Chapter 60: A New Day
Crystal POV
A kick to the shin is what brought me out of my much needed sleep. The kick was hard but not as hard as the ground I'd been forced to sleep on even after being in such horrible pain from the events of the previous day.
"Wakey-wakey, Crystal. It's a new day full of betrayal and disappointment for you."
I slowly opened my eyes to see Azula standing beside me with a wide grin. The sun seeped in through the window in the room showing me the long endless night was finally over. She crouched so she could get closer, using her elbows to steady her as they rested on her thighs. She grabbed my chain which was attached to the horrible metal collar-like cuff that had been put on my neck and attached to the wall. I could not believe they had installed such an awful contraption just for me. My hands were chained together so I could not bend easily.
"Guess who showed up last night like we all predicted?" Her question was rhetorical so I did not answer. "Your prince to the rescue," she stated having not expected a response. "Only you won't be rescued. Because Zuzu is going to finally come to his senses and remember whose side he is on." She poked at my cheek with her nail. "And you will be forced to watch him choose home over you. Doesn't that sound fun?"
Shutting my eyes again, my heart ached and my eyes filled with tears. As much as I wanted to believe Zuko was here to save me, there was a moment of painful doubt inside me. I questioned what Zuko would choose. In this situation many would decide to return home...
She kicked me again when I did not answer. "Wake up! I mean it this time. You're wanted at breakfast. Father wants you to perform for us in the throne room." She jerked the chain and the force on my neck caused me to gasp and sit up without choice. A bowl was placed in front of me by Azula once I sat up, and I saw a gross looking mush inside. I was so hungry though, I was ready to devour it all. I went to grab it with my hands, but she slammed her foot down on the chain between my wrists and I was forced down onto my lower arms. My shoulder protested from the violent movement, and I gasped from the sharp pain. "Uh uh uh… pets don't use their hands silly..." Azula moved the bowl towards my face with her other foot. "Eat up Princess of the Southern Water Tribe."
I grit my teeth and felt the tears return. She wanted to humiliate me. She was treating me like an animal for her own entertainment.
"Azula… this is really cruel," Ty Lee suddenly spoke. I was surprised to hear her voice, and I looked over to see Mai and Ty Lee were both standing in the room by the doorway. Mai sneered at me, while Ty Lee looked concerned.
Azula scoffed. "Stop being soft, Ty Lee! Or do you want to join her?"
Ty Lee was stunned by her friend's question, but fell quiet with uncertainty.
Mai stepped forward, and as she did Azula moved to the side. Azula's foot still kept my hands pinned to the ground though trapping me in my position. Mai crouched so she could see me closer. She smirked when she saw the agony cross my expression. It was only from the pain though. I was not afraid of her. "If only Zuko saw his precious girlfriend now… would he love you after seeing you like this?"
Azula spoke up, "We will see very soon how much he loves her."
Mai held the bowl up then. "What are you waiting for? Aren't you hungry?"
I tried to sit up, but Azula jerked the chain attached to my neck's cuff down and I was brought closer to the awful scented gruel. "Come on Crystal," Azula chimed. "Be a good girl and eat up."
I tried to jerk away harder, but Mai was working with Azula. She shoved the bowl to my mouth and used her other hand to grab the back of my hair and press my face into the mush so the mashed up vegetables and whatever other gunk was inside hit both my nose and my mouth. I refused to open my mouth though. I refused to eat in such a demeaning way. I was not an animal. Azula laughed as I was pinned down like an animal for slaughter.
"Stop it, you guys!" Ty Lee stepped over and jerked Mai away. The bowl fell to the floor and I gasped as I could breathe again. The mushy gruel splattered around me, and I felt the material slide down my face.
"Ty Lee!" Azula stood, finally releasing my chain and stepping off the one on my wrists. I sat up quickly and tried to wipe the substance off my face with the back of my hands. "Do not defy me!"
I spat out what had managed to slide in my mouth from whatever the bitter taste was. "You shouldn't talk to your friend that way," I whispered. "You may lose her loyalty to you."
My words struck anger in the psychotic princess. She growled and kicked me hard in the ribs causing me to gasp as my body shrieked from the pain. I hunched over in agony, coughing for air.
"Pets should know when to be silent!"
I grit my teeth. I was still exhausted from the night before, but I would not let this Princess bully me. "And princesses should know how to treat their pets!"
Azula went to retaliate, but then she realized I wasn't worth it. Instead, she jerked the chain to my neck again and I was forced to my feet so I wouldn't choke. As I found my feet, Azula looked over at Mai and Ty Lee with authority. "You two wait in the palace garden. I have some business to attend with my father, but then we will return for more fun and games." Azula jerked the chain, and I gasped as I was forced forward. Then she pulled a key out of her pants pocket. "Time to see father again." She took the cuff off my neck, but left the cuffs on my wrist. She grabbed the chain in between my wrists and pulled me forward. I grit my teeth as the sharp movement sent pain through my dislocated shoulder. I followed her quickly to try and stop the pain.
"I hope you rested your voice well last night. Father is expecting a good morning tune."
I shut my eyes tight as she continued to force me down the hall. As we left the room I'd slept the night in, and continued to the room where the Fire Lord waited, I felt my head pound from the alcohol the night before. My stomach twisted as I still felt small pieces of that awful substance that was shoved into my face a moment ago on my lips.
"I wonder who will save you once your sweet prince takes his place back by father's side?" Azula spoke. "I can't wait to see the hurt on your expression when you are shoved aside like the worthless peasant you are."
I grit my teeth, wishing her words didn't hit my heart so hard. I tried to keep hope even though a small doubt continued to rise within. "You're wrong… he won't betray me…"
Azula cackled. "Your hope is for fools. You know in the end there is only one thing Zuko wants… his honor is an arms length away, and I know he will reach for it." She jerked me forward harder, and I grimaced.
He won't… please don't…
Eventually we arrived back in the room I had first been forced into when I was brought to this terrible place. As Azula jerked me through the opening, I found there were about five Fire Nation guards stationed in the room. Two on either side of Ozai's throne and the other three stationed at every exit. Azula pulled me painfully across the opening towards the Fire Lord, who ate off a tray being held beside him by a terrified male servant.
"Ah… Good Morning my pet," Ozai stated with a thrill. "I hope your voice is rested for this morning, my song bird."
I stood in front of him with more strength than the night before. Azula took the other key out of her pocket and went to undo my remaining cuffs. Before she did though, she whispered, "Any waterbending and we break both your arms." She released my wrists then, and I let them fall beside me in exhaustion.
Azula left me then to take a spot on a portable chair that had been brought and perched by the Fire Lord's throne. A female servant stepped over to her and extended a tray with some fruit and juice. She took the juice and sipped it while never moving her gaze from me.
Ozai's voice brought me to his attention a moment later. "Be a good girl and sing for me. If you do I'll reward you with some of this fine food. You've never tasted the delicacies of a ruler before."
I kept my gaze on him as I answered, "Sorry to disappoint you, but the Earth King was very nice to share a few meals with my family and I."
Ozai smirked. "I see… I was worried you would be broken this morning. I'm kind of relieved there is still some fight in you." He took another moon-peach off his tray. "Sing… I'm waiting."
I tightened my fist in frustration. "And if I don't?"
He raised a brow, amused by the sudden confidence I had lost the night before. I was exhausted, but I did not want to show the Fire Lord he was winning. I would fight until I could no longer stand.
"Then you will be punished," he spoke darkly. "And when your punishment ends you would've wished you had."
I tried not to falter, although his words did concern me. "I'm tired of singing for your amusement." Ozai smirked. "Do what you want."
My words did not sway Ozai's mood. He stated with resolve, "Very well…" He then gestured to the guard beside him. "Three fire lashes to the back. That should be what we need."
Azula grinned, while I was horrified. The guard did not change his stone-like expression as he stepped over to me. I knew I had to stop. I unfortunately needed to succumb to his wishes. Three lashes to my back would be too much, and I needed to be able to stand when Zuko arrived. I didn't want him to see me so broken.
"Stop," I spoke softly. The guard stopped his approach. Ozai gleamed with victory. "I'll do it…"
He grinned. "Good. Let's hear it then."
The guard stepped back and I tried to stand straight. I knew I only needed to survive.
Taking in a deep breath, I sang,
"Darkness falls, but there is still light…
In midnight air, the moon is in sight…
Don't lose your strength
For in time you will see...
That the black of the night
Has ceased to be…"
Staring at the Fire Lord as he smirked from the fire in my eyes, I continued.
"The moon high above, hovering in the sky,
Shining so bright, as the night passes by…
Don't fear the dark,
For in time you will see,
That the black of the night
Has ceased to be…"
Azula scoffed and jumped up from her perch. She stepped forward with desire. "Come on! I want some more entertainment. Dance for us!"
I stopped my song and glared at her. "I don't dance," I spoke.
Azula sneered. "Then how about I make you." She looked back at her father for permission. He nodded from his throne to let her know he was okay with her torture. She looked back at me with pleasure in her psychotic gaze.
"You just take one step," she hissed, and suddenly she threw a blast of fire right to the floor in front of my foot. I gasped and jerked my foot back swiftly. "Then you take another!" She shot another blast at my other foot to which I jumped back this time feeling the heat just a breath before me.
"One…" she tossed another at my right foot and I jerked it back. "Two…" Another at my left which I jumped away to avoid being burned. "One, two!" She shot two flames towards me then, and I was forced to completely jump back to avoid the burn that was sure to come if the element had hit my flesh.
Azula cackled as she went to throw more, and her father watched with thrill as I moved around the room with panic dodging every flame she threw towards my feet to avoid the pain. To everyone it probably looked like I was doing some strange game of glacier hopping. I was not sure if this was considered to be anything graceful enough to call a dance.
After a good five minutes of avoiding blast after blast, and listening to Azula's manic laughter, her father finally stopped her snapping, "Enough!"
As soon as Azula was stopped and silenced, I dropped to my knees in exhaustion. Sweat soaked my forehead and my limbs shook painfully. The movements had been too much on my body.
"Bring my son," Ozai ordered a guard closest to the exit. "It's time." He smirked at my sudden fearful expression. "Stay on your knees, and watch as the man you love betrays you."
He didn't have to tell me twice to stay on my knees. I was drained. But his words struck pain in my heart. I wanted to believe Zuko would make the right choice, but I also had been through so much pain in the last few hours that I wouldn't have been surprised if the agony continued...
Zuko POV
Being forced into the throne room by the two guards that shoved me through the large way, I found myself in a familiar setting. The red tint of the room was dark despite the multitude of torches around us. As I was forced down the passage that was bordered on both sides by columns, I found the Fire Lord was upon his throne while my sister stood beside him. To the left of them was Crystal, on her knees in exhaustion, and she was shadowed by two guards on either side so she did not try anything. She looked up as I entered, and I saw uncertainty cross her expression.
"Ah… Zuko…" Ozai stood from his throne, and as he did the flames on either side of him intensified from his manic delight. "Your sister informed me of your arrival last night. I'm impressed that you were able to disguise yourself as a guard and avoid my detection. I never guessed you were the one last night I'd ordered to stand up the waterbender." He stepped to the edge of his platform. I was forced to a stop before him, and the soldiers on both sides of me kept a firm grip on my arms. "Your stealth is impressive."
He looked over at Crystal, and I saw her drop her gaze to avoid his eyes.
"I see why you fell for this southern charm. She is the full package it seems." He smirked. "Her singing and beauty are all valuable qualities, wouldn't you agree son?"
I grit my teeth. For the first time in three years, I spoke to the man I once called father. "I fell for her because of her heart."
Azula gagged. Ozai shook his head. "Don't tell me you believe you truly were in love with this woman? Son… you have been away from home for far too long... Your lonely journey has made you blind to what love is." He came towards me, and I stood firm. "We are your family. Your love is here in this palace. I want you to drop this foolishness and willingly come home. I will restore your honor… your throne… all you have to do is admit to everyone here that you don't love this Water Tribe girl. Tell her you feel nothing for her, and I will give you everything you desire." He pressed his hand to my shoulder with a firm grip. "Renounce your relationship with her and accept my offer to come home. I will give you the girl to serve you as a gift."
I looked between the Fire Lord and my fiancée, and I could see Crystal was watching the events before her with so much loss.
"What will it be, son? I'm offering you everything you've ever wanted… a chance to come home. A chance to take your rightful place as the crown prince and future Fire Lord. Join my side once more, and together we can bring this Nation to victory!"
His words hovered between us. My eyes shot over again to Crystal who looked exhausted and scared. Her azure eyes met my own again, and I could see she was concerned. She feared I'd choose to join the Fire Lord and abandon her. It hurt she felt that way, but I knew she had every right to fear the worst after all the unfortunate events that had occurred.
Staring over at my sister, who smirked from where she stood by the Fire Lord's side, I saw her nod her head as if telling me to accept the offer I was being granted.
Looking back into the Fire Lord's determined gaze, I stated with resolve, "You know… I've always desired to be welcomed home. A chance to redeem my honor and earn favor in your eyes is all I've ever wanted..."
Ozai smirked. I looked over at Crystal, and could see her gaze had lowered as her hope was starting to fade. She'd been through so much in the last few days. I was certain she didn't know what to believe anymore. She probably convinced herself that she couldn't persuade me to give up my opportunity to come home.
"Good," Ozai spoke with belief that he had won me over. He returned to the platform and headed to his throne. He stated as he did so, "You are so much wiser than your mother was… I had to banish her because she refused to be part of my plans for the future. I am glad you have seen the light at last."
His words stunned me. Banished…? I looked at him with bewilderment.
"Banished…? Mo-mom's alive?"
Ozai turned towards me again standing in front of his throne and rolled his eyes. "Yes… and once you are settled in and return to your duties I will give you the answers you seek."
Azula, who stood beside him, seemed surprised by this news as well. She tried not to show it though.
As the Fire Lord placed his hands behind him, I could see he believed he had won. "After three long years, I am happy to finally say 'Welcome home, my son.'"
Looking over at Crystal, I saw her head had dropped more as tears of defeat fell on her lap. She was in so much pain both mentally and physically, she probably believed in this moment she had lost me.
My heart felt as if it were stabbed by the sharpest knife as I stared at her beaten state. I wanted to rush to her now and pull her in my arms. However, I knew there was an obstacle I had to overcome before I could.
I stood straight and tall with more confidence than I had ever had before in the presence of the man I no longer saw as my father. "Welcome home…?" I breathed a laugh and shook my head. "That's funny…" My fists tightened to contain myself from burning the man before me. "For three years I told myself that one day the Fire Lord would accept me home again as his son. I convinced myself that I would find the Avatar, be given the very words you speak now- "welcome home-" and I could go back to the life of royalty I once loved… At least, that's what I used to love." I met the Fire Lord's gaze with unwavering determination. "Back when I wanted those things, I knew no better. I told myself that my punishment was a good thing; I believed being burned and banished by you was a lesson for me… I believed my banishment and three year trek for an Avatar that hadn't been seen for a hundred years was your method of making me stronger…" I tightened my fist harder as my deep emotions seeped out. "But then something unexpected happened that changed my way of thinking..."
I stepped forward, ignoring the speechless guards that watched my interaction with the Fire Lord. I kept a straight collected expression as I continued. "A beautiful waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe was bold enough to not only attack and defy me, but she was also strong enough to break through the walls you had tried to put around me."
I stepped closer, cautious not to make too many sudden movements. The Fire Lord's victorious state turned to actual befuddlement as the outcome that had played out in his head took a turn.
"This strange but amazing woman taught me there was more to life than pleasing you and fighting for your affection. I learned how to live… to be a friend… how to be happy… how to truly love…"
I looked over at Crystal, who had lifted her head as I continued to speak my heart, and she met my gaze again with relief. I smiled reassuringly at her, and gave her a nod. She dropped her head again as more water clouded her vision, but this time they were tears of joy.
"What is your point?!" Azula was impatient and already knew what I was getting at. My father looked ready to burn me again as he too came to realize what was about to happen.
I narrowed my eyes back at Ozai, and my whole body filled with a confidence that I never imagined would emerge as I stood in the presence of the leader of the Fire Nation. "My point is this, Fire Lord Ozai. I've come to the realization that despite being related by blood you are not my father. The only man who can hold that title anymore is the man who stuck by my side for three years and offered me comfort during a time I felt unwanted and alone… You offer to me today a chance to come home… a chance to reclaim my title." I scoffed and shook my head. "But today isn't that day. I will not return home until you are defeated." I started forward, not faltering in my steps. "I'm getting out of here, and Crystal is coming with me…" The fury returned as everything I witnessed the night before replayed in my mind. "And if either one of you touches the person I cherish again in any way, I will do more than just attack you like I'm about to do..." I grit my teeth. "I will destroy you!"
Ozai snarled finally and shouted, "You fool! Do you want to die! I will teach you what happens to those who disrespect and defy me!" He stepped forward. "You've lost your chance boy! And now you and the girl will die for your insolence!"
I growled. "No! You lost your chance the moment you touched my fiancée!" I shot a harsh blast of fire at the Fire Lord, and he extinguished it quickly. Once he composed himself, he went for a counter attack. Just as Ozai started to swing his fist towards me though, his hand came to a stop and his fire was nothing but smoke. He gasped as his whole body came to a halt, and his movements became rigid. His hand was pushed back in a painful way. I was thrown off by this sudden action.
Azula was horrified. "Father! What's wrong?!"
Ozai was stunned as he lost the ability in his arms. His whole body trembled and his limbs shook as an unforeseen force controlled him.
"I… I don't- I can't move… wha-" he stopped though and glanced over at the only person capable of stopping his movements from what I was aware. All eyes shot over to the one person in the room whose good arm was extended towards the monster.
Crystal had jumped up despite the guards beside her and the pain within her. Sweat and agony decorated her face as she tried to be as strong as she could. Despite the pain, her eyes were refueled with determination as her hope was restored. Her only mobile outstretched hand remained extended towards Ozai as her remaining strength controlled the flowing blood within him. Her hate and frustration towards the man before her was all she needed to spark the strength to control him.
"No more…" she grit her teeth. "I can't anymore!" She moved her hand as her body became blinded by determination, and the Fire Lord suddenly dropped to his knees. Rage and hate had finally boiled over. "I'm done! I want out of this awful nightmare!"
I was astonished. Everyone else was horrified. Her and Katara… both bloodbenders during the day? No full moon in sight… Hama truly did not realize who she was training those days we were with her.
Chief Hakoda's daughters were natural waterbenders… and his eldest daughter was the strongest woman I had ever met. Even after all the pain and humiliation she had been through in the last two days, she still had the strength of a warrior in her. She always put her bending down, but it seemed her greatest strength came when she was at her weakest.
Azula scowled as she realized at last that Crystal was the one controlling the Fire Lord. Azula quickly turned and charged her fingers ready to strike the sudden strengthened waterbender with her lightning. "Whatever you're doing, it ends now!"
The guards by Crystal had jumped away a large distance in fear of being struck when they saw Azula's intention. Rushing forward, I jumped between my sister and Crystal just in time to catch Azula's quick blast and redirect it back towards her. As the electricity coursed through my fingertips to every vein in my body, I saw my sister was horrified by the trick I had learned. I smirked knowing I'd thrown her off, thanked Uncle for his training, and then fired towards her and the Fire Lord. Azula rushed to shove the Fire Lord aside, and the two fell to the platform they stood on as the lightning shot past them hitting the tapestry behind them and causing fire to form on the stitched black emblem and eat away the material.
While they were down and distracted, I turned quickly and grabbed Crystal's extended hand. The guards rushed forward to stop us, but I was one step ahead. Lunging my fist forward, I flung a blast of fire in an arc powerful enough to hit the entourage and send them flying back. As they hit their backs on the floor from the force of my determined blow, I sped up in our sudden retreat pulling Crystal swiftly behind me. Her bare feet tapped against the floor as she tried to keep up.
We ran past the stunned guards, rushed through the doorway, and reached the palace halls once more. More guards stood outside surprised by our appearance, but before they could attack I fired a blast at each of them sending them flying back against the floor. Crystal tried not to show how in pain she was as she ran a little behind me, but I could see from her pale skin and grit teeth that she was doing all she could to keep up with me.
"FOOLS! STOP THEM!"
Ozai shouted from behind us as we retreated. The clank of metal sounded only a moment later as the guards I'd knocked down tried to pursue us. We had a lead though, and I recalled my way around the palace with ease. Three years had not caused me to forget the place I grew up in.
As we raced past the palace garden's opening, down another dim hall, and turned on the servants hall past shocked workers and confused guards, I rounded another corner into an empty corridor.
I saw a moment after turning the corner a wooden door swung open and a young servant boy jumped out. He gestured for us to rush inside, and deciding I trusted him over the seven guards pursuing us a hall behind, I did as he suggested. Gripping Crystal's hand tighter, I rushed us both in the room and the boy shut the door behind.
Falling back on the door, I had released Crystal's hand as I listened to the guards rush by with their metal clanking loudly and shouts erupting from them a few moments later. Once the noise faded and I could no longer hear their shouts, I let out a heavy breath and shut my eyes with relief. We still weren't out, but we were closer than before.
"Crystal," an older female voice whispered with concern, and I looked over to see an elder woman kneeling beside the girl that had collapsed in exhaustion on her knees. Her hand pressed to Crystal's forehead, and concern fell over her. "You have a horrible fever." She looked back at the boy who had gestured us inside what I finally realized was a servant's quarter. "Rui… sneak to Quan and grab us some herbs. We need to get her fever down if she's going to make it the rest of the way out of here."
The young boy did as he was told and pushed me away from the door. He was shorter than Aang, but his scrawny arms had force to them and I stepped back. He snuck out swiftly, and shut the door quickly behind to keep our hiding place concealed. As silence fell over us, I looked back at the woman who was dabbing at the sweat on Crystal's skin with a cloth.
"Well done, dear… You survived the Fire Lord… now you just have to get out of here," the woman encouraged Crystal.
Crystal grabbed at her hand, trying to shove the cloth away while shaking her head. "I… I need to get to my family… I… I have to warn them." Her soft, broken, and exhausted voice finally moved me from the door. My heart which had been pumping with adrenaline had calmed at last and I could breathe normally again. I stepped over to the hunched figure before me.
The woman noticed my approach, and she stood quickly to look at me in full. Shocking to me, she bowed with a smile. "Prince Zuko… it has been three years since I last saw you... you have grown so much in that time." She stood again, and I finally realized who the woman was before me. The elderly woman had once been my mother's personal maid before her disappearance. She had looked over me after my father burned me, applying medicine to my face and helping with my fevers while my uncle prepared the details for our long journey.
What was her name again? I mulled over it in my head, and then it finally hit me.
"Lady Sun?"
She smiled and stepped over. Her wrinkled hand brushed gently on my cheek. "It's so good to see you again, Prince Zuko… I wish you could stay here and add some light to this dark place… but unfortunately you must leave here before you are captured." She dropped her hand. "We are patient though… we know you will return soon and bring this awful place back to the light it used to be over a hundred years ago…" She looked back over at Crystal, whose eyes were shut tight as she tried to control the pain within her. "You and Crystal will save us all."
Nodding, I let out a deep sigh hoping what she spoke would be true. Then I stepped past her over to the one I truly wanted to be near. Getting to my knees, I let my hand slowly drop on the space between her shoulder-blades. As I did, I was concerned with how tense her body was. By my touch though, it seemed as if the tight constraints within her released. Her body instead fell so that her good hand was the only thing holding her up as she sat on her knees. A sob escaped her, and she quickly tried to suppress it knowing we were in hiding. I moved my body and managed to sit beside her cross legged. Wrapping an arm around her terrifyingly thin waist, I pulled her up and managed to get her to scoot so that her shaking frame was leaning back against my upper body. As she fell back against me, her head fell to the side so it was resting on my shoulder.
"Yo… you came…" a tremor shot through her as the fever shook her body involuntarily.
Tears formed in my own eyes as her shaking form made me sense the pain she was truly in. I whispered in response, "I was always one step behind… I'm just sorry I wasn't a step ahead…"
As I let her rest back against me, and my hand reached up to brush her sweat drenched hair from her burning face, I finally dropped my head into her hair to hide my own tears of agony. Her exhaustion and the trauma to her body was more than I feared. Taking a moment to let my tears soak away from my own exhaustion, and to just enjoy having her in my arms again, I knew it had to be short lived.
I pulled away after a moment, and I managed to maneuver her body so I could force her to lay down. Sun rushed over when she saw my action and placed a pillow from the bed in the room onto the floor beneath Crystal's head. As she lay there exhausted, I examined her fully for the first time since our reunion. Her left shoulder had clearly suffered the worst damage, but I caught sight of the pink flesh on the wrist of her good arm. Grabbing her arm carefully, she jerked it away as soon as she realized what I was trying to do.
Her tired, tear clouded azure eyes met my own. "It's fine…" she went to sit up, and I tried to stop her. She ignored my hand trying to push her down. "We… we have to get to the others, Zuko..." she whispered. "The eclipse is in two days…" she grimaced. "I need to warn Aang… the Fire Lord… he's going to go under-"
"Okay," I spoke, cutting her off. I knew there was no point in arguing with her. "Let's get out of here first. We'll focus on that later."
It hurt to lie to her, but Aang's words flowed back to me.
"If you catch up before they make it to the capital, meet us at the rendezvous… if not, get her out of there and we'll find you."
Aang made it clear. He wanted me to get Crystal out and away from the palace as soon as I could. He feared she'd be hurt, and he was right. He didn't want her anywhere near the battle on the day of the eclipse, knowing she would be in no condition to fight.
I shut my eyes hard as the fury returned. My family had crossed the line this time. I would be sure to get her out and away from my insane sister and the Fire Lord. I would get her to safety… to the Western Air Temple.
The door creaked open again, and Rui stepped back inside shutting us in with the herbs he was sent to retrieve. "The guards are everywhere," he spoke softly. "They'll start searching rooms soon I'm sure." The boy walked over to us and knelt down.
Crystal looked over at the boy with exhaustion and grimaced. "Rui… One day it would be nice to cross paths with you when I'm not in so much pain," she commented in her feverish state.
Rui frowned and quickly opened the shoulder bag he carried which had some already prepared medicine inside. He pulled out a vial and handed it towards her. "Quan just brewed this. He said it will help with the pain." She went to reach for it, but the movement of her good arm caused her to gasp as the bottom of her wrist ached. She turned it over and looked at the flesh herself. When she did, I could see it was worse than when I saw it before.
The crystal shaped burn looked painful. The flesh was charred and there were awful blisters. I finally understood why the necklace my sister most likely still held was melted and in such a state.
I grabbed her arm again, and she cringed knowing this time she couldn't stop me. The blisters on her flesh made my own skin prickle at the sight. "I'll never forgive them for any of this," I hissed.
She somehow managed to move her other hand over my own on her arm, and I could only imagine the movement was shooting awful pain through her busted shoulder. "I… I'm okay… don't worry." She smiled weakly, but I knew her smile was forced. "How can I not be when my prince finally arrived?"
I sighed and shook my head. Letting go of her arm, I stood and turned away shutting my eyes tight as my insides boiled. I was angry with myself. "Don't turn this situation into something so positive. I'm late to this rescue… You should've never gotten taken in the first place."
Silence fell in the room. Rui had lowered the vial after realizing she wasn't taking it and was watching us with question. Sun had sat on the bed I could only assume was hers and watched the scene play out with concern. Looking around the room, I tried not to think about how much I wanted to rush back to the Fire Lord and end him. That was Aang's mission and not my own.
"We need to get out of here," I said, returning focus to my mission. Looking back at Sun, I asked, "The servants' interior halls… are you able to still access them?"
Sun was surprised. "You know about that small passage?"
I nodded and crouched beside Crystal. She had hung her head again with an expression I had trouble reading. I answered Sun as I took the vial from Rui finally. "I was a sneaky kid… the servant halls led to the back of the kitchens where the sweets were held."
Sun laughed. "No wonder the palace chef complained there was a random mouse-rat running around that no one could find."
Holding the medicine to Crystal's lips, she took it willingly but still kept her eyes from my gaze. Her sudden aversion from me made me worry I had done something wrong.
"The halls are still within the walls." Sun finally answered. "The closest entrance is a few doors down. I will check to make sure the hall is clear, and Rui can show you the way."
I nodded. Looking at Crystal with concern, I asked, "Can you stand?"
She said nothing and still avoided my gaze as she nodded. Her sudden change made me question if I'd offended her in some way. As she went to stand, I grabbed her good shoulder with concern. "I know that look… something's on your mind."
She finally met my gaze again, and I saw that she was no longer scared. She was frustrated. "Don't do that," she said softly, although her voice was so soft that I had to strain my ears to hear. I was immediately confused by her demand. "Don't act like any of this is your fault," she begged. Her eyes were streaming with tears as she spoke. "I can't ever forgive myself for failing to escape on my own if you're going to blame yourself for the rest of your life." She weakly stood then, and I helped her up still shocked by her sincere words. "If anyone should be sorry about any of this, it's me. I was foolish… I thought I could face Lee alone…"
Lee? What? Who is Lee?
She caught my confusion. "Three Eyes, I mean." I understood then she was speaking about the assassin.
She continued, and as she spoke she looked at the palm of her good hand with dismay. "I can't be the powerful waterbender I truly want to be... My sister is a master and a great teacher, but no matter how long or hard I practice I can't match her skill… I should've known from the beginning I would never be a match for the Assassin. Me getting captured was my fault. I should've tried to run back towards the group so you all could help me fight. Instead, I wanted to face him and caused you and Toph to get injured in the process. I'm so sorry…" she covered her face with her good hand. I knew she was speaking more from the fever than anything else now, and as much as I wanted to shut her down for the nonsense she was babbling, I decided to just let her finish. "Seems the only thing I am good at is bloodbending when you're in danger."
Her defeat and disappointment made me frustrated that she was tearing herself up so much. I tried to keep calm though knowing she was speaking more from exhaustion and pain than anything else.
Breaking the distance between us, I pulled her fever-burnt body to my own and hugged her, careful not to hurt her shoulder. As I pressed my face into her hair, she was shocked at first, but then she slowly dropped her head against my chest.
"Stop… You have nothing to be sorry for," I whispered. "And you're stronger than you give yourself credit. You survived twenty-four hours with some of the most sadistic people on earth."
She choked a sob, and I hugged her closer.
"I'm just relieved you're alive… We can continue this blame game once you're back to full health and yourself. For now, let's just get out of here." I looked back at Sun with determination. "It's time to leave this place. But I promise I'll be back…" My promise was for both Sun and the people of the Fire Nation. "Once I take my place as Fire Lord, I will be sure to make things right with the nations and our people."
Sun smiled. "We don't doubt for a moment you will…" She looked back over at the boy in the room again. "You know the way, Rui. The servants should all be attending to their duties in the main hall right now so hopefully the passage will be vacant still. I just have one last thing to give you before you go, my Prince." She turned and pulled something out of a chest in the corner of the room then. As she did so, I pulled from Crystal enough to brush a strand of hair from her pale but burning cheek. She grabbed my arm desperate for my comfort. She grimaced as the movement she made sent pain to what I assumed was her shoulder.
"Just a little longer," I tried to reassure. "And then you will be safe and we can finally rest."
She looked at me losing her concentration by the minute as things started to blur, and asked, "How are we getting out of here…? Even if we get out of the palace, we have no ship to flee the capital."
I gently pressed my palm to her cheek and brushed my thumb on the top of the line of her scar. "Don't worry about that… all I need you to do right now is to move forward."
She grimaced, knowing why I said this. She was doing all she could right now to stand.
"Prince Zuko," Sun spoke, gesturing for me to come over to her. I'd been supporting Crystal, and I glanced over at Rui for assistance. He nodded understanding what I was asking from my gaze, and stepped over to grab Crystal's arm to steady her.
Breaking from Crystal for a moment, I stepped over to Sun with question. She held in her hand something wrapped in cloth. She spoke as she handed it towards me. "Your mother asked me to give you this before she left that night long ago… she told me to save it until you were ready to use it. I believe that you are indeed ready."
Taking the cloth from her with thanks, I unwrapped the small object inside. Immediately I was speechless. A black choker rested in the fabric, and the charm attached was a gold tint with two dragons forming together in a heart shaped form. In the center of the dragons was a dark red gem.
I'd seen the design before."Love Amongst the Dragons," I whispered.
The design was on a poster at the theater my mother took us to in Ember Island when we went to see the play she loved as children. My eyes filled with tears as I missed her more than ever. The fact that I knew she was alive now only made the hurt in my heart greater because I was a fool for not realizing it.
"She'd be happy to know you remember," she whispered so that only I could hear. "I will tell you something she begged me to discuss with you…" She pulled me by my arm closer to her so her words stayed between us. "Your mother told me on the eve of her departure that she was in love with a man from her village over sixteen years ago... They had grown up together, developed an unbreakable bond, and were planning to seal it by marriage. But this all was before she was forced to marry your father…" She looked at the necklace again. "Your mother gave this to me and told me the story behind it that night. She told me of how she and her true love had performed together in Love Amongst the Dragon's and it was there on stage that he proposed to her. He made her this necklace and gave it to her after the performance, but she never got the chance to wear it because that next day she was forcefully engaged to Ozai. She lost her chance at being with the one she loved because she had to protect her family's honor… but she doesn't want you to suffer the way she did."
Sun grabbed my hand which held the necklace, giving it a squeeze to provide comfort.
"You and Crystal are destined to be together, no matter how different your backgrounds may be. Your mother never regretted the outcome of her marriage to Ozai, because she was blessed with having you… but she said if she could go back to that day and run away with the one she truly loved, she would've." Sun smiled. "Don't let anyone tear you away from your other half, Prince Zuko... That is all your mother ever wanted for you… to find someone to love and bring you peace."
Her words sunk within me. I had to ask. "D...do you know where she went?"
Sun shook her head. "Unfortunately, I do not… for her protection it was better no one knew…" Sun placed her hand on my shoulder. "But I have faith that you will see her again."
Rui spoke up from behind me. "Hey… We should go. The guards will start searching the palace soon room by room."
Sun nodded. "Yes. He is right. Go quickly. Rui will stay with you until you get to the storm drain at the outer wall. He knows the best path."
Nodding, I bowed deep to the woman before me. Doing so was something a prince never did to a servant, but the woman before me was more than that now. "Thank you for everything… I will repay you… I promise."
She squeezed my shoulder tenderly, and I straightened to face her again. "Get out of here… that is all I desire."
Placing the necklace in my pants pocket, I smiled with comfort as I finally had a piece of my mom to hold on to. A moment later, I had hold of Crystal's waist again to support her from collapse. We headed into the hall after Sun ensured the coast was clear, and we moved as fast as Crystal had the strength to towards the plain wooden door.
Rui shoved the door open quickly, and then as soon as we were inside he shut it. We'd stepped into a storage room where different linens and decor sat. A large tapestry hung on a rope extending from wall to wall to dry, and Rui gestured for us to go around it. Following him to the other side, I saw a familiar doorway I had snuck through years ago as a child.
Crystal stopped walking, and her eyes looked over at me a bit more focused than before. The adrenaline had probably returned. "This isn't how I pictured getting a tour of your childhood home would be."
I smiled at her attempt towards a joke. "I know… I really wanted to show you the turtle duck pond… Next family reunion?"
She thankfully laughed. While she was still in more pain than I could imagine, her broken laugh was music to my ears. I feared she had been beaten and her soul was crushed. But she was still mentally alive despite the events of these last two days. Her soul had not been devoured by the Fire Lord or my sister, and this was a relief.
We made our way through the dark servants' hall then, the passage only large enough for two people to walk side by side in. The passage was an empty stone way with wooden doors that lined the left side of it. Rui led the way swiftly, while I formed a flame to light our path with the hand not holding Crystal up from collapse.
As we swiftly made our way through the hall, I asked the kid before me, "How did you end up working in the palace? You're so young..."
He was surprised I was speaking to him as if he were an equal to me. He answered as he continued to lead the way. "My parents were servants who worked together. They had me while living in the palace and then my father was chosen to go off to battle in the Earth Kingdom five years ago. I'm not sure if he's alive or dead. My mom was sent to go work for an Admiral and his family last year in one of the Earth Kingdom colonies. I was forced to stay behind, so Miss Sun took me under her wing."
I felt sympathy for the boy beside me. The Fire Lord had destroyed his family as well.
"I'm sorry that happened to you… As soon as we defeat the Fire Lord and I return to my place on the throne, I will reward you for your help today. You and your family will be given a place in the capital city so that you will never be separated again."
Rui was astonished by my promise. He smiled weakly. "Really…? You'd do that for me…?" He seemed relieved. "It would be good to see them again…"
He fell silent in thought for a few moments as we passed more doors.
He then remembered a task he had to do, and he removed from his shoulder the bag he had been carrying since we left Sun back in the servants' quarters. We continued through the narrow passage. "Here." He handed it back to me and I took it with question. "It has more herbs in it for her. Quan said you just need to crush them in water, but they will help her with the pain."
I took it with gratitude. "Thanks… for everything."
He nodded. "I'll like you as Fire Lord much more than your dad."
I frowned as his words hit me. "That man isn't my dad… he's just a demon from my childhood that I was foolish enough to follow."
Rui listened to my words letting them sink in. He nodded in understanding. "It takes finding the light to know there's more than just darkness."
I was stunned. "You sound like my uncle when you talk like that." He then stepped over to a door we had approached and opened it slowly. Sunlight seeped into the hall as he did so. "The storm drain is straight ahead. It looks like the coast is clear. Go now."
I nodded and started to guide Crystal out of the passage. "Thanks… tell the others we're grateful."
He nodded, but then stepped behind and shoved Crystal and I forward. "Go! Quickly!"
I didn't hesitate any longer. Grabbing her good arm, I rushed us both across the clear courtyard where anyone would be able to see us if they were actually patrolling the area. Luckily, no one was to be seen as Rui stated. Reaching the small opening of the storm drain, I pulled Crystal down to her knees.
"Can you crawl through?" Looking over her condition, I feared with only one arm to use she may not. She smiled weakly to reassure me and started to use her only good hand to crawl through the narrow opening. As she went through, I watched her with concern. She was trying to be so strong, but I knew she was in a lot of pain. I looked back at my childhood home one last time. One day when I returned I would be able to call it home again…
Crawling after Crystal, we got to the spot where I had left the bars moved aside, and Crystal squeezed through with ease. It was a bit harder for me being taller than her, but I followed only a moment after. Getting back to my feet, I helped her up quickly. She stumbled and breathed heavily.
"Just a little bit further. Then you can rest," I promised.
She nodded, letting me know she would do her best to help with this escape. We quickly started off through the shrubs and plantation of the outer wall heading quickly to the location where the balloon waited.
Her breathing became harder the faster we moved. I knew she was using what strength she had left. I was thankful I still had energy despite my own lack of sleep and food. Adrenaline was helping with that though.
"I… I need to stop," she whispered. She stumbled and I caught her quickly.
"We're almost there," I promised. "Just a little further." I pulled her along again, and she blindly moved with me as her vision most likely blurred from the pain. I knew she was reaching her limits, but I needed her to hold on just a little longer.
She breathed heavily beside me, but she made no response concentrating on keeping up. By some miracle we finally broke through the small trees to the opening I'd been in the night before. The hot air balloon was where I left it, and I guided Crystal over to the basket. Managing to pick her up in my arms, I hoisted her up enough to get her into the basket. She helped the best she could with her one arm, and once she was inside she collapsed. Dropping to her knees in exhaustion, she tried to suppress her pain and catch her breath.
Managing to hoist myself into the basket as well, I rushed over to her and urged her to sit against the basket wall while I prepared us for escape. "Hang tight. I'm getting us out of here."
I turned back towards the vent of the balloon and thrust my hand into the prepared coal forcing the heat to form and the fabric of the balloon to rise. As I added more and more heat, I was thrilled that the plan was working. We were going to get away from the Fire Lord and my psychotic sister at last, and this filled me with elation.
"Zuko!" A voice I had not heard since Ba Sing Se echoed from behind in the woods causing me to stop my next blast. Looking back at the owner, I was shocked to see Mai emerge. Following right behind was Ty Lee and Azula.
What? How? How did they find us?
Azula noticed my bewilderment. She sneered. "I knew you would slip through that drain. We were waiting for you on the outer wall. I know you better than you think, Zuzu… you're predictable."
My heart raced and I knew I had no choice but to fight. Glancing back at Crystal who had heard the voice as well and turned pale from fear, I said reassuringly to her, "I'll handle this."
Turning, I jumped back over the basket's wall and landed in front of my sister, the girl who had a crush on me as a child, and the youngest of the group who had once been a good friend.
Mai looked at me with hurt and plea. "Please! Stop Zuko! Please knock some sense into your head! Come home! Don't go with this bloodbending freak! I like you. I miss you! We could be happy together! And you'd finally be a Prince again!"
Azula rolled her eyes at her friends desperate pleas, while Ty Lee looked over at Mai with disapproval. Ty Lee then met my gaze, and asked, "Can't we just let them go…? I don't want to see anyone else get hurt anymore."
Azula tightened her fist as Ty Lee spoke something she did not approve of. "Silence, Ty Lee! Your opinions do not matter at this moment! Stop being so weak!" She looked at me again. "Come on, Zuko. Cut this ridiculous nonsense out and come home."
I grit my teeth. They were all getting on my last nerve. All I wanted to do was get Crystal and I out of the Fire Nation and get some much needed sleep. Then with confidence I snapped at both my sister and Mai, "Go home? And lose the one thing that makes me happy? No thanks!"
Azula growled from my refusal and then lit a flame. "Fine! I tried to be nice!" She stepped forward shooting her hot fire blast towards me. I caught the fire and manipulated it with my bending to shoot back towards her. She growled and darted to the side managing to catch her balance. The fire hit the bush behind her catching ablaze.
Mai growled at my defiance and threw her daggers at me, to which I jumped aside to avoid. The daggers struck into the wood of the balloon basket not causing too much damage but irritating me.
"Mai! Stop this," I snapped. "No matter how angry and hurt you are, it will not change how I feel. I love Crystal, and I always will."
She yelled. "I won't stop! Not until that wench is dead! You chose a Water Tribe peasant over your childhood friend! If I want to be hurt and furious I will be!" Her eyes filled with tears. "You broke my heart the moment you sided with that peasant!"
Ty Lee grimaced when her friend's fury began to rise and overcome her sanity. "Mai… I don't think Zuko and you were ever more than just frie-"
"Be quiet, Ty Lee! Not one more word out of you! No one asked a circus freak like you! I will show you the wrath of a friend if you keep trying to side with them!" Azula's cruelty was awful, but not as much as the insult Mai gave Ty Lee next.
"What do you know about my relationship," Mai snapped. "No one asked you! Go back to doing your cartwheels! Maybe you should just run back to the circus since you're not helping us!"
Ty Lee's eyes widened. I knew that her friends' words had struck her hard. My softened heart made me feel defensive towards the cartwheeling girl I used to know in my childhood.
Taking in a deep breath, I stepped forward with narrowed eyes. "That right there is why you haven't won my heart, Mai…" I crossed my arms. "Because in the end you only care about your own happiness… the way you treat your family and your friends… it sickens me. I heard about what happened to your brother back in the Earth Kingdom. You were willing to sacrifice a baby for a captured King… you don't know the value of friendship and love."
My words hovered between us. Mai was stunned as I told her how I truly felt for her. Ty Lee was bewildered that I was sticking up for her. Azula was amused by the outcome occurring.
"Wow, Zuzu," Azula spoke. "That is one way to really hurt a woman. Now you will definitely have to pay. And we'll start by killing your girlfriend. Wouldn't you agree Mai?"
Mai's eyes burned with tears from my rejection. She grit her teeth with uncontrollable rage. "And I'll be the one to do it!" She ripped more of her knives out then, and she went to lunge them forward. I prepared to dodge, but I didn't have to.
Ty Lee had panicked and jumped at Mai smacking her fists into Mai's arms, side, and legs blocking her chi. As Mai collapsed, Azula watched with disbelief. After a moment, she composed herself and jumped into action to fire at her youngest friend who was betraying her. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
As Azula fired a blast at Ty Lee, I rushed forward stepping between and grabbed my sister's hand to stop her. Azula went to punch at me with her other fist, but Ty Lee raced around my frame and smacked quickly at Azula's body blocking her chi as well. Azula collapsed in front of me, and I backed quickly letting her fall to the ground. Ty Lee and I both stared down at the two girls in the grass with shock.
What just happened? I looked over at Ty Lee who was frozen. She couldn't believe what she had just done.
Collecting myself, I backed away snapping, "Serves you both right for everything you've done to Crystal…" Rushing over to the balloon then while both Mai and Azula were paralyzed, I hoisted myself over the side of the basket and landed inside. Once I was able to catch my breath again, I started prepping the balloon for departure. Shooting fire harshly into the vent hitting the coal, the balloon fabric began to rise and with it so did the balloon off the ground.
Crystal had been seated against the basket of the balloon as the confrontation with my sister and Mai had occurred, and she spoke weakly as I worked. "The others… we have to get to the others…"
Her words stopped me from my next fire at the coals in the vent. Leaving the control area, I stepped over to her and crouched in front of her. My hand pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Her skin was hotter. Her fever was worse.
"Hey…" I spoke softly. Her eyes were out of focus as she met my concerned gaze. "Don't worry about that right now." I brushed my thumb over her pale but fire hot cheek. "Just rest…"
She sighed from my touch, and her eyes shut again. She dropped her cheek against my hand, whispering as she lost her strength, "I hoped you would make the right choice… I was so scared though I would lose you..."
I moved to my knees before her and pulled her to my chest as I hugged her close. My hand pressed into her hair and I felt my tears fall as I tried to let the top of her head soak them away.
"Silly… You're my destiny… I'd never forgive myself if I chose my title over you." My burdened heart lightened. "Seeing you treated as a captured pet for the Fire Lord's pleasure only reminded me how precious you are to me. I'm never going to let anyone treat you like that again."
"TY LEE! YOU BETTER FIX THIS NOW!" My sister's irate voice sounded nearby bringing me back to our situation. I knew I needed to focus again on escape.
Kissing Crystal softly on her forehead, I pressed my face to her hair again. "Rest… I'm getting us out of here." I moved her back so she was leaning against the side of the basket again. She shut her eyes with relief. Leaving her side again, I returned to the vent and shot another flame.
As the balloon lifted again, I heard Ty Lee speak once more. "I'm sorry… but I can't do this anymore… I don't want to hurt people… I'm tired of it… I miss the old days… I miss hearing laughter… seeing people smile… I don't want to be something others fear anymore. I want to be happy… I want to help people..."
I felt a pang in my heart as Ty Lee spoke from where she still stood near Azula and Mai. I wasn't sure how the others would react to my next action if their mission failed and they arrived to the Western Air Temple and saw her, but I knew the step I was about to take was the right thing to do. I looked back at the one person left standing in the clearing with resolve.
"That just makes you weak!" Azula spat. "You always were!"
"Ty Lee," I said. The shocked girl who stared at the two friends she had attacked with agony, jumped when I spoke to her. "We should go. Come on."
Ty Lee looked back at me with bewilderment. Her eyes were clouded with tears as she realized she had just betrayed her childhood friends. Her surprise turned into relief though as she realized what I was saying. She understood I was inviting her to leave the ones who treated her so cruelly behind. She also knew if she stayed she would be imprisoned for her treachery. She smiled weakly and nodded, then took a step forward.
"Ty Lee!" Mai grit her teeth as she lay on the ground immobile. "Stop!"
Azula lay beside her with rage. Her friend had just betrayed her, and she had probably never tasted such a poison before. "Ty Lee! Don't you dare walk away!"
Ty Lee had continued towards the hot air balloon, but stopped when she was confronted. She hung her head with burden, but I saw after a moment acceptance. "I'm sorry for attacking you both..." She began with honesty, stopping and looking back at the two teenage girls on the ground. "But I don't want to go down this path anymore… I miss how things used to be." Meeting my gaze, she said softly, "Zuko has the right idea…"
Azula growled. "Ty Lee! You fool! Get back here you freak!" Azula's insult was awful even to my ear.
Ty Lee pointed at herself as she looked at the two girls with hurt. "At least this circus freak has a heart and a brain!" Her eyes shot to Mai who was shocked by all that was happening. "I know there's a heart in you somewhere Mai… the person I saw this morning and see now isn't you... I hope you can look past your jealousy and find the real you one day."
She turned then without another word and broke the distance to the hot air balloon. I reached my hand down and she took it quickly. Lifting her into the balloon basket easily, she jumped to the side and stepped over to Crystal. As she did, I shot more fire into the vent again and started up the heat quickly.
"NO! GUARDS!" Azula shouted loudly for back up, but at that point the balloon was lifted and we were starting to take off. "NO!" My sister continued to shout obscenities towards the three of us as we started to float away. Shooting fire faster and faster into the vent, I knew as we drifted higher and higher it was over.
We had escaped.
Once we were in the air at last, drifting over the trees, past the city, and finally over the ocean, I let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Finally… we made it..."
Silence fell over all of us as I continued to work on getting us as far from that horrible nightmare as I could.
After a long pause of silence, Ty Lee spoke up. "Hey Zuko… I think her fever is worse. Do you have some medicine in here?"
Looking back, I saw Crystal was resting against the basket but her skin was much whiter than before. She had overexerted her body. I feared her burnt wrist was infected also. Ty Lee knelt beside her and was pressing her hand to her forehead.
"The bag near you. Rui told me it has some crushed herbs to help her sleep and get the fever down. There's a canteen in the other bag I filled last night."
Ty Lee darted to it swiftly and grabbed out the vials, while I continued to shoot us further towards the sky. I watched from the corner of my eyes as she crushed the herbs more with her hand and managed to get them in the empty vial. She then poured some water inside to make it edible. She went to give it to Crystal then, who was barely awake and looked at her with exhaustion.
"You… you're helping us…?"
Ty Lee grimaced. "Surprising, huh…?" She frowned and started to explain, although she seemed uncertain by all that had occurred. "I'm not sure why exactly I did what I did… I'm still a little confused by it all… I guess I miss feeling like I belong… with Azula, I'm just a circus freak she can use for her own gain… when I hear about you and your family and friends, I hear about the love and happiness you share with one another... maybe I want that too." She hung her head. "When I saw Azula kick you around this morning, and the way her and Mai were forcing you to do such awful things, I realized that if I didn't keep doing what Azula desired the that would probably be me in the future. I don't want to follow someone I fear anymore."
Crystal smiled weakly. "I always sensed you were different…" Her voice seemed like she was a mile away in her mind. "Ever since that day in Ba Sing Se when you used your chi block on me to stop the pain… I knew you didn't fit in with Azula… your heart is too good." She shut her eyes again. "Now we just need to warn the others about the Fire Lord going underground… then it will all be okay."
Ty Lee finally got her to drink the water from the vial, and after a few more minutes, Crystal was knocked out cold. As soon as she was asleep, Ty Lee moved to where I was now steering the balloon towards the east. She looked out towards the land growing smaller by the minute with fear. She had just become a traitor. I was sure it was a lot to take in.
As she recalled all that had occurred, I tried to calm her, "You did the right thing, Ty Lee… Thank you… I'll never be able to repay you for your help today."
Ty Lee sighed and moved over to the basket's edge grabbing the side firmly. "Thanks for not leaving me there… I was scared you were going to. I'm used to people abandoning me…"
I left the vent and stepped beside her. There was enough fire to keep us up for a moment. "You don't need to thank me. I just did what anyone with a heart would do… the Avatar and his gang have made me soft I guess."
Ty Lee breathed a laugh. "You sure they're the ones who have?" She looked back at the unconscious body on the floor of the basket. Crystal was on her back, her head rested to the side. Ty Lee had placed an emptied out bag under her head for a makeshift pillow.
I smiled weakly. "You caught me... She's definitely the one who broke through my walls…" I sighed, staring at the water below. "I'm glad she did… I'm happier being who I am today than I was as a banished prince."
Ty Lee nodded. She looked at me with sincerity. "I like you better this way… you remind me of the Zuko I remember when we were young… the one who existed when Fire Lady Ursa was around… I sort of missed that Zuko. Thanks for still being a good friend despite how much trouble I caused you back in Ba Sing Se."
I shrugged. "We learn from our pasts… it's pretty rough what they said to you… you're not a circus freak, Ty Lee. I'm really impressed with your skills. I think the whole group can learn a lot from you. You'll fit in well."
"So is that where we're going then? The rendezvous to meet up with the rest of your friends?"
Her question reminded me of the direction we were headed. "No…" I turned back to the vent to shoot more fire inside since we were lowering again. "I promised Aang I would get Crystal as far from the Fire Lord as possible. We're going to the Western Air Temple… we will just have to hope they figure out on their own where the Fire Lord is hiding… I know Crystal will be furious that we aren't headed towards the others when she comes to, but her health is my only concern right now."
Ty Lee nodded. Letting out a breath, she put her arms on the balloon basket's rim. "If the Avatar really is alive, they will definitely be okay. That water tribe warrior guy is pretty smart too. They'll figure it out." She smiled. "Haven't seen that cutie since Ba Sing Se…"
The way she spoke about Sokka threw me off. Looking over at her, I saw a goofy grin on her expression. I cringed hating to be the bearer of bad news, but when I realized she was secretly swooning over a taken guy I had to give her the facts. "Uh… Ty Lee… sorry to break your heart, but Sokka already has a thing for a Kyoshi Warrior named Suki. And he really likes her."
Ty Lee's cheeks went red as she realized she was caught. She scowled, "I didn't say I liked him!" She sulked back over to Crystal and plopped down cross legged with a pout. I shook my head and turned back to steering.
It was odd though… having Ty Lee with me. Almost a comfort in a way… Ty Lee was always someone I didn't mind having around as a kid… it would be strange having one of my childhood friends tag along with us from this point on, but I looked forward to it.
As Ty Lee sat against the basket still pouting, I finally was able to register all that occurred. As I realized it was finally over, I let out a breath of relief. Shutting my eyes, peace filled my heart as I left the horrible man I once called father behind. The reason for my existence was safe at last, and I would never let the Fire Lord or my sister touch her again.
And now I knew my mother was out there, alive and I prayed well… the pieces were finally coming together. My luck was taking a turn at last.
Now I just hoped and prayed the others would win this upcoming battle the day after tomorrow. And if they did not, I hoped at least they would all escape before falling into the Fire Lord's hands.
I did fear how Crystal would react when she realized we were not going to her family though. Looking back at her, I saw she was still in so much pain even as she slept. Shaking my head, I knew this was the right thing to do. She'd be furious with me, but I could handle it… I loved her too much to put her in danger again.
My only goal now was to get to the Western Air Temple and take care of the damage my family had done to her.
The nightmare was finally over… after an endless night and horrible morning, Crystal was safe at last...
