"Line 'em up for the warden!" A guard said. Eight prisoners filed in line, one next to the other, including Hakoda. Sokka walked forward and lifted his guard mask.
"Excuse me, coming through. The warden wants me over there. Sorry!" Sokka said, squeezing through the line. I had a grip on his arm, but a guard stopped me.
"Hey, no prisoners allowed up her." He said.
"Sorry sir, but I'm Tatsuya's personal charge. And the Warden want's him over there." I said, continuing to walk. Sokka and I inched our way behind several guards, taller than even Sokka. I'm a bit on the short side so... The warden approached the new prisoners. Walking past the line of prisoners starting from the left.
"Welcome to the Boiling Rock. I'm sure you've all heard the horrible rumors about our little island. Well, I just want to tell you that they don't have to be true, as long as you do everything I say." He stopped in front of Hakoda who looked downward; looked closer at Hakoda. "Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you."
"No." Hakoda said bravely.
"Oh? You'd rather look at my shoes? Then take a look!" He said angrily. He raised his left leg and dragged Hakoda by his handcuffs down onto the floor. Hakoda kneeled over, his face expressing anger. Sokka gasped in warden stood over Hakoda, keeping his foot firmly pressed on the warrior's handcuffs.
"I know exactly who you are, Hakoda of the Water Tribe. So strong-willed. But don't worry, we'll get rid of that in time. Now look me in the eye!" The warden barked. Hakoda reluctantly lifted his head to look the warden in the eye and glared hatefully at him.
"See, isn't that better? You will all do as I say or pay the price. You will all-" He began to walk forward only for Hakoda to lift his left handcuff slightly, tripping the warden and causing him to fall flat on the ground. Sokka and I stifled chuckles, as the two guards standing behind rush to aid the warden.
"Are you okay, sir?" the warden stood angrily.
"I'm fine! Get these prisoners out of my sight!" he snapped.
He stormed away impatiently. The two guards looked at each other. The prisoners filed one behind the other and were led down a stairwell into what I presumed to be the prison hold. Sokka and I ran away.
Sokka and I approached Hakoda's cell, where he sat on his mattress, his face buried in his arms. A sliver of light appeared as the doorway to the cell was opened. Hakoda raised his head to see who had entered. Sokka and I walked in. Sokka began to approach his father.
"Thank goodness you're okay." Sokka said. Hakoda rose to his feet and extended his right arm out, clenched in a fist, not realizing the guard was his son in disguise; Sokka backed up a bit.
"If you take one step closer, you'll see just how 'okay' I am." He lifted up his helmet mask.
"Dad, it's me." Sokka said. Hakoda softened up and grew teary-eyed.
"Sokka," The two embraced; Sokka dropped his helmet to the floor. "my son. You know Sokka, you should be more careful with that guard outfit on. I almost punched you in the gut."
"Yeah, I ran into that problem earlier." Sokka said.
"Hakoda?" I said. Said man looked at me and smiled.
"Avery." He said, opening his arms in an offering. I stepped forward and hugged him.
"So where's Bato?" Sokka turned away from the door, where he had been peering through the slit. "Where's everyone else from the invasion?"
"The others are being held at a prison near the Fire Nation palace. They singled me out as their leader and sent me here." Sokka came and sat down next to us. "But before I left, I met some young women who said they knew you. The... Oshinama Fighters?"
"You mean the Kyoshi Warriors?" Sokka said, smiling.
"That's right." Hakoda said.
"Their leader Suki is here and she's gonna escape with us." Sokka said.
"Good. We'll need all the help we can get."
"And you know Prince Zuko?" Sokka said.
"The son of the Fire Lord? I don't know him, but I know of him."
"Well, he's here too."
"Sounds like a major problem." Hakoda said, crossing his arms angrily.
"No, he's on our side now." I said. Hakoda gave me a suspicious look.
"I know. I had the same reaction. After all he's done, it was hard to trust him. But he's really proven himself, and I never would've found you without his help." Hakoda nodded his head at Sokka, indicating that he understood. "And he and Avery are dating, so if he did something stupid, she'd stop him."
"Right. So, do you have a plan?"
"We had one, but some of the other prisoners got involved and ruined it." He leaned forward and rested his face in his arms. "I dunno if there's another way off this island."
"Sokka, there's no prison in the world that can hold two Water Tribe geniuses and a mystic animal."
"Then we better find some." Sokka said. Hakoda and I laughed while Sokka chuckled nervously.
I followed Sokka as we headed to Zuko's cell. He lifted up his mask.
"Zuko, are you there?" Sokka asked in a hushed tone.
"I'm here." Zuko said, eyes looking like they were glowing.
"We just got done talking to my dad. We came up with an escape plan together." Sokka explained.
"What are you doing here?" A male guard said. I looked to him. "And what is she doing out of her cell?"
"Kaida is my personal charge. Don't worry, she's harmless, she's been tamed." I shot him a look, murdering him mentally. "And I was just telling this dirty lowlife what I think of him!"
"Well, you'll have to do that later. He's coming with us." The male guard said.
"Why?" Sokka asked.
"Because we have orders straight from the warden, that's why!" The female snapped.
"Could I just get ten more seconds to rough him up a bit?" Sokka asked, punching his fist into his hand.
"Fine, ten seconds." They said. We entered the cell and closed the door as Sokka began 'roughing up' Zuko.
"Take that... and this!" Sokka yelled as he punched a bundled-up mattress being held up, several blows being landed to it. Sokka continued punching the mattress which Zuko held up, the two faking the entire scenario. I had to say, they were pretty good. Zuko shouted a few times in mock pain.
"We have a new plan, but it's gonna need a big distraction. Be in the yard in one hour." Sokka said in a hushed tone. A sliver of light appeared as the cell door was opened. Sokka suddenly grabbed Zuko and began to wrestle him to look convincing as the two guards entered, just after I placed the mattress back.
"Alright, that's enough." The male said, separating them. Zuko was escorted out of the cell by the guards while Sokka remained behind. Suddenly, the female turned back and grabbed me too.
"Hey!" I yelped, falling forward to keep balance. She forced my arms behind my back and forced me forward.
"Where are you going with my charge?" Sokka yelled. I sent him a look to tell him that I'd figure it out. Zuko and I were dragged down multiple hallways.
"What are you doing? Where are you taking me?" He was thrown into a chair in an interrogation room. I was thrown to the ground and cringed, sitting up and rubbing my shoulder. That would leave a bruise. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Come on, Zuko. We all know that's a lie."
"Mai?" Zuko gasped as said gloomy girl came into the room. She looked to me.
"So... You're going with the name 'Kaida'?" Mai said.
"How did you know I was here?" Zuko interrupted.
"Because I know you so well."
"But, how-"
"The warden's my uncle, you idiot." Zuko sighed; Mai showed him a letter. "The truth is, I guess I don't know you. All I get is a letter? You could have least looked me in the eye when you ripped out my heart."
"I didn't mean to -"
"You didn't mean to?" She began reading the letter. "'Dear Mai, I'm sorry you that you have to find out this way, but I'm leaving'."
"Stop! This isn't about you. This is about the Fire Nation!" Zuko said. I looked between the two, awkwardly trying to asses what happened.
"Thanks Zuko, that makes me feel all better." She threw the letter at him. Zuko stood up.
"Mai, I never wanted to hurt you. But I have to do this to save my country." Zuko said.
"Save it? You're betraying your country!"
"That's not how I see it." Zuko said. Mai looked away from him, crossing her arms.
"And you left me for her?" Mai said, nodding at me. I frowned, standing.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're a stupid savage who rolls in the dirt." Mai said.
"At least I express myself, Goth Ball." I snapped.
"'Goth Ball'? I think you just proved my point." Mai sneered.
"Listen Mai, I don't know what your problem is, alright? You act like I disrespect you because of the whole Ember Island Zuko fiasco. I don't want to argue, alright? I'm just trying to help one damn kid save the damn world from damn Ozai!" I exclaimed. "Listen, deep down, I know you can be good."
"Good? What do you mean by 'good'?" Mai snapped.
"Good. As in, a good guy. To you, you are the good guy. But have you ever considered how messed up the world is, because Ozai and the monarch before him couldn't be satisfied by their large land?" I asked. Mai gave me a steady look, daring me to continue. "Zuko is good now, because he's helping bring equality and balance."
"What would you now about Zuko?" Mai scoffed. I frowned.
"A lot more than you apparently." I said. Zuko actually had a hint a amusement in his eye as I said that. "Anyway, what I was trying to say was that you could come with us, and smooth out Ozai's mistakes. Think on it." I said. I walked to the door as Sokka strolled by and slipped out the door, gripping his arm.
"Hey, where're you going?" The guard called. I turned innocently.
"Well, I was excused from the room, sir. And I'm this guard's personal prisoner." I said, eyes wide. He huffed and nodded. We continued on and I let out a breath. "Alright, where're we headed."
"You'll see." Sokka said, smirking.
"Hey, I just got orders. Let the prisoners out into the yard." Sokka told the guard in charge of the cell doors.
"But we're in the middle of a lockdown." The door guard said.
"Oh, okay, I'll just go tell the warden you said that." We turned and began walking away. We paused and looked back. The guard raised his mask and looked at us, speechless. "I'm sure he'll be glad to hear about you undermining his authority. What's your name again?"
"Wait! Don't tell the warden. I'm just a little confused." The door guard said.
"Hey, I'm confused too, but the wardens in a bad mood, and... irrational, so if you ask me, it's best not to question it, and just do what he says." Sokka placed his arm around the guard's shoulders.
"Yeah... you're right. We're letting them out!" The guard opened all the doors by pulling the levers. The prisoners headed for the yard.
The prisoners mingled in the yard, where Sokka, Suki, Hakoda, and I met.
"This is it! We have to start a riot." Sokka said.
"Okay. But how do we do that?" Suki asked.
"I'll show you." Hakoda said. He shoved a nearby prisoner.
"Hey! What'd you do that for? That hurt my feelings." he said.
"Aren't you mad at me?" Hakoda said.
"Uh, well, normally I would be, but I've been learning to control my anger." the prisoner admitted.
"This isn't working." Hakoda said. Suddenly, Chit Sang appeared behind Sokka and I and put his hand on our shoulders.
"Hey you! You're lucky I didn't rat you out," He smiled. "but my generosity comes with a price. I know you're planning another escape attempt, and I want in."
"Actually, we're trying to escape right now, but we need a riot. You wouldn't happen to know how to start one, would you?"
"A prison riot? Please. Up to acting again, sweetheart?" He asked me. I grinned. He grabbed me and lifted me in the air, bouncing me up and down.
"Hey!" All the prisoners looked at him. "Riot!"
The riot began. Several blasts of fire went off.
"Impressive." Hakoda said. Chit Sang tossed me up again and I flipped in the air, landing feet first on his hands, surveying our work.
"Forget about controlling my anger... let's riot!" The previous prisoner said. He was taken down by another prisoner. The riot was in full swing. I flipped down from Chit Sang's grip and crossed my arms. Zuko reached the rest of us and slammed down another guard as the riot continued.
"Zuko! Good, we're all here. Now all we need to do is grab the warden, and get to the gondolas!" Sokka said.
"And how do we do that?" Zuko asked.
"I'm not sure." Sokka admitted. Zuko groaned in annoyance as Suki and I exchanged glances. We nodded to each other before running and jumping. We were in perfect unison. Suki and I hopped up on the heads of the rioters, then jumped and flipped onto the tower. We easily defeated the first few guards with a few quick jabs. Two more guards arrived. We ducked a fire blast and swept the first one and then dodged the second one's fire blast and continued to climb the tower. We made it up to the top and defeated the final guard with a sliding kick. We then grabbed the warden by the fists.
"You wouldn't dare." The warren said. He looked between the both of us and I smirked.
"I dare." I said. I slammed my fist into his face and he grunted. I purposely didn't break his nose, but I was tempted. Suki tied his hands together and used his headband as a gag.
"Sorry, warden. You're our prisoner now." Suki said, grinning at me. Suki slammed the warden against the wall; the rest of the escapees arrived. "We've got the warden! Now let's get out of here!"
The others were out of breath.
"Those are some girls..." Hakoda said.
"Tell me about it." Zuko and Sokka said in unison. We made a run for the gondola.
"We're almost there!" Suki called. We were stopped by guards who launched two fire blasts at us. Zuko shoved Sokka out of the way and blocked the two fire blasts. More guards appeared to help.
"Back off! We've got the warden!" The guards saw the warden on Chit Sang's shoulder, bound and gagged, and cleared the way. "Let's go!"
We continued along our path, cautiously watching the guards so they didn't try any sudden moves. We arrived at the gondola. Suki opened the door.
"Everyone in." I said. Once everyone was in but Zuko and I, he started the gondola and kicked the handle a few times attempting to break it. I saw the guards rushing toward us and frowned.
"Move." I said.
"Avery, if I can't break it you c-" I sucked in a breath and spun, kicking the handle straight of and at the guards. I bent a ramp and we jumped toward the gondola while dodging guards' fire blasts. Sokka grabbed Zuko's hand and helped him into the gondola, while I simply grabbed the side and flipped in.
"What are you doing?" Sokka asked.
"I'm making it so they can't stop us." Zuko said.
"Way to think ahead." Sokka said.
"How the hell did you break the lever?" Zuko asked. I grinned.
"You seem to forget I'm good friends with Toph." I said.
"We're on our way!" Suki said.
"Wait! Who's that?" Hakoda said. Azula and Ty Lee stood at the bottom of the gondola station, all the guards bowing down.
"Well that's a problem." I said.
"It's my sister and her friend." Ty Lee leapt up and climbed the line. Azula took a pair of handcuffs from a guard. After elevating herself to the line with a fire blast, she used the cuffs to attach herself to the line, and blasted up it.
"This is a rematch I've been waiting for." Suki said.
"Me too." ZUko said. Sokka, Suki, Zuko, and I climbed to the top of the gondola to meet Azula and Ty Lee. Azula blasted fire, but Zuko blocked it. Ty Lee and Suki traded blows at one another, but neither could land. Ty Lee was forced to the edge but jumped into the gondola and came out the other side, continuing her attacks. Zuko continued to wipe out Azula's fire blasts. Sokka drew her back to the edge with his sword. Zuko went in for a finish, but Azula dodged Zuko's blast and stayed on the gondola. She then countered with a blast that went wide.
The guards suddenly put a stop to the gondola by jabbing a sword at the cable wheel. The force sent Sokka to the edge of the gondola, but I pulls him in at the last moment. Ty Lee jumped up to the top of the wire to see what was happening.
"They're about to cut the line!" Ty Lee announced. The guards worked to cut the line. Azula noticed another gondola approaching on the other wire, heading inbound. Azula smirked.
"Then it's time to leave. Goodbye Zuko, Avery." She blasted herself up. She reached the other gondola. Ty Lee backflipped to the other gondola. When she reached it, she looks back at Sokka, Suki, Zuko, and I with concern. Speaking of us: the four of us jumped back into the gondola.
"They're cutting the line! The gondola's about to go!" Zuko said.
"I hope this thing floats."
"Wait, guys, look." I said, looking out the side. A female in dark red was attacking the guards.
"Who's that?" Sokka asked. I let out a short laugh of disbelief.
"It's Mai!" I said. Zuko gasped. The gondola made it to the top of the hill. Everyone left. Chit Sang held the warden and threw him back in when Hakoda pointed at it.
"Sorry, warden. Your record is officially broken." Hakoda said. We escaped over the rim of the volcano.
"Well, we made it out. Now what?" Suki said. Sokka turned and noticed Zuko standing still.
"Zuko, what are you doing?"
"My sister was on that island." Zuko said.
"Yeah, and she's probably right behind us, so let's not stop!"
"What I mean is she must have come here somehow." Zuko and I walked up to a large hill by the sea. "There! That's our way out of here!"
"I think this fishing trip just went crazy." I said, rushing towards the large airship.
It was nightfall at the Western Air Temple. The ship was returned. Zuko, Sokka, and I exited, standing in front of Toph, Aang, and Katara.
"What are you doing in this thing? What happened to the war balloon?" Katara asked.
"It kind of got destroyed." Zuko said.
"Sounds like a crazy fishing trip." Aang said.
"Did you at least get some good meat?" Toph asked.
"We did. The best meat of all. The meat of friendship and fatherhood." Sokka said. Hakoda, Suki, and Chit Sang exited the war balloon.
"I'm new. What's up, everybody?" Chit Sang said, waving. Katara began tearing up, overwhelmed and overjoyed.
"Dad?" She ran to him.
"Hi, Katara." They embraced.
"How are you here? What is going on? Where did you go?" Katara asked.
"We might of went to a top security Fire Nation prison." I said, grinning. Hakoda pulled Sokka into the embrace.
"Seriously? You guys didn't find any meat?" Toph said. I laughed.
Oh ma spirits, I am so sorry for not updating in so long! I've been caught up with other stories, and I just found my nintendo 3DS, and school just ended, but I am back.
Disclaimer:...
So after such a long wait, are you guys happy with the turnout of this chapter?