Consequences of Power (pg-13) Prologue - chapter 5

[mattthermo]

A cannon (at least as canon as a fanfic can be) continuation of the story after Sozins Comet.
*This is going to be a fairly long, epic continuation.
*This is the first fanfic I've ever written so I'd really like some feedback and constructive criticism.


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Prologue
Woes of the Firelord


"Well, you don't look happy" Mai said.

Zuko had just entered his room, a look of disappointment and frustration clearly visible on his face.

"I'm not" He stated, doing nothing to hide his anger.

This had only been the second time since becoming Firelord, nearly a month ago, he'd been to visit his father. Both times for the same purpose. Information on his Mother's whereabouts. Neither visit had produced anything.

Mai felt a slight pain in her heart. He looked as though he'd not slept in days. The responsibilities of being Firelord already showed on his face. She wished she could do more for him, but clearing up the aftermath from one hundred years of war was bound to weigh heavily on anyone, especially someone as young as Zuko.

"He's just playing games with me!" Zuko fumed "Last time he simply refused to answer, now it was a bunch of demands. Better food, a larger cell, NICER PRISON ROBES!"

He walked over to the dresser and removed the crown from his topknot, setting it down. He walked over to the couch and sat down on it's edge. Mai sat up and moved next to him, putting her arm around him. He closed his eyes and raised his hand to the left side of his face, rubbing his scarred eye. She knew he was desperate for information about his mother, but between his day to day responsibilities as Firelord and coordinating reparations and aid to the Earth kingdom and Water Tribes, his personal desires had to be put aside. She moved her mouth closer to his ear and spoke softly.

"I know it's frustrating but..."

"It's beyond frustrating, it's infuriating. Why is he.."

"To prove a point"

"What point?

"He wants to push you, so you'll have force it out of him."

"Why would..."

"To prove his way works, to show you love and kindness only go so far"

Zuko let out a frustrated sigh. He knew she was right. His father had had his power, both as Firelord and as a bender, stripped from him. So now he was trying to use what little power he had left to control his current situation. It was exactly the type of thing Zuko had come to expect from him. Even from his cell, he'd do whatever he could to try and corrupt Zuko, make him go against his principles. And as much as Zuko wanted to know about his mother, he wouldn't give his father that satisfaction. He'd just have to be patient.

He leaned back, laying his head against the back of the couch. Zuko closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Knowing she could say nothing to help, she decided to move on.

"A message arrived while you were out."

He gave a slight nod, but didn't look up. She continued. "Suki's found an encampment of your father's troops held up in a canyon about 20 miles southwest of Omashu. She's already notified a peacekeeping force, Chit Sang's patrol, they should be there in about 2 days."

Ozai may have been imprisoned, but he still had his loyalists. Luckily, so did Zuko. At the end of the war, all of the Fire nations military forces had been ordered to return to Fire Nation territory. But, since Zuko still needed to have forces in foreign lands to deal with exactly this type of situation, he'd come to a compromise. He'd put together units that we're specifically tasked for the purpose of finding and dealing with his father's forces still remaining abroad. Either trying to rally other loyalists to their cause or simply surviving as bandits. After becoming Firelord, Zuko had come to discover that his father had imprisoned any soldier that had been overheard speaking against the war. As such, nearly 30% of Fire Nation prisoners turned out to be ex-soldiers labeled as "traitors". About half these men now served Zuko loyaly as part of the peacekeeping force that, although Fire Nation in origin, served as special detachment's in both the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe military's.

As for reconnaissance, Suki had offered the services of the Kiyoshi warriors. Zuko had gladly accepted. Now, upon finding any encampments, the Kiyoshi warriors would alert both Zuko and the closest contingent of peacekeeper forces.

"How many" He asked

"Only around 30" She responded.

Even with everything else he had to deal with. She knew his mind was still focused on his mother.

She gave him a long look, wondering if she should ask the question on her mind. Then, after some hesitation, she spoke up

"Have you... have you thought about asking Azu..."

He looked up suddenly, his reaction cutting her off mid sentence.

Azula... It was still something he didn't like thinking about. His last confrontation with his sister left him... uncomfortable.

Besting her had been a life long ambition. She'd always been the perfect one. The sibling with everything, while he was always the one cast aside. At least, that's what he'd always thought. After their Agnai Kai, it became apparent to Zuko that maybe he had been the one "born lucky". Ozai's "approval" was apperantly no substitute for a parents love.

No, He thought. I doubt she'd help me. Besides, he wasn't sure she knew anything more about their mother then he did. When she'd been taken away, she was sobing and incoherent. Zuko didn't know exactly what had led up to her breakdown, but despite everything that had happened between them, she was still his sister. He still cared for her.

He'd had an offshore prison converted into a mental health hospital, though he hadn't done it just to accommodate his sister. The wages of war had left many in need of such a place.

Most of the patients had come voluntarily. While others, Such as Azula, had been placed there for fear that they would be a danger to themselves or others. As such, the Earthbenders hired to renovate the prison had left a part of the prison exactly that, still a prison. Though the occupants were still treated as patients, they were watched and guarded around the clock. Azula even more so.

He'd been receiving regular reports on her progress, or rather, lack there of. She seemed to have recovered from her initial breakdown, but whether she'd gotten any "better" was hard to tell. According to the doctors, she was still showing signs of paranoia, and now depression. Though, since she'd not said more than a few words since arriving, an accurate diagnosis was hard to get. Silence was unusual for Azula, and it worried Zuko. In his mind it only meant one of two things. Either she really was too far gone for help, or she was planning something.

"No" he said lowering his hand. "I doubt she'd help me even if she did have any information. She..."

There was a sudden loud pounding on the door. Startled, Zuko jumped up and instinctivly assumed a fighting stance. Mai was also on her feet, reaching into her sleeves, hands already on her knives. A guard's voice, breathless as if he'd just been running, came from the other side.

"Firelord, Your Highness! it's..."

Zuko relaxed and moved quickly to the door, opening it to see what was wrong.

The guard stood bent over, his hands on his knees. Still breathing heavily, he continued between breaths.

"It's...Azula your Highness... she's...

Zuko exchanged a concerned look with Mai. He turned back to the guard, almost yelling "What is it, what's happened!"

"She'd gone" The guard finshed.

"SHE'S ESCAPED!" Zuko yelled out.

"No your Highness, she was... she was taken.. kidnapped... this morning! We just got a messenger hawk a few minutes ago."

"By Who!" Zuko demanded

"We... we don't know!"

[mattthermo]

Chapter 1
The Hospital
(1 day earlier)


Can they really help me? He thought as he looked out over the water. He certianly hoped so. He didn't know were else to go and he was getting desperate.

The small boat he was a passenger on was heading toward a newly establisblished hospital, a mental health facility, just offshore from the Fire Nations mainland. It had been a prison until recently, but had been converted by the new Firelord after the recent war. A war he knew nothing about.

He had awoken 1 month ago in the remains of a forest fire. He had no memory of what had happened, how he'd gotten there or even who he was. His clothes had been burned off his body and all the hair was burned off his head, yet he was untouched. No burns or injuries anywhere on his body.

That wasn't the strangest part. Over the next few days, after waking up in that condition, he'd come to discover something else. He was impervious to fire. And while it seemed to have saved his life, it also served to bring up even more questions he couldn't answer.

He'd spent the next few weeks wandering about the Earth Kingdom, wondering if he had a home, a family, friends... anyone? Unfortunatly, he was a stranger to every village he'd wandered through and every person he'd met. He'd learned that a war, which had lasted for one hundred years, had just ended. And as such, his plight recieved little attention from the townsfolk and villagers whose concerns were focused on mourning their own loses and restoring their communities.

He'd also picked up a new name along the way, "Yu". And, since he'd yet to think of anything better, had decided to keep it.

The boat docked, and Yu exited. A sign greeted him as he walked up the path to the hospital, "Air Nomad Memorial Hospital and Mental Health Facility". Despite the sign advertising to the contrary, Yu thought it still looked a little too much like a prison for his taste. Not surprising though, given how recently it had been converted.

He paused to get a better look at the Hospital. As he did, two girls, who had also been passengers (visiting someone at the hospital, he assumed) walked past him, giving him a sideways glance. They turned back to each other, whispered something then giggled as they kept walking. He tried to ignore it, it was something he'd noticed from more than a few girls in the last month and the attention still managed to embarrass him.

At first, he'd simply thought it was because of his hairless head, but it seemed to happen even more frequently now that his hair had grown out. He'd come to realize that the attention he got was simply admiration. He was tall for his age (which he guessed to be around 15 or 16) and stood just under 6 foot, which in itself did mothing to help divert attention. He was slender but muscular. His short brown hair was unkempt, but that only served to give his face a slightly more rugged look. His blue-green eyes gave him his only clue as to who he might be, or rather, who he wasn't. He'd ruled out the Fire Nation. They predominantly (or so he'd been told) had yellowish gold eyes. A bit odd he thought, given his odd ability, that the one place he would have assumed the strongest bond to was the one place he'd ruled out.

As he walked through the front gates and into the courtyard he recieved his first surprise. While the exterior still very much resembled a prison, the courtyard was far more inviting. This resembled a noble's courtyard far more then it did a prisonyard. There was a fountain built (or more likely earthbent) into the wall at the back of the courtyard surrounded by ornate rock benches. It seemed like the inner walls had been moved back to open it up (also done by earthbenders). He could see where the large prison gates had been removed, leaving the courtyard open to the outside. A small contingent of lightly armed guards stood by the gate, and a few more in the courtyard. He assumed from their relaxed attitudes that these weren't the more dangerous patients he'd been told about while back on the mainland. The patients here walked freely about the courtyard, most of them in green hospital gowns. He'd also been told that most of the patients in the hospital had come voluntarily.

Most of them, but not all.

It served those who were looking to help themselves. Like Yu. But, being one of the only institutes of it's kind, it was also a place to put those whose mental state made them a danger to themselves and/or others.

As he was contemplating this and wondering were that part of the hospital was, he was approached by one of the guards and asked if he needed help. After breifly explaining why he'd come, he was guided to the administrative office on the courtyards southern side. He walked in and saw a large bald man with a beard standing behind a desk talking to some guards. The guards left and headed down on of the inner hallways. The man took notice of Yu and spoke up.

"Can I help you sir"

"Well, that's what I'm here to find out" He responded.

The man's name was Rikus, and he was the administrator of the facility. While his size was intimidating (he towered over Yu by nearly a foot) his attitude was very gentle and calm. Though two scars running down his left cheek, and his large build, made Yu suspect that perhaps Rikus had once been a soldier. But that was niether here nor there. Yu felt a genuine compassion from Rikus, and for the first time since he'd woken in that smoldering forrest, Yu felt a twinge of hope.

He explained only what he felt was necessary. Bringing up the fact that he was fireproof would most likely earn him a slightly more permanent stay then he wished. So he left that part out.
After listening for a bit, Rikus informed Yu that in two days, healers from the northern Water Tribe would be arriving at the hospital. If Yu's memory loss was caused by a physical injury, Rikus assured Yu that they could heal him... probably.

There was a moment of hesitation before Yu agreed. He looked out at the courtyard, scanning the other patients. He took in a deep breath, a look of concern momentarily appearing on his face. It was something Rikus had come to expect from self committed patients. That moment of doubt before going through with it was something they all seemed to go through. Though, Rikus noted, this particular patient seemed to be especially hesitant, almost worried.

Yu turned back to face Rikus. He looked back down at the desk, the paperwork Rikus had given him sitting in front of him. After another long pause, he looked back up at Rikus and asked a question.

"You're sure they'll be here in two days?"

"Positive" He responded with a smile as though trying to reasure Yu.

"Two days..." Yu said to himself with a glance back out to the courtyard. "Alright, I guess that'd be safe"

Safe? Rikus thought to himself.

"I assure you Mr. uh... Yu. You'll be safe here"

"Oh sorry" Yu responded. "Just kinda talking to myself there."

Rikus found Yu's response a little odd. But after running this place for the last month, he'd become accustomed to odd behaviour and didn't think anything more of it. He signed Yu in and called over a nurse to briefly interview him.

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Since the new Firelord had given instructions not to turn away anyone that needed help, Yu was given a room free of charge. He was also handed a green hospital gown, designating him as a voluntary patient. Rikus had explained to him that, as a self administered patient, he was free to come and go as he wished. He'd gone on to explain a few more of the hospitals protocols. The white hospital gowns were for patients that, while not dangerous, weren't in a stable state of mind, and therefore kept under strict observation by the nurses and guards. Then there were the patients in red. Those were for the patients considered dangerous, either to themselves or others, and as such, were kept in an isolated part of the hospital and heavily guarded.

He was led to his room by one of the guards. Yu couldn't help but notice that the guard was a firebender. His uniform was no different than any of the other guards, and he'd done no actual firebending. Yu just... sensed it.

It was another ability Yu had discovered over the last few weeks. He didn't know why or how, but he could sense the presence of benders. For some reason he seemed especially sensitive to firebenders. Even to the point that he could "feel" how strong their abilitiy was. Something that didn't happen with earth or waterbenders. He was sure it was somehow tied into his fire resistance, but couldn't make any more sense of it than anything else that had happened to him.

If I can just get my memory back, or even part of it... anything at all! Yu was thinking as the guard he was following stopped. Lost in thought as he was, Yu almost walked right into him.

"This is your room" The guard motioned to the door he'd stopped next to. His voice regained Yu's attention, and he stopped. Yu looked at the door, then thanked him. The guard didn't reply, and simply walked hurriedly back down the hall.

"Hmm, friendly" Yu remarked only to himself as he opened the door and entered.

It was late and Yu was tired. Most of the afternoon had been spent talking to the nurse Rikus had left him with. It seemed kind of pointless really. He'd come here because he couldn't remember anything. So most of the interview was spent trying to come up with creative ways of saying "I don't know".

Yu sat down on the edge of the bed, laid back, and quickly drifted off to sleep.


Yu woke up early and made his way down to the administrative office. Pulling on his green hospital gown as he did. When he entered the office, he saw Rikus behind the desk, just as he was when he had met him yesterday. Rikus informed Yu that the Healer, an old waterbender from the Northern Water Tribe named Yugoda and a few of her pupils, would be arriving first thing tomorrow morning. Yu thanked him, and walked out into the courtyard.

The earlier the better Yu thought.
Yu figured he'd just use the day to relax. He went and sat on one of the benches near the left side of large fountain in the wall at the back of the courtyard. As he did, something immediately caught his attention. It wasn't something in the courtyard, but something behind him. Or more precisely, behind the wall.

He looked back at the wall, his vision fixed on a spot next to the fountian. His face contorted into a puzzled expression. He was suprised by what he "felt". Somewhere, just on the other side of that wall, was the strongest Firebender Yu had ever sensed. Not that his experience with firebenders was extensive by any means. Nonetheless, whoever was over there, was certainly impressive. He could tell that there were also other firebenders, grouped around the stronger one. Why such an intense concentration he wondered.

There were ten in total. The strong source was close to him, only a few meters, just on the other side of the wall. The other nine, from what he could tell, seemed to be spread out in rough semi-circle equidistant from the stronger source.

He realized that, beyond this wall, must be the Hospitals "isolated" area. The place reserved for the more dangerous patients. If that's the case, he reasoned, then those nine weaker benders must be guards keeping watch on the strong one. It was just an assumption, but it made sense. If you had a patient you feared might hurt themselves or other patients, you probably wouldn't just group them all together. You'd keep them separated, guarded by people who would be able to deal with them or anything they could do. That's why the other firebenders had a parameter formed around this one.

Must be pretty dangerous, he thought. Sure wouldn't want to meet him.

Not that I really have anything to fear from firebenders, but still... He thought. Yu was already dreaming up the image of a large, heavily muscled man with a face full of crazy, burning down villages while laughing maniacally. That's just not the kind of person I'd like to meet.

Yu looked away from the wall. I really shouldn't be this nosy. He tried to ignore the benders behind the wall, but couldn't. He got up to move across the courtyard so he could better concentrate on his own situation, and that's when it happened.

As soon as he stood, a burning sensation began to spread across his body, as if smoldering embers were pressing against his skin. He collapsed to his knees, groaning in pain and holding his chest. He knew what was coming next. He had to stand up. He had to get clear of everyone.

His condition hadn't gone unnoticed by the staff. A nurse and two guards started moving towards him.

"Sir, are you..." One of the guards started in, only to be cut off by Yu's pleading scream.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

At first, the staff members simply exchanged looks, thinking this patient may be having a psychotic break. They started moving toward him again. After another few steps, they came to a halt. It wasn't Yu's warning that stopped them. It was his hands, they were glowing.

At this sight, one of the guards put his hand on the nurses shoulder and started pulling her back.

His hands were the color of steel just pulled from a forge, burning white. The glow started moving up his arms and ignited his shirt. Yu yelled out again, this time at everyone in the courtyard.

"RUN!" he screamed, franticly attempting to warn people away from him. "RUN!"

Yu's entire upper body suddenly erupted in flames.

This was not the first time this had happened, but the onset this time had been far more rapid, and more painful. He usually had at least a few minutes between the start of the pain and his body igniting. This time, it was a mere few seconds. His body was still wracked with pain, but not from the fire. It was as if something were squeezing his heart, crushing the life from it. His vision, already obscured by the fire his body was producing, began to blur.

Still on his knees, Yu forced himself to stand. He had to stop this somehow, the pain had never been this intense. He stumbled toward the fountian. Around him, he could hear patients and hospital staff alike screaming and fleeing in panic. He fell and caught the side of the fountian, then threw himself into it. The water extinguished the flames and steam erupted from the fountain.

The fire was out, the pain receded. Yu steadied himself and took a deep breath. He'd not wanted anyone to witness this. He knew there'd be questions, none of which he could answer. This had been the fourth time his body self-ignited. The intensity of the fire had been no different than the first few times this had happened. So why, Yu wondered, had the pain been substantially worse, and it's manifestation been so much quicker then before?

Another sudden surge of pain brought Yu back to his knees submerging him waste deep in the steaming water of the fountian. And in the next moment, Yu's body erupted in a violent explosion.



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The hospital had another courtyard, an inner courtyard. This one separated from the rest of the hospital and surrounded by high, windowless walls. All the patients here wore red hospital gowns. Originally, this courtyard was connected to the entrance courtyard back when it had been a prison. Earthbenders had erected a wall in the middle of the original prison yard, separating it as it was now. Except for the lack of windows, the inner courtyard was a mirror image of the entrance courtyard. Right down to the fountain and benches that adorned the wall that separated the two.

A girl in a red hospital gown was sitting on one of the benches just to the left side of the fountian. Steel shackles enclosed her hands. Her feet where connected by a short length of chain that allowed her to walk normally, but prevented her from running, or from fighting. This was the only way they'd let her into the hospitals inner courtyard. Even with that precaution, she was heavily guarded while out of her room. Twelve guards were assigned to her. She thought at least half of them were most likely firebenders, but she had no way of knowing for sure. If she'd wanted, she could probably take out a few of them, but handicapped as she was, it would prove futile and she knew it.

She'd planned it out several times, in several ways, but every time she ran through it in her head, she just couldn't make an escape work!

Things hadn't always been like this. Her plans used to be flawless. Her life used to be flawless. But not now. Now things were different. Her plans had failed her, her friends had turned on her. Her Father had abandoned her. And her brother had sent her here as a way to further humiliate her. She could just imagine him, her dear brother, sitting in his throne room, sitting in her throne room, just laughing. He had everything she'd worked for, everything she deserved.

Including her mother's love...

She forced the thought out of her mind, she hated thinking about her mother, and it had been happening more and more frequently. And not just thinking about her either...

She pushed the thought out of her mind. She distracted herself by concentrating her thoughts back to her brother.

Over the last month, she'd begun to focus her anger on the one person she blamed for her current situation. A month spent seething and obsessing. Everything that had gone wrong came back to that one person. This was all his fault, her brother... Zuko.

She should be on a throne right now, instead she was in chains. Zuko was responsible for that. He'd shown up at her coronation and stole her kingdom. Her freinds had even betrayed her, to save him! He'd even turned on their entire nation by helping the Avatar. The person that brought down her father. And, instead of seeing his betrayal for what it was and abhorring his treachery, the Fire Nation now praised him. While she was treated as the villain... as a monster.

Just like their mother had.

Azula cringed, pursed her lips and closed her eyes tightly, fighting back tears before they could form. That last thought snuck up on her. She wished her hands were free. She wanted to cover her ears and make sure she wouldn't hear that voice again...

Her concentration suddenly broke, she thought she heard shouting, though muffled and barely audible. She looked up to see if her guards had noticed. No one had. She realized that the shouting was coming from the other side of the wall. Her guards, while still focused on her, had given her her space while in the prisonyard. After all, there was nowhere she could actually go. The distance between them was just enough that she was the only one aware that something was happening on the other side of the wall in the entrance courtyard.

She tilted her head up, listening more intently this time. There was another muffled yell, then possibly several. There seemed to be a full scale panic going on outside. The low murmur of dampened yells continued. Her eyes moved to the fountain, and noticed a sudden ripple move through the water, as though something large had been thrown in on the other side. The twin fountains, as she knew, had a shared water source and were connected through the wall. She'd investigated it upon her arrival to see if she could use that to her advantage, but to no avail. While there were small openings allowing water to flow through from both sides of the wall, several grates made passing anything between the courtyards impossible.

Just after the ripples made their way across the fountains surface, the water started to steam. This garnered the attention of her guards. Two of them started moving in her direction. The steam rising from the fountain gave her a bad feeling, something serious seemed to be happening on the other side. She stood up and started to take a few steps back. Just then, the fountain exploded.

She ducked behind the bench, using it to shield herself. From behind the bench she could hear a sound very familiar to her, the roar of intense flames. She could feel the heat on her skin, and thought she could hear someone screaming. Smoke filled the inner courtyard, things were in chaos, something she knew how to take advantage of. Under the cover of smoke, she moved toward breach in the wall, and whatever had caused it. This may be the opportunity she'd been waiting for.

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In the chaos caused by the explosion, another unusual incident went unnoticed. At the back of the prison yard, farthest away and fenced off from the fountain. Three people, an old woman, wearing a red hospital gown and her two guards, all waterbenders had suddenly fallen unconscious at the same moment the wall had been obliterated.

They started coming too in only a few moments, but had no idea what had happened. One of the guards, already to his feet, moved to the old woman to make sure she was alright

"Hama" he said gently "Hama, can you hear me?"

The old woman didn't say anything, but looked up at him and gave a curt nod. Her other guard was by her side and held her by the hand (this particular patient was only required to wear shackles during the full moon) as she helped Hama steady herself. The old woman looked at her guards. She noted the concern in their eyes, though it wasn't for her.

"You felt it too then" She said quietly " Just for a moment, it was like a part of myself... part of my spirit, went missing."

Both guards looked at each other, not sure what to say. Though it was clear by the look on their faces, that they'd felt the same thing.

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Azula made her way through the smoke and debris, toward the heat. It was a risk, but it was also her only way out. As she got closer to the fire, the smoke cleared, being pushed outward and away from the source producing it.

Standing where the fountian had been was a man... seemingly made of fire.

No, She realized, not made of fire, but covered in it. He was on his knees and everything from the waste up was burning. She noticed though, with great interest, that his body seemed undamaged. He was wrapped in fire, but didn't appear to be burning.

Had this person produced the explosion she wondered? From what she saw, she had to assume he had.

The fire on his body dissipated, and he collapsed on the ground. He didn't move for a moment, though he still seemed to be breathing.

Amazingly, he had no burns on his body Even his hair, which was ablaze just a moment ago, was untouched . As far as she could tell, this person was somehow unable to withstand fire. At least the fire his own body produced.

He wasn't a firebender, at least not a normal one, of that she was sure. This was something different. Possibly something she could use.

He opened his eyes and slowly started to stand. He seemed to be in pain, and from the look on his face, shock. He looked down at his hands and body. Either checking for damage or maybe to see if he was still on fire. Confusion replaced shock. After gauging his reaction, Azula had to assume that whatever had just happened was most likely unintentional. Meaning that, whoever this was, he wasn't in control of his abilities.

A slight smile crossed her face. For the first time since she'd been sent here, since she'd lost everything, she felt a familiar confidence surface within her.

Azula had a plan.

[mattthermo]

Chapter 2
The Gaang
(moments earlier that same morning)


"You're sure this is the last one" Sokka said, laying back in Appa's saddle, addressing Aang.

"Sokka, don't tell me you're actually complaining about free food and admiration" Katara said with amusement.

"Look, I like a good celebration as much as the next guy, buuut after a month straight! I gotta tell ya, it gets a little old."

"Why didn't we just use one of Zuko's airships? "Toph added "It would be a lot more comfortable than sitting in this bison bucket" She said pounding her fist on the side of Appa's saddle. "That way I could at least see around the ship!"

"You know Zuko wants to keep any Fire Nation presence out of the other nations right now." Katara said. She was sitting next to Aang atop Appa's head, looking back at Toph. "It's a sensitive time Toph. Just because Zuko declared peace, doesn't mean people have forgiven the Fire Nation."

"Well, he could of at least come along. It feels wierd doing this without Zuko." Toph responded "I know he was only with us for a bit, but... it just doesn't feel... complete"

"Ah, he's pretty busy Firelording now" Sokka added "Besides, wouldn't it be a little odd to be celebrating Aangs victory over the Firelord while he's sitting next to the Firelord?"

For the last month, Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph, along with Appa and Momo, had been attending Victory celebration after celebration. It seemed that almost every village, town and city around the world wanted the Avatar and his friends to attend as guests of honor. While it was fun at first, after the first two weeks or so, it began to feel more like a chore. At the begenning of this last week, Sokka had suggested that they ask Zuko to start a new war just so they could go home early.

Appa was currently flying over the Earth Kingdom, Heading toward the city of Chin. It was a bit ironic that the last city they would visit on thier "victory tour" was the same city that had put Aang on trial several months ago. Chin had also rescheduled their new "Avatar day" to coincide with todays celebration.

It also put them at a good stopping point for their journey. Toph's hometown of GaoLing was only a short way from Chin. And, despite a rather tumultuous relationship with her parents, Toph looked forward to seeing them again. Chin ws also far enough south that Sokka and Katara could finally go home and see their family and friends again.

Sokka looked over the side of Appa's saddle and looked out at the passing clouds. Though he couldn't see it, he looked in the direction of nearby Kiyoshi Island. He put his arms up under his chin and rested them on the side of Appa's saddle.

"...I miss Suki" He said wistuflly. Though he knew she wasn't on her home island, as she was currently working for Zuko, it still served to remind him of her.

"Don't worry Sokka, by this time tomorrow we'll be done and you'll be able to go see her again" Katara added.
Katara was sitting on top of Appa's head, next to Aang who was holding Appa's reins. Aang had a slight smile on his face and seemed to be staring off into the distance.

"You've been awfully quiet, what are you thinking about" Katara asked.

"I'm just enjoying how much easier it is to fly around when you don't have to constantly fight or escape war balloons and battleships." He took in a deep breath and exhaled, a large smile spread across his face. "The sky feels so peaceful right now... It's almost like the last year never happened."

She leaned in closer, resting her head on his shoulder and whispered in his ear "It wasn't all bad"

Aang turned his head and met her gaze. They looked at each other for a moment, then kissed.

"Ewww" Sokka exclaimed, mocking disgust. "Do you guys have to do that right in front of me"

"They're kissing again aren't they" Toph asked.

"Don't even start Sokka, you and Suki..." Katara started to reply.

"Yeah, but that's different. Brothers aren't supposed to see that kind of stuff" Sokka retorted.

"It's times like this I can really appreciate being blind." Toph added dryly.
Appa bellowed, cutting them all off.

"Don't worry buddy, were almost there" Aang said to his Airbison while laughing.

Appa was flying slower then usual. He was clad in the armor Sokka had designed for him to wear during the failed invasion of the Fire Nation not so very long ago. While impressive, it was cumbersome and heavy.

"You know Sokka" Aang said. "Appa could get us around quicker if you didn't insist on him wearing this."

"Oh come one Aang, everyone loves Battle Appa!" Sokka enthusiastically replied. "Besides, this is the last celebration were attending and we want to show up in style don't we?"

"Can't say I'm too impressed with how it looks..." Toph began joking, but was cut off when Aang suddenly yelled out in alarm.

"KATARA!"

She had suddenly passed out. Aang grabbed her as she started falling toward the outside of Appa's head. Just as he did, his vision also started to blur. His grip loosened on Katara's waist. He was still conscious, but felt like he'd been drugged. He tried his best to keep his grip on Katara, but felt his strength leaving him.

Aang felt something suddenly tug at the back of his robes. The jolt of being yanked back upright cleared his head and he came too. He looked back toward Katara and saw Sokka, one arm around his sister and the other holding the back of Aangs robes. Sokka had jumped down and grabbed the two of them just after they'd started to loose consciesness. His mouth was moving, but for a moment, Aang couldn't hear him. Then slowly, the sound of Sokka's voice slowly filled the air.

"...appening! Aang... Katara... guys!"

Aang heard Toph behind him, still up in Appas saddle, yelling down to them. "Whats going on! What happened."

Sokka grabbed Appa's reigns and, with a snap, directed the airbison toward the ground.

"It's ok now Toph... I think" Sokka looked back to his sister, then back to Aang, wondering what had just happened. Must be a bender thing, He thought at first. But then why was Toph alright? This didn't make any sense.

Appa landed, and with Sokka's help, Aang and a still disoriented Katara got down from the bison.

Katara sat on the ground, both Sokka and Aang kneeling in front of her. Aang was holding her, one hand on her shoulder, the other cupping the side of her face. She opened her eyes and lifted her hand to her head. "I'm okay, it's past now" she said, moving her hand down from her forehead she placed it on top of Aang hand.

She looked up at Aang and asked "Did that seem... familiar to you. Not the blackout, but..." Katara paused

"Yeah" Aang said

"What are you guys talking about?" Sokka asked, looking back and forth between them.

Toph had jumped down from Appa and joined the group. "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"

Katara and Aang looked at each other for a moment, then shifted their gaze to Sokka. Both of them looked concerned and hesitent, As though they knew something they were afriad to tell him.

"Why are you looking at me like that. What is it." Sokka asked.

Katara was the first to speak.

"Just before I fainted, it felt like... like my bending went away"

"You're bending, but what does..." Sokka started to ask.

"It felt like what happened when we were up north" Aang continued "When Zhao killed the.." Aang paused as he saw Sokka's jaw drop and a look of shock swept over his face.

"You mean... Yue" Sokka started to say, panic entering his vioce.

"No Sokka I'm sure she's fine" Aang hurriedly added.

"Sokka look" Katara interjected. She opened the flask on her hip and, with a motion of her hand, water leapt out in a stream and circled through the air. "If something had happened I couldn't waterbend." With another motion, the water returned to her flask and she capped it. "I'm sure everything's fine. It was only for a moment, I'm sure there's an explanation, we just..." Katara paused trying to think of something else to help to reasure her brother.

We just what? She thought. I don't even know what happened. And in reality, she was just as worried that something may have happened to the moon spirit as Sokka was.

"But then why did you two pass out?" Sokka asked. Katara's display seemed to have helped calm him. The worry in his voice abated. Katara and Aang once again looked at each other. Neither had an answer.

"Aang" Sokka said, looking over to him. "Can't you talk to Yue? You know, hop into the spirit world or something"

"It's not that easy Sokka" Aang replied apologetically "I could probably contact her if there were a full moon, or if I was at the spirit oasis, but right now... no, I'm sorry Sokka."

Sokka crossed his arms, putting one hand under his chin, and started pacing.

"Sooo, were not going to the party then?" Toph, who had been trying to follow the conversation, spoke up.

Sokka stopped pacing. He was still starring out in front of him, thinking over their options. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he looked back up, he met his friends gaze and spoke.

"Well go" Sokka said frankly, surprising the others.

"Sokka, we really..." Katara started in, but Sokka interupted.
"From here, It would take about two weeks to reach the north pole, and the next full moon's not for a week and a half. Were not going to learn anything just sitting around here, and we might cause a small panic if the Avatar suddenly skipped out on his own celebration party. For now we should stick to the plan and attend the party. Once it's over we can start trying to figure this out."

Aang was about to protest, but Sokka was right. While he was just as worried as Sokka, he had to admit that there was nothing they could really do about it now. He checked with Katara again, making sure she was ok. While Toph and Sokka climbed back on Appa, Aang pulled Katara in closer to him. They stood with thier faces only a few inches away, foreheads touching. Aang looked in her eyes and knew she had the same reservations he had. Katara took a deep breath and spoke softly, so only he could hear.

"Something's wrong." She said quietly for only him to hear. "You felt it too. didn't you"

"I don't know what's happening, but I've got a really bad feeling about this." She continued. "Aang, I'm worried. I'm really worried."

He couldn't think of anything to say to reassure her. So instead he said nothing and just pulled her closer to him.

Sokka and Toph had settled back into Appa's saddle. Sokka, still looking at Aang and Katara, spoke quietly to Toph

"Sorry Toph, I think the family reunions are gonna have to wait."

[mattthermo]

Chapter 3
The Escape


Yu looked at his hands, trying to figure out what had just happened. In the last month, his body had ignited three times before, but nothing like this! Nothing this devastating. And, it had only been fire up until now, just fire. His mind was racing. As if these bizarre abilities and memory loss plaguing him wasn't bad enough, he had just produced an explosion and destroyed part of a hospital.

Had I hurt anyone he thought worriedly. How much worse is this going to get? Then another thought hit him. He quickly looked down... a small bit of relief washed over him. His pants were still there, mostly.Luckily, it seemed being waste deep in the fountain had at least saved him that embarrassment.

Well, at least I've got one thing going for me today, He thought.

"By the look on your face, I'll assume that that wasn't intentional"

A voice came from his left. He looked up and saw a girl in a red hospital robe. Her hands were completely sealed inside metal shackles. Her long dark brown hair spilled down over her shoulders. Her bangs hung down around her eyes, but were cut unevenly. Her golden yellow eyes were locked on him. One eyebrow was raised slightly, as though she were examining him. Not the way the girls on the dock had. No, this girl was far different. She looked at him as though he were a problem to be solved. Yu felt strangley intimidated by her gaze.

He was still recovering, and his senses had yet to recover their full acuity. As his mind started to clear, it finally hit him. This was firebender he'd sensed earlier? This beautiful young girl?! His jaw dropped a bit as he took in a quick, surprised breath. His eyes widened in a moment of disbelief. His reaction was not wasted on her. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw a slight smile form on her lips and her eyes narrowed. She seemed to enjoy the abrupt shock he'd just displayed.

He hadn't realized it, but he'd been starring at her wordlessly for the last few moments.

Her expression changed, her almost imperceptible smile faded. She seemed to be done sizing him up, and once again spoke.

"Unless you want to end up in a pair of these" she held up the heavy shackles that encased her hands, "I suggest you do exactly as I say".

The smoke was starting to clear, Yu could hear the guards moving in. His body still ached, but he pushed himself to stand. Silhouettes started to appear in the clearing air. His mind was racing now, he didn't know what to do. He looked to his left, at the girl in the red gown and shackles. She just looked back, awaiting a response.

He had to make a decision. He quickly weighed his options. Or more to the point, his lack of. He'd just caused major damage to a hospital through a power that he could neither explain nor control. Somehow, he didn't think a simple "Sorry" was going to be enough.

His eyes darted between the girl and the incoming guards. He had no desire to become a permanent resident here. He looked back at the girl, most notably glancing at what she was wearing. He thought back to what Rikus had told him yesterday...the red robes were reserved for the patients considered dangerous, either to themselves or others...

Should he really put his fate in the hands of a mentally unstable overpowered firebender? More to the point, did he really have a choice?

"Over here, there's someone with him" A few guards stepped out of the hazy gray shroud. Three guards stood shoulder to shoulder.

"Uh... sorry" Yu stammered out.

The guards, drawing there weapons, started to evacuation move towards him.

Well, that worked about as well as I expected. Yu thought. So much for plan A, now time for plan B. He quickly moved over toward the girl. The guards ordered him to stop but seemed to back off a bit as Yu
positioned himself next to the girl. They hadn't initially noticed her, their attention focused on Yu. But, now that he was standing next to her, their attention fell away from him and converged completely on her. Their eyes widened and a brief wave of what almost seemed like panic washed over the guards. They started looking back and forth at each other, as though they didn't know what to do, and queitly argued amongst themselves.

More personal started coming into view now that the smoke was clearing. Panic started to grip at Yu. They were surrounded.

She gave him a slight sideways glance, then looked around at the surrounding guards. What was she planning? How in the world could she help him out of this. How could she be so calm!

She spoke again, quietly this time, she wasn't looking at Yu but obviously addressing him, keeping her eyes on the slowly approaching circle of guards.

"Threaten me" She said simply.

"What?" Yu responded, confused.

"Do it" She said, more forcefully this time, annoyance clearly making it's way into her voice. "Put your arm around my neck and threaten me"

He still didn't understand, but he didn't have time to argue. He did what she said. Moving in behind her and slipping on arm around her neck. Yu stood a good head taller then her, as such she didn't block his view of the approaching guards. As soon as he'd done as she asked, the guards immediately came to a stop. They once again exhanged looks with each other. Yu could hear more shushed arguing amongst them.

"Help me" The girl, his arms now around her neck, cried out "he said he'd do it again if you don't back off!" If they think I'm crazy Azula thought, then I'll use that to my advantage!

Yu almost let go of her, the fear in her voice seemed so genuine he felt for a second that he was really was trying to kidnap an innocent, scared girl. She must have sensed his hesitation, she snapped at him under her breath "Idiot, keep up the act or we'll both be stuck in here!"

He tightened his hold on her once again, and tried his best to sound angry "Yeah, uh.. just back off or the girl gets it". He didn't know how convincing he'd been, but the guards started backing off, not taking any chances. This girl seemed important enough that they weren't going to risk it.

"You're a terrible liar" she said under her breath, her lips barely moving "Is that really as intimidating as you can be?"

"Sorry. I'm new to this" he responded, whispering in her ear.

"Well then, lucky for you, I'm not" She responded.

Well, that sure didn't make him any more comfortable.

Great, he thought, I'm escaping from a hospital I just blew up with someone who's admittedly no stranger to hostage situations. This was not the day he had planned when he woke up this morning.

She once again quietly addressed Yu. "Start moving toward the front gate, make sure they don't close it"

"Alright" Yu yelled out. "Move away from the gate and she doesn't get hurt"

The guards looked at each other. They hesitated for a moment but started clearing a path to the gate.

Just out of earshot of Yu and his faux hostage, one guard addressed the other next to him

"...can't she just take him on her own. I mean that's..."

The other guard responded by putting his finger to his head and twirled it, as if to say "but she's crazy". To which the guard simply responded with a nod.

The crowd in the courtyard split as Yu moved through it with his hostage. They were almost out the front gate. The guards started closing the distance between them, seemingly regaining their composure. He was at the gate with his "hostage" and making his way out to the entry path.

The guards seemed to be growing more confident, closing the gap between them and Yu quicker now. He had gotten to the path, putting the guards on one side of him. But that was the only advantage to the situation. They seemed to be reading the panic on his face. Yu thought, they can tell I'm bluffing. There's no way this will work. He knew they wouldn't keep believing him. After a few more moments, they'd realize he had no control over that power and they'd charge him. This wasn't going to work

"Move me behind you" She whispered to him. "Make sure you're blocking their view of me"

This time Yu did as she said without questioning. He spun them around, putting himself between the guards and Azula.

"Turn around and face them, make sure your body is blocking their view of me" she said , now face to face with him "Warn them to back off"

Yu did so. Standing with his back to her, he yelled a warning the encroaching guards. Though he doubted it would do any good. Suddenly, fire wrapped around his body again. It startled him, There was no pain, his hands hadn't started glowing, how did... That's when he felt it, the breath in his back. He hadn't ignited again, this was her doing. Even though she couldn't use her hands or feet, as a firebender she could still exhale fire. As she did so, the flames wrapped around his torso, making it seem that he was once again becoming ablaze.

Standing as he was, his body blocking their view of Azula, they couldn't see her involvment in the charade.

It was only a brief burst of flame, but apparently enough to cause the guards pause once again.

With the guards now convinced that Yu was a real danger, and unwilling to allow their most important patient to get hurt, they started backing away from Yu once again.

He resumed his position behind her, his arm back around her neck.

She immediately went back into the act. Her ability to turn it on and off was impressive.

"Please don't come any closer" she cried. She lowered her head, feigning crying. With her head down and face out of view, she gave another quiet order to Yu.

"Your turn now. Demand that the crew leave the boat. Then make your way to it." She paused for a moment, then asked him "Can you swim?"

"Uh, yeah" Yu responded, wondering what that had to do with her plan.

"Good" She said simply.

Yu yelled his demands at the guards now following them at a greater distance.

"Ready the boat and get the crew off, When I make landfall I'll let her go."

His latest fire display, with an assist from his willing hostage, had definitely given them more leverage. A guard, giving them a wide berth, ran past toward the boat dock.

They approached the islands only boat dock with a contingent of guards following in step behind them. The crew was already waiting just off the dock, the guard that had run ahead standing in front of them, his weapon drawn.

Protecting them from me, Yu thought. With that in his head, he gravity of the situation settled in on him. He'd come here for help in recovering his memory. Hoping that doing so would shed light on his bizarre talents, his fire resistance, his ability to sense benders, and his unfortunate tendency to burst into flames.

Now here he was. Being followed by a battalion of guards, about to steal a boat and taking with him a hostage. Granted, that part was actually his hostage's idea, though that didn't really make him feel any better about it.

They slowly boarded the ship. Yu kicked the boarding plank into the water, and quickly moved to the pilothouse. Luckily the small ship had been preparing to depart before the incident up at the hospital. The small boiler, normally fueled by coal and firebenders, was already burning. All Yu needed to do was pull a lever and steer. They set off the island heading for the mainland.

"Ok, now what" Yu asked his escape-mate

"Just keep heading straight west" She said

"They're going to send a messenger hawk, they'll catch us as soon as we make landfall, if not sooner" Yu added.

"I'm counting on it" She responded, coldly.

As if on cue, Yu saw a hawk flying high above the boat and heading toward the mainland.

Yu was worried, he didn't see how they were going to make landfall without half the Fire Nation militia waiting for them. He looked at Azula, she didn't seem worried at all. That calmed him a bit. She'd gotten them this far, it was a fair bet that she wasn't done planning the impossible yet.

They were within a mile of the shore when he noticed ships closing in from the south. He could make out 3 ships heading in their direction.

Azula knew that there was a military base only a few miles south of the mainlands boat landing for the hospital.She was planning that hospital guards would have also sent messenger hawk there with the hopes of intercepting them while still at sea.

"Perfect" Azula said auspiciously, looking at the ships in the distance.

"Stop the boat" She ordered Yu.

The ships were still a distance off. If they hurried they could still make landfall before the small fleet intercepted them. Yu hesitated a moment wondering what she was planning now. Then he pulled the ships control lever to full stop. She'd gotten them this far, no reason to stop trusting her now.

"Follow me" She barked at Yu.

They went blow deck, to the engine room. With her shackled hands she motioned toward a few wooden barrels filled with oil used to lubricate the machinery in the engine.

"Empty two of those"

"Where?" Yu asked

"On the floor, then seal them and bring them up on deck." she galnced around and added " And grab that rope while your at it" motioning with her head to some rope hanging on the wall.

Yu was past questioning her and did as she asked. In a few minutes he had both barrels empty and on deck. Azula told him to tie the barrels together as she went back below deck. As he did, he glanced back at the larger ships slowly approaching their small boat.

Suddenly, the girl came running up from the engine room. Followed by a raging fire chasing up the stairs behind her. It took him a second to piece together what had happened.

She must have ignited the oil, the boat was now quickly burning.

That's what the barrels were for, he realized. A makeshift raft. She'd never intended on making landfall in this boat. That's when he remembered what she'd asked him earlier

Can you swim,he remembered her asking. Just how far ahead did she have this planned out?

They hefted the makeshift barrel raft up ond over the side of the boat. Azula jumped overboard and, even with the heavy shackles and ankle chains, landed effortlessly on top of the barrels. Yu paused for a second, impressed by how gracefully she moved.

Who was this girl?

He didn't have long to stand and admire her acrobatic skills. The fire was consuming the boat quickly. Yu jumped into the water beside Azula's barrel raft.

Azula nodded her head toward the shore, in a direction that would keep the burning boat between them and the fleet, covering there escape route.

"That's where we're headed" She announced

"Those warships may be big, but they're slow. It'll take about 20 minutes for them to get here, and when they do they'll find nothing but a half sunk burning wreck. Hopefully, they'll think we went down with the ship"

She turned her attention to Yu and continued, allowing a menacing edge to steal into her voice."You're job is to get us to shore before they arrive and spot us. Now start swimming."

[mattthermo]

Chapter 4
Memories

-------------------

Zuko was in his throne room, dressed in full Firelord regalia, his crown back in his topknot. Mai sat next to him. It had been a few hours since he'd received the message about Azula and he was becoming increasingly impatient. He was pacing and kept eying the door, hoping it would open and he'd receive good news that everything was under control, the culprit had been captured and she'd been returned unharmed to the hospital.

It was nothing but wishful thinking, and he knew it. As with anything involving Azula, this was bound to get more complicated, not less.

He heard footfalls heading his way from outside the doors. To eager to wait, he ran over to the doors and threw them open. The captain of the castle guards, note in hand, was standing just on the other side. Zuko knew almost immediately by the look on the captains face that the news wasn't good. He grabbed the note from his hand and unfurled it. As he read through the note he broke out in a cold sweat and his heart skipped a beat.

According to the message, the boat she'd been taken on had caught fire and sunk before making it to shore. Both she and her captor were presumed dead.

He let the note fall from his hand and took a moment to let the thought settle on him. He looked up to his throne, the fires that once surrounded it no longer burned. Extinguishing them had been his first change to the throne room. Those fires had always been a way to separate the Firelord from his subjects, physically emphasizing the barrier between them. But now, memories of those fires and this room surfaced in his mind.
His relationship with his sister had not always been so antagonistic. In fact, when they were very young they had almost been inseperable. Looking at the throne room now, he remembered the day that changed. The day he lost a sister and gained a rival.


--------------------------------


Zuko was 7, Azula 5. They were sitting outside the throne room, waiting. Azula, at his right, had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. Firelord Azulon, their grandfather, was in a war meeting with their uncle, General Iroh, so the throne room was empty. He didn't understand why they were there. His Mother had brought them with her after being summoned by their father. When they arrived, he seemed angry that she'd brought the children with her. They'd been told to wait outside while his mother and father talked inside the throne room, alone. He started to drift to sleep himself when he heard yelling from the other side of the door.

The commotion snapped him back awake and woke Azula as well. As she rubbed her eyes, Zuko got to his feet and walked to the door, trying to listen in on what was being said. Azula came running up behind him.

"Zuzu, you shouldn't do that." she said worriedly from behind him "Dad'll get angry".

"Don't be such a chickentoad, I just want to know what they're yelling about"

Zuko leaned against the door, his ear pressed against it.

"...the boy is useless to me. Fortunately, Azula..."

He reeled back from the door, as if he'd been hit. He stumbled back a few steps, his breath catching in his throat. His mind was swimming, had his father really just said that? He stood in shock for a moment, a cold sweat breaking out over his body. He felt tears running down his face before he even realized he was crying. He turned away from the door and saw Azula standing in front of him. Her eyes were wide, looking as if she might cry herself. She hadn't heard what was said, her reaction came from seeing the pain in her brother's face. Before Zuko could say anything she stepped foreword and hugged him.

At that moment, the throne room doors burst open and Ozai emerged. For a moment his father's figure was silhouetted by the fire's burning in the throne room behind him. He stood before his son, a fearsome black phantom. It was an image that would stay with Zuko for years.

He stepped foreword, a flash of anger arose in his eyes when he saw them huddled together. Azula let go of Zuko and started to hide behind him just as Ozai grabbed her hand and quickly walked off, pulling her behind him.

Ursa exited behind Oazi, wiping her eyes. She took a few steps foreword, her eyes affixed on Ozai. She raised her hand as if trying to stop his egress. She opened her mouth, about to say something, then stopped. Her arm dropping to her side as her head fell foreword, tears streaming down her face. She kneeled next to Zuko and put a hand on his head. Just as she did, Ozai stopped and turned back to them.

"If you really wish to coddle someone, do so with Zuko!" He said, doing nothing to hide the belligerence in his voice.

With that, he shifted his gaze down at Azula for a moment and proceeded down the hallway and out of sight.

-------------------------


Now here he stood. In that same throne room his parents had had that argument in so long ago. It wasn't a happy memory, but with the news he'd just received he couldn't help but recall it.

It was the last time his sister hugged him.

So much had happened between them since. Their relationship slowly degraded from that day on. It was this same memory that led him to the decision to have his sister institutionalized instead of imprisoned. It was his hope that they could have that kind of relationship again one day. Though he knew just how unlikely that might be.

Now it was impossible.

He felt a tear drip off his chin and hit his hand.

Lost in that memory, he hadn't noticed that Mai had picked up the letter and was now reading it.

"Really, a boat fire?" Mai said flatly "I doubt Azula would let herself die in something so... boring".

He turned to look at her. His eyes clearing. He was almost embarrassed that he'd let the news affect him like it did. This is exactly why he loved her, exactly why he needed her. While Zuko often let his emotions get the better of him. She was the exact opposite. It wasn't that she was emotionless, she just never let it get to her. In that way, she was the perfect balance for him.

"In fact" she continued "She probably set the fire herself"

She tilted her head and raised one eyebrow, a smile appeared on her face."C'mon, you didn't really believe this, did you?" She said while holding the note up to Zuko.

He smiled nodded as if to say "Thank you" in response.

He turned back to address the captain.

"Have an airship ready to go immediately"

"Your High..." The guard started to answer, possibly wondering where he was going. Zuko cut him off before he could finish.

"I'm heading to the hospital. I want to see it myself. And I have a few questions I'd like to ask firsthand."

"Yes Firelord" The captain responded. He started to turn around when Zuko made one more command.

"Also... have my sister's armor put on board... we may need the scent."

The captain gave him a briefly confused look, then turned and moved quickly down the hallway, shouting out to the other men under his command.

He felt Mai's hand on his shoulder. He turned around, already knowing what she was going to say.

"I know, I should let the soldiers take care of this." He said to her. "I'll leave the search to them, but I just need to see it for myself. See if I can figure out what she's planning. Plus, I want to ask some questions first hand about this supposed "kidnapper" of hers."

"So you don't believe that part either" She said, knowing the question didn't really need to be asked.

"It's Azula." He responded matter of factly.

"Mai, stay here in case any new information comes in while I'm away. I need someone who's judgment I can trust"

He kissed her and quickly left the throne room. She watched him walk down the hallway until the throne room doors closed and blocked her view of him. She stood there for a moment and looked around the now empty room. She raised one eyebrow and sighed.

"Stay here...?" She said to herself "Oh, wee".

[mattthermo]

Chapter 5
The Princess and the Pawn

--------------------------------

"So, what are you anyway?" She asked him.

It was the first question she'd asked him since they'd made landfall. As soon as they reached shore, she'd jumped from the poorly tied together barrel raft and started moving through the woods. Not knowing what else to do, Yu simply followed behind her. Her leg chains and shackles made moving through the thick brush slow, though not as much as he would have assumed. He was once again surprised by how easily she was able to move in her restraints.

Earlier, he tried to suggest she ride piggyback, but the look he received halfway through that proposal had shut him up until now.

"Uh... I'm Yu" He stammered out, a little surprised by the question after such a prolonged silence.

She stopped and turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised.

"I think you're a little confused"

Yu shook his head a bit. Why did I stick with this name he wondered. It wasn't the first time in the last month he regreted his decision to keep this name.

"No, I didn't mean "you"." he said while motioning his hands at her. "It's my name, Yu"

"I didn't ask for your name. Which by the way is terrible. What I asked is, what are you."

"Oh... well, I don't... It's a bit complicated"

"It'll wait then" She said while turning and continuing to move again. This wasn't the time for drawn out discussions. Azula knew her brother would be hearing about her escape anytime now, if he hadn't already. Time was limited and she needed to put distance between her and where they'd made landfall. she'd need to find out more about this "Yu" later.

It's not that she had any particular interest in him. She simply needed to know how useful he might be. Being fireproof was a nice trick, but it didn't do her much good. Being a walking firebomb was equally useless to her if, as she assumed, he had no ability to control it.

She stole a glance at her shackled hands while making a quick hop over a fallen tree, her leg irons making any sort of acrobatics that much more difficult. If anything, she thought, I'll at least need to keep him around until I can get these off.

Which would happen sooner than she expected.


-----------------------------------


Azula saw it first. Through the trees to her left she spotted a small cabin. She changed direction toward it, Yu followed. It was a tiny. No more than a single room hut. It had obviously not been occupied for years. Half the thatched roof was missing, no glass remained in the windows (if there ever was any in the first place), and the entire shack leaned a bit to the side.

"Why'd we stop here?" Yu asked

Azula looked down at her shackles, then back up to the cabin.

"I'm looking for a key"

"A key?"

"Just look for anything small and metal"

It took Yu a few pulls on the door before it relented and began to open. A coating of rust broke off the hinges as the door was pulled slowly open. The shriek of grinding metal sent birds soaring out of the thatched roof that had become their nests.

Azula and Yu entered the cabin. The inside was filled with cob webs and dust. A small warped table sat against one wall, a single rickety chair sitting in front of it. A small rusted wood burning stove with a broken smoke stack sat in the corner. A small set of cabinets, with only one door, was set in the wall across from it. What used to be a mattress, now just a sanctuary for rodents, sat in another corner.
Azula sat at the small table as Yu searched. In the back of one of the cabinets was a rusty fork with two tines missing. He turned it over in his hands, examining it. It was all he could find that might be used as a lock pick.

"Guess it'll have to do" he whispered to himself. He turned to Azula

"Make a small bend in the tip" Azula instructed him.

Yu looked around for anything to make the bend with but couldn't find anything. He had to improvise. He stabbed the fork into the table, then bent it back. It was a bit crude but it worked.

She began instructing Yu on how to pick the lock.

"These shackles may look impressive, after all they are meant to restrain me, But the lock itself is fairly simple. Just..."

'CLICK'

The shackles popped off her hands. He'd opened the lock before she even began explaining how to do it. Yu looked at the pick with a small smile on his face.

"Huh, just lucky I guess" he said. While in the back of his mind he was thinking, Maybe I used to be a theif or something?

She rubbed her hands together, glad to finally be free. She looked over at the opened shackles now lying on the table. A wave of anger wached over her. How dare they do this to me, She thought. She grabbed the fork pick from him and undid the chains on her legs.

Now, finally free, she stood up and walked outside into the clearing around the cabin. The ground in back of the cabin was covered with nothing but rocks and dirt. She walk into the middle of the clearing then ran a few steps and jumped. Twisting sideways in the air she kicked her right leg up from her body as she became parallel to the ground. Blue flames erupted from her right foot. She continued the midair spin, planting her flaming foot onto the ground. On contact, the flames billowed around her, creating a perfect circle of blue flame around her landing position. She stood up and smiled.

It felt good to be able to do that again she thought.

Yu had been watching her the whole time. Before, while she was still in chains, he'd been impressed by how easily she was able to move. Now, he realized he hadn't seen anything, her movements were almost poetic to watch. He was equally impressed by the flames. He'd never seen a firebender create blue flames before.

"I knew you were a strong bender when I first felt you but..."

"Felt me!" She spat back at him, the smile gone from her face. Her eyes narrowed and her glare had a severity about it that unnerved him.

"Uh, that's not... I didn't uh, what I meant...wow, that was a really bad choice of words."

"Then, for your sake, I suggest you "choose" better words" she replied in a calm cold voice that was even more usetteling than her stare.

"I can fee... sense when benders are around." Yu tried explaining.

The anger in her eyes faded, replaced with a slightly bemused look "Really" she said, . An insidious smile spread across her face as she now looked him over, one eyebrow raised. He wasn't sure he liked this any better. He felt like an insect being considered for inclusion in a childs bug collection.

"Then once again I'll have to ask. What, exactly, are you?"

Yu shrugged his shoulders "That's what I was at the hospital to find out." Yu said to her.

She gave him a sideways glance, as though she was trying to ascertain whether or not he was lying.

He sensed that she wasn't exactly satisfied with that answer. So he went into more detail "I really don't know. Honestly, I don't even know who I am. Much less why I can do what I can do. That's why I went there in the first place. I was really hoping they could help. But... well, you know what happened."

Without warning she threw forward her right hand and hit him with a blast of fire directly in the chest. Not having enough time to react, Yu let the fire hit him. The flames curled around his body and evaporated into the air. He looked down at where she just struck him, then slowly looked back up at her.

She stood about 10 feet from him a devious smile on her face, one hand on her chin.

"Any other talents I should know about" She asked him.

He didn't answer her question. Instead, her fire blast reminded him of a question he'd wanted her to answer.

"When you used your fire breath on me this morning, to fool the guards. How did you know it wouldn't hurt me?"

"Oh that" she said "I wasn't entirely sure it wouldn't. Though based on what I'd already seen, I was willing to take the risk"

Yu stared at her for a moment, unable to say anything.

"You were willing to take the risk..." He stammered, anger starting to boil up inside him. "I'm the one..."

"Well yes" She responded coolly "Had you caught on fire, it may have served a usefull, albiet breif, distraction. But it would have also made things far more difficult for me. I'm not sure I would have been able to make it to the boat., much less pilot it, hobbled as I was. So it worked out for both of us that you were"

He stood with his mouth agape. He couldn't believe what she was saying. Was she kidding? It sure dind't seem like it. Once again, the hospitals administrators words ran through his head.

...the red robes were reserved for the patients considered dangerous, either to themselves or others...

Yu shook his head. This girl really was crazy. He'd had enough, it was time to wash his hands of this and get out of here.

"Listen, thanks for helping me out an all, but now that you've been... deshackled. I really don't see that you need my help anymore." Yu turned around and started walking away.

No, Azula thought, I could care less about his other abilities, but if he can sense when benders are around... That's something I could use. She knew her brother would have men after her soon enough, benders most likely. With him around, there's no way I could be ambushed, or led into a trap. No, this was far to advantageous to simply give up.

"Oh, I don't know if that's such a good idea" He heard her say from behind him. Her voice was a little too polite, and that worried him. He turned to face her. She was walking toward him, a sly smile on her face.

"After all, not only did you just destroy part of a hospital. You also kidnapped and threatened a princess in the process"

"A princess huh!?" Yu replied. Thinking this more evidence of her insanity. "Yeah and I'm the Earth King"

Azula shrugged off the insult.

"Believe me or not, that still doesn't change the fact that they did see you kidnap me. I was just the innocent victim in all this."

"What!? But... but that was your idea" Yu responded, worried about where this was going.

"That may be the case, too bad only you and I know that"

She'd reached him and was walking around him in a slow circle, continuing to talk.

"All anyone else saw was you taking a hostage and threatening her life while she begged for help"

Yu looked down, a terrible realization started to settle on him. He was starting to understand the position he was in. The position he'd put himself in. She continued. The fake politeness in her voice somehow driving the point even harder.

"If I get recaptured, with or without you, I'll just get sent back to exactly where I was...I'd rather that not happen, but if it does, I'll be no worse off then I already was..." She stopped, and stood to his left, tilting her head slightly and looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

"Now, if you happen to get captured without me around. Who knows what they'll assume you did with me."

She'd lifted her hand in front of her face and casually looked at her nails, as though the conversation were boring her.

"But, the decision really is yours. I'm sure you would have gotten out of that situation just fine without my help. You should have no trouble at all evading half the Fire Nation military on your own".

It hit him like a ton of bricks. He hadn't realized it at the time, but her escape plan was twofold. Having Yu use her as a hostage had gotten them off the island in what seemed to be the easiest and safest way possible. Yu was in a panic during the whole thing, and as such had not truly thought through the consequences of his actions. From an outside perspective, Yu was the criminal and she was just an unwilling victim. If he was captured, the best he could hope for was a very long stay in a Fire Nation prison. At worst... well, he didn't really want to think about it.

She was right. He really wouldn't last long without her. If he wanted to at least get out of the Fire Nation, he'd need her help.

On top of that, Yu also realized that he just got done telling her that he didn't even remember who he was.

Why did I tell her all that. He lamented. I have nowhere to go and no one to go to, and she knows that. She has me over a barrel and she knows it!

He couldn't figure out if he was more angry or impressed. He settled on a little of both. This girl had gotten him out of an impossible situation while simultaniously indenturing him to her.

"Looks like you came up with the perfect little plan." He said. He turned and started walking toward the woods

"I'll see if I can find some food" He said over his shoulder doing nothing to hide his anger. He added under his breath "I need to wash the bad taste out of my mouth"

Azula satisfied that she'd made her point, turned and walked into the cabin. She walked over and sat at the small table, thinking of what her next move would be.

"Perfect plan?" she said to herself, recalling what he'd just said "hardly..."

The taking of Ba Sing Se was the perfect plan. Misleading the invasion force that had attacked during the eclipse, that was the perfect plan. Today though, while her plan had worked, there was nothing "perfect" about it. It was sloppy, desperate and relied far too much on chance. Three things she despised.

If only I didn't have to worry about...

"Those people were trying to help you Azula" came a woman's voice to her ears.

Azula's eyes narrowed and she momentarily gritted her teeth. The cabin was empty, she knew no one else could be there, but she heard the voice anyway. Her mother's voice.

"I was wondering when you'd show up." Azula said, her voice quiet and calm.

"Please Azula, don't do this"

"Sorry mother, you'll have to be a little more specific. I do have a very busy schedule after all"

"I know what your planning Azula. Your brother isn't..."

"Of course."She interrupted, a short laugh escaping as she spoke "Trying to save precious little Zuzu again. Like always"

"It's not your brother I'm trying to save, It's..."

"DON'T LIE TO ME" Azula jumped up from her chair, spun around and kicked it against the wall. The chair impacted the wall and splintered into peices. Everything she'd been withholding since being placed in the hospital now boiled over. Unrestrained, her rage took hold of her.

"WHY NOW" she screamed, a stream of blue fire shot from her hand and splashed against the wall. The old dry wood of the small cabin caught fire like kindling.

"WHY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT ME NOW" Her voice was strained and tears started flowing down her face. She spun around and blasted another wall. She stood in the growing inferno, breathing heavily while looking into the flames. The heat was quickly becoming unbearable so she turned and walked out of the doorway before the flames could claim it.

She walked a few yards from the burning cabin, then turned and unleashed another torrent of fire, forcing every last bit of energy she could into the flames. She couldn't attack the voice in her head, but she could destroy this. She screamed again, pouring all of her anger, frustration, hurt, and loathing into the fire erupting from her hands, as though doing so would cleanse her of those emotions.

She kept pouring a constant stream of fire onto the small building, it's structure collapsing under the intensity of her attack. Her cascade of fire poured onto the debris of the structure. She started to strain, her fire began to weaken. Her barrage of fire thinned and sputtered until it became a trickle, then weaker still until only a few weak puffs of flame remained.

Spent, she fell to her knees. She stared down at the ground in front of her. Watching the light from the fire dance across the ground. Her body was shaking, her breath came in short heavy bursts, like an animals exhausted after making a kill. Small puffs of blue fire issued from her mouth with the exhale of every breath.

She tried to calm herself, turning her face up towards the flames, eyes closed, basking in the heat. She held her eyes closed even tighter. Her breathing slowed and her tears stopped. She stood up and opened her eyes, looking at the fire.

"Just leave me alone." she said while staring at the building she'd just annihilated.

Yu wasn't looking for food. He went into the woods and sat agaisnt a tree, trying to figure his way out of this. He'd not been there long before he heard a scream, primal and angry, from the direction of the cabin. He jumped to his feet and went running back toward the cabin. He came out of the woods to see Azula standing in front of a burning pile of rubble. He could tell from the rhythm of her body's movement that she was breathing heavily.

"What just..."

Surprised, she spun around and hit him with a blast of flame. He put up his hands out reflexively as the fire impacted and swirled around him. Even though the fire couldn't hurt him, the impact of it was still enough to force him back a few feet.

"Whoa whoa, what.. what are you doing!"

Yu put his hands down and surveyed the situation. The girl (who's name he still didn't know) was standing in front of him. Her face contorted in anger and breathing heavily.

That's it, Yu thought. I've gotta get away from this girl. She's completely...

Then he noticed her eyes, red and puffy, and saw the wet streaks running down her face.

He hadn't noticed it right away, preoccupied with being lit on fire, but she looked as though... as though she'd been crying?

It made him pause.

"Are... are you alrigh..."

Wait a minute. He thought. She just blasted me with fire, why am I asking if she's alright?

"We're leaving" she spat back, cutting him off. She gave one last look to the remains of the cabin.
"There's nothing left here anyway" With that she turned on her feet and headed back into the woods.

Yu didn't know what to think. He looked at her as she walked away. Then back to the smoldering pile that had recently been a cabin. What had happened here he wondered. And why am I not running in the opposite direction right now? He looked back at the girl. It wasn't just the tears that made him second guess his desire to leave. For a split second he saw a glint of sadness in her eyes. It was gone almost as quickly as it came, but he was sure it was there.

He looked back once more at the woods behind him. His possible escape route beckoning him. He turned and looked back to her once more. She was still walking away, her back was to him. if I'm going to run, now would be the time, he argued with himself. He took a deep breath and made his decision.

Yu turned and followed the girl.

"This is such an amazingly bad idea" he whispered under his breath.

Azula looked back and made sure Yu was following. Good, she thought, at least he's smart enough to understand the situation he's in.

There was another reason she wanted him around. Ursa's voice was always stronger when she was alone. It's the reason she had endured the shackles just to be out in the hospital courtyard.

"I love you Azula, I do" Ursa had said that to her when this first happened, nearly a month ago.

And just now "It's not Zuko I'm trying to save"

Lies! All of it.

Azula walked on, lost in her thoughts. Save who then, me! From what? The only thing I need saving from is your dang voice in my head. And I've already figured out how to do that. After all, if Zuko weren't around, you'd have no one to protect, and I can finally be free of you.

Her brother had taken everything from her and she wasn't going to stand for it! There would be no "Agni Kai" this time. This wasn't a matter of Honor. Her brother cared about that, she didn't. She knew she couldn't have the Fire Nation back. What was the point when you couldn't trust anyone, not even your closest freinds. Her desire for power had given way to something else, something more primal.

All she wanted now was revenge. Regardless of the consequences, she would see her brother dead.

[mattthermo]

Just on the off chance that anyone started reading this and wanted to continue. I've actually re-written (final draft style) these first few chapters, and added a good deal more over at FanFiction.net.

The story remains the same, but I've tweaked a good deal of the dialogue and details to make sure the characters feel more in character and just generally improve the flow and feel of the story. Let me know what you think.

www.fanfiction.net/s/4819090/1/Consequences_of_Power