Early that evening before shift change, Nai went to find Dako, Zomi, and Sokka. After searching, she finally found them leaving the barracks.

"We need to talk," she said.

Dako nodded and they went to a spot where they could speak privately.

"Z's in the cooler," she said.

"What?!" asked Dako. "How?!"

"What's the cooler?" asked Sokka.

"It's where they put firebenders," explained Nai. "He won't be able to firebend for a week after he gets out." She looked at Dako. "Zedak started beating Princess Chiara and Z...Prince Zuko snapped."

"Why was he beating her?" asked Sokka, his normally light voice sounding deep and dark.

"She used waterbending to help Zaro who fell. Zedak hit her and whipped her, but before he could strike her again, Prince Zuko was on him. Honestly, I'm surprised he held out as long as he did considering the way Zedak's been treating her."

"Zuko said his uncle always told him he didn't think things through," started Sokka, "but I probably would've done the same."

"I should've known he wouldn't be able to handle it," she said. "He's been on edge every time she's had to deal with Zedak."

"So now the warden knows Prince Zuko's here," said Dako looking down.

Nai nodded. "He's in the cooler 'til tomorrow, and she's in isolation for a week with no food."

"A week without food?" asked Sokka looking appalled.

"Yes."

"I don't know what we're going do now," said Dako hopelessly. "Everyone'll know Prince Zuko's here."

"Wait," said Sokka. "Why would that change anything?"

"A lot of the guards might fear the Fire Lord getting involved," answered Zomi.

"It'll be at least a week before that happens," said Nai.

"How do you know?" asked Dako.

"The warden said if she's still alive after a week he's going to burn her to death in front of Prince Zuko before sending him to the Fire Lord for execution."

All three guys, especially Sokka, felt sick at the thought of Chiara's execution.

"Why don't we just move the plan to tomorrow?" suggested Sokka.

They looked at him.

"I don't know if that's possible," said Dako.

"Look," said Sokka, "the prisoners like Chiara. Zuko came to rescue her, but now he's been imprisoned, so the other prisoners start rioting and everything goes as planned."

"Tomorrow's too soon," said Dako. "We need to have all the sectors coordinated."

"Then how about the next day? We can use tonight and tomorrow to set it up."

"It could work," said Dako slowly as he considered it. "It would be a perfect excuse for the riot too. If the other guards are still willing, then we can go through with it."

"Prince Zuko won't be able to firebend though," said Nai.

"He doesn't need to," said Sokka. "A lot of the prisoners aren't benders anyway."

"Okay," said Dako. "We'll start working on it, but we have to move fast."

Nai held out a small bag, a knife, and a sheath to Sokka. "These are Prince Zuko's. When you escape, make sure he gets them."

Sokka nodded.

That night, Nai stepped into Chiara's solitary cell.

"I have medicine for your wound, Princess," she whispered.

Chiara turned her back to her to allow her to treat it.

"How's Prince Zuko doing?" Chiara softly asked her.

"He's in the cooler," she said sadly. "You know how that goes."

Chiara nodded as she understood what effect it had on firebenders. After his exploits at the Northern Water Tribe, though, she hoped he would be able to fight the effect of the cooler.

She tensed up when she felt the salve on her wound.

"Don't underestimate my prince's strength."

Nai smiled at her optimism. "Knowing he broke into this prison and watching him fight today...I won't underestimate anything he does."

"I'm so sorry," she said feeling responsible for his punishment and for ruining the plans for the breakout.

"For what?" asked Nai as she finished.

Chiara turned towards her. "I should've found another way to help Zaro today. Now I've jeopardized the plan and caused my husband to be imprisoned."

Nai had watched Chiara tolerate abuse, verbal and physical, and she heard the anger in her voice when she spoke out against the injustices against other prisoners, but she never heard her sound so hopeless before. "Princess Chiara, don't worry about anything. We're going through with the plan early, so just hang in there."

Chiara looked up at her. "You've all been so good to us. No matter what happens, I'm grateful for all you've done."

"Princess, you've done more for us than we can ever repay."

"Then promise me one thing," she said.

"Anything I can," said Nai.

"Whatever happens, protect Prince Zuko. Even if it means my death. His destiny is to bring peace to the Fire Nation, which will mean peace for the world. He must survive."

Nai found her request unexpected, and though she did not like the idea of allowing her to die, she nodded. "As you wish, Princess."

"And if I never get the chance again, tell him I love him and remind him of his true destiny."

Nai felt worried about her. "I will."

Later, Nai visited Zuko in the cooler. She stepped inside while Sokka waited in the hall.

"How's Chiara?" asked Zuko.

She let out a soft laugh.

"What's so funny?" he asked. "Is she okay?"

"Her first words were, 'How's Prince Zuko?'" she said. She smiled. "Her heart really does lie in the Fire Nation." Zuko's heart stirred as he thought about Chiara's words. "You two really love each other."

"More than anything," he said softly.

"I told you she's a strong woman. She's doing fine. I took her food and medicine for her back."

"Thank you for taking care of her."

"It's an honor to serve you, both of you." She bowed her head to him. Now that everyone would know his identity, she reverted to maintaining her respect towards his royal status. "Your Imperial Highness."

"Um...Nai, I think we've been through enough that you can call me Zuko, or even Z."

She smiled at him. "Well, this may seem like a stupid question, Prince Zuko, but how are you holding up in here?"

He shrugged. "It's a little chilly."

She wanted to laugh at his seemingly indifferent attitude to his current situation, especially since she had never seen any other prisoners fare too well in the cooler. But she was worried about him, and he noticed her look of concern.

"I've been colder," he assured her. "Seriously, the North Pole makes this place feel like summer in the Earth Kingdom."

She gave a small smile at his humor.

"Your wife sends you a message...," she started.

"Follow my true destiny," said Zuko.

"How did you know that?"

"She insists my true destiny is becoming Fire Lord."

"She said it's bringing peace to the Fire Nation."

"In other words, becoming Fire Lord," he said. "But I renounced the throne for her. She's my true destiny."

"And you can't have both?" she asked.

"Not according to my uncle. He said the Fire Nation won't accept a Water Tribe Fire Lady."

"I greatly admire General Iroh, but I believe he's wrong about that." Zuko looked up at her. "I mean, maybe it's different in Royal Caldera, and this prison may only be a handful, but I promise you, Prince Zuko, there are more out there who would welcome it."

He had heard the same from Zomi, but hearing it again from Nai seemed to instill a little more hope in him. Though his hope was short-lived as he considered their current predicament.

"It doesn't do any good since I screwed up the plan."

"Your wife blames herself."

"For what?"

"Jeopardizing the plan and putting her husband in prison."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "It's my fault she's in prison on top of being in prison. She told me last night not to let Zedak get to me, but when I saw him beat her, all I could think of was what Azula did to her. And because I couldn't control my temper, I jeopardized the plan, and now she's going to be executed all because of me."

"I don't know many husbands who wouldn't have reacted the same way as you did today; even your weird friend said he probably would've done the same thing. But don't worry about the plan. The riot will start early," she whispered.

He looked up feeling hopeful.

"Oh, I have one more message from your wife. She said she loves you." She turned to leave. "Hopefully that'll help keep you warm."

Nai left the cooler.

The next morning the prisoners were more active and rowdier than usual as news spread of Prince Zuko breaking into prison to rescue Chiara. Many in both sectors were voicing their dissatisfaction at their imprisonment and the upcoming execution of the Fire Princess.

When word got to the warden that all the prisoners were getting unruly due to the recent events, he ordered a majority of the Sector 2 prisoners locked in their cells save for about twenty men bound with chains and restrained by guards. Among the group were Hakoda, Zaro, and Sozoh. Above them he walked out onto an upper level landing. He approached the railing like he was royalty, a king over the subjects of his island kingdom, and he addressed the small crowd below, his voice haughty and condescending.

"I've been informed that many of you have been causing trouble since the traitor Prince Zuko's arrival at this prison. I'm sure many of you were worried that he would free the Water Tribe spy that was brought into our beloved Nation by the traitor Iroh. I know you're upset that this traitor and his spy have disgraced the Fire Nation, so I have ordered the execution of the savage at the end of the week. And as much as I would love to execute both of them, the traitor prince must be sent to our great Fire Lord Ozai for punishment." Several of the prisoners were yelling at the warden who just cruelly smiled down on them. "I understand that waiting a week to see justice served is too much to ask of you; therefore, I am moving the execution up..."

The shouting grew louder, and Nai glanced back at Jiro and Damon who just shrugged confused.

"...to now," finished the warden loudly speaking over the group.

Nai's eyes grew wide as she looked up at the warden who was now speaking to the Captain next to him. She walked up to Jiro and Damon. "We need to do something."

As the prisoners reacted angrily, Idem held up his hand. "I know, I know, you're quite anxious for such exciting entertainment," he said knowing he was further instigating their anger. He smiled maliciously. "You will all be witnesses to the example I will be setting for any future spies and traitors of the Fire Nation."

He walked down to the yard where he approached a post near one of the buildings.

"Bring the prisoners," he ordered.

All the allied guards were now worried since they were not expecting the execution to take place so soon, and most were hesitant to do anything out of fear of being taken prisoner themselves or for fear that their families would be targeted.

Zuko was brought out from the cooler in chains by two guards.

"Place the traitor right there," said the warden directing them to put him in line with the guards, but directly in front of the post.

Chiara was brought out by Zedak and another guard.

"Bring her here," said the warden.

They led her before him.

"Kneel," he demanded.

She remained standing.

He slapped her. "I said kneel!"

"Don't touch her!" yelled Zuko as he fought against his restraints.

She still refused to kneel causing Zedak to force her to her knees. The guards surrounding the prisoners were struggling to keep them back.

"Water savage, you will be executed for your treachery against the Fire Nation. Your death will be an example to any who might be tempted to defy our great Nation." He looked at Zedak. "Chain her up."

Zedak pulled Chiara to the post where he began chaining her.

"The likes of you killed my brother; you deserve every bit of this," he hissed at her. "My only regret is that I don't get to be the executioner."

"Don't do this!" yelled Zuko as he struggled. "She's royal property. You have no right to touch her!"

The warden looked at him. "The savage isn't worth the Fire Lord's time, so I don't think he'll have a problem with this."

"No! Chiara...!" He struggled desperately.

"You, however," continued Idem, "I'm sure he'll want to deal with personally."

Chiara was relieved Idem would not dare touch Zuko. That meant there would be a chance for Sokka to save him before he could be taken to the Fire Nation. She looked at him as Zedak finished restraining her.

"I love you, Prince Zuko." She wanted those to be the last words he would hear from her.

Zuko's heart was aching painfully. "I won't let you do this to her," he said deeply to Idem as he continued trying to break free.

"There's nothing you can do to stop me," he said. He approached Zuko. "For what little time you have left in this life, I'll make sure you never forget what you're about to see." He looked to his right. "Executioner, take your position."

Those who were watching were amazed by how calm Chiara was as the executioner stood before her. Anger over the injustice had most of the prisoners getting rowdier trying to fight against their restraints.

"Enough!" yelled the warden. "It's time to find out what happens to spies." He looked at the executioner. "Ready!"

"No!" yelled Zuko struggling to pull free from the guards and restraints.

The executioner drew up a stream of fire. Tears fell from Chiara's eyes as she watched Zuko trying to fight knowing he would never give up.

"Take aim!" ordered Idem.

Twelve years earlier, Chiara had survived the massacre of her village, but like one big circle, she returned to the beginning and would now face death on the orders of the same man who ordered her village annihilated. She had spent the last month of her life helping and healing whomever she could, even saving the lives of a few near death, but now it was time to face her own once again. Though her life would be ending, she would not leave it feeling hopeless. She was sure Sokka would find a way to help her prince escape. Zuko was on the right path, he had a growing number of allies willing to help him, and the Avatar was finally learning all four elements. Her impending death could not kill the hope she had of a better future for Zuko, Iroh, their friends, and for all the Nations.

She turned her head away and closed her eyes, whispering, "I love you, my Prince," over and over.