How long had it been? How many days had passed? Months? Years? She used to mark the days on the wall, but the longer she stayed, the less she started to care. Besides, there wasn't enough wall left.
Hearing her back crack as she stretched, she cursed under her breath and moved to the other end of her cell. This was routine; waiting for food to be given, before retreating into the darkest corner and devouring like she were a filthy rat. It was a disgusting way to live.
However, she knew her time would come. Slowly she started to muster up that same old signature laugh, the one that used to make people tremble. In response, the guards outside struck the gate with their fists, cutting it short. Apologizing with a rat's timid voice, she skittered away.
"Snake," one murmured.
She felt her shoulder shake as she stifled another laugh. How ironic, she would rather be a snake than a blind badger. Snakes were sneaky, and could end the life of their prey within a moment's notice. No matter how long they waited or how much skin had been shed in the process.
It was pitiful but she didn't have anything else to do other than listen to the idle chatter as the guards swapped shifts, passing on the responsibility to another unlucky soul. It was the same old drivel, one was going on maternity leave, another had started a long distance relationship with a Water Tribe belle, the usual. Back in the old days some had even had the nerve to try to provoke her, but those that had found themselves losing their position. She was to be ignored. Forgotten.
But she did not fade away so easily.
She heard the bars slide open, and along with her meal for the day also came the whisper. The sweetest of songs that her crooked ears had been dying to hear.
"All hail Fire Lord Azula."
Eagerly picked up the bowl, the dead eyes of a half cooked fish stared back at her. She stuck out her tongue in disgust and tossed it away. Looking closely at the rice, she saw a shimmer of red and excitedly pulled the object out. It was like being handed a diamond ring.
Grinning wildly, she stood and adopted a pose long since abandoned but never discarded. Her rusty joints cracking back into place as she extended her fist out, embers starting to form around her finger. She had been out of practise for many a year, that kind of lapse would cripple a lesser firebender.
But she was Azula.
Cracking her knuckles, the embers extended out to the paper and soon all was caught in its glorious blaze. The guards barely had a moment to see the normally still prisoner had burst into list before the fire consumed their eyes.
No, she would not fade away.
The explosion was small, but its impact was cataclysmic. The Boiling Rock was soon on high alert, and the sound of a thousand feet could be heard clambering their way through the corridors. When word spread of whose cell has been torched, panic soon began to set it.
As the fiery commotion continued to brew, Azula walked out and cracked her neck in some much needed places. She was already ninety one, her body decrepit and withered, but she knew that it was enough. Adjusting her eyes to the false light, she noticed the cattle that was the approaching guards, gathering together in a half-baked defense formation. She let her smile resonate. There was fear in their eyes. Grinning maniacally, she charged forward.
On reflex, the guards' unleashed waves of fire from their fists, however to their shock the old prisoner managed tossed herself over the flames with unsightly grace and landed right before them, like a ghoulish spider baring its fangs. It was enough to break the guards' formation, and she took the chance to quickly raise her leg, bringing it down with a trail of fire in its wake. Two poor souls felt the full brunt of it, as blue flames melted their armor and consumed their flesh. Not giving them a chance to rest, she began to let out a slew of familiar movements. Muscle memory did not fail her, and soon the blue fire was consuming the entire corridor. Oh sure, they resisted, but ultimately they were saplings compared to what she knew. The few that managed to outrun her reach were already fleeing for their lives, screaming for help.
It didn't take her long to find her escape route, something else that she had pieced together from decades of gathering whispers and knowledge fed to her by her precious little spies. Kicking down the nearest barred widow with strength alone, she slid out and peered up at the dark skies above and let the cold breeze hit her body. Embracing the outside, she took a moment to savor the first taste of freedom, before looking back to see the entirety of the reconstructed Boiling Rock was clambering after her.
Sliding down the wall and weaving her way alone the outside of the complex, her info seemed to be on point. The bulk of the response had gathered to her prison room, expecting a limping old woman to be clawing her way to the outside, instead of a deadly predator managing to stalk her way to her intended location.
The landing pad was as vast as it was beautiful, especially given the blimp docked there. As the wind howled in her ear, she sent herself hurting towards the ground. The steel ground melting under her feet with the impact. The spot of guards that had been posted nearly didn't know what to think as the figure coated in pale flames made her entrance. Though it didn't really matter in the end given how they soon found themselves cut to the fiery ribbons.
The crew didn't fare much better. With a new fire churning in her belly, she stormed her way onto the front deck, and in their confusion the group had no time to register the fact their faces had been turned to ashes, save for the dainty little thing that watched her co-workers lose their bodies to the old woman's wrath. Azula's face, like that of a vengeful demon, filled her view, her haggard voice whispering into her ear with one instruction layered with obvious threat.
"Fly."
And just like that they were airborne, the pilot too concerned about if she was ever going to see her fiancé again to worry about taking the world's most dangerous criminal to who knows where. Walking through the charred remains of the crew, she casually sat down on one of the chairs and started to hum to herself.
"See you soon... Zuzu."
Asami was pacing, more than usual. This was largely due to her not being in the best of headspaces. A strong sigh took over, despite knowing she would regret it snagged an emergency class of brandy and inhaled its dark contents.
Korra was coming back soon from a day out with Mako and Bolin. Probably going out to an all you could eat buffet in the center of town. However, while she was usually all for her taking a break and letting off some steam, this time she was a little concerned.
Today was their anniversary, and yet not a single conversation surrounding the day had been mentioned. At least not by Korra. Asami had been dropping hints for months on end. This was to be a huge deal, celebrating that one magical day they had both stepped through the spirit portal and established themselves as Republic City's biggest power couple.
Maybe she was being paranoid, but unless Korra had suddenly gone outside her usual traits and become an expert in stealth, she was starting to wonder if she had remembered at all. The fact that she had gallivanted off with the dynamic duo was almost proof enough.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door open. Dressed in her usual Water Tribe robes, sprouting muscles that could make any male made, along with that short hair that always made her look as cute as could be (well, at least to her), Korra waltzed in while rubbing her belly. Her smile was wide, so should could only assume that Mako had paid.
Asami weaved the most casual expression she could muster.
"Hey you! Oh you are not going to believe how much we all ate! I tell you, I think in one of my previous lives I must have been a boar, because – "
Her attempts at an approaching hug were halted when a held a hand to her chest, stopping her in place.
"Did you forget?"
Korra blinked.
"Forget...?"
The eyes of the Future Industries CEO lit up like that of a dragon and a much sharper tone took over.
"Did you, Korra, forget what today is?"
The ditzy expression plastered on the Avatar's face pretty much confirmed the Sato heir's greatest fear, but she wasn't giving anything away. Korra on the hand felt like she was under investigation and sheepishly scratched the back of her neck.
"Um...well...I mean...ah...can you give me a clue?" she chuckled nervously.
Asami's eyes widened, and for a moment Korra was worried she had been possessed by Vaatu, because that was a look that could strike down even the strongest of benders.
"A-N-N-I-V-E-R-S-A-R-Y."
It took a couple of seconds for Korra to spell it out in her mind, but when she did, she felt herself could an unceremonious shade of pale. She opened her mouth but no word seemed to come out.
"...Happy anniversary baby!" she suddenly burst out and pulled Asami into a deep hug. "I can't believe it! Twelve whole months! That's a lot of months to be in love with someone! Oh man, it would be crazy for someone not to remember a special day like this!" she began to laugh, while also shaking in the spot.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
"I totally forgot" she admitted in defeat
Asami let out a very long sigh. She should had snapped and hurled a plethora of accusations at her lover but looking on the ashamed face of the Avatar made her own features soften.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" her hands clasped together like she had just spat in the face of a deity. Granted, an angry Asami was legendary in its destructiveness. Just ask the last man who had uttered a sexual slur to her.
A long, hard sigh passed between Asami's divine lips.
"I...know you've been busy lately...the higher ups have been pulling you all over the world for months now" she said slowly, causing Korra to raise her head ever so slightly. "And being the awesome girlfriend that I am, I would perhaps be willing to forgive you...if you take me out to dinner tonight. With all the trimmings" she said with a tiny smile.
Bursting into life again, Korra pulled her into a massive hug that was almost spine-breaking.
"Thank you, thank you!" she said over and over again. "I am so sorry, I am such moron! I can't believe Mako forgot to remind me of this! Bet this was his idea to get back at me for beating him in that all you can eat challenge! Cheeky son of a – "
"Korra"
"Yes?" she gulped.
"You're not out of the weeds yet young lady"
"I'm not?"
Asami smiled devilishly and soon the two were a breath away from a kiss.
"But you can make it up to me this way"
However, the sound of lips clasping together was cut off by the sound of the door being thrown open, the trample of heavy boots and strained breathing. An officer from the RCPD nearly came tumbling through the door.
"Avatar Korra!"
"Kind of busy here" she responded a little sharply. Nothing irritated her more than when her supermodel of a girlfriend was about to layer on the sugar and they were interrupted.
"I'm afraid it's urgent! A message from the Fire Nation! Azula has escaped!"
Korra still felt the sting in her heart as she recalled the fresh memory of her leaving the house. In her shadow was a very distressed Asami. Of course that look if disappointment lasted only a moment, followed by a set of instructions as she arranged to have Korra taken by the fastest zeppelin Republic City had to offer.
"You have to go."
"But-"
"This is too important to ignore. You are the Avatar. You belong to the world...not just me."
The goodbye kiss had seem a little more sour than usual, but she tried to push thoughts to the back of her mind as she made her way towards the latest version of the ancient prison known as the Boiling Rock. It was a fortress that had been doubled multiple times over, with an entire section being devoted to that of one criminal.
Upon landing, a familiar face greeted Korra, one that was ravaged by concern.
"Avatar"
"Lord Zuko" she responded.
"We already have a suspect in custody that aided Azula in her escape, he's just about to be interrogated.
The two old souls walked along the path towards the entrance, all the while Korra could not help but notice the faces of the guards. Sorrow and shame painted across their faces like they had been hit by a branding iron.
"What happened here?"
"My...sister managed to break free due to some fool smuggling in some kind of explosive. We were too careless to think that in her old age she would have given up her ideals of conquest. Though I suppose madness such as hers can hardly be cured."
"I've heard the stories. She was one of Aang's most deadly enemies."
"The history books do her villainy an injustice. Her mind was as wicked as a demon's, and just as cunning. She brought the Earth Kingdom to its knees. Though time may have made her body weaker, I fear what calamity she may cause unless she is stopped"
"Guess we had better focus on finding her then. Think this smuggler knows anything?"
"If he does, we'll get it out of him."
The guard in question was a rather strikingly handsome man, save for the burns and bruises that had lacerated his face after he was found out. Seemed his old colleagues weren't particular impressed with his extracurricular activities.
"This was found in his personal quarters, hidden inside a secret compartment in the floor" one of the interrogators stated as he handed a very large book to Korra.
Bound to the ground in a large stone room with several benders surrounding him, the accused looked utterly pitiful. Korra took a gander at the book and turned to a random page before wincing.
"That's...um...that's Azula?" she asked Zuko.
"In her youth, yes..." Zuko said, disdain in his voice for the various photos and drawing plastered all over the pages, some of which held her in a rather sexual nature.
The former Fire Lord turned his attention to the prisoner.
"You have one chance to tell me everything you know on the whereabouts of my sister, or I promise you the last memory you will have will be that of unimaginable pain. I want to know where Azula is, where she might be headed, every last sordid word you two ever exchanged"
"We have those as well" the guard added as he handed a series of papers to the pair. "Seems they were exchanging secret letters. They are all dated, and match up with his schedule from the past few years."
"A real affair, huh?" Korra muttered as he looked at the silent man, who was now starting to profusely sweat. As it seemed he needed a little more nudging, Korra began to read a random letter aloud.
"My Princess, my future Queen, your words of sweet venom have taken hold of my heart. I cannot deny I too long to see you return to the ways of your youth and lead our people to their former glory. Those of us who believe dim by the day, but I am the one constant. I shall endeavor to free you from this wretched place."
"You fool" Zuko interjected. "She is a master manipulator, any weak heart she will twist to her whim with fanciful words."
A murmur from the prisoner tempted Korra to keep reading.
"This is a recent entry, only a month ago. To my Fire Lord, I now have a way to free you. I can smuggle in small amount of flammable materials, a few grains at a time. But I shall not rest until you are unchained. As for what you seek, the easiest way is through the..." Her heart began to sink. "The Southern Water Tribe?"
Before Zuko could even intervene Korra had suddenly taken the man by the scruff of his collar and lifted him off the floor with relative ease. Her eyes were no longer gentle, they were fierce, hardened, overwhelmed by the desire to protect what was precious to her.
"Why is Azula going to the Southern Water Tribe? What does she want there?!"
"...betray..." was the only word that she managed to catch out of him before she growled and slammed his whole body to the floor, he let out a pained cry in response.
"Answer me!"
"I...I will not betray her...!"
Korra grit her teeth.
"I swear if you don't give tell me what I want to know within the next five seconds then being burned alive is going to a pleasantry compared to what I am going to do to you!" she warned.
"Korra," Zuko's voice spoke out with an aged old authority.
"What?!" she snapped back.
He simply handed her the book as well as another extract of paper.
"I think we can guess what she is after...this idiot was kind enough to write it down for us" he explained.
Quickly snatching it out of his hands she began to read through the writing as fast as possible. Confusion crossed her face as she tried to decipher what was before her.
"These...these are all extracts. Random bits of information about the Spirit World?" she said aloud before looking at the piece of paper. "This is an old entry. My dearest Azula, your words of love will not be wasted. Behold the fruits of my labour, this is everything I have surrounding its legend. The way there is treacherous, but I have no doubt you could succeed." She paused again before glancing up at Zuko. "Its legend?"
"It appears that my sister seeks to head to the Spirit World through the Southern Water Tribe, but for what reason I cannot fathom."
"...Wait..."
Korra grabbed the rest of the papers and scanned some of the entries she had already read aloud, browsing over the words like it was some lock, and a specific passage was a key that could untangle its heinous secrets. And sure enough she soon found her answer, and it was one that made her previous anger melt away. Replaced by a visceral sense of dread.
"I know what she's after."