Hey guys, new chapter! I love this chapter! Please! Please please please! If you have any ideas on the game Sakida should pull, (keep in mind it has to be given to Zuko, and if he fails, Katara gets hurt) Please, if you have any ideas, post a review or private message me.
Disclaimer:
"Zuko, come on, be reasonable," Sokka said, walking on Zuko's right flank, Aang on his left.
"I am being reasonable, I want Katara back and I'm going to get her," Zuko replied, determined.
"And walking into enemy territory is the way to do it?" Aang asked.
It wasn't really enemy territory, but Aang and Sokka don't know that. The real address was right underneath their noses. Literally. Remember that underground secret bunker Ozai used during the eclipse? Yeah, that's where they're keeping Katara.
"Going into enemy territory is the way to do what, Prince Zuko?" Iroh called from the royal tea room as they walked by.
The three boys turned and entered the room where Toph, Suki and Iroh were sitting around the Pai Sho table playing a round and drinking some tea.
"A letter was sent from whoever has Katara," Sokka said. "Zuko won't tell us where she is, only that he has to go get her, alone." Sokka crossed his arms and glared at Zuko.
"I see," Iroh placed one hand under his chin, while the other moved a lotus tile. "what exactly are you hoping to gain by traveling alone?"
"What do you mean? The letter said to come alone, and if I don't who knows what they could do to Katara." Zuko said.
"Or you could be walking right into a trap," Iroh eyed his nephew, who was starting to have second thoughts. "take my advice Prince Zuko, at least tell one of us where they are keeping her, and if you are not back in two weeks, we'll come looking for you."
Zuko never thought about walking into a trap, it didn't even pass his mind because he was preoccupied by the fact that he's going to get Katara back.
"All right," Zuko agreed, nodding his head.
He was all packed and ready to go. Over his usual outfit, he wore black covering, like the clothing he wore when he was helping Katara find her mother's killer. He had a bag full of food, first aid, and two blankets, just in case. Even though he wasn't traveling far, he didn't want to take any chances.
Zuko had told Toph where the secret hiding place was, and she swore not to tell anybody until they reached the two week limit. Zuko had two weeks to get in, play the game, and get him and Katara out safely.
Strapping his duo swords across his back, Zuko set out to the dining room, where everyone was quietly having their evening meal.
"You're leaving already?" Iroh asked, looking up from his tea when Zuko entered the room.
Hakoda looked up, and glared. He wasn't pleased that the Fire Lord was going to rescue his daughter.
"The sooner I get her back, the faster I can put this threat behind me." Zuko replied, stuffing some more food into his bag.
"Are you sure you don't want any of us to come?" Aang asked.
"Leave Sparky to his business, he needs to rescue Sweetness and his honor." Toph remarked sarcastically.
Zuko glared at the young earthbender, even though she couldn't see it. She was right, after all, it was his business to keep Katara safe and he failed. He lost Katara and the little honor he had with her, now it's his duty to get them both back.
"Zuko can I talk to you for a second?" Sokka asked, waving his hand, motioning for Zuko to follow him.
When they were out of hearing distance, Sokka turned, his expression was of grief. Zuko suspected that Sokka would be talking this harder than the others, Katara is his sister after all, they've been though a lot together.
"She's my sister Zuko, bring her home safely." Sokka pleaded with a stern voice. Holding out his arm, Sokka waited for Zuko to take it.
And he did. Grasping the water tribe warrior's forearm, he promised. "I wouldn't do it any other way," It was Water Tribe tradition for two men to greet, farewell, and promise by grasping each other's forearms.
"Good, otherwise I'd have to kill you," Sokka stared right into Zuko's eyes, before loosening up and laughing in his face. "Just messing with you,"
"Right," Zuko replied, uneasy.
"Believe me Zuko," Sokka released his arm, throwing his own around Zuko's shoulders. "when I found out about you and my sister, I already thought of you as part of the family, but I'm not sure about my father, he's the one you should really talk to."
"I plan to," Zuko nodded. "when I return with Katara, I plan on telling everyone about us, no more hiding."
"That's a bold move Zuko," Sokka released his arm and looked at the Fire Lord. "just think about all the rebellion and disagreement the Fire Nation will have towards the Fire Lord having a waterbender as a girlfriend."
"I don't care," Zuko argued. "I've waited long enough to tell everyone and I do not wish to wait any longer."
"I'm glad Katara has you," Sokka smiled, but then it faded. "or has had you I guess, if she's. . .n-not dead. . .already,"
"She's alive, they would have to if they want to get to me," Zuko frowned.
Katara couldn't be dead, she had to be alive. If they wanted to lure in Zuko, they would have to keep Katara alive.
"And no one can do that," A girl's voice shouted from behind. The two boys turned to see Toph walking towards them, a grin on her face.
"What are you doing Toph?" Sokka asked, suspicious of her.
"I'm saying my farewells to Zuko," She replied innocently. She walked up and punched Zuko's arm.
"Ow!" He complained, rubbing his arm. At least it was his left arm and not his right, which was still injured from the fight.
"That's how I saw goodbye," Toph shrugged.
After all the farewells, Zuko started to make his way to the secret bunker. The entrance to it was in a secret prison cell, which was hidden behind a wall of bricks.
The hallways were dark and erie, it's been a while since Zuko's been down here. The last time, he was confronting his father about joining the Avatar. Best choice he's made in his seventeen years of life.
I swear, the moment I have Katara back, I am never, ever letting her go; Zuko promised himself and Katara.
The main entrance to the bunker was coming up, and Zuko needed to hide his belongings before they take them.
Stuffing his bag and his duo swords behind a huge rock, Zuko stood and faced the big door. Taking a deep breath, He shoved the door aside, the door that leads to the throne room, where he had confronted his father a long time ago.
There, in his father's place, sat a woman, dressed in black and red. It was a black kimono, red dragon detail and trimming. Upon her face stood a mask, one covered in white with pitch black eyes and full red lips. Red and black swirls also covered the sides of the mask, the cheek and forehead. The woman sat back, and crossed her legs. Dai Lee agents stood in a defensive line in front of her.
"So," She spoke, her voice soft and delicate. "you decided to show up?"
"Where is Katara?" Zuko demanded right away.
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "So quick to get what he wants, what he desires."
"Where. Is. She." Zuko gritted between his teeth.
The woman sat up straight, and snapped her fingers. In a flash, two Dai Lee agents dropped down next to him and trapped Zuko's hands and feet in earth cuffs. He didn't bother fighting them, he already saw it coming.
The masked woman stood, walking down to where Zuko was forced to his knees. Zuko tensed, he didn't want her anywhere near him. Clapping her hands together twice, she turned and ordered two Dai Lee agents to do something.
"Fetch the girl," She ordered, walking back to her place on the throne. Sitting down and crossing her legs again, the woman rested her head on her hand, while her arm was resting on the arm rest. Zuko noticed that when she talked, her lips didn't move, but it was a mask.
His thoughts were interrupted by the opening of a door, and the sound of chains jangling around someone's frail body. Katara struggled against the agents bringing her in. She was still dressed in her under wrappings, but Zuko noticed they were torn and bloody.
No; his mind screamed, they've been torturing her!
Bruises and cuts covered Katara's arms and legs, her back was bare though. Some of the wounds were fresh, some where a few days old.
The moment Katara looked up, her eyes met Zuko's, and she started struggling against the chains again, but she was trying to go to Zuko, who also started struggling to get to her.
The woman rolled her eyes at the two pathetic benders. "Now that you're here, you can make up for all the torture you put this poor Katara in," The woman walked down the few steps towards Katara, who tensed when she neared.
The woman raised her hand and caressed Katara's brown hair.
"Get your hands off of me!" Katara hissed, flinching away.
Zuko almost smiled at her bravery and rebellion. Almost. He probably would have if the woman hadn't slapped Katara on the face right afterwards.
"Katara!" Zuko fought against the cuffs.
"Now the fun begins," The woman laughed. She turned, and walked up to the throne to pull something from behind it.
It was a whip.
Zuko's eyes widened as far as they go in shock, and fear. Noticing the woman's gesture, the Dai Lee moved Katara into the center of the room, making Katara face Zuko directly.
The masked woman stood behind Katara, and moved the hair from Katara's back. Katara was scared, she stared into Zuko's eyes, begging him to help her.
Katara screamed and threw her head up as the whip came into contact with her skin.
I didn't go too far did I? Please tell me if I did! Because I have a few ideas for the games, and it gets a little violent.
Thanks for reading, please review and tell me how i did!