Disclaimer: I do not own these characters nor do I make any profit from this story.
Wounded Honor
A Long Awaited Victory
The port of Croce was bathed in blue twilight as night fell. A Fire Nation ship sat anchored in the harbor with the many fishing boats. The Dragon of the West stood on deck, watching the lights flicker inside the town's dwellings. His nephew would stay at Port Croce one more day to re-supply as they had originally intended to when they weighed anchor this morning. With a sigh, Iroh turned to go below deck.
Iroh encountered no one in the many passages of the ship. Everyone was asleep. Well, thought the General, it has been an eventful day. Iroh stopped in front of the door to his nephew's room. Without hesitation, Iroh opened the door and quietly stepped into the room.
Prince Zuko was lying on his cot, sheets wrapped around his toned body. Iroh walked over to his nephew. Sometimes his nephew lay awake in bed thinking about the various things that plagued his mind. Tonight, the General saw, with satisfaction, that his nephew was sound asleep. Iroh smiled to himself. Zuko had found peace after many months of insomnia. Iroh made to kneel down on the floor. His joints protested loudly, but he achieved to sit comfortably on his knees, looking down at his nephew. From here, Iroh could see a slight smile at the corners of Prince Zuko's mouth.
What are you dreaming about? Iroh wondered. You deserve happiness after all you've been through. It's so nice to see you smile (not smirk) again. Iroh stroked Zuko's brow gently. The prince muttered something Iroh couldn't understand. Not wanting to rouse the exhausted teenager, he took his leave. Iroh went into his own room, next to Zuko's. He took off his shoulder pads and breast plate. After placing them on their stand, he proceeded to untie the sash of his under robe. After slipping into his sleeping trousers, Iroh lay down on his cot. Before drifting off to sleep, his mind asked again what Zuko was dreaming about to put such a smile on his face.
Zuko was, in fact, dreaming about the events of the day. They had lowered anchor in Croce's harbor and had taken the river boat (now repaired from the waterfall incident) to the docks. Zuko had planned to restock on barrels of fresh water and food, buy extra engine parts (just in case), and get more candles for his meditation table.
Instead, he had seen the Water Tribe girl exiting a shop. At first, he thought he had better make sure it was the right girl. He couldn't tell from this distance and there was no sense in getting his hopes up. Then again, how many other Water Tribe girls would be at a Northern Earth Kingdom port? He fell into step behind her. In a crowded market, you could get away with invading someone's personal space. She hadn't seemed to notice him at all and he was able to get a good look at her. He could see the knot used to tie the ribbon necklace she wore and when she turned her head slightly to the left to look into a dress shop, he was certain it was her. He had had two opportunities to examine her face. The first was when he had tied her to that tree, but it had been nighttime. The second was when he had to put her and that boy up onto that cursed bounty hunter's shir shu. There was no mistake now. Zuko smirked and fell back a ways but kept her in sight at all times.
He kept on her aimless trail, eager to see the Avatar join her side. Zuko shadowed her through the marketplace for a half hour, steadily losing his patience. The girl was just browsing in any little shop she passed but she never bought anything. She knows what she'd like to buy, Zuko had thought bitterly, but she doesn't have the money being a peasant. Zuko sighed inwardly. It appeared the girl was by herself on a mere browsing spree. Well, thought Zuko, the Avatar might not be with her now, but he is definitely in Croce; Or on the outskirts with that fluffy bison of his. Zuko had a second wind of patience and he continued to stalk the Waterbender for the rest of her time in the marketplace. Zuko was soon rewarded for his diligence because the girl started making her way toward the outskirts of the town.
He couldn't stay close to her anymore. There was no place for him to hide if she chose to turn around. He watched from an alley as the girl strolled across an open field toward the gently rolling hills in the distance.
When she disappeared over the first hill, Zuko jogged through the field after her. When he reached the top, he crouched in the tall grass and watched her climb the second hill. As she began her descent on the other side, Zuko stood up and sprinted after her once more. He repeated this for three more hills before he saw the Avatar's bison lounging in the sun.
Zuko's heart skipped a beat. He spotted the girl at the foot of the hill before she turned and disappeared inside of it. There must be a cave, thought Zuko. He looked around and could see no other entrance. Zuko smirked. This is perfect for an ambush, he said to himself.
The prince turned and ran back toward Croce. He bade one of his crew members to gather the others and practically had to drag his uncle away from an antique shop. When his crew was assembled in front of him, Zuko announced they were to have council back on the ship. Confused, the crew members exchanged glances but they boarded the river boat without complaint.
In the bridge, Zuko had explained he knew where the Avatar was and they were going to make another attempt at capturing him. Zuko began to outline his plan to the crew for ambushing the cave. If the soldiers were well-organized and worked together, he saw no reason for failure.
After making sure everyone knew their part, Zuko ordered them all to the boat. Before setting off across the field, Zuko bought a large net, iron stakes, four mallets, three handkerchiefs, and a bottle of liquefied keyjan root (for subduing hostiles) in the marketplace. Iroh was content to shop some more. The General stated that this was Zuko's quest and he didn't need to be worrying about an old man. Zuko had agreed with little persuasion needed and he and the soldiers set off, leaving General Iroh to his obsessive shopping.
After trekking over the five hills, Zuko and his men were standing around the cave. They could hear the voices of the "traveling trio" inside. The attack had to be swift and unified. Two soldiers stood above the mouth of the cave, holding the large net. Several stakes and two mallets lay beside them. Two more soldiers stood ready at opposite sides of the cave's entrance with the other two mallets and the rest of the stakes. Zuko motioned for a fifth soldier to draw his sword. The man soundlessly unsheathed his blade and held it at the ready. Zuko looked around at the rest of his crew. He had chosen the stronger, more able-bodied firebenders to assist him in the battle that was to take place. The men had their jaws set as they waited for the prince's command. Zuko took a deep breath and nodded to them.
The prince and his firebending crew members rushed into the cave. As soon as they were inside, the soldiers perched above the cave's entrance dropped a side of the net down to the soldiers waiting at the bottom. Moving as one, the four of them each took a corner of the net and drove the iron pegs into the ground with their mallets, sealing the cave's occupants inside. It wasn't much of a barrier, but it would delay the escape of the Avatar and his companions, if only for a moment.
Zuko wasted no time in attacking. He threw a punch and a kick at the startled trio. The Water Tribe boy was the first to recover from the soldiers' sudden appearance. He pulled the girl and the Avatar out harm's way and drew his bent blade.
Remembering the time the unusual weapon had hit his head in the South Pole, Zuko snarled at the boy. The boy charged, screaming his ridiculous war cry before flinging the boomerang at Prince Zuko. Zuko side-stepped it easily and discreetly heated up the air as it passed. The blade sailed back to its owner's hand.
"Ow!" The boy winced as he dropped his scalding hot weapon and nursed his now burnt hand. Lieutenant Jee stepped up and gave the boy a quick chop across the windpipe. The boy opened his mouth trying to gulp down air, but Jee's simple move made it temporarily impossible for the boy to breathe. Jee seemed to be keeping the boy well in check and Zuko turned to the Avatar and the girl. Zuko's men stood back, as ordered, waiting to assist their prince when the opportunity presented itself.
The assault on her brother had brought the girl to her senses. By now, she had uncorked her waterskin canteen and was preparing a water whip. Zuko sent a fiery punch at the girl. While it didn't burn her, it did break her concentration on holding the water. The ground instantly drank the liquid and there was nothing left for the girl to bend.
Finally, the Avatar overcame the shock of the sneak attack and sent a wave of air at Zuko. The firebender was blown back a few feet but he remained standing. After the gale had passed, he retaliated with a spinning kick, sending a wall of fire blazing its way toward the Avatar. Aang jumped up and clung to a stalactite as the flames burned out beneath him. So began their usual battle. Attack, dodge, retaliate.
Two of Zuko's soldiers crept around the battling duo and made sure the waterbender did not interfere. They didn't attack her. They merely stood cornering her. She looked wildly around for any resources she could use against them, but the only thing available were some rocks. She quickly scooped these up and chucked them at the soldiers. They smiled wryly as the rocks bounced harmlessly off their helmets and armor with soft clinks. Without water, the girl posed no real threat.
Meanwhile, outside of the cave, the soldier Moro was silently picking his way toward the Avatar's bison, sword in hand. The animal was asleep; digesting a morning's worth of grass, but Moro thought it best to approach with caution. On the ship, Zuko had conveyed to the crew his observation of the bison's method of flight. With each take off the prince had witnessed, the bison always waved its tail to gain altitude. Zuko figured if the tail was damaged, the bison would not be able to fly. Moro had been appointed to this task of sabotage.
He now stood before the beast, angling his sword for attack. Without further hesitation, the soldier drove his blade into the bison's tail, impaling the vertebra. The great animal awoke and thrashed around in pain. Blood gushed out of wound while the bison bellowed in agony. Moro hastily retreated back to the cave, wiping his rapier on the grass as he went.
Inside the cave, the Avatar paused, mid-attack, as he heard his animal guide's roar. A moment's pause was all that Zuko needed. He lunged at Aang and pinned him face down on the cavern floor. Zuko dug a knee into the child's back as the body underneath him struggled against his pressing weight.
"Kanta," Zuko shouted. The soldier called Kanta hustled over to Zuko, taking out the keyjan root and one of the handkerchiefs as he came. He quickly tilted the now open bottle onto the hanky for a brief instance. Up righting the bottle, Kanta handed the dampened rag to Zuko, who all but tore his hand off in eagerness.
Zuko swiftly covered the Avatar's mouth and nose with the cloth. Aang inhaled the fumes of the drug and slipped into unconsciousness almost instantly. "Aang! No!"
Zuko looked up to see the waterbender straining against his soldiers as she desperately tried to reach the Avatar. Zuko stood up and nodded to the soldiers. They relinquished their hold on the girl and she rushed past them toward her fallen comrade. As the girl made to bend over, Zuko threw out his arm and wrapped it around her, pinning her arms to her sides. His other hand still held the drugged handkerchief and he quickly smothered her with it. He felt her go limp in his arms and he gently laid her on the ground next to the Avatar.
As Zuko straightened up, he heard a voice cry angrily, "Don't you EVER touch her again, scumbag!" Zuko turned to see the peasant boy being pinned down by Lt. Jee and Corporal Seiji. The boy's face was swelling with various bruises but the look on his face wasn't misinterpreted. It was a look of utmost loathing.
For a moment, Prince Zuko thought of caressing the waterbender's body to spite the yokel who dared to order him around. The next instant, Zuko berated himself for such thoughts. Taking advantage of someone who wasn't awake to defend themselves wasn't honorable in any instance. The prince drew himself up to full height and walked slowly toward the peasant boy in his most intimidating manner. The boy had been trying to wriggle away from his captors all this time but as Zuko approached, he froze in fear. Zuko smirked. He knew how frightening he could appear and it was satisfying to get respect from this defiant little "warrior."
Zuko put his face right up next to the peasant's and said in a menacing growl, "You think to order royalty around? I will do as I wish and no ill-bred Water Barbarian can do anything to keep me from following through with my intentions." The boy just stared at the prince defiantly. Zuko scowled, "I will thoroughly enjoy breaking that rebellious streak of yours back on my ship." The boy's eyes widened. "Yes, I said 'back on my ship'." With that, Zuko pressed the suppressant soaked cloth to the peasant's mouth.
The boy did not immediately faint. He continued to stare at Zuko with the utmost contempt in his eyes. "You can't hold your breath forever," Zuko snarled. "But I'm not feeling patient enough to see how long you can. . ." He rammed his fist into the boy's ribs. The peasant gasped in pain and breathed the scent of the handkerchief. His eyes rolled back in his head before he lost consciousness.
Prince Zuko stood up and Jee and Seiji followed suit. Zuko wouldn't breathe easy until his prisoners were in the brig of his ship. He walked to the cave entrance and shouted, "Take the net down and make it into some bindings for the prisoners."
Zuko heard the men outside prying up the pegs. The net fell to the ground and his crew began to cut the woven rope into longer pieces. In ten minutes, the Avatar and his two companions were bound and gagged tightly. "Carry them back to the ship. We're taking the back alleys to get through town. I don't want to chance civilians interfering. Someone grab their supply bag. Leave the bison."
The men hastened to follow his orders. Moro took the easy job of carrying the group's travel bag. Jee scooped up the boy and slung him over his shoulder. Seiji followed suit for the girl. Paytah, who had been guarding her earlier, seemed disappointed that he didn't get to carry the pretty girl. He recovered himself quickly though and picked up the Avatar. The other six men divvied up carrying the mallets, stakes, and remains of the net.
Prince Zuko led the way across the field but made sure he was never far from the child Paytah carried. After the crew was over the last hill, Zuko heard Seiji say, "That's a nasty bruise Lieutenant." The prince didn't turn around but he kept listening.
"It was a lucky shot," Jee answered.
"I'll say! The boy is sloppy. He seems to let his anger dictate to his rationale, if he has any."
Zuko's jaw tightened at the aimless conversation behind him. They have five seconds to shut up, he mentally snarled as the path into town became pavement.
Jee continued, "Yes. He lacks the training to be a good warrior but he does have the spirit. You know how he kept squirming and kicking after we got him on his back."
"You kept him cornered most of the time," Seiji answered earnestly. "I just helped because you seemed to be getting annoyed at his persistence. Even after you'd beaten his face in and all."
"Corporal! Lieutenant!"
The two men snapped their heads forward to look at Zuko. The prince had stopped walking and was glaring at them with his arms folded.
Now that he had their attention, Zuko continued. "The idle conversation between the two of you suggests that you are slipping into a mood of comfort. We need to remain alert in our surroundings until the prisoners are locked away in the prison hold of my ship. I have had the Avatar in my grasp many times before and despite my best efforts, he always escaped. There is no guarantee of securing the prisoners even if we are most attentive. Imagine the ease of escape for them if you become relaxed." Zuko paused before adding in a menacing growl, "And imagine my rage directed toward the people at fault for the Avatar's escape."
A shudder passed through the two men and they bowed their heads in apology. Zuko nodded briefly before turning to continue the walk. Uncle would say I should be more understanding toward my crew. "Especially after they helped you ambush the Avatar."
Zuko suppressed a smirk. His uncle had definitely grown on him for the past two years. He's probably bought enough junk in the market by now, thought Zuko. "Kanta!" he barked. Kanta sped up and walked next to Zuko.
"Sir?"
"Find my uncle. Tell him we were victorious and I need him back on the ship."
"Yes sir," Kanta replied. He turned and exited the maze of alleys into the crowded market.
Zuko and his crew reached the docks without incident. They all boarded the river boat and waited for Kanta and Iroh to join them. After several long minutes, Zuko saw his uncle and Kanta coming down to the docks, laden with curios. Iroh was taking his time while Kanta seemed anxious to not keep the impatient prince waiting.
When everyone was back on Zuko's ship, Zuko had most of the soldiers help his uncle to place Iroh's latest purchases where directed. He detained Jee, Seiji, Moro, and Paytah with the prisoners.
"Moro," Zuko ordered, "take the Avatar's belongings to my room. Except for the staff. Put it in the vault. Have my uncle unlock it for you."
The ship had an iron vault in the galley and only Zuko and Iroh knew the combination. With a bow, Moro left the room. Zuko turned to the remaining crew members. "You three, follow me."
Zuko walked through the corridors and down to the brig. He stopped in front of the first cell. "The Water Peasants first," Zuko stated. Seiji and Jee stepped forward with the boy and the girl.
Zuko uncorked the bottle of keyjan root he had taken from Kanta. The potent smell tickled everyone's nose. Lieutenant Jee shot Zuko a questioning glance. A prince did not need to explain himself but after Jee's help, Zuko supposed he could offer some explanation. "It's to keep them asleep for awhile." Jee nodded in comprehension. "When I'm done," Zuko continued, "put them in this cell. For now, hold your breath."
Zuko, Jee, and Seiji all inhaled deeply. Zuko then put some of the sleep inducing liquid on the gags of the two captives, the part under their noses. Zuko stepped back, resumed breathing, and opened the door to the cell. Seiji and Jee walked inside and set the captives down. When the soldiers exited the cell, they exhaled before beginning to breathe normally again.
Zuko turned and walked to the cell he had prepared, almost three years ago, for the Avatar. After drugging the Avatar's gag, Zuko walked into the cell with Paytah following him. "Untie the ropes and chain him to the cell wall. Use ALL of the chains," Zuko ordered. Paytah hastened to obey.
After minutes of twisting and locking chains, the Avatar was hanging on the wall of the cell like a tapestry. There was no way the child was capable of movement in his cocoon of iron. Zuko nodded dismissing Paytah. Alone, Zuko stared at his captive hardly believing the Avatar was really subdued in front of him. He stared for a good while, convincing himself this time it had really happened before he turned to leave.
After securing the many locks on the door, Zuko went to his room with the intention to meditate. But as he entered his room, he realized he felt tired. So tired! Walking through his doorway had brought this wave of exhaustion and Zuko undressed himself in a daze before collapsing onto his cot.
Zuko felt himself being shaken awake. A voice was speaking to him. He recognized it as Iroh's. "Prince Zuko, it is morning." Zuko opened his eyes. "I'm sorry to wake you nephew, but you may sleep later in the afternoon. I thought after the events of yesterday, you'd want to re-supply and leave for the Fire Nation as soon as possible."
Zuko found his voice. "You are right Uncle. I'll be ready to go in ten minutes."
"There is no need to hurry, Prince Zuko," Iroh replied. "The cook has made a wonderful breakfast and you need to keep up your strength."
Zuko hated conversation first thing in the morning. The quickest way to get Iroh out of the room was to agree with him. "Very well Uncle."
The General smiled. "I'll see you in a few minutes then," he said exiting the room.
Zuko sighed. His uncle would want him to recount the events of yesterday over their breakfast. There are worse things I suppose, Zuko told himself before throwing the sheets off and grabbing his shirt.
