I don't own Avatar. He's kind of a guilty pleasure...

Chapter Three

Iroh sat uncomfortably on his donkey, riding next to Zuko, who was equally incommoded by the clumsiness of his mount, but too pride to show it. They had arrived on the shore of some landmass in the Earth Kingdom. Their ship was now sailing around looking for a secure harbor while they were riding now in the direction of what looked like a village with chimney smoke. Iroh hadn't said anything more about the reasoning behind his decision to change direction, and Zuko didn't ask; he half-trusted his uncle's judgment.

They rode down the path around some trees and found themselves in a very small town. There were only about ten buildings in sight, and no more than five people walked the streets. However, all of these people were Earthbenders; they were all levitating rocks or sifting through sand in midair, and the single child sitting on the side of the street was constructing a perfect model stone castle, drawing the supplies out of the ground. The skills of just these five people alone was formidable, even for Zuko, Iroh, and their two soldiers. But before anyone could act, the young sculptor on the ground looked up and saw Zuko on his donkey.

"FIRE! FIRE NATION!" the little child screamed. Immediately, chaos ensued. The other four Earthbenders reacted with lightning speed, racing towards the Zuko and his men with menacing looks on their faces. In response, Zuko hopped down off of his mount, along with Iroh and the two soldiers behind them. However, over twenty more Earthbenders spilled from their homes in the village onto the streets.

"Oh crap..." Zuko muttered. As the enemy charged toward them, the two soldiers, loyal as they claimed to be, fled for their lives for the beach, leaving Iroh and Zuko alone.

"Prince Zuko, keep your concentration," Iroh said reassuringly, though he was feeling a bit faint himself.

"Wait!" Zuko yelled, trying to be heard over the thundering of the feet of the ever-advancing Earth Nation Band. "We don't wish to hurt you! We just need some supplies!"

No luck.

Zuko felt himself falling to the ground as the townspeople descended upon him and his uncle. In the distance, he heard some sort of war cry, and had a faint hope of rescue. But with a swift blow to the head, he knew no more.

/chapter three