Azula's Journey

Race Against Time

"Azula?" Takedo questioned. "As in....Fire Nation princess Azula? That's the crazy chick you were telling me about!?"

Ro tore his eyes away from Fang to face Takedo. "I know she has a bad reputation, but Azula isn't the person everyone thinks. There's good in her, I know it."

Takedo shook his head. Of all the people to be involved with. "Maybe that's what you think or want to believe. I've seen her wanted posters. Everyone knows she's dangerous."

"So you're going to believe what a piece of paper has been telling you rather than someone who has travelled with her for a few weeks?" Ro snapped angrily. "I'm not denying that Azula has done some bad stuff. I've seen the posters too. But you could at least meet her before you judge who she truly is. And thats coming from the guy she BURNED."

Takedo had no response. Ro whistled and Hira came to his side. He mounted her then looked to the dragon spirit. "Take me to her."

Takedo felt the earth shift under his foot and squatted down to touch it, glancing at Mila.

"He can't do this alone."

"We'd be making ourselves criminals by rescuing one." Takedo told her, surprised by her words. "We would be putting ourselves in danger not knowing what we're up against."

"You told me the choice to help others should never be a difficult one. Azula needs help. Ro, needs our help. I'm scared. But you taught me that the only way to be brave is to face fear. I faced Ro. I ate breakfast with a firebender and he didn't hurt me. You were right about him. Maybe Ro is right about Azula."

Takedo sighed. "Using my own words against me. Low blow. But you're right. Let's do this, shall we?"

Mila smiled before stomping her foot and raising her arms. A wall of earth shot up in front of Ro and Hira, forcing them to come to a screeching halt.

"What are you doing?" Ro growled.

"Coming with you, hot head." Takedo admitted. "You should have back up. And....maybe I was a bit hasty with my judgement. You're right. I should meet her first."

Ro was taken aback. "Are you sure?"

Mila shifted her stance and words emerged from the wall in front of him. "Yes. We're sure. Now are we saving your girlfriend or what?"

"Fine." Ro sighed. "And she's not my girlfriend."

Mila rolled her eyes, bending the wall back into the earth. She grabbed her bag and followed Takedo over to Hira. Takedo lifted Mila up then climbed behind her.

"Hold on tight." Ro told them before turning to the dragon spirit. "Let's go, for real this time."

The spirit took off and Hira raced after it, heading into the forest. Mila clung tightly to Takedo as he reach around her and gripped Ro's waist. The trees whizzed by them in a blurr but Ro's eyes stayed focused on the blue dragon spirit, focusing on its every move.

Mila gripped Takedo tighter as the smell of smoke greeted them. As they moved farther, the smell of burnt flesh was mixed in.

The dragon spirit came to a stop in a clearing. The ground was scorched and the the surrounding foliage was smoldering, threatening to catch flame. Takedo slid off Hira's back, bending the water from his pouch to put out the embers.

Ro looked around, confused and angry. "Where are we? Where's Azula? You showed her to me so why did you not take me to her?"

The dragon spirit turned its head as a moan of agony came from the far side of the clearing. Ro jumped down from Hira's back, motioning for Mila to stay put while he and Takedo checked it out.

They approached slowly, Takedo putting out what appeared to be an abandoned camp fire along the way. Ahead, they spotted a figure curled up on the ground who gave another pain-filled moan.

"Azula?" Ro questioned before realizing the person was a man. "Wait. Who--"

"He's hurt." Takedo cut him off. "Let me heal him."

Ro watched as Takedo bent the water from his pouch onto his hands and began working on the man. After a few minutes, he finished.

"How does that feel?"

"Better." The man replied, glancing at them. The skin was raw and pink, but the worst had been taken care of. His eyes then focused on Ro, narrowing slightly. "You're the boy who was travelling with the princess. Didn't think I'd see you again after the nasty burn she gave you."

Ro growled. "You. You took her. You chained her up. Where is she!?"

"Took off a while ago. I underestimated her cunningness." The man admitted before smirking. "But don't worry, my boys are on her trail. She won't get far."

Ro clenched his fists. "Well I hate to inform you, but Azula isn't a prize to be cashed in. I won't allow it."

"Too bad." The man replied, jumping to his feet and sending a blast of fire at Ro.

Ro leaned back, barely dodging the attack before returning the fire with a blast of his own. The man dodged just as rock encased his hands like thick gloves and ice froze his feet in place.

"What is the meaning of this!?"

Takedo chuckled. "The result of being too cocky. Perhaps the time it will take you to get out of this situation will be enough for you to properly weigh your options. Come on Ro, let's go help your girl. She can't be too far."

"You can't leave me here!" The man shouted.

"Watch us." Ro told him, getting back on Hira then turning to Mila. "Thanks for the save. The rock mits are a nice touch."

Mila grinned as Takedo sat behind her.

Ro looked to the dragon spirit again. "Can you sense where Azula is now?"

The dragon spirit nodded then took off into the woods.

Ro sighed, giving Hira a nudge as they followed after it. "Here we go again."