Chap. 17

Interlude 2: Coney Island

The calliope music rang through the air, it's happy tones matched by the joyful cries of the children who rode the merry-go-round. All around, people walked and smiled as they planned their next ride, or enjoyed a hot dog, or prepared to destroy their teeth and cholesterol with some deep-fried dough or sweet candy. Truly, this was a place of merriment and enjoyment, where all of one's troubles vanished.

But all those things meant nothing to the group that walked through the park alone, their red clothing and serious demeanor setting them apart from the crowd. And none were more set off then Azula, for whom people instantly cleared a path without even being asked. Still, this meant nothing to the Princess; she was used to people making way for her at first glance. And besides, her mind was currently involved in far more important things, such as wondering what kind of madhouse world she had been hurled into.

Look at them. Walking around like chattering monkeys. Azula thought with disgust, as she looked at all the people around her. They don't even have enough sense to fear me. If they really did, they'd be begging to tell me what I want to know.

Please. They have no idea who you are. Why should they fear you? A voice in her head replied, one that sounded a good deal like Mai. Azula gritted her teeth at that voice, but she knew it was right. Ever since they were children, Mai had been the voice of reason for the three of them. Azula had often lacked understanding of the situation with her one-track mind, and Ty Lee…. Well, that was self-explanatory. Mai had been the only one with enough gumption to question Azula's orders (most of the time) and when she did, they usually led to some pretty astute observations, that had saved Azula from trouble quite a few times. It only made sense then that Azula's voice of reason sounded like Mai.

That didn't mean however, that Azula had to like it. Fine, but then what am I supposed to do? She thought back. Beg for someone to tell me where we are, like a filthy peasant?

No, but you can just ask. If you're nice, maybe they'll tell you what you want.

I shouldn't have to be nice. I'm…..

Newsflash, Azula. It doesn't matter here. You're not a princess here; you're just a lost fifteen-year-old girl. You're probably going to have to do some back scratching to get out, and you've got no one to blame for it but yourself.

……………….

Azula had finally managed to do to herself what no other living person could; shut herself up. Yes, it was her fault, and no matter how angry she got about it, she couldn't deny it. All she'd thought about was seeing the look on Zuko's face when his little girlfriend went up in flames right in front of his face. If the Fire Knight had gotten the piece of that thing, he might've been able to stop all this from coming to pass. But he didn't, and now Azula was stuck in the strange world, maybe forever, all because of her own arrogance. And while she was mostly angry with herself, Azula also felt a twinge of guilt for dragging her friends along with her.

And I couldn't even get the stupid job done. I had a clear shot and I didn't take it. Why? Why the hell did I hesitate? This had been the question that had been biting at her ever since arriving in this world. If she had just destroyed that little peasant, at least she could claim that. But instead, she'd hesitated. For the first time in her life, Azula had seen an opening and not exploited it, and it was eating her up inside. Azula was the greatest weapon her father had. She had always accomplished his tasks, never once failing or encountering trouble. But this quest against the Avatar had been the most difficult mission she had ever faced. And now, to have failed to take a shot, Azula was beginning to wonder if she was losing her edge. With that thought in her mind, Azula mentally played back what had happened before they had been sucked into the vortex. She saw herself looking at the girl as she hung precariously close to the vortex. She remembered beginning to draw the power for a final shot. She remembered aiming at the girl, but then the body of the Water-Tribe boy had blocked her way, and she had…….

"Azula, look!" Ty Lee said suddenly, knocking Azula out of her thoughts. Annoyed, Azula looked over to where Ty Lee was pointing and saw a large, winding track built into the ground. As the Princess watched, a small car shot out from a wooden shack built onto the track and began to travel around. Before Azula could see where the car went though, Ty Lee practically shoved herself in the girl's face and asked, "Can we ride it? Please, it looks like fun."

"We're not here to have fun." Azula snapped. "We need to find out where we are and how to get back."

Ty Lee backed off then, as a sad, pitiful look came into her eyes, and her lower lip began to tremble. Azula mentally sighed, knowing that the acrobat was likely to start crying now (Ty Lee had always had a short fuse in that regard). But before she could, Mai put an arm on the girl's shoulder. "It's ok." Mai said soothingly. "I'll ride it with you; it looks interesting. Besides, Azula can't help it if she's scared."

"WHAT?!" Azula snapped, as the troops looked at each other and took a step back.

"Well, why else wouldn't you want to do it?" Mai asked. "After all, if we're going to learn about this world, we need to experience things and taking in a ride won't hurt. After all, that guy at the front let us in without paying because of the 'discount' he mentioned, I'm sure this guy who works this ride would do the same. But it is pretty big, and it looks quite fast. It could be pretty dangerous. But everyone who goes on seems to be enjoying it. Still, if it looks like too much for you….."

But before Mai could finish, Azula stomped forward, grabbed Ty Lee's hand, and began to drag the girl towards the entrance to the ride. Mai watched them head off and smiled. Time for a little payback Azula. She thought to herself.

Azula and Ty Lee marched onto the line for the ride, which thankfully was rather short. Had it been long, Azula would've likely fried the line to get on this ride and prove to Mai that she wasn't afraid of anything. Ty Lee of course, was oblivious to Azula's anger and began to smile happily now that she was finally gong on this new ride. As she turned and began to discuss the ride with some of the other people on line, Azula steamed quietly, which pretty much told everyone around her to stay away.

The line moved quickly, and Azula and Ty Lee found themselves at the gates on the end of the walkway, just as the car came to a halt on the tracks. As the people exited, the gates opened, and the two girls started to walk through. However, one of the workers stepped in front of them and said, "Tickets please."

"What?" Azula asked in genuine confusion. But the man took another look at them and said, "Sorry, I didn't notice your costumes. Hop on." The girls did just that, sitting down in the car in front of them.

"You'd better get to the show after this." The man said, as a metal bar came down and locked the girls in place.

"What show?" Ty Lee asked, but before she got an answer, the car began moving on the track……….

"There they go." Mai said, as she watched the car leave the entrance. The young girl watched as the car began its climb up the track, going higher and higher as it went up the rising track. Finally, they reached the top and went straight down, to the thrilled screams of its passengers. Mai and the troops watched as the car careened, twisted, turned, and sped along the tracks, the screams echoing with each movement. Finally, the car slowed back down and made it's way back into the shed.

"Come on, let's go get them." Mai said, as she and the guards began to walk towards the exit side of the shed. They walked up to the inside just as the car pulled in. The second it came to a halt and the metal bar went up, Ty Lee flipped out of the car, ran over to Mai, and starting hugging the girl.

"Oh Mai, it was wonderful! It was fast and twisty, and…. What's the word? It's got an 'iting' sound."

"Exciting?"

"Yes! Oh it was amazing! I love this place!" Ty Lee said happily, as she tightened her grip. Mai however, managed to slip out thanks to years of practice, and take a look over at Azula. When she did, she was torn between feeling sorry for her and laughing out loud. Azula's face was ash white, and her eyes were gigantic with fright. Her hair was disheveled and hung in front of her face, while her hands had a death grip on the car.

"Azula, you ok?" Mai asked. But there was no response, only Azula's breathing. "Come on, wakey wakey." Mai said, snapping her fingers in front of Azula's face. That seemed to do something, as Azula started, then looked over at Mai.

"It was really fast." The Princess said, in a half-stunned voice.

"I know, I saw it. Now come on." Mai replied, as she started to pull Azula out of the car. It took a moment to break Azula's grip, but then she managed to unsteadily get to her feet. As Mai helped her friend out, the man who ran the ride said, "Hey, is she gonna be ready for the show?"

"What show?" Mai asked.

"The Saturday Spectacular. You know, the one you wore those costumes for, and got an employee discount for? The one that's starting right now?"