Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The plan was set. It was risky, but hey, so was infiltrating the Boiling Rock in the first place. Now the only thing he needed to do was make sure the others knew of it. He first hurried to Zuko’s cell, or where he thought Zuko’s cell was. He stopped in front of the large iron door, and knocking on it, found that he got no response. Confused, he knocked again, but nothing. He headed away, not wishing to be spotted near the prince’s former cell.

Well, there was an easy way to track him. He tugged gently on the air above his chest, and felt a pull in response. He followed it’s lead, pulling every now and again when he was unsure.

He’d quickly made his way over to where they were holding the former prince.

“Found you,” breathed Sokka, happily.

“Don’t sound so pleased, I’m still in jail,” replied Zuko, but there was a lightness to his voice that suggested he were only gently teasing him. “Did you find your dad?”

“Yeah, and we’ve already come up with a plan. We’ll be getting out of here as soon as today.”

“Hey-- you!” called a guard. Sokka turned back. Two guards stood before him, the familiar female guard from before, and some other no-name Sokka didn’t know. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m just telling this dirty low-life what I think of him!” said Sokka, swinging his fist in the air to exaggerate his imaginary disdain.

“Well you can do that later, the warden wants to speak with him,” she said.

“Er-- can’t I just rough him up a little bit?”

The woman huffed a laugh and shook her head, like one laughs at the antics of a small child.

“Alright newbie, you got ten seconds.”

“That’s more than enough,” he smiled back, and quickly opened the cell and entered it.

He was met with the sight of Zuko quickly rolling up the sleeping mat into something more punch-able. Sokka immediately picked up on his intentions and began to punch the mat while the other kept it steady. In a whisper, just audible by the two of them, Sokka quickly began.

“We’ve got a plan that involves starting a prison riot. Make sure you get out to the yard when that happens. We’ll be there waiting for you.”

“Understood,” nodded Zuko.

“Alright newbie,” came the voice of the guard, “time’s up.”

They’d quickly abandoned the mat, and Zuko allowed himself to be put into a head lock by Sokka. The two guards separated them as if it were a real fight, and began to haul Zuko off.

Sokka watched him go a moment, before he dashed off and away to inform the others.

--

Zuko was harshly thrown into the cell, collapsing onto a wooden chair that sat in the center of the room. He turned around fiercely.

“I didn't do anything wrong!” he yelled back at them.

“Come on Zuko,” said a low voice, filled with contempt.

“We all know that’s a lie.”

Mai stood leaned against the wall, hidden in shadow.

“Mai…” he gasped upon seeing her. 

She lifted her head, the light catching just half of her face, but both eyes stared at him with deep severity.

“Zuko.”

--

Meanwhile, Sokka raced along the halls, trying to convey the same plan to everyone else. It was only as he was about to ascend the stairs to get to Rei’s cell, that he was stopped.

“Hey, you,” called a guard.

“Y-yea?”

“Warden wants to see you,” he grumbled.

“Oh, what for?”

“He didn’t say.”

“Oh, well, I’m actually kinda busy at the moment,” he shrugged, waving them off, “maybe we can reschedule, say tomorrow?”

“Hey, when the Warden wants you, there’s no rescheduling. Turn you butt around and let’s go, newbie.”

Left with no choice, Sokka felt a small sense of dread in him, and did exactly as he was told. 

They marched him up and to the roof of the complex. The day was hotter than normal, and the sun immediately began to beat down on him the moment he stepped out. His attention was not on the sweltering heat, but rather, the line up of guards, who all seemed a bit nervous. Worse yet, the Warden stood before them, and next to him in handcuffs, Chit Sang.

This was a line up.

He began to sweat.

The guards escorting him pushed him in line with the others, and he did his best to maintain composure. However, if he were caught now, if Chit Sang thought to rat them out at this moment, then the plan would fail before it could even begin.

“Alright,” called the Warden, “It would appear as though we have a traitor in our midst. An impostor of sorts. But we’re gonna sort this out, here and now.”

He turned back to Chit Sang, whose head was bowed low.

“Well, get to it,” said the Warden. “Take a good, hard, look.”

Chit raised his head, and Sokka did his best to control his breathing. His hands shook, but he gripped them to keep still. Chit’s eyes locked on him for a moment, and his stomach plummeted as fear took him. There was but one exit, and it led down, further into the complex. There wasn’t a way out if he were to run, and the complex was meant to keep prisoners from being able to hide. He’d have to fight his way--

“Him,” said Chit Sang, lifting a finger.

Sokka winced, but as he snapped back to reality, he realized that the man was not pointing at him, but someone else entirely. It was the larger guard, the one who’d harassed Chit Sang in the yard. 

“What?!” the man balked, stepping back.

“Take him away,” said the Warden, and two guards immediately ran up to the man’s side and began to drag him away.

“No--no! There’s been a mistake! He’s lying! I’m not-- I wouldn’t--!” he called back as he was dragged away and down. Sokka took in a breath of relief.

“The rest of you are excused. Back to your posts,” said the Warden, who turned and followed after. 

Sokka quietly followed everyone else, for but a moment before stopping and allowing the crowd to continue without him. He needed the air, and he didn’t want any guard to see him head in the direction of the prisoner’s cells. He had time to be patient and careful, Rei could wait.

He was still reeling from the experience of nearly being caught, taking a moment to catch his breath. His eyes scanned the ridge of the crater they sat in, for no particular reason, other than to look like this was the job he was assigned to. It was as his eyes scanned the ridge that he noticed a subtle bit of movement. He couldn't be sure what it was. The figure had been there one moment, and the next, gone.

They were so far, and were so low to the ground, that Sokka wasn’t entirely convinced that he was looking at a person. Perhaps it was an animal, some local inhabitant of the island?

Wellp, he wasn’t a real guard, he figured. He merely shrugged off the strange movement, and turned around. He headed back down, into the complex, and out of sight of the mysterious stranger on the ridge.

--

“How did you find me?” Asked Zuko as he looked to Mai.

“Because I know you so well,”

“But...I don’t understand--?”

“The warden’s my uncle you idiot,” she snapped, impatiently.

He groaned a sigh, holding his face, embarrassed with himself.

“The truth is, I guess I don’t know you,” she said, and removed a scroll she’d kept hidden in her sleeve. She allowed it to unfurl, and Zuko immediately recognized his own handwriting staring back at him. It was the note he’d left her. He lifted an apologetic gaze to meet her angry glare.

“All I get is a letter?” You could have at least looked me in the eye when you ripped out of my heart.”

“Mai, this is bigger than us.”

“Not a strong start, Zuko.”

“Fine, I’m sorry.”

She remained coldly staring out.

“After everything I did for you,” she muttered. “You go and leave me for someone else.”

Zuko stared at her with shock.

“I...that’s not why I left.”

“Oh I know,” she said, and turned the scroll around to start reading it. “ Dear Mai, I’m sorry I have to tell you this way, but I’m leaving. There are so many things I want to say to you, so many things I want to tell to help you understand why I have to do this, but just know that my leaving has nothing to do with you, ” at that part she lifted her gaze to him, “that part made me feel extra special, by the way.”

He winced in response before he spoke.

“Mai, I’m sorry. I really am, I made a mistake,”

“I’ll say you did. Leaving the Fire Nation?”

“No, returning to it,” he said sternly, but with apology. “Our home-- everything we are as a Nation, it’s corrupted. It’s fouled and twisted into something horrible.”

“What’s the matter, Zuko? Couldn't stomach being with me any more? You were always looking out, but I thought it was because you missed traveling, or you were pained from having been away for so long. I never would have thought you were thinking of someone else the whole time.”

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“Because it’s true,” she said, turning on him sharply. “When you ran away you left your stupid book behind. Azula found it, and you know what I found?”

“...poetry?” he defended weakly.

“The index. A love poem suggestion with the enemy’s name on it.”

He closed his eyes, putting a hand on his face with a groan.

“That-- he--”

“If your planning on betraying the Nation, that’s one thing,” she said, “but just casually toying with my feelings--”

“I never toyed with your feelings. When we were together, I really, really--”

“Don’t say you meant any of it, don’t lie to yourself or me.”

“I’m not lying-- and could you say that you loved me too?” he asked.

She scoffed and turned away.

“I mean it,” he demanded, “Mai, I was distant, cold, and spoiled, with a bad temper.”

She narrowed her eyes as he continued.

“When I’d say I loved you, you’d always make a joke, or some excuse before admitting it. You were just as uncomfortable with the whole thing as I was. You were pulling away when I’d reach out for you and keeping your distance too.”

“That doesn’t mean I never had feelings for you.”

“I’m not saying you never did, I did once too.”

They went quiet, neither able to face the other as they contemplated their complicated feelings of anger and disappointment.

 “Mai, you once told me you knew who you were and what people expected of you… but you’ve never told me what you wanted in life. What were we doing in that place, other than being miserable and keeping each other company?”

Mai turned back to him, studying him quietly for a moment before she spoke.

“What happened to you in that war room? Before you left us? Something was said in there, something you wouldn't tell me. Was it Azula? Did your father--”

“They want to destroy the world, Mai.”

She scoffed.

“You make them sound like villains.”

“They are,” he replied, sternly. “When Sozin’s comet approaches, my father will use the collective heightened firebending of our forces to try and burn the Earth Kingdom down. It’s not enough to just capture a capital-- this is genocide. People’s lives will be lost, by enormous numbers. Himself and an entire fleet will do everything to try and drown the world in flame-- and I will not let them.”

She stared at him with stunned disbelief.

“I left, not to be with someone, but because my mad-man of a father wants to end the world as we know it. When I said it was not about you, I didn’t mean I didn’t like you, or love you.”

“You don’t love me.”

“Maybe not in the way we thought we did...but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

She remained quiet, staring intently ahead, coming to grips with everything she’d just been told.

“You were the only person I could talk to, back home. You were the only one who’d listen. I want to know you the rest of my life, but not in the way we initially thought. And...I’m sorry. I was selfish, and confused, unable to tell you the truth about the things I was going through, and you didn’t deserve to be treated the way you were.”

She remained quiet, in thought. Then finally, she relented. Her shoulders sagged for a brief moment, before she stood tall once more.

“Just...just tell me who this person is to you.”

“He’s my tether,” he said, softly, without hesitation. Her shoulders slumped slightly, but he was surprised to hear a bitter chuckle from her.

“Huh, I guess I never really had a chance, did I?”

--

Sokka had found the main control panel of the prison, where in, lay the controls for the entire precinct’s cell doors. Preventing him from opening every cell in the building currently was another guard, who was standing with a clipboard. The man was quietly at work, looking over the pressure gauges of the finely tuned machine and writing down the readings.

“Hey,” Sokka called, “the warden wants all the prisoners in the yard.”

The guard looked up from his work.

“Wha-- but we’re in lock down.”

“I know, I know,” he shrugged, “but the Warden’s extra testy today, and I wasn’t gonna be the one to start asking questions about his orders.”

“Well…” the man hesitated, seeming unwilling to move as he eyed the levers. Sokka let out a groan as he turned away.

“Fine, fine, I’ll just let the Warden know your concerns for his direct orders -- hey, what was your name again?”

“N-No, wait,” called the guard, putting the clipboard down. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Ah, thanks pal, that makes my day a lot easier,” Sokka smiled, and watched as the guard went to work, and unlocked every single cell within the complex. Prisoners field out, some wandering around a bit confused, before joining the stream of bodies that all began to file out and to the yard. He smiled to himself, watching his plan come together.

He’d made it to the yard, where the inmates all looked about, wary and confused. The place was full, and their numbers compared to those of the guards were intimidating. No wonder they never let them all out at once.

He’d managed to find the meeting place; a spot next to one of the adjacent buildings. Waiting for him there was Rei, Suki, and his father. He joined them, heading into the shade to remain out of sight.

“Good, you’re all here. Where’s Zuko?” he breathed, his eyes scanning the crowd.

“He’s not with you?” asked Suki.

Sokka clicked his tongue, a small slip-up of impatience and nerves. He shook his head, resolving that the chaos of a prison riot would aid Zuko in his escape, no matter where they’d taken him. 

“Okay,” he started, “I trust he’ll catch up. Right now, we need a riot. Any ideas on how to start one.”

“On it,” said his father, nodding back.

Hakkoda ducked out from the building and immediately ran up to an inmate, pushing them from behind.

 Sokka watched as his father braced himself for the impending fight, his fists raised. However, the inmate only tripped a few steps forward before peering nervously over their shoulder.

“Hey, what was that for?”

“Aren’t you mad?” asked Hakkoda, baffled by the meek response.

“Well, normally, I would be, but I’ve been working on my anger issues so…”

Rei could be heard to snicker as she leaned against the wall. Sokka frowned back at her.

“You got any better ideas?” he asked.

“Sure, I’ll give it a shot,” she shrugged. She immediately took up a rock and blindly chucked it into the crowd. This caused a small commotion as people looked about for the cause.

“Hey, who threw that?” called an inmate from somewhere within the crowd. People dispersed, fleeing out of the way of Chit Sang as he held his head. Rei laughed a bit harder.

“Rei…” he grumbled, still rubbing the sore spot where it hit. “You’re usually a headache but never like this…”

“Hey, Sang-y , we’re trying to start a riot here, got any ideas?” she asked.

“Say what now?” he asked, but his eyes turned on Sokka. “You. You're lucky I didn’t rat you out.”

“Er-- yeah, thanks for that,” he shrugged, holding his hands up in defense.

“I know you’re hatching another escape plan, and I want in.”

“Sure, but we’ll need that aforementioned riot if we wanna leave.”

“I got ‘ch’yer riot…” he muttered, and turned away. He walked up to another inmate, and to the astonishment of everyone else, picked the person up and over his head with the same ease one would hoist up a watermelon. “Hey!” he shouted, his booming voice bellowed across the yard and caught everyone’s attention. “Riot!” he ordered and threw the man above his head down.

And, simple as that, everyone began to fight.

Sokka blinked at the suddenly violent crowd, fire shooting off in every direction, people throwing fists, kicking and yelling.

“...huh.” 

--

    Zuko didn’t answer Mai, allowing her the space she needed to process everything he’d said. Finally, she let out a breath, something between a sigh and a groan, before she turned back to him. She was about to speak, when suddenly the alarm went off, drawing out their thoughts.

A guard ran to the door then.

“Ma’am!” the guard addressed Mai, “There’s a riot. I’ve been sent by your uncle to protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting,” she replied, folding her arms.

“Trust me, she doesn’t,” chuckled Zuko.

“E-Even so...” began the guard, clearly caught between orders and Mai’s glare. It was at this moment, Zuko took the opportunity to quickly bend a shot of fire near Mai’s feet. As predicted the guard sprung into action, stepping in front of her to defend her, but this left the doorway to the cell open. He’d quickly raced out, and before either could reach him, he shut the door on them, hearing the familiar click of it locking into place. 

Mai glared quietly up at him, and he gave her a look of apology.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Someday, I’ll do right by you. I swear it. But I have to do this.”

“You can’t escape, Zuko. Azula is here-- whatever you’re planning will fail.”

“Maybe… but I can’t sit by and allow everything my father’s planning to happen just because I’m scared I might fail.”

“Zuko--!”

“Hang tight, Mai, it might be safer for you in here anyway,” and with that, he turned and ran away. He heard a bang, perhaps her fist pounding against the iron door in frustration.

    Zuko had just barely managed to make it to the yard. Leaving the complex, he looked out to the sea of inmates all battling and throwing fire around, the riot was in full swing. He entered the crowded yard, avoiding every swing, kick, and flame that was blindly thrown his way. He’d only just made it to them when someone had the audacity to tack him from behind. Annoyed, Zuko grabbed them and swung their weight forward and over them, swiftly kicking them in the side to wind them, before finally reaching the others.

Noticing movement, Sokka turned, allowing a small sigh of relief to escape him.

“Oh good, you’re here. What took you so long?”

“Ran into my ex,” he said, noticing Sokka’s gaze go wide with surprise.

“Your ex? Mai’s here?”

Zuko nodded in return.

“Azula and Ty Lee might be around here somewhere as well, so we need to get out of here fast. What’s the plan?”

“Grab the Warden, use him as a hostage, and ride the gondola out.”

“Good plan. What’s the first step?”

“Ah...grab the Warden.”

“How?” he insisted.

“Ahmm…” he started, nervously looking about. He heard Zuko sigh and turned back. “I’m working on it, okay?”

“I thought you had a plan!”

Before Sokka could speak further, the earth suddenly shuddered and quaked beneath their feet.

“Wha--what’s going on?” wondered Suki, fighting for balance. At first, Sokka thought it might be the riot, but to see prisoners and guards alike fighting for balance, he suddenly knew better.

“Earthquake?” gasped Sokka.

“Not quite,” breathed Rei-Zha.

People fought to keep their footing as the unsteady ground suddenly caused the very complex itself to sway and tremble. From up on the higher floors of the main prison complex, shouting could be heard. Guards began pointing and shouting in crowds, directing everyone’s attention to the source of the earthquakes.

“There! On the ridge!” was one of the repeated calls, and even the warden left the look out to go race over and see just who dared to challenge his perfect prison island. All eyes, prisoner and guard alike, turned to look at the ridge far above them.

There, with the sun behind their back, stood a lone figure. Their features were impossible to make out from that distance. However, it was apparent that they were wearing armor, their colors aligned with those of the Earth Kingdom.

“It can’t be,” whispered Rei-Zha, catching both boy’s attention. Her gaze remained glued to that lone person, one hand lifted and clutching the space above her chest. 

The figure stomped their foot on the earth, and a conical shape rose up, looking like a bell with no top. They spoke, and their voice carried through it, echoing around the boiling crater.

“All you worms who hid in your holes!” called an old voice. Her words tore through the air with rage. “I am here for my tether,” she continued, and proceeded to then stomp her foot. This one action sent another tremor through the earth, and as she lifted her hands to the sky, there erupted a stream of lava that followed her movement, “and either I shall leave with her, or bury you all in the flames you hold so dear!”

The alarm rang at once, guards snapping out of their shocked stupor to go rushing over to the side where she stood. They braced for an attack, ready to defend. She’d reared her arms back, before then thrusting them forward to send the streams of molten rock to whip through the air and rain down to the metal walls of the fortress.

“She’s gonna kill us all!” screamed a prisoner, and panic set in.

Screams rang out through the complex as everyone retreated into the main complex to run from the raining magma. Much of Mei-Hua’s force was concentrated on the walls of the prison itself, rather than actually aiming to harm anyone, but it seemed her bending only had so much reach, and she’d lose control of the magma at a certain point, where it would lose shape and slap against the walls of the compound in a hot wave.

“Well, that complicates things...” muttered Sokka, in awe of the powerful display of bending.

“Who is that?” wondered Hakkoda.

“It’s...it’s Mei-Hua!” said Rei, aghast, unable to help but step forward toward her. “This whole time...she really was looking for me…!”

“Wait--you’re tethered?!” exclaimed Sokka, looking at her, but her gaze was still fixed on Mei. She’d run from them and out into the yard, waving her arms and trying to grab her attention. 

“Mei-Hua! Mei!” she yelled. However, it seemed that from so far down, and at such a great distance with many prisoners running around her in a panic, there was no hope of being spotted. 

A loose stream of lava cascaded through the air, its course to go plummeting down on Rei.

“Run!” yelled Sokka, and run she did. She back pedaled into the safety of their hiding place.

“She can’t see me…” Rei breathed, looking to the lava, then up to the cliff, “What is she thinking?” said Rei-Zha, still watching with a shocked gaze, “Is she crazy? She knows she can’t keep that up for too long…!”

“But we can still use this to our advantage,” said Sokka, drawing everyone’s attention. “Okay, new plan. Get Rei-Zha to Mei-Hua, and get her to assist us in getting out. We’ll need to get closer where she’ll have a better chance of spotting you. Let’s go,” and with that, he took the lead of the small group. 

Many of the prisoners had already begun to panic, running into the complex itself to take shelter. The group ducked out of the yard and quickly headed into the complex with the mob. Guards were already on the scene, trying to push the prisoners back into their cells, using any means of vicious firebending to keep the desperate mob at bay. The riot had only continued and grown in fury, now fueled by desperate panic in thinking that they were to be buried alive in lava. The repercussions of the cooler were no longer a threat, and every firebender was giving it their all against the guards. Flames wildly volleyed back and forth within the main hall. Prisoners were trying to get up the stairs in large mobs, held at bay by a mob of guards just able to hold them back with shields and firebending. 

In this chaos, it was impossible for any non-bender to navigate the crowd without getting hurt. Zuko was their only firebender, and Sokka knew he alone could not protect them from every dangerous flame. His mind made up, he started leading the group away.

“This way!” he called to his group, who followed down a more vacant hall.

“I thought you said we needed to head up,” called Rei-Zha, “You’re leading us to a dead end.”

“No, he’s not,” said Zuko. “He’s leading us to the armory.”

Sokka let slip a determined smile as he led the way. 

Most of the prisoners were flooding the main areas of the complex, trying to strong arm their way up to the gondolas above in wild panic and desperation, leaving the halls around empty and mostly abandoned. Rounding the corner, however, they came across some stragglers. Prison guards; to see them here meant that they were either reluctant to enter the bigger fight above them, or were also making their way to the armory to guard it.

Immediately upon seeing Sokka leading a group of prisoners without a helmet, and a sword strapped to his back, one of the five guards called out.

“An imposter! Stop right there!” called one.

The guard in question ran up to Sokka and threw out their fist to bend fire right at his unprotected face! Sokka was quickly yanked out of the way and pulled back as Zuko jutted forward to catch the flame, and turning, redirected the stream to blow back at the assailant. The firebenders continued their onslaught of flames, Zuko just barely able to fend them off, as the others retreated behind the corner.

“We’ll have to go around,” said Suki.

“We can’t retreat completely, they’ll follow,” he said, his mind scrambling with an alternate plan. “Go down this hall and take a right. You’ll find the armory there.  We need riot shields, two of them-- big as you can find. Meet back here.”

“Wait, why are you telling me this, aren’t you--?”

Sokka rushed out without listening to the rest of Suki’s words, hurrying to join Zuko’s side. He unsheathed his sword, ducking out of the way of the blasts of fire from the opposing benders. He’d only joined Zuko’s side, when the former prince managed to bend a stream of fire before it hit Sokka’s in the chest.

“Get back!” breathed Zuko, forcing his attention on the fight in front of him. Sokka could see that their constant lobbing of flames left Zuko no opening to attack; the other benders had him on the ropes. He was nearly outmatched by these five benders, but Sokka knew how to turn the tide.

“Zuko, we need a huge wall of flame.”

“What?” he all but gasped as he struggled.

“A huge, blinding, wall of fire,” said Sokka, “Do it!”

Zuko hadn’t time to argue, nor answer. With the next round of fire, he used his bending to suspend, and sustain the flames-- hard-doing when the practice relied so heavily on breath, and one’s exertion was already at its limit. From there, and quickly, he caused the flames to explode outward, toward the group of benders-- though he barely saw the reasoning. They’d easily be able to catch the flames with their own bending, before it’d even reach them. It was as Sokka moved that he understood then.

The wall of fire parted, Sokka’s blade slicing through and running to the guards, ambushing them! They’d barely had time to process that the non-bender was in front of them, when Sokka up with the flat end of his blade, and slammed it into the wrist of one of the guards. The bracers they wore were not padded for the powerful strikes of a weapon, and more to simply protect them from other benders. With a pop, somehow audible over all the comotion, the guard screamed and scrambled away, holding his broken wrist. 

The benders were unable to move freely in the tightly packed hall to defend against his weapon. Sokka struck with the flat end every time, not wishing to cause irreparable harm to simple guards, who held no defence from such a vicious blade. Crowded as they were, they were easy to pick off. Sokka swatted the flat end of his blade in the stomach of one guard to knock the window out of him, then sidestepped to butt the heavy iron hilt into the face of someone behind him! He ducked under the swing of one, then taking his sheath from his back, sprung up and smacked that guard across the helmet-- a blow strong enough to send them bouncing off the wall and into two other guards. 

When the three recovered, they ran away, not wishing to meet any part of Sokka’s blade. Two remained, which unfortunately left more room for the two to defend. The one on Sokka’s right bent a blast of flame toward him. He only just turned in time to block it with the sword-- but he felt a terrible heat from behind. He braced himself for the inevitable pain that would follow the vicious attack, but it was suddenly extinguished! Zuko was there, at his back, and had used his bending to fend off the flame and return the volley. The guard leaned out of it’s way, but the prince was quick, and had grabbed their wrist! He twisted it so that the man was forced to lean back and fight to regain balance. Then, he twisted it back to force him to step forward, just in time for his fist to meet his face. The guard slammed into the wall, and immediately held his nose. It seemed Zuko had broken it. The guard, not wanting anymore trouble, quickly retreated. There was but one left.

“Give up!” Sokka demanded of the remaining bender, whose fists were still raised. It was only then he realized that it was the female guard from before. She gave a small huff of a laugh, before she threw out a fist, a trail of fire soaring out from the force. He was forced to duck, allowing for a clear shot at Zuko’s right shoulder before the firebender could defend himself.

Immediately spotting his error, Sokka turned back to see Zuko extinguishing the flames, leaving behind charred clothes and a patch of red, blistered, skin.

“Zuko--!” he cried out in regret, the words leaving him before he could think.

“Don’t turn your back--!” barked Zuko, but too late.

The guard wasn’t done, as she’d used that moment to duck and sweep her leg into Sokka’s legs, sending him to the ground. He hit the floor, and had only managed to roll over when a stream of fire shot toward his face, but it fell just short of touching him. It was like a dagger of flames, controlled and concentrated to retain its shape and length. The heat of it drew beads of sweat, and he looked up to his assailant, her attention pointed to Zuko.

“It’s over,” said the woman too Zuko, “turn yourself in, or I give your friend a pretty little scar to match yours.”

Zuko remained with his fists raised, but unable to fight. Finally, seeming unable to think of a way to fight back, he lowered his guard.

“Wise choice,” she smirked. “Now, hands up!”

He did so, glaring daggers at her as she did.

“Who knew the traitor prince was such a softy. You make this almost too easy. I wonder if I can get a double promotion from turning you in twice? ” she teased.

Distracted with her supposed victory, Sokka just managed to use the sheathe of his sword to knock her fist away at the wrist, the daunting heat going with it.

“What--” she looked back down, just in time for Sokka’s own legs to lock together around her shins. He rolled, causing her to fall forward in a clumsy display. Zuko stepped out of the way with a slight smile as she slammed head-long into the wall.

“Sorry, looks like your career’s hit a wall,” smirked Zuko.

The woman groaned, and was out cold.

Immediately, Sokka picked himself up and was at his side, looking at his injured shoulder. He groaned, holding his head.

“Gah! This is all my fault,” he breathed, “I shouldn't have ducked.”

“No, you should have,” said Zuko, severely, “I just wasn’t fast enough. It happens. What you shouldn't have done is take your eyes off the enemy.”

“I-- I know that,” he argued, suddenly embarrassed and frustrated. “But you were hurt and I--”

“Sokka, I can hold my own,” he said. “So stop treating me like I’m incompetent, or that I need you to look after me.”

Sokka blinked, a volatile mix of embarrassment and shame pinched at his ears and cheeks, making them feel hot.

“I-I trust you,” he said, holding up his hands. The other looked away.

“You don’t act like it.”

“Because I don’t trust myself,” he exclaimed. Zuko turned to him, his eyes widening. Sokka put a hand to his head, frustrated it seemed to admit his feeling as he continued. “You’re here because of me-- I need to keep you safe,” he said, his hand sliding down from his head to his chest. “I need to make sure everyone gets out of here safely, but I’m not always smart enough. Not always strong enough to save the people important to me…” He was gazing at nothing, reliving some memory that Zuko was not privy to. “I thought I’d never see you again, you know. Then when you showed up after the Invasion, when you fell off that cliff...I knew then I’d failed you. I never...never, want to fail you like that again.”

“You can’t save me from everything,” said Zuko, taking a step toward him.

“I can try,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

“You try that, and you’ll fail everyone,” he said. Sokka turned to him, insulted, but Zuko shook his head and reached out to take his hand. “You can’t do everything on your own. You can’t protect everyone on their own, and you need to trust that I can protect myself.”

Sokka stared back, his blue eyes filled with uncertainty, tinged with the memories of times people could not.

“Sokka!” called Suki. The two let go of each other, quickly, embarrassed.

The others had rejoined them, brandishing large riot shields that ran almost the length of Hakkoda’s body.

“You found them,” smiled Sokka.

“Sure, but what exactly are you planning here with these?” asked Rei, setting hers down. Sokka went over to look over the shield. Seeming satisfied with its weight and paying particular interest in the edges, he handed it back to her.

“I’ll explain on the way, he said, and they began to head back to the main hall. “We’ll need them to make our way up the crowded staircases,” said Sokka. “There’s no use in fighting everyone, so we’ll have to barrel past them,” he said. “There’s a door that leads outside from the second floor. Mai-Hua merely needs to see Rei, so we’ll try and get her attention from there rather than fighting the whole way up.

“So, pushing your way up, that’s your plan?” she asked unimpressed. 

“I know it sounds simple, but I’ve got a specific way in mind,” he argued back.

“Whatever you say, cooler-kid.”

They doubled back to the main yard entryway, where the battle still raged on. In front of the stairs was an entire mixed mob of people fighting. Firebending rocketed overhead, and many of the prisoners were throwing their flames around without regard to friend or foe, each one hoping to be the one that makes it out.

“There!” yelled Sokka over the screams and crackle of flames, “we need to get up there. The door leading out is just beyond that.”

“I’ll weaken their defense,” called Suki, who darted out suddenly. The others could only watch as she masterfully leapt up to a long hanging pipe and swung off it just to land on the head of an inmate! With all the agility and grace of a cat, as if they were merely stepping stones across a river, she raced along, before leaping once more into a tucked somersault. Her feet caught onto a support rail that ran horizontally across the bottom of the second floor catwalk, and using a powerful amount of momentum, swung up and landed on the top side of it. The guards focus was now divided between a mob of inmates pushing up the stairs, and this new threat.

Sokka turned back to the others then.

“Chit Sang, you and Rei join shields at a point and dive through the crowd, like the trams in Ba Sing Se, you’ll be able to deflect everyone off your path!”

“Not bad,” she nodded.

Chit Sang and Rei gave a nod to each other, before doing as Sokka said. They ran full speed up the stairway. Prisoners either fell under their feet or were shoved over the railing, falling on others below them. The adults pushed through with little obstruction until they came to the wall of guards. They were being pushed back by other riot shields. Suki was helping to split their attention but with reinforcements on the way, she was struggling.

Now high enough on the catwalk, Zuko was able to leap up to where she was and provide cover. The two moved together like it were a dance at first, with Zuko unleashing a stream of fire, for Suki to follow and trip or incapacitate any guard brave enough to get close. The line of willing guards thinned as they were either thrown over the side to the mob below, or turned tail and ran. Finally, everyone converged on the second floor and were already running toward the outer door.

They’d only just reached it when there came another ground shaking quake.

“Mei-Hua…” gasped Rei, looking up in the direction she knew to be just outside these walls. “She can’t hold out forever, hurry,” she said, a tinge of plea to her voice.

Sokka obeyed, opening the door, but a stream of lava rained down before him. As it fell, it hit the water in large globs that sent the hot waves to crash against the building, drowning the shore under boiling water. He was forced to retreat back, closing the door in front of him, which suddenly began to corrode and melt from flecks of lava being poured on it. He looked at Zuko with a humored but panicked smile.

“I don’t suppose lavabending is something you would know, is it?”

“That’s earthbenders,” he replied with some impatience. Rei-Zha forced her way to the front.

“Move, I can get her attention from there.”

“Mei-Hua is concentrating too heavily on destroying this place,” said Sokka, “there’s lava just raining from the sky out there-- we’ll get burned if we step out!”

“That doesn’t matter! She can’t hold out for too long. Let me through!”

“Wait,” started Zuko, “maybe there’s a way you can contact her through your tether.”

“That’s impossible,” she said, turning her attention on him, “we’d both have to be asleep.”

“Maybe not. No matter what, you and Mei-Hua are connected. Try pulling on your tether, letting her know your intentions.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“It should be right here, above your chest,” said Zuko, giving a small tug of his own tether. Sokka felt it and stepped forward, rubbing a small spot on his chest with some irritation. “You’ve never known about this?” asked Zuko.

“Not like there are teachers for this stuff,” Rei muttered, and placed her hand in front of herself. With a sour look of disbelief, she went ahead and gave a tug to the air. In the next moment her eyebrows shot up, clearly she’d felt something, though no one else could see it.

“I...I felt that!” she quietly gasped. “But I can’t tell if she did. I think she’s too focused. She always was unwavering in her determination.”

“Then we have to get her attention in a different way,” said Sokka. “I guess we’ve got no choice, we’ll have to make it to the gondolas.”

“Then we’ll have to go for the original plan,” said Suki. “Grab the warden, and get out.”

So, up they went, using the same formation as they had before. Zuko and Suki followed along and fended off anyone that would try and attack them from above or behind. They pushed through seven flights of stairs, with both Rei-Zha and Chit Sang panting from the exertion afterward. Reaching the gondola station, the guards who had heard the panic as their fellows were pushed over the side, ceased in their fight against the distant lavabender to stare in wonder at the human battering ram. The shields parted, and out sprung Sokka, Suki, Hakkoda, and Zuko, who each broke off from one another and began to fight any guard that was close enough. They chased off those who were already terrified from the lava that was raining down, and decided they didn’t want this fight. 

“Cowards!” yelled the Warden, “return to your positions immediately! That’s an order!”

Hearing his voice, Sokka turned to spot him. The warden could be seen taking shelter beneath an alcove just off to the side of the stairs.

Before he could think to move, Suki had raced past him, and reached the two men guarding the Warden. Quick as a flash, she took out the two men at his side, before facing him. He’d tried to fight, but his fist was caught with quiet precision by the wrist and lifted away. Her other fist remained raised and ready to strike him in the face should he cause any trouble. He gave her an ugly glare comparable to that of an upset toad.

“You wouldn’t dare,” he said. 

A smile graced her face then, and using his captured wrist, she twisted it so that it forced him to turn around. Using the man’s own hip sash, she’d whipped it off and bound his hands. In a move so fast that the Warden had no time to prepare, she’d proceeded to yank his headband further down his head, gagging him with the knot he’d used to tie it.

“Sorry warden,” she said simply, “looks like you're my prisoner now.”

“Way to go Suki!” yelled Sokka with a smile.

Rei-Zha had broken off from Chit Sang’s side and headed out into the open where the lava continued to rain down. 

“Rei!” called Chit, but none dared to venture further out to go after her.

Large pools of molten rock were slowly eating away at the metal floor, and creating holes that she’d have to leap over. She was rather still agile for her age, it seemed. She’d used a shield to barricade from the onslaught, when finally she reached the edge of the prison’s top floor. She uncovered herself from under the shield, and looking out to the cliff side screamed;

“Mei-Hua!”

In an instant, the rivers of lava hardened to black rock pillars, the storm of molten rock ended. There was a stillness to the air, as if time paused for these two women alone, and everyone, even those who were still caught in the yard below, looked on.

The other woman’s hands lowered, slowly.

“Rei-Zha!” she cried back, a painful call of relief and sadness.

Rei looked across the chasm, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Come one, let’s go!” called Sokka, and they all loaded into the gondola. Before they could reach it, reinforcements had found their way to the landing. The group turned back to watch the twenty or so guards race up to them, before Zuko yelled back.

“Stop right there! Or the Warden gets it!”

The other guards saw the warden in Chit Sang’s grasp; the man was hauled over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

They heard an earthy rumble, and feeling the building quake beneath their feet, they knew Mei-Hua was about to provide cover for them. Quickly they ran from the line of guards, allowing a good distance between them and the inevitable rain of lava.

Sokka and Zuko brought up the rear as everyone raced to the gondola. However, the guards didn’t seem so willing to just allow their Warden to be up and kidnapped, and began to attack once more. They’d grone bold, despite the molten rain, and were using shields as cover as they launched fire at them. They ran to the gondola and filed in. Sokka had only just made it, when Zuko quickly shut the door behind him.

“What are you--”

“Just trust me,” he said quickly, before turning back and pulling the lever. The gondola began to move, but Zuko remained. Then, quickly, he began to kick the lever, and after a few hard stomps the metal pole cracked and bent, breaking it in place, and preventing anyone from simply calling the car back.

However, the gondola was now a good distance from the station. With no other option, Zuko made the bold choice to run to the end of the ledge, and jump for it.

Sokka was there, leaned out the window, hand outstretched. As fire continued to rain down on him, he reached for the other’s hand. By some miracle, he was caught, and strongly pulled in by his tether. Zuko climbed in through the window, his hand still held by Sokka to steady him as he got his footing.

“Before you say anything,” started Zuko, “I had to make sure they couldn’t stop us.”

“Never doubted you for a second,” said Sokka, his weary smile betraying his words, but it seemed he was doing his best. Zuko smiled back at him.

Rei had gone to the side of the gondola, and waved to Mei, seeming to signal that they were safe and on their way. In the same moment the lava stopped. The two, even from this distance, looked to each other, and Sokka couldn't help but feel relieved at the sight. Two tethers, just like him and Zuko. Rei gently tugged at the air above her chest, and by the way she smiled not but a moment after, it seemed Mei had perhaps signaled back. They were going to make it.

A loud bang sounded, and in the next moment something large crashed into the cliff side where Mei-Hua stood. It was the giant, steel harpoon. When the lava had ceased, the guards had grown bold enough to duck out and fire it. 

“Mei-Hua!” screamed Rei-Zha as the cliff side broke apart and gave way. Great clouds of dirt and dust mixed with the hissing steam of the lake obscured Mei-Hua from sight.

Sokka’s heart filled with horrible dread, and his eyes scanned the area for any sign of her. Mei-Hua did emerge, seeming to have taken refuge underground when the harpoon hit. The large weapon was retracting via it’s steel line, and it would take a while to load and launch again, but it seemed, by the way Mei-Hua held her arm, that the damage had been done.

“She’s hurt,” breathed Rei, “Her arm, it’s bleeding.”

She was right, for even  from this distance Sokka could see a growing red color stain Mei’s green uniform. She’d turned her attention back to the station, and had begun to try and earthbend once more. She’d just managed to draw up a wall of earth, when a sharp crack rang out through the air, followed by a blinding flash. The cliff side was struck again, the rock wall completely obliterated. Mei-Hua’s body had been flung back from the impact, tossing her back down the slope of the crater and out of view.

Zuko immediately turned his attention to the prison station. Azula drew up from her stance with an unmistakable air of pride, visible even from this distance. Ty Lee stood behind her, her expression hidden behind her hands as she remained turned away from the cliff. 

The Princess next turned her cold gaze to the gondola, and for a frightful moment he worried that she might draw her lighting at them-- but no. They had the Warden, and his sister was nothing if not efficient. She prided herself on it, and the goal was to bring Zuko in as well as return to Warden. Though, how she thought to accomplish this goal with the gondola still rolling further away on the line, he didn’t know. Still, it never bode well to underestimate her.

“Who is that?” asked Hakkoda, quietly aghast at the young women’s abilities.

“That’s a problem,” was all Zuko said, before he raced to a window. He was already climbing up and out, with Sokka and Suki following in tow.

Back at the station, Ty Lee was first to move. With superb agility and grace, as if she were as light as a feather, she managed to jump up and reach the metal line that held the gondola. Like a true tightrope walker from the circus, she ran along the lien with perfect balance. Azula took a moment more to calculate her route, but eventually did reach for a pair of handcuffs that rested at the waist of a guard, and latched one cuff onto the wire. Then, using the force of her firebending, she propelled herself forward, heading to their gondola.

The other’s had already reached the roof of the gondola in time to meet the two Fire Nation loyalists. Suki rolled her shoulder, glaring in the direction of the Princess.

“This is the rematch I’ve been looking for,” she said quietly.

“Me too,” said Zuko, already putting up his fists.

Sokka unsheathed his sword, gripping the handle. He could not help to glance to the now crumbling crater wall. His view was obstructed as Zuko stepped into view, his gaze pointed toward their attackers. He quietly scolded himself. He couldn’t be concerned with what could be, he chastised his brain, he needed to focus on this fight, in the now.

Ty Lee was first to reach them. She leapt off the wire and landed on the back end of the Gondola, in front of Suki. Their fight began immediately. Before the boys could even think to help, Azula had reached them. They’d have to face off with her together, as she was the strongest force.

Azula was first to strike, as was her nature. She’d launched the attack against her brother first, throwing a fist and sending a blue flame to jet out at him. This attack was easily fended off by his own bending, and he retaliated. Sokka remained low and to his side as they volleyed back and forth. His grip on the handle of the sword tightened as he waited for an open opportunity to strike. With not much room to move, both firebenders could only get so close, or allow themselves to remain far and out of the way of the other’s flame. The two firebenders were at an awkward length, a medium distance that could be seen as a disadvantage to any lesser firebenders. Azula attempted to close the distance, which would put her closer to the center, but Zuko had worked well enough with his bending to fend her off.

Much of Zuko’s bending was purely defence, as if waiting for something. Sokka’s gaze remained trained on Azula as he waited for his opportunity. Finally Azula had launched a blast of fire, big enough that Zuko just managed to take control of and bend back at her. She easily parted the curtain of fire, and through the veil of flames, there emerged Sokka’s blade. He thrust it forward and at her, forcing her back to the edge of the gondola. He could perhaps force her all the way off, but the thought of anyone falling to their death in that sulfur lake was far too gruesome, and it stayed his hand.

His hesitation drew a cruel smile from her.

“Predictable,” she muttered, and with a quick swipe of her hand, managed to bend a current of fire to lash against Sokka. Quickly, he reached behind him and grabbed the sword sheath off himself, just in time to interrupt the full swing of her wrist, the fire coming just short of his face. She was quick to recover, and as he stepped back, she unleashed a powerful stream of hot flames at his chest. Zuko was there and stepped in, simultaneously turning Sokka behind him and catching the flame perfectly, and putting it out. She narrowed her eyes at this, and continued.

Her unyielding attacks allowed her to recover lost ground, and she advanced on them. Perhaps if she’d been only against one or the other, her superior firebending might have won over, but as a team, they created a frustrating wall of defense. Zuko mainly focused on defense, retaliating just enough so that she was kept at bay. When she would eventually find an opening to advance, Sokka’s blade was always there to force her back. As the exchange went on, the gondola was still moving, and getting closer and closer to its destination; freedom.

“We’re gonna make it,” grinned Sokka.

Then, suddenly, from within the gondola they heard a gruff voice call out to the guards at the station.

“Cut the line!”

It was the Warden. He’d somehow gotten out of his bonds and was giving an order to the guards below. 

“Right, I forgot, the universe hates me,” he muttered.

The fight had taken a pause as all eyes looked to the station in the prison, where the line that pulled the car was currently being halted. The workers below were manually trying to stop the car with two steel beams they’d jammed between the pulley system. They’d managed to stop the car, causing it to jerk forward. Everyone aboard fought for their footing. 

Unable to hold on, Sokka slipped. The gondola began tipping in the direction of his weight, creating a deeper slope that he could not climb his way up from. He looked down, his stomach launching to his throat front he height at which he was falling. 

He went over the side, but Zuko had just managed to make it to him in time, and caught his hand. Sokka held on tight as he dangled helplessly over the edge, both hands clasped around Zuko’s forearm. The former prince pulled him up, carefully, as his added weight to that end had made it tilt further.

“Oh dear…” said Azula, quietly stepping closer, “And you were so close to making it out of here,”

Ty Lee’s voice caught her attention.

“They’re cutting the line!” she called out.

Indeed, as everyone looked back, they saw that the guards below were following the Warden’s orders-- despite the fact that he’d fall with them as well! This, unfortunately, would also sacrifice the life of the Princess and Ty Lee. However, another gondola was gliding toward them on it’s line, heading in the opposite direction. It seems it was meant for Azula and Ty Lee’s escape.

Deciding that the lake would take care of them well enough Azula turned, and with a powerful blast of firebending, launched herself off one gondola, and was caught by the other.

“Farewell, bother,” she’d said, before landing next to Ty Lee.

Zuko managed to pull Sokka up all the way, and they watched as the two young woman drew farther and farther away.

“Good catch,” breathed Sokka.

“Figured I’d return the favor,” then drew him close and into a hug. “But maybe I understand where you’re coming from.”

“You both okay?” asked Suki, carefully hurrying closer.

“Yeah,” Sokka nodded, “but we’re not out of trouble yet.”

Everyone still accounted for, all ducked under and back into the gondola. The Warden had been tied up once more, now even his feet were bound, preventing him from being any further trouble.

“They’re cutting the line,” reported Zuko to those inside.

“So we heard,” said Hakkoda, still looking out to the prison station.

“I hope this thing floats…” muttered Chit Sang.

“It does not,” breathed Sokka, his heart still beating wildly. His mind was scrambling to come up with some plan to get them out of thit, but it seemed it was only a matter of time.

Then, suddenly a fight broke out below. A young woman suddenly began attacking the guards with throwing knives. She’d chased away the guards who had been sawing away at the line.

“It’s Mai,” breathed Zuko, amazed.

“Is she...is she attacking them?” gasped Suki.

“But why? I thought she was on your sister’s side,” asked Sokka.

“So did I,” said Zuko, amazed. 

They watched as she fended off the remaining guards, and then quickly kicked the beam that held the pulley in place, allowing it to turn again. Once more the gondola began to move, lurching forward and into action.

“She’s saving us,” whispered Suki, amazed.

Sokka looked to Zuko, whose face conveyed a mix of confusion and sadness. Azula was heading in Mai’s direction, and soon enough, she’d be apprehended for her own hand in their escape. His hand found its way to Zuko’s, giving it a small squeeze to let him know he was there for him, that this wasn’t an easy thing to watch someone do for them. Zuko’s expression turned quietly to surprise, only to then harden to the truth and resolve. His fingers interlaced with Sokka’s, and held him there as they looked out, the Boiling Rock becoming smaller and smaller.

They’d reached the other side, and stepping out of the gondola, had also stopped over the Warden.

“So much for your perfect record,” smiled Sokka. The Warden’s angry words were lost behind the gag as the door shut on him.

His moment of smug confidence was fleeting, as  he turned his attention to Rei, who was on the lookout for any sign of her tether. 

“Mei!” she yelled out. “Mei-Hua! Answer me!”

No response. Everybody turned about, this way, and that, some running ahead to see if they could spot anything. Then, Rei turned, as if someone had tapped her shoulder, and without a word, began to run in a certain direction. Sokka and Zuko followed her, the other’s quietly catching on and running after them.

Down the slope, there lay the body of an old woman, clad in Earth Kingdom armor, her feet bare.

“Mei!” Rei screamed, slipping from the steep slope, just managing to stop herself next to her love’s body. The other’s stopped, a few feet away, watching with bated breath.

Rei leaned over the unresponsive body of her lover, brushing the silvery strands stained with mud and blood, out from in front her face.

“Mei-Hua…” she whispered, her eyes growing misty, “Please...not like this.”

She picked up the other woman by the shoulders, hugging her close. Then, after a moment, she leaned away and turned back to the other’s.

“She’s breathing!” she called, and they quickly ran to her side.

She was indeed breathing, but it was shallow, and labored. Her arm was wounded; the cloth around it was torn and bloodied, her arm harboring a deep gash that freely bleed. Somehow, despite this, she was smiling. They watched her open her eyes, her gazing coming to focus as she turned them to Rei-Zha. She smiled as she spoke.

“You look like you’re seeing a spirit, dear. I didn’t know you’d underestimated me so.”  The laugh lines deepening around her face with a prideful expression before she coughed.

“You fool,” said Rei, and drew her close, cradling the back of her lover’s head and she pressed her into her body. The other hugged her back, her fingers clutching at her clothes and stray hairs. Rei parted from her then, and cupping the face of her love, tears spilling from her eyes, said,

“For someone so kind, you got a real way of scaring the daylights out of me.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, her hand reaching up for the one that cupped her face.

“Hey, this is real sweet and all,” Chit Sang cut in, “but we ain’t done escaping ‘till we're off this island.”

Rei nodded, and with great strength picked up Mei-Hua into her arms, and they all began to head off.

--

They’d found Azula’s air ship, and had quickly commandeered it. The controls were admittedly more complex than Sokka had seen before, but essentially flying the warship was the same trick as the war balloon. Hot air makes the balloon go up, and everything else was steering. He had to admit, the Fire Nation had a knack for taking one’s design and improving on it, as frustrating as that was.

The ride over was quiet, with everyone tending to their wounds and taking a breather from their bombastic escape. Rei-Zha and Mei-Hua sat together, quietly. Mei-Hua’s wound had been patched up, but at her age, it seemed more difficult to bounce back from a wound that deep. Then there was the internal injuries she may have sustained. Rei-Zha sat with her, quietly petting her silver hair as she slept. 

Zuko drew close to them, his voice lowered, and asked if they needed anything. Rei huffed and shook her head.

“I’ve got everything I need, right here,” she whispered back.

“There’s a waterbender where we’re going, a healer. I’m sure she can help Mei-Hua recover.”

“Much obliged,” she responded with a nod. Her gaze shifted then, looking to Sokka, who stood with his father at the far end of the ship, and just out of ear shot. It seemed he was busy showing his father the basics of the airship’s controls. “He’s something isn’t he, your tether?”

“Yeah,” he responded, his gaze following hers.

“What’s your relationship?”

“I...don’t know. Friends, I think.”

“Seemed a bit more than that to me.”

“...what do you know,” he muttered, slightly embarrassed.

“Dearest…” came the groggy voice of Mei-Hua against Rei’s shoulder. She’d raised her hand to tug on her love’s ear, “do leave the young man alone. He did just help rescue you.”

Rei’s lips pulled into a tight-lipped frown. She shifted, just enough that she might sit up.

“I should be the one scolding you, you know,” said Rei to Mei, “running all the way out here to pull that stunt. What would you have done if they captured you? I didn’t risk staying behind in the village for you to just--”

Mei-Hua’s fist gently knocked against Rei’s head.

“Dearest, you delude yourself. What freedom is there without you? Sacrificing yourself for me is sacrificing my happiness in life.”

“...but still…” she grumbled.

“No buts--” she said, but was cut off by her own coughing. Rei held her, and Mei-Hua shook her head. “You’re a fool if you think you being harmed would ever be okay with me-- freedom or not.”

Zuko couldn’t help but allow a small smile to slip, much to Rei-Zha’s chagrin. He felt someone approach him then, and all three turned their heads up. It was Sokka, his father was at the helm.

“Hey, came to see if you needed anything,” he said, kneeling down to Mei-Hua.

“What kind young men,” she chucked behind her wrinkled old hand. “This old woman still has some breath left in her yet, no need to concern yourselves.”

“Well, you let us know, alright?” he asked, then turned to Zuko, “you too, alright?”

“S-sure,” he nodded back, unsure why it was he’d suddenly grown nervous next to him and his kind bright eyes. Sokka got up and returned back to the front. Zuko watched him go.

“No hiding the way you look at him, kid. Go talk to him,” said Rei.

Zuko did stand and had managed to step forward, when he watched Suki approach Sokka then. The way Sokka’s face lit up upon seeing her caused him reason for hesitation.

“He has someone already,” he said, quietly.

“That’s rough, pal,” said Rei, who was promptly swatted in the shoulder by Mei-Hua. He merely turned around and walked away.