It seemed inevitable. Eventually it had to happen. Azula had been searching the fire nation island and had found many signs of the Avatar and his team.
Now finally they were at a former camp. What had ones been a campfire now cold and left behind, and in the river next to them. White fur floating in the waters.
Seemed like the avatar had learned after the last time and remembered to give his bison long and regular baths to avoid shedding.
But that still meant fur was being left behind here, and from all of the signs… This couldn't possible be more than a few days old.
Mais heart sank… They were close now. It was only a matter of time. And Azula was all smiles.
"And what have we here." Azula commented as she looked at the ground. "Tracks. Looks like our dear friends has been kind enough to walk instead of flying."
Mai glanced down to true enough, see the big massive tracks made by a ten ton bison.
"Looks like they have moved away from the shore and gone further in land." Ty Lee commented.
Mais heart sank even lower. That meant they were probably still on this island.
Azula how-ever put two fingers into her mouth and whistled calling their war hawk which flew down to them while Azula quickly wrote a message which she tied to the war hawk sending it to the nearest soldier camp on the island before they moved on.
After about half a days travel they reached a bush which had been completely stripped of berries and foot prints going back and forth which means.
Azula smirked. "Their camp is nearby." she said. "We got them."
Mai stood still, her face stone hard. Okay this wasn't the worst scenario! Mai had been talking to Ty Lee and they both agreed now that Azula couldn't win.
Azula was depending on their help to take these people down. If they jumped team Avatar but Mai and Ty Lee turned on Azula the same second they did it. Azula would have no chance of winning. None what so ever.
Okay! This was actually good. This was really good. It was manageable.
"Mai." Azula spoke in a casual tone. "Your wrist band with all the hidden arrows. Let me see it." she asked.
Mai lifted an eyebrow but pulled back her sleeve showcasing the hidden device, which true enough was loaded with long needle like arrows she could pull out and throw at a moments notice.
Azula grabbed her arm and held it up. Then reached forward and opened a tiny small hidden compartment pulling out what looked like an actual needle. No bigger than what you would use for sewing.
"This one is the one for emergencies right?" Azula asked. "The one coated in deadly poison."
"Yeah it is. What about it?" Mai asked.
There was no warning. Suddenly Azula launched forward and jabbed the needle right into Mais neck, making Mai shout in surprise and Ty Lee scream.
"What… What the fuck?" Mai asked in a hiss as she held her now punctured neck.
"You think I haven't noticed?" Azula asked. "You forgotten your place! Even when we began you lacked respect but now." she said as she grabbed Mais face again. "You will fear me again. Mai."
Mai looked coldly back at Azula. "So you need to control everybody. But don't know how to control someone whom doesn't fear you." she commented. "That's pathetic."
Azulas aways widened and she let go of Mais face only to punch her.
"STOP!" Ty Lee screamed. "You already poisoned her! You killed her!"
"I'm not dead yet Ty Lee." Mai snorted as she wiped her nose with her sleeve then groaned.
"Starting to feel that poison kick in?" Azula asked. "Good. Ty Lee. Here's what you're going to do." she said as she casually walked over and grabbed Mais hair pulling her up. "You're going to the Avatars camp. You'll tell Zuzu about Mai. You 'll tell him that he needs to come here. Alone." Azula said. "If believe this is a pretty strong poison. If it's not treated soon she'll die." she said casually. "And please do tell Zuzu. That if he doesn't come alone, if he breaks my condition. I'll slit her throat myself."
Ty Lee gasped with tears in her eyes.
"What are you waiting for Ty Lee?" Azula asked. "If you wait for too long you'll be the reason she dies!"
Mai how-ever turned to Ty Lee and met her eyes firmly. Trying to send her the message. Just go… Believe in Zuko.
Mai didn't know if Ty Lee had gotten the message but finally she turned around and ran.
"Now then." Azula turned back to Mai. "Have you remembered your place yet?" she asked in a almost pleasant voice.
Mai glanced up. "What are you trying to prove?" she asked.
"Listen Mai. There are two things which could happen now." Azula said. "Either dumdum Zuzu comes alone like he promised. He is a goodie tooshoe who can't stand the death of others on his conscious. Not even dumb hurt birds. And when he does come… I'll kill him." she said. "And when he is gone the Avatar will be much easier to take down." she said. "Or… The second option. He wont come. Which means all of your faith in him was completely miss placed. You are worth less than a stupid bird to him. And you will die all alone in agony. In either scenario I win."
Mai sneered just as sounds came from the way they had come from.
"Oh what's this. My friendly hawk must have found a nearby camp. Backup is here too." Azula pointed out just as the requested soldiers became visible. "Good thing too they can keep an eye on you. Wouldn't want you to die too soon now would we?" she asked.
"I do have an antidote you know." Mai commented bitterly.
"Indeed." Azula grabbed Mais bag and held it up. "And if you would show me proper respect I might even give it to you." she said. "So look at me! Show me respect befitting a princess!"
And Mai looked up. But there was not fear nor defeat in her eyes. Only annoyed anger and Azula huffed as she slappe her again. And then hit her again. And kicked her.
Mai though could only smirk amused. "So this is how you act when there's something you can't control? When something doesn't go your way?" She asked as she looked up. Spitting out a bit of blood and then Mai grinned up at Azula. "No wonder that Zuko is out pacing you."
And Azula screamed as her hand fell down, landing so harshly that all the birds screeched in shock and flew away.
"MWAHAHAHAHAHA!" Sokka laughed loudly as he stood on top of a big stone. A blanket wrapped around him like a make shift cape. And his hair pulled up in a fire nation top knot with a branch in it creating a makeshift crown. "Fear me! For I am the greatest! All kneel as you are allowed to bathe in my glory! You are lucky to even stand in the same room as me! For I am the great Jerk Lord!"
"Sokka… I think that's a bit over the top." Aang commented.
"Njah. It's actually pretty spot on." Zuko commented.
"I still think Zuko should be the one playing fire lord." Toph smirked.
"I told you! I'm not doing it!" Zuko exclaimed.
"Come on Zuko." Sokka said. "You know what he's actually like! It's for authenticity! Beside we already know you make for a great Avatar hunter!"
"Piss off Sokka." Zuko replied.
"So are we going to train or what!" Toph exclaimed raising her fists.
"I'm ready for this." Katara smirked as she raised her hands too pulling water with her and Aang exhaled deeply.
"So all I need to do is grab Sokka and I win right?" Aang asked.
"Oh yes. That's all you need to do." Zuko smirked as a flame appeared in his hand. "Get through three bending masters and grab Sokka. Whom is indeed allowed to defend himself. Easy peasy right?"
"Another reason why Zuko should be fire lord!" Sokka exclaimed. "The real fire lord is a fire bender who would push back with fire right?"
"For the last time!" Zuko shouted. "I will not be pretending to be Ozai! Not even for a make belief obstacle cause!" he said. "And I'm certainly not going to wear that stupid getup!"
"Hey show respect! I'm the orange lord!" Sokka snorted.
"Aang… please throw that dude on the ground when you reach him." Zuko asked in a sigh.
"Well no promises." Aang shook his head. "Though honestly Sokka often manages to get into that kind of situations by himself anyway so."
"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed only for Toph to yell.
"GUYS! Someone is heading our way!" Toph exclaimed.
"What?" Zuko stood up straight.
"Over there!" Toph pointed. "She's coming through the bushes! It's the Chi Block girl!"
Zuko gasped. "Ty Lee!"
At ones everyone acted they didn't even hesitate as they just abandoned their posts and grabbed their weapons running forward to stand in unison just as a girl in pink, filled with scrapes and bruises practically burst out from the bush, then nearly fell over as she screamed.
It took a moment for Ty Lee to regain balance and then wide-eyed looked up. Gasping by the sight of the entire gang standing ready.
"All right what do you think you're doing here?" Sokka asked from where he stood with his sword.
Wide-eyed Ty Lee looked at Sokka and then suddenly. She sniffed. "I… I…" she tried.
Zuko lowered his blades. "Ty Lee?" he asked. "Guys stand back. Something is not right." he said as he put his blades back in their holster on his back. Then he took a step forward.
"Hey Zuko be careful!" Sokka exclaimed. "She looks innocent but she's dangerous!"
Zuko didn't seem to listen as he now stood right in front of Ty Lee looking concerned at her. "Hey are you okay?" he asked concerned.
Ty Lees eyes widened in surprise.
"What are you even doing here?" Zuko asked. "Agni you look awful. Are you hurt?" he asked. "We can help you if…"
"A… Azula." Ty Lee sniffed. "Azula is here." she said and Zukos eyes widened. "And she got Mai!" she cried loudly. "She said… She said I should tell you to… To come see her! But you have to come alone or she'll kill Mai! She'll kill her!" she cried loudly. And then she grabbed the front of Zukos tunic and she cried. "I'm sorry! Prince Zuko I'm sorry!" she cried. "I didn't know what to say or do! I was just scared so I didn't do anything. I'm sorry!"
Shocked they all looked at Ty Lee and they all put their weapons away as they carefully tried to come closer.
"Mai…" Zuko breathed.
"Azula she… She used this needle! Poison I think. Mai said it was." Ty Lee choked on her breath. "Azula has been… She's not herself! I don't know what to do!"
"Hey." Suddenly Katara was next to Ty Lee speaking with a calming voice. "Take a breath. Try to relax." she said. "We wont hurt you okay? We'll figure this out."
Wide-eyed Ty Lee looked at Katara.
"You… You'll help me?" Ty Lee asked.
"Of course we will." Aang said.
"Why?" Ty Lee asked. And Zuko couldn't help but smile by the memories. Back when this group had first insisted on helping him for seemingly no real reason.
"Cause… You need help." Aang blinked as if it was the most obvious thing ever.
"Hey listen." Zuko demanded Ty Lees attention back to himself. "These guys all have a thing for doing the right thing. Just because it's the right thing to do. And I agree with them, it's the honourable thing to do." he said. "It's going to be okay. We'll help you. And we'll help Mai. We're going to figure this out okay. Just sit down, and try to relax. Breath! I'll make some tea. It'll help you relax so you can tell us everything."
"No." Ty Lee shook her head. "I have to get back. Azula will be mad if."
"No." Zuko grabbed Ty Lee's shoulder. "You're not going back to Azula! She hurt you enough. It's enough now okay. You're staying with us. Right guys?" he asked as he looked up.
They all blinked a little startled.
"If she goes back to Azula. Azula will hurt her even more right?" Aang asked.
"Yes." Zuko said. "Azula controls people using fear."
"Then there's no question about it. She's staying." Aang said.
Sokka sighed deeply. "Not like it's the first stray we picked up. Right? Zuko?"
Zuko smirked. "I'll take full responsibility for her. Promise." he said.
Ty Lee gasped. "Mai said you would act like this." she admitted in a whisper.
Zuko blinked. "She… She did?" he asked.
Ty Lee nodded. "She said… I could trust you. And that." she swallowed. "You're not as weak as Azula think you are. She said you wouldn't hurt us…. I don't know how. But she trusts you."
"Oh. Really?" Zuko asked. "That's good." he cleared his throat. "Ahem. Okay… Can you walk?" he asked trying to help Ty Lee. "Our camp is right over there. You're going to be okay."
"We might not have a lot of time." Ty Lee sniffed. "Mai."
Zuko chewed his lip then swallowed. "We'll best help her if you can tell us as much as you know." he said. "You can't tell us anything when you are this worked up."
And Ty Lee nodded as she sniffed. "Thank you… Prince Zuko." she swallowed.
"Zuko is fine." Zuko assured. "I've known you since I was like eight years old."
"I never knew you very well though." Ty Lee admitted. "I kind of wish I had taken the time."
"We'll have plenty of time in the future okay?" Zuko asked as they reached their camp and Zuko put Ty Lee down by the fire place.
Ty Lee nodded as she sniffed. "I hope so… I really do." she said as she broke again and cried.