Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender. It is the property of its creators and Nickelodeon.

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Chapter 4: The Swordsmen

"Can't we stay a little longer?" pleaded Aang.

"I'm sorry Aang, but Sokka and I don't think it would be a good idea if we did," said Katara.

"Why not?"

"Well take Combustion Man for instance," began Sokka, "I mean seriously, he followed us all the way from the Fire Nation. And remember Kyoshi Island?"

"Yeah what about it?"

"Well in case you forgot, we stayed too long and guess what happened? Zuko found us and attacked the place," explained Sokka. He then noticed two figures in the distance, "speaking of Zuko."

The three turned their heads to see Zuko and Toph approaching. Zuko was carrying a bunch of bamboo stalks and waxy looking branches. Toph was riding on Zuko, enjoying the fact that she didn't have to walk around as much, and surprisingly, Zuko didn't mind. As far as he was concerned he saw it as a kind of training. Sokka just stared at the two.

'When did they get along so quickly?' he thought to himself.

Katara just looked at Zuko suspiciously, when Aang spoke up.

"Hey Zuko! Do you want to join us for lunch!"

"No," replied Zuko while setting Toph down.

"Why? Do you have a problem with my cooking?"demanded Katara.

"No. Your food is good. It's just that I need to make some stuff for the Duke," answered Zuko.

"What kind of stuff?" asked Sokka curiously.

Before Zuko could say anything, the Duke came running in excitedly.

"So are you done training Aang for today! When do we start sword practice!"

"You're teaching the Duke too?" screeched Katara.



"Really? Good for you Sparky," said Toph.

"No! Not good! I thought you were training Aang!" shouted an angry Katara.

"I am! But I'm also teaching the Duke because he asked me too! What was I supposed to say! No!" yelled Zuko, slowly matching Katara's tone.

"Yeah, you should have. Aang is a higher priority!"

Before Zuko could say anything, a gust of wind separated them.

"Guys, stop fighting!" yelled Aang. He then turned his attention to Katara, "Katara if the Duke wants to learn from Zuko, then Zuko can teach him."

"But Aang…"

"And besides, I still need to practice with my water and earthbending, so it's ok."

Katara just looked at Aang in disbelief.

"I'm going to set up lunch," she said with a growl in her voice and then she stormed off.

"What's her problem?" asked Toph.

"I know. Katara's usually not so…angry," said Aang feeling very concerned for his friend.

"It's because I'm here," said Zuko . He then turned his attention to the Duke, "alright I'm going to be making your practice swords today. I'll start teaching you tommorrow."

"All right!" cheered the Duke. He then ran off.

"Ok, we'll discuss our plans later. So let's get over to camp, and eat!" declared Sokka.

"Ok!" agreed Aang. He then turned his attention to Zuko. "Hey Zuko, why don't you join us."

"I don't know if that's a great idea. Katara doesn't seem very comfortable around me, and besides I need to work on the Duke's weapons," said Zuko.

"Hey Sparky, I know you like to go into your little corner and be all 'the world hates me, no one understands how I feel,' but you're part of our group now. You don't have to be alone anymore," said Toph with reassuring voice.

Zuko looked away, thinking for a moment. He then smiled.

"Alright, I suppose I could join you," said Zuko, and he followed Toph, Aang, and Sokka.



On the way to lunch Aang thought about Toph. She was really trying to make Zuko feel welcome. He then realized that out of the whole group, Toph was the only one who was willing to give Zuko a chance in the beginning. He began to think of ways he could get the others to have a little faith in him. Then it hit him.

"Psst, Sokka," whispered Aang.

"What ?" Sokka whispered back.

"Zuko's a pretty good swordsman, and a very good teacher."

"So, what's your point?"

"If you ask, he could give you some pointers," answered Aang.

"Hmm," thought Sokka, "you don't say."

10 minutes later

"Seconds… please!" yelled Aang panting from finishing his lunch.

Katara and everyone else were looking at Aang giving him all sorts of funny looks. Zuko was the only one who was not surprised.

"Wow Aang, you put Sokka to shame," said Toph.

"Hey! I do not eat like that!" exclaimed Sokka.

"Oh yeah? Remember the time we arrived at the North Pole? You stuffed down everything in front of you," said Katara.

"We were on Appa for like, three days. There is only so much dried fruit will do for your stomach. I needed sustenance."

"Yeah, sure," said Katara. She then noticed Zuko eating quietly, minding his own business. She looked to Aang.

"So Aang, how was your firebending lesson?"

Aang immediately shot up, "It was great! I learned all sorts of attacks! I even got to develop my own personal set, and style of firebending!" he then looked to Zuko, "You're a great teacher Zuko."

"Thanks," said Zuko, a slight grin began to tug his face.

"So does that mean I'll learn a lot if you teach me?" asked the Duke.



"Yeah. Work hard, and you'll be an exceptional swordsman," encouraged Zuko.

The Duke simply gave Zuko the widest smile. He couldn't help but grin back.

"Ah-hem!"

Zuko, turned to see Sokka.

"Sooo, Zuko, since we're on the topic, there's something that I want to ask."

"And that is?" asked Zuko.

"Well, I was wondering if you would spar with me. You know give me some pointers…if you're not too busy that is."

Zuko thought about it for a minute.

"Sure. I don't mind," answered Zuko.

"Really?" asked Sokka, expecting Zuko to say no.

"Yeah. How about after lunch?"

"Oh, ok, well, I'll go get ready then," said Sokka, and he went to go get his sword.

Zuko put down his bowl, and went to get his weapons.

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After lunch, Zuko and Sokka met at the ruins of Combustion Man's attack. The entire group went to see the match between the two swordsmen. Sokka brandished his sword, and assumed an attack stance. Zuko stood his ground, knees bent ready to react to anything. He gripped the handle of his swords ready to draw.

Everyone was watching carefully, seeing what was going to happen. Then, all of a sudden, Sokka made the first move. He thrust at Zuko, but Zuko simply stepped back. Sokka continued to attack, but not once did Zuko draw his weapons. This continued on for about a minute. After that, though, Zuko drew his swords, but he kept them together. He transitioned the draw into a swing, and it came at Sokka so quickly, Sokka was forced to block. Taking advantage, Zuko pushed on; this time, he would be the one attacking.

Sokka was now on the defensive, and Zuko was not letting him attack, or counter. Every time Sokka thought that he had an opening, Zuko would see it and immediately shot Sokka's chance down.

'Aang wasn't kidding. Zuko is good,' thought Sokka.



"Whoa, look at them go," said the Duke in awe.

"Yeah this is getting pretty good," said Teo.

"Who do you think is going to win?" asked Haru, "Toph, can you tell?"

"It's Sokka," said Katara before Toph could say anything, "he was trained by the Fire Nation's best swordsman. No way will he lose."

"I'm not so sure."

Everyone turned, stunned to see that it was Aang who said that.

"What do you mean?" asked Katara in disbelief.

"Well, I've seen Zuko's sword work in battle. He was incredible. He fought an entire Fire Nation garrison without using any bending. Sokka's good, but the way the fight is going…"

"How can you say my brother will lose!" cried Katara.

"I'm with Twinkletoes. Look!" ordered Toph.

Everyone returned their attention to the fight. Sokka was tired, Zuko on the other looked like he hardly broke a sweat.

"Tired? You can give up if you want?" said Zuko.

"No way, I'm not giving up!" announced Sokka.

"Good to hear," said Zuko, "I've got to hand it to you, you're good. Though I have to ask, were you trained in the Fire Nation?"

"I was," answered Sokka setting up for another attack.

"Really? Well, could you tell me name of your master?"

Sokka paused for a moment, "Piandao," he answered.

"Piandao?" asked Zuko, eyes widened with surprise. He then regained his composure, "If so, then it would be insulting to you if I were to win without showing you my true skill."

"Wait…what do you mean?" asked Sokka curiously.

"This!" yelled Zuko. He twirled and separated his swords revealing their true form as dual swords.



Sokka's jaw dropped.

Zuko, seeing Sokka's reaction, charged and attacked. Sokka tried to defend, but poorly. Zuko simply forced Sokka's sword out of his hand with one blade and swung the other at his neck, stopping an inch away from impact.

Everyone, even Toph, was afraid Zuko might accidentally kill Sokka. When it was clear that Sokka lost, he lowered his dual swords.

"I lost, looks like you beat me again," said Sokka remembering when Zuko first arrived at the South Pole.

Zuko looked at the sad warrior.

"It's true, you did lose," began Zuko, "but I have to admit, you really surprised me."

Sokka looked up surprised, "I did? How?"

"Well, when we first met, you couldn't do anything to me. Now look at you . Your swordsmanship was marvelous," said Zuko, trying his best to make Sokka feel better.

"Only because Piandao trained me,"

"That's not even why you're good," said Zuko.

"What?"

"You fought well because you put your heart into your attacks. Any fool can use a sword, but only a true swordsman puts his soul and conviction in his strikes. That's what I saw, and that's why, you have my respect."

"You…you really mean that?"asked Sokka.

"Yeah, I do," answered Zuko.

Sokka just raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Okaaay. Who are you and what have you done with Zuko?"

"I'm serious."

"Right, sorry."

Zuko turned his attention to Sokka's sword, and picked it up.

"Your sword," said Zuko and he presented it to Sokka.



"Thanks…Zuko," Sokka quickly added. He took back his sword. When he did, Zuko began to walk away.

"Wait!" called out Sokka. Zuko stopped, and turned around. "Let me try that again," he gave Zuko a traditional Fire Nation bow, "Thank you, Zuko."

Zuko smiled, "Your welcome," and he bowed back, "Now if you'll excuse me , I've got training swords to make."

"I can help," piped up Sokka.

"Really? You sure?" asked Zuko.

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind, it'll be faster that way."

Zuko began to walk to his room, and Sokka followed.

"Oh just so you know, I did hit you back at the South Pole," said Sokka.

"What? When was that?"

"Well remember the boomerang? And remember when I hit you with Aang's staff? I got you twice!"

"Those don't count! The boomerang hit from behind, and I was in no position to fight back while on the ship! Those were underhanded strikes!" Zuko argued.

"Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that."

As the two argued, Toph just turned to Aang and grinned.

"I think Sparky will fit right in. What do you think?"

"I think you're right. Zuko definitely belongs here," replied Aang.

"Of course I'm right, I always am, and don't you dare think otherwise!" she corrected.

Upon hearing this Katara snuck away from the others, feeling very uncomfortable. As she walked away, she began to feel very distressed.

'First Aang, then Toph, now MY brother!" she screamed in her head, 'There's got to be a way to get rid of him!'



Then it dawned on her. Zuko would be teaching Aang in the morning and the Duke during the afternoon. He would be busy all day which meant she could look through his room for any evidence. It was decided, and she would go through with her plan and no one would convince her otherwise.

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Meanwhile, Across the Gorge from the temple.

"So there you are," said a man with telescope.

Behind him, a large creature chained at the neck made a loud squeal.

"Pipe down you stupid beast!" the man yanked the chain and forced the creature hard onto the ground "You will give away our location!"

The animal gave a painful moan; the man simply brushed it aside.

"Well, I better prepare."