Avatar Zero

Chapter 12: Seeing Shinglo

Sukuso didn't dream again the rest of the trip. Days after he dreamt of his father, the ship reached Shinglo City's port. Sukuso was once again allowed on the deck as they arrived.

Shinglo City was a little smaller than Sanyun City, but not by much. The buildings were wooden instead of stone like in Sanyun. They were different than anything he had ever seen in the earth kingdom, and looked both strong and beautiful.

Sukuso studied the city as they tied the boat to the dock. He wondered what awaited him there, and what the fire nation was going to do with him.

Kunju came up to Sukuso's side, smiling.

"We're finally home," he said.

Sukuso closed his eyes smugly.

"Maybe you are," he muttered.

"Your father was from the fire nation," Kunju insisted. "I'm sure he was born not too far from this very city. These people . . . they are your people just as much as they were Uku's."

"I'm not denying my fire nation blood," Sukuso clarified. "Like it or not, part of me is of the fire nation." He looked at Kunju. "But part of me is also of the earth nation. I was raised there. That is home." He looked away again. "My bloodline doesn't change that."

Kunju looked at him, then let out a laugh.

"At least you've accepted your heritage," he said. "That's a start."

Sukuso looked back at him.

"When do I get to find out what it is you want with me?" he asked. "What am I doing here? What do you want?"

"All in good time," Kunju told him. "First, let's make sure the preparations for your stay have been made."


Kunju took Sukuso to a large, three story house near the edge of town. Inside, waiting for them, was an elderly man with a long white beard. He was looking at them with calm, dark brown eyes. He was dressed in a long, silk robe.

"Kunju," the man said, bowing slightly, "welcome back to Shinglo. It has been a very long time." He looked at Sukuso. "And this must be the son of the late General Uku." He bowed again, lower this time. "You honor us."

"His name is Sukuso," Kunju introduced. "I understand we will be staying here."

"Yes," the man nodded. "Your rooms are ready."

"Thank you," Kunju smiled. "It's been years since I've been able to relax in the comfort of my home country." He looked at Sukuso. "This, boy, is Tai Ling, the leader of this city."

"Tai Ling?" Sukuso asked.

That's the man Mister Morsung spoke of! He remembered.

"I hope you enjoy your stay in my home, Sukuso," Tai Ling stated. "I will make sure that it is as pleasant as possible for you. I can only imagine what it must feel like, being so far from the place your grew up."

Sukuso didn't say anything. He just looked away.

"You've had a long journey," Tai Ling observed. "The baths have already been lit. You may use them when you are ready."

"A nice hot bath sounds good," Kunju said. "Don't mind if I do."

Kunju put his hands on Sukuso's shoulders and started to push him forward.

"And you really need one," he said. "Come on!"

"Don't push me!" Sukuso snapped.

"Don't make a fuss, boy!" Kunju ordered. "You smell! Just come take a bath!"

"Let me go!" Sukuso struggled.

Kunju pushed Sukuso down a hall, leaving Tai Ling standing by himself. Another man entered the room coming from another hallway. He was a little taller than Tai Ling, and in his mid forties. He had black hair and brown eyes. He was smiling slyly.

"So that is the son of Uku," he muttered. "He does resemble him."

"How long will you keep him here?" Tai Ling asked, turning to him.

"As long as necessary," the man stated. "Just until we get what we need from him. Until that time, keep him as happy as possible." His smile widened. "We need him to trust us full heartedly."


Sometime later . . .

Sukuso sighed as he looked down at the clean clothes he had been given. He had already put them on, and they were very comfortable, but they were obviously fire nation clothes. The sleeves were orange while the rest of the shirt was black. His pants were black as well.

Sukuso sighed.

Now I'm starting to look like them, he thought.

Sukuso went over to the window. The room they had given him was larger than the supply closet he had been in on the ship, but was almost just as empty. The only things inside was a small cabinet and a mat to sleep on.

The room did have a nice view though. His window over looked the ocean. The sun was beginning to near the horizon. The scenery had become still and quiet.

Out there . . . somewhere . . . Sukuso thought as he looked at the water, is home. I'm sure Zuki Village is in Sanyun by now. I wonder if they're even worried about me . . . if they even miss me . . .

Sukuso sighed.

How am I supposed to get back? He wondered. I'm sure they wouldn't just lend me one of their ships to use. So what can I do?

Sukuso leaned on the window sill and watched the ocean longingly. He was still hurt over working so hard in Sanyun City, and then being taken away from there as he had. How could the fire nation expect him to forgive them after they had forced him away like that?

Sukuso noticed a man walking on the street below his window. He was wearing fire nation armor. The man was looking up at him, but quickly looked away when Sukuso looked at him.

Was he . . . watching me? He wondered.

The man disappeared behind the corner of the house. Sukuso paused, then stood up straight. He crept over to the door and slid it open a crack. He peeked outside.

Down the hall from Sukuso's room, there was another man in armor. He was just standing there, motionless.

They're guarding me, he realized.

Sukuso closed the door again, and then sat on the floor with his back to the door.

They're trying to act like they're treating me like royalty, he thought, but I'm a prisoner all the same.

Sukuso leaned against the door.

But why am I so important to them? He wondered. Just because of my father? They have to want something from me to make sure I don't escape, but what is it?

The door slid all the way open suddenly. Sukuso was leaning against it, and fell backwards.

Kunju looked down at him, a little confused.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Sukuso jumped to his feet and stepped into the middle of the room.

"Ah," Kunju commented, looking him over, "now those clothes suit you much better."

Sukuso wrinkled his nose and turned away. He went back to the window.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"I just want you to meet someone," Kunju justified, stepping into the room.

Another man stepped in behind him. He was probably a little younger than Tai Ling. He had a short gray beard and dark eyes.

"This is Sou Shin," Kunju introduced. "Starting tomorrow, he's going to be your teacher."

Sukuso was surprised. He turned and looked at them.

"Teacher?" he cried. "What do I need a teacher for?"

"Firebending," Sou Shin told him sharply. "I understand you have the gift."

"Yes, but . . ." Sukuso started.

"Sou Shin is the best firebending master in the area," Kunju interrupted. "He taught me everything I know. He'll help you learn how to bend properly."

"I don't need a master!" Sukuso blurted.

Sou Shin stepped forward and bent down a little as if to look him in the eye.

"Kunju tells me you burnt a village to the ground merely by becoming angry," he said. "You must learn to control your power before that happens again. You must not let the gift your father bestowed upon you run rampant."

"My father?" Sukuso asked.

"I knew your father," Sou Shin told him, standing up straight. "He was a great man, and I don't just say that because of his accomplishments as a general. We trained together many years ago. I know that Uku would want his son's power to be maintained."

Sukuso hesitated. He did need to learn how to use his firebending the right way, but would be learning from someone in the fire nation like this be wrong?

"You are here anyway," Sou Shin said. "You might as well learn the firebending techniques during your stay here. I will help you truly find fire."

Find . . . fire? Sukuso wondered. What does that mean?

"So it's settled," Kunju said. "Sukuso will be there tomorrow; I'll see to it."

"I will see the boy then," Sou Shin nodded.

Sou Shin and Kunju turned and started out of the room. Kunju looked at Sukuso before he shut the door.

"Later, Sukuso," he smiled.

Then Kunju shut the door. Sukuso stood there a moment.

"Wait . . ." he muttered. "Did they just decide for me?"


Shortly after . . .

Sukuso watched the guard on the street disappear around the corner. He stood up straight.

Okay, he thought. A guard comes around the house every minute. I should have just enough time . . .

Sukuso climbed out the window onto the roof for the second floor. He carefully went to the corner of the house and jumped down to the first story roof. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and then carefully hopped down to the street. He ran around the corner of the house just as the next guard was coming around the side of the building.

Made it, Sukuso thought, running down the side of the house he was on. I can't be long or they'll notice I'm missing. But I just have to see this place for myself!

Sukuso made his way away from Tai Ling's home. He walked down a city street, taking in all the sights he could.

There were still people working and shopping in the city, despite the day fading. No one seemed to notice Sukuso as he walked around, watching them go about their business.

This isn't the image I had of the fire nation, he thought. I guess because of the war, I had this idea of every person in the fire nation as a soldier, planning world domination. This is not what I expected at all. It's not that much different that Sanyun City.

"Did you hear the rumors?" Sukuso heard a voice ask.

"What rumors?" another asked.

"They say that the late General Uku had a son," the first said, "and that they're bringing him to Shinglo. That ship that arrived today may even be the one that brought him."

Sukuso looked towards them. There were two elderly men sitting outside a shop, talking to each other.

"General Uku?" the second man asked. "I didn't even know he had been married."

"Apparently," the first man said, "the marriage was kept very hush, hush. He even had a son, and we're all just finding out about it. It's very strange."

Sukuso watched them for a moment, and then got up his courage. He walked up to them.

"Excuse me," he said, making the men look at him, "you are talking about General Uku, right?"

"That's right," the second man said.

"Um, did either of you know him?" he asked.

"I didn't meet him," the second stated.

"But I did," the first said seriously. "Very briefly, mind you. He was before your time, so you probably don't know much about him, do you."

"No," Sukuso shook his head. "I've only heard a little. He died before I was born."

"General Uku was brilliant," the man told him. "I learned a lot from him just by listening to him for five minutes. His wisdom was only matched by his skills as a firebender. Uku was more skilled than masters twice his age. I had not met a man like him before, nor have I since. Uku was one of a kind."

"We lost a great hero in that battle," the second man interjected.

"Battle, heh," the first spat.

"What do you mean, sir?" Sukuso asked. "Didn't Uku die in a battle?"

"That's what they said," the man said skeptically, "but I don't see how anyone could kill Uku, seeing how strong he was. I think that something else must have happened to him. Something they don't want us to know. Something they're covering up."

"Oh, you don't know what you're talking about," the second man stated.

"All I'm saying," the first argued, "is that all they did for Uku after he died was put up a small shrine in his honor. There were no services held, no awards given, and they didn't even say what battle he had been killed in. Something is really fishy about that. Uku was such a great general, and loved by the people. It really doesn't make much sense to me, that's all."

Sukuso considered this.

Would the fire nation . . . lie about my father's death? He wondered. Why?

"By the way, boy," the second man observed, "I don't recognize you. What's your name?"

"My name?" Sukuso asked, a little thrown off by the question.

"Yes, your name," the first said. "I don't think I've seen you before either. Yet . . . somehow . . . you do look familiar to me . . ."

"Um," Sukuso said, glancing around, "I have to get going. Sorry!"

Sukuso turned and ran off. He rolled his eyes at himself.

Yeah, he thought mockingly, that wasn't suspicious or anything.

He ran a little faster, heading back to Tai Ling's home.

I've been gone too long anyway, he justified. I really better get back.

Sukuso ran as fast as he could down the street, hoping they hadn't noticed his absence yet. Just as he approached a shop, a girl with black hair came stepping out. He ran into her, knocking them both to the ground.

"Ow!" the girl cried.

"Sorry!" Sukuso apologized quickly. He jumped to his feet and took the girl's hand. He helped her to her feet. "I'm really sorry. I'm in a hurry. Sorry!"

Sukuso ran off again as the girl brushed herself off.

Really have to hurry now! Sukuso thought.


The guard went around the corner of the house. Sukuso ran into the alley he had been in previously and climbed up the wall, using window sills as foot holds. He reached the second roof and went to his window. He quickly climbed inside and closed it just as another guard came around the corner.

Sukuso let out a heavy sigh, but didn't have a chance to catch his breath before the door slid open. A woman in plain clothing with black hair was looking at him.

"Master Tai Ling would like you to join him for dinner," she said.

"Okay," Sukuso said as calmly as he could.

The woman left the room, but stood just outside the hall. Sukuso took a couple deep breaths and exhaled them quickly, trying to slow his heartbeat and breathing. He composed himself and brushed his clothes off a little.

Looks like I made it, he thought. But it was close.

Sukuso went into the hallway and followed the woman downstairs for dinner.


Tai Ling was waiting in the dining room with Kunju and another man and woman Sukuso didn't recognize. Both had black hair and brown eyes. They looked at him as he entered the room.

"Sukuso," Tai Ling said, nodding, "welcome."

"Uh, thanks," Sukuso said, not sure what else to say.

"Have a seat," Tai Ling invited, holding a hand up to the table next to Kunju.

Sukuso went towards the table, but didn't sit next to Kunju. He sat almost two places away from him, and refused to look at him. Kunju just chuckled softly as Tai Ling and the couple stared at him, confused.

"Uh, this is my daughter and son-in-law," Tai Ling recovered. "Sinlu and her husband, Colung."

"Sinlu?" Sukuso blurted.

They stared at him. Sinlu herself seemed especially surprised. Sukuso blushed softly and bowed his head.

"Sorry," he uttered.

Sinlu, he thought, that's the name of the woman Mister Morsung was in love with.

He looked up at Sinlu sheepishly. She was looking at him too. Sinlu was around Morsung's age, but was very beautiful. She didn't show many signs of aging, and her black hair was very neat and shiny. Sukuso had never seen a woman quite like her.

She is pretty, Sukuso noticed. She must be the Sinlu Mister Morsung was talking about. Looks like she was married too. I wonder if she ever thinks about him . . .

The door opened again, and this time a boy a few years older than Sukuso stepped inside. He had black hair and brown eyes, and resembled Sinlu's husband, Colung, quite a bit. He had broad shoulders and a confident expression on his face.

"This is my grandson," Tai Ling introduced. "Boku Lin. Boku Lin, this is our guest, Sukuso."

Boku Lin looked at Sukuso briefly, then sat next to his mother.

"Whatever," he said.

"Show some respect," Sinlu scolded. "This is General Uku's son."

"So what?" Boku Lin asked. "Just because his father was a general means I'm supposed to treat him like one? Not going to happen."

"Boku Lin," Sinlu snapped.

"It's okay," Sukuso said, "really. I don't want to be treated different just because who my father was."

Another figure appeared in the doorway. Sukuso looked up to see a girl his age with black hair and brown eyes. She looked at him, a little surprised. Sukuso went stiff and pale.

That's the girl from the street! He thought nervously.

"Ah, you're back," Sinlu smiled at the girl.

"This is my granddaughter," Tai Ling told Sukuso. "Sukasin."

Sukasin and Sukuso stared at each other, not really sure what to say or do.

"This is Sukuso, Sukasin," Sinlu stated. "He will be staying with us for a while."

Sukasin came into the room and sat across from Sukuso. They both looked down at the table silently.

What do I do? He wondered. What do I do? If she tells them I was out there, I'll get into trouble!

Sukuso didn't notice the plate as it was placed in front of him. He was barely able to do anything at all as the meal progressed. He just sat there and dreaded the moment that Sukasin would say something about him.


Sukuso was taken back to his room after they were finished eating. Sukasin said less than Sukuso did during dinner, and somehow, they left the table without anyone know what had happened.

Sukuso just prayed it stayed that way.

Sukuso went up to his window. There wasn't a guard in sight, but there would probably be one soon.

I need to get out of here permanently, he thought. I can't stay here. It's bad for my heart!

The door opened behind him. Sukuso turned to see Sukasin in his doorway. He looked at her, confused.

"Miss S-Sukasin," he uttered. "Wh-what are you . . ."

Sukasin glanced down the hallway, and then stepped into the room. She closed the door and then went up to him. She looked down the street as a guard was walking by.

Sukasin put a hand on her chin, apparently thinking. Then she looked at Sukuso. She smiled slyly.

"Oh, I see," she stated.

Sukuso jerked slightly.

"S-see?" he stuttered. "Wh-what d-d-do you m-mean?"

"You weren't supposed to be out there, were you," she realized. "There are a lot more guards walking around here than there are usually. They're here 'cause of you, huh."

Sukuso tried to think of how to answer, but nothing came to him. He just stood there stiffly and awkwardly. She pointed at him.

"You snuck out," she observed. "That's why you were in a hurry. You had to sneak back in before you got caught. Then you ran into me."

Sukuso cringed and put his hands together pleadingly.

"Please don't tell anyone," he begged. "Th-they can't find out!"

Sukasin folded her arms and smiled again.

"You realize I own you know," she said.

Sukuso looked surprised.

"Own me?" he asked.

"You can't let anyone find out you were out there," Sukasin observed, "or you'll be in trouble. So if you'd like me to keep your secret, you're going to have to do everything I tell you to. Otherwise, the story of your little excursion might just . . . slip my lips."

Sukuso let out a groan. He had been kidnapped from his home, and now he was being blackmailed. Things weren't exactly going his way.

"All right," he promised. "I'll do whatever you want me to. Just please don't tell anyone."

"Great!" she beamed. "Now, here's what I need you to do first . . ."

Sukasin took his hand and put a few coins into it. Sukuso looked down at them, confused.

"While I was in town," she said, "I saw this really cute comb. It'll look perfect on me. I didn't have the money to buy it then, so I want you to go buy it for me tomorrow."

"What?" Sukuso blurted. "You want me to sneak out again? Why don't you do it?"

"I'm busy tomorrow," she complained. "A girl like me has a lot of studies. But I simply must have that comb soon. If I don't have it to put in my hair, I might just start talking to my grandfather about a boy I met on the streets today . . ."

"Okay, okay," Sukuso surrendered. "I'll do my best if you keep quiet."

Sukasin clapped her hands.

"Perfect!" she smiled. "It's in a little shop not too far from here. You can't miss it. I want the one with the dragon and the flower. Don't let me down!"

Sukasin went towards the door. She was about to open it, but then waved at him.

"Bye, Sukuso!" she giggled. "This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"

Sukasin opened the door and went into the hall. Sukuso stood there, a little stunned.

"Beautiful for who?" he muttered.