Near the end of Chiara's third week in the prison, Dako was trying to talk his friend into a daring trip.
"I'm telling you, Zomi," he said, "we can do it. We could be back by morning."
"I don't trust her." He was not sure if he truly meant those words, but it might have been the fear of getting caught.
"Isn't your son worth it? The letter said he's not improving even with the doctor's help. We can have your wife meet us part way, Princess Chiara heals him, and we head back here. We'll be back before morning shift. Demi and Nai said they'll cover for us that night."
"What if she escapes?"
"We'll make it look like she escaped from the prison on her own."
Zomi was hesitant, but worry over his son's condition exceeded his fear of the consequences, so he agreed.
That night as soon as everyone was locked in their cells, Dako and Zomi entered Chiara's cell.
"Princess Chiara," Dako greeted her bowing respectfully as he had been doing recently. "We have a request."
"What is it?"
"Zomi's son is very sick, and he's getting worse. We need your help."
"I'll do whatever I can," she said.
"We need to temporarily break you out of the prison. His wife will meet us part way with him."
She wanted to help, but she hesitated.
"We can do it in one night and be back in the prison before sunrise," he explained. "No one'll know you were gone."
"What if we get caught?" she asked.
"We'll have to say you tried to escape," said Zomi truthfully.
She contemplated it. "And if I do escape?"
That she even asked that question as if she might attempt it worried Zomi. "If you do escape, we'll be put in prison and severely punished," he said.
"Could you at least heal Zomi's son first?"
Zomi looked at him. "Really, Dako? You're going to encourage her?"
"I'm just saying that if she does consider an escape that she at least heal your son before she tries."
Zomi turned back to her. "If you do try, we'll have to...we'll have to use any means necessary to stop you," he threatened.
"When do we leave?" she asked.
Her ready acceptance was no surprise to them, but it left them somewhat apprehensive that she might try to break free.
"Zomi will send a message to his wife tonight on where to meet us," said Dako. "We'll head out in two days right after lock down, and we'll be back before sunrise."
She nodded.
With her consent, the two guards moved on with their plan and began their preparations.
=====================
A few days later, the Gaang had completed another unsuccessful search, and they had just finished packing up their camp to move on. Everyone but Zuko had climbed onto Appa's saddle.
"Come on, Hotman," said Aang holding the reins.
He looked up at the Avatar. "I'm not going with you. I need to continue this alone."
Sokka, Katara, and Toph leaned over the saddle, and they all spoke at the same time. "What?"
"It's been almost a month and we're no closer to finding Chiara now than we were weeks ago. There's still a war going on. It's not going to stop for my quest, and I can't expect you to stop fighting to help me."
"We're not going to leave her behind," said Aang.
"She wouldn't want you to do this, Aang. She knows how important you are to bringing balance to the Nations. She's always known it. You need to defeat the Fire Lord. That's the only way we can end the war."
It was obvious that Aang was troubled with the idea of discontinuing their search. "I-I don't feel right about this. It feels like we're abandoning her."
"You're not," Zuko reassured him. "By ending the war you're doing what you can to help her."
"Where will you go?" asked Katara.
"I'm going to head back to Xi Han and start there again," he answered.
"Then we'll take you there," said Aang.
Zuko hesitated.
"If you're leaving us, then we're going back to the air temple which is in the same direction, so you might as well ride with us."
He certainly did not want to walk back, so he climbed into Appa's saddle and settled down in his usual corner.
"Yip, yip!"
--------------------
Dako and Zomi headed out with Chiara after lockdown. Friends and bribes enabled them to get her out of the prison, and they traveled by ship to a small uninhabited island between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom and not far from Boiling Rock.
When they arrived close to the island, a boat took them ashore where they started walking to the meeting point. Zomi's wife was waiting there with their son, but the two guards approached cautiously when they saw another man with her who was accompanied by a sickly looking woman. Zomi's wife walked up to her husband holding their young, listless son in her arms.
"What's going on, Zomi?" she asked him. "The doctor told me not to travel with him."
"Who are they?" he asked her, not answering her question as he was concerned with the presence of the unexpected strangers.
"I'm Nai's father," answered the man. "And this is my wife Zara. Nai said that it was important that we come here, but she didn't explain why."
"Colonel Tezam," said Chiara. The chains rattled as she removed her hood.
"Lady Chiara?" He stepped closer to her. "You...you're alive. And you've grown so much..."
When Zomi's wife saw the chains on her wrist and the bruise on her face, she felt unnerved and took a slight step back.
"Is-is she a prisoner?" she asked.
"It's okay, Gia," said Zomi. "She can help."
"You know each other?" asked Dako speaking to Tezam and Chiara.
"Of course," said Tezam. "Lady Chiara is the daughter of General Iroh. It was a sad time for the Crown Prince when he lost his son at the Siege of Ba Sing Se; little Chiara traveled to our camp in the Earth Kingdom to take care of him. But why is she here bruised and in chains?"
"We came from Boiling Rock," said Dako.
"I'm here for Zomi's son," she said.
Chiara stepped towards the mother and child, but Gia held her son closer to her taking another nervous step back. Dako went to remove Chiara's chains.
"What are you doing, Dako?" asked Zomi.
"So she can do her thing."
"What if she escapes?"
"It's okay. I'll be able to help him with them on," she assured them.
"Let her see him, Gia," said Zomi pulling her closer.
Dako handed Chiara a canteen of water.
"What's his name?" she asked.
"Zidal," said his mother, still leery of her.
"What's wrong with him?"
"No one knows. Sometimes he's awake and seems alert." She looked down at her son who lay so lethargically in her arms. "But then there are these times when it's like he has no life and nothing can wake him, and they're happening more and more."
Chiara poured water in her left hand suspending it while giving the canteen back to Dako. She tenderly touched the young boy's head before holding the water over him. The water glowed to the amazement of Nai's parents, but Gia was tempted to move back away from her. Zomi, however, had his arm around her and she could not move. As the boy became more active in his mother's arms, tears fell down her cheeks. When Chiara finished her treatment, his eyes opened and he looked up to see his father.
"Daddy?" said the boy who reached out to Zomi.
Zomi took him in his arms and held him tightly.
"Are you home now, Daddy?"
"No. I'm just visiting. Mommy said you were still sick, so I brought someone to help you."
When Zidal sat up in his father's arms, he looked at Chiara who bowed to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Zidal."
"Are you a doctor?" he asked.
"In a way," she answered.
"She's the Fire Princess," said Zomi to everyone's surprise.
"The Fire Princess?" asked Gia, sounding worried.
"She's Prince Zuko's wife," he said.
"But isn't he banished? And you brought her here?" his wife asked.
"It was for Zidal," he said.
Nai's parents were astonished at what Chiara had done for the child.
"So it's true," said Tezam. "I heard the rumors that General Iroh's adopted daughter was a waterbender. I never believed you were a spy, but I do believe I know why my daughter wanted us to be here now." He took his wife's hand and brought her closer to Chiara. "My wife's been ill and the doctors have been unable to help her."
Chiara took his wife's hand, and held it, and then she took the water and guided it up her arm and down her body. Zara could feel a strange sensation in her body while the glowing water was suspended over her. Chiara isolated the cause of the woman's illness and she focused on healing her. When she finished, Zara's strength returned and she no longer felt any pain. She looked at her husband in complete wonderment at how good she felt.
"I don't believe it," she said touching her lower right abdomen. "The pain is gone."
He hugged her when he saw the excitement in her eyes.
"Thank you," said Tezam to Chiara after releasing his wife.
Zara took Chiara's hand in hers. "How can we ever repay you?"
"This is a gift for anyone who needs it," said Chiara. "However, it is I who owe you."
They looked puzzled. "How so?" she asked.
"It was Nai who dressed my wounds in the prison."
Chiara bowed to Zara who was still holding her hand.
"Is there anything we can do for you?" asked Tezam.
"No. I'm just happy that I could help."
"How is General Iroh?" he asked her. "I heard he escaped prison in the Capital. Is he at Boiling Rock too?"
"No. When he escaped from the Capital he disappeared. I can only hope he's well."
"He doesn't know you're in prison?" asked Zara.
"He thought I was executed. As far as I know, he still thinks I'm dead."
"Yes, we heard of the execution," said Tezam. "It's a shame to see the honorable members of the royal family treated so disgracefully." He lowered his voice. "I always suspected foul play when Ozai became Fire Lord stealing the throne from General Iroh."
Gia gasped slightly at his words. To speak those thoughts aloud was considered treason under Ozai's reign, but Dako and Zomi, though disturbed by his bold admission due to years of indoctrination, were also curious.
"What do you mean?" Zomi asked in a hushed voice as if someone still might hear on the uninhabited island.
"General Iroh was the Crown Prince who was to take the throne after Fire Lord Azulon. After the death of Prince Lu Ten he was on his way back to the Fire Nation when the Fire Lord suddenly and mysteriously died, yet no one questioned that Ozai was immediately crowned Fire Lord."
The two guards were unnerved to learn this. Both had been teenagers at the time, and, like most of the younger generation outside of the nobles, neither had paid much attention to the reasons given for the change in birthrights of the royal family. They only did as they were told and professed their allegiance to the current Fire Lord.
"Why didn't General Iroh fight for the throne?" asked Dako.
Tezam shook his head. "That I can't answer."
They all looked at Chiara.
"He feared it would result in a civil war," she said softly. She knew there had been more to it. The death of Lu Ten had been hard on Iroh, and losing his father only added to his grief. At the time he did not have the will to fight his own brother.
"Civil war may be inevitable," said Tezam. "Many are unhappy with our leaders. Those that have deserted should be building an army to fight the true enemy of the Fire Nation and fight the atrocity of having our children sacrificed for the Fire Lord's bloodlust."
Again Gia reacted nervously at Tezam's words against the Fire Lord, but Chiara was proud of his courage.
"What-what do you mean?" asked Zomi.
"Our son was part of the 41st Division," said Tezam.
Chiara's light gasp drew everyone's eyes, and she placed her hand over her mouth, the chains on her wrists rattling at her movement.
"I-I am so sorry," she said softly. The memories of the letter in Zuko's room on the ship flashed through her mind.
Tezam nodded. "You know then, Princess."
Chiara nodded. Tezam put his arm around Zara who had been crying at the mention of their son, and he pulled her to him allowing her to cry on his shoulder.
"Know what?" asked Dako wondering what they were talking about. "The 41st are considered heroes, right?"
"Unsuspecting heroes," said Tezam darkly. "The 41st was a division of new recruits, fodder sent by General Bujing to fight the Earth Kingdom in the Eastern Sea." There was disgust in his voice as he spoke the general's name. "They were left to die going up against a battalion of earthbenders, a distraction, while the rest of the army retreated to attack from the north."
As Zara gripped her husband harder, Dako, Zomi, and Gia were all staring at him with their mouths open, appalled and disgusted upon hearing the intentional fate of the Division.
"I-I never knew," said Zomi.
"Oh, I'm sure it's not taught in the schools and academies what cowardly leaders we have sitting in the Capital. But the families of the 41st, they know and they remember. They also know that it was only the young Crown Prince who spoke out against Bujing in the meeting."
Dako's and Zomi's eyes grew wider.
"The only one brave and honorable enough to defend our son and the sons and daughters of the other families whose children had been sacrificed was a child among those generals and son of the Fire Lord. If the purpose of the war is to spread the greatness of the Fire Nation, how great can our Nation be when it kills its own."
The two guards stood silent as they thoughtfully contemplated Tezam's words.
"Nai...she never said anything," Zomi finally spoke.
"And what would happen to her if she spoke out?" asked Tezam rhetorically. "She would be in prison too. She chose to be stationed at Boiling Rock in the labor sector because she wanted to be able to help those who came to understand the futility of this war and deserted its cause."
Chiara's lip curled into a gentle smile as she learned about Nai. She had been one of the few guards that had never insulted or abused the prisoners.
Dako saw the light of the moon breaking through the trees. "I hate to cut this short," he said, "but we need to get the princess back before sunrise."
"Must you take her back to prison?" Tezam asked them.
"Unfortunately, we have to," said Dako.
"But why?" argued Zara releasing her husband. "Look at her, she's a child. What has she done to be locked up in Boiling Rock?"
Dako and Zomi looked at each other.
"She's Prince Zuko's wife," said Dako softly.
"And this is how they treat the wife of the Prince and the daughter of a hero of our Nation?" she asked sympathetically as she tenderly caressed Chiara's face near the bruise.
"Considering how they treated our Prince for his honorable actions, this isn't surprising," said Tezam with anger in his voice. "And just where is our Prince? Is he still banished or has he also been put in prison?"
Chiara shook her head. "He wasn't with me when I was found and taken to the prison. I only hope he's safe."
"So he doesn't even know his wife is a prisoner," said Zara. "He must be so worried."
"Why not let her go then?" said Tezam addressing the guards. "You don't have to take her back."
"If I don't go back these men will suffer for it," answered Chiara.
Zara shook her head sadly. "I hope to see Prince Zuko become Fire Lord soon, so that his wife will be by his side and not in chains or in prison." Her stern eyes focused on Dako and Zomi making them feel ashamed.
"Where did they find you?" Tezam asked Chiara.
Though she was sure the guards knew, she was not sure she wanted to answer, but she was spared the decision when Dako answered for her.
"They captured her near the Western Air Temple. A friend of the warden spotted her in Xi Han."
Chiara was reminded of the soldier in the colony that insisted she resembled a friend of his.
Zomi kissed his son and then kissed and hugged Gia before handing Zidal to her. When Gia felt her son's arms around her neck she broke down in tears. She bowed to Chiara.
"Thank you, Fire Princess," she said.
Chiara bowed back to her.
"Fire Princess," said Tezam, "it will be an honor to serve you and Prince Zuko as it was an honor to serve General Iroh."
"Thank you, Colonel. It was good to see you again."
Chiara bowed to him and Zara, and they bowed back. Before they could turn away, Zomi stood before Chiara and unlocked her chains. Taking out a small bag of gold, he held it out to her.
"You should be able to bribe the captain to take you to the Earth Kingdom," he said.
She was stunned as she looked at him. Her mind immediately played out the scenario of reuniting with her husband. She clenched her fists to keep from reaching for the bag as she considered the repercussions the two men before her would face if she chose her freedom.
"I-I can't," she forced herself to say. "If I disappear, they'll know you two were involved."
"Probably."
"But, Zomi...," started his wife who worried about losing him.
Chiara held out her hands for him to chain her. "I won't do that."
He did not move to restrain her. "What you did for me, for my family, this is the least I can do in return, Princess."
"No," she said. "Your son needs you. I refuse to escape if it means you becoming a prisoner."
"Princess Chiara, please," pleaded Tezam. "We will keep you safe."
"I won't put two innocent men in prison for my freedom."
Zara stepped towards her placing her hands on Chiara's wrists. "But you shouldn't be in prison."
"I can handle it," she insisted. "As long as Prince Zuko is free," she started softly, "they can't break me."
"I understand why Prince Zuko took you for his wife," said Dako. "When the time comes, we will serve you and the Prince."
"Let's go back before someone finds us missing," she said. She wanted to return quickly before she felt too tempted to take them up on their offer. She held her hands up again for the restraints.
"No," said Zomi. "I trust you."
Tezam watched as Dako and Zomi led Chiara away. He looked at his wife. "I need to find Prince Zuko."
--------------------
The Gaang was still flying towards Xi Han with Aang sitting quietly at the reins not anxious about deserting the search. Zuko was lost in thoughts of his next move once he reached the colony while Sokka, Katara, and Toph were trying to think of any ideas that might help them locate their missing member.
"You know, there's one thing we haven't tried yet," said Sokka, finally breaking the silence.
Everyone sat up and stared at him expectantly.
"Infiltrating a Fire Nation camp," he said answering their questioning expressions. "I think it's time to join the Fire Nation army again."
Zuko gave him a quizzical look.
"Not again," sighed Katara.
"Again?" asked Zuko, even more puzzled.
"This sounds like a job for Private Wang Fire," said Sokka.
Zuko raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Sokka enlisted in the army as Private Wang Fire," explained Aang from the saddle.
"Yeah, but he died attacking the greatest earthbender that ever lived," said Toph cracking her knuckles. "There's no coming back from that."
Zuko was still confused having no idea what they were talking about.
"So I just go as...his brother," said Sokka excitedly as the idea came to him. "Private...Tang Fire!"
Katara groaned as she sat back shooting her brother an annoyed look.
"It's that or let Aang enroll in another Fire Nation school," he shrugged. "But I don't think that's going to help us."
Zuko was even more baffled. "Aang went to a Fire Nation school?"
"Yep," said Aang. "I even made a picture of the Fire Lord out of noodles."
The prince could not imagine Aang in a Fire Nation school or Sokka in the army. "How did you guys even get away with these stunts?!"
"Meh," shrugged Sokka. "Wasn't that difficult really."
Zuko shook his head and leaned back against the saddle.
"Makes you wonder how the Fire Nation is even winning this war," said Toph.
Zuko snorted wondering the same thing.
Late that night after settling down at a new campsite, Zuko lay on Appa's tail. The bright moon caught his eye, and he stared at it recalling Chiara telling him how she gazed at the moon while lying on Appa's tail thinking about him and Iroh when she was with the Avatar. He remembered those nights on the ship when he, too, stared at it wondering if it was shining down on her. Now he was with the Avatar on Appa's tail thinking and worrying about her and again wondering if the moon was shining down on her wherever she was.
--------------------
Dako, Zomi, and Chiara started back towards the shore where they landed. When they reached the water, Dako flashed a signal to the ship offshore. Upon seeing the return signal assuring them a boat was coming for them, they sat and waited. The two guards pulled out food offering it to Chiara first. Slowly eating, she second-guessed her decision wondering if she made a mistake in refusing their offer of freedom. She suspected her decision might anger Zuko if, or when, he learns she had not taken the opportunity to escape. But where would she go? She had no idea where he was at that moment. Returning to the air temple on her own would be impossible, and she now knew that she had been recognized in the Fire Nation colony, so going there or to any other colony would be too dangerous. She would never risk endangering Nai's parents and she could not imagine letting Dako and Zomi take the blame if she disappeared. As much as she hated being separated from her family, she knew she had made the right decision. And she meant what she had said: she could handle being in prison. She could handle anything Zedak threw at her; he had nothing on Azula.
As they continued waiting for the boat, her eyes were drawn up to the moon shining brightly through the trees. She wished it were higher up as she longed to bask in its full brightness. Staring at it she wondered if Zuko was sleeping as she hoped or looking for her. She expected him to continue training the Avatar and fulfill his destiny, but knowing that he never gave up without a fight, she suspected he was still searching for her just as he relentlessly searched for the Avatar for years. She closed her eyes listening for the sound of his dao being pulled from the sheath as she imagined the Blue Spirit appearing out of nowhere to rescue her. The only sounds to be heard were the waves ebbing and flowing against the shore—the same sounds she could hear while being held in the Spirit's warm arms as he carried her towards the beach. She could still remember the chills she got when he touched her face and his soft, warm lips pressed against her own. She smiled to herself as she felt her cheeks grow hot at the thought of their kiss, and she was relieved that there was too little light for any blush to be noticeable. Dako and Zomi stood up breaking her out of her pleasant thoughts. She took one last look at the moon before standing up to go to the boat that had just arrived on the beach. After climbing aboard, they were taken to the ship which would return them to to the prison.
======================
The next afternoon, Aang, Katara, and Toph were sitting around their campsite while Zuko was anxiously pacing back and forth.
"Are you guys sure he can handle this?" he asked them. "What if they discover who he is?"
"Relax, Sparky," said Toph. "Haven't you ever gone undercover before?"
"Well...maybe..."
"Uh, human lie detector," she reminded him.
"Okay, yes. But...but this is Sokka," he said. "He doesn't exactly act like a Fire Nation soldier."
"I agree he doesn't have that stick-up-your-butt attitude most of you have..." When Aang snickered Zuko's eyes narrowed as he glared at him, but it was only for show because he knew Toph made a valid point. "...but you'd be surprised at how well he can blend in sometimes," she finished.
Her reassurance did nothing to alleviate his worries and he continued pacing.
--------------------
That night after lockdown, Nai went to Chiara's cell where she could confront her alone. She approached the princess who was quietly meditating and fell on her knees before her. With tears in her eyes, she bent low with her face near the ground.
"Thank you, Princess, for what you did for my mother," she said softly.
Chiara was not comfortable with anyone kneeling before her, and she moved closer to help her from her prostrated position.
"I'm happy I could help her."
The tears fell from Nai's eyes compelling Chiara to embrace her in comfort.
"It's okay, Nai. She'll be fine now."
"Thanks to you," she said holding onto her. "And yet you're trapped here in this prison and you don't deserve it."
Chiara released her.
"The gift I have is meant for others. It makes me feel like a mother serving her family; and that I'm here and can help so many in need, I'm fulfilling what I was meant to do."
"But it hurts to see you help so many and be treated so cruelly. You should be living in the palace."
"I lived in Caldera City with the royal family most of my life. All those years I had to hide that I was a waterbender. I was forbidden to use my healing ability, even for Prince Zuko after his Agni Kai. I may be in prison now and treated like a criminal or a spy, but it's worth it to be able to help whoever needs it."
Nai broke down in tears touched by Chiara's love for everyone and still overwhelmingly grateful for her mother's healing.
Chiara embraced her again. "Oh, Nai...," she said touched deeply by the guard's emotions.
"But what you did for my mother...I-I should be doing more for you in here."
"You've done so much for me, far more than I ever expected."
"I want to keep Zedak from hurting you..."
Chiara let her go and fixed her eyes on hers.
"Don't jeopardize your position. I don't want you to end up in here as a prisoner." Nai looked like she was about to argue. "Trust me, after what I went through with Azula, I can handle whatever Zedak throws at me. He won't be able to break me. If only I had the ability to heal hearts...," she added in a soft, sad voice.
"I believe you do," said Nai, "but some hearts are just too damaged."
Chiara was touched by her words.
"I didn't realize your father was Colonel Tezam," said Chiara.
"You know him?"
"When General Iroh lost Prince Lu Ten, I went to Ba Sing Se to be with him. I met the Colonel at the camp when I was staying with the General."
"We lost my brother years later," said Nai sadly. "He was with the 41st Division."
"The Colonel said. Oh, Nai, I am so sorry."
"My father lost interest in the war after that."
"I understand."
"What Prince Zuko suffered for defending his people was unfair," said Nai. "I only wish I could show him my loyalty by protecting his wife."
Chiara gently smiled thinking about her choice to be in the prison. "Thank you, Lady Nai."
She was puzzled by her gratitude. "For what?"
"For everything you've done. And not just for me, but for everyone here."
Nai smiled at her.
=====================
The sun was rising the next morning when Sokka had finally returned after Private Tang Fire had infiltrated a small camp of Fire Nation soldiers.
"Did you find out anything?" asked Zuko anxiously.
"Maybe. Nobody was really sure, but someone said something about Boiling Rock," he said.
Zuko tensed up. "Boiling Rock? Are you sure?" he asked, holding his breath.
"Yes."
He felt his heart sink in his chest.
Toph sensed his tension. "That doesn't sound good."
"What? What is it?" asked Katara.
Zuko was heartbroken at the idea of where Chiara might be. He turned and went towards Appa.
"You know where that is?" asked Aang.
"Yes."
"Guys, someone's coming," said Toph.
They all braced themselves when they looked where she was pointing. Out of the forest walked an older couple. Though they were relieved they were not soldiers from the camp, the Gaang was still concerned.
"Prince Zuko...," said the man as he approached him.
They were all extremely uneasy that Zuko had been recognized, and everyone but the prince took a defensive stance. Their reaction did not faze the couple who continued towards them and then went down on their knees before Zuko. The Gaang was astonished to see them kneeling to him. Knowing he was Prince of the Fire Nation was one thing, but to see someone act in such a subservient manner towards him opened their eyes to the reality of his royal blood.
"I am Tezam, and this is my wife Zara. I served with General Iroh during the Siege of Ba Sing Se."
The others suddenly felt uncomfortable by the mention of the Siege.
"Stand before me," ordered Zuko. "What do you want?"
Tezam stood up and as he helped his wife, Zuko reached down to help her too, further impressing the older couple by his benevolence and humility.
He looked Zuko in the eyes, a bold action he normally would not have done to a member of the royal family while in his civilian clothing, but Tezam hoped to assure his prince of his sincerity.
"Princess Chiara is being held at Boiling Rock," he said.
Zuko's eyes widened. "How do you know this?"
Tezam hesitated, and then spoke in a very low voice, "My daughter Nai is a guard there."
Though Zuko was ready to break into every prison for her, he felt relieved to have confirmation of her location. He still worried that it might be a trap despite their address of Chiara as "princess" which did not escape his notice.
"He's telling the truth," confirmed Toph.
Tezam never took his eyes from Zuko's.
"Why are you telling me?" asked Zuko.
"My son Tezi was a soldier in the 41st Division."
There was a jolt in Zuko's heart which Toph felt as she stood nearby and she lifted her head as if she were looking at him. Memories flashed through Zuko's mind: the war room, the Agni Kai, the letter of confirmation of the fate of the division. His eyes did not leave Tezam's. "I...I'm sorry," he said.
"Your honorable act of bravery in standing up for your people and the punishment you suffered for it are not unknown in the Fire Nation, Prince Zuko. There are many who support you and will gladly serve you."
Zuko bowed. "I'm honored."
"I imagine you want to rescue the Fire Princess just as you did in the Capital. I'm sure my daughter will help you in whatever way possible, and know you have more than just her as an ally in that prison."
Zuko was stunned. He was just given the exact information he had been looking for and the assurance of allies, and it offered a glimmer of hope after weeks of futile searching. "I'm indebted to you for this information."
"It's payment for the debt we owe to Princess Chiara who healed my wife," he said.
"You-you've seen her?" asked Zuko. "How is she?"
"She's as honorable as her husband," said Zara.
"I wish there was more we could offer to help you," said Tezam.
"You gave me just what I needed," said Zuko feeling hopeful.
They bowed low before him before turning to leave. The others stood staring at Zuko, puzzled by what was just said, but he just turned and climbed on Appa.
"Are you sure you can trust that guy?" asked Sokka as he followed him. "It seems kind of convenient that he just comes out of nowhere and tells you exactly where she is."
"I have no doubt he's telling the truth," said Zuko softly.
"Where do we go?" asked Aang.
"Back to the air temple," said Zuko. "I need to get the war balloon."
"What? But we're going with you."
"No," said Zuko. "I'm going to have to do this alone. It's possible I won't be coming back, and you can't risk going there."
"What's Boiling Rock?" asked Sokka.
Zuko hesitated. "It's a prison in a volcano."
"Well, Sokka," started Toph, "you wanted him to jump into a volcano. Are you happy now?"
"You know, not really," said Sokka.
"How are you going to get in?" Katara asked Zuko.
"I don't know yet," he answered.
They began their flight back to the temple. Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph all had more questions for Zuko swimming in their heads.
"Okay," started Toph, the only one who had the courage to ask her question, "I know everyone's curious, so I'm just going to throw it out there. What was that guy talking about? He mentioned 41st Division and your heart jumped."
Zuko was still having trouble getting used to Toph's unique ability, and he wondered if he would ever be able to control his impulsive reactions enough to hide anything from her. He looked up and saw that she was focused in his general direction while Sokka and Katara were staring directly at him, and even Aang, at Appa's reins, had his head slightly turned listening intently. He knew he did not have to share it with them; he could tell them it was none of their business, but none of it was a secret, and he was sure most Fire Nation citizens knew at least some of the details. He also felt he owed it to them; they deserved an explanation for why he chased them for so long and so persistently.
"The path that led me here, now, all started in war meeting when I was thirteen," said Zuko.
He proceeded to tell them his story—the war meeting, the 41st Division, the Agni Kai against his father, his punishment, his banishment, restoring his honor by finding the Avatar.
When he finished, they were all gaping at him with expressions close to horror. Even Aang was now staring at him as he sat on Appa's head, reins held loosely in his hands.
"Your own father," said Aang still stunned and disgusted by the Fire Lord's actions against his own son.
"That...that explains a lot," said Sokka.
Even Katara was astonished by his story, yet it made her hatred for the Fire Nation burn even more.
"Princess Chiara said your scar was a symbol of how honorable you are," said Toph softly. "She wasn't lying."
Zuko did not feel honorable. His action in the war room never saved those soldiers, and in the end it only turned his entire life upside down. He was sure if Chiara were there she would find some good in it offering him comforting words. He, of course, did not feel deserving of any consolation, but he had come to expect it from her, making the absence of her presence sting more painfully. Despite the company of the Avatar's gang, now loyal friends he had never realized before how much he needed, without Chiara he felt a part of him was missing, and he was determined to do anything to get her back, including jumping into a volcano.
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A/N: The story of Private Wang Fire and his "demise" are in the comic "Private Fire" which is also included in The Lost Adventures.
Wang Fire was also Sokka's alias in "The Headband" episode when he and Katara were pretending to be Aang's parents during their talk with the Fire Nation school's headmaster.
I would love to have included a "Private Tang Fire" adventure, but, alas, I never wrote it. :(