Hello to those of you who are enjoying my story. I love writing and I'm glad you all like what I have to write.
My updates are kinda infrequent, sometimes multiple chapters will be written in a day, and other times none at all. I blame my ADHD. I am eager to keep writing this story though.
"Sir the avatar was just approaching the fire nation annual festival in the colonies."
Zuko nodded.
"Thank you, set course for the colonies but don't enter fire nation waters."
"Yes prince Zuko," the man replied.
Iroh came to stand beside him.
"What is your plan prince Zuko?"
"It's time for the blue spirit to make another appearance. I'm not ready to join team avatar but I can ensure that nothing happens to them at the festival."
Iroh stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"I think it is wise for you to wait. Zuko if you are heading into the fire nation then there is something I wish to tell you."
The blue spirit jumped to the next roof. Scaling sheer surfaces was like second nature at this point, and the young man had never been bothered by heights.
The avatar and his companions were wandering around the fire nation not even trying to hide their identities.
If not for the festival masks they would have been arrested in minutes.
Zuko saw many masks at the festival, but none of the blue spirit. That probably had something to do with the wanted posters hung on every post board. Nobody wanted to be mistaken for the masked vigilante and arrested.
While it was concerning that he had to stick to the shadows or attempt to steal another mask, the prince was mostly worried about watching the avatar.
The children acted the way all children do when going to their first festival. The young monk ran around trying to see everything, followed closely by the Water Tribe girl.
The only person in their trio who seemed to have any common sense for hiding was the boomerang boy. Who was quickly sated with festival food.
They walked quickly away from a puppet show endorsing fire nation propaganda.
Zuko jumped to the next roof and slid down into the alleyway. He tied on a long cloak and pulled the hood over his head. The blue spirit mask was lost in the shadows to anybody who didn't think to take a closer look.
Zuko pushed his way through the crowd keeping his sights firmly on the avatar and his companions.
He watched as the girl was pulled into the stage as a volunteer. He mentally cursed like a sailor when the avatar jumped up and revealed his identity.
To say the crowd went wild would be an understatement.
Zuko quickly scaled the building once more. Shedding the cloak and returning to the rooftops.
He chased after the avatar taking shortcuts only obvious from up high.
The blue spirit made an effort to block the alleys they passed through. Pushing over crates and starting fires.
Other times he jumped from the roof and quickly dispatched a group of fire nation soldiers. Knocking them unconscious.
Following the avatar wasn't difficult with all the commotion they made. The most difficult part of keeping pace with them was when he almost got blown up by a bunch of stray fireworks.
The prince followed less closely as they escaped into the forest with a strange man. He took care to cover their tracks more efficiently before following.
The blue spirit climbed higher into the trees as they approached a campsite.
Zuko listened intently as the man explained his story. He recognized the name of master Jeong Jeong, he was taught to be a traitor to the fire nation.
Zuko tensed up. He saw the strangers approaching before the avatar and his companions did. He only remained hidden to keep his cover and because they were dressed similarly to the man, Chey.
True to his first assumption they were with the armed group. They were led down to the river where Chey was sent to speak to master Jeong Jeong.
"This is great! Finally, a Firebender who can teach me."
Zuko doubted the master wanted to teach him. From what he'd heard of Jeong Jeong he was not a pleasant man. Terrified of the fire he wielded.
Zuko slipped away trusting the avatar and his companions could deal with the deserters. He made his way back to the city keeping close to the river.
Zhao would not be far behind. He knows they'll keep close to a water source, and his boats will easily be able to catch up with the rivers.
Zuko found himself a sturdy branch and closed his eyes. He trusted his other senses to alert him. He trusted the fact that he was a light sleeper if he fell asleep. It would be a while before Zhao showed up.
Zuko snapped awake later that evening. Grabbing the tree trunk to steady himself as he remembered why he was there.
Zhao.
Fire nation ships were headed downstream. Using his head start to his advantage the blue spirit made his way back to the camp.
How do I warn them without giving myself away?
Zuko did the first thing that came to mind. He chucked a rock at one of the scouts. It hit the tree just beside his head.
"What the–!"
They ran over to the river to search for the assailant.
"Fire nation ships," one of the scouts said.
"Let's go warn the others."
The scouts ran off and the blue spirit sneaked into a position to board the nearest ship as it came down the river. High up on a branch ready to drop the first chance he got.
The blue spirit didn't need to wait long and after dropping onto the ship lightly he find a hiding place on top of the roof.
A wall fire went up across the river. The ships turned to dock sooner than expected.
As the ships came to a stop and fire nation soldiers moved ashore the masked prince slid down to the backside of the boat. Hidden from sight he awaited the action. The avatar would not leave the deserter to face Zhao alone.
Sure enough, Aang came running back.
"You were Jeong Jeong's student!"
"Until I got bored," Zhao replied throwing a ball of fire at him.
The blue spirit used this moment to act. He jumped down from the ship and kicked the admiral from behind.
"You're here," the avatar said ecstatically. Has he already forgotten I'm his enemy? Technically Zuko had yet to inform the avatar of his changing sides.
Unfortunately, Zhao recovered quickly and threw a vertical wall of flame behind him. The masked figure dissipated it.
"Firebender," the admiral growled.
Zuko attacked again pushing the admiral back. The young avatar joined him when the girl Katara was heard crying out. A glance at her revealed her fighting three soldiers, one of which had burned her.
"Katara!"
The blue spirit left the avatar to fight Zhao alone.
Katara who was now defenseless against the soldiers, unable to bend due to the burns on her hands shielded her face. It was unnecessary. The ending blast never came.
The masked prince had stepped in front of her extinguishing the flames. He fought against the soldiers as well as the four more that came to assist their comrades. Blades slicing through the air.
Katara wasted no time shoving her arms in the water up to her elbows. Zuko almost allowed himself to get distracted by the glowing water.
Soon they were fighting side by side. The blue spirit knocked the majority of them out.
"Katara!"
The two looked over to see the water tribe boy and the avatar climbing the bison.
The waterbender turned to thank her savior to find there was nothing there. True to his name the blue spirit had simply vanished.
High up in the trees the prince watched the group reunite. The fire nation ships were up in flames. The avatar was much more cunning than many people assumed.
The blue spirit leaned against the tree and watched the avatar and his friends fly away on their bison.