The Blue Spirit ღ (Zuko x OC)

ⅩⅩⅤ: Cataclysm

"Are there any Dai Lee agents near by?" Toph asked.

"Nope. All clear." Sokka said and Toph cracked her knuckles in response. As if it were paper, Toph crumpled the metal door and threw it into the hall.

"Did she just . . . metal bend?" Nala couldn't believe what she'd just witnessed, half-tripping over herself as she followed them into the hall. She stopped in her tracks. "Wait. I need you to free my friends. They were captured and I think I heard them on our way in."

Nala led Sokka and Toph to the door and watched in awe as she crumpled yet another door. A collection of eyes looked up at the doorway in awe and partial terror.

"Did she just metal bend?" Qigo murmured.

"That's what I said!" Nala announced. The troupe leapt to their feet, throwing their arms around her, thanking her in turn for the rescue.

"Blue-eyes! How'd you find us?!" Ying's mouth began to run too fast for his brain. "They said something about propaganda against the Fire Nation? Something about not mentioning a war? And hands! Their hands were rocks!"

Nala wanted to hold each of them tightly, she'd been so afraid she never get the chance to again, but the day wasn't over, and it wasn't yet time to take stock. She took a hard breath and drew away, taking Ying's hands.

"I need you to listen carefully. You need to get out of the city, immediately. Don't go back to the campsite as yourselves. Leave. And don't wait for me." She watched as her words brought a fear to the eyes of the troupe. Miss Akihiko gave her a stern, but loving look. "I'm forever thankful for what you have all done for me," Nala continued. "You've given me a family, and hope again. Now please, let me repay you."

"You have to promise you'll dance again for us." Miss Akihiko's lips were pressed firm, her voice was hard to save from breaking. Nala nodded. Of course she would, and she intended to meet them again.

"Let's go!" Sokka called out from the end of a hallway, directing the escapees toward the exit of the prison.

"I'm not leaving without Basco!" The Earth King hollered. Sokka rolled his eyes as he led them to back to the palace vestibule. He, Toph and the Earth King turned to go back for the throne room.

"Sokka, Toph. I'll meet back up with you both." Nala said, then steered her troupe out to the open air.

They raced down the steps of the palace and into the courtyard, the sun glinting off the blood red of the oni mask. Nala kept her eyes darting about as she moved her friends through the grounds, ever vigilant. Things seemed all clear for the moment and she herded the troupe behind a wall outside of the palace grounds. There was a lull in the day's action, a moment where the breeze seemed to hover about them, blowing unspoken things about the air. They knew this was where they'd have to say goodbye to their blue-eyed dancer. Chikaro wanted to ask her if she'd see her again, and make her promise she would, but she knew words were only words and they both knew promises could be broken, even if someone didn't mean to.

Qigo felt uncomfortable in the silence for once, and decided to take the initiative. She grabbed Nala's arm and pulled her close, then grabbed the other's one-by-one to hug her.

"You keep yourself warm, dear." Li Min muttered, giving them all a squeeze.

"Please be safe." Nala mumbled back, and was met with a chorus of snorts and 'speak for yourself's'. After a moment too short, they all pulled away and with a nod, they watched Nala slip her mask back on and dart away.