Author's Rant: Ok, I absolutely hate writing updates on my phone. It's a pain, but recently my computer (or internet) keeps being weird and I lose connection. And because of that, I lose part of what I've already written! Gah! It's so frustrating! DX...Anyways...now that I've gotten that off my chest, away we go again.
Zuko couldn't quite believe how cold it was as he made his way to the icy walls, careful to try and avoid being spotted by the alert guards patrolling the walls themselves. He was lucky that none of them seemed to notice his small boat, probably because they were watching for larger threats. But once he reached the wall and exited his small craft he had a new problem. How to get in without being captured right off. He knew that his best chance of being believed would be the Avatar. The kid was a little too trusting, but he could use that right about now. Anyone else would likely toss him in a cell without listening to a word he said.
Shaking his head to clear it Zuko lowered his face covering and let out a small breath of fire to help warm his body before he put his mask back in place and began to look around for a way into the city. He knew that going over the wall would be suicide. After several moments he caught sight of some turtle-seals diving into a hole in the ice near the wall and made his way over. Peering into the hole he took note of how it sloped. It seemed to be going into the city. Turtle-seals needed to breathe air so it would have to come up for air at some point. The only risk would be that the air space was too far for him to make it to. If he chose to go down this path there'd be no changing his mind. He frowned for several long moments and looked around to see if there was any other way in that he could use. Finding none he took a steadying breath and nodded. He didn't have the luxury of time to keep looking around. Zhao would resume his attack at sun up. Mind made up he lowered his mask and took a deep breath, casting a prayer for safety to Agni before diving in and beginning to swim.
Zuko did his best to ignore the aching cold that made his body want to give in even as he pushed himself to swim through the dark waters. Just as he was starting to honestly think that he'd made the wrong choice his head broke through to air and he took several gasping breaths. Once he had enough oxygen to think properly he began quickly pulling himself from the frigid water. Once he was out he collapsed to his side on the ice, shivering and gasping. He was going to pay for this later, but for now, he let out several breaths of fire in a row, raising the temperature of the air around him as well as his internal body temperature.
Groaning quietly he pushed himself to his feet. He had to keep moving, despite how his body protested. He didn't have time to rest.
"Be quiet!" He snapped at the nearby turtle-seals that were barking at him. The cold had given him a fierce headache and they were not helping. Growling to himself he made his way deeper into the cave, looking around for where to go next. Eventually, he realized that his only way forward was through another tunnel of water that was on the wall. This one was flowing more swiftly and was a good deal smaller, but he should be able to use it. Sending a quick mental thanks to his uncle for teaching him how to keep warm and to the spirit of his cousin Lu Ten for teaching him how to swim properly he began making his way into this next part of his journey. Part of him wondered why he cared so much about this, but he pushed that aside for now. He didn't have time for that.
All in all, it took him a good hour and two more channels before he hit the end. The dead end. He was still underwater, but there was nothing but ice above him. He couldn't see any further way to go and he didn't have time to keep looking for one. He needed air or he was going to drown. Refusing to give up without at least trying to get out Zuko pressed his hands to the ice above him and began pushing heat outward from his palms. It was thin enough that he could see light through it easily enough so maybe...There! He almost cried out in relief as his hands melted through the ice and gave him a way out. He wasted no time in hauling himself out and gasping for air as he knelt over in what looked to be some sort of tunnel. He quickly pulled himself over to the tunnel wall and curled his arms around himself as he looked around. He did his best to get his bearings as he let out several small breaths of fire. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, just stop his body from shutting down from the cold. He knew he'd have to deal with consequences from this whole mess later, firebenders weren't meant to deal with the cold after all, but that would have to be put aside for now. Gritting his teeth he forced himself to his feet and began making his way through the city.
It was times like this that he was very grateful for all the effort he'd put into learning how to be stealthy. His blue spirit training truly came in handy in times like this. As it is it takes a bit of work and a great deal of luck to find The Avatar and when he does he curses quietly under his breath. The Avatar, from listening to his waterbending friend, was in the spirit world. This could be a problem. He grit his teeth and tried to think. He didn't have many options here. Letting out a short sigh and bracing himself for what would be, almost certainly, a fairly unwelcoming and painful welcome he made his way into the strangely warm cavern.
"You're going to have more problems than waiting for The Avatar to return to his body very soon." Ok, so that was probably one of the worst ways he could have started this conversation, but he really wasn't good at words. And he wasn't really sure what he said would have made a difference in the water bender's response. The girl (only Azula's age, how had he missed that before?) spun around to face him with wide, panicked eyes.
"No..." She sounded properly horrified and it made a small part of Zuko feel absolutely awful. He pushed that aside for the time being. He didn't have the time to be dealing with that.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone," Zuko tried to calm her down, putting his arms up in a calming fashion, but that didn't seem to do him much good. From the times they'd fought against each other she seemed to automatically assume that he was about to attack her and he couldn't fully blame her for that fact. She immediately reacted to the perceived threat, lashing out with a set of water whips that Zuko automatically summoned small blasts of fire to ward off. That...probably wasn't his best choice of responses all things considered, but the accuracy and force behind the water caught him by surprise. She hadn't been nearly that good before. The nearly full moon had to be helping, but still.
"Would you just," he cut off to block try and block another attack but was knocked flying, landing on the ground face-down. Ok. That hurt. His body was already aching and unhappy with him from moving as much as he had with his injuries. That most certainly hadn't helped. He grimaced and forced himself up again, finishing his sentence "Let me talk!"
"Why should I believe a word you have to say?!" the girl spat back. And. Ok. That was fair. To a point. It wasn't like he'd ever lied to her or the others, but he had been their enemy. It didn't keep him from being frustrated though. Before he could reply he was knocked flying again, sideways this time. Rolling as he landed he jumped back to his feet.
"Gah!" he let out a frustrated breath, fire shooting from his mouth in his anger "We don't have time for this!" Darting forward he went on the offensive. He'd hoped to just talk to the girl, but it was looking like he would need to knock her out and wait for The Avatar to wake up. They exchanged blows for several quick moments and he suddenly realized the obvious reason for her increase in skill. She must have found a master here! Of course! He didn't really have time to contemplate this fact though because moments later he was slammed backward by several consecutive waves of water, crashing him back against the nearby wall and continuing to press him back before it froze around him. He didn't realize any of this though. As he hit the wall his head slammed back and the world dimmed to black.
Iroh was careful to bury his fear long before he met Zhao at the bow of the ship once more, watching as the sun rose and the battle prepared to start once more.
"It's daybreak at last," Zhao smirked, "Let's write history." Iroh watched him with some guarded wariness. He still hadn't gotten Zhao's plan out of the admiral, but he felt it wouldn't be long until the boastful man let it slip. He knew Zhao would want to brag. He was simply that kind of man. Looking back at the city in front of them his heart clenched as he watched Fire Nation ships move forward and press their fronts into the ice and snow, making paths for soldiers to disembark and attack the city on foot.
"I don't need to remind you we have a time limit. If we don't defeat the Water Tribe before the full moon rises they will be undefeatable," Iroh pointed out mildly, hoping that Zhao would speak up. He gets his wish, but he honestly wished he hadn't.
"I assure you I have everything under control," Zhao replied dismissively "I intend to remove the moon as a factor." Iroh's eyes widened in shock and horror but forced himself to ask further questions. He needed to know as much as possible to stop this.
"Remove the moon? How?" Before he could get an answer a young man came onto the bow and made a reckless charge at Zhao. The doomed attempt almost made Iroh sigh as the young man was tossed overboard. He clearly had no training in this sort of mission. He shook his head sadly. Another young life lost.
Zhao, on the other hand, seemed completely unbothered "As I was saying. Years ago I stumbled upon a great and powerful secret: the identity of the Moon Spirit's mortal form."
"What?" Iroh asked, heart in his throat. So Zhao did have information about the location of the Ocean and Moon Spirits.
Zhao didn't notice or didn't care about, Iroh's obvious horror as he continued to brag. "I was a young lieutenant serving on General Shu in the Earth Kingdom. I discovered a hidden library. Underground in fact. I tore through scroll after scroll. One of them contained a detailed illustration and the words "Moon" and "Ocean". I knew then that these spirits could be found and killed. And that it was my destiny to do so."
Iroh turned fully to this cruel man and allowed some of his anger and horror to show "Zhao! The spirits are not to be trifled with!" He intended to kill the spirit of the moon! Not just attack or hideaway. Kill! He was insane! There was no other explanation.
"Yes, yes," Zhao said patronizingly "I know you fear the spirits, Iroh. I've heard rumors about your journey into the Spirit World. But the Ocean and Moon gave up their immortality to become a part of our world. And now they will face the consequences." Iroh fell silent as he stared at Zhao. It was clear that Zhao wasn't going to be persuaded to give up this suicidal mission of his. Iroh took a moment to decide on a course of action. He could take out Zhao now, but he didn't know where the information about the Moon and Ocean spirit was located and couldn't risk it being found by others. Besides Zuko was already inside the city (he had to be, Iroh would consider no other option) and Iroh needed to get inside. So he would bide his time. Go along with this fool plan until he needed to step in. And step in he would. He would not allow the Moon to be harmed if he could help it.