Afterward Adventures (ATLA Zuko X OC)

Chapter Nineteen - Smoke and Shadow Pt. 4

"I know that's you Azula! Tell your friends to let Kiyi go!" Zuko shouted getting in the stance ready to redirect lightning. "You know I can redirect anything you-"

But she shot the lightning anyway. It was stronger this time, Zuko tried to redirect it but it was too powerful and it struck him back. He left a straggled shout.

"Zuko!" Iris shouted, and she threw a powerful air blast that pushed him away from the lightning before it had to the chance hurt him. She ran towards him and she helped him stand on his feet. "I'm okay..." Zuko said nudging Iris to let him stand on his own "...She's gotten strong again,"

He wrapped his hand around his painful torso and he failed to stand up. Iris wrapped his other hand around her shoulders supporting him on his feet. Ty Lee and Suki attacked her, but Azula was fast enough to disappear again.

"No!" Zuko shouted.

"They took her, didn't they? They took my baby," Ursa asked as she and Noren ran out.

"I'm so sorry,"

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"There were four more kidnappings last night, including Kiyi. That makes total thirteen. Our citizens are so frightened that many are planning to leave the City before sundown," General Mak said kneeling in front of the Fire Lord's throne.

"I don't blame them," Zuko said disappointedly.

Iris and Aang stood beside the General, both trying to figure this out.

"It's a mess," Aang said.

"We've been in messes worse than that," Iris said. "What I don't understand is why? Why would Azula and a bunch of others want to kidnap children? It doesn't make any sense!" Iris said exasperatedly.

"Did you read her mind?" Aang asked.

Iris sighed disappointedly "No, she was moving too fast," she answered.

"Zuko, I heard," A voice heard from behind and the siblings turned around only to see Mai and Kei Lo in the throne room while General Mak left.

"Mai!" Zuko said surprised to see her. He got off the throne and walked down with the rest of them.

"We have a clue as to who the Kemuricage are, at least," Aang said.

"That's why I'm worried," Zuko said. Iris placed her hand on his shoulder giving him a consoling smile.

"Last night, one of them shot lightning at us," Suki said.

"No it can't be," Mai said worriedly.

"It wasn't just the lightning, Mai. It was how she fought, how she moved," Ty Lee said.

"It was definitely Azula," Zuko said.

"But why? Why would Azula want to kidnap all those children?" Mai asked confusedly.

"Not sure," Aang said.

"She's Azula, that's a reason enough," Zuko said hatefully.

"You can't rely on that excuse just that. She's trying to do something by those kidnappings, I don't know what, but I'm sure she wants to get to you, Zuko," Iris said crossing her hands.

"I need to tell you something, Zuko," Mai said "When you asked if my father is involved and I told you I didn't know, I lied. Not only is Ukano involved, he's their leader," Mai said.

"The leader of the New Ozai Society and the Safe Nation Society? That guy's really into societies!" Aang said confusedly.

"Or the two organizations are just one and the same," Suki guessed.