Severed
Soren found himself surrounded by fire, the heat sweltering and the sky dark with smoke. He had his sword in hand as the flames raged, his eyes darting back in forth, frantically searching for something in the swirling sea of orange and red; danger.
Finally, the warrior spotted something, the tall figure of a man, imposing, shrouded in darkness, wearing a long robe that billowed around his ankles. Before him was another figure obscured in the darkness, this one small and fallen on the ground as it looked upward. A child, afraid and helpless. Soren watched as the man raised his hand, his palm open, and a flame erupted from it. The ball of fire turned dark from the inside, forming a small black sun. Soren knew what was about to happen. He would not let it.
"No!" Soren shouted, his voice ringing out clearly as he ran forward, sword raised to eye level. He would protect the weak, as befitting of a knight. He would not fail, not this time. The man turned towards Soren, almost as if in surprise, just before the sword's blade was plunged through his chest and into his heart.
All was still, and the flames died down. The black sun continued to burn as the man held it aloft, and Soren stared in horror as the light from it revealed the man's face; Viren. Soren's father stared back at him, full of pain and shock. Soren felt his heart stop, and he could not move. How could this have happened? The boy's mind raced as he began to panic, his body felt ill, he wanted to collapse but he could not let go of the sword…
"Sor-bear?"
Soren looked down to see the child as she stood up, wearing a little red dress, her hair tied in a top knot, her eyes glistening and golden. She was scared, confused, and sad as tears began to well at the corners of her eyes.
"…Azula...?" Soren asked, even more confused now. What was going on? Before he could say another word, Viren let out a low chuckle. Soren looked back to his father and blinked as Viren began to laugh, eyes closed, head tilted.
"If only my own son was as ruthless as you." Came the voice of Ozai from Viren's mouth. He opened his eyes and revealed white silk covering one, while the other burned golden. More laughter came as Viren's beard and hair grew longer, thinner, and darker, and his features changed to that of the Fire Lord. He grabbed Soren's sword and the metal glowed red hot. Soren tried to pull free, but the blade was stuck in Ozai's chest, the blood dripping out now glowing and steaming like molten metal.
Ozai's laughter reached a pitch as he brought the black sun down and pressed it into Soren's chest. The boy let out a cry as it entered into his body, a horrible burning that set every nerve ablaze. Soren struggled to get away, but was helpless. He looked down to see the skin on his hand darkening, cracking with glowing orange lines like lava.
Soren glanced desperately at Azula, but instead found the young Prince Ezran staring back, helpless and afraid. Soren grit his teeth and glared at Ozai before him. The Fire Lord's laugh echoed loudly as his uncovered eye blazed, and the fire began to engulf his body, intense and blinding. Soren let out one final scream as the blaze consumed them both…
And then he awoke. Soren was back in his bed at the palace, drenched in sweat. Soren panted as he got his bearings. The sun was shining into the room. He had slept in late. Soren let out a sigh as he hung his head between his knees.
"What was that...?" The Crownguard whispered. He knew he did not like Azula's dad, but he did not think Ozai would give him nightmares. Soren stepped out of bed and changed into his training clothes. He needed some fresh air.
That was the second strange dream he had since coming to the Fire Nation. Soren still had the fun dreams about the Land of Chocolate and being the world's biggest man (or being the biggest man in the Land of Chocolate that one time), but these were different. They shook Soren, and he needed to get his mind off them. It felt like so long ago since he dreamt about the woman on the other side of the glass. Why did he still remember that one?
Soren made his way outside and began his morning jog around the palace. High above, a messenger hawk flew swiftly, casting a shadow on the ground below. A small scroll was tied to its leg by a long, black ribbon dancing in the wind as the hawk soared towards its destination; Mai's residence.
Inside the mansion, Ty Lee knocked on Mai's bedroom door apprehensively. There was no answer.
"Mai, it's me, Ty Lee…" The acrobat called out, pleading to her friend. "Your servants let me in. I know things have been hard, especially for you…" Ty Lee wrung her hands as she thought of what happened with Zuko, how the prince left them, lied about needing to change his armor, the way he said "I love you" to Mai.
"You can talk to me about it though," Ty Lee continued through the door, not sure if Mai could even hear her. "And Azula, she's hurt too, even if she's not going to show it. You can't stay in here forever." Ty Lee remembered what happened on Ember Island, how they all opened up to each other, how it cleansed them, smoothed them over. They needed something like that again. But then, after what Zuko did, had it even truly worked? "Please, say something…"
Ty Lee was startled when the door swung open. Mai stood before her, stone faced as she held a scroll in one hand and a long black ribbon in the other. Behind her, the messenger hawk perched on her windowsill.
"I know where Zuko is…"
Within the royal treasure room, Claudia carefully filled a crystal vial with her latest potion, the liquid contents glowing a deep crimson, like molten lead. She sealed it with a hard resin, then placed it in a case with three other vials like it. Her secret weapon was ready. Just as the sorceress placed the potions into her satchel, the doors behind her opened. Claudia turned to see Azula, Soren, Mai, and Ty Lee all geared up.
"Are you prepared?" Azula asked, with just the slightest hint of a smirk. Claudia nodded and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Let's do this."
"We've not a moment to waste," Azula said as the group made their way out of the palace. "It was smart of you to come to me first, Mai. Leave it to my brother to get himself caught breaking into a prison."
"Zuko's already been captured?" Soren asked. "I was hoping I'd get to fight him."
"Yes, and in not just any prison, but the Boiling Rock," Azula explained. "The highest security prison in the world. No one has ever escaped alive under the current warden, who just happens to be Mai's uncle. I'm not leaving anything to chance though, which is why we're going to escort Zuko back home, personally."
The five of them went to the airstrip and boarded the airship that had been prepared. The vessel took off, heading north for the Boiling Rock. Soren looked out the bridge's window down at the world below, still amazed by the fact he was flying.
"It will take us about a day to reach the prison, so I suggest that everyone use their time to rest and prepare." Azula told her crew. "We need to be ready for anything."
The princess turned and exited the bridge, walking towards the quarters reserved for her. It was far more cramped than Azula would have liked, but such was the necessity when designing a ship, whether on the water or in the air. Especially the air. At least it was properly cleaned and decorated, unlike whatever little metal box Zuko had lived in on that rickety old piece of scrap while he was searching for the Avatar.
Azula sat own on a red velvet mat and lit two candles with a flick of her wrist. She closed her eyes and began to meditate, focusing her mind as she inhaled and exhaled slowly. The flames of the candles grew and shrunk with her breath, and took on the same eerie blue as her own firebending. Azula needed to keep herself razor sharp, as always.
Her concentration was broken when she heard a knocking at the door. "What is it?" Azula asked soft but sternly.
"Hey, it's me, your boyfriend," Soren's voice came as he opened the door. Azula opened an eye to look at the boy. "Just thought we could, you know, hang out?" The two of them had not had much time to relax together lately. Azula let out a small sigh and closed her eyes once more.
"Come in then, and close the door behind you." The princess replied. Soren did so, and went to sit down next to Azula, watching as the flames grew and dimmed with her breathing.
"Hey Azula?"
"Yes, Soren?"
"How come your fire is blue?" The Katolian asked. "I've never seen any other firebenders bend any other colors."
"It's because my firebending and my chi are pure and perfected," Azula explained, keeping her concentration on her breathing and the candles. "Unfettered by doubt or other unnecessary emotions. Few can do it, and fewer can wield blue fire in battle for long. It is the result of focus and control over oneself, the mark of a true master of fire." Azula could not help smiling. Soren stared in wonder.
"Sweeeeet…" Soren scratched his head. "Can your dad make blue fire?" A moment of silence hung in the air before Azula responded. A candle flickered.
"…Yes, of course he can," Azula stated. "The Fire Lord is the greatest firebender alive, nothing is beyond him. Even I'm a mere fledgling compared to Father." Truthfully, Azula had never seen Ozai bend blue flames, but surely, he must have had the ability. He must have just chosen not to out of preference.
"Yeah, that makes sense," Soren nodded, then scooted up closer to Azula. The princess quirked an eyebrow when she felt Soren's broad frame press against her back, his arms wrapping gently around her waist as their armor rustled against each other. The boy tilted his head own to nuzzle Azula's ear, and the princess could not help sputtering out a laugh as he tickled her and broke her concentration.
"Soren, I'm trying to meditate!" Azula shouted, both irritated and amused as she turned in Soren's embrace to face him. They grinned at each other. She was one of the most powerful people in the world, able to strike fear into the hearts of enemies and subjects alike, but she had never felt such a sense of safety and security when Soren held her.
They gazed into each other's eyes before closing the distance and kissing. Azula let out a soft moan when Soren cupped her cheek. They broke contact, cuddling in silence.
"Azula, I've been thinking…" Soren began to say. "Maybe, I should stay here in the Fire Nation, with you…"
The princess blinked, her cheeks turning rosy. "You would do that for me?" Soren nodded. "What about Katolis?"
"I can still visit," Soren replied. "I mean, it's only a mirror portal away. It's not like I'll never see it again." He gave a shrug and a smirk. "I couldn't ask you to come live with me. You're a princess, you're gonna be Fire Lord someday too now. You're needed here."
"Mmm…" Azula nodded as she contemplated Soren's words. Soren was dangerously close to making a certain kind of declaration, and all at once Azula was excited and nervous. She had to keep her head in the game. "We'll talk about it after we get Zuko back. Like I said, we need to focus on tomorrow."
"Yeah," Soren nodded, loosening his embrace around his princess. "Zuko's as good as ours." Soren's stomach began to rumble audibly, making Azula chuckle softly. "Uhg, I need some meat to stay strong. I'm going to the galley, you want me to bring you anything?"
"Get me some mochi, I'm also a bit peckish." Azula replied as Soren stood back up and she resumed her meditation.
"Okay, see you in a bit," Soren said as he went to exit the room. "Love ya babe." Soren left and shut the door behind, leaving Azula alone in her room once more. A tongue of orange fire flicked out from a candle.
"…you too, Sor-bear."
Meanwhile, Ty Lee was hanging upside down from the top bunk in her and Mai's cabin while Mai sat on the bottom, feeling the sharp edge of her dagger with her thumb, silently studying her reflection in the steel.
"Mai, what are you going to do when you see Zuko?" Ty Lee asked curiously. The way her friend looked at the dagger made her worry.
"I'm going to tear into him for this," Mai said as pulled out a scroll from her sleeve. "Couldn't have even told me face to face."
"If he had told you, would you have tried to stop him?" Ty Lee asked.
"Well duh," Mai replied. "He shouldn't have kept this a secret, at least not from me."
"Would you have told Azula?" Ty Lee flipped down from the top bunk to sit beside Mai. The question gave Mai pause.
"…I don't know…" And that was all she could say.
Day turned to night as the airship flew non-stop towards the Boiling Rock. The five teens were well fed with a nice hot dinner, and each prepared for the next day in their own way. Soren and Mai polished and sharpened their weapons while Ty Lee did her stretches and Claudia organized her satchel. Soren said goodnight to Azula and was heading toward his own cabin when Claudia came up to him in the hall.
"Hey Soren, got a moment?" The sorceress asked as they began walking together.
"What's up, Clauds?"
"I wanted to show you this," Claudia held up the crimson red vial she had packed earlier. "My latest potion. This one is potent, and it's just for you." Soren narrowed his eyes at the vial skeptically.
"You know I don't really do magic…"
"You don't need to really do anything," Claudia began to explain in a hushed tone. "This potion will make you stronger, faster, and tougher. It's got the power of a dragon in it. Just break it open and the power will flow into you."
"Whoa…Should I have it now?"
"Nuh uh," Claudia said as she packed the vial back in her satchel. "It's only temporary, so we'll only use it when you need to. I've only made four, so you have to be careful. We'll have to save it for if we ever run into the Avatar again."
"Oh, alright," Soren stretched and yawned loudly. "Well, I'm gonna get some sleep. See you in the morning." The siblings parted ways to their cabins, and everyone got a good night's rest. They would need it for what was to come.
"Attention," The captain's voice blared through the speaker. "We are approaching the Boiling Rock. Prepare for landing."
Mai slipped a few more throwing needles under her sash as she joined the rest of the squad at the bridge. Out the window they could see what looked like a giant, steaming cauldron in the middle of the ocean. That was where Zuko was being held.
"Are you ready to give your ex-boyfriend a good thrashing, Mai?" Azula asked as she stood beside Soren, flashing her usual smug smirk. The princess was in a very good mood, now that her traitorous brother was practically in her grasp. Mai continued to glower.
"As if you had to ask." The gloomy girl replied. The airship landed on the dock outside the rocky caldera, and the ground crew went to work tying it down. The five teenagers soon departed, and were escorted up to the rim. Claudia squinted her eyes as they looked below at the tiny island surrounded by boiling hot water.
"Whew, imagine the brew I could make with a pot this big." The sorceress chimed. They were led to a gondola, which slowly took them down to the prison. Soren fanned himself, the hot steam making him sweat in his heavy armor. The gondola reached the end of the line and they stepped off, greeted by the guards stationed there.
"Ah, P-Princess Azula!" One of the higher ranked guards sputtered and bowed to her as they approached. "W-we weren't expecting you to come-"
"My friend Mai is here to see Zuko," Azula interrupted. "She's the Warden's niece, remember? They need a little one-on-one time."
"Ah, yes, of course," The guard said as he stood back to his feet. Indeed, they had only been expecting the Warden's niece to arrive. "We'll bring him to an interrogation room right away. You!" He pointed to another guard. "Escort the Warden's niece!" The other guard bowed and began to lead Mai towards the prison's interior. Azula glanced over the side of the railing to a platform below. The Warden was there, along with a tall prisoner who pointed at a stout, bearded guard in the line-up.
"What!?" The stout guard shouted angrily. "I am not! He's lying! HE'S A LIAR!" The stout guard was forcefully taken away and brought inside.
"What's going on?" Ty Lee asked.
"Looks like one of the other guards was up to no good and got ratted out." Soren observed.
"Is that so…" Azula murmured thoughtfully. "Guard, take me to the Warden. I'm curious."
"Right away, Princess Azula," He turned to Soren. "I'm sorry, but you'll need to leave your weapon here." The Crownguard clutched his sword tightly.
"You kidding me?" Soren protested. 'A knight without his sword is like…a pancake without syrup. Gross…"
"Sorry, we're in lockdown and it's protocol." The guard explained. "We can't risk any prisoners getting a hold of a deadly weapon. Only guards are permitted to carry any. We'll have to check your bag too, miss."
"Just give him the sword Soren." Claudia nudged her brother as she took her satchel off. Soren sighed and unsheathed his blade. He handed it over to the guard, who placed it inside a long metal box beside the gondola station before locking it.
"Don't worry swordy buddy, I'll be back soon." Soren whispered.
The guard opened Claudia's satchel and began to peruse it. It was only a moment before he came upon a jar with a pickled imp's eye. He reeled back in revulsion before handing the bag back. "Uhg, alright, it checks out."
"Enough, take us to the Warden." Azula tapped her foot impatiently. Something was amiss, and Azula was going to snuff it out before it became a problem. The guard nodded frantically and led the four of them inside the central building.
The prison interior was made up of several floors, surrounded by cells where the inmates were kept. The area was lit by dim, orange lamps, creating an ominous atmosphere. They took a lift to one of the middle floors, and were led to a nondescript cell, where they could hear shouting.
"That was just a coincidence!"
The guard opened the cell door, and inside they could see the Warden leaning in front of the stout guard from earlier, now dressed in prison garb and strapped to a chair.
"Sir," One of the guards from inside said as he pointed to Azula. "There's someone to see you."
"Who told you to interrupt me!?" The Warden barked loudly as he turned. His brief expression of anger turned to fear as he came face to face with the princess.
"I did." Azula said proudly, smirking with amusement as the Warden and the guards bowed before her.
"Princess Azula…" The Warden began to say, struggling to find the right words as Azula and her friends entered the featureless cell. "Uh, it is an honor to welcome you to the Fire Nation's most exemplary prison," The Warden stood to his feet and clasped his hands humbly. "I didn't realize you were coming."
"Who is this?" Azula asked, referring to the guard being interrogated.
"He's a guard who was involved in a recent and feeble escape attempt." The Warden answered.
"It wasn't me!" The guard protested. Azula was not impressed as she crossed her arms.
"Quiet, you!" The Warden barked and pointed at him sternly.
"You're wasting your time, that's not one of them. Azula said before turning and exiting the cell. The Warden looked back at her in disbelief.
"How can you tell?"
"Because I'm a people person." Azula said smugly before leaving. She could read anyone like book.
"So, what now?" Ty Lee asked. "Shouldn't we go get Mai and take Zuko back home now?"
"Normally, yes," Azula replied. "But things aren't normal. It's no coincidence that there should be an escape attempt just as my brother is caught." Azula frowned. What did she know about this prison? It was where they had sent the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, Suki. Sokka's girlfriend.
"He came here with someone else. There's someone still lurking about, and I know who…"
An alarm bell began to ring, and all the cell doors opened, letting the prisoners out. Azula looked down as they all ran for the prison yard outside.
"I thought this place was on lockdown?" Claudia asked. Azula clenched her fist, trying to control the anger she could feel bubbling up.
"It was. Be on your guard."
The four of them exited to the exterior of the cell block on the upper floor where they had a good view of the prison yard. Soren could see most of the inmates were Fire Nation, but there were some Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom prisoners as well. It was then that Soren spotted the tall prisoner from earlier carrying another one above his head.
"Heh, look at that," Soren said. "I think they're trying to start a-"
"Hey! RIOT!" The prisoner shouted, and in an instant, chaos broke loose. Men and women were yelling, throwing punches and fireballs left and right. The princess was having none of this.
"We need to find Zuko now!" Azula shouted. "This is part of their escape plan. He and Sokka must have orchestrated it to free Suki. I should have known this was too easy…"
"Sokka and Suki?" Soren asked, puzzled. Sokka was the swordsman he fought the day of the eclipse. Suki must have been his girlfriend, the one Azula called her favorite prisoner…
Soren's thoughts were interrupted as a bright, orange light caught his attention. "Watch it!" Soren pushed Azula out of the way as a stray fireball blasted the walkway. It knocked Soren into the wall and punched a hole through the metal platform. Soren was stunned, and could not keep himself from falling to the ground below them.
"Soren!" Claudia shouted as she caught a hold of his arm, but he was too heavy for her, and his limp form dragged her down with him. Acting fast, Claudia grabbed a mushroom cap from her satchel.
"Llaf ruo netfos!"
Claudia threw the mushroom cap to the ground below, and in an instant, it grew to an enormous size. The two siblings bounced off the mushroom and landed with a thud in the prison yard. Soren shook his head and Claudia rubbed her side.
"Are you okay?" Ty Lee asked from above.
"Yeah, I'll walk it off." Soren replied. "Thanks, Clauds."
"No problem," The sorceress said as her brother helped her to her feet. "What do we do?"
"We need to get to the gondola," Azula yelled down. "That's the most likely way they'll escape. Ty Lee and I will go on ahead. Don't lag too far behind."
"Wait, Azula!" Soren said, but the two Fire Nation girls had already darted away. There was a riot going on, and Soren couldn't protect his princess.
"Soren, let's move." Claudia patted her brother on the shoulder and they began to run for the nearest stairs. Unfortunately, there were more than a handful of rioting inmates to deal with. A few of them spotted the two siblings and moved in on them.
"You guys better back off or-" Soren reached for his sword, only to grasp at thin air. "Oh man, my sword!" The Crownguard was soon tackled by an inmate, but he was able to toss his assailant to the ground. Soren threw a punch and knocked out a second inmate, but more kept coming. As strong as Soren was, even he could not fight off too many attackers, especially not without a weapon, not while he had to get to safety, not while he had to protect his sister.
Claudia looked behind her to see more prisoners coming for them. She took out her primal stone and drew a symbol in the air. "Aspiro!" Claudia blew a gust of wind which knocked them back, but it would not be enough. She fished out the case from her bag and took out the crystal vial.
"Soren, use this!" Claudia shout as she tossed the vial to her brother. Soren caught it and kicked another inmate to the ground.
"But you said-"
"This is an emergency! Crush it!"
Soren nodded and squeezed the vial until it cracked and shattered. A crimson mist burst from within Soren's fist, and the Crownguard breathed it in. Immediately, Soren felt a wave of heat and electricity surge through him. He doubled over in pain, just for a moment, but then he felt it; the power of the dragons.
Soren looked up at the prisoners surrounding them, his eyes glowing like embers. They stepped back in fear. He exhaled plumes of steam as he felt the energy rush into his limbs. Soren let out a roar and charged forward, mowing down his enemies with fists of fury. A group of inmates tried to dogpile Soren, but he threw them all off like they were made of paper.
One inmate launched a fire blast directly at Soren nearly pointblank. The Crownguard was stunned just a moment. Claudia gasped, worried about whatever burn could have been left by the attack, but when the flames cleared, Soren seemed fine, just very irritated.
"Fire resistance, didn't know it did that." Claudia said as she took a mental note. Soren grabbed the attacker by the leg and swung him into three more prisoners, knocking them down like bowling pins. The Crownguard felt invincible.
Soren tossed his foes left and right as he carved a path through the rioters, with Claudia right behind him, covering their back with some well-placed gusts. They came to the stairwell on the outside of the building leading up to the gondola.
"Out of my way!" Soren snarled at the guards, who cowered as they hugged the walls. "Move it, Clauds!"
"Alright, slow down you jerk!" Claudia shouted back as she struggled to keep up. Soren was on a rampage and nothing could stop him.
They finally reached the top where the gondola station was. Soren looked up to see one gondola already being pulled upward, and on top of it was Azula and Ty Lee, squaring off with Zuko, Sokka, and a young female inmate; Suki. Sokka really had come to rescue her. Soren growled and ran over to the lock box where his sword was held.
"Hang on Soren, I can pick the-" Claudia began to say, but was interrupted when Soren ripped the lock off with his bare hands. He grinned as he pulled his sword out, but then let out a cough as fatigue caught up with him.
"The potion's wearing off," Claudia said as she went to give Soren a sip from her water flask. "Take a breather."
"I can't," Soren huffed as he got to his feet. "I need to get up to that gondola to protect Azula. But how…" Soren racked his brain as he tried to think of a way to get to the gondola. How did Azula and Ty Lee get there?
"Mmm… Oh!" Claudia tapped her nose. "Idea!" Claudia rummaged through her bag before taking out an octopus tentacle. "Soren, you trust me, right?"
"Yeah…?"
"Hgih mih tfil, psarg gnihtirw."
The tentacle ignited into a golden fire as Claudia's eyes glowed purple. The energy flowed through her arms, and magic whirled around her in a rainbow of colors.
"Clauds!?"
The magic extended from Claudia's hand and took the form of a giant, spectral tentacle. Soren let out a yelp as it wrapped around him and lifted him into the air.
"Hang on and don't look down!" Claudia shouted to her brother. She swung her arm, the tentacle whipped forward, and Soren was sent flying towards the gondola.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAA~!"
"Pleasedon'tmisspleasedon'tmisspleasedon'tmiss…" The sorceress pleaded as she watched her brother hurtle through the sky. Soren screamed in terror and exhilaration as the wind rushed past him. He could see the gondola coming closer and closer. Azula and Ty Lee were already fighting. The acrobat was up against Suki, while Azula was facing Zuko and the Sokka alone. That would not do…
With a loud bang, Soren landed on the gondola's roof between Azula and Zuko, causing it to shake. Everyone was stunned as they caught their balance and looked to see Soren brandishing his sword and grinning.
"Back for round two, Sokka!" The Katolian shouted triumphantly.
"You again!?" Sokka shouted.
"Me again!" Soren charged and locked blades with Sokka, leaving Azula to face Zuko. The princess smirked as she and her brother traded fire blasts. Together, Zuko and Sokka had her on her back foot, but now with her own swordsman joining the fight, the playing field was more than even.
"You've met Soren?" Zuko asked as he blocked a plume of blue fire.
"Yeah, we fought him and a witch girl. You know them too?" Sokka replied as he parried Soren's thrust.
"It's a long story, I'll tell you later!" Zuko sent an arc of orange fire with a roundhouse kick, which Azula hopped over and sent a blast of her own back at him with a flying kick. She landed, but almost lost her balance again. The gondola was unstable with this many of them fighting atop of it and so little space. Ty Lee was holding her own against the Kyoshi Warrior, but the princess would have preferred if her acrobat friend would hurry up and chi block the other two.
"You really risked it all to rescue her?" Soren nodded his head to Suki as he and Sokka locked blades. It took all of Sokka's strength to keep himself from being pushed back and off the gondola.
"I did…" Sokka swerved to the side and hit Soren in the ribs with his hilt. Soren stumbled a bit, but regained balance and turned to face Sokka "And she would do the same for me, not that you'd understand." Soren bared his teeth at the Water Tribe warrior.
"I understand just fine!" The Crownguard shouted and charged once more. Back at the gondola station, Claudia paced back and forth, worrying over her friends and brother, wishing she had a way to fling herself up there with them. A guard was watching the battle through a spy glass.
"There's the Warden, I see him." The guard said as he focused on the Warden in the gondola. The escaping inmates had taken the Warden hostage in the ensuing riot. The Warden struggled against his bindings, and managed to free himself long enough to shout an order.
"Cut the line!" The Warden said before he was tied back up by the two escapees inside.
"What?!" Claudia exclaimed.
"But if we cut the line, there's no way he'll survive." Another guard said.
"He knows that."
"You can't cut the line!" Claudia yelled. "My brother is up there! Princess Azula is up there!"
"We have our orders!" The guard shouted back. "No one escapes the Boiling Rock!" The guards immediately got to work, using long steel wedges to try and halt the cable mechanism. Claudia bit her lip. She couldn't let Soren die like this. Why did she have to help him up there?
The battle continued, sword against sword, fire against fire, fist against fist, each side trading blows but neither landing a solid hit. Suddenly, the gondola lurched and halted midway, right above the boiling lake below. Zuko grabbed Sokka's arm to save him from slipping over the edge. Soren stabbed his sword through the roof to keep himself steady, giving the three men inside a good scare. He reached out to steady Azula as Ty Lee jumped up on top of the gondola's pulley. The acrobat looked down to see two guards with a long saw at the cable.
"They're about to cut the line!"
Azula looked back at the lines being sawn through, and for once she was nervous. The princess looked up to see the other gondola coming down, and she smiled as the answer came to her.
"Then it's time to leave." The princess stated. She punched downward with both fists and stomped her foot. Soren shielded himself with his arm as jets of blue fire shot out from Azula's limbs and she rocketed upward.
"That's new…" Soren blinked as he watched.
"Goodbye Zuko." Azula said smugly as she flew away. As far as she was concerned, this was the end of her brother. While she would have preferred to take him in alive, death was a fitting end for a traitor. Zuko wasn't family anymore. He didn't deserve to be saved.
Azula backflipped in the air and landed on the passing gondola. Ty Lee followed suit, staring back at Zuko regretfully. They had both forgotten one thing, however.
"…Azula! How do I get off?!" Soren shouted as he frantically waved his arms in a panic. He did not have Ty Lee's absurd agility nor the ability to fly, so what was he to do? Indeed, Azula had not planned for this to happen. Her boyfriend was in danger…
"Soren, you got yourself into this, you can get yourself out!" Azula shouted back. "As your girlfriend, I command you to find a way to save yourself!"
Soren let out a whine as he tried to figure out what to do. "Why couldn't I just stay on the ground!" He turned to look at Zuko, Sokka, and Suki, who could only stare back at him in a mixture of confusion and disgust.
"…Girlfriend…?" Sokka and Suki whispered in unison.
"Yeah, now shut up! Think Soren, think!" The Crownguard looked up to the cables that suspended the gondola. They reminded him of something, something from camp…
"Wait a minute…wait a minute!" Soren tapped his nose, sheathed his sword, then proceeded to climb his way up towards the cables. He slung his sword over the line and steadied himself.
"Okay Soren, it's just like the zipline at camp," He told himself. "Except this time the lake is boiling. Here goooooeeeeessss!" Soren pushed off with his legs and began to zip down the line on his sheath, using an immense amount of concentration to keep it balanced. Azula and Ty Lee watched as Soren went screaming past them and down towards the island at the center.
"See, he found a way out. He's fine." Azula stated calmly.
"He did it!" Claudia jumped excitedly as she saw Soren zipping down the line.
"Aaaah! Don't cut the line!" Soren yelled as she reached the station. "How do I slow down?!"
"I got you!" Claudia cast a spell and threw another giant mushroom cap on the ground. Soren let go of the line and landed on the magical cushion. He bounced off, then went tumbling over the floor, hitting his head with a thud before stopping, his armored body clanging loudly. Claudia went rushing to her brother's side, rolling him on his back. Soren groaned softly, knocked out, but alive.
"Oh Sor-bear. Let's never do that again," Claudia sighed, then looked up when she heard footsteps. Mai was approaching them, with a stern look of determination. "Mai, they're going to cut the line."
"I know Claudia," Mai replied. She threw her arms out and daggers went flying towards Claudia. The sorceress gasped as the sharp objects caught her sleeves and pinned her to the floor.
"Mai...?"
"I'm sorry." Mai grabbed Claudia's satchel and threw it out of her reach before continuing on to deal with the guards. Claudia stared in shock as Mai left her stuck to the floor beside her unconscious brother.
The two guards that were sawing through the line were caught by surprise as their own clothes were snagged by Mai's throwing daggers, and they were pinned to the side of the gondola station.
"What are you doing?!"
"Saving the jerk who dumped me." Mai stated flatly. The other guards came at Mai with blasts of fire, but she evaded with a smirk and let loose more of her hidden daggers, sliding over the floor and under the cables. She tossed two of the guards against one long wedge stopping the cable wheel from turning. The girl pinned one more guard down before kicking away the last wedge, allowing the gondola to move once more.
Mai took one last look at Zuko in the distance, making eye contact with him for what she thought might be the last time. Even with all he had done, to her and to the Fire Nation, Mai knew he did not deserve to die. Azula, however, thought differently.
"What is she doing?" Azula exclaimed as she and Ty Lee watched Mai fight the guards. Ty Lee could only shrug in confusion as she too was surprised.
It was only after Zuko's gondola reached the other side safely that Mai surrendered, allowing the guards to take hold of her. Meanwhile, Claudia managed to wriggle one arm free and pulled off the daggers pinning her down. She retrieved her bag and pulled out some smelling salts, waving them under Soren's nose. Her brother awoke with a cough, scrunching his nose.
"Clauds, you know I hate that stuff," Soren said as he sat up, his head spinning. He looked over to see Mai being held, and Azula and Ty Lee facing her. Soren furrowed his brow as he stood up and walked over to them. "What's going on?"
"Mai stopped them from cutting the line," Claudia whispered. "She let Zuko and the others escape…"
"What…?"
Azula glared at Mai, cold and silent a moment. The air was thick with tension. The princess was angry. Furious. Zuko was as good as dead, and Mai had saved him out of nowhere. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Punishment was needed, but Azula wanted answers first.
"Leave us alone," The princess told the guards. They let go of Mai, bowed, and left the platform just as Soren and Claudia came up. Another moment of silence. "I never expected this from you," Azula continued. Mai might not have always done everything she was ordered to, but she had never so brazenly worked against their goal.
Mai kept her expression blank. Ty Lee clasped her hands as she looked between the two, afraid of what would happen next. Soren was still processing what had happened. Mai had betrayed them?
"The thing I don't understand is why," Azula pressed on. "Why would you do it? You know the consequences…" Mai had aided a traitor, which made her one as well. The only proper punishment for treason was either imprisonment, or death. How could it have possibly been worth it? Was she not afraid? Mai did not just betray her nation in aiding Zuko either, she had betrayed her princess, her friend…
"I guess you just don't know people as well as you think you do," Mai said after a moment had passed, without the slightest hint of fear or concern. "You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you."
That sent Azula over the edge. How dare she say such a thing. The sheer arrogance… Azula's face twisted in anger. She was done holding back. She would show the traitor what this love of hers had earned her.
"No, YOU miscalculated!" Azula shouted. "You should have feared me more!"
It all happened in an instant. Azula entered her battle stance. Mai unsheathed a knife. Soren grabbed his sword and Claudia reached into her satchel. No one expected what happened next though. As Azula prepared to unleash her wrath upon her former friend, her arm and fingers pointing towards Mai, she was struck; once in the arm, another in the back. Azula grunted as she felt herself become paralyzed. Azula gasped and fell to the floor, Ty Lee standing over her, fists balled and taken back by her own actions.
"Azula!" Soren shouted as he rushed over to her side, leaving a stunned Claudia. Ty Lee ran over to Mai and pulled her by the shoulders.
"Come on! Let's get out of here!" The circus girl pleaded Mai. Soren rolled Azula over and helped her sit up. The princess bared her teeth, infuriated and humiliated.
"What are you waiting for, stop them!" Azula commanded. She looked over to Claudia, still frozen from shock. "NOW!" That snapped Claudia back. She looked to the two snake chains wrapped around her wrist, then to Ty Lee sorrowfully. Ty Lee looked back, pleading with her eyes that threatened to cry. She could see the prison guards running up from behind Claudia, and already knew it was over.
"Ty Lee… I'm sorry…" Claudia frowned as a tear rolled down her cheek. She choked back a sob as she held up the chains, her eyes glowing. "Meht dnib…leets gnirehtils." The chains grew into monstrous serpents, slithering over quickly to the two girls before wrapping around them, binding them in an inescapable embrace of steel as they formed heavy chains. Soren pulled Azula to her feet, holding her steady as the guards laid their hands on the captured Mai and Ty Lee.
"You're both fools…" Azula seethed bitterly. Soren was speechless. Claudia turned away, her arms wrapped around herself.
"What shall we do with them, Princess?" A guard asked.
"Put them somewhere I'll never have to see their faces again," Azula ordered as Mai and Ty Lee stared back. "And let them rot."
Author's Note:
It's certainly been a while. Sorry for the schedule slip, things are still busy with my job and moving. Anyway, the drama just keeps increasing, but you all know that. Next chapter, you'll get to see how Soren and Claudia react to Azula's deteriorating emotional state, until it reaches a point where certain truths are revealed.
I know this is the third dream sequence, and it may be getting repetitive, but I can assure you there's a reason for them.
And about the potion; if you've seen season three of The Dragon Prince, the effect should seem familiar. I had this potion in mind before season three came out, believe it or not. The spell used in season three does help me with tying the two world's magic systems together though, for reasons to be revealed later. See you next time.
