Chapter 40

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Word count 8196 words

(Y/n) POV

Sokka and I ran towards the front of the lines and passed through a large group of guards.

"Excuse me, coming through. The warden wants me over there" Sokka told them.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed as we were able to inch our way in between a large group of guards watching the new group of prisoners

The guards were all very larger and had more stature then my brother and I, but they didn't take any notice of us. Probably because the Warden was right there.

I then glanced to Sokka, who had a very anxious face plastered on. While I just looked ahead with a stone stature placed on.

The eight prisoners were all lined together as the Warden strutted over, "Welcome to the Boiling Rock. I'm sure you've all heard the horrible rumors about our little island. Well, I just want to tell you that they don't have to be true, as long as you do everything I say," He stopped in front of my father who was looking down. Father always had a thing about respect, and never looked men or women in the eye if he had none. "Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you" the Warden spat in his face.

Father then gazed to the side still not looking him in the eye, "No"

The Warden's eyes widened, "Oh? You'd rather look at my shoes? Then take a look!" he raised his left leg and dragged father by the handcuffs down onto the floor.

Father was now on his knees with an annoyed face glaring at the man.

Sokka was about to lunge at the Warden but I held him back. He gave me a look of plea, but I just shook my head making him stop struggling.

The Warden stood over father, keeping his foot firmly pressed on the Cheif's handcuffs, "I know exactly who you are, Hakoda of the Water Tribe. The infamous father to the Southern Dragon. So strong-willed. But don't worry, we'll get rid of that in time. Now look me in the eye!"

Father sighed and glared the man in the eyes making my eyes widened. What's that man up too?

The Warden smirked, "See, isn't that better? You will all do as I say or pay the price. You will all-" he began to walk forward only for father to lift his left handcuff slightly, tripping the warden and causing him to fall flat on the ground.

Sokka stifled a chuckle, as I kept my face stone cold.

Two guards soon rushed to aid the warden, "Are you okay, sir?"

The Warden rose to his feet with a scowl, "I'm fine! Get these prisoners out of my sight!" He spat before walking away with all of the other guards.

—————
(Third Person) POV

Hakoda sat alone in his private cell and sighed. Before he could even take a moment to think, a guard in full gear covering their face came into the room slamming the door shut behind them.

Hakoda rolled his eyes not paying attention to the guard as they began to speak, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

He looked to them with a scowl, "Are you trying to taunt me?"

They nodded leaning against the metal door, "Yes. Why else would I be here?"

"And you did a great job. Now if you have nothing else to say, leave" he gestured to the door.

They shook their head, "No I do... I came to see the infamous Chief wallowing in his own self pity," they let out a taunting chuckle making his eyes widen. "Yeah that's right, I know who you are Chief Hakoda. Everyone knows who you are. I mean your children are the biggest threat to the Fire Nation... not that you were around to know that" they smirked under their mask.

If looks could kill the guard would be dead, "What do you want?"

"I want to talk to to 'great' Cheif of the Southern Water Tribe. I've got some dirt on you and I just wanna see if it's all true...." the crossed their arms smirking under their mask, "You lost your wife to a Firebender a couple years ago, correct? I truly can't remember how long ago, but it had to be at least five or so years at least from what I've been told... she had two children with you, right?" They asked almost unsure, "If I'm not mistaken the boys named... Sokka? I hear he's your successor after you, I mean he is your oldest child after all so of course he's the heir.... And then you have one daughter named Katara, right? I hear she's the prized Waterbender of your home. She used to show off to the Tribe all the time back in the day... is that true? Because you must be so proud of the two. Especially your daughter considering she can bend. A true gift given by the Spirits"

"Leave them out of this" the Chief demanded.

"No. I can say whatever the spirits seem fit, which is anything. Plus I heard you left them, so your argument is invade. Come to think of it, all of the men in your Tribe left in fact..." they let out a small chuckle, "I'm all for female empowerment, but you left a group of ill-prepared women and children home while you fought in a war, you had no chance of winning? You could've at least let some soldiers stay to protect, instead of leaving a large group of people in the mouth of the lions den. They were sitting turtle-ducks! Oh wait! You left your two children to look after an entire village just to fight, didn't you? From my research they were barely in their teens! What made you think that was okay? I mean didn't you hear what happened to them? Your people? They got attack. While you were all playing soldiers, your people's very home was raided by what you deemed the enemy! From my reports a teenage girl the same age of your son got kidnapped that day, and you did nothing! She got ripped away from her home and people just like that, because there was no soldiers could help. You did nothing. She was taken and didn't even get to say goodbye to her family! No! She was grabbed like a fish off a hook!" The guard practically yelled in his face.

Hakoda remained silent as the guard continued to rightfully berate him, in his cell.

They then chuckled shaking their head, "Father of the year award, am I right? Well maybe your punishment will make up for it. It's brutal isn't it? I hear the Warden plans to segregate you so the Fire Nation soldiers don't find out your here," they asked almost sarcastically. "Wow. Segregated. That must suck right?"

Hakoda looked away as he clenched his eyes shut, trying to block out the words.

"Awww Hakoda don't go quite on me, you'll love it!" They cooed, "Just think of it like this, you get to be alone from sunrise to sunset! No one to talk to but yourself, but then again it's not like you have a choice. Councils orders, but you'll get used to it," they waved their hand dismissively. "You know what might help you get through it though? Just think about your family! Oh yes what do you think they're doing right now? Playing? Singing? Dancing?" They asked trying to get a reaction out of him, "Huh, well I guess you'll never know. I mean this must complete suck for you, having to live like an animal that everyone doesn't want to be around. I can't imagine that..." they trailed off before making eye contact through their mask, "But you know who could..."

Hakoda's eyes widened as the guard crossed their arms, "Yeah that's right, I've missed one important person in your life's story, haven't I? I didn't bring her up yet because I knew it wasn't the time... the Southern Dragon. Your oldest 'daughter' (Y/n). If you could even call her that"

"Leave her out of this-"

"Since when have you cared enough about her to talk about what I say? If my sources are correct you were terrible to her.
When she finally got the courage to tell you she could bend, a gift so powerful and rare that people would die for their young to gain... but not you. You locked her away in a metaphorical ice tower and threw away the key. You thought you could get away with hiding a child who could've helped you, but decided hiding her was safer for you... considering it was your genetics fault for her gift it was better for you" they spat, cutting him off.

"How do you know that?" He glared daggers into the guard.

"I know everything Hakoda. Everything. I know that when your favourite daughter learned about her Waterbending, (Y/n) wanted a piece of that admiration. So she went against your rules and told the Tribal council... and we both know what happened next. Did you enjoy it? The banishment? The way a little girl was sent two miles away from her home so you would all feel safer... but did she?"

He had nothing he could say. He was struck down without a proper word to defend himself.

"Wow..." the guard shook their head, "Then there was the terrible raid that my people inflicted on your home. I heard she was with Kya when she died... that was a terrible accident I might add. Did you know Kya pretended she was a Waterbender to save Katara? No? Oh that's right! You and your racist ass council theorized they came for (Y/n) instead! With no evidence I might add... but who needs that when you have a Firebender to blame!" They shrugged it off, "I can just imagine the excitement you all shot when you learned about a fake prophecy to plant on her, in order to justify your actions. I mean a scar will turn her? What is this a storybook?" They laughed as the Chief bit his lip, "From your silence I can see you know exactly what you did was wrong, but it's too late to fix your mistakes now. What troubles did (Y/n) go through? Oh yeah... she got her birth right stripped away because of her bending! Wow! Now that's just stone cold shitty! I haven't even mentioned the ideals you engraved into your true children! Didn't you used to tell Sokka to 'protect your sisters from the Firebenders'? I didn't even mention how Katara... boiled (Y/n) alive. Straight up sent boiling water at her sisters face before leaving her to die.... you really are a great father!" They laughed again, "Have you even apologize to her for what you di- oh wait! You can't, can you? Because she was the one kidnapped by the Fire Prince Zuko!" They fake gasped, "The Prince... can you even imagine the sheer terror that she went through that day? To be not only taken from your home, but to have a strong feeling in the back of your mind that nobody was going to come and rescue you?! You took away her childhood, her freedom, her LIFE! You took everything away from her, and in the end her life still went down the rabbit hole!" They screamed.

Hakoda snapped jumping to his feet and got into the guards face, "I KNOW WHAT I DID IS WRONG! AND I CAN'T BLAME ANYONE BUT MYSELF! I UNDERSTAND I WAS A TERRIBLE FATHER BUT I DON'T NEED A TINY GUARD TO BELITTLE ME FOR ALL OF MY REGRETS!!"

"WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULD! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HER RIGHT NOW?!"

"AS YOU CAN TELL I HAVEN'T SEEN HER IN YEARS! I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO HER!" He spat.

"WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT SHE IS DYING! DEAD! SLOWLY BEING KILLED AS WE SPEAK!" The guard screamed as tears flowed down their face.

"HOW CAN YOU EVEN SPEAK FOR HER? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"

"ACTUALLY I DO!"

"AND WHY IS THAT FIRE NATION GRIME?!"

"BECAUSE IT'S ME FATHER!" She screamed throwing off her helmet smashing it onto the floor.

Her eyes were blinding white as she glared at her father. It took all of her strength but she was able to stay at her feet somehow.

———
(Y/n) POV

"(Y-Y/n)?" He looked at me baffled.

I watched his hands clasp over his mouth as he looked me up and down, "....You look so-"

"Scarred?" I grumbled as my head was screaming.

He reached out a hand but I stepped back, "You look so grown up..." he said as I saw tear begin to fill his face.

I gave him a cold look, one I used to get all the time as a kid, "That's what happens when you are dying inside. Metaphorically and literally"

He gave me a look of sorrow, "(Y/n)-"

"No!" I put my hand up to stop him from spewing out anything, "It's my turn to speak... I've thought a lot about what I'd say to you when I'd see you again," I sighed not making eye contact with him. "... But I decided I'm just going to speed past the anger, and crying, and mental abuse, and overall trauma you put me through," I then glared him in the eye before shrugging in disinterest. "Because what's the point? Being here... in this war... I learned life is shit. You either move on or die, and it's a terrible thing to think but it's one hundred percent true. There is no good or bad, there's just the dreamers and the realists. And I'm going to be me. A realist," I sighed. "And I realized you taught me something very important... that just because I was born different people will hate me and fear me, even though I have done anything wrong. I was just born...! I always knew not everyone would accept me... but I just wasn't expecting that from my own father" I shook my head. "But after everything I went through, I know not to expect anything from anyone. So thanks that I guess..." I put my hands on my hips as I sarcastically nodded before I could feel some tears build up, "I... I can't yell about the past, because I need to just focus on the good things," I explained. "Like uh... I learned I'm tough. I'm really tough. And when I do stumbled and when I do fall, I have the ability to get myself back up and fight!" I could feel the fat tears dripping down my chin.

Father kept his arms crossed as he couldn't find the words to say.

I sniffled removing some tears as more came down, "I did learn one other thing..." I explained, "I learned I'm worthy," I shook my head. "I'm worthy of happiness. I'm worthy of joy. I'm worthy of... I am worthy of love. I am worthy to do whatever I want!" I chuckled crying harder, "As a kid I thought any of those things were out of the question. I thought life was meaningless... until they came into my life," I sighed. "One taught me some very valuable lessons. Like the fact that I can't blame myself for everything that happens. He taught me that just because I might've done wrong before, that I don't need to live in fear. He taught me I can have fun. He taught me the joys of living! He taught me how to smile!" I told him, "And the other...." I shook my head, "The other is probably one of the most important person in my life... Yes we started out rough, and yes he did do some terrible things in the past... but he never left me. He taught me that I am able to be proud of myself. That my bending is a gift, and not a curse. Even when we hated each other, he was able to teach me how I was not a waist of oxygen," I spat. "But the most important thing he taught me... was love. He taught me how to trust in people and give them mine. That no matter what happens we were able to know we were never able to lose it and look out for each other. He brings me so much joy and happiness, and when we had to make an unfair choice, he was able to let me go when I needed to. He let me make my own choices... and when I was wrong, he was able to teach me to get back up..." I sniffled, "Yes I know you hate him and so does the rest of the family, but I love him... and he truly loves me. When I got engaged to him, I said yes. There was no force, there was no threats... there was just a boy and girl who wanted to be together. And I'm finally happy, because those two boys were able to pull me out of the sea of pain you threw me inside of..." I looked into his eyes before moving closer to him, "So I don't care what happens to you, because I'm gonna be fine... I'm just really sorry for you," I gestured to him. "You're gonna miss a lot of stuff and that sucks. Because now I know who I am, and I'm pretty great. I am who I am, and if that makes me the Southern Water Tribe Firebender, that's fine. Because I think I'm pretty great" I finished as a wave of relief washed away. I was finally able to extinguish that daemon, I just have two more to go.

I watched as my father sniffled, "Yeah. Yeah you are" he cried before pulling me into a hug.

He squeezed me tighter then I could've imagined as he began to cry. It took a lot of work inside of me to not do anything wrong, and even though I wanted to pull away and burn him to ashes... I hesitated before lightly hugging him back.

"I'm... I'm so sorry (Y/n)," he cried. "I'm so sorry for everything happening right now. It's all my fault and I should've listened to you and your mother more"

"Why?" I cried, "Why did you do it? Why did you put me through it all?"

"You need to understand... the council and I... I just... I was... They've always been... I always was afr... we thought... I was... I'm sorry I-I don't have the words" he sighed trying to figure out what to say.

I dug deeper into his chest, "I just wanna go home... but home never felt like home to me... You ruined it" I sniffled.

He sighed taking responsibility, "I know I did. I know what I did was selfish... I was scared," he hugged me tighter. "I lied to myself, that what I was doing was the right thing but... look at your face," he caressed my scar. "I did this to you. It's my fault you got hurt, and I can't blame anyone but myself," he sobbed. "If I could take it all back in exchange for me, I would. I would do anything to help save you... I would even let Sozin take me instead, but it's my fault he's inside you at all. I killed my daughter. I killed my happy little princess all those years ago"

I clenched onto him as we both sobbed, "I was a selfishly scared idiot who took away everything from you. And I can't blame anyone but myself," he explained. "I know you will never forgive me, but just know I am sorry" he sighed.

So did I, as I looked up at him, "No" I shook my head.

"No, (Y/n). I am sorr-"

"Aang and Zuko were able to teach me something together as well," I cut him off. "I did something terrible a couple of months ago... and I spent countless nights awake thinking I was unforgivable... but I was wrong. He forgave me almost immediately, even when I wasn't worthy of it... Aang taught me that I was worthy of forgiveness," I sighed. "And then Zuko... he taught me a very valuable lesson. I used to hate him for kidnapping me. I wanted him dead for hurting my family, but... when I got to know him, I saw the good inside. I saw the caring and compassionate man inside... and I forgave him. Zuko taught me how to forgive" I smiled.

"No. (Y/n), I'm not worthy-"

"The fact you are saying that, proves you are," I sighed. "Only the worthy feel the pain of their past... I may not be ready to forget what you did to me... but I can forgive you" I smiled.

He looked at me with tears streaming like a waterfall, "(Y/n)!"

We hugged each other as tight as we could. As he sniffled out some words, "I love you (Y/n). I always loved you"

I sniffled, "I.... I love you too, father" I told him before letting out a small smile.

Now I knew, he never did hate me. And even though I could never forget, this was a better start.

———

"And that's how we got back to the temple" I smiled explaining my side of the adventures I went on with my family.

"Wow. You sound a lot more braver then I have been" he sighed.

"Well. I think that's obvious" I chuckled.

He messed up my hair, "I guess that's true... you, Sokka and... Zuko are all here?"

"Yes. We just need to make a plan" just as I said that Sokka walked inside and shut the door.

"You're lucky these cells are sound proof, or you would've been caught" Sokka chuckled taking his helmet.

He then saw the two of us sitting next to each other on the ground and smiled, "So how bad was your beating?" He crossed his arms.

Father shrugged, "Physically, not that bad, but mentally..." he chuckled trailing off.

Sokka did as well, "Yeah. She's known for those"

Father then got to his feet as the boys linked arms before hugging each other.

"So where's Bato? Where's everyone else from the invasion?" Sokka asked.

"The others are being held at a prison near the Fire Nation palace. They singled me out as their leader and sent me here. But before I left, I met some young women who said they knew you both. The... Oshinama Fighters?"

"You mean the Kyoshi Warriors?" Sokka and I smiled.

Father nodded, "That's right"

"Their leader Suki is here and she's gonna escape with us" Sokka told him.

Father smirked putting a hand on his shoulder, "Good. We'll need all the help we can get"

"So where's Zuko?" I asked.

"In his cell, but don't worry. We can get them out quickly," Sokka reassured me before his eyes widened looking to father. "But he's changed! I mean I still don't fully like him but-"

"It's okay Sokka," I got to my feet. "He knows"

"And you're okay with it?" He asked.

Father shrugged, "I have no say, I just hope you gave him the brotherly talk" father and I chuckled thinking about that.

Sokka became red in embarrassment before father became serious again, "So, do you have a plan?"

Sokka sighed, "We had one, but some of the other prisoners got involved and ruined it. I dunno if there's another way off this island"

Father brought us into his arms, "Sokka, there's no prison in the world that can hold three Water Tribe geniuses"

"Now that's a stretch for the two of you" I chuckled.

Sokka sighed, "Yeah... but where am I going to find the other two?"

—————
(Third Perosn) POV

Sokka stalked his way over towards the prince's cell, "Zuko, are you there?" He asked in a hush voice into the small latch attacked to the cells door.

"I'm here"

Sokka sighed, "We just got done talking to our dad. We came up with an escape plan together"

"Is she okay?" Zuko crossed his arms.

"Surprisingly yes," he shrugged. "I don't know what they discussed, but she seems to be okay"

"Where is she then?" Zuko raised a brow.

"She was asked to help break up a fight, so I came instead" Sokka exclaimed.

Soon two guards walked over, "What are you doing here?" He asked the boy.

Sokka's eyes widened, "I was just telling this dirty lowlife what I think of him!" He lied.

The male guard rolled his eyes, "Well, you'll have to do that later. He's coming with us"

Sokka became puzzled, "Why?"

The female guard became irritated, "Because we have orders straight from the warden, that's why!"

Sokka but his lip, "Could I just get ten more seconds to rough him up a bit?" He punched his fist, "That prisoner and I have some unfinished business"

The female guard sighed, "Fine, ten seconds"

Sokka smirked walking inside the cell. Zuko chuckled grabbing his small cot he was provided, for Sokka to punch.

Sokka shook his head making the Prince's eyes widened, "(Y/n) will kill you..."

"I need to get this out of my system.... brother" he smirked.

"What no!"

Outside of the cell the two guards chuckled hearing the battle going on, "Newbies"

"Take that... and this!"

Back inside the cell Zuko looked up to his future brother-in-law, while putting his hand over his normal eye, "What the hell! That hurt!"

"Yeah, and now we're even," Sokka smirked. "That was for kidnapping (Y/n), in both the North and South"

"Oh Spirits this is definitely gonna bruise" Zuko groaned.

Sokka began to chuckle until Zuko grumbled, "Now I'm not gonna be able to see!"

Sokka's eyes widened, ".... We'll get Katara to fix it back at camp"

"Thanks..."

"We have a new plan, but it's gonna need a big distraction. Be in the yard in one hour" He explained as both guards came inside.

"All right, that's enough" they spat separating the two.

Making Sokka watch helplessly as Zuko was dragged away.

———

"What are you doing? Where are you taking me? I didn't do anything wrong!" Zuko yelled as he was thrown onto a metal chair as the door shut behind him.

"Come on, Zuko," a familiar voice scoffed coming into view. "We all know that's a lie"

Zuko's eyes widened, "Mai! How did you know I was here?"

Mai rolled her eyes, "Because I know you so well"

Zuko looked to her confused but still could only get a small view of her, from his poor eyesight, "But, how-"

"The warden's my uncle, you idiot," she scoffed. "The truth is, I guess I don't know you. All I get is a letter? You could have least looked me in the eye when you both abandoned me like Katara did to (Y/n)!" She teared up.

Zuko looked away, "We-I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't mean to?!" She spat pulling out the letter, "'Dear Mai, I'm sorry you that you have to find out this way, but we're leaving'"

Zuko jumped from his chair, "Stop! This isn't about you. This is about the Fire Nation!"

She glared into his soul, "Thanks Zuko, that makes me feel all better" she sarcastically replied throwing the letter to his feet.

"Mai, (Y/n) and I never wanted to hurt you. But we have to do this to save my country"

"Save it? You're betraying your country! Did you trick (Y/n) into going with you?! She hated her country! They hated her! Did you force her to go with you?!" Mai became enraged.

When she read the letter she became fearful of (Y/n)'s fate, that now rested in the palms of a group who betrayed her.

"(Y/n) came of her own free will. I never forced her... and about the betrayal? That's not how I see it"

—————
(Y/n) POV

Sokka and I walked in between a large amount of guards to the front.

"Put him in the line-up" the Warden shouted as Sokka stood next to me.

"What do you think this is about?" Sokka whispered.

I shrugged unable to speak as the Warden snarled at all of us, "One of you is an impostor who thought he could fool me," my eyes widened as Chit Shang was dragged forward. "But now, that person is going to be in a lot of trouble. Who is it?"

We made brief eye contact before they trailed next to me, "That's him, warden. He's the impostor" he pointed to the guard who beat him to a pulp the first day we got here.

"What?!" The bully guard gasped, "I am not! He's lying! He's a liar!" He shouted out as he was immediately held back by at least eight or nine guards.

As the Warden and the captured guard where taken away, I made eye contact with Chit Shang and gave him a nod of thanks. He gave me one as well, before being taken away.

Sokka turned to me and smirked, "You ready?"

"To get off this boiling point of ptsd? Yes," I chuckled as we began to walk to the main hall. "Did you inform Suki?" I asked.

He nodded, "Yes. Start a riot.."

"Capture the Warden.." I smirked.

"Use him to take over the gondola.."

"Then we're home" I finished before we fist bumped, walking into the hall.

We then sprinted into action running up to the guard, "Hey, I just got orders. Let the prisoners out into the yard" Sokka exclaimed.

The guard raised a brow, "But we're in the middle of a lockdown"

I gasped, "Are you truly going against orders?!"

Sokka put his hand on my shoulder, "It's, okay... Mikasa," he came up with the first Fire Nation name he could think of. "We can just tell the warden he said that," he began to pull me away. "I'm sure he'll be glad to hear about that man's undermining his authority..."

I turned around to face him, "What's your name again?" I asked the guard.

He jolted, "Wait! Don't tell the warden. I'm just a little confused"

Sokka shrugged, "Hey, I'm confused too, but the warden's in a bad mood, and... irrational, so if you ask me, it's best not to question it, and just do what he says" Sokka stalked towards him placing him hand on the guards shoulder.

The guard nodded, "Yeah... you're right. We're letting them out!" He pulled a lever releasing the prisoners outside.

"Thanks" we bowed our heads before quickly walking away.

"Mikasa?" I chuckled, "You could've picked any name and you chose the most basic name in the Fire Nation?"

"What's wrong with it?!" He tilted his head, "I was put on the spot! Plus it's a nice name!"

"The what's your fake name, Lee?" I laughed.

"Wang," he corrected me. "Wang Fire"

I snorted, "What's your wives name? Sapphire?"

He gave me a look of shame, "...No..."

I began to burst into tears as we got outside, "It's not funny (Y/n)"

"No... it's hilarious!" I wiped away my tears.

We quickly met up with Suki and my father, "Now have to start a riot" Sokka explained.

Suki nodded, "Okay. But how do we do that?"

I watched my father put a smug face on, "I'll show you" he stated before walking up to a large prisoner, before shoving him.

The man gasped turning to face my dad, "Hey! What'd you do that for? That hurt my feelings"

Dad tilted his head in confusion, "Aren't you mad at me?"

"Uh, well, normally I would be, but I've been learning to control my anger" the prisoner smiled before walking away.

"Huh, would you look at that," I chuckled as dad came back to the group. "Never judge a book by its cover, eh?" Suki and I snickered.

Sokka groaned rubbing his temples, "This isn't working"

Suddenly, Chit Sang came out of nowhere behind my brother and placed his hand on Sokka's shoulder, "Hey you! You're lucky I didn't rat you out," he smirked. "But my generosity comes with a price. I know you're planning another escape attempt, and I want in"

Sokka's eyes lit up, "Actually, we're trying to escape right now, but we need a riot. You wouldn't happen to know how to start one, would you?"

"A prison riot? Please-"

"I got this," I walked forward cutting Chit Sang off. "Hey everyone!" I yelled making the crowd of prisoners face me, "The Southern Dragon's sister was in the right! She deserved to get burned!" I screamed.

Then all hell broke loose.

I smirked looking back to the group, "What? The Fire Nation loves me" I shrugged.

Sokka and my father looked to each other as my dad chuckled, "I've never been so proud of one of my kids"

——————
(Third Person) POV

A guard ran into the interrogation room and jumped over to Mai, "Ma'am, there's a riot going on! I'm here to protect you!"

Mai gave him a look of shame, "I don't need any protection" she rolled her eyes.

Zuko gave a light chuckle, "Believe me, she doesn't"

"I'm sorry, but I'm under direct orders from your uncle to make sure nothing happens" he exclaimed to the warrior.

Zuko's eyes widened before blasting fire at the guard's feet before running toward the door, while the guard jumped in front of Mai to shield her.

"Get off of me!" She spat throwing the guard away, but was to late to stop Zuko as he locked her inside the cell.

He gave his old friend a sad look before running away to join his family. He just wish he had better vision thanks to Sokka's hit.

Sokka sighed in relief seeing his sister's lover, "Zuko! Good, we're all here. Now all we need to do is grab the warden, and get to the gondolas!"

"Wait what happened to your face?!" (Y/n) gasped yanking him over to inspect the black eye.

"...I got hit by a guard when they were interrogating me," he placed his hands on (Y/n)'s as he smiled. "I'm fine"

"Oh thank the Spirits" she sighed as Zuko and Sokka made eye contact.

Sokka raised a brow wondering why Zuko didn't rat him out, but Zuko just gave him a nod.

That's when Sokka nodded back. They started out as enemies, then turned into rivals... but now it would seem the two would start their journey to become brothers.

"How are we gonna get up to the gondola?" Zuko asked.

Sokka bit his lip, "I'm not sure"

"I thought you thought this through!" Zuko groaned.

As the two began to bicker Suki and (Y/n) smirked.

"I thought you told me it's okay not to think everything through!" Sokka rambled.

"Maybe not everything, but this is kind of important!" Zuko spat.

"Hey, uh, fellas..." Chit Sang ceased their bickering, "I think your girlfriend's are taking care of it" he pointed to (Y/n) and Suki in action.

(Y/n) took off her mask revealing her face as she quickly strapped her metal clamp around her pointer and middle finger, to help with her lightningbending.

They began to hop up on the heads of the rioters before Suki jumped up onto the tower. She quickly grasped (Y/n)'s wrist and two tightly held onto each other as (Y/n) blasted them both onto the main tower where the Warden resided.

The girls easily took out the guards with a quick kick and blast of electricity. Suki easily defeated the first guard with a few quick jabs. As (Y/n) ducked down before sending a large sweep of fire onto the floor, knocking out the guards.

Suki jumped over her and grabbed the warden, threatening him with her fist in front of his face.

"You wouldn't dare" he snarled at her.

She smirked before tying his hands together and used his headband as a gag, "Sorry, warden. You're my prisoner now" she laughed before slamming the warden against the wall.

(Y/n) let out a low chuckle, "Kinky"

She shook her head, "Really (Y/n)? Really?"

(Y/n) put her hands up defensively, "Hey. I don't judge, and if that's what my brother likes, keep it down low"

"Hey! I haven't said anything about you and your boy toy!" She chuckled.

"Hey! Keep up your mouth or you won't be one of my bridesmaids!" (Y/n) pointed a finger at her.

Before Suki could make a comeback the boys finally caught up, even thought they were out of breath. (Unlike the girls).

"We've got the warden! Now let's get out of here!" Suki told them.

"Those are some girls, boys" Hakoda told the two.

Sokka smiled proudly, "Tell me about it"

"Yeah" Zuko blushed at his bad ass bitch of a fiancé.

—————
(Y/n) POV

We ran up to the gondola but were stopped by guards who launched a couple blasts of fire at us.

Zuko and I shoved Sokka and dad out of the way blocking the fire blasts, as more guards appeared to help.

"Back off! We've got the warden!" Zuko threatened him.

"And if you don't, we'll slit his throat!" I yelled as a major pain quickly flashed in my head, making the fire around us grow, "To far?" I asked him.

Zuko shrugged, "Perfect. Let's go!"

Suki quickly opened the door as we all ran inside, but not until it started moving I saw Zuko wasn't with us.

Zuko pulled a lever starting the gondola, before breaking it. He then ran forward and jumped towards us dodging guards fire blasts.

Sokka ran in front of me and grabbed Zuko's hand helping him into the gondola, "What are you doing?"

"I'm making it so they can't stop us" he explained.

"Way to think ahead" Sokka smiled.

I raised a brow, "What happened between you two? Why are you suddenly friends?" I tilted my head.

Sokka put his arm around my fiancé, "(Y/n)... when you're in the slammer, you get to know people"

I looked at them both deadpanned, "I know. I am with you both right now"

Our attention shifted when I heard my dad gasp, "Wait! Who's that?" he pointed down to the ground as my breathing hitched.

"Oh Spirits why?!" I yelled.

"That's a problem. It's my sister and her friend" Zuko grumbled looking down at Azula and Ty Lee.

Princess Azula suddenly snatched a pair of handcuffs from a guard's belt and ran forward, as Ty Lee jumped up and onto the cable, running along it towards us.

After elevating herself to the line with a fire blast, Azula uses the cuffs to attach herself to the cable and propel herself forwaard.

We helplessly watch as they approach us, and I turned to see Suki looking very grim, "This is a rematch I've been waiting for" she said with determination radiating off of her.

Zuko nodded, "Me too"

Suki, Sokka, Zuko and I all climbed to the top of the gondola to meet Azula and Ty Lee. As Ty Lee flipped into the air and lands in front of Suki, Azula pulls herself up onto the roof and faces Zuko, Sokka and I.

The princess assumed a battle stance and performed a slicing kick, sending blue fire at us, but Zuko blocked it.

As she continuing her attacks, Zuko kept blocking them as I tried to get a hit on her. Sokka then drew her back to the edge with his sword. I went to go in for the finish, but Azula dodged my large blast and stayed on the gondola.

She countered with a blast that goes wide, almost striking Suki and Ty Lee, who barely managed to dodge it. I glared at her as she never lost her insane smirk.

The gondola abruptly stopped sending me over to the battle between Suki and Ty Lee. I glanced over to see what happened before noticing a metal bar jammed into the gondola's wires, keeping it from moving.

Ty Lee and I made eye contact as Azula shouted, "Ty Lee! Grab her!"

"They're about to cut the line!" Ty Lee yelled back.

"I don't care! Get the Dragon!" The Princess yelled before looking at her brother, "It's time to leave, sorry your little quim is gonna have to watch your destiny end. Goodbye, Zuko" she smirked before jumping to the other gondola going down.

Ty Lee ran at me and we began to tumble on the swinging gondola. I could feel the tears building up in my eyes, out of all the girls... I didn't want to fight her. Our stories were so similar, it hurt. She was my friend and I left her.

"Send a blast at me" she whispered.

I looked up at her, "W-what?"

She smiled, "We're buddies, right? Send a small blast, it won't hurt"

"A-are you sure" I asked as we continued to spar on the metal base.

She smiled, "I value friends over fear"

I gave her a nod as a tear streamed down, "So do I" I sent a small blast making her jump back off of the gondola.

I watched as she screamed backflipping down to land next to Azula. She always was a drama queen.

Azula growled at the trapeze artist, "What was that?!"

"She caught me off guard!" Ty Lee lied.

Zuko ran to me before helping me inside of the structure with everyone else, "They're cutting the line! The gondola's about to go!"

Dad sighed, "I hope this thing floats"

I looked down to the boiling water and bit my lip.

~~~

My eyes were blurred from the Geiser of salty tears, but I still saw my sister clench her fist before yanking my necklace off, before sending a large streak of boiling water towards me.

The steaming liquid leached onto my face covering everything up to my right arm.

I immediately smashed onto the floor as I let out a blood curdling scream.

~~~

Zuko put his hand on my back before running it, "We're gonna find a way out of this, Orchid. I promise, we are not hitting the water" he reassured me.

I bit my lip and nodded. Oh Yue, how are we gonna get out of this one?

————
(Third Person) POV

As the line was almost entirely severed the guards were suddenly yanked away from it and pinned to the wall by a couple stilettos.

"What are you doing?" One of the many guards yelled at the girl who pinned them.

"Saving my dumb ass friends" Mai rolled her eyes as more guards tried to attack.

She easily dodged all of their fire blasts and retaliates with her knives, pinning them all down by their wristguards.

Mai reared up in front of a female guard, who stops in fear, and deployed four knives that sent the two guards behind her flying, dislodging one of the bars jamming the wheel mechanism.

She casually walked over and pulled out her three-pronged sai and pins down the last guard. Before releasing the block on the line, allowing the gondola to continue in motion.

Everyone on the gondola looked back to see what happened as they began to move again.

"Who's that?" Sokka pointed to her.

Zuko and (Y/n) smiled seeing their friend, "A bad ass" she smiled.

The gondola makes it to the top of the hill and everyone quickly exited. Chit Sang held the Warden and tossed him back in when Hakoda pointed at it.

Hakoda walked back over to the Warden and gave smirk, "Sorry, Warden. Your record is officially broken"

"Well, we made it out. Now what?" Suki asked as they continued to run away.

Sokka and (Y/n) turned to see Zuko standing still, "Zuko, what are you doing?" He asked.

"My sister was on that island..." he explained.

"Yes. Yes she was Zuko" (Y/n) deadpanned.

"Yeah, and she's probably right behind us, so let's not stop!" Sokka ran up to him and tried to pull him along with the others.

Zuko didn't budge and stayed planted in his spot, "What I mean is she must have come here somehow..." he began to walk in the opposite direction and stopped at a large hill by the sea, "There!" He pointed to a large airship, "That's our way out of here!"

(Y/n)'s eyes lit up, "Well at least it's not a drill"

—————

Back at the prison Mai was detained by two guards, while Azula glared daggers at her.

Ty Lee bit her lip standing in between, terrified and concerned for the two.

"Leave us alone," Azula commanded her guards as they gave her the Fire Nation salute and exited. Mai raises her head a little, looking defiant. "I never expected this from you. The thing I don't understand is 'Why?'. Why would you do it? You know the consequences" she asked almost sadden by her friends betrayal.

Mai shrugged, "I guess you just don't know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I care for my friends more than I fear you"

Azula's expression contorted into one of absolute rage, "No, you miscalculated! You should have feared me more!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

The enraged Princess angled her fingers to create lightning as Mai readies one of her stilettos, both prepared to kill.

But before Azula could complete her attack, she is felt a couple pulse dumbfoundingly fell to the ground, paralyzed.

Ty Lee's eyes widened at her own actions, after she chi blocked the Fire Princess.

Ty Lee ran to her shocked friend and pulled her, "Come on! Let's get out of here!"

But before they could escape, Mai and Ty Lee were quickly surrounded by guards and captured.

"You're both fools!" Azula shouted as she laid helplessly on the ground.

Azula was then helped up by two guards. As she looked at her friends Mai and Ty Lee who were still restrained, looking defiantly at the princess.

"What shall we do with them, princess?" One asked.

"Put them somewhere I'll never have to see their faces again, and let them rot!"

——————
(Y/n) POV

I let out a breath of relief as we docked onto the Western Air Temple.

As the three of us exited first we saw Aang, Toph and Katara waiting for us, "What are you doing in this thing? What happened to the war balloon?" Katara rambled running to us.

Zuko let out an embarrassing chuckle, "It kind of got destroyed...."

Aang laughed, "Sounds like a crazy bachelor party"

Toph smirked crossing her arms, "Did you at least bring back some good wine?"

"Toph!" I gasped.

"What?!"

"You're twelve!" I reminded her.

"And you're only sixteen! We both do things that we are to young for!" She told me.

"What I do in private is not for your concern!" I glared at her.

"Ha!" She pointed at me, "I knew it!"

Sokka and Zuko held me back as he redirected the conversation, "We did get some wine. The best wine of all. The wine of forgiveness, friendship and fatherhood" he smiled as three figures walked out of the ballon.

Chit Sang waved to my family, "I'm new. What's up, everybody?"

Katara began to tear up, "Dad?" She ran into him and squeezed him tight.

"Hi, Katara"

Katara looked to us, "H-How are you here? What is going on? Where did you go?"

Sokka, Zuko and I all embarrassingly chuckled, "We kind of went to a Fire Nation prison"

Father soon pulled away from Katara and stalked over to Zuko.

"So, now I get to properly meet the banished Fire Prince?" He glared at him.

"I...uhhh.."

"Who kidnapped my daughters and son multiple times, tracked them down, stalked them, harmed them and even almost killed them"

"Look. Hakoda I was a different man back then-"

"Who when my daughter needed help... you stayed to pick up the broken pieces I shattered years ago," he sighed making Zuko and I look to him confused. "You took her back to your home, fed and raised her back to health. You protected her from harm and made sure she had something I failed to give her... proper love... I came to thank you, and say... I'm proud that my daughter has someone as honourable as you" father smiled.

Zuko looked up to him with wide eyes. Without thinking he put his hand out for a handshake, "I'm glad too sir. I love (Y/n), with everything I am-"

Before he could finish my father pulled him into a tight embrace. I let out a low chuckle before Zuko gave me a smirk. I raised a brow before he yanked me over to join the hug.

Sokka and Katara were soon pulled over, as we all embraced each other.

This felt strange but it felt... right.

•••