The black phoenix.
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Chapter 6.
The ocean was restrlesr, it's high waves crushing mightily on the hull of the metallic ship, the wind was peaking up, whistilinwhistling around the water, it's breeze moving the hair of a young man, who was standing on the deck of the ship, his eyes closed, as he enjoyed the fresh feeling from the air.
The boys braw was furrowed, his eyes clutched tightly, as his mind was reeling, the turmoil in it mirroring the dark mood of the sea.
A faint noise came into his ears, as they perked, ducking all of a sudden, he outstretched his hand and caught the projectile which was sent his way.
The only problem was that the "projectile" was in fact a man in a red armor, with a full red metal helmet with a visor which looked like a flame pattern.
Easily catching the poor man, Shun steadied him near him as he turned his head "Azula! 'he boomed" how many times do I have to tell you NOT. TO THROW. THE DAMN ROYAL GUARDS OVERBOARD! "he roared.
The princess, who was standing in the middle of the upper dack surrounded by the royal guards looked back sheepishly" well I didn't technically throw him overboard... You stopped him! "she suddenly jumped up, completely evading a fire ball from one of the guards, as she sent him flying with a azure flame wave.
Shun sighed heavily" captain "he turned to a heavy looking man on his side" we should stop to resupply in the encampment on the edge of the earth nation , this way we can get some information on Zaho whereabouts ".
" yes sir "the man saluted as he walked back.
" very well.. Let's hope the future hold some good surprises for us "Shun muttered quietly, knowing very well how unlikely that is.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As the ship finally docked at the harbor, Shun sighed deeply, they were already in a delay... And truthfully he wasn't sure whether it was a good thing or not.
Disembarking from the ship, the royal guards standing on the sides, he and Azula were met by the commander of the outpost, a tall man with a graying heir and mustache, his rank of a major displayed on his chest.
"welcome, your majesty, lord Shun" the man said bowing, "by what did we get the honor of hosting the two nearly most important people in the fire nation?"
"we are here to resupply and let our soldiers take one rest day before we will continue towards our missions destination, major" the princesses voice was precise and cold, no hint of warmth was to be found in her fiery brown eyes.
The major gulped but was calmed down by the amused look on the young lord's face "really Azula.. You should act with more respect towards the soldiers" he said with a good natured smile.
The major was surprised... He like a lot of people in the military had heard the tales about the so called "black phoenix" the personal apprentice of the fire lord.. His merciless actions toward his enemy's... And somehow.. It didn't add up with this smiling young boy.
The major nodded "then let us talk in more comfortable setting" he replied bowing.
The two teens walked after him, in silence, their soldiers went each to his own business.
They walked briskly, into the command center of the outpost, and wherever they went people hurried up from their way bowing.
A snarl escaped the young princcess mouth "fools... The lot of them... Boot lickers if I ever saw any".
The major felt Goosebumps in his spine.. He definitely didn't want to cross the royal.
Finally they arrived at the personal office of the major, opening the door he with a small bow motioned them in.
The office was cozy, it had a large fireplace roaring with fire, warming the room pleasently, a desk made of a heavy looking wood, a high backed chair on one side and two more on the other. Other than that the room had shelf upon shelves full of documents,maps and several knickknacks.
"so how can I help you?" the major asked "major Xinke, by the way, at your service".
"it's an honor to meet you major, your work here is of great importance to the fire nation. For the reason of our visit it is as her majesty said.. We are here to resupply before we continue towards our destination.. The north pole were we must untie with admiral Zhaos forces in order to eliminate the threat, so we will be grateful for any information you can provide us about the admirals whereabouts "the black haired teen finished, his head a bit bowed in a sign of respect.
" the supplys will not be a problem, my lord "the aging major stated" on the other hand if you want to catch up with the esteemed admiral that maybe abit of a problem... For you see my lord the admiral has disembarked towards the pole one week ago... If you will stay the night your chances to get him will diminish "
" I understand, thank you major for your assistance it was most welcome.. Unfortunately we won't be able to move further tonight.. My men are tired and in diere need of a night on the shore... And about catching up with the admiral... With a fleet such as his... He will be much slower... Add to that the necessity to plan before a major asult... We have the odds to our favor " Shun got up, as did Azula" it was a pleasure to meet you major... Is there a training ground near by we can use? "
" the pleasure was mine my lord, your majesty "the man bawed " and there is in fact a small empty training ground... It's right near the entrance "he finished.
" thank you again "the teen said as they walked out of the office.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Standing there, in the training ground, the two teens were watching each other with havoc like eyes, Shun was standing in his regular posture, his right leg extended forward a bit, his rifh hand near his face, and his left near his stomach.
The princess was standing straight, with two hands near her stomach, her eyes ready for any move her fearsome opponent will do.
Shun took the initiative, spinning on his leg, he sent a wave of flames, he then proceeded to make a chop like move with his still airborne leg.
Azulas eyes narrowed as the two flame waves moved toward her, she knew that she could catch the black flames easy enough.. But that would cost her time... Time that Shun will surely use to attack again.
So instead she opted to side roll and as she stood up, she let loose two azure fire balls, which the other teen caught with his two hands... This worked as planned... What Azula did not expect was for the boy to jump while still holding her fire balls.. Somersault and with sending her flames back with additional black flames within them.
Cursing, the rolled forward, right in front of the balls, she gently moved them aside, as she felt her hands scorching "damn it... Need to perfect the technique" she thought, as her body moved automatically spinning as another barrage of flames were let loose.
Shun was smirking... He was well aware she didn't want to come near him.. He had bested her in martial arts easily and she was definitely not ready to come any closer... On the other hand he didn't want to fight with martial arts.. Scaring her further was not his intention.. At all...
So insteadas her barrage moved closer, he took a deep breath... Feeling the flames within his body rise as he jumped up, propelled by the flames sprouting from his legs, his hands moved closer as he put them in front of his chest, his eyes narrowed... And he let the breath go.
From his hands hell was unleashed.. A column of flames erupted from his outstretched palms, it was a true inferno.. The flames moved with ferocity as they striked right in front of the princess, who gulping fell back in surprise.
When Shun fell back on the ground, and the fire stopped what was left from the earth was black and burned so badly it was doubtfull that anything would ever be able to grow their again.
"w-what... Was that" the question came from a soldier who, together with a lot of others was watching the training session between the two prodigys.
Azula was still shocked... The torrent of flames was not something that she ever saw... Shun didn't spin his body.. It was as if the flames just strimmed through.
"this Azula is what I wanted to show you today.. It's a new technique of sorts which wilkwill let you release fire easily... If you have a good emotional control that is" he explained "think of your emotions like water.. The water streams fast forward... But it is not then that it is truly fearsome... Build a dam to contain the water... And then release it the results will be devastating... Same here, couple your emotions... But don't let them release... Wait until the boiling point then strike '' he finished smiling.
As he turned around, he saw the terrified soldiers, as they whispered to each other.
"I never want to fight against those two" said one of them.
"yeah... With fire benders like those two... The enemy has no chance" another agreed.
Shun smiled, as he approached the princess "common Azula" he said "we should be going to rest... We continue the journey tomorrow".
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The wind was howling mightily, the high waves crashing on the hull of the ship, which was illuminated by the pale moonlight.
In the middle of the deck, three people were standing, their eyes towards the horizon.
"captain" the black haired teen spoke suddenly "how far are we from the northern pole?"
"I believe we will reach it in less then four hours, sir" was the answer, from the ship captain.. A man in his late thirties , with a burning red hair and a pair of brown eyes.
"very well then" the teen took a deep breath, as he motioned to a soldier standing near by "soldier.. Alert the others.. Tell them to get ready we are going to..." before he was able to finish howeversomething happened.
The deck, which was just a moment before illuminated by the moon, has suddenly gone dark... No.. It was more correct to say that the moon itself has gone dark.
" what?.. "the princess uttered confused.
" a moon eclipse? "suggested the captain.
" crap... The idiot... "Shun felt how anger corresing through him..." the foolish idiot, he doomed us all ! "he exclaimed.
" what is it Shun? "Azulas voice was uneasy, as she turned to her friend.
"this is not an eclipse... the foolish admiral, he destroyed the moon!"
"H-how?" the captain asked worrily, in his mind he wasn't really sure the boy was sain.
"easy captain... He killed the moon spirit.. Which is dwelling in the north pole, and he doomed the world for destruction... Without the balance of the moon... The world won't survive" he inhaled slowly "but that not our immediate concern.. The biggest problem is.. The other spirit which dwells there as well... The mate of the moon spirit".
Azula who caught what her friend said growed pale "no... The water spirit... The reason for why the moon strengthens the water benders" she said with fear.
"yes... We have an enraged water spirit there... And the avatar.. Who can let it interact easily with the world... Zhao doomed his fleet... The fool." Shun spoke slowly... Fear and anger evident in his voice.
"halt the ship captain.. In less than an hour it will start to light up... We will wait until then" he then turned around "soldier.. Bring every telescope you can... We will need them ''.
The two saluted as they went each to his assignments.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"sir...!" a soldier called from the mast, his hand holding a telescope "what is that thing!" he cried in fear.
Shun and Azula hastily looked through their scopes.. As did nearly every soldier on the ship... What they saw froze their blood in their veins.
A massive mostrosmonstrosity... Made purely out of water has appeared out of nowhere.. It had a fish like futures and a very noticeable blue arrow sprouting on its head.
The symbol of the air nomads, Shun thought quietly... He felt his breath hetch within his lungs as the creature roared... And as it moved... So did the waters of the ocean.. With a mighty roar the waves - which were much bigger than any fire nation ship - completely covered the navy's ships... Throwing them on each other with such violence that it was obvious to Shun that only miracle can save anyone on those ship.
Azula was looking dumbfounded at the happening... Her face was pale and her breath ragged... Primal fear of which she never felt before engluffed her... Her hands trembled as she saw the power of the avatar.
"lord help us" the captain muttered.. His face devoid of any color.
"well... Bloody hell" Shun muttered... His face cringed as he remembered his words to Azula "let's see what this new superpower can do"... Yeah... Way to go Shu... You saw it.
His mind was in turmoil... There was nothing they could do... There was no way for him to return to the fire nation... They failed miserably.. And that left only one choice..
Suddenly he turned around flames dancing on his hands "soldeirs" he said.. His voice dark and merciless "you have two choices in front of you... One you are joining us and the avatar... The second you all die here" he stated calmly.
Azula who was at first caught by surprise whirled around and shifted into a fighting position.
The soldiers started to mutter between themselves.
"there is no way I'll fight against something like that.. We should accept the princess offer" said one.
"you saw how those two faught.. If even they are scared... I won't fight against them..."another.
The captain looked surprised but he bowed" my lord.. Your majesty.. You care for your soldiers... You are not as stuck up like other officers... There is no one who I would wish to serve more "he stated calmly.
The other soldeirs nodded in agreement.
A smile appeared on the young man's face" very well then.. You will all return to the fire nation.. And you will wait for our commands "
The soldeirs bowed" yes my lord ", the cheers were audible to quite far away.
" well then.. "the boy smirked 'Let the fun begin".
End of chapter 6