A Pirate Attack
Amaya woke up that morning to find that they were flying over mountains. She saw that everyone else already woken up, but Aang seemed troubled about something. He was walking in different directions on the bison.
"Listen kid unless you want to practice flying without a glider I suggest you sit down," said Amaya.
"Yeah, what's bugging you anyway?" Sokka asked who was driving the bison.
"It's what Avatar Roku said I'm supposed to master all four elements before that comet arrives," said Aang worriedly.
"Well, let's see you pretty much mastered Airbending that only took you a hundred and twelve years I'm pretty sure you can master all four elements by next summer," Sokka said sarcastically.
"You're not helping!" Amaya snapped.
"I'm just being realistic," said Sokka.
"Relax Aang you can do it," reassured Amaya. "Besides it's gonna be harder for me. Sure I've already mastered Water and Earth, but gonna impossible to find a teacher for Firebending and Airbending."
"Yeah, harder for you," Aang said sarcastically. "I haven't even started waterbending yet and we still have weeks to get to the North Pole!"
"Aang, calm down," said Katara as she pulled him down. "It's going to be okay, if you want I can teach you some of the stuff I know."
"You'd do that," said Aang and Katara nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine here without a firebending teacher, I can wait," said Amaya sarcastically.
"Can't you learn some moves on your own like I did?" Katara asked.
"I can, but I'm kind of scared to," said Amaya. "If there's one thing I know about firebending: it's dangerous."
"Well, maybe I can teach you airbending," suggested Aang.
"Yeah, Liliani said I could learn from you, but I've got a feeling I can't master it until I've mastered Fire," explained Amaya.
"Alright before we start bending we need to find a good source of water first," suggested Katara as she looked down below Appa.
"Yeah, well find a good puddle for you to splash in," said Sokka.
"How 'bout there?" said Amaya as she pointed down at a body of water.
"Yeah, let's land there!" Aang said excitedly.
Sokka then lowered Appa to place where Amaya pointed at. It had a waterfall that fell into a lake.
"Nick puddle," said Sokka once they had gotten off Appa. Appa then flew and soaked himself in the water.
"Yeah, don't start off without me boy!" Aang shouted as charged for the water, but Katara cut him off.
"Remember the reason we're here."
"Oh right, practice waterbending," said Aang.
"Great what I'm I supposed to do?" Sokka asked.
"You could clean the gunk out of Appa's toes," suggested Aang as he handed him a tool to clean him with.
"So, you're playing in the water, I'm supposed be cleaning the gunk out a flying bison's feet?"
"Mud and bugs," said Aang still holding the tool.
"Don't worry Sokka, I'll help you, Aang's waterbending is more than my airbending right now," said Amaya.
"Okay," said Sokka as he took the tool and they headed off the clean the bison.
A few minutes have past and they were still scrubbing the bison.
"Man, since when was that last time Appa was clean," said Amaya.
"Possibly a hundred years ago," said Sokka. "Hey, how come you're not the one teaching Aang waterbending?"
"Because I can't," said Amaya and he showed a face of confusion. "Weren't you listening last night?"
"Sorry, I was still kind of in shock of surviving the Fire Nation," said Sokka sarcastically.
"I see, well I'll say it again, I can't teach him because the spirits already chose his teachers," said Amaya, "and we must not deny the spirits."
"Did the spirits by chance tell you who the teachers were?" Sokka asked who sounded like he didn't believe her.
"No, and I can't go to the spirit world like Aang," Amaya said annoyed.
"Ok, I believe you, no need to get annoyed," said Sokka.
"Yeah, well Appa seems to appreciate this," Amaya said changing the subject.
"Yeah, don't get too happy, you have to do me next," Sokka said to Appa and he roared in delight.
Amaya giggled at this and continued with her work. She looked over at Aang and Katara and saw that Aang was grasping waterbending very well.
"Aang seems to be doing pretty good," Amaya pointed out.
"Eh," Sokka said not sounding interested.
"So Aang's the Avatar, Katara' the waterbender, and what are you this group?" Amaya asked curiously.
"Pretty much the warrior, since I can't bend," replied Sokka.
"Are you any good?" Amaya asked.
"I was training boys to fight in my tribe if call that good," said Sokka.
Suddenly a wave came down at them and it washed them off of Appa and into the lake.
"Awesome wave, Aang!" acknowledged Amaya.
"I think that's enough waterbending for today," said Katara who looked frustrated.
"Yeah, I'll say you just washed our supplies down the river," said Sokka who didn't look pleased.
"Uh, sorry," apologized Aang. "I'm sure we can find somewhere to replace all of the stuff."
While Sokka was mumbling something to himself, Amaya said, "There's a village nearby, we can go over there real quick and get our supplies."
They dried off and went into the village. There were many bribers in the village that Amaya chose to ignore while Aang seem fascinated. Once they were done Sokka said, "Ok we have three copper pieces left from the money that the village gave us, I suggest we use it wisely."
"Uh, make that two copper, Sokka, I couldn't say no this whistle," said Aang as he held up a whistle shaped like a bison. He blew it and that came out was a small noise.
"It doesn't even work," said Sokka.
"Yeah, sorry kid, but just wasted your money," Amaya agreed and Momo shrieked.
"See, even Momo thinks so," Sokka pointed out.
"No offense Aang, but I'll hold the money for now," said Katara and Aang sadly gave his money to Katara.
Just as they were walking back to camp a salesman came up to them to try to bribe them.
"I can notice from your clothing that you are exotic travelers, can I interest you in exotic curios," he shouted at them.
Amaya wanted to keep walking, but Aang went back and said, "What are curios?"
"I don't know, but we got them," he said as led Aang into a ship.
"Is it usually Aang that gets you guys in trouble?" Amaya asked.
"Yep, pretty much," they both said and followed after Aang.
The ship had very strange artifacts that interested everybody.
"This is very…strange, but cool," Amaya said to Aang.
"Yep," said Aang.
"That is a very fine specimen of lemur," said a voice. The man then emerged from the door and said, "Are you willing to bargain for it."
The man had a pirate hat, grey hair, and a parrot that looked to be a reptile on his shoulder.
"Momo is not for sale," said Aang as he tucked Momo down his shirt.
Amaya went over to where Katara was and saw that she found something.
"So what did you find?" Amaya asked while looking over her shoulder.
"A waterbending scroll," said Katara.
"Hey Aang come and check this out," Amaya called out and came over.
"Where did you get a waterbending scroll?" Aang asked the merchant.
"Let's just say I got it at the North for a reasonable price, free," he said taking the waterbending scroll.
"Wait a minute," said Sokka as was looking at something else. "Sea loving traders with suspiciously acquired merchandise and pet reptile birds, you guys are pirates!"
"No, duh," said Amaya.
"We prefer to think of it as 'high risk traders'," said the man with the long hair.
"In other words, Sokka, 'stealing'," she whispered to Sokka once the man left.
"Yeah, I kind of figured that," said Sokka.
Right when he said that Katara suddenly wanted to leave. They left the ship and started asking Katara questions.
"Why so urgent on leaving Katara?" Amaya said.
"I just felt like we were getting weird looks," said Katara uneasily.
"Of course they're gonna give weird looks they're pirates for crying out loud," said Amaya.
"HEY YOU GET BACK HERE!" shouted one of the pirates.
"Well, well, well, look who came to their senses," said Aang.
"Aang, I don't think they're here for the offer you made," said Amaya as an army of pirates came for them.
The pirates chased them into the town and caused havoc for them until they reached a fork in the road.
"Ok, we need to separate to confuse them," said Amaya. "Aang go with Katara while I go with Sokka, we'll meet at camp."
She and Sokka ran as fast as they could, but they were still being chased by the pirates.
"They must be mad about something you said," Sokka said.
"Me?!" said Amaya appalled.
"Yeah, you they must've heard what you said to me back there," pointed out Sokka.
"Maybe, but even they know it's stealing!" retorted Amaya just as one of the pirate's weapons almost hit her.
"Ok, I suggest you do some bending now before we get sliced!" Sokka said sounding a bit frantic.
Amaya turned around and made quick sand that stopped some of the pirates, but most of them made it out. After that she continued running with Sokka until they ran into Aang and Katara again. They ran into a dead end and the pirates had cornered them.
"So, who want to feel the slice of my blade first?" asked one of the pirates.
"No thanks," said Aang and airbended them out of the way.
"Okay, now you got to teach me that move!" said Amaya as they ran away from the alley way.
As they were running they saw that more pirates were ahead of them. Aang suddenly got out his glider and started to fly towards them.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Amaya said.
"Trust me, get out yours too," ordered Aang.
"But I barely know fly on this thing!" she protested as she opened up her glider.
"Just think light and Sokka get on her glider," said Aang.
Amaya did as she was told and surprisingly it worked. Sokka grabbed on as Katara grabbed on to Aang's glider. As they flew above the pirates Sokka and Katara were able to kick off the pirates that enabled them to go higher. They flew across the forest and into the campsite. Amaya had a tougher time getting down then Aang did. Just as her and Sokka were at least ten feet away from the lake, she suddenly gave in and fell into the water.
"Oh yeah, gee thanks Aang, pair me up the untrained airbender," said Sokka sarcastically.
"Hey, I am trying!" said Amaya who slightly offended.
"Yeah, trying to get us killed, Amaya's the reason why those pirates were chasing us," said Sokka.
"What would make you think that?" asked Aang.
"They might've side comment she made about them," explained Sokka. "Sorry, Amaya, but sometimes your bigmouth can get yourself and people around you in trouble."
"Like I haven't noticed that!" retorted Amaya. "And for your information I couldn't have been me, it could've been something else."
Sokka was about to say something else when Katara cut in, "They didn't chase us because of Amaya, they chased us because I took this."
Katara pulled out the exact waterbending scroll that they saw in the pirate ship.
"No way," said Aang surprised she had never expected Katara to do something like this.
"No wonder they were chasing us, you stole the waterbending scroll!" said Sokka.
"I prefer to think of it as high risk trading," said Katara looking mischievous.
"Yeah, high risk trading that almost got us killed!" yelled Amaya.
"Well, how do you think they got it? They stole it from a waterbender!" retorted Katara.
"Two wrongs don't make right Katara," said Amaya. "I'd expect someone like you to know that."
"Besides you put our lives in danger just so you can learn fancy splashes," said Sokka.
"These are real waterbending forms, it is crucial for Aang to learn these," said Katara.
"Okay, you've got a point there, but still wrong to steal the scroll," said Amaya irritably and she felt herself firebend a little bit as she said it.
"Whoa, looks like you're ahead on firebending," pointed out Aang.
"I know I can't control it, I need a firebending teacher and fast," said Amaya.
"And with this war, that's going to be impossible," said Sokka.
"Maybe if I just ask—"
"Who are supposed to ask? Zuko?" said Sokka, but Amaya just ignored him.
"Like I said before it was wrong," said Amaya before she walked off.
Amaya spent the rest of the day watching Aang and Katara learn from the scroll even though Katara was hogging it most of the time. Sokka laughed as Katara messed up on one of the moves.
"You can try to be a little more sensitive," said Amaya as she punched him in the shoulder.
"Yeah, but you've got to admit that she deserved it," said Sokka and then he faced Aang. "You've been played, she only interested in teaching herself."
"He will get his chance once I've figured out this water whip!" shouted Katara as she failed once more which resulted in hitting Momo.
"You'll get it," reassured Aang as he headed for the body of water. "You've just gotta shift your weight through the stances." He made a perfect water whip and after he was done he let go of it. "You see, the key to bending is—"
"WOULD YOU PLEASE SHUT YOUR AIRHOLE," shouted Katara. "BELIEVE IT OR NOT YOUR INFINATE WISDOM GETS A LITTLE BIT OLD SOMETIMES, SO MAYBE WE'LL JUST THROW THE SCROLL AWAY SINCE YOU'RE SO NATURALLY GIFTED!"
It got quiet and all of them just stared at her.
"Katara did you hear yourself," said Amaya in disbelief.
Katara then looked at Aang's face which looked fearful.
"Aang, I'm so sorry," Katara apologized. "I don't know what came over me, but you know what it won't happen again. Here this is yours I don't want to have anything to do with it anymore."
"It's okay Katara," said Aang forgiving Katara.
"What about Momo, he's the real victim here," said Sokka and Katara apologized to him. "And what about me because there was that time when—"
"Alright don't push it Sokka," said Amaya stopping him. "Anyways we need to make the fire before it gets dark."
"Well, that's going to be easy considering we've got a firebender in the group," said Sokka.
Amaya ignored this and went into the campsite to make the fire the old fashion way.
"So, how long did it take you to learn waterbending?" asked Katara as she was rubbing sticks together.
"About three to four years," answered Amaya. "Relax Katara, it's gonna take a while for you to master it."
"I know, but Aang caught on so fast," said Katara.
"Did anyone ever teach you waterbending in your tribe?" asked Amaya.
"No, actually I was the last waterbender in the Southern Water Tribe," said Katara sadly.
"Oh, well at you could teach something that won't harm anybody," said Amaya. "When I was in the Fire Nation, a boy taught me a little bit of firebending and I almost burnt myself in the process."
"So, what was his name?" asked Katara.
"I can't remember for some reason I have no idea why," said Amaya who was still having trouble lighting the fire. "I'll I know is that he gave me my necklace."
"At least you have yours lost my mother's necklace when we were helping earthbenders escape," said Katara who looked glum.
"Alright, I'm getting tired of doing it the old fashion way," said Amaya as she shot a small fire at the wood. "It's not much, but it'll do plus it'll get bigger."
They later went to sleep under the stars with the fire still running to keep them warm. Just as Amaya was sleeping peacefully for once, she heard footsteps moving out of the forest. She got up without waking up the others and followed the footsteps. The footsteps led back to the lake where Katara was practicing the same waterbending move that they were working on earlier.
"Hey there 'oh don't want to have anything to do with it anymore'," mocked Amaya which startled her.
"I didn't steal the scroll again, I was…"
"Cut the story, I know you're jealous of Aang," said Amaya.
"I am not!" protested Katara.
"Yes, you are, the way you yelled at Aang today was total giveaway," said Amaya and Katara fell silent. "You gotta remember Katara; it's probably just Aang's past lives at work that make him so good. Even I didn't catch on that fast, but that's probably because my mom was a firebender."
"I guess you're right," said Katara.
"Now let's work on that water whip," Amaya smirked.
Katara agreed and Amaya taught her different ways to use the whip.
"Alright just like Aang said you need to shift your weight and…"
They were soon interrupted by noises that came from the other side of the shore.
"That can't be good," said Amaya as they looked through the bushes and saw ships pulled over. "We have to warn the others."
Amaya went towards the campsite when she realized that Katara went towards the scroll.
"Katara!" said Amaya as she ran back towards her, but a pirate had gotten a hold of her. Katara splashed him, but just as they were getting away Zuko appeared in front of them and grabbed them by the wrists. Amaya tried her best to get out of his grip, but she couldn't budge.
"Dang you're strong," said Amaya who was out of breath.
Zuko's army and the pirates soon tied them up to the tree and demanded to know where Aang was.
"Do you think were actually stupid enough to tell you?!" shouted Amaya.
"Tell me and I won't hurt you and your brother," said Zuko who was facing Katara.
"Go jump in the river!" shouted Katara.
"Nice come back," complimented Amaya.
"Try to understand I need to restore something I lost, my honor," Zuko started to say. "Perhaps in exchange I can restore something you've lost."
He held up a black choker necklace up her neck and she said, "My mother's necklace, how did you get that?"
"I didn't steal it if that's what you are wondering," said Zuko. "Tell me where he is!"
Katara refused and ordered the pirates to search for Aang in the woods. After they were gone he faced Amaya and asked, "What are you doing here with the Avatar?!"
"Facing my destiny," Amaya said simply.
"What?!" he said in disbelief.
"I'm Princess Amaya of the Four Nations and the Dragon Warrior of the Avatar," said Amaya and he looked confused. "I know long name."
Zuko just turned around and Katara whispered in her ear, "Can't you do a little firebending to get out of this?"
"Yeah, sure if want your hands burnt," said Amaya sarcastically. "I told you before I haven't figured out how to control my firebending yet."
"Even after all I taught you," said Zuko quietly.
"What are you talking about, I don't remember you teaching me anything," said Amaya.
"Say that again, but this time, look into my eyes," demanded Zuko.
Amaya tried to rebel against it, but right when her hazel eyes met his golden she suddenly remembered who he really was: It was a sunny day in the Fire Nation capital and it was also the day when Amaya entered the Fire Nation. They were arriving at the port in front of the volcano when she asked one of the men taking care of her why she was in the Fire Nation.
"We're doing anything to find you a home," he said.
"But, there were plenty of other families that wanted me in the North Pole," retorted Amaya.
"You know nothing, child," he snarled and walked off.
Once they got off the ship, they headed up the volcano and through the city down below. As they were going through the city, Amaya received many glares probably because she was originally from the Earth Kingdom. The men took her a huge palace in the heart of the city where they were greeted by one of the servants that took them to the throne room. When they entered Amaya saw the room was filled with large pillars and at the end of the room there was a fire blocking a figure behind it. They bowed at his presence, but still stood standing up until of the men pulled her down to bow.
"And what do I owe this visit from the Earth Kingdom," said the figure who did not sound very pleasant.
"Were here to find this girl a home," answered the man that she talked to earlier.
"Where were her parents from?" he asked.
"We're not sure, but sources tell us that her mother was a firebender," one of the men answered.
"I see, we will talk this over while the girl waits outside," he said and Amaya was led out by one of the guards.
She waited outside the throne room where she heard shouts and many arguments coming from the inside.
"So, how you doing?" she asked the guard next to her, but he just grunted and ignored her.
From a distance Amaya could hear light footsteps coming her way. She looked down the hall and saw it was a woman that looked to be royalty. She had long black hair with golden eyes and looked to be a very pleasant woman.
She approached Amaya and asked kindly, "Hello there what's your name?"
"Amaya," Amaya said quietly.
"Well, Amaya what are you doing inside on day like this?" she asked.
"I have to stay here until they figure out where I'm going to live," answered Amaya.
"I see, but that's still no reason to be inside," she said kindly. "Come here I'll show you to the courtyard."
"Sorry, Princess, but I have orders from the Fire Lord to keep her here until he says," said the guard.
"Well then tell my father-in-law that it is not wise to leave a child indoors," she said as she took Amaya's hand. "And tell him that I've taken her to the courtyard."
They walked off into the hall where the woman leading her to the courtyard.
"So, what's your name," asked Amaya.
"Princess Ursa," answered Ursa. "And how old are you?"
"I just turned nine," she said.
"I have a son that's just a year older than you and a daughter that's a year younger," said Ursa.
"Are they nice?" Amaya asked.
"My son is, but my daughter can be trouble sometimes," said Ursa.
They soon arrived at the courtyard which had a small pond filled with turtle ducks and a tree that looked over the pond. At the other side of the courtyard, she saw a group of girls playing and doing acrobatic moves. Then she saw a boy sitting alone at the trunk of the tree. Ursa took her to where the boy was and she tapped him on the shoulder.
"Zuko this is Amaya," Ursa introduced and the boy named Zuko stood up. "Amaya this is my son, Zuko."
"Hi," said Amaya and he looked into her hazel eyes. She saw that he had inherited his mother's features and had golden eyes and long black hair tied into a pony tail.
"I'll let you two play here, while I go take care of some things," said Ursa before walking back into the palace.
"So, are you a firebender?" Zuko asked.
"I don't know, my mom was one, but I'm sure if I am," she answered.
"Well, let's see then," he said and he took a deep breath and punched fire out of his fist. "Just copy that and see if fire comes out."
Amaya took a deep breath like Zuko did and punched the air and fire came raging from her fist.
"Wow," said Amaya in amazement.
"Looks like you're a firebender," said Zuko and they both laughed.
"So, have you got anything else to teach me?" asked Amaya and he nodded.
They spent most of the day going over the firebending move he knew, but then just as they were working on a new move they were interrupted by the group of girls she saw earlier.
"So, you're learning firebending from Zuko, you must be desperate," said one of the girls. She had golden eyes with black hair that was tied into a top-knot and bangs that went off to the side.
"What's that supposed to mean," retorted Amaya.
"It means he's no good," she said.
"And you are?" asked Amaya rudely.
"Princess Azula of the Fire Nation and Zuzu's sister," said Azula evilly.
"Shut-up Azula!" shouted Zuko.
"Oh please, even you have to agree with me that you're no better than I am," hissed Azula.
"Good one Azula," said the girl with the long braid and gray eyes, happily.
"That may be, but he has a way better attitude than you do," snarled Amaya.
"Sure and that's how you win in an Agni Kai," said Azula sarcastically and the girls behind her laughed.
"Don't listen to her, let's just find a different place to practice," said Zuko pulling her arm and she followed Zuko. "Sorry about that my sister can be a little…."
"Intimidating, rude, and don't forget evil," said Amaya finishing his sentence.
"Yeah, all of those," said Zuko smiling.
"Who were those two girls behind her?" asked Amaya.
"My sister's friends, Mai and Ty Lee," said Zuko.
"They don't seem as bad as her, but I'd keep my eye on them," advised Amaya.
A few days passed and Amaya stayed at the palace during which time she was learning firebending from Zuko. They had grown very close over this time period, in some ways she hoped that she could stay in the Fire Nation with Zuko, but she would not find this out until a few days. Meanwhile Amaya and Zuko were going through firebending routines.
"Good job, that was great," praised Zuko once they were done.
"Thanks, I've got a great teacher," said Amaya smiling at him and he blushed a little bit.
"Oh please," said Azula who appeared out of nowhere. "If he's such a great teacher then why don't we do an Agni Kai, right here, right now?"
"I don't know, we're too young and I'm still a beginner in firebending," said Amaya skeptically.
"Oh, I get you're too scared," sneered Azula and this angered Amaya.
"First things first, I am not scared! I'm just actually smart enough not to agree to an Agni Kai when I am not ready unlike some people who just pop up challenges to those who are not ready!" shouted Amaya and she just stood there smirking. "You know sometimes I even wonder why you intimidate people who are less than you."
"C'mon Amaya, it's not worth it," said Zuko pulling her arm in his direction.
Right when Amaya turned around she felt fire miss her face by an inch. Amaya shot back fireballs, but Azula absorbed them. Azula then shot back a storm of fire that was way beyond Amaya's level. She tried to hold it back, but she felt herself sliding across the grass. Amaya soon gave in and she fell into the pond back first. She tried to get up, but was too weak to get up on her own.
"Hah," said Azula in triumph. "I knew you couldn't do it, learning from Zuko was your first mistake."
"Why don't you just get a life!" snarled Amaya as Zuko rushed to her aid.
"I get a life?!" Azula smirked. "How 'bout you, you're the one who's never had a life at all. No family has ever accepted you and no family ever will."
Amaya suddenly got the strength, got up and ran away. She felt anger, rage, and sadness build up inside of her as she ran. Tears were streaming down her face and bad thoughts suddenly appeared in her mind. She ran into the palace and curled up in a corner, crying out her eyes. Azula had really done it this time, she never envied anymore than she did to Azula now. It wasn't her fault that nobody would accept her. Zuko seemed to be the only friend that she had right now.
"Are you okay," asked a voice.
Amaya looked up to see that it was Zuko and said, "Not really, I didn't think she would go that far."
"Yeah, well at least you're not the one who has to live with her," said Zuko sitting down with her.
"Yeah, I'm probably gonna be out of here by a couple days or so," said Amaya sadly.
"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure we'll see each other again," said Zuko hopefully.
"Maybe, after this I'm heading off to the Western Air Temple and possibly after that I'm going back to the Earth Kingdom," explained Amaya sadly.
"Why can't you stay here?" asked Zuko.
"I don't know, I'm not the one who decides that," said Amaya quietly. "But I wish I could."
"When we do meet again, I'm pretty sure we'll recognize each other right away," said Zuko.
"But we'll probably be old by the time we meet again, how will we know it's us?" asked Amaya curiously.
"We'll I'll know it's you by your name," Zuko started to explain, "and even if you don't tell your name I'll know it's you by your eyes, I've never seen eyes like that before."
"And I'll know it's you by your eyes," said Amaya sounding a little happier. "Everyone else around here has same the same eyes, but yours seem different."
"Thanks," he said blushing. "Here I want to give you something."
He pulled out a brown choker necklace with a small white charm hanging down it. Zuko handed it to her and she looked more closely at it and the charm had a small rose engraved in it.
"It's beautiful," she said blown away. "What's it for?"
"I just thought it would be a good goodbye present," said Zuko rubbing the back of his neck. "And because you've been a good friend."
"To tell you the truth, you're the first actual friend I've had in my life," said Amaya smiling.
"Promise me something," said Zuko.
"Anything," answered Amaya.
"Promise me that we'll always stay friends no matter what happens," said Zuko urgently.
"I promise," said Amaya truthfully and then she put on the necklace.
That was the last time she ever saw Zuko. The next day, the men that were taking care of her dragged her off to the ship to go to the Western Air Temple. Amaya, still tied to the tree, stood there speechless. She couldn't believe how much he had changed in the six years they were apart. His attitude was a lot more hostile and it seemed like Zuko had lost himself searching for the Avatar.
"You've changed," said Amaya, this was all that could come out of her mouth.
"Yes, I have," he said putting his hand over his scar.
"I wasn't talking about your scar," said Amaya. "I was talking about you."
"You've changed too," said Zuko.
"Yeah, well we both gained a growth spurt," said Amaya sarcastically while Katara was there confused.
"Ok, did I miss something, here," said Katara confused.
"It's none of your business!" shouted Zuko.
"Hey don't talk to her like that," snarled Amaya.
"Well, it isn't," shouted Zuko.
"Yeah, but you could've said no nicely," said Amaya.
They fell silent and the sun started to peak over the waterfall. All that was going through Amaya's mind was if Aang and Sokka were okay. It was only a matter of time until they turned up.
"It's my entire fault," said Katara. "If I hadn't been so obsessed about that waterbending scroll, we probably wouldn't be in this mess."
"Yeah, well jealousy does get the better of people," said Amaya and right then Aang and Sokka were being led out of the forest by the pirates.
"Good work," said Zuko as approached them with the waterbending scroll.
"Aang, this is all of my fault," said Katara to Aang.
"No, Katara it isn't," said Aang forgivingly.
"Yeah it kind of is," said Iroh who appeared right beside them.
"No, if it's anyone's fault, it's mine," said Amaya apologizing. "Right when I found Katara I should've brought her back into the forest."
"Give me the boy," said Zuko angrily.
"Not 'til you give us the scroll," said one of the pirates.
"You're really going to hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of parchment," said Sokka.
"Do you have any idea where he's going with this?" Amaya asked Katara and she shook her head.
"Don't listen to him, he'll turn us against each other," said Zuko and Amaya understood what Sokka was doing.
"You're friend is the Avatar?" said the pirate in disbelief.
"Yep, he sure is," said Amaya mischievously.
"And he'll fetch a lot more on the black market then some scroll," added Sokka.
"Shut your mouth you water tribe peasant!" shouted Zuko.
"Yeah, Sokka you really should shut your mouth," whispered Aang to Sokka.
"And that goes for you too, Amaya," said Katara.
"Trust me on this one," whispered Amaya.
"Just saying, it's bad business sets," said Sokka. "And I wonder how much the Firelord will pay for the Avatar."
"Let's just say you guys will be set for life," added Amaya.
"Keep the scroll, we can buy a hundred from the reward we'll get from that kid," said the pirate.
"You'll regret breaking a deal with me," said Zuko evilly and him and his soldiers shot fire at them.
They had unleashed an attack, so while everyone else was busy Amaya was trying to think of a way out.
"Have you got any ideas, Katara?" asked Amaya while struggling.
"No, you?" said Katara.
"Nothing, we'll keep trying," said Amaya.
Suddenly she felt herself go free; she turned around and saw that Momo had broken apart the rope.
"Thanks Momo," said Katara. "We owe you a bush full of apples."
"Yeah, I'd never thought a lemur could save my life until now," said Amaya. "I'm going to find Aang; you find a way to get out of here."
Amaya ran off into the smoke and almost had her head cut off with the knife that came her way.
"Aang where are you?!" shouted Amaya.
"I'm over here," said Aang's voice.
"Okay, kid, could you be a little more pacific?" said Amaya looking around.
"I'll meet you outside," shouted Aang.
"Okay, see you there," said Amaya and she headed back outside the cloud.
Right when she got outside she saw that Sokka was there too.
"Oh, thank goodness you're okay," said Amaya thankfully and Aang emerged from the cloud.
They ran toward Katara who was trying to push a boat. They tried to help her, but it was impossible to push.
"We need a team of rhinos to push this," said Sokka.
"Rhinos or two waterbenders," said Aang looking at Katara.
"Sokka and I will keep watch while you two push the boat into the water," stated Amaya.
They soon succeeded and everyone piled into the boat. It seemed impossible that the pirates would notice their ship being taken away with them fighting Zuko's soldiers. They sailed along the river and they were soon being followed by one of Zuko's ships.
"Oh great, Zuko following us," said Amaya and then she looked closer at the ship. "Wait, it's not Zuko it's the pirate. That's means he got high jacked too, classic."
"Can this thing go any faster?!" said Aang to Sokka who was driving the ship.
"I'm trying, but I don't know how this thing wasn't made by the water tribe," said Sokka who looked nervous.
The pirates suddenly jumped on the ship and started to approach Katara. Aang and Amaya made a wave that made most of go off the ship, but one was still remaining. Katara made the water whip and kicked him off the boat.
"Hey, Katara you mastered the water whip!" said Aang excitedly.
"I couldn't have done it without you guys," said Katara.
"Could you two quit congratulating each other and help me out!" said Sokka being strangled by the other pirates.
"Here I'll help," said Amaya rushing to Sokka's aid.
She made two water whips and pulled the pirates into the river. Right when Sokka was about to say something Katara saw a waterfall that they were heading towards.
"That can't be good," said Amaya in shock.
Aang blew through his whistle when he was about to attacked by a pirate, but luckily Sokka knocked him out of the way.
"Aang are you crazy?" shouted Amaya. "A whistle isn't going to help our case here."
"Hurry Aang, Amaya, push and pull the water," ordered Katara and they obeyed.
They had succeeded by making two whirlpools and stopping the boat.
"Uh, guys we've got another problem here," said Sokka pointing at the boat that was heading towards them.
It crashed into them and they fell off the side of the boat and into the river bellow. Appa then swooped down and caught them on his back.
"I knew a bison whistle would come in handy, thanks Appa," said Aang.
"Yeah, thanks Appa we owe you one," said Sokka.
"Yeah, big time," added Amaya.
"Aang, I still owe you an apology," said Katara. "You were just so good at waterbending without even trying, I got so completive and it put us all in danger."
"That's okay Katara," said Aang forgiving her.
"Besides who needs that stupid scroll anyway," said Katara sadly.
"Is that really how you feel," said Sokka waving the scroll in front of her.
"The scroll!" she said happily.
"First, what did you learn," said Sokka holding back the scroll.
"Stealing is wrong," she said and he handed her the scroll, "Unless it's from pirates."
"Good one Katara," said Aang while laughing a little.
"Yeah, that one was pretty sweet," said Amaya.
"Hey Amaya, what was that stuff you and Zuko were talking about?" asked Katara.
"Let's just say I know him a lot more you guys do," said Amaya.
"How could you know that?" said Sokka in disbelief.
"I met him, while I was going through the Fire Nation," said Amaya sadly. "He was different then."
"Was he the one that gave you that necklace?" asked Katara.
"Yup, and the worst part is…he's my best friend," said Amaya quietly.
"Don't you mean used to be your best friend," said Sokka.
"No, I mean he is," said Amaya angrily. "Before I left we promised each other that we would be friends no matter what, but that doesn't mean I won't do anything to protect you Aang."
Thanks for reading!
-Emyrox567