Working with the Facts
Zuko nodded, "I guess that we could try to use the power of deduction, not that it's something I like, mind you."
Ryko grinned, "Where first?"
Zuko thought while trying to find a sharp object on which to cut his bonds, the one in his pocket had been forgotten, "Well, I'm pretty sure now we can rule out Water Tribe completely, and Air Nomad was always out, so that leaves Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation."
"But that's more than two thirds of the world!" Ryko whined. Zuko shook his head.
"No, we know a little more than that. The spirits obviously considered you important enough to need to take you...or one of your parents actually prayed it would happen. No! No! I didn't meant that they didn't want you Ryko, don't cry, the probably just wanted you safe."
Little did Zuko know how right he was.
Unknown Flashback
A woman prayed to the spirits of her nation, and of past avatars to save her new child. She did not want him to have the same fate as the other two, molded by cruel hands. She knew she had not long to live, and so begged the spirits to save this one, as only they could...
End flashback
"Yes!" Zuko cheered.
"What!" asked Ryko, "Do you know?"
"Oh, what? No, I just cut through the rest of this rope though!" Zuko said, "Now hold still, and let's see if I can get rid of your ties without burning you."
----
Zuko and Ryko slipped away, and then bolted like Zhou was on their tails. Which he probably would have been, if he wasn't dead.
The skidded into a cave, well past nightfall and Ryko begged, "Can we please sleep?"
Zuko nodded, "Yeah, but let's go a little farther in." Famous last words.
As Zuko and Ryko started down the tunnel, they suddenly hit a slick patch of rock. Without warning, both boys skidded right down the tunnel, and banged headfirst into the rock face at the end. They fell unconscious instantly.
----
Ryko woozily sat up, and shook Zuko awake. The teen stretched, and then looked around, saying, "Where in Agni's name are we?"
They were in a strange forest, and Ryko pointed to a small podium, "Hey, look, a meditating monkey!"
The white baboon opened his eyes, "Go away."
Zuko shook his head, baboons didn't talk. There was only one logical explanation, and it wasn't really all that logical.
They were in the spirit world!
----
Meesa no owna Avatar.