Zuko stood on the tallest mountain that his firebending could take him. There was rain and thunder yet no lightning in sight. The rain got soaked in his eyes which only seemed to pump more anger through his veins. His previous encounter had left him more lost and confused than he'd ever been.
"Come on! Strike me! You've never held back before!" Zuko yelled in defeat. In all the confusion Zuko felt within himself that was always the one aspect of his personality he felt to be true. Fearing that not even Iroh's wisdom was not enough to help he needed to blow off steam and focus on another part of himself that was lacking, his ability to redirect lightning.
Zuko flew around the corner, determined to get to Appa before the Avatar and his friends did. In his path however, was an obstruction, an obstruction just waiting for him to intervene. There stood the boy from the ferry, fighting with all his might, alone, against a group of Azula's Dai Li. Before the boy had been accompanied by friends, but they were no where to be found now. Feeling a sense of obligation towards the boy, already having turned him down once, Zuko entered the fight. His identity safe behind his blue ceramic mask.
Unaware of the presence aiding him Jet fought with all his might, wishing he'd had just one more freedom fighter with him. He wondered if perhaps he should have told Longshot and Smellerbee where he was going, rather than sneaking about as he had been doing. Knocking out a Dai Li with a clean shot to the head with his Hook Sword, Jet finally became aware of the masked man aiding him. Knowing that he had no time to question the identity of his new partner, Jet gave a slight nod to the masked stranger and gave his sword another swing.
Zuko felt a swell of something unbenounced to him when Jet gave him that nod, a slight smirk playing at his features. In the midst of his distraction by Jet's acknowledgement, Zuko narrowly dodged the stone fist of a Dai Li agent and knew he had to keep his focus. Finding it difficult not to use his born element Zuko managed to knock out three more Dai Li Agents while Jet finished the rest off with a 360 spin of his two hook swords.
Rubbing his neck sheepishly, Jet sighed and turned to Zuko "We better get out of here and let somebody else clean this mess up."
Not wanting to risk his voice being recognized Zuko gave a curt nod and followed the Freedom Fighter, completely forgetting about the Bison, the Avatar, and his friends. They walked through the dark city, passing a seemingly endless line of houses until Jet slowly turned to face Zuko.
"Listen I probably could've taken those Dai Li Agents alone, but you helped me get the job done faster. Who are you anyway?" Jet asked an air of arrogance presenting itself around him. Zuko felt a layer of sweat beginning to form on his forehead, he hadn't thought this through.
Hearing no reply, Jet built his courage and took a step towards the masked man, entering dangerous territory. Curiosity pushed his hand out towards his masked companion - prepared to unveil him - but his fingers had barely brushed against the cool ceramic when a firm grip took of his wrist.
Not sure as to why Jet was so warm in the midst of a late fall night, Zuko felt his hand become slightly numb, and a tingling sensation took hold of his body. Frozen in this state, he gently released Jet from his grasp. He thought he saw Jet's hand linger a little too long. Put off by this strange new vibe Zuko took a step backwards feeling vulnerable. Contrary to Jet, who was aware not only of who he was but what he wanted, Zuko began to feel lost.
"Quiet type huh?" Jet said, daring to take another step towards Zuko, "You remind me of somebody that I used to know."
Zuko widened his eyes fearful that Jet would soon figure out his identity. There was no doubt in his mind that if Jet found out that he was the firelords son, he would strike.
"His name was Lee," Jet continued turning down a near by ally way resting against a wall. Zuko cautiously fallowed one hand on the hilt of his sword. "I met him on the ferry ride to the city, but we kind of lost touch. Liked him so much I even asked him to join my Freedom Fighters. I ended up having suspicions about him anyway so maybe it was for the best. Still, it's a shame he had some real potential. Behind all that bottled up anger I knew someone great was in there."
The memories came flooding back to Zuko as he felt a surge of gratefulness towards the Freedom Fighter, no one had ever acknowledged any sense of good within him, even his uncle was trying to fix the broken.
With yet again no response from this masked mysterious Jet decided it was time to part ways.
"I gotta go save the world, good luck mystery man, maybe I'll run into you again someday." Jet patted Zuko's shoulder and walked away, his figure fading as he turned the corner. Zuko stood there alone in silence for a few moments. His thoughts wrapped up in Jet and the strange encounter, before he remembered his original mission. Zuko took off in the direction of the Dai Li's hideout, hoping he would reach the Bison before the Avatar. As he snuck around corners and fought his way through the Dai Li, he couldn't get the Freedom Fighter out of his thoughts. Finally reaching the chamber the Bison was held in, he took a moments rest.
He opened the large door slowly, shedding light against the bison's face. The animals stirred noisily frantic at this new presence. Zuko prepared to ride the Bison out of the chamber, yet a not so far away memory kept him from what he believed to be his destiny.
Zuko fell to his knees with exhaustion ready to give up hope. The Freedom Fighter's words echoed around him loudly though only in his head, 'I knew someone great was in there.' Zuko felt angry with the universe, but more angry at himself for letting a simple conversation get in the way of his destiny. He stared utterly bewildered at the blue mask at his feet, was it really his destiny? Or was a new one presenting itself?
Somewhere out there in the stormy fall night, was a boy with two hook swords chewing a piece of wheat wondering whether Lee would have been worth fighting and who the face behind his savior was.