Yo everybody! I am back from a weeklong trip with a brand new chapter for your enjoyment.

Chapter Seven: The Alchemist and the Deserter

Jeong Jeong's Camp

"I see," Jeong Jeong said as Katara finished telling their story. "When we first heard that the Princess tried to kill her father, I found it hard to believe. I met the Princess briefly years ago. Of all the things she appeared to be, devoted to her father was among the first and foremost. I cannot see someone that devoted to the Fire Lord betraying him. However, I cannot believe that she's the Avatar. The spirits would never be so cruel as to have such a wicked child as the Avatar."

Katara started to object. "But-"

Jeong Jeong raised his hand, cutting her off. "Listen to me, child. What you believe about her will not change the truth of who she is. Azula is a lot of things, but she is Ozai's daughter above all others. Like her father, people are but pieces of on a Pai Sho board to her."

"But she is the Avatar," Katara insisted. "We've both seen it with our own eyes."

"If so, than the spirits have a truly warped sense of humor," the old firebender bitterly replied. "Of all the people who could be the Avatar, why they would choose a wicked child like her, is beyond all reasoning."

"So you won't help us free her then?"

"No. We will help you," Jeong Jeong answered. "We have been fighting against the Fire Nation for some time now. Freeing her would only could them more trouble."

The Shen Quan Garrison

Azula sighed in boredom as she lay bound on the floor. There was little she could do give her current predicament. Of course, the only other person in the small prison was a less than entertaining person to speak to. In fact, at the moment, the Mad Alchemist was mumbling out all kinds of calculations and formulas that even she struggled to make heads or tails of.

She had come to the conclusion that either he was a genius, completely insane, or both.

Suddenly, Azula heard the door to the cell block open and footsteps approaching. "Former Princess Azula… It is good to see you again," a very familiar and very smug voice called out as the footsteps stopped.

Azula scowled, instantly recognizing the voice. "Zhao."

Zhao chuckled for a moment before turning his attention to the other cell. "Ah…And this is the 'Mad Alchemist' who managed to create a new and powerful weapon. I sure the Fire Nation will find more than a few uses for you inventions."

"Sorry. Inventions not intended for the armies of the Fire Nation. Made to help people, not tyrannical empires," the Alchemist replied off-handedly, paying more attention to his calculations than the Fire Nation Commander.

"We'll see," Zhao said, ignoring him. "But you…you are the prize here Princess. Who would have imagined Ozai's favored child, a prodigy blessed by Agni, and the Avatar, bested by a single rock, thrown by a simple peasant, how the mighty have fallen."

"Why don't you release these restraints, then we see how far I've fallen," Azula retorted, more than eager to burn that smug smile he undoubtedly had right now.

"I think not Princess. I'm not going to be taking any chances now that I have you. Tomorrow morning, the two of you will be loaded onto my ship, bound for the capital. You Princess, shall serve as an example to all those who dare oppose the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation, while you, Alchemist, shall create more weapons of war for me, weapons that shall finally end this war with the Fire Nation victorious."

"If you think you can hold me, you're sorely mistake Zhao," Azula shot back. "I'll be out of here before dawn. In fact, I'll even let him out too."

Zhao started laughing. "That's quite a bold statement Princess. And just how do you plan on escaping with your limbs bound like this?"

"And ruin the surprise? I think not."

Jeong Jeong's Camp

"They're keeping Azula here," Sai, one of Jeong Jeong's scouts, said, pointing to the largest building on the map of Shen Quan. "In the town hall. Many, many years ago when this port was taken, they fortified the hall into a small garrison with a small outer wall and gate. But because this is a port, albeit minor, non-vital one, there double the number of soldiers that would normally be in a town of this size. And that's not including the soldiers and sailors from the warships and supply ships that currently in the port. Added to this, there are patrols that travel through the area around the garrison on a regular basis, stopping anyone civilians from coming near the town center after dark."

Katara, Sokka, Jeong Jeong and several of his warriors were gathered around the map spread across a short table in Jeong Jeong's tent. Sokka shook his head and groaned as the scout explained the garrison and the disposition of its sentries. "Figures. How can this get any tougher?"

"Actually, we have a major advantage here. The soldiers assigned to the garrison, have been there for months. They're become bored and lazy from guarding a small port town far from the front. Aside from the occasional band of bandits, they've seen little action. And every night many of the off-duty soldiers frequent the taverns of the town," the man pointed out. "So the majority of the soldiers in the garrison will just be those on duty and by the time we strike, those in taverns will have drunken too much to fight effectively."

"Our best chance is ambush several of the off-duty soldiers and pose as them. Then we walk right into the garrison and get her out," Jeong Jeong said, studying the map. "However, I'm concerned about is getting her out quickly should the alarm be sounded. Drunken men can still slow us down."

"We can fly her out," Katara suggested.

Jeong Jeong shot her a questioning glance. "What?"

"We have a Sky Bison. We can use her to get Azula out of the town after we free."

"There is no we. My men and I can infiltrate the garrison but you and your brother are too small to pose as soldiers. They'll spot you in a second," the aging Firebender replied. "But if what you say is true, we can use the beast to take her out of the city. Wait on the outskirts of the town with her. When you see our signal, fly to the garrison where we'll be waiting with her. The three of you will escape while my men and I will slip out of the town."

"What will be the signal?" Katara asked.

"You'll know it when you see it."

The Shen Quan Garrison

"You! Guard! I need to relieve myself," Aula demanded as she heard footsteps pass her cell.

"So? What am I suppose to do about it?" the guard replied, clearly annoyed.

"Isn't it obvious? Unchain me so I can relieve myself."

The man snickered at her request. "So you can firebend? Do you take me for a fool?"

"In case you haven't noticed, I've got these iron boxes on my hands and feet, so how can I bend?" Azula retorted, shaking her chains a little bit.

The guard let out a sigh and a moment later, Azula heard the cell doors open. "Just don't make any funny moves."

The soldier knelt down next to her, unchaining her legs and then her arms. He stood back, a metal baton in hand, watching Azula carefully as she slowly rose to her feet. Azula moved towards the bucket that prisoners had for relieving themselves. She stood there for a moment, staring down at the bucket before glancing over her shoulder at the guard. "Word of advice, a firebender can create fire not just from their hands and feet. We can breathe it out as well."

Before the man could react, a jet of fire struck him, throwing him into the cell bars behind him. Suddenly, Azula was on him, swinging her metal-encased right hand at his head.

WHAM!!!

The guard collapsed in heap, his baton and his keyring landing on the ground nearby. Azula got down on her hands and knees, and using her teeth, picked up the keys. Then she sat down and crossed her legs as best she could while pressing her left arm against her chest, setting the keys onto her arm. After a few minutes of trial and error, she got the correct key in her mouth, using it to free her hand. With her hand free, she pulled the key from her mouth and began unlocking the rest of her bonds.

Azula stood up, grabbing the keys and the baton on the ground. She left the cell, locking it behind her. However, she did not head for the door instead; she walked to the Alchemist's cell. He wasn't much to look at. Though her guess of his age being around that of her brother's, appeared to be correct. The Alchemist was sprawled out across the simple cot in the cell. His body was thin and pale, while he wore rather frayed and unkempt Earth Kingdom clothes, giving him the appearance of someone who cared little about their own well-being. Interestingly enough, there was one article of his clothing that was well cared for. An odd object that rested on his forehead. It looked like a pair of spectacles, but unlike any that she had ever seen. The two lenses were attached to a band that wrapped around his head and even stranger, on the end of each lens was a small metal rod which held three increasingly smaller lenses that were angled away from the main lenses. His long dark brown hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, though it looked like it was more to keep his hair out of the way rather than style. His eyes were closed and his hands were clasped together on his chest as continued to mutter out various calculations.

Without saying anything, Azula unlocked the cell and opened it, causing the Alchemist to open his eyes, staring at her with a green right eye and a blue left eye. "You opened the cell. Why?" he asked.

"Because I don't like Zhao," Azula replied. "He wants you as well, so I'm going to let you out."

The Alchemist rose from his cot, bowing his head. "Thank you."

"Here," Azula said, offering him the baton. "You're going need something to defend yourself so you won't be completely useless."

The Alchemist shook his head. "No. Don't use weapons. Do you have the key to the chest at the end of the hall?"

"Possibly."

"Good. Belongings are in there. Tools should prove useful for escaping," The Alchemist said, stepping out of the cell, moving pass Azula, heading for the end of the hall.

Next to the door out of the cells was a large wooden chest. "Key," the Alchemist said, raising his hand up.

Azula threw it to him and he opened the chest, and began to rummage through it. "Ah. They did not throw way the bags," he said, pulling out a number of bags and pouches.

"What's in those bags?" Azula asked he began strapping the bags to his legs, waist and body.

"Tools, instruments, black powder satchels and other," he answered, securing the last bag to his belt. "Should help with the means of escape."

Suddenly, the door opened, a soldier standing there. For what seemed like an eternity, they just stood there, staring at each other. "The prisoners are-" the guard started to shout, only to have Azula throw the baton at his head, knocking him out.

Moments later, alarm bells were sounding through the building.

"'nother round!" a Fire Nation soldier barked, slamming an empty mug on the table.

"Sir, I think you've had enough," a barmaid politely said.

But her words only angered the soldier and he slapped her, earning laugher from his drunken comrades while the locals just quietly watched. "I'll tell you when I've had enough," he shot back, his words slurring. "Another round!"

"That's very, very disrespectful," an old man said from a neighboring table. "True warriors do not disrespect women like that."

"Watch your tongue old man!" the soldier shouted, rising to his feet. "I'm a soldier of the Fire Nation! I demand that you show me the proper respect I deserve!"

"More like a stupid drunkard," the old man casually replied. "A true soldier does not need to demand respect from anyone."

"That's it!" the soldier shouted, drawing his dagger and lunging at the old man.

But the old man was much faster than the drunken soldier, deflecting the man's arm, sending the dagger flying. Before the soldier could react, the old man struck back, thrusting two fingers into the man's forehead. The soldier stumbled back, crashing into the table. "In addition, a true soldier is always observant of his surroundings and those he fights."

"Don't lecture me old man!" the soldier yelled, rising back to his feet.

"I am no teacher," the man replied. "I'm merely pointing out the facts. You and your men picked one of the smaller taverns, seeking to avoid the crowds of larger taverns. But that also means that you and your party are the only Fire Nation soldiers in this tavern." At that moment, the other patrons began to rise out of their seats. "You also decided to consume a fair amount, dulling your senses, thinking, reaction and abilities. Never a wise decision for soldiers occupying an enemy town." Suddenly, a large axe slammed into the table, slicing it in two and stunning the soldiers. "Finally, and the most foolish thing you've done tonight, is picking a fight in tavern run by a man who is a Pai Sho master." The remaining patrons in the tavern drew their concealed weapons as the barmaid lifted up her axe with a single hand, resting the large weapon on her shoulder.

Moments later, Jeong Jeong opened the tavern's back door, waving his men inside, where they could change into the uniforms of the soldiers.

"Come on. Shut up," Sokka hissed, trying to silence Hisaki who was still wailing for Azula. "This stupid lizard is gonna get us caught."

Currently, the Water Tribe siblings were sitting atop Sora, on the outskirts of the forest just north of Shen Quan, watching the town for some sign of Jeong Jeong's signal. But it would all fall apart if Hisaki's cries would alert the town sentries. "Shh…" Katara said, stroking the wyvern's head. "We're going to help Azula, but we need you to be quiet right now."

"Why are you bothering? It's not like that lizard can understand you."

But as Sokka said those words, Hisaki stopped and snapped at him, earning what sounded like chuckles from Momo. "Hey! Watch it you stupid-"

"Sokka, be quiet," Katara hissed. "You're going to alert the guards."

"But I-"

"Not now. We have stay hidden and keep an eye out for-"

At that very moment, bells started to ring throughout the town.

Jeong Jeong and his men were a mere block and a half from the garrison when the bells rang. "Did someone from the tavern tip them off?" one of the rebels asked.

"No," Jeong Jeong answered, shaking his head. "None of those people would betray us to the Fire Nation. Azula must be trying to escape as well. Hurry up, we don't have much time."

"Secure the gate! Those outside the gate, form ranks in of it!" Lieutenant Zhang ordered. "The Princess must not escape!"

His men inside the garrison walls rushed to lock and bar the gates, the only way in or out of the garrison. She would have to come through here.

They all knew it.

Azula and the Alchemist carefully peered out of a window in garrison, observing the soldiers' movements. "This is going to be difficult," she commented. "Even if we manage to clear out the soldiers here and open the gate, there's still more waiting outside."

"Hmm…Fire Nation Girl, have plan," the Alchemist said. "But will need protection."

"My name is Azula," the annoyed princess replied.

"Azure, need protection," he said, heading for the door.

Azula felt a vein on her forehead throb as she followed after him. "I said my name is-Ah forget it! Whatever you do; you better do it fast!"

The two rounded a corner, coming face to face with two more soldiers. "There they are!" one shouted, only to receive a blast of fire, throwing him back.

His comrade lasted only a few seconds longer and managed to raise his sword before a second fireball hit him. With the two guards down, they pressed on. "That's the sixth and seventh soldiers I've dealt with, by myself," Azula said, growing more and more annoyed by the Alchemist's refusal to fight.

"Many things, not a fighter."

"Even to defend yourself?"

"Not a fighter," he repeated.

"Fine. What's your plan?"

Commander Zhao sat at his desk, sipping a glass of fine Fire Nation spirits, writing his proposal to the Fire Lord for an invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. With Azula captured and the great Fire Nation warmachine grinding down the armies of Earth Kingdom, now was the time to break the stubborn northern tribe once and for all. And of course to add to his latest accomplishment. Soon, he would not just be known as the man who captured the traitor Azula, but the man who bested the Spirits.

"Commander Zhao!" a guard called out, barging into his chambers. "The garrison has sounded the alarm!"

"WHAT?!!"

Azula leaped out of the garrison entrance, throwing fireballs into the soldiers guarding the gate. Fortunately for her, none of those within the garrison were firebenders, giving her a major advantage over the numerous soldiers. Alternating between fireballs, fire whips and jets of flames, Azula forced the soldiers back and away from the gate, creating an opening. "Now!" Azula called out.

At that moment, the Alchemist emerged, rushing for gate. Once he reached the gate, he knelt down, pulling out small bags from several of his pouches. As he did that, the soldiers had begun to regroup and were advancing on Azula from all directions. A fireball struck one soldier down, a fire whip lashed across another soldier's chest. But still more were coming at her. A soldier lunged at Azula with a spear; she jumped over the spear blade and struck back with a fireball. A second soldier attacked her with a sword. Sidestepping the downward blade, Azula slammed her hand into the man's throat. The man doubled over, gasping for breath.

"There!" the Alchemist called out, rushing from the gate. "Now is the time to vacate the area before the explosion!"

The two teens ran back into the garrison, the soldiers close behind, unaware of what was about to happen.

Outside the gate, Jeong Jeong and his men found number of Fire Nation soldiers gathering around the gate. "I am Lieutenant Jin of the Dragon's Wrath," he said to the nearest officer. "What's going on here?"

"The prisoners have escaped," the lieutenant replied. "But they haven't made it out of the gates yet. We've been ordered to stand guard here in case they somehow manage to free themselves."

Jeong Jeong nodded his head. "I see." Suddenly, he struck the man. "Fool! Do you have any idea who the prisoner is?! Azula is a firebending prodigy! How many benders are stationed at this garrison?!"

"N...n-none sir!"

"Then open this gate now, so that we, firebenders, can get in there!"

"I can't. It's locked and barred on the inside," the panicking junior officer replied.

Jeong Jeong scowled. There was no way they could get in though the gate then. They would have to wait for Azula to escape from the walled garrison, or…

He stepped away from the officer and gestured for Chey to approach. His trusted aide approached him. "Chey, go find them and tell them to come into town."

"Yes sir-"

At that instant, the gate exploded outward.

BOOM!!!

Katara and Sokka stared into the town, utterly stunned by what sounded like thunder and the rising smoke from the town center. "Was that the signal?" Sokka asked, growing concerned over what was happening.

"Maybe," Katara said, glancing at her brother. "Should we go?"

"I guess."

And with that, Sokka pulled on the reigns, urging the Sora into the air.

BOOM!!!

The bombs went off, and the force of the explosion violently tore open the gates, throwing debris in the crowd of soldiers waiting outside. Many were hit or cut up by the flying pieces of the gate.

Inside the garrison, the soldiers were utterly stunned by what just happened. In fact, only two were moving after the explosion, Azula and the Alchemist. The two were not wasting their opening, sprinting for the now opened gate.

Dead and dying bodies lay around the outside of shatter gate, but neither stopped as the first of the soldiers recovered from their shock. At the far edge of the group of gathered soldiers, an old officer and several other soldiers rose to their feet, straight in their path. "Stop!" the old man called out.

'Like that's going happen,' Azula thought, already turning away from them.

"Wait! Azula!" the man continued to call out. "We're here to rescue you!"

This caused her to pause, stopping her in her tracks for a second. 'Get grip on yourself,' she chastised. 'There's no way anyone would come to rescue you.'

"AZULA!!!" a voice that was growing far too familiar for Azula's liking, screamed.

It was Zhao with a group of soldiers and firebenders. Needless to say, he was not happy. "Do not think that you are about to escape," Zhao snapped, furious at her escape attempt. "The only way you're leaving this town in the holding cell of my ship."

"Just try, Zhao. Just try."

Azula threw a fireball at Zhao but he countered with a larger fireball before he and his firebenders attacked together. Fire streaked towards Azula. She deflected two fireballs, leapt over a third and fourth, then diving under the fifth. "Too slow," Azula commented.

"Then try this!" Zhao roared as he and his firebenders struck as one, sending one huge combined jet of fire.

Using every last ounce of strength, Azula created a wall of fire, trying to shield herself from the fire. Fire met fire. The fire wall flared up from the fire jets. Beads of sweat slid down Azula face as she fought to maintain the wall while Zhao and his men didn't let up, throwing more fire into the wall.

Azula, despite being the prodigy she was, could only hold out against such assault for so long and she knew it. She would tire and their streams of fire would engulf her. It was as simple as that.

'No! I refuse to lose here! I am Azula, the next Fire Lord! I will not lose!'

Suddenly, the old man appeared at her side, throwing fire into the wall, pushing it forward. Zhao and his firebenders were thrown off guard by this sudden intrusion, ending their attack.

"Still just as reckless as ever, my former pupil," the old man said. "All you know is how to overpower your opponent. As always, you lack control, restraint, discipline."

"I am no longer a young student, my former teacher," Zhao snarled. "I am a master now. Far more powerful than you ever were."

"We shall see." The old man turned to Azula. "Azula, stand back."

If this old man and Zhao wanted to fight, that was fine with her. Azula took a few steps back. At the same time, Zhao glanced at one of his men. "Make sure she doesn't escape," he ordered.

Zhao struck, throwing large jets of fire at the old man. The man created a fire wall before him. Zhao's fire struck the wall, but it held. The naval commander growled in anger, attacking again and again. But every time, the old man deflected or blocked Zhao's attack seemingly effortlessly. Yet he himself never attacked and this only served to enrage Zhao more.

But Azula had already picked up on the old man's plan. He clearly knew Zhao's fighting style of using raw power to overwhelm his opponents while the old man's style was one of focus and discipline, fighting defensively so that Zhao would quickly use up his energy. A clever ploy. One Azula would have used had Zhao fought her one on one.

No matter, she wasn't about to let this distraction go to waste. As more and more soldiers turned their attention to the dueling firebenders, Azula began to slip away. Unfortunately, she wouldn't get very far. Several of the firebenders attacked her; Azula deflected their first two blasts and then dived to her knees, sliding under the third. "You will not escape, traitor," one of the benders proclaimed.

"Traitor?! Traitor?!!" Azula all but screamed, feeling her own anger rise. "I was the one who was betrayed!"

Normally, Azula was never one to let her emotions get the better of her, but after everything that had happened in the last two weeks, and then being called a traitor from a man who should be rightfully bowing to her, was just too much for her. All the anger, the bitterness, and the pain that she had been holding in, surged out. Roaring at the top of her lungs, Azula lashed out that man with twin fire whips. The bender deflected the first whip, but the second struck his face. The man howled in agony, clutching his face. But Azula didn't stop, with the man defenseless; she attacked again her whips striking him across the chest. The screaming man fell to his knees while his fellows attacked her with fireballs. Azula leaped up, evading one fireball while deflecting the other with a kick and following with a second kick that sent an arc of fire at the two. They managed to create fire shields, blocking the worse of the attack, but the force pushed them back.

Suddenly, a voice called out, "Azula!!"

A Sky Bison landed behind her, atop it was the Water Tribe siblings. "Come on!" Katara yelled, waving her arm. "We're here to get you out of here!"

Her words broke the princess from her rage and she paused, allowing the two firebender to recover and strike back with streams of fire. But somehow Azula managed to deflect their attacks, directing them away from her. After that, she didn't waste another second, sprinting to the bison and climbing atop it with a helping hand from Katara.

At the same time, the Alchemist appeared, climbing up the other side of Sora. "Fascinating. Truly fascinating," he said, his attention entirely on the large beast. "How does such a large creature manage to stay aloft in the air?"

"Hey! Who's that?" Sokka demanded, annoyed at the unexpected guest.

"Don't worry. He's harmless," Azula replied. "Well, not entirely. You took out more soldiers than I did in that last blast. Surprising from someone who said they weren't a fighter."

"Regrettable, yes," he said, his expression dropping for a brief moment before perking back up. "But have already set aside half an hour for reflection and mourning."

Azula turned back to Sokka. "Come on, peasant. We should have been up in the air by now," she snapped.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, your majesty," Sokka grumbled, pulling on the reigns, urging Sora back into the air. "Remind me again why I helped rescue you?"

"This rescue isn't over yet, peasant."

"Don't let her escape!" Zhao roared as he continued his duel below them.

The fireballs raced upwards at them. Sokka pulled hard on the reigns, Sora bellowed as she pulled right, avoiding several fireballs as she flew upwards. However, one came dangerously close to the bison, missing it by mere inches. More fireballs flew up, but the bison had risen up too high for the benders to hit.

"We've made it," Katara said as Sokka guided Sora out of the town. "But I hope Jeong Jeong and others can make it out."

Azula blinked, remembering the name. "Jeong Jeong? That's who was fighting Zhao?"

"Yes. He found us after you were captured, and he was going to help free you," Katara explained.

"Figures. Only people that would help me are enemies and traitors," Azula muttered under her breath.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just wishing I could see the look on Zhao's face right now," she replied. "Losing not one but two prisoners, I can't think of much else that would be that humiliating for him."

Zuko stood upon the deck of his ship, staring out at the sea, the reflection of the full moon shinning on the water's surface. He had little luck in tracking down his sister, forcing them to tail Commander Zhao for the time being. Zhao was heading north and so was Azula from what they had gathered from a boat filled with refugees.

But this lull had given him time to reflect on things. His father once said that Azula was born lucky and that he was lucky to be born. For years, that had seemed to be true, but now…now it didn't seem to be true. She was now in a worse position than he was, on the run, a fugitive of her own nation, and no allies what so ever. Well, she did have those two children from the Water Tribe, but other than that, no one.

Ever since Azula had first used firebending at age three, she excelled at everything, completely overshadowing him, her older brother, earning their father's favor. True to their father's words, she appeared to have been born lucky, blessed with such natural talents. Zuko had to admit, he was always a little jealous of her and her abilities, nor did he ever understand why Azula, his younger sister, so much better than him. But now everything made sense. She was the Avatar, the Master of the Four Elements. As the Avatar, her abilities were naturally greater than any normal person.

"A copper for your thoughts, Prince Zuko," his uncle said, walking up behind the Prince.

"I've been thinking about Azula," he admitted.

"Anything in particular about your sister?"

Zuko paused for a moment. "Merely wondering where she's ultimately heading," he answered, not wanting to speak about what he had really been thinking. "I know she's heading north, but the question is where? Where is she heading?"

"Hmm… That is a difficult question," Iroh said, scratching his chin. "The only way to answer that is to answer, what are her plans? Which could be anything. Though if I were her, I'd probably find a place to lay low for awhile before making my next move."

"Perhaps. But with Azula it's hard to-"

"Prince Zuko! General Iroh! A message has arrived!" Lieutenant Jee called out as he ran onto the deck, carrying a sealed scroll. "It's from the Fire Lord himself!"

Jee handed Zuko the scroll, and as he said, it bore the seal of the Fire Lord. It could only be from his father. Zuko broke the seal and unrolled it, his eyes swiftly scanning the letter.

"What does the message say Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked.

Zuko staggered back, completely stunned by the contents of the message. "It's my father. He's asking me to come back home…" he uttered. "My banishment is…over…" Zuko paused, taking a moment to collect himself. He wasn't the only one; both Iroh and Jee were just as stunned by this announcement. "Set course for Crescent Island," Zuko ordered. "That's where father is going to meet us."

After escaping from Shen Quan, the Alchemist guided them to where his workshop, a few miles north of the town. At one point, it had clearly been a farmstead. But now the fields were wild and unkempt while the house had been added onto, with several rooms and chimneys attached to the building. But these add-ons lacked the Earth Kingdom style of the rest of house, like the add-ons were more on the practical side than stylish.

"So what will you do now?" Katara asked as the Alchemist climbed down.

Azula had to admit, she was a little curious too. This alchemist was certainly an interesting individual. Though she hadn't decided if he a genius or insane.

"Know some people in the Lin Tao Fleet. Can find shelter with them," the Alchemist answered.

Azula was surprised by this. Of all the people he could hide with, he was going to hide with them? "Pirates? You're going to hide with pirates?"

"What's this Lin Tao Fleet?" Katara asked, curious about the Fleet.

"The first province of the Earth Kingdom to be invaded by Fire Lord Sozin was Nakashi, ruled by the Lin Tao Family and its people hailed as the great fleetmasters of Earth Kingdom. In fact, they were the heart of the Earth Kingdom's navy," Azula explained, remembering her history lessons. "The naval battle between the warships of the Fire Nation Navy and the ships of the Nakashi Fleet lasted nearly a week, with the battle constantly shifting back and forth between the two sides. We won, but when we pulled into the port cities of Nakashi, all we found was ruins."

"What happened to them?"

"As we battled their navy, Lord Lao Lin Tao ordered his people onto dozens, perhaps hundreds of ships before setting fire to their ports, denying us the use of them. The survivors became pirates, living entirely on ships and raiding Fire Nation ships for supplies or so they say."

"Fascinating people," the Alchemist said. "Live nearly entirely on the ocean despite being natives of the Earth Kingdom. Only a few hidden coastal coves provide them with land support. Know where a few of them are. Traded with them in the past. Very good at acquiring things."

"I bet they are," Azula said. "They're pirates and smugglers after all."

The Alchemist shrugged. "True. A bit of advice before you leave, head straight north. There's a vast swamp there. Considered haunted. Locals wouldn't dare approach it. And the terrain would make it difficult to follow you on foot. Good place to hide."

Azula nodded. Swamps may be miserable, wet, insect-filled places, but it would be one place she would never set foot in, and Zhao knows it. Hence, it would be a perfect place to hide for a day or two before moving onto Crescent Island. "You heard him peasant, head north," Azula said.

"What?! We're going to a swamp?!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Yes. Now get us out of here."

"Fine, fine, fine. We're going," Sokka bitterly said, pulling on the reigns.

"Until the next time!" the Alchemist called out as they took off, leaving him and workshop behind.

Once they were soaring in sky, Azula turned to Katara. There was still something on her mind. "Why did you come to rescue me? What did you have to gain?"

The Water Tribe girl looked at her with a funny look in her eyes. "Gain? We didn't do it to gain something Azula. We did it because it was the right thing to do. And because you're our friend."

Azula was taken back by her words. It didn't make sense. The only reason anyone would do something dangerous like that was for their own gain. They didn't do risky things because it was the 'right thing'. And friends? Friends were just people that came together because it was mutually beneficial for them. They wouldn't risk their lives to help the other in something that really wouldn't gain anything for them.

…wouldn't they?

And done. I rather enjoyed this chapter, though I've been working on the next chapter, the last one before Crescent Island, and I think that one is gonna be even better.

Preview: In this place…I came face to face with myself…and who I saw was a stranger….

As always, review!