𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍 ꩜ prince zuko

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CHAPTER NINE

        "ALRIGHT, BOYS. TIME to gatecrash a party." Yan grinned mischievously as she glanced down, one brow arched in amusement when Momo strutted past with the drape slung over his shoulders like a makeshift cape. Just as she reached for the door, Sokka caught her by the upper arm, halting her in her tracks.

        "Yan, wait; what about your sword and clothes?" he asked, nodding toward the weapon at her hip and the outfit she wore. With an exasperated sigh, Yan loosened the string securing the sword to her belt and leaned it against the wall by the door. Lifting her arms, she gave a quick spin to show that she was now weaponless.

        "There, no sword. As for the clothes, we'll snag some busboy uniforms once we're inside the palace. Come on, we don't want to be late. Just act natural but not too natural; actually, just follow my lead." she informed the pair. The boys nodded and the trio stepped out of the house, blending into the occasional crowd as they made their way down the street. At the monorail station, they boarded a car bound for the Upper Ring; around them, well-dressed passengers chattered excitedly, their silks and jewels hinting at the scale of the celebration ahead.

        By the time they reached the Upper Ring, Aang, Sokka, and Yan lingered just outside the palace, crouched behind a towering lion statue to avoid the watchful eyes of the guards. Aang kept peeking around the stone mane, scanning the entrance for any sign of Katara or Toph. Minutes stretched into twenty and the chill of doubt began to settle in. It was clear now: no one was coming to let them in.

        "Where are they?" he asked, impatience creeping into his voice after glancing around the statue for what felt like the hundredth time. Yan let out a sigh, settling beside Sokka and Momo with a restless shift. Her fingers drummed against her knee, the growing silence feeding her unease.

        "Look, I came up with a backup plan." Sokka picked up Momo who purred questionably. "We dress Momo up as a ghost, okay? He flies by the guards, creating a distraction. Then, we blast a hole in the wall-"

        "And create an even bigger problem by revealing ourselves? No thanks." Yan dismissed the idea with an eye roll. Before Sokka could jump in with a counterpoint, Aang suddenly sprang to his feet, his face lighting up.

        "Or we could go in with these guys," he suggested, prompting Sokka and Yan to rise and follow his gaze. At the palace entrance, a group of men was hauling in large packages, disappearing without any issues arising. "Toph said we might pass as busboys." Yan nodded at Aang's much better idea, Sokka grumbling.

        "Okay, but remember that Momo ghost plan. I think it's a winner." he grinned only for Aang to flick him on the forehead before they ducked back behind the statue. After a brief wait, the trio crept toward the wagon stacked with packages, grabbing three uniforms and changing quickly. With a few parcels in hand to complete the disguise, they blended in as servants and finally stepped into the palace.

        Once inside the bustling ballroom, Yan, Sokka, and Aang split up to search for Katara and Toph while keeping up the act of busboys. They moved through the crowd, pouring drinks, offering trays of appetizers, and regrouping now and then to trade updates. After Aang asked for the third time if anyone had seen the South Pole waterbender or the blind earthbender, Sokka advised the younger boy to keep an eye out for the Earth King.

        "Another crab puff, please." Toph's voice sounded as she stood beside Aang who was standing with the trio. "I'd know your little footsteps anywhere, Twinkle Toes."

        "Thanks for letting us in!" Sokka scoffed at his sister as she approached. Katara gave her brother a stern look as she leaned in closer to whisper to the three.