The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

"You're lucky I'm such a gracious person. If I was anyone else, you'd be back in your cell right now." Azula told me genuinely.

I rolled my eyes slightly as we walked throughout the prison. "If this is the best prison the Fire Nation has, I can imagine how bad the other ones are."

Azula scoffed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, besides the location, it really isn't all that. Tell your dad he needs to up the budget on the prisons. I mean, I basically broke out of the capital prison in like, 5 minutes. That's embarrassing." I found that I was basically just messing with Azula at this point.

"When I become Fire Lord I'll take that into consideration." Azula replied matter-of-factly.

"Good, good." I said awkwardly. I really wasn't sure what to say. My friendship with Azula was similar to being stuck with someone in a random class in school. You became friends based on circumstance but once you left that peticular setting, you realized you didn't know each other really at all.

All of the doors to the cells automatically opened. "Well, that's my cue." I said, pleased with the convienient timing. I assumed this was some part of a plan Sokka made.

Azula grabbed my arm. "I'm letting you go. But I'll find you again, and you will come home."

"Home is a relative term." I replied as she let go of my arm. "I'll be seeing you." I finished as I jogged off. I decided that everyone was probably at the prison yard, so I went there.

I smiled slightly as I saw Suki, Sokka, and his dad standing in a circle. I ran up to them and took my helmet off.

"Where's Zuko?" I asked quickly as I looked around. "Also, Hi. I'm Ashley." I introduced to Hakoda.

"Ashley, what happened? I thought you got caught?" Sokka asked.

"I know. Azula let me go." I answered.

"What?" Suki asked in alarm. "She let you leave?"

"Yeah, we are kinda friends." I responded casually. "I'm not a bad guy though." I said to Hakoda with a reassuring smile.

"I don't know where Zuko is. He's supposed to me us here." Sokka finally answered. "The plan is to leave on the gondala. We are gonna take the warden as a hostage so they don't cut the line."

"Mai, Azula, and Ty Lee are all here. A fight is inevitable." I replied.

"I'm still confused on how she knows these Fire Nation people all so well. Should she be trusted?" Hakoda whispered to Sokka; although, I think he was purposely being loud so I'd hear.

"She's dating Zuko." Sokka answered quickly. "And she can be trusted."

"Wait, you're dating Zuko?" Suki asked in surprise.

"I thought you would've inferred that by now." I told Suki. "So how do we start this plan of yours?"

"We have to start a riot." Sokka explained.

"Okay, but how do we do that?" Suki asked.

Hakoda looked to the side at a few prisoners. "I'll show you." He shoved one of the big prisoners.

"Hey, why did you do that for? That hurt my feelings." The prisoner stated.

"Aren't you mad at me?"

"Uhh, well normally I would be, but I've been working to control my anger."

I traded a glance with Suki of confusion.

"This isn't working." Sokka stated in frustration.

I looked over as Chit Sang put his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "Hey you. You're lucky I didn't rat you out. But my generosity comes with a price. I know you're planning another escape attempt and I want in."