When Worlds Collide

Freedom

Appa landed somewhere he couldn't be seen. The gaang jumped off the bison and huddled together to devise a plan.

"Ok, Sokka what's the plan?" Katara asked

"I thought you would never ask" Sokka grinned mischievously

-----

Zuko opens the door and holds Melissa's hands together behind her back. Melissa follows along. "I'll take her to the cell myself," Zuko told the guards. The guard's nod and Zuko starts walking toward the cell. Once in the room, Zuko dismissed the guards. The guards pass the keys to Zuko and they walk in.

"Sia" Melissa started when she turned the corner. Then she sees Anastasia in her cell. Her

knees were brought up to her chest and she was holding her arm. She looked pretty beat up. She had a few bruises and cuts. Her hood had fallen down to show that her hair was a little messed up.

Melissa gasped and ran up to the cell, calling Zuko after her. Zuko quickly unlocked the cell and Melissa ran in, "Sia what happened? Who did this?" Sia looked up and looked at Zuko. "It was Azula wasn't it" Zuko stated

Anastasia smirked lightly, "I was trained to handle all kinds of torture. It was hardly anything." But her eyes said something different.

"We have to get you out of here and we need to find the others. Zuko how much longer till you can get us out of here?' Melissa turned back to Zuko

"Wait what?" Anastasia asked but was cut off by Zuko. "We can try tonight, which won't be much longer" Melissa nodded, "I'll try and sneak in some stuff for you" Zuko finished. Melissa nodded a thank you and Zuko walked out of the cell. He closed the door and locked it, knowing the guards would come back and check.

Melissa turned back to Anastasia, "Are you okay? How hurt are you? Do we need to apply pressure anywhere?"

"I'm good Mel. I have a regenerative healing factor. I should be healed up soon." Anastasia replied with a weak reassuring smile. Melissa saw the hurt in her and moved to lightly hug her. Not wanting to hurt her more.

----

"Everyone understands the plan?" Sokka asked the group. They all nodded determinedly, ready to free their friends, "Then let's do this."

They prepared to execute the plan until they heard Toph say, "Wait!"

The group looked at the blind earthbender as she placed her hand on the ground, "I know those footsteps anywhere. They've already escaped." She stands and points in their direction.

They turn and see Melissa and Zuko helping Anastasia walk down the path. Allison and Avery were the first to run to them without thinking. Allison pulled Melissa into a hug while Avery hugged Anastasia. Zuko stood behind them awkwardly.

Aang was the next one to run out to them. He pulls Avery back and instantly kisses Anastasia. She was a little surprised at first, but then she kissed back.

"What is he doing here?" Sokka nodded at Zuko. Interrupting Aang and Anastasia's moment. Aang looked over and noticed Zuko. He put an arm in front of Anastasia as protection.

Prior, Zuko had told them about being enemies of the Avatar.

Anastasia placed a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder, "Aang it's okay. He helped us escape."

"Why would he help you?" Sokka asked, then looked at Zuko, "What's in it for you?"

"He's not doing this for anything." Melissa defended