Chapter Thirteen: Vengeance

Another day passed, and Katara, Sokka, and I were enjoying breakfast. Sokka sneered at Jeong Jeong, who was leading Aang to some other location to train, before taking a bite out of his fish. I shook my head and continued eating my rice. I couldn't blame him for being wary, and it wasn't fair that I couldn't share my recent discovery with the group. Although, I doubt it would ease his fears.

"Sulking isn't going to change anything, Sokka," I said.

"Not like there's anything else to do." He grumbled. "We're being forced to sit around, so Aang can learn evil Fire Nation tricks."

Katara sighed. "He's the Avatar. He has to learn all four elements, which includes fire-bending."

"Besides, Sokka, staying here hasn't been so bad." I smiled. "I managed to get Chey to lend me some toys from his bomb collection."

"Except we don't need bombs or fire-bending. We need to go to the North Pole before something else bad happens." Sokka set his bowl down. "I mean how do we know that the Fire Nation didn't track us here? What if Jeong Jeong turns us in?"

"He won't." I took another bite of rice.

He narrowed his eyes. "How do you know?"

"Because I normally don't care for anyone from the Fire Nation, but Jeong Jeong seems alright to me. Stop worrying. We'll be fine," I said.

We spent the rest of the morning trying to keep busy. I decided to continue practicing and began my stretches. I watched Katara, who had moved further down the river, so she wouldn't disturb the tribesmen while she practiced. It was impressive how fluid her movements were, and I raised an eyebrow when I saw her bend parts of the river into ice.

Water was, without a doubt, the most malleable element in the way it changed form. However, like with earth-bending, Katara needed a source, or else she would be helpless. Fire was unique, for it came from within the bender's own energy. Air, on the other hand, was everywhere, and I wondered how far I could push its limits.

Aang had said that I needed to be one with the air around me. The slightest change in the breeze could mean anything, and being able to react in time could save my life. As I took my stance and began weaving around, I could feel the benefits. Subtle wisps of air brushed across my skin, and at their slight push, I changed direction.

Traditional air-bending will be beneficial, but I don't want to give up my old skills either. I furrowed my brow. Maybe there's a way combine them into a new form?

I knew it hurt Aang's feelings when I told him that I'd never be a true Air Nomad like he wanted, but I had to be honest with him. I couldn't deny who I was, so he could turn me into a replica of the past. While it might sound cruel, I felt that if our people weren't able to survive the war then something had to change. The next generations would have to be stronger and fiercer for whatever fate may befall our world. After all, there was still a fifty percent chance that we wouldn't win this war, which meant we had to be prepared for anything.

"You're getting better."

I dropped my stance and turned around to see Aang standing behind me. "You're done already?"

"No. I need to speak with Jeong Jeong, but he's gone right now." He frowned. "I'm tired of him wasting my time with all of these breathing exercises."

"Honestly, Aang, why are you being so impatient?" I returned to my stance and started circling the air around me. "The key to fire-bending is through breathing. You can't expect to master it if you're unwilling to learn the basics."

"And how are you such an expert?" he said.

"I told you before–" I switched up my movements. "I used to study the soldiers I fought against. You'd be surprised how much you can learn just by watching other people."

"Yeah, well I don't have time for all of that. I need to defeat the Fire Lord before the comet arrives." Aang pouted and sat on the ground. "If Jeong Jeong would just teach me how to make fire and shoot it, we would've been on our way to the North Pole by now."

I rolled my eyes. "Great idea. I'm sure you'll defeat the Fire Lord with a few weak blasts. If this is how you approach learning the rest of the elements, you're gonna get yourself killed."

"What else am I supposed to do? Nobody understands the pressure I'm under." He threw his arms in the air. "I'm trying my best to be the Avatar even though I don't know what I'm doing most of the time. I'm… I'm just one kid."

Aang hugged his arms around his knees, his gaze drifting toward the ground. I sighed and sat beside him. He was right. He was just a kid with the fate of the world on his shoulders, and it didn't help that he lacked the focus and maturity that was needed to handle it.

"Listen, Aang, in the short time I've known you, I can see that you have what it takes to be a great Avatar. You're clever, you have talent, and you have a good heart." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "But you need to toughen up. This war is pressuring on everyone, but we're all doing what we can despite how hard, or painful, or stressful it might be. And you…."

"What are you doing here?" Jeong Jeong approached us. "I did not tell you to stop, boy!"

Aang looked at him. "I've been breathing for hours. I got bored."

"You want to stop breathing?" Jeong Jeong said.

"I want you to stop wasting my time." Aang stood. "I already know how to squat, and breathe, and feel the sun. I wanna know how to shoot fire out of my fingertips."

Jeong Jeong stared at him and heaved a heavy sigh. "I once had a pupil who had no interest in learning discipline. He was only concerned with the power of fire, and how he could use it to destroy his opponents and wipe out the obstacles in his path. But fire is a horrible burden to bear. Its nature is to consume, and without control, it destroys everything around it. Learn restraint, or risk destroying yourself and everything you love."

Jeong Jeong returned to his hut. I watched Aang furrow his brow and sit back down.

"So what do you want to do?" I said.

Aang looked at me. "What do you mean?"

"You coerced Jeong Jeong into training you even though he said you weren't ready, and now all you do is fight him on everything." I stood up. "So you have two options. Either you start taking this seriously, or I'm telling Katara and Sokka to pack up for the North Pole."

His eyes widened. "But we can't leave…."

I folded my arms and gave him a stern look. "Then make a decision."

"Tashi's right." Sokka walked over to us. "We've already wasted enough time here, and I don't trust these guys."

Pursing his lips, Aang sighed and slowly made his way over to Jeong Jeong's hut.

"We should leave right now," Sokka said.

Katara walked over. "Let's give Aang one more day, and if it still isn't working out, then we'll go."

"Fine." Sokka walked over to Appa and climbed into the saddle.

He muttered under his breath while sharpening his boomerang. Katara shared a glance with me and shook her head.

I stretched my arms. "I'm going to go for a walk. I'll be back before evening."

"Wait." She held up her hand. "I was wondering if we could spar?"

"Really?" I said.

She nodded. "Yeah. I've been watching you, and it'd be nice to practice with someone who's closer to my level."

"Excuse me?" I feigned a gasp and placed a hand over my heart. "I'll have you know that I'm a seasoned fighter with plenty of skills, and I can get pretty dangerous if you get me in the wrong mood."

Katara raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips. "I meant your air-bending, and from what I've seen, it could use a lot of work."

"Oh. Then we'll just have to see who's the bigger amateur." I turned to leave. "After I finish my walk."

"Don't take too long. Wouldn't want you to be tired," Katara called after me.

I waved her off and wandered down the shore, following the path of the river. For the first time in a while, I took in my surroundings and enjoyed the tranquility of the forest. Smiling, I decided to give my legs a workout and started running. I kept my pace fairly average, but it was enough to satisfy my desire to have the wind swirling all around me.

However, my moment of bliss was short lived as the scent of smoke caught my nose. I stopped running and searched the area. I could see birds fleeing from a section of the forest up ahead followed by plumes of smoke.

This can't be good. I frowned. Where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's Fire Nation.

I rushed over to investigate, but before I could get close, I saw several of Jeong Jeong's tribesmen friends run toward me from the opposite direction.

"What's going on?" I said.

"Fire Nation soldiers." One of the men grabbed my arm. "Hurry. We must return to the camp."

"Who is it?" I said.

"There's no time." The tribesman pulled me along. "Hurry."

"You guys go warn the others. I'm gonna check it out." I slid my arm out of his grasp and rushed back toward the smoke, ignoring the tribesmen's protests.

I continued until I reached the edge of the cliff. Below, I spotted three Fire Navy boats making their way up the river, and they were being headed by Zhao. My blood boiled at the sight of him. How did he find us? Had the word spread from that colonial village? Whatever the reason, I wasn't going to let him get any further. Today, I would have my revenge.

Time to finish this. I took a few steps back.

Charging forward, I leapt toward one of the boats, and I sent a blast of air at the soldier closest to me, knocking him away. I tucked and rolled as I landed on the deck, dodging the fireball that was sent my way.

"Stop the boats!"

At Zhao's command, the boats came to a halt, which threw the soldiers around me off balance. I air-kicked the one in front of me out of the way and hopped on top of the cabin. Taking a deep breath, propelled myself to the boat Zhao was on. However, before I could reach him, I was surrounded by more soldiers. I stood my ground with my whip, ready to lash at the first soldier to make a move.

"That's enough, men." Zhao held up his hand. "She's not going anywhere."

Seeing his smug expression, I glared at him and put my whip away.

"You really are foolish if you thought you could take me and my men all by yourself." He smirked. "Although, it makes everything easier for me."

"That's what you think." I pulled two bombs out of my pockets and ripped the strings off with my teeth to ignite them.

The soldiers surrounding me retreated when I dropped them. Luckily for them, I only had smoke bombs, but their confusion gave me the leverage I needed. With two large blasts, the smoke engulfed the deck of the boat, allowing me to slip away.

Zhao coughed. "Fools! Apprehend the air-bender!"

Following his voice, I bended a gust of air at Zhao that knocked him toward the edge of the deck. I charged forward and leapt for him, sending both of us crashing into the river. As we submerged under the water, my hands went for his throat. This was my moment. At last, I would avenge my family, my village, and myself. I would rid the world of this horrible monster forever.

A few bubbles of air escaped his lips, and Zhao grasped my wrists to pry me off. Despite my rush of adrenaline, he was stronger than me and was able to force me back. Air bubbles spewed from his nose, and his hands burned through my sleeves and into my skin. I held back a gasp as he tackled me down against the riverbed.

The force of my back hitting the rocks shoved what little air I had left from my lungs. Zhao grinned and held me in place, hoping to drown me. My vision blurred, but I could feel his grip loosen as he ran out of air as well. Gritting his teeth, he released me before I could pass out and swam back to the surface. I followed suit, clawing at the water in desperation, and I resurfaced a few seconds after him.

However, there was no time to flail around like a wounded animal. I took a few breaths before lunging at Zhao and grabbing him by his topknot. I yanked down as hard as I could, dragging him back under the river. So long as I could keep him submerged, I would have a chance. Keeping my grip on his topknot, I pulled out one of my knives and went for his throat, but he swiped at me with his fist, causing me to slash his face instead.

Zhao let out a scream that almost sounded like a roar, and the water started bubbling around us. The water closest to him grew warmer until it became burning hot, and I quickly swam out of his range. I resurfaced again only to duck under from the barrage of fireballs the soldiers above were throwing at me.

My eyes went wide as Zhao took hold of me. He wrapped his right arm around my waist, and his left hand covered my nose and mouth. I struggled against him, but he was able to hold me firmly in place as he brought us to the surface. At the sight of their Admiral, the soldiers ceased their attack, and a chill ran down my spine when I felt Zhao's breath against my ear.

"You have a lot fire in you for a pathetic air-bender. I could use that kind of viciousness in my ranks. Tell you what–" He tightened his grip on me. "Help me capture the Avatar, and I'll let you live. As an Admiral, I can grant you protection. All you have to do is surrender your allegiance to the Fire Lord."

I bit his hand, making him remove it. "Never!"

His hand clamped over my throat. "Do you really believe a mere child can defeat the greatest nation in the world?"

"Right now. No." I continued to struggle. "But I'm gonna help make sure Aang has every chance to in the future, and that includes not betraying him to a monster like you."

He snarled in my ear, "I'm going to enjoy torturing you."

Ensnaring his hand into my hair, Zhao slammed my face into the rocks, and I was done.