The Kyoshi warriors were delightful traveling companions.

Their leader, a strong young woman named Suki, led them through the edge of the desert, until they could smell the ocean in the air. Iroh took a deep breath, wearily readjusting his pack. The young warriors had set them on a brisk pace. Iroh, Piandao, and Fat had lended their ostrich horses to pull carts of luggage. They wouldn't be needing them after boarding the ferry, after all.

The tang of salt in the air sent a pang of longing through him. It if wasn't so dry, he could almost imagine he was standing in the Caldera.

Below them lay the last stretch of land they needed to cross before reaching Full Moon Bay. From there, they would board a ferry and cross the sea, and finally reach Ba Sing Se. His forged passport weighed heavily in his pack. The last time he had set foot in that city, he was a different man. He hoped he could finally mend the pain he had caused there.

"It doesn't make sense! It's literally written down for them, why do they have to make changes?"

"It's an adaptation." Sokka unwisely interjected. "The original play was written years ago, the director is just adjusting it to modern times."

"There's no need to change a classic." Azula snapped. "They fucked up a perfectly good story."

"Okay, I can't listen to you two argue anymore." Toph said loudly.

Aang walked with the others back to Appa. They had just seen The Cave of Two Lovers in the theater, which was supposed to be a fun and relaxing activity. But Aang found it hard to relax with Zuko and Azula moaning about the plot changes and casting choices. He thought it was good, but he never read the original material, so he was a little biased.

He glanced at Zuko, who was talking with Katara a few steps ahead of him. They weren't holding hands, but they were walking closer than Aang thought was necessary. They had sat together during the play, too, even though Aang had wanted to sit next to Katara. But Sokka had pulled him into a different seat to "protect" him from the oogie boogies. Aang didn't know what that meant, but it did mean he had to watch Zuko put his arm around Katara's shoulders.

That should be him! Katara surely would have kissed him if she knew how he felt about her. But Zuko got there first. He kicked a rock angrily, falling a little behind from the others. He saw her first. He was her friend first. Was it because Zuko is taller than him? He just hadn't hit his growth spurt yet!

Katara had her hand on the small of Zuko's back now. He ducked his head down to whisper in her ear, and she giggled. It had been a week since they got him back, and they had been inseparable since then. They don't kiss in front of everyone (thank the spirits) but Aang didn't think they needed to be so touchy feely either. They were both dear friends- the only family he had left. But when he saw them like this, his stomach would turn itself in knots.

Why didn't Katara want him?

"Okay, we've had enough fun." Sokka herded everyone to Appa. "But we've wasted enough time with vacations."

Now that Ozai was thoroughly dunked on, they had more time to rest. But he knew the Fire Nation wouldn't give up, and they really needed to get to Ba Sing Se. He and Azula had been talking strategy in the last couple of days, and they both agreed that it would be safer for them all if Aang learned earthbending in the city. It would also give them a chance to speak with the Earth King, maybe even come up with a plan to finally defeat the Fire Lord.

"But Katara hasn't picked out a vacation yet!" Aang piped up, which was surprising, since he had been unusually quiet the whole morning.

Katara placed her hands on her hips. "Yeah, Sokka. It's my turn to pick a vacation spot."

"We don't have time for vacations! Who knows how long it will take for Ozai to catch up with us. We can relax once we're in Ba Sing Se."

Aang snatched the map out of Sokka's hands, which he found more insulting than being ignored. "Alright, Katara. Where would you like to vacation?"

"How about the Misty Palm Oasis? That sounds refreshing."

"Oh, yeah, I've been there. It's a pristine natural ice spring. Very romantic, too."

Sokka winced as Aang smiled shyly at Katara. She didn't notice, of course. She only had eyes for Zuko. Poor kid.

Katara had been hoping for a relaxing time in some hot springs, maybe with a certain firebending boyfriend there with her, but instead they arrived at a dusty town in the middle of the desert. The people looked scary and the ice spring was pathetically small. She was tempted to get right back on Appa and head to Ba Sing Se, but Sokka dragged them into a dirty old bar.

That was how they found themselves with a Ba Sing Se university professor, aimlessly flying around the desert looking for a library. Which may or may not exist.

It was boring. It was hot. Katara hated how the sand whipped on her face and got stuck in her hair. There wasn't even water in the air, just a dry, dense heat that was inescapable. She could feel her skin getting drier with every minute they searched.

Eventually, only Sokka, Aang, and Professor Zei were still looking. Katara began to doze off, her head falling onto Zuko's shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her to get more comfortable, his breath hitching slightly as he lifted his arm. Even after several healing sessions, his ribs were still sore, and Katara felt a pang of guilt every time he winced. It even hurt him to laugh too hard. But bones were so complicated- she wasn't experienced enough to fully heal them.

Momo joined their cuddle pile. He had been especially clingy with Zuko since they rescued him, as if he could sense how he was still healing. He chirped and rubbed his head insistently on their hands, climbed all over them, and made a nuisance of himself.

They continued to fly, and fly, and fly.

The sea stretched before them, glittering under the open sky. Piandao leaned against the guard rail and sighed. Their journey had been long. But soon they would be in the city, where there was much more work to be done. Their contacts in the city have not been heard from since before the siege. It was vital that they were found. And, once the Avatar arrived, they would assist him in ending the war.

Iroh and Fat were sitting beside him, complaining about the food. Around them sat other refugees in similar states.

"The food is rotten." Fat spat it out in disgust. "Any self-respecting man would be ashamed to serve such filth, even to starving refugees."

Piandao's stomach growled. Their own food had been confiscated when they boarded the ferry. "We will reach the city soon enough. I imagine they have food to your standards, dear."

"Not soon enough." Iroh grumbled.

"Funnily enough, I hear the captain's eating like a king while we refugee's have to feed off of his scraps. It doesn't seem fair, doesn't it?"

Piandao turned around. There stood three children in front of him. Their clothes were worn and dirty, their gaunt faces and skinny frames spoke of many missed meals. The one who had spoken sauntered forward, his hands resting on two hook swords at his hips.

"My name's Jet. These are my freedom fighters, Smellerbee and Longshot."

Piandao nodded to each of them. "A pleasure to meet you."

Jet smirked, his eyes settling on the scabbard slung over Piandao's shoulder. "You know how to use that?"

The library was buried, but still intact.

Azula eyed the spire warily, still unsure if this was even worth it. What information could it even have that she didn't already know? She and Zuko already knew the layout of the palace. They could get intel easily by breaking into information towers and intercepting hawks. But Sokka had been insistent.

"I say we climb up there and give it a look," he said, already pulling out his boomerang and some rope.

Azula sighed. They might as well make the hours they spent in this desert worth something. There was a small chance that this library could have something, anything, to defeat her grandfather.

She didn't miss the grunt from Zuko as he slid down from Appa's saddle. Azula placed her hands on her hips and glared.

"Get back on the saddle, Zuzu."

He paused. "What? Why?"

"You're staying with Toph." She could hear the others shuffling awkwardly behind her. Azula ignored them. Her brother crossed his arms.

"Agni, Azula, I'm fine-"

"You're still injured and need to rest."

"And you're not the boss of me."

"Clearly I am, since you don't know how to take care of yourself."

Zuko huffed. "Says the girl who tried to go to lessons when she had fire flu."

Someone giggled behind her. "I was not sick. You're delusional, dummy."

"You put on two different shoes and didn't even notice!"

"Shut up! You're not going, so get back on the saddle!"

They stood there and glared for another minute before Zuko sighed. "Fine. If it makes you feel better, then I'll stay."

Azula scoffed. It wasn't to make her feel better. She reached out and squeezed his arm, intending it as a warning, but his eyes softened instead. It was infuriating to know that he saw right though her.

She followed the others up the rope, only sparing a glance back at her brother, who had settled on Appa's saddle with Toph. Her stomach clenched at the thought of leaving him behind, but she firmly ignored it. He was much better off resting instead of rifling through dusty old scrolls.

The library was enormous. And occupied. She really hadn't expected any of this to be real, but a very large spirit owl wasn't the strangest thing they had seen on their travels. Sokka managed to convince it to let them stay, provided that they add to the collection.

Once they were granted passage into the library, they very quickly split up. Sokka and Aang wandered away, while Azula stayed with Katara to search the other side. She had no idea where to even start in such a large building- the shelves stretched on in endless rows with no end in sight. There also didn't seem to be any signs of clear organization. She and Katara began to just randomly pull things off the shelves to browse.

Most of what she found was irrelevant to her: meticulous research about a specific species of hedgefrogs only found in the southern Earth Kingdom, outdated maps that crumbled in her hands, an entire shelf of preserved journals written by Avatar Sveto. She was thumbing through a bundle of ancient scrolls, most likely penned by a Fire Sage from Fire Lord Zoryu's time, when Katara called for her.

"Look at this," she said excitedly.

Azula shoved the scrolls back on the shelf and joined her. She was standing in front of a large display of theater masks. They were faded, some cracked, but Azula's breath caught in her throat anyways. Her hands pressed against the glass to hide their trembling. Some part of her longed to recoil, to tear her gaze from their mocking faces, but she couldn't. All she could do was stare, and imagine how much her mother would have loved to see this.

They were original masks from the first rendition of "Love Amongs the Dragons." The blue spirit's ribbons were worn, the paint was fading, but it's gaze was still powerful. They took on the spirit's legend to frighten, to seek justice. To avenge their mother. It led them to the Avatar. It set them on the path to destroy their family's legacy. But staring at that mask reminded her of what it had cost, of what it took to get them here. Her fingers twitched. They didn't need the blue spirit's persona anymore, she knew that, but that didn't stop the ache in her heart, the longing tugging at her.

A hand touched her shoulder. Feather light, as if it were expecting her to turn and bite.

"Azula?"

She took a shuddering breath. "What?"

"Take a step back."

The glass shattered. Azula stared as Katara reached through the broken shards and gently pulled the mask from it's stand. Her hands were still trembling when she took it from the girl's hands.

Katara smiled. Her eyes sparkled mischeviously, but the gentle turning of her lips was understanding. Azula's hands tightened around the mask. She swallowed around the lump in her throat.

"You know, I once stole a southern waterbending scroll from pirates." Katara idly perused the rest of the shelves. "They were going to sell it to the highest bidder. As if what's left of my culture would be useful sitting on a merchant's shelf. So, I took it." She stopped, pulling a book from the shelf and flipping through it. "I think that mask is a lot better in your hands than sitting in a dusty library."

Azula nodded dumbly, still clutching it to her chest. She and Katara were not often alone together. The girl was bossy, overbearing, emotional, and had a tendency to give soppy speeches. But maybe she had misjudged her. Maybe she was finally understanding why Zuko looked at her like that.

"We should find the others before they see the mess we made." Katara said.

Azula followed her.

"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of, but that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se- for a new beginning. A second chance." The boy, Jet, and his friends were sitting beside them after successfully liberating food with Piandao. The young man's eyes burned intensely.

"That's very noble of you." Iroh said. "I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances."

He clenched the bowl in his hands harder to hide their shaking. His son would never get a second chance. Neither would Ursa, Zuko, or Azula.

Jet turned to Piandao. The boy was obviously impressed with his skills. Piandao always had a way with children. "Where are you headed in the city?"

"We hope to reunite with old friends." said Piandao.

Fat was chuckling with Smellerbee. Iroh's heart warmed at the sight. He had mistaken the young woman for a boy earlier, and she had shaken off his apologies, but he still felt guilty. He was glad that Fat was there to make things right. A young woman like her needed someone who related to her struggles.

Jet hesitated for a moment, his eyes turning to each of them. "Maybe we could stick together. Watch each other's backs. Because nobody else will."

Iroh was surprised that Fat hadn't already forged adoption papers. He doubted he had any say in the matter, but he nodded to them. They were going to Ba Sing Se for a cause larger than any of them, but that didn't mean they couldn't help those in need. These children had their fair share of hardship. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he abandoned another child in this city.

The entire section on Fire Nation history had been destroyed. A firebender got there first. Aang watched as Sokka poked around the burnt shelves. But that was boring, so he wandered a bit further down the aisles.

He eventually found the water tribe section. Katara and Sokka had told him that they didn't write their stories down, they had a long tradition of passing their knowledge and culture orally. This section had animal pelts, weapons made of bones, and beaded clothing. But what caught his eye was the shelf filled to the brim with scrolls. He pulled one out and unrolled it. Just like the one Katara had stolen from the pirates! Aang instantly grabbed more and stuffed them into his robes. She was going to be so happy, maybe even reward him with a kiss! But he would wait to surprise her, when they could be alone, away from prying eyes (especially Zuko).

Aang grinned. There was no way she could say no to him after such a lovely gift.

"How about now?"

Toph was frowning, her feet firmly planted in the sand and her arms spread out in front of her. "Don't talk, that's cheating!"

Out of sheer boredom, they were working on Toph's sandbending. Zuko would walk around her, occasionally jumping from place to place to throw her off, and she would try and locate him. She was getting better. Zuko knew she was still guilty for not sensing Ozai last week. If this made her feel better, then he would help. It wasn't like there was anything else to do at the moment anyways.

He glanced back at the spire. It was frustrating to be left behind. The others had been treating him like he was fragile, like one gust of wind would break him. He was fine! Katara had healed the worst of it, and it wasn't like he hadn't survived worse. They didn't need to worry about him. If anything, it had made him stronger, reminded him of what they were fighting for. Most importantly, it had humiliated his father.

Zuko didn't see his capture and torture by his father as a setback. He had been the one in chains, but it was Ozai who was frightened.

The sand shifted beneath his feet. Zuko yelped as he was thrown off his feet. Toph laughed. "Got you!"

Spitting the sand out of his mouth, Zuko rolled to his feet and ruffled her hair. Azula always hated when he did that, but Toph only halfheartedly batted his hand away. There was so much sand in their hair anyways.

He was about to suggest that they try again when the ground shook beneath them. The spire, he realized with a thrill of horror. It was sinking.

"No!" Toph braced herself against the wall, her hands sinking into the stone. The library shuddered and fought against her, but she dug her feet further into the sand and held on.

And then, as if they needed anymore problems, he noticed a sand cloud rapidly approaching. Three sand-sailers emerged, heading straight towards them.

Zuko placed himself between them and Toph and took a deep breath.

"The darkest day in Fire Nation history?" Azula took the parchment from him and studied it. "You mean the solar eclipse?"

"You knew about that?" Sokka yelled. "And you didn't think to mention it?"

"Why would I? They only happen in the Fire Nation every few decades."

Sokka pulled the parchment back from her hands. "It's important! Firebenders lose their bending, it would be the perfect chance to attack."

"Attack what?" Azula crossed her arms. "We don't have an army. We don't even have a fully trained Avatar."

"We will once we reach Ba Sing Se." Sokka said. Azula frowned, but he could tell that she was mulling over his words. "We get the Earth King to attack the Caldera during the eclipse. The Fire Nation would be defenseless!"

"But what if the next one is after the comet comes?" Katara asked.

His stomach sank. "We have to find out more information. There's gotta be something here that can tell us."

At that moment they were interrupted by one of the fox things. It whimpered and stood on it's hind legs. "Uh… hello." Sokka said.

"I think it wants you to follow it." Professor Zei said.

It led them to an enormous planetarium. Sokka would have cried if he had the time. It was beautiful, but they weren't here to admire the architecture. He reached for the calendar wheels.

"Now all we have to do is check for the next eclipse. When we get this information to the Earth King, we can launch an invasion against the Fire Nation. The Fire Lord won't know what's coming!"

"Mortals are so predictable, and such terrible liars."

Uh Oh. Wan Shi Tong was back, and he looked pissed. Well, owls usually looked angry, but now he looked even more so.

Sokka backed away with the others as the library began to shake. Aang pleaded with the owl, but it would not listen. Sokka understood the desire to protect this knowledge. A firebender had already destroyed precious information. But they needed to know when the next eclipse was. It would save countless lives. The spirit had no idea what was at stake.

He sent Aang and Katara ahead to distract the owl, while he and Azula backtracked to the planetarium.

Over and over, they adjusted the wheel and watched as the moon and sun grew closer and closer. When they finally met, he couldn't help grabbing Azula's shoulder and shaking it. "That's it! It's only a few months away!" He scribbled down the date and stuffed the parchment into his bag. "Now we can go."

The sandbenders wanted Appa. Zuko remembered a group of them lingering near the bison when they were in the oasis. He couldn't believe they had the guts to try and take him from the Avatar. But, with the library sinking, there may not be an Avatar for much longer. Toph was holding on, but there was only so long a single earthbender could stop an entire building from sinking below the surface, especially if spirits were involved.

Zuko blasted a stream of fire at them as they sped around him, almost skating over the sand. They threw ropes over Appa, who shook them off easily, but there were more of them than he could keep track of. The bison roared with frustration. Zuko burned through most of them in one clean cut before pushing on the bison's nose.

"Go, Appa!" He yelled. He grumbled again, but Zuko shoved him harder. "Get out of here!"

The sand was stinging his face. His scar twinged painfully. Zuko lifted a hand to protect his eyes as Appa pushed off the ground. The bison circled above, bellowing loudly, but out of reach of the ropes.

Zuko found himself surrounded by the sandbenders.

"What's going on?" Toph shouted. He didn't dare turn around to check on her.

"It's fine!" He slid into a defensive stance, wincing as his ribs protested. One sandbender stepped forward. His eyes were narrowed, and Zuko instantly knew it wasn't because of the wind.

He didn't have to win this fight. He just needed to protect Toph and Appa long enough for the others to escape. Zuko took a deep breath and waited, his hands ready. His fingers itched for his dao swords, which were still on Appa's saddle, but he was too slow on the sand for them to be useful anyways.

The first blow was easy to dodge. Zuko grunted as the sand whipped against his skin. He retaliated with a blast of fire. Back and forth they danced. There were eight of them, and normally he could beat those odds. If he had his dao, and the ground beneath him wasn't constantly shifting, and if his ribs weren't aching and his eyes full of sand, then he would have stood a chance.

"Don't make me put this down!" Toph called out. He could hear her straining to hold the spire up. Appa continued to circle above.

"Call the bison down." Said the leader. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"Fuck you." Zuko snarled. The next blow struck him right in the chest. He lay flat on his back, struggling to take in air, as the sandbenders closed in.

"Zuko!" Toph yelled. The library sank faster after she let go. Her first blow missed them by a few feet. The next was a weak blast of sand that they easily blocked. But the library was sinking too fast. Toph growled. She turned and grabbed the spire again.

The leader flicked his hand. The sand beneath him suddenly writhed like snakes, and Zuko gasped as it wrapped around his body and squeezed. "Call the bison down." He said again, his voice as rough as the sand grinding against Zuko's skin.

He tried to reply, but all that came out was a wheezing cough. His ribs screamed as the sand squeezed tighter. Zuko shook his head weakly.

The leader's eyes hardened. Zuko held his breath as the man's hand raised again. The sand crept towards his head. He shuddered, but kept his mouth clenched shut. He was going to drown- it was going to flood his mouth and nose and fill his lungs-

Just as the sand reached his eyes, the leader stumbled back. The sand released him. Zuko lay there for a moment, stunned. A water whip cracked above him. The ground shook as the spire finally sunk beneath the sand. Someone grabbed his shoulders and dragged him backwards as the sandbenders fled back to their sand-sails. A surge of blue fire chased after them.

Then he was being hugged, and patted, and fussed with. Zuko flinched when the hugs were too tight, his ribs protesting.

"Spirits, we can't leave you two alone, can we?" Sokka shook his head, but his eyes were wide with worry.

"Is Toph-" He began to cough again, the sand clinging to his throat.

"I'm here, sparky." Toph punched his arm. Zuko relaxed, allowing himself to lean against Katara. He knew it was her holding him because her hair loopies were tickling his neck. She squeezed him gently. Azula's hug was just as gentle. They were treating him like glass again. But he didn't mind it as much when he was so tired.

Ba Sing Se was a beautiful city.

It was also overflowing. The lower ring was packed with refugees. They only caught glimpses of it from the train, which was taking them to the middle ring. Normally, ordinary refugees would be funneled into the lower ring, but if you had money or connections then you were granted better accommodations. Piandao had money to bribe the guards, as well as a letter from the renowned Pai Sho artisan Wu Chen. It was forged, of course, but it got them through the outer ring nonetheless.

Their connection to Wu Chen was genuine, even if the letter was not. He had been one of their contacts in the city, before all correspondence abruptly stopped. Piandao had worried that their connection to him would seem suspicious, but the clerk at the station waved them through lazily. "Master Wu lives in the Northern district, take the second train."

Piandao let the kids file in the train first, glaring at the clerk for staring at their rough clothing. "Chen is still alive." He murmured to Iroh.

"I think this city holds many secrets." Iroh whispered back.

The train was nice. They were served tea and snacks, even though the ride was a mere twenty minutes. Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot marveled at the views and ate everything served to them. Piandao wrapped an arm around Fat and allowed himself to relax for the ride. His mind, however, was racing. If Chen was alive, then why did he stop communicating with the Order?

A woman was waiting for them when they arrived. She smiled widely. "Hello, my name is Joo Dee! I have been given the honor of escorting you to your new homes. Welcome to our wonderful city."

Iroh, always the charmer, tried to make conversation as they walked.

"Where's your favorite place for a cup of tea?"

"There are many tea shops here in our wonderful city. The middle ring of Ba Sing Se is home to the financial district, shops and restaurants, and the university."

"It certainly is lovely." Iroh agreed, but he shifted uneasily.

Jet was eyeing everything critically. "All this luxury, and people are starving outside the walls. Fleeing from the war only to be shoved into the lower ring."

"There is no war in Ba Sing Se. Here, we are safe." Joo Dee's smile somehow widened further. "The walls are to maintain order and security."

Jet opened his mouth to retort, but paused when Piandao placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's no need to cause trouble right now," he murmured. The boy nodded reluctantly.

"This is Master Wu's home." Joo Dee stopped in front of a modest building with a small garden. "Your assigned housing is being prepared. I will take you there once it's ready. For now, enjoy your afternoon!"

Piandao led the others through the gate, taking one last glance at Joo Dee as he shut it behind them. The woman stood there, completely motionless, until she was hidden from sight. He suppressed a shudder and turned to lead the way to the door. There was something about her smile that unnerved him.

The door opened seconds after he knocked. Before him stood a tall, thin man with a wispy mustache. "Hello, can I help you?"

"Wu Chen?" Iroh said.

"Yes?" Chen's eyes narrowed. "I'm not looking to buy anything-"

"And we are not selling." Piandao interrupted. He lowered his voice. "We are here to tend long forgotten flowers."

The man paled. "Who knocks at the garden gate?"

"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries."

Chen sighed and allowed them to pass. He muttered to himself as they removed their shoes and crowded into the hallway.

"This way," Chen said. They were led into a larger sitting room. Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot instantly threw themselves onto the tatami. Chen busied himself with preparing tea and snacks.

It was a nice home. Modest, but comfortable. There were intricate tapestries hanging on the walls. Delicate vases and figurines crowded the shelves. A beautiful pai sho set glimmered in the golden light filtering through the curtains. Piandoa huffed irritably. Chen had a lot of explaining to do.

Once the children were set up with food and drink, Piandao, Iroh, and Fat herded Chen into the garden. Piandao crossed his arms.

Chen bowed nervously. "I'm afraid you three took me by surprise. I was not expecting such high ranking members to visit." He glanced back at the house. "Are we recruiting children now?"

Fat chuckled. "The children were a happy accident."

"Chen," Piandao sighed. "What has happened here? Why have you not been in contact with the Order?"

The man's eyes darted around the garden. "I am not sure what is safe to say in the open."

"The children will not hear."

"That is not what I mean. There are spies everywhere."

Piandao frowned. "What do you mean?"

Chen leaned forward, his voice at almost a whisper. "This city is not safe. The King is merely a puppet on strings, and the real power views us as a threat. I have already been threatened with imprisonment." Chen shuddered, and his eyes filled with tears. "Biyu was taken from me last year."

"They took your wife?" Fat gasped. Biyu was their other contact, a woman who posed as a palace gardener.

"Where is she?"

Chen wiped his eyes. "They won't tell me. But everyone knows what happens to the female prisoners. You already met another woman who shares her fate." He gestured towards the street. "Joo Dee." He shuddered again. "They take the woman who cause trouble, who speak of the war, and turn them into Joo Dee. There are hundreds of them. They spy for the Dai Li. And my beautiful Biyu is one of them."

"I am so sorry." Iroh said. "We had no idea of the corruption here."

"I could not risk endangering her further," Chen whimpered. "They were intercepting my letters. That's why I stopped. I have been trapped here, looking for Biyu, ever since."

"We can help," Iroh rubbed Chen's shoulder. "We will not abandon you and Biyu. Once she is found we can get you out of the city."

"They would never let us leave. Nobody escapes this city."

"Who is controlling the Earth King?" Piandao asked.

"Long Feng, the Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se. But he is untouchable- his Dai Li would never let you near him."

Piandao turned to go back into the house. "Then we will bide our time. We are here for a reason, Chen. Once the Avatar comes, we can liberate this city."

The Order of the White Lotus strived to make peace, to balance the world. It seemed that the last stronghold to defy the Fire Nation was controlled by a tyrant, its people prisoner to its walls. If they wanted to help the Avatar and defeat the Fire Nation, then this city needed to be united.

"Yip yip!"

Aang flicked the reins, and Appa took off.

There was no sign of the sandbenders. Aang didn't know what he would do if he saw them. They tried to take Appa, the last connection he had to his old life, away from him. And the only reason he wasn't taken was because of Zuko.

Aang felt a wave of shame overtake him. He had spent the last week consumed with jealousy and taking it out on his friend. Jealousy was a disease, the monks had always told him that. Katara had chosen Zuko instead of him, and that hurt. But even he could not ignore how happy they were together. Would Aang really try to destroy that? Could he live with himself if he got what he wanted, but hurt Zuko in the process?

Momo seemed to sense his distress and landed on his shoulder, chittering softly. Aang smiled and scratched his head. The laughter from his friends drifted on the wind. It was going to be hard to let Katara go, but Aang knew it was the right thing to do. He wouldn't let his jealousy ruin their friendship, not when that was the only thing keeping him going. They were his family. If Katara wanted him only as a friend then nothing would change that. He would just have to find a way to move on.

Jet was not sure that city life was for him. The adults had assured him that he would get used to it soon.

He was grateful for what they had done for them. Jet admired Master Shu. It had been so long since an adult had treated him with such respect. The man had even started sparring with him. His partner, Jing, was a great cook, and Jet could feel the waistband of his pants become tighter and tighter each day. Mushi was an odd one, always spouting nonsense and shoving tea down their throats.

Their home was small. Jet and Longshot had to share a bedroom, while Smellerbee got her own, which was insisted on by Mushi. He wouldn't listen when Jet pointed out that they all used to sleep on the forest floor, where there wasn't much room for modesty.

Mushi opened a tea shop. He, Smellerbee, and Longshot were hired as servers. Within a couple of weeks, Mushi's tea was the talk of the middle ring, and people from the upper rings began to visit. Most of them were infuriating to deal with, but he didn't mind the giggling groups of girls who swooned at his winks and left generous tips.

If Master Shu hadn't taken them in, they would be shoved into the lower ring to rot. Jet felt his stomach curdle at the thought. They had come to Ba Sing Se to start a new life. Every refugee in these walls wanted the same thing. But the city was not safe.

The adults had sat them down in their new home to warn them. The Dai Li and Joo Dees were spies. They could not mention the war or what life was like outside the city walls. People were arrested and disappeared in a blink of an eye. They were controlled by fear.

Jet couldn't just stand by and watch. He began to spy on the Dai Li, breaking into their stations and collecting information with Smellerbee and Longshot in the dead of night. He just had to be doing something to make himself useful- the monotonous routine he had working at the teashop was going to drive him crazy.

He was sure that Shu knew what he was doing. The man didn't miss anything. But he never tried to stop them. So Jet continued to serve tea during the day and fuck with the Dai Li at night.

Eventually the tea shop became so popular that a wealthy merchant sponsored them. They were moved to the upper ring. That made it harder for Jet to continue his nefarious night time activities, as Shu called them, but he managed to make it work. He was on the edge of something big.

The Dai Li had a secret base where they were keeping the prisoners. If Jet could find out where it was, then he could set them free. He could lead a revolt against Long Feng and the Dai Li. He could finally do something worthwhile in this terrible city.

He just needed to locate Lake Laogai.