1Prequel

The night had been long and more disquieted then most people would have liked as it came to an end. Toph, more or less annoyed with the situation than anything, decided to leave the Jasmine Dragon early and head back the their home in Ba Sing Se. Zuko offered to walk her and the two of them left. Shortly after, Mai left as well, still not used to her new "friends." Katara and Aang stayed outside together on the patio until the sun disappeared behind the horizon. That left Sokka and Suki alone to talk(or listen to as it usually went) with the Dragon of the West.

When Toph and Zuko reached the house, the moon, and their main source of light, slowly slid behind the clouds. Zuko lit his palm and they walked inside. The earthbender immediately flopped down on the cushions in the main room. She roughly patted the pillow next to hers.

"Take a load off and have a seat, Sparky." Zuko lit the torches around the room and followed her command. "So, how does it feel to be Fire Lord?"

"Stressful. Hectic. A little frightening. I don't know if I'm cut out for this. Maybe Uncle can just take my place." Toph playfully(by her standards) punched him in the arm.

"You'll be fine," she reassured him. "You're strong and quite a leader. And if you can take Crazy down, you can do anything." Zuko rubbed his newly forming bruise.

"Actually, Katara did more than I did against Azula. And she saved my life." Master Toph shifted slightly while she listened to him and seemed to have her mind elsewhere. "She's more suitable to run my nation." She turned her attention back to him.

"If that scar on your chest has anything to say about it," her attention shifted once more. There he goes again. She thought to herself. I knew it was true! "You are more than fitting to rule. Sacrificing yourself for someone else is about as noble as you can get."

"I guess you're right." He thought about how easy it had been for him to jump in her way. The same for when he dove to save her from the falling stones at the Wester Air Temple. It was like second nature for him to save people. To save Katara. It almost seemed like all his other senses shut down– "Wait, how did you know I had a scar? You're blind."

"Great observation!" She said sarcastically. "Katara told me about it on the way to your coronation ceremony."

"Oh. Well...what did she...?" He just shook his head and placed it in his hands. He breathed out slowly. "Never mind."

"And, you know, you could be a little less obvious about your feelings toward her." Toph stated, rather out of the blue. Zuko's eyes shot up to face the Blind Bandit.

"What feelings toward who?" Shifting again, she felt his heart speed up when Katara was brought up.

"The love-type ones toward Sugarqueen. Don't play dumb with me. Come on Sparky, you are transparent." A sly smile crossed her face.

"What? I don't love Katara! I love Mai! Why would you think I love Katara? That's just crazy!"

"Alright, alright. Calm down."

Silence passed over a moment before Toph spoke again.

"You know, you aren't near as good a liar as your sister."

Zuko ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

– O –

Katara and Aang walked slowly to the house without saying a word. The air was cool and the stars were covered by clouds. The only provided light was that of the lanterns in front of some shops and buildings. The streets were mostly empty save the couple individuals closing up shop or walking home. Since Ba Sing Se was handed back over to the Earth King(having returned from traveling the world) and the Dai Li was disassembled, the people were happier and the roads seemed much less violent; even here in the outer ring.

Katara looked to Aang, his head staring up at the cloudy night sky. She gave his hand a little squeeze and he turned towards her, losing himself in her bright, oceanic eyes and smiled. And she smiled back. Aang was great. She loved his carefree attitude, his childish behavior, his desire for peace and love. It was what she decided she wanted in a boyfriend. Aang was perfect. The couple suddenly tore their eyes away when they saw a blue streak of fire shoot toward them. The airbender jumped out of the way, leaving Katara in his wake.

Azula's eyes shifted ever so slightly, the water peasant entering her vision. Without a second thought, she shot the lightning at her, instead of the Prince. Katara didn't have time to react. She wasn't a part of this Agni Kai and wasn't prepared for an attack.

"No!" Zuko yelled, diving into the line of fire to take the life staking blow for her.

The master waterbender pulled the water from a hanging plant and extinguished the flames before they hit her. When the smoke cleared, she saw the ex-Fire Princess standing on a rooftop just ahead. Azula smirked and swung herself into an open window below her. Katara stood confused for a moment, Aang now walking up to her side, when she realized that building was the back of the house in which they were staying. The new couple stood side by side, hesitant about what to do next. Instantly, Katara's decision was made and, as usual, so was Aang's.

"Zuko!" she heard herself yell, running toward the freshly exploded building.

– O –

Mai's eyes slowly opened and squinted in the light. One bright beam shone in her face, leaving the rest of the room in complete darkness. When she went to cover the light with her hand, she found they had been tied down to the chair in which she had been placed.

"Welcome back Mai," the haunting voice seemed to fill the room. "You've been out for a while. I wasn't sure you'd make it. Now wouldn't that have been a shame."

"I'm sure you would have been crushed, Azula," Mai said, deadpan. Where am I? She wondered, trying to see past the blinding light. I remember walking in the house, seeing Zuko and the earthbender, and then...heat. Fire. Blackness. What happened?

"You know me too well, Mai. But, apparently, I don't know you. Choosing poor Zuzu over me? Big mistake." Azula's voice went from calm and haunting to harsh and rash. "You shouldn't have fallen for him. You should have feared me! I could end you! I could kill you now for your treasonous actions! I could–"

"Then why don't you?" Mai interrupted. The princess threw her face into the light. Her hair was all pulled back to hide the "trim" she had given herself but her expression showed that she was still insane.

"Why don't I?! I'll tell you why! Because I'm going to show you a punishment worse than death! And get back at my traitoress brother at the same time!" Mai was hardly phased by the woman's words. She'd grown used to the aggression and domineering nature of her old friend, although the lunacy in her voice did startle her slightly.

So he's alive too. He made it out of...whatever happened back there. She thought, relieved. Azula's visage grew even angrier.

"Don't you even smile at my words!" she screamed and grabbed the blade thrower's shoulders hard. Mai's face dropped, not realizing that she had made a small smiled to begin with. "Just you wait! You'll be wishing you were dead by the time I'm finished with you!" Her hands violently heated up and Mai cried out in anguish. Azula smirked and released her from her grip. "Now, I want you to meet some friends of mine."

The crazy firebender stepped aside and lit the torches on the walls. A row of Dai Li agents stood in front of her. They all kneeled down to reveal a long and wide shaft lined with benders standing at attention, their heads down.

"What is this?" Mai asked, fear of a uprising crossing her mind. Azula laughed maniacally, a frenzied smile plastered on her face.

"This is my newest creation: The Agency."