Immer: I can't believe I'm doing this. I already have a work load. Well, here goes nothing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. However, I have taken a few liberties. Not a big one. Just something to help the plot along. And a few other changes, I mean this is a Jetko story that might have a decent ending but lots of fucked up stuff in between? We'll go with that. Also as a heads up, in next chapter we see Dragon Zuko.
As custom, the title of this story is based off a song called Point Of No Return by Starset. I know, it's a returning theme. I can't help it fits so well with nearly everything.
Chapter One Jealousy And Shame
ATLA
Power. Anger. Vengence.
These were the words Fire Lord Ozai and Azula drilled into his head how firebending was. And for so many years, Zuko believed it. He believed that fire was nothing but channeling these three things.
Power. Fire was indeed powerful in it's own right. It can destroy everything in it's wake. And to prove it the Fire Nation has been on an all out hundred year war among the other elements, to prove their power was far superior.
Anger. To fuel the flames with all the anger from within gave the flames an extra kick. The more fury burning within one's spirit and heart, the stronger and more deadly the fire. Azula was a great example of this, as her flames burned so hot they're blue in comparison to the golden red of Zuko's.
Vengence. To have anger, one must have vengence. Not the petty kind. The kind that consumes the mind and heart to believe they have to take action, else they would go insane. For the Fire Nation, they held vengence against the rest of the world for not believing in their superiority.
Zuko found vengence in the Avatar. In his mind, because of the Avatar, this war wouldn't have gone for so long. And later when he found the Avatar, the boy became his own personal enemy. Yet in between chasing him down, there were moments they could have enjoyed each other's company.
But the nagging in his brain never went away.
I have to capture him to regain my honor.
And due to the failures of capturing him time and again, Zuko fueled his anger more than ever. It was so easy to blame everything on the monk and his group of misfits. All Zuko had to do was try harder and push himself to the extreme in order to achieve his goal.
And through all of this, Zuko finally reached a power he had never reached with his firebending. It boiled to just underneath the surface, making him switch moods without even a reason. He would flash his fury upon anyone and everyone. While a part of him wanted to know if his father would finally be proud, inside was different.
He became afraid of his own power.
It frightened him as it became harder to control. A part of him scoffed, believing that he was just being a child. And yet, when he and his uncle became refugees within Ba Sing Sei, he started to feel comfortable.
This humble experience taught him he didn't outright need power. He didn't need to fuel the inner flame. Never in his life had Zuko feel so relaxed, the ball of dark angst and anxiety was melting as he adapted into Lee. It was similar as to placing the Blue Spirit mask over his face.
But then Jet happened. And soon after him the Avatar and his gang were within the city, creating havoc as they went in search for his flying bison. Reality really liked slapping Zuko when he least expected it. At least he and the band of misfits haven't crossed paths yet. It was a huge and vast city, afterall.
And thus, he donned the Blue Spirit once more for answers.
At the current moment, he almost wished he hadn't.
He had freed the beast from the chains. He let it fly off and escape by itself. For whatever reason his malice for his original plan died upon seeing the animal chained up like that. And after seeing it off he also took his turn to leave.
Only to land himself in the middle of a face off between the Avatar and his friends and the Dai Li. Zuko grit his teeth as he was forced to be a part of this skirmish. And to his confusion Jet and the Freedom Fighters were also among them. Hence why there was a huge number of the Dai Li.
So many people in a limited amount of space...
"Why is the Blue Spirit here, of all places?" Sokka yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Who cares? He's great at distracting these bozos!" Toph grinned as she sent a few men down with her bending.
"What's a Blue Spirit?" Jet whirled around.
Zuko grew nervous as the Freedom Fighters watched his every move. But he couldn't slink away or take a break from the fight. And somehow he was forced to back up into someone. He checked over his shoulder to see bald head and blue arrowhead. The Avatar glanced his way, and without a word they worked together.
It was reminiscent of when Zuko rescued the Avatar from the clutches of Admiral Zhao. The monk used his size to his advantage and used Zuko as a shield. As the monk managed to put a huge distance between themselves and the Dai Li, he started to feel useless standing around back to back with the boy he wanted to turn his blades on.
I can't take the band and the Dai Li alone.
Suddenly a wall of rock separated them. Zuko leaped away as a boulder was sent flying at him. This unfortunately put him within close range of Jet. The teen had been watching with a keen eye.
"Say, those weapons seem familiar. Have we met?" Jet inquired as he willingly stood back to back with the masked individual.
Now isn't the time to go into that.
Zuko shook his head for good measure.
"He's lying!" Toph yelled from across the way.
"So...Lee?" Jet snarled, and Zuko tensed.
"Whatever you have against him can wait! I will not watch my friends fight!" The Avatar warned them.
Zuko allowed himself a soft laugh. But it was quickly cut off when suddenly Jet bolted from his side and began attacking a man with a vengence. And like a moron the monk came closer in hopes to talk some sense into Jet. But then something changed.
Jet turned around and attacked the monk.
Upon impulse Zuko intervenved. Once more his blades clashed with sharp hooks. Having a better knowledge how Jet fought, Zuko was better able to keep up. The way they moved was a dance, a dance Zuko wouldn't mind performing everyday. Jet was the most interesting opponents he had ever faced.
It didn't matter he couldn't bend. He was still strong in his own right. And to compliment his speed and agility, he had a sharp mind to boot. He kept Zuko on his toes in a wild and unpredictable sort of way. In a sense fighting Jet was more thrilling than going all out against the monk behind him.
Then suddenly a boulder was sent their way. The monk was too focused on snapping Jet out of it. Taking a chance Zuko kicked the monk to send him out of range. Then he used the hooks to his advantage with his blades and sent Jet flying in the opposite direction of the Avatar.
Zuko grit his teeth as he took a stance. There was no time for him to dodge.
Living in this city and meeting Jet has me ashamed of my inner flame. And with no other choice I will have to face my shame in these people's faces.
Some part of him was jealous of the monk. He had free reign to learn the other elements. He wasn't tied to one element. He wasn't hated and despised by the rest of the world. Just like his uncle always said, fire was a gift and a curse rolled in one. Or something along those lines.
He inhaled deeply, feeling the flames reach out from within as he fueled it with his jealousy and shame. He allowed a few precious seconds to build it all up. Underneath the mask amber eyes focused in on the target.
Zuko exhaled. And with it, his flames burst forth.
He proceeded to execute a move he knew by heart. And with him his fire moved with him. Zuko unleashed his fire upon the boulder. He fueled it with all of his fury, his shame, his jealousy, and his loss. His fire burned hotter than ever before. He could feel the heat against his skin.
The boulder shattered into dust and pebbles.
Zuko didn't bother waiting for reactions. He charged head on towards Long Feng. Having spent a few months without bending, Zuko had a lot more pent up energy to release. It could also have been the adrenaline coursing through him, but he was easily within the same power level as his sister. If he had time to process and think, he would realize the anger fueling his flames were due to protecting two people who would have died.
He moved with more precision and speed. Even a veteran fighter like Long Feng had slight trouble keeping up and predicting his moves. Zuko actually didn't have a plan set in his head. He was simply reacting as he focused on distracting the biggest threat at the current moment.
He would willingly kill children. He's worse than Zhao.
While he felt justified for what he had done, around him everyone was filled with confusion. There was fear, too. Zuko was too distracted to notice that somehow his fire snapped Jet out of whatever mind control Long Feng hand on him. He stared on in horror like everyone else as the two fought.
"Don't just stand there! Change focus on the Blue Spirit!" Long Feng snapped at his men.
Zuko was suddenly surrounded. By now he was starting to feel exhausted. Even so he reached into the deepest depths of himself to draw more of his inner flame out. This was going against his uncle's teachings. Once an inner flame had gone out, the risk of death were great.
As Zuko started to become overwhelmed, two people came to his aid. The monk and his earthbending teacher took their stances and blocked oncoming attacks to protect him. Zuko finished a maneuver only to fall to one knee. The masked teen was short of breath and the strain was catching up.
"Ah, so it is true about firebenders. If the inner flame is strained too much then the bender will perish. You still don't have full control, don't you? Firebenders would usually last longer than this. Unless you poured your heart into your attacks, which it would seem you have." Long Feng drawled with a sneer.
"What!? Is that true?" The Water Tribe self proclaimed warrior lost his mind over the new detail.
"Long Feng wasn't lying." Toph relayed with a frown.
I will not be pitied.
"You could always surrender yourself, Blue Spirit. I won't be turning you into the Fire Nation for that reward. You interest me too much." Long Feng had a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Never. I finish what I start.
Zuko stood to full height and took a firebending stance. He had a plan. It was risky, bold, and incredibly dangerous. He might not be able to escape unscathed, but he wasn't going to let these men capture him. After seeing what they had done to Jet, he didn't want to find out what they would do to him.
The problem is getting these hero complex idiots out.
"You're contemplating something dangerous, aren't you?" The little earthbender picked up rather quickly.
"Will it get you killed?"
Zuko thought for a moment, then shrugged.
"Explain to me, buddy. I'm gonna need more than that."
"Toph! Why are you even considering to help him?" Katara glared.
"He's an ally, Katara!"
"For now he is! What if he turns on us after we defeat these guys?"
Fighting off a groan, Zuko would have been more than happy to explain. But warding off the Dai Li was proving to be more important. And hearing the girls banter was giving him a headache.
"He's saved me from Admiral Zhao! He won't be turning on me anytime soon!" The monk piped in.
As far as you know...but I don't think I can handle the Avatar and his friends after taking on the Dai Li.
"But he's a firebender! We don't know his motives! Doesn't help the guy doesn't talk!" Sokka ranted.
"And as much as I don't like him either, I think I know what he's planning. Or a vague idea, anyway." Jet smirked as he moved closer to Zuko.
They stared for a moment.
"I have an idea that just might coincide with yours. Or make it better." The smirk on his face made the former prince shiver.
This could go very bad or great.
"You want them to burn, don't you?" Dark eyes accused. "Or at the very least scare them away."
Zuko nodded at the second half.
"Then I got an idea. I'm trusting you not to burn us. Got it, Sparky?" Jet grinned.
"Sparky! That's a good one! Can I use it?" Toph giggled with enthusiasm.
Why do I get the feeling that nickname will stick for the rest of my life?
"Sure, whatever, Toph. So, you willing to let us help?" Jet pressured, and Zuko gulped as he reluctantly nodded.
"Great! Everyone, gather closer! Smellerbee, Longshot, and Sokka stand in the middle. Everyone else who can bend form a circle around them. We're forming a tight circle but enough room to bend." Jet made the calls, and soon he was among those standing in the circle even though he wasn't a bender.
"Aang, Toph, form a circle. Not too tall but tall enough."
The pair did as instructed, raising a wall about knee high around the group. Just in time they diverted their attention to sending boulders of their own to intercept with incoming attacks. Catching on what Jet was setting up, Zuko sheathed his blades. He broke free of the circle. There was enough distance between the earth circle and the group for him to take his stance.
As the Dai Li closed in, Zuko inhaled deep and closed his eyes. He reached further within himself. Once more his inner flame strained to bend to his will. This was his one last chance.
Before he exhaled, someone pulled him back but it was too late for whatever hard earth jabbed into his ribs. Zuko and whoever just pushed him collided to the ground. Zuko felt more than heard the mask cracking. But it somehow still remained on his face, much to his relief.
Infuriated Zuko immediately got back on his feet and without a moment's hesitation brought forth his flames. They roared to life in response to his anger and vengence. Within seconds they formed a huge wall towering above them as it formed a circle, surrounding them. The ground shook underneath them, and Zuko fell onto his back.
Despite the fall he kept one arm up to keep most control over the fire. But his strength was beginning to fail. The walls shrunk and formed a bubble above them. One of the girls screamed, and Zuko pushed with all of his will to heighten the flames. But even though they expanded a few feet the power in the flames waned.
Outside, Long Feng and his men watched with a mix of horror and satisfaction of watching the children cook themselves. Long Feng had calculated where the Blue Spirit had been and attempted to eliminate him. It was obvious he hit his intended target, but it wasn't a finishing blow as he had wanted.
Not that it matters. This is a much better fate.
"Sir, what should we do?" One of his men inquired.
"Let's watch and see what happens." Long Feng was enjoying this display of hopeless struggle.
Let's see if they could get out of this one or die trying.
"Aang, feed it with your airbending!" Jet yelled from next to Zuko's ear.
He saved me? Why? I thought he hated my guts?
"Are you kidding me!? That would make it worse and we'd all be roasted alive!" Sokka shrieked. His panic wasn't helping his sister.
"Are you trying to kill us?" Katara wanted to waterbend, but in this heat her water supply would simply turn into steam.
I can't keep this up.
"Not if Aang pushes it outward! Now hurry!"
"But...wouldn't that burn them?" Aang was hesitant.
"Just do it! I can't hold them up! It's either us or them so choose!" Zuko snapped. Since he had already broken one rule of the Blue Mask, he might as well break the other. Fortunately his voice came out raspy and most of everyone else didn't recognize his voice.
It's as simple as that. Why can't he understand not everything is butterflies and singing birds?
At those words it was the push the monk needed. Aang whirled up a gust of wind and formed another bubble underneath the flames. Within seconds the flames roared to life and Zuko didn't feel as strained. Together he and the Avatar built up pressure of the flames before releasing them outward and engulfed the room.
Zuko heard the screams. And with a heavy heart he couldn't face the damages he had caused. But he had to. Despite the searing and sharp pain on his right side, Zuko stood up on shaking legs. Jet followed suit and steadied him.
Why is he being so nice all of a sudden?
Glancing around, there weren't any bodies. But that didn't mean people weren't burned. He heard the screams of pain and agony, he was sure of it. Still it was a relief not to see dead bodies, else the Avatar would completely break down.
"They're gone. For now. I can sense them regrouping with more numbers. We can't stay here." Toph informed, she was in a mix of awe and timid about what had transpired.
Then it is time I leave.
Walking was difficult, but Zuko was heading in the direction he had come in from. Or tried to, anyway. A few steps and he was already reduced to his knees in pain.
"Katara, can you - "
"Not until he takes the mask off and answers a few questions. I won't heal him." Katara was cross.
"Sweet Cheeks, without him we wouldn't be standing here alive." Toph stomped her foot angrily.
"How do I know he's faking it to let our guard down and attack?"
"Katara, now you're being irrational. All he wants to do is leave. But he can't because he's hurt. He didn't have to help us, but he did so anyway. And Toph didn't say otherwise about Aang telling us this guy did save him once. I think we kind of owe him big time." Sokka reasoned.
"Katara, please. Please help him?" Aang begged.
She looked at him. He had been imposing and strong before, but now he was hunched over in obvious pain that rendered him unable to walk a few steps at a time before collapsing. With a sigh, she pulled out enough water from her pouch to cover her hands as she knelt beside him. Her hands were placed over his ribs, and the water glowed as she closed her eyes and examined the damages done.
"You have three broken ribs. I can mend them best I can but the muscles will be sore. If I knew more about healing and had more time I can fix you up better than before, but I'll do my best. Just don't freak out on me?"
I'm already nervous about waterbender even touching me with their element.
Even so Zuko nodded. Katara inhaled and exhaled once before going in. Zuko shivered under the tingling sensation of the water healing him. It wasn't prickly, but it was foreign to feel his insides being moved and mended unerneath his very skin. And soon as it had started it ended.
She was right, the pain was reduced to a dull ache. He was sore, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He was sure there would still have a bruise once he had a look underneath his shirt later. Zuko stood up, still dizzy and exhausted but better than before.
"So, wait, who are you?" Sokka inquired.
"I have a pretty good idea." Jet announced.
"Guys, now isn't the time! We have to go!" Toph pressured with urgency in her voice.
"You guys go. We'll give you a few minutes head start, then." Jet wasn't at all concerned of their chances.
"But..." Katara had a strange look on her face.
Did something happen between these two?
"I can handle myself. Longshot, Smellerbee, if you two don't want to stick by me I understand." Jet was set in his decision.
"You kidding? We're Freedom Fighters." Smellerbee retorted, and Longshot placed a hand on Jet's shoulder.
"Thanks, guys. Now the rest of you, get going! Go rescue Appa!" Jet encouraged the others to run.
After a moment they bolted. Zuko began to feel sheepish he had already set the flying bison free, but he had more pressing concerns. Such as being roped into fighting the Dai Li with three nonbenders while he was too exhausted to bend. He had given his all into his last move, and the result was a wave of dizziness that came and went.
"So, Lee. Where does your loyalties lie? You're no ordinary firebender." Jet readied his hooks.
I don't even know at this point.
"I don't have a purpose." His voice was raspy and hoarse.
"Do you want to do good or bad?"
"Your definition of good, or mine?" Zuko countered feeling his temper rise.
I had the Avatar within my grasp. I had the flying bison within my grasp. I was going to trade it in favor of the Avatar.
Yet here he was, after he did the opposite and freed the beast and standing among the Freedom Fighters about to face a large number of the Dai Li. And now the Blue Spirit was compromised. He couldn't go around in this mask anymore for two reasons. For one the mask was broken. And two, the Dai Li now know the Blue Spirit is a firebender. This was dangerous for him.
"What is your definition of good then? Cause mine is doing what is right for the world."
"Doing what my father wanted and capture the Avatar to regain my honor so I can go home."
Unsurprisingly, the Freedom Fighters were appalled.
"... Well your father can go fuck himself." Jet sneered after a few seconds of shocked silence. "And yet you didn't do any of that. Why?"
"I don't know." Zuko was honest.
Jet looked like he wanted to say something. He was interrupted by a Dai Li appearing from the ground before them. In an instant they all took a stance. Zuko pulled out his blades, but the man held up his arms.
"You guys have to go! They're trying to collapse this place and destroy it!" The man was in a panic.
"We can't make it in time for the exit!" Smellerbee yelled on the top of her lungs.
Suddenly the ground shook violently. The roof was crumbling around them. In the confusion Smellerbee and Longshot got separated from the others as a piece of the roof collapsed between them. Zuko had to force Jet back and pull him away. They struggled as panic swept over them.
The Dai Li that warned them then bended the earth to rise up as he created a square to protect them. But seconds before Zuko was to be inside the safety of the cube Jet had pushed him in a fit of anger. As the cube rose up water flooded inside the room. Zuko was trapped with no way to survive this.
Agni, save me!