"Take them to the prison." Azula ordered, sneering her nose at the captured prisoners. "Make sure they have separate cells and don't let them escape."
The soldiers saluted the princess and grabbed their prisoners by the scruff of their necks.
"Get your filthy hands off of me." One threatened.
"Wait till I get my hands on you." Another one spoke.
The Fire Nation soldier threw the prisoners into a metal cage, which was attached to some horses.
"Not that one." The Fire Princess stated, the soldier stopped. She walked over to the beat up Earth Kingdom girl and pinched her cheek, which caused the girl to thrash around in the soldiers grasp.
"This one goes in there." She pointed over to a wooden cage. The soldier turned and threw her roughly inside.
"Toph!" The water bender cried.
"It'll be okay. We'll get out of this." The Avatar reassured.
"It's okay Twinkle Toes. They don't scare me." Toph huffed.
Azula went over to the Earth benders cage grabbed her feet and placed one of her hands underneath her foot. She heated one of her hands slowly, emitting a tiny flame in her palm.
"You wouldn't dare." Toph didn't flinch.
"Try me." Azula whispered darkly.
Toph flinched at her tone and her eyes widen when she felt the princesses hand become hotter.
"Are you scared yet filthy peasant?"
"Never." She replied boldly.
"Very well." Azula stated.
Toph sighed in relief when she felt the warmth fade. Suddenly she felt the heat back, searing her feet, she screamed in pain, causing her companions to explode into screams and insults. Azula laughed wickedly and narrowed her eyes at the Avatar.
"You're all going to suffer, each and every one of you and I'll be there to listen to your blood curling screams."
Aang and Katara cowered slightly, while the water tribe warrior shook the bars aggressively in protest.
"You think your threats scare me. Why don't you let me out and I'll show you suffering."
Azula let out another laugh and wiped a pretend tear from her eye.
"What could you possibly do to me?"
"Why don't you find out?" He threatened.
"No." Azula waved her arm effortlessly. "Peasants aren't worth it."
Sokka growled and Katara grabbed his arm, whispering him to calm down. A soldier reappeared and saluted the Princess.
"We're ready to go."
"Then go." She ordered. "I'm going back to the palace, father needs to know the Avatar has been captured."
"Yes Princess." He bowed and left. Azula turned to her prisoners, watching them leave, all of them giving her daggers as they finally disappeared behind a hill.
"We have to get out of here." Sokka growled as he pushed on the bars of the cage.
"How?" Katara countered. "I can't water bend this kind of metal, Aang can't bend at all and Toph isn't here."
Aang frowned at the siblings fighting, it was true he couldn't bend, the Fire Princess had managed to break his arm and restrained him with metal bonds that were far too heavy for the young boy to lift. The Water Tribe siblings were yelling at each other now, causing the Air bender to explode.
"Will you two be quiet!"
They both looked at one another before lowering their eyes and frowning,
"I hope Toph's okay." Katara said.
"I'm fine Sugar Queen." They heard her say.
"Toph?!" Aang called. "You're here?"
"I'm next to you. We must be going to the same place, their prison must be able to accompany a Metal bender."
"Are your feet okay?"
"NO!" She yelled. "Of course not."
They all flinched at her voice. "I can heal your feet." Katara offered.
"With what?" Toph growled. "You have no water, I'm in a separate cage, I can't see anything and we're going to prison. You really think they'll supply a water bender with water?"
"No, I'm sorry." Katara sighed.
They stayed quiet for a long while, listening to the heavy hooves of the horses, the creaking of the cart, staring out onto the road they just past.
"Is it just me or has it gotten colder?" Sokka shivered.
Aang and Katara shivered also. "It's not you, look." Aang pointed out the opening of their cage. There were tiny specs of snow falling slowly in front of them. Katara shuffled forward poking a finger between the spaces of the bars.
"Snow?" She asked. "Where are they taking us?"
They were slowing down now, they had passed a sign which said 'Entering Low Point Prison, Fire benders beware.'
"Fire benders beware?" Aang asked confused. "But none of us are fire benders."
"Maybe it's for the fire benders they work here?" Sokka shrugged. "Maybe they don't fire bend as well in the cold?"
Aang nodded. "Maybe."
They suddenly jolted to a stop, they heard the soldiers speaking.
"Azula's capture." The soldier reported.
"We only have three spare cells." The other groaned. "How many prisoners?"
"Four, but one can bend metal, she'll need a separate one. The other is the Avatar."
The soldier went quiet before he spoke again. "You three." They gang heard the soldier order.
"Grab the prisoners. Ensure the Metal bender in the wooden cell and put the Avatar opposite the traitor, I'm sure he'll appreciate it." They all started laughing, the gang looked at one another in confusion. 'Traitor?'
Before they knew it they were being dragged out of their cages, all thrashing against their captors. They took them through a maze of corridors. Aang tried to memorise the path, but eventually gave up due to the many corners and angles. He could hear Sokka complaining and insulting the soldiers, Katara and Toph were silent. They came to a stop, they suddenly let go of their prisoners, causing them to fall into a heap on the floor.
"Ouch, you could of warned us." Sokka growled rubbing his bum as his rose, the clacking of his chains sounding in the hall way.
"Where are we going?" Aang asked, trying to calm the situation.
"Taking you to your cells."
"Why did you let us go?"
"This part is more fun." Aang could tell the soldier was smiling wickedly under his helmet. Aang frowned and turned to see his companions had also heard and had fear pasted on their faces. He gave them reassuring looks before being pushed forward as the soldier opened the huge red doors. The room was suddenly surrounded in noise. Prisoners were lunging at the gang as they walked past, yelling at them and the soldiers. Aang was terrified, one prisoner almost grabbed him, but he had manoeuvred away. Katara was looking at the floor trying not to listen to the wolf whistles and the comments they were making about her gender. Sokka was trying to get his soldier to carry him again, while Toph was being carried, bringing up the rear. The soldier opened another door and led them into a quieter section where the gang saw pairs of eyes watching them, sad and full of despair. Aang bumped into the soldier in front of him as he wasn't paying attention.
"Since you are not adults, but kids, this is where you'll be staying for the remainder of your days." Some of the prisoners started to move towards their bars, the gangs eyes widen as they saw the prisoners were all but kids.
"How many kids are here?" Aang asked.
"Twelve, well sixteen now. Ranged from about seven to eighteen years old. Then you move to the adult prison." The soldier laughed as Aang flinched remembering their short walk they just took.
"However we've never had anyone over the age of fourteen before, now we have two."
"You know how old we are?" Sokka asked surprised.
"Of course, all information was given to us before your arrival." He then pointed to each of them and said their name and age.
"Aang, twelve, Katara, fourteen, Sokka, fifteen and Toph, twelve."
The gang's jaws dropped in surprise. They looked at one another in fear, what else did they know?
"You're the Avatar, originally a air bender, you're companions include a water bender, an earth bender and a non bender. You two." He pointed at the siblings. "Are brother and sister from the Southern Water Tribe. She, " Then pointed at Toph. "Is Toph Bei Fong, a rich little girl from the Earth Kingdom."
He walked over and towered over Aang.
"I know everything about my prisoners, their past, present and future. Not that you have much of a future." He sniggered. "Chuck them in their cells." He then ordered.
The soldiers undid their bonds, before throwing them into their cells, the siblings were together, Aang and Toph in separate cells.
"You're prison days start tomorrow. You'll have chores to complete."
"Aang can't, he has a broken arm. Toph has burnt feet, she's blind." Katara protested. The soldier went to her cell.
"How is that my problem?" He growled.
"Well they won't be much help will they." She said sarcastically. The prisoner grabbed her by her plait and whispered dangerously.
"Don't test me little girl."
Sokka rushed to his sisters aid and pushed the captor away while putting an arm around his sister.
"I can heal them, you know." She whispered.
"Why would I let you near water?" He mocked.
"You'll have more able workers."
The captor paused for a moment, thinking of all possibilities. "Okay, but if you do anything but heal, we'll kill you."
He turned to a soldier. "Go grab some water."
"Yes sir."
"Bring her into his cell." He ordered another. Katara was taken from her brothers arms and into Aang's. The water was brought and Katara let out a relieved sigh at being able to bend again. She put her hands over Aang's arm and breathed deeply, feeling the broken vessels and bones.
"This is going to hurt." She warned him. He nodded. She shot a wary look at the captor before focusing on her friends arm.
"Ready?" Before Aang could reply, he cried in pain as his arm snapped back into place and their captors and surrounded them in caution.
"Are you okay?" Katara asked.
Aang moved his arm slowly before he swung it over his head. "Thanks Katara." He whooped then hugged her.
"Next." Their captor ordered. Katara was dragged into Toph's cell and sat in front of the motionless earth bender.
"Toph, are you alright?" She asked worried.
"Yeah." She whispered back. "I just can't see anything."
"I'll fix that." Katara smiled at her. "Give me your feet."
Toph obliged. Katara crumpled her face in disgust as she saw what the Fire Princess did to her
friends feet. The skin was scorched off, underneath was red raw and as she gently pulled the water to her feet, Toph winced and took her feet back.
"I'm sorry Toph, but it's going to hurt."
Toph put her feet back onto Katara's lap. "Just make it quick."
Katara placed her hands back and began healing straight away. She watched as the skin began to grow back, slowly covering Toph's feet, the redness fading with every second. When she was finished Toph sighed in relief.
"Thanks Katara."
Katara was unable to reply, as a soldier removed her and slung her back into her cell.
"Thank you for helping us." The captor laughed.
"It wasn't for you." She countered, causing him to turn in her direction.
"Either way, your friends are able to help us. Therefore, you did." He turned away and gathered his soldier as they checked each cell and rattled the bars to ensure the prisoners wouldn't retaliate but cower in fear.
"You're a stubborn one, you know that?" The gang heard a soldier say. No reply. He shook the bars a bit more and shot fire into the cell.
"Didn't even flinch." The soldier growled. He went to shoot again before he was tapped on the shoulder by his superior.
"That's enough, after what he's been through, I don't think a little fire will waver him. You need to be a bit more extreme." He stated darkly. His soldier nodded and the gang could tell they were smiling.
"We'll see you all in the morning. Sweet dreams." The captor mocked. The soldiers filed out, extinguishing the light as they went, leaving the gang and prisoners in darkness.
"Katara, Sokka, Toph?" Aang whispered.
"Yeah?" Sokka whispered back.
"How are we going to get out of here?"
"I don't know man, I don't know." Sokka whispered in despair. They fell silent and finally understood what was happening and where they were. Toph broke the silence by saying good night and before Aang knew it he was asleep.
"Wake up!" Aang awoke to the supervisor and his soldiers slamming the doors open and hitting the bars with metal. Before he knew it, Aang, was being pulled from his cell and shoved into line as his friends joined him. Aang watched Sokka's ponytail bounce as he walked, dreading what was in store for them. They arrived to a room, he looked around Sokka's shoulder to see the filthiest room he'd ever seen, covered in rubbish and mud.
"Roll call." A soldier stated before they began to move into the room, lining up, waiting for the supervisor to start calling names. Aang paid note to the names and faces that were called.
"Maiyu." He called.
"Present." A little girl no older than eight, whispered.
"Abe."
"Present." A boy a year older than Aang stated. Aang listened and eyed the children in the same situation as himself.
"Aang."
Aang snapped out of his daze and stood straighter. "Present."
"Katara."
"Present." She stated just as clearly.
"Sokka."
"Present." He grumbled, crossing his arms in disgust.
"Toph."
"Present." She shouted, her voice carried around the room.
"Last but not least, Zuko."
Aang's eyes widen at the name, he shot a look down the line, the very last boy had golden eyes, his hair dangled over his face. The scar Aang had gotten used to, stood out covering his eye. His expression was one of hate and disgust.
"Present." He growled, same posture as Sokka, but more intimidating. Aang found his companions were also staring at the Fire Prince, what was he doing here? Why was he here?
"Alright, now everyone is here, we can start by cleaning this room. You will be supervised and no
bending is permitted."
Buckets of water were planted at their feet, Katara looked down and her eyes widen, she looked up to find the superior in her face.
"If you even attempt to water bend, we will remove you, if you're lucky we won't kill you."
Katara gulped in fear and looked back at her bucket, she felt her brother shuffle beside her as he whispered.
"Don't water bend, we'll find another solution to getting out of here."
She gently nodded.
"Alright, let's get started shall we." The superior stated. With that the children dispersed from the line and began to find suitable spots to clean. However the gang and Zuko stayed in the now broken line. A young girl took Toph's hand and pulled her away.
"I said clean."
Aang, Sokka and Katara moved and began cleaning together, while Zuko stayed put. They watched as the supervisor stood in front of him.
"You think your better than these filth?"
"No, I just don't take orders from scum like you." Zuko smirked.
The supervisor laughed at him. "You think I'm scum? Look at you. Scarred, banished and imprisoned by your own father."
Katara saw the hurt that flicked through his face before he became a stone wall.
"I said clean." He punched Zuko in the stomach roughly, causing Zuko to gag and fall on his knees.
"That's where you scum belong, on your knees, begging for mercy."
Zuko picked his bucket up and emptied it on the supervisor's feet. He growled and picked Zuko up by his hair.
"Want to try anything else?"
Zuko didn't reply, just staring him in the eye.
"I didn't think so. Now clean this up." He released him and Zuko began cleaning the floor with a mop.
It had been about half an hour, Katara, Aang and Sokka were cleaning the floor, while listening to the kids conversations. Toph was listening to the girl who took her away, she had a bored expression on her face. Katara giggled, but abruptly stopped as a soldier walked by. They watched as he walked over to Toph, he knelt down, whispering in her ear. Katara watched as her friend froze, her eyes widening in horror. Katara watched as the soldier roughly pulled at her clothes. Before any of them could do anything, Zuko had grabbed the man's hand and pushed him against the wall. They noted the fierceness in his eyes, his anger emitting around him.
"Touch her again and I'll rip it off." He threatened dangerously. The soldier trembled slightly causing Sokka to smile. Katara rushed over to Toph. The commotion was heard and several guards rushed over, grabbing Zuko and throwing him down onto his stomach and one soldier sat upon him.
"What is this commotion?" The supervisor returned.
"One of your soldiers tried to have her way with my friend." Aang spoke up.
"He was just playing, weren't you Maverick?"
The soldier nodded gently, holding his injured arm. Zuko scoffed and wriggled about.
"Oh Zuzu, you know you only had one warning left, shame, I thought you would of learnt by now."
Zuko flinched at his nickname and growled at him.
"Take him away."
The kids watched as Zuko was taken away, thrashing about against his captors. Sokka saw the change in the children's characters, they were quivering in fright and they suddenly begun to huddle together.
"What are warnings?" Toph timidly asked the girl who had taken her from the line.
"We all get three warnings, if we doing something wrong, then that uses one warning, if we use all three then we get severely punished and the after the warnings are refreshed."
"How many has Zuko had?" Katara asked in worry.
"Fifteen." One boy answered her. All four of them gasped and looked at one another.
Before they knew it, the gang and their fellow prisoners were thrown back into their cells. Aang instantly asking his friends if they were okay. He eyes turned to the cell across from him.
"Zuko?" He gently called. No response. "Zuko." He called a little louder. He narrowed his eyes looking for any signs of movement in the fire princes cell.
"He's not there Twinkle Toes."
"Surely he should be back by now." Aang seemed worried.
"Are you seriously worrying about the fire jerk?" Sokka snorted. Just as Aang was about to retort, the door was slammed open and two guards threw a body into the room. As the body hit the floor it groaned in pain.
"Zuko?" Katara gasped quietly. Gold eyes locked with blue and Katara frowned. Blood was leaking from his brow, cuts covered his face, bruises overran his body and burn marks were scattered over his arms and legs. She crawled over to bars and tried to touch him. Her arm was kicked away, as a soldier picked Zuko up and threw him like a ragdoll back into his cell.
"What did you do to him?!" Katara shouted.
"Taught him a lesson."
"What is wrong with you?" She growled back.
"Me?" The soldier laughed. He opened the water tribe siblings cell and grabbed Katara and locked the cell before Sokka could attack.
"Hey, unhand me." She thrashed.
"Give me back my sister!" Sokka yelled.
The soldier ignored the grabbing hand of the water benders brother and carried her to Zuko's cell. He roughly pushed her into his cell.
"Heal him." He ordered, chucking the bucket of water at her. She scoffed at him and crawled to Zuko's side.
"Zuko?" She asked hesitantly, she was replied with a painful grunt.