Rescue in Pohuai Stronghold

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- We are the sons and daughters of fire, the superior element, and until today, only one thing stood in our path to victory, The Avatar! I am here to tell you that he is now my prisoner!

The Rescue in Pohuai Stronghold was a rescue mission devised by banished Prince Zuko to rescue Avatar Aang from Admiral Zhao. This was odd, as the banished prince was bent on hunting Aang, but did this so it would be him to capture Aang.

Ending up being very important to the outcome of the war, as if this had never happened, Fire Lord Ozai would have come and taken Aang back to the Fire Nation. If this had happened, The War would have been over in a decisive victory for the Fire Nation, rather than the defeat coming from the Battle at Wulong Forest.

History
Prince Zuko has spoken out against a general's tactics during a war meeting. Because of this, his father, Fire Lord Ozai, expressed it as Zuko insulted him, and forced him to an Agni Kai. In that Agni Kai, a non-fighting Zuko, crying and begging for his father to spare. Ozai was not merciful, and in a single blast of fire, he burned his son's face, leaving a vicious scar. Zuko was then banished, and forced to hunt for the Avatar.

Avatar Aang was awakened months prier to the rescue, and the banished Prince Zuko finally saw his chance to redeem himself. But Aang was joined with his friends Katara and Sokka, and always seemed to dodged his attacks and attempts.

Ever since their Agni Kai, Zuko and Commander Zhao were bitter rivas. Soon, the hunt for the avatar became a nasty competetition between the two. Despite Zhao being a very powerful man, and clearly having an advantage over Zuko, he lacked the maximum resources and benefits since he was only a Commander.

Prelude
Commander Zhao had arrived at Pohuai Stronghold to discuss using the Yu Yan Archers for capturing Avatar Aang with Colonel Shinu. Shinu refused to grant him them, as they needed them for security and not some wild goose chase. Just then, Fire Lord Ozai's messenger hawk arrived to deliver Zhao's promotion to Admiral. Shinu was forced to accept.

Meanwhile, Avatar Aang and his friends had to stop at an abandoned city, as Sokka, and soon Katara were both ill from the recent storm. Aang decided to go find medicine for his friends. Aang finally found a herbalist in an old house. She advised Aang to find some frozen frogs in a near by pond, and to have his friends suck on them, as the frog excretes a substance that can cure his friends.

While trying to find the frogs, Aang is ambushed by the Yu Yan Archers. Despite his expertise in Airbending and basic knowledge of Waterbending, he is soon captured. He is soon put in a prison of Pohuai Stronghold, where he is harassed by Admiral Zhao. Zhao tells him that the situation is hopeless, and that no one is coming to rescue him. Aang dares Zhao to fight him, but Zhao refuses and leaves.

Infiltration
Zuko, disguised as the Blue Spirit, sneaks into the stronghold by hiding under a cart of goods. While the gaurds were distracted by Admiral Zhao's speech, he sneaks through the sewers and intothe fortress's center.

Zuko soon reaches the hall in front of Aang's cell. The four guards attack him, yet he quickly defeats him using his duel swords. He enters Aang's cell. He unleashes his swords at Aang. Being chained up, Aang could only scream in horror. Much to Aang's delight, however, Zuko frees him. The two leave the cell, even though Aang realizes he has left behind a few frogs.

Meanwhile, Amiral Zhao is having a scribe write a speech to Fire Lord Ozai about his accomplishment. Amiral Zhao then comes across the defeated guards, and upon seeing Aang not in his cell, orders the gates to be closed zuko and aang are soon confronted by guards.