Disclaimer: Sigh I shouldn't have to do this. (Thank you so much McDonalds lawsuit- coffee is hot, no crap) So no I don't own Avatar.
The Fire Prince waited, meditating and preparing for the blanket of the night to creep over the stronghold and lull everyone to sleep. To all appearances he was the picture of the calm warrior about to face battle, but his insides twisted when the smirking face of his sister frequently flashed through his mind. Finally in the wee hours of the morning, when the Earth Palace was still, quiet, and vulnerable the Blue Spirit was ready; swords sheathed in the holster upon his back and blue mask firmly secured over his face. He hoisted two light sacs over his shoulder before extinguishing all of the light inside his room and the adjacent hall, and slipping silently out into the corridor.
Zuko, transformed into his rebellious alter ego, was another mere shadow. He melted into the darkness and nimbly avoided any Dai Li; concealing himself behind any convenient pillar, wall, or furnishing until he reached the upper prisons and lower dungeons. His good luck held and he met no one, but Zuko was sure his pounding heart could be heard echoing off of the bare metal walls. Voices, that must be the door. He stopped before rounding the corner and pressed himself against the cold walls, ears straining. At least 3, maybe 4.
Reaching inside his shirt, the masked Prince withdrew two round black objects.
The Three Dai Li agents neither heard nor saw anything until two solid black orbs rolled out of the darkness and came to a stop at their feet. They looked down in surprise, and barely had time to register the hissing fuses attached to the mysterious objects before a fourth figure dropped from the metallic ceiling directly in front of them. Then the smoke bombs went off, engulfing the bewildered Dai Li in an impenetrable cloud and the acrid smoke burning their eyes and noses. The coughing guards on either side of the Blue Spirit let a fisted earthen glove fly, attempting to knock the intruder out. Zuko's lightening reflexes were tested as he dropped to a crouch and felt them fly harmlessly overhead. The Dai Li had no time to react when their comrade's glove struck, knocking them unconscious.
Well that was easy…
The remaining guard directly in front of the door had his arms over his bowed head and bent torso, choking and trying to ward off the gas. He blindly threw a series of open palm stabs, and sections of the ingenious gloves flew at Zuko. He dodged a few, then quickly and artfully drew his broadswords. One, two three, four, quick jerks of the wrists were all it took for the airborne pieces of rock to crumble and fall harmlessly to the floor. Frantically the earth bender tried to gather the broken glove pieces, and didn't notice the attacker disappear into the smoke. He was halfway through forming another ball of rock, and had just enough time to glance up before the assailant came flying silently through the smoke, leg extended, and landed a kick to his chest. The guard soared back through the air and landed against the thick metal door with a resounding thud. He slid down, gasping and dazed. Through popping white stars the last thing the unlucky Dai Li saw was the silent, masked figure above him, sword raised. Then everything went black.
Zuko knocked the man out with the hilt of one Dao sword, and then proceeded to untie the ring of keys hanging just inside the agent's black vest. Swiftly tying and gagging the three agents, he dragged the first two into a small supply closet and locked the door, then hoisted the prone body of the last guard onto his shoulder.
The Prince ran down the dim, eerie green corridor as fast as his burden would allow, stopping at the only occupied cell and fumbled with numerous keys. The keys jangled loudly as his hands shook nervously, until, 'click.' He took a deep steadying breath and stepped inside.
Iroh was resting upon his cot, eyes closed, flat on his back, and hands at his sides. He didn't even flinch when the lock clicked and the door swung open. Zuko held his breath fearing the worst, but started at his Uncle's usual rich, warm voice.
"And why are you coming to visit my humble cell so late at night? Is there a problem? Does my niece request my company?"
The wily old general sat up slowly, blinking and swung around to face the door and address the guard. Seeing the Blue Spirit, a rare expression of shock and disbelief found its way onto his face.
"I know that cannot be my nephew because I told him to leave that infernal mask at the bottom of a lake."
Zuko let the unconscious guard's body slide to the floor with a thud, and reached up to untie the face of his alter ego.
"Lucky for you then Uncle, that I always keep a spare."
Iroh continued to look on in wonder as the Prince was revealed. Then he grinned, delight infusing his whole being. "Nephew!!" But as suddenly as the older man's joy materialized, the memory of past few days came flooding back and hovered tensely between them.
Iroh looked away and said in cool voice, "Zuko, what on earth are you doing here? Dressed as the Blue Spirit again? Does Azula know this?"
"Uncle, I've realized that I chose wrongly. Azula…I understand that it was wrong of me to…to…betray you, after you've done so much for me…Zuko broke off unwilling to let his voice crack. He swallowed and then looked back at his Uncle earnestly. "You're not hurt are you…I..Azula," he said anxiously, sweeping his Uncle with concerned eyes.
Iroh held up a hand. "I am fine Zuko. No one has treated me too poorly." Then he looked intently at the young man with suspicion in his eyes.
"What has made you realize this Prince Zuko? What has happened?" .
Zuko, even more awkward and uncomfortable, didn't want his Uncle to know of Ozai's planned treachery. For this would mean Zuko had not turned back willingly on his own. It took hearing of his own father plotting his demise to turn back from his chosen course; the easiest path and consequent betrayal of his Uncle. Perhaps Iroh would think it the coward's way out, a way to save his own skin.
He dodged the question. "We really don't have time to discuss it right now Uncle. We have to get you out of here."
He pulled the mask over his face, and carefully placed the unconscious Dai Li agent under Iroh's thin blanket. Turning towards the door, he motioned for his Uncle to follow. Iroh opened his mouth; about to keep questioning his nephew, but remained silent, shook his head, and followed Zuko out of the dim cell.
The Prince lead his Uncle stealthily through the shadows, back to the main Palace, and for all of Iroh's girth he was as silent and fleet-footed as the much younger teenager. But soon all of the darkened, twisting halls looked alarmingly alike. Zuko swore silently, he was lost.
..."and what does she think..." He froze.
Dai Li, they're heading straight for us! Shit, shit, shit…
Iroh ran straight into Zuko's back with a loud, "Oomph!"
"Shhhhhh," his nephew hissed, half turning towards him.
His Uncle cocked his head and listened, and then sprang into action at the exact same moment as his nephew. Zuko jangled each subsequent door handle furiously. Behind him he could hear Iroh doing the same with the doors on his side of the corridor. Panicky and desperate, Zuko managed to quietly push in a weak door; he grabbed his Uncle, dove into the room, and closed the door silently just as two Dai Li appeared around the corner. He carefully relocked the door and the firebending kin held their breath, backing away in unison from the entrance.
Iroh's eyes darted frantically around the room. Ahhh a window, but what is this. Scrolls bound and bearing the seal of the Fire Nation sat upon the table in the dark room. He wandered over as Zuko continued to hover near the door and held them under the moonlight, examining them.
The outside voices and footsteps were close, very close. In fact they came to a halt in front of the door to their refuge.
The Prince let out a soft expletive.
"Zuko," his Uncle whispered, tugging upon the back of his shirt and guiding him to the window. The older man paused on the ledge and glanced back, giving the the rattling door handle one last apprehensive look before jumping from the second story window. He fell none-too-gracefully and landed butt-first upon the grass below. Grumbling and rubbing his padded posterior he watched Zuko descend and land, arms and legs spread gracefully.
"At my age, it is lucky I have such a generous cushion to land upon. Otherwise I could have broken my tail bone!"
Zuko looked at his Uncle still rubbing his behind with both hands, and almost laughed. It was good to have Uncle Iroh back. Even if he's still upset with me.
The two escapees traveled slowly, staying close to the Palace. The darkness and shadow would keep them hidden. "C'mon Uncle," Zuko muttered as out of the side of his mouth, "we need to make a detour at the Palace stables."
To the north of the Palace and within its walls was the stone building that housed the royal mounts. Iroh and Zuko slipped in the back entrance hoping to snatch two unsuspecting Ostrich Horses. Unfortunately there was an abundance of empty stalls, and the few animals they did see looked either too old or too weak. "Where the hell are all the Ostrich horses?" Prince Zuko asked in bewilderment.
For one wild moment he though Azula must have somehow foreseen his plan. No that's impossible. She's not psychic, idiot…But she could have taken precautions…
Still searching through the maze of stalls, Iroh and Zuko came upon a young groom propped against a stall door, snoring loudly. The stench of stale alcohol permeated the air.
"Alright Uncle, let's get some answers."
"Wait Zuko, what are you going to…?"
But Zuko had already kicked the oblivious man awake and swiftly lifted him to his feet by his throat. He grasped him by the shirt sleeves and pinned him to the wall, blue mask leering into the poor groom's face. The terrified and disorientated young man opened his mouth instinctively to cry out, but was silenced by the sharp point of a broadsword placed at the base of his throat. Heart racing, the earth peasant blinked rapidly, clearing his bleary eyes, and bit back another cry as he stared into the face of a terrible blue demon.
"Where is the guard," it hissed.
"H-h-he s-s-stepped out to take a piss. We, We've been drinking. What are you?" he added fearfully, words ever so slightly slurred.
"Do not ask me questions if you value your life," the spirit said in a deadly voice. The groom found himself pressed harder against the wall, the very edge of the blade digging into his skin.
"I've not very long. Where are all the royal mounts? Speak quickly now."
"We've had to move most out to different parts of the Palace. Separate the young healthy ones out, there's a mild form of Bird Flu goin' round."
Zuko nearly swore in frustration, but keeping in character continued, "Is there anything else ridable here?" he rasped.
The groom nodded, breath still coming in short gasps of fear.
"Show me."
The peasant found himself shoved in front of the Spirit, sword now at his back. The disguised Fire Prince and his Uncle followed the stumbling captive down the line of stalls to a separate small wing. Inside five stalls were creatures neither had seen before.
"What are they?" Zuko asked tersely.
"H-h-horses. You ride em, like an Ostrich Horse. More powerful though. The King see, he collects rare animals, like his pet bear. Horses are almost extinct, they're like an ancestor of the Ostrich Horse," the groom rambled.
Zuko, satisfied, knocked the man into darkness and pulled the sweaty mask off of his own face. Hopefully the groom would think it nothing but a dream come morning due to drink and disorientation. Until they find the stolen animals.
He gazed at their new mounts, and could see the resemblance between these "horses" and their modern relative. "They're quite beautiful," Iroh observed. Zuko grunted in agreement. The Fire Prince himself picked the enormous black stallion, liking its striking color and powerful build. Iroh chose a sturdy and more thickly proportioned gray gelding.
Having ridden Komodo Rhinos as well as their stolen Ostrich Horse, both of them were relatively familiar with a basic saddle and bridle and tacked up quickly. Each light sack that Zuko had packed fit easily into the saddle bags and soon both were mounted and ready to go. Then Zuko remembered the handful of guards at the Palace gate. The Inner wall was of no matter, the Outer wall he dismissed; if need be they could bypass the dimwitted guards and blast a doorway through the rock. The Palace Guards were however another matter. He would need to be convincing and conceal his Uncle.
"Uncle here, take this," he said throwing a rough dark green cloak. "Stay behind me, say nothing and pull the hood up." Iroh nodded, and with one last shared look they were cantering quickly and quietly through the Palace's stone streets.
"You there, halt!"
They had reached the outermost gate of the Palace, and the five guards preventing their escape. None of any special size or ability by the looks of it. Not a problem, but a bad idea to cause a commotion if unnecessary.
"What in spirits sake are two vagabonds doing riding the King's horses around in the middle of the night?" The ranking Dai Li held up his torch, squinting in the darkness, trying to make out the stranger's faces.
It was easy enough to fool them. To reveal himself and mention his mission with a royal condescension that had been bred into him as a child. He threw out his sisters name and the terror on their faces spoke volumes. The guards bended the door open for them, bowing low as they rode past.
They rode in silence through the streets, meeting no further trouble at the inner and finally outer wall. Forty minutes of hard riding found them a gentle slope far enough outside of the city to take a much needed breather. Iroh slowed his mount and stopped next to a wistful Zuko; staring with unseeing eyes over the semi arid landscape. For the next few moments all that was heard was the heavy breathing of the horses as Iroh copied Zuko, staring at the great wall and Ba Sing Se: the great city that had changed so much for the both of them. The first ray of dawn was just creeping over the horizon, outlining the walls of the capital, when Iroh broke the reverie.
"Now what Prince Zuko," he asked bluntly.
Zuko, staring at the city with blazing golden eyes remained stock still, not even glancing at Iroh when he replied, "Now Uncle, now we go find the Avatar."