Chapter Twenty Six: Allies and Old Friends
He has been there for a week now, and while it might seem like he has lost, he hasn't. Yet.
You see? Zuko knew what was coming. He knew Azula will make an attempt to dethrone him, so he planned ahead. He made influential allies who would help him realize his plans from behind bars.
Among the few people under his command was his Intelligence Minister, who handled his agents in Ba Sing Se and became his eyes and ears around Azula's palace. He also had the warden on his side. He knew exactly where he was going, and that he would need to be able to run his people outside freely. This meant he could have people visit without Azula knowing.
The door opens with a creak. Zuko looks up; he's not expecting any visitors today.
"Mai!" He eagerly exclaims and jumps to his feet.
She just stands there. Zuko's expression turns from cheer to confusion. "I'm sorry." She blurts out. That makes Zuko even more confused. "I thought she was working for you, that's why I helped her take over Ba Sing Se."
Zuko stood there. Azula tricked one of his favorite people, Mai, into helping her dethrone him. He also realized the opportunity that had just presented itself to him on a silver platter. "It's not your fault."
Mai steps forward, towards the cell, and they hug. "It's been a while since I've seen you, Zuko."
"Aw, did you miss me?" He smirked, teasing her, which got him a punch to his shoulder.
"I'm getting you out of here." She says, taking out the keys to the cell from her pocket. "I stole them from the guards without them noticing." She unlocked the cell, and opened it. "We can run away together." She said, now standing face to face with Zuko.
Zuko looked into her eyes, black and rarely filled with anything but indifference. "I can't." He said, hating it that had to disappoint her.
"Why?" Mai frowned and demanded an explanation. "Are you telling me you'd rather rot in here than…" gaining traction and getting angrier by the word, Mai was interrupted by Zuko.
"No, Mai, I'm getting out of here soon, but I need to do it right" He hurried to say. "You can help."
Mai backed down. "How?"