Chapter Twenty three

   They quickly made their way over to the fire nation ship, Katara warning Sokka of the booby traps and tripwires inside. The light footprints of the two kids were still imprinted on the floor so Sokka instructed to just follow those. 

    "The footprints only tell you where to put your feet, what about the rest of your body?" Katara asked.

    "Have a little faith-" Sokka started before being cut off by a translucent string catching under his chin.

    The floor opened up and he fell through, Katara calling after him. He thumped around the chute before it became silent.

    "Sokka? Sokka! Are you okay?" She called.

    "Yeah, but I don't think I'm the only one down here." He called back.

    "Okay, I'm coming!" She yelled down, jumping into the opening.

    She slid down a dark shaft before sliding out and colliding with Sokka. They were in a bright open space, almost like a air bubble in an ice pocket. 

    "I told you to-" Katara started before Sokka hushed her, gesturing to a figure she hadn't acknowledged yet looming over them.

    "I think the big guy's got something to say." Sokka muttered to her.

    "Greetings, I am Gilak of the southern water tribe," He introduced himself. "You are Katara and Sokka, Hakoda's children."

    "Wait a minute, do I know you?" Sokka asked.

    "I fought alongside your father, we were brothers in arms," Gilak chuckled. "Hakoda is a hero of the south, and so are you two."

    "A briefcase was stolen, we'd like it back." Katara interrupted.

    "And a woman was hurt by two children, they need to be taken in." Sokka continued.

    "Follow me." Gilak beckoned them, walking through a dimly lit tunnel, completely ignoring their statements.

    They walked into another room that was lit by torches. There were around 20 people listening to an old looking man standing on a platform, telling stories.

    "What is this?" Katara asked softly.

    "A gathering of the patriots," Gilak responded. "That's my second in command, Thod," He gestured to the man on the platform. "He tells our stories, keeping the southern tradition alive."

    "So you all gathered in a cave to tell stories?" Katara interjected.

    "We do more than that," He sighed. "While travelling, I noticed that the strong nations like the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom were lead by one ruler and sought power over cooperation first when dealing with other nations. Meanwhile us in the Southern water tribe have always been Egalitarian, seeing each other as brothers and sisters. But the Air Nomads who were the most Egalitarian out f everyone were wiped from existence," Katara frowned at that. "So when I heard that your father was going to become head chieftain I was happy. But then he started welcoming foreigners onto our shores including those cowards from the north.

    "Hey, careful talking about our sister tribe like that!" Sokka frowned.

    "Sister tribe? Yeah right. Where were they when we were sending out troops of our men to fight the fire nation? Hiding behind their icy walls," Gilak pointed out. "Collaboration between the other nations is impossible. For the south to be strong again, we need to eradicate foreign influence. Including that from the north. Such an act will likely result in war, so we've gathered here to prepare."

    "I've traveled the world, and from what I've seen, you're wrong," Katara stated. "Where fire nation colonies once resided, the earth citizens and fire nation citizens are working to form new societies!"

    "And even here, Malina and Maliq's crew-" Sokka started but was cut off by Gilak punching the wall.

    "You will kindly not mention those two again. They're imposing their lifestyle on us. Their buildings, the way they're pushing their lifestyle on us," He trailed off. "The north has always seen us as savages. Now they're trying to force their civilization on us."

    "So this guy's kind of getting unhinged, time to go?" Sokka whispered to his sister.

    "Not yet." Katara frowned.

    "And I bet this only the beginning, the tip of the iceberg." Gilak growled.

    "Which is why you stole the briefcase, so you could see what their plans are?" Sokka queried.

    "Exactly, you get it, Sokka."

    "Gilak, we're not leaving without the briefcase or the kids." Katara insisted.

    "I was hoping you wouldn't leave at all," Gilak reasoned. "Join my army, help your father see the truth."

    "Our father already sees the truth, he doesn't need our help." Sokka said.

    "I'm sorry you feel that way." Gilak sighed before grabbing Sokka and holding a knife to his throat. "But I can't let you go and warn your father before we're ready, either."

    Sokka looked to Katara before quickly hatching an idea. Giving her a wink, she bent water out to freeze Gilak's hand as Sokka elbowed him in the gut. They raced off down another tunnel, Sokka making sure Katara was in sight. A low hum of a horn echoed through the tunnel after them. Turning a corner they came to a row of men wearing the battle attire.

    "Stop those two traitors from escaping!" Gilak called from behind them.

    Taking stances, the men prepared to fight. Sokka yanked out his club and blocked an oncoming downward blow from one of the men while Katara bent some water out to help deflect the others. They were slowly being surrounded by soldiers.

    "Which way is out?" Katara called to her brother.

    "I don't know, the way we came?" He shouted back, kicking a guy in the stomach.

    They managed to escape the forming circle of men around them and ran off down a tunnel, Katara bending a wall of ice to block off the men. They turned to continue running but quickly stopped, faced with Thod, Gilak's second in command.

    "Now, you wouldn't attack an unarmed old man, would you?" he asked.

    "Sir, you need to get out of the way," Katara said. "Right now."

    "First, a story..." Thod replied, beginning a story about a snow rat.

    The two siblings, not wanting to be rude, and also not wanting to hurt this old man, waited impatiently for him to finish. Keeping their eye on the ice wall Katara had made as the soldiers threw themselves against it, trying to break it down.

    Sokka tried to speed the story along but the man didn't listen and kept talking. Eventually the soldiers broke through the ice wall. Katara forced the man out of the way with her waterbending and they raced off down the tunnel, eventually having to stop as soldiers were on their way from that way as well. Katara looked up, seeing an opening and so she picked her and her brother up with a funnel of water to lift them out. 

    Reaching the outside, they raced away from the ship before stopping to look back when they were a safe distance.

    "Do you think we're safe now?" Sokka asked.

    "Yeah." Katara huffed.

    Just then, the ground cracked open and two riders on snow leopard caribou leapt out to go after them.

    "I spoke too soon," Katara yelped. "Run!"

_

    Flying over the city, a group of men were marching through the street, chanting "a strong nation is a safe nation". Zuko frowned at the sight and leapt off Appa as they landed, running to confront the protest. Aang right by his side.

    "Constable Sung? Ukano! What is the meaning of this?" He called to them.

    "Dark spirits have taken Constable Sung's son." Ukano frowned, turning to the newly arrived duo.

    "Oh no!" Aang gasped.

    "I'm so sorry, Constable." Zuko added.

    "I couldn't find you, Firelord. We had to do something." The Constable reasoned.

    "The safe nation society," Ukano beamed. "Since the Firelord has refused to protect the nation, a group of volunteers have risen up to do so instead."

    "How'd you get this many people to volunteer this late in the night?" Aang questioned, gesturing to the line of men.

    "In fact, not ten minutes ago they just saved another child from being abducted!" Ukano boasted, ignoring Aang.

    "Hate to break it to you, but those probably weren't spirits." Aang sighed.

    "Preposterous! I saw them with my own eyes!"

    "You're hiding something." Mai piped up.

    She'd made her way over a little slower than Zuko but she hadn't made her presence known until now, scaring her father.

    'I didn't know you'd be here!" He again tried to change the subject.

    "Well, I am. And you're not telling us something, I can tell by the way you're talking." Mai frowned.

    "I don't know what you're talking about..." Ukano uttered, looking away.

    "Constable Sung, I am truly sorry about your son, we'll find him. I promise," Zuko stated. "But I will not be undermined. This society was formed without my authority, And so I must remove you from your post."

    "I'm sorry, Firelord." The constable sighed.

    "So am I," Zuko nodded, watching the man walk away. He then turned to Mai's father. "Disband this society immediately or I'll have you all arrested." 

    "Fine, we'll obey your commands," Ukano sneered. "And Mai, when you realize the truth, you know where to find me."

    "What just happened there with Constable Sung, that was pretty harsh..." Aang spoke up.

    "I hated doing it, but I had to." Zuko sighed.

    "Firelord?" A woman walked up to them, cradling her daughter. "With all due respect, the safe nation society just saved my daughter. They're heroes. Which is more than I can say for you."

_

    Zuko walked through the halls of the palace. Alone. He frowned at his situation. Things were really tense and grim... He missed Sokka. It would be so much better if he could just hug him. Feel his arms around him, his face nestled into his neck. His corny jokes and stupid puns. He needed his sarcasm and light energy right now. Everyone seemed to be mad at him. 

    "Ugh, I just want to see my boyfriend." He grumbled to himself, pausing in the hallway.

    "Psst, Zuzu!" Kiyi called from within the room he'd just passed.

    "Kiyi?" He whispered, walking into the room. "Why are you still awake?"

    "She's holding me too tight, I can't breathe," Kiyi whispered back, referring to Ursa. "Help."

    "Would you like to sleep in the other room?" He asked softly, helping her out of the bed.

    "Yes please." 

    Picking her up and putting her on his shoulders, he walked down the hallway, feeling slightly better.

    "What'd you do today, Zuzu?" She asked.

    "I was just dealing with some problems, nothing for you to worry about," He smiled up at her, walking into the room and plopping her down on the bed. "I'll fix things."

    "I know you will." She smiled back, letting him tuck her in.

    "Sleep tight, Kiyi." 

    Making his way out to a balcony, Zuko looked up at the stars. He was joined by Suki who was thankfully not awkward with him despite the fact that he was sure she would be. It's not every day that you guard your ex boyfriend's boyfriend... They shared a small conversation about their current situation involving the maybe not spirit- dark spirits. 

    "Is that... smoke?" Suki interrupted the Firelord, pointing behind him.

     He turned, his confused expression turning worried immediately. He ran off to the room where the smoke was coming out. 

    "That's Kiyi's room!" He uttered.

    Barging into the room, they were met with an empty bed. Aang, who'd just returned from dropping Mei and Kei Lo off, was beside Zuko in an instant. He ran to the window, spotting the Kemurikage right outside the window. 

    "Let her go!" He growled, leaping out the window and onto the roof.

    He was joined by Suki, Ty Lee, and Aang immediately, all three of them trying to get Kiyi back. Eventually they got one of the dark spirits on the floor. Zuko took a stance.

    "Where did you take her?!" 

    They didn't reply.

    "Is she in the same place as the other kids?!"

    Without warning, the person shot lightning at him, he quickly redirected it, the shock of both the action and having to react so quickly enabled the figure time to escape.

    "Zuko! Are you okay?" Aang called, running up.

    "Azula." Zuko breathed, looking after the retreating figure, too far to hit now.

_

    After escaping the soldiers with the help of Katara's sled making skills and some stale jerky, the two water tribe siblings pulled into the city, finding their Gran gran's hut (which unlike everything else, hadn't been torn down).

    "Too bad we couldn't get the briefcase." Katara sighed.

    "Honestly, I'm just glad we're alive," Sokka sighed. "We need to tell dad about Gilak and his army."

    "I know Gilak's an extremist..." Katara started, stopping for a second.

    "I'm sensing a but. Are you gonna say but?" Sokka deadpanned.

    "But he has a point, Sokka. I mean, look around and tell me this isn't a cheap imitation of the north." She continued.

    "This? Looks like progress to me." Sokka shrugged.

    "Progress? this looks like..." She thought back to the factories on Yangchen's island. "Never mind... I wish Aang was here."

    "We all do, sis."

    They walked up to the hut where Maliq was standing outside. He smiled when he saw them, greeting them.

    "Were you able to get the..?" He trailed off.

    "I'm sorry." Katara sighed.

    He scoffed, kicking a drift of snow. 

    "We'll get it back, I promise." Katara assured.

     "It's not just the briefcase, it's about justice," Maliq complained. "If this were the north, those two wouldn't have been allowed to leave the city. Plus they hurt Malina, the most important person in the world to me."

    "Well, we know where they're hiding! Our dad will bring them to justice!" Sokka reasoned.

    "Maybe he will, maybe he won't." Maliq sighed. "That's why what Malina and I are doing is so important!"

     "And what exactly are you doing?" Katara accused.

    "Katara! Don't talk to him like that, he and his wife are building our future." Sokka hushed.

    "Wait... You think-?" Maliq frowned. "Malina's my sister, we're not married."

     "Oh! My bad... she uh... very important yes, anyways," Sokka mumbled awkwardly. "Speaking of important people, where is our dad?"

    "In there." Maliq pointed to the hut.

    Sokka nodded, walking over and pushing the door open. Just as Katara started lecturing him about knocking, they both stopped in the doorway, freezing at the sight before them... Their father... Kissing Malina.

_

    Ursa and Noren ran out to meet Zuko, his mother's face twisted with worry. 

     "They took her? They took my baby?" She uttered.

    "I'm sorry..." Zuko hung his head.

    Sitting on his throne, Zuko sank down, feeling lower than he'd ever felt. The General before him and Aang was telling him that people were planning on evacuating and, as he went on to voice: he didn't blame them. Mai and Kei Lo walked into the throne room. Though it would be normal in this situation, their presence still bewildered Zuko a bit.

    "Zuko, I heard." Mai sighed, walking up to give him a small hug.

    The embrace was welcome, but it didn't feel right. Glancing at Kei Lo, he noticed the brunette's conflicted expression as he watched them. The hug didn't last long, Zuko made sure of that. He looked down to Aang, hiding the even more solemn expression that was about to appear on his face. Why couldn't Sokka have come with him? It wasn't really a place for jokes at all, but him just being there would help. 

    "We'll find them." Mai reassured him.

    "We have clues as to who the Kemurikage are at least." Aang noted, joining the circle.

    "Yeah, but that's why I'm worried." Zuko sighed.

    "Last night, one of them shot lightning at Zuko." Suki told Mai.

    "No, it can't be... Lightning benders are rare, but they're not that rare." The other responded.

    "It was definitely Azula. The way she moved, it was her, no doubt." Ty Lee interjected.

    "But... why would she do it?" 

    "I'm not sure." Aang pondered.

    "She's Azula, that's reason enough." Zuko stated melodramatically.

    "I need to tell you something, Zuko," Mai started, looking down. "When you asked me before if my Dad was a part of the new Ozai society, I lied. He's the leader."

    "Why would you keep that from me?" 

    "He's my father! I couldn't just easily betray him like that, I thought you'd understand!" 

    "You're right... I'm sorry."

    "Anyways, when we saw him in the streets last night, I knew he was hiding something. I think he knew that the Kemurikage weren't spirits. In fact, he might have known that Azula was a part of it too."

    "So you think he has a role in the kidnappings?" Zuko confirmed. She nodded. "Alright," He turned to face the General behind him. "General Mak, we need to bring in Ukano and his allies for questioning. Close the country, don't let anyone in or out and go to Ukano's house to arrest him. He might hide so make sure you check the houses and also the homes of anyone who might have been in the safe nation society."

    "Wait, Zuko, let me go find him, I'll talk to him. Don't treat the citizens like criminals, it's a little too drastic." Aang reasoned.

    "Thank you, Avatar, your wisdom is always appreciated, as well as your friendship." Zuko tourned, bowing to him.

    "Wait, why are you talking all... adult and stuff?" Aang uttered.

    "We already tried things your way, it's time for a different approach. If you're not willing to support me then you need to leave." Zuko stood up straight, his expression hardening.

    "But Zuko, these drastic actions will only cause mistrust!"

    "Drastic situations call for drastic actions." Mai noted.

    "Suki, Ty Lee, please escort the Avatar out." Zuko ordered.

    "I'm going, I'm going!" Aang shouted.

_

    "There was a riot?!" Zuko uttered.

    General Mak had returned from the city with the news that Ukano had started a riot in the city with his society. And he had slipped away during the ruckus and evaded capture.

    "My troops were able to apprehend most of the safe nation society troops," General Mak noted as a carriage like vehicle was being pulled into the area by kamado rhinos. "Speaking of which."

    The doors were opened and a line of men walked out. Including Kei Lo.

    "Kei Lo! This is a mistake," Mai turned to Zuko. "Get him out of there!"

    "I'm not so sure...," Zuko mumbled as Kei Lo walked over. "What were you doing with the safe nation society?"

    "They bumped into me, literally!" He immediately defended.

    "Sorry." The kid beside him mumbled.

    "Oh, ok," Zuko sighed, turning to the warden. "Remove his cuffs."

    The General got the keys and walked over to uncuff Kei Lo. After he was freed, he hugged Mai. Zuko returned his gaze to the people walking into the prison.

    "Zuko!" Aang called.

    "Aang? I thought you left?" Zuko uttered.

    "Well, you thought wrong. I gotta show you something Suki, Ty Lee, and I found." 

    "The sun will set soon, Firelord, we need a plan or our people will rise up again." General Mak interrupted from behind them.

    "I'm sorry Aang, but I need to handle this my way." Zuko declared.

    "Even if your way is stupid?" Aang retorted, getting ignored. "Stand back." He warned the two Kyoshi warriors behind him.

     Forming an air ball between his hands, he shot it at Zuko, picking the teen up and carrying him over to the palace. The two Kyoshi warriors and Mai and Kei Lo following behind them.