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The next morning, Prince Zuko waited for news of the Avatar in what served as a throne room on his warship. The iron double doors at the end of the hall opened and Uncle Iroh entered and bowed slightly before his prince. "Prince Zuko, the Avatar has been sighted on the coast of Kakougan Island in the Earth Bender Kingdom."

"Good work." Prince Zuko said. Raising his voice and standing up, he shouted to the waiting sailors that lined the walls, "Set course for Kakougan Island!" He sat back down on the throne and folded his in front of him, his amber eyes narrowed. "This time the Avatar will not escape."

The ship's sleek iron sides swiftly cut through the water and soon the rocky cliffs of Kakougan Island were visible rising above the waves. Deep in the hull of the ship, where the weapons were stored, Prince Zuko was being fitted with his armor, the unmistakable black and red armor that was feared by all nations. As the ship sailed into the island's dock, Prince Zuko gathered his soldiers in the throne chamber. He paced before them, his metal-toed boots clanging on the steel floor. He faced the ranks and glared.

"Today we will capture the Avatar. I will not allow any slacking, mistakes, or failure in any form. Understood?" The soldiers roared in affirmation, and Prince Zuko nodded slightly and placed his helm on his head. "Then let's get going."

With Prince Zuko at their head, the lines of soldiers rode out of the ship on their triceratops and onto the shores of the island. "Men! Go! Get me the Avatar!" Prince Zuko cried.

The fire benders spread out and began searching the island, burning everything in their way. Prince Zuko watched impatiently as screams rang through the air. It was just noise to him; nothing mattered except the Avatar's capture. Then another noise reached the Prince's ears: the sound of his men's triumphant yell. Turning around quickly he started off in the direction of the shout.

Halfway down the road a group of his men had cornered the Avatar and his two Water Tribe companions. Their arms and legs were held firmly by his men, preventing any bending attacks. One of his soldiers, however, was lying wounded on the ground, water whip and air blade marks scarring his armor.

"Get him onto the ship. See that his wounds are cared for." Prince Zuko ordered, watching only long enough to see two of his men pick the body up and start off in the direction of the ship before turning his gaze back to his prisoners. "Well, well, well. We meet again, Avatar."

"Unfortunately," snarled the Water Tribe boy.

Prince Zuko's eyes flashed and flames licked at the boy's feet. "I was not talking to you."

The Water girl glared at the prince. "Let us go, Zuko."

Prince Zuko snorted. "After all the trouble I went through to capture you, do you honestly believe I would just let you go!"

"Not really, but we thought it was worth a try," the water boy said.

"You're not going to take me," the Avatar said. He wrenched out of his captor's grip and sent a blade of air towards the prince.

Prince Zuko blocked the air with a shield of flame and sent a kick out at the Avatar, who blocked with his staff. Prince Zuko sent out a fire ball, which grazed the air bender's clothes, setting them afire.

"Ow! Hot!" The Avatar yelped and began beating out the flames on his arm.

Prince Zuko took the Avatar's moment of distraction to knock the boy to the ground with a well-aimed punch.

"Oomph!" The Avatar grunted as his back slammed into the earth. "Owww…"

"Aang!" the water girl shrieked. She began writhing in her captor's grasp, but was unable to break free.

Prince Zuko laughed coldly and stood over his prey. "You are not escaping."

Suddenly the ground began rumbling, causing the fire benders to stumble. The water tribe children took the moment to wrestle away from their captors. They grabbed the Avatar and began fleeing towards the ocean.

"Stop them!" Prince Zuko screamed.

His soldiers began pursuing, but a huge boulder dropped from the sky, effectively cutting them off.

"You're not going anywhere!" came a shout from above them.

"Rrrargghh!" Prince Zuko whirled around, his eyes livid.

A young girl in the Earth Kingdom garb stood on the roof of a house above them. A spear was grasped firmly in her right hand, and another large boulder floated above her left. She jumped down from her perch, landing softly in a pile of sand that formed as a cushion. She turned and pointed the spear at Prince Zuko's chest, setting down the boulder on the ground for a better grasp.

"You want to get to the Avatar, you're going to have to get through me!" she cried.

Prince Zuko snarled in frustration as he watched the Avatar flee towards the water where his monstrous bison must reside. He turned towards the girl, his eyes literally aflame, and wisps of smoke streaming out of his nostrils. "You will pay. Kill her!" he ordered his men.

The soldiers lunged forward, columns of flames shooting from their fists. However, the girl neatly dodged all the attacks with a series of acrobatic flips, jumps, and twirls. "My turn!" she sang, and boulders tore themselves out of the ground and hurled themselves at the soldiers. The fire benders fell to the ground with thuds, momentarily winded.

"So, you are skilled, earth bender." Prince Zuko said. He moved into a fighting stance. "However, earth cannot defeat me."

The girl grinned savagely. "Earth cannot defeat you, huh? Well then, how about some metal?"

Prince Zuko's eyes widened as the spears and swords that had been dropped by his men rose into the air, the sharp metal points pointed at his heart. The girls slashed downwards with her arm, and the spears hurled themselves at the prince. He dodged quickly, yet several of the hairs in his ponytail were sheared off. Impossible! He thought. No one can bend metal! His thoughts were cut off, however, as the weapons turned around for another deadly charge. As he dodged, a thought struck him. I could make use of this… Bracing himself, he lunged, striking the girl in the back of the neck before she could react and defend herself.

Her eyes glazed over, and she fell to the ground, unconscious. Without her will, the weapons fell to the ground with a clatter.

Prince Zuko stood over the girl's body and glared down at the one that had caused him to lose the Avatar yet again. His lip curled in a cruel smile. Yes, she would make up for his loss…

"Bring her back to the ship, and throw her in the cells! Make sure to bind her so she cannot bend!" He turned and began walking back to his warship. He was going to enjoy this…