A Change Of Fate
Chapter 1
It was indeed Zuko, and as he stood in his ship with his men behind him and his uncle beside him, it looked like he actually was in control of the situation for once. An image Azula made a point in destroying:
"You're late."
"I… had some problems at the border."
"I hear you have the Avatar in your possession?" she continued.
"Yes, this way," Zuko said, gesturing toward the inner ship.
Azula wasn't pleased with this, but decided to follow. Toph and Mai followed as well. Iroh decided to stay on solid ground.
"Tell me there's a good reason, why you're prisoner isn't bound and gagged and ready to go," she ordered.
"That would be because he's not a prisoner," Zuko said smirking.
The sheer stupidity of that statement made Azula stop in her tracks. "What?" she managed to get out.
"He's not a prisoner," Zuko repeated. "He's an ally."
"How?" Azula inquired.
"I didn't tell him about the war," he explained confidently. "Or that it was the Fire Nation that killed the airnomads."
"But you did mention they're dead?" Azula said.
"A minor slip-up."
"And none of your crew screwed it up?" she asked, wondering how he ended up with a competent crew.
"None," he said proudly.
"Why didn't he know?"
"He… was in an iceberg or something for a hundred years without getting older. I don't really get how."
"So what did you tell him?"
"I told him there have been some rather strained bonds between the nations, so he shouldn't expect seeing anyone not from the Fire Nation when we arrived."
"Is that all?"
"Well, I… sorta… let it slip that all the airbenders dying might have something to do with Sozin's Comet," Zuko confessed.
"What?" Azula snipped.
"He might not have figured it out. He was pretty confused, coming right out of an iceberg."
Azula calmed herself and turned her head towards Toph. The blind girl nodded; "He's telling the truth."
"Fine. Let's go."
***
Aang had been told to stay in his room when the ship docked in; in fact he had been told to stay under deck since they entered Fire Nation territory. He didn't understand why, – Zuko was still a prince, despite being banished for whatever reasons he wouldn't explain, what could happen? – but figured they knew best.
He had decided to practice some airbending, while waiting for someone to tell him, he could leave. He had been practicing the airscooter, when he heard someone on the corridor.
He had expected Zuko, maybe lieutenant Jee or some other crewmember, to be the one to get him, so what he saw caught him by surprise: Zuko – no surprises there, of course – and three girls; one looked… evil, and the other two seemed like different ways of being bored – one didn't seem to look at anything, and the other seemed to not care about what she looked at.
Aang noticed that the not-looking girl first seemed to notice when he touched the ground.
It was Zuko who spoke; "This is Aang, the Avatar. Aang, this is Azula, my sister" he said, gesturing towards the evil looking girl, "Toph," putting a hand the shoulder of the not-looking girl, "and Mai." and at last motioning towards the bored looking girl.
Aang bowed; an airnomad bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said. "And an honor," he quickly added, remembering what Zuko had taught him.
"He's gonna need something to cover the arrow. Go get a hat, Mai," was the first thing Azula said.
"Of course," Mai said and left.
"You must be the princess," Aang said, directed at Azula.
"Indeed." She smirked.
He looked at his new friends again. He noticed something surprising about Toph. "Wait, your eyes-"
"Yes, I'm blind. Thanks for noticing," she interrupted.
"They're green," Aang finished.
"Well, that too."
"You're from the Earth Kingdom?" he asked.
"Yeah. My parents are these business people, who've taken advantage of the strained relationships and are probably some of the only global business people around."
"Oh." Aang paused. "Do they trade with the Water Tribes, too?"
"Maybe." She shrugged.
There was a small pause.
"… And you're blind?"
"Yeah, I see through vibrations. I can explain in details later."
There was another moment of silence.
"Well, I think it's about time we got outside again," Azula said and started to walk away.
As they followed her outside Zuko whispered to Toph; "Good lie."
"Been training with the best," she responded.
"Heh," Zuko couldn't help but shoot a glance at his sister. "Where's Ty Lee?" he asked, no longer whispering.
"Oh, she ran off to join some circus some time last year," Toph explained.
"Huh."
So, that was the prologue and the first chapter. Hopefully I've explained the background well enough. If not, it might come up later.
Anyway, I'd loved to hear what you think. ^^