Zuko could not say that he was pleased with his new accommodations. Like every building in the city, the cell he had been given was made completely of ice. Thick ice. There were also no windows or doors, though there was a small gap in the top of the wall that allowed air to circulate.

From what he could tell, it took a waterbender to get in or out of the cell. This added level of security had not particularly bothered him at first. He was a firebender; he had been confident that he would be able to use his bending to burn a path through the wall. Unfortunately, the energy it took to maintain even the smallest plume of flames for that long in his current condition had left him so exhausted that by the time he had created a large enough hole to crawl through, the guards stationed outside had simply grabbed him by the arms and hauled him back in. Then the ice was replaced and Zuko had realised that he would have to come up with a better plan. At least until he could firebend for longer than a minute without wanting to pass out.

Gritting his teeth, Zuko stood up from the fur blanket that served as his bed and started his usual routine of pacing up and down. The cell was so compact that he could only take a few steps before he was forced to turn back around. After living on a ship for almost three years, he was used to enclosed spaces and not having much room to move, but this was different. At least on the ship he had still had a purpose and had known where he was going. There was nowhere to go in this cell, nothing even to break the monotony. All he had for company was a scraggly fur blanket, a chamber pot, and his own bad temper. The guards didn't even bother to speak to him when they brought him his meals, if one could call the disgusting slop they served him food.

He clenched his hands into fists and glared at the wall where his silent visitors usually entered. There had to be a way to get out of this place. He couldn't stand being forced to sit around doing nothing. Being idle just wasn't in his nature. He was used to doing things: training, fighting, studying—anything but this. He'd rather be stuck with that old healer again than trapped in this tiny prison like some caged animal.

The worst part, though, was that he didn't know what would happen to him if he couldn't figure out a way to escape soon. It wouldn't take the council of warriors long to realise that their scheme to use him as a negotiation tool with the Fire Lord was not going to work. Zuko knew his father. As much as it hurt to admit, Ozai would never compromise any kind of advantage he had over his enemies just to rescue a banished son he thought of as worthless.

His hands trembled. He clenched them tighter to stop the motion, creating crescent-shaped indents on his palms. He didn't blame his father. Zuko had indeed proven himself to be worthless. He'd failed to capture the Avatar, despite the many opportunities he had been offered, and then he'd gone and got himself caught by the Northern Water Tribe—not because he'd been fighting heroically against a hoard of waterbenders, but because he'd just been too weak and injured to even notice the non-bending warriors coming up behind him.

It was pathetic. He was pathetic, but Zuko had never let failure or a lack of outside aid stop him before. He just dreaded what would happen once the Northern Water Tribe realised their prized prisoner wasn't so prized after all. Maybe they would kill him or maybe they'd just leave him in this cell to rot. Neither option was appealing.

It doesn't matter, Zuko told himself, still pacing up and down. I'm going to get out of here. I just need to recuperate my strength and then—

The sound of ice splitting had him turning to face the front wall. A crease formed on his brow as he saw a man with a thin white moustache and beard enter the cell. The man sealed the opening in the ice with a flick of his wrist. A waterbender then, and probably a high-ranking one if the quality of that blue-dyed fur was anything to go by.

Zuko's heart quickened as he wondered if this was going to be his first real interrogation. He had known it would happen eventually, and his stomach twisted with unease as he looked into those piercing blue eyes. Zuko had never been a good liar, and this man had an air of shrewdness about him that Zuko did not like. Instead of saying anything, however, he just watched the other man warily. He'd played this game before. He knew better than to make the first move.

"So you're the Prince of the Fire Nation," the man observed, looking him up and down. "Oh, forgive me. The banished prince."

Zuko's jaw tightened. So this man knew he was no longer the heir apparent to the Fire Nation throne. That could be a problem. From what Zuko had seen of the Northern Water Tribe, most of the people had no clue of the politics going on in the outside world. They had shut themselves up behind their walls and only bothered to open their eyes to the truth when the war came knocking on their doorstep. This man was different, though. Zuko knew he would have to tread carefully.

The old waterbender created a stool out of ice and sat down, looking quite at ease. "My name is Pakku," he said, and then he paused and raised an eyebrow at Zuko. "Are you going to sit or are you going to keep standing there like a fool and trying to give me a crick in the neck?"

Zuko flushed and sat down cross-legged on the blanket, feeling suddenly like he was seven years old again and being scolded by Master Mizuto for not using the correct breathing technique. He had to remind himself that this man was not his old firebending tutor and that he was sixteen and a warrior in his own right. It would not do to show weakness or any kind of subservience.

"As I was saying," Pakku continued, apparently satisfied now that he no longer had to look up at him, "my name is Pakku and I am the leader and instructor of the waterbenders in this tribe. I am also one of the chief's advisors." He paused again and his voice softened to a dangerous geniality. "You've made things very difficult for us, Prince Zuko. Do you know that?"

Zuko swallowed. He would have liked to have said that he hadn't asked to be captured, among other less flattering things, but silence was his best defence here. If he spoke, he could give the man an opening to be exploited. Azula had shown him time and time again just how easily he allowed himself to be steered into verbal traps. He wasn't about to make the same mistake again. No, it was best just to play it safe.

Pakku did not seem to be discouraged by Zuko's silence. Instead, he leaned forward and met his gaze with disconcerting directness. "Do you want to know what the council of warriors have been discussing for the past three days, Prince Zuko?"

"Well, since you're in this cell, I'm guessing it's about me."

Stupid. Keep your mouth shut!

Pakku smiled at the sarcasm, if rather wryly. "You're right. We have been discussing you. Or, should I say, we have been discussing what to do with you." He interlaced his fingers together on his lap. "You see, keeping you a prisoner has caused quite a problem for us. Iluq believes we could ransom you to the Fire Lord for peace negotiations. I think that is unlikely, considering the Fire Lord has banished you. Still, it is a persuasive argument and has caused much conflict within the tribe. Some of the other warriors are afraid that, by keeping you here, we will be asking for another attack from the Fire Nation, banished prince or not. They would prefer to have you killed or sent to the Earth Kingdom where someone else can deal with you, along with the rest of the Fire Nation war prisoners."

Zuko gritted his teeth. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to understand the precariousness of your situation." Pakku gave another of his dry smiles. "I also want you to understand how tediously complicated you have made things for my tribe because of your reckless stupidity in trying to infiltrate a city of known enemies when a battle was taking place and the risk of capture was high."

Zuko's eyes flashed. "You think I didn't already know that? You think I didn't understand the risks?"

"Obviously not since you allowed yourself to be caught."

His jaw tightened. "You don't know anything, old man."

"Why don't you enlighten me then?"

Zuko clamped his mouth shut. He was not going to take the bait, especially when he wasn't sure what exactly it was that the man was trying to get out of him.

Pakku eyed him thoughtfully. "You know, your uncle was never this uncooperative."

Zuko's heart pounded, and he swallowed against the sudden dryness in his throat. "My uncle? What are you talking about? What does he have to do with this?"

An unreadable gleam crept into the piercing blue eyes. "Ah, it seems I've hit a sensitive spot."

Too late did Zuko realise his mistake. He wondered if Yugoda and Katara had been lying to him. Maybe his uncle had been caught. Maybe the warriors had been interrogating Iroh the whole time that Zuko had been recovering in the healing hut. His stomach twisted, but it was anger that burned in his expression.

"What have you done to my uncle?" he demanded, half-leaning forward as if about to attack. "If you've hurt him, I swear—"

"Calm yourself, Prince Zuko. General Iroh and I have merely had dealings together in the past. It is not so surprising. The war has been going on for a hundred years and your uncle led many battles before his failure at Ba Sing Se."

"Then he's not, he's not—"

"He has not been captured by the Northern Water Tribe, if that is what you're asking."

Zuko couldn't quite hide his relief, which Pakku did not miss.

"You care for him deeply, don't you?"

"What kind of question is that?" Zuko snarled, curling his hands into fists.

"A very straightforward one, but that answer will suffice. I am satisfied."

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "Satisfied with what?"

"That is my business." Pakku stood up from his stool and let the chair melt back into the ice floor. "Oh, and you might want to refrain from trying any more escape attempts. As I have already told you, your position in the tribe is precarious. If you keep being difficult for the guards, I'm afraid that not even I will be able to protect you. A dangerous prisoner is not a prisoner worth keeping. Understand?"

"Yes," Zuko gritted out between clenched teeth.

"Good."

Without a further word, Pakku turned and left the cell, sealing the path up behind him so that Zuko was left staring at a block of ice. It was almost a relief to be alone again, but Zuko could not shake the uneasy feeling that twisted his stomach. That had been a very strange interrogation. He hated the fact that he still had no idea what it was exactly that the old waterbender had been trying to get out of him.

"I don't understand," he muttered.

He didn't feel like he had given any solid information, but apparently he had revealed enough to satisfy the man. It was unnerving.

He leaned back against the icy wall, feeling the cold sink through his borrowed clothes and shiver up and down his skin. Well, at least he had an idea of what the Northern Water Tribe was planning to do with him now. Not that the answer had been especially comforting, but any knowledge was better than the imagined scenarios his mind had been offering. He also understood now that he would have to be very careful about how he planned his escape from the North. Pakku had given him a warning—an unexpected one, but a sincere warning nonetheless. Zuko would have to be patient and wait for the opportune moment if he wanted to get out of this alive, because he certainly did not plan on staying trapped in this frozen hovel.

I'll find a way somehow.

He had to get out of here. He had to find his uncle and then he would finish his mission and capture the Avatar.

Aang, a voice in his mind reminded.

Zuko shoved the thought aside. Maybe once he had allowed himself to be distracted by the kid's friendliness and apparent innocence, but not anymore. Zuko had seen the devastation the Avatar had caused. Even now when he closed his eyes, he could still see the broken ships glowing like ghostly wreckages under the silver light of the moon, still see the bodies floating in the water like some grotesque offering to the Ocean Spirit. That was not something he could forget.

But he did help you, the same voice persisted. He saved your life, even defended you in front of the Northern Water Tribe. You know it's true.

Zuko closed his eyes. It didn't matter. He knew his duty. He knew what he had to do. He was a Prince of the Fire Nation and he would protect his people. He would not let those soldiers' deaths be in vain.

oOo

It was the last day that Aang and the others would be staying within the city of the Northern Water Tribe. Tomorrow, they would be heading to the Earth Kingdom base where they would be given a guard to escort them to Omashu. Everything was working out, except Aang still felt terrible. It had been three days since Zuko had been moved from the healing huts to the prisons, and though he had pleaded with the guards and even Chief Arnook to let him see the prince, no one had granted him access to the cell. It was safer for Aang to stay away, they had suggested. Prince Zuko was too unpredictable; they could not afford to take any risks where the Avatar was concerned. They were sure that Aang would understand.

Aang had understood, but that didn't mean he had been happy with the decision. He didn't believe that Zuko would hurt him; however, what was more worrying were the rumours about what the tribe was planning to do. He didn't like to think that it was true that Chief Arnook would allow Zuko to be executed or shipped off to the Earth Kingdom to be dealt with there, but Aang could also vividly remember how the other warriors had looked at him, as if Zuko were a monster that needed to be stamped out. As if he were less than human and had no worth beyond the tactical advantage he could potentially offer the tribe.

It had been enough to make Aang want to barge into the prisons and break Zuko out himself, a thought that he had secretly considered more than once over the past few days. Yes, Zuko was Fire Nation. Yes, he was their enemy, but Aang knew that Zuko would never have stepped foot inside the North had he himself not come to learn waterbending. Zuko had only ever been trying to capture him, and even then he had never gone out of his way to hurt Aang if he could help it, even going so far as to heal him after their escape from Pohuai Stronghold.

But now it was Zuko who was being held prisoner. Aang couldn't shake the stabbing feeling in his gut that suggested he should be doing something about that.

"There you are!"

He glanced up from where he had been resting against Appa. Sokka came striding towards him.

"Hey, Sokka," Aang greeted in a heavy voice, not quite able to keep the inner turmoil he was feeling from creeping into his tone. "Where's Katara?"

"Still training with Yugoda."

"Right."

Sokka frowned. "You okay? You've been a bit quiet over the past few days."

Aang hugged his knees to his chest. "Just been thinking, that's all."

"Me too," Sokka admitted. "About the battle and ... Yue."

Aang felt something clench in his heart, but he looked at his friend steadily enough. "She's still with us, Sokka. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

There was a pause as both boys got lost in their own thoughts. Sokka pulled himself together a second later and focussed his attention back on Aang, as if he were only just remembering how they had got to discussing Yue in the first place.

"So what's been eating you?" Sokka asked, sitting down next to him.

Aang sighed. "I'm worried about Zuko."

"Zuko? Why?"

"Because I don't think he's safe here and I can't help but feel like it's my fault he got captured."

Sokka's eyebrows tried to vanish off his forehead. "Seriously, Aang, I know airbenders are all into respecting life and making peace and all that, but this is Zuko we're talking about. Zuko. You know, the guy who has been trying to kill us nonstop since you first got out of that iceberg? You should be happy he's being held prisoner. At least he can't chase us now."

Aang shook his head. "You don't understand. You weren't there with him in the cave. I really don't think he wants to hurt anyone."

"Sure, apart from the fact that he threw fireballs at us every time we came across him."

"You don't understand," Aang repeated, hugging his knees more tightly to his chest.

A crease formed on Sokka's brow. "You're serious about this, aren't you? You really are worried about the jerk."

"You saw the way they treated him, even though it was obvious that he was injured. Iluq nearly killed him. If it wasn't for Katara and Yugoda, he'd probably be dead right now. How can I just leave him here when I know that he's in danger and has no one to defend him?"

Sokka squirmed uncomfortably. "Okay, yes, I'll admit that Iluq and some of those other warriors could give even Zuko a run for his money when it comes to who's the biggest jerk, but there's nothing you can do, Aang. Maybe you feel sorry for Zuko, maybe you even feel guilty, but Katara is right. You never made Zuko follow you here. It's his own fault he got captured. You can't interfere with that."

"It still doesn't feel right."

"That doesn't mean you should interfere with Chief Arnook's decisions."

Aang ignored this remark and clenched his hands into fists. "I just wish they'd let me see him. At least then I'd be able to see if he's okay, but they won't even let me near his cell!"

Sokka exhaled noisily. "It really means that much to you to know that Zuko is safe?"

"Yes!"

"Fine."

Aang blinked. "Wait, what?"

"I said fine. Let's do this."

"Uh, do what?"

A grin. "I mean I'm going to help you get an audience with Prince Jerkbender, that's what."

Aang threw his arms around Sokka in an impulsive hug. "Thank you!" he breathed.

"I wouldn't start celebrating just yet," Sokka detached himself from Aang and got to his feet. "I said I'd help you, but that doesn't mean this is going to work. The guards still might refuse to let you in."

"It'll work. Your plans always work."

They both considered this declaration for a moment and decided to ignore the many times Sokka's plans had crashed and burned in a giant explosion of failure. Much better to stay optimistic.

In the end, Aang had been right to trust in his friend's scheming abilities. A bit of bribery, some questionably acquired alcohol, and a few games of Sānliù Bàozi had seen the frozen wall that led to Zuko's cell open. Sokka had chosen to stay outside and keep the warriors company, or rather make sure no one else found out about the little tryst, so that left Aang to enter the cell alone. This was exactly what Aang had wanted. He wasted no time in stepping through into the frozen chamber, remembering that the guards had only given him ten minutes.

Zuko was sitting on a scraggly blanket on the floor. For a moment, the two boys just stared at each other as the wall of ice sealed back up behind Aang. Then Zuko's eyes narrowed a tremor of heat emanated from him in a wave of tightly controlled emotion.

"You," Zuko said in a soft growl, clenching his hands into fists. "What are you doing here?"

Aang took a step forward. "I came to see if you were alright. None of the warriors would let me visit you after you got moved from the healing hut, and I—"

A bitter laugh had Aang falling silent. "I don't believe this," Zuko said, twisting his mouth. "I don't believe you."

"W-what are you talking about?"

Zuko gave him a look of such open loathing that Aang actually recoiled. "Do you really think you can just walk in here and act like everything is fine between us after what you did? That I would even want any help, let alone concern, from you?"

A crease formed on Aang's brow. "I don't understand."

"You killed them!" Zuko shouted, slamming his fist on the ground. "My people! My crew! Lieutenant Jee, Tomoki, Kan! They're all gone and it's because of you! You killed them all!"

Aang stumbled back, feeling as if he had been struck. "I don't—I didn't—"

"Don't try to deny it!" Zuko snarled, getting to his feet and slashing his hand through the air. "I saw the bodies! I saw the ships! No Water Tribe army could have done that, but you—you most definitely could."

"It wasn't me!" Aang exclaimed. "The Ocean Spirit—"

"Don't you dare try to blame this on the Ocean Spirit! That thing only wanted to get revenge for the Moon Spirit's death; it would have been satisfied with just killing Zhao. But you—you wanted to hurt the Fire Nation itself! You destroyed those ships! You killed those people!"

"No!" Aang shook his head even as hot tears prickled in his eyes. "You don't understand. I was in the Avatar State. I can't control what I'm doing when I'm like that. It just—"

"Then you should have never gone into the Avatar State in the first place!"

There was a harsh silence.

Aang dropped his gaze to the ground, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I couldn't help it," he whispered. "I was angry. The Moon Spirit was dead, the waterbenders were defenceless, and the Fire Nation was overrunning the city."

"So you just decided to merge with the Ocean Spirit and kill everyone?"

"I told you that wasn't me! I never wanted to hurt anyone, but the Fire Nation had just destroyed the Moon Spirit and I—"

"Admiral Zhao is not the Fire Nation!"

There was another painful silence as the two boys stared at each other: Zuko glaring while Aang just looked distressed and defensive. Then Zuko turned the other way, facing his back to Aang.

"Do you know that most of the Fire Nation army and navy are made up of conscripted soldiers?" Zuko asked softly, still keeping his back turned. "Every household in the Fire Nation has to offer up at least one member for service, regardless of their situation. It's considered a great honour to serve your nation, but everyone knows that there are consequences if you refuse."

Something twisted in Aang's stomach. He suddenly felt like he was going to be sick.

Zuko turned back to stare at Aang, meeting his eyes steadily. "Do you understand what I'm saying, Avatar? Some of those people who died during the siege probably didn't want to be there. They would have much preferred to have been at home with their families, but instead they found themselves trying to fight a monster they could not defend against. They found themselves up against you."

"I didn't—I was just trying to protect the Northern Water Tribe."

"Well, congratulations, because you also slaughtered hundreds of men and women in the process."

Fresh tears rolled down Aang's cheeks. "It wasn't me," he whispered. "It can't have been me."

Zuko snorted in disgust. "Deny it all you want, but nothing can change the fact that those people are dead because you chose to call upon the powers of the Ocean Spirit."

Aang couldn't believe it, refused to believe it, but the truth stared back at him from those pale gold eyes. He had gone into the Avatar State. He had summoned the Ocean Spirit, and even though he had never wanted to hurt anyone, it was still his body that had manipulated the mass of deadly water that had torn the Fire Nation ships apart and swept the soldiers clear of the city.

"No." Aang slumped to his knees, burying his face in his hands. "No, no, no."

It wasn't him. It was the Ocean Spirit. It was the Avatar State controlling him. There was no way that he could have wanted to kill those people. He had only been trying to protect the Northern Water Tribe. He had only been trying to drive the ships away. He had never, never wanted to kill anyone.

"It can't be true," Aang said in a pained voice, trembling slightly from the turmoil whirling around inside him. "It just can't."

Zuko said nothing, but the hard expression on his face was answer enough. It was clear that he felt Aang was responsible for the deaths of the Fire Nation soldiers. It was also clear that he hated Aang for it.

Aang reached out imploringly. "Zuko, you know I would never—"

"Don't touch me!" Zuko hissed, taking a step back. "Don't even speak to me!"

"But—"

"No! The fact that you can't accept responsibility for what you've done makes me sick! I can't even stand to look at you right now!"

Aang bit down on his quivering lip, trying to hold back a sob. "You don't understand. I was just—"

Zuko let out a growl and flames sprouted from his clenched fists, flickering dangerously in flashes of orange. "Get out," he ordered in a harsh voice.

"But—"

"Now!"

"Zuko, please. Please, just—"

A stream of fire surged past Aang's face, the heat of the flames grazing his cheek. He stared at the prince with wide eyes.

"Leave," Zuko gritted out, "or I swear I'll make you suffer for every death you caused."

Aang swallowed against the burning lump in his throat. His cheeks were damp with tears and his stomach was twisted into guilty knots, but more than that was the pain in his heart. This was the boy who had saved him—healed him—and now there was nothing but hate and anger in those eyes. It was as if he was looking into Zuko's face for the first time all over again.

"I'm sorry," Aang said. "I truly am sorry. I never meant to hurt those people. Not like that."

"But you did."

Aang squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe. Maybe not. It was too painful. He didn't want to think about it.

Zuko sighed tiredly. "Enough of this. Just go, Avatar."

More tears rolled down Aang's cheeks. "I don't want you to hate me."

Their eyes met, tangling in a mesh of emotions and unspoken words. Then Zuko turned his back on him, and though he was close enough to touch, it felt to Aang as if a great divide had sprung up between them.

"Any respect I held for you was lost the moment you chose to kill my people in such a dishonourable way," Zuko said bluntly. "The attack on the North should never have happened and Zhao was an idiot to try to destroy the Moon Spirit, but that gave you no right to kill those soldiers without giving them a chance to defend themselves. It was cruel and wrong. If that's your method of keeping the balance, Avatar, then I want nothing to do with you."

Something cold settled in the pit of Aang's stomach. Before he could respond, the wall of ice slid down and one of the guards stepped into the room.

"Time's up, Avatar Aang."

Aang continued to stare at Zuko from his position on the floor, but the prince did not turn to face him. It was just like being back in the clearing after their escape from Pohuai Stronghold, except this time there was no fireball. Aang's heart thudded once, twice, and with every beat he felt as if the organ was being shredded apart in his chest.

"If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends?"

The answer had been no. Now, after everything they had shared together, the answer was still no. Closing his eyes in pained resignation, Aang got to his feet and headed for the door. He paused on the threshold, glancing back at the proud figure of the Fire Nation prince.

"I'm sorry, Zuko," Aang said in a small voice. "I know it doesn't change anything, but I am sorry. I truly never meant for those soldiers to be killed."

Zuko's shoulders tensed, but he did not move from his position or say anything. Aang sighed and followed the guard out of the cell. The sound of the frozen wall sealing back up was like a knife to his heart, but no tears fell this time.

"Hey, you okay?" Sokka asked, catching sight of his expression.

"I don't know," Aang said truthfully.

"What happened? Did that jerk try to hurt you?"

Aang shook his head.

"Then what?"

"I think I might have hurt myself."

Sokka scrunched his face. "Okay, that makes no sense, but sure."

Aang said nothing. He was trying not to think about everything Zuko had said to him, still trying to convince himself that the deaths of the Fire Nation soldiers had not really been his fault. Except he couldn't quite stop the little whispers of truth from slipping through into his mind like grains of sand escaping cupped hands.

"It was cruel and wrong. If that's your method of keeping the balance, Avatar, then I want nothing to do with you."

Aang squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe Zuko was right or maybe he wasn't. Either way, Aang knew he could not let things go like this. He might not be able to salvage the friendship he had been forming with Zuko, but he could at least do one thing right.

Tonight, he was going to break Prince Zuko out of prison.

oOo

It had taken Zuko a long time to fall asleep and when he did he slept fretfully, tossing and turning on his blanket in a restless confusion of emotions that even sleep could not ease. That was how he sensed the moment when there was someone else in the cell with him. His eyes snapped open and he sat up with a fireball in hand to take the intruder unawares, but all he saw was the shadowed form of his own outline imprinted on the ice. Then he noticed the large gap carved into the front wall, just allowing him a glimpse into the adjoining corridor.

"What?" he murmured with a frown.

His knee brushed against something hard. He glanced down in surprise to see a folded piece of parchment resting underneath a beautifully crafted dagger. Zuko's heart quickened as he closed his hand around the hilt, feeling the familiar grooves caress his fingers. He didn't need to remove the knife from its sheath to know what the inscription would say on the sharpened metal.

"Never give up without a fight," Zuko whispered, closing his eyes. "Uncle."

For a moment he was filled with an intense ache of longing, but he pulled himself together and tucked the dagger into his boot. Picking up the piece of parchment from the ground, he unfolded it and scanned the script. The handwriting was unfamiliar, but the words had him trembling in disbelief. Someone wanted to help him escape.

Zuko glanced back at the open doorway and, making his decision, slipped the parchment into his pocket. Cautiously, he made his way out of the cell, pausing when he spotted the guards slumped on the ground in the corridor. So it seemed the anonymous note writer had not been lying; the path really had been cleared for him.

Knowing better than to waste another second, Zuko left the prisons and followed the instructions on the note to the outskirts of the city where his benefactor said a means of transportation was waiting for him. There were only a few warriors on patrol this late at night and they were all effortless to avoid. In no time at all, Zuko was at the designated spot, half-believing that he would find nothing but an icy beach. Instead, he saw a small but durable raft banked on the shore, which could easily be steered by one person. Stocked on the raft were a pack of food rations, a decent supply of water, one paddle to steer in case the winds should die, and furs to keep him warm. There was also another piece of parchment.

Zuko picked up the note and frowned as a white lotus tile rolled free of the folds. He caught the wooden counter and glanced down at the characters written on the parchment.

"Follow the path of the ancient ways and you will find what you are seeking," he read aloud. "If you are wise, you will not return to this place again."

Zuko rolled his eyes. A convoluted riddle and an unnecessary warning; it was like being back with his uncle all over again. Still, he had time enough to figure out what it all meant. Right now he just had to focus on getting out of this place.

Stuffing the tile into his pocket, Zuko pushed the raft out more into the water and clambered on top, taking hold of the rope to control the sail. He tried not to think of all the unfinished business he was leaving behind—of the failures and the pain, and especially not of the boy who had tearfully whispered that he didn't want Zuko to hate him. Instead, he closed his eyes and breathed in the cold, salty air, letting it renew him with a sense of freedom and direction.

It was time to press forward. It was time to find his uncle.

oOo

The cell was empty. Aang stared at the scraggly furs on the floor and saw the indentations where a body had slept. His heart clenched as he realised the truth. Zuko was gone.

"I'm too late," Aang whispered, feeling suddenly as if all of the energy had been drained from his body.

Somehow, Zuko had managed to escape by himself and now Aang would never know if he could have made things better between them. It was a disappointing discovery, but Aang could not begrudge Zuko his freedom. He was glad that Zuko had managed to get free, even if it did mean losing the opportunity to speak to him again.

"I hope the next time we meet will be under better circumstances," Aang murmured to the empty cell.

Because he knew there would be a next time. In fact, he was counting on it.

This is the end of book 1!

Just something I want to say about this chapter (because I had a few people claim it's Fire Nation apologist in its nature and be all "you genocide supporter, you!11!"). First, please keep in mind that scene in the prison cell was written from Zuko's point of view (a very biased, emotionally involved narrator who has no reason to celebrate such a defeat). Aang is also a pacifist airbender who doesn't want to kill anyone. In short, not much positivity towards mass death going on there.

If the whole conscription thing is your bone, well, how else do you think the Fire Nation keeps its war machine running? It needs soldiers. Lots of soldiers. Conscription is a standard practice in these situations and I really doubt the Fire Lord and his high-ranking officers would be all, "Oh, sure, you can stay home if you like, Bobby." I also think it's a stretch to say that every single Fire Nation soldier wants to be out fighting. As for why they don't band together and stop Zhao, I kind of doubt they all knew about the Moon Spirit plan (seemed like a very sneaky, close-knit thing since Zhao wanted all the glory for himself).

Also keep in mind that people of the Fire Nation are indoctrinated into thinking the war is justified. They do think they are just spreading their greatness and are in the right. And, you know, it's not that easy to go against your commanding officers if you disagree with the crazy. Just look what happened to Zuko when he spoke up against a plan (and he's a prince and was only thirteen years old).

But, really, I just thought it was obvious that I don't support the murder of the Moon Spirit, the complete decimation of waterbenders, and the invasion or possible genocide of an entire nation of people …