AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Sorry it took longer to polish this chapter than I first expected. From now on, I'll do a better job of frequently updating.

Confession time: I wish someone would draw a picture of the beautiful woman you're all about to meet… particularly with her weapon of choice. I would draw her for you myself, so you could get the full, desired effect, but lame stick figures would only detract from the desired effect. Maybe.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters, settings, mythologies, etc. If I did own anything it would have lasted much longer than 3 seasons.

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A Broken Destiny

Chapter 2: Always Send a Woman to Make a Man Do His Job

There, at the start of the woods line, stood one of the most beautiful women Zuko had ever seen. He studied this stranger closely. She couldn't have been much more than twenty with a face that showed no signs of old age and yet was clearly past the awkwardness of adolescence. The stranger was womanly, yet from her warrior-like stance she was fierce, at least a head taller than Zuko. She was dressed in a black kimono accented with purple trimming. Her dark hair was pulled back into a long braid, with wisps of hair escaping near her wide cheekbones and her small chin. Though she wore no makeup, her complexion was uncommonly pale and smooth.

However, it was her eyes that captivated Zuko the most. She seemed to hold him in place with those unearthly, almond shaped orbs. Glacial blue, with almost violet undertones… yet still they still possessed a fire and confidence that few Fire Nation generals could compete with, maybe even Azula couldn't compete with. She also had various weapons and sheaths strapped to her back. A large sack sat on the ground near her feet. How she could have gotten so close without my hearing her? Zuko wondered.

Prince Zuko stared at the eerily beautiful woman until it finally sunk in that whoever this lady might be, she knew who he truly was. She could expose him not just as firebender, but as an enemy of the Earth Kingdom. She could even be an agent of Azula's, who was sent out to find and capture the fugitive prince. This woman knew his real identity and she had seen him firebend. He stared at the warrior. She tilted her head back forwards her right shoulder, and gave a small smile. The teenager grimaced; this broad was definitely connected with Azula. The woman seemed way too self-assured to be a normal mercenary. And knowing Azula, there'd be more than one of them.

His life was in danger. Probably Uncle Iroh's as well. Zuko had to get rid of her before she signaled whatever military troop or comrade assassins also sent to recover them. Azula had hurt Uncle enough already and Zuko was not taking any crap from one of her hired thugs.

He lunged at her, fire daggers already forming in his hands, but she merely grabbed his wrists, and then threw him behind her original starting point. Zuko landed, quite ungracefully, on both his feet with a thud.

Then the stranger had the audacity to laugh.

"Considering that you're a wanted criminal, better known as the Blue Spirit, and the true heir to the Fire Nation Throne, I would have thought you'd be a more… formidable opponent, Your Imperial Highness," the stranger commented with a smirk. "I assumed you would have had some level of finesse by now. Perhaps you're getting sloppy in your new life as a peasant."

Enraged, Zuko drew back his left arm and then violently thrust it forward, shooting out a spiral of flame. The agile woman warrior deflected it with her own force of flame from a swift movement of both hands. She then raised her arms above shoulder level and outstretched her hands. At this, every bit of loose rock and gravel rose ten feet in the air. Suddenly, she rotated her wrists, which pummeled all the levitating rocks at a deadly speed towards Prince Zuko.

Zuko took evasive action and leapt backwards into the beginnings of a back flip. But mid-air, his attacker sent a gust of wind underneath him that knocked him into the rough trail. Before Zuko could counter-attack, the mysterious warrior had transformed the dirt around him into quick sand, which trapped him from the bicep down. As he tried to break free of the wet, sandy slop she immediately hardened the ground with a forward stomp from her right foot.

He tried to move his arms to firebend, but he was trapped in now solid earth up to his shoulders. Zuko couldn't firebend his way out of this trap. And this woman was a firebender herself… and an airbender…and an earthbender?! She can bend more than one element, he realized. And she appeared out of nowhere to attack me. His opponent was no mere agent from his psycho sister, but some sort of Avatar spirit assassin. He knew enough of Uncle's recent lessons to realize that much. Even the spirit world was out to get him. Shame, but not fear, covered the young prince's face. With an odd sense of resolution Zuko looked her straight in the eyes and stated, "I yield."

Her eyes flashed bright with annoyance and anger. She reached behind her back and drew out the finest battle sword Zuko had ever seen. The katana was utter perfection, but his admiration of the weapon lessened with each of her movements. She brought the blade closer and closer to his neck as she asked, "Did I ask for you to yield to me, Your Highness?"

Confused, Zuko, with as much humility as he was capable, replied, "But I have been defeated. I lost—"

"No one has ever truly lost until they're dead and even then there are exceptions. And unless you do want to die, you will answer my next question." Zuko could tell his answer would need to be perfect, regardless of what the question was. If he could prove his worth, then he might be allowed to live. Or at the very least, provide him with more time to think of an escape or counterattack. He mentally prepared himself for whatever riddle or request…

"Prince Zuko, do you still desire your birthright?"

"What?" This was not the sort of question he had expected.

"Your country, your throne, your honor. Do you still wish them restored to you?" The blade was touching his throat now.

This has to be trick question, thought Zuko to himself. Perhaps she is an agent of Azula's after all. Her sword pressed even harder against his skin and she never broke her gaze. Well, if she wants honesty…

"It is impossible for me to regain my birthright now."

The pressure from her weapon lessened and her expression softened slightly as she said, "But if it were possible would you still want everything that you lost returned to you?"

Zuko remained silent, unsure of what she meant. Uncle Iroh had made it clear to him that even capturing the Avatar could no longer guarantee them an open armed Fire Nation homecoming. Ozai was a not forgiving man, but Zuko still longed for his respect.

"If every obstacle standing in your way could be removed or eliminated; if you could be guaranteed victory in reclaiming your honor, would you fight for it?" All the anger and ferocity had vanished from her glacial blue eyes. Her eyes shone with an ambiguous emotion as she waited for his answer.

"Yes," said Zuko instantly.

The young woman took her blade a safe distance away from his jugular and returned it to its sheath strapped to her back. She took a deep breath and with a graceful turn of her hand, the earth trapping Zuko crumbled away. He was left lying on uneven ground, breathing heavily.

She gave him a warm smile, bowed low before him, and began, "Your Highness, I thank you for your honesty. And honesty should never go unrewarded. If you should-"

Zuko jumped to his feet and sarcastically replied, "Yes, I'm sure, this will be very rewarding…" Every spirit on both sides of the divide could come after me, I would never give up! You will never think of attacking me again! He then sent a monstrous blaze from both of his hands. The spiraling flame raged its way towards the young woman. She did not stand upright but merely moved her eyes upward. She sighed and faintly shook her head. Before Zuko could even blink, his fire turned to steam. The next thing he noticed were her slowly rotating arms. The next thing he felt was agony as torrents of water were suddenly crushing Zuko's arms and feet, pounding against his hips and ribcage. He was in pain, but at least his bones weren't breaking. Yet.

Of course, she can waterbend too, Zuko thought to himself. He caught the cold glare from her face as the water pushed his joints near their breaking points. And I've just made her very angry.

The watery prison stayed intact as the now cautious woman moved closer. She eyed Prince Zuko up and down, trying to determine if he was still a threat. Her clear blue eyes squinted slightly as she said, "Prince Zuko, promise me on your honor as a warrior and on the memory of your mother to stop your attacks and I swear I will spare your young life. Try to trick me again and I will separate each of your appendages from the rest of your body. And then I'll work my way around to removing your favorite appendage for last." She eyed him up and down, stopping to focus on his manhood.

His eyes widened at that last threat. Zuko had no more energy or will left to fight this Avatar incarnate. Knowing trickery would get him nowhere but the grave, or at the very least a life lived as a lame eunuch, the teenage prince replied, "I swear on my honor as a warrior and…" (He paused slightly and lowered his voice) "… and on the memory of my mother not to attack or harm you in any way."

Immediately, the water pressing against his joints dropped towards the ground before it was whisked back into a water skin that Zuko has missed in his initial inventory. Zuko looked over the beautiful woman once again. She seems so familiar, but wouldn't I remember an opponent this powerful? And how can a spirit have so much power in this world?

He couldn't stand the mystery much longer. "Who are you?"

"My identity is of no consequence at the moment, Your Highness."

"You could at least tell me which Avatar spirit you are."

She rolled her eyes. "Do not attempt to flatter me by calling me the Avatar, Your Highness. I assure you that I am just a warrior and a bender much the same as you."

"That's impossible! No one can master all four elements but the Avatar."

"As impossible as regaining your birthright, Prince Zuko? Trust me, where I come from my fighting skills are slightly above average at best. Speaking of Avatars, Your Highness, I understand you've given up on your mission to capture young Aang."

"Who?"

"The Avatar, Your Highness?" She asked that last question with more than a small dose of derision.

Zuko didn't bother replying. He had failed in finding the amateur Avatar, which meant he could never return home. Zuko could care less if he couldn't remember the kid's name.

Her eyes watched Zuko intently as she spoke, "As I tried to say before, if you should give me some of your time, Your Highness, I will explain what I am doing here."

"Only if you promise to stop using 'Your Highness' every time you address me."

She raised one narrow eyebrow. "Strange, I thought you would have preferred to be addressed in a more formal manner considering how long you've been in hiding. So, should I call you Lee instead? Or should I resort to Zuzu?"

Zuko glared at the woman, "Zuko or Prince Zuko will do. For now."

She smiled again and her tone brightened, "Fair enough. Prince Zuko, I have been sent here by the leaders of my people to help you regain your birthright."

Zuko snorted in disgust. "Why?"

Her eyes sparkled as she said, "Because it is to our benefit if you claim the throne. And at this rate Princess Azula will soon become the next Fire Lord instead of you. I believe it is your destiny to help end this war. And I know you have it in you to start the strongest dynasty the world has ever known."

"And how do you know that?"

"Maybe I know more because I paid better attention to the tutors of my youth than some princelings did." The woman laughed at her own quip. Zuko was not amused. She continued, "To be honest Zuko, I do, in fact, know many things. I know how you've changed these past few months, since the Siege of the North. I know how you and General Iroh have had to eke out a living. I know you defended yourself against that boy Jet without the use of your bending. And I know what must be done in order for this war to be won; all for the same reason: When I was assigned this mission, I made it my business to know." There was that almost Azula-like look again… except maybe seven levels lower on the crazy scale, which gave Zuko some comfort.

"Why should your people even care if I fail in my quest to restore my honor?" Zuko couldn't think of any Earth Kingdom city state willing to support him over Ozai and Azula.

"Because we mean to honor an allegiance made with your mother, Ursa. She once helped our people and now it is my duty to help her son reclaim his rightful place. Now it seems that it can only be done if her son is willing to accept our assistance and support."

Zuko's heart was thundering against his ribcage. His mother had protected him in more ways than one. And it seems that he had political support he didn't know existed. He had allies other than his Uncle, a retired general who was labeled a traitor the same as he. But shouldn't these allies have stepped in sooner if they wanted to help him? Where had they been for the past three and half years?! And wouldn't his mother have left him some sort of clue? "Give me one reason why I should believe you, let alone trust you!"

She looked him square in the eye and told him, "Fine. The last thing your mother said to you was to never forget who you are. And thanks to many years of bad luck and worse choices you have nearly forgotten who you are many times over."

Zuko couldn't breathe. How could this stranger possibly know what his mother had said? Unless…

"I could also talk about what your mother did to save your life, but perhaps avoiding the ugly parts of the past is best for now. Your mother made provisions for your protecting your life beyond the night that Fire Lord Azulon died. Part of my mission is to protect you as you attempt to regain your birthright."

"What's the other part?"

"First, take me to General Iroh. Such matters are best discussed over tea."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Many thanks to everyone who followed or favorited this story! I may or may not have skipped around my makeshift office like a hyper preschooler when I was notified.

And please review! Positive, negative, neutral, and confusing comments all are appreciated! I know where the story is going but I'd love your input for how we're gonna get there!