Yes, that was a long delay, but I hope it's worth it. I just finished my last final and am on vacation, which feels great. The last month has been the busiest time of my life and I am slowly losing my free time to…anything but freedom. I can't complain, so many good things are happening in my life, I'm really doing a lot of amazing stuff.

But that's no excuse for neglecting you, dear readers and I am sorry. I have around 40K written already and I can promise you some major adventure as the boys continue their life in exile, learning about the outside world. I am very excited to continue and hoping that I have the time to do so. But I think I will. Special thanks to Scarylady for her kind input and as always, a tip of the hat to the lovely Avocado-Love, my dear friend. To many happy writing sessions!

Hold on, don't turn and walk away,

Save me!
And I cried these words, but nobody came
I'm all alone, running scared
Losing my way in the dark
I tried to get up, stand on a prayer
But I keep crashing down hard

-Hodges

My Side of the Story

He didn't know when his weary eyes closed and when he feel into a fitful sleep. It had not been restful, Lu Ten was exhausted and cold and tired, but sleep finally pushed through and gave him some relief.

He only knew that he had been resting when someone was poking him in the side. "Get up!" a sharp voice ordered, as Lu Ten opened his eyes. "Do you think you have a right to sleep in comfort while soldiers die by your cursed family's hands?" Fong was standing over him, looking horribly mad. Two soldiers were standing by his side, looking just as menacing.

Lu Ten had a thousand answers for him, but none of them were worth them hurting his poor Zuko. "I'm up," he whispered. "Don't wake him." By the barred window, it was dawn. He knew that was the time for executions. Had they decided to kill him now?

"Insolent brat, you think you have the right to give orders here?" Fong snapped, giving him a cruel slap. "You're a demon in human form, I only hope I get the honor of killing you myself." He turned to his men. "Take him to the sealed room to interrogate him. Any information he can give can be useful to us. I will be along in a moment."

Had Lu Ten not vowed to be quiet, he would have screamed in terror. As it was, he had to be dragged out, too terrified to move on his own. His stone chains were removed from the walls and he was led out, too weighed down to move on his own. He was led through the halls into another cell, all lit by glowing rocks, unable to be used for defense.

"Is the little prince scared?" one guard asked, laughing. It was the one who had been enjoying the thought of the reward. "Don't worry, we're going to treat you real nice."

Lu Ten shrugged, weighed down by the chains, trying to put one foot in front of the other. They had taken precautions, the chains were heavier than he was and they had left little slack on his shackles.

"Not as proud as you were yesterday. I trust your accomedations have left you speechless?" The soldier continued. Lu Ten glared at them but said nothing. He was too tired to even retort anything, and too frightened of what the interrogations would entail. "We wanted to make sure you were nice and comfortable."

"After all, only the best for our royal guest," the first soldier snickered. "We want you to enjoy yourself, after all." Lu Ten didn't respond, but his empty stomach grumbled. "The food not agreeing with you?"

Lu Ten comforted himself by imagining his father finding him and attacking the ship, hanging all of them by their toes. He tried to hide his humilation, but he couldn't help but glare at them. He was a prince and they were peasants. They should be cowering before him.

As he walked with them, he could feel the eyes of everyone who passed on him. Despite not meeting their eyes, he could feel their gloating. They were happy he was suffering. They were savages, disgusting low forms of life who fed on hatred and misery. He was glad Father was slaughtering them, they deserved to die.

"Well, here is your destination. It's a special place you and the Colonel can have a nice heart to heart, learn about each other," the first soldier snickered, opening a metal door into a well lit room.

Lu Ten gasped as he saw what was inside. A large table dominated the room, with shelves and metal objects lining the walls. A torture chamber!

"Oh come on, aren't you grateful? We made sure it was nice and ready for you," the first soldier said. Lu Ten bit his lip, trying to keep himself from fainting away in terror. He had never been strong of heart, Uncle had always called him soft. He would never survive the torture. They would break him in a few minutes. Lu Ten bit his lip and said nothing, trying not to focus on the metal objects on the shelves. He was not afraid, he was a son of Sozin, he feared nothing, not pain, not cruelty, not death. "Aren't you going to thank us?" one asked. Lu Ten coughed, trying to bend but the pain was too horrible.

"Nothing to say?" the other guard said, shoving Lu Ten to the floor with a hard thud. "Come on, grace us with your royal wisdom. Your troops burn down my village, I'm sure you must have something to say to me. But I'll take joy in hearing you scream."

Lu Ten finally looked up, trying to ignore the pain in his knees. "Would you be so brave if I wasn't chained up and starved?" he asked derisively. "If you're a real man, face me in a fight. Or are you afraid to be bested by a child?" He was being foolish, but he wouldn't allow such insults to go unanswered. Besides, it took his mind off his terror. "I have to wonder if you are even a man at all."

The first soldier laughed and pushed Lu Ten's head down to the floor, into the dust. "I don't really fancy fighting you, kid. I much prefer just making you suffer," he laughed. "Seeing you bow before us, it's the best feeling in the world." The chains prevented him from fighting back, he was helpless to stop them!

"Maybe we should have a little fun with him? Hungry, kid?" the second goon asked, putting his heavy boot on Lu Ten's neck. The young prince gasped and tried to hide his pain and humiliation. He silently cursed them as his face ground into the dust. "Well, get used to it. It's going to be a long time before your stomach is full."

"Get your hands off him," a familiar voice said. "He's not your plaything, he is a royal prisoner of war and as such, will be treated with respect." Lu Ten couldn't remember the name of this person, but he was grateful to him. It seemed like he was the only person who seemed to posess an ounce of humanity.

"I should have known you would stick up for him, Teri. You've always been a soft hearted little…" one soldier began darkly before pausing. "Sir!"

"As much as it pains me to say it, I suppose the soft hearted one is right. Get him up and prepare him," Fong said, as Lu Ten feebly struggled in their grasp. Chained hand and foot, he was powerless to stop them from pulling his shirt off, leaving his skin exposed to the cold air. He wanted to scream, but he refused to give them the satisfaction. He was a prince of the Fire Nation, they would not dare kill him. "We have questions for him."

Father would hang them by their own bowels for any insult done to him. He had to be strong and wait to be rescued. Then he would get his vengence against them. "I am sure his highness will be much more amenable to questions now, Teradion," the colonel noted with satisfaction, obviously noticing the terror on Lu Ten's pale face. The younger soldier didn't look much better off. He was lifted up like a sack of potatoes and placed on the table, facing the ceiling. His arms were chained above his head, so tightly that he wondered if they planned to snap him in two. His feet were chained and his shoes were removed, lowering his resolve even more. Something stone, hard and cold was placed on his stomach, pressing into him and making him feel dizzy. "Now, isn't that much more comfortable?" Fong asked mockingly. "Did you find the accomadations to your satisfaction?"

Lu Ten closed his eyes and decided not to answer. He forced himself to calm down and think of his family, his proud noble family who would be searching, who would find him and Zuko and bring them home and hang everyone on this ship. He just had to be strong and ignore the pain in his body. "I didn't think you would be so shy. What would Azulon say of your manners?" Fong asked. "So, you must be Lu Ten, right? I don't have the pleasure of knowing your family personally, but you're very special."

Lu Ten took a deep breath. "I'm quite ordinary," he retorted, as his stomach turned knots. "Though my mother always thought I was special." He was being pert and wondering if it would cost him his life.

"Well, you're quite brave for a little prisoner of war. I thought we decided that these games were pointless. We saw the bits of the Fire nation flag on the exploded ship. We know who you are. The question is, why should we keep you alive?" Fong demanded, pressing another weight into Lu Ten's chest. "Why should I let you live?"

"Because I can win you a ransom and killing me would be pointless," Lu Ten finally retorted, gasping for air. "Dead, I'm worthless."

"Ah, I see you have some matter of intelligence," Fong said, placing his hand on Lu Ten's nose playfully. "A very good point, indeed. Perhaps it's not money we seek, but victory. So, let's see if you are worth more to me alive. Where is your father planning to attack next?" he asked. "I'd prefer we talk rationally and I'm not forced to resort to new methods."

Lu Ten closed his eyes and shook his head. "How should I know?" he demanded, pretending he wasn't in a dank cell, barely able to breathe.

Fong laughed cruelly. "Come on, I can make your captivity a lot more comfortable. You must be hungry and tired. You haven't eaten in a while. Would you want a drink? Some warm tea?" he offered. "Perhaps some warm blankets. I made sure the cell is kept within the proper temperture to keep you comfortable."

"I'd like that very much," Lu Ten whispered, leaning his head back and trying to get himself as comfortable as possible to endure the pain that would soon follow. "But I don't know anything." He coughed as his lungs ached with the need for warm air.

"Well, I can promise you won't starve to death. I will make sure it's a lot more painful," Fong snapped, increasing the weight on Lu Ten's stomach. "I will make you sure you die screaming, unless you start cooperating."

The weight was digging into his body, making him feel as if he would be snapped in half. "I don't know," Lu Ten gasped softly. "I don't know anything about this. I'm only a kid, no one tells me anything." He struggled for breath as the pain got worse. "I would tell you if I knew anything." He was so weak, at this moment, he would tell them anything if it would mean some relief from the pain.

"I find that hard to believe, the throne prince has no idea what is going on in the war his family is waging. Do you think I'm a fool, boy?" Fong demanded, hitting Lu Ten's tender feet with something hard, making the young prince groan. He had never imagined it could hurt so much on his feet! "I will have it out of you. Make it easy on yourself and give in. You might just earn yourself a live little brother, all in one piece."

Lu Ten struggled against his chains. Why did they have to bring Zuko into this? He was a kid, he knew nothing of war, he was completely innocent! "I don't know anything, I swear it on my mother's spirit," he protested. "Hurting him won't change that!" The weight on his stomach increased, making him gasp with pain. He should be stronger, he was falling apart and playing into their hands. The lack of sunlight and food had taken their toll on him, he was so weak and starving!

"I doubt you'll keep quiet if you know it won't be just you who suffers. Your little brother is young, so helpless. We can make him very miserable," Fong continued with a leer and another hard smack to his feet. "I always found the idea of keeping him in a tiny cell as a pet for Earth kingdom children to play with a most wonderful one. Or we could cut off his fingers and send them back to dear old Grandpa!"

Lu Ten struggled. "Please, he's just a child, have mercy on him. He's never hurt anyone," he pleaded, throwing dignity to the wind to escape the pain and suffering to his poor cousin. "I am trying to tell you what I know, but I don't know anything. Zuko is innocent, why are you doing this?" he begged, blinking in the darkness.

"True, he is young. But he will hurt people. He will cause death and suffering and misery. It would be more merciful to the innocents he will someday slaughter if I ended his miserable existence," Fong said, with a chuckle. "You've destroyed enough childrens' lives."

"I haven't done anything," Lu Ten gasped as the pain made his eyes swim with tears. He choked as the weights dug into his skin. "I'm just a kid." He was begging for his life, he had never thought he could be broken so easily. Of course, he couldn't believe how much pain they could cause him with just a few rocks!

"You really don't see the big picture. Perhaps you need more convincing." The weight on his chest grew heavier and pressed down into his chest, making his ribs groan as they resisted cracking under the pressure. Without air, he couldn't bend! "We can keep going like this. I have all the time in the world. There are so many things I can do to you to make sure you understand I'm serious. I can pull out your fingernails, I can boil you in hot oil, you are completely helpless and the only person who can help you is me. So work with me," he continued.

"I don't know anything," Lu Ten screamed, wishing for the sweet blackness of death to escape the pain. "Please, I don't even know where my father is."

"I'm sure this will refresh your memory," Fong snapped as another weight was shoved onto him. Lu Ten arched his back and screamed against as his bones threatened to snap. "Tell us the truth and we will make it stop."

Lu Ten was only spared by a sudden feeling of lightness as darkness invaded his eyes and robbed him of sight. "I don't know," he whispered, before feeling nothing for a brief moment. If it wasn't his duty to protect Zuko from harm, he would wish to never wake up. The pain was too much.

A splash of cold water slapped his face. "Get up, you Fire Nation dog," a firm voice said. "Do you think I'd let your weakness stop me? I won't let you faint and deprive me of information."

Lu Ten opened one eye and realized he was back in suffering again. "I…" he began, but his lips were so cracked. His voice shook with pain. He couldn't think of anything but how much more he could take before he lost his mind. "Please…no more."

"There will be more weight and worse if you don't learn to obey," Fong said. "Perhaps we should continue with your younger brother? Start cutting off his fingers till your memory is refreshed."

Lu Ten thrashed against his chains, shaking with terror. "Please, don't do this, I don't know anything," he shrieked. "I haven't seen my father in two years, I don't even know if he's alive!" He couldn't let them hurt Zuko. He couldn't it happen.

"All we need you to do is tell us the truth. We can end your life mercifully if you just help us and do what you are told. Tell us where your father is," Fong snapped, hitting Lu Ten's bare feet. "Must we press it out of you?"

Lu Ten gasped with pain. "I would tell you if I knew," he managed to say, before shuddering with pain. "I really don't know." Should he make up a fake location and earn himself more time? If they thought he was lying, they'd kill him and Zuko as well!

"It's a pity, you know. I suppose we'll just have to pull your teeth out, one by one. Lying little boys deserve to be punished," Fong hissed. "What do you think of that?"

"He's going to Gao-Ling!" Lu Ten finally shrieked, naming the first location that came to his mind. "He plans to cut through the Kai-Feng mountains and get there by the next full moon."

"What do you think, Teradion?" Fong asked the aide standing next to him. It was the kind one who had tried to defend his life. "Do you think I should believe the little monster?"

"He might be telling the truth or we might have driven him mad," Teradion said softly, defiantly removing the weights. "We can't do much more to him, without killing him. This is growing pointless, sir. I believe him. I don't think forcing him to lie will achieve anything. At this rate, anything we get out of him would like be frightened babblings. It's a waste of time. I still say we should ransom them and keep the moral high ground."

"Hmmm, perhaps you're right. The brat is so frightened, he'd say anything to stop his pain," Fong considered. "I suppose he is not useful for information." Lu Ten vowed that if he survived, he would send the riches of the treasury to him and offer him the reward of his choice.

"Shall I have him returned to their cell?" Teradion asked, wiping his hair away from his eyes. "With them secured, we could be in Ba Sing Se in three weeks. I can send a message to the Fire Nation, preparing the trade. With any luck, we can have him and his brother ransomed in a few weeks."

"Are you sure the Fire Nation would take them?" Fong said softly. "They would not be put on trial?"

"They're more valuable in ransom than they are dead, as he said," Teradion said softly.

"Well, we can't allow him to be right. If the boy is no longer useful to me, then I will fulfill my promise, a merciful death. We'll hang him at dawn," Fong said, snapping his fingers and increasing the weight one more time. "And make the younger one watch. A good memory where he's living out his days in a cage." This could not be happening. Lu Ten struggled against his chains, trying to break free, trying to get away. He gasped as his bruised ribs refused to let him breathe. "Have a gallows built. His corpse will hang on my ship and serve as a terror against the Fire Nation. I see it as a charm of good fortune."

Teradion gasped. "My lord captain, I must protest…" he began, but fell silent when he looked at Fong's deranged look. There was a long pause. "He is much more valuable to us for trading. And if you do want him dead, why do it on the ship? Why not turn him over to his Majesty for judgement? What is the rush?" he pleaded.

Fong snorted. "Because they would return this monster back to his blood soaked family for a few coins. I will not allow that to happen," he snapped. "I must make sure justice is done…for those who are no longer with us."

Teradion stood in front of Lu Ten, obviously seeing the madness in his supirior's eyes. "If they are no longer with us, then there is no reason to add to the death toll. Please, Father, don't do this. Think of how you would feel if their father had me as their prisoner." This kind man was Fong's son! How could that be possible?

"You're naïve, my son. You know what they would do to you if you were captured. They would dress you in Fire Nation clothing and use you as a meat shield. They are merciless and you are too pure of heart. I must defeat them so that you can be a doctor and be able to heal people, not fight against these Fire demons," Fong said affectionately, reaching out and stroking his son's hair. "They must die, for you to live in peace."

"Father, they are demons, but they are little demons. I can't live with myself if I must become a murderer of innocent children," Teradion said softly, as he patted Lu Ten's head reassuringly. "I am a doctor, I swore to help people and not hurt them. Please, let us turn them over to the King and let us forget them. They are not worth our losing our humanity for the sake of petty vengeance. Look at him, Father. He's a little boy, he isn't our enemy. "

"If you are a doctor, then you know a poison must be extracted to save the body. This brat is a poison that must be eliminated from the world," Fong snapped, banging on a table. He had looked away, refusing to admit the truth of his brilliant son's words. "He is the cause of all evil in the world. He must be stopped for all of us to be safe."

Teradion held out his hands helplessly. "Father, I beg you, have mercy on them and use them for political gain. The Fire Nation will only be roused to greater anger. You will kill them and raise them up as martyrs for the cause. Please, for my sake, have mercy and spare their lives. Prove us to be the better men," he pleaded, holding out his hands plaintively. "Don't destroy our cause for the sake of revenge."

Fong glared at him. "I never thought I would be ashamed of my own flesh and blood," he snapped, slamming his hand down on the table. The other guards in the room shifted, unwilling to eavesdrop on this conversation. "Shameful weakness, too kindly to do your duty. I should send you home to weave cloth with your grandmother. "

"Better a weaver with Grandmother than a murderer of children!" Teradion hissed. "He's half my size. He's no threat to anyone. He is helpless and frightened and innocent of anything but being born to the wrong family. What has happened to you? What happened to the father who taught me about justice?"

"He is still before you, Teradion. The question is, where is the son who was obedient and wise? Well, I can tell you that this impertinence to me ends now. You will help me execute this brat or I will have you flogged. No one will ever accuse me of favoritism," Fong commanded, daring his son to say another word.

Teradion bowed again. "It will be on your conscience, my lord father, the deaths of two unarmed children. I can only say I will gladly be flogged if it means not lowering my honor to kill the helpless," he said angrily. Lu Ten wondered how a savage had such bravery and goodness? Surely, he must have Fire Nation blood to be so noble! "Please, don't force me to defy you. Listen to me, think of all the good the money can do. We could martial up a greater defense, we could feed the hungry of our people. We could gain great concessions, peacefully."

"That isn't the way to do it," Fong snapped. "War must be fought through blood!" Lu Ten silently prayed for the victory of his strange benefactor, it was the only chance of his survival.

"The blood of those who can't fight back? The blood of kids, crying for their mothers as good men become monsters and torture them, killing them in cold blood? In the blood of families, torn apart by war?" Teradion retorted, gently wiping Lu Ten's brow. "Killing him won't bring back Mother and Chenda. Please, don't bring more pain in their name," he pleaded. "You're a good man, Father. He's a child. You know what I say is true. You know he is young and afraid and at your mercy. If you kill him, you are a weak fool who passes up the only chance for peace we have in my lifetime!"

"I could have you killed for speaking to me this way! Get out of my sight, you ungrateful child," Fong snarled, throwing a chunk of rock in his direction. "I'll kill them without your assistance and prove myself the hero. Go back to your grandmother in shame!"

"I can't leave if you're going to kill them, Father. I can't allow this to happen," Teradion answered, blocking the blow. "You mean too much to me to allow you to destroy yourself. I'm begging you to listen to me. At least sleep on this before you pass judgement on this innocent little boy. Don't become a murderer!"

Fong growled and reached out his hand, grabbing his son by the throat. "You insolent little brat! How dare you speak to me this way? I am your father, my word is law and I will not be questioned by anyone, especially you!" he shouted, lifting his son off the floor. "Is that understood?" Teradion gasped for air and nodded. "Good. Dismissed. If I must order again, I will have you dragged out." Wordlessly, Teradion was released and disappeared from Lu Ten's sightline.

With his only protector out of sight, the future seemed bleak. Lu Ten should have cried but he was beyond pain now. He was going to die in a few hours and they were going to make Zuko watch. He would never be rescued; he would be dead and forgotten. "No…" he whispered unconsciously.

"It's ironic, no?" Fong snapped, acting as if Lu Ten hadn't heard the previous conversation. "A few hours ago, you were a cruel little despot, bent on destroying the world. And now, you face justice for your crimes. But I suppose that is what happens when you are a creature of death and suffering." Lu Ten's ropes were cut, and he was half carried off the table. "I will see you later, child."

Two strong arms carried him off the chair, not even bothering to make him walk. Lu Ten was like a wet rag, too helpless to fight back. He still couldn't take a breath properly and that destroyed his bending. He was dragged along by cruel hands through the dark halls, too weak to even say another word. He was going to die…

"My poor child." It was Teradion next to him. He had been waiting outside for him. "Hush, I'll give you a powder, you won't feel any pain," he whispered. "I won't let them make it painful. I'm so sorry, child. I'm so sorry. I tried to save you!"

Before he could even answer, Lu Ten was tossed back into the cell, landing painfully on his bruised limbs. "Lulu," Zuko whimpered, crawling over to him. "You're hurt!" He hugged him tightly, pressing into new bruises. It was still the best feeling in the world. His cousin was safe and would be the person he would spend his final hours with. "When I was awake, you were gone. I cried but the guards hit me and said I should be quiet. I wanted to look for you, but they kept me in here. I was so worried about you!"

Lu Ten managed to crack a smile. "I am fine," he gasped. "I just need some rest." He was too broken to cry or complain. He just needed to treasure this moment with Zuko and hope that he died quickly. "I won't let them hurt you, Zuzu. I swear it on my life. They'll have to kill me before I let anything happen to you." And that was a fulfilling prophesy. They were going to kill him.

He could not stop shaking with terror. He had been so sure it had all been over in that moment, and now he was alive and awaiting further torture. "Lulu…" Zuko managed to say, before the darkness took over again and Lu Ten felt that wonderful feeling of emptiness free of pain. As Zuko's face swam before his eyes, he realized it would not be long before it was permanent.

They were going to hang him and there was nothing he could do to save himself. He was going to die.

How would his poor family survive?

AN-Now, you know I am going to be horrible and leave you here, don't you? That's because I'm in law school and that's what they teach, to be evil and make you want for a little bit of happiness. So yeah, how is Lu Ten going to escape this one? The Earth kingdom is planning to hang him and they are quite serious about it.

Will have the next chapter in two weeks!