AN: Sorry everyone, but I lost my flash drive that had the chapter in it. Well, here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Do I really need to keep doing this? I own nothing and I'm not making any money from this.

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The silence was so thick it was suffocating. Finally Zuko stood. "Inside. It's best not to talk out in the open." They rushed inside and settled around the brazier in the center of the room. "Now what do you mean?"

"In the spirit world I met Avatar Roku. He was talking about the elements and how each can be affected. Like Katara with the moon."

"And me with the sun. So? What does that have to do with everything?"

"Keep your shirt on, Hotpants." Katara had to stifle a giggle at Toph's new nickname for Zuko. Unfortunately, Sokka wasn't so thoughtful.

"Hotpants. That's great. Ow!" He smacked a hand to his hind end which was smoldering slightly. He glared at the resident firebender only to receive a smirk in reply.

Katara sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Please don't light my brother on fire."

"I don't know what you're talking about." His tone was innocent but his smile was pure mischief.

She rolled her eyes. "Just continue, Aang."

"Thanks. Okay, when is a firebender at his weakest?"

"At night." Zuko stated the obvious.

"Not at night. When the sun's down."

They all looked at Aang as if he lost it. "That's the same thing."

"It's not Sokka. Zuko, what do you know about the Fire Nation's darkest day?"

He racked his memory. "It was the day… of the Fire Nation's greatest defeat."

"Do you remember why?"

He shook his head. "No. We were never taught much about it. It was almost a taboo subject. Why?"

"Because it was just as it is described. A dark day, a day without sun."

"How can that be?" Katara leaned forward in interest.

"As it travels around our world, the moon casts a shadow. It is rare but sometimes it casts one on the sun, completely blocking its light from reaching us. A day without sun…"

"And without the sun a firebender's power is nonexistent." Zuko looked thoughtful.

"And, if the battle takes too long, night is soon to follow. So for almost two days the firebenders will be weaker." A small hope was growing on Katara's face.

"It won't last that long." Aang swallowed nervously. "Total darkness will only last for a few minutes. But for about an hour before its affect will be diminishing. And for about an hour after it will be slowly returning to normal. I know it's not much but it might give us the time we need."

"Yeah, but if it's so rare, what are the chances of it happening?" Sokka's question deflated everyone but Aang.

"One month." They stared at him. "In one month's time there is another solar eclipse. We have to strike then."

"I'll lead you into the palace. There are paths that only those who have lived there know." Aang smiled and nodded his acceptance.

"Now what?" Toph flopped once again on her back.

Aang plopped down next to her. "We talk to the King. We could really use his help. An army would be really nice. And we wait for Ishi."

'Grrrrrrrrr' They all turned to Sokka. "What? I'm a growing boy and growing boys gotta eat. It's dinner time."

"Someone's coming." Toph's warning came a moment before the knock fell on the door. "Feels like the girl from before."

Aang opened the door to the smiling Joo Dee. "Esteemed Avatar and guests, I bear an invitation from the Grand Secretariat, Long Feng."

"Will there be food? Ow! Katara." Sokka glared at her.

"Stop whining and I wouldn't have to kick you."

Aang ignored the hissing behind him. "Why does he want to meet us?"

"He meets with everyone who desires to speak with the King."

"Everyone?"

Though Toph spoke, Joo Dee kept her vacant stare on Aang. "He meets with all those worthy enough to see the King." An uneasy silence filled the room but her smile did not waiver. "If you all will follow me… You must prepare for dinner."

She led them to a large ornate building. There they separated into two rooms to dress for dinner. The girls emerged in the formal, kimono-like dress common in the city. The boys were waiting, clean and brushed (except for Aang) but still in their own clothes.

Joo Dee didn't look pleased but she led them to the table anyways. It was a smallish room and dimly lit. A lone man stood before the fire, his back to the group. Around the edges of the room, where they blended with the shadows, stood guards.

He turned, the firelight casting shadows that set his face into sharp contrast, and smiled a politician's smile. "Welcome to Ba Sing Se. You have found your rooms to your liking?" They nodded. "Excellent. Please, sit."

His gaze touched on all them as they seated themselves around the table. When he reached Zuko he lingered on the scar, eyes narrowing slightly. "I understand you desire an audience with the King." He turned back to Aang. "May I ask why?"

"We…" Aang had to swallow to get the words past his suddenly dry throat. "We wanted to ask for his aid in the war against the Fire Nation. You see, there's a…" He stopped as Long Feng held up a hand.

"We do not concern ourselves with the war in Ba Sing Se."

Katara stared at him in disbelief. "How can you say that? This war affects everyone."

"Discussion of the war and its… effects are forbidden. We live a utopian life behind these walls. And I won't let anything, or anyone, interfere with that."

Zuko stood in anger. "What do you mean 'you' won't let any one interfere? You're not the King. What gives you the right?"

Feng looked at him with eyes narrowed in anger. "What's your name boy?" His gaze lingered again on the prominent scar, the wheels in his head obviously turning.

Zuko clenched and unclenched his jaw. When he spoke his voice was clipped. "Lee."

Feng didn't seem convinced but didn't press further. A sneer crossed his face. "This is my city. I handle the everyday affairs of state. The military answers to me. Do you think I would let a fool such as the King destroy what I have worked so hard to create?"

Zuko's face darkened in anger, fists clenched at his side. "You're nothing but a filthy traitor." Katara could feel his temperature rising with his temper and began to worry. She moved to calm him but Long Feng acted first.

At an unseen gesture Zuko's hands were clasped behind his back and he was pulled roughly into his chair. Katara rose, drawing water from the table as she did. The guard across from her moved and her hands were encased in stone. With a cry she was shoved roughly back into her seat. The others soon joined her.

Feng favored them with a cold smile. "You see, the only traitors here are those who stand against me. That fool sitting on the throne is no more than a puppet. This is my kingdom. My word, my wish, is law." He looked at Aang. "I won't allow anyone to jeopardize that."

"You can't keep this from the people." Aang sat deceptively calm in his chair. "Whether you like it or not they will find out."

Feng straightened his back and looked down his nose at the children before him. "We have strict policies for dealing with rabble-rousers. Any person causing trouble within my walls will be expelled." His smile chilled them. "Without their possessions. I hope I have made myself clear. Now, if you will excuse me." He gestured and they were free of their bonds. "I have business to attend to. You know your way out."

They made their way out under the dark gazes of the Dai Li. Leaving behind a frightened looking Joo Dee.

Beckoned by a simple look she followed Long Feng into his office. Standing before his desk he could feel the waves of fear radiating from her.

Without looking up from his paper work he began to berate her. "I thought you were supposed to keep them in the home I provided until I was prepared for them?"

"I told them to, that I would give them a tour of the city the next day. I didn't think they would go off on their own."

"There are parts of this city where they should not go. I hope that you realize that."

"Yes, my Lord. I understand. But these are not naive peasants, easily manipulated." She wrung her hands nervously. "They will not cease their pursuits simply because I urge them."

Leaning back in his seat, resting his hand beneath his chin, he looked at the woman shifting nervously before him. "You disappoint me. I've set you a simple task yet you couldn't even get the whelps to dress properly for dinner. You have failed me."

"My Lord, I…"

"Your training is faltering. We must fix that."

She shook her head frantically. "No, please, my Lord. I won't fail you again. Please…"

"The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai."

Her eyes glazed over and her movements calmed. "It would be my honor." She bowed low, waiting for dismissal.

"Leave me. No, wait. Where have you placed the Avatar's beast?"

"He was placed in the warehouse on the east side of the city, my Lord."

"Good, very good. Now, out of my sight." As soon as she was gone he signaled one of the Dai Li over. He needed to prepare.

O.o.o.o.o.O

"That guy was nuts." Sokka stretched out on the floor.

"No, he's a power hungry noble." Toph was holding her hands out to the fire. "It's not unheard of. It's not even that rare. When a ruler is weak a stronger person will step in. Whether the people know it or not."

"She's right." Zuko shifted next to Katara. "But the King is still the King. If we can get under Long Feng's watch and get to him we should…"

"Someone's coming." They all snapped their eyes to Toph. "And whoever it is is being real sneaky about it."

"Keep talking." Zuko moved quietly out of the room. Katara, Sokka and Aang talked about, of all things, penguin sledding while Toph kept track of those outside.

A short while later Zuko slipped back into the room. Kneeling between Katara and Aang he whispered. "It's one on the Dai Li. Long Feng must want to keep an eye on us."

"Can he see in?" Aang whispered back as the siblings kept the conversation going.

"No, I don't think so. I think they want to make sure we're not going to cause trouble. At least not right away."

"Then let's give it to him." Aang leaned past Zuko to whisper to Katara. She looked at him in question and he nodded.

After a lull in the conversation she spoke up with a hint of regret in her voice. "I think we should leave the city."

This stopped Sokka in mid sentence. "Are you crazy?! We can't leave yet. What about…"

"Of course we'll wait for Ishi but we can't stay here long after that."

"But what about the King? We could use the support."

Aang spoke up. "We're not going to get anything from the King. Long Feng already showed us that."

"Yeah, but…" Sokka faltered as Zuko made a slashing motion. "Are you sure?"

"There's no other way." The conversation fell back into inane chatter. Katara and Aang teased Sokka about something that happened on their trip. But Zuko watched Toph.

She remained tensed, stance firm, fingers reaching towards the floor. After about ten minutes she visibly relaxed. Flexing her fingers she lifted her head. "He's gone."

Aang looked nervously towards the door. "Do you think Feng will believe us?"

"No." Both Toph and Zuko answered. At the others' worried look he continued. "He was probably told to listen for our plans and report back. Nothing more. Long Feng isn't stupid enough to totally fall for this. But it'll buy us time."

"Time for what?" Katara asked.

He smirked. "Time to figure out a way around him."

O.o.o.o.o.O

"And that was all that was said?"

"Yes, Lord."

What are they up to? He looked to the Dai Li kneeling before him. "I want them followed. I don't want them making a move I don't know about. I want to know where they go, what they see, who they talk to and what they say. Understand me?" The soldier nodded. "Good. Now go."

Long Feng moved to the windows, staring out over the city. They're too determined to back down so quickly. He sneered. Especially the scarred one. Funny a peasant should care so much about loyalty to a king.

They're too much of a wild card to allow them free reign. He leaned on the window. Watching the people scurry below like so many ants. So easy to crush. "It's time to regain control of the situation."

O.o.o.o.o.O

In the morning the group separated. Katara and Zuko returned to the market, buying much needed supplies. Toph want along to make sure they actually did what they were supposed to. Sokka stayed behind in case Ishi arrived. And Aang went to visit Appa and Momo.

The three came back to find Sokka pacing. "It's about time. Do you know how boring this is?"

"You should try meditating." Zuko walked past him, putting down the supplies.

"Ha! He doesn't have the patience." She and Toph both laughed.

"Hey. I waited here all day and nothing happened."

"Sokka, please." Katara paused in her efforts of drawing the water from the food they'd be carrying. "You were only waiting a few hours. Not an entire say."

"Well… it felt like a day."

Toph ignored the good natured bickering around her and looked for the set of familiar vibrations. "Aang hasn't been back yet?"

"Nope, not at all. I didn't think he'd be gone this long."

Aang didn't return for another three hours. When he did crash through the door he was agitated, almost in a complete panic. "They're gone! They're both gone!"

"Aang." Katara rushed to her friend. "What happened?"

"They're gone. I've looked everywhere. They're not where Joo Dee said they'd be."

"Calm down, Twinkletoes. Was there anything there that could tell us where they were taken?"

Aang took a deep breath. "After looking around the area I went back. I found some of Appa's hair and there was an old man. He was apparently the one cleaning after them. He said they were bought by some nobleman and sent to Whale Tail Island."

"That's near the south pole."

Aang nodded to Zuko. "Right. They're going to a zoo. We can't leave them."

"But Aang, it'll take weeks to get there. We don't have that kind of time." Contrary to her words, Katara looked upset at the thought of leaving them behind.

"Something's not right with this." Sokka looked deep in thought.

"What do you mean?" Aang looked hopefully at his friend.

"Well… it's just a little too convenient. I mean we kinda challenge the power-hungry-crazy noble and all of a sudden our ride goes missing. Think about it. Besides Aang, Long Feng doesn't know what any of us are capable of. And I bet he doesn't even really know what Aang can do. He probably sees Appa as the only way we can get to the King."

"And he's right about that." Katara shook her head. "Even with taking them by surprise I don't think we could storm the palace."

"So what? We just abandon them, forget the King and move on? We can't do that!" Aang was flushed with anger.

"Relax." Toph cracked her knuckles, loosening herself up in anticipation of what was coming. "No one said we were. What we gotta do is outsmart him. You know, being the stupid kids that we are. We just gotta be more devious than he is."

A wicked smile bloomed on Zuko's face and he looked at Toph. "Tonight we go hunting."

O.o.o.o.o.O

That night, a lone Dai Li agent was patrolling one of the darker areas of the kingdom when he was knocked into by a figure in black. The soldier glared at the figure, debating on whether to let the slight slide or rough up the hapless peasant, until his eyes rested on the blue demon mask. A soft sound of surprise passed his lips before he gave chase.

The figure moved fleetly through the sparsely filled streets, leading him on a chase through the winding streets. Heedless of the danger, visions of glory blinding him, the soldier entered the darkened alley the figure just turned into.

Closed in, trapped by the dead end, the figure in the demon mask faced him. The soldier moved into a stance, prepared to take the figure's head with one blow. But before he could let loose with the deadly strike, he was surrounded by earth.

Though he couldn't see past the mask he could tell the man, for he was now sure it was a man, was smiling as he walked toward him. No, not walked, stalked. In a smooth movement the demon unsheathed his weapon and split it into two swords. Glimmering in the moonlight one of the swords came to rest at the soldier's exposed throat.

"Now," the demon's voice was harsh and dark. "You're going to tell me what I need to know." The blade bit eagerly at the man's throat causing a small drop of blood to trickle down. "And you're going to tell me quickly. Where is the Avatar's animal?"

"L-lake Laogai. They took the beast to Lake Laogai."

The demon leaned closer. "Why?"

"I don't know. I swear I don't. I wasn't even there when they moved it. I swear I didn't do anything to him. Just, please, let me go."

"You would do well not to follow orders so blindly." He stepped back from the trapped man and raised his sword high.

Clenching his eyes tightly, the man was surprised when instead of the sharp bite of the sword's edge there was a dull thud. Then… nothing.

Toph came from the shadows and lowered the man gently to the ground. "Do you always have to be so damn dramatic? I mean, come on."

Zuko took off the mask. "It worked, didn't it? And that's all that matters. Was he telling the truth?"

"Yes."

He let out a relieved breath at her certainty. "Good. Let's go." Toph handed him an over tunic to hide most of his black clothing. Together they slipped through the streets back to the comfort of their little house.

The relief in the room when they shared their news was tangible. It was decided. Tomorrow they would get their friends back.

O.o.o.o.o.O.o.o.o.o.O.o.o.o.o.O.o.o.o.o.O

AN: Hopefully everyone is happy with the longer chapter. I have the ideas for the next few chapters but I need a little help motivating myself to get them down. I really want to hear what people think about this chapter so, please, hit that little button and leave me some love… or even some advice to improve my writing. Whatever. Ciao! Later people!