Abduction Hey, readers.

So, its my first time writing anything about Avatar: The Last Airbender, but Im an avid fan. I hope that my best is good enough for all of you! Have fun reading my story! (Ill give you my warnings now) Warnings: Torture, Language, and Ass-kicking. Disclaimer: If Id owned ATLA, Element Island by AntarcticLight wouldve been canon. It had been five years since Zuko became Firelord. A long, eventful five years. Twenty-year-olds Sokka and Suki had gotten married and had a daughter named Kanna, who was a year and a half old. Twentytwo-year-olds Zuko and Mai had their twins, Ursa and Ty Lee, along with their son Roku. Aang, who was nineteen, and Katara, who was twenty, had just been blessed with their four-month-old son, Tenzin. Toph was still single and lovin it, in her own words, but Zuko had seen her returning googly-eyes to one of the eighteen-year-old Firebending guards at the palace. Life was good. Team Avatar, as it was called, still gathered regularly to report to each other on their progress with the world. Aang and Katara traveled all over to spread the peace and tranquility that was slowly overtaking the nations. Sokka and Suki, along with Toph, took the initiative to stomp out any resistance in the form of ex-army Firebenders that were making trouble, and Earth Kingdom groups who would attack any Firebender coming into their borders. Zuko and Mai took their jobs as Firelord and Fire Lady very seriously, working on plans that would remove the negative effects of Ozais reign. There was still one group that was giving them all grief, however. They were called the Children of the Comet, and it seemed to Zuko that their sole purpose in the world was to make his work difficult. Theyd made attempts on his life twice: once with poison, and once with an archer. The poison had been in his evening tea, and was a very painful one. It worked in the lungs and caused the person to believe that they were being choked to death. Apparently the Comets hadnt thought it through well enough because the palace had the antidote to the somewhat common poison. With the archer, Zuko hadnt been quite as lucky. It had been about a year previous. Hed been in his room with Mai, right before they went to bed. Mai had gone over to the other side of the room to check on Ursa and Ty Lee, (Roku, who was only three months old now, had still been in his mothers womb) and Zuko had been standing next to their open window, gazing out at the stars. Hed heard the whistle of an arrow, but hadnt had time to move before it had sunk into the left side of his chest, and out his back. Hed collapsed to the ground, choking and gasping in pain, and Mai had rushed to his side, loudly calling the guards that theyd left outside their door. It had taken about ten minutes for Katara, who was there, to get to him, and he was nearly dead. He had been extremely lucky that she was there, but after that theyd taken no chances. Some of the Northern Water Tribe people had come to the Fire Nation to see the progress theyd made, and so Mai had made a deal with one of their healers: stay on as doctor, and get paid with full benefits for life. It was a small sacrifice for Kayira, but she stayed, with her only request being that her husband and daughter could stay with her. Mai accepted her terms, and Kayiras husband, Takoma, was now a palace guard. Her three-year-old daughter, Mayra (also a Waterbender), played with Ursa and Ty Lee (both had shown signs of being Firebenders), who were two, and they had quickly become best friends.

Zuko and Mai had spent a happy three months since Roku was born, but the stress of being Firelord had gotten to Zuko lately. Mai had convinced him a few weeks back to take the trip that they were currently on: to a secluded sort of forest retreat in the Earth Kingdom. They were the only ones present, and their three children were staying with Katara, who adored Ursa and Ty Lee and had said, No problem! to another baby. Theyd taken the day to walk around the surrounding woods, admiring the trees and beauty. They held hands, reveling in their love in a way that they hadnt since before Rokus birth. You know, I think you were right about this place. Mai raised an eyebrow as they walked around a small hot spring. Was I? Zuko nodded. Yeah. Its calming. Until things leap out at you! He grabbed her and jumped into the spring, pulling off her outer garments so that she was in her swimming clothes first. When they resurfaced, Mai splashed water in his face. What was that for?! He smirked, and she splashed him again. You know that I just love hot springs, Mai. She glared, but then swam over to him and found that the bottom was shallow enough that they could sit comfortably. She pulled him down, and he began to speak again. You know, ever since Roku was born, Ive felt like weve been neglecting each other. I mean, we never- umph! She kissed him to shut him up. The kiss deepened, and neither of them heard the footsteps coming towards them until it was too late. Two small darts were shot at them, and they each felt a prick in their necks. Zuko reached up and felt the dart, and said, Oh, shit, before his eyes rolled up in his head and he fell into the water. The same thing happened to Mai, and the two dart shooters quickly ran up to them and pulled them out so that they wouldnt drown. Five more came out from the trees, and a woman jumped down from the tree right next to the pool with her sister, another guard. The leader turned Mai over with his foot. We dont require this one. Leave her here. The effects will wear off in an hour or two, and by then well be long gone. As for the Firelord, the Extraction Team is to put his clothes back on and bring him back to camp. The rest of us will meet you there. Three people stayed while the other six left, walking east towards the midmorning sun. One of those who stayed, a woman, plucked the dart out of Zukos neck and tried to pick him up so they could dress him. Agni, hes heavy. Kinza, come over here and help me with this lump, will you? Kinza nodded and went to help the other woman, who was her sister. Together, they lifted him into a somewhat standing position and each put an arm around her neck. Thanks, Kinza. The woman on Zukos right sighed and nodded. No problem, Zuri. Their other member, a man named Kazoko, was left with the job of actually dressing the Firelord, but it was done rather quickly, and they were off. When they reached the others, they had all packed up and were sitting on their eel-hounds. Zuko was loaded onto one, and the group took off, Firelord in tow. Mai woke up with the most incredible headache. She looked up, and jumped to her feet when she remembered her last few moments of consciousness. She looked around her. Zuko was gone, and there were no clues as to where hed been taken. She looked around for any clues, and raced back to the retreat, straight to their room, and packed everything they had brought. Mai dressed in her official clothes, and went to the area where they had come to get a place to stay. The woman who owned the place was sitting at a desk, writing a letter. Madam, I am truly sorry, but I will have to cut our visit short for delicate reasons. May I pay now? The

woman nodded. Yes, maam, that is perfectly fine. Thank you for your visit! Mai nodded and asked for a carriage to be brought for two. The less people that knew that Zuko wasnt with her, the better. When the carriage arrived, she asked the driver to take her to the Jasmine Dragon. Zukos uncle Iroh had told her to come straight to him if they ever had a trouble they couldnt handle themselves. Mai figured that Zuko and she had been attacked by the Comets, and she was certain that it was they who had taken Zuko. During the long ride, she slept and thought of her lost husband. When Mai reached the Jasmine Dragon, the doors were open and she could hear laughing customers. Iroh had always had a talent with people. She composed herself, and stepped from the carriage with grace, asking the footman/driver to help her with her things. She asked him to leave them at the door and paid him, thanking the man for his service. Lady Mai! What brings you to my humble tea shop? Uncle Iroh, as he had asked to be called, or Mushi, in his tea shop, came over to give her a hug. She looked at him, and his smile reminded her of Zuko so much that she nearly fell to the ground and wept. Uncle Mushi, I need your help. Uncle Irohs face fell. She could tell that he knew something was wrong from her face. Okay, folks, I think were going to have to close early today, he said, addressing the tea shop. I have an important family emergency. Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed coming to the Jasmine Dragon. Mai was surprised to see that no one held resentment in their eyes; apparently, Iroh had made himself quite liked with the people here. Several of his customers came up and said, I hope you are blessed by the spirits, and, May the spirits have goodwill for you and your family. Uncle Iroh thanked each and every one of them. When everyone had left, she noticed that Aang, Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Toph had all appeared, seemingly, out of nowhere. Iroh sat her down, and they all stood at a respectful distance, obviously noting that she looked distraught. Iroh looked at her kindly, and asked, Now, Mai. Whats wrong? Mai looked at them all. Zukos friends, his uncle. His family, and therefore, by definition, hers. Its Zuko. He-hes She paused, unsure if she was able to say the words. Everyone looked at each other with worried expressions. Katara, who had become a good friend, came forward to her, and took her hand. What happened, Mai? You can tell us anything. Mai took a deep breath, and started from the beginning. Well, you all know that we went on a sort of vacation to a secluded place in the Earth Kingdom. They all nodded. We were walking around the woods this morning, and found a little hot spring. A few minutes later, while we were distracted She blushed, and Katara smiled encouragingly. Someone snuck up on us. We were both shot with some sort of dart that knocked us unconscious. When I woke up, I think about an hour later, Zuko was gone. There was complete and utter silence. A tear slipped down Mais cheek. Im fairly certain that it was the Children of the Comet. Sokka growled. I really, really hate those guys. The others made sounds of agreement. Katara looked horrorstruck. Oh, Mai. Are you alright? No, thats a stupid question. Of course you arent. Mai looked at her, and a few more tears slipped down her face. Katara grabbed her into a hug, and Mai couldnt hold it back anymore. Who knows what theyll do to him! I mean, will he even be alive if we find- Katara pulled herself back and cut Mai off, a hard look on her face. No, no. When we find him. Theres no if there. Dont you dare do that to yourself! You have to trust that he will be alright! Mai nodded.

Toph came over to her, and said, Sugar Queens right, Mai. Well get Sparky back, and hell continue to annoy us all like nothing ever happened! Mai knew that Toph was worried because she called her Mai instead of her nickname, Knives. Mai looked to Iroh. Uncle Iroh, I came here because you told me that if there was ever a problem we couldnt solve, we should come to you. She swallowed. Well, here I am. Can you help me? Iroh got an angry look on his face. We will find my nephew, and when we do Aang ended his sentence for him. Mai didnt think shed ever seen the young Avatar look so angry. The Spirits help those who took him from us. So, thats the first chapter! Poor Zuko. Im the one writing this, but I still feel sorry for him It seems to be a common illness with those in fanfiction to want to cause pain to their characters Uh oh. Anyways, enough rambling. Microsoft Word says this is just over two thousand words. I never thought that the first chapter would end up like that, but Im glad it did! I just couldnt stop writing Review! Tell me what you think, what you like, what you hate Even if its an I like this story! or a Dont hurt Zuko, please! (Or even a Hurt Zuko, please! o.O Morbid much?) Its still a review, and reviews are awesome. Seriously, though, tell me what I could improve on, or what I suck at. Thanks!