
"Take your time Spirit," Katara said, "I'm going to finish the cup and go on ahead."
"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?'
"I'm sure." She said certainly, finishing her tea and starting to walk out.
"Thank you for coming!" Jin said, while taking Zuko's hand and leading him into the back storage room, as soon as the door closed she pulled his mask off and caught him in a deep kiss, "I missed you." she said softly.
"Sorry it took so long, those generals aren't exactly good at working fast."
She giggled a little, "so what's the news?" she asked.
"The Generals have come up with an idea on how to invade the fire nation quickly." He said, "It'll happen in three months."
"And I'm guessing you'll have to go with them…"
"Hopefully no." he said, "If all goes well, I could stay here…and we can start a family together."
Jin smiled softly, "what if I told you…that we might have already started one."
Zuko's eyes widened, "are…are you serious?" he asked softly.
She nodded, her eyes shining.
"That's wonderful!" he exclaimed, spinning her around and kissing her, she giggled the entire time.
"Hey Jin! We need help out here!" one of Uncle's other employees shouted.
"I'll be right there!" Jin shouted back, 'I have to go Zuko…I'll see you tonight?"
"Of course." He said softly, kissing her and then jumping up towards a window, he fixed his mask on and jumped out, leaving Jin standing in the middle of the store room with a smile on her face.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Katara walked into the Earth kings throne room, "suki!" she said, seeing three kyoshi warriors kneeling in front of the throne, "I didn't know you guys had come here…never mind, where's the earth king? I need his seal for the attack on the Fire nation."
"Well, I'm sure that can be arranged." Azula said with a smile.
Katara's eyes widened, "you're not suki!" she shouted, going for her water, only to be immobilized by Ty Lee.
"Excellent job Ty Lee." Azula said, standing up and walking over to the dispatched, she picked it up, 'I wonder what they're plans are." She said, starting to open it, only for the scroll to basically disappear from her hands, "what the-" she stiffened as she felt a sword being pressed into her neck, "So she had a guard…" she muttered, swiftly turning on her heels and trying to swipe Zuko's legs out from under him, he jumped back and landed on the throne, the scroll tucked safely in his belt.
"The blue spirit," Azula said, "I didn't know you were apart of the earth kings regime."
Zuko said nothing, just looking at the three girls in front of him, his gaze hovered over Mai, he jumped off the throne and slowly advance, keeping a wary eye on Ty Lee.
"You're cornered, there's no where for you to go." Azula said, "Mai, Ty Lee, dispatch him for me."
"With pleasure." Mai said, sending several of her stilettos at him, he easily deflected them off his blades, and then ducked as Ty Lee went for his back pressure points, he landed on his hands and kicked Ty Lee into a wall, and jumped to his feet, he put his blades away and picked Katara up, running for the door, which closed to show Dai Li agents waiting.
"Give up," Azula said again.
"Run…Zuko…" Katara whispered softly in his ear, "there's no point in both of us getting caught."
Zuko said nothing, but slowly put her down, and drew his swords again.
"So it's a fight you want…very well, it'll be a fight you get." Azula said, her hands igniting.
"Hold on!" Stryker's voice pierced the air, making everyone look over as the merc strolled in, swords at his side and a cigarette in his mouth.
"Stryker…what do you want?" Azula asked in annoyance, "you're supposed to be at the generals headquarters."
"My men are in place with the other Dai Li agents, just came for your orders, and I find you with the Blue Spirit, one of the finest swordsman in this world, I feel betrayed, I've always wanted a go at him."
Azula smirked, "well then by all means, go for it, if it'll get you to shut up."
Stryker grinned and stepped forward, pulling his Katana's out, "fight to the death? Or to a draw?" Stryker asked Zuko, who in response charged forward and swung his blades at Stryker's head, who quickly brought up his own swords to protect himself, "to the death it is then."
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Aang quickly flew back towards Ba Sing Se, Sokka wth him, "now why did you come get me?" Sokka asked.
"I…I don't know, something's wrong…I just…I have a bad feeling."
"Well, hopefully you're wrong." Sokka said. Looking ahead, "I really hope you're wrong…"
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Jet walked alongside General Sung, "I told you that you're dismissed boy." The General grumbled.
"My orders are to keep you safe General," Jet muttered quietly, "at least while you're out in public."
"I don't need you to keep me safe." Sung said.
"That may be General but…" Jet stopped as he felt the hair on his back stand up, "Get down!" he shouted, pushing the general behind a pillar as three arrows flew at them.
"What the-" the general started, Jet shushed him with a finger and looked around the corner, trying to find the Archer, out of the corner of his eye he saw a pair of cuffs flying towards them, he drew his hook swords and slammed the cuffs to the side, "It's the Dai Li!" he shouted, "get back to the war room!"
As he shouted this Gin ran out of a building, swinging his Ax at Jets head, the young man ducked and pulled Gin's legs out from under him with his hook swords.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
General How stood back to back with Longshot, fending off Dai Li agents and the hulking Groop who was slamming the boulders of General How out of the way with his hammer, around them, members of the freedom fighters fought hand to stone against the Dai Li, "Pretty ballsy move to attack me right now." How shouted, "don't you agree kid?"
Longshot nodded as he shot arrows into the Dai Li's stone hand attacks.
"General How!" someone shouted, How looked over and saw members of the Terra team run in.
"Glad someone's here to help! The kids are having too much fun!" How laughed, "get to work men!"
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Jin stood outside of the Tea shop as she watched the Council of Five's Headquarters spew out clouds of dirt, the odd boulder flying out of the building every now and then, "Zuko…" she said softly.
"Jin…" Iroh said, "it would be wise to stay in the tea shop, until this has passed."
"What about Zuko?'
"He's a capable man, he'll be fine." Iroh said with a smile, but in the back of his mind, the old general was worried."you close down shop and head back to the apartment, i'm going to go see if i can find Ms. Katara."
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Zuko was in a fight for his life, his usual enemies were either benders or unarmed thugs, he hadn't had this kind of fight since his training with Piandao, and all those years of complacency had taken a toll on his skill, unlike Stryker who had been in fights with some of the greatest swordsman, keeping his skills well honed and deadly.
"Getting tired?" Stryker taunted, "I thought Spirits didn't get tired!"
Zuko just growled and kicked Stryker away, and then jumped back into the pillars that ringed the room, hiding.
"Come on out Spirit!" he shouted, turning on his heels, looking for Zuko, "come out and fight like a man!"
Zuko took that as his queue to jump out, swinging down at Stryker's back, who in turn, turned and met his blades with his own, soon they were back to exchanging blows, their fight looking more like a well choreographed dance then a fight, until Zuko slipped up, reaching to far with his right Dao blade, Stryker took this chance to twirl around Zuko and slam the but of his katana into the back of his head, effectively knocking him out.
"Excellent work Stryker." Azula praised, walking forward, kicking Zuko over, her eyes widened in anger, "where's the scroll!"
"He must've hidden it while hiding up in the pillars." Stryker muttered, "clever man."
"Find it." Azula said to the Dai Li and they scattered into the room, she turned to Mai and Ty Lee, "get set up again, we don't want the Earth king getting suspicious yet."
They nodded and went back to the throne, the Dai Li agents picked up Katara and Zuko, starting to drag them out, "Hold on." Azula said, looking at Zuko, "lets find out more about this man in the mask." She said, walking forward and taking hold of the mask and pulling it off, her eyes widened, "Zuko!?"
Mai instantly turned around, "Zuko?"
"What's he doing here?" Ty Lee asked in confusion.
"And why was he helping the water tribe peasant." Azula muttered, "It doesn't make sense…take him to the crystal caves, both of them, I'll deal with them later."
Stryker put another cigarette in his mouth as a white hawk flew in and landed on his shoulder, "hmm…Reevers messenger hawk…" he took the piece of parchment off it's leg and opened it, absentmindedly pulling out a cracker from the satchel on his side and feeding it to the hawk, "aw shit…hey Princess, you're wonderful Dai Li have enacted the Coup."
"What!? We're not ready yet!" Azula shouted angrily, "this ruins everything!"
"Well, from what Reever says, three of the Generals have been subdued, General How and Sung are still fighting, we may still make this work…" he turned towards the doors of the throne room, "but it's going to come out to a fight, might as well get started."
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Jet fought against Gin, every now and then dodging arrows, their razor edges grazing his arms and legs. Sung was dealing with the Dai Li, dodging their attempts subdue him, "we need help kid!" Sung shouted.
"I have a name you know!" Jet shouted, catching Gin's Ax in one of his hooks and throwing it to the side, Gin fell back as more arrows flew at him, forcing him to hide behind a pillar.
"I don't think it matters at the moment!" Sung shouted angrily, stomping on the ground and sending several Dai Li agents flying, he threw up an earthen wall to block more arrows, "come on, lets get back to the war room!" the two took off running down the halls, soon they reached the war room, where How and the other freedom fighters were still going toe to toe with the Dai Li,
"Sung!" How shouted, "Glad to see you're not subdued!"
"Almost was if it wasn't for the kid." Sung shouted back, running forward and sending blocks of earth at Groop, who easily batted them to the side.
Jet turned around as he heard the now familiar war Cry of Gins, the two exchanged blows again, arrows once again flying at him, "Longshot! Take care of that asshole!"
Longshot ran into the hall and looked around, his sharp eyes looking for any trace of movement, he suddenly brought his bow up and quickly loosed six arrows, meeting two arrows in mid air, the other four stuck into the ceiling and earth wall that Sung had made, a man had rolled out of the way from the top the wall, firing as he went.
Longshot ran along the width of the hall, firing arrows as he went, some of their arrows met in mid air, others made it past and grazed their respective targets, Longshot reached for his quiver, only to find himself out of arrows, Reever took this chance and jumped off the wall, firing a hail of arrows as he went down, Longshot dodged most of them, until one struck his upper thigh, he fell to the ground with a grunt, as he started to get up another one struck him in the eye, making him scream in pain.
"Longshot!" Jet shouted, jumping up and kicking Gin out of the way, he ran towards his friend as Reever landed and walked past Longshot, shooting an arrow in his back as he walked by, Longshot fell to the ground, "LONGSHOT!" Jet cried out falling to his knee's before even reaching his friend, behind him the fight kept going, the Generals and his team not knowing what had just happened.
"Just give up kid." Reever said, aiming an arrow at Jet's chest, Gin came up behind Jet, his Ax ready, "you're outnumbered and-" he stopped as an arrow pierced through his neck, he let out a gargled cry as he dropped his bow, he slowly turned around, revealing a heavily breathing Longshot, the arrow from his eye had been the one to pierce Reevers neck, he slowly reached down and pulled the arrow out of his thigh and took aim, with his good eye, he loosed the arrow and it hit Reever square in the chest, he fell to his knee's still gasping, Longshot reached behind him and pulled the last arrow out of his shoulder with a grunt and sent it flying, hitting Reever in the forehead, putting the man out of his misery.
"Reever…" Gin said in shock, he growled, "I'll kill you! you little runt!" Gin snarled, charging forward, Jet snapped out of his stunned silence and brought his hook swords up, pulling Gin's legs out from under him again and slamming the pommel of his hook swords into the back of his head, Gin let out a groan, his body untensing slowly, blood pooling around his head, Jet ran over to Longshot as the young bowman slowly fell to the ground, he hoisted him up, "don't worry buddy, we'll get you out of here, Smellerbee! Disappear!"
Smellerbee pulled several smoke pellets out of her pouch and threw them into the ground, several other freedom fighters doing the same, covering the room with smoke, they took their chance and escaped out of the room via the large open terrace, General How, Sung and the remainder of the Terra team in tow.
Groop wafted the smoke out of his face as it slowly cleared, he looked around the room in confusion, wondering vaguely where the people he had been fighting had gone off too, he looked towards the Hall and his eyes widened, he walked into the hallway and nudged Gin and Reever, "gin….Reev…" he muttered, his voice hoarse and angry, he turned towards the room where they Dai Li waited, "find them." He snarled quietly.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Jet sat in an abandoned house, trying to patch up Longshot as best he could, Smellerbee and the generals beside him, "where'd the others get to?" he asked.
"Probably to the fallback point." Smellerbee said, looking at Longshot with fear, "will he be alright."
"I don't know, we need a healer." Jet said, walking to the window, as he did, he saw Appa fly over, "AANG!" he shouted, running outside, "AANG!" hoping the shout got his attention, fortunately for him the Bison circled around and landed in front of him, "thank god your back!"
"What happened?" Sokka asked, jumping out of the saddle, Toph following.
"Dai Li…and…Mercenaries I think…they captured three generals." Jet said, "Longshot's injured."
"I can tell," Sokka said, looking him over, "We need Katara."
"She's too far away, if she hasn't been captured or killed." How said, "the troop barracks are closer, we have medics there!"
"If the Dai Li have attacked, they're probably there already." Toph said.
"It's a risk we have to take." How said, "My men are back there, I'm not leaving them to combat these traitors alone!"
"What about the earth king?" one of the Terra Team members asked, "he's probably in trouble."
Aang stood up, "we need to split up." He said, "Jet, go with How and Sung and go to the troop barracks, reinforce them with the Terra Team, Toph, Sokka, we'll go by the apartment to see if Katara's there, then we'll go to the Earth King, we'll bring Longshot with us, sound good?'
They all nodded, "alright, we'll do our best for Longshot Jet, we'll try to be quick."
"Do what you need to Aang." Jet said, as he and How laid the injured and unconscious Longshot into Appa's saddle, "he knew the risks, just like the rest of us, now go!"