DISCLAIMER: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor am I in any way affiliated with Michael Dante DiMartino or Bryan Konietzko. This story is purely fan-made.
Everything went surprisingly smoothly in the run-up to their escape. Zuko had run into Cai on the way back up (actually, he had a suspicion that Cai had been waiting for him) and informed him of what was going on, plus asking for water for Katara. Cai didn't like being told what to do, that was evident from his facial expression as he heard what Zuko had to say, but give him his credit, he agreed. After thanking him and beginning to walk away, Zuko paused and turned back.
"Why did you tell Toph and my Uncle what you saw?" He asked, with a genuine interest to know. "Me and Katara, I mean."
Cai shrugged. "I live a boring life."
Carry on talking about me to my Uncle and I will make sure you have no life left, Zuko promised silently. However, not wanting to say this out loud, he merely nodded then continued on his way, running a check-list through his mind, as a voice replied.
Everyone knows the plan? Check.
Cai knows where to meet me? Check.
Cai knows the way out of the palace and out of Ba Sing Se? Check.
Katara's forgiven me? … I'll get back to you on that one.
Groaning out loud at his mind's response, Zuko climbed the stairs up to the corridor of the palace. Blinking rapidly as he tried to get used to the sudden bright lights, Zuko turned to which way he knew his room was. Once the dots of blinding light had disappeared from in front of his eyes, he checked around him to make sure there was no sign of Azula. For once, there wasn't.
Why should there be? Zuko silently reassured himself, there's still a good hour until she's supposed to leave…which gives me plenty of time to get some rest.
Opening his door and walking into his room, Zuko glanced around before shutting it quickly. Agni knew why he was so edgy all of a sudden, but it was a feeling he couldn't shake.
Anyone would be nervous if they were about to escape from Azula, his mind rationed with him.
She's my little sister, I shouldn't be afraid of her, Zuko told himself sternly.
Then why is your heart going a mile a minute? Asked the voice, craftily.
Ignoring it, Zuko made sure the door was locked and turned to his bed. As tired as he was, it didn't seem right that he should get some sleep on a luxurious bed while Katara, his uncle and Toph had to make do with pathetic mattresses.
But it'd be okay if I just lay down on the bed…Zuko thought to himself, doing these actions as he was thinking them. The bed felt like heaven compared to what he was used to, and he quickly sank into it.
And if I close my eyes, then what's the harm in that? Zuko wondered, his eyes already half-closed.
Maybe just a little nap…after all, who knows when I'll be able to sleep like this again?
With only a small part of his mind arguing that he should stay awake, Zuko fell into a world of sleep, where nothing mattered and he didn't care about anything. But one name haunted his dreams.
Katara…
Two Hours Later
There was a loud banging on the door, followed by a heavy sigh that a half-asleep Zuko could hear through the door. Wondering who it could be, Zuko quickly shook himself awake.
"Azula!" He muttered, in a panic. For a moment he had completely forgotten the plan, or what he was supposed to say to her. Then he composed himself and it all came flooding back. Shaking his head to make sure he was fully awake, Zuko quickly stood up and made his way towards the door.
Unlocking it, he readied himself for an annoyed Azula. He immediately noticed that she had changed from her Earth Kingdom clothes in to full Fire Nation armour. The deep red of her battle wear contrasting with the darkness of her hair and the paleness of her skin. That, coupled with the usual scowl she had upon her face made her a formidable foe. Now however she wore a smile, which looked foreign on her normally glaring face. She was looking at him, clearly expecting Zuko to say something, so he said the first thing that came into his head: the truth.
"I was asleep." He murmured in explanation.
"That's fine Zuko. I know how tired you must be." Azula said, still smiling.
This version of Azula freaked Zuko out, but he knew better than to say anything. Instead he nodded his head mutely in response.
"And I take it you don't want to come with me to capture the Avatar?" Azula asked, her voice now sympathetic.
"It's not that I don't want to," Zuko said quickly, "it's just that I'm so tired. I'd become a liability. I can't ruin your chances."
"I understand." Azula replied, her sympathetic voice still on. "And I thank you for your consideration. It's still a shame though. Still, I trust you can pay a visit to the prisoners in my absence?"
"What?" Zuko asked sharply. Then, regaining his composure, he added, "I don't think that will be necessary. They have the Dai Li to look after them, don't they?"
"Only the capable Dai Li agents will accompany me tonight, along with Mai and Ty Lee. The rest, and believe me when I say that that is the majority, will stay. Therefore you will be the only person in the palace I can completely trust." Azula paused, and Zuko had to push back a smirk.
I'm the only one you can completely trust? He thought ironically. You won't be saying that in a few hours, sis.
"I appreciate how difficult it will be to go back to the…" Azula paused distastefully, before deciding on a word "…Waterbender after the pitiful looks she was throwing at you earlier, but believe me when I say it will be much harder for you to see her burn." Azula's tone turned from sympathetic to cold and cruel.
"What?" Zuko asked, genuinely confused but afraid to know the answer.
Azula stared at him as though he were mentally impaired.
"Once we have the Avatar there will be no reason to hold onto her. Or the Earthbender. What I have no need for I dispose of. Unless," Azula said, a smirk growing on her face, "you'd like to do it for me?"
Zuko didn't answer immediately. This was most likely the final test from Azula to prove his loyalty. If he harshly declined then she would immediately suspect that something was wrong, which he could not afford to happen at these critical stages of the plan. So instead, he nodded.
"Let's just capture the Avatar first." He replied slowly. "How long will it take you to get to Omashu?"
"Technically Omashu doesn't exist anymore." Azula replied, and for one wild moment Zuko began to panic that Azula had done something drastic like blown it up. "I renamed it in honour of Father. And it won't take us too long to get to New Ozai."
Zuko almost wrinkled his nose in distaste for this name and the emphasis his sister put on it.
If she was any more of a suck up…Zuko thought, resisting the temptation to roll his eyes. He had never been to Omashu/New Ozai before, but much preferred the name Omashu. He had heard Katara talk about it in passing, and it was the first reasonable place name that had come into his head when talking to Azula before, so he rolled with it.
"Although I trust you implicitly Zuko, I must ask that you don't leave the palace." Azula continued, jerking Zuko out of his thoughts. "I don't want anyone figuring out what has happened over the past week."
She glanced swiftly at Zuko's clothes, causing him to look down also. He had his "civilian" clothes, which was to say black pants and a relatively thick red top. Even though it had no sign of the Fire Nation insignia or anything that might identify him as royal, it did kind of scream out "Look at me! I'm Fire Nation!"
"I understand." Zuko told his sister, nodding. There were a few moments of silence between the siblings, as neither knew quite what to say.
"May luck be with you on the mission." Zuko told his sister finally.
"I don't need luck." She smirked, before walking out and shutting the door behind her.
Zuko had the sudden urge to hit something at his sister's arrogance, but he took deep, steadying breaths and the feeling passed. Good thing too, as the closest thing that was solid enough to hit was the wall, and Zuko didn't particularly feel like escaping Ba Sing Se with a broken knuckle.
He could only assume that it would be time to meet up with the others shortly, but he would have to wait a decent amount of time so as not to arouse suspicion. If Azula was only taking the best of the Dai Li then they wouldn't take long to round up.
There's probably what, twenty, thirty Dai Li agents who are actually good fighters? Zuko guessed. The rest…well, "amateurs" is such a strong word. Applicable in this case however.
Zuko hated this feeling, the calm before the storm. He hated being cooped up when he knew there was something better he could be doing. Right now though, he would just have to wait for a few minutes until he was sure the coast was clear. Patience wasn't one of Zuko's strong points, but, as his mother had often told him teasingly: "Patience is a virtue". He missed his mother greatly at times like these. Sometimes he would catch himself thinking about her, about where she was right now. He had no closure, no idea if she was dead or alive, but he was determined to find out one day.
And if you're alive, I'll find you, and I'll be the person you always wanted me to be. I'll make you proud to call me "son", Zuko vowed silently.
After casting one final glance around his room, Zuko gathered all the things of value. Namely, his Blue Spirit broadswords. These would be all too conspicuous should anyone see them, so Zuko quickly snatched up the holster and fastened it around himself, so his swords rested snugly on is back. He would just have to hope he didn't see anyone, and if he did then he'd keep his back to them. Simple. Stupid, but simple.
Clasping his hand around the door handle, Zuko took a deep breath. It wasn't like him to be nervous, but right now he was more nervous than he could ever remember being. Pulling the door open quietly, Zuko put every thought out of his mind that did not include being silent and stealthy. Crossing the corridor, he mentally prayed that the swords on his back would not be stained with bloody by the end of the day. Only as a last resort would Zuko kill someone, and it had to be a dire situation before he would seriously consider it.
The way to the dungeons was blessedly uneventful. The only time Zuko thought he had heard something, he had frozen stiffly, his breath held. But it only turned out to be a maid, struggling to carry bundles of clothes, which looked as though they belonged to Azula.
She probably had them shipped in…and she was worried about me blowing her cover? Zuko thought, slightly indignant. He watched as the woman stumbled, but hurried to pick up what she had dropped and hurried off. Azula, next time do your own damn laundry.
Keeping to the shadows, Zuko crept down the stone steps of the dungeon, praying that he wouldn't trip. That would be painful and humiliating. Luckily no such incident occurred and he reached the bottom safely. Sticking close to the wall, he continued silently in the dim light for a couple of minutes, wondering if Cai was where he should be.
"You're late." A voice hissed, making Zuko jump. He was already halfway to his broadswords when he recognised the voice.
"Katara?" He hissed back in disbelief. "You're not supposed to be here!"
"A little jumpy aren't we?" Cai asked, smirking as he walked out from the alcove he had presumably everyone hidden in.
"What happened to the plan?" Zuko spat, making sure to keep his voice low.
"First off, it's my plan that we're following." Cai replied, regarding Zuko coolly. "Secondly, you're the one who didn't stick to the plan. You're almost an hour late! Thirdly…why in the name of Gods do you have broadswords of all things strapped to you back?"
"Azula didn't come for me as early as I had anticipated." Zuko said, scanning the corridor behind him. There was no sign of anyone, but that could all change any moment. "And the broadswords are for protection."
"Really? Because I heard they were the latest in fashion accessories." Toph remarked dryly. "Now shouldn't we be going?"
Zuko didn't like taking orders from a twelve year old girl, but he agreed about their departure.
"Over to you Cai." Iroh said, smiling. Cai nodded grimly.
"Zuko, you stay at the back of the group. I'll lead the way. If you see anyone you shouldn't then alert either Zuko or myself immediately. Preferably myself. Got that?" Cai asked, taking charge. They all nodded mutely, Zuko thinking how arrogant Cai was. No matter, he could kick his ass later.
As they began to walk, Toph and Iroh stood almost directly behind Cai whilst Katara hung back, nearer to Zuko. Taking this as a good sign, he began to talk in low tones.
"I'm sorry I was late." He said, half his mind on his words and half on protecting the people in front of him.
"You came, that's the important thing." Katara replied, keeping her eyes forward.
"Yeah, well there was nothing good to read in the palace, so…"
Katara turned around and gave him a small smile while they carried on walking. "You made a joke."
"I sometimes talk incessantly when I'm nervous. If I say anything stupid then just ignore me." Zuko shrugged, his eyes shifting from one side of the corridor to the other.
"Done." Katara nodded. At Zuko's silence, she added, "Sokka talks incessantly anyway. I've learnt to block out the noise."
Smiling to himself, Zuko continued to glance warily around him. After a few minutes of trudging along in silence, it was still quite a walk to the dungeon steps, and then there was the palace to get through.
"If we pull this off it'll be a miracle." Katara muttered, voicing what Zuko was thinking.
Zuko didn't reply, just remained alert for any signs of danger. He felt as though he were walking on eggshells with Katara right now, and didn't want to say the wrong thing. She was…temperamental to say the least, especially right now. He had noticed his Uncle's attempt to get involved by not getting involved. That was to say, he gave Zuko and Katara the space that they needed. But having relationship discussions when you could be attacked and killed at any moment don't tend to happen. At least, not to Zuko.
Silence took over the small group as everyone walked in silence. Katara moved closer to Toph and Iroh, glancing around every so often to check if Zuko was okay. She sometimes gave him a small smile before turning around, which made Zuko feel better about everything.
It took a lot longer to reach the dungeon steps than he remembered, but then again they were travelling quite slowly. Every step they took could be their last, and Zuko knew he wasn't alone in feeling like that. But finally, after an age, the stone steps came into view.
Cai held out an abrupt hand, and Iroh held onto Toph's shoulder so she wouldn't bump into the now stationary Cai.
"Follow my lead." Cai whispered, in a voice so quiet that his companions only just heard it.
"Isn't that what we've just been doing?" Asked Zuko in a low voice, standing next to Katara so that only she could hear. Katara smirked and tried to suppress her laughter by turning away. Zuko smiled to himself, glad that he had made her laugh. It was far, far better than making her cry.
"Actually, strike that." Cai corrected himself, still speaking quietly. "Wait here. I'll check to see if it's safe first."
With that he stalked up the steps and disappeared momentarily, leaving the group in silence. No one dared to move. No one dared to speak. It seemed as though just breathing would alert unwanted attention, so Katara tried to breathe quietly. Cai was gone for about two minutes, which lasted an eternity to those in the dungeons.
"Where is he? I'm cold." Toph grumbled, breaking the silence. Her voice echoed slightly off the stone walls around them, and she smiled at the effect. "Echo…" Her word came bouncing back to her, causing her to chuckle. Iroh smiled also, but Katara frowned and Zuko rolled his eyes.
"Toph, I get that you're bored, but that really isn't helping." Katara said in her sensible tone.
"Sorry Mom." Toph muttered back, without thinking.
Katara looked away uncomfortably at the name, and Zuko glared at Toph's back. Not that it helped the situation any, but it made him feel slightly better.
"She didn't mean to say that." Zuko murmured to Katara. "She's just fed up." He instinctively put a hand on her arm, a sign of comfort he had witnessed many times.
"Just be grateful my brother isn't here. He'd probably be running up and down the corridors by now. He hasn't got the greatest of attention spans."
"Have you met Ty Lee?" Zuko asked, eyebrows raised. Katara had made no sign that she was uncomfortable with Zuko's comfort gesture, but Zuko removed his hand just in case.
"Point taken." Katara nodded. "Anyway, Cai's back now."
Sure enough, Cai descended halfway down the steps and began to whisper, so that everyone had to move closer in order to hear him.
"The coast is clear. We need to go in single file right now, and keep as far into the wall as possible. Iroh, you lead after me. Keep two metres behind me just in case. Zuko you're at the back again. I don't need to remind you all to keep quiet, do I?"
Everyone shook their heads silently, then began to form a line before climbing slowly up the steps. No one was questioning Cai's orders, because they knew he was their best chance at getting out of the palace alive. So, walking along the beautifully decorated hallways, no one spoke and everyone kept as hidden as possible. Several times Katara noticed something that caught her eye, like a stunning ornament or piece of artwork, but obviously didn't stop to look further. Sometimes she recognised things that she had seen previously, like the grand double doors that led to the throne room. At times like these she bit her lip and worried about Aang and Sokka. Sokka had told her he would come for her if she'd been gone for this long, but he obviously hadn't counted on Aang still being ill.
Either that or he's realised that I can take care of myself…Katara thought briefly. Each step she took was another step towards freedom, but possibly also towards death. None of them (with the obvious exception of Cai) knew where they were going, and Katara began to regret not questioning Cai on their route previously. A map would have been nice as well.
However, fifteen minutes into their painfully slow journey (Cai had to stop them all at every corner to make sure there was no one there…and there were a lot of corners in the palace) Katara began to recognise more and more things, until they reached a corridor that was hauntingly familiar.
"No." She whispered in horror. "You've got to be kidding me."
"What's up?" Zuko murmured, walking to catch up to her. Katara turned around to face him, not realising their proximity to each other. If Katara just leant in a little more…
Clearing her throat and stepping backwards, Katara pointed to the end of the corridor, where it was evident that a window had been recently broken. Her finger trailed along the corridor until it stopped just a few feet in front of them, pointing to the floor. Zuko frowned momentarily before the recognition set in.
"It probably isn't what we think. Maybe he wants us to jump out the window?" Zuko asked in an absurdly hopeful voice.
"I think I'd rather jump than the place he's planning on taking us." Katara said darkly, as they came to a stop in the exact place she'd feared that they would.
"We're here." Cai announced quietly.
"Not to burst your bubble, but there's nothing here." Toph told him.
"Check again." Zuko told her grimly. "Because there's definitely something here."
"Unfortunately." Katara added, glaring down at the spot Cai was now indicating.
"How did you guys know?" Cai asked in disappointment.
"Let's just say that we've been here before. And it's not an experience any of us wish to repeat." Zuko told Cai, glancing swiftly at Katara. She looked up at him sharply, before her eyes softened and she looked back down to the floor.
"Well sorry folks, but it's the best option we've got right now." Cai said, still looking put-out that his "surprise" turned out not to be surprising. "Now stand back."
The others obliged, Katara watching with a sinking feeling as Cai struck his arms out and sharply pushed them down. The floor in front of them copied Cai's movements, and sunk lower, revealing a ramp down into somewhere Katara had hoped she would never have to go again.
The crystal catacombs.
She exchanged wary glances with Zuko before cautiously stepping forwards, nearer to the sloping floor and looking down it. Katara could see the faint and eerie green glow of the crystals through the darkness, glittering harmlessly. It wasn't the crystals she feared; it was what they represented, the memories which they were bound to bring up.
She hadn't noticed Zuko sidling up to her, and jumped when he spoke softly.
"After you." He murmured, gesturing downwards.
"Thanks." Katara muttered sarcastically, before taking a breath and placing one foot at the edge of the slope. Slowly putting the other foot in front of it, Katara carried on down the ramp in this way, careful not to stumble.
"Come on Sugar Queen! We're not getting any younger!" Toph said when Katara was halfway down. Katara stopped completely and turned to glare at Toph, before feeling the slope beneath her feet abruptly rise then fall again, causing Katara to lose her balance and tumble down the sloping ramp. Smacking her head on the earth at the bottom, Katara winced and sat up, rubbing her sore head.
"Are you okay?" A frantic voice asked. She recognised it to be Zuko's…but why was he worried about her? She'd been through a lot worse (mainly at his hands) than falling down a slope.
"I'm fine." She called back. "Now come on."
Standing up slowly, Katara looked around uneasily.
I think I'd have rather risked walking out the front doors than be back here again…she thought, continuing to look around as Iroh, Toph and Zuko made their way down the ramp.
"Sorry about that." Toph said to Katara, grinning sheepishly.
"It's okay, really. Where's Cai?"
"I'm com-" Started Cai before stopping, another voice interrupting him. Katara heard the running of footsteps and suddenly another Dai Li agent appeared, looking down at them all then setting his eyes quickly back to Cai.
"You have to go now!" The agent said, and although they were several metres down from him, they could all hear the panic and urgency in his voice.
"This is my brother, Hiro. He knows about the plan." Cai called down to the group.
"Can't you keep your mouth shut about anything?" Asked Zuko, half-exasperated, half-angry.
"He's the only one I told." Snarled Cai, before turning back to his brother, beginning to get nervous himself. "Now, what's up?"
"Azula." Hiro replied anxiously, looking back down below him at the group. "She knows Prince Zuko tricked her. She's on her way here."
A/N:
Duh duuh duuuuuuh! (Yeah, that was supposed to be dramatic music :P). If you're wondering why Azula was being unnaturally nice to Zuko early on in this chapter, it'll be explained next chapter. Hope you all enjoyed, sorry it took me awhile to update, but exams were on last week. Thanks to my reviewers for giving me 150 reviews! That was my goal, and I'm so happy that I got it. Thank you to InuAva who was the 150th reviewer :D
Hope you enjoyed, review please :D