Introduction
My name is Ryu and I was born and raised in the fire nation. My family had known zukos family before I was born. So naturally me and zuko had been very good friends.
Because of my parents relationship with the Royal Fire Nation, I was allowed to go the the royal palace frequently and accompany Zuko and his family on summer trips to Ember Island. My family consisted of my parents and little sister Atsuko.
But one day while I was at the Palace, they were killed in a fire. No one knew who started it, but it left me devastated. Ursa took me in and I felt like I had a family again.
I watched Zuko when he was burned by his father, and I left home with him when he was banished. We had been searching for the Avatar for 2 years, with no luck. But then everything changed.
One day, when we were cruising past massive icebergs, a enormous light shot flashed throughout the morning sky as we ventured through the icy waters of the south pole. I myself barely paid any attention to it, but Zuko had his body turned towards the massive beam, standing over the deck.
"Finally." Zuko said in a low eager voice."Do you know what this means?"
"We won't get to finish our game?" Iroh replied with a mixture of sadness and disappointment in his voice.
"And to think, I was just starting to win" I added on with more disappointment, while pouring myself a cup of tea.
"It means my search is about to come to an end." Zuko declared facing towards us for a moment before turning back towards the light.
I let out a groan and glanced over at Iroh. We had been at sea for 2 long years and every single time zuko had thought he found a lead on the avatar, we would come up empty handed.
"That light came from an incredibly powerful source." Zuko said."It has to be him."
"OR, it's just the celestial lights. We've been down this road before, Prince zuko. I don't want you to get too excited over nothing." Iroh explained with compassion in his voice. "Please sit. Why don't you enjoy a calming cup of warm Jasmine tea?"
"Its really good, Zuko" I chimed in before taking a sip of the steaming hot tea.
"I don't need any calming tea! I need to capture the avatar." Zuko yelled with anger in his voice."Helmsmen, set a course for the light"
Zuko then turned back towards the light, and took a deep breath relaxing his voice. I turned my attention back to the game at hand. As the ship changed courses, I grasped both my tea and the table, as so they wouldn't spill onto the deck of the ship
. "Your move, Iroh" I told him before taking another sip of my steaming tea. As far as I was concerned, Uncle Iroh was the best tea maker in all of the fire nation.
"Very decisive Ryuu. If you keep practicing, I'm sure you could beat me someday." As I was about to ask what Iroh meant, he made his move and moved his piece into place.
For the love of agni, I thought to myself. I had completely forgotten about the White lotus tile, which cost me the game. Uncles tactics in Pai-sho had often revolved around that single piece, and I had neglected myself to prepare for his strategy.
"Oh well, defeat happens to the best of us." Uncle Iroh exclaimed in a taunting manner
"Is the great dragon of the west looking for a rematch?" I questioned my mentor with slight amusement. Iroh let out an energetic laugh. "Only if you can fetch us some more tea. It seems my pot is empty, and I cannot play on a parched throat."
"I will be right back" I called already walking inside the gigantic fire navy ship.
I made my way through the corridors of the damp lit ship as I came closer to my quarters. When I reached it, I opened the hatch and walked in. It was a mellow sight.
My room was the same as the other soldiers aboard, only I didn't need to share it with a roommate. One of the perks of being best friends with the royal prince.
I walked past my desk which held two leather wrist gauntlets. Strapped to them, were 2 steel knifes which were attached to a long piece of rope. The rope extended from each gauntlet onto a circular holder for the rope,\which was attached to the back of my fire nation class armor. I had built it myself with all the spare time we had searching for the avatar.
It was built using several mechanisms. One launched the knifes forward, and one retracted them back into the socket. A rather advanced piece of equipment for its time, since most non benders had simple swords and knifes. I didn't see being a non-bender as a disadvantage. I have held my own against zuko on multiple occasions.
I opened the drawers to my desk and got out my tea leaves. I hurriedly walked back to Uncle Iroh as I was eager to start our rematch and drink some more tea. The rest of the day went by surprisingly quick. Pai-sho was a strategic game and took time and patience.
The weather had grown increasingly cold, with the wind constantly stinging at my face, I got ready to retire to my quarters, but not before we spoke to zuko. The moon had begun to rise and Zuko had shown no signs of leaving the deck. It was silent for a few moments before Iroh spoke.
"I'm going to bed now. Yep, a man needs his rest." Iroh yawned. He looked over at me and gestured towards zuko. "Prince zuko, you need some sleep. Even if your right, and the Avatar is alive, you won't find him. Your father, grandfather and great-grandfather all tried and failed"
Zuko turned to us, then turned back and spoke. "That's because their honor didn't hinge on the Avatars capture. Mine does. This coward's hundred years in hiding are over" He exclaimed with frustration in his voice.
Iroh turned to me once more, then walked back into the warm hallways of the ship. I just stood there thinking of what to say.
"You don't believe me either don't you?" Zuko said as he turned towards me.
"What? Zuko, if I didn't believe the Avatar was alive, why do you think I'm here on this ship halfway across the world from my homeland." I told him confusedly. "Look, I'm not here to lecture you like your uncle, but he cares for you like I do. If the Avatar is indeed alive, you're going to need all your strength to face him and this bitter cold isn't exactly healthy for you either. Just come inside for the night. You can get some rest and prepare tomorrow."
Zuko didn't say anything for some time. I started to walk towards the door when I heard him approaching from behind. I opened the door for him as he passed me then spoke a genuine thankyou. I smiled and we both returned to our quarters for the night.
I was dreaming, and it was a nightmare. Zuko had found the avatar, but he was more powerful than either of us imagined. He bent a powerful wave at Zuko knocking him overboard and into the deep depths of the water. I then looked at the Avatar with wide eyes, and let out a scream as he breathed a cloud of fire directly at me. Then I woke up.
I sat up in bed immediately realizing it was a dream. I took a moment to calm myself, as sweat was dripping down my forehead. As I got out of bed and dressed myself, I looked in the mirror. My somewhat muscular body was still shaking from the nightmare, and my deep brown eyes were bloodshot as well. My unkempt hair fell between my eyes. I really need a new hairstyle, I thought to myself.
Once I was dressed properly I decided to grab my gauntlets and test them out on the deck. As I made my way towards the sun soaked deck, I heard zuko shouting. "You WILL teach me the advanced set" He yelled before his eyes fell on me. "What are you wearing Ryu?" He asked, his eyes on my leather gauntlets.
"It's a new invention I came up with watch this." I said as I launched my blades at the firebenders Zuko had been training with. They were prepared, but so was I. Using my left blade, I wrapped the fire bender's arm in the rope, causing his flame to hit the other firebender instead of me.
I then yanked my arm down, causing him to smack down on the cold metal floor. They work surprisingly well. I thought to myself as I retracted my blades back into my wrist gauntlets. And they are very well hidden. An added bonus.
Zuko looking at me surprised, averted his attention to a flare that shot up into the air. Zuko ran to the telescope. "I found the avatar." He yelled to the crew. "As well as his hiding place"
I almost stumbled as the ship changed direction and headed towards a small southern water tribe village.
.
