Wandering Firebender

Seventy Nine: The Escapee

It happened in the dead of night, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. Aang and his friends had already left the Fire Nation to deal with another matter that required their attention.

It happened in the dead of night when even the Fire Lord had gone to sleep. No one was expecting it, which is why it was even able to happen in the first place.

It happened in the dead of night when everyone had their guard down.

"Elio! Captain Elio!" There was a frantic knock on Elio's door late at night, loud enough and urgent enough to shake him out of his relatively peaceful sleep. He shook his head in a tired confusion, unsure if the knocking was real or part of a dream.

He waited, and another knock came, "Wake up, sir!" A servant called to him from the other side of the door.

"What the...?" Elio muttered to himself, sweeping his hair out of his face, "Hello?!" He called out.

"Captain! The Fire Lord needs to see you right away!"

Elio groaned, sluggishly getting out of bed. He rubbed his eyes as he opened up the door, "The Fire Lord? It's not even morning yet." He pointed out.

"I apologize for the disturbance, but it's urgent. I don't know all the details, but I was told to inform you that an important has escaped." The servant explained. Elio looked up at the servant and saw his worried expression.

"Okay. Give me a few minutes to get properly dressed." Elio requested...

After putting on his uniform, Elio followed Zuko's servant. Elio expected to meet with Zuko in the throne room, but instead he was escorted to his private chambers. Elio's eyebrows furrowed. He rubbed his wrists as he started to speculate on what was going on.

Why had Zuko called for him specifically?

"He's waiting inside for you." The servant stepped aside and gestured to the door to Zuko's bedroom.

"Alright. Thank you," Elio nodded appreciatively before approaching the door. He knocked on it a few times before cracking it open. "Zuko?" He called out to him.

"Elio, come in. Close the door behind you." Zuko invited him in. Elio entered, allowing the door to shut behind him.

Elio walked in to find Zuko pacing back and forth at the foot of his bed with a serious expression, his face downcast towards the floor. He didn't seem to be in distress, but it was clear by how he was carrying himself that he was anxious about something.

"Hey. What happened? You say someone escaped?" Elio asked, getting right to the point.

"My sister." Zuko revealed. Elio's eyes widened at this.

"Azula...how?" He immediately asked.

"I told the staff that she needed to be kept under careful guard, but she must have found a way to slip out. Soon as she saw her opening, she fought her way out. We don't know where she is now." Zuko explained.

"Was anyone hurt?"

"A few guards around the facility were roughed up, but no one was seriously hurt...urgh, I can't believe they let this happen!" He exclaimed in frustration, pressing his palm against his forehead.

"So what's the game plan?" Elio asked, folding his arms.

"For now, I'm waking up the extra reserve of guards to keep the palace secure. Wake up your friends and have them help with sweeping the halls. We need to make sure that she isn't in here anywhere." Zuko said.

"Why would she come here?"

"The last time we fought was in an Agni Kai for the throne. I wouldn't put it past her to come and try to take it back from me." Zuko shared his reasoning.