Okay...here's chapter two. These are kind of short, but that is because my ideas are small. I'm pretty much making this up as I go, so these first chapters will be shorter I believe. However, I do have a direction that I want to go, so please continue reading and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Avatar universe...only my ideas and my computer with Word. :3
Chapter Two: To Help a Friend
'I'm fine. I'll be back in a few days…'
Aang had never felt so terrible in all of his life! Well…he probably had, but right now felt really bad, so he figured that he hadn't felt this bad since the Day of Black Sun. Back then he had left so many behind, and now he was worried sick. Four days had passed since he last saw Zuko. After the second he had decided that he and Sokka would go out with Appa to look for his teacher.
He had been hopeful to begin with. Perhaps Zuko had gotten turned around, or had ended up falling into a hole or something. He wasn't sure, but he hadn't expected to find what he had.
FLASHBACK
Appa landed in the clearing gently in the area that seemed to be smoking just a little, like an old fire was still smoldering. Maybe Zuko had made camp and didn't put out his fire all the way. They'd find tracks here, no doubt about that!
Sokka slid out of the saddle and was soon followed by Aang and both started in the direction of the source of the smoke. However, the closer they got, the more both of them began to worry. More and more of the trees had large gashes and burn marks on them. At first, Sokka had thought that maybe the fire bender had been training against the trees, but upon inspecting more of the area it was obvious that this had been far from training. It had been the real thing.
Aang froze in the middle of the battle torn area with wide eyes. Sunlight reflecting from metal caught his eye and he hurried over to the source. He picked up a hilt which had a broken blade still barely intact…one of Zuko's swords. He would know that sword anywhere…he had seen it up close many times.
Sokka counted numerous different sets of footprints and the shoes were obviously fire nation military issue. The blood on the ground and trees was dark and dried up. It had been at least a couple of days since this happened! He turned to see what Aang had found and his expression softened. Aang was feeling guilty. The water tribe warrior walked over to the air bender and put a hand on the boy's shoulder "Hey…"
"It's my fault…"
"No. It's not. You tried to go with him, and so did I. Zuko had wanted to go alone, and he still has free will. He wouldn't want you to blame yourself."
"Do you think he's-"
"I know he's alive. You know how many times we fought him. He's tough, and smart. He won't die that easily, and these soldiers were probably ordered to only capture him. He will have a trial and will be sentenced as well. The fire nation still works on a lot of tradition even in times of war." Sokka said softly "Their trip will also have to be by boat, I would think, so that would be a journey of a few days. If we leave with the others quickly enough, we may be able to get to the royal city when they do…"
END FLASHBACK
It had taken quite a lot of convincing to get Katara to help them. Sure it was dangerous, but really…Zuko was a part of their group now, and if it had been any of them Aang was sure that Zuko would have helped to go get them back.
Aang could see the first set of gates pass below them, and docking below them was a small fleet of three ships was pulling in. Katara was covering them as a cloud, but it was thin enough for them to see. Right now it was only Katara, Aang, Sokka and Toph. The others had been asked to stay behind in case things didn't go well.
Sokka peered down through the mist surrounding them and pointed "There! It's Zuko!" he said quickly and Aang and Katara hurried to look as well. Sokka's eyes narrowed a little. Zuko didn't look good…not that he had much of an opinion on Zuko's looks normally, but even he could tell that Zuko was in rough shape.
Aang's eyes turned guilt ridden once again as he could tell that they were dragging Zuko towards the palace "We need to hurry…"
"Aang…it could be a trap." Katara warned "He could be setting us up…acting hurt and figuring you would come and save him…"
"I don't believe that, Katara." Aang said softly. He understood Katara's doubts, but he also believed in Zuko "Even you have seen how much he has changed, Katara." he said gently and watched Katara sigh and nod.
"We just need to be careful…"
"I know."
Sokka had been counting and sighed "There are too many guards around him right now…we'll need to wait." He said and gave directions to Aang for where to guide Appa.
Aang nodded "Come on, buddy…we're going to save Zuko!" he said with a small smile.
Toph gave a smirk "Ha! Let's kick some Fire Nation butt!" With her feet healed now she had really missed this. Not really the flying part, but the fighting…
Katara sighed and prayed that they weren't making a big mistake.
There you go! Please review, and thanks for reading!
