4 - Chasing Rumors
It had been seven years since Zuko had heard the horrible news about his best friend. Over the years, he had found many rebellious soldiers who believed in his cause. He himself had grown in his training to excel in not only his bending, but hand to hand combat and the twin duel swords. It was never enough for his father, of course. But, Zuko had long since ceased to care.
At the age of thirteen he had already started a secret army led by himself. The army's main goal was to end the hundred year old war. Their plan was to keep Zuko as the heir and one day murder Fire Lord Ozai in such a way that no one would be aware that Zuko had been included. Once Zuko was named Fire Lord he would declare the war over.
Over the years he had heard and seen his father do many horrible things and never lost his character around him. But, he was about to today.
It was another torcherous war meeting. Zuko would always pay rapt attention during these. Because no matter how disgusted he felt at what was discussed, it was good to be knowledgable of what was going on in the war. He was greatful today that they were discussing an attack on the earth kingdom. It was always harder on Zuko when it was the water tribe.
Zuko had sat through countless generals talk of destroying soldiers from the other nations. But, this merciless general that had the floor now, was proposing they sacrifice a whole battalion of new soldiers as a distraction. The real attack would come later with more seasoned soldiers. Zuko waited for someone with more authority to say something. But, no one ever spoke up. They all seemed to be in agreement with this general. He couldn't let this happen. For them to murder other nation's citizens was bad. But, to purposefully murder their own soldiers was barbaric.
No one was pleased with Zuko when he spoke out. His father most of all. He told him for his act of disrespect he would have to face his victim in an Agni Kai. Zuko looked upon the general and declared he was not afraid of him.
Zuko was confident in his skills as he prepared to fight the general. Finally, he could help in some way. But, still stay in the character he had to in order to become Fire Lord one day.
He faced away from his opponent as was the custom. He was shocked to hear the amount of applause the general received when he walked in. But, he figured the general just had a lot of his men in the crowd. At the gong he turned to face his opponent and was shocked at what he saw.
There stood his father clad in the traditional Agni Kai uniform ready to face him.
In that moment the full consequences of Zuko's action's were realized by him. He had made a horrible mistake that may have cost them everything. He could have ruined the whole plan all because he couldn't keep his mouth shut. He couldn't fight his father. There was no way Ozai would allow him to remain the heir after this. He had to do damage control. He wasn't sure what to do so, Zuko did the first thing that came to mind. He bagged for mercy.
He got on his knees and yelled, "Please father, I only had the Fire Nation best interest at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn."
"Stand and fight," yelled Ozai angrily.
"Please, I'm your loyal son," Zuko tried again.
"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher," was all Ozai said before Zuko saw a hot red flash of fire heading toward his face.
"Aaah," Zuko sat up in his bed breathing heavily. Out of habit he brought his hand up to his face to feel the now scarred over burn. He glanced around in the room he was in and noticed he was back on the ship. He was just having a flashback in his sleep.
He was now sixteen years old. It had been three regretful years since the events in his dream and ten long years since Katara's untimely dearth.
As punishment for showing weakness and refusing to fight, his father had burned the entire left side of his face leaving a permanent reminder of his shame. He then banished him and gave him what is believed to be an impossible mission as a chance to redeem himself. He had to capture the avatar who hasn't been seen in one hundred years and present him to his father.
Zuko's soldiers had loyally stuck by him in his banishment, despite the fact that Zuko had almost ruined their whole plan. Ozai of course never knew how Zuko had recruited so many soldiers to join him in banishment. But, it had impressed him enough to allow them a ship to use on their quest.
He, his Uncle and their crew have search all over the world with no luck. But, there were rumors spreading around that the avatar had recently returned somehow. The rumors say that he's a young boy who wears orange and yellow robes, has an arrow on his head and rides a flying bison. The flying bison sounded a little far- fetched to Zuko. But, he was never one to ignore even the smallest clue. So, Zuko had ordered his helmsman to head South as the rumors told that the avatar was there.
He shook off the nightmares and climbed out of bed to get ready for the day. He dressed in the pants and tunic that he usually wore under his armor to train in. He did his fire bending training at this time of day when the sun was just coming up.
After his usual training routine he headed back to his room to add his armor as well as a very heavy parka. The further South they traveled the colder it got. When he was fully dressed for the weather he walked up on deck to his helmsman.
"Lieutenant Cogun, what's our current position?" Zuko asked.
"We're about a week away from the South Pole your highness. Would you prefer us to change course at this time?" asked the soldier.
"No," came Zuko's reply. "Stay course for a few more days and if there is still no sign of the avatar change our course for whale tale island. But, do not get any closer to the Southern Water Tribe then five days."
Lieutenant Cogun looked like he wanted to asked to ask his Prince something but thought better of it. "Yes Sir," he replied.
Zuko understood the soldier's confusion. But, he would never explain why the South Pole was the only place in the world he refused to go. Only his Uncle knew about Katara and he wanted to keep it that way. There were several times over the years that he had the opportunity to search there, but could never bring himself to go. He couldn't go knowing that she was no longer there.
He pulled up the sleeve on his right arm to glance at the necklace tied around his bicep. A constant reminder of the promises he made. One, to one day ensure she was safe, that was now broken no matter what he did. The second was to end the war. One mistake may have just caused him to break that as well. "I'm so sorry Katara. I've failed you," Zuko spoke aloud.
But, Zuko was not one to give up, even when things seemed lost. If it took him half his life he would regain his title and fulfill at least one of the promises he gave her. But, at the same time he couldn't help but feel like he deserved this shame and dishonor for allowing his best friend to be murdered in such a way.
He sulked off to find his uncle and as usual he was at the bow of the ship drinking his tea and playing pai sho. As Iroh had been able to do his whole life, he read Zuko like a book. "Young Katara on your mind, Nephew?" he asked.
"Yeah, Cogun tells me we are a week away from the Southern Water Tribe. I told him to turn around in two days," replied Zuko.
"Still refusing to stop there I see," mused Iroh.
"You know why I can't go there," Zuko told him.
Iroh sighed before replying. "What happened to that young girl was not your fault. You were six years old. There was nothing to you could do."
"Maybe not," replied Zuko. "But, I can do something about it now. I can ensure that the world is safe again for people like her,"
"Like you promised?" asked Iroh. Zuko only nodded before Iroh hesitatingly continued. "Zuko, that wont bring her back."
"Don't you think I know that all too well. Don't you think I know that she's never coming back," yelled Zuko.
"Yes, I'm sure you do Zuko, I'm sorry," he amended. "But, maybe you should think about what she would want for you. You were always so much happier and calmer around her. I think you should try to relax or have some fun every once in awhile. It would be good for you."
Zuko seethed with anger at his Uncle suggestion. "How can I relax or have fun when my father remains on the throne unpunished for everything he's done. When millions of people in this world, our people and others, are suffering because of this war. How..."
"Prince Zuko," shouted one of his shoulders from a distance.
"What?" he shouted at the voice. "Look in the sky," the soldier shouted while pointing up.
Zuko angrily glanced up only to drop his jaw in amazement. There in the sky was what appeared to be a flying white buffalo. In the saddle on its back were two figures dressed in blue and at its head steering was a figure that fit the exact description of the avatar.
"Finally," Zuko shouted. "It's the avatar. Shoot him down!"