Howdy! Sorry I haven't updated the past three weekends, I'd been meaning to last weekend but it ended up being a busier weekend than I had anticipated and then there's Thanksgiving so I was quite the little worker bee :)
Okay so this is going to be a very... different chapter, basically its gonna be what would've happened if Zuko HADN'T gone good in the end. Because he definitely played a huge part in winning the war (I think so anyways xP) Also its very fast-paced since I'm trying to fit this dream type sequence into one chapter without it being too long :) Okiee so I hope you enjoy it :)
*I don't own avatar! :(*
Previously...
"Where is she? You better not have hurt her or so help me I'll-" Loki let out a 'Hah' mockingly "You'll what? Kill us all? Please Zuko, I really do not think that you are in the position to be the one thats making the demands around here. So you had better watch those manners boy" Zuko had to keep himself restrained from shouting anything that would seemingly further compromise his current situation "However... I'm feeling nice today so I'll tell you a secret" stopping suddenly to pull him closer to whisper in his ear she said "We're going to see her right now" noticing the slight slack in her grip Zuko successfully wriggled free, taking off down the first hall he saw. "Shoot... I would pick the one thats entirely dark" Zuko wandered around blindly for a few moments before noticing a faint light appearing suddenly before him. "Great! A way out!"
Zuko made his way towards the light as the brightness grew with each step he took, even to the point he had to bring up his arms in an attempt to shield his eyes. "Where...Am I?" Zuko wondered as
he inspected the room around him. Realization hit him like a truck "I'm back home?"
Somewhere...
Zuko explored his home as if it were new to him, running his hand along a pillars ornate carvings. Suddenly an unfamiliar messenger was calmly walking towards him while calling his formal name "Prince Zuko" he said, holding out a crisp golden letter with the royal seal stamped on it "Prince?" Zuko wondered, the older man bowed, walking back a few steps in that position before walking normally to deliver another letter. Zuko stared down the hall a few moments longer after the mysterious messenger before directing his attention back to the letter. Carefully placing a finger under the letter opening he broke the seal, pulling out a red letter "Always red, black, or gold" he thought, laughing to himself.
Dear ZuZu,
I miss you dearly brother, but I will be back soon.
I have fantastic news! I have finally apprehended those pests, the Freedom fighters. That includes
their leader, he goes by the name of 'Jet' how dumb, am I right? Its so... common sounding.. ugh,
I shudder at the thought of being named such a horrid name.
Back on topic, we've also captured his girlfriend and brother, we're hoping to get some answers
out of him, his girlfriend, or his brother. Or him through his girlfriend/brother, and you know how we'd do that ;)
I do know how you dislike that kind of work but love the actual interrogation! So you can come in
later on like you always do.
Off topic but dear brother, do you remember when we interrogated that
stubborn water-tribe girl? That was fun.
So hows your fiancee doing? I guess I'll find out when I get there.
I suppose I wasn't surprised when you told me but... still, there was some surprise.
Well.. You did grow up with her for the most part anyways. I hope I can find someone like that
one day too!
By the time you get this I'll probably be home.
Love,
Azula
"LOVE?" Zuko had to brace himself against the pillar behind him, what was more surprising though? The fact the two siblings were actually getting along? Or was it the fact that Azula actually sounded like... a real girl at the end of her letter "It must be a prank message... Azula has never liked me! Even when we were kid- s?" at that moment Zuko had passed on of the ordinarily empty tables in the halls. He reached down and picked up one of the many photos lining the mahogany tables "What is this?" they had to have been nine or ten! Azula had been sitting on Zuko's shoulders eating a caramel apple and Zuko looked nervous as he tried to avoid the sticky apple juice dripping and trying not to drop his sister "I don't... remember this.."
Zuko put the picture down, staring up at the brass mirror hanging above the table "WHAT?" he yelled in surprise, moving closer to the mirror he studied what he saw "No scar?" he mumbled to himself. The mirror revealed a clean face as if there had never been a scar marring half his face.
"Sir, is there a problem?" A servant asked, clearly hiding his nervousness, Zuko looked at the servant from the mirror, backing up and straightening himself out "Uh- No, thats all... thanks" he said, leaving the area quickly, escaping to the only place he knew hadn't changed. His room.
Zuko nearly bolted in, closing the doors behind him, ignoring the guards greeting as he passed them. He leaned his head against the door, letting out a sigh of relief "Busy day at work sweetie?" Zuko's ears perked up to the intruders voice, he turned his body slightly "Mai? What are you doing here?" and then it hit him, she was also naked "I was just waiting for you love" Okay, this went from a weird dream to an even weirder one! "Now come to bed before I have to do something... rash" she said seductively, crawling to the end of the bed.
*knock knock*
Zuko jumped back a bit by the sudden knocking "Wh-who is it?" he asked shakily "Its Azula dummy, I got bored and did most the torturing on the ship over here, the boys are taking care of the girl right now so we'll interrogate Jet first, then the brother, then her, then back to Jet until we get the answers we want" Zuko looked from the girl on the bed back to the door "Be right there!" he said, unlocking the door and grabbing Azula's hand, jetting down the hall towards the dungeon.
"Was Mai in there?" Azula asked with a smirk as he led her down each hall "Uh, no... I'm just having a very... strange day" he said, running all of the days events through his head, all that had happened and it was barely one in the afternoon! "Zuko? Zukoo...ZUKO!" Zuko turned back to his sister "What?" she rolled her eyes, pulling her hand away from him, pointing towards a locked door "You passed it" rolling her eyes again she laughed lightly "You're a really weird guy sometimes" she commented, unlocking the door. The two made their way down the stone spiral staircase that could make about anyone claustrophobic.
"After you sir" she said signalling him to go in the room she'd just unlocked. A single light shone above a metal table. Zuko looked down at a mess of brown hair, sticking up every which way.
"Alright, Jet" she said with malice in her voice, typical Azula voice though "Head up, we've got some questions for you" the boy refused to look at them, Azula met eyes with the guard, exchanging an unsaid order, she nodded in approval as he reached down, grabbing a handful of hair and forcing his head up. Jet grimaced at this, finally meeting their eyes, looking at the two with hatred. Zuko locked eyes with Jet, taking in his appearance, his messed up hair, bruised cheek, a cut along his forehead, his green eyes with that familiar gold glint in the- green? "Thats not Jet..." he gasped out, probably a little louder than he should have. It was Sai! He knew those eyes all too well "Sai?" he nearly shouted, clearly confused "Sai? What're you talking about, this is Jet." Sai's eyes filled with fear by their sudden discovery "How did he know my real name?" that look gave away the truth "I don't know how you knew but... Good job" Azula said with a wink, crossing closer to Sai "Alright, you've been found out. I suppose the first question is, is everyone here who they say they are?" Sai remained silent "You'd better tell me boy, are you really the leader?" Azula's temper rose as she slammed a lighted fist down, Sai brought his hands off the table as the metal began to get a light orange color "Why won't you answer me damn it?" Sai looked up at Azula, glaring at her "Where is she? Is she alright?" Smirking Azula acquired the leverage she wanted "She...should be" Azula chose her words carefully "I'm not answering any questions until I see her" he answered stubbornly, Azula looked thoughtful before nodding to the guards to unlock the chain around his ankle and place handcuffs on him so they could walk to a secure room.
"Stay in here, I'll be back" she said, pushing him into a large room "Zuko, you go, I'll keep watch" she said, tossing a set of keys at him, Zuko nodded, he wasn't sure how to act in this world... was it the real world? Or just a mind trick from the spirit world? Its all just so confusing "Sir, its this room" a guard said, motioning to a room at the end of the dark corridor, Zuko turned the silver key, opening the door. As soon as he entered the room, lighted only by a grate in the ceiling, he was greeted by a shriek of pain the person had tried to muffle but failed to do so "Let her go" Zuko ordered "The boy wishes to speak with her" one guard looked to the other, both nodding in agreement. Zuko walked closer, he stared as his eyes adjusted to the bad lighting. Zuko's eyes widened at what he saw. There was a large chain holding both the girls hands up in the air, clearly too high though since she had to stand on her tip toes, the girls black hair had been wrapped up in a messy bun to keep it out of the way, her back was the worst part though, there were long gashes that could easily be infected if not treated properly... soon. Zuko heard a click as the unlocked the shackles "She's all yours sir" a guard said, pushing her towards him, Zuko barely had enough time to catch her, falling to his knees. "Are you alright?" he half-whispered, pulling her into his arms, the girl looked up at him with a confused stare "Yes... sir" Zuko examined her, her knuckles had been bleeding, there was a long gash along her right cheek, her left eye was swollen shut obscuring her beautiful blue and gold eyes, thats when it hit him "Tiana?" he whispered, she looked at him with the same look as before "How do you know my name?" Zuko was slightly hurt she didn't recognize him but then again did he expect her to? "I... have to get you to see someone..." he said sadly, remembering that Azula was waiting and worse things might happen to them if they didn't get over there. Zuko stood with her in his arms "Sir, you don't have to do-" Zuko had to only glare at the guard to make him shut up as he carried her towards the room.
"About time you got back" Azula complained "What took you so long? And why are you carrying the prisoner? Oh well, no matter to me, just throw her in there" Azula said, asking and answering her own questions "Thanks" Tiana whispered lightly as Zuko carefully placed her down in the cell after a guard had unlocked the large barred doors. "You have five minutes together alright? We'll be over there" she said, pointing towards a spot about ten feet away "And don't try anything crafty or so help me I'll burn your faces off" she said walking off "C'mon Zuko" Zuko reluctantly followed, looking back at the two as Sai crawled over to Tiana who lay, exhausted, against a wall, Sai pulled her closer to him, whispering what Zuko was guessing were comforting words before stealing a kiss, now that really hurt to see .
"Pathetic don't you think so Zuko?" Azula commented, referring to the couple "What's so pathetic?" Zuko asked, unable to tear away from the couple, now he knew how Sai must feel when he sees them together "Them, they act like nothing else in the world matters" Zuko smirked "Thats because nothing in the world does matter since they have each other... its all they've got" Azula shrugged "Eh... Maybe, I still say its pathetic" she said, tapping her foot impatiently. The siblings remained in relative silence for the next five minutes, Zuko could only stare on at the couple with envy basically branded on his forehead. Azula stared closely at the sand hourglass as the last pieces finally fell through.
"Well you two, times up. And you know what that means" she said as she nearly skipped towards the larger interrogation cell, unlocking the door she was followed in by Zuko and four other guards. Sai and Tiana sat unmoving on the cold cement floor, Sai pulling her closer "Lets go" Azula said, motioning to the guards. Two of the guards nearly peeled Sai away as the snapped a pair of all too small shackles on his wrists. Azula roughly yanked Tiana up from the ground, allowing the guards to put another pair of shackles on her as well before guiding the two out of the holding cell. Azula approached a room that Tiana had recently become very familiar with, her eyes filled with fear and almost instinctively she tried to flee, the guards apparently not expecting this had let her go, tears filling her eyes she didn't notice when she'd ran smack into Zuko who was just now leaving the interrogation cell. Zuko looked down at her with surprise "I'm s-s-s-orry" she blubbered, falling to her knees and pulling him down with her "Its fine, don't be...if anything Im the one who should be sorry... Im going to get you out of here.. I promise" he murmured "Oh, you caught her... Good job Zuko, I"ll take her now" Zuko looked at Tiana who mouthed 'don't let her take me there again' to him "Uh- I think um- I'll take her to my room" Azula smirked "To do what?" Zuko shrugged "You know... stuff" Azula nodded in approval "Do what you please" she added "We'll get the brother out here and I'll update you in the morning... or at dinner, depends on your... schedule" she said with a wink "Alright Azula, don't have too much fun" he said, trying to keep up the light conversation "Key" Zuko said, holding his hand out "Um... Sir, you shouldn't unlock her shackles until you reach your room" a guard said "Key" Zuko had more force in his voice this time, the guard dare not question his decision twice, giving him the brass key "Thank you" Zuko picked Tiana up and climbed the spiral staircase.
It didn't take long to reach Zuko's room "Uh... Wait here... and don't go anywhere, okay?" it really wasn't an order it was more of a request "Okay" Zuko looked at her seriously "Okay?" he asked again to make sure, an all too familiar smile appeared "Okay" Zuko nodded "Excellent" he said, turning back to the door. Zuko carefully turned the brass knob, scanning the room, or more specifically the bed, for unwanted visitors "Alright, its clear" Zuko said, leading Tiana into his room, Tiana stared around the room "Its very... red" Zuko let out a laugh "Yeah, it is" he agreed "Alright sit on the bed" she was about to before she looked at him curiously "Why?" Zuko looked at her with the same serious look as before "I'm not going to do anything weird, alright? You just sit there while I get some medicine and bandages" Tiana didn't know why but she trusted the Prince but she did. It wasn't too much later when Zuko came back with a basket of medical supplies.
Zuko looked thoughtful for a moment, taking in her appearance "Do you want to take a bath?" he asked suddenly, he saw the nervous look in her eyes "Alone of course" he added "Oh, yeah sure... thanks" Zuko pointed out where the bathroom was "And um... clean towels are on a metal rack beside the tub... you'll see it" Tiana nodded, walking into the bathroom but before shutting the door she locked eyes with Zuko "You know... You're not a bad guy... So ... thanks" she smiled slightly before disappearing behind the door . Zuko flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling "What is this place? She's with Sai? I have to get her back... even though technically I never had her here... But thats not the point... She needs to be mine again! Especially if wherever I am is permanent" sighing Zuko closed his eyes, unexpectedly drifting off to sleep.
Much Later
Zuko's weary eyes were greeted by the blinding rising sun "Damn it! I slept the rest of the day away?" Zuko nearly threw himself out of bed. He rubbed his eyes, letting out a loud yawn, he hadn't noticed the figure sleeping on the rug at the foot of his bed "What the hell?" Zuko tripped over the now wide awake girl, catching himself before he collided with the hard floor. Blinking a few times, Tiana let her eyes adjust "What are you doing there?" Zuko asked as he assumed a sitting position "I was sleeping?" she said slowly, unsure as to why he'd ask such an obvious question "Why would you sleep on the floor? You could've slept in the bed with m-" he cut himself off "Shoot! I forgot where I was for a second. Ugh- Get a grip Zuko!" Tiana stared at him with a worried stare "Were you about to say... 'With me'?" Zuko's eyes shifted around the room as he tried to quickly think of a valid reply "With mattress" he babbled out "With... Mattress?" Zuko nodded anxiously as he tried to cover up his faux pas "Well not 'with mattress' but- well...What I meant was- Uhm... With... the mattress... since its... more cozier and warmer and ... fluffy...er" Tiana chuckled "You're a silly boy, you know that, right?" Zuko let out a short nervous laugh.
The two began talking, the conversation started out basic enough, Tiana was still wary about what he should tell him, how much she should tell him but those feelings soon went away, the conversation grew friendlier as the hours passed, starting at 'What's your favorite color?' to discussing modern technology to politics. Neither one had noticed that the sun had rose and set, the guards had merely delivered food at the door, plates piling on his desk. Finally their lighthearted chat had been forced to a halt by Azula's insistent raps on the door "What do you want Azula?" he called through the door "The prisoner, its time to move her back to her cell" Zuko and Tiana exchanged looks before Tiana hesitantly stood "Alright, I suppose it'd be best I go back..." Zuko stood after her "I guess so..." Tiana was about to turn the brass door knob before Zuko covered her hand "Wait... just a second" he ran over to a gold desk, snatching a small rectangular shaped paper and scribbling down a note, folding it neatly. "Here..." Tiana eyed him curiously as she began to unravel the note "No, don't read it till later" smiling she acknowledged his request, hiding the parchment beneath a bandage on her hand "Smart girl" he whispered, opening the door to reveal a pissed off looking Azula "Fine morning isn't it Azula?" Zuko asked while watching over her shoulder as two guards guided Tiana back to the prison cell "Its the evening moron" Zuko shrugged "Do you realize what I've been through?" she asked "No, I don't" Zuko resumed his normal uncaring voice "I've been having to put up with Mai's insistent complaining about how 'Zuko's ignoring me' or how she couldn't find you or how you don't share things with her, and blah blah blah, bitch bitch bitch" Azula leaned against the door frame with a sigh "So.. How has your day been?" she asked casually, peeking past Zuko to check out the state of the room "Looks like you didn't break anything" Zuko turned his head to see his room which was in perfect condition "Yeah... we didn't" Azula cocked an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she stood straight up "You feeling okay? You've been acting more distant than usual..." Azula looked to Zuko with genuine concern "Did I do something to upset you? I'm sorry if I did" Zuko was taken back by his ordinarily volatile sisters concerned voice "Uh- No, I'm fine... You didn't do anything, I guess I'm just tired" smiling Azula playfully punched Zuko in the shoulder "Excellent, by the way our cousin is leaving to go back to war in a few days" Zuko eyed her curiously "Cousin?" Azula nodded "You know, our cousin? Lu Ten? Don't you remember? He was here to join us for mourning the loss of the Fire Lord?" Zuko's eyes were probably bugging out "Fathers dead?" Azula almost had to jump back a step "No! Where would you get that? Our dear Uncle Iroh died from a stroke last week! Father is now the Fire Lord but he isn't dead. By the way, he wanted me to tell you that he's going to try his best to attend your eighteenth birthday party tomorrow" Zuko ran a hand through his hair "What are you talking about? My birthday isn't tomorrow" Azula laughed, placing a hand on her brothers shoulder "Oh dear, you have been under quite a bit of stress, so much you've forgotten your own birthday. Get some rest, the celebration is tomorrow night. Goodnight ZuZu" Zuko lifted his hand as a sort of wave "Night Azula" Zuko shook his head as if to shake something out of his hair, suddenly a thought hit him "Hey, Azula!" he called, Azula whipped around from down the hall "Who's winning the war?" Azula laughed "We did brother, last year! We're in the clean-up stage now!"she yelled back "And the avatar?" she shrugged "Never showed up!" Azula waved as she continued to walk back to her room.
"He never showed up?... " Zuko went over the information about the Fire Nation winning over and over again in his mind. Tiana's bruised and battered body popped into his head, his promise written on paper "I have to stop them" he said out loud, immediately running to his closet where he once more adorned a mask, once more he became the Blue Spirit.
Back in the prison cells
Tiana ran her finger against the blunt edge of the ripped paper. The still wet ink had smeared slightly against the opposite side of the paper but it was still readable, and what had it said? Four words, those words were those of a traitor to his nation "I will save you" Simple enough but the penalty for helping a fugitive, no matter your position is death, and depending on your rank is the severity of the punishment. Tiana could barely imagine the sort of punishment they'd inflict upon their own beloved prince for betraying his nation.
"So did he try anything?" Sai asked from the cell opposite of her "You've already asked this and I told you. No, he didn't... He's really a kind person" Sai looked at her incredulously "I can't believe it... You spend only a few moments with him and he's got you infatuated with him already? What happened to your loyalty to the freedom of every other nation?" Tiana snapped out of her daze "I am loyal!" she retorted "Okay, you say you're loyal but you have yet to deny that you're infatuated with him?" Tiana opened her mouth to speak but words failed to come out "He must've put you under some sort of spell... or something! Its all the fire-nation... They're all evil! Because no way would you actually fall for him..." Sai stared at her for a few moments "I can't explain it... I feel like... Like I've known him for a long time...like somewhere else we were meant to be" Tiana admitted knowing hiding what she thought was a bad idea with him "You've only spoken with him twice! Nobody falls for another that quickly!" Tiana felt her temper growing "You did!" she tried not to yell "Yeah, but with you it was different! You're not Fire-nation scum like he is!" Tiana shook her head "Yes- Yes I am! Don't you get it? Fire nation blood flows through my veins! I can't pretend like it doesn't, and neither can you. You see this?" she asked, pointing to her good eye "What do you see?" Sai shook his head "I see a beautiful girl" he said, avoiding the actual answer. She remained silent and unmoving until he gave the answer she wanted "Fine, I see gold" he admitted "And you're the same, you see Sai? Fire nation isn't all bad. Sure they've made terrible choices but we can't hold the choices of a few people against an entire nation. There's bound to be one!" Sai stood, beginning to pace "Its like a needle in a haystack Tiana." Tiana smiled and walked over to the bars "Yeah, thats true. But I think I found that needle"
"But... What if he's pla-" Something coming from outside the prison cells a few guards frantic "Who are you?" and "Help! We have an intruder!" had been cut short. The two watched as four guards tumbled down the steps, one after the other. "What in the world?" suddenly the said intruder came down the steps, seeming to almost glide along the cold stone. He ran straight to Tiana's cell. She stared at him, seeming to be petrified "Who are you?" she whispered, examining the ornate mask he wore, the figure stared a moment longer before producing a set of keys stolen from an unconscious guard. She listened intently for the *click* in the lock signifying her freedom. And then it came, feelings of relief flooded into her "Thank you" she said, smiling. "Can you help my friend too?" she asked, walking out of her cell and over to Sai's. The masked saviour looked from her and then to Sai before nodding, he unlocked Sai's cell with ease. Signaling the two to follow him. Pressing his palm against a loose stone steps appeared before them, leading beneath the wall. The two exchanged uneasy glances "He did save us after all" Tiana reasoned, following him down, and then Sai followed her.
For the most part they remained two steps behind him, until they hit an extremely dark tunnel "We're going to have to turn back" Sai said, already turning to go, the figure shook his head, putting his hand out signaling for them to stay. Both remained still as the figure performed a fire-bending move, lighting a line of previously unseen torches on either side of the path "Fire bender?" Sai muttered. Tiana followed the two, falling back slightly as she marveled at the torches on either side, in awe about how he managed to light all of them leading up to the exit, that had to have been at least a hundred feet or so.
"C'mon Tiana" Sai said, grabbing her arm and pulling her along "So when are we going to be safe oh great fire bender?" Sai asked sarcastically "Soon" he muttered, leading them over a steep hill. Once they'd reached the top Tiana gasped "Whats wrong?" Sai rushed to her side "Its just beautiful, isn't it?" she asked, clearly too distracted to properly respond to Sai. Sai looked at what she was staring at, the hill had over looked the entire fire-nation with the palace standing tall in the center "If thats your idea of beauty..." Tiana turned to look at Sai "What do you mean? Just because you hold a grudge doesn't mean this can't be beautiful!" Sai threw his hands in the air "What? Yes it can. You know what this-this- scum did to our families and what do you do to honor their deaths? You marvel at the view" emotions somewhere between confused, sad, and angry flickered in Tiana's eyes "How dare you" she whispered "That was the past! I've been telling you and Jet for years to just move on! You have each other! But that stupid brother of yours just can't get passed the fact that his parents- Your parents got swept away in a fire that just happened to have been started by a drunk fire nation soldi-" Sai slapped her hard across the face sending her to the ground "No- How dare you! Maybe you're right, we have gotten too caught up in revenge but don't you forget who's side you're on. Don't you forget that a fire nation raped you for fun and got away with it, not to mention that your 'father' raped your mother and got her pregnant" Tears welled up in the girls eyes as she sat, Sai stared at her with regret, he began reaching down to her "Listen..I shouldn't hav-" his arm was stopped by the shadowy figures grip "I think you should go take a walk" Sai nodded in agreement.
Once Sai was out of site the figure fell to his knees beside him, she stared at him, hesitating for a moment before throwing herself into his chest, crying loudly. The figure stroked her hair gently, mumbling words of comfort. She looked up at him through teary eyes, daringly placing one hand on his mask, lifting it up revealing none other than the prince himself "You kept your promise" she whispered, showing him the note he'd given her. Like she wasn't able to contain herself as she impulsively kissed him. Zuko didn't remain stunned like he would've had this been his first time kissing her. Placing his hand on the small of her back, eventually the two pulled back for air. "So you realize this is treason, right?" Zuko shrugged "It happens" he said with a smile.
The two sat where they remained in silence, overlooking the city as they waited for Sai to return.
Zuko shifted a few times before sitting up, the sun blinding him "Ugh, why am I so achy?" he wondered, bringing his arms over his head to stretch "Mornin' stranger!" Zuko's eye's slowly wandered from the ground up to her "Morning..." he said groggily as his eyes slowly adjusted "You sleep in late... For a firebender" she teased "You get up early... for a half-breed" he added with a sly smile, her face grew serious "How'd you know that?" Zuko cocked an eyebrow "Your eyes" she looked at him curiously "They're blue and gold... Water tribe and Fire nation" Tiana brought a hand up to cup the side of her face "Well, I guess that does make sense!" she said cheerily
Sai walked over to the two "Uhm... I thought I'd apologize... About last night, it was wrong of me to say those things..." he stared at the ground, not wanting to meet their potentially judging gaze, he soon found his hands being covered "Its alright, I know you miss your brother... We'll get him back" Tiana looked back at Zuko when she said the last words. Pulling out of her grip he walked over to Zuko "I'm sorry... I judged you when I shouldn't have" he held his hand out to shake with Zuko who took it willingly "Its fine, I understand" Sai turned to walk away when Zuko called out his name "We can get your brother back" He said evenly "Wha- How? I doubt we'll be able to break him out the same way you broke us out... " he reasoned sadly "True, but tonight is the Fire Prince's 18th birthday..." Tiana and Sai listened to him intently "And its a masquerade" The two got where he was going "So we sneak in as guest's" Tiana said, smirking "Yes, it'll be no problem, I"ll get you invitations signed by myself" Sai stroked his chin "But what about the guards, there's still that problem" Zuko shook his head "Not really. Its a party, the guards will be slap happy drunk... Especially if I send down a few... dozen cases of the strongest fire whisky in the area" Sai laughed "You're brilliant! So what's the plan?" he asked "Its simple really, we can do it in a small series of steps" Zuko said evenly, drawing the two closer.
I was initially going to go through the whole chapter and just make it super long and this whole alternate universe/dream sequence part but I wanted to upload something this Friday! If I finish the next part by tonight I'll upload it sometime tomorrow, if not... You'll be waiting until next week.
Again, I apologize for it being so rushed.
