Following the river for hours, Zuko finally reached his prize. From high above, he could see the ship still traveling along the river.

"Good," he thought, "they haven't made it out to sea yet."

There was no good approach. The confederates would see him no matter how he tried to land on the ship. Above? Below? Pulling up on the side? All resulted in detection.

Appa was Aang's pet. Zuko would be lying if he didn't get a little attached to the creature over the last few days. If nothing else, Aang would be furious if it was hurt.

That left one good option: Zuko would fly by and jump off. After that? Zuko would have to improvise.


"So, what was that magic you used on me, anyway?," Sokka spoke through spoonfuls of lionseal meat.

Ty Lee, trying her best to eat her salad while her hands were bound, did her best to smile. "Magic? You mean my chi blocking? It's a martial art that my mom taught me and my sisters."

"Cool.", Sokka pointed to his food, "Are you sure you don't want any?"

"N-no thanks.", she waved off the offer, "I don't like meat."

"Suit yourself.", Sokka continued. "You know, it's funny you asked for me. I was planning on coming down anyway." The prince chuckled a little.

Ty Lee looked a little nervous. "Yeah, I just wanted to apologize for hurting you earlier. I try not to use violence if I don't have to."

"Aren't you from the Fire Islands?", Sokka pointed at the girl, "You're talking like an Air Nomad."

Ty Lee laughed. "Really? I just don't like hurting people. Even though, it is kind of funny when people go all 'noodlely' when their chi is blocked."

"So," Sokka leaned in, "I remember you saying you were 'interested' in merging the royal lines?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Ty Lee grew a nervous smile. "Oh, that? I mean, you are kind of cute, but that was just part of the act. Besides, I'm not actually the princess. "

"So, you don't actually like me?", Sokka looked hurt.

"I sometimes like boys, but it's not really my preference.", Ty Lee waved him off.

Sokka looked confused. He scratched his head. "I'm talking about dating you know. Guy and girl stuff. Not being friends."

"Uh, yeah," Ty Lee looked to the side. She guessed more places were like the Fire Islands than she wanted to admit. Why couldn't she be born an air nomad? "Uh, still, you eat meat. I eat veggies. Plus, you're a confederate. It just wouldn't work out."

Sokka sighed. "You're probably right." He grew a devilish grin. "It could be fun for just a little while, though."

Ty Lee became uncharacteristically stern. "Sokka, I mean it."

"Alright, alright," Sokka leaned back, "I'll drop it."

Ty Lee huffed as she went back to her salad. "You really should be more respectful."

"What?", Sokka shot his hands up, "I am respectful. I backed off."

"After I had to push you.", Ty Lee pouted.

Sokka looked a little guilty. "Is that bad?"

"Girls don't like that. Nor do guys. No one does. Don't be pushy.", Ty Lee struggled to get the salad to her mouth. "I've had to chi block guys for being so pushy before."

A thud sounded above them. Ty Lee's eyes narrowed. Sokka got up.

Sokka told her to stay there as he rushed upstairs.

Ty Lee waited until the door was closed. The second the door shut. She rolled on her back. The handcuffs were a standard one-size-fits-all design. Clearly, they were built for burly male hands. Like one would expect from a soldier. Her smaller hands and wrist had some room to maneuver. Using her feet to push the cuffs, she slipped out of the restraints.

With her hands freed, she moved to her feet. Leg cuffs are much harder to just break out of. Earlier, she found out you could easily reach through the bars when she shook hands. The guards were still at their post.

Walking on her hands, she made it to the door. Flipping onto her feet, she maneuvered her hands through the bars. She apologized right before she knocked both guards out with a strike to their heaven's pillar. Before they fell, she grabbed their shirt collars. It took a great deal of effort, but she held them in place as she grabbed the keys from their pockets. With her prize, she gently let the bodies hit the floor.

Unbound, she creaked the now unlocked door open and began to make her escape.


Zuko landed with a thud on the deck of the ship. His swords were already drawn. Appa never stopped flying. On instinct, the beast seemed to be heading in the direction of Shu Jing village. Zuko had their attention, he just had to keep their focus on them for Appa's sake. Then, it was a matter of getting Ty Lee out.

Two confederates came forward with their spears. Zuko recognized the style from his brief lessons with the master: fluid and fast as expected from water confederates. With a flourish, Zuko rose from his landing position. The soldier's spears were sliced in half in a single motion. Left defenseless, they cried out for backup.

Men began to flood the deck. Zuko remembered Aang mentioning archers on the ship that came to Umbie. Zuko needed to get inside the cabins before they could form up.

He acted like a firebender: aggressive. The prince didn't let the soldiers form around him. He chose the closet soldiers to the cabin and charged. The young man could sense that the soldiers to his back and sides were closing in on him. He flourished like a waterbender, taking his blades in an arc around him. Those with their spears outstretched were disarmed, just like the first to attack the prince.

However, the waterbenders were in their element. This was a river. They could never be disarmed. Water tendrils began to blast at the prince.

The young man closed his eyes. He remembered his battle with Fat. He had to tune out the voice telling him to strike, to be aggressive. The prince had to forget his father's teachings.

When the first shot reached him, he could hear it. He spun away from the blast.

The second strike drew near. He leaned back, allowing the water to fly harmless above him.

The third strike came to his legs. He jumped forward to the trio of waterbenders.

When he landed, he made a glancing strike at the group. The wounds were small and barely drew blood, but the strike had hit their arms. The pain gave Zuko time.

Opening his eyes, he dashed back at the terrified guard blocking the cabin doors. The man was only slightly older than Zuko. Clearly young and inexperienced. He was horrified at the sight of this swordsman. Alone, this man had taken down the rest of his squad. Reinforcements were coming, but this guard was all that was left.

The soldier closed his eyes when Zuko approached.

Nothing.

Only when the guard had opened his fearful eyes did he realize that Zuko had leapt past him, running through the cabin doors. With a sigh of relief, the soldier dropped his guard.


Ty Lee kept to the ceiling. Her years in the circus had taught her a few tricks. She knew how to get out of handcuffs from the escape artists. Pickpocketing was a common trick learned for the occasional gag. This ceiling walk was an exercise she was taught to keep her balance and develop her muscles. The fear of failing down was a good incentive to stay up, but the wounds you'd get if you failed were minor and wouldn't stop you from performing.

People never look up. The guards running about seemed too occupied to hear her breathing, either. While it was getting tiring, she was making her way to the staircase. Once she was on deck, she'd get herself to shore. Whichever one of her friends saved her, they surely brought Appa. That would make for an easy getaway.

The trip was tiring. She'd move a couple feet then be forced to stop by an arriving soldier. She had to be careful not to give herself away.

It's not that she couldn't take the men down. If anything, her style had the advantage in this confined space. The biggest issue with Chi Blocking was closing the distance on your foe. The problem was that Ty Lee didn't want to fight the entire ship. Not only was that a risk that someone would pose too much for her. She didn't think it was the right thing to do. They were nice to her earlier, after all.


Sokka ran back to his cabin. In a hurry, he grabbed his club. He needed something good for fighting. That's when his eyes darted to the jian on his wall. It was a prize from war that Bato had given him. He never used it before, but he knew he needed something to protect himself. Who knew how many men were invading his ship?

Grabbing the Jian, he rushed out. His men needed a leader, like Bato had said earlier. He needed to be there to guide them.

That's when he found himself face to face with Zuko.

Sokka recognized the man for what he was: a criminal. He knew of Ryujin bokkeis. Clearly, he was part of some bandit or pirate raiding party. Criminals were easily scared, from what Sokka had learned. They wanted your money, but they didn't have a cause. If they thought they could die, they'd back off for easier prey.

The young prince had to play the part of a powerful warrior.

"Who do you think you are?", Sokka screamed out, "This is the ship of Prince Sokka of the Water Confederation! I've felled hundreds of you ash breathers before. My deeds with my sword are legendary." He laughed with fake bravado. "If I were you, I'd take your men and turn back! There is easier plunder on this river."

Zuko got into stance. "I'm not here for treasure."

Sokka had miscalculated. This man was an assassin. To think Sokka just gave away his identity! No doubt, the prince was the target. He had to act quickly. Adjust the situation.

"So, you're an assassin then?", Prince Sokka smiled, "You aren't the first to come after my head. Nor will you be the last. Do you want to know what happened to the other ones?"

The prince was praying his stalling tactic would work. He couldn't escape in time. He just needed to give him men time to find him.

Zuko shot out, "I'm not an assassin either! I want my sister's friend back! Take me to her and I'll spare your life!"

Sister's friend? Ty Lee! That would mean this man was Prince Zuko. How would a prince be branded a criminal?

"Prince Zuko?", Sokka fell back on his stalling tactics, "What happened to you? That's a ryujin bokkei, isn't it? Did something to the royal family?"

"Shut up!", Zuko almost burnt his breath, "This is your last chance!"

Sokka could hear footsteps in the distance. Perfect.

"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but it seems my friends are arriving.", Sokka grinned.


Ty Lee's arms were starting to tire. She didn't expect this all to take so long. She was going to have to drop soon, unless she wanted to be too tired to fight later.

That's when she heard the sound of Sokka's voice. It was faint. She could barely make it out, but she heard the word "bandit." Perhaps this wasn't her friends come to rescue her. That could be a problem, but it was too late to go back.

That's when she heard Zuko yell. It was them! She smiled. Ty Lee knew she had to get to him if she was going to get out of here. He probably didn't need the help to fight Sokka, but who knew how many men he had with him.

Jumping down from her hiding hole, she immediately realized her mistake. A familiar voice called out to her, "Ty Lee, was it?"

Turning, Ty Lee saw Bato, clad in armor and carrying a club. "I knew you were planning something."

"I just knew my friends were going to come eventually.", Ty Lee got into stance, "I had a good feeling about them."

"Really?", Bato got into a battle stance, "You were just counting on your friends to arrive? To think you had bigger plans."

"Didn't need one.", Ty Lee checked quickly to see if anyone was behind her. There was just one pathway to her right. She could dart that way, but she still didn't know if Zuko was overwhelmed. She could run right into an ambush and worsen the situation for both of them.

The two took a moment to size each other up. Bato knew not to underestimate the girl. She was at home in these tight corridors. He needed to be precise. The commander wished he had gotten a sword or dagger of some sort. He wouldn't be able to fully swing the club in these corridors: a piercing weapon would have been ideal.

He knew she wouldn't make the first strike. The old man just needed to make his first strike count. Her specialty was counter-striking. The second he gave her the chance, she would chi block him.

Bato lunged, taking a short swing at her midsection. Ty Lee bent down and jumped up in a quick motion. Her entire body flipped. For a moment, it was as if she stood upside down.

Kicking off the ceiling, she attempted to grab the commander's arm. To her surprise, the commander had dropped the club midstrike. With no purchase, she had to act fast. With cat-like reflexes, she landed into a handstand.

Bato's foot caught the side of Ty Lee's ribs as soon as she landed. Halfways through the swing, the commander had dropped the club and spun his momentum into a powerful kick.

Ty Lee was knocked into the side pathway. On her back, she could hear the commander come for her. Opening her eyes, she saw that Bato had reclaimed his club. He was striking the weapon down at her shoulder, clearly intent on shattering it and disabling her. Like a spring, she got into a handstand to dodge the strike.

The club lodged itself into the wood. Ty Lee pushed herself off the floor and landed on the man's shoulders. Wrapping herself around his neck with her legs, she got to work. With a strike, she disabled his left arm. That's when she felt the commander grab her legs with his right arm. Keeping her in place, he ran back and slammed the small girl against the walls of the cabin. The impact almost broke the girl's shoulders.

Dazed, she tried her best to focus on taking out his other arm. Confused, she missed the pressure point on her next strike. Bato punished the mistake with another slam into the wall. The wood of the cabin had begun to give from the force.

The girl was beginning to lose consciousness. She felt Bato get ready to ram into the wall again. She closed her eyes.

The second they closed she saw Azula. The princess was disappointed in her. She could see her friend try to mouth something to her. She barely made it out, but the princess was clearly questioning why she was giving up so easily. Was she really going to let herself go down so easily?

Waking up, Ty Lee quickly struck the commander's right arm. The arm dropped, loose and wobbly like a noodle. Free, Ty Lee jumped off of Bato. Set off his footing, the commander landed hard into the wall and was knocked unconscious.

Ty Lee was still dizzy from the ordeal. As best she could, she apologized to the commander before heading towards the sound of Zuko's voice.


Sokka heard the footsteps approach faster. "I wouldn't attack now, if I were you. My men would be more willing to go easy on you if I was unharmed. Isn't that right..." Sokka looked back at the sound of approaching footsteps. Who he saw surprised him. "Ty Lee!?"

While she seemed slightly tired and dazed, Ty Lee arrived on the other end of the hallway. Sokka was now blocked on both sides. There was a side passage he could run to, but Zuko was in the way.

"Ty Lee!", Zuko cried out, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Ty Lee began to look around her, "but the room is spinning pretty bad."

"Did you hurt her!?", Zuko screamed at Sokka.

"No!", Sokka put his hands up, "My men didn't lay a hand on her."

"Yeah, Sokka was fine.", Ty Lee rubbed her head, "I just got into a bad fight with that Bato guy on the way here."

"You attacked Bato?", Sokka turned to Ty Lee with his sword ready, "What did you do to him?"

"He's just knocked out.", Ty Lee spoke with an innocent air about her, as if she had done nothing wrong.

"Just knocked him out?", Sokka clearly didn't see her as innocent.

Sokka heard footsteps charging at him from behind: Zuko. Turning in a flurry, Sokka blocked the Prince's swords with his own. The force was too much for Sokka to block one-handed. The water prince had to bring his other hand to the flat of the blade to hold back the attack. Sokka could tell that Zuko had flipped his swords around: the fire prince was only going for a knock-out. Sokka wished he could breathe a sigh of relief, but the boy's swords were crushing him.

Sokka could tell he wasn't strong enough to hold him back much longer. Jumping back, he let the swing finish. The swords barely miss him.

Seizing the advantage, Sokka struck downwards towards Zuko's outstretched arms. Sokka wasn't intending to dismember his foe: he had moved the sword so that the fat of the blade would strike. If swords were like clubs, this should break at least one of the boy's arms, leaving him vulnerable.

Sokka never got to test that theory. With shocking grace and fluidity, Zuko yanked back his arms. The water prince was left without a chance to react. His jian met the cabin walls, becoming lodged.

"That was a waterbending maneuver.", Sokka was shocked. He remembered those movements from sparring with his sister. He never expected for a firebender to use such moves.

Without a word, Zuko hit Sokka in the chin with the hilt of his swords. The force caused the water prince to see stars, falling instantly unconscious.


Azula and Aang took their time getting back. Azula moved slowly. She clearly didn't want to come back. Even with Aang with her, there was still a fear in her. Aang didn't expect their talk to get rid of it. He just hoped their conversation was enough for her to try again.

General Jeong Jeong was waiting for them on the shore. He had gone back for tea in the time they had been gone.

"You have returned.", The General didn't sound happy.

Aang wanted to start, but Azula cut him off. "Yes, I did." Azula stepped forward. Aang tried to stop her, but she brushed him away. "There is something I want to say."

The general did not turn from his tea. He expected her to scream out at him. She was clearly upset before at her own shortcomings. He expected this response from someone so consumed by their element.

"You were right.", Azula mumbled.

The general looked back, his eyebrow raised.

"Don't get all surprised about it!", Azula dismissed him, "I just agree that you were right about my Firebending. I need to learn to hold it back. Otherwise," she looked at the trees, "I could hurt someone I care about."

The general felt something in her words. Finally, things fell into place: she had hurt someone before.

"Please, drink tea with me." General Jeong Jeong gestured to three glasses he had placed at his side.

Azula looked back at Aang. Aang shrugged and sat next to the general. Azula followed suit.

The old master poured tea for his pupils. "I had learned to appreciate tea from your uncle, your highness."

"That certainly sounds like him.", Azula smirked, "The old man got a holiday made after this stuff."

"He always said that was his third proudest achievement, when we served together.", Jeong took a sip, "Do you know what the other two were?"

"I'm sure you'll tell me.", Azula knew the answers. The first one was cousin Lu Ten. How unfortunate it was that Lu Ten was lost so young. Her Uncle was never the same after that: he had lost his desire for combat and became weak. And the second was even more obvious: Zuko. The two were inseparable whenever Uncle came to visit.

"The first was his son, Lu Ten. Lost in a battle to retake the capital.", General Jeong Jeong looked to Azula. She showed nothing. She knew the answer. Just say it. It wouldn't matter.

"The second was his nephew," Azula rolled her eyes, "and his niece."

Azula laughed, "You expect me to believe that? He hates me, just like mother and Zuko."

"Azula," Aang chimed in, "Zuko doesn't hate you."

"How couldn't he? You do remember that story I told you?", Azula tried to play off her words but her eyes gave away her true feelings. The final piece came together for Jeong Jeong on what happened. At least, a part of it.

"Your family loves you Azula.", The general poked the fire, "Your Uncle spoke of how proficient you were in Firebending. The Dragon of the West once joked over Pai Sho that you'd inherit his title one day." Azula tried her best to hide her surprise. Her face was stone, but her eyes were always her weakness.

"General Iroh told me how proud your father was of you." Aang tried to send the general a look to tell him not to mention her father but it did not reach Jeong Jeong. "Your mother was doting and loving, your brother looked after you, and Lu Ten thought you were the cutest rascal."

General Jeong Jeong looked to her, "I doubt whatever happened changed that."

Azula sighed, "Don't pretend to know my home life." Azula took a sip of her tea. "I'll listen to what you have to teach, but don't expect anything more."

The general sighed. "I suppose that is all I could expect for now."

A silence took over the group. Aang was the first to break it. "I suppose we'll have to leave soon. I can't learn Firebending."

"Why not?", Azula was almost offended, "You're the Avatar. That's your job. That's why we went through this."

"I can't even make a small flame." Aang's voice was low.

"Without the teachings of Waterbending and Earthbending, he'll never master Firebending. That is the reason elements are taught in order," the general followed Aang.

"So, this was all a waste of time.", Azula wanted to punch the sand, but held herself back.

"Not necessarily, your highness", General Jeong Jeong stood up, "Aang will still need a teacher one day. I'm too old to go around the world anymore."

"What? You're suggesting you'll train me so I can teach him one day?", Azula laughed, "I could have done that before."

The general gave a look. Azula sighed. "No, you're right: I couldn't." Azula stood up and bowed to her new teacher. "But I will be ready when the time comes."

General Jeong Jeong bowed back at his student.

Aang could feel a smile take over him. Maybe he wasn't any closer to becoming a fully realized Avatar, but he felt like that this diversion had helped him grow in other ways.


Zuko and Ty Lee rushed up the stairs.

"Did you bring Appa?", Ty Lee spoke between breaths.

"I let him go. I couldn't let him get captured.", Zuko huffed as he responded.

"But we're out at sea!", Ty Lee freaked out.

"Who said that? We're still in the river. It'd take days to get out to sea.", Zuko looked back for a moment.

It dawned on the girl that the commander had lied. Not a bad idea, honestly. If she knew she was still in the river, she would have tried to escape on her own earlier.

Zuko kicked in the door, revealing a packed deck. The men had regrouped and secured the main exit. Whoever had ordered this was clever. Why bother fighting below deck when you could cut off their escape?

It was one of Prince Sokka's orders to his men before he went to his cabin to stock up on weapons. While he may not be awake to see it, his plan had worked.

When Ty Lee and Zuko nudged back, preparing to return to the cabin,they heard the nocking of arrows. Archers had gotten into position. They were pinned down.

"What now?", Ty Lee whispered.

Zuko wasn't sure. He wanted to hit something. The fire prince was furious with himself. Master Piandao told him not to be so aggressive, not to rush into things, and here he was: trapped on a ship. Why didn't he plan for his own escape?

"I-I don't know!", Zuko barked.

The soldiers could tell they had their prize. The cowardly guard from before was looking for shackles to hold the pair. They had lost.

That's when they heard a roar from above. Looking up, Appa was diving in from overhead. Crashing onto the deck, the shaking of the boat knocked everyone over, archers included. Ty Lee, not missing a beat, grabbed Zuko by the hand and dragged him to his feet. With a leap the pair jumped over the soldiers and grabbed onto Appa's saddle.

"Yip yip!", Zuko shouted.

As the confederates were getting back their senses, Appa shot them back with a powerful gust from his tail, taking flight.

Appa soared into the sky. Zuko could hear the waterbenders screaming. Ty Lee could see the waterbenders attempting to make water tendrils to grab Appa. The river didn't have enough water to grab the flying beast when the bison was so high up.

Within moments, the ship was out of sight.

The pair took a moment to catch their breath. They were exhausted.

"How did you get out of your cell?", Zuko laid back onto the saddle. He looked like he was about to fall asleep.

"The guards were nice.", Ty Lee giggled. "I learned a lot about how the cell was from hanging out with them. I figured out I could get the keys through the window." Ty Lee let out a deep breath.

Zuko laughed. He was worried about this girl. She could have gotten out on her own. "You really are like my sister."

"How so?", Ty Lee perked up.

"Scary."

Ty Lee giggled. Exhausted, she fell back onto the saddle like Zuko.

The two fell asleep, Appa taking the pair back to Shu Jing village.