Stars chapter six
Zuko felt the bile rising in his throat. He felt dizzy and light headed.
No...
"No."
"Excuse me?"
They had just gone over the plan. It was so simple. So easy. So terrifying.
He lowered his gaze to the floor and swallowed. "I ca- Azula I can't do this."
She glared at him fiercely.
"And why NOT pray tell?"
"I just- it would be like starting from the beginning again."
"Oh. I see."
He recoiled. There was a poison in her tone; a deadly poison.
Standing from her newly-acquired throne, Azula walked slowly towards him, every step making him wince.
"Zuzu, Zuzu. How will you ever expect to become a great leader if you're afraid to start over again?"
"But I-"
She held up a hand. "I'm not done. Not only would it be easy, but a learning experience. You're not really helping the Avatar, and you're not really helping them win the war."
"..." he swallowed again; in atemp to force down the foul taste on his tongue.
"Besides, you would restoring your honor."
At this, his head shot up, molten eyes blazing angrily.
"What?!"
"Your honor. You want it back don't you?" the princess replied calmly as she traced her bangs.
"I have restored it! You said-"
"That you restored it yourself, not that father had. Capture the Avatar- those were the rules of the condition were they not?"
Zuko paled. His anger flared. Any minute now his rage would come boiling over. It would over flow and burn whatever it could. It would not burn Azula, he knew, but it would lower his chances of...of what? Returning to his homeland? After what he had just heard?
Yes? Yes.
...No.
Well...maybe. Zuko still had hope, though it was minimal. Those were the terms, after all. He had to capture the Avatar. That stupid little kid! His father could still take him in...whether he truly loved him or not, correct? If he turned him down after he had brought back the sought after prize, the Fire lord might be considered a horrible leader and father. Or at least more so. The oxygen flowing through his blood wasn't helping to keep him balance; he could feel his legs swaying and his fingers trembling. He had an awful headache as well. He felt his chest rising and falling with each breath, and began counting his heartbeats like he had been told to do during meditation when he got too angry. After it got to a certain point your mind was supposed to clear compeatly, empty itself of any thoughts that could distract you from maintaining peaceful bliss.
Inhale, exhale. One beat, two beats. In, out, one, two.
But...how could she do this to him? She raised such a false hope...now his plans of returning home were crushed again. He felt tears prick in the back of his good eye and turned away so Azula couldn't see.
"Zuko."
He sniffed.
"Zuko."
"What?" he heard his voice softly cracking.
"Do you accept or not?" though it wasn't as much of a question as it was a threat, the proclamation still made him feel like he had some control over the situation, and this relaxed him, if only a bit.
Zuko chewed his lip and wiped at his watering eye. "And how...exactly would I take on this mission? Another ship?"
The woman tutted. "Eww. No, no boat. Sea travel is disgusting and cheap. And surely you remember how well it always worked for you."
He grimaced, then realized she didn't fully answer his question.
"So how will I go about the plan?"
Azula grinned, and suddenly suspiciously resembled the pantherfox rug that had recently been laid before the throne.
"I take that as a yes?"
Zuko reluctantly nodded.
"Lovely." Perfect.
He didn't like how she was just dancing around the subject. How. Would. He. Find. The. Avatar?
"Hypnotism."
"What?"
"Hypnotism." Azula repeated as if it was the simplest thing in the world. The prince stared and pressed a hand to his forehead. Hypnotism. Yes, yes, he got that. He understood. What he couldn't get was how she had seemingly read his mind. Oh, great, he's related to a crazy, psychic witch. Well that would defiantly explain some things. Or maybe he was just going crazy, it was bound to happen one of these days.
"Why do I need a hypnotism?"
Azula traced her bangs again, long nails clicking together as they connected through the thick hair. "It seems the little earthbender can tell if you're lying. Quite amazing actually."
Vaguely, Zuko recalled something Katara had told him on that subject in the catacombs. It was a matter of being blind? Maybe. But...
He blinked. "How did you know tha-"
"I have my resources. How did you?"
Taking this as a question he need not answer, he returned his gaze to floor.
"We have to do this soon. Be ready in an hour." she said, strutting to the exit.
"Oh, and Zuko," the princess paused at the doorway. "Uncle will be going with you. I don't believe that will be a problem seeing as you were going to release him anyway."
He turned sharply, eyes wide. "How did you-"
"Resources." she reminded him, and slammed the door shut.
The hypnotism was long. Long and hard. But as was the wait so it evened out. It wasn't the place he remembered- it wasn't Lake Loagi- this was deep inside a mountain that ran around the outer walls of Ba Sing Se. When he wondered aloud, he was informed that the lakes chambers had been destroyed for fear of discovery. It was just as well, because Zuko hated being benenth water level, sea or lake. Water was powerful, he knew that. If there was enough of it at a certain depth the pressure could crush you and the walls around you. That was why he hardly ever went to the lower levels of his ship- what if it burst through the metals? You could be sucked under and drown. The elements' deadly, icy counterpart could freeze you to the bone, could force the air from your lungs in a matter of seconds, and make you terribly ill. It could also pierce your flesh and regester you helpless. He shivered just thinking about it.
But what really terrified him was the lack of movement. Even though the prince could swim, moving that slow somewhere you can't breathe chilled him to the bone.
Yes, water was dangerous. He could almost say he hated it. Almost.
Taking the last few painstaking steps into the grungy, dark room, Zuko felt himself trembling.
Oh shit. Why had he agreed to this?
'Because I want my honor.'
"Seat yourself here Prince Zuko." a Dai Li told him coldly, gesturing at an uncomfortable looking stone chair positioned near what he assumed was the torture- the...hypnosis device. That's right Zuko. Not painful, barbaric tool. Just a nice, civilized, mind control weapon. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
He paled. Self therapy: defiantly not working.
Sitting abrupt, the prince glared untrustfully at the agents as they moved in to strap him down.
"Is that really nesicary?"
"The procedure can be quite unnerving."
"Thank you for informing me." Zuko said between clinched teeth, wincing in distaste as the seats' hold on him tightened. Ugh. He felt like a caged animal.
Suddenly the devices lights flickered on.
It had begun.
Being brainwashed.
A flash.
It was a strange feeling.
Voices, muttering strange things into his head.
Pleasant...
Whispered insanities.
Soothing.
Images appearing.
Like his mind was being rinsed in cool water.
Trouble being twisted.
Discomforting.
Desires becoming warped.
Like waking up after many a day.
A headache.
Uneasy, unsettling.
Murmurs fading.
Growing questions.
No understanding.
Blank.
Empty.
Mission.
No mission.
Full.
Distantly, Zuko felt himself being pulled onto his feet.
Over the echoing pulse in his head, he could barely make out a Dai Li's harsh commands.
"Got that?" the agent asked gruffly.
Shaking his head weakly, he closed his and leaned against the grimy wall in an attempt to steady himself.
He was cold and dizzy. Where was he? Why did his mouth feel full of bitter sand?
"Nnnn..." he groaned, and crumpled to the floor.
Moving forward, a young looking Dai Li member took his arm and yanked him up. Zuko would have glared at him if it hadn't been for his horrible headache.
"Princess Azula wishes to see you Prince Zuko."
"Huh?" he shifted his gaze to the young man. He wasn't as nearly as old as the other agents-perhaps around the prince's own age- but his eyes were hard and ancient. When he blinked, the light reflected in the dull green orbs was long gone before his lids pulled down over them.
"Come."
His arms felt fuzzy, his limbs heavy, and he was incredibly weak. As he was led to the exit, a small stream of light came through a tiny crack in the rock wall, and even that stung his eyes. When they reached the outside, Zuko yelped at the blaring sun and snatched one of the Dai Li's hats off their head, weakly slapping their hand as they tried to get it back.
"You have a nose and a two eyes like everyone else;" he croaked, "get over it." but quickly turned his head and pulled the cap down lower when he saw that the agent bore an eyepatch and a grizzly scar on his cheek . He coughed.
"So...?"
It seemed as if they had been walking for hours, though Zuko knew it had only been a few minutes. The taste in his mouth had turned into something much sharper, and he very nearly gagged as it burned sourly in the back of his throat. Oh, what he would do for some water!
Though his nation had many spices and hot foods, he had never really enjoyed the burning feeling they gave his tongue, and had mostly stuck to seafood, occasionally partaking in a fire flake eating contest with his uncle. Iroh, of course, always won.
And this taste, though not hot, made him sweat and shudder with disgust. The prince tried to urge a waterskin from a Dai Li to wash away the nasty, bitter sensation, but only got a shake of the head in response.
Bastard.
he wasn't panicking and couldn't figure out why. Here he was, being led who only knows where, from a mysterious chamber inside a mountain, not even knowing why or how he got there. Freaking out would be the proper response. But getting the horrid feeling out of his mouth came first at the moment.
Zuko spit on the earth in attempt to rid himself of the foul old taste, but was unable to move his arms from the agents grasps to wipe the spittle from his lips. Some of the men noticed this and made disgusted faces as they loosened their grip and hitched their shoulders higher. They were much too high a position to slouch like this drooling vermin.
Damn you all.
"Where are you taking me?"he asked, finally finding his voice through the thick silence. He took a glance at the hatless Dai Li who pointedly looked away. "Well?"
The agent's eyes shifted to his neighbor, who in turn exhaled and nodded the ok to speak. Zuko could hear the soft whoosh of air he eyed the man sternly.
"Princess Azula does not wish us to inform you of the plan at this point." he stated before gasping sharply and jerking his head to the young leader.
The princes eyes widened to the point of bulging. "What?!"
"YOU FOOL!" the young agent shrieked. "YOU STUPID FOOL!"
"Look what you've done!"
"Azula will have your life!"
"What plan?!" Zuko screamed over the sudden uproar. "What plan?!"
With a sudden surge of fear and malice, he grabbed the man by his collar and held a fiery dagger to his throat. "What plan?"
"I-I can not say." the shaky man replied, trembling. The dagger pressed closer.
"What." Zuko gritted his teeth. "Plan?"
Burning heat reached the agent's windpipe behind his flesh as he screeched; "I CAN NOT SAY! I CAN NOT SAY!"
"WHAT PLA-" but before he could finish, a wet cloth was pressed to his nose, its stench clouding his senses.
Black.
Zuko awoke to the sound of a door slamming. He could feel his feet dragging across a smooth floor, and a painful lift under his arms.
A smell lingered around his nose and mouth and made him feel sick, though he couldn't remember where it came from. Whatever it was, he did not care for it.
What puzzled him more still, was why he was being pulled across throne room by some of the Dai Li.
He heard one of the agents rushing ahead and could faintly depict the voice of his sister.
"Took you long..."
"...apologies...mess up...needed to repeat..."
At this point his legs were shakily trying to hold themselves up. To his suprize, he was succeeding quite well. After a few minutes, the prince he managed to stand and shake his feet a little to circulate the blood once more. He gingerly put his sleepy foot back on the ground, wincing at the strong tingly feeling.
"Zuzu. What a shame."
Zuko's head jerked up to the princess sitting on the throne in front of him. An anger suddenly filled filled him, creeping through every vain and bone in his body. He growled. "Azula..."
"Such a shame, really." she shook her head, sending her sidelocks swinging violently. "Attempting to gather up a rebel army against your own family. What ever were you thinking?"
He did not question her. Why would he? It was true. He remembered searching through the town at night, looking for someone, anyone who would help him overthrow his sister. He remembered.
"And here I thought you had changed."
Zuko's eyes flashed. For a moment, a pair a icy blue eyes reflected them. Large, piercing.
"I have changed."
A smirk lit his sisters face. "I'm sure."
Without warning, a lightning bolt struck the pillar next to the prince. It cracked, sending shattered pieces of stone and plaster flying through the air, before crashing to the floor. The princewas thrown to the ground as the palace walls shook from the pillars impact. With shaky legs he pushed himself up and sent a blast of fire at Azula.
"Hah!"
Dodging the flames with a tumble roll, she shot her own heated weapon towards her brother; which he slid under. The blasts from each side became more fierce as blue and red connected again and again, sending sparks flying through the air. It would have been beautiful under different circumstances.
Jumping to his right, Zuko stumbled over a piece of broken plaster and fell, landing hard on his arm when he tried to twist his body away from a splintering stake of wood that had fallen from a beam. The taste of copper filled his mouth and spilled from his lips, but he made no move to wipe away the trickle of blood running down his chin. As he moved into his fighting stance, he became horrified to find that he couldn't shift his arm. Frantically, he tried again; a numb, cold feeling spreading down from his shoulder to his finger tips.
A blast of lightning hurtled him from any further attempts, nearly sending him through the wall in the process. His legs were still struggling in vain to stand when a chunk of marble fell from the ceiling and landed next him. Zuko stared blankly at the blackened chunk before reality took it's grip and his fingers finally found the new weapon. A brief test of weight and it was flying through the air towards Azula, who, thankfully, was signaling to the Dai Li at the moment.
She cried at out as the marble struck her leg- half in pain, the other half scorn at the fact that she had dropped her guard- and crumpled to the ground. Seeing her fall, a small smirk graced Zuko's features. For the first time in years- even though it wasn't with bending-he had gotten a blow in on his sister. It came with a certain pride.
All that pride was dropped however, when the solem agents suddenly began punching out their stone fists, and Zuko realized with a start that they had been motionless the whole fight up till now. The princess couldn't help but give a small chuckle at her brother's confuzed look as she sent out a pale blue bolt which he saw almost too late.
He may not know how to bend lightning, but he knew how to change it's course.
'Thank you Uncle.'
Extending his arm, Zuko caught the lightning between his fingers, feeling the great electricity flow through him. In, down, up, and out.
He had forgotten however, that his other limb was hanging numbly by his side.
The lightning shook his body when his limp arm refused to let it free. Such force in fact, that it jolted the arm upwards and toward a Dai Li agent before escaping and striking the man.
A blood curdling shriek could be heard from the agent as the bolt found it's victim and hit him in the stomach. The scent of burning flesh cloaked the air.
Zuko only had time for a single sharp inhale before he felt rocks slam into his chest and throw him to the floor. For a split second, he was filled with the peaceful bliss of flying; it vanished completely when his shoulder caught on a jagged piece of stone.
There was a sickening crack as a scream of agony erupted from the princes throat, echoing through the halls. Blood gushed from Zuko's shoulder, staining the polished floor tiles a dark red.
Gasping in pain, he struggled to his feet and ran to the exit, making no note of the way the Dai Li stepped away from his path.
He couldn't fight now. He had to escape. Escape Ba Sing Se. Free Uncle.
The injured prince slipped through the corridors not bothering to make heed of the servants carrying fresh laundry as he grabbed a blouse from a maid and tied it weakly around his wound.
He was getting closer.
Behind him he heard the servants screeching about blood on the floor and the Dai li shouting out orders half-heartedly.
Turning a sharp corner, Zuko found himself at the prison hold. A few hard kicks sent the rusted metal door fling off it hinges and into the wall behind it.
"Uncle!" the boy called desperately. "Uncle Iroh, where are you?"
Gritting his teeth he clutched his shoulder and waited for an answer. Only a thick silence met his ears.
"Unc-"
"Zuko!"
Whipping around, the teen found a small flickering light coming from the far end of the cell hall.
"Uncle!"
He rushed to the cell and began kicking at the door.
Iroh's plump face peered from behind a barred window and stared inquisitively. "Try heating the soles of your feet Nephew."
Zuko's eyes widened as a new wave of pain hit him in the back. He gasped and struggled to keep his balance as the pain hit him again and again, crushing the air from his lunges. He could just barely hear his uncle over the pounding in his head.
"Zuko! Run!"
The princes eyes watered when he pushed his sole deeper into the melting metal door. His breathing became a rasp and whimpered under the pain.
"Zuko, please!" Iroh begged, curling his fingers around the bars of the window.
"N-no Uncle..."
Suddenly something connected with the back of his head, sending him headfirst into the hot door.
"Zuko!"
It occurs to some when they are in such pain that they are dying, fatally injured, or delusional.
It occured to Zuko that his uncle looked like a giant tea bag. 'That's fitting...' It also occurred to him that this was remarkably funny but if he laughed he might explode like the ostrichhorse he was. That would make Katara mad because she would have to clean it up. He imagined having to clean up blood and guts and let a faint "ew" escape his lips along with a small laugh. Oops. There he goes.
He groaned, oblivious to the fight taking place around him. "I'm sorry Katara..."
