Zuko's POV

Remembering my Breath of Fire technique, I was able to keep my temperature up and melt out the screws around the ice box. Uncle would be proud. I stayed huddled in the tiny cell and kept myself occupied with thoughts of Kidah.

Her smile. Her laugh. Her moan. God, I still can't believe she gave into me. I can still feel her. I breathed out a small flame. If we made it out alive, I'd mar- I stop myself. It makes me laugh. We didn't know if we'd live to see tomorrow and here I am, thinking of marriage.

The door in front of me squeals open. I hear Sokka's voice from the other side, "I can take you back to your cell if you've learned your lesson."

I lift my head and sigh a breath of fire. "Yes, I have. Completely." I reveal the various nuts and bolts I had freed sitting in my lap.

Sokka smiles and lifts his visor up as he whispers, "I got Suki and Chit Sang out of their cells a few minutes ago. They'll be waiting for us at the shore."

I hear quick and light footsteps down the hall. "Someone's coming," I say as I pull him into the cooler with me.

As the steps come closer, Sokka's eyes go wider. The door opens and I fall into a defensive stance. The young woman before us hastily removes her helmet, revealing herself as Kidah. I sigh in relief.

She rushes in and hugs me tightly. "There are new prisoners arriving tomorrow," she says into my chest. Her head rises to look at Sokka, "war prisoners."

I look at him meaningfully, "it could be your father."

"I know," he replies as he looks away and closes his eyes.

"Well, what should we do? Are we going ahead with the plan or are we waiting another night?" I glance in between Sokka and the woman still in my arms.

Kidah's eyes begin to water, "there are no benders… So, my men aren't going to be on that gondola… Sokka?"

He shakes his head, "I don't know. Is it right for me to risk Suki's freedom? All of our freedom on the slim chance that my dad is gonna show up?"

I squeeze Kidah into me. "It's your call, Sokka."

After a moment of silence, he looks at us. "I can't risk everyone's lives again. We have to go." Sokka walks out of the cooler and into the hall. I reluctantly release Kidah to follow and help him remove the box for our escape.

As we get to the shore, this whole plan eats away at me. Sokka and I are struggling to keep the cooler from sliding down the hill noisily. Kidah grunts at the top, using her weight to leverage the giant box from falling on us.

Chit Sang runs up to assist, "took you guys long enough." Together, we get it down onto the shore. He points toward another man and a tiny young woman, "this here's my girl and my best buddy. They're coming too."

"Fine, everybody in the cooler. Let's go," Sokka's voice is full of annoyance. We begin turning the cooler into a vertical position, ready to jump aboard.

I couldn't hold it in any longer and decide to confront the Southerner, "are you sure you want to go? You're the one who said you wanted to redeem yourself. Redeem your honor. Rescuing your Dad is your chance."

Suki walks towards Sokka. "Your Dad?"

Sokka looks at us in desperation. "If I had just cut my losses at the invasion, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. Maybe, sometimes it's just better to call it quits before you fail."

I cross my arms. "No, it's not. Look, Sokka, you're going to fail a lot before things work out."

"That's supposed to make me feel better?" He raises his brows questioningly.

"Even though you'll probably fail over and over and over again."

He begins to lose his temper, "Seriously, not helping."

I grab Sokka's shoulder and look at him in earnest. "You have to try every time. You can't quit because you're afraid you might fail."

Chit Sang calls over to us, "hey, if you two are done cuddling, can we get a move on?"

Kidah steps toward him, "give us a damn minute." Every time she curses, I can't help the smile that rises to my lips.

Sokka is silent for a moment, while he debates internally. "No, I'm staying. You guys go," he says as he gestures to the rest of us. "You've been here long enough."

Suki grabs his hand reassuringly. "I'm not leaving without you, Sokka."

I meet Kidah's eyes and we both nod. "We're staying too," I tell them.

Chit Sang scoffs. "Not me, I'm out. Let's roll, baby." He pushes the cooler and jumps into it, joining his friends.

We stand on the shore, watching them shrink into the steam. Sokka sighs. "We gave up our only chance of escaping. I hope we haven't just made a huge mistake."

Kidah pulls on my arm, "let's get back before someone notices you guys missing."

Loud bells and lights flood the perimeter. Sokka pushes us all up against the wall to hide in the darkness, whispering, "the plan failed! They're caught."

We skirt around the wall and make our way back inside the prison. Kidah walks me back to my cell. Before she locks me in, I grab her hand, pulling her inside.

She raises her visor and her brow is furrowed. "If we get caught, you're screwed."

"I don't care right now," I breathe and crash my lips onto hers. Her arms wrap around my neck, deepening the kiss. I needed her so badly. She bites my lower lip, and I have to suppress a groan.

Kidah pulls away and chews on her lip, smiling. "I have to go."

I smirk. "This isn't over."

She turns to walk away and quietly speaks over her shoulder, "you've got the rest of your life for this. Another day won't kill you."

I shake my head at her, and the door closes gently. I sit on my cot, thinking of the first time I saw Kidah. She was so timid at the North Pole, when we first fought. Then, I woke to her cradling my head in that abandoned town. The sun had created a halo around her. She had changed so much over the time we had known each other. She was so courageous and caring. I lay back and fall asleep thinking of her touch.

Morning comes, and we are let back out into the yard. Kidah was scooped up by the Warden first thing in the morning, according to Sokka. We move closer to watch the new prisoners when they walk across the bridge upon entrance.

Sokka gasps, "the gondola's moving." We all look towards the tower hopefully as it lands. "This is it." Sokka turns to us nervously, "if my Dad's not there, we risked everything for nothing."

Suki goes to touch him, but brings her arm back to her side, still in her prisoner uniform. "We had to."

"Come on, come on," he breathes anxiously. A guard opens the door of the gondola. A big, burly man with shaggy long hair, a long beard, a nose ring and a tattoo on his arm walks out handcuffed.

I moved closer to Sokka, "is that him?"

He looks at me incredulously, "my dad doesn't have a nose ring." Various other prisoners step out, but none his father. "Where is he?" Sokka turns to Suki in disbelief. "That's it? That can't be it."

"I'm sorry, Sokka," Suki apologizes.

He lowers his head in dismay, "oh, no."

A guard begins to yell inside, "hey, you, get off the gondola." A tall, broad tan older man walks out with a scowl.

Sokka brightens beside me, "Dad." He starts working his way through the crowd to get to the staircase that leads to the upper level where the landing is, leaving Suki and me alone.

I was about to say something about trying to form a new plan, but four rough hands scoop me up. "Its time to go back in your cage," a guard snarls beside me. Suki is quickly picked up as well.

Kidah's POV

"Line them up for the Warden!" A male guard calls around the new prisoners. I keep my eyes on Hakoda. His gaze stays glued to the ground. Anxiety fills me as I hear Sokka's voice pushing the guards aside to get in the front near his father.

The Warden steps forward in front of me. "Welcome to The Boiling Rock. I'm sure you've all heard the horrible rumors about our little island. Well I just want to tell you that they don't have to be true." He walks down the line of prisoners, stopping in front of Hakoda. "As long as you do everything I say. Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you."

Hakoda looks to the side before plainly saying, "no."

"Oh, you'd rather look at my shoes? Then take a look!" I stiffen as he uses his foot and pulls down Hakoda's handcuff to the floor, bringing him into a kneeling position.

"I know exactly who you are," the Warden leans closer to his face, "Hakoda of the Water Tribe. So strong willed. But don't worry, we'll get rid of that in time. Now look me in the eye." Hakoda lifts his head up, features full of hatred. "See? Isn't that better?" He looks to the other prisoners before continuing, "you will all do as I say or pay the price."

The Warden begins walking back towards me when Hakoda tilts his handcuffs catching the warden's boot. As he begins to lose his balance and fall, a couple of guards rush to his aid. I stay in place, trying not to smile.

"Are you okay, Sir?" One of the guards ask.

He throws out his hands as he rises on his own. "I'm fine! Get these prisoners out of my sight!" As he walks away, I stagger slightly, wanting to go to Sokka and Hakoda. "Yewa?" He calls. "We have important guests arriving soon. I need you to make some tea for their arrival, while I go deal with Chit Sang." My stomach falls. If Chit Sang were to point us out, we were royally doomed… Literally.

I bow my head. "Yes, sir." Making my way towards the Warden's office, I try looking for Zuko and the others. They're nowhere to be found.

My back is facing the door of the office as I prepare some Ginseng tea for these 'important guests'. I had asked a guard on my way up who they were, but they had no idea. My mind reeled as I tried to figure out who would want to come here so urgently.

I didn't notice when the door opened behind me. A sweet and innocent voice disrupts my thoughts, "I wonder how Zuko even got here." My blood runs cold.

"Its not important. What is important is who is with him, Ty Lee." Azula's voice rings in my ears.

"Is that tea?" A young woman with dark hair and a slightly monotone voice appears beside me.

I stumble over my words, "Ye- Yes." I turn to her a little too quickly and bow my head. "The Warden wanted you to feel welcomed upon your arrival."

Azula sneers, "isn't that adorable, Mai? Your uncle isn't a complete disgrace." I turn to her and bow deeply. "At least this guard has some manners."

Mai sips a cup of tea, "where is that fool anyway?"

"He's dealing with a prisoner at the moment, but will be by shortly, my lady." I fold my hands in front of me politely.

Ty Lee takes a cup, sipping the warm liquid, "Azula! This is so good!"

She waves a hand dismissively, "we don't have time for a tea party." She slowly paces around the room. "Mai, go find my brother. Ty Lee and I will question your uncle to find whoever else has been traveling with him."

Mai sets the cup down harshly. "Finally," she mumbles. Turning to me, she asks, "do you know where Prince Zuko's cell is?"

I squeeze my hands together painfully, "Yes, my lady." She sighs dramatically and gestures toward the door. Yue, what am I supposed to do now? I pray.

As we approach Zuko's cell, I try to think of a way to get us out of this new predicament. "Uhm- Lady Mai?" She raises a brow to me. "These prison cells are not quite up to the standards of a noble…" I bow my head slightly. "Perhaps it'd be best if I brought him to you on one of the upper level cells. They are not being used and tend to be - well, cleaner."

She stops for a moment to consider my suggestion. "Very well." Relief floods me, but Mai quickly ruins it as two guards walk past our corridor. "Guards!" She snaps. They run towards us and bow deeply. "Fetch the traitor Prince and bring him to-?" She looks to me questioningly.

"Cell 13-1," I croak.

Mai nods to the guards, giving them permission to leave us. She turns to me and crosses her arms. "Lead the way." I nod and start heading towards the closest stairs. So much for an escape plan, I chastise myself.

Once to the newer level, I guide her to 13-1. "Stay at the door, don't let anyone past you and do not come in," she commands. I bow and wait for what will probably be the most awkward moment of my life.

Zuko's voice travels down the hall, "What are you doing? Where are you taking me?" I press my back into the hard metal of the wall, trying to control myself. He thrashes against the guards hauling him towards the cell. I can't tell if he notices me or not, before he is thrown to the floor of the cell. "I haven't done anything wrong!" He yells.

One of the other guards slams the door shut, and I hear Mai from the inside. "Come on, Zuko. We all know that's a lie."

The pain in his voice makes my heart clench. "Mai." A tear escapes me, and I rub my cheek fiercely. "How did you know I was here?" He morosely asks.

Mai's voice is full of sarcasm, "because I know you so well."

"But... how?"

"The Warden's my Uncle, you idiot." Zuko groans. "The truth is, I guess I don't know you. All I get is a letter." Her voice rises with her anger. "You could have at least looked me in the eye when you ripped out my heart."

"I didn't mean to…" I feel guilty for listening to them. Was Zuko's past relationships really any of my business? My eyes pool as I stay at attention.

"You didn't mean to?" She asks incredulously. 'Dear Mai, I'm sorry that you have to find out this way, but I'm leaving'."

"Stop!" He yells harshly. "This isn't about you. This is about the Fire Nation."

"Thanks, Zuko. That makes me feel all better." I hear a thwack as she hits something.

Sincerity is clear in his tone. "Mai, I never wanted to hurt you. But, I have to do this to save my country."

"Save it? You're betraying your country."

"That's not how I see it."

"Are you insane, Zuko? You have ruined everything." Mai says resentfully. "You knew we were supposed to marry. You finally had your life back. You were going to become Fire Lord. Why are you doing this?"

"I didn't want that life, Mai!" His rage makes me flinch. "You haven't seen what its like out there… We have been told our entire lives that we are sharing the glory of the Fire Nation with the world. Its a lie. We are enslaving them, abusing them, taking their homes... How can you sit by and watch?!"

"Because I was happy with you, Zuko!" Her voice cracks. "I don't care about the rest of the world."

My breath catches in my throat. A guard runs down the hall towards me, interrupting my eavesdropping. "There's a riot. We have to protect Lady Mai." I nod jerkily and open the cell door.

"Ma'am, there's a riot going on. I'm here to protect you." He says, stepping through the threshold. I step in behind him.

She crosses her arms, "I don't need any protection."

Zuko laughs lightly, "believe me. She doesn't."

I stay by the door as the guard walks closer to Mai with his hands held up defensively. "I'm sorry but I'm under direct orders from your Uncle to make sure nothing happens."

Zuko's eyes land on me, taking in my curves. I reach towards my helmet to reveal my eyes. His face turns serious before thrusting flames at the guard's feet. He attempts to shield Mai from the fire, giving Zuko a chance to reach me at the door. I grab his arm and pull him roughly out of the cell. I slam the door and lock it behind him.

I can hear Mai yelling from inside, "get off of me!"

Zuko takes my hand, "Kidah-"

I pull away from him. "Not now." His brows furrow, and he closes his eyes. "Come on," I tell him. "I bet the riot is the distraction we have been waiting for." We jog a few yards before I grab his arm, stopping us. "Zuko… You're sister is here." Shock fills his features, before we begin sprinting.

We throw open the doors into the yard. Finding Chit Sang, Sokka, Hakoda and Suki standing at the bottom of another tower, we work our way around the rioting prisoners. A guard grabs Zuko's arm, yanking him back to subdue him. He pulls on the attacker's arm, flipping him over his shoulder. We run to Sokka.

He smiles at us, "Zuko, Kidah- good. We're all here. Now all we need to do is grab the Warden and get to the gondolas."

I ignore them and turn to Suki. She raises a brow questioningly, but nods when I smile. We sprint towards the tower where the Warden is looking down to the prisoners. Fueled with hate and jealousy, I zigzag through the crowd. Once we reach the wall, I squat down and Suki jumps into my hands. I propel her up towards some pipes. As she flips herself around them to land on the platform, the pipe breaks, releasing water. Not caring for my cover, I throw off my helmet. Swirling the water up and around me, I rise to Suki where she is fighting off a guard.

Zuko's POV

Sokka can be so irrational. He hadn't thought any of this through. We began arguing about how to get to the Warden, when Chit Sang interrupts us, "hey, uhh, fellas. I think your girlfriends are taking care of it."

I follow his gaze to see Kidah whirpooling herself up to Suki on a platform. Dread fills me. "She can't waterbend in here!" I grab Sokka's shoulder roughly. "If they catch her, they will kill her."

He looks at me meaningfully and nods. We all start running towards the stairs for the tower. I look up and see Kidah shooting ice daggers at a guard, before roundhouse kicking him into a wall. Suki flips over another one, pushing him into the other girl's readied water torrent. I tear my eyes away from the action as we reach the stairs.

By the time we get to the top, we see Suki slam the Warden up against a wall. Kidah punches a nearby guard, knocking him out.

Suki smiles sweetly, "we've got the Warden, now let's get out of here." Chit Sang takes the Warden and throws him over his shoulder. Kidah turns on her heel and begins running towards the gondola, taking out guards around each corner.

As we chase after her, Hakoda pants beside me, "that's some real women."

I press on further, ignoring the comment, but I hear Sokka behind me. "Tell me about it."

Kidah is acting out, because she is mad at me. This was not something to celebrate or reward. I didn't understand why she was willing to risk her life like this by openly bending. It was purely careless. Especially knowing my sister is here.

Guards at the gondola form a roar of flames towards us. Kidah dodges the attack quickly, but Sokka doesn't move. I shove him to the side and intercept the attack. Jumping in the air, I kick out with my foot to dissipate the flames.

More guards appear in front of us. I drop into a defensive stance. "Back off, we've got the Warden." The guards drop their arms. I turn to my friends, "Let's go."

We slowly and warily walk past the guards with arms outstretched, ready for the guards attack. As we reach the gondola, everyone enters, except Kidah. She looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to board first. I take a step to enter, then push her inside. She lands in Suki's arms. I run to the lever and turn it on, so the gondola begins to move.

I hear Kidah scream. "Zuko!"

I hear several guards running toward me and I start kicking the lever to break it in half, locking it in place. I feel heat whoosh past my head as the guards begin firebending at me. I look out to the gondola and take a deep breath. I sprint as fast as I can and jump the railing, flying through the air. Sokka's arm reaches out for mine, catching me. I manage to grab hold to the sides and pull myself up and through the window.

Suki continues to hold Kidah as she thrashes against her, "what the hell do you think you are doing?!" Kidah yells.

I brush some soot off my clothes, "I'm making it so they can't stop us."

Sokka pats me on the back. "Way to think ahead."

Kidah stops moving. "Suki, you can let go of me now. I promise not to jump off the gondola." I rub my face roughly, realizing that's why Suki held onto her. She had tried to jump out after me.

Suki releases her slowly and holds up her hands in defeat.

Hakoda looks back to the tower. "Wait. Who's that?"

I follow his gaze and see Azula, Ty Lee and some guards staring up at us. "That's a problem… It's my sister and her friend."

Kidah rushes to my side. Azula tilts her head as we make eye contact. She grabs handcuffs from a nearby guard's waist and propels herself into the air with blue flames. Locking the cuffs onto the wire, she shoots flames from her other hand, pushing herself towards us. Ty Lee flips onto the line and runs along it rapidly like an acrobat.

Suki joins us at the window, "this is a rematch I've been waiting for."

I nod in agreeance, "me too." I climb onto the gondola roof to meet my sister. Suki, Sokka and Kidah follow my lead. Ty Lee lands first in front of Suki and Kidah. I hear their fighting behind me as Azula lands before Sokka and I. He unsheathes his sword.

Azula's evil grin unsettles me as I drop into my stance. She bends flames toward my feet to knock me down, but I jump and kick them aside. She fires again directly at me, but I push apart the flames with my bare hands. It dissipates around us. Sokka swings his sword, but Azula dodges it easily. I send a fireball towards her and drop to the ground quickly, arching my leg around to send a second burst of flames toward her feet. As she reaches the edge of the roof, Sokka swings at her again. I bend again, trying to push her off.

She lands in a planking position with most of her body hanging off the gondola, balancing only on her hands. If we weren't in the middle of a fight I'd roll my eyes. Azula moves her legs across her body, attacking again. "Showoff," I mumble as we dodge it quickly.

I turn to check on Kidah and see her dodging the blue flames as well. She and Suki were still dodging Ty Lee's chi blocks. Kidah pulls water from the hot air around us, making disks to throw towards her. It distracts the acrobat long enough for Suki to get a few punches in.

The gondola suddenly stops, and it sways back and forth. We all begin to lose our balance. Sokka starts to slide from the roof, and I grab his arm.

Ty Lee climbs onto the metal extension, "they're about to cut the line!"

Azula turns around to look back at the tower. Then nods to her friend. "Then it's time to leave." She smiles and propels herself from the roof with jets of flames. "Goodbye, Zuko," she calls. Another gondola appears for her to land on. Ty Lee flips over our heads to join her.

I pull Sokka up the rest of the way and watch for a second as they return to the tower. We clamor back down inside of the gondola. "They're cutting the line. The gondola's about to go!" I warn.

Hakoda steps forward to look out the window, "I hope this thing floats."

I feel Kidah's hand softly touch my arm. Before I can turn to her, Sokka yells, "Who is that?!"

I join them to look down to the tower. Mai kicks out the metal rod holding our gondola in place, letting us get away. She flips and throws a dagger, trapping a male guard to the wall. About a dozen guards lay trapped by her daggers around the landing.

A pang forms in my chest. Kidah announces beside me, "it's Mai…"

We reach the outside crater platform. As we unload to freedom, Chit Sang throws the Warden back in. Hakoda steps forward. "Sorry Warden, your record is officially broken."

I follow in the back as we run up a rocky trail. "Well, we made it out. Now what?" Suki asks ahead of me.

I stop running for a moment to think. Sokka comes up to me. "Zuko, what are you doing?"

Still forming my idea, I reply, "my sister was on that island."

He looks at me curiously, "yeah, and she's probably right behind us. So, let's not stop."

I look around past the bottom of the cliffs. "What I mean is, she must have come here somehow. There." I point to a Fire Nation zeppelin. "That's our way out of here."

Ahhhhh! I can finally see your comments. (: Thank you guys so much for all of the feedback. I may end up posting one more chapter tonight. I'm still editing it. I'm glad so many of you like my story!