Distorted Loyalty
Book 1: Air
Chapter 3: Heartwrenching Truth
Next morning Zuko woke to the rising sun as it began to cast its golden rays, warmth touching his forever pale skin. He stretched and looked at the sleeping forms of the Water Tribe siblings, then to his uncle who lay on his back snoring loudly.
His hand itched to grab the warrant poster he took from Zhao's chamber and read it more closely. But, to his surprise the airbender was still up, smiling and waving his hand sheepishly at him.
"Good morning." He welcomed.
Zuko arched an eyebrow, using this moment to pull his dual broadswords from the burlap sack and polish them. "You were up all night?" Zuko questioned.
Aang sighed loudly, tapping the sides of the saddle out of boredom and frustration, "I tried to sleep but I had a nightmare."
"Oh," Zuko said, looking away. "it must be hard being the only one of your people."
"Yeah, but I'm starting to make some new friends along the way. And you're my friend too now."
Aang's voice was confident, upbeat. Zuko stopped polishing and dared to glance down the forest, watching the green treetops for a long moment before he raised his head.
"When are we touching ground?" Zuko asked instead, not feeling like disappointing him by telling the truth they weren't.
"Actually, I was about to land. We're near the harbor and I hear it's a safe place."
Zuko nodded absently, aware that the harbor Aang spoke of had been occupied by the Fire Nation. All he wanted was to get off this fur ball and resume his quest finding the Avatar, and without Zhao anywhere near, he decided the little airbender should be safe for now.
An hour later, Appa hits the ground with a thump, making everyone riding the beast lift off the ground an inch. Katara holds to Appa's saddle as they land, to prevent her body from flying across the saddle.
"Appa can't you be a little milder in your landing next time?" Sokka complained, caressing his red cheek that had clashed with the ground.
"Appa hasn't gotten any chance to sleep yet, he just needs some time," Aang assured, gesturing the bison to follow him into a tunnel, who grumbled hard in dejection. "I know you hate tunnels but we can't have the Fire Nation see you. Go rest buddy, we'll stay here until you're ready." Aang tried to reason, calming down the bison a little.
Zuko glanced backward at the siblings with a careful eye. The waterbender girl scooted herself to the edge of the river. She waved her arms in a loop, willing the water to freeze. It jumped at her command in a wave instead, splashing up and soaking her brother.
The brother groaned at first, but his complaints quickly washed away as the second attempt proved successful.
Sokka gave her a thumb up. "Great job, Katara. I'm sure you'll get a hang of it soon."
"Thanks!" The waterbender beamed.
There was a rush of sheer jealousy igniting within Zuko and he hated it. Katara and Sokka seemed pretty close, and a relationship of sibling love was something foreign to him. Even though he wished it were different, his sister was nothing more but a manipulative and cruel princess not caring about his well-being at all. Other than that, their relationship was nothing more but rivalry in trying to gain their fathers love and affection, which, Zuko didn't like admitting Azula won by miles.
With a blind eye, he turned around and stomped off—accidently bumping into his uncle, whom apparently bought some cooked fish at a nearby market and urged Zuko to eat it.
"I am not hungry," Zuko insisted, but a loud rumble of his stomach protested and he sighed, rubbing it.
"…perhaps I am."
He took the plate and decided to stalk off someplace alone, but not before pausing halfway, glancing over his shoulder and commanding an order, "Uncle, I wish to leave after breakfast. We've been around these peasants' way too long."
There was a slight bow of acknowledgment. "Guess I'll have to say goodbye to Momo then!"
Zuko, now back in his peasant get-up, sat on a peaceful meadow against a tree filled with cherry blossom petals, accepting it and letting it calm his mind with certain pleasure. After a rough night, he decided this was just what he needed.
From here up here, Zuko could see the city of Shin Za, and behind it, the Earth Kingdom Harbor now occupied by the Fire Nation military. Frowning, he took a bite out of the Salmon before placing the plate next to him and pull his uncle's warrant poster out of his pocket.
Zuko unfolded it, reading through the exact same words again. 'Suspected of being a traitor to the Fire Nation. Withholding important information regarding the Avatar from the Fire Lord himself.' There was, no mistakenly, a painting of his uncle in his full glory. The weight of his armor sink him to the floor, part of his grayish hair pinned into a tight knot at the back of his head, now all gone and replaced by Mushi, the traveling merchant.
His uncle was a traitor?
Zuko shook his head in denial, pulling out a pearl-handled dagger from under his tunic. The blade was clean, a perfection, and the ultimate breed of earth. He stared intently at the words he knew were engraved on the blade for he knew they always helped him think clearly.
Sure, his uncle had his flaws, but he couldn't be a traitor. Then again, his father's words were absolute and probably held some truth.
Zuko's hold on the poster strengthened.
There was literally no indication his uncle might be hiding things behind his back. Also, what could he possibly hide? Did the Avatar move places? Is he even still in Ba Sing Se? Was his uncle taking him to Ba Sing Se fully knowing he wasn't there in the first place? Is that why his uncle suggested they head for the colonie—
The Fire Nation colonies within Earth Kingdom borders.
He paled, a nasty thought sneaking into his head. His frown congealed then melted into horror.
No, no, no, no, NO! Zuko grabbed his head and felt an unbearable headache coming up. The Avatar couldn't be dead, he couldn't be! His uncle would have told him if he were, right? He was so sure Uncle Iroh wouldn't ever keep such valuable information from him like this!
He couldn't accept that life of wandering the Earth Kingdom, knowing it was the Fire Nation he had to be in. Which would only result into dire consequences considering he wasn't even allowed to set foot on the island ever again.
He needed to ask his uncle, he needed clarity.
Decision final, Zuko set off at once, following a curved dirt path from the height of the meadow down to a well-traveled looking road below. He intended to rush back and confront his uncle, but he soon found that something else should be investigated first.
"Sir, I need to ask you a favor!" Zuko stopped dead in his track, turning around seeing a worn out, panting family of three wearing middle-class Earth Kingdom outfits. "My wife was hurt badly during our travels, I want to take her to the nearest infirmary to check on her but…we are urged to take my daughter on board a ship leaving within two hours time."
Zuko's eyes set in a glare. He had no time wasting it on some poor family in apparent dire need. He fixed his glare down at the mother, who trembled grabbing onto her swollen leg desperately, begging him.
"Father, I don't need any—" The daughter named Kazumi jumped in, her face serious and somewhat arrogant.
"Please make sure she gets there safely," The father grabs his bag and rummages in it, later revealing five gold pieces. "I'll be willing to pay you. Just make sure she's alive and reaches the harbor."
"Father—"
Zuko remained silent, still in rejection of escorting the daughter, but with a tilt of the head he peered at the wound of the mother, which was not burned, nor cut with a sword or knife…she seemed to be in a good condition too."You were attacked by an earthbender," Zuko stated flatly. "You're Fire Nation."
"Y-Yes…" The father's voice was shaking, taking a step back. "are you going to attack us too?"
Without a second thought, Kazumi snarled, "Stay back. I won't let you!" she dropped into a stance as fire erupted from her fist, however, Zuko caught onto this quickly and blocked it away in a wall of his own golden fire.
"You're a firebender too—!" The young girl gasped, bowing quickly, "I'm sorry, I thought you'd be an earthbender. My parents were taking a risk by asking strangers, but they simply can't stand me going alone."
Zuko nodded. "Why are you in such a hurry though."
The father's ears quirked up, "Oh, yes! Quick I beg of you, please escort my daughter to the ship. I'm sure she'll be willing to explain. It concerns the wishes of the Fire Lord, she must be on that ship."
That instantly awakened a new kind of curiosity in Zuko. After all, what could his father possibly want from this girl? Nodding silently, he agreed to use the coming hours extracting information from the firebender. Watching the family bid their farewell, he caught sight of a letter marked with the royal stamp being exchanged between father and daughter.
"What's that letter you're holding?" Zuko asked cautiously as the two set off down the dirt path.
Kazumi blinked, "Oh this? My family received a message from our great Fire Lord Ozai. He wants me to go to the Fire Nation Capital, and we are to obey, of course."
"Why?" Zuko gave her a steady look, and he saw her widen her eyes slightly—as if he'd just said the weirdest thing, ever.
"You don't know? Oh, I see, you're a lone traveler, aren't you?"
"I suppose you could say that."
"Well…the Avatar died sixteen years ago, Isn't that amazing?" Kazumi laughed, at the same time something must've snapped in Zuko because breathing properly became very hard.
"They have been reborn into the Fire Nation! The sages want to find the Avatar by having everyone with Fire Nation heritage aged sixteen undergo examinations in Caldera."
"No, that's…that's not possible!" He spluttered, "The Avatar is in Ba Sing Se!"
There wasn't any deception in her eyes. Not that he could see, at least. Adding to the recent rumors and the warrant poster of his uncle, Zuko felt something akin to a knot in his chest squeeze tightly, never letting go.
Kazumi placed her hands on her hips playfully before grinning, "Well excuse you, but I'd rather believe the Fire Lord over you."
Zuko vaguely heard the girl chatter about her parent, apparently high-ranking people living in another Fire Nation colony far off, but his mind was in other places.
So it was true…everything of it was true! Zuko shut his eyes and clenched his fists, unintentionally heating up as smoke manifested. He had been traveling the Earth Kingdom for three years looking for Avatar Lokai only hearing now, that all this time, he was dead!
And his uncle knew this!
A cool hand laid on his forehead and Zuko jerked up to see Kazumi standing before him, frowning slightly. "Hey, are you okay? You seem a little warm," she asked, noting his glazed eyes, "You show symptoms of Fire Fever. You know, if things are getting worse I could give you a frozen frog. I got some of them in my pockets."
Zuko grimaced at the term, frozen frogs, an old and forbidden memory of his mother making him suck on those when he first caught Fire Fever. Quickly, he brushed Kazumi's hand away, saying "I feel fine…I'm just surprised." Zuko looked away and she noted her bothered expression. They didn't speak for another fifteen minutes.
Kazumi looked up at Zuko as they neared Shin Za, now hard on its way becoming another Fire Nation colony. "I doubt I'm the Avatar, but just being able to see the Fire Nation Capital makes my heart skip a beat! I might even get to see the Fire Lord, he's a real inspiration to me," the girl brightened, "I've always wanted to be like him! His strength and control are remarkable, and he loves his people dearly," then she hesitated, sadness clouding her features, "But…I'd say chances are rather slim. Perhaps I'll get to meet the Princess Azula."
"The Fire Lord's a great man," Zuko praised numbly, though he couldn't help giving her a lopsided grin, "though I'd say your chances of meeting the banished Fire Prince are far greater than meeting those two."
"Very funny, I wouldn't even know where to find the prince," She admitted thoughtfully, "Besides, I don't even know what he looks like—! I'm such a failure."
Zuko frowned. Kazumi's an okay girl once you get to know her better, but she simply spoke too much, even annoying him to the point he wanted to jump in a lake and swim back to the campsite.
When the afternoon approaches, they enter the harbor now filled with Fire Nation navy ships, even a gold-trimmed royal one for the occasion. The waves crashed and danced along the shore, moving up and down in a graceful and gentle rhythm like they were dancing.
It made Zuko realize this was no usual situation and that his father was dead serious about finding the new Avatar.
What should I do? What could he do, really? The only thing he could do is disguise himself infiltrating his homeland and look for the Avatar—who had to be heading for Caldera as well.
It was hopeless.
There was no way he could capture the Avatar. Zuko had lost. No honor, no throne. His father would never accept him…He probably should give in to his uncle's advice and find a new home in this ridiculous country full of idiots.
"Thank you so much for escorting me to the ship, I'm an hour early too," She said unbeknownst of Zuko's inner turmoil, "there's a festivity taking place just around the corner, we could…take a look?" she batted her eyelashes innocently as if pleading.
Zuko shook his head, saying he didn't wish to be around here anymore.
Kazumi looked up and eyed him disapprovingly, "My father has paid you to escort me, I want to go to the festival before leaving for Caldera. You are to respect my wishes, you know."
Zuko groaned in annoyance, his voice hardening. "You need to shut it, girl. I may be paid, but your father specifically stated I bring you to the harbor, and I did."
"Please—!" She practically launched herself onto Zuko like a little girl wanting to keep its doll, but he brushed her away, glaring daggers.
"Stop being so clingy! At first, you didn't even want me anywhere near you, so why is it you want me around so suddenly?" he responded, wiping the dust off his tunic before looking at children giggling and laughing, hurrying themselves to the festival.
"Because you're actually a very nice person, Lee…" Her mouth curved into a shy smile.
Zuko shook his head, turning around, and gazing at the road back. "If you want to go you're better off on your own, my job here is done."
"But please— "
That's it! Zuko turned to the girl and snarled, "Honestly, stop ordering me around and find someone else to talk to. You're neither my mother nor the Fire Lord, and you certainly do not have authority over me so stop acting like it!"
Several gasps were heard around him, unintendedly picking up on his loud and stern voice; some of surprise, many of shock.
Kazumi's cheeks turned a bright pink, stammering she said, "I'm sorry…I just, I'm sorry." She stepped back, hurt in the way her voice trembled. She instantly turned around and rushed off.
Zuko's glare quickly congealed into a frown, had he seen that correctly? Was she crying?
A strange man swept in holding cabbages, glancing disappointedly at Zuko as if he'd just said something horrible. "I think you just broke a young girls heart."
Zuko jumped at the unfamiliar voice, "What—she's ordering me around! I barely know her." he scoffed.
"Just keep telling yourself that," The cabbage man winked at him as he caressed his valuable item. "Anyways, I'm selling cabbages today! I'm sure you're a hungry lad!"
Zuko fought again to control his temper as he remembered where he was. It wouldn't do alarming soldiers just because he had to speak out to the girl and shame himself into making her cry. Sighing, he ignored the cabbage man and withdrew from the crowd, sauntering his way up the dirt path he used to get here. At least he tried before Zuko disturbingly underestimated the mass of spectators knocking him off the road as he tried to bypass them.
Out of nowhere, and much to his surprise, an old man placed a hand on his shoulder, grip tightening, and whispering cautiously into his ear, Prince Zuko.
Zuko jerked around, frowning as he took in the sight of the familiar figure, "Uncle?"
It was him all right; the way he stood, his small posture, hell, even the smell was the same! What made him consider the identity of his uncle, though, was him being fully cloaked, hood covering the face…it was as if he wanted no one to realize it was the Dragon of the West beneath.
"Uncle, you lied to me!" Zuko stared at his uncle with baffled outrage in his expression as he echoed. "you knew all this time yet you didn't tell me! How could you!?"
He gestured for Zuko to follow him into a crowded alleyway, but still much better accessible.
When the silence lasted more than five seconds, the prince's face drew into a fierce scowl as he demanded. "Well?! Speak up! It's true isn't it; Avatar Lokai is truly dead!"
Then finally, his uncle lowered his head, "Yes, he is." he whispered painfully.
Letting the odd silence drag out, Zuko, still bewildered and angry asked, "I don't understand, why didn't you tell anyone?!"
"Prince Zuko," began his uncle, his voice becoming dangerously low. "it was an accident the Avatar died that day we sieged Ba Sing Se. For the safety of the newborn and the future of the world, I had no choice but to keep this knowledge to myself."
Zuko swallowed hard, looking away, "Whose side are you actually on? It does sound like you turned traitor."
Iroh took a deep breath, "I love my country, but there are certain things I have come to realize aren't matching with our nation's traditional and true ideology. Especially after my son's death," he trailed off before finishing, "I wish to set things right."
Zuko went stiff, resentment and confusion mixing in his stomach like a sickening brew. He shut his eyes and snapped, "You could've at least told me!"
"I could have, and then what? You never think these things through, Prince Zuko!" a pair of angry, wrinkle-wore eyes glared at him, Iroh's voice dripping in dominance, "I know exactly what you would have done; sneak your way back into the Fire Nation to go search for the Avatar only to get yourself captured and be sentenced to prison for life!"
Zuko threw his hands in the air, not caring about the several eyes judging him, nor his uncle's plea to remain calm, "Perhaps I would, and perhaps you're right! But then what am I supposed to do now?! I've lost this game, I can never catch the Avatar now that father's set out to find him."
"…I know I am asking you the impossible, but you must let go trying to gain your father's love and affection," his uncle dared to suggest, "I know you try very hard my nephew, and that is what I admire so much about you. But Ozai...he never was the brotherly type and I have watched him when you were younger. He is not exactly the fatherly type either."
"That's not true, father loves me!" Zuko snapped, shaking his head stubbornly.
"Prince Zuko—"
She was born lucky. You were lucky to be born.
He shut his eyes against the memory.
"Just…tell me one thing," Zuko whispered, "do you know who the new Avatar is?"
"I don't," his uncle admitted, "It would have been too suspicious if I went out visiting each Fire Nation family with a newborn. My father would never have accepted it," he paused, thinking hard before continuing, "All I can tell you is that the Avatar died sixteen-years ago, therefore, he or she is sixteen years of age. It could even be you, my nephew."
Zuko waved it away with his hand, "That's ridiculous have you ever seen me bend water or something?" he asked sarcastically.
"One does not simply bend water—" He could see the corners of his uncle's mouth quirk up, but soon it congealed into an 'o' shape, as he noticed something or rather someone behind Zuko. Subtly shifting his body, his uncle tilted his head to the side as he retreated into the crowd.
As soon as Zuko realized what was happening a firm and commanding voice cut through his thoughts, "Look who we have here, Prince Zuko, all on your own today it seems?"
Snapping to attention, Zuko turned around and glared, "What do you want now, Zhao? A rematch?" he mocked darkly, "I'm afraid I'm busy today."
"No need to worry," The Admiral clasped his hands behind his back, straightening, "I have no intention of fighting another useless Agni Kai. Actually, the main reason I am here is because of you. So, you better listen."
Zuko grumbled beneath his breath but was left surprised when the admiral tossed him a rolled-up letter marked with the royal seal.
"A message for me? Who send it?" Zuko asked in bewilderment.
"Why the Fire Lord, of course, a letter is written directly to you. And I am the one bringing you this news, flattering, is it not?"
Zuko gulped, ignoring Zhao as he pulled the seal off its place and poured over the letter.
By decree of Fire Lord Ozai, his son, Prince Zuko is to return to Caldera due to the death of Avatar Lokai and will participate in Sector Fourteen. His banishment will, therefore, be revoked until further notice.
"…Father wants me…back?" Zuko felt a lump in his throat.
"I doubt he wants you back, but even the Fire Lord cannot ignore the fact his own son is of the right age," There was an uncaring shrug, "he'll ditch you again once the sages realize it's not you."
Zuko didn't listen, his eyes still glued to the letter, "When's the ship leaving?" he asked.
"Fifteen minutes," there was a hint of annoyance in his voice, "Also, you are to clothe properly because it would be such a disgrace for the Fire Lord having you enter the capital city in peasant get-up."
Zuko shot him a glare and folded the letter, "Fine." he scoffed, tucking it in his pocket as he set out to the ship.
Zhao's arm stretched out, blocking Zuko's path, "By the way… I noticed you aren't traveling with your uncle. You've probably heard the stories of him," the admiral's eyes observed him carefully, and in response, Zuko's eyes hardened, "now my question to you, Prince Zuko, is whether you know where the traitorous Dragon of the West is?"
"No…I left him days ago, I thought it was best if we split up."
"Really now? I'm sure you aren't too bothered about today then."
[✩]
The drums were still reverberating from the now far off Harbor, pounding with the rhythm of a hundred heartbeats as the spectators and residents joyously danced around the festival's fire. For Iroh, though, things weren't exactly joyous, in fact, it was anything but. He walked a lonely road as he wiped his sweaty brow with a rag. Returning to the campsite, his careful eye picked on Aang and Katara, cutting the vegetables he had bought them earlier.
Sokka looked up from where he sat preparing the bags, "Hey gramps, did you find Lee?"
A sigh. "I did, but sadly he was taken away."
There was a genuine surprise, "Taken? As in taken by evil people?"
Iroh was given no time to respond for the remaining two had noticed him. Aang hurried to him with Katara right behind, "You're back! It's been five hours, we started worrying something might have happened to you." The airbender explained.
"Well, apparently something happened to Lee."
Katara gasped at her brother's comment. "What—is he okay?"
"Do not worry, my nephew is okay for now," Iroh assured them, taking off his hood and focusing himself on the airbender. "yesterday you said you were going to Ba Sing Se to look for the Avatar, correct?"
Aang quirked up an eyebrow but nodded nonetheless.
"There is something I must tell all of you."
A veil of silence descended suddenly upon the group and all eyes turned to Iroh as he explained what he had hidden from the world for sixteen years. The information he had bottled up inside, and meant to take it to the grave with him if he had to. He refused to give his brother the advantage in this war. The Avatar was vulnerable, and therefore the world.
Now that somehow, possibly through the capture of a Dai Li agent, the Fire Nation realized that they were one step from victory, these young people…and the last airbender especially carried an aura of hope making Iroh ponder the great destiny bestowed upon them.
Sokka grabbed his head, shaking it in denial, "So, you're telling us you and Lee are both angry Fire Nation jerks, not to mention royal ones! And now you turned good somehow. Avatar Lokai has been dead for sixteen-years and all this time we've been trying to look for the Fire Nation Avatar who I bet doesn't even like our species!" there was a lot of dark sarcasm in his voice, "this is just what we needed!"
"Sokka you don't know that!" Katara retorted, but even her voice trembled.
However, Aang looked confident as he spoke, "There's still a chance. The Fire Lord doesn't know the identity of the new Avatar. It might take months before they've gone through each candidate," the airbender turned to him, bowing humbly, "we really should thank you for hiding such valuable information from the Fire Lord."
For the first time, a slight smile crossed Iroh's features.
Katara pressed her lips together, "But then what should we do? Weren't we planning on going to the Northern Water Tribe first?"
Iroh folded his arms over his chest and tilted his head in deep thought, "Crossing Fire Nation borders without experience and a strategy is anyone's death wish. I suggest you resume your travels, but keep a close eye on matters concerning the Avatar," he paused, "knowing my brother, he would either brainwash the Avatar into joining his cause or if he feels the slightest suspicion of treachery, have the Avatar imprisoned in the cage for life."
"The cage," Sokka paled, sounding as if he was about to faint, "I don't know which one of the two sounds worse!"
Aang frowned at that, but his eyes brightened as an idea came to mind, "Maybe I could enter the Spirit World and ask the spirits?"
Sokka looked annoyed, "I'm sorry Aang, but last time I checked, only the Avatar can do that." he pointed out, petting Momo as he came in flying and landed on the Water Tribe's knee.
"Oh, hey Momo."
"I used to go there with Avatar Yenzin all the time to go and play," the airbender explained, "we ran after Dragonfly bunny spirits, they actually remind me of Momo."
The lemur chirped in response.
"—Yenzin always told me to stay away from Koh though. That he could steal faces of other beings that expressed emotion. " Aang added thoughtfully, scratching the back of his neck.
Sokka frowned at that, "I'm confused, Katara, do you understand what he's saying?"
Katara simply looked at her brother with a tense eye, shaking her head.
"I have to give it a try."
Iroh watched Aang in fascination as the airbender sat down and crossed his legs over top of each other. Breathing deeply he closed his eyes. Folding his hands in his lap the boy began a ritual oddly familiar to Iroh.
Entering the Spirit World through meditation.
Dead silence filled the air, the group stared at the young boy as he angrily jumped out of his meditation pose.
"…Ugh! It's not working, I wonder why?"
Katara stared at him sympathetically, "You can always try again later Aang, don't rush yourself." She bent down next to him and gave the boy a reassuring smile.
It caused the boy to look away, hurt, "It used to be so easy…"
"Sometimes life is like that dark tunnel over there," Iroh began, pointing his finger in the direction of Appa, who gave a low grumble, "you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place."
That seemed to work a little, Iroh realized, as Aang's face contorted into a sad smile. He got back on his knees and looked at his Water Tribe friends, "You're right Mushi, I'll just keep trying. We should go to the Northern Water Tribe."
"They might even help us find the Avatar." Katara added hopeful, blinking before turning to Iroh, "What are you going to do? I'm sorry about your nephew…"
"It is quite all right my dear," Iroh laughed it away with his hands in his sleeves, "I will be going my own way. There is something I must do before resuming my own search for the Avatar, and for my nephew when he returns."
Iroh gripped a lotus tile under his sleeves and approached the airbender, placing it in his hand carefully before telling him to keep it.
"What is this thing?" Aang asked confused.
Iroh merely smiled, "It is the white lotus tile, it might prove to be of importance to you in the future."
Sokka interjected as he took the tile from Aang and inspected it, "But it's just a dull tile!"
"That is exactly what my nephew would say," Iroh thought out loud, smirking before his gaze turned serious, "trust me, you might need it."
I'm not very happy with this chapter. I'm sorry if it's a little rushed.
