Responses to Reviews:

Zigzagdoublezee: No, the cave already existed. What the Kyoshi Warriors did was disguise the entrance so they could use it as a base. And the Fire Nation navy turning up on unprepared shores without warning is always an imposing sight.

RonaldM40196867: They never have before, so I don't think they ever will in the future.

As Always, Please Review!

For the fiftieth time in a row, Yue yanked on the chains holding her to the wall without success, grunting with frustration.

She had to get out of here, she knew it. The alternative was death or life imprisonment at the hands of the Fire Nation and there was absolutely no chance that she would let that happen if she could help it.

She remembered the Avatar State, and the destruction it had wrought upon the Fire Nation riverboats at the start of her adventure. Now, weeks later and a continent away from that incident, it felt incredibly long ago. But it was worth a try. She screwed her eyes shut and concentrated, focussing on her anger and desperation in an attempt to trigger the power. But nothing happened.

She tried again, but was interrupted by more footsteps coming down the hallway.

"There's been news from the Earth Kingdom," Jeong Jeong announced as he stepped into the cell. "Good news, for the Fire Nation."

"I don't care," Yue told him. "Just leave me alone."

"Apparently a great battle was fought in the north," Jeong Jeong ignored her. "One Fire Nation army against the combined armies of three of the Earth King's Provincial Governors."

Yue said nothing. She knew she wouldn't have to.

"It says here that we achieved a decisive victory. Scattered the governors, and sent their army fleeing for their lives. The road to Ba Sing Se, it says, is open."

"I never thought you were a gloater," Yue told him, shaking her head.

"You think I'm gloating?" Jeong Jeong looked offended. "I'm doing you a favour. Being kept in this prison cell on your own, you must be falling behind on news from the front."

"So you could just let me go," Yue prompted. That would solve that particular problem.

Jeong Jeong clicked his fingers, and more guards appeared.

"Unchain her," he ordered.

Everyone, including Yue, looked at him in disbelief.

"What?"

"Don't get too excited," Jeong Jeong shook his head. "I'm only transferring you to another cell. On the island. On second thoughts, taking such a valuable prisoner into a battle might not be the wisest move."

"But sir," one of the guards shook his head. "Is that really a good idea?"

The Admiral rounded on him.

"Do I tell you how to do your job, soldier?"

"No?"

"No, I do not. Now do it."

The guards strode forwards, pulling keys from their belts and removing their manacles from her wrists. Yue rubbed her sore hands as she stood up, surrounded by the enemy.

"Follow me," Jeong Jeong said imperiously. "Try anything, and you won't make it off this ship."

So they were on a ship. Yue didn't know what to make of this latest development. She would have to await an opportunity to strike.

She took an unsteady step forwards, her first in days, and then followed the Admiral out into the corridor, the guards falling into step behind her. Soldiers coming the other way stared at her as they passed the entrance to the bridge and began descending a set of stairs. Yue stumbled, but managed to catch herself and carried on.

Finally, they emerged onto the deck. Yue had to shield her eyes from the sun, as she had been in a dark cell for who knew how long by now and her eyes had grown unused to the light.

Jeong Jeong walked ahead of her, deliberately slowing to allow her to keep up. The sight of their group drew stares across the deck.

"Prepare a boat!" The Admiral barked. "We're going ashore."

"But sir," the same guard interjected again, clearly not being able to keep silent any longer, "she's a waterbender."

"What about it?"

"She'll escape if you put her that close to water!"

"What's going on here?" Another voice came from the doorway. Yue looked back to see Zhao coming towards them, confusion written across the Commodore's face.

"Zhao," Jeong Jeong nodded politely.

"We didn't talk about this, sir?" Zhao said. "Why are we moving her? This seems like an unnecessary risk."

"An unnecessary risk would be taking her to the South Pole," Jeong Jeong replied. Yue's breath caught in her throat. So the Fire Nation were coming to invade the South. She needed to get there first.

"At least we could keep her chained up and isolated where we could keep an eye on her," Zhao reasoned. "Leaving her here, when there are guerrilla bands on the loose... That could be far worse for us."

"The Kyoshi Warriors are few in number, and they're non-benders," Jeong Jeong shook his head. "As long as we leave a few men, maybe five hundred, here, they won't dare try anything."

"Maybe. But where she is, her friends must also be. On their own, maybe the Kyoshi Warriors wouldn't try anything. But with those southerners and that air nomad encouraging them?" Zhao retorted. "I believe they could be convinced to try something stupid."

"It's still less of a risk than putting the ship we keep her on in danger in a pitched battle. A couple of dozen non-benders are less of a risk than hundreds of waterbenders."

"The Southerners don't know we're coming, and even if they did we can order the flagship to hang back out of danger. It is far safer to keep her aboard."

"I disagree," Jeong Jeong began walking over to where a boat was being prepared. In reality though, the crewmen who were supposed to have been doing it were too busy watching the argument. "What are you looking at? Keep working!"

Zhao rushed after him.

"You're making a terrible mistake," he warned.

"We shall see," Jeong Jeong replied. Now get out of my way!"

"No," Zhao interposed himself between Yue and the boat. "I'm putting my foot down. I'm not letting this transfer happen."

"You will, because I am your superior officer," Jeong Jeong reminded him icily. "Now follow your orders, without question. Isn't that what Fire Nation soldiers do?"

Zhao stopped. His eyes narrowed at that comment.

"What's this really about?" He asked suspiciously.

He did not get an answer though.

Faster than anyone could react, Jeong Jeong drew his fist back and punched towards his subordinate, sending a fireball crashing into the armour on Zhao's chest.