Chapter 49 – Zuko's Lead

Disclaimer: I own nothing


"Ow! Stop poking me!" Aang protested, still wriggling as he walked, his wrists tied behind his back with a rope made of tight Water. Kuzon was sobbing next to him.

From the side, from among the trees, voices echoed. "Over here! I hear something!"

The Bone Witch prodded Aang's back one more time for good measure. Then, she drew a Water Sigil and flicked her wand up. A ring of white energy expanded from her, making Aang shiver. That spell had driven Momo crazy; the lemur had attacked the boys like some rabid monkey before flying off into the Forest.

Up ahead, safe in the Tree Fairies' trails, Zuko, Suki, and Asami watched the whole thing as they raced to keep up with the Bone Witch, a leaf over one eye.

"Oh, no…" Suki said, eye aiming to the left. "The ice wolves have just gone crazy."

"Frenzied Fang Incantation", Zuko muttered, keeping an eye on the Witch and their friends. "How did Aang get here anyway? I thought he was playing exploding tag with Ping and Poi on the west side."

"Probably keeping Kuzon company", Suki guessed, her fist squeezed tight; clearly, she was impatient, itching for the fight. "Kuzon's been begging Master Malu to let him help at the Menagerie as usual, but with Korra's kidnapping…"

"We have to get down and help", Zuko decided.

"Hold it", Al said, suddenly stopping.

"Look!" Asami exclaimed, looking through the leaves at the other side, her lips pale. "Metal Mages on that clearing there. They're wounded. We have to help."

"We can't", Al said curtly. "You must follow me."

"Al, they're hurt", Zuko said calmly, not budging.

"I know that", Al snapped. "You humans have an amazing grasp of the obvious. But, you must prevail upon this path. You need to expel the Witch from the Forest."

"What about those wounded Metal Mages?" Asami demanded.

Al stopped abruptly. He turned to face them. "Who am I?"

"What?" Asami balked.

"Who am I?" Al crossed his arms, looking impatient.

"You're… um, Al? Aye-Aye? Caretaker of Forbidden Forest?" Suki tried.

"Exactly", Al said. "Caretaker of the Forbidden Forest. I don't give a flipping whoop about what happens to humans who foolishly wander into the Forest."

"Then why should we follow you? In case you're forget, we're the humans who foolishly wander into the Forest ", Zuko said angrily. "Come on", he tucked his leaf into his pocket. "We jump over. Don't worry, we won't break anything. Part of the magic."

"Hey, hold it now, little boy!" Al protested.

A petulant raspberry later, Zuko fell through rustling leaves and branches, and landed soundlessly on the grassy ground below. Asami and Suki landed after him, giving him a heart palpitation by the speed they fell, but they touched down just as softly.

"Over here", Asami whispered and led the way to the clearing a short stride away.

"Oh… wow…" Suki muttered as they took in the scene.

Eight Metal Mages in total were strewn all over the clearing. Patches of frost and icicles marred the grassy ground. Two of the Metal Mages were completely encased in ice. Three others were partially trapped in ice, one of which was unconscious, frozen to a tree.

Suki nudged Asami. "You're better at Transfiguration than me", she pointed at the frozen Mages. "Zuko, come on", he pulled Zuko towards the nearest not-iced Mage.

In a blink of light, Al appeared in front of them.

"Stop this at once", the spirit commanded.

"Get out of the way, Al", Zuko growled.

"I can't let you waste time on these people", Al said, condescension dripping. "The Forbidden Forest needs you, Zuko Kai! The bone Witch cannot be allowed to roam free."

"Oh, for nut's sake! What am I supposed to do about it?" Zuko nearly screamed. "If you want to stop the Witch, these are the people you need, not me!" Zuko heaved. "I'm just a kid!"

Al narrowed his eyes. "You're more than just a kid, Zuko Kai", he said. "You are exactly what the Forest needs. Do you think it was a coincidence that you faced the Bone Witch twice and survived?"

"Pure luck", Zuko said. "And I had a lot of help. And I was on my way to get one of those helpful people when you showed up."

"The one you seek, you won't find", Al said curtly. "How about this?" he turned to the clearing. A small breeze flew past, bringing a collection of leaves and petals; they solidified into numerous Tree and Flower Fairies, two or three for each fallen Mage. "We'll take care of these humans—"

"And everybody else who are wounded too", Zuko added quickly.

Al sighed. "Humans are so demanding", he said. "Alright, we'll save everyone and get them out. In exchange, you, Zuko Kai, will get the Witch out of this Forest! Her presence and that cursed Incantation of hers are upsetting the balance."

"Deal", Zuko extended a hand. Al looked like Zuko had just handed him a piece of nue dung.

"I'm not touching that!"

-0-0-0-0-0-

Five minutes, lots of arguments, and a couple of threats from Suki later, Zuko begrudgingly led the girls back across the Tree Fairies' trails (they refused to leave). Through their surveillance leaves, they saw that Al kept his part of the deal. Fairies of all kinds descended upon the wounded and began assisting them. The Tree Fairies conjured vines to bind wounds and broken bones. Fire Fairies – manifesting as humanoid wind with twirling ash and ember inside – made quick work of the ice trapping the men. Flower Fairies flew around, acting as sentries. Rock Fairies, with their solid bodies made of the very earth, carried the wounded to safety.

"Found them", Zuko spied the Bone Witch ahead, casting a stream of white beam at the veil of thick hanging vines. A protective wall of energy held her spell back. Aang and Kuzon were kneeling on the ground behind her, wrists tied behind their backs.

"So, Zuko, what's the plan?" Asami whispered.

Zuko faltered. "Why do I have to come up with the plan?" Zuko demanded in a hiss. "You two are the smart ones."

Suki shrugged. "Well, Al said you're the… 'chosen one'", she made an air quote. "So, what's the plan, Neo?"

"Uh… darn…" Zuko racked his brain. "Well, I have an idea but…"

"But…?" Suki prompted.

Zuko patted his Book of Shadows and a specific Fire Sigil floated up. "You're gonna need this spell."