Chapter 3: Restoring Honor
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A radiant beam of light erupted into the sky, creating a dazzling display for the crew. "The Avatar." Zuko hissed before turning towards Liling and Iroh, the two of whom were engaged in a heated match of Pai Sho. "He's the only one who could have created an energy source powerful enough to generate that light source."
"Prince Zuko, you must consider an alternative. The Avatar has been missing for over a century. That light source may not have come from him." Iroh pointed out, not looking up from his game.
"I have to agree with Iroh. I'm usually a tea cup half full kind of person, but this time the realist approach is the most logical. It might have simply been a water tribe running amuck." Liling added as she laid down another piece.
Iroh frowned in concentration, preparing to make his next move as Zuko shouted "Helmsman! Set a course for that island! I have some honor to restore." The ship began speeding up as it headed for the mainland.
The Pai Sho board made to tilt over but Liling flicked out her wrist, stilling the board. "Nice reflexes," Iroh commented appreciatively, sliding another piece forward. "You're learning well."
"I had an excellent teacher." Liling replied absentmindedly before stealing one of his pieces.
"Hmph. Maybe you should have just the board fall over after all." Iroh retorted, rescinding his previous comment.
"I would still be winning, whether we started over or not." Liling cockily replied as the boat touched down onto the shore.
"Enough talk. Are you two coming with me?" Zuko inquired, storming over to where they sat.
Liling scoffed. "To beat an old man and a pitiful village of non-benders? I think you've got this, Zuko."
"While you regain your honor by capturing the Avatar, I need to regain mine by beating my daughter at Pai Sho." Iroh said as Liling laughed.
"You couldn't beat me even if I actually left with Zuko and didn't play this next round."
"So does that mean you're coming with me?" Zuko perked up.
"Oh, no, I can't do that. I play to win and I intend to do so again." Liling said, waving him away as they finished resetting the game.
"Fine. Everyone else, come with me. We're hunting the Avatar." With a flourish, Zuko stormed off the ship, followed by half a dozen Fire Nation troops.
"Have fun!" Liling called after them. When they left, she turned back to the game and said "I believe a celebratory pot of tea is in order upon their return."
Iroh beamed and placed a hand on top of hers. "I have taught you well. Very well indeed." The two stood up and put on a kettle of tea, awaiting Zuko's return with the infamous Avatar.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, Liling and Iroh quickly scrambled to their feet, respectfully standing as they awaited the presence of Zuko and the Avatar. What they saw surprised him. Zuko climbed aboard with a little boy. He couldn't have been older than twelve. As they climbed aboard, Zuko ripped the staff from the boy and handed it to Liling and Iroh. "Take this to my chambers while the guards take Avatar below deck."
Liling rolled her eyes and Iroh took the staff and handed it to a nearby guard, saying "Take this to his chambers." He and Liling watched the Avatar depart before escorting themselves to their own chambers. Yawning, Iroh said "I'm going to go take a nap."
"Getting beaten twice in a row at Pai Sho really must be exhausting." Liling replied, getting the curtain for her father. He chose to ignore that comment and bowed to her before entering his room. She let the curtain fall before heading off to her own where she poured herself a cup of tea and stretched out on her bed. After the cup was nearly emptied, Liling began dozing off.
Suddenly her curtain was flung open by a frantic looking bald boy whom she recognized to be the Avatar. Her eyes popped open as her drowsiness receded. "Oops. Wrong room." He said before dashing away, quickly followed by six Fire Nation troops.
Looking from them to her tea cup, she drained the last of her tea, deciding it was time to end Iroh's nap. She flung herself from her bed, setting her tea cup aside, and flew into Iroh's room. She found him sound asleep and snoring loudly. Liling was half tempted to let him sleep but knew he would have wanted her to wake him had the Avatar successfully managed to escape. "Iroh, the Avatar is loose! We must get to the top of the ship and hinder his escape." Liling shouted. Iroh spluttered and fell out of bed. Liling rushed to his side and helped him stand. "We must get above deck." she repeated before running outside the room, Iroh close behind, running as fast as possible to keep up with his daughter.
However, they arrived to see the Avatar escape on a giant flying bison. Turning around, she saw Zuko attempting to climb back up the ship. Liling hoisted back on deck as he shouted "Shoot them down." The two of them, along with Iroh, sent their most powerful fire blasts up at the bison. However, it neatly dodged the gold and blue flames. The flames came into contact with a cliff made of ice, causing it to fall into the boat.
Iroh burst into laughter and said "The Fire Lord will be very happy to hear that the Fire Nation's greatest enemy is nothing more than a little boy."
"Uncle, this little kid just did this to our ship," Zuko said, denoting to how the ship was now buried in ice and snow. "I will not be underestimating him again." Kicking a chunk of ice he ordered "I want everyone digging out the ship! Just as soon as everyone gets thawed out." He added the last part as an afterthought, gazing at the still frozen crew.
"Nothing gets rid of ice like fire. I'd say it's time we heat things up." Liling interjected, her hands lighting up with blue fire. With a powerful cry she launched a massive fireball at the ice, causing it to immediately melt and turn into steam. She turned back towards Iroh and Zuko, smirking, and blew on her finger tip, causing the last bit of fire to go out.
Zuko blinked before shouting "Let's go!" This request would have been readily met except the crew was still frozen. "Fine. Finish thawing." Zuko muttered in defeat.
Liling placed a hand on his shoulder and said "At least we now know the Avatar is alive. Let's take a small break, come up with a winning strategy, and then go after the Avatar. Let's go below deck and enjoy a cup of hot tea."
"Ugh. Like father like daughter." Zuko muttered bitterly, but accepted nonetheless, after all, Liling was correct in one aspect. The Avatar was alive and it was only a matter of time before he would be captured.