Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ The Way it Was Meant to Be ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

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Chapter 2

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“The son of the Firelord‌ I don't know him, but I knew of him.” - Hakoda, “The Boiling Rock, Part 2”, Season 3, Episode 15.

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Of all the things that Hakoda could find unbearable about a Fire Nation prison, he found his biggest discomfort was the fact that it was so hot. Obviously, having the prison located in the crater of a volcano would cause such a phenomenon, but Hakoda was not just any prisoner. He was a war prisoner from the Southern Water Tribe and it was as if ice was a part of his blood. It had taken some getting used to the warmer weather up north once he left his home to fight in the war, but he found himself completely unable to tolerate the heat generated by the steaming lake here in the Fire Nation prison. He was constantly sweating, which made his prison garb stick to his clothes in an uncomfortable way. He felt like he always had a coating of sweaty grime on his skin, and his hair often was wet at the back of his neck. He had trouble sleeping at night from the oppressive heat. Most of the other prisoners didn't seem to be bothered so much by the heat, probably because they were mostly Fire Nation criminals rather than a prisoner of war like himself.

 

The oppressive heat, unfortunately, was not the only harsh thing about the prison. Hakoda learned the hard way that these prisoners didn't care what they did or who they hurt. Brawls happened almost every day. And then when you weren't dealing with unruly prisoners, there were the guards themselves who took advantage of every opening to make life miserable. The warden himself was a piece of work who demanded respect and fear. Hakoda couldn't help but fight back when he first saw him, however tripping the warden proved to be a nearly fatal mistake. The guards beat him savagely and he was left without food or water for two days.

 

He didn't do that again.

 

After that mishap he was allowed to interact with the general population of the prison. Mealtimes were spent in the general assembly hall with two half hour long recess periods in between. Other than that, Hakoda spent time the rest of his time in his cell. On the fifth day during lunch time, Hakoda was sitting in a corner poking at some very flavorless slop when one of the prisoners came over to him and down sat next to him. This new development startled him, but he continued to poke at his lunch not wanting start a fight.

 

“I hear you tripped the warden,” the man said when he settled onto the bench next to him.

Hakoda looked up at the brutishly large man, not exactly sure what to make of the comment. “It was an accident.”

 

This caused the man to laugh and slapped Hakoda on the back in amusement. “Sure, sure! Well, anyone who accidentally trips the warden is good with me. You got a name?”

 

The suddenly genial attitude was surprising, but making some friends in this place might actually be a good thing. “I'm Hakoda. And you are?”

 

“Call me Chit Sang,” the man said as he stuffed a large spoonful of the slop into his mouth. “Hakoda. That's not a Fire Nation name. I take it the rumor is true, you're a war prisoner.”

 

“I am,” Hakoda said hesitantly.

 

“Well, here we're all prisoners, so I guess it doesn't matter.” Chit Sang then swallowed a large gulp of his water. “Here it's more about who you get along with, get what I'm saying?”

 

Hakoda's eyes furrowed at that. “I'm not looking to cause trouble.”

 

“Trouble will find you whether you're looking for it or not,” Chit Sang stood up, having finished his lunch already. “But the more people you got on your side, the better off you are.”

 

“Are you offering to be on my side?” Hakoda said dubiously.

 

“I guess I am,” Chit Sang said with another laugh. “Stick by yourself and you'll get picked on. But you showed some balls standing up to the warden, I can use someone like that.”

 

“I'll think about it,” Hakoda said as he pushed the slop away from him. He wasn't in the mood to eat.

 

“Sure.” Chit Sang noticed Hakoda pushing the food aside. “Hey, if you're not-”

 

“Go right ahead.” Hakoda said and pushed it over towards the other prisoner. Maybe this guy was right. This prison was a pretty tough place, making some alliances might be a good way to get out of this in one piece.

 

“Thanks, man,” He said as he gobbled up the second plate. “Gotta clean the prince's cell today, sometimes makes me late for dinner.”

 

“The prince?” Hakoda asked curiously.

 

“Yeah,” Chit Sang replied with a mouth full of slop. “The Firelord's brat is here, but he's in solitary. No one ever sees him unless you have to clean his room.”

 

“I thought the Firelord's son was an exile?”

 

“Not anymore.” Chit Sang swallowed the last of the slop and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Doesn't matter, he's got another brat to take over anyway. Who knows what goes on with the royal family these days, it makes no difference in here anyway.”

 

“I guess it doesn't,” Hakoda replied softly.

 

Chit Sang pat Hakoda strongly on the back again, “Well thanks for the food, man. I think you and me will get along real well in here.” Chit Sang smiled and then head over to another group of prisoners.

 

Hakoda sat there sipping the last of his water recalling what his son Sokka had said to him on the Fire Nation ship they had commandeered to hide from the navy back before the eclipse.

 

It had been a few of days since Aang had been severely injured in the fight at Ba Sing Se. Hakoda was in the captain's room of the Fire Nation Vessel with his son, relishing some free time to talk with his son and find out exactly what Sokka and Katara had been up to since they began traveling the world with the avatar.

 

“Turns out the guy that came to the village was actually Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation.” Sokka said as he recalled the arrival of Fire Nation ship.

 

“The Firelord's Son was in the south pole?” Hakoda said, a note of surprise in his voice.

 

“Yeah, he was on some mission to capture Aang. Really annoying if you ask me. He chased us all the way to the north pole!” Sokka said dramatically.

 

“So I guess the rumors are true,” Hakoda said, rubbing his chin slightly. “Is it true he has a huge scar on his face?”

 

“Yeah,” Sokka replied. “It's pretty ugly if you ask me. But luckily we didn't have to see him after the North Pole, he must have given up or something. But now I'm getting ahead of myself! Let me tell you about the...”

 

They had sat there in that cabin for hours telling each other stories of what they had done in all the time they had been separated. Hakoda couldn't help feel a pang of sadness. After years apart they had been reunited only to be quickly torn apart. The invasion plan had failed and now he was here in prison unable to help his children. He silently hoped they were okay as he stood up from the bench.

 

Lunch time was over. Time to go back to his cell.

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Zuko sat on his knees, clutching his stomach as he wretched violently. He was sick and couldn't keep anything down, but not for lack of trying. Zuko shook violently as he spat out the stomach bile. When he was finished vomiting he crawled back over to his bed and curled up into a ball. He had started feeling ill the day before and complained to the guards about it. They simple yelled at him to stop complaining and received a blow to the head for interrupting their conversation.

 

He laid there for a long while just shivering on his bed and slipping in and out of various nightmares and dreams. It was so hot yet he felt so cold. He must have a fever. He felt so thirsty too, but the water they gave him just wasn't enough. Zuko felt his body get worse and worse as the hours passed.

 

Eventually he heard the sound of someone entering his cell. The sound barely registered in his half-dream state and he tried to just ignore it, hugging his body even tighter.

 

“Fuck!” he heard the person yell, jolting Zuko out of his sleepy haze. “You puked all over the floor!”

 

Without any warning he felt the person grab him by the hair and yank him off his cot. Zuko yelped in pain as he was tossed into the corner of his cell. “Good.” The person who had come in was another prisoner, here to clean his cell. “You didn't get it all over the bed.”

 

The prisoner proceeded to mop up the vomit, muttering curses under his breath while Zuko remained huddled in the corner, rubbing his sore scalp. The sudden mistreatment had left Zuko dizzy and in pain. When it came time for the prisoner to clean the spot he was currently in, he delivered a swift kick to Zuko, which caused another cry of pain. “Get up.”

 

Zuko silently raged. Who was this person to treat him so roughly? He wanted to lash out, to burn the man to a crisp. But not only did he know that would earn him a severe beating and time in the cooler, he didn't even think he could muster up the strength to firebend in his current state. Instead, he struggled to stand, and he hugged the spot where he had been kicked as he hobbled over to the other side, the chain on his ankle clanked softly. Zuko made his way back onto the cot and laid down. He hated this particular prisoner. He didn't feel any qualms about throwing Zuko around when he wanted him to move, which normally was bad enough but in this state it was complete agony.

 

When the man finally finished cleaning he rapped loudly on the door to signal that he had finished his chore. The door slid open loudly and the prisoner left. Good riddance, Zuko thought as he faded back into a fevered sleep.

 

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It had been two days since Hakoda had met Chit Sang. He found himself eating with Chit Sang's group of buddies and was surprised to find it wasn't all that bad. Sure, they were firebenders and criminals, but it was better than being alone in this depressing place. Besides, roughness aside they weren't that bad. Granted if he met these guys outside of prison he'd want nothing to do with them. Hakoda just guessed that prisons made some strange bedfellows, so to speak.

 

Hakoda also found that in the two days since talking with Chit Sang he had been deemed worthy enough to be put on cleaning duty. Only the more well behaved prisoners were permitted the extra time out of their cells to clean the prison. Since Chit Sang had managed to get in a brawl with a prison guard and used firebending, they needed another person to take care of Chit Sang's chores and Hakoda was it.

 

Hakoda didn't actually mind. Cleaning helped kill some of the boredom he experienced alone in those cells. Although he was a little envious to find out that Chit Sang's punishment was to be put in a freezing cooler. Hakoda fleetingly wished he could firebend just so he could go into the cooler. How nice it would be to escape the unbearable heat of this place and escape into the cold air he loved. Yes, the heat was driving him nuts.

 

Cleaning involved a lot of mopping of the main hallway areas as well as various cells and common areas. It was tough work, the guards demanded a thorough job, but at least it was something to do. When Hakoda's group was finished in one of the hallways a guard pulled him aside and tossed him a fresh bucket and mop. “Come with me,” he said gruffly and lead Hakoda down the hall.

 

Hakoda followed without a word as he was lead to a more secluded area of the prison. The guard grabbed his key ring and and looked through the dozen or so assortment and pulled out the one he wanted. The door slid open with a loud moan and Hakoda was given a quick shove inside. “Dinner's in twenty. Be quick.”

 

Hakoda heard the door slam shut behind him. He sighed and rubbed his shoulder lightly. The guards could benefit greatly from an attitude adjustment. With another sigh he took stock of the cell he was now in. It didn't seem too dirty, then again it didn't smell that great either. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he could see a body laying on the cot across from the door shivering silently. He was wrapped in a ratty blanket, one foot sticking out that appeared to be chained to the nearby wall. Hakoda's eyes furrowed as he realized who must be occupying that cot.

 

So this is it, Hakoda thought, the prince's cell. He couldn't tell if the boy across the room from his was awake but it didn't matter. He was here to perform a task, the sooner he finished the sooner he could go to dinner. Hakoda plopped the bucket down and began to mop the floor. After only a minute of mopping did he discover a small puddle of what must have been vomit. Hakoda grimaced and began to clean it up.

 

As Hakoda was cleaning the floor near the caught he stopped suddenly. He thought he heard a faint whispering sound and after listening closely he could make out the faint words “Azula always lies.” over and over again.

 

Curious, he placed the mop against the wall and turned the shivering boy over. His skin was clammy and cold and he didn't seem to awaken when Hakoda moved him. Hakoda immediately put his hand to the boy's forehead and his eyes widened. He was burning up. No wonder there was vomit on the floor, he was incredibly sick. Hakoda looked over the boy and saw that not only was he sick but he was terribly thin as well. From where he could see his skin, there were many bruises and scars, but the most notable scar of all was the one covering his left eye. The mark of the banished prince.

 

Hakoda couldn't help but wonder just what this boy had done to deserve such horrible treatment. He had heard stories of the banished prince, but nothing of why he had been banished. Now here he was in a Fire Nation prison in the worse possible shape a human could ever possibly be in. Hakoda sighed. Maybe it was a good thing. If this was his life, maybe getting sick and dying would be the best thing for him.

 

Hakoda stood up considering just leaving him there. This was a Fire Nation prince after all. This boy wasn't any of his concern and was probably better off dead considering the position he was in. What kind of life could he possibly lead chained to the wall of a cell without any hope of being free? He was walking over to the bucket getting ready to finish up and knock on the door when he stopped short. What if it was Sokka or Katara? What would he want someone to do if it was them? The guards obviously didn't care if the boy lived or died otherwise he doubt he would have been allowed to get in such a bad state.

 

“This is probably a bad idea,” Hakoda whispered as he went back over to the boy. He grabbed the end of the rotted blanket and ripped off a long strip. He took it over to the water that had been set out for the boy and never touched. He poured some onto the cloth until it was soaked through and went back to place it on the boys forehead. He then took the remaining water and placed it near the cot. Gently he began to shake the boy trying to wake him up. “Hey, hey,” Hakoda called as he tried to get the boy out of whatever dream state he was in.

 

The prince's eyes fluttered open after a few shakes. “Nnn,” he mumbled softly. “C-cold.”

 

“I know,” Hakoda said as he grabbed for the cup of water. “You need to drink this.” Hakoda brought the cup to the prince's lips. Some water dribbled down his chin before he could actually swallow some water. Once he took the first sip he gulped the rest down thirstily. “Does that feel better?” Hakoda asked.

 

The boy simply nodded ever so slightly.

 

“Good,” Hakoda said and stood back up, letting the prince settle back down onto the cot. He went over to the door, kicking the waste bucket over as he did so and then rapped on it lightly with his hand.

 

The door slid open. “You done?” the guard asked.

 

“Almost.” Hakoda replied, motioning over to the tipped bucket. “The waste bucket got tipped over, it's quite a mess, can I get another bucket of water?”

 

“Make it quick,” The guard said and let Hakoda through to get some fresh water.

 

When Hakoda returned he brought the fresh water over to the boy immediately. He placed it down by the cot and scooped up another cup of water and got him to drink it down like the first one. “I got a bucket of water here for you, do you see it?”

 

The boy looked down by the floor then back up at Hakoda and nodded once more.

 

“Good, I'm going to leave this here,” Hakoda said as he filled the cup with more water and placed it next to prince. “Drink as much water as you can, understand?”

 

Hakoda was awarded with another nod and then he heard the boy speak in a barely audible voice. “Thank you.”

 

Hakoda patted the boy lightly on the head. He quickly cleaned up the mess he had made as quickly as possible and gathered up the cleaning supplies. He knocked again on the steel door. “I'm ready.”

 

The steel door screeched open. “Good, it's nearly dinner time.” the guard said in annoyed tone. “Hurry up”

 

Hakoda left the cell hoping the guard wouldn't remember he was supposed to have two buckets instead of one. Fortune smiled on him as the guard didn't even give him a second glance. Now the only question remained was if the boy would survive the night.

 

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TBC

 

A/N - I love the Boiling Rock episodes, don't get me wrong. And while I realize it's a kid's show, I always thought their portrayal of a criminal prison was just silly. Given that this story is more on the mature side, I tried to be more realistic. I also realize Chit Sang may seem OOC, but it's not like he's a major character and I only need him to do a couple of things, so whatever. I was too lazy to try and pick a name that would fit in the world.

 

I also plan to use quotes from the show because I think it's fun and I like showing the reader where I get certain ideas from as a lot of where this story is going is taken directly from the show. It's possible a chapter may not have a quote if none is relevant. All quotes are taken from the Avatar Spirit website's transcription section.

 

Please let me know what you think. I'm always more interested in critiques in my writing style as I'm always trying to improve. I'm a little rusty since I haven't written anything in a long while. And thanks to those who reviewed Ch.1 and added me to their story alerts. I appreciate it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.