blah blah i don't own avatar the last airbender. I hope you all like this chapter, it took me forever to write.. I'm so sorry. and it isn't longer like i promised.. but it's good i promise! ^^
It took Ty Lee a couple of hours to wake from her unconsciousness, but in her mind it felt like days. Her mind was racked with nightmares and the worries for both Ria and Azula. When Ty Lee finally awoken, she wasn't allowed to move and was quickly advised to stay in bed and rest. She sat with her back against the headboard, her legs were still tucked nicely under the blanket. She twiddled her thumbs slowly, her dull grey eyes remained glued to them almost in a trance. Her mind was filled with questions, where was she? were her friends okay? were they alive? what was going to happen to Azula..?
Today had felt like the longest day in history, the acrobat's heart hadn't felt this much pain since that day at the boiling rock. That time she managed to keep her head up strong, she managed not to cry, not to break down, until she and Mai had been put away. She had to keep a straight face in front of Azula, she knew something wasn't right, her aura had changed and in that instant of betrayal it had completely darkened all together. She remembered sitting beside her friend in completely silence until finally Mai had spoken.
"Why, Ty Lee..? Why did you do it?"
It was then that the dam holding back her tears had suddenly burst, tears streamed down her cheeks in waves, it seemed that it would never stop as she tried to find the answer. Well obviously she didn't want Mai to be hurt or die. They were best friends, she loved Mai as her own family- because, after all, she was more of a sister to her then all of her sisters ever were combined.
"Because you're my best friend Mai.. and I love her.. Azula, I love her and I couldn't let her become the monster everyone thinks she is.."
Soon her body was attacked by the sobs she had previously forced to stay hidden while Mai's face contorted to a look of confusion and worry as she quickly moved to hug and comfort her friend. It was soon after that they were separated, while Mai's uncle was able to pull some strings for her, he couldn't get away with helping Ty Lee out as well. He only managed to get her sent to a prison that wasn't high-security and she that is where she met the Kyoshi Warriors.
Some of her questions were be answered during the long course of the day as news of her awakening brought many visitors to her door. Much to her surprise, the first one at the door was her best friend Mai. She had just arrived with Zuko and the Avatar and she was the first to come make sure Ty Lee was doing alright. They only got to speak for a few moments before other's joined the room. Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors followed soon after, along with Zuko, Sokka, Aang, and even Toph.
"Where is Katara..?" The acrobat questioned quietly, looking around at all the faces who had come to comfort her. Everyone remained silent until Suki spoke.
"She's still trying to fix Ria up.. She's been in there for hours just trying everything.."
"Oh.." Ty Lee looked down quickly muttering a softly as once again the air in the room was stifled with dead silence. The acrobat's fists clenched in her lap and she bit her lip in an effort to bury the sobs deep inside her. "I'm sorry everyone.." She finally managed to choke out, her voice cracking as she immediately brought her legs up, burying her face in her knees.
Mai was the first who found herself rushing to Ty Lee's side and putting an arm around her. Her eyes narrowed a moment as she glanced towards all the worried faces, stopping at Zuko.
"Maybe you all should let her rest."
The gang all nodded simultaneously, slowly making their way out of the room. Considering the fact that Mai hardly ever spoke, whenever she did everyone made it their duty to listen. Before Zuko turned, her gave her a worried look, which only caused her to wave dismissively.
"I need a minute with her, Zuko, I'll meet with you when I'm done."
Mai's face slowly contorted to give the Firelord an assuring smile, an action that was foreign to her features, but it was something she learned to easily show the man she loved. Her eyes remained focused on him until he was long gone and the door was closed. As soon as she was sure they were alone she sat down beside Ty Lee, her eyes narrowing as she gave her best friend a soft pat on the back.
"Ty Lee, what exactly happened..?"
The acrobat slowly lifted her head to reveal the tears that were streaming endlessly down her face. She was feeling so many emotions, her aura felt completely disgusting.. guilt for her role in all of this, for having the entire Avatar gang called here just because she had failed at her duty, guilt her Friend Ria that would quickly turn to despair if she didn't make it, but in the midst of everything, sadness and worry for Azula as well.
"I-I don't even really know, Mai.."
She took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself enough to be able to explain the situation, as she laid her head down onto her best friend's shoulder. Mai's arm snaked it's way around the acrobat's thin figure and she remained silent.
"Start from the beginning, Ty Lee.."
Amber eyes shot open only to find she was completely enveloped in darkness. She slowly lifted her head up from the cold stone ground to bring herself to her knees. She groaned some from the pain in her stomach, her legs were bound tight together and her arms were bound behind her back and attached to a chain which was bound to the ground. She got to her knees and her eyes darted about attempting to look around though the darkness. She took a couple of deep breaths, but soon found it was hard to breathe with this odd mask they had placed over her nose and mouth. It was cold, probably made of metal with a few small holes to allow small bits of air in- she could very easily melt it but that would result in burning the flesh right off of her face.
When she finally realized she was completely and utterly alone she closed her eyes and hung her head as she struggled to breath still. There was a sharp pain in her gut that sent shooting pains throughout her body. She had never in her life felt so weak. But that was when she suddenly remembered, she had been stabbed just before she passed out. Her eyes shot open and attempted to look down at her wound, she could smell the blood all over her.
So they just tied me up and left me here.. to bleed out..
Azula gave a weak smirk, closing her eyes once again as she let her head hang once again. It was only fitting they would leave here to slowly die while they all discussed what her fate would be.
The events that had happened earlier that day were a blur to her. She had originally been planning to leave Ty Lee there in that clearing. She got as far as the wall before she turned back for some reason to make sure the acrobat was okay. She only wanted to make sure she had been found and was not hurt.. But when she got there she discovered that hideous Kyoshi Warrior girl kissing her. She didn't know why that scene invoked such a raging fire inside of her, it took all of her strength not to charge out from the brush and kill the girl herself. Like a wild bull she started seeing red that instant and she let the rage consume her.
She wasn't sure how the battle started, but she remembered the way she toyed with the Kyoshi Warriors. The whole time she was fighting two battles, one against the girls, and one within herself. These were Ty Lee's friends- she wouldn't fire bend or kill them, only leave them to drown in their shame as she had.. She taunted, teased, and humiliated them one right after the other, until she was finally caught off guard due to her previous injury. It was ironic that she held back for Ty Lee's sake, only to be brought down because of the injury the acrobat herself caused.
If that infernal girl dies they will make it their mission punish me...even if they don't kill me, they'll take my bending.
Azula let out a low muffled chuckle as she the thought passed her mind. She actually wasn't sure which fate would be worse. Her bending had been a part of her since she was a child, it was the only thing she was certain she was good at, it kept her company when she had none. If they took her bending she would surely wish for death to follow soon after.
Suddenly she heard a loud crash outside which caused her head to snap up in confusion. Soon the door to her room also swung open causing Azula to flinch and close her eyes to protect herself from the bright light that now entered her cell. When she was certain the light wouldn't hurt her eyes anymore, she carefully turned her head to see the last person she expected.
Mai..?
Azula's eyes widened in surprise and utter confusion as her former best friend walked forward and knelt in front of the Princess. Her eyes remained narrowed her usual scowl stained her lips and she gave a great long sigh before talking quietly.
"Look at you Azula.. you're half dead." Mai continued to frown before she reached forward to touch the odd metal contraption that had been bound to the fire bender's mouth. "I'm not supposed to remove anything. But since Ty Lee isn't allowed out of bed yet, I decided to come see you. Can you speak with that thing on your face?"
The room became silent, as Azula really wasn't sure since she had no one to talk to until just now. She sighed softly and then spoke, her voice was muffled by the muzzle.
"I can still speak Mai, they haven't taken that from me.. yet.."
"Good. But what in the world happened?" Mai narrowed her eyes once more, but when she got no response, she continued on, "Ty Lee said it was an accident. She said you didn't bend the entire battle until you were forced to defend yourself. Part of me hardly dares to believe that you actually had enough humanity to hold back.."
Azula's eyes narrowed dangerously as her former friend spoke. She wanted to answer back, but she found that a large lump in her throat had formed accompanied with a pained look that scurried across her face which caused Mai's breath to catch. She'd never seen the Princess in such a vulnerable state.
"They are trying to figure out what to do with you as we speak. If you don't speak up, if you don't let Ty Lee help you, they might just send you away forever.. or worse."
Azula only scoffed softly, her amber hues looking away to focus on the ground once more. Why was it that Mai was trying to save her despite her hatred? Her thoughts and question was interrupted as one of the guards appeared at the door, telling Mai that she was wanted by the Fire Lord and she should go immediately. She gave an annoyed sigh before she stood up straight and turned to walk away.
As she moved, she stopped at the doorway, turning to speak once again.
"You know, Ty Lee still believes she can save you. She loves you, Azula, she really does. I know you care for her too, you always have. I guess the bottom line is.. I don't want to just sit back and watch both of my best friends go down."
Azula's eyes widened and she looked quickly to catch a glimpse of Mai's forced smile twist with sadness as she turned to leave. The door slammed behind her and the Princess was left alone in the dark with her thoughts once more.
The meeting had started a few minutes ago. They didn't want to leave Ty Lee out so the Avatar and friends were all sitting around in her room discussing important matters. Her grey eyes darted from person to person as they each spoke giving their opinion on the situation at hand. A few minutes in they were interrupted as Katara made her arrival. She had a look of exhausted joy on her face and she quietly approached Ty Lee, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Ria is going to be fine..She's still passed out, but she's going to live."
This caused an immediate sense of relief to pass through the room. Ty Lee smiled some and nodded giving her thanks to the expert water bender before her. She was truly happy and grateful that her friend was alright, but her heart still ached in need of a certain fire bender. A few moments later, Mai entered the room which caused Ty Lee to look at her a bit confused. Where could she had possibly have gone? Mai only shook her head pretending she knew nothing as she took her place next to Zuko.
"Now to get to business. What are we going to do with my sister- I mean with Azula..?" Zuko's eyes darted from person to person. Just the mention of her name made everyone's face immediately change.
"What sort of question is that, Zuko? I think Aang should take her bending. Then we can lock her up far away where she'll be completely alone." Katara's flashed, showing much hatred as she spoke, "Death is far too kind of a punishment. She needs to learn her lesson this time.."
Suddenly the whole crowd burst into conversation. Everyone had their own input for the situation, but all included sending Azula somewhere where she would suffer alone for the rest of her life. Death was out of the question, Aang would never allow that sort of revenge to be administered, even to Azula.
Ty Lee could feel her heart drop and her breath quicken. A lump was forming in her throat again, she bit down hard on her lip cursing the way her body wanted to sob.
She didn't want to be here.
From the corner of her eyes she could see Mai, sitting quietly stealing a worried glance in her direction every so often. Everyone continued to argue until suddenly Toph spoke up.
"Guys, we are being insensitive. I think we should ask Ty Lee what she thinks is best."
The small earth bender moved her gaze along to focus on Ty Lee. She had also been quiet throughout the course of conversation, she was silently listening to everyone's opinions, but she could also feel the soft tremor that ached inside of the acrobat. With her gaze, everyone else suddenly grew silent, also focusing on the chi blocker who now unwillingly had a never ending tears streaming down her face. She quickly wiped them away and took a deep breath, giving a quick look of gratitude to Toph before she spoke.
"Azula isn't the monster you all think she is. I know you can't see it now, but she has actually changed.. and I think- no, I believe she will continue to change if we help her."
I know I can help her..
Ty Lee's eyes narrowed with determination as the gang looked warily towards one another. She would stay up all night and argue with these people if she had to. She couldn't stand to see Azula taken away from her, not after being reunited with her once again. She was not a monster, monsters weren't capable of love, they weren't capable of caring, of holding back even in the face of pure rage..
"What do you have planned then, Ty Lee..?" Aang asked quietly as he gave a soft sigh. He dind't particularly like Azula, but his peaceful and compassionate ways wouldn't allow him to simply dismiss the acrobat's request.
Ty Lee smiled some a bit triumphantly and then she slowly began to explain how she hoped to help the fire bender.
