I would like to apologize for doing this, but it's –sadly- necessary:
I will no longer be able to do shout-outs or, as I call them, reviewer acknowledgements, due to this message from the homepage of Review Reply: Authors may now reply to signed reviews via a link provided in updated review alert or using the "reply" link displayed next to each signed review. Please note the reply is not displayed on the site but emailed to the reviewer. Only one reply is allowed per signed review. Putting "review responses" within story chapters is now unnecessary and more importantly, not allowed.
I'm also going to be deleting the previous replies so that my fics don't get deleted. I am VERY sorry about all of this, as I love replying to your posts, but since I don't want to get my story deleted, I'll have to take them out.
I AM SO SORRY!
Please forgive me…
On another note, Ming-Na repeatedly calls Zhao 'Commander', instead of 'Admiral' in this chapter. Read carefully: THIS IS NOT A MISTAKE. I think that it's reasonable that Ming-Na has been out of the loop for so long that this information has not yet reached her ears, thus providing a very rude wake-up call. Well, that's it, I think. Okay…
This is a tale of honor, courage, and loyalty -the things that moved nations- where love falls back and the warrior codes of the time take the stage. More than one hundred years after the Fire Nation went to war against the Middle Kingdom and the other nations, and just more than two after the honorable Prince Zuko was exiled, a woman of honor -driven by honor, with honor as the promised reward- and rank searches the world over for the one thing that can restore her land to what it is meant to be.
End with Honor
5. The Price of Duty
"You know, it's been pretty quiet these past few weeks." Sokka's statement was heard echoing out along the range of mountains they were passing through. And it was true; eerily, portentously true. In fact, ever since Ming-Na had joined up with the trio, there had been little seen of Zuko, Zhao, or anyone else. This gave cause to worry for all four of the travelers. Why would they now -after being fraught with attacks from all sides, for so long- have a quiet road? If anything, their enemies should've been after them worse than ever, desperate to stop the Avatar from mastering Waterbending.
"I agree…" Ming-Na said, inclining her head to Sokka. In the past few weeks, Ming-Na had developed a new respect for the young warrior. Both Sokka and the princess herself had no bending powers, which gave them something in common; added to this, they had the same mindset. Sokka did have warrior's instincts, Ming-Na saw, and she never minded the odd sparring match between them. She had even forgiven him for their first meeting. Sokka, however, was still distrustful. It was this though, most of all, which made Ming-Na like her companion. When she captured the Avatar, Ming-Na thought to herself with a small smile, Sokka would be spared.
But as she brought herself back to the topic at hand, the first thought that entered her mind was, is this because of me? Ming-Na's recent joining up with these children –although, granted, in hard numbers Sokka was older than her and Katara her equal- might've had something to do with the easy going they had had. But, while it might be enough to set Zuko off their tail, why would it scare away men such as Zhao. Surely Ming-Na's own mother had decreed her return, with a nice monetary bonus attached. So why had this part of the going seemed so easy? No…something was wrong with the entire situation. It put Ming-Na off; made her decidedly uneasy.
In the silence that followed, an aura grew up among the four, as they each turned their thoughts to a possibility of attack; ambush. "Should we make camp then?" Aang asked, pointing down to the sparse forest below them as he voiced aloud their thoughts. "I know it's earlier than we planned, but if both of you think something's up, it would be better to be on the ground, where we can all fight."
The other three nodded, and Aang turned the reigns on Appa, setting him toward the ground.
"We should figure out a plan of action," Sokka said in an authoritative voice. "In case there has been a trap laid for us."
The other three nodded. While to an outsider, it may have seemed that Sokka -and his companions- were overreacting, but Ming-Na knew they couldn't be too careful. The Fire Nation was ruthless, and they would go to any length to destroy their one opposition: the Avatar.
What Ming-Na's three fellow travelers didn't know, however, was that for the first time…she did not have an ulterior motive. For some inexplicable reason, the exiled Fire Nation princess wanted to help them fight off this threat--unless, of course, it was Zuko.
Sokka issued orders as if preparing for a siege. He built defenses to be used on land, but even more to be used while flying. He checked supplies, sharpened weapons, and had Katara replenish her water skin. It was almost as if he knew something the others didn't.
By the time the sun had drawn low in the sky, this idea had cemented itself in Ming-Na's mind, and as night rose, she made up her mind to ask him about it. Ever so subtly, she shifted herself over to where the young Water Tribe warrior was surveying their surroundings. "Sokka," she said, making him jump. Clearly, he was not as calm as he looked.
"Huh? Oh, Ming-Na." he looked relieved.
"Sokka, you know someone's coming, don't you?" Ming-Na asked this gently, but there was a little bit of steel behind the kindness--steel that made it plain he could not hide it from her.
Sokka sighed. "Yes." He went on, without waiting for an answer, "Zhao."
Ming-Na's eyes narrowed; her mouth set itself into a grim line.
"You know him?" Sokka asked.
"I do." The answer was said with such distaste that Sokka backed away a little. Indeed she did. Word of him had traveled even to the Fire Lord's court, and she hated him from the moment she first heard his name. From the kissing-up to his superiors, to the ladder-climbing, he was an embodiment of all that Ming-Na hated--all that was wrong in the Brilliant Land of the Fire Nation. He gave a bad name to the honorable warriors; a worse one to his people in general. And he was dishonorable. From the time he was a young boy, to now as a 'Commander', he was about as honorable as the scum on the bottom of his boots. Probably even less. And now, he was after the Avatar…after Aang.
"Don't tell the other two." Sokka said quickly. "If they figure it out on their own, fine. And if they haven't by the time Zhao arrives, then do it. But until then, they can't know."
Ming-Na nodded. Not in agreement, –Katara and Aang could definitely handle themselves- but to acknowledge Sokka's current role of leadership.
"Okay." Sokka nodded, reassured. "Then why don't you take Aang and patrol the southern shore. It's the easiest place to reach, so Zhao will probably try there first."
Ming-Na nodded, then set off the find Aang, glad that she had the first shot at the monster bearing down on them.
After another six hours, this time of watching, Aang had fallen asleep. Ming-Na, who herself was barely conscious, did not blame him. It had been almost a full 24 hours awake for everyone, and even now, the sun had just peeked over the horizon.
But it was in this morning light that Ming-Na saw the ship. The Fire Nation warship.
"Zhao!" hissed Ming-Na, and shook Aang awake. Together they watched as the ship drew close to the shore. Aang reached for his staff.
"No!" Ming-Na barked. "Go back to the others! Tell them he's coming! I'll hold him off here."
Aang took one look at her, nodded, and turned. She watched him leave, then went for a pair of Dao longswords she had strapped to her back.
"Where are you hiding, little Avatar…!" the Commander spoke so softly, Ming-Na barely heard it. But even half-caught, it was enough. This man stood between her and home. Between her and regaining Zuko's honor. Between her and the Fire Nation. With a silent battle cry, she stood, and walked toward the man who kept the path to honor barred from her.
As the ramp lowered on his ship, Zhao stepped down it, unaccompanied. Soon he was only a few paces from the young girl.
"Finally able to walk on your own two feet, eh, Zhao?" Ming-Na smirked. If there was one thing she knew about what was about to happen, it was that she did not fear this man. Loathe him, yes. But not fear him.
"Ah, Princess Mingeline," He ignored her remark and gave her mocking bow, which she did not return. "How kind of you to grace us with your divine presence."
"Save the theatrics for someone who gives a damn, Zhao!" Ming-Na spat at the ground near the man's feet, and then turned her face up at him, defiance burning in her eyes.
"Watch your mouth, princess!" Zhao shot back. "And remember your manners; after all…it's what your dear mother would want, right?"
"So it's true." The exiled princess said shakily. "You are here to take me back."
"Oh dear, not up you're your usual level of perceptiveness, Mingeline." Zhao smirked once again, and Ming-Na's anger flared. To him, she was just a child he was toying with. He –and her mother- thought of her a weak child. But she would prove them wrong. "Only half right." Zhao continued, "You see, Princess, you're just a bonus. My real business here is with the Avatar."
As if I had to guess. Ming-Na thought bitterly. Zhao she could take, but her mother…just the thought of her mother sent chills of fear through her. No, she would not let herself –or Aang- be taken. She would fight.
"And, by the way," Zhao said almost as an afterthought, though an afterthought she knew he had been longing to say, "it's Admiral Zhao now."
Ming-Na's expression faltered--for a second, but that second was all that Zhao had to catch. He smiled.
"You see, that's one of the problems of exiling yourself, Mingeline dear. You never hear about important information until it hits you right in the face. Because while you, alone and forgotten on some godforsaken island, are getting dirty and tired trying to do the impossible, I have the honor of being one of the most respected and feared in the entire Fire Nation."
All her previous thoughts were driven completely out of Ming-Na's head with these final words. The injustice--the unfairness…it drove her beyond reason. "You--You have no honor!" She shrieked, all composure lost.
But instead of being angered by this unparalleled insult, Zhao laughed. "It's called tact, Mingeline." He gave her a condescending look. "Weren't you, at least at first, raised with manners?"
Ming-Na bristled. "How--dare--you!"
"I dare to do many things these days, Mingeline. You see, that's what power gets you. Obtain it, and no one will stand in your way."
Her eyes flashed up at him, and they were full of murder. "'No one' will, say you! What about me? I will stand, and fight, against you until either you lie dead--or I! The Fire Nation may fear you, but I don't. I will fight for the side of honor until my dying day!"
"Then fight." He laughed, harsh and mirthless. "Fight and feel real pain, if you have the courage to face me alone."
"She's not alone!" Aang said, leaping down from the sky. "I'm with her!" He landed in front of her, arm out, as if shielding her from Zhao's wrath. And he probably is, Ming-Na thought. But she didn't need that. The last thing she wanted was for Aang to get caught up in her fight.
"Go away, Aang!" She hissed. "I can take him."
"No." He whispered back. "We're all together in this. I've done what you told me…and I won't leave a friend in danger."
Ming-Na smiled, almost despite herself, as he called her a friend. That word had not been used in so long, it seemed strange to her ears. But in a good way. "Then we fight together." She said, nodding to him.
They prepared themselves, ready for the confrontation. And then…before the first attack even started, nets were thrown over both Aang and Ming-Na. Zhao smirked as his crewmen, hidden from sight until now, came forth. "Do you really think I'd fight fair, Princess Mingeline?" He asked as Ming-Na snarled incomprehensibly at him.
"Princess…?" Aang asked confusedly, but Ming-Na did not hear him. She was busy throwing every oath and damnation at the Admiral that she could think of, until a kick to the head from Zhao himself silenced her as she dropped limp beside Aang. Then he was similarly dispatched, leaving Zhao standing over the two as if on a hill of spoil.
First came pain. Then memory. Ming-Na jerked upright, to find herself in a small prison cell with a headache so horrible she wished she would just drop back to helpless unconsciousness. The young warrior lay on her knees and clutched her head, where she could feel dried blood from a wound right above her right eye. She let out a low moan.
For what seems like hours she waited in absolute darkness with nothing but her thoughts of despair for company. Aside from the wound to the head, though, she had few injuries. A small number of bruises, and what felt like a sprained ankle, but it was light. Compared to what Aang would get, anyway.
She sat there, head throbbing, and tried to think what went wrong. But there was no helping it--in her condition, rational thought was beyond her capabilities. So she sat…without thinking, without feeling, until someone opened the door and she was blinded by the torchlight coming from outside her cell.
Zhao walked in, flanked by six or seven guards. Ming-Na tried to stand, but couldn't manage it. She collapsed back down without a noise though. She would not show her weakness if she could help it. So instead she just glared daggers up at Zhao.
He ignored her, as if knowing how she felt deep inside herself: beaten. "How are you feeling, Princess?" He loomed above her, enjoying his position so much that it seemed sinful. "Given up yet?"
"Never." Ming-Na said, and her voice was quiet, but hard and cold as ice--completely different from their previous encounter. Determination was etched into every line of her face, and her eyes flared with a conviction that had not been there before.
Zhao stepped forward, then hit her across the face, dropping her to the ground. "We will see, traitor." He stepped back, and motioned for three of the guards to grab Ming-Na. "Take her." He said.
Ming-Na struggled and fought as best she could, but in the end she was dragged, kicking and yelling, from her cell. They walked through hallways lit with torches and walled in metal, and Ming-Na realized that they were on Zhao's ship. She was pulled into a high-ceilinged room lit by many fires. In the center, bound hand and foot to two metal poles, was Aang. Next to him was a similar structure, and it was to this that Ming-Na was tied.
Once she was hanging limply, supported only by the chains at her wrists and ankles, Zhao stepped up to her with devastation in his eyes. "Is this to your liking, Princess Mingeline?" He smirked, then sent a look at the half conscious Aang, who looked thrice as bad as Ming-Na felt.
Aang sent a confused look at her, and she glanced back in similar fashion. What was Zhao playing at? Why bring her here?
"Of course, it's nothing next to the palace, I know." Zhao laughed--without a trace of mirth. "But compared to what you've been going through these last two years…well…you must feel positively pampered."
Ming-Na just stood there, watching. Zhao was acting as if this was a palace dinner. Why didn't he just break out the torture and get it over with?
"What are you talking about?" Aang groaned, and Zhao's eyes gleamed with delight. This, apparently, was what he had been waiting for. Ming-Na felt a cold dread wash over her, though she didn't yet know why.
"Why, don't you know? I thought this girl was your friend! Don't tell me she didn't tell you about her…past." Zhao paused, as if waiting for something. Ming-Na waited too. What was he talking about? "Or was she just…trying to trick you."
"NO!" Ming-Na screamed. She struggled madly against the chains binding her, screaming and thrashing and crying. She knew now what Zhao was playing at. He was trying –and succeeding- to reveal Ming-Na's true motives in joining Aang and his friends. And that was the one thing that she could not let him do.
"'No' what, Mingeline? Are you saying you've got something to hide…? Something you wouldn't want your close friend the Avatar knowing?" He looked down on her, triumph blazing luridly in his face. "That's it…isn't it, Princess? You don't want your friend here knowing that," and his voice became savage, yet still full of the same gruesome triumph as before. "You aren't really his friend!" Aang gasped, and shot a look at Ming-Na. "That you are really here to capture him! That you are helping Zuko! That you want the Fire Nation to win the war! That you never cared about saving anyone! That you are part of the royal family! That the last thing you want to do is help two filthy peasants and a weak child destroy your precious Nation! That you would kill him in a second if you could!"
Each accusation washed over Ming-Na with a force that she had never had to bear before. It was worse than exiling herself, worse than her broken marriage, worse even than Zuko's exile. It was the weight of endless agony, of shame, of dishonor. This was what Zuko must have felt, when he himself lost his honor. And now here she was, facing it too. Only…she wasn't being dishonored for a noble choice.
Her father's voice came to her, bring with it a memory more recent than her first session in kenjutsu. It was a year later, when she had tricked one of her maidservants into a beating, all because of a stolen comb. Her father had born down upon her with such a fury she had never seen before.
"A warrior does not deal in lies and deceit! She stands steadfast and honest. There can be no guile in a warrior's heart! You must present to the world your true face, not a disguise or falsehood! This is dishonor above all!"
He had threatened to stop her sword lessons; thought it a fair price for straying from the path of a warrior. It was only when she had begged him, showed such heartfelt shame, than he had recalled the decision. Never again, he said. "Then next time, you will be cast out forever." Those were his words, and she had heeded them.
Until she has set out on her quest for honor. She had wanted to do the noble thing, help the Fire Nation become the ideal she knew it could be. But now she knew…now she knew that she had been trying to accomplish it through ways dishonorable for a warrior. She was defiling Zuko's name, the name of her nation, and her own name. All for something she thought was right.
Ming-Na wept, with such grief that many of Zhao's soldiers turned away. Their princess was dishonoring herself, and they did not want to witness it. She pleaded, begged, and displayed such uncontrolled fear and shame that Zhao himself was taken aback. But only until he looked at Aang. She deserved this, he told himself. It's on her head.
Aang himself looked every bit what Ming-Na expected: hurt, betrayed, fearful. He was gazing at her like she was a rabid animal turning on him. He looked -was this look even possible for Aang?- disgusted. "Is this true?" He asked in steely tones. "Is this true, Mingeline?"
That name. That name, the final curse, the final chain, from her past. The name of a cold, heartless ruler. A name like her mother's. Hearing Aang use it, now, was more than she could take. Excuses burst from her lips, condemning her even as they took flight.
"I'm sorry--I had to! Zuko--Zuko needed me! I had to help him--he was in pain--turmoil--dishonor! He needed his honor--I needed his honor! I couldn't bear seeing him like that!"
Aang looked startled. Then realization dawned on his face, only to be thrust back by a wave of new pleas.
"It--it was my duty! I had to! There's no way--after what…what we went through--what we were!" She turned her face up, as if pleading to Agni himself. "Father! Please forgive me! It was my duty! I love him! I had to!"
Zhao sneered. He had won. She was no threat now. She was broken. And to think… he gloated to himself …you could do all this with a few…simple…words.
"It was my duty…" she had turned her head down now, in shame and disgrace. In dishonor. And those words were repeated over and over again, like a prayer for salvation.
"It was my duty…" she was untied and lead out of the room.
"It was my duty…" she was walked down the long hall.
"It was my duty…" she was brought to the door of her cell.
"It was my duty…" she was thrown in and the door shut –locked- behind her.
"It was my duty…"
"What do we do with her now, Admiral? She's still a threat to all of us."
Admiral Zhao turned to his second-in-command. And smiled. "She is no threat. I've seen people broken like that. Done it myself, actually. And believe me, people don't recover from something like that." He turned to look at the horizon, where the first impression of land was appearing. The Fire Nation, awaiting the glorious return of their princess and the captive Avatar.
"You see, that's the trouble of tying yourself to some sort of moral code." Zhao spoke the last two words with disgust and distaste. "You bind yourself to some impossible ideal, and the one time you slip up, your whole world is brought down all around you. Look at our so-called excuse for a prince. He tried to do the…honorable thing, and look what it got him. Exile and a revolting scar. Same with our Nation. It too once had the weight of honor and truth and all that. Those were the worst times in our history. But now, once we've cast all that garbage aside, look at us! The soon-to-be rulers of the entire world!"
He paused, as if reflecting on the words just spoken. Then he once more turned to the man beside him. "That's the problem with those flighty ideals. For, as just demonstrated to us, –in the most revolting of fashions- even honor has a cost, and…what was her word…and duty will always has it's price."
On the horizon, the Fire Nation's capital drew nearer and nearer, it's red and gold buildings covered in the bloody color of the sunrise. At this distance, it was as if the whole city was covered in blood. The blood of good men's sacrifice. The blood of honor lost and lives claimed. The blood of a way dying, even as Zhao spoke those last few words.
To be continued…