Eheh, haven't updated in a bit. I guess my stories are just boring, but I need to finish them before I can come up with better ideas.
Don't own Avatar, rated for fluff, cussing, and violence.
Dungeons-
CLANG
The lock fell to the floor, finally broken. "Yahoo! Took long enough!" Sokka cheered.
"Avatar! I hear voices again!"
"Everyone, hush!" Katara hissed, as the lights were doused. Distant voices floated to them.
"So, how far?"
"Shut up."
"We've been walking for awhile."
"Shut up."
"How do you know these dungeons so well?"
"The many times I was locked down here and forced to find my way up."
Silence. "I've been asking these questions for awhile, and all you've said is shut up." Apparently the speaker had thought it best to change the conversation and ignore that last comment.
"Shut UP!"
A fireball at the end of the corridor was seen, followed by a shriek and Iroh's calm voice, "Zuko, just find the dungeon."
"Shit." Sokka muttered. "Zuko." A light appeared at the end of the hallway.
"Everyone, stand ready." Shyu whispered.As the light drew nearer, Zuko saw the group clustered at the end of the hallway.
"Attack!" Sokka cried.
"Wait!" Mat cried. "Don't! We want to help!"
"Yeah, right, and I'm a lemur." Sokka threw his boomerang at Mat, and she blocked it with the broad side of her scimitar. It clattered to the floor. Mat picked it up and cautiously walked over to Sokka, holding the boomerang out as a peace offering. "Seriously. We wish to help. Zuko has decided that his father is wrong. We wish to help." Sokka carefully took the boomerang. Mat held out her hand. "My name is Mat."
Sokka looked at the hand as he would a snake he had not identified as poisonous yet. "So, how did Zuko coerce you into pretending he was all candy and sugar? Threaten your family, hit you?"
Mat was already pissed off enough from finding the damn place, and this comment didn't sit well with her. Plus, her temper was just as quick as Zuko's, if it wasn't as fiery. "Well, fuck you! If you don't want our help, fine! 's not like I give a damn anyway! I'm just here because I made a new friend! You wanna bring it? Bring it!" She threw his boomerang back at him and jumped at Sokka.
"Mat! No!" Zuko grabbed hold of Mat before she slit Sokka's throat. Mat whirled around to face Zuko. "What? Isn't this what you wanted to do all along? Come on, now's your chance! Are you really just gonna let that remark fly?"
Zuko looked pained. "I would like more than anything to fry these shrimps into a crisp, but the fact is we need them. Stop acting like a spoiled brat and help me."
Mat didn't like being reprimanded as a child, and her injured pride wouldn't let sense take over. "Well, if you don't need me fine. I'll just leave."
Zuko glared, and said, "You're still acting like a petulant child." Before the fight between the two hotheaded teens could continue, Iroh intervened. He gently took Mat by the arm and led her a ways down the hall, murmuring calming things to her.
Unfortunately for Zuko, Sokka and Shyu had not been idle during the little spat. Katara had tried to get her brother to at least listen to Zuko, but he refused, knowing Zuko's evil nature. As soon as Zuko turned his attention back to the little group he was met with a huge fire globe right in his face.
He emitted a muffled cry of surprise before crossing his arms and deflecting the blow. The force of it sent him tumbling down. Sokka took advantage of Zuko's moment of weakness and immediately jumped onto Zuko, his knife raised. But, due to Zuko's years of training, he'd already managed to flip himself onto his feet and met Sokka. He had not, though, had enough time to orient his mind enough to create any major fire. Therefore he was left with just punching little fireballs at Sokka.
Sokka was obviously not as quick or skilled as Zuko, but Sokka still had Zuko slightly confused, and Sokka's determination kept him attacking and keeping Zuko off balance.
While those two fought, Shyu had tried to sneak up on Zuko, but Iroh intercepted him. "Shyu?" Iroh asked in mild surprise.
"Iroh!" The two old men embraced each other, the fight momentarily forgotten. "It's been, what, since firebending school?"
"Yes, old friend, it has been a very long time!" The two men shared a laugh. Shyu knew and trusted Iroh, and as he came back to the present he realized he should probably stop the fight between Sokka and Zuko. Iroh had the same idea, but no voice could reach the two battling adolescents. Finally Shyu and Iroh were forced to physically interfere and dragged the two apart.
Mat had also not been idle, and not wanting to risk the wrath of Zuko and interupt the fight, just took to watching Katara, while Katara watched her. Katara was not quite sure if she wanted to join the fight, because she had seen the truth in Zuko's eyes, but she didn't want to stop her brother in case it was just a sham. Mat didn't want to waste her energy, so the two girls were content with just standing and watching as Aang stood in his now opened cell, too weak to do anything.
Finally order was restored. Katara, Sokka, and Aang stood on one side, Mat and Zuko on the other. Iroh and Shyu stood in the middle, to act as peacemakers. Zuko had a few minor cuts on his arms, while Sokka was burned in various areas. They shot each other glares promising death. Aang look weak, Mat amused, Katara confused, and Iroh and Shyu beseeching.
"Please, just hear Zuko out." Shyu implored to Sokka. "Iroh is a known and trusted friend of mine, and you owe me for my loyalty to the Avatar to just listen to him."
"Fine." Sokka said sullenly, knowing in his heart that if he fought Zuko again he would surely lose. "But that bitch has to remain quiet."
"Bitch?" Mat sneered, but was once again restrained by Zuko.
"We wish to help." Zuko started slowly. He gave a very brief description of his conversation with Zula. "My father's reign needs to end." Zuko completed.
"How do I know you're not bluffing? That this entire thing isn't just a sham to coerce us into going peacefully with you?" Katara gave her brother a startled glance, that was a bit farfetched, and Mat laughed out loud.
"We could have killed you." Zuko said.
"I was beating you!" Sokka's voice started to rise, not only from anger but also because he knew in his heart that was true.
"Once I regained my balance you would have been toast." Zuko said calmly.
"Maybe you have a higher reason, and you want to keep us alive."
"Please! To defeat the lord, we need to help each other." Mat interjected, finally getting over the fact that Sokka had insulted her. She decided her friend needed more help than her pride.
"I want to hear it from him." Sokka gestured towards Zuko. Mat gave Zuko a despairing look, and nodded.
"My, my father is an idiot. I was... wrong." Zuko clenched his fists, this was torture worse than anything his father could throw at him. "He never would have taken me back, even with the Avatar. I was just chasing after futile dreams, because I wanted the love of a father. I never realized I already had one." He looked back at Iroh, who smiled.
Sokka relaxed slightly. "You sound sincere. But I don't trust you. Go back and kill the Fire Lord, but I'm not letting you anywhere near my family."
"Sokka!" Katara yelled. "We might need him!"
"Are you insane? This dude has been trying to KILL US! Or have you forgotten already?"
"Katara's right, Sokka." Aang said weakly. "We're going to need all the help we can get."
"No! If there was even the slightest chance he would double-cross us, I wouldn't let him near you guys. And there is more than a slight chance. I'm supposed to protect you guys."
Zuko looked about ready to explode. "FINE!" He yelled. "I come here, offering to help, and you peasants are just to foolish to accept it! Let's get out of here, Mat. We don't need them." He began to stalk off.
"Wait!" Katara, Aang, Mat, and Iroh all shouted simultaneously. "Please, Zuko, they need us!" Mat begged.
"I believe you, Zuko!" Katara told him, her eyes dancing with hope.
"Zuko, come here." By now, Aang had finally stepped out of his cell. Unsure, Zuko had to get prodded forward by Iroh. Zuko stepped forward and knelt in front of Aang.
"Zuko. Look into my eyes. Tell me you want to help. Tell me you will help us defeat your father."
Zuko stared into this young 12 year old's eyes, then drew his broadswords. There was a sharp intake of breath from Sokka. "You have my sword, my fire, and my loyalty, Avatar."
Wow, why does it feel like that chapter is a lot longer than only four pages? groan Ugh, maybe that's just because it's a slow story... Ah well, it'll be over soon and I can get some freash and new ideas down!