It was a split second before the battle started, and, as always, it stretched for far longer than it seemed possible.
In a heartbeat, green clad, white faced women charged up the ramp, fans held back and loose, ready to slash forward from almost any direction.
In the same heartbeat, Ty Lee was airborne, somehow finding the height to impose her body between the sun and their attackers, drawing unwary and unpracticed eyes into the sunlight and temporary blindness.
In the same heartbeat, knives flew from behind her into the crowd of warriors, who had rushed onto the platform and unwittingly snarled themselves into a chokepoint.
A strong voice called out for them to stop, retreat, and assemble. The voice was tinged with frustration, and Azula had a little trouble tracing it. She knew it was familiar, however.
Many warriors limped, some rubbed their eyes, and all looked sheepish. Ty Lee landed, blinking, then inexplicably smiled. Mai rolled her eyes and worked on retrieving the knives that had been blocked by fans. Azula and Ty Lee followed her down the ramp to wait at the bottom.
"What were you thinking?! I told you, wait until all the passengers had disembarked! The captain is going to kill me." The voice was deep, intercut with the odd break as the blue clad, dark-skinned young man berated the young women assembled before him. "And you, Minori, you lead your group right to a choke point. You can't let yourself get clotted like that. Sayuki, you should go back and get that taken care of, it's not deep, but it's going to sting for a while. You too, Ayashi."
Ty lee was still grinning, and it was the grin more than anything that made it click who this was. The Water Tribe warrior. He was just now turning toward the ramp, coming toward it, presumably to apologize for giving them such a scare. He was cursing at the ground under his breath, and as such did not look up until he reached them.
This was going to be fun.
The warrior stopped in front of them, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Look, I'm sorry. This was supposed to be a training exercise, and they got a little... anxious." He finally looked up, still talking before he realized exactly who he was seeing, at which point, his mouth went slack.
"Hi, handsome," Ty Lee crooned, batting her eyes.
"Aw, dang," the warrior sighed. He stepped back, reaching behind him for his boomerang, and nearly bumped into Mai. Wisely, he froze.
"Relax," Azula said, putting her hands in front of her, palms up, fingers splayed. "We're not here to fight."
The boy's eyes narrowed, then widened as she spoke the next words.
"We're here to surrender."
"We're what?"
Azula's eyes sparkled. "Take us to your leader, warrior."
"This is stupid." Mai was, as usual, both depressing and astute.
"It could be worse," Ty Lee said, looking around the hut they had been stashed in. "They could have used chains." She pulled her arms apart as far as she could, demonstrating the rope that held them apart. She looked just a tiny bit smug, as they had all had their hands tied behind their backs and she had made a point to bring her arms forward as soon as the doors were closed.
"That's my point," Mai drawled, bringing her arms forward, holding two pieces of rope in her hands. "If they were smart, they would have used chains. Then we couldn't escape."
Azula sighed. "We're not going to escape." She leaned back against the wall, watching Ty Lee slip out of the ropes with seeming ease. She could have done the same as Ty Lee, but it would have involved a lot of pain and whining when her shoulder slipped it's socket. "We want to see the Avatar, and this is the fastest way."
"I guess so." Ty Lee smirked. "You want to see the Avatar. I want to see that Water Warrior cutie that 'captured' us."
Mai and Azula rolled their eyes at each other.
"What? I'm just saying, he can tie me up any time he wants to."
"That's... that's just too much information." Mai looked as if she would turn green if it were at all possible.
"Like you wouldn't do the same thing with Zuko, hmmm?" Ty Lee's face was wicked, smiling at Mai's discomfort.
"Ew," Azula breathed.
The door opened, and all three stood, with only Azula's hands still behind her. The figure silhouetted in the bright sunlight was tall, imposing, and bound to give a thrill to one of Azula's companions.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Oh," Azula sighed, bringing her hands forward and wiping the ashes from her wrists. "It's only you."
Zuko stepped in, narrowing his one good eye. "Ropes? They used ropes?" Ty Lee held hers up, twirling it around by the knot. "And you let them?"
"We need to see the Avatar," Azula said, shrugging. "It seemed the easiest way."
"The Avatar isn't interested in treachery or tricks." Zuko leaned against the doorway, still blocking their way out, but affecting a posed carefully calculated to look bored. It was, in Azula's estimation, pathetic.
"Oh, Zuzu, Are you licking the Avatar's feet now that Father's finally rejected you? A shame, really."
Zuko tensed, clenching his fists, then relaxed. "As I understand it, I'm not the only family member he's rejected. We're in the same boat, so to speak," he said, his tone reflecting an almost forced calm.
Azula tensed. "How did you find out?"
"I have ways. Uncle Iroh found out." Zuko shrugged. "I'm not interested in tricks either, Azu. The guards will bring you food when the sun goes down."
"Wait, Zuzu," Azula said, grabbing his elbow. Zuko glared down at her hand, then back at her. "No more tricks. No more games. I promise."
"I've heard your promises before, Azu."
"If you won't believe her," began Mai, approaching from behind Azula, "Believe me. We could have gotten out of here at any time. You know this. She waited for you." Mai bent in close, looking directly into Zuko's eyes. "She's changed, Zuko. We all have, in a way, but she's changed the most."
Azula closed her eyes, sighed, and whispered. "I tripped, Zuzu. Hard. I need the Avatar's help."
Zuko looked between Mai and Azula, then at Ty Lee, who had shown up at Azula's other side. Finally he straightened up. "I'll ask."
The door was closed, and Azula slumped a bit. "Just as easy as I thought it would be."
When the door opened again, the sun had fallen. Three figures slipped in, closed the door, and one, the Waterbender, lit a candle.
The Avatar knelt on the ground, his feet tucked beneath him, and arched a brow. The third, the blind Earthbender, did not look directly at them, but seemed to be concentrating.
"Hello, Azula. I've been told you need my help. What can I do for you?"
A/N: Once again, thank you to Invaderk for much help! Betas rock!