Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or dialogue from Avatar: The Last Airbender. I don't make any profit from writing this story.

WARNING! It is a dark chapter! Nothing explicit, but still dark.

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Mai had been summoned before the Fire Lord after she found Zuko's note, just as she was preparing to rage, scream and cut drapes with a knife, all in the privacy of her room of course.

Despite her father's position and later her own as Azula's reluctant minion, she had never been important enough to warrant a personal audience with the Fire Lord. However, such summons were not to be ignored, so she was headed for the throne room, all perfect posture and impassive face, hiding her feelings deep within her mind.

She had no doubt she would be questioned, either about Zuko or Azula or maybe both. She destroyed the hated note, even though Zuko probably intended for it to absolve her of any crime of treason by association. As for Azula, she didn't know what to make of her sudden disappearance. She was much more concerned about Ty Lee who she hadn't been able to contact since the start of the invasion.

Covertly taking a deep breath, she stepped through the doors opened for her by royal guards and went to kneel before the wall of fire.

"Rise!" she heard, and the fire was extinguished.

Mai held in the gasp but couldn't help her mask slipping as she saw Ty Lee next to the throne, limp and bruised, being held up by a couple of guards. She turned away from her friend's unfocused eyes and locked gaze with the Fire Lord instead.

"You want to ask me something, lady Mai?" Ozai's voice was serious, not even mocking. Mai knew what happened when someone spoke their mind in Fire Lord's presence.

"No, Fire Lord. I only wish to know what is it you require of me."

"Ah, yes." Ozai stroked his beard, almost absently. "Had former prince Zuko informed you of his decision to betray us all before he left?"

"No, Fire Lord. I was not aware of his plans." In the corner of her eye she could see Ty Lee shaking.

"Just as I thought. Otherwise you would be in much worse position," Ozai said, inclining his head slightly to indicate Ty Lee.

Mai's face hardened beyond her usual mask of boredom. She knew that Ty Lee was incapable of betraying Azula, so there had to be another reason for Ozai's actions.

"You see, lady Mai," continued the man, his voice rising. "Princess Azula was captured by the Avatar. Because this spawn of an airbender failed in her duties. And so did you!"

Mai flinched. Ty Lee had some airbender blood in her and it seemed that without Azula's patronage it was reason enough to warrant such treatment. But it could not be the only reason. And then it registered with her: Azula was captured! Impossible, but undeniably true. But then...

"Princess Azula ordered us both to evacuate with everyone else!" Mai objected, and immediately regretted it. Ozai leaned forward to stare directly at her.

"Do you think it matters to me, girl?!" He sat back again and continued in much calmer tone.

"And now we come to the reason for your presence here, Mai. Traitor Zuko announced his intention to join the Avatar. He stole a war balloon and followed Avatar's beast. They are headed to the ruins of the western air temple, where they hope to hide. You will follow them, and use Zuko's weakness for you to gain their trust. "

"And what do I do then, Fire Lord?" Mai asked, trying to bury her fear and fury as deep as possible.

"You will free Princess Azula. You will kill everyone else except for Zuko and the Avatar. I will deal with both of them myself. And you will pass along my orders for Azula to return to the Fire Nation immediately. You have until a week before Sozin's Comet, or she dies."

Her head was reeling. She understood both the enormity of the task and the reason she was chosen for it. Ozai was clever, not giving her a choice between Zuko's life and Ty Lee's. She could bear betraying Zuko's trust - he broke her heart first after all - but she could not stand to have Ty Lee's blood on her hands.

"Now go, lady Mai, and fulfil your duty!"

Despite wanting to be as far from there as possible, she couldn't help but make one last request. "May I bid my farewell to lady Ty Lee?"

Ozai smirked. "You may, but be quick about it." He motioned to the guards to release the acrobat. She fell to the floor, not able to stand on her own.

Mai ran to her side and kneeled. Ty Lee's lips were moving and she leaned in to listen as her friend struggled to form words.

"...Mai.. save 'Zula... don't... come back... both of you...promise..."

"Enough!" Ozai shouted and the guards immediately picked Ty Lee up and carried her away. Mai had to force her hands away from her sleeves. She had been searched before being allowed to enter, and she was not foolish enough to take her knives here in the first place.

"Now, girl, I have one last word for you."

"Yes, Fire Lord" Mai answered through gritted teeth.

"Come closer."

She did, even though she knew what was coming next. Just as she approached Ozai, he sprang from his throne and backhanded her viciously. She was able to move with it, but not fast enough - she still found herself on the floor with her cheek stinging sharply.

"You should be grateful, girl! Now Zuko will have no choice but to trust you!"

Mai knew he was right. As she rose to her feet with as much grace as possible, she could feel her skin peeling away. It was not as bad as Zuko's burn was, but it will leave its mark all the same. She bowed, her wounded pride screaming at her, and then she left.

After her servants finished bandaging her burned face, she went to her room where she raged, screamed and cut her drapes with a knife. Then she started packing. It was going to be a long journey.

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Hakoda was hanging in his shackles not able to move a muscle. His whole body went numb a long time ago. His last memory was of the enemies taking Bato away, never to return. Now he was the last warrior of the Southern Water Tribe. He and Sokka. He should not forget about his children. They were everything, and they were safe. It did not matter what happened to him anymore.

TBC