Greetings all Avatar fans and general fans of meeeee, your humble writer of humble means. I am pleased to bestow the next of many more installments in this saga. Tsukikage1213, this is your belated Christmas present. Enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen

Rebirth pt.1

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. He sat back against the wall of his cell and trained his eyes upon the lock. Perhaps now was the time to make his move. He stood up but before he could take another step Mifune and Ring both quietly made their way into the dungeons. Lee's eyes sharpened at the sight of Mifune. Before now neither had actually met again in person.

"Moristu," said Mifune.

"Traitor," replied Lee.

"This is hardly the time for semantics, old friend." Ring ignored them both and stepped before Hotaru's cell.

"Goddess…" She held out her hand from her red ring a quick beam burst from it and broke the lock. Lee approached his door, drew a small metal pin from within his sleeve and slipped it into the lock.

"What are you doing?" asked Mifune. Lee let his hand float above the lock. Within the lock the metal pin, by order of Lee's powers, began to twist and weave among the gears and sprockets. When Lee managed to tamper with the springs in just the right place the lock released its hold. Lee casually opened his door and retrieved his sword from the rack of confiscated items. Mifune regarded him somewhat admirably. "Clever."

"I could have escaped at any time, but I decided to linger until something advantageous happened." Ring, holding Hotaru aloft, rejoined them. Lee jerked his head at Mifune. "Why are you not aiding Simon and Mockingbird?"

"I shall take my revenge on Hotaru for enslaving me in due time, but not while she is weak and helpless."

"And odd thought to come from you," said Lee.

"Perhaps some of your bad habits are beginning to rub off on me." Lee accepted the compliment but he was still sour of Mifune's company. Ring pushed past both of them.

"Enough talk, we must begin the procedure immediately."

"What are Elm's children being held?" asked Lee.

"Time enough for them later," said Mifune.

"No, we get those children or Hotaru will miss her appointment." At this Ring swiveled in place and her ornament pulsed dangerously. Lee faced her fearlessly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Ring finally turned continued on her way, saying over her shoulder.

"Take the samurai to the children." Hotaru's powers seemed to work through Ring the slightest bit. It was still enough to compel Mifune to obey. With a gesture of his hand Mifune showed Lee the proper direction. However the samurai refused to move until Mifune took the lead. Finally Mifune walked ahead and Lee followed behind.

VIETNAM…………

Shandrey tossed various items on a bed where also lay an open and empty satchel. She was meticulous in her choosing of the items she would bring with her in their raid to liberate not only her husband but also Elm's family and the soon to be reborn Hotaru. She paused in her preparation as a pain in her stomach stabbed at her. She groaned quietly and used the dresser for balance. It was fortunate that her pain quickly faded and her balance returned before the gentle knocks against her doorframe.

"Come in."

Nayia entered, her arms folded. "How you hold'n up?"

"Peachy," replied Shandrey. "It's just the anxiety of what we're about to do I guess." She closed her eyes and massaged her forehead. "I just can't wait for this to be over." Nayia bit her lower lip and nodded.

"Yeah, you're going to sit this one out." Shandrey stopped what she was doing and turned to Nayia. "I'm sorry." Shandrey just continued to stare at her. "Did you hear me? I said you're not going."

"Yeah I heard you, I just don't care." So saying, she went back to packing for her journey.

Nayia roamed her eyes about sadly. "Shandrey…"

"You really expect me to just sit here and twiddle my thumbs while the rest of you put yourselves in danger? Not to mention, hello, my husband is still trapped." Nayia leaned against the door. Shandrey's hands rested on a few phials of water. She looked down at a loose photo of the two of them that she had placed upon the dresser. "I……I have to see him again."

"You will, when we bring him back."

"I can't take it, Nayia. I know this sounds crazy and probably a little stupid, but it's like I feel when he's in pain. And I simply can't stand it anymore." She turned to Nayia with a serious look. "That is why you have to let me go with you."

Nayia nodded. "I'm gonna take a guess, just a wild guess……my brother wasn't entirely thrilled when he learned you came on this quest to save the world with a bun the oven." Shandrey hated to admit it. She shook her head. "Yeah, that's what I thought. So you can imagine just what he might say if he finds out I let you run into mortal danger, pregnant."

"I'm not due for a few more months, what I am supposed to do?"

Nayia shrugged. "I don't know, but nothing too active. I think Lee will see to that."

"Hmp, I'd like to see him try." Nayia chuckled.

"Yeah I can't wait to make up with the kid while mommy and daddy are fighting."

"Now that I'd love to see you try," said Shandrey with smirk. She looked down at her abdomen and placed her hands around herself. "So….what do you think? Am I starting to show?"

"A little," admitted Nayia with a shrug. "You thought of any names yet?" Shandrey, while staring down at her stomach, nodded with a smile. Nayia folded her arms and smiled also. "Well?"

Shandrey opened her mouth to answer but stopped herself. After a moment she turned her smile back up to Nayia and shook her head.

"Oh come on!"

"Nope, sorry."

"That is quite mean of you," Nayia playfully scolded. Shandrey merely shrugged.

"I think it's better to keep that to myself for now. Don't worry; I'm sure you'll….tolerate whatever I come up it."

"Yeah I'm sure." The two in-laws laughed together then fell into silence. The two of them quite nearly began communicating telepathically. Shandrey's mind began contriving reasons of all sorts for why Nayia should shut up and let her go with them. But she knew everything the young ninja set had heavy merit. She hung her head somberly.

"Okay……I'll stay here."

Nayia breathed in relief. "Thank you."

"But you have to swear to me you'll bring him back," said Shandrey. Her voice was shaky.

"Well duh," said Nayia. But it was obvious that Shandrey had shifted out a mood fit for levity. "Okay, I swear it." Shandrey nodded and Nayia took her leave.

"Wait." Nayia stopped at Shandrey's voice. She turned back.

"What is it?" Shandrey looked as though the wheels in her head were turning like a well oiled machine. She sat down on the bed provided for her and drew in a breath characteristic of coming before words.

---AAA---

Nayia walked swiftly into the living room where everyone had congregated. They stood in random places, checking their unique equipment for any defects. Katara noticed that Nayia was alone and grew curious.

"Where's Shandrey?"

"She's not coming."

"Not coming?" repeated Toph oddly. She blew a perplexed puff of air. "Why? This whole thing was her idea."

"It's a pregnant thing," said Nayia sarcastically. She shook her head. "Look, she can't go for obvious reasons so we'll just have to make do without her. She gave me everything we need to get there. If Mockingbird holds up her end of this deal, we should be able to bust our way in, get what we came for, and then leave."

"Smash and grab huh?" said Elm.

"It's the best chance we've got, let get to it." Bidding Regan goodbye, for now, they made their way to the backyard. Once they were far enough away from the house Nayia opened a jar filled with water. At Nayia's behest, Katara free the water from its vessel and form a perfect circle around them. She then formed the ring of water into a dome which quickly covered them. Nayia looked around at the darkened interior then drew a folded piece of paper. Written in Shandrey's hand was a set of instructions as well as the necessary incantation. Nayia drew in a deep breath.

"Okay, here goes nothing." Slowly she droned the words and they felt the ground around them vibrate. In the next second the ground beneath their feet vanished and they were off.

From inside her room, Shandrey watched on the other side of a window as her friends departed for the dangerous unknown. She sighed and let the curtain fall back before the glass. If only there was a way to be there with them, to see what was going on.

Wait!

That's when it struck Shandrey and she suddenly remembered that there most certainly was a way. Swiftly she left her room, bounding past Regan in the hall, and into the nearest bathroom. The waterbender stopped up the sink and let it fill with water almost to the brim. She let her index finger lightly tap the surface and an endless wave of ripples emerged from where her finger touched.

"Nayia Moristu," she said quietly. The water blackened. Shandrey drummed her fingers against the porcelain as she waited for her answer. Would it work? Was she going to be kept in the dark for the whole thing? However, the fates seemed to be smiling on her that day, and the dark water cleared to reveal Nayia, Elm, Top, and Katara. She let out a stifled "Yes!" She watched them as they righted themselves after an apparently rough landing. Nayia, not usually using magics of any kind, wasn't likely to pull off anything smoother. Shandrey pulled up a chair beside the sink and settled into what was sure to be a long day.

The group slowly righted themselves before the misty entrance to Hotaru's temple. The air around them was hot and musty, almost as though they were in the Amazon. The face of the temple was covered in moss and they were surrounded by dense foliage.

Elm let his eyes roam over the large portcullis guarding the front gate. "How's that for a summer home."

"Creepy," replied Katara.

"Come on," said Nayia quietly. "Lets do what we came here to do." Following Lee's sister, they warily made their way up the wide steps toward the temple entrance. Toph stopped moving for a moment, letting her feet move gently over the stone.

"No guards," she said.

"That can go either way," said Katara. Nayia approached the portcullis and placed her hands upon its thick iron weave. Though she had resided here for a short while, Nayia never actually ventured out through the front gate. She began to wonder if perhaps only Hotaru could lift the gate.

"Nayia!" She heard Elm call her name. He waved his hand to her indicating that he had found something. The three girls crowded around Elm and he showed them a blood red jewel embedded in the stone wall. He moved aside so as to allow Nayia to examine it. "Doorbell?"

Biting her lower lip, Nayia reached out with her hand and placed it upon jewel. Sensing the presence of a chevalier, the red ruby pulsed and following a low creak the portcullis lowered beneath the ground. Grinning, Nayia glanced at Elm.

"Close enough." With the help of Elm, Toph and her partner managed to push one of the two large doors open just enough for them to slip in through single file. The last of them, being Elm, pulled the door to a close and joined them in the shadows. He moved past Top and Katara and knelt down beside Nayia.

He tapped her on the shoulder. "You know your way around this place right?"

"I wasn't really here all that long," she admitted. This hardly went a long way toward raising spirits. "But how hard can it be, we just have to remain unspotted-"

"HEY!" Their heads snap to their right and sure enough there stood two guards which had wandered into their presence. Nayia cursed her bad karma and they were off in a flash. The guards dropped their long spears and began unleashing bursts of intense flame. They attacks narrowly missed each of them as they ran along the extensive hallway. One such fireball singed a portion of Toph's garb.

"Yup! This takes me back!" The blind bandit whirled around, summoned a stone wall and sent it sliding furiously at their pursuers. After her initial strike, Toph raised another barrier between them and the way behind, just in case.

---AAA---

An armor clad guard walked briskly into Hotaru's throne room, though it was now Simon who sat upon the throne. Julian and Mockingbird stood off to the side, as she had been trying to explain to him (or rather lie) why the throne chair was not occupied by their goddess. The guard soon came to a stop and knelt down on his knee. Simon raised his head attentively.

"Speak."

"Chevalier Simon….." The guard paused as he noticed something strange. "W-Where is…Goddess Hotaru?"

"She is indisposed, now what is it?"

"Intruders, four of them. They entered through the main gate, we are still unsure as to the means of their entry." Simon seemed unfazed by this news. He cast a knowing look over at Mockingbird who merely shrugged.

"Bring Yue and the Chevalier who is with them to me, kill the rest."

"But…H-Hotaru, she is-"

"Busy!....At the moment," said Simon. The guard's eyes shifted to Mockingbird, whose mere hungry look impressed upon him the wisdom of not pressing the issue. He bestowed on Simon a bow and then quickly left to relay the order. Simon sat back comfortably and sighed. "Right on time."

"As I promised they would be," said Mockingbird. Julian darted a confused glare between them.

"Right on time? Promised? What are you two speaking of?" He felt two hands abruptly wrap themselves around his shoulders and upon turning his head came face to face with Mockingbird.

"You needn't worry, at our goddess' behest we are assuming control of the situation." However Julian was nobody's fool and Mockingbird's efforts to convince him were less than mediocre.

He began to shake his head. "No….." Mockingbird and Simon exchanged looks. Julian backed out of the vampiress' soft hold. He hid a hand behind his back so he could prepare a covertly made fireball. "This is treason!" he hissed. Simon rose from the throne.

"No, this is a change." He stepped down to the floor. "You can waste the rest of your life worshiping a charlatan or you can join us and expand your power to even greater heights." The fireball in Julian's grasp grew larger yet it still remained unknown to Simon and Mockingbird.

"Hotaru will quell this rebellion," said Julian confidently.

"Hotaru will shrivel and quiver like a scared child!" snapped Mockingbird. In the blink of an eye she was suddenly behind Julian. She grasped his wrist, effectively snuffing out his fireball. Pulling him close, she then spoke softly into his ear. "And you……you will bleed beside her." He then felt her warm breath on his neck and the realization that she was homing in on his most prominent vein.

"NO!" Two columns of fire unexpectedly burst from Julian's hands. The resulting shockwave reeled both Simon and Mockingbird backwards. In the resulting confusion Julian was able to slip away. The vampiress hissed angrily and darted her eyes in every direction.

"What….an annoying little boy."

"Let him go," growled Simon. "It will take far too much time for him to convince the others that our sedition is true, especially with no evidence to prove his word."

"And our guests?"

"If Hotaru's guards can't stop them we will, but we must have Yue if nobody else." Mockingbird's eyes strayed to the floor. "The Moon Crystal will respond to no other."

Hotaru's long time captive, Owens, sat in his laboratory prison working over notes and chemicals. Since his arrival, patches of his hair had grown noticeably greyer. His fingers moved beneath his glasses so that he could rub away weariness from his eyes. He took his hand away suddenly when he heard the sounds of his door being unlocked. Just as he expected, Hotaru was the one to enter but not in the manner he would have thought. Hotaru's feet carried only a miniscule amount of her weight while the rest of the burden was on Ring's senseless shoulders.

"Uhhh," mumbled the scientist. Ring gently placed her weakened mistress upon a bed off to the side. She then strode over to Owens, yanked him out of his chair, and dragged him over to Hotaru's side.

"You must begin the procedure, now."

"I…I can't."

"You will," said Ring in a monotone.

"The process is still unrefined; so many things could go wrong-Uhhh!" Ring clasped her hand around his throat. He felt her red diamond burn against his skin.

"She has not long to live, if you do not begin I will ensure that you remain alive throughout a few very excruciating weeks." Owens shook his head and looked down at Hotaru. The color was nearly drained from her face and her breathing was shallow.

"And…her host?"

"Expendable, your only concern is Hotaru."

Owens nodded sadly. "Very well."

I love and hate chapters like this, so much is happening all at once. But I'm sure its going to be great once the whole scene is done. Until next we read. Laters!