And here comes Book 1 Episode 12! It took me all day for this one, so worth it. Enjoy!
Aang smiled happily. Riding along with Appa was Sokka flying on Aang's glider. Katara rode on a giant Momo on Aang's others side. Nahla paddled a flying boat next to Katara and Momo.
"We need you, Aang." Katara rang.
Aang gave her a bright smile.
"I need you too," he said earnestly.
His eyes widened in horror as the clear sky darkened and threatening gray storm clouds surrounded them.
"Be careful, guys," Aang warned. "Guys?"
His heartbeat doubled its pace when he saw that Katara, Sokka, and Nahla had disappeared. Aang looked towards the rapidly approaching storm clouds and was taken off guard when Gyatso suddenly appeared, floating in front of him.
"Gyatso?" he questioned, unsure of his sight.
His confusion grew as he looked at his only father-figure.
"Why did you disappear?" Gyatso's asked sadly.
"I didn't mean too," Aang replied regretfully.
He dropped Appa's reins and reached out his hand to Gyatso only for him to dissipate into black smoke. Aang covered his eyes with his arms.
"We need you, Aang," Gyatso's voice rang out again just as Appa flew into the black storm clouds.
Aang screamed as he clutched Appa's reins. His eyes were bolted shut against the blinding rain. Lightning crawled across the sky. He screamed again as he dove into the water with Appa. When submerged, Appa's reins slipped from his hand as blackness crept around his vision as unconsciousness began to drag him under just like the ocean was doing.
"We need you, Aang," spoke a multitude of voices. "We need you!"
Lighting flashed again, revealing the dark silhouette of the Fire Lord.
Aang gasped and jerked awake. In the process, he startled Momo into jumping off him and onto Katara and Sokka. Katara sat up with a gasp followed by Sokka who was holding his bone-jaw knife and boomerang.
"What's going on? Did we get captured again?" questioned a tired Sokka.
"It's nothing...I just had a bad dream. Go back to sleep."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Sokka mumbled.
Katara frowned slightly at her brother at he began to snore loudly. She gave the young air bender a concerned expression.
"Are you all right, Aang?" she asked softly.
"I'm okay."
He curled up into an even tighter ball.
"You seem to be having a lot of nightmares lately. You want to tell me about it?" the Water Tribe girl persisted.
"I think I just need rest."
"You guys wanna hear about my dream?" Sokka asked excitedly as he momentarily woke up. He began to pout when Katara glared at him. "That's okay. I didn't want to talk about it anyway."
Katara looked at Aang worriedly for another moment before lying back down and going to sleep herself. Aang curled into a tighter ball and closed his eyes tightly, wishing for sleep.
Appa yawned widely and placed his head back on the sandy beach. He adorably covered his eyes with his paws.
"Look at those clear skies, buddy. Should be smooth flying," Aang spoke to his bison, trying to reassure himself more than anyone.
Katara looked inside a blue bag then dumped it upside down. Unfortunately, only crumbs fells out. Momo, however, gobbled up the pieces.
"Well, we better smoothly fly ourselves to a market, 'cause we're out of food."
Katara continued to walk onto the saddle, through the use of Appa's tail. Sokka was tying all of the supplies down.
"Guys, wait. This was in my dream. We shouldn't go to the market."
Katara and Aang paused what they were doing to glance at Sokka curiously. He was holding his hands up to the two of them.
"What happened in your dream?" Katara asked.
"Food eats people!"
Katara and Aang gave the older boy looks with no expression. They proceeded to shake their heads, and return to what they were doing.
"Also, Momo could talk," Sokka continued. He pointed at the lemur with an accusing finger. "You said some very unkind things."
Momo pinned his ears back and made a noise at the Water Tribe boy. Katara sighed quietly and rolled her eyes at her brother's strangeness.
ACROSS THE SEA...
Iroh inhaled slowly, yet forcefully. His exhale was just as controlled.
"There is a storm coming. A big one."
I looked over at the aged man. His face was stern and serious. I was about to say something, but a certain nephew spoke before I did.
"You're out of your mind, Uncle," Zuko commented drily. He closed his telescope and continued, "The weather's perfect. There's not a cloud in sight."
I let out a low and warning growl. I wondered how he could treat his loyal uncle like that. Anger rose from my feet to my cheeks. Iroh placed a hand on my shoulder and shook his head. With a sound of indignation, I crossed my arms over my chest.
"A storm is approaching from the north," Iroh said firmly, ignoring my attitude as he turned to face his nephew. "I suggest we alter our course and head southwest."
"We know the Avatar is travelling north ward. So we will do the same."
I stuck my tongue out at him. It annoyed me how he was so sure of himself. Iroh shook his head.
"Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew."
"The safety of the crew doesn't matter," the cranky teen snapped.
He spun around and looked behind him just as Lieutenant Jee walked onto the deck. The elder cocked an eyebrow at the prince with a frown on his face. Zuko's expression hardened and he stalked towards the older man.
"Finding the Avatar is more important than any individual's safety."
"Now that's just heartless," I mumbled.
I shook my head in disappointment. I watched Zuko stare down the lieutenant before heading toward the door. He shoved me before slamming the door behind his tense form. I began to growl again.
"He doesn't mean that," Iroh stated in an attempt to sooth the anger of Lieutenant Jee.
"I wouldn't put it past him," I declared, "Does he always have to make a dramatic exit?"
I cocked an eyebrow at Iroh. He only shrugged. The lieutenant grimaced before returning to his duty.
Aang flew Appa down to a harbor. After landing him some distance away, the three friends got off. They strolled through the market looking for food. Katara filled the basket her brother was holding with fruit. They soon came to a watermelon stand. The water bender began to shake one.
"It's good. It's perfect. I'm telling you," a merchant woman insisted angrily.
"I don't think I like the sound of that swishing," Katara stated.
She continued to shake the watermelon in her hand.
"Swishing means it's ripe," the merchant woman snapped as she came around to the front of her stall. "It's the ripe juices swishing around!"
"I think it's true, Katara," Aang piped up, "Swishing means it's ripe."
"I just realized we're out of money anyway," Katara said sheepishly.
She put the watermelon back with the others. She glanced at the woman with her hands folded under her chin, then she and Aang walked away. The merchant woman groaned angrily. She snatched the basket of fruit and vegetables from Sokka's hand, kicking his backside as he walked away. The three stood on the dock. Sokka rubbed the spot on his backside where the angry merchant woman had kicked him.
"Out of food and out of money," he grumbled, "Now what are we supposed to do?"
"You could get a job, smart guy," suggested his sister.
"You shouldn't go out there," a woman's voice suddenly called out, catching their attention.
The three friends turned to stare at an old man and woman on the dock.
"Please, the fish can wait," the elderly woman insisted, "There's going to be a terrible storm."
Aang's eyes widened. For a moment, it seemed that world was enclosing on him.
"You're crazy. It's a nice day. No clouds, no winds, no nothing, so quit your nagging woman," he yelled to his wife.
Aang looked away from the elderly couple and towards his two friends. His features sketched the face of hidden fear.
"Maybe we should find shelter," Aang suggested with panic rising in his voice.
"Are you kidding? Shelter from what?" questioned the Water Tribe boy.
"My joints say there's going to be a storm," the old woman insisted, grabbing the trio's attention again, "A bad one."
"Well, it's your joints against my brain."
"Then I hope your brain can find someone else to haul that fish, 'cause I ain't coming," the old woman retorted angrily.
"Then I'll find a new fish hauler and pay him double what you get," the fisherman barked right back, "How do you like that?"
Sokka walked forward and raised his hand in the air.
"I'll go."
"You're hired," The elderly fisherman yelled.
"What?" Sokka questioned. "You said get a job, and he's paying double," he explained to his sister and friend.
"Double? Who told you that nonsense?" asked the old man.
Sokka's expression dropped in deflation. Katara palmed her face while Aang tried to keep the fear from his face as he looked at the bright blue sky.
As the day progressed, I worked on my gymnastic skills on the top deck. I honestly enjoyed the practice, but today, I had a separate motive. After a few days of being on board the ship, I figured out that most of the excitement happens on the top deck. Being bored as I was, I wanted to get my blood pumping. I couldn't afford to lose my touch just because I was captured. If anything, that's why I continued to train. Thankfully, Iroh never minded my practicing. He found it interesting. I dismounted from my current position just as Lieutenant Jee sauntered past me.
"Huh, looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all," he taunted as he crossed his arms, sending his gaze to the banished prince.
"Lucky guess," Iroh said humbly, his hands raised slightly as he walked closer to the lieutenant.
I soon joined them.
"Lieutenant! You'd better learn some respect," Zuko barked as he marched towards him. Zuko jabbed him in the chest with two fingers. "Or I'll teach it to you."
"What do you know about respect?" Lieutenant Jee demanded.
He glowered at the prince's back, not noticing the way Iroh was making a silencing motion with his hand. Or, maybe he was purposefully ignoring him.
"The way you talk to everyone around, from your prisoner to your hard-working crew to your esteemed uncle, shows you know nothing about respect!"
I noticed Iroh slap his forehead. I held in a chuckle.
"You don't care about anyone but yourself," Jee continued angrily. "Then again what should I expect from a spoiled prince."
I grimaced. Even though he deserved it, I thought the lieutenant should have showed some self control. I jumped slightly when I saw Zuko spin around. He had taken a firebending stance. Jee was quick to follow.
"Easy now," Iroh cooed.
He moved to stand beside the two. Suddenly, Zuko and Jee wrist blocked the each other's arm. Smoke began to rise from the prince's arm band. Iroh looked at the smoke for a moment then smacked both of their wrists about and pushed them back slightly.
"Enough! We are all a bit tired from being at sea so long. I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better."
Lieutenant Jee turned and walked away, with hot blood. The few other crew members, that were on the deck, followed after him. Zuko turned his back on his uncle, taking a few steps forward.
"I don't need your help keeping orders on my ship," he growled.
Iroh stepped forward and placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder. Zuko hastily shrugged it off. He began to walk toward the door. My frown deepened as I saw Iroh's crestfallen expression.
"For all that he's done for you..." I trailed off.
He turned to look at me with his burning golden eyes. His scowl remained.
"I don't listen to peasants."
I barred my teeth at him. He continued to walk into the bowels of the ship. I quickly walked over to the aged man. I laid my hand on his shoulder. He gazed at me with sad eyes. My heart ached at his sadness. I quickly brought him into a hug, which he greatfully accepted.
"Sokka, maybe this isn't such a good idea," Aang commented warily.
Sokka walked passed him with an armload of supplies.
"Look at the sky."
"I said I was going to do this job." Sokka stated firmly, "I can't back out just because of some bad weather!"
"The boy with tattoos has some sense," the fisherman's wife berated, "You should listen to him!"
"Boy with tattoos?" the fisherman mumbled. He turned around and looked at Aang. "Airbender tattoos. Well, I'll be a hog monkey's uncle. You're the Avatar, ain't ya?"
"That's right," Katara replied gleefully.
"Well, don't be so smiley about it," The fisherman snapped, causing the two great confusion. "The Avatar disappeared for a hundred years! You turned your back on the world!"
"Don't yell at him," Katara shouted angrily, "Aang would never turn his back on anyone!"
"Oh, he wouldn't, huh? Then I guess I just have imagined the last hundred years of war and suffering!"
Aang's eyes widened and he looked at the fisherman. His gaze showed fear, horror, and sadness. Katara scowled and stepped in front of the young Airbender, her hands on her hips.
"Aang is the bravest person I know. He's done nothing but help people and save lives since I met him," she defended. Aang's eyes continued to enlarge as he backed away. "It's not his fault he disappeared, right Aang?"
Katara turned to look at Aang then frowned in concern.
"Aang, what's wrong?"
Aang didn't answer. Instead, he turned hastily and snapped open his glider. He quickly grabbed it and flew away from them. Katara's eyes widened and she reached out her hand, but it was too late.
"That's right! Keep flying!"
"You're a horrible old man," she screamed while running to the bison. "Appa, yip-yip!"
Appa grumbled and jumped out of the water, following Aang. Unfortunately, the old man managed to become soaking wet.
"Hey! They left without saying goodbye," Sokka whined as he saw his sister fly away.
"Your friends ain't too polite, are they?" he asked.
"I know! This one time, I was-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," the fisherman interrupted while shoving a crate into the Water Tribe boy's hands. "Get below deck!"
Sokka sighed to himself as walked down the wooden stairs.
Katara held her hand above her eyes to keep the rain out of them. Her gaze swept along the landscape as she flew Appa in search of Aang. By this time, it was heavily pouring. She lowered her hand when she spotted a ledge with a cave on the mountain. She quickly tugged the bison's reins in that direction, landing him just outside. The water bender hurried into the cave, wiping the water from her clothes. She paused as her gaze caught sight of her missing friend sitting on the floor of the cave. His back was to her, and his head was bowed.
"I'm sorry for running away," Aang apologized quietly.
"It's okay," Katara coddled, "That fisherman was way out of line."
"Actually, he wasn't."
"What do you mean?" Katara asked in confusion.
Aang glanced over his shoulder at her. He quickly retreated his gaze.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Katara pursed her lips slightly. She slowly walked until she was in front of him. She kneeled down and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder
"It has to do with your dream, doesn't it?" she questioned softly, "Talk to me."
"Well," Aang sighed heavily, "It's kind of a long story."
They both jumped when Momo suddenly ran past them and deeper into the cave. Appa soon appeared as well. The sky bison rumbled quietly. He nuzzled Aang with his nose, lifting the boy's spirits slightly. He turned and rubbed the soaking wet bison's chin affectionately. Katara stood and moved deeper into the cave.
"I'm going to get a little fire going."
Katara poked the small fire she had started with a stick. She tried to look at her friend discreetly. He was sitting across from her with his eyes closed. Momo was curled up in his lap.
"I'll never forget the day the monks told me I was the Avatar," Aang spoke while looking to the brunette, "I was playing with some others kids just outside the South Wall. I was trying to teach them how to do the air scooter…"
"First you got to form the ball," Aang explained as he created a sphere of air between his palms, "Then you got to get on quick!"
"Okay, here goes," one of the older boys said.
He spun his hands as Aang did, forming a sphere of air. He quickly tried to hop on. He let out a yelp as he spun with the air current and fell off. The ball dissipated. Aang paused and gently hopped off his air scooter when he saw the boy fall.
"You kind of have to balance on it like it's a top," Aang advised, moving his finger in a circular motion to make a further point.
"Man, that is hard," the boy that had fallen stated, rubbing his head.
"Where'd you learn that, Aang?" the youngest of the group asked.
"I made it up."
"Wow," the youngest boy exclaimed.
He spun in a circle and waved his arms. He continued to spin until he became dizzy.
"Ahem."
The group of children turned to look at the Council of Elders standing on the steps.
"Aang, come with us," Monk Gyatso said calmly from his spot in front of the other four Elders, "We need to speak with you."
Aang looked at the Elders in disbelief.
"How do you know it's me?" Aang asked.
He desperately wanted them to be wrong.
"We have known you were the Avatar for some time," Monk Tashi replied calmly.
He proceeded to air bend a wrapped up mat. They landed where Aang was sitting.
"Do you remember these?"
The mat opened and revealed four toys. Aang smiled as he looked at them.
"These were some of my favorite toys when I was little," Aang exclaimed.
"You chose them from among thousands of toys, Aang," Tashi continued. Aang picked up the pull-string propeller from the mat. "The toys you picked were the four Avatar relics. These items belonged to Avatars past. Your own past lives."
"I chose them because they seemed fun," Aang stated skeptically.
He pulled the string and sent the propeller flying towards the Elders.
"You chose them because they were familiar."
"Normally we would have told you of your identity when you turned sixteen," Gyatso piped in. Tashi looked over at him. "But there are troubling signs. Storm clouds are gathering."
"I fear that war may be upon us, young Avatar," Monk Pasang stated warily.
Gyatso looked at Aang with empathy.
"We need you, Aang."
Aang closed his eyes and bowed his head, his lips pulled into a small frown.
Katara looked at Aang sadly as he stopped talking for a moment. His eyes were closed and his head was bowed.
After it began to rain, Iroh and I began to walk through the bowels of the ship. I held the back of my head with both hands, the fingers interlocking. My stance was open as I thought about all that had occurred. My thoughts were interrupted by Lieutenant Jee's familiar voice.
"I'm sick of taking his orders! I'm tired of chasing his Avatar! I mean, who does Zuko think he is?!"
"Do you really want to know?" asked Iroh from the doorway.
The men stood and Jee looked at the stairs that lead down into the boiler room. He quickly caught sight of us. I didn't blame him for the surprised look that was written all over his face.
"General Iroh. We were just-"
Iroh stopped him with a raised hand.
"It's okay," Iroh stated quietly. He gestured to the barrel-fire. "May we join you?"
"Of course, sir."
Iroh strolled over to one of the makeshift seats. I stood at the door before realizing that he had asked permission for the both of us. I hurried over to the fire and took the seat between two crewmen I didn't recognize. Iroh stroked his gray beard as he thought to himself.
"Try to understand. My nephew is a complicated young man," he finally spoke after moments of contemplation. "He has been through much…"
A younger, scar free, Zuko walked through the halls of the Fire Nation Palace towards his father's war room. He tried to join the others in the room only
to be stopped by the guards at the crimson curtains.
"Let me in," Zuko demanded.
Iroh stepped forward and touched his shoulders.
"Prince Zuko, what's wrong?" he inquired.
"I want to go into the war chamber but the guard won't let me pass," Zuko explained, trying to keep the childness out of his voice.
"You're not missing anything, trust me. Those meetings are dreadfully boring."
"If I'm going to rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can?" Zuko reasoned carefully.
Zuko smiled at his uncle. Iroh pursed his lips as he thought. Soon, he nodded in consent.
"Very well, but you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know?"
"Thank you, Uncle," Zuko said excitedly as he bowed.
Iroh led him into the war chamber.
"The Earth Kingdom defenses are concentrated here," General Bujing showed, "A dangerous battalion of their strongest Earthbenders and fiercest warriors. So I am recommending the forty-first division."
"But the forty-first division is entirely new recruits," an older general stated, gesturing with his hand in a confused manner. "How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?"
"I don't. They'll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait than fresh meat?" he asked rather smugly.
"You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation! How can you betray them?"
He had stood up and was shouting. The young prince failed to see his uncle's expression of dismay. All the men in the war room stared up at the young prince in shock.
My blue orbs were wide with surprise. I had never thought of Zuko as someone who would defend people he's never met, not to mention, in one of the boldest ways possible. An automatic smirk painted itself on my face. Strangely, I was a little proud he had done that. Iroh broke my thoughts, as well as my smirk.
"Zuko was right, you see, but it was not his place to speak out. And there were dire consequences…" he trailed off.
ELSEWHERE...
"So you were upset that you were the Avatar? Why wouldn't you be excited about it?"
"Well, I didn't know how to feel about it," Aang explained. He had his knees drawn up close to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. "All that I knew was that after I found out, everything began changing."
Aang walked into the area behind the South Wall. He grinned as he saw his friends riding on air scooters.
"Hey, not bad," Aang complimented, "You guys have been practicing!"
"Not only that," the youngest of the group called out as he rode the air scooter around Aang. "We made up a game you can play with the air scooters!"
"Great," Aang exclaimed.
He quickly made his own air scooter and hopped on. As soon as he took his stance, the others jumped off of their own scooters. The tallest of the group rubbed the back of his head bashfully.
"Now that you're the Avatar, it's kind of an unfair advantage for whichever team you're on."
"But I'm still the same! Nothing's changed," he protested with a smile.
The boys just looked at him sadly. Aang looked at them still confused, and slightly hurt.
"So, what? I can't play?" he asked pitifully.
The tallest boy nodded.
"That's the only fair way."
"Oh…Okay," Aang muttered, his air scooter dissipating.
He turned and walked away, his heart aching.
"Sorry, Aang," the youngest mumbled sadly as he watched the him leave.
"Very interesting move, young one," Gyatso commented after Aang had moved one of his Pai Sho tiles.
"What do you mean?" Aang asked curiously.
Gyatso used airbending to create a spiral and flip a part of Aang's shirt over his head, effectively covering his eyes. The monk then quickly moved two pieces on the board around. Aang flipped his clothing back into place.
"Hey," Aang protested and pointed at the board with a grin.
The two looked at each other and began to laugh, the door to the room opening to reveal Monk Tashi.
"You're playing games with him? The Avatar should be training!"
"Aang has already trained enough for today," Gyatso retorted calmly.
"Time is short," the smaller Elder snapped. He gestured for Aang to follow him as he started to walk away. "Come with me. I must test you on some high level techniques."
"No," Gyatso stated, holding his hand out and stopping Aang from following Tashi, "As long as I'm his guardian, I will decide when he trains…and when he gets his butt kicked at Pai Sho."
"Hmph."
Katara gazed at Aang in understanding.
"After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Fire Lord became very angry with him. He said the challenge against the general was an act of complete disrespect! And there was only one way to resolve this."
"Agni Kai." Jee muttered. He noticed my confused expression. "It's a fire duel," he elaborated.
My eyes grew wide with an accumulating amount of anxiety. My stomach churned.
"That's right. Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted and declared that he was not afraid. But Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the general," Iroh paused and closed his eyes before starting to speak again, "Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Fire Lord's war room, it was the Fire Lord whom he disrespected. Zuko would have to duel his own father."
A gasp escaped my lips. The churning in my stomach continued to increase. Fear crept in and swished with the overwhelming anxiety. I gripped my stomach, afraid I was going to expel my lunch. Strangely, my heart ached slightly at the situation.
Aang looked at the fire dancing in front of him.
"Then just as I was starting to feel better, something worse happened."
"Aang needs to have freedom and fun," Monk Gyatso defended firmly as he looked at Monk Pasang. "He needs to grow up as normal boy."
"You cannot keep protecting him from his destiny," Monk Tashi retorted with a scoff.
He glared at the other Elder standing next to him.
"Gyatso, I know you mean well," Monk Pasang stated soothingly, "But you are letting your affection for the boy cloud your judgment."
"All I want is what is best for him," Gyatso replied innocently.
"But what we need is what's best for the world. You and Aang must be separated! The Avatar will be sent away to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training."
Unbeknownst to the Elders below, Aang had heard every word from a small hole in the ceiling. He could easily see into the meeting room. His gray eyes were wide with shock and panic.
"That's awful, Aang," Katara said softly as she reached for him, "I don't know what to say."
"How could they do that to me?" Aang demanded. He suddenly jumped to his feet and paced around the cave. "They wanted to take away everything I knew and everyone I loved!"
Air swirled around him as his anger increased with each word. His arrows began to glow, the fire flared up.
"Whoa! Hot cinders!"
Aang glared at the wall for a moment, his glow began to fade as he began to control his emotions.
"I'm sorry I got so mad," Aang apologized as he walked back to sit by the fire.
"You have a right to be angry," Katara assured him as he sat down across from her then crossed her arms, "After the monks sent you away like that."
"Well," Aang hesitated and looked to the side, "That's not exactly what happened…I was afraid, confused," Aang explained quietly, "I didn't know what to do."
Monk Gyatso walked towards Aang's room and knocked gently on the door only for it to swing open by itself.
"Aang, I'm not going to let them take you away from me." Gyatso opened the door all the way. "Aang?"
Gyatso walked further into the room. He spotted a scroll on Aang's bed. The monk picked up the scroll and gasped, turning quickly to look out a window in the room. He stared worriedly at the raging storm.
"I never saw Gyatso again. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in your arms after you found me in the iceberg."
"You ran away," Katara whispered sympathetically
"Then the Fire Nation attacked our temple. My people needed me and I wasn't there to help."
"You don't know what would have-"
"The world needed me and I wasn't there to help," Aang yelled, throwing his arms in the air.
"Aang," she cooed.
"The fisherman was right! I did turn my back on the world."
"You're being too hard on yourself, even if you did run away. I think it was meant to be. If you had stayed , you would have been killed along with all the other air benders," the Water Tribe girl reasoned.
"You don't know that," Aang muttered into his arm as he looked at the cave wall.
"I know it was meant to be this way," Katara insisted, a small smile appearing on her face. "The world needs you now. You give people hope."
Aang turned his head to look at the dark haired girl. A small smile appeared on his face the more he contemplated her reasoning. Momo chittered, running around the fire over to him and Aang scratched his back gently.
"When Prince Zuko saw that it was his father who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy."
"Please, Father," Zuko begged, "I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!"
The Fire Lord stalked towards his son slowly.
"You will fight for your honor."
He growled. Zuko got on his hands and knees with his head bowed.
"I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son!"
"Rise and fight, Prince Zuko," the Fire Lord ordered.
His silhouette loomed over his son's kneeling form.
"I won't fight you."
"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher!"
Zuko looked up at his father, tears streaming down his face as his father pulled his fist back.
"I looked away," Iroh stated.
His eyes closed as he looked away from us. I guessed it was the same way he had in his memory. I could nearly hear the sound of his nephew's pained scream ringing in his ears.
"I always thought that Prince Zuko was in a training accident," the lieutenant stated quietly, looking at Iroh in shock.
"It was no accident," Iroh practically growled. His voice became calm again as he opened his eyes and looked at all of us. "After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As punishment, he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then could he return with his honor."
"So that's why he's so obsessed," Jee muttered in understanding, "Capturing the Avatar is the only chance he has of things returning to normal."
"The Avatar gives Zuko hope."
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. My mind wandered back to when the scarred Prince and I fought in the forest next to Haru's barn. He was right to say I didn't know him. A sudden wanting to apologize overcame my senses.
Zuko breathed carefully as he meditated in his room. His mind wandered back to the years when he was younger and happier. It was the time in his life before he had been scarred and banished by his father. Flashbacks invaded his memory. His meditation was broken when his ship rocked violently.
"Help! Oh, please help!"
Katara and Aang looked towards the entrance of the cave. The fisherman's wife was standing there, completely drenched from the rain. Katara hurried over to the much older woman and led her into the cave and out of the downpour.
"It's okay, your safe," the water bender assured her.
Katara's brought the elderly woman towards the small fire.
"But my husband isn't," the woman stated worriedly.
She pulled the hood of her small cloak down.
"What do you mean?" Katara asked, her own worry beginning to grow. "Where's Sokka?"
"They haven't returned! They should have been back by now! And this storm is becoming a typhoon! They're caught out at sea!"
Aang jumped to his feet with a determined expression on his face.
"I'm going to find him!"
"I'm going with you!"
"I'm staying here," The elderly woman exclaimed.
She crossed her arms and closed her eyes as she sat by the fire. Katara and Aang quickly lead Appa to the mouth of the cave and Aang looked at the old woman by the fire.
"We'll be back soon. I promise."
He jumped onto Appa's head with Katara in the saddle. Aang flicked the reins and Appa leapt into the air, flying into the raging storm.
"Where are we hit?" Zuko demanded as he rushed onto the top deck where the rest of us were standing.
We tried to keep our footing as the ship rocked.
"I don't know," Lieutenant Jee cried out.
"Look," Iroh shouted and pointed to the top of the command tower.
A man was dangling from the side with one hand. Unfortunately, the tower was smoking.
"The helmsman," Zuko realized.
The teenager rushed forward and began climbing the service ladder on the side of the command tower with Lieutenant Jee in tow. I bit down on my lip as I watched from the ground. The horrible feeling in my gut returned. All of a sudden, I was pushed to the ground. A groan escaped my lips. I was about to start yelling, but when I glared up, I saw Iroh blackened. Smoke was coming from his hands and hair. I pushed off the metal floor and ran over to his side.
"Holy Spirits! What just happened?" I asked, still bewildered.
"I redirected lightning," he replied.
I gave him a hug filled with thanks and concern.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
"Yes, Lady Nahla."
The two of us looked upwards once again. As if on cue, the helmsman lost his grip on the ladder. He began to plummet straight to the deck. I barely had time to utter a sound before Zuko caught his employee. He proceeded to carefully lower him down to his lieutenant's side. The two shared a look of small gratitude before heading back down the ladder.
"Where are they?" Katara shouted.
She and Aang searched the churning ocean for any sign of the fisherman's boat. Aang's eyes widened when he saw a large wave coming towards them. He quickly flicked the reins, urging Appa to go higher.
"Come on, Appa," Aang shouted encouragingly.
The bison roared, flying upward. The wave was already too close and would be closing down on them. Aang glared with determination and continued to fly Appa straight at the wave. Using his staff, the young boy twirled it in circles. With the help of his air bending, he was able to create a hole in the wave. Appa easily flew through it.
"The boat," Aang cried out. He was pointing to the small vessel being tossed around by the ocean. "There!"
Aang urged Appa to fly faster towards the fisherman's boat, not noticing the Fire Nation ship off to the side.
"The Avatar," Zuko shouted in surprise.
My ears immediately perked up. I whirled around to see Appa only a mile or so away. I bit down on my lip harder, restraining myself.
*Wait Nahla,* I thought quietly, *Wait for the opportunity.*
"What do you want to do, sir?" Lieutenant Jee asked, his posture straight as he awaited the prince's orders.
Zuko hesitated a moment then looked over at the lieutenant.
"Let him go. We need to get his ship to safety."
"Then we must head directly into the eye of the storm," Iroh stated wisely.
"I'm too young to die," Sokka screamed, clutching a rope on the main mast.
The boat was being tossed around by the storm and the angry ocean.
"I'm not, but I still don't wanna," the fisherman shouted, clutching onto a different rope.
Appa suddenly appeared and Aang leapt down onto the boat. Just then, a lightning bolt hit the top of the mast, causing it to fall straight towards Aang. The young air bender gasped. Quickly collecting himself, he used water bending to split the giant pole in two. Each half fell on either side of the two in peril. Sokka quickly grabbed a loose rope and tied it around his and the fisherman's waist just as Aang skidded to a stop in front of them.
"Hang on to the rope," Aang shouted.
He gripped the other end of the rope. He rapidly raced back towards Appa. He jumped on to the bison's head and attached the rope to the beast. The Water Tribe boy and the fisherman watched for a moment before screaming when Appa jerked his head. yanking them off the boat and into the saddle. The two grinned at each other only to scream again when a massive wave appeared behind them and dragged them all underwater. Aang's eyes opened slowly as Appa's reins slipped from his hands. He saw Sokka, Katara, and the fisherman clutching onto Appa's saddle in an attempt to keep themselves from drifting away. The reins almost slipped from Aang's grip when his tattoos and eyes began to glow. The Avatar State took over as he grabbed Appa's reins tightly. He moved to float cross-legged above Appa's head. The young Avatar then put his fists together as a massive sphere of air began to surround the group. All of them moved back into the saddle, including all of their supplies.
I ran over to the edge of the ship. My eyes were wide with worry and fear. I had seen my friends get swept under the waves. My hands gripped the steel to the point of turning my knuckles white. My stomach gurgled and churned. I could feel the tears nearly escaping my eyes. I let out a quiet sob as I lowered my head. Just as I did so, I heard a groan break from the water. I looked up as joy filled my entire being.
"Appa," I shouted with glee.
I quickly looked around to see everyone transfixed by Aang. Without a second thought, I began running to the very front of the ship. Adrenaline rushed through my very bones. When I reached the railing, I propelled myself off and dove into the torrential water. Once I broke the barrier, I swam deeper. When I thought I was deep enough, I began to spin the water around me. I shattered the water as if it were glass. Using my spiraling water, I tried to reach Appa. Sokka, who was at the back of the saddle, turned and saw me.
"Nahla," he screamed.
He reached over and held out his hand. Just as I extended mine, I began to fall back down. With the split second that I had, I used to see Zuko had cut my water pillar with fire. A silent scream escaped my lips. As my gut continued to churn, the darkness began to consume me.
Zuko sprinted to the very front of his ship. He grumbled to himself as he held out his arms. He watched the falling figure come closer to him. Seconds later, he caught Nahla in his arms. He stumbled slightly due to the force she had fallen. He glared down at her only to see her passed out. His frown disappeared. He carried the black haired water bender over to his uncle.
"I suggest you take her to her room," he advised, "and please, make sure she is laying in the cot."
The prince only nodded in agreement. He glanced over his shoulder to see the Avatar gone. Retreating his gaze, he headed to the lower deck.
"Oh, you're alive," the fisherman's wife cried out happily as she ran towards her husband. She threw her arms around him lovingly before pulling away to point at Aang. "You owe this boy an apology!"
"He doesn't have to apologize," Aang piped up.
The fisherman rubbed his beard and mumbled, "What if, instead of an apology, I give him free fish and we call it even?"
"Actually, I don't eat meat."
"Fish ain't meat," the fisherman exclaimed.
"Seriously? You're still gonna pay me right?" Sokka asked.
The old fisherman plopped a slimy fish into his hand. Aang walked towards Katara with his head bowed slightly.
"Katara, I think you were right before. I'm done dwelling on the past."
"Really?" Katara questioned happily.
"I can't make guesses about how things would have turned out if I hadn't run away. I'm here now and I'm going to make the most of it."
"I don't think you're going to have those nightmares anymore," Katara said with a proud smile on her face.
Aang gave her a grin in return.
"And if you weren't here now, well, I guess I wouldn't be either. Thank you for saving my life, Avatar."
"Do you hear that?" Sokka asked suddenly, "It stopped raining."
Katara, Aang, Sokka, the fisherman and his wife all walked out of the cave, taking in the lovely scenery. Suddenly, Appa shook the rainwater from his fur, splashing everyone.
"Appa," Aang groaned.
Sokka walked back into the cave, shoulders slumped. He couldn't help but to see his friend falling back onto the ship. He hated knowing that their assumptions about her capture had been correct. He kicked a nearby pebble. It bounced around the inside of the cave. Katara and Aang, who had seen him sulking, followed him after the older couple had given them Sokka's wages and left.
"Are you okay?" asked his sister, "I know it was scary out there-"
"I'm not upset about that," he interrupted.
Aang hung his head.
"It's Nahla, isn't it?"
Sokka flailed his arms. "Of course it is! We were so close to getting her back, and then she just slipped away! Why can't we just go find the ship and rescue her?"
"Sokka, you know Zuko would be ready for that," Katara reasoned. "We can't fall into his traps like that."
He whirled around to face them.
"So, what? We just let one of our friends stay captured and hope that she'll break free? I don't know about you two, but that doesn't seem like something a friend would do," he paused as he wiped a small tear from his eye, "If you just saw the look in her eyes...how scared she was..." he trailed off.
Sokka sunk to the ground as more silent tears escaped his eyes. Katara and Aang sat down next to him. The three formed a group hug as they focused on their friend. Despite no one saying it, they all realized it was the first time they really thought about her.
Zuko opened the door to his prisoner's room. He slowly walked in and set the exerted girl onto the cot gently. Before he stood up, his golden gaze focused on her. He had just seen her use powerful bending. Judging by how it ended, it was the first time she had used that much energy. He wondered, almost hoped, that she understood why he had stopped her. Realizing that it was so, he shook his head and stood up. He hastily left the room, heading in the direction of his own.
Woo, that was fun. Thank you all for reading this far and thank you for all of the reviews! Keep them coming! Also, let me know how you think that Gaang scene was at the end, I'm really curious. Anywhoosal, please keep voting for which one should possibly happen. SokkaxNahla or ZukoxNahla? Also, some shipping names would be awesome! You guys are all wonderful! Please R&R!
Thanks a ton!
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