A/N: Back from vacation. Hope you guys are still enjoying this.
Chapter Ten
Admiral Zhao was not pleased.
For two weeks he had been tirelessly tracking the Avatar and Fire Nation prince, but he always found himself two steps behind them. Though his Fire Navy vessel was swift and efficient in the water, the Avatar's bison easily and often outran them on land. Much to his misfortune, not only had news of the Avatar's return reached Firelord Ozai's ears, but he was aware that his son and heir was traveling with him as well. As a result, Ozai had put an incredible amount of pressure on Zhao, not merely to capture the Avatar and Prince, but to bring them back to the Fire Nation capital. Zhao was acutely aware of the fact that he was operating on borrowed time. Firelord Ozai was not a man known for his patience or his understanding. This was not a mission Zhao could afford to fail.
The added stress proved not to be a good thing for Zhao or his men. With the mounting pressure exerted by Ozai, Zhao then applied double pressure to his crew. In his determination to succeed, he pushed them to the brink. As a result, his men were as exhausted and cranky as he was. However, Zhao could not concern himself with coddling them. He had built a reputation on his ruthlessness and efficiency. He had gained the Firelord's favor because of it. He was absolutely unwilling to let all that slip away because his former prince and the Avatar were determined to play a game of hide and go seek.
Because of the time crunch, Zhao had only brought his ship into harbor for two specific reasons: food and coal. With that in mind, he quickly dispatched several soldiers to carry out the search, scrutinizing their movements closely as they disappeared into the crowd. He was in the process of brainstorming the Avatar's next stop when his ears inadvertently picked up on a nearby conversation. The exchange was so raucously obnoxious that it was difficult to ignore. Still, Zhao only half listened to it as he was preoccupied with weightier matters.
"Did you get the goods back?"
"No. We just missed them."
"What do you mean you missed them? That scroll alone was worth 200 gold pieces! Who knows what we could have gotten for the bowl and necklace? How did all four of them manage to escape you idiots on foot? They were just a bunch of kids!"
"B-But they weren't on foot, Captain…they all hopped on the bald kid's glider and flew away!"
The grating conversation grew louder and louder and was proving to be incredibly distracting, especially when the group was only a few short feet away from Zhao. However, what caught his attention wasn't the intolerable volume of their inane prattle, but the mention of a flying, bald kid. Zhao's senses instantly prickled.
"This bald child," he remarked, unapologetically inserting himself into their conversation, "was he, perhaps, traveling with a boy who had a scar on his face?"
The flash of surprise in the pirate captain's eyes told Zhao all he needed to know. Unaware that he had given himself away, though, the pirate captain made an attempt at blustering bravado. He raked Zhao with a menacingly glance. "What's it worth to you to find out?"
No sooner had he voiced the question than his cheek was blistered by the searing heat of a surging fireball. It barreled past him into a nearby cart with a low explosion, igniting the entire thing in a crackling burst of flames. The small port exploded with panic, with patrons running to the left and right in an effort to duck for cover. The group of pirates regarded Zhao with wide, horrified eyes.
"Now I ask again," he reiterated smoothly, "was he traveling with someone? A disfigured boy?"
"Yes! Yes, he was," the pirate captain provided quickly, now prepared to spill all he knew relevant or not, "There were four of them, in fact! Two Water Tribe kids, the scarred boy and the bald kid! They had a flying lemur and…and they stole several goods from us!"
"Really?" Zhao considered with a slow smile of satisfaction, "Why don't you tell me all about it?"
****
"Taa daa!"
"I should have known," Sokka grumbled when Katara pulled the waterbending scroll from her tunic, "I knew there was a reason those pirates were chasing us! Did you steal that from them?"
They had made a narrow escape. After being trapped in an alley, closed off on either side by the pirate bandits, they'd had no other choice but to hop on Zuko's glider with him and fly out of there. The pickup had been a little difficult for Zuko. He'd never had any trouble managing his glider when he was alone, but three extra people proved to require monumental effort from him. In the end, it had taken a jetting expulsion of hot fire from the soles of Aang's feet to propel them into the sky. Once they were airborne, he and Aang had worked in tandem to keep them that way. They'd reached the safety of their camp, a spot they had chosen along the banks of a local river, a short while later. Only when the adrenaline from their flight had faded did Katara reveal the reason they'd needed to run at all.
"It's a waterbending scroll, Sokka," Katara explained quickly, "I didn't have a choice! Zuko and I need it so we can learn proper waterbending!"
"Besides, it wasn't theirs in the first place," Zuko added, producing his own booty and laying it out before them. "They probably stole that scroll from a Waterbender, just like they stole these things from the Air Temples."
"Aww, not you too!" Sokka cried melodramatically. He dropped his face into his hands with a long-suffering groan. "Good grief, I'm surrounded by thieves and fugitives!"
"It doesn't matter," Aang interjected, "What's done is done and we got away safe." Katara favored him with a grateful smile as he added, "Katara and Zuko have the scroll now. They might as well practice."
Upon realizing that he didn't even have Aang in his corner, Sokka narrowed his eyes. "You all sicken me," he hissed with a haughty lift of his chin. He rolled to his feet. "Come, Momo," he declared with a dignified sniff, "We shall not sully ourselves in the presence of these reprobates! Let us away!" Zuko, Aang and Katara watched with amused smirks, eye rolls and outright laughter as Sokka and Momo walked off, their noses held high in the air.
"Now that that's done," Katara dismissed smoothly after Sokka had gone, "Let's gets started on some waterbending!"
They…were…terrible.
For nearly an hour, Aang had sat cross-legged on the bank and watched them and that was the only conclusion that he could draw. The first fifteen minutes he had managed to hold his tongue even though they weren't shifting their weight through their stances properly and even while their breathing was too shallow and quick. They were strong and determined so Aang didn't doubt that eventually they'd get it.
They did NOT get it. Their growing frustration with themselves only further impeded their bending. They were, in essence, proving to be their own worst enemies.
Eventually, Aang could hold his tongue no longer and he finally called out some advice to them in the hopes of aiding their process. The first couple of times, they took it in stride with only a few looks of mild exasperation. By the time he was on his feet, a Firebender, demonstrating to them the proper stances for waterbending, they completely lost their patience with him. He was summarily told to shut his air hole by them both. The general consensus was that he didn't know what he was talking about and that his suggestions were uninformed and unwelcome. That was the last Aang had to say about it.
When the first hour began drawing to a close with very little improvement from either one of them, Sokka moved to settle down beside Aang to witness their continuing failure with a wide grin of unconcealed pleasure. "It's exactly what they deserve," he mumbled, "The little thieves!"
"I tried to help them out," Aang said, "but they just bit my head off."
"It's what you deserve too," Sokka threw back unsympathetically, "for backing them up in their thievery." Aang rolled his eyes. "Yup…that's our hope for the free world right there," Sokka observed further as Zuko tried, unsuccessfully, to execute the water whip and, during the process, inadvertently whacked Momo in the bottom with the tail end of it. The little monkey went scurrying to safety with a loud yelp of protest.
"Why can't I get this stupid move?" Zuko growled in frustration.
"Here let me try it," Katara offered. Unfortunately, her attempt yielded similar results to Zuko's. Frustrated, Momo forsook the shoreline altogether and took refuge in the branches of a nearby tree, chittering his displeasure the entire way.
Aang and Sokka exchanged an uncertain look full of dread. "This isn't going to end well for us, is it?" the young prince pondered aloud.
"Nope," Sokka agreed simply. "I think not."
"He'll get the hang of it eventually," Aang declared optimistically, though his tone maintained a tentative edge.
Sokka watched as Zuko's latest attempt to master the whip ended with a gigantic, watery splash. The thirteen year old literally stomped out his aggravation on the bank. "Sure he will, Aang…I can sense that mastery is just around the corner," Sokka mocked dryly.
"Well, at least we've had a chance to relax," Aang said. He reclined back into the ground and stacked his hands behind his head, closing his eyes with a soft, contented sigh. "I'm just going to lie here and listen to the water."
Regrettably, just as Sokka was about to agree with that sentiment and follow his example, something alarming caught his attention. "I'm starting to think you shouldn't say stuff like that, Aang…" he began in a trembling tone, raising an arm to point into the distance, "You jinxed us."
Aang turned his head in the direction Sokka indicated, groaning inwardly at what he saw. The Fire Nation clipper surged down the river at incredible speed, jetting out puffs of black smoke as it made its unrelenting approach. Aang immediately scrambled to his feet, mildly panicked. "It's Zhao," he determined upon closer inspection of the approaching vessel, "Everybody get on Appa now!"
"How did he even find us?" Katara cried as she and Sokka made a desperate grab for their belongings scattered along the bank before making a run for Appa. "Is he part bloodhound fox?"
However, while everyone else had sprung into activity in preparation for retreat, Zuko resolutely stood his ground. "No. I'm not running again."
Aang whipped around to face him in gaping incredulity. "You want to face him?"
"I ran from him on Kyoshi, but I won't do it this time."
"Are you nuts?" Aang cried, "He has a complete arsenal at his disposal! We've got us and Sokka's boomerang!"
"I don't care," Zuko replied evenly, seemingly unaffected by the clipper bearing down on them with ferocious speed, "I know exactly what I'm doing. If we run, he'll follow us and it will just keep happening over and over and over. I want to end this right now."
Although his training and upbringing as an Air Nomad dictated that he retreat in order to avoid a confrontation, Zuko's headstrong obstinacy would not allow him to meekly turn the other cheek this time. He struggled with the knowledge that, in that moment, he was dismissing everything the monks had ever taught him while simultaneously acknowledging with the reality that the monks were no longer there to guide him. Moreover, considering that his entire race had been wiped from the face of the world, Zuko had to question whether their philosophies on violence and deadly force had been wise after all. The irrefutable fact was: the Air Nomads no longer existed and the Fire Nation roared on.
Zuko was alone now, accountable to no one but himself. He had to make the decisions he thought was right. If Zhao wanted to keep coming after him, then that was fine, but Zuko would stand and defend himself and he'd make no apologies for it.
"Aang! Zuko!" Sokka called anxiously from atop Appa's saddle, "You wanna get over here? Hello! Imminent death approaches!"
Rather than answering Sokka, however, Aang regarded Zuko with a penetrating stare. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Zuko bobbed a terse nod. "I'm sure."
Though it was evident Aang clearly thought the decision was suicide, he didn't turn his back on Zuko. In fact, he squared his shoulders with a deep, determined breath. "I'll stand with you then," he vowed.
That resolve was put to the test mere seconds later when a flaming boulder crashed into the center of their camp and set it alight. As the area erupted into noisy flames, the four teens sprang into decisive action. While the boys ran up the river bank to intercept Zhao's men, Katara hopped down from Appa and did her best to bend water up from the river onto the shore in order to abate the flames. Momo did his part as well, filling Aang's helmet with water and dousing out little fires where he could. More flaming boulders careened into the camp.
In an effort to stop the attacks, Aang shot forth a flaring line of fire at the bow of the ship and set it on fire. As he anticipated, Firebenders came pouring out of the smoking heap mere seconds later. While the deckhands scrambled to control the blaze Aang had caused, their counterparts emerged blasting.
Three soldiers charged Zuko immediately. Eyes narrowed, he launched himself into the air on a column of wind and delivered a sweeping roundhouse kick that sent the first two tumbling back in a confused tangle of arms and legs. The last Zuko swept off his feet with a gliding current of air. The Firebender sailed high and came crashing back to earth seconds later, landing on his back with a bone crushing thud.
While those three struggled to recover, another two set their sights on Sokka. He instinctively ducked the incoming attack of the first one, covering his head reflexively and inadvertently tripping his assailant so that the Firebender tripped over him went tumbling head over heels. Surprised by the turn of events, but recovering quickly, Sokka clipped the second Firebender in the knee with the heavy end of his hand crafted club, taking him to the ground. With the Firebender's keening howl of pain echoing in his ears, Sokka ducked and dodged a similar path through the approaching storm of soldiers, clubbing the enemy whenever and wherever he could.
In the center of it all, Aang and Zhao faced off with one another yet again. "How can you even bear to show your face among these men?" Zhao spat out in disgust, "You're a traitor to your own people!" He punctuated that harsh accusation by blasting a storm of fire from both fists at Aang, igniting everything within the trajectory to his target as he did.
Aang brought his forearms up and together to block the attack and then surged through the crackling wall in a bounding flip. "I'm doing this for my people," he retorted as he vaulted forward, kicking off a series of rapid fireballs from the bottom of his feet as he flipped forward, "Who are you fighting for, Zhao?" He regained his footing with the last word of that question so that he and Zhao were standing practically nose to nose.
Growling with fury, Zhao attacked again, arcing his arm fist forward in a vicious, fiery uppercut. Yet again, Aang blocked him, simultaneously punching his fist forward into Zhao's midsection. The Admiral grunted, but did not relent. They traded off blow after blow of deadly bending, with Zhao igniting the surroundings and Aang desperately attempting to abate the flames and subdue Zhao at the same time. In the center of a fiery ring, they circled one another like two caged lions. Zhao knew that he would never be able to out-bend the gifted, young prince but, he concluded as he surveyed the surrounding trees and brush, he could distract him enough to defeat him that way.
Zhao's eyes narrowed with dangerous intention, but before he could carry out his destructive plan he was abruptly knocked aside by a sharp blast of wind. He made painful, smacking contact with the trunk of a nearby tree before slumping to the ground with a low groan. When he finally managed to push himself upright, he discovered the Avatar, the prince and their Water Tribe friend closing in on him.
"Give it up, Zhao," Zuko commanded implacably. "You're surrounded now!"
"Guess again, Avatar!" Zhao spit back as refreshed troops began pouring from the recently doused clipper, "It would seem that you are the one who is surrounded." He smirked at Zuko defiantly. "What are you going to do now, boy?" Zhao sneered at Zuko, gaining confidence as his troops closed in. "Why would I fear a weak, pathetic little Airbender like you? You're nothing! Just like your people were nothing!"
Pushed to the brink, Zuko emitted a low growl of fury and drew back his arm, driven by the deep seeded need to shut Zhao up and wipe the smile off his face. However, before he could deliver the blow the air around them suddenly rumbled with the stiff, rushing sound. Seconds before the wall of wind slammed into them, Zuko automatically encased himself and his friends in a protective bubble of air. As everyone and everything outside of that bubble was rocked by the gale force wind created by Appa's mighty tail, Zuko, Aang and Sokka managed to stay in place. The river billowed and surged with the wind, upsetting Zhao's clipper and almost capsizing it.
Katara landed Appa directly in front of them a few seconds later. "Hurry up and get on," she commanded anxiously.
As the others quickly scrambled up onto Appa's back, Zuko hesitated. He turned back to deliver a powerful gust of wind, creating another turbulent wave on the water, which managed to overturn Zhao's already unsteady vessel completely. The heavy hunk of metal heaved and bobbed before turning onto its side. The ship immediately began taking on water.
After a long, lingering look at his deed, Zuko turned away, his features hardened with resolved satisfaction. Finally, he bended himself atop Appa's head. The entire time Zuko could feel his friends' worried stares boring into his back, but he made a conscious effort not to turn around and address them. Instead, he swept up Appa's reins and sent them airborne with a sharp command of "yip, yip."
****
The messenger approached the Firelord's throne room fairly quivering with fear. He paused at the entrance to take a massive gulp of air for fortitude and utter a quick prayer to the spirits to preserve him. When he was sufficiently composed, he entered with his head respectfully bowed.
Shooting flames concealed the Firelord's face from the messenger's eyes, not that he would have dared to meet his majesty's gaze even if it were not so. He fell to his knees before the throne and prostrated himself. "My lord," he began humbly, "I bring word to you from Admiral Zhao."
"What news from Zhao? Can I expect him soon?"
After clearing his throat several times, the messenger replied meekly, "Th-There h-have been s-some delays…"
"What kind of delays?" The Firelord's indignant hiss accelerated the flames before his throne, filling the large, spacious room with baking heat.
"Admiral Zhao's efforts to reacquire your son and capture the Avatar have met with some challenges, my lord," the messenger explained quickly.
"Zhao is an incompetent idiot!" Ozai fired in displeasure, "I suppose taking two children into custody is too large a task for him!"
"He sends word that he is doubling his efforts, majesty," the messenger squeaked.
"Enough with his efforts," Ozai declared softly. "Take this message to Admiral Zhao. Tell him that his duties, until further notice, are to handle the small uprisings taking place in the Earth Kingdom…if he can manage it! When he proves to me that he can accomplish those small tasks then perhaps I will trust him with greater responsibility!"
"And…and the Avatar and p-prince, my lord?" the messenger queried shakily.
Ozai narrowed his eyes at the messenger's presumptuousness. "I have someone more qualified in mind to complete that task," he spat pointedly, "Someone who will not disappoint me again and again. Now go! Get out of my sight and deliver my message!"
"Yes, my lord."
After the messenger had excused himself, genuflecting compulsively the entire way, a lone, lean figure stepped from the shadows of the Firelord's throne room and leaned casually into one of the supporting pillars. "When do you expect me to leave?"
"Gather a team of your choosing," Ozai commanded, "You are to serve as my emissary. Make sure you have all you need for the journey and do not return home without them."
"As you wish…my lord."
"And Azula?" the Firelord added as she started to turn away and exit the room. For a moment, her heart knocked in her chest in the wild expectation that he would finally recognize her for something more than just his glorified flunky. She held her breath, slowly pivoting back to face him. Once she had, he finally spoke, but not the words she had been hoping to hear. "Bring him back. Do not fail me."
She didn't have to ask which "him" he meant. Even with the Avatar returned, Azula knew her brother still managed to take precedence where the Firelord's attention was concerned. She hated Aang for that, but…she hated the man before her even more.
"Don't worry, Father," she promised with a menacing smile, "I'll make sure that we all get what we want."
