The war was over. They had lost. The Firelord had won.
Appa had flown the hardest he ever had. But Azula gave chase, easily gaining on them. With her small fleet of airships, she easily outstripped the tired Appa and his heavy load. Crashing to earth, they all tumbled out to be cut down one by one. Haru put up a miraculous fight, taking several of the firebenders with him before he was finally killed. The Dupe and Pipsqueak were killed the moment they stepped to the ground, crushed by the elite Dai Li. Tao didn't have a chance to get off Appa before he died at Azula's hand. Finally, it was just the four of them: Katara, Sokka, Aang, and Toph. Fighting as hard as they ever had, they managed to drive Azula's forces back. Toph was the first to fall. The Dai Li encased her unconscious body in stone and disappeared into the earth. Aang cried out and leapt into the sky on his glider, flying straight for Azula. A cry rang out from below him and he twisted his head to look. Sokka was hit. His shirt smoldering, burning away to show the gaping ruined flesh beneath it, he fell back into his sister's arms. Katara's heartbroken wail distracted Aang for only an instant, before he snapped his attention back to the Fire Princess, but it cost him his life. Azula's fire finally hit home, and the glider tumbled from the sky. All eyes followed its flaming descent, but Katara was sure, as she sank to her knees, that she was the only one who watched Aang fall into the gorge that hid the Western Air Temple from the now silent watchers.
Tears running down her face, Katara brushed the hair back from her brother's face. Sokka's blue eyes finally close, and his chest collapsed for the last time. Katara clasped Sokka tight to her one last time, before something hard collided with the base of her head and all was black.
Watching from his own airship, Zuko could do nothing as his sister mercilessly cut through the small group. He saw the Avatar fall, watched as the lifeless body fell down into the gorge. Tears streamed from his face: the world's last chance for peace was gone. He turned his airship around and flew away, unnoticed by the Fire Nation troops below.
"Just take her." Azula's clipped voice cut through the haziness fogging Katara's vision. "There's really no point in leaving her here for some idiot to find. We'll take her to my father, see if he has any ideas of what to do with her."
Katara felt herself being lifted onto strong armored shoulders and born away. She was carried onto one of Azula's airships and dropped roughly to the hard deck floor. She began to cry silently as her arms and legs were bound and a cloth was tied tightly across her mouth. How could such a meticulous plan go so wrong?
She grunted as a pointed boot collided with her stomach. Curling into a ball, she heard Azula's sharp laugh above her.
"Pathetic. You're just like my idiot brother; remove someone from your life and you go all to pieces." She kicked Katara again. "Pathetic."
Katara didn't open her eyes, even when she heard Azula's boots walk away, their swift tap on the floor reminiscent of her sharp voice. She squeezed her eyes tighter and shifted her hands in their bonds, testing for weaknesses. None could be found. The same for her feet. Perfectly executed knots held her in place, completely helpless.
A soldier walking near by noticed her struggles and grinned, walking over. He crouched down and pinched her face between his fingers, drawing her gaze to his face.
"Don't fret sweetness. We'll take good care of you." He leered at her, sticking his tongue out and running it over her cheek. Katara's eyes widened, and from her prone position, she managed to sweep her feet out and knock the soldier away from herself. He roared as he toppled over, then seethed as he stood back up.
"You'll pay for that, water wench!" Katara glared at him. He gritted his teeth and moved to strike her, but another hand, stronger and broader, caught his. Whirling, he found himself looking up into the eyes of Lieutenant Xiao. He gulped.
"The princess said no one was to lay a hand on the prisoner until she says so." Lieutenant Xiao's voice was deep and calm, belaying the fire burning behind it when he looked at the bound Katara. He was large in stature, muscularly built, with long black hair and a sharp goatee. His skin was darker than some of the other firebenders, but his golden eyes shone with the same intensity as Azula's.
The soldier gulped. "Yes Lieutenant. Sorry sir, won't happen again." Xiao released the man and watched him scuttle away. He looked down at Katara, who was giving him her best death stare. He laughed, crouching down. "Yes, we're not to hurt you. Not yet anyway. You see, her highness thinks the Avatar might have survived. And what's the point of destroying the one thing he has left?" he ran a light finger over the cheek the soldier had licked and she flinched away. His smile grew wider. "So we're going to keep you around for a while longer. But how we'll keep you depends on the princess's mood, and your…behavior." Katara whipped her head back to glare at him again. He laughed and stood up. "So behave, water witch. It'll be easier on you." He walked away, footsteps loud and resounding. Katara curled back into her corner and shut her eyes, blocking out the noise from the airship.
She awoke as the crew set down at the base of the Fire Capital. Lieutenant Xiao replaced her rope bonds with chains, and fastened an iron collar around her neck.
"I'll be the one holding your leash, water witch." He told her in a low voice. "Do not give me cause to jerk it." He did so slightly, causing Katara to stumble forward painfully. She continued to glare at him, and opened her newly freed mouth for a biting comeback. But Xiao was too quick for her, and placed his free hand over her mouth.
"Not a sound out of you." She bit him. She expected him to jerk the chain or at least strike her, but he only smiled evilly. Taken aback, she released his hand and spat his taste on the deck before him. Now he did strike her, a dizzying blow to the side of her head. She reeled, and before she could fully collect herself, she was being jerked down the runway and onto a path leading straight for the Fire Palace.
Xiao stayed in front of her, gripping her chain leash tightly. No chance of escape. But where would she go? All her friends, family were dead, gone, and she was in the Fire Nation. Her dark skin and blue eyes stuck out more than Appa would have, though more subtly. Soon she was being pulled up the towering stairs that lead into the dark entrance way. Azula, at the front of the "spoils party", halted the company before entering the massive doors of the Firelord's chamber.
"I want to speak to my father alone before I introduce our…guest. Lieutenant Xiao, why don't you take her into one of the private audience chambers and see if you can't quell some of that spirit she demonstrated earlier. I'm sure you're up for it?" she said, cocking an eyebrow dangerously. Xiao grinned in reply. "Good. You have half an hour. Don't disappoint me."
She pushed through the large double doors and continued straight while the rest of the company branched off to the right. Katara barely had time to take in the enormous size of the fore chamber before Xiao tugged the chain and dragged her off to the left. They emerged into a slightly smaller chamber with couches and chairs strewn about, all tastefully upholstered in red and gold fabric. Xiao sank down into one of the chairs with a sigh.
"It's always good to be home." He grinned at Katara, yanking her forward so she fell at his feet. "When Azula brings the Firelord, you are to bow at his feet, is that understood?"
"I will never cower before-" Katara began, but a hard smack to the face interrupted her. Xiao didn't even look disturbed, like he smacked around bound captives everyday. Which, Katara thought as she wiped blood from her lip, he probably did.
"You're very brave to hit me while I'm chained!" Katara threw at him. "Why don't you let me on my feet and-" another blow knocked her down again, chains rattling metallically. Xiao's expression had not changed, though he seemed somewhat amused.
"Bastard." Katara spat out, sitting up again, wiping more blood from her mouth.
Xiao contemplated her. "So hurting you won't break your spirit…then what should I do with you little water witch?" Katara stared up at him, suddenly afraid. What else could he do to her?
Suddenly, he yanked the chain forward and she was crushed against his chest. His lips descended upon hers and his tongue forced its way into her mouth. She tried to scream, but he grabbed her hair and yanked her head back, silencing her. His other hand roamed over her body, flitting from one spot to another to pinch and poke in uncomfortable places. Her hands were drawn up over her head. He released her mouth and hair long enough to quickly refasten her hands behind her back. She struggled and he slapped her. He recaptured her mouth, roughly biting her lips. His left hand held her head to his, as his other hand began undoing her sash.
Azula and the Firelord entered the chamber as Xiao was refastening his pants. Katara lay curled into a tight ball next to one of the couches, her entire body in pain and covered with bruises. Azula smirked to herself. Xiao was one of the best when it came to knowing how to break prisoners. Ozai noticed his daughter's smirk and smiled slightly to himself. So this was her doing. Lieutenant Xiao bowed deeply to the Firelord.
"My lord, I hope I have not offended you."
"On the contrary, Lieutenant," the Firelord's smooth voice was perfectly even. Azula's smirk broadened. Xiao straightened.
"With your lord's permission…" Ozai waved his hand, indicating that Xiao should continue dressing. He turned to the coiled Katara.
"And who's this then?"
"This, father, is the Avatar's water teacher." Azula nudged Katara with her foot. "But she seems unable to speak at the moment."
Ozai and Xiao laughed cruelly. "Would you please excuse us, Lieutenant? Job well done." Xiao bowed to his lord and princess and left without a glance at the shuddering girl lying hunched behind the couch.
Ozai signaled to a pair of guards behind him. "Take her and her clothes to my chambers, I wish to interrogate her personally." The guards bowed and collected the moaning Katara. They carried her silently out and away. Ozai turned back to his daughter. "Well done Azula. But you didn't find a trace of your brother, did you?"
"No father. I think he and Iroh have disappeared together."
"Seems likely, doesn't it?" The firelord began to pace. "We shall have to find them, Azula, before they can pick up where the Avatar left off." He stopped. "Are you sure he's alive?"
"We couldn't find his body, and my men are scouring the Western Air Temple for him. If he is alive, we'll find him."
"And if he's not…we'll have to search the entire Water Tribes for the new avatar." Ozai sighed regally. "I'm going to question the water girl…see what I can get out of her."
"Want me to come along?" Azula asked sweetly.
The Firelord chuckled. "I would like to interogat her alone, Princess Azula. Go rejoin your men at the Air Temple. And don't forget to check the gorge bottom as well."
Azula bowed and exited the chamber. Ozai waited until he heard her leave before turning and following the guards with Katara to his chambers.