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Set between "Zuko Alone" and "The Chase"

Zuko Alone Part 2

Chapter One

"The Town of Thieves"

Zuko stepped down from his ostrich-horse, keeping his peasant hat low to cover his face. He was in Lin-song, a former earth kingdom town now controlled by thieves, bounty hunters and smugglers. Very few of the former inhabitants lived there. The town was broken down and dirty, windows broken and no one bothered to replace them. Scorch marks were on the buildings and evidence of earth bending lay over the street. This town was a haven for outlaws of all types, a perfect place to hide for the banished Prince.

Zuko carefully surveyed his surroundings to make sure he wasn't drawing too much attention to himself. Some gambling games were being played outside and in the alleys. The occasional fights broke out, which Zuko assumed to happen often. No one made eye contact but he felt he was being watched carefully. The fact of the matter was, Zuko hated this town, every rock and stone.

He reached over and grabbed the reins of his ostrich-horse and led it over to an inn/stable. The inn was broken down, with no door and the window's shattered glass lay on the wooden porch. Its name, "The Rusting Stable" was written in red symbols, on a chipped wooden sign hanging just outside the inn. Zuko led his ostrich-horse around back to the stable. He paid the stable keeper with the money the Blue Spirit "picked up" from a wealthy traveler on the way to Lin-song.

The man then handed Zuko a key with the number of the stall it was staying in. He pocketed it and walked around front. He stepped through the opening and over the un-hinged door laying on the floor. Music was playing loudly as gamblers played cards and drank their drinks. Zuko noted that the crowd was a mixed bunch of fire benders, earth benders and the occasional Water bender. All rouges, deserters from the army or just plain outlaws, Zuko thought as he signaled a messy looking waitress with food stains all over her uniform. He ordered a drink and waited, listening to the crowd around him.

The waitress brought his drink and he began sipping on it when something caught his attention. It was the two men sitting behind him.

"That's what I heard" the brown hair one said in a whisper "Fire Nation Royalty, I would recognize a Fire Nation ship any where." He took a sip of his drink " It's up river, about three miles"

"What?" the bald one replied in a whisper. "It must be Princess Azula chasing her brother the out cast, Prince Zuko and her failure of an uncle, General Iroh."

" The word is she has a new target, one she is desperately searching for" he took another sip "She must be coming here for info or something but I don't plan on staying here to find out" he took a drink.

"You're right, we need to leave and soon."

They got up, turned, and left.

Zuko was surprised by the fact that his sister was coming here. He had to leave and fast. But first more information would help. He left a generous tip and quickly left after the two men. He followed them down the street and into an alley, they disappeared around the corner. Zuko then hurried around the corner after them. He stopped, they were no where to be seen. He drew his twin blades, expecting an attack. The bald man jumped off the roof landing behind him, cutting off his escape. He was dressed in a all black sleeveless shirt with red trim. He had a red scar that nearly covered his cheek due to losing a fire duel. The other (Brown hair) landed in front, he wore the green common Earth Kingdom clothing.

"Why are you following us!" the first one shouted.

"I need any information on who the Fire Princess is following" Zuko replied, keeping his voice calm and even. He had noticed the enormous size difference between him and them.

The other one laughed "Why should we tell you anything?"

Zuko raised his swords, at the one in front and the one behind.

Brown hair smiled "Are you threatening us boy?"

Zuko turned in time to see the bald man sending a fire ball flying towards him, he stepped aside, feeling the heat as it went by. The other man sent a rock flying towards his head, it was stopped by Zuko's swinging blade.

Zuko jumped and rolled out of the way of the coming rocks and fire blasts. He swung his swords knocking rocks out of the air and using fire bending to direct the incoming fire. The two men began to close in on him. Zuko was tiring from the constant blocks and dodges that came his way, yet he desperately tried to continue. Then finally a rock caught Zuko in the chin. He went flying on to his back. Zuko groaned as he hit the ground. The two men stood above him.

" And I thought he was going to be a challenge?" the big bald man said to his friend. The other man laughed as he reached down to check Zuko's pockets for money.

In an instant Zuko was up, he swung his leg knocking the one down, he landed hard on his bald head. With a fire blast, Zuko sent the Earth Bender back in to the wall. The man was barely conscious when Zuko walked over to him. Zuko leveled his swords at the man's throat.

" Like I asked before" Zuko said kindly, then changed his tone " who is Princess Azula tracking!"

" Zuko…" The Earth Bender stammered " Iroh and someone named Aang…" the man fell unconscious. Zuko sheathed his swords and walked out of the alley. Could it be true? Zuko thought, as he left the alley Azula stole my father's love, my home and now she is trying to steal my honor. I won't let that happen, Zuko thought in bitter determination as he walked down the street towards the inn.

Zuko, then paid for a room and went to it. He laid down in his bed, looking up at the blue and white mask in his hands. Tomorrow Azula would get a visit from the Blue Spirit.

By,

JC Wit

To be continued…