Chapter VI.
Sokka moved to the door and peered inside. A dim corridor with several doors greeted him. He gently opened the door and set out to find Aang.
Aang had seen better days when Sokka found him. The boy moved silently up to him, and shook his young friend.
"Sokka?" Aang asked bleary eyed. He was chained between two posts and it looked like he had been beaten. His clothes were torn in several places, and there were bruises across his face where it wasn't covered by the muzzle, including his left eye.
Sokka nodded and quickly set to work on the chains. It took him a moment to find the right key, but he finally got freed Aang.
"Come on Sokka let's go." Aang said excitedly as he turned for the door. It amazed Sokka that Aang could have such a childlike spirit even after he had been beaten.
"Aang, hang on a minute." Sokka said as he grabbed his friend's wrist. "You don't need to look out there. There were some guards."
Aang suddenly had a very sorrowful look on his face. "You had to kill them didn't you?" It wasn't really a question or an accusation, but more like a statement of fact.
"We shouldn't tell Katara." Sokka said sadly.
Aang nodded. For his age, the young monk could possess an almost preternatural wisdom. He guessed it was part of being the Avatar. Sokka wondered how many people the Avatar had been forced to watch die across all his incarnations. The young boy wouldn't even eat meat; the idea of killing another person was unthinkable.
"Let's go." Aang said resolutely.
The two of them left the dungeon and Sokka was surprised that Aang didn't seem to be as moved by the carnage as he had feared. He did stop for a moment as they were leaving and offered a short prayer before bowing to the deceased soldiers. Sokka guessed Aang was resolving to end this war as well.
The two of them quickly retraced their steps through the castle. They quickly found the door Sokka had come through and ducked inside. Sokka quietly closed the door behind him and started to sneak past the sleeping princess when he noticed Aang. Aang had managed to regain some of his youthful excitement and was looking at Azula.
"Aang! Come on!" Sokka whispered furiously.
"We have to raise the guards at some point or the plan won't work." Aang whispered back.
Behind the mask Sokka rolled his eyes as the Avatar, savior of the world, set about looking for something to complete his prank. He quickly found a silky undershirt that obviously belonged to the young princess as a trophy and then moved over to the bed.
Aang slowly lifted the covers getting into the bed beside the soundly sleeping princess and motioned for Sokka to do the same. Sokka sighed. He couldn't help it either, it was just too much fun to pass up.
Sokka slipped into the bed beside the princess and propped his head up on one arm, peering down at the young girls face. Sokka lay there as Aang bent some cold air to blow up under the covers of the bed.
The princess, who was facing Aang, snapped immediately awake at the feel of the cold air and stared directly into the face of the Avatar. She gasped recoiling, stunned at seeing the Avatar next to her in bed, at which point the Avatar pecked her on the lips.
The princess quickly recovered and tried to roll over to the other side of the bed only to find the face of the Blue Spirit mask staring silently back at her. Sokka couldn't remember hearing anything after that, as the blood-curdling scream the princess emitted was sufficient to deafen him and the Avatar for about an hour afterwards.
Sokka rolled as the bed exploded in air and fire. He and Aang raced for the window as fire blazed after them. Sokka jumped for all he was worth feeling the air push him further than he could normally go as Aang sailed along next to him.
He and Aang reached the courtyard, as the entire castle came to life around them. Guards came running, warning horns were being blown, and the sounds of shouting could be heard all around them as fires lit up the night. Sokka abandoned the shadows and stealth as he raced ahead of Aang. Two guards moved to block their path as Sokka fell into the fighting stance he had learned on Kyoshi Island. The first went down swiftly and the second never realized what struck him from behind as he turn to watch the Avatar sail over them.
Sokka ran to keep up with Aang as the young Avatar assisted his speed with a tailwind. The two of them reached the gates and Sokka slowed only to throw the bomb he had brought along for just this type of occasion. If there was anyone in the castle that wasn't awake before, they were now. The force of the explosion shook the ground as the gates collapsed outward. Sokka nodded to Aang and turned to meet the advancing guards.
Aang returned the nod and ran into the night. This was the start of the last, and most dangerous part of their plan.
Zuko ran through the corridors in the silk trousers he usually slept in. Since the inquisitor had arrived, he had been treated as proper royalty. Zuko hadn't been able to sleep. He figured something like this was going to happen, he just hadn't expected it so quickly.
The guards that had been left to guard Zuko were quickly drafted. The prince knew from experience that some people simply needed someone to follow when crisis struck and it didn't matter who was giving the commands. His orders had been followed without question as soon as the explosion had rung out through the castle. After it was over they might remember that they were supposed to be guarding Zuko to make certain he didn't escape, but for now they were his men.
Zuko ran through the gates with the four firebenders hot on his heels. Once in the courtyard he could see that his Uncle Iroh, who was still dressed, was there with the royal inquisitor. His sister came crashing in behind him wearing nothing but her silk nightshirt.
Zuko shouldn't have been surprised, but still he gaped at what he saw. There in the courtyard fighting the castle guards, moved the Blue Spirit. Azula's eyes moved from the spirit to Zuko and back again. Zuko merely smirked.
The spirit was making quick work of the guards. The two broadswords moved methodically cutting down any that dared get near the gates where Zuko surmised the Avatar had recently escaped. He's covering his getaway.
Zuko quickly took charge before his sister could get the opportunity. "Move away you idiots!" Zuko bellowed waving his firebenders forward.
More firebenders had arrived from the walls and as the guards fell back from the dancing blades of the Blue Spirit, they surrounded him. Zuko smiled. There were around twelve firebenders in the courtyard including himself and his family. There was no way the Blue Spirit was getting away.
Sokka looked around at the firebenders surrounding him. Sokka had prepared for firebenders, but he simply didn't have enough tricks up his sleeve to stop all of them. Sokka sighed and looked up at the full moon high overhead. The best he could hope for was to make their victory costly and give Aang time to run. I will be with you soon Yue.
Zuko watched as the firebenders cautiously approached the Blue Spirit. It seemed to hesitate for a moment as it looked to the heavens before it sprang straight towards Zuko.
Zuko launched a stream of fire as the Blue Spirit leaped. The rest of firebenders tried to burn the spirit as well, but the spirit moved faster than they could track. Zuko watched as the spirit pulled something from its back and flung it at Zuko.
The bladder splattered sending smelly goop all over Zuko, Azula, and his Uncle Iroh. Zuko looked down at the oozing stuff when sudden realization struck him as he recognized the smell.
Azula was just pulling back her fist to fire. "NO!" Zuko screamed, tackling his sister to the ground. Zuko moved as his sister struggled beneath him.
"What are you doing?" Azula screeched at him.
"If you try to use your firebending you'll get burned. He's covered us in whale oil." Zuko said as his sister struggled to rise.
Apparently a couple of the other firebenders hadn't been as quick to notice and were now trying desperately to extinguish themselves as the Blue Spirit came in after them with his swords drawn.
Zuko looked up and saw more firebenders preparing to fire as well. These hadn't been touched by the oil, and were ready to roast the Blue Spirit alive. The Blue Spirit turned seeing them as well and once again threw something from his backpack.
Zuko saw the object hurling toward the firebenders and grabbed his sister once again. "GET DOWN!"
Another explosion rocked the courtyard as the firebenders hurled fire toward what turned out to be an explosive charge. Zuko looked up to see three firebenders not moving and two others down for the rest of the fight. Zuko looked over to check on his uncle. Iroh had grabbed the royal inquisitor and had covered him during the explosion. Fortunately, Iroh still had his armor on, but Zuko could see he was clutching at his shoulder, which was bleeding from shrapnel wounds.
Sokka was sweating. He was out of tricks now and there were still firebenders standing. Worse, more were arriving by the moment. The situation was looking darker every second. Without their fire, he could take them. Their moves were designed to command the elements while his were designed specifically to kill. He simply didn't have anything left to stop them. Sokka prayed Aang made it safely and readied himself for the blast that would claim him as he sheathed his swords.
Sokka had nowhere else to run as the flames roared from the firebenders. The flames engulfed Sokka as he stood there looking up to the full moon. Finally we'll be together again Yue. Sokka thought to himself.
He stood there a moment until he realized that he couldn't feel any heat. He looked down to see the flames all around his body, but as the flames died all that was left around him was a soft white glow… like moonlight.
In his mind, Sokka felt as if he could hear a familiar giggle. Sokka my love, I've never left you.
Sokka was stunned for a moment as he felt the presence leave his mind and the glow faded from around him. He lowered his gaze from the moon to the firebenders who were now looking on him with the terrified expression of someone who has just realized they're facing a creature they can't harm.
Sokka almost wished they could see the smile on his face as he slowly started to advance, pulling his swords.
Zuko looked at the spirit. He was definitely beginning to wonder if indeed they faced a real man. The spirit pulled out its weapons and charged the remaining firebenders. It began to methodically slice at the firebenders almost playfully. Men ran from the terror in their midst screaming their apologies to the spirit world for their transgressions.
Zuko growled. He didn't know what trick this was, but he was not allowing this to go on any longer. Zuko grabbed a couple of broadswords from a fallen guard. He could hear his uncle behind him crying out for him to wait as he charged the spirit.
Zuko met the spirit in the center of the courtyard. The two crossed their swords, and for the space of a heartbeat the two simply stood looking at each other, measuring. In an instant the two resumed the fight, Zuko against the spirit.The youg princeswept in with his blades as the spirit dodged back. It only took Zuko a moment to realize he was the better with the broadsword. His opponent was a skilled man, but he was definitely a man.
Zuko could hear the soldiers cheering as their leader faced the spirit. The two spun around each other, steel clashing against steel. Zuko would parry and slice while the spirit would stab and evade. The two danced around each other gracefully moving from form to form.
Finally, Zuko got his opportunity and swept his blade quickly upward, knocking one of the swords from the spirit's hands. The sword fell behind the spirit as Zuko moved in for the kill with his other blade, attempting to slice the spirit across his back.
Zuko swung with all of his strength and the world seemed to slow down as the spirit flipped backwards. Zuko watched as his blade moved within less than an inch of the spirit's body as it arced gracefully over his swing. The Fire Prince quickly reversed his motion and tried to follow through with his other blade in a forward slice as the Blue Spirit landed in a handstand, grabbing the hilt of its lost weapon.
As Zuko slashed forward the Blue Spirit once again arced into the air, this time springing over his adversary's blade, heading in the opposite direction. Once again, the young prince came within less than an inch, and caught nothing but air.
Zuko growled in frustration as the spirit landed and spun into a low foot sweep, catching him in the heels. Zuko tumbled backwards as he lost his footing. He landed with a thud and was dazed for a moment as he looked up to see the basket.
It took Zuko a moment to realize what he was looking at, as the basket hung above him suspended by ropes from a huge balloon. Zuko watched as the Avatar peered over the side down at him and tossed the end of a rope down to the spirit, who quickly sheathed his swords and grabbed onto the rope.
"NO!" Zuko yelled, leaping to his feet. He was not loosing the Avatar again.
Zuko ran forward and grabbed onto the rope and found himself facing the Blue Spirit mask as the balloon began to lift off carrying them up and over the wall. Zuko struggled with the rope and with the spirit.
Finally, the Blue Spirit pulled a Fire Nation dagger from behind its belt and drove it into Zuko's shoulder. Pain lanced through Zuko as he lost his grip on the rope and for a moment was suspended only by the grip of the Blue Spirit.
"You can thank Katara for me not killing you." The familiar icy voice said to Zuko as the Blue Spirit released him.
Zuko fell, dagger and all, and once again landed on his back facing upward. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was the receding balloon and the Avatar's grinning face waving something silky above his head.