The guards approached quickly, staying cautious even though Azula's body remained perfectly still. She was in the same place where Katara had chained her, the ground around her was burned, charred, and scarred from the former princess's previous struggling and rage. All was silent after her cries of defeat and humiliation slowly died out. She was lifeless, her eyes open, staring blankly straight ahead while her arms remained bound behind her back. They carefully lifted her up, keeping her bound and brought her away to the prison where Firelord Zuko had ordered her to stay as her punishment.

Azula's eyes came to life to take sight of where she would be spending the next long years of her life as the heavy doors smashed open. She looked down and to her surprise the door to the first cell was left open and her gaze was met by none other than her father. Ozai took one look at his daughter and turned away, hanging his head down in shame and disgust as he stayed silent. As the guards pulled her past the former firelord to her own cell, her hands balled into tight fists, her eyes narrowed and she bit her lip hard feeling tears well up in her eyes and her rage begin to boil once more. How was it that they could have both failed?!

Her thoughts were interrupted as the guards threw her down into her cell. Her body hit the floor hard, and her blood boiled. She turned quickly in one final act of rebellion, her eyes glared murderously, as fire erupted from her mouth once more towards the door as it was slammed shut.

_

It had been almost 3 months since she had been thrown in this dark dingy cell. She barely got any sleep and she could only manage to take a few bites of food before becoming sick to her stomach. She spent most of her time training to maintain her strength, hoping that maybe one day someone would make a mistake that she could use to her advantage.

All was usually quiet except when she could hear her father muttering curses in his sleep, talking about his failure children, still rambling on about his world. Her brother had come to visit a couple weeks prior to speak with their father, but she had refused to see him after. She wanted nothing to do with him and she wanted nothing to do with finding their mother. There were always two guards outside the doors, one for each of their most notorious prisoners. They only ever spoke to each other and they never had any valuable information that would help Azula find some way out.

"Man I'm tired. I wonder when Firelord Zuko will return from his trip."

This caught the Princess's attention.

"It seems that Zu Zu us off on a little vacation.." Azula muttered softly to herself.

Her eyebrow rose slightly and she sat on the ground leaning comfortably against she cell wall as the guards continued their conversation.

"I think he said he'd be back in about a week. They were going to the Southern Water tribe to surprise Master Sokka for his birthday-" He let out a sigh as he stretched his arms looking up at the shadow on the wall.

"Looks like it's feeding time!"

"It seems the Firelord ordered for the prisoners to be given better food today. Looks pretty good." The other guard replied as both took the plates into their hands.

Azula stood up immediately hearing the big door open with a loud crash. She walked toward the door of the cage, wrapping her hand around the bars along she door. She clenched her fists tightly, warming the metal bars slightly. She backed away and could see the guard wasn't paying much attention today. She looked at what appeared to be some kind of stew or soup in the guard's hand and her stomach did a flip. This was her chance, he had forgotten to close the large door behind him and the other guard wasn't watching his back. He was probably trying to get her father to eat.

As soon as he unlocked the cage door and reached up to pull the bar to open the door, his eyes widened in surprise feeling the hot metal. In this second of confusion Azula knocked the door open, hitting it with such force that it knocked the guard out immediately. A wide smile grew on her face and she took off running out of the door as quickly as she could, she only took a quick glance over her shoulder to see the unaware guard's back and her father's eyes widen in shock before she was gone for good.

When she reached fresh air she stopped for a moment, letting her golden eyes adjust to the bright sunlight. She took a deep breathe and then suddenly a bell rang. Screams of the guards were heard as they were all alerted about her escape. She took off running as fast as she could to she farther side of the prison. There was a hidden passage there that she herself had created through the side of the volcano, down and all the way out to the sea. The boat she had left was still there, the supplies and everything were there ready to grant her escape.

"Well, I guess it is time to regain my honor now."

She smirked and her eyes blazed wild, excited as she jumped into the boat and cut the line. She let the ocean carry her out from the cave before opening her sail. The wind was strong, and blowing hard in the exact direction she needed to go right towards the earth kingdom. The timing was perfect. Everyone was distracted, little ZuZu was gone. Everything was on her side today.

Her fists clenched and she shot a few fire balls into the air. It had been so long since she could bend freely. Outwardly, she was elated- happy just to be free. But inside her blood began to boil as she continued to think about her plans.

"Soon you will know my humiliation, earth kingdom peasants. Soon you will take hold of my shame. I will bring you all pain, I promise you.."

_

"Come quickly girls, there's a message for you!"

Oyaji shouted loudly into the dojo stopping all the girls in their tracks. The Kyoshi Warriors had been hard training all morning and were surprised to hear the alarm in the man's voice. When he entered the dojo, they surrounded him waiting to hear what all the fuss was about.

"We just got word that Azula has escaped from prison and that she may be heading to the Earth kingdom. We need to catch her before she harms anyone." He says quickly looking around to each warrior. He grows confused and then adds, "Ria, where is Ty Lee?"

"She's at home taking a shower, sir." Ria replied quickly, while the other girls giggled a bit.

"Well, go and get her. You girls are leaving immediately!" Oyaji sighed before turning to leave.

"Wait, shouldn't we wait for Suki to return? She'll be back in a couple days.."

"There's no time. She will have to meet up with you girls later." He said quickly pushing the subject away. He then turn back to the girls and grew serious. "And another thing. Don't tell Ty Lee that it is Azula who has escaped. They were friends, we do not know if she can be trusted to help guide you while knowing that information."

"But sir, Ty Lee has been loyal-"

"Loyal to us, so far!" He shouted angrily. "But we do not know whether the fear that girl instilled in her still lives. So do not let Ty Lee know. And when you catch Azula, make sure you keep both she and Tylee in your watch at all times."

Before any of the girls could reply, he walked quickly from the dojo to help prepare the ship.

The girls stood frozen, a bit shocked and feeling uncomfortable. If they were to catch Azula and bound her, then they were expected to do the same to Ty Lee. It pained them to have to be forced to treat someone they trusted like an enemy. They looked to Ria, silent and waiting for the signal. When Suki was gone, she was usually next in charge.
"I guess I'll go get Ty Lee then.." She said quietly taking a couple steps away before being stopped by one of the girls.

"..are we really going to keep this from Ty Lee? She's never done anything to us that would make us distrust her."

"For now. When the time comes we will tell her and see how she reacts. Then, and only if her reaction is against us, then we must treat her as our enemy." Ria closed her eyes, it hurt her to say those words. Ty Lee had become a good friend to each and every one of them in such a short time. "Get your stuff ready and I'll meet you all at the ship."

Each warrior took off towards their homes to grab the things they needed. They always had a bag ready in case they had to leave in a hurry, there was no time for packing.

Ria ran over to Ty Lee's house, a lump had formed in her throat and she felt sick to her stomach, but she swallowed and managed to push her feelings down. She knew she would have to calm her aura to fool the always observant Ty Lee.

"Ty Lee!" She shouted as she opened the front door. "Come on, we have to go."

Ty Lee turned with a smile but her face showed bits of confusion and worry after hearing the alarm in Ria's voice. She simply turned and picked up her bag and walked to Ria, "I've got everything here."

Ty Lee smiled that same cheerful smile she always had on and Ria felt her heart drop as seeing the other girl's simple trust and undying loyalty.

"Where are we going, Ria?"

_