o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
Zuko was up first, as usual, and got to work immediately on drawing us a map. It was amazingly detailed, like a blueprint of the Fire Nation and its surrounding islands, big and small. He poured over the huge piece of parchment, and drew in and labeled major landmarks and most importantly, prisons where Iroh could be.
I stared at him as he did this, a scowl on my face, anger boiling in my gut. All night I had been thinking about that kiss. I was tired and cranky. The dark circles under my eyes were the only evidence of the tossing and turning that I had endured.
His hair fell in front of his eyes, and with a distracted motion, he ran his fingers through his long mane of hair, pushing it back out of the way.
How could that idiot be so nonchalant? That was the best kiss I had ever had, and here he was just sitting on that fine ass acting like nothing had happened! He should be apologizing!
No, he didn't owe me an apology, he owed his girlfriend one. I growled. How could he do this to me- no…her?
What kind of girl was she anyway? In my head I pictured a tall woman, golden eyes, skin like porcelain, white like ivory, hair as black as a raven's wing. Her manners would be excellent, her dress would be proper and stylish, the height of fashion. Every time she talked, something smart and interesting would be said. The perfect woman for a prince. But for Zuko? Probably the opposite of what he wanted.
The perfect woman. A princess or dignitary's daughter who is sixtieth in line for the throne or something.
Poor sap.
Zuko was definitely not worth her time, definitely not worth the trouble. When they got married, and they probably would, she would be miserable, and hopefully, so would he. The guy deserved it.
Sokka caught my attention, waving me towards where he and Toph were sitting. With one last glare at Zuko, I made my way to them.
"Zuko's almost done with that map and then were going to figure out a plan. I said we should just get on Appa and go, but he said-" he cleared his throat and did his best to imitate Zuko. "'You can't go barreling into something like this. Its way too complicated.'"
I smirked. "You do tend to barrel."
He rolled his eyes. "This is no big deal, Aang and I used to sneak around all the time. What are we going to do? Sneak onto the Fire Nation and break into a crappy jail cell? No biggie. Anyways, as soon as he's done, we need to leave. The sun will be up in a few hours and I want to get this done before lunch."
I looked towards where I thought the mountains were. Normally when we woke up, the sun would just be poking over the peaks, casting a light blue glow over the horizon. But now, the sun was probably on the other side of the world. Hopefully by day break, we would be in the Fire Nation, then soon after we would have Iroh and come back. I think the worse thing that could happen would be for us to get caught caught or worse…meeting Azula and her minions. I owed that girl with the knives a good ass kicking.
Right on cue, Zuko stood up and stretched, signaling the finish of his map.
Despite the deep loathing I was feeling towards him, I was the first one over, the first one to sit down next to him and pour over the map. And just as I thought, it looked exactly like something you could find in a palace library.
"There are five prisons on this thing!" Sokka yelled.
Zuko glanced up and stared him in the eyes. "I know. I made you a map of the whole damn fire nation."
"Well, which one is he in then!"
Zuko took a deep breath and sighed. "I know he's not in these three." He pointed to a few of the prisons. "They are for the common criminals."
"What about the other ones?" Aang asked.
"This-" he pointed to an island an inch from the main land. "Is the home of Shedow prison." He pointed to another one. "And this one is boiling rock prison."
"What about the last one?" I couldn't help but ask.
His jaw set. "This one doesn't have a name."
The way he spoke had me glancing at his face although I didn't really want to look at him. "Why?"
His smile was scary. "Because it doesn't exist."
"I just got chills." Sokka muttered.
"What is this place?"
"This is where I think Iroh is. You see, boiling rock prison is mainly for prisoners of war and the more hardened criminals. That is where Fire Nation citizens think the dangerous ones are. But I know better. This prison…" he gestured to the unnamed. "Is where they send the ones they want to disappear. They go in but are never seen on or heard from again."
"They kill them?" Aang gasped.
"No." he answered.
I frowned. "Then why do they-"
His eyes flicked over to mine and I froze. I had a feeling that I didn't want to know what happened to those people.
"I know he's here." He muttered. "They wouldn't put him anywhere else."
"Have you been there?" Toph asked.
"Yes I have." He answered and said no more.
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
Appa flew over the water quickly, silently. He soared low, waves crashing around us, spraying, hitting us in the face. But we didn't care. All of our minds were otherwise occupied.
Our plan was simple, we would come up to the island under the water and through Toph, we would tunnel through the mountain and into the prison, after that…we would capture a guard and find where they were keeping Iroh. I knew where the cells were, I knew exactly how to get there, but knowing was different than doing it. Knowing where Iroh was kept was vastly different from fighting our way through hundreds of highly trained guards, and making our way through mazes of hallways.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, praying that no one would get hurt. I was nauseous, given another second and I was going to lean over the saddle and vomit. But this was my plan…if anyone knew how scared I was, they would loose faith in me.
I couldn't help but let out a silent groan. I could be leading us to our deaths. I could be killing all of us! The only thing I could do now was hope and pray hard enough, be sincere enough. And I was. I had never needed something more in my life. Because this wasn't about me…this was about all of us.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on the plan.
"You look pale." Sokka whispered.
"I'm fine." I whispered back.
He clapped me on the back. "Sure you are. Were all about to break into the most dangerous prison in the world , fight through hundreds of highly trained guards, grab Iroh, and get our asses out of there. Why would you be nervous?"
I couldn't smile even though Sokka meant to be funny. "I have a bad feeling."
"Why?"
I groaned. "It's just a feeling, but I think Azula might be there waiting for us."
His hand fell from my shoulder. "Really?"
"Yeah." I glanced towards the quiet group and turned to Sokka, lowering my voice even to a murmur. "I know she's in the Fire Nation for sure."
"For sure?"
"She has to be. Azula knows we're at the air temple, that's the only place left for us to go, so why didn't she come for us?"
"Even so, she can't know we're about to do this."
"Can she?"
"How would she guess that on this day, at this time, we were going to this prison?" he said this with confidence, but worry was still creasing his brow.
"I don't know Sokka, I really don't know." I shut my mouth, not willing to speak what I was thinking.
Azula might not know when, but she definitely knew where. She had to know that I would try to rescue Iroh. She knew how much I cared for him. I made the mistake of showing just how much I cared for him that night on the ship. I tired to break him out once, so why wouldn't I try it again? She knows I couldn't be without him, that I couldn't bear to live with the knowledge that it was for me he stayed behind,
She knew me to well to guess I wouldn't do this.
"We'll be fine." He set his jaw.
"We will be." I affirmed.
I rested my back on the saddle, watching the stars fly past us. I had to get my mind off of my fears, my doubts, but as soon as I closed my eyes, I saw the faces of soldiers waiting to kill us. In my mind, we were already as good as dead. We were on a suicide mission.
My eyes snapped open and immediately rested on Katara. Her head was down, staring at her hands, nervous and afraid, but I knew she was up for the chalange. She was up for anything.
She glanced up and met my eyes.
I turned away, unable to meet her gaze. I was a disgrace, my honor as a man was ruined. How could I kiss another woman when I was in a relationship? If I were in the Fire Nation, Mai's father would have the right to execute me.
Why was I having so many girl problems suddenly!
"Hey Sokka, do you have a girlfriend?" I picked at my nails, trying to appear nonchalant.
His blue eyes, a mirror of Katara's, met mine. "Yes."
"Oh…"
He smirked. "Why?"
"No reason in particular." I stared over the need of Appa's saddle and watched the water fly by underneath us. Maybe Sokka could relate. If he had a girlfriend…them he must be having problems too. Girls are crazy.
His eyes narrowed. "Is there someone you like?" His eyes flicked over my shoulder, and I knew he was thinking of Katara.
"No!" I yelled.
He put his hands in front of him. "Ok."
"You don't believe me." I insisted.
"I do!" He paused, stalling, trying to come up with a cover. "I just figured since you're a prince and all you'd have girls throwing themselves at your feet!"
I smiled bitterly. "Ever since I was…uh…banished…I don't exactly attract many Fire Nation women, actually, woman of every region tend to avoid me." My face turned red, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why I was telling him this. "Probably because of the scar."
"Eh…" Sokka shrugged. "What can you say? But I can tell you this. Chicks did scars; it's probably your personality that scares them off."
"Thanks."
He smiled. "Anytime bud."
I pursed my lips. "Can I ask what her name is?"
"Suki." He answered.
I repeated her name and frowned. "Doesn't sound Water Tribe."
"Earth Kingdom as a matter of fact. By the way, you've met her before. Burnt down her village."
"Oh." I paused. "Sorry."
"You better tell her that." He shrugged. "If she doesn't kill you first."
"So you're dating someone out of your tribe…" I frowned.
"Yeah…so?"
"Well in the Fire Nation…um…we don't do that."
A spark lit up his eyes. "Why? What's wrong with Earth Kingdom women?"
"N-nothing." I stuttered. "Really."
"Then what's the big deal with dating out of your Nation?"
"Nothing!" I yelled. "But others don't think so. A child born between two races is considered low class in the Fire Nation."
He pointed at me. "There is nothing wrong with woman of earth or water."
"I know, and I'm sure Suki is beautiful."
"She is."
I couldn't help myself. "Does she know she's your girlfriend?"
"Hey!" He yelled, but his glare softened and his lips quirked into a smile. "She likes me too, ok? You may not know this, but I'm kind of a prince myself. Woman love princes."
"Yeah, I think that's the only reason my girlfriend is with me."
"I thought you didn't have a girlfriend."
I inwardly groaned at my slip. "I never said that."
"But I asked if you likes anyone and you said-" He trailed off. "Oh."
"Yeah…" I sighed.
"So why are you with her?" he asked.
"This doesn't leave the bison." I reminded him.
"Of course."
"It wasn't always like that…" I assured him. "I liked her, maybe even loved her…but it was during a difficult time. All she needed to do was bat her eyes at me. She was the first girl that ever showed interest in me, maybe I was more in love with that than her." I didn't tell him what else I was thinking. I was comfortable knowing someone liked me, regardless if the feelings were returned, and was afraid that I would be alone without her. But here I was, as confused as ever.
"Oh…" it was obvious that Sokka didn't know what to say to that.
"Do you love her?" I asked, knowing he understood.
Sokka paused and I knew the next thing he said would be the truth. "Yes."
"That must be nice…"
He smiled. "It is…and once this was is over I'll ask her to marry me."
My stomach began to roll with nervousness. "Really?" I asked awkwardly.
His smile fell. "You look sick again, are you ok?"
I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, fine. I'm just nervous about breaking in." I lied.
Sokka seemed to take my answer and I sighed in relief, happy that I was able to dodge that bullet.
The rest of the trip was spent getting the group familiar with the prison. By the time we reached Fire Nation territory, they knew the prison inside and out, so if we ever got separated (Agni forbid) they would be able to go on with the plan.
"There it is." I pointed to the island.
"Zuko…that's not an island, that's a volcano!" Sokka yelled.
"An active volcano." Katara pointed out.
I stared at the volcano, picturing it as they saw. A large looming mountain, liquid fire spilling from its mouth, carving a path down the slope and into the water where it cooled and hardened, creating new land.
"A volcano?" Toph asked. "Cool."
"How do you get in?" Katara asked.
"Through the top. Only a firebender could get in without burning up."
"But that doesn't make sense!" Sokka continued yelling. "Why would you put firebenders on a volcano?"
"Are you aware the whole Fire Nation is built on top of a volcano?" I rolled my eyes. "Besides, no one can bend lava. Azula cant, I cant, even Ozai cant…it takes complete mastery over fire…something only an Avatar can obtain."
"Can Iroh?" Aang asked from atop the saddle, Momo chirping on his shoulder.
I hadn't even been aware Aang had been listening. "I don't know…but if anyone can, it'd be him. He's the only one Azula still cant beat."
Aang nodded and led Appa into a turn, angling us towards the island.
"Lets do this…" I muttered and closed my eyes briefly, picturing the face of Iroh.
Aang stopped Appa and stood, his figure a spot of black blocking the stars. In one move, Katara joined him, after a flurry of movement, the temperature dropped and humidity filled the air. I blinked and the navy black sky darkened, the stars disappearing above a thick cloud of fog. The only light now was the glow of the lava flowing out of the volcano.
Katara stepped in front of him and sat on Appa's head, I could hear the water below us being pushed, shoved aside. "One…two…three…"
Appa dipped and flew straight into the water. I flinched, a reflex, even though I knew the water would give way, through Katara, and create a bubble around us, allowing us to swim underwater to the island.
"Oh man…this sucks." Katara grunted, already tiring from the strain of holding the water even with Aang's help.
I knew she wouldn't let go, she would keep this up for as long as we needed.
Appa swam, his immersed tail the only thing propelling us forward.
I lit a fire in my palm, chasing away the dark. Shadows fluttered across everyone's pale faces, showing me that they knew just how dangerous this would be.
"Toph!" Aang called. "Get ready!"
I stood and helped Toph up, allowing her to grasp my hand in a death grip.
Ahead of me, I saw the black face of the volcano looming ahead of us through the murky water.
"Now!" I yelled and Toph jumped off of the saddle, towards the wall of earth that had just broke through our bubble. She hit it seconds before we did, carving a tunnel for us to land in. Immediately after we were inside, Toph put up a wall of rock, encasing us in complete darkness.
Aang and I both lit fires in our palms. "Are you guys ready?"
A silent nod was all I got.
"Ok…lets go." I nodded at Toph and she began to tunnel through the rock, making our way to the main chamber. This morning, I had briefed Toph and the group on exactly where we would be going, and I bet she could already sense the room we were aiming for. It was a giant room that had been built into the volcano soon after it had been turned into a prison. The room had been built for one purpose, a party to commemorate the prisons opening, and since then, it had been abandoned and never used again.
After what seemed like an eternity, Toph signaled us and pointed directly above her. We nodded and crouched down, protecting ourselves from falling debris. Toph punched up, shattering the ground completely, creating a hole for us to climb through.
I was the first one to climb up and into the room. Already having been in this room, I knew exactly where the torches were. I sent out a ball of fire into the darkness and caught one on fire.
The room was high ceilinged, carved straight into the rock, the only room that had smooth wall, an even floor. Everywhere else you would find chambers, air pockets that were transformed into hallways and rooms, the ground still sharp and jagged.
Immediately, I knew something was wrong. The room was different. The smell of un-use and emptiness wasn't here, but that couldn't be…this room never got opened…ever.
With another blast of fire, I lit another torch.
What I saw made me gasp.
There was a bed in this room, an ornate bed designed for royalty. It looked exactly like the one owned by-
"It's about time you get here Zuzu…"
I flinched and spun. There, sitting on a chair, nothing but a shaded figure in the darkness, was Azula.
"I was getting bored waiting."
Behind me, there was a collective gasp of realization. Azula knew we were here; she had been waiting for us all along.
"Oh Zuzu…your so predictable…" she shook her head at me. "I would have tunneled in through the kitchens; no one would have been there, especially this early."
"Go!" I yelled behind me.
"We'll fight together!" Aang yelled and started coming forward, but I sent a blast of fire behind me, sending him away.
"I said go!" I screamed at him.
I had to do this alone…for Iroh. I had to defeat her.
"I'll stay!" Toph shouted.
I glanced at her. "I need you to protect Aang."
"Yeah, but I can't have her killing my favorite firebender…"
Azula gave us no more time to speak. A blast of fire interrupted us, sending us diving for cover.
"GO!" I yelled.
Aang, Katara and Sokka stayed one second longer before they continued to the next room and into the cells where Iroh was sure to be kept. I just hoped that they would be able to find a guard soon.
I sprung to my feet, and backed up, opting for a long distance fight that would give me more time to react. A comforting weight at my hip reminded me of my swords, if all else failed, at least I would have those.
Toph moved first, shifting her stance and exhaling. Suddenly, a crack formed in the rock and widened, carving a crevice through the room. Separating us from her.
We attacked simultaneously, both throwing everything we got at her. I pushed my hands out, sending a huge ball of fire at her just as Toph dug her heel in the ground, her arms twisted, pulled the unseen, and with a tug, a slice of earth came flying at her. She ducked and dodged our attacks and nothing seeming to faze her.
I closed my eyes and did what Iroh was always telling me to do…I felt the earth around me, felt the energy, felt the power of the lava below me. I knew that alone, I wouldn't be able to control it, but with Toph…anything would be possible.
The sounds of fighting were blocked from my mind as I crouched and placed my hand on the ground.
I opened my eyes. "Toph." She didn't turn to me, but she didn't need to, she knew exactly where I was, exactly what I was doing.
She flung one last boulder at Azula and copied my stance. At the same time, we concentrated on the magma, Toph calling earth, myself calling fire, and pulled it to the surface. I groaned at the strain, but after a second, I knew it was working. The ground began shaking from the strain of the lava, but Azula didn't notice.
She sent an attack directly at me. I had two choices, either stop and block the attack, ruining our plan, or I would take the hit. The ball of flame hit me on my shoulder. An involuntary cry of pain erupted from deep in my throat. Shock clouded the pain, but didn't erase it completely, and as I strained to move the magma, sweat formed on my brow from the agony.
The ground shook all around us as the lava burst from the ground, creating a mini volcano at our feet.
I knew that lava flowed like slow moving water, and would not respond to firebending moves, so I got a different stance, the same stance that I had memorized from the spars Katara and I had.
"Copy my stances." I told Toph and began to move. She sent the lava my way, knowing I would be the only one able to stand the heat, and started moving exactly as I was.
Just like water, the lava flowed in my hands, forming a stream.
I kept the lava white hot as we sent it at Azula in the form of a whip.
A look of shock on her face seconds before she dove out of the way. The lava crashed into her bed, sending it bursting into flames.
The whole room lit up, all shadows disappearing.
My eyes narrowed at her.
Bending lava was a lot harder than it looked. Lava was thicker, denser, offering no room for mistakes.
Together we pulled more lava from the hole and forced it to flow along the ground to Azula, trapping her.
We released the lava and with one swift ark, bent the lava upward, encasing her in a hollowed bubble of lava. I released my control of the lava and watched it harden into rock.
I sighed and collapsed to the ground, cradling my blistering arm and shoulder.
"Think this'll kill her?"
"She'll be fine, a few burns, but this won't kill her." I grumbled, surprised that I would speak that way about my sister.
She crossed her arms. "Maybe we should've done the deed and ended it once and for all."
I flinched, realizing that I would never be able to end her life no matter how much I hated her. "Let's go find them."
We ran out of the room and into the hallway. As expected, it was littered with bodies, alive and just barely hanging in there. Some with sword wounds and some frozen to walls. We followed the carnage, trusting that it would lead us directly to Iroh's chamber.
It didn't take us long before we found the fight, but it was not what I expected.
Katara stood, all alone, facing Ty Lee and Mai.
I gasped, seeing Mai for the first time since the boat. She looked different, angrier, a look of pure hate on her face.
She sent a barrage of knives at Katara, aiming to kill. With a swift move, Katara threw up a shield of water, and the blades bounced harmlessly away.
From nowhere, Ty Lee bounced towards us. Inches from me, Toph bent a pillar around her foot, tripping her before she could attack. She fell hard and fast, there was no time for her to brace herself so she smacked onto the ground hard, a cry of shock escaping her lips.
"Toph, go on…" I took her by the shoulders and pushed her forward, towards the exit. "Get Iroh., I'll take care of her."
"Ouch…" Ty Lee whined. "That hurt."
"Get up Ty Lee." I muttered.
"Zuko…" She got to her feet and contorted her body into a strange stance. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, always a pleasure." I rolled my eyes at her.
"I'm really glad to see you, we've been waiting here for two weeks!" she yelled with a smile.
"Really?"
"Yeah, Azula has been sleeping in that room the whole time, waiting for you."
I glanced over her at the fight between Katara and Mai. "You don't say." Kat seemed to be holding her own just fine, so I brought my full attention to Ty Lee.
She punched out at me. I blocked her punch, and then a jab that was aimed for my ribs. "You're getting faster." She pointed out.
"Yeah, I've been practicing." I gruted as pain shot through my shoulder.
"With the Water Tribe girl?" she asked, and kicked out at me, aiming for my head.
I blocked just in time, hitting her leg off course and landing a punch to her chest. "Yeah."
She grunted from the impact and stumbled back. Suddenly, her face went serious and I knew the time for small talk was over.
From out of nowhere, water rained down on us and we both glanced over at Mai and Katara. From a hole in the wall gushed water into the chamber, drenching our feet, soon rising to our ankles.
She used the distraction and dove past me, popping up behind me and out of sight.
I didn't see her, but I felt a light jab in my back, then suddenly, I felt sluggish, tired. I growled and spun around, a stream of fire flowing from my hands. She flipped backwards and out of the range of my attack. Ty Lee landed on the far side of the room and reached up to grab a hold on the wall. She pulled herself up and began climbing up the wall, not stopping until she reached the ceiling.
My fist remained pointed at her, ready to attack as a moments notice.
She vaulted off the wall, sending herself flying at me like an arrow, quick and accurate.
Ty Lee was moving too fast for me to move more than a foot out of the way. She grabbed my shirt as she flew by and didn't let go, twisting and pulling me around, landing easily on her feet. I flew to the ground, hitting hard and loud, the volcanic rock shredding my clothes and skin.
"Zuko!" I heard Katara yell, but I was too shocked to comprehend.
I lay there, unable to move from the pain. Blood leaked from everywhere, my side, my leg. The pain clouded my vision, rendering my mind sluggish. I tried to sit, but my head was splitting in half, blood pooling around me.
From above, I saw Ty Lee come down me, her heel ready to hit my stomach. I rolled to the side, getting out of her way.
One step at a time…I got to my hands and knees, then just my knees, finally my feet. I swayed back and forth, Ty Lee's body doubling, then tripling.
I wiped at my eyes, trying in vain to get my vision back.
She ran towards me in a zigzagging fashion, throwing me off even further. I sent out an arc of flame, trying my hardest to hit her, but to me, it looked like she ran straight through the flames.
Before I knew it, she was on my. I fell back wards with a grunt and all of the air was knocked out of me. Disoriented and in pain, I could do nothing but lay there as she Placed a few strategic jabs. Immediately, I felt cold, as if my fire had been extinguished. My eyes drifted shut. Darkness overwhelmed me, only the sound of fighting told me I was still conscious.
I waited for the final blow, the one that would kill me, but it never came. No footfalls alerted me that Ty Lee was near by. It was like she left me here; sure I wouldn't pose a threat.
That meant she was also going after Katara.
My heart hammered in my chest, in my ears. Every wound pulsing along with the rising beat.
I couldn't let them have Katara. I couldn't let them hurt her.
My eyes drifted open, focusing on the rock above me. I sat up, my head a swirling mess, but my determination kept me going. I had to save Katara from Mai.
All on its own, my body rose to a stand, my clothes began to stiffen, blood drying and molding my shirt to my skin.
Katara stood in the middle of the room, Ty Lee and Mai on either side of her, ready to attack.
But I already knew who would make the first move…Mai.
She shifted her stance and I ran, throwing myself at her. My shoulder connected with her side, throwing us both the ground in a sloppy tackle.
Mai pushed herself out from under me, her sleeve torn and bloodied. Her glare was like ice, cold and unforgiving.
I unsheathed my swords and slashed at her, she brought up her arm to block. My sword bounced off her arm with a clank, protected by her arsenal of knives.
She unsheathed a dagger and pointed it at me. "Surprised to see me honey?" She spat.
I got even closer to her, knowing that close combat was her weak point. "Don't call me that."
"Why not darling, aren't you happy to see me?"
"Mai…" I moved quickly, one arm slashed at her, and the other one hooked around, pulling her into me with the blunt side of the sword. Her body crashed into mine roughly, and for a moment, her eyes sparked with emotion. "I think its time we see other people."
With speed I didn't know I was capable, I brought up my knee into her stomach, a harsh and painful blow.
"Zuko!" Katara yelled.
I turned to see her running towards me. "Are you ok?" I asked.
"Am I ok? Yeah, but look at you!" She touched my chest and brought her hand away, it was covered in blood.
"Where's Ty Lee?"
She pointed to a heap of pink lying on the ground.
"You cheating bitch!" The yell echoed through the room. I turned back to Mai, still kneeling on the ground, her hands on her stomach.
"Cheating?" Katara questioned.
"Oh, he didn't tell you, huh?" she smiled, but the effect was all wrong. Instead of happiness, like a smile should mean, it was filled with hurt and anger.
"Tell me what?"
"That we are a couple."
"She's your girlfriend?!" She yelled.
"We are to be married." She sneered at Katara. "Did he tell you that?"
"Were." I spat. "That was before this." I gestured around myslef. "All of this."
Her eyes shot to mine. "It's her isn't it? Something prettier came along and you had to snatch her up too."
"This isn't about her!" I yelled, pointing to Katara.
"This is insulting, she's a dirty Water Tribe peasant, not fit to be with our prince. You dishonor the nation."
I stepped forward and got so close to her face I could feel her breath. "You will not disrespect her."
"It's all her fault."
Anger boiled in my gut. "This was decided long before I left, before I met her. We were never a good match. Never."
In a lightning fast move, she slashed at my cheek with a knife that was tucked away in her sleeve. I didn't move, didn't flinch as a stream of blood dripped onto my already soaked shirt.
Her shoulder moved slightly, signaling another coming attack. Before she could move, before I could even think, I kicked high, aiming for her head. She came down hard and didn't move.
"Betrothed?!" Katara yelled. "To that thing?!" she gestured to the unconscious Mai.
"Yeah, but-"
"But what?!"
"I didn't love her!"
"That's even worse!"
I ran my hands through my hair, ignoring the wave of pain that came over me. "But-"
A streak of pink flew towards us and I had only a second to react. I jumped and Grabbed Katara, twisting so she landed on top of me.
Ty Lee somersaulted to a stand and crouched over Mai.
Katara rolled off of me and stood. Her arms shot out and with a grunt, she jerked them to the side. The slow flow of water into the room turned into a torrent of water.
The water reached my ankles, my knees, then my waist. Blood from my shirt absorbed into the water, making the water a pale pink color.
Suddenly, with the force of a charging animal, the pain hit me.
Salt water soaked into my wounds, all of them. My vision blackened around the edges and I couldn't move, could barely breathe.
I could only watch in horror as Katara fought Ty Lee.
Katara was confident in her element. She stood on a square of ice, staring at Ty Lee who was on the wall, holding on for dear life. Water swirled around her, and with a swing of her arm, the water lashed at her. She jumped, landing on the other side. For a second she slipped, but at the last moment she grasped the rock.
Katara stomped on the ice and her foot slid back. The ice elongated, gave her more room to run. From a hole in the middle, she withdrew a whip of water and sent it towards Ty Lee. It grasped her leg, pulling her off the wall and into the water.
Ty Lee wasn't stupid, she knew she needed to make this a hand to hand fight, and there was only one way she could do it. She jumped out of the way of her attack and landed near the only torch lighting the room. With a kick, the torch fell into the water, leaving us in complete darkness.
I lit a fire on my palm and held it above my head, away from the chest high water.
But she wasn't there.
She was already in front of Katara.
Katara jerked back in surprise, but it was too late. Ty Lee jabbed her once, twice, Three times.
I watched in slow motion as Katara fell backwards. She disappeared underneath the ice and didn't resurface.
I breathed once, twice.
No Katara.
I growled in anger and spat a ball of fire at Ty Lee, all of my anger and fury manifesting into the flame. It hit the ice, cracking it, catapulting Ty Lee into the air. She twisted like a cat, arching her back and diving cleanly into the water.
My whole body glowed with heat, fire combining with water, heating up until it steamed and Boiled.
Her head popped out of the water and she let out a scream of pain.
I threw a ball of fire and it hit her on her chest, knocking her back. She let out one last scream, and then stopped moving. Her body floated off to join Mai's at the edge of the room.
Immediately, I stopped, the water stopped bubbling and instead steamed lightly.
I sloshed through the water, trying to run to her, but it had already been too long. One minute was too long for anyone.
My hand lit with fire and I ducked into the water in search of her.
There, not ten feet away, was a dark shape trapped under the only piece of ice that hadn't melted. I swam franticly towards her and grabbed her arm, pulling her to the surface. Once her head broke the surface, I knew something was wrong, she wasn't breathing, wasn't moving, she was as still as death.
"Help!" I screamed.
My cry echoed back to me.
"Anyone!" I cried.
With all my remaining strength, I hoisted her body out of the water and onto the ice.
I tapped her face lightly, and then when she didn't respond, I slapped her hard. Her face lolled to the side.
With effort, I pulled myself on top of the ice and leaned over her. "Katara!"
I bent over her and placed my ear to her chest. Her heart was slow and getting slower. We were loosing her.
I started CPR and prayed.
I breathed into her mouth and pumped her chest over and over, hoping her heart would find a rhythm, that she could cough the water out of her chest.
"Zuko!"
I could've cried in relief. "Iroh!" I screamed, not even stopping. "I need you!" My voice sounded desperate, panicked.
"Where's Katara?!" Sokka screamed.
I ignored him and continued counting as I pumped her chest.
Iroh was at my side in seconds. I didn't even look up.
"Move." He commanded me.
It took me a second before I registered his command, but I did what he said.
He bent over her and checked her heart. Iroh's head came up slowly, a look of torture on his face.
"No…" I whispered.
"Where's Katara?" Sokka asked, weaker this time, realization setting in.
"Iroh…" I whispered, tears leaking silently down my face. "Save her."
"Zuko." Iroh looked at me. "You know what I have to do."
I nodded.
"Do you trust me?"
I nodded harder, my head splitting in agony.
His fingertips sparked, static popping in the air. He brought the spark to her chest, but hesitated.
"Do it." I urged him.
His dirty hair fell in front of his face, obscuring his expression, but with one motion, he touched just above her heart.
Her whole body jerked as the electricity coursed through her. With a cough, the water spewed from her lungs.
But she still didn't wake, her blue eyes didn't open.
"Why isn't she awake!?" I yelled in anger. "Why?"
"Zuko." Iroh touched my shoulder. "her heart is beating, she-"
Suddenly, I was surrounded my Sokka, Aang and Toph.
"Katara…" Sokka whispered and crouched down, cradling Katara in his arms.
"She's fine." Aang whispered as if the sound would shatter the world.
"Fine?" Sokka yelled.
"I just know..." He traced a finger down her face. "She'll be ok."
"Guys..." Even Toph was whispering. "We need to leave."
Aang nodded dumbly. "Get katara, we need to go now."
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o