Episode 4: Zuko Hates Himself

It was past midnight. When he'd parted ways with the Painted Lady the night before he'd received a ping on his phone. A bounty.

The Blue Spirit hadn't explained to her where he was going, for obvious reasons, she hated the Industry and everything it stood for, but he wasn't convinced yet. She hadn't exactly proven trustworthy. Oh, she believed in her cause, alright. Passionately. But the Industry had done a lot of good things. Increased medicare, cheaper technology for the masses, public transportation…it felt like everything had the Phoenix logo on it these days.

Plenty of the people he'd brought in had put up quite a fight, and they hadn't seemed like upstanding citizens…but it had been too long since he'd stopped checking. When was the last time he'd even noticed what their face looked like? Had he become so obsessed with his education and rising through the ranks of the Agni Kai that he'd forgotten what he was doing here in the first place?

His mind wandered to the more surprising revelation: She was a waterbender.

In a world where bending was thought to be extinct…he should have known from the movements he'd observed her making the first night they'd met. He'd been mesmerized by the way she'd twirled and shifted as the water danced around her. No wonder she'd been so intent on getting her hands on that scroll.

The light tinkling of a bell brought him back to the present and spurred him into motion. He leapt across the nearest rooftop for a better view. He took the time to note their features. The target was not quite what he had anticipated, a young man probably still finishing up his education at the university.

The thrill of the hunt rocked down his spine. The spirit slid down a drainage pipe to land silently on the street before ducking behind some stacked crates. Rescuing helpless ladies had been fun, but this is what he was good at.

"Have a good night!" the target called back into the store. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Don't count on it, the spirit thought.

The target moved away from him toward the back alleys of the downtown slums. Why would a university student be working in the Village anyways? It was simple work to shift through the run down stores and hurdle the heaping stacks of abandoned clutter in the streets.

The moon was just rising overhead when the time to strike came. The spirit clung to the wall of a darkened alley, sliding across the uneven stones until he was level with the target. Just as he pulled out the sedative injection the young man abruptly stopped.

The student's green robes swished as he turned around.

"Who's there?" he demanded of the night. The spirit took the opportunity to creep up behind him, the needle poised and ready, but just as he was about to inject the target, the student turned back.

Zuko froze.

It was Haru.

He'd grown a mustache and a goatee, but it was definitely him. A junior geology major with a minor in business from the East King's Campus. They'd had a class together last year.

Haru moved to hit him, aiming for his stomach. Zuko instinctively redirected the blow and before he could think about what he was doing the needle had been inserted into Haru's neck. The young geologist's eyes rolled to the back of his head just before he crumpled in a heap to the ground.

Zuko surveyed the rooftops, mask in hand, counting the stars as each emerged from the blackening sky.

"Aren't you cold?"

He was just able to make out a girl in loose red and black clothing hurdling over the nearby ledge to his roof. It was Mai, another member of the Agni Kai bounty troupe and one of Zuko's oldest friends. He ignored her question and looked back over the sleeping city.

"I've got a lot on my mind," he said. "Do you every wonder if we're doing the right thing? If we've been asking the wrong questions this entire time?"

"I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for your whole life story." She came over to sit beside him on the ledge. "Don't worry so much. Everything is going to be fine. You're finishing school this year, right?"

Zuko winced thinking about the pre-med class.

"You graduate with honors, your dad names you the next owner of the company and you're done! The place will practically run itself."

For the first time in his life, Zuko wondered if he should actually be okay with that. He hadn't told anyone at school, the public had almost forgotten about the disgraced son of the CEO. His sister got enough attention, everyone thought she was going to be the next leader of the company. If he didn't earn these final grades, his father would never accept him…the position that was rightfully his…he was about to lose it all.

"This your catch for the night?" Mai asked.

Zuko turned to look at Haru who lay in a heap behind him. He had about an hour before the injection wore off. Less than an hour to decide.

"What do they do with them?" he asked.

Mai scoffed. "Why does it matter? They're criminals."

"But what is their crime?" he persisted.

"They're halting the aid sent by Phoenix Industries, did you miss the orientation? I mean really, Zuko, it's like you forgot everything they taught us."

"The only thing I remember being taught was how amazing Phoenix Industries is…how they're the only possible course for the future. Did we ever find out how? Did we ever ask how it started?"

"What are you even talking about?" Mai groaned, leaning back against the air-conditioning unit they were propped against. "What does it matter? We work for Phoenix Industries, isn't expanding a good thing?"

"I guess…" Zuko grumbled.

"They wouldn't send us after these people without a reason." She nodded to Haru. "One day, you'll be in charge of telling people what to do and who to grab, but until then we just have to keep working. I've never doubted Phoenix Industries-" with a light touch she tilted his face towards hers "-I've never doubted you."

He gently pried her hand away. "I'm a nobody, Mai."

"What are you talking about?" she laughed. "The Blue Spirit is a legendary thief these days! That one officer is going crazy looking for you. A top level Agni Kai? Took me years to catch up to you. Valedictorian in your year at the most prestigious university in the country? I'd hardly call that a nobody, Zuko."

"Yeah, but unless I can actually finish, it will be all for nothing…my father might as well have banished me."

"Don't talk like that, you know he wants you to come home."

Zuko wasn't so sure. Did his father even miss him? He'd definitely learned his lesson...

"Have you tried to...y'know?"

His expression darkened, his father's voice ringing in his ears. There's a reason we took the name Phoenix.

"No," he said flatly.

"I'm sorry, I know you said not to ask, it's just... with you graduating soon..." she trailed off then shrugged.

Zuko shook off the thought and changed the subject. "Have you heard of the Painted Lady?"

Mai frowned. "Of course, she's Phoenix Industry's most wanted. I've got my rats out sniffing for any information they can find about her, but so far she's a mystery."

"What do you mean?" Zuko sat up.

"Haven't you heard?" Mai's eyebrows knitted. "She turned over a factory the other day and looted a ship. Something important from the way Zhao's face got all red. There was a briefing and everything, everyone's out looking for her. Five hundred gold pieces, dead or alive."

Zuko choked. Five hundred?! No wonder everyone was out to get her. For that amount of gold the hunters would be forming scouting groups like the ones he'd helped her elude earlier that night. "Is my father insane? There will be riots for that kind of money."

Mai shrugged. "The people love her for some reason. Nobody's talking even though we know she comes through these streets at least three times a week. Ships have been diverted and she's still found ways to strip them of their goods. Prisoners are getting restless, they say she's giving them new hope for their rebellion simply by existing. Your dad isn't happy, there's even been talk of a task force."

"All for one woman?"

Again, Mai shrugged. She wasn't exactly one to get emotionally invested in things, unlike a certain waterbender he knew…

Zuko suddenly realized the danger he'd put himself in by helping her. The Blue Spirit was not exactly a (hidden figure). Sure, people didn't realize it was him, Zuko, crown prince of the Phoenix empire, but they knew he worked for the Agni Kai. Saving her might have brought his allegiance into question. He could have just lost everything.

Zuko stood and pulled on his mask. "I have to go."

He didn't wait for her response, only slung Haru over his shoulder and started his descent to the street.

It was a quick drive to the Industry, a ride he was familiar with, Haru propped up against his back on his motorcycle.

The high outer walls of the keep rose before him, an emblazoned Phoenix shining in gold and red. He wasn't allowed into the main campus yet, not since his father had sent him away, but soon it would all be available to him.

He rode straight through the gate and stopped just short of the drop-off point. The hold for their bounties was a small building, not much larger than the tea shop he worked at, and was surrounded by a fifteen foot high chain link fence on all sides.

Normally, there was a grunt worker who Zuko would show his phone to, scan the catch, be paid for his work, exchange the target, and be on his way within five minutes. Tonight however, there was someone different waiting for him.

"Zhao," Zuko greeted him with a nod.

The older man stood from his chair and walked leisurely towards the fencing. Zhao was Ozai's right hand man, in charge of the family's security detail and tracking of shipments. Other than the founders, Administrator Zhao probably knew more about the company than any other employee. He could often be seen discussing plans with Ozai or overseeing work in the factories. Many thought he might be a possible candidate for inheriting the industry.

Zuko hated him.

"Ah, the Blue Spirit!" Zhao remarked. "I've heard great things about you. Seems you're the best hunter the Agni Kai have seen in decades."

Zuko only nodded and got off his bike. Best not to speak any more than he had to, very few people were privy to the knowledge of the Blue Spirit's true identity.

Moving to reach Haru, he hesitated.

"Problem?"

Zuko froze, his muscles tightening with the strain of fear. Was that...amusement he heard in the administrator's voice? Yes, with an undertone of challenge. He was being baited.

Without slowing, the spirit pulled the target from his bike and slid him over to the fence. Zuko didn't allow himself to think too hard about what he was doing as he brought out his phone and allowed Zhao to scan his code for the night's payment. Didn't allow his eyes to wander towards the keep that had no windows...no signs of life.

Zhao grunted a dismissal and started walking back towards the keep. With a snap of his fingers two guards came out and grabbed Haru to haul him away.

As he watched, the painted lady's words rang in Zuko's ears. As much as he tried to ignore it, the thought kept itching away at his conscience until he couldn't stand it.

Disguising his voice as best he could, Zuko asked, "Where are you taking him?"

Zhao stopped, then turned back to narrow his eyes on the spirit. "Does it matter?"

"I just..." Zuko hesitated, then looked away. "Nevermind."

The administrator's frown deepened. "These filthy wolfbats get what they deserve. You do your job and let us worry about the rest."

Zuko noticed everything: the crinkled brow, the slight smirk, the glittering eyes.

He was right, this had been a test. It seemed that he'd passed, but just barely. As his eyes passed over the keep he saw no sign of Haru or the guards who had carried him away.

He'd think about the costs later.

"Haven't missed a mark yet, have I?" He challenged right back.

Zhao's smile unnerved him. "I do believe you're right. Perhaps a challenge is in order."

Zuko was again struck by how his body reacted to that tone. His scar itched.

"The painted lady-"

Zuko froze.

"-we've placed quite the reward for her capture. In fact, the price just increased due to a report we received yesterday evening."

"What's the figure?" The spirit forced out.

"Seven hundred gold pieces."

Zuko felt he might throw up. He was grateful for the mask covering his stricken face and ashen complexion. The Painted Lady was in serious danger.

"Why such a high price, you may ask?" Zhao continued without prompting. "She stole something of great value and has a kind of...weapon we'd like kept under wraps."

Zuko's fists tightened at his sides.

"But like you said, you're our top hunter, should be no problem for you!" His false smile dropped. "You have until the end of the month."

The spirit took that as his cue to leave, swung his leg over his motorcycle and drove away.

He didn't look back once.

The Painted Lady considered herself a healer first, above all other things. But she also wasn't scared to get her hands a little dirty.

These people were in need, and she couldn't exactly supply an entire section of the city with scraps from her dad's bakery. So? The solution was obvious.

Steal from Phoenix Industries.

Why not? They had plenty to spare that was headed for people who already had enough. All she had to do was temporarily divert a ship and only sneak out enough that they wouldn't notice it was missing.

Katara crouched at the water's edge, her fingers playing with the sea spray. It was a simple move to sway the tide with a gentle shift of her arm. Brining in the mist was an afterthought. She'd come a long way since those early days of twirling bubbles around.

They'd been on vacation in the Southern mountains, a trip they took to get away from the city each year. Sokka and her father had been out skiing while Katara had decided to explore the camping grounds. She'd gotten distracted following what she thought were penguin tracks and realized she was completely lost. The shouts of her brother's and father's names echoed across the snow as she wandered through the trees. Eventually she came to a clearing. The snow suddenly stopped, giving way to a patch of luscious green grass and a pool. Katara had taken off her jacket, glad to be out of the cool, and stepped towards the water. Swimming in the center of the still pond were two fish, a black one and a white one. They twirled in a kind of dance. Katara had started to dance and mimic their movements only to watch the still water of the pond ripple across it's surface.

Since then she'd been hooked on learning new moves, whatever she could whenever she had time. Stolen moments between shifts at the hospital. Hours spent under the moon on her hidden rooftop with a small pitcher. It wasn't until she'd burned her hands trying to accidentally remove a hot tray from the oven that she'd discovered her healing abilities.

It had been difficult deciding whether or not to tell her family. In the end, she'd decided to keep her abilities a secret. Knowing would only put them in danger. She worried about them, not the other way around.

Finally, she'd gotten to the North Tribes university and had become a force to be reckoned with. Once she'd gotten full force over her power, well…she understood why they named storms after people.

With ease, she shifted the incoming boat slightly off course before sliding her own body onto the waves. Her feet touched the water but she sank gently beneath in a bubble of her own making. With a continuous waving of her arms she was able to keep herself submerged within a bubble big enough for her body that propelled her towards the boat. Once she'd reached the metal side, she twirled to create a sort of hurricane around herself that shot her up to the deck.

Her bare feet allowed Katara to land silently before she took off down the port side to the cargo hold. All of Phoenix Industries ships were designed the same. The crew were aloft directing the ship, the gangplank and open area at the front drew the guards, and the supplies were in the back behind a single door and down a hidden hall.

The locks were tumblers, easy for a waterbender such as herself to manipulate with a simple flick of the wrist. She grabbed as much as she could carry, about three sacks worth, and made her way back onto the deck within three minutes.

Five steps from the railing she heard a call that brought back memories from her recent time aboard a pirate ship.

"There she is!"

"The Painted Lady."

"A lot people are looking for you."

Footsteps echoed against the metal ship until she was surrounded. Again brining a familiar sense of dread and unease. Unfortunately, she didn't think the same kind of rescue was on it's way. She'd have to settle this herself.

Dropping her stolen supplies, Katara crouched and raised her arms. Apparently, her little raids had been noticed. Her thoughts turned to the Blue Spirit and the confidence he exuded in a tight spot. She copied his languid stance and cocky tone as best she could, "Good, you've heard of me. I was worried we'd have to suffer introductions."

Katara successfully executed the waterwhip to send the first guard over the side when the others all stepped forward. Instinctively, she brought up a cloud of mist from the water below so thick it provided a brief cover. While the guards were distracted she shoved her three packs through the rails into the waves below and then dove after them into the dark sea.

Fighting would have to wait for another day when she could actually face attackers. Perhaps when she met tomorrow night with the Blue Spirit she could ask him to teach her a few moves. For now, she bended the packs close to herself and swam through the murky, cold water to shore.

Zuko hated himself.

He'd thought he was doing something good by placing a tracker on Haru before handing him over, but the results had been worse than he ever could have anticipated. After a couple hours idle at the keep, the signal began moving until it placed Haru in the middle of the sea out to the West. There was no telling what was there. A secret facility? Some sort of remote prison? Or was that just the general spot where the Industry dumped people they were finished with?

There was no way Zuko could get to him. Any chance of breaking him out was gone, and there was no way Haru had faced any kind of trial in the few hours he'd been stored at the keep.

The Painted Lady had been right.

And if she'd been right about this, she might have been right about other things too…

Her logic about thievery had been circular and impossible to follow, but her passion had been clear and her sentiments concrete. In an attempt to preserve the old ways he had done exactly what he'd been fighting to avoid: he'd hidden the past. His artifacts weren't stored in a secured bunker hundreds of feet underground and guarded by some of the most elite warriors on the island like his family's were, but they weren't available to the public either.

As chaotic as her argument might have been, he knew she was right. The past belonged to the people. If they were able to rediscover the secrets of bending, it could bring about an entirely new era to civilization. Perhaps it was time to start trusting the people of this city, and he knew just the officer to help.

After sending the anonymous tip via phone, Zuko decided to take a pass around the Village and see if he could find the Painted Lady again. They'd talked about meeting up the following night at his training grounds but that had been before he'd heard about the massive bounty on her head. The task he was supposed to be helping with.

A relaxed feeling passed over him as he vaulted across the haphazard buildings and through demolished streets. Perhaps they could actually bring about change, perhaps the Painted Lady could help him figure out what he'd been struggling to understand these past six years.

His mind travelled to his biology class and a certain brunette he couldn't seem to stop thinking about. Katara was stronger than he'd imagined, but the challenge was exhilarating. He'd gone over the conversation they'd had over tea about fifty times by now but he still couldn't figure her out. She was constantly calculating and yet impossibly stubborn at the same time. A smile came unbidden to his lips as he landed with a roll into the street. He never knew how she was going to react, and that terrified him, but it was the same reason he couldn't get her out of his head.

He was so distracted he didn't notice the car coming until the headlights beamed in his eyes and a loud horn rang through the alley.