Hahn had seen her face for the last time in the sky the night before. He had been told it was Mai. The knife throwing girl from the Fire Nation. Her blades were coated in a deadly poison that couldn't be healed by Katara. Jet and Longshot explained that Katara had tried, but nothing worked to bring her back. Hahn now sat outside of their camp and thought about the girl who was supposed to give him a family, a country and power. It didn't matter now if he lived or died. His life ended when hers did. Jet watched from a distance with a sly smirk. A man with nothing to lose was the deadlier than even the most powerful bender.
Jet walked over to him with mock concern, "Hahn, what do you need?" Hahn looked over at the group's leader and thought about what exactly he needed. He wanted the girl who killed Yue to die, but he didn't care who killed her. He wanted to kill the man who had been sleeping with his betrothed while they were at the contestant center.
"I only want Sokka. You can do whatever you want; I won't stop you. He took her from me long before we ended up here. He should join her in the spirit world." Hahn took out his club and lightly ran his fingertips along the edge. Jet patted his shoulder and nodded in agreement.
"He's all yours then. We're moving out after lunch, so eat up." Jet stood and left Hahn with his thoughts. Sokka would pay for taking sleeping with his future and then letting it die at the hands of one of his 'friends'.
Katara and Zuko were attached at the hip. He had his arm around her waist, keeping her close to him. Every now and then, he would give her a slight squeeze when she would seem to disappear into her thoughts. She covered his hand with hers, lacing their fingers together at her side and resting her head on his shoulder.
Their reunion was ruined by the attack and the loss of Yue, but their evening and morning more than made up for it. Zuko recalled when the two argued about how warm it had gotten in the cave while snuggled up against each other. Katara had been trying to sleep and told him to strip if he was so uncomfortable. He found her grumpy attitude when trying to sleep to be one of her more endearing qualities. As she suggested, he took off his shirt, tossing it away from them before cradling her against him once more.
Waking up to her stroking his hair was another pleasant surprise. It was something he wanted to make sure continued. At some point in the evening, he had curled his entire body around her. Instead of him cradling her, she was holding him. The kiss was still on his mind. Every kiss with her fed his inner fire. He could never grow tired of them, and whenever they were interrupted, he was left wanting more. Now, as they walked together along the edge of the forest, he would sneak kisses. He would kiss the top of her head, her temple, or pull her in front of him to kiss her neck. Each kiss was met with a small smile or quick peck on the lips. Toph and Aang hung back with them, talking about nonsense topics. Katara would add to the conversation or laugh at the younger bender's arguments.
"What are they talking about?" Zuko whispered to her, and she raised an eyebrow at him.
"In Omashu, the way they deliver mail is by using these giant slides. Aang would like to go down said slides." Katara explained how Toph thought it would be fun to race down the slides, which led to an argument about who would win. Air could make Aang go faster, but Toph could just bend a wall in front of him. Katara mimicked the sound Toph made when Aang would hit the wall, and Zuko chuckled quietly. "We should try it too but not racing, just sliding." She added, and now it was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "It sounds like fun," She shrugged and leaned into his side.
Zuko once again tightened his hold on her and thought about what a life outside of the arena and the games would mean for them. He hadn't given it much thought other than he wanted her by his side. Now, she was also trying to make plans that included him outside of this bubble created by the games, and he wanted to see how far into the future those plans would extend. "We could try it." His answer seemed to put a little pep in her step. "What about after Omashu?" He asked, and he could see her brow furrow as she thought about his question.
"What do you mean after Omashu?" Katara asked him, and he tugged her back from the group.
"What happens when all of this is over? Does this continue?" Zuko pointed between the two of them and watched as understanding crossed over her features.
"Oh…" Zuko felt like the little bubble they were living in was going to burst. "I- Do you want this to continue after this? After Omashu?"
"Yes. Yes, I do." Zuko answered her confidently and watched the smile that graced her face.
"Good." To his surprise, they seemed to want the same thing. It just made getting her out of there more important to him. He needed to see where their relationship would lead post games and post rebellion. He stopped walking with the group and squeezed her in his arms. He listened to her sweet sounding giggles and he kissed up and down her neck until she was able to face him. "We'll have to figure this out. It won't be easy." She whispered to him and he knew she was right.
"Tomorrow. We'll figure it out tomorrow or the day after that, or the day after, or any of the days after those. We'll have time to figure out." It was a whispered promise of a future. A future they would get to have after all of the hell they've gone through. They just needed to survive the night.
Aang and Toph had given their friends the space they needed to discuss their future. Aang looked down at the rough, brazen, foul-mouthed girl beside him and thought about the future they could have. He pictured them traveling the world, riding weird animals, and visiting exotic places. His heart rate must have changed because he got a playful punch from Toph. "Please, stay focused, Twinkletoes." Aang laughed and told her that he would try.
It was the calm before the storm. Sokka watched as his new friends chatted in an attempt to pass the time, but he knew that at any moment, this peace would be broken with an arrow, fireball, sword, or boulder aimed at them. He kept his eyes on the forest to the right of them, aware of every slight movement in the trees or brush. Kai was as on edge as he was. His friend's hand never left his canteen, which stayed uncapped just in case.
Sokka turned his head and watched his sister as she blushed and played with the man's fingers, who were clutching her side. Since running into her three days prior, she looked more herself. She no longer was angry or looked haunted by demons he would never truly know or understand. Once again, he started to compare his best friend to his new friend and knew while both would be suitable for his precious sister, only the firebender could make her truly happy. He wished he could hear what they were saying. What had Zuko said to make her blush and giggle? He hadn't heard her giggle since before the arena.
"I'm not going to lose both of you to his charms, am I? You're still going to make me that betrothal necklace?" Kai teases, and Sokka eased up on guard watch to nod.
"I'll start carving the minute we're out of here. It'll be you and I against the world, Kai!" Sokka exclaimed, and the two lifelong friends started to shake with laughter.
They had been walking for the better part of the day. It was well past noon, and the sun was high in the sky, beating down on everyone. Toph threw herself into the dirt and sighed happily. "We made it!" Haru rolled his eyes as he watched the young woman's antics. Toph continued to roll around, explaining that she was missing her healthy coating of dirt. Aang was the only one to find the act endearing and bent some air around the dirt to land on her. "Thanks Twinkletoes." Was her response before standing and placing her hand on the mountainside. She split the mountainside and tunneled through it until she came to the cave about 30 feet away from the group. "Yep, this is the place. Settle in bitches I'm going to be here a while." Katara snorted and felt Aang by her side, sighing like he was trying to get her attention.
"Aang is everything alright?" Katara asked him as she took a seat in the grass. Zuko had kept his word and never left her side. The minute she hit the ground, he pulled her between his legs and held her like she would disappear if he didn't. Katara rolled her eyes but snuggled into his arms anyway. His chin rested on her shoulder and he listened as Aang explained his concerns.
"I'm just nervous. Doesn't it feel like at any moment it could all go to hell? Like we really haven't been put through much since being here?" Aang asked and Katara looked away from him because she felt like she had gone through more than enough. She felt Zuko's arm tighten around her in reassurance, and she relaxed into his grip. "I mean, what happens if we get split up. What happens when Jet and his gang attacks?" It was the when that made everyone look at the young airbender. They knew it was coming. They hadn't seen him at all since entering the arena. They had run into Longshot, Yee, and Kuzon several times. Hahn was another factor. They knew he was alive but was he surviving alone or had he joined up with Jet. It was Ty Lee who spoke up.
"When they attack, we fight back, and we fight to kill. We can't let any of them live long enough to ruin our plan. We know where to go and we just make sure to make it there tonight." Mai looked up at her friend, who spoke with such strength and determination. She reached for her hand and interlocked their fingers. Ty Lee took a deep breath and looked around at the group. They were all watching her with pride except Aang, who looked squeamish.
Mai waited until the group went back to their own conversations before pulling her friend close. Ty Lee giggled and wrapped her arms around Mai's neck and kissed her. She knew Mai wanted them to keep their relationship a secret until they were out of the arena but everyone knew about them and after that evening they wouldn't be going home anyway. "Ty- Not here…" Mai scolded and Ty Lee rolled her eyes but did let go of her. "I'm sorry I'm not-" Ty Lee cut her off and squeezed her hand.
"I understand. When you're ready." Ty Lee promised and Mai relaxed and kept hold of her friend's hand. Mai glanced around the group and caught Zuko watching the two of them. His small smile caused her to blush. She looked at how he held the princess and knew the look of pure bliss matched her own. At one time maybe they would've worked and if they were forced to be together they would have made it work, but she loved seeing him truly happy, curled around a girl who wanted him as much as he wanted her. Mai watched him whisper something into Katara's ear which elicited a girlish giggle.
Katara turned her head and kissed his temple as she curled into his body more before turning back to Aang. "Don't worry Aang. You have all of us to help you and they won't do anything during the day. We're too big of a group for them to really get the jump on us." Katara reached out to take his hand but Zuko was curled around her so tightly that she couldn't reach. "Zuko I need my-" Katara started but Zuko reached out his hand to Aang and patted the kid on the arm. "That works too…" She grumbled and both boys laughed at her annoyance.
Haru and Suki placed the last of the explosives near where Toph was tunneling. "Do you think this will work?" Suki asked as they placed the last bomb in a cluster of trees. Haru looked over their latest work and nodded towards the warrior.
"But here. If anything goes wrong eat this. Jun gave one to Toph and I. Death is quick. This way they won't be able to torture you." Haru closed his hand over hers and half smiled as he walked back towards camp. Suki watched as the brave earthbender walked off without his only way out if things went south. She clutched the pill in her hand before shoving it into her pocket.
"Divide and conquer. They're already making their way towards us as it is. Kuzon, get the non bending girls out of the way. Yee, take out Kai and Haru. Longshot, you take out Toph and the airbender. Hahn, Sokka is all yours. Zuko and Katara are mine." Jet drew in the dirt the part of the arena where they had last seen the large group. They knew sunlight was working against them and that they would have to wait until dark to attach. Hahn kept his mouth shut about the full moon. He knew Kai and Katara would be at their strongest but since they weren't his problem he decided it was best to not say anything.
"We split up tonight after the sun has set completely. I don't want them to see any of us coming." Jet continued and everyone watched as he drew where each of them would hide to attack. Longshot and Hahn shared a look knowing that at some point this plan may fall apart. Yee and Kuzon seemed too naive to realize this fact. "We survive the night, take out as many of them as we can. They'll be more vulnerable separated so if you can't kill them just make sure they can't make it back to their friends." Jet finished and the group nodded and gathered their things to hike to the ambush places.
Jet watched his team move quietly through the forest from their small cave. He was going to find Katara and Zuko and put an end to at least one of them. He couldn't understand why Katara would want a firebender of all people. After everything the Fire Nation has done to the world! He was fuming thinking about the two of them. He wondered what they were doing at that moment. The images of them together made him abandon his own plan. He needed to see what they were doing, how they were doing, and if she was happy.
Toph emerged from the cave she just collapsed and coughed as she walked out of the dust cloud. Aang cleared the air for her and walked over to make sure she was okay. Toph rubbed her stomach to indicate she was hungry. "Digging really works up my appetite." She declared and the rest of the group rolled their eyes as Aang brought her some jerky and lychee nuts. "You know what I could really go for right now? A fruit tart. NO! Wait! Moon peaches. I could go for moon peaches." Toph sighed as she bit into her jerky and shook more dirt from her hair, which was falling from it's tidy bun.
"What about a moon peach tart? Do you think those exist?" Aang asked as he stared up at the sky. It was a beautiful burnt orange. The sun was still fairly high in the sky but everyone knew the day was coming to a close. Soon it would be a mad rush to their meeting point. Sokka thought about Aang's idea of a moon peach tart and sighed thinking about how delicious such a treat would be.
"We'll just have to make one." Kai answered and laid back completely closing his eyes and Aang agreed, tossing some lychee nuts on the warriors chest. "Thanks man!"
Katara had fallen asleep on Zuko's chest. He was absentmindedly playing with her hair and thinking about what a future with her would be like. They could wake up everyday like they had that morning. He could hold her like he was whenever he wanted. He have a brother in Sokka and maybe in time Kai. He would have her strength when his faltered, her kind heart when his heart and thoughts filled with anger (which was often), and her guidance when he didn't know what to do. All he could think about was how she would make a wonderful Fire Lady. The people already loved her, well they did before she went into the arena. Maybe they hated her now? She has killed several people while here, but she was also supposed to do that. It showed her skill as a warrior. Just another reason he wanted her by his side.
He felt her shift as she sat up and stretched her arms in the air, letting out a long, opened mouth yawn. "Were you able to get any rest?" Her voice still soft from just waking up. He watched the muscles in her arms and back flex as she stretched them out before turning to face him.
"Not really, but I slept enough last night. You make for an incredible pillow." He watched the pink blush cover her cheeks. She was kneeling between his legs and moved her wrap her arms around his neck.
"Well, happy I could help you rest last night." He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. They could feel the chill of evening falling around them as they held each other. His hands lifted her so that she straddled his lap, and stayed on her hips to keep her close. "A few more hours and then we're home free. Remember our promise. You get on that boat with or without me." She whispered so that only he could hear. He swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. It was a promise he couldn't break, but every bone in his body wanted too. He had nightmares each night of her dying at the hands of another contestant, his sister, and his father. Each nightmare was more graphic than the last. He knew how his father would torture her. He had seen the way he tortured women before. It was aggressive and sexually charged. He knew his father got off on the tears of the women he toyed with. Azula, would bring her close to death everyday before letting her be. Would they Jet have his way with her again? Leaving her behind wasn't an option not. Not when she could fall into the hands of his family. The people who tortured him, who burned him.
"Just make it to the boat." Zuko begged and held her tighter. He knew he had spent the day clinging to her. His fears drowning out all rational thoughts. Keep his distance, don't let the people see his affections for her.
"I will. Who's going to keep Toph in line? Listen to Aang's crazy ideas? Make sure Sokka doesn't eat everything in sight?" He could tell she was trying to get him to relax but he couldn't. He finally found someone who cared for him, who he needed more than the air he breathed. "I'll be there. I'll bend us to Omashu and we'll figure this out." Her hands rubbed his back and the tension in his muscles eased slightly. Her gentle kiss on his forehead, caused him to bury his face in her neck. He would cling to her until they were both safe.
Jet watched the two young royals tangled in each other's arms. He hated seeing how tender the moment was. Two lovers taking comfort in each other. It should've been him. The prince was a murder by association, he was just as responsible for the countless deaths over the years as his father, his grandfather, and his great grandfather. He couldn't hear anything they said after the prince's comment about her being his pillow. So they slept together last night? Jet cracked his knuckles and growled under his breath. He kept watch over them, taking note of the way she soothed him, and the way he clung to her. He heard the soft moan that left her lips as she tipped her head back for the prince. His rage was unchecked and he almost stood to attack right then and there but was stopped when the blind earthbender heaved dirt their way. "Come on! Time to hike!" She ordered and the two untangled from each other.
"We get a room as far from her as possible. I'm done being interrupted." Jet raised an eyebrow at the statement. What was the prince talking about? A room away from the earthbender? Where would they be with rooms? What were they up too? Jet snuck back up into the trees and quietly leaped from the branches watching as the group moved together on the outskirts of the forest.
The sun had finally set, the moon was full and high in the sky, and the group was on edge. They waited and waited for the attack that was sure to come but it never happened. "We're almost there." Toph announced and the group wondered if maybe Jet's gang had decided to take out each other instead. There hadn't been a cannon blast all day though so everyone was still alive. Katara felt Zuko's hand tighten around her own and watched Toph come to stop. "Zuko! Aang needs a light...NOW!" Toph shouted and everyone stood alert.
"Go, check it out." Katara told him and looked out into the forest. She saw a hint of a glimmer in the trees before she felt the ground shake and begin to split open. "ZUKO!" She called out his name and ran towards him. It was Haru who pulled her back.
"WATCH OUT!" He yelled and Katara looked down at the large crevice separating her, Sokka, Kai, Haru, Suki and Mai from Aang, Zuko, Ty Lee and Toph. "Come on there's got to be away around. We'll meet you there!" Haru called out and dragged Katara away.
"I'll find you guys! Go!" Katara yelled out and Zuko felt like it was an empty promise. His friends were running the wrong way and Toph was cursing like a sailor as she blocked an onslaught of attacks from Yee.
Zuko watched her run with the group and had to hold Ty Lee from trying to jump to the side that Mai was on. "We need to get to the meeting point. We'll meet them there." He whispered to her and the smaller group ran forward with the help of Toph and Aang providing cover. This was ending tonight. He wouldn't lose her. He couldn't.
Katara ran through the forest with Kai and Sokka by her sides. Haru, Mai and Suki ran behind them until the arrows started to fly towards them. They looked into the trees and Mai and Suki took off in their direction. They yelled that they were going after Longshot. Katara and the boys continued to run, jumping over the thick brush and dodging low hanging branches. "Jet…" Katara saw him running from them before she saw the club coming flying towards her brother. Kai was quick and froze the club to the tree.
"Sokka!" Hahn stood about 20 feet away from them and held another club in his hands. Kai stood defensively at his friend's side.
"Go this is between him and I anyway." Sokka said, pulling out his sword and narrowing his eyes at Hahn. "Get her to the meeting point and come back for me." Kai watched the battle brewing in both their eyes before reaching for Katara and dragging her off with Haru.
"They're separating us." Kai growled and Haru covered his fist in stone ready for Jet or Kuzon. Katara saw the glimmer of his swords again and ripped herself free of Kai's grasp.
"Kill Kuzon. We won't make it out if he's alive." Katara ordered as she squared her shoulders. She looked up at the moon and handed off her canteen to Kai. "I'm to take Jet to the lake." She stripped off her jacket and pulled water from the trees around her with effortless grace. The water covered her arms, creating two long tentacles.
"Katara-" Kai clenched his fists, but nodded his head. He knew he shouldn't let her go off on her own but there was no one stronger than her tonight. He would be doing Jet a favor by holding her back. That monster didn't deserve that though. He deserved everything he had coming to him. "Make him pay." Katara gave a quick nod and took off into the forest. She could feel the pull of the water at the lake and she knew Jet would follow.
Haru jumped from a tree branch and landed with a thud as he lifted the earth with all his strength. He tossed the giant boulder towards the young man sending lava covered boulders his way. "Let's move!" Haru ordered and Kai nodded, running off towards the meeting point.
Yee chased the small group until the small earthbender whispered something to the airbender. Yee ran along the edge of the forest to cut off their friends from joining this group. Ty Lee and Zuko stood ready, watching as Yee had set the forest ablaze. Toph cried out in pain and Zuko saw the blood running down her neck. Aang quickly wrapped up her neck, before joining Zuko and Ty Lee.
Yee looked like a feral animal let loose. She was quick and didn't care about the danger she was putting herself in. "Stay behind me." Zuko ordered and Ty Lee and Aang did as they were told. Zuko pulled his swords off his back and watched as the little gray blur bounced through the flames. Aang stepped beside him and used his glider to create large gusts of wind that shook the trees and even snapped a few of the larger ones in half. The airbender had effectively cut off her escape route but destroying the trees.
Zuko set his arms and swords ablaze and jumped into the wall fire she had created. His eyes followed her swift movements through the forest floor until she landed in front of him with her knife. She would make quick jabs and retreat, staying just out his reach. He needed her gone so he could extinguish her flames and let Toph work without disruptions. "Zuko your right!" Ty Lee yelled and he spun, sending a twister of flames towards the girl. She tripped and tried to regain her footing but Zuko was quicker. He continued to knock her out each stance. His flames kissed her skin burning her cheek, upper right arm, and left shin. When she tried to leap back into the trees his fire whip dragged her back down to the earth. His swords ready as she tried to crawl away from him.
"Rise, peasant." He sneered and she looked over her shoulder, before cautiously getting to her feet. Yee once again tried to send bursts of fire in his direction but he deflected each with steady grace. He walked towards her, each step she took back she could feel his flames inching closer to her skin. He watched the terror she was feeling reach her eyes as he slashed her clean across the stomach and neck with his swords. Her intestines hung out of her gapping stomach and her head lobbed to the side. It looked like he had almost cut it right off. The cannon let everyone in the arena know that Yee was dead.
Zuko extinguished her flames and looked back at Aang and Ty Lee who did their best to not show the disgust from his kill. "I'm going for the others!" He shouted and Toph stepped forward.
"I'm blowing this place up within the hour. Be back by then!" Toph ordered and Zuko called back that he would be. He took one last look at the bloodied, burned, gutted girl before running off towards the lake.
Mai and Suki had taken to the trees chasing after Longshot. He shot his non-poisoned arrows at them trying to get them off his trail. Suki recognized the area and nodded to Mai to hang back. They watched him from a distance and he watched them. "Haru and I placed a few explosives over to the right. If we can get him to fall or step into the bushes it will set them off. Kill him quickly." Suki explained and Mai nodded in understanding.
Suki ran towards the bushes and Mai tossed a few of her knives into his tree. She was getting closer to hitting him. She could smell his blood in the air as he bled out in his attempts to flee.
Longshot grabbed his neck in an attempt to slow the bleeding but she had nicked his artery. He was seeing stars and was feeling faint. Soon he found himself on the forest floor stumbling in the direction Suki had fled too. He knocked an arrow and sent it flying hoping he would hit someone but instead he was met with a fist flying into his face. His bow and arrow were taken from him as he blocked Suki's fists and feet.
Mai's knives flew through the air sending him further back into the bushes. Mai nodded to Suki who ran as far back from the explosive site as possible, while Mai threw a final knife towards Longshot. He leaped into the bushes hoping to be able to hide from the girls. He sank into the bushes and took a deep breath. Click. Mai and Suki watched the explosion and covered the faces as his body split apart from the blast. The girls looked themselves over and wiped away the blood that had landed on their bare arms and faces. They heard the cannon go off and small smirks crossed their features. "I know where the rest are. Who else can we trick?" Suki asked and Mai collected the knives she could find.
"You have one job!" Sokka yelled as Hahn's club made contact with his sword once more. The two had cuts and bruises all over their bodies from the constant barrage of strikes.
"MY JOB! You're the one who's been sleeping with her all week! She became your responsibility the minute she woke up in your bed!" Hahn shouted back as his club hit a tree trunk instead of Sokka.
"She was your betrothed and you left her! You ran at the first sign of danger! She almost died that first day!" Sokka countered and slashed a deep cut into Hahn's upper arm. "You were never going to be good enough for her! She knew that and she found someone she would make her happy! If I could've kept her safe; I would have! I tried!" His heart felt heavy as he pictured her lifeless body in the grass, covered in flowers. He remembered the look of complete despair on his sister's face as she tried to bring back her friend.
Hahn took Sokka's momentary lapse to strike. He hooked his club into the warriors ankle and pulled him off his feet. Sokka's sword flew a few feet away from him out of reach. "You got her killed with your stupid plans and false hope. 28 come in, one leaves!" Hahn forced his knee down onto Sokka's chest and closed his hand around the man's neck. Sokka couldn't breathe. He tried to reach up and punch the arrogant warrior but his position underneath said warrior made it difficult. He struggled to catch his breath and could feel becoming more and more difficult. "I know Arnook wanted it to be you, it just makes this that much sweeter." Hahn whispered and Sokka lifted his head roughly, headbutting Hahn.
Hahn recoiled grabbing his nose and club from the forest floor. Sokka coughed and crawled to his sword only to feel the brutal attack on his leg as the club broke the bone. Sokka reached for the sword and closed his eyes as he swung it behind him. His felt his arm continue to move through the air as if he missed, but Hahn wasn't speaking and Sokka felt something warm dripping onto his back and arm. He looked back to see that Hahn's head had fallen and his body was being held up by Sokka's. He crawled out from the headless body and heard the cannon. How many shots was that now? Two, three?
Sokka found a large stick and pulled himself up and onto his good leg as he started to hobble off in the direction of the meeting point. He was moving as quickly as he could but he had a sinking feeling that with his broken leg he wouldn't make it on time.
Kai and Haru raced through the forest opting to run instead of fight. Kuzon was proving to be a skilled fighter. His lavabending only slowed by the water Kai used to consume the red hot molten earth. "Go! Get to Toph! I'll keep him busy here." Kai jumped into the river they had passed and Haru watched as another wave of lava descended upon them. Kai created a wall of ice to fend off the attack. "GO!" He ordered and Haru jumped back into the forest and continued to run.
Kai called back his water and created eight tentacles around his body. He watched how the boy moved and used the river to keep space between them. The tentacles around him smashing through the molten rocks while also attempting to grab the boy. Kuzon stood off on the banks of the river kicking boulders at the older teen. They were evenly matched. Both strong, stubborn, and agile. The tentacles were finally able to break through and send the boy flying back into a tree.
Kuzon lifted a wave of lava from the ground and sent it rolling towards Kai while he pulled more lava from the ground. Kai wished he had gotten better at pulling water from plants like Katara and Enzo. He struggled to keep his ground as he used more water to block the lava flying his way. The heat coming off of the lava was unbearable and he could feel the water around him evaporating with every attack. Kai pulled the rest of the water from the river and ran towards the lavabender as the water circled around him, Kuzon mirrored actions with lava. The two elements collided, creating a large explosion that sent both teens flying back into large tree trunks, leaving them unconscious and burned from the steam.
Sokka heard the collision and saw the steam rising into the air. He stumbled onto the scene groaning as he dragged himself through the forest to see who caused the explosion. Suki and Mai weren't too far behind. "Kai!" Suki ran over him and Sokka stumbled through the once flowing riverbed to his friend. Mai helped Sokka stand while Suki checked Kai for a pulse. "He's still alive. Come on we-" Suki stopped to see Sokka struggling to walk as well. "I'll help Kai. You get Sokka to the rest of the group!" Suki lifted Kai as best as she could and started to drag him away from Kuzon.
"Do you think he's dead?" Sokka asked, nodding back to Kuzon.
"He sure looks it. Maybe he isn't dead yet but I'm sure we'll hear the cannon soon." Mai answered and continued to guide the southern prince towards the meeting point.
"Do you see anyone?" Ty Lee asked and as she tried to spot anyone coming through the tree line.
"To the left!" Toph yelled and Aang watched as Mai and Sokka slowly made their way out of the forest. Aang ran over to them and helped Mai bring Sokka towards the group.
"I'm fine. It's just a broken leg. Suki needs help carrying Kai. He's not in great shape and Kuzon isn't dead." Sokka explained as he sat up against the mountain side. Ty Lee checked over Mai and hugged her tightly.
"I'm going back out there. If Kuzon is still alive we have to keep away from here. You stay here and keep them safe Ty." Mai told her friend and sighed as Aang and Suki carried a half conscious Kai. "Suki come with me?" Mai asked and Suki grabbed Sokka's sword.
"Back to Kuzon?" Suki asked and Mai nodded taking off back into the forest. Ty Lee watched them disappear before looking over the two water tribe teens injuries. She helped set Sokka's leg with Aang's help and used her canteen to clean off Kai's burns and try to keep him comfortable.
"How much longer Toph?" Aang asked as he watched the tree line.
"15 minutes give or take. Sparky better make it back." Toph crossed her arms over her chest, kept her feet firmly planted on the ground feeling for her friend's vibrations.
Kuzon rose from his spot on the ground and rubbed his head. He could feel the heat on his skin still and groaned as he took off running through the forest. He wouldn't be caught there. He could still win. If that waterbender couldn't beat him then he could find the group and bury them under the lava his summons. He just had to find them all to lure them to the same place. He climbed into a tree for a better view when he heard Mai and Suki underneath him.
"He isn't dead! How is he not dead?" Suki exclaimed as the two girls stopped to catch their breath and take a look around. "We don't have much time left. Toph is waiting for midnight." Mai had a knife at the ready. Kuzon continued to listen to her and watched them take off towards the lake. He quietly followed knowing that everyone would already be together making his plan easier to execute.
Katara dove straight into the water submerging herself in her element. She knew Jet was on her tail. He had followed her straight to the lake and she watched from under the water as he stepped cautiously into it. "Come out princess! I'll go easy on you!" He shouted and the taunts only angered her more. She still hadn't seen his face but being this close to him was enough to leave her burning with rage. "We can reacquaint ourselves with each other if you want. I remember how much you liked it the last time."
Jet felt the water pull away from his feet and watched as a massive wave formed above him. At the top of the wave was Katara, her arms crossed over her chest as she calmly took him in. "Are you sure you want that Jet? I'm far better prepared this time." She motioned to the water around her. His answering smirk was maddening. She collapsed her wave and allowed it to crash back into the lakebed. The impact of the water sent Jet flying back to the dirt and rocks on the other side. He pulled out his swords and stood on the rocks watching her as she stood on the water, walking towards him. "Oh come on Jet. You know this isn't a fight you can win." She taunted as she kicked a powerful spout of water from the lake and hit him square in the chest. "At least make this fun." She whispered to him as he stood back up rubbing his chest.
Jet swung his swords at her with a ferocity she wasn't expecting. He cut her several times but she was quick and could run on top of the water. He pushed her away from the lake and back onto solid ground. He could tell something was different about her. She had more confidence, looked more self assured. She was toying with him and under different circumstances he would've loved it, but not like this. He wanted her dead. He needed her dead. "I can win any fight, little girl."
Katara pulled water from the lake and encircled it around her just as Jet started his next round of attacks. She moved gracefully on the grass as she blocked each swing of his swords. She had been so concerned about his arms that she didn't notice his feet had swept underneath her knocking her over. She cried out in pain as he pressed the tip of his sword into her shoulder.
Neither were looking where they were going when they collided. Zuko jumped back into a stance, his fist covered in flames. "It's me! It's me! Haru!" Zuko extinguished the flame and looked around them. He must have been going the wrong way. "Come on we have to go!" Haru grabbed his arm and Zuko pushed away from him trying to get his bearings.
"No I'm getting Katara." Zuko heard a growl coming from the direction Haru was just running from.
"No you're running this way with me because those things are coming!" Zuko looked back into the forest and saw several pairs of red eyes staring back at him. "We don't have time for this! Zuko lets go!" Haru took off running and Zuko was about to run off towards the lake when a large beast, covered in black fur, razor sharp teeth and claws, black feathered wigs, and six legs came barreling towards him. He pulled his swords free and cut down the first beast before running off in the direction Haru was running.
"MUTTS! MUTTS!" Zuko watched as Mai and Suki did their best to escape the beasts but they were surrounded. He formed a fire whip and cracked one of the beasts on the back Haru had hurled a large rock towards another beast breaking the circle. The girls ran towards them with Mai running quicker than Suki. She made it out of the circle when she heard the scream. They all spun around and saw Suki underneath one of the beasts. It's claws tearing open the skin on her arms and chest. Zuko cracked his whip again before punching out several fireballs towards the beast. Suki was unconscious when he got to her. He lifted her into his arms and created a wall of fire behind him as he ran back to the meeting point with Haru and Mai.
"I'm starting. We can't wait any longer!" Toph stood in front of the group and slammed her foot into the ground in the direction of the first weak point closest to them. A minute later she felt the avalanche that followed. She knew she would need Haru's help for the next two but she decided to try and do it herself since he was nowhere to be found.
Haru paused and grabbed one of Mai's knives as he felt the first earthquake shake the ground. He ran back towards Zuko and sliced into his neck ripping out the tracker and tossing it on the ground. "What the hell! " Zuko covered his neck with his hand and watched as he did the same to Suki.
"So they can't track us." Haru explained and nodded for every start running again. Zuko scowled at the boy as he carried Suki in his arms. He heard another cry of pain and knew it was Kataras.
"She'll meet us there. You know she will." Suki mumbled to him as he looked out towards where the cry came from. He wished he could believe her but every nerve in his body begged him to go find her, help her. But Suki needed him more at the moment so he ran with the bloodied girl in his arms.
Haru and Mai ran up first. Toph sensed him and waved for him to join her and the two immediately started to send quakes towards the points in the mountains where Toph had spent the last five days tunneling. As they created the earthquakes the avalanches began and the explosions started to go off. One by one the little bombs Suki and Haru meticulously placed went off cutting out the video feed to the world. Black smoke filled the air and dust from the avalanches that were still happening gave them cover they needed to escape. Toph ran to the mountain side and began to tunnel through until she felt sand on her feet.
Katara kicked him in the crotch and blasted him back with a twister of water. She stood up slowly healing her shoulder quickly before he got back on his own feet. They stood facing each other when the first earthquake hit, then another. Toph must have started her destruction of the arena and Katara knew she needed to go, but she also needed to see Jet die. She needed him to know that she wasn't the weak little girl back in her prep room.
Bombs exploded in the distance and the distinct sound of growls caught both of their attention. As Katara looked around to see where the growls were coming from Jet jumped her. His swords sliced into her arms and her shirt. Her stomach and arm bled from the scrapes. Just as he was about to swing his hook swords again his body froze. The only thing he could move were his eyes. He watched as Katara held up her hands and twisted his body unnaturally. She had this evil, victorious glint her eyes as she brought him down on his knees before her. "Just give in Jet… It will feel so good." She told him and recognized the phrase. He had said it to her in her prep room.
It was cruel and was over kill but she had a point to make. Kuzon watched from the trees ready to help until he noticed how Jet was moving. The sight sent shivers down his back. She was a witch or a monster, but no human could do what she was doing.
Katara took hold of one of his swords and created small incisions in his arms, legs, neck, chest, and cheek. Each cut was met with an agonizing scream of pain. "Jet relax. It's not so bad." She cooed as she forced his blood to the newest cut allowing it to bleed more. He looked up at her terrified of the woman that took her time torturing him who continued to use the same words he had used on her days ago. She stood before him again and his entire body felt like it had been dipped into ice. Katara clenched and relaxed his fist freezing his blood and releasing it before lifting his body into the air and dragging him to the vines. She took hold of the vines and curled them around Jet's wrists and ankles lifting him into the air. "Think of all the fun we could have…" She sneered and pulled his body taut. She twisted the blood within him freezing his organs one by one and ever so slowly. His screams filled the arena as she continued to force his blood to the cuts she had made. It must have been agonizing to feel every cell in your body freeze, while all your blood raced out of you from any opening. Katara looked at her handy work as he cried salty tears of blood and begged her stop. "I remember when I begged too. No one helped me though…" She told him and he continued to cry. Katara watched as he started to pass out and seized his body one last time bringing his gaze to land on her. "LOOK AT ME!" She ordered and he kept his eyes on her as she lifted a stream of water into his mouth and forced it down his throat, drowning him in his blood and water from the lake. "Swallow it!" She yelled as she continued to stream water into him while his body jerked in the vines until finally she saw the light leave his eyes and his body hung from the vines covered in blood.
Everyone back at the mountain froze when they heard the screams. His first thought was that Katara was hurt, but it was Sokka who brought him back to reality. "That's Jet screaming…" He said and everyone waited as the screams continued to what felt like hours. Zuko could only imagine what she had done to him. When the screams finally stopped they all watched the tree line hoping to see her walk through but no one came.
Instead a steady stream of lava crept closer to the group without them realizing. "KUZON!" Aang shouted and blew a strong gust of wind towards the lava, which hardened once the cool air hit it. Aang, Mai, and Haru stepped forward ready for a fight. Toph grabbed Zuko and pointed to Kai and Suki who needed help getting on the boat.
"She's coming Zuko please just help us with them." Ty Lee begged as she hoisted Kai up between her and Toph. Zuko watched his friends stand defensively in front of them, keeping the lava and boulders at bay. He picked up Suki and lifted Sokka up off the ground and forced him into the tunnel. "Their trackers!" Ty Lee fished out the sharp rock Toph had made for them and cut out Kai's trackers and then Sokka's before crushing them with the stone. "We'll get them on the boats and then go back to help." Ty Lee promised and Zuko continued to walk through the tunnel until he saw a man standing at the end.
"Lu!" Zuko called out and ran to his cousin who smiled broadly. "You're- of course you are…" Zuko handed Suki off to him and helped Sokka get on the water tribe boat. He got Sokka and Kai down to the barracks and watched as healers started to get to work on both of them. He was running back to the sand when Lu Ten grabbed his arm.
"You have to stay on the boat. We may need to take off quickly." Lu Ten said and looked back as Toph ran through the tunnel. His friends were fighting to keep him safe. Katara was still out in the woods trying to get back to him. "There's nothing more you can do but survive. The world needs you, Zuko." Zuko's jaw clenched as he forced himself back on the boat. The resistance needed him, but they didn't need Katara, Toph, Aang, Mai, or Haru. He walked back to the boat with his hung low saying a silent prayer that they would make their way through the tunnel.
"He's desperate and alone. He'll make a mistake…" Haru tried to sound strong but the lavabender was strong and advanced on them quickly. Aang continued to keep the lava at bay, creating a wall of hardened lava around them. Toph ran through the tunnel and stomped her feet on the ground shaking the lavabending teen off his feet. Her quick thinking saved Aang's arm from the oncoming lava.
The group ran across the scorched earth and attempted to surround the boy, but he slammed his fists on the ground and split the earth in two. Mai and Haru stuck on the side with Kuzon while Aang and Toph were stuck on the side with the tunnel. Haru looked over at the little warrior and then to Mai. "Toph! Collapse the tunnel and get out of here!" Haru yelled and Toph started to protest but Aang pushed her towards the tunnel that was slowly filling with lava. Toph couldn't feel where Haru was thanks to the division of land. She collapsed the tunnel and allowed Aang to lift her into his arms. He opened his glider and the two flew over the collapsed mountain top and towards the boat. "Bye little hogmonkey…" Haru turned his attention to the boy ahead of him and met him boulder for boulder. Mai covered her last three remaining knives in poison waiting for her opening.
Aang and Toph landed on the boat and watched as their masters came up the stairs from below. Master Pakku stood beside Zuko and another man and watched as the tunnel collapsed. "She could still come! She has too! Lu!" Zuko was frantically begging his cousin to wait a few more minutes but they had already waited long enough. The airships were starting to arrive with Empire soldiers.
"We have to go. Master Pakku please get us out of here." Lu Ten motioned for the sails to be raised as Master Pakku pushed them into the water away from the beach.
Katara pulled water from every tree, bush, and flower as she rode on the quickly growing wave towards the meeting point. Whatever was chasing her wasn't a human, it wasn't even an animal she knew. She had pulled as much water from the lake as she could destroying the forest as she made her way towards her friends who she hoped had waited for her.
She had drowned a few of whatever animals they were, but still had several behind her. She busted through the trees until she came across Haru, Mai and Kuzon. She was about to fling her wave at them to help kill the boy but Mai shook her head. "Go! Get to the boat! We've got him!" Mai yelled to her and she watched as Haru pursued the young earthbender. They couldn't let him get to the mountainside. It meant they would have to stay. Katara watched the duo push the boy further into the forest and away from the bay. Katara wiped the stray tear from her eyes knowing the sacrifice they were making for the group. She looked around for the tunnel and saw that it had already collapsed. The mountain top wasn't too high though. She pulled as much water as she could and threw herself over the top of the mountain. She created an ice slide to help ease her fall.
"SHE'S THERE! WAIT FOR HER!" Zuko watched as Katara ran along the beach before diving into the water. Lu Ten had been right though. Empire soldiers were everywhere now. A small fleet of ships blocked their escape route. He looked back into the pitch black water waiting for her to come up to the boat but nothing. Master Pakku was getting ready to attack, along with Master Jeong Jeong and Monk Gyatso.
Katara rose from the water in the largest water spout anyone had ever seen. She called forth waves that could swallow ships whole. Pakku watched as his student crashed her waves into the two ships blocking their escape. "Aang, Gyatso! More air in the sails!" He called out as Katara continued to bend the ocean to her will. Sokka had walked up to the deck and was calling out orders to the water tribe men manning the sails. "It'll be like your ice dodging trip prince Sokka." Pakku teased and Sokka smirked, taking the wheel of the ship, whipping past a few of the Empire naval ships. Katara landed on the deck and ran right past Zuko to the back of the boat.
"Just like how we escaped the sea serpents, ready?" Sokka asked and she tied herself to a pole on the back of the boat lowering herself into the water. "As much air as you can make in three, two, one!" Aang and Gyatso created the strongest gust of air they could muster filling the sails while Katara formed a water twister that sent them flying through along the top of the water effectively separating them from the Empire's ships.
Once they were far enough away Katara stopped her bending and slumped against the boat. She tugged on her rope and felt someone begin to lift her from the water. She was soaking wet, exhausted, sore, cut up, and bloody. She collapsed on the deck once she was free from the rope and coughed up some blood.
"Kat! Kat!" Zuko held her in his arms while Sokka hit her back forcing any more water or blood from her throat. She rested her head on Zuko's shoulder and took several deep breaths before opening her eyes. "Oh thank La…" Sokka ran his hand over his face and Zuko pushed the hair from her face. She looked around seeing Master Pakku, Aang, Monk Gyatso and a man she didn't know look over the boy's shoulders down at her.
"I'm okay. We need to keep moving." She forced herself free of Zuko's arms and stood cautiously. Everyone except Pakku told her to go down and see a healer.
"No she's right. You take the left side, I'll take the right. We bend through the night and use the moon to our advantage." Pakku explained and Katara straightened her shoulders and walked down the stairs to the left side of the boat and began to bend the water underneath them propelling them forward.
Mai and Haru finally had the boy on the ground about to end him when Empire soldiers surrounded them and shot them with darts, rendering them unconscious. Azula and Admiral Zhao walked through the soldiers and looked down at the three unconscious teens. "Send them back to the contestant center and lock them in separate rooms. I'll question them when I'm ready." Azula ordered and walked over their slumbering bodies looking up at the boy in the trees. "And cut him down. I want him examined immediately so we know what that water bitch did to him." Zhao nodded to his men who got to work carrying the unconscious teens onto the airship. Zhao joined Azula on the outskirts of the forest as she examined the collapsed tunnel and the ice slide at the top of the mountain. "My uncle will pay dearly for this…"