#you're making me want to include Katara and Sokka joining Yue because the second they heard about trouble at the Royal Palace

[waterfire1848]

Azula: Zuko, how long have we been walking?

Zuko: I don't know. I can't see the sun anymore. I don't think it's been that long though.

Azula: So we're judging this based on your instincts? Great.

Zuko: Would you like to go back out into the hallway and have people step on us or mistake us for spider mice?

Azula:

Zuko: That's what I thought. It's safer in the walls. Maybe we can find the secret passageways and get down to the garden through them.

Azula:

Zuko: Azula? Earth to Azula?

[ Azula points up. Zuko follows her finger to see a giant sleeping elephant rat. ]

Zuko: Slowly walk away.

[ The two start to creep away from the giant vermin until Azula accidentally scratches her leg a little on a nail. ]

Azula: Ow!

[ Elephant rat's eyes snap open and look at them. ]

Zuko: Run! RUN!

[ Meanwhile. ]

Ozai: You're sure the Avatar is on her way?

Iroh: Positive. She should be here any second.

Ursa: Good because I can't find the kids anywhere. I looked all over where we walked and they're no where to be found.

Ozai: We'll find them. Don't worry. They're smart kids and they still have their bending. They probably took cover so they didn't get hurt.

Ursa: You're right. What are you two doing?

Iroh: Setting a little trap for the trickster spirit.

Ursa: How do you set a trap for a trickster spirit?

Iroh: By giving it a peace offering. All we have to do is keep his attention until Avatar Yue arrives and can speak with him.

Ursa: What kind of peace offering?

Iroh: A peace offering like this. Spirit!

Spirit: No need to shout. Let me guess, you want to know where the little ones are. Well, I'm not telling.

Ursa: You know where-

Iroh: That's alright. We actually have a peace offering for you.

Spirit: Yes?

Iroh: Free reign of the garden for a day.

Ursa & Ozai: Hold on-

Spirit: I already have free reign.

Iroh: Yes, but do you have any company. Myself, my brother and sister in law will remain here with you and talk, as long as you promise no tricks. Avatar Yue is also on her way.

Spirit:....Deal.

3 Inch AU

Prequel to this post

Zuko rubbed his aching eyes, praying what he thought just happened didn't. That a bright light did not flash in the middle of his and Azula's spar leaving his body sore and head aching.

He forced himself to open his eyes and found himself in the middle of a strange spirit forest. Great. First the body switch fiasco now this! Why were there so many spirits hanging around the palace?!

"Nice going dum-dum." Azula spat. "You angered the spirits again!"

"Again?! That was your fault! Both times!!!"

"As I recall, no one knows what angered the last one, but you pushed me onto this spirit and now we're 3 inches tall!!!"

"What?!" Zuko shot up.

Azula pushed the vegetation back revealing an oversized throwing star Mai gifted her. The very one Zuko knocked out of her hand when their spar turned into a messy free for all.

Zuko's heart sank.

"Like I said, 3 inches tall. Thanks a lot."

"None of this is my fa-"

A shadow fell over them seconds before a huge bird swooped down. The siblings barely had time to jump out of the way as the bird snatched up the throwing star. The two shared a frightened look. They had to get out of the garden or they'll surely be next.

A brief silent truce was formed as Zuko and Azula began the trek. Thankfully, they were relativity close to the walkway before they were shrunken. After scaling the huge steps, the ground trembled as a massive figure in deep red robes passed by. The siblings gasped.

"DAD! HELP US!"

"WAIT! DOWN HERE!"

They quickly chased after him, but it was no use. Ozai tuned out their now shrunken voices, assuming it was a chorus of summer insects. And there was no possible chance of the siblings catching up to him on foot.

Azula grabbed Zuko's wrist. "Agni's Arrow!"

Zuko skidded to a stop then spun his sister around. Azula produced fire jets from her feet to build momentum. After counting to three, Zuko released her. Azula shot through the air at breakneck speed straight towards her father.

This better work for they were both done for.

~*~

The palace was quiet. Too quiet.

That alone put Ozai on edge. He swore he heard his children out by the garden earlier. It was just another sibling spat but when he decided to check on them, the garden was empty.

A part of Ozai hoped the children settled things on their own and left without a big fuss. The rest of Ozai knew that was wishful thinking. So, he walked the perimeter just to be sure.

Ozai let out an annoyed sigh. The humming bees were a lot louder today. He'll have to talk to the groundskeeper about that least they overrun the whole garden.

Something landed on his shoulder. Ozai tsked and brushed it away. It seemed the infestation already began.

"Dad!!!"

Ozai stopped dead in his tracks.

"Azula?"

It was so faint. Maybe he was hearing things.

"Down here! Hurry!"

A small blue flame shot from his arm. Ozai glanced down and saw his daughter dangling from his sleeve.

"What the-"

Ozai quickly scooped her into his palm before she lost her grip.

"A-Azula?" Ozai gaped at his now tiny daughter trying to get her bearings. "What... how...?"

His eyes widened. If Azula was like this then...

"Where's Zuko?!"

Ozai lifted his feet as horror gripped him. Cool relief washed over him when he spotted a small figure running towards him. Ozai lowered his hand for Zuko to climb onto.

Now that his children were safe, Ozai calmed down enough for his mind to piece together what happened.

"Don't tell me-"

"Spirits." the siblings answered at the same time.

Ozai groaned. "Not again."