Arrival
"Okay, let's go over this one more time." Zuko paced in front of the Kyoshi warriors. All of them now wore Fire Nation soldier armor that had been stored onboard the airship. Even Zuko and Toph wore the armor. "When we dock in the capital, what unit are you from and what is your rank?"
"We are unit 34-12 Alpha, Lieutenant Lu Tao." Ami answered. "Returning from recon in the Southern Earth Kingdom." Being the default leader with Suki gone, she was given the charge of talking to the workers at the dock.
"Very good." Zuko nodded.
"Why are we doing this?" One of the others asked.
Zuko turned to her. "Because from what Mai's letter said, the capital has already been taken over by Azula and Ozai. Supposedly, whoever their supporters are have complete control by now. We are too far outnumbered to take them in a direct fight, so we have to sneak in."
"Then why aren't you masquerading as squad leader? You have a better understanding of Fire Nation military and social customs." She asked.
"They'll recognize me too quickly. The commanding officer is always unmasked in these situations, especially during debriefing." Zuko explained. "I would be far too easily recognized, even without my scar. And even with the full face masks, my voice would be picked out quickly by anyone looking for me. So I have to stand in the back and not attract attention."
"Attention, Everyone," the pilot's voice boomed over the intercom, "we are now approaching the Fire Nation Capital. Preparing docking procedures."
"That's our cue." Zuko slipped his helmet and face plate on, hiding all but his eyes. "Suit up, get in formation. Do you remember all the drills, Ami?"
"All understood." Ami, alone, wore no face plate. The airship docked in place and the doors opened. All the Kyoshi Warriors, plus Toph and Zuko stepped out in perfect formation.
A Fire Nation commnder stepped forward to address them. Ami gave the tradition Fire nation salute, and he did so in return. "Identify yourself, Soldier." The Commander said.
"Leieutenint Lu Tao, commanding officer of unit 34-12 Alpha, sir." She replied.
The commander nodded. "As you were, continue on your way."
Ami nodded in recognition and the group stepped past the commander. They had made it passed the first obstacle. Only for more to come. Zuko stepped up behind Ami and whispered to her. "Alright. Toph, Ami, our destination is the Palace itself. If there are any prisoners, they're being held there."
A quick agreement came from the others and the group made their way up to the Fire Lord Palace. Upon entering, they were met by a pair of strange figures in red and black trimmed cloaks. "State your purpose." One of them said.
Ami stepped forward. "Our purpose is to speak to the Fire Lord. Who are you?"
"We are the Children of Fire, and we are in charge around here." The figures glanced around these soldiers quickly. For a slightly longer second, their eyes fell on Zuko. They then glanced at each other before addressing Ami again. "Very well. I shall lead you to the Fire Lord." One of the figures motioned with their hands and began walking down the court-yard. A moment of reluctance passed before Zuko and the group followed.
They followed the hooded figure through the palace, finally coming to a locked door. Their guide relieved a ring of keys from their coat and with a loud clank, the door opened. "Right this way." They said, pulling the door open and taking a step to the side, allowing Zuko and company access.
No sooner had Zuko, Toph, Ami, and the other warriors walked into the room that the door slammed closed behind them and the lock slammed shut again. "They tricked us!" Ami shouted.
A metal snapping sound was heard and Zuko instantly knew what it was. "They broke the key in the lock. They probably figured out who we were at the gate. Toph, can you get the door open?"
Toph popped her neck and cracked her knuckles. "Not a problem." She stepped up to the metal door and slammed her open palms against it. Her fingers dug into the metal and she yanked the door right off its hinges. She threw it across the room, leaving the cloaked figure standing dumbfounded in the hallway.
As the figure turned to run, Ami charged into him and struck her fist against his back. With three more precision strikes, he dropped to the ground paralyzed. Zuko recognized that technique instantly. Chi blocking. He made a quick mental note to never upset the Kyoshi warriors if he had the option. Zuko yanked the hood off the figure and lifted him by the neck of his cloak. "Who are you?"
The man spat at Zuko. "We are the Children of Fire. And you are a traitor. We have returned leadership of our great country to its true Fire Lord."
Zuko grimaced and shoved him back to the ground. Ami stomped over and grabbed the man. "Where is Ty Lee!?" She hissed. When he didn't answer, she lifted him up and slammed his head back into the ground. "WHERE IS SHE!?"
The man winced. "Lady Azula has her in my lady's chambers. She wanted to personally torture that traitor herself. And if My Lady finds you, you will beg for the same fate as Ty Lee. Because your punishment will be far worse."
Ami dropped him back to the ground and stood up. She turned to Zuko. "Where is Azula's chambers?"
Zuko started walking down the hall, motiong for the others to follow. "This way."
/
How long had she been held down here? Days? Weeks? There was no light in this room, so she couldn't tell. Ty Lee lay on Azula's bed, her hands and legs still chained to the bed posts. The skin on her wrists and ankles was now cracked and raw, occasionally bleeding.
Her body had been stripped of all clothes. Scars covered her arms, torso, chest, and legs. Every cut had been cauterized by Azula. Even a long deep cut the princess had made on Ty Lee's face. How much longer was Azula planning to torture her? Ty Lee did not know if she could keep her resolve any longer. She almost wished Azula would tire of this and end her suffering one way or another simply to be done with it.
The latch on the door clicked. Her heart beat faster and tears welled in her eyes. The only time that door ever opened was when Azula wanted to punish her more. As it creaked open and a pillar of light shined through the darkness, Ty Lee closed her eyes and braced herself for the torment she knew was coming.
An audible gasp reached her ears, followed by the quick pace of feet running across the hard stone floor. The bed shifted and someone pressed down on it. "Ty Lee!" A familiar voice shrieked. She opened her eyes and saw a face she never expected to see again. Ami.
Ami stared in horrorid revulsion at the twisted scars across Ty Lee's body. Tears streamed from her eyes and down her cheeks. She placed a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Ty Lee." She sobbed. Ami collapsed over the acrobat. She continued to heave and sob at the sight of her broken friend. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry this happened."
Feeling her friend and loved one holding her again, A warmth of relief and joy flooded Ty Lee's body. She began to cry again, but now in joy. "Ami," she managed to choke out, "I'm just so happy to see you again. I thought I never would."
Zuko watched from a distance. At once horrified at the extent Azula had gone, but then shocked and confused at Ami's reaction. His gaze slowly shifted to another of the Kyoshi warriors. "Are they…an item?"
"Yup." She nodded. "It started when we were all in prison for a while, and it just kinda went from there."
Zuko shrugged and turned to Toph. "Can you get her out of there?"
"Sure." The Earth bender stepped over to the bed and, one by one, took the chains in hand and crushed them between her fingers.
Finally free, Ty Lee wrapped her arms around Ami and the two embraced in pure joy. Ami brushed her fingers over the scar that grazed Ty Lee's cheek, and pressed her lips against it.
Slowly moving apart, Ami pulled the sheet from the bed up around Ty Lee's exposed body. "Can we find some clothes?" The other Kyoshi warriors moved quickly rummaging around the room and eventually bringing back a shirt and pants that were about Ty Lee's size. Not exact, but close enough to work for now. When putting them on, Ty Lee quickly realized they belonged to Azula.
She didn't care now. She had been rescued. Her nightmarish ordeal was over and now she was with Ami again. Everything was going to be okay now.
A shadow fell over them as someone else stepped in the doorway. All eyes turned to the open door and on caster of the shadow. Zuko glared. "Azula."
A sly grin crept across Azula's face. Her eyes burned with a passionate hate. "Hello, Zuzu. Lucky I caught you, isn't it?" Around her, more figures stepped into the light. All wearing the red and black robes. "I hope you don't mind I brought some friends along. These are true Fire Nation, with purer blood that you. They know who should really be in charge, and are seeing to it."
Zuko planted his feet squarely on the floor and raised his arm in an aggressive stance. "Not going to happen, Azula. I am still Fire Lord, and any sort of terrorist revolutionaries are going to have to go through me."
"Good." Azula chuckled. She quickly glanced at the robed figures, and in an instant, they charged into the room. Fire erupted from their hands.