A Different Path to Redemption
Chapter 2
Since the last chapter seemed to be rather well received, I think I'm ready to continue this story. I know there were concerns about Zuko using Lightning in the previous chapter, so I'd like to say this: that was a one time thing due to the stress of the situation and for one brief instant he had total clarity of what side he was on, causing his turmoil to fade long enough to use lightning. It's unlikely that he will use any more any time soon, at least not for a while, while he gets his inner turmoil. Anyway, let's get this back under way.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
"Water. Earth. Fire. Air. My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days, how the four nations once lived in harmony. How everything changed once the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless Firebenders. But when the world needed him most, he disappeared. Nobody had seen him for a hundred years, until my brother and I found him, an Airbender named Aang. The problem is, this Avatar is still a kid, and even though his Airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. The Fire Nation will do anything to capture Aang before he masters all four elements, so I must keep him safe until he's ready to fulfill his destiny. My brother thinks I'm crazy, but I believe Aang can save the world."
-Katara
As the group, plus Zuko, arrived at the Water Tribe fleet, they noticed that the fleet now was occupying a stolen warship from the Fire Nation. Landing Appa, the group was greeted by Hakoda and his troops, before Zuko stepped onto the deck and the Water Tribe soldiers pointed their weapons at the exiled prince.
"Halt Fire Nation slime," said a troop as he pointed a spear at Zuko.
"Wait," said Katara, "he's on our side."
"Katara," said her father firmly, but his daughter interrupted him.
"Dad, he risked his life to save Aang," said Katara, "he shot his own sister to stop her."
"Katara wait," said Sokka, "how can you be certain that he's on our side?"
"Sokka," said Katara, "he saved Aang's life!"
"And how do we know that he doesn't have some sort of ulterior motive behind that?" asked Sokka as he pulled out his machete, "after all he's done to us, I can't just trust him."
"You didn't seem to have much of a problem earlier in Ba Sing Se," said Toph from where she was leaning against a railing.
"We didn't have much choice then," said Sokka, "but now that we're not being chased by the Dai Li or Azula's goons, I want to know exactly why you're helping us, Zuko."
"Sokka," admonished Katara before her father stopped her.
"Actually," said Hakoda, "I'd like an answer to that as well. From what I've heard, you were pretty adamant about brining the Avatar's head to your father. What changed?"
Zuko looked to the side in shame, "I have no excuse for my actions against the Avatar and his friends. My father offered me my honor back if I captured the Avatar, and I was fool enough to think his words were true. After the Siege of the North, the Fire Lord branded my uncle and I as criminals and sent my sister to hunt us down. It wasn't until I started enjoying my life in Ba Sing Se that I started to realize that I don't need my father's approval to be happy, and when we clashed in the catacombs, I realized that my uncle was the one person that never turned his back on me, and so I sided with him against the Fire Nation."
Zuko than held out his hands in front of him with his fists closed, "If it would help, I will submit to being your prisoner until you can decide what to do with me, but I must ask one thing of you. Please, rescue my uncle from whatever prison he will be sent to. He has no love of this war and will happily aid you against my father and sister. Do what you want with me, but please help him."
Hakoda was silent for a while before nodding shortly, "Very well. You will have limited access to the ship and will be escorted by a guard at all times. Should we see any signs of hostility, you will be put down. Am I understood?"
Zuko nodded solemnly and headed downstairs, with two Water Tribe warriors flanking him.
"Katara," said Hakoda, "take Aang downstairs to get treated. Those burns on his arm look pretty bad. The rest of you get some rest and grab some Fire Nation disguises. We're going to have to sneak past a few checkpoints before we hit the open sea."
xXsceneXx
Zuko sighed as he sat in the Spartan room he had been given on the stolen Fire Nation Warship. There were two armed warriors standing outside the door and the only thing left in the room was a metal chest containing a set of Fire Nation Armor that obviously belonged to the officers that previously owned the ship. It had been about an hour since he had been sent here after the warriors removed his swords and told him that Hakoda would deal with him later.
He was just about to lie down on his cot and take a nap when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," said Zuko.
The door opened and, to his surprise, he saw Katara standing there with a hesitant expression on her face and a familiar crystal vial in her hand.
"Katara?" asked Zuko.
"Hey," said the water tribe girl, "what you did for Aang, we're really grateful."
"All of you?" asked Zuko as he raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," said Katara, "Sokka may not show it, but he's grateful too. He's just being cautious. Our last encounters with the Fire Nation haven't gone very well."
"Look," said Zuko, "I'm really sorry about all that. I can't change what I've done, but I can try and help end this war."
"I know," said Katara as she held up the vial, "that's why I wanted to offer this."
"That's…" said Zuko as he remembered their conversation in the crystal catacombs.
"The water from the spirit oasis," said Katara, "I wanted to see if it could heal your scar."
"I don't deserve it," said Zuko, "I caused all of you so much grief and chased you across the Four Nations just for the chance to earn my father's acceptance."
"Just think about it, ok," said Katara, "and for the most part, I forgive you, and I know Aang does as well."
With that, Katara left Zuko alone in his cabin to think as the ship sailed across the water.
xXsceneXx
"So how's Zuko doing?" asked Aang as Katara used her Waterbending to heal his arm.
Thanks to Zuko's intervention, Azula's lightning bolt had not landed a potentially lethal shot, but it had caused extensive burns on his arm. Katara was healing him the very best she could using her Waterbending skills, but Aang would be left with scars covering his right arm.
"He's conflicted," sighed Katara, "while I'm sure he doesn't regret his actions, he feels guilty for the impact of his previous tangles with us."
"Well," said Aang positively, "the main thing is that he's on our side now. Maybe he can tell us some secrets of the Fire Nation? Like a back door to the Fire Lord's palace? Or maybe an underground passage to the capitol?"
"Maybe he can teach you Firebending?" suggested Katara, causing Aang to suddenly become sullen
"Katara," he said quietly.
"Aang," she interrupted, "you need to master Firebending. How are you going to beat the Fire Lord without mastering all four Elements?"
"I don't know!" said Aang angrily, "Look, can we talk about this later."
Katara nodded and the rest of their healing session was spent in silence.
xXsceneXx
It had been about a week since the Battle of Ba Sing Se, and things seemed to be going smoothly. They had encountered a few checkpoints, but with some quick thinking from Sokka and some Fire Nation military uniforms worn by the Water Tribe warriors crewing the stolen warship, the Fire Nation soldiers were none the wiser.
Unfortunately, their good luck was soon to change.
It happened as the ship was sailing through the Serpent's Pass on its way out of the Earth Kingdom. Things had been going smoothly, when the ship was stopped by another Warship that was heading the opposite direction on the water.
"Well," said the Commander of the Naval vessel, "I didn't expect to see your ship heading down this path. Why aren't you at the front lines?"
"We ran into a patch of bad weather," said Hakoda, "we're headed to the shipyards by Shu Jing for repair and refitting."
"I see," said the enemy Commander, "you aren't from the Western fleet, are you? I don't recognize you."
"N-no," said Hakoda as he began to get nervous, "we're from the East fleet. We were sent over by the commander to strengthen the forces at Full moon Bay when we hit that storm."
"Hmm," said the Commander, "what kinds of damages have you suffered? I can send a repair crew over to inspect things."
"Well you see…" said Hakoda as he began to think of a plausible explanation.
"That will be enough," said a stern voice, causing both men to turn and see a Fire Nation officer wearing a mask under his helmet that covered his face.
"What is going on here?" demanded the enemy Commander.
"I am Lee of the Dragon Runners," said the man, "I assume you know of us?"
"O-of course," said the Commander, "you're the elite black ops group that reports to the Fire Lord himself. But may I have the confirmation? The red sun rises in the east."
The officer nodded, "From the mouth of the black dragon does fire gain strength."
"Sir!" saluted the commander as he recognized the code.
"Indeed," said the man, "I have taken command of this ship for a special mission, the nature of which I have forbade the crew from disclosing. Now, your business with us is diverting valuable time that could be spent toward the completion of our mission."
"I meant no disrespect," said the Commander hastily.
"Good," said the masked officer, "now, get back to your ship and continue on your way. You are not to discuss this with anyone or I shall find you and throw you into the supermax cellblock in the Boiling Rock. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir," said the Commander before he and his officers booked a hasty retreat back to their own ship.
Once the other ship was far enough away, the masked officer removed his helmet to reveal that it was actually Zuko that had been talking all this time.
"Zuko?" said Hakoda in surprise.
"You were in a bit of trouble," said Zuko, "so I thought I'd lend a hand."
"Well," said Hakoda, "I am most grateful. Now, let's keep on sailing, if we get caught again I hope we can rely on your quick wits."
