85 Chapter 84

"Is that you General Iroh? I never would have expected to finally meet the dragon of the west in a place like this." I call out.

I'm met with silence, and for a moment I think he might not respond. However, after a deliberate pause, he answers.

"Then you can imagine that I am just as surprised to meet the Blind Butcher, the scourage of the Fire Nation here. Our paths almost crossed at the North Pole, but by fate, we didn't meet. I wonder if it is fate that instead of meeting you following my greatest military failure, I now meet you after my greatest personal failure. I see now why the Fire Nation fears you so if you are a portent for them as you are me."

" If my presence has truly brought you such suffering, take it as good fortune that I curse only you. However, I am aware of what happened at the North Pole. The leaders of that invasion repeatedly made bad decisions that I don't think you can take credit for."

"Those with experience and wisdom have a duty to share it, and for that, it is my fault."

"It sounds like you believe that applies to both failures."

"My nephew is following a road that will only lead to pain. I had hoped to temper his anger, but it has overtaken him instead."

"If the same mistake happens no matter what you do, then perhaps it is unfair to take the blame for something outside of your control."

"My brother heard rumors of my niece's disappearance. She had last been seen facing you. With severe doubts over her survival, my brother gave Zuko another alternative path to return home. All he had to do was lead me and other like-minded citizens into a trap. I don't know if I didn't see it coming or if I had deluded myself to not see the signs. Either way, you're right. Offering Zuko exactly what he wanted would always tempt him, but that would not have happened had Azula not disappeared. So I ask you, what was your role in all of this, and what did you do to my niece?"

"I did to Azula, what you planned to do to Zuko. I guided her to a better path."

"And that worked? I admit I've never held much hope for her."

"That's a bit unfair, isn't it? You had faith in Zuko."

"I did. I still do. Zuko has a well of potential just waiting to be tapped. Azula had always reminded me so much of my brother, but Zuko was always different from everyone else in the family."

"Azula is like her father, but given that he raised her and she's always tried to be daddy's little girl is it surprising how she turned out?"

Upon hearing me call Azula daddy's little girl, Iroh dropped his serious attitude and burst out laughing.

"So, you say Azula's on a better path now, then what are you doing here?"

"You know seeing the sights, rallying Fire Nation dissidents, gathering ruling legitimacy, and setting up the end of the war by overthrowing Ozai. You know regular traveler stuff."

"So then why are you locked up?"

"Oh please these cells can't hold us. You're only staying in it out of common courtesy"

"Ha! Well, who am I to say no to upcoming festivities. When do they start?"

"Let's see, we've been in the prison for maybe 20 minutes, and Azula still needs to charm everyone here to support her rule. I'd give it a half-hour"

"I'll have faith in her now. I bet she has it done before another 20 minutes pass."

"Oh, we're betting now? What do you have in mind?"

"Hmm, It seems I've left my coin purse elsewhere, so what about a favor for the winner."

"You're on. Under 30 minutes you win, over I win."

We sat comfortably as we waited. As time passed I wondered how we would keep track of time, unfortunately, it became unnecessary. The peaceful atmosphere was broken by the sounds of screaming inmates and one large explosion.

"She was very quick it looks like I won"

"Hey for all we know that explosion could be completely unrelated."

"Now you lack faith in her?"

"Fine, you win." As I accept the loss, Iroh expells a massive torrent of fire from his cell. Melting the steel bars and restraints that held him. I went with a more subtle approach. I created some water from my fat cells and from the atmosphere. I kept the water in a thin line and launched it at high speeds cutting through my flimsy restraints and the cell bars keeping me locked in.

Iron and I rushed through the lower prison layers pushing our way up toward the main courtyard. The initial commotion must have already drawn the guard's attention because the two of us only ran into a few unfortunate guards.

When we breached the surface, we came upon a courtyard in chaos. The soldiers we came with were defending the gondolas, but the actual guards were both surrounded and fighting amongst themselves. The prisoners were no better as at least one in 3 prisoners was fighting with another prisoner. The whole fight was more of a free for all then any form of organized combat.

"Loyal denizens of the Fire Nation stop this pointless fighting it is time to leave this place and travel home!" Azula, who herself was surrounded by piles of collapsed people, yelled out across the battle. With her declaration, there was a shift in the battle. The free for all became a siege as hordes crashed against the soldiers protecting the gondolas. I rush over to the gondola docks and join in the defense. I pull a large wave of boiling water from the lake below. I cool the water slightly as I pull it then fully freeze it forming a wall separating the defenders from the attackers. I then open a single section of the wall to funnel the attackers into, thus making it so the soldiers only have to defend one place. I then continue to pull water and use it to reinforce the wall.

Azula makes it to the gondolas and starts directing who can come through the wall and who we have to stop. We start filling and sending the gondolas back toward the exterior island. After several loads, it's our turn. We jam the control mechanism, and I make a final push of water to reinforce the wall and freeze the ground insuring we are not followed.