Hello hello again, friends and fellow readers all across the big blue globe commonly known as "Earth". I am happy and delighted to bring you another installment. Tsukikage1213, and Realfanficts. As always you're both good friends and I'm always happy to get you're reviews. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen

Coup de tat

"A Fire Nation sorceress is also after them," said Katara grimly. Toph's eyebrows raised. "Yeah, I guess you have a clue why she would want it." Toph again blew hair out of her face.

"It figures that after all this time the Fire Nation is still a royal pain in the butt."

"Ohhh it gets better," chuckled Nayia. "Besides her qi magic and masterful firebending, she's got a handful of crazies that bow at her feet and sport there own ugly talents." As though Toph needed more convincing, Nayia then added; "Oh yeah, and a few of them aren't even human." Toph shook her head and looked back up at Katara.

"Well gee whiz Sugar Queen, you sure can get into em'."

"I have a plan though," said Shandrey. "A way to deal Hotaru……..but you're not gonna like it." Nayia could tell what was coming. She quite nearly reamed Shandrey the night before over it. Now the poor waterbender was about to take it again three fold. He focused her attention on Elm. "Elm, the man who was abducted from your home and was responsible for the experiments on you…"

He nodded and said the name, "Owen."

"Right, according to Nayia they took him in order to design a procedure around a ritual for Hotaru. Her body jumping will only get her so far before she runs out of time. If they're successful, she will be reborn into a new body of her own; one that will be able to contain her indefinitely." Toph merely let herself rest down upon the wooden bench like a bed.

"You a very strange group of people, you know that?" Shandrey could only shrug.

"If it had been up to me you can bet I would have led a much humbler life. But anyway, there is a time when Hotaru will be open and vulnerable."

"You want to attack and eliminate her then," suggested Elm. Shandrey exchanged a glance with Nayia, who at that moment shook her head with a note of chagrin.

"No, I plan to do the complete opposite. I want to save Hotaru and get her out of there." There was a universal momentary pause among Elm, Katara, and Toph. They merely stared at her bug eyed and speechless. Elm finally cleared his throat.

"Come again?"

"She will age very quickly until she reaches adulthood and then everything that was her; memories, thoughts, desires…..everything will come flooding back to her. It's the time before then that I think I can teach her to resist it."

"That's your plan?!" exclaimed Toph. Shandrey nodded. "That plan SUCKS!"

"Wha-No it doesn't!" Shandrey protested with her arms folded. "I understand why it wouldn't be your first idea but it's a sound one. She'll have no memory after the ritual is done; only her subconscious will remain with her. We can use that to help us find the Sun Crystal."

"But we don't even have the Earth Crystal," said Katara.

"Regan said he'd work on that. There's been a lot of excavation all over Asia so he thinks it might have been unearthed."

Nayia snorted. "In that case it's either in the hands of some collector or locked away in a museum." No one spoke after her words died down. They all settled into a stillness which allowed them to recuperate from their shock of Shandrey's idea. Both sisters-in-law stared at one another, as though talking telepathically. "You do know what this plan means right?" asked Nayia.

"Yes."

"It means having to traverse into a Fire Nation gulag to retrieve a sworn enemy," said Elm.

"Its awfully risky Shandrey," said Katara.

Shandrey placed her hands upon her head. "I know, I know………..I understand everything you're all telling me. Look, my husband is out there somewhere stuck with these people. If we can pull this off we'll get him back and be one step closer to putting an end to this." Toph sighed. She then looked to Katara and Toph. "…And one step closer to sending you two home." Shandrey's rising heartbeat was like a large drum in her ears.

"Well, I'll say this; of all the ideas I've ever heard, even from Aang, this has got to be the wackiest plan we've ever come up with." She stood up and at her growling stomach's beckoning made straight for the kitchen. Katara could only produce a smile which said "unbelievable" and followed Toph inside. It was amazing how one person's actions could compel others to do the same, for Shandrey too found herself rising and walking inside. Elm gently took her arm and stopped her.

"I have family in there too you know."

"I know," softly replied the waterbender. Elm let his hand fall back to his side.

"How will Lee know what to do? Hotaru will surely have ways of blocking his telepathy."

"Well I haven't figured that part out yet. But I will." She walked on, leaving Elm by himself on the porch. She knew she wasn't depriving him of company, point in fact Elm enjoyed being alone to think sometimes. He felt he was growing more and more used to the humid air of Vietnam. It didn't bother him quite as much as it did upon their arrival. Yet something in the air was pricking at the back of his neck. It was a feeling rather, a feeling which he attributed to a singular individual. Elm's hand found his collapsed staff within his garments.

"The darkness becomes you Tanya, but if you wish to talk then let's talk face to face." He then waited for a response. He hoped very much that he was wrong, that he had imagined the feeling. Unfortunately his sixth sense was right on the money. Directly across from, Mockingbird slithered out from behind a bush and over the wood bench. She sat herself down prim and properly and crossed her legs. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh Carl, you know well I have no trouble getting where I need to go?"

"Hotaru sent you?"

"No, in fact if she notices my absence I imagine I will face a most severe punishment." Elm narrowed his eyes.

"Then why are you here?"

Mockingbird let her eyes roam up and down his form. "Do you want your wife to live?"

"Careful Tanya," whispered Elm dangerously.

"I'm serious." Said Mockingbird. She swung her legs up on the long bench and lay sideways. "You want her back, I want to be free……..we can help each other." Elm cocked an eyebrow.

"Free? Free of Hotaru you mean?"

"Yes, I tire of living day in and day out as a slave." She rotated onto her back and her hands played with a substantial gathering of her hair. "All the bowing, pandering, and at least pretending to worship ugh!.....It makes me sick."

"It would appear you have no choice," said Elm.

The vampiress smirked and giggled wickedly. "Always the literalist. There is a way with which I can regain my freedom, but first my 'goddess' must be torn from her high and mighty throne." At this Elm stood up straight and regarded her seriously. She turned her head at him, still holding her smile.

"You're planning a coup……you're planning to overthrow Hotaru."

"Is it ever so grand, eh?"

"Ring and Simon would hear nothing of it."

"Oh you just let us worry about any lasting loyalties." The more she talked, the more she flooded Elm with confusion and questions.

"Us? Who's us?" She once again chuckled like a giddy schoolgirl and rose up to meet him. She stepped closer and closer until she was but a few inches from him.

"Now now Carl," she whispered. She placed her open palms upon Elm's shoulders. "There's something to be said about anonymity. It is quite crucial to our plan." He gently took her hands and lowered them back down to her sides.

"So far Tanya there is no plan, at least, not one that includes me or my friends." Mockingbird stepped away, rolling her eyes irritably. "You ask too much of me and offer nothing."

"I offer you your wife!" she replied harshly. He was still looking at her back and could not see the calculating glare that she gave the empty space before her. "I overheard Shandrey's plan to liberate her husband and our soon to be departed leader. It is a bold gamble, and one that could prove most lucrative if properly executed."

"That so?"

"Mm hm, if we come to an agreement I'm afraid she'll have to settle for just her husband. Though I can hardly see how that could be a difficult decision for her. She gives up her worst enemy to death and her cutie-pie lives on; an equitable trade is it not?" She turned back to him with a smile. Years of memories together passed between them via a gaze in each other's eyes. Elm deeply lamented on the loss of not just their relationship but also her literal humanity. He found it harder and harder to look her in the eye, and not just because there existed the danger of her mesmeric abilities. Her smile gradually faded.

"I can't…….we can't."

"By what logic do you refuse me?!" She softly spat at him.

"Tanya there is a cure for vampirism," said Elm pleadingly. Mockingbird smirked and looked away. "Take it; you can regain your humanity." Her eyes wandered about skyward until they rested back on him.

"And……what makes you think I want to?"

Elm now gathered the bravery to look her in the eye. "Because your soul is damned."

"You're one of those people I gather."

"Better to heir on the side of caution I say," replied Elm.

"And what's the point of being immortal…..if deny yourself the perks that come with it? I will not spend an eternity shackled to some spoiled Fire Nation brat!" She almost screamed the last of her speech. "We will make our first move within the next few hours. At the appropriate time we will then permanently dispose of her. When our goddess lays in several pieces you and your friends will be free to collect your wife and Lee. We only ask that you act on your plans to retrieve the Earth crystal at our command."

"There's no way they'll go for that!" exclaimed Elm.

"Keep your voice down will you," said Mockingbird irritably. "We wouldn't want to be spotted together, now would we?" Elm's mind was now clockwork; trying to decipher the obvious ulterior motives.

"Why should we wait for you tell us when we can make our move?"

"Because we need Hotaru's attention absorbed in her race with Yue. If you make off with the crystal too soon then our plan will be all the more difficult to execute." She slinked back up to him. Elm then felt her slipping something into his hand. "It's a transmitter, you can use it to contact me. Mind you, you better have made up your mind when you do, it'll burn out after one use." He closed his hand around the device but stayed silent. "Just make sure you do your part and we'll handle the rest." In the blink of an eye Mockingbird disappeared from Elm's side. He stood stock still for a moment, wondering as well as hoping he had just imagined the preceding conversation. When it was clear to him that he could not deny that it did in fact take place, he elected to return inside. Unfortunately upon turning around he found a rather narrow eyed Toph standing in the doorway. In every sense of the word, Elm felt nothing short of busted. She unfolded her arms and strode toward him.

"So….." Elm awkwardly reached up to scratch the back of his neck. "Who was that?.......New buddy?"

Having finished with their work at Moon Tower, Hotaru and her company returned to her congregation's temple. As to be expected, Hotaru's devoted worshipers were more than eager to greet her upon her return. Lee walked between Ring and Simon, carefully under their watch. He found it odd that no matter how many times Hotaru changed form, her disciples still easily recognized her. Perhaps she merely used an enchantment to make them always see her the same way. It was hardly a mystery worth pursuing. As soon as they reached the end of the throngs of greeters they were met with a beaming Julian. He sank to his knee at Hotaru's approach and promptly kissed the back of her hand.

"My goddess, we have fervently awaited your return." Hotaru smiled down upon him.

"Rise, chevalier." The newly promoted Julian did so and gestured for her to follow. "I trust all has remained well within our home."

"Absolutely, in fact while you were away one of our sisters gave birth to a baby girl." Hotaru nodded at the news. "Her mother has been patiently for your return so that you may bestow your blessing." Mockingbird couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her mind was firmly fixed on the slowly passing minutes.

"You may bring the child and her mother later." Julian bowed his head slightly. Glancing in the foreground, he noticed that Nayia was not present among the other chevaliers.

"Goddess, if I may ask, where is Nayia?" Lee's eyes spiked to Julian at his sister's name.

"She has been taken, by the unbelievers." Julian's brow furrowed. "…Presumably for random."

"H-Have they made any demands?"

"Not as of yet, could you please escort our guest to his quarters? Then bring the others to me." Julian glanced at Lee.

"Yes goddess." They separated, leaving Lee in Julian's charge. The newly christened chevalier took the samurai by the arm and began leading him. In his fettered and chained state, there was little Lee could do to resist. "Nayia is your sister."

"Yes," replied Lee.

"I see her in your face; the resemblance is hidden but not impossible to see."

"Indeed," said Lee. Julian stopped and stood before Lee.

"Hotaru has taken you from the unbelievers?" Lee arched a brow.

"If that is your understanding of us." Julian let his eyes drift aimlessly. "Is there something you wish to ask of me?"

"What will they do to Nayia?"

"Nothing."

"How can you be sure?" asked a steadily worrying Julian.

"Because she is family." The chevalier's mouth hung ajar. "Shandrey is my wife, and therefore Nayia's sister-in-law." Julian now looked as though a foundation shaking lie had just been revealed to him.

"She didn't tell me of this." Lee nodded, constricted as he was within his shackles.

"No, I suppose she didn't." In silence, Julian led Lee on toward his certainly to be uncomfortable accommodations.

VIETNAM……………….

Shandrey's eyes couldn't quite be described as livid but they sure came close. Once again felt he was on the receiving end of her wrath. Regan quickly excused himself from the room, not in any way a fan of heated discussions.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Shandrey finally said. Elm nodded.

"I may be, yes."

"She could have killed you!" screamed the waterbender.

"Yes she could have, but she didn't. That is why I think her offer has some merit."

Shandrey pointed a shaking finger at his hand. "And that-that thing she gave you. Are you really sure it's just a walkie-talkie? It could be anything!"

"Anything?" said Nayia. The ninja relegated herself back to a mere onlooker upon receiving a particularly incensed look from Shandrey. Elm shook his head and paced about the living room.

"You've trusted the words of an enemy before."

"When we had no alternative!" snapped Shandrey.

"As we do now!" Insisted Elm. Shandrey brought a hand to her forehead. "I mean, we don't even know where they're keeping Lee. Surely they've left the North Pole by now." This was true. Hotaru was not likely to hang around the Moon Tower, and to do so was to practically invite an ambush/sneak attack. "We do this and we can coincide our rescue plan with their uprising."

"And if it's all a hoax?" posed Shandrey. "We all become prisoners and Hotaru takes the Moon Crystal."

"There is indeed great risk-"

"And not enough info! Mockingbird then expects us to act on her whim?!" said Shandrey, totally ignoring his argument. "Y-Y-You have no idea if this little coup of their's is going to work……..if there is one."

"Shandrey, you're not starting to believe Hotaru's a goddess now are you?" asked Elm a bit curtly. Shandrey's eyes narrowed dangerously. Katara, Nayia, and Top each looked at each other.

"You want me to place the life of my husband in the hand of that creature; I won't." Elm's face grew downtrodden. "She may have been human once but that has changed. You can't trust her with your wife either. We'll get both of them and your children back but we'll do it ourselves."

"Shandrey-"

"End of discussion!" As though cementing Shandrey's declaration, Regan joined them with a magazine in hand. He came to a slow stop and looked to the other three.

"This a bad time? Like, are they still arguing?"

"What is it William?" asked a calmer Shandrey.

"Just thought you happy bunch would like to know; found your Earth Crystal." They all looked at him oddly. "But if…..you know, you're too busy in here I can wait for a better time." He adjourned but Shandrey was quick to follow after him. Elm soon followed as did Katara, Toph, and Nayia. When they caught up with Regan he was back in his study.

"So," said Katara. Regan looked at her over his shoulder. "You said you found it?"

"Uh huh, and if I'm right you'll need to move quickly if you want to be the Fire Nation to it."

"Why's that?" asked Nayia. Regan only smirked and tossed Shandrey the magazine he had carried with him. The waterbender gave the article a quick read and then chuckled ironically. Elm, his arms folded, stepped toward her.

"Shan?"

She looked back at him and then at everyone with a small smile. "It's on display……in the Cairo Museum."

"You're kidding!" exclaimed Nayia. One by one they crowded around Shandrey save for Regan.

Shandrey summarized a bit of the article for them. "It's being called "The Heart of the Earth". It's been given world wide acclaim for being the largest crystal uncovered in nearly a century. Scientists are baffled at how a single piece of pure green quartz has been shaped into a completely smooth sphere."

"They don't know what we know," said Elm.

"Or what Hotaru knows," added Katara. Elm offered her a silent touché.

"You telling me that this thing is just sitting behind a pane of Plexiglas?"

"Sure looks that way," mused Toph. She then shifted her clouded eyes back to Nayia. "What's Plexiglas?"

While Nayia did her best to describe it, Shandrey slowly found a chair and sat down. Once again she felt a sudden feeling of fatigue washing over her. Regan normally wouldn't mind bursting their bubble but today was different, and it was difficult for him.

"There's just one…..small thing…"

"You mean other than Hotaru probably knowing all this?" Whispered Shandrey. Her eyes stared straight ahead.

"Yeah, the museum curator, Simian Dominic, he's somewhat of an antiquities dealer. The Earth Crystal exhibit is going to end in a few days and when it does he's probably going to take it for himself."

"He'll disappear fast," said Nayia. Shandrey carefully dangled the magazine in her hands. She then trained her eyes up at Elm. The two stared at each other quite seriously.

"Elm, you're an empath……so you can tell, are positive that Mockingbird gave you a real offer?" Elm thought good and hard on this question. The feelings of mortal humans were an easy read, sure. But vampires and other unearthly creatures were a different story. At times they're true feelings could be muddled by their strange powers. However, despite those unique qualities, Elm gave Shandrey a definitive nod.

"Yes."

"Alright, then send word; we accept Mockingbird's offer." Toph blinked herself out of a mild trance and cleared her throat.

"We will?" Shandrey rose and slowly walked up to Elm.

"I just want you to be aware that I think this whole thing is…..is…." Her breath became short and then she suddenly hugged him tightly and burst into tears. "What you're doing for Mai is so sweet!" A wide eyed Elm looked to each of them for help. "I know Lee would do the same for me-he-heeee!" Nayia and Katara, smiling uneasily, looked at one another and in quiet unison said;

"Mood swings."

Mockingbird paced through the Order's immaculate garden, eagerly awaiting Elm's reply. Since the day she saw that Elm was with Shandrey, Mockingbird had been unable to take her mind away from him. She kept reminding herself that she hated him with a most boisterous passion and that everything was going to lead to his sweet demise. Then again, if she could turn him he would be forever committed to her. Though she was well aware that it was Hotaru who walked and talked in the body of Mai, the vampiress still looked upon the woman with envy. There was simply no way to deny herself the truth for much longer; a part of her still very much loved Elm. No one, not Hotaru or Shandrey, will stand in her way.

"Tanya?" Mockingbird's eyes flitted down to her pocket and she veered off the path to a dark corner. Once she was well concealed she drew the communicator and smirked into it.

"Carl, how lovely it is to hear your voice. Made a decision have you?" There was a long pause, possibly due to Elm asking Shandrey if she really did support him. Then Mockingbird heard him sigh heavily into the microphone.

"We'll take your offer." Mockingbird summoned all her willpower to keep from squealing in delight.

"Oh splendid, now listen carefully………..I will now tell you where to find us."

Hotaru sat properly within her throne room. Her chair sat before the wall which had the enormous Fire Nation insignia carved into it and a raging fire dancing within. She sat with her eyes closed, staving off the deterioration of her host as long as possible. The sounds of footsteps wandered into the room and soon to her ears. Her eyes gently opened and she beheld Elm's children, Amyah and Jasper, being led in by Julian. Both children gaped at her. Hotaru rose and gave Julian a simple gesture.

"Leave us." After a short bow Julian departed, leaving the three of them alone. Jasper was not one to be kept back long; he inched toward the woman before them.

"Mom!" Amyah held him back.

"Wait!" She said to him in a hushed tone. The sister narrowed her eyes at the form of her mother. None of it was right; her posture, her clothes, and especially the look on her face.

"You're caution is warranted my dear," said Hotaru. She stepped down off her throne. "You do indeed see the body of your mother But I, Hotaru, have taken her as my host body." Amyah swallowed hard.

"What?!" exclaimed Jasper. It was simply too incredible. His sister tried to calm him. "That's bogus! Look Mom, if you're keeping up some act for these freaks then-"

"SILENCE!!" A jolt of red electricity burst from Hotaru's fingers and easily brought Jasper to his knees. Amyah rushed to his aid, steadying him on his fall. "You shall watch your tongue when you speak of my disciples." The fire goddess slow stepped down off her throne onto the floor where she began slowly circling them. "You are you're parent's children."

"You know nothing of my parents!" spat Amyah. "Whoever you are."

"On the contrary, I know nearly everything about you. When I am blended with a new host we become one; sharing thoughts and memories. You think I don't know about you and your unusual gift, Amyah?" Amyah's lips pursed together. "You are a healer, a healer who takes the wound or ailment unto herself in order to unleash it upon her enemies."

"Yes…."

"I imagine that by now you've amassed quite the arsenal." Amyah's eyes turned dark and she shook her head.

"You have no idea."

Hotaru looked continually pleased with herself. "I've asked to see you today because I wish to inform you that I will be taking you, Amyah, as my next and final host." Jasper wrenched Amyah behind him and made himself see past his mother's eyes at the soul lurking within.

"Just try it!"

"Now now boy, how many times will you force me to cause you pain before you learn your lesson." Jasper then felt Amyah's hand on his shoulder. He looked back at her and was surprised to see that she was asking him to stand aside. Reluctantly he did so, though he remained very close to her. Prudently, she drew nearer to Hotaru with a hanging head.

"Are you saying that…….that if I take my mom's place, you'll let her go?" She dared not look at Hotaru, for she knew the witch was undoubtedly twisting her mother's beautiful face into a derisive smirk.

"Absolutely."

"And Jasper too?!" she asked excitedly.

"Now wait a minute!" said Jasper. He took Amyah away and held her shoulders. "I'm not going to just leave you here, and neither would mom."

"You could both find dad and then he'll save us," stated Amyah. Jasper's mouth moved but no words exited, something which Amyah took advantage of by turning away. She faced Hotaru and nodded as bravely as she could.

"Alright, you can have me."

"Wise decision," hummed Hotaru.

"Goddess?" Hotaru turned on her heel to find Mockingbird having entered. "I bring you news."

"Speak."

"Lee wishes to see you; he now claims that he can divulge Yue and her friend's whereabouts and that of the Earth Crystal." Hotaru narrowed her eyes as Mockingbird and bit her lower lip.

"Does he now?"

"Yes goddess," replied Mockingbird brightly. Hotaru's face broke into a smile and she held the vampiress's cheeks.

"Well I don't know what manner of persuasion you used to gain such acquiesce, but it is well suited. You are a naughty girl." Positively beaming with victory, Hotaru turned back to Elm's children.

"Well, we shall have to continue this talk another time. For now I must-" Her speech halted in her throat. Hotaru tried to talk but her powers of speech were now lost. Both young people regarded her strangely. It was now clear that Hotaru was in immense pain as beads of sweat poured down her head and various veins beneath her skin slightly bulged. Mockingbird slowly walked around to her goddess's front with a conniving grin.

"Is something wrong goddess?" Hotaru fell forward but managed to catch herself upon Mockingbird. The straining firebender looked up at Mockingbird and heard an awful cackle from her. "Perhaps you should lie down." Hotaru's eyes darted about until they rested on another presence.

Simon, carrying a small glowing vial hanging from a chain, knelt down beside Hotaru. The closer he brought vial to her the more she suffered. He could see it in her eyes, the realization that she was betrayed.

"Interesting," whispered Amyah.

"What?" asked Jasper.

"Hotaru's own people are turning against her." Simon's eyes glanced at the two onlookers and he jerked his head at them.

"Take them out of here." Mockingbird took an iron grip on both Amyah and Jasper and took them out of Hotaru's throne room. Once they were gone, Simon looked back down at the wilting Hotaru. "It is a tragic ending my goddess." Hotaru struggled to rain her retribution upon him. "But can it be more tragic than a man who has come to realize he has wasted his life serving a false god?" He reached into her robes and drew a few hidden daggers and tossed them far out of reach. "The most heartbreaking thing I will ever do is to kill the one whom I have loved since birth, and you never loved me." He reached down and Hotaru's vision was darkened.

----AAAAA----

By partnership of both Mockingbird and Simon, Hotaru was thrown most callously into a barred cell beside the one which Lee currently occupied. The vampiress sent Lee a flirting wink then departed with Simon. Lee looked over at Hotaru, her royal linens and layers torn and dirtied. He watched her use all of her strength to turn on to her side so that she could face him. One thing he immediately noticed was that the vibrant and dangerous fire in her eyes had nearly died.

"Well well….." breathed Hotaru. "…A prisoner Lee and a deposed Hotaru. We make the most extraordinary pair, don't we?"

"They have betrayed you?"

"Clearly," replied Hotaru. Her words were steady but taken in very small whispers. "Simon has discovered some way of incapacitating me, before I had a chance to stop him. He has sapped much of my power. I will have no choice but to begin the ritual for my new body…….if I am to survive."

"And Elm's wife?" asked Lee.

"She too is weakened, most severely."

Lee moved closer to the bars which separated them. "Why has Ring or Mifune not come to your aid?"

"For all I know…..Mifune has taken part in this rebellion, and as for Ring….well she is not without a weakness." Lee's brow arched. "I fear Simon may have taken advantage of it." Hotaru feebly reached out to him. "You must help me."

The samurai cocked his head at her. "Tell me why?"

"Because if you don't, this host will surely die." Lee's cheekbones tensed somewhat. Hotaru's eyes fluttered to a close and she fell into unconsciousness. The tables had turned and now the Order of Eternal Flame was led by another. The lives of not only Lee and Elm's children but also their mother rested in his hand.

I know, you're instinct is to say "She got what was coming to her!" Don't forget we're talking about two people in one right now. We still have the host to think about. Next chapter that is! Laters!