Chapter 4

The Southern Air Temple

Wow I never thought I would get this done so fast. Let alone in just 24 hours. Well it happened, just don't expect me to keep doing it. I need to think about my health and wellbeing after all.

Once the ship was ice and snow free, it was clear to see that the ship is in desperate need to be repaired.

It's only an hour away until they reach the nearest Fire Nation harbor, so it was the perfect time to get Jake and Haley into shape. Iroh went a little easier on Haley when it came to exorcises while Zuko made Jake do twenty sets of fire fists and ten hot squats. Afterwards, they taught them some simple and easy katas. And they pass them well.

"I think we should take a break." Said Iroh, the two Long kids collapse under exhaustion. Iroh gave them cups of water as they all stat down and rest.

Fu Dog who was mostly sitting and watching everything came over to them. "We need a cover." He said, "We already broken a lot of rules to you guys about us and the secrets, if word got out the unimaginable would happen. Ya get me?"

Jake then said, "Fu's right. It's the dragon's job to protect the magical world from threats. Both there and from the human world. No one is supposed to know about us, our secret, or our family. We need to be three steps ahead."

'They're right. If everyone knew, then they would find away to change the future to reshape it.' Zuko thought, Iroh suddenly gets an idea, "We should count ourselves lucky for the ship's damage."

Everyone turns to Iroh at what he meant by that, that's when Fu Dog catches on, "We could say that your ship collided with one of those Earth Kingdom ships, and the three of us were held captive by them and were left for dead in the frozen waters to drown. That'll make a pretty good cover story, don't cha think?"

"Hmm. That might actually work, but what about Jake's green tips in his hair? How do we explain that?" said Haley, "I don't suppose anyone has any quick hair color removeable?"

"Don't know what that is, but I don't think we'll have to worry about it so much." Said Iroh, Zuko was wondering about Jake's odd hair tips color, just how? Was he born with it or not?

Iroh continues, "Some children are touched by the spirits in their lifetime, and the results of such an event are often shown on their physical selves."

That kind of explains why some of the crew didn't ask questions, they believe that Jake was touched by a spirit. "Do you think we might meet someone who's been touched by a spirit?" Jake ask Iroh, who smiles and says, "Who knows, life is full mysteries."

That's true.

*Knock Knock*

"Prince Zuko, General Iroh, our destination is in sight. We'll be docking at the naval yard in about thirty minutes." One of the guards said coming in.

"Thank you, you are dismiss." The soldier bowed respectfully to Iroh before leaving. Iroh turns to his nephew, the kids and dog with a smile on his face, "Looks like we'll get our shopping promise fulfilled."

Time Skip

As the four humans and dog got off Zuko's ship, they can see how damaged the ship took and that the size of it is much smaller than the other Fire Nation ships that were lined up. Let's hope the cover story works in their favor.

"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail." Said Zuko, just to be sure Iroh said, "You mean the Avatar?"

Zuko turns around angrily to his uncle. "Don't mention his name on these docks!" "Gees uncle, what part of 'keep secret' do you not understand?" Jake said to Iroh who weekly smiles in sheepish embarrassment. "Once word gets out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way." Zuko finish explaining to his uncle.

Only then he hears a familiar voice he had hope he didn't want to encounter, "Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?"

Everyone turn to a man in his late 30's or 40's approaching them. He has dark brown hair, amber eyes, and his whole face looks like an angry monkey. And by the looks of it he could be the one in charge of around here.

"Captain Zhao." Zuko says to the man with distaste. The man, Zhao, didn't bows to Zuko but corrected him with a pompous smug attitude, "Commander now." And then bows to Iroh, "And General Iroh, great hero of our nation."

"Retired general." Iroh corrected Zhao, who says, "The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time. What brings you to my harbor?" "Our ship is being repaired." Said Iroh as he gestures to the heavily damaged bow of the ship.

"That's quite a bit of damage." Zhao commented as he looks over Iroh's shoulder to see two unfamiliar faces, "And who are they?" Remembering their cover story, Fu shake like a cold and frighten dog, Haley acted the sweet and scared little girl while Jake Holds her protectively as the big brother he is.

"This young boy is Jake Long, his sister, Haley, and their dog Fu." Iroh introduce them to Commander Zhao, "We rescue them from Earth Kingdom soldiers." Iroh leans a little forward to Zhao and said quietly, "They've been through so much in such amount of time, I don't want them to relieve the horrors they've witness. It's also part of the reason why our ship is this way."

Zhao look very intrigue, "Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details." He smiles and he goes right up to Zuko's face in an obvious challenge. "Join me for a drink?"

"Sorry, but we have plans." Zuko decline Zhao's offer, he was about to turn and leave but Iroh stops by placing his hand on his shoulder. "Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." Iroh turns his attention to Zhao, "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite. Also, if it's no trouble, could you show Jake and Haley the shops? They need more suitable clothing and to replace their supplies they've loss."

Zhao's smile look more like a grin as he replied, "It's no trouble at all." As he and Iroh started to walk away, leaving Zuko to growls in frustration and releases fire from his fists angrily before turning back to follow them down the dock with Jake, Haley, and Fu Dog by his side.

"That guy's a complete Jerk with the face of a monkey and a huge ego." Jake commented on the Commander, "You mean hog-monkey." Zuko corrected, Jake gives Zuko a confusing look, "Say what?"

The four of them realize a huge change in the timeline of the animals in the future are not exactly the same ones in the past. Making them both thought that they'll would remain the same. "Oh boy, looks like we're going to need some more schooling while we're here." Said Fu dog, "Hey! Shh! Be a real dog, Fu Dog." Haley scolded quietly.

They reach to one of the tents where they'll be having tea, Zhao had one of his men to escort the kids to a clothes stand while the dog stays with Iroh. Once there, Jake and Haley were taken measurements by the seamstress while showing them different colors of red and what kids of styles they want to have them in.

Jake manage to have a maroon, red, crimson red, and garnet red, under shirts but kept the over shirt Iroh lend him as well as the sash. The pairs of pants he chose were black, wide, and baggy in his size and more fitting shoes and boots.

Haley found a really cute pink top shirt and a magenta skirt to wear over a matching pink knee-length baggy pants and red shoes to match.

There were some hair stylist who offer them to do their hairs, but they politely turn down their offer, but Haley did take a few hair ties. And one red one if Jake ever needs one if his hair grows too long.

And the accessories had a lot of necklaces and elaborate headpiece, some of them hand-crafted. Haley found a yellow band necklace with a small ruby as it's center piece, and a pink twin hairpin combs that looked like plum blossoms. While Jake had black arm gauntlet and another pair as a forearm.

When they were done, Jake and Haley were escorted back to the where, Zuko and Iroh were having tea with Zhao.

When they entered the first thing they saw was a large map of the world upon the wall, with Zhao facing it, Zuko sitting in one of the chairs around a table in front of Zhao with Fu Dog laying down beside him, and Iroh inspecting a small weapons rack.

Everyone turn to see them standing there in their new clothes, "Well, don't you two look beautiful and handsome." Iroh complimented them, Haley did a little twirl while Jake went to sit next to Zuko, who was looking at Jake as if he was seeing a ghost of his younger-self.

Zhao eyed them with interest before turning back to face the map again, "And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."

"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Said Zuko, Zhao takes a seat in a chair next to Zuko. "Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue." Zhao stated.

Meanwhile, Haley stands by Iroh to see the different kinds of weapons who has taken one off from the stand and was putting it back.

"So, how is your search for the Avatar going?" Zhao asked.

However, the stand of weapons lost it's stands and came crashing down. Iroh cringes at the mess while everyone turn to him waiting for an explanation, "Haley did it." Iroh pointed to the little girl, who glares up to the old man. 'What a childish excuse.' Haley thought.

"We haven't found him yet." Zuko answered Zhao's question, who went on saying, "Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the airbenders."

Zuko averts his eyes guiltily. But guilty of what? Zhao is eagerly to know what it is.

"Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive." Zuko didn't looked at Zhao when he answered him, "No. Nothing."

Zhao gets up from his chair and starts interrogating the prince, "Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."

Zuko repeats his answer with a bit more defiant, "I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on, Uncle, Jake, Haley, Fu, we're going." Zuko gets up and tries to leave with the kids and dog following behind him.

But they are blocked by the guards as they cross their spears in front of them. As another guard approaches Zhao to deliver his report. "Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody but let him escape."

Feeling satisfied with his plan Zhao walks up behind Zuko and ask, "Now, remind me... ... how exactly was your ship damaged?" Zuko looks down in defeat.

Until Haley spoke in a sweet innocent voice, "Uncle Iroh let out a huge firebending fart." Everyone look liked they were either grossed out, embarrassed, on the verge of laughing, or just wondering if that really happened? Or all of the above.

Even the dog look like he was laughing.

Time Skip

Zhao crosses in front of a seated and unhappy Zuko. With a pair of guards stand behind the young prince and the two kids who were seated on each side of him. Zhao spoke "So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders? You're more pathetic than I thought."

Jake, Haley, and Fu gave the commander a look, believing he's the more pathetic one.

"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again." Said Zuko, "No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance."

Everyone, minus Iroh, were very alarmed, "Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I..." Zhao turns on him angrily with flames erupting from his hand as he sweeps it in an arc from left to right. "And you failed!" Zhao yelled, Nearly letting his flames hit Haley with his hand if she hadn't ducked in time.

"Haley!" Jake cried, trying to reach her, but the guards hold him down in his seat. As Zhao towers over them, he look to Jake and to Zuko before saying, "Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now."

Zuko launches himself at Zhao in frustration and anger, but he was restrained by the two guards standing behind his chair. "Keep them here." Zhao orders the guards as he leaves the tent.

In a further act of frustration, Zuko kicks over a small table that had been sitting near Iroh. It breaks into pieces. Which turns out to be another trait Jake has acquired from Zuko when he's on another level of frustrated anger.

Iroh watches the scene calmly, he turns to the guards holding them here and ask, "More tea please?"

It was then that Jake got an idea of how to get back at Zhao, "Uh Haley. We didn't finished our shopping. And Zhao's generous to pay for everything for us." Said Jake, Haley smiles up to her brother, "You're right. I nearly forgot about it."

The two siblings got up and left with the guards following them and Fu Dog walks out with them. Somehow Zuko has a feeling that he's may or may not what Jake's plan, but he does know that it's going to bite Zhao in the rear.

Time Skip

Zhao approaches the exterior of the large tent, opening the flaps as he enters. Two guards standing ready inside the entrance draw their spears back. "My search party is ready."

Zuko was back sitting in his chair across from his uncle with Jake and Haley back from their supply shopping sitting together from Iroh's left and Zuko's right.

"Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go." Said Zhao, making Jake, Haley, and Fu Dog a little worried. "Why?" Zuko ask all of a sudden, "Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"

Zhao only laugh at Zuko, "You? Stop me? Impossible." Zuko stands up in defiance. "Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you." Iroh also stands up and tries to defuse the situation, "Prince Zuko, that's enough!"

But Zhao wasn't going to stop this, "You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you... you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."

Jake and Haley perk up at this new information, what in the world happen that got Zuko banished? Was what Zhao said about their ancestor's father is true?

"You're wrong." Zuko declares, "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne."

But Zhao wasn't letting up, "If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation." "That's not true." Zuko contradicts. But what Zhao said next sent the feeling of dread down the time travelers' spine.

"You have the scar to prove it."

With a cry of indignation, Zuko launches himself to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao's. "Maybe you'd like one to match!" he growls like a dragon, "Is that a challenge?" Zhao ask smugly.

"An Agni kai. At sunset." Said Zuko, Zhao smug grin never leaves his face, "Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do. And while we're at it, when I win, I'll be taking the boy as my new soldier." Zhao turns and walks out of the tent with all of his guards, leaving his guess stun.

"This is bad. We can't let Zhao take Jake. Also what's Agni kai?" Said Fu Dog, while Haley holds onto her brother's hand in fear of loosing him if she lets go. Iroh was shocked of this turn of event, "A fire duel." Iroh answered, before turning his attention to his nephew, "Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"

"I will never forget." Zuko replied, making Jake to think that the history of Zuko's last battle and his scar are connected.

Time Skip

It was sunset, and everyone is gathered in a Fire Nation arena, a simple four-walled structure with watch fires on the four towers at each corner. There is one large open gate. The sunset is a glorious mixture of Fire Nation hues: red, orange, and yellow.

Knelling down with their backs turn in the arena where Zhao and Zuko, preparing for battle, Zhao with four of his men in attendance, Zuko with his uncle, Jake, Haley, and Fu Dog.

"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh drilled one last advice before the fight, "You better win, senior kid. Jake's life is on the line." Said Fu Dog, Zuko stands up and announce, "I refuse to let him win." As his shoulder wrap falls to the ground ceremoniously.

Zhao too stands and turns, as his shoulder wrap falling to the ground, as well. "This will be over quickly."

At the sound of the gong, Both men face each other and assume firebending stances. Prince Zuko fires the first shot which passes harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fires again; this time it passes without effect to Zhao's right. Zuko fires several more, the last of which Zhao blocks, satisfaction evident on his face.

Frustrated and losing control of his breath, Zuko moves towards his opponent, unleashing more fire from both his hands and feet. Zhao dodges or blocks them all. Zhao then crouches forward and shoots flame at a point on the ground close in front of him.

"Basics, Zuko! Break his root!" Iroh shouts, "Don't give up!" Haley cheered, "Com' on, kid!" Fu begged.

But Zhao fires many volleys of flame, alternating between his fists. Zuko blocks each but is slowly forced back. On the last volley Zhao uses both hands, knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards in the dirt. Zhao takes a flying jump at him. Zhao lands as Zuko tries to get up, but he isn't fast enough. Zhao fires right at him, as memories started to come back to him.

But a voice broke out Zuko out of that fog of memories.

"Don't give up the fight!" It was Jake who shouted out to him.

Quickly thinking, Zuko rolls out of the way just in time, as he gets back up by spinning his body and sweeps Zhao's feet out from under him at the same time.

Jake stares at Zuko in awe at what he had just seen. Zuko did a breakdance/hip hop spin! And uses it as recoil defense and offence! 'I have got to try that!'

Zuko lands on his feet, with a slight smile on his face. He feels that he definitely can with this. With each stop, Zuko sends out small waves of fire that rushes towards Zhao, who is caught off balance and wobbles slowly backwards.

Every soldier and guard present were shock to see the banished Prince fighting back at Commander Zhao and is winning with every step.

Iroh's fists clenched in an expression of hope, as a smile beginning to spread over his face. Fu Dog howls with excitement, Haley cheers while Jake was on the edge of his feet now that the tables have turned.

Zuko finally lays Zhao out flat on the ground with a blast of fire. Zuko rushes up to him, prepared to deal the final blow. And emphasizes on the decision he is facing.

"Do it!" Zhao encourages the prince.

Zuko releases a blast. Haley averted her eyes in time, but luckily Zuko's shot a few inches away from Zhao leaving him very much unharmed next to the hole. "That's it? Your father raised a coward." Zhao spat out, but Zuko didn't let it get to him this time, "Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko turns his back and begins to walk away.

As Zhao gets up with a howl of anger, unleashes a whip of flame at Zuko. "ZUKO!" Jake and Haley scream, thankfully, Iroh stops Zhao's dishonorable attack by catching his outstretched foot, extinguishing the flame, and hurls Zhao back into the dirt with little effort.

Zuko rushes to avenge the insult, but is stopped by his uncle, "No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory."

Jake, Fu Dog, and Haley rush over to them as Iroh turns to face Zhao with a look of condescension on his face. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful."

"And according to your bet, you lost. Which means I don't get to serve you, Commander Zhao." Jake says with the same distaste in his voice. It was then that Zhao was looking at Jake and Zuko with wide eyes and his mouth gapping like a fish.

"Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you." Zuko looks at his uncle in surprise at this comment, and so were the two Long siblings. "Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."

Iroh made his leave with Zuko, Jake, Haley, and Fu Dog following close behind. With subdued anger, Zhao watches them exit the gate of the arena. Once they were outside, Zuko ask quietly, "Did you really mean that, Uncle?" "Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh replies slyly, making Zuko smile at him.

"Alright then, let's get back to the ship. Quickly." Said Fu Dog, "Why?" Iroh asked the talking animal guardian, "Because Zhao-a is going to be in a state of shock after how much of his money these two has spent on and I left him a parting gift in his bed. I was gonna leave it on his poop-deck, but com' on? A guy can't hold it forever. Also I might have eaten some of his work." Fu Dog let out a burp as piece of paper flies out of his mouth.

Without another word, everyone hightailed out there and back to the ships in the harbor.

'Oh yeah, that is really gonna bite Zhao in the rear.' Zuko thought, as a small chuckle escaped his lips, it's still gross though.

Time Skip

Once out at sea again, the kids, Zuko, Iroh and Fu Dog were going through the stuff that Jake and Haley had bought, papers, booklets, charcoal pencils, ink, brushes, small boards of wood, small pieces of metal, a couple of small thick and hard set of wheels, a helmet, candies, toys, dolls, a children's tea set, lots of taste snacks, foods, a dress fit for a pretty princess, and a whole lot more.

Yeah. Zhao's gonna pop a blood vessel.

They even bought a smaller version of the world map. "Why did you buy one? We already have ten of them." Said Zuko, he just got over his frustrations he doesn't need another one, "Yeah, but seeing how the world is now and back at home. It became a major shock to us to see how much has changed." Jake replied,

"How so?" Iroh ask, "Hey now wise uncle, no more spoiling future topics." Says Fu Dog, "We don't want anyone's head spinning." "Let's just say that more lands are found, others are merged or went underwater, and new islands rises from the ocean floors." Said Haley.

Iroh stroke his beard, "That is kind of scary, but understandable."

"Anyway, what are you three going to do with this stuff?" Zuko ask while trying to keep his anger under control, Jake explains, "Well some of it are for our family ancestor project, and some of it is for Fu to create spells and potions that'll come in handy later on. The rest, we figure on selling them at the next area we dock at. Just to spite Zhao even more."

Zuko never felt more pleased today, "The project and the selling I get, but potions and spells?" "Some of the herbs are the same, not to mention the animals here are strikingly close to the magical creatures we're familiar with." Said Fu Dog.

"Wait, charms!" everyone turns to Jake's sudden frustrated shout, "Please tell me you have that dream charm on you kid? Fu ask hopefully, "I need to be sure." Jake got up and left to find his normal clothes in his quarters.

Seeing the two members of the royal family looking confuse, Fu Dog explains what just happened. "Jake has a charm he can use to entire into his own dreams and remember everything about it. The plane is called the dreamscape." "I thought only monks can do stuff like that." Said Zuko.

"You can take it even further." Said Jake as he returns with the charm in his hands. "This might help us get into contact to gramps."

Chapter four finish!

I'm still in shock at how fast I got this done! I was going to use the last part of the chapter in the future. But I think this is a bit better. Anyways I've come up with a backup plan for that chapter so there's nothing to worry about.

PREVIEW: Jake is somewhat struggling with his firebending training, while Haley is achieving greatly. And Zuko is mad to see that Haley is a prodigy like his sister, but less mean and not a liar.

See ya later.