A/N: It's just after sunset on Aang's first day out of the iceberg.
I don't own A:TLA, they belong to Nick Mike & Bryan.
Please review (if you want to) - give me your opinions on my writing quality and/or style, characterizations, plot and so on, or anything else. Thanks.
The smooth, unblemished ice belied the chaos engulfing the sinking Fire Nation ship only a stone's throw away. A false sense of tranquility floated on the wind, the world silent apart from the subsiding cracking of the ice and the distant rumbling of the water rushing into the metal hull. Rising slowly into the cloudless sky, the moon seemed to gaze sadly at the pair of siblings standing so close, yet so far apart.
Why? A single thought parted the cloud of emotions swirling around Katara's mind. For an impossibly long moment Aang had stood on the edge of the sinking ship and stared at her as if considering whether to escape or not. Then he had made his choice, backing away into the cavernous hangar of the sinking ship, away from freedom, away from her. Knowing that he had done it for her made it all the harder to swallow.
A distant shout rang out, its strength amplified by the metal hull, and a pair of fireballs flew out of the dark ship towards her. Before she could react, her brother suddenly tackled her to the ground, concealing them both into a cloud of dusty snow as the surprisingly inaccurate missiles flew well over their heads.
Sokka's gaze followed the bright points of light as they disappeared into a distant snow drift, the steam of their dissipating heat barely visible from such a distance and the sound even lesser so.
Zuko emerged onto the deck of the ship and raced to the prow in time to see a pair of fireballs fly well over the heads of the figures below. Why are my men shooting at them-? He focused his gaze on the swirling water beneath the prow and noticed with a start that the ice that had been there only moments before had completely disappeared.
As the prow began to tilt slightly towards the water, Zuko realized rather belatedly that the ship was sinking. Sinking. What?! A thousand anxious thoughts flitted through his head, but a grim finality rose above the swirl of emotions. This is it. This is how it ends. For so long, he had run a fool's errand around the world, searching every single imaginable place that had even a sliver of a chance of harboring the Avatar. He had walked, ridden, and sailed tens of thousands of li through the vast expanses of ocean and land, never giving up on his quest. To everyone else, the endless search for the Avatar carried on by each successive generation of the Fire Nation royalty was a tradition. To Zuko, it was anything but. He was willing to do anything, everything in his power to find and capture the Avatar. An unimaginably powerful drive had consumed his every waking thought and his every action, pushing him to ever-greater heights of desperation for the sake of his goal: Honor.
Zuko saw his last three years flash before him. It wasn't the stunningly picturesque nocturnal Arctic landscape or the thrill of finally capturing the Airbender, the Avatar that prompted it. Rather, it was his realization that the blood, sweat and tears that he had so willingly shed on his quest to capture the Avatar would all be for naught. His ship was sinking, and he, his Uncle and all his men were going to die for sure in the frigid arctic ocean. The rows of lifeboats stored below deck were little solace. They had no way of getting anywhere or sending a message to anyone. All of their hawks were gone, and Zuko guiltily remembered that he had overridden his Uncle - a rare feat - in bypassing the final port stop on their way to the South Pole several weeks earlier.
"Zuko, you know how far we are from the Fire Nation? Three weeks!" Iroh held up his hand and slowly unfurled his fingers for emphasis. This is the farthest we've ever ventured, and he won't take my advice?!
Zuko groaned exasperatedly. "Why do we need to go to port? It's just going to turn into one of your famous shopping trips." Zuko switched into a conciliatory tone. "It's your money and you can spend it however you like, but your stuff is really starting to fill up the ship!"
Iroh shook his head. "We need messenger hawks. The nearest Fire Nation base is on Whale Tail island. Do you know where that is?" Not likely, he thought.
"No, and it doesn't matter! We'll be at the South Pole for a week at the most and then we'll return! We don't need an extra diversion that'll cost us a couple days at the least!"
"I know we probably won't need them, but think of the crew! How will they feel going so far from home without being able to send for help if needed?!" Zuko doesn't have clue how they feel, Iroh thought sadly.
"The crew doesn't matter! This is my ship and my mission! I'll go to the South Pole by myself if I have to! They can all go retire for all I care!" They probably all are old enough to anyways.
Iroh was taken aback at Zuko's last outburst and conceded the point as he sighed dejectedly.
Zuko ignored his Uncle's obvious disappointment and stalked off to the bridge, intent on setting a course for the South Pole.
The truth of the matter was that most of the crew had already retired when Zuko had first set out on his mission. When they had returned from their initial, fruitless search at the Western Air Temple, Iroh had managed to scrounge up a decrepit ship slated for the junkyard. His reputation was so great that despite the near-lunacy of the endeavor, enough men volunteered their services to constitute a skeleton crew. They hadn't even anticipated being paid (for the honor of serving with the famous 'Dragon of the West' was so great), but Iroh, being the generous gentleman he was, couldn't help but reward them from the royal coffers, much to the chagrin of his brother.
Zuko took another step forward and leaned against the railing, holding onto it tightly to stay upright against the slope of the deck. Directly in front of and below him, the Water Tribe girl and her brother returned his gaze, and her intent suddenly became clear. She's the one who collapsed the ice! His hesitation vanished when he considered everything she had taken from him. If I'm going to die out here...He fixed his stare on Katara, whose expression seemed to be one of...bewilderment. Does she even know what she's done?! She wasted my whole day and - Zuko seethed quietly, unable to deny the situation any longer, - now she's sinking my ship. She was tricking me earlier when she showed her bending! She is a powerful bender - Zuko's breath caught in his throat at his rising suspicions - what if she's the Avatar?! Could that be?
All thoughts of caution fled his head as the futility of his efforts became apparent. A sudden urge to set things right, to make the Waterbender pay for doing this to him began to flare within him. Leaning over the side, Zuko briefly judged the distance to the frothing waters below, which were visible in the moonlit night. It's far, but it doesn't matter. Once the ship sinks there's nothing left for me. I might as well make a difference...I'm not going to waste away slowly huddled on a lifeboat. I can't let her - whoever she is, get away with this. A grim thought crossed his mind as he realized his final, possible fate. If she's the Avatar...I have to capture her...or die trying. Maybe I'll finally regain some tiny shred of honor that I once had. Zuko took a deep, shuddering breath, filling his Firebender's lungs with a great mouthful of frigid air that warmed as it expanded within him before taking a single step backwards and tensing his body in preparation for a dive.
Aang could barely contain his surprise when the 'Prince' rushed up the stairs away from him. I guess I'm not that important...or he doesn't think I'm the Avatar anymore. He experimentally wriggled his wrists and managed to expose a loop of rope for his teeth to tug at. For what seemed like an eternity, it was a struggle to clinch even that one length of rope before he finally caught in his mouth and pulled it loose. Aang paused to consider his next move. I could escape now...but then they'd return for Katara. I need to get far enough away so that they won't know for sure where I'm going when I escape. That is, if the ship doesn't sink. Then I won't have anything to worry about. Where is the angry 'Prince' anyways? I thought he would come back for me.
Aang looked down as a babble of voices floated from below, and a mixture of fear and relief washed over him while he continued to wait silently in the dark.
Iroh clenched his fists, trying to calm the frustration and anger clawing within him. We're not dead. That's what matters. I need to find Zuko and alert the crew.
The old General set his lips in a tight line. "Jee...get up. We're not dead yet."
Jee got up cautiously and met Iroh's determined gaze. "I know General, it's just-"
Iroh gently cut him off. "I understand, but we have to hurry. You can tell me later…if we abandon ship, I'm making sure we all get onto lifeboats safety."
Jee glanced inquisitively at the stairwell and Iroh nodded, motioning for him to lead the way through the darkness. While stumbling hurriedly around the corner, he looked back to ensure Iroh was following him and nearly tripped over a figure slumped on the floor.
Wha-?
Iroh heard the shuffling of Jee's feet turn panicked and quickly grabbed him by the shoulders before he could fall.
"What is it?"
"There's something" - no, someone - "on the floor. Bend some fire so I can see."
"It's me. The Avatar." Aang stated blankly. Who are these people? They don't look like the threatening type. Hey! Is that the guy that fell earlier?
Iroh gasped suddenly and jumped back, summoning a flame dagger in his hands. However, as soon as he saw that the Avatar was tied up, and more importantly, a young boy - younger than Zuko, he thought with a start - he reduced it to a small glimmer and turned towards Jee with a confused expression.
"The Avatar?" he sputtered.
"Uh, yes..but there's no time to explain. Let's bring him along and get topside." Why does the General look so surprised? Isn't he the Avatar?
Iroh nodded wordlessly and cautiously approached Aang, who met his narrowed gaze with a bewildered one. He's just a kid...what has Zuko done? "It's alright child," he started gently, "we won't harm you, but we need to take you with us before this area is flooded."
Aang nodded resignedly and tugged his arms away from the wall as far as they could go, exposing the ropes for Iroh to cut. With that, Aang trailed wordlessly behind Jee while Iroh continued to glance backwards for any sign of the rising water.
The last people to get to safety are two old men and a child...what is the world coming too?
When the trio finally emerged on the the deck, Aang was handed off to a pair of guards and imprisoned in the bridge, as the prison hold was currently submerged. Aang offered no resistance as he was led away back into the familiar-looking tower. With a start, he realized the ship was an almost exact replica of the one he and Katara had explored a mere few hours ago, albeit in somewhat better shape - but not much. The memory of their excursion was still fresh in his mind. Hopefully, escaping won't be as hard as I thought.
Iroh and Jee ran over to the side to check the waterline, gasping in relief when they realized that the ship still had a good amount of clearance. Iroh relaxed and sighed deeply, the warmth of his escaping breath creating a haze in the cold arctic air. Well...there's still no time to waste.
"Lieutenant, make sure the helmsman knows what to do. You have the most experience navigating these waters." He paused as a thought occurred to him. "Did you see Zuko come up the stairs?"
Jee nodded before shrugging at Iroh's expectant gaze. "I don't know where he went." Who knows? He doesn't have an assigned duty on the ship...perks of royalty, I guess.
"Ok, thank you Jee." Iroh glanced at the bridge, where a whole cast of shadowy figures raced back and forth frantically. Iroh returned a nod and Jee disappeared into the tower, the loud *clank* of his boots on the metal deck audible over the not-so-distant rumbling of the ocean.
After ensuring that the ship was acceptably safe, Iroh turned away to find his nephew. He didn't have to look far. Zuko's familiar form stood motionless at the very edge of the prow as the ship slowly backpedaled from the shore. He saw his nephew tense, almost as if he was about to jump. No Zuko!
"Zuko!" Iroh roared furiously as he raced towards him.
Katara tiredly rubbed the dusty snow from her eyes to be greeted by the scene of a sinking Fire Nation ship. Instantly, she knew that she was responsible - she had felt herself pushing the ice until it shattered and then pulling the pieces apart. The outline of a gloved hand appeared above her, faint against the dark sky, and she grasped it to help herself up.
She mumbled groggily. "Thanks Sokka." How close was the fire to hitting us?
"No, thanks to you. You're sinking the ship." He gestured to the bow of the ship which had begun to tilt towards the waterline. That was quite genius though...why didn't we think of that - oh right, Katara's the only Waterbender.
Katara shuffled uncomfortably at her brother's praise. "You saw what Aang did, didn't you? He went back in. He could've escaped, but he didn't."
"Yeah...that doesn't make much sense." None of what happened today makes much sense. What's this about the Avatar you and Aang were babbling about?
Katara didn't notice her brother's confusion and continued her diatribe. "Why didn't he escape?! I tried everything to save him, and he just...doesn't accept it." She paused and huffed angrily. "Now he's captured and we have no way of getting to him!"
Sokka couldn't wait any longer. "Katara-"
"Sokka, we have to help him! What if-"
"Katara - I want to help you-" Sokka sighed and turned away slightly from his sister, "-but I don't understand what's going on. This whole day...it's been so confusing for me." Thats an understatement...I need to find out what's going on, now.
Katara finally turned towards him, her heart wrenching at Sokka's pained expression. "I'm sorry...I'm confused too. Things happened so fast today." She paused to consider her next words carefully. "He thinks I'm the Avatar." She broke off anxiously waited for her brother's reaction.
"I...I see what you mean." Is Katara the Avatar? Sokka tried to look at his sister in a new light, but all he saw was the compassionate girl he had known for all his life. She's still my sister, and that's what matters. He turned back towards her and hugged her tightly. It's just like what happened to Mom all over again. His voice wavered slightly as he hugged his sister tighter."I know how you feel about this...but I can't imagine losing you too."
"I know...I'm sorry." It wasn't fair to Sokka, she thought. What does he think of me now? "I wasn't being fair to you earlier...it's just so hard to see him go." She sighed and rubbed her head sadly."I know we just met him today, but I'm sure he's something special." I know it.
Sokka couldn't bear his sister's somber expression any longer or the rising urge to rescue Aang from the menacing ship. "We have to save him."
"I know, but how?" she whispered desperately.
A man in maroon armor warily clambered onto the tip of the prow and stared down at them. A thick tension hung in the air, but the pair of Water Tribers stood their ground and returned the gaze. The two sides silently continued their observations of each other until a distant, throaty cry came over the ship.
"Zuko!"
The name meant nothing to them, and Sokka began churning out a dozen schemes to infiltrate the ship. However, it didn't tale long for him to realize that they were all completely unfeasible. After a moment, he stopped and gazed appraisingly at the scene as a metal ramp began to rise out of the water. Even though the ship was leaning heavily towards the prow, the ramp nevertheless managed to connect with the rest of the hull with a sharp *clank*.
It's not going to sink. Sokka's suspicions were confirmed a moment later when a jet of white steam began billowing frantically out of an open hatch and into the frigid night air, surely a sign of the crew's efforts to remove the water from their ship. He resisted the urge to groan disappointedly and refocused his gaze on the retreating prow of the ship, which rose slightly back out of the water as the ship leveled off.
The tense figure was soon joined by a portlier one, their outlines easily discernible against the starry nighttime sky. The rumbling of water had stopped and the wind had calmed, leaving a fragile silence hanging in the air.
bs13: Thanks for your continued support. Your encouragement never fails to inspire me to continue my story. It's good to know that my characters continue to be on-spot.