Avatar the Last Airbender: Final Destination

Chapter 14: She's Missing

"What the hell do you mean she got out?!?!" Zuko roared across the war room. He had been scheduled yet another meeting to discuss Fire Nation rebellion outbursts. The war generals swallowed harshly as no one wanted to answer the Firelord's question.

General Yue stood up and faced Zuko, "My Lord, the former princess has escaped from the boiling rock. We have no idea as to how she got out, but the entire prison is on lockdown until she is found."

"Well, don't you think it would've been smart to keep security high with her there in the first place??" he yelled. His temper was flaring. He knew he should calm down but this was one of the things he feared most. She could single handedly overthrow his government if she was able to conspire with the right people. Azula always knew how to get her way. Calm down, Firelord Zuko, he heard his uncle's voice in his head.

"What other steps have we taken to find her?" he asked.

"We have wanted posters everywhere. The military is searching across the globe for the former princess. The other nations have been alerted and are on standby in case they're needed," Yue continued.

"Very well. Keep me updated."

With that, the Firelord left the room.

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Katara walked down the main hall on her way to the front entrance. She had one last meeting in this area of the Fire Nation to finish restoring it. Guy problems couldn't make her turn her back on helping those who needed her.

"I don't care, you better make sure she has protection every single moment of the day while she's missing!" she heard Zuko's voice booming down one of the side halls. She turned to see a woman scurrying to complete whatever his request was about. She shrugged her shoulders and turned to walk out the door.

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"Aang, where's Katara?" Zuko asked him. He had run into him on his way to Katara's room.

"I don't know, but I'm looking for her now," he replied.

"Look, my sister managed to get out of the boiling rock and I don't want her left unprotected. Master bender or not," Zuko said.

"What?! How did she get out?" Aang questioned, beginning to get angry.

"We don't know but the nation is on the lookout for her and so are the other nations," Zuko said.

"We have to find Katara," Aang replied.

The two walked down the halls, peaking in and out of rooms in search of the waterbender. The rounded the corner of the second floor's main hall when Zuko finally broke their silence.

"Look, Aang, you really hurt Katara when she left. I swear, if you've hurt her again, I will kill you. She's a great adviser and I value having her around in a good mood," he said.

Aang was taken aback but not totally surprised. He knew he had hurt Katara but having it thrown in his face still made him uncomfortable.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said rubbing his neck.

They made their way back down to the first floor when they had no luck finding Katara in the palace.

"Where would she have gone?" Aang asked.

"She had one last mission before the end of her work in the east side of the homeland villages. She wasn't supposed to leave for that until the late afternoon though," Zuko said. "I sent the guards to watch over her and make sure she didn't leave the castle."

"What time did all of this happen?" Aang treaded.

"A little after noon, why?"

"Zuko, Katara left half an hour before noon..."

"Sir..." came from a voice rushing down the hall. The two looked up to see one of the palace servants rushing to Zuko.

"We can't find Ms. Katara," she panted.

"What do you mean?!" Zuko roared.

"I'm sorry but she's gone missing."