Behind These Painted Masks

Chapter 17

Rescue

-

Katara crept along as quietly as she could, checking around corners for guards or anything, but the whole Palace was empty, apparently Azula didn't need guards or servant or anything.

The dungeon, Katara suspected, was beneath the Palace so she descended the endless staircases, losing count as she went deeper and deeper into the earth. She kept her water ready at all times, eyes alert for the circus freak, if Mai was here Ty Lee was sure to be lurking around a corner, ready to steal the waterbender's chi. When she jumped the last few stairs she was met with a long hallway made of steel. Flames in torches on the wall creating shadows that flickered on the barred doors. In the corner was Ty Lee, sitting on a chair, her head nodding forward onto her chest as she slept. Katara didn't think twice, the water flew from her waterskin and froze Ty Lee to a wall. The contortionist, to Katara's surprise, slept on. Katara's palm found her forehead as Ty Lee gave a resonating snore.

She looked in each room, standing on her very tiptoes to see through the bars. Each room was empty and with each empty cell Katara's nervousness grew. At the very end of the hallway she looked in the last cell, praying to find her friends.

Huddled in the corner was her brother, sleeping on him was Toph and draped across Toph was a small girl. The three were completely out of it and Katara let out a small laugh. A pale green orb opened reflecting the bars of light filtering through.

"Is someone there?" Toph voice was sharp as her other eye opened, "Ty Lee I don't want to play another game."

"A game?" Katara laughed a bit more, "Now why on earth would I want to play a game?"

Toph stared at the door, "Sugar Queen?"

"The one and only," Katara summoned water back from Ty Lee and froze the lock. After she kicked it open, breaking the handle and the door swung in, letting the full light of the corridor flow in.

Toph stood up and instead of running and hugging Katara (Like Katara had imagined the scene) she punched her in the shoulder and asked, "What took you so long?"

"Oh, hi Toph, it's nice to see you to!" Katara countered, causing Toph to laugh slightly, "Who's that?"

Sakora had woken up by now and was looking at Katara with big blue eyes, "I'm Sakora. Who're you?"

"I'm Katara." She crouched on her knees, staring hard at the little girl, "Sokka!" he poked him causing him to start and look around blearily.

Katara leaped on him, hugging him tightly, "Katara?" he pulled her off holding her at arms length before pulling her back into the hug, "It is you! What are you doing here?"

"Oh I was just in the neighbourhood and thought I'd drop by." She said sarcastically, "I'm here to save you."

"I love this family reunion but," Toph pointed at her feet, "Could I please have a bit of healing magic water crap now please? I'm tired of being blind."

Katara hurried over to Toph, summoning water from the air around her, bending down and closing her eyes. The water glowed, filling the cell with a shining light.

Sakora's eyes were wide when Katara finished, "You're like me!" she said, practically assaulting Katara with a hug.

"She's a waterbender?" Katara asked, picking the girl up in her arms.

"Not just a waterbender," Toph said, interlocking her finger and stretching them, smiling at the cracks coming from the joints, "the Avatar."

"Hey!" Ty Lee's voice came from the doorway, she was standing now, dripping wet and looking angry.

"Let me deal with this." Toph stepped in front of Sokka and Katara, "Surprise!" she said and with a quick jab of her fist, Ty Lee was thrown against a wall, knocking her out cold.

"Wow." Sokka said, looking at Toph in awe, "Out for two weeks and you still kick ass! I must say I'm impressed."

"Yeah, yeah." Toph waved him off, blushing slightly, "Now let's get out of here!"