Everything was going to shit.

Well, Zuko was not surprised that it was going to shit (he'd reasonably predicted this). What surprised him was how horribly it was going to shit.

Yes, he'd had many nightmares that somehow Aang's identity would be found out in the palace. Sure, he'd had moments of panic when he thought someone might be an Airbender and his father would call for their head. And of course, he had general thoughts that something awful was just waiting to happen, like someone pulling on a thread, and it was unraveling, unraveling, unraveling...

But great Agni; he'd never expected all these three equally terrible things to happen at the same time.

The only thing that could make things worse was if Katara was kicked out of the competition for good and, from the way she'd nearly leaped into the fray, he'd been sure that was about to happen too. His father would look for any excuse to send her packing.

Backing up to the moments before the world seemed like it was literally flipped, it was Aang who had brought it to Zuko's attention that Azula was being more than her 'I-just-love-winning' self in her fight with Ty Lee.

"That's not... she's...Zuko, look!" Aang said, tugging him away from where he was asking one of the servants to bring him some food. At first, he just chalked Aang's worry up to the usual way a lover is concerned of their significant other, but when he really looked...

"That can't be right," Zuko said, pushing past Aang and leaning to get a better look at the fight. Lu Ten was behind him, his Uncle already there.

"This is inappropriate," Iroh said sternly, shaking his head, "Azula is out of line."

"She's merely participating in the tournament," Ozai argued firmly, unconcerned.

"Participating?" Zuko choked. "Father, she will annihilate Ty Lee if this keeps up! Do you want to have to deal with the crowd seeing a contestant killed in front of them?"

For a second, he saw a flicker of doubt on his father's face. But, then it was smoothed over as his father shook his head.

"She would not go that far."

"You don't know Azula, Uncle," Lu Ten said with more venom than Zuko had ever heard his cousin use.

"You!" Zuko found a Fire Stage standing near. "You must announce the round over!" he demanded.

"Sir...I...well..." The sage sputtered, red in the face and sweating at this conundrum, "It is not our place! There are four ways a match ends and that is none of them."

"Call a re-match! Have her fight someone else then, but by Agni, are you going to let this continue?" Zuko was about to pull out his hair. Azula was gaining on Ty Lee. "Lady Ty Lee is a favorite contestant. It would reflect poorly on The Choice for her to be slaughtered in an arena like an animal."

Just as Zuko was sure he'd won over the sage and there would be some stall, some fix to this, out of the corner of his eye, the worst thing happened.

Ty Lee airbended.

Aang was standing straight as a board, staring incredulously. The entire Royal Family was completely shocked, sans Iroh, who just looked concerned. Zuko thought that, apart from Aang and himself, his uncle might be the only person on this side of the arena to realize immediately what had just occurred.

Katara, across the arena, had come to the same realization. He saw the way her knuckles clenched the bar separating her from the fighting ground, and he just prayed that she wasn't about to do something stupid.

"Lady Ty Lee is an Airbender! She is an enemy to the nation, seize her!"

"What?" Aang sputtered, staring at Ozai.

"Father, be reasonable! This is a girl we've known since childhood and she-" Zuko started to say, but the guards were running out toward her. And, Zuko realized, there was a bigger issue.

Aang was also running out to meet Ty Lee. Zuko spun, trying to grasp Aang's tunic, but it was like reaching for fog on a moody day. It was impossible, and he slipped his range.

"No! Fuck- Kuzon!" Zuko said, running out into the arena because whatever Aang was about to do was not going to help.

Aang looked back at him, his eyes full of liquid sorrow. He scowled, swallowed, and met Zuko's gaze.

And Zuko understood that things were just about to get a thousand times worse.

Maybe if Aang had fire-fought his way out, it would be okay. Well, not okay, but more reasonable. He did the second worst thing he could have done, though, next to airbending. He opened the earth below the pair and sent him and Ty Lee disappearing below the earth.

The public was not quiet, nor slow this time.

And Zuko was, desperately and panicked, trying to figure out how to fix this. How to fix everything. How to fix something that had gone so wrong.

Time moved around him strangely. He saw his father spin toward Zuko with a rage uncontrolled, but long before his father reached him, Iroh was moving faster. Iroh hugged his son and clasped Lu Ten's hand. He then brushed by Zuko and so quietly, almost so quietly that Zuko missed it, Uncle Iroh whispered something to his nephew.

"You knew nothing. Worry not about me."

While Zuko was still trying to untangle these words, his father was in his face.

"You! You brought that boy back! You were protecting him! The Avatar!" Steam exhaled from Ozai's nose and the entire area beneath the stands was warm, uncomfortably so. Zuko felt the sweat drip down his back.

Before Zuko was able to stand up to his father, finally, Iroh intervened.

"He knew nothing, my brother. It was I who found the Avatar four years ago and chose to hide him within the Fire Nation. Prince Zuko believed the lie that he was a long-lost family member like everyone else. He had nothing to do with it," Iroh said evenly, narrowing his eyes and jutting out his chin, challenging Ozai.

"Is this true?" His father's hand was at his throat, burning.

Zuko found words difficult to find but he managed. "Yes, father. I would have never allowed..." He nearly couldn't say it, but from his Uncle's encouraging smile he knew what he had to say, "A...a...murderous traitor like that into our home."

Ozai regarded him, and for a tense few seconds, Zuko was sure that he was going to call out his lie. Zuko tried to look disgusted at the thought that Ty Lee and Aang were hiding under their noses the entire time.

"You'd better hope you had no knowledge," Ozai said, dropping Zuko. Zuko's legs buckled and Lu Ten was there to grab him and keep him upright.

"Guards, take my brother away. He was consorting with the number one enemy of the nation and will be tried as a traitor," Ozai said, waving a finger. The guards hesitated, but after a hiss from Ozai, they all stumbled forward to grasp onto Iroh's clothes.

"No!" Lu Ten stood, "You...can't."

"Would you like to take his place?" Ozai asked Lu Ten in a cool tone. Lu Ten looked ready to fight Ozai right then and there, but from behind, Iroh shook his head. Lu Ten's shoulders dropped.

"No, Uncle."

"That's Fire Lord Ozai to you," Ozai replied, and Lu Ten flinched, as though experiencing a physical slap or preparing for the onset of one.

Azula limped into the area, one of her legs at a strange angle from a break, assumedly when she hit the back of the fighting pit.

"How dare she," Azula was spitting, "How dare she parade around and-"

"Medic! My daughter is bleeding. Attend to her," Ozai cut Azula off, waving forward at the medical staff.

"Father! That little bitch! I should have-"

"You should have killed her when you had the chance," Ozai said, causing a shiver to run down Zuko's spine. "You hesitated. Gave her a moment. It is your fault she and the Avatar have escaped our grip."

He stalked out of the arena, following where the guards had taken Iroh. Azula nearly bit a medic in her rush to follow Ozai, leaving Lu Ten and Zuko alone.

"He...Dad would have gotten out of that if he wanted to," Lu Ten said airily, a bit uncertain, however. He was still reeling. Zuko nodded, but he wasn't sure. His Uncle was a master fighter, but could he have taken on all of the guards?

"What did you say to you? As he...?" Zuko asked, recalling their last moment.

"He told me he loved me, deeply, but he was going to do 'it' for everyone. And he told me 'it' was mine now..." Lu Ten seemed troubled. "But I'm not sure what 'it' is. He just added that they were watching and would be able to help..."

Lu Ten swallowed and opened his palm, "And he left me this."

Zuko took the item, examining it with confusion.

It was a single, slightly scuffed, gray lotus tile.

XXxxXX

The hours following were the longest Katara had ever spent in agony. Not even the time under the palace in the catacombs had been as bad. During then, she'd been fueled by anger and the will to fight, and later horror. She'd had some level of understanding of things happening, even if she had no control over it.

As soon as everything happened, the Fire Sages and guards had queued the girls and the guests swiftly out of the arena. The guests that the Royal Family was entertaining were sent to their rooms, the ones here to visit were asked to stay in the great ballroom, and the ladies were cordoned to the Ladies' Room.

Katara fully expected each of them to be pulled away and painstakingly interviewed with grueling cross-checks and unkind expressions. They all interacted with Aang on a friendly basis and they'd lived with Ty Lee, and somehow no one had known about her abilities.

Katara could not have seen that one coming had she been given all the chances to guess in the world.

The worst thing about waiting was the fact that nothing had happened at all. They were just sitting, silently, not daring to speak to each other. Even Nadhari looked worried. Mai was as sorrowful as Katara had ever seen; Ty Lee had been her best friend, once upon a time, as had Azula. It must be awful to see one best friend try to kill the other, who was now an enemy of the state and would be killed if she were seen above ground anywhere again.

They were allowed to dress in more comfortable items - picked up from their rooms by their handmaids - and they were given quite delicious food, as well as things to do to pass the time, such as embroidery hoops or poem books, but no one touched the food or the activities. The worry was palpable.

There were some whispers about the entire event; would the people that failed still be sent home? Would the people who did not fight do so later? Would the entire tournament be considered a wash?

Finally, five hours after the revelation that rocked the Royal Palace, Zhi came back in with a Fire Sage. All the girls perked up, though the general mood was no lighter.

"We have been discussing," the Fire Sage began, "And we have come to some conclusions about all of your places in this competition." He coughed, clearing his voice. Zhi looked forlorn beside him, which Katara did not take as a good sign. "Those of you who battled and won, congratulations. You still have a place here."

There had been little question of that, but it seemed like they would not have to fight again. On that note, Katara breathed a sigh of relief.

"For the girls that were culled before Ty L- er, the traitor was revealed," the Fire Sage stuttered, "I apologize, but you still will be going home."

Most of the girls who had been cut seemed disappointed but unsurprised.

"And, as for the girls who did not get to fight," He glanced around, looking at Yue, Ratana, Nadhari, and On Ji. "In light of the...tumultuous climate in the palace currently - such as an Airbender as a contestant!" The Fire Sage seemed horrified. In a twisted moment of humor, Katara figured he'd practically faint if he knew there had already been an Airbender contestant. "The Avatar's return and General Iroh's arrest-"

"What?" Toph spat up, "Iroh's been arrested?" All the rest of the girls chimed in with disbelief and horror.

"There must be a mistake," Mai added, standing, "You must have heard wrong, he would not-"

The Fire Sage realized they had not been informed of this moment and it looked like he wished like he could turn back time five seconds ago. He swallowed thickly.

"He admitted to aiding and purposely hiding The Avatar. A very grievous act, and as such, he has been jailed and is awaiting trial."

"They'll kill him," Suki whispered brokenly, "He's only ever been nice and fair."

The girls were all a chatter, and the Fire Sage tried to get their attention. Finally, he whistled loudly, shrilly.

"Ahem! Control yourself, ladies," he chastised, "Back to the matter at hand...for those who did not get a chance to spar, you are being allowed to remain in the competition. There might be a test to judge your worth at a later time, but there is no such event planned for the moment. Congratulations to you four as well."

This was met with cries of unfairness, and all the girls seemed to have an opinion. The sage cleared his throat.

"Ladies!" he said sharply, "I do realize this has been a night of shock, but please!" He huffed. "You all will be questioned-"

"Fantastic," Katara muttered under her breath, and Suki gave a huge sigh, having clearly expected this too.

"-to see if you were involved with these traitors in any way or ever suspected Lady Ty Lee had such awful lineage, or if you think anyone else may as well. If you have passed the tournament, you are allowed to return to your room. If you are one of the few that did not, you will have two hours to pack, and then we will find transportation for you. That is all."

Before the girls could argue anything else, the sage turned sharply on his heel and left the room. Zhi was instantly met with a hoard of questions. Katara hung back, mind racing. She turned to Yue, who seemed to have a look of quiet glee upon her face.

"You see, Katara, it all worked out. No waterbending, and I am still in the competition," Yue said with a sense of slyness that Katara had never seen from her. If she didn't know better, she'd say that Yue rigged it to happen. Yue, the sweetest and possibly most morally good person here!

And, despite how awful everything was, because she did not want to cry, Katara couldn't help but laugh.

XXxx

"So you had no idea?"

It had been hours since Aang and Ty Lee disappeared underground. They were in complete darkness, sans a single flicker of firelight from Aang's hand. It was frigid, with wind howling around the empty corners and creeping over their skin.

He was glad Toph had saved some tunnels as a secret; places that Ozai now did not know still were around and would not be looking for them. Aang was fairly sure they were safe here for a few hours, but they couldn't live underneath the palace.

The first few hours, however, they'd spent in frantic panic, unable to utter a single word or discuss what had just happened. Now, as they were settling and the avatars in Aang's brain were less of a tizzy than they'd been before, he asked the question that had been on his mind since he found out Ty Lee was an Airbender.

"Of course not," Ty Lee said, eyes wide. Something quieted inside Aang; he would have been more than offended if she'd known and never told him.

"But did you...suspect?"

"Honesty? Would anyone?" Ty Lee frowned. "Yes, my eye color isn't common, but it was never an issue. Yes, I'm flexible, but I prided myself on this talent. There were hints, perhaps, but I never imagined...I don't even know when it opened itself to me. It had to be after age ten...that's the age they stopped trying to see if I would firebend," she reasoned, though she still looked troubled.

"It may have not been long at all," Aang winced, "And it might have been my fault. Zuko tells me that lots of new airbenders were created when I went into the Avatar State last."

"Well, I'm glad," Ty Lee said after a second. "I think being an Airbender is something I'll wear with pride."

"Ty, they're killing us," Aang whispered, knitting his eyebrows. "While I love the sentiment, I do-"

"Aang," Ty Lee laughed, her voice soothing even his most anxious running dialogue, "I was nearly unbeatable with my chi-blocking. With the Avatar as my teacher, imagine how I'll be with airbending added in! I'd like to see them try to kill us," she said, squeezing his hand. "My aura has never been brighter. Bright white; like a perfect cloud on the best, sunniest day."

"I wish I had your optimism," Aang sighed, leaning into her. He had no idea what their next steps were. He was beginning to realize how poorly he'd thought this through.

Thought this through? How about not at all! Kasata chuffed.

Poorly isn't the word I'd use. More like you suffered a complete lack of thought, Kyoshi agreed.

This...is...not...you... Gopan, if he were standing in front of Aang, would be red in the face, panting and nearly passed out.

"I get it, I get it," Aang muttered sourly. He completely understood what all the Avatars had been telling him, that he should not have done what he did, and that they were all still of the opinion that he was an idiot. Well, except for Suluk, who thought what he'd done was beautiful and nuanced.

It shows true passion and love, she'd gasped.

Aang was at a loss. He knew they could not stay here, but every inch of the palace was out looking for his head right now. They were safe here; it wasn't just himself he had to consider, but Ty Lee too. He might be confident in batting it out, and he knew Ty Lee was a good fighter, but she'd never been fighting against someone who wanted to kill her before.

That was a dirty way to fight.

There was the sound of footsteps running through the corridors near them. Aang and Ty Lee were immediately on high alert, both of them in a battling stance. The footsteps were coming from everywhere, so it was impossible to pin their origin down.

All of a sudden, the footsteps stopped. There was silence. Then, the sound of a piece of metal tinkling against the ground behind them.

Aang jumped but saw nothing but his own shadow mimicking him. He cautiously made his way over to the metal item laying on the ground, something no bigger than a flower.

"What is it?"

"A note. And, well, a game piece," Aang said in confusion.

"What's the note say?" Ty Lee asked, bounding over to him. He'd never noticed before how she could clear space with just a few steps; now with the air pushing her forward, she was able to make it to him looking like she was literally walking on air.

"You have friends at the palace. We are working on a plan to get you out. Sincerely..." He tilted his head. "...Friends of Rodden."

"Wait, isn't that...doesn't that mean...airbender sympathizers?"

"Yeah," Aang agreed, "Huh. Apparently, not everyone agrees with Ozai. Wish we knew who, though. That would make me feel a lot better."

"Does the game piece help?" Ty Lee asked. Aang held it up and shrugged.

"It's just a Pai Sho tile." If there was some deeper meaning behind this dingy white - no, it was more of a light gray - playing piece, he did not understand it.

"I guess we have to have hope then," Ty Lee said.

Aang tucked the note and the lotus tile into his pocket. "Hope? Seems like that's all anyone can offer these days."

XX

From the crack in her door, Katara watched as the girls in their finest dresses were dismissed from the company of the Choice. She could hardly focus on