The Burning Truth-Harmony

Part 33~Hakoda

"Line 'em up for the warden," the bodyguard ordered as the eight prisoners stood in a line, shoulder to shoulder. On the very end of the line stood Hakoda.

Sokka walked forward, lifting his guard mask. "Dad," he whispered, exiting a stairway and passing through a lineup of guards. "Excuse me, coming through. The Warden wants me over there. Sorry."

Isu slapped her forehead as she watched Sokka move.

"Welcome to the Boiling Rock," the Warden announced, pacing back and forth in front of the prisoner line. "I'm sure you've all heard the horrible rumours about our little island. Well, I just want to tell you that they don't have to be true as long as you do everything I say." He stooped, seeing Hakoda looking at the ground. "Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you."

Hakoda averted his gaze to the side. "No."

"Oh? You'd rather look at my shoes? Then take a look."

He raised his left leg, kicking Hakoda's handcuffs to the ground. Hakoda tightened his jaw as the Warden stood over him. Hakoda didn't fight back nor comply.

"I know exactly who you are, Hakoda of the Water Tribe. So strong-willed. But don't worry, we'll get rid of that in time. Now look me in the eye."

Hakoda reluctantly lifted his head, looking the Warden in the eyes as he glared hatefully.

"See, isn't that better? You will all do as I say or pay the price. You will all-" the Warden turned to walk away when Hakoda lifted his handcuffs, tripping the Warden over.

Two guards rushed to the Warden's side, standing over him in concern. "Are you okay, sir?"

"I'm fine. Get these prisoners out of my sight," the Warden glared at the prisoners as they were pulled away.

~~~

Sokka walked inside Hakoda's cell and found him sitting on the floor. He raised his head, taking a breath as he saw the guard.

"Thank goodness you're okay," Sokka exclaimed, walking forward as Hakoda jumped to his feet, holding up his hands.

"If you take one step closer, you'll see just how 'okay' I am."

"Dad, it's me," Sokka stated, lifting up his helmet mask.

Hakoda's face softened as his shoulders slumped and water beaded in the corners of his eyes. "Sokka, my son." Hakoda pulled Sokka into a tight embrace. "You know, Sokka, you should be more careful with the guard outfit on. I almost punched you in the gut."

"Yeah, I ran into that problem earlier."

~~~

The Warden walked towards Chit Sang, cuffed to a wooden chair. "Are you comfortable, Chit Sang?"

"If you're trying to get me to talk, forget it! I'm not a squealer."

"Chit Sang, I only asked if you were comfortable."

"Well, yeah, actually, I am pretty comfortable."

The Warden snarled, kicking the chair to the ground. "Are you still comfortable?"

"No."

"I know you and your cronies are not smart enough to come up with that little escape plan. So you're gonna tell me who is?" The Warden leaned closer before he left the room, leaving the two guards to hoist the chair up as the door was closed.

He walked along his prison before he stopped, looking at Hakoda's door. Inside, Sokka was still talking to his dad. "So where' Bato? Where's everyone else from the invasion?"

"The others are being held at a prison near the Fire Nation palace. They singled me out as their leader and sent me here. But before I left, I met some young women who said they knew you. The Oshinama Fighters?"

"You mean the Kyoshi Warriors?"

"That's right."

"Their leader Sukie is here, and she's gonna escape with us."

"Good. We'll need all the help we can get."

"And Isu and Zuko are here."

"Good. Do you have a plan?"

"We had one, but some of the other prisoners got involved and ruined it. I dunno if there's another way off this island."

"Sokka, there's no prison in the world that can hold two Water Tribe geniuses."

"Then we'd better find two."

~~~

Sokka, Isu and Zuko gathered around, whispering to each other. "I just got done talking to my dad. We came up with an escape pla-" Isu slapped Sokka's side as a guard walked in.

"What are you doing here?"

Isu stood taller. "We got bored in the break room, so we decided to take a walk. Please tell me there is some entertainment here."

One guard chuckled. "Other than prison riots, no. This place is super boring."

"That sucks. Guess we'll have to make our own fun- by following the rules, of course." Isu winked as the guard laughed more.

"Well, you'll have to do that later. He's coming with us." The guard pointed at Zuko as Isu and Sokka sucked in a breath.

"Why?"

"Because we have orders straight from the warden, that's why."

Isu and Sokka shared a look, trying to figure some way out, but the guard grabbed Zuko and pulled him off.

"What do we do?" Sokka looked at Isu as she tapped her chin.

"Will figure it out based on if he comes back or not. Lets get Sukie and hear about this plan."

~~~

The guard dragged Zuko into a new corridor as Zuko tightened his fist, looking for every exit. "What are you doing? Where are you taking me?" He let out a scream as he was pushed into the room, as the guards stepped away. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"Come on, Zuko. We all know that's a lie." Mai stepped out of the darkness as Zuko gasped.

"Mai."

~~~

"How is he?" The Warden walked back to the door as the bodyguard stood up, holding Chit Sang upside down in a chair.

"I think he's ready to talk."

"Have you had enough time to think about what I asked?" The Warden walked behind Chit Sang as he gritted out a yes. "And?"

"You're right. There was another person involved in the escape plan."

"Who?"

"It's a guy who's disguised like a prison guard. Only he's not a prison guard. He's the mastermind. He came up with the plan."