Yes. An update. Impressed? I am! Anyways, this is the last of the prison arc. Next up, one chapter filler involving a side trip for Danny and Aang in which Danny teaches Aang how to hotwire a car. Yeah, should be interesting. Following that is my next major arc. Ambush. And no it's not what you would think. Coming up I actually have a lot of plans and I'm slowly starting to get everything back in order. I have currently lost all my old work and am slowly rebuilding this story from scratch but I have some good feeling about this story now. And it helps that thanks to The Legend Of Korra (Makorra forever!) I am quickly getting back into the avatar phase. It also helps that I've discovered that using music for inspiration is a very big help. As such this fic I got ideas thanks to Stronger from Kelly Clarkson. Though mostly for Yori's parts. Anyways, I'd better let you guys get back to reading. I'm sure after all this time you want to read.
Don't own Avatar or Yori.
Yori was the first to wake in the familiar darkness. Tiredly she glanced over seeing Riley still out cold. She flinched in sympathy, hoping with all her heart that he would be okay. She didn't know why but seeing him in such pain hurt worst than she could imagine. With a tired sigh she got to her hands and knees, slowly crawling over to him and feeling his forhead, wincing as she felt the heat radiating off him in waves. She was ashamed to hope it was the poison and not infection or an illness. She then glanced over at Toph and Kira, both who seemed to be sleeping soundly. It pained Yori to admit that as much as she cared for her friend Kira was just too niave. All of them were. She understood the situation. Riley understood. Heck, even Danny understood! Yori had heard from Katara that in the fight against Azula, Zuko was hurt. And from the sounds of it, it was identical to the show. So if Kira knew the pain war had caused why was she so carefree?
Yori sighed, shaking her head of these thoughts. It wouldn't do to dwell on what couldn't be helped now. With a determined look she glanced upwards, figuring they probably should start trying to escape. Quickly she nudged Kira and Toph, easily waking them. Kira yawned as she stretched, glancing worriedly over at Yori who shook her head, glancing sadly at Riley.
No change in his condition.
Toph rapped lightly on the side of the metal. "I can create hand and foot holds. You holding Tornado there?" she asked Yori.
The girl in question blinked, looking at the unconscious Riley before figuring she meant him "Yeah..." she said.
Kira bit her lip however "Can you hold him and climb though?" she asked.
Yori hesitated a bit before brightening up "Toph! Hand me your hoodie!" she demanded, also taking Riley's grey hoodie leaving him in a lighter grey shirt and his customary jeans.
Using the two hoodies she managed to tie the unconscious teen to her back and she smirked "Problem solved." she said victoriously.
Toph nodded, turning to the wall and quietly creating the hand holds in the wall. Once they were done came the hard part. Climbing. Kira couldn't help but shiver as they began climbing, realizing that the higher they went...the higher they were. That meant hieght. Not good. Luckily though Toph's exit wasn't very high up and so they were soon able to scramble through the door to a room that nearly blinded them. Kira couldn't help but gape at the room, blinking as she tried to adjust while trying to take in the total brilliance of it. There was snow. And ice! Everywhere you looked! And the temperature was above and beyond cold. But what caught her attention most, and filling her with such a terrible sense of dread, were the people huddled together down on the ice.
Occasionally you could see bits of fire and Kira was hit by a sudden and very sickening revalation. "That last section...the endless black caged earth benders. This is the fire benders." she breathed in horror.
It was monstrous. Fire benders were more at home in the heat. Heat was their element. To take that away was barbaric! "We have to keep moving. Come on." she said quietly, forcing herself to look away.
They walked in silence towards another door, Kira leading Toph who was blind on the ice. It was the first time Kira actually regretted bringing her along. Though at the same time she was grateful because they would never had found their exit if it weren't for her. "There's a door up ahead. We should take that." Yori said quietly, earning a quiet no from Kira and Toph.
They made their way over in an equal silence. None of them dared speak. They were terrified that Sasha could be watching. Who knew where that devil in disguise was hiding. She may have already calculated them finding out about this place. But fortunetly they reached the door without incident. In fact it was almost to perfect so far. Carefully Yori opened the door before flinching, feeling a backlash of such intense heat it was uncomfortable for even her, the master fire bender. With a wince they made their way into the room, seeing a landscape similar to what they had just left but instead of a freezing tundra it was an indoor desert.
Kira's legs grew weak as she made the connections "Water benders. Isn't it?" she asked, her throat dry.
Yori nodded solenmly as she continued to walk, angling towards some stairs. "Is it safe to use the stairs?" Kira asked, leading Toph along who flinched as her feet touched the burning metal.
Yori shook her head "Probably not but we don't have a choice." she said.
Fortunetly as they made their way up the stairs it was eerily quiet. No guards, no Sasha. In fact Kira hadn't recalled noticing any guards. Was Sasha the only one in charge of the prison? But if so then how was she able to leave so frequently? Like when she chased them out in the desert. Or attacked Randy's rebellion group. And Yori mentioned that Sasha had even visited her family. So there had to be guards.
But if they weren't doing anything then could it be... "It's a trap." Yori said softly.
Kira blinked, looking up at her friend questioningly "What?" she asked.
Yori frowned as she looked up towards the top of the stairs "No guards, no Sasha. It can't be this easy. Not with her. She's waiting at the entrance. Just you watch." she said quietly, her voice quivering.
Kira's heart fell at that. It was logical and made sense. But even if it was true there was nothing they could do about it. Like Toph had said when they first went. There was only one entrance. One exit. And the place wasn't stable enough to stay up if they tried to tunnel out. They had no choice but to walk right into Sasha's hands. It was a sickeningly hopeless situation. And it made them feel tense.
And with each step that broght them closer to Sasha they felt more and more tense. "This bites." Toph muttered, feeling the tense atmosphere.
Kira nodded while Yori stayed in her dejected silence. The situation was just so wrong! This was a rescue mission. Not one that they had no hope of escaping themselves. Not even the Boiling Rock had felt this hopeless. It made her shiver despite the aching heat in the desert like room. Again her eyes shot to the side, glancing down at the rocks down below where people stayed huddled in whatever shade that they could find. But they seemed divided. Unlike the firebenders in the room next door. Suddenly kira felt a twinge of sympathy. The guards probably had to regularily travel between the two rooms. From extreme heat to extreme cold. It must be miserable working here.
As miserable as Sasha made it that is. "We're here." Yori said quietly, opening the door they arrived at without hesitation.
Kira figured she wanted this over with. She carefully followed her friend but she only saw the eerily familiar black corridors. Yori sighed in relief before turning to Toph "Do you 'see' anything at all?" she asked, adjusting her weight to adjust Riley.
Toph frowned as she kneeled on the ground, feeling the ground with her hand "Yes. Barely. It's very hazy though. But I think the exit is right below us. One level!" she said excitedly.
Kira looked at her hopefully "And Sasha?" she asked eagerly.
Toph's face lit up eagerly "I don't see her. Anywhere." she said eagerly.
Yori's eyes lit up ever so slightly with the hope that was rare as of late. "Do you think we won?" she asked slowly.
Kira grinned, hurrying towards the stairs to head down "Come one Yori, Toph. Freedom is only a stones throw away!" she urged.
She hurried down the stairs, excitment bright in her eyes. But then it came crashing down.
"I was wondering when you would show."
Kira's heart plummeted as she stared at Sasha who leaned against the door with an innocent smile, her eyes bright and as equally innocent as her smile. But her nails were red. Red with blood. Riley's blood.
Behind her Yori gasped in alarm, stumbling back in horror "This is it. We lost. We can't win." she whispered.
Kira however scowled, looking at Toph "Can you see?" she asked.
Toph however shook her head, face pale "Not very good. Not enough to fight. Sorry." she said.
Kira nodded, facing Sasha "Then it looks like I have to fight. And I won't go down easy." she said, fire circling her arms.
She then rushed forward with a cry of anger. Sasha however smirked, her eyes finally revealing the cruelness that hid underneath her innocent exterior. She easily met Kira's attack, countering it with her own fire. Kira flinched as the resulting explosion blew her back but Sasha stayed in place before lunging forward, launching her own blazing inferno of fire. Kira cringed, barely managing to stop the fire. But the attack didn't stop. Sasha easily kept up the attack and Kira's mind flashed back to another fight. The one back at the palace during the comet. The power of Sasha's flames were equal to Azula's in that fight. And that was without additional power. Kira shivered, eyes widening in fear as her feet began sliding back. Slowly she lost more and more ground but still the fire didn't stop. For the first time she truely doubted she would win.
Her hands shook before lowering a fraction of an inch.
But then someone was besides her, helping her.
Starled she looked to see Yori next to her, tears streaming down her cheeks but her eyes were fierce and determined. A quick glance back showed Riley laying by Toph who stood guard warily. "I thought you gave up." she said quietly.
But Yori however scowled "No. I refuse to go down without a fight. I'm going to beat her or die trying. For Riley." she said in determination.
Kira blinked before nodding, smiling in agreeance. She then turned to Sasha with a determined look, white fire burning around her in a blazing inferno. She then rushed forward with inhuman speed, a white trail of light in her wake. Sasha's eyes actually widened in alarm and she barely brought a shield up but scowled as a few of the flames caught her arms, leaving a few burns.
Emilee smirked at that, her eyes blazing "Looks like I'm stronger than you." she said.
She then added more fuel to her attack and Sasha scowled as she was forced to dodge. She then smirked, sending a wave of fire at the unsuspecting Toph. "No!" Kira cried.
But before it could hit a blast of air diverted the fire before raging through the hall and nearly knocking Sasha off her feet. Startled Kira looked and saw Riley, his eyes struggling to stay open as he held out his hand, air shooting from it. He smiled shakily as the attack ended before slowly rising to his feet. He then moved his arms in a complex manner before punching his fist forward. Kira's eyes widened in surprise as air came out, once more shooting at Sasha. But halfway to her it changed to something else.
It was water.
Yori looked back with a smirk "So your the airbending master. Should have guessed." she said quietly.
Riley bowed his head "Sorry. For decieving you." he said, his voice shaky and weak.
He then glared at Sasha "So. Shall we do this together?" he asked.
Yori nodded, summoning the white flames again. Sasha frowned as she dodged before her eyes widened in surprise as metal encased her feet.
Toph smirked "I said I can't fight. Doesn't mean I won't take any opening I can get. Have at her guys." she said casually.
Kira's heart sung. They could win this! They really could! But Sasha wasn't about to be counted out. She launched three waves of fir. One at Yori, one at Kira, and the last headed towards Toph and Riley. Kira scowled as she defended herself, shooting a look over at Toph and Riley anxiously. He may be a master but he was still weakened and poisoned. And that made her worry. but he seemed to be holding up okay.
For now.
Suddenly Sasha cried out as a blast of fire hit her back, cutting off her fierce attack.
"Miss us?" a new voice asked.
Startled they looked to the entrance where Zuko and katara stood, ready to help. Kira couldn't stop the soft smile from rising to her lips as Zuko's eyes met hers. But then they turned to Sasha, eyes blazing in anger and determination once more "Surrender. You can't win." Yori said coldly.
Sasha however smirked "I think your mistaken about that." she said fiercely.
Sparks flew around her finger tips and Kira tensed, taking a worried step backwards. But then she smirked cruelly as she aimed the attack at the ground. Multiple cries of pain bounded around the room as the electricity shocked them. It wasn't deadly but it effectively halted any attacks they may have tried. But then it began lessoning. Kira glanced over with tearfilled eyes and saw the Zuko was managing to redirect the lightning from the ground out into the sky.
Unfortunetly it left him completely open. Sasha quickly cut off he attack and, with lightning fast reflexes, shot out a ball of flames at Zuko's back. For that instant it was like the world froze but Kira could do nothing but watch helplessly. As helplessly as she stood and watched the lightning. She tried to call out but her own voice fell deaf on her ears. It seemed like Zuko was turning to slow. And none of them could move to hlp in time. But suddenly time sped up as he was struck, the water drenching him.
Startled Kira looked back at Riley but Yori just sighed in relief "He can change the elements from any bending attack. Whether his own or his opponents." she said in relief.
Kira sighed before her eyes hardened "Either way I think we should end this quickly." she said, moving into a stance and moving her arms in quick sussesion before pulling rocks from the roof to fall on Sasha, effectively pinning her.
"Come on. Let's go." she said tiredly.
Yori nodded, hurrying over to grab Riley. But even with her pinned they remained cautious as they inched around her towards the exit. "Very good. You won my little game. Looks like next time I need to fight you all more seriously." she said.
Yori however scoffed, smirking at the downed admiral "No. Next time you won't stand a chance now that we know you can be beat." she said.
Kira smiled at her friend as they made their way out. But Sasha's next words stopped them once more "You may be able to beat me. But the Betrayer is in a different class all together. He will take you down and kill you all before you even have the chance to realize who he is." she said cheerfully.
Somehow the words made Kira's blood feel cold. The Betrayer. That's the person who Yori mentioned. The person who was possibly a master like Yori was. And Riley. "Ignore her. Let's go." Yori said roughly.
She then slowly helped Riley out of the tunnel, the others following slowly.
As soon as they were out however Riley groaned, collapsing and nearly dragging Yori with him. "Riley? Riley!" she called in alarm, trying to get a response.
Quickly Katara knealt down next to him, checking for a pulse "He's alright. just unconscious." she assured.
Toph nodded before lifting up the earth under their feet "Everyone hold on. We're getting out of here now." she said.
Everyone nodded quietly as the earth began moving at a high speed towards where Aang, Danny, and Sokka waited.
break
Danny shot up in surprise as the ground began rumbling under foot. "Woah! Guys I think we'd better get moving!" he shouted.
Quickly Aang and Sokka jumped up, preparing to run to the van but before they could Toph burst through on her earth slab, every one else along with her. Danny immediately blinked in honest surprise. "You guys actually survived?" he asked.
He then looked at Riley "Mostly." he said.
But Sokka moved up closer before Kira could snap at him "Find anything?" he asked.
Yori smiled half heartedly "The airbending master." she whispered.
Aang cringed "Is he..." he trailed off.
Yori however shook her head, looking sorrowfully at Riley "No. He's okay. He's just been through a lot." she said.
Danny gaped at Riley "No way. Riley's the airbending master! I figured he was a weak bender! If a bender at all!" he said in disbelief.
Yori chuckled bitterly "Yeah. He had us all thrown for a loop." she said.
Kira then motioned towards the van "Let's just get out of here before Sasha gets back up. It's getting dark so we need to get a move on." she said.
The others nodded, well aware of the need to rush. If only they were aware that once more the group was being watched.
break
Sasha smirked at the figure besides her as he lowered his binoculars. "What did I say Betrayer? Told you she'd be here." she teased.
The man turned to her with fury blazing in his eyes "I told you to capture them all. I even gave you that special poison and promised you your pick from the group." he snarled.
Sasha shrugged before her eyes hardened though the smirk was still full on confidence. "Don't worry. This game has only just begun. You will have your prize and I will have mine. Just you wait and see." she told him.
The man sighed before handing her the binoculars and turning away "See to it that you stop them. Kill anyone you want but the avatar...is mine." he said.
Sasha frowned as he walked away, eyes narrowing in hate "Oh no, Betrayer. You are the one who will die. You and the avatar. And any other who stands in my way of destroying this world."
Mwahahaha! So yes, Riley is the airbending master! And yes that has been planned from the start. And now to keep you up to date. Master one is Yori. The firebending master and able to create portals. Though in this situation I think she may have forgotten. Though now She's going to ditch her moping and become the master she needs. Master number two is Riley. The airbending master. He is capable of changing the elements. But only those used in attacks. He can't just randomly change ice to earth. Unless someone starts bending with it. At the moment he is not very willing to accept his position as the airbending master. But now we have two down and two to go. But trust me, finding the earth and water masters...will not be near so easy. This fic isn't even half way over.