I've rewritten the earlier chapters for a bit. For the peopled who have read those before 26-10-07 might want to reread them chapter one, two and five. The changes aren't dramatic, but I believe it makes Zuko's decision for siding with his uncle more believable. The biggest difference lies in the way I describe Zuko choosing for his uncle. And I removed the spirits suppose to guarding Aang, that was just plainly to crappy. I divided this chapter in two. It would be too long as one chapter and I just felt like updating. Disclaimer: does anybody pays attention to those?

Water

Earth

Fire

Air

Long ago the four nations lived in harmony. Then everything changed when the fire nation attacked. Only the avatar master of all the four elements could stop them. But when the world needed him most he vanished. A hundred years past and my brother and I found the new avatar. A young air master named Aang. And although his airbendings are great he has a lot to learn before he can save anyone. But I believe that Aang can save the world.

Book 3: Fire.

Chapter 7: Fights for Ba Sing Se part one.

XXX

When they climbed out of the river and sneaked through the harbor of Ba Sing Se they saw something that shocked them all; a fleet, a fully manned, well built and strong fleet. Only Sokka was truly enraged though.

"Those dammed pathetic coward had a fleet of there own the entire time. And yet they let our father risk his live to protect their waters." He whispered softly.

"I wonder were they are going." Katara whispered back ignoring her brother's rage.

"Probably to Chameleon Bay, I've heard there are several Water Tribe warriors defending it." Mao's words shocked Katara and Sokka and Mao saw their reaction. "Your father?" he asked.

"Yes, our father is leading those warriors." Katara said with a hurt voice. She didn't have the courage to ask the question she wanted to ask so Sokka did it for her.

"What do you think they are going to do?" Sokka asked softly.

"You want to hear what the truth?" Mao replied

Sokka couldn't deny it, he was afraid for the answer he already knew. Yet he nodded.

"The truth is that they are going to attack those warriors who think they are there allies and next time you see your father he will be a small pool of blood."

Pock!!. Toph hit him hard on the head with a small rock. "You scumback, can't you be a bit more sensitive?" Toph hardly had the right to punish someone for being insensitive and she knew it. But Mao brought insensitivity to a whole different level. And she never really hurt someone with, didn't she?

"What? It is the truth." was his only reaction. But when he met Aang's and Toph's angered glare he felt slightly intimidated. Trying to sound genuine he apologized. "Okay I'm sorry. I'm just a little bit stressed about all of this."

But Sokka had already turned away and started walking. "I'm going to help dad." Was all he said.

"Don't be stupid. You can't possibly get there in time." were Mao's harsh and cold words.

"Aang you can make it. Nothing is faster then an air bender."

"Sokka you know we need Aang here. Dad wouldn't want his help if that meant other were without it." It hurt Aang to see Katara so sad.

"Your sister is right. Your father is a warrior who chose to protect the waters of Ba Sing Se. He would want you to save the people he tries to protect." Mao's voice was warmer and more caring then they ever had heard it. He respected warriors like Sokka's father.

Sokka let his head down. He looked so defeated and sad, even Toph became silent of it. "Fine just let go to those friends of yours."

XXX

None of Xeon's men felt truly threatened on the few occasions he was angered. They loved and trusted their commander and knew that unlike most other Fire Nation commanders he would never do anything to harm them. Yet the atmosphere in the flagship's bridge was very tense. Xeon was an absolute master at battle plans and was hardly ever surprised by his enemies. But this sudden mist was something different. How in Agni's name would he fight those Water Tribe people if he couldn't see more then three feet in front of him? "Give the order for a full stop." He finally ordered tiredly to his second in command.

"Permission to speak Sir?" Jee replied whit an obvious bored voice. After all asking this was nothing but protocol.

Xeon grinned on how his man still followed those stupid rules. "In all these year have I ever denied you the right to speak?"

The man grinded back but chose to ignore the question. "I realize this mist is a trap. But do you really believe we can't defeat those warriors even while they will ambush us?"

"No, I know we could crush them if we wanted. But Agni knows what those warriors have planned. Walking in their trap may cost many lives and I'm not wasting my man like that if there's another way." Xeon answered in a reluctant voice.

Jee felt he had insulted his commander of being careless with the lives of his man. But he knew an apology of words wouldn't work. And due to the pain he heard in Xeon's face he knew that there were bigger issues bothering him then his accidental insult. "The earthbenders?" He asked in a comforting voice.

Xeon answered only with a not. He knew he would have to eliminate the earhtbenders after the battle. And that none of them should survive no matter which path he took. Yet he couldn't help but to feel horrible for sending man who followed his orders in a certain trap.

Lee's only acknowledgement of the unspoken order was the copied silence of his captain.

XXX

It is always strange how people go on a mission if they realize it's probably going to be there last one. When Zuko still wasn't banished yet he had seen a few Fire Nation soldiers who were sent to there certain death. They looked angered, not scared or desperate only angered. And Zuko could read on their faces how they felt. The only thing that mattered for those soldiers was how many enemies they took down before it was there time to die.

He knew people of the Earth Kingdom reacted differently. Those were just as stubborn as they always were. They just ignored the fact they were going to die.

The few stories his Father had told him were mostly about the air benders extinction and there weakness. His Father told about how Air Nomads acted when they fought an unbeatable enemy who was planning to kill them. They only pitied there enemies, they pitied them for the amount of hatred in their hearts, and for the acts of evil they were about to commit. His father always claimed that that pity was what made the air benders so weak and easy to defeat. And that pity was something you should never show.

Now he learned how Water Tribe warriors dealt with it. He remembered what his uncle had said about the people of the water tribe. "Water is the element of change. The people of the water tribe are capable to adjust to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything. " Zuko was demonstrated the truth of this. These men weren't enraged, they didn't pity their enemies and they didn't ignore the fact that they probably were going to die. They just they didn't fight it, they just accepted it and had peace with it. Zuko wished he could be just as brave as those men were.

Just when they wanted to go into the boats a small fleet of Earth Kingdom ships arrived. Zuko hadn't told Hakkoda about the capturing of Ba Sing Se it had been irrelevant at the time. So the man cheered for there should be allies. But Zuko knew this was wrong. He knew these man followed Azula's wish. He had barely time to warn everybody before the first stone fists were flying to the air.

Thank Agni for the mist they created earlier, it denied the Dai Lee agents of clear view and proper aim, and most of the stone fists missed target. But the mist wasn't enough to give the Water Tribe anything like a chance to win. The group of Dai Lee agents held twice the man they had and they were more skilled then most of the Water Tribesmen.

The Dai Lee sensed their advantage and charge forward. This was their mistake. The Water Tribe warriors could only fight on close range, and now that advantage was given to them. Yet the battle was far from being won.

Sharp pieces of earth flew out of the sleeves of the benders at high rate, effectively taking out many of the man around Zuko. He shot pillars of fire out of his hands to blow the pieces coming towards him away and to take the man who shot them at him out. He looked around the battle field. Only a few of Hakkoda's men seemed agile enough to dodge the stones. And nobody but his uncle was truly untouchable. Whenever a Dai Lee agent took his aim on him he created a fire wall, on so hot that the stone was vaporized before it hit him.

Zuko paid the price for paying to small attention to his own fight when a Dai Lee agent kicked him. Zuko retaliate quickly by grabbing the man's leg and throwing him over. He briefly wondered why the earthbender had kicked him instead of hitting him with stones. Then he realized the Dai Lee agents carried ammunition. They always walked around with their stone fist and the pieces of earth that had appeared from their sleeves must have stocked there before. And now that ammunition was running out. He knew he and all of the Water Tribesmen would have been dead by now if not for the fact they were fighting on a beach. The lose sand was hard to bend for the Dai Lee agents who grown accustomed by the hard solid earth they normally carried.

And when the enemy couldn't bend properly any more the battle turned to their side. In normal melee battle his people was in the advantage. Only later he realized how quickly he had called these men his people. Zuko had grown accustom to the rejection of his own nation. And when the Hakkoda had called him a member of the Southern Water Tribe he had grown to slightly feel that way. This didn't mean that his love for his nation had declined for the smallest bit.

The Dragon of the west was the hero of this battle. Countless men were taking out by the flames from his hand, feet and occasionally mouth. Only when the remaining ten Dai Lee agents focused their attack entirely on him, creating a giant burst of sand around him he could be taken out. Zuko saw his uncle fall in slow motion and blind rage polluted the mind of the young prince. The strong and rapid fire blasts took the remaining foes out quickly and Zuko ran to the fallen old man. Relieve floated the young man's mind when he saw his uncle was only unconscious.

XXX

The battle had been worse then it seemed. Five men were dead and another ten had been too badly wounded to fight. Leaving only Zuko, Mai, Hakkoda and four of his man to fight the still waiting Fire Nation Fleet. They knew fully well they didn't stand a chance. But they had no other choice. Not wasting time to mourn the dead or tend the wounded the warriors still standing went to the boats and disappeared in the still lasting mist.

It amazed Zuko how thick it. He couldn't help but to feel proud with the great firebending performance which had caused it. They couldn't see anything but the area around them in a six feet radius. And if it wasn't for the huge lamps the Fire Nation ships were enforced to light by the protocol they would have crashed into the steel ships.

Zuko welcomed the unexpected thickness of the mist. Stealth would be their greatest ally in the fight they were about to face, and perhaps there was a little chance they would actually succeed. But Hakkoda was skeptical. "Damm you and your uncle's cursed mist. How are we supposed to make it through the bridge of the flagship if we can't even see it?" Hakkoda asked, not bothering to hide his irritation. The sudden loss of five of his man had hurt him tremendously and he didn't care for anybodies feelings at the moment.

Zuko could only imagine how terrible Hakkoda must feel, and he didn't took any offends for the insult on his work. His voice was empty when he replied. "All the Fire Nation ships are the same. I could find the bridge blindfolded from any start point on the ship." More reassuring he added. "You should be rejoiced. The unexpected thickness of mist improves our chances on victory by far."

"Not if you two keep on talking and expose us." Mai hissed.

"Owh stop nagging would you?" Hakkoda whispered. "It's not like we actually stand a chance. Even if we do make it to the bridge, who's going to make those men surrender? Mister scarred exiled prince over here?"

None of the insults Zuko ever had to cope with had hurt more. It was often said that only your friends can truly hurt you and Zuko had welcomed the friendship had offered him before. Hakkoda must have seen the pain of the young prince, because he didn't continue his complaining. He didn't apologized however. Perhaps he was just too ashamed to do so.

And so the rest of the sail trip became very quiet until the reached the last ship of the fleet. Bonk! The sound of wood clashing against metal traveled through the mist. The inevitable had happened they had bumped against the ship they tried to approach. It was plainly impossible to do so softly if you couldn't see the ship until it was six feet in front of you.

"What was that!" one of the guards on the ship yelled. And he threw a fire ball at the source of the sound. Zuko extinguished it. The guard created a big ball of flames in a vain attempt to see through the mist. Hakkoda used this source of light to determine his target. Next thing they knew it they heard the sound of a boomerang hovering through the air, and the light was extinguished. If they could have seen his face properly through the mist they would be shocked by his cold expression when he took the soldier out. Ropes were thrown over the ships railing and they climbed in them. The capturing of the ship had begun.

XXX

While they walked through the lower ring of Ba Sing Se even Toph could feel they stood out.

"Please don't tell me that twinkle toes is wearing his Avatar outfit." She said more to herself then anyone in particular.

"You indeed could have changed your clothing. They stick out a bit." Mao addressed to Aang.

"Hey" Aang defended "What about Sokka and Katara. Their Water Tribe clothing isn't exactly what you call most worn fashion in Ba Sing Se."

"It doesn't matter much my friends live up close if we make it to them without getting trouble we would be safe." Mao reassured.

"Men you're really new at traveling with the Avatar aren't you?" Toph remarked unbelievingly.

Confused Mao raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"We always get into trouble. They just seem to be attracted by us." She answered. And as fate would have it a Dai Lee patrol walked by. All their breaths were hold in when they past each other. Aang let out a sigh of relieve.

"Hey isn't that the water bender from the crystal catacombs." The man at the rear of the patrol said.

"Run!" Mao yelled.

"We can take them." Toph replied taking her fighting stance.

"No!" A firm voice demanded. "We can't make a fight her in the crowd. We might kill some of the citizens." The voice had come from Kuei, and once again they realized he was a true King for his people.

Mao didn't wasted any more time and started running. Aang was the only one without trouble keeping up with his speed. Stones were shot at them but they misted target, and Mao seemed to get close to the destination, until he ran into a bar.

It was crowded, messy and by far the lousiest place to hide for the Dai Lee. Mao didn't respond at the remarks Sokka gave him. Instead he hurried to a man sitting in the corner with what Aang recognized as a Pai Sho board. Mao placed one gold piece in the middle of the board, a silver one at his side of it and a copper piece at the man's side.

The man spoke almost too fast to be properly heard. "I believe you are in a hurry honored stranger." He addressed to Mao.

"The wise man claim that in a world with limited time we all are." Mao's reply was equally hurried.

"Yet some take the time to enjoy a game of Pai Sho." The man said quickly. What was all this nonsense about?

"Only if they feel the significance of their problems is smaller then the game."

The man stood up. "Then follow me." He lead them into a room just at the moment the Dai Lee stormed in. "What!? Are they going to arrest us all by order of the new ruler of the city 'Princes Azula'!?" he shouted over his shoulder. The comment created a great disturbance in the bar, one big enough to make their swift escape.

XXX

Inside the ship there wasn't mist to hide them yet Zuko had chosen to enter it. The absence of mist had even been reason why he entered it. True he could have made it to the bridge by the deck even without any sight, but the Water Tribes men couldn't. After Hakkoda and his man had trip very blatantly for the twenties time Zuko decided they could better move silently through the light instead of loudly through the mist. But Zuko knew you couldn't walk through a Fire Nation flagship without meeting a crewmember every thirty seconds. The skills and the stealth of the blue spirit was the only reason why the encountered enemies were taken out before they could sound the alarm. However they had to go through better guarded areas to reach the bridge and Zuko fully realized they would probably have to fight dozens crewmembers before they could come near Xeon.

His fears were more then realized. Xeon had been cunning enough to suspect a trap or even a sneak attack and the post were well manned. When the reached the first guarded hallway even the dual blades of the blue spirit wouldn't be swift enough to take the guards down without a raised alarm. The Prince had to be more creative for once and think things through. Quickly he realized that only the bridge and the deck ever enjoyed Agni's face, and that the rest of the ship was isolated from his light. The only light came from the oil lamps, sources Zuko could control. He signaled the group to wait out of the view of the guards. Zuko inhaled slowly clearing his mind, concentrating on the fire, extinguishing it.

This had been a mistake. The blue spirit only had a few seconds of darkness before the guards made their own flames for light. These seconds had been enough to take three of the ten men out. But the remaining seven saw the face of the exiled prince in the twilight of their flames. Although twilight had been enough for the blue spirit in his dark clothes to become invisible, it wasn't enough for Prince Zuko in his scarlet Fire Nation clothes. He lunged at two men simultaneously taken them both out. But five men still standing was four more needed to raise the alarm. Arrows and boomerangs flew at the guards before Zuko could fear for the alarm being raised.

"It looked like you could use the backup" Mai said in a small smile.

Zuko only nodded gratefully.

Many corridors were crossed in this way. None of the guards could stop the blue spirit and his companions, none of them could stop Zuko and his friends.

XXX

Sokka's curiosity was one of the greatest you would find in this world and many questions were asked by the stuttering boy, all of them ignored by Mao and the Pai Sho man. Sokka was the only whose mind wasn't implying to run from all this weirdness. The trust the rest of the group hold for Mao was fading quickly faded.

Mao knew who his companions must feel, but choose not to reassure them. They would hear the relieving answers in just a short while from now.

The group walked out of the bar to a house behind it. The house was filled with countless plants and flowers. Those were completely ignored by Mao and the other man. At the back of the room there was a wooden door, the Pai Sho man knocked on it.

"Who knocks at the guarded door?" an emotionless voice from beyond the wooden door said.

The reply from Mao was just as weird as the question. "One who hungers for the fruit."

The door opened and just when Mao was about to enter the room Sokka couldn't restrain himself any more. "Okay. Now we're all sick of this weirdness no tell us what's going on, or we split." He said angrily.

The Pai Sho man put his hands in his sleeves and bowed. Yet his answer was far from polite "There are many secrets in the world, some should not be revealed before their appropriate time."

Mao's voice was dominant and strong when he contradicted the man. "No. This group is the avatar and his companions. Their mission has been given top priority by the grandmasters. Any secret they want to know about should be revealed by them."

"Which secrets?" Sokka asked almost hysterical.

"The secrets of the White Lotus." Mao answered.

Everything only became more confusing for Toph. But she knew she would finally get some answers. "What's the white lotus?" she asked puzzeled.

"A worldwide, secret organization made out of people who look out for each other. The organization was witnessed almost as many lifetimes as the Avatar Spirit."

Now it was Katara's turn. "Well what's the goal of the organization?" Katara's way of thinking was centered by communities. She was most curious about what hold this organization together for such a long time.

"The oldest goal humanity set for itself: it's own survival. And that's about all it cares for." Mao ignored his uncomfortable fellow member. He knew many would complain about how much he told without direct approval from higher ranking members. But he realized he owned the Avatar and his group some answers.

Things didn't clear up for Aang the only get less understandable. "If you only care for your own survival then why do you care about my mission?"

The boy had more brains then Mao gave him credit for. "Good question and to be honest I don't. But the grandmasters are convinced the order can not survive in a world of everlasting imbalance."

Toph couldn't detect lies in Mao's words. But Mao had proven to be an incredible good liar. Yet the heartbeat of the Pai Sho man was almost as good as normal too. And the man seemed to approve with Mao. She chose to accept Mao's words as the truth. "And you're the guy who's supposed to look after us?" She asked slightly insulted.

"Yup, I'm pretty much your babysitter if you want to see it that way." Mao replied.

A bad mistake to say such thing to Toph Bei Fong and if she had been in less good mood Mao would have paid a price for it. Instead she only sneered. "We're one of the most powerful benders on the world! We don't need a baby sitter!"

"Well you do need help reclaiming the city, don't you?" Mao remarked dryly.

Katara feared for Toph's stubbornness and had not trouble with pushing her pride aside. And somehow she even craved for a babysitter. How good it would feel to share some of the responsibility she felt for the group. So she didn't gave Toph any chance of angrily protest. "Yes please."

Kuei gave a small bow and approved with Katara. "I would gratefully accept every help I can get to free my people."

Mao faked a smile. "It's settled then. From now on you have the service of the White Lotus and my loyalty."

A/N I stole the name for Xeon's second in command. I read it in a story from Wren Sharpbeak it's called the herbalist. But I figured if you can't even steal some names from other stories what can you do? And I know the Pai Sho ritual in the CANON is different from mine. But I figured they didn't have much time. And for the guarded door part, well they need a way to show which rang you are. Don't they?

P.S. Yeah I know I'm very crappy at fighting scenes.

P.S.S. I'll reread/rewrite this chapter again this week. I'm too tired to do so now.

P.S.S. I really want some feedback.