Seifer Almasy

Azula has Cassie, and it's all Zuko's fault.

Sure, Cassie's the one who went off on her own, but Zuko should have known better than to just let her. She's a great fighter; he ought to know, seeing as how he's her teacher, but she's no match for Zuko's sister. Not many are. Now he needs to go and get his friend back from her.

He manages to get his hands on an eel hound, and with the rest of the group (aside from Aang, who's off to face Zuko's father) clearing the way, he makes it to the capital city - home - in no time. Then, it's just a matter of getting in.

Stealth and infiltration are two of the things Zuko does best, and he knows all the secret passages and byways of his childhood home. Silently, he makes his way in, pausing at the edge of one of the courtyards to look around. Sozin's Comet is here now, passing over them, and Zuko can feel the added power coursing through him, the comet enhancing his bending an untold amount.

Edited Date: 2011-03-26 04:19 am (UTC)

From:

Zuko could travel through all the side paths of their palace that he wanted, but it would do him little good. Azula had slipped off to somewhere a little more appropriate for hostage-keeping. Someplace dark and safe. If he was foolish enough to find her and challenge her, Azula could easily navigate out of the bunker and take his life before witnesses, let them see the power of the Fire Nation under the blessings of Sozin's comet.

It would be perfect. And she could wait.

From:

It isn't hard to guess where Azula might have gone. After a brief pause, Zuko heads straight there, making his way quickly and silently to Ozai's bunker.

He wants to burst in, wants to take out everything in his path with a sweep of his hand and a blaze of fire, but he doesn't know if his sister's got Cassie with him. So he goes for the quiet approach, not making a sound until he's got Azula in his sights.

"Where is she?" he grinds out, unable to keep his voice from shaking with anger.

From:

"Whoever do you mean, Zuzu?" Azula asked. She sat languid in the throne, legs draped over one of its arms. Her body was a picture of relaxation, just the thing that would set him off.

"That little blonde you used to replace Mai?"

From:

He immediately wants to lash out, to attack her where she sits, but instead he inhales slowly, blowing it out in a cloud of steam. Zuko knows that's what his sister wants, what she's trying to get him to do, and he refuses to give her the satisfaction.

"No one is replacing Mai," he says, his tone still full of controlled rage. "Where. Is. She?"

From:

Shame. It seemed he'd actually acquired a little control over that temper. Azula felt as if she'd lost a very interesting plaything.

"What, you mean Mai? In prison."

From:

"I know Mai is in prison!" Zuko snaps, and this time he can't control how his voice raises to a yell. His fists clench, his hands glowing red though he manages to keep in any actual flame. He takes another breath, evening out his tone. "I'm talking about Cassie and you know that. Stop playing games, Azula."

From:

Now that was entertainment. Azula sighed and examined her nails, watching him over the shine of her varnish. "Who's that?"

From:

She's baiting him on purpose. Zuko knows this, and yet he can't stop the fire daggers from shooting out of his fists. "You know who. The girl you kidnapped from my group. Let her go."

From:

"Oh that one?" Azula waved a hand dismissively. "She's...around. Why? Are you going to challenge me for her back?"

From:

"If that's what it takes, yes," he spits out, the daggers lengthening, and he's itching to yell get on with it already! but he manages to reign it in.

From:

"Oh she's just to the side there," Azula said dismissively. "So is that what you want, brother? Agni Kai?" Her eyes narrowed and she grinned. "Go on. Say it."

From:

"Fine." He's getting more and more impatient, wanting to move, to do something. "I challenge you to an Agni Kai. But I want to see her first, make sure she's okay."

From:

"Oh very well." Azula got up and strode to one of the banners behind the throne, punching a burst of flame at it to burn it away. "There she is."

From:

Cassie was slumped on the floor, tied at her ankles and her hands behind her back. There were minor burns along one side of her body, as well as various cuts and bruises. She was slowly inching her way up from unconsciousness, her head rolling to the side with a groan.

From:

"Cassie!" Zuko yells, his eyes widening as he sees the state she's in. If he isn't able to save her, he'll never forgive Azula...or himself.

He turns his furious gaze on his sister. "What did you do to her?"

From:

"It's hardly my fault she's not fireproof," Azula replied, examining her nails.

"So are the stakes good enough for you, Zuzu?"

From:

Cassie groaned as she slowly became more aware. First it was the pain in her burned side and then it was the fact she couldn't move. Then, she recognized Zuko's voice calling her name. She frowned as she opened her eyes, "Zuko?"

What was going on?

From:

He can't help the relieved exhalation as Cassie opens her eyes and speaks. "Don't worry, Cassie, I'll get you out of here," he calls, in a much softer voice than the one he's been directing at his sister.

Then he clenches his fists again and turns back to her. "You and me, Azula. Agni Kai. Right now."

From:

"Right now?" Azula asked, standing up. "Afraid to go somewhere out in the open and challenge me publicly?"

Azula snapped her fingers at some guards and she ran as they grabbed Cassie. "I accept your challenge! If you can catch me!"

From:

Cassie screamed as they wrenched her up by her arms, pain radiating from the burns on her arm. And it was the pain that helped her become fully aware of what was going on. She began to struggle against the guards, despite the pain. "Zuko! What's going on?"

From:

For a split second as Azula takes off, disappears toward the outside, Zuko wants to just grab Cassie and run. He knows he can take the guards holding her without a problem. He also knows he can't just leave it at that, that Azula will only chase them down again and if she catches them, it'll be worse. He has to end this now.

"You're going to be okay, Cassie. I promise," he swears to her, glaring at her guards before he takes off after Azula.

From:

She was, for once, good to her word and stood waiting for Zuko in an open pavilion, eyes glittering with malice. "Can you really make those cute little promises, Zuzu?"

From:

Normally, even without her powers, Cassie could have taken the guards holding her. But her injuries were painful and her strength zapped. So her groan was more in frustration then pain as they dragged her out so she could witness the battle. Thankfully, they sat her down on a small wall so she didn't have to try and stand as well as everything else.

She hated to admit it, but she was going to have hope Zuko would rescue her.

From: