A/N: Don't forget to check out the Azula-week, and, if you're a Kataang-fan, the Kataang-week as well!
He knew he had only one chance to react. If he wanted to escape, he had to beat these four men. To do that, he needed the element of surprise and a bit of luck. He had to carefully plan his attack - and be quick about it. It wouldn't take the creepy princess too long before she realised her mistake. Aang planned to be long gone by then.
He pretended to still be chi-blocked as they dragged him downstairs. If only he could wait a few minutes more... He wasn't sure if he was able to bend just yet. If only he had that much time… he tried to remember how they walked. Luckily, the layout of ship wasn't too difficult. It was not the same ship on which she had first held him captive, Aang noticed. This one seemed more modern, although Aang wasn't exactly sure why he thought so.
It wasn't important either.
He was tempted to try and wiggle his toes, but if one of the soldiers saw it he would be done for. He wasn't sure if they all were Firebenders - but the chance was they were, since they were the soldiers of the Princess
'So, did you ever see an airbender before?' Aang asked.
They didn't respond - Azula had probably ordered them not to talk to him.
'I bet you haven't. Since, you know, you guys killed them all,' Aang continued. 'Even the women and the children.'
He saw a few eyebrows twitching, but they stayed silent.
'And now you're going to finish off your work,' Aang said. 'Be killing another kid. Brave Firenation soldiers.' He didn't know where the sudden bitterness in his voice came from. When he closed his eye, he saw it again. The temple, destructed. His old friends, dead.
In his mind, it was only a few months ago that the temple was his home, that those corpses were his leaving and breathing friends, almost his family members. No, they had been his family members.
Aang owed it them to survive. He hadn't been there to protect them then, but the least thing he could do, was to protect their legacy.
He drew a few breaths, letting go of his anger. It was easier said than done, but he reminded himself that these men hadn't participated in that genocide. He shouldn't blame them. He wanted to - and a part of him did blame them - but it wasn't right. It wasn't what the monks had thought him.
They had stopped in front of a door. One of the soldiers stepped forward and since Aang didn't want to move his head, he could only hear the sounds of the keys. If they locked him in there, he would never escape, chi-blocked or not.
So he waited, patiently, until he heard the door open. In made a deep, heavy sound. Aang took another deep breath before he used airbender to propel himself in the air, making himself small to make sure he wouldn't hit the ceiling. He moved smoothly, his limbs fully responsive again.
He landed behind the soldiers, who had all turned and were prepared to strike him - but Aang had surprised them. A powerful gust of wind blew two of them backwards, into the cell that was meant for him. The other two were cast against the wall.
Aang had two choices. He could either fight them, or he could make sure he got the hell out of here.
The other soldiers had probably heard something of the commotion and it wouldn't be long before they joined their collegues here. So Aang decided to run.
Using his airbender to move even faster, he reached top deck without too much difficulty, even though he was being followed by at least three soldiers. As long as he could make it out of here, that was no problem.
He wished he had his glider - in that case he could've just flown away. But he didn't have it, so had to think of something else, and quickly…
'That's the ship,' Sokka said, pointing at the Fire Nation ship. 'I am sure.'
'How?' Katara asked.
'It's the only ship we've seen and it has set sail for the Fire Nation. It must be the ship where Aang is.'
Katara nodded. 'Can we come closer?' she asked.
'Not without them noticing Appa.'
Sokka was right, Katara realised. She pondered their options.
'What's your plan?' Sokka asked her.
Katara was slighlty shocked by his question. Normally, Sokka was the one that came up with the plans.
'They're surrounded by water, so that gives me the advantages,' she said.
'But it's twenty to one, so that gives them the advantage.'
'I could… destroy the ship.'
'And hope that Aang isn't chained up or chi-blocked?'
Katara gritted her teeth. 'I don't know,' she said. 'But we need to think of something and quickly.'
'Perhaps you could slow the ship down,' Sokka suggested. Katara thought about his plan. Until the had something better, it wasn't too bad. 'I suppose I…'
'Katara!' Sokka interrupted her. 'Is that Aang?'
Katara immediately turned her attention towards the ship. 'It is,' she said, not able to hide her surprise or her relief. He seemed to be okay - running around the ship. dodging flames and throwing soldiers overboard.
The little figure in yellow and red clothing was battling zeven Fire Nation soldiers. And he was losing. These soldiers had never fought against an Airbender, but they were learning how to do so quickly. There was no way he could defeat them.
'Quicker, Appa!' Sokka said, as he grabbed Aang's glider. 'Katara, distract them.'
With pleasure.
Three soldiers were hit by the wave.
'AANG!' Sokka and Katara yelled in unison before Sokka threw Aangs glider at him. Aang had to make a funny jump to grab it, but when he held his glider, he suddenly felt as if he had almost won the battle.
'Encase them in ice!' Sokka said at Katara. He threw his boomerang and managed to knock out one soldier.
Aang send another gust of wind their way, succesfully knocking two of them overboard, beforing jumping on his glider and flying towards Appa.
'He's gonna make it!' Katara said. She had never felt so much relief in her entire life. He would make it, Aang would be save.
'Behind you!' Sokka suddenly yelled.
An enormous blue sea of flames were thrown their way. Aang had to turn around mid-air to defend himself. Katara wasn't sure if he got knocked out, but he couldn't fly anymore. The pure exhaustion and the emotional squidride had taken his toll.
'Appa!' Sokka yelled, as Appa dove to catch Aang. Aang fell onto his animal companion, his glider falling on top of him.
They weren't out of reach for the flames. Katara bend water into an icy wall, protecting them for a few seconds before it was hit by the flames and evaporated withn less than a second.
'Faster, Appa, faster!' Sokka said, watching as Katara defended them from the relentless attacks. How long could she keep it up?
And, eventually, they were out of Azula's reach. Katara was able to relax for the first time since Aang had been captured. She looked at his wounds and established that they weren't severe. She still healed his bruises and cuts, happy she could do something to make him feel better.
'Thanks Katara, I already feel better,' Aang said. '
Azula stared at the retreating form of the Avatar's beast.
She had held him on her ship. Twice.
He had escaped. Twice.
The first time it happened, she had blamed her uncle for setting him free. But now… now it was all on her. She had realised her mistake the moment she heard a strange noise. She had forgotten to keep him chi-blocked - and a part of her had believed it to be unnecessary as well.
She had ran as quickly as she could, but she hadn't been able to stop the Avatar.
Azula was well aware of the fact that all her crewmembers looked at her in fear. The feared what she might do to them as punishment. Azula didn't plan on doing anything. It wasn't their fault the Avatar had escaped.
It was all on her.
Azula didn't say anything as she turned around and walked back inside, hating and blaming herself.
'That was close!' Aang exclaimed. His eyes fell on Katara and he smiled.
'You're safe now,' she said.
Aang nodded. 'Good to see you, Sokka,' he said, grinning.
'Good to see you too,' Sokka said. He still eyed the Fire Nation ship, not more than a small dot on the horizon.
'Wait. Where's Toph?' Aang asked. 'Is she okay?'
'She's fine,' Katara said. 'She was hurt in a fight with Azula - but I healed her and her father has taken her home. He was quite angry at us.'
Aang nodded slowly. 'So she won't come with us?' he asked.
Katara shook her head. 'I am afraid not, Aang. You'll need to find another earthbending master.'
Aang didn't want another earthbender as his master. Something inside of him - maybe one of his former Avatars (probably Kyoshi, Aang thought) told him this girl had to teach him earthbending.
'Where are we going?' he asked.
'Back to Gaoling,' Sokka said. 'We need to grab some stuff before travelling further.'
'Perhaps we could stay there,' Aang said. 'It's probably safer than in the wilderness.'
'It's also the first place Azula will look for us, Aang,' Katara said.
Aang had to admit she was right.
'How did you escape?' Sokka asked.
Aang shrugged. 'Good luck,' he said, before yawning.
'Get some sleep,' Katara said. 'We'll wake you when we arrive.'
Aang wanted to protest, but he was indeed very tired. He placed his head against Katara's shoulder and closed his eyes.
Aang was fairly certain he heard Sokka mumble 'oogies', but perhaps it was only in his imagination.
'I know you think I'm weak,' Toph said. The soles of her feet were still hurt and her vision was blurry, but she didn't need to feel her father's face to know he was disappointed.
'I am not weak,' she continued. 'I love fighting. And I'm good at it. Really good.' She waited for her parents to react, but they stayed silent.
'That girl could've killed you, Toph,' Mr Beifong said.
'She's really good,' Toph had to admit. 'But so am I. I…' she hesitated for a few seconds. 'I am the best earthbender alive.'
Silence.
'I know you're mad at me, but I'm still your daughter,' Toph said. 'Just… I can take care of myself.' She sighed, knowing her words didn't reach her parents.
They had always seen her as weak. The thought they had to take care of her. She was not allowed to leave the house by herself. She was a little blind girl who needed to be held by the hand by her parents.
They weren't able to change their vision. Not now, maybe in the future, maybe never.
'I know realise we've given you too much freedom,' Mr Beifong said.
Toph tensed.
'We'll need to take better care of you.'
So they wanted to lock her up? Toph wanted to yell at them that they could try - she would break free. She hadn't lied. She was the best earthbender alive.
It was that moment Toph decided to leave. To leave and fight Katara and Sokka. To help them save the Avatar and to learn him earthbending.
To be free. To do something that mattered. To live.
'Toph, it's for your own good,' Mrs Beifong said.
That's what they thought. Toph didn't doubt that her parents truly loved her - or at least, they image of her. The problem was that they didn't know what was good for her, nor who she truly was.
'Bring her to her room.'
Was that their solution? Toph could sneak out of her room. She had done so dozens of times. It only proved how much they unterestimated her.
People always underestimated her because of her blindness. Toph used it to her advantage.
It was a pity that her vision was blurry the last time she saw her parents, she thought as a servant helped her to her room.
'Let's leave,' Sokka said, nerviously checking his surroundings.
'Relax, Sokka. There's no way they could already be here,' Katara said.
Aang softly stroked Appa's fur. 'How are you feeling, buddy?' he asked. Appa groaned and Aang chuckled. 'Thank you for saving us.'
Appa groaned again and Aang offered him an apple.
'Toph,' Sokka suddenly said, having noticed the small earthbender master.
'Twinkletoes,' Toph said. 'You guys weren't planning on leaving without me, were you?'
'You're joining us?' Aang asked.
'I am. That is… if you still want me as your Earthbender master.' Toph suddenly sounded hesitant.
'Of course,' Aang said, still sounding surprised.
'I am sorry for abandoning you,' Toph said.
'What? No! Don't be!' Aang exclaimed. 'Katara explained it to me. How… how are you feet?'
'Not great,' Toph had to admit. 'You all look a bit funny - as if you have fur as well. But I can walk.'
'I'll have a look at them as soon as we're in the air,' Katara said.
Toph had to suppress a dissatisfied look. Flying wasn't her prefered mode of transportation.
'How about your father?' Sokka asked.
Toph shrugged. 'They wanted to lock me up.'
There was a shocked silence.
'For my own good, of course. They don't understand. I don't want to be locked up - I want to help. To fight the Fire Nation.'
'Let's go then, before they find out you're missing,' Sokka said. Toph was quite sure Aang wasn't too happy with her confession, but he didn't say anything as she climbed on Appa. Appa's fur felt comfortable in comparison to the stone underground in the city. Toph took off her shoes - she had only worn them to protect her feet.
'You got anything you need?' Katara asked.
'I do,' Toph said. 'I don't need that much.' She was truly blind now, having to use the sound of Katara's voice to look in her direction.
'Yip yip,' Aang said.
They left the ground and even though she couldn't see it, Toph knew that the city where she had spent her entire life was growing smaller underneath them. She felt a sense of freedom she never had before.
'You okay?' Sokka asked her, knowing she couldn't see.
'I am great,' Toph responded.
'You okay?' Ty Lee asked Azula.
She didn't respond. She was paler than usual. Her aura looked horrible - grey and brown colours, making Mai's clothes seem colourful.
'A letter arrived,' she said to Mai. 'Zuko will be here within a few days. We'll wait for him to join us before we continue our search for the Avatar.'
She noticed how Mai suddenly seemed very happy, although the sign were very subtle.
Azula needed to get some air.
She handed Mai the letter as she left the room, walking quickly though the long corridors as she hoped they would leave her alone for a while. She needed to think, to find herself again. She was the one in charge and everyone expected her to come up with a plan.
Azula always has a plan, but right now, her mind felt empty.
It was only spring and it wasn't too hot, but Azula could still feel the strength the sun provided her with. She wished she could train, empty her mind while doing the familiar exercises. She took deep breaths as she leaned against the railing, looking over the sea and breathing in the cool air.
There had been a time Azula believed she would never fail. That time was gone. It felt as if all she ever did was failing. There had been a time she had done everything her father asked her.
Then she had become the banished princess. But now? Mai was the gloomy one, Azua thought. Ty Lee is the cheerful one. But what was she?
Azula, Princess and future Crownprincess of the Fire Nation? Firebending-prodigy? Was that all that was to her?
A/N: This chapter brought me a new appreciation for Toph. I never gave her character much thought - in later chapters there might be time to do that some more!
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