Disclaimer- I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, or the song "All is Lost" from Frozen 2.
Chapter 59: Endless Night part 2
Zuko POV
My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I headed down the hallway trying not to meet any gaze. The armor I wore was heavy and cumbersome, but I knew I had to keep up my disguise long enough to find information about Crystal. It had been almost two hours since I had left Mingi at the seabank. He let me know that as I had been resting and dozing from exhaustion, he had a messenger hawk land on the boat, to which he was given a message about his mission to rescue my uncle. In return, he wrote a message to tell his men to prepare the hot air balloon for my arrival.
I'd followed the path he'd pointed towards, all the way to the small hot-air balloon he had promised would be waiting for me. With relief, I found as I looked through the night air a fairly large balloon in the middle of the clearing he spoke of waiting to be lit for take off.
Sokka had told me about these balloons one day while we were gathering food. He animatedly retold the tale about his time at the Northern Air Temple. He explained to me how he helped the Mechanist finish designing these machines, coming up with the idea of putting a cap on the hole part of the balloon to stop air flow so the machine would lower. He went over with me how it worked in full detail, and at the time I was impressed. Now, I was relieved that he had been so thorough about the device, because his interest and knowledge of technology was about to be our way out.
However, I did feel unsettled by the transportation before me. From the balloon being present within the Fire Nation, it was clear that the firebenders who invaded that day had found the original plans and stole them from the Machinist at the Northern Air Temple. There was no telling what other types of mass weapons of destruction were being constructed...
Realizing I was getting distracted, I shook off my thoughts and returned to my mission. Throwing my bag into the wide basket of the balloon, I was relieved when I saw a suit of armor was already on the floor of the balloon waiting for me. Mingi had told me that the balloon would be waiting for me, and that it would contain all I needed to achieve my quest. I was impressed with whoever planned ahead and placed the armor inside. My Uncle's friends were definitely resourceful.
Quickly putting the armor on over my clothing, I made sure the cuirass, tassets, and shoulder pads were on properly. I had not worn Fire Nation armor since leaving Zhao's ship back at the North Pole so long ago. It was as I adorned the heavy material that I realized I didn't miss that side of me one bit. Being restricted and constrained under so much military teaching and royal expectation had truly destroyed my freedom. It was then I was relieved I had joined the Avatar and his friends. I enjoyed the feeling of freedom, and the chance to be myself.
Once my armor was fastened, I finally put on my helmet and covered my face with the vent. I prayed that no one would recognize me beneath the disguise. Leaving my swords and mask in the basket, I knew the first step was to get in and make sure she was alive. Once I got this information, and judged my options for escape, I would return to the palace as the blue spirit and sneak her out.
The plan was playing out in my mind well, so all I had to do was put it to action. Making my way through the late night, I snuck through the small forest and across the wide plantation of the outer palace. With slight uncertainty, I headed towards the outer wall which I could see looming in the distance. It was a good trek to the walls that had locked me out of the palace for so long, but eventually I'd reached the large stone structure that bordered what once was my home. Making my way around the perimeter, careful not to be spotted by the night-watch, I'd found what I was looking for. A bush grew at a spot in front of the wall, and pushing through I found my way in... right where I hoped it would be was the storm drain I'd snuck through as a child.
Managing to lower to my knees and slide the loose bars aside like I'd done many times before in the past, I started to crawl through the narrow opening barely spacious enough for me to move without my back and sides hitting the stone. When I was shorter- and a kid- passing through was much easier. Being older made it a struggle. Somehow I managed to get through though, and as soon as I was in the grass of the palace courtyard, I quickly straightened myself and put on my character.
Looking around, I was surprised that the area was actually clear of Fire Nation guards. Typically patrol was heavy in this area, but it seemed the patrol had been stationed elsewhere. As I started ahead, I couldn't help but notice that nothing about my previous home had changed. This relieved me. Three years going by had not held much change. The flora was the same from what I could see in the moonlight, and so were the paths towards the palace.
A guard finally appeared and walked down a path towards me as I looked around in reminisce, but he paid no mind to me as he continued his duties. As he passed, I felt my blood pound hard with worry as my heart raced. He only nodded at my presence and continued on his way. As soon as he was far out of earshot, I let out a deep breath of relief. My disguise was working so far.
As I inched into the palace and rounded corner after corner, I continued to easily walk by servants and guards who paid me no mind. Keeping my ears out for any indication of a captured waterbender, I rounded another hallway and felt as I did the sense of familiarity grow greater.
My gaze took in what was once my home with sadness. As I looked at the familiar decor, and walked past the open yard of the palace garden, I felt a twinge in my heart. I was home, but not really home. While I was back at the place where I'd grown and learned, I knew I was an invader. What was once my home was now a fortress that held the one person I loved as a prisoner.
A few more moments passed, and I feared I would not easily find where she was being held unless I used force on one of the servants to question them. But my luck turned.
"Just heard her…"
I stopped when I heard a servant speak down the hall to another. They were both women in their mid-thirties with servant clothing. One carried a ceramic jug with water while the other used an old rag to clean the table adorning a vase.
"She definitely has a pretty voice…" The woman who spoke was the one with the jug in her hand. "I just don't know how much longer they're going to torture her… Yu said that they keep shoving wine down her like she's some animal at the trough… I hate seeing what they are doing to her…"
The other servant shook her head. "This is awful… that girl has been at it for a long while. She was singing when I went in to clear the place setting. She definitely has more strength in her than I do. I would have given up a while back from all of the pain she has endured."
Jug lady frowned. I continued to approach so I could pass by without suspicion. "The War Chamber has become a huge joke right now… they aren't even discussing tactics anymore… they're just treating a young woman like a submissive doll… that poor girl has been through enough. Even if she's a waterbender, she is still a living soul."
The other lady noticed me coming then, and shushed the lady with the jug. As I passed, they returned to work probably fearful their talk would get them into trouble. I only nodded at them as I passed, and made my way down the hall towards the area I feared but also longed to go. The last time I had walked in this direction, I had spoken out against my father and earned his wrath.
Soon, my father would get a taste of my own wrath.
Walking past the two guards standing at the curtained entrance to the War Chamber, I heard the familiar tune of the young woman I loved flow through the fabric. My heart quickened as I stepped faster by the guards, further down the hall, around the corner, and towards the other entrance I knew of that servants passed through. Azula and I would often sneak through the back entrance as children to listen in on our father's or grandfather's meetings.
Sneaking through the small curtained opening, I moved through the narrow entrance and around the tapestry that hung before the doorway to hide it from the chamber's view. Stepping into the war meeting room, I found from what I could see in the corner of the room the Fire Lord was seated at the center of the room on his throne, while his men were on one side of the table that was decorated by a map of the world. Staring at Ozai, I could see time had not changed him. He still looked evil and sadistic like before. The five men of his council were drinking and chewing on food as they listened to the person in the room who did not belong.
Finally, after a long endless day and night, I looked over at the one I had come so far for. Staring at Crystal, I was relieved to see she was alive. However her condition horrified me from what I could see by the light of the torches in the room. She was decorated in a beautiful but shortened Fire Nation dress, making her appear like a doll for my father's amusement. Although she was cleaned up and given fresh clothes, she had clearly faced some serious trauma to her body. There was a firm wrapping around her shoulder from whom I could only assume was the palace physician, and she looked exhausted as her limbs visibly shook and her body staggered. She was singing an unfamiliar Water Tribe song, but her voice was not it's usual flowing grace it typically was. She was broken. While she maintained the beauty of her tune, the pain was evident in the way she sang the words.
The Fire Lord and his men continued to eat and drink their wine as their forced entertainment tried to keep her melody going. I feared she would collapse at any moment. I could not move forward though. I'd be captured if I tried. But every inch of me wanted to rush forward and pull her into my arms.
She finished her song, and Ozai stood from the head of the room. He slowly made his way to her as if she were his prey, and once he broke the distance he grabbed her chin forcefully. I grit my teeth and tightened my fist.
No! Don't touch her!
"I see why my son fell for you now…" he used his other hand to grab a strand of her long brown hair. I felt my heart pound intensely.
Stop! Get away from her you filthy bastard!
Ozai dropped her hair and moved his hand to rest his fingertips on her collarbone where her scar finished off. "You have all the qualities that define a perfect woman despite this blemish." She shut her eyes exhausted, but her good hand grabbed his wrist trying to push it off.
"Stop," she whispered, but her voice was broken with exhaustion and dismay.
He chuckled. He turned towards his men as he kept his hands where they had landed originally on her body, and I saw from where I tried to stand in silence his devilish grin. "What do you say, men? Should we stop this for the night?"
The middle councilman at the table spoke up in his crude state. "Give her some more wine. I'm not quite done enjoying her entertainment." The men on either side of him laughed, but the other men at the ends of the table shook their heads in disbelief.
"Please… I… I don't know if I can do this much longer." She weakly opened her eyes and looked at Ozai with despair. "I'm so tired…"
Ozai chuckled and released her. She stumbled back slightly but still had enough strength to catch herself. "I see you're losing that bold attitude," Ozai spoke with thrill. "I hope you are coming to realize who is in control of you now, my pretty waterbender."
I grit my teeth harder. How dare you? Don't call her that! She isn't yours!
I went to step forward then, feeling every inch of my body boil with rage, but Crystal spoke stopping me.
She did not sway in strength to the Fire Lord's words, despite the softness of her voice. "I'm not ever going to give in to your control, Ozai…" She kept her eyes on him despite being on the verge of collapse. "I won't be here long to suffer it anyway. If you think you can keep me locked in a cage within these dark walls you have built then you're wrong." She smiled weakly. "I'm not alone. I will be found… and you will be destroyed."
My eyes widened. What was she doing? Was she trying to anger the Fire Lord and get herself killed.
I was surprised though when Ozai stepped away from her seeming calm as he headed to the table and grabbed another glass of wine. He did not appear angered by her words, but I knew he most likely was and just wanted to hide it from his men.
"You are wrong about not giving in to my control…" He stepped back over to her and grabbed her good arm jerking her wrist up so he could pull her closer. As he did, he continued to speak with resolve. "You've been branded since you were a child…" He brushed the rim of the glass to her cheek bone and slid it down her skin. She cringed in disgust. I tightened my fists as hard as they would go. "Sooner or later your fate was always going to lead you to this moment... The daughter of Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe may have survived the Southern Raiders sent by my father almost seven years ago, but sooner or later we were going to come back for you. You were destined to be ours the moment you received this mark." He moved the glass to her lips, and she shut them tight as she closed her eyes and tried to jerk her head away. He continued as the glass pressed to her skin. "And once we capture your brother and sister as well, and destroy what remains of your pathetic home and family, then we will see who you truly belong to." He pulled her wrist into view then, and his thumb pressed to what I could see was pink flesh from an awful burn. She gasped and as soon as her mouth opened Ozai poured the liquid inside. She choked and tried to spit it out, but he dropped the empty glass and grabbed her mouth hard to keep it shut.
I felt helpless as I watched. I was flaring with rage at the cruel and inhuman treatment. I wanted nothing more than to run forward and beat the monster to a pulp. But I knew that doing so would lead to my capture, and I would fail in my mission to save her.
Once she was forced to swallow the last of the wine in her mouth, the Fire Lord let her go completely and she stumbled forward coughing. Ozai caught her by her good arm with one hand as she almost collapsed, while his other caught her by the waist.
No! Stop! Stop touching her! I involuntarily moved forward, and when I realized I was I stopped myself.
His hand slid down her arm and he grabbed the area above the burnt flesh. "Not only were you marked by my father's men, but now you have been marked by me. You will never be anything but the captured waterbender you were the day my son discovered your abilities. You are Fire Nation property now, Crystal."
She shut her eyes, gritting her teeth as sweat soaked her forehead from the pain.
He sighed, and released her a moment later. She collapsed to the floor in exhaustion. The Fire Lord returned to his seat once more and grabbed his wine again from the tray held towards him by a servant. He took a sip with resolve.
"One more song," Ozai ordered. He grinned, enjoying the continuous pain and torture he inflicted on her. "Then you may be allowed to go to your cage for the night." He looked over at me then, but not because he knew of my true identity. He just wanted to shoot his guard an order. "Pick her up! She has one last thing to do for me."
It took everything in my power to not shoot a bolt of lightning at the monster before me. I wanted to kill him for everything he had done to the woman I loved. Without breaking my disguise, I agonizingly walked over to Crystal who was on her knees and breathing with utter exhaustion. As I broke the distance, it took all I could to not rush to her and pull her into my arms. When I broke the few feet still between us, I saw her cheeks were swollen from being struck and the flesh on her wrist was blistered and terribly marred. Her left shoulder was hidden beneath the bandage, but I could only imagine the pain she felt from it.
Going in front of her, I grabbed her good arm to pull her up. She choked a sob as she realized she was not being allowed to rest. I whispered as I grabbed onto her so only she could hear, "Stand… it's almost over..."
She was so full of wine, pain, and exhaustion that she did not recognize my voice. She shook her head, and she managed to whisper, "Please… No more…"
"I need you to hang on just a little longer, Crystal…" I spoke softly with regret. "Please…"
She finally caught the sound of my voice beneath the armor. Her eyes slowly stared at the holes of my helmet trying to see inside and confirm what her heart was trying to tell her. Knowing I needed to move us faster, and that neither of us had a choice at the moment, I pulled her up to her feet. Then painfully, I let her go and was forced to step back. She stumbled from the alcohol, but managed to catch herself. The majority of men in the room laughed, while Ozai smirked amused.
"I'm waiting, my little bird," Ozai said impatient.
She caught her stance, and breathed heavily to try and compose herself. I painfully backed away wishing I could stop her instead. She looked over at me weakly, and I could see in her drunken state she understood what was happening. She kept my disguise secret as her strength and hope returned.
Staring over at Ozai, she let out a deep breath to find her voice again. "Fine… I have one more…" I watched as she stood straight trying to collect herself as much as she could despite the circumstances. The promise from my words had restored her though. Even in her inebriated state, she was able to understand who was in her presence at last.
She breathed deeply, glanced my way again for a brief second, and then she sang her words back towards the man we both despised.
"Where the north wind... meets the sea
There's a river... full of memory...
Sleep my darlings safe and sound
For in this river all is found..."
I shut my eyes trying so hard not to rush forward and stop her. I knew she was giving in to stay alive. Her voice continued, and to my surprise this song was powerful. The last song she sang was forced, but this one was from her heart as her hope had been restored for the briefest moment.
"In her waters deep and true...
Lie the answers and a path for you.
Dive down deep into her sound...
But not too far or you'll be drowned…"
Her eyes lit up as she stared directly at Ozai.
"Yes she will sing to those who hear...
And in her song all magic flows...
But can you brave what you must fear...
Can you face what the river knows?"
The tears continued to stream as her heart poured. We were all mesmerized.
"Where the north wind meets the sea
There's a mother full of memory
Come my darling homeward bound
When all is lost, then all is found…"
She shut her eyes, and her tightened fists released.
Once she finished, everyone in the room was speechless as they soaked in her voice and her words. The Fire Lord himself had even fallen silent in amazement by her performance. After a moment, he nodded in approval.
"You were holding out on us it seems… Well done… You have indeed served your purpose for tonight…" He stood from his throne and stepped over to her again. As he approached, she moved to back away. The other guard across the room from me stepped forward to restrain her. I did all I could to not break my stance so I would not arouse suspicion.
"Take her to the palace prison hold for tonight," Ozai ordered. He looked straight at her with a leer that sent more rage through me. The side of his index finger brushed the skin of her cheekbone and slid under her chin. He forced her to meet his gaze by using his finger to push her head back. "You are indeed a rare gem… I will see you tomorrow at breakfast, my pretty waterbender." He dropped his hand then, while Crystal glared. "Take her away."
She muttered as the guard started to walk her out of the room, "I'm not yours…" I smiled slightly under the helmet. There was still some fight in her, and I prayed she'd hold on for a little longer. Her eyes looked back at me, and I nodded only enough for her to see. She dropped her head so her hair could cover her face, but I knew it was mainly to hide her relief from the others in the room.
As soon as she was gone out of the room beyond the fallen curtain, the Fire Lord spoke again by turning and confronting his men who were watching the show. "So… What do you men think? A prize indeed?"
The man in the middle of the table, said while holding his glass of wine, "She definitely is as the rumors say. Her voice is beautiful. The Southern Water Tribe has been holding out on us."
The Fire Lord nodded. "Yes… and I fear they may still be holding out on us." His eyes stared down at the map on the table. "Now that she has been removed from the room I have one final thing to discuss with you men."
He stepped to the map in the room turning his men's attention towards strategy. "A few weeks after the eclipse will be Sozin's comet. You all are aware this comet will give amazing power to our people." Ozai grinned. "I plan to use this power to invade the rest of the world. Spreading fire from one corner of the earth kingdom to the next, we will conquer what remains. The Water Tribe will fall, and so will the Earth Kingdom. By the end of the comet, we will rule the world at last!"
His men cheered loudly as they held up their wine glasses, while Ozai grinned maniacally. I narrowed my eyes and grit my teeth.
As I continued to listen to his plans and strategy, I hated him more and more. How had I remained so loyal to this monster for so long? Why had it taken me three years to see the evil he truly was?
I realized meeting Crystal was one of the best things that could've happened to me. If I hadn't met her, I may have turned into the evil man before me.
After a bit more chatting and drinking, the Fire Lord and his council finally retired for the night. Once they were gone, I stepped into action. I snuck back through the curtain and inched my way back out of the palace. I knew they were taking her to the palace prison hold and thankfully I was familiar with where that was. I'd get her out of this awful place before dawn.
Crystal POV
My body hurt in every place imaginable as I was jerked through the palace halls again. I could barely keep up as the alcohol and exhaustion numbed my limbs and made movement next to impossible. I knew the guard was taking me to a cell, and I hoped that I would finally be allowed to sleep. I wanted to be alone to think over all that had happened despite not being able to think clearly. I wanted to be alone so I could finally let down my guard and no longer ignore the pain radiating through my whole body.
I was ready for a break… even if it was just for a few hours.
I understood enough in my drunken state that Zuko was here. His touch and voice in the war chamber was all I needed to feel my hope restored. He'd come for me. He'd come to save me at last. I was getting out of this awful nightmare soon.
However, my hope did not stand long, because just as we rounded a corner to head into another hallway, I was horrified to run smack dab into Azula.
We came to a halt in front of the pleased princess. My body shrunk, while the guard bowed still restraining me. Azula smirked when she saw the fear unintentionally cross my face.
"There's been a change of plans... Take her to my quarters and chain her there for the night. I'm afraid that the palace prison is no place for this pretty chief's daughter."
Somehow I found my voice, and I glowered at her with true spite. "How much more torture do you plan to do to me tonight?" My voice was strong and frustrated, but my throat was hoarse from exhaustion and over-use. "I'm not going to amuse you too much… I'm too tired to scream."
Azula was thrilled by my boldness. "Still not broken I see… that will change soon." She crossed her arms with a smug expression. "But no more torture tonight. I have to take care of something, but I can't have you in the way." She stepped forward and grabbed my good shoulder so she could lean in and whisper in my ear, "My spies caught that your sweet prince is within the walls… he believes you will be in the palace cells tonight, but he will be sorely disappointed." My eyes were wide when she revealed what I already knew. She knew Zuko was here! No!
She pulled away and grabbed my chin hard forcing me to meet her gaze. "I love to see that shock on your face. Did you really think I wouldn't know your prince would come for you? No matter… he won't be your hero for long... You see... I'm about to offer my brother what he has always wanted. So by tomorrow, you will lose not only your freedom permanently, but also your heart." She squeezed harder and I cringed. "Your beloved Zuko will betray you before your very eyes when father welcomes him back home tomorrow."
Her words horrified me. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. No... He wouldn't… Zuko wouldn't betray me…
I wanted my thoughts to be true, but the pain I'd been through and the wine blurred my hope and made me fearful for the first time about the bond Zuko and I shared. Would he choose them? His honor… would he choose that over me?
My blood rushed to my head as my heart pounded harder. I started to lose grip of reality as panic filled me. My lungs caught as air no longer entered and my senses blurred. I was not sure what happened after that. The pain and exhaustion took me over, and darkness fell.
Zuko POV
Gripping my broadswords tight, I snuck deeper into the darkness of the palace. As I managed to evade guards and servants with ease, I inched through the halls and arrived to the door I was seeking. Grabbing the latch, I silently inched in and then shut the door behind me. Careful, I started to step down the dark stairwell. The stairwell led down to a basement where a wooden doorway opened to the palace holding cells. They were commonly used for temporary purposes until the guards could escort the captured prisoner to the Fire Nation Capital prison.
Keeping my mask on, I kept on my way following what I knew. Once I got down the stairs to the cold hall of the palace's underground chambers, I cautiously inched towards the wooden door before me that led to the holding cells. Managing to grab the latch and push it without making a sound, I let out a sigh of relief. I was going to save her. We were getting out of here.
Opening the door finally, I inched into the dark room where three cells had been installed. The first cell was the only one with an occupant. As I approached, I could see the occupant was beneath a blanket unconscious. In the dark, I could see it was a female and my heart pounded with relief.
Rushing forward, I quickly worked on melting the lock mechanism that kept her inside. As the metal started to turn to liquid the more I fired at it, I saw the body move only slightly as if to try and get comfortable. After working on the lock for a moment, I finally got the latch to give and managed to open the door.
Stepping inside with a heavy pounding heart, I could see the body was still under the blanket. I could not make out any features, but relief was starting to fill within me.
"Crystal…?" I slowly approached the body on the cold cell floor, placing my mask down to reveal it was me. Sheathing my swords, I saw the body moved slightly when I spoke. Eagerly, I reached for the thin torn blanket that covered the unconscious captive. "I'm here. I'm going to get you out of this terrible place."
As I reached for the sheet, I heard a chuckle beneath it. "Guess again."
The blanket suddenly went flying at me, and I backed quickly to avoid the fabric. Ripping my swords from behind me, I grit my teeth as the female figure jumped to her feet.
My relief turned to both disappointment and rage. "No! Where is she?!"
Azula stood before me with amusement. Stepping towards me, I gripped my sword and extended it towards her to stop her. She showed no fear. "Really, Zuzu… We finally see each other again and this is how you greet your little sister. It breaks my heart."
I moved the sword closer, the blade barely touching the skin of her neck. "She was never going to be brought down here, was she? You knew I would come here."
She stepped back and clapped her hands. "Well done brother. Your density never surprises me."
Her stalling only filled me with greater rage. "Azula," I spat. "Where is she?!"
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Her finger pressed against the flat of my blade and she pushed it aside. "I'm happy to show you where your pretty waterbender is… soon. And I will let you have her… for a price."
I growled. "I'm not taking anything you have to offer." I moved the blade back towards her. "Besides, I have you cornered so you should be telling me what I want."
She cackled. "Silly brother… You honestly think you have me cornered? With the snap of my finger, my Dai Li agents will swarm here swiftly. You are not going to escape this one unless you listen to what I have to say."
I narrowed my eyes. Lowering my sword, I gripped the hilt tighter. "Speak then… I'm listening."
She smiled. Pulling something out of her dress sleeve, I was horrified when I saw a melted piece of what used to be Crystal's necklace. The chain part was still intact but the gem had been destroyed. I could only imagine what had occurred to cause such damage. But then after a moment, I finally understood how Crystal's wrist was burned, and my hate exploded towards my sister and the Fire Lord.
"Oh, no worries," Azula began, seeing the darkness cross my expression. "Your sweetie is still alive. Father and his men had her for company tonight as you know. Father left this in the room after he returned to his quarters, so I decided to kindly look after it."
"Why show it to me?" I kept my eyes on Azula to let her know she had my full attention.
She smirked. "Because I knew it would spark anger out of you. And I needed to get you to listen to me."
My hands heated as I desired nothing more than to send a blast of fire at my crazy sister. "Get on with it! I've had a long night and don't have time for your games!"
She threw the necklace between us and it smashed to the floor. The clank sent a knife-like stab through my heart. She crossed her arms and shrugged. "Fine… So quick for the point I see." She stepped over to the blanket and grabbed it up off the ground. As she did, she picked up an item that had become covered by the material. The item was a royal headpiece shaped as the Fire Nation's emblem. She dropped the blanket, and then extended the symbol of royalty towards me. "The waterbender is currently being kept in my personal quarters… She is alive, but that all depends on your decision brother."
I was stunned. "My decision?"
She tapped on the headpiece with the long nails of the hand that held it. "When you decide who you are most loyal to." She stepped closer holding the headpiece a foot from my face. "You have the chance to decide your path, brother… The pathetic waterbender you just met a few months ago, or the title you have been chasing after for three years? Which will it be?"
I was shocked. The grip on my swords wavered in confusion. "My title?"
She smiled. "Father has plans for this world… and his plans include you. He needs his son back by his side, ready to help him bring the Fire Nation to a new era. He wants you home again, Zuko. We all do…" She lowered the headpiece, and her eyes burned into my own. "Stop this foolish act of working with the losing side, and return to where you truly belong. Your banishment has been lifted, and father is welcoming you home. He has even offered the waterbender to be your personal chambermaid if you choose to come back to our side."
I stepped back in disbelief. "And if I choose the other option?"
Azula smirked. "Then she'll face worse than she already has, and you will be forced to watch. Not only will you be locked away for the rest of your days like Uncle, but you will be forced to watch the thing you hold most precious lose what she has left. Not only will father kill her family one by one, but he will truly make her nothing more than the captured female prisoner she is. You know what father does to his prisoners, don't you?"
My heart pulsed heavily inside me. I was cornered. "How do I know what you say is true? She could already be dead…"
Azula walked around me so she was beside me. She said softly in reply, "Guess you'll have to wait here until morning to find out." As she stepped past me, I realized what she was saying.
Grabbing my swords tight, I turned to strike her but she was one step ahead. She jumped forward quickly as a Dai Li agent dropped from the ceiling above and landed between us. He shot two stones each consecutively hitting my wrists and causing me to drop the swords in pain. As soon as I was disarmed, the agent used bending to shoot another stone at me and this one hit my midsection. The impact sent me stumbling back with a gasp of pain, but I did not let it stop me. Catching myself, I rushed forward again. However, I was horrified to find my swords were already in my sister's hands and the cell door was slamming shut. The floor shot up in front of the door jamming me inside since the lock mechanism was broken.
"NO!"
Smashing my body against the painful iron of the cell door, the Dai Li agent only lifted the floor more so what part of the door that budged could no longer move. He had barricaded me in since the door lock itself was broke. I growled at this action, wishing more than anything I had Toph to get me out of here with her bending.
I shouted as I grabbed the bars, "How is this letting me choose?!"
Azula handed my swords to the agent, and then met my gaze again. "Patience brother… You'll get to decide in the morning. There is still some time of the night left, and I wish to sleep before the fun events of tomorrow. You should sleep as well." She leaned forward with a grin. "We'll need you rested and sensible in the morning." She turned then and started to head away. "Sweet dreams, Zuzu."
As she walked away, I did the last thing I could think to do. With rage, I shot a blast of fire towards her. Her bodyguard shot more earth between us though, and my attack was blocked. As my fire dissipated, the wall lowered again and I found both Azula and the agent were nowhere to be seen. I was left alone in my cell, and with rage I slammed against the iron again causing pain to shoot through me.
After a few moments of catching my breath, I worked to try and melt at the bars. As I began to hold the iron and heat it, I felt something wrap around my waist hard. Looking down, I was horrified as stone surrounded my midsection and I was forced back from the cell door. My body was slammed back against the stone wall, and the rock released causing me to fall against it. On my knees, I tried to stand but the stone wrapped around my wrist locking me to the floor.
"NO!" I growled and shot fire at the agent who had suddenly appeared out of the shadows beyond the bars. He dodged my attack easily and shot stone at my outstretched hand. He then forced the stone around my wrist and I felt him bend my hand to my other. He cuffed my hands together with the stone so that I was stuck to the cell floor.
"There's no escape," he stated.
With fury, I gave one last tug at my hands. Doing so was too painful though and with defeat I sat on my knees and hunched over gritting my teeth.
This wasn't over… this couldn't be over…
I would not let my sister and the man I once called father win. I would rest to defeat them tomorrow.
"I promise…" I whispered. "I'm not giving up, Crys…"
