AAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
okay, first of all...i NEVER update this late. if it wasn't for that stupid wireless network connection crap that i've been struggling to fix, i would have this story nearly done!!! but NO! the internet HAD to stop working until now....
so sorry for the delays. as a make up, i'll make this chapter UBER long...i don't know what uber means, but i've seen it used to replace the word super so...yeah. Enjoy a long chapter!
Chapter 6 - If We Live Through This...
Katara, Zuko, and Iroh was riding on the Earth Kingdom Express Way to The Great Divide. The travel plan was to take the Express Way and than transfer onto a travel boat to the Northern Water Tribe. It was a long ride on the train, and it was already under controls of the Fire Nation.
The Fire Nation stationed soldiers to collect money from train riders since the Express Way was the longest and best transportation in the Earth Kingdom. All the money they collect will be used for the war, but there has been cases of rebellions. Some citizens would ride the train and when they reach their destination, they jump off and run away. As a result, Fire Nation made it custom for passengers to have pass cards that must be approved and stamped both entering and leaving the train.
However, passcards cost money. Thus, Iroh held the responsiblitiy to forge fake pass cards. It's a delicate job, but Iroh was more than capable.
Katara was staring out the window, playing with her necklace. Iroh sat next to Momo, who was busy grooming himself. Zuko walked into the compartment and tried to sit next to Iroh.
"PRREEEEEEEEEE!" Momo screeched at him, not moving from his seat.
Zuko immediately straighten up and groaned.
"Oh, so the lemur gets the window seat?" Zuko mumbled. Iroh just snickered.
Katara looked up at Zuko and frown, releasing the situation. Zuko just smiled as best as he could and sat next to her. She immediately slouched and continued to touch her necklace. Zuko was annoyed.
"Stop fiddling with that." He ordered. "And sit up straight. You're the Princess of Water for Avatar sake."
Katara just sink in lower, crossing her arms.
"And I suppose you know what Princess do or don't do." Katara said, raising her eyebrow at him. He just smiled, trying to play it cool.
"It's my business to know." He said.
"Oh." She said, looking away.
"Look...Katara, I'm just trying to help. Okay?" Zuko said.
Iroh rolled his eyes, but smirked as well. Katara finally sat up straight and leaned in real close to Zuko.
"Zuko?" She started.
"Hmmm?" Zuko mumbled, still smiling.
"Do you really think I'm royalty?" She asked, smiling also.
"You know I do." He commented. Suddenly, she glared at him, her smile gone.
"Then stop bossing me around." She stated, and went back to slouching in her seat and fiddling with her necklace. Iroh laughed.
"She has a mind of her own." Iroh nodded. Zuko pretended that Katara wasn't listening.
"Yeah, I hate that woman." He mumbled.
Katara quickly stuck her tongue at him before he noticed it. Iroh just laughed out loud.
"That makes...Zuko: 3 and Katara: 30." Iroh counted.
"You're not helping, Uncle." Zuko said, becoming his usually grumpy self.
"You better redeem yourself and gain your honor, Zuko. Or you'll lose to a girl." Iroh laughed. Katara also snickered.
"Enough with the puns already!"
"Oh, boy I'm thirsty for some tea." Iroh ignored Zuko and stood up. "Momo, would you join with me?"
"Purrrr" Momo flew off his seat and landed on Iroh's shoulder.
Suddenly, Katara and Zuko were alone. Katara quickly pulled out her book about Waterbenders and their history. Zuko,just stood up and took the window seat, sitting right across from Katara. He tapped his fingertips before speaking.
"Okay, look. I think we got off on the wrong foot-" He started.
"Oh, I think we did too." Katara interrupted.
"Okay."
"But I appreciate your apology." Katara nodded. Zuko raised his eyebrow.
"Who said anything about an apology? I'm just-"
"Look. Don't talk anymore, Scarface. It's only gonna upset me." Katara said, putting her book down.
"Fine." He said, putting his hands up. "I'll be quiet if you be quiet!"
"Alright I'll be quiet." Katara agreed.
"Fine." Zuko propped up his feet and crossed his arms.
"Fine." Katara said back.
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"......"
They both slumped back looking away from each other, arms crossed.
"You think you'll miss it?" Katara spoke up.
"Miss what? Your agonizing voice?" Zuko said, smiling with extreme sarcasm.
"No!!" Katara frowned. "Kiyoshi and Chin Villages."
"....no." Zuko, he mumbled, a little serious.
"But it was your home."
"It was a place I lived. I've always been on the move. End of story." He said, looking out the window. But Katara continued to stare at him.
"On the move? Like where?" She asked, curious.
"All over the world, maybe."
"Where did you get that scar?" She blurted out.
At this, Zuko stare back at those blue eyes. Katara suddenly released Zuko had gold eyes and couldn't look away from them. It must have been the longest time just staring without a word before Katara broke the silence.
"So...you must be making the Northern Water Tribe as your home." Katara said.
The spell broke.
"What is with you and homes?" Zuko asked, annoyed. He looked away and Katara stood up.
"Well, for your information it's something that any NORMAL person wants." Katara said, trying to leave the compartment by kicking Zuko's legs still propped up.
Zuko just ignored her, keeping his legs where they were.
"And another thing, you're so-" Katara started.
"What!? I'm what!?" Zuko asked, getting angry.
"Oh, just forget it!!" Katara yelled, also angry.
"Fine!"
"UGH!"
Iroh finally entered, and was shocked to see Zuko Katara both standing giving each other the death glare. Katara was relieved that Iroh came in.
"Thank you for coming. Just, PLEASE, remove him from my sight." Katara demanded.
"What have you done?" Iroh raised his eyebrow at Zuko.
"Me?! It's her!!"
"BAH!" Katara stomped out of the compartment. When she was gone, Iroh couldn't help but chuckle.
"I can sense...love." Iroh said to Momo.
"Love!?" Zuko roared. "That Hair Loopy Freak?! Have you lost your mind?!"
"I only-"
But Zuko also stormed out of the compartment.
"Love...ridiculous..." Zuko mumbled angrily.
The sky turned to night. The train continued to travel at a stead speed, but no one notices green spirits of evil traveling outside. The Dark Spirits from Zhao's Reliquary zoomed pass all the dining carts and passenger carts until they stormed inside the engine room at the front of the train.
"What the-" the conductor shouted, but the demons pushed the conductors out.
The train was under their control...
After a few more arguements. Katara and Zuko managed to keep quiet while sitting in the same compartment. Katara was sleeping with Momo so Zuko could sit next to her. Iroh finally finished the forged pass cards and exited out to hand the papers to a guard.
A few other travelers stepped out to hand their papers. Iroh overheard the old man.
"I wonder why they demand an color code for these passes?" The old man said, holding up his cards. The font were printed in red.
Iroh looked at his cards and gasped. The font was blue.
"Pass cards? Hand me your pass cards." A Guard demanded. Iroh quickly walked back to his compartment and whispered the Zuko.
"One of the things I hate about our nation demands..." Iroh held out the cards. "Everything is in red."
"Red?!" Zuko whispered in shock.
"I suggest we move to the baggage car. Before they find us." Iroh said, while Zuko pulled down their luggage.
"I propose we get off this train." Zuko said.
"Wake her up, we have to be quick."
Zuko frowned, but he leaned over Katara, nudging her awake.
"Hey." He said. Katara just rolled over, thrusting her arm in the air and whatever it hit.
"OW!!"
"Oh! Sorry, I thought you were-" Katara sees Zuko holding his nose. "Oh, it was you. Well, that's okay."
"Come on, we have to go." He said.
"What?"
"You broke my nose!" Zuko complained as they left their compartment.
"He has such sensitive skin." Katara mumbled, rolling her eyes.
They quickly walked down pass numerous cars before finally entering the baggage car, where it was much hotter.
"Even at night time it's hot." Iroh fanned his face.
"It's the Earth Kingdom, Uncle. What did you expect?" Zuko smirked.
"The baggage car?" Katara looked around confused.
Iroh and Zuko quickly smiled.
"There's nothing wrong with our papers. Is there, Sifu Hotman?" Katara teased. Zuko smiled through grunted teeth.
"Of course not, your grace. It's just that I...I hate to see you...force to sit with all those commoners." He said, giving his best fake smile. Katara also gave a fake smile.
Suddenly, an loud explosion blasted at the door. The explosion threw back everyone to there backs as rushing wind filled the room because of a mising door. Unexpectedly, Zuko landed on top of Katara.
"What was that?!" Zuko yelled.
"I don't know...but there goes the rest of the train!" Iroh said, watching the carts slow down and grew further away.
"Get off me!" Katara huffed for breath.
"I'm trying." Zuko said, trying to push the oversize bag sitting on his back.
"Ah, Zuko?" Iroh said, looking out the other door.
"What?!" Zuko yelled, annoyed as he stood up.
"I think someone has tempered our engine." Iroh yelled. He opened the door and the coal cart, where they saw fire and smoke rising from the engine room.
"Something's not right." Zuko said. Climbing the ladder to the coal cart. "Wait here. I'll be back." He yelled through the wind.
Zuko quickly ran across the coals and jumpped down into the cockpit. The room was extremely hot and burning red.
"Anybody here?!" Zuko shouted. He saw the pressure gauge already at the red zone before it popped and fires engulfed the Zuko's legs.
"ARGH!!"
Zuko quickly got away with just a few burns and singed clothes.
"We're going way to fast!" Katara yelled as Zuko jumpped down in front of her.
"No one is driving this train!" Zuko said. "We're gonna have to jump!"
He pulled the baggage main door, looking down at a sheer cliff of the Great Divide.
"After you!" Katara shouted.
"Fine...we'll have to detach the cars." Zuko said.
Zuko ran back the door and looked for the hook that connected the two carts, but it was molded and was unmovable without force. He grunted.
"Come on! I need a wrench, and ax. Anything!!"
"Here!" Iroh handed a small hand held pick ax.
As Zuko tried to uncouple the cars, Momo was spinning frantically around a large box. Katara looked closely and smile. The crate read: EXPLOSIVES/DANGEROUS.
Zuko stared at the little pick ax that broke at the handle. He threw it away in frustration.
"Come on, there's gotta be something better than this!" Zuko yelled.
"Iroh!" Katara handed him a small dynamite.
"That might work." Iroh nodded.
He quickly took the dynamite, turn his back so Katara would see him Firebend to lit the explosive.
"Zuko!" Iroh shouted, and handed the dynamite. Zuko stuck the explosive between the hook and the hole he chopped and ran back inside the baggae cart.
"Go!" Zuko shouted. He grabbed hold of Katara and kneeled down with her behind the luggage.
Finally, a second explosion erupted, sending flames into the baggage cart as they continued to speed onward.
"The brake wheel is stuck!" Iroh said, trying to turn the brake wheel.
"Turn harder!" Zuko yelled. But it only caused the wheel to snap off.
"Quick get rid of the fire!" Katara shouted as the fires spread through the open ceiling baggage cart.
"There's a barrel of water here!" Iroh yelled, opening the barrel.
Without a second thought, Katara swung her arms rapidly around. The water followed her motions and splashed at the flames. Zuko and Iroh were in awed.
"Okay...there's plenty of tracks. We'll just coast to a stop." Zuko smiled, but as soon as he said that the ground shook.
Off in the distance, a large bridge collapsed as if spirits were at work here. They all gasped.
"You were saying?" Katara asked.
Zuko looked around the debris and found a long chain with a hook.
"I got an idea."
Zuko climbed down under the carriage.
"Hand me the chain!" He said. Katara lowered the chain to him.
"Not you!"
"Uncle's busy at the moment." Katara smart-mouth. Zuko accepted the chain anyways. He hooked the chain at an under part of the carriage. Suddenly, he sees a loose metal at the other end of the cart. The metal piece flung off and was heading in his direction.
"No!"
But someone grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him up. Katara's and Zuko's eyes caught each other, taking in each other's breath as well. They heard a loud crunch and turn to see the metal piece crushed a desert cactus.
"And to think that could've been you." Katara said, pulling him up. Zuko just brushed away any dirt off his clothes.
"If we live through this...remind me to kiss you." Zuko commented.
Katara just rolled her eyes.
They pushed the remained chains out the door with another hook at the end, hoping it'll catch the tracks. Suddenly, everyone was flying in the air at the sudden stop, but the weight of the car snapped the chain, and it continued to run sideways along the tracks.
Their last resort...
"Well...this is our stop!" Katara shouted through the wind, holding her luggage. Zuko just frowned, but there was nothing else to do but...
"JUMP!!!"
The train continued to grind on the railroads until they finally fell over the broken bridge, exploding into flames.
"...I hate trains..." Zuko mumbled when it got quiet.
"We'll make sure we never get on a train. Happy?" Katara said, with heavy sarcasm.
"...I'm never happy."
HA! nice, zuko! katara wants that kiss we all know it!
ok, i'm EXHAUSTED. i just came back from a stupid college orientation (mandatory) and it's late, and i really want to finish this today. so HERE!
if there's grammer of typo issues, just ignore it. i'll fix it later, cuz i'm too tired to do it now. i just want this chapter up and posted to satisfy my readers.
btw, sorry for the long delay.
please review ^_^