The Other Airbender

8

Merry late christmas :)
———

"Enjoy two weeks in solitary."

The guard flung me into the cell and I heard the lock clink shut and the keys jingling in his hands as I struggled to my feet. There was no use pleading or begging, I knew it wouldn't get me anywhere, so I decided not to waste my breath. It was dim, and the only source of light was the few lanterns hanging outside in the corridor. I could make out the metal panels, and the thin blanket that was strewn on the floor. A few other cells were scattered along the corridor, but it was too dark to see inside them and as far as I could tell they were empty. A lone guard stood outside my cell, leaning against his spear dejectedly. Every so often he would sigh, as though he was dying for his shift to end.

I walked towards the blanket and squatted down to pick it up, instantly wrinkling my nose. It smelt like body odour and rotting fish, and it felt like it hadn't been washed in years. I promptly dropped it and walked to the other side of the cell, lying down on the cold metal surface. The sun would be coming up soon, and I didn't know how to get out or where Haru was. He might not even be on this ship. I couldn't even practice my airbending because the guard would see, and that would get me in even more trouble. So I just lay on the cold floor silently, willing the minutes to pass by faster.

Suddenly, I heard shouts, faintly from the deck. I raised my head in interest, before feeling the whole ship trembling. A low rumble sounded from deep within the ship, and the guard outside stood upright, looking around in confusion. I got to my feet, wondering what was going on. There were more shouts, and they sounded feminine. What on earth is going on? Silence.

And then the sounds of fire and earth. I could hear the sounds of rocks crumbling and crushing, and fire crackling and smoking. It was definitely a fight. But why now? The sound of lots of people shouting at the same time above deck was echoing around the ship. Two guards rushed into the corridor.

"Hurry, we need backup on deck, all the earthbenders are fighting back." The guard beside me left his post immediately, leaving me standing in the cell confused and alone. I rattled the bars helplessly, calling for someone to let me out. But no one did. No one came. It was just me and the old used blanket, surrounded by metal.

The shouts began to fade, and the sounds of bending stopped. The guard never returned, and the ship was deathly quiet. I assumed the earthbenders had won, and somehow escaped, and I just hoped Haru was with them. But now I was stuck here for goodness knows how long. I had no food and no water. At least I have a blanket. A dirty, old, used blanket. Lucky me! I didn't want to bend my way out, in fear that the guard was still around and would come back at any moment. I didn't want to risk it until a bit later. I hoped someone would come along soon and get me out of here.

"Stand back." A rough masculine voice broke through my thoughts, and raised my head sharply in surprise.

"Oh thank the spirits I-" I stopped myself from saying anymore when I realised it was someone from the Fire Nation. My throat closed up in fear. It wasn't the guard from before because they were wearing different clothes, and I couldn't make out his face in the dim lighting but I assumed he was a soldier. What is going on? Did the Fire Nation win after all? Why is this person telling me to stand back?

He brought out a sword as brought a hand to the lock, and I saw the metal begin to glow red under his touch. So he's a firebender. My heart thudded in my ears as I watched his hand. I tried to even out my breathing but I couldn't. I took a step backwards warily as I began to feel the heat filling the stuffy air. He brought the sword down onto the lock, and it broke, dropping down to the floor as the glow faded. They swung the door open.

"Get out."

I didn't hesitate, even though I was terrified, I was desperate to get out of there. I rushed towards the open door happily, but searing hot pain pierced my foot abruptly, and I yelped in surprise as I stumbled forward, landing face first into the soldier's chest.

"Get off me." His hands grabbed my shoulders ruffly and threw me to the floor. I yelped again helplessly, clutching my foot in agony. You absolute idiot, Miko, you did not just step on the burning lock. I grit my teeth, trying to deal with the pain. I inspected the bottom of my foot, and felt a bit relieved when I saw it wasn't badly burnt, but it still hurt a lot. It hurt like before. I shoved the memory away into the back of my mind, and I let go of my foot when I realised the soldier was still standing there.

"Ah uh, I'm sorry I didn't- well, thanks." I mumbled, slightly embarrassed and also confused and scared. I had no idea what was going on. Why on earth was someone from the Fire Nation letting me out?

"Stand up." He muttered. I pushed myself up to a standing position, which I managed with a bit of struggle because I only used one leg, and I tried putting my other foot on the floor. Pain shot through my foot and I lifted it hastily. I stood there in front of the soldier awkwardly on one foot. He sighed, before walking towards me and swinging me over his shoulder swiftly.

"H-hey put me down, I don't know who you are and I can manage." I squeaked. I had tried to make it sound more threatening but I hadn't drunk anything for hours and my lungs felt heavy with smoke, so my voice wasn't exactly in top condition. I did swing my fists into his back in protest, which earned a few angry grunts from the guy.

"Stop hitting me." He said. I hit his back again, before stopping, realising I wasn't doing much. I sighed, watching the corridors fade away. Something kept tickling the back of my head, and I twisted around to see what it was. It was hair, a long black ponytail, tied tightly to his scalp. It didn't suit him, whoever he was.

We reached the deck, and I realised it was already sunset. Wow, time passed quite quickly. There was rubble strewn all over the deck, and I lifted my head inquisitively. It must have been quite a fight, with all this mess made. I knew that it had been big with all the noise, but seeing the remains was different.

"You," the soldier carrying me shouted at someone, "Take her onto the ship and see to her injury, I'll be questioning her later." I felt myself being handed to someone else and I gasped in protest, struggling out of their grip.

"Let me go, I didn't ask for your help," I growled angrily, before falling onto the floor. "Who are you and why are you doing this?" I asked exasperatedly, staring at the ponytail person's back. He had turned away from me when he handed me over to the other soldier. The clothes he was wearing definitely were not those of a soldiers, and I furrowed my brows in confusion, before I felt myself being dragged away towards a ship that was floating alongside this one.

"Maybe I'll answer your questions," The ponytail person spoke, his rough voice filling my ears, "If you prove to be useful."