Author's note: Okay, I need to know what people think of this story, so please review, or I just won't post anymore! ;) PULEEZ!
Opening the crate of weaponry, Aiori pulled out a bow and arrows and a pair of elbow swords. Then she tied them to her waist with a rope, making sure they were accessible. She used part of her scarf to tie up her hair. The sun was setting and she was running out of time! She ran in the hallway and passed Zuko's room. She stopped and backed up to look in. She walked in slowly and looked around his room. He had no weapons…of course; his temper and fire bending would do just fine. But she found some of his extra armor and pondered the idea. She snatched it up. "Sorry Zuko, but you'll thank me later." And she began to strap herself into it. It was heavy and big on her, since she was shorter than him, but it had to do. She tied the string taught and replaced the weapons. She had never used armor back at home, but these were ruthless fire benders she would be dealing with. She had a hard time getting the chest armor on, naturally because of the fact that she was a girl…and indeed had a chest, so she left it off. Her curves were no longer visible under the armor, and her identity was hidden. But there was one last touch needed. She took the coal ashes and made streaks under and over her eyes…and she was ready. She grabbed her new spear. "Here goes nothing." She bucked up and ran off the ship.
While running the same route, she tried to remember all the lessons her father had taught her about the weapons she had and fighting. Only use the bow and arrows for distance, the spear would work for defense against more than one, and then the elbow swords would only work on a one on one situation. When she reached the same tree over the camp sight, she was horrified to see General Iroh and Prince Zuko on their knees, on the ground, with a man over them with a sword held in the air! She just made it in time. She drew out her bow and grabbed an arrow and aimed for the swordsman. "I know I don't like them, but a warrior protects everyone. For honor." She said to herself. It was the code of honor she had sworn to when she started her training. She pulled back on the bow and let go!
The arrow flew through the air and nailed the swordsman in the back of the head! He fell to the ground, leaving Iroh and Zuko unharmed! "Gotcha!" she muttered and prepared another one. A different man walked up to the dead one and drew his sword! "Mark two." And she did the same, sending an arrow into the man's neck and knocking him down! The other man stood up and began to yell and shout! They looked around for the source, but couldn't find her. Aiori drew another, "Mark three." and hit another man! Now there was complete chaos! She saw the original leader of the group run over and construct fire from his fists! He held it over his hostages' heads! Aiori jumped down from the tree and landed on her feet! She held the arrow aimed at the man's face! "Leave them alone! She yelled! Everybody turned around and looked at her! "Let them go!" and the men circled her!
"We have a little heroine, gentlemen!" the man laughed. The other men went after her and she fired one last arrow into a man's chest and sent him down! She went into fight mode!
"Aiori, behind you!" Iroh yelled to her! She dropped her bow and pulled out her spear just in time to block a blow from the other man's spear! She did a back flip and spun around, cutting another soldier with her spear blade! He yelled and fell to the ground! She heard foot steps behind her and held up her spear behind her, blocking a blow from behind! She spun around and did a cartwheel out of the way! Her heart raced as two men came at her at the same time! She jumped up into the air and swiped one and jumped off his shoulders, kicking the other one's face! She ran over to Iroh and cut him loose! He jumped up and went into battle! Aiori went down the line, freeing the rest of them! Then she cut Zuko loose and went back into action! The fire benders fought! She ran at one, stabbing him in the back and did another flip and kicked one behind her! "Aiori," Iroh yelled! "The river!" and she looked over and spotted a hidden river! She dropped her spear and began to water bend! She sent streams of water at the other fire benders, extinguishing their flames, making them vulnerable! Most of the men went down, but there was one who attacked her!
A flame went flying at her and she blocked it with a shield of water! The man came up to her and he grinned a sinister smile! "A water bending teenage girl. Do you know what trouble you've gotten yourself into?" she growled.
"You harmed my friend General Iroh. A warrior always protects." She replied with a ball of water in both fists!
"Girls should not be fighting!" he laughed. Aiori dropped the water and flashed out her elbow swords and spun them around! "Is that a challenge?" and he conducted more fire! Aiori lifted her head and howled into the wind! Causing the other men to stop and look! She sounded just like a wolf! There was only the sound of water currents in the river…but then a howl answered hers! And then another, and another! But they were real wolves.
"If I don't finish you, my friends will." She said with a smile. The wolves continued to howl and she walked towards the man with a smile on her face. Then they began to fight! She jumped forward, lunging with the elbow blades and then blocking his fiery first! They looked each other in the eye and she did a cartwheel to the side and continued to lunge! The man blocked and hit her, leaving a burn mark on her armor! She growled and did a flip off of his shoulders, landing behind him! He seemed unharmed, until he felt blood tricking down his forehead. Aiori smiled and took a step back. He grew angry and threw more fire at her!
"Aiori!" Zuko yelled to her! She ducked and looked back! But then the man hit her in the face and sent her tumbling back into the ground! She was so surprised that she went of guard!
She looked up, seeing blurry at the man who held fire over her head and smiled. She felt her head throb from the impact on the ground! Just as the man went to hit her again…Zuko jumped in and punched him with a fiery fist of his own! He saved her? She watched as Zuko dueled with the man! She saw him being pushed back, needing help! He had helped her; it was only fair, even if she did dislike him. She jumped up and ran over to the river and sent a huge stream into his back, knocking down and letting Zuko finish him! She looked around and saw only her crew standing. It was victory! They all cheered! But then Aiori lost her footing and slipped! She went tumbling down into the gorge! "Aiori!" she heard Zuko call out to her, but she fell in. She hit her head on a rock and went splashing into the river, going unconscious as tiny bubbles made their way to the surface.