Zuko inhaled a deep breath as he sat on his knees, trying to prepare himself. Today was the day.
Like so many times before he re-called Irohs teachings, and let the memories of his voice sooth him to make him relax.
A calm mind will help you to victory… Fear and anxiety wont help you. Acting on emotion will make you make rash decisions that could hurt you…. Breath… Let the storm in your chest settle… find that calmness..
Zuko exhaled deeply and then reached for his hair, starting to pull it up in a traditional top knot. His fingers started to slip though, and the lack of a mirror didn't help.
"You need any help with that?"
It was Ty Lee and Zuko glanced up.
"Sure… Thank you." Zuko said.
"No problem." Ty Lee beamed as she sat down on her knees behind Zuko and arranged his hair for him. "Sometimes I would do Mais hair too. It's a lot of fun. Wow you have nice hair!" she gasped.
"Oh erhm. Thank you." Zuko swallowed and Ty Lee grinned.
A few moments after the top knot was done and then Zuko reached for the final piece, the crown in front of him. The crown of the Crown Prince worn by Avatar Roku, and Sozin before him.
"Please sir. Let me." Zhau-Li asked. "So we are sure it's secured well enough." he explained.
"Ah. Yes please." Zuko nodded as he handed the crown over and allowed Zhau-Li to tightly secure it with a pin. He tested it a bit just to make absolutely sure it would not come off before he nodded satisfied.
Zuko offered Zhau-Li a small nod of thanks as he picked up his swords and put them on his back and then finally stood up walking towards the rest of his group. Though as he passed Piandao, Piandao gave Zukos back that familiar shove that made Zuko stand a little bit taller than he had before.
"So. Everyone ready?" Zuko asked as he glanced over the small group who had all gone back to dress up in their traditional clothing.
Jua in her Kyoshi armour. Tarrok in water tribe blue. Haru in his normal green and Musk… Well… He was calling it traditional swamp armour.
Zuko was unsure how bark was supposed to protect anyone from harm. But he wasn't about to lecture other people about their own culture.
Not like Zukos own clothes could qualify for armour. Just red silk, black pants going to below his knees where the shoes started. Traditional fire nation clothes, as well as the crown.
It was true Zuko had worn armour in the past and was very used to it, he knew how to fight with the constrictions of the armour.
Even so… Without it he could move so much faster. So much more swiftly. Jump higher and roll around to dodge attacks. As well did it give him better arm movements for when swinging swords… Also if Zuko was to be honest he just preferred.
Armour in the past had been part of the uniform. To show his status as a Prince and a part of the army. But he had always rather been without it's heavy plates and constrictive straps.
Zuko rolled his shoulders as he glanced up. "Everybody ready?" he asked.
They nodded.
"Good. We can't screw this up our time will be limited." Zuko reminded them. "Take out the guards and tie them down before the eclipse ends! Then we won." he said. "The prisoners far outnumber the guards. Free those and they should join is willingly. That or flee on their own. Any prisoner who goes for fleeing. Let them. If they wont help out it is better that they get out of there."
They all nodded seriously.
"Okay let's get…" Zuko halted he turned around.
"Sir?" Musk asked and Zuko held up a hand.
Piandaos eyes narrowed as his hand rested over the handle off his sword, everyone stood ready and then… A blue jet of fire.
Everyone jumped aside just as a woman sprung out and aimed straight for Zuko.
"AZULA!" Zuko shouted as he managed to dodge and step aside.
"Found you… FOUND YOU!" Azula shouted as she ran for Zuko who reached up his hands and blocked the flames.
"PRINCE ZUKO!" Zhau-Li jumped in.
"NO!" Zuko held up his hand. "We don't have the time. Follow the plan! I'll handle Azula! Go!"
"But." Ty Lee tried.
Piandao shook his head as he grabbed her shoulder pulling the girl back. "He gave an order. We must follow." he said.
Ty Lee halted and then at last nodded as they turned and ran towards the prison camp to make ready.
Zuko hissed as he jumped from side to side. Azula wildly flinging flames at him… She had lost it. Completely lost it!
"AZULA!" Zuko shouted. "You're burning down the forest!"
"Who cares!" Azula seethed. "I got you now Zuzu! I got you!"
"Are you… Alone?!" Zuko asked astounded. "Are you stupid? This is not like you. Normally you're smart! Really smart!"
"Don't you mock me!" Azula seethed as she cast another flame and Zuko jumped.
Ty Lee chewed her lip as she stood by her station at the prison camp. "Zu… Zuko." she whispered.
"He will be all right. Zuko has learned how to be in control of himself." Piandao stated. "Something which the Princess clearly hasn't."
"She… used to be." Ty Lee whispered. "She used to be in absolute control of herself."
Piandao frowned deeply.
Then Haru looked up just as the light of the sun started to dim. "It has begun." he whispered.
Torrak huffed as he stood up to hiss full height. "Let's go then!"
"Ha! HA! Hiyaaaah!" Azula shouted as she send one ball of fire after the other after Zuko.
Zuko had yet to respond. Just kept dodging as he was wide-eyed looking at Azula.
"You think you're so much better don't you?" Azula seethed. "Get out of my face! ZUZU!" she shouted as she used both hands to throw a fireball at Zuko and then… nothing.
Azula blinked as she looked at her hands, she tried again… And then again.
Zuko stood up. "Azula…" he tried.
Azula how-ever seethed as she grabbed a small knife and ran for Zuko with a raised arm. Ready to stab Zuko how-ever the moment she was in range Zuko grabbed Azulas arm. Turned her around and held her in place.
"Let go… Let go of me!" Azula struggled.
"You don't have any fire bending!" Zuko exclaimed. "Do you even know how to fight without it?" he asked.
"Let go of me and I'll show you!" Azula struggled.
"Azula…. With no fire bending. You can't win against me." Zuko sighed as he held her down. Far to easily. "You're not well… You need help."
Azula seethed and struggled, she sniffed and then cried. "Then do it… Do it you coward." she whispered.
"Azula?" Zuko asked.
"Kill me…" Azula whispered. "Kill me!"
Zuko halted then sighed. "I can't…"
"Then you are a weak fool." Azula seethed. "Just do it all ready."
"I wont." Zuko hissed. "I don't have time for this… I'm sorry." he manoeuvred Azula towards a tree and then grabbed his sash pulling it off.
"What are you?" Azula asked but didn't get to say more as Zuko tied her hands together on a branch. "You idiot! Why wont you just kill me?!" she asked as she struggled, but without fire bending. She couldn't even free herself from the sash. "YOU COWARD!"
"Do you actually want to die?" Zuko shouted annoyed and Azula seethed as she looked at him. Tears spilling out of her eyes.
Zuko halted. "Azula…. I wont hurt you unless you're given me no choice." he said. "I promise. If you just stay here. I can help you! Somehow… I…"
And Azula spat at Zuko, but the spit didn't even reach him.
Zuko swallowed then finally he turned around and ran, ran back towards the big mining camp.
Easily Piandaos sword sliced through chains and hand cuffs. Freeing prisoners by the dosins in a second.
And the freed prisoners cheered as they rose up overwhelming the guards.
Musk and Torrak grinned as they combined their powers making the roots of plants and trees slither around guards and pull them in to hold them down working like makeshift rope.
Haru was busy opening up the mines and any houses, allowing any workers or prisoners an easy way out while Ty Lee and Jua was covering his back from any interfering guards.
Zhau-Li did his best to try and lead the newly freed prisoners. "This way! The exit it this way!"
Just then a guard came from the left with a long spear. "HAAAAA!"
"Wuah!" Zhau-Li jumped aside. Then had to dodge… He hated to admit it. But he was kind of useless without fire bending. And even with fire bending he was only an average fire bender. Still though, at least he could hold his own! And he jumped back and forth remembering what people had taught him.
Concentrate on breathing and footing, be calm aaaand… Zhau-Li aimed a fist right at the guards face and send him backwards.
"Hey!" An older male prisoner suddenly shouted. "Up there! Look!"
All the prisoners turned to look up and from above came a young man with two swords plummeting down and then…
Prince Zuko himself landed right in the middle of the camp. With a quick slash chains were broken, and with a kick guards were send backwards. "Quickly!" he shouted. "Use the chains to chain up the guards!" he exclaimed.
A grey haired man standing beside Zhau-Li squinted his eyes. "Prince Zuko?" he asked. "What…" he asked but didn't get another word as his cuffs were cut by Piandao.
"Either help or go!" Piandao shouted and the grey haired man nodded.
"TAKE DOWN THE GUARDS! HURRY!"
A few minutes… And the lights of the sun started to shine again. Zuko gasped for breath as he swept his forehead then looked around. They had done it… They had really done. All guards were tied down and former prisoners were nervously looking around.
"Listen up!" Zuko shouted as he stepped forward. "We need to move out quick! We'll be going to the shore. From there we can count heads and those who wants to join our fight can speak up while those who want to live in peace will be granted safe passage to a place you can hide. Follow Zhau-Li here." he pointed at Zhau-Li. "I'll catch up soon."
"Sir?" Zhau-Li asked.
"Sorry…" Zuko gasped. "I need to check on something." he said and then turned to run.
And Zuko kept running, running as fast as he could towards the tree where he had tied up Azula and… She was gone.
The sash had been burned away and there was no trace of Azula.
Zuko fell to his knees. Why had he even been surprised… Of course she was gone.
Sokka cheered as he ran into Sukis embrace and the two kissed deeply while Aang giggled in the background.
Katara cheered as all the earth benders shouted, happy to have been reunited with their element.
Toph was doing a high five with Jet and they were all laughing. Just thinking of what the fire lord would be thinking.
There was sitting in his secured palace. Having retrieved all his specialized forces too the palace and no one had come.
But soon the reports would come in and he would be furious.
A shorter stout old man was making his way to the beach, only shortly glancing over his shoulder at the big looming palace. Honestly… Iroh was just looking forward to have a cup of tea with his nephew.