Okay, this is the shortest chapter I have ever written, and I assure you there's a good reason at the bottom. This particular chapter requires reviews, mainly because I don't know which way to go after this part lol. Read, then don't forget to read the bottom. This is an interactive chapter!

-----------------------------------------

"Sokka? Are you okay?"

Sokka's eyes fluttered open to see his sister sitting next to the bed he was on. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing would come out. He sat up slowly and looked around with a confused look on his face.

"Poison darts. We had to rush you here as fast as we could. Everybody is just outside the door, hoping to see that you're okay. How are you feeling?"

He opened his mouth again and tried to talk before finally managing a faint, "Fine."

Katara stood up and hugged him hard. "You may have just saved my life. Thank you."

"Nothing you haven't done for me," he whispered. He couldn't understand why his voice wasn't cooperating if it was his leg that took the shot. He attempted it again, "What did the doctor say?"

"There's good news and bad news. Your wounds healed up nicely, just before the moon set actually so I think someone helped," she smiled, "but Mai hit a nerve in your leg and he doesn't think you'll be able to walk on it again."

A wide-eyed Sokka stared at his sister with pain, knowing that if he couldn't walk on one leg that he would never manage to become the great warrior he wanted to be. Suddenly, he felt as if he had to get out of there. He tried to get up and had to use Katara as support as his left leg gave way.

"The doctor said to use these, they would help you get around." She reached behind her, still supporting a struggling Sokka, and grabbed a couple long wooden things. "I think he called them crutches."

She helped her brother get situated on them and he could walk on them fine, as if he'd been doing it his whole life. She opened the door, everyone outside standing up to see him walk out. Ty Lee almost attacked him with a hug and Katara held his back to keep him from falling backwards.

"I'm so happy you're okay!" she whispered in his ear.

"I'll be better if I can get outside for a minute," he whispered back.

She reluctantly let him go and she and Katara helped him outside into the gardens. He sat down and moved his arms back and forth. "Those things hurt my armpits."

The girls laughed and sat down beside him. Ty Lee laid her head on his shoulder and looked over to Katara. "What are you going to do with Mai?"

"I have no idea, but I know I'm not going to kill her. Do you have any ideas?"

"Just one, but it's your punishment to serve."

"I'm open to suggestions!"

"Hard labor in the Earth Kingdom."

Katara thought about that for a second. "That doesn't sound half bad. Hard labor is a definite yes, but I'm not sure what weather would torture her more: Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe." Ty Lee laughed and Sokka tried. "Well, the Water Tribes are freezing, but the Earth Kingdom is hot and dirty. I'll have to think about it."

"I bet she's pissed right about now," Sokka whispered.

---------------------------------------------

"AAAARRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH! Let me out of here!" Mai was throwing a fit, screaming at the top of her lungs, but no one was there to hear her. She was in the pitch black by herself, or she figured anyway for she didn't hear anyone else down there with her. "You people are going to be sorry for this! Let me out now! I'll make you pay for locking me up and killing Azula! What are you going to do with me? Leave me here to rot or send me somewhere so I can escape and kill you!"

She never heard it coming over her screams and threats. She was thrust back against the wall hard, the wind knocked out of her. A torch lit up in front of her as she tried to stand up to face the dead man who hit her. As she finally got her footing, she used the wall to steady herself and searched for the face behind the flame of the torch.

"I wouldn't threaten them if I were you. They have the power to kill you and, knowing myself that you hate the Fire Lady and she hates you just as much, they won't hesitate to do so."

She stepped toward the voice, trying to place it. "I've already been told that they won't kill me. The stupid wench said that death is too easy an escape or something."

She was shoved against the wall again. "Never talk about her like that," the man growled.

Mai squinted her eyes at the man. "Shove me again and I'll snap your neck. Who are you and why are you down here?"

To be continued (tbc)...

---------------------------------------------

Okay, I have two small pieces written after this, but I don't know which way to go. First, I had the Blue Spirit sneak in there taunting her. Second, I have Jet in there. Both of them are going to be in this chapter but I have no idea who I want to bring back in first. Now come on guys, I need you to vote! Review and tell me who you think should be in the cell with her!

Jenn