Takeo needs her alive.

That thought was the only thing that kept Zuko standing, as the slopes of the caldera grew larger. The airship had been going at a breakneck pace back from Omori, ignoring the risk of foul weather. Three days before, just after they passed the Boiling Rock, a messenger hawk from the Capital had intercepted them. Once its' terrible news was read, Atsuro drove the crew harder than ever, refusing to stop and refuel before the Capital.

Zuko paced the catwalks and chambers of the airship like a trapped animal, so oblivious to everything around him that he nearly plummeted to his death off one of the turrets. Instead of sleeping, he forced himself into a meditative pose, whispering to himself after every ragged breath: "Takeo needs her alive. Takeo needs her alive." Just as he'd once whispered, "Azula always lies." Once again, it did nothing to calm him.

Zuko dreaded seeing Mai, far more than he'd dreaded revealing Omori to Aang. He still had to tell her and Tomoru about Ukano's death, but that seemed trivial compared to what had happened in his absence. If he'd taken Mai's advice, and dealt with Takeo's treachery the moment he'd learned of it, the renegade General wouldn't have had time to make an alliance with the Dai Li. The Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom wouldn't be on the brink of a war neither of them wanted. Uncle Iroh wouldn't have been hurt, trying to protect Zuko's family. And Izumi would be safe in her bed, not in the hands of a ruthless conspirator with very little to lose...

Takeo needs her alive.

As the pagodas of the red, black and bronze palace complex came into view beyond the houses and factories, Zuko stared downward, wondering if he would see damage resulting from Iroh's battle. But the damage had been confined to the Caldera Cavern, thank the Spirits. None of the Capital's citizens had suffered for his mistakes...yet.

Ignoring the rhino offered to him by his escort, Zuko vaulted over the rails even before the airship had fully touched down. His boots pounded down the black basalt airstrip, toward the palace entrance. Atsuro's voice came from just behind him, yelling for the gates to be opened. Rushing through them and into the entrance hall, Zuko almost ran directly into General On Ji, but Suki pulled him back at the last second.

"Fire Lord." On Ji had her head bowed, but her voice was grim. "I wish your return was under better circumstances-"

"Do you know where she is?"

On Ji straightened, her eyes narrowing at his dangerous tone. "Lady Mai did everything she could to keep your family safe, Fire Lord. She isn't to blame-"

"I meant my DAUGHTER!" Zuko roared, an angry puff of flame escaping his mouth; did they actually think he blamed Mai for this? "If you've learned where she's being held, you tell me, now! if you don't, tell me where the rest of my family are, then get out of my way!"

On Ji's jaw tightened; this was probably the first time she'd seen Zuko so agitated. However, a second later, her expression softened slightly. "General Iroh and Lady Kiyi are being cared for in the Infirmary, along with Minister Tomoru. Fire Lady Mai... she's in the training arena."

Zuko hesitated for a moment. Notwithstanding his Uncle's constant, unconditional love and support, Iroh was the only other individual left in the Capital with Royal blood. Which made him Zuko's heir, if something happened to... He closed his eyes tightly. No, NO. Takeo needs her alive.

He wanted to make sure his Uncle would recover... but Mai came first. Inhaling deeply, he opened his eyes. "I'll visit the others after I've spoken with the Fire Lady. The Capital is under martial law, until I say otherwise." He brushed past On Ji, not waiting for a reply.

The evening shadows were already lengthening when Zuko reached the training arena. As he stepped through the archway, a projectile whistled past his ear, ricocheting off the wall with a metallic clang. Mai stood near the opposite wall, her back to him. Her arm was upraised, two more shuriken between her fingers. At the arena's center stood a miniature, self-loading ballista which fired stone discs; Zuko had commissioned it for Izumi, so that she could practice marksmanship with moving targets. Fragments of stone were scattered across the arena, and several throwing knives were embedded in the walls.

"Mai." Her name almost choked off in Zuko's throat. "I...I'm-"

"Don't apologize." Mai cut him off, harshly. She flicked her wrist, and a dart zipped from her flowing sleeve, striking the ballista's trigger. The bowstring thrummed, and a stone disc went whizzing across the arena. A second flick of Mai's wrist, and a shuriken shattered the disc before it could hit the far wall. "Apologies aren't going to get her back."

Zuko flinched, but he kept approaching her, cautiously. "I started back, before I even learned about the kidnapping. Nishi was the traitor all along, your suspicions were right. He nearly killed me, halfway through the battle of Omori." He took a deep breath. He dreaded laying a bereavement on Mai now, but he had vowed before their marriage that he would never keep secrets from her. "And... he took your father's life, Mai."

Mai froze, her back turned to him. After a brief pause, she hurled another set of projectiles, triggering the ballista again. "Did he...die well?"

"As well as could be expected. He volunteered to enter Omori to try and persuade the rebels to surrender, but one of Nishi's archers took him out." Zuko wasn't entirely surprised by her apathetic reaction. Although Mai wasn't nearly as hostile toward her father as Zuko was toward his, her relationship with Ukano had never been close to begin with. For her, his 'redemption' in prison had been a case of too little, too late. Besides, she had much higher priorities right now.

"Has Omori fallen?"

"...Yes. We lost a full company of Firebenders and many more injured, but-"

"Then that's one less place we'll have to search for Izumi. Do we have any other leads?" Mai kept her back turned as Zuko drew level with her.

"We know who took her. It wasn't rogue Earthbenders or soldiers from Omashu, that attacked Hira'a. It was the Dai Li. They never disbanded, after Azula banished them during Sozin's Comet; they've been operating in hiding somewhere, who knows for how long. But Takeo has them working for him, they helped him and his troops escape Omori before the attack even started. They've been playing us and the Earth Kingdom against each other, from the start."

Mai half-turned, not meeting his gaze. Her grey eyes were red-rimmed, but dry; her mouth was set in a thin line. "How did you learn this?"

"Ty Lee left us a clue." Zuko put his hand on her shoulder. "You were right to send her to Omori, after all; she left us the evidence we need to stop war with the Earth Kingdom-"

"Where is she?"

Zuko closed his eyes impatiently. Ty Lee's whereabouts were not his first concern, right now. "We still don't know where she is, or if she's still alive. But Suki found the body of her apprentice, killed in an avalanche-"

Mai brushed his hand away. "First, Jeonsa and Ty Lee. Next, my father and dozens of troops. And now, Takeo has the Dai Li and our daughter at his disposal? I keep trying to forgive your mistakes, Zuko, but when they cost us this much, it gets harder and harder." She glanced up at him momentarily; her eyes were like flint. "You let your guard down."

"I never thought they'd risk coming after Izumi in the Capital. I should have expected it-"

"Yes. You should have. But you didn't." Mai's voice was cold and flat, as it was whenever she'd lost her patience. "Just like you should have arrested Takeo, the moment Tomoru found his connection to the New Ozai Society. Just like you should have heeded my warnings about Nishi and Tianze-"

"Tianze had nothing to do with Takeo's conspiracy! He's a fool, but he's honorable; if anything, he helped save lives at Omori!" Zuko bristled angrily. "As for Nishi, I recall you approving his battle plan, before I even returned from the United Republic!"

Mai's eyes flashed. "I advocated for the plan, not the man who created it. You knew he and Tianze had a prior connection to Takeo, you could have detained them both as a security measure before you went to Omori. But you took the risk of trusting them on the battlefield-"

"What do you WANT from me?!" Zuko's voice suddenly rose to a shout. "You don't want my apologies, you don't want my excuses, I get that! I would wipe out Takeo in a second if I knew where he is, but since the Dai Li took our daughter away from you, that's not an option! SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!"

He swept his fist sideways, and a burst of flame shot across the arena, narrowly missing the trebuchet. Mai didn't flinch, but Zuko noticed her expression and immediately regretted his outburst. Despite her distant relationship with their daughter, he knew she would have cut her own throat, rather than surrender Izumi willingly. "If you want me to go and lay my head on Takeo's chopping block in exchange for Izumi, I'll do it. You know I will, Mai. In a heartbeat." He sighed and pressed his fingers to his temples. "But.. we have no guarantee that that will bring her back safely either. And we need to consider those, whom we're accountable to-"

"I'm not asking you to give Takeo what he wants." Mai turned away. "As soon as we have a lead, I'm going to get Izumi back myself."

Zuko blinked and lowered his hands, startled. This was a surprising choice, for his usually-cautious wife. "Mai, you can't go after her alone. And Suki can't help you, she's needed on Kiyoshi Island, now that the Earth Kingdom's broken diplomatic relations with us-"

"I don't need Suki, or any other backup." Mai cut him off. "I was friends with your sister, for most of my youth; I know everything I need to about stealth." She triggered the ballista again, scoring yet another hit with one of her sai.

Zuko shook his head. "You never fought the Dai Li, Mai. They were masters of stealth even before they served under Azula, and we have no idea what their numbers are. You could get past Takeo's Firebenders, but the Dai Li wouldn't let you within twenty feet of Izumi." He tried to meet her gaze, but she kept looking away, towards Izumi's ballista. "Mai... why won't you look at me?"

"Because when I look at you, I see her!" Mai snapped suddenly, spinning around. She jerked her pointed chin, indicating the burn-scar running from the bridge of Zuko's nose to his left ear. "I see your face... and I see what they might do to her, because I overreacted. Because I couldn't keep my emotions in check." She clenched her fist around a shuriken, not noticing as the multiple points dug into her palm, drawing blood.

"What... do you mean?"

"I took the Earthbenders' leader hostage, just before they fled. I tried to force an exchange, on the one who had Izumi- Genpei, they called him. I threatened his officer's life, and I couldn't let him think I was bluffing. So when he turned and ran with her, I acted. I didn't think, I just acted." Mai's voice was tight in her throat. "If the Dai Li have her, and they want retribution for the one I killed..."

Zuko's insides twisted at that thought, but he focused on the mantra: Takeo needs her alive. Killing Izumi would endanger the succession, but it wouldn't overthrow the current government, and anyway, Takeo was more ambitious than that. He tore a strip from the edge of his military cloak and gently took Mai's injured hand, wrapping the fabric around it. The simple task calmed his nerves a bit, brought his focus back to what mattered. "They need her unharmed, Mai. Takeo will have given the Dai Li orders to take Izumi alive. He can't afford to harm her, if he wants to bend me to his will. And if we can get her back before that..."

Mai finally met his eyes. After a pause, she squeezed Zuko's hand, but only briefly. "We will get her back." Her voice was fierce. "Kiyi and Iroh almost gave their lives, trying to keep her out of Takeo's hands. You and I can do no less." Letting go, she strode across the arena to retrieve her weapons.

Zuko felt a fresh pang of guilt. In his terror over Izumi's abduction, he'd barely spared a thought for his uncle and half-sister. "I haven't seen them yet. How are they?"

"Kiyi's bruised, plus a broken wrist and a few minor burns, but she'll be fine." Mai picked up the sai and slid it back into her sash. "Iroh... I'm not sure. The attackers had a Combustionbender with them. One of her bolts exploded right next to him, caved in part of the main chamber-"

"Takeo sent a Combustionbender into the Caldera Cavern? They could have killed everyone there, including themselves!"

Mai's eyes flashed reproachfully again. "We always knew Takeo is a risky gambler- and your uncle paid for it. He's been unconscious since the attack. That kind of injury, at his age..." She noticed Zuko's expression and shook her head. "Avenging the attack on Iroh won't help us now, Zuko. We don't have any leverage against Takeo...yet."

Zuko inhaled deeply through his nose, fighting to calm the fresh rage welling up in his chest. The urge to strike back somehow, even at someone as unimportant as Nishi, was overwhelming, but Mai was right: it wouldn't impede Takeo's plans in the slightest. "What about your brother, is he all right?"

"Tomoru has a concussion, but he's recovering. He's eaten up with guilt; he says he tried to lead Izumi to safety, but she wouldn't listen." Mai's eyes were bright. "They were both in the ventilation shaft when the Combustionbender attacked, and the blast must have knocked them out..." She broke off.

Zuko felt tears sting his maimed eye, but he forced them back. "She...she didn't want to leave her mother behind. She didn't want to lose you." He put his arms around his wife's rigid shoulders. "You already said it, Mai. We will get her back. Together."

Tomoru was resting on his elbows on a futon, bandages wound around his brow. Livid bruising still showed around his left eye and the bridge of his nose. When Mai and Zuko entered the Infirmary, he immediately began to pull himself upright.

Mai rotated her forearm, and two darts snagged each of Tomoru's sleeves, pinning him to the bed. "Dr. Haruyama told you not to get up."

"I'm fine, Sis." Tomoru caught Zuko's eye briefly, then looked away. "Zuko, I..." he bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes. "I tried to get her away, to safety-"

"You're not a fighter, Tom, and they didn't come to negotiate. Neither of us blames you." Mai put her hand on Tomoru's shoulder, gently but firmly pushing him back against the futon. She glanced up at Zuko. "You go visit Iroh and Kiyi, I'll stay and fill Tomoru in."

Zuko swept past them into the next room, sliding the door shut behind him. Most of the medical staff were gathered by a series of shelves on the far wall, housing mixing bowls, bandages, medical instruments, and various bundles of medicinal herbs. Dr. Haruyama was washing her hands in a basin held by an attendant, while another incinerated used bandages with Firebending.

The two patients were lying on futons near the door. Kiyi was on the nearest one, her face bandaged across the nose and her wrist in a splint. Half-healed burns marked her cheek and collarbone. As Zuko approached, her eyelids flickered open. When she saw him, she started to sit up, then let out a gasp of pain as her injured wrist pressed against the mattress.

One of the attendants scurried over. "Lady Kiyi, you were told not to exert yourself!" Noticing Zuko, he immediately bowed low. "Oh, Spirits. I'm sorry, Fire Lord, I didn't realize-"

Zuko ignored the blustering attendant and crouched next to his sister's bed, carefully moving her arm into a more comfortable position. "How're you feeling, Kiyi?"

She glanced at her bandaged and splinted forearm and grimaced. "My face isn't as bad as it looks, but I broke my radius when I hit the bunker wall. The doctor's been giving me infusions for the pain."

Zuko winced guiltily. "Looks like you put up a Hell of a fight."

Kiyi managed a weak smile as she lay back. "I wish. Mai and Iroh did most of it." She closed her eyes, and tears rolled down her face. "I'm so sorry, Zuzu. We tried to keep her safe, and it wasn't enough."

"You did everything you could." Zuko leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Just rest. Mai and I will deal with this."

However, his own reassurance failed him as he approached the next futon. Iroh looked... so very vulnerable. Of course, Zuko had towered over his uncle since age fifteen, but he'd never thought of the old general as small, much less frail. Iroh's face was ashen, much of it discolored by bruises; the right half of his face was swathed in salves, compresses and bandages. More bandages were visible under the edge of his blanket, holding his right arm rigidly to his side. His breath came slowly, rattling in his throat.

"The Combustionbender's attack left some burns on his arm and lower ribs- luckily, my resin-based salves can take care of those." Dr. Haruyama joined Zuko, her copper eyes grim behind her spectacles. "However, the concussive force of the explosion dislocated his right shoulder. Falling debris broke several ribs and cracked his skull, as well. He's breathing, but shows no sign of regaining consciousness. We've tried various scented materials to try and bring him to, but nothing's succeeded so far."

Zuko crouched and squeezed Iroh's left hand gently. It was cold to touch; that was a bad sign, especially for a Firebender. "What do you think his chances are?"

"I managed to set his bones and tendons back into place, but even if he revives... At his age, I'm not certain he'll make a full recovery. The Healers from the Water Tribes or the United Republic may be able to do more for him; the Fire Lady's already sent them hawk-messengers."

Zuko bit his lip at the words 'if he revives'. He sat cross-legged next to his uncle's bed, still gripping his hand. "Please do everything you can for him, in the meantime. The future of the Fire Nation may depend on it."

A wry look flicked across the doctor's face. "That's quite a change from when your daughter was born, Fire Lord. Become more practical about the matter of succession, have you?"

Zuko shot her a glare. If she wasn't Iroh's best chance of survival, he would have dismissed her immediately for that remark. "I'd like a moment alone with my uncle, Doctor. Thank you for your service."

Bowing curtly, Haruyama headed to Tomoru's room, followed by her attendants. Zuko turned his gaze back to Iroh, silently willing the golden eyes to open, but the old General's face was still.

"...You always told me what the right thing to do was, especially when I didn't want to hear it. You never gave up on me, no matter how many times I took you for granted, abandoned you, stabbed you in the back. All you asked for after the war, was to return to your tea-shop... But when I asked you back to the Capital to teach Izumi, still you never refused either of us. And now you've suffered for it... again."

Zuko clenched his jaw, but the tears that had been threatening earlier blurred his vision. "No more, Uncle. I won't force you to take the throne, in the event of my death. I won't let your protection of my family be in vain. You might not be able to advise me this time, but I know what I have to do." He pressed Iroh's worn, calloused hand to his brow. "Thank you for saving my life... through three years of exile, and afterwards."

Wiping his eyes, he stood up and returned to the next room. Tomoru was laying back on his futon, finally asleep, but tear-tracts marked his face. Mai's head was bowed, her hand resting on his shoulder.

Zuko sighed as he drew level with her. "You told him about Ukano?"

"Yes." Mai squeezed her brother's shoulder briefly and rose. "He's too exhausted to grieve properly now, though. I knew he'd take it harder- he was always closer to Father than I was." As they left the Infirmary, the four Imperial Firebenders outside the door fell into step on either side of them.

"Do you plan to tell your mother?"

"She doesn't even know he was transferred out of the Boiling Rock. My uncle can send her a message, when there's a better time." Mai glanced meaningfully at him. "We need to make sure the government's in order, before we begin our search for Izumi. I ordered both your Ministries to be summoned, when you arrived. They're probably waiting for us now-"

"Fire Lord!" A young man wearing Navy armor rushed up to them, prostrating himself before Zuko. "I apologize for the interruption, but I was given this scroll by one of my crew and told to pass it along. She said it had something to do with your daughter's whereabouts!" He extended his hand, holding out a small scroll. The wax seal bore the shape of a kirin- Takeo's personal standard.

Zuko stared at him suspiciously. "The name and rank of the sailor who gave that to you?"

The sailor's over-eager expression became apprehensive, then frightened. "I... don't know, I'm sorry! She was a new transfer from another ship-"

"Your name, rank and ship?"

"G-Gunner Metsuji from the Kaga, but-"

Zuko turned to the Imperial Firebenders. "Take Gunner Metsuji into custody. Lock down the Kaga and detain its' crew, immediately. After you've searched every inch of the ship, have the Home Guard bring the crew before Metsuji in a lineup. See if he can identify the one who gave him this scroll; that'll be another of Takeo's agents. If Metsuji doesn't identify anyone, arrest him as the traitor instead."

The guards hauled a protesting Metsuji upright and escorted him away. Zuko ripped the seal off the scroll and unrolled it. The message sent a double surge of anger and fear through his heart:

To the Impostor Fire Lord, Zuko,

Your daughter is being held near Zamyn Togsgol in the Dragon's Back Mountains. Commandeer one of your war balloons and travel there as quickly as possible, alone; we will settle our differences when you arrive, by Agni Kai. Ignore this message, or make any attempt to attack my position, and the girl dies.

-General Takeo.

He frowned as he surveyed the characters. "Odd... these don't look handwritten, more like they were made by a printing press."

Mai took the scroll from him, scanning it rapidly. "How... did Takeo managed to get this message to us within hours of your arrival? Clearly, he still has spies in the Capital, but the timing indicates that he has some advanced form of long-distance communications. Unless we find and confiscate it, he'll probably know we're coming as soon as we leave the Capital."

Zuko nodded. Takeo was drawing them into a trap, no question. But now that they knew where Izumi was, neither of them would be willing to stay behind. "Have you ever heard of Zamyn Togsgol?"

"No, but there's hardly any settlements in the Dragon's Back. It should be easy to find on a map." Mai slipped the scroll into her sleeve. "We should go present this to the Twin Ministries. Once we've informed them of our plans for the government in our absence, we can prepare for our departure."

"I'll join you in the Throne Room shortly. There's someone I need to speak with first." A frightening suspicion was growing in Zuko's mind. On the surface, Iroh's near-mortal injuries seemed like collateral damage, but Takeo had made it clear he was targeting various members of the Royal Family. And with his description of Zuko as 'the Impostor Fire Lord'...

"Where are you going?"

"To the Grey Tower."

Built into the stone rim of the city's caldera, the Grey Tower was the Capital's oldest prison, though much of the facility had fallen into disrepair. After Zuko's coronation, he'd reassigned most of the guards and released more than half the inmates. Many had been imprisoned simply for speaking out against the tyranny of previous Fire Lords. Most of the rest were transferred to the more comfortable- and more secure- Boiling Rock. Now, only one prisoner remained in the Grey Tower.

Escorted by the four remaining guards, Zuko hurried up a winding staircase until he reached the topmost corridor of the complex. He tossed a flame into the torch-bracket on the wall, illuminating the bars of the single cell- and the hunched figure inside it.

"Leave us." His voice echoed harshly off the damp stone walls. The guards bowed silently and withdrew.

"It's been some time, since you've dared to come here." A rasping, malevolent voice chuckled. "I heard you'd been away for a while... but within the last few days, the guards on my cell have been doubled. What conspiracy are you going to accuse me of this time? Did I try, yet again, to murder that wretch you call your wife?"

"Uncle was injured, trying to protect Mai and Kiyi-"

"Don't mention your mother's bastard in my presence."

Zuko felt a bloom of hot anger in his chest. "I could have you hanging by the arms, with red-hot tongs against the soles of your feet, in five minutes."

The figure tensed, then waved a hand dismissively. "You abolished torture, or so I heard-"

"No one who's aware of it would object. Your guards were chosen from families who suffered the most under your reign, to ensure they would never set you free or conspire with you."

"And yet, if you're here... someone must have got past you, despite all your precautions. So naturally, you suspect they may have acted on my orders." Ozai scoffed, shuffling forward until the light fell on him. "If you proceed with torture, you'll gain nothing except denials- if I last long enough for them, anyway." He gestured at his withered frame, by now several inches shorter than his son's. The skin was stretched tight around his skull, and his long grey hair and beard were matted and lank. But the golden eyes, surrounded by deep hollows, still had a gleam of cruel intelligence in them. "I have no advantage to gain, by withholding information from you. Why don't you tell me what this is all really about? You've asked for my counsel before-"

"The last time I took your advice, I almost started a war." Zuko gritted his teeth. "Nonetheless, I do have something to ask you about: General Takeo. I suspect he's been communicating with you the entire time."

"That upstart?" Ozai's eyes flashed angrily. "Don't mention him in the same breath as me. He thought he was fit to take total command of the Army, after he failed time and again to take Ba Sing Se. And then, when Azula finally succeeded where he and Iroh both failed, Takeo had the gall to deride her as a child, claimed she hadn't earned her place on the battlefield."

"Then you haven't heard anything from him?"

"That would only be possible if his messages came through my guards. As you just observed, you made a point of selecting those that are least likely to show me favor. In any case, Takeo has no reason to feel any loyalty toward me. You know very well that I was the one who relieved him of his command, at the height of his military career. He never forgave me for that."

Zuko reluctantly conceded that point. Takeo's grudge against Ozai was part of the reason Zuko had originally offered him a second chance. But Takeo was contradictory and devious to the extreme; he and Ozai had that in common. "He sheltered the members of the New Ozai Society when their founder- his former friend, Ukano- turned his back on them. And in the last few months, he's targeted every member of the Royal Family in the Capital... except you."

"Perhaps he's saving me for last." Ozai shrugged mockingly. "Takeo comes from an upstart family, one of the oldest of the 'Warrior Clans'; they live to fight. They didn't respect the Fire Lord's power, unless it was demonstrated regularly. At first, this was maintained through the early Fire Lords' special relationship with the Sun Warriors and the Dragons. But since the Sun Warriors were isolated from everyone except the Fire Lords, overtime that became largely forgotten, and the warrior class became restless. Then... my grandfather Sozin came to the throne. After eliminating first the Air Nomads and then the Dragons, he used his war of conquest to unite the clans under one banner again. That kept most of them in line for the next century, but as victory drew nearer, their greed for the spoils of war grew. During my father Azulon's reign, Takeo rose through the ranks rapidly, winning battle after battle against the Earth Kingdom's armies. Reports came back to the palace that Takeo was displaying his clan's personal crest, the kirin, above the triple flame banner of the Royal Family. I warned Father and Iroh that this meant trouble, but they both dismissed me as the jealous younger son. After Iroh's defeat at Ba Sing Se, there was no other General who could compare to Takeo. Azulon was in ill health by then, and I knew Takeo's prestige and popularity would endanger the succession. So I acted quickly, to secure my family's position-"

"Secure your family's position?" Zuko repeated incredulously. "Don't feed me lies about why you usurped your brother, and poisoned your father! You did that because my mother made a deal with you, to spare my life-"

"A deal I've obviously regretted, ever since." Ozai spat back. "But, continuing from before you interrupted me: I dismissed Takeo from his command, within two years of my coronation. He never publicly protested, but I knew his ambitions would never be checked, unless he and his line were wiped out. I planned to deal with him and his son, after the return of Sozin's Comet. But then the Avatar stripped me of my bending, and you stepped in... leaving what was left of our family vulnerable. You gave Takeo time, to re-build his position of strength and influence."

"He doesn't have as much influence as you think." Zuko growled. "He's on the run, been declared a war criminal. He only has about two division's worth of followers at his disposal-"

"And yet, if his position is so weak... what makes him such a threat, that you would ask me for help?"

Zuko closed his eyes. It repulsed him to no end, that he was seeking this monster's advice. "Until recently, he was part of a secret that could damage our diplomacy with the other nations, and the Avatar. That no longer matters... But now, Takeo has my daughter. My only heir."

His father scoffed. "You only produced one? And, you allowed Takeo to get his hands on her? Your irresponsibility never ceases to amaze me-"

"SHUT UP!" Zuko roared, a jet of flame flying from his fingers and scorching the far wall, narrowly missing the edge of Ozai's prison tunic. "IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER BUT INSULTS-" He caught himself. Ozai had been right, torturing him would gain nothing. "You'd never understand how I feel about her, you never loved either of your children. But if we'd both been out of your reach, threatened with death... if the only way to save at least one of us, was to surrender yourself to your greatest enemy... would you have done it? For the sake of succession, for the sake of your family?"

Ozai paused, then turned away. "If our dynasty became too weak, it would be unworthy of survival. You were weak initially, but when I forced you into exile, it made you stronger... though not enough. Azula, on the other hand... she only ever showed weakness once."

Zuko blinked, confused. He hadn't really wanted to bring up Azula; he'd barely spoken about her in years, hadn't heard from her since her disappearance after the Kemurikage incident. But his sister was the one thing Ozai took pride in besides himself- the one thing he might have held affection for, during his reign. He leaned forward. "When... did Azula ever show weakness, in your eyes?"

"That isn't your concern. She's vanished into exile now, probably succumbed to madness." Ozai snapped. "But as for the weakness itself: when it happened, she cut it away and never looked back. Made herself worthy as my heir, while you were off chasing the Avatar. She couldn't be trusted while I was in my prime, she was just as ambitious as I had been. But if I had been able to live out my life on the throne... if I'd become vulnerable in my old age, and needed a strong successor to ensure our family's continuation... I would have been honored, if Azula had usurped me." He turned around, his cold eyes boring into Zuko's. "If you have the means to keep our family on the throne through the next generation, and the strength to carry out those means... let nothing stop you."

By nightfall, the Throne Room was lit only by a handful of lamps, but Mai didn't bother to ignite the fire-trench; she preferred the shadows anyway. She watched from the throne, as the Twin Ministries of War and Peace argued across the great table- civilian ministers and representatives on the right, military on the left. Some of them had been at the Siege of Omori, some with her in the Capital, when Izumi was taken. Now, they bickered over strategy while they waited for Zuko.

Mai couldn't be bothered to fill them in right now, just as she couldn't be bothered to grieve for her father yet. Her brother might think her cold, but after Ukano had sacrificed their childhood for his political ascendancy, after what his ingratitude and treachery toward Zuko could have caused... He'd always been a fool. A brave fool, that was his one redeeming feature. And of course it had led to his downfall, even when he'd tried to redeem himself.

She pushed Ukano to the back of her mind; if she found any tears for him, she would shed them later. Especially after Nishi's treachery, and Takeo's sudden message, she couldn't show any vulnerability in front of the military. Both Nishi and Metsuji were in the custody of the Home Guard, now; leaving them with the Army or Navy, whose commanders were dominated by the warrior class, was too risky. If a high-ranking officer like Nishi was under Takeo's influence, there was no telling how many subordinates he'd poisoned against Zuko. But General On Ji was from Mai and Zuko's generation, and reform-minded. Her Home Guard would oversee martial law, alongside the regular military; if a coup happened in Zuko's absence, the plotters would have to fight every step of the way.

Unfortunately, using the Kiyoshi Warriors wasn't an option anymore, Mai mused. Her eyes fell on the green-robed, armored figures at the base of the dais. Suki was a longtime friend who supported Zuko's diplomatic policies, but she and her Kiyoshi followers were Earth Citizens, and their first obligation was to their homeland. If war was declared, they would be recalled to Kiyoshi Island. Not that Mai herself would be in the Capital much longer, either. Now that they knew where Takeo was, no protests or reproaches from the government would keep her and Zuko from going after Izumi.

Forsaking her position as Regent was easy enough; Zuko had declared martial law, so at least there was a backup system of order in place, and the Fire Nation's borders would be secure. The only trouble, as Zuko had pointed out, was that they didn't have a clear alternative to lead the government, long-term. Martial law would keep order for now, but if the crisis continued indefinitely it would create unrest. And if... she closed her eyes tightly, but forced herself to consider the awful thought. If Takeo succeeded in wiping out both her husband and her daughter, if Iroh died and there was nothing left of the monarchy, the Fire Nation might collapse into chaos. Or, if the military became desperate to hold onto their power in the face of civilian protest, it might evolve into a dictatorship. After all the efforts she and Zuko had made to give their people a voice, she couldn't let them slide back into that kind of tyranny.

Finally, Zuko entered the Throne Room. He'd changed out of his military garb, but rather than the ornate trappings of the Fire Lord he wore a simple travel robe, though the five-pronged headpiece still gleamed in his topknot. His dual dao swords hung on either side of his belt. As one, the assembly rose and bowed their heads silently. Zuko didn't apologize for his delay, and there were no offers of concern for Iroh or reassurances of Izumi's safety; everyone knew now wasn't the time. The various ministers watched Zuko expectantly as he sat down next to Mai, but he seemed unable to form words.

Mai knew Zuko had nothing but good intentions for his people, but he was still too trusting- despite what his father had done to him, despite the way Azula had manipulated him for years. And in his trust, he'd forgiven people he shouldn't have, people who now had their hands around Izumi's throat. She knew Zuko's guilt over that must be eating him alive, as it had been to her since the abduction; she could still see the anguish in his eyes now. But she hardened her heart, forced her feelings beneath the surface. She would fully forgive him- and herself- only after Izumi was safe.

Jee finally caught her eye, and she nodded briefly. The Grand Admiral bowed to her and Zuko again, then turned to the assembly. "Members of the Twin Ministries, we are in the midst of a grave crisis. For those who aren't fully aware, the Fire Lord has been conducting a secret campaign against Fort Omori, a wartime fortress in the Western Air Nomad Lands. Until recently, Omori was controlled by General Takeo, but his recently-uncovered treachery forced us to assault it. Omori has fallen, but Takeo and his followers have escaped. Based on his message to the Fire Lord, we believe they're hiding in the Dragon's Back Mountains, somewhere between the Earth Kingdom and the Northern Air Temple. Takeo's escape was made possible, through his alliance with a rogue faction of the Dai Li." He raised his hand to stifle curses and gasps of surprise. "Takeo... Takeo is also responsible for the abduction of the Fire Lord's only child and heir, Princess Izumi. Coupled with the Fire Nation's recent tensions with the Earth Kingdom, and General Iroh's injuries, this puts both our monarchy and our government in dire circumstances indeed."

After a measured pause, On Ji spoke up. "If it's the Dai Li that are responsible for conspiring with Takeo, we should inform the Earth King at once. If they're undermining his rule, and that of his vassals, he should be made aware-"

"The Earth King has broken diplomatic relations with us." The Foreign Minister, a middle-aged woman named Byakuren, interrupted her. "We now only have communication with Ba Sing Se through the United Republic Council, and even that is limited."

"And given Takeo's demands, publicly exposing the Dai Li would risk Izumi's life." Mai added curtly.

On Ji bowed hastily. "My apologies, Fire Lady. I didn't mean to imply that her safety wasn't our highest priority-"

"I know what you meant. And I know that most of you are more concerned for the safety of your Nation than for hers. Which... is understandable. But Izumi's safety is intertwined with that of the Fire Nation; both are of prime importance."

"Hear, hear." General Tianze thumped his fist on the table.

"What's the situation abroad?" Zuko finally spoke, addressing Byakuren.

"The Southern Water Tribe has confirmed its' defensive alliance with us, should Ba Sing Se or any of its' vassals declare war or make any unprovoked attacks." Byakuren steepled her fingers together. "The United Republic has confirmed its' neutrality, but its' ruling Council has been reduced to three and both the Avatar and Katara have left Republic City. Toph Beifong claims they're on an emergency diplomatic mission, but we haven't had any sightings of them since their departure. The Northern Water Tribe, on the other hand, signed a defensive alliance with the Earth Kingdom."

"No surprise there. I'm sure the Northerners haven't forgotten Zhao's siege." Zuko shook his head."Aang must be trying to talk the Earth King down. Speaking of which, is there any news on that front?"

"The Earth Kingdom's Council member in Republic City was recalled, but not their Ambassador; our Council member, Tanken, managed to speak with him briefly. King Kuei is now accusing the Fire Nation of making an attack on a village in the Dragon's Back Mountains. I assumed this attack was either false, or carried out by Takeo to fan the flames between us and the Earth Kingdom." Byakuren glanced up at the throne. "In addition... Kuei declared an embargo, shortly after he broke off communication. All Fire Nation ships in Earth Kingdom ports are to be confiscated, and any incoming ships will be turned back. Not all of Ba Sing Se's vassal states have obeyed this order, but Puyo and Gaoling both have. Combined with Omashu and Ba Sing Se, that accounts for at least two-thirds of our trade with the Earth Kingdom."

"Have we responded in kind to the embargo?" Zuko pulled at his beard, his forehead knotted with stress.

"Yes. All Earth Kingdom ships still in our ports have been similarly seized, on Fire Lady Mai's orders...although I advised against it." Byakuren shot Mai a reproachful look, which she ignored. "Given that most of Princess Izumi's abductors were Earthbenders, we suspected she might be in the Earth Kingdom. And now that we know she's in the hands of the Dai Li, we should offer King Kuei reconciliation, if we want him to allow us passage to pursue Izumi and Takeo-"

"No." Zuko cut her off. "Our embargo continues, until diplomatic relations are restored. Even if this is resolved peacefully, there's no guarantee that we'll recover our goods or our trade agreements, post-conflict. Besides, as far as Takeo knows, we haven't learned about his partnership with the Dai Li. If we escalate this conflict with Kuei, in every way short of open war, it may lull him into a sense of false security."

"Many shipments across the world are already being disrupted by Kuei's actions. If we do the same-"

"Kuei made that choice, even if he was being misled." Zuko's voice was firm. "No violence will be taken, but the embargo stands. Any ships whose goods aren't meant for the Fire Nation can be re-routed though Republic City- thank the Spirits Aang and I spent most of last year, expanding its' port facilities. Continue to enforce the embargo- except any vessels from Kyoshi Island." He glanced apologetically at Suki. "Suki, you and your Warriors are released from my family's service; if this does escalate into a war, you shouldn't be caught between two sides. But I do have one final request for you: if you're able to do so quietly, go to Kuei and show him the same evidence you showed me."

Suki bowed. "Anything to further the peace, Zuko." She turned to Mai and bowed again. "Mai... it's been an honor. If we learn anything about Izumi, we'll let you know at once, to Hell with Kuei's orders."

Mai nodded back, briefly. It had taken her and Suki a long time to trust each other, but the Kiyoshi woman had proven a loyal friend and confidant. "Go with our love, Suki. Keep your people safe."

As soon as Suki left the Throne Room, Tianze rose. "What do our spies say about Earth Kingdom mobilization?"

He'd been waiting until Suki was gone to ask that question, Mai mused. None of the older Generals or Admirals trusted her association with the Kiyoshi Warriors, seeing them as foreign spies. In fact, at first it had been the reverse; Mai had spied on Suki until she was assured of her trust. In any case, she'd kept the Kiyoshi well away from her brother Tomoru and his spy networks. She leaned forward. "One-third of Ba Sing Se's troops have been mobilized and sent west, to join the Army of Omashu. Gaoling has mobilized its' army and joined them as well. Puyo has also mobilized, but General Fong seems to be sending his new conscripts north instead of southwest."

"Hmm." Tianze nodded, pulling at his silvery mustache. "Either Fong's volunteered to hunt down Takeo's followers, in the name of the Earth King... or, he's in cahoots with Takeo and the Dai Li. Either way, the Army of Puyo is an enemy force. Where do we deploy?"

"Haven't you been listening?!" Byakuren threw him an incredulous look. "We're doing everything we can to prevent war here-"

"Not one but two of our generals have turned traitor, and kidnapped the heir to the throne!" Tianze snapped. "And they're on Earth Kingdom soil- how else do you propose we get her back?!"

"By diplomacy! With the Earth King's resources and authority, we can cover ground much more quickly, cut off the conspirators' escape easier! That's why the Fire Lord asked the Kiyoshi Warriors to inform the Earth King-"

"He asked them to do so, only if they can inform Kuei quietly." On Ji interrupted. "The Dai Li had a vast spy network at their disposal, during the war, and they may still. They'll know of any Fire Nationals landing on Earth Kingdom soil long before we get close to Takeo. And if we negotiate a public peace with Kuei, we'll have to reveal Takeo's conspiracy as the cause; that might provoke him to kill Princess Izumi. "

Mai closed her eyes briefly, fighting to keep her breathing calm and even. She had been trying very hard not to think about that possibility. Her hands gripped together so tightly, her knuckles went white. She needed to get out of here, to find those monsters who had taken her child. She caught Zuko's eye briefly, knew he was thinking the same thing.

"Our esteemed Home Guard Commander is right." Jee rose again. "Short of going to war or playing directly into Takeo's hands, we need a stealth-based expeditionary force, if we're going after the Princess. And stealth isn't exactly our Army's strong suit, except for the Yuyan Archers-"

"We won't need an expeditionary force, Admiral." Zuko interrupted. He turned to Atsuro. "Commander, I need you to requisition an observation balloon, and two of your best Air Scouts."

"Of course, Fire Lord, but what for?"

"Fire Lady Mai and I are going to the Dragon's Back Mountains, alone." Immediately, Zuko had to raise his voice against shouts of protest. "I know it seems ill-chosen, but-"

"Ill- chosen?!" Repeated Aju, the Governor of Ember Island. "You've placed us under martial law, upheld a mutual embargo on the Earth Kingdom, increased tensions to the point of war, and now you're leaving the government leaderless?! This is a recipe for disaster! And if Takeo captures both of you and eliminates the monarchy in one stroke-"

"Iroh is still alive." An edge of impatience was entering Zuko's tone. "He has an older claim to the throne than mine, and the Imperial Firebenders will guard him with their lives. If Izumi, Mai and I are killed, he's next in the succession-"

"Iroh is old, there's no guarantee he will recover, and his only child is long dead." Jee interrupted. "Besides, Takeo's forces are some of the Army's best veterans; even if you could defeat them all, there's still the Dai Li. I'm sorry, Fire Lord, but I can't advise you to enter the Earth Kingdom as fugitives, alone-"

"Why not?" Mai cut him off. "Zuko did exactly that when he was sixteen, when both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom wanted his head. And you do remember who helped Azula take Ba Sing Se without a shot fired?"

A wry smile twitched the corner of Zuko's mouth briefly. Jee looked chagrined, but he held firm. "Forgive me, Fire Lady. But that was before Zuko was crowned Fire Lord, before the entire world knew his face. He will easily be recognized-"

"We're taking that chance." Mai swept her eyes across the table, from one minister to the next. "For those of you who have children, which is more than half of you... you know exactly why Zuko and I don't have any choice in this matter." She was relieved that her voice stayed steady. "To secure the Capital, we'll seal off the Great Harbor; all United Republic and Water-Tribe ships will be diverted to secondary ports." She met On Ji's eyes. "No one else gets near Iroh or the rest of the government, you understand?"

The Home Guard commander bowed her head. Zuko glanced at the Navy, Army and Air Fleet leaders. "Tianze, you'll be in charge of nominating Nishi's successor as commander of the Second Army. The First Army will remain under your command, ready to defend against any attack on the southern islands- including the Sun Warriors' homeland." Tianze nodded gruffly. "Atsuro, you'll continue patrolling the skies over the Fire Nation by balloon, but hold your airships in reserve. If any military force without my personal banner approaches the coast, you send them to the sea-bed. Jee, raise the Gates of Azulon and lay mines across the harbor; that should secure the sea-approach to the Capital. Use the rest of your fleet to patrol our coastlines and reinforce our maritime borders against any incursions by the Earth Kingdom."

Jee's iron-grey eyebrows were still furrowed in concern. "Zuko, my Fleet is three times the size of the Earth King's, and much more powerful. We could spare enough ships to at least provide you and Mai with a Naval escort-"

"An escort would only draw attention to us." Mai shook her head. "A distraction, on the other hand...Send four corvettes to the coast of the Hu Xin province, nearest to the Dragon's Back Mountains. If they create a diversionary skirmish there, it will give the two of us time to slip across the border by balloon. The Dragon's Back is sparsely inhabited, so we should be able to avoid civilization until we reach this 'Zamyn Togsgol'."

Zuko glanced at Mai, and she nodded. They'd had a contingency plan formed, years before; no one knew if it would work, but now was the time. Zuko rose, removing the headpiece from his topknot. Mai did the same with hers, then both tossed the decorative pins onto the table below.

"As of this moment, I am no longer Regent. Martial law will continue under the council leadership of Admiral Jee, Generals On Ji and Tianze, and Commander Atsuro- but Byakuren will retain her authority as Foreign Minister. If we or Izumi don't return..." The words almost caught in her throat. "...And the succession dies with Iroh, the monarchy will be abolished. There will be an election among the Twin Ministries to determine the next Regent. This will ensure that our reforms stand, and that future ones can be made if necessary, without totally destroying the structure of the government."

There was astonished murmuring among the assembly. Byakuren cleared her throat. "My Lord, my Lady... forgive me, but this seems extremely risky. Should this... experiment fail, with the monarchy gone, the Fire Nation may collapse-"

"I'm sorry, but this is our final decision." Zuko replied firmly. "Each of you has done your duties diligently, and with honor, throughout my reign. Until we return- if we return- my final command as Fire Lord, is that you show my successor the same honesty and loyalty you've always shown me. For the good of our people-"

At that moment, the main door burst open and two of the Imperial Firebenders rushed into the Throne Room. Before they had even prostrated themselves before the dais, one of them began to speak. "Forgive the intrusion, Fire Lord, I know you requested no interruptions. But..." He paused to catch his breath. "You have visitors, and they refused to wait."

Alarmed, Mai twitched her wrist; under her sleeve, a pair of shuriken slid between her fingers. Were Takeo and the Dai Li sending them another unpleasant surprise?

But the couple who entered weren't Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation. The woman wore fur-trimmed blue-and-white robes, with leather waterskins on her belt; she had blue eyes, nut-brown skin, and a no-nonsense expression. The man beside her wore a saffron-yellow tunic and a bright orange cloak. A hood hid most of his face, but Mai glimpsed a strong jaw and a chinstrap beard. Arrow-tipped blue tattoos ran along his forearms, and he carried an ornate wooden staff in his left hand.

Mai recognized the couple immediately. She glanced quickly at Zuko; he was staring at the newcomers, conflicting emotions flashing across his face. Finally, he spoke. "Aang. Katara. I... assumed you were in the Earth Kingdom. I tried to get in touch with you before..." He glanced beyond them, frowning. "Where are your kids?"

"Toph, Sokka and the Acolytes are running daycare in Republic City, for a little while." Katara shrugged. "We figured you were preoccupied with your little international crisis, but too proud to ask any of Team Avatar for help. As usual."

Mai felt her mouth twitch in reluctant amusement. Katara had scored a hit there. Zuko glanced away briefly, his face reddening. "More that I... felt guilty. I owe you an explanation-"

"That you do." Aang pulled his hood back. His light grey eyes swept from Zuko to Mai, then back. "But we can talk on the ride. Appa's outside- we're headed to Zamyn Togsgol."