Blazing Crystal (Revised Version)

Chapter 59: Endless Night part 2

Just as an FYI, a frozen 2 song will be in this chapter. I do not usually use songs that are not my own, but I have made an exception just this once for one of my fans.

Disclaimer- I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, or the song "All is Lost" from Frozen 2.

Chapter 59: Endless Night part 2

Zuko POV

My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I headed down the hallway trying not to meet any gaze. The armor I wore was heavy and cumbersome, but I knew I had to keep up my disguise long enough to find information about Crystal. It had been almost two hours since I had left Mingi at the seabank. He let me know that as I had been resting and dozing from exhaustion, he had a messenger hawk land on the boat, to which he was given a message about his mission to rescue my uncle. In return, he wrote a message to tell his men to prepare the hot air balloon for my arrival.

I'd followed the path he'd pointed towards, all the way to the small hot-air balloon he had promised would be waiting for me. With relief, I found as I looked through the night air a fairly large balloon in the middle of the clearing he spoke of waiting to be lit for take off.

Sokka had told me about these balloons one day while we were gathering food. He animatedly retold the tale about his time at the Northern Air Temple. He explained to me how he helped the Mechanist finish designing these machines, coming up with the idea of putting a cap on the hole part of the balloon to stop air flow so the machine would lower. He went over with me how it worked in full detail, and at the time I was impressed. Now, I was relieved that he had been so thorough about the device, because his interest and knowledge of technology was about to be our way out.

However, I did feel unsettled by the transportation before me. From the balloon being present within the Fire Nation, it was clear that the firebenders who invaded that day had found the original plans and stole them from the Machinist at the Northern Air Temple. There was no telling what other types of mass weapons of destruction were being constructed...

Realizing I was getting distracted, I shook off my thoughts and returned to my mission. Throwing my bag into the wide basket of the balloon, I was relieved when I saw a suit of armor was already on the floor of the balloon waiting for me. Mingi had told me that the balloon would be waiting for me, and that it would contain all I needed to achieve my quest. I was impressed with whoever planned ahead and placed the armor inside. My Uncle's friends were definitely resourceful.

Quickly putting the armor on over my clothing, I made sure the cuirass, tassets, and shoulder pads were on properly. I had not worn Fire Nation armor since leaving Zhao's ship back at the North Pole so long ago. It was as I adorned the heavy material that I realized I didn't miss that side of me one bit. Being restricted and constrained under so much military teaching and royal expectation had truly destroyed my freedom. It was then I was relieved I had joined the Avatar and his friends. I enjoyed the feeling of freedom, and the chance to be myself.

Once my armor was fastened, I finally put on my helmet and covered my face with the vent. I prayed that no one would recognize me beneath the disguise. Leaving my swords and mask in the basket, I knew the first step was to get in and make sure she was alive. Once I got this information, and judged my options for escape, I would return to the palace as the blue spirit and sneak her out.

The plan was playing out in my mind well, so all I had to do was put it to action. Making my way through the late night, I snuck through the small forest and across the wide plantation of the outer palace. With slight uncertainty, I headed towards the outer wall which I could see looming in the distance. It was a good trek to the walls that had locked me out of the palace for so long, but eventually I'd reached the large stone structure that bordered what once was my home. Making my way around the perimeter, careful not to be spotted by the night-watch, I'd found what I was looking for. A bush grew at a spot in front of the wall, and pushing through I found my way in... right where I hoped it would be was the storm drain I'd snuck through as a child.