The freefall felt as though it had lasted for years before she landed on a soft, squishy mound of something.
Wait, what is this? Thought Ty Lee.
The blindfold prohibited her from seeing anything. She attempted to stand and wriggle free from her restraints. She quickly toppled over head first into the softness, realizing that she was flying!
Who? Questions filled her head. Jun had ordered the Dai Li to drop her and she remembered falling to her sudden death.
"Am I in the Spirit World?" She asked aloud.
As if to answer, she heard a low bellow. It sounded almost animalistic. Ty Lee squealed happily at the sound.
"Appa!" She exclaimed.
The animal bellowed again as Ty Lee fell backwards in relief. Aang's giant bear thingy had saved her from a sure death. She had a second chance.
"Oh, Appa, thank-you! I thought I was gone!"
While atop the bear thingy, Ty-Lee, proceeding with caution to avoid falling, searched for the top of the beast's head. She contortioned her body, wrapping her legs around one of his legs and outstretched her arms. Appa bit the bondage from her wrists. With free hands, she removed her ankle and face bonds in time to hop upright on the animal as they traversed over the rooftop of one of the homes in Lone Island.
"Too close," she stated, grasping the reigns. "Ok, Appa, let's get to Azula. I have got to talk to her".
"You have got to hear us out! We are not your enemies here," stated Aang in a futile attempt to negotiate with the Dai Li agents as they escorted the gang in special bending-proof shackles towards the city's small jailhouse.
As they passed through the center of town in the early hours of the morning, they were illuminated by numerous golden torches that lined the city's streets. Despite the time, several of the town's citizens sent glaring looks of disapproval from the comfort of their high windows as they were paraded through the streets. An older gentleman dressed in a dark cloak brought his horse-drawn carriage in close proximity to the group. His carriage was covered with a brown canvas bearing a faint insignia of the Fire Nation. Sensing that the man was a sympathizer, Iroh turned towards one of the four escorts, on either side of the party, nearest him.
"It seems this way of travel is not so kind to a man of over 60 years".
The agent shot him a look of disapproval.
"Keep it moving, Dragon of the West," he hissed.
"A spot of tea for an old man?" Iroh persisted.
"Go! You have exactly one minute, OLD MAN," scoffed the agent.
Iroh slowly stepped away from the group, emphasizing his gait as he hobbled towards the wagon.
"Whoa!" muttered the gentleman as he drew the reigns to stop his carriage.
"Tea for a fellow comrade, good sir?" asked The Dragon of the West with a sincere smile.
The man reached behind him for a kettle of water. Iroh smiled wider as the man warmed the tea with his hand.
"Your kindness shall not be forgotten, sir," stated Iroh.
"Hmph, kindness is what our great queen offered you and you bit her hand, Snake".
Iroh instinctively took a step back, surprised at the gentleman's sudden, hostile tone. To his dismay, the man stood upright on his carriage with his arms outstretched, grasping the kettle of boiling water in one hand by the handle.
"Good citizens of Lone Island, after our queen extended favor upon these traitors of the world with festive wine and caroling, they call this kindness!" He announced to an imaginary audience, pointing to the kettle.
"Alright, enough, let's go". The agent grabbed hold of Iroh's arm to lead him to the others.
"You want kindness?" Continued the man, "Here you are!" With that, he flung the boiling water in Iroh's direction.
Still quite fast despite his number of birthdays, Iroh quickly dodged the water and turned to see it splash on the agent who screamed in agony as he fell to his knees with his hands covering his face. As the other agents abandoned the prisoners to aid their fallen comrade, Aang quickly sprang into action. When they were arrested, one of the agents took his staff. He quickly shook from the restraints and blew into the sand, creating a mini sand storm to confuse the agents.
"They're escaping!" Yelled an agent, coughing and shielding his eyes from the storm.
Aang hastily released Katara and Toph to aid him.
"Ahem! What about me?" screeched Sokka as he writhed from the restraints. He had noticed that Aang had skipped by him to get to Katara.
"Kinda busy!" Yelled Aang as he and Katara use the spilled water to freeze each of the agents into place.
"What the?" Started Sokka before Toph used a nearby stone to smash the restraints.
"Yes!" he yelled, retrieving his boomerang from his pocket.
He then flung it in Zuko's direction. Zuko belly flopped into the earth raising his wrists slightly, just enough to allow the boomerang to cut his restraints. He hurried to Ursa to release her who released Mai. As the group freed themselves, more Dai Li agents sprung from the rooftops. Mai flung her shurikens nailing two agents against the wall.
"I can't do this much longer, Zuko".
"Hold them off, I'm going after Azula!" Stated Zuko, taking off in the direction of Azula's home.
Before he could tread three complete steps, he was grabbed by the collar and flung into a carriage driven the old gentleman, at Iroh's coaxing of course.
"Uncle, what are you doing, Azula's-,"
Iroh took a sip of tea before answering, "Oh, Zuko, have I not taught you anything?" He calmly scolded. "A ruler must always ensure the safety of his people".
"But Azula-,"
"Azula must be dealt with as well. However, she's spared our lives which is quite a change for her. You, my nephew, have a country to run and a wife to look after".
Zuko looked towards Mai's direction. The skilled markswoman was effortlessly taking down the agents with beautiful precision. Zuko signed heavily. He knew his uncle was right. The only way he could confront Azula now was as her ally. The last thing he needed was another Agni Khai, as he was not sure if even Aang could help him if Azula was back to her full form or better. He also did not want to risk anything happening to Mai or his beloved mother. As if sensing his distress, Iroh nudged the driver back in the direction of the others.
"Hurry, get in!"
Everyone hopped into the carriage.
"Now, this good gentleman has agreed to take us to our ship and even offered these barrels of tea as a momento. Isn't that right, good sir?"
"Yes, sir," grunted the gentleman.
"Good. We need to get back to the Fire Nation before Ozai hurts Ussie," stated Katara.
"But what about Ty Lee?" reminded Toph.
"Right! Where did she go?" asked Zuko.
Ursa stroked her son's hair affectionately. "Ty Lee is strong. She needs to confront Azula for herself".
"But why? Azula's going to freak out".
Mai rolled her eyes.
"She's fine, Zuko," stated the woman matter-of-factly. "Besides, Azula listens to her. She would never hurt her".