Flameheart | Zuko

SIX

All of them were quiet for a few seconds, but it was all it took for Mai and Ty Lee to understand what was going on. Mai's eyes narrowed in recognition and from the inside of the long sleeves of her shirt, she took out a dagger to hold in each hand. Ty Lee and Homura exchanged a look before Homura's gaze fell to her dress. If she had known she was going to the prison, she would have certainly picked something different to wear for the day.

"There's no reason for you to be so tense," the warden spoke with a small smile as he walked to the door. "That's just the regular noise they are making."

"No," Homura pursed her lips, "it isn't."

He raised an eyebrow as he walked to the door. "See for yourself, then."

He opened the door without another word and stepped outside. Only to freeze on the spot as the full effect of the prisoners' yelling was heard. He turned to them, his eyes incredibly wide. "There's a riot!"

"Gee, is there?" Mai huffed as she moved to the door, Homura and Ty Lee right after her. "Call in all the guards. We're going to need help."

He nodded, running off immediately, calling the guards as he went. Ty Lee, Mai and Homura stopped in front of the railing, overlooking the prisoners fighting with the guards below. Ty Lee cleared her throat.

"Well, we've helped stop a riot before, kind of."

"I've been in a riot before," Homura admitted with a smirk as she turned to her companions. "And I've been in this prison enough time to memorise it. It should be no problem."

"Right, we take them down and leave," Ty Lee agreed with a firm nod at her.

Mai smirked. "Something's finally happening."

Without another word, she jumped off the railing to the ground below. Ty Lee exchanged a look with Homura, and with no hint of hesitation, they followed after her. They instantly split up.

Homura dodged a few guards as she went, quickly knocking out any prisoner she met on her way, not having the time to subdue them. She took a quick look around, evaluating the battlefield, her eyes narrowing as she took notice of a woman, a firebender, doing damage to the guards. Her jaw set, her eyes locked on her target.

She fought her way over, getting closer and closer, dodging punches and attacking when she needed to, but her eyes never left the woman for more than she absolutely needed to. Finally, she stood in front of her, just as the last guard that tried to subdue her fell. The woman looked up and for Homura, time seemed to stop.

The woman had long dark hair that had lost their shine long ago, but her eyes made up for all the glimmer her hair didn't possess. She recognised those eyes - they were awfully similar to those that stared right back at her in the mirror - and her gaze automatically fell to the part of her neck that was uncovered to find a scar she hoped she wouldn't see.

The woman stared right back at Homura, a flash of recognition in her eyes before it was gone. Her lips pulled into a cruel smile, she widened her stance, and she knew what was going to come before it did.

The flames barely missed her as she sprinted towards her. She could feel the heat of the flames as the woman fired again, but above all, Homura felt the beating of her heart against her ribcage, wild and betraying her horror. She shut off her worries as the prisoner sent a fireball at her. She slid beneath her feet, jumping up the moment she was behind her. She didn't hesitate.

She punched her side just like Ty Lee had taught her - quickly, precisely - before moving on to her other side, repeating her motions. The woman let out a pained moan as she fell to the ground, her eyes remaining wide open as she glared at her, unable to move. Homura spared her a cold glance before leaving to finish this fight.

A short while later, she had fought her way to Mai and Ty Lee and the battle was over. The reinforcements arrived and the prisoners returned to their cells. Finally, the warden of the prison decided to show his face. He rushed to them.

"Thank you so much for your assistance-"

"Don't bother," Mai cut in as she blew some dirt from one of her knives. "Make sure no prisoner has escaped. I've seen all I needed to."

She spun around without another word and Homura followed after her with a slight smirk as she noticed the warden's dumbfounded expression. A while later, they were walking away from the prison, and she finally felt like she could breathe again properly.

"That reminded me of the old times," Ty Lee said on their way to the palace and even though she didn't say so, Homura couldn't help but agree.

"It was fun," Mai agreed as she briefly turned to face Homura. "I'm glad we didn't get to use your knowledge of the prison, though. If we had to do that this would have been an utter waste of our time."

Homura couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, we only need a certain dose of fun every day. That would have been too much."

Ty Lee laughed, and for a second, Homura thought Mai smiled.